iStock/Thinkstock(WASHINGTON) -- A group of influential Republican senators on Thursday called for the appointment of a special counsel to investigate how the Department of Justice and FBI conducted a probe of possible collusion between the Trump campaign and the Russians. The demand came in a letter to Attorney General Jeff Sessions and his deputy, Rod Rosenstein, from Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley of Iowa; John Cornyn of Texas, a committee member and No. 2 in the Senate Republican leadership; and committee members Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., and Thom Tillis, R-N.C. They requested that a special counsel assist the DOJ inspector general in digging into possible misuse of the foreign intelligence surveillance system to obtain warrants against a former Trump campaign aide, leaks of classified intelligence to the media and potential improprieties in the FBIs relationship with Christopher Steele. Grassley and Graham already made a criminal referral to the DOJ two months ago concerning former British intelligence officer Christopher Steele -- author of the so-called Trump dossier -- recommending that officials investigate possible false statements by Steele to federal officials. One Senate Judiciary Committee Democratic source said, "They keep forgetting that the Russia investigation started with George Papadopoulos and his Russia-related contacts." Buried in the list of more than 30 questions that the senators want investigated is an allegation by Grassley that former FBI Director James Comey may have lied to Congress. Chairman Grassley wrote to former Director Comey nearly a year ago requesting him to resolve apparent material discrepancies between information he provided in a closed briefing and information contained in classified documents, the letter reads. Specifically, what Mr. Comey disclosed in a private briefing to the Chairman and Ranking Member Feinstein about the timeline of the FBIs interactions with Mr. Steele appeared inconsistent with information contained in FISA applications the chairman and ranking member later reviewed. Grassley goes on to say, Its unclear whether this was a deliberate attempt to mislead the Oversight Committee about whether the FBIs communications with Mr. Steele about the Trump allegations began before or after the FBI opened the investigation. No explanation for the inconsistencies has ever been provided, the letter states. The four GOP Judiciary Committee members also want to know more about the nature of the FBIs interview of Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn, President Trumps former national security adviser who is now cooperating in special counsel Robert Muellers Russia investigation. He pleaded guilty to making false statements to federal agents. Republicans on Capitol Hill have frequently lambasted Rosenstein, Mueller and the Russia investigation more broadly. Disagreements on the Senate Judiciary Committee have so fractured its own Russia investigation that Republicans and Democrats have been operating on separate tracks, with some members privately grousing that the whole thing is a waste of time. Democrats often said Republicans, in attacking the Russia investigation, are merely trying to protect the president. The DOJ inspector general is already investigating how the department and the FBI handled its probe of Hillary Clintons use of a private email server. The inspector general is expected to issue its report on that matter in April, according to sources. Copyright 2018, ABC Radio. All rights reserved. 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 Truthdig President Trump's nomination of CIA Deputy Director Gina Haspel to be the new director returns the country to the bad old days of torture and secret prisons. Trump couldn't be any clearer that he has come down on the side of the architects of the George W. Bush-era torture policy. Haspel was a prote'ge of Jose Rodriguez, the CIA's notorious former deputy director for operations and former director of the Counterterrorism Center (CTC), known as the godfather of the torture program. Haspel served as Rodriguez's chief of staff at CTC. Haspel has been at the CIA for 33 years. She's been described in the media as a "seasoned intelligence veteran," with an "uncanny ability to get things done" and as someone who "inspires those around her." I'm sure that's true for some. But many of the rest of us who knew and worked with Gina Haspel at the CIA called her "Bloody Gina." The CIA will not permit me to talk about Haspel's time overseas. Suffice it to say that others already have, and her career has been well documented in the media. Most importantly, it was Haspel whom Rodriguez ordered to destroy videotaped evidence of the torture of Abu Zubaydah, who many of us believed, incorrectly, to be the third-ranking person in al-Qaida. And that was after the White House counsel told her to preserve everything. She never apologized or even attempted to explain herself. Rodriguez called her a patriot. I would say that she committed "obstruction of justice," a felony. Haspel's appointment as CIA director is wrong for a number of reasons. First, just imagine the message this sends to the CIA workforce: Engage in whatever war crimes or crimes against humanity you want, and there won't be any repercussions. Don't worry about ethics. Don't worry about morality. We'll cover for you. And you can destroy the evidence, too. What message does that send to other countries around the world? What do we tell our allies, the same ones we criticize every year in the State Department's annual Human Rights Report? We tell them: "You know how we always say that we're a beacon of respect for human rights and the rule of law? Well, that's nonsense. We say those things only when it's expedient. Do as we say, not as we do." Our actions are also not lost on our enemies. A myriad of former intelligence professionals will tell you that the torture program has been the greatest recruitment tool terrorist groups around the world have ever had. It has energized them. It's given them something to rally against. It swelled their ranks. It was no coincidence that ISIS paraded its prisoners in front of cameras wearing orange jumpsuits before beheading them. Gina Haspel has to take responsibility for her role in that. We should also ask ourselves who we want to be as Americans. Do we want to be just another international rogue nation that tortures people? Do we want to be the country that snatches people from one country and sends them to another to be tortured and interrogated? Do we want to be the country that cynically preaches human rights, then violates those same rights when we think nobody is looking? Shouldn't we want to be that shining beacon, the country that every other one looks up to? Haspel's nomination is also an insult to the likes of Sen. John McCain, the one person on Capitol Hill with the greatest moral authority to weigh in on torture. McCain knows that torture is an abomination. It's un-American. We should listen to him. Haspel's nomination is an insult to Defense Secretary James Mattis, the retired four-star general who told Trump to his face during the transition period that torture doesn't work, and to CIA Director Mike Pompeo himself, who said in his confirmation hearings that he was opposed to the torture program and would not reinstate it, even if the president ordered him to do so. There is some hope that the CIA's overseers on Capitol Hill will have the sense to tell the president that this nomination is wrong. Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., the former chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence (SSCI), in 2013 objected to Haspel's temporary appointment as director of the CIA's National Clandestine Service, the agency's operations directorate, denying her the position on a permanent basis. Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va., the SSCI's ranking member, said he wanted assurances that Haspel intended to comply with the spirit and letter of the law banning torture. She made no public response. Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., has already said he will oppose her nomination. If there was ever a time for Senate Democrats to stand together, it is now. Our nation cannot afford to backslide into lawlessness. We cannot countenance torture. We cannot look the other way. We cannot reward the torturers. Gina Haspel more appropriately should be facing a judge to answer to charges of war crimes. She ought not be in the director's office at the CIA. 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. Celebration of the Real St. Patrick's Day March 17 is considered the one day in the year to celebrate the Feast Day of St. Patrick, which traditionally takes place between the fire festivals of Feb 1 (Brigid's Day) and May 1 (Beltaine Day) and is early potato planting time in Ireland. Several years ago I climbed Croagh Padraig (ie St. Patrick's Mountain) during early March before the larger crowds of pilgrims would arrive on March 17. The pilgrimage was one that my ancestors had long participated in although the climb was especially arduous in March with mist, rain, sleet and snow pelting down as you make your way up the 2500 ft, mountain which overlooks Clew Bay in Mayo. It was on Clew Bay where many Irish began their own arduous voyage to America during the Great Famine of the mid-19th century, with hundreds of thousands eventually settling in the U.S. The climb to the top of Croagh Patrick was a religious exercise for pilgrims since it was here 1500 years ago that St. Patrick fasted on bread and water for 40 days while meditating and praying. Most historians say that St Patrick was born in Wales during the Romano-British period, prior to the invasion of the Anglo- Saxon tribes. Patrick was from a patrician family and of Old British stock, all of whom were subject to depredations by, Anglo-Saxons as well as Irish raiders following the withdrawal of Roman troops. Captured at the age of 16 he was sold to a farmer to herd sheep and cattle. After six years he escaped by walking the length of the country to take a ship back to Wales and then to France where he studied for many years at a monastery before returning to Ireland. After many years of evangelizing St. Patrick was honored as one of three patron saints of Ireland, along with St. Bridget and St.Columba, the founder of Iona Monastery in Scotland. Patrick is recognized, not only in the Catholic church, but also among Anglicans and the Eastern Orthodox. In Ireland it was traditional to honor him with religious services. As a youth in Ireland I participated in ceremonial processions on St. Patrick's Day, a day of fasting and church attendance. After Patrick's death in 493 AD the native Irish continued his legacy but adopted a style more suited to rural life using small stone buildings for monastic foundations and island hermitages. St. Columba, in the 6th century, founded monasteries in Ireland and Scotland while others, such as Columbanus brought the ascetic style of the Celtic church to the founding of monasteries in Germany, France and Italy. One of Columba's clan, Adamnan, (Eunan) later became the abbot of Iona and convinced over one hundred clan leaders to adopt the Peace of Eunan (Cain Eunan) and not slay women, children or clergy in clan battles. There are an estimated 80 million people in the diaspora of Irish throughout the world, about 40 million live in the U.S. and Canada. When the Irish first arrived in large numbers in the 18th century their animosity toward England was a result of having been deprived of their livelihoods due to industrial manufacture in England. The Scots-Irish and Irish became a major factor in the revolutionary army of George Washington, providing at least one-third of the soldiers and nine of his Generals. General John Sullivan, whose father was Owen O'Sullivan from the Beara Peninsula, Ireland, was one of these and became governor of NH, and his brother James became the governor of Massachussetts. Another Maine family was that of Jeremiah O'Brien of Machias, who with his four brothers initiated the first naval battle of the Revolution. Next Page 1 | 2 (Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher). Would you like to know how many people have read this article? Or how reputable the author is? Simply sign up for a Advocate premium membership and you'll automatically see this data on every article. Plus a lot more, too. From Paul Craig Roberts Website British PM Theresa May -- Highly likely -- Russia was responsible for spy poisoning (Image by YouTube, Channel: CBS News) Details DMCA Notice that the governments of the US, UK, France, and Germany did not require any evidence to decide that the Russian government used military-grade nerve gas to attack two people on an English park bench and a UK policeman. It makes no sense. There is no Russian motive. The motive lies in the West. It is the latest orchestration in the ongoing demonization of Russia. The demonization is a huge boost to the power and profit of the military/security complex and prevents President Trump from normalizing relations. The military/security's budget and power require a major enemy, and Russia is the designated enemy and will not be allowed to escape that assigned role. The false accusations against Russia are damaging the Western countries that make and support the accusations. There has never any evidence provided for any of the accusations. Consider them: the Malaysian airliner, Crimea, the polonium poisoning of a Russian in the UK, Putin's alleged intention to restore the Soviet Empire, Russiagate and the stealing of the US presidential election, other charges of election theft or interference. The current Skripal poisoning. Accusations abound, but never any evidence. Eventually even insouciant Western peoples begin to wonder about the transformation of evidence-free accusations into truth. What do leaders and peoples of the few independent and sovereign countries think when they see a signed condemnation of Russia for poisoning a long-retired UK double-agent without a scrap of evidence by the political heads of the four major Western countries? What do the Chinese think? The Iranians? The Indians? We know that the Russians are beginning to think that they are being set up by demonization for invasion, as was Saddam Hussein, Gaddafi, Assad, Yemen, and the attempt on Iran. It is finally dawning on Russia that all these accusations are not some kind of mistake that diplomacy can straighten out, but, instead, the setting up of Russia for military attack. This is a reckless, irresponsible, and dangerous impression for the West to give Russia. Some commentators, who understand the falsity of the Skripal accusation, explain, in my view incorrectly, that UK prime minister May orchestrated the charge in order to divert attention from her Brexit difficulties. Others say, incorrectly, that it is an effort to turn the Russian election against Putin. Some have concluded that Skripal was involved in the fake "Steele dossier," and was silenced by Western intelligence, whether UK or US. Even an astute observer, such as Moon of Alabama, has been confused by these explanations. Nevertheless I recommend his article -- which obviously was written prior to the French President, German Chancellor, and President Trump's endorsement of UK prime minister May's unsupported charges. The article shows that both US and UK experts do not think that the alleged Russian nerve agent used in the alleged poisoning even exists. Perhaps this is why the British government will not agree to any tests and can supply no evidence. 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. Tom Acknowledges 2 New Mexico DREAMers in Speech, Calls for Prompt Homeland Security Funding. Senator Tom Udall shared the stories of two hardworking DREAMers from New Mexico in a speech from the Senate floor. His speech came just after voting against beginning debate on a bill to fund ... March 15, 2018 Thank you for contacting me regarding President Trump's action to formally end the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) Program. This program was put in place in 2012 by an executive order issued by President Obama to defer the deportation of qualifying young persons and children who are in the United States without documentation. DACA recipients receive work permits and deportation relief through the program. I appreciate hearing from you on this important issue. On September 5, 2017, the Trump Administration announced that it will rescind the DACA Program in March 2018, giving Congress six months to develop an alternative policy to protect the nearly 700,000 recipients also known as DREAMers. In accordance with this announcement, the Department of Homeland Security will no longer accept new applications, but those who currently have a DACA permit set to expire on or before March 5, 2018, will be eligible to continue working until their permits expire. Some applicants were also allowed to apply for a two year legal status renewal, no later than October 5, 2017. Since the announcement, two U.S. district courts have issued injunctions, halting President Trump's attempt to end the DACA program. On February 26, 2018, the U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear requests for review from the Trump Administration of the district courts' decisions. This will temporarily shield current DACA recipients, and allow them to continue working or going to school in the United States while the courts make final determinations in these cases. I believe the President's decision to end the DACA program is a cruel and short-sighted mistake that causes chaos for families and our economy. The 700,000 DREAMers -- including almost 7,000 New Mexicans -- who qualified for DACA represent some of our best and brightest. They are talented, patriotic young adults who want to finish their education and work as teachers, doctors, and engineers, and many other vocations. DACA authorizes them to stay with their families and give back to their community and the United States -- the only country many of them have ever known. To protect DREAMers, I support the DREAM Act of 2017. This bill was introduced on July 20, 2017, by Senators Lindsey Graham (SC) and Richard Durbin (IL). This bipartisan legislation would provide a pathway to earn lawful permanent residency and eventually U.S. citizenship for individuals who are undocumented, have DACA or temporary protected status, and who graduate from U.S. high schools and attend college, enter the workforce, or enlist in a military program. Upon introduction, S. 1615 was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary where it awaits further action. I have consistently urged the Senate to act quickly to protect DREAMers, including speaking out on the Senate floor several times. On January 19, 2018, I voted against the House Republicans' proposal to yet again temporarily fund the government through February 16, 2018, without addressing the nation's critical priorities. This bill did not include protection for the 700,000 DREAMers whose legal status is in jeopardy. It also further weakened the Affordable Care Act, putting more New Mexicans at risk of losing health insurance they depend on, and it failed to include disaster assistance for Puerto Rico, Texas, and other regions still recovering from last year's devastating storms and wildfires. In a vote of 50 to 49, the Senate failed to advance this bill. On January 23, 2017, after a three day government shutdown, Senate Democratic and Republican leaders reached an agreement to approve the bill and re-open the government. The deal funds government operations through February 8, 2018, reauthorizes the Children's Health Insurance Program for six years, and committed Senate Majority Leader McConnell to hold a vote on immigration legislation that includes protection for DREAMers. During the week of February 12, 2018, the Senate considered, debated, and voted on four separate immigration proposals. I was pleased that the Senate rejected President Trump's immigration plan, by a large 39 to 60 vote margin, which would have provided $25 billion for a wasteful and offensive border wall that would have negatively impacted New Mexico's economy and also made steep cuts to legal immigration, including preventing family unification. I supported a bipartisan solution offered by Senators McCain and Coons that would have enacted the DREAM Act, with reasonable border security enhancements, but not a wasteful wall. However, that amendment failed to achieve the 60 votes necessary to advance, with a roll call vote of 52 to 47. Unfortunately, while President Trump ended the DACA program, he is also rejecting any reasonable bipartisan solutions, despite his promises to do so. Nevertheless, I will keep working to protect the DREAMers and their families and communities. I remain committed to comprehensive immigration reform that would provide an earned path to legal status for the estimated 11 million undocumented immigrants living in the United States. Please rest assured that I will continue to fight to protect DREAMers. Thank you again for sharing your thoughts with me. Please feel free to contact me with your concerns regarding any federal issue by visiting my website at www.tomudall.senate.gov. For more information, you may also visit my Facebook page at .facebook.com/senatortomudall and receive up to the minute updates through my Twitter page at tter.com/senatortomudall. Very truly yours, Tom Udall Next Page 1 | 2 (Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher). Would you like to know how many people have read this article? Or how reputable the author is? Simply sign up for a Advocate premium membership and you'll automatically see this data on every article. Plus a lot more, too. It's well known that Jews love Chinese food. For many decades it has been a ritual for Jewish families to feast on Chinese cuisine on Sundays. While Orthodox Jews who follow the Kosher laws are not happy with this practice, some have become more tolerant after a biblical scholar recently reported that a just discovered lost passage in Deuteronomy, the book of the Torah that details the do's and don'ts of Judaism, mandates the practice. The lost passage, he said, states: "nokh Shabbos (on Sunday after the Sabbath) every Jew should eat a Chinese meal." Unfortunately, he added, the rationale part of the passage was missing and the remaining fragment was illegible. Scholars, he said, are working with X-ray and other advanced technologies in an attempt to retrieve more details. Meanwhile, Jared Kushner, a practicing Jew, questioned the authenticity of the document and still stands firmly opposed to the Chinese food ritual. Furthermore, while he was studying the trade imbalance with China in preparation for the President's planned trade war, Jared made an interesting finding. While American Jews consume vast amounts of Chinese food, no Chinese person has ever been known to stop a Jew on the street of a Jewish neighborhood with the question: Where can I get a good piece of gefilte fish around here? Thus, Jared has advised President Trump to raise tariffs on Chinese fish imports. President Trump agreed but said that he would give the Chinese an opportunity to reciprocate in trade. At a planned dinner with Chinese President Xi Jinping he will instruct White House chefs, supervised by the chief chef at Katz's delicatessen in lower Manhattan, to prepare a main dish of sumptuous gefilte fish. If President Jinping then agrees to import gefilte fish and make it a national dish of China, President Trump will relax the trade sanction. Next Page 1 | 2 (Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher). Would you like to know how many people have read this article? Or how reputable the author is? Simply sign up for a Advocate premium membership and you'll automatically see this data on every article. Plus a lot more, too. From Truthdig Vladimir Putin (Image by en.putin.kremlin.ru) Details DMCA On March 1, 2018, in his annual state of the nation speech to the Russian Federal Assembly, President Vladimir Putin declared that his country has developed an "invincible" intercontinental cruise missile resistant to US missile defense systems. Putin claimed the new weapon can operate at very high speeds and has unlimited range. Although "some experts" have suggested Putin may be bluffing, Theodore A. Postol, professor emeritus of science, technology and national security policy at MIT, told Truthout, "I think he's deadly serious." Postol, who evaluated Moscow's anti-ballistic missile defense while serving as adviser to the chief of naval operations in the early 1980s, said Putin's speech "made very clear that every attempt to engage us in constructive discussion has been met with no response. He was responding to the US unwillingness to talk about missile defenses." US Withdrawal From Treaty Escalated the Arms Race Putin criticized George W. Bush's 2002 withdrawal from the 1972 Anti-Ballistic Missile (ABM) Treaty, which stated that in order to reduce offensive nuclear forces in Russia and the United States, both sides would have to agree to limit anti-ballistic missile defenses. "Russia was categorically against [the US withdrawal]," Putin said. "We saw the Soviet-US ABM Treaty signed in 1972 as the cornerstone of the international security system." The significance of the US withdrawal from the ABM treaty cannot be overestimated, in Postol's opinion. "What the Russians would say, and I fully agree, is that the current escalating arms race between the United States and Russia is a direct product of US withdrawal from the ABM treaty of 1972," he said. As David Krieger, founder of the Nuclear Age Peace Foundation, noted at Truthdig, "The fuel for a new nuclear arms race was already on the fire, and a Russian strategic response was predictable, when the US withdrew from the ABM Treaty and began developing and emplacing missile defense systems globally. The US withdrawal and abrogation of the ABM Treaty may prove to be the greatest strategic blunder of the nuclear age." Likewise, Moscow correspondent Fred Weir wrote in the Christian Science Monitor, "The US withdrew unilaterally from the 1972 Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty ... triggering Russian fears that technological advances might one day wipe out their nuclear deterrent." "Things have been escalating for quite a while," Postol pointed out, adding that the US is "increasing the size of its missile defenses while at the same time trying to get Russia to reduce the size of its offensive forces." That "created a theoretical imbalance. The US has been building, in theory, a system that could be used to intercept Russian forces while those forces are being reduced." The escalation of the nuclear arms race continued during the Obama administration. As Reuters reporter Scot Paltrow has pointed out, "By the time Obama left office in January 2017, the risk of Armageddon hadn't receded. Instead, Washington was well along in a modernization program that is making nearly all of its nuclear weapons more accurate and deadly." Paltrow cited examples of lethal nuclear weapons developed on Obama's watch. Does Missile Defense Really Work? Postol is skeptical about the effectiveness of missile defense systems because they have only been tested under the "most orchestrated conditions and even under those conditions, they have failed a high percentage of the time, some simply because something unexpected happened. In combat, the conditions will not be choreographed." Thomas S. Lee, writing for CNN, agrees that anti-ballistic missile defense systems are ineffective. Lee noted, "It is very hard to shoot down a ballistic missile. This is true even of a short-range ballistic missile with a relatively flat trajectory, much less a long-range missile with many more possible trajectories and a far greater speed." But Donald Trump thinks US missile defenses can be very effective, Postol observed. "In a crisis or a standoff, Trump might take actions he wouldn't take if he thought he was defenseless. So, the potential for miscalculation is much higher when the weapons systems are not effective." Next Page 1 | 2 | 3 (Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher). Quicklink Not Found Sometimes, authors delete their quicklinks after publishing them. To see if the quicklink was renamed or re-published, please click here. Progressive Content Not Found Sometimes, authors delete their progressive content after publishing. To see if the progressive content was renamed or re-published, please click here. 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 The Guardian We need to hear from struggling Americans whose stories are rarely told in newspapers or television. Until they are, we must tell these stories elsewhere The rapid rise of oligarchy and wealth and income inequality is the great moral, economic, and political issue of our time. Yet, it gets almost no coverage from the corporate media. How often do network newscasts report on the 40 million Americans living in poverty, or that we have the highest rate of childhood poverty of almost any major nation on earth? How often does the media discuss the reality that our society today is more unequal than at any time since the 1920s with the top 0.1% now owning almost as much wealth as the bottom 90%? How often have you heard the media report the stories of millions of people who today are working longer hours for lower wages than was the case some 40 years ago? How often has ABC, CBS or NBC discussed the role that the Koch brothers and other billionaires play in creating a political system which allows the rich and the powerful to significantly control elections and the legislative process in Congress? Sadly, the answer to these questions is: almost never. The corporate media has failed to let the American people fully understand the economic forces shaping their lives and causing many of them to work two or three jobs, while CEOs make hundreds of times more than they do. Instead, day after day, 24/7, we're inundated with the relentless dramas of the Trump White House, Stormy Daniels, and the latest piece of political gossip. We urgently need to discuss the reality of today's economy and political system, and fight to create an economy that works for everyone and not just the one percent. We need to ask the hard questions that the corporate media fails to ask: who owns America, and who has the political power? Why, in the richest country in the history of the world are so many Americans living in poverty? What are the forces that have caused the American middle class, once the envy of the world, to decline precipitously? What can we learn from countries that have succeeded in reducing income and wealth inequality, creating a strong and vibrant middle class, and providing basic human services to everyone? We need to hear from struggling Americans whose stories are rarely told in newspapers or television. Unless we understand the reality of life in America for working families, we're never going to change that reality. Until we understand that the right-wing Koch brothers are more politically powerful than the Republican National Committee, and that big banks, pharmaceutical companies, and multi-national corporations are spending unlimited sums of money to rig the political process, we won't be able to overturn the disastrous US supreme court decision on Citizens United, move to the public funding of elections and end corporate greed. Until we understand that the US federal minimum wage of $7.25 an hour is a starvation wage and that people cannot make it on $9 or $10 an hour, we're not going to be able to pass a living wage of at least $15 an hour. Until we understand that multi-national corporations have been writing our trade and tax policies for the past 40 years to allow them to throw American workers out on the street and move to low-wage countries, we're not going to be able to enact fair laws ending the race to the bottom and making the wealthy and the powerful pay their fair share. Until we understand that we live in a highly competitive global economy and that it is counterproductive that millions of our people cannot afford a higher education or leave school deeply in debt, we will not be able to make public colleges and universities tuition free. Until we understand that we are the only major country on earth not to guarantee healthcare to all and that we spend far more per capita on healthcare than does any other country, we're not going to be able to pass a Medicare for all, single-payer program. Until we understand that the US pays, by far, the highest prices in the world for prescription drugs because pharmaceutical companies can charge whatever price they want for life-saving medicine, we're not going to be able to lower the outrageous price of these drugs. Until we understand that climate change is real, caused by humans, and causing devastating problems around the world, especially for poor people, we're not going to be able to transform our energy system away from fossil fuel and into sustainable forms of energy. We need to raise political consciousness in America and help us move forward with a progressive agenda that meets the needs of our working families. It's up to us all to join the conversation -- it's just the beginning. 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 Alternet The GOP lackeys are eager to do the bidding of whichever oligarch will give them the most money. A few years back, former President Jimmy Carter told me that, because of Citizens United and its predecessors (like the Buckley decision in 1976), we're no longer a democracy, but instead, "an oligarchy, with unlimited political bribery." For proof that Carter was right, one need look no further than Mike Pompeo taking Rex Tillerson's job, stepping into Thomas Jefferson's shoes as Secretary of State. While Pompeo has an impressive resume on paper, something endlessly mentioned on cable news and other corporate media, the one skill-set that has truly enabled his rise to power, first in Congress and now in the Executive Branch, is his fine-tuned ability to suck up to #MorbidlyRich billionaires. Prior to Trump arriving, Pompeo was one of Congress's single largest beneficiaries of money from the Koch brothers and groups associated with them. Forget Pompeo's army service and Harvard law degree; you don't get to be the favorite son of the morbidly rich if you don't know how to suck up to them. Billionaire Trump, like so many others of America's billionaire oligarchs, doesn't take kindly to people who have their own minds. He wants fealty and sycophancy, not brilliance or competence. For example, Rex Tillerson, actually looking at facts and political realities, made the mistake of pointing out to Trump that tearing up the Iran no-nukes deal at the same time you're trying to negotiate a brand-new no-nukes deal with North Korea was contradictory messaging. What country, after all, would want to cut a deal with a partner who kills agreements unilaterally without contractual justification? Tillerson, of course, was right. But he wasn't sucking up to Trump in the way the oligarch wanted (and apparently, needed). Tillerson even occasionally put our nation's security ahead of his subservience to Trump. Big mistake. Many members of today's billionaire class think of themselves as "self-made," and so have a sneering disregard for the working people of America who "merely" aspire to the American Dream of being in the middle class with a safe job, good benefits, and a secure retirement. These oligarchs are more concerned with their profits than with the impact of their products or services on our country. And they only want people around them who share their vision of their own greatness; who, in other words, are pathetic suck-ups. Pompeo has developed this to an art form. After years of sucking at the Koch teat, Pompeo apparently realized that Trump, too, wanted only to surround himself with people who eagerly agreed with him. Probably Trump is even needier than the Kochs, and so would only elevate people who tell him daily how brilliant and strong and noble he is. Thus, Pompeo apparently saw a career opportunity to ingratiate himself with another billionaire oligarch. To make it happen, Pompeo changed the normal daily routine by which the president is briefed by the CIA. Instead of it being done with clear, cold precision by a career intelligence officer, henceforth, Pompeo decreed, the Director of the CIA himself (Pompeo) would take hours out of his day to make the daily trek to the White House to hang out with Trump and give him a pleasant daily tongue-bath. Next Page 1 | 2 (Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher). Would you like to know how many people have read this article? Or how reputable the author is? Simply sign up for a Advocate premium membership and you'll automatically see this data on every article. Plus a lot more, too. This piece was reprinted by OpEdNews with permission or license. It may not be reproduced in any form without permission or license from the source. #Syria #Assad and the west's true mission (Image by leighblackall) Details DMCA Obliterated and denied by mainstream war propaganda are core facts which are foundational to understanding the depth of the West's degeneracy as it continues its efforts to destroy Syria. First, President Assad is hugely popular with the vast majority of Syrians. During the 2014 Presidential elections, government-secured areas had a voter turn-out rate of 73.4%, of which 88.7% voted for President Assad.[1] When asked to describe the context of a video showing crowds of jubilant Syrians happy to see their President, Syrian Afraa Dagher reported: "First of All, I Love this President exactly as all those Syrians around him love him! When you love someone you run to see him when you know he is around! So on every occasion (which could be after a prayer at the mosque or after his speech at the people assembly, or whatever)...people always gather to meet him and to express their love to this brother-son-father of them all for being a great leader. God, Syria, and Bashar." Similarly, Syrians held captive by Western-supported terrorists in East Ghouta are now publicly displaying their support for the legitimate Syrian government and its military. Second, the Syrian identity is secular and pluralist. There is a firewall between religion and the secular government. Western terrorists, on the other hand, seek to erase this identity and impose fundamentalist interpretations of Sharia law and some type of puppet dictatorship through partitioning of the country and the subjugation of Syrian peoples. Syria and its allies are resisting this dehumanizing, misogynist, Western conspiracy. The women and men of Syria will not be caged. We should all be grateful for this. * Mark Taliano is a Research Associate of the Centre for Research on Globalization (CRG) and the author of Voices from Syria, Global Research Publishers, 2017. Note [1] Steven MacMillan,"Bashar al-Assad: The Democratically Elected President of Syria." Global Research, 05 March, 2018. New Eastern Outlook, 20 December, 2015. ( https://www.globalresearch.ca/bashar-al-assad-the-democratically-elected-president-of-syria-2/5584950) Accessed 12 March, 2018. Order Mark Taliano's Book "Voices from Syria" directly from Global Research. Taliano talks and listens to the people of Syria. He reveals the courage and resilience of a Nation and its people in their day to day lives, after more than six years of US-NATO sponsored terrorism and three years of US "peacemaking" airstrikes. Mark Taliano combines years of research with on-the-ground observations to present an informed and well-documented analysis that refutes the mainstream media narratives on Syria. Copyright Mark Taliano, Global Research, 2018 Would you like to know how many people have read this article? Or how reputable the author is? Simply sign up for a Advocate premium membership and you'll automatically see this data on every article. Plus a lot more, too. In celebration of women's history month, the Essential Women's Movement for African American Women held its first "Annual Black Women's Shero Summit." The Summit, held on March 8, 2018, featured five women who selflessly risked it all to do what was right. Recognized during the event were Cathy Harris, Marsha Coleman-Adebayo, Tanya Ward Jordan, Arthuretta Holmes-Martin and Marcel Reid. The brave women spoke about abuses within the Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Customs Service, Department of Commerce, Internal Revenue Service, and the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now (ACORN). They also shared accounts of how employers retaliated against them and harmed their physical, financial and mental well-being. Cathy Harris, a former Senior Customs Inspector, disclosed to the media the U.S. Customs Service's practice of racially targeting airline passengers. In her book, Flying While Black: A Whistleblower's Story, Ms. Harris, the founder of Customs Employees Against Discrimination (CEADA), cites many incidents of black American travelers being stopped, frisked, body-cavity-searched, detained for hours at local hospitals, forced to take laxatives, bowel-monitored and subjected to racist humiliation. Because of her valiant stand for truth, the Government Accountability Office released an incriminating study exposing Custom's racial profiling practices. Ms. Harris' disclosure also led to the "Civil Rights for International Traveler's Act" and the "Reasonable Search Standards Act" being introduced to reform unconstitutional practices. Dr. Marsha Coleman-Adebayo, author of "No Fear: A Whistleblower's Triumph Over Corruption and Retaliation at the EPA, is a former Senior Policy Analyst for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). She blew the whistle on the EPA's failure to act after she reported how a United States mining company harmed the health of South Africa people while it exhumed the African country's vanadium. As a result of her standing for truth, she suffered reprisal. She later filed a lawsuit against her employer. On August 18, 2000, a federal jury found the EPA guilty of violating her civil rights. Dr. Coleman-Adebayo's experience inspired the Notification and Federal Employee Anti-discrimination and Retaliation Act of 2002 (No Fear Act). Tanya Ward Jordan, President and Founder of The Coalition For Change, Inc. (C4C), once served as a lead plaintiff in the Janet Howard, et.al v Department of Commerce, race-based class action complaint. She blew the whistle on widespread racism within the Commerce Department and on the cabinet level department's subjective pay for performance system that disproportionately harmed the economic well-being of African American employees. Ms. Ward Jordan's experiences led to her invaluable input on a bill known as Federal Employee Anti-discrimination Act of 2017, which was introduced by Representative Elijah Cumming. She currently prepares for the release of her upcoming book entitled " 17 Steps: A Federal Employee's Guide For Tackling Workplace Discrimination. " Next Page 1 | 2 (Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher). The Future of Natural Colored Diamonds as Investment Vehicle Premier Diamond Group http://www.premierdiamondltd.com/contact-us/ http://premierdiamondltd.com/ Toronto, Canada -- Natural colored diamonds such as The Blue Moon, Sweet Josephine, Fancy Vivid Yellow or The Fancy Intense Yellow also known as the Canary Diamond have set record sales at auction houses. Canada based Baystreet investment news site reports that the colored gemstone industry is now enjoying annual retail sales of $18 -$21 billion. The site went to state that the industry is witnessing the age of color and the era of the new diamond."What does the future hold for natural colored diamond market even as it experiences record sales? Experts believe that natural diamonds will increasingly become rare - there will be fewer natural diamonds to go around. The Economist reports that "the supply of new diamonds is expected to peak in the next few years, before beginning a slow decline."One can attribute this decline in supply to the following: The biggest mine, the Rio Tintos Argyle mine, which produces more than 90 percent of the worlds natural color diamonds, is expected to be closed by 2020. The world's biggest diamond mine, Gahcho Kue in Canada, is expected to close by 2030.As the supply of colored diamonds become rare, investors consider natural colored diamonds as part of their portfolio because of their private nature. This sense of privacy will not change anytime soon.The portability of natural colored diamonds allows the investor to take his tangible and portable assets anywhere in the world and trade in any currency. The portability and freedom to buy and sell in any currency and across geographical boundaries will not change anytime soon as well.What will change in the future with natural colored diamonds is the proliferation of information about the market. This information will help more people gain knowledge about the industry and how to invest. However, investors will still need experts advice from professionals such Mr. David Metcalfe of Premier Diamond Group (North America) Ltd. Mr. Metcalf is "a pioneer in the branding of natural colored diamonds as a hedge against excessive market volatility brought about by speculation and government credit excesses." He can be contacted at 416-679-9306 or goPremier Diamond Group specializes in the purchase and sale of natural colored diamonds for wealth accumulation and estate planning purposes and holds membership in the International Colored Gemstone Association and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. For more information, go toPremier Diamond Group (North America) Ltd.Skyway Business Park,170 Attwell Drive, Suite 100Toronto, Ontario M9W 5Z5 NANOG Appoints Edward McNair As Its New Executive Director www.nanog.org Betty Burke to Provide Support During the TransitionANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN March 14, 2018 The North American Network Operators Group (NANOG), an association of Internet engineering, architecture and operations professionals, today announces the appointment of Edward McNair as its new Executive Director. In this role, Mr. McNair will provide leadership for NANOGs growth strategy, operations, member services and educational programs, and marketing communications. In addition, he will be responsible for oversight of the associations events, sponsorship, partnership development, technology tools, as well as governance policies and practices.Mr. McNair is the co-founder of Kaskadian, an agency that provides branding, marketing and sales support, as well as Webcasting services. Prior to Kaskadian, he served as Chief Executive Officer for Verilan, an IT company that delivered just-in-time, enterprise quality networks, and he also held executive roles where Mr. McNair served as a Creative Director for the WiMAX Forum, a global Internet and telecom consortium. Mr. McNair is a dedicated Internet enthusiast, previously providing consulting and corporate development services to such organizations as the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), Intel and Facebook.After a year-long search spearheaded by a Board-appointed Executive Search Committee, it is with great pleasure that we appoint Edward McNair as NANOGs new Executive Director, states Chair of NANOG Executive Director Search Committee and NANOG Treasurer, Will Charnock. Edward possesses a rare hybrid of technical expertise and marketing experience serving global brands and international associations that support the Internet, which we anticipate will be an immediate asset to guiding NANOG through its next phase of evolution. At the same time, we express our deep gratitude to Betty Burke, NANOGs previous Executive Director, whose dedication and tireless energy was responsible for pivotal organizational milestones and a significant increase in member and sponsor participation during her tenure.Betty Burke will remain with NANOG during the transition of the organizations leadership. In 2010, Ms. Burke was instrumental in the transition of NANOG from the Merit Network, Inc. to NewNOG, Inc., which was officially incorporated as a 501(c)(3) educational, nonprofit, membership-based organization. Since then, attendance at NANOG meetings has grown nearly 60 percent.The appointment of Mr. McNair to Executive Director was recommended by a NANOG subcommittee that included Greg Dendy, DIrector Product Manager, Interconnection for Equinix, along with two members of the Board of Directors, William Charnock as Chair of the Executive Director search subcommittee and David Temkin, VP of Network at Netflix. The Executive Director reports to the entire Board which also includes Chair, Ryan Donnelly, Senior Director of Network Engineering at Salesforce; Vice Chair, Patrick Gilmore; Program Committee Chair, Ryan Woolley, Director of Global Network Architecture at Netflix; and Members, L. Sean Kennedy, Verizon; and Tina Morris, Technical Business Developer at Amazon Web Services.It is an honor to be named the new Executive Director of NANOG, a community that I have been part of for many years, comments Mr. McNair. Given the rise in Over-the-Top video, Big Data, social media and the mobile space, as well as the advent of the IoT and smart cities, NANOG is expected to significantly increase its membership and sponsorship base as the Internet continues its exponential growth over the coming years. I look forward to working with the NANOG Board of Directors as we further expand this vital meeting point for professionals who make the Internet work.Mr. McNairs first meeting as NANOGs new Executive Director will be at NANOG 73, taking place June 25-27, 2018, in Denver, Colorado. NANOG 73 is sponsored by CoreSite Realty Corporation (NYSE:COR), a premier provider of secure, reliable, high-performance data center and interconnection solutions across the U.S.To learn more about NANOG, please visit# # #About NANOGThe North American Network Operators Group (NANOG) is an association of Internet engineering, architecture and operations professionals. NANOGs core focus is on continuous improvement of the data transmission technologies, practices, and facilities that make the Internet function. Our members are typically drawn from the core engineering and product staffs of the major North American carriers, content providers, hosting and cloud companies, multi-tenant data centers, and interconnection service providers. NANOG is governed by the NANOG Board of Directors, elected by the membership, every two years. NANOG is a membership organization organized as a 501(c)(3) non-profit.MEDIA CONTACT:iMiller Public Relations for NANOG221 Harbor Hill, Mamaroneck NY 10543Tel: +1 866 307 2510nanog@imillerpr.com Tinkuy Global Marketing Mission: Ecofriendly High Quality Products https://www.tinkuy.shop www.tinkuy.shop Tinkuy first mission was aim to be a 100% eco-fashion brand that was, in fact, the first vision of the business. A couple of year passed and they have kept the same ideal: gave the best of all attentions and quality to clients. MISIONMr. Paytan's plan was not only to be part of a team where they look for reducing their ecological footprint, but also to help in some many ways to the Andeans settlers. Even though their business has not expanded to global levels yet, their mission has inspired to some other Peruvian enterprise to follow this trend.At the forefront of their products, the sweaters, ponchos and hats are some of the more demanded items. Not only for their less impact on earth, but their quality and softness. Also they export handmade Peruvian crafts that transmit Inca heritance.Peruvian artisans, that has the knowledge and experience transmitted generation after generation, made this products with the finest fiber on earth, baby alpaca. Artisans that not only transmit their culture, but are well paid for their works. AUTHENTICITYTinkuy is different from other Peruvian clothe companies because of its genuine interest in the client satisfaction. We have always have the problem that when we go shopping, some wearing doesnt fit us as they should". Well, this things do not happen here in Tinkuy. "We made all our products to the size of our client, says Hiro Paytan, Tinkuy CEO.We dont only aim to make happy our client making their wearing to the size, but giving them quality and versatility. This clothes are wearable any time of the year, which is one of many properties and benefits that offers our baby alpaca fiber Paytan continues.Tinkuy Clothings collections can be viewed online at Tinkuy ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Tinkuy Enterprise was founded in 2016 by Hiro Paytan, actual CEO of the company. The idea started from the need of provide an income and help for the Andean setlers, create an impact about ecological improvement on fashion trends in Peru. We also encourage the Body Positive movement for trying to improve and take into consideration the real needs of our customers.CONTACT:Tinkuy Shop10685-B Hazelhurst Dr. # 20185 Houston, TX 77043 USABryan Salvatierra, Managing ProductionWeb:Email: marketing@tinkuy.shopPhone: +51 (01) 2401023 Contributing to the Future www.bioeconomy-conference.de www.sciencecampus-halle.de The ScienceCampus Halle will invest 1.2 million euros in pioneering bioeconomy researchPress Release Halle (Saale), 15/03/2018: The board of directors at the ScienceCampus Halle (WCH) will grant funding to joint research projects for the third time. A total of five projects will receive a total of 1.2 million euros in funding. The projects eligible for funding are in the areas of primary production and conversion. The projects will start in early 2019 at the latest and will help advance bioeconomy research in Saxony-Anhalt.Continuing to promote what has been tried and testedThe WCH is already into its third round of funding. Currently seven very promising projects are underway as part of the second round of funding. The new application-oriented research projects are also joint projects. To be considered a joint research project, they must include at least two WCH members from Saxony-Anhalt and one industrial partner. This strategy moves the WCH closer to its goal of intensifying interdisciplinary cooperation between regional partners. At regular intervals the WCH tenders projects in the areas of plant production, processing and conversion, as well as social economics.When selecting the joint projects, the WCH looks at a range of different criteria, including interdisciplinary research, an innovative research plan with application potential, a high relevance for economic utilization, and the involvement of economic partners.Research in an international frameworkThe ScienceCampus Halle realizes the necessity of research funding because it recognizes the chances it entails - funding is always an investment in the future. This is why research funding is also one of the main aspects of the 7th International Bioeconomy Conference entitled Bio meets Economy Science meets Industry. The conference will once again be hosted by the ScienceCampus Halle and the BioEconomy Cluster Central Germany. It will take place at the German National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina in Halle an der Saale on June 6 7, 2018. It is one of the most important annual bioeconomy events in the country and is a gathering place for numerous renowned bioeconomy scientists and stakeholders, as well as representatives from the world of politics. The conference provides an overview of the opportunities and potentials of the bioeconomy, particularly in the region of Central Germany. Here funding possibilities are presented alongside renowned research.The 7th International Bioeconomy Conference is jointly organized by the ScienceCampus Halle and the BioEconomy Cluster and will take place on June 6 7, 2018 at the Leopoldina in Halle. Registration and the conference program can be found at:The ScienceCampus Halle plant-based bioeconomy and the Cluster BioEconomy are two associations whose stakeholders are working on the basics of the bio-based economy. Both not only are situated in the German Federal State Saxony-Anhalt, but are direct neighbors on the WeinbergCampus of the city of Halle/Saale. The Leipniz-Science-Campus mainly is working on a bio-economic basic research for agriculture. In the Cluster BioEconomy industrial partners and research institutions are working on bio-based value chains based on renewable raw materials.The ScienceCampus Halle and the BioEconomy Cluster Central Germany are organizing together the 7th International Bioeconomy Conference in Halle from June 6 7, 2018. The motto of the conference will be Bio meets Economy Science meets Industry.Nadja SonntagPublic RelationsMartin-Luther-Universitat Halle-WittenbergLeibniz-WissenschaftsCampus Halle - Pflanzenbasierte BiookonomieBetty-Heimann-Str. 3, 06120 Halle/Saale, GermanyTel.:+49 (0) 345-5522 682Fax: +49 (0) 345-5527 222Email: nadja.sonntag@sciencecampus-halle.deWeb: EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa) Walk-Through Detector Market Report 2018 EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa) Walk-Through Detector Market Report 2018 http://www.qyresearchglobal.com/goods-1453844.html http://www.qyresearcheurope.com/ The EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa) Walk-Through Detector Market Report 2018 is a professional and in-depth study on the current state of the Walk-Through Detector industry.Firstly, the report provides a basic overview of the industry including definitions, classifications, applications and industry chain structure. The Walk-Through Detector Industry analysis is provided for the international market including development history, competitive landscape analysis, and major regions development status.Secondly, development policies and plans are discussed as well as manufacturing processes and cost structures. This report also states import/export, supply and consumption figures as well as cost, price, revenue and gross margin by regions (United States, EU, China and Japan), and other regions can be added.Then, the report focuses on global major leading industry players with information such as company profiles, product picture and specification, capacity, production, price, cost, revenue and contact information. Upstream raw materials, equipment and downstream consumers analysis is also carried out. Whats more, the Walk-Through Detector industry development trends and marketing channels are analyzed.Finally, the feasibility of new investment projects is assessed, and overall research conclusions are offered.In a word, the report provides major statistics on the state of the industry and is a valuable source of guidance and direction for companies and individuals interested in the market.If you are interested in our report or have any special requirements, please let us know and we will offer you the report as you want. Email: tinaning@qyresearch.com.Geographically, this report split EMEA into Europe, the Middle East and Africa, With sales (K MT), revenue (Million USD), market share and growth rate of Walk-Through Detector for these regions, from 2013 to 2025 (forecast)CEIAGARRETT METAL DETECTORSL-3 SECURITY & DETECTION SYSTEMSRAPISCAN SYSTEMSscanmasterZKTeco...On the basis of product, this report displays the sales volume, revenue, product price, market share and growth rate of each type, primarily split intoMetal DetectingOtherOn 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, includingAirportStationPortOtherBrowse complete report sample:Table of contents:Chapter 1 - Walk-Through Detector OverviewChapter 2 - EMEA Walk-Through Detector Competition by Manufacturers/Players/Suppliers, Region, Type and ApplicationChapter 3 - Europe Walk-Through Detector (Volume, Value and Sales Price), by Players, Countries, Type and ApplicationChapter 4 - Middle East Walk-Through Detector (Volume, Value and Sales Price), by Region, Type and ApplicationChapter 5 - Africa Walk-Through Detector (Volume, Value and Sales Price) by Players, Countries, Type and ApplicationChapter 6 - EMEA Walk-Through Detector Manufacturers/Players Profiles and Sales DataChapter 7 - Walk-Through Detector Manufacturing Cost AnalysisChapter 8 - Industrial Chain, Sourcing Strategy and Downstream BuyChapter 9 - Marketing Strategy Analysis, Distributors/TradersChapter 10 - Market Effect Factors AnalysisChapter 11 - EMEA Walk-Through Detector Market Forecast (2018-2022)Chapter 12 - Research Findings and ConclusionChapter 13 - AppendixRelated Reports:Global Walk-Through Detector Market Report 2018China Walk-Through Detector Market Report 2018India Walk-Through Detector Market Report 2018Korea Walk-Through Detector Market Report 2018USA Walk-Through Detector Market Report 2018Japan Walk-Through Detector Market Report 2018Note: following regions can be offered:Germany/Korea/Australia/Brazil/Russia/India/Indonesia/Malaysia/Saudi Arabia/Middle East/Europe/Asia/Asia-Pacific/Southeast Asia/North America/ Latin America/South America/AMER/EMEA/Africa etc Countries/Regions and Sales/Industry Versions RespectivelyContact Details:Company Name: QYResearch CO.,LIMITED | focus on Market Survey and ResearchTina| Sales ManagersTel: 0086-20-22093278(CN)Email: sales@qyresearcheurope.com or tinaning@qyresearch.comWeb:QYResearch established in 2007, focus on custom research, management consulting, IPO consulting, industry chain research, data base cand seminar services. The company owned a large basic data base (such as National Bureau of statistics database, Customs import and export database, Industry Association Database etc), experts resources (included energy automotive chemical medical ICT consumer goods etc industries experts who own more than 10 years experiences on marketing or R&D), professional survey team (the team member with more than 3 years market survey experience and more than 2 years depth expert interview experience),Excellent data analysis team (SPSS statistics and PPT graphics process team); QYResearch has always pursuit product quality, adhere to the quality is the soul of business.Room 2901 VILI International Building No.167 Linhe West Road Polybutylene Terephthalate(PBT) 2018 Global Industry Key Players - DUPONT , Celanese , JM , BASF , Lanxess , TORAY Market Analysis And Forecast To 2023 World Polybutylene Terephthalate(PBT) Market https://www.wiseguyreports.com/sample-request/3039042-world-polybutylene-terephthalate-pbt-market-research-report-2022 https://www.wiseguyreports.com/reports/3039042-world-polybutylene-terephthalate-pbt-market-research-report-2022 World Polybutylene Terephthalate(PBT) MarketExecutive SummaryPolybutylene Terephthalate(PBT) market research report provides the newest industry data and industry future trends, allowing you to identify the products and end users driving revenue growth and profitability.The industry report lists the leading competitors and provides the insights strategic industry analysis of the key factors influencing the market.The report includes the forecasts, analysis and discussion of important industry trends, market size, market share estimates and profiles of the leading industry players.Request a Sample Report @The players mentioned in our reportDUPONTCelaneseJMBASFLanxessTORAYMTSUBISHI CHEMICALPolyplasticsChangchunPolyOneNan YaShinkongLG CHEMICALCLARIANTSABICTAISEIDSMKanghuiYizhengBlueStarHeshiliBlueridgeJihuaEvonikSam yangRadici GroupGlobal Polybutylene Terephthalate(PBT) Market: Application Segment AnalysisElectrical and electronicsAutomobile industryMechanical equipmentOther applicationsGlobal Polybutylene Terephthalate(PBT) Market: Regional Segment AnalysisUSAEuropeJapanChinaIndiaTable of Content-Key Points CoveredChapter 1 About the Polybutylene Terephthalate(PBT) Industry1.1 Industry Definition1.1.1 Types of Polybutylene Terephthalate(PBT) industry1.2 Main Market Activities1.3 Similar Industries1.4 Industry at a GlanceChapter 2 World Market Competition Lanscape2.1 Polybutylene Terephthalate(PBT) Markets by regions2.1.1 USAMarket Revenue and Growth Rate 2012-2017Market overviewMajor players Revenue in 20172.1.2 EuropeMarket Revenue and Growth Rate 2012-2017Market overviewMajor players Revenue in 20172.1.3 ChinaMarket Revenue and Growth Rate 2012-2017Market overviewMajor players Revenue in 20172.1.4 IndiaMarket Revenue and Growth Rate 2012-2017Market overviewMajor players Revenue in 20172.1.5 JapanMarket Revenue and Growth Rate 2012-2017Market overviewMajor players Revenue in 20172.2 World Polybutylene Terephthalate(PBT) Market by types2.3 World Polybutylene Terephthalate(PBT) Market by ApplicationsElectrical and electronicsAutomobile industryMechanical equipmentOther applicationsChapter 3 World Polybutylene Terephthalate(PBT) Market share3.1 Major players Market share by production3.2 Major players Market share by Revenue3.3 Major Regions Market share by Production in 2017, Through 20223.4 Major Regions Market share By Revenue in 2017, Through 2022Chapter 4 Supply Chain4.1 Industry Supply chain Analysis4.2 Raw material Market analysis4.2.1 Raw material Prices analysis 2012-20174.2.2 Raw material Supply Market analysis4.2 Manufacturing Equipment Suppliers Analysis4.3 Production Process Analysis4.4 Production Cost Structure Benchmarks4.5 End users Market AnalysisContinued.Complete Report Details @Wise Guy Reports Is Part Of The Wise Guy Consultants Pvt. Ltd. And Offers Premium Progressive Statistical Surveying, Market Research Reports, Analysis & Forecast Data For Industries And Governments Around The Globe. Wise Guy Reports Features An Exhaustive List Of Market Research Reports From Hundreds Of Publishers Worldwide. We Boast A Database Spanning Virtually Every Market Category And An Even More Comprehensive Collection Of Market Research Reports Under These Categories And Sub-Categories.Wise Guy Research Consultants Pvt LtdOffice No. 528, Amanora ChambersMagarpatta Road, HadapsarPune - 411028Maharashtra, India Marcus Evans Brings Together Experts to Redefine Strategic Road Networks Jointly organised with International Road Federation, marcus evans proudly presents 4th Annual Roads & Highways conference happening from 19th to 21st April 2018 at Grand Copthorne Waterfront Hotel, Singapore.The conference aiming to provide a better understanding of the challenges, opportunities and risks related to infrastructure investment, how to integrate technical knowledge for the effective implementation and execution large scale projects.One of the speaker at the event shared insights on introducing improved safety and more efficient transportation for greater productivity.Many countries are targeting towards Zero Fatalities as an end objective, with improvements in road network efficiency through less disruption and less time lost to road accidents, said Colin Henson Project Development and Planning Lead SMEC, Australia.Colin will be speaking on Designing Effective Road Networks to Accommodate the Burgeoning Traffic Conditions, on Day 2 of the conference happening in Singapore.Featuring keynote presentations and discussions by John Endicott Executive Director AECOM, Singapore; Frederic Blanc-Brude Member Advisory Council; World Bank Global Infrastructure Facility, Singapore; Atlas Fung Senior Manager ATKINS ACUITY, Singapore; Oliver Redrup Director PWC, Singapore; Qamar Wan Noor Chief Operating Officer Land Public Transport Commission (S.P.A.D.), Malaysia; Kiran Kapila Chairman International Road Federation, Switzerland; Dr. Siti Zaharah Ishak Acting Director-General MIROS, Malaysia; Dr. Siriphan Jitprasithsiri Director International Highways Development Division Department Of Highways, Thailand; Zarith Sofia Magad Senior Transport Engineer Mott Macdonald, Singapore; Shoaib Ahmed Siddiqui Secretary Planning, Development and Reform China Pakistan Economic Corridor.Alberto Germani Director, PMF Project Management and Finance shared that, In the conference well examine how improving safety is substantial part of a good road management and can maximize returns for operators.Alberto will be conducting a post conference workshop on Project Finance and Public Private Partnerships (PPP) on the third day of the conference.One of the key highlights of the conference will be exclusive site tour to Intelligent Transport System Centre (ITSC), Land Transport Authority Singapore along with interactive panel discussions and innovative brainstorm sessions.The annual large scale conference is proudly supported by Malaysian Institute of Transport (MITRANS)marcus evans GroupA global, multifaceted media, corporate marketing and information company, employing 3000 professionals in 59 worldwide locations. While our activities are wide ranging our core focus is providing businesses with the insights and contacts they need to grow. Our B2B Events portfolio includes over 500 summits and conferences annually across all industry sectors whilst our professional training division provides customers with access to the worlds leading technical experts on a truly global basis as well as supporting business language and cultural training needs.Suite A-20-1, Level 20, Hampshire Place Office, 157 Hampshire, 1 Jalan Mayang Sari, 50450, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Survey: Sebacic Acid Market Size 2018-2025 Arkema, Wincom, Sebacic India, Zhongzheng Chem, Siqiang Chem Sebacic Acid Market http://bit.ly/2GvhqQ5 http://qyresearchstore.com/global-sebacic-acid-market-manufacturers-2018-review-size-and-forecast-2023/ http://qyresearchstore.com/ Sebacic Acid Market Research 2018A market study "Global Sebacic Acid Market" examines the performance of the Sebacic Acid market 2018. It encloses an in-depth Research of the Sebacic Acid market state and the competitive landscape Globally. This report analyzes the potential of Sebacic Acid market in the present and the future prospects from various angles in detail.The Global Sebacic Acid Market 2018 report includes Sebacic Acid market Revenue, market Share, Sebacic Acid industry volume, market Trends, Sebacic Acid Growth aspects. A wide range of applications, Utilization ratio, Supply and demand analysis are also consist in the report.It shows manufacturing capacity, Sebacic Acid Price during the Forecast period from 2018 to 2025.To Get Sample Report Click Here:Manufacturers Analysis and Top Sellers of Global Sebacic Acid Market 2018 :1. Jinghua Chem2. Arkema (CN)3. Siqiang Chem4. Xinghe Biotech5. Zhengang Chem6. Sebacic India7. Zhongzheng Chem8. Tianxing Chem9. Shipra Agrichem10. Hokoku Corp11. Wincom12. Jayant Agro13. OPW IngredientsSebacic Acid Market : By Type Sebacic Acid from Castor Oil Sebacic Acid from Adipic Acid OtherSebacic Acid Market : By Application Nylon Plasticizer Lubricant OtherFirstly, the report covers the top Sebacic Acid manufacturing industry players from regions like Global, EU, Japan, and China. It also characterizes the market based on geological regions.Further, the Sebacic Acid report gives information on the company profile, market share and contact details along with value chain analysis of Sebacic Acid industry, Sebacic Acid industry rules and policies, circumstances driving the growth of the market and compulsion blocking the growth. Sebacic Acid Market development scope and various business strategies are also mentioned in this report.Browse Full Report Here:The Sebacic Acid research report includes the products that are currently in demand and available in the market along with their cost breakup, manufacturing volume, import/export scheme and contribution to the Sebacic Acid market revenue worldwide.Finally, Sebacic Acid market report gives you details about the market research findings and conclusion which helps you to develop profitable market strategies to gain competitive advantage.About US:"QY Research Store" is a leading market intelligence team which accredits and provides the reports of some of the top publishers in the field of technology industry. We are as a firm expertise in making extensive reports that cover all the necessary details about the market assessments such as major technological improvement in the industry.Contact Us5001 Spring Valley Road,Suite 400 East,Dallas, TX 75244, USAWeb:Email: sales@qyresearchstore.com Global Solar Power Bank Industry Market Analysis & Forecast 2018-2023 https://www.bharatbook.com/request-sample/978890 https://www.bharatbook.com/energy-utility-market-research-reports-978890/global-solar-power-bank-.html www.bharatbook.com Bharat Book Bureau Provides the Trending Market Research Report on Global Solar Power Bank Industry Market Analysis & Forecast 2018-2023 under Energy & Utility category. The report provides information on industry overview, market size, latest developments, industry trends, Key players, global presence, and their future prospects.In the Global Solar Power Bank Industry Market Analysis & Forecast 2018-2023, the revenue is valued at USD XX million in 2017 and is expected to reach USD XX million by the end of 2023, growing at a CAGR of XX% between 2018 and 2023. The production is estimated at XX million in 2017 and is forecasted to reach XX million by the end of 2023, growing at a CAGR of XX% between 2018 and 2023.Request a free sample copy of Solar Power Bank Industry Market Report @It covers Regional Segment Analysis, Type, Appliction, Major Manufactures, Industry Chain Analysis, Competitive Insights and Macroeconomic Analysis.Global Solar Power Bank Market: Regional Segment Analysis- North America- Europe- China- Japan- Southeast Asia- IndiaThe Major players reported in the market include:- Anker- Advantage Computers (I) Pvt. Ltd.- LG Chem Ltd- China BAK Battery, Inc.- Mophie Inc.- Microsoft Corporation- Panasonic Corporation- OnePlus- Sony CorporationGlobal Solar Power Bank Market: Product Segment Analysis- Dual USB- Single USB- OthersGlobal Solar Power Bank Market: Application Segment Analysis- Phone- Table PC- OthersReasons for Buying this Report- This report provides pin-point analysis for changing competitive dynamics- It provides a forward looking perspective on different factors driving or restraining market growth- It provides a six-year forecast assessed on the basis of how the market is predicted to grow- It helps in understanding the key product segments and their future- It provides pin point analysis of changing competition dynamics and keeps you ahead of competitors- It helps in making informed business decisions by having complete insights of market and by making in-depth analysis of market segmentsBrowse our full report with Table of Contents :Bharat Book Bureau is the leading market research information provider for market research reports, company profiles, industry study, country reports, business reports, newsletters and online databases. Bharat Book Bureau provides over a million reports from more than 400 publishers around the globe. We cover sectors starting from Aeronautics to Zoology.Contact us at:Bharat Book BureauTel: +91 22 27810772 / 27810773Email: poonam@bharatbook.comWebsite:Follow us on : Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Google Plus Global Bees Wax Market 2018- Roger A Reed, Strahl & Pitsch, Akrochem, Poth Hille, Paramold, Adrian, Bee Natural Uganda global bees wax market https://goo.gl/rFSFzD https://market.biz/report/global-bees-wax-market-2017/125818/ https://goo.gl/AVeykL https://market.biz/ http://ereports.market/ The Global Bees Wax Industry 2018 Market Research Report is a professional and in-depth study on the current state of the Bees Wax industry.Firstly, Bees Wax Market report provides a basic overview of the Bees Wax industry including definitions, classifications, applications and Bees Wax industry chain structure. Global Bees Wax Market analysis is provided for the international market including development history, Bees Wax industry competitive landscape analysis, and major regions development status on Bees Wax Market scenario.To get sample copy of Report Click Here:-Major Manufacturers Analysis of Bees Wax:- Roger A Reed, Strahl & Pitsch, Akrochem, Poth Hille, Paramold, Adrian, Bee Natural Uganda, Bill s Bees, New Zealand Beeswax, Frank B Ross, Arjun Bees Wax Industries, Henan WeikangBees Wax Market: Type Analysis:- White Wax, Yellow Wax, OtherBees Wax Market: Application Analysis:- Food, Cosmetics, PharmaceuticalsSecondly, Bees Wax Market report includes, development policies and plans are discussed, manufacturing processes and cost structures. This Bees Wax Industry report also states import/export, supply and consumption figures as well as cost, price, Bees Wax Market revenue and gross margin by regions (United States, EU, China and Japan), and other regions can be added.Then, the Bees Wax report focuses on global major leading industry players (in Bees Wax market area) with information such as company profiles, product picture and specification, capacity, production, price, cost, revenue and contact information. Global Bees Wax Market report also includes Upstream raw materials, equipment and downstream consumers analysis.Browse Complete Report details with TOC Click Here :-All above Company Profile, Product Picture and Specifications, Capacity, Production, Price, Cost, Gross and Revenue, Contact Information covered in Bees Wax market report.Finally, the feasibility of new investment projects is assessed, and overall research conclusions are offered.Table of ContentsChapter One Bees Wax Industry OverviewChapter Two Bees Wax Manufacturing Cost Structure AnalysisChapter Three Bees Wax Technical Data and Manufacturing Plants AnalysisChapter Four Bees Wax Production by Regions, Technology and ApplicationsChapter Five Bees Wax Sales and Sales Revenue by RegionsChapter Six 2013-2018 Bees Wax Productions Supply Sales Market Status and ForecastChapter Seven Bees Wax Key Manufacturers AnalysisChapter Eight Bees Wax Price Gross Margin AnalysisChapter Ten 2018-2023 Bees Wax Industry Development TrendChapter Eleven Bees Wax Industry Chain Suppliers and Contact Information AnalysisChapter Twelve Bees Wax New Project Investment Feasibility AnalysisGet Discount and Inquiry Before Buying click here:-Market.Biz is designed to provide the best and most penetrating research required to all commercial, industrial and profit-making ventures in any sector of online business. We take pride in our ability to satisfy the market research needs of both domestic and international businesses.James Johnson420 Lexington Avenue Suite 300New York City, NY 10170.Tel: +1(857)2390696Email ID: inquiry@market.bizWebsite:Other Website: Airport Information Systems Market 2017: Growing Market Trends with Technology Development Analysis by 2021 ReportsWeb http://www.reportsweb.com/inquiry&RW0001795479/sample http://www.reportsweb.com/inquiry&RW0001795479/discount http://www.reportsweb.com/global-airport-information-systems-market-2017-2021 Market research analysts at Publisher predict that the global airport information systems market will grow steadily during the forecast period and post a CAGR of almost 6% by 2021. This market research analysis identifies the increasing adoption of smart airport models as one of the primary growth factors for this market. The smart airport models are implemented to boost the efficiency and profitability of airports even during volatile economic conditions. This model significantly improves operational efficiencies, passenger services, and security capabilities by permitting real-time data exchange and airport wide integration. Governments across the globe are encouraging the development of smart airports to accommodate the increased demand for air travel as smart airports minimize the risks and limit the inconvenience to the passengers, thus permitting safer flight and airport operations.Get Sample Copy atCovered in this reportThe report covers the present scenario and the growth prospects of the global airport information systems market for 2017-2021. To calculate the market size, the report considers the new installations.The market is divided into the following segments based on geography:- Americas- APAC- EMEAPublisher's report, Global Airport Information Systems Market 2017-2021, has been prepared based on an in-depth market analysis with inputs from industry experts. The report covers the market landscape and its growth prospects over the coming years. The report also includes a discussion of the key vendors operating in this market.Key vendors- INFORM- HCL Infosystems- RESA- Rockwell Collins- The Thales GroupGet Discount on ReportOther prominent vendors- Cisco Systems- International Business Machines Corporation (IBM)- Microsoft- NEC- Ultra Electronics HoldingsMarket driver- Implementation of new-age telecommunication technologies- For a full, detailed list, view our reportMarket challenge- Airport infrastructure issues- For a full, detailed list, view our reportMarket trend- Evolution of biometrics technology- For a full, detailed list, view our reportTable of ContentsPART 01: EXECUTIVE SUMMARYPART 02: SCOPE OF THE REPORTPART 03: RESEARCH METHODOLOGYPART 04: MARKET LANDSCAPEPART 05: MARKET SIZINGPART 06: FIVE FORCES ANALYSISPART 07: MARKET SEGMENTATIONPART 08: CUSTOMER LANDSCAPEPART 09: REGIONAL LANDSCAPEPART 10: DECISION FRAMEWORKPART 11: DRIVERS AND CHALLENGESPART 12: MARKET TRENDSPART 13: VENDOR LANDSCAPEPART 14: VENDOR ANALYSISPART 15: APPENDIXFor More Information about This Report:Contact Us:Call: +1-646-491-9876Email: sales@reportsweb.comReportsWeb.com is a one stop shop of market research reports and solutions to various companies across the globe. We help our clients in their decision support system by helping them choose most relevant and cost effective research reports and solutions from various publishers. We provide best in class customer service and our customer support team is always available to help you on your research queries.Pune, India Gallium Nitride Semiconductor Market - Vast Research Of Industry & Forecast 2017 - 2025 https://www.tmrresearch.com/sample/sample?flag=B&rep_id=2699 https://www.tmrresearch.com/sample/sample?flag=T&rep_id=2699 https://www.tmrresearch.com/gallium-nitride-semiconductor-market Global Gallium Nitride Semiconductor Device Market: OverviewThe constant rise in the semiconductor industry is reflecting greatly on the global gallium nitride semiconductor devices market. Despite facing severe competition from the silicon carbide semiconductor devices industry over the past few years, this market is likely to benefit from the expanding application base of gallium nitride in a number of areas in the near future.The continual progress in novel technologies and the widening application scope of gallium nitride are projected to drive this market further in the years to come. The advent of electric and hybrid vehicles are expected to offer excellent opportunities for the growth of this market over the forthcoming years.Request Sample Copy of the Report @Global Gallium Nitride Semiconductor Device Market: Key TrendsThe significant growth in the RF semiconductor devices industry has surfaced as the main trend in the global market for gallium nitride semiconductor devices. Since, the RF semiconductor industry is actively interconnected to the information and communication industry, creating a need for electronic devices to operate at broad frequency ranges on the basis of the applications, gallium nitride semiconductor devices are witnessing strong demand, which is reflecting positively on the markets growth. However, the high cost incurred in industrial processes may restrict this market from growing smoothly in the years to come.Global Gallium Nitride Semiconductor Device Market: Market PotentialBlue laser diodes and Blu-ray disc players are creating significant opportunity from the application of gallium nitride semiconductor devices. The ongoing rise in the demand for these products is likely to have a positive impact on the global gallium nitride semiconductor devices market in the near future. The increasing penetration of gallium nitride semiconductor devices in LED-based lightings and displays is also expected to translate into significant growth of this market over the next few years.Request TOC of the Report @Global Gallium Nitride Semiconductor Device Market: Regional OutlookThe global market for gallium nitride semiconductor devices is spread across North America, Asia Pacific (APAC), Europe, and the Rest of the World (RoW). North America and Europe have emerged as the leading contributors to this market, thanks to the constant innovation and technological development in the products. The rising investments on research and development are likely to maintain the dominance of both the regional markets in the years to come.With the advent of Japan as one of the key domestic market for gallium nitride semiconductor devices, thanks to the upsurge in the semiconductor industry in the country, Asia Pacific is also projected to report a steady rise in the near future.Read Comprehensive Overview of Report @Global Gallium Nitride Semiconductor Device Market: Competitive AnalysisWith a number of key players, the global market for gallium nitride semiconductor displays a competitive and fragmented market. NTT Advanced Technology Corp., Toshiba Corp., International Quantum Epitaxy Plc, Mitsubishi Chemical Corp., Fujitsu Ltd., Cree Inc., Texas Instruments, EPIGEAN NV, RF Micro Devices Inc., Koninklijke Philips N.V., AZZURRO Semiconductors AG, and Aixtron SE are some of the leading vendors of gallium nitride semiconductor devices. These companies mostly rely on technological advancements to maintain their position in this market. However, a shift in their focus towards strategic alliances can be observed in the near future.About TMR ResearchTMR Research is a premier provider of customized market research and consulting services to business entities keen on succeeding in todays supercharged economic climate. Armed with an experienced, dedicated, and dynamic team of analysts, we are redefining the way our clients conduct business by providing them with authoritative and trusted research studies in tune with the latest methodologies and market trends.Our savvy custom-built reports span a gamut of industries such as pharmaceuticals, chemicals and metals, food and beverages, and technology and media, among others. With actionable insights uncovered through in-depth research of the market, we try to bring about game-changing success for our clients.Contact:TMR Research,3739 Balboa St # 1097,San Francisco, CA 94121United StatesTel: +1-415-520-1050Email: sales@tmrresearch.com Military Laser Systems Market 2018 Global Analysis,Research,Review,Applications and Forecast to 2021 https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/sample_request/1398 https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/military-laser-systems-market Market Highlights:Laser systems are widely in military and defense which includes rangefinders, illuminators, laser weapons, directed energy weapons and infrared countermeasures. Laser weapons are capable and utilized as both lethal and non-lethal weapons. Laser systems are also utilized for military communications, for example, laser-based ground to air communications, and other applications such as airborne laser mine detection, which provides a rapid wide-area mine detection capability. Also, there has been a huge spending on such military laser systems R&D programs.The laser systems are being utilized for offensive as well as defensive operations by the military for various air, ground, naval and space operations. Laser based weapons are also used by different countries and is considered as the weapons of the future. This demand for military laser systems and mainly the laser based weapons has mostly helped the growth of the global military laser systems market. Also, the military and defense segment spends a substantial amount of budget on R&D and weapon development projects.Over the years, there has been high demand for laser systems from military and defense sector, mainly used as laser weapons and for defense purposes. There has been high demand for laser systems for purposes such as HELLADS, which is a counter-attack system that uses laser to shoot down rocket, artillery, and mortar. Military and defense worldwide are using the laser based systems for various other purposes ranging from range finding, target designation, anti-missile systems, and to neutralize the opponent's weapon systems.Request a Sample Report @Key PlayersNorthrop Grumman,Coherent Inc.,Lockheed Martin,Thales,Raytheon,American Laser Enterprises,BAE Systems PLC,Frankfurt Laser Company,Quantel,Newport Corporation.The global Military Laser Systems Market is highly competitive. There exists strong rivalry and competition among existing vendors; in terms of cost, technology, and to win major military deals and projects in various emerging and established markets. To survive and succeed in such an intensely competitive environment, it is crucial for the vendors to develop highly capable and efficient laser systems and also need to involve in major laser weapon development projects.Industry/ Innovation/ Related News:2015:- Chinese military equipped its forces with blinding laser weapons, such as the BBQ-905 laser dazzler weapon, the PY131A and PY132A blinding laser weapons, and the WJG-2002 laser gun. This violated a provision of the United Nations (UN) Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons (CCW).2014:- The US Navy developed its high-energy laser weapons system (HELWS). The 25 kilowatts weapon is expected to be used in both, defensive and offensive applications.Get Full Report @Regional & Country AnalysisThe emerging nations such as China and India have also largely put their effort in the development of laser systems for military applications, mainly the laser based weapons. In 2014, China unveiled its laser cannon system that could shoot down UAVs from more than a mile away with a very high accuracy. More than 40 percent of the China's laser research and development capability is focused towards military applications. China has also been investing heavily in the development of advanced laser weapon system and had recently conducted its anti-satellite laser weapon test in 2014.Similarly, the Indian Ministry of Defense has regrded the development of advanced weapon and DEWs as a top priority for its roadmap till 2020-2025. India has been working on the development of such laser weapons and aims to make it accessible to fighter aircrafts, naval destroyers and submarines by 2025. It is also working on DEWs to improve anti-ballistic missile capability. India's LASTEC, a laboratory developing lasers and related technologies, belonging to the DRDO, has been working to develop such laser weapons for the Indian Armed Forces.About Market Research Future:At Market Research Future (MRFR), we enable our customers to unravel the complexity of various industries through our Cooked Research Report (CRR), Half-Cooked Research Reports (HCRR), Raw Research Reports (3R), Continuous-Feed Research (CFR), and Market Research & Consulting Services.Contact:Market Research Future+1 646 845 9312Email: sales@marketresearchfuture.com Naval Combat Systems Market By Application, Drive Mechanism and Region Forecasts to 2021 https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/sample_request/1404 https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/naval-combat-systems-market Market Highlights:Naval combat systems uses advance computers and radar technologies to track, detect and guide weapons to destroy enemy targets. They comprise of three systems; C4ISR, electronic warfare (EW), and weapon systems, which aid in the naval war fighting, data transmission, ISR missions, and enemy detection operations.In 2014, there were 62 destroyer ships in the US, compared to Japan and China, which had 60 and 25 such vessels, respectively. During the same period, Russia and South Korea had 12 such destroyer ships, each, while, India, which is continuously developing its naval fleet, had nine such vessels. Similarly, in the same year, there were 47 frigate ships in China, 22 in Taiwan, 21 in Russia and 15 in India. In 2014, Russia had the highest number of Corvette ships, with a total of 74 such vessels.In 2014, Lockheed Martin signed a contract with the Canadian Navy, worth $165 million, for the modernization of two Anzac-class frigates. These frigates would be sold to the Royal New Zealand Navy. Similarly, in 2013, General Dynamics signed two contracts, one with the US Navy and the other with the Royal Australian Navy, worth $50 million, to modernize the AN/BYG-1 combat control systems of the Royal Australian Navy and US Navy submarines. The AN/BYG-1 modernization program integrates the weapons and tactical control and network subsystems to provide submarine fleet operators and commanders with enhanced real-time intelligence and improved situational awareness. In the same year, Mikros Systems Corporation, a prominent vendor in the market, signed a contract with the US Navy, worth $2.8 million, to deliver new radars and electronic systems for the US Navys Littoral Combat Ships (LCS).Request a Sample Report @Major Key PlayersBAE Systems,Lockheed Martin,Raytheon,Thales,General Dynamics,Harris Corporation,L-3 Communication Systems,Northrop Grumman,Sagem.The global Naval Combat Systems Market is highly competitive, and vendors compete on the basis of cost, product quality, reliability, and aftermarket service. In order to survive and succeed in such an intensely competitive environment, it is crucial for vendors to provide cost-effective and high-quality naval combat systems with latest technology and materials.Industry/ Innovation/ Related News:2015:- Lockheed Martin signed a contract worth $362 million, with the US Navy, to design, develop and provide one Littoral Combat Ship (LCS). The vendor was also awarded $79 million for the development of a second ship, in advanced procurement funding.2015:- BAE Systems signed a contract with the German Navy, to develop and provide MKS180, the multirole combat ship, having the structural design of the British Royal Navy's Type 26 frigate.Get Full Report @The market report for Naval Combat Systems market of Market Research Future comprises of extensive primary research along with the detailed analysis of qualitative as well as quantitative aspects by various industry experts, key opinion leaders to gain the deeper insight of the market and industry performance.About Market Research Future:At Market Research Future (MRFR), we enable our customers to unravel the complexity of various industries through our Cooked Research Report (CRR), Half-Cooked Research Reports (HCRR), Raw Research Reports (3R), Continuous-Feed Research (CFR), and Market Research & Consulting Services.Contact:Market Research Future+1 646 845 9312sales@marketresearchfuture.com Hysteroscopy Instruments Market: Higher Growth Rate & Forecast 2017 - 2025 https://www.tmrresearch.com/sample/sample?flag=B&rep_id=2708 https://www.tmrresearch.com/sample/sample?flag=T&rep_id=2708 https://www.tmrresearch.com/hysteroscopy-instruments-market Global Hysteroscopy Instruments Market: OverviewHysteroscopy can be defined as the assessment of the uterine cavity with the help of an endoscope that is inserted through the cervix. This procedure is done in order to diagnose or treat the possible abnormalities in the body. In the last few years, the developments in the medical technology has made is easy to perform in depth assessment of the uterine cavity without anesthesia and is being primarily done with the help of hysteroscopy instruments.The overall growth in the population of older women and increasing cases of gynecological diseases can be seen as one the key driving factors for the development of the global market for Hysteroscopy Instruments.The global market for Hysteroscopy Instruments could be segmented in terms of the different product types and usability. The global market could also be segmented in terms of the application end user, and by region. Such in depth and decisive segmentation of market of the global Hysteroscopy Instruments is offered by the report aids in understating the overall growth prospects and the future outlook of the different segments of the market and thus, helping the potential buyers to make informed decisions while investing in the market.Request Sample Copy of the Report @The report on Global Hysteroscopy Instruments market offers the analysis and forecast on regional as well as global level. It offers historical data of the Global Hysteroscopy Instruments market with the anticipated data of 2022, and a forecast data up to year 2022 in terms of volume and revenue generation. The research report also offers important driving and impeding factors for the overall growth of the global Hysteroscopy Instruments market and their effect on each region over the course of the given forecast period. The report also gives the value chain analysis of the market with a list of manufacturers of raw materials, drum manufacturers, IBCs manufacturers, and crates and pails manufacturers. The research report on the global market for Hysteroscopy Instruments offers vital prospects of development and prominent growth trends and opportunities that may come up in the market over the course of the given forecast period. The research report is the result of in-depth and extensive primary as well as secondary research methodologies backed by crucial market insights offered by the industry professionals.Global Hysteroscopy Instruments Market: Trends and Opportunities:The overall development of the global Hysteroscopy Instruments market can be attributed to the growth in the female geriatric population and the increasing disorders in females related to gynecology. Some of the other key factors expected to drive the overall growth of the global market of Hysteroscopy Instruments include growing uptake of treatments that are minimally invasive, deployment of favorable government initiatives and growing uptake of office hysteroscopy.Request TOC of the Report @Global Hysteroscopy Instruments Market: Market PotentialRecently, an Iranian researcher named Soroush Barmooz, developed a hysteroscopic surgical instrument that will be able to treat multiple types of benign tumors of uterine cavity and fibroids in women with nominal invasive technique. This is expected to be a huge step towards the overall development of the Global Hysteroscopy Instruments as such new products and developments are expected to boost the uptake as well as fuel the growth of the market.Global Hysteroscopy Instruments Market: Geographical SegmentationGlobal Hysteroscopy Instruments Market can be segmented into key regions such as North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East and Africa. North America market is expected to dominated the global market followed by Europe.Read Comprehensive Overview of Report @Global Hysteroscopy Instruments Market: Key PlayersSome of the key players in the Global Hysteroscopy Instruments Market include Hologic, CooperSurgical, Medicon, Hospiline Equipments, and Ethicon among others.About TMR ResearchTMR Research is a premier provider of customized market research and consulting services to business entities keen on succeeding in todays supercharged economic climate. Armed with an experienced, dedicated, and dynamic team of analysts, we are redefining the way our clients conduct business by providing them with authoritative and trusted research studies in tune with the latest methodologies and market trends.Our savvy custom-built reports span a gamut of industries such as pharmaceuticals, chemicals and metals, food and beverages, and technology and media, among others. With actionable insights uncovered through in-depth research of the market, we try to bring about game-changing success for our clients.Contact:TMR Research,3739 Balboa St # 1097,San Francisco, CA 94121United StatesTel: +1-415-520-1050Email: sales@tmrresearch.com Expansion of Thermal Laminating Machine Market During 2016-2026to Gain Robust Traction https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-2061 https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/toc/rep-gb-2061 http://www.futuremarketinsights.com With the advancement of technology in every aspect of life, automation is gaining traction due to its efficient, effective, faster and safer application. The thermal laminating machine is a type of automated packaging solution that is serving the need for lamination at a faster rate. It is an easy to use machine that provides high quality lamination to protect the products. The laminator use the heat to seal the film or pouch and provide durable crystal clear laminate protection. Automated setting is for frequent office use, whereas one step laminates is ideal for home projects. These thermal laminator are equipped with rollers that provides professional and clean lamination finishes with no bubbling or hazing. These thermal laminating machines provide adjustable digital temperature controls, which allows the user to adjust the laminating temperature.Thermal Laminating Machine Market- Market Segmentation:The global thermal laminating machine market is segmented on the basis of product type, technology type, driven type, number of roller type and application type. On the basis of product type, thermal laminating machine market can be segmented into roll laminators and pouch laminators, wherein roll laminators saves considerable amount of time as compared to pouch laminator. On the basis of technology type, thermal laminating machine market can be segmented into automatic thermal laminating machine and semi-automatic thermal laminating machine. On the basis of driven type, thermal laminating machine market can be segmented into electric, pneumatic and hydraulic. On the basis of number of rollers, thermal laminating machine market can be segmented into 2 roller laminator, 4 roller laminator and 6 roller laminator. On the basis of application type, thermal laminating machine market can be segmented into retail & consumer, institutional and industrial.A sample of this report is available upon request @Thermal Laminating Machine Market - Market Dynamics:One of the significant factors towards the growth of thermal laminating machine market is the effective solution which is required to keep the product stronger, more durable, and more flexible as well as add an enhanced aesthetic features. In addition to this, the reason towards the growth of thermal laminating machine market is the additional last longer solution which thermal laminating machine provides to the company in order to provide an effective solution to advertise and promote the services or product. Another aspect towards the growth of thermal laminating machine market is the rising disposable income among the individual. However, the restraining factor towards the growth of the thermal laminating machine market is the continuous inclination towards the use of cloud based storage free application such as google drive, drop box, etc. which provide any document whenever required with no efforts related to carrying the documents everywhere. Moreover, another factor that is hindering the growth of thermal laminating machine market is the introduction of mobile wallet, bank application and net banking, which might obstruct the use of debit cards as these cards required a lamination solution. Furthermore, the government stringent regulation over the use of plastic for laminating is expected to restrain the growth of thermal laminating machine market. Adding to this, the high electricity cost is expected to hamper the growth of thermal laminating machine market as these machines requires huge consumption of electricity.Thermal Laminating Machine Market - Regional OutlookGeographically, the global thermal laminating machine market is segmented into North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia Pacific (APAC) and Middle East & Africa (MEA). The global thermal laminating machine market is expected to witness a stable CAGR over the forecast period of 2016-2024. Moreover, North America is expected to be the largest market for thermal laminating machine market, due to the rising disposable income among individual. Moreover, the extensive use of advertising and promotion in India, by means of trade show, flexible graphics, floor graphics, vehicle graphics, etc. is expected to boost the sales of thermal laminating machine. In addition to this, the evolution of the individual in terms rising living standard among middle income groups, increasing urbanization and expanding working population in the growing economies such as China and India as well is expected to further improve the sales in the thermal laminating machine market in Asia Pacific by the end of the forecast period of 2016-2024. Rest of the world is anticipated to show steady growth in thermal laminating machine market.To view TOC of this report is available upon request @Thermal Laminating Machine Market - Major Players:Some of the major players identified across the globe in the thermal laminating machine market are Thermal Laminating Corporation, Spiral Binding Company, Inc, Memphis Laminating Company, GMP CO., LTD., Autobond Laminating Ltd, Australian Laminating Company Pty Ltd, 3M Company, D&K Group, PKC Co. and Ltd, TAULER S.L.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:Abhishek BudholiyaFuture Market Insights616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage, NY 10989,United StatesT: +1-347-918-3531F: +1-845-579-5705Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.comWebsite: Proximity and Displacement Sensor Market: Key Trends, Demand, Growth, Size, Review, Share, Analysis to 2025 The Insight Partners http://www.theinsightpartners.com/sample/TIPTE100000580 http://www.theinsightpartners.com/reports/proximity-and-displacement-sensor-market The Insight Partners Added World Proximity and Displacement Sensor Market Report 2018-2025 To Its Research Database.Proximity sensors are used to detect any presence of nearby objects without any physical contact. The range that the sensors can capture up to are known as the nominal range. Displacement sensors detect the distance between the sensors by various elements and converting it into distance. A proximity and displacement sensors combines the technology of both the sensors in a single type of sensor. Rising trend of process automation in various industries is fueling the growth of proximity and displacement market.Request a Sample Report atThe Global Proximity and Displacement Sensors Market Analysis to 2025 is a specialized and in-depth study of the proximity and displacement sensors industry with a focus on the global market trend. The report aims to provide an overview of global proximity and displacement sensors market with detailed market segmentation by type, application, end-users and geography. The global proximity and displacement sensors market is expected to witness high growth during the forecast period. The report provides key statistics on the market status of the leading market players and offers key trends and opportunities in the market.Proximity and Displacement Sensor Market Players:IFM Electronics GmbHKaman CorporationKeyence CorporationLion PrecisionMicron Optics Inc.Omron CorporationPanasonic CorporationPepperi + FuchsStandex-Meder Electronics Inc.TURCK Inc.The report provides a detailed overview of the industry including both qualitative and quantitative information. It provides overview and forecast of the global proximity and displacement sensors market based on type, application and end-users. It also provides market size and forecast till 2025 for overall proximity and displacement sensors market with respect to five major regions, namely; North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific (APAC), Middle East and Africa (MEA) and South America (SAM). The market by each region is later sub-segmented by respective countries and segments. The report covers analysis and forecast of 15 counties globally along with current trend and opportunities prevailing in the region.Besides this, the report analyzes factors affecting market from both demand and supply side and further evaluates market dynamics effecting the market during the forecast period i.e., drivers, restraints, opportunities, and future trend. The report also provides exhaustive PEST analysis for all five regions namely; North America, Europe, APAC, MEA and South America after evaluating political, economic, social and technological factors effecting the market in these regions.Also, key proximity and displacement sensors market players influencing the market are profiled in the study along with their SWOT analysis and market strategies. The report also focuses on leading industry players with information such as company profiles, products and services offered, financial information of last 3 years, key development in past five years. Some of the key players influencing the market are IFM Electronics GmbH, Kaman Corporation, Keyence Corporation, Lion Precision, Micron Optics Inc., Omron Corporation, Panasonic Corporation, Pepperi + Fuchs, Standex-Meder Electronics Inc., and TURCK Inc.View Complete Report atContact Us:Call: +1-646-491-9876Email: sales@theinsightpartners.comAbout The Insight Partners:The Insight Partners is a one stop industry research provider of actionable intelligence. We help our clients in getting solutions to their research requirements through our syndicated and consulting research services. We are a specialist in Technology, Media, and Telecommunication industries.533, 5th Floor,Amanora Chambers, East Block, Amanora Township,Kharadi Road, Hadapsar, Pune-411028 Insightful Forecast on Expansion of Global Steering Column Control Modules Market During 2016-2026 https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-2073 https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/toc/rep-gb-2073 http://www.futuremarketinsights.com Automobile design, operation, aesthetics and technology are continuously evolving and witnessing significant advancements. Previous designs and operations in automobiles included various switches for different purposes, which were simple in design but complex in operation. Especially, steering systems witnessed prominent advancements in past decade. Development of hybrid, electric and hydraulic steering are some of the examples. Integration of various operational switches for convenience in steering wheels and column is indeed a timely innovation, which can also be claimed as one amongst the important innovation in an automobile.It was never thought that someone could come up with an idea of Steering Column Control Module (SCCM) where one can control the switches very comfortably with ease while driving. The safety and the ease of driving an automobile has increased considerably due to the installation of steering column control modules on the steering wheel of vehicles.The module which controls the switches on or around/below the steering wheel are known as the steering column control modules. Typically, there are many electromechanical systems installed on the steering wheels nowadays in automobiles. A Steering column control module is mounted on the steering column but it is placed below the steering wheel, this steering column module is the main network for all the systems surrounding it. The operating switches known as the stalk lever switches, are positioned to the right and the left sides of the steering column control modules. The stalk lever switches and the controls which are mounted on the steering wheel and systems i.e. (sound controls buttons, cruise controls, horns, Bluetooth and hands free calling buttons and air bags) are all connected with the other system through the Steering Column Control Module. Typical assembly components of steering column control module includes circuit board, connectors and electrical wire cables for interconnection between the systems. The features and controls which are provided in the steering column control module are also dependent the type of the automobile i.e. Passenger Cars, Commercial Vehicles, Transport vehicles etc. Introduction of new technologies, comfort features and active safety systems in vehicles is expected to drive steering column control modules market in near future.A sample of this report is available upon request @Steering Column Control Modules Market dynamics:The market of steering column control module has been marked with presence of established players. A challenging task in steering column control modules market is to manufacture these modules as the interconnection between many components and the systems in the steering assembly. The automotive manufacturers are heavily dependent on the providers of the steering system owing to their technological expertise. Steering column control module market is witnessing continuous development from its providers with new ideas and innovation.Increasing safety of vehicle occupants and pedestrians is one of the prime concerns of automakers and many manufacturers are trying to develop steering column control modules so that safety and comfort features are enhanced to a much higher level. As per the current scenario, steering column control modules have become integral part of automobiles. The increasing standard of cabin comfort level has triggered utilization of requirement specific or custom made steering column control modules in great demand and this is expected to provide significant boost in the near future. The market for the steering column control modules is expected to provide significant opportunities to component providers, integrators and original equipment manufacturers across the globe.Steering Column Control Modules Market segmentation:Steering Column Control Modules can be segmented by type of sales channel, by components position and automobile type.By sales channel,Steering Column Control Modules Market can be segmented as:Original equipment manufacturerAftermarketBy Component Position type, Steering Column Control Modules Market can be segmented as:On the Steering Wheel (Sound Control, Airbags, etc.)Around/Below the Steering Wheel (Stalk levers, i.e. Wiper control, Head light control etc.)By Automobile type, Steering Column Control Modules Market can be segmented as:Passenger carsCommercial vehiclesHeavy Trucks and BussesOff-road VehiclesTo view TOC of this report is available upon request @Steering Column Control Modules Market: Regional Outlook:Steering Column Control Modules can be divided into seven different geographical regions/divisions such as North America, Latin America, Western and Eastern Europe, Asia-Pacific Excluding Japan (APEJ), Japan, Middle East and Africa. The demand for steering column control modules is significant in Asia Pacific followed by Europe and North America owing to automotive steady rates of production volumes and sales. Owing to lack of production facilities in Middle East and Africa and relatively low production of vehicles in Latin America, the market potential of steering column control module is low. The Asian giant countries like India and China which have significant sales and production of automobiles are expected to witnessmomentous growth in steering column control module market in the coming years.Steering Column Control Modules Market: Key Players:ZF TRWLeopold Kostal Gmbh & Co. KGDelphi Automotive LLPIdiditNexteer AutomotiveValeoABOUT 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:Abhishek BudholiyaFuture Market Insights616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage, NY 10989,United StatesT: +1-347-918-3531F: +1-845-579-5705Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.comWebsite: Packaging Automation Solutions Market, New Research On Industry, Forecast 2023 https://www.researchbeam.com/packaging-automation-solutions-market/request-sample https://www.researchbeam.com/packaging-automation-solutions-market/enquire-about-report https://www.researchbeam.com/packaging-automation-solutions-market/purchase-enquiry Packaging plays a vital role in product marketing as it is one of the most important factors that determine the sales of the product. Packaging can facilitate product sales through the use of innovative and creative designs, thereby influencing the consumers purchase decisions. The demand for packaging automation solutions is increasing due to rise in need for consumer goods. Moreover, the advent of advanced, innovative packaging automated solutions has resulted in enhanced productivity by speeding up the packaging processes with minimal human intervention. The global market growth is driven by surge in the industrial & manufacturing activities in food & beverage, e-commerce & logistics, healthcare & pharmaceuticals, automotive, electronics, and others.For More Info, Get Sample :The global packaging automation solutions market is segmented on the basis of product type, end-user industry, application, and geography. On the basis of product type, the global packaging automation solutions market is classified into automated packagers, packaging robots, and automated conveyors. Based on the end-user industry, global packaging automation solutions market is divided into food & beverage, healthcare & pharmaceutical, automotive, e-commerce & logistics, chemicals, and others. On the basis of application, global packaging automation solutions market is categorized into labeling, capping, palletizing, wrapping, form, filling & sealing (FFS), and others. Geographically, it is analyzed across North America, Asia-Pacific, Europe, and LAMEA.The key players operating in the global market are Rockwell Automation, Mitsubishi Electric Corp., Schneider Electric SE, Automated Packaging Systems, Inc., BEUMER Group GmbH & Co., Siemens AG, Swisslog Holding AG, Brenton, PakTech, and SATO Holdings.KEY BENEFITS FOR STAKEHOLDERS The study provides an in-depth analysis of the global packaging automation solution industry and current trends and future estimations to elucidate the imminent investment pockets. The information about key drivers, restrains, and opportunities and their impact analyses on the market is provided in the report. Porters five forces analysis of the industry illustrates the potency of buyers & suppliers operating in the industry. The quantitative analysis of the global market from 2017 to 2023 is provided to determine the market potential.KEY MARKET SEGMENTSEnquire About Report :By Product Type Automated Packagers Packaging Robots Automated ConveyorsBy Application LABELING CAPPING PALLETIZING WRAPPING FORM FILLING & SEALING (FFS) OTHERSBy End-user Industry Food & Beverage Healthcare & Pharmaceutical Automotive E-commerce & Logistics Chemicals OthersBy Geography North America U.S. Canada Mexico Europe Germany France UK Italy Rest of Europe Asia-Pacific China India Japan Rest of Asia-Pacific LAMEA Latin America Middle East AfricaAlso Request For Discount :Key Market Players Rockwell Automation Mitsubishi Electric Corp. Schneider Electric SE Automated Packaging Systems, Inc. BEUMER Group GmbH & Co., KG Siemens AG Swisslog Holding AG Brenton PakTech SATO HoldingsTable Of Content CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION CHAPTER 2 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY CHAPTER 3 MARKET OVERVIEW CHAPTER 4 PACKAGING AUTOMATION SOLUTIONS MARKET, BY TYPE CHAPTER 5 PACKAGING AUTOMATION SOLUTIONS MARKET, BY APPLICATION CHAPTER 6 GLOBAL PACKAGING AUTOMATION SOLUTIONS MARKET, BY END-USER INDUSTRY CHAPTER 7 PACKAGING AUTOMATION SOLUTIONS MARKET, BY GEOGRAPHY CHAPTER 8 COMPANY PROFILESAbout UsWe have a large database of quality and precise market research reports that will be very beneficial for your organization. Reports that we sell are authentic in nature and from reputed publishers, hence it can definitely help you with your growth opportunities. Research Beam will always make sure to bring most ethical and high-quality reports. We value your relationship with us and look forward for a long term relation.Contact UsGlobal Head Quarters5933 NE Win Sivers Drive,#205, Portland, OR 97220United States+1 (800) 910-6452help@researchbeam.com Smart Lighting Industry Competition by Top Manufacturers, Production, Price and Revenue 2018-2025 The Insight Partners http://www.theinsightpartners.com/sample/TIPTE100000581 http://www.theinsightpartners.com/reports/india-smart-lighting-market The Insight Partners added Smart Lighting Market to 2025 to its research database. The report is spread across 150 pages and supported by 10 company leaders.Smart lighting is a type of lighting technology that is designed for energy efficiency. It has automated controls that controls the lighting and makes adjustments based on different conditions such as occupancy or daylight availability etc. Increasing consumer awareness regarding energy saving, thereby increasing the demand for energy-efficient technology, is fueling the market for the smart lighting.Development of IoT technology and increase in the demand for the intelligent solutions for street lighting systems are the major drivers for the growth of the market in coming years. One of the major trend is the development of smart cities which is gaining traction and will bring new opportunities in the market in coming years.Request a Sample Report atThe Indian Smart Lighting Market Analysis to 2025 is a specialized and in-depth study of the smart lighting industry with a focus on the Indian market trend. The report aims to provide an overview of Indian smart lighting market with detailed market segmentation by lighting types, application, and connectivity technology. The Indian smart lighting market is expected to witness high growth during the forecast period. The report provides key statistics on the market status of the leading market players and offers key trends and opportunities in the market.The report provides a detailed overview of the industry including both qualitative and quantitative information. It provides overview and forecast of the Indian smart lighting market based on lighting types, application and connectivity technology. It also provides market size and forecast till 2025 for overall smart lighting market in India. The report covers analysis and forecast of India along with current trend and opportunities prevailing in the country.View Complete Report atBesides this, the report analyzes factors affecting market from both demand and supply side and further evaluates market dynamics effecting the market during the forecast period i.e., drivers, restraints, opportunities, and future trend. The report also provides exhaustive PEST analysis for India after evaluating political, economic, social and technological factors effecting the market in this country.Also, key smart lighting market players influencing the market are profiled in the study along with their SWOT analysis and market strategies. The report also focuses on leading industry players with information such as company profiles, products and services offered, financial information of last 3 years, key development in past five years. Some of the key players influencing the market are Koninklijke Philips N.V., Eaton Corporation PLC, Honeywell International PLC, Lutron Electronics Company Inc., Legrand SA, General Electric Company, Osram Licht AG, Wipro Lighting, Schneider Electric and Hubbell India.Smart Lighting Market Key PlayersKoninklijke Philips N.V.Eaton Corporation PLCHoneywell International PLCLutron Electronics Company Inc.Legrand SAGeneral Electric CompanyOsram Licht AGWipro LightingSchneider ElectricHubbell IndiaContact Us:Call: +1-646-491-9876Email: sales@theinsightpartners.comAbout Us:The Insight Partners is a one stop industry research provider of actionable intelligence. We help our clients in getting solutions to their research requirements through our syndicated and consulting research services. We are a specialist in Technology, Media, and Telecommunication industries.533, 5th Floor,Amanora Chambers, East Block, Amanora Township,Kharadi Road, Hadapsar, Pune-411028 Substation Automation Market Share, Size, Forecast and Trends by 2025 The Insight Partners http://www.theinsightpartners.com/sample/TIPTE100000582 http://www.theinsightpartners.com/reports/substation-automation-market The Insight Partners added Substation Automation Market 2025 Global Analysis and Forecasts by Module (Intelligent Electronic Devices, Communication Networks and Scada Systems); Offering (Hardware, Software and Services); Type (Transmission substation and Distribution substation); Installation Type (Retrofit Installation and New Installation) & End-Users (Utility, Steel, Mining, Oil & Gas and Transportation). The report is spread across 150 pages and supported by 10 company leaders.Substation automation is a method of using data from Intelligent Electronic Devices. It refers to controlling and automating the capabilities within the substation and controlling power systems devices through commands from remote users. Increasing improved electricity service demand throughout the world and growing demand for smart grid are the major driver for the growth of market of substation automation.Robust demand for advanced metering infrastructure and advancement in communication technologies will be fueling the growth of the market in coming years whereas high cost of installation and cyber-attacks can act as restraining factors in the market. The development of smart cities, with more focus on use of renewable resources, will bring new opportunities in the market in coming years.The Global Substation Automation Market Analysis to 2025 is a specialized and in-depth study of the substation automation industry with a focus on the global market trend. The report aims to provide an overview of global substation automation market with detailed market segmentation by module, offering, type, installation type, end-users and geography. The global substation automation market is expected to witness high growth during the forecast period. The report provides key statistics on the market status of the leading market players and offers key trends and opportunities in the market.Request a Sample Report at1 Introduction2 Key Takeaways3 Substation Automation Market Landscape4 Substation Automation Market - Key Industry Dynamics5 Substation Automation Market Analysis- Global6 Substation Automation Market Revenue and Forecasts to 2025 - Technology7 Substation Automation Market Revenue and Forecasts to 2025 - Solution8 Substation Automation Market Revenue and Forecasts to 2025 - End-User Vertical9 Substation Automation Market Revenue and Forecasts to 2025 - Geographical Analysis9.2 Europe9.3 Asia pacific (APAC)9.4.2.1.3 UAE market10 Industry Landscape11 Competitive Landscape12 Substation Automation Market, Key Company ProfilesThe report provides a detailed overview of the industry including both qualitative and quantitative information. It provides overview and forecast of the global substation automation market based on module, offering, type, installation type and end-users. It also provides market size and forecast till 2025 for overall substation automation market with respect to five major regions, namely; North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific (APAC), Middle East and Africa (MEA) and South America (SAM). The market by each region is later sub-segmented by respective countries and segments. The report covers analysis and forecast of 15 counties globally along with current trend and opportunities prevailing in the region.Besides this, the report analyzes factors affecting market from both demand and supply side and further evaluates market dynamics effecting the market during the forecast period i.e., drivers, restraints, opportunities, and future trend. The report also provides exhaustive PEST analysis for all five regions namely; North America, Europe, APAC, MEA and South America after evaluating political, economic, social and technological factors effecting the market in these regions.Also, key substation automation market players influencing the market are profiled in the study along with their SWOT analysis and market strategies. The report also focuses on leading industry players with information such as company profiles, products and services offered, financial information of last 3 years, key development in past five years. Some of the key players influencing the market are ABB Ltd., Siemens AG, General Electric, Cisco Systems Inc., Schneider Electric, Eaton Corporation PLC, Honeywell International Inc., Schweitzer Engineering Laboratiories Inc., Novatech LLC and Crompton Greaves.The List of Companies :1. ABB Ltd.2. Siemens AG3. General Electric4. Cisco Systems Inc.5. Schneider Electric6. Eaton Corporation PLC7. Honeywell International Inc.8. Schweitzer Engineering Laboratiories Inc.9. Novatech LLC10. Crompton Greaves.13 AppendixView Complete Report atContact Us:Call: +1-646-491-9876Email: sales@theinsightpartners.comAbout The Insight PartnersThe Insight Partners is a one stop industry research provider of actionable intelligence. We help our clients in getting solutions to their research requirements through our syndicated and consulting research services. We are a specialist in Technology, Media, and Telecommunication industries.533, 5th Floor,Amanora Chambers, East Block, Amanora Township,Kharadi Road, Hadapsar, Pune-411028 Medical Practice Management Software Market SWOT analysis & Key Business Strategies by leading industry Players (Allscripts, Cerner, CPSI, Epic Systems, General Electric Company) ReportsWeb http://www.reportsweb.com/inquiry&RW0001819111/sample http://www.reportsweb.com/inquiry&RW0001819111/discount http://www.reportsweb.com/global-medical-practice-management-software-mpms-market-2017-2021 Market research analysts at Publisher predict that the global medical practice management software (MPMS) market will grow steadily at a CAGR of over 8% by 2021. This market research analysis identifies the ability to achieve increased efficiency and productivity of MPMS as one of the primary growth factors for this market. MPMS helps healthcare centers in managing information and generating reports of clinical and administrative performance which can be used for medical practice improvement plans. This subsequently enhances the organizations efficiency by improving the quality and increasing productivity. Furthermore, the software also monitors business processes and identifies financial irregularities that can be reported to the management for appropriate actions.Get Sample Copy atCovered in this reportThe report covers the present scenario and the growth prospects of the global medical practice management software market for 2017-2021. To calculate the market size, the report considers new installations, sales, and volume of MPMS.The market is divided into the following segments based on geography: Americas APAC EMEAPublisher's report, Global Medical Practice Management Software Market 2017-2021, has been prepared based on an in-depth market analysis with inputs from industry experts. The report covers the market landscape and its growth prospects over the coming years. The report also includes a discussion of the key vendors operating in this market.Key vendors Allscripts Cerner CPSI Epic Systems General Electric Company McKessonGet Discount on ReportOther prominent vendors AdvancedMD athenahealth CureMD Greenway Health MacPractice MediGain Meditab NextGen Healthcare NueMD Practice FusionMarket driver Increasing need for maximizing chair-time utilization For a full, detailed list, view our reportMarket challenge Data security and privacy concerns For a full, detailed list, view our reportMarket trend Increasing focus on detailed and customized reporting For a full, detailed list, view our reportTable of ContentsPART 01: EXECUTIVE SUMMARYPART 02: SCOPE OF THE REPORTPART 03: RESEARCH METHODOLOGYPART 04: MARKET LANDSCAPEPART 05: MARKET SIZINGPART 06: FIVE FORCES ANALYSISPART 07: MARKET SEGMENTATIONPART 08: CUSTOMER LANDSCAPEPART 09: REGIONAL LANDSCAPEPART 10: DECISION FRAMEWORKPART 11: DRIVERS AND CHALLENGESPART 12: MARKET TRENDSPART 13: VENDOR LANDSCAPEPART 14: VENDOR ANALYSISPART 15: APPENDIXFor More Information about This Report:Contact Us:Call: +1-646-491-9876Email: sales@reportsweb.comReportsWeb.com is a one stop shop of market research reports and solutions to various companies across the globe. We help our clients in their decision support system by helping them choose most relevant and cost effective research reports and solutions from various publishers. We provide best in class customer service and our customer support team is always available to help you on your research queries.Pune, India 8th World Congress On Chemistry and Organics 8th World Congress On Chemistry and Organics Experts & researchers working under academia, principal investigators, Scientists, Industry Professionals, Business Delegates and students across the globe will be present at the conChemistry and Organics will be organized around the theme An exploration on breakthrough research in Chemistry & OrganicsChemistry-2018 is comprised of 16 tracks and 116 sessions designed to offer comprehensive sessions that address current issues in the field of chemistry. We promise a worthwhile experience where you nurture an interest in the subject which will help you attain innovative & imaginative ideas about the business of Chemistry in the market.Submit your abstract to any of the mentioned tracks. All related abstracts are accepted.Agriculture & Food Chemistry, Pharmaceutical chemistry, Petrochemistry, Material Science, Clinical Chemistry, Consumer Chemistry, Biochemistry, Process Chemistry,Electrochemistry, Environmental & Green Chemistry, Synthetic Chemistry, Organic & Inorganic Chemistry, Computational Chemistry & Data Analysis, Medicinal Chemistry,Formulation Chemistry, Marine & Geochemistry are the topics being discussed in the conferenceAllied AcademiesHoliday Inn Paris Marne La Vallee2 boulevard du Levant, 93160 Noisy-le-grand Passenger Boarding Bridge (PBB) Market worth 1,078.0 Million USD by 2021 https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/pdfdownload.asp?id=69975937 https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/requestsample.asp?id=69975937 https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/speaktoanalyst.asp?id=69975937 The report "Passenger Boarding Bridge (PBB) Market by Application (Airport, Seaport), Drive System(Hydraulic, Electro-mechanical), Structure (Glass walled, Steel walled), Model (2 Tunnel, 3 Tunnel), Type (Fixed, Movable), Product and Region - Global Forecast to 2021",The passenger boarding bridge market is estimated to reach USD 1,078.0 Million by 2021, at a CAGR of 7.5% between 2016 and 2021.Download PDF Brochure :Early buyers will receive 10% customization on reports.This growth can be attributed to increasing passenger traffic, airport modernization programs, and reducing turnaround time of aircraft. These factors are driving the demand for passenger boarding bridges in airport and seaport applications, globally.The airport segment dominates the passenger boarding bridge market, among applicationsThe passenger boarding bridge market is dominated by the airport application segment, as of 2016, and is expected to continue its dominance till 2021. This dominance can be attributed to the rising passenger traffic, airport modernization programs, and greenfield runway projects.Request a Sample :The apron drive bridge segment to grow at the highest rate during the forecast periodThe passenger boarding bridge market has been segmented and analyzed on the basis of product, namely, apron drive, commuter, nose-loader, and t-bridge.. The passenger boarding bridge market is dominated by the apron drive segment, and this segment is also projected to grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period, primarily driven by the increasing use of apron drive by most of the airports, globally.Asia-Pacific and the Middle East to be opportunistic markets for passenger boarding bridgesThe Middle East and Asia-Pacific are expected to drive the global passenger boarding bridge market in the coming years, with the Asia-Pacific market projected to grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period. This rapid growth of the Asia-Pacific region can be attributed to increasing research & development activities undertaken in the region for the development of technologically advanced passenger boarding bridges to provide safety to passengers and control passenger traffic at the airports.Speak to Analyst :Major players in the passenger boarding bridge market have been identified as JBT Aero Tech (U.S.), ThyssenKrupp AG (Germany), CIMC Group Ltd (China), and Adelte Group S.L (Spain), among others.MarketsandMarkets is the worlds No. 2 firm in terms of annually published premium market research reports. Serving 1700 global fortune enterprises with more than 1200 premium studies in a year, M&M is catering to a multitude of clients across 8 different industrial verticals. We specialize in consulting assignments and business research across high growth markets, cutting edge technologies and newer applications. Our 850 fulltime analyst and SMEs at MarketsandMarkets are tracking global high growth markets following the "Growth Engagement Model GEM". The GEM aims at proactive collaboration with the clients to identify new opportunities, identify most important customers, write "Attack, avoid and defend" strategies, identify sources of incremental revenues for both the company and its competitors.UNIT no 802, Tower no. 7, SEZMagarpatta city, HadapsarPune, Maharashtra 411013, India1-888-600-6441Email: sales@marketsandmarkets.com USA JV Consortium reached Multi-Million Dollar Agreement between WaterMicronWorld,Ltd "Every Drop Counts In The World" WaterMicronWorld,Ltd the worlds leading supplier of Atmospheric Water Generators Technology, shall sign JV agreement with in the next month for Europe International market.An assembly plant shall be set up in Spain and France for a pioneering sustainable water generation system which has been designed as a practical and economical solution to the global problem of water scarcity.The two companies believe the partnership will introduce the next billion dollar industry to Europe and other regions facing the worlds most serious water shortage problems.WaterMicronWorld technology is expected to change the face of water generation worldwide with the JV Agreement.This is a breakthrough in the search for sustainable solutions to water shortage globally as a result of shrinking ice caps and lakes due to global warming, and increasing demands, said John HillIt has the capacity to generate water in any part of the world, irrespective of the climate. From a business perspective, we believe we are at the forefront of the next billion dollar industry.The COO Mr. Rainman said: WMW water generation plants have major advantages over methods such as desalination or reverse osmosis which use existing water sources to clean water. They require a vast capital outlay and cause their own environmental problems. Dumping salt produced in desalination back into the sea affects ecology of marine life.WaterMicronWorld technology brings an ecologically friendly and new source of pure drinking water to industry, businesses and home users alike.We provide truly affordable, state-of-the-art technology that is easy to operate and maintain. Our technology taps into a water source that does not place more demands on Mother Earth--Pure water from the air we breathe!We expect our JV with WMW for the Europe market, shall be very lucrative for both of our companies said John HillNew York TimesThis machine can reliably manufacture pure fresh drinking water in environmental humidity levels as low as 25%. WaterMicronWorld AWG is the solution for a growing demand to supply safe and pure drinking water worldwide.WaterMicronWorld Atmospheric Water Generators units can generate from 15, 30, 60, 100 , 160, 200, 250, 500, 1,000, 1200, 1500, 3000, 5000 liters of pure drinking water per day. Our unique compact systems are ideal for Hotels, Schools, Office buildings, Housing developments, Hospitals, Marine and small Municipal applications.WaterMicronWorld.Ltd41/183 Rimklongchonprathan PrachuabkhirikhanThailand 7710Contact: Robert RainmanPhone: +66810167702 Root Canal Market 2018 Key Players - Kerr Corporation, Dentsply Sirona, LM-Instruments Oy, Schutz Dental GmbH and more. Market Research Future https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/sample_request/4742 https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/check-discount/4742 Root Canal Market has been segmented on the basis of types, drugs, devices, and end user. Based on the types, the market has been segmented as a nonsurgical root canal, secondary root canal, apicoectomy root canal, pulpotomy root canal, and pulpectomy root canal. Based on the drugs, the market has been segmented as anesthetics, painkillers, antibiotics, and others. Based on the devices, the market has been segmented into crowns, endodontic instruments, consumables, others. Based on the end user, the market has been segmented as dentistry hospitals and clinics, research and academics, and others.Get Sample copy of Root Canal Market Report@Market ScenarioA root canal is a dental procedure involving the removal of the central pulp from the tooth. A root canal is performed when the pulp of a tooth is injured, inflamed or infected. The objective of the root canal is to save the structure of the tooth and to prevent infection of the gums and other teeth. Common causes of the root canal treatment include deep decay due to the cavity, a chip or crack in the tooth, an injury to the tooth, infection, and others. The most common symptoms of damaged pulp include pain, swelling, and a heat sensation in the gums.A nonsurgical root canal treatment is carried out for managing the infection or inflammation in the tooth. A secondary root canal treatment is carried out when the problem is not solved with the first root canal procedure. An apicoectomy is a microsurgical procedure in which the infected tissue and tip of the root of the tooth are removed due to the failure of the regular root canal treatments. A pulpotomy is the removal of the nerve and diseased pulp from the crown of the tooth with an aim to save the root nerve intact. A pulpectomy is the removal of whole pulp from both the root and crown. According to American Association of Endodontists (AAE), more than 15 million root canals are performed every year and over 41,000 root canals are performed each day, with 89% of patients are satisfied after root canal treatment by an endodontist.Key Players in the Global Root Canal Market:Some of the key players profiled in the report are Kerr Corporation, Dentsply Sirona, LM-Instruments Oy, Schutz Dental GmbH, Ultradent Products Inc., Pelton & Crane, 3M, Confident Dental Equipment Ltd., Benco Dental and others.Get Discount on Root Canal Market Report @Regional Analysis:The Americas account for a significant market share owing to high expenditure on the health care especially of the U.S. and Canada. Additionally, the greater number of dental procedures due to greater dental healthcare penetration in the U.S. and Canada drives the root canal market. The high concentration of the major hospitals in the developed countries of this region coupled with good reimbursement rates is adding fuel to the market growth. Moreover, the large share of dental procedures especially the root canal treatment in the returns of hospitals favors the market. The large number of medical devices companies in the U.S. is also a cause for the faster development of root canal market in the US.Europe is the second largest market in the world due to growing medical devices industry and healthcare penetration. The European market growth is led by countries such as Germany and France. Germany is expected to be the fastest growing market over the assessment period due to its large medical devices industry.Asia Pacific region is expected to grow rapidly; China and India are likely to lead this market due to the fast-growing healthcare sector and large unmet needs over the forecast period. South East Asian countries such as China, India, and Malaysia are projected to contribute highly to the market growth. The growing penetration of the healthcare industry in the Asia Pacific region is expected to drive the future root canal market in the region.Gulf nations such as Saudi Arabia and the UAE are estimated to drive the Middle East & African market. Other Middle East nations to watch out for are Kuwait, Jordan, Egypt, and Iran. The African region is expected to witness a poor growth owing to poor economic and political conditions, and poor healthcare development. Other regions are expected to be laggards due to the poor social development and tribal identities such as sub-Saharan Africa.Table of Content:1. Report Prologue2. Market Introduction2.1 Definition2.2 Scope Of The Study2.2.1 Research Objective2.2.2 Assumptions2.2.3 Limitations3. Research Methodology3.1 Introduction3.2 Primary Research3.3 Secondary Research3.4 Market Size Estimation4. Market Dynamics4.1 Drivers4.2 Restrains4.3 Opportunities4.4 Challenges4.5 Macroeconomic Indicators4.6 Technology Trends & Assessment5. Market Factor AnalysisAnd moreAbout Market Research Future:At Market Research Future (MRFR), we enable our customers to unravel the complexity of various industries through our Cooked Research Report (CRR), Half-Cooked Research Reports (HCRR), Raw Research Reports (3R), Continuous-Feed Research (CFR), and Market Research & Consulting Services.ContactMarket Research FutureOffice No. 528, Amanora ChambersMagarpatta Road, Hadapsar,Pune 411028Maharashtra, India+1 646 845 9312Email: sales@marketresearchfuture.com Research report covers the Fungicide Active Ingredients Market share and Growth, 20162026 https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-1687 https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/toc/rep-gb-1687 https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/ Fungicides are first found chemical compounds utilized by people to preserve the plants from infections and pollutions. This chemical compound reduces the fungal growth in crops and thus plays a significant role in protection of crops. It has been observed that, diseases are the key source for damage of crop and plant that can be caused by number of organisms. Fungi is the topmost cause for infection of plants all across the globe. Apart from this, other diseases that hamper the growth of crops include nematodes, bacteria and viruses. Fungicides have become a significant component for the management of plant diseases for agrarian crops. Fungicides are utilized both in agriculture as well as to kill fungal infections in animals. Fungicides are utilized as a formulated product comprising of an active ingredient and as well as inert ingredients that enhance the functioning of the product. The global fungicide active ingredients market has grown at a rapid pace over the past few years and is anticipated to expand at a significant CAGR over the forecast period.Request For Report Sample:Global Fungicide Active Ingredients: Market SegmentationGlobal Fungicide Active Ingredients market is segmented on the basis of type of active ingredients such as azoxystrobin, boscalid, chlorothalonil, cyazofamid, etridiazole (ethazole), fenarimol, fludioxonil, fluoxastrobin, flutolanil, fosetyl-Al, iprodione, mancozeb, mefenoxam, metconazole, myclobutanil, PCNB (quintozene), phosphites, polyoxin D zinc, propamocarb, propiconazole, pyraclostrobin, tebuconazole, thiophanate-methyl, triadimefon, trifloxystrobin, triticonazole and vinclozolin. The global fungicide active ingredients can also be bifurcated on the basis of application in crops such as cereals, grains, pulses, oilseeds, vegetables, fruits and others.Global Fungicide Active Ingredients Market: Growth DriversRising population leading to increase in food production which encourages the farmers to adopt optimum type fungicide for protection of crop in order to maximize the production and to minimize the risk related to crop infections. This is anticipated to expand the growth of global fungicide active ingredients market over the forecast period. Apart from this, robust demand for fungicides in major applications such as vegetable and fruit crops and in ornamental and turf grass is also likely to foster the growth of worldwide fungicide active ingredients market from 2016-2026. Expansion in population especially in developing countries such as India and China is expected to impel food related security concerns in the region which is likely to fuel the growth of global fungicide active ingredients market during the forecast period.Global Fungicide Active Ingredients Market: Regional OutlookGeographically, the Global Fungicide Active Ingredients industry can be divided by major regions which include North America, Latin America, Western and Eastern Europe, Asia-Pacific region, Japan, Middle East and Africa. Europe captured the maximum market share in the total revenue of global fungicide active ingredients market in 2015. Rising population along with increasing the education level in developing countries is anticipated to bolster the growth of Asia Pacific fungicide active ingredients market over the forecast period. Besides this, Latin American fungicide active ingredients market is also expected to observe robust growth during the next few years.Request For Report Table of Content (TOC):Global Fungicide Active Ingredients Market: PlayersSome of the leading players identified across the value chain of the global Fungicide Active Ingredients market include BASF, Bayer Cropscience, DuPont, Dow AgroSciences, Syngenta and Monsanto. In 2015, BASF marked the highest market share in terms of revenue in global fungicide active ingredients market. Most of players also function regional research and testing centers across all the geographic locations in order to keep the product market oriented as per the need. The companies are entering into widening their product portfolio and focusing on merger and acquisition in order to gain the competitive edge in global fungicide active ingredients market. Significant investment in research and development activities is expected by the companies over the coming few years in order to maintain the dominance in global fungicide active ingredients market in future.ABOUT US:Future Market Insights (FMI) is a leading market intelligence and consulting firm. We deliver syndicated research reports, custom research reports and consulting services, which are personalized in nature. FMI delivers a complete packaged solution, which combines current market intelligence, statistical anecdotes, technology inputs, valuable growth insights, an aerial view of the competitive framework, and future market trends.Contact Us:Future Market Insights616 Corporate Way,Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage,New York 10989,United StatesTel: +1-347-918-3531Fax: +1-845-579-5705Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.comWebsite: Air Handling Units Market 2018 Size, Share, Growth | Major Players are Systemair, Trane. TROX, GEA Air Treatment, Carrier, Daikin, Johnson Controls Air Handling Units Market https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/sample_request/962 https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/request-toc/962 Market Synopsis of Air Handling UnitsMarket ScenarioAir Handling Unit is an integral part of a HVAC system, and is responsible for air circulation & regulation in the system. Significant commercial and residential infrastructural activities undertaken in developing nations is inducing demand in the Air Handling Unit Market. Air Handling Unit Market is expected to register a CAGR of about 6-8%% during the forecast periodKey PlayersSome of the major players in the Air Handling Units market are: Systemair (Sweden), Trane. TROX (U.S.), GEA Air Treatment (Germany), Carrier (U.S.), Daikin (Japan), Johnson Controls (U.S.), Lennox International (U.S.), Flakt Woods (U.K.), Sabiana (U.K.), Hitachi Ventus (Japan).Request a Sample Copy @Regional Analysis of Air Handling UnitsIncreasing construction activities in the Middle East and Africa region is expected to boost the demand in the Air Handling Unit market. Stringent air quality regulations and growing GDP of European nations like Germany, U.K are expected to have a profound impact on the Air Handling Unit Market in that region. Asia-Pacific is another region showing great potential mainly due to the major infrastructural activities being undertaken in the region.Study Objectives of Air Handling Units Market To provide detailed analysis of the market structure along with forecast for the next 6 years of the various segments and sub-segments of the global Air Handling Units market To provide insights about factors affecting the market growth To Analyze the Air Handling Units market based on various factors- price analysis, supply chain analysis, Porters five force analysis etc. To provide historical and forecast revenue of the market segments and sub-segments with respect to four main geographies and their countries- North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, South America, Middle East, and Africa To provide country level analysis of the market with respect to the current market size and future prospective To provide country level analysis of the market for segment by Capacity, Effect and Region To provide strategic profiling of key players in the market, comprehensively analyzing their core competencies, and drawing a competitive landscape for the market To track and analyze competitive developments such as joint ventures, strategic alliances, mergers and acquisitions, and new product developments in the global Air Handling Units marketRequest for Table of Content @About Market Research Future:At Market Research Future (MRFR), we enable our customers to unravel the complexity of various industries through our Cooked Research Report (CRR), Half-Cooked Research Reports (HCRR), Raw Research Reports (3R), Continuous-Feed Research (CFR), and Market Research & Consulting Services.Market Research FutureOffice No. 528, Amanora ChambersMagarpatta Road, Hadapsar,Pune - 411028Maharashtra, India+1 646 845 9312Email: sales@marketresearchfuture.com Cloud Service Brokerage Market - Widening Penetration of Internet Boosts Demand https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=18551 https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/cloud-service-brokerage-market.html https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com The cloud service brokerage market faces a high degree of competition due to the presence of a large number of players. The growing number of competitors in the market have intensified the competition over the past few years. The top three players showing dominance in the global cloud service brokerage market are Accenture Plc., Capgemini S.A., and Cognizant Technology. Collectively, these companies are estimated to hold a share of 58.2% in the global market by the end of 2017. Offering a wide range of cloud choices, mergers and acquisitions, and enhancing the product portfolio is expected to keep these companies ahead of other players in the coming years.Obtain Brochure@According to the research report, the global cloud service brokerage market was worth US$3.3 bn in 2015 and is expected to reach US$22.4 bn by the end of 2024. During the forecast period of 2016 and 2024, the global market is expected to progress at a CAGR of 23.6%.The end users in the global cloud service brokerage market are the telecom and IT, BFSI, retail, healthcare, energy, and government sectors. Of these, the telecom and IT sector is expected to maintain a dominant stance in the global market as it is poised to acquire a share of 26.5% by the end of 2024 in the global market. The growing demand for high-speed internet and the escalating uptake of smartphones, tablets, and other devices is expected to spike the demand for cloud service brokerage in the coming few years.In terms of regions, the global market is divided into North America, Europe, the Middle East and Africa, Asia Pacific, and South America. Europe and North America are the most attractive markets in the global cloud service brokerage market. Of the two, North America is estimated to hold a dominant share in the global market reaching a valuation of US$9.8 bn by the end of 2024. This dominance will be supported by the strong presence of established players and soaring adoption of cloud services among the end users.Browse Market Research Report @Widening Penetration of Internet Boosts Demand for Cloud Service BrokerageThe growing adoption of cloud services to store data across various platforms has led to a spike in the demand for cloud service brokers. These brokers help users to choose the right services and provide customizations that suit their requirements. The global cloud service brokerage market is also gaining traction as it provides assistance with integration, deployment, and customization of software and service. The rising adoption of hybrid cloud model is also fueling the demand for cloud service brokers.In the coming years, the increasing complexity and volumes of data have created a need for an organized storage space and its effective management. This premise has been driving the demand for cloud services in the recent past, in turn augmenting the need for cloud service brokerage. The widening penetration of internet is also estimated to give the global market an adequate fillip in the near future. Advantages of cloud services such as reduced costs and low capital expenditure are expected to accelerate the demand for cloud service brokers during the forecast period.About TMRTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a global market intelligence company providing business information reports and services. The companys exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trend analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather and analyze information.Contact TMR90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite: Air Treatment Products Market Plying for Significant Growth During 2014 - 2020 https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/askus/rep-in-246 https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-in-246 http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/ The air treatment equipment includes those products which modify or change the technological characteristics and properties of air. This modification may include the treatment of harmful gases present in the air, increasing or decreasing the air temperature, compressing the air, removal of harmful microorganism from the air, increasing or decreasing the air pressure, removal of extreme odours and others. The air treatment equipment includes air compressor, air dryers, air washers, air filters, injectors and others.Request For TOC @?On the basis of application the air treatment products are available for both industrial and domestic use. It is also used for roadways vehicles, waterways vehicles such as for ships, marines, and also for airways such as in aeroplane, spaceship, fighter plane and others. For domestic use air treatment equipment are offered to the consumers in the modified form and available in the consumer durable products for their convenient use. The air treatment consumer durable product includes hot air blowers, air conditioners, automatic washing machine, microwave, oven, automatic washer dryers, hair dryers, refrigerators, dishwashers and others.On the basis of domestic use the air treatment products is sub-segmented into air conditioner, air purifier, humidifiers and dehumidifiers and others. Among all these sub-segments air purifiers are further sub-segmented into air filters purifiers, ionizing purifiers, ozone generators, adsorbents and others. Whereas air conditioners is sub-segmented into room air conditioners, split air conditioners, window air conditioners and others.Globally Asia-pacific is considered to be the highest market for the air treatment products followed by North America and Europe. In Asia Pacific China, India and Japan represent ample opportunities for players in this market. This growth in these countries is supported by increasing number of health conscious consumers and rising disposable income of the consumers.Among all these countries, India accounted for low growth for air treatment products in 2011 due to economic slowdown. Moreover, the demand of air conditioner segment also registered less growth as monsoon arrived early in the country. However, the market growth for air treatment product showed a positive growth in 2013 due to rise in country economic condition and urge of the consumer for better and healthier life. It is expected that India will show a potential growth for air treatment products in the forecasted period. This growth will be supported by rise demand for air conditioners in states such as Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Maharashtra and others due to rise in heat and temperature. It is expected that air conditioner will occupy the largest position of the pie as the consumers in India are making their switch from ceiling fans or table fans to air conditioner. Among all the sub-segments of air conditioner, split air conditioner is expected to show the highest growth. Furthermore, it has been found that awareness among the consumers for purified air will also fuel the market growth for air treatment products in India. States such as Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat is expected to support the growth of air purifiers as these states possess large number of industries.In India, high entrant of manufacturing industries, outsourcing companies and rise in commercialization are some of the major drivers supporting the market growth. In addition, increase in number of health consciousness among the consumers coupled with rising disposable income is also expected to fuel the market growth for air treatment products in India.However, the market of air treatment products in India possess some restraining factors. This includes lack of awareness among the consumers regarding the product such as humidifiers, dehumidifiers and others. Additionally, the consumers perceives these products as quite expensive and also it is considered as a luxury product and not an absolute necessity.Request For Sample @The key players for air treatment products in India includes Bajaj Electricals Ltd, Godrej & Boyce Mfg Co Ltd., Usha International Ltd., Panasonic Corp, Atlas Copco AB, Eureka Forbes, OSIM International, SANYO Electric Co ., Ltd and others.ABOUT US:Future Market Insights (FMI) is a leading market intelligence and consulting firm. We deliver syndicated research reports, custom research reports and consulting services, which are personalized in nature.FMI delivers a complete packaged solution, which combines current market intelligence, statistical anecdotes, technology inputs, valuable growth insights, an aerial view of the competitive framework, and future market trends.CONTACT: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: Text Analytics Market 2018 by Global Leaders: IBM, SAS Institute, OpenText, Clarabridge, Megaputer Intelligence, Luminoso Technologies, MeaningCloud, Infegy, Lexalytics, Averbis, Bitext Innovations https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/sample_request/2989 https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/text-analytics-market-2989 Market Research Future published a research report on Text Analytics Market Research Report- Global Forecast 2023 Market Analysis, Scope, Stake, Progress, Trends and Forecast to 2023.Market HighlightsIn this rapidly changing world of technology, text analytics market will drive the growth prospects during the forecast period. This can be attributed to the growing popularity and acceptance of social media platforms and the inclination towards effective data analysis.As compared to other regions, the text analytics market in North America is expected to witness significantly healthy growth. In North America, U.S. and Canada are anticipated to drive the growth of text analytics market. This is owing to the presence of large number of established players of text analytics market. In addition to this, organizations are adopting text analytics solutions in order to gain insights from the data spread over the internet and also to determine the impact of existing strategies of the companies and is expected to be a major factor for the growth of text analytics market.The text analytics market is growing rapidly over 17% of CAGR and is expected to reach at approx. USD 9 billion by the end of forecast period.Get Sample of Report @Key PlayersThe prominent players in text analytics market are SAP SE (Germany), IBM Corporation (US), SAS Institute, Inc. (US), OpenText Corporation (Canada), Clarabridge, Inc. (US), Megaputer Intelligence, Inc. (US), Luminoso Technologies, Inc. (US), MeaningCloud LLC (US), KNIME.com AG (Switzerland), Infegy, Inc. (US), Lexalytics, Inc. (US), Averbis (Germany), Bitext Innovations S.L.(Spain) among others.Text Analytics Market SegmentationThe text analytics market has been segmented on the basis of component, application, deployment and vertical. By vertical segmentation, IT and telecommunication sector is estimated to drive market share of text analytics market. For achieving improvement in visibility in market trends and core operations, these upcoming industries are expected to incorporate increased number of text analytics solutions.Market Research Analysis:The global text analytics market, by geography, has been segmented into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa (MEA), and South America. In the global text analytics market, Asia Pacific is anticipated to witness relatively faster adoption and hence the growth rate as compared with other regions. Within Asia Pacific, customer experience management segment is projected to contribute the faster share growth. Furthermore, text analytics is implemented to offer quick, computerized feedback to the clients, which reduces dependency for resolving issues on executives. North America is rapidly deploying the text analytics solution due to the dynamic market environment. It holds the largest market share of the overall insurance market. Early adoption of new and emerging technologies and large numbers of text analytics vendors in the region is responsible for driving the majority of revenues in the marketAcross Europe, countries including Germany, France and the U.K. are anticipated to drive the growth of text analytics market. In Europe, the advancements in technology and growing social media analysis for brand building; and the growing need of organizations to analyze the preferences of customers, among others, are the key factors driving the growth of text analytics market.Text analytics market in the South America region is anticipated to witness relatively slower market growth. However, Brazil and Argentina among other countries are projected to witness slow yet steady growth during the forecast period.Text analytics market in Middle East and Africa occupies a relatively smaller pie of the global digital impression system market. Within Middle East and Africa counties including UAE, South Africa and Saudi are driving the growth.Get complete Report @Intended Audience Technology investors Integrated device manufacturers (IDMs) Original manufacturers (OEMs) Research/Consultancy firms Text analytics service vendors System integrators IT developers Third party vendors Network operators Infrastructure provider Government Regulatory and compliance agenciesAbout Us:At Market Research Future (MRFR), we enable our customers to unravel the complexity of various industries through our Cooked Research Report (CRR), Half-Cooked Research Reports (HCRR), Raw Research Reports (3R), Continuous-Feed Research (CFR), and Market Research & Consulting Services.MRFR team have supreme objective to provide the optimum quality market research and intelligence services to our clients. Our market research studies by Components, Application, Logistics and market players for global, regional, and country level market segments, enable our clients to see more, know more, and do more, which help to answer all their most important questions.In order to stay updated with technology and work process of the industry, MRFR often plans & conducts meet with the industry experts and industrial visits for its research analyst members.Media Contact:Market Research FutureOffice No. 528, Amanora ChambersMagarpatta Road, Hadapsar,Pune - 411028Maharashtra, India+1 646 845 9312Email: sales@marketresearchfuture.com Demand 2018 Espresso Coffee Machines 2022 : Top Players - DeLonghi, Jura, Philips (Saeco), Melitta, La Marzocco, Nespresso Espresso Coffee Machines https://www.researchmoz.us/enquiry.php?type=S&repid=1512206 https://www.researchmoz.us/asia-pacific-espresso-coffee-machines-market-report-2018-report.html/toc www.researchmoz.us Press Release - 16 Mar 2018Global Research and Development News --. .Report Description-' ' In this report, the Asia-Pacific Espresso Coffee Machines market is valued at USD XX million in 2016 and is expected to reach USD XX million by the end of 2022, growing at a CAGR of XX% between 2016 and 2022. Geographically, this report split Asia-Pacific into several key Regions, with sales (K Units), revenue (Million USD), market share and growth rate of Espresso Coffee Machines for these regions, from 2012 to 2022 (forecast), includingChinaJapanSouth KoreaTaiwan. . Get Sample Report' 'IndiaSoutheast AsiaAustralia Asia-Pacific Espresso Coffee Machines market competition by top manufacturers/players, with Espresso Coffee Machines sales volume, price, revenue (Million USD) and market share for each manufacturer/player; the top players includingDeLonghiJuraPhilips (Saeco)MelittaLa MarzoccoNespressoAli Group (Rancilio)Gruppo CimbaliNuova SimonelliPanasonicIllyBoschMr. CoffeeSimensKeurigHamilton BeachKrups (Groupe SEB)Dalla CorteLa PavoniBreville On the basis of product, this report displays the sales volum, revenue, product price, market share and growth rate of each type, primarily split intoManually & Semi-automaticFully-automaticOn 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, includingIndividual & HouseholdCommercial. . More Clear Details get Table of Contents..Asia-Pacific Espresso Coffee Machines Market Report 20171 Espresso Coffee Machines Overview1.1 Product Overview and Scope of Espresso Coffee Machines1.2 Classification of Espresso Coffee Machines by Product Category1.2.1 Asia-Pacific Espresso Coffee Machines Market Size (Sales) Comparison by Types (2012-2022)1.2.2 Asia-Pacific Espresso Coffee Machines Market Size (Sales) Market Share by Type (Product Category) in 20161.2.3 Manually & Semi-automatic1.2.4 Fully-automatic1.3 Asia-Pacific Espresso Coffee Machines Market by Application/End Users1.3.1 Asia-Pacific Espresso Coffee Machines Sales (Volume) and Market Share Comparison by Applications (2012-2022)1.3.2 Individual & Household1.3.3 Commercial1.4 Asia-Pacific Espresso Coffee Machines Market by Region1.4.1 Asia-Pacific Espresso Coffee Machines Market Size (Value) Comparison by Region (2012-2022)1.4.2 China Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.3 Japan Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.4 South Korea Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.5 Taiwan Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.6 India Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.7 Southeast Asia Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.8 Australia Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.5 Asia-Pacific Market Size (Value and Volume) of Espresso Coffee Machines (2012-2022)1.5.1 Asia-Pacific Espresso Coffee Machines Sales and Growth Rate (2012-2022)1.5.2 Asia-Pacific Espresso Coffee Machines Revenue and Growth Rate (2012-2022)2 Asia-Pacific Espresso Coffee Machines Competition by Players/Suppliers, Region, Type and Application2.1 Asia-Pacific Espresso Coffee Machines Market Competition by Players/Suppliers2.1.1 Asia-Pacific Espresso Coffee Machines Sales Volume and Market Share of Key Players/Suppliers (2012-2017)2.1.2 Asia-Pacific Espresso Coffee Machines Revenue and Share by Players/Suppliers (2012-2017)2.2 Asia-Pacific Espresso Coffee Machines (Volume and Value) by Type2.2.1 Asia-Pacific Espresso Coffee Machines Sales and Market Share by Type (2012-2017)2.2.2 Asia-Pacific Espresso Coffee Machines Revenue and Market Share by Type (2012-2017)2.3 Asia-Pacific Espresso Coffee Machines (Volume) by Application2.4 Asia-Pacific Espresso Coffee Machines (Volume and Value) by Region2.4.1 Asia-Pacific Espresso Coffee Machines Sales and Market Share by Region (2012-2017)2.4.2 Asia-Pacific Espresso Coffee Machines Revenue and Market Share by Region (2012-2017)3 China Espresso Coffee Machines (Volume, Value and Sales Price)3.1 China Espresso Coffee Machines Sales and Value (2012-2017)3.1.1 China Espresso Coffee Machines Sales Volume and Growth Rate (2012-2017)3.1.2 China Espresso Coffee Machines Revenue and Growth Rate (2012-2017)3.1.3 China Espresso Coffee Machines Sales Price Trend (2012-2017)3.2 China Espresso Coffee Machines Sales Volume and Market Share by Type3.3 China Espresso Coffee Machines Sales Volume and Market Share by Application4 Japan Espresso Coffee Machines (Volume, Value and Sales Price)4.1 Japan Espresso Coffee Machines Sales and Value (2012-2017)4.1.1 Japan Espresso Coffee Machines Sales Volume and Growth Rate (2012-2017)4.1.2 Japan Espresso Coffee Machines Revenue and Growth Rate (2012-2017)4.1.3 Japan Espresso Coffee Machines Sales Price Trend (2012-2017)4.2 Japan Espresso Coffee Machines Sales Volume and Market Share by Type4.3 Japan Espresso Coffee Machines Sales Volume and Market Share by Application5 South Korea Espresso Coffee Machines (Volume, Value and Sales Price)5.1 South Korea Espresso Coffee Machines Sales and Value (2012-2017)5.1.1 South Korea Espresso Coffee Machines Sales Volume and Growth Rate (2012-2017)5.1.2 South Korea Espresso Coffee Machines Revenue and Growth Rate (2012-2017)5.1.3 South Korea Espresso Coffee Machines Sales Price Trend (2012-2017)5.2 South Korea Espresso Coffee Machines Sales Volume and Market Share by Type5.3 South Korea Espresso Coffee Machines Sales Volume and Market Share by Application6 Taiwan Espresso Coffee Machines (Volume, Value and Sales Price)6.1 Taiwan Espresso Coffee Machines Sales and Value (2012-2017)6.1.1 Taiwan Espresso Coffee Machines Sales Volume and Growth Rate (2012-2017)6.1.2 Taiwan Espresso Coffee Machines Revenue and Growth Rate (2012-2017)6.1.3 Taiwan Espresso Coffee Machines Sales Price Trend (2012-2017)6.2 Taiwan Espresso Coffee Machines Sales Volume and Market Share by Type6.3 Taiwan Espresso Coffee Machines Sales Volume and Market Share by Application7 India Espresso Coffee Machines (Volume, Value and Sales Price)7.1 India Espresso Coffee Machines Sales and Value (2012-2017)7.1.1 India Espresso Coffee Machines Sales Volume and Growth Rate (2012-2017)7.1.2 India Espresso Coffee Machines Revenue and Growth Rate (2012-2017)7.1.3 India Espresso Coffee Machines Sales Price Trend (2012-2017)7.2 India Espresso Coffee Machines Sales Volume and Market Share by Type7.3 India Espresso Coffee Machines Sales Volume and Market Share by ApplicationResearchMoz is the worlds fastest growing collection of market 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Ltd.90 State Street,Albany, NY 12207,United States,Tel: 866-997-4948 (Us-Canada Toll Free),Tel: +1-518-621-2074 Patient Warming Devices Global Market Research Study by Industry Size, Share, Opportunities, Analysis and Forecast to 2021 Reportsweb http://www.reportsweb.com/global-patient-warming-devices-market-2017-2021 http://www.reportsweb.com/inquiry&RW0001830800/sample http://www.reportsweb.com/buy&RW0001830800/buy/3500 Patient warmers are medical devices used in healthcare facilities to warm blood products, colloids, and crystalloids prior to transfusion to a patient intravenously or by other parenteral routes or through surface warming to prevent complications. These fluid warmers can deliver blood and fluids at normal body temperature at different flow rates. This is often used in emergency, intensive care units, and operating rooms to prevent hypothermia in physically traumatized or surgical patients.Publishers analysts forecast the global patient warming devices market to grow at a CAGR of 7.47% during the period 2017-2021.For more informationCovered in this reportThe report covers the present scenario and the growth prospects of the global patient warming devices market for 2017-2021. To calculate the market size, the report considers the revenue generated from sales/volume/value of medical disposable products.The market is divided into the following segments based on geography: Americas APAC EMEAPublisher's report, Global Patient Warming Devices Market 2017-2021, has been prepared based on an in-depth market analysis with inputs from industry experts. The report covers the market landscape and its growth prospects over the coming years. The report also includes a discussion of the key vendors operating in this market.Key vendors Smiths Medical 3M Becton Dickinson Stryker EMIT The 37Company ZOLL Medical C.R. BardRequest Sample CopyOther prominent vendors Thermal Angel Cincinnati Sub-Zero Products Inspiration Healthcare STIHLER ELECTRONIC Paragon Medical LivaNova Enthermics Istanbul Medikal GE HealthcareMarket driver Increasing prevalence of hypothermia For a full, detailed list, view our reportMarket challenge Complications related to patient warming devices For a full, detailed list, view our reportMarket trend Innovative business strategies for new product launches For a full, detailed list, view our reportBuy now:Contact Us:Call: +1-646-491-9876Email: sales@reportsweb.comReportsWeb.com is a one stop shop of market research reports and solutions to various companies across the globe. We help our clients in their decision support system by helping them choose most relevant and cost effective research reports and solutions from various publishers. We provide best in class customer service and our customer support team is always available to help you on your research queries.505, 6th floor, Amanora Township,Amanora Chambers, East Block,Kharadi Road, Hadapsar, Pune-411028 Cachexia Therapeutics - Pipeline Analysis 2018, Clinical Trials & Results, Patent, Designation, Collaboration, and Other Developments http://bit.ly/2FUZfoW http://bit.ly/2tTeHNy https://www.psmarketresearch.com/market-analysis/cachexia-therapeutics-pipeline-analysis https://www.psmarketresearch.com Cachexia is a major cause of weight loss and increased mortality that affects more than five million people in the U.S. Clinically, cachexia manifests with excessive weight loss in the setting of ongoing disease, usually with disproportionate muscle wasting.Read market summary report :Differentiation from other syndromes of weight loss is pivotal to prompt recognition and effective management of cachexia. Weight loss resulting from the syndrome of starvation occurs as a direct result of caloric deprivation. Starved persons generally lose more fat than muscle tissue. The underlying pathophysiologic mechanisms of cachexia are unclear.Cachexia is a common problem in people with severe diseases and is highly predictive of increased mortality. Cachexia also contributes to the decline in quality of life that accompanies end-stage disease. Nonetheless, emerging evidence suggests that cytokines play a central role in the pathogenesis of cachexia.Request sample report :Nutritional support alone may be inadequate in the management of cachexia. There is an emerging role for orexigenic agents in the management of cachexia. The drug candidates of cachexia pipeline include, but are not limited to, Xilonix, Bimagrumab and Landogrozumab.Key PlayersSome of the companies having drugs in the cachexia pipeline include Acacia Pharma Limited, Aphios Corporation, Atara Biotherapeutics, Inc., and Connexios Life Sciences Pvt. Ltd.Access market summary report :About P&S Market ResearchP&S Market Research is a market research company, which offers market research and consulting services for various geographies around the globe. We provide market research reports, industry forecasting reports, business intelligence, and research based consulting services across different industry/business verticals.As one of the top growing market research agency, were keen upon providing market landscape and accurate forecasting. Our analysts and consultants are proficient with business intelligence and market analysis, through their interaction with leading companies of the concerned domain. We help our clients with B2B market research and assist them in identifying various windows of opportunity, and framing informed and customized business expansion strategies in different regions.Contact:P&S Market Research347, 5th Ave. #1402New York City, NY - 10016Toll-Free: +1-888-778-7886 (USA/Canada)Email: enquiry@psmarketresearch.comWeb: Latest Report on: Twist Tube Market 2018-2025 Essel Propack, Aluminum Lipstick, Mordor Intelligence Twist Tube Market Forecast 2018 https://goo.gl/orhARg http://qyresearchstore.com/global-twist-tube-market-manufacturers-2018-review-size-and-forecast-2023/ A market study "Global Twist Tube Market" examines the performance of the Twist Tube market 2018. It encloses an in-depth Research of the Twist Tube market state and the competitive landscape globally. This report analyzes the potential of Twist Tube market in the present and the future prospects from various angles in detail.The Global Twist Tube Market 2018 report includes Twist Tube market Revenue, market Share, Twist Tube industry volume, market Trends, Twist Tube Growth aspects. A wide range of applications, Utilization ratio, Supply and demand analysis are also consist in the report. It shows manufacturing capacity, Twist Tube Price during the Forecast period from 2018 to 2022.To Get Sample Report Click Here:Manufacturers Analysis and Top Sellers of Global Twist Tube Market 2018 : Essel Propack Limited Aluminum Lipstick Case Mordor Intelligence SelectPackaging Ltd The Packaging CompanyTwist Tube Market : By ApplicationCosmeticPharmaceuticalConsumer GoodsTwist Tube Market : By TypeAluminumPlasticFirstly, the report covers the top Twist Tube manufacturing industry players from regions like United States, EU, Japan, and China. It also characterizes the market based on geological regions.Further, the Twist Tube report gives information on the company profile, market share and contact details along with value chain analysis of Twist Tube industry, Twist Tube industry rules and policies, circumstances driving the growth of the market and compulsion blocking the growth. Twist Tube Market development scope and various business strategies are also mentioned in this report.Browse Full Report Here:The Twist Tube research report includes the products that are currently in demand and available in the market along with their cost breakup, manufacturing volume, import/export scheme and contribution to the Twist Tube market revenue worldwide.Finally, Twist Tube market report gives you details about the market research findings and conclusion which helps you to develop profitable market strategies to gain competitive advantage.About Usqyresearchstore.com is a leading market intelligence team which making extensive reports that cover all the necessary details about the market assessments such as major technological improvement in the industry.Contact US:5001 Spring Valley Rd #400,Dallas,TX 75244, USAContact No. +1-214-661-1669Email: sales@qyresearchstore.com S7 Airlines Implements Machine Learning in Aircrafts Maintenance www.s7.ru www.datadvance.net S7 Airlines, a oneworld global airline alliance member, is the first Russian airline to complete the pilot project to develop predictive maintenance system for the Airbus A319 aircraft fleet. The plan is to connect the majority of S7 Airlines aircraft fleet to the system throughout the year.The system allows making long-term predictions of the potential failures of each S7 Airlines aircraft based on the analysis of the historical datasets on aircrafts maintenance and individual components operation. The goal of system implementation is to reduce the number of flight delays caused by technical issues.The system estimates the probability of various types of failures in the defined upcoming period. If this probability turns out to exceed the preset level, additional aircraft diagnostics is recommended.S7 Airlines, as the industry technology leader, applies the cutting-edge solutions to maximize the efficiency of the company. Innovative machine learning technologies allow bringing the flights safety at a new level. For instance, mathematical models can predict failures with a high degree of accuracy. Up-to-date innovations of aircraft manufacturers enable virtually instant collection of all aircraft systems functioning data right after landing. Coupled with many years of experience of S7 Technics team, this leads to substantial growth in aircraft maintenance efficiency, states Pavel Voronin, CIO of S7 Group.S7 Airlines and DATADVANCE, one of the leading players in predictive maintenance, jointly developed the software for data analysis and predictive modeling. S7 Technics team provides consultancy in the domain of aircrafts maintenance. As of today, the dataset consists of the data recorded by aircrafts telemetry systems, of the database belonging to S7 Technics maintenance and repair holding company, and of the meteorological data collected between the years 2012 and 2017.Companies specialists are working on the system further development. The next step is to implement the production system with increased efficiency, enabling the online data export and equipped with a user-friendly interface.About S7 AirlinesS7 Airlines (Siberia airlines brand) is a member of the oneworld global aviation alliance.The airline has a wide internal route network, created on the basis of air transport hubs in Moscow (Domodedovo) and Novosibirsk (Tolmachevo). S7 Airlines also performs regular flights to countries of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), Europe, the Near East, Southeast Asia and countries of the Asia-Pacific region. Today S7 Airlines has the newest and one of the most modern aircraft fleets on the Russian air transportation market. All flights of the airline are performed by the aircraft of the worlds leading manufacturers.About DATADVANCEDATADVANCE is an independent software vendor of intellectual data analysis, predictive modeling, and multidisciplinary design optimization solutions. pSeven DATADVANCE flagship product is a powerful predictive modeling and design optimization software platform for automation of engineering simulation and analysis, data analysis and design optimization. The mission of the company is to develop efficient software tools to enable engineers to reduce product design lead-time and cost and to improve product quality and performance.DATADVANCE117246Nauchny proezd 17, 15th floorMoscow, RussiaTel: +7 (495) 669-68-15info@datadvance.netPress contact: Natalia Chaikovskaya, natalia.chaikovskaya@datadvance.net ERP Software Market: Rise In Adoption Of Cloud-Based Technologies https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/erp-software-market.html https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=36467 https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=T&rep_id=36467 http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com Enterprise resource planning (ERP) is a software that enables organizations to manage and automate their business processes. The capabilities of the ERP system has evolved from back office activities to the integration of business processes.ERP software has been widely used for back office operations, which include order management, inventory control production, and accounting, etc. An ERP software system comprises several software modules and each ERP model is focused on a particular departmental area such as inventory control, material purchasing, finance, marketing, HR, and accounting.These modules can be customized according to the requirement of the organization. An ERP software system can be deployed either as a cloud based or on premise software. Integration of organizational activities and managing resources efficiently are some of the major tasks of the ERP system.Obtain Report Details:The need for enhanced operational efficiency along with transparency within the departments of an organization is one of the key drivers propelling the growth of the market. Furthermore, rising demand for cloud based deployment models is boosting the global ERP software market growth.The ability to access the central system from any demographic due to integrated system architecture of the ERP system module, is compelling enterprises to adopt these systems. It is responsible for enhancing productivity by enabling organizations get potential return on investment by reducing their expenses.This software enables organizations to integrate large amounts of data and reconcile the shipments of companies faster. However, some of the factors restraining the market growth are high installation cost and the accessibility of open source applications.The ERP software market has been segmented based on deployment, functions, industry, end-user, and region. Based on deployment, the ERP software market is segmented into cloud based and on-premise deployment models. The cloud based deployment model segment is estimated to hold the major share of the global ERP software market.This is attributed to the rise in adoption of cloud-based technologies coupled with rising scalability offered by these technologies. Rising necessity for real-time data analytics is a prominent factor propelling the ERP software market.The function segment includes human resource (HR), supply chain, finance, and others. The industry segment includes key industries such as BFSI, manufacturing, healthcare, government utilities, retail, telecom, aerospace and defense and others. The end-user segment in the ERP software market includes large, small and medium enterprises.Request Brochure:Large enterprises are estimated to have major share in the global ERP software market, due to their rising investments, whereas extensive adoption of ERP systems by mid and small sized enterprises are further supporting the growth of the SMEs in the market.Region wise, the global ERP software market is segmented into North America, South America, Europe, Asia Pacific (APAC), and Middle East & Africa (MEA). Presently, North America is estimated to dominate the market in terms of its revenue contribution share followed by Europe. However among all the regions, APAC is expected to create significant market opportunity for key players operating in the market due to growth in industrialization in this region during the forecast period.Key players in the market are prominently focusing on introduction of advanced services and solutions in order to strengthen their position and improve their offerings. Key vendors operating in the global ERP software market include Oracle, TOTVS S.A, Microsoft Corporation, SAP SE, Infor, IBM Corporation, Netsuite Inc., SYSPRO, Unit4, Sage Group Plc, QAD, Focus Softnet, and Ultimate Software. ERP software vendors are updating the pricing models to strengthen their position in the market. The vendors are aiming on providing better integration architecture modules owing to the rising adoption of customized ERP software.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.Get TOC:About TMRTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a global market intelligence company providing business information reports and services. The companys exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trend analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather and analyze information.TMRs data repository is continuously updated and revised by a team of research experts so that it always reflects the latest trends and information. With extensive research and analysis capabilities, Transparency Market Research employs rigorous primary and secondary research techniques to develop distinctive data sets and research material for business reports.Contact TMR90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email:sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite: Global Motorcycle Supercharger Market 2018 - Ducati, Honda Motor Company, Kawasaki Motors Corporation, Bimota, Rotrex Global Motorcycle Supercharger Market https://goo.gl/EHx5oA https://goo.gl/v1jLqB www.apexmarketreports.com The global Motorcycle Supercharger market accounted at US$ XX million for the present year, it was predicted this market will reach to US$ XX million by 2025. It is projected that the global Motorcycle Supercharger market is expected to grow at a CAGR of XX%. The report provides detailed analysis of global and regional market. In 2018 North America XX market was expected to reach at US$ XX million.Request for the sample here:Global Motorcycle Supercharger Market: Competitive PlayersDucatiHonda Motor CompanyKawasaki Motors CorporationBimotaRotrexProCharger SuperchargersS ChargerAerochargerGlobal Motorcycle Supercharger Market: Segmentation:-Based on type, the global Motorcycle Supercharger market is mainly classified as:22000rpm33000rpmBased on application, Global Motorcycle Supercharger market is mainly classified as:AftermarketOEMsOn the basis of region, the global Motorcycle Supercharger market is segmented into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, Middle East & Africa.Global Motorcycle Supercharger Market: Regional AnalysisThe global Motorcycle Supercharger market is spread across the globe including North America Motorcycle Supercharger Market, Europe Motorcycle Supercharger Market, Asia-Pacific Motorcycle Supercharger Market, Latin America Motorcycle Supercharger Market and the Middle East as well as Africa Motorcycle Supercharger Market. Use of advanced technology is expected to drive the global Motorcycle Supercharger market in North America during the forecast period.Inquire before buying Motorcycle Supercharger Market report:The global Motorcycle Supercharger market is has noticed intense competition and expected to notice similar situation in coming years. Local as well as global Motorcycle Supercharger market players make the competition aggressive and tough for new players. Various major players active into Motorcycle Supercharger global market include Motorcycle SuperchargerX.What Motorcycle Supercharger Market Report Provides-1. Complete detailed in-depth analysis of the Motorcycle Supercharger market.2. Vital changes noticed in Motorcycle Supercharger market dynamics.3. Detailed segmentation and sub segmentation details of the Motorcycle Supercharger market.4. Past, present and expected Motorcycle Supercharger market analysis in terms of volume and revenue.5. Analysis of specific ( Motorcycle Supercharger ) industry developments.6. Motorcycle Supercharger Market share analysis.7. Key strategies and techniques implemented by major players in Motorcycle Supercharger market.8. Upcoming segments and regional Motorcycle Supercharger markets.9. Business strategies implemented by various players to hold and maximize their share in the Motorcycle Supercharger market.About UsApex Market Reports offers elevating market research globally. We have collection of various syndicated reports of different categories. Apex Market Reports provides you to best services, weather youre searching for new trends in market or competitive scenario in emerging market.Customers can buys different reports across various categories such as Chemical and Material, Biotechnology, Healthcare, Food and beverages, Automobile and various sectors. Our Website offers safe and secure online ordering experience, convenient payment options.Contact UsFrank ValadezCorporate Sales Specialist155 North Wacker Drive, Suite 4250Chicago, IL 60606Phone: +17739042683Email id - sales@apexmarketreports.comWebsite - Signaling Devices Market Global : Analysis, Opportunities & Forecast 2025 https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/signaling-devices-market.html https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=28241 http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com A device that raises an alarm to give warning against any potential danger is called signaling device. Depending upon the requirement, application, and surrounding of the place; the alarm can be visual or audible. Signaling devices are normally connected with the control panel of the system and installed at specific positions. They are installed in such a way that the people present in an area are made aware of the undesirable situation or event so that they can take corrective, precautionary measures.Read Report Overview @Several hazards are present in surroundings whether it is home, office, factory, hospital, roads, schools and colleges, airports and train stations, or heavy industries. Any type of hazard can turn into a potentially dangerous event and can cause damage to property as well as life. As far as safety and security management systems are concerned, signaling devices play a crucial role. Signaling devices are manufactured for continuous observation of changes in the surrounding parameters and for raising an alarm if any undesirable change is observed. Most common types of signaling devices are used in fire alarm systems, mining safety systems, gas warning systems in the oil & gas industry, heavy rainfall warning systems, and earthquake warning systems. Signaling devices can be explosion-proof, fire-proof, or water-proof depending upon their end-user application.The signaling devices market can be segmented on the basis of type and application. Types of signaling devices are visual signaling devices, audible signaling devices, and other control signaling devices. Beacons and stack light are sub-segments of the visual signaling devices segment, whereas bells, hooters, and electronic beeper or buzzer are sub-segments of the audible signaling devices segment. Pilot or navigation lights, stop switches, and push buttons are examples of control signaling devices. By application, the market for signaling devices can be divided into hazardous area signaling, fire & industrial signaling, and wide area signaling. Based on end-user application, the market for signaling devices can be segregated into warehouses & factories, oil and gas platforms, mining, marine, commercial buildings, sports, and natural hazard emergency and warning systems.Strict safety rules and regulations regarding industrial work safety enforced by governments across the world is the key driving factor for the signaling devices market. Technological developments, smart city concept, and urbanization are other factors fueling the market. However, lack of awareness about the industrial work safety and negligence about installation of warning systems can be restraints for the signaling devices market. Cost could be one of the restraints, especially for new or small-scale industrial setups where safety standards are being neglected.Regional market for signaling device will show higher growth, however it is largely controlled by the end use of the signaling device. Countries such as Japan where tsunamis and earthquakes are frequent witness higher demand for natural hazard warning or signaling systems. Developing economies in Asia Pacific such as China, India, Indonesia, and Malaysia, where industrialization is fastpaced, also require industrial signaling systems. Developed countries such as the U.S. and the U.K. require technologically advanced signaling systems to achieve high safety standards.Request to view Sample Report:Some of the key and potential players in the signaling devices market are Auer Signal GmbH, Robert Bosch GmbH, Rockwell Automation Inc., Siemens AG, Eaton, Thakral Services (India) Ltd., Omron Corporation, Schneider Electric, Thomas & Betts Corporation, Thales Group, PATLITE Corporation, Potter Electric Signal Company LLC, Honeywell International Inc., HollySys Automation Technologies Ltd., Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V., and NHP Electrical Engineering Products.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: Global Combustion Analyzer Market 2018 - Fuji Electric, Kane International, TECORA, ENOTEC, Seitron, KIMO Instruments Global Combustion Analyzer Market https://goo.gl/EAiAux https://goo.gl/EAiAux www.apexmarketreports.com The global Combustion Analyzer market accounted at US$ XX million for the present year, it was predicted this market will reach to US$ XX million by 2025. It is projected that the global Combustion Analyzer market is expected to grow at a CAGR of XX%. The report provides detailed analysis of global and regional market. In 2018 North America XX market was expected to reach at US$ XX million.Request for the sample here:Global Combustion Analyzer Market: Competitive PlayersAMETEK Process InstrumentsEmerson ElectricDragerwerkABB Measurement & AnalyticsGeneral ElectricTESTOBacharachM&C TechGroup Gentics GmbHFuji ElectricKane InternationalTECORAENOTECSeitronKIMO InstrumentsWOHLERWuhan Cubic OptoelectronicCODEL International LtdUEI TEST INSTRUMENTSDwyer InstrumentsMRU InstrumentsNova Analytical SystemsShanghai Encel Instruments Co.,LTDGlobal Combustion Analyzer Market: Segmentation:-Based on type, the global Combustion Analyzer market is mainly classified as:Portable Combustion AnalyzerStationary Combustion AnalyzerBased on application, Global Combustion Analyzer market is mainly classified as:CommercialResidentialIndustrialOn the basis of region, the global Combustion Analyzer market is segmented into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, Middle East & Africa.Global Combustion Analyzer Market: Regional AnalysisThe global Combustion Analyzer market is spread across the globe including North America Combustion Analyzer Market, Europe Combustion Analyzer Market, Asia-Pacific Combustion Analyzer Market, Latin America Combustion Analyzer Market and the Middle East as well as Africa Combustion Analyzer Market. Use of advanced technology is expected to drive the global Combustion Analyzer market in North America during the forecast period.Inquire before buying Combustion Analyzer Market report:The global Combustion Analyzer market is has noticed intense competition and expected to notice similar situation in coming years. Local as well as global Combustion Analyzer market players make the competition aggressive and tough for new players. Various major players active into Combustion Analyzer global market include Combustion AnalyzerX.What Combustion Analyzer Market Report Provides-1. Complete detailed in-depth analysis of the Combustion Analyzer market.2. Vital changes noticed in Combustion Analyzer market dynamics.3. Detailed segmentation and sub segmentation details of the Combustion Analyzer market.4. Past, present and expected Combustion Analyzer market analysis in terms of volume and revenue.5. Analysis of specific ( Combustion Analyzer ) industry developments.6. Combustion Analyzer Market share analysis.7. Key strategies and techniques implemented by major players in Combustion Analyzer market.8. Upcoming segments and regional Combustion Analyzer markets.9. Business strategies implemented by various players to hold and maximize their share in the Combustion Analyzer market.About UsApex Market Reports offers elevating market research globally. We have collection of various syndicated reports of different categories. Apex Market Reports provides you to best services, weather youre searching for new trends in market or competitive scenario in emerging market.Customers can buys different reports across various categories such as Chemical and Material, Biotechnology, Healthcare, Food and beverages, Automobile and various sectors. Our Website offers safe and secure online ordering experience, convenient payment options.Contact UsFrank ValadezCorporate Sales Specialist155 North Wacker Drive, Suite 4250Chicago, IL 60606Phone: +17739042683Email id - sales@apexmarketreports.comWebsite - Global M-Xylylenediamine Market 2018 - Mitsubishi Gas Chemical, Cargill, SHOWA DENKO, CAC GROUP Global M-Xylylenediamine Market https://goo.gl/uJ5NdL https://goo.gl/uJ5NdL www.apexmarketreports.com The global M-Xylylenediamine market accounted at US$ XX million for the present year, it was predicted this market will reach to US$ XX million by 2025. It is projected that the global M-Xylylenediamine market is expected to grow at a CAGR of XX%. The report provides detailed analysis of global and regional market. In 2018 North America XX market was expected to reach at US$ XX million.Request for the sample here:Global M-Xylylenediamine Market: Competitive PlayersMitsubishi Gas ChemicalCargillSHOWA DENKOCAC GROUPGlobal M-Xylylenediamine Market: Segmentation:-Based on type, the global M-Xylylenediamine market is mainly classified as:Batch ProcessContinuous ProcessBased on application, Global M-Xylylenediamine market is mainly classified as:Epoxy Resin Curing AgentNylon ResinOn the basis of region, the global M-Xylylenediamine market is segmented into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, Middle East & Africa.Global M-Xylylenediamine Market: Regional AnalysisThe global M-Xylylenediamine market is spread across the globe including North America M-Xylylenediamine Market, Europe M-Xylylenediamine Market, Asia-Pacific M-Xylylenediamine Market, Latin America M-Xylylenediamine Market and the Middle East as well as Africa M-Xylylenediamine Market. Use of advanced technology is expected to drive the global M-Xylylenediamine market in North America during the forecast period.Inquire before buying M-Xylylenediamine Market report:The global M-Xylylenediamine market is has noticed intense competition and expected to notice similar situation in coming years. Local as well as global M-Xylylenediamine market players make the competition aggressive and tough for new players. Various major players active into M-Xylylenediamine global market include M-XylylenediamineX.What M-Xylylenediamine Market Report Provides-1. Complete detailed in-depth analysis of the M-Xylylenediamine market.2. Vital changes noticed in M-Xylylenediamine market dynamics.3. Detailed segmentation and sub segmentation details of the M-Xylylenediamine market.4. Past, present and expected M-Xylylenediamine market analysis in terms of volume and revenue.5. Analysis of specific ( M-Xylylenediamine ) industry developments.6. M-Xylylenediamine Market share analysis.7. Key strategies and techniques implemented by major players in M-Xylylenediamine market.8. Upcoming segments and regional M-Xylylenediamine markets.9. Business strategies implemented by various players to hold and maximize their share in the M-Xylylenediamine market.About UsApex Market Reports offers elevating market research globally. We have collection of various syndicated reports of different categories. Apex Market Reports provides you to best services, weather youre searching for new trends in market or competitive scenario in emerging market.Customers can buys different reports across various categories such as Chemical and Material, Biotechnology, Healthcare, Food and beverages, Automobile and various sectors. Our Website offers safe and secure online ordering experience, convenient payment options.Contact UsFrank ValadezCorporate Sales Specialist155 North Wacker Drive, Suite 4250Chicago, IL 60606Phone: +17739042683Email id - sales@apexmarketreports.comWebsite - RTA (Ready-To-Assemble) Furniture Market Continues To Show Positive Growth RTA (Ready-to-assemble) Furniture http://orbisresearch.com/contacts/request-sample/2106760 http://orbisresearch.com/reports/index/2018-market-research-report-on-global-rta-ready-to-assemble-furniture-industry http://orbisresearch.com/contact/purchase/2106760 https://www.linkedin.com/company/orbis-research https://twitter.com/orbisresearch https://www.facebook.com/pages/Orbis-Research/820969017982115 Latest Report Available at Orbis research RTA (Ready-to-assemble) Furniture Market provides pin-point analysis for changing competitive dynamics and a forward looking perspective on different factors driving or restraining industry growth.Request sample copy of this report @In our aim to provide our erudite clients with the best research material with absolute in-depth information of the market, our new report on Global RTA (Ready-to-assemble) Furniture Market is confident in meeting their needs and expectations. The 2018 market research report on Global RTA (Ready-to-assemble) Furniture Market is an in-depth study and analysis of the market by our industry experts with unparalleled domain knowledge. The report will shed light on many critical points and trends of the industry which are useful for our esteemed clients. The report covers a vast expanse of information including an overview, comprehensive analysis, definitions and classifications, applications, and expert opinions, among others. With the extent of information filled in the report, the presentation and style of the Global RTA (Ready-to-assemble) Furniture Market report is a noteworthy.The Global RTA (Ready-to-assemble) Furniture Industry report provides key information about the industry, including invaluable facts and figures, expert opinions, and the latest developments across the globe. Not only does the report cover a holistic view of the industry from a global standpoint, but it also covers individual regions and their development. The Global RTA (Ready-to-assemble) Furniture Industry report showcases the latest trends in the global and regional markets on all critical parameters which include technology, supplies, capacity, production, profit, price, and competition. The key players covered in the report provide a detailed analysis of the competition and their developments in the Global RTA (Ready-to-assemble) Furniture Industry. Accurate forecasts and expert opinion from credible sources, and the recent R&D development in the industry is also a mainstay of the RTA (Ready-to-assemble) Furniture Market report.The report also focuses on the significance of industry chain analysis and all variables, both upstream and downstream. These include equipment and raw materials, client surveys, marketing channels, and industry trends and proposals. Other significant information covering consumption, key regions and distributors, and raw material suppliers are also a covered in this report.Finally, the RTA (Ready-to-assemble) Furniture Market report ends with a detailed SWOT analysis of the market, investment feasibility and returns, and development trends and forecasts. As with every report on Orbis Research, the RTA (Ready-to-assemble) Furniture Industry is the holy grail of information which serious knowledge seekers can benefit from. The report which is the result of ultimate dedication of pedigree professionals has a wealth of information which can benefit anyone, irrespective of their commercial or academic interest.Browse Complete Report @Some points From TOC:Chapter One: RTA (Ready-to-assemble) Furniture Market Overview 11.1 Product Overview and Scope of RTA (Ready-to-assemble) Furniture 11.2 RTA (Ready-to-assemble) Furniture Segment by Types (Product Category) 21.2.1 Global RTA (Ready-to-assemble) Furniture Production (Million Units) and Growth Rate (%) Comparison by Types (2013-2025) 21.2.2 Global RTA (Ready-to-assemble) Furniture Production Market Share (%) by Types in 2017 21.2.3 Commercial RTA (Ready-to-assemble) Furniture 31.2.4 Residential RTA (Ready-to-assemble) Furniture 31.3 Global RTA (Ready-to-assemble) Furniture Segment by Applications 41.3.1 Global RTA (Ready-to-assemble) Furniture Consumption (Million Units) Comparison by Applications (2013-2025) 41.3.2 Independent Specialist Retailers 51.3.3 Independent Furniture Chains 61.3.4 Convenient Stores 71.3.5 Others (Online) 81.4 Global RTA (Ready-to-assemble) Furniture Market by Regions (2013-2025) 91.4.1 Global RTA (Ready-to-assemble) Furniture Market Size and Growth Rate (%) Comparison by Regions (2013-2025) 91.4.2 North America RTA (Ready-to-assemble) Furniture Status and Prospect (2013-2025) 91.4.3 China RTA (Ready-to-assemble) Furniture Status and Prospect (2013-2025) 101.4.4 Europe RTA (Ready-to-assemble) Furniture Status and Prospect (2013-2025) 111.4.5 Japan RTA (Ready-to-assemble) Furniture Status and Prospect (2013-2025) 121.5 Global RTA (Ready-to-assemble) Furniture Market Size (2013-2025) 131.5.1 Global RTA (Ready-to-assemble) Furniture Revenue Status and Outlook (2013-2025) 131.5.2 Global RTA (Ready-to-assemble) Furniture Production (Million Units) Status and Outlook (2013-2025) 15Purchase a copy of RTA (Ready-to-assemble) Furniture Market visit @For more information contact sales@orbisresearch.comChapter Two: Global RTA (Ready-to-assemble) Furniture Market Competition by Manufacturers 162.1 Global RTA (Ready-to-assemble) Furniture Production and Share by Manufacturers (2013-2018) 162.2 Global RTA (Ready-to-assemble) Furniture Revenue and Share by Manufacturers (2013-2018) 182.3 Global RTA (Ready-to-assemble) Furniture Average Price by Manufacturers (2013-2018) 192.4 Manufacturers RTA (Ready-to-assemble) Furniture Manufacturing Base Distribution, Sales Area, Product Types 212.5 RTA (Ready-to-assemble) Furniture Market Competitive Situation and Trends 222.5.1 RTA (Ready-to-assemble) Furniture Market Share (%) of Top 3 and Top 5 Manufacturers 222.5.2 Mergers & Acquisitions, Expansion 23Chapter Three: Global RTA (Ready-to-assemble) Furniture Production by Regions (2013-2018) 253.1 Global RTA (Ready-to-assemble) Furniture Production (Million Units) and Market Share (%) by Regions (2013-2018) 253.2 Global RTA (Ready-to-assemble) Furniture Revenue and Market Share (%) by Regions (2013-2018) 263.3 Global RTA (Ready-to-assemble) Furniture Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2013-2018) 283.4 North America RTA (Ready-to-assemble) Furniture Production (2013-2018) 293.4.1 North America RTA (Ready-to-assemble) Furniture Production (Million Units) and Growth Rate (%) (2013-2018) 293.4.2 North America RTA (Ready-to-assemble) Furniture Production (Million Units), Revenue (Million USD), Price (USD/Unit) and Gross Margin (%) (2013-2018) 303.5 Europe RTA (Ready-to-assemble) Furniture Production (2013-2018) 313.5.1 Europe RTA (Ready-to-assemble) Furniture Production (Million Units) and Growth Rate (%) (2013-2018) 313.5.2 Europe RTA (Ready-to-assemble) Furniture Production (Million Units), Revenue (Million USD), Price (USD/Unit) and Gross Margin (%) (2013-2018) 323.6 China RTA (Ready-to-assemble) Furniture Production (2013-2018) 333.6.1 China RTA (Ready-to-assemble) Furniture Production (Million Units) and Growth Rate (%) (2013-2018) 333.6.2 China RTA (Ready-to-assemble) Furniture Production (Million Units), Revenue (Million USD), Price (USD/Unit) and Gross Margin (%) (2013-2018) 343.7 Japan RTA (Ready-to-assemble) Furniture Production (2013-2018) 353.7.1 Japan RTA (Ready-to-assemble) Furniture Production (Million Units) and Growth Rate (%) (2013-2018) 353.7.2 Japan RTA (Ready-to-assemble) Furniture Production (Million Units), Revenue (Million USD), Price (USD/Unit) and Gross Margin (%) (2013-2018) 36Chapter Four: Global RTA (Ready-to-assemble) Furniture Consumption (Million Units) by Regions (2013-2018) 374.1 Global RTA (Ready-to-assemble) Furniture Consumption (Million Units) by Regions (2013-2018) 374.2 North America RTA (Ready-to-assemble) Furniture Consumption (2013-2018) 394.3 Europe RTA (Ready-to-assemble) Furniture Consumption (2013-2018) 404.4 China RTA (Ready-to-assemble) Furniture Consumption (2013-2018) 414.5 Japan RTA (Ready-to-assemble) Furniture Consumption (2013-2018) 424.6 Southeast Asia RTA (Ready-to-assemble) Furniture Consumption (2013-2018) 434.7 India RTA (Ready-to-assemble) Furniture Consumption (2013-2018) 444.8 South America RTA (Ready-to-assemble) Furniture Consumption (2013-2018) 454.9 Middle East and Africa RTA (Ready-to-assemble) Furniture Consumption (2013-2018) 46For any enquires before buying, connect with us @ enquiry@orbisresearch.comAbout Us:Orbis Research (orbisresearch.com) is a single point aid for all your market research requirements. We have vast database of reports from the leading publishers and authors across the globe. We specialize in delivering customized reports as per the requirements of our clients. We have complete information about our publishers and hence are sure about the accuracy of the industries and verticals of their specialization. This helps our clients to map their needs and we produce the perfect required market research study for our clients.Contact Information:Hector CostelloSenior Manager Client Engagements4144N Central Expressway,Suite 600, Dallas,Texas 75204, U.S.A.Phone No.: +1 (214) 884-6817; +9164101019Follow Us on LinkedIn:Follow us on Twitter:Like us on Facebook: Thepackersmovers.com Aiming to Provide Hassle Free Relocation Services with Lists of Best Packers and Movers in India www.thepackersmovers.com/locations/packers-and-movers-delhi.html www.thepackersmovers.com Thepackersmovers.com, Indias one of the much preferred online relocation directories, has made many new additions in the list of Packers and Movers in India. 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Moreover, at the website of our directory, people can easily get an estimate of relocation budget after getting quote from different movers and packers, stated the official representative of the directory during a conversation regarding the website of the directory.India is a country with a population of 1.2 billion people having different taste and preferences in every aspect of life. 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Get more details at-Media Contact :-The Packers MoversMayur Vihar Phase 1, Pandav NagarPostal Code :- 110091City - DelhiCountry - IndiaEmail - info@thepackersmovers.com Global Information governance solution (IGS) Major Market Players are Clearswift, RSD, Recommind, IBM, Gimmal, Virgo, and Microsoft Forecast 2027 https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/sample_request/757 https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/healthcare-information-governance-solution-igs-market-757 Information governance solution (IGS) is a system which has the ability to track hundreds of thousands of documents and monitor billions of communication transactions, information governance solution is a unique system. It has been designed to make it simple for any IT or security professional who is responsible for critical information protection, both to use, as well as providing essential reports for the CIO, Risk, Audit or Compliance Officer. The goal of IGS solutions is to optimize business by bridging gaps between a companys legal staff, IT, compliance team and other business units.Major Market Players are Clearswift, RSD, Recommind, IBM, Gimmal, Virgo, and MicrosoftGet a Request for Sample Report @Recommend, a leader in unstructured data management, analysis and governance technology, has released the Recommend Information Governance Suite (IGS), the first integrated governance solution built from the ground up to manage and organize overwhelming amounts of unstructured data using powerful, court-approved machine-learning technology.Unlike traditional governance solutions, IGS features Predictive Governance, which combines machine-learning technology with human expertise to automate tasks such as data identification, retention, migration, management and deletion. By adding intelligence to the information governance process, IGS dramatically reduces the costs, regulatory risks and organizational strain of information overload.Factors such as growing stringency of regulations, rising noncompliance costs, and advancements in the processing power are driving the healthcare information governance solution (IGS) market. On the other hand, high costs for the information governance systems, cultures of secrecy, and traditional organization structures may restrain the market growth during the forecast period.The reports also covers brief analysis of Geographical Region includes:AmericasNorth AmericaUSCanadaMexicoLatin AmericaEuropeWestern EuropeGermanyFranceItalySpainU.KRest of Western EuropeEastern EuropePolandRussiaAsia PacificAsiaChinaIndiaJapanSouth KoreaRest of AsiaPacific CountriesAustraliaNew ZealandRequest for the Full and TOC @About Us: Market Research Future (MRFR), enable customers to unravel the complexity of various industries through Cooked Research Report (CRR), Half-Cooked Research Reports (HCRR), Raw Research Reports (3R), Continuous-Feed Research (CFR), and Market Research & Consulting Services.Contact Us: Market Research Future Office No. 528,Amanora Chambers Magarpatta Road,Hadapsar, Pune - 411028Maharashtra, IndiaPhone: +1 646 845 9312Email: sales@marketresearchfuture.com Global Tracheostomy Market 2018 - TRACOE Medical, ConvaTec, Boston Medical, Cook Inc, Fuji Systems, Pulmodyne Global Tracheostomy Market https://goo.gl/NzP5Ar https://goo.gl/NzP5Ar www.apexmarketreports.com The global Tracheostomy market accounted at US$ XX million for the present year, it was predicted this market will reach to US$ XX million by 2025. It is projected that the global Tracheostomy market is expected to grow at a CAGR of XX%. The report provides detailed analysis of global and regional market. In 2018 North America XX market was expected to reach at US$ XX million.Request for the sample here:Global Tracheostomy Market: Competitive PlayersMedtronicTeleflex MedicalSmiths MedicalTRACOE MedicalConvaTecBoston MedicalCook IncFuji SystemsPulmodyneWell LeadTuoRenGlobal Tracheostomy Market: Segmentation:-Based on type, the global Tracheostomy market is mainly classified as:Tracheostomy TubeTracheostomy IntroducerBased on application, Global Tracheostomy market is mainly classified as:ICULTACOn the basis of region, the global Tracheostomy market is segmented into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, Middle East & Africa.Global Tracheostomy Market: Regional AnalysisThe global Tracheostomy market is spread across the globe including North America Tracheostomy Market, Europe Tracheostomy Market, Asia-Pacific Tracheostomy Market, Latin America Tracheostomy Market and the Middle East as well as Africa Tracheostomy Market. Use of advanced technology is expected to drive the global Tracheostomy market in North America during the forecast period.Inquire before buying Tracheostomy Market report:The global Tracheostomy market is has noticed intense competition and expected to notice similar situation in coming years. Local as well as global Tracheostomy market players make the competition aggressive and tough for new players. Various major players active into Tracheostomy global market include TracheostomyX.What Tracheostomy Market Report Provides-1. Complete detailed in-depth analysis of the Tracheostomy market.2. Vital changes noticed in Tracheostomy market dynamics.3. Detailed segmentation and sub segmentation details of the Tracheostomy market.4. Past, present and expected Tracheostomy market analysis in terms of volume and revenue.5. Analysis of specific ( Tracheostomy ) industry developments.6. Tracheostomy Market share analysis.7. Key strategies and techniques implemented by major players in Tracheostomy market.8. Upcoming segments and regional Tracheostomy markets.9. Business strategies implemented by various players to hold and maximize their share in the Tracheostomy market.About UsApex Market Reports offers elevating market research globally. We have collection of various syndicated reports of different categories. Apex Market Reports provides you to best services, weather youre searching for new trends in market or competitive scenario in emerging market.Customers can buys different reports across various categories such as Chemical and Material, Biotechnology, Healthcare, Food and beverages, Automobile and various sectors. Our Website offers safe and secure online ordering experience, convenient payment options.Contact UsFrank ValadezCorporate Sales Specialist155 North Wacker Drive, Suite 4250Chicago, IL 60606Phone: +17739042683Email id - sales@apexmarketreports.comWebsite - Zirconium Oxide Flap Disc Market : Global Forecast over 2025 https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/zirconium-oxide-flap-disc-market.html https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=28439 http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com Zirconium oxide, also called zirconium, is a white crystalline oxide of zirconium. Calcining zirconium compounds produce zirconium. Technically, zirconium is chemically inert and is slowly reacted by highly concentrated acids such as hydrofluoric acid and sulfuric acid. Flap discs are grinding and finishing tools, which are used in applications such as weld grinding, rust removal, deburring, weld seam blending, and edge grinding. A zirconium flap disc consists of three components: backing plate, adhesive, and abrasive cloth flaps. Many companies manufacture zirconium flap discs, as these flap discs are more advantageous than grinding wheels.Read Report Overview @Zirconium flap discs offer various advantages over grinding plates. This is driving the market for zirconium oxide flap discs. Demand for zirconium flap discs is increasing across various industry verticals such as construction, automotive, aerospace, and electronics due to their chemically inert nature. Zirconium flap discs also last longer compared to grinding wheels. Further, they provide maximum contact with the grinding surface, which positively affects the grinding quality.The zirconium oxide flap disc market is also driven by the increase in demand for grinding applications in rotors, shafts, landing gear, fasteners, and other products. Zirconium oxide flap discs are also play a vital role in ensuring safe landing and take-off in aircraft. Implementation of stringent quality measures for aircraft components are driving the need for proper grinding, thereby boosting the demand for zirconium flap discs in the aerospace industry.Rise in innovations in automobile, construction, and aerospace industries is estimated to propel the demand for zirconium flap discs, as they reduce time and costs toward grinding procedures.Zirconium flap discs work slowly and are also expensive than grinding wheels. This is likely to hamper the market during the forecast period.In terms of the metal processing type, the zirconium oxide flap disc market can be classified into iron, steel, and others. The iron segment is anticipated to account for major share of the market due to its vast applications in various industry verticals. The metal is being employed in various industrial verticals due to its low cost. This has been increasing the scope of grinding, thereby augmenting the need for zirconium flap discs.Based on application, the zirconium oxide flap disc market can be split into grinding, stock removal, weld blending, and others. Grinding and stock removal segments are expected to hold key share of the zirconium oxide flap disc market. Demand for zirconium flap discs has been rising owing to the increase in demand for grinding in various verticals. This has been contributing to the overall market growth.Based on end-user industry, the zirconium oxide flap disc market can be segmented into aerospace, automotive, construction, and others. The aerospace segment is expected to constitute significant share of the market during the forecast period. It is projected to be followed by the automotive segment. Demand for zirconium flap discs has been increasing owing to the rise in demand for grinding of parts such as landing gears in aircraft. The automotive industry segment is likely to hold key share of the market, due to the increasing demand for metal finishing.Asia Pacific is predicted to be an emerging market for zirconium oxide flap disc, due to the rise in demand for grinding activities in various industry verticals in the region. North America and Europe are also expected to hold key shares of the market. Germany is contributing significantly to the zirconium flap disc market in Europe, led by the growth in the automotive industry. This trend is estimated to continue during the forecast period.The presence of a high number of small, medium, and large-scale vendors of zirconium flap discs in Asia Pacific is also driving the market in the region.Request to view Sample Report:Prominent players operating in the global zirconium oxide flap disc market include 3M, TYROLIT Group, KLINGSPOR Abrasives, Weiler, Camel Grinding Wheels Works Sarid LTD, Metabo, DRONCO, and Saint-Gobain.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: Hexamethylenediamine Market to Perceive Substantial Growth | 2025 https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/hexamethylenediamine-market.html https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=28118 http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com Hexamethylenediamine (HMDA) is an organic compound having chemical formula H2N (CH2)6NH2. It is a colorless solid with strong amine odor similar to that of pipiridine. It is synthesized from adiponitrile and has numerous applications in chemical industry. Almost 90% of the produced HMDA is utilized in the production of nylon 66. The non-nylon applications of HMDA includes high performance polyurethanes paints, epoxy curing agents, petrochemicals additives and coatings. It also has applications as corrosion and scale inhibitors in water treatment plants. HMDA is not only used for the production of nylon 66, but also used along with dicarboxylic acids for the production of nylon 69, nylon 610, and nylon 612. Over the years the demand for bio based HMDA has increased for the production of nylon 66 owing to the green revolution. The market for HMDA can be segmented on the basis of application into nylon synthesis, coatings, biocides, and others. Based on end user, the market for HMDA has been divided in to fiber, textile, automotive, plastics, and others.Read Report Overview @The HMDA demand is recovering from the 2008 downturn, and is anticipated to witness significant growth during the forecast period. The major consumption areas of HMDA is the production of nylon 66 resins and fiber. Hence, increment in the demand for nylon 66 will have a positive impact on the HMDA market. As nylon 66 is becoming substitutive for numerous applications, especially in automotive industry, where nylon substituted various metals in number of applications. A significant increase in the demand for bio based nylon resins has increased over the past few years, hence companies are focusing on creating bio based production technology for the production of HMDA. The only differentiating factor for bio based production of HMDA is raw material prices, cost effectiveness and the production process.In terms of application, nylon synthesis segment held significant share of the market in 2016 and is anticipated to witness significant growth during the forecast period. The demand of this segment is increasing owing to the growing demand of nylon 66 by various end user industries. Nylon 66 is used to manufacture automotive parts and other components including rocker covers, airbags, radiator end tanks, oil pans, air intake manifolds, and electro insulating elements. Thus growth of nylon 66 will inadvertently boost the demand for HMDA market. In terms of end use industry, automotive segment is anticipated to witness substantial growth over the years. Automotive segment is followed by textile segment and plastics segment.Geographically, North America held prominent share of the HMDA market in 2016, and is anticipated to continue this trend during the forecast period. As this region is one of the major consumers of HMDA, which is primarily used in the production of nylon 66. North America was followed by Europe in 2016. Increasing demand for fiber continues to propel the growth of HMDA in this region. The market for HMDA in Asia Pacific is expected to register strong growth owing to the growth of automotive and other manufacturing industries. Major manufacturers of nylon are planning to shift their manufacturing bases in growing economies of Asia Pacific such as India, China, and Taiwan owing to low cost labor, easy availability of raw material, and cheap production cost.Request to view Sample Report:Key players operating the market for HMDA include BASF SE, Solvay SA, Asahi Kasei Corporation, Evonik Industries AG, and Ashland Global Holdings, Inc.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: LBD Marketing Started New Local Area Marketing Service to Help Local Businesses to Grow https://lbdmarketing.com.au/local-area-marketing-using-facebook-ads/ https://lbdmarketing.com.au/ LBD Marketing, an Australian based Facebook advertising agency started new local area marketing service with Facebook ads for local business to get the best ranking and customers.LBD Marketing, the trusted name in the domains of Facebook advertising started local area marketing service through Facebook ads for local business. They successfully announce the service for businesses which needs more local customers and the best ranking in local search.LBD was only a startup for its CEO Mr. Mitch Gibson in the year 2012 and with his hard work and experience, the company getting success in the following years. From the beginning year, LBD Marketing gets an amazing business growth. Started as the Facebook advertising agency, they announced about their local area marketing service through Facebook ads.According to Mr. Mitch Gibson, the CEO, and founder of LBD Marketing, "The team of LBD Marketing is happy with its six-year good reputation for growth and providing client satisfaction while preserving success. At the same time, we are aiming at adding considerable additional value to the existing clients and make new clienteles in the future year. So we started local area marketing service for business who wants local customers and with our expertise and effective techniques we assured about local marketing success."The company successfully completed content bait program with Jeff Bullas, the market leader in the world of content marketing to promote their eBook "101 Web Traffic Tips" and get massive success. In the 45 days campaign, they get 30 leads with $3.14 costs per lead and 40.8% conversion. And successfully work with F45 Training to help them generate enquiries for a new franchise. In this 90 days campaign, they get 134 leads with 11.9 % conversion rate.After getting success with Facebook advertising, they announce local area marketing service for their existing and new customers. Specifically designed campaigns, proven Facebook advertising techniques and the use of right tools by the professional of LBD marketing ensuring ROI based Results. Their Facebook advertising and local area marketing techniques have been modified with the latest trends and algorithm changes of major search engines to guarantee their client success."We give special thanks to our associates and the professional team for the amazing achievements that LBD Marketing has achieved in the last six years," said Mitch Gibson. "We consider our partners' success is the best achievement for us. This glorious achievement is a statement to LBD Marketing's promise to giving back-to-back invention, to the company in the future, its partners along with the industry. We believe our partners will get maximum success with our newly designed local area marketing service."LBD keeps growing more than ever with its entry in the sixth year. They still accept clients from the several industries and still choose to go for a client-to-client conversation technique. Began with just a bunch of passionate staff, LBD has expanded its team who share their expertise and passion for creating, understanding, controlling, expanding and managing brands.For more information on local area marketing services by LBD Marketing visit -LBD Marketing is a boutique marketing agency in Sydney, that specializes in Facebook Advertising, Social Media Management. The professional social media marketing specialist team has several years of experience in Facebook Advertising and marketing. Since 2012, LBD Marketing have approached Facebook Advertising in a simplified, yet effective way for clients.LBD MarketingMitch Gibson(02) 8915 6229support@lbdmarketing.com.au53 Cook Parade, Erskine Park NSW 2759, Australia Global Triflic Acid Market 2018 - Central Glass, Solvay, Time Chemical, Russia Aecc Global Triflic Acid Market https://goo.gl/bsQ1Dz https://goo.gl/i3egQ4 www.apexmarketreports.com The global Triflic Acid market accounted at US$ XX million for the present year, it was predicted this market will reach to US$ XX million by 2025. It is projected that the global Triflic Acid market is expected to grow at a CAGR of XX%. The report provides detailed analysis of global and regional market. In 2018 North America XX market was expected to reach at US$ XX million.Request for the sample here:Global Triflic Acid Market: Competitive PlayersCentral GlassSolvayTime Chemical718th Research Institute of CSICRussia AeccGlobal Triflic Acid Market: Segmentation:-Based on type, the global Triflic Acid market is mainly classified as:99.5% Type99.9% TypeOtherBased on application, Global Triflic Acid market is mainly classified as:Chemical IndustryPharmaceutical IndustryElectronics IndustryOtherOn the basis of region, the global Triflic Acid market is segmented into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, Middle East & Africa.Global Triflic Acid Market: Regional AnalysisThe global Triflic Acid market is spread across the globe including North America Triflic Acid Market, Europe Triflic Acid Market, Asia-Pacific Triflic Acid Market, Latin America Triflic Acid Market and the Middle East as well as Africa Triflic Acid Market. Use of advanced technology is expected to drive the global Triflic Acid market in North America during the forecast period.Inquire before buying Triflic Acid Market report:The global Triflic Acid market is has noticed intense competition and expected to notice similar situation in coming years. Local as well as global Triflic Acid market players make the competition aggressive and tough for new players. Various major players active into Triflic Acid global market include Triflic AcidX.What Triflic Acid Market Report Provides-1. Complete detailed in-depth analysis of the Triflic Acid market.2. Vital changes noticed in Triflic Acid market dynamics.3. Detailed segmentation and sub segmentation details of the Triflic Acid market.4. Past, present and expected Triflic Acid market analysis in terms of volume and revenue.5. Analysis of specific ( Triflic Acid ) industry developments.6. Triflic Acid Market share analysis.7. Key strategies and techniques implemented by major players in Triflic Acid market.8. Upcoming segments and regional Triflic Acid markets.9. Business strategies implemented by various players to hold and maximize their share in the Triflic Acid market.About UsApex Market Reports offers elevating market research globally. We have collection of various syndicated reports of different categories. Apex Market Reports provides you to best services, weather youre searching for new trends in market or competitive scenario in emerging market.Customers can buys different reports across various categories such as Chemical and Material, Biotechnology, Healthcare, Food and beverages, Automobile and various sectors. Our Website offers safe and secure online ordering experience, convenient payment options.Contact UsFrank ValadezCorporate Sales Specialist155 North Wacker Drive, Suite 4250Chicago, IL 60606Phone: +17739042683Email id - sales@apexmarketreports.comWebsite - Handheld Imager Market Growth Industry Review and Forecasts 2023 https://www.fractovia.org/request-sample/431 https://www.fractovia.org/request-purchase/431 https://www.fractovia.org/news/industry-research-report/handheld-imagers-market https://www.fractovia.org http://algosonline.com/technology Asia pacific handheld imagers market share will grow noticeably with an annual growth rate of more than 13%. The growth can be attributed to its surging demand for high security. China and India will contribute significantly toward the APAC regional revenue. Handheld imagerss are majorly used for military applications in these regionsNorth America handheld imagers market led the global landscape in 2015 and will exhibit substantial annual growth rate of around 12% over the period of 2016 to 2023, primarily driven by the implementation of strict governmental norms to install handheld imagers for the security purpose. U.S. is projected to be the prime revenue pocket for North America.Request for a sample of this research report @Increasing criminal nuisances and terrorists attack across the globe is pushing handheld imagers market. Driven by the rising security concerns especially in areas like railway stations and airports due to the heavy public pool, these upgraded imagers are widely implemented to combat the fierce potential threat. Technological advancements have also resulted in upgrading the product features which in turn is stimulating the overall market outlook. According to Global Market Insights, Inc., Global handheld imagers market generated a revenue of USD 1.48 billion in 2015 and is slated to witness a lucrative CAGR of 12% over the period of 2016 - 2023.Considering the product segment, handheld imagers market is mainly segmented into stud finder, millimeter waves scanner, microbolometer, and IR scanner. IR scanner market is anticipated to dominate the overall industry in coming years, owing to the benefits offered by these scanners such as inventory control, time saver, and error reduction.Millimeter wave scanner handheld imagers market will also grow significantly at an annual rate of 17% over the coming six years. The growth can be credited to its growing implementation across the governmental and commercial sectors. Moreover, these products are also extensively used in airports to ensure passengers adequate security. This, in turn, is catalyzing global handheld imagers industry.The primary application areas of handheld imagers market are security, medical, construction, and industrial. The market from medical applications is predicted to experience considerable growth in the years ahead, owing to its increasing requirement in monitoring patients health. Security applications dominated the market accounting for more than 35% of the total volume in 2015 and is expected to remain a leading application sector over the period 2016-2023. The increasing need for safety and security along with rapid urbanization will augment the industry growth in this sector. The government is investing heavily in the security systems at the high alert areas such as stations and airports to limit the terrorists attack.Geographically, Europe handheld imagers industry will register substantial growth rate over the coming six years, owing to the growing usage of thermal detection technology such as silicon microbolometer.Make an inquiry for purchasing this report @Handheld imagers industry is highly competitive with the growing number of new entrants in the business space. Product differentiation and competitive pricing will remain the two most distinguishing factors for the players to sustain their market position. The notable participants in handheld imagers market are Fluke Corporation, Robert Bosch GmbH, DRS Technologies, Zircon Corporation, FLIR Systems, Stanley Black & Decker, and ULIS IR.This latest handheld imagers Market research report offers in-depth analysis, key industry insights, market sizing & forecast on a granular level for key products, applications across number of regional markets. The report also analyzes the handheld imagers industry from business strategy perspective, describing in detail growth drivers, pitfalls &challenges for participants, accompanied by a detailed competitive benchmarking including company market share analysis and detailed business profiles.Browse key industry insights spread across 84 pages with 37 market data tables & 29 figures & charts from the report, Handheld Imager Market Size By Application (Medical, Security, Industrial, Construction), By Product (Millimeter Wave Scanner, IR Scanner, Stud Finder, Microbolometer), Industry Analysis Report, Regional Outlook, Application Potential, Price Trends, Competitive Market Share & Forecast, 2016 2023 in detail along with the table of contents:Table Content of Handheld Imagers Market:Chapter 4 Handheld Imager Product Insights4.1. Handheld imager market share by product, 2015 & 20234.2. IR scanner4.2.1. Market estimates and forecasts by region, 2012 - 20234.3. Millimeter wave scanner4.3.1. Market estimates and forecasts by region, 2012 20234.4. Stud finder4.4.1. Market estimates and forecasts by region, 2012 - 20234.5. Microbolometer4.5.1. Market estimates and forecasts by region, 2012 2023Chapter 5 Handheld Imager Application Insights5.1. Handheld imager market share by application, 2015 & 20235.2. Industrial5.2.1. Market estimates and forecasts by region, 2012 - 20235.3. Medical5.3.1. Market estimates and forecasts by region, 2012 20235.4. Construction5.4.1. Market estimates and forecasts by region, 2012 - 20235.5. Security5.5.1. Market estimates and forecasts by region, 2012 20235.6. Others5.6.1. Market estimates and forecasts by region, 2012 - 2023About Fractovia.orgFractovia.org is one of India's leading in-house and free news portal. It is fully automated, and operates on a constant premise, interfacing with news sites and offering redesigned breaking features to readers across the globe. Our mission is to offer individuals opportunities for connections with news writers and distributors which they can pursue. We operate by mapping articles pertaining to breaking news, constantly and progressively, against a pre-determined word-based theme, offering important connections to readers and clients, as well as distributers.Contact Us:Arun HegdeCorporate Sales, USAFractovia.orgPhone: 1-302-846-7766Toll Free: 1-888-689-0688Email: sales@fractovia.orgWebsite:Blog: Global Single Screw Food Extruder Market 2018 - Baker Perkins, Coperion Global Single Screw Food Extruder Market https://goo.gl/oUsqVN https://goo.gl/oUsqVN www.apexmarketreports.com Apex Market Reports, recently published a detailed market research study focused on the Single Screw Food Extruder Market across the global, regional and country level. The report provides 360 analysis of Single Screw Food Extruder Market from view of manufacturers, regions, product types and end industries. The research report analyses and provides the historical data along with current performance of the global PP Pipe industry, and estimates the future trend of Single Screw Food Extruder on the basis of this detailed study. The study shares Single Screw Food Extruder performance both in terms of volume and revenue.The market research report explores the Single Screw Food Extruder Market across the globe along with major regions and countries. The research report provides a detailed study on each and every aspect of Single Screw Food Extruder Market. The research report studies the entire value chain from raw material to end user industries. The report also shares import/export statistics along with production and consumption for all major regions and countries. Moreover, the research study classifies the Single Screw Food Extruder Market based on major product types, application and end users industries of Single Screw Food Extruder. Besides, the report also covers geographical segmentation for Single Screw Food Extruder Market. The report further provides production, capacity, price per region, gross margin, production cost, for all major regions and countries listed in report.Get Free Sample Copy of Report Here:Top Manufacturers Analysis of This ReportBaker Perkins (UK)Coperion (Germany)Buhler (Switzerland)AKRON TOOL & DIE (US)Groupe Legris Industries (Belgium)Pavan SpA (Italy)Flexicon (US)Triott Group (Netherlands)The Bonnot Company (US)The competitive landscape of the global market for Single Screw Food Extruder is determined by assessing the major industry participants, production capacity, production capacity utilization rate, Single Screw Food Extruder Markets production chain, pricing by each manufacturer and the revenue generated by each manufacturer in the Single Screw Food Extruder Market globally.Inquire Before Buying @The Global Single Screw Food Extruder Market 2018 is further analyzed on the basis of product pricing, Single Screw Food Extruder production volume, data pertaining to demand and Single Screw Food Extruder supply, and the revenue garnered by the product. The report provides upstream and downstream analysis covering major raw material used in manufacturing of Single Screw Food Extruder along with detailed manufacturing sources. The report also shares list of major raw material manufacturers along with their manufacturing locations. Detailed raw material price trend analysis along with manufacturing cost analysis is also incorporated into the report. Various methodical tools such as investment returns, feasibility, SWOT analysis and market attractiveness analysis has been implemented in the research study to present a comprehensive, detailed study of the industry for Single Screw Food Extruder across the world.About UsApex Market Reports offers elevating market research globally. We have collection of various syndicated reports of different categories. Apex Market Reports provides you to best services, weather youre searching for new trends in market or competitive scenario in emerging market.Customers can buys different reports across various categories such as Chemical and Material, Biotechnology, Healthcare, Food and beverages, Automobile and various sectors. Our Website offers safe and secure online ordering experience, convenient payment options.Contact UsFrank ValadezCorporate Sales Specialist155 North Wacker Drive, Suite 4250Chicago, IL 60606Phone: +17739042683Email id - sales@apexmarketreports.comWebsite - Non-Destructive Testing Services Market 2018 Global Leaders: MISTRAS Group, Olympus, GE Inspection Technologies, Intertek Group, Nikon Metrology, Ashtead Technology, Sonatest https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/sample_request/5580 https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/non-destructive-testing-services-market-5580 Market Research Future published a research report on Non-Destructive Testing Services Market Research Report- Forecast to 2023 Market Analysis, Scope, Stake, Progress, Trends and Forecast to 2023.Market Overview:Non-destructive testing services market is estimated to exhibit high growth potential during the forecast period owing to the high demand across industry verticals. Rising demand among the end-use industries for non-destructive testing services drives the growth of the market. Additionally, innovation and advancement in technology and increasing market for non-destructive testing services is adding fuel to the growth of the non-destructive testing services market.MISTRAS Group, Inc., Olympus Corporation, GE Inspection Technologies, Intertek Group PLC, SGS S.A., Olympus Corporation, and Nikon Metrology are some of the leading players in the market. MITRAS Group offers advanced NDT services, traditional NDT services, engineering services and NDT centres of excellence for all consumer demands related to non-destructive testing services. The company focusses on offering innovative solutions and keeps up with the fast pace of the technological advancements. Rise in demand to ensure safety and growing government regulations are some of the major factors driving the growth of non-destructive testing services market. With the focus on promoting the adoption of non-destructive testing services and the convenience provided to consumers, the global non-destructive testing services market is expected to grow.Get Sample of Report @According to Market Research Future Analysis, the global non-destructive testing services market is estimated to generate revenue of approximately USD 26 billion by 2023 growing at a CAGR of 8% during the forecast period 2017-2023.Key Players:Some of the prominent players in the global non-destructive testing services market are MISTRAS Group, Inc. (U.S.), Olympus Corporation (Japan), GE Inspection Technologies (U.S.), Intertek Group PLC (U.K.), SGS S.A. (Switzerland), Nikon Metrology, Inc. (U.S.), Ashtead Technology, Inc. (U.S.), Sonatest Ltd. (U.K), Bosello High Technology S.R.L. (Italy), and Fujifilm Holdings Corporation (Japan) others.Segments:The global non-destructive testing services market is segmented by type, technique, application and vertical. By product, the market is segmented into traditional non-destructive testing services and advanced non-destructive testing services. By type, the market is segmented into ultrasonic testing services, radiography testing services, liquid penetrant testing services, magnetic particle testing services, eddy-current testing services, and visual inspection services. By application, the market is segmented into flaw detection, leak detection, dimensional measurement, estimation of physical properties, chemical composition determination, and stress & structure analysis. Whereas, based on vertical, the market is segmented into aerospace & defense, automotive, oil & gas, infrastructure, and power.Regional AnalysisThe global non-destructive testing services market is studied in Asia Pacific, North America, Europe, and Rest of the World. It has been observed that North America is estimated to account for the largest market share, whereas Asia Pacific is projected to grow at the fastest rate during the forecast period. The growth of North America market is attributed to technological advancements and the increased adoption of non-destructive testing service applications across industry verticals.Get Complete Report @Intended Audience Technology Investors Research/Consultancy firms Government Bodies Service Providers Information Technology (IT) developers Consulting service providers Technology Providers System integratorsAbout Us:At Market Research Future (MRFR), we enable our customers to unravel the complexity of various industries through our Cooked Research Report (CRR), Half-Cooked Research Reports (HCRR), Raw Research Reports (3R), Continuous-Feed Research (CFR), and Market Research & Consulting Services.Media Contact:Market Research FutureOffice No. 528, Amanora ChambersMagarpatta Road, Hadapsar,Pune - 411028Maharashtra, India+1 646 845 9312Email: sales@marketresearchfuture.com Function-as-a-Service Market : Size & Share to See Modest Growth Through 2025 https://www.tmrresearch.com/sample/sample?flag=B&rep_id=1853 https://www.tmrresearch.com/sample/sample?flag=T&rep_id=1853 https://www.tmrresearch.com/function-as-a-service-market Global Function as a Service (FaaS): SnapshotServerless computing is all the rage these days as it shifts the task of running and managing the infrastructure from the company to its cloud provider. While software as a service (SaaS), infrastructure as a service (IaaS), and Platform as a Service (PaaS) are already well known and popular in the domain of serverless computing, there is another upcoming technology function as a service (FaaS) which is primed to become mainstream soon enough.Function as a service (FaaS) is essentially a software framework offered by a service provider. It can be tailored easily to serve the business needs of the user by helping them to quickly develop an application or system. By doing away with the need for heavy investments in infrastructure and hardware, FaaS results in tremendous cost savings. Some of prominent participants in the market are also big guns of the likes of Microsoft Corporation, SAP SE, Amazon Web Services, Google, Inc., and IBM.Request Sample Copy of the Report @From a geographical perspective, North America outshines all others due to the presence of a large number of FaaS providers and savvy companies increasingly looking to up business agility and flexibility, particularly in the advanced U.S. and Canada market. Asia Pacific, on the other hand, is slated to expand at a good clip in the foreseeable future due to businesses booming in the developing economies in the region. China, India, Taiwan, South Korea, and other nations in the region, which are home to a growing number of software firms, are frontrunners in driving expansion in the Asia Pacific market.Global Function-as-a-Service Market: OverviewFunction-as-a-service (FaaS), a.k.a. serverless computing, is creating an evolution in the field of cloud computing as it plays a pivotal role in boosting IT agility by releasing developers from the taxing job of managing and provisioning servers. The next step in cloud infrastructure as a service (IaaS), FaaS cancels the need to administer servers and pay for them when not in use while making it a whole lot easier to leverage and scale complex automation areas. It is an event-driven computing service which executes functions and codes only when required.Request TOC of the Report @Global Function-as-a-Service Market: Key TrendsThe international FaaS market is prophesied to grow in the black at a knockout CAGR as organizations shift from DevOps to serverless computing. During the forecast period, there could also be other factors supporting the market growth, which include maturity of hosted services, scalability, and agility. The global market could be driven by the constant need articulated by most companies regarding the optimization of microservices and management of multiple platforms. As a result, services such as microservice management and monitoring and automation and integration are anticipated to gain a relentless impetus.Issues pertaining to portability to the cloud could act as an obstacle in the global FaaS market. Nonetheless, the availability of robust pre-existing cloud infrastructure and easy management and deployment need are forecasted to make up for the market disincentive. Companies around the world are now implementing FaaS as a means to run, manage, and deploy applications. Keeping this ability of the product in view, the market is expected to see the domination of operator-centric FaaS and developer-center FaaS in the coming years. Besides for the deployment of different applications such as those relating to research and academic and mobile and web, FaaS can be employed to optimize their performance.Read Comprehensive Overview of Report@Global Function-as-a-Service Market: Market PotentialDelineated as the first serverless database, FaunaDB Serverless Cloud, introduced by a San Francisco startup, is making rounds on technology news columns with its real-time data replicating ability to ensure multi-cloud availability. The serverless revolution by Fauna Inc. is proud to seamlessly span Google Cloud Platform and Amazon Web Services. Later in 2017, the company is planning to offer support to the Microsoft Azure cloud. This latest offering is based on the adaptive operational database of FaunaDB that is capable of leveraging pay-as-you-go pricing, reduced operational overhead, elastic scaling, enhanced marketing time, and other cloud capabilities.Global Function-as-a-Service Market: Regional OutlookThe North America FaaS market is prognosticated to lean on a colossal count of FaaS providers, surging want for business agility and flexibility, and towering rate of penetration into a gamut of industry verticals in the U.S. The researchers envisage the regional market to rake in a larger share of revenue in the coming years. Asia Pacific, on similar lines, is envisioned to secure a higher rate of growth during the forecast period. This could be due to the need to streamline business operations and enhance customer experiences with the help of significant investments in cloud service providers. As a result, Asia Pacific is predicted to register a telling CAGR.Global Function-as-a-Service Market: Competitive LandscapePlayers in the global FaaS market could be looking to boost customer satisfaction and focus on perpetual innovation in technology with a view to fortify their status in the industry. Additionally, partnerships, acquisitions, and new product developments are prime strategies projected to take precedence in the market. Some of the leading companies in the market are Dynatrace LLC, SAP SE, Amazon Web Services, Microsoft Corporation, Google, Inc., and IBM.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 Global Thin Film Solar Panels Market 2018 Competition by Top Manufacturers : First Solar, Sharp, Hanergy QYResearchReports https://www.qyresearchreports.com/sample/sample.php?rep_id=1630435&type=S https://www.qyresearchreports.com/sample/sample.php?rep_id=1630435&type=D Qyresearchreports include new market research report "Global Thin Film Solar Panels Market Research Report 2018" to its huge collection of research reports.The thorough examination on the global market for Thin Film Solar Panels added to our immense vault of market reports is an extensive asset for existing and new organizations on the lookout for data to strategize their marketing techniques. The report discusses various segments in the global Thin Film Solar Panels market through broad primary and auxiliary research so as to increase valuable information and the most recent market trends included in it.The report starts with a lowdown of the worldwide Thin Film Solar Panels market which incorporates the services and offerings related the business alongside the revenue generated in the market. The report at that point goes ahead to explain on the different elements affecting and countervailing market development.In this report, the global Thin Film Solar Panels market is valued at USD XX million in 2017 and is expected to reach USD XX million by the end of 2025, growing at a CAGR of XX% between 2017 and 2025.Get Free Report Sample and Customization:To provide intelligent insights in view of the worldwide vendor scene in the market for Thin Film Solar Panels, the report considers the key players working in the market and profiles them thoroughly. It considers their different offerings, their techniques for developing deals and incomes, and furthermore their production strategies. The report uses appropriate expository equipment, such as SWOT analysis and Porter's Five Forces, to make sense of the different threats and challenges that the worldwide Thin Film Solar Panels market is probably going to witness.Global Thin Film Solar Panels market competition by top manufacturers, with production, price, revenue (value) and market share for each manufacturer; the top players includingFirst SolarSharpSolar FrontierHanergyZSWSentechStionCivicSolarKANEKA Solar EnergySoloPowerSolar-FactsMarket division in light of different parameters has additionally been received as a piece of the report technique to pick up learning in regards to the most encouraging and growing segment. This would empower key market players to wager appropriate on the worldwide market for Thin Film Solar Panels. The report likewise offers profitable data on the size and offer of different sections and the general size of the market. Making use chronicled and current information, the report imagines to comprehend the growth opportunities in the market for Thin Film Solar Panels in the forthcoming years.The comprehensible data in the industry offers insight regarding the worldwide market for Thin Film Solar Panels, which is segmented into diagrams, tables, pictures, and divisions with the goal that perusers can easily digest without much of a stretch.Table of Contents1 Thin Film Solar Panels Market Overview1.1 Product Overview and Scope of Thin Film Solar Panels1.2 Thin Film Solar Panels Segment by Type (Product Category)1.2.1 Global Thin Film Solar Panels Production and CAGR (%) Comparison by Type (Product Category)(2013-2025)1.2.2 Global Thin Film Solar Panels Production Market Share by Type (Product Category) in 20171.2.3 Amorphous Silicon (a-Si)1.2.4 Cadmium Telluride (CdTe)1.2.5 Copper Indium Gallium Selenide (CIS/CIGS)1.2.6 Others1.3 Global Thin Film Solar Panels Segment by Application1.4 Global Thin Film Solar Panels Market by Region (2013-2025)1.5 Global Market Size (Value) of Thin Film Solar Panels (2013-2025)2 Global Thin Film Solar Panels Market Competition by Manufacturers2.1 Global Thin Film Solar Panels Capacity, Production and Share by Manufacturers (2013-2018)2.1.1 Global Thin Film Solar Panels Capacity and Share by Manufacturers (2013-2018)2.1.2 Global Thin Film Solar Panels Production and Share by Manufacturers (2013-2018)2.2 Global Thin Film Solar Panels Revenue and Share by Manufacturers (2013-2018)2.3 Global Thin Film Solar Panels Average Price by Manufacturers (2013-2018)2.4 Manufacturers Thin Film Solar Panels Manufacturing Base Distribution, Sales Area and Product Type2.5 Thin Film Solar Panels Market Competitive Situation and Trends2.5.1 Thin Film Solar Panels Market Concentration Rate2.5.2 Thin Film Solar Panels Market Share of Top 3 and Top 5 ManufacturersEnquiry For Discount Visit @3 Global Thin Film Solar Panels Capacity, Production, Revenue (Value) by Region (2013-2018)3.1 Global Thin Film Solar Panels Capacity and Market Share by Region (2013-2018)3.2 Global Thin Film Solar Panels Production and Market Share by Region (2013-2018)3.3 Global Thin Film Solar Panels Revenue (Value) and Market Share by Region (2013-2018)3.4 Global Thin Film Solar Panels Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2013-2018)3.5 North America Thin Film Solar Panels Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2013-2018)3.6 Europe Thin Film Solar Panels Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2013-2018)3.7 China Thin Film Solar Panels Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2013-2018)3.8 Japan Thin Film Solar Panels Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2013-2018)4 Global Thin Film Solar Panels Supply (Production), Consumption, Export, Import by Region (2013-2018)4.1 Global Thin Film Solar Panels Consumption by Region (2013-2018)4.2 North America Thin Film Solar Panels Production, Consumption, Export, Import (2013-2018)4.3 Europe Thin Film Solar Panels Production, Consumption, Export, Import (2013-2018)4.4 China Thin Film Solar Panels Production, Consumption, Export, Import (2013-2018)4.5 Japan Thin Film Solar Panels Production, Consumption, Export, Import (2013-2018)4.6 Southeast Asia Thin Film Solar Panels Production, Consumption, Export, Import (2013-2018)4.7 India Thin Film Solar Panels Production, Consumption, Export, Import (2013-2018)List of Tables and FiguresFigure Picture of Thin Film Solar PanelsFigure Global Thin Film Solar Panels Production (K Units) and CAGR (%) Comparison by Types (Product Category) (2013-2025)Figure Global Thin Film Solar Panels Production Market Share by Types (Product Category) in 2017Figure Product Picture of Amorphous Silicon (a-Si)Table Major Manufacturers of Amorphous Silicon (a-Si)Figure Product Picture of Cadmium Telluride (CdTe)Table Major Manufacturers of Cadmium Telluride (CdTe)Figure Product Picture of Copper Indium Gallium Selenide (CIS/CIGS)Table Major Manufacturers of Copper Indium Gallium Selenide (CIS/CIGS)Figure Global Thin Film Solar Panels Market Size (Million USD), Comparison (K Units) and CAGR (%) by Regions (2013-2025)Figure North America Thin Film Solar Panels Revenue (Million USD) and Growth Rate (2013-2025)Figure Europe Thin Film Solar Panels Revenue (Million USD) and Growth Rate (2013-2025)Figure China Thin Film Solar Panels Revenue (Million USD) and Growth Rate (2013-2025)About Us:QYResearchReports.com delivers the latest strategic market intelligence to build a successful business footprint in China. Our syndicated and customized research reports provide companies with vital background information of the market and in-depth analysis on the Chinese trade and investment framework, which directly affects their business operations. Reports from QYResearchReports.com feature valuable recommendations on how to navigate in the extremely unpredictable yet highly attractive Chinese market.Contact Us:1820 AvenueM Suite #1047Brooklyn, NY 11230United StatesToll Free: 866-997-4948 (USA-CANADA)Tel: +1-518-621-2074Email: sales@qyresearchreports.com Smart Grid Networking Market 2018 by Global Leaders: ABB Group, Cisco Systems, Mitsubishi Electric, Fujitsu, General Electric Company, Huawei Technologies, Itron, Trilliant Holdings https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/sample_request/5443 https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/smart-grid-networking-market-5443 Market Research Future published a research report on Smart Grid Networking Market Research Report- Forecast till 2023 Market Analysis, Scope, Stake, Progress, Trends and Forecast to 2023.Market Scenario:The smart grid networking market isnt just growing, it is accelerating. Rise in smart grid deployments is one major factor driving the growth of smart grid market. Also, increasing need for better energy management is another major factor responsible for driving the growth of smart grid networking market.ABB Group, Cisco Systems, Inc., Mitsubishi Electric, Fujitsu, General Electric Company, Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd., Itron, and Schneider Electric are a few major players in the global Smart Grid Networking Market. Increasing deployment of smart grids will create opportunities for traditional energy and open market for new players. Also, the growing demand for process automation and increasing need for remote monitoring of applications is set to drive the growth of the smart grid networking market. Increasing traction of smart grid as a service applications is one major factor responsible for fueling the growth of global smart grid networking market.The software segment in the smart grid networking market comprises of network performance monitoring management, IP address management, network traffic management, network device management, network configuration management, network security management, and others. The network performance monitoring management sub-segment of the global smart grid networking market is expected to grow at a significant rate during the forecast period. This is owing to the increasing demand for real time monitoring of power consumption and energy management. Also, the growing trend of adopting smart and enery efficienct management systems is one major factor driving the growth of smart grid networking market.Get Sample of Report @North America region holds the largest share of the market across the globe followed by Europe, and Asia Pacific region. The U.S. and Canada are dominating the North American market due to rising technological enhancements and growing adoption of artificial intelligence in the region. Moreover, the region has a well-established infrastructure, which allows faster implementation of advanced technologies. Additionally, the growing adoption of smart grid deployment is another major factor driving the growth of smart grid networking market in the region.The global smart grid networking market is expected to grow at a CAGR of approximately 10% during the forecast period 2017-2023.Key PlayersSome of the prominent players in the global smart grid networking market are ABB Group (Switzerland), Cisco Systems, Inc. (U.S.), Mitsubishi Electric (Japan), Fujitsu (Japan), General Electric Company (U.S.), Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd. (China), Itron (U.S.), Schneider Electric SE (France), Siemens AG (Germany) and Trilliant Holdings, Inc. (U.S.) among others.SegmentsThe global smart grid networking market is segmented by hardware, software and service. Based on hardware, the market is segmented into cables, controllers, routers, smart meter communication modules, switches and others. Based on software, the market is segmented into network performance monitoring management, IP address management, network traffic management, network device management, network configuration management, network security management and others. Based on service, the market is segmented into consulting, network planning, design and integration, network risk and security assessment, network maintenance & support, and others.Regional AnalysisThe global smart grid networking market is studied in Asia Pacific, North America, Europe, and Rest of the World. It has been observed that North America is estimated to account for the largest share of the market, whereas Asia Pacific is projected to grow at the fastest rate during the forecast period. The growth of the market in North America is attributed to technological advancements and increased adoption of smart grid networking applications across various industry verticals.Get complete Report @Intended Audience Technology Investors Research/Consultancy firms Government Bodies Smart Grid Manufacturers Smart Grid Network Providers Information Technology (IT) developers Consulting service providers Technology Providers System integratorsAbout Us:At Market Research Future (MRFR), we enable our customers to unravel the complexity of various industries through our Cooked Research Report (CRR), Half-Cooked Research Reports (HCRR), Raw Research Reports (3R), Continuous-Feed Research (CFR), and Market Research & Consulting Services.Media Contact:Market Research FutureOffice No. 528, Amanora ChambersMagarpatta Road, Hadapsar,Pune - 411028Maharashtra, India+1 646 845 9312Email: sales@marketresearchfuture.com Global Landing Page Builders Market 2018 Key Players: Leadpages, Unbounce, OptimizePress, IncomePress, Ucraft, GetResponse. Landing Page Builders Market https://www.wiseguyreports.com/sample-request/3067912-global-landing-page-builders-market-size-status-and-forecast-2025 https://www.wiseguyreports.com/reports/3067912-global-landing-page-builders-market-size-status-and-forecast-2025 Landing Page Builders Market:WiseGuyReports.com adds Landing Page Builders Market 2018 Global Analysis, Growth, Trends and Opportunities Research Report Forecasting to 2025reports to its database.Executive SummaryThis report studies the global Landing Page Builders market, analyzes and researches the Landing Page Builders development status and forecast in United States, EU, Japan, China, India and Southeast Asia. This report focuses on the top players in global market, likeLeadpagesUnbounceOptimizePressIncomePressUcraftGetResponseInstapagePagewizClickFunnelsLanderLandingiOptinSkinLeadsiusLaunchrockHello BarMarket segment by Regions/Countries, this report coversUnited StatesEUJapanChinaIndiaSoutheast AsiaMarket segment by Type, the product can be split intoWeb BasedCloud BasedMarket segment by Application, Landing Page Builders can be split intoLarge EnterprisesSMEIf you have any special requirements, please let us know and we will offer you the report as you want.Request Sample Report @Table of ContentGlobal Landing Page Builders Market Size, Status and Forecast 20251 Industry Overview of Landing Page Builders1.1 Landing Page Builders Market Overview1.1.1 Landing Page Builders Product Scope1.1.2 Market Status and Outlook1.2 Global Landing Page Builders Market Size and Analysis by Regions (2013-2018)1.2.1 United States1.2.2 EU1.2.3 Japan1.2.4 China1.2.5 India1.2.6 Southeast Asia1.3 Landing Page Builders Market by Type1.3.1 Web Based1.3.2 Cloud Based1.4 Landing Page Builders Market by End Users/Application1.4.1 Large Enterprises1.4.2 SME2 Global Landing Page Builders Competition Analysis by Players2.1 Landing Page Builders Market Size (Value) by Players (2013-2018)2.2 Competitive Status and Trend2.2.1 Market Concentration Rate2.2.2 Product/Service Differences2.2.3 New Entrants2.2.4 The Technology Trends in Future3 Company (Top Players) Profiles3.1 Leadpages3.1.1 Company Profile3.1.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.1.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.1.4 Landing Page Builders Revenue (Million USD) (2013-2018)3.1.5 Recent Developments3.2 Unbounce3.2.1 Company Profile3.2.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.2.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.2.4 Landing Page Builders Revenue (Million USD) (2013-2018)3.2.5 Recent Developments3.3 OptimizePress3.3.1 Company Profile3.3.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.3.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.3.4 Landing Page Builders Revenue (Million USD) (2013-2018)3.3.5 Recent Developments3.4 IncomePress3.4.1 Company Profile3.4.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.4.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.4.4 Landing Page Builders Revenue (Million USD) (2013-2018)3.4.5 Recent Developments3.5 Ucraft3.5.1 Company Profile3.5.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.5.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.5.4 Landing Page Builders Revenue (Million USD) (2013-2018)3.5.5 Recent Developments3.6 GetResponse3.6.1 Company Profile3.6.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.6.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.6.4 Landing Page Builders Revenue (Million USD) (2013-2018)3.6.5 Recent Developments3.7 Instapage3.7.1 Company Profile3.7.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.7.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.7.4 Landing Page Builders Revenue (Million USD) (2013-2018)3.7.5 Recent Developments3.8 Pagewiz3.8.1 Company Profile3.8.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.8.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.8.4 Landing Page Builders Revenue (Million USD) (2013-2018)3.8.5 Recent Developments3.9 ClickFunnels3.9.1 Company Profile3.9.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.9.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.9.4 Landing Page Builders Revenue (Million USD) (2013-2018)3.9.5 Recent Developments3.10 Lander3.10.1 Company Profile3.10.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.10.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.10.4 Landing Page Builders Revenue (Million USD) (2013-2018)3.10.5 Recent Developments3.11 Landingi3.12 OptinSkin3.13 Leadsius3.14 Launchrock3.15 Hello Bar4 Global Landing Page Builders Market Size by Type and Application (2013-2018)4.1 Global Landing Page Builders Market Size by Type (2013-2018)4.2 Global Landing Page Builders Market Size by Application (2013-2018)4.3 Potential Application of Landing Page Builders in Future4.4 Top Consumer/End Users of Landing Page BuildersContinuousFor further information on this report, visit Contact Us:Norah Trentsales@wiseguyreports.comPh: +1-646-845-9349 (US); +44 208 133 9349 (UK)About Us:Wise Guy Reports Is Part Of The Wise Guy Consultants Pvt. Ltd. And Offers Premium Progressive Statistical Surveying, Market Research Reports, Analysis & Forecast Data For Industries And Governments Around The Globe. Wise Guy Reports Features An Exhaustive List Of Market Research Reports From Hundreds Of Publishers Worldwide. We Boast A Database Spanning Virtually Every Market Category And An Even More Comprehensive Collection Of Market Research Reports Under These Categories And Sub-Categories.Addres:WISEGUY RESEARCH CONSULTANTS PVT LTDOffice No. 528, Amanora ChambersPune - 411028Maharashtra, IndiaPhone :+91 841 198 5042 Flow Chemistry Market By Product, End-user, Competitive Market Share & Forecast, 2016 2024 https://www.fractovia.org/request-sample/430 https://www.fractovia.org/request-purchase/430 As per the report by Global Market Insights, Inc., Flow chemistry market, having had a revenue collection of USD 900 million in 2015, will cross an annual growth rate of 10% over the period of 2016 to 2024. Due to the precise and effective result-oriented approach of the flow chemistry process along with its capability to improve productivity, most of the pharmaceutical and chemical companies have been adopting this technology of late.In recent years, flow chemistry market has been exhibiting exponential growth with the development of new and enhanced chemical processes subject to efficient resource optimization. In terms of operational cost, installation cost, improved reaction control, reduced capital cost, and high capability of heat & mass transfer, flow reactors have proved to be much more beneficial than batch reactors. In addition to this, many of the challenging reactions in batch reactors can be easily carried out in flow reactors, which will boost flow chemistry industry over the years ahead.Request for a sample of this research report @Pharmaceutical end user segment will register lucrative growth in flow chemistry industry over the coming timeframe, owing to the fact that this sector implements this process on a large scale, subject to its key benefits such as high safety measures and low operational cost. Moreover, many of the industry giants are adopting this technology for the manufacture of drugs and medicines. The pharmaceutical sector is expanding its business space lucratively across the U.S., owing to which North America flow chemistry market will register an annual growth of more than 9% over the coming years of 2016 to 2024. U.S. will be the prominent revenue contributor toward North America regional share.Asia Pacific flow chemistry market dominated the global revenue share in 2015 and will exhibit flourishing growth prospects over the coming seven years. Supportive governmental norms and low initial investment required to establish a manufacturing base across APAC countries have attracted more market players, which, in turn, will generate significant revenue for flow chemistry industry over the years ahead. India and China will contribute significantly toward regional flow chemistry industry growth, owing to the presence of myriad chemical manufacturers in the region.This technology is extensively used in biodiesel production plants, owing to its superior efficiency, minimal carbon emission, and less requirement of raw material. This, in turn, will boost the need for flow chemistry equipment considerably. The aforementioned advantages will lead continuous stirred tank reactor (CSTR) to be prominently used in various petrochemical and chemical sectors. CSTR dominated the product landscape of global flow chemistry market in 2015 and is anticipated to witness a noticeable growth rate over the coming seven years. These types of reactors are arranged in a series combination, which leads to reaction efficiency improvement. It also requires less installation space as compared to batch reactors.Make an inquiry for purchasing this report @Microreactor is another lucrative product segment in flow chemistry industry, which will exhibit the highest annual growth rate of more than 15% over the period of 2016 to 2024. Implementation of this system helps in controlling the heat reaction, as it has superior heat and mass transfer properties. Microreactor products are also prominently used for industrial and academic research activities. In addition, the ongoing research and technology advancements in this system will impact flow chemistry market share positively.Many industry giants are struggling to achieve the top business position owing to the continuous fluctuation in product costs as well as the introduction of new advanced products in the market. Industry participants have been collaborating with various multi-national companies operating in pharmaceutical, petrochemical, and chemical sectors to achieve lucrative profit margins. The key players in flow chemistry market are ThalesNano Nanotechology Inc., Vapourtec Ltd., Uniqsis Ltd, AM Technology, Koninklijke DSM N.V., FutureChemistry Holding BV, Chemtrix BV.About Fractovia.orgFractovia.org is one of India's leading in-house and free news portal. It is fully automated, and operates on a constant premise, interfacing with news sites and offering redesigned breaking features to readers across the globe. Our mission is to offer individuals opportunities for connections with news writers and distributors which they can pursue. We operate by mapping articles pertaining to breaking news, constantly and progressively, against a pre-determined word-based theme, offering important connections to readers and clients, as well as distributers.Contact Us:Arun HegdeCorporate Sales, USAFractovia.orgPhone: 1-302-846-7766Toll Free: 1-888-689-0688Email: sales@fractovia.org Image Recognition Market to Significant Growth Foreseen by 2025 https://www.tmrresearch.com/sample/sample?flag=B&rep_id=1859 https://www.tmrresearch.com/sample/sample?flag=T&rep_id=1859 https://www.tmrresearch.com/image-recognition-market Image Recognition Market: OverviewImage recognition has emerged as a reliable alternative for card-based recognition systems to evade data theft and data breach instances. Image recognition technologies comprise voice, iris, palm, hand vein pattern, fingerprints, retina, hand geometry, facial pattern recognition. Image recognition based on these indications can be applied across various fields such as vehicular safety, advertising, security and surveillance, biometric scanning machines, pedestrian recognition, and e-commerce.Image Recognition Market: Key TrendsThe increasing demand for high bandwidth data services in BFSI and retail sector is one of the primary factors driving the global image recognition market. The increasing use of smartphones and other mobile devices for e-commerce is attracting vendors to invest in the image recognition space to offer an enhanced shopping experience on the digital medium.Moreover, the increasing demand for products equipped with image recognition functions and the increasing need to add security features to avoid data breach is also influencing the markets growth.Request Sample Copy of the Report @In healthcare, with the rapid adoption of electronic health record practices and remote healthcare practices, the scope of utilization of image recognition technology is expected to be on the rise.The rising application of image recognition technology across various sectors such as automotive, defense, retail, and education is expected to contribute substantially to the growth of the image recognition market. Some other key end-users of image recognition technology are media, academia/government, gaming, and libraries and archives.However, the deployment of image recognition technology is limited due to low-resolution image size and storage limitations of indications that function on this technology.Image Recognition Market: Market PotentialThe adoption of image recognition is incessantly increasing to offer enhanced security requirements. With the inclusion of artificial intelligence, image recognition systems are expected to offer the next level of security for smart home solutions. This is because the key to reliable security in smart homes is dependent on real-time notifications, accurate recognition, and availability of various auxiliary functions. Smart recognition monitoring systems that are used presently use identity recognition, environmental judgment, trajectory recognition, and compensation recognition.Request TOC of the Report @Image Recognition Market: Regional OutlookNorth America, Asia Pacific, Europe, and Rest of the World are the regions into which the global image recognition market can be divided. The presence of tech giants such as Google, Facebook, Apple, IBM, etc. makes North America the leading regional image recognition market. Moreover, higher adoption of advanced technologies for enhanced security of smart devices is also fuelling the growth of this regional market.However, Asia Pacific also stands as a significant regional market for image recognition as the region is home to a large number of IT companies. The high volume growth of e-commerce and the ceaseless consumption of mobile devices also makes Asia Pacific a significant market for image recognition. The growing middle-class population with disposable incomes is highly technology-savvy, which is expected to be an influential factor for growth of the Asia Pacific image recognition market in the coming years.Read Comprehensive Overview of Report@Image Recognition Market: Competitive LandscapeSome of the key vendors in the global image recognition market include LTU Technologies, Honeywell, Itarff Technology, and Catchoom. Some other prominent vendors in this market are Wikitude, Sharp Vision Software, Panasonic, Hitachi, Toshiba, Qualcomm Technologies, NEC, and Blipper. Major vendors in the market are focused on new product launches in order to enhance their product portfolio and for enhanced customer experience. Existing players in the market are continually introducing innovative products and upgrading their products to increase their market share. With technological advancements in image recognition, major vendors are focused on introducing next generation services and solutions.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 Smart Hospital Market 2018 Global Leaders: Siemens AG, Qualcomm Life, Athenahealth, Microsoft, Cerner, Stanley Healthcare, Oracle, SAMSUNG Group, GE Healthcare https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/sample_request/4505 https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/smart-hospital-market-4505 Market Research Future published a research report on Smart Hospital Market Research Report- Global Forecast 2023 Market Analysis, Scope, Stake, Progress, Trends and Forecast to 2023.Market HighlightsThe study reveals that smart hospital is trending in North America region. The increasing demand of cloud computing in smart hospital has boosted the market growth. It provides complete information of lifecycle of the patients which is stored securely in the cloud and easily accessible to the patient, doctors and pharmacy staff. It is cost-efficient to the patients without compromising with the patients information details privacy. The smart hospital also using wearable devices at the wide range as these device enables to get alert incase the patients is experiencing an asthma situation, displays, journaling, treatment plans, and others. It also helps in tracking and providing information on the treating of symptoms.In North America region, the smart hospital demand are growing as the prominent companies such as SAP SE (Germany), Microsoft Corporation (U.S), Cerner Corporation (U.S), Stanley Healthcare (US), are providing smart hospital solution. The new technology which helps the smart hospitals to enhance business and improve a number of crucial services which is provided in hospital at a very low cost. The smart hospitals allow the doctors to make smarter decision by collecting the information of patients, can interpret and analyze the data.Get Sample of Report @The global Smart Hospital Market is growing rapidly over ~25% of CAGR and is expected to reach at USD ~ 62 Billion by the end of forecast period.Taste the market data and market information presented through more than 30 market data tables and figures spread over 100 numbers of pages of the project report. Avail the in-depth table of content TOC & market synopsis on The Global Smart Hospital Market Research Report -Forecast to 2023.Key PlayersThe prominent players in the global smart hospital market are Siemens AG (Germany), Qualcomm Life Inc. (US), Athenahealth Inc. (U.S), SAP SE (Germany), Microsoft Corporation (U.S), Cerner Corporation (U.S), Stanley Healthcare (US), Oracle Corporation (US), SAMSUNG Group (South Korea), Philips N.V (Netherlands), GE Healthcare (US) among others.Global Smart Hospital Market SegmentationThe global smart hospital market are bifurcated on the basis of component, technology, connectivity and region. The components are segmented into hardware, software, service, and others. The technology are segmented into artificial intelligence, cloud computing, radio frequencies identification, wearable technologies, zigbee technologies, internet of things and others. The connectivity are segmented wired, wireless and others. The applications are segmented outpatient vigilance, remote medicine management, medical assistance, medical connected imaging, electronic health record & clinical workflow and others. The region includes North America, Europe, Asia Pacific and rest of the world.Market Research Analysis:On geographic basis, global smart hospital market is studied in different regions as Americas, Europe, Asia-Pacific and Rest of world. It has been observed that North America region is leading with market share growth in the smart hospital market. The smart hospital are gaining huge demand due to the number of technology used for patients treatment at a very low cost. In this market, Europe is to be estimated to be the second largest market share for smart hospital during the forecast period. Asia Pacific is expected to forecast the highest CAGR in the coming years.Get complete Report @Intended Audience Professional service providers Research and development companies Market research and consulting firms Solution providers Technology standards organizations Technology investors System IntegratorsAbout Us:At Market Research Future (MRFR), we enable our customers to unravel the complexity of various industries through our Cooked Research Report (CRR), Half-Cooked Research Reports (HCRR), Raw Research Reports (3R), Continuous-Feed Research (CFR), and Market Research & Consulting Services.MRFR team have supreme objective to provide the optimum quality market research and intelligence services to our clients. Our market research studies by products, services, technologies, applications, end users, and market players for global, regional, and country level market segments, enable our clients to see more, know more, and do more, which help to answer all their most important questions.In order to stay updated with technology and work process of the industry, MRFR often plans & conducts meet with the industry experts and industrial visits for its research analyst members.Media Contact:Market Research FutureOffice No. 528, Amanora ChambersMagarpatta Road, Hadapsar,Pune - 411028Maharashtra, India+1 646 845 9312Email: sales@marketresearchfuture.com Automated Parcel Delivery Terminals Industry to Grow at a CAGR of 12.0% to 2025 - Global Market Analysis and Forecasts The Insight Partners http://www.theinsightpartners.com/sample/TIPTE100000497 http://www.theinsightpartners.com/inquiry/TIPTE100000497 http://www.theinsightpartners.com/reports/automated-parcel-delivery-terminals-market The market for automated parcel delivery terminals is at its growing phase in certain countries and at infant stage in some developing countries. Also, certain countries in Europe such as Germany, the market has achieved its maturity stage. The market is further expected to flourish in developing countries with increasing government support for automation and digitalization. Global automated parcel delivery terminals market is expected to grow from US$ 799.0 million in 2017 to US$ 1973.4 million by 2025 at a CAGR of 12.0% between 2018 and 2025. One of the key factor propelling the market growth for automated parcel delivery terminals is the constant rise in the growth of online buyers and diminishing brick and mortar retail stores. Further, the rising number of SMEs into e-commerce is also bolstering the growth of the market.FREE | Request Sample Copy is Available atThe report focuses on an in-depth segmentation of this market based by deployment and service providers. The geographic segmentation of the report covers five major regions including; North Americas, Europe, Asia-Pacific (APAC), Middle East and Africa (MEA) and South America (SA). The regional market has been further bifurcated by respective countries. By service providers, retail/e-commerce accounted for the largest share of the automated parcel delivery terminals market in 2017; whereas APAC region is expected to grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period.The report aims to provide an overview of global automated parcel delivery terminals market with detailed market segmentation. Also, it analyzes the current automated parcel delivery terminals market scenario and forecasts the market till 2025. The report covers market dynamics effecting the market during the forecast period. Furthermore, the report analyzes the competitive scenario, geographic trends, and opportunities in the markets with respect to all geographic regions. The report also includes the detailed company profiles of the key players in the market along with their market strategies. The report also provide PEST along with the SWOT analysis for all company profiled in the report.Inquire for Detail Facts and Figures atEurope is one of the prominent regions in automated parcel delivery terminals market which is contributing highest revenue globally due to immense government support for the deployment of parcel lockers in several European countries. Rapidly growing economies in Asia-Pacific (APAC) with significant growth in adoption of automation is also propelling the market for automated parcel delivery terminals. Also, the APAC region is expected to grow with highest CAGR during the forecast period, with China contributing the major share. Several global and well as local companies are making huge investment in China. Such as Hive has planned to install 90,000 parcel delivery terminals by the end of 2017 in order to meet transaction of 5 Mn parcels on regular basis, reaching almost two-third of the market together in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen.Some of the major players operating in the global automated parcel delivery terminals market are Bell and Howell, LLC; Cleveron AS; Engy Group; ByBox Holdings Ltd. InPost S.A.; KEBA AG; Neopost Group; Smartbox Ecommerce Solutions Pvt. Ltd.; TZ Ltd.; and Winnsen Industry Co., Ltd. among others.Access Complete Report With TOC and Company Profiles atContact Us:Call: +1-646-491-9876Email: sales@theinsightpartners.comAbout Us:The Insight Partners is a one stop industry research provider of actionable intelligence. We help our clients in getting solutions to their research requirements through our syndicated and consulting research services. We are a specialist in Technology, Healthcare, Manufacturing, Automotive and Defense.533, 5th Floor, Amanora Chambers,Amanora Township, East Block,Kharadi Road, Hadapsar, Pune-411028 Injectable Drug Delivery Market : Commercial Insurance Distribution 2025 https://www.tmrresearch.com/sample/sample?flag=B&rep_id=1871 https://www.tmrresearch.com/sample/sample?flag=T&rep_id=1871 https://www.tmrresearch.com/injectable-drug-delivery-market Global Injectable Drug Delivery Market: OverviewInjectable drug delivery is the process of administering drugs into a patients body through injection-based delivery devices. It allows maximum bioavailability at a rapid transportation of the pharmaceutical drug as it bypasses the first pass metabolism. Thus, it is considered to be one of the most effective routes of administration. Some of the common routes for this type of drug delivery are intramuscular, intravenous, intracardiac, intraarterial, intradermal, subcutaneous, intrathecal, and intraperitoneal. Injectable drug delivery systems find their application in autoimmune diseases, orphan diseases, hormonal disorders, and cancer.Global Injectable Drug Delivery Market: Key TrendsThe growing incidence of chronic diseases such as cancer and diabetes is translating into the greater global demand for injectable drug delivery systems. Rapid technological advancements and increasing focus on new product launches are ensuring that the systems being manufactured and marketed are built so as to meet the specific needs of the patients. This, in turn, is working in favor of the growth of the global injectable drug delivery market. Players in the market are also benefitting from the flourishing growth of the biologics market. Moreover, the surging demand for self-injection devices is stoking the growth of the market.Request Sample Copy of the Report @However, the infections associated with needlestick injuries and their growing occurrence are keeping the market from realizing its utmost potential. Furthermore, the uncertainties related to reimbursement scenario are acting as an impediment to the growth of the market.Global Injectable Drug Delivery Market: Market PotentialThe development of novel injectable drugs has given the global injectable drug delivery market a major boost. The impact of this driver will be high in the near future with several pharmaceutical giants attempting to widen their pipelines into injectable drugs. For instance, Dr. Reddys Laboratories Ltd. in October 2016 announced its association with Gland Pharma Ltd. for marketing and distribution of eight injectable abbreviated new drug applications in the U.S.In addition, market players are acquiring or forming partnerships with injectable drug manufacturers to maximize their revenue generation. To put this in perspective, in December 2016, Baxter International purchased three manufacturing facilities and a diverse portfolio of 11 approved injectable drugs from Claris Lifesciences.Request TOC of the Report @Global Injectable Drug Delivery Market: Region-wise OutlookThe key segments analyzed based on geography are North America, Latin America, the Middle East and Africa, Asia Pacific, and Europe. North America will be a prominent destination for players in the global injectable drug delivery. The wide base of patients suffering from autoimmune disorders and chronic diseases such as cancer and diabetes is one of the primary factors propelling the growth of the region. The continuous technological advancements and research activities in the field is also providing a competitive edge to the region over other regions.Asia Pacific is expected to post a noteworthy CAGR during the review period. The increasing partnerships between global participants and local players are providing a significant momentum to the market in the region. The growth of the region can also be attributed to the sizeable investments in research and development in the healthcare and pharmaceutical sectors. Emerging countries such as China and India will be at the forefront of growth, owing to the rising healthcare awareness and improving healthcare infrastructure.Read Comprehensive Overview of Report@Global Injectable Drug Delivery Market: Competitive LandscapePlayers are allocating substantial funds for research and development activities to introduce innovative drug delivery systems in order to enhance their visibility in the global injectable drug delivery market. Mergers and acquisitions are commonly adopted growth strategies by key market participants to consolidate their presence. Some of the prominent companies operating in the market are Becton, Dickinson and Company, Nova Nordisk A/S, Baxter International, Sanofi, Pfizer, Schott AG, Eli Lilly and Company, and Terumo Corporation.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 Body Lotion Market 2018-2022 : World Consumption and Sales Analysis Market Report Body Lotion Market https://www.wiseguyreports.com/sample-request/2609925-china-body-lotion-market-by-manufacturers-regions-province-type-and-application https://www.wiseguyreports.com/reports/2609925-china-body-lotion-market-by-manufacturers-regions-province-type-and-application www.wiseguyreports.com China Body Lotion MarketWiseGuyRerports.com Presents China Body Lotion Market by Manufacturers, Regions (Province), Type and Application, Forecast to 2022 New Document to its Studies Database. The Report Contain 115 Pages With Detailed Analysis.Description"Many Lotion products have Moisturizer functions, combined together, one common skin care product, Decontamination and water supplement.This report studies the Lotion & Moisturizer market, by type(Dry Skin, Oily Skin and Normal Skin, others), by applications(Men Using Women Using and Baby Using)."Scope of the Report:This report focuses on the Body Lotion in China market, to split the market based on manufacturers, Regions (Province), type and application.Get sample Report @Market Segment by Manufacturers, this report coversUnilever PLCL'Oreal S.A.Procter & Gamble Co.Johnson & JohnsonShiseido CompanyBeiersdorf AGAvon Products Inc.ClarinsKao CorporationAmore Pacific GroupThe Estee Lauder Companies Inc.CavinkareCetaphilHain Celestial GroupMarket Segment by Regions (Province), coveringSouth ChinaSouthwest ChinaEast ChinaNortheast ChinaNorth ChinaMarket Segment by Type, coversDry Skin Body LotionOily Skin Body LotionNormal Skin Body LotionOthersMarket Segment by Applications, can be divided intoMen UsingWomen UsingBaby UsingComplete Report Details @Table of Contents -Major Key Points1 Market Overview1.1 Body Lotion Introduction1.2 Market Analysis by Type1.2.1 Dry Skin Body Lotion1.2.2 Oily Skin Body Lotion1.2.3 Normal Skin Body Lotion1.2.4 Others1.3 Market Analysis by Applications1.3.1 Men Using1.3.2 Women Using1.3.3 Baby Using1.4 Market Analysis by Regions (Province)1.4.1 South China Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.2 Southwest China Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.3 East China Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.4 Northeast China Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.5 North China Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.6 Central China Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.7 Northwest China Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.5 Market Dynamics1.5.1 Market Opportunities1.5.2 Market Risk1.5.3 Market Driving Force2 Manufacturers Profiles2.1 Unilever PLC2.1.1 Profile2.1.2 Body Lotion Type and Applications2.1.2.1 Type 12.1.2.2 Type 22.1.3 Unilever PLC Body Lotion Sales, Price, Revenue, Gross Margin and Market Share (2016-2017)2.1.4 Business Overview2.1.5 Unilever PLC News2.2 L'Oreal S.A.2.2.1 Profile2.2.2 Body Lotion Type and Applications2.2.2.1 Type 12.2.2.2 Type 22.2.3 L'Oreal S.A. Body Lotion Sales, Price, Revenue, Gross Margin and Market Share (2016-2017)2.2.4 Business Overview2.2.5 L'Oreal S.A. News2.3 Procter & Gamble Co.2.3.1 Profile2.3.2 Body Lotion Type and Applications2.3.2.1 Type 12.3.2.2 Type 22.3.3 Procter & Gamble Co. Body Lotion Sales, Price, Revenue, Gross Margin and Market Share (2016-2017)2.3.4 Business Overview2.3.5 Procter & Gamble Co. News2.4 Johnson & Johnson2.4.1 Profile2.4.2 Body Lotion Type and Applications2.4.2.1 Type 12.4.2.2 Type 22.4.3 Johnson & Johnson Body Lotion Sales, Price, Revenue, Gross Margin and Market Share (2016-2017)2.4.4 Business Overview2.4.5 Johnson & Johnson News2.5 Shiseido Company2.5.1 Profile2.5.2 Body Lotion Type and Applications2.5.2.1 Type 12.5.2.2 Type 22.5.3 Shiseido Company Body Lotion Sales, Price, Revenue, Gross Margin and Market Share (2016-2017)2.5.4 Business Overview2.5.5 Shiseido Company News2.6 Beiersdorf AG2.6.1 Profile2.6.2 Body Lotion Type and Applications2.6.2.1 Type 12.6.2.2 Type 22.6.3 Beiersdorf AG Body Lotion Sales, Price, Revenue, Gross Margin and Market Share (2016-2017)2.6.4 Business Overview2.6.5 Beiersdorf AG News2.7 Avon Products Inc.2.7.1 Profile2.7.2 Body Lotion Type and Applications2.7.2.1 Type 12.7.2.2 Type 22.7.3 Avon Products Inc. Body Lotion Sales, Price, Revenue, Gross Margin and Market Share (2016-2017)2.7.4 Business Overview2.7.5 Avon Products Inc. News2.8 Clarins2.8.1 Profile2.8.2 Body Lotion Type and Applications2.8.2.1 Type 12.8.2.2 Type 22.8.3 Clarins Body Lotion Sales, Price, Revenue, Gross Margin and Market Share (2016-2017)2.8.4 Business Overview..CONTINUEDAbout UsWise Guy Reports is part of the Wise Guy Consultants Pvt. Ltd. and offers premium progressive statistical surveying, Industry research reports, analysis & forecast data for industries and governments around the globe. Wise Guy Reports understand how essential statistical surveying information is for your organization or association. Therefore, we have associated with the top publishers and research firms all specialized in specific domains, ensuring you will receive the most reliable and up to date research data available.NORAH TRENTPartner Relations & Marketing Managersales@wiseguyreports.comPh: +1-646-845-9349 (US)Ph: +44 208 133 9349 (UK) Global Pet Care Market: Industry Trends, Share, Size, Growth, Opportunity and Forecast 2017-2022 https://www.bonafideresearch.com/product/180219981/Global-Pet-Care-(Pet-Food,-Pet-Accessories,-Pet-Grooming,-Pet-Healthcare)-Market-Outlook,-2023 https://www.bonafideresearch.com/download_page.php?product_code=180219981 https://www.bonafideresearch.com/download_page.php?product_code=180219981 https://www.linkedin.com/company/bonafide-research/ https://twitter.com/Bonafide_R https://www.facebook.com/bonafideresearch Spending on pets is happening at a high rate in many regions and countries. Majority of spending is done through online channels. E-commerce captures a large amount of share in the global pet care market. In US, many Americans treat their pets like a family member and show willingness to spend more with each passing day. Baby boomers were the first generation which boosted up the "humanization" term in pets and fueled the growth of pet product industry. Due to the depression and world war II in America, the people there delayed their marriage and child birth. After the war, many babies were born in the country and it kept on increasing. And, this was the beginning of the so-called term "baby boom". Today many millennials have overtaken the boomers as the largest pet population in the US. This impacts how consumers but for their pets and it is also driving e-commerce growth in pet product sales.According to "Global Pet Care (Pet Food, Pet Accessories, Pet Grooming, Pet Healthcare) Market Outlook, 2023", the published report of Bonafide Research, the total global pet care market is expected to cross a business of more than 128 billion in the end of 2023. There are many factors which drive the e-commerce growth and is expected to continue in the future. Like, pet foods that are sold online are very fresh which make owners to buy larger quantities that lasts for a longer period. Online shopping is ideally suited to labelled, packaged, ambient productsand it is fundamentally useful for consumers when they need to purchase heavier cupboard basics such as cans or large bags of pet food. Although pet food is the largest pet product category, but there are other segments and services which are also driving the sales of e-commerce. The pet food online subscription model is increasing rapidly with Chewy.com's and Amazon's subscription sales of pet food. The subscription service is a good fit for pet food as it is usually a routine purchase for which shoppers can predict need.Report Link:"Heavy-discounts, shopping with own choice, variety of pet products offering, ease of delivery, year based subscription which saves some amount & delivery charges are some of the factors which is increasing the online sales. Chewy.com, Amazon, PetSmart are some of the e-commerce sites providing the pet care services heavily in many regions like North America, South-America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, etc. Pet owners have become more smart, informed and savvy in the products they purchase online for their much-loved pets." said Dhwipal Shah, Director with Bonafide ResearchIn US, there are many online retailers which act as an important source of pet care products. Chwey.com is one of the major online retailer of pet food and other pet related products owned by PetSmart and is based in Florida, United States. It was founded in 2011. On subscribing the company's autoship service , customers can save upto 20% on products. Amazon sell all the pet products through its own site. In 2011, Amazon has acquired Quidsi which used to ran the sites diapers.com, soap.com, beautybar.com,casa.com, yoyo.com and wag.com. The site wag.com sell the necessary pet products and offer automatic product shipments through a service similar to Amazon's subscribe and save. Also, US-based pet retailers, PetSmart and Petco both are having a strong network of stores across the country but it has never crossed the success of Chewy.com and Amazon. PetSmart is an American retail chain that sells the pet products & services in many regions of United States.Geography: IndiaBase Year: 2017, Estimated Year: 2018, Forecast Year: 2023Pages: 168Figures: 81Tables: 12Download Sample:The report gives an in-depth understanding of the pet care market globallly:-Global Pet Care Market Outlook-Global Pet Care Market Size By Value & Forecast-Global Pet Care Market Segmental Analysis- By Region, Segment, Country & Company-Global Pet Food Market Size By Value & Forecast-Global Pet Accessories Market Size By Value & Forecast-Global Pet Grooming Market Size By Value & Forecast-Global Pet Healthcare Market Size By Value & Forecast-North America Pet Care Market Size By Value & Forecast-North America Pet Care Market Size By Value & Forecast- By Segment- USA Pet Care Market Size By Value & Forecast- USA Pet Care Market Size By Value & Forecast- By Segment- Mexico Pet Care Market Size By Value & Forecast- Mexico Pet Care Market Size By Value & Forecast- By Segment- Canada Pet Care Market Size By Value & Forecast- Canada Pet Care Market Size By Value & Forecast- By Segment- Rest of North America Pet Care Market Size By Value & Forecast- Rest of North America Pet Care Market Size By Value & Forecast- By Segment-North America Pet Care Market Segmental Analysis- By Segment, Country- South America Pet Care Market Size By Value & Forecast- South America Pet Care Market Size By Value & Forecast- By Segment- Brazil Pet Care Market Size By Value & Forecast- Brazil Pet Care Market Size By Value & Forecast- By Segment- Argentina Pet Care Market Size By Value & Forecast- Argentina Pet Care Market Size By Value & Forecast- By Segment- Chile Pet Care Market Size By Value & Forecast- Chile Pet Care Market Size By Value & Forecast- By Segment- Rest of South America Pet Care Market Size By Value & Forecast- Rest of South America Pet Care Market Size By Value & Forecast- By Segment-South America Pet Care Market Segmental Analysis- By Country, Segment- Europe Pet Care Market Size By Value & Forecast- Europe Pet Care Market Size By Value & Forecast- By Segment- United Kingdom Pet Care Market Size By Value & Forecast- United Kingdom Pet Care Market Size By Value & Forecast- By Segment- France Pet Care Market Size By Value & Forecast- France Pet Care Market Size By Value & Forecast- By Segment- Germany Pet Care Market Size By Value & Forecast- Germany Pet Care Market Size By Value & Forecast- By Segment- Italy Pet Care Market Size By Value & Forecast- Italy Pet Care Market Size By Value & Forecast- By Segment- Rest of Europe Pet Care Market Size By Value & Forecast- Rest of Europe Pet Care Market Size By Value & Forecast- By Segment- Europe Pet Care Market Segmental Analysis- By Country, Segment- Asia-Pacific Pet Care Market Size By Value & Forecast- Asia-Pacific Pet Care Market Size By Value & Forecast- By Segment- Japan Pet Care Market Size By Value & Forecast- Japan Pet Care Market Size By Value & Forecast- By Segment- China Pet Care Market Size By Value & Forecast- China Pet Care Market Size By Value & Forecast- By Segment- India Pet Care Market Size By Value & Forecast- India Pet Care Market Size By Value & Forecast- By Segment- South East-Asia Pet Care Market Size By Value & Forecast- South East-Asia Pet Care Market Size By Value & Forecast- By Segment- Australia Pet Care Market Size By Value & Forecast- Australia Pet Care Market Size By Value & Forecast- By Segment- Rest of Asia-Pacific Pet Care Market Size By Value & Forecast- Rest of Asia-Pacific Pet Care Market Size By Value & Forecast- By Segment-Asia-Pacific Pet Care Market Segmental Analysis- By Country, Segment- Middle-East and Africa Pet Care Market Size By Value & Forecast- Middle-East and Africa Pet Care Market Size By Value & Forecast- By Segment- Middle-East Pet Care Market Size By Value & Forecast- Middle-East Pet Care Market Size By Value & Forecast- By Segment- Africa Pet Care Market Size By Value & Forecast- Africa Pet Care Market Size By Value & Forecast- By Segment-Africa Pet Care Market Segmental Analysis- By Region, Segment-Policy & Regulatory Landscape-Global Pet Care Market Dynamics-Market Trends & Developments-Competitive Landscape & Strategic RecommendationsDownload Sample:Major Companies operating in the market of Global Pet Care Market Outlook, 2023 are Nestle SA, Mars Incorporated, Colgate-Palmolive, J M Smucker, Blue-Buffalo, United Pet Group Inc., Champion Pet Foods, PLB International, Scott Pet, Inc., Unicharm Corporation, Laroy Group, Deuerer GmbH, Heristo AG, Well Pet, Proveedora La Perla S.A. de C.V., Nicoluzzi Racoes, Raw Gold, Promeal Ltd., Heritage Foods Kenya Ltd., Lider Pet Food and De Haan Pet Food.Bonafide Research is one of the fastest growing market research and consulting company. Our report store have collection of 30,000 premium research reports for variety of industrial verticals. We are expert in syndicated research reports & custom research solutions across the domains. We have been closely working with fortune 500 clients by helping them in tracking the constantly changing market scenario. Bonafide has continuously made efforts to evolve and enhance the report quality with each passing day. Our client base consists of BCG, Ernst & Young, PwC, Inflexion, Nestle, Crompton Greaves, SRF, CPF, Aramax, Stainhoff, Welspun, Blaupunkt, Brookfield, Lindt, Storck, GCPL, ITC, Microtek, Anchor, Hero Eco, LG Chem, Sojitz Corp., Sumitomo, FMC Corp., Lutron and many more.Steven ThomasBonafide Research & Marketing Pvt. Ltd.Address: T-13/A, IndiaBulls Mega Mall, Jetalpur Road, VadodaraPhone: +91 265 6551309 / +91 7878231309Email: sales@bonafideresearch.comLinkedin:Twitter:Facebook: Twist Wrap Packaging Market Poised to Garner Maximum Revenues During 2017-2027 https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-4922 https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/toc/rep-gb-4922 www.futuremarketinsights.com Global Twist Wrap Packaging - Market Overview:In recent years, there has been an increase in importance for packaging. Food packaging is considered to be one of the most important segment over the past few years. Consumers give importance for the convenience and aesthetic packaging solutions. Such type of packaging is used for bakery and confectionary items. Twist wrap is being used from 1950s for packaging of confectionery items. Twist wrap packaging is used for packaging of confectionaries such as toffees, chocolate bars, etc. Twist wrap packaging is used so that there is no need for using adhesive for wrapping the packaging. Another advantage of twist wrap packaging is the high tensile strength and excellent stiffness characteristic. In addition to, twist wrap packaging also possesses excellent barrier against heat and moisture. Twist wrap packaging is also eco-friendly which are enhancing the importance of this type of packaging for confectionaries.Global Twist Wrap Packaging - Market Dynamics:The market for twist wrap packaging is increasing due to increase in the preference for this type of packaging by consumers. Another factor which is augmenting twist wrap packaging market is excellent twist retention quality of the wrap. Twist wraps made from aluminium and wax paper are getting a scope for increasing sales for the twist wrap packaging market. Furthermore, the demand for twist wrap packaging market is increasing due to its waterproof ability. In addition, twist wrap packaging also has features such as heat protection capability of the packaging which would keep food items safe. Twist wrap packaging is getting preference as it increases the appearance and aesthetic quality of food items. Moreover, due to strict norms of the government regarding plastic use is hampering the market for twist wrap packaging.Request to Sample Report -Global Twist Wrap Packaging - Market Segmentation:The global twist wrap packaging market can be segmented by the raw material type, by product type, and by end user base.On the basis of raw material type, the global twist wrap packaging market is segmented intoPlasticPolypropylene (PP)Polyethylene (PE)Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC)CellophaneOthersWax PaperAluminiumOthersOn the basis of application, the global twist wrap packaging market is segmented into Gift WrapsConfectionary PackagingCandyChocolate barsJellyOthersGlobal Twist Wrap Packaging Market Regional Overview:The global twist wrap packaging market can be divided into seven major regions which are as follows -North AmericaLatin AmericaAsia-Pacific excluding JapanJapanMiddle East & AfricaEastern EuropeWestern EuropeNorth America is expected to dominate the market for twist wrap packaging market over the forecast period 2017-2025. It is followed by Europe, which is expected to be the second dominant market for twist wrap packaging. Asia Pacific region is anticipated to witness the highest CAGR during the forecast period for global twist wrap packaging market due to increasing preference for confectionaries in the young generation. Latin America and Middle East & Africa are expected to witness above average growth over the forecast period for the twist wrap packaging market.Request Report TOC @Global Twist Wrap Packaging Market Key players:Few of the key players in the twist wrap packaging market are Exxon Mobil Corp, Clondalkin Group Holdings B.V., TOPAS Advanced Polymers GmbH, Catty Corporation, Elif Plastik Ambalaj San. ve Tic. A.?., Stratex Group Limited, Swiss Pack U.K., Foil Packaging Pvt Ltd, Multifilm Packaging Corporation, Ester Industries Ltd., BPM Inc., Varipack AG, Polysack Flexible Packaging Ltd., etc.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 : MRI-Safe Neurostimulation Systems Market value projected to expand by 2027 https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-4978 https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/toc/rep-gb-4978 www.futuremarketinsights.com Activities of our nervous system can be modulated using invasive or non-invasive methods such as microelectrodes and transcranial magnetic stimulation respectively. This purposeful modulation of activities associated with the nervous system is known as neurostimulation. Neurostimulation, in general, is an electromagnetic approach that could be performed both invasively and non-invasively. Neurostimulation is carried out to treat chronic neuropathic pain and for modulation of motor function. Major forms of neurostimulation is comprised of brain stimulation, spinal cord stimulation, peripheral nerve stimulation, intracranial stimulation, sensory nerve stimulation and others. Neurostimulators are categorized on the basis of product type as implantable and transcutaneous neurostimulators. An increase in incidence of patients with implanted neurostimulation systems in their body for the treatment of neurological disorders has been registered over last few years. Neurostimulation systems have variant deigns and inherent functions, owing to which they found variety of problems generated by electromagnetic fields used for performing MRI procedures. MRI fields pose a significant threat to spinal cord and brain stimulation systems as it may interact or interfere with the implanted neurostimulation systems. When a MRI is performed, the electric currents induced from MRI machine interacts with the neurostimulators and may cause lead heating, device damage leading to unintentional stimulation, and magnetic pull that may move the implanted neurostimulators within the body thereby causing severe body damage to the patient. Thus, MRI-safe neurostimulation systems are gaining importance at an increased rate, thus strengthening the sales of MRI-safe neurostimulation systems market. Few year back standard medical surgery or therapy was considered as the standard treatment for treating neurological disorders. However, this standard medical surgery has been replaced with MRI-safe neurostimulators on the account of which growth of MRI-safe neurostimulation systems market has been spurred across the globe.MRI-Safe implantable neurostimulation systems are minimally invasive and have registered highest success rates and acceptance over medical treatments. MRI-safe neurostimulation devices find application in chronic pain, epilepsy, gastroparesis, hearing loss, obesity, Parkinsons disease and others. Also, U.S. market for implantable neurostimulation systems is poised to register significant growth over the forecast period due to rising incidence of neurological disorders. Introduction of MRI-safe neurostimulation systems allows patients to get their MRI done without any possible side effects. This is further anticipated to drive the demand for MRI-safe neurostimulation systems and thereby increasing revenue generation in MRI-safe neurostimulation systems market.Request to Sample Report -MRI-Safe Neurostimulation Systems: Market DynamicsGrowing awareness among individuals regarding availability of MRI-safe implantable neurostimulation systems in the market, and less side effects to patients body by implanting MRI-safe neurostimulation systems is expected to be the key factor driving the growth of MRI-safe neurostimulation systems market. Rising geriatric population, growing age-related neurological disorders and need for effective alternatives to standard drug therapy are some other factors propelling the growth of MRI-safe neurostimulation systems market. Also, rise in demand for implantable MRI-safe neurostimulation systems in the clinics and diagnostic centers and increasing expenditure of biotech companies to manufacture MRI-safe neurostimulation systems is further expected to drive the growth of MRI-safe neurostimulation systems market. However, the high cost associated with implants of MRI-safe neurostimulation systems and limited manufacturers across the globe are some of the factors restraining the MRI-safe neurostimulation systems market growth.MRI-Safe Neurostimulation Systems Market: SegmentationThe global MRI-safe neurostimulation systems market is segmented by product type, application type, and end user:Segmentation by Product TypeImplantable MRI-Safe NeurostimulatorsTranscutaneous MRI-Safe NeurostimulatorsSegmentation by Application TypeSpinal Cord Stimulation (SCS)Peripheral Nerve StimulationIntracranial StimulationDeep Brain StimulationMotor Cortex StimulationSensory Nerve StimulationVagus Nerve StimulationSegmentation by End User TypeHospitals & ClinicsDiagnostic Labs and CentersAmbulatory Surgical CentersResearch LaboratoriesMRI-Safe Neurostimulation Systems Market: OverviewBased on product type, implantable MRI-safe neurostimulation systems are in major demand over transcutaneous neurostimulation systems in MRI-safe neurostimulation systems market on the account of increased life of the device and reliable treatment results associated with the system type.Request Report TOC @On the basis of applications, MRI-safe neurostimulation systems found major applications in deep brain stimulation followed by spinal cord stimulation. Rising prevalence of neurological disorders such as Alzheimers disease, autism, chronic pain, chronic migraine due to changing lifestyle and growing geriatric population is one of the factor driving the application of MRI-safe neurostimulation systems in neurological disorders treatment. Brain stimulation dominates the MRI-safe neurostimulation systems market in application segment. However, the neurostimulators have significant applications in spinal cord stimulation as well as peripheral nerve stimulation and accounts for a significant market share in global MRI-safe neurostimulation systems market.MRI-Safe Neurostimulation Systems Market: Region-wise OutlookOn the basis of geography, global MRI-safe neurostimulation systems market is segmented into five key regions viz. North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and Middle East & Africa. In North America, U.S. holds the largest shares in the global MRI-safe neurostimulation systems market as the country registers a double growth in number of neurostimulation implants registered over the last decade. North America is followed by Europe which is the second dominating region in global MRI-safe neurostimulation systems market worldwide on the account of increasing expenditure by key players in neurostimulators manufacture.MRI-Safe Neurostimulation Systems Market: Key PlayersSome of the key players present in global MRI-safe neurostimulation systems market are Medtronic Inc., Cyberonics, Inc., AADCO Medical Inc., Boston Scientific, Sorin, St. Jude Medical, Biotronik and othersABOUT 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 Insulin Pump Market Research and Forecast 2018-2023 https://www.omrglobal.com/industry-reports/insulin-pump-market/ Global Insulin Pump Market, Size, Share, Market Intelligence, Company Profiles, Market Trends, Strategy, Analysis, Forecast 2018-2023INSULIN PUMP MARKET INSIGHTS:Insulin pump market is a portable device which delivers a specific amount of insulin in the body at specific time interval. It is attached to the body deliver insulin via a catheter that is placed under the skin. Insulin pump is a programmable device which deliver specific amount of insulin (Basal rates) to maintain the blood glucose level. Additionally, a user can administer an extra insulin does as per food intake (Bolus doses) to correct the blood glucose level. Insulin pumps are the potential alternatives of the Insulin injections as they reduce the need for multiple insulin jabs and increases the ability to control blood and glucose level in the body. The global insulin pump market is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of 8.5% during 2018-2023. Increasing prevalence of diabetes across the globe and advancements in drug delivery devices are estimated to be the primary factors that are driving the growth of the market. In addition, increasing geriatric and obesity population, rising awareness of diabetic care, and professional and consumer information programs by insulin pump manufacturers are the major factors that are also contributing significantly towards the growth of the market.Increasing geriatric population is estimated to be the major factor driving the growth of the market. According to WHO, in 2015, the total number of geriatric population across the globe was estimated to be around 900 million, up from 524 million in 2010. It is further estimated to reach 1.5 billion by 2050. Population aged more than 65 years are more prone to chronic disease and diabetes due to their weak immune system. Therefore, increasing geriatric population is also estimated to fuel the growth of the market.More Info:However, certain factors such as high cost of insulin and insulin pumps, and risks associated with insulin pumps such as skin infection are estimated to be the major constraints in the growth of the market. Besides these petty constraints, development of artificial pancreas and development of home infusion therapy are developing numerous growth opportunities for insulin pump market.On the basis of geography, the market is segmented into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and Rest of the World. North America is estimated to be the leading region in insulin pump market owing to the presence of high number of diabetic patients in the region. Further, technological advancement in insulin pumps in the region is also backing the growth of the market. However, Asia Pacific region is estimated to be the fastest growing market during the forecast period due to increasing diabetic population and rising awareness towards advanced insulin devices, and glycaemic control are estimated to be the major factors that are driving the growth of the market.major companies included in the report are Abbott Laboratories, Aniums Corporation, Asante, Becton, Dickson and Company, Braun Melsungen AG, Cellnovo Ltd., Insulate Corporation, Johnson & Johnson, Medtronics Inc., Nipro Diagnostics Inc., Omron, Roche AG, Sanofi, Sooil Development Co. Ltd., Tandem Diabetes and Care Inc., and Ypsomed.THE REPORT COVER:Comprehensive research methodology of Insulin Pump MarketThis report also includes detailed and extensive market overview with Analyst insights & key market trends.Exhaustive analysis of macro and micro factors influencing the market guided by key recommendations.Analysis of regional regulations and other government policies impacting the Insulin Pump MarketInsights about market determinants which are stimulating the Global Insulin Pump MarketDetailed and extensive market segments with regional distribution of forecasted revenues.Extensive profiles and recent developments of market players.Orion Market Research (OMR) is an Indian research company known for its crisp and concise reports.The company is equipped with an experienced team and young brigade of analysts. The company provides quality syndicated research reports, customized research reports, company profiling, consulting and other research-based services. OMR provide global and regional market reports of various domains such as healthcare, energy, IT, chemicals, and automobiles. The company provides a 360-degree view of the market with parametric analysis, key market insights, key findings, statistical forecasts, competitive landscape, extensive segmentation, key trends, strategic recommendations and detailed company profiles.CORPORATE OFFICE:Orion Market Research Pvt Ltd116, Shagun ArcadeVijay Nagar SquareIndore, Madhya Pradesh India- 452010Email: info@omrglobal.com, support@omrglobal.comIndia: +91-780-304-0404Global: +1-646-755-7667 Overview Of Global Mobility Scooter Sales Market 2018 | Kymco, Sunrise Medical, Pride Mobility Products, Invacare and Others Mobility Scooter Sales Market https://www.researchmoz.us/enquiry.php?type=S&repid=1584123 https://www.researchmoz.us/global-mobility-scooter-sales-market-report-2018-report.html/toc https://www.researchmoz.us/ http://bit.ly/1TBmnVG Researchmoz added Most up-to-date research on "Global Mobility Scooter Sales Market Report 2018" to its huge collection of research reports.In this report, the global Mobility Scooter market is valued at USD XX million in 2017 and is expected to reach USD XX million by the end of 2025, growing at a CAGR of XX% between 2017 and 2025.Geographically, this report split global into several key Regions, with sales (K Units), revenue (Million USD), market share and growth rate of Mobility Scooter for these regions, from 2013 to 2025 (forecast), coveringUnited StatesChinaEuropeJapanSoutheast AsiaIndiaTo Get Sample Copy of Report visit @Global Mobility Scooter market competition by top manufacturers/players, with Mobility Scooter sales volume, Price (USD/Unit), revenue (Million USD) and market share for each manufacturer/player; the top players includingKymcoSunrise MedicalPride Mobility ProductsInvacareRoma MedicalHoveround CorpDrive MedicalGolden TechnologiesQuingoVan Os MedicalTGA MobilityElectric MobilityAmigo MobilityVermeirenMerits Health ProductsAfikim Electric VehiclesOn the basis of product, this report displays the production, revenue, price, market share and growth rate of each type, primarily split intoClass 2 ScooterClass 3 ScooterOn 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, includingResidentialCommercialTable of ContentsGlobal Mobility Scooter Sales Market Report 20181 Mobility Scooter Market Overview1.1 Product Overview and Scope of Mobility Scooter1.2 Classification of Mobility Scooter by Product Category1.2.1 Global Mobility Scooter Market Size (Sales) Comparison by Type (2013-2025)1.2.2 Global Mobility Scooter Market Size (Sales) Market Share by Type (Product Category) in 20171.2.3 Class 2 Scooter1.2.4 Class 3 Scooter1.3 Global Mobility Scooter Market by Application/End Users1.3.1 Global Mobility Scooter Sales (Volume) and Market Share Comparison by Application (2013-2025)1.3.2 Residential1.3.3 Commercial1.4 Global Mobility Scooter Market by Region1.4.1 Global Mobility Scooter Market Size (Value) Comparison by Region (2013-2025)1.4.2 United States Mobility Scooter Status and Prospect (2013-2025)1.4.3 China Mobility Scooter Status and Prospect (2013-2025)1.4.4 Europe Mobility Scooter Status and Prospect (2013-2025)1.4.5 Japan Mobility Scooter Status and Prospect (2013-2025)1.4.6 Southeast Asia Mobility Scooter Status and Prospect (2013-2025)1.4.7 India Mobility Scooter Status and Prospect (2013-2025)1.5 Global Market Size (Value and Volume) of Mobility Scooter (2013-2025)1.5.1 Global Mobility Scooter Sales and Growth Rate (2013-2025)1.5.2 Global Mobility Scooter Revenue and Growth Rate (2013-2025)2 Global Mobility Scooter Competition by Players/Suppliers, Type and Application2.1 Global Mobility Scooter Market Competition by Players/Suppliers2.1.1 Global Mobility Scooter Sales and Market Share of Key Players/Suppliers (2013-2018)2.1.2 Global Mobility Scooter Revenue and Share by Players/Suppliers (2013-2018)2.2 Global Mobility Scooter (Volume and Value) by Type2.2.1 Global Mobility Scooter Sales and Market Share by Type (2013-2018)2.2.2 Global Mobility Scooter Revenue and Market Share by Type (2013-2018)2.3 Global Mobility Scooter (Volume and Value) by Region2.3.1 Global Mobility Scooter Sales and Market Share by Region (2013-2018)2.3.2 Global Mobility Scooter Revenue and Market Share by Region (2013-2018)2.4 Global Mobility Scooter (Volume) by ApplicationGet Complete TOC With Tables and Figures @3 United States Mobility Scooter (Volume, Value and Sales Price)3.1 United States Mobility Scooter Sales and Value (2013-2018)3.1.1 United States Mobility Scooter Sales and Growth Rate (2013-2018)3.1.2 United States Mobility Scooter Revenue and Growth Rate (2013-2018)3.1.3 United States Mobility Scooter Sales Price Trend (2013-2018)3.2 United States Mobility Scooter Sales Volume and Market Share by Players (2013-2018)3.3 United States Mobility Scooter Sales Volume and Market Share by Type (2013-2018)3.4 United States Mobility Scooter Sales Volume and Market Share by Application (2013-2018)4 China Mobility Scooter (Volume, Value and Sales Price)4.1 China Mobility Scooter Sales and Value (2013-2018)4.1.1 China Mobility Scooter Sales and Growth Rate (2013-2018)4.1.2 China Mobility Scooter Revenue and Growth Rate (2013-2018)4.1.3 China Mobility Scooter Sales Price Trend (2013-2018)4.2 China Mobility Scooter Sales Volume and Market Share by Players (2013-2018)4.3 China Mobility Scooter Sales Volume and Market Share by Type (2013-2018)4.4 China Mobility Scooter Sales Volume and Market Share by Application (2013-2018)5 Europe Mobility Scooter (Volume, Value and Sales Price)5.1 Europe Mobility Scooter Sales and Value (2013-2018)5.1.1 Europe Mobility Scooter Sales and Growth Rate (2013-2018)5.1.2 Europe Mobility Scooter Revenue and Growth Rate (2013-2018)5.1.3 Europe Mobility Scooter Sales Price Trend (2013-2018)5.2 Europe Mobility Scooter Sales Volume and Market Share by Players (2013-2018)5.3 Europe Mobility Scooter Sales Volume and Market Share by Type (2013-2018)5.4 Europe Mobility Scooter Sales Volume and Market Share by Application (2013-2018)6 Japan Mobility Scooter (Volume, Value and Sales Price)6.1 Japan Mobility Scooter Sales and Value (2013-2018)6.1.1 Japan Mobility Scooter Sales and Growth Rate (2013-2018)6.1.2 Japan Mobility Scooter Revenue and Growth Rate (2013-2018)6.1.3 Japan Mobility Scooter Sales Price Trend (2013-2018)6.2 Japan Mobility Scooter Sales Volume and Market Share by Players (2013-2018)6.3 Japan Mobility Scooter Sales Volume and Market Share by Type (2013-2018)6.4 Japan Mobility Scooter Sales Volume and Market Share by Application (2013-2018)Continue...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 Cloud Radio Access Network Market Is Estimated To Translate Into A Revenue Of US$1,870.8 Mn By 2025 At A Formidable CAGR Of 10.9% Cloud Radio Access Network (C-RAN) Market https://www.researchmoz.us/enquiry.php?type=S&repid=1445825 https://www.researchmoz.us/cloud-radio-access-network-cran-market-global-industry-analysis-size-share-growth-trends-and-forecast-2017-2025-report.html/toc https://www.researchmoz.us/enquiry.php?type=E&repid=1445825 https://www.researchmoz.us/ http://bit.ly/1TBmnVG Researchmoz added Most up-to-date research on "Cloud Radio Access Network (C-RAN) Market - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends and Forecast, 2017 - 2025" to its huge collection of research reports.The Cloud Radio Access Network (C-RAN) Market (Component Infrastructure (Remote Radio Units, Baseband Units, Fronthaul, Others), Solution, Service (Consulting Services, Design and deployment, Maintenance and support, Others), Application - Targeted Outdoor Urban Areas, Large Public Venues, High-density Urban Areas, Suburban and Rural Areas) Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends and Forecast, 2017 2025, report provides analysis of the cloud radio access network (C-RAN) market for the period 20152025, wherein the years from 2017 to 2025 is the forecast period and 2016 is considered as the base year. Data for 2015 has been included as historical information. The report covers all the trends and technologies playing a major role in the cloud radio access network (C-RAN) market growth over the forecast period. It highlights the drivers, restraints and opportunities expected to influence the market growth during this period. The study provides a holistic perspective on the markets growth in terms of revenue (in US$ Mn) across different geographical regions, namely North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa and South America. Report highlights the key trends affecting the market on a global scale. Furthermore, region wise prominent countries/regions covered in the report include - The U.S, Canada, Germany, France, the U.K., India, China, Japan, GCC, South Africa and Brazil.To Get Sample Copy of Report visit @Global Cloud Radio Access Network Market: Key Research AspectsThe market overview section of the report demonstrates the market dynamics such as the drivers, restraints, opportunities, trends that is expected to influence the current nature and future status of this market. Key indicators mentioned in the report provides a robust view about the vital factors that led to the strong adoption of cloud radio access network (C-RAN) solutions around the globe. The key indicators also provide significance of the factors which are capable of changing the market scenario. These indicators are expected to define the market position during the forecast period. An attractiveness analysis has also been provided for every segment in the report, in order to provide a thorough understanding of the overall scenario of cloud radio access network (C-RAN) market. Moreover, the report provides an overview of various strategies adopted by the key players present in the market in company profile section. The report also includes key industry developments covering significant advances made by leading market players over the period of time.Global Cloud Radio Access Network Market: SegmentationsThe report segments the market on the basis of component, application and region. In terms of Component, the global cloud radio access network (C-RAN) market has been divided into infrastructure, solution and service. In terms of infrastructure, the global cloud radio access network (C-RAN) market can further be segmented as remote radio units, baseband units, fronthaul and others. In terms of service, the global cloud radio access network (C-RAN) market can further be segmented as consulting services, design and deployment, maintenance and support and others. On the basis of application, the global cloud radio access network (C-RAN) Market is segmented into targeted outdoor urban areas, large public venues, high-density urban areas, suburban and rural areasGlobal Cloud Radio Access Network Market: Competitive LandscapeThe report also highlights the competitive landscape of the global Cloud Radio Access Network (C-RAN) market, thereby positioning all the major players according to their presence in different regions of the world and recent key developments initiated by them in the cloud radio access network (C-RAN) market. The comprehensive cloud radio access network (C-RAN) market estimates are the result of our in-depth secondary research, primary interviews, and in-house expert panel reviews. These market estimates have been analyzed by taking into account the impact of different political, social, economic, technological, and legal factors along with the current market dynamics affecting cloud radio access network (C-RAN) market growth.Get Complete TOC With Tables and Figures @This report provides all the essential information required to understand the key developments in cloud radio access network (C-RAN) market, growth trend of each segment and strategy of each company that helps them to efficiently compete in the market. Also, the report provides insights related to trends and its impact on the market. Furthermore, Porters Five Forces analysis explains the factors which are currently affecting the cloud radio access network (C-RAN) market.Agilent Technologies, Inc., Ericsson AB, Actix International Limited, Telco Systems, Hitachi Data Systems Ltd., Aricent Inc., Ceragon Networks Ltd., Intel Corporation, Nokia Corporation, Cisco Systems, Inc., ZTE Corporation and Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. are some of the major players operating within the Cloud Radio Access Network (C-RAN) market profiled in this study. Details such as financials, SWOT analysis, business strategies, recent developments, and other such strategic information pertaining to these players have been duly provided as part of company profiling.Global Cloud Radio Access Network (C-RAN) MarketBy Component- Infrastructure- Remote Radio Units- Baseband Units- Fronthaul- Others- Solution- Service- Consulting Services- Design and deployment- Maintenance and support- OthersBy Application- Targeted Outdoor Urban Areas- Large Public Venues- High-density Urban Areas- Suburban and Rural AreasBy RegionNorth America- The U.S.- Canada- Rest of North AmericaEurope- U.K.- Germany- France- Rest of EuropeMake an Enquiry of this report @Asia Pacific- China- India- Japan- Rest of Asia PacificMiddle East and Africa- GCC- South Africa- Rest of MEASouth America- Brazil- Rest of South AmericaAbout 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 @ Mice Model Market : Key Companies Profile, Market Size, Manufacturer, Consumption and Analysis 2025 https://www.tmrresearch.com/sample/sample?flag=B&rep_id=1883 https://www.tmrresearch.com/sample/sample?flag=T&rep_id=1883 https://www.tmrresearch.com/mice-model-market Global Mice Model Market: SnapshotThe global mice model market is expanding on account of the striking relevance of these models in performing biomedical research. Since the genetics, physiology, and anatomy of mice is perplexingly similar to that of humans, mice models are extensively used for conducting several researches concerned with the human body. In recent times, the discovery of new drug molecules is followed by their testing on samples of mice, which is in turn followed by inferences about human diagnostics. Moreover, the mechanism of several diseases in the human body can be compared to that of mice. Hence, the testing, diagnosis, and impact of diseases along with their counter mechanisms are studied on mice models. This has been a substantial propeller of demand because new diseases and disorders are being continually tested and scrutinized. Another key factor that drives demand within the market is the development of improved mice models that can assist the research framework. Inbred mice models are an important model type that has gained popularity across the research circles. The ease of reproducing data along with the low cost of these models against others has been the primary factor behind their popularity.Amongst all the regional markets, the market in North America has exhibited a plush growth patterns over the past years. Europe is also expected to tread a positive growth path in the coming times. The prominence of these regions owes to the wellness of their pharmaceutical industry and favorable policies for conducting medical research.Request Sample Copy of the Report @Some of the key market vendors are Charles River Laboratories, Harlan Laboratories, The Jackson Laboratory, and Taconic Biosciences.Global Mice Model Market: OverviewThe global mice model market has been growing at a healthy rate and is likely to continue at the same pace in the near future. A significant rise in the biomedical research in the healthcare and pharmaceutical sector is anticipated to accelerate the growth of the global market in the forecast period. The expansion of the application base and the rising competition among the leading players are projected to supplement the growth of the global mice model market in the next few years.Global Mice Model Market: Key TrendsThe ongoing innovations in the mice models and the rising demand for personalized medicines across the globe are some of the important factors that are predicted to augment the growth of the global mice model market in the next few years. In addition, a significant rise in the number of research and development activities in the pharmaceutical sector is predicted to contribute tremendously towards the growth of the overall market in the next few years. On the other hand, the rising use of rat models for several research activities and the rising benefits from cryopreservation are projected to restrict the growth of the global mice model market in the coming few years. Nonetheless, the rising number of advanced mice model is likely to increase the acceptability and applicability in the near future, which will encourage the markets growth.Request TOC of the Report @Global Mice Model Market: Market PotentialThe advent of Crispr, which is being used as a strong tool in the biomedical research and the growing demand for humanized mice models are projected to fuel the growth of the global mice model market in the coming years. In addition, the increasing preference for mice models for research activities for rare diseases is anticipated to generate promising growth opportunities. A substantial rise in the monoclonal antibody production is likely to contribute towards the overall development of the global mice model market in the coming few years.Global Mice Model Market: Regional OutlookAccording to the regional segmentation, North America is estimated to account for a massive share of the global mice model market and remain in the topmost position throughout the forecast period. Europe is estimated to register a significant growth and attain a second-leading position in the next few years. The presence of a large number of established pharmaceutical sector and the rising research activities for advanced biosciences are the key factors anticipated to fuel the growth of the mice model market in North America and Europe in the near future.Read Comprehensive Overview of Report@Furthermore, the Asia Pacific market for mice model is expected to register a remarkable growth in the next few years, thanks to the tremendously rising demand for transgenic and knockout mice models. The rising contribution from India, China, Singapore, and Malaysia is another factor aspect encouraging the development of the Asia Pacific mice model market throughout the forecast period.Global Mice Model Market: Competitive AnalysisThe market for mice model is high competitive in nature owing to the presence of a large number of players operating in it across the globe. The expected rise in the number of players entering the global market is predicted to enhance the level of competition in the coming few years. In addition, a tremendous rise in the research and development activities is projected to benefit the key players in the global mice model market throughout the forecast period.Some of the key players operating in the mice model market across the globe are Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings, Horizon Discovery Group PLC (Sage Labs, Inc.), ENVIGO, Ingenious Targeting Laboratory, Trans Genic, Inc., Harbour Antibodies Bv, Janvier Labs, The Jackson Laboratory, Taconic Biosciences, Inc., Genoway, and Charles River Laboratories International, Inc. These players are making notable efforts to expand their market presence and gain a competitive edge across the globe.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 Waterborne Ink Market: Widespread Packaging Industry Makes North America Show Maximum Growth https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=S&rep_id=17879 https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/waterborne-ink-market.html http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com The global waterborne ink market portrays a sizeable diversity owing to the presence numerous players, says Transparency Market Research, based on a newly published report. Maintaining consistent rate of innovations, carrying out aggressive marketing activities, and ensuring product quality, are three areas where most players are imparting a substantial focus. Huber Group, Siegwerk Druckfarben AG & Co., BCM Inks, Sun Chemical Corporation, Wikoff Color Corporation, Doneck Euroflex S.A., Dolphin Inks, Toyo Ink SC Holdings Co., Ltd., Sebek Inks, and Flint Group are key players operating in the global waterborne ink market.Request Sample Report @The global waterborne ink market is segmented on the basis of resin, technology, application, and region. Low weight and improved aesthetics can be maintained if waterborne inks are used in the packaging industry. Thus, under applications, the packaging segment has attracted maximum revenue on the basis of extensive ink requirement in this market. Apart from packaging, waterborne inks are largely used in flyers and brochures. As these are prime forms of publicity still used through newspapers and magazines, the flyers and brochures segment also held a leading stance in this market.Region-wise, the global waterborne ink market is spread across North America, South America, Middle East and Africa, Asia Pacific and Europe. From these, North America has garnered maximum revenue thanks to rapid proliferation of packaging industries where these inks are largely used.The global waterborne ink market was valued at US$2.3 bn in 2015, and is anticipated to gain a valuation of US$4.1 bn by 2024. This rise is expected to occur at an impressive CAGR of 6.5% between the forecast period ranging from 2016 and 2024.Read Report Overview @Reduction in Use of Traditional Inks Boosts Waterborne Ink SalesTraditional inks are known to be harmful to the environment while they are manufactured as well as after they are disposed. Thus, an increasing number of users are resorting towards eco-friendly waterborne inks. This is a prime driving factor for the global waterborne ink market, wherein low volatile organic compounds (VOC) content as compared to its proportion in traditional inks makes the former highly suitable for usage. Many restrictions are imposed by government agencies from various nations to reduce the use of conventional printing inks as they contain high VOC proportions. This has been a key reason why users are showing a shift towards using alternative options, chief of which are the waterborne inks. Lastly, a growing demand of waterborne printing inks employed in the packaging industry as well as for flexographic printing activities also are chief driving factors for the 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.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: Computer-assisted Personalized Sedation Systems Market Size & Share - Industry Trends and Forecast 2017 - 2025 https://www.marketresearchreports.biz/sample/sample/1511265 https://www.marketresearchreports.biz/reports/1511265/computer-assisted-personalized-sedation-systems-market-research-reports https://www.marketresearchreports.biz/sample/enquiry/1511265 http://www.marketresearchreports.biz/ Marketresearchreports.biz has announced the addition of a new research study on the "Computer-assisted Personalized Sedation Systems Market - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Growth, Trends and Forecast 2017 - 2025" to its report database.The main objective of this report is to define, describe, and forecast the global Computer-assisted Personalized Sedation Systems market on the basis of types of applications, major sectors, deployment models, organization size, and regions. The report contains an analysis of the major factors influencing the growth of the market (drivers, restraints, opportunities, and challenges). It aims to strategically analyze the micromarkets with respect to individual growth trends, prospects, and their contribution to the market. The report attempts to forecast the market size for 5 major regions, namely, North America, Europe, Asia Pacific (APAC), Middle East and Africa (MEA), and Latin America. It contains key vendor profiles and comprehensively analyzes their core competencies. The report also tracks and analyzes competitive developments, including partnerships, collaborations, acquisitions, new product developments, and R&D activities in the market.Get Sample Copy of this report @Technological improvements in anesthesiology are well known. These techniques are primarily used to enhance the patients safety. Over the years of improvements in pharmaceuticals that followed shorter microprocessor technology and clinical half-lives, which persisted into improvements of current ideas of targeted-control infusion (TCI), computer-controlled delivery systems, closed-loop (CL) anesthesia devices moved from theoretical opportunities into clinically proven relevant systems. The rapid adoption of capnonography and oximetry are two classic examples of early adoption of technology by the medical community. Formation of the Anesthesia Patient Safety Foundation (APSF) indicates experts commitment in both terms: technological advancements and patient welfare.Procedural sedation is one of the essential parts of surgery or any clinical setting of health care, as it is directly related to improvement in the quality of procedures. This also includes managing the patients procedural anxiety, fear, and pain. Traditional procedural sedatives given to patients include a benzodiazepine in combination with an opioid. Though these sedatives do not have much drawbacks, some of them have really longer recovery times and a very few of them are difficult to handle during intra-procedural titration. For the last few years, usage of propofol for sedation has been increasing. In some of the developed regions/countries such as the U.S. and Europe, propofol is a highly preferred sedative agent due to its rapid onset and offset activity. It also offers better recovery time and ease of handling during intra-procedural titration. For example, Sedasys is a propofol delivery system that has been specifically designed for attaining moderate sedation in healthy patients. Generally, this system is used for routine endoscopic surgical procedures performed by gastroenterologists and guided by endoscopy experts. Sedasys is the first medical device approved by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) in the category known as Computer-assisted Personalized Sedation (CAPS). The move is seen as a global trend that supports improvement in safety and quality of the sedation practiced by non-anesthesia professionals. A CAPS device has well-equipped monitoring package equally supported by a smart alarm system that can quickly stop the drug delivery if a hostile event in patient physiology occurs during surgery.The global computer-assisted personalized sedation systems market is expected to expand at a rapid pace in the next few years. Some of the factors driving this market are increase in the demand for surgeries and sharp rise in geriatric population. For example, according to a WHO report, the population of the U.S. would increase by 17% by 2020. Increase in the global elderly population would be directly proportional to the rise in demand for surgical services. Health care professionals and precisely, surgeons need to develop and adopt new strategies without compromising on safety and quality of the service. This scenario would drive the global computer-assisted personalized sedation systems market in the next few years. Additionally, rise in the prevalence of chronic and acute infections and in the number of road accidents is another factor augmenting the global computer-assisted personalized sedation systems market. On the other hand, high cost of devices, lack of reimbursement policies in developing regions, lack of awareness about new advancements in technology, and shortage of skilled professionals are some of the factors that may restrain the global computer-assisted personalized sedation systems market during the forecast period.View Full Report @Based on region, the global computer-assisted personalized sedation systems market has been segmented into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and Middle East & Africa. The market in North America is estimated to expand at a rapid pace in the next few years, owing to well-developed health care systems, proper reimbursement scenario, and adoption of new and advanced techniques. North America is projected to be followed by Europe and Asia Pacific during the forecast period. Presence of key players, increase in investments in research and development activities by leading players, and alliance of key players with research institutes are some of the factors driving the global computer-assisted personalized sedation systems market.Some of the major players operating in the global computer-assisted personalized sedation systems market are Johnson & Johnson, Roche Ag, and Pfizer.The report offers a comprehensive evaluation of the market. It does so via in-depth qualitative insights, historical data, and verifiable projections about market size. The projections featured in the report have been derived using proven research methodologies and assumptions. By doing so, the research report serves as a repository of analysis and information for every facet of the market, including but not limited to: Regional markets, technology, types, and applications.The study is a source of reliable data on:Market segments and sub-segmentsMarket trends and dynamicsSupply and demandMarket sizeCurrent trends/opportunities/challengesCompetitive landscapeTechnological breakthroughsValue chain and stakeholder analysisRequest For Enquiry @The regional analysis covers:North America (U.S. and Canada)Latin America (Mexico, Brazil, Peru, Chile, and others)Western Europe (Germany, U.K., France, Spain, Italy, Nordic countries, Belgium, Netherlands, and Luxembourg)Eastern Europe (Poland and Russia)Asia Pacific (China, India, Japan, ASEAN, Australia, and New Zealand)Middle East and Africa (GCC, Southern Africa, and North Africa)The report has been compiled through extensive primary research (through interviews, surveys, and observations of seasoned analysts) and secondary research (which entails reputable paid sources, trade journals, and industry body databases). The report also features a complete qualitative and quantitative assessment by analyzing data gathered from industry analysts and market participants across key points in the industrys value chain.A separate analysis of prevailing trends in the parent market, macro- and micro-economic indicators, and regulations and mandates is included under the purview of the study. By doing so, the report projects the attractiveness of each major segment over the forecast period.Highlights of the report:A complete backdrop analysis, which includes an assessment of the parent marketImportant changes in market dynamicsMarket segmentation up to the second or third levelHistorical, current, and projected size of the market from the standpoint of both value and volumeReporting and evaluation of recent industry developmentsMarket shares and strategies of key playersEmerging niche segments and regional marketsAn objective assessment of the trajectory of the marketRecommendations to companies for strengthening their foothold in the marketAbout usMarketResearchReports.biz is the most comprehensive collection of market research reports. MarketResearchReports.Biz services are specially designed to save time and money for our clients. We are a one stop solution for all your research needs, our main offerings are syndicated research reports, custom research, subscription access and consulting services. We serve all sizes and types of companies spanning across various industries.Contact usMr. NachiketState Tower90 Sate Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-621-2074Website:E: sales@marketresearchreports.biz Veterinary Grooming Aids Market Expansion to be Persistent During 2017 2027 https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-5451 https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/toc/rep-gb-5451 www.futuremarketinsights.com According to FDA, veterinary grooming aids are labeled or otherwise intended for therapeutic purposes, they may be considered drugs. This may occur when a grooming aid is labeled to contain an active drug ingredient or to otherwise suggest imply a therapeutic therapy. Grooming aids for animal formulated and labeled only to cleanse or beautify the animal are not subject to the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. Grooming Aids are basically intended for therapeutic purposes, to clean or to beautify the animals. Veterinary grooming aids are mainly used to maintain hygiene of the animal to prevent the diseases along with process by which the physical appearance of the animal is changed. Veterinary grooming aids mainly include brushes, mitts, later rubber, vacuum cleaning head attachments and others. There are two types of grooming services are available, the mobile groom shops and retail-based groom shops. In mobile grooming service, grooming service is offered at home whereas in retail-based groom shops are animals are groomed at pet shops.Veterinary Grooming Aids Market: Drivers and RestraintsAccording to the American Pet Products Associations National Pet Owners Survey, There are 79.7 million U.S. households with pets. Because the appearance of the animal is important, the veterinary grooming aids market has witnessed a robust growth due to increasing demand. According to the 2007-2008 APPMA National Pet Owners survey, many pet owners spend an average of $127 on grooming and grooming aids. Commercially available veterinary grooming aids are more convenient than traditional rooming aids with improved safety. There is growing demand for veterinary grooming aids due to the increasing awareness in people to keep the animal healthy and hygienic. Along with changing demographics in emerging countries also driving veterinary grooming aids market due to increasing number of companion animal owners. All these factors boosting the rapid growth of the veterinary grooming aids marketRequest to Sample Report -The difficulties of coping with animal injuries due to improper use of grooming aids and changing regulation for animal protection limiting the growth of the veterinary grooming aids market.Veterinary Grooming Aids Market: SegmentationSegmentation based on End UserClinicsGrooming Service CentersHome Care SettingVeterinary Grooming Aids Market: Market OverviewGlobal Veterinary Grooming Aids market has witnessed a robust growth due to increasing demand for hygiene and health condition of the companion animals. Veterinary Grooming Aids market has a presence of many regional players which have a huge market share in emerging countries operating at regional or country level. There are huge opportunities for the untapped markets in emerging countries due to few approved players of the Veterinary Grooming Aids. The key players in the Veterinary Grooming Aids market are mainly focused on expansion by collaborations and partnerships with local vendors in increase the market reach of the products. The future of Veterinary Grooming Aids market anticipated with double CAGR during forecasting period.Request Report TOC @Veterinary Grooming Aids Market: Region-Wise OverviewGlobal Veterinary Grooming Aids market segmented into following regions North America, Latin America, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, Asia-Pacific, Japan and the Middle East and Africa. North America is dominant in the Global Veterinary Grooming Aids market mainly due to increased acceptance by end-user population. In North America, particularly the USA is dominating due to the high penetration. Economic conditions in the APAC region are set to drive the Veterinary Grooming Aids market to new heights. European and APAC are fastest growing region due to rising awareness of Veterinary Grooming Aids Market. Growth in the Middle East and African region is considerably less when compared to the other regions. However, North America would maintain its position in the Veterinary Grooming Aids market, though, we are anticipating emerging economies such India, China, Brazil, to have the highest growth rate in Veterinary Grooming Aids market.Veterinary Grooming Aids Market: Key ParticipantsThe key participants in the Veterinary Grooming Aids market mainly include Garmon Corp., Jorgensen Labs, Loyal Canine Co.., United Pet Group Inc, and others. Companies are mainly focused on R&D to strengthen core competencies of the companys product portfolio.ABOUT US:Future Market Insights (FMI) is a leading market intelligence and consulting firm. We deliver syndicated research reports, custom research reports and consulting services, which are personalized in nature. FMI delivers a complete packaged solution, which combines current market intelligence, statistical anecdotes, technology inputs, valuable growth insights, an aerial view of the competitive framework, and future market trends.CONTACT:Future Market Insights616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage, NY 10989,United StatesT: +1-347-918-3531F: +1-845-579-5705Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.comWebsite : Smart Materials Market 2018 Global Leaders: APC International, Harris, CeramTec, Kyocera, TDK, Wright Medical Group, Channel Technologies Group, LORD https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/sample_request/5333 https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/smart-materials-market-5333 Market Research Future published a research report on Smart Materials Market Research Report- Forecast till 2023 Market Analysis, Scope, Stake, Progress, Trends and Forecast to 2023.Market Scenario:Smart materials displays response in a controlled manner in an environments that change. It comprise of unique molecular structure, smart materials respond to a wide array of external stimuli such as electric fields, magnetic fields, pressure, temperature, moisture, and chemicals.Technology giants such as APC International (U.S.), Harris Corporation (U.S.), CeramTec (Germany), Kyocera Corporation (Japan), TDK Corporation (Japan), Noliac A/S (Denmark). APC International, a prominent player in Smart Materials Market has manufactured piezo stack actuators that are used as linear electromechanical drives or motors. They act mainly like an expanding element ("pusher") generating a compressive force. The complete motion cycle is nearly proportional to the voltage signal input from DC up to high frequencies. From an electrical point of view, piezo-actuators behave like electrical capacitors. The induced motion can also be described as the consequence of the variation of the electrical charge content of the piezo actuator. CeramTec, a key player in smart materials market, will be offering a variety of wear protection solutions made of high-performance ceramics for machines and systems for mechanical process engineering as well as handling of powders and bulk material at POWTECH at the Nuremberg Trade Fair Centre. The Noliac companies in Czech Republicis a prominent player in smart materials market. Recently, the company has announced the merger of their two subsidiary companies, known as Noliac Systems s.r.o. and Noliac Ceramics s.r.o., in January 1st 2018.Get Sample of Report @The major factors driving the growth of smart materials market are the rising demand for sensors and actuators in consumer electronics, aerospace & defense, and consumer goods have propelled the demand. Other aspects such as increasing demand of piezo-electric devices in the different end-user application is likely to trigger the smart materials market. These devices are used in industries such as medical devices, robotics, information, automotive, information technology and telecommunication. Further, bionics and flourishing artificial organ industry are likely to boost the smart materials market. Artificial organs are made up of biomimetic materials with electronic components and systems that are integrated into the human body and act as a replacement for natural organ.The global smart materials market is expected to grow at a CAGR of approximately 14% during the forecast period 2017-2023.Key PlayersSome of the prominent players in the global smart materials market: APC International (U.S.), Harris Corporation (U.S.), CeramTec (Germany), Kyocera Corporation (Japan), TDK Corporation (Japan), Noliac A/S (Denmark), Wright Medical Group, Inc. (U.S.), Channel Technologies Group (U.S.), LORD Corporation (U.S.) among others.Regional AnalysisThe global color detection market is studied for Asia Pacific, North America, Europe, and Rest of the World. It is observed that North America market was leading in the global smart materials market in 2016, owing to significant demand for smart actuators & motors in key industries such as automotive, consumer goods, and aerospace. Europe accounted for the second-largest share of the market due to presence well-established automotive industry followed by Asia Pacific market. Asia Pacific market is anticipated to exhibit a remarkable growth over the forecast period, owing to significant research activities supported by the government.Segmentation of Smart Materials Market:The global smart materials market is segmented by products and application. By product segment the market consists of piezoelectric materials, shape memory materials, electrostrictive materials, magnetostrictive materials, phase change materials, electrochromic materials and others.By application it is segmented into actuators & motors, transducers, sensors, structural materials, and others.Get complete Report @Intended Audience: Research/Consultancy firms Technology Solution Providers Original Equipment Manufacturers Government bodies Automotive Industry Civil IndustryAbout Us:At Market Research Future (MRFR), we enable our customers to unravel the complexity of various industries through our Cooked Research Report (CRR), Half-Cooked Research Reports (HCRR), Raw Research Reports (3R), Continuous-Feed Research (CFR), and Market Research & Consulting Services.Media Contact:Market Research FutureOffice No. 528, Amanora ChambersMagarpatta Road, Hadapsar,Pune - 411028Maharashtra, India+1 646 845 9312Email: sales@marketresearchfuture.com Mini Grids Deployment in Sub-Saharan Africa to be Boosted at Nairobi Summit 4th Africa Mini Grids Summit 2018 The 4th Africa Mini Grids Summit 2018 will convene this month on March 21-22 in Nairobi, Kenya. This fourth edition of the Africa-wide conference will once again gather electricity regulators, utilities operators, mini grids developers, financiers, engineering and consulting experts, technology providers, and development agencies to share their invaluable expertise and experience in providing for the continent's rapidly-increasing power requirements.Electrification is core to development and mini grids are expected to play a critical role in meeting the UN Sustainable Energy for All (SE4ALL) goal of universal access by 2030. Governments in Sub-Saharan Africa have placed mini grids investment and deployment high on their development agenda, providing enabling framework to make mini girds an attractive option. However, electrifying millions of households, remote communities and small scale entrepreneurs remains a challenge.This Summit brings together all stakeholders to discuss key issues and best practices to accelerate the uptake of mini grids.Regional energy authorities leading the discussions at this 2018 Summit include the Energy Regulatory Commission of Kenya, the Rural Energy Agency of Tanzania, the Rural Electrification Authority of Zambia; along with the Rural Electrification Agency of Uganda and top officials from Nigeria.Among the distinguished experts providing new knowledge and insights are: Prof AbuBakr S Bahaj, Professor of Sustainable Energy and Head of Energy & Climate Change Division, University of Southampton from the UK; Amanda Delcore of Factor(e) Ventures from USA; and Balthasar Klimbie, Key Expert Rural Energy, The European Commission's Technical Assistance Facility (TAF) for the Sustainable Energy for All (SE4ALL) Initiative from The Netherlands.Prof AbuBakr Bahaj noted: "This is one of the most interesting meetings on mini grids and energy access for productive use - bringing policy makers, relevant government organizations, developers and academics together in one forum. It is intimate with a lot of time devoted to discussions and debate, with an added bonus of visiting one of the pioneering mini grid projects in Africa."Private sector stakeholders who will share their expertise and practical applications at the 2018 Summit include: Sam Slaughter, CEO, PowerGen Renewable Energy; Eugene Obiero, Senior Manager for Energy Projects, Camco Clean Energy; Brian Kelly, Managing Director, Virunga Power; Clifford J Aron, President & Founding Principal; GreenMax Capital Group; Victor Ndiege, Portfolio Manager for REACT, The AECF Kenya; among many others.The CEO of the conference-organizing company, Magenta Global Pte Ltd, Singapore, Maggie Tan, added: Improving electrification in rural Africa is a paramount priority for most of the Governments in Africa. With less than 15% of rural households in Sub-Saharan Africa (excluding South Africa) having access to electricity, strategies for creating commercially-viable small power producers and mini grids in rural areas are critically needed. The time is right to unlock resources and the technology is available to create economically and financially sustainable mini grids to power communities and businesses. Ms Tan encouraged all companies and organizations to contribute to the development of this renewable energy sector by being part of this key event.The 4th Africa Mini Grids Summit 2018 is held in collaboration with Knowledge Partner Energy for Development (e4D) Network / University of Southampton and supported by: the Alliance for Rural Electrification (ARE), the African Network for Solar Energy (ANSOLE), and the South African Alternative Energy Association (SAAEA).The two-day event will be held at the Hotel InterContinental in Nairobi, Kenya.To register or request event details, contact Jose at +65 6846 2366 or email jose@magenta-global.com.sg.Magenta Global Pte Ltd is a premier independent business media company that provides pragmatic and relevant information to government & business executives and professionals worldwide. The organization provides the opportunity to share thought-provoking insights, exchange ideas on the latest industry trends and technological developments with thought leaders and business peers. With a strong focus in emerging economies especially in Africa, Middle East & Central Asia, Magenta Global works in partnership with both the public and private sectors.Magenta Global Pte LtdBlock 53 Sims Place, #01-150Singapore 380053Jose Carpio+65 6846 2366jose@magenta-global.com.sg Companies to Innovate Services in the Global On-site Preventive Care Market https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-5518 https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/askus/rep-gb-5518 www.futuremarketinsights.com Future Market Insights has published a new report titled On-site Preventive Care Market: Global Industry Analysis (2012-2016) and Opportunity Assessment (2017-2027). The report states that the standards set in the workplace for the safety of workers and the need to adhere to workplace norms have triggered the demand for on-site preventive care. Moreover, the increasing incidences of workplace illness has also made it an obligation for employers to follow employee safety codes and adopt on-site preventive care. As a result, the global on-site preventive care market is expected to witness a CAGR of 7.1% from 2017 to 2027. The market was worth around US$ 16,135 Mn in 2017 and is likely to touch a valuation of US$ 32,063 Mn approximately by the end of 2027.On-site clinics enable employees to receive the required essential care at the time of emergency without having to leave the workplace. The clinicians in these clinics also aid employees in searching for a primary care physician who they can consult with on a regular basis. As a Future Market Insights analyst quotes, Changes in lifestyle among the working class have incessantly impelled employers to establish certain behavioural standards within the workplace. This is one of the core factors responsible for the growing adoption of on-site preventive care in several organisations across the globe.Burgeoning Penetration of Workplace Wellness Programmes to Bode Well for the MarketIn the recent past, workplace wellness programmes have earned the merit of being one of the most adopted healthcare services in the world. It has been further expected that its adoption will increase in the coming years owing to the implementation of the Affordable Care Act. This act is expected to promote an increase in the employee-based coverage of workplace wellness and also promote these programmes through several provisions. Moreover, the growing incidences of chronic diseases among the working population have also become a matter of concern and this has compelled employers across the globe to adopt as well as promote workplace wellness programmes.Request to Sample Report -Furthermore, employers who have adopted on-site preventive care services have reported enhanced performance ranging from heightened morale and cost savings to productivity. The death of time, access, and cost along with misunderstanding of the benefits of prescribed wellness programmes result in the underutilisation of primary care services. As a result, employees flood emergency rooms, missing out on critical preventive care measures and also leave chronic conditions go unmanaged. In this regard, on-site clinics provide employees with the necessary support without having to leave their work and plus the clinicians also work together with the patients in a cohesive environment to address their various health related issues.North America and Western Europe to Compete Neck and NeckIn 2017, North America held a share of 37.0% in the global on-site preventive care market closely trailed by Western Europe. The dominance of North America can be attributed to the several policies implemented by the U.S. government pertaining to employee safety and the adoption of certain employee codes of safety. The U.S. is also an extremely mature market owing to the high adoption of workplace wellness programmes.Companies to Innovate Services in the Global MarketIn order to stay ahead of the competition, several companies operating in the global market are focussing on innovating their existing services and integrating new services. Some of the leading companies in the market are Premise Health, OnSite Care, Inc., PrevMED, RepuCare, Healthcare Solutions Centers, LLC, McCormack & Kale Motiva Health & Chiropractic, Inc., Marino Wellness, Kinema Fitness, and TotalWellness.Request Report TOC @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 Composite Slate Roofing Market Research Report Is Expected To Grow With 2.90% CAGR During The Forecast Period - Market Research Future https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/sample_request/4506 https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/composite-slate-roofing-market-4506 https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/check-discount/4506 Market research future published a raw research report on Global Composite slate roofing Market that contains the information from 2017 to 2023. The market is expected to reach market size of 3,438.1 million by the end of forecast period with CAGR 2.90% between 2017 and 2023.Taste the market data and market information presented through more than 84 market data tables and 45 figures spread in 108 numbers of pages of the project report. Avail the in-depth table of content TOC & market synopsis on Global Composite Slate Roofing Market Information from 2017 to 2022"Ask Sample for this Report @Composite slate roofing uses plastic, rubber, and other used in residential and non-residential segment. High demand for these products, rise in purchasing power, which are driving the market towards growth. The growth of composite slate roofing market is influenced by the growing construction industry, low maintenance cost and rapid industrialization and urbanization in emerging economies. Availability of other alternatives and economic slowdown hinder the growth of the market.The global composite slate roofing market has been segmented based on type, application and region. On the basis of type, it is segmented into shingles, tiles and shakes. On the basis of type, Shingles accounted for the largest market share of 67.42% in 2016 and is projected to grow at the highest CAGR of 4.23% during the forecast period. On the basis of application, residential sector is referred as highest growing segment due to the increasing population and urbanization. With rapid industrialization in countries like India, China and Indonesia, there is seen and increased demand for construction. The market is expected to reach market size of 3,438.1 million by the end of forecast period with CAGR 2.90% between 2017 and 2023. Asia-Pacific is the largest & fastest growing market for composite slate roofing, followed by Europe and North America. Increase in industrialization, rising urbanized population, and growth in spending capacity are the factors driving the growth of the market in Asia-Pacific region.Access Report Details @Ask for your specific company profile and country level customization on reports.Shingles will be the largest segmentOn the basis of type, Shingles accounted for the largest market share of 67.42% in 2016 and is projected to grow at the highest CAGR of 4.23% during the forecast period.In the roofing industry there are many different types of shingles. It is made up of various materials such as wood, slate, fiber cement, metal, plastic, and composite material such as asphalt shingles. The types of roofing shingles available differs based on size, shape, color, thickness and material. Slate shingles have been known to last anywhere from more than 50 years and have some of the best water and damage resistance properties, which is ideal for frigid winter temperatures.We recognize the key players in the global composite slate roofing market as DaVinci Roofscapes, LLC (U.S.), Ply Gem Roofing (U.S.), CertainTeed Corporation (U.S.), Enviroshake Quality Engineered Roofing (Canada), EcoStar LLC. (U.S.), Moderne Slate Roofing Systems (U.S.), Baker Roofing Company (U.S.), Colorado Roofing Contractors, LLC (U.S.), Inspire Roofing Products (U.S.) and Brava Roof Tile (U.S.) others.This research report has provides the insights, on various levels of analyses such industry analysis, market share analysis leading market players and their profiles. This report also helps in studying the target segments by providing views on emerging & high-growth segments and market conclusion. Together the market data comprise and discuss with the basic assessments on the competitive scenarios & strategies, of the global Composite slate roofing market, including the high-growth regions, countries and their political, economic and technological environments. Furthermore the project report also provides the views over the historical market values as well as, pricing and cost analysis of the same.If Interested Please Ask for Discount @About Market Research Future:At Market Research Future (MRFR), we enable our customers to unravel the complexity of various industries through our Cooked Research Report (CRR), Half-Cooked Research Reports (HCRR), Raw Research Reports (3R), Continuous-Feed Research (CFR), and Market Research & Consulting Services.MRFR team have supreme objective to provide the optimum quality market research and intelligence services to our clients. Our market research studies by Components, Application, Logistics and market players for global, regional, and country level market segments, enable our clients to see more, know more, and do more, which help to answer all their most important questions.Contact:Market Research FutureOffice No. 524/528, Amanora ChambersMagarpatta Road, HadapsarPune - 411028Maharashtra, India+1 646 845 9312Email: sales@marketresearchfuture.com Analytics of Things Market 2018 Sales Revenue and Key Players: Hewlett Packard Enterprise Company, Cisco Systems, Dell Technologies, Google, Amazon Web Services, Teradata, IBM, Oracle https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/sample_request/3897 https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/analytics-of-things-market-3897 Market Research Future published a research report on Global Analytics of Things Market Research Report- Forecast 2023 Market Analysis, Scope, Stake, Progress, Trends and Forecast to 2023.Market HighlightsThe study reveals that Analytics of Things is trending in North America region. Analytics of Things comprises data collection and analytics. There are different categories of Analytics of Things, such as understanding patterns and the analysis for variation, detection of anomalies, predictive asset maintenance, and optimization by analysis process, prescription and situational awareness. With the helps analytics of things, it is easy to analyze the huge data that the IoT devices are generating.The study indicates that Analytics of Things can help the enterprises in ensuring the devices connected to internet that is more efficient and smart. However, the AoT are further integrated with information generated by IoT devices to monitor and compare. Analytics of Things can be used in predictive analytics in various sectors including traffic, medical and manufacturing.The Analytics of Things Market is growing rapidly over 30.0% of CAGR and is expected to reach at USD $~29.53` billion by the end of forecast period.Get Sample of Report @Taste the market data and market information presented through more than 30 market data tables and figures spread over 100 numbers of pages of the project report. Avail the in-depth table of content TOC & market synopsis on The Analytics of Things Market Research Report -Forecast to 2023.Key Players:The prominent players in the Analytics of Things market Hewlett Packard Enterprise Company (US), Cisco Systems, Inc. (US), Dell Technologies, Inc. (US), Google, Inc., (US), Amazon Web Services (US), Salesforce.com, Inc. (US), Teradata Corporation (US), IBM Corporation (US), Microsoft Corporation (US), Oracle Corporation (US), SAP SE (Germany) among others.Regional Analysis:The regional analysis of Analytics of Things market is being studied for region such as Asia pacific, North America, Europe and Rest of the World. North America is one of the leading region across the world in terms of largest market share in Analytics of Things market owing to the government investments in the IoT technology. The growing demand of the Analytics of Things, Europe region is expected to witness rapid growth in this market. Whereas, Asia-Pacific countries like China, Japan and South Korea is an emerging market for Analytics of Things market and expected to have highest CAGR in the forecast period.Analytics of Things Market SegmentationThe Analytics of Things Market has been segmented on the basis of type, component, end -users and region. The Telecommunications and IT segment is expected to propel the highest growth rate during the forecast period due to increasing demand of data analytics in the North America region. Europe is also expected to grow in the AoT market in the forthcoming years.Get Complete Report @Intended Audience Raw material providers Service providers and distributors AoT application builders Independent Software Vendors Analytics consulting companies Market research and consulting firms Solution providers Intellectual property core and licensing providers Technology standards organizations Technology investors Research institutes, System Integrators Research/Consultancy firmsAbout Us:At Market Research Future (MRFR), we enable our customers to unravel the complexity of various industries through our Cooked Research Report (CRR), Half-Cooked Research Reports (HCRR), Raw Research Reports (3R), Continuous-Feed Research (CFR), and Market Research & Consulting Services.MRFR team have supreme objective to provide the optimum quality market research and intelligence services to our clients. Our market research studies by products, services, technologies, applications, end users, and market players for global, regional, and country level market segments, enable our clients to see more, know more, and do more, which help to answer all their most important questions.In order to stay updated with technology and work process of the industry, MRFR often plans & conducts meet with the industry experts and industrial visits for its research analyst membersMedia Contact:Market Research FutureOffice No. 528, Amanora ChambersMagarpatta Road, Hadapsar,Pune - 411028Maharashtra, India+1 646 845 9312Email: sales@marketresearchfuture.com Mobile Storage Cabinets Market Size Latest Growth, Development Trends & Forecast Report to 2025 https://www.marketresearchreports.biz/sample/sample/1510864 https://www.marketresearchreports.biz/reports/1510864/mobile-storage-cabinets-global-market-research-reports https://www.marketresearchreports.biz/sample/enquiry/1510864 http://www.marketresearchreports.biz/ Marketresearchreports.biz has announced the addition of a new research study on the "Mobile Storage Cabinets Market - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends, and Forecast 2017 - 2025" to its report database.The main objective of this report is to define, describe, and forecast the global Mobile Storage Cabinets market on the basis of types of applications, major sectors, deployment models, organization size, and regions. The report contains an analysis of the major factors influencing the growth of the market (drivers, restraints, opportunities, and challenges). It aims to strategically analyze the micromarkets with respect to individual growth trends, prospects, and their contribution to the market. The report attempts to forecast the market size for 5 major regions, namely, North America, Europe, Asia Pacific (APAC), Middle East and Africa (MEA), and Latin America. It contains key vendor profiles and comprehensively analyzes their core competencies. The report also tracks and analyzes competitive developments, including partnerships, collaborations, acquisitions, new product developments, and R&D activities in the market.Get Sample Copy of this report @Global Mobile Storage Cabinets Market: IntroductionMobile storage cabinets are available in various shapes & sizes. Mobile storage cabinets are specially designed for media and audio visual equipment storage and transport. There are various facility like roll able, lockable, portable media hubs which are provided by the mobile storage cabinets. These cabinets are best suitable for office and industrial storage. Mobile storage cabinets are majorly used to store files, tools, stationary etc. The key advantages of mobile storage cabinets are strength, which ensures longer life of the cabinets. Stainless steel mobile storage cabinets enjoy more preference over wooden counterparts, as they significantly reduce the chances of damage and require very less to negligible maintenance. Mobile storage cabinets help impart a clean and tidy look to the office environment, as all the stationery and mobile accessories can be kept inside. Mobile storage comes under the category of rotary cabinets, which has massive storage capacity. Mobile storage cabinets are available in various configurations such as with drawers, single door, or a double door. Due to their mobility, and ability to keep environment tidy, mobile storage cabinets enjoys high preference, over their non-mobile counterparts. Therefore, the global mobile storage cabinets market is expected to enjoy a positive outlook, over the forecast period.Global Mobile Storage Cabinets Market: DynamicsWith the advancement in the technology, the need for mobile & mobile accessories has become a necessity in the todays world which lead to rise in demand of the mobile storage cabinets market. There are several factors that are anticipated to drive the growth of the global mobile storage cabinets market, over the forecast period. Security is the major driver which is being provided by the mobile storage cabinet market. With the help of mobile storage cabinets hanging files, folders, tapes and CDS and many thing are being kept safe with the help of locker. Stainless steel mobile storage cabinets do not require any maintenance and it is easy for the consumers to organize the shelves and quick way to find out the things. Despite, the positive outlook there are certain factors which might affect the growth rate of the global mobile storage cabinets market.Global Mobile Storage Cabinets Market: SegmentationThe global Mobile Storage Cabinets market has been segmented as follows On the basis of types the global Mobile Storage Cabinets market has been segmented as:StandardRackmountOn the basis of material, the global Mobile Storage Cabinets packaging market has been segmented as:WoodMetalView Full Report @Global Mobile Storage Cabinets Market: Geographical OutlookThe global Mobile Storage Cabinets market has been divided into seven regions as follows North AmericaLatin AmericaWestern EuropeEastern EuropeAsia Pacific Excluding Japan (APEJ)Middle East & Africa (MEA)JapanThe North America mobile storage cabinets market is expected to lead the global mobile storage cabinets market, over the forecast period. The Asia pacific excluding japan is expected to closely follow the North America Mobile Storage cabinet market. It is anticipated that the APAC region will surpass the North America region, in terms of mobile storage cabinet sales, over the forecast period. The Middle East and Africa (MEA) is also expected to contribute the growth of the global mobile storage cabinets market. The japan mobile storage cabinet market is expected to witness a sluggish growth of global mobile storage cabinet market, over the forecast period. However in terms of electronics market, it is anticipated to score more than the likes of the Asia Pacific region.Global Mobile Storage Cabinets Market: Key PlayersSome of the players operating in the global mobile storage cabinet market are Strong Hold Products, Tennsco, EQUIPTO, Spacesaver Corporation, Wenger Corporation and others.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.Request For Enquiry @The study is a source of reliable data on:Market segments and sub-segmentsMarket trends and dynamicsSupply and demandMarket sizeCurrent trends/opportunities/challengesCompetitive landscapeTechnological breakthroughsValue chain and stakeholder analysisThe regional analysis covers:North America (U.S. and Canada)Latin America (Mexico, Brazil, Peru, Chile, and others)Western Europe (Germany, U.K., France, Spain, Italy, Nordic countries, Belgium, Netherlands, and Luxembourg)Eastern Europe (Poland and Russia)Asia Pacific (China, India, Japan, ASEAN, Australia, and New Zealand)Middle East and Africa (GCC, Southern Africa, and North Africa)The report has been compiled through extensive primary research (through interviews, surveys, and observations of seasoned analysts) and secondary research (which entails reputable paid sources, trade journals, and industry body databases). The report also features a complete qualitative and quantitative assessment by analyzing data gathered from industry analysts and market participants across key points in the industrys value chain.A separate analysis of prevailing trends in the parent market, macro- and micro-economic indicators, and regulations and mandates is included under the purview of the study. By doing so, the report projects the attractiveness of each major segment over the forecast period.Highlights of the report:A complete backdrop analysis, which includes an assessment of the parent marketImportant changes in market dynamicsMarket segmentation up to the second or third levelHistorical, current, and projected size of the market from the standpoint of both value and volumeReporting and evaluation of recent industry developmentsMarket shares and strategies of key playersEmerging niche segments and regional marketsAn objective assessment of the trajectory of the marketRecommendations to companies for strengthening their foothold in the marketAbout usMarketResearchReports.biz is the most comprehensive collection of market research reports. MarketResearchReports.Biz services are specially designed to save time and money for our clients. We are a one stop solution for all your research needs, our main offerings are syndicated research reports, custom research, subscription access and consulting services. We serve all sizes and types of companies spanning across various industries.Contact usMr. NachiketState Tower90 Sate Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-621-2074Website:E: sales@marketresearchreports.biz Cold Chain Packaging Market Size Latest Growth, Development Trends & Forecast Report to 2025 https://www.marketresearchreports.biz/sample/sample/1511469 https://www.marketresearchreports.biz/reports/1511469/cold-chain-packaging-global-market-research-reports https://www.marketresearchreports.biz/sample/enquiry/1511469 http://www.marketresearchreports.biz/ Marketresearchreports.biz has announced the addition of a new research study on the "Cold Chain Packaging Market - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends, and Forecast 2017 - 2025" to its report database.The main objective of this report is to define, describe, and forecast the global Cold Chain Packaging market on the basis of types of applications, major sectors, deployment models, organization size, and regions. The report contains an analysis of the major factors influencing the growth of the market (drivers, restraints, opportunities, and challenges). It aims to strategically analyze the micromarkets with respect to individual growth trends, prospects, and their contribution to the market. The report attempts to forecast the market size for 5 major regions, namely, North America, Europe, Asia Pacific (APAC), Middle East and Africa (MEA), and Latin America. It contains key vendor profiles and comprehensively analyzes their core competencies. The report also tracks and analyzes competitive developments, including partnerships, collaborations, acquisitions, new product developments, and R&D activities in the market.Get Sample Copy of this report @Global Cold Chain Packaging Market: OverviewThe quality of service in Cold Chain is largely dependent on the growing investments in latest technology as well as equipment, particularly the cold chain packaging solution. Over the last decade or two, highly competitive market are facing economic hardships, and hence, pharmaceutical companies were looking for different methods to minimize cost of product packaging. One of the ways thought of to achieve cost cutting was the use of inexpensive packaging solutions such as passive packaging system, but then it involved the risk of exposing the medicinal products to the ambient temperatures. Hence, for the logistics of temperature-sensitive drugs, pharmaceutical companies have shifted its focus towards using the cold chain packaging solution that suits a particular situation. Cold chain packaging solutions include different types of refrigerated containers, temperature monitors & integrators for managing products life period.Global Cold Chain Packaging Market: Drivers & RestraintsThe demand for cold chain packaging has grown immensely in the healthcare packaging sector. Cold chain packaging finds its applications in supply & logistics of biopharmaceuticals, clinical trials & vaccines, etc. This substantial growth of the cold chain packaging market is due to boost in the sales of medicinal products needing cold chain logistics. Also, governments of various countries coupled with its regulatory agencies have designed several guidelines and have adopted their own Goods Distribution Practices (GDP). However, one key challenge in the cold chain packaging market is the rising cost of raw material. Polystyrene is the primary raw material used in built-up of cold chain packaging solutions. In the recent times, instability in prices of polystyrene, owing to the increased gap between demands and supply, has surged the price and is likely to continue during the forecast period. Moreover, escalated raw materials cost further leads to raising the overall cost of final product.Global Cold Chain Packaging Market: SegmentationBased on various parameters, global cold chain packaging market can be segmented into various segments such asBased on material type, global cold chain packaging market can be segmented asExpanded polystyrene (EPS)Fabricated EPSMolded EPSVacuum insulated panel (VIP) solutionsPolyurethane (PUR)OthersBased on Product type, global cold chain packaging market can be segmented asPhase Change Materials (PCMs)Gel Packs & BricksInsulated shipping containersParcel ContainersPallet ContainersTemperature LoggersOthersBased on applications type, global cold chain packaging market can be segmented asPharmaceutical PackagingHealth care & clinical trial distributionMedical device PackagingOthersView Full Report @Global Cold Chain Packaging Market: Regional OverviewGeographically, the global cold chain packaging market is segmented into seven regions, namely North America, Latin America, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, Asia Pacific Excluding Japan (APEJ), Japan and the Middle East and Africa (MEA).Cold chain packaging market is directly influenced by the continuous growth in demand for cold storage medicinal products used in the healthcare industry. Regionally, the cold chain packaging market is dominated by Europe and North America region. This is due to the high number of biopharmaceuticals imports & exports in the countries in Europe and North America, and are also the innovators for the improvement in shipping and warehousing of pharmaceutical products. In the near future, the developing economies like India, China, ASEAN, etc. are likely to witness a sizable growth in investments for development of cold storage infrastructure which is expected to drive the overall growth in the cold chain packaging market in the Asia-Pacific region. Moreover, in the Latin America and the MEA region, the cold chain packaging market is projected to witness impressive growth owing to rise in demand for temperature-controlled pharmaceutical packaging solutions during the forecast period.Overall, the global cold chain packaging market is anticipated to grow at a healthy CAGR during the forecast period.Global Cold Chain Packaging Market: Key PlayersSome key players that currently operate in cold chain packaging market across the globe are Cryopak Industries Inc., Cold Chain Technologies, Inc., Dgp Intelsius Llc., CCL Industries., Sealed Air Corporation, Softbox Systems Ltd., Amcor Limited, Clondalkin Group., Gerresheimer etc.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.Request For Enquiry @The study is a source of reliable data on:Market segments and sub-segmentsMarket trends and dynamicsSupply and demandMarket sizeCurrent trends/opportunities/challengesCompetitive landscapeTechnological breakthroughsValue chain and stakeholder analysisThe regional analysis covers:North America (U.S. and Canada)Latin America (Mexico, Brazil, Peru, Chile, and others)Western Europe (Germany, U.K., France, Spain, Italy, Nordic countries, Belgium, Netherlands, and Luxembourg)Eastern Europe (Poland and Russia)Asia Pacific (China, India, Japan, ASEAN, Australia, and New Zealand)Middle East and Africa (GCC, Southern Africa, and North Africa)The report has been compiled through extensive primary research (through interviews, surveys, and observations of seasoned analysts) and secondary research (which entails reputable paid sources, trade journals, and industry body databases). The report also features a complete qualitative and quantitative assessment by analyzing data gathered from industry analysts and market participants across key points in the industrys value chain.A separate analysis of prevailing trends in the parent market, macro- and micro-economic indicators, and regulations and mandates is included under the purview of the study. By doing so, the report projects the attractiveness of each major segment over the forecast period.Highlights of the report:A complete backdrop analysis, which includes an assessment of the parent marketImportant changes in market dynamicsMarket segmentation up to the second or third levelHistorical, current, and projected size of the market from the standpoint of both value and volumeReporting and evaluation of recent industry developmentsMarket shares and strategies of key playersEmerging niche segments and regional marketsAn objective assessment of the trajectory of the marketRecommendations to companies for strengthening their foothold in the marketAbout usMarketResearchReports.biz is the most comprehensive collection of market research reports. MarketResearchReports.Biz services are specially designed to save time and money for our clients. We are a one stop solution for all your research needs, our main offerings are syndicated research reports, custom research, subscription access and consulting services. We serve all sizes and types of companies spanning across various industries.Contact usMr. NachiketState Tower90 Sate Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-621-2074Website:E: sales@marketresearchreports.biz Self-checkout Systems Market is Expected to Witness Highest Growth During 2017 - 2025 https://www.tmrresearch.com/sample/sample?flag=B&rep_id=1898 https://www.tmrresearch.com/sample/sample?flag=T&rep_id=1898 https://www.tmrresearch.com/self-checkout-systems-market Global Self-checkout Systems Market: OverviewContinuing to extend its popularity in global retail and shopping stores, self-checkout systems cancel the need for human assistance or a retail agent by automating the checkout process, which includes making payments and scanning and bagging purchased items. These systems are a massive investment for retailers and thus, they need to be user-friendly and intuitive. While the systems are still far from being perfect, it opens an opportunity for vendors to showcase their innovation and make a competitive progress in the self-checkout systems market.Global Self-checkout Systems Market: Key TrendsWith a probable double-digit CAGR, the international self-checkout systems market is projected to aggravate its growth as it witnesses an expanding deployment of the systems in different retail arrangements such as convenience and department stores, hypermarkets, and supermarkets. Retailers are expected to adopt these systems at a telling rate because of their business-profiting benefits such as reduction in the operational cost of stores, more personalized services in store offerings, and decrease in checkout time. Hardware offerings such as weighing scale, payment related hardware, price reader, and display device are prognosticated to gain impetus in the coming years.Request Sample Copy of the Report @The inflated risk of inventory loss on the part of retailers and unwillingness of customers to use the product could affect the growth of the global self-checkout systems market. However, lesser complexity, lower price, and other key advantages facilitated by the cashless model are anticipated to augment the adoption rate of self-checkout systems. Market players can look to penetrate large as well as small retail formats by allowing retailers to offer greater control, privacy, and convenience to their customers with self-checkout systems.Global Self-checkout Systems Market: Market PotentialThe Las Vegas ecommerce and retail event Shoptalk unveiled the reimagined future design of Targets Houston store as the chairman and CEO said the company is set to spend billions of dollars to give a new experience to its customers. Installed only a few steps away from each other, the reimagined store will feature an order pickup counter and self-checkout lanes for the time-starved customers. By the latest in October 2017, 40 additional Target stores will receive the new design along with the store in Houston. This reimagine design is part of the companys aim to meet its customers shopping needs by creating a smart network to work alongside supply chain and digital channels.Request TOC of the Report @Long Island Expressway (LIE) Welcome Center, a rest stop in New York, has also publicized its intentions to replace cashiers with self-checkout kiosks.Global Self-checkout Systems Market: Regional OutlookDue to the sweeping presence of various retail formats in the region, North America is forecasted to lead the global self-checkout systems market, putting behind other significant geographies of the industry. Followed by Mexico and Canada, the U.S. could be attributed for North Americas larger share in the market. Next to be lined under the list of top regional markets for self-checkout systems are Europe and Asia Pacific with decent growth opportunities for manufacturers.The growing retail industry in India coupled with a rising count of modern retail stores installed, Asia Pacific is predicted to emerge as a promising ground for market players. Europe, too, is envisaged to exhibit a continuous and steady growth in demand as an elevating number of convenience stores adopt self-checkout systems. Other regions could show some progress in the world self-checkout systems market as they feel the need to cater to the dynamic demands of customers and the urge to operate in line with todays technological advancements.Read Comprehensive Overview of Report@Global Self-checkout Systems Market: Competitive LandscapeSome of the crucial players functioning in the worldwide self-checkout systems market are ITAB Scanflow, Diebold Nixdorf, Inc., Fujitsu Limited, Toshiba TEC Corporation, and NCR Corporation. Industry players could be focusing on supermarkets, hypermarkets, and other large retail formats to increase their presence as these stores accommodate a high flow of customers and more number of checkout counters. Likewise, they are prophesied to find opportunities in other leading segments of the market.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 Top Load Cartoning Machines Market to Represent a Significant Expansion at 4.5% CAGR During 2017-2026 https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-5751 https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/askus/rep-gb-5751 www.futuremarketinsights.com As per the latest report compiled by Future Market Insights (FMI), the global market for top load cartoning machines is likely to witness moderate growth. The market is projected to register 4.5% CAGR during 2017-2026. By the end of 2026, the global top load cartooning machines market is estimated to reach 766.8 million revenue. The most influential factor in the top load cartooning machines market is the evolution of the packaging machinery market. Developers of top load cartooning machines are focusing on improving the design in order to expand the capacity. Manufacturers are introducing new models to strengthen their position in the market.The demand for innovative packaging solution is resulting in the development of modular top load cartoning machine. Key players are increasingly investing in the research and development to integrate advanced technology and deliver maximum efficiency. The manufacturers are also developing machines that can handle huge volume with minimal human effort, thereby minimizing errors and eliminating the wastage of raw materials.Key Highlights on the Global Top Load Cartoning Machines MarketThe global market for top load cartoning machines is segmented on the basis of product type, capacity, end use industry, and region. On the basis of product type, the market is segmented into horizontal and vertical. Horizontal top load cartoning machines are likely to be one of the top-selling products. By 2026 end, horizontal top load cartoning machines are estimated to exceed US$ 600 million revenue.Request to Sample Report -Based on the capacity, top load cartoning machines with the capacity of 150-400 CPM are likely to witness robust growth throughout the forecast period 2017-2026. 150-400 CPM capacity of top load cartoning machines are projected to reach nearly US$ 300 million revenue by 2026 end.On the basis of the end use industry, Food industry is expected to emerge as the largest end user of the top load cartoning machines. By the end of 2026, the food industry is estimated to create an incremental opportunity surpassing US$ 70 million between 2017 and 2026.Region-wise, the global top load cartoning machines market is segmented on the basis of Europe, North America, Japan, Asia Pacific Excluding Japan (APEJ), the Middle East and Africa (MEA) and Latin America. Among these regions, Europe is likely to remain dominant in the global market for top load cartoning machines. Europe is projected to register 3.6% CAGR during the forecast period 2017-2026.Global Top Load Cartoning Machines Market: Competition LandscapeThe report provides a detailed profile of some of the key market players active in the global market for top load cartoning machines. The companies operating in the market are Robert Bosch GmbH - Packaging Technology, Molins Langen - Molins PLC, Omori Machinery Co. Ltd., Tetra Pak International S.A., Cama Group, Rovema GmbH, Econocorp Inc., Bradman Lake Group Ltd., PMI Cartoning, Inc., and ADCO Manufacturing. Most of the players operating in the global top load cartoning machines market are incorporating advanced technologies to develop machines that can offer efficiency and at the same time ensure smooth functioning of the process.Request Report TOC @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 : With a Commendable CAGR of 26.5% over 2016-2024, the Market Value of Night Vision Surveillance Cameras is anticipated to Stand at US$175.8 mn by 2024 https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/night-vision-surveillance-cameras-market.html https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=S&rep_id=10889 https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/report-toc/10889 http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com The recurrent incidents of terror strikes have raised an alarm globally, compelling governments to explore technologies offering improved safety to their citizens. The rising cross border infiltration and growing fear of terrorism have created a market for products facilitating perpetual surveillance. As the situation surrounding global security worsens, the demand for night vision surveillance cameras is expected to rise, says TMR.The increasing demand for secured borders, secured living premises, and secured access surges, will in response bolster opportunities for the global night vision surveillance cameras market. As per TMR, the global market is likely to pace at an exponential CAGR of 26.5% between 2015 and 2024. Benefitting from the growing security concerns and demand for uninterrupted surveillance, the global night vision (IR) surveillance cameras market, which stood at US$22.8 mn in 2015, is expected to reach US$175.8 mn by 2024.Browse the Report to Know Worldwide Industry Analysis and New Market Opportunities Explored @The demand for night vision cameras is expected to increase in response to the rising construction of smart homes. These homes are in general integrated with technologies that enable to control and detect any criminal activities. Gaining impetus from demand for advanced protection of offices, homes, and properties, the global night vision (IR) surveillance cameras market is poised to surge exponentially.However, as online shopping makes inroads into lives of consumers, sellers are likely to emphasize more on aggressive pricing strategies. This could have an adverse impact on the markets trajectory during the forecast period.Request Sample to Know Quantitative Market Analysis, Current and Future Trends @Defense and Public Sector Exhibits Highest Deployment of Night Vision Surveillance (IR) CamerasDemand for night vision surveillance cameras is highest in the defense segment and the public sector. The recent instances of terror attacks on critical infrastructure, have brought their safety concerns at the fore. Banking, power, health, water supply, and communication systems have continued to remain at the target of sophisticated terror attacks. Any attack on critical infrastructure could make an economy highly vulnerable to further adversities. Ensuring their safety is therefore considered the foremost objective of any government. Proliferation of night vision (IR) surveillance cameras is therefore rapid across the public sector.Get TOC of This Report @Highest Demand for Night Vision Surveillance Cameras Witnessed in North AmericaRegionally, North America has been exhibiting the most attractive opportunities for the global night vision surveillance (IR) cameras market. TMR projects the regional market to expand at a CAGR of 27% during the forecast period. The higher spending of developed economies in North America on public sector and defense provides ripe opportunities for the sale of advanced security devices.Some of the most prominent companies operating in the global night vision (IR) surveillance cameras market include Axis Communications AB, Robert Bosch, GmBH, L-3 Communications Holdings, Pelco Corporation, BAE System Plc., and others. These companies mainly focus on product innovation and research and development to increase their profit margins in 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. We have an experienced team of Analysts, Researchers, and Consultants, who us e proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather, and analyze information. Our business offerings represent the latest and the most reliable information indispensable for businesses to sustain a competitive edge.Each TMR Syndicated Research report covers a different sector such as pharmaceuticals, chemical, energy, food & beverages, semiconductors, med-devices, consumer goods and technology. These reports provide in-depth analysis and deep segmentation to possible micro levels. With wider scope and stratified research methodology, our syndicated reports thrive to provide clients to serve their overall research requirement.ContactTransparency Market Research90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite: St. Patrick's Day In St. Louis To Feature A Whiskey Tasting Event https://besocialscene.com/ In partnership with great-tasting whiskey brands and an outstanding venue, Social Scene is about to make St. Patricks Day even more special with the 2018 St. Louis St. Pats Whiskey Festival on March 17th.It will be a two-hour whiskey tasting event featuring some of the best labels in the world. Among the participating brands to showcase their products include New Holland Spirits, Hella Cocktail Co., R Griesedieck Distilling, and more will be announced soon.Breathtaking SpaceLucas Park Grille is this years venue for the 2018 St. Louis St. Pats Whiskey Festival. This industrial-inspired lounge boasts of a 25-foot loft-style ceilings with three dining rooms lit up with fireplaces and set with elements of stone, copper, and brick for a fantastic experience.It will be a classic affair here at Lucas Park Grille during the afternoon of the whiskey tasting event. The attendees will be treated to a casual yet elegant interior with a candlelight ambience and lounge areas for laidback conversations.It is bound to get even more exciting as Lucas Park Grille will offer happy hour domestic beer and happy hour bites and snacks just for you.Package IncludesRegister today to earn a slot for the 2018 St. Louis St. Pats Whiskey Festival and be prepared to tease your taste buds. Apart from the two-hour whiskey tasting, the package also includes featured food and drink specials, a chance to vote for the top brands using #StPatsWhiskeyFestival, special whiskey giveaways, Lyft ride credits, and more. Portion of proceeds will go to local charities.You may also earn as you invite your friends. Join the Attendee Affiliate Program by EventBrite and get shares for each of your friends willing to attend the event.About Social SceneSocial Scene focuses on bringing together a great crowd and energy partnering with venues, and giving them as much exposure on-premise and online, as well as brand awareness through social channels.The company is about creating brand awareness for its affiliate venues and brands, as it continues to build relationships and memories for the attendees that come out and the venues and brands they engage with. For more information and to register for the events, visit the website atSocial Scene connects brands, venues and guests through events.- Social Scene- 730 W Lake St Unit 162 Chicago IL 60661- 312-978-4828- Jon Agustin Surgical Lasers Market To Make Great Impact In Near Future by 2025 https://www.tmrresearch.com/sample/sample?flag=B&rep_id=1904 https://www.tmrresearch.com/sample/sample?flag=T&rep_id=1904 https://www.tmrresearch.com/surgical-lasers-market Global Surgical Lasers Market: OverviewSurgical laser products are used in laser surgeries to destroy or cut abnormal or diseased tissues, destroy or shrink lesions and tumors, seal lymph vessels, remove moles and tattoos, and close off blood vessels and nerve endings among various other uses. They are available in different types such as argon, diode, neodymium: yttrium-aluminum-garnet, and carbon dioxide. They are used in several procedures, including laparoscopic surgeries, percutaneous surgeries, and open surgeries and in various fields such as dermatology, urology, gynecology, cardiology, oncology, ophthalmology, and dentistry.Global Surgical Lasers Market: Key TrendsThe increasing prevalence of targeted diseases such as cancer and cardiovascular diseases and expanding base of patients suffering from ophthalmic disorder are the leading factors providing a fillip to the global surgical lasers market. The growing preference for minimally invasive surgeries is also creating an upthrust in the global demand for surgical laser products. Moreover, the rising investments in the field from both public and private sectors are augmenting the market.Request Sample Copy of the Report @On the other hand, the stringent regulatory scenario related to the approval of surgical lasers is inhibiting the growth of the market. Furthermore, the high costs of laser surgeries coupled with the shortage of suitable medical reimbursement policies are keeping the global surgical lasers market from realizing its utmost potential.Global Surgical Lasers Market: Market PotentialEmerging regions are expected to present immense growth opportunities. As a result of which, players in the global surgical lasers market are expected to shift their focus towards developing countries. The rising expenditure on healthcare and improving medical practices are boosting the uptake of surgical lasers in these countries. Moreover, the booming medical tourism sector in these regions attracts people from all over the world, which makes them promising markets.Rapid advancements in surgical lasers are opening new avenues for market players. The introduction of laser surgeries in the field of veterinary care is unfolding tremendous growth opportunities for the global surgical lasers market. Surgical lasers are now being used to address pain, injury, and chronic health conditions in companion pets.Request TOC of the Report @Global Surgical Lasers Market: Geographical SegmentationThe key segments analyzed in the research report are Asia Pacific, North America, Latin America, Europe, and the Middle East and Africa. North America will be a prominent market throughout the forecast period, with the U.S. being at the forefront of growth. The increasing number of clinical trials and availability of favorable reimbursement policies for laser-assisted surgeries are triggering the adoption of novel technologies among healthcare professionals, which in turn is propelling the growth of the region. A large number of manufacturers headquartered in the region are also facilitating the widespread adoption of surgical laser products.Asia Pacific will register a healthy growth rate during the same period, owing to widening base of patient population for target diseases. The rising initiatives by governments to improve healthcare facilities are providing a significant push to the growth of the region. Moreover, the increasing awareness among healthcare professionals regarding the procedural benefits of surgical laser equipment and growing geriatric population are driving the growth of the region.Read Comprehensive Overview of Report@Global Surgical Lasers Market: Competitive LandscapeThe majority of companies are focusing towards product launches to enhance their visibility in the high competitive arena of the global surgical lasers market. Mergers and acquisitions are also among the primary growth strategies adopted by key players to expand their product portfolio in the market. Some of the prominent companies operating in the market are Lumenis, Alma Lasers, Abbott Laboratories Inc., Spectranetics Corporation, Fotona d.o.o., Biolitec AG, Boston Scientific Corporation, and Cynosure Inc.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 Adaptive Optics Market Forecast to 2022 Top Key Players: Aplegen, Inc, Benchmark Electronics, Inc, Boston Corporation, Holoeye Photonics AG, Northrop Grumman Corporation, Baker Adaptive Optics https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/sample_request/1204 https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/adaptive-optics-market-1204 Adaptive Optics Global Market Overview:The global adaptive optics market is growing at the rapid pace owing to growing investment in optical research & development, growing demand for adaptive optics in medical sector, and high usage of adaptive optics in telescope, astronomy and cellular imaging sectors among others. According to a recent study report published by the Market Research Future, The global market of adaptive optics is booming and expected to gain prominence over the forecast period. The market is projected to demonstrate a spectacular growth by 2022, surpassing its previous growth records in terms of value with a striking CAGR during the anticipated period (2016 2022).The study indicates that military and defence industry held the largest share of the adaptive optics market compared to other end-user industries in 2016. The adaptive optics is used for the development of defence weapons and highly refined supervision systems. These are also used as a method for improving the effectiveness of direct energy weapons. These factors are expected to drive the growth of the adaptive optics market for the military and defence end-user industry.The Adaptive Optics Market for wave front sensor is expected to witness the highest CAGR from 2017 to 2023. This is mainly because wave front measurement is required in many optical applications to characterize the profile of optical components or to estimate the aberrations to which the input wave front has been subjected. Similarly, wave front sensing can be used in metrology and microscopy. The most widely used wave front sensor is the Shack-Hartman wave front sensor.Request a Sample Report @Major Key Players:Aplegen, Inc. (U.S.), Benchmark Electronics, Inc.(U.S.), Boston Corporation (U.S.), Holoeye Photonics AG.(Germany), Northrop Grumman Corporation (U.S.), Baker Adaptive Optics (U.S.), Phasics Corp. (France), Synopsys Optical Solution Group (U.S.), Adaptive Optics Associates, Inc. (U.S.) and Sacher Lasertechnik Gmbh (Germany) are some of the prominent players at the forefront of competition in the Global Adaptive Optics (FPCB) Market and are profiled in MRFR Analysis.Industry News:November 28, 2017- he leading French company ALPAO, designer and manufacturer of adaptive optics products, will supply all the deformable mirrors to equip the auxiliary telescopes that form part of ESOs Very Large Telescope Interferometer (VLTI) array at the Paranal Observatory in Chile.Holoeye Photonics AG, has designed an adaptive optics imaging system is introduced in this paper. A high resolution liquid crystal on silicon (LCOS) device was used as a phase only wave front corrector instead of a conversional deformable mirror. The wave front aberration was detected by a Shack-Hartmann (SH) wave front sensor, which has /100 rms wave front measurement accuracy.May 24, 2016- Northrop Grumman Corporation's has delivered a fully integrated Optical Telescope Element (OTE) for NASA's James Webb Space Telescope marks another major milestone toward the October 2018 launch of the largest telescope ever built for space.Adaptive Optics Global Market Competitive Analysis:The market of Adaptive Optics appears to be highly competitive. To maintain their market position and to drive the market growth, various dynamic and diversified international organizations, domestic organizations and as well as new entrants form a competitive landscape.Market leaders are innovating continuously and increasingly seeking market expansion through various strategic mergers and acquisitions, innovation, increasing investments in research and development and cost-effective product portfolio. Major players are investing on internal R&D and, most of all, in acquiring other firms.Adaptive Optics Global Market Segmentation:The Adaptive Optics Market can be classified into 4 key segments for the convenience of the report and enhanced understanding;Segmentation by Component: Comprises wavefront sensor, wavefront modulator, control system and othersSegmentation by Type: Comprises Natural guide star adaptive optics (NGAO), Laser guide star adaptive optics (LGAO), Multi-conjugate adaptive optics (MCAO), Multi-object adaptive optics (MOAO), and Ground-layer adaptive optics (GLAO) among others.Segmentation by Application: Comprises Automotive, Military & Defence, Consumer electronics and Medical among others.Segmentation by Regions: Comprises Geographical regions - North America, Europe, APAC and Rest of the World.Browse Full Report Details @Adaptive Optics Global Market Regional Analysis:The global Adaptive Optics market is divided into four regions, namely North America, Asia Pacific Europe and the Middle East and Africa (MEA). North America adaptive optics market is expected to dominate the market, owing to ongoing investment to enhance healthcare technology and rising demand for adaptive optics in various military applications. Asia Pacific adaptive optics market is identified as the fastest growing market, due to expanding astronomical practices and increasing investment for research and development across various sectors, including biomedical and healthcareAbout Market Research Future:At Market Research Future (MRFR), we enable our customers to unravel the complexity of various industries through our Cooked Research Report (CRR), Half-Cooked Research Reports (HCRR), Raw Research Reports (3R), Continuous-Feed Research (CFR), and Market Research & Consulting Services.MRFR team have supreme objective to provide the optimum quality market research and intelligence services to our clients. Our market research studies by products, services, technologies, applications, end users, and market players for global, regional, and country level market segments, enable our clients to see more, know more, and do more, which help to answer all their most important questions.Contact:Market Research FutureOffice No. 524/528, Amanora ChambersMagarpatta Road, HadapsarPune 411028Maharashtra, India+1 646 845 9312Email: sales@marketresearchfuture.com P2P lending market will reach US$897.85 bn by 2024 expands at a CAGR of 48.2% https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/peer-to-peer-lending-market.html https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=S&rep_id=10835 https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/report-toc/10835 http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com Low Cost of Operations Drives P2P Lending MarketThe unprecedented penetration of internet across the globe that is allowing borrowers to seek funds is propelling the global peer-to-peer lending (P2P) market. Technological advancements that are permitting users to have a smooth access to interfaces that offer quick updates is also augmenting this market.The research report published by Transparency Market Research states that the opportunity in the global P2P lending market was worth US$26.16 bn in 2015. Analysts predict that the market valuation will reach US$897.85 bn by 2024, as it expands at a significant CAGR of 48.2% from 2016 to 2024.Browse the Report to Know Worldwide Industry Analysis and New Market Opportunities Explored @The growth of the global P2P market is mainly being driven by growing advancements in technology that is encouraging potential consumers and existing players to make quick decisions. The low cost of operations is also supporting the growth of this market in comparison to the growth rate of conventional money lending institutions.Easy Access to Funds Makes P2P Lending a Popular ChoiceThe long-drawn process of securing loans has paved the way for global P2P lending market as it ironed out the creases of seeking funds in more ways than one. This is the single most important factor lure small businesses towards opting for P2P systems of borrowing and lending. The strict regulatory framework, complicated compliance structure, and the hefty overheads have all made small business owners, entrepreneurs, and startups lean towards P2P market.Request Sample to Know An Insight On the Important Factors and Trends Influencing the Market @Small Businesses to Ensure Rapid Growth of P2P Lending in Asia PacificAs of 2015, North America held a dominant position in the P2P market, accounting for over 43% share in the overall market. The reducing interest in conventional banking, increasing dependency on online platforms, and recent history of financial crisis in this region has prompted P2P lending market to take lead cater to the unmet financial demands of the population.Meanwhile, the P2P lending market is estimated to show rapid progress in Asia Pacific. The emerging economies of China, India, Japan, and Australia will make a significant contribution to the rise of this market in Asia Pacific. The primary growth driver for this region will also be small businesses that will seek financial alternatives to fund their projects.Get TOC of This Report @Some of the key players in the global P2P lending market are Daric Inc., LendingClub Corporation, CommonBond Inc., Prosper Marketplace, Inc., Upstart Network Inc., CircleBack Lending, Inc., Funding Circle Limited, Peerform, and Social Finance Inc., Pave, Inc. Research suggests have the rising number of small businesses are offer great many growth opportunities to the global P2P market to grow and flourish in the coming years.About UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. We have an experienced team of Analysts, Researchers, and Consultants, who us e proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather, and analyze information. Our business offerings represent the latest and the most reliable information indispensable for businesses to sustain a competitive edge.Each TMR Syndicated Research report covers a different sector such as pharmaceuticals, chemical, energy, food & beverages, semiconductors, med-devices, consumer goods and technology. These reports provide in-depth analysis and deep segmentation to possible micro levels. With wider scope and stratified research methodology, our syndicated reports thrive to provide clients to serve their overall research requirement.ContactTransparency Market Research90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite: Test Automation Market Research and Forecast Analysis Report of Top Countries 2017 - 2025 https://www.tmrresearch.com/sample/sample?flag=B&rep_id=1907 https://www.tmrresearch.com/sample/sample?flag=T&rep_id=1907 https://www.tmrresearch.com/test-automation-market Global Test Automation Market: OverviewThe emergence of test automation has been the biggest boon to the IT sector. This software development tool has thoroughly helped the sector in optimizing test processes, reducing time, and bringing in efficiency. Functional testing, web services testing, compatibility testing, load testing, security testing, mobile testing, and QA process design among others. The growing expenditure on development of the IT sector for improving their software services, QA, and other applications are expected to nurture the growth of the global test automation market.Global Test Automation Market: Drivers and TrendsThe research report states that the rapid development of mobile applications is expected propel the growth of the global market in the recent years. Uptake of mobile applications in communications, multimedia travel, and utilities is expected to fuel the rise of this market in the near future. Analysts expect that the usage of cloud applications is also expected to improve the revenue earnings for the global test automation market. The growing awareness about deploying test automation amongst the IT sector has been a definite positive influence on the overall market.Request Sample Copy of the Report @Despite the steady market drivers, the global test automation market is likely to face a few challenges such as high operating costs and high initial investments. However, emergence of newer and better technologies such as cloud computing services, big data analytics, and data virtualizations are expected to offer several lucrative opportunities to the global market.Global Test Automation Market: Market PotentialMobile Labs Introduced its deviceConnect Hosted Cloud, a solution for QA professionals and developers to efficiently manage their mobile testing lab. This will allow organizations to pick a well-suited mobile device cloud that caters to their need. The deviceConnect Hosted Cloud and deviceConnect On-premises Cloud and are private cloud-based mobile application testing platforms. The primary aim of these products is to ensure simple management of multiple devices for the purpose of enterprise application testing. The only difference between the two is who is managing these devices and where are they being hosted.Request TOC of the Report @Global Test Automation Market: Regional OutlookIn terms of geography, the global test automation market is fragmented into Europe, North America, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East and Africa. Of these, North America is projected to lead the global market in the coming years due to a growing base of QA units in various organizations in a wide range of industrial verticals. Analysts expect that functional testing segment will dominate the region in the near future. Additionally, the rising investments in upgrading the current automation testing tools is also projected to drive the regional markets growth.North America will also aid the progress of security testing segment during the forecast period. The high adoption of mobile applications and Software as a Service (SaaS) on cloud will be the primary growth drivers for test automation in North America. Analysts expect that Asia Pacific will also offer lucrative growth opportunities to the global test automation market in the near future as the IT sector witness tremendous growth. The growing investments of foreign firms in the IT sector of various developing countries of Asia Pacific are expected to propel the regional markets growth.Read Comprehensive Overview of Report@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 Neurological Disorder Drugs Market Expected to Grow US$ 32.0 Bn by the end of 2024 https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=S&rep_id=17567 https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=17567 https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=D&rep_id=17567 https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/europe-neurological-disorder-drugs-market.html http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com Europe Neurological Disorders Drugs Market: SnapshotNeurological drugs are developed to treat neurological disorders such as epilepsy, Parkinsons disease, Alzheimers disease, multiple sclerosis, schizophrenia, traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, cerebrovascular diseases, and others. The growing prevalence of these disorders across the European region is anticipated to drive the demand for neurological disorder drugs market in the coming few years. The research report projects that intensifying concerns about living an adjusted life have prompted several patients to seek help. According to the study, the Europe neurological disorder drugs market was valued is expected to reach a valuation of US$32.0 bn by the end of 2024 as compared to US$18.3 bn in 2015. During the forecast years of 2016 and 2024, the overall market is expected to surge at a CAGR of CAGR of 6.4%.Request Sample of Report:Increasing Research and Development Fuels Market GrowthThe Europe neurological disorders drugs market will be fueled by the growing initiatives taken by governments of several countries to educate the masses and to develop new drugs. For instance, European Parkinson's Disease Association in Europe is offering affordable medications to patients, campaigning to raise awareness, and supporting research and development activities to drive the overall neurological disorder drugs market. The market has also seen a steady emergence of several research and development programs that are focused toward developing effective drugs that come at affordable prices. The collective rise in the spending of countries on developing neurological disorder drugs is expected to improve the markets revenue in the coming few years.On the basis of various disorders, the market caters to disorders such as epilepsy, Parkinsons disease, Alzheimers disease, multiple sclerosis, cerebrovascular disease and others. Out of all of these segments, the cerebrovascular disease held the dominant share in terms of revenue in 2015. The World Health Organization (WHO) states that the cerebrovascular diseases, which can manifest as a stroke, migraine and headache is the common cause of worry for several patients. About 80% of the patients suffering from cerebrovascular diseases across EU% show these symptoms. Thus, this segment is expected to exhibit a robust growth rate in the coming few years.Request Brochure of Report:Germany Stands out as Highest Consumer of Neurological Disorder Drugs in EuropeIn terms of geography, the Europe neurological disorder drugs market is segmented into Germany, France, Italy, Spain, U.K., Russia, Netherlands, Switzerland, Poland, and Rest of Europe. The research report states that Germany held a significant share in the market in 2015, closely followed by France. The regions will dominate over the forecast period due to the rising prevalence of neurological disorders and improving the awareness about the diseases due to support groups and government initiatives. Furthermore, the rising pool of geriatrics in Germany will also boost the uptake of neurological disorders drugs in the coming few years.Presently, Germany, the U.K., France, Switzerland, Italy, and Spain are the leading countries in Europe in the neurological disorder drugs market. The study indicates that Switzerland will offer several growth opportunities to the overall market as awareness about these life-altering diseases grows.Enquiry for discount on this report The leading players operating in the Europe neurological disorders market are Merck & Co., Boehringer Ingelheim GmbH, Bayer AG, Astra Zeneca, F-Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd., Novartis AG, and GlaxoSmithKline plc. Among these, Merck & Co., GlaxoSmithKline plc and Novartis AG. The research report states that the market is consolidated due to the presence of several small players in who hold significant share in the market. Most of these companies are focusing on improving their pipelines and expanding their geographical outreach to retain their dominance.View Report @About UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants, use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather, and analyze information. Our business offerings represent the latest and the most reliable information indispensable for businesses to sustain a competitive edge.US Office Contact90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite: Europe Advanced CO2 Sensor Market Global Key Players: Amphenol Corporation, Honeywell International Inc, Johnson Control by Forecast to 2022 https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/sample_request/2574 https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/europe-advanced-co2-sensor-market-2574 Market Synopsis:Advanced CO2 sensors help to monitor the intensity of CO2 in different mediums like air or water and can adjust automatically to changes in temperature, humidity, and altitude. This market is an integral part of the global sensors market and is heavily influenced by the augmented demand for location-based advanced CO2 sensors, which results in its impressive CAGR. Rising need for better air pollution measurement systems, to drive market growth during the forecast period.Increased Institutional Usage of CO2 Sensor and Increasing Government Initiatives and Regularizes for Controlling Air Pollution are some of the major drivers that exhibits the growth of Europe Advanced CO2 sensor market. The potential, demand, and usage of advanced CO2 sensor in various applications have increased support from governments worldwide. Recently in July 2016, The U.S. Department of Energy invested $11.5 Million to Advance Geologic Carbon Storage and Geothermal Exploration which will capture the carbon pollution from the burning of fossil fuels and improves renewable geothermal resources both of which will help to make the air purify.With the increase in population there is drastic increase in the infrastructure. So with the increase in the real estate industry, there are many different indoor pollutants came into picture that includes from volatile organic compound such as paints and new furnishing to pollutants from chemical uses, equipment and cleaning processes. Carbon-dioxide is a part of every breath we take, and as we emit it, then it becomes a proxy for other pollutants and shows that the ventilation systems are working properly or not. Europe Advanced CO2 Sensor Market While CO2 is not a pollutant it have an effect on humans, with increase in the level humans feel sleepy and sluggish, due to which it becomes difficult for the person to focus on the work and results into less productive.Thus, to overcome with the above concerns the need of air pollution measurement systems has been increased. These systems are enabled with sensors like advance CO2 which helps to purify the air, which leads to the proper ventilation.In this market analysis, analysts estimate the non-dispersive infrared (NIDR) CO2 sensors segment to account for nearly 83% of the total market share by 2016. The long lifespan, stability, and high humidity and dirt-withstanding nature of IR sensors are responsible for its high market share during the forecast period.Request a Sample Report @Major Key Players Amphenol Corporation (U.S.) Honeywell International Inc.(U.S.) Johnson Control (Ireland) Simens AG (Germany) Ati Airtest Technologies Inc. (U.S.) Sick AG (Germany) Gas Sensing Solution (U.K) Trane ( Subsidary Of Ingresoll Land) (Ireland) Senseair AB (Sweden) E+E Elektronik (Austria) Bluesens (Germany) Digital Control System Inc. (U.S.) Vertiss Industries (U.S.)Global Europe Advanced CO2 Sensor Market Analysis & Forecast, from 2016 to 2022 To provide detailed analysis of the market structure along with forecast for the next ten years of the various segments and sub-segments included in Europe Advanced CO2 Sensor market with analysis of its development and demand in the market Upcoming technologies, high growth geographies and countries were identified Regional and country specific demand and forecast for Europe Advanced CO2 Sensor were studied Key segments covered in the report are: manufacture, type, application. Unit breakdown for all different classification was finalized; and same was referred for forecasting, keeping few assumptions into factor For all the regions, forecast demand for all applications were identified and then with historical figure, data collected through primary and annual reports were triangulated to derive the regional market size Historical trend is identified to forecast and estimate the future value dataTarget Audience: Technology investors End-user industries Research & consultant organization Market players GovernmentBrowse Full Report Details @Key Findings Europe Advanced CO2 sensor market is expected to grow up to 3.6 Billion by 2021 with a CAGR of 14.6%. Honeywell is expected to be the market leader with 24% in Advanced CO2 Sensor among all European region. NDIR will gain a Europe Advanced CO2 sensor market with approximately 83%. By Application, Building Automation and Domestic Appliance holds the largest market growing with approximately 22.43% by the end of forecast period. Geographically, China has been projected to have the market share of USD 69 Million by the end of the forecasted periodTable of Contents1 Europe Market Advanced Co2 Sensors Manufacturers Profiles 101.1 Amphenol Corporation1.1.1 Business Overview1.2 Honeywell International Inc.1.2.1 Business Overview1.3 Johnson Control1.3.1 Business Overview1.4 Simens Ag1.4.1 Business Overview1.5 Ati Airtest Technologies Inc.Continued.About Market Research Future:At Market Research Future (MRFR), we enable our customers to unravel the complexity of various industries through our Cooked Research Report (CRR), Half-Cooked Research Reports (HCRR), Raw Research Reports (3R), Continuous-Feed Research (CFR), and Market Research & Consulting Services.MRFR team have supreme objective to provide the optimum quality market research and intelligence services to our clients. Our market research studies by products, services, technologies, applications, end users, and market players for global, regional, and country level market segments, enable our clients to see more, know more, and do more, which help to answer all their most important questions.Contact:Market Research FutureOffice No. 524/528, Amanora ChambersMagarpatta Road, HadapsarPune - 411028Maharashtra, India+1 646 845 9312Email: sales@marketresearchfuture.com Point-of-care Diagnostics Market to Raise at a CAGR of 6.9% between 2016 and 2024 https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=S&rep_id=1128 https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=1128 https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=D&rep_id=1128 https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/care-diagnostics-market.html http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com Global Point-of-care Diagnostics Market: SnapshotThe global point-of-care (PoC) diagnostics market has been witnessing rapid growth. The market is fueled rising patient preference for these tests and by technological advancements. Device manufacturers have been making continuous progress in terms of research and development to come up with newer and more advanced products and technologies. The point-of-care diagnostics market is gaining a significant boost from the growing prevalence of infectious diseases, particularly in developing countries such as India, China, South Africa, and Brazil. This is likely to create immense opportunities for players in the market. The growing demand for home-based and portable point-of-care devices that are faster, more advanced, and easy to use is also propelling the global market.The worldwide market for point-of-care diagnostics is slated to expand from a value of US$6.8 bn in 2016 to reach US$11.7 bn by 2024, exhibiting a 6.9% CAGR therein.Request Sample of Report:Point-of-care Diagnostics Market Dominated by Infectious Disease Testing Application SegmentBy way of product type, the point-of-care diagnostics market is led by the lateral flow assay test segment as there is a significant demand for decentralized diagnostic tests. Lateral flow tests are n ideal replacement for laboratory-based immunoassays in decentralized PoC testing locations. The solid phase assay test segment is anticipated to exhibit a high growth rate during the course of the forecast period. The increasing prevalence of chronic diseases will fuel the growth of this segment.By application, the market for point-of-care diagnostics is dominated by the infectious disease testing segment. The prevalence of an increasing number of life-threating infectious diseases such as HIV/AIDS, swine flu, and Ebola are likely to aid the segment in attaining the top spot. Many developing countries have been facing serious challenges when it comes to accurately identifying and diagnosing infectious diseases. Point-of-care diagnostics ensure speedy results to patient without the need for special equipment, facilities, or training. The methods are also almost always cost-effective and easily interpreted. This gives the segment an added boost.Request Brochure of Report:North America and India Most Promising Markets for Point-of-care DiagnosticsThe global market for point-of-care diagnostics is segmented by way of geography into Asia Pacific, the Middle East and Africa, Europe, North America, and Latin America. Asia Pacific and North America are two of the prominent markets in the world.North America accounted for a share of just under 40.0% in 2015 based on value, emerging as the leading point-of-care diagnostics market. The region holds the dominant spot in terms of both volume and revenue, fueled by factors such as rising popularity of portable testing equipment, the availability of low-cost devices, and rising incidence of substance abuse. The US is single-handedly propelling the North America market, accounting for just short of 65% in 2015. This can be attributed to increased prevalence of chronic diseases and greater adoption of early disease detection procedures.Enquiry for discount on this report The Asia Pacific market for point-of-care diagnostics will exhibit a strong growth rate over the course of the forecast period, fueled by the stellar performance of Japan as an emerging market. The Japan point-of-care diagnostics market is supported by a number of favorable factors, including a rise in government initiatives and investments and increasing awareness among people regarding early detection of diseases. Based on market size, India is likely to emerge as one of the most lucrative markets for point-of-care diagnostics in Asia Pacific.Alere Inc. and B. Braun Melsungen AG are two of the leading companies in the global point-of-care diagnostic market. Other key players include Becton, Dickinson and Company, Nipro Corporation, Teleflex, Inc., Cook Medical, Fresenius Medical Care, and Medtronic Plc.View Report @About UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants, use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather, and analyze information. Our business offerings represent the latest and the most reliable information indispensable for businesses to sustain a competitive edge.US Office Contact90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite: Synthetic Monitoring Market 2018-2023: Key Players - CA Technologies Inc., BMC Software Inc., IBM Corporation, Dell Technologies, Inc., Dynatrace Software company https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/sample_request/5608 https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/synthetic-monitoring-market-5608 Global Synthetic Monitoring Market Report, Type (Saas Application Monitoring, Mobile Application Monitoring, Web Application Monitoring), Service (Consulting, Training And Support), Deployment, Organization Size, Industry Vertical - Forecast Till 2023Market synopsis:With the rising adoption of application performance monitoring, there has been an enormous rise in demand for the synthetic control and real user monitoring. Many of the end-users sometimes take both synthetic and real user monitoring as nearly the same, but both offer a more extensive range of features and applications. Synthetic monitoring is also termed as active monitoring, which does not involve any end-user/real user. Synthetic monitoring is monitoring on an outer and more significant level. It consists of the use of web browser transactions or emulations. It is a process of application and website monitoring.Various enterprises and industry verticals are adopting synthetic monitoring for providing better results taking consideration of IT operations. It helps in monitoring the condition and health of a website so that it does not have any significant impact on the end users.Specific technological factors help in the growth of the market. These include the need for active application and website monitoring to manage the traffic, end-users and runtime/downtime. Also, the growing adoption of analytics is also playing a significant role in this market. The market growth is also maintained by the flexible pricing trends in cloud adoption. Nearly 90% of the businesses are either operating on-cloud or planning to move on-cloud.Get Sample Report @SegmentationOn the basis of type the market is segmented into SaaS Application Monitoring, Mobile Application Monitoring, Web Application Monitoring, and API Monitoring.On the basis of service, the market is segmented into Consulting, Training & Support, Implementation and Maintenance.On the basis of deployment, the market is segmented into on premise deployment and cloud deployment.On the basis of Organization size, the market is segmented into Small & Medium Enterprise and Large EnterpriseOn the basis of industry vertical, the market is segmented into BFSI, government, IT & Telecommunication, Automotive, Transportation and Logistics, Healthcare, Commercial.Regional analysisThe geographical analysis of Synthetic Monitoring Market mostly studies regions like North America, Europe (including Russia), Asia Pacific (including Australia and New Zealand) and rest of the world (including the Middle East, Africa, and Southern America). Among these regions, North America at present is leading the market for synthetic monitoring due to broad adoption of application performance management across various verticals. Also, the region holds more than 60% of the top prominent players providing services in this market. North America is closely followed by Europe region. Europe and North America are the technologically advanced regions, and the factor affecting the growth of this market is the rising analytic applications in industries like supply chain and logistics, automotive, retail, healthcare, IT & Telecommunication, and most of the modern manufacturing. Additionally, the European Union allows all the countries that are residing in Europe to trade on open and accepted standards and regulations benefitting the enterprises with ease of business operation.However, Asia Pacific is primarily known for its semiconductor and hardware industry; various software developers are emerging in countries like India, Japan, Singapore, and Australia. Asia Pacific, the Middle East & Africa are among the fastest growing regions in this market, but North America dominates the market till the forecast period.Get Report Details @Key playersSome of the key players in the Synthetic Monitoring market comprise of CA Technologies Inc. (U.S.), BMC Software Inc. (U.S.), IBM Corporation (U.S.), Dell Technologies, Inc. (U.S.), Dynatrace Software company (U.S.), Microsoft Corporation (U.S.), Hewlett-Packard Enterprise (U.S.), SmartBear Software (U.S.), AppDynamics (U.S.), Monitis (U.S.), Apica AB (Sweden), New Relic, Inc (U.S.), among others.The other vendors include Pingdom AB (Sweden), Uptrends (U.S.), Catchpoint Systems, Inc. (U.S.), eG Innovations Pte Ltd (Singapore), Zoho Corporation (India), Rigor (U.S.), AppNeta (Canada), NCC Group (U.K), Jive Software (U.S.), Acronis International GmbH (Switzerland), Neustar, Inc (U.S.), Exoprise Systems Inc (U.S.), Riverbed Technology (U.S.), Splunk, Inc. (U.S.) among others.The prominent players constantly keep innovating and investing in research and development in order to present a cost-effective portfolio. There have been recent mergers and acquisitions among the key players, where the business entities expect to strengthen their reach to their customers.Intended Audience Networking vendors Application developers Cloud Service Providers System Integrators Hardware Vendors Security Agencies Government Value-added Resellers Research FirmsAbout Market Research Future:At Market Research Future (MRFR), we enable our customers to unravel the complexity of various industries through our Cooked Research Report (CRR), Half-Cooked Research Reports (HCRR), Raw Research Reports (3R), Continuous-Feed Research (CFR), and Market Research & Consulting Services.MRFR team have supreme objective to provide the optimum quality market research and intelligence services to our clients. Our market research studies by Components, Application, Logistics and market players for global, regional, and country level market segments, enable our clients to see more, know more, and do more, which help to answer all their most important questions.In order to stay updated with technology and work process of the industry, MRFR often plans & conducts meet with the industry experts and industrial visits for its research analyst membersContact:Market Research FutureOffice No. 528, Amanora ChambersMagarpatta Road, Hadapsar,Pune - 411028Maharashtra, India+1 646 845 9312Email: sales@marketresearchfuture.com Cardiac Rhythm Management (CRM) Devices Batteries Market is Projected to Grow US$518.4 Mn by end of 2024 https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=S&rep_id=17678 https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=17678 https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=D&rep_id=17678 https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/cardiac-rhythm-management-devices-batteries-market.html http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com Global Cardiac Rhythm Management (CRM) Devices Batteries Market: SnapshotAs the availability of safer and cheaper lithium batteries is increasing, the global market for cardiac rhythm management (CRM) devices batteries is likely to attain new heights. CRM devices are designed to improve the health of patients with either too fast or too slow heartbeats. These devices are placed in the chests of patients suffering from arrhythmias or irregular heart rhythms. When a patient suffers from arrhythmias for too long, his/her heart cannot pump enough blood to the body, resulting in emergency situations, and even death. As these devices are powered by batteries, the demand for these devices will reflect in increased demand for these batteries.According to the findings of Transparency Market Research (TMR), the global market for CRM devices batteries was valued at US$397.3 mn in 2015. The market is expected to expand at a CAGR of 3.0% between 2015 and 2024, reaching US$518.4 mn towards the end of 2024.Request Sample of Report:North America, Asia Pacific to Emerge as Key MarketsNorth America holds a strong position in the market presently, by virtue of its highly developed healthcare infrastructure and greater incidence of arrhythmias. The rising number of CRM implants is the prominent factor boosting the market for CRM devices batteries in this region. According to the findings of the U.S. CDC, nearly 750,000 hospitalizations each year in the U.S. are attributed to atrial fibrillation, the most common form of arrhythmia. The mortality rate associated with this condition was 130,000 deaths every year. The 2014 study also highlighted that as many as 2.7 to 6.1 million American citizens had atrial fibrillation. As a result, the number of CRM devices implants are slated to increase even further.Asia Pacific is another region with great potential. The increasing healthcare expenditures of governments, growing per capita incomes of the middle class, and high prevalence of heart diseases, and growing awareness about heart diseases has been driving the market in Asia Pacific. Moreover, the development of highly efficient, technologically advanced CRM devices has been scooping out more demand. The increasing prevalence of cardiovascular diseases and sudden cardiac arrests will ensure that the demand for these products will continue to grow in China and India.Request Brochure of Report:Technological Advancements to Ensure Greater Demand for ICDs and ICPsBased on product type, the global market for CRM devices batteries has been segmented into cardiac resynchronization therapy devices, implantable cardiac pacemakers, and implantable cardioverter defibrillator. Implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) is a device that records the heart rate of patients. The ICD is connected to the chambers of heart via two thin wires. As the heart beats, electric signals are sent to the ICD. As soon as an abnormal heartbeat is detected by this device, it aids the heart restore its normal pace. Cardiac defibrillation uses an electric shock to do this.An implantable cardiac pacemaker (ICP), on the other hand, is a small device that assists the heart to produce more regular heartbeats with the help of a small electric stimulation. Both of these devices are typically placed under the skin of chest, below the collarbone. A cardiac resynchronization therapy device can be a half-dollar sized pacemaker that resynchronizes the heart. As these devices improve the blood flow and efficiency of the heart, several heart patients suffering with moderate to severe symptoms are using these devices.Enquiry for discount on this report The efforts of ongoing research and development projects will come to fruition, producing next-generation CRM devices with efficient batteries. The batteries used in the aforementioned devices are expected to undergo significant transformations and upgrading, thereby accelerating demand.Some of the major companies operating in the global market for CRM devices batteries are EaglePicher Technologies, Boston Scientific Corporation, BIOTRONIK SE & Co. KG, Greatbatch, Inc. (Integer), Quallion LLC, Medtronic, and St. Jude Medical, Inc.View Report @About UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants, use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather, and analyze information. Our business offerings represent the latest and the most reliable information indispensable for businesses to sustain a competitive edge.US Office Contact90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite: Alpha Mannosidosis Market to Raise at a CAGR of 11.9% from 2016-2024 https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=S&rep_id=2501 https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=2501 https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=D&rep_id=2501 https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/alpha-mannosidosis-market.html http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com Global Alpha Mannosidosis Market: SnapshotAlpha mannosidosis is an inherited medical condition tissues and organs of the human body to function in abnormal ways. The commonly seen dysfunctions in patients suffering from this disease are distinctive facial features, intellectual disability, and skeletal abnormalities. Some of the other facial features seen amongst patients are a protruding forehead, large head, rounded eyebrows, low hairline, outsized ears, expanded jaw, flattened bridge of the nose, overgrown gums, widely spaced teeth, and outsized tongue. Though this is a rare disease, a definite rise in the population has increased the number of patients thereby augmented the demand for drugs required for treating alpha mannosidosis.Owing to this reason, the opportunity in the global market is expected to be worth US$21.8 mn by the end of 2024 as against US$2.6 mn in 2015, as the market progresses at a CAGR of 11.9% between 2017 and 2024. The global market for alpha mannosidosis is being driven factors such as market exclusivity being enjoyed by orphan drugs, fee reductions, tax credits, increasing investment in the rare disease treatment, and premium pricing.Request Sample of Report:BMT Emerges as Leading Therapy for Treating Alpha MannosidosisStatistics show that alpha mannosidosis affects one in every 10, 00,000 people across the globe. The two types of treatment available for treating this disease are bone marrow transplant (BMT) and enzyme replacement therapy (ERT). Currently, bone marrow transplant (BMT) is the most popularly used treatment for patients. However, ERT is also picking up pace as the manufacturers operating in the segment are vying for commercial roll out of therapies. A promising therapy for lysosomal storage diseases (which are similar to alpha mannosidosis) is an enzyme replacement therapy (ERT). The therapy introduces the missing enzyme in the patients blood stream, which is absorbed by the cells then delivered to the lysosomes.Request Brochure of Report:Asia Pacific and North America Show Promise of Steady Growth during Forecast PeriodGeographically, the market has been segmented into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America and the Middle East and Africa. Asia Pacific is projected to hold a dominant share in the market in 2017. This dominance will be attributable to the growing awareness about the disease in developing countries. Presently, the Government of Australia has implemented a national plan for helping patients with rare diseases to reduce the mortality rate due to these diseases. The plan aims to raise awareness about the burden of rare diseases among patients, its impact on social life, and healthcare professionals.Enquiry for discount on this report North America alpha mannosidosis market is also expected to witness a remarkable growth rate in the coming years. The orphan drug law will boost the new drug discovery efforts as it aims to offer monetary as well as non-financial benefits to manufacturers. The biggest incentive offered North America is a 50% cut the cost incurred for conducting clinical trials, seven years of market exclusivity for orphan drugs, eligibility for federal research grants, and waiver of user fees.The leading players operating in the global alpha mannosidosis market is Zymenex. The company currently focusses on research and development of biologics that are designed to fight rare and life-threatening genetic diseases. The company has developed recombinant enzyme indicated for patients with alpha mannosidosis, which is known as Lamazym (velmanase alfa) in the market.View Report @About UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants, use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather, and analyze information. Our business offerings represent the latest and the most reliable information indispensable for businesses to sustain a competitive edge.US Office Contact90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite: Autologous Cell Therapy Market to Surpass US$ 23.7 Bn by 2024 https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=S&rep_id=715 https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=715 https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=D&rep_id=715 https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/autologus-cell-therapy-market.html http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com Global Autologous Cell Therapy Market: OverviewAutologous cell therapy refers to infusion or transfer of human tissue or cells back to the same person for treating a diseased part. For the same purpose, stem cells are removed from the patient, harvested, cultured, and once again transplanted to the same person. The purpose of this method is to reduce the chances of rejection to the treatment by the body. Furthermore, autologous cell therapy does not even require immunosuppression. The growing number of cancer patients have triggered a significant demand for autologous cell therapy. According to the research report, the global market projected to reach a valuation of US$23.7 bn by the end of 2024 as compared to US$3.8 bn in 2015. During the forecast period of 2016 and 2024, the global market is estimated to exhibit a CAGR of 21.9%.Request Sample of Report:Unmet Medical Needs and Cost-effectiveness of Autologous Cell Therapy Drives DemandThe global market is expected to grow due to the huge pool of unmet medical needs for cell based therapy, growing government support for cell-based research, and rising number of technological innovations in cell based therapies. Currently, cell therapy is considered a promising technique for several conditions such as neurological, orthopedic, oncology, and a wide range of autoimmune diseases. The ability of stem cells to transform into a cartilage, tendon, bone (osteoblast), and muscle has given this market a fresh lease of life. The biggest advantages of autologous cells is the fact that it is relatively cost-effective, allows quick access to blood as it is derived from the patient, ensures easy method of production, and comes with the lowest threat of disease transfusion. All of these factors have been consistently boosting the demand for autologous cell therapy in recent years.Request Brochure of Report:Supportive Government Policies across North America Favor Regional MarketGeographically, the market has been divided into Asia Pacific, North America, Europe, the Middle East and Africa, and Latin America. North America holds a dominant position in the global market and is expected to maintain its stance in the coming years as well. The strengthening health care infrastructure and supportive government policies are expected ensure high adoption of autologous cell therapy in North America in the near future. The analysts estimate that Asia Pacific will also register a robust CAGR in the coming years. The growth of this market in Asia pacific will be driven by the proliferating medical tourism industry, increasing contract research activities, and economic growth of certain developing countries such as India and China.Enquiry for discount on this report Hospitals to Retain Dominance in Global Market over Forecast PeriodThe end users of autologous cell therapy are hospitals, research centers, and ambulatory centers. Of these, the hospitals dominated the global market in 2015 and are expected to continue its dominance till the end of 2024 as the surgical procedures continue to be on the rise across hospitals. The research report indicates that the ambulatory surgical centers segment will also expand at a significant rate in the coming years as it is known to reduce waiting time period before surgery, growing outpatient surgical procedures, high confidentiality and privacy of the data, and cost-effective procedure.Some of the leading players operating in the global market are Major players operating in this Market are Vericel Corporation, BioTime, Inc., Pharmicell Co., BrainStorm Cell Therapeutics, Opexa Therapeutics, Inc, Pharmicell Co., Inc.View Report @About UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants, use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather, and analyze information. Our business offerings represent the latest and the most reliable information indispensable for businesses to sustain a competitive edge.US Office Contact90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite: Psoriasis Treatment Market is Expected to Grow at a CAGR of 5.1% from 2016 to 2024 https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=S&rep_id=17960 https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=17960 https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=D&rep_id=17960 https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/psoriasis-treatment-market.html http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com Global Psoriasis Treatment Market: SnapshotThe alarming rise in the number of psoriasis patients is having the most prominent impact on the global market for psoriasis treatment. With the increasing FDA approval for novel drugs and therapies for psoriasis treatment, the market is likely to surge remarkably over the next few years. Apart from this, the presence of a strong product pipeline and the growing awareness regarding psoriasis and its treatment among people in emerging economies are also projected to propel this market in the near future.According to Transparency Market Research (TMR), the global market for psoriasis treatment offered an opportunity worth US$7.8 bn in 2015. Researchers estimate this market to rise at a CAGR of 5.10% between 2016 and 2024 and reach US$12.1 bn by 2024.Request Sample of Report:TNF Inhibitors Report Higher DemandTNF Inhibitors, interleukin blockers, and vitamin D analogues or combination have emerged as the key products available in the worldwide market for psoriasis treatment. Driven by superior efficiency and safety, TNF inhibitors are reporting a higher demand than other products in this market. By 2024, the segment is expected to remain on top with an estimated share of more than 47% in the overall market. However, the introduction of biosimilars may limit this demand to some extent in the years to come.Interleukin blockers, on the flip side, is projected to present a lucrative growth opportunity to market players over the coming years due to their augmenting usage and their ability to act selectively by targeting the proteins.Request Brochure of Report:Increasing Pool of Psoriasis Patients to Ensure North Americas DominanceOn the basis of geography, Latin America, North America, Europe, Middle East and Africa, and Asia Pacific are considered as the prime regional market for psoriasis treatment. North America has surfaced as the key contributor to this market and is likely to retain this position in the near future. The remarkable rise in the patient pool suffering from psoriasis is projected to boost this regional market over the coming years. The presence of well-established drugmakers is also expected to have positive influence on the North America market for psoriasis treatment in the years to come.Enquiry for discount on this report Enquiry for discount on this report Europe, although currently having a strong position in the overall market, is likely to experience a decline in the demand psoriasis treatment, following an intense competition from biosimilars over the next few years. Latin America and Asia Pacific, on the other hand, are anticipated to witness a significant rise in their respective markets over the next few years. The increasing awareness regarding psoriasis and its treatment among people in emerging economies, such as China and India, through various government and NGO campaigns is projected to stimulate the Asia Pacific market for psoriasis treatment considerably in the near future.Biogen, LEO Pharma A/S, AbbVie Inc., AstraZeneca, Pfizer Inc., Johnson & Johnson, Merck & Co. Inc., Novartis AG, Eli Lilly & Co., and Amgen Inc. are some of the prominent players in the global market for psoriasis treatment.View Report @About UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants, use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather, and analyze information. Our business offerings represent the latest and the most reliable information indispensable for businesses to sustain a competitive edge.US Office Contact90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite: Multiplexed Diagnostics Market Reflecting a CAGR of 20.3% during 2016 2024 https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=S&rep_id=1719 https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=1719 https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=D&rep_id=1719 https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/multiplexed-diagnostics-market.html http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com Global Multiplexed Diagnostics Market: SnapshotThe growth of private and public funding in the fields of genomics and personalized medicineis currently a high value driver for the global multiplexed diagnostics market. It is boosting the demand for advanced diagnostic technologies for precision-based diagnostics of life-threatening diseases. Current positive trends in the global multiplexed diagnostics market include the increasing rate of extensive research and development efforts being made to expand and diversify the existing applications in multiplexed diagnostics, the development in generic platforms, and a greater use of multiplexed diagnostics in academic and research organizations. However, the global multiplexed diagnostics market is being restrained by high costs pertaining to multiplexed diagnostics assay equipment and testing and an overall lack of skilled labor for handling the advanced equipment.The global multiplexed diagnostics market was valued at US$5.0 bn in 2015. It is projected to reach US$26.36 bn by the end of 2024 after expanding at a CAGR of 20% from 2016 to 2024.Request Sample of Report:North Americas Dominance in Global Multiplexed Diagnostics Market to ContinueThe global Multiplexed diagnostics market is segmented on the basis of regions, into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East & Africa. In 2015, North America bagged for the leading share of the market in terms of value, owing to a rising prevalence of cardiac diseases and cancer in the region. North American players in the multiplexed diagnostics market also benefitted from the greater level of penetration of the national health care services. The region is expected to continue dominating the global multiplexed diagnostics market till 2024, a likelihood attributed to the regions high percentage of the geriatric population, an advanced and structured healthcare industry, and a large scope of application of reimbursement policies from both public and private sources.Request Brochure of Report:In Europe, the market for multiplexed diagnostics is also expected to grow at a substantial rate with the growing involvement of academic and research institutes from Germany and the U.K. North America and Europe are projected to be highly lucrative markets for players from the global multiplexed diagnostics market. Conversely, multiplexed diagnostics have not yet found solid foundations in Latin America, Asia Pacific, and the Middle East & Africa to grow on for now.Infectious Disease Diagnostics in Full SwingIn terms of applications, the global multiplexed diagnostics market can be divided into autoimmune diseases, oncology, cardiac diseases, infectious disease diagnostic, and allergies. In 2015, a collective lead was attributed to the two segments of infectious disease diagnostics and oncology, due to an increase in the prevalence of infectious diseases along with a growing count of patients suffering from breast cancer, colorectal cancer, and prostate cancer. Oncology, cardiac diseases, and infectious disease diagnostics are expected to be highly beneficial segments for players from the global multiplexed diagnostics market. The segment for cardiac diseases is expected to expand at leading rate over the coming years due to the growing prevalence of various cardiovascular diseases. In terms of end users, the global multiplexed diagnostics market was led by academic research institutes in 2015. It is also expected to be the dominant end user in the market till 2024, owing to an increasing contribution of universities and cancer research centers and the research projects in the field of genetic engineering.Enquiry for discount on this report Till 2015, the leading players in the global multiplexed diagnostics market included Agilent Technologies, Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc., BioMerieux SA, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., Illumina, Inc., Luminex Corporation, Hologic, Inc., Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc., Siemens Healthineers, and Abbott Laboratories.View Report @About UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants, use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather, and analyze information. Our business offerings represent the latest and the most reliable information indispensable for businesses to sustain a competitive edge.US Office Contact90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite: The EHS market is expected to expand at a CAGR of 12.0% reaching US$ 8,315.1.0 Mn by 2024 https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/environmental-health-safety-market.html https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=S&rep_id=2292 https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/report-toc/2292 http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com Environmental health & safety tools are primarily used by companies to adhere with the environmental regulations and norms concerned with occupational and environmental health & safety. Over the past four decades, a large number of EHS regulations has been implemented across major industrialized economies such as North America and Europe.After the global financial crisis in 2008, implementation of robust and costly EHS monitoring tools has been affected greatly. Yet there has been a significant imposition of regulations that has collectively increased the spending on improved information management systems. The global EHS market is expected to expand at a CAGR of 12.0% from 2016 to 2024, reaching US$ 8,315.1.0 Mn by 2024.Browse the Report to Know Repository of Analysis and Information for Every Facet of the Market @The implementation of EHS tools has been witnessing prominent growth owing to a rise in corporate investment across EHS software platforms. Furthermore, multiple statutory and legal requirements to maintain EHS safety standards have surged the deployment of EHS across major industry verticals such as chemicals and petrochemicals, construction, and energy and mining.Moreover, continued industrial growth in developing economies such as China, India, South Africa, and the UAE is encouraging EHS adoption. This has significantly affected the market for EHS to exhibit growth across developing nations. However, there are certain restraints harnessing the EHS markets growth, such as potentially costly solutions and services to comply with EHS regulations and the expenditures incurred in auditing for complex sites.Request Sample to Know Quantitative Market Analysis, Current and Future Trends @The EHS market is segmented on the basis of components, end-use industry, and geography. The components segment can be further classified on the basis of software solutions and the services offered. The different types of software solutions associated with EHS include quality and risk assessment software, data analytics software, cost management software, environmental compliance software, energy and carbon management software, and others.The EHS service segmentation includes consulting services, project management, analytics, training, implementation, auditing, and certification. Key end-use industries implementing EHS software and services covered in this report are chemical & petrochemical, energy & mining, construction, agriculture, transportation, manufacturing, government & public sector, retail, healthcare and others. Based on geography, the market has been segmented into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa, and Latin America.Get TOC of This Report @North America recorded the greatest implementation of EHS in terms of software and services, and the region is expected to dominate the EHS market at the highest CAGR of 13.2% from 2016 to 2024. This high growth rate is anticipated due to the development of end-use industry infrastructure across the U.S. Moreover, rising awareness in terms of adherence to environmental regulations, has further strengthened the North American EHS market.environmental-health-safety-marketMarket players profiled in the report are prominent players in the field of software development along with major non-profit and consulting organizations. They include IHS Inc., 3E Company, International Finance Corporation, Enablon North America Corporation, SAP SE, UL LLC, and Medgate Inc.About UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. We have an experienced team of Analysts, Researchers, and Consultants, who us e proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather, and analyze information. Our business offerings represent the latest and the most reliable information indispensable for businesses to sustain a competitive edge.Each TMR Syndicated Research report covers a different sector such as pharmaceuticals, chemical, energy, food & beverages, semiconductors, med-devices, consumer goods and technology. These reports provide in-depth analysis and deep segmentation to possible micro levels. With wider scope and stratified research methodology, our syndicated reports thrive to provide clients to serve their overall research requirement.ContactTransparency Market Research90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite: Dental ConsumablesMarket to Raise at a CAGR of 6.1% between 2016 and 2024 https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=S&rep_id=554 https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=554 https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=D&rep_id=554 https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/dental-consumables-market.html http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com Global Dental Consumables Market: SnapshotThe growing number of dental issues across the world are fuelling the demand for dental consumables. These consumables are predominantly used for tooth restoration, treating dental impairments, and related gingival tissues. The global dental consumables market has been thriving in recent years due to the increasing dental tourism in developing countries. Citing these reasons, analysts predict that global dental consumables market will be worth US$33.4 bn by the end of 2024 from US$19.6 bn in 2015. The overall market between 2016 and 2024 is expected to rise at a CAGR of 6.1%.Several emerging economies such as Turkey, Hungary, and India are expected to offer lucrative opportunities to the global market in the coming years. The low cost of labor, less government intervention, effective dental treatments, and improving services are expected to draw in a large number of patients for dental treatments. The market is also thriving due to the remarkable improvements in the quality of dental implants, which has assured several patients to opt for dental treatments. Rising disposable incomes, improving lifestyles, and growing awareness about oral healthcare are also expected to drive the global dental consumables market in the next few years.Request Sample of Report:Resemblance of Crowns and Bridges to Natural Teeth Make them Most Preferred Choice of Dental ConsumablesIn terms of products, the global market is segmented into retail dental care essentials, crowns and bridges, dental biomaterials, orthodontics, dental implants, dental consumables, endodontics, and periodontics. Of these, the crowns and bridges segment has been leading the global market and is expected to remain dominant all throughout the forecast period. These devices are used for creating a protective layer over damaged part of the tooth. The segment is receiving a significant boost due to introduction of advanced technologies such as CAM and CAD. Analysts anticipate that the market could also benefit from the rising awareness about cosmetic dentistry, improving life expectancy, and a huge pool of geriatrics across the globe. The report also suggest that stability of crowns and bridges and their resemblance to natural-looking tooth are also expected to drive the demand for this segment. Furthermore, the rising cost of metals has negatively impacted the metal-based crowns and bridges, tilting the demand toward newer ones.Request Brochure of Report:Improvements in Oral Healthcare across Europe keeps Region in the LeadIn terms of geography, the global dental consumables market is segmented into Europe, North America, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and Middle East & Africa. Europe is the frontrunner in the global market due to the ever-increasing pool of geriatrics. The growing concerns for oral health care are expected to keep Europe growing at a steady CAGR in the global dental consumables market during the forecast period. The growing funding for improving and expanding oral health care facilities across Europe is also expected to benefit this regional market.On the other hand, Asia Pacific is also expected to show a steady growth rate in the coming years. The emergence of the middle class is the primary growth driver for this regional market. The booming dental tourism in Asia Pacific is estimated to keep up the demand for dental consumables in the coming years. Furthermore, improving disposable incomes, access of oral health care, and growing awareness will also boost the growth of the regional market.Enquiry for discount on this report The key players operating in the global dental consumables market are 3M Health Care, Danaher Corporation, DENTSPLY International, Inc., Henry Schein, Inc., Institut Straumann AG, Ivoclar Vivadent AG, Patterson Companies, and Zimmer Biomet Holdings, Inc.View Report @About UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants, use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather, and analyze information. Our business offerings represent the latest and the most reliable information indispensable for businesses to sustain a competitive edge.US Office Contact90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite: Biopharmaceutical Logistics Market Dynamics, Analysis and Supply Demand 2024 - FedEx Corporation, Ceva Logistics LLC, Amerisource Bergen Corporation, Panalpina Group Market Research Report https://www.researchmoz.us/enquiry.php?type=S&repid=1109479 https://www.researchmoz.us/biopharmaceutical-logistics-market-global-industry-analysis-size-share-growth-trends-and-forecast-2016-2024-report.html/toc http://bit.ly/1TBmnVG https://marketreserch1.blogspot.com Researchmoz added Most up-to-date research on "Biopharmaceutical Logistics Market - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends, and Forecast 2016 - 2024" to its huge collection of research reports.Global Biopharmaceutical Logistics Market: OverviewLogistics is an essential segment of supply chain management. Logistics allows the pharmaceutical companies to establish consistency as well as efficiency through the international supply chain market. The pharmaceutical sector opts logistics for a complete management of acquiring, storing and moving the resources to the end users as per their needs. Logistics provides a continuous supply of bio pharmaceutical products like vaccines, anti-bodies, somatic cells and other biomolecules from sellers and traders in different places. It also allows the transport of pharmaceutical drugs which do not require cold chain control. Nowadays, the pharmaceutical companies have even started to outsource the logistics domain of the company to the third parties. Logistics market is gaining popularity due to fast track execution and better communication, even this market is in constant process to reduce packaging costs. The market has also witnessed rapid growth due to mergers and acquisitions by the existing players. The market for biopharmaceutical logistics shall be driven by factors such as logistics providers having local contacts and know-how, innovation in packaging and increased manufacture and use of biologic drugs.To Get Sample Copy of Report visit @Global Biopharmaceutical Logistics Market: Scope of the ReportThis report on the global biopharmaceutical logistics market analyzes the current and future prospects of the market. The report comprises an elaborate executive summary, including a market snapshot that provides overall information of various segments and sub-segments. The research is a combination of primary and secondary research. Detailed qualitative analysis of factors responsible for driving and restraining market growth and opportunities has been provided in the market overview section. Market revenue in terms of US$ Bn for the period between 2014 and 2024 along with the compound annual growth rate (CAGR %) from 2016 to 2024 are provided for all the segments, considering 2015 as the base year. Market volume data (tonnage) for the period 2014 to 2024 has been provided for the mode of transportation segment at regional and country level.Market related factors such as technological developments, service innovations, expansion of infrastructural facilities such as warehousing networks by major players and historical year-on-year growth have been taken into consideration while estimating the market size. Growth rates for each segment within the global biopharmaceutical logistics market have been determined after a thorough analysis of past trends, demographics, future trends, technological developments, and regulatory requirements. These factors would help the market players to take strategic decisions in order to strengthen their positions and expand their share in the global market.Global Biopharmaceutical Logistics Market: SegmentationBased on type, the global biopharmaceutical logistics market has been segmented into cold chain logistics and non-cold chain logistics. Although the overall pharmaceutical market has more products requiring non-cold chain based logistics transport, the market for cold chain is witnessing a higher growth rate owing to the rise in manufacture and transport of biologic drugs and those drugs which require temperature controlled shipping.Make an Enquiry about TOC @The principal modes of transportation for biopharmaceutical logistics include air shipping, sea shipping, road shipping and rail shipping. New regulations in the U.S., the European Union, and elsewhere, has radically lengthened the list of drugs requiring temperature-controlled handling. Specifically, new rules for handling products that fall into the controlled ambient (15 to 25 degrees C) category has upsurged the demand for temperature controlled handling. This has led to many pharmaceutical companies resorting to air shipping for such critical products. However, concerns over cost containment has led to the trend of increased preference for transporting pharmaceuticals by sea and road, wherever possible.Geographically, the global Biopharmaceutical Logistics market has been segmented into five regions: North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and Middle East & Africa. The regions have been further segmented by major countries. Considerable growth in biopharma logistics is expected in the emerging countries in Asia compared to North America and Europe.Companies Mentioned in the ReportThe report also profiles major players in the Biopharmaceutical Logistics market based on various attributes such as company overview, financial overview, SWOT analysis, key business strategies, product portfolio, and recent developments. Key companies profiled in the report include FedEx Corporation, Ceva Logistics LLC, Amerisource Bergen Corporation, Panalpina Group, Kuehne + Nagel International AG, XPO Logistics, Inc., United Parcel Service, Inc., Deutsche Post DHL Group, DB Schenker and C.H. Robinson Worldwide, Inc.The global biopharmaceutical logistics market has been segmented as follows:Global Biopharmaceutical Logistics Market, by TypeCold Chain LogisticsNon-cold Chain LogisticsGlobal Biopharmaceutical Logistics Market, by Mode of TransportationAir ShippingSea ShippingRoad ShippingRail ShippingGlobal Biopharmaceutical Logistics Market, by ServiceTransportationWarehousingGlobal Biopharmaceutical Logistics Market, by GeographyNorth AmericaU.S.CanadaAsia PacificChinaJapanKoreaSingaporeTaiwanIndiaAustraliaRest of APACEuropeAbout ResearchMozResearchMoz is the one stop online destination to find and buy market research reports & Industry Analysis. We fulfill all your research needs spanning across industry verticals with our huge collection of market research reports. We provide our services to all sizes of organizations and across all industry verticals and markets. Our Research Coordinators have in-depth knowledge of reports as well as publishers and will assist you in making an informed decision by giving you unbiased and deep insights on which reports will satisfy your needs at the best price.For More Information Kindly Contact :ResearchMozMr. Nachiket Ghumare,Tel: +1-518-621-2074USA-Canada Toll Free: 866-997-4948Email: sales@researchmoz.usFollow us on LinkedIn @ Biodegradable Stents Market Expected to Account US$1.7 Bn by 2024 https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=S&rep_id=12464 https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=12464 https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=D&rep_id=12464 https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/biodegradable-stents-market.html http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com Global Biodegradable Stents Market: SnapshotThe biodegradable stents are used for treating cardiovascular conditions pertaining to the coronary artery. These stents are also known as bioabsorbable or bioresorbable vascular scaffolds and are surgically placed in the coronary artery for eluting the drug that is administered for vascular restoration and the polymer coating. The biggest advantage of these stents is that they get entirely absorbed in the vessels over a period of time, reducing the risk of complications or infections. This advantage is the primary reason for the growth of the global biodegradable stents market. According to the research report, the global biodegradable stents market was valued at US$18 mn in 2015 and is expected to reach US$1.7 bn by 2024, as the market progresses at a CAGR of 30.1% between 2016 and 2024.Request Sample of Report:Advantages of Biodegradable Stents Keep the Sentiment in Global Market PositiveAs compared to predecessors of biodegradable stents, the newer technology has significantly reduced the risk of thrombosis, in in-stent restenosis, dual anti-platelet therapy, and second surgery for removal of the stent. These factors have played a pivotal role in shaping the trajectory of the global market in a positive direction over the past few years. The efficiency of biodegradable stents has won the market numerous consumers in the recent past. Thus, several patients and cardiologists have shown a keen interest in the uptake of biodegradable stents in the treatment of coronary and peripheral artery diseases.The two type of stents available in the global market are the coronary artery stents and peripheral artery stents. Of these, the coronary artery stents held a dominant share in the global market in 2015. The segment is expected to continue its dominance in the coming years due to the exponentially rising number of deaths due to cardiovascular diseases. The high prevalence of coronary artery diseases across the globe around the world, rising preference of cardiologists towards percutaneous coronary intervention procedures, and increasing uptake of use of stents are expected to make a significant contribution to the soaring revenue of this segment in the forecast period.Request Brochure of Report:Asia Pacific Paces Ahead due to Vast Unmet Medical NeedsIn terms of geography, the global biodegradable market is segmented into North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, and Middle East and Africa. Europe held a lions share in the global biodegradable stents market in 2015. Asia Pacific closely followed as the developing nations of the region are showing keen interest in uptake of newer technologies. These regions are expected to show continued progress in the overall market due to high adoption rate of biodegradable stents due to quick approvals from regulatory bodies. Furthermore, high incidence of diabetes and hypertension across Asia Pacific are also expected to spike the demand for biodegradable stents as patients suffering from these conditions are highly susceptible to cardiovascular diseases. The report indicates that North America biodegradable stents market will also show considerable progress with recent approvals from the U.S. FDA.Enquiry for discount on this report The key players operating in the global biodegradable stents market are Abbott Laboratories, Boston Scientific, Inc., Kyoto Medical Planning, Biotronik, Elixir Medical Corporation, Sahajanand Medical Technologies, and Terumo Europe NV. The competitive landscape in the global biodegradable stents market is likely to remain consolidated all throughout 2016 and 2024 as major players will hold a dominant share.View Report @About UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants, use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather, and analyze information. Our business offerings represent the latest and the most reliable information indispensable for businesses to sustain a competitive edge.US Office Contact90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite: Vial Adaptors for Reconstitution Drug Market Worth US$ 1.3 Bn by 2024 https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=S&rep_id=18509 https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=18509 https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=D&rep_id=18509 https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/vial-adaptors-for-reconstitution-drug-market.html http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com Global Vial Adaptors for Reconstitution Drug Market: SnapshotThe global market for vial adaptors for reconstitution drugs has been experiencing a steady demand as these vial adaptors have come to be the safest solutions for quick transfer for drugs between vials. The demand for these vial adaptors is also expected to shoot up as they are exceptionally cost-effective and come with a reduced the risk of needlestick injuries. The growing prevalence of infectious diseases, widening pool of geriatrics, and increasing safety concerns have all triggered a demand for vial adaptors for reconstitution drugs. According to the research report, the global vial adaptors for reconstitution drug market was valued at US$780 mn in 2015 and is expected to reach US$1.3 bn by the end of 2024. Between the forecast years of 2016 and 2024, the global market is expected to progress at a CAGR of 7.5%.Request Sample of Report:Autoimmune Diseases to Drive Global Vial Adaptors for Reconstitution Drug MarketOn the basis of therapeutic area, the vial adaptors for reconstitution drug market has been segmented into autoimmune diseases, infectious diseases, metabolic conditions, reproductive health and others. Currently, the infectious diseases segment holds a major share in the global vial adaptors for reconstitution drug therapeutic area segment. However, the autoimmune diseases segment is expected to show robust growth rate in the coming years. As of 2015, it was the second largest segment in the overall market in terms of revenue. The American Autoimmune Related Diseases Association (AARDA) states that more than 50 million individuals are affected by autoimmune disorders in the U.S. every year. This is expected to drive the autoimmune diseases segment in the coming years.Request Brochure of Report:North America to Remain the Leading Regional Market during Forecast PeriodIn terms of geography, the global market is segmented into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and Rest of the World. Out of these regional markets, North America remained dominant in the global vial adaptors for reconstitution drug market in 2015. Europe followed this lead closely. The high incidence of autoimmune diseases, rising technological advancements, and growing demand for needle-free products likely to support the growth of the vial adaptors for reconstitution drug market in North America. On the other hand, the demand in Europe will be fueled by increasing advancements in healthcare technology amidst rising safety concerns.Enquiry for discount on this report Analysts estimate that Asia Pacific is also likely to be a lucrative market for the vial adaptors for reconstitution drugs during the forecast period. The growing adoption of technology, high prevalence of autoimmune diseases such as diabetes, and increasing adoption of technology are all expected to make a significant contribution to the soaring vial adaptors for reconstitution drug market in Asia Pacific. This regional market will also be propelled by the swelling pool of geriatrics, who are prone to various medical conditions and a vast pool of unmet medical needs. The strengthening economies of Asia Pacific and improving access to healthcare in the region are also likely to augment the demand for vial adaptors for reconstitution drugs.The key players operating in the global vial adaptors for reconstitution drug market are Baxter International Inc., Becton, Dickinson and Company, Cardinal Health, Inc., Sensile Medical AG, Unilife Corporation and West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc. The market is largely consolidated as major players hold a dominating share.View Report @About UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants, use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather, and analyze information. Our business offerings represent the latest and the most reliable information indispensable for businesses to sustain a competitive edge.US Office Contact90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite: Solar PV Systems Market Is Expected to Reach at a CAGR of 9.9% by Regional Outlook, Segmentation, Application and Forecast to 2021 Market Research Report https://www.researchmoz.us/enquiry.php?type=S&repid=1232496 https://www.researchmoz.us/global-solar-pv-systems-market-2017-2021-report.html/toc http://bit.ly/1TBmnVG https://marketreserch1.blogspot.com Researchmoz added Most up-to-date research on "Global Solar PV Systems Market 2017-2021" to its huge collection of research reports.About Solar PV SystemsA solar PV system, also known as a solar power system is designed to provide usable solar power by means of PVs. PVs use a semiconductor material to convert sunlight into electricity. A typical solar PV system consists of an arrangement of several components, including solar panels that absorb and convert sunlight into electricity, a solar inverter to convert the electric current from DC to AC, and other electrical accessories and cabling to set up a working solar power system. A solar PV system can range from small-scale rooftop mounted system typically utilized in residential and commercial buildings to large utility-scale ground mounted systems, which generate thousands of MW of electricity. Solar PV systems can be grid-connected or decentralized/off-grid installations in remote locations. Off-grid solar power systems can be standalone or hybrid systems coupled with other sources of energy, such as wind power.Technavios analysts forecast the global solar PV systems market to grow at a CAGR of 20.73% 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 solar PV systems market for 2017-2021. To calculate the market size, the report considers sales of complete Solar PV system i.e. Solar PV module and BOS (inverters, racking, switches, enclosures, and others) including installation cost.The market is divided into the following segments based on geography:AmericasAPACEMEATechnavio's report, Global Solar PV Systems 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 vendorsJinko SolarTrina SolarSMA Solar TechnologyHuawei TechnologiesSUNGROWOther prominent vendorsABBCanadian SolarChint GroupDAQO NEW ENERGYDelta GroupEnphase EnergyFirst SolarFlin EnergyMake an Enquiry about TOC @Fronius InternationalGCL-PolyGolden Concord HoldingsGoodWe (Jiangsu) Power Supply TechnologyGrowatt New Energy TechnologyHanwha GroupJA SOLARKACO new energyKstar New EnergyKYOCERALavancha Renewable EnergyLuminous IndiaMICROTEK INTERNATIONALOMRONPower ElectronicsPure VoltRedback TechnologiesRenesolaRisen EnergySchneider ElectricSHANGHAI SUNVIS NEW ENERGYSharp CorporationShunfeng International Clean EnergySineng ElectricSolarEdge TechnologiesSolaX PowerSu-Kam Power SystemsSunPowerTABUCHI ELECTRICTalesunTMEICVikram SolarVoltronic Power TechnologyWaaree EnergiesYingli SolarMarket driverDeclining cost of solar energyFor a full, detailed list, view our reportMarket challengeIntermittency in solar power generationFor a full, detailed list, view our reportMarket trendFloating solar PV plantFor 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?What are the market opportunities and threats faced by the key vendors?What are the strengths and weaknesses of the key vendors?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.For More Information Kindly Contact :ResearchMozMr. Nachiket Ghumare,Tel: +1-518-621-2074USA-Canada Toll Free: 866-997-4948Email: sales@researchmoz.usFollow us on LinkedIn @ 3D Metrology Market 2018 Growth Key Leaders: Hexagon AB, Mityotoyo Corporation, Carl Zeiss, Nikon Metrology, Keyence Corporation, AMETEK https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/sample_request/3677 https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/3d-metrology-market-3677 Market Highlights:The major growth driver of 3D Metrology Market includes growing quality requirement in industrial product, and increasing use of technically advanced devices for measurement, among others. However, lack of technical expertise is expected to hinder the market growth of 3D metrology in the forecast period 2016-2022.These measuring systems are used for a wide range of measurement tasks, namely analyzing the surface, shape and dimension of the machine parts and tools at every stage of the manufacturing process.The changing consumer demand for industrial products and the growing technological advancement in measurement techniques have developed the need for more precise and accurate industrial products. To provide products with assured quality and longer durability, automotive, aerospace, packaging, electronics and mechanical engineering industries are implementing 3D Metrology Market solutions. 3D Metrology is an emerging measurement solution among various industries, as it enables manufacturers to monitor the quality and efficiency of the components required to build the desired industrial products.Request a Sample Report @Major Key Players: Hexagon AB Mityotoyo Corporation Carl Zeiss Nikon Metrology Bruker Corporation Olympus Corporation Keyence Corporation KLA-Tencor Corporation AMETEK Cyber Optics WenzelRegional Analysis of 3D metrology Market:The global 3D Metrology market is estimated to grow at a promising rate in upcoming years. Europe is the leading region among North America, Asia-Pacific and Rest of the world. Asia-Pacific is the fastest growing region which is estimated to show high growth during forecast period.Increasing technology adoption and growing demand of quality driven products especially in automation and manufacturing sectors are driving growth of 3D Metrology market. Whereas lack of technical awareness about 3D Metrology is the major reason behind slow growth in the region.Key Findings: The global 3D metrology market is expected to reach USD 7,980 million by 2022, growing with approximately 9% of CAGR during forecast period 2016-2022. By Technology, 3D Profilometry is dominating the market and is expected to reach USD 2,294 million by 2022. By End User, Medical industry is expected to grow with 9% CAGR during forecast period 2016-2022. Europe is expected to dominate the market of people counting system market throughout the forecast period. By Product- Optical digitizer & scanner is expected to grow with 14% CAGR during forecast period 2016-2022.Segments:Global 3D metrology Market can be segmented as follows:Segmentation by Technology: 3D Profilometry, white light interferometry, confocal microscopy, 3D optical microscopy, Scanning probe microscopy, Coherent, and others.Segmentation by Product: CMM (coordinate measuring machine), optical digitizers & scanners (ODS), vision measuring machine (VMM), and measuring gage.Segmentation by End-Users: Automotive, aerospace, precision mechanical, medical, packaging, electronics, 3D printing and others.Access Report Details @Intended Audience: Semiconductor industry OEM Technology investors Government Financial institute Distributors End-UsersTable of Content1 Executive Summary2 Market Dynamics2.1 Drivers2.2 Restraint2.3 Opportunities2.4 Challenge2.5 Supply Chain Analysis2.6 Porters Five Forces Analysis2.6.1 Threat of New Entrants2.6.2 Bargaining Power of Suppliers2.6.3 Bargaining Power of Buyers2.6.4 Threat of Substitutes2.6.5 RivalryContinued.List of TablesTable 1 Global 3d Metrology Market, By Technology, 2016-2022 (Usd Million)Table 2 Global 3d Profilomtery Market, 2016-2022 (Usd Million)Table 3 Global White Light Interferometry Market, 2016-2022 (Usd Million)Continued.List of FiguresFigure 1 Global 3d Metrology Market: Drivers & RestraintFigure 2 Global 3d Metrology Market: Supply Chain ProcessFigure 3 Global 3d Metrology Market: Porters Five Forces AnalysisContinued.About Market Research Future:At Market Research Future (MRFR), we enable our customers to unravel the complexity of various industries through our Cooked Research Report (CRR), Half-Cooked Research Reports (HCRR), Raw Research Reports (3R), Continuous-Feed Research (CFR), and Market Research & Consulting Services.MRFR team have supreme objective to provide the optimum quality market research and intelligence services to our clients. Our market research studies by Components, Application, Logistics and market players for global, regional, and country level market segments, enable our clients to see more, know more, and do more, which help to answer all their most important questions.Contact:Market Research FutureOffice No. 524/528, Amanora ChambersMagarpatta Road, HadapsarPune - 411028Maharashtra, India+1 646 845 9312Email: sales@marketresearchfuture.com Cyber Security Market 2018 Global Opportunities and Top Leaders: Cisco, Mcafee, Fortinet, Trend Micro, Computer Science, Booz Allen Hamilton, Kaspersky Lab, Fireeye, Symantec https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/sample_request/875 https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/global-cyber-security-market-875 Market Research Future published a research report on Global Cyber Security Market Research Report- Forecast to 2027 Market Analysis, Scope, Stake, Progress, Trends and Forecast to 2027.Cyber Security SummaryCyber Security is popular by alias like IT security, cyber security or computer security. It is of utmost importance in the present day business world. The instances of cybercrime have gone up in the past few years, which is why this concept has become pivotal for every enterprise. The demand for this form of security has risen dramatically over the last year. Thanks to all of these factors, the global cyber security market is gaining impetus.In layman terms, the concept of cyber security can be explained as a wall of protection for the computer systems. It safeguards a computer from being damaged or stolen. It can protect the hardware, sensitive data and software of the system. Furthermore, it can also avoid misdirection or interruption of the services that are being provided through the computer.Cyber security is the need of the hour because in the modern era every industry depends on computer systems and has an online presence i.e. uses internet. Many business owners have started investing in this technology as they want to ensure optimal security for their business in every business. Thus, on the whole it can be concluded that cyber security is a pretty useful and efficient technology with great future potential.Get Sample of Report @Market ScenarioAt present the business sector is experiencing an all-time high demand for better security measures. Owing to this fact one can confidently assume that the global cyber security market will experience tremendous growth in the upcoming years. It is believed that during the forecast period of 2018-2023, the market will tread forward at an impressive CAGR. Furthermore the markets revenue is also anticipated to double by the end of this period.There are many growth drivers that are responsible for the development and success of this market. The upsurge in the rate of cybercrime and advanced hacking tactics happen to be one of the major growth factors for this industry. Another factor that further drives the growth of the market is data protection directives.Additional factors that work in the favor the market are the higher demand for trends like Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) and Internet Of Things (IoT) and surging deployment of web and cloud-based business applications.Key PlayersThe key players in the market of cyber security are- Cisco Corporation, Mcafee Corporation, Fortinet Inc, Trend Micro Inc, Cassidian Cybersecurity Company, Computer Science Corporation, , Booz Allen Hamilton Corporation, Kaspersky Lab, Fireeye inc, Symantec Corporation among others.Market SegmentationThe worldwide cyber security market has been branched into four main divisions. They can be listed as geographies, solutions, application verticals and services.Geographically, the market is spread across various regions of the world like North America, Asia Pacific, Europe, Eastern Europe, Middle East & Africa and Rest of the World. Out of these, North America holds the largest share of the market followed by Europe and other regions respectively.On the basis of solutions, the market has been segregated into content, network, application and endpoint.On account of application verticals, the industry is trifurcated into manufacturing, telecommunication and BFSI.Lastly, based on services, the market is fragmented into design, training and consulting.Get complete Report @InnovationsThe global cyber security market has witnessed many innovations over the last few years. But one of the major ones happens to be virtualization. It is a distinct form of security that enables any given enterprise to track and protect data, irrespective of where it has been stored. It could be in the transit or stored on the cloud. This technology can safeguard a physical space as well as enable cyber defense.About Us:At Market Research Future (MRFR), we enable our customers to unravel the complexity of various industries through our Cooked Research Report (CRR), Half-Cooked Research Reports (HCRR), Raw Research Reports (3R), Continuous-Feed Research (CFR), and Market Research & Consulting Services.Media Contact:Market Research FutureOffice No. 528, Amanora ChambersMagarpatta Road, Hadapsar,Pune - 411028Maharashtra, India+1 646 845 9312Email: sales@marketresearchfuture.com Pharmacy Automation Systems Market by Opportunities, Growth Rate, Development Trend and Feasibility Studies 2025 - ScriptPro, ARxIUM Inc., Parata Systems, Talyst Systems, KUKA Market Research Report https://www.researchmoz.us/enquiry.php?type=S&repid=1584204 https://www.researchmoz.us/global-pharmacy-automation-systems-sales-market-report-2018-report.html/toc http://bit.ly/1TBmnVG https://marketreserch1.blogspot.com Researchmoz added Most up-to-date research on "Global Pharmacy Automation Systems Sales Market Report 2018" to its huge collection of research reports.In this report, the global Pharmacy Automation Systems market is valued at USD XX million in 2017 and is expected to reach USD XX million by the end of 2025, growing at a CAGR of XX% between 2017 and 2025.Geographically, this report split global into several key Regions, with sales (K Units), revenue (Million USD), market share and growth rate of Pharmacy Automation Systems for these regions, from 2013 to 2025 (forecast), coveringUnited StatesChinaEuropeJapanSoutheast AsiaIndiaTo Get Sample Copy of Report visit @Global Pharmacy Automation Systems market competition by top manufacturers/players, with Pharmacy Automation Systems sales volume, Price (USD/Unit), revenue (Million USD) and market share for each manufacturer/player; the top players includingCapsa HealthcareCerner CorporationBaxter InternationalScriptProARxIUM Inc.Parata SystemsTalyst SystemsKUKATCGRx Pharmacy Workflow SolutionsRxSafeBecton Dickinson and CompanyOn the basis of product, this report displays the production, revenue, price, market share and growth rate of each type, primarily split intoAutomated Medication Dispensing SystemsAutomated Packaging And Labelling SystemsAutomated Table Top CountersAutomated Medication Compounding SystemsAutomated Storage And Retrieval SystemsOn 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, includingInpatient PharmaciesOutpatient PharmaciesPharmacy Benefit Management Organization And Mail Order PharmaciesRetail PharmaciesMake an Enquiry about TOC @Table of ContentsGlobal Pharmacy Automation Systems Sales Market Report 20181 Pharmacy Automation Systems Market Overview1.1 Product Overview and Scope of Pharmacy Automation Systems1.2 Classification of Pharmacy Automation Systems by Product Category1.2.1 Global Pharmacy Automation Systems Market Size (Sales) Comparison by Type (2013-2025)1.2.2 Global Pharmacy Automation Systems Market Size (Sales) Market Share by Type (Product Category) in 20171.2.3 Automated Medication Dispensing Systems1.2.4 Automated Packaging And Labelling Systems2 Global Pharmacy Automation Systems Competition by Players/Suppliers, Type and Application2.1 Global Pharmacy Automation Systems Market Competition by Players/Suppliers2.1.1 Global Pharmacy Automation Systems Sales and Market Share of Key Players/Suppliers (2013-2018)2.1.2 Global Pharmacy Automation Systems Revenue and Share by Players/Suppliers (2013-2018)2.2 Global Pharmacy Automation Systems (Volume and Value) by Type2.2.1 Global Pharmacy Automation Systems Sales and Market Share by Type (2013-2018)3 United States Pharmacy Automation Systems (Volume, Value and Sales Price)3.1 United States Pharmacy Automation Systems Sales and Value (2013-2018)3.1.1 United States Pharmacy Automation Systems Sales and Growth Rate (2013-2018)3.1.2 United States Pharmacy Automation Systems Revenue and Growth Rate (2013-2018)3.1.3 United States Pharmacy Automation Systems Sales Price Trend (2013-2018)4 China Pharmacy Automation Systems (Volume, Value and Sales Price)4.1 China Pharmacy Automation Systems Sales and Value (2013-2018)4.1.1 China Pharmacy Automation Systems Sales and Growth Rate (2013-2018)4.1.2 China Pharmacy Automation Systems Revenue and Growth Rate (2013-2018)4.1.3 China Pharmacy Automation Systems Sales Price Trend (2013-2018)4.2 China Pharmacy Automation Systems Sales Volume and Market Share by Players (2013-2018)5 Europe Pharmacy Automation Systems (Volume, Value and Sales Price)5.1 Europe Pharmacy Automation Systems Sales and Value (2013-2018)5.1.1 Europe Pharmacy Automation Systems Sales and Growth Rate (2013-2018)5.1.2 Europe Pharmacy Automation Systems Revenue and Growth Rate (2013-2018)5.1.3 Europe Pharmacy Automation Systems Sales Price Trend (2013-2018)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.For More Information Kindly Contact :ResearchMozMr. Nachiket Ghumare,Tel: +1-518-621-2074USA-Canada Toll Free: 866-997-4948Email: sales@researchmoz.usFollow us on LinkedIn @ Smart City Market 2018 - 2022 Global Top Key Players: IBM, Huawei Technologies Co Ltd, Cisco Systems, Inc, Siemens AG, Schneider Electric SE https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/sample_request/2624 https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/smart-city-market-2624 Market Highlights:Internet of Things plays a vital role in various fields apart from communication networks, such as sanitation, healthcare, transport and energy use. Internet of things refers to a technology that connects all devices to a network. Internet ready and connective devices are achieved by IoT technology. This enables the flow of data creating a network of objects. Internet of Things leads to advanced use of internet which would result in developing device to device relationship. Internet of Things when applied to smart cities it adds more technology into everyones life and also enables a new and fully integrated approach to the designing and developing of the smart cities. There are tremendous ways in which internet of things help in the development of smart cities. Higher the adoption of internet of things; easier would be the implementation of smart city solutions.The Global Smart City Market is growing rapidly over 27% of CAGR and is expected to reach at USD 1,900 billion by the end of forecast period 2022.Request a Sample Report @Major Key Players: Huawei Technologies Co Ltd. (China) IBM Corporation (U.S.) Cisco Systems, Inc.(U.S.) AT&T Inc. AG (U.S) Siemens AG (Germany) Oracle Corporation (U.S.) Microsoft Corporation (U.S.) Schneider Electric SE (France) Hitachi Corporation (U.S.) Ericsson (Sweden)Global Smart City Market SegmentationThe global Smart City Market has been segmented on the basis of component, application and region. On the basis of component, the market is segmented into hardware, software and service. On the basis of application, the market is classified into utility, transport, government, residential, education, healthcare and others.Regional Analysis of Smart City Market:The global smart city market is expected to grow at a promising rate during the forecast period, 2016-2022. North America is projected to have the largest market in Smart City Market. High adoption of internet of things, growth in high end infrastructure and focus towards energy saving and availability of efficient network connectivity is driving market in North America region.Followed by Europe region would hold a large share in the market. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest growing region in smart city market due to the increasing initiatives and high investment by government.Intended Audience National/ State Government Real Estate Developers Research & consultant organization IT Solution Providers System Integrators Networking Solution Providers Telecom Service Providers Transportation Service Providers Utility CompaniesMarket Research Analysis:Regional analysis for global Smart City Market is studied in different geographic regions as North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific and Rest of world. The study reveals that North America region would evolve as a leader in global Smart City Market. North America is the most technically advanced region and is growing with high end-infrastructure and focused towards energy savings which thereby has developed high growth for smart city market. Europe is expected to be the second highest market in terms of revenue generation. Whereas, Asia-Pacific is expected to witness high growth in the forecast period and projected to grow with approximately 25% CAGR during the forecast period. Technological and industrial growth in Asian countries, such as China and Japan, is giving boost to the Smart City Market in the coming years. Further, Increasing technological advancements and increasing disposable income in also supporting market growth of smart city components in Asia-Pacific region However, privacy issues is expected to hinder the growth of the market in the region.Access Report Details @Table of Contents1 Market Introduction2 Research Methodologies2.1 Research Process2.2 Primary Research2.3 Secondary Research2.4 Forecast Model2.4.1 Market Size EstimationContinuedList of TablesTable 1 Global Smart City Market By Component, 2016-2022 (Usd Billion)Table 2 Smart City Market Of Hardware Segment By Region, 2016-2022 (Usd Billion)Table 3 Global Smart City Market Of Software By Region, 2016 - 2022 (Usd Billion)ContinuedList of FiguresFigure 1 Mrfr Researh ProcessFigure 2 Forecast ModelFigure 3 Global Smart City Market: Drivers & ChallengesContinuedAbout Market Research Future:At Market Research Future (MRFR), we enable our customers to unravel the complexity of various industries through our Cooked Research Report (CRR), Half-Cooked Research Reports (HCRR), Raw Research Reports (3R), Continuous-Feed Research (CFR), and Market Research & Consulting Services.MRFR team have supreme objective to provide the optimum quality market research and intelligence services to our clients. Our market research studies by Components, Application, Logistics and market players for global, regional, and country level market segments, enable our clients to see more, know more, and do more, which help to answer all their most important questions.Contact:Market Research FutureOffice No. 524/528, Amanora ChambersMagarpatta Road, HadapsarPune - 411028Maharashtra, India+1 646 845 9312Email: sales@marketresearchfuture.com Hadoop Market: Rise to a valuation of US$2,429.0 mn by 2023 with 26.3% CAGR https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/hadoop-market.html https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=S&rep_id=719 https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/report-toc/719 http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com The vast shortage of data analysts capable of analyzing big data and the rising popularity of data analytics for uncovering unknown data correlations, hidden consumption patterns, market trends, and consumer preferences have strengthened the position of Hadoop in business circles in the past few years, points TMR. Hadoop is now considered an excellent substitute to human resources for effective data analysis and continues to expand its array of end-use industries.The rising penetration of the Internet globally, rising rate of digitization across industrial infrastructures, constantly expanding base of social media followers, and the mounting numbers of people using mobile devices have also intensified the need for excellent data management and analysis tools in the global market. Hadoop, with its capability of processing unstructured data in a cost effectiveness and a rapid manner, has favored its adoption over conventional methods of data processing using RDBMS solutions in the past few years.Browse the Report to Know Worldwide Industry Analysis and New Market Opportunities Explored @Owing to these factors, the global Hadoop market will witness growth at an exponential pace over the next few years, states TMR. The market is expected to expand at a 26.3% CAGR from 2015 to 2023 and rise to a valuation of US$2,429.0 mn by 2023.BFSI to Emerge as Key Contributor to GrowthOf the key applications of Hadoop solutions across a number of industries, the global Hadoop market earned its major share in market valuation from the IT and ITES sector in 2014. The market in this sector accounted for a share of 18.58% in the global Hadoop market and is expected to expand at an impressive 28.9% CAGR over the period between 2015 and 2023.Request Sample to Know Emergence of Advanced Technologies and Global Industry Analysis @The sector will continue to account for a reasonable share in the global Hadoop market in the future as well, but it will be outpaced by the demand for Hadoop in the BFSI segment, which will rise at a CAGR of nearly 29% from 2015 to 2023. The rising digitization of the banking, financial services and insurance sector across the world has not only increased the volumes of critical consumer-related data but has also made it vulnerable to frauds and thefts. Effectiveness of Hadoop solutions in effectively managing, analyzing, and detection frauds in critical data will lead to their increased adoption in the GFSI sector in the next few years.Asia Pacific to Lead Global Hadoop MarketNorth America is a mature market for Hadoop and is presently the largest contributor to the overall growth of the global Hadoop market. The high rate of receptiveness for Hadoop in the region can be attributed to the digitally and technologically advanced infrastructures across industries such as BFSI, manufacturing, and retail. The region accounted for a dominant share of 53.3% in the global Hadoop market in 2014.Get TOC of This Report @However, Europe and Asia Pacific are expected to lead to the most profitable returns for Hadoop solutions in the next few years. Rising consumer base on social media networks, rising digitization of industrial infrastructures, and an increased number of mobile users in Asia Pacific are leading to the increased need for Hadoop tools for managing the mounting volumes of digital data. In Europe, demand for Hadoop has increased across sectors such as retail, manufacturing, BFSI, and government. The Asia Pacific market is expected to emerge as the leading regional market for Hadoop, expanding at the fastest CAGR of 30.2 % from 2015 to 2023.The competitive landscape of the global Hadoop market is moderately consolidated, with the top three companies, Cloudera, Inc., Hortonworks, Inc., and MapR Technologies, Inc., accounting for a cumulative share of nearly 50% in 2014. Other major companies in the market are IBM Corporation and EMC Corporation.About UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. We have an experienced team of Analysts, Researchers, and Consultants, who us e proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather, and analyze information. Our business offerings represent the latest and the most reliable information indispensable for businesses to sustain a competitive edge.Each TMR Syndicated Research report covers a different sector such as pharmaceuticals, chemical, energy, food & beverages, semiconductors, med-devices, consumer goods and technology. These reports provide in-depth analysis and deep segmentation to possible micro levels. With wider scope and stratified research methodology, our syndicated reports thrive to provide clients to serve their overall research requirement.ContactTransparency Market Research90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite: Photovoltaic Systems Market Growth Factors, Analysis, Product Types, Application By Regions and Forecast to 2025 CSUN, SunPower, Sharp, Kyocera Solar, Solar Frontier, NSP Market Research Report https://www.researchmoz.us/enquiry.php?type=S&repid=1584209 https://www.researchmoz.us/global-photovoltaic-systems-sales-market-report-2018-report.html/toc http://bit.ly/1TBmnVG https://marketreserch1.blogspot.com Researchmoz added Most up-to-date research on "Global Photovoltaic Systems Sales Market Report 2018" to its huge collection of research reports.In this report, the global Photovoltaic Systems market is valued at USD XX million in 2017 and is expected to reach USD XX million by the end of 2025, growing at a CAGR of XX% between 2017 and 2025.Geographically, this report split global into several key Regions, with sales (K Units), revenue (Million USD), market share and growth rate of Photovoltaic Systems for these regions, from 2013 to 2025 (forecast), coveringUnited StatesChinaEuropeJapanSoutheast AsiaIndiaTo Get Sample Copy of Report visit @Global Photovoltaic Systems market competition by top manufacturers/players, with Photovoltaic Systems sales volume, Price (USD/Unit), revenue (Million USD) and market share for each manufacturer/player; the top players includingCSUNSunPowerSharpKyocera SolarSolar FrontierNSPTrina SolarCanadian SolarHanwhaJinko SolarJA SolarYingliGCL System IntegrationReneSolaChint GroupHareonsolarEging PVElkem SolarHT-SAAEOn the basis of product, this report displays the production, revenue, price, market share and growth rate of each type, primarily split intoSingle Crystal SiliconPolycrystalline SiliconOtherMake an Enquiry about TOC @On the basis on the end users/applications, this report focuses on the status and outlook for major applications/end users, sales volume, market share and growth rate for each application, includingResidentialCommercialGround StationOthersTable of ContentsGlobal Photovoltaic Systems Sales Market Report 20181 Photovoltaic Systems Market Overview1.1 Product Overview and Scope of Photovoltaic Systems1.2 Classification of Photovoltaic Systems by Product Category1.2.1 Global Photovoltaic Systems Market Size (Sales) Comparison by Type (2013-2025)1.2.2 Global Photovoltaic Systems Market Size (Sales) Market Share by Type (Product Category) in 20171.2.3 Single Crystal Silicon1.2.4 Polycrystalline Silicon2 Global Photovoltaic Systems Competition by Players/Suppliers, Type and Application2.1 Global Photovoltaic Systems Market Competition by Players/Suppliers2.1.1 Global Photovoltaic Systems Sales and Market Share of Key Players/Suppliers (2013-2018)2.1.2 Global Photovoltaic Systems Revenue and Share by Players/Suppliers (2013-2018)2.2 Global Photovoltaic Systems (Volume and Value) by Type2.2.1 Global Photovoltaic Systems Sales and Market Share by Type (2013-2018)3 United States Photovoltaic Systems (Volume, Value and Sales Price)3.1 United States Photovoltaic Systems Sales and Value (2013-2018)3.1.1 United States Photovoltaic Systems Sales and Growth Rate (2013-2018)3.1.2 United States Photovoltaic Systems Revenue and Growth Rate (2013-2018)3.1.3 United States Photovoltaic Systems Sales Price Trend (2013-2018)3.2 United States Photovoltaic Systems Sales Volume and Market Share by Players (2013-2018)4 China Photovoltaic Systems (Volume, Value and Sales Price)4.1 China Photovoltaic Systems Sales and Value (2013-2018)4.1.1 China Photovoltaic Systems Sales and Growth Rate (2013-2018)4.1.2 China Photovoltaic Systems Revenue and Growth Rate (2013-2018)4.1.3 China Photovoltaic Systems Sales Price Trend (2013-2018)4.2 China Photovoltaic Systems Sales Volume and Market Share by Players (2013-2018)5 Europe Photovoltaic Systems (Volume, Value and Sales Price)5.1 Europe Photovoltaic Systems Sales and Value (2013-2018)5.1.1 Europe Photovoltaic Systems Sales and Growth Rate (2013-2018)5.1.2 Europe Photovoltaic Systems Revenue and Growth Rate (2013-2018)5.1.3 Europe Photovoltaic Systems Sales Price Trend (2013-2018)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.For More Information Kindly Contact :ResearchMozMr. Nachiket Ghumare,Tel: +1-518-621-2074USA-Canada Toll Free: 866-997-4948Email: sales@researchmoz.usFollow us on LinkedIn @ Policy Management in Telecom Market 2018 2023 Major Key Players: LM Ericsson Telephone Company, Huawei Investment & Holding Co., Ltd, Nokia Corporation, Amdocs Limited https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/sample_request/4537 https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/policy-management-telecom-market-4537 Market Highlights:According to Market Research Future Analysis, policy management in telecom Market has been valued at approximately USD 1,606.95 Million by the end of forecast period with approx. 11% of CAGR during forecast period 2017 to 2023.Huawei Investment & Holding Co., Ltd. one of the major company in the policy management in telecom market. The company all kind of telecom solutions such as wireless network, storage devices, switches, routers and many more. The company has recently designed SingleRAN products and solutions. The company launched its Software Defined Network (SDN) solution with respect to SDN architecture, frequency and radio frequency channels, mobile operators can also be benefitted from simplified mobile network deployments that reduces the total cost of operation and enhanced network efficiency.In policy management in telecom market, digitization and mobility is one of significant factor driving the market. Digitization in policy management in telecom market helps organization by providing seamless platform to handle consumers information and increases efficiency and accuracy in business operations. Digital technology supports both upstream and downstream services in the policy management in telecom activities. Policy Management In Telecom Market enable organization by providing numerous telecom solutions and services and helps organization to overcome complexities and update with evolving trends and patterns is boosting the policy management in telecom market. By component segment, solution segment acquires for highest market share owing to better solution providing service is further fueling the market growth.Request a Sample Report @Major Key Players: LM Ericsson Telephone Company (Sweden) Huawei Investment & Holding Co., Ltd. (China) Nokia Corporation (Finland) Amdocs Limited (U.S.) Oracle Corporation (U.S.) Astea International Inc. (U.S.) Comarch Sa. (Poland) Wipro Limited (India) Intracom Telecom (Greece) Genpact (U.S.)Regional Analysis:The regional analysis of policy management in telecom market is being studied for regions such as Asia Pacific, Americas, Europe and Rest of the World. North America region accounts for highest market share in policy management in telecom market owing to presence of major players in the region. The region consists of major telecom solution providers, advance network infrastructure and adoption of high advanced technologies are significant factors boosting the market in the region. Countries such as US and Canada contributes large amount of revenue in the policy management in telecom market in the region. AsiaPacific region is expected to be growing at the highest CAGR in the policy management in telecom market. Owing to the increasing subscribers and growing data traffic in the region, growing smartphone users and rise in digitization is one of the significant factors boosting market in the region.Policy Management in Telecom Market Segmentation:The policy management in telecom market has been segmented on the basis of component, network type, deployment and organization size. The network type segment consists of fixed and wireless.Fixed networks provides ultra-fast broadband services to customers. With the help of fixed networks, the landline broadband internet connection is able to achieve bandwidths of many megabyte per second.Market Research Analysis:The policy management in telecom market in North America region is growing due to rise of high volumes data by enterprise and need to improve information governance in organizations. According to the study, the policy management in telecom market will show considerable growth in Europe region. Asia-Pacific market is estimated to be one of the fastest growing market as it is continuously investing into research and development of policy management in telecom market and growing smartphone penetration give rise to network complexities is driving policy management in telecom market in the region.Increasing population, and growing IT landscape is boosting the market in the region. The region is witnessing high adoption of telecom solutions by enterprises. Developing countries such as India and China are providing telecom solutions at a large scale owing to increasing telecom industries, complexities in network and increase is smartphone users boosting the market in the region. By deployment segment, cloud services is driving the policy management in telecom market.The region is witnessing high growth in policy management in telecom market due to growing technological advancement in cloud, analytics and mobile technologies.Segments:Policy management in telecom market for segment on the basis of component, network type, deployment and organization size.Policy Management in Telecom market by Component:By Solution:By Service: Professional services Managed servicesPolicy Management in Telecom market by Network Type: Fixed MobilePolicy Management in Telecom market by Deployment: Cloud On-PremisePolicy Management in Telecom market by Organization Size: Small And Medium Organization Large OrganizationBrowse Full Report Details @Intended Audience: Investors and consultants System Integrators Government Organizations Research/Consultancy firms Technology solution providers IT Solution Providers Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM)Table of Contents1 Market Introduction1.1 Introduction1.2 Scope of Study1.2.1 Research Objective1.2.2 Assumptions1.2.3 Limitations1.3 Market StructureContinuedList of TablesTable 1policy Management In Telecom Market, By ComponentTable 2policy Management In Telecom Market, By Network TypeTable 3policy Management In Telecom Market, By DeploymentContinuedList of FiguresFigure 1research ComponentFigure 2policy Management In Telecom Market: By Component (%)Figure 3policy Management In Telecom Market: By Network Type (%)ContinuedAbout Market Research Future:At Market Research Future (MRFR), we enable our customers to unravel the complexity of various industries through our Cooked Research Report (CRR), Half-Cooked Research Reports (HCRR), Raw Research Reports (3R), Continuous-Feed Research (CFR), and Market Research & Consulting Services.MRFR team have supreme objective to provide the optimum quality market research and intelligence services to our clients. Our market research studies by products, services, technologies, applications, end users, and market players for global, regional, and country level market segments, enable our clients to see more, know more, and do more, which help to answer all their most important questions.Contact:Market Research FutureOffice No. 524/528, Amanora ChambersMagarpatta Road, HadapsarPune - 411028Maharashtra, India+1 646 845 9312Email: sales@marketresearchfuture.com Small cell power amplifier Market 2018 Global Leaders: Texas Instrument, NXP Semiconductor, Qorvo, Anadigics, RFHIC, Broadcom, TekTelic Communications https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/sample_request/2552 https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/small-cell-power-amplifier-market-2552 Market Research Future published a research report on Small Cell Power Amplifier Market Research Report- Global Forecast 2022 Market Analysis, Scope, Stake, Progress, Trends and Forecast to 2022.Small Cell Power Amplifier Market OverviewThe small cell power amplifier market has grown at an increased pace in the past few years due to an increased demand for technology advanced products. A report by Market Research Future which concentrates on market reports connected to the semiconductors & electronics sector among others lately made available a report on this sector. The industry is anticipated to expand with a 21 per cent CAGR and earn revenues worth USD 5.5 billion approx by the end of forecast period.Data congestion which has become a major issue due to an increase in the number of devices that are serviced by such networks. The growing requirement to amplify signal strength has placed an increasing degree of awareness to develop technology that is able to achieve this requirement. However, factors such as telecom network backhauls can impede the growth pace of the market.Get Sample of Report @Industry Updates:Feb 2018 Qualcomm which is a well-established U.S. chipmaker has recently increased its offer to buy NXP Semiconductors to $127.50 per share. They have also additionally stated that they have secured the backing of the shareholder group headed by hedge fund Elliott Management that had opposed its earlier proposal. The fresh deal puts burden on Broadcom, a fellow chipmaker to choose if it will stay with a stipulation in its $121 billion bid for Qualcomm that the company not raise its earlier $110 a share offer for NXP. It also allows Qualcomm shareholders to easily assess the standalone worth of Qualcomm as they deliberate whether to support it in a shareholder vote on its conflict with Broadcom this month.Key PlayersThe prominent players in the Small Cell Power Amplifier Market are Texas Instrument (U.S.), NXP Semiconductor (Netherlands), Qorvo Inc. (U.S.), Anadigics Inc. (U.S.), RFHIC Corporation (U.S.), Broadcom Corporation (U.S.), TekTelic Communications Inc. (U.S.) among othersIndustry SegmentsThe small cell power amplifier segment has been divided into the categories of end users, and by gain in amplifier. By end users: Power Amplifier Driver, Data cards with Terminals, Customer Premises Equipment, Small Cell Base Stations and Wideband Instrumentation. Small cell base station is projected to achieve considerable growth in small cell power amplifier sector. By gain in amplifier: 5 dB, 32 dB, 33 dB, 34 dB, 36 dB and 38 dBRegional AnalysisThe analysis region wise for Small Cell Power Amplifier sector covers region such as North America, Asia pacific, Europe and Rest of the World. It has been witnessed that the North American region is being controlled by small cell power amplifier sector followed by the European market. The Asia Pacific countries like India, China and Japan will significantly develop the Small cell power amplifier sector by the end of the forecast period owing to the growing penetration of mobile data network in various regions. The countries like China and India with high population result in growing amount of internet users which will significantly boost the Small Cell Power Amplifier sector.Competitive AnalysisThe profitable circumstances accessible in this market are being applied by candidates who are trying to increase their market coverage by focused development which can encourage the expansion of this business sector. The businesses in this trade area are combining their resources to attain their vision for achieving a substantial portion of the business as early as possible. This has raised the possibilities for the approaching growth period significantly. The merchandise that are being provided presently differ greatly because of the rationale of the robust pace of technological discoveries. This consequence is productive for companies so they can aim to uphold their commercial enterprise's liquidity to take the most effective decisions in terms of strategy execution and designing.Get Complete Report @Intended Audience Technology investors Original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) System Integrators End-users Suppliers and distributors Semiconductor component manufacturer Research/Consultancy firmsAbout Us:At Market Research Future (MRFR), we enable our customers to unravel the complexity of various industries through our Cooked Research Report (CRR), Half-Cooked Research Reports (HCRR), Raw Research Reports (3R), Continuous-Feed Research (CFR), and Market Research & Consulting Services.MRFR team have supreme objective to provide the optimum quality market research and intelligence services to our clients. Our market research studies by products, services, technologies, applications, end users, and market players for global, regional, and country level market segments, enable our clients to see more, know more, and do more, which help to answer all their most important questions.In order to stay updated with technology and work process of the industry, MRFR often plans & conducts meet with the industry experts and industrial visits for its research analyst members.Media Contact:Market Research FutureOffice No. 528, Amanora ChambersMagarpatta Road, Hadapsar,Pune - 411028Maharashtra, India+1 646 845 9312Email: sales@marketresearchfuture.com Latin America Automotive Parts Aluminium & Magnesium Die Casting Market Report 2017, Trends, Analysis, Share, Estimates and Forecasts to 2022. http://www.strategymrc.com/report/latin-america-automotive-parts-aluminium-magnesium-die-casting-market-outlook http://www.strategymrc.com/report/latin-america-automotive-parts-aluminium-magnesium-die-casting-market-outlook The Latin America Automotive Parts Aluminium & Magnesium Die-Casting report provides an in-depth analysis of the various market segments and its sub-segments.Product types Covered: Pressure die casting Semi-solid die casting Squeeze die casting Vacuum die castingApplications Covered: Body assemblies Engine Parts Transmission parts OthersThe report focuses on current and upcoming market trends such as Drivers, Constraints, Opportunities, and Challenges, technological advancements, Porters Five Forces analysis to assess the intensity of competition in the market. The market values are presented in the form of tables and graphs for better interpretation.For More, Please Visit:Market Size EstimationsThe market assessment is made by the core industry experts using our 360 research approach. The data is derived from the most reliable, authenticated data sources and is validated by the industry experts (Primary Research). Both top down and bottom up analysis are implemented to enhance the accuracy of the market figures. The market projections are calculated for the next 8 years using the actual market numbers of previous year as the base year.Company ProfilingThis section provides the overview of the key players that are leading in the industry, covering their business operations, financials, list of products & services, SWOT analysis, major developments such as mergers & acquisitions, agreements, partnerships, joint ventures, new product launch, expansions etc.Report Highlights:- Market share assessments for all the mentioned market segments and sub-segments- Market share analysis of the top industry players- Strategic recommendations for the new entrants- Market forecasts for a minimum of 8 years for all the given segments- Market Trends (Drivers, Constraints, Opportunities, Threats, Challenges, Investment Opportunities, and recommendations)- Strategic recommendations in key business segments based on the market estimations- Competitive landscaping, mapping the key common trends- Company profiling with detailed strategies, financials, and recent developments- Supply chain trends mapping the latest technological advancementsFor More, Please Visit:We offer wide spectrum of research and consulting services with in-depth knowledge of different industries. We are known for customized research services, consulting services and Full Time Equivalent (FTE) services in the research world. We explore the market trends and draw our insights with valid assessments and analytical views. We use advanced techniques and tools among the quantitative and qualitative methodologies to identify the market trends. Our research reports and publications are routed to help our clients to design their business models and enhance their business growth in the competitive market scenario. We have a strong team with hand-picked consultants including project managers, implementers, industry experts, researchers, research evaluators and analysts with years of experience in delivering the complex projects.STRATISTICS MRC17049 King James Way, Gaithersburg,MD, 20877, USA Automated Test Equipment Market 2018 Is Expected To Reach Usd 4.3 Billion By 2022: Driven By its Use in Automotive and Semiconductor Industry https://www.xpodenceresearch.com/Request-Sample/105819 https://www.xpodenceresearch.com/Reports/Automated-Test-Equipment-Market The global automated test equipment (ATE) is expected to reach USD 4.3 Billion by 2022. The equipment is utilized for testing the semiconductor chips. Increasing demand in computing, consumer and communication industry is expected to drive the market. Furthermore, growing demand and need for efficiency in various end-user segments which include healthcare, consumer electronics, communication, automotive, and defense is anticipated to upsurge the industry growth over the forecast period.Continuous developments in software, computing and instrumentation technology are anticipated to fuel the innovation and growth in the industry. Increasing demand for consumer electronics and growing adoption of System-on-chip is projected to enhance the market growth over the forecast period. Growing device integration with rising consumer demand for additional features has led to an increase in the number of RF ports.Additionally, growing expansion of wireless networks and developments in semiconductor manufacturing processes in the emerging countries are anticipated to witness enormous growth in the industry. Increasing miniaturization of devices with numerous features such as high resolution, superior quality cameras, touch screen display across various application areas which include telecommunication, IT and defense has positively influenced the ATE market.The ATE market is categorized based on the product and application. Based on the products, the market is segregated into memory, non-memory and discrete ATE. The non-memory ATE is estimated to contribute significantly with the market share of over 60% in 2016. Enduring innovations in autonomous vehicles and IoT devices in aerospace and defense sector have significantly changed the dynamics of the industry.Request a Sample Report @Key players in the industry include LTX Credence Corporation, Advantest Co., Advint LLC, Aeroflex Inc., National Instruments Corporation and Teradyne Inc. Maintaining the close relationship with the customers, development of new instrumentation, enhancing the test platforms are few key strategies adopted in the industry.The application segment of the ATE market include automotive, defense, consumer electronics, IT & telecommunication and others. The IT & telecommunication application is projected to acquire the major share of the market. It enables the service providers to augment the network with new telecom equipment manufacturers ensuring the consistent quality of the products.The growth of the automotive sector can be accredited to the extensive application of semiconductor devices across the automotive electronics such as vehicle infotainment systems, Advanced Driving Assistance System (ADAS). Furthermore, increasing unit production, performance and complexity level of the devices in various electronic products has led to the emergence of growth in semiconductor device technology.Few other factors driving the market include increased applications of consumer goods, reduced manufacturing time, and increased throughput. Furthermore, commercialization of the IoT and advancements in the automotive sector will also provide enormous opportunities to the market. The fluctuations in semiconductor demand have created a supply demand gap which has caused the revenue generation unpredictable and has impacted the market profitability.Asia Pacific region is likely to dominate the market in 2016 and is expected to acquire the key share over the forecast period owing to the presence of semiconductor industries. Rapid technological advancements with gradually changing customer needs have led to the positive impact to the market. Presence of major electronic manufacturing and semiconductor companies in the countries such as Japan, China, Taiwan has significantly contributed to the industry growth.The North America region is expected to witness steady growth owing to the increased adoption of automated test equipment in defense and telecommunication sector. Increasing demand of ATE from automotive manufacturers in Europe region will lead to significant growth.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 Threat Intelligence Market Top Key Players - Dell Technologies, IBM Corporation, Symantec Corporation by Forecast to 2023 https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/sample_request/4110 https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/threat-intelligence-market-4110 Market Highlights:The global threat intelligence market can be bifurcated as component, deployment, organization size, end-users and region. On the basis of organization size, the market can be segmented as small, large and medium enterprises. Out of these, small and medium sized enterprises accounted for the largest market share majorly due to presence of small & medium sized enterprises in the Asia-Pacific region and the increasing need for better network solutions.The factors contributing to the growth of the threat intelligence market are rising adoption by SMEs, growing adoption of crowd sourced threat intelligence stages and high implementation of threat intelligence solutions across various sectors. The main idea of threat intelligence is to understand and provide predictive remedies for advanced persistent threats and exploits in the organizations and to prevent organizations from attacks on enterprise network security infrastructure. However, factors such as high cost related to technological innovations and technical integrations are hindering the growth of the threat intelligence market. Furthermore, evolution of threat intelligence solutions and increasing demand for integrating security operations are expected to boost the growth of the threat intelligence market over the forecast period, 2017-2023.Threat intelligence can be explained as information that can be acted upon to change results. Threat intelligences prevents organizations from cyber threats. Also, it is basically a process of moving subjects from unknown knowns to known unknowns by discovering various threats, understanding the threat and mitigating threats.The global Threat Intelligence Market is highly competitive. Various established international brands, domestic brands and as well as new entrants form a competitive landscape. The key players are nonstop increasingly seeking market expansion through various strategic mergers and acquisitions, innovation, increasing investments in research and development and cost-effective product portfolio. The threat intelligence market is highly competitive due to the presence of several large vendors.Regionally, North America accounted for the largest market share from countries such as U.S. and Canada among others. The reason is attributed due to the presence of large number of threat intelligence vendors and the increasing number of large scale enterprises. However, Asia-Pacific is expected to grow over the forecast period, 2017-2023. The reason is attributed to growing demand for high-end technology solutions for security and increasing demand by enterprises to protect network infrastructure.Request a Sample Report @Major Key Players: Dell Technologies, Inc. (US) IBM Corporation (US) Symantec Corporation (US) McAfee LLC (US) Trend Micro Incorporated (Japan) IBM Corporation (US) Fire Eye, Inc. (US) Juniper Networks, Inc. (US) Check Point Software Technologies Ltd. (US) Optiv Security, Inc. (US) Log Rhythm, Inc. (US) AlienVault, Inc. (US) Webroot, Inc. (US) Farsight Security, Inc. (US) F-Secure Corporation (Europe) Looking Glass Cyber Solutions, Inc. (US)Regional Analysis:The global Threat Intelligence Market is expected to grow significantly over the forecast period, 2017-2023. BFSI segment of threat intelligence market globally drives the market majorly due to increasing demand for better solutions for protection of network infrastructure. The market is expected to have higher growth rate as compared to the previous years. The global threat intelligence market segmented into four main regions such as North America, Asia-Pacific, Europe and Rest of the World. BFSI segments hold a largest share in the North-American region. The reason is attributed to implementation of threat intelligence solutions, banks and other financial institutions will help to assess the type of threat and detect their patterns in real-time and by reducing suspicious activities.Also, organizations are looking for better technologically advanced solutions in this region. Therefore, BFSI segment of threat intelligence market accounted for the largest market share.Asia-Pacific region is expected to grow at a fast pace over the forecast period, 2017-2023. Countries such as Japan, China and India contributes largely to the overall market share. The reason is attributed to security measures against the evolving cyber-attacks and SMEs & large-scale organizations are adopting threat intelligence solutions in this region.North-America accounted for the largest market share. Countries such as U.S. and Canada contributes largely to the overall market share. The reason is attributed to increasing number of vendor present across this region and the growing use of technologically advanced solutions against cybercrimes such as fitness bands, standard regulation and presence of technical expertise.SegmentsFor the purpose of this study, Market Research Future has segmented the market of threat intelligence into component, deployment, organization size, end-users and region.Component Solutions ServicesDeployment On-premise CloudOrganization size- Small Medium LargeBrowse Full Report Details @End-users Healthcare BFSI Government IT & Telecommunication Manufacturing Retail Education Transportation OthersTable of Contents1 Market Introduction1.1 Introduction1.2 Scope of Study1.2.1 Research Objective1.2.2 Assumptions1.2.3 Limitations1.3 Market Structure2 Research Methodology2.1 Research Network Organization Size Software2.2 Primary Research2.3 Secondary Research2.4 Forecast Model2.4.1 Market Data Collection, Analysis & Forecast2.4.2 Market Size EstimationContinuedList of TablesTable 1 Threat Intelligence Market, By ComponentTable 2 Threat Intelligence Market, By Organization SizeTable 3 Threat Intelligence Market, By End-UsersContinuedList of FiguresFigure 1 Research MethodologyFigure 2 Threat Intelligence Market, By Component (%)Figure 3 Threat Intelligence Market, By Organization Size (%)ContinuedAbout Market Research Future:At Market Research Future (MRFR), we enable our customers to unravel the complexity of various industries through our Cooked Research Report (CRR), Half-Cooked Research Reports (HCRR), Raw Research Reports (3R), Continuous-Feed Research (CFR), and Market Research & Consulting Services.MRFR team have supreme objective to provide the optimum quality market research and intelligence services to our clients. Our market research studies by products, services, technologies, applications, end users, and market players for global, regional, and country level market segments, enable our clients to see more, know more, and do more, which help to answer all their most important questions.Contact:Market Research FutureOffice No. 524/528, Amanora ChambersMagarpatta Road, HadapsarPune - 411028Maharashtra, India+1 646 845 9312Email: sales@marketresearchfuture.com The UKs True Fleet Market continues to battle the negative slide www.dataforce.de True Fleet in the UK has again been in a skirmish with declining registration numbers and while this was still a negative month it is worth noting this was lowest volume loss in a month-on-month comparison since February 2017. The Total Market finished with a little under 81,000 registrations or - 2.8%. Both True Fleet and the Private Market were in in the red with - 7.5% and - 2.1% respectively while Special Channels registered a + 4.6% thanks solely to the Dealer/Manufacturer channel. While our forecast analysts predict that April 2018 may see a plus month for True Fleet there is still a little way to go before equilibrium is achieved.Brand PerformanceLast month saw four OEMs achieve positives, this month we see five. Ford re-took the top spot after a 2 month hiatus thanks largely to the Focus, Kuga and surprisingly the Galaxy which achieved a + 238.6% in comparison to February 2017. The blue oval brand was followed by VW, Vauxhall (Opel) and Audi, with the Ingolstadt manufacturer hitting a + 20.0% exactly with the help of a 4 and two 5s, of the Q&A variety.Mercedes, BMW, Kia and SEAT were the next four brands in order with SEAT bringing some Catalonia sunshine to a very cold UK fleet market. This manufacturer achieved the highest growth rate inside the top 10 with a + 57.5%, thanks a little to the new Arona and thanks a lot to the Leon which pulled a 3-digit growth rate.Nissan and Peugeot rounded out the top 10 manufacturers though a noteworthy mention should go to Mitsubishi in 17th position. The three-diamond brand jumped up 5 places as the newly released Eclipse Cross starts to find a firm footing in the UK True Fleet market place.True Fleet Vehicle SegmentsOur final insight for this press release took us into the vehicle segment data. Yes SUV is still #1 and hardest hit during the SUV surge has certainly been the Middle Class segment, but with the now ever increasing new smaller SUV and crossover models entering the market, the Compact Car segment is taking its own share of hits.Down YTD (year-to-date) by 5.1% in True Fleet, 24.9% in the Private Market and 1.7% in Special Channels, the Compact segment is certainly feeling somewhat under siege. Add this Compact Car decline to the looming WLTP deadlines and CO2 targets for OEMs and there is likely to be some serious pressure to get electric infrastructure right from a governmental prospective. Meanwhile the manufacturers themselves need to accelerate their growth in EV/Hybrid model line-ups within the SUV segment if these targets are to be met.(443 words; 2,554 characters)Publication by indication of source (DATAFORCE) onlyDATAFORCE Focus on FleetsDataforce is the leading provider of fleet market data and automotive intelligence solutions in Europe. In addition, the company also provides detailed information on sales opportunities for the automotive industry, together with a wide portfolio of information based on primary market research and consulting services. The company is based in Frankfurt, Germany.Richard WorrowDataforce Verlagsgesellschaft fur Business Informationen mbHHamburger Allee 1460486 Frankfurt am MainGermanyPhone: +49 69 95930-253Fax: +49 69 95930-333Email: richard.worrow@dataforce.de Marine Propeller Market Increase Seaborne Trade In Developing Countries And Technologies Anticipated To Boost Over The Forecast Period https://www.xpodenceresearch.com/Request-Sample/105786 https://www.xpodenceresearch.com/Reports/Marine-Propeller-Market Propellers are rotating fan like structures that are used to propel the ship. This is done by using the power generated and transferred by the engine. Propellers comprise of rotating blades which produces thrust. The more the number of blades, the more is the speed of the ship. However, one of the major concerns with increased number of blades in the vibration caused by them. The global marine propeller market is expected to witness substantial growth over the forecast period.The global marine propeller market is driven by increasing demand for ships across the globe. The government initiatives to increase seaborne trade in developing countries and advancement in technology are anticipated to boost the global marine propeller market over the forecast period. In addition to this, the increased naval fleet size and growth in the use of inland waterways is expected to augment the demand for marine propeller over the forecast period. The increased marine tourism is also expected to boost the demand for marine propellers in the near future. High investments cost is expected to hamper the growth of marine propeller market in the recent years. One of the important trends in the marine propeller is the designing of marine propulsion system so as to decrease its fuel intake. This is due to the increased demand for the use of sustainability. Rising navy budgets globally is expected to bring in new opportunities for major players in this market.Request a Sample Report @Some key players in the marine propeller market include Hyundai Heavy Industries Co. Ltd, Mecklenburger Metallguss GmbH., Rolls-Royce Holdings, Schottel Group, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd., Wartsila OYJ ABP, Man Se Corporation, Veem Ltd. and Caterpillar Inc. The major players in global marine propeller market are largely focused on product launch and acquisitions with the local players. These companies have adopted this strategy in order to increase their geographical presence across the globe. These companies have adopted the strategy in order to strengthen their product portfolio and market reach worldwide.The marine propeller market is bifurcated on the basis of propeller type, blade types, material type, and application.The market is segmented by propeller type as controllable pitch propeller, ducted propellers, and fixed pitch propeller.The global marine propeller market is segmented on the basis of blade types as three blade marine propeller, four blade marine propeller, five blade marine propeller and others.The global marine propeller market is bifurcated based on material type as a bronze marine propeller, aluminum marine propeller, and stainless steel marine propeller.Based on application, the global marine propeller market is segmented as defense and merchant ships, and boats including recreational boats, tug boats, and submarines.The market for the marine propeller is analyzed based on five regions namely North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America and Middle East. Asia Pacific dominated the marine propeller market in the current year because of the rapid advancement and increased demand for ships in this region. North America and Europe are also expected to contribute a significant share in the global marine propeller market. Middle East is projected to witness moderate growth in the global marine propeller market.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 Power Generation Market by Technology - Indonesia Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends and Forecast to 2022 MRRSE https://www.mrrse.com/sample/716 https://www.mrrse.com/indonesia-power-generation-market https://www.mrrse.com/enquiry/716 https://www.mrrse.com/ https://www.industrynewsanalysis.com/ The power industry is one of the largest and essential industries globally. There is a direct correlation between the development of a nation and its power industry. No country can achieve economic and social prosperity without adequate investments in electrification across the nation. Several power projects are planned in developing economies in Asia Pacific as these economies continue to expand their power generation capacities to meet the rising electricity demand. In the last few years, several developed economies have permitted the entry of private companies in the power industry. This step has introduced competition in the power industry, especially in the generation and retail supply of electricity. This market liberalization has further improved production efficiency of the overall industry.View a Free Sample Copy of Report @In Indonesia, the Power Generation Market is still dominated by the government-owned PT PLN. Approximately 85% of power generation facilities and the entire transmission & distribution network is solely controlled by PT PLN. The coal mining industry is developed in Indonesia with several private players investing in this market. Coal still continues to account for a major share in the global power generation industry. Although the share of coal is anticipated to decline in the future years, it would continue to be the major fuel in the short-term outlook.This research study is designed to analyze the power generation market in Indonesia. The market is calculated in terms of power generation capacity (GW), power generation (TWh), and revenue (USD Billion). The market for power generation has been segmented on the basis of six major power generation technologies in Indonesia. These include coal-fired, natural gas-fired, oil-fired, geothermal, hydro, and combined cycle (gas-steam). The report provides growth forecast for the period 20142022. Projections have been provided for power generation installed capacities, power generation, and revenue. The study on the power generation market also provides historical data, detailed analysis, and statistically refined forecast for key technology segments.The size of the power generation market has been estimated based on indicators in technology segments. The report includes the key market dynamics affecting the demand for power generation technologies. As a part of our market dynamics analysis, we have analyzed market drivers, market restraints, and market opportunities in Indonesia. A comprehensive landscape, which includes company market share analysis and market attractiveness analysis, has also been provided in this report. Company market share analysis has been provided for major players involved in power generation in Indonesia. Market attractiveness analysis has been provided for six power generation technologies in Indonesia.The report also provides a detailed industry analysis of the power generation market in Indonesia with the help of Porters Five Forces Model. The Porters Five Forces analysis aids in understanding the five major forces that affect the industry structure and profitability of the global power generation technology market. The forces analyzed are the bargaining power of buyers, bargaining power of suppliers, threat from new entrants, threat from substitutes, and degree of competition. The Porters Five Forces analysis has been provided across the geographies studied in the report.Download Complete Report with TOC @The report features an in-depth analysis of trends observed in each of the power generation technology segments provided in the report. Various new technologies, which are influencing the market dynamics of each power generation technology, have been identified and highlighted. Emerging trends for each power generation technology have been addressed for Indonesia.The study also includes the value chain of the power generation market in Indonesia, which provides a glimpse of fuel procurement, contract awarding, power generation, as well as the interaction of suppliers and buyers with the end-users of the product. The market attractiveness has been primarily done considering the market size and market growth. Besides market size and growth, government support, regulatory policies, environment benefits, and availability of resources have also been considered to rank/benchmark major technologies for each region.Key participants in the power generation market in Indonesia include Alstom S.A., PT Arutmin Indonesia, Asia Resource Minerals plc, Chevron Indonesia, Hyundai Engineering Co. Ltd., Medco Power Indonesia, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd., PT Adaro Energy Tbk., PT Bumi Resources Tbk., PT Cirebon Electric Power, PT Geo Dipa Energi, PT Harum Energy Tbk., PT Indonesia Power, PT Jawa Power, PT Pertamina Geothermal Energy, PT PLN, PT Wartsila Indonesia, PT. Pembangkitan Jawa-Bali, Siemens AG, United Coal Indonesia. This report provides an overview of these companies, followed by their financial revenues, business strategies, technical performance analysis, operational standards, and awards and achievements.Indonesia Power Generation Market: Technology AnalysisCoal-fired Power GenerationNatural Gas-fired Power GenerationOil-fired Power GenerationGeothermal Power GenerationHydro Power GenerationCombined Cycle Power GenerationHave any Query Related This Report Visit @About Market Research Reports Search Engine (MRRSE)Market Research Reports Search Engine (MRRSE) is an industry-leading database of Market Research Reports. MRRSE is driven by a stellar team of research experts and advisors trained to offer objective advice. Our sophisticated search algorithm returns results based on the report title, geographical region, publisher, or other keywords.MRRSE partners exclusively with leading global publishers to provide clients single-point access to top-of-the-line market research. MRRSEs repository is updated every day to keep its clients ahead of the next new trend in market research, be it competitive intelligence, product or service trends or strategic consulting.Contact UsState Tower90, State StreetSuite 700Albany, NY - 12207United States Telephone: +1-518-730-0559Email: sales@mrrse.comWebsite:Read More Industry News At: Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) Market Trend to 2023 Profiling Komatsu, Mitsubishi, CRTG, CRCHI, Robbins, Tianhe, LNSS, NHI, Kawasaki, IHI, Terratec, SELI, Tianye Tolian, Hitachi Zosen https://www.marketstudyreport.com/request-a-sample/792839/?utm_source=OPR&utm_medium=SP https://www.marketstudyreport.com/reports/global-tunnel-boring-machine-tbm-market-by-manufacturers-countries-type-and-application-forecast-to-2023/?utm_source=OPR-SP https://www.marketstudyreport.com/reports/tunnel-boring-machine-tbm-market-report-by-company-regions-types-and-applications-global-status-and-forecast-to-2025/?utm_source=RR-SP https://thefinancialconsulting.com/author/chetan/ https://www.marketstudyreport.com https://www.marketstudyreport.com/category/news-releases/ http://reports.algosonline.com/ Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) Market report 2023 focuses on the major Types and Applications for the key players. Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) market research report also provides analysis of the market share, segmentation, revenue forecasts and geographic regions of the market. The Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) market research report is a professional and in-depth study on the current state of Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) Industry.A tunnel boring machine (TBM) is a machine used to excavate tunnels with a circular cross section through a variety of soil and rock strata. They may also be used for micro tunneling. In Japan and China, The machines used for soil are called shield tunneling machines and machines used for hard rock are called tunnel boring machine. But in Europe and USA, they are called the same name tunnel boring machine. The research we did include all of them.Scope of the Report:This report focuses on the Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) Market, especially in North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, South America, Middle East and Africa. This report categorizes the market based on manufacturers, regions, types and applications.Request for a Sample Copy of Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) Market Report @Market Segment by Top Manufacturers, this Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) Market report covers Herrenknecht, CRTG, CRCHI, Robbins, Tianhe, LNSS, Komatsu, Mitsubishi, NHI, Kawasaki, IHI, Terratec, SELI, Tianye Tolian, Hitachi Zosen, Xugong Kaigong, STEC and JIMT.An inherent sub-vertical of the Manufacturing and Construction Industry space, Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) market stands to gain remarkable proceeds over 2018-2023, as per a recently compiled report Market Segment by Regions, regional analysis covers:North America (United States, Canada and Mexico)Europe (Germany, France, UK, Russia and Italy)Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, Korea, India and Southeast Asia)South America (Brazil, Argentina, Colombia)Middle East and Africa (Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt, Nigeria and South Africa)Market Segment by Table of Contents:Global Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) Market OverviewGlobal Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) Market Manufacturers ProfilesGlobal Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) Market Competition, by ManufacturerGlobal Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) Market Analysis by RegionsGlobal Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) by CountriesGlobal Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) Market Segment by TypeGlobal Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) Market Segment by ApplicationTunnel Boring Machine (TBM) Market Forecast (2018-2023)Sales Channel, Distributors, Traders and DealersResearch Findings and ConclusionMarket Segment by Type, coversEarth Pressure Balance Machines, Slurry Shield (SS), Shielded Type TBMs, Open Type TBMs and MixshieldMarket Segment by Applications, can be divided into:City Rail System, Railway and Highway, Municipal Engineering and OthersThere are 15 Chapters to deeply display the global Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) market.Chapter 1, to describe Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) Introduction, product scope, market overview, market opportunities, market risk, market driving force;Chapter 2, to analyze the top manufacturers of Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM), with sales, revenue, and price of Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM), in 2016 and 2017;Chapter 3, to display the competitive situation among the top manufacturers, with sales, revenue and market share in 2016 and 2017;Chapter 4, to show the global market by regions, with sales, revenue and market share of Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM), for each region, from 2013 to 2018;Chapter 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9, to analyze the key regions, with sales, revenue and market share by key countries in these regions;Chapter 10 and 11, to show the market by type and application, with sales market share and growth rate by type, application, from 2013 to 2018;Chapter 12, Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) market forecast, by regions, type and application, with sales and revenue, from 2018 to 2023;Chapter 13, 14 and 15, to describe Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) sales channel, distributors, traders, dealers, Research Findings and Conclusion, appendix and data sourceKey questions answered in Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) market report:What will the market size be in 2023 and what will the growth rate be?What are the key Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) market trends?What is Key Top Manufactures this market?What are the challenges to Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) market growth?What are the Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) market opportunities and threats faced by the vendors in the global Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) market?What are sales, revenue, and price analysis by types and applications of Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) market?What are sales, revenue, and price analysis by regions of Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) market?For more information on this report, Please visit at:Related Reports: -Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) Market Report by Company, Regions, Types and Applications, Global Status and Forecast to 2025This report studies the Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) market status and outlook of global, from angles of players, regions, product types and end industries; this report analyzes the top players in global market, and splits the Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) market by product type and application/end industries.More Report @Marketstudyreport.com allows you to manage and control all corporate research purchases to consolidate billing and vendor management. You can eliminate duplicate purchases and customize your content and license management.Market Study ReportThe Green Suite #4594,Dover, DE 19901United StatesPhone: 1-201-355-0868US Toll Free: 1-866-764-2150Email:sales@marketstudyreport.comWebsite:News:More Report at: Testing, Inspection And Certification Market - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends, And Forecast To 2025 https://www.xpodenceresearch.com/Request-Sample/105825 https://www.xpodenceresearch.com/Reports/Testing-Inspection-And-Certification-Market Testing, Inspection, and Certification or TIC is responsible for the regulatory standards issued for quality, technical & environmental safety, along with expected performance of the clients product. Primary role of TIC services include verification, testing, inspection, and certification in order to increase productivity. These services are projected to provide an assurance to the client that the product has been recognized under national & international rules and regulations, and also have attained the industrial standards related to safety and quality.Various emerging countries are majorly adopting the TIC services for exporting products and maintaining global industrial standards along with taking care of environmental safety pertaining to discharge, storage, emission, and disposal of certain chemical wastes. Increased TIC services outsourcing has been emerged as key opportunity for the growth of TIC companies over the forecast period. Furthermore, increased procedures complexity, standards and regulations proliferation, a sustained suppliers consolidation, controlled technologies and insurance are few other factors positively influencing the TIC industry.Request For Free Sample Of The Report @For Instance, General Safety Regulation (EC) No 661/2009 31A in 2014 has mandated implementation advanced safety features in all the automobiles sold in European countries. These safety features includes tire pressure monitoring systems, driver seatbelt reminders, and ISOFIX child seat anchorages. Also, new trucks & buses must be equipped with advanced emergency braking systems as well as lane departure warning systems.Rising consumption of products in emerging countries, and harmonization of international standards are also expected to spur the TIC growth over the forecast period, Furthermore, imposition of rigorous rules & regulations by government, and surge in piracy activities and global counterfeiting will also benefit the growth.. Additionally, rising interest from end user & clients aimed at safety and social responsibility will boost the demand of TIC services globally. Although, lack of global certified standards and skilled workforce, and distinguished regulation and standards across geographies may hinder the TIC industry.TIC market has been segmented on the basis of sourcing type, service type, end-user, and applications. On the basis of sourcing type, the market is segmented as in-house and outsourcing. The service segment is segregated into testing service, certification service, and inspection service. Among these, the testing segment has acquired the major share of revenue generation and is probably projected to maintain the dominance over the forecast period.Market end user segment includes automotive, aerospace, textiles, food & beverages, petroleum, oil & gas, and others. Other segment includes agricultural, forestry, infrastructure & construction, chemical, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, energy & utilities, government, education, and cosmetics. Increasing rules & regulations to ensure the improved quality productivity of food products has driven the TIC services adoption in food & beverages sector. Based on application, the market is segmented as industrial and commercial.Europe TIC market is anticipated to contribute majorly to the global TIC market owing to continual introduction of new regulations such as energy efficiency in construction. TIC services in the Europe market continue to improve due to large focus on outsourcing. Increase in demand for modernization of oil & gas, power infrastructures and wastewater utilization are expected to fuel the demand in the region. Besides, gradual shift of eating inclinations towards health consciousness are spurring the market for food certification in Europe. North America regional market is majorly influenced by enormous presence of electronics, aviation, software, & defense industry, and increased global trade.Obtain Report Details @Key players in the market include SGS group, Bureau Veritas SA, Dekra Certification GmbH, Intertek Group Plc, ALS Limited, ASTM international, BSI Group, SAI Global Limited, Mistras Group, and UL LLC. However, SGS Group and Bureau Veritas hold the largest market of TIC services. Several regional players have adopted the merger & acquisition strategy to acquire other niche players to compete in the global market. For instance, in 2017, Eurofins Scientific acquires Alphora Research, GATC Biotech, and Ahma ymparisto Oy to strengthen the footprint in the rapidly-growing biopharmaceutical testing market, DNA sequencing and establish a strong presence in southern Finland.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 Virtual Network Functions Market 2018-2023: Key Players - Alcatel-Lucent, Cisco Corporartion, Ericsson, Huwaei, Tech Mahindra, Ribbon Communications, Telefonica, Trend Micro https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/sample_request/5680 https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/virtual-network-functions-market-5680 Global Virtual Network Functions Market Research Report, By Component (Hardware, Software, And Services), By Organization Size (Sme And Large Enterprises), By Deployment, And By End-Users - Forecast Till 2023Market Scenario:Virtual Network Function (VNF) is generally known by another name in the industry as Network functions virtualization (NFV). They are often used interchangeably, as both of them concentrate primarily on enhancing network services, unlike Software-Defined Networking (SDN), which segregates the control and forwarding plane for a centralized view of the network. Virtual network function is developed to integrate and facilitate networking components, essential to give a backup for a full virtualized environment. Additionally, a VNF handles a specific network functions that are implemented on one or more virtual machines (VMs) mounted on the hardware networing components such as servers, storage, routers, switches,and others. Seperately, a single virtual network functions could be interfaced or combined collectively as building blocks to provide a large scale network communication services.However, VNFs faciliates many advantages for the service providers in many ways. For instance, VNFs helps to optimise the network scalability and agility, also facilitates to use of network resources efficiently. VNFs also helps to reduce the power consumption and reduces the hardware spaces as the VNFs replaces hardware components which eventually lower the opertational and capital expenditure. In the light of these factors, VNFs is expected to gain the huge popularity among the telecom service providers over the forecast period.On the flip side, lack of specification by service providers as per the regualtory policies and security standards governed by European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI) is expected to be a major challenging factor for the virtual network functions over the review period.Get Sample Report @Global Virtual Network Functions market is expected to reach approximately over USD 25 billion by 2023 growing at a 30% CAGR over the forecast period 2017-2023Key PlayersSome of the key players of Virtual Network Functions market include Alcatel-Lucent (France), Cisco Corporartion (U.S.), Ericsson (Sweden) , Huwaei (China) , Tech Mahindra (India), Ribbon Communications (U.S.), Telefonica (Spain), Trend Micro (Japan), Verizon Communications (U.S.), Fujitsu (Japan), HP Enterprise( U.S.), NEC corporation (Japan), F5 networks (U.S.), and Aricent Incorporation (France).SegmentationThe Virtual Network Functions Market is differentiated by component, organization size, deployment, and end-user.By component, the virtual network functions market is sub-segmented as hardware, software, and services. The hardware sub-segment comprises switches, servers, storage, and others. The software sub-segment comprises application software, network security, and load balancing. Furthermore, the service sub-segment is categorized as training & support, consulting service, integration & implementation and others. On the basis of deployment, the market is comprised on-premises and on-cloud. Based on the organization size, the market is categorized as large enterprises and Small & Medium Enterprises (SMEs).Furthermore, on the basis of end-user, the market is classified as BFSI, IT & telecom, manufacturing, healthcare, government, and others.Regional AnalysisGeographically, the Virtual Network Functions is segmented into four different regions, namely North America, Asia Pacific, Europe, and Rest of the World.North America is presumed to have a significant growth in the virtual network functions market. The United States and Canada are leading countries in the region. This is due to advanced telecom services in the region. Europe is also expected to have a substantial growth in the market. The United Kingdom, France, and Germany are expected to be leading countries due to the increase in service providers, who will mainly emphasize on virtual network platforms over the next few years. Asia Pacific is also anticipated to be the fastest growing region in the virtual network functions market over the forecast period. India, Japan, and China are the leading countries in the Virtual Network Functions market, owing to surge in usage of smartphones, tablets, and laptops and the increased availability of content offered over IP.Get Report Details @Target Audience Telecommunication Service Providers Mobile Network Operators IT Suppliers Cloud Service Providers Enterprise Data Center Professionals Networking and Telecommunication Companies Data Center Software Vendors Infrastructure Architects Government Councils Research FirmsAbout Market Research Future:At Market Research Future (MRFR), we enable our customers to unravel the complexity of various industries through our Cooked Research Report (CRR), Half-Cooked Research Reports (HCRR), Raw Research Reports (3R), Continuous-Feed Research (CFR), and Market Research & Consulting Services.MRFR team have supreme objective to provide the optimum quality market research and intelligence services to our clients. Our market research studies by Components, Application, Logistics and market players for global, regional, and country level market segments, enable our clients to see more, know more, and do more, which help to answer all their most important questions.In order to stay updated with technology and work process of the industry, MRFR often plans & conducts meet with the industry experts and industrial visits for its research analyst membersContact:Market Research FutureOffice No. 528, Amanora ChambersMagarpatta Road, Hadapsar,Pune - 411028Maharashtra, India+1 646 845 9312Email: sales@marketresearchfuture.com Planetary Gear Reducers Market Detailed Analysis & Insights for next 5 years Planetary Gear Reducers Market https://www.htfmarketreport.com/sample-report/1012335-global-planetary-gear-reducers-detailed-analysis-report https://www.htfmarketreport.com/reports/1012335-global-planetary-gear-reducers-detailed-analysis-report https://www.htfmarketreport.com/enquiry-before-buy/1012335-global-planetary-gear-reducers-detailed-analysis-report https://www.htfmarketreport.com/buy-now?format=1&report=1012335 HTF MI published a new industry research that focuses on Planetary Gear Reducers Detailed Analysis Report 2018-2023 market and delivers in-depth market analysis and future prospects of Global Planetary Gear Reducers Detailed Analysis Report 2018-2023 market. The study covers significant data which makes the research document a handy resource for managers, analysts, industry experts and other key people get ready-to-access and self-analyzed study along with graphs and tables to help understand market trends, drivers and market challenges. The study is segmented by Application/ end users [Machine Tool, Construction Machinery & Ships], products type [Planetary Gear Reducers Market, by Shaft Operation, Coaxial, Orthogonal, Parallel-shaft & Planetary Gear Reducers Market, by] and various important geographies like North America, United States, Canada, Latin America, Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, Others, Europe, Germany, United Kingdom, France, Italy, Spain, Russia, Netherland, Others, Asia & Pacific, China, Japan, India, Korea, Australia, Southeast Asia, Indonesia, Thailand, Philippines, Vietnam, Singapore, Malaysia, Others, Africa & Middle East, South Africa, Egypt, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Iran & Others].Get Access to sample pages @The research covers the current market size of the Global Planetary Gear Reducers Detailed Analysis Report 2018-2023 market and its growth rates based on 5 year history data along with company profile of key players/manufacturers. The in-depth information by segments of Planetary Gear Reducers Detailed Analysis Report 2018-2023 market helps monitor future profitability & to make critical decisions for growth. The information on trends and developments, focuses on markets and materials, capacities, technologies, CAPEX cycle and the changing structure of the Global Planetary Gear Reducers Detailed Analysis Report 2018-2023 Market.The study provides company profiling, product picture and specifications, sales, market share and contact information of key manufacturers of Global Planetary Gear Reducers Detailed Analysis Report 2018-2023 Market, some of them listed here are Apex Dynamics, BERNIO ELETTROMECCANICA, Bonfiglioli, Boston Gear, Brevini Power Transmission, CGI, Dunkermotoren GmbH, Flender GmbH A Siemens Company, FLSmidth MAAG Gear AG, Hangzhou Advance Gearbox Group Co., Ltd., INI HYDRAULIC CO., LTD, Kahlig Antriebstechnik GmbH, KOFON MOTION GROUP CO., LTD, Laudenbach Formtechnik, maxon motor, Mecatix SA, Neugart GmbH, Newstart Planetary Gear Boxes Co., Ltd., ONVIO, PHT Vertex Precision Components Corporation, REDEX, Sesame Motor Corp., Thomson Industries, Inc., Tulsa Winch, Varitron Eng. (Taiwan) Co. Ltd, WITTENSTEIN SE, Yuan Yi Chang Machinery Co., Ltd.(YYC), Zakiady Mechaniczne GLIMAG S.A.. The market is growing at a very rapid pace and with rise in technological innovation, competition and M&A activities in the industry many local and regional vendors are offering specific application products for varied end-users. The new manufacturer entrants in the market are finding it hard to compete with the international vendors based on quality, reliability, and innovations in technology.Global Planetary Gear Reducers Detailed Analysis Report 2018-2023 (Thousands Units) and Revenue (Million USD) Market Split by Product Type such as Planetary Gear Reducers Market, by Shaft Operation, Coaxial, Orthogonal, Parallel-shaft & Planetary Gear Reducers Market, by. Further the research study is segmented by Application such as Machine Tool, Construction Machinery & Ships with historical and projected market share and compounded annual growth rate.Geographically, this report is segmented into several key Regions, with production, consumption, revenue (million USD), and market share and growth rate of Planetary Gear Reducers Detailed Analysis Report 2018-2023 in these regions, from 2012 to 2022 (forecast), covering North America, United States, Canada, Latin America, Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, Others, Europe, Germany, United Kingdom, France, Italy, Spain, Russia, Netherland, Others, Asia & Pacific, China, Japan, India, Korea, Australia, Southeast Asia, Indonesia, Thailand, Philippines, Vietnam, Singapore, Malaysia, Others, Africa & Middle East, South Africa, Egypt, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Iran & Others and its Share (%) and CAGR for the forecasted period 2017 to 2022.Read Detailed Index of full Research Study at @Following would be the Chapters to display the Global Planetary Gear Reducers Detailed Analysis Report 2018-2023 market.Chapter 1, to describe Definition, Specifications and Classification of Planetary Gear Reducers Detailed Analysis Report 2018-2023, Applications of Planetary Gear Reducers Detailed Analysis Report 2018-2023, Market Segment by Regions;Chapter 2, to analyze the Manufacturing Cost Structure, Raw Material and Suppliers, Manufacturing Process, Industry Chain Structure;Chapter 3, to display the Technical Data and Manufacturing Plants Analysis of Planetary Gear Reducers Detailed Analysis Report 2018-2023, Capacity and Commercial Production Date, Manufacturing Plants Distribution, R&D Status and Technology Source, Raw Materials Sources Analysis;Chapter 4, to show the Overall Market Analysis, Capacity Analysis (Company Segment), Sales Analysis (Company Segment), Sales Price Analysis (Company Segment);Chapter 5 and 6, to show the Regional Market Analysis that includes North America, United States, Canada, Latin America, Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, Others, Europe, Germany, United Kingdom, France, Italy, Spain, Russia, Netherland, Others, Asia & Pacific, China, Japan, India, Korea, Australia, Southeast Asia, Indonesia, Thailand, Philippines, Vietnam, Singapore, Malaysia, Others, Africa & Middle East, South Africa, Egypt, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Iran & Others, Planetary Gear Reducers Detailed Analysis Report 2018-2023 Segment Market Analysis (by Type);Chapter 7 and 8, to analyze the Planetary Gear Reducers Detailed Analysis Report 2018-2023 Segment Market Analysis (by Application) Major Manufacturers Analysis of Planetary Gear Reducers Detailed Analysis Report 2018-2023;Chapter 9, Market Trend Analysis, Regional Market Trend, Market Trend by Product Type [Planetary Gear Reducers Market, by Shaft Operation, Coaxial, Orthogonal, Parallel-shaft & Planetary Gear Reducers Market, by], Market Trend by Application [Machine Tool, Construction Machinery & Ships];Chapter 10, Regional Marketing Type Analysis, International Trade Type Analysis, Supply Chain Analysis;Chapter 11, to analyze the Consumers Analysis of Global Planetary Gear Reducers Detailed Analysis Report 2018-2023;Chapter 12,13, 14 and 15, to describe Planetary Gear Reducers Detailed Analysis Report 2018-2023 sales channel, distributors, traders, dealers, Research Findings and Conclusion, appendix and data source.Enquire for customization in Report @What this Research Study Offers:Global Planetary Gear Reducers Detailed Analysis Report 2018-2023 Market share assessments for the regional and country level segmentsMarket share analysis of the top industry playersStrategic recommendations for the new entrantsMarket forecasts for a minimum of 5 years of all the mentioned segments, sub segments and the regional marketsMarket Trends (Drivers, Constraints, Opportunities, Threats, Challenges, Investment Opportunities, and recommendations)Strategic recommendations in key business segments based on the market estimationsCompetitive landscaping mapping the key common trendsCompany profiling with detailed strategies, financials, and recent developmentsSupply chain trends mapping the latest technological advancementsBuy this research report @Reasons for Buying this ReportThis report provides pin-point analysis for changing competitive dynamicsIt provides a forward looking perspective on different factors driving or restraining market growthIt provides a six-year forecast assessed on the basis of how the market is predicted to growIt helps in understanding the key product segments and their futureIt provides pin point analysis of changing competition dynamics and keeps you ahead of competitorsIt helps in making informed business decisions by having complete insights of market and by making in-depth analysis of market segmentsThanks for reading this article; you can also get individual chapter wise section or region wise report version like North America, Europe or Asia.HTF Market Report is a wholly owned brand of HTF market Intelligence Consulting Private Limited. 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We are focused on identifying the Accurate Forecast in every industry we cover so our clients can reap the benefits of being early market entrants and can accomplish their Goals & Objectives.Contact us :HTF Market Intelligence Consulting Private LimitedUnit No. 429, Parsonage Road Edison, NJNew Jersey USA 08837sales@htfmarketreport.com+1 (206) 317 1218 Peptic Ulcer Testing Market Overview Key Futuristic Trends & Competitive Landscape 2025 Peptic Ulcer Testing Market https://www.htfmarketreport.com/sample-report/1016901-global-peptic-ulcer-testing-market-1 https://www.htfmarketreport.com/reports/1016901-global-peptic-ulcer-testing-market-1 https://www.htfmarketreport.com/enquiry-before-buy/1016901-global-peptic-ulcer-testing-market-1 https://www.htfmarketreport.com/buy-now?format=1&report=1016901 HTF MI published a new industry research that focuses on Peptic Ulcer Testing market and delivers in-depth market analysis and future prospects of Global Peptic Ulcer Testing market. The study covers significant data which makes the research document a handy resource for managers, analysts, industry experts and other key people get ready-to-access and self-analyzed study along with graphs and tables to help understand market trends, drivers and market challenges. The study is segmented by Application/ end users [Hospitals, Laboratories & Others], products type [Upper Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, Blood Tests, Elisa Tests, Urea Breath Test, Stool Tests & Others] and various important geographies like United States, EU, Japan, China, India & Southeast Asia].Get Access to sample pages @The research covers the current market size of the Global Peptic Ulcer Testing market and its growth rates based on 5 year history data along with company profile of key players/manufacturers. The in-depth information by segments of Peptic Ulcer Testing market helps monitor future profitability & to make critical decisions for growth. The information on trends and developments, focuses on markets and materials, capacities, technologies, CAPEX cycle and the changing structure of the Global Peptic Ulcer Testing Market.The study provides company profiling, product picture and specifications, sales, market share and contact information of key manufacturers of Global Peptic Ulcer Testing Market, some of them listed here are Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc., Diasorin S.P.A., Ekf Diagnostics, Exalenz Bioscience Ltd., Halyard Health Inc., Kibion AB, Biomerieux S.A., Meridian Bioscience Inc., Otsuka America, Biomerica, Inc., Biohit Oyjpharmaceutical, Inc., Orion Diagnostica OY, Polymedco Cdp, LLC & Quidel Corporation. The market is growing at a very rapid pace and with rise in technological innovation, competition and M&A activities in the industry many local and regional vendors are offering specific application products for varied end-users. The new manufacturer entrants in the market are finding it hard to compete with the international vendors based on quality, reliability, and innovations in technology.Global Peptic Ulcer Testing (Thousands Units) and Revenue (Million USD) Market Split by Product Type such as Upper Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, Blood Tests, Elisa Tests, Urea Breath Test, Stool Tests & Others. Further the research study is segmented by Application such as Hospitals, Laboratories & Others with historical and projected market share and compounded annual growth rate.Geographically, this report is segmented into several key Regions, with production, consumption, revenue (million USD), and market share and growth rate of Peptic Ulcer Testing in these regions, from 2012 to 2022 (forecast), covering United States, EU, Japan, China, India & Southeast Asia and its Share (%) and CAGR for the forecasted period 2017 to 2022.Read Detailed Index of full Research Study at @Following would be the Chapters to display the Global Peptic Ulcer Testing market.Chapter 1, to describe Definition, Specifications and Classification of Peptic Ulcer Testing, Applications of Peptic Ulcer Testing, Market Segment by Regions;Chapter 2, to analyze the Manufacturing Cost Structure, Raw Material and Suppliers, Manufacturing Process, Industry Chain Structure;Chapter 3, to display the Technical Data and Manufacturing Plants Analysis of Peptic Ulcer Testing, Capacity and Commercial Production Date, Manufacturing Plants Distribution, R&D Status and Technology Source, Raw Materials Sources Analysis;Chapter 4, to show the Overall Market Analysis, Capacity Analysis (Company Segment), Sales Analysis (Company Segment), Sales Price Analysis (Company Segment);Chapter 5 and 6, to show the Regional Market Analysis that includes United States, EU, Japan, China, India & Southeast Asia, Peptic Ulcer Testing Segment Market Analysis (by Type);Chapter 7 and 8, to analyze the Peptic Ulcer Testing Segment Market Analysis (by Application) Major Manufacturers Analysis of Peptic Ulcer Testing;Chapter 9, Market Trend Analysis, Regional Market Trend, Market Trend by Product Type [Upper Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, Blood Tests, Elisa Tests, Urea Breath Test, Stool Tests & Others], Market Trend by Application [Hospitals, Laboratories & Others];Chapter 10, Regional Marketing Type Analysis, International Trade Type Analysis, Supply Chain Analysis;Chapter 11, to analyze the Consumers Analysis of Global Peptic Ulcer Testing;Chapter 12,13, 14 and 15, to describe Peptic Ulcer Testing sales channel, distributors, traders, dealers, Research Findings and Conclusion, appendix and data source.Enquire for customization in Report @What this Research Study Offers:Global Peptic Ulcer Testing Market share assessments for the regional and country level segmentsMarket share analysis of the top industry playersStrategic recommendations for the new entrantsMarket forecasts for a minimum of 5 years of all the mentioned segments, sub segments and the regional marketsMarket Trends (Drivers, Constraints, Opportunities, Threats, Challenges, Investment Opportunities, and recommendations)Strategic recommendations in key business segments based on the market estimationsCompetitive landscaping mapping the key common trendsCompany profiling with detailed strategies, financials, and recent developmentsSupply chain trends mapping the latest technological advancementsBuy this research report @Reasons for Buying this ReportThis report provides pin-point analysis for changing competitive dynamicsIt provides a forward looking perspective on different factors driving or restraining market growthIt provides a six-year forecast assessed on the basis of how the market is predicted to growIt helps in understanding the key product segments and their futureIt provides pin point analysis of changing competition dynamics and keeps you ahead of competitorsIt helps in making informed business decisions by having complete insights of market and by making in-depth analysis of market segmentsThanks for reading this article; you can also get individual chapter wise section or region wise report version like North America, Europe or Asia.HTF Market Report is a wholly owned brand of HTF market Intelligence Consulting Private Limited. HTF Market Report global research and market intelligence consulting organization is uniquely positioned to not only identify growth opportunities but to also empower and inspire you to create visionary growth strategies for futures, enabled by our extraordinary depth and breadth of thought leadership, research, tools, events and experience that assist you for making goals into a reality. Our understanding of the interplay between industry convergence, Mega Trends, technologies and market trends provides our clients with new business models and expansion opportunities. We are focused on identifying the Accurate Forecast in every industry we cover so our clients can reap the benefits of being early market entrants and can accomplish their Goals & Objectives.Contact us :HTF Market Intelligence Consulting Private LimitedUnit No. 429, Parsonage Road Edison, NJNew Jersey USA 08837sales@htfmarketreport.com+1 (206) 317 1218 Target Drones Market Overview, Top Manufacturers, Market Growth Analysis And Forecast Upto 2025 https://www.xpodenceresearch.com/Request-Sample/105676 https://www.xpodenceresearch.com/Reports/Target-Drones-Market Target drone can be defined as an unmanned remote controlled aerial vehicle, mostly utilized in the anti-aircraft crews training. The British DH.82 Queen Bee was one of the earliest drones and was a variant of the Tiger Moth trainer aircraft. Target drones are similar to radio-controlled model aircrafts. More modern drones may use countermeasures, radar, and similar systems to mimic manned aircraft. In the modern advanced drones, large, older missiles with their warheads removed are used.In the United Kingdom, obsolete Royal Air Force and Royal Navy jet and propeller-powered aircraft have been modified into remote controlled drones at a high cost. Owing to the presence of larger budget, the U.S. military is planning to convert retired aircraft or older versions of still serving aircraft into remotely piloted targets. After the modification, these can be used for USAF, USN and USMC use as Full Scale Aerial Targets or FSATs.supply.Request For Free Sample Of The Report @The global target drones market can be classified based on engine type, fit, end-user, platform, target type and region. On the basis of engine type, the global market is classified into internal combustion engines, jet engines, and others. Depending upon end-user, it is segmented into defense, homeland security, and commercial. As per fit, the global target drones market is divided into line fit and customized fit. . Based on platform, the global market is divided into aerial targets, ground targets, underwater targets, and sea surface targets. Depending upon target type, the global market can be classified into full- & sub-scaled, free fly, tow, sportThe global target drones market is expected to garner maximum revenue in the forecast period. Factors such as increased focus on augmented military training and numerous advantages offered by target drones over manned target vehicles leading to creation of demand for high performance target drones is expected to fuel the growth of this market. However, the dearth of lack of skilled and trained personnel to operate and control target drones will hamper the growth of aerospace bearings market.Based on regions, the global target drones market is divided into North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific (APAC), Middle East & Africa (MEA), and Latin America. The North American region is anticipated to command the maximum market share and would lead the target drones market during the forecast period. The U.S. is the only country engaged in conversion of old fighter aircraft into aerial targets in order to enable simulating real-time threat scenarios for military anti-aircraft and missile testing training exercises. Around 126 units of F-16 into QF-16 target drones are planning to be converted by the U.S. Air Force. Also, the U.S. is the prominent procurer of sub-scaled aerial targets. Dependiing upon on the contracts awarded to the company by the U.S. Air Force, Kratos' unmanned combat aerial target vehicles business is anticipated double in next two year, in this market.Obtain Report Details @The major companies that provide target drones include Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc., The Boeing Company, Airbus Group, QinetiQ Group plc, Northrop Grumman Corporation, Lockheed Martin Corporation , Saab AB , Leonardo S.p.A., ASV Global and AeroTargets International, LLC 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 Career Training 2018 Global Market Key Players -Teach NYC (NY, US), 360training.com, Inc. (TX, US), California State University, Los Angeles (CA, US), InterExchange, Inc. (NY, US), Career Step (UT, US).... Career Training Market 2018 https://www.wiseguyreports.com/sample-request/2438353-global-career-training-detailed-analysis-report-2017-2022 https://www.wiseguyreports.com/reports/2438353-global-career-training-detailed-analysis-report-2017-2022 Career Training Market 2018Wiseguyreports.Com Adds Career Training -Market Demand, Growth, Opportunities, Manufacturers, Analysis of Top Key Players and Forecast to 2022 To Its Research Database.Description:This report mainly introduces volume and value market share by players, by regions, by product type, by consumers and also their price change details. As a Detailed Analysis report, it covers all details inside analysis and opinion in Career Training industry.This report splits Career Training market By Subjects, By Methods, which covers the history data information from 2012 to 2016 and forecast from 2017 to 2022.This report focuses Global market, it covers details as following:Major Companies:Teach NYC (NY, US)360training.com, Inc. (TX, US)California State University, Los Angeles (CA, US)InterExchange, Inc. (NY, US)Career Step (UT, US)CIEE (ME, US)PCDI Canada (Canada)Twin Group (UK)HVAC Design Training Programs (India)Voestalpine (China)MACH program (CA, US)Pasona Group (Japan)Request for Sample Report@Main Regions:North AmericaUnited StatesCanadaLatin AmericaMexicoBrazilArgentinaOthersEuropeGermanyUnited KingdomFranceItalySpainRussiaNetherlandOthersAsia & PacificChinaJapanIndiaKoreaAustraliaSoutheast AsiaIndonesiaThailandPhilippinesVietnamSingaporeMalaysiaOthersAfrica & Middle EastSouth AfricaEgyptTurkeySaudi ArabiaIranOthersMain Product Type:Career Training Market, by SubjectsCustomer Services Skills TrainingLeadership TrainingSoftware TrainingSocial Media TrainingOther TrainingsCareer Training Market, by MethodsImmersive ProgramPart-time ProgramOnline ProgramOther ProgramsMain Applications:CommunicationManagementNegotiationWritingComputer SecurityComplete report details @If you have any special requirements, please let us know and we will offer you the report as you want.Table of Contents:Global Career Training Detailed Analysis Report 2017-2022Chapter One Career Training Market Overview1.1 Global Career Training Market Sales Volume Revenue and Price 2012-20221.2 Career Training, By Subjects 2012-20221.2.1 Global Career Training Sales Market Share by Subjects 2012-20221.2.2 Global Career Training Revenue Market Share by Subjects 2012-20221.2.3 Global Career Training Price by Subjects 2012-20221.2.4 Customer Services Skills Training1.2.5 Leadership Training1.2.6 Software Training1.2.7 Social Media Training1.2.8 Other Trainings1.3 Career Training, by Methods 2012-20221.3.1 Global Career Training Sales Market Share by Methods 2012-20221.3.2 Global Career Training Revenue Market Share by Methods 2012-20221.3.3 Global Career Training Price by Methods 2012-20221.3.4 Immersive Program1.3.5 Part-time Program1.3.6 Online Program1.3.7 Other ProgramsChapter Three Career Training by Players 2012-20173.1 Global Career Training Sales Volume Market Share by Players 2012-20173.2 Global Career Training Revenue Share by Players 2012-20173.3 Global Top Players Career Training Key Product Model and Market Performance3.4 Global Top Players Career Training Key Target Consumers and Market PerformanceChapter Five Global Top Players Profile5.1 Teach NYC (NY, US)5.1.1 Teach NYC (NY, US) Company Details and Competitors5.1.2 Teach NYC (NY, US) Key Career Training Models and Performance5.1.3 Teach NYC (NY, US) Career Training Business SWOT Analysis and Forecast5.1.4 Teach NYC (NY, US) Career Training Sales Volume Revenue Price Cost and Gross Margin5.2 360training.com, Inc. (TX, US)5.2.1 360training.com, Inc. (TX, US) Company Details and Competitors5.2.2 360training.com, Inc. (TX, US) Key Career Training Models and Performance5.2.3 360training.com, Inc. (TX, US) Career Training Business SWOT Analysis and Forecast5.2.4 360training.com, Inc. (TX, US) Career Training Sales Volume Revenue Price Cost and Gross Margin5.3 California State University, Los Angeles (CA, US)5.3.1 California State University, Los Angeles (CA, US) Company Details and Competitors5.3.2 California State University, Los Angeles (CA, US) Key Career Training Models and Performance5.3.3 California State University, Los Angeles (CA, US) Career Training Business SWOT Analysis and Forecast5.3.4 California State University, Los Angeles (CA, US) Career Training Sales Volume Revenue Price Cost and Gross Margin5.4 InterExchange, Inc. (NY, US)5.4.1 InterExchange, Inc. (NY, US) Company Details and Competitors5.4.2 InterExchange, Inc. (NY, US) Key Career Training Models and Performance5.4.3 InterExchange, Inc. (NY, US) Career Training Business SWOT Analysis and Forecast5.4.4 InterExchange, Inc. (NY, US) Career Training Sales Volume Revenue Price Cost and Gross Margin5.5 Career Step (UT, US)5.5.1 Career Step (UT, US) Company Details and Competitors5.5.2 Career Step (UT, US) Key Career Training Models and Performance5.5.3 Career Step (UT, US) Career Training Business SWOT Analysis and Forecast5.5.4 Career Step (UT, US) Career Training Sales Volume Revenue Price Cost and Gross Margin5.6 CIEE (ME, US)5.6.1 CIEE (ME, US) Company Details and Competitors5.6.2 CIEE (ME, US) Key Career Training Models and Performance5.6.3 CIEE (ME, US) Career Training Business SWOT Analysis and Forecast5.6.4 CIEE (ME, US) Career Training Sales Volume Revenue Price Cost and Gross Margin5.7 PCDI Canada (Canada)5.7.1 PCDI Canada (Canada) Company Details and Competitors5.7.2 PCDI Canada (Canada) Key Career Training Models and Performance5.7.3 PCDI Canada (Canada) Career Training Business SWOT Analysis and Forecast5.7.4 PCDI Canada (Canada) Career Training Sales Volume Revenue Price Cost and Gross Margin5.8 Twin Group (UK)5.8.1 Twin Group (UK) Company Details and Competitors5.8.2 Twin Group (UK) Key Career Training Models and Performance5.8.3 Twin Group (UK) Career Training Business SWOT Analysis and Forecast5.8.4 Twin Group (UK) Career Training Sales Volume Revenue Price Cost and Gross Margin5.9 HVAC Design Training Programs (India)5.9.1 HVAC Design Training Programs (India) Company Details and Competitors5.9.2 HVAC Design Training Programs (India) Key Career Training Models and Performance5.9.3 HVAC Design Training Programs (India) Career Training Business SWOT Analysis and Forecast5.9.4 HVAC Design Training Programs (India) Career Training Sales Volume Revenue Price Cost and Gross Margin5.10 Voestalpine (China)5.10.1 Voestalpine (China) Company Details and Competitors5.10.2 Voestalpine (China) Key Career Training Models and Performance5.10.3 Voestalpine (China) Career Training Business SWOT Analysis and Forecast5.10.4 Voestalpine (China) Career Training Sales Volume Revenue Price Cost and Gross Margin5.11 MACH program (CA, US)5.12 Pasona Group (Japan)Continued..Contact US:NORAH TRENTPartner Relations & Marketing Managersales@wiseguyreports.comPh: +1-646-845-9349 (US)Ph: +44 208 133 9349 (UK)About Us:Wise Guy Reports Is Part Of The Wise Guy Consultants Pvt. Ltd. And Offers Premium Progressive Statistical Surveying, Market Research Reports, Analysis & Forecast Data For Industries And Governments Around The Globe. Wise Guy Reports Features An Exhaustive List Of Market Research Reports From Hundreds Of Publishers Worldwide. We Boast A Database Spanning Virtually Every Market Category And An Even More Comprehensive Collection Of Market Research Reports Under These Categories And Sub-Categories.Addres:: Wise Guy Research Consultants Pvt Ltd: Pune 411028: Maharashtra,: Ph: +91 841 198 5042 Global Smart Fleet Management Market Size Demand Will Increase by 2018-2022 https://www.researchtrades.com/request-sample/1385058 https://www.researchtrades.com/checkout/1385058 https://www.researchtrades.com/report/global-smart-fleet-management-market-professional-survey-report-2017/1385058 Global Smart Fleet Management Industry Report" is an expert and in-depth analysis of key business and future development prospects, key determinants and restrictions, profiles of major market players, segmentation and forecasting. The study offers a comprehensive qualitative analysis of the industry's growth parameters, the current state of the market in terms of analysis of key economic situations and macroeconomic analysis. The analysis highlights the growth opportunities of key market segments along with the tactical moves made by key vendors to grow in the market.Get FREE sample copy of updated Analysis & Status @Scope of the Report:This report studies Smart Fleet Management in Global market, especially in North America, China, Europe, Southeast Asia, Japan and India, with production, revenue, consumption, import and export in these regions, from 2012 to 2016, and forecast to 2022.This report focuses on Top Manufacturers in global market, with production, price, revenue and market share for each manufacturer, coveringRobert BoschContinentalDenso CorporationHarman InternationalSiemensIBM CorporationSierra WirelessCisco SystemsCalamp CorpPrecious ShippingOTTO Marine LimitedGlobecomm SystemsOn the basis of product, this report displays the production, revenue, price, market share and growth rate of each type, primarily split intoTrackingOptimizationADASRemote DiagnosticsBy Application, the market can be split intoAutomotiveRolling StockMarineOtherBy Regions, this report covers (we can add the regions/countries as you want)North AmericaChinaEuropeSoutheast AsiaJapanIndiaYou can purchase a single user copy at USD 3500 and can get discount too @Table of Content:1 Industry Overview of Smart Fleet Management1.1 Definition and Specifications of Smart Fleet Management1.1.1 Definition of Smart Fleet Management1.1.2 Specifications of Smart Fleet Management1.2 Classification of Smart Fleet Management1.3 Applications of Smart Fleet Management1.3.1 Automotive1.3.2 Rolling Stock1.3.3 Marine1.3.4 Other1.4 Market Segment by Regions1.4.1 North America1.4.2 China1.4.3 Europe1.4.4 Southeast Asia1.4.5 Japan1.4.6 India2 Manufacturing Cost Structure Analysis of Smart Fleet Management2.1 Raw Material and Suppliers2.2 Manufacturing Cost Structure Analysis of Smart Fleet Management2.3 Manufacturing Process Analysis of Smart Fleet Management2.4 Industry Chain Structure of Smart Fleet Management3 Technical Data and Manufacturing Plants Analysis of Smart Fleet Management3.1 Capacity and Commercial Production Date of Global Smart Fleet Management Major Manufacturers in 20163.2 Manufacturing Plants Distribution of Global Smart Fleet Management Major Manufacturers in 20163.3 R&D Status and Technology Source of Global Smart Fleet Management Major Manufacturers in 20163.4 Raw Materials Sources Analysis of Global Smart Fleet Management Major Manufacturers in 2016Browse complete analysis report @4 Global Smart Fleet Management Overall Market Overview4.1 2012-2017E Overall Market Analysis4.2 Capacity Analysis4.2.1 2012-2017E Global Smart Fleet Management Capacity and Growth Rate Analysis4.2.2 2016 Smart Fleet Management Capacity Analysis (Company Segment)4.3 Sales Analysis4.3.1 2012-2017E Global Smart Fleet Management Sales and Growth Rate Analysis4.3.2 2016 Smart Fleet Management Sales Analysis (Company Segment)4.4 Sales Price Analysis4.4.1 2012-2017E Global Smart Fleet Management Sales Price4.4.2 2016 Smart Fleet Management Sales Price Analysis (Company Segment)ContinueWho we areResearch Trades has team of experts who works on providing exhaustive analysis pertaining to market research on a global basis. This comprehensive analysis is obtained by a thorough research and study of the ongoing trends and provides predictive data regarding the future estimations, which can be utilized by various organizations for growth purposes.We distribute customized reports that focus on meeting the clients specific requirement. Our database consists of a large collection of high-quality reports obtained using a customer-centric approaches, thus providing valuable research insights. Global Flavored Cigars Market 2018 Key Players: Gurkha Cigars, Imperial Tobacco, Miami Cigar, Habanos, General Cigar. Flavored Cigars Market https://www.wiseguyreports.com/sample-request/3067623-global-flavored-cigars-market-research-report-2018 https://www.wiseguyreports.com/reports/3067623-global-flavored-cigars-market-research-report-2018 Flavored Cigars Market:WiseGuyReports.com adds Flavored Cigars Market 2018 Global Analysis, Growth, Trends and Opportunities Research Report Forecasting to 2025reports to its database.Executive SummaryGeographically, this report is segmented into several key Regions, with production, consumption, revenue (million USD), market share and growth rate of Flavored Cigars in these regions, from 2013 to 2025 (forecast), coveringNorth AmericaEuropeChinaJapanSoutheast AsiaIndiaGlobal Flavored Cigars market competition by top manufacturers, with production, price, revenue (value) and market share for each manufacturer; the top players includingGurkha CigarsImperial TobaccoMiami CigarHabanosGeneral CigarDrew EstateArnold AndreAvanti CigarOliva Cigar FamilyScandinavian Tobacco Group (Havana Honeys')Swisher Sweets (Swisher International)Rocky PatelAlec BradleyDavidoff of Geneva USAArturo FuenteOn the basis of product, this report displays the production, revenue, price, market share and growth rate of each type, primarily split intoHand-Rolled Flavored CigarMachine-Made Flavored CigarOn the basis of the end users/applications, this report focuses on the status and outlook for major applications/end users, consumption (sales), market share and growth rate for each application, includingBusiness ConsumptionHousehold ConsumptionOtherIf you have any special requirements, please let us know and we will offer you the report as you want.Request Sample Report @Table of ContentGlobal Flavored Cigars Market Research Report 20181 Flavored Cigars Market Overview1.1 Product Overview and Scope of Flavored Cigars1.2 Flavored Cigars Segment by Type (Product Category)1.2.1 Global Flavored Cigars Production and CAGR (%) Comparison by Type (Product Category)(2013-2025)1.2.2 Global Flavored Cigars Production Market Share by Type (Product Category) in 20171.2.3 Hand-Rolled Flavored Cigar1.2.4 Machine-Made Flavored Cigar1.3 Global Flavored Cigars Segment by Application1.3.1 Flavored Cigars Consumption (Sales) Comparison by Application (2013-2025)1.3.2 Business Consumption1.3.3 Household Consumption1.3.4 Other1.4 Global Flavored Cigars Market by Region (2013-2025)1.4.1 Global Flavored Cigars Market Size (Value) and CAGR (%) Comparison by Region (2013-2025)1.4.2 North America Status and Prospect (2013-2025)1.4.3 Europe Status and Prospect (2013-2025)1.4.4 China Status and Prospect (2013-2025)1.4.5 Japan Status and Prospect (2013-2025)1.4.6 Southeast Asia Status and Prospect (2013-2025)1.4.7 India Status and Prospect (2013-2025)1.5 Global Market Size (Value) of Flavored Cigars (2013-2025)1.5.1 Global Flavored Cigars Revenue Status and Outlook (2013-2025)1.5.2 Global Flavored Cigars Capacity, Production Status and Outlook (2013-2025)2 Global Flavored Cigars Market Competition by Manufacturers2.1 Global Flavored Cigars Capacity, Production and Share by Manufacturers (2013-2018)2.1.1 Global Flavored Cigars Capacity and Share by Manufacturers (2013-2018)2.1.2 Global Flavored Cigars Production and Share by Manufacturers (2013-2018)2.2 Global Flavored Cigars Revenue and Share by Manufacturers (2013-2018)2.3 Global Flavored Cigars Average Price by Manufacturers (2013-2018)2.4 Manufacturers Flavored Cigars Manufacturing Base Distribution, Sales Area and Product Type2.5 Flavored Cigars Market Competitive Situation and Trends2.5.1 Flavored Cigars Market Concentration Rate2.5.2 Flavored Cigars Market Share of Top 3 and Top 5 Manufacturers2.5.3 Mergers & Acquisitions, Expansion3 Global Flavored Cigars Capacity, Production, Revenue (Value) by Region (2013-2018)3.1 Global Flavored Cigars Capacity and Market Share by Region (2013-2018)3.2 Global Flavored Cigars Production and Market Share by Region (2013-2018)3.3 Global Flavored Cigars Revenue (Value) and Market Share by Region (2013-2018)3.4 Global Flavored Cigars Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2013-2018)3.5 North America Flavored Cigars Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2013-2018)3.6 Europe Flavored Cigars Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2013-2018)3.7 China Flavored Cigars Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2013-2018)3.8 Japan Flavored Cigars Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2013-2018)3.9 Southeast Asia Flavored Cigars Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2013-2018)3.10 India Flavored Cigars Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2013-2018)4 Global Flavored Cigars Supply (Production), Consumption, Export, Import by Region (2013-2018)4.1 Global Flavored Cigars Consumption by Region (2013-2018)4.2 North America Flavored Cigars Production, Consumption, Export, Import (2013-2018)4.3 Europe Flavored Cigars Production, Consumption, Export, Import (2013-2018)4.4 China Flavored Cigars Production, Consumption, Export, Import (2013-2018)4.5 Japan Flavored Cigars Production, Consumption, Export, Import (2013-2018)4.6 Southeast Asia Flavored Cigars Production, Consumption, Export, Import (2013-2018)4.7 India Flavored Cigars Production, Consumption, Export, Import (2013-2018)5 Global Flavored Cigars Production, Revenue (Value), Price Trend by Type5.1 Global Flavored Cigars Production and Market Share by Type (2013-2018)5.2 Global Flavored Cigars Revenue and Market Share by Type (2013-2018)5.3 Global Flavored Cigars Price by Type (2013-2018)5.4 Global Flavored Cigars Production Growth by Type (2013-2018)6 Global Flavored Cigars Market Analysis by Application6.1 Global Flavored Cigars Consumption and Market Share by Application (2013-2018)6.2 Global Flavored Cigars Consumption Growth Rate by Application (2013-2018)6.3 Market Drivers and Opportunities6.3.1 Potential Applications6.3.2 Emerging Markets/CountriesContinuousFor further information on this report, visit Contact Us:Norah Trentsales@wiseguyreports.comPh: +1-646-845-9349 (US); +44 208 133 9349 (UK)About Us:Wise Guy Reports Is Part Of The Wise Guy Consultants Pvt. Ltd. And Offers Premium Progressive Statistical Surveying, Market Research Reports, Analysis & Forecast Data For Industries And Governments Around The Globe. Wise Guy Reports Features An Exhaustive List Of Market Research Reports From Hundreds Of Publishers Worldwide. We Boast A Database Spanning Virtually Every Market Category And An Even More Comprehensive Collection Of Market Research Reports Under These Categories And Sub-Categories.Addres:WISEGUY RESEARCH CONSULTANTS PVT LTDOffice No. 528, Amanora ChambersPune - 411028Maharashtra, IndiaPhone :+91 841 198 5042 Research Details Developments in the Building Automation Market Size, Share, Development, Growth, Key Players and Demand Forecast upto 2025 https://www.xpodenceresearch.com/Request-Sample/105623 https://www.xpodenceresearch.com/Reports/Building-Automation-Market Building automation is the automatic centralized control of a building's ventilation, heating, lighting, air conditioning, and other systems via a building automation system. The objectives of building automation are efficient operation of building systems, enhanced occupant comfort, improved life cycle of utilities and reduction in energy consumption and operating costs. Building automation is an sample of a distributed control system the computer networking of electronic devices integrated to monitor and control the security, fire, mechanical, and flood safety, lighting, HVAC & humidity control and ventilation systems in a building. BAS core functionality is to keep building weather within a definite range, providing light to rooms based on an occupancy schedule. A basic functionality of BAS is to reduce building energy and maintenance costs compared to a non-controlled building.The global building automation market has be categorized into communication technology, offerings and regions. Based on the communication technology the market has been segmented into wired technologies, and wireless technologies Based on offering the market has been bifurcated into facility control systems, building energy management software, security and access control systems, BAS services among others.The major factors driving the building automation market are the rise in the demand for the energy-efficient systems, advancements in the building automation centric wireless sensor network technology and wireless protocols, technological advancements in the building automation system with the help of IoT systems, and rapid growth of infrastructure in the developing countries. Lack of skilled labors, technical difficulties and the high implementation cost are the major factors that may hinder the progress of the building automation market in the near future. Additionally the technological advancements in the printed Communication Technology one of the major growth opportunities for the Building Automation market players. The major challenges faced in this market are the high research & development cost and the sustainable e-packaging products.Request For Free Sample Of The Report @Geographically, the Building Automation market has been bifurcated into five regions North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa and Latin America. The Building Automation market size and forecast period for each region has been estimated from 2017 to 2023. Additionally the CAGR (%) for the forecasted period 2017 to 2023. The study also includes market estimates for major countries/regions such as the U.S, the U.K., Germany, France, Japan, China, India, GCC, North Africa, South Africa and Brazil. The detailed analysis by Communication technology, offerings, applications and regions supports in evaluating the present scenario, growth prospects and the future scenario for the building automation market over the forecast period. Thus, the report delivers in-depth segment analysis of the market and classifies it into various industries, thereby providing valuable perceptions.Obtain Report Details @The growing necessity for the automation of security systems in various buildings is anticipated to drive the APAC market for building automation in the future years. The major companies that providing building automation Siemens AG, Honeywell International Inc., Schneider Electric Corp., Johnson Controls International PLC, United Technologies Corp., Schneider Electric Corp., Hubbell Inc., Legrand SA., Building, ABB Ltd., Robert Bosch GmbH, Ingresoll -Rand PLC., Lutron Electronics Co., Inc., and Crestron Electronics, Inc.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 Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis Market - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends and Forecast to 2020 MRRSE https://www.mrrse.com/sample/1351 https://www.mrrse.com/preimplantation-genetic-diagnosis-market https://www.mrrse.com/enquiry/1351 https://www.mrrse.com/ https://www.industrynewsanalysis.com/ Since the last two decades, preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) has been used to detect chromosomal aneuploidy in low prognosis patients who undergo in-vitro fertilization (IVF). PGD is now being used to detect a broader range of indications due to advancements in the medical technology. These indications include chromosomal aberrations, genetic abnormalities, gender selection, HLA typing, X-linked diseases and single gene diseases. Demand for PGD is continuously increasing in patients who undergo IVF in the hope that it would improve the probability of live birth and reduce the chances of disabilities and genetic disorders in the offspring.Request a Free Sample Report @This report provides in-depth analysis of the Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis Market and its test types across various regions. Stakeholders in the report include diagnostic laboratories that provide PGD services, companies involved in the production of diagnosis kits and sequencers for PGD, and prospective market players planning to enter the market. The report comprises executive summary, which offers a market snapshot that covers the overall information about various types of tests in the PGD market.The market overview section explains market dynamics such as drivers, restraints and opportunities that influence the current and future status of the preimplantation genetic diagnosis market. Impact factors such as market attractiveness analysis and regulatory framework of PGD in various countries has been included in this section in order to provide a thorough analysis of the overall competitive scenario of the global preimplantation genetic diagnosis market. The report covers competitive analysis, which includes heat map analysis by key market players. Through heat map analysis, the stakeholder would be able to identify the presence of players across various segments of the market. All these factors would help market players gain a thorough understanding of the overall competitive scenario. The market players can then decide upon the business strategies and plans to be implemented in order to strengthen their position in the global market.The global preimplantation genetic diagnosis market has been differentiated based on the types of tests and geographies. Based on the types of tests, the global preimplantation genetic diagnosis market has been segmented into six categories: PGD for chromosomal aberrations, aneuploidy screening, X-linked diseases, single gene disorder, HLA typing and gender selection. A detailed market analysis of the segments mentioned above has been provided at the global level in this study. The market analysis is based on market size and forecast in terms of USD million for the period 2013 to 2020 along with the compounded annual growth rate (CAGR %) for the period 2014 to 2020, considering 2013 as the base year.Geographically, the global preimplantation genetic diagnosis market has been categorized into four regions: North America, Europe, Asia Pacific and Rest of the World (RoW). This section further provides market size and forecast for various types of PFD tests in each region. The market size and forecast of the regional markets is provided for the period 2012 to 2020. CAGR (%) for each region is also estimated for the period 2014 to 2020, considering 2013 as the base year. The report also includes strategic recommendations, which would help market players sustain and grow in the highly competitive market. These recommendations would also help new entrants establish a strong position in the global preimplantation genetic diagnosis market.Company profiles section comprises key information such as company overview, financial overview, product portfolio, business strategies and recent developments about major players operating in the preimplantation genetic diagnosis market. Key players profiled in the report include Genesis Genetics, Genea Ltd., Illumina, Inc., Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings, Natera, Inc., PerkinElmer, Inc., Quest Diagnostics, Inc., Reprogenetics LLC and Reproductive Genetics Institute.Download Complete Report with Table of Content @The global preimplantation genetic diagnosis market is segmented into the following categories:Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis Market, by Test TypePGD for Chromosomal AberrationsPGD for Aneuploidy ScreeningPGD for Gender SelectionPGD for Single Gene DisorderPDG for HLA TypingPGD for X-linked DiseasesPreimplantation Genetic Diagnosis Market, by GeographyNorth AmericaPGD for Chromosomal AberrationsPGD for Aneuploidy ScreeningPGD for Gender SelectionPGD for Single Gene DisorderPDG for HLA TypingPGD for X-linked DiseasesEuropePGD for Chromosomal AberrationPGD for Aneuploidy ScreeningPGD for Gender SelectionPGD for Single Gene DisorderPDG for HLA TypingPGD for X-linked DiseasesAsia PacificPGD for Chromosomal AberrationsPGD for Aneuploidy ScreeningPGD for Gender SelectionPGD for Single Gene DisorderPDG for HLA TypingPGD for X-linked DiseasesRest of the World (RoW)PGD for Chromosomal AberrationsPGD for Aneuploidy ScreeninPGD for Gender SelectionPGD for Single Gene DisorderPDG for HLA TypingPGD for X-linked DiseasesHave any Query Related This Report Visit @About Market Research Reports Search Engine (MRRSE)Market Research Reports Search Engine (MRRSE) is an industry-leading database of Market Research Reports. MRRSE is driven by a stellar team of research experts and advisors trained to offer objective advice. Our sophisticated search algorithm returns results based on the report title, geographical region, publisher, or other keywords.MRRSE partners exclusively with leading global publishers to provide clients single-point access to top-of-the-line market research. MRRSEs repository is updated every day to keep its clients ahead of the next new trend in market research, be it competitive intelligence, product or service trends or strategic consulting.Contact UsState Tower90, State StreetSuite 700Albany, NY - 12207United States Telephone: +1-518-730-0559Email: sales@mrrse.comWebsite:Read More Industry News At: Rise in HAP-based Wireless Communication Services to Spur High Altitude Platforms Market Growth to US$4.77 bn by 2023 https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/high-altitude-platforms-technologies.html https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=S&rep_id=1282 https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/report-toc/1282 http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com High altitude platforms (HAPs) are objects stationed at a height of more than 50,000 feet from Earths surface. HAPs are commonly deployed in the stratospheric layer, far higher than the altitude at which commercial aircraft operate. Thus, HAPs are capable of covering large surface areas and can be used for maritime and land-based applications. These platforms are used for various applications, such as communication systems, persistent surveillance, and navigation. Apart from these, HAPs are also used for applications such as aerial imaging, environmental monitoring, and Internet services.The most significant factor augmenting the HAP markets growth is their competitive advantage over satellite systems. HAPs require much lower expenses for system deployment and operation than satellite systems. Additionally, the payloads attached to HAPs are also compatible with the existing infrastructure, which makes them preferable to satellite systems. These systems have shorter turn-around times than satellite systems due to their proximity to Earths surface in comparison with satellites.Browse the Report to Know Comprehensive Evaluation Of The Market Via In-Depth Qualitative Insights @Furthermore, the market for HAPs is significantly driven by the increasing defense expenditure of major countries worldwide. Government & defense is the largest segment of this market in terms of revenue and adoption. Thus, growing expenditure on surveillance systems is expected to significantly spur the markets growth in the coming years.The market for HAPs is also driven by the growing penetration of Internet services worldwide. HAPs are increasingly being used to deliver wireless Internet services, which are further expected to witness substantial growth in the coming years. One of the most prominent instances is Project Loon by Google, Inc., which aims to provide Internet services through aerostat systems (balloons) deployed in the stratosphere.Request Sample @Nevertheless, the HAPs market faces some of the challenges related to the costs and operational difficulties. Although much less so than the market for satellite systems, the market for HAPs is significantly hampered by the high initial and operating costs of UAV aircraft. This makes these systems inaccessible to countries with low defense budgets. Furthermore, aerostat systems and airships pose operational challenges such as extremely slow deployment, difficult handling, and restriction on payload weight.The global HAPs market is segmented into type of platforms, payload, application, and geographic regions. On the basis of platform type, the market is segmented into airships, UAV aircraft, and tethered aerostat systems. In 2014, the UAV aircraft segment accounted for the largest share, in terms of revenue, of the global HAPs market. This was due to high cost of the aircraft (resulting in higher revenue per unit) coupled with strong adoption from countries such as the U.S., China, Russia, and France.Get TOC of This Report @However, the tethered aerostat systems segment is estimated to witness high demand during the forecast period because of advantages that include low costs, easy upgrading, and low maintenance offered by these platforms over UAV aircrafts. On the basis of payloads, the global HAPs market is segmented into communication, surveillance systems, EO/IR systems, and navigation. The global market for HAPs was dominated by the communication segment in 2014.In 2014, North America accounted for the largest share, of over 31%, in terms of revenue, of the global HAPs market. This is due to the high penetration of UAV aircraft in the region. However, the global HAPs market is estimated to witness the highest growth in Asia Pacific during the forecast period. This is due to the rapidly increasing adoption of UAV aircrafts and aerostat systems in China, India, South Korea, and Southeast Asia.Manufacturers in the global high altitude platforms market include TCOM L.P., Lockheed Martin Corporation, Raytheon Company, Aerostar International, Inc. (Raven Industries, Inc.), Lindstrand Technologies Ltd., ILC Dover LP., Israel Aviation Industries Ltd., AeroVironment, Inc., Worldwide Aeros Corporation, and Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Ltd.About UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. We have an experienced team of Analysts, Researchers, and Consultants, who us e proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather, and analyze information. Our business offerings represent the latest and the most reliable information indispensable for businesses to sustain a competitive edge.Each TMR Syndicated Research report covers a different sector such as pharmaceuticals, chemical, energy, food & beverages, semiconductors, med-devices, consumer goods and technology. These reports provide in-depth analysis and deep segmentation to possible micro levels. With wider scope and stratified research methodology, our syndicated reports thrive to provide clients to serve their overall research requirement.ContactTransparency Market Research90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite: Digital Signatures Market 2018 Global Analysis By key Players SIGNiX, DocuSign, eSignLive, SafeNet, GlobalSign Digital Signatures Market https://www.wiseguyreports.com/sample-request/3065800-global-digital-signatures-market-size-status-and-forecast-2025 https://www.wiseguyreports.com/reports/3065800-global-digital-signatures-market-size-status-and-forecast-2025 Digital Signatures Market 2018Wiseguyreports.Com adds Digital Signatures Market Market Demand, Growth, Opportunities, Analysis of Top Key Players and Forecast to 2025 To Its Research Database.Report Details:This report provides in depth study of Digital Signatures Market using SWOT analysis i.e. Strength, Weakness, Opportunities and Threat to the organization. The Digital Signatures Market report also provides an in-depth survey of key players in the market which is based on the various objectives of an organization such as profiling, the product outline, the quantity of production, required raw material, and the financial health of the organization.This report studies the global Digital Signatures market, analyzes and researches the Digital Signatures development status and forecast in United States, EU, Japan, China, India and Southeast Asia.This report focuses on the top players in global market, likeSIGNiXDocuSigneSignLiveSafeNetePadLinkTopaz Systems, Inc.AscertiaDigiStampGlobalSignRightSignature LLCHelloSign, Inc.WacomRequest a Sample Report @Market segment by Regions/Countries, this report coversUnited StatesEUJapanChinaIndiaSoutheast AsiaMarket segment by Type, the product can be split intoSoftwareHardwareServicesMarket segment by Application, Digital Signatures can be split intoBFSIGovernmentHealthcareOil & GasMilitary & DefenseLogistics and TransportationRetailOthersThis report provides valuable information for companies like manufacturers, suppliers, distributors, traders, customers, investors and individuals who have interests in this industry.If you have any special requirements, please let us know and we will offer you the report as you want.Complete Report Details@Major Key Points in Table of Content:Global Digital Signatures Market Size, Status and Forecast 20251 Industry Overview of Digital Signatures1.1 Digital Signatures Market Overview1.1.1 Digital Signatures Product Scope1.1.2 Market Status and Outlook1.2 Global Digital Signatures Market Size and Analysis by Regions (2013-2018)1.2.1 United States1.2.2 EU1.2.3 Japan1.2.4 China1.2.5 India1.2.6 Southeast Asia1.3 Digital Signatures Market by Type1.3.1 Software1.3.2 Hardware1.3.3 Services1.4 Digital Signatures Market by End Users/Application1.4.1 BFSI1.4.2 Government1.4.3 Healthcare1.4.4 Oil & Gas1.4.5 Military & Defense1.4.6 Logistics and Transportation1.4.7 Retail1.4.8 Others2 Global Digital Signatures Competition Analysis by Players2.1 Digital Signatures Market Size (Value) by Players (2013-2018)2.2 Competitive Status and Trend2.2.1 Market Concentration Rate2.2.2 Product/Service Differences2.2.3 New Entrants2.2.4 The Technology Trends in Future3 Company (Top Players) Profiles3.1 SIGNiX3.1.1 Company Profile3.1.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.1.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.1.4 Digital Signatures Revenue (Million USD) (2013-2018)3.1.5 Recent Developments3.2 DocuSign3.2.1 Company Profile3.2.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.2.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.2.4 Digital Signatures Revenue (Million USD) (2013-2018)3.2.5 Recent Developments3.3 eSignLive3.3.1 Company Profile3.3.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.3.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.3.4 Digital Signatures Revenue (Million USD) (2013-2018)3.3.5 Recent Developments3.4 SafeNet3.4.1 Company Profile3.4.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.4.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.4.4 Digital Signatures Revenue (Million USD) (2013-2018)3.4.5 Recent Developments3.5 ePadLink3.5.1 Company Profile3.5.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.5.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.5.4 Digital Signatures Revenue (Million USD) (2013-2018)3.5.5 Recent Developments3.6 Topaz Systems, Inc.3.6.1 Company Profile3.6.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.6.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.6.4 Digital Signatures Revenue (Million USD) (2013-2018)3.6.5 Recent Developments3.7 Ascertia3.7.1 Company Profile3.7.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.7.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.7.4 Digital Signatures Revenue (Million USD) (2013-2018)3.7.5 Recent Developments3.8 DigiStamp3.8.1 Company Profile3.8.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.8.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.8.4 Digital Signatures Revenue (Million USD) (2013-2018)3.8.5 Recent Developments3.9 GlobalSign3.9.1 Company Profile3.9.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.9.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.9.4 Digital Signatures Revenue (Million USD) (2013-2018)3.9.5 Recent Developments3.10 RightSignature LLC3.10.1 Company Profile3.10.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.10.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.10.4 Digital Signatures Revenue (Million USD) (2013-2018)3.10.5 Recent DevelopmentsContinued.Contact Us:NORAH TRENTPh: +1-646-845-9349 (US)Sales@Wiseguyreports.ComPh: +44 208 133 9349 (UK)ABOUT US:Wise Guy Reports is part of the Wise Guy Consultants Pvt. Ltd. and offers premium progressive statistical surveying, market research reports, analysis & forecast data for industries and governments around the globe. Wise Guy Reports features an exhaustive list of market research reports from hundreds of publishers worldwide. We boast a database spanning virtually every market category and an even more comprehensive collection of market research reports under these categories and sub-categories.ADDRES:WISE GUY RESEARCH CONSULTANTS PVT LTDOffice No. 528, Amanora ChambersMagarpatta Road, HadapsarPune - 411028Maharashtra, India Architectural Glass Market Global Industry Analysis: Central Glass, Jinjing, Schott AG, Yaohua, China Glass Market Study Report https://www.marketstudyreport.com/request-a-sample/809620//?utm_source=opr&utm_medium=DC https://www.marketstudyreport.com/reports/global-architectural-glass-market-by-manufacturers-countries-type-and-application-forecast-to-2023/?utm_source=opr&utm_medium=DC https://www.marketstudyreport.com/reports/emea-europe-middle-east-and-africa-inductive-sensors-market-report-2018 https://thefinancialconsulting.com/author/ashwin/ MarketStudyReport.com Adds New Global Architectural Glass Market 2018 2023 research report providing information and data By Product, By Application, Industry Analysis Report, Regional Outlook, Growth Potential, Price Trends, Competitive Market Share & Forecast spreading across Enhance data and table & figures in it.Get Sample Copy of this Report:The major players in global market, includingGuardian glass, NSG, Shahe Glass, CSG, Taiwan Glass, KIBING, Xinyi, Sisecam, PPG Industries, Central Glass, Jinjing, Schott AG, Yaohua, China GlassConstruction Glass, also called architectural glass, is used as a building material. It is most typically used as transparent glazing material in the building envelope, including windows in the external walls. Glass is also used for internal partitions and as an architectural feature. When used in buildings, glass is often of a safety type, which includes reinforced, toughened and laminated glasses.Architectural Glass market research report provides the latest industry data and industry future trends, allowing you to identify the products and end users driving revenue growth and profitability. The industry report lists the leading competitors and provides the insights strategic industry analysis of the key factors influencing the market. The report includes the forecasts, analysis and discussion of important industry trends, market size, market share estimates and profiles of the leading industry Players.Scope of Report:Global Architectural Glass market report classifies this industry extensively in terms of the regional landscape. Market Segment by Regions, regional analysis covers:The report includes the forecasts, Analysis and discussion of important industry trends, market size, market share estimates and profiles of the leading industry Players.Key Point Covered in this ReportThis report provides pin-point analysis for changing competitive dynamicsIt provides a forward-looking perspective on different factors driving or restraining market growthIt provides a six-year forecast assessed on the basis of how the market is predicted to growIt helps in understanding the key product segments and their futureIt provides pin point analysis of changing competition dynamics and keeps you ahead of competitorsIt helps in making informed business decisions by having complete insights of market and by making in-depth analysis of market segmentsFor More Tactical Information:Market Segment by Regions, regional analysis coversUSA, Europe, Japan, China, India, South East AsiaMarket Segment by Type, coversLow-eSpecialOtherMarket Segment by Applications, can be divided intoResidential BuildingsCommercial BuildingsIndustrial BuildingsThere are 15 Chapters to deeply display the global Architectural Glass market.Chapter 1, to describe Architectural Glass Introduction, product scope, market overview, market opportunities, market risk, market driving force;Chapter 2, to analyze the top manufacturers of Architectural Glass, with sales, revenue, and price of Architectural Glass, in 2016 and 2017;Chapter 3, to display the competitive situation among the top manufacturers, with sales, revenue and market share in 2016 and 2017;Chapter 4, to show the global market by regions, with sales, revenue and market share of Architectural Glass, for each region, from 2013 to 2018;Chapter 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9, to analyze the key regions, with sales, revenue and market share by key countries in these regions;Chapter 10 and 11, to show the market by type and application, with sales market share and growth rate by type, application, from 2013 to 2018;Chapter 12, Architectural Glass market forecast, by regions, type and application, with sales and revenue, from 2018 to 2023;Chapter 13, 14 and 15, to describe Architectural Glass sales channel, distributors, traders, dealers, Research Findings and Conclusion, appendix and data sourceRelated ReportEMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa) Inductive Sensors Market Report 2018In this report, the EMEA Inductive Sensors market is valued at USD XX million in 2017 and is expected to reach USD XX million by the end of 2025, growing at a CAGR of XX% between 2017 and 2025. Geographically, this report split EMEA into EuropeMore Reports:Marketstudyreport.com allows you to manage and control all corporate research purchases to consolidate billing and vendor management. You can eliminate duplicate purchases and customize your content and license management.Market Study ReportThe Green Suite #4594,Dover, DE 19901United StatesPhone: 1-201-355-0868US Toll Free: 1-866-764-2150Email:sales@marketstudyreport.com Biochips Market Overview, Industry Analysis, Research Report 2024 Global Market Insights, Inc. https://www.gminsights.com/request-toc/upcoming/1970 https://www.gminsights.com/industry-analysis/biochips-market https://www.gminsights.com/inquiry-before-buying/1970 https://www.gminsights.com https://gminsights.wordpress.com The technological developments such as, minimally invasive techniques for installation of biochips into patients body generates high adoption in numerous medical organizations. These microprocessor chips have increased diagnostic methods as well as lowered expenses thereby, boosting the demand. Moreover, requirement of miniaturizing clinical and biological tests that are used in diagnosis and research are determinants of increasing demand for bio-array techniques and biochips market.Biochips Market size is projected to witness significant growth from 2017 to 2024. Wide-ranging applications in the fields of proteomics, genomics, genotyping, and drug discovery coupled with rising adoption of the personalized medicines are the major factors driving the biochips market growth over the forecast period. The biochips are also used in detection of bacterial and viral agents that are causative agents for smallpox, anthrax and plague. In addition, the detection of malignant cells in body is possible and this aids in diagnosis and treatment of cancer.Request for an in-depth table of contents for this report @Increasing prevalence of cancer will surge the demand in future. As per WHO prediction, deaths due to cancer will escalate up to 13 million by 2030. The technology of biochip is extremely helpful in cancer drugs development. In addition, the research conducted and some ongoing research studies along with appropriate funding provided by private and government organizations is propelling business growth. For instance, in 2012, the Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology of Singapore developed miniaturized biochip to help in detection of resistant drug for cancerous cells.The high cost of biochips and the requirement of robotic tools for scanning as well as handling micro scale sample may restrain the biochips market growth over the coming years. Additionally, the requirement of bioinformatics tools for data analysis thereby, the application of this technology is extremely expensive that will hamper the business growth.Browse key industry insights from the report Biochips Market in detail along with the table of contents:The DNA chips segment accounted for major share in the biochips market owing to its wide-ranging applications in fields such as, drug discovery, gene expression, genomic studies, cancer treatment and diagnosis. Moreover, the high demand for analysis and recognition of genomic disorders are the factors fueling business growth.The microarray technology segment will witness substantial growth due to associated advantages offered such as, comparison of thousands of genes at once, powerful technology for sequenced genome, and gene expression studies. Additionally, there is no requirement of expensive and tedious process of positioning thus large batches production is possible.Diagnostic centers and hospitals segment is growing efficiently with increasing demand in genomic testing and gene expression for detection of genetic disorders. In addition, the adoption by other fields for application in environmental contamination, biodefense, and identification of food pathogen upsurge biochips market growth.Make an inquiry for purchasing this report @U.S. held largest revenue share in 2016, owing to high adoption rate of the advanced technology in the fields of proteomics and genomics. Moreover, rising R&D activities along with supporting funds provided for research are the factors propelling business growth. For instance, at the Argonne National Laboratory, U.S. Department of Energy, researchers succeeded in progress of biochip to diagnose modifications of cancer before patient show any similar symptoms of cancer.Germany will witness lucrative growth due to rising demand for advanced diagnosis, ongoing R&D, and technological advancement. For instance, at Heinz Nixdorf Chair, in Germany, work on controlling tumor growth by using biochip technology is done. This can be implanted near tumor for release of drugs when the tumor grows and it will be controlled by electrical impulses, thereby, treating patients that cannot be operated for pancreatic cancerous tumors.Some of the industry players are PerkinElmer, Illumina, Bio-Rad Laboratories, Agilent Technologies, Thermo Fisher Scientific, Abbott Laboratories, F. Hoffmann-La Roche, Becton Dickinson and Company, Origene Technologies, and Novus Biologicals. The company players concentrate on strategic partnership, and acquisitions for their development. For instance, in August 2015, Becton Dickinson acquired Cellular Research that is a startup and it develops tools for single cell genetic analysis created on technology of molecular indexing.About Global Market Insights:Global Market Insights, Inc., headquartered in Delaware, U.S., is a global market research and consulting service provider; offering syndicated and custom research reports along with growth consulting services. Our business intelligence and industry research reports offer clients with penetrative insights and actionable market data specially designed and presented to aid strategic decision making. These exhaustive reports are designed via a proprietary research methodology and are available for key industries such as chemicals, advanced materials, technology, renewable energy and biotechnology.Contact Us:Arun HegdeCorporate Sales, USAGlobal Market Insights, Inc.Phone: 1-302-846-7766Toll Free: 1-888-689-0688Email: sales@gminsights.comWeb:Blog: Dowcoin Mumbai Summit Introduces Exciting New Developments https://www.dowcoin.io https://exchange.dowcoin.io On March 8, cryptocurrency enterprise and platform Dowcoin held their long-awaited Mumbai Summit in Mumbai, India. The attending community members and developers, among them executive Saket Kulkarni, demonstrated the use of the new Dowcoin Exchange and announced a number of decisions and developments to facilitate further growth of the Dowcoin platform and community.As Dowcoin now functions as a Decentralized Autonomous Organization or DAO, all of the following decisions were determined by community voting.- No new Dowcoins will be sold until April 2019.- 100% of Pre-ICO tokens will be converted into tradeable coins.These decisions have been voted upon by the community with an outcome of:Yes 93%No 7%- A new withdrawal limit of $100 per day will be applied to wallet transactions.Vote shares:Yes 93%No 7%The Dowcoin team was excited to announce upcoming major developments, among them the launch of Dowcoins own blockchain with the following features: An easy-to-use smart contract technology, a decentralized voting system and advanced banking capabilities. Most excitingly, Dowcoins blockchain will offer ICO-as-a-service to individuals and small enterprises who would like to launch their ICOs in a lean but reliable environment.This custom blockchain is a major element of Dowcoins Mission $300, delineating the way for Dowcoin to reach an exchange rate of $300.In order to achieve the ambitious goals outlined in the Summit, Dowcoins operations will be expanding significantly. New talents will be hired for the Development Team, the Management Team and the Marketing Team, and offices will be opened within 6 months in Hong Kong, Canada, Singapore, UK, USA and Russia.Dowcoin and Dowcoin Exchange are projects of Dow Blockchain Technology FZC, Dubai. For more information about Dowcoin and Dowcoin Exchange, please visitandDowcoin is a token that represents ownership of underlying assets that make up the market index. Dowcoin will only feature coins in this index that have been in the market and exchanges for the last six months, and also have been among the top 100 coins in the market cap for at least 90 consecutive days.Satguru Business centre, Damac XL Tower,15th Floor, Suite No. S06Business BayDubai, UAE Smart Medical Devices Market Analysis- Opportunities Sales, Revenue, Gross Margin, Outlook and Forecast To 2024 Global Market Insights, Inc. https://www.gminsights.com/request-toc/upcoming/1969 https://www.gminsights.com/industry-analysis/smart-medical-device-market https://www.gminsights.com/inquiry-before-buying/1969 https://www.gminsights.com https://gminsights.wordpress.com Smart medical devices market size is likely to witness momentous growth owing to soaring adoption of smartphones across the globe, surging demand for smartphone-compatible and wireless medical devices, rising awareness and focus on health and fitness. Moreover, steep rise in health concerns worldwide, mounting preponderance of chronic diseases, strengthening expenditure on healthcare and the high-pitched demand for wearable devices will impel the smart medical devices growth exponentially. Companies such as Fitbit, Apple and Medtronic have been launching ingenious products, which will in turn accelerate the business growth. Smart blood pressure monitors and smart clothing will help garner a momentous market share over the forecast period.Request for an in-depth table of contents for this report @Spiraling technological advancements, owing to whooping investments in the field of smart medical devices, smart and digitally accessed medical devices coupled with intensifying awareness among patients to manage their health conditions efficiently will drive the smart medical devices market growth. For instance, Googles smart contact lenses for diabetes patients wearing glasses. The novel technology originates from the fact that an individuals glucose level can be measured through their tears fluidal composition.Insulog launched a campaign for a connected insulin tracker for diabetic patients using insulin pens. Aim of this campaign was to meet the needs of the patients, still using manual data entry or pen-paper to manage their diseases. Prohibitive costs pertaining to the technological advancements coupled with limited reimbursement policies can impede the smart medical devices market growth over the forecast period.Browse key industry insights from the report Cardiac Surgery Instruments Market in detail along with the table of contents:The diagnostic & monitoring segment directed the industry in 2016 with a substantial revenue share, but noted a moderately lower growth rate comparing to the therapeutic segment. The paramount factors attributable to the business growth includes elevating awareness, rising healthcare spending, and supporting initiatives by the government relating to the improvement in patient care.Online channel is the sturdiest growing segment be indebted to rising inclination towards online purchasing through smartphones, increased flexibility and availability of a wide range of products. Hospitals segment is envisaged to grow at fastest rate owing to elevated utilization of digital therapeutic applications for delivering affordable emergency care to patients. By the emergence and usage of mobile care facilities, hospitals can help patients browse healthcare services and reduce stress.North America held the largest revenue share in 2016 due to cognizance of advanced technologies and presence of a well-proportioned healthcare sector. The regional market has benefitted greatly owing to growing per capita income, favorable economic conditions and improved standard of living.Make an inquiry for purchasing this report @Europe smart medical devices market is foreseen to gain significant industry revenue share over the forecast period. As per the Reflection and Orientation Paper, in 2016 European Union contributed USD 43.5 million for the innovation of wearable medical devices, hence, driving the business growth. Asia Pacific is the fastest growing region due to soaring population, improvement in standard of living, owing to waxing disposable income and the demand for novel products which positively impacts the demand for smart medical devices in the region.Key industry players include Apple, Fitbit, Abbott, Dexcom, F. Hoffmann-La Roche, Zephyr, Medtronic, and Johnson & Johnson. The major players focus on innovative product launch and strategic alliances with an aim to expand their business portfolio as main strategies. In January 2015, Medtronic announced the acquisition of Covidien. This acquisition will increase the market penetration by expanding its product portfolio and lessen the production cost.About Global Market Insights:Global Market Insights, Inc., headquartered in Delaware, U.S., is a global market research and consulting service provider; offering syndicated and custom research reports along with growth consulting services. Our business intelligence and industry research reports offer clients with penetrative insights and actionable market data specially designed and presented to aid strategic decision making. These exhaustive reports are designed via a proprietary research methodology and are available for key industries such as chemicals, advanced materials, technology, renewable energy and biotechnology.Contact Us:Arun HegdeCorporate Sales, USAGlobal Market Insights, Inc.Phone: 1-302-846-7766Toll Free: 1-888-689-0688Email: sales@gminsights.comWeb:Blog: Gable Top Packaging Market Latest Trends, Demand and Analysis 2017 2027 https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-5725 https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/toc/rep-gb-5725 www.futuremarketinsights.com Food & beverage industry is witnessing a dynamic shift in its product packaging demand. Gable top packaging came into existence as an alternative to the traditional forms of packaging due to changing lifestyle patterns which has led to an up surge in the need for packaging that can keep the packaged product viable for a longer period of time. Gable top packaging also aids in the convenience of transportation and storage. Rising demand for aseptic packaging is also anticipated to fuel the growth of the global gable top packaging market, during the forecast period.Global Gable Top Packaging Market: DynamicsThe global gable top packaging market is expected to grow on the backdrop of flourishing food & beverage industry. Gable top packaging aids in the efficient fulfilment of the branding strategies of the end use manufacturers. Other factors driving the growth of the global gable top packaging market includes the rising number of geriatric population, and increasing disposable income of the middle class population across key economies. Factor restraining the growth of the global gable top packaging market includes reluctance by local manufacturers in incorporating the gable top packaging due to its comparatively high cost. Also, stringent government regulations in certain regions regarding the use of plastics is also expected to hamper the growth of the global gable top packaging market. Use of bio based material is a key trend prevailing in the global gable top packaging market. Moreover, the use of gable top packaging for packaging formats other than cartons is expected to bring in ample opportunities of growth for the global gable top packaging market.Request Report Sample@Global Gable Top Packaging Market: SegmentationThe global gable top packaging market is segmented on the basis of material type, cap type, application, capacity, and region.On the basis of material type, the global gable top packaging market is segmented intoPaperPlasticPETPVCRPETAPETPPAluminiumOn the basis of cap type, the global gable top packaging market is segmented intoScrew CapsFlip CapsOthersOn the basis of application, the global gable top packaging market is segmented intoFoodPrepared foodDairy productsIce Cream MixEdible oilConfectionariesOthersBeveragesAlcoholicBeerWineOther LiquorsNon-AlcoholicMilkFruit JuiceReady to drink beveragesOthersLaundry and DetergentsPaints and LubricantsPet foodOn the basis of capacity, the global gable top packaging market is segmented into0-250 ml250-500 ml500-1000 ml1000-2000 mlVisit For TOC@Global Gable Top Packaging Market: Regional OutlookOn the basis of geography, the global gable top packaging market is segmented into Latin America, North America, Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa, and Europe. Asia Pacific is expected to emerge as a prominent region in the global gable top packaging market representing highest market revenue share. The growth of the Asia Pacific gable top packaging market can be attributed to an ever increasing food & beverages industry in the region. North America is expected to follow the Asia Pacific gable top packaging market due to the rising number of geriatric population in the region. Europe gable top packaging market is expected to witness moderate growth during the forecast period whereas Middle East & Africa is expected to witness sluggish growth due to under developed food & beverage sector.Global Gable Top Packaging Market: Key PlayersSome of the key players operating in the global gable top packaging market are Parksons Packaging Ltd., Carton Service Inc., Evergreen Packaging Inc., UNITED CAPS LUXEMBOURG S.A, Tetra Pak, International S.A., Elopak Inc., Silgan Plastic Closure Solutions, Closure Systems International, Inc., Berry Global, Inc., and O.Berk.About Us Future Market Insights (FMI) is a leading market intelligence and consulting firm. We deliver syndicated research reports, custom research reports and consulting services, which are personalized in nature. FMI delivers a complete packaged solution, which combines current market intelligence, statistical anecdotes, technology inputs, valuable growth insights, an aerial view of the competitive framework, and future market trends.CONTACT:616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage, NY 10989,United StatesT: +1-347-918-3531F: +1-845-579-5705Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.comWebsite: Worldwide Flavor Enhancer Market Leading Players Updates | Cargill, Tate & Lyle PLC, DuPont Nutrition & Health, Ajinomoto Co and Corbion N.V. | Industry Research Report https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/sample_request/4870 https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/check-discount/4870 https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/flavor-enhancer-market-4870 Market Overview:The emerging market opportunities for flavor enhancer appear to be conducive for the acceptance of convenience food in Europe and North America region.Flavor enhancers are food additives used to enhance the taste of the food through flavor. They make the food products more sensory. There are mainly two types of flavor enhancer in market; natural and artificial. Natural flavor is distinct from artificial on the basis of source of chemical formulation used in its process. Flavor enhancers are available in powder, liquid and other forms which are applicable in various food and beverage industry including bakery & confectionery, dairy & frozen desserts, snacks, beverages, meat products, and others.Hectic life-style of working class consumers population has led to increased demand and sale of on-the-go convenience food. The trend of consumption of convenience food began in western regions and spread to other regions rapidly. Looking at the development of Asian countries, the increasing purchasing power of consumers, convenience trends are likely to remain significant. Consumers go for convenience foods as they are easy to use, and possess nutritional value, safety, variety and product appeal. Due to changing lifestyles, consumers spend less time planning and cooking meals at home as they consider preparing food at home as a chore and time and energy consuming. Flavor enhancer has a major role in the packed food to sustain the overall authentic property of the food. Deteriorating organoleptic properties of food product results making the food stale and undesirable. To sustain the quality, manufacturers put more focus on adding quality additives to the food product and hence flavor enhancer plays a major role in this market.The demand of the natural flavor enhancer is increasing significantly in the developed economies. Due to the adverse health issues for the consumption of synthetic flavor enhancer in the processed food products have resulted in adoption of natural flavor enhancer. Also, the demand for the clean label products is growing over the last couple of years which in turn accelerates the sales of natural flavor enhancer.Receive a Sample Report @Latest Industry Updates:July 2016 PLT Health Solutions, Inc. has announced the launch of a new technology that, while enhancing the flavor of foods & beverages, provides improved product quality and longer shelf life because of the strong anti-microbial propertiesOct 2016 Ajinomoto launched their flavor enhancer in BrazilJuly 2017 PureCircle launched tevia Cocoa and Vanilla Flavor EnhancersCompetitive Analysis:Key manufacturers are focusing to enhance its brand name by arranging various promotional activities. The company has participated in various social media promotions, events and interaction with the consumers. The manufacturers have demonstrated their new product offerings in order to attract the new customers. By this strategy the product of the company will be popular among the consumers which will aid to increase the overall profitability of the company.Moreover, the key players are emphasizing in the research & development process in order to introduce new product also to extend the product line. Key players are introducing new products to increase the volume sales and also to increase the overall revenue of the company. In addition, manufacturers focus on effective packaging design as it has noticeable impact on consumers shopping behavior. Packaging plays a significant role in product marketing for any business that makes or sells products and act as selling point for many consumers by delivering a sense of quality and reflect the products brand image.The key players profiled in flavor enhancer are Cargill Inc. (U.S.), Tate & Lyle PLC (U.K.), DuPont Nutrition & Health (U.S.), Ajinomoto Co, Inc. (Japan), Corbion N.V. (The Netherlands), Sensient Technologies (U.S.), and Innova Flavors (U.S.) among many others.Get Discount on Report @Market Segments:Global flavor enhancer market has been divided into type, ingredients, form, application and RegionOn the Basis of type: Natural, and ArtificialOn the Basis of ingredients: Glutamate, Acidulant, Yeast Extract, Hydrolyzed Vegetable Proteins, and othersOn the Basis of form: Powder, Liquid, and othersOn the Basis of application: Bakery & Confectionery, Dairy & Frozen Desserts, Snacks, Beverages, Meat Products, and othersOn the Basis of Region: North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and Rest of the WorldAccess Report Details @Regional Analysis:The global flavor enhancer market is segmented into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific and Rest of the World. Among all the region, North America region is estimated to retain its dominance throughout the forecast period of 2017-2023. The U.S. is the major country in North American region. It holds 30% market proportion in the global flavor enhancer market in the year of 2017. However, Asia Pacific region is projected to expand at a high pace as compare to the other region and will register a healthy CAGR during the forecast period of 2017-2023. Increasing middle income population group with more disposable income, continuous urbanization in developing economies are anticipated to fuel the sales of flavor enhancer in Asia Pacific region. Apart from that, consumers are tend to adopt western culture which is anticipated to be the key factor for the rising growth of flavor enhancer in Asia Pacific region. Moreover, significant product innovation along with strong promotional activities by the key players is positively influencing the growth of flavor enhancer in the Asia Pacific region in the upcoming decade.About Market Research Future:At Market Research Future (MRFR), we enable our customers to unravel the complexity of various industries through our Cooked Research Report (CRR), Half-Cooked Research Reports (HCRR), Raw Research Reports (3R), Continuous-Feed Research (CFR), and Market Research & Consulting Services.MRFR team have supreme objective to provide the optimum quality market research and intelligence services to our clients. Our market research studies by products, services, technologies, applications, end users, and market players for global, regional, and country level market segments, enable our clients to see more, know more, and do more, which help to answer all their most important questions.ContactMarket Research FutureOffice No. 528, Amanora ChambersMagarpatta Road, Hadapsar,Pune - 411028Maharashtra, India+1 646 845 9312Email: sales@marketresearchfuture.com Global CCTV Camera Industry Projected to reach US$23.32 bn by 2025 MRRSE https://www.mrrse.com/sample/3600 https://www.mrrse.com/cctv-camera-market https://www.mrrse.com/enquiry/3600 https://www.mrrse.com/ https://www.industrynewsanalysis.com/ CCTV cameras offer a secure medium to monitor and record images and video. The demand for CCTV cameras for the purpose of surveillance has soared globally. This demand is attributed to the rising threat to public security due to criminal and terrorist attacks. Apart from public security surveillance CCTV cameras are used to monitor areas such as shopping malls, hotels, streets, banks, and government buildings.Request a Free Sample Report @CCTV cameras vary on the basis of technology and model type. The CCTV camera market consists of a large number of software and hardware providers. The CCTV camera market value chain is characterized by system integrators and service providers. The CCTV Camera Market is highly competitive since it has a large number of hardware, software, and technology providers. Intense competition in the market affects the pricing strategy adopted by the players in the CCTV market. Investments in research and development initiatives is largely prevalent in the CCTV camera market.Global CCTV Camera Market: Regional SegmentationBased on geographical regions, the report segments the global CCTV camera market into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa (MEA), and South America, which are analyzed in terms of revenue generation. The report provides country level revenue for CCTV camera market. The U.S., Canada, the U.K., Germany, France, India, China, Japan, GCC, South Africa, Brazil, and Argentina are the countries covered in the report. The report also provides the country level data of each of the market segments for all the countries mentioned above.North America is expected to lead the CCTV camera market during the forecast period. The region houses a large number of CCTV camera system and solution providers. The Asia Pacific region is expected to witness the highest growth rate of 14.6 percent during the forecast period.The Middle East and Africa and South America are in the early phases of large scale installation of CCTV cameras. The anticipated growth of tourism sector of the Middle East and Brazil is expected to support the market growth of the CCTV camera market of these regions during the forecast period. The CCTV camera market comprises large number of medium and large players. Product innovation, mergers and acquisition, and research & development investments are the key growth strategies adopted by the players in the CCTV camera market. The market is expected to be hit by a huge wave of mergers and acquisitions in the coming years.Global CCTV Camera Market: SegmentationThis research report provides an in-depth analysis of the global CCTV camera market based on model type, technology, end-use application, and geography. The global CCTV camera market is categorized based on model type into PTZ camera, box camera, dome camera, bullet camera, and others (hybrid, etc.). The technology segment for the global CCTV camera market consists of analog CCTV systems, wireless CCTV systems, IP-based CCTV systems, and hybrid CCTV systems. The end-use segment is classified into retail, hospitality, BFSI, home security, government, and others (transportation, healthcare, etc.). The report analyzes each of these segments for the various geographies considered under the scope of the study.Global CCTV Camera Market: Competitive LandscapeThe report includes analysis of the factors that drive and restrain the growth of the CCTV camera market. It discusses the prevailing market trends and prospective growth opportunities in the global CCTV camera market. It provides market estimates and forecasts for all the segments in terms of revenue. Also provided in the report is the market positioning of the companies in the CCTV camera market.Major business strategies adopted by key players, their SWOT analysis, and competition matrix has also been identified in the research report. Axis Communications AB, Bosch Security Systems, Inc., Geovision Inc, Hangzhou Hikvision Digital Technology Co Ltd, Hanwha Techwin Co. Ltd, Honeywell International Inc., Panosonic System Network Co. Limited, Pelco Inc, Toshiba Corporation, and Zhejiang Dahau Technology Co. Ltd. are major players profiled in the global CCTV camera market report.For More Info about This Report Visit @Global CCTV Camera MarketBy Model TypePTZ cameraBox cameraDome cameraBullet cameraOthers (Hybrid, etc)By TechnologyAnalog CCTV SystemsWireless CCTV SystemsIP-based CCTV SystemsHybrid CCTV SystemsBy ApplicationRetailHospitalityBFSICommercial InfrastructureHome SecurityGovernmentOthers (Transportation, Healthcare, etc.)By GeographyNorth AmericaThe U.S.CanadaRest of North AmericaEuropeGermanyThe U.K.FranceRest of EuropeAsia PacificChinaIndiaJapanRest of Asia PacificMiddle East & AfricaGCC CountriesSouth AfricaRest of Middle East & AfricaSouth AmericaBrazilArgentinaRest of South AmericaHave any Query? Ask Our Expert @About Market Research Reports Search Engine (MRRSE)Market Research Reports Search Engine (MRRSE) is an industry-leading database of Market Research Reports. MRRSE is driven by a stellar team of research experts and advisors trained to offer objective advice. Our sophisticated search algorithm returns results based on the report title, geographical region, publisher, or other keywords.MRRSE partners exclusively with leading global publishers to provide clients single-point access to top-of-the-line market research. MRRSEs repository is updated every day to keep its clients ahead of the next new trend in market research, be it competitive intelligence, product or service trends or strategic consulting.Contact UsState Tower90, State StreetSuite 700Albany, NY - 12207United States Telephone: +1-518-730-0559Email: sales@mrrse.comWebsite:Read More Industry News At: Bubble Lined Courier Bags Market Analysis, Trends, Forecast, 2017 2027 https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-5793 https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/toc/rep-gb-5793 www.futuremarketinsights.com Bubble lined courier bags are an ideal solution for storing, handling valuables securely. The courier bags have a bubble lining on the inner surface of the bag which protects the valuables inside from the outside pressure or load and even provide light protection when in transition. They are widely used by courier companies, e-commerce companies and other various industries. One of the benefits offered by bubble lined courier bags is that it provides cushioning effect to the valuables. Bubbled lined courier bags are available in convenient sizes that eliminates extra packaging material used for packing of the product. These bags have very high tearing strength, thus reduces the probability of damage of product during shipment. Bubble lined courier bags are becoming the preferred choice for the consumers due to its appealing finish, and durable features over other courier bags in the market.Global Bubble Lined Courier Bags Market: DynamicsBubble lined courier bags are cheaper as compared with other security bags used for mailing, and have a tear resistance feature which is one of the important factors fueling the demand of the global bubble lined courier bags market. Bubble lined courier bags are majorly used for transporting products and they can also be used to store the product for a longer time. Bubble lined courier bags are water resistant, so they are used for mailing the product in high humid areas, this further fuels the growth of the market. One of the driving factor for the global bubble lined courier bags market is the inclination of the consumers towards online shopping. Bubble lined courier bags are widely used for packaging of brittle products and due to its differentiating factors, bubble lined courier bags market is expected to show high growth during the forecast period.Request Report Sample@Global Bubble Lined Courier Bags Market: SegmentationGlobal bubble lined courier bags market is segmented on the basis of product type and end use industry.On the basis of material type, bubble lined courier bags market is segmented into:Polypropylene (PP)Polyethylene (PE)High density Polyethylene (HDPE)Low density Polyethylene (LDPE)OthersOn the basis of end use industry, bubble lined courier bags market is segmented into:Consumer GoodsHealthcareCosmetic & Personal CareFood & BeveragesElectrical & ElectronicsOthersGlobal Bubble Lined Courier Bags Market: Regional OverviewGlobal bubble lined courier bags market is segmented into seven regions including North America, Latin America, Eastern Europe, Western Europe, Middle East and Africa (MEA), Asia Pacific excluding Japan (APEJ) and Japan. In North America region, consumers are mostly using bubble lined courier bags for packaging of semi-fragile material and shipping them, as these bags are lighter in weight with natural strength. There is high consumption of bubble lined courier bags in North America due to various benefits offered by bubble lined courier bags.Visit For TOC@In Europe region, with the rising concern of landfill issue, caused due to overuse of plastic, manufacturers are implementing various sustainability initiatives. They are inclined towards recyclable solutions. Bubble lined courier bags are 100% recyclable and are preferred over other mailing products by the manufacturers, thus bubble lined courier bags market shows high growth in the region. Geographies such as Latin America and MEA region show high demand and is an opportunity area for bubble lined courier bags. In Asia Pacific region, India and China are key countries contributing to high consumption of bubble lined courier bags.Global Bubble Lined Courier Bags Market: Key PlayersSome of the key players of global bubble lined courier bags market are Ethyx Solutions, Euphoria Packaging LLP, SPP Poly Pack Pvt Ltd, and PAC Worldwide, Inc.About Us Future Market Insights (FMI) is a leading market intelligence and consulting firm. We deliver syndicated research reports, custom research reports and consulting services, which are personalized in nature. FMI delivers a complete packaged solution, which combines current market intelligence, statistical anecdotes, technology inputs, valuable growth insights, an aerial view of the competitive framework, and future market trends.CONTACT:616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage, NY 10989,United StatesT: +1-347-918-3531F: +1-845-579-5705Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.comWebsite: Global Human Microbiome Market Extected to grow at a CAGR of 8.6% during 2018 -2024 MRRSE https://www.mrrse.com/sample/2745 https://www.mrrse.com/human-microbiome-market https://www.mrrse.com/enquiry/2745 https://www.mrrse.com/ https://www.industrynewsanalysis.com/ New research report offers a comprehensive analysis of the Human Microbiome Market - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends, and Forecast 2018 - 2024. The main objective of this report is to deliver insightful information and clear-cut facts pertaining to the growth trajectories of the market.Request for Sample Report @Global Human Microbiome Market: SnapshotWith ample unmet needs, the global market for human microbiome exhibits high potential of growth. The market is set to emerge as a lucrative business in the near future, thanks to the increasing emphasis on diagnosis and treatment of various underrated diseases. The worldwide human microbiome market will be US$2.2 bn in 2020. The lack of targeted drugs for specific conditions, such as ulcerative colitis and C.difficile infection across the world makes this market highly opportune for players to set their innovative drug ideas on the path to commercial success. Driven by these factors, the opportunity in this market is slated to rise at a CAGR of 9.80% between 2020 and 2024 and reach US$3.2 bn by the end of 2024.Microbiome diagnostics and microbiome therapeutics are the two prominent sections of the global human microbiome market. Currently, the market is in the budding phase, with most of the therapies still being in preclinical or clinical (phase I or phase II) stage. The diagnosis technology is also in the development phase and the leading companies have begun to allocate funds for the research and development and the management of clinical studies for their innovative class of therapies. All these factors are likely to propel this market significantly over the next few years. The human microbiome therapeutics market is likely to report a CAGR of 9.20% during the period of 2020 to 2024, whereas the market for human microbiome diagnostics is anticipated to rise at an 8.60% CAGR between 2018 and 2024.North America to Report Continued LeadershipNorth America, Asia Pacific, the Middle East and Africa, Europe, and Latin America are the key regional markets for human microbiome across the world. Thanks to the presence of a state-of-art medical and healthcare industry and early adoption of technology, North America has occupied the top position in the global market. Researchers expect that the rising number of venture-capital funded start-ups and the increasing investments by leading players for research and development of drugs will support the North America market for human microbiome over the forthcoming years, ensuring its dominance. The human microbiome therapeutics market in North America is anticipated to report a rise at a CAGR of 9.10% between 2020 and 2024 while the regions human microbiome diagnostics market will progress at an 8.80% CAGR from 2018 to 2024.Browse Full Report with TOC @Europe, which acquired the second position in the global human microbiome market, is projected to maintain its position over the years to come. The U.K. and France have emerged as the key domestic markets for human microbiome in Europe. The high investments by companies in this domain are expected to boost both these domestic markets in the next few years. Apart from this, countries, such as Sweden and the Netherlands, are also anticipated to contribute well to the Europe market for human microbiome market in the near future.Metagenomic Sequencing to Outpace 16s rRNA in FutureOn the basis of technology, the global market for human microbiome is classified into 16s rRNA sequencing and metagenomic sequencing. Both the technology are equally popular platforms for detection in the microbiome-based diagnostics. However, the metagenomic sequencing segment is likely to surpass the 16s rRNA segment over the next few years, albeit by a small margin, as a large number of companies are opting for the diagnosis of a more comprehensive microbiome profile.At the forefront of the global market for human microbiome are Vedanta Biosciences, Synthetic Biologics Inc., Seres Therapeutics, Second Genome, uBiome Inc., Rebiotix Inc., Osel Inc., MicroBiome Therapeutics LLC., Metabiomics Corp., Enterome Biosciences SA, and AO Biome LLC. Some of the other prominent participants in this market are Metabogen AB, Becton Dickinson & Co., Evelo Biosciences, ARTPred, MaaT Pharma, Blue Turtle Bio Technologies, Axial Therapeutics, Whole Biome, 4D Pharma, Symbiotix Therapies, Phi Therapeutics, Synlogic, and Biospherex LLC.Enquire about this Report @About (MRRSE)Market Research Reports Search Engine (MRRSE) is an industry-leading database of Market Research Reports. MRRSE is driven by a stellar team of research experts and advisors trained to offer objective advice. Our sophisticated search algorithm returns results based on the report title, geographical region, publisher, or other keywords.MRRSE partners exclusively with leading global publishers to provide clients single-point access to top-of-the-line market research. MRRSEs repository is updated every day to keep its clients ahead of the next new trend in market research, be it competitive intelligence, product or service trends or strategic consulting.Contact UsState Tower90, State StreetSuite 700Albany, NY - 12207United States Telephone: +1-518-730-0559Email: sales@mrrse.comWebsite:Read More Industry News At: Fluid Management and Visualization Systems Market to Witness Comprehensive Growth by 2019 https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=2520 https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=T&rep_id=2520 https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/fluid-management-visualization-systems.html http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com The Fluid Management And Visualization Systems Market consists of devices such as dialyzers, insufflators, suction and evacuation devices, fluid warming systems, tubing sets, catheters, suction canisters, camera heads, video processors and endoscopic cameras. These devices are widely used in endoscopic procedures to treat people with kidney failure, obesity, cardiovascular disease, orthopedic conditions, neurological disease, cancer, gastrointestinal and respiratory diseases. The fluid management and visualization systems market has been broadly segmented into fluid management devices & accessories and visualization systems and accessories. On the basis of application, the market also has been segmented into neurology, cardiology, arthroscopy, gastroenterology, nephrology and bronchoscopy.Globally, the fluid management and visualization systems market is expanding due to factors such as increase in incidence of respiratory, digestive, reproductive and neurological diseases; rise in number of minimally invasive procedures and technical advances leading to innovation in fluid management and visualization systems. The market growth is also driven by favorable reimbursement scenario in countries like the United States, Japan, Canada, Germany, France, U.K., Italy and Spain. In developing nations of Asia-Pacific and Rest of the World (RoW), increasing penetration by private health insurance providers is likely to play a key role in representing these regions as the most attractive markets for manufacturers operating in the fluid management and visualization systems market. On the other hand, there are some factors that serve the market as a growth restraint. These factors primarily include scarcity of skilled and experienced surgeons, and high cost associated with the endosurgical procedures.Request to View Brochure of Report -Geographically, North America held the majority share of the overall fluid management and visualization systems market, followed by Europe that claimed second largest regional market. These two regions are expected to retain their position throughout the coming few years as well. In the Asia-Pacific region, China, India, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Australia and New Zealand are the major markets and exhibit immense opportunities to companies operating in these markets. The reasons for growth of this market in the region include emerging economies, rising awareness regarding advanced fluid management and visualization systems and a continuously improving healthcare coverage. Continuously evolving medical tourism industry in countries such as India, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and South Korea also encourages major healthcare providers to equip themselves with latest new and innovative fluid management and visualization devices and thus play a keys role in driving the market growth in the region.Asia-Pacific region is expected to record highest growth rate during coming years under the influence of aforementioned factors. In Rest of the World (RoW), Brazil, Mexico, South Africa, Israel, Turkey and UAE are the major markets where the market for fluid management and visualization systems is expected to show substantial growth during coming years. Increasing endoscopic and minimally invasive surgical labs in hospitals will give a further boost to this market in coming years.Request to View ToC of Report -B. Braun Melsungen AG, CONMED Corporation, Fresenius SE & Co. KGaA, Smiths Medical, Stryker Corporation, Zimmer Holdings, Inc., Olympus Corporation, Karl Storz GmbH & Co KG, Cardinal Health, Inc., Baxter International, Inc., Angiodynamics, Inc., Ecolab, Inc., Richard Wolf GmbH, Thermedx LLC, Nordson Medical and Smith and Nephew plc are some key players operating in the global fluid management and visualization systems market.At regional level, these players may be challenged by local manufacturers that offer various products of fluid management and visualization systems at relatively low prices and thus intensify price competition.View Report -About UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants, use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather, and analyze information. Our business offerings represent the latest and the most reliable information indispensable for businesses to sustain a competitive edge.US Office Contact90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite: Infectious Diseases In Vitro Diagnostics Market to Record Ascending Growth by 2020 https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=2539 https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=T&rep_id=2539 https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/infectious-diseases-in-vitro-diagnostics.html http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com In vitro diagnostics are the vital tools in health care systems as they provide crucial information for making right medical decisions. The information revealed through these technologies helps physicians in successful management of medical conditions in every stage. Prevalence of infectious diseases such as hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV), tuberculosis, measles, dengue, Chagas, cholera, and malaria is increasing across the globe with high prevalence in developing countries. There have been advances in the in vitro diagnostics which have enabled paradigm shift from laboratory testing to point of care testing which is helping in expansion of Infectious Diseases In Vitro Diagnostics Market.Some of the major segments in infectious diseases In vitro diagnostics market include immunochemistry testing, microbiology testing and molecular diagnostics testing. Historically, immunoassays constituted the largest segment in the infectious diseases In vitro diagnostics market which are conducted for determining presence of infectious disease in a patient. Present day technology for testing infection disease include enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and chemiluminescence immunoassays which require more amount of protein biomarker than molecular diagnostics. However, the market for molecular diagnostics is rapidly growing with the increasing adoption of this technology in place of antigen testing by immunoassays. Molecular diagnostics possess advantages such as high specificity which help detect even minute amount of protein biomarkers. This helps in early detection of infectious diseases and becomes easier to mitigate the result. The global infectious disease IVD market is expected to driven by development of newer assays for diagnosis and treatment of infectious diseases. The changing demographics in the world which majorly include aging population and rising incidences of diseases of affluence are propelling the growth of infectious disease IVD market.Request to View Brochure of Report -On the basis of geography, the global market for infectious disease is segmented into four major regions, namely, North America, Europe, Asia Pacific and Rest of the World. Although industrially developed nations in Europe and North America account for largest share in the global market, high growth is witnessed in the emerging markets of Asia-Pacific regions. The demand for infectious diseases in vitro diagnostics in Asia-Pacific is attributable to high population growth, increasing awareness and investments in healthcare infrastructure. The big players in the market are focusing in this geography to compensate their slowing business in highly competitive western markets. The competitiveness in the industry augmenting each day with more number of players seeking to leverage benefits of this growing market.Request to View ToC of Report -The leading players in the diagnostic market are acquiring smaller technology companies to produce companion diagnostic tests; while the pharmaceutical companies enticed by the opportunities in the IVD market are either investing or collaborating with diagnostic devices companies to extend their drugs market post patent expiry. Roche Diagnostics and Abbott Laboratories are couple of major companies in the market which have added advantage of synergy between their diagnostic solutions and pharmaceutical solutions.Some of the major companies in the global infectious disease IVD market include Roche Diagnostics, Abbott Laboratories, Becton Dickinson (BD) Company, Gen-Probe, Inc. (a part of Hologic, Inc.), Alere, Inc. (formerly Inverness Medical Innovations, Inc.), Luminex Corporation, Orhto-Clinical Diagnostics (Carlyle Group) LifeScan, Inc. (a Johnson & Johnson company), Siemens Healthcare, bioMeriux SA, and Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc.View Report -About UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants, use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather, and analyze information. Our business offerings represent the latest and the most reliable information indispensable for businesses to sustain a competitive edge.US Office Contact90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite: Medical Image Processing Market Value Projected to Expand by 2020 https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=2557 https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=T&rep_id=2557 https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/medical-image-processing.html http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com Medical imaging refers to the visualization of the body parts, organs, tissues or cells for clinical diagnosis, disease monitoring and treatment. The imaging techniques used in medical devices include variety of modern equipments in the field of optical imaging, nuclear imaging, radiology and other image-guided intervention. The radiological method renders anatomical and physiological of the human body at a very high spatial and temporal resolution. The radiology discipline covers methods such as ultrasound, CT scan, X-ray, MRI and other similar devices. Whereas, the optical imaging techniques include devices such as optical coherence tomography (OCT), which helps in revealing abnormalities at cellular level with the help of optical tracers for specific tumor cells.OCT techniques are yet at early stages of development and are likely to uplift the Medical Imaging Processing Market in coming years. Nuclear imaging techniques such as PET and SPECT display remarkable details with respect to metabolism, physiology and molecular function. The major post processing work include activities such as, image reconstruction, image processing, 3D view generation, computer-aided detection, and quality control.With the increasing development in medical research produces a continuous stream of knowledge about disease processes or stages, new therapeutic targets and complex relationship between a persons genome and his and her related risk for diseases. Medical imaging can now play a central and vital role in global healthcare systems as it continues to improve patient outcomes and cost effective healthcare diagnostic for almost all disease and deformity class. Traditionally, medical imaging was considered as a tool for non-invasive mapping for recognition and localization of disease process.Request to View Brochure of Report -Owing to technological advancements, a wide variety of new medical imaging techniques and methods produce important biological information about molecular biology, physiology, biochemistry, organ function, metabolism, and functional genomics. Furthermore, the medical imaging which many think are only used in diagnostic procedures are now even used for treatment processes such as coronary angioplasty which is used for treating aortic aneurysm and stoppage of cerebral aneurysm bleedings.Some of the major drivers for the medical imaging processes include miniaturization or portability of devices such as X-Rays, ultrasound devices which come in handheld device forms that enhance the reach and optimization of devices to rural, disaster sites, and even in ambulances which eventually save time for both patients as well as the physicians in case of emergencies. 3D imaging techniques are another opportunity area in the medical image processing market. However, such technically sophisticated devices are confined majorly to the developed economic regions due to lack of proper budget allocation from government and regulatory bodies.Request to View ToC of Report -The major restraints to the global medical image processing market include intense competition from local, lack of skilled radiologists especially in the emerging market and developing market and lack of proper medical reimbursement scenario. Despite such issue, the emerging economies are likely to be the fastest growing markets in the coming years due to substantial public and private investments in development of healthcare infrastructure and rise in disposable income among the middle class population.Some of the prominent players in the global medical image processing market include Siemens Healthcare, Philips Healthcare, GE Healthcare, Toshiba Medical Systems Corp., Toshiba America Medical Systems, Rcadia Medical Imaging Ltd., TomTec Imaging Systems GmbH, Calgary Scientific Inc., Riverain Medical Group LLC among others.View Report -About UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants, use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather, and analyze information. Our business offerings represent the latest and the most reliable information indispensable for businesses to sustain a competitive edge.US Office Contact90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite: Brain Implants Market to Reap Excessive Revenues by 2020 https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=2589 https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=T&rep_id=2589 https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/brain-implants-market.html http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com Brain implants, often referred as neural implants, are the devices that are connected directly to the brain. These brain implants are placed on the brain surface i.e., over gyri and sulci, or they are attached to the cortex of brain. Brain implants are implanted when brain becomes dysfunction due to various reasons such as head injuries and stroke. Brain implants are extensively utilized on animals for scientific research purpose (recording brain activities).Brain implants or neural implants can be segmented as vagus nerve stimulator (VNS), deep brain stimulator (DBS) and spinal cord stimulator (SCS). Vagus nerve stimulator (VNS) helps to treat certain type of brain disorders such as treatment-resistant depression and epilepsy. Vagus nerve stimulators received the U.S. FDA approval in 1997 as a treatment option for partial-onset epilepsy. Spinal cord stimulators (SCS) help exert electrical signals to spinal cord. Spinal cord stimulators help in treating various chronic pains by blocking the signals of pain to the brain.Deep brain stimulators (DBS) also known as brain pacemakers, are medical devices that send electrical impulses to specific parts of brain through implanted electrodes. FDA has approved the utilization of deep brain stimulators (DBS) in 1997 as a treatment option for Parkinsons disease. DBS also help in treating dystonia, depression, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) and essential tremor.Request to View Brochure of Report -Owing to rising incidences of Parkinsons disease, the Brain Implants Market is poised to grow at a noteworthy CAGR during the forecast period 2014 to 2020. According to the Parkinsons Disease Foundation (PDF), more than 1 million of Americans live with Parkinsons disease every year. It has also estimated that every year around 60,000 Americans are diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. PDF has estimated that around 10 million people are suffering from Parkinson's disease globally and this number is expected to boom in near future. Hence, increasing number of people suffering from Parkinson's disease is likely to increase demand for deep brain stimulators and in turn will propel the growth of overall brain implants market. Likewise, increasing number of patients suffering from obsessive compulsive disorder will also augment the growth of brain stimulators market.According to International OCD Foundation, in 2012, nearly 2 to 3 million adults suffered from obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) in the U.S. In addition, approximately 2.3% of the global population suffers from OCD every year and has been estimated that this number is expected to increase during the forecast period. Moreover, increasing adoption for such technologies by patients as well as by physicians will also support the growth of brain implants market.Request to View ToC of Report -North America accounted for the largest share by revenue in 2013 and is likely to grow at a steady CAGR during the study period. This is due to the presence of a large number of manufacturers of brain implants in the region coupled with high disposable income of the population that increases their affordability for the uptake of brain implants. Europe accounted for the second largest share of the global brain implants market. Improving reimbursement scenario in the countries such as China and India is expected to propel the growth of brain implants market in Asia-Pacific region at the highest CAGR. Increasing disposable income will further augment the growth of brain implants market.Some of the major players operating in the brain implants market include Boston Scientific Corporation, St Jude Medical, Inc., MEDTRONIC, Inc., Aleva Neurotherapeutics SA and Sapiens Neuro amongst other significant players.View Report -About UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants, use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather, and analyze information. Our business offerings represent the latest and the most reliable information indispensable for businesses to sustain a competitive edge.US Office Contact90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite: Containers as a Service Market 2018 to 2023 by Global Key Players: Apcera, VMware, Inc., Amazon Web Services, Docker, Google, Inc., International Business Machines Corporation, Microsoft Corporation https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/sample_request/4611 https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/containers-as-a-service-market-4611 Containers as a Service Market OverviewContainer as a service market has grown considerably following the growth of the cloud infrastructure globally. Market Research Future which concentrates on market reports linked to the Information and Communications Technology sector amongst others recently made available a report on this sector. The industry is projected to develop at approximately USD 5560 Million by the year 2023, while growing at a CAGR of at 34 per cent between 2017 and 2023.The utility offered by containers as a service such as the ability of containing and capturing information that can be then shared easily with other parties to work on. Ease of deploying and seamlessly integrating these containers has increased their adoption rate as well increased their market size considerably.Global Competitive AnalysisThe profitable circumstances accessible in this market are being applied by candidates who are trying to increase their market coverage by focused development which can encourage the expansion of this business sector. The companies are trying to create and capture economic value together in an appropriate manner. This has raised the possibilities for the approaching growth period significantly. This consequence has further proven to be fruitful for companies so they can fix target that can uphold their commercial enterprise's liquidity to take the most active decisions in terms of strategy execution and designing. The merchandise are also being diversified to large extent to keep up with the robust pace of technological discoveries.The distinguished companies in containers as a service sector are VMware, Inc. (U.S.), Apcera (U.S.), Docker (U.S.), Google, Inc. (U.S.), International Business Machines Corporation (U.S.), Amazon Web Services (U.S.) and Microsoft to name a few..Request a Sample Report @Industry Updates:Mar 2018 Kubernetes has recently advanced to become a full-fledged open source project. Since the very beginning, CNCF has been the custodian of various linked projects such as Opentracing, Prometheus, Fluentd, gRPC and envoy. Kubernetes has been reveling in widespread adoption between platform vendors, startups and enterprises. Google, Amazon, IBM, and Microsoft all offer managed Kubernetes under the Containers as a Service (CaaS) model. The open source environment has a large number of players building various tools covering automation, monitoring, storage, logging, and networking aspects of Kubernetes.Feb 2018 Dell Technologies Inc. sibling VMware Inc. and Pivotal Software Inc. recently announced the general accessibility of their Kubernetes-based Pivotal Container Service after an initial beta release in the last year. The service which is called PKS is designed to allow companies to easily create software containers, which combine software applications together in such a manner that they can be run wherever, and can be arranged across both private and public clouds.Twiter Update:Accelerated growth trajectory forecasted for the Containers as a Service Market by 2023 @MRFRresearch @Apcera @Google @MicrosoftDetailed Regional AnalysisThe region wise breakdown of the containers as a service market comprises of regions such as North America, Europe, Asia Pacific and Rest of the World. It has been witnessed that the North American market is expected to be recognized for the major share of the product sector, the Asia-Pacific region is anticipated to develop at a swift rate during the forecast period. The main development in the containers as a service market in the North American region is credited to the innovative technical progress and rising need for adoption of microservices in the region. The moved focus to server less architecture is one of the main factor which is driving the development of containers as a service market in the North American region.Browse Full Report @Intended Audience Technology Investors Research/Consultancy Firms Government Bodies Container platform providers Service Providers Developers and IT operators System integratorsAbout Market Research Future:At Market Research Future (MRFR), we enable our customers to unravel the complexity of various industries through our Cooked Research Report (CRR), Half-Cooked Research Reports (HCRR), Raw Research Reports (3R), Continuous-Feed Research (CFR), and Market Research & Consulting Services.Contact:Market Research Future+1 646 845 9312Email: sales@marketresearchfuture.com Global Organic Flaxseed Oil Market Trends, Top-Players & Research Forecast by 2025 Organic Flaxseed Oil Market https://www.qyresearchgroups.com/request-sample/822018 https://www.qyresearchgroups.com/report/global-organic-flaxseed-oil-market-professional-survey-report-2018 https://www.qyresearchgroups.com/check-discount/822018 https://www.qyresearchgroups.com This Global market research segments the Organic Flaxseed Oil Market by distribution channel and by geography. It also presents an analysis of the key drivers and challenges that influence market growth.The research article entitled Global Organic Flaxseed Oil Market offers very useful reviews into the generic market trends and also the features that propel this Universal market place. This sector analyze deeply covers the main features of the Global Organic Flaxseed Oil Market about the Industry structure including landscaping plan, the issues, require opportunities, including the anticipated industry success.This report studies Organic Flaxseed Oil in Global market, especially in North America, China, Europe, Southeast Asia, Japan and India, with production, revenue, consumption, import and export in these regions, from 2013 to 2018, and forecast to 2025.Get Sample Copy of this Report @This report focuses on top manufacturers in global market, with production, price, revenue and market share for each manufacturer, coveringHongjingyuanShape FoodsFuederADMBlackmoresGNCMeng Gu XiangNatures BountyHenry Lamotte OilsWonderfulLuyuanNature's Way ProductsSpectrumKrishi OilsGustav HeessPharmaviteJamiesonSundown NaturalsNingxia YousufuZonghooOn the basis of product, this report displays the production, revenue, price, market share and growth rate of each type, primarily split intoby PressingCold-pressedby PressingHot-pressedBy Application, the market can be split intoFoodsCosmeticsPharmaceuticalsOthersBrowse full report with Table of Content @Major Points Covered in Table of Contents 8 Major Manufacturers Analysis of Organic Flaxseed Oil8.1 Hongjingyuan8.1.1 Company Profile8.1.2 Product Picture and Specifications8.1.2.1 Product A8.1.2.2 Product B8.1.3 Hongjingyuan 2017 Organic Flaxseed Oil Sales, Ex-factory Price, Revenue, Gross Margin Analysis8.1.4 Hongjingyuan 2017 Organic Flaxseed Oil Business Region Distribution Analysis8.2 Shape Foods8.2.1 Company Profile8.2.2 Product Picture and Specifications8.2.2.1 Product A8.2.2.2 Product B8.2.3 Shape Foods 2017 Organic Flaxseed Oil Sales, Ex-factory Price, Revenue, Gross Margin Analysis8.2.4 Shape Foods 2017 Organic Flaxseed Oil Business Region Distribution Analysis8.3 Fueder8.3.1 Company Profile8.3.2 Product Picture and Specifications8.3.2.1 Product A8.3.2.2 Product B8.3.3 Fueder 2017 Organic Flaxseed Oil Sales, Ex-factory Price, Revenue, Gross Margin Analysis8.3.4 Fueder 2017 Organic Flaxseed Oil Business Region Distribution Analysis8.4 ADM8.4.1 Company Profile8.4.2 Product Picture and Specifications8.4.2.1 Product A8.4.2.2 Product B8.4.3 ADM 2017 Organic Flaxseed Oil Sales, Ex-factory Price, Revenue, Gross Margin Analysis8.4.4 ADM 2017 Organic Flaxseed Oil Business Region Distribution Analysis8.5 Blackmores8.5.1 Company Profile8.5.2 Product Picture and Specifications8.5.2.1 Product A8.5.2.2 Product B8.5.3 Blackmores 2017 Organic Flaxseed Oil Sales, Ex-factory Price, Revenue, Gross Margin Analysis8.5.4 Blackmores 2017 Organic Flaxseed Oil Business Region Distribution Analysis8.6 GNC8.6.1 Company Profile8.6.2 Product Picture and Specifications8.6.2.1 Product A8.6.2.2 Product B8.6.3 GNC 2017 Organic Flaxseed Oil Sales, Ex-factory Price, Revenue, Gross Margin Analysis8.6.4 GNC 2017 Organic Flaxseed Oil Business Region Distribution Analysis8.7 Meng Gu Xiang8.7.1 Company Profile8.7.2 Product Picture and Specifications8.7.2.1 Product A8.7.2.2 Product B8.7.3 Meng Gu Xiang 2017 Organic Flaxseed Oil Sales, Ex-factory Price, Revenue, Gross Margin Analysis8.7.4 Meng Gu Xiang 2017 Organic Flaxseed Oil Business Region Distribution Analysis8.8 Natures Bounty8.8.1 Company Profile8.8.2 Product Picture and Specifications8.8.2.1 Product A8.8.2.2 Product B8.8.3 Natures Bounty 2017 Organic Flaxseed Oil Sales, Ex-factory Price, Revenue, Gross Margin Analysis8.8.4 Natures Bounty 2017 Organic Flaxseed Oil Business Region Distribution Analysis8.9 Henry Lamotte Oils8.9.1 Company Profile8.9.2 Product Picture and Specifications8.9.2.1 Product A8.9.2.2 Product B8.9.3 Henry Lamotte Oils 2017 Organic Flaxseed Oil Sales, Ex-factory Price, Revenue, Gross Margin Analysis8.9.4 Henry Lamotte Oils 2017 Organic Flaxseed Oil Business Region Distribution Analysis8.10 Wonderful8.10.1 Company Profile8.10.2 Product Picture and Specifications8.10.2.1 Product A8.10.2.2 Product B8.10.3 Wonderful 2017 Organic Flaxseed Oil Sales, Ex-factory Price, Revenue, Gross Margin Analysis8.10.4 Wonderful 2017 Organic Flaxseed Oil Business Region Distribution Analysis8.11 Luyuan8.12 Nature's Way Products8.13 Spectrum8.14 Krishi Oils8.15 Gustav Heess8.16 Pharmavite8.17 Jamieson8.18 Sundown Naturals8.19 Ningxia Yousufu8.20 ZonghooCheck Discount @About Us:QY Research Groups is a company that simplifies how analysts and decision makers get industry data for their business. Our unique colossal technology has been developed to offer refined search capabilities designed to exploit the long tail of free market research whilst eliminating irrelevant results. QY Research Groups is the collection of market intelligence products and services on the Web. We offer reports and update our collection daily to provide you with instant online access to the world's most complete and current database of expert insights on global industries, companies, products, and trends.Contact us:Email- sales@qyresearchgroups.comWeb- Food Preservatives Market Analysis, Product Types, Applications, Regions Covered and Research 2022 Research for Markets http://www.researchformarkets.com/sample/food-preservatives-global-market-4517 http://www.researchformarkets.com/discount/food-preservatives-global-market-4517 http://www.researchformarkets.com/reports/food-preservatives-global-market-4517 According to Research for Markets, the Global Food Preservatives Market is valued at $1.9 billion in 2015 and is expected to reach $2.4 billion by 2022 growing at a CAGR of 4.7% from 2015 to 2022. Growing demand for processed foods, changing lifestyle and increasing disposable income are the major factors driving the food preservatives market. However factors such as growing health concerns on the safety of food additives, increasing costs of natural preservatives and stringent regulations for products are hindering the market growth. Food preservatives are used to prevent the growth of microbes, extend the shelf life of food products, preserve the flavour, maintain nutritional value of the food products and decrease food spoilage.Looking For More Information on This Market? Get Free Sample Report @Generally natural preservatives preferred over synthetic preservatives as the over usage of synthetic preservatives can be harmful. These are used across beverages, snacks, bakery, meat and others during processing and packaging. The food preservatives techniques are followed from ages as food is important for survival. North America has the largest market share followed by Asia Pacific and Europe. Asia Pacific is anticipated to be the fastest growing region during the forecast period due to increasing disposable income and changing food consumption pattern. Particularly China and India constitute major share in Asia Pacific market and also in global market.Some of the key players in the market include Akzonobel N.V, BASF SE, Brenntag Solutions Group, Inc, Cargill, Incorporated, Celanese Corporation, Chr. Hansen A/S, Cornion, Danisco A/S, Dover Chemical Corporation, DSM N.V, DuPont, Galactic, Galactic, Hawkins Watts Limited, Kemin Industries, Inc., Kerry Group, Koninklijke DSM N.V, Tate & Lyle, Univar Inc. and Wanglong.Product Types Covered: Natural food preservatives Chemical food preservatives Synthetic Preservative Other Product TypesFunctions Covered: Antioxidants Antimicrobials Anti-enzymatic preservatives Colorants Flavoring agent Nutrition enhancer Sweeteners Other FunctionsApplications Covered: Bakery and confectionery Beverages Dairy & frozen products Fruits and Vegetables Meat Milk products Oils & fats Poultry & sea food Snacks Other ApplicationsRegions Covered: North America Europe Asia Pacific Rest of the WorldWhat our report offers:- Market share assessments for the regional and country level segments- Market share analysis of the top industry players- Strategic recommendations for the new entrants- Market forecasts for a minimum of 7 years of all the mentioned segments, sub segments and the regional markets- Market Trends (Drivers, Constraints, Opportunities, Threats, Challenges, Investment Opportunities, and recommendations)- Strategic recommendations in key business segments based on the market estimations- Competitive landscaping mapping the key common trends- Company profiling with detailed strategies, financials, and recent developments- Supply chain trends mapping the latest technological advancementsFor Instant Discount on This Report for Limited Time Period @Table of Content1 Executive Summary2 Preface2.1 Abstract2.2 Stake Holders2.3 Research Scope2.4 Research Methodology3 Market Trend Analysis3.1 Introduction3.2 Drivers3.3 Restraints3.4 Opportunities4 Porters Five Force Analysis4.1 Bargaining power of suppliers4.2 Bargaining power of buyers4.3 Threat of substitutes4.4 Threat of new entrants4.5 Competitive rivalry5 Global Food Preservatives Market, By Product Type5.1 Introduction5.2 Natural food preservatives5.3 Chemical food preservatives5.4 Synthetic Preservative6 Global Food Preservatives Market, By Function6.1 Introduction6.2 Antioxidants6.3 Antimicrobials7 Global Food Preservatives Market, By Application7.1 Introduction7.2 Bakery and confectionery7.3 Beverages7.4 Dairy & frozen products8 Global Food Preservatives Market, By Geography8.1 North America8.2 Europe8.3 Asia Pacific8.4 Rest of the World9 Key Developments9.1 Agreements, Partnerships, Collaborations and Joint Ventures9.2 Acquisitions & Mergers9.3 New Product Launch9.4 Expansions9.5 Other Key Strategies10 Company Profiling10.1 Akzonobel N.V.10.2 BASF SE10.3 Brenntag Solutions Group, Inc.10.4 Cargill, Incorporated10.5 Celanese Corporation10.6 Chr. Hansen A/S10.7 Cornion10.8 Danisco A/S10.9 Dover Chemical Corporation10.10 DSM N.V.Know more about our Knowledge Store @About Research for Markets:Research for Markets indulges in detailed and diligent research on different markets, trends and emerging opportunities in the successive direction to cater to your business needs. We have established the pillars of our flourishing institute on the grounds of Credibility and Reliability. RFM delve into the markets across Asia Pacific, North America, South America, Europe, Middle East and Africa.Our purpose is to serve you, the most customized in-depth Market access data. Our plethora of titles made us one of the most searched market research library across the globe. We work with the most esteemed Publishers around the globe who caters vast industries. We are quick and fragile, when it comes to your various queries, and we ensure our team caters your needs to the best of our abilities, we promise to stay by your side for both pre and post sales servicing, as we believe in long everlasting symbiotic relationship.Contact:Mr. A NaiduResearch for MarketsTel: +44 8000-4182-37 (UK)Email: alan.naidu@researchformarkets.com Spa Massage Machine Market Gross Margin and Segment by Feature Trends Forecast To 2025 Spa Massage Machine Market https://www.qyresearchgroups.com/request-sample/822030 https://www.qyresearchgroups.com/report/global-spa-massage-machine-market-professional-survey-report-2018 https://www.qyresearchgroups.com/check-discount/822030 https://www.qyresearchgroups.com Global Spa Massage Machine Market Professional Survey 2018 provides future growth potentials, key drivers, competitive outlook, Scope, key challenges analysis. The reports also elaborate the growth rate of the Spa Massage Machine market based on the top company profile analysis. This report offering a detailed analysis, market sizing and estimate for the developing segment within the Spa Massage Machine market.This report studies Spa Massage Machine in Global market, especially in North America, China, Europe, Southeast Asia, Japan and India, with production, revenue, consumption, import and export in these regions, from 2013 to 2018, and forecast to 2025 on the basis of attributes such as company overview, recent developments, strategies adopted by the market leaders to ensure growth, sustainability, financial overview and recent developments.Get Sample Copy of this Report @This report focuses on top manufacturers in global market, with production, price, revenue and market share for each manufacturer, coveringChirana ProgressMeden-InmedMedeximMediprogressStas DoyerUnbescheiden...On the basis of product, this report displays the production, revenue, price, market share and growth rate of each type, primarily split intoFloor Model Type Spa Massage MachineMobile Type Spa Massage MachineWall Mounting Type Spa Massage MachineBy Application, the market can be split intoHousehold UseThe Hospital UseSpa UseBeauty Salon UseOtherBy Regions, this report covers (we can add the regions/countries as you want)North AmericaChinaEuropeSoutheast AsiaJapanIndiaBrowse full report with Table of Content @Major Points Covered in Table of Contents 1 Industry Overview of Spa Massage Machine1.1 Definition and Specifications of Spa Massage Machine1.1.1 Definition of Spa Massage Machine1.1.2 Specifications of Spa Massage Machine1.2 Classification of Spa Massage Machine1.2.1 Floor Model Type Spa Massage Machine1.2.2 Mobile Type Spa Massage Machine1.2.3 Wall Mounting Type Spa Massage Machine1.3 Applications of Spa Massage Machine1.3.1 Household Use1.3.2 The Hospital Use1.3.3 Spa Use1.3.4 Beauty Salon Use1.3.5 Other1.4 Market Segment by Regions1.4.1 North America1.4.2 China1.4.3 Europe1.4.4 Southeast Asia1.4.5 Japan1.4.6 India8 Major Manufacturers Analysis of Spa Massage Machine8.1 Chirana Progress8.1.1 Company Profile8.1.2 Product Picture and Specifications8.1.2.1 Product A8.1.2.2 Product B8.1.3 Chirana Progress 2017 Spa Massage Machine Sales, Ex-factory Price, Revenue, Gross Margin Analysis8.1.4 Chirana Progress 2017 Spa Massage Machine Business Region Distribution Analysis8.2 Meden-Inmed8.2.1 Company Profile8.2.2 Product Picture and Specifications8.2.2.1 Product A8.2.2.2 Product B8.2.3 Meden-Inmed 2017 Spa Massage Machine Sales, Ex-factory Price, Revenue, Gross Margin Analysis8.2.4 Meden-Inmed 2017 Spa Massage Machine Business Region Distribution Analysis8.3 Medexim8.3.1 Company Profile8.3.2 Product Picture and Specifications8.3.2.1 Product A8.3.2.2 Product B8.3.3 Medexim 2017 Spa Massage Machine Sales, Ex-factory Price, Revenue, Gross Margin Analysis8.3.4 Medexim 2017 Spa Massage Machine Business Region Distribution Analysis8.4 Mediprogress8.4.1 Company Profile8.4.2 Product Picture and Specifications8.4.2.1 Product A8.4.2.2 Product B8.4.3 Mediprogress 2017 Spa Massage Machine Sales, Ex-factory Price, Revenue, Gross Margin Analysis8.4.4 Mediprogress 2017 Spa Massage Machine Business Region Distribution Analysis8.5 Stas Doyer8.5.1 Company Profile8.5.2 Product Picture and Specifications8.5.2.1 Product A8.5.2.2 Product B8.5.3 Stas Doyer 2017 Spa Massage Machine Sales, Ex-factory Price, Revenue, Gross Margin Analysis8.5.4 Stas Doyer 2017 Spa Massage Machine Business Region Distribution Analysis8.6 Unbescheiden8.6.1 Company Profile8.6.2 Product Picture and Specifications8.6.2.1 Product A8.6.2.2 Product B8.6.3 Unbescheiden 2017 Spa Massage Machine Sales, Ex-factory Price, Revenue, Gross Margin Analysis8.6.4 Unbescheiden 2017 Spa Massage Machine Business Region Distribution AnalysisCheck Discount @About Us:QY Research Groups is a company that simplifies how analysts and decision makers get industry data for their business. Our unique colossal technology has been developed to offer refined search capabilities designed to exploit the long tail of free market research whilst eliminating irrelevant results. QY Research Groups is the collection of market intelligence products and services on the Web. We offer reports and update our collection daily to provide you with instant online access to the world's most complete and current database of expert insights on global industries, companies, products, and trends.Contact us:Email- sales@qyresearchgroups.comWeb- Tortilla Market Trends and Leading Players Updates 2018 | Tyson Foods, Gruma SAB de CV, Grupo Bimbo SAB de CV, General Mills | Industry Research Report by Forecast to 2023 https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/sample_request/2419 https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/check-discount/2419 https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/tortilla-market-2419 Market Overview:Tortillas have gained a lot of demand in the past few years due to increased need for healthy and diverse eating options. Market Research Future, a firm which specializes in market reports related to Food, Beverages & Nutrition sector among others, recently published a report on this market. The Global tortilla market is projected to reach USD 48.51 billion by 2023 while expanding at a growth rate of 5.10%.Versatility and a generally pleasing flavor profile of tortillas has been instrumental in creating high demand levels and opening diverse geographical markets for the products. As it is a plausible alternative to bread, its demand has further surged. Creation of gluten free and low carb options of tortillas has also been successful in tapping the health and wellness sector. Spread of Hispanic population on the global level has also played a significant role in growth of this industry.Receive a Sample Report @Industry Segments:The market for tortilla chips has been divided into product types such as tortilla mix, pre-cooked tortilla, frozen tortilla and tortilla chips. On the basis of source into corn and wheat. The segment is further segmented on the basis of claim into gluten-free and low-carb and lastly on the base of distribution channel into store based and non-store based. Gluten-free claim is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of 6.20% followed by low-carb claim over the forecast period while tortilla mix has observed to have a highest growth at a CAGR of 5.65% over the forecast period 2017-2023. On the basis of the distribution channel, store based distribution channel dominates the market in which convenience store is holding a leading share of 30% based on one stop shopping experience. Pre-cooked tortilla market is projected to dominate the market and is projected to hold a major share of 40.24% in the global market.Detailed Regional Analysis:As per the MRFR analysis, the global market for tortilla has been witnessing continuous growth during the forecast period as a savory snack. Tortilla has gained popularity in potential application as bread replacer in the food industry. It has gained application in wide range of food dishes in different regions.Get Discount on Report @In terms of value and volume, North America is estimated to dominate the tortilla market by holding the major share of 59.24%. Also, Latin America is projected to grow at a rate of 5.07% during the forecast period. Consumption of tortilla in Europe is also expected to grow swiftly at a CAGR of 5.07% during the given period due to growing health conscious population and growing inclination towards tortillas as a healthy alternative to bread.Competitive Analysis:The industry players in the segment are utilizing their primary resources to initiate a trend of solid, volume-driven growth that has been observed in the market with the development of different varieties of product types. The best long-term growth opportunities for this sector can be captured by ensuring ongoing process improvements and financial flexibility to invest in the optimal strategies. However, with companies aiming to capture a considerable share of the market segment as early as possible, they implementing and experimenting with various advantage points.Some of the leading players in the global tortilla market are Tyson Foods, Inc. (U.S.), Gruma SAB de CV (Mexico), Grupo Bimbo SAB de CV (Mexico), General Mills, Inc. (U.S.) to name a few.Access Report Details @Latest Industry News:Nov 2017 Gruma S.A.B. de C.V. has opened a new tortilla plant in Dallas. The plant is expected to produce at full capacity more than 10 billion wheat and corn tortillas a year, as well as tortilla chips and flat breads, under the Mission, Guerrero and Calidad brands to supply customers in Oklahoma, New Mexico, Arkansas, Louisiana, Kansas and northern Texas.July 2017 Grupo Bimbo S.A.B. de C.V. has reached an agreement to acquire Chicago-based East Balt Bakeries from One Equity Partners for $650 million. The acquisition is expected to give Grupo Bimbo additional reach in the global food service segment. East Balt produces and supplies buns, English muffins, rolls, tortillas, bagels, artisanal bread and other baked foods to quick-service restaurants around the world.Sep 2017 General Mills is introducing white corn tortillas under its Old El Paso brand in the UK to cater to allergy-conscious consumers amid a growing market for Mexican food. The tortillas use corn as the key ingredient rather than wheat, and have already been launched in Sainsbury's and Asda supermarkets in 220 gram packs of ten.About Market Research Future:At Market Research Future (MRFR), we enable our customers to unravel the complexity of various industries through our Cooked Research Report (CRR), Half-Cooked Research Reports (HCRR), Raw Research Reports (3R), Continuous-Feed Research (CFR), and Market Research & Consulting Services.ContactMarket Research FutureOffice No. 528, Amanora ChambersMagarpatta Road, Hadapsar,Pune - 411028Maharashtra, India+1 646 845 9312Email: sales@marketresearchfuture.com Powder Metallurgy Market Research, Product, Type, Analysis, Application, Demand and Forecast 2022 Research for Markets http://www.researchformarkets.com/sample/powder-metallurgy-global-market-4573 http://www.researchformarkets.com/discount/powder-metallurgy-global-market-4573 http://www.researchformarkets.com/reports/powder-metallurgy-global-market-4573 According to Research for Markets, the Global Powder Metallurgy Market is accounted for $6.71 billion in 2015 and is expected to reach $12.95 billion by 2022 growing at a CAGR of 9.8% during the forecast period. Growth in the automobile industry and cost effectiveness of the technology are the primary driving factors for the powder metallurgy market globally. Powder metallurgy is used in diverse applications. Powder metallurgy is utilized in processing of powdered feedstock which is a vital input which goes into manufacturing of different components. Due to its numerous uses in industries, the demand for powder metallurgy is growing at a rapid pace.Looking For More Information on This Market? Get Free Sample Report @Automotive segment is projecting the highest share due to the increasing demand for products that use ferrous powder as intermediary material. Asia Pacific is the largest regional market for powder metallurgy. Recent expansion in the automotive industry is expected to be a key factor driving the market of powder metallurgy in the Asia Pacific region.Some of the key players in Powder Metallurgy market include Sumitomo Electric Company Ltd., Fine Sinter Co., Ltd., Chicago Powder Metal Products, Allegheny Technologies Incorporated, OBE GMBH, Voestalpine AG, Federal-Mogul Corporation, H.C. Starck, Dorst Technologies, Carpenter Technology Corporation, SMC Powder Metallurgy Inc., Acupowder International, Hitachi Chemical Company Ltd, GKN PLC, Sandvik AB, Hoganas AB and Borgwarner Inc.Products Covered: Ferrous Non-Ferrous Other ProductsApplications Covered: Automotive Electrical & Electronics Industrial Healthcare Sector Oil and Gas Industry Aerospace Other ApplicationsRegions Covered: North America Europe Asia Pacific Rest of the WorldWhat our report offers:- Market share assessments for the regional and country level segments- Market share analysis of the top industry players- Strategic recommendations for the new entrants- Market forecasts for a minimum of 7 years of all the mentioned segments, sub segments and the regional markets- Market Trends (Drivers, Constraints, Opportunities, Threats, Challenges, Investment Opportunities, and recommendations)- Strategic recommendations in key business segments based on the market estimations- Competitive landscaping mapping the key common trends- Company profiling with detailed strategies, financials, and recent developments- Supply chain trends mapping the latest technological advancementsFor Instant Discount on This Report for Limited Time Period @Table of Content1 Executive Summary2 Preface2.1 Abstract2.2 Stake Holders2.3 Research Scope2.4 Research Methodology3 Market Trend Analysis3.1 Introduction3.2 Drivers3.3 Restraints3.4 Opportunities4 Porters Five Force Analysis4.1 Bargaining power of suppliers4.2 Bargaining power of buyers4.3 Threat of substitutes4.4 Threat of new entrants4.5 Competitive rivalry5 Global Powder Metallurgy Market, By Product5.1 Introduction5.2 Ferrous5.3 Non-Ferrous5.4 Other Products6 Global Powder Metallurgy Market, By Application6.1 Introduction6.2 Automotive6.3 Electrical & Electronics6.4 Industrial6.5 Healthcare Sector7 Global Powder Metallurgy Market, By Geography7.1 North America7.2 Europe7.3 Asia Pacific7.4 Rest of the World8 Key Developments8.1 Agreements, Partnerships, Collaborations and Joint Ventures8.2 Acquisitions & Mergers8.3 New Product Launch8.4 Expansions8.5 Other Key Strategies9 Company Profiling9.1 Sumitomo Electric Company Ltd.9.2 Fine Sinter Co., Ltd.9.3 Chicago Powder Metal Products9.4 Allegheny Technologies Incorporated9.5 OBE GMBH9.6 Voestalpine AG9.7 Federal-Mogul Corporation9.8 H.C. Starck9.9 Dorst Technologies9.10 Carpenter Technology CorporationKnow more about our Knowledge Store @About Research for Markets:Research for Markets indulges in detailed and diligent research on different markets, trends and emerging opportunities in the successive direction to cater to your business needs. We have established the pillars of our flourishing institute on the grounds of Credibility and Reliability. RFM delve into the markets across Asia Pacific, North America, South America, Europe, Middle East and Africa.Our purpose is to serve you, the most customized in-depth Market access data. Our plethora of titles made us one of the most searched market research library across the globe. We work with the most esteemed Publishers around the globe who caters vast industries. We are quick and fragile, when it comes to your various queries, and we ensure our team caters your needs to the best of our abilities, we promise to stay by your side for both pre and post sales servicing, as we believe in long everlasting symbiotic relationship.Contact:Mr. A NaiduResearch for MarketsTel: +44 8000-4182-37 (UK)Email: alan.naidu@researchformarkets.com Fall Detection System Market Top Players (ADT Corporation, Bay Alarm Medical, Blue Willow Systems, Connect America) Type and Application, Forecast to 2024 http://databridgemarketresearch.com/request-a-sample/?dbmr=global-fall-detection-system-market http://databridgemarketresearch.com/toc/?dbmr=global-fall-detection-system-market http://databridgemarketresearch.com/reports/global-fall-detection-system-market/ http://databridgemarketresearch.com/speak-to-analyst/?dbmr=global-fall-detection-system-market http://databridgemarketresearch.com/reports/fitness-equipment-market/ The Global Fall Detection System Market 2017 Market Research Report is an expert and top to bottom investigation measure, share, development, development, standpoint and gauge to 2024 on the flow condition of the Fall Detection System industry. The report gives an essential review of the business including definitions, groupings, applications and industry chain structure.The Global Fall Detection System Market accounted for USD 412.7 million in 2016 growing at a CAGR of 6.13% during the forecast period of 2017 to 2024. The upcoming market report contains data for historic year 2014, 2015, the base year of calculation is 2016 and the forecast period is 2017 to 2024.Request for Free Sample Report @Global Fall Detection System Market, By Geography (North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Europe, South America, Middle East and Africa), Component (Accelerometers & Gyroscopes, Other Unimodal/Bimodal Sensors, Multimodal Sensors); Algorithm (Simple Threshold, Machine Learning); System (Wearable Systems, In-Home Landline System, In-Home Cellular Systems); End-Users (Senior Citizens Home, Senior Citizens Outside, Hospitals, Nursing, and Senior Assisted Living Facilities, Lone Workers) Industry Trends and Forecast to 2024Complete report on Global Fall Detection System Market Research Report 2017-2024 spread across 350 Pages, profiling Top companies and supports with tables and figuresMarket Definition: Global fall Detection System MarketFall detection system is the system used in alerting emergence in the incident of fall. Fall detection system such as automatic fall detection system and manual fall detection system are used in such detection. Such devices have the potential to diminish some of the adverse consequences of a fall. It has its application in hospitals, nursing, senior assisted living facilities, lone workers, and others. Increased demand for multimodal technology is the major driver for the growth of fall detection system market. On the other side low practicality of the technology among elders somewhere hinders the market.Major market drivers: Global Fall Detection System Market Better accessibility to assistance in case of fall, leading to reduced medical expenses. Increasing demand for multimodal technology Increasing demand for smartphone and wearable technology based fall detection system. Use of data from simulated conditions for designing the fall detection system algorithm Low practicality and acceptability of the technology among eldersRequest for Detaild TOC:Key Questions Answered in Global Fall Detection System Market Report:-Our Report offers:- What will the market growth rate, Overview and Analysis by Type of Global Fall Detection System Market in 2024? What are the key factors driving, Analysis by Applications and Countries Global Fall Detection System Market? What are Dynamics, This Overview Includes Analysis of Scope, and price analysis of top Vendors Profiles of Global Fall Detection System Market? Who are Opportunities, Risk and Driving Force of Global Fall Detection System Market? Who are the opportunities and threats faced by the vendors in Global Fall Detection System Market? Business Overview by Type, Applications, Gross Margin and Market Share What are the Global Fall Detection System Market opportunities, market risk and market overview of the Market?Top Key Players: ADT Corporation Bay Alarm Medical Blue Willow Systems Connect America Koninklijke Philips N.V. Lifefone Mobilehelp Semtech Corporation Tunstall Healthcare Group Ltd. Vital Connect Inc. Alertone Services, LLC Intel Corporation Marigroup Oy Medical Guardian LLC Mytrex, Inc. DBA Rescue Alert Singapore Technologies Electronics Limited LifeWatch USAFor more insightful information visit @Customize report of "Global Fall Detection System Market" as per customers requirement also available.Company Share Analysis: Global fall Detection System MarketThe report for global fall detection system market include detailed vendor level analysis for market shares in 2016 for Global, North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa and South America specifically. Also impact and development analysis of key vendors is registered in the market and factored on the basis of Vendor Positioning Grid Analysis which measures the vendors strengths and opportunities against present market challenges, measure providers ability to identify or satisfy present market needs, map providers market vision to current and upcoming market dynamics among others. The report also measures technology life line curve and market time line to analyze and do more affective investments.Market Segmentations:Global Fall Detection System Market is segmented on the basis of Components Algorithm System End User Geography.Market Segmentations in Details:On the basis of Components into accelerometers & gyroscopes, other unimodal/bimodal sensors, multimodal sensors, and others.On the basis of Algorithm into simple threshold, machine learning.On the basis of System global fall detection system market is segmented into wearable systems, in-home landline system, in-home cellular system, andothers.On the basis of End User the global fall detection system market is further segmented into senior citizens home, senior citizens outside, hospitals, nursing, and senior assisted living facilities, lone workersOn the basis of geography North America South America Europe Asia-Pacific Middle East & AfricaSpeak to Author of the Report @Other ReportGlobal Fitness Equipment Market Industry Trends and Forecast to 2024Global Fitness Equipment Market, By Type (Cardiovascular Training Equipment (Treadmills, Elliptical Trainers, Stationary Cycles, Rowing Machines, Stair Steppers, Others), Strength Training Equipment (Single Stations, Plate Loaded Equipment, Free Weights, Benches and Racks, Multistations, Accessories), Body Composition Analyzers (Bioimpedance Analyzer, Skinfold Caliper, Dual Emission X-Ray Absorptiometry (Dexa), Hydrostatic Weighing, Air Displacement Plethysmography), Fitness Monitoring Equipment), By End-User (Health Clubs, Gyms, Home Settings, Corporate Settings, Apartments, Hotels, Hospitals, Clinics), By Geography (North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, South America, Middle East and Africa, Rest of the World) Industry Trends and Forecast to 2024.Report Access:About Data Bridge Market ResearchData Bridge Market Research set forth itself as an unconventional and neoteric Market research and consulting firm with unparalleled level of resilience and integrated approaches. We are determined to unearth the best market opportunities and foster efficient information for your business to thrive in the market. Data Bridge endeavors to provide appropriate solutions to the complex business challenges and initiates an effortless decision-making process.Contact:Data Bridge Market ResearchTel: +1-888-387-2818Email: sopan.gedam@databridgemarketresearch.com Sublimation Printing Equipment Market: Global Industry Analysis and Forecast 2016 - 2026 https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/toc/11281 https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/samples/11281 https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/ Sublimation printing is a digital printing technology that enables the reproduction of various customized and personalized color prints/ images to various specially coated surfaces including plastics, films, woods, textiles, ceramics, metals etc. In sublimation printing process, the solid printing dye is sublimated into a gas at high temperatures and is exposed to the surface to be printed. The gas thus formed penetrates the polymeric surface, creating permanent bonds with it. This process gives high resolution and permanent coloration to the exposed surface, which is highly resistive to peeling and cracking off surface of the material. Due to this, sublimation printing is increasingly being utilized across various industries to give highly durable, aesthetic and distinct prints on various kind of products such as mugs, fashion wear and sportswear, technical textile, ceramic tiles and others.Request Report for TOC @Growing popularity of sublimation printing, due to its ability to reproduce premium quality images on different product surfaces at low operational costs, is expected to drive the global sublimation printing equipment market over the forecast period of 2016-2026.Sublimation Printing Equipment Market: Drivers & RestraintsDuring the recent years, various versatile sublimation printing equipment are introduced in the market which can be utilized to effectively print numerous products such as apparel, mugs, mouse pads, plaques, trophies, signage, etc. Due to growing demand for different consumer products with aesthetic visual graphics, coupled with requirement of effective and low cost printing technology, global sublimation printing equipment market is expected to register high growth rate over the forecast period. Apparel and garments industry is one of the largest end-use sector for sublimation printing. Frequently changing fashion trends are also expected to contribute significantly to the global sublimation printing equipment market.However, the primary limitation with the sublimation printing is that the surface to be coted must be composed of polymers that can withstand temperatures in the range of 400F-450F without melting.Sublimation printing equipment manufacturers across the globe are involved in increasing productivity of their machines, such as by developing larger and efficient presses with smaller downtime. All such developments on technological front are expected to contribute to the global sublimation equipment market through the forecast period.The sublimation equipment market is segmented on the basis of product, end-use and region.,,On the basis of product, the global sublimation printing equipment market is segmented as the following:,, Printers, Small format (Print width < 42), Large format (Print width > 42), Heat Presses, Flat Press, Clam-shell, Swing-sway, Mug Press, Cap Press, Combination Press, Large Format, Calender, Consumables, Sublimation Dye/ Inks, Sublimation Transfer Paper,,On the basis of end use, the global sublimation printing equipment market is segmented into,,, Apparel, Signage, Promotional products, Awards and Photo gifts, Sporting goods, Technical Textiles, OthersThe global sublimation printing equipment market is segmented into seven key regions namely North America, Latin America, Eastern Europe, Western Europe, Asia-Pacific excluding Japan (APEJ), Middle East & Africa and Japan. APEJ is expected to remain a key market for sublimation printing equipment throughout the forecast period. Western Europe, due to major demand from apparel industry, is also expected to contribute significantly to the global sublimation equipment market between 2016 and 2026.Request to Sample of Report-Sublimation Printing Equipment Market: Key PlayersThe key players in the global sublimation printing equipment market are Epson America Inc., Sawgrass Inc., Guangzhou JD Digital Technology Co., Ltd., SEFA, HOTRONIX, Geo Knight & Co Inc. Jet Stream Digital and others.About UsPersistence Market Research (PMR) is a third-platform research firm. Our research model is a unique collaboration of data analytics and market research methodology to help businesses achieve optimal performance.Contact UsPersistence Market Research305 Broadway7th Floor, New York City,NY 10007, United States,USA Canada Toll Free: 800-961-0353Email: sales@persistencemarketresearch.comWeb: Laser Materials Market Showing 5.5% CAGR Growth to 2024: Company Profiles & Trends Analysis https://www.marketstudyreport.com/request-a-sample/448845/?utm_source=OPR&utm_medium=SK https://www.marketstudyreport.com/reports/laser-materials-market-size-by-product-plastic-glass-metal-ceramic-by-application-communication-materials-processing-medical-aesthetic-instrumentation-sensors-lithography-optical-storage-r-d-military-industry-analysis-report-regional-outlook-u-s-canada-germany-uk-germany-spain-china-india-japan-australia-mexico-brazil-argentina-south-africa-gcc-growth-potential-price-trends-competitive-market-share-forecast-2017-2024/?utm_source=RR&utm_medium=SK https://www.marketstudyreport.com/reports/global-laser-materials-market-professional-survey-report-2017/?utm_source=RR&utm_medium=SK https://thefinancialconsulting.com/author/chetan/ https://www.marketstudyreport.com https://www.marketstudyreport.com/category/news-releases/ http://reports.algosonline.com/ MarketStudyReport.com adds a new Laser Materials Market research report for the period of 2016-2024 focuses on the major drivers and restraints for the global key players providing analysis of the market share, segmentation, revenue forecasts and geographic regions of the market.Plastic technology is the latest thriving trend in laser materials market that is opening new avenues for the investors. With the continuous evolution of polymers and composite materials configuration, the technology is likely to penetrate deeper into the business. On that note, it is important to consider the unprecedented efforts the instrument manufacturers are taking in reducing the complexity of these devices, which again will prove to be favorable for laser materials industry outlook.Laser Materials Market size will exceed USD 1.7 billion by 2024 and is estimated to witness steady growth of around 5.5% over the projected timespan; according to a new research report.Request a sample copy of Laser Materials Market Research Report @Considering the increasing proliferation of laser technologies in medical space, Laser Materials Market demand is undoubtedly set to grow substantially in the forthcoming years. Technological interventions have not only influenced laser materials portfolio but also have widened the application scope of the market. An exemplary transformation in the therapeutic model in terms of medical facilities has acted in favor of the business growth. For instance, shifting trend toward replacing non-laser technologies across various domains that include oncology, neurology, and dentistry has been immensely catapulting the market expansion over the years. Speaking of healthcare, laser technology has already gained a momentum in this space and with technological advancements, it is anticipated to unfold a series of new opportunities, leaving a subsequent impact on laser materials market.With digital disruptions globally, the volume of data has been exponentially increasing across various industries. Communication sector is one of the profound spaces witnessing the proliferating penetration of laser materials. Communication applications procured one-third of laser materials industry share in 2016. Military applications have been also gaining a traction lately. High demand for lightweight cost-effective armaments has resulted in the utilization of laser materials in this domain. Key market players are also investing in research activities to extend the product portfolio to win a competitive edge in the global landscape.Geographically, Asia Pacific is one of the significant regions partaking in the laser materials market. The expanded manufacturing base along with upgraded healthcare infrastructure are the prime factors driving the regional market. China, Taiwan, India, And South Korea are the major countries contributing substantially toward the regional share. Increasing population in APAC is also a vital factor enhancing laser material market dynamics. With a significant contribution toward the overall revenue in 2016, APAC will continue to be a strong participant in the global laser materials market in the years ahead.North America laser materials market is also anticipated to chalk a lucrative growth path, subject to the regions progressive military terrain particularly in the U.S. The country receives a huge amount of funding every year for laser weapons. With U.S. as a forerunner, North America laser materials industry in the coming seven years is slated to carve a profitable road map.Laser technology undoubtedly is one of the most commendable innovations of the twentieth century. With a broader spectrum of application across the healthcare, military, and communication, laser materials market penetration has generated a remarkable momentum. Reduced material prices coupled with their reliability and enhanced lifespan are further pushing the laser materials market demand. Prominent industry participants include Asahi Glass Co., Ltd, Morgan Advanced Materials, BASF SE, Dow Chemical Company, GrafTech International, Taishan Fiberglass inc., CeramTec GmbH, Sinopec Shanghai Petrochemical Co., Ltd, Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd., Anglo American plc., Mitsubishi Chemical Holdings Corp., Norilsk Nickel, Evonik Industries, Universal Laser Systems, Inc., and Corning Inc.For more information on this report, please visit @Related Reports: -Global Laser Materials Market Professional Survey Report 2017This report studies Laser Materials in Global market, especially in North America, China, Europe, Southeast Asia, Japan and India, with production, revenue, consumption, import and export in these reg...More Reports @About Us:Centralize market research purchases across your entire organization in one place. Marketstudyreport.com allows you to manage and control all corporate research purchases to consolidate billing and vendor management. You can eliminate duplicate purchases and customize your content and license management.Market Study ReportThe Green Suite #4594,Dover, DE 19901United StatesPhone: 1-201-355-0868US Toll Free: 1-866-764-2150Email:sales@marketstudyreport.comWebsite:News:More Report at:Connect with us:Google+ | LinkedIn | Twitter Water Quality Monitoring Equipment Market: Global Industry Analysis and Forecast 2016 - 2026 https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/toc/11299 https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/samples/11299 https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/ Access to safe drinking water is quintessential to sustain life and a satisfactory supply of it must be available to all. As defined by WHO safe drinking water doesnt represent any significant risk to health over lifetime of consumption. Water quality is of prime importance owing to its ubiquitous nature including in food preparation and personal hygiene. In addition, higher quality of water is required for special purpose such as renal dialysis, medical surgeries, contact lenses and pharmaceutical operation.Request Report for TOC @Water contaminants are either suspended,can be screened using physical process or are dissolved which require water treatment through chemical and other methods. Suspended impurities or solids include particles of varying size due to which there is visible turbidity in the water.Soluble impurities not evidently visible alter the properties of water and are thus are more harmful contaminant such as chemicals, microorganism and other radiological impurities tend to make water unsafe for use. Consumption of any impurities suspended or dissolved beyond capacity may lead to serious health issues and in extreme circumstance may prove fatal. Therefore it is crucial to monitor the quality of water and hence arises a strong need of Water quality monitoring equipment.The rising consumption of water for industrial or for domestic purposes has instigated a high demand of water quality monitoring devices. A worldwide initiative launched by WHO and International organizations aims at reducing health problem throughout the globe by introducing programs focusing on hygiene, food, water and shelter. Malnutrition and scarcity of nutrients in emerging countries of Middle East and Africa and Asia Pacific has raised serious concerns because of which the demand of water quality monitoring in these regions has risen significantly.The raising concern over the health in urban regions has also boosted the water quality monitoring equipment market. Not only limited to general use, water quality monitoring equipment also finds its extensive use in chemical and pharmaceutical manufacturing. Properties such as turbidity, alkalinity, basicity and presence of other chemical in waters is of prime importance to industries to get desired chemical or product failure of which can be disastrous. Laboratories studying aquatic life employ significant use of water quality monitoring equipment. The demand for water quality monitoring equipment is anticipated to increase multifold owing to extensive need in various industries and for general purpose use. The market for water quality monitoring equipment is restrained by the price of equipment.Water quality monitoring equipment market can be segmented on the basis of product type; portable, handheld and bench-top. The market can also be classified on the basis of application; industrial, environmental, laboratory and government. By product water quality monitoring devices can be segmented on either testing or analysis.Water Quality Monitoring equipment market can also be segmented on the basis of geography. The market can be segmented on the basis North America, Latin America, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, AEPJ, Japan and Middle East and Africa. North America and Western Europe dominate the water monitoring market in terms of demand. The high demand in these regions is attributed to high demand in industrial segment. The region is anticipated to grow significantly during the forecast years. The region of Middle East and Africa, APEJ and Japan are anticipated to register the highest growth owing to rising health concern and developing industrial sector. Followed by APEJ, Latin America and Eastern Europe are expected to follow exhibiting strong growth during the forecast.Request to Sample of Report-Some of the General Electric Company, LaMotte Company, In-Situ, Horiba, HACH, Honeywell International Inc., Thermo Fisher Scientific, Danaher Corporation, Emerson Electric Co. Mettler-Toledo International Inc. and Shimadzu Corporation among others.About UsPersistence Market Research (PMR) is a third-platform research firm. Our research model is a unique collaboration of data analytics and market research methodology to help businesses achieve optimal performance.Contact UsPersistence Market Research305 Broadway7th Floor, New York City,NY 10007, United States,USA Canada Toll Free: 800-961-0353Email: sales@persistencemarketresearch.comWeb: In-Chassis Cooling Market: Global Industry Analysis and Forecast 2016 - 2024 https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/toc/11926 https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/samples/11926 https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/ In- Chassis Cooling is necessary for the ejection of excessive heat produced by computer peripherals namely CPU (Computer Processing Unit), GPU (Graphical Processing Unit) & Hard disk since heat produced may result in decreased stability & performance of laptop & desktop which in turn leads to reduction in overall efficiency of the system. Adequate cooling of systems integral components improves the overall stability of the system and may also caters to extend the life of the system.Request Report for TOC @In- Chassis cooling system employs several components namely fan tray, temperature sensor, control software and logic, bezels, air filter & others. Each component serves their individual purpose to meet the cooling demands of the system, failing of one would lead to the failure of the complete systems. For instance, fan tray is utilized to maintain the speed of rotation and temperature sensors are necessary to monitor change in temperature primarily to ensure efficient working of the cooling system.In-Chassis Cooling Market: SegmentationGlobal In-Chassis Cooling market can be segmented on the basis of technology and application. Based on the technology, global In-Chassis Cooling market can be segmented into Airflow Through (AFT) cooling, spray cooling and Liquid Flow Through (LFT) cooling. By application global In-Chassis Cooling market can be segmented into Electronic, automotive and aerospace & military.In-Chassis Cooling Market: DynamicsModification in data center standards such as certifications for warm liquid cooling has led to increased adoption of In-chassis cooling systems by major system integrator.Manufacturers are more focused towards addressing evolving needs for various business. For instance, over 20% of the companys data center business team is involved in tracking such trends in data center energy savings and interfacing with end users for direct feedback regarding the needs and requirements of the industry.Increase in the number of companies outsourcing small data centers to cloud providers thereby reducing the need for power and cooling. Further, growing adoption of virtualization and improvements in server technology lead to an increased computer performance per watt, which then requires less power and cooling backup. Development in liquid cooling chassis technology such as using dielectric liquid as a coolant other than water is one of the major trend identified across the market.In-Chassis Cooling Market: Region-wise OutlookGlobal In-Chassis Cooling market is divided into five key regions namely Latin America, North America, Asia-Pacific, Europe and Middle-East & Africa.Request to Sample of Report-In-Chassis Cooling Market: Key PlayersSome of the major players identified across global In Chassis cooling market includes Asetek, Iceotope, Spraycool, Parker Hannifin Corp., Lytron Inc, Cisco, CURTISS- WRIGHT DIVISIONS, NZXT, Cooler Master technology Inc., CORSAIR, BROCADE and SilverStone Technology Co. Ltd.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: Financial App Market 2018 2023 Global Key Leaders: IBM Corporation, include Accenture Plc, FIS Corporation, TCS Ltd, Infosys Ltd, Misys Financial App Market https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/sample_request/5649 https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/financial-app-market-5649 Market HighlightsThe financial sector, currently, is witnessing a surge in the adoption rate of distributed ledger technology, popularly known as blockchain. The blockchain technology offers costs saving in administration, transaction, and infrastructure, which are widely used in commercial banking, capital markets, online payments, risk management, trade & supply chain finance, and others.The Financial App market is segregated into software, services, deployment, organization size, and end-user.By software, the financial app market is sub-divided into audit, risk & compliance management, BI & analytics applications, and customer experience. Based on service, the market is classified into training & support, consulting service, integration & implementation, operation & maintenance, and others. By deployment, the market is sub-segmented into on-premises and on-cloud. Based on organization size, the market is bifurcated into large enterprise and small & medium enterprises. By end-user, the market is segmented into retail, government, BFSI, and others.Based on organization size, the market is bifurcated into large enterprise and small & medium enterprises. Additionally, on the basis of end-user, the market is differentiated into retail, government, BFSI, and others.Request a Sample Report @Major Key Players: include Accenture Plc (Ireland) FIS Corporation (U.S.) Fiserv Inc. (U.S.) IBM Corporation (U.S.) Infosys Ltd (India) Misys (U.K) Oracle Corporation (U.S.) SAP SE (Germany), TCS Ltd. (India Temenos Group AG (Switzerland)Regional Analysis:Geographically, the Financial App Market is categorized into four different regions, namely North America, Asia Pacific, Europe, and Rest of the World.The Financial App market in North America and Europe is expected to have a significant growth through the forecast period, owing to increasing adoption rates of Bring Your Own Devices (BYOD) for online transaction. The U.S. is considered as one of the largest markets for adopting financial technologies due to presence of large number of service providers. Asia Pacific region is expected to be the fastest growing region in Financial App market, with China, India, Japan, and South Korea as the leading countries. The growth of the market is attributed to increase in awareness of online payment applications, such as Paytm App, My Airtel APP, and othersSegmentation:The Financial App market is segmented into software, services, deployment, organization size, and end-user.By software, the Financial App market is sub-segmented into audit, risk & compliance management, BI & analytics applications, and customer experience. Based on service, the market is categorized into training & support, consulting service, integration & implementation, operation & maintenance, and others. On the basis of deployment, the market is segmented into on-premises and on-cloud.Based on organization size, the market is bifurcated into large enterprise and small & medium enterprises. On the basis of end-user, the market is differentiated into retail, government, BFSI, and others.Browse Full Report Details @Target Audience: Research Firms Government Agencies Financial App Service Providers Associations, Organizations, Forums and Alliances related to Financial App Software Solution Providers Educational Institution, University, and Research Organization.Table of Contents1 Executive Summary2 Scope of the Report2.1 Market Definition2.2 Scope of the Study2.2.1 Research Objectives2.2.2 Assumptions & Limitations2.3 Market Structure3 Market Research Methodology3.1 Research Process3.2 Secondary Research3.3 Primary Research3.4 Forecast Business FunctionContinued.List of TablesTable1 World Population by Major Regions (2017 To 2023)Table2 Global Financial App Market: By Region, 2017-2023Table3 North America Financial App Market: By Country, 2017-2023Continued.List of FiguresFigure 1 Global Financial App Market SegmentationFigure 2 Forecast MethodologyFigure 3 Porters Five Forces Analysis of Global Financial App MarketContinued.About Market Research Future:At Market Research Future (MRFR), we enable our customers to unravel the complexity of various industries through our Cooked Research Report (CRR), Half-Cooked Research Reports (HCRR), Raw Research Reports (3R), Continuous-Feed Research (CFR), and Market Research & Consulting Services.MRFR team have supreme objective to provide the optimum quality market research and intelligence services to our clients. Our market research studies by products, services, technologies, applications, end users, and market players for global, regional, and country level market segments, enable our clients to see more, know more, and do more, which help to answer all their most important questions.Contact:Market Research FutureOffice No. 524/528, Amanora ChambersMagarpatta Road, HadapsarPune - 411028Maharashtra, India+1 646 845 9312Email: sales@marketresearchfuture.com Connected Medical Devices Security Market: Key Players and Production Information analysis https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/connected-medical-devices-security-market.html https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=27644 https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=T&rep_id=27644 http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com In recent years healthcare industry has witnessed increasing penetration of medical devices connected and communicating with each other such as wireless monitoring services, and these devices are increasingly been adopted by the healthcare industry. But with the adoption of these technologies, a new hostile environment has emerged posing threat to the security of these devices connected to networks and prone to cyber-attacks and security breaches, which is why a need for security of connected medical devices has emerged so as to protect against unauthorized access and cyber-attacks.Get Report DetailsThe US Federal Drug Administration (FDA) has issued guidelines for the security of connected medical devices which will force medical device manufacturers to implement set of practices ensuring the security of medical devices from cyber-attacks and unauthorized access.The guidelines will create awareness among the healthcare professionals to prepare against these security issues and invest on security devices hence will drive the demand for connected medical devices security market. Increasing adoption of medical devices connected via IoT will increase vulnerability against these security breaches and will increase the need for connected medical devices security.Get brochure for latest technological advancementsOn the basis of geography, connected medical devices security market can be segmented into seven key regions namely North America, Latin America, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, APEJ, Japan and Middle East & Africa. Among various regions, the connected medical devices security market in North America is expected to dominate during the forecast period because of strong presence of companies from healthcare industry and presence of companies providing connected medical devices security solutions in the region.North America region is expected to be followed by Western Europe and APEJ. APEJ is expected to drive the demand for connected medical devices security market, supported by increasing penetration of healthcare companies in the region.The US Federal Drug Administration (FDA) guidelines for implementation of connected medical devices security supported by increasing awareness among healthcare professionals for implementation of these security devices will drive the demand for connected medical devices security market.For Detail Analysis Get Table Of ContentIncreasing usage of medical devices connected via IoT in the healthcare sector will increase the risk of these security issues which in turn will force more and more healthcare professionals to implement security solutions for connected medical devices and will support in the increase in demand for connected medical devices security market. Lack of awareness among healthcare professionals about the availability and offered benefits from these security devices will affect the demand for connected medical devices security market.The report is a compilation of first-hand information, qualitative, and quantitative assessment by industry analysts, inputs from industry experts and industry participants across the value chain. The report provides in-depth analysis of parent market trends, macro-economic indicators and governing factors along with market attractiveness as per segments. The report also maps the qualitative impact of various market factors on market segments and geographies.About UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. We have an experienced team of Analysts, Researchers, and Consultants, who us e proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather, and analyze information. Our business offerings represent the latest and the most reliable information indispensable for businesses to sustain a competitive edge.Each TMR Syndicated Research report covers a different sector such as pharmaceuticals, chemical, energy, food & beverages, semiconductors, med-devices, consumer goods and technology. These reports provide in-depth analysis and deep segmentation to possible micro levels. With wider scope and stratified research methodology, our syndicated reports thrive to provide clients to serve their overall research requirement.ContactTransparency Market Research90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite: Conversational System Market: Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends, and Forecast https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/conversational-systems-market.html https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=25202 https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=T&rep_id=25202 http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com Conversational System is cognitive computing tool, which can process simple and bidirectional text/voice dialog into meaningful output. Conversational System is an advanced model that use multiple modalities (such as sound, sight and tactile) to provide communication across the digital device mesh (such as IoT systems, sensors, and appliances).In past days, computers receive voice note as an input and then accordingly generate suitable output, but nowadays, techniques such as Conversational System is emerging with new opportunities to communicate with any form of input such as sound, light and can process the defined input into justifiable output.The Conversational System can be used to process complex conversation, for instance, collecting verbal description from the witness and generate the sketch of the suspect for police investigation purpose.Browse report detailsAvailability of large volume of data and increasing data complexity in the organization are coupled together to spur the demand of Conversational System Market. Further, the need of self-learning system to mimic the human brains is the crucial parameter responsible for the development of the industry.In addition to above, raw data such as human language audio or video clips, pictures and video are the few sources of information available in the organization, so to process these data into valuable information, the demand for Conversational System Market is spurring.Further, rising demand for advanced analytics tool, which can replace human intervention is the key factor boosting the growth of Conversational System Market. On the other hand deployment cost of Conversational System Market is expected to restrain the market growth.Obtain brochure for latest advancement and technologyConversational System Market is segmented by vertical, component, deployment, technology, end-user and region.By Vertical, the Conversational System Market can be segmented into Telecom and IT, Energy, Public Sector & Utilities, and Retail, Manufacturing, Healthcare and life sciences, Education and BFSI.By Component, the Conversational System Market can be segmented into Hardware and Software.By Deployment, the Conversational System Market can be segmented into cloud-based service and on-premise softwareBy technology, the Conversational System Market can be segmented into Automated Reasoning, Natural Language Processing and Machine Learning.By end-user, the Conversational System Market can be segmented into Large Enterprises, Small & Medium Enterprise.By Region, the Conversational System Market can be segmented into Asia-Pacific excluding Japan, Latin America, Western Europe, the Middle East and Africa, Japan, Eastern Europe, and North America.Get Table of Content for detail analysisOwing to the presence of few major player in North America, the Conversational System Market is expected to witness largest market growth regarding revenue. Further, increasing technology penetration in countries such as U.S and Canada is the crucial factor influencing the growth of the market during the forecast period.Europe is expected to capture second largest market share regarding revenue due to the huge involvement of technology in various sectors such as BSFI, Manufacturing, Education and Healthcare. In addition to above, North America and Europe are considered to be mature market regarding technology adoption, considering the same, the market is estimated to witness huge opportunistic growth over forthcoming years.Emerging economies such as China and India are developing on technology innovation, increasing adoption of automated tool to enhance productivity at the workplace is the key driver for the growth of the market in the Asia-Pacific region.About UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. We have an experienced team of Analysts, Researchers, and Consultants, who us e proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather, and analyze information. Our business offerings represent the latest and the most reliable information indispensable for businesses to sustain a competitive edge.Each TMR Syndicated Research report covers a different sector such as pharmaceuticals, chemical, energy, food & beverages, semiconductors, med-devices, consumer goods and technology. These reports provide in-depth analysis and deep segmentation to possible micro levels. With wider scope and stratified research methodology, our syndicated reports thrive to provide clients to serve their overall research requirement.ContactTransparency Market Research90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite: Industrial Gear Market to Witness Significant Growth in the Coming Years https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/europe-industrial-gear-market.html https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=S&rep_id=16889 https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=S&rep_id=16889 www.transparencymarketresearch.com Industrial gears find vast usage across a number of industries owing to the reduction in mechanical work they bring about in a variety of industrial processes and operations. Industrial gears have equally expansive applications in heavy industries as well as in different manufacturing industries. Forming the core of most machinery used extensively in a vast array of industrial processes, the industrial gears market in the highly industrialized European countries is expected to expand at a healthy pace in the next few years.The Europe industrial gear market is mostly privatized and the features both international and local companies. Considering the new technologies introduced in the industrial gear market in the recent years, the market has vast potential opportunities for the manufacturers of industrial gears in the near future. As a result, the market is experiencing a high level of competition. Moreover, the entry of international players from North America and Asia Pacific into the region also facilitates the exchange of enhanced gear technologies. Growing competition is expected to ensure steady market growth rate over the forecast periodTransparency Market Research estimates that the market will exhibit a 4.5% CAGR over the period between 2016 and 2024. At this pace, the market is expected to rise from a valuation of US$24.21 bn in 2015 to US$35.23 bn by 2024.View This Report -Magnetic Gears to be Most Promising Industrial Gear Variety in EuropeOn the basis of gear types the market is bifurcated into helical gears, bevel gears, worm gears, spur gears, herringbone gears, hypoid gears, crown gears, skew gears, spiral gears, non-circular gears, epicyclic gears, harmonic gears, and magnetic gears. Of these, the segment of helical gears held the dominant 12.4% of the overall market in 2015, in terms of revenue. The segment, however, is expected to witness a sizeable decline in its share in the Europe industrial gears market by 2024 owing to issues such as the production of more heat, less efficiency, and higher maintenance cost as compared to other gears.Get PDF Sample of This Report @Gear varieties such as worm gear, herringbone gear, and magnetic gear are expected to gain more focus and witness increased adoption across a number of industries over the period between 2016 and 2024. The segment of magnetic gears is expected to exhibit the most promising growth over the said period, an estimated 6.6% CAGR from 2016 through 2024; light weight, compact designs, and low costs of these gears are expected to work in their favor.Vast Number of Industries to Help Germany Maintain DominanceIn terms of geography, the Europe industrial gears market is examined for U.K., Germany, Italy, France and Rest of Europe. Of these, the market in Germany dominated in terms of revenue contribution to the overall market in 2015. The presence of a large number of industries and a steadily expanding manufacturing sector in the country is fuelling the demand of industrial gears.Over the forecast period, however, the market for industrial gears in Germany will lose prominence to other regional markets such as France, Italy, and countries in the Rest of the Europe segment, including Spain, Belgium, and the Netherlands. The Rest of the Europe segment will exhibit the most promising pace of growth, an estimated 5.5% CAGR from 2016 to 2024. The market in this region will primarily benefit from the flourishing manufacturing industries like construction, steel, and iron.Press Releases @Some of the key players in the industrial gear market are Siemens AG (Germany), Klingelnberg GmbH (Switzerland), Precipart Corporation (U.S.), RenoldPlc (U.K.), BonfiglioliRiduttori S.P.A. (Italy), BMT International S.A. (Luxembourg), Rossi SpA (Italy), Getriebebau NORD GmbH &Co. KG (Germany), NGC (China), and Sumitomo Heavy Industries Ltd. (Japan).Transparency Market Research (TMR) is a next-generation provider of syndicated research, customized research, and consulting services. TMRs global and regional market intelligence coverage includes industries such as pharmaceutical, chemicals and materials, technology and media, food and beverages, and consumer goods, among others. Each TMR research report provides clients with a 360-degree view of the market with statistical forecasts, competitive landscape, detailed segmentation, key trends, and strategic recommendationsTransparency Market Research90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite: Electrical Calibration Equipment Market: Clear Understanding of The Competitive Landscape and Key Product Segments https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/electrical-calibration-equipment-market.html https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=26225 https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=T&rep_id=26225 http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com Calibration in measurement technology is the comparison of measurement values delivered by a device under test with those of a calibration standard of known accuracy. Calibration equipment plays a very crucial role identifying, measuring as well as rectifying the deviation in the performance of measurement and testing instruments.Electrical Calibration Equipment is one of the major types of calibration equipment. It has widespread applications across automotive, industrial, and electronic manufacturing sector among others. Increasing demand and focus towards accurate information and data related issues are fueling the growth of electrical calibration equipment market globally.Obtain Report DetailsThe market for electrical calibration equipment is segmented into by application which includes communication, electronic manufacturing sector, aerospace and defense, automotive, healthcare and industrial among others. The market for electrical calibration equipment has been segmented geographically into Asia Pacific, Europe, North America, South America and Middle East and Africa.Growing demand of equipment for sensing and understanding system designs and measuring the accuracy of the data delivered is one of the major drivers for the electrical calibration equipment market globally. Manufacturing hubs are adopting calibration equipment in order to calibrate their measuring equipment to comply with government regulations which is one of the major drivers for the market across different regions globally.Get an exclusive brochure of this reportSome of the organizations have calibration capabilities in-house owing to their extensive requirement for calibration equipment. Strict government norms and regulations towards quality standards along with increasing preventive measure to ensure efficient operation are some of factors acting as drivers for the electrical calibration equipment market globally. Increasing technological advancement in the developing nations is another growth booster for the market.Increasing design and standard complexities and high establishment cost are some of the prime restraining factor which may hinder the growth of the electrical calibration equipment market globally. Application of electrical calibration equipment across power plants, pharmaceuticals industry is one of the major opportunities for the market which may drive the growth in near future.Obtain Table of ContentIn 2016, Europe is leading the market for electrical calibration equipment in terms of revenue, followed by North America and Asia Pacific globally. Germany, the U.K., Italy and France are holding prominent positions in the electrical calibration equipment market across Europe. Aging infrastructure in different countries is also fueling the market for electrical calibration equipment market.The U.S. is dominating the market for electrical calibration equipment, followed by Canada and Mexico. China is leading the market for electrical calibration equipment, followed by India, Japan, South Korea and Taiwan among others. Growing focus towards maintenance and repair of the systems to ensure efficient operation is one of the prime reasons behind the growth of the electrical calibration equipment market.About UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. We have an experienced team of Analysts, Researchers, and Consultants, who us e proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather, and analyze information. Our business offerings represent the latest and the most reliable information indispensable for businesses to sustain a competitive edge.Each TMR Syndicated Research report covers a different sector such as pharmaceuticals, chemical, energy, food & beverages, semiconductors, med-devices, consumer goods and technology. These reports provide in-depth analysis and deep segmentation to possible micro levels. With wider scope and stratified research methodology, our syndicated reports thrive to provide clients to serve their overall research requirement.ContactTransparency Market Research90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite: Marine Sealants Market Soaring at 30% CAGR During the Period 2016-2024 https://www.marketstudyreport.com/request-a-sample/568783/?utm_source=OPR&utm_medium=SK https://www.marketstudyreport.com/reports/marine-sealants-market/?utm_source=RR&utm_medium=SK https://www.marketstudyreport.com/reports/global-marine-sealants-market-professional-survey-report-2018/?utm_source=RR&utm_medium=SK https://thefinancialconsulting.com/author/chetan/ https://www.marketstudyreport.com https://www.marketstudyreport.com/category/news-releases/ http://reports.algosonline.com/ MarketStudyReport.com Adds New Global Marine Sealants Market research report for the period of 2016 2024 to its research database covering information and data by Product, Industry Analysis Report, Regional Outlook, Application Potential, Price Trends, Competitive Market Share & Forecast spreading across 300 Pages with table and figures in it.Marine sealants market players are bound to act in accordance with a strict regulatory framework that ensures the manufacture of highly efficient and superior quality products. Sealant manufacturers, it is observed, are consistently involved in the development of an advanced range of high quality products that suitably comply with industry standards. In addition, marine sealants industry has also been witnessing a slew of strategic partnerships with shipbuilders that would ensure the creation of a favorable growth path for this business space. The competitive hierarchy of marine sealants market is replete with notable biggies such as 3M, SABA, Henkel AG & Company, Bostik, Franklin International, H.B. Fuller, Dow Corning Corporation, Adshead Ratcliffe & Co Ltd., Illinois Tool Works, Sika, RPM International, and Avery Dennison.Marine Sealants Market size is estimated to exceed USD 330 Million by 2024; according to a new research report.Request a sample copy of Marine Sealants Market Research Report @3M, one of most renowned giants partaking in Marine Sealants Market share is reputed for consistently innovating new sealant systems for marine applications, pertaining to the vast expanse of shipbuilding activities across the globe. The multi-billion-dollar company recently formulated a new polishing compound designed to enhance surface glass fiber hulls. This innovation is a prime instance demonstrating the fact that the increasing introduction of advanced products in marine sealants industry is likely to help companies expand their consumer pool. Ship builders are known to use sealants and adhesives on a rather large scale, to increase the stability and performance of the ship amidst a harsh marine environment inclusive of salt water, high humidity, and strong UV radiations. Marine sealants also provide airtight and watertight seals between two surfaces by reducing use of metal fasteners, which aids the reduction of noise and vibration a major factor that is likely to augment marine sealants market share. A research report compiled by Global Market Insights, Inc., in fact, claims marine sealants industry to have generated a revenue of USD 200 million in 2016.Major geographies across the globe have been witnessing a robust increase in the number of shipbuilding factories, pertaining to the rapidly growing requirement of ships for commercial, defense, and general-purpose applications. Given that shipbuilders are increasingly seeking newer methodologies to enhance ship manufacturing and performance, the surging use of sealant and adhesive bonding methods for joint formation, sealing bulkhead, portholes, and trims is certain to massively influence marine sealants industry size. For the record, marine sealants market share from the shipbuilding sector was pegged at more than USD 140 million in 2016. Additionally, in a bid to promote tourism, government bodies and private companies have been looking out for reliable shipbuilding partners. Taking in account the growing demand for cruise ships and commercial fleets, the requirement of sealants is undeniably slated to escalate over the coming years a factor that will dynamically stimulate marine sealants market trends. Speaking of tourism and the contribution of shipbuilding companies for the same, it is prudent to mention that recently, WIGHT Shipyard, a leading high-speed craft and aluminum ship builder in Europe, has won an order to manufacture a 21-meter passenger catamaran for promoting Scottish tourism.The September of 2017 witnessed the British Parliament announcing a new National Shipbuilding Strategy to expand the marine industry in England. Through this strategy, it intends to procure 31e General Purpose Frigates, each costing lesser than USD 300 million. The shipbuilding operations are expected to be carried out at multiple shipyards. This designing approach of the British government to maximize exports is likely to have a marginal impact on Europe marine sealants industry size.Government contributions toward marine sealants industry is not limited only to the UK, even the Indian government has been investing heavily to enhance the nations marine infrastructure. Recently, a delegation from Ukraine met the Secretary, Ministry of Shipping in New Delhi, India, with an aim to discuss the possibilities of partnering with the country for potential shipbuilding projects. This is evidence enough to state that the shifting focusing of countries across the globe toward shipbuilding will lucratively impact the growth of marine sealants market.For more information on this report, please visit @Related Reports: -Global Marine Sealants Market Professional Survey Report 2018This report studies Marine Sealants in Global market, especially in North America, China, Europe, Southeast Asia, Japan and India, with production, revenue, consumption, import and export in these reg...More Reports @About Us:Centralize market research purchases across your entire organization in one place. Marketstudyreport.com allows you to manage and control all corporate research purchases to consolidate billing and vendor management. You can eliminate duplicate purchases and customize your content and license management.Market Study ReportThe Green Suite #4594,Dover, DE 19901United StatesPhone: 1-201-355-0868US Toll Free: 1-866-764-2300Email:sales@marketstudyreport.comWebsite:News:More Report at:Connect with us:Google+ | LinkedIn | Twitter Gold Smelting Market: An Insight On the Important Factors and Trends Influencing the Market https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/gold-smelting-market.html https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=1469 https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=T&rep_id=1469 http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com In response to the increasing demand and possession of gold, the global market for gold smelting is likely to expand. Smelting, a metallurgical term, refers to the burning off of the impurities present in gold, in order to obtain a purer form. Gold, in its original form, contains certain impurities.In order to eliminate these undesirable elements, processing of the raw ore is conducted, wherein the gold is ground to fine particles. These particles then enter a furnace, which is heated above the melting point of gold. The metal is then treated with certain chemicals so as to purify the metal further.Obtain ReportThe report provides valuable information about the factors driving the global gold smelting market. It also analyzes opportunities, recent developments, and challenges influencing the markets trajectory. The report discusses the market attractiveness, competitive landscape, value chain analysis, the present, projected, and past leading segments, and market structure in detail. It also conducts SWOT analysis on the companies profiled.Gold, as a valuable metal represents wealth, abundance, and luxury. It also breeds a sense of security and stability among people possessing it. The more the purchasing power of people, the more are they inclined to invest in gold. As the disposable incomes of people worldwide increase, the number of gold buyers is expected to rise simultaneously.Thus, the increasing per capita incomes of people, the historical and cultural value of gold, global obsession about the possession of this metal, and government policies as to the refining process of gold have been boosting the demand for gold smelting. Also, as an increasing number of people choose to buy this metal, the possibility of their sending the gold ornaments, gold coins, scrap gold, and other objects to a smelter increases. Therefore, the global market for gold smelting is expected to reach new heights over the next few years.Obtain BrochureOn the other hand, the high cost of gold and gold smelting equipment might prove to be major deterrent of the market. Nevertheless, technological advancements, coupled with investments in developing more efficient gold smelting furnaces, are expected to neutralize the negative impact of these restraints.Based on geography, the global gold smelting market can be segmented into Asia Pacific, Europe, North America, and the Rest of the World (RoW). The U.S., being among the top five gold producing nations, is slated to contribute significantly to the development of the global gold smelting market.Asia Pacific is projected to contribute significantly to profits earned by the global gold smelting market. Taiwan, India, China, and Hong Kong are some of the emerging economies exhibiting increased demand for gold smelting over the last few years. Government policies related to efficient gold refining units in countries such as India are expected to aid the expansion of the gold smelting market.Table of Content For Detail AnalysisPresently, Switzerland and Turkey appear to be among the most prominent refiners of gold. The Netherlands, Japan, Russia, France, and Italy are some other major countries that offer lucrative opportunities on account to the immense gold reserves they possess.Some of the prominent companies mentioned in the global gold smelting market are Chongjin Gold Corporation, Ronghua Industry Group Co. Ltd., Ohio precious metals LLC, Global Advanced Metals, Chenzhou Mining Group Co. Ltd., Johnson Matthey Ltd., Materion, Ohio precious metals LLC, Gannon and Scott, Aida Chemical Industries Co. Ltd., Yuyuan Tourist Mart Zijin Mining Group Co. Ltd., and OJSC Kolyma Refinery.About UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. We have an experienced team of Analysts, Researchers, and Consultants, who us e proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather, and analyze information. Our business offerings represent the latest and the most reliable information indispensable for businesses to sustain a competitive edge.Each TMR Syndicated Research report covers a different sector such as pharmaceuticals, chemical, energy, food & beverages, semiconductors, med-devices, consumer goods and technology. These reports provide in-depth analysis and deep segmentation to possible micro levels. With wider scope and stratified research methodology, our syndicated reports thrive to provide clients to serve their overall research requirement.ContactTransparency Market Research90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite: Undersea Warfare Systems Market: Industry Outlook, Growth Prospects and Key Opportunities https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/undersea-warfare-systems-market.html https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=19979 https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=T&rep_id=19979 http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com Operations led to establish battle space supremacy in the underwater environment, which allows friendly forces to complete the full range of missions and denies rival force for the effective use of underwater weapons and systems. It includes mine warfare operations, antisubmarine andoffensive & defensive submarine.Underwater warfare systems is one of the three operational areas of naval warfare, aerial warfare and surface warfare. The demand for the undersea warfare systemsmarket systems is anticipated to be driven by increasing disputes over offshore resources, trade routes and maritime borders. Counter and anti-access area denial are becoming a dynamic part of maritime strategies implemented by key navies globally and undersea warfare is anticipated to recover its importance.Browse report detailsBased on type, the undersea warfare systemsmarket is divided intocombat systems, sensors, manned and unmanned systems and counter measures & communication. Among various types, in 2015, the combat systemssegment estimated to be the key market followed by manned and unmanned systems and sensors.New developments in maritime technology such as stealth submarines, unmanned vehicles and maritime robots, network centric warfare, under sea communications and enhanced detection ranges of sonar among others are expected to inspire investment in R&D projects which in turn expected to boost the market for the undersea warfare systems during the forecast period of 2016 2024. In addition, communication and counter measures segment is estimated to rise at the maximum CAGR during the estimate period.Get an exclusive brochure of this reportBased on end use, the undersea warfare systemsmarket is divided into navy, air force and army. Among various types, in 2015, navy segment estimated to be the key market followed by segment estimated to be the key market followed by manned and unmanned systems and sensors. Increase in demand of submarines, surface ships, helicopters and combat airplane is expected to boost the market during the forecast period of 2016 - 2024.In addition, warfare between submarines, other surface ships and submarines; helicopters and combat airplanes among others is other factor driving the market for Based on the geography, the undersea warfare systemsmarket is dividedinto Asia Pacific, North America, Europe, Middle East & Africa and South America. North America grips the key market share trailed by Asia Pacific. Some of the major factors driving the market for undersea warfare systemsin North America are huge naval spending and rise in demand for new submarines.Get Table of Content for detail analysisIn 2015, the U.S. is the key market for the undersea warfare systemsmarket, globally. Moreover, Asia Pacific is the second major market for undersea warfare systems market trailed by Europe, South America and Middle East & Africa. Asia-Pacific is expected to witness the maximum CAGR among all regions during the estimate period.In addition, Asia Pacific dominated by India, China, South Korea and Japan.Moreover, China held the largest share for the undersea warfare systems market in Asia Pacific in 2015. It is also expected to experience healthy growth in the coming years. Growing research and development activities started by different research organizations acts as anopportunity factor for the market. The UK, France and Russia accounted for major market share in the European region in 2015.About UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. We have an experienced team of Analysts, Researchers, and Consultants, who us e proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather, and analyze information. Our business offerings represent the latest and the most reliable information indispensable for businesses to sustain a competitive edge.Each TMR Syndicated Research report covers a different sector such as pharmaceuticals, chemical, energy, food & beverages, semiconductors, med-devices, consumer goods and technology. These reports provide in-depth analysis and deep segmentation to possible micro levels. With wider scope and stratified research methodology, our syndicated reports thrive to provide clients to serve their overall research requirement.ContactTransparency Market Research90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite: Armored Vehicle Market Poised for an Explosive Growth in the Near Future https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=S&rep_id=2774 https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/armored-vehicle-market.html https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/pressrelease/armored-vehicle-market.htm www.transparencymarketresearch.com The defense sector in most countries is the most prominent consumer of different kinds of armored vehicles. An increase in defense funds by emerging countries reflects positively on the growth of the global armored vehicles market. The market is driven primarily by the rising military expenditures across emerging and developed economies and is on the verge of a technological transformation. Integration of compact, lightweight technologically advanced electronic and photonic components for enhancing the operational efficiency of armored vehicles is gaining increased popularity.Moreover, law enforcement agencies across the globe are also leading to an increased demand for armored vehicles with the aim of safeguarding human lives, undertaking critical missions, and securing VIPs. Transparency Market Research estimates that the global armored vehicles market will expand at a healthy CAGR of 5.2% over the period between 2015 and 2023. The market held an opportunity of US$22.73 bn in 2014 and is expected to rise to US$35.49 bn in 2023.Active Mine Protection to Remain Dominant but Inter-operable Communication to Give Most Promising ReturnsIn terms of technology used across armored vehicles, the segment of active mine protection held the largest share of over 24% in the global armored vehicle market in 2014. The segment is expected to hold an equivalent share in the overall market by 2024 as well. However, the demand for inter-operable communication technology is expected to expand at the fastest CAGR of 5.5% over the period between 2015 and 2023.Get PDF Sample of This Report @Development across the commercial-off-the-shelf and embedded systems sectors, the inter-operable communication technology has observed significant development in the past few years and is expected to gain an increased level of adoption in future armored vehicles.Fuelled by Swelling Military Investments, Demand for Armored Vehicles in Asia Pacific to SurgeAccounting for a share of over 40%, North America held the leading position in the global armored vehicle market in 2014. Vast defense funds, rising investment in the R&D of modern military vehicles, and the high concentration of some of the worlds most reputable and largest defense contractors will help the region retain its dominance in the next few years as well.Europe held the second-largest position in the market in 2014. Owing to reductions in military budgets in most European countries in the past few years, the market for armored vehicles in the region is expected to witness expansion at a sluggish pace, bringing about a nominal reduction in its share in the global market in 2023.View This Report -Asia Pacific acquired ranked third in the global armored vehicle market in 2014. The market for armored vehicles in Asia Pacific is expected to expand at the fastest pace of 5.8% CAGR from 2015 to 2023 among key regional markets. Rising investments in the fields of development and procurement of technologically advanced armored vehicles across several countries in the region will emerge as a highly promising growth opportunity for the global armored vehicle market in the next few years. China accounted for over half the Asia Pacific armored vehicle market in 2014 and is expected to remain the dominant market for armored vehicle in the next few years as well.Press Releases @Some of the key vendors operating in the market are The Raytheon Company, INKAS Armored Vehicle Manufacturing, Krauss-Maffei Wegmann GmbH & Co. KG, STREIT Group, Oshkosh Corporation, Elbit Systems Ltd., BAE Systems plc, Lockheed Martin Corporation, Rheinmetall Defence, General Dynamics Corporation, and International Armored Group.Transparency Market Research (TMR) is a next-generation provider of syndicated research, customized research, and consulting services. TMRs global and regional market intelligence coverage includes industries such as pharmaceutical, chemicals and materials, technology and media, food and beverages, and consumer goods, among others. Each TMR research report provides clients with a 360-degree view of the market with statistical forecasts, competitive landscape, detailed segmentation, key trends, and strategic recommendationsTransparency Market Research90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite: Mobile Advertising Market Poised for an Explosive Growth in the Near Future https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=S&rep_id=1296 https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/mobile-advertising-market.html https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/pressrelease/mobile-advertising-market.htm www.transparencymarketresearch.com Mobile advertising is a form of advertising using mobile devices. It is a subgroup of mobile marketing. Mobile advertising provides information/content developed/designed by advertisers intended for customers/mobile device users. The different types of advertising includes display advertising, In-app, In-game, rich media, search, sms/mms/P2P messaging and others. Mobile advertising provides a solution to advertisers to reach targeted users through various devices to deliver information about innovative tools and technology. Mobile advertising solutions enables advertisers to target users, such as advertising campaign solutions, in order to a reach defined set of goals which includes raising brand awareness, establishing brand and increase rate of conversions and so on.Key factors driving the growth of the mobile advertising market include rising concerns about security, and privacy, deletion, and misuse/manipulation of data are some of the major fears that persist among online users.In Global Mobile Advertising Market by Devices, smartphone segment holds the largest share due to high penetration rate of smartphone devices across the world. The smartphone segment is also expected to be fastest growing segment in the forecast period due to increasing adoption rate of smartphones in the emerging economies such as India and Brazil.Get PDF Sample of This Report @In 2014, the search advertising type was the largest segment in the global mobile advertising market. The search advertising type is majorly preferred by the sectors such as BFSI, telecommunication and IT, and FMCG. Search advertising offers an opportunity to place online advertisements on the webpage that shows results from search queries; however this type is majorly adopted by advertisers. In-App advertising is anticipated to be the fastest growing segment in the forecast period due to increasing number of mobile applications for various industries such as banking, logistics and retail.View This Report -Advertisement Campaign solutions holds the largest share as political parties are using these solutions for attracting the attention of population in their region during different stages of elections which include local body to national level elections. The reporting & analytics solution is expected to be the fastest growing segment in the forecast period due to rising adoption of data analytics solutions in understanding the mindset of customers.In the mobile advertising market by region, North America is the major contributor for the revenue generated in the global mobile advertising market. The APAC region is anticipated to be the fastest-growing segment during the forecast period due to high growth in mobile innovation and high usage of Internet through by consumers in the region. The North America mobile advertising market revenue is mainly contributed by the government and BFSI sectors.Press Releases @The growth of the mobile advertising market is mainly contributed by major players such as Amobee, Inc. (Singtel Limited), Apple, Inc. (iAd), Chartboost, Euclid Analytics, Facebook, Inc., Flurry (Yahoo, Inc.), Google, Inc. (Admob Ads), Inmobi, Microsoft Corporation, Millenial Media, Mopub Inc., and Tune Inc. (HasOffers).Transparency Market Research (TMR) is a next-generation provider of syndicated research, customized research, and consulting services. TMRs global and regional market intelligence coverage includes industries such as pharmaceutical, chemicals and materials, technology and media, food and beverages, and consumer goods, among others. Each TMR research report provides clients with a 360-degree view of the market with statistical forecasts, competitive landscape, detailed segmentation, key trends, and strategic recommendationsTransparency Market Research90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite: Temperature Monitoring System Market- New Trends and Opportunities by 2026 https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/toc/12163 https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/samples/12163 http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com Maintenance of air temperature in a controlled environment ranging from factory floors and storage areas to industrial scale freezers, ovens and walk-in refrigerators is a crucial element as far as longevity of the products and productivity of the manufacturing equipment is concerned. The temperatures to be maintained in these areas has to be precise and within the range as fluctuations in temperature can affect the shelf life of the product. These fluctuations in temperature is recorded and stored in the server in real time by the temperature monitoring system.Temperature monitoring system thus is a complex system assembled with different electronic devices comprising of a computer acting as a server, temperature sensors, data connectivity devices or interfaces between the computer and the sensors and an alarm system to notify the personnel when temperature reaches critical levels. The sensors are placed in temperature critical zones where fluctuations of temperature is the highest. Productivity, being one of the most important aspect of a manufacturing company, can be hindered by the slightest variations in the operating conditions of the factory floor by various factors including the fluctuations in ambient air temperature. Therefore, temperature monitoring systems has been increasingly adopted by manufacturing companies and warehouses in order to achieve improved levels of productivity.Request for Table of Contents @The growth of temperature monitoring system is directly related to the market fluctuations in the application area. One such application is its usage in manufacturing corporations. The manufacturing activities on a global level scale is on a steady rise in the current scenario and is estimated to grow at an accelerated pace in the future thereby positively influencing the growth of the temperature monitoring system. E-commerce is one of the fastest growing and widely accepted marketplaces requiring large number of warehouses and storage facilities, these storage facilities are controlled enclosures where temperatures has to be properly maintained by the temperature monitoring system. Therefore, the increase in number of warehouses and storage system is one of the important factor driving the growth of temperature monitoring system. Another application driving the growth of temperature monitoring system market is its adoption in food & beverage industry and pharmaceutical industry, which commonly deals with perishable goods and products, requiring stringent temperature monitoring and recording system.Temperature monitoring system is a capital intensive system that requires precise pre-planning and installation, skilled personnel with an extensive knowledge of sensing electronics are required so as to enable the temperature monitoring system to function normally. Low availability of such personnel coupled with high cost can hamper the growth of the temperature monitoring system.An important trend identified in the temperature monitoring system are miniaturization of the entire system by implementing wireless technologies for data transmission. Manufacturers of the temperature monitoring system have also tweaked the system by eliminating dedicated wireless data transmission devices for enclosures which already has a central wireless connectivity system in place.On the basis of product type, Temperature Monitoring System Market can be segmented as:Wireless SystemWired SystemOn the basis of application, Temperature Monitoring System Market can be segmented as:AgricultureAutomotive IndustryFood & Beverages IndustryPharmaceutical IndustryLogisticsElectronics IndustryOil and Gas IndustryBased on the geography the Temperature Monitoring System Market is divided into seven key segments as North America, Asia-Pacific Excluding Japan (APEJ), Latin America, Eastern Europe, Western Europe, Middle-East & Africa (MEA), and Japan. High adoption rates of temperature monitoring system is anticipated in the North America, Western Europe, and Japan region owing to maturity in manufacturing sector while the growth in Asia Pacific Excl. Japan (APEJ) and Latin America region is expected to be slow due to restricted usage of advanced technologies in the manufacturing companies and warehouses.Request to View Sample of Research Report @Some of the players identified in the Global Temperature Monitoring System Market are:Banner Engineering CorporationCooper-Atkins CorporationVaisala OyjFluke Process InstrumentsIsensix, Inc.DeltaTrak, Inc.Imec Messtechnik GmbHKTR Kupplungstechnik GmbHEmerson Electric CompanyPhysitemp Instruments, Inc.About UsPersistence Market Research (PMR) is a third-platform research firm. Our research model is a unique collaboration of data analytics and market research methodology to help businesses achieve optimal performance.To support companies in overcoming complex business challenges, we follow a multi-disciplinary approach. At PMR, we unite various data streams from multi-dimensional sources. By deploying real-time data collection, big data, and customer experience analytics, we deliver business intelligence for organizations of all sizes.Contact UsPersistence Market Research305 Broadway7th Floor, New York City,NY 10007, United States,Telephone - +1-646-568-7751USA Canada Toll Free: 800-961-0353Email: sales@persistencemarketresearch.comWeb: Metal Detectors Market- Major Participants involved by 2025 https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/toc/13111 https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/samples/13111 http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com Maxwells concept of electromagnetism has helped in the extraction of major treasures in the past, detection of mining locations and now it stands as the backbone of security screening for public as well as military applications in the form a device called metal detector. Metal detectors are devices with high archaeological, mining and military importance. Metal detectors in archaeological application form the basis of detecting the remains of past, buried beneath the earth. Apart from archaeology, mining industry highly relies on metal detectors, particularly for detection of precious metals. The precious metal industry, which includes metals such as gold and platinum is significantly large in terms of value, and substantial demand for these metals in the market increases the demand for novel and robust metal detection technology.Request for Table of Contents @The precious metal detection technologies incur relatively higher costs and hence their market is expected to witness a slower annual growth rate over the forecast period. Apart from archaeological and mining application, security screening falls as a major area of application for metal detection technology with a large variety of products available depending upon the level of security required. Increasing terror related activities across the globe has made organisations to improve their security infrastructure through adoption of proper equipment and technology. Metal detectors can easily be seen at premium hotels, public shopping malls, parks, zoos, government building, etc. Manufacturers of metal detectors focus on developing robust, handy and cost effective products to leverage the existing opportunity in the metal detectors for security screening market. The global metal detector market is expected to witness steady growth over the next decade and will be mainly driven by advancement in technology.The global metal detectors market is expected to be significantly driven by increasing government investments in security owing to the rising violence and conflicts worldwide. Furthermore, ongoing infrastructural development across countries to develop new airports, stadiums and other such infrastructures will create demand for metal detectors. Security application is expected to hold a major share of the demand for metal detectors and witness robust growth over the forecast period. The global metal detectors market has also witnessed increased adoption of metal detectors in industrial application.Moreover, day-by-day general public is understanding the importance of security equipment and as a result systems such as metal detectors are also being increasingly deployed in residential buildings/apartments/townships so as to ensure safety of residents.One of the factors restraining growth is the higher cost, however this factor has only a moderate impact over the growth of the market. Government regulations in some of the countries, which ban the use of metal detectors for applications such as precious metal detection is expected to hamper market growth.On the basis of technology, the metal detectors market can be segmented into;Beat frequency oscillationsPulse inductionOthersOn the basis of product type, the metal detectors market can be segmented into;Walk-through metal detector (WTMD)Hand-held metal detector (HHMD)On the basis of application, the metal detectors market can be segmented into;MiningArchaeologicalFood ProcessingSecurity ScreeningAirportsGovernment BuildingsCommercial & Public SpacesResidentialOther IndustrialAsia Pacific is expected to remain a major market for metal detectors over the forecast period. The region is expected to generate significant demand for metal detectors for security screening application owing to the ongoing infrastructural developments in the countries such as China and India. North America and Europe are expected to be the next big markets for metal detectors. These regions are expected to witness significant CAGR over the forecast period. Latin America and Middle East & Africa are estimated to expand at a slower growth rate as compared to Asia Pacific, North America and Europe.Request to View TOC and Sample of Research Report @Examples of some of the market participants identified in the global metal detectors market are;Fisher Research LaboratoryGarrett Metal DetectorsMinelabXP Metal DetectorsBarskaDetectorProNokta Metal DetectorsTesoro Metal DetectorsE.I.A. S.p.A.Makro Metal DetectorsMetal Detectors, Inc.About UsPersistence Market Research (PMR) is a third-platform research firm. Our research model is a unique collaboration of data analytics and market research methodology to help businesses achieve optimal performance.To support companies in overcoming complex business challenges, we follow a multi-disciplinary approach. At PMR, we unite various data streams from multi-dimensional sources. By deploying real-time data collection, big data, and customer experience analytics, we deliver business intelligence for organizations of all sizes.Contact UsPersistence Market Research305 Broadway7th Floor, New York City,NY 10007, United States,Telephone - +1-646-568-7751USA Canada Toll Free: 800-961-0353Email: sales@persistencemarketresearch.comWeb: Contactless Connectivity System Market: Analysis, Segmentation, Competitors Analysis, Product Research, Trends and Forecast by 2025 https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/toc/14179 https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/samples/14179 http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com The connector is a device which links two elements of an electronic system without improper signal distortion or power loss. In any electronic system connector are the primary point of failure due to poor designing, mechanical stress and environmental stress, this become a major issue in industrial areas, factories where heavy machineries and robotics are used. To overcome this limitation, contactless connectivity system is practiced, contactless connectivity system is a cross interconnection between contactless power and contactless data technology which easily link over a short distance deprived of physical contact. This way practicing contactless connectivity system provides resistance from vibration, rotational freedom, freedom of movement, unlimited mating cycles, and easy on-the-fly connection. In traditional connectivity approach, standard full-contact wired power and signal connectors are practiced, this has many advantages and disadvantages.Request for Table of Contents @Industries are upgrading with new technologies and robotic machinery as well as benefits of contactless connectivity system over traditional connectivity, is driving the market of contactless connectivity system globally. Where traditional connectivity has limitations due to space restrictions, vibrations, dust, and dirt, the need of reliable connection raised the need of contactless connectivity system which delivers ultimate design flexibility as well as has less maintenance and installation efforts. The reason that lifts the market growth of contactless connectivity system worldwide is the factory environment where gasses, dust, and liquids combine with power, friction like robotic friction occur resulting into not only wear and tear but also causes the smallest arc, which might cause a very costly or deadly explosion. To overcome this, contactless connectivity system emerged as a solution by providing security to many environmental and operational challenges, while delivering flexible, reliable, and robust connectivity for both power and data.Another factor which made contactless connectivity system much demanding among industrial worker is that whenever there is a need to change the tools or equipment of the machine, firstly it becomes essential to power off the machine to eliminate the risk of explosions. But if contactless connectivity system is practiced than, that allows easy replacement of parts for any machinery minus switching off of the complete machine.As contactless connectivity system eliminates the physical contact between connectors, the system becomes much in demand for all industrial usage and therefore expensive than traditional connectivity system.The global contactless connectivity system market is segmented based on its applications.Based on the applications, contactless connectivity system market is segmented into:Robotic Tool ChangerPrinting DrumsConnect in DustWafer ProductionCentrifugesIn Line InspectionMilling MachinesHigh End PrintersRotating TablesMolding MachinesRegarding geography, the global contactless connectivity system market has been categorized into seven key regions including North America, Latin America, Eastern Europe, Western Europe, Asia-Pacific excluding Japan, Japan, and the Middle East & Africa. The contactless connectivity system market is globally expected to register healthy CAGR during the forecast period. Most of the factories in an industrial area of Canada and US are entirely machine driven in which high usage of the contactless connective system made North America leading region in this market. Japan is known for latest technology and automobile industries, most of the most recent technology products are invented from this region, Japan always been updated with the latest technique and working style.This made Japan second leading region in the usage of contactless connectivity system. In Eastern and Western European Countries contactless connectivity system majorly used in automobile industries which makes the region third leading in the global market. Countries such as China, India, South Korea, are the dominant countries of Asia Pacific excluding Japan in industrial growth making Asia Pacific excluding Japan one of the fastest growing regions in contactless connectivity system worldwide.Request to View Sample of Research Report @Some of the key players of global contactless connectivity system market include Vector Network Analyzers, TE Connectivity Ltd., Alcatel-Lucent, Corning Incorporated, CommScope, Inc., Amphenol Corporation, Molex Incorporated, Unify, Talkaphone, Plantronics, and Vision Technologies, Inc.About UsPersistence Market Research (PMR) is a third-platform research firm. Our research model is a unique collaboration of data analytics and market research methodology to help businesses achieve optimal performance.To support companies in overcoming complex business challenges, we follow a multi-disciplinary approach. At PMR, we unite various data streams from multi-dimensional sources. By deploying real-time data collection, big data, and customer experience analytics, we deliver business intelligence for organizations of all sizes.Contact UsPersistence Market Research305 Broadway7th Floor, New York City,NY 10007, United States,Telephone - +1-646-568-7751USA Canada Toll Free: 800-961-0353Email: sales@persistencemarketresearch.comWeb: Veterinary Practice Management Software Market: Global Market Estimation, Dynamics, Regional Share, Trends, Competitor Analysis 2012-2016 and Forecast 2017-2023 Veterinary Practice Management Software Market https://www.precisionbusinessinsights.com/market-reports/global-veterinary-practice-management-software-market/#ulp-4H8Z4LpNMLEuOnnx https://www.precisionbusinessinsights.com/market-reports/global-veterinary-practice-management-software-market/#ulp-c654SbFYO64MsOhu https://www.precisionbusinessinsights.com/market-reports/global-veterinary-practice-management-software-market/#ulp-14mlyhjMGhVjZqa3 https://www.precisionbusinessinsights.com/market-reports/global-veterinary-practice-management-software-market/ https://www.precisionbusinessinsights.com Veterinary Practice Management Software Market report gives comprehensive outlook on veterinary practice management software across the globe with special emphasis on key regions such as North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, and Middle East & Africa (MEA). This report on veterinary practice management software Market gives historical, current, and future market sizes (US$ Mn) of delivery type, application, end-use and geographic regions. This report studies veterinary practice management software market dynamics elaborately to identify the current trends & drivers, future opportunities and possible challenges to the key stakeholders operating in the market. In addition, the market report includes regulatory scenario, and competition analysis with vividly illustrated the competition dashboard to assess the market competition. Moreover, PBI analyzed veterinary practice management software market to better equip clients with possible investment opportunities across the regions (Regional Investment Hot-Spots) and market unmet needs (Product Opportunities). Key stakeholders of the veterinary practice management software market report include suppliers, manufacturers, marketers, policy makers engaged in manufacturing and supply of veterinary practice management software.A sample of this report is available upon request @Veterinary Practice Management Software Market:The veterinary practice management software market estimated to be valued US$ XX Mn in 2016 and poised to grow at CAGR XX%, and projected to reach US$ XX Mn by 2023.Availability of state-of-art software attracts customers for veterinary practice management software market.Increasing number of firms providing animal healthcare software in order to offer better management, increased adoption of veterinary software services is expected to fuel the market. Innovative technologies and expanded applications to the veterinary healthcare are anticipated to create lucrative opportunities over forecast period.North America has expected to account for major revenue share of global veterinary practice management software marketU.S. veterinary practice management software is accounted for significant regional revenue share due to surge in adoption of companion animal. Veterinary healthcare providers are inclining towards innovative software solutions to offer better disease management, customer relationship management. UK, Germany are cumulatively contributes significant market share in Europe. Improved veterinary healthcare infrastructure, increased adoption of advanced technologies in veterinary clinics and hospitals are expected to accelerate the market share in future. Increased pet adoption, rising disposable income in China create healthy opportunities. Emerging nations India, Mexico are expected to offer growth opportunities for global veterinary practice management software market over the forecast period.To view TOC of this report is available upon request @Competition AssessmentKey players profiles in the global veterinary practice management software market include: Vet Space Ltd. (UK) Computer Fanatics Limited (New Zealand) IDEXX Laboratories, Inc. (U.S.) Patterson Companies, Inc. (U.S.) Henry Schein, Inc. (U.S.) ezyVET Limited (New Zealand) Onward Systems Inc. (U.S.) ClienTrax, Inc. (U.S.) Alisvet & InformaVet Inc. (Canada) 2i Nova, Inc.(U.S.) Eclipse Veterinary Software Ltd (UK) Animal Intelligence Software, Inc. (U.S.) Hippo Manager Software, Inc. (U.S.) Timeless Veterinary Systems, Inc. (Canada) Firmcloud Corporation (U.S.) InformaVet Inc. (U.S.)Need more information about this report @Key Findings of the Report: Veterinary practice management software market is expanding at XX% CAGR over 2017 to 2023 to reach market value of US$ XX Mn by 2023. Based on delivery mode, cloud based market is expanding at highest CAGR over the forecast period. Based on region type, North America is expected to account for major market share. Veterinary hospitals are prime channel for practice management software systems distribution across the globe Players focusing on expanding geographic presence to garner market opportunities in developing economiesKey Features of the Report: The report provides granular level information about the market size, regional market share, historic market (2012-2016) and forecast (2017-2023) The report covers in-detail insights about the competitors overview, company share analysis, key market developments, and their key strategies The report outlines drivers, restraints, unmet needs, and trends that are currently affecting the market The report tracks recent innovations, key developments and startups details that are actively working in the market The report provides plethora of information about market entry strategies, regulatory framework and reimbursement scenario The report analyses the impact of socio-political environment through PESTLE Analysis and competition through Porters Five Force Analysis in addition to recent technology advancements and innovations in the market.Detailed SegmentationBy Delivery Type Cloud based Web based OthersBy Animal Small animal Large animals OthersBy Distribution Channel Veterinary hospitals Veterinary clinics OthersBy Geography North Americao U.S.o Canada Europeo Germanyo Franceo UKo Italyo Spaino Russiao Polando Rest of Europe Asia-Pacifico Japano Chinao Indiao Australia & New Zealando ASEAN (Includes Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, Philippines, Malaysia, and Others)o South Koreao Rest of Asia-Pacific Latin Americao Brazilo Mexicoo Argentinao Venezuelao Rest of Latin America Middle East and Africa (MEA)o Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Countrieso Israelo South Africao Rest of MEAGet access to full summary @About Precision Business InsightsPrecision Business Insights is one of the leading market research and business consulting firm, which follow a holistic approach to solve needs of the clients. We adopt and implement proven research methodologies to achieve better results. We help our clients by providing actionable insights and strategies to make better decisions. We provide consulting, syndicated and customised market research services based on our client needs.Precision Business Insights mission is to provide high-quality market research reports and generate key insights to our clients. PBIs approachable strategies are to help clients to make key decisions for business growth.Precision Business Insights vision is to become most valued partner to fortune 500 companies by providing agile, accurate, and actionable market insightsContact to Precision Business Insights,Kemp House,152 160 City Road,London EC1V 2NXEmail: sales@precisionbusinessinsights.comToll Free (US): +1-866-598-1553Website @ Genome Editing Market Growth Analysis by 2025 https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/toc/13957 https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/samples/13957 http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com Genome editing is a technique in genetic engineering that involves inserting, deleting or replacing a DNA into the desired locations into a genome of the living organism to change the phenotype of the organism. Genome editing plays a very significant role in modern day biology and is widely used in biotechnology and biopharmaceutical industry to alter the genome of microorganisms to perform process like the fermentation which yield desired products and by products. The genome editing process involves extraction of desired gene sequence, editing the gene and insertion of the modified gene into the host. The genome editing technique is widely used for understanding the DNA in cells of organisms to have a better understanding of their biology, to treat autoimmune diseases and infectious diseases. Genome editing techniques are used to alter human blood cells that can be inserted back in the body for the treatment of various conditions such as leukemia and AIDS. The genome editing is also used to genetically modify crops to improve production i.e. quality and resistance to various plant disease and drought. Over the coming years the global genome editing market is expected to witness substantial revenue growth owing to increasing applications and adoption of this technique for production of various by-products.Request for Table of Contents @The increase in the R&D expenditure in industrial and life sciences sector is expected to bolster the demand for genome editing technique, especially in the agriculture and industrial enzymes sector. Technical advancements and collaborations among companies and academic institutions for development of new technology and better portfolio management by life sciences companies for development of new products are expected to boost revenue growth of the genome editing market over the forecast period. However, even though the genome editing industry is expected to witness substantial growth over the forecast period some factors like concerns related to genetically modified crops and animals witness adoption issues among end users and emerging ethical issues may hinder the growth of the market. Moreover the lack of knowledge and expertise among emerging countries may reduce the pace of revenue growth over the forecast period.Increasing applications and adoption of this technique for production of several products is expected to boost the genome editing market over the forecast period. Moreover with for development of new technology by various life sciences companies is expected to drive the genome editing market during the forecast period.Geographically the genome editing market is segmented into five key regions: North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia-Pacific and MEA region.North America is expected to account for the largest market share in the genome editing market, trailed by Europe and Asia-Pacific owing to larger patient pool. North America is expected to register significant growth rate over the forecast period due to the factors such as the increasing prevalence and high awareness of genetic diseases such as Alzheimers disease, cancer, increasing prevalence of infectious diseases and dementia. Availability and acceptance of research grants and government funding, to increase adoption of GM crops, and development of gene therapy is expected to boost the growth of genome editing market in North America. Asia Pacific is also expected to witness significant growth over the forecast period owing to genome editing conferences, and workshops, government funded programs. Global players are willing to enter into APAC market especially in agriculture sector which is expected to drive growth of genome editing market over the forecast period. Latin America and MEA regions are expected to boost the demand for genome editing techniques owing to economic and social development in these regions.Request to View Sample of Research Report @Some players in the global genome editing market are Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc., Merck & Co., Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc., Origene Technologies, Transposagen, Clontech Laboratories, Astra Zeneca, Agilent Technologies Inc. and othersAbout UsPersistence Market Research (PMR) is a third-platform research firm. Our research model is a unique collaboration of data analytics and market research methodology to help businesses achieve optimal performance.To support companies in overcoming complex business challenges, we follow a multi-disciplinary approach. At PMR, we unite various data streams from multi-dimensional sources. By deploying real-time data collection, big data, and customer experience analytics, we deliver business intelligence for organizations of all sizes.Contact UsPersistence Market Research305 Broadway7th Floor, New York City,NY 10007, United States,Telephone - +1-646-568-7751USA Canada Toll Free: 800-961-0353Email: sales@persistencemarketresearch.comWeb: Autonomous Farm Equipment Market is Anticipated to Account for US$ 170,000Mn by 2026 https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/market-research/autonomous-farm-equipment-market.asp https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/market-research/autonomous-farm-equipment-market/toc https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/samples/22462 Agriculture is one amongst the most overbearing industry since the beginning of human civilization. Constant growth in population, increasing need for food, fuel and feed is anticipated to influence trifold of the present-day cultivation. For this purpose, strategies such as initiation of autonomous farming and mechanization are adopted on a larger basis for yielding more from the constrained arable land. Increasing labor shortage and changing trends for the use of autonomous equipment are driving the demand for autonomous farm equipment. Development of IoT along with GPS systems application has transformed the agriculture industry.Report Overview @High cost essential for the improvement of the equipment performance is likely to affect the product penetration. However, industry players are working towards reducing the total cost by making it affordable, which ultimately will increase the product penetration. M&A are amongst the foremost stratagems executed by the manufactures, in order to form exceptional foot hold in farm equipment industry. Moreover, the equipment provides less downtime and can be utilized even during night as well as extreme fog condition. Autonomous farm equipment provides with outstanding fuel efficiency, compared to standard counterparts and has less chances for errors. Variable climatic conditions and challenges like water shortage are dealt with the help of these equipment.The report indicates that revenues from the global autonomous farm equipment market will increase at an impressive 13.6% CAGR during the forecast period, 2017-2026. The report further projects global sales of autonomous farm equipment to account for revenues worth nearly US$ 170,000Mn by 2026-end.Request for Table of Contents @U.S., India and China are amongst the topmost countries witnessing maximum sales of farm tractors. 31100 HP output power of farm tractors holds nearly 34.5% of the global market for autonomous farm equipment throughout 2026. Canada and U.S. contribute largely towards the growth of the segment. Factors such as low cost in comparison to restricted agricultural land for each farmer and superior horsepower farm tractors will drive fuel the market for medium and small range farm tractors in North America and APEJ.APEJs Autonomous Farm Equipment Market to Hold the Lions Share in Global Market by Expanding at Exceptional 14.1% CAGRThe market size of APEJs autonomous farm equipment is expected to reach a value of US$ 65165.8Mn throughout 2026, due to strong existence of well-known industry competitors in the region. High revenue production can be credited to rolling demand of products like tractors, harvesters and UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle), installed with auto steering operations. North Americas market for autonomous farm equipment is likely to depict momentous growth through 2026. Increasing product use in the region provides better fuel proficiency and higher productivity, which will drive the growth of industry players. Varying trend with regards to smart devices due to expansion of agrarian economies like India, will positively impact the product penetration in APEJ region.Get Sample Copy of this Report @In terms of revenues, partially autonomous equipment contribute significantly to the global market for autonomous farm equipment, subject to their extensive commercialization & competitive pricing. Tractors are expected to lead the market for autonomous farm equipment, in terms of revenue share, contributing nearly 30% sales by 2026. Availability of equipment at competitive price together with exclusive features such as finest path selection and prevention from overlapping paths will positively impact the product penetration.About UsPersistence Market Research (PMR) is a third-platform research firm. Our research model is a unique collaboration of data analytics and market research methodology to help businesses achieve optimal performance.To support companies in overcoming complex business challenges, we follow a multi-disciplinary approach. At PMR, we unite various data streams from multi-dimensional sources. By deploying real-time data collection, big data, and customer experience analytics, we deliver business intelligence for organizations of all sizes.Contact UsPersistence Market Research305 Broadway7th Floor, New York City,NY 10007, United States,Telephone - +1-646-568-7751USA Canada Toll Free: 800-961-0353Email: sales@persistencemarketresearch.com FIX THOSE LIFTS! A delegation of executives and officials of IFE Elevators Co. Ltd. from China blew into town recently. The delegates all 147 of them came from the IFE China headquarters in Dongguan. They visited the LRT2 station in Recto, Manila, one of local railway systems busiest stations. IFE Elevators Philippines was awarded the project to rehabilitate the defective elevators and escalators within the LRT 2 system, which stretches from Santolan in Pasig to Recto Avenue in Manila. The rehabilitation was completed in September last year, providing convenience and safety to the more than 200,000 passengers that use the system daily.The delegates greeted hundreds of passengers riding the IFE elevators and escalators. They also met with LRTA officials who gave the delegates a short tour of the station. Aside from the LRT2, other major projects for IFE Elevators Philippines include the Diliman Doctors Hospital along Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City. IFE elevators and escalators are likewise present in establishments in Cebu such as the BAI Hotel Grand Tower and the Apple One Residences. IFE products can also be seen at the Chinatown Center in Valencia Street, Puerto Princesa City, Palawan. Insulated Metal Panels Market Strategies and Key Opportunities | 2025 https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/insulated-metal-panels-market.html https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=33974 http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/ Insulated metal panels are structural panels used in the construction of buildings. They are sandwiched composite panels where a light-weight insulating foam core is inserted between the metal skins. These panels are light-weight, exhibit exceptional insulating properties, and can be installed easily and quickly. Due to its easy installation property, insulated metal panels are cost-effective and inexpensive as compared to other wall assemblies. They help in improving the energy efficiency of buildings and in reducing carbon footprint. They are generally used for construction of roofs and walls in commercial buildings, architectural buildings, cold storage buildings etc. Different panels with varying attributes are employed depending on the type of buildings for which they are used. The commercial & industrial segment includes recreational buildings, institutional buildings, government buildings, and manufacturing plants.View Report Preview:These buildings require energy-efficient insulation and light-weight construction. Schools or power plants constructed with insulated metal panels benefit from energy efficiency. Architectural buildings require specially designed insulated metal panels, including the attributes required for commercial and institutional buildings such as higher insulation values, light-weight constructions, quick assemblies etc. Additionally, they require customization in shapes, colors, finishes, and fabrication such as bent corners, curved panels, and trim less ends. Insulated metal panels are a highly efficient option for applications that involve temperature control. In the food & beverage industry, where temperature is a crucial parameter, having a direct impact on the quality and perishability of the food articles, insulated metal panels demonstrate to be a cost-effective and beneficial option. Demand for insulated metal panels has been on the rise at a steady pace, due to the growing influence of sustainable building initiatives. However, with insulated metal panels, the choice of material used has a crucial role to play in the overall structural stability of the construction. Aluminum metal panels attached with galvanized steel fasteners have high chances of corrosion. Furthermore, insulated panels employed in buildings exposed to extreme temperatures possess high risks of undergoing deformation.Based on application, the insulated metal panels market can be segmented into commercial & industrial, architectural, cold storage, and insulated roof. At present, the commercial & industrial buildings segment dominates the insulated metal panels market. It is projected to retain its position during the forecast period. The cold storage segment is anticipated to expand at a significant pace in the near future as temperature control, which is crucial in such buildings, can be easily achieved with the help of insulated metal panels.Based on geography, the insulated metal panels market can be divided into North America, Europe, Latin America, Asia Pacific, and Middle East & Africa. North America presently dominates the market, owing to the availability of advanced technologies in the region. The U.S. contributes to a major share of the market in the region. Furthermore, Asia Pacific is projected to show significant growth during the forecast period, owing to its rapid industrial and infrastructural progress and economic development.Key players operating in the insulated metal panels market are Metl-Span an NCI Building Systems company, Kingspan, MBCI, an NCI Building Systems company, Huntsman International LLC, ATAS International, Inc., Centria.The insulated metal panels market is projected to provide lucrative opportunities, especially in Asia Pacific, led by the infrastructural, industrial, and economic development in the countries such as China and India in the region. Moreover, countries such as Japan and Korea are expected to contribute significantly to the insulated metal panels market in Asia Pacific.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: Roofing Chemical Market Size Projected to Rise Lucratively during 2025 https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/roofing-chemical-market.html https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=34079 http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/ Roofing chemicals are used in roofing systems to provide better protection and durability. They enhances the performance of the roofing system by providing high reflectivity from natural elements, thus maintaining the temperature inside the building. Roofing chemicals are primarily made using rubber or modified bitumen and is commonly used in the construction industry. Rising demand for durable materials from the construction industry, increasing demand for thermal management buildings, and changing lifestyle trend toward sustainable living are factors driving the roofing chemicals market. However, high manufacturing and installation cost of roofing chemicals restraints the market.View Report Preview:Based on type, the roofing chemicals market can be divided into epoxy resins, bituminous, asbestos, elastomers, and others. Bituminous is extensively used roofing type. Bituminous or asphalt is an organic liquid which is water resistance in nature. It improves the mechanical strength and longevity of the roofing, making it economical. This in turn contributes to the rise in its demand in residential and commercial building. Rising demand from residential and commercial buildings is anticipated to propel the bituminous material type segment during the forecast period. Easy-to-use, lightweight, and noncombustible features are factors driving the roofing chemicals market.In terms of application, the market can be segregated into metal roofing, membrane roofing, and others. Membrane roofing are commonly made from elastomers or modified bitumen roofing chemicals. This type of roofing is widely used in residential buildings. The metal roofing application is also expected to expand considerably during the forecast period. Metal roofing is also known to be extremely durable and have long service life. Aluminum, stainless steel, copper, among others are extensively used materials for manufacturing metal shingles. Demand for metal roofing is anticipated to increase with the development of non-residential applications and pre-engineered metal buildings.Based on end-use industries, the roofing chemical market can be divided into residential, commercial, and others. Rise in infrastructure activities such as remodeling and reroofing, especially from the commercial end-use segment is expected to fuel demand for roofing chemicals. Increase in demand for improved performance roofing systems from the residential segment is expected to drive the roofing chemicals market during the forecast period.In terms of geography, the roofing chemicals market can be segmented into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa, and Latin America. The market in Asia Pacific is estimated to dominate the global roofing chemicals market. There is tremendous scope for roofing chemicals in the region due to the high economic growth in China, rise in infrastructure development activities and growing population in India and China. Moreover, factors such as strong presence of key manufacturers and development of bio-based roof coating products are expected to boost market in North America. Strict regulatory framework for eco-friendly components in roofing systems in Europe is also expected to drive the market. Demand for high-performance roofing chemicals from Middle East & Africa and Latin America is also fueling the roofing chemicals market.Major players operating in the roofing chemicals market are BASF SE (Germany), The Dow Chemical Company (the U.S), E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company (the U.S.), Saint-Gobain S.A. (France), Eastman Chemical Company (the U.S.), 3M Company (the U.S), Owens Corning (the U.S.), Akzo Nobel N.V (the Netherlands), and Sika AG (Switzerland). Manufacturers have adopted various organic and inorganic strategies to further increase their market shares.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: Vaccine Adjuvants Market: Global Market Estimation, Dynamics, Regional Share, Trends, Competitor Analysis 2012 to 2016 and Forecast 2017 to 2023 Vaccine Adjuvants Market https://www.precisionbusinessinsights.com/market-reports/global-vaccine-adjuvants-market/#ulp-4H8Z4LpNMLEuOnnx https://www.precisionbusinessinsights.com/market-reports/global-vaccine-adjuvants-market/#ulp-c654SbFYO64MsOhu https://www.precisionbusinessinsights.com/market-reports/global-vaccine-adjuvants-market/#ulp-14mlyhjMGhVjZqa3 https://www.precisionbusinessinsights.com/market-reports/global-vaccine-adjuvants-market https://www.precisionbusinessinsights.com Global Vaccine Adjuvants Market: Vaccine adjuvants are the substances added to the vaccines for enhancing the vaccine ability to protect against the infection. Vaccine adjuvants improve the immunogenicity of purified antigens, which has immunostimulatory capabilities and has been used in the vaccines for more than 90 years. Nowadays, a very less number of vaccine adjuvants are available such as MF 59 and aluminium salts. Vaccines are combined with the adjuvants to ensure body produces an efficient immune response to protect the person against the infection.Increase in the prevalence of various zoonotic and other infectious diseases, increase in the demand for improved vaccination against various diseases, government focus on organizing the immunization programs, an increase in the use of synthetic and recombinant vaccines anticipated to propel the vaccine adjuvants market over the forecast period. Furthermore, increase in the prevalence of livestock & companion animal diseases, technological advancements in the aluminum hydroxide adjuvants, and government support for R&D activities are anticipated to fuel the vaccine adjuvants market over the forecast period. However, stringent regulatory policies, side effects associated with the adjuvants usage, and high cost for the R&D activities might impede the growth of vaccine adjuvants market over the forecast period.A sample of this report is available upon request @Vaccine adjuvants market is segmented on the basis of product type, vaccine type, route of administration, application, and end userBased on the product type, vaccine adjuvants market is segmented into the following: Pathogen components Combination adjuvants Particulate adjuvants Adjuvant emulsions OthersBased on the vaccine type, vaccine adjuvants market is segmented into the following: Human vaccines Veterinary vaccinesBased on the route of administration, vaccine adjuvants market is segmented into the following: Oral Mucosal Parenteral OthersBased on application, vaccine adjuvants market is segmented into the following: Infectious diseases Cancer OthersBased on the end user, vaccine adjuvants market is segmented into the following: Pharmaceutical industries Biotechnology industries Veterinary vaccine manufacturing industriesTo view TOC of this report is available upon request @Vaccine adjuvants market is growing at a significant CAGR owing to increase in the prevalence of infectious diseases in humans, livestock & companion animals around the globe. Growing need for enhancing immune response and limited immunogenicity of novel vaccines expected to fuel the vaccine adjuvants market. Acquisitions and mergers, collaborations, and novel adjuvant introductions are the strategies applied by the market players to dominate the vaccine adjuvants market. For instance, in August 2013, FDA approved the Sequiruss Afluria quadrivalent vaccine for people with 18 years or older. Similarly, funding by the government organizations to augment adjuvants research is anticipated to boost the vaccine adjuvants market. For instance, in April 2016, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases awarded 6 grants to various organizations including universities such as University of Wisconsin about US$ 3.1 Mn grants for vaccine adjuvants research.Geographically, vaccine adjuvants market is segmented into North America, Latin America, Asia Pacific, Europe, and Middle East & Africa. North America is expected to hold a major share in vaccine adjuvants market owing to rise in the incidence of infectious diseases, government initiatives for organizing immunization programs, an increase in the collaborations for R&D activities on vaccine adjuvants are fuelling the market. For instance, in July 2016, U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases has collaborated with Chinas Jilin Jian Yisheng Biopharma for the development of Ebola PIKA adjuvant vaccine. Europe holds a significant share in vaccine adjuvants market owing to rising in the prevalence of cancer, influenza, and other infectious diseases, increase the awareness about the vaccine adjuvant applications in the manufacturing of vaccines, and rise in the R&D activities are expected to propel the market growth. Asia Pacific vaccine adjuvants market is growing significantly due to rise in birth rate, increase in the prevalence of various infectious diseases, and development of newer adjuvants for improving the vaccine immunization.Need more information about this report @Some of the players in vaccine adjuvants market are Invivogen (U.S.), MVP Laboratories, Inc. (U.S.), CSL Limited (Australia), SEPPIC (France), Brenntag Biosector (Denmark), Novavax, Inc. (U.S.), Agenus, Inc. (U.S.), OZ Biosciences (France), and Jilin Jian Yisheng Biopharma Co. Ltd. (China) to name a few.Get Full Summary@About Precision Business InsightsPrecision Business Insights is one of the leading market research and business consulting firm, which follow a holistic approach to solve needs of the clients. We adopt and implement proven research methodologies to achieve better results. We help our clients by providing actionable insights and strategies to make better decisions. We provide consulting, syndicated and customised market research services based on our client needs.Precision Business Insights mission is to provide high-quality market research reports and generate key insights to our clients. PBIs approachable strategies are to help clients to make key decisions for business growth.Precision Business Insights vision is to become most valued partner to fortune 500 companies by providing agile, accurate, and actionable market insightsContact to Precision Business Insights,Kemp House,152 160 City Road,London EC1V 2NXEmail: sales@precisionbusinessinsights.comToll Free (US): +1-866-598-1553Website @ Transmission Fluids Market size in terms of volume and value -2025 https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/transmission-fluids-market.html https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=34325 http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/ Transmission fluid is one of the fluids used in vehicles for manual as well as automatic transmissions during locomotion of the engine. Transmission fluid is generally available in red or green color. It is dyed in order to distinguish it from other fluids and motor oils, which are used in vehicles. The application of transmission fluids used in vehicles, for gear lubrication, valve operation, torque converter and for brake band friction. Transmission fluid possesses significant properties such as excellent thermal stability, anti-wear protection for hydraulic and transmission systems, better fuel economy, compatibility with seal materials, and high level of torque capacity for excellent power transfer and acceleration.View Report Preview:The type of transmission fluids market can be segmented into automatic transmission fluid (ATF), manual transmission fluid (MTF), dual clutch transmission fluid (DCTF). and continuously variable transmission fluid (CVTF). Transmission fluids are primarily used in passenger vehicles and heavy duty vehicles. ATF has emerged as the leading product type owing to the increase in demand for automatic vehicles. Heavy duty vehicles and agriculture machinery & equipment also utilize vast amount of ATF in order to prolong vehicle lifespan. MTF is used in specific manual vehicles. Innovation in this segment has been a critical factor owing to numerous complexities associated with these fluids.One of the major drivers for transmission fluids in heavy duty vehicle segment is the manufacturers of transmission fluids, which have extensive presence globally and dominating the market with their extensive distribution network along with their innovative product portfolio. Increase in consumer preference for less carbon emission control vehicles has encouraged manufacturers to achieve minimum fuel efficiency and continue to have tie ups with OEM to develop novel transmission fluids for automotive.Others factors expected to drive the demand for transmission fluids include rise in automotive fleet for on-road as well as off-road use and expansion in the industrial sector in developed and developing regions.Rise in awareness about the benefits of industrially advanced lubricants is expected to augment the transmission fluids market. Manufacturers have strong opportunity to introduce innovative transmission fluids which are being useful to fulfill consumer demands of fuel effective & high-performance vehicles. Expansion in automotive and construction industries is estimated to boost the demand for transmission fluids during the forecast period.The automotive sector in Europe is anticipated to expand at a steady CAGR in the near future. After Europe, Asia Pacific and North America are expected to gain key share of the transmission fluids market in terms of value during the forecast period.Prominent players operating in the transmission fluids market include BASF SE, Chevron Corporation, Exxon Mobil Corporation, and Royal Dutch Shell. These companies have extensive presence are renowned for their broad research & development operations.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: K-12 Education Technology Spend in APAC 2018 Market Expected to Grow at CAGR 22.74% and Forecast to 2020 K-12 Education Technology Spend in APAC https://www.wiseguyreports.com/sample-request/533600-k-12-education-technology-spend-in-apac-2016-2020 https://www.wiseguyreports.com/reports/533600-k-12-education-technology-spend-in-apac-2016-2020 WiseGuyReports.Com Publish a New Market Research Report On K-12 Education Technology Spend in APAC 2018 Market Expected to Grow at CAGR 22.74% and Forecast to 2020.Description:The analysts forecast the K-12 education technology spend in APAC to grow at a CAGR of 22.74% during the period 2016-2020.The technology landscape in the K-12 education sector in APAC is exhibiting dynamic changes with respect to online education delivery methods, such as very small aperture terminal, 4G, and web conferencing. Schools have extensively benefitted from the incorporation of educational hardware and software. This transformation in the education system has not only enhanced the learning experience for students but also equipped students with new skill-sets, made education accessible to remote rural locations in developing countries, and improved operational outcomes for schools through the efficient use of financial and human resources.Get a Sample Report @For more information or any query mail at sales@wiseguyreports.comCovered in this reportThe report covers the present scenario and the growth prospects of the K-12 education technology spend in APAC for 2016-2020. To calculate the market size, the report considers the revenue generated by the sales of educational hardware and software to schools as well as providers of tutoring to the K-12 segment.The report, K-12 Education Technology Spend in APAC 2016-2020, has been prepared based on an in-depth market analysis with inputs from industry experts. The report covers the market landscape and its growth prospects over the coming years. The report also includes a discussion of the key vendors operating in this market.Key vendors CHUNGDAHM Learning Dell Educomp Solutions Next Education Samsung TAL Education Group Tata Class EdgeOther prominent vendors Adobe Systems Blackboard BenQ Cengage Learning D2L Ellucian IBM Intel Knewton Mcmillan Learning McGraw-Hill Education Microsoft, Oracle Pearson Education Promethean World Saba Software SMART TechnologiesMarket driver Rise in e-learning For a full, detailed list, view our reportMarket challenge Lack of adequate ICT infrastructure For a full, detailed list, view our reportMarket trend Growing mobile education in APAC For a full, detailed list, view our reportKey questions answered in this report What will the market size be in 2020 and what will the growth rate be? What are the key market trends? What is driving this market? What are the challenges to market growth? Who are the key vendors in this market space? What are the market opportunities and threats faced by the key vendors? What are the strengths and weaknesses of the key vendors?Report Details @Table Of Contents Major Key PointsPART 01: Executive summary HighlightsPART 02: Scope of the report Market overview Top-vendor offeringsPART 03: Market research methodology Research methodology Economic indicatorsPART 04: Introduction Key market highlightsPART 05: Market landscape Market overview Key leading countries Five forces analysisPART 06: Market drivers Growth in K-12 education of Southeast Asian countries Rise in e-learning Increased internet penetration and use of education apps Prominence of e-booksPART 07: Impact of driversPART 08: Market challenges Lack of adequate ICT infrastructure Lack of awareness on benefits of smart education technologies Health hazards associated with wearable devices Threat from open-source providers of software Digital safety and privacy concernsPART 09: Impact of drivers and challengesPART 10: Market trends Growing mobile education in APAC Emergence of international schools Increase in use of cloud computing Rise in use of learning analytics Growing preference for augmented reality Extensive demand for implementation of gamification in education systemContinueFor more information or any query mail at sales@wiseguyreports.comABOUT US:Wise Guy Reports is part of the Wise Guy Consultants Pvt. Ltd. and offers premium progressive statistical surveying, market research reports, analysis & forecast data for industries and governments around the globe. Wise Guy Reports features an exhaustive list of market research reports from hundreds of publishers worldwide. We boast a database spanning virtually every market category and an even more comprehensive collection of market research reports under these categories and sub-categories.Office No.528,Amanora Chambers,Magarpatta Road,Hadapsar,Pune-411028. Medical Device Technologies Market: Global Market Estimation, Dynamics, Regional Share, Trends, Competitor Analysis 2012-2016 and Forecast 2017-2023 Medical Device Technologies Market https://www.precisionbusinessinsights.com/market-reports/global-medical-device-technologies-market/#ulp-4H8Z4LpNMLEuOnnx https://www.precisionbusinessinsights.com/market-reports/global-medical-device-technologies-market/#ulp-c654SbFYO64MsOhu https://www.precisionbusinessinsights.com/market-reports/global-medical-device-technologies-market/#ulp-14mlyhjMGhVjZqa3 https://www.precisionbusinessinsights.com/market-reports/global-medical-device-technologies-market/ https://www.precisionbusinessinsights.com Global Medical Device Technologies Market: An article, instrument, apparatus or machine that is used in prevention, diagnosis or treatment of illness or disease, or for detecting, measuring, restoring, correcting or modifying the structure or function of the body for some health purpose is known as medical device. Typically, the purpose of a medical device is not achieved by pharmacological, immunological or metabolic means. Medical devices requires maintenance, calibration, user training, decommissioning and repair which are predominantly handled by the clinical engineers. Medical devices are used for certain purposes of treatment, rehabilitation and diagnosis of diseases or injuries, may be used alone or in association with any other accessories, consumables or other medical equipment.Increase in advanced technologies, rise and prevalence of chronic diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, cancer, and COPD are expected to create demand for medical device technologies market. Rise in aging population, high need of preventive healthcare, rise in awareness about health concerns and changes in lifestyles of people are few factors which are expected to propel growth of global medical devices technologies market. However, stringent government regulations, increased taxes on the products, increase in technology piracy incidence rate, rise in cost of devices and services are restraints of the market.A sample of this report is available upon request @Medical device technologies market is segmented on basis of type of devices, application, end users and geographical regions.Based on the type of devices, the global medical device technologies market is segmented Neuro stimulators Insulin pumps Passive implants Orthopaedic implants Cochlear implants Pacemakers Cardiac devices Kidney devices Endoscopy devices Diagnostic and imaging devices OthersBased on the application, the global medical device technologies market is segmented Disease diagnosis Identification Prevention ImagingBased on the end user, the global medical device technologies market is segmented Diagnostic centres Multi-speciality hospitals Ambulatory surgical centres Research centresTo view TOC of this report is available upon request @The medical device technologies market is expected to show significance growth during the foresee period due to huge unmet needs in the healthcare sector. Currently, many clinics and hospitals are positioning automatic processes to diminish errors and also to achieve fast and accurate data analysis. Medical device companies are spending huge amounts of investments for quality product development and to enhance product portfolio by developing respiratory products, medical imaging devices, orthopaedic implants, vascular drug-eluting stents microelectronics, bio-materials etc.Need more information about this report @Medical Device Technologies Market is segmented as North America, Asia-Pacific, Europe, the Middle East & Africa, and Latin America. North America followed by Europe, are the dominating market medical device technologies market owing to advancements in the technologies, and the region is being residence for the many major companies. Asia-Pacific is accounted as emerging region due to robust growth in economy forecasted in some of the Asian countries such as Japan, China, India and Malaysia. As per china pharmaceutical materials association medical device branch, Chinas medical devices market size is anticipated to $48Mn by 2015 and according to statistics from china chamber of commerce for export and import of medicines and health products (CCCMHPIE) the export and import value of medical equipment of china has reached $34 Bn in 2013.Some of the players in global medical device technologies market are Becton, Dickinson and Company (U.S), Abbott Laboratories, Inc. (U.S), bioMerieux, Inc. (France), Biomerica, Inc.(USA), Novartis AG(Switzerland), Olympus Corporation (Japan), Johnson & Johnson Diagnostics, Inc. (USA), Qiagen N.V. (Geramany), Siemens AG (Germany), and Thermo Fischer Scientific, Inc. (USA).Get access to full summary @About Precision Business InsightsPrecision Business Insights is one of the leading market research and business consulting firm, which follow a holistic approach to solve needs of the clients. We adopt and implement proven research methodologies to achieve better results. We help our clients by providing actionable insights and strategies to make better decisions. We provide consulting, syndicated and customised market research services based on our client needs.Precision Business Insights mission is to provide high-quality market research reports and generate key insights to our clients. PBIs approachable strategies are to help clients to make key decisions for business growth.Precision Business Insights vision is to become most valued partner to fortune 500 companies by providing agile, accurate, and actionable market insightsContact to Precision Business Insights,Kemp House,152 160 City Road,London EC1V 2NXEmail: sales@precisionbusinessinsights.comToll Free (US): +1-866-598-1553Website @ Denmark: Cigars and Cigarillos Market Trends, Opportunities and Forecast Report Until 2027 Market Research HUB https://www.marketresearchhub.com/enquiry.php?type=S&repid=1654023 https://www.marketresearchhub.com/report/cigars-and-cigarillos-in-denmark-2018-report.html https://www.marketresearchhub.com/enquiry.php?type=enquiry&repid=1654023 http://www.marketresearchhub.com/ https://www.industrynewsanalysis.com/ An up-to-date research report has been disclosed by Market Research Hub highlighting the title Cigars and Cigarillos in Denmark, 2018 which provides an analytical report by MRH that provides extensive and highly detailed current and future market trends in the Danish tobacco market. It covers market size and structure along with per capita and overall consumption. Additionally, it focuses on brand data, retail pricing, prospects, and forecasts for sales and consumption until 2027.Request For Free Sample Report:Denmark has long been an established market for cigar products despite consumption being in almost continuous decline until very recently. Small cigars and cigarillos is the largest sector within the market, with noticeable strengthening in its profile since 2007. Cigar production grew following ST's purchase of Imperial Tobacco Canada's cigar business from BAT.Scope- Cigars and cigarillos accounted for just 2% of volumes in the Danish tobacco market in 2017- The Danish cigar and cigarillo market has declined after its' brief revival to a new low of 62.3 million pieces- Denmark is a major exporter of cigars and cigarillos, with export levels actually being above production levels due to re-exports- The clear leader of cigar and cigarillo market is the Scandinavian Tobacco Group Denmark (STG).Reasons to buy- Get a detailed understanding of consumption to align your sales and marketing efforts with the latest trends in the market.- Identify the areas of growth and opportunities, which will aid effective marketing planning.- The differing growth rates in regional product sales drive fundamental shifts in the market.- This report provides detailed, authoritative data on these changes - prime intelligence for marketers.- Understand the market dynamics and essential data to benchmark your position and to identify where to compete in the future.Browse Full Report with TOC:Table of Contents:Executive summaryDefinitionsMarket ContextTobacco products market, tons, %, 2007 & 2017Tobacco products market, tons 2007-2017fMarket size and structureCigars & cigarillos consumption, pieces, 2007-2017fPer capita consumption, pieces per year, 2007-2017fCigars & cigarillos: market segmentation, 2007-2017fSmall cigars/cigarillos, total & per capita consumption, 2007-2017fCheroots, total & per capita consumption, 2007-2017fLarge cigars, total & per capita consumption, 2007-2017fProduction and tradeProduction & manufacturers' sales of cigars, cheroots & cigarillos, 2006-2016Imports, tons, 2005-2015Imports by country of origin, top countries, %, 2015Imports of cigars & cigarillos, volume, %, 2005-2015Imports of cigars & cigarillos, 000, 2005-2015Exports, tons, 2005-2015Cigars & cigarillos: export orientation, 2006-2016Exports by country of destination, top countries, %, 2015Exports of cigars & cigarillos, volume, tons, 2007-2015Exports of cigars & cigarillos, 000, 2007-2015Continue@.......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 tobacco products market research reports has been carefully curated to help key personnel and decision makers across industry verticals to clearly visualize their operating environment and take strategic steps.MRH functions as an integrated platform for the following products and services: Objective and sound market forecasts, qualitative and quantitative analysis, incisive insight into defining industry trends, and market share estimates. Our reputation lies in delivering value and world-class capabilities to our clients.Contact Us90 State Street,Albany, NY 12207,United StatesToll Free: 800-998-4852 (US-Canada)Email: press@marketresearchhub.comWebsite:Read Industry News at - Geographic Information System Analytics 2018 Global Market Expected to Grow at CAGR 18.25% and Forecast to 2020 Geographic Information System Analytics 2018 https://www.wiseguyreports.com/sample-request/533565-global-geographic-information-system-analytics-market-2016-2020 https://www.wiseguyreports.com/reports/533565-global-geographic-information-system-analytics-market-2016-2020 WiseGuyReports.Com Publish a New Market Research Report On Geographic Information System Analytics 2018 Market Expected to Grow at CAGR 18.25% and Forecast to 2020.Description:The analysts forecast the global GIS analytics market to grow at a CAGR of 18.25% during the period 2016-2020.Traditional data is the data obtained by a company that monitors everyday activities within the system. It includes transaction data, customer data, sales and financial data, marketing data, and inventory data. Geospatial data is provided using systems such as GIS. It includes asset data, location data, regional data, and location-based mobile device data.Specific data is data obtained regarding a particular demography and industry-specific data. Useful business data is obtained when the three types of data are blended together. All data sets are sorted and then geocoded. After geocoding, the data is combined spatially and enriched with demographic data. Software such as Alteryx is used for this process.Get a Sample Report @For more information or any query mail at sales@wiseguyreports.comCovered in this reportThe report covers the present scenario and the growth prospects of the global GIS analytics market for 2016-2020. To calculate market size, the report takes only the software and services into consideration. The revenue of new software licenses is realized from the fee earned by vendors that provide analytics to customers. The revenue of the software license includes both perpetual and periodic licenses and subscriptions. Perpetual licenses are one-time investments, where the software can be used indefinitely. The revenue from periodic licenses and subscriptions is earned from the fee charged to keep the license active. It also includes the fee associated with pay-as-you-use and cloud offerings. Service revenue includes the consulting fee, which includes the fee charged for consulting in design methodology, and support and deployment. Maintenance revenue includes the periodic fee associated with software updates.The report considers the revenue generated from the following: Software providers Service providersThe market is divided into the following segments based on geography: America Asia Europe ROWThe report, Global Geographic Information System (GIS) Analytics Market 2016-2020, has been prepared based on an in-depth market analysis with inputs from industry experts. The report covers the market landscape and its growth prospects over the coming years. The report also includes a discussion of the key vendors operating in this market.Key vendors GE Hexagon Esri Trimble Navigation Pitney Bowes MDA IDM AnalyticsOther prominent vendors Alteryx Tibco Cambridge Systematics Sanborn Environics Analytics FLO AnalyticsMarket driver Increased use of GIS analytics in disaster management For a full, detailed list, view our reportMarket challenge Lack of skilled GIS analysts For a full, detailed list, view our reportMarket trend Integration of GIS data with big data analytics For a full, detailed list, view our reportKey questions answered in this report What will the market size be in 2020 and what will the growth rate be? What are the key market trends? What is driving this market? What are the challenges to market growth? Who are the key vendors in this market space? What are the market opportunities and threats faced by the key vendors? What are the strengths and weaknesses of the key vendors?Report Details @Table Of Contents Major Key PointsPART 01: Executive summary Key findingsPART 02: Scope of the report About GIS analytics Market size calculation Top-vendor offeringsPART 03: Market research methodology Research methodology Economic indicatorsPART 04: Introduction Key market highlightsPART 05: GIS analytics: An overviewPART 06: Market landscape Market size and forecastPART 07: Market segmentation by end-user Retail and real estate industries Telecom industry Manufacturing and automotive sectors Government and utilities OthersPART 08: Geographical segmentation Europe Americas Asia ROWPART 09: Market drivers Need for efficient land management Increased use of GIS analytics in disaster managementPART 10: Market challenges Need for heavy investments for setting up GIS stations and accessing data sources Lack of skilled GIS analysts Retrieving correct data from multiple data sourcesPART 11: Market trends Increase in M&A Integration of GIS data with big data analyticsPART 12: Five forces analysisPART 13: Vendor landscape Competitive analysis Other prominent vendors Cambridge Systematics Sanborn Environics Analytics FLO AnalyticsContinueFor more information or any query mail at sales@wiseguyreports.comABOUT US:Wise Guy Reports is part of the Wise Guy Consultants Pvt. Ltd. and offers premium progressive statistical surveying, market research reports, analysis & forecast data for industries and governments around the globe. Wise Guy Reports features an exhaustive list of market research reports from hundreds of publishers worldwide. We boast a database spanning virtually every market category and an even more comprehensive collection of market research reports under these categories and sub-categories.Office No.528,Amanora Chambers,Magarpatta Road,Hadapsar,Pune-411028. Antimicrobial Coatings Global Market focusing on Top Companies Akzo Nobel N.V., BASF SE, Diamond Vogel, Axalta Coating Systems and Forecast by 2024 Antimicrobial Coatings Global Market focusing on Top Companies 2024 http://databridgemarketresearch.com/request-a-sample/?dbmr=global-antimicrobial-coatings-market http://databridgemarketresearch.com/toc/?dbmr=global-antimicrobial-coatings-market http://databridgemarketresearch.com/reports/global-antimicrobial-coatings-market/ http://databridgemarketresearch.com/reports/global-core-materials-market/ New report examines the Global Antimicrobial Coatings Market is anticipated to reach $1,675.87 million by the end of 2024Global Antimicrobial Coatings Market accounted for USD 3.7 billion in 2016 and projected to grow at a CAGR of 13.3% during the forecast period of 2017 to 2024.Data Bridge Market Research provides an extensive analysis of current and future market status of the Global Antimicrobial Coatings Market for purchase this report mail us at Sales@databridgemarketresearch.com Or call on number +1-888-387-2818Years considered for this report: Historical Years: 2014-2015 Base Year: 2016 Estimated Year: 2017 Forecast Period: 20172024Get Free Sample Report Visit @Top Competitors of Antimicrobial Coatings Market: Akzo Nobel N.V. BASF SE Diamond Vogel Axalta Coating Systems LLC RPM International Inc. The Dow Chemical Company The Sherwin-Williams Company Lonza Among othersKey questions answered in this report What will the market size be in 2024 and what will the growth rate be? What are the key market trends? What is driving this market? What are the challenges to Global Antimicrobial Coatings Market growth? Who are the Key vendors in this market space? What are the market opportunities and threats faced by the key vendors? What are the strengths and weaknesses of the key vendors?Request for Detail Table of Content Visit @Segmentation:Global Antimicrobial Coatings Market by Product Type (Silver Antimicrobial Coatings, Copper Antimicrobial Coatings); Application (Indoor Air/HVAC, Medical, Mold remediation, Building & Construction, Food & Beverages, Textiles); Geography (North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Europe, South America, Middle East and Africa) Industry Trends and Forecast to 2024On the basis of product type into silver antimicrobial coatings, copper antimicrobial coatings, and others. The others segment is sub segmented into zinc oxide, zirconium, zinc omadine, titanium dioxide, quaternary ammonia, and others.On the basis of application, the global antimicrobial coatings market is segmented into indoor air/HVAC, medical, mold remediation, building & construction, food & beverages, textiles and others.On the basis of geography, the global antimicrobial coatings market report covers data points for 28 countries across multiple geographies such as North America South America Europe Asia-Pacific Middle East & AfricaSome of the major countries covered in this report are U.S., Canada, Germany, France, U.K., Netherlands, Switzerland, Turkey, Russia, China, India, South Korea, Japan, Australia, Singapore, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, and Brazil among others.Read more about the Global Antimicrobial Coatings Market Visit@Related ReportGlobal Core Materials Market- Industry Trends and Forecast to 2024Global Core Materials Market By Type {Foam [PVC Foam, PET Foam, SAN Foam, Others (Polystyrene (PS), Polyetherimide (PEI), Polyurethane (PU), Polymethacrylimide (PMI))], Honeycomb (Aluminum, Thermoplastic, Aramid), Balsa)}, End Users (Aerospace, Marine, Wind Energy, Transportation, Construction, Others), Geography (North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Europe, South America, Middle East and Africa)} Industry Trends and Forecast to 2024Report Access:About Data Bridge Market Research:Data Bridge Market Research set forth itself as an unconventional and neoteric Market research and consulting firm with unparalleled level of resilience and integrated approaches. We are determined to unearth the best market opportunities and foster efficient information for your business to thrive in the market. Data Bridge endeavors to provide appropriate solutions to the complex business challenges and initiates an effortless decision-making process.Contact:Data Bridge Market ResearchTel: +1-888-387-2818Email: sopan.gedam@databridgemarketresearch.com Remote Health Delivery in India Market Overview,Downstream Applications,Development History, And Demand 2018-2020 Remote Health Delivery in India Market https://www.wiseguyreports.com/sample-request/543704-remote-health-delivery-market-in-india-2016-2020 https://www.wiseguyreports.com/reports/543704-remote-health-delivery-market-in-india-2016-2020 WiseGuyReports.Com Publish a New Market Research Report On Remote Health Delivery in India Market Overview,Downstream Applications,Development History, And Demand 2018-2020.Description:The analysts forecast the remote health delivery market in India to grow at a CAGR of 20.18% during the period 2016-2020.Remote health delivery, or telemedicine, is defined as the remote delivery of healthcare services through ICT. It is an effective combination of ICT and medical science that helps address the challenges faced by the Indian healthcare delivery system. Remote health delivery shifts the focus of a healthcare system from curing diseases in hospitals to a system that provides healthcare delivery whenever and wherever the need arises. A widespread adoption of remote health delivery systems will transform the role of hospitals in providing healthcare services. It will improve service quality, streamline processes, and increase the overall efficiency of hospitals.Get a Sample Report @For more information or any query mail at sales@wiseguyreports.comCovered in this reportThe report covers the present scenario and the growth prospects of the remote health delivery market in India for 2016-2020. To calculate the market size, the study considers the revenue generated from the services provided by the healthcare service providers.The market is divided into the following segments based on end-users: Commercial segment Government segment Public-private partnerships (PPPs) NGOsThe report, Remote Health Delivery Market in India 2016-2020, has been prepared based on an in-depth market analysis with inputs from industry experts. The report covers the market landscape and its growth prospects over the coming years. The report also includes a discussion of the key vendors operating in this market.Key vendors Apollo Hospitals Aravind Eye Care Narayana Health Philips HealthcareOther prominent vendors Aerotel Medical Systems Fortis Healthcare Manipal Hospitals Medtronic TelevitalMarket driver Shortage of physicians and hospital beds For a full, detailed list, view our reportMarket challenge Lack of proper infrastructure For a full, detailed list, view our reportMarket trend Increase in investments For a full, detailed list, view our reportKey questions answered in this report What will the market size be in 2020 and what will the growth rate be? What are the key market trends? What is driving this market? What are the challenges to market growth? Who are the key vendors in this market space? What are the market opportunities and threats faced by the key vendors? What are the strengths and weaknesses of the key vendors?Report Details @Table Of Contents Major Key PointsPART 01: Executive summary HighlightsPART 02: Scope of the report Scope of study Vendor segmentation Top-vendor offeringsPART 03: Market research methodology Research methodology Economic indicatorsPART 04: Introduction Key market highlightsPART 05: Global remote healthcare delivery market Market overview Market size and forecast Global remote health delivery market ecosystem Global remote health delivery market by geographyPART 06: Remote health delivery market in India Market overview Types of remote health delivery Remote health delivery revenue model Applications of remote health delivery Five forces analysisPART 07: Market driversPART 08: Impact of driversPART 09: Market challengesPART 10: Impact of drivers and challengesPART 11: Market trendsPART 12: Vendor landscape Overview Apollo Hospitals Aravind Eye Care Narayana Health Philips Healthcare Other prominent vendors Aerotel Medical Systems AT&T Fortis Healthcare Manipal Hospitals Medtronic TeleVitalContinueFor more information or any query mail at sales@wiseguyreports.comABOUT US:Wise Guy Reports is part of the Wise Guy Consultants Pvt. Ltd. and offers premium progressive statistical surveying, market research reports, analysis & forecast data for industries and governments around the globe. Wise Guy Reports features an exhaustive list of market research reports from hundreds of publishers worldwide. We boast a database spanning virtually every market category and an even more comprehensive collection of market research reports under these categories and sub-categories.Office No.528,Amanora Chambers,Magarpatta Road,Hadapsar,Pune-411028. SYDNEYFrom the safety of suburban Australia, Bou Rachna recalls the hours before her husband Kem Ley, a prominent Cambodian political analyst, was shot dead at a Phnom Penh gas station in a 2016 killing that rattled the nation. They had just finished breakfast together when he left to meet some students for a chat over coffee. She received a call soon after, informing her that he had been gunned down in broad daylight. He never did anything for himself, Bou Rachna told AFP of her late husband. He did everything for Cambodia, so that it could have freedom, real democracy, independent courts and respect for human rights. She and her five children arrived in Australia last month where they were granted asylum after hiding for more than a year in Thailand. But reminders of the violence that felled Kem Ley have followed them, with death threats mailed to the family ahead of a visit to Sydney by Cambodias strongman leader Hun Sen for a special Australia-Asean summit this week. Australias hosting of the summit, which will focus on economic ties and counter-terrorism cooperation, is not without controversy. Critics say Canberra has a patchy record on rights in Southeast Asia with Human Rights Watch warning that the government should not dance with dictators. While Australia granted asylum to Kem Leys family, it also struck a controversial deal with Hun Sens government to take in a small number of refugees refused Australian asylum in exchange for $55 million in aid. Despite the death threats, Bou Rachna is determined to speak out from her new home, and believes her husband was silenced for his criticism of the Cambodian regime. Little-known outside Cambodia, Kem Ley was a popular analyst and critic at home, who focused on corruption and land-grabbing that continues to plague the country. He criticized politicians of all shades, often speaking to rural and urban Cambodians on Khmer-language radio. His brazen killing shocked the country, with tens of thousands attending funeral ceremonies and marching through the capital. Unemployed former soldier Oeuth Ang admitted to the murder and was sentenced to life in prison last year, saying Kem Ley owed him US$3,000. But many observers are skeptical, arguing the killing was politically motivateda throwback to the 1990s and early 2000s when political assassinations in Cambodia were commonplace. I didnt accuse them, but the people in Cambodia know who the killer is behind Chuob Samlab, Rachna said, referring to a moniker given to Oeuth Ang during his years as a soldier, which in Khmer means meet to kill. Hun Sens government has long denied involvement, but for many Cambodians Ley has become the face of resistance against mounting oppression in the country.The Cambodian strongman, one of the worlds longest serving leaders, has recently intensified a crackdown on the press, civil society and the only credible opposition, which was disbanded following a court ruling last November after its leader was arrested on treason charges. In response, the United States and some European countries reduced aid commitments and put travel restrictions on senior officials and Hun Sens family, although China is increasingly filling that void. All Hun Sen does is he gets up and he is looking for ways to crush somebody, Cambodian-Australian Victoria state parliamentarian Hong Lim told AFP. Lim has long been critical of the regime and has been threatened with violence if he returns to Cambodia. Hun Sen, a Khmer Rouge defector who has ruled the country for 33 years, is due to meet Turnbull during his visit. Lim believes Canberra has not done enough to condemn rights abuses in Cambodia, claiming it compromised its values when it agreed to the refugee deal. We dont seem to get the message that we have stooped so low, working with this hideous regime and then trying to secure people to go to that country, he said. We Australians are better than that. Hun Sen is expected to be confronted by hundreds of protesters in Sydney, where there is a sizable population of Cambodian refugees who fled the Khmer Rouge in the 1970s. Ahead of the regional summit, he sparked a storm by reportedly threatening to beat any demonstrators and warned he would shame Australia and block the release of a joint communique if he was embarrassed in any way. Australias department of foreign affairs said it had made clear to its Cambodian counterparts that Australia supports freedom of expression and the right to protest, and that threats of violence on Australian soil are not acceptable. They said Turnbull will raise rights abuses during the summit. Phnom Penh said Canberra had taken Hun Sens comments out of context. Rachna plans to join the protests, but holds out little hope that justice will prevail for her husband, and fears she may never be able to return to Cambodia. We cannot return at this time unless there is a change in our Cambodia, she said. Printed Circuit Borard (PCB) Design Software Market to grow at a CAGR of +21% during Forecast Period. https://www.itintelligencemarkets.com/request_sample.php?id=644 https://www.itintelligencemarkets.com/ask_for_discount.php?id=644 Global Printed Circuit Borard (PCB) Design Software Market projected to grow at CAGR of +21% from 2018 to 2025A comprehensive analysis of the Global Printed Circuit Borard (PCB) Design Software Market is been done in this intelligence report. It includes the investigations done on the past progress, ongoing market scenarios, and future prospects. An accurate data of the products, strategies and market shares of leading companies in this particular market is mentioned. This report presents a 360-degree overview of the competitive scenario of the Global market. The report further projects the size and valuation of the global market in the coming forecast period. The report also presents a thorough qualitative and quantitative data affecting to the projected impact of these factors on markets future growth prospects.Top Key Vendors in Market: Candence, Zuken, Altium, CadSoft, Novarm, Mentor Graphics, Shanghai TsingyueGet Sample Copy Of this Report @It explains a detailed outline of the Printed Circuit Borard (PCB) Design Software Market depending on the important parameters. End users, products, regions, and many other segments are studied and explained. A brief idea about the driving forces which help make the market more flourishing is discussed in order to help the client understand the future market position. Estimated revenue growth in terms of volume with respect to the market for the upcoming years has been mentioned in depth.The growing focus of several competitive players on consolidating their back-end supply chain management for faster shipping and at lower cost is a key factor favorably impacting the growth of the market. The robust growth of online retail in various industries, such as information and communication technologies, electrical and electronics, and apparel, in several developed nations has boosted the market. The rising adoption of advanced digital technologies has boosted online retail, thereby indirectly catalyzing the Printed Circuit Borard (PCB) Design Software Market.Get Reasonable Discount on This Premium Report @On the basis of geographical regions, the Global Printed Circuit Borard (PCB) Design Software Market is segmented broadly into Latin America, Europe, the Middle East and Africa, and Asia Pacific. The global market is still in its exploratory stage in most of the regions but it holds the promising potential to flourish steadily in coming years. The major companies investing in this market are situated in Canada, U.K., and the US, India, China and some more countries of Asia Pacific region. Consequently, Asia Pacific, North America, and Western Europe are estimated to hold more than half of the market shares, collectively in coming years.In the last sections of the report, the manufacturers responsible for increasing the sales in the Printed Circuit Borard (PCB) Design Software Market has been presented. These manufacturers have been analyzed in terms of their manufacturing base, basic information, and competitors. In addition, the technology and product type introduced by each of these manufacturers also form a key part of this section of the report.Table of Content:Global Printed Circuit Borard (PCB) Design Software Market Research Report 2018-2025Chapter 1 Printed Circuit Borard (PCB) Design Software Market OverviewChapter 2 Global Economic ImpactChapter 3 Competition by ManufacturerChapter 4 Production, Revenue (Value) by RegionChapter 5 Supply (Production), Consumption, Export, Import by RegionsChapter 6 Production, Revenue (Value), Price Trend by TypeChapter 7 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 AnalysisChapter 12 Market ForecastChapter 13 AppendixWe at IT Intelligence Markets conduct intensive market research and generate detailed reports about the products and services offered in the IT domain. Our team is devoted to providing custom reports that are taylor-made to suit the customers requirements. We make sure to keep our customers updated with the latest market dynamics as IT industry is undergoing sea change intrinsically & extrinsically by forces such as regulatory fluctuations, rapidly evolving consumer preferences, and newer technologies. Not only do our market research analysts scrutinize market requirements but also track competitors relentlessly for obtaining the most updated scenario of the market.Contact Us:Name: Vijay TannaCompany: It Intelligence MarketsAddress: Survey No-9/4, Flat# 6, Panchshil Park, Ganpati Marg, Nigidi, Pune 411044Mail Id: sales@itintelligencemarkets.comContact No: +91 705-760-0700 +26% CAGR Growth to be achieved by market According to new research on Luxury Hotel Design. https://www.itintelligencemarkets.com/request_sample.php?id=651 https://www.itintelligencemarkets.com/ask_for_discount.php?id=651 Global Luxury Hotel Design Market projected to grow at CAGR of +26% from 2018 to 2025A comprehensive analysis of the Global Luxury Hotel Design Market is been done in this intelligence report. It includes the investigations done on the past progress, ongoing market scenarios, and future prospects. An accurate data of the products, strategies and market shares of leading companies in this particular market is mentioned. This report presents a 360-degree overview of the competitive scenario of the Global market. The report further projects the size and valuation of the global market in the coming forecast period. The report also presents a thorough qualitative and quantitative data affecting to the projected impact of these factors on markets future growth prospects.Top Key Vendors in Market: HBA, Rockwell Group, Gensler, Wilson Associates, Leo A Daly, HKS, Pierre-Yves Rochon, Forrest Perkins, Stonehill Taylor Architects, Daroff DesignGet Sample Copy Of this Report @It explains a detailed outline of the Luxury Hotel Design Market depending on the important parameters. End users, products, regions, and many other segments are studied and explained. A brief idea about the driving forces which help make the market more flourishing is discussed in order to help the client understand the future market position. Estimated revenue growth in terms of volume with respect to the market for the upcoming years has been mentioned in depth.The growing focus of several competitive players on consolidating their back-end supply chain management for faster shipping and at lower cost is a key factor favorably impacting the growth of the market. The robust growth of online retail in various industries, such as information and communication technologies, electrical and electronics, and apparel, in several developed nations has boosted the market. The rising adoption of advanced digital technologies has boosted online retail, thereby indirectly catalyzing the Luxury Hotel Design Market.Get Reasonable Discount on This Premium Report @On the basis of geographical regions, the Global Luxury Hotel Design Market is segmented broadly into Latin America, Europe, the Middle East and Africa, and Asia Pacific. The global market is still in its exploratory stage in most of the regions but it holds the promising potential to flourish steadily in coming years. The major companies investing in this market are situated in Canada, U.K., and the US, India, China and some more countries of Asia Pacific region. Consequently, Asia Pacific, North America, and Western Europe are estimated to hold more than half of the market shares, collectively in coming years.In the last sections of the report, the manufacturers responsible for increasing the sales in the Luxury Hotel Design Market has been presented. These manufacturers have been analyzed in terms of their manufacturing base, basic information, and competitors. In addition, the technology and product type introduced by each of these manufacturers also form a key part of this section of the report.Table of Content:Global Luxury Hotel Design Market Research Report 2018-2025Chapter 1 Luxury Hotel Design Market OverviewChapter 2 Global Economic ImpactChapter 3 Competition by ManufacturerChapter 4 Production, Revenue (Value) by RegionChapter 5 Supply (Production), Consumption, Export, Import by RegionsChapter 6 Production, Revenue (Value), Price Trend by TypeChapter 7 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 AnalysisChapter 12 Market ForecastChapter 13 AppendixWe at IT Intelligence Markets conduct intensive market research and generate detailed reports about the products and services offered in the IT domain. Our team is devoted to providing custom reports that are taylor-made to suit the customers requirements. We make sure to keep our customers updated with the latest market dynamics as IT industry is undergoing sea change intrinsically & extrinsically by forces such as regulatory fluctuations, rapidly evolving consumer preferences, and newer technologies. Not only do our market research analysts scrutinize market requirements but also track competitors relentlessly for obtaining the most updated scenario of the market.Contact Us:Name: Vijay TannaCompany: It Intelligence MarketsAddress: Survey No-9/4, Flat# 6, Panchshil Park, Ganpati Marg, Nigidi, Pune 411044Mail Id: sales@itintelligencemarkets.comContact No: +91 705-760-0700 Operational Predictive Maintenance Market Analysis, Market Size, Regional Outlook, Competitive Strategies and Forecasts, 2018 To 2025 https://www.itintelligencemarkets.com/request_sample.php?id=665 https://www.itintelligencemarkets.com/ask_for_discount.php?id=665 Global Operational Predictive Maintenance Market projected to grow at CAGR of +12% from 2018 to 2025The research methodology is used to forecast and forecast the predicted maintenance market by capturing sales data from key suppliers through ancillary studies. Supplier offerings have also been considered to determine market segmentation. Bottom-up procedures have been adopted to reach the market size of the global market with sales of major customers in the market. After reaching the total market size, we divided the entire market into multiple segments and sub-segments and conducted basic research through interviews with key figures such as CEOs and management. These data triangulation and market analysis procedures have been used to complete the entire market engineering process and have reached accurate statistics for all segments and sub-segments.Get Sample Copy Of this Report @A comprehensive analysis of the Global Operational Predictive Maintenance Market is been done in this intelligence report. It includes the investigations done on the past progress, ongoing market scenarios, and future prospects. An accurate data of the products, strategies and market shares of leading companies in this particular market is mentioned. This report presents a 360-degree overview of the competitive scenario of the Global market. The report further projects the size and valuation of the global market in the coming forecast period. The report also presents a thorough qualitative and quantitative data affecting to the projected impact of these factors on markets future growth prospects.Top Key Vendors in Market: IBM, Software AG, SAS, General Electric, Bosch, Rockwell AutomationIt explains a detailed outline of the Operational Predictive Maintenance Market depending on the important parameters. End users, products, regions, and many other segments are studied and explained. A brief idea about the driving forces which help make the market more flourishing is discussed in order to help the client understand the future market position. Estimated revenue growth in terms of volume with respect to the market for the upcoming years has been mentioned in depth.The growing focus of several competitive players on consolidating their back-end supply chain management for faster shipping and at lower cost is a key factor favorably impacting the growth of the market. The robust growth of online retail in various industries, such as information and communication technologies, electrical and electronics, and apparel, in several developed nations has boosted the market. The rising adoption of advanced digital technologies has boosted online retail, thereby indirectly catalyzing the Operational Predictive Maintenance Market.Get Reasonable Discount on This Premium Report @On the basis of geographical regions, the Global Operational Predictive Maintenance Market is segmented broadly into Latin America, Europe, the Middle East and Africa, and Asia Pacific. The global market is still in its exploratory stage in most of the regions but it holds the promising potential to flourish steadily in coming years. The major companies investing in this market are situated in Canada, U.K., and the US, India, China and some more countries of Asia Pacific region. Consequently, Asia Pacific, North America, and Western Europe are estimated to hold more than half of the market shares, collectively in coming years.In the last sections of the report, the manufacturers responsible for increasing the sales in the Operational Predictive Maintenance Market has been presented. These manufacturers have been analyzed in terms of their manufacturing base, basic information, and competitors. In addition, the technology and product type introduced by each of these manufacturers also form a key part of this section of the report.Table of Content:Global Operational Predictive Maintenance Market Research Report 2018-2025Chapter 1 Operational Predictive Maintenance Market OverviewChapter 2 Global Economic ImpactChapter 3 Competition by ManufacturerChapter 4 Production, Revenue (Value) by RegionChapter 5 Supply (Production), Consumption, Export, Import by RegionsChapter 6 Production, Revenue (Value), Price Trend by TypeChapter 7 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 AnalysisChapter 12 Market ForecastChapter 13 AppendixAbout Us:We at IT Intelligence Markets conduct intensive market research and generate detailed reports about the products and services offered in the IT domain. Our team is devoted to providing custom reports that are taylor-made to suit the customers requirements. We make sure to keep our customers updated with the latest market dynamics as IT industry is undergoing sea change intrinsically & extrinsically by forces such as regulatory fluctuations, rapidly evolving consumer preferences, and newer technologies. Not only do our market research analysts scrutinize market requirements but also track competitors relentlessly for obtaining the most updated scenario of the market.Contact Us:Name: Vijay TannaCompany: It Intelligence MarketsAddress: Survey No-9/4, Flat# 6, Panchshil Park, Ganpati Marg, Nigidi, Pune 411044Mail Id: sales@itintelligencemarkets.comContact No: +91 705-760-0700 Farm Bureau Insurance of Michigan's nearly 450 agents announced a new charitable fund at their 2018 convention that will see them join forces in an effort to end hunger in Michigan. The Farm Bureau of Michigan Agent Charitable Fund is a donor advised fund within the Michigan Foundation for Agriculture. It will serve as a fund for Farm Bureau agents to contribute to charitable causes throughout Michigan. Following the purpose and vision of the Michigan Foundation for Agriculture, the fund will grant money to provide food, build agriculture awareness, educate, and help citizens throughout the state. "We wanted to know what we as Farm Bureau agents could do together to make an impact," said agent and fund Chair Merrick Maris. "We've seen the despair in our communities and we've heard the stories on the news. Hunger in Michigan has to stop. This is our home. We're not just going to stand by and watch this happen. We want to do something about it." The main goal of the fund is its mission is to end hunger in Michigan. The ACF will grant money for a wide array of projects related to food, agriculture, education and children. With 15 percent of Michigan residents and 18 percent of all children considered food insecure, ACF seeks to aid about 3,000 hunger-relief agencies across Michigan through a variety of means and education. Another goal focuses on getting children their first meal of the day. Studies show breakfast foods that are rich in whole grains, fiber, and protein while low in added sugar may boost kids' attention span, concentration, and memory. Through successful efforts, the ACF will educate children about where their food comes from, using resources such as the Michigan Foundation for Agriculture's Food, Agriculture & Resources in Motion Science Lab. The 40-foot mobile classroom is equipped with the latest teaching technologies and staffed with a certified teacher. "We're not just looking to write a donation check," said agent and fund Board Member John Aird. "We want to make an impact -- we want to develop resources that can be turned into actionable items. We want to provide opportunities for families and for children to succeed. We're going to see this through and take action to find a solution to end hunger in Michigan." To donate at the ACF website, go to www.endhungerinmichigan.org There are growing calls to bring a Pacific Northwesterner home 50 years after she was carted across the country against her will. Members of the Lummi Nation traveled to Florida this week to call for the release of Lolita, or as the Lummi know her, Tokitae, after the orca was taken from Puget Sound in 1970. On Tuesday, Lummi representatives were joined by Florida gubernatorial candidate Philip Levine and members of the Washington-based Orca Network to call for the whale's release from the Miami Seaquarium after more than 47 years. "Tokitae's story needs to be heard and needs to be shared. It's the right thing to do," Lummi Nation Chairman Jay Julius said according to the Miami Herald. "We have much concern for the conditions she is kept in today." RELATED: Washington state moves to protect endangered killer whales Lolita is the last survivor of the infamous Penn Cove roundup, when more than 50 animals -- presumably endangered southern resident orcas -- were herded into pens using boats, planes and explosives on Aug. 8, 1970. Several orcas drowned in the incident, some of which was documented by film crews. Lolita was taken to Miami after her capture, where she has lived in a small tank -- the smallest for any orca in the U.S. -- for nearly five decades. The Lummi, Orca Network and others want to see her released back into her native waters, initially housing her in a sea pen before releasing her into the wild. To do that, they've come up with a detailed $3.6 million "retirement plan" for her transport and transition. Seaquarium officials, as well as many other orca experts around the country, aren't convinced the move would work for Lolita's best interests -- or the remaining southern resident orcas, which now number only 76. "Relocating Lolita to a sea pen is not in her best interest and so, it is not something that we will consider," Seaquarium general manager Eric Eimstad said in a statement to the Herald. "Moving Lolita to Puget Sound, what is now a foreign environment to her, would not only expose her to a wide variety of new health threats, but doing so could pose the same risks to the wild killer whale population." The Lummi aren't stopping their efforts, which they told the Herald was a "sacred obligation," planning a 27-day, 13-stop tour with a custom totem pole designed to honor Lolita. The tour will end with a two-day event in Miami in May. The group also has plans for a full-length documentary about Lolita, a 9-minute trailer for which can be seen above. As mayor of Miami Beach, Levine signed a symbolic resolution calling for Lolita's release in October. On Wednesday, Washington Governor Jay Inslee directed state agencies to take steps to protect the southern resident orcas from pollution, noise and disturbances from boat traffic, and to help build up the supply of salmon, their primary food source. Seattlepi.com reporter Stephen Cohen can be reached at 206-448-8313 or stephencohen@seattlepi.com. Follow Stephen on Twitter at @scohenPI. The classic Belgian beer styles produced by Trappist monasteries around the world are noted for being some of the most nuanced and delicious on Earth, and none of those breweries has quite the mystique around it as the one possessed by Westvleteren. Given that they are the smallest and hardest to acquire of all the Trappist breweries, its no surprise that our conspicuous consumption society would label Westvleteren the best of them allbut in this case, it may well be true. On the rare occasions when Paste has been able to sample Westvleteren beers, we can affirm that the products produced by this 170-year-old monastery are mind-blowingly good. Its a shame youll never be able to purchase them at your local grocery store. ...Or will you? Well, if you live in The Netherlands, you recently could, although it was a bit of a shady deal. According to an amusing little story in the New York Times, a Dutch supermarket chain called Jan Linders essentially went rogue, acquiring Westvleteren bottles through back channels and then selling more than 7,000 bottles in its stores without permission from the monks. Compounding matters was the 10 Euro per bottle price point, which is almost 10 times higher than the price the monks sell their beer for at the monastery. Typically, this is where most customers purchase the beer in person, after arranging a sale via phone call in advance. This naturally had the effect of spoiling the good humor of the monks, who denounced the sale, saying the aim behind their endeavors was not to commercialize their product, but to finance themselves and support those in need, according to the NYT. The brewery traditionally produces only as much beer as the monastery needs to pay its operating expenses, although it made a one-time exception in 2012, selling a special allottment of its highly sought after quadrupel Westvleteren 12 in order to pay for repairs and expansion of the St. Sixtus Abbey. The supermarket initially defended its sale, claiming it didnt make any significant profit thanks to the various middlemen taking their cuts along the way, which led to the inflated price of each bottle of beer. Still, they managed to sell 300 crates of 24 bottles each, and eventually offered an apology for the one off sale. In a statement on its website, Jan Linders apologized to the monks and thanked customers for introducing them to this beautiful beer. So beware, if you ever happen to see a Westvleteren bottle sitting in a grocery storeyou dont want to bring the wrath of the monks down on you. Health official: 'We are asking residents to be patient' regarding booster shots local Posted Friday, March 16, 2018 10:15 am Author, historian, and public intellectual Dr. Brandy Schillace will headline the Humanities and the Future symposium hosted by the Missouri Humanities Council and held on the campus of Drury University on March 22. The event is free and open to the public. Schillace, will deliver her public talk, Dread Tech Tales: Unexpected Consequences of Humans and Machines, at 5:30 p.m. in the Trustee Science Center. Schillace is a researcher and senior engagement fellow for the Dittrick Museum of Medical History in Cleveland, and is editor-in-chief of the journal Medical Humanities. Her most recent book, Clockwork Futures, explores the science behind steampunk and how Victorian inventors and authors helped lay the groundwork for the modern age. Were incredibly excited that Dr. Schillace will headline our symposium. She is exceptional at drawing listeners into engaging stories about the intersections between the human experience and scientific inventions, said Dr. Katie Gilbert, associate professor of English and Director of the Humanities and Ethics Center at Drury, who is working in partnership with MHC to help expand the organizations reach statewide. Prior to the evening keynote, the daylong Humanities and the Future symposium will feature a discussion on the digital humanities, a networking lunch, a reading discussion of Eric Touya de Marennes book The Case for the Humanities, and a panel on the medical humanities called Medicine, Narrative and the Human Experience. The sessions will feature experts and academics from Drury, Missouri State University, the Springfield-Greene County Library District and the UMKC School of Medicine. This symposium embraces interdisciplinarity, and brings together aspects of history, storytelling, health and medicine, digital technology, and other fields in a series of robust discussions, Gilbert said. While so often we think of the humanities, or the study of the records of human experience, as separate from science, medicine, and technology. The fields are in fact intertwined and help to shape each other. The big questions that we face now and in the future as human beings will demand answers that are interdisciplinary in scope; the humanities are especially adept at laying the groundwork for such interdisciplinary exploration. The full schedule of events, registration information and panelists are available online at www.mohumanities.org/symposium. The symposium is free but registration is required for the daytime events. No registration or tickets are required for Dr. Brandy Schillaces evening talk. 1.1k SHARES Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Pinterest Reddit Print Mail Flipboard From the very beginning, it was obvious the House Intelligence committee was divided between Republican obstructionists for Trump and the truth finding Democrats on the matter of Russias interference in the 2016 election. At any other time, that would read like partisan rhetoric. With the Trump presidency, everything is the reverse of what it seems. The committees work is not, by any stretch of the imagination, finished. Key witnesses werent interviewed, relevant documents werent received let alone reviewed. Most of the testimony was private, something that would change should Democrats regain control of the House on Election Day. Some witnesses used their imaginations to invent new privileges to shield them from answering questions. Others simply lied. When Devin Nunes (who was supposedly recused from all matters involving Trump and Russia because he may have made unauthorized disclosures of classified information, in violation of House Rules, law, regulations, or other standards of conduct. In other words, he was leaking info to Trump. Nunes never should have had a role in this investigation because he was on Trumps transition team and if that wasnt a basis then his violation of the law and other standards was. In fact, he shouldnt have been a member of the Intelligence committee once it was clear he was breaking the law. This investigation stood zero chance of being done with the integrity that Americans have a right to demand of their government. And while were at it, there is no draft committee report. There is a partisan report by Republicans. And that report isnt worth the paper it was written on because the Republican members alone drafted the report and announced that the committee would conclude its investigation without involving the Democratic members. Process matters. It can make the difference between sham findings on a sham proceeding and legitimate findings following an investigation that follows the rules. This brings us to the Status Report on Russia by the Democratic members of the committee and its key points which coincide with events already reported by the media. The report is as thorough as possible given that key witnesses that werent interviewed, people who should be subpoenaed were not. Suffice to say if this was about President Barack Obama or a President Hillary Clinton, this would have been done. Key documents were never received, let alone reviewed. What part of this says a completed investigation? Democrats dispute the GOPs big talking point of no collusion. Ranking member, Adam Schiff, said in response to the Republicans draft report, he saw significant evidence of collusion between the campaign and Russia. While most will point to the fact that collusion is not a crime, conspiracy is. If theres collusion, as Schiff says there is, then it is the committees responsibility to follow the evidence not bury it in a word salad. Even if one wants to argue that Russias interference in the election didnt affect the results, there is a bigger concern here. If Russia and the Trump campaign conspired to manipulate voters and possibly voting data to Trumps advantage, that would mean Russia has leverage over Trump. That would explain everything from Trumps behavior towards our allies to his refusal to admit that Russia was behind the poisoning of a former Russian spy and his daughter, in Britain. It would explain why Trump routinely bashes Americans and our allies but has yet to say anything remotely negative about Vladimir Putin. The Democrats report refers to evidence that the Russians previewed the release of the stolen DNC and Clinton emails to George Papadopoulos, one of several former Trump campaign and White House officials currently under indictment and or investigation by Robert Mueller. As Ryan Goodman of Just Security wrote, its legally important to know what the Trump campaign did after the Russians previewed the emails. If Trump campaign officials consulted with the Russians on their plans to disseminate the emails, it could involve direct violations of campaign finance laws (see the statement below from leading election law expert Paul Seamus Ryan). If Trump campaign officials gave tacitassent or approval or support, it could directly implicate them in the conspiracy to defraud the United States by evading the Federal Election Commissionthe very conspiracy for which Mueller has already indicted thirteen Russian nationals). Combine that with the fact that Roger Stone was in regular communications with Julian Assange of Wikileaks in 2016. Tom Hamburger, Josh Dawsey, Carol D. Leonnig and Shane Harris of the Washington Post cite two sources who say that Stone learned from Assange that Wikileaks obtained emails that would torment senior Democrats including John Podesta. The conversation occurred before it was publicly known that hackers had obtained the emails of Podesta and of the Democratic National Committee, documents that WikiLeaks released in late July and October. The U.S. intelligence community later concluded that the hackers were working for Russia. What about the evidence pointing to Michael Flynns conspiracy with Russia to undermine the very sanctions Obama imposed in response to Russias interference in the election. Remember when Sean Spicer explained Flynns conversations with Russian officials away as Christmas greetings? That was before Flynn was fired, before he was investigated by Robert Mueller and before Flynn pled guilty to lying to the FBI. Trump likes to talk about how we dont have a country if we dont have borders. The thing is we dont have a country when Russia decides who will govern us and has more influence over our policies than our elected legislators do. Another area of concern is the relationship between Russia, the NRA, the Republican Party oh and Donald Trump. The Democrats report raises several disturbing points. First, the GOP refused to interview several key witnesses who, by coincidence have NRA links. The report names Cleta Mitchell, Maria Butina, Paul Erickson, Johnny Yenason. Also, the committee didnt even ask from documents from Bridges LLC, which the report describes as a South Dakota-registered entity steered by Paul Erickson and Maria Butina. Oh and Butina has ties to a pro-gun Russia organization called Right to Bear Arms. The committee didnt bother to investigate the Mercer company, Cambridge Analyticas role or Trumps social media operations, and their ties to Russia. The committee neglected inquiry with Cendyn a cloud computing company that hosted the Trump organization. The company could shed light on the possibility that the Trump organization and Russias Alfa Bank shared a data link that transmitted large volumes of data during the election. This is one of those big red flags that one would only ignore if they have something to hide. Then theres the mystery surrounding ties by several in Trumps circle to Peter Smith. https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/peter-smith-gop-operative-who-sought-clinton-emails-committed-suicide-report/article/2628644 He was the man who sought to find, authenticate and release Hillary Clintons so-called missing emails and committed suicide back in July 2017. Some of the people identified as having ties to Peter Smith include Kellyanne Conway, John Szobocsan, the Estate of Peter Smith and KLS Research LLC. Also, Breitbart writer Lee Stranahan was supposed to be subpoenaed. He is also employed by Russias state media outlet Sputnik. Why didnt he respond to the Committees interview and production letter and as importantly, why did Nunes decline to use his subpoena power? The report identifies several remaining questions, some of which continue to be explored by the press. The Trump campaigns knowledge of the DNC email hack, and of Wikileaks plan to disseminate these emails. From media reports, its obvious the Trump campaign via Roger Stone and Wikileaks had regular communications. Its simply not believable that Roger Stone didnt disclose the nature of his communications with Assange to the campaign or to Trump himself. We still dont know if Michael Flynn was directed to call the Russia ambassador about U.S. sanctions. Again, given what we know about Trumps authoritarian tendencies, its impossible to believe that Flynn acted on his own accord. We still dont have answers about the extent to which social media was used to spread Russian disinformation and continues to be used. An intelligence committee that puts country first would want to investigate this and find ways to prevent the Russians from continued efforts to spread fake new. We also need to know about Trumps relationship with Deutsche Bank, which is controlled by Vladimir Putin. We must have an answer to whether the Russian government courted Trump or laundered funds through the Trump organization. Similarly, whether money allegedly laundered by Paul Manafort and Rick Gates is a point of leverage through which Russia tried to benefit from or exploit to get access to Trumps campaign. The questions of potential obstruction of justice, such as with Trumps firing of James Comey need answers. This is not politics as usual, nor can it be reduced to partisanship. Trumps cronies shut down the Intelligence committee investigation to provide Trump with a basis to shut down other investigations by the FBI and the person he fears most, Robert Mueller. In short, this could be part of Trumps sequel to a Saturday night massacre. The Democrats are rightfully determined to follow the facts where they lead as any patriotic America would rightfully expect. 562 SHARES Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Pinterest Reddit Print Mail Flipboard Rachel Maddow scoffed at the medias portrayal of the sanctions imposed on Russia by the Trump administration on Thursday, reminding them that this has been the only action taken against Russia by this president. The MSNBC host added that special counsel Robert Mueller also deserves credit for the new punishments on Russia given the fact that the administration essentially cut and pasted his recent indictments into the new sanctions. Video: Rachel Maddow Ridicules The Mainstream Media For Praising Trumps Russia Sanctions #Russia #Maddow pic.twitter.com/Nu67vdo4tU PoliticusUSA (@politicususa) March 16, 2018 Maddow laughed off the mainstream medias reporting: All those people charged by Mueller and his team last month are now the subject of new U.S. sanctions against Russia in response to the Russian attack on our election. Lots of news coverage today described these sanctions as the most significant action taken against Russia since President Trump took office. Let the record show this is actually the only action taken against Russia since President Trump took office. There were the indictments from Muellers office a month ago and now those indictments have become sanctions. Thats it. Thats all they have done. Muellers earlier indictment likely spurred the administration into action While its appropriate for the United States to slap Russia with sanctions (it has been for awhile), the Trump administration basically had no choice but to impose them. As Rachel Maddow pointed out on Thursday, the sanctions were essentially a cut and paste job of Robert Muellers recent indictments. In other words, even though Mueller isnt crafting U.S. foreign policy, the charges brought by his special counsel investigation seem to be serving as the only defense America has against Russian attacks. They likely spurred what has been the only action taken against Moscow during the Trump presidency. The sanctions are a step in the right direction, but its troubling that it took so long and that the president himself still doesnt seem to have any interest in staking out a tough position against Russia even after they waged an attack on our democracy, gassed a former Russian spy in the UK, and continue to violate international laws elsewhere. The administrations actions Thursday werent just too little and too late, but theyre not even close to the U.S. retaliation that Russia should be seeing. 431 SHARES Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Pinterest Reddit Print Mail Flipboard By Steve Holland and Doina Chiacu WASHINGTON (Reuters) The United States slapped sanctions on Russian individuals and entities for U.S. election meddling and cyber attacks but put off targeting oligarchs and government officials close to President Vladimir Putin, prompting lawmakers in both parties to say President Donald Trump needs to do much more. With the United States under pressure to act, the steps announced by the U.S. Treasury Department represented the most significant taken against Moscow since Trump assumed office in January 2017. Along with imposing sanctions on 19 individuals and five entities including Russian intelligence services, the Trump administration publicly blamed Moscow for the first time for a campaign of cyber attacks stretching back at least two years that targeted the U.S. power grid including nuclear facilities. The United States also joined Britain, Germany and France in demanding that Russia explain a military-grade nerve toxin attack in England on a former Russian double agent, with Trump saying: It certainly looks like the Russians were behind the incident. But congressional critics called the administrations action a woefully inadequate retaliation for Russia interference in the 2016 U.S. election and other actions. The sanctions today are a grievous disappointment and fall far short of what is needed to respond to that attack on our democracy let alone deter Russias escalating aggression, which now includes a chemical weapons attack on the soil of our closest ally, said Adam Schiff, top Democrat on the House of Representatives Intelligence Committee. Todays action, using authorities provided by Congress, is an important step by the administration. But more must be done, Republican House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Ed Royce added. He later urged Trump to sanction Russia for the poisoning in Britain. EXASPERATED Trump has faced fierce criticism in the United States for doing too little to punish Russia for the election meddling and other actions, and Special Counsel Robert Mueller is looking into whether Trumps campaign colluded with the Russians, an allegation the president denies. Sixteen of the Russian individuals and entities sanctioned were indicted on Feb. 16 as part of Muellers criminal investigation. They didnt hit Putins power structure and they didnt team up with Europe, Brian OToole, a senior fellow at the Atlantic Council think tank and a former senior adviser at the Treasury Departments Office of Foreign Assets Control, said of the administrations actions. A senior administration official told Reuters that Trump, who campaigned on warmer ties with Putin, had grown exasperated with Russian activity. A classic bully, the official said of Putin. White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders, asked if Russia was a friend or foe, told reporters: Russia is going to have to make that determination. Theyre going to have to decide whether they want to be a good actor or a bad actor. In Moscow, Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said Russia was preparing retaliatory measures, as U.S.-Russian relations plunged again. The Treasury Department said the sanctions were also meant to counter cyber attacks including the NotPetya attack that cost billions of dollars in damage across Europe, Asia and the United States. The United States and Britain last month blamed the Russian military for that attack. Trump has frequently questioned a January 2017 finding by U.S. intelligence agencies that Russia interfered in the 2016 campaign using hacking and propaganda in an effort eventually aimed at tilting the race in Trumps favor. Russia denies interfering in the election. But Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin was unequivocal in saying that Thursdays action by his department counters Russias continuing destabilizing activities, ranging from interference in the 2016 election to conducting destructive cyber-attacks. GET SMART Putin constantly attacks our friends. So, President Trump, are you going to get smart about the threat Russia poses to the United States and our allies? Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer asked. Mnuchin said there would be additional sanctions against Russian government officials and oligarchs for their destabilizing activities. Mnuchin did not give a time frame for those sanctions, which he said would sever the individuals access to the U.S. financial system. Democratic Senator Robert Menendez said he was glad to see the administration act but noted that Democratic former President Barack Obamas administration had already imposed sanctions on many of the people and entities targeted on Thursday. Russian government hackers since at least March 2016 have also targeted U.S. government entities and multiple U.S. critical infrastructure sectors, including the energy, nuclear, commercial facilities, water, aviation, and critical manufacturing sectors, a Treasury Department statement said. A senior administration told reporters on a conference call that Russian actors infiltrated parts of the U.S. energy sector. We were able to identify where they were located within those business systems and remove them from those business systems, the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity. Trump told reporters during a White House event with Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar that it certainly looks like the Russians were behind the use of a nerve agent to attack Sergei Skripal, a former Russian double agent in England. Trump called it something that should never, ever happen, and were taking it very seriously, as I think are many others. The new sanctions include Russian intelligence services, the Federal Security Service (FSB) and Main Intelligence Directorate (GRU), and six individuals working on behalf of the GRU. Thursdays action blocks all property of those targeted that is subject to U.S. jurisdiction and prohibits American citizens from engaging in transactions with them. Russian businessman Evgeny Prigozhin, one of those indicted by Mueller and hit with sanctions on Thursday, said in comments cited by RIA news agency that he already had been hit with U.S. sanctions maybe three or four times Im tired of counting. Im not worried by this, Prigozhin was quoted as saying. Except that now I will stop going to McDonalds. (Reporting by Steve Holland and Doina Chiacu; Additional reporting by Dustin Volz, Timothy Gardner, Lesley Wroughton, Warren Strobel and James Oliphant in Washington, Guy Faulconbridge and Estelle Shirbon in London and Polina Ivanova in Moscow; Editing by Mary Milliken, Will Dunham and Peter Cooney) By Robin Emmott and John Irish BRUSSELS/PARIS (Reuters) Britain, France and Germany have proposed fresh EU sanctions on Iran over its ballistic missiles and its role in Syrias war, according to a confidential document, in a bid to persuade Washington to preserve the 2015 nuclear deal with Tehran. The joint paper, seen by Reuters, was sent to European Union capitals on Friday, said two people familiar with the matter, to sound out support for such sanctions as they would need the support of all 28 EU member governments. The proposal is part of an EU strategy to save the accord signed by world powers that curbs Tehrans ability to develop nuclear weapons, namely by showing U.S. President Donald Trump that there are other ways to counter Iranian power abroad. Trump delivered an ultimatum to the European signatories on Jan. 12 that they must agree to fix the terrible flaws of the Iran nuclear deal which was sealed under his predecessor Barack Obama or he would refuse to extend U.S. sanctions relief on Iran. U.S. sanctions will resume unless Trump issues fresh waivers to suspend them on May 12. We will therefore be circulating in the coming days a list of persons and entities that we believe should be targeted in view of their publicly demonstrated roles, the document said, referring to Iranian ballistic missile tests and Tehrans role backing Syrias government in the seven-year-old civil war. Analysts say the nuclear agreement, touted at the time as a breakthrough reducing the risk of a devastating wider war in the Middle East, could collapse if Washington pulls out. The document said Britain, France and Germany were engaged in intensive talks with the Trump administration to achieve a clear and lasting reaffirmation of U.S. support for the (nuclear) agreement beyond May 12. The European powers and the United States held several rounds of talks this week on the issue, diplomats said. SENSITIVE The document referred to sanctions that would target militias and commanders. It proposes building on the EUs existing sanctions list related to Syria, which includes travel bans and asset freezes on individuals, and a ban on doing business or financing public and private companies. The issue is highly sensitive because the 2015 pact between Iran and six major powers Britain, China, France, Germany, Russia and the United States lifted international sanctions that crippled Irans oil-based economy. While the EU retains some sanctions on Iranians over human rights abuses, it rescinded its economic and financial restrictions on Iran in 2016 and does not want to be seen to be reneging on the agreement. While Iran signed up to limits on its uranium enrichment activity, which it has repeatedly said is for peaceful power generation, not atomic bombs, it has refused to discuss its missile program, which it says is purely defensive. The Islamic Republic has dismissed Western assertions that its activities in the Middle East are destabilizing, and also rejected Trumps demands to renegotiate the nuclear accord. In the joint document, Britain, France and Germany set out questions and answers that seek to show that legally, the European powers would not be breaking the terms of the nuclear deal. It said that they are entitled to adopt additional sanctions against Iran as long as they are not nuclear-related or were previously lifted under the nuclear agreement. The European powers said new sanctions are justified because Iran did not commit further to stop undertaking ballistic missile destabilizing activities under the nuclear agreement. The nuclear deals terms did not cover ballistic missile activity. Iran has said its effort to develop ballistic weaponry is solely for defensive purposes and has nothing to do with its nuclear energy ambitions. (Reporting by Robin Emmott and John Irish; Editing by Mark Heinrich) As she campaigned for president, former TV personality Ksenia Sobchak, who claims the label of opposition candidate, parted ways with Alexey Navalny, Russias best-known opposition figure, and urged Russians to vote in the presidential elections, not boycott them. Lets look at her portrayal of electoral democracy in Russia as dishonest, non-competitive, unfree elections, by starting with a historical analysis of politics under President Vladimir Putin. In 2011, the EU-Russia Center published a study noting that Russias political system, by Putins second term, had become highly centralized. The electoral system has been manipulated by Russias leaders to ensure maintenance of the status quo, the study conducted for the European Parliament concluded. During each election cycle, international monitors are part of the election-day landscape. The GOLOS Association is one such group -- a Russia-based election watchdog that monitored Russias presidential election in 2012, when Putin retook the presidency after handing it off to his once and future prime minister, Dmitry Medvedev. The 2012 election was marked by insufficient level of competition, government interference with the electoral process, and some degree of coercion to vote, GOLOS stated that year. These elections cannot be classified as free and fair under the definitions provided in the Russian constitution and international electoral standards, the report added. In a similar vein, Sobchak told a television interviewer in the U.S. last month: [I]n Russia, unfortunately we have a joke that you cannot choose your parents, you cannot choose your gender and you cannot choose your president. So, lets look at some of what we know about the 2018 election. At the end of last December, Russias Supreme Court upheld a ruling by the countrys Central Election Commission barring Navalny from running for president due to a criminal conviction. The anti-corruption activist and outspoken critic of Putin and his government claims the criminal case against him was fabricated. The EUs foreign service said the decision to bar Navalny from running casts a serious doubt on political pluralism in Russia and the prospect of democratic elections next year. Navalny says the election is not a real one and will feature candidates picked by Putin, and thus had called on Russians to boycott the vote. Critics say the Kremlin has denied genuine opposition leaders access to the electoral arena and the media, precluding their political visibility and effective participation in the campaign. Sobchak, herself, made similar arguments when she questioned Putin at his annual press conference in December. 2018 Expectations Putin is widely expected to win easily against seven other candidates, including Sobchak, Yabloko Party leader Grigory Yavlinsky, Communist Party nominee Pavel Grudinin, and Liberal Democratic Party of Russia leader Vladimir Zhirinovsky, among other, less profile figures. A poll conducted in December 2017 by the independent Levada Center put Putins approval rating at 80 percent. Some 66 percent of respondents said that they intended to vote for Putin, while only 2 percent said they backed Navalny, who is not on the ballot. This may explain why Putin did not show up at his nomination event or participate in the presidential debates, which some observers say were staged to make contest look more real and to encourage a higher voter turnout. Indeed, the Putin government has expressed concern that low turnout would undermine Putins legitimacy even though with a victory he would become the longest serving leader since Stalin. According to experts, Putin and his supporters are hoping to hit least 70% in both his share of the vote and voter turnout an outcome seen as providing the incumbent with sufficient legitimacy. Fact Checking an Opposition Leader Not every claim by opposition figures is correct. In a fact-check published on March 13, the online publication Medusa called a claim by Navalny wrong. Navalny had claimed his investigation showed the ballot system was redesigned to allow for massive repeat voting: that people could register at multiple polling places and vote 20 to 30 times. Medusa found a new automated registration system by election day analyzes all applicationsand green lights only the first one. And despite her criticism of President Putin and his government, Sobchak has come under criticism for allegedly working with the Kremlin to encourage a younger generation of voters to participate. Putin sees no glory in defeating the usual run of puppet buffoons, said Oleg Kashin, a writer who purportedly urged Sobchak to participate in Russias anti-government protests in 2011-2012. That's why the Kremlin seeks fresh faces each time. ... The fresh face this time will be Ms. Sobchak, Kashin added. As for the Navalny camp, Vladimir Milov, a co-author of Navalnys presidential program, said: We dont care about this spectacle in which we already know the ending. What we care about is that this country have real, competitive elections. Horrors most socially conscious auteur, George A. Romero, died last summer at age 77. Though legendary for his action-packed zombie trilogy, Night of the Living Dead (1968), Dawn of the Dead (1979), and Day of the Dead (1985), Romero claimed his personal favorite of his own films to be the lesser known, more expressive Martin, a modern-day vampire film shot in 1976 and released in 1978. Martin was a personal favorite for me too, and deeply personal for the films cult following. Too disturbing, bleak, and personal to have been a financial hit, even at midnight showings, according to Michael Weldons once-quintessential Psychotronic Encyclopedia of Film. On video in the 80s, however, we could invite the films title character directly into our personal spaces, into our homes, as lore demands one do with vampires: invite them in. Martin is horror yet it is not. To the initial disappointment of many gore-prone horror fans, its also kitchen sink realism and coming-of-age character study. Martin himself is a vampire yet he is not, updating and undermining vampire mythology. Viewers of the film must deliberate if dark-eyed, fresh-faced Martin is really an unworldly 84-year-old or just a disturbed 19-year-old, if his vampirism is supernatural or psychosexual and to what degrees, and if he merits compassion let alone devotion. The ambiguity is key. Confirmation that Martin is a real vampire would reduce him to a biological impulse and abstract him into myth, allowing viewers to forgive his crimes. Instead, Romero characterizes Martin as maybe just a mixed-up teen turned blood junkie, having absorbed vampire mythology through his old-world family (vampirism is believed to be a family curse) and old Hollywood movies. No distantly lit archetype, Martin is an individual outsider in close-up with whom viewers may identify, if not pardon. Martin is incapable of intimacy yet Martin is such an intimate experience. That sense of intimacy in Martin, and with Martin, is variously kindled. The production itself was intimate, with a small, family-vibe crew and cast of earnest friends working for the honor over the pay. Romero was newly in love with wife-to-be Christine Forrest when he wrote the script, tailoring for her the role of Martins cousin just as he wrote Martin and Martins uncle for admired local actors John Amplas and Lincoln Maazel. First-time director of photography Michael Gornick had the advantage of turf intimacy; as a native to the post-industrial Pittsburgh suburb of Braddock, his cinematic gaze borders on verite, tender and knowing. Lastly, the primary set, the house where Martin comes to live with his uncle and cousin, belonged to soundman Tony Bubas grandmother who, altogether unacquainted with acting, felt bad for Martin the whole time. This memory of the filming (from the Lions Gate DVD commentary) seems plausible because John Amplass portrayal is so naturalistic. Amplas has said in interviews how he related to Martins being different and isolated and having an obsession, an addiction that he himself did not fully understand. As shy, watchful Martin, Amplas communicates much with his eyes, often in close-up, which draws us in, aligning Martins gaze with ours and, perhaps, our marginalization with his. For those perennially returning to Martin, as I do when melancholy, the sense of intimacy one feels with Martin is heightened by the otherwise unjust fact that Amplas never became known for anything else. Therefore, Martin has seemed to me, and fans like me, to be mine alone. John Amplas is to Martin, one could argue, as Bud Cort is to Harold in Hal Ashbys Harold and Maude (1971). Over the years its become obligatory for fans and critics, and Romero himself in interviews, to swear that any other actor playing Martin is unimaginable. So there are various reasons why Romeros underground classic feels intimate and personal for many fans. Furthermore, viewers can deepen and illuminate their relationship to Martin, both onscreen and off, via the films novelization by Susanna Sparrow ( Martin, A Novel, Stein and Day, 1977), Donald Rubinsteins experimental jazz soundtrack, Martin (Level Green, 2000) Soft Cells ten-minute pop song inspired by the film (The Art of Falling Apart, spectrum, 2007), and Jez Winships recent book-length analysis, Martin (Midnight Movie Monographs, Electric Dreamhouse, 2016). The films plot sensitively twists on Martins doomed attempt to achieve intimacy, so no wonder we who struggle with intimacy for our own reasons lean toward him despite the reddest flags. Martin is attempting to achieve intimacy, yes, but with someone not, as per usual, unconscious and bleeding to death. Romero draws empathy for alienated Martin, victim of a toxic family, without letting us forget Martin is also a predator a freak rapist asshole, as a young woman calls him while fighting for her life. She is what viewers first see when the film begins, and we see her at the train station as Martin sees her, a predators target. Juxtaposition of Martin as outsider and victim versus Martin as intruder and predator generates the films dominant tension while resisting a simple cause-effect relationship. The train murder initiating the film gives way to Martins arrival the next morning in rusty Pennsylvania where he is met by Tata Cuda, a harsh patriarch from The Old Country. Tata Cuda believes Martin has inherited a bloodline curse of vampirism and, for sake of family name, must be strictly contained if not destroyed. Coming to Tata Cuda because his previous keeper, another family member, has died, Martin endures the gamut: braided garlic nailed to bedroom doors, his reflection tested in mirrors, crucifix-brandishing, an exorcism, and always the potential wooden stake. There is no real magic, Martin counters, dispelling vampire mythology almost pleadingly. He refers to his condition instead as a sickness but, still, Martin believes, indeed he tells his cousin Christina, that he is 84-years-old. A modern thinker, Christina wants him to see a psychiatrist. Similar yet quite distinct is the juxtaposition of Martin as romantic underdog and Martin as sex criminal. In the moment before breaking into the womans compartment on the train, despite holding in his mouth a readied hypodermic of sodium pentothal, Martin imagines that he will enter to find the woman with her arms outstretched for him, her nightgown white. Instead she is in the tiny bathroom a toilet flushes and she comes out wearing a green robe and face cream. Though a cold, methodical stalker, Martin is not unbothered by his victims distress once caught, begging her to be quiet, to just go to sleep, promising desperately that she will feel no pain, and then simulating a bloody form of intimacy with her un-embracing dead weight. When at last he begins to explore mutual intimacy with someone, a depressed housewife named Abby Santini to whom he delivers groceries for Tata Cudas store, Martin is himself fated to be a victim of circumstance. Even if interpersonally stunted Martin could better communicate with his new lover, he could never fully confide in her. This may be why he begins anonymously calling a late night radio talk show, a sort of confessional anticipating TV talk shows a decade later. Jez Winship calls this dynamic an illusion of intimacy. So far as the shows host is concerned, Martin is a ratings-boosting kook and given reign to talk vampirism, myth versus reality, and to confess his addiction cycle/kill history. As well he reveals just how naive he is about sex by referring to it as the sexy stuff he is too shy to do with someone awake. He longs to do it with somebody without the blood and then be together and talk all night. Romero replicates the sound delay that occurs when talking on the radio via phone and so Martins soft words are doubled, self-echoing but distorted and pausing for commercial breaks. Such access to Martins private thoughts, set in his bedroom, recurs in the last third of the film, upping the films intimacy level while also triggering concern that Martin should be exposed. Will his flashback-like nightmares of a torch-carrying mob come true? Romero in interviews referred to these black-and-white sequences alternately as flashbacks or fantasies; like the radio confessions, they also permit viewers access to what Martin is thinking and feeling. We come to believe, want to believe, that Martins character arcs toward mental and sexual health, however imperfectly; feasibly this is the lynchpin factor allowing for fan devotion that is not necessarily apologism. In the films penultimate scene, Martin follows the local schools marching band along with other parade watchers, cinematographer Michael Gornick following with a handheld camera. Jez Winship notes this is the first time in the dying town that we see any other youth. Martin walks hands-in-pockets among them, which is easy to read as integration into societyeven if his poignant meandering could never conform to a marching band. The novelizations of Romeros screenplays for Martin and Dawn of the Dead are credited to George A. Romero and Susanna Sparrow. The two could have written the novels together with equal input, Romero could have written them with Sparrows assistance or, as Jez Winship implies, Sparrow could have written them based on Romeros scripts. I dont know which, alas, because searches for Sparrow run dry; even the 2011 reissue of Dawn of the Dead (St. Martins Press) offers authors bio for Romero only. Also curious is the Martin novels 1977 copyright (published by Stein and Day Books) when the film was shot in 1976 and not released until 1978. Copies of the book currently tend to go for $50 up to over $200. My $25 used copy quickly fell apart but I cherish it. Unlike the Dawn of the Dead novel, Martin accomplishes more than play-by-play of action-driven apocalypse. Martin was already literary as an in-depth screenplay, showing a personal curiosity and astute psychological underpinnings, according to the scores composer Donald Rubinstein (in our February 2018 personal communiques). Romero preferred a lot to work with on the page, it seems, as in the editing room. The novel differs significantly, at any rate, to such a degree that it suggests a perspective on Martin other than Romeros own. The film opens at a train station, as described above, with a shot of Martins intended victim, postponing for only a moment our first good look at Martin himself. The novel protracts and fragments our introduction to Martin, creating a mysterious haze through which we see him. Right off he is merely an inert form in a narrow bed, a slight body and childlike voice. His gender is not established until four paragraphs in, as he recounts the train-compartment murder to what we dont find out until later is a call-in to a radio talk show. Then we are on that train, with a slip back in time and a shift in point of view, spending over five pages assessing Martin through the eyes of a character sharing Martins compartment, a character not in the movie at all. Joe feels both fatherly to and wary of this kid who eats a candy bar yet looks like a cobra about to strike, who might be either mentally handicapped or addicted to drugs, at times ferocious and belligerent in his glaring. Martins name is finally confirmed on page six, when Joe sees it handwritten on the cover of his book of crosswords. Point-of-view shifting occurs again later on, by the way, briefly shifting to Martins lover Abby Santini, whose boozy despair he cannot understand, to the radio talk show host whod assumed Martin not for real but then wonders otherwise, and to a homeless man who is attacked by withdrawal-panicked Martin. Viewer-identification with Martin is never disrupted like this when watching the film. After Joe, the opening chapter returns us to Martins radio confessional of the train murder and the narration graduates from hearing him speak his thoughts to accessing his unspoken thoughts. These variations on the films point of view and structure are rather brilliant, really, creating an initial distance from Martin, a third-party view of him as mysterious, as contradictory, and raising questions that when answered will allow readers to feel possibly closer to Martin than in the film. True but troubling the closeness, irredeemably, is the novels portrayal of Martins sexuality and his sex crimes. The novelization makes obvious how Martin, though naively, gauges the sexiness of his female victims, something we mostly assume in the film; it also characterizes Martin as a psychotic young man, angry at his female victims. The train victim upon first sight is described in a way the film does not convey, with honey-gold hair, wearing a man-tailored suit as in the film yet her gentle curves made it seem to Martin like a prom dress. Entering her compartment that night, seeing her face slathered with cream, Martins disappointment turns to resentment and rage. After drugging her, he wipes off her face cream, spots a makeup bag and feebly paints her face, making her look not pretty as intended but grotesque like a drunken hooker. His rape and murder of her is far more brutal than the films delusional pathos, leading not to his making her death seem a suicide but shoving her body out the compartment window as the train crosses a trellis. Comparably magnified is the violence Martin inflicts on his next victim, a Pittsburgh housewife whose husband is often away on business. The novel again emphasizes how Martin sees his prey as a fairytale cliche of femininity only to have his fantasy punctured (using Winships word). The scenario is far more lurid than in the film, stripped down to crude compulsivity. Martin is stripped himself, naked when he bursts in on the woman, hypodermic ready. Finding her with a lover, not just talking together on the bed but mid-coitus, Martins own naked body is described as shaking with anger. He manages to inject the man, in keeping with the film, but then wails on him with punches unformed yet effective in their frenzy. Martin is characterized as a mad dog lunatic rather than the deft, fast-thinking cat playing cat-and-mouse around the house in the film. Onscreen he pleads with the woman, frustrated not with her but with the man who shouldnt have been there. On the page he loses all control, beating her until her face is a mangled mess and then beating her some more. Blended into this vile dramatization is Martin thinking to himself or mumbling aloud certain lines that in the film achieve greater empathy by being confessed over his bedroom phone to the radio talk show. The train scene with Joe may well have been included in the original, overlong script, or in the legendarily lost full-length cut of Martin, and not invented for the novel. Other changes, however, counter directorial choices that are evident in the released cut, suggesting a parallel notion of Martin that may be Sparrows own, that may be darker and more willing to make readers uncomfortable with his crimes against women because she herself is a woman. Putting aside such speculation, it may be true enough anyway that the very length of a novel risks bringing us too close to a character like Martin, inevitably skewing his onscreen ambiguity if not one way then another. A key influence on a film viewers impression of story and character, which the novel cannot help but lack is, of course, the soundtrack. Donald Rubinsteins experimental soundtrack for Martin a baroque fusion of jazz, string quartet, and electronic piano was named one of the Top 100 Coolest Soundtracks of All Time by Mojo music magazine. Copyrighted in 1977, its been released on vinyl in 1979 by Varese Sarabande Records, on CD in 1999 by Level Green, on limited blood-red vinyl in 2015 by Ship to Shore PhonoCo., and its currently streaming on Amazon Prime. I vividly remember finding a used copy of it at my college town record store, gasping comically only to be mesmerized by Martins dark and staring eyes on the cover, his mouth smeared with blood. Rubinstein wrote poetry at a young age and his turn to music studies was intensely personal, enough for him to say it was a calling of the highest order. Is it coincidence that Martins main title, the first track on his first-ever soundtrack, is called The Calling? Martins calling seems ambiguous, however, requiem-like with wordlessly beckoning vocals by soprano Betty Silberman. In later tracks, scoring the flashbacks, a female voice calls Martins name repeatedly. Is his calling a call back to vampirism or away from it, toward a healthy, mutual intimacy, if also a tragic fate? I was able to ask Donald Rubinstein about this and he answered that The Calling refers to an almost iconic part of any seekers journey. One is called, from both without and within. Here, he said, meaning as the main title plays, it comes from the trains late night howl. The title Martin is superimposed over the headlight of the train Martin rides to his new life in Braddock. Though Rubinstein does not claim to relate to Martin as a character, he told me he did relate to the sadness surrounding him, and the confused sense of injustice which blanketed the film. Rubinstein stresses how much his output is owed to the nuanced script and to an in-sync dynamic between composer and director, an immediate, deeply felt creative connection that Rubinstein also calls creative camaraderie. Rubinstein took full advantage of the freedom Romero allowed him, creating a psychological soundscape in turn wistful-gloomy and anxiously discordant. He told the horror movie website BloodyDisgusting, I adapted my own personal hybrid of jazz, contemporary classical (including synths), and folk music because it was my language. It was how I spoke. To convey Rubinsteins style, Jez Winship throughout his analysis of the film relies on comparisons to: Hitchcock composer Bernard Herman, Krzysztof Komedas score for Polanskis Dance of the Vampires, impressionistic pianist Bill Evans, free jazz saxophonist Ornette Colman, jazz violinist Jean-Luc Ponty, and other 70s-era jazz fusioneers. This is in addition to mentions of scurrying piano motifs, minimalist phrases, glassy chordal structures, pastoral flute, old country violin, friction drums, cymbal sounds, church bells, and nocturnal stridulation. Rubinstein also credits ARP strings and the phase shifter attached to his electric piano. At a less-is-more 36 minutes, Rubinsteins soundtrack for Martin is packed with innovation and psychological ticks. Dealt like a Rorschach test for the ear, the 22 tracks often feel like sound poems to me, as experienced apart from the movie, at any rate, when the scenes they correspond to fade into a mental backdrop. The music creeps or frets about ones personal space, neurotically scoring ones life, a mood-piece as introspective as it is prismatic. I asked Rubinstein if, when meeting fans like myself, do they tend to speak of the soundtrack in personal terms? Yes, they have done so, he said, expressing gratitude and speaking of it as a creative and emotional bond. A bond on par with fan response to the film itself, evidence of just how deeply idiosyncratic, how rightly fused, are Romeros film and Rubinsteins music. Martin in Romeros film is heterosexually focused yet he can come across as sexually ambiguous, partly due to shyness and naivete, partly due to his sotto voce and feline embodiment. The novelization refers to his punches as like a weak womans (thankfully not, mind you, weak like a womans) while otherwise amplifying Martins heterosexual frustration. It is Martins queerness, however, that is amplified by Soft Cells ten-minute homage Martin from 1983. Directly inspired by Romeros film, the song is postpunk synthpop with an agitated beat, goth-dark and gritty. Though producer Mike Thorne deemed it a monstrously over-the-top extravaganza, its a product of personal obsession for Soft Cell vocalist and lyricist Marc Almond. Simon Reynolds, in his book Rip It Up and Start Again: Postpunk 1978-1984, says the 1983 album The Art of Falling Apart, which originally included Martin on an accompanying bonus EP, deepened Almonds obsession with beautiful losers into a harrowed empathy for the broken and discarded of this world. Among the company Martin keeps on The Art of Falling Apart are a similarly alienated teen whose father watches him like a snake, a fantasy-prone housewife addicted to pills, a sexual glutton taking a bite of a night gone wrong, and a stripper faking sexual response. Polari magazine featured the single Numbers as an LGBT Song of the Day in 2012, considering it easily the sleaziest of Soft Cells hits. It is based on a darkly sexual book of the same title by queer Mexican-American novelist John Rechy, a title indicating serial cruising. Almond, who was partying hard at the time, and coping with drug addiction, depicts being an addict and a fantasist while sticking to a kitchen-sink level of realism indeed, the addicted housewife song is titled Kitchen Sink Drama. So no wonder Martin fits so organically into this mix. The stage had already been set for Martin with Soft Cells massive debut hit. Marc Almond and electronic musician David Ball formed Soft Cell in the late 70s, channeling David Bowie, T-Rex, Throbbing Gristle, and Siouxsie and the Banshees into underground techno. Almost incidentally they recorded a cover of an old soul song, Tainted Love, which took the zeitgeist by its throat, becoming the best-selling single of 1981 in the UK and, in the US, spending a Guinness World Record-breaking 43 weeks on the Billboard Hot 100. Tainted love is a play on tainted blood, of course, and it isnt flippant to relate Tainted Love, which was not only a mainstream hit but also a gay club anthem, and the HIV/AIDS epidemic then in its earliest years. In 1985, the industrial-electronic group Coil founded by Psychic TV members, also life partners, John Balance and Peter Christopherson released a dirge-like, klaxon-buzzing arrangement of Tainted Love. The cryptic music video dramatizes a young mans hospitalization and features a Marc Almond cameo, at the end announcing that profits from record sales go to an AIDS awareness program then a groundbreaking gesture. Tainted Love, in all its intended and unintended significance, thematically anticipates Martin about a love-seeking young man whos been told his whole life that his own blood is tainted his bloodline is cursed, as Tata Cuda would say. In the film Cuda even discourages Christina from having children lest one be born a nosferatu like Martin, the family shame. Linkages between vampire and queer have been made before, by legendary critic Robin Wood, for one, who asserts that openly homosexual director F.W. Murnau implicitly identifies the vampire with repressed homosexuality in his 1927 classic Nosferatu. Jack Halberstam, in the horror theory tome Skin Shows (Duke University Press, 1995), writes: Vampiric sexuality blends power and femininity within the same body and then marks that body as distinctly alien. On a broader note, Harry M. Benshoff in Monsters in the Closet (Oxford University Press, 1997) claims the sad young slightly effeminate man is a staple of horror films and in the 70s-80s he commonly figures as an alienated teen loner. Martin is a boy with problems, Soft Cells song begins: far too pale and far too frail to be a normal boy. Monster and queer defy category but tend to be analogous over synonymous. Being seen as monster by family, community, society can prompt self-comparison to and empathy for monsters. Susan Strykers 1994 essay, My Words to Victor Frankenstein Above the Village of Chamounix: Performing Transgender Rage unpacks, and radically owns, a transsexual-monster analogy. So there are reasons why fans in general take Martin personally, but also there are reasons why LGBTQ fans might identify with its title character. At 18 I wrote a homoerotic love poem for Martin squinting at the sun, wearing his plastic fangs ironically, fingering a rosary of garlic cloves, alienated like I was then ashamed. Queer viewer-identification, unforeseen by Romero, is nonetheless reinforced by a pattern of unsettled gender norms and troubled heterosexuality. The train victim when spotted at the station, establishing Martins attraction to women, bends gender in her skirt-suit with waistcoat and wide tie. Independent-minded Christina knows her relationship with her boyfriend is doomed, and not because Tata Cuda warns him against children with her. Abby Santinis marriage is a facade, and not because she is unable to bear children; she knows her husband cheats and, lonely, she does too. The cheating housewife whose home Martin invades offers a parallel glimpse at marital dissatisfaction. If Romeros film undercuts the heteronormative it is due largely to being so hetero-pessimistic. Soft Cells Martin leaves the sex of his victims unspecified, honoring Martin as an antihero who tries hard to resist his bloodlust and deep inside is good. The song reaches a fevered overdub and, for the last four of its ten minutes, a tense pounding synth backs Martins repeated name: called beckoningly as on the soundtrack, sung low and plaintive, screeched into falsetto, and increasingly mixed with the command Kill-kill-kill! Marc Almond reflected on the early 80s to The Independent in 2002, saying that because Soft Cell explored underworlds and taboo themes of sexual perversion, addiction, and violence, [E]very weird and fantastic freak gathered towards us we drew everybody in. So through Soft Cell, it is fair to say, some of the eras fantastic freaks came to know Martin. Over the years, Romeros Martin has been admired more than analyzed. An image of a feeding Martin graces the cover of the 1979 anthology The American Nightmare, but Donald Lippes essay The Horror of Martin is only three pages (pp 87-90). The introduction to American Horrors: Essays on the Modern American Horror Film (University of Illinois Press, 1987) a mid-80s classic on the horror genre, cites Martin and Dawn of the Dead among the most noteworthy recent examinations of the role and representation of violence in American culture but that is the anthologys only mention of Martin. Paul R. Gagnes Martin chapter in the Romero overview The Zombies That Ate Pittsburgh ( Dodd, Mead & Company, 1987) is thoroughgoing about production yet not analytical. At last Jez Winship, an English writer and librarian, dives deep into Martin with his 110-page book of the same title, the second in PS Publishings enticing series of Midnight Movie Monographs. Like myself and so many longtime Martin fans, Jez Winship takes Martin personally. Upfront he claims it to be an oft-revisited film that defined his adolescence and young adulthood. He examines the film academically yet his precision can be poetic too, an intimate attention to detail thats surely a consequence of obsession. Winship braves a complex reading of the film, most productively taking on: the significance of the books Martin is reading, e.g. B.F. Skinner; the films demythologization of vampirism; the films deromanticization of modernity, as evidenced by the scrapyard-like town, a pattern of unstable relationships, etc.; and the films critique of family fundamentalism. Winship sums up Martin by echoing Robin Woods theory of the repressed in horror. Martins ordinary sexual desires have been not only repressed, as happens, but also warped by his familys extreme beliefs amalgamated with vampiric desire and redirected down pathological avenues. Ive considered onscreen Martin in terms of his most obvious duality: he is outsider, victim, romantic underdog, and he is also intruder, predator, sex criminal. Getting to the heart of Martin, Winship formulates this duality another way: Martin is a potential danger to women yet women are his potential allies. The danger is obvious but how is alliance possible? Most basically, Martin prefers female company because it is not male. Winship comments how it is family males who have governed Martin since his mothers suicide, corrupting his identity and self-esteem; its understandable hed feel less apprehensive in female company. Also most basically, women are drawn to Martin because he is male but docile (simple-minded? childlike?) and merits (if not begs) petting. He reminds Abby of a cat she once had. What clarifies alliance from shared company is sharing an oppressor too, as Martin and Christina do under Tata Cudas rule, or as Martin and Abby do in orthodox Braddock. Winship reliably notices setting in Martin and its influence on theme, especially true when it comes to gendered spaces. He draws attention to a kitchen scene with Christina, early on, in which Martin insists on doing the dishes, designating it his chore. This is more than Martin settling in, or appeasing taskmaster Tata Cuda. The kitchen becomes the room in the house where Martin feels most comfortable, a female zone partly sheltered from Tata Cudas patriarchal control, writes Winship. Abby Santinis home, in the frequent absence of her husband, feels like a female zone too, as is her car, with tampons in the glovebox, as Winship smartly observes. The domestic scenes with valiant Christina (so unaffectedly played by Christine Forrest) and yearning but cynical Abby Santini (Elyane Nadeau brings a muted intelligence to Abbys sadness) are so authentic, constituting yet another way Martin feels intimate and personal. Feminist scholars from Virginia Woolf to Simone de Beauvoir and beyond have studied the female zone, also called the womens sphere, in a society built on separate social spheres for men and women still true today in many ways. The womens sphere is subjugated to the mens but also, in a limited capacity, independent from it, as Winship says of the kitchen in Tata Cudas house. Gynocentrists glorify the womens sphere, with Helene Cixous calling it the realm of the gift, otherwise described as flowing with milk, honey, menstrual blood. Cultural critic bell hooks puts it more simply in her essay Straightening Our Hair, honoring a deeper intimacy in the kitchen without men. Winship even points to Rubinsteins score and how the fact that Martins musical leitmotifs are feminine suggests that he is more comfortable in the female world. He has no place in the male hierarchies. Feminism undoubtedly influenced Romero. Much is owed, in my opinion, to Martins predecessor Jacks Wife aka, Season of the Witch from 1972. A similar horror-drama hybrid, character-driven and gratifyingly talky, it follows an unhappy suburban housewife experimenting with ritual witchcraft. Barry Keith Grant writes of the film in his article on Romero and feminism Taking Back the Night of the Living Dead (The Dread of Difference: Gender and the Horror Film, University of Texas Press, 1996). Wannabe witch Joan (Jan White in her only significant role) is not the agent of horror, Grant insists; the film instead codes her domineering husband as monster. The film thus demythifies witchcraft as supernatural, its ideological project perfectly summed up by the image of Joan buying her witchcraft paraphernalia in a trendy shop and paying for it with a credit card. Witchcraft, therefore, is just another oppressive ideology (superstition) that prevents this woman from being herself. I am compelled to pronounce that Jacks Wife, narratively and thematically, could be Martins mother. Martin the film, unlike the novel, seems never to prompt our worry for Christina and Abby as potential victims, though violent compulsions and paranoia are always brewing within Martin. He finds allies in Christina, who defends him to Tata Cuda, an important step toward her own freedom, and in Abby who takes him in like a stray, introducing him to sexual intimacy. Winship contends that even Martins sickness can be seen as a warped way of finding the close loving embrace that was denied him as a child after his mother died. Viewers may have faith in his alliances but are not allowed to forget that Martin is never simply an accepted male interloper in a traditionally female space; he is always otherwise an invader of female privacy, a deadly foe with his needle and razorblade. Jez Winships Martin monograph, a handsome volume featuring illustrative film stills, is an impressive example of fan devotion and scholarship compelling each other. The only fault may be the restrictive commitment to scene-by-scene linearity, reading at times like a novelization but with production notes, interpretive analysis, and sociohistorical info incorporated along the way. Redundancy for plot-familiar fans is balanced by Winships intimate engagement with the details, which fans will appreciate, and his supple interpretive reach. A tragic embodiment of sexual outsider, sexual predator, and sexual novice, Martin drugged then dragged vampirism into the postindustrial 70s. Romeros personal favorite film of his own films, personal to so many fans, psychologically re-vamped the vampire archetype with kitchen-sink realism and second wave feminism. Martins onscreen vampire counterparts in the 70s and early 80s ranged from classic (House of Dark Shadows, Count Yorga) to comic (Love at First Bite) to trashy (Andy Warhols Dracula) to stylish (Daughters of Darkness, Thirst) to psychological (Lets Scare Jessica to Death, The Hunger) to racialized (Blacula, Ganja and Hess) and to made-for-TV (Salems Lot). Martin stands off to himself, however, as a cult cinema vampire. Romeros indie opus anticipated if not inspired more recent fare like The Addiction and The Habit (1995), Let the Right One In (2008) and Let Me In (2010), A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night (2014), and above all The Transfiguration (2016). Of the latter, which premiered at Cannes, Kim Newman writes in his Empire review: Martin is an inescapable reference. The Transfiguration resurrects many plot elements and stylistic touches from Romeros film, while focusing not on an alienated white youth in Pittsburgh but a black mid-teen from housing projects on the fringes of New York. Michael OSheas film by the end becomes a morality play in a way that Romeros does not, but both work dramatically with and through realism. According to IndieWire, OShea is drawn to the new neo-realist movement in indie film, e.g. Kelly Reichardt and the Safdie Brothers. I hope Martin continues to inspire parallels and homages, or any thoughtful contributions to the vampire subgenre. Just as much I hope there will be no outright remake, as rumored. Chances are it will be resented by fans. Let our cult cinema vampire remain so profoundly singular. Charleston, SC (29403) Today Scattered thunderstorms in the morning, then mainly cloudy during the afternoon with thunderstorms likely. High 83F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 70%.. Tonight Thunderstorms during the evening, then skies turning partly cloudy overnight. Low 64F. Winds W at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 70%. Amnesty International on Friday accused international oil major groups Shell and Eni of negligence and irresponsible approach to oil spills in Nigerias oil-producing delta region. According to the right group, the two oil multinationals were publishing misleading information contested by communities in the Niger Delta, who stand to lose compensation if the companies attribute spills to third party activity. Amnesty, thus, asked the federal government of Africas most populous nation to re-open investigations into 89 oil spills, noting that Shell has reported 1,010 spills, with 110,535 barrels (or 17.5 million litres) lost along the network of pipelines and wells that it operates since 2011. Shell and Eni have for decades been two of the most active oil multinationals operating in the Niger Delta region. Nigerias crude-producing heartland is an ecological disaster zone, scarred by decades of spills that have killed trees and other plants. In 2015, the Bodo community in the oil-rich region and a British law firm negotiated a 55 million pollution settlement with Shell. About 2,100 was transferred into each of the local peoples accounts and the rest went to the community to build health clinics and refurbish schools. The settlement, 35m for individuals and 20m for the Bodo community, avoided Shell having to defend a potentially embarrassing London high court case, which was imminent. Cameroons President Paul Biya in a rare cabinet meeting on Thursday vowed to continue military crackdown on English-speaking separatists in the central African nation. This high-level meeting the first cabinet meeting held since 2015 follows a partial cabinet shakeup two weeks ago. According to the 85-year old leader, the efforts of the security forces must be continued, especially to ensure a return of normal economic and social activity. President Biya in October dispatched troops, combat helicopters and armored vehicles to root out dissidents and separatists in the countrys Northern-west and southern West regions. Cameroon, which is mostly French-speaking, faces a violent separatist movement in its western Anglophone regions. The Anglophone minority has been protesting against perceived discrimination especially in education and the judicial system, where they say the French language and traditions are being imposed on them, even though English is one of the countrys two official languages. The long-lingering crisis took a turn for the worst in recent months when agitators operating under the aegis of the Southern Cameroons Ambazonia Governing Council killed several security forces deployed in the region. A former chairman of the Democratic Party on Guam and a retired AFLAC insurance regional sales representative was found murdered in the Philippines, a regional police office has confirmed. The body of Frank Cruz was found on March 14, buried inside an abandoned residential compound in General Santos City, Mindanao, about 1,000 miles from Manila. Cruz was the victim of a robbery, according to Philippine police. He was reported missing on Feb. 28. The 73-year-old had been temporarily living in a boarding house in General Santos City, where Cruz had planned to invest in a commercial building development. Cruzs feet were tied and his head wrapped with packing tape before he was buried in a compound where the main suspect lived, stated the Philippine polices regional office. The main suspect, identified as Lito Arela Simudong, 45, was in police custody for an illegal drugs and firearms investigation when he allegedly mentioned the killing of Cruz, the General Santos City police stated. The suspect and two accomplices, according to police, took all personal properties as well as significant valuables of the victim for their personal gain. On a Facebook post, Cruz stated late last year, "I spend most of my time traveling (throughout) the Philippines, and luckily I return for a few weeks every other month," to Guam. He lived in Piti and had been in the insurance industry for decades. PR-Inside.com: 2018-03-16 12:02:09 FSCwire / Press ReleaseThe following press release was disseminated by FSCwire for American Manganese Inc.--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---Vancouver, British Columbia (FSCWire) - American Manganese Inc. (TSX Venture:AMY). has issued a press release with the following headline:American Manganese Inc. Discusses Artillery Peak Manganese OpportunitiesTo view this press release on the FSCwire website, please either click on the link below, or copy and paste the link into your browser:If you would prefer, you can also view this press release as a PDF file, please either click on the link below, or copy and paste the link into your browser:For more information on American Manganese Inc., or to see additional press releases issued by this company, please either click on the link below, or copy and paste the link into your browser: http://www.fscwire.com/public-company/American Manganese Inc.Source: American Manganese Inc. (TSX Venture: AMY, OTC Pink: AMYZF, FWB: 2AM, WKN: A0YJSR, ISIN: CA02735A1057)Date: March 16, 2018Time: 7:00 AM EDT--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---The story mentioned above was issued on behalf of American Manganese Inc. and disseminated through FSCwire.About FSCwireFSCwire (a division of Filing Services Canada Inc.), is a global newswire dissemination, SEDAR, SEDI, and EDGAR / XBRL service provider.FSCwire is a full service global newswire dissemination company and is fully approved by all exchanges in Canada and the U.S. Press releases can be distributed for all sizes of public, private or not for profit companies and any other organization requiring news distribution. In addition to individual companies; public relations, communications and investor relations firms trust FSCwire to distribute press releases for their respective clients.In addition to newswire dissemination FSCwire also offers EDGAR, XBRL, SEDAR, SEDI, and additional services for publicly traded companies. For more information, please go to our website: http://www.fscwire.com Maximum News Dissemination by FSCwire. http://www.fscwire.com Copyright 2018 - FSCwire (a division of Filing Services Canada Inc.) PR-Inside.com: 2018-03-16 12:04:04 FSCwire / Press ReleaseThe following press release was disseminated by FSCwire for GGX Gold Corp.--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---Vancouver, British Columbia (FSCWire) - GGX Gold Corp. (TSX Venture:GGX). has issued a press release with the following headline:GGX Gold Completes Holes 4, 5, 6, 17.91 Meter Shear Zone, Intersected Below Vein in Hole 6, Greenwood BCTo view this press release on the FSCwire website, please either click on the link below, or copy and paste the link into your browser:If you would prefer, you can also view this press release as a PDF file, please either click on the link below, or copy and paste the link into your browser:For more information on GGX Gold Corp., or to see additional press releases issued by this company, please either click on the link below, or copy and paste the link into your browser: http://www.fscwire.com/public-company/GGX Gold Corp.Source: GGX Gold Corp. (TSX Venture: GGX, WKN: A1JFMB , ISIN: CA76155T1093, OTC Pink: GGXXF)Date: March 16, 2018Time: 7:00 AM EDT--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---The story mentioned above was issued on behalf of GGX Gold Corp. and disseminated through FSCwire.About FSCwireFSCwire (a division of Filing Services Canada Inc.), is a global newswire dissemination, SEDAR, SEDI, and EDGAR / XBRL service provider.FSCwire is a full service global newswire dissemination company and is fully approved by all exchanges in Canada and the U.S. Press releases can be distributed for all sizes of public, private or not for profit companies and any other organization requiring news distribution. In addition to individual companies; public relations, communications and investor relations firms trust FSCwire to distribute press releases for their respective clients.In addition to newswire dissemination FSCwire also offers EDGAR, XBRL, SEDAR, SEDI, and additional services for publicly traded companies. For more information, please go to our website: http://www.fscwire.com Maximum News Dissemination by FSCwire. http://www.fscwire.com Copyright 2018 - FSCwire (a division of Filing Services Canada Inc.) Fungicides Market: Market Intelligence, Product Matrix, Industry Insights, and Forecast 2017-2023 Fungicides Market PR-Inside.com: 2018-03-16 11:58:14 Press Information Precision Business Insights Kemp House, 152 160 City Road, London EC1V 2NX Satya Lead Marketing +1-866-598-1553 email https://www.precisionbusinessinsights.com # 924 Words Kemp House,152 160 City Road,London EC1V 2NXLead Marketing+1-866-598-1553 Market Outline: Fungicides MarketFungicides are the chemical compounds, which are used to kill the fungi or fungi spores in crops. Fungal infections are a major cause of crop loss and it is a massive threat for cultivation wheat, maize, rice, soybean, fruits & vegetables, and sugarcane among others. Fungicides help in the crop protection and gives the better quality products with higher yield. Fungicides are classified into either selective to cure specific fungicides or non-selective with the broad spectrum activity and show activity against multiple fungal diseases. Sulfur is the common active ingredient used in the fungicides and the most commonly used fungicides include mancozeb, prochloraz, propiconazole, and chlorothalonil among others.Market Dynamics: Fungicides MarketFactors anticipated to drive the fungicides market are increase in the demand for crop protection for better yields, increase in global population coupled with increase in the demand for food, and growing use of fungicides due to rise in incidence of fungal infections. Moreover, development in novel farming practices, shrinkage in arable land, and innovation and launching of newer products into market are expected to propel the fungicides market revenue over the forecast period. However, technological advancements in the seeds, use of genetically modified crops, adverse effects associated with the fungicides, and lack of awareness about the fungal infections in farmers might hamper the growth of the fungicides market over the forecast period.A sample of this report is available upon request @Market Scope: Fungicides MarketFungicides market is segmented on the basis of product type, crop type, formulation type, and mode of applicationBased on the product type, fungicides market is segmented into the following: Dithiocarbamates Chloronitriles Triazoles Benzimidazoles Phenylamides StrobilurinsBased on the crop type, fungicides market is segmented into the following: Oilseeds and pulses Cereals and grains Forage crops and pastures OthersMarket Summary: Fungicides MarketFungicides market is growing moderate rate over the forecast period due to advancements in the seed technology, which might lag the revenue growth of fungicides market. Farmers are majorly focusing to improve the crop yield due to rise in global population coupled with decrease in arable land. Various agriculture institutes and governments around the globe are taking initiation to create awareness about fungicides usage for crop protection. Moreover, increase in the sale of ornamental plants for outdoor and indoor applications due to increase in the urbanization also expected to fuel the fungicides market. In addition, acquisitions and mergers, collaborations, product approvals, and product launchings are the strategies followed by the companies for increasing their revenue share in fungicides market. For instance, in April 2014, Sumitomo Corporation acquired crop protection fungicide Metominostorbin, a broad-spectrum systemic fungicide from Bayer Crop Science Japan. Furthermore, in September 2015, Dupont received EPA approval for the oxathiapiproline, a fungicide used in fruits and vegetable crops marketed under the trade name of Zorvec.To view TOC of this report is available upon request @Regional Analysis: Fungicides MarketGeographically, fungicides market is segmented into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and Middle East and Africa. North America fungicides market expected to grow moderately over the forecast period, which is attributed to ban of fungicides by FDA (FDA banned carbendazim due to severe adverse effects such as sterility and cancer in human beings). Rise in R&D for innovation of newer fungicides, frequent product approvals from U.S EPA, and rise in demand for quality food products are anticipated to fuel the fungicides market in North America region. Europe fungicides market occupied significant share in global market due to development in the farming techniques, increase in the focus on quality products with better yield, and high adoption of newer products in the region. Asia Pacific fungicides market exhibiting significant growth due to increase in production and supplying of fungicides from Asia Pacific region majorly from China, increase in demand for food products and decrease in arable land due to increased population, and high dependence on agriculture farming.Market Participants: Fungicides MarketSome of the players in fungicides market are BASF SE (Germany), Monsanto Company (U.S.), Bayer CropScience AG (Germany), Nufarm Ltd. (Australia), Syngenta AG (Switzerland), E.I. DuPont De Nemours & Company (U.S.), Sumitomo Corporation (Japan), FMC Corporation (U.S.), Mitsui & Co., Ltd. (Japan), Nippon Soda Co. Ltd. (Japan), and ADAMA agricultural solution ltd. (Israel) to name a few.Notable Market Developments: Fungicides Market In April 2017, Syngenta launched Aprovia, a fungicide used for controlling the foliar disease in potatoes In January 2017, Mitsui & Co. Ltd. inked an agreement with Monsanto Company to acquire global business of Monsantos latitude, a wheat seed treatment fungicideNeed more information about this report @Key Features of the Report: The report provides granular level information about the market size, regional market share, historic market (2012-2016) and forecast (2017-2023) The report covers in-detail insights about the competitors overview, company share analysis, key market developments, and their key strategies The report outlines drivers, restraints, unmet needs, and trends that are currently affecting the market The report tracks recent innovations, key developments and startups details that are actively working in the market The report provides plethora of information about market entry strategies, regulatory framework and reimbursement scenario The report analyses the impact of socio-political environment through PESTLE Analysis and competition through Porters Five Force Analysis in addition to recent technology advancements and innovations in the marketGet access to full summary @ The global immuno-oncology drugs market was valued at US$ 43,084.5 million in 2016 and is expected to witness a robust CAGR of 14.9% over the forecast period (2017 2025). Immuno-Oncology Drugs Market PR-Inside.com: 2018-03-16 08:52:44 Press Information Coherent Market Insights 1001 4th Ave, #3200 Seattle, WA 98154 Mr.Shah CEO 2067016702 email https://www.coherentmarketinsights.com # 879 Words 1001 4th Ave,#3200Seattle, WA 98154CEO2067016702 The Global Immuno-oncology Drugs Market by Drug Type (Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors, Monoclonal Antibodies, Cytokine-Based Immunotherapy, Cancer Vaccines, and CAR-T Cell Therapy), by Cancer Type (Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer, Acute Myeloid Leukemia, Lymphoma, Multiple Myeloma, Breast Cancer, Ovarian Cancer, Prostate Cancer, Colorectal Cancer, Gastric Cancers, Glioblastoma, and Head & Neck Cancers), and by Region was valued at US$ 43,084.5 million in 2016 and is projected to exhibit a CAGR of 14.9% over the forecast period (2017 2025), as highlighted in a new report published by Coherent Market Insights. Increasing prevalence of cancer is expected to boost the demand for immune-oncology drugs. Also, innovative product launches along with robust pipeline is expected to boost the growth of immune-oncology drugs market growth over the forecast period. Major manufacturers are investing into R&D to develop immune-oncology therapies by understanding tumor functions and ways to counter them.To know the latest trends and insights prevalent in the global immuno-oncology drugs market, click the link below: https://www.coherentmarketinsights.com/market-insight/immuno-oncology-drugs-market-1271 Manufacturers are focusing on upgrading the available immune-oncology drugs as well as developing new immune-oncology drugs for cancer treatment. For instance, AstraZenecas Durvalumab (Imfinzi) was approved in 2017, as immune checkpoint inhibitor, which blocks interaction of PD-L1 with PD-1 and CD80. In December 2017, Bristol-Myers Squibb received approval for Nivolumab (Opdivo) in adjuvant treatment of melanoma. In August 2017, Novartis received approval for CAR-T therapy named Kymriah for children and young adult with B- cell lymphoblastic lymphoma. Gilead Life Science completed the acquisition of Kite pharma Ltd. in October 2017, and Gileads CAR-T therapy Yescarta received the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) approval in October 2017 to treat non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Celgene Corporation, in January 2018, announced acquisition of Juno Therapeutics, Inc. Through this acquisition, Celgene Corporation will gain access to novel CAR-T therapy, which is in pipeline of Juno Therapeutics. Furthermore, Amgen, Inc. received FDA approval, for Imlygic in 2017, which is an oncolytic virus to treat melanoma. In March 2017, Avelumab (Bavencio), jointly developed by EMD Serono, and Pfizer, Inc. received FDA approval for the treatment of metastatic merkel cell carcinoma.Browse 25 Market Data Tables and 38 Figures spread through 171 Pages and in-depth TOC on Global Immuno-Oncology Drugs Market By Drug Type,( Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors (CTL-4 Checkpoint Inhibitor, and PD-1 & PD-L1 Checkpoint Inhibitor), Monoclonal Antibodies (Naked, Conjugated, and Bispecific), Cytokine-Based Immunotherapy (Intron A and Proleukin), Cancer Vaccines (Preventive Vaccines and Treatment Vaccines), and CAR-T Cell Therapy (Kymriah and Yescarta)), By Cancer Type (Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer, Acute Myeloid Leukemia, Lymphoma, Multiple Myeloma, Breast Cancer, Ovarian Cancer, Prostate Cancer, Colorectal Cancer, Gastric Cancers, Glioblastoma, and Head & Neck Cancers), and By Region (North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia Pacific, the Middle East, and Africa) - Global Forecast to 2025Research and development by leading as well as small and mid-sized players in immuno-oncology drugs market is expected to support growth of the global immuno-oncology drugs market. In January 2018, Feldan Therapeutics and Green Cross LabCell Collaborated to develop Natural Killer Cell-based Immunotherapies. In January 2018, OBI Pharma initiated Phase 1 Trial of immunotherapy candidate OBI-888 in advanced solid tumor patients. Furthermore, in January 2018, Keytruda, developed by Merck & Co. reported slow liver cancer progression in Phase 2 trial. Immuno-oncology combination therapies are also under research for various cancer indications. In January 2018, the U.S. Food & Drug Administration granted breakthrough therapy status to Lenvima-Keytruda combo for advanced kidney cancer. Furthermore, in February 2018, Opdivo-Yervoy combination therapy showed delayed disease progression in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer. Genentech combination therapy Tecentriq and Avastin delayed kidney cancer progression in Phase III trials in December 2017. AstraZeneca Plcs Imfinzi (Durvalumab) showed delayed non-small cell lung cancer progression in Phase III trials in November 2017.Ask for detailed Sample of the Research Report @ https://www.coherentmarketinsights.com/insight/request-sample/1271 *The Sample consists of Table of Content, Research framework of the actual report & research methodology adopted for itKey Takeaways of the Global Immuno-Oncology Drugs Market:The global immuno-oncology drugs market is expected to exhibit a CAGR of 14.9% over the forecast period. This is attributed to presence of number of leading manufacturers who are focusing on bringing out innovative therapies through extensive research and development such as Bristol Myers Squibb, Novartis, and Pfizer, Inc.Biopharmaceutical companies are developing a robust pipeline of immune-oncology therapies due to increasing demand for the same. The U.S. Food & Drug Administration has approved a number of immune checkpoint inhibitors including Yervoy (anti-CTLA-4), Opdivo and Keytruda (anti-PD1) and Tecentriq (anti-PD-L1).Immuno-oncology combination therapies are expected to change the market scenario over the forecast period, owing to positive results in the clinical trialsResearch partnerships and collaborations to develop new drugs by various market players is supporting the growth of the market. as competitors would strive to gain competitive edgeMajor players operating in the global immuno-oncology drugs market include Amgen, Inc. AstraZeneca Plc, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Celgene Corporation, Eli Lilly and Company, Merck & Co., F. Hoffmann-La Roche AG, Johnson & Johnson, Novartis International AG, AbbVie, Inc., Pfizer Inc., Sanofi S.A., EMD Serono, Inc., Gilead Sciences Inc., Prometheus Therapeutics & Diagnostics, Aduro BioTech, Galena Biopharma, Bavarian Nordic, Celldex Therapeutics, ImmunoCellular Therapeutics, and IncyteAbout 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. Immunosuppressant Drug Monitoring Market: Global Market Estimation, Dynamics, Regional Share, Trends, Competitor Analysis 2012 to 2016 and Forecast 2017 to 2023 Immunosuppressant Drug Monitoring Market PR-Inside.com: 2018-03-16 11:20:11 Press Information Precision Business Insights Kemp House, 152 160 City Road, London EC1V 2NX Satya Lead-Marketing +1-866-598-1553 email https://www.precisionbusinessinsights.com # 883 Words Kemp House,152 160 City Road,London EC1V 2NXLead-Marketing+1-866-598-1553 Market Outline: Immunosuppresant Drug Monitering MarketImmunosuppressant drug monitoring is most vital for monitoring of immunosuppressant drug levels in patients in order to prevent the organ rejection. It is one of the applications of therapeutic drug monitoring, aims to maintain the adequate concentration of drugs in body fluids in order to refine patient care by adjusting individual drug dosage for the better outcomes. Immunosuppressant drugs are known as anti-rejection drugs, which inhibits the activity of immune system that are most commonly used in organ transplantations, auto immune disorders like multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis and chrons disease.Market Dynamics: Immunosuppresant Drug Monitering MarketGrowing demand for organ transplantations, advancements in procedures of organ transplantation, growing prevalence of auto immune diseases are expected to witness tremendous growth of the immunosuppressant drug monitoring market. Furthermore, favorable reimbursement policies, growing awareness among the people regarding healthcare and organ transplantations are expected to fuel immunosuppressant drug monitoring market. However, strict regulatory frameworks, availability of alternative therapies like stem cell therapy for immunosuppression are expected to hamper the growth of immunosuppressant drug monitoring market.A sample of this report is available upon request @Market Scope: Immunosuppresant Drug Monitering MarketImmunosuppressant drug monitoring market is segmented on the basis of design, magnetic field strength, application, end user and regionsBased on Product, market is segmented into the following Equipment ConsumablesBased on Technology, market is segmented into the following Proteomics Technologies Immunoassays Electrophoresis SpectrometryBased on Drugs, market is segmented into the following Antibodies Corticosteroids Calcineurin inhibitors Anti-proliferative agents mTOR inhibitors OthersBased on Disease, market is segmented into the following Autoimmune disorders Organ transplantation Non-auto immune inflammatory diseasesBased on the end user, market is segmented into the following: Hospitals Diagnostic laboratories Research Institutes Academic InstitutesBased on the region, market is segmented into the following North America Europe Asia Pacific Latin America Middle East and AfricaTo view TOC of this report is available upon request @Market Summary: Immunosuppresant Drug Monitering MarketImmunosuppressant drug monitoring market is growing at a significant rate due to rise in prevalence of autoimmune disorders and organ transplantations. As per WHO statistics, about 119,873 organ transplantation cases were reported in 2014, raised about 1.8% from 2013. Growing prevalence of autoimmune disorders and rise in investments in R&D activities for innovation of new procedures are expected to propel the immunosuppressant drug monitoring market over the forecast timeframe. Moreover, acquisitions and mergers, new product approvals, and product launches are major strategies followed by market players for increasing the revenue in immunosuppressant drug monitoring market.Regional Analysis: Immunosuppresant Drug Monitering MarketGeographically, global immunosuppressant drug monitoring market is segmented into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and Middle East and Africa. North America is expected to hold largest share in immunosuppressant drug monitoring market due to rise in prevalence of autoimmune disorders, increase in R&D investments. As per American Autoimmune Related Disease Association, about 50 Mn people suffered from autoimmune diseases in U.S. in 2016. Europe holds second largest position in immunosuppressant drug monitoring market owing to rise in demand for organ transplantation, development of innovative products and favorable regulatory conditions. As per European Commission in 2013, about 31,165 organ transplantation cases were reported in EU-28. Asia Pacific is an emerging region for immunosuppressant drug monitoring market due to increase in medical tourism due to low cost associated with the procedures, geographical expansions by the market players, launch of innovative products, growing prevalence of autoimmune diseases and presence of large patient pool.Need more information about this report @Competition Assessment: Immunosuppresant Drug Monitering MarketSome of the players in the global immunosuppressant drug monitoring market include: Thermo Fisher Scientific (U.S.) Hoffmann-La Roche AG (Switzerland) Bio-Rad Laboratories Inc. (U.S.) Abbott Laboratories (U.S.) Siemens Healthcare (Germany) Danaher Corporation (U.S.).Notable Market Developments: Immunosuppresant Drug Monitering Market In July 2013, Roche launched Elecsys Tcrolimus and Cyclosporine test, a high TDM tests for immunosuppressant drugs tacrolimus and cyclosporine.Key Features of the Report: The report provides granular level information about the market size, regional market share, historic market (2012 to 2016) and forecast (2017 to 2023) The report covers in-detail insights about the competitors overview, company share analysis, key market developments, and their key strategies The report outlines drivers, restraints, unmet needs, and trends that are currently affecting the market The report tracks recent innovations, key developments and startups details that are actively working in the market The report provides plethora of information about market entry strategies, regulatory framework and reimbursement scenario The report analyses the impact of socio-political environment through PESTLE Analysis and competition through Porters Five Force Analysis in addition to recent technology advancements and innovations in the marketGet access to full summary @About Precision Business InsightsPrecision Business Insights is one of the leading market research and business consulting firm, which follow a holistic approach to solve needs of the clients. We adopt and implement proven research methodologies to achieve better results. We help our clients by providing actionable insights and strategies to make better decisions. We provide consulting, syndicated and customised market research services based on our client needs.Email: sales@ precisionbusinessinsights.com Increasing prevalence of diabetes is expected to drive growth of the insulin delivery devices market over the forecast period. The global insulin delivery devices market was valued at US$ 11,326.9 million in 2017 and is expected to witness a CAGR of 11.3% over the forecast period (20172025) Insulin Delivery Devices PR-Inside.com: 2018-03-16 11:01:33 Press Information Coherent Market Insights 1001 4th Ave, #3200 Seattle, WA 98154 Mr. Shah CEO 2067016702 email https://www.coherentmarketinsights.com/ # 782 Words 1001 4th Ave, #3200Seattle, WA 98154CEO2067016702 Advancements in technology in devices is a factor fueling growth of the insulin delivery devices marketIncreasing awareness and growing demand for insulin delivery devices for diabetes control are factors contributing towards the market growth. North America, followed by Europe are the largest markets for insulin delivery devices. Increasing prevalence of lifestyle associated diseases, implementation of awareness programs regarding diabetes, and higher adoption rate of advanced medical devices contributes towards the growth of the market in North America. For instance, in 2010, according to Journal of Diabetes Science and Technology, insulin pumps were more widely used on the American side of the Atlantic than on the European side. As a result, insulin pumps is expected to gain demand quickly during the second half of the forecast period. Furthermore, In 2016, the UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention in partnership with the Emirates Diabetes Society and Ministry with AstraZeneca Gulf, has launched Circle of Care, an education and support Programme aimed to improve the well-being of people in the UAE living with or at risk of developing type 2 diabetes thus expected to boost the growth over the forecast period.Ask for detailed Sample of the Research Report @ https://www.coherentmarketinsights.com/insight/request-sample/1352 *The Sample consists of Table of Content, Research framework of the actual report & research methodology adopted for it.Key players in the market are focusing on developing next generation devices to remain competitive, while seeking ways to enhance their design capabilities. For instance, in October 2017, Eli Lilly and Company announced its plans to invest US$ 72 million in an insulin manufacturing project at one of its Indianapolis facilities. The investment will be used to replace an existing insulin vial filling line and allow Lilly to meet growing demand for its insulins - including Humalog (insulin lispro) and Humulin (human insulin) - while upgrading to state-of-the-art technology and preparing for its insulin pipeline.The global insulin delivery devices market was valued at US$ 11,326.9 million in 2017 and is expected to witness a CAGR of 11.3% over the forecast period (20172025).Increasing prevalence of diabetes is expected to drive growth of the insulin delivery devices market over the forecast periodIncreasing prevalence and incidence of diabetes is a major factor driving the insulin delivery devices market growth. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 2014, about 29.1 million people in the U.S. have diabetes with a healthcare burden of around US$ 245 Bn and with an estimated 4.69.2% of pregnant women affected by gestational diabetes. Moreover, the Australian government launched National Diabetes Strategy (201620), for an action to prevent diabetes and support the people living with diabetes. Thus, rise in government initiatives to support diabetic patients is expected to favor growth of the insulin delivery devices market.Development of systems and devices for improved drug delivery is expected to be factor for growth of the market. When compared with vial and syringe regimens, insulin pens offer a greater clinical efficacy, improved quality of life, and increased dosing accuracy, particularly at low doses. Thus, introduction of insulin pen devices has aided patients with diabetes mellitus in easier and more convenient treatment regimens. For instance, in January 2014, Novo Nordisk launched the NovoPen Echo in the U.S. market. This is the first and only pen device available in the U.S. with half-unit dosing and a memory function that can record the dose and time passed since the last injection.Click here to know more about this publish report: https://www.coherentmarketinsights.com/market-insight/insulin-delivery-devices-market-1352 Insulin Delivery Devices Market - InsightsInsulin is vital for people suffering from type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes. In the past, patients with diabetes had to inject insulin using large glass syringes and reusable needles, both of which needed sterilization by boiling after each use. Improvements and innovations has led to development of insulin delivery devices such as pens and insulin pumps. Furthermore, insulin analogs have become available that enable both continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion(CSII) using an insulin pump and insulin therapy using multiple daily injections (MDI) to more closely match physiologic insulin patterns. Type or dosage of insulin can be changed, to meet the individual needs of the patient. Insulin can be packaged in vials (bottles), cartridges or prefilled pens. The cartridges are used with pen injectors whereas the vials are used with syringes.Catch us at 3rd International Conference on Separation + Drying Technologies for Milk & Whey at Cologne, March 19 and 20, 2018About 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.Visit our news Website: http://www.coherentchronicle.com/ PR-Inside.com: 2018-03-16 08:17:01 OUTOTEC OYJ PRESS RELEASE MARCH 16, 2018 9:15 AM Invitation to a Q&A teleconference with Outotec The Q&A teleconference with CEO Markku Terasvasara will be held on Monday, March 19, 2018 at 2:00 PM (Finnish time). JOINING THE TELECONFERENCE AND PRESENTING QUESTIONS Dial in 5-10 minutes prior to the start time using the number below. Conference code: 585875 FI: +3589 7479 0360 UK: +44 330 336 9104 SE: +468 5033 6573 US: +1 323 794 2442 Questions may be sent also in advance via email to riitta.lind(at)outotec.com by March 19 at 10:00 AM. The recording of the teleconference and transcript will be published and stored on Outotec's website for on demand listening. The contact information is gathered for registration purposes only and it is not used for commercial purposes. The aim of the CEO's Q&A teleconferences is to give further clarity on information, which has been made public already earlier. Therefore, the company does not intend to publish separate announcements in connection with these sessions. In order to serve the capital market efficiently, and ensure equal access to company-related information, the teleconference is recorded and it is available on demand for future references. OUTOTEC OYJ Rita Uotila, Vice President - Investor Relations tel. +358 20 529 2003 e-mail: rita.uotila(at)outotec.com DISTRIBUTION: Main media www.outotec.com This announcement is distributed by Nasdaq Corporate Solutions on behalf of Nasdaq Corporate Solutions clients. The issuer of this announcement warrants that they are solely responsible for the content, accuracy and originality of the information contained therein. Source: Outotec Oyj 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: 2018-03-16 09:04:04 - Selected products from LTS will be available with SunLike Series Natural Spectrum LEDs - Luminaires equipped with SunLike LEDs will be presented at Light + Building Lighting Manufacturer LTS Licht & Leuchten, Part of the Fargerhult Group, to Offer Selected Spot- & Downlights with Seoul Semiconductors SunLike Series Natural Spectrum LEDs Europe Seoul Semiconductor Europe GmbH Ariane Heim Tel: +49-(0)89-450-3690-0 Email: press.eu@seoulsemicon.com or North America Seoul Semiconductor Inc. Andrew Smith Tel: +1 (901) 831-6614 Email: andrew.smith@seoulsemicon.com or Asia Seoul Semiconductor Co., Ltd Jake Jung Tel: +82 070.4391.8270 Email: pr@seoulsemicon.com or LTS Licht & Leuchten GmbH Julia Brauchle Tel: +49(0)7542 9307-231 Email j.brauchle@lts-licht.de Seoul Semiconductor, a global innovator of LED products and technology, announced that its SunLike Series natural spectrum LEDs, which implement light closest to the spectrum of natural sunlight, has been adopted for selected luminaires of LTS Licht & Leuchten GmbH, a German manufacturer of high-quality luminaires for hospitality, retail, and office applications. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/201803160052 LTS Jett 100 spotlights equipped with SunLike LED technology (Photo: Business Wire) LTS has adopted SunLike natural spectrum LEDs for selected products, including the Jett 100 and CSA 60 spotlights. A series of spotlights with a discreet and individual appearance, and clear, straightforward design lines, Jett spotlights harmoniously blend in with any type of retail application. The high color rendering and superior luminous intensity of these spotlights enable lighting designers to achieve accentuated arrangements in many different application scenarios. Since there are no UV or thermal emissions, these spotlights are especially suited for lighting of food products. The CSA 60 luminaires are simple, yet effective recessed spotlights made from die-cast zinc that meet the highest demands of quality. These flexible luminaires can be rotated by 350 and the light head can be pivoted by 40. Fitted with the latest LTS aluminum specular reflectors, the CSA 60 spotlights deliver optimum output and glare-free light for a wide range of applications. Ewald Steinel, head of the product department of LTS, explained, SunLike technology uses a purple LED chip in combination with an RGB-Phosophor. The generated spectrum comes closer to sunlight than any technology before. By improving the contrast, an ideal color perception is achieved. In addition, we can enhance our customers mood, because SunLike does not influence the day / night rhythm of humans by reducing the blue light peak. According to Caleb Won, executive VP of global marketing at Seoul Semiconductor, The evaluation results and decision by LTS, as part of the Fargerhult Group, confirm Seouls investment and belief in the SunLike LED technology. We expect SunLike LED technology to be integrated achieve synergy effects and contribute to the increase application of natural light LEDs. About TRI-R technology SunLike Series natural spectrum LEDs were co-developed by Seoul Semiconductor and Toshiba Materials. The combination of Seoul Semiconductors optical semiconductor technology and Toshiba Materials TRI-R Technology produces light that closely matches the spectrum of natural sunlight.. TRI-R is a registered trademark of Toshiba Material Co., Ltd. About LTS Licht & Leuchten GmbH: As a manufacturer of innovative and high-quality luminaires for hospitality, retail, and office applications, LTS has always offered tailor-made lighting solutions. We have made it our mission to respond to the many and varied requirements of our customers. Highly-specific demands that cannot be satisfied by our extensive product portfolio and wide range of options will be considered and realized by our LTS Manufactory, as required. In keeping with this philosophy, we equip selected spot- and downlights on special request with SunLike premium LED modules from Seoul Semiconductor. An overview of all luminaires offered can be found at: lts-light.eu. About Seoul Semiconductor: Seoul Semiconductor develops and commercializes light emitting diodes (LEDs) for automotive, general illumination, specialty lighting, and backlighting markets. As the fourth-largest LED manufacturer globally, Seoul Semiconductor holds more than 12,000 patents, offers a wide range of technologies, and mass produces innovative LED products such as SunLike delivering the worlds best light quality in a next-generation LED enabling human-centric lighting optimized for circadian rhythms; WICOP a simpler structured package-free LED which provides market leading color uniformity, cost savings at the fixture level with high lumen density and allows design flexibility; NanoDriver Series the worlds smallest 24W DC LED Drivers; Acrich, the world's first high-voltage AC-driven LED technology developed in 2005, includes all AC LED-related technologies from chip to module and circuit fabrication, as well as multi-junction technology (MJT); and nPola, a new LED product based on GaN-substrate technology that achieves more than ten times the output of conventional LEDs. UCD constitutes a high color gamut display which delivers more than 90% NTSC. For more information about Seoul Semiconductor, please visit http://www.seoulsemicon.com # Trademarks WICOP and Acrich are trademarks of Seoul Semiconductor Co., Ltd. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/201803160052 PR-Inside.com: 2018-03-16 15:43:01 NEW YORK, March 16, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Board of Arbitrade, a new coin and cryptocurrency exchange, has announced it will purchase the Nelson Mandela Golden Hands Collection. Made from 20 lbs, 99.999 of pure gold, it includes 3 life size impressions of Mandela's hands and two others of his palm and fist. It was cast in 2002 by South Africa's Harmony Gold mining group, one of the world's leading gold producers, 12 years after Nelson Mandela was released from prison. The seller, Malcolm Duncan, a South African businessman now living in Calgary, Canada, knew Mandela. He said that Harmony's intention was to make one full set of gold artefacts consisting of a fist, a full hand and a palm impression of his right hand for each of the 27 years Mandela had spent behind bars. Duncan had purchased the sets dedicated to 1964 and 1990, marking the year Mandela was incarcerated and the year he walked out of the Pollsmoore prison gates a free man. The set has been authenticated by Harmony Gold and is believed to be the only surviving set. The others, having been destroyed by order of Nelson Mandela. In making the announcement, Arbitrade's Chairman, Len Schutzman, said the Board of Arbitrade shared Mr. Duncan's deep admiration for Mandela and had been keen to secure the valuable memorabilia. He joined Mr. Duncan in saying Mandela was a man who had come out of prison with no bitterness and although he had very little, he did so much to better the lives of under privileged people. An agreement was struck by Mr. Duncan and representatives of Arbitrade at the PDAC 2018 Conference, held in Toronto on March 4 - 8, 2018. "It was the first time the collection had been on display to the general public anywhere in the world since the Letter of Authenticity had been received from Harmony Gold and we felt it was singularly appropriate that we should have met to purchase the collection at the famed PDAC Conference, one of the largest gold and metals events in the world," said Arbitrade's Chairman, Len Schutzman. "The collection celebrates not only the remarkable contributions of Nelson Mandela to humanity each year, but also all that has been done by South Africa in supporting gold and the mining industry though the years. Moreover, our timing in buying the collection is especially significant since we are celebrating the 100th anniversary of Mandela's birth in this unique way for the first time in North America," said Mr Schutzman, who noted that the purchase of the Mandela collection will be paid for with Bitcoins. "It is our honor and privilege to celebrate the life and legacy of Nelson Mandela. As President Obama shared in one of his tributes to this great man - Mandela is a man who took history in his hands and bent the arc of the moral universe toward justice. In the global tour we shall be making with the collection, we will be celebrating his life, which has been a gift and a shining light for us all to remember and to follow for ages to come." "Arbitrade's management felt that these extraordinary artefacts served as a great representation for our company and that our announcement of this wonderful purchase will be the first of a series of announcements we shall be making in regard to gold that will back our cryptocurrency, Dignity (DIG) which trades on Livecoin.net," Mr. Schutzman said. "The company plans on orchestrating a global tour exhibiting the Golden Hands in National Museums around the world to celebrate the life and legacy of a man that meant so much to so many." In responding to Mr. Schutzman, Deputy Minister of Mineral Resources, Mr. GG Oliphant, MP said, "The display and exhibition of the Mandela Golden Hands at the PDAC 2018 Conference was an appropriate moment to reflect the roots, strength and resilience of the South African mining industry. Nelson Mandela was a mineworker at some stage in his long walk to freedom, and was also later elected as the Honorary Life President of the National Union of Mineworkers in South Africa. It is therefore, within this context that, in his honour, we pay tribute to all mineworkers and ex-mineworkers around the globe who have sacrificed so much to produce gold and other mineral commodities over the years. It is therefore befitting that in this year, as we celebrate the centenary of Mandela's birth, that we could display his actual handprints in gold as an embodiment of lasting peace and prosperity for our country. Our congratulations to Arbitrade in keeping Mandela's legacy alive." Mr. Nyameko Goso, South Africa's Consul General in Toronto added, "We thank Arbitrade for helping us celebrate Nelson Mandela's 100th Anniversary in this very special way and keeping alive his great legacy. At the same time, the purchase of this remarkable collection made of South African gold, is also a tribute to South Africa's gold mining industry who have contributed so much to the gold market and mining over the many years." Mr. Schutzman said Arbitrade will be inviting one person from each of the countries where they will be exhibiting the collection to join with them in celebrations at the museum, "I urge everyone to be looking out for our special release next week and to click on to our web page and provide their details. We hope that a great many people want to join us and come see for themselves the powerful and inspiring collection." ARBITRADE, through its proprietary software and strategic partnerships, plans to be in all segments of the cryptocurrency business, including currency mining, trading (The ARBITRADE Exchange) gift cards, debit cards, money transfer and Point of Sale processing. Media Contact: Victor Webb Marston Webb International T: (212) 684-6601, C: (917) 887-0418 e-mail: marwebint@cs.com PR-Inside.com: 2018-03-16 14:20:06 FSCwire / Press ReleaseThe following press release was disseminated by FSCwire for Minfocus Exploration Corp.--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---Toronto, ON (FSCWire) - Minfocus Exploration Corp. (TSX Venture:MFX). has issued a press release with the following headline:Minfocus Confirms No Delivery of a Requisition for a Shareholder Meeting by GreenBank Capital in Accordance with the BC Business Corporations ActTo view this press release on the FSCwire website, please either click on the link below, or copy and paste the link into your browser:If you would prefer, you can also view this press release as a PDF file, please either click on the link below, or copy and paste the link into your browser:For more information on Minfocus Exploration Corp., or to see additional press releases issued by this company, please either click on the link below, or copy and paste the link into your browser: http://www.fscwire.com/public-company/Minfocus Exploration Corp.Source: Minfocus Exploration Corp. (TSX Venture: MFX)Date: March 16, 2018Time: 9:00 AM EDT--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---The story mentioned above was issued on behalf of Minfocus Exploration Corp. and disseminated through FSCwire.About FSCwireFSCwire (a division of Filing Services Canada Inc.), is a global newswire dissemination, SEDAR, SEDI, and EDGAR / XBRL service provider.FSCwire is a full service global newswire dissemination company and is fully approved by all exchanges in Canada and the U.S. Press releases can be distributed for all sizes of public, private or not for profit companies and any other organization requiring news distribution. In addition to individual companies; public relations, communications and investor relations firms trust FSCwire to distribute press releases for their respective clients.In addition to newswire dissemination FSCwire also offers EDGAR, XBRL, SEDAR, SEDI, and additional services for publicly traded companies. For more information, please go to our website: http://www.fscwire.com Maximum News Dissemination by FSCwire. http://www.fscwire.com Copyright 2018 - FSCwire (a division of Filing Services Canada Inc.) Nitrogenous Fertilizers Market: Global Market Estimation, Dynamics, Regional Share, Trends, Competitor Analysis 2012 to 2016 and Forecast 2017 to 2023 Nitrogenous Fertilizers Market PR-Inside.com: 2018-03-16 11:25:10 Press Information Precision Business Insights Kemp House, 152 160 City Road, London EC1V 2NX Satya Lead-Marketing +1-866-598-1553 email https://www.precisionbusinessinsights.com # 758 Words Kemp House,152 160 City Road,London EC1V 2NXLead-Marketing+1-866-598-1553 Market Outline: Nitrogenous Fertilizers MarketNitrogen enables the crops to grow fast, provides better colour, texture, and increases the agricultural productivity. Nitrogenous fertilizers are most commonly produced by Haber Bosch process. Nitrogen fertilizers can also be obtained from animal manure and compost.Market Dynamics: Nitrogenous Fertilizers MarketGrowing demand for high efficiency fertilizers, shrinking farmland and productivity of agriculture, inclination towards eco-friendly agricultural practices are key factors driving the market demand for nitrogenous fertilizers. Growing population pool is a factor for growth of nitrogenous fertilizers in order to keep up health concerns of population globally. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), global ratio of arable land dropped down to 0.197 hectares per person in 2013. However, regulatory and environmental constraints for coated products and high manufacturing costs restrain the nitrogenous fertilizers market.A sample of this report is available upon request @Market Scope: Nitrogenous Fertilizers MarketThe nitrogenous fertilizers market is classified on the basis of product type, crop type, mode of application, regionBased on Product, market is segmented as Ammonium Nitrate Calcium Ammonium Nitrate (CAN) Urea Ammonium SulphateBased on Crop Type, market is segmented as Cereals and grains Oilseeds and pulses Fruits and vegetablesBased on Mode of Application, market is segmented as Fertigation Soil FoliarBased on Region, market is segmented as North America Latin America Europe Asia Pacific The Middle East and AfricaTo view TOC of this report is available upon request @Market Summary: Nitrogenous Fertilizers MarketNitrogenous fertilizers market is expected to gain traction over the forecast period due to high productivity and wide range of benefits. Many of the market players are attracted towards Latin America and Asia Pacific, largest producers of corn and rice. The key players of nitrogenous fertilizers market are concentrated on acquisitions, new product developments, expansions, and investments to maintain the position in the market.Regional Analysis: Nitrogenous Fertilizers MarketGeographically nitrogenous fertilizers market is segmented as Latin America, Europe, Asia Pacific, North America, and The Middle East and Africa. North America nitrogenous fertilizers market has a significant revenue share owing to increase in adoption of eco-friendly farming practices. Growing demanding for healthy food products, increase in the production of fruits and vegetables in U.S. are anticipated to fuel the nitrogenous fertilizers market over the forecast period. Europe nitrogenous fertilizers market is growing at unprecedented CAGR over the forecast period due to rise in R&D activities, inclination towards nitrogenous fertilizers, and adoption of agricultural technologies. However, Asia Pacific is an emerging region attributed to increase in population demanding on farming, rise in adoption of eco-friendly farming, and better availability of the products are expected to propel nitrogenous fertilizers market.Need more information about this report @Competition Assessment: Nitrogenous Fertilizers MarketSome of the players in nitrogenous fertilizers market are Agrium Inc. (Canada) The Dow Chemical Company (U.S.) Yara International ASA (Norway) Bayer CropScience AG (Germany) Coromandel International Limited (India) DuPont (U.S.) Koch Industries Inc. (U.S.A.) Syngenta AG (Switzerland) Potash Corp. of Saskatchewan Inc. (Canada) Monsanto Company (U.S.) INCOTEC Group BV (Netherlands)Key Developments: Nitrogenous Fertilizers Market In August 2014, Tata Chemicals launched Tata Paras ammonium phosphate sulfur fertilizer.Key Features of the Report: The report provides granular level information about the market size, regional market share, historic market (2012 to 2016) and forecast (2017 to 2023) The report covers in-detail insights about the competitors overview, company share analysis, key market developments, and their key strategies The report outlines drivers, restraints, unmet needs, and trends that are currently affecting the market The report tracks recent innovations, key developments and startups details that are actively working in the market The report provides plethora of information about market entry strategies, regulatory framework and reimbursement scenario The report analyses the impact of socio-political environment through PESTLE Analysis and competition through Porters Five Force Analysis in addition to recent technology advancements and innovations in the marketGet access to full summary @About Precision Business InsightsPrecision Business Insights is one of the leading market research and business consulting firm, which follow a holistic approach to solve needs of the clients. We adopt and implement proven research methodologies to achieve better results. We help our clients by providing actionable insights and strategies to make better decisions. We provide consulting, syndicated and customised market research services based on our client needs.Email: sales@ precisionbusinessinsights.com Oncology Information System Market: Global Market Estimation, Dynamics, Regional Share, Trends, Competitor Analysis 2012 to 2016 and Forecast 2017 to 2023 Oncology Information System Market PR-Inside.com: 2018-03-16 11:23:11 Press Information Precision Business Insights Kemp House, 152 160 City Road, London EC1V 2NX Satya Lead-Marketing +1-866-598-1553 email https://www.precisionbusinessinsights.com # 796 Words Kemp House,152 160 City Road,London EC1V 2NXLead-Marketing+1-866-598-1553 Market Outline: Oncology Information System MarketOncology information system is used for management of data belongs to oncology patient treatment schedules, plans of treatment, treatment delivery, summary and results of the treatment. Oncology information systems encompassed the information exchange between the department of radiotherapy and overall healthcare enterprise. For medical safety purpose treatment and demographic information of patient data is to be shared among those systems. Oncology information systems are to be connected with other information systems.Market Dynamics: Oncology Information System MarketIncreased prevalence cancer coupled with adoption of advanced healthcare information technologies are expected to create healthy opportunities for market players. Due to benefits provided by oncology information systems over the traditional methods in protection of data and planning of treatment is expected to propel the oncology information systems market growth. Furthermore, rise in prevalence of cancer, growing population pool, and increase in advanced technologies is expected to boost the market growth for oncology information systems market. According WHO statistics, around 8.8 Mn deaths were reported worldwide due to cancer. However, lack of professionals, lack of awareness and high cost associated with the implementation of oncology information systems are major restrains of oncology information systems market.A sample of this report is available upon request @Market Scope: Oncology Information System MarketThe Global Oncology Information System Market is classified on the basis of application, type, material, end user, and geographical regions.Based on type, Global Oncology Information System Market is segmented as Software Services Consulting Services Implementation Services Post Sale and MaintenanceBased on the application, Global Oncology Information System Market is segmented as Medical Oncology Surgical Oncology Radiation OncologyBased on the End-user, Global Oncology Information System Market is segmented as Hospitals Oncology Clinics Research Centres Oncology InstitutesTo view TOC of this report is available upon request @Market Summary: Oncology Information System MarketOncology information system market is highly competitive due to presence of many number of market players in global oncology information market. Companies are focused on various growth strategies such as agreements, collaborations, and new product launches in order to strengthen the market presence and improve their product portfolio.Regional Analysis: Oncology Information System MarketGlobal oncology information system market is segmented as Latin America, North America, Asia Pacific, The Middle East and Africa and Europe. North America is largest market in oncology information systems owing to rise in cancer prevalence, high adoption of technological advancements. According to American Cancer Society, it was estimated as 57,740 new cancer cases and 169,120 cancer deaths were reported in U.S. in 2016. Europe holds second largest position in oncology information systems market owing to rise in prevalence of cancer, increase in technological advancements. Asia Pacific is expected to show a significant growth in global oncology information systems market owing to increase in cancer prevalence, large pool of population, growing awareness among people on health concerns, rise in disposable income.Need more information about this report @Competition Assessment: Oncology Information System MarketSome of the players in global oncology information system market Varian Medical Systems, Inc. (U.S.) Elekta AB (Sweden ) McKesson Corporation (U.S.) Accuray Incorporated (U.S.) Koninklijke Philips N.V. (Netherlands) Cerner Corporation (U.S.) Altos Solutions, Inc. (U.S.) Epic Systems Corporation (U.S.)Notable Market Developments: Oncology Information System Market In 2016, Manipal Hospitals has introduced IBM Watson for oncology a cognitive computing platform for providing insights and information to physicians.Key Features of the Report: The report provides granular level information about the market size, regional market share, historic market (2012 to 2016) and forecast (2017 to 2023) The report covers in-detail insights about the competitors overview, company share analysis, key market developments, and their key strategies The report outlines drivers, restraints, unmet needs, and trends that are currently affecting the market The report tracks recent innovations, key developments and startups details that are actively working in the market The report provides plethora of information about market entry strategies, regulatory framework and reimbursement scenario The report analyses the impact of socio-political environment through PESTLE Analysis and competition through Porters Five Force Analysis in addition to recent technology advancements and innovations in the marketGet access to full summary @About Precision Business InsightsPrecision Business Insights is one of the leading market research and business consulting firm, which follow a holistic approach to solve needs of the clients. We adopt and implement proven research methodologies to achieve better results. We help our clients by providing actionable insights and strategies to make better decisions. We provide consulting, syndicated and customised market research services based on our client needs.Email: sales@ precisionbusinessinsights.com PR-Inside.com: 2018-03-16 15:12:04 An advice mode immediately helps trade customers use the full potential of upcoming seasonal business. Large selection of current summer and all-season tyres of all brands and models available in the online shop. Summer Business with Yourtyres.co.uk: New Shop Feature and High-Performance Tyre Models insignis Agentur fur Kommunikation GmbH (GPRA) Henning Jahns Tel: +49-511-132214-14 Fax: +49-511-132214-99 delticom@insignis.de or Delticom AG Anne Lena Peters Tel: +49-511-93634-8909 Fax: +49-511-93634-8301 anne.lena.peters@delti.com Each year, summer trade means great challenges for car garages and tyre dealers. As a result and at just the right time, Yourtyres.co.uk, the online trade customer shop by Europes leading online tyre dealer Delticom, is introducing a new feature intended to make the daily work of the shops customers easier: An advice mode is available from now on at Yourtyres.co.uk. When changing from the purchasing to the sales view, the individual end customer prices are displayed instead of the actual purchase prices. In order to use this feature, users of Yourtyres.co.uk simply have to insert their individual markups for the different item groups. From the markup and the purchase price, the online shop automatically calculates the personal end customer price. The usual purchasing view is also still available. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/201803160054 An advice mode immediately helps trade customers use the full potential of upcoming seasonal business (Graphic: Business Wire) As a partner of our business customers, we want to make the use of our online shop as easy and as convenient as possible for them. In addition to our low prices and fast delivery times, our new shop feature will also offer them support in the future for customer and sales talks, explains Andreas Faulstich, Head of B2B at Yourtyres.co.uk. Of course, as well as the new shop function, the tried and trusted features will also still be there at Yourtyres.co.uk: There are no minimum order quantities or delivery fees, but many payment and return options. To enable the greatest possible flexibility for trade customers, the online shop also has a comprehensive range of tyres of various different makes and models from high-performance premium products to low-cost quality tyres. The new products in our range include, among others, the Falken Ziex 310 and Michelin Primacy 4 summer car tyres, and the new Michelin Road 5 and Bridgestone T31 motorcycle tyres. There is also something new to the range for price-conscious customers: Yourtyres.co.uk offers current CST summer tyres in more than 60 dimensions, including the Marquis MR61, Medallion MD-A1 and Adreno Sport AD-R8, meaning that we have the right product for all individual requirements. As well as the new, practical shop function and the various purchasing advantages, Yourtyres.co.uk also offers trade customers lots of potential to gain new clients. For example, collaboration as a fitting partner enables your own business to be supplemented with customers who order their tyres from one of the Delticom B2C shops (Mytyres.co.uk, Tirendo.co.uk, Moto-tyres.co.uk). This creates an effective connection between online and offline trading. About Yourtyres.co.uk Yourtyres.co.uk is the exclusive online store from Delticom AG for workshops, retailers, wholesalers, tyre fitters/service stations and car accessories. With over 15 years expertise in the online tyre business, the Yourtyres.co.uk specialist B2B team offers its clients a spectacular range of car and motorbike tyres of all brands and dimensions for all types of vehicles, tyres for light trucks, trucks and buses, custom tyres, complete wheel sets, car spare parts and accessories, engine oil and batteries. In addition to favourable purchasing conditions, retail clients benefit from the online shops time-saving tyre search function, high availability, reliable delivery thanks to in-house warehouses, as well as a simple registration process with no hidden costs - from the very first tyre. Information about the company: www.delti.com Tyre tests: www.tyretest.com View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/201803160054 PR-Inside.com: 2018-03-16 11:42:01 SINGAPORE, March 16, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Ant Financial Services Group ("Ant Financial" or "Ant") today wrapped up its participation at Money20/20 Asia in Singapore with the Ant Technology Exploration Conference (ATEC), with guests Giri Jadeja, Global Head of Financial Innovation at International Finance Corporation (IFC) and Sopnendu Mohanty, Chief Fintech Officer at Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) sharing their views on financial inclusion alongside Cheng Li, Chief Technology Officer and Chief Operations Officer for global business group at Ant Financial. Giri Jadeja shared his vision as global head of financial innovation at IFC - to reach out to the 2 billion unbanked and underserved population in the world, the majority of whom reside in Asia. The region has in recent years seen an exponential growth of new fintech companies. Giri is optimistic that technological changes in areas such as connectivity, blockchain and artificial intelligence will spur new applications to improve people's lives in the near future. Sopnendu Mohanty, Chief Fintech Officer of Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS), also shared his vision for Singapore's Smart Nation initiative at ATEC. B.A.S.I.C of Ant Technologies Speaking on the B.A.S.I.C that forms the building blocks of Ant's technologies, Cheng Li explained the importance of each: blockchain, artificial intelligence (AI), security, Internet of Things, and computing. From using blockchain as the new trust mechanism to improve the transparency and traceability of ecommerce supply chains or charity funds, to using artificial intelligence to reduce Ant's payment risk to less than one in a million, or answering millions of customer inquiries a day, Ant is showing how new technology can be applied to their business to solve previously challenging issues and provide inclusive financial services. Other Ant technology experts also shared the latest user applications in blockchain, AI and security with the audience. The last ATEC session featured a panel moderated by Douglas Feagin, senior vice president of global business at Ant Financial, featuring regional e-payment wallet operators, Anthony Thomas, chief executive officer of Mynt, Punnamas Vichitkulwongsa, chief executive officer of Ascend Group, Syahrunizam Tan Sri Samsudin, chief executive officer of Touch 'N Go Digital Sdn Bhd, and Vince Iswara, chief executive officer of Dana. Faced with a high-growth Southeast Asian market where there is high percentage of unbanked or underserved population, the discussion centered on technology trends that have caught on and how it has changed the way people go about their daily lives. The next ATEC will be taking place in London, June 2018. About Ant Financial Ant Financial Services Group is focused on serving small and micro enterprises, as well as individuals. Ant Financial is dedicated to bringing the world more equal opportunities through building a technology-driven open ecosystem and working with other financial institutions to support the future financial needs of society. Brands under Ant Financial Services Group include Alipay, Ant Fortune, Zhima Credit and MYbank. For more information on Ant Financial, please visit our website at www.antfin.com or follow us on Twitter @AntFinancial. For media queries, contact: Vanessa Seow +65 9723 9743 Vanessa.seow@antfin.com Anna Wang +86 18650175983 Anna.wan@antfin.com A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/e4597781-c445-4420-bbb8-051734f1a34c PR-Inside.com: 2018-03-16 14:16:22 FSCwire / Press ReleaseThe following press release was disseminated by FSCwire for Viridium Pacific Group Ltd.--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---Calgary, Alberta (FSCWire) - Viridium Pacific Group Ltd. (TSX Venture:VIR). has issued a press release with the following headline:Viridium Announces Senior Management Change and Responds To Shareholder RequisitionTo view this press release on the FSCwire website, please either click on the link below, or copy and paste the link into your browser:If you would prefer, you can also view this press release as a PDF file, please either click on the link below, or copy and paste the link into your browser:For more information on Viridium Pacific Group Ltd., or to see additional press releases issued by this company, please either click on the link below, or copy and paste the link into your browser: http://www.fscwire.com/public-company/Viridium Pacific Group Ltd.Source: Viridium Pacific Group Ltd. (TSX Venture: VIR, OTC Bulletin Board: MRRBD)Date: March 16, 2018Time: 9:05 AM EDT--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---The story mentioned above was issued on behalf of Viridium Pacific Group Ltd. and disseminated through FSCwire.About FSCwireFSCwire (a division of Filing Services Canada Inc.), is a global newswire dissemination, SEDAR, SEDI, and EDGAR / XBRL service provider.FSCwire is a full service global newswire dissemination company and is fully approved by all exchanges in Canada and the U.S. Press releases can be distributed for all sizes of public, private or not for profit companies and any other organization requiring news distribution. In addition to individual companies; public relations, communications and investor relations firms trust FSCwire to distribute press releases for their respective clients.In addition to newswire dissemination FSCwire also offers EDGAR, XBRL, SEDAR, SEDI, and additional services for publicly traded companies. For more information, please go to our website: http://www.fscwire.com Maximum News Dissemination by FSCwire. http://www.fscwire.com Copyright 2018 - FSCwire (a division of Filing Services Canada Inc.) Oslo, Norway, 16 March 2018 Vistin Pharma ASA (Vistin Pharma, OSE: VISTIN) has entered into agreements with Torbjrn Kjus and Kenneth Tveter for the development of a new business area within energy trading activities. "We are excited by joining forces with Torbjrn Kjus and Kenneth Tveter following a thorough strategic evaluation, to leverage Vistin Pharma's platform as a listed company to enhance new value creation opportunities for all shareholders. Torbjrn is recognised as a leading energy analyst and we are looking forward to work with him and Kenneth to develop a new growth platform within energy trading," says Ole Enger, Chairman of the Board of Directors. Following the sale of the opioids and tablet business in October 2017, the company has become a pure play global metformin supplier with solid growth prospects. However, the Board of Directors has recognised the lack of scale of the current business structure as a listed company and initiated a strategic evaluation of the industrial and value creation opportunities. Following this evaluation, the company has entered into agreements with Torbjrn Kjus and Kenneth Tveter for the possible development of a new business area within energy trading. "Vistin Pharma has a strong and leading position within the global metformin market with attractive growth opportunities and we will continue to develop this business as planned, uninterrupted by the potential addition of another business area," says Enger. Torbjrn Kjus has 16 years of experience in analysing the global crude and refined products markets, 10 years as Chief Oil Analyst in DNB Markets and six years as an oil analyst and trader in Norsk Hydro and BP trading in London. He is the number 1 ranked analyst in Norway, independent of sector. He is also ranked as the number 1 analyst in the oil and gas sector for the past four years. Kenneth Tveter has more than 10 years of experience from the oil market, working with sales and trading in DNB Markets. He spent six years in New York as Head of Commodities with the responsibility of building up DNBs Oil Market desk in New York. The Board of Directors will propose to amend the articles of association at the company's annual general meeting (AGM), so that the purpose of the company shall not be limited to pharma-related business, but potentially extending the company's business to energy trading activities. The engagements of Torbjrn Kjus and Kenneth Tveter are subject to approval by the AGM of the changes to the articles of association. Subject to AGM approval, the engagements will give Torbjrn Kjus and Kenneth Tveter 1,023,295 and 682,197 share options in the company respectively, at a strike price equal to the closing price on 15 March 2018, NOK 11.20. Together they will also be granted options over 10% of the number of shares issued in future cash private placements in the company, limited to a total of 4,000,000 options in total including the initial grants. **** For further information, please contact: Ole Enger Chairman +47 91 13 82 23 About Vistin Pharma Vistin Pharma is a Norwegian pharmaceutical company producing Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs) for the global pharmaceutical industry. The Group was established in 2015 when Vistin Pharma AS, a wholly owned subsidiary of Vistin Pharma ASA, acquired the metformin and opioids business and tablet production assets from Weifa AS. On 2 October 2017, Vistin Pharma sold its opioids and manufacturing business to TPI Enterprises Limited. Following the sale, Vistin Pharma is a pure play metformin producer, with a strong position in the global metformin market and with significant growth ambitions. Metformin is used as the first line treatment of diabetes 2, a disease which is expected to grow by 50 per cent towards 2030, and affect more than 500 million people. The global market for metformin is expected to grow by four to five per cent per annum, and Vistin Pharma is attractively positioned to capture part of this growth. ADVERTISEMENT The next Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting will hold between seven to 10 days behind schedule, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) governor, Godwin Emefiele, said on Thursday. The governor said after the screening of the new nominees by the Senate, the Committee would have to wait for some days to allow the Committee of Governors to meet first before the decision on the date for the MPC meeting. Unable to hold its first meeting for the year last January, the next meeting of the CBN committee in charge of monetary policy was supposed to hold on either March 19 or 20. The January meeting was cancelled following the inability of members to form a statutory quorum as stipulated in the CBN Act. The Senate had refused to confirm new nominees submitted by the president to fill vacant positions created by the exit of some former members who either retired or completed their tenures. The lawmakers had refused to confirm the nominees in protest of the continued refusal of the executive to dump the acting chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Ibrahim Magu, after the confirmation of his appointment was rejected twice. With the lawmakers now backtracking and agreeing to screen the nominees, the CBN governor said the committee may not be able to meet earlier than seven to ten days after the new members have been screened. I am delighted the Senate has now decided to screen the nominees earlier sent to them by Mr. President. But, we will have a few days delay. What I suspect is we will be holding our committee of governors meeting after that. It is the meeting that will decide when we the MPC will meet. I believe we will just have between seven to ten days delay for the MPC to hold, the CBN governor said. He was speaking to journalists after inspecting the Sunti sugar factory owned by the Flour Mills Nigeria. The two Deputy Governors are Aisha Ahmad and Edward Adamu, while the new MPC members submitted to the Senate by President Muhammadu Buhari last year for confirmation included Adeola Adenikinju, Robert Asogwa, Asheikh Maidugu, and Aliyu Sanusi. Speaking on the sugar factory, which is partly funded by the CBN as part of its intervention efforts, Mr. Emefiele said with its success, nothing was impossible and no hurdle was insurmountable. Nigeria is a country endowed with a lot of resources. The country is endowed with youth and intelligent people and a good soil. I believe we can do it. Let me repeat the promise I made. If any company is interested in any agricultural, agro allied and agro-processing industry, we (CBN) are ready to support them, he said. He said it was not just the sugar factory, but also about 17,000 hectares of land on which the company was cultivating about 3,000 hectares of sugar cane. The standard practice has been that if one owns a sugar mill one should produce for six months in a year. But for the output they have now, they will be producing for just one month. So, what we (CBN) are trying to do through the Anchor Borrowers Programme is to empower small holder farmers who can grow sugar cane plantation which will serve as additional stock for the sugar mill, the CBN governor said. ADVERTISEMENT The African Development Bank (AfDB) says it will support Nigerias Power Sector Recovery Programme (PSRP) in three areas. It listed the areas as operational and technical intervention, governance issues and policy based support. The bank disclosed this in Abuja on Friday in a statement signed by Fatimah Alkali, Senior Communications Officer in Nigeria Country Office. AfDB said it had undertaken a mission to hold further discussions on Nigerias PSRP with several stakeholders. The bank said that the mission was led by Amadou Hott, the Banks Vice President for Power, Energy, Climate Change and Green Growth. It said meetings had been held with relevant ministries, departments and agencies to harmonise plans and areas of intervention. The ministries and agencies include the Ministries of Finance, Power, the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, the Transmission Company of Nigeria, World Bank and solar power developers. The Bank said the programme was designed to promote energy access to rural communities through the expansion of the transmission grid, development of innovative financing products and provision of technical assistance to improve revenue generation by the distribution companies. It said the goal of the mission was to identify opportunities for collaboration in the programme. The banks energy strategy identifies energy as crucial not only for the attainment of health and education outcomes, but for industrialisation, reducing the cost of doing business and for unlocking economic potential and creating jobs. In line with its high 5 development priorities, the bank is committed to supporting Nigeria in the effective and efficient implementation of the countrys Power Sector Recovery Program, the bank said. The statement quoted the Banks President, Akinwumi Adesina, as saying that Africa is simply tired of being in the dark. It is time to take decisive action and turn around this narrative: to light up and power Africa and accelerate the pace of economic transformation, unlock the potential of businesses and drive much needed industrialisation to create jobs he said. (NAN) ADVERTISEMENT Egyptians abroad began voting on Friday, 10 days before polls open at home in a presidential election that President AbdelFattah al-Sisi is effectively guaranteed to win, but in which turnout could provide an indication of his popularity. The former army chiefs only challenger, Mousa Mostafa Mousa, leads a party that had initially backed the Egyptian presidents bid for re-election. Other opponents halted their campaigns citing intimidation by the authorities. One top challenger was jailed. Voting will take place in Egypt over three days from March 26-28. Mr. Al- Sisi in recent days has echoed calls he made in 2014, just before he was first voted into office, urging Egyptians to turn up to polling stations worldwide. A year after toppling Egypts first competitively elected leader, Mohamed Mursi of the Muslim Brotherhood, after mass protests against his rule, al-Sisi won nearly 97 per cent of the vote in 2014. Fewer than half of eligible Egyptians voted in that election even though it was extended to three days. Ive come to vote for the continuation of safety and security in Egypt, Mohamed Zaghloul, 47, said at the Egyptian embassy in Khartoum, capital of neighbouring Sudan, where dozens of people were lined up to vote. State television showed hundreds of voters crowding outside the Egyptian embassies in Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. Other Egyptians abroad said they would have nothing to do with the vote. Bottom line is that the election process is a sham. The fig leaf of democracy is so see-through that even Moussa Mostafa, the only contender, who ran to meet the cut-off, is hardly taking the race seriously. With such a predetermined outcome, whats the point? said a 40-year-old Washington, DC-based Egyptian. He asked that his name be withheld for fear of reprisal from the authorities back in Egypt. (Reuters/NAN) ADVERTISEMENT Russia has already recorded 153,500 early voters cast their ballots in the 2018 presidential election, Central Election Commission (CEC) Head, Ella Pamfilova, said on Friday. Early voting began on February 25. We registered 153,500 early voters, which is 0.14 per cent of the voting population. We had 30,039 early voters in 50 foreign countries, Pamfilova said at a CEC session. March 17 will be the last day of early voting, Pamfilova added. The Russian presidential election is scheduled for March 18. There are eight candidates running for Russian presidency for 2018 elections. This include Sergey Baburin from the All-Peoples Union party; Communist Party candidate, Pavel Grudinin; current President Vladimir Putin and Civil Initiative party candidate, Ksenia Sobchak, Others are Communists of Russia party Chairman, Maxim Suraykin; Presidential Commissioner for Entrepreneurs Rights, Boris Titov; co-founder of the Yabloko party, Grigory Yavlinsky and Head of the Liberal Democratic Party of Russia, Vladimir Zhirinovsky. (Sputnik/NAN) ADVERTISEMENT President Muhammadu Buhari has ordered ministers and heads of Ministries, Departments and Agencies to appear before the National Assembly to defend their proposed 2018 budget estimates. The order was given at the end of a meeting the president had with the leadership of the National Assembly led by Senate President Bukola Saraki at the President Villa Thursday night. The meeting which started at about 9:10 p.m. ended at 10:36 p.m. It took place at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. Speaking with State House correspondents after the meeting, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha, said it was held in order to continue to build on the harmonious relationship that exists between the two arms of government. The president gave them update on security, economy, job creation, processes in the National Assembly especially with regards to the budget and need to conclude on time and Mr. President has given instruction that all ministers and heads of parastatals should ensure that they appear before the National Assembly to defend their submissions so that we can get this out of the way. You know this is a very dynamic year and there are preparation for elections and we are having quite a lot of security challenges and so if we dont appropriate, where will the money come from? Mr. Mustapha said. Thursdays meeting finally held after it was called off about three times. Mr. Saraki, who also spoke with reporters, said the meeting could not hold on the three occasions due to logistics reasons. He said the leadership of the National Assembly used the opportunity of the meeting to give Mr. Buhari their opinion on the budget, security and other issues. Mr. Saraki said although the legislature was working on the 2018 budget, some agencies were yet to defend their budgets. We are hoping that with the speed up now, they will come and defend their budget, he said. Those who attended the meeting from the National Assembly include Speaker Yakubu Dogara, his deputy speaker, Yusuf Lasun, Senate Leader, Ahmed Lawan, and House Leader Femi Gbajabiamila. Others are senators Sola Adeyeye and Philip Aduda; House Chief Whip, Al-Hassan Dogowa; and Deputy Whip Pally Iriase, among others. However, while all principal officers from the platform of the governing All Progressives Congress were present, only Mr. Aduda came from the opposition Peoples Democratic Party. Those absent were Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu, Minority Leader Godswill Akpabio, his deputy, Emmanuel Bwacha, and Deputy Minority Whip, Biodun Olujimi. Those who attended the meeting from the executive arm include Chief of Staff to the President, Abba Kyari; Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha; the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina; the Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu; as well as the Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly Matters (Senate), Ita Enang. ADVERTISEMENT One of the victims of alleged billionaire kidnapper, Chukwudumeme Onwuamadike (popularly known as Evans), on Friday told a Lagos judge how his family received 50 per cent discount on ransom from his abductors last year. Donatus Dunu, the last victim before the alleged kidnappers were arrested, while giving evidence before an Ikeja Division of the Lagos State High Court said the discount was given two days before Good Friday. According to him, Evans kept pegging his demands in dollars, euro and naira based on market value and his insistence on receiving the ransom in euros made it difficult for his family to raise the money. Evans asked for my brothers phone number and I gave him. They called my brother Anselm Dunu that I should tell him my bill is 1 million through a conference call. They were beating me that I should say that I have agreed that I will pay 1 million and I told my brother. They had been calling my brother almost every day and they will be beating me so that my brother will hear my crying. So at a time I asked my brother to start looking for where to borrow money. At a time they said they have been able to raise up to 60 million naira which I asked the chairman (Evans) to take the 60 million naira and when I come out I will make the remaining money for him but he said me and my brother are saying rubbish. At a time they tried to change the money to euro but Evans said no because there was a time around March when naira appreciated, he asked them not to change it anymore that its not euro again but naira and when naira started depreciating again he asked them to change it back to euro. I pleaded that euro was too hard to get and his boys advised me to ask him to give me discount and he came down from 1million to 500,000; that is about 50% discount. Details later Controversy has continued to trail the mass sack of about 90 people by Telecom firm, Globacom. Amidst reports last week that the firm laid off 90 of its female staff in various Glo Friendship Centres across the country for being married, an official told PREMIUM TIMES it was a routine exercise that affected all staff irrespective of gender or marital status. Some staff of the telecommunication firm were on March 9 served termination letters. The development triggered speculations that the women affected in the purge were sacked for being married. Following the report, which went viral online, Nigerians accused the company of discrimination, not only against women, but also against their marital status. But an official of the company, who requested that her name not be disclosed for fear of victimisation as she was not authorised to speak on the matter, said reports about only female staff members being sacked because of their marital status was not correct. The truth is that people were sacked. Men, women, married and unmarried were sacked, she said. There are many reasons for all those things. But, when people say only unmarried women were affected, I dont understand where that is coming from. As I speak, there are so many married women in the company. There were cases where men were removed and replaced with women in some sensitive positions, she said. The official, who described the sack as a normal annual evaluation and rationalisation exercise, said a lot of people who met the minimum performance criteria set by the company, were promoted, including married women. The official said the real reason the affected staff were asked to go was their failure to successfully scale through an annual performance appraisal exercise. People who claimed they were removed because they were married did not say what they did to deserve that. At the end of every year, every normal organization conducts an annual performance evaluation of staff. If the cut-off point is say 80 per cent, and one fails to meet it, one would know what would happen. In fact, even if one scores 100 per cent, one would still be at the discretion of the company if you have one or two issues pending against them in the past. In a service industry as telecoms, she said, it was possible some of them were rude to customers and the report got to management. No decent company comes out to talk about what they do about their staff appraisal. But, the issue is that Nigerians know how to appeal to emotions. So, even if they did something wrong, to attract sympathy, they would choose one thing that appeals to sentiments to blame their sack on. She said the management of the company had fulfilled all its obligations to the affected workers, particularly the payment of all their benefits and entitlements. All the affected workers were paid their emolument as they were going. The truth is that it might be a painful decision. But, if an organisation does an appraisal of its staff and found some to be wanting in their productivity, no one would want to keep them. Anyone who keeps non-performing staff would be jeopardising their bottom line at the end of the year, the official said. Efforts to get an official reaction from the firm were unsuccessful as its spokesperson declined comment. It is not clear why the firm, owned by billionaire Mike Adenuga, does not want to publicly clarify its actions. ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT The Bayelsa State Governor, Seriake Dickson, was Thursday night honoured with Outstanding Leadership in Accountability award by the management of DAAR Communication, owners of AIT and Ray Power. The governor was recognised for his integrity and accountability in public sector. Four other governors were also conferred with various awards. The award conferment, which is for the year 2017 was done at a colourful ceremony in Abuja Thursday night. Also honoured at the event are the managing director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Hadiza Bala Usman and the Executive Vice Chairman of National Communication Commission (NCC), Umar Danbatta. The two were awarded with Award for Outstanding Leadership in Public Sector Governance. An interesting highlight for the evening was presentation of Diligence and Dedication Award to a traffic police officer, Josephine Okeme. The female police inspector, who has won many other awards, was praised in her citation for hard work and commitment to duty. Award for Ordinary People In his welcome address, DAAR Communications founder, Raymond Dokpesi, called for a shift in personality awards to recognise ordinary people. Bayelsa State governor, Seriake Dickson (middle) flanked by former minister of Water Resources, Mukhtar Shagari (left) and chairperson of the occasion at the DAAR Award night on Thursday in Abuja He said the philosophy of award presentation should be underscored by recognising initiatives and conducts of ordinary citizens, beyond those holding public office. He said the media organisations award for Ms. Okeme was done to set the tone for the future. The Chairperson for the event, Julius Adelusi-Adeliyi, urged outfits organising similar event to make integrity their watch-word. ADVERTISEMENT The police on Thursday announced they killed a Port Harcourt kidnap kingpin who has been on their wanted list. The man, identified as Prosper David, was killed during a shoot-out between the police and his gang, according to a statement issued by the spokesperson of the Force Headquarters, Abuja, Jimoh Moshood. The statement did not mention where the shoot-out took place. It said the kidnap kingpin was killed by a police joint strike force set up by the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, to trace those responsible for the abduction of one Tina Bob-Manuel, a Port Harcourt-based businesswoman. Mrs. Bob-Manuel, 58, was abducted November last year at her shop at Nvuigwe, Woji in Obio-Akpor Local Government Area of the state. The kidnappers, who disguised themselves with police uniforms and were armed with AK-47 rifles, later demanded N100 million ransom from the victims family. Mr. David and his gang were said to have also been involved in armed robberies, cult-related killings, sea piracy and other violent crimes. The deceased gang leader has been identified after his death by some of his victims, said Mr. Moshood, an assistant commissioner of police. Three other suspected members of the gang Benjamin Johnson, Anthony Joshua, and Johnson Dennis have been arrested. They have reportedly confessed to their involvement in the criminal activities of the gang. The police said the late kingpin was responsible for several kidnap operations in Rivers state, as well as other states in the South-east and South-south. The police recovered one AK-47 rifle from the gang. ADVERTISEMENT The National Council on Establishment (NCE) has approved an enhanced entry point of salary Grade Level 09 for engineering graduates in the public service. The approval is contained in a communique issued at the end of the councils 40th meeting that ended on Friday in Owerri, Imo. The communique, read by Rufus Godwins, Head of Service of Rivers Government, stated that the council also approved that engineers would advance to grade level 10 after two years in service. Other memorandums approved by the council, according to Godwins, are the creation of executive cadre for Procurement Officers in the scheme of service, and inclusion of Vehicle Inspection Officers (VIO) and Assistant Cadre in the scheme. It also approved the inclusion of relevant certificates for Surveyor, Survey Technical and Craftsmen in the civil service cadre, and restoration of Industrial Promotion Officer Cadre on salary grade level 08 to 17. The meeting stressed the need for Ministries, Departments and Agencies to operate within the ambit of the law and the re-designation of existing Livestock Development Officer Cadre as Animal Husbandry/Scientist. According to Mr. Godwins, the council also approved the restoration and upward review of schools House Masters and Mistresses allowance and that of Science and Mathematics teachers in Unity Schools. This is with approval for further necessary action by the office of Head of Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF) and National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission. The payment of a special allowance to Civil Servants engaged in teaching in Unity Schools should be addressed by the OHCSF with other relevant stakeholders, the communique further read. The council reaffirmed that professional certificates and qualifications issued by professional bodies, seeking inclusion in the scheme of service, should be recognised for proficiency purposes only. It encouraged states to pay salaries and retirement benefits as at when due. Mr. Godwins said the councils plenary received 64 memorandums on various establishment matters, adding that some were rejected and others referred to the standing committee on schemes of service for detailed examination. He announced that Kano would host the next council meeting while the standing committee would meet in July 2018 at Port Harcourt, Rivers. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the 40th NCE meeting, which opened on Monday, March 12 ended on Friday. The Head of Service of the Federation, Winifred Oyo-Ita, presided over the meeting that was attended by the Heads of Service from the 36 states and their Permanent Secretaries. (NAN) The presidential candidate under the defunct National Republican Convention (NRC), during the annulled June 12 1993 election, Bashir Tofa, has criticised the federal governments change begins with me campaign. He said the president and his team need to change first before asking Nigerians. He said attitudinal change should be a top-down approach, not the bottom-top approach as being advocated by the government. Mr. Tofa said: leaders should change themselves and those around them first, otherwise this effort will also fizzle away as all the others did earlier. He said the new campaign will only be successful if the change will be in peoples pockets (finances), rather than in that of a few politicians and officials. Mr. Tofa was speaking at the launching of Domestication of the Kano State Societal Reorientation Programme of Change Begins With Me, held on Thursday at Coronation Hall, Government House, Kano. He said the fight against corruption should be at all levels equally and justly. The politician said similar efforts in the past failed because of the hypocrisy and the failure of leadership in this country. Leaders want the bottom to change, while the top remains rotten. The fight against corruption and other bad behaviours must be at all levels, equally and justly. It cannot work any other way. And, punishment without counselling, cannot be the deterrence that is needed. A serious, workable and lasting plan is absolutely necessary. Let us be honest and serious in whatever we do. Our leaders should change themselves first and those around them; and give an all-rounded example of honest, purposeful and caring leadership. Otherwise, this effort will also fizzle away as all the others did earlier, he said. He also noted, This new campaign the FG plans to embark upon, probably at great expense, will only be successful if we are sincere, and if the change will be in peoples pockets, rather than in that of a few politicians and officials. Mr. Tofa recalled that similar programmes failed in the past due to lack of sincerity and commitment from leaders. This is not the first effort. General Buhari, in 1984, introduced the War Against Indiscipline (WAI). General Babangida never bothered, probably because he had something to do with WAI, the original soft concept which I wrote. The late General Sani Abacha also toed with what he titled, Not in Our Character, and even established a high-rise building for it in the CBD, Abuja. Even President Obasanjo has tried his bit. He established the EFCC and other corruption-fighting organisations during his time. Even the President (Buhari) wants to fight corruption. Now, we have come full cycle. The old WAI, as was re-written by others, sought to inject discipline by force. That worked for some time, but because fear and coercion were its driving force, it subsequently failed and inflicted much damage to the image of that Government. President Buhari, who truly believes in discipline, now requires his democratic federal government to re-introduce another version of WAI, with a human face, and with this new name, CHANGE BEGINS WITH ME. This, to my mind, is a direct personal proclamation; a voluntary resolution, if you will, that the federal government requires each Nigerian to make, in good faith and with determination, to change himself and herself for the better, Mr. Tofa added. In his address, the Kano State Governor, Abdullahi Ganduje, assured that the state would domesticate the Change Begins With Me campaign for genuine development of the state. Our government decides to domesticate this project with all seriousness and commitment. Through that we can be sure of getting it done effectively. As Change Begins With Me campaign means total commitment to behavioural change for a better society and commitment to what translates into transparent and accountable governance, I am pleased to declare that Change Begins With Me is here and will remain with us, he said. In his remarks, the Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, called for the enactment of law that would see to a healthy and supportive family system in the society. He called on all people from all spheres of life to come together and make sure the state has the best family system. ADVERTISEMENT On the fight against drug abuse, the Emir said, For about a month, we have taken a decision at the Emirate Council level that, whoever has any trace of drug abuse will not be given any title in the Emirate Council. We added it that before we give any title to anybody, he has to have at least secondary school certificate or its equivalent in Islamic education. Meanwhile, Saleh Jibrin, a representative of the Minister of Information, Lai Mohammed, commended Mr. Ganduje for his effort in domesticating Change Begins With Me in the state. ADVERTISEMENT The police in Bayelsa State, on Wednesday, arraigned a pastor before a magistrate in Yenagoa for allegedly obtaining an SUV under false pretence from a churchgoer. Kingsley Abiekunogho, said to be an apostle and founder of God Is Able Mega Fire Ministry, at Opolo, Yenagoa, is accused of tricking one Jones Seiyefa to hand over to him, a Toyota SUV and N20, 000 in exchange for spiritual breakthrough. During a church programme at God Is Able Mega Fire Ministry, in September 2017, a visiting pastor was said to have called out Mr. Seiyefa from the congregation and prodded him to donate his car and the money to the accused, with the assurance that God had wonderful gift for him. Mr. Seiyefa, who is the complainant in the case, was told by the pastor that within a month God was going to double the car and money collected from him. He was subsequently invited to the church on a later day where he was made to drink a special honey to quicken the expected breakthrough. Several days after, instead of things improving, life became more difficult for Mr. Seiyefa who then demanded his car back. But the pastor refused. A relative of Mr. Seiyefa said he initially pledged to give only N20,000 to the church because that was all he had left in his bank account, but the pastor allegedly told him it was too small for a man of his status. The relative said she tried to stop him from transferring the ownership of the car to the pastor but he refused. By the grace of God, days after he did the change of ownership he came back to his senses and revealed that he did all he did because he was under some kind of influence, she said. The police prosecutor in the case, I. Amakiri, read out a three-count charge against the pastor who pleaded not guilty. The magistrate, Eke Spiff, granted the pastor bail and asked him to produce the guest pastor in court during the next hearing. The case was adjourned to April 4, 2018. ADVERTISEMENT The Spiritual Director of Adoration Ministry Enugu Nigeria (AMEN) and Chairman of Aqua Rapha investment Nigeria Limited, Ejike Mbaka has described Enugu State as peaceful and safe for investment with an outstanding feature as the most hospitable state in the country. Mr. Mbaka, a reverend father, spoke when the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Sweden to Nigeria, Inger Ultvedt, paid a visit to the Government House, Enugu, to explore business opportunities in Enugu State. The cleric noted that Enugu is peaceful, secure and conducive for investment because of the leadership qualities of Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi who he described as an innovative, kind-hearted and God fearing governor. He added that Mr. Ugwuanyi is reliable and committed to rapid development of the state, stressing that he has zero tolerance for corruption and always abides by terms of agreements. Mr. Mbaka, therefore, encouraged the Swedish Ambassador and his team to invest in Enugu State especially in the area of renewable energy to guarantee steady power supply for ease of doing business in the state, stressing that their visit was timely and imperative. The cleric disclosed that his company is already partnering with a Swedish company on business service delivery. In her remark, the Swedish ambassador expressed delight at the hospitality accorded the delegation in Enugu, disclosing that the Government of Sweden has a promising market with a lot of investors willing to do business in the state in particular and Nigeria in general. She harped on diversification of the economy as key to economic growth, saying: Today we have diversified. Our university is focusing a lot on innovation and entrepreneurship. We have a very good co-operation with the University of Nigeria Nsukka. Responding, Mr. Ugwuanyi who was represented by his deputy, Cecilia Ezeilo, welcomed the Sweden Ambassador and her team to the state, adding that the visit offers us an ample opportunity to explore bilateral relationship and exchange ideas on areas of mutual interest between your country and the Enugu State Government. The governor stated that Enugu is among the states in the country that have demonstrated commitment to current efforts to diversify the national economy especially through the attraction of high quality investments in key sectors of the economy. He told the delegation that the state recently hosted an international business summit to showcase the massive but virtually untapped economic potentials that abound in Enugu State such as in Agriculture and Agro-Allied Enterprises, Medicare, Manufacturing, Tourism/ Hospitality, Education, Infrastructural development and Mining/ Mineral resources, among others, assuring them of the state governments interest to share ideas with them on how best to exploit the vast business opportunities that exist in Enugu State. ADVERTISEMENT A security guard, Victor Ojiakor, who allegedly shot his colleague fatally, was on Friday remanded at Ikoyi Prisons on the orders of an Ebute Meta Chief Magistrates Court in Lagos. The Chief Magistrate, O.A. Adegite, who gave the ruling, directed that the case file should be duplicated and a copy forwarded to the State Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for advice. Mr. Ojiajor, 27, who resides at Plot 8, Road H, Ilupeju Estate, Ijede in Ikorodu in Lagos State, is facing a two-count charge of illegal possession of firearms and murder. He pleaded not guilty to the charges. According to Police Prosecutor, Julius Babatope, the offences were committed on February 11 at 3.30 p.m. at a sand dredging site at Obadore Waterfront in Lagos. He told the court that the accused shot dead his colleague, Frank Augustine, 28, on his stomach with a pump action riffle while trying to secure the dredger. About 16 live cartridges were found in possession of the accused, he alleged. The offences contravened Sections 223 and 330 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015. The case has been adjourned until April 16. BANGALORE, India, March 16, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- This is with reference to our press release dated Mar 15, 2018, 10:30 ET "42Gears is a Google Android Enterprise Recommended EMM Partner". The press release has certain errors in its content where the program name has been mentioned wrongly as Android Enterprise Recommended and the same has been sent onward for dissemination to the members of the wire. Please note that 42Gears is an Android Enterprise EMM Partner, but not an Android Enterprise Recommended Partner. The error is deeply regretted. For more information, contact: [email protected] SOURCE 42Gears GRAND CAYMAN, The Cayman Islands, March 16, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- In a sea of sinking prices and drowning ICO's, the blockchain industry has recognized the buoyancy and true value of the ACAD Token. During a seemingly unforgiving bearish market and with only 27 minutes to spare, Academy - School of Blockchain ("Academy") triumphantly crossed the finish line of their private presale hard cap goal of $45 million dollars. "It tastes a little sweeter that we were able to close it out on one of the bloodiest days in recent crypto history. The token sale process is hard. I wouldn't wish it on anyone. But when you do it with a world class team and the most incredible supporters, it makes it a lot less painful," said Academy co-founder Jason King. The Crowdsale Now, Academy announces their Crowdsale and publicly introduces ACADEMY TOKEN (ACAD) to underpin the economic ecosystem of blockchain education. Academy is the world's first accredited blockchain training program with the ambitious mission of addressing the looming developer shortfall which, left unchecked, could throw future blockchain innovations and initiatives into a tailspin crisis. "We're humbled and grateful that the industry has recognized the value in Academy's mission to ensure the future of blockchain. And if the unbelievable support we received throughout our private sale is any indicator, we're excited to introduce our crowdsale to the public," said Academy co-founder Moe Levin. The Mission With the $6 billion+ in blockchain funding raised in 2017 only expected to continue to grow in 2018, a standardized, scalable infrastructure to train blockchain developers is vital to support further sector growth. Academy founder and CEO John Souza and co-founder Jason King spoke at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland in January 2018, about the challenges facing a growing blockchain sector. "Currently the market is propped up by toothpicks. For every one qualified blockchain developer on earth, there are 14 available jobs for them. And if you couple that with the fact that over the next seven years as an industry, we're going to grow 16 times our current level, you can start to see the scale of this problem A problem Academy fully intends on solving," Souza said. The Token To facilitate transactions in the Academy ecosystem, Academy is issuing the Academy Token (ACAD) on the Ethereum blockchain. The ACAD token will be a means of paying for Academy services and programs. Upon token generation, token holders will be able to use tokens immediately to sign up for immersive training programs, educational offerings, and to access online content. Corporations looking for highly trained developers can use their tokens to bid for Academy-accredited graduates through the HR Advisory. The Backer Benefits For Student Developers: Priority Course Placement Reduced Course Fees Gamified Learning Developer Job Placement For Corporations/Governments/Organisations: Priority Course Placement for Staff Retraining Priority Access to Trained Developers Opportunity to Shape the Curriculum through Advisory Node System For Everyone: Back the Future of Blockchain Build an Effective, Sustainable Blockchain Community Support Future Blockchain Projects through the Incubator Accelerator The Token Mechanics When an ACAD token is used for payment at Academy, 70% of token value will be burned, 15% of token value will be credited to a scholarship fund and 15% of token value will be credited to a community development fund, which provides partial funding for the Incubator Accelerator program. The public Crowdsale of Academy (ACAD) tokens commenced on 15 March 2018. Any participant of the Academy Token Sale will be required to identify themselves to meet minimum Anti-Money Laundering (AML), Counter-Terrorism Financing (CTF) and Know Your Customer (KYC) requirements. For more details on the Academy Token Sale, as well as Academy's vision for the future of blockchain and disruptive technology education, download a copy of Academy's whitepaper, "Developing the Future of Blockchain." About Academy - School of Blockchain Academy - School of Blockchain is the world's first accredited school for blockchain. Academy enables the future of blockchain projects worldwide by addressing the growing blockchain developer shortage. Academy is a member of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS-CASI) through Kingsland University and is an internationally recognized higher education institution. Press and Media Inquiries Matthew Lutz Marketing Director Academy - School of Blockchain P: (888) 689-8285 x 133 E: [email protected] SOURCE Academy - School of Blockchain Related Links http://www.academytoken.com WASHINGTON, March 16, 2018 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Kids in Alabama will unite against tobacco use on March 21 as they join thousands of young people nationwide to mark Kick Butts Day. More than 1,000 events are planned across the United States for this annual day of youth activism, sponsored by the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids. (See below for a list of local events.) On Kick Butts Day, kids encourage their peers to be tobacco-free, reject tobacco companies' devious marketing and urge elected officials to help make the next generation tobacco-free. This year, Kick Butts Day is focusing attention on the progress the U.S. has made in reducing youth smoking and the actions needed to create the first tobacco-free generation. Since 2000, the national smoking rate among high school students has fallen by 71 percent (from 28 percent in 2000 to 8 percent in 2016). However, the fight against tobacco is far from over: Tobacco use is still the No. 1 cause of preventable death in the U.S., killing over 480,000 people and costing about $170 billion in health care expenses each year. in health care expenses each year. Tobacco companies spend $8.9 billion a year $1 million every hour to market tobacco products in the U.S., often in ways that appeal to kids. a year every hour to market tobacco products in the U.S., often in ways that appeal to kids. Electronic cigarettes have become the most popular tobacco product used by kids nationwide, 11.3 percent of high school students use e-cigarettes compared to 8 percent who smoke cigarettes. The latest trend with teens is JUUL, an e-cigarette that looks like a computer flash drive and comes in flavors like mango and fruit medley. In Alabama, tobacco use claims 8,600 lives and costs $1.88 billion in health care bills each year. Currently, 14 percent of Alabama's high school students smoke. On Kick Butts Day, kids and health advocates are calling on elected officials to implement proven strategies that make up a "roadmap to a tobacco-free generation." These strategies include tobacco tax increases, comprehensive smoke-free laws, raising the tobacco sale age to 21, well-funded tobacco prevention programs and banning the sale of flavored tobacco products. "On Kick Butts Day, kids are celebrating the progress we've made to reduce tobacco use and building momentum to get us across the finish line," said Matthew L. Myers, President of the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids. "Elected leaders in every state can help create the first tobacco-free generation by supporting proven strategies to prevent youth tobacco use." On Kick Butts Day, kids join in creative events ranging from classroom activities to educate their peers about the harmful ingredients in cigarettes to rallies at state capitols. In Alabama, activities include: On March 17, the West Central Alabama Area Health Education Center will host an anti-tobacco booth at the Sawyerville Community Festival to highlight natural activities like hiking and fishing that are healthy alternatives to smoking. Time: 11 AM. Location: Lock 6, Sawyerville. Contact: Ada Webb (334) 507-0521. On March 20, students from Red Bay High School will host a rally promoting tobacco abstinence in partnership with Teens Against Tobacco, Smoke-Free Shoals: Hope for the Homeless, Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD), and the Health Occupations Student Alliance. Students will sign anti-tobacco pledges, and demonstrate the costs of smoking with a canned food presentation, which will be donated afterward. Time: 8 AM. Location: 800 8th Street E., Sheffield. Contact: Melanie Dickens (256) 740-1626. The youth council of the Dothan-Houston County Substance Abuse Partnership will chalk the entrance to the Partnership's office and host an informational table to inform the public about the dangers of tobacco. They have partnered with Durden Outdoor to display anti-tobacco messages on electric signs throughout the week in Dothan. Time: 4 PM. Location: 3124 W. Main Street, Dothan. Contact: Susan Trawick (334) 701-5772. All events will take place March 21 unless otherwise indicated. For a full list of Kick Butts Day activities in Alabama, visit www.kickbuttsday.org/map. Additional information about tobacco, including state-by-state statistics, can be found at www.tobaccofreekids.org. SOURCE Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids Related Links http://www.tobaccofreekids.org COLUMBUS, Ohio, March 16, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- RMD Advertising, an integrated advertising, brand strategy, social media and public relations agency considered to be an expert in the challenger food brand category, is proud to announce the addition of two new accounts. The agency has partnered with Real Food Real Kitchens, a show that films real people in their kitchens telling stories of their family dishes, and Whirlybird Granola, producer of all-natural, Non-GMO, gluten-free and vegan granola. Under its insightful eye, RMD Advertising will help its new accounts grow awareness and attract consumers through the strategic use of public relations, advertising and marketing. Real Food Real Kitchens is a cooking series and brand that goes into the kitchens of everyday people and tells the story of families' traditions and recipes. Available on Amazon Prime, the show is the image of authenticity. Whirlybird Granola, an Ohio-based brand, is an all-natural and healthy-for-you granola brand made by passionate food lovers. The brand offers four delicious flavors of granola made with nuts, seeds and berries in four flavors: original, chocolate, vanilla berry and citrus ginger . RMD Advertising is proud to work with both new clients, proving the versatile and nimble approach the agency takes in the area of food brands. Current clients describe RMD Advertising as a partner with unwavering work ethic and commitment to the food category overall. "Both Real Food Real Kitchens and Whirlybird Granola are the best at what they do, and we are excited to spread the word about their brand," shares Sue Reninger, Managing Partner and Brand Strategist at RMD Advertising. "We are primed to make deeper connections for them with their respective audiences, and to make great things happen very quickly." RMD Advertising's expertise in the food industry spans more than 25 years. Its experience and intimate knowledge of the food industry makes it the ideal agency for unique clients such as Real Food Real Kitchens and Whirlybird Granola. With a sales driven mindset and the discipline to follow through on each project it adopts, the RMD Advertising team often attracts growing and emerging food brands that are passionate about their future. The proof of the agency's success is in the lasting relationships built with brands such as Graeter's Ice Cream, Rudolph Foods and Bil-Jac. Currently celebrating 26 years of experience and its expansive industry knowledge, the agency cultivates a strong relationship with its brands in an ever-competitive industry. About RMD Advertising RMD Advertising is an integrated advertising, brand strategy, social media and public relations agency located in Columbus, Ohio. An innovative team of public relations, creative and social media professionals have shaped the agency to serve global and national category leaders in the food industry that have carved out a strong niche for themselves. http://www.RMDAdvertising.com https://www.Facebook.com/RMDAdvertising https://Twitter.com/RMDAdvertising http://Instagram.com/RMDAdvertising https://www.Linkedin.com/RMDAdvertising http://RMDAdvertising.com/blog SOURCE RMD Advertising EMERYVILLE, Calif., March 16, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Family caregivers provide support to their elder loved ones in a variety of ways. A recent survey shows that emotional, physical, and financial support are all components of the care that family members give to their aging relatives. Student loan borrowers who are caring for elderly family members may have financial strains because of the care that they give. American Financial Benefits Center (AFBC), a document preparation company that helps borrowers apply for and recertify enrollment in federal repayment programs, encourages borrowers who are caregivers to think about how their care affects repayment. For borrowers in income-driven repayment plans (IDRs), taking care of an elder who lives under the same roof may mean a change in family size can be recorded. Since payments for borrowers in IDRs are calculated using both income and family size, if a borrower's income remains constant or lowers and their family size increases, that borrower might see a lower monthly payment. "Family size has a strict definition that all borrowers must stick to when reporting a number," said Sara Molina, Manager at AFBC. "If any AFBC client has a question about changing family size because they care for a relative under their roof, we are here to answer any questions." Borrowers can also review the Federal Student Aid definition of family size here for more information on how family size affects different plans. If a borrower's elderly relative does qualify them for a family size change, the lower payment may help ease the strain of care costs. A majority of family caregivers surveyed in the aforementioned report said they had to reduce living expenses, and a majority also had to withdraw from savings or assets. A family size change request can be done during the year or during yearly recertification. AFBC clients can expect support regarding either scenario. "We're here for our clients as they experience transitions in their lives that might affect their repayment plans," said Molina. "That's what's great about AFBCwe provide long-term support." About American Financial Benefits Center American Financial Benefits Center is a document preparation company that helps clients apply for federal student loan repayment plans that fit their personal financial and student loan situation. Through its strict customer service guidelines, the company strives for the highest levels of honesty and integrity. AFBC is a member of the Association for Student Loan Relief (AFSLR), and each representative on the phone has received the Certified Student Loan Professional certification through the International Association of Professional Debt Arbitrators (IAPDA). Contact To learn more about American Financial Benefits Center, please contact: American Financial Benefits Center 1900 Powell Street #600 Emeryville, CA 94608 1-800-488-1490 [email protected] Related Links AFBC home page SOURCE American Financial Benefits Center Related Links https://afbcenter.com The 1st ASIAWATER 2018 Technical Site Visit to the Lembaga Air Perak (LAP) was held on the 10 th of August 2017, where participants were given a private tour and briefing of the Ulu Kinta Water Treatment Plant and Sultan Azlan Shah Water Dam by Dato' Ir. Mohd Yusuf B. Mohd Isa, General Manager of LAP. For the 2 nd technical visit, participants of ASIAWATER 2018 visited Pantai 2 Regional Sewage Treatment Plant (RSTP), which is designed for 'Standard A' effluent discharge quality as prescribed in the Environmental Quality Regulations (Sewage) 2009. The facility has been designed to maximise green energy recovery through installation of solar panels and biogas utilization. The 3rd technical visit was held on March 8th to the Johor River Barrage and Syarikat Air Johor (SAJ). General Tan Sri Dato' Seri Panglima Mohd Azumi Bin Mohamed (rtd), Co-Chairman, UBM Malaysia said: "The overall objective of this technical visit is to get a better understanding of the importance of undertaking the necessary measures to ensure reliable and adequate raw water supply from the Johor River which serves as an important source for the supply of treated water to Johor Bahru and the surrounding areas. The Johor River also provides raw water supply to PUB under the 1962 water agreement signed between Johor and Singapore. The demand for water supply in Johor will continue to see rapid increase because of the robust economic and industrial activities in the state. Thus the Barrage will definitely serve as an important water infrastructure to ensure sustainable development for the state." Dato' Teo Yen Hua, Advisor to ASIAWATER said: "This site visit is covering all aspects of our theme of ASIAWATER 2018: Partnership for growth and a sustainable water future. Not only the very successful partnership between Federal and State Government; but also between BAKAJ (water regulatory body Badan Kawal Selia Air Johor) in Malaysia and PUB of Singapore. The barrage was funded by the Federal Government through KeTTHA (Ministry of Energy, Green Technology and Water) to address the problem of salinity of the river especially during dry periods. The technical visit also covers a short briefing by SAJ, the water treatment and distribution company, on their efforts in ensuring quality, reliable and efficient water supply for the state, including the various initiatives to reduce the level of Non-Revenue Water in Johor." ASIAWATER 2018 The 10th edition of ASIAWATER will be held from 10-12 April 2018 at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC), Malaysia. With more than 1,000 exhibiting companies and 11 regional and international pavilions, the event is expected to welcome over 19,000 trade visitors and delegates from 48 countries. The three-day event is accompanied with free-to-attend conference and seminars with the central theme of "Partnership for Growth and a Sustainable Future". The other conference topics include 'Efficient & Sustainable Water Resources', 'Water Future Partnerships', Water Policy & Governance' and Water Resources'. ASIAWATER 2018 conference and seminars are supported by Malaysian Water Association (MWA), Ministry of Energy, Green Technology and Water (KeTTHA), Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (NRE), the National Water Services Commission (SPAN) and The Drainage and Irrigation Department, Malaysia. For more information, go to: www.asiawater.org SOURCE UBM Asia (Malaysia) Related Links http://www.asiawater.org The TRIO C8 is the result of 36 months of intensive product research into the form-factor requirements of maintenance and reliability personnel on the plant floor the last mile of the IIoT. The TRIO C8 is designed to maximize the screen view while maintaining a very small product-footprint. The product's eight-inch screen is easy-to-read both inside and outside even in the snow, sleet and rain. Weighing 33% less than its predecessor, the TRIO C8 dispenses with cumbersome shoulder straps, and can be carried in a super-convenient belt pouch. Announcing the product's release, Azima CEO Burt Hurlock said: "In-house PdM experts no longer have to choose between portability and viewability. TRIO C8 delivers the best of both worlds." Azima's Senior Director of Product Development, Michael DeMaria, added: "The next generation of handheld vibration data-collectors has arrived. Tablets are like smart-phones. All new and existing customers should keep pace with advancing technology, and upgrade to the TRIO C8." Azima is a tech-enabled services company that maximizes industrial productivity all over the world. Azima supports and delivers Predictive Maintenance and Condition-Based Monitoring programs in 12 different industries, including: Oil & Gas; Food & Beverage; Manufacturing; Pharma & Biotech; Power Generation; and Water Treatment. Azima supports in-house machine reliability and PdM programs with best-in-class vibration data collectors. Azima PdM hardware is the world's best safe, smart, and simple to use. Azima hardware empowers users to perform 3x the machines tests with 10x the accuracy of other vibration analysis tools available in the market today. Last year, Azima hardware was used to conduct millions of machine tests on hundreds of thousands of industrial assets, all over the world. No one monitors more industrial capacity in more industries and more places than Azima. About Azima Azima maximizes industrial productivity on a global scale. When our clients have capacity, they can sell it. They're serious about uptime, and rely on Azima to maximize it. Azima delivers programs & results, not parts & pieces. We combine the efficiency of algorithms, the accuracy of data, and the judgment of experts. Azima gets results, and we do it at scale. No one maximizes industrial productivity in more industries and places than Azima. We cover 100,000 assets in dozens of countries, on every inhabited continent. We even handle stuff on the oceans. Azima is headquartered in Boston, with locations and experts across the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. For more information, please visit www.AzimaGlobal.com. Richard Cellini Vice-President, Marketing Azima Office: 781-938-0707 x1035 [email protected] www.AzimaGlobal.com SOURCE Azima, Inc. Related Links http://www.AzimaGlobal.com DALLAS, March 16, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Baker Brother Plumbing & Air Conditioning is excited to announce its ninth time to be awarded Angie's List Super Service Award Winner. Past years include: 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, and now 2017. Awards were earned for Drain Cleaning, Water Heaters, HVAC, Electrical & Plumbing services. This award honors service professionals who have maintained exceptional service ratings and reviews on Angie's List in 2017. "The service providers that receive our Angie's List Super Service Award demonstrate the level of excellence that members have come to expect," said Angie's List Founder Angie Hicks. "These pros are top-notch and absolutely deserve recognition for the trustworthy and exemplary customer service they exhibited in the past year and overall." Angie's List Super Service Award 2017 winners have met strict eligibility requirements, which include maintaining an "A" rating in overall grade, recent grade and review period grade. The SSA winners must be in good standing with Angie's List, pass a background check, record a current trade license attestation and abide by Angie's List operational guidelines. Only about 5 percent of the companies Bakers competes with in the Dallas area are able to earn the Super Service Award. It represents consistently great customer service. Jimmie Dale, President of Baker Brothers Plumbing & Air Conditioning, said, "We are honored to receive this prestigious award from Angie's List for the ninth time since 2006. I am so thankful to work with some of the best technicians and support staff in the plumbing and HVAC industry who made it possible to be considered for this award." About Baker Brothers Plumbing & Air Conditioning Baker Brothers is a full service residential plumbing and air conditioning contractor that has been serving the greater Dallas and Fort Worth area since 1945. Baker Brothers is an accredited member of the Better Business Bureau with an A+ rating, and a Consumer Choice Award Winner from 2006-2017. To learn more about Baker Brothers Plumbing & Air Conditioning visit www.bakerbrothersplumbing.com or call (214) 324-8811. License Numbers: Jimmie Dale, JR M-30505 | TACLB00052136E Media Contact: Michelle Lamont 214-228-9135 [email protected] SOURCE Baker Brothers Related Links http://www.bakerbrothersplumbing.com Ignition by Inductive Automation is an industrial application platform with tools for building solutions, such as human-machine interface (HMI), supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA), and the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT). Ignition Edge is a line of lightweight, limited, low-cost Ignition software products, which empower solutions designed for edge-of-network use. The upcoming UNO model, C-UNO2271-W10EDG-1, is fan-less and ruggedized for industrial- and mission-critical applications. When running Ignition Edge MQTT, the UNO is equipped with OPC-UA, Modbus, Siemens and Allen Bradley suite of drivers, supporting up to 500 tags. Data is seamlessly integrated with Ignition by the MQTT Engine by Cirrus Link Solutions, using the Spark Plug MQTT standard. The UNO can be used in combination with B+B SmartWorx sensor nodes to easily add sensor data. "Here at B+B Smartworx, we know users may be struggling with getting the data they need, when they need it," said Jerry O'Gorman, B+B SmartWorx president and CEO. "To help solve these issues for our customers and offer real value, we continue to partner with innovative vendors, such as Inductive Automation, to make data connectivity easier and more efficient to adopt when utilizing our industrial, intelligent devices." In addition to embedding Ignition Edge MQTT in the UNO as part of the Ignition Onboard program, there is an expanding universe of B+B SmartWorx products that integrate with Ignition, such as: Wzzard Wireless Mesh Sensing Nodes, WISE Wireless I/O Modules, ADAM Ethernet I/O Modules, SmartFlex & SmartStart LTE & WAN/LAN Gateways, Touch Panel Computers, Ethernet Switches with MQTT and more. "It's fantastic that B+B SmartWorx can bring their decades-long expertise of interfacing legacy and brownfield devices into the IIoT arena," said Arlen Nipper, co-inventor of MQTT. "With Ignition Edge running on UNO, customers will get a fast-track entry into better SCADA/operational solutions, while also laying the groundwork for future IIoT enablement. The UNOin combination with MQTT technology on B+B SmartWorx lines of Wzzard, WISE, ADAM, SmartFlex and Industrial Ethernet Switchesproduces a superior operational technology (OT) solution, while also providing the on-ramp to a superior IIoT infrastructure." www.advantech-bb.com [email protected] [email protected] International Office: 707 Dayton Road PO Box 1040 Ottawa, IL 61350 USA 815-433-5100 Fax 433-5104 European Office: Westlink Commercial Park Oranmore Co. Galway Ireland +353 91 792444 Fax +353 91 792445 SOURCE Advantech B+B SmartWorx (US) Related Links http://www.advantech-bb.com VANCOUVER, March 16, 2018 /PRNewswire/ - Bear Creek Mining Corporation ("Bear Creek" or the "Company") (TSX Venture: BCM) announces that Mr. Eric Caba has been appointed Vice President, Project Development of the Company, effective March 15, 2018. Mr. Caba has been engaged on a full-time basis at the Company's offices in Lima, Peru. Mr. Caba has over 25 years' experience in the mining industry across the Americas and Europe. Most recently he served as the Vice President, South America Business Unit for Hudbay Minerals Inc. where he was intimately involved in development of the business unit and the construction of the Constancia mine in Peru. Starting as Operational Readiness Manager before moving to Director of Operations and then Vice President, Eric played a key role in the design and development of the business processes and operational preparations, focusing on business relationships, productivity, efficiency and cost control, and coordinated implementation of these processes and preparations through all levels and stages of the Constancia mine construction. Prior to his tenure at Hudbay in Peru, Eric held operations management positions at a variety of global base metal, precious metal and industrial mineral operations. Eric holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Metallurgical Engineering from the University of Idaho. The Company's Board of Directors has authorized and approved a grant of 400,000 incentive stock options (the "Stock Options") to Mr. Caba under its incentive stock option plan (the "Stock Option Plan"). The Stock Options have an expiry date of March 16, 2028 and will vest periodically, in accordance with the Stock Option Plan, upon the achievement of certain corporate milestones. The exercise price of the Stock Options is Cdn $2.24 per share. Tony Hawkshaw, President and CEO of Bear Creek states, "On behalf of the Board of Directors, I am pleased to welcome Eric Caba to the Company. Eric is a highly regarded mining executive with a track record of delivering excellent results in mine development and operations, with special accomplishments in the Peruvian market. He will be an integral member of the team developing our Corani deposit." On behalf of the Board of Directors, Anthony Hawkshaw President and CEO Caution Regarding Forward Looking Information This news release contains forward-looking statement regarding the location and nature of employment of the Company's incoming Vice President, Project Development. These forward-looking statements are based on the terms of an employment agreement signed between the Company and Mr. Caba, and are provided as of the date of this news release, or the effective date of the documents referred to in this news release, as applicable, and reflect predictions, expectations or beliefs regarding future events based on the Company's beliefs at the time the statements were made, as well as various assumptions made by and information currently available to them. Although management considers these assumptions to be reasonable based on information available to it, they may prove to be incorrect. By their very nature, forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties, both general and specific, and risks exist that estimates, forecasts, projections and other forward-looking statements will not be achieved or that assumptions on which they are based do not reflect future experience. We caution readers not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements as a number of important factors could cause the actual outcomes to differ materially from the expectations expressed in them. These risk factors may be generally stated as the risk that the assumptions and estimates expressed above do not occur, but specifically include, without limitation, risks relating to the date, location and basis of employment as contractually obligated by Mr. Caba's employment agreement; and the additional risks described in the Company's latest Annual Information Form, and other disclosure documents filed by the Company on SEDAR. The foregoing list of factors that may affect future results is not exhaustive. When relying on our forward-looking statements, investors and others should carefully consider the foregoing factors and other uncertainties and potential events. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statement, whether written or oral, that may be made from time to time by the Company or on behalf of the Company, except as required by law. The TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. SOURCE Bear Creek Mining Corporation Related Links http://www.bearcreekmining.com HOLLAND, Mich., March 16, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Boxed Water, the first national brand of sustainably packaged water, announces its new "Better for our Planet" campaign. Better for our Planet enables consumers to give back to the planet by planting two trees for every picture of Boxed Water posted using #betterplanet starting today and going throughout the summer. Better for our Planet marks the fourth year of Boxed Water's efforts aimed at reforestation. Through a partnership between the National Forest Foundation (NFF) and Boxed Water, 612,000 trees have already been planted with many more to come. Boxed Water Empowers Consumers and Retailers to Give Back Through New Better for our Planet Campaign "As we've seen since the beginning of our partnership, Boxed Water is truly passionate about our national forests and the important role they play in our health and happiness," said Mary Mitsos, President and CEO of the NFF. "The message of purpose-driven companies, like Boxed Water, resonates with the ever-growing sustainably minded consumer." Each year, wildfires, infestation and other causes impact an average of 7 million acres of forest land. Last year alone, California experienced the largest fire ever recorded. Vibrant forests are vital for clean water, wildlife, and of course, enjoyment. Boxed Water has a long-term partnership with the NFF through its membership with 1% For The Planet. To date, Boxed Water and the NFF have planted in the Deschutes National Forest, the Custer-Gallatin National Forest, the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest, and the Stanislaus National Forest. "Since 2009, we've seen consumers of all ages looking for a sustainable alternative to plastic bottles and other ways to help our planet. This campaign has far exceeded our expectations of reforestation based on consumer response," said Rob Koenen, Chief Marketing Officer of Boxed Water. "By taking the simple action of posting on social media, we will plant two trees. We have built a strong community that is making a big impact and this year we expect even greater participation." In addition to planting trees, Boxed Water will introduce a sweepstakes in April to reward its consumers for their commitment to the planet. One lucky grand prize winner will receive a "glamping" (i.e. glamorous camping) vacation where they can enjoy beautiful natural landscapes with hotel-worthy amenities. The winner will receive travel accommodations, a luxury tent at an Under Canvas campground, and a one-year supply of Boxed Water. Additional runner-up prizes will be available. Consumers can participate digitally through their social media posts and email entries. Retail partners will share the message in stores across the country. Boxed Water will reach an even wider audience through field events that align with its core audience of sustainably-minded millennials, including urban planting activations. More details can be found at boxedwater.com/betterplanet. About Boxed Water Boxed Water is better. Better for the planet. Better for us all. Boxed Water was founded in the belief that sustainability matters with the purpose of changing the way packaged water is shipped, sold and enjoyed. Boxed Water provides people with a better option for purchasing packaged water by producing pure water in recyclable cartons made using paper from well-managed forests. Boxed Water is a proud member of 1% For The Planet and partner of the National Forest Foundation (NFF). The simple act of choosing Boxed Water is a statement that sustainability matters. Boxed Water is headquartered in Michigan with filling locations in Michigan and Utah. Boxed Water is available for purchase from their site www.boxedwater.com as well as on Amazon. Socialize with us @BoxedWater. About the National Forest Foundation The National Forest Foundation promotes the enhancement and public enjoyment of the 193-million-acre National Forest System. By directly engaging Americans and leveraging private and public funding, the NFF improves forest health and Americans' outdoor experiences. The NFF's programs inform millions of Americans about the importance of these treasured landscapes. Each year, the NFF restores fish and wildlife habitat, plants trees in areas affected by fires, insects and disease, improves recreational opportunities, and enables to steward their National Forests and Grasslands. Learn more at www.nationalforest.com. SOURCE Boxed Water Is Better Related Links http://www.boxedwater.com CALGARY, March 16, 2018 /PRNewswire/ - Canadian Pacific Railway Limited (TSX: CP) (NYSE: CP) announced today that it has completed the filing of its notice of meeting and management proxy circular for CP's 2018 annual meeting of shareholders with Canadian and U.S. securities regulators. A copy of the proxy materials is available at investor.cpr.ca CP's annual meeting of shareholders will be held at the Royal Canadian Pacific Pavilion at CP's Ogden Head Office in Calgary, Alberta on Thursday, May 10, 2018, at 9 a.m. mountain time. About Canadian Pacific Canadian Pacific is a transcontinental railway in Canada and the United States with direct links to major ports on the west and east coasts, providing North American customers a competitive rail service with access to key markets in every corner of the globe. CP is growing with its customers, offering a suite of freight transportation services, logistics solutions and supply chain expertise. Visit cpr.ca to see the rail advantages of CP. CP-IR SOURCE Canadian Pacific Related Links http://www.cpr.ca HONG KONG, March 16, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- China Cord Blood Corporation (NYSE: CO) ("CCBC" or the "Company"), a leading cord blood banking operator in China, today announced the results of its extraordinary general meeting of shareholders, which was held on March 16, 2018, in Hong Kong S.A.R., China (the "Extraordinary General Meeting"). At the Extraordinary General Meeting, shareholders approved the Company's name to change from "China Cord Blood Corporation" to "Global Cord Blood Corporation" ("GCBC" or the "New Name"). The Company expects to receive approval from the Registrar of Companies in the Cayman Islands for the name change in the next several days and that GCBC's ordinary shares will commence trading under the New Name on the New York Stock Exchange with effect from March 22, 2018 under a new CUSIP of G39342 103 and ISIN of KYG393421030 but still with ticker symbol "CO". The website address of the Company will be changed to http://www.globalcordbloodcorp.com. The change of Company name will not affect any of the rights of the existing shareholders of the Company. All share certificates of the Company in issue bearing the former name of the Company continue to be evidence of title and valid for all purposes (including for the purposes of trading, settlement, registration and delivery). New share certificates of the Company which are issued on or after March 22, 2018 will be issued under the New Name of the Company. About China Cord Blood Corporation China Cord Blood Corporation is the first and largest umbilical cord blood banking operator in China in terms of geographical coverage and the only cord blood banking operator with multiple licenses. Under current PRC government regulations, only one licensed cord blood banking operator is permitted to operate in each licensed region and no new licenses will be granted before 2020 in addition to the seven licenses authorized as of today. China Cord Blood Corporation provides cord blood collection, laboratory testing, hematopoietic stem cell processing and stem cell storage services. For more information, please visit the Company's website at http://www.chinacordbloodcorp.com. Safe Harbor Statement This press release contains forward-looking statements as defined by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements include statements concerning plans, objectives, goals, strategies, future events, performance and results of operations, and underlying assumptions and other statements that are other than statements of historical facts. These statements are subject to uncertainties and risks including, but not limited to, product and service demand and acceptance, changes in technology, economic conditions, the impact of competition and pricing, government regulation, and other risks contained in statements filed from time to time with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. All such forward-looking statements, whether written or oral, and whether made by or on behalf of the Company, are expressly qualified by the cautionary statements and any other cautionary statements which may accompany the forward-looking statements. In addition, the Company disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof. For more information, please contact: China Cord Blood Corporation Investor Relations Department Tel: (+852) 3605-8180 Email: [email protected] ICR, Inc. Mr. William Zima Tel: (+86) 10-6583-7511 (China) or (+1) 646-405-5185 (U.S.) Email: [email protected] SOURCE China Cord Blood Corporation Related Links http://www.globalcordbloodcorp.com SINGAPORE, March 16, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Collectius acquires three portfolios in Malaysia and Thailand from a regional partner (the seller wants to remain anonymous). A total of 50 million USD non-performing loan (NPLs) portfolio was purchased from a leading multinational financial institution. Collectius further strengthens its relationship and ties with a regional partner by acquiring three portfolios in Malaysia and Thailand. This is part of the Collectius strategy to serve as the trusted regional partner to leading multinational banks and financial institution in the ASEAN in their handling of non-performing loan (NPL). "We are very happy to be able to serve our partners with their sales of non-performing loan (NPL) across the ASEAN region. We feel that there is a need for that type of regional relationship in the market, especially when it comes to regional compliance; we are proud to say that we are the preferred choice of banks today." - Ivar Bjorklund, who is Head of Portfolio Acquisition in Collectius Group Collectius's goal is to help debtors become debt free and to integrate them back into society more financially knowledgeable than before. Collectius is promoting debt collections that have the highest level of compliance, automation, predictive analytics, big data analytics and customer-centric offer optimization. "To make three deals in one month is a fantastic accomplishment by the team, our Collectius family beats yesterday every day in their achievements. Together we are enabling debtors to become debt free all across the region." - Gustav A. Eriksson, CEO Collectius Group Collectius Group: Collectius Group is a multinational credit management service and asset management company with operation in Philippines, Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand. With nearly two decades of experience in credit management service and purchase of non-performing loan (NPLs) portfolios of distressed consumer debt. Collectius is funded through its Swiss holding company in Zug, and its largest financier is Stena, which is a Swedish shipping company conglomerate. SOURCE Collectius CMS (S) Pte Ltd AMSTERDAM, March 16, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- CoreValue is pleased to announce that they are participating in Salesforce World Tour Amsterdam on April 12, 2018. As a registered Salesforce partne r, they are joining the world's leading enterprise cloud provider as part of its community of partners and customers creating a unique environment of innovation, inspiration and learning within every area of their lives. CoreValue sponsors Salesforce World Tour in Amsterdam Salesforce World Tour Amsterdam is a perfect opportunity to learn the latest in customer experience directly from recognized industry authorities; attend over 30 innovative expert-led sessions; and connect with other Salesforce professionals. The event presents the best outlook on future enterprise software, including Artificial Intelligence, cloud, mobile technologies and IoT to transform businesses and help them better understand their customers. If you are attending Salesforce World Tour Amsterdam, CoreValue would be delighted to spend some time with you to discuss how technology solutions like Lightning, Marketing Cloud, Salesforce Mobile, etc. can help you transform your customer engagements. Feel free to stop by CoreValue's booth in the Amsterdam RAI and speak with their experienced professionals. Moreover, you will have a chance to win a 10-hour FREE consultation package with their top Salesforce team members. CoreValue Services is a US-based software and technology company that delivers cloud and mobile solutions for the Pharmatech, Healthcare, and Financial Sectors to help businesses achieve better agility. Media contact: Lily Smirnova [email protected] +380679057060 SOURCE CoreValue Services Related Links https://corevalue.net (Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/654910/BB_Conference_Tallinn.jpg ) Why Tallinn? Estonia goes among those countries that show loyalty to cryptocurrencies and blockchain. It is a place where a large-scale digitalization project E-residency has been functioning for a long time. What is more, the authors of the e-residency program offered public ICO and Estcoin launching. In case of success, Estonia would become the first country across the globe running public ICO. The packed audience at Blockchain & Bitcoin Conference Tallinn in 2017 proves that the crypto community of Estonia is interested in such events. Participants and topics Vladislav Sapozhnikov, Co-Founder and CEO of Deex.Exchange (a platform for cryptocurrency exchange and trading). The speaker will discuss the blockchain future. He will examine decentralized ecosystems based on the BitShares financial blockchain platform. Lukas Kairys, CTO at Cryptodus, a company that develops blockchain business solutions using smart contracts. He will share his view of the future of smart contracts. He will talk about new opportunities, technological tasks, and related risks. Aleks Bozhinov, CMO at Crowdholding that has developed a blockchain platform for entrepreneurs and their advisors. As an experienced marketing specialist, he will explain how one should cooperate with the audience properly when preparing a startup for ICO launch. Thierry Vallat, a lawyer, the founder of Cabinet Thierry Vallat law firm, a former member of Board of Directors, and a treasurer at 'France-Estonia' Association. The speaker will tell the audience what the blockchain industry and cryptocurrencies will face in Europe in the context of government regulation. Edgar Bers, Partner Relations Manager at HashCoins OU, a company developing crypto equipment and creating blockchain services. He will explain how blockchain can serve as a trusted entity. Venue The event will be held at the fashionable hotel Hilton Tallinn Park in the city center. Follow the news about the event and the program upgrades on the official website: Blockchain & Bitcoin Conference Tallinn: https://goo.gl/xwHCRg About Smile-Expo Smile-Expo is an international company, organizer of large business events. Smile-Expo keeps its finger on the pulse of global innovations, analyzes markets, predicts promising drives, shares information with friends and associates, and launches projects throughout new segments, which have no equivalents in Russia, or on the whole CIS territory. We can safely say that Smile-Expo is a flagship of innovation in the field of exhibition and conference service. The company was the first to draw attention to such promising, but not yet sufficiently developed in the CIS fields as affiliate marketing, robotics, 3D technology, cryptocurrency, wearable devices and augmented reality, Internet of Things, mHealth, "Connected car" and many more. Smile-Expo has started its way with interest in advanced developments in various sectors of the economy and desire to create projects that allow companies to keep up with the times. The result is 12 years of successful work in the market that inspire professionals of Smile-Expo for organization of large-scale exhibitions, conferences, congresses, forums, workshops and webinars. Media Contact: Alisa Isaeva [email protected] +7-495-212-11-28 SOURCE Smile-Expo CHONGQING, China, March 16, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Daqo New Energy Corp. (NYSE: DQ) ("Daqo New Energy" or the "Company"), a leading manufacturer of high-purity polysilicon for the global solar PV industry, today announced the filing of its annual report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017, which contains the Company's audited consolidated financial statements, with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"). The annual report on Form 20-F can be accessed and downloaded from the SEC's website at www.sec.gov or through the investor relations section of the Company's website at http://daqo.gotoip1.com. Holders of the Company's securities may request a hard copy of the Company's annual report free of charge by contacting the Company by mail at: Daqo New Energy Corp. Investor Relations Unit C, 29F, Huadu Building, No.838 Zhangyang Road Pudong District, Shanghai, China, 200122 About Daqo New Energy Corp. Founded in 2008, Daqo New Energy Corp. (NYSE: DQ) is a leading manufacturer of high-purity polysilicon for the global solar PV industry. As one of the world's lowest cost producers of high-purity polysilicon and solar wafers, the Company primarily sells its products to solar cell and solar module manufacturers. The Company has built a manufacturing facility that is technically advanced and highly efficient with a nameplate capacity of 18,000 metric tons in Xinjiang, China. The Company also operates a solar wafer manufacturing facility in Chongqing, China. For more information, please visit http://daqo.gotoip1.com/ Or please contact: Daqo New Energy Corp. Investor Relations Phone: +86-187-1658-5553 [email protected] SOURCE Daqo New Energy Corp. SALT LAKE CITY, March 16, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Potentate Paul Madsen, Utah leader of the El Kalah Shriners, is honored to be the Grand Marshall for the 2018 Annual St. Patrick's Day Parade in Salt Lake City on March 17 at 10:00AM. "I am honored to represent Shriners as the Grand Marshall of the 2018 St. Patrick's Day Parade," said Paul Madsen, Potentate of the El Kalah Shriners. "Shriners are known for the nationwide network of hospitals that they support, and I hope with our presence in the parade this year, that we can continue to highlight the free medical resources that we provide to those most in need." Throughout the state of Utah, there are hundreds of Shriners who contribute to the several causes of the Shriners international organization. The most widely known one being the national network of hospitals that provide free medical care to children in need. The first Shriners Hospitals for Children was created in 1922 and the Salt Lake City location was opened in 1925. The Salt Lake City location has been in operation for 93 years and continues to provide medical services for pediatric orthopedics, burns, cleft lip and palate, and spinal cord injuries at no cost to the patients and their families. We invite all members of the public to attend the 2018 Annual St. Patrick's Day Parade in Salt Lake City and to learn more about the Shriners Hospitals for Children. SOURCE El Kalah Shriners Time: 8:30-11:00 AM, Friday, March 23, 2018 Venue: Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce Venue: 350 S. Bixel Street, Los Angeles, CA 90017 Contact: Ruda Tel: (213) 807-8026 E-mail: [email protected] "We're thrilled to have this opportunity to invite American companies to join in CIIE," said Sun Chenghai, Deputy Director General of the CIIE Bureau. "Thanks to the great help of our partners USCBC, The American Chamber of Commerce in China (Amcham), and the United States Information Technology Office (USITO), many U.S.-based firms have already signed on as exhibitors, joining other companies from over 120 countries. With 150,000 buyers expected to attend, and given CIIE's status as a landmark event and a fulfillment of the Chinese government's commitment to promote world trade, we hope that the information that we provide to our roadshow visitors will encourage more firms to attend and showcase their products." USCBC, One of the Expo's exhibitor recruiters, has helped to invite its member businesses to participate in the CIIE. So far, 18 USCBC members, including Johnson & Johnson and Dell, have signed up for nearly 3,000 square meters of exhibition space. At the same time, Amcham and the USITO in Beijing have been working with the CIIE Bureau to facilitate the participation of their members. Microsoft, for example, will display its latest products at the Expo, showcasing their latest R&D breakthrough -- HoloLens, which projects 3D effects within an augmented reality view. Official figures suggest that imports into China in 2017 totaled almost RMB 12.5tn (USD 1.95tn), an 18.7% increase compared to 2016. This figure is expected to rise to USD 8tn over the next five years as China, the world's second largest economy and second largest importer, continues its progression into new stages of development. About the China International Import Expo The first China International Import Expo is being hosted by the Ministry of Commerce of the People's Republic of China and the Shanghai Municipal People's Government, and supported by the World Trade Organization, the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization. For more information visit http://www.ciie.org/zbh/Introduction/. Interested exhibitors can visit http://www.ciie.org/zbh/en/ to check their qualifications to participate and apply no later than June 30th. SOURCE China International Import Expo Related Links http://www.ciie.org SEATTLE, March 16, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Who's Who in Luxury Real Estate announced today that First Team Real Estate is now the exclusive Board of Regents representative in Orange County, California. First Team Real Estate was founded by President and CEO Cameron Merage in 1976 with only five agents in one office. The company has since grown into the largest independent brokerage firm in Southern California, with more than 2,000 associates serving out of 20 offices, and was ranked #19 in closed unit volume of the largest privately held firms in the nation, as referenced by RIS Media within its 2017 rankings report. Across the markets of Southern California, First Team Real Estate was recognized as the #1 closed unit luxury brokerage services provider, closing 1,161 luxury transactions over $1,000,000 in 2017 according to internal data sources. First Team Real Estate offers a comprehensive range of unique luxury services designed to maximize the exposure of their exclusive clientele's luxury offerings, as well as maximizing clients' rate of return opportunities in maximizing the equity value of their clients investments within the luxury markets of Southern California. Board of Regents members are selected for their history of exemplifying leadership and enduring accomplishments in the real estate industry. As members, they have access to numerous benefits, including prime placement on the award-winning website LuxuryRealEstate.com and global networking opportunities with other top real estate professionals. Regents are invited to attend exclusive meetings and events where they establish influential connections that allow them to collaborate with one another on a personal level, further increasing their global reach and more effectively showcasing their local properties and expertise on an international scale. For more information on the Luxury Real Estate Board of Regents, please visit Regents.com. For more information on First Team Real Estate, please visit FirstTeam.com About LuxuryRealEstate.com A worldwide collection of top brokers representing the finest luxury properties across the globe, Who's Who in Luxury Real Estate has been leading the real estate industry since 1986. This hand-selected group of more than 130,000 professionals with properties in more than 70 countries collectively sells over $300 billion of real estate annually, making it the most elite and comprehensive luxury real estate network in the world. Who's Who in Luxury Real Estate's global network is showcased on LuxuryRealEstate.com, which remains the #1 portal for luxury properties on the web and has more $1,000,000+ content than any near-peer. The company has been recognized as a leader in the industry by Forbes, The Webby Awards, Web Marketing Association, Maggie Awards, ADDY Awards, the Inc. 5000 List, and more. PR Contact: Chantele Machado [email protected] 206.838.2862 SOURCE First Team Real Estate Related Links http://www.firstteam.com ALBANY, New York, March 16, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Transparency Market Research has released a new market report titled "Greenhouse Film Market (By Thickness - <100 microns, 101 - 150 microns, >150 microns; Resin Type - LDPE, EVA/EBA, LLDPE, PVC, Others; Application - Vegetables, Flowers & Ornamental, Fruits; Region - North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, Middle East & Africa) - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends, and Forecast, 2017-2025". According to the report, the global greenhouse film market is projected to be worth US$ 6,900 Mn by 2025, expanding at a CAGR of 8.1% from 2017 to 2025. Greenhouse film covers the frame of a greenhouse where crops are cultivated. It defends the crops from extreme temperatures, diseases and pests, and provides them with suitable growing conditions. Increase in adoption of greenhouse cultivation for high yield of crops is boosting the demand for greenhouse films Temperature plays a crucial role in greenhouse cultivation. Climatic conditions such as fluctuating temperatures, humidity, wind, rain, and snow affect the yield of crops. Excess or lack in any of these conditions can have a negative impact on crops. Greenhouse films covering greenhouse structures help in cultivation of crops at a time of the year when they cannot be grown outdoors. However, greenhouse cultivation involves additional investment such as heating system in greenhouses during winter, labor cost, etc. Additional resources required for greenhouse cultivation include heating and ventilating systems for balancing temperatures, pollination, electricity, and water. Government of various countries are encouraging farmers to adopt greenhouse farming, thereby boosting the demand for greenhouse films. Governments of India, Canada, Poland, etc. are providing subsidies to farmers for greenhouse farming, electricity, heating system in greenhouses, etc. Get PDF Brochure for more Professional & Technical industry insights: https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=17306 The global greenhouse film market can be segmented based on resin type, thickness, and applications. On the basis of resin type, the greenhouse film market can be divided into low-density polyethylene (LDPE), ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) or ethylene butyl acrylate (EBA), linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), and others. Other resins include polycarbonate and high-density polyethylene (HDPE). The LDPE resin segment constituted the dominant share of the greenhouse film market, in terms of volume and revenue, in 2016. In terms of thickness, the global greenhouse film market can be classified into greenhouse films <100 microns, 101 microns - 150 microns, and >150 microns. Greenhouse films with thickness more than 150 microns accounted for a major share of the greenhouse film market in 2016. The trend is expected to continue during the forecast period. Applications of greenhouse films include vegetables, flowers & ornamental, and fruits cultivation. Greenhouse films were primarily used for vegetable cultivation in 2016. The trend is anticipated to continue during the forecast period. View in-depth table of contents for this report @ https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/report-toc/17306 Asia Pacific anticipated to dominate the greenhouse film market by 2025 In terms of revenue, Asia Pacific led the greenhouse film market in 2016 and is expected to continue its dominance during the forecast period. The region is expected to witness a healthy growth in greenhouse cultivation. China accounted for a major share of the greenhouse film in Asia Pacific owing to the increase in adoption of greenhouse farming. Asia Pacific was followed by Europe which has a mature greenhouse film market. Spain, Italy, and Poland were the major consumers of greenhouse film in Europe in 2016. Other key consumers of greenhouse film in Europe are the Netherlands, Greece, and France. The U.S. dominated the greenhouse film market in North America in 2016 with nearly equal consumption of greenhouse film for cultivation of vegetables and flowers. The U.S. was followed by Canada in terms of demand for greenhouse films in 2016. The trend is expected to continue during the forecast period. In Latin America, Mexico and Brazil were the major markets for greenhouse film in 2016. These countries are expected to retain their position in the market during the forecast period. Request A Sample Of Greenhouse Film Market: https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=S&rep_id=17306 Middle East & Africa is considered a lucrative market for greenhouse films owing to the rise in adoption of greenhouse cultivation and increase in awareness about greenhouse technology in Israel, Turkey, and Iran. The greenhouse film market in the region is expected to expand at a significant CAGR during the forecast period. Turkey accounted for a major share of the greenhouse film market in Middle East & Africa in 2016 and is anticipated to retain its dominance during the forecast period. Greenhouse film industry heading toward consolidation through mergers & acquisitions In 2017, Berry Global Group signed a purchase agreement to acquire all outstanding shares of Clopay Plastic Products Company, Inc. for approximately US$ 475 Mn. POLIFILM acquired Folag Vietnam in 2016. POLIFILM also acquired WMS-Folien GmbH, a Germany-based manufacturer of packaging films, in 2016. A merger of equals deal was signed between the Dow Chemical Company and DuPont in 2017. These mergers and acquisitions are expected consolidate the fragmented greenhouse film market. Plastika Kritis S.A. increased its capacity by investing US$ 13.2 Mn in creating a new production unit with seven-layer technology that started operations in 2015. Key companies operating in the global greenhouse film market include Berry Global Group, Inc., BASF SE, RPC BPI Group, Barbier Group, RKW Hyplast NV, and Plastika Kritis S.A. Ask for Discount on Premium Research Report (US$ 5795) With Complete TOC: https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=D&rep_id=17306 Greenhouse Film Market: By Thickness (Volume Kilo Tons, Revenue US$ Mn, 2016-2025) <100 microns 101 - 150 microns >150 microns Greenhouse Film Market: By Resin Type (Volume Kilo Tons, Revenue US$ Mn, 2016-2025) LDPE EVA/EBA LLDPE PVC Others Greenhouse Film Market: By Application (Volume Kilo Tons, Revenue US$ Mn, 2016-2025) Vegetables Flowers & Ornamental Fruits Popular Research Reports by TMR: Nanocellulose Technology Market: https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/nanocellulose-technology-market.html TPU Films Market: https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/tpu-films-market.html About Us 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. TMR's 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, TMR's syndicated reports strive to provide clients to serve their overall research requirement. Contact Transparency Market Research State Tower, 90 State Street, Suite 700, Albany NY - 12207 United States Tel: +1-518-618-1030 USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453 Email: [email protected] Website: http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com Research Blog: http://www.editiontruth.com/ SOURCE Transparency Market Research WASHINGTON, March 16, 2018 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Kids in Hawaii will unite against tobacco use on March 21 as they join thousands of young people nationwide to mark Kick Butts Day. More than 1,000 events are planned across the United States for this annual day of youth activism, sponsored by the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids. (See below for a list of local events.) On Kick Butts Day, kids encourage their peers to be tobacco-free, reject tobacco companies' devious marketing and urge elected officials to help make the next generation tobacco-free. This year, Kick Butts Day is focusing attention on the progress the U.S. has made in reducing youth smoking and the actions needed to create the first tobacco-free generation. Since 2000, the national smoking rate among high school students has fallen by 71 percent (from 28 percent in 2000 to 8 percent in 2016). However, the fight against tobacco is far from over: Tobacco use is still the No. 1 cause of preventable death in the U.S., killing over 480,000 people and costing about $170 billion in health care expenses each year. in health care expenses each year. Tobacco companies spend $8.9 billion a year $1 million every hour to market tobacco products in the U.S., often in ways that appeal to kids. a year every hour to market tobacco products in the U.S., often in ways that appeal to kids. Electronic cigarettes have become the most popular tobacco product used by kids nationwide, 11.3 percent of high school students use e-cigarettes compared to 8 percent who smoke cigarettes. The latest trend with teens is JUUL, an e-cigarette that looks like a computer flash drive and comes in flavors like mango and fruit medley. In Hawaii, tobacco use claims 1,400 lives and costs $526 million in health care bills each year. Currently, 9.7 percent of Hawaii's high school students smoke. On Kick Butts Day, kids and health advocates are calling on elected officials to implement proven strategies that make up a "roadmap to a tobacco-free generation." These strategies include tobacco tax increases, comprehensive smoke-free laws, raising the tobacco sale age to 21, well-funded tobacco prevention programs and banning the sale of flavored tobacco products. "On Kick Butts Day, kids are celebrating the progress we've made to reduce tobacco use and building momentum to get us across the finish line," said Matthew L. Myers, President of the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids. "Elected leaders in every state can help create the first tobacco-free generation by supporting proven strategies to prevent youth tobacco use." On Kick Butts Day, kids join in creative events ranging from classroom activities to educate their peers about the harmful ingredients in cigarettes to rallies at state capitols. In Hawaii, activities include: On March 20, youth from across the state will join the Hawai'i Public Health Institute in Honolulu to rally for tobacco-free school buffer zones. They will march to the Capitol waving signs with anti-tobacco messaging for a youth rally and visits with legislators. Time: 11:30 AM. Location: State Capitol, 415 S. Berentia Street, Honolulu. Contact: Brian Birch (775) 848-4660. All events will take place March 21 unless otherwise indicated. For a full list of Kick Butts Day activities in Hawaii, visit www.kickbuttsday.org/map. Additional information about tobacco, including state-by-state statistics, can be found at www.tobaccofreekids.org. SOURCE Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids Related Links http://www.tobaccofreekids.org SAN ANTONIO, March 15, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- A Texas state court jury unanimously awarded HouseCanary, Inc. $706.2 million in compensatory and punitive damages in a trial against Amrock Inc. part of the Quicken Loans family of companies after finding that HouseCanary's real estate valuation and analytics trade secrets, proprietary systems, and data were fraudulently misappropriated by Amrock. Amrock was previously named Title Source, Inc. The jury's decision came after nearly seven weeks of trial between the parties, with the jury concluding that Amrock had misappropriated HouseCanary's trade secrets, engaged in fraud and breached its prior contracts with HouseCanary. Jeremy Sicklick, co-founder and CEO of HouseCanary, commented, "We are pleased that the jury recognized the value of our cutting-edge real estate analytics. HouseCanary has built industry-leading proprietary models, predictive analytics and valuation technologies to completely disrupt the real estate sector. The verdict validates the value of our trade secrets, and it reflects our commitment to protect our technology and our position as leader in the valuation technology and real estate data analytics market." Landmark Verdict for Trade Secret Misappropriation Amrock originally filed its case in the District Court of Bexar County, Texas, as a declaratory judgment claiming contract breach against HouseCanary. Through review of evidence, however, it became apparent that Amrock had inappropriately used its access to HouseCanary's technology and data to engage in reverse engineering and to develop its own competing analytics and software products. Max L. Tribble, lead counsel of Susman Godfrey L.L.P., commented, "Amrock thought they could mislead and confuse the jury by bringing meritless contract breach claims against HouseCanary. But the evidence showed exactly what happened and who was actually harmed. And the jury saw the real story. As a result, they rejected every claim that Amrock brought against HouseCanary and made a powerful statement by awarding HouseCanary with a landmark verdict." Lead counsel for HouseCanary were Max L. Tribble and Kalpana Srinivasan at Susman Godfrey L.L.P. and Ricardo G. Cedillo of Davis, Cedillo & Mendoza, Inc. HouseCanary's strategic litigation advisors were Mark Dyne and Murray Markiles of Europlay Capital Advisors, LLC. About HouseCanary Founded in 2013, HouseCanary's mission is to help people make better real estate decisions. Built on a foundation of great data, powerful models, and predictive analytics, the HouseCanary platform aggregates millions of data elements, including more than four decades of property data and a rapidly expanding arsenal of proprietary calculations and analytics, to accurately define and forecast values and market influences. HouseCanary is financed by notable investors including Hillspire (Alphabet Executive Chairman Eric Schmidt's family office), PSP Growth/PSP Capital (firm founded by entrepreneur and former Commerce Secretary Penny Pritzker), Alpha Edison, ECA Ventures, Raven Ventures, and other top Silicon Valley investors. The company is headquartered in San Francisco. www.housecanary.com. SOURCE HouseCanary Related Links http://housecanary.com WASHINGTON, March 16, 2018 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Kids in Idaho will unite against tobacco use on March 21 as they join thousands of young people nationwide to mark Kick Butts Day. More than 1,000 events are planned across the United States for this annual day of youth activism, sponsored by the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids. (See below for a list of local events.) On Kick Butts Day, kids encourage their peers to be tobacco-free, reject tobacco companies' devious marketing and urge elected officials to help make the next generation tobacco-free. This year, Kick Butts Day is focusing attention on the progress the U.S. has made in reducing youth smoking and the actions needed to create the first tobacco-free generation. Since 2000, the national smoking rate among high school students has fallen by 71 percent (from 28 percent in 2000 to 8 percent in 2016). However, the fight against tobacco is far from over: Tobacco use is still the No. 1 cause of preventable death in the U.S., killing over 480,000 people and costing about $170 billion in health care expenses each year. in health care expenses each year. Tobacco companies spend $8.9 billion a year $1 million every hour to market tobacco products in the U.S., often in ways that appeal to kids. a year every hour to market tobacco products in the U.S., often in ways that appeal to kids. Electronic cigarettes have become the most popular tobacco product used by kids nationwide, 11.3 percent of high school students use e-cigarettes compared to 8 percent who smoke cigarettes. The latest trend with teens is JUUL, an e-cigarette that looks like a computer flash drive and comes in flavors like mango and fruit medley. In Idaho, tobacco use claims 1,800 lives and costs $508 million in health care bills each year. Currently, 9.7 percent of Idaho's high school students smoke. On Kick Butts Day, kids and health advocates are calling on elected officials to implement proven strategies that make up a "roadmap to a tobacco-free generation." These strategies include tobacco tax increases, comprehensive smoke-free laws, raising the tobacco sale age to 21, well-funded tobacco prevention programs and banning the sale of flavored tobacco products. "On Kick Butts Day, kids are celebrating the progress we've made to reduce tobacco use and building momentum to get us across the finish line," said Matthew L. Myers, President of the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids. "Elected leaders in every state can help create the first tobacco-free generation by supporting proven strategies to prevent youth tobacco use." On Kick Butts Day, kids join in creative events ranging from classroom activities to educate their peers about the harmful ingredients in cigarettes to rallies at state capitols. In Idaho, activities include: The Latah County Youth Advocacy Council is teaming up with students from Genesee High School to bring a #BetheFirst pledge wall to their school. Youth ambassadors from the council will encourage other students to pledge to help put a stop to tobacco use. Time: 10:50 AM. Location: 330 W. Ash Street, Genesee. Contact: Lisa Davis (208) 310-3221. Kamiah's Youth Advisory Board wants to nip smoking in the butt, and will use pig lungs to display the damage that cigarettes cause to your body. The Youth Advisory Board will also exhibit a "they put WHAT in a cigarette?" poster board that shows chemicals that are found in cigarettes. Time: 11 AM. Location: 711 9th Street, Kamiah. Contact: Jasmine Huerta (208) 935-8588. Idaho athletes sponsored by Project Filter will speak to students at Kimberly High School about the dangers of tobacco and will also bring their motorcycles! An assembly will kick things off, followed by a meet and greet with the athletes, and a tobacco-free pledge wall will conclude the day's events. Time: 11 AM. Location: 141 Center Street West, Kimberly. Contact: Cody Orchard (208) 737-5968. All events will take place March 21 unless otherwise indicated. For a full list of Kick Butts Day activities in Idaho, visit www.kickbuttsday.org/map. Additional information about tobacco, including state-by-state statistics, can be found at www.tobaccofreekids.org. SOURCE Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids Related Links http://www.tobaccofreekids.org WASHINGTON, March 16, 2018 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Kids in Illinois will unite against tobacco use on March 21 as they join thousands of young people nationwide to mark Kick Butts Day. More than 1,000 events are planned across the United States for this annual day of youth activism, sponsored by the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids. (See below for a list of local events.) On Kick Butts Day, kids encourage their peers to be tobacco-free, reject tobacco companies' devious marketing and urge elected officials to help make the next generation tobacco-free. This year, Kick Butts Day is focusing attention on the progress the U.S. has made in reducing youth smoking and the actions needed to create the first tobacco-free generation. Since 2000, the national smoking rate among high school students has fallen by 71 percent (from 28 percent in 2000 to 8 percent in 2016). However, the fight against tobacco is far from over: Tobacco use is still the No. 1 cause of preventable death in the U.S., killing over 480,000 people and costing about $170 billion in health care expenses each year. in health care expenses each year. Tobacco companies spend $8.9 billion a year $1 million every hour to market tobacco products in the U.S., often in ways that appeal to kids. a year every hour to market tobacco products in the U.S., often in ways that appeal to kids. Electronic cigarettes have become the most popular tobacco product used by kids nationwide, 11.3 percent of high school students use e-cigarettes compared to 8 percent who smoke cigarettes. The latest trend with teens is JUUL, an e-cigarette that looks like a computer flash drive and comes in flavors like mango and fruit medley. In Illinois, tobacco use claims 18,300 lives and costs $5.49 billion in health care bills each year. Currently, 10.1 percent of Illinois's high school students smoke. On Kick Butts Day, kids and health advocates are calling on elected officials to implement proven strategies that make up a "roadmap to a tobacco-free generation." These strategies include tobacco tax increases, comprehensive smoke-free laws, raising the tobacco sale age to 21, well-funded tobacco prevention programs and banning the sale of flavored tobacco products. Health advocates in Illinois are urging state legislators to increase the statewide tobacco sale age to 21. "On Kick Butts Day, kids are celebrating the progress we've made to reduce tobacco use and building momentum to get us across the finish line," said Matthew L. Myers, President of the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids. "Elected leaders in every state can help create the first tobacco-free generation by supporting proven strategies to prevent youth tobacco use." On Kick Butts Day, kids join in creative events ranging from classroom activities to educate their peers about the harmful ingredients in cigarettes to rallies at state capitols. In Illinois, activities include: Students from Eldorado Middle School will spell out an anti-tobacco message using cups in a fence and sign a pledge wall to be the first tobacco-free generation. Time: 11:30 AM12:30 PM. Location: 1907 1st Street, Eldorado. Contact: Kim Pilkington (618) 313-1227. Students from Red Hill Junior/Senior High School in Bridgeport will display tombstones and create a skit to perform for elementary students at Bridgeport Grade School and Sumner Attendance Center to encourage a tobacco-free community. Time: 1010:30 AM. Location: 908 Church Street, Bridgeport. Contact: Amy Marley (618) 262-1266. Students at the Galesburg Kuk Sool Won will participate in a "kick-a-thon" with local martial arts schools to "kick tobacco butts." Local youth will also organize cigarette butt cleanups. Time: 6:30 PM. Location: 415 E. Main Street, Galesburg. Contact: Erin Olson (309) 337-0559. Students from West Leyden High School in Northlake will sign a pledge wall during Safe Celebration Week and commit to a tobacco-free lifestyle. Time: 10:15 AM12:45 PM. Location: 1000 N. Wolf Road, Northlake. Contact: Shannon O'Connor (847) 451-3122. On March 22, youth from Clinton Rosette Middle School in DeKalb will organize cigarette butt cleanups in local parks to advocate for tobacco-free environments. Time: 89:30 AM. Location: 1403 Sycamore Road, DeKalb. Contact: Chessa Osiecki (847) 650-3976. On March 29, youth in Carbondale will host a FACE2FACE forum at Longbranch Cafe & Bakery with a panel of teens and Park District board members to call for a smoke-free Turley Park. Time: 68 PM. Location: 100 E. Jackson Street, Carbondale. Contact: Tina Carpenter (618) 457-8877. All events will take place March 21 unless otherwise indicated. For a full list of Kick Butts Day activities in Illinois, visit www.kickbuttsday.org/map. Additional information about tobacco, including state-by-state statistics, can be found at www.tobaccofreekids.org. SOURCE Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids Related Links http://www.tobaccofreekids.org CALGARY, March 16, 2018 /PRNewswire/ - (TSX: IMP), (ITMSF:BB) - Intermap Technologies Corporation ("Intermap" or the "Company") held its annual shareholders meeting (the "Meeting") on March 15, 2018, at the Fairmont Palliser Hotel in Calgary, Alberta. A total of 11,135,754 common shares, representing 67.92% of the common shares outstanding, were represented in person or by proxy at the Meeting. Intermap's shareholders voted in favour of all items of business put forward at the Meeting, including the election of all nominated directors, the approval of the Company's Omnibus Incentive Plan, the approval of an amendment to the Company's articles to consolidate the issued and outstanding common shares of the Company, the approval of an amendment to the expiry date of 546,456 outstanding warrants of the Company, the approval of Intermap's Amended and Restated By-Law No. 1, and the re-appointment of KPMG LLP as the auditors of the Company. The votes in respect of the election of directors are as follows: Votes by Ballot Nominee Result of Vote Votes For Votes Withheld/Against Patrick A. Blott Elected 6,519,250 (80.20%) 1,609,828 (19.80%) Andrew P. Hines Elected 6,667,278 (82.02%) 1,461,800 (17.98%) Michael R. Zapata Elected 6,681,478 (82.19%) 1,447,600 (17.81%) Philippe Frappier Elected 6,667,078 (82.02%) 1,462,000 (17.98%) More detailed results of the other matters that were voted on by shareholders have been filed under the Company's profile on SEDAR at: www.sedar.com. About Intermap Technologies Headquartered in Denver, Colorado, Intermap (www.intermap.com) is an industry leader in geospatial intelligence solutions. These geospatial solutions are used in a wide range of applications including, but not limited to, location-based information, risk assessment, geographic information systems, engineering, utilities, global positioning systems, oil and gas, renewable energy, hydrology, environmental planning, land management, wireless communications, transportation, advertising, and 3D visualization. Intermap generates revenue from three primary business activities, comprised of i) data acquisition and collection, using proprietary, multi-frequency, radar sensor technologies, ii) value-added data products and services, which leverage the Company's proprietary NEXTMap database, together with proprietary software and fusion technologies, and iii) commercial applications and solutions, including a webstore and software sales targeting selected industry verticals that rely on accurate high resolution elevation data. The Company is a world leader in geospatial data management and processing, including fusion, analytics, and orthorectification, and has decades of experience aggregating data derived from a number of different sensor technologies and data sources. For more information please visit www.intermap.com. SOURCE Intermap Technologies Corporation NEW YORK, March 16, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Deutsche Bank today announced the lineup for its Depositary Receipts Virtual Investor Conference ("dbVIC") on March 21st and 22nd, featuring live webcast presentations from international companies with American Depositary Receipt (ADR) programs in the US. Representatives from participating companies based in Australia, Germany, China, New Zealand, South Africa and the UK will respond to questions during formal presentations, and will also interact with investors via virtual trade booths. The conference is targeted to all types of investors as well as analysts interested in non-US companies. There is no fee for participants to log in, attend live presentations or ask questions. To register, please use the following link: https://tinyurl.com/MarchDBVIC Pre-registration is suggested to save time. March 21st Agenda (US Eastern Standard Time): EDT Company Name Country Local Ticker ADR Ticker 08:30 First Pacific Company Limited Hong Kong 142 OTC Pink: FPAFY 09:00 Brambles Limited Australia BXB OTC Pink: BXBLY 09:30 Hutchison China MediTech Limited Hong Kong HCM NASDAQ: HCM 10:00 Auckland International Airport Limited New Zealand AIA OTC Pink: AUKNY 10:30 Air New Zealand Limited New Zealand AIR OTC Pink: ANZLY 11:00 Serco Group plc UK SRP OTC Pink: SCGPY March 22nd Agenda (US Eastern Standard Time): EDT Company Name Country Local Ticker ADR Ticker 08:30 GEA Group AG Germany G1A OTC Pink: GEAGY 09:00 adidas AG Germany ADS OTC QX: ADDYY 09:30 Murray & Roberts Holdings Limited South Africa MUR OTC Pink: MURZY 10:00 Harmony Gold Mining Company Limited South Africa HAR NYSE: HMY 10:30 Legal & General Group plc UK LGEN OTC Pink: LGGNY 11:00 Continental AG Germany CON OTC: CTTAY 11:30 Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany Germany MRK OTC Pink: MKKGY 12:00 Marks and Spencer Group plc UK MKS OTC QX: MAKSY After the Conference, presentations will be available for replay. In addition to specializing in administering cross-border equity structures such as American and Global Depositary Receipts, Deutsche Bank provides corporates, financial institutions, hedge funds and supranational agencies around the world with trustee, agency, escrow and related services. The Bank offers a broad range of services for diverse products, from complex securitizations and project finance to syndicated loans, debt exchanges and restructurings. Deutsche Bank is a leading client-centric global universal bank serving 28 million clients worldwide. Deutsche Bank provides commercial and investment banking, retail banking, transaction banking and asset and wealth management products and services to corporations, governments, institutional investors, small and medium-sized businesses, and private individuals. Deutsche Bank is Germany's leading bank, with a strong position in Europe and a significant presence in the Americas and Asia Pacific. Deutsche Bank is sponsoring the Deutsche Bank Depositary Receipt Investor Conference solely for informational purposes. Deutsche Bank does not prepare, review, approve or edit any presentations, statements, documents or other information or materials, whether in written, electronic or verbal form, provided by any company participating in such conference, and disclaims any responsibility for the accuracy or adequacy of any such information or materials. Deutsche Bank is not promoting, endorsing or recommending any company participating in the conference. The Depositary Receipts have been registered pursuant to the US Securities Act of 1933. Nothing in this communication constitutes an offer or solicitation by Deutsche Bank or any other issuer or entity for the purchase or sale of any securities, nor does it constitute a solicitation to any person in any jurisdiction. No part of this communication may be copied or reproduced in any way without the prior written consent of Deutsche Bank. Depositary Receipts Services referenced in this communication are provided by Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, an indirect subsidiary of Deutsche Bank AG and a member, FDIC. Depositary Receipts are not deposits or obligations of or guaranteed by Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, are not insured by the FDIC, and are subject to investment risks (including the possible loss of principal invested). Copyright March 2018 Deutsche Bank AG. All rights reserved. SOURCE dbVIC - Deutsche Bank Virtual Investor Conference WASHINGTON, March 16, 2018 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Kids in Iowa will unite against tobacco use on March 21 as they join thousands of young people nationwide to mark Kick Butts Day. More than 1,000 events are planned across the United States for this annual day of youth activism, sponsored by the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids. (See below for a list of local events.) On Kick Butts Day, kids encourage their peers to be tobacco-free, reject tobacco companies' devious marketing and urge elected officials to help make the next generation tobacco-free. This year, Kick Butts Day is focusing attention on the progress the U.S. has made in reducing youth smoking and the actions needed to create the first tobacco-free generation. Since 2000, the national smoking rate among high school students has fallen by 71 percent (from 28 percent in 2000 to 8 percent in 2016). However, the fight against tobacco is far from over: Tobacco use is still the No. 1 cause of preventable death in the U.S., killing over 480,000 people and costing about $170 billion in health care expenses each year. in health care expenses each year. Tobacco companies spend $8.9 billion a year $1 million every hour to market tobacco products in the U.S., often in ways that appeal to kids. a year every hour to market tobacco products in the U.S., often in ways that appeal to kids. Electronic cigarettes have become the most popular tobacco product used by kids nationwide, 11.3 percent of high school students use e-cigarettes compared to 8 percent who smoke cigarettes. The latest trend with teens is JUUL, an e-cigarette that looks like a computer flash drive and comes in flavors like mango and fruit medley. In Iowa, tobacco use claims 5,100 lives and costs $1.28 billion in health care bills each year. Currently, 7.1 percent of Iowa's high school students smoke. On Kick Butts Day, kids and health advocates are calling on elected officials to implement proven strategies that make up a "roadmap to a tobacco-free generation." These strategies include tobacco tax increases, comprehensive smoke-free laws, raising the tobacco sale age to 21, well-funded tobacco prevention programs and banning the sale of flavored tobacco products. "On Kick Butts Day, kids are celebrating the progress we've made to reduce tobacco use and building momentum to get us across the finish line," said Matthew L. Myers, President of the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids. "Elected leaders in every state can help create the first tobacco-free generation by supporting proven strategies to prevent youth tobacco use." On Kick Butts Day, kids join in creative events ranging from classroom activities to educate their peers about the harmful ingredients in cigarettes to rallies at state capitols. In Iowa, activities include: Students at Coon Rapids-Bayard School will hold a "they put WHAT in a cigarette?!" ugly face photo competition and sign a banner pledging not to smoke. Time: 12 PM. Location: 905 North Street, Coon Rapids. Contact: Paula Davis (712) 830-6515. At Western Dubuque High School in Epworth, students will host an information table about tobacco, play kickball, and sign a pledge to stay tobacco-free. Students will be joined by community partners including the Marine Corps and Dubuque County Sheriff's Office. Time: 11:20 AM. Location: 302 5th Avenue S.W., Epworth. Contact: Vicki Gassman (563) 564-5669. All events will take place March 21 unless otherwise indicated. For a full list of Kick Butts Day activities in Iowa, visit www.kickbuttsday.org/map. Additional information about tobacco, including state-by-state statistics, can be found at www.tobaccofreekids.org. SOURCE Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids Related Links http://www.tobaccofreekids.org WASHINGTON, March 16, 2018 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Kids in Kentucky will unite against tobacco use on March 21 as they join thousands of young people nationwide to mark Kick Butts Day. More than 1,000 events are planned across the United States for this annual day of youth activism, sponsored by the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids. (See below for a list of local events.) On Kick Butts Day, kids encourage their peers to be tobacco-free, reject tobacco companies' devious marketing and urge elected officials to help make the next generation tobacco-free. This year, Kick Butts Day is focusing attention on the progress the U.S. has made in reducing youth smoking and the actions needed to create the first tobacco-free generation. Since 2000, the national smoking rate among high school students has fallen by 71 percent (from 28 percent in 2000 to 8 percent in 2016). However, the fight against tobacco is far from over: Tobacco use is still the No. 1 cause of preventable death in the U.S., killing over 480,000 people and costing about $170 billion in health care expenses each year. in health care expenses each year. Tobacco companies spend $8.9 billion a year $1 million every hour to market tobacco products in the U.S., often in ways that appeal to kids. a year every hour to market tobacco products in the U.S., often in ways that appeal to kids. Electronic cigarettes have become the most popular tobacco product used by kids nationwide, 11.3 percent of high school students use e-cigarettes compared to 8 percent who smoke cigarettes. The latest trend with teens is JUUL, an e-cigarette that looks like a computer flash drive and comes in flavors like mango and fruit medley. In Kentucky, tobacco use claims 8,900 lives and costs $1.92 billion in health care bills each year. Currently, 16.9 percent of Kentucky's high school students smoke. On Kick Butts Day, kids and health advocates are calling on elected officials to implement proven strategies that make up a "roadmap to a tobacco-free generation." These strategies include tobacco tax increases, comprehensive smoke-free laws, raising the tobacco sale age to 21, well-funded tobacco prevention programs and banning the sale of flavored tobacco products. "On Kick Butts Day, kids are celebrating the progress we've made to reduce tobacco use and building momentum to get us across the finish line," said Matthew L. Myers, President of the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids. "Elected leaders in every state can help create the first tobacco-free generation by supporting proven strategies to prevent youth tobacco use." On Kick Butts Day, kids join in creative events ranging from classroom activities to educate their peers about the harmful ingredients in cigarettes to rallies at state capitols. In Kentucky, activities include: On March 17, students from Adair County High School will display the results of their walking tobacco audit of local stores in the community at Adair County Elementary School and educate their younger peers about the dangers of tobacco use. Time: 10 AM. Location: 870 Indian Drive, Columbia. Contact: Jelaine Harlow (270) 634-0668. The Coalition for Smoke-Free Tomorrow will host a youth rally at the state Capitol Rotunda in Frankfort to support a tobacco tax increase, and youth will deliver anti-tobacco postcards they wrote to their legislators. Time: 9:30 AM. Location: Capitol Rotunda, 700 Capital Avenue, Frankfort. Contact: Bonnie Hackbarth (502) 326-2583. Monroe Co Cares Youth Prevention Ambassadors in Tompkinsville will host a pledge wall at Swirlies Restaurant in support of a smoke-free county-wide ordinance, as well as an "Airing Out Big Tobacco's Dirty Laundry" display on the courthouse lawn. Time: 12 PM. Location: 201 N. Main Street, Tompkinsville. Contact: Kelli Smith (270) 427-1232. The Montgomery County Health Department, in conjunction with Montgomery County High School, will host a pledge wall in Mount Sterling for students to sign and commit to be tobacco-free. Time: 11 AM. Location: 724 Woodford Drive, Mount Sterling. Contact: Jessica Smith (859) 771-5527. All events will take place March 21 unless otherwise indicated. For a full list of Kick Butts Day activities in Kentucky, visit www.kickbuttsday.org/map. Additional information about tobacco, including state-by-state statistics, can be found at www.tobaccofreekids.org. SOURCE Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids Related Links http://www.tobaccofreekids.org As CRO, Anita will be responsible for widening Klook's revenue sources. Her top priorities include scaling up marketing channels, furthering partnerships, and deepening overall presence with trade, tech collaborators, and consumers in APAC, as well as in the Americas and Europe. Prior to joining Klook, Anita was the General Manager for the APAC business of Viator (a TripAdvisor Company) and Head of Marketing, APAC for Hotels.com, Expedia, Inc. In these roles, she was pivotal in growing the businesses through marketing, localization and globalization, user experience optimization, and bridging demand and supply. Additionally, she has worked for Link Asset Management, Asia's leading REIT as the Head of Corporate Strategy & Digital Business Development, and McKinsey & Company in New York and Greater China, consulting for companies in travel and logistics, consumer goods, and retail sectors. As CPO, David will continue to drive Klook's product innovation and user experience. He joined Klook in 2016 as Vice President of Product and UX, and under his leadership, the team has scored key achievements including the inaugural launch of Klook's Android Instant App and our best-in-class merchant solutions, as well as localizing our platforms into a total of eight languages. David and his team have earned major accolades for Klook, including the Klook mobile app being featured over 100 times as the go-to app for trip planning and awarded "Best of the Year" by both Apple App Store and Google Play. David was instrumental in building up multiple e-commerce, messaging and social network products for Tencent and Yahoo, and thus brings to Klook valuable experience in technology development and product management from both Greater China and the U.S. "Our highly entrepreneurial and talented team is what made Klook into one of the pioneers for travel activities it is today," said Ethan Lin, Klook's Co-Founder and CEO. "We are very proud to be able to add such well-seasoned executives into our management team. With that, and our recent funding rounds and accelerating user and supply acquisition, we are well-equipped to sustain Klook's growth in the long run and pave our way to make Klook into one of the first Asian-grown startups to enter the global stage." "It is an exciting time to be in the tours, activities, and in-destination service space. Its complex and fragmented supply creates a large opportunity for online platforms to differentiate themselves by serving the rising demand in a more comprehensive and personalized way than ever before," said Anita Ngai, "I am excited to join Klook and leverage my experiences in online travel across different continents to rapidly expand our reach to travelers around the world." "Klook's technology innovation is what users love about us and what we take pride in," commented David Liu, "With my previous experience of scaling innovation for the best-known technology companies in Asia, I look forward to bringing the most creative tech solutions to the Klook platform for minimizing friction and solving traveler pain points." Anita Ngai and David Liu will be joining Ethan Lin, Klook's CEO, Eric Gnock Fah, President and Chief Operation Officer, and Bernie Xiong, Chief Technology Officer, to form a world-class leadership team in Klook, and to scale up the company for the next phase of exceptional growth. About Klook Klook is Asia's largest in-destination services booking platform that gives travelers a simple and trusted way to conveniently book and enjoy over 35,000 popular attractions, local experiences, and services around the world. Klook's network of over 4,000 direct partners includes world-famous attractions such as Disneyland and Universal Studios, to locally recognized operators such as Hong Kong's Ngong Ping 360, Bangkok Blue Elephant Cooking School, and more. Founded in 2014, Klook has been recognized by globally-renowned media and awards including Forbes, Deloitte Fast Technology, Wall Street Journal, CNBC, and many others. With a team of over 500 across 15 offices, Klook's services are available in 8 languages, supporting over 30 currencies. Klook has raised close to US$100 million investment from world-renowned investors including Sequoia Capital, Matrix Partners, and Goldman Sachs. Download photos for this release here: https://goo.gl/g4THFb SOURCE Klook HOUSTON, March 16, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Driven by the mission to help the world reach zero hunger, food bank leaders from 33 countries convened in Houston, Texas to take part in the 12th Annual H-E-B/GFN Food Bank Leadership Institute (FBLI). The weeklong event, organized by The Global FoodBanking Network (GFN), is the preeminent forum dedicated to addressing hunger and malnutrition through food banking. FBLI was held at the Houston Food Bank for the sixth year in a row from March 12-15, 2018. This FBLI was the largest in history, with more than 150 food bank leaders, business leaders, and NGO representatives in attendance. At the cornerstone of the agenda were information and training that will help food banks increase efficiency and scale operations, ultimately allowing them to collect more food and serve more people facing hunger. "From inventory management to nutritional programming, FBLI provides a unique platform for food bankers to collaborate and share innovative approaches that drive scale," said Lisa Moon, GFN President and Chief Executive Officer. "Our aim is for attendees to return home reinvigorated with new information that will make their work as impactful as can be." FBLI is a key component of GFN's education and training program for food banks. Food banking organizations that engaged with GFN training since their early stage of existence grew their food distribution on average 85 percent year over year between 2011 and 2017. Past FBLI attendees have opened food banks in places where they didn't exist, such as Hong Kong and India, and have expanded programs to address specific problems in their communities, such as childhood hunger and malnutrition. The Global Food Bank Innovation Award Oasis Green Food Bank, a food bank based in Shanghai, China, was presented with the Annual Global Food Bank Innovation Award at FBLI. The Award celebrates a food bank's program that exceptionally increased the food bank's ability to meet hunger needs in its community. Oasis Green Food Bank's program, Sharing Fridge Project, was recognized for its creative use of technology, such as facial recognition and mobile apps, to allow beneficiaries access to donated food stored in refrigerators around Shanghai. In total, 12 food banks from eight countries submitted their program for consideration for the Award. "We are honored that food bankers from around the world recognized the Sharing Fridge Project. This recognition encourages new food banks like ours to continue their work to address hunger and food waste," said Eve Li, Director of Oasis Green Food Bank. "Since our establishment, we've received great support from GFN and its members. We feel lucky to be a part of this warm and global family. Sharing Fridge Project is just the beginning. We will continue to work with GFN to develop a food bank network in China and to eliminate hunger in the country." FBLI 2018 Sponsors H-E-B, the Texas-based supermarket chain, has been a generous annual partner since FBLI's inception in 2006. "Every day, H-E-B works to address the issue of hunger within our communities, and we continue to support The Global FoodBanking Network as they address hunger on a global level," said Danny Flores, Senior Public Affairs Manager, H-E-B. This year's FBLI Flagship Sponsors are H-E-B and General Mills Foundation. Additional sponsors are Cargill, The DLA Piper Foundation, Kellogg Company Fund, Bank of America, Griffith Foods International, Ingredion, and LyondellBasell. The next FBLI will take place in London in March 2019. This will be the first time the event will be organized outside of the U.S. For more information, visit, www.foodbanking.org. About the Global FoodBanking Network The Global FoodBanking Network (GFN) is a non-profit organization that nourishes the world's hungry through launching and strengthening food banks in more than 30 countries. Last year GFN member food banks rescued 940 million pounds of food and redirected it to feed more than 7.1 million people through 44,000 social service organizations. About H-E-B H-E-B, with sales of $25 billion, operates 400 stores in Texas and Mexico. Known for its innovation and community service, H-E-B celebrates its 113th anniversary this year. Recognized for its fresh food, quality products, convenient services, and a commitment to environmental responsibility and sustainability, H-E-B strives to provide the best customer experience at everyday low prices. Based in San Antonio, H-E-B employs over 106,000 Partners in Texas and Mexico and serves millions of customers in more than 300 communities. For more information, visit HEB.com. About General Mills General Mills is a leading global food company that serves the world by making food people love. Its brands include Cheerios, Annie's, Yoplait, Nature Valley, Haagen-Dazs, Betty Crocker, Pillsbury, Old El Paso, Wanchai Ferry, Yoki and more. Headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA, General Mills generated fiscal 2017 consolidated net sales of US $15.6 billion, as well as another US $1.0 billion from its proportionate share of joint-venture net sales. SOURCE The Global FoodBanking Network Related Links http://www.foodbanking.org YOKNEAM, Israel, March 16, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Lumenis Ltd., the world's largest energy-based medical device company for surgical, aesthetic and ophthalmic applications, announces the release of significant new clinical evidence in lithotripsy as well as initial clinical benefits in benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) treatments using the MOSES Technology at the 33rd annual European Association of Urology Congress (EAU18), taking place in Copenhagen, March 16-19, 2018. MOSES is a revolutionary, patent-protected technology for holmium laser treatments in both urinary stones and BPH. The technology utilizes a proprietary combination of holmium lasers and fibers that optimize holmium energy transmission using a unique pulse modulation. Significant clinical evidence highlighting the benefits of MOSES in lithotripsy has already been released in several abstracts and peer-reviewed papers, namely MOSES' reduced retropulsion and improved fragmentation rate. Lumenis is continuously collaborating with thought leaders globally to further evaluate MOSES' clinical advantages. One of the major milestones of this collaboration is the randomized clinical trial conducted by Dr. Sero Andonian and the late Prof. Mostafa Elhilali of McGill University's Department of Urology in Montreal, Canada. The trial's results, which will be presented as part of the EAU18 congress podium sessions, demonstrate that procedures conducted with the MOSES technology result in 20% reduction in procedure time, 25% reduction in fragmentation time and 60% reduction in retropulsion. McGill University's poster was highlighted by the EAU Scientific Congress Office as one of the congress' best posters. "We are excited to share the results of the first-ever double-blinded, randomized clinical trial evaluating the effectiveness of the MOSES Technology in 66 patients undergoing ureteroscopic laser lithotripsy," said Dr. Sero Andonian, Associate Professor of Urology at McGill University, Montreal, Canada. "When compared with regular holmium laser, MOSES Technology resulted in significantly shorter fragmentation and procedural times due to significantly less retropulsion during laser lithotripsy." In addition to the substantial new clinical evidence in MOSES lithotripsy, Lumenis also will share the results of initial clinical evaluations of MOSES Technology for BPH treatments. Prof. Ivano Vavassori of Azienda Ospedaliera Ospedale in Treviglio, Caravaggio, Italy will share his initial experience, which suggests advantages in prostate enucleation. "The MOSES technology has great potential in improving the efficiency of enucleation procedures and also enabling a faster learning curve. In my initial clinical experience, I found that there was a smoother cutting effect, excellent hemostasis and improved visibility. Additionally, the enhanced MOSES vapor bubble significantly assists in separating the adenoma from the capsule, resulting in better orientation in the plane." Dr. Fernando Gomez Sancha of Clinica Cenrto in Madrid, Spain has also started experimenting with the use of MOSES for holmium vaporization, and noted, "I see great potential in the use of MOSES technology for vaporization, and I am looking forward to further exploring the benefits of the technology in BPH treatments." "It has been a year since we launched the MOSES technology and I am very excited by the tremendous impact it already has on laser lithotripsy," said Tzipi Ozer-Armon, CEO of Lumenis. "The results of the McGill randomized trial, and specifically the significant reduction in procedure time, are a true embodiment of the change in paradigm we envisioned. We are continuously working to demonstrate the benefits of MOSES in other domains and are proud to share the initial clinical benefits of MOSES for treatment of BPH." During EAU18, Lumenis will participate in a wide range of scientific discussions, enabling participants to get first-hand experience of the new technology: MOSES Podium Presentation Dr. Sero Andonian ( Canada ) Double-blinded prospective randomized clinical trial comparing regular and MOSES modes of holmium laser lithotripsy: Preliminary results. Monday, March 19 th , 14:00 15:30 (Green Area: Room 15 Level 0) Dr. ( ) Double-blinded prospective randomized clinical trial comparing regular and MOSES modes of holmium laser lithotripsy: Preliminary results. , 14:00 15:30 (Green Area: Room 15 Level 0) MOSES Launch Cocktail Reception Join us as we celebrate how MOSES is changing the world of urology over a glass of prosecco and canapes. Saturday, March 17 th , 16:00 17:00 (Lumenis booth G16) Join us as we celebrate how MOSES is changing the world of urology over a glass of prosecco and canapes. , 16:00 17:00 (Lumenis booth G16) Live surgery Dr. Khurshid Ghani (US) MOSES Technology for ureteroscopic lithotripsy. Saturday, March 17 th , 14:00 14:15 (eURO Auditorium Level 0) Dr. (US) MOSES Technology for ureteroscopic lithotripsy. , 14:00 14:15 (eURO Auditorium Level 0) From HoLEP to MoLEP Prof. Ivano Vavassori ( Italy ) AEEP (Anatomical Endoscopic Enucleation of the Prostate) with MOSES technology. Sunday, March 18 th, 13:00 13:30 (Lumenis booth G16) For the full Lumenis EAU 2018 activities please click here. About Lumenis www.lumenis.com Lumenis is the world's largest energy-based medical device company for surgical, aesthetic and ophthalmic applications in the area of minimally invasive clinical solutions. Regarded as a world-renowned expert in developing and commercializing innovative energy-based technologies, including Laser, Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) and Radio-Frequency (RF). For nearly 50 years, Lumenis' ground-breaking products have redefined medical treatments and have set numerous technological and clinical gold-standards. Lumenis has successfully created solutions for previously untreatable conditions, as well as designed advanced technologies that have revolutionized existing treatment methods. MEDIA CONTACT: Genevieve Pierce +1.512.774.0735 (c) [email protected] SOURCE Lumenis Ltd Related Links http://www.lumenis.com WASHINGTON, March 16, 2018 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Kids in Maryland will unite against tobacco use on March 21 as they join thousands of young people nationwide to mark Kick Butts Day. More than 1,000 events are planned across the United States for this annual day of youth activism, sponsored by the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids. (See below for a list of local events.) On Kick Butts Day, kids encourage their peers to be tobacco-free, reject tobacco companies' devious marketing and urge elected officials to help make the next generation tobacco-free. This year, Kick Butts Day is focusing attention on the progress the U.S. has made in reducing youth smoking and the actions needed to create the first tobacco-free generation. Since 2000, the national smoking rate among high school students has fallen by 71 percent (from 28 percent in 2000 to 8 percent in 2016). However, the fight against tobacco is far from over: Tobacco use is still the No. 1 cause of preventable death in the U.S., killing over 480,000 people and costing about $170 billion in health care expenses each year. in health care expenses each year. Tobacco companies spend $8.9 billion a year $1 million every hour to market tobacco products in the U.S., often in ways that appeal to kids. a year every hour to market tobacco products in the U.S., often in ways that appeal to kids. Electronic cigarettes have become the most popular tobacco product used by kids nationwide, 11.3 percent of high school students use e-cigarettes compared to 8 percent who smoke cigarettes. The latest trend with teens is JUUL, an e-cigarette that looks like a computer flash drive and comes in flavors like mango and fruit medley. In Maryland, tobacco use claims 7,500 lives and costs $2.71 billion in health care bills each year. Currently, 8.7 percent of Maryland's high school students smoke. On Kick Butts Day, kids and health advocates are calling on elected officials to implement proven strategies that make up a "roadmap to a tobacco-free generation." These strategies include tobacco tax increases, comprehensive smoke-free laws, raising the tobacco sale age to 21, well-funded tobacco prevention programs and banning the sale of flavored tobacco products. "On Kick Butts Day, kids are celebrating the progress we've made to reduce tobacco use and building momentum to get us across the finish line," said Matthew L. Myers, President of the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids. "Elected leaders in every state can help create the first tobacco-free generation by supporting proven strategies to prevent youth tobacco use." On Kick Butts Day, kids join in creative events ranging from classroom activities to educate their peers about the harmful ingredients in cigarettes to rallies at state capitols. In Maryland, activities include: Youth at the Robert W. Johnson Community Center in Hagerstown will pick up cigarette butts and host an anti-tobacco rally with informative posters and flyers. Time: 5-6:30 PM. Location: Robert W. Johnson Community Center, 109 W. North Avenue, Hagerstown. Contact: Tisha Foster (240) 938-8002. The Calvert County Health Department will kick butts with six Calvert County public middle schools by having students wear t-shirts featuring anti-tobacco messages. The shirts were designed and screen printed by graphic arts students at the Career and Technology Academy. Contact: Jane Dodds (410) 610-5712. Time: 11:05 AM12:15 PM. Location: Mill Creek Middle School, 12200 Southern Connector Boulevard, Lusby. Time: 11:15 AM12:25 PM. Location: Southern Middle School, 9615 H.G. Trueman Road, Lusby. All events will take place March 21 unless otherwise indicated. For a full list of Kick Butts Day activities in Maryland, visit www.kickbuttsday.org/map. Additional information about tobacco, including state-by-state statistics, can be found at www.tobaccofreekids.org. SOURCE Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids Related Links http://www.tobaccofreekids.org SEATTLE, March 16, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Milliman, Inc., a premier global consulting and actuarial firm, is pleased to announce the addition of Property & Casualty expertise in its Tampa office, in response to the growing demand for the firm's property insurance analytics. As domestic property insurers expand up and down the Atlantic and Gulf coasts, the new Tampa P&C presence demonstrates Milliman's continued commitment to the region and its growing insurance market. The Tampa P&C team will work closely with Nancy Watkins, a principal and consulting actuary in Milliman's San Francisco office who has deep experience in Florida. The Tampa P&C team will be led by consulting actuary John Rollins, who brings 27 years' experience to the role and specializes in catastrophe-exposed property and flood insurance. As an end-to-end consultant with C-suite operational experience, Rollins has deep actuarial expertise handling disaster events. His creativity is evidenced by innovative approaches to catastrophe-exposed personal lines pricing, reserving for unpaid hurricane claims, and the structuring and issuing of insurance-linked securities and traditional reinsurance. Says Rollins, "Milliman is a global leader in property and casualty insurance with a market leadership position in Florida property. I'm excited to join the firm and will continue to pursue the innovations in granular pricing, risk transfer analysis, and catastrophe management that have been my professional passion for over 20 years." Prior to Milliman, Rollins served as Chief Risk Officer for various insurance entities, including Cabrillo Coastal General Insurance, a Managing General Agent with operations in Florida and New York, and Citizens Property Insurance Corp., the largest state-run windstorm insurer in the U.S. "Milliman is generally recognized among Florida insurers as the market leader for property insurance consulting services, data, tools, and competitive analysis," says Watkins. "Having a seasoned, local presence in the state enables us to more effectively anticipate our clients' needs and continue to advance the sophistication and breadth of our property insurance offerings." To learn more about Milliman's property insurance expertise, visit http://www.milliman.com/propertyanalytics/. About Milliman Milliman is among the world's largest providers of actuarial and related products and services. The firm has consulting practices in healthcare, property & casualty insurance, life insurance and financial services, and employee benefits. Founded in 1947, Milliman is an independent firm with offices in major cities around the globe. For further information, visit milliman.com. SOURCE Milliman, Inc. Related Links http://www.milliman.com WASHINGTON, March 16, 2018 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Kids in Minnesota will unite against tobacco use on March 21 as they join thousands of young people nationwide to mark Kick Butts Day. More than 1,000 events are planned across the United States for this annual day of youth activism, sponsored by the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids. (See below for a list of local events.) On Kick Butts Day, kids encourage their peers to be tobacco-free, reject tobacco companies' devious marketing and urge elected officials to help make the next generation tobacco-free. This year, Kick Butts Day is focusing attention on the progress the U.S. has made in reducing youth smoking and the actions needed to create the first tobacco-free generation. Since 2000, the national smoking rate among high school students has fallen by 71 percent (from 28 percent in 2000 to 8 percent in 2016). However, the fight against tobacco is far from over: Tobacco use is still the No. 1 cause of preventable death in the U.S., killing over 480,000 people and costing about $170 billion in health care expenses each year. in health care expenses each year. Tobacco companies spend $8.9 billion a year $1 million every hour to market tobacco products in the U.S., often in ways that appeal to kids. a year every hour to market tobacco products in the U.S., often in ways that appeal to kids. Electronic cigarettes have become the most popular tobacco product used by kids nationwide, 11.3 percent of high school students use e-cigarettes compared to 8 percent who smoke cigarettes. The latest trend with teens is JUUL, an e-cigarette that looks like a computer flash drive and comes in flavors like mango and fruit medley. In Minnesota, tobacco use claims 5,900 lives and costs $2.51 billion in health care bills each year. Currently, 9.6 percent of Minnesota's high school students smoke. On Kick Butts Day, kids and health advocates are calling on elected officials to implement proven strategies that make up a "roadmap to a tobacco-free generation." These strategies include tobacco tax increases, comprehensive smoke-free laws, raising the tobacco sale age to 21, well-funded tobacco prevention programs and banning the sale of flavored tobacco products. "On Kick Butts Day, kids are celebrating the progress we've made to reduce tobacco use and building momentum to get us across the finish line," said Matthew L. Myers, President of the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids. "Elected leaders in every state can help create the first tobacco-free generation by supporting proven strategies to prevent youth tobacco use." On Kick Butts Day, kids join in creative events ranging from classroom activities to educate their peers about the harmful ingredients in cigarettes to rallies at state capitols. In Minnesota, activities include: Students from Anglos Latinos Motivated to Succeed (ALMAS) at Henry Sibley High School in Mendota Heights will hold their annual Kick Butts Day shoe drive. The students collect donated shoes to represent how many people die from tobacco-related disease every hour, creating a display at school. The shoes are donated to local nonprofit Neighbors Inc. Time: 3:15 PM. Location: Henry Sibley High School, 1897 Delaware Avenue, Mendota Heights. Contact: Robert Hanson (612) 382-6597. Students from Lancaster Public School will sign a tobacco-free pledge, hold an anti-tobacco poster contest, and learn about the dangers of smoking and what it can do to your body. Time: 8 AM. Location: Lancaster Public School, 401 Central Avenue S., Lancaster. Contact: Sandie Nelson (218) 843-1580. Students from Wadena Deer Creek High School will take a stand against the tobacco industry's targeting of youth. Students will create a social media splash using the hashtag #NotAReplacement to tell big tobacco they refuse to "replace" dying smokers. Time: 12:30 PM. Location: Wadena Deer Creek High School, 600 Colfax Avenue S.W., Wadena. Contact: LeeAnn Huebsch (218) 632-8486. The youth at John Glenn Middle School in Maplewood will participate in smoking and tobacco trivia, decorate post cards, and sign a pledge wall to be a smoke-free generation. Time: 9:30 AM. Location: John Glenn Middle School, 1560 E. County Road B, Maplewood. Contact: Chris Turner (334) 663-0767. Students from Jordan Secondary will sign a pledge wall committing to be part of the first smoke-free generation. They will also chalk school sidewalks with facts about the toll of tobacco use and the tobacco industry's marketing tactics, and provide fact-sheets on e-cigarettes and vaping. Time: 8 AM. Location: 600 Sunset Dive, Jordan. Contact: Sara Tabone (952) 492-4493. On March 22, students from John Glenn Middle School will participate in a training session in St. Paul before walking to the Capitol to speak with legislators about raising the age limit on tobacco purchases. Time: 11:15 AM. Location: Minnesota History Center, 345 W. Kellogg Boulevard, St Paul. Contact: Chris Turner (334) 663-0767. All events will take place March 21 unless otherwise indicated. For a full list of Kick Butts Day activities in Minnesota, visit www.kickbuttsday.org/map. Additional information about tobacco, including state-by-state statistics, can be found at www.tobaccofreekids.org. SOURCE Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids Related Links http://www.tobaccofreekids.org WASHINGTON, March 16, 2018 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Kids in Mississippi will unite against tobacco use on March 21 as they join thousands of young people nationwide to mark Kick Butts Day. More than 1,000 events are planned across the United States for this annual day of youth activism, sponsored by the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids. (See below for a list of local events.) On Kick Butts Day, kids encourage their peers to be tobacco-free, reject tobacco companies' devious marketing and urge elected officials to help make the next generation tobacco-free. This year, Kick Butts Day is focusing attention on the progress the U.S. has made in reducing youth smoking and the actions needed to create the first tobacco-free generation. Since 2000, the national smoking rate among high school students has fallen by 71 percent (from 28 percent in 2000 to 8 percent in 2016). However, the fight against tobacco is far from over: Tobacco use is still the No. 1 cause of preventable death in the U.S., killing over 480,000 people and costing about $170 billion in health care expenses each year. in health care expenses each year. Tobacco companies spend $8.9 billion a year $1 million every hour to market tobacco products in the U.S., often in ways that appeal to kids. a year every hour to market tobacco products in the U.S., often in ways that appeal to kids. Electronic cigarettes have become the most popular tobacco product used by kids nationwide, 11.3 percent of high school students use e-cigarettes compared to 8 percent who smoke cigarettes. The latest trend with teens is JUUL, an e-cigarette that looks like a computer flash drive and comes in flavors like mango and fruit medley. In Mississippi, tobacco use claims 5,400 lives and costs $1.23 billion in health care bills each year. Currently, 15.2 percent of Mississippi's high school students smoke. On Kick Butts Day, kids and health advocates are calling on elected officials to implement proven strategies that make up a "roadmap to a tobacco-free generation." These strategies include tobacco tax increases, comprehensive smoke-free laws, raising the tobacco sale age to 21, well-funded tobacco prevention programs and banning the sale of flavored tobacco products. "On Kick Butts Day, kids are celebrating the progress we've made to reduce tobacco use and building momentum to get us across the finish line," said Matthew L. Myers, President of the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids. "Elected leaders in every state can help create the first tobacco-free generation by supporting proven strategies to prevent youth tobacco use." On Kick Butts Day, kids join in creative events ranging from classroom activities to educate their peers about the harmful ingredients in cigarettes to rallies at state capitols. In Mississippi, activities include: Students from Jackson will host a "tobacco free fashion show" at the Jackson Marriott in conjunction with the Department of Education Future Health Professionals' annual conference. Students will model chemicals found in cigarettes and parts of the body affected by tobacco use. Time: 1:30 PM. Location: 200 E. Amite Street, Jackson. Contact: Jacqueline Carter (601) 952-0894. Students from Ocean Springs High School will participate in various games and alternative activities to tobacco use. Posters and giveaways will educate students about the dangerous ingredients in tobacco products. Time: 11:45 AM. Location: 6701 Old Spanish Trail, Ocean Springs. Contact: Kristina Mullis (765) 265-9169. The Community Students Learning Center (CSLC) and the Mississippi Tobacco-Free Coalition will help high school students "Speak Up and Speak Out" at an anti-tobacco rally in Holmes County featuring nationally-recognized youth motivational speaker Lamarr Womble. The event will also feature an anti-tobacco proclamation from county government officials, anti-tobacco and smoking prevention mini-sessions, and a memory wall of loved ones who have died from smoking-related illnesses. Time: 8:30 AM. Location: 9479 Brozville Road, Lexington. Contact: Gail Brown (601) 613-0869 or Sharon Nettles (601) 497-9884. All events will take place March 21 unless otherwise indicated. For a full list of Kick Butts Day activities in Mississippi, visit www.kickbuttsday.org/map. Additional information about tobacco, including state-by-state statistics, can be found at www.tobaccofreekids.org. SOURCE Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids Related Links http://www.tobaccofreekids.org PITTSBURGH, March 16, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- For wheelchair-bound users, everyday tasks are much more difficult and uncomfortable. Position limitations can quickly turn what would be a simple task into a tedious and time-consuming production, which can contribute to a decrease in quality of life. An inventor from Dallas, Texas, has invented JGI WHEELCHAIR, a modified manual wheelchair that provides enhanced support and balance. "This wheelchair design was inspired by the lack of such a product on the market today," said the inventor. "This design improves on the conventional wheelchair, giving users greater mobility, comfort and strengthening." JGI WHEELCHAIR provides wheelchair users with greater freedom and range of movement, as it transitions to four positions: sitting, kneeling, standing, and walking. This unique design allows users to more easily change positions, enhancing circulation and benefiting the cardiovascular system, digestion and more, all within a single portable cost-effective frame, making it likely for Medicare/Medicaid funding. This invention's unique ergonomic kneeling design helps to alleviate pressure on the spine and knees while allowing for a new position. Additionally, the standing position facilitates exercise to strengthen the body, providing users with greater confidence and enhanced quality of life. These position options make this device marketable to a variety of users ranging from wheelchair athletes to the elderly. The inventor currently has three U.S. utility patents with recent utility patents in the United Kingdom, Germany, France and Sweden. The original design was submitted to the Dallas office of InventHelp. It is currently available for licensing or sale to manufacturers or marketers. For more information, write Dept. 17-DLL-3370, InventHelp, 217 Ninth Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15222, or call (412) 288-1300 ext. 1368. Learn more about InventHelp's Invention Submission Services at http://www.InventHelp.com. SOURCE InventHelp Related Links http://www.inventhelp.com LONDON, March 16, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- CleanEquity Monaco 2018, the forum for emerging sustainable technology companies, hosted by Innovator Capital and the Monaco Economic Board, closed on Friday, 9th March with the Awards Ceremony in the presence of H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco. An independent panel of judges, chaired by His Serene Highness, selected NanoSpun Technologies as winner of the award for Excellence in the Field of Environmental Technology Development. Mungo Park, Chairman of Innovator Capital commented: "NanoSpun Technologies looks like a classic game changer in bio-based processes. We are looking forwards to watching its impact on the industry." NanoSpun Technologies is a biotech company and regarded by many as the global leader in the development and manufacturing of disruptive structures that harness, enable and improve industrial biological-based processes (active biological fabrics and active biological cassettes) especially in challenging, toxic or inhibiting conditions. NanoSpun disruptive technology and products offer game changing solutions for water and wastewater treatment, fermentation and synthetic biology production processes. Ohad Bendror (Bendas) NanoSpun Technologies founder and CEO said: "We are honored, excited and proud to be elected as the winners of the prestigious first prize for "Excellence in the field of Environmental Technology Development", at Monaco's CleanEquity 2018, out of so many impressive companies that presented in the event. We thank H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco, Mungo Park and the CleanEquity team and award committee for the recognition. The prize is a significant acknowledgement of NanoSpun disruptive products and technology and a result of NanoSpun team commitment and endeavor along the years to make our world a better, more environmentally friendly, and sustainable place. I have met many wonderful people in the CleanEquity event and we look forward to returning next year." CleanEquity thanks, in particular: Prince Albert II of Monaco's Foundation, Cohesion Investments, Covington & Burling, Cision, Cranfield University, easyGroup, Hobbs & Towne, the Monaco Economic Board, Parkview, Shell Foundation and STRATIS Impact. CleanEquity Monaco will be returning to the Principality of Monaco in March 2019. Follow us on twitter to keep up to date with the news: @CleanEquity. Contact: Conor Barrett Innovator Capital [email protected] SOURCE Innovator Capital Related Links http://www.innovator-capital.com WASHINGTON, March 16, 2018 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Kids in Nebraska will unite against tobacco use on March 21 as they join thousands of young people nationwide to mark Kick Butts Day. More than 1,000 events are planned across the United States for this annual day of youth activism, sponsored by the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids. (See below for a list of local events.) On Kick Butts Day, kids encourage their peers to be tobacco-free, reject tobacco companies' devious marketing and urge elected officials to help make the next generation tobacco-free. This year, Kick Butts Day is focusing attention on the progress the U.S. has made in reducing youth smoking and the actions needed to create the first tobacco-free generation. Since 2000, the national smoking rate among high school students has fallen by 71 percent (from 28 percent in 2000 to 8 percent in 2016). However, the fight against tobacco is far from over: Tobacco use is still the No. 1 cause of preventable death in the U.S., killing over 480,000 people and costing about $170 billion in health care expenses each year. in health care expenses each year. Tobacco companies spend $8.9 billion a year $1 million every hour to market tobacco products in the U.S., often in ways that appeal to kids. a year every hour to market tobacco products in the U.S., often in ways that appeal to kids. Electronic cigarettes have become the most popular tobacco product used by kids nationwide, 11.3 percent of high school students use e-cigarettes compared to 8 percent who smoke cigarettes. The latest trend with teens is JUUL, an e-cigarette that looks like a computer flash drive and comes in flavors like mango and fruit medley. In Nebraska, tobacco use claims 2,500 lives and costs $795 million in health care bills each year. Currently, 13.3 percent of Nebraska's high school students smoke. On Kick Butts Day, kids and health advocates are calling on elected officials to implement proven strategies that make up a "roadmap to a tobacco-free generation." These strategies include tobacco tax increases, comprehensive smoke-free laws, raising the tobacco sale age to 21, well-funded tobacco prevention programs and banning the sale of flavored tobacco products. In Nebraska, health advocates are urging state lawmakers to increase the cigarette tax by $1.50 per pack. "On Kick Butts Day, kids are celebrating the progress we've made to reduce tobacco use and building momentum to get us across the finish line," said Matthew L. Myers, President of the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids. "Elected leaders in every state can help create the first tobacco-free generation by supporting proven strategies to prevent youth tobacco use." On Kick Butts Day, kids join in creative events ranging from classroom activities to educate their peers about the harmful ingredients in cigarettes to rallies at state capitols. In Nebraska, activities include: No Limits Nebraska will take students to the state Capitol to speak with their senators about the negative impact big tobacco has on youth. A student-led march and rally on the Capitol steps will follow the meetings. Time: 8 AM. Location: Nebraska State Capitol Building, 1445 K Street, Lincoln. Contact: Molly Kincaid (402) 416-4774. Students from Maxwell Public Schools will use an interactive game to teach their peers about how tobacco companies target youth. The students will also make "human billboards" advocating for the prevention of tobacco use in Maxwell schools. Time: 10:30-11:10 AM. Location: 415 US Highway 30, Maxwell. Contact: Grace Sommer (308) 660-2454. All events will take place March 21 unless otherwise indicated. For a full list of Kick Butts Day activities in Nebraska, visit www.kickbuttsday.org/map. Additional information about tobacco, including state-by-state statistics, can be found at www.tobaccofreekids.org. SOURCE Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids Related Links http://www.tobaccofreekids.org WASHINGTON, March 16, 2018 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Kids in New York will unite against tobacco use on March 21 as they join thousands of young people nationwide to mark Kick Butts Day. More than 1,000 events are planned across the United States for this annual day of youth activism, sponsored by the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids. (See below for a list of local events.) On Kick Butts Day, kids encourage their peers to be tobacco-free, reject tobacco companies' devious marketing and urge elected officials to help make the next generation tobacco-free. This year, Kick Butts Day is focusing attention on the progress the U.S. has made in reducing youth smoking and the actions needed to create the first tobacco-free generation. Since 2000, the national smoking rate among high school students has fallen by 71 percent (from 28 percent in 2000 to 8 percent in 2016). However, the fight against tobacco is far from over: Tobacco use is still the No. 1 cause of preventable death in the U.S., killing over 480,000 people and costing about $170 billion in health care expenses each year. in health care expenses each year. Tobacco companies spend $8.9 billion a year $1 million every hour to market tobacco products in the U.S., often in ways that appeal to kids. a year every hour to market tobacco products in the U.S., often in ways that appeal to kids. Electronic cigarettes have become the most popular tobacco product used by kids nationwide, 11.3 percent of high school students use e-cigarettes compared to 8 percent who smoke cigarettes. The latest trend with teens is JUUL, an e-cigarette that looks like a computer flash drive and comes in flavors like mango and fruit medley. In New York, tobacco use claims 28,200 lives and costs $10.39 billion in health care bills each year. Currently, 4.3 percent of New York's high school students smoke. On Kick Butts Day, kids and health advocates are calling on elected officials to implement proven strategies that make up a "roadmap to a tobacco-free generation." These strategies include tobacco tax increases, comprehensive smoke-free laws, raising the tobacco sale age to 21, well-funded tobacco prevention programs and banning the sale of flavored tobacco products. "On Kick Butts Day, kids are celebrating the progress we've made to reduce tobacco use and building momentum to get us across the finish line," said Matthew L. Myers, President of the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids. "Elected leaders in every state can help create the first tobacco-free generation by supporting proven strategies to prevent youth tobacco use." On Kick Butts Day, kids join in creative events ranging from classroom activities to educate their peers about the harmful ingredients in cigarettes to rallies at state capitols. In New York, activities include: Students at Sagamore Middle School in Holtsville will commit to a vape-free and smoke-free school community by constructing and signing a pledge wall. Time: 10:30 AM. Location: 57 Division Street, Holtsville. Contact: Lori Hewlett (631) 834-1198. Students at Vestal High School in Vestal will commit to be tobacco-free and encourage peers and loved ones to quit smoking by constructing and signing a pledge wall. Time: 11:30 AM. Location: 205 Woodlawn Drive, Vestal. Contact: Melissa Restuccia (607) 757-2249. Students at Attica Central High School in Attica will commit to be tobacco -free and encourage peers and loved ones to quit using tobacco products by constructing and signing a pledge wall. Time: 11:30 AM. Location: 3338 E. Main Street, Attica. Contact: Leigh Gill (585) 322-5079. Students from Advancing Tobacco-Free Communities Delaware, Otsego and Schoharie Counties, in collaboration with The State University of New York at Cobleskill, will host a volleyball tournament where students will learn about the dangers of tobacco use and enjoy tobacco-free themed refreshments provided by the college's Culinary Arts department. Parents and youth will commit to be tobacco-free by constructing and signing a pledge wall. Time: 11:30 AM. Location: 125 Schenectady Avenue, Cobleskill. Contact: Deyanira Cisneros (518) 560-9979. Students at Chazy Central Rural School will commit to be tobacco-free and to encourage peers to stop using tobacco-products by constructing and signing a pledge wall. Time: 11:30 AM. Location: 609 Miner Farm Road, Chazy. Contact: Danielle O'Mara (315) 403-0909. Students from the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York will hold an interactive "1 Day Stand" where students will learn about the dangers of tobacco use through games, trivia contests and educational displays, and build support for a tobacco-free campus. Time: 12 PM. Location: 227 W. 27th Street, New York. Contact: Gabriella Potievsky (212) 217-4195. Students from John S. Burke Catholic High School in Goshen will display cups in a fence in front of the school to demonstrate the deadly consequences of tobacco use and the tactics used by the tobacco industry to market their products. Time: 2:40 PM. Location: 80 Fletcher Street, Goshen. Contact: Makeda James (914) 671-9918. Students from the North Tonawanda Youth Center will host an interactive carnival where kids will learn about the dangers of tobacco use through games, trivia contests and educational displays. Time: 4:30 PM. Location: 383 Vandervoort Street, North Tonawanda. Contact: Michelle Seider (716) 343-3208. On March 22, students at Waterloo Middle and High School in Waterloo will educate their peers on the dangers of tobacco by constructing a graffiti wall featuring anti-tobacco facts and messages. Time: 10:30 AM. Location: 65 Center Street, Waterloo. Contact: Stephanie Gatesman (315) 719-4333. All events will take place March 21 unless otherwise indicated. For a full list of Kick Butts Day activities in New York, visit www.kickbuttsday.org/map. Additional information about tobacco, including state-by-state statistics, can be found at www.tobaccofreekids.org. SOURCE Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids Related Links http://www.tobaccofreekids.org WASHINGTON, March 16, 2018 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Kids in North Carolina will unite against tobacco use on March 21 as they join thousands of young people nationwide to mark Kick Butts Day. More than 1,000 events are planned across the United States for this annual day of youth activism, sponsored by the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids. (See below for a list of local events.) On Kick Butts Day, kids encourage their peers to be tobacco-free, reject tobacco companies' devious marketing and urge elected officials to help make the next generation tobacco-free. This year, Kick Butts Day is focusing attention on the progress the U.S. has made in reducing youth smoking and the actions needed to create the first tobacco-free generation. Since 2000, the national smoking rate among high school students has fallen by 71 percent (from 28 percent in 2000 to 8 percent in 2016). However, the fight against tobacco is far from over: Tobacco use is still the No. 1 cause of preventable death in the U.S., killing over 480,000 people and costing about $170 billion in health care expenses each year. in health care expenses each year. Tobacco companies spend $8.9 billion a year $1 million every hour to market tobacco products in the U.S., often in ways that appeal to kids. a year every hour to market tobacco products in the U.S., often in ways that appeal to kids. Electronic cigarettes have become the most popular tobacco product used by kids nationwide, 11.3 percent of high school students use e-cigarettes compared to 8 percent who smoke cigarettes. The latest trend with teens is JUUL, an e-cigarette that looks like a computer flash drive and comes in flavors like mango and fruit medley. In North Carolina, tobacco use claims 14,200 lives and costs $3.81 billion in health care bills each year. Currently, 13.1 percent of North Carolina's high school students smoke. On Kick Butts Day, kids and health advocates are calling on elected officials to implement proven strategies that make up a "roadmap to a tobacco-free generation." These strategies include tobacco tax increases, comprehensive smoke-free laws, raising the tobacco sale age to 21, well-funded tobacco prevention programs and banning the sale of flavored tobacco products. "On Kick Butts Day, kids are celebrating the progress we've made to reduce tobacco use and building momentum to get us across the finish line," said Matthew L. Myers, President of the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids. "Elected leaders in every state can help create the first tobacco-free generation by supporting proven strategies to prevent youth tobacco use." On Kick Butts Day, kids join in creative events ranging from classroom activities to educate their peers about the harmful ingredients in cigarettes to rallies at state capitols. In North Carolina, activities include: Students at Cedar Ridge High School will commit to be tobacco-free and encourage peers and loved ones to quit smoking by constructing and signing a graffiti pledge wall in the cafeteria. Time: 12 PM. Location: 1125 New Grady Brown School Road, Hillsborough. Contact: Avis Barnes (919) 883-6624. In support of a smoke-free bus stop policy in Boone, Appalachian State University students will organize a cigarette butt cleanup at the Holmes Convocation Center to educate the community about the dangers of secondhand smoke and advocate for policy changes. Time: 10 AM. Location: 111 Rivers Street, Boone. Contact: Christopher Seitz (434) 338-9436. Middle and high school students from the Columbia TRU Club and Teens Against Tobacco will lead their peers from Tyrrell Elementary School through an anti-smoking activity called "Breathless" to explain the damaging effects tobacco has on lungs. Other visual exhibits including the "Jar of Tar" will be on display. Time: 8:20 AM. Location: 486 Elementary School Road, Columbia. Contact: Sarah Fox (252) 706-0198. The Students Mentoring Awareness Resource Team (SMART) and their peers at Jamestown Middle School will celebrate Kick Butts Day with a #RespectYourSelfie photo booth to raise awareness about the impact tobacco has on the community, and pledge to be tobacco free. Time: 10 AM. Location: 301 Haynes Road, Jamestown. Contact: Brittany Wells (336) 709-5766. On March 27, local middle and high school youth will attend Sampson County's 4th Annual Teen Health Fair to learn about an array of health topics, including tobacco prevention, at the Bellamy Recreation Center Gymnasium. Students will commit to be tobacco-free and encourage peers and loved ones to quit smoking by constructing and signing a pledge wall. Time: 8:45 AM. Location: Bellamy Center Gymnasium, 500 Pierce Street, Clinton. Contact: Travis Greer (910) 880-0693. All events will take place March 21 unless otherwise indicated. For a full list of Kick Butts Day activities in North Carolina, visit www.kickbuttsday.org/map. Additional information about tobacco, including state-by-state statistics, can be found at www.tobaccofreekids.org. SOURCE Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids Related Links http://www.tobaccofreekids.org WASHINGTON, March 16, 2018 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Kids in North Dakota will unite against tobacco use on March 21 as they join thousands of young people nationwide to mark Kick Butts Day. More than 1,000 events are planned across the United States for this annual day of youth activism, sponsored by the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids. (See below for a list of local events.) On Kick Butts Day, kids encourage their peers to be tobacco-free, reject tobacco companies' devious marketing and urge elected officials to help make the next generation tobacco-free. This year, Kick Butts Day is focusing attention on the progress the U.S. has made in reducing youth smoking and the actions needed to create the first tobacco-free generation. Since 2000, the national smoking rate among high school students has fallen by 71 percent (from 28 percent in 2000 to 8 percent in 2016). However, the fight against tobacco is far from over: Tobacco use is still the No. 1 cause of preventable death in the U.S., killing over 480,000 people and costing about $170 billion in health care expenses each year. in health care expenses each year. Tobacco companies spend $8.9 billion a year $1 million every hour to market tobacco products in the U.S., often in ways that appeal to kids. a year every hour to market tobacco products in the U.S., often in ways that appeal to kids. Electronic cigarettes have become the most popular tobacco product used by kids nationwide, 11.3 percent of high school students use e-cigarettes compared to 8 percent who smoke cigarettes. The latest trend with teens is JUUL, an e-cigarette that looks like a computer flash drive and comes in flavors like mango and fruit medley. In North Dakota, tobacco use claims 1,000 lives and costs $326 million in health care bills each year. Currently, 11.7 percent of North Dakota's high school students smoke. On Kick Butts Day, kids and health advocates are calling on elected officials to implement proven strategies that make up a "roadmap to a tobacco-free generation." These strategies include tobacco tax increases, comprehensive smoke-free laws, raising the tobacco sale age to 21, well-funded tobacco prevention programs and banning the sale of flavored tobacco products. "On Kick Butts Day, kids are celebrating the progress we've made to reduce tobacco use and building momentum to get us across the finish line," said Matthew L. Myers, President of the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids. "Elected leaders in every state can help create the first tobacco-free generation by supporting proven strategies to prevent youth tobacco use." On Kick Butts Day, kids join in creative events ranging from classroom activities to educate their peers about the harmful ingredients in cigarettes to rallies at state capitols. In North Dakota, activities include: Students at St. Catherine's School and Washington Elementary in Valley City will learn about the dangers of tobacco, sign a traveling banner pledging to be tobacco-free, and learn how they can be anti-tobacco advocates. Contact: Heather Schwehr (701) 845-5555. Time: 1 PM. Location: St. Catherine's School, 540 3rd Avenue N.E., Valley City. Time: 2:30 PM. Location: Washington Elementary, 510 8th Avenue S.W., Valley City. Youth advocates at Horizon Middle School in Bismarck will create a memorial honoring those who die from tobacco every day. Time: 12 PM. Location: 500 Ash Coulee Drive, Bismarck. Contact: Missy Moritz (701) 400-7478. Students at the University of Mary in Bismarck will air out the "dirty laundry" of big tobacco by writing facts about tobacco on clothes and hanging them up on campus. Time: 12 PM. Location: 7500 University Drive, Bismarck. Contact: Kyle Darras (701) 471-3126. All events will take place March 21 unless otherwise indicated. For a full list of Kick Butts Day activities in North Dakota, visit www.kickbuttsday.org/map. Additional information about tobacco, including state-by-state statistics, can be found at www.tobaccofreekids.org. SOURCE Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids Related Links https://www.tobaccofreekids.org WASHINGTON, March 16, 2018 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Kids in Ohio will unite against tobacco use on March 21 as they join thousands of young people nationwide to mark Kick Butts Day. More than 1,000 events are planned across the United States for this annual day of youth activism, sponsored by the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids. (See below for a list of local events.) On Kick Butts Day, kids encourage their peers to be tobacco-free, reject tobacco companies' devious marketing and urge elected officials to help make the next generation tobacco-free. This year, Kick Butts Day is focusing attention on the progress the U.S. has made in reducing youth smoking and the actions needed to create the first tobacco-free generation. Since 2000, the national smoking rate among high school students has fallen by 71 percent (from 28 percent in 2000 to 8 percent in 2016). However, the fight against tobacco is far from over: Tobacco use is still the No. 1 cause of preventable death in the U.S., killing over 480,000 people and costing about $170 billion in health care expenses each year. in health care expenses each year. Tobacco companies spend $8.9 billion a year $1 million every hour to market tobacco products in the U.S., often in ways that appeal to kids. a year every hour to market tobacco products in the U.S., often in ways that appeal to kids. Electronic cigarettes have become the most popular tobacco product used by kids nationwide, 11.3 percent of high school students use e-cigarettes compared to 8 percent who smoke cigarettes. The latest trend with teens is JUUL, an e-cigarette that looks like a computer flash drive and comes in flavors like mango and fruit medley. In Ohio, tobacco use claims 20,200 lives and costs $5.64 billion in health care bills each year. Currently, 15.1 percent of Ohio's high school students smoke. On Kick Butts Day, kids and health advocates are calling on elected officials to implement proven strategies that make up a "roadmap to a tobacco-free generation." These strategies include tobacco tax increases, comprehensive smoke-free laws, raising the tobacco sale age to 21, well-funded tobacco prevention programs and banning the sale of flavored tobacco products. "On Kick Butts Day, kids are celebrating the progress we've made to reduce tobacco use and building momentum to get us across the finish line," said Matthew L. Myers, President of the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids. "Elected leaders in every state can help create the first tobacco-free generation by supporting proven strategies to prevent youth tobacco use." On Kick Butts Day, kids join in creative events ranging from classroom activities to educate their peers about the harmful ingredients in cigarettes to rallies at state capitols. In Ohio, activities include: Students from Marion L. Steele High School in Amherst will dress as zombies and promote tobacco statistics, sign a pledge wall, and chalk the sidewalk with anti-tobacco messages. Time: 10:50 AM1 PM. Location: 450 Washington Street, Amherst. Contact: Kim Haney (440) 387-3611. Richland County students will display artwork at the Community Action for Capable Youth, Inc. anti-tobacco art show at the Mansfield Art Center. Artwork will include canvas art, photographs, and video public service announcements. Time: 56 PM. Location: 700 Marion Avenue, Mansfield. Contact: Brandy Marquette (419) 774-5683. To promote the University of Cincinnati's tobacco-free campus, students with the UC Student Wellness Center will organize a cigarette butt cleanup on the university grounds. Time: 13 PM. Location: UC Main Street, Cincinnati. Contact: Mounir Lynch (614) 753-1833. Youth from Strasburg Middle/High School will organize a cigarette butt cleanup in Strasburg-Franklin Park to promote a smoke-free community. Time: 2:304:30 PM. Location: 140 4th Street S.E., Strasburg. Contact: Dawn Delcoma (330) 878-5571. Students from Claymont High School in Uhrichsville will air out big tobacco's "dirty laundry" by displaying shoes representing youth who die from tobacco use. Students will also create posters to raise peer awareness about the dangers of tobacco. Time: 7:30 AM2:30 PM. Location: 4205 Indian Hill Road S.E., Uhrichsville. Contact: Amy Miller (330) 260-1566. All events will take place March 21 unless otherwise indicated. For a full list of Kick Butts Day activities in Ohio, visit www.kickbuttsday.org/map. Additional information about tobacco, including state-by-state statistics, can be found at www.tobaccofreekids.org. SOURCE Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids Related Links http://www.tobaccofreekids.org WASHINGTON, March 16, 2018 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Kids in Oklahoma will unite against tobacco use on March 21 as they join thousands of young people nationwide to mark Kick Butts Day. More than 1,000 events are planned across the United States for this annual day of youth activism, sponsored by the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids. (See below for a list of local events.) On Kick Butts Day, kids encourage their peers to be tobacco-free, reject tobacco companies' devious marketing and urge elected officials to help make the next generation tobacco-free. This year, Kick Butts Day is focusing attention on the progress the U.S. has made in reducing youth smoking and the actions needed to create the first tobacco-free generation. Since 2000, the national smoking rate among high school students has fallen by 71 percent (from 28 percent in 2000 to 8 percent in 2016). However, the fight against tobacco is far from over: Tobacco use is still the No. 1 cause of preventable death in the U.S., killing over 480,000 people and costing about $170 billion in health care expenses each year. in health care expenses each year. Tobacco companies spend $8.9 billion a year $1 million every hour to market tobacco products in the U.S., often in ways that appeal to kids. a year every hour to market tobacco products in the U.S., often in ways that appeal to kids. Electronic cigarettes have become the most popular tobacco product used by kids nationwide, 11.3 percent of high school students use e-cigarettes compared to 8 percent who smoke cigarettes. The latest trend with teens is JUUL, an e-cigarette that looks like a computer flash drive and comes in flavors like mango and fruit medley. In Oklahoma, tobacco use claims 7,500 lives and costs $1.62 billion in health care bills each year. Currently, 14.6 percent of Oklahoma's high school students smoke. On Kick Butts Day, kids and health advocates are calling on elected officials to implement proven strategies that make up a "roadmap to a tobacco-free generation." These strategies include tobacco tax increases, comprehensive smoke-free laws, raising the tobacco sale age to 21, well-funded tobacco prevention programs and banning the sale of flavored tobacco products. "On Kick Butts Day, kids are celebrating the progress we've made to reduce tobacco use and building momentum to get us across the finish line," said Matthew L. Myers, President of the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids. "Elected leaders in every state can help create the first tobacco-free generation by supporting proven strategies to prevent youth tobacco use." On Kick Butts Day, kids join in creative events ranging from classroom activities to educate their peers about the harmful ingredients in cigarettes to rallies at state capitols. In Oklahoma, activities include: Students at Stop the Violence's spring break camp in Oklahoma City will write anti-tobacco messages in sidewalk chalk and pledge to stay tobacco-free. Time: 6:30 PM. Location: 900 N. Martin Luther King Avenue, Oklahoma City. Contact: Tamara Reeves (405) 822-7844. On March 28, Wilburton students will write tobacco facts on the sidewalk with chalk and use social media to spread tobacco facts to friends and family. Time: 1 PM. Location: 1201 W. Blair Avenue, Wilburton. Contact: Jennie Skimbo (918) 471-0556. On March 28, students with the Cherokee County Students Wellness Action Teams will clean up a local park in Hulbert and host a ceremony to honor 12 local schools for their anti-tobacco efforts. Time: 3 PM. Location: 111 W. Main Street, Hulbert. Contact: Lora Buechele (918) 822-0411. All events will take place March 21 unless otherwise indicated. For a full list of Kick Butts Day activities in Oklahoma, visit www.kickbuttsday.org/map. Additional information about tobacco, including state-by-state statistics, can be found at www.tobaccofreekids.org. SOURCE Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids Related Links http://www.tobaccofreekids.org WASHINGTON, March 16, 2018 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Kids in Oregon will unite against tobacco use on March 21 as they join thousands of young people nationwide to mark Kick Butts Day. More than 1,000 events are planned across the United States for this annual day of youth activism, sponsored by the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids. (See below for a list of local events.) On Kick Butts Day, kids encourage their peers to be tobacco-free, reject tobacco companies' devious marketing and urge elected officials to help make the next generation tobacco-free. This year, Kick Butts Day is focusing attention on the progress the U.S. has made in reducing youth smoking and the actions needed to create the first tobacco-free generation. Since 2000, the national smoking rate among high school students has fallen by 71 percent (from 28 percent in 2000 to 8 percent in 2016). However, the fight against tobacco is far from over: Tobacco use is still the No. 1 cause of preventable death in the U.S., killing over 480,000 people and costing about $170 billion in health care expenses each year. in health care expenses each year. Tobacco companies spend $8.9 billion a year $1 million every hour to market tobacco products in the U.S., often in ways that appeal to kids. a year every hour to market tobacco products in the U.S., often in ways that appeal to kids. Electronic cigarettes have become the most popular tobacco product used by kids nationwide, 11.3 percent of high school students use e-cigarettes compared to 8 percent who smoke cigarettes. The latest trend with teens is JUUL, an e-cigarette that looks like a computer flash drive and comes in flavors like mango and fruit medley. In Oregon, tobacco use claims 5,500 lives and costs $1.54 billion in health care bills each year. Currently, 7.7 percent of Oregon's high school students smoke. On Kick Butts Day, kids and health advocates are calling on elected officials to implement proven strategies that make up a "roadmap to a tobacco-free generation." These strategies include tobacco tax increases, comprehensive smoke-free laws, raising the tobacco sale age to 21, well-funded tobacco prevention programs and banning the sale of flavored tobacco products. "On Kick Butts Day, kids are celebrating the progress we've made to reduce tobacco use and building momentum to get us across the finish line," said Matthew L. Myers, President of the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids. "Elected leaders in every state can help create the first tobacco-free generation by supporting proven strategies to prevent youth tobacco use." On Kick Butts Day, kids join in creative events ranging from classroom activities to educate their peers about the harmful ingredients in cigarettes to rallies at state capitols. In Oregon, activities include: Burns Paiute Tribe students in Burns will participate in an anti-tobacco rally in front of the high school to educate the public about the dangers of tobacco use. Time: 12 PM. Location: 100 Pasigo Street, Burns. Contact: Lanette Humphrey (541) 573-8002. Students at Bridges High School in Madras will write a message about the dangers of secondhand smoke exposure using cups in a fence. They will also host poster board contests and encourage students to sign a pledge wall to stand up against tobacco and create momentum for tobacco-free campus policies in their county. Time: 3:30 PM. Location: 715 S.W. 4th Street Suite C, Madras. Contact: Emily Wegener (541) 475-4456. Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD) of Crook County High School in Prineville will set up a booth during lunch providing information about the chemicals and cancer-causing toxins in cigarettes. Common household items will be used as visuals to demonstrate the unexpected chemicals found in tobacco products. Location: 1100 S.E. Lynn Boulevard, Prineville. Contact: Mitchel Bennett (541) 447-3260 ext. 123. All events will take place March 21 unless otherwise indicated. For a full list of Kick Butts Day activities in Oregon, visit www.kickbuttsday.org/map. Additional information about tobacco, including state-by-state statistics, can be found at www.tobaccofreekids.org. SOURCE Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids Related Links http://www.tobaccofreekids.org SAN JOSE, Calif., March 16, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- The P4 Language Consortium (P4.org), creator of the P4 programming language, today announced that it will become a project of the Open Networking Foundation (ONF) and become part of the Linux Foundation (LF) portfolio for the purposes of strategic alignment across the open source ecosystem. Since its creation in 2013, P4 has been gaining adoption at an exponential rate, rapidly becoming the standard way to describe how packets are forwarded by networking devices including NICs, switches and routers. To better meet the needs of a growing and vibrant open-source developer community, P4.org is delighted to join forces with ONF and LF - the two largest open-source umbrella organizations in networking. "SDN has transformed the networking industry and P4 takes SDN to the next level by bringing programmability to the forwarding plane," said Guru Parulkar, Executive Director at Open Networking Foundation. "We are excited to have P4.org join ONF and are looking forward to seeing our synergy bring incredible benefits to the P4 and the larger SDN community." "Linux Foundation is thrilled to welcome the P4 community," said Jim Zemlin, Executive Director at Linux Foundation. "Networking is a major focus at the foundation and the addition of the thriving P4 community combined with Linux Foundation Networking Projects in similar domains will drive innovation in networking to the next level." The P4 language was originally created by a group of engineers and researchers from Google, Intel, Microsoft Research, Barefoot, Princeton and Stanford. The goal was simple: To create an easy-to-use language that a software developer can learn in a day, and use to precisely describe how packets are forwarded in a network. From the outset, P4 was designed to be target-independent (i.e. a program written in P4 could be compiled, without modification, to run on a variety of targets, such as ASICs, FPGAs, CPUs, NPUs, and GPUs), and protocol-independent (i.e. a P4 program can describe existing standard protocols, or be used to specify innovative, new, customized forwarding behaviors). "A group of us decided on May 19, 2013 that we needed an industry-standard, open language for specifying forwarding behaviors," said Nick McKeown, Professor of Computer Science at Stanford University, and P4 Board Member. "We created a language that students are studying in our universities, and using to prototype and publish new research ideas at the best networking conferences. Industry has adopted P4 to program devices and capture existing behaviors. In the future, we hope that Internet RFCs and IEEE Standards will include a clear, unambiguous P4 specification too, paving the way for interoperability by design." P4 can be used for both programmable and fixed-function devices alike. For example, it is used to accurately capture the switch pipeline behavior under the Switch Abstraction Interface (SAI) APIs, used by the SONiC open-source switch OS. P4 is also used by the ONF Stratum project to describe forwarding behavior across a variety of fixed and programmable devices. Describing the forwarding behavior of switch and NIC devices makes it possible, for the first time, to build a packet-accurate, executable model of an entire network prior to deployment. Large cloud providers can test and debug a network entirely in software, greatly reducing the time and expense of interoperability testing in the lab, without requiring expensive hardware. Using P4, networking equipment vendors, with a broad product offering, can settle upon a common base forwarding behavior across its products, allowing reuse of testing frameworks, making it easier to develop control plane software, and eventually guaranteeing interoperability by design. P4 can, of course, be used to write programs to describe entirely new packet forwarding behaviors. For example, P4 is widely used for telemetry and measurement in data-centers, enterprise and service-provider networks. For example, the open-source INT.p4 (In-band Network Telemetry), allows fine-grained per-packet measurement to be placed in any location in a packet header. The research community has stepped up too. Several of the top academic networking research groups have published exciting new applications based on P4 programs, including load-balancing, consensus protocols and key-value caching. As always happens when a new programming paradigm is created, innovation is moved from hardware into software, allowing a multitude of unexpected, novel and ingenious ideas to appear. The thriving developer community has made significant code contributions spanning compilers, pipeline programs, behavioral models, APIs, test frameworks, applications and much more. Contributions have come from a group of committed developers at companies including Alibaba, AT&T, Barefoot, Cisco, Fox Networks, Google, Intel, IXIA, Juniper Networks, Mellanox, Microsoft, Netcope, Netronome, VMware, Xilinx and ZTE; from universities including BUPT, Cornell, Harvard, MIT, NCTU, Princeton, Stanford, Technion, Tsinghua, UMass, and USI; and Open Source projects including CORD, FD.io, OpenDaylight, ONOS, OvS, SAI, and Stratum, underscoring the fact that P4 is a broad-based independent community-owned project. Executive Perspectives: Hyperscale Data Centers "Tencent is at the forefront of using a wide range of innovative technologies to better scale its infrastructure delivering new and exciting services to its customers," said Tom Bie, Vice President, Technology & Engineering Group at Tencent. "P4 and programmable forwarding planes are examples of cutting-edge technologies we are using in our new network architecture design. As a member of P4.org, we are pleased to see the continued growth in P4 community and are looking forward to seeing new breakthroughs come forth as it becomes part of ONF and Linux Foundation." "As one of the creators of P4, Google is proud to see the rapid adoption of P4 across the networking industry," said Amin Vahdat, Engineering Fellow, Vice President and Technical Lead for Networking at Google. "Seeing P4.org become a project under ONF/Linux Foundation will help the community better scale to meet the needs of a growing set of P4 developers and adopters around the world. Google looks forward to continuing to innovate with P4 technologies on behalf of the community and our customers." Enterprises "As a member of ONF and the Linux Foundation, we at Goldman Sachs recognize the benefits of working with the open source community and developing common standards and solutions," said Joshua Matheus, Managing Director and head of Network Engineering at Goldman Sachs. "We expect that P4 will bring additional innovation and transparency to our networking infrastructure, ultimately helping us deliver better solutions to our clients and the broader developer community." OEMs "Our whole networking industry stands to benefit from a language like P4 that unambiguously specifies forwarding behavior, with dividends paid in software developer productivity, hardware interoperability, and furthering of open systems and customer choice," said Tom Edsall, SVP and CTO, Data Center Networking at Cisco. "These are all values that Cisco has a long history of being committed to - and we endorse initiatives such as this one." "Juniper Networks is committed to disaggregation as a natural extension of simple engineering design. We've incorporated P4 and P4 Runtime into a number of our products, allowing for uniform programmatic access to both Juniper built and merchant network processing silicon. We believe that programmatic access at all layers in the networking stack will drive flexibility and stokes competition, both of which benefit our customers. We are thrilled to work together with the P4 community to advance open standards for forwarding and control plane architectures as P4 becomes a project under ONF and The Linux Foundation," said Bikash Koley, CTO & Executive Vice President at Juniper Networks. "Ruijie is a strong supporter of P4 and the benefits it brings to networking," said Wang Xiaojun, Software Director of Switch Product Line at Ruijie Networks. "With P4 and programmable forwarding planes we are able to create and deliver best-in-class solutions to a wide range of customers. It is great to see P4.org joining ONF and LF as it will help P4 gain more traction and adoption accelerating innovation in networking." Service Providers "AT&T was an early supporter of P4, having been one of the first to use P4 to specify the behavior we want in our networks and using P4's programmable forwarding plane devices in our network," said Andre Fuetsch, Chief Technology Officer and President, AT&T Labs. "As one of the operator members at ONF, and as a member of P4.org., we look forward to using and contributing to the synergies created by P4.org joining ONF and Linux Foundation." "At Deutsche Telekom we use P4 for prototyping key network functions as part of our Access 4.0 program," said Jochen Appel, Vice President of Access Network Engineering, Deutsche Telekom. "We are quite excited about the potential P4 holds for driving innovation in the networking space and its role in a growing ecosystem of open programmable hardware and associated programming models." Semiconductor "Barefoot is passionate about bringing the power of software to the forwarding plane of the network and P4 has enabled this new paradigm to be possible," said Craig Barratt, CEO of Barefoot Networks. "P4.org becoming a part of ONF and LF is welcome news to us as this will bolster the P4 community to scale and accelerate to even broader adoption of P4 as the programming language for networking." "Xilinx was one of the founding members of P4.org, and has taken an active part in the development of the P4 language," said Salil Raje, SVP of Software and IP Products Group at Xilinx. "We are very enthusiastic about the rapid adoption of P4 across the data center and telecommunications networking industry, and have adopted it in our programmable FPGA-based platforms for SmartNIC and NFV equipment, releasing one of the first P4 16 compilers as part of our SDNet design environment in 2017. We are very pleased to see P4.org joining LF and ONF, both noted open source organizations, which will further stimulate the P4 community to evolve and grow." Software "P4 is creating massive energy, innovation and community that is driving a meaningful and necessary transformation in networking," said Pere Monclus, chief technology officer, networking and security business at VMware. "VMware is excited to be a part of this industry movement as a new wave of innovation is unleashed by programmatic approaches that extend capabilities of infrastructure runtime." P4 is a target-independent and protocol-independent programming language which is used by industry and academia to unambiguously express packet forwarding behaviour as a P4 program, which in turn can be compiled to multiple targets. Today the targets include hardware and software switches, hypervisor switches, NPUs, GPUs, FPGAs, SmartNICs and ASICs. About P4.org The P4 Language Consortium is a non-profit organization building a thriving open source community dedicated to the use and improvement of the P4 language. It helps promote standardization and improvement of the P4 language and enables participants to develop new technologies that function in accordance with the P4 language specification. P4.org has over 100 members from industry and academia. About Linux Foundation The Linux Foundation is the organization of choice for the world's top developers and companies to build ecosystems that accelerate open technology development and industry adoption. Together with the worldwide open source community, it is solving the hardest technology problems by creating the largest shared technology investment in history. Founded in 2000, The Linux Foundation today provides tools, training and events to scale any open source project, which together deliver an economic impact not achievable by any one company. More information can be found at www.linuxfoundation.org. The Linux Foundation has registered trademarks and uses trademarks. For a list of trademarks of The Linux Foundation, please see our trademark usage page: https://www.linuxfoundation.org/trademark-usage. Linux is a registered trademark of Linus Torvalds. About ONF The Open Networking Foundation (ONF) is an operator led consortium spearheading disruptive network transformation. Now the recognized leader for open source solutions for operators, the ONF first launched in 2011 as the standard bearer for Software Defined Networking (SDN). Led by its operator partners AT&T, China Unicom, Comcast, Deutsche Telekom, Google, NTT Group and Turk Telekom, the ONF has now merged operations with ON.Lab to create a single organization driving vast transformation across the operator space. For further information visit http://www.opennetworking.org VMware is a registered trademark of VMware, Inc. in the United States and other jurisdictions. Contact: Greg Cross, greg(at)opennetworking.org SOURCE Open Networking Foundation Related Links http://www.opennetworking.org PALM BAY, Fla., March 16, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Parsifal Corporation has moved their Waterville, ME offices to a new larger location in Fairfield, ME. The stand-alone building is located in a newly developing but quiet and beautifully wooded industrial park, with convenient and close access to interstate 95. Built in 2002, Parsifal purchased this relatively new commercial building early in 2018, providing a total of 14,037 sq. ft. of usable working space, on a large lot of 3.14 acres. Mark Olsen, Parsifal President and CEO states that, "This new building provides Parsifal with the expanded and well-designed office and operational space to meet the needs of our business growth over the next several years." Parsifal Corporation has moved their Waterville, ME offices to a new larger location in Fairfield, ME. The stand-alone building is located in a newly developing but quiet and beautifully wooded industrial park, with convenient and close access to interstate 95. Built in 2002, Parsifal purchased this relatively new commercial building early in 2018, providing a total of 14,037 sq. ft. of usable working space, on a large lot of 3.14 acres. The new Fairfield offices complement the efficient use of the Parsifal staff working at other US locations including Palm Bay, FL and Petersburg, IN. The building has the basic design that is well fitted to the Parsifal style of conducting business, allowing management to update the space with relatively minimal renovations. Much planning and efforts were made to enhance the office and general areas to maximize the staff working efficiencies along with maintaining a pleasant working environment. The building features two accommodating conference rooms, 14 private offices, and four large "department" areas to allow for separate workflows and a large modern training room. Parsifal is the world's leading firm providing relocation auditing services and procurement technology, touching moves in over 120 countries around the globe. Our services and products are in constant worldwide operation with corporations, carriers and move managers in Africa, the Americas, Asia, Australia and Europe. Parsifal Corporation assists our clients to obtain best in class household goods pricing and quality of service. And, we offer to protect that pricing and quality with expert global auditing. Mission: At Parsifal Corporation we are dedicated to our passion and craft, focused on ensuring outstanding accuracy and sound fairness through quality-driven and innovative technology to all our clients, partners and stakeholders in the global relocation experience. To find out how our expert services and relocation procurement technologies can assist your company, please visit us at www.parsifalcorp.com for more information. Contact: Cliff Cannon at (321) 574-8906 Email: [email protected] SOURCE Parsifal Corporation Related Links http://www.parsifalcorp.com WASHINGTON, March 16, 2018 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Kids in Pennsylvania will unite against tobacco use on March 21 as they join thousands of young people nationwide to mark Kick Butts Day. More than 1,000 events are planned across the United States for this annual day of youth activism, sponsored by the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids. (See below for a list of local events.) On Kick Butts Day, kids encourage their peers to be tobacco-free, reject tobacco companies' devious marketing and urge elected officials to help make the next generation tobacco-free. This year, Kick Butts Day is focusing attention on the progress the U.S. has made in reducing youth smoking and the actions needed to create the first tobacco-free generation. Since 2000, the national smoking rate among high school students has fallen by 71 percent (from 28 percent in 2000 to 8 percent in 2016). However, the fight against tobacco is far from over: Tobacco use is still the No. 1 cause of preventable death in the U.S., killing over 480,000 people and costing about $170 billion in health care expenses each year. in health care expenses each year. Tobacco companies spend $8.9 billion a year $1 million every hour to market tobacco products in the U.S., often in ways that appeal to kids. a year every hour to market tobacco products in the U.S., often in ways that appeal to kids. Electronic cigarettes have become the most popular tobacco product used by kids nationwide, 11.3 percent of high school students use e-cigarettes compared to 8 percent who smoke cigarettes. The latest trend with teens is JUUL, an e-cigarette that looks like a computer flash drive and comes in flavors like mango and fruit medley. In Pennsylvania, tobacco use claims 22,000 lives and costs $6.38 billion in health care bills each year. Currently, 12.9 percent of Pennsylvania's high school students smoke. On Kick Butts Day, kids and health advocates are calling on elected officials to implement proven strategies that make up a "roadmap to a tobacco-free generation." These strategies include tobacco tax increases, comprehensive smoke-free laws, raising the tobacco sale age to 21, well-funded tobacco prevention programs and banning the sale of flavored tobacco products. "On Kick Butts Day, kids are celebrating the progress we've made to reduce tobacco use and building momentum to get us across the finish line," said Matthew L. Myers, President of the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids. "Elected leaders in every state can help create the first tobacco-free generation by supporting proven strategies to prevent youth tobacco use." On Kick Butts Day, kids join in creative events ranging from classroom activities to educate their peers about the harmful ingredients in cigarettes to rallies at state capitols. In Pennsylvania, activities include: The Chester County Tobacco-Free Coalition (CCTFC) will hold a Kick Butts Day meme contest to educate local youth about the dangers of vaping. The winning anti-vape memes will be announced at Owen J. Roberts Middle School and showcased in poster form. Time: 10 AM. Location: 881 Ridge Road, Pottstown. Contact: Lindsay Smith (215) 630-1747. Students at Jamestown Elementary School will display t-shirts throughout the hallways to expose the lies of big tobacco by airing its "dirty laundry." Student leaders from the high school, trained by State Tobacco Control Representatives will educate younger students about the dangers of tobacco. Time: 1:30 PM. Location: 3938 Douthett Drive, Jamestown. Contact: Katie Britton (814) 882-4810. Students at Upper Merion Middle School are speaking out against tobacco in a discussion being facilitated by the CAST CLUB and Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD). The event will also include educational displays about e-cigarettes, a tobacco pledge wall, and an appearance from a costumed "Ciggy Butts." Time: 3 PM. Location: 450 Keebler Road, King of Prussia. Contact: Susan Shelton (610)304-5533. The YWCA Titusville will host an "Escape Room" experience for local youth to learn about the dangers of tobacco. Students from Titusville High School will answer questions about tobacco, e-cigarettes, and more to "escape" the room. Time: 2:30 PM. Location: 201 N. Franklin Street, Titusville. Contact: Ashleigh English (814) 657-7263. Teens from Project Silk will participate in a Tobacco 101 Jeopardy game to learn about tobacco cessation, smokeless tobacco products, and more. The event, hosted by the Bradbury-Sullivan LGBT Community Center, is open to the public. Time: 5 PM. Location: 522 W. Maple Street, Allentown. Contact: Atticus Ranck (717) 823-3110. On March 23, the Boys & Girls Club of Chambersburg will celebrate Kick Butts Day with a kickball game. Kids will commit to be tobacco-free by taking a pledge to encourage their peers and loved ones to quit smoking. Time: 4 PM. Location: 440 W. Washington Street, Chambersburg. Contact: Jeanne Clark (717) 496-0022. All events will take place March 21 unless otherwise indicated. For a full list of Kick Butts Day activities in Pennsylvania, visit www.kickbuttsday.org/map. Additional information about tobacco, including state-by-state statistics, can be found at www.tobaccofreekids.org. SOURCE Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids Related Links http://www.tobaccofreekids.org SHANGHAI, March 16, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- PPDAI Group Inc ("PPDAI," "Paipaidai," or the Company") (NYSE: PPDF), a leading online consumer finance marketplace in China, today announced its participation in the 2018 Macquarie China Internet, Media and Education Conference at Island Shangri-La Hotel, Pacific Place, Hong Kong. Management will be presenting from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Hong Kong Time on Friday, March 23, 2018, and meet with institutional investors throughout the event. For additional information, please contact your Macquarie institutional sales representative. About PPDAI Group Inc. PPDAI is a leading online consumer finance marketplace in China with strong brand recognition. Launched in 2007, the Company is the first online consumer finance marketplace in China connecting borrowers and investors. As a pioneer in China's online consumer finance marketplace, the Company benefits from both its early-mover advantages and the invaluable data and experience accumulated throughout multiple complete loan lifecycles. The Company's platform, empowered by its proprietary, cutting-edge technologies, features a highly automated loan transaction process, which enables a superior user experience, as evidenced by the rapid growth of the Company's user base and loan origination volume. As of September 30, 2017, the Company had over 57 million cumulative registered users. For more information, please visit http://ir.ppdai.com. Safe Harbor Statement This press release contains forward-looking statements. These statements constitute "forward-looking" statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and as defined in the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as "will," "expects," "anticipates," "future," "intends," "plans," "believes," "estimates," "target," "confident" and similar statements. Such statements are based upon management's current expectations and current market and operating conditions, and relate to events that involve known or unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, all of which are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond the Company's control. Forward-looking statements involve risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any such statements. Potential risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, uncertainties as to the Company's ability to attract and retain borrowers and investors on its marketplace, its ability to increase volume of loans facilitated through the Company's marketplace, its ability to introduce new loan products and platform enhancements, its ability to compete effectively, laws, regulations and governmental policies relating to the online consumer finance industry in China, general economic conditions in China, and the Company's ability to meet the standards necessary to maintain listing of its ADSs on the NYSE, including its ability to cure any non-compliance with the NYSE's continued listing criteria. Further information regarding these and other risks, uncertainties or factors is included in the Company's filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. All information provided in this press release is as of the date of this press release, and PPDAI does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required under applicable law. CONTACTS: In China: PPDAI Group Inc Jimmy Tan Tel: +86-21-8030-3200ext.8601 [email protected] The Piacente Group, Inc Ross Warner Tel: +86-5730-6200 [email protected] In the U.S.: The Piacente Group, Inc Alan Wang Tel: +1 212-481-2050 [email protected] SOURCE PPDAI Group Inc. Related Links http://ir.ppdai.com SOMERSET, N.J., March 16, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Presperse Corporation ("Presperse" or "the Company"), a leading U.S. cosmetic ingredients supplier, together with its parent company, Sumitomo Corporation ("Sumitomo"), announced new leadership appointments to support Sumitomo's global cosmetic business. Effective April 1, Koh Akiyama, Presperse's President and CEO, will return to Tokyo, Japan to lead Sumitomo's Global Cosmetics Group as Deputy General Manager in the Medical Science Department. Current Executive Vice President of Commercial Operations at Presperse, Paulo Rodrigues, will succeed Mr. Akiyama as the new President and CEO of Presperse. Mr. Akiyama brings a wealth of global personal care knowledge and management experience to his new role within Sumitomo. During his tenure as President and CEO, he reshaped the organization, expanded the business into many new regions and achieved strong revenue growth. Prior to joining the Company in 2014, Mr. Akiyama served as chairman of the board of directors for Presperse and was also a board member of Sumitomo Corporation cosmetics group companies, Cosmotec and Summit Pharmaceuticals Europe (SPE). He brings over 30 years of experience in the chemicals industry, including nearly 15 of those years based in New York. "Paulo has demonstrated exceptional commercial leadership since joining Presperse and has positioned the business for sustained growth through innovation and operational excellence. He has gained the respect of the employees, shareholders, and our business partners. I am looking forward to continuing to work with Paulo to grow Sumitomo's global cosmetics business," said Mr. Akiyama. Mr. Rodrigues joined Presperse in July 2015 as Director of Sales and under his leadership, he successfully implemented several projects that delivered both top and bottom line growth. Most recently, Mr. Rodrigues has overseen all commercial operations for Presperse, including Marketing, R&D, Supply Chain, and Sales. Prior to joining Presperse, Mr. Rodrigues held senior leadership positions in personal care with Cognis, Givaudan, BASF, and DSM. "I am honored that the Presperse Board of Directors chose me to follow in the footsteps of Mr. Akiyama and I am humbled to work with such an amazingly talented team," said Mr. Rodrigues. "Delighting our customers as an innovation partner and delivering operational excellence will be the focus for continued future growth; combined with the backing of Sumitomo and its network, I see tremendous potential for our business in the future, and look forward to leading our team toward greater opportunities." In 2010, Sumitomo Corporation expanded its business in the cosmetic and personal care market by acquiring 100% ownership of Presperse. Further expanding its global footprint into South America, in 2013 Sumitomo created Cosmotec, a JV with COSMOTEC EXPECIALIDADES QUIMICAS LTDA, a leading supplier of cosmetic ingredients and pet care supplies in Brazil. Together with its other European JV company, SPE, headquartered in Dusseldorf, Sumitomo's Cosmetic business group provides global industry coverage. These three Sumitomo Corporation group companies will exhibit together at In-Cosmetics Global in Amsterdam April 17th 19th at stand M100. For interview requests during the In-Cosmetics showcase, please contact Amy Babcock at [email protected]. About Presperse Corporation Presperse is a premier supplier of innovative technical solutions for its global customers, and intends to remain a market leader for raw materials used in the Cosmetics and Personal Care Industry. The Company strives to accomplish its goals by exceeding customer expectations, offering outstanding technical solutions for their formulating needs, and backing up this technology with unparalleled sales and customer service. Presperse is committed to ensure compliance with requirements of ISO 9001-2015 international standards and to continually improve the effectiveness of its quality management system. About Sumitomo Corporation of Americas Established in 1952 and headquartered in New York City, Sumitomo Corporation of Americas (SCOA) has 9 offices in major U.S. cities. SCOA is the largest subsidiary of Sumitomo Corporation, one of the world's leading traders of goods and services. As an integrated business enterprise, the firm has emerged as a major organizer of multinational projects, an expediter of ideas, an important international investor and financier, and a powerful force for distribution of products and global communications through a network of offices worldwide. Its core business units include Tubular Products, Environment and Infrastructure, Steel and Non Ferrous Metals, Transportation and Construction Systems, Chemicals and Electronics, Media and IOT Applications, Real Estate, Mineral Resources and Energy, and Food. About Sumitomo Corporation Sumitomo Corporation ("SC") is a leading Fortune 500 global trading and business investment company with 109 locations in 66 countries and 22 locations in Japan. The entire SC Group consists of more than 800 companies and nearly 70,000 personnel. SC conducts commodity transactions in all industries utilizing worldwide networks, provides related customers with various financing, serves as an organizer and a coordinator for various projects, and invests in companies to promote greater growth potential. SC's core business areas include Metal Products, Transportation and Construction Systems, Environment and Infrastructure, Media, Network, Lifestyle Related Goods and Services, Mineral Resources, Energy, and Chemical and Electronics. SOURCE Presperse Corporation The Razer Phone, the world's first smartphone designed for gaming, is the perfect handset for high-level mobile esports. The 120hz display, its Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 processor and 8GB of RAM give players the smoothest, lag-free gaming experience, essential for competitive mobile esports. Team Queso competes in multiple different disciplines, including Clash Royale, Vainglory, Arena of Valor and Hearthstone, and number among their ranks some of the best national, continental and global players. Founded in 2017, with high profile teams and players from around the world, Team Queso are the current ESWC Paris Clan Wars champions, as well as strong favorites for the Vainglory8 League and a team to watch with Arena of Valor. "This partnership with Team Queso marks a new milestone in Razer's rich history as pioneer of esports," says Min-Liang Tan, Razer co-founder and CEO. "Competitive mobile esports is what the Razer Phone was designed for and I look forward to seeing Team Queso's players dominating the tournament circuit." "We're very excited to partner with Razer for the next two years as official gear supplier for Team Queso" says Alvaro 'Alvaro845' G. Buitrago, CEO of Team Queso. "Our organization was born in 2017 as the first mobile-focused esports team, and a few months later the Razer Phone was launched as the first smartphone designed for and by gamers. I couldn't imagine a better match to foster mobile esports in the upcoming years." As part of the sponsorship deal, Razer will also supply mice, keyboards, headsets and surfaces to Team Queso players, putting pro-tournament grade equipment at the fingertips and on the heads of some of the world's top players. For more information about Team Razer, visit https://www2.razerzone.com/team. ABOUT RAZER: Razer is the world's leading lifestyle brand for gamers. The triple-headed snake trademark of Razer is one of the most recognized logos in the global gaming and esports communities. With a fan base that spans every continent, the company has designed and built the world's largest gamer-focused ecosystem of hardware, software and services. Razer's award-winning hardware includes high-performance gaming peripherals, Blade gaming laptops and the acclaimed Razer Phone. Razer's software platform, with over 40 million users, includes Razer Synapse (an Internet of Things platform), Razer Chroma (a proprietary RGB lighting technology system), and Razer Cortex (a game optimizer and launcher). Razer services include Razer zGold, one of the world's largest virtual credit services for gamers, which allows gamers to purchase virtual goods and items from over 2,500 different games. Founded in 2005 and dual-headquartered in San Francisco and Singapore, Razer has nine offices worldwide and is recognized as the leading brand for gamers in the USA, Europe and China. Razer is listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange (Stock Code: 1337). ABOUT TEAM QUESO: Team Queso is the first eSports team exclusively focused on mobile gaming. It was created with the conviction that Mobile Gaming is the future of the competitive scene in an increasingly connected world, where millions of people have the means to access said scene without the need for specific devices or high-end computers. We know that on-line gaming brings people from all over the world together and doing so on mobile devices allows us to meet in person and gather together to play anywhere and anytime. We are a group of core gamers who are committed to what we do and work hard to make of Team Queso a team that stands out both in national and international competitions, but above all, we really enjoy doing so. We have outstanding players both in the national and international scene and we have several distribution channels that allow us to reach more than 7.5 million people, through the YouTube channel of our co-owners, Alvaro845 and WithZack, as well as the channels of our players. We also have excellent professionals in different fields to make the most out of all their skills. We started with a game that has been pioneering in the mobile competitive scene. We are talking about Vainglory, which already has a community involved in the numerous existing competitions and have distributed over one million dollars in prizes during 2016 and 2017. Not only that, but also a game such as Clash Royale, which received the "best game of 2016" award in both the AppStore and the Google Play Store. Moreover, Clash Royale is beginning to position itself as an incredibly promising competitive game with tournaments such as the King's Cup in which $300,000 were given in prizes or the CCGS where a total of $1 million has been distributed. We started with titles we know very well and got us to love the Mobile Gaming Hispanic community. But we also had the vocation to grow and become international, for that same reason we set our sights on more games like the successful MOBA of Tencent, Arena of Valor, or Hearthstone. Disciplines that will allow us to broaden our horizons, enjoy and share these games with our fans and players. PRESS CONTACTS: Razer Americas Stephen Huynh, Associate PR Manager [email protected] Alain Mazer (Global Director of Public Relations) [email protected] Europe/Africa Jan Horak, Senior PR Lead (Europe) [email protected] Yann Salsedo, Senior Lead Social Media & Esports (Europe) [email protected] Asia Pacific Gloo PR [email protected] China Leonard Le, Associate PR Manager [email protected] Team Queso Juan Jose Marin Tudela comunicacion@teamqueso.com Razer - For Gamers. By Gamers. SOURCE Razer Related Links http://www.razerzone.com MINNEAPOLIS, MN, March 16, 2018 /PRNewswire/ - RBC Correspondent and Advisor Services (CAS), part of RBC Wealth Management U.S., has been named "Best Innovative Client Solution" at the 5th Family Wealth Report Awards 2018. CAS won the award for BLACK, their integrated financial advisor platform, which was launched this past May. Within BLACK, RBC has bundled CircleBlack, Riskalyze, MoneyGuidePro, Redtail and Vestmark into one simple, intuitive platform. Accessible through a single login, BLACK is offered to RBC's clearing & custody clients with a strong desire to leverage the power of technology to enhance client relationships and grow their business. BLACK represents a unique and expandable platform containing a full menu of wealth management solutions developed by industry leading financial technology partners. "We are extremely proud to be recognized for our ability to meet and exceed the needs of our clients, which is grounded on the strength of our capabilities and the unparalleled quality and commitment of our people," said Brett Thorne, Head of RBC Correspondent and Advisor Services. "Everyone has really pulled together to ensure we continue to deliver the highest level of service and innovation to help our clients thrive, and move us closer to our goal of being among the most trusted and successful clearing and custody institutions in the U.S." RBC also was shortlisted for thee other awards recognizing its commitment to innovation, including North American Private Bank, Innovative Investment Solution and Thought Leadership. Showcasing 'best of breed' providers in the global private banking, wealth management and trusted advisor communities, the awards were designed to recognize companies, teams and individuals which the prestigious panel of judges deemed to have 'demonstrated innovation and excellence during 2017'. ClearView Financial Media's CEO, and Publisher of Family Wealth Report, Stephen Harris, was first to extend his congratulations to all the winners. He said: "The firms who triumphed in these awards are all worthy winners, and I would like to extend my heartiest congratulations. These awards were judged solely on the basis of entrants' submissions and their response to a number of specific questions, which had to be answered focusing on the client experience, not quantitative performance metrics. That is a unique, and I believe, compelling feature. These awards recognize the very best operators in the private client industry, with 'independence', 'integrity' and 'genuine insight' the watchwords of the judging process - such that the awards truly reflect excellence in wealth management. About RBC Correspondent Services and Advisor Services RBC Correspondent Services is the third-largest clearing provider based on number of broker-dealer clients in the United States. The business specializes in providing comprehensive clearing, custody and execution services to independent broker dealers and their advisors who seek knowledgeable support, powerful trading tools and platforms, expanded investment choices, compelling advisor development programs and high quality proprietary research. RBC Advisor Services is a full-service custody partner for RIA firms. RBC AS provides tailored access to a sophisticated wealth management and brokerage platform. Offering capabilities and solutions of an industry leader and providing personalized service and support in helping advisors manage their clients' wealth. RBC Correspondent Services and RBC Advisor Services are divisions of RBC Capital Markets, LLC, Member NYSE/FINRA/SIPC, a wholly owned subsidiary of, and separate legal entity from, Royal Bank of Canada. For more information, visit www.rbccorrespondentservices.com or www.rbcadvisorservices.com. About RBC Wealth Management U.S. In the United States, RBC Wealth Management operates as a division of RBC Capital Markets, LLC. Founded in 1909, RBC Capital Markets, LLC is a member of the New York Stock Exchange, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, the Securities Investor Protection Corporation, and other major securities exchanges. RBC Wealth Management has $348 billion in total client assets with approximately 1,800 financial advisors operating in 200 locations in 40 states. About ClearView Financial Media Ltd ("ClearView") ClearView Financial Media was founded by Chief Executive, Stephen Harris in 2004, to provide high quality 'need to know' information for the discerning private client community. London-based, but with a truly global focus, ClearView publishes the Family Wealth Report group of newswires, along with research reports and newsletters, while also running a pan-global thought-leadership events programme. With teams based in London, Singapore, Switzerland, South Africa and the Philippines, the company is one of the fastest-growing media groups serving the financial services sector. SOURCE RBC Wealth Management - U.S. Related Links http://www.rbc.com ATLANTA, March 16, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- The Russell Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship (RCIE) announces the hiring of James "Jay" Bailey as its President and CEO, effective March 2018. Bailey joins RCIE with more than a decade of senior leadership experience in the non-profit and economic empowerment space. Most recently, Bailey founded one of the nation's most innovative private equity firms, Greenwood Archer dedicated to reimagining the way America's most under-served communities leverage assets, establish wealth, strengthen infrastructure and create jobs. Photo by Cliff Robins Before Greenwood Archer, Bailey served as CEO for the Southeastern Region of Operation HOPE, a global nonprofit organization focused on financial literacy. Under his leadership, Operation HOPE's southeastern region grew from a single-person operation in 2007, to 19 offices by 2015, helping more than 160,000 youth, adults and families start businesses, buy homes, raise credit scores and increase their financial dignity. "Growing up in Atlanta, Herman Russell was one of my greatest heroes," said Bailey. "I am honored to have this opportunity to build on his incredible legacy, paving the way for the next generation of doers, innovators and job creators. Much more than another accelerator or incubator, we want RCIE to become the epicenter of economic advancement and entrepreneurship for under-represented communities across the country, and it's so fitting that it will evolve in the former H.J. Russell & Company headquarters at 504 Fair Street on Atlanta's Westside." An Atlanta native, Bailey has a proven track record of success. Recognized by three U.S. Presidents for his leadership and community efforts, Bailey was one of eight Americans honored at the White House in 2012 as a "Champion of Change: Following in the Footsteps of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr." He was also named to both the Atlanta Business Chronicle and Georgia Trend magazine's "40 Under 40 Best and Brightest Leaders of the Future." Bailey is a graduate of Leadership Atlanta, Leadership Georgia and the ARC Regional Leadership Institute. "We are excited about Jay's addition to the Russell family. He brings the experience, passion and energy we believe necessary to lead the Russell Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship from concept to reality," said Jerome Russell, president of H.J. Russell & Company and chairman of the RCIE board. "The Russell Center will be a game changer for entrepreneurs in the city of Atlanta and beyond, connecting the next generation of revolutionary entrepreneurs to the tools and relationships needed to turn dreams into reality." About the Russell Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship (RCIE) Currently in the development stages for a late 2018 opening, RCIE will house a 40,000-square-foot, world-class, entrepreneurial innovation and leadership center located in Atlanta's Historic Castleberry Hill industrial neighborhood. The mission of RCIE is to empower entrepreneurs and innovators to create, invent and learn while being engaged and motivated to develop game-changing new ideas to promote economic empowerment. RCIE will be a collaborative, co-working ecosystem for both aspiring and experienced entrepreneurs, connecting a customized curriculum with corporate experience. RCIE will help foster and grow relationships between venture capitalists and Atlanta's top entrepreneurial talent while honoring the legacy of Herman J. Russell by revitalizing the area with a hub of innovation, imagination and opportunity for Atlanta's entrepreneurs. For more information, visit http://rcie.org/. Boardwalk Consulting of Atlanta led the President and CEO search for RCIE. PRESS CONTACT: Betsy Helgager Hughes BLH Consulting [email protected] Related Links Russell Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship SOURCE Russell Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship Related Links http://rcie.org TORONTO, March 16, 2018 /PRNewswire/ - Sierra Metals Inc. (TSX: SMT) (NYSE American: SMTS) (BVL: SMT) ("Sierra Metals" or the "Company") today announced that a group of unionized contract employees representing less than 10% of the workforce at the Company's Yauricocha Mine in Peru, has informed the Company of their intent to initiate a strike action which could result in the stoppage of mining and milling activities at the site on Friday, March 16, 2018. Minera Corona a subsidiary of Sierra Metals Inc. received notice from the Union of the Mine and Metallurgical Workers of Minera Corona of their intention to initiate a strike action in which the Union will discontinue work on March 16, 2018. Company management believe the potential strike action to be illegal under current legislation and have applied to the Peruvian Ministry of Labour to have the action declared as such. Management are confident the Ministry of Labour will agree and deem the strike illegal. A contingency plan has been put in place by the Company to protect the remaining non-unionized employees who will continue working during the strike. Additionally, precautions to safe-guard the plant, property and equipment during the strike have also been put in place. Upon resolution of the work stoppage, if needed the Company will release any adjustments to the 2018 production and cost guidance. About Sierra Metals Sierra Metals Inc. is a Canadian-based growing polymetallic mining company with production from its Yauricocha Mine in Peru, and its Bolivar and Cusi Mines in Mexico. The Company is focused on increasing production volume and growing mineral resources. Sierra Metals has recently had several new discoveries and still has additional brownfield exploration opportunities at all three mines in Peru and Mexico that are within or close proximity to the existing mines. Additionally, the Company has large land packages at all three mines with several prospective regional targets providing longer term exploration upside and mineral resource growth potential. The Company's Common Shares trade on the Bolsa de Valores de Lima and on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol "SMT" and on the NYSE American Exchange under the symbol "SMTS". Continue to Follow, Like and Watch our progress: Web: www.sierrametals.com | Twitter: sierrametals | Facebook: SierraMetalsInc | LinkedIn: Sierra Metals Inc Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Canadian and U.S. securities laws related to the Company (collectively, "forward-looking information"). Forward-looking information includes, but is not limited to, statements with respect to the Company's operations, including anticipated developments in the Company's operations in future periods, the Company's planned exploration activities, the adequacy of the Company's financial resources, and other events or conditions that may occur in the future. Statements concerning mineral reserve and resource estimates may also be considered to constitute forward-looking statements to the extent that they involve estimates of the mineralization that will be encountered if and when the properties are developed or further developed. These statements relate to analyses and other information that are based on forecasts of future results, estimates of amounts not yet determinable and assumptions of management. Any statements that express or involve discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance (often, but not always, using words or phrases such as "expects", "anticipates", "plans", "projects", "estimates", "assumes", "intends", "strategy", "goals", "objectives", "potential" or variations thereof, or stating that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved, or the negative of any of these terms and similar expressions) are not statements of historical fact and may be forward-looking information. Forward-looking information is subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual events or results to differ from those reflected in the forward-looking information, including, without limitation, risks inherent in the mining industry including environmental hazards, industrial accidents, unusual or unexpected geological formations, floods, labour disruptions, explosions, cave-ins, weather conditions and criminal activity; commodity price fluctuations; higher operating and/or capital costs; lack of available infrastructure; the possibility that future exploration, development or mining results will not be consistent with the Company's expectations; risks associated with the estimation of mineral resources and the geology, grade and continuity of mineral deposits and the inability to replace reserves; fluctuations in the price of commodities used in the Company's operations; risks related to foreign operations; changes in laws or policies, foreign taxation, delays or the inability to obtain necessary governmental permits; risks relating to outstanding borrowings; issues regarding title to the Company's properties; risks related to environmental regulation; litigation risks; risks related to uninsured hazards; the impact of competition; volatility in the price of the Company's securities; global financial risks; inability to attract or retain qualified employees; potential conflicts of interest; risks related to a controlling group of shareholders; dependence on third parties; differences in U.S. and Canadian reporting of mineral reserves and resources; potential dilutive transactions; foreign currency risks; risks related to business cycles; liquidity risks; reliance on internal control systems; credit risks, including risks related to the Company's compliance with covenants with respect to its BCP Facility; uncertainty of production and cost estimates for the Yauricocha Mine, the Bolivar Mine and the Cusi Mine; and other risks identified in the Company's filings with Canadian securities regulators and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, which filings are available at www.sedar.com and www.sec.gov, respectively. This list is not exhaustive of the factors that may affect any of the Company's forward-looking information. Forward looking information includes statements about the future and are inherently uncertain, and the Company's actual achievements or other future events or conditions may differ materially from those reflected in the forward-looking information due to a variety of risks, uncertainties and other factors. The Company's statements containing forward-looking information are based on the beliefs, expectations and opinions of management on the date the statements are made, and the Company does not assume any obligation to update forward-looking information if circumstances or management's beliefs, expectations or opinions should change, other than as required by applicable law. For the reasons set forth above, one should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Note Regarding Reserve and Resource Estimates All reserve and resource estimates reported by the Company are calculated in accordance with the Canadian National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects and Canadian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy Classification system. These standards differ significantly from the requirements of the SEC. The differences between these standards are discussed in our SEC filings. Mineral resources which are not mineral reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability. SOURCE Sierra Metals Inc. Related Links www.sierrametals.com CHEVY CHASE, Md., March 16, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- The first Billington CyberSecurity International Leadership Award will be presented to Mr. David Koh at the 3rd Annual Billington International Cybersecurity Summit, March 21, Washington, D.C. Mr. Koh is Chief Executive, Cyber Security Agency of Singapore, Deputy Secretary (Special Projects) and Defence Cyber Chief, Ministry of Defence (Singapore) and Commissioner of Cybersecurity for Singapore. Billington CyberSecurity The award is given to Mr. Koh for his many years of public service to Singapore and for Singapore's leadership in cybersecurity. Mr. Koh played a pivotal role and made significant contributions to strengthen cybersecurity in Singapore, including providing strategic direction and leadership of the Cyber Security Agency of Singapore, the successful launch of Singapore's Cybersecurity Strategy and passage of Singapore's comprehensive cybersecurity legislation. Mr. Koh has also made significant contributions towards shaping international and regional cooperation on cyber norms of behavior and cyber capacity building. Under his leadership, Singapore was ranked number one in the International Telecommunication Union's Global Cybersecurity Index (GCI) for 2017. "It is truly an honour to receive this award. It has been an incredible journey made possible by the strong support of my CSA colleagues and our local and international partners. It shows that Singapore's cybersecurity efforts have not gone unnoticed. I look forward to growing and strengthening the cyberspace together with my team and all our partners," Mr. Koh said. Read more about Mr. Koh's background, as well as other speakers at the summit, here. At the Billington International Cybersecurity Summit, Mr. Koh will be joined by other global cybersecurity leaders from Asia, Europe and the Middle East, as well as U.S. cyber leaders from the Department of Defense, the Department of Homeland Security and the U.S. National Security Agency. View the Agenda Billington CyberSecurity brings together world-class cybersecurity thought leaders to engage in high-level information sharing, unparalleled networking and public-private partnerships from a cross-section of civilian, military and intelligence agencies, industry and academia. In 2018, it will host three summits: 3rd Annual Billington International Cybersecurity Summit, Washington, D.C., March 21, 2018 2nd Billington Automotive Cybersecurity Summit, Detroit, Michigan, Aug. 3, 2018 9th Annual Billington CyberSecurity Summit, Washington, D.C., Sept. 6, 2018 Press contact: Helen Hoart [email protected] 1-203-536-5545 Related Images 3rd-annual-billington.jpg 3rd Annual Billington International Cybersecurity Summit mr-david-koh-chief-executive-cyber.jpg Mr. David Koh, Chief Executive, Cyber Security Agency of Singapore, Deputy Secretary (Special Projects) and Defence Cyber Chief, MINDEF and Commissioner of Cybersecurity for Singapore. SOURCE Billington CyberSecurity (Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160303/792302 ) Browse 72 market data Tables and 39 Figures spread through 135 Pages and in-depth TOC on "Software Asset Management Market" https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/software-asset-management-market-235932482.html Early buyers will receive 10% customization on this report The increasing need to manage the life cycle of assets and compliance-readiness are expected to be the major drivers of the Software Asset Management Market. Rapid adoption of software asset management solutions, owing to strong and well-established economies, is expected to make North America the largest regional market North America is estimated to be the largest contributor to the Software Asset Management Market in terms of regional revenue. This region comprises developed countries, such as the US and Canada. The region is open to the adoption of new and emerging technologies, and its strong financial position enables it to invest majorly into leading tools and technologies for effective business operations. The need for compliance-readiness in enterprises in the US and Canada has encouraged the adoption of software asset management solutions. This gives organizations in North America a competitive edge over the other organizations from other regions. Ask for PDF Brochure @ https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/pdfdownload.asp?id=235932482 The manufacturing industry vertical is expected to hold the largest market size during the forecast period As the world's economy is improving, the manufacturing industry vertical is said to be gaining traction. The manufacturing industry vertical requires software asset management solutions to streamline its maintenance process, extend the longevity of software assets, and improve its productivity. The data collected from the asset performance software helps predict the exact failure point of a critical asset in the industry vertical, thereby increasing the uptime. Manufacturing firms are partnering with or outsourcing their processes to other firms for monitoring and managing the overall software workflow process. The manufacturing industry vertical is labor-intensive and prone to costly errors. The industry vertical has the need to understand the competency level, conduct software metering for audits, and optimize the software for reducing the costs that are required to increase its market share in the Software Asset Management Market. However, compliance and quality assurance are some of the other points that this industry vertical needs to take care of. To manage such issues, manufacturing enterprises are readily adopting software asset management solutions and associated services. The large enterprises segment is expected to hold a larger market share during the forecast period Organizations with more than 1,000 employees are categorized as large enterprises. The use of software asset management solutions in large enterprises is relatively higher than that of the Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs). This is due to the affordability and high economies of scale that enable the large organizations to benefit from software asset management solutions. Enterprises leave no stone unturned to compete in today's cut-throat competitive market. Therefore, they invest significantly in software optimization, license management, and analytics. All these solutions are favorably welcomed and highly adopted by large organizations. The Software Asset Management Market in the large enterprises segment is expected to grow significantly during the forecast period. The major vendors in the Software Asset Management Market include Aspera Technologies (US), BMC Software (US), CA Technologies (US), Certero (UK), Cherwell Software (US), Flexera (US), IBM (US), Ivanti (US), Micro Focus (UK), Microsoft (US), Scalable Software (US), ServiceNow (US), Snow Software (Sweden), and Symantec (US). Know more about the Software Asset Management Market: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/software-asset-management-market-235932482.html About MarketsandMarkets MarketsandMarkets provides quantified B2B research on 30,000 high growth niche opportunities/threats which will impact 70% to 80% of worldwide companies' revenues. Currently servicing 5000 customers worldwide including 80% of global Fortune 1000 companies as clients. Almost 75,000 top officers across eight industries worldwide approach MarketsandMarkets for their painpoints around revenues decisions. Our 850 fulltime analyst and SMEs at MarketsandMarkets are tracking global high growth markets following the "Growth Engagement Model - GEM". The GEM aims at proactive collaboration with the clients to identify new opportunities, identify most important customers, write "Attack, avoid and defend" strategies, identify sources of incremental revenues for both the company and its competitors. MarketsandMarkets now coming up with 1,500 MicroQuadrants (Positioning top players across leaders, emerging companies, innovators, strategic players) annually in high growth emerging segments. MarketsandMarkets is determined to benefit more than 10,000 companies this year for their revenue planning and help them take their innovations/disruptions early to the market by providing them research ahead of the curve. MarketsandMarkets's flagship competitive intelligence and market research platform, "RT" connects over 200,000 markets and entire value chains for deeper understanding of the unmet insights along with market sizing and forecasts of niche markets. Contact: Mr. Salgarkar MarketsandMarkets INC. 630 Dundee Road Suite 430 Northbrook, IL 60062 USA: +1-888-600-6441 Email: [email protected] Visit Our Blog @ http://www.marketsandmarketsblog.com/market-reports/telecom-it Connect with us on LinkedIn @ http://www.linkedin.com/company/marketsandmarkets SOURCE MarketsandMarkets WASHINGTON, March 16, 2018 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Kids in South Dakota will unite against tobacco use on March 21 as they join thousands of young people nationwide to mark Kick Butts Day. More than 1,000 events are planned across the United States for this annual day of youth activism, sponsored by the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids. (See below for a list of local events.) On Kick Butts Day, kids encourage their peers to be tobacco-free, reject tobacco companies' devious marketing and urge elected officials to help make the next generation tobacco-free. This year, Kick Butts Day is focusing attention on the progress the U.S. has made in reducing youth smoking and the actions needed to create the first tobacco-free generation. Since 2000, the national smoking rate among high school students has fallen by 71 percent (from 28 percent in 2000 to 8 percent in 2016). However, the fight against tobacco is far from over: Tobacco use is still the No. 1 cause of preventable death in the U.S., killing over 480,000 people and costing about $170 billion in health care expenses each year. in health care expenses each year. Tobacco companies spend $8.9 billion a year $1 million every hour to market tobacco products in the U.S., often in ways that appeal to kids. a year every hour to market tobacco products in the U.S., often in ways that appeal to kids. Electronic cigarettes have become the most popular tobacco product used by kids nationwide, 11.3 percent of high school students use e-cigarettes compared to 8 percent who smoke cigarettes. The latest trend with teens is JUUL, an e-cigarette that looks like a computer flash drive and comes in flavors like mango and fruit medley. In South Dakota, tobacco use claims 1,300 lives and costs $373 million in health care bills each year. Currently, 10.1 percent of South Dakota's high school students smoke. On Kick Butts Day, kids and health advocates are calling on elected officials to implement proven strategies that make up a "roadmap to a tobacco-free generation." These strategies include tobacco tax increases, comprehensive smoke-free laws, raising the tobacco sale age to 21, well-funded tobacco prevention programs and banning the sale of flavored tobacco products. "On Kick Butts Day, kids are celebrating the progress we've made to reduce tobacco use and building momentum to get us across the finish line," said Matthew L. Myers, President of the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids. "Elected leaders in every state can help create the first tobacco-free generation by supporting proven strategies to prevent youth tobacco use." On Kick Butts Day, kids join in creative events ranging from classroom activities to educate their peers about the harmful ingredients in cigarettes to rallies at state capitols. In South Dakota, activities include: Students from White River High School's Teens Against Tobacco Use (TATU) group will showcase the harmful products found in cigarettes and give a presentation to their peers. Time: 9 AM. Location: 501 2nd Street, White River. Contact: Joyce Glynn (605) 441-5389. Members of the Boys & Girls Club of Moody County in Flandreau will participate in a "Maze of Deception" and learn the negative effects of tobacco. Time: 4 PM. Location: 803 W. Community Drive, Flandreau. Contact: Alyson Drooger (507) 227-3192. Students from O'Gorman High School in Sioux Falls will wear black and participate in contests and surveys to raise awareness around the dangers of smoking. They will also decorate their school with anti-tobacco posters, educational displays, and ribbons; and place cups in a fence to create striking visuals. Time: 11:30 AM. Location: 3201 S. Kiwanis Avenue, Sioux Falls. Contact: Rhonda Booth (605) 310-6907. All events will take place March 21 unless otherwise indicated. For a full list of Kick Butts Day activities in South Dakota, visit www.kickbuttsday.org/map. Additional information about tobacco, including state-by-state statistics, can be found at www.tobaccofreekids.org. SOURCE Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids Related Links http://www.tobaccofreekids.org TEANECK, N.J., March 16, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- March 20, 1989, is a day that nearly killed Steven Benvenisti. Now a Partner at the personal injury law firm of Davis, Saperstein & Salomon, P.C. in Teaneck, Steven was a 21-year-old college student on spring break in Daytona Beach when he was violently struck by a repeat offender drunk driver while walking on the sidewalk. Steven while he was in his coma. The impact of the crash sent his head through the windshield, crushed his legs, and threw his body 70 feet. Within hours, doctors told the Benvenisti family via telephone that they should consent to Steven's organ donation, for his survival was very slim, and if he did survive he would be living with the permanent residuals following a severe traumatic brain injury. He spent ten days in a coma, nearly six months in the hospital, and underwent 15 surgeries. Unable to walk and talk due to the traumatic injury to his brain, Steven withstood months of excruciating and intense physical rehabilitation and went on to make a full recovery. It was during this time that Steven made a promise to fight for victims like himself and to stop intoxicated driving. Aside from being a highly respected injury attorney, he now serves on the Board of Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), is President of the Brain Injury Alliance of New Jersey (BIANJ), and travels around the world sharing his amazing journey and teaching others the power of strength and perseverance. Steven even put his experience in writing, authoring the book "Spring Break: A True Story of Hope and Determination," with all honorarium being donated to charity. This year, Steven's anniversary coincides with an unfortunate and eerily similar accident that has just occurred to another college student on spring break in Florida. On March 5, 21-year-old Drew Akers, who is in the same fraternity (Theta Chi) as Benvenisti, was critically injured in a hit and run accident in Ft. Lauderdale. He has been placed in a medically induced coma, with skull and facial fractures and bleeding in the brain. Drew's family has reached out to Steven and shared that Steven's story inspired them concerning their son. Each year on March 20th, Steven donates $1 on behalf of each of the thousands of people on his email and Facebook friends list to either MADD or the BIANJ. In addition to these organizations, Steven will also be donating proceeds to Drew Akers and his family for medical bills and recovery. You can help Steven obtain his goal of $10,000 by sending him an email to [email protected]. These are fantastic charities that have saved countless lives, as well as support the thousands of individuals who have suffered a traumatic brain injury, or have been affected by the consequences of drunk driving. Since it was founded, MADD has helped decrease drunk driving deaths in half. If you are interested in contributing to any one of these charities, please visit www.madd.org or www.bianj.org. If you would like to donate for Drew Akers' medical expenses, please visit www.gofundme.com/akers-family-medical-expenses. To set up an interview with Steven, please call Elizabeth Sheldon at 201-808-2877. To reach Steven directly, email [email protected], and visit www.contractforlife.org for more information. Related Images steven-benvenisti.jpg Steven Benvenisti Steven while he was in his coma. dss-logo.jpg DSS Logo Davis, Saperstein & Salomon, P.C. logo SOURCE Davis, Saperstein & Salomon, P.C. WASHINGTON, March 16, 2018 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Kids in Tennessee will unite against tobacco use on March 21 as they join thousands of young people nationwide to mark Kick Butts Day. More than 1,000 events are planned across the United States for this annual day of youth activism, sponsored by the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids. (See below for a list of local events.) On Kick Butts Day, kids encourage their peers to be tobacco-free, reject tobacco companies' devious marketing and urge elected officials to help make the next generation tobacco-free. This year, Kick Butts Day is focusing attention on the progress the U.S. has made in reducing youth smoking and the actions needed to create the first tobacco-free generation. Since 2000, the national smoking rate among high school students has fallen by 71 percent (from 28 percent in 2000 to 8 percent in 2016). However, the fight against tobacco is far from over: Tobacco use is still the No. 1 cause of preventable death in the U.S., killing over 480,000 people and costing about $170 billion in health care expenses each year. in health care expenses each year. Tobacco companies spend $8.9 billion a year $1 million every hour to market tobacco products in the U.S., often in ways that appeal to kids. a year every hour to market tobacco products in the U.S., often in ways that appeal to kids. Electronic cigarettes have become the most popular tobacco product used by kids nationwide, 11.3 percent of high school students use e-cigarettes compared to 8 percent who smoke cigarettes. The latest trend with teens is JUUL, an e-cigarette that looks like a computer flash drive and comes in flavors like mango and fruit medley. In Tennessee, tobacco use claims 11,400 lives and costs $2.67 billion in health care bills each year. Currently, 11.5 percent of Tennessee's high school students smoke. On Kick Butts Day, kids and health advocates are calling on elected officials to implement proven strategies that make up a "roadmap to a tobacco-free generation." These strategies include tobacco tax increases, comprehensive smoke-free laws, raising the tobacco sale age to 21, well-funded tobacco prevention programs and banning the sale of flavored tobacco products. "On Kick Butts Day, kids are celebrating the progress we've made to reduce tobacco use and building momentum to get us across the finish line," said Matthew L. Myers, President of the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids. "Elected leaders in every state can help create the first tobacco-free generation by supporting proven strategies to prevent youth tobacco use." On Kick Butts Day, kids join in creative events ranging from classroom activities to educate their peers about the harmful ingredients in cigarettes to rallies at state capitols. In Tennessee, activities include: On March 20, students at Chuckey Doak Middle School in Afton will participate in a tobacco education fair to learn about tobacco advertising, cigarette ingredients, smokeless tobacco, vaping, and lung function through interactive activities including jeopardy and a pledge wall. Time: 8:30 AM1 PM. Location: Chuckey Doak Middle School, 120 Chuckey Doak Road, Afton. Contact: Lori Moore (423) 798-1749. On March 20 and 21, the Weakley County Health Department will paint rocks with anti-tobacco messages and tobacco facts and hide them for citizens of Weakley County to find in a scavenger hunt. The community will be able to track the rocks on the Dresden TN Rocks and Weakley County Rocks Facebook pages, spreading the messages far and wide. Location: University of Tennessee at Martin, 554 University Street, Martin. Contact: Chelsea White (731) 468-4536. The Obion County Rise Above Peer Pressure (RAPP) will host a "Tobacco Takedown" fair to educate at-risk youth about tobacco prevention. Activities include a cigarette butt clean-up, a tobacco trivia relay race, a pig lung demonstration, and much more. Time: 35 PM. Location: Boys & Girls Club of Union City, 1015 E. College Street, Union City. Contact: Catherine Sedergren (731) 468-4035. Students from Love Chapel Elementary School will play in a kickball tournament to "kick tobacco" out of the community. Teens Against Tobacco Use and TNSTRONG members will present tobacco prevention facts. Time: 123 PM. Location: Love Chapel Elementary School, 600 S. Mohawk Drive, Erwin. Contact: Michelle McNabb (413) 220-7862. The Sullivan County Anti-Drug Coalition in Kingsport will organize a poster contest, essay contest, and a rally with local law enforcement, tobacco educators, and others leaders from the community to promote tobacco prevention. Time: 11 AM-1 PM. Location: VO Dobbins Complex, Riverview Community Center, 301 Louis Street, Kingsport. Contact: Melony Ison (423) 742-1025. Power of Putnam and Thrive on Ambassadors in Cookeville will conduct a cigarette butt clean up at Tennessee Tech University and inform university personnel and law enforcement where butts are found to increase enforcement of smoke-free campus rules. Time: 9 AM-12 PM. Location: Tennessee Tech University, 1 William L Jones Drive, Cookeville. Contact: Jennifer Matthews (731) 217-1299. Power of Putnam will partner with Upperman Middle School in Baxter and Prescott Middle School in Cookeville to host all-day tobacco prevention fairs. Students will participate in poster and essay contests, learn about what's really in a cigarette, sign a pledge wall to be part of the first tobacco-free generation, and more. Time: 8 AM3 PM. Locations: Upperman Middle School, 6700 Nashville Highway, Baxter; Prescott Scott Middle School, 1859 S. Jefferson Avenue, Cookeville. Contact: Jennifer Matthews (731) 217-1299. All events will take place March 21 unless otherwise indicated. For a full list of Kick Butts Day activities in Tennessee, visit www.kickbuttsday.org/map. Additional information about tobacco, including state-by-state statistics, can be found at www.tobaccofreekids.org. SOURCE Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids Related Links http://www.tobaccofreekids.org (Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/654841/European_Business_Awards_2018.jpg ) The celebrated companies were chosen by a panel of independent judges including senior business leaders, politicians and academics as the best in the Awards' 11 categories, and they will now go on to represent their country in the final stage of the competition. At the event, business leaders came together to celebrate and network with their peers after being successfully named as 'Ones to Watch' in a list of business excellence published in December, all hoping to be named National Winners. National Winners for Italy Company Name National Winner Category Bio-on S.p.A. The RSM Entrepreneur of the Year Award SMI S.p.A. The Award for Innovation Coproget S.r.l. The Business of the Year Award with Turnover of EUR0-25m Copan Italia spa The Business of the Year Award with Turnover of EUR26-150m Ecolab Srl The Business of the Year Award with Turnover of EUR150m or higher Biesse S.p.A. The Digital Technology Award Afinna One Srl The ELITE Award for Growth Strategy of the Year Vetrya S.p.A. The Germany Trade & Invest Award for International Expansion Menz & Gasser Spa The Social Responsibility and Environmental Awareness Award Markas The Workplace and People Development Award NTC S.r.l. The Customer and Market Engagement Award RSM firms provide audit, tax and consulting services to clients across the globe. Within Europe, RSM firms have experts in 43 countries who work as an integrated team, sharing skills, insight and resources, as well as a client-centric approach that's based on a deep understanding of clients' businesses. Francesco Gerla, Managing Partner, RSM Studio Palea Lauri Gerla said: "RSM is pleased to be the lead sponsor of the European Business Awards and to contribute to recognizing the value and quality of Italian enterprises. As a champion of middle market businesses we work with many Italian businesses to support their growth ambitions, at home and abroad. We congratulate all the National Winners for Italy and wish them all the best as they progress further in the competition." Luca Peyrano, CEO, ELITE said: "We are delighted to support the 11th edition of European Business Awards. I would like to congratulate with each truly excellent Italian company that has been selected as National Winner for this year. The future of Italy is closely linked to the ability to appreciate its best companies' value and ELITE has a crucial role in this process: more than a third of ELITE companies have raised money through a wide range of financial transactions, for a total value of 5.2 billion. ELITE supports Italian and international companies in achieving their goals, allowing them to become part of a vibrant community of excellence and business opportunities." "It's no surprise that Italy has a solid foundation of innovative companies. We are honored to present the award for International Expansion and look forward to supporting these businesses as they grow and expand into new markets," said Jurgen Friedrich, CEO of Germany Trade & Invest (GTAI). GTAI is the foreign trade and inward investment agency of the Federal Republic of Germany. In this capacity it informs and advises international companies setting up business in Germany. These National Winners will face further judging in their chosen category, and the final category winners will be announced at the European Business Awards Gala Final in Warsaw, Poland in May 2018. Separately companies in the competition are also competing in a public vote to be named 'European Public Champion' at the Gala Final. This opened on 31st January, and engages with people from across the globe. Last year the public vote generated almost 250,000 votes. To view the videos and vote for your favourite company please go to: http://www.businessawardseurope.com The European Business Awards is now in its 11th year and its primary purpose is to support the development of a stronger and more successful business community throughout Europe. Last year it engaged with over 33,000 businesses from 34 countries. Sponsors and partners include RSM, ELITE, Germany Trade & Invest and PR Newswire. About the European Business Awards: The European Business Awards' primary purpose is to support the development of a stronger and more successful business community throughout Europe. The European Business Awards programme serves the European business community in three ways: It celebrates and endorses individuals' and organisations' success It provides and promotes examples of excellence for the business community to aspire to It engages with the European business community to create debate on key issues The European Business Awards is now in its 11th year. Last year it engaged with over 33,000 businesses from 34 countries. Sponsors and partners include RSM, ELITE, Germany Trade & Invest, PR Newswire, Bureau Van Dijk, SDL Managed Translation.http://www.businessawardseurope.com. Twitter: @rsmEBA Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/businessawardseurope LinkedIn: the company page "The European Business Awards" About RSM: RSM is the sixth largest network of independent audit, tax and consulting firms, encompassing over 120 countries, 800 offices and more than 43,000 people internationally. The network's total fee income is US$5.1 billion. As an integrated team, we share skills, insight and resources, as well as a client-centric approach that's based on a deep understanding of our clients' businesses. This is how we empower them to move forward with confidence and realise their full potential. RSM is a member of the Forum of Firms, with the shared objective to promote consistent and high quality standards of financial and auditing practices worldwide. RSM is the brand used by a network of independent accounting and advisory firms each of which practices in its own right. RSM International Limited does not itself provide any accounting and advisory services. Member firms are driven by a common vision of providing high quality professional services, both in their domestic markets and in serving the international professional service needs of their client base. http://www.rsm.global About ELITE: ELITE is a full-service programme designed to share best practice and increase growth opportunities for fast growing companies, with a focus on understanding the capital markets. ELITE is an innovative programme based on exclusive training and a tutorship model, supported by access to the business and financial community. Its aim is to prepare companies for their next stage of growth and investment. For further information on the programme, companies and the full list of partners, please go to:http://www.elite-growth.com About PR Newswire: PR Newswire is the leading global provider of PR and corporate communications tools that enable clients to distribute news and rich content. We distribute our client's content across traditional, digital and social media channels in real time with fully actionable reporting and monitoring. Combining the world's largest multi-channel, multi-cultural content distribution and optimisation network with comprehensive workflow tools and platforms, PR Newswire enables the world's enterprises to engage opportunity everywhere it exists. PR Newswire serves tens of thousands of clients from offices in Europe, Middle East, Africa, the Americas and the Asia-Pacific region. For more information on PR Newswire please visit http://www.prnewswire.co.uk About Germany Trade & Invest: Germany Trade & Invest is the economic development agency of the Federal Republic of Germany. The company helps create and secure extra employment opportunities, strengthening Germany as a business location. With more than 50 offices in Germany and abroad, and its network of partners throughout the world, Germany Trade & Invest supports German companies setting up in foreign markets, promotes Germany as a business location and assists foreign companies setting up in Germany. Other partners and sponsors: Bureau Van Dijk: Bureau Van Dijk is a Moody's Analytics company which captures and treats private company information for better decision-making and increased efficiency. With information on over 275 million companies in all countries worldwide it is the resource for private company data. Certainty is a highly-prized commodity in business and BVD provides its customers with the best quality data available. Register for a free trial at http://www.bvdinfo.com SDL Managed Translation: SDL is the global innovator in language translation technology, services and content management. For the past 25 years, SDL has created transformative business results through nuanced digital experiences with customers around the world. For more information about language services and technology, or with help going global quickly and efficiently, please email [email protected] or visit http://www.sdl.com/managed-translation Founder Patrons: The four Founder Patrons are AirX, Megazyme, Alpha Trains Group and Remedica; all members of the European Business Awards community. These successful businesses are gleaming examples of the Awards' core values: Success, Innovation and Ethics. Through patronage, they help to foster and create more successful companies and business communities in Europe. For more information about the founder patrons please visit https://www.businessawardseurope.com/patrons SOURCE European Business Awards (Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/654907/BB_Conference_Kyiv.jpg ) The conference will bring together more than three dozen speakers, and the exhibition area will feature more than 70 brands, representing software and services for the crypto industry. The conference will be divided into specialized streams dedicated to finance, developments and ICO. Special guest: Minister of infrastructure Representatives of Ukrainian Ministries and Departments will speak at the conference, including Volodymyr Omelyan, Minister of infrastructure. He will tell the audience what blockchain projects related to the transport industry can be implemented in Ukraine. Oleksandr Ryzhenko, Head at State Agency for e-Governance of Ukraine, will dedicate his presentation to the role of decentralized technologies in the eGovernment reform. His advisor, Konstantin Yarmolenko, will be involved in the panel discussion on the integration of a regulatory sandbox in the country. Besides Konstantin Yarmolenko, the discussion will also engage Oleksii Mushak, MP at Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine. Politicians will talk about the opportunity to establish a separate zone in Ukraine to deal with digital asset laws. David Kiziria, an advisor to the Presidential Administration of Ukraine, will explain how to integrate cyber physical systems in the country's economy and reveal the advantages of its tokenization. CEOs and business founders International business experts will make their presentations as well. So, the conference will involve US speaker Edan Yago, CEO at Epiphyte. A special guest will arrive from the UK: Adam Vaziri, Director at Diacle that delivers legal services to blockchain companies. Switzerland will be represented by Dominik Zynis, a business expert and a co-founder of the well-known Wings platform. His presentation will be dedicated to the usefulness of economy tokenization; the speaker will provide case studies. Yuliya Sporysh, the head of CoinIndex agency, will explain the importance of indices. She will support her presentation by a review of financial data providers. Alina Belkovskaya, a co-founder of the VANDAL BlackPapers analytical project, will talk about the importance of information for ICO projects. Artem Afian, a co-founder of Juscutum law company, will speak on the ICO regulation in Ukraine and worldwide. Marketing and management experts Aleks Bozhinov, CMO at Crowdholding, will tell the audience how to promote an ICO project. His colleague from Bitfury, George Givishvili, will reveal blockchain opportunities in commercial business and government. Serhii Bondarenko, Senior Consulting Manager at word-renowned Deloitte, will make a presentation on challenges and opportunities of cryptocurrencies in the banking sector. Exhibition area The exhibition will present cryptocurrency exchanges, services for traders, electronic wallets, equipment and software for mining, platforms for trading and creating digital ecosystems, decentralized management systems, as well as services of companies for project promotion and legal support. The organizer of Blockchain & Bitcoin Conference is Smile-Expo; its network of bitcoin conferences covers more than 20 countries. Venue: Parkovy Convention & Exhibition Centre, 16a Parkova road, Kyiv, 01601, Ukraine. Get more information and register on the website of Blockchain & Bitcoin Conference Kyiv. About Smile-Expo Smile-Expo is an international company, organizer of large business events. Smile-Expo keeps its finger on the pulse of global innovations, analyzes markets, predicts promising drives, shares information with friends and associates, and launches projects throughout new segments, which have no equivalents in Russia, or on the whole CIS territory. We can safely say that Smile-Expo is a flagship of innovation in the field of exhibition and conference service. The company was the first to draw attention to such promising, but not yet sufficiently developed in the CIS fields as affiliate marketing, robotics, 3D technology, cryptocurrency, wearable devices and augmented reality, Internet of Things, mHealth, "Connected car" and many more. Smile-Expo has started its way with interest in advanced developments in various sectors of the economy and desire to create projects that allow companies to keep up with the times. The result is 12 years of successful work in the market that inspire professionals of Smile-Expo for organization of large-scale exhibitions, conferences, congresses, forums, workshops and webinars. Media Contact: Alisa Isaeva [email protected] +7-495-212-11-28 SOURCE Smile-Expo All The Time is produced and arranged by Dave Darling, also known for his work with Glen Campbell, Brian Setzer, Tom Waits, and Janiva Magness, among others. The new album soars with The Temptations' strongest lineup in 20 years, led by founding member Otis Williams. Among the cover versions, the group transforms Sam Smith's "Stay With Me" into a stirring soul-gospel love song, while in their hands "Earned It," originally recorded by The Weeknd for Fifty Shades of Grey, becomes an emotional tour-de-force, and "Thinking Out Loud," originally by Ed Sheeran, is soulfully reflective and features Williams' spoken introduction. The album's new original songs are the yearning "Waitin' On You," the romantic "Be My Wife" a sure steppers favorite and the funked-up "Move Them Britches." The digital album's two bonus tracks are a spare 'Gospel Mix' for the rendition of Sam Smith's "Stay With Me" and a special 'Heathens Mix' for "Move Them Britches." Listen to The Temptations' rendition of Sam Smith's "Stay With Me": https://lnk.to/StayWithMe Listen to The Temptations' original song "Waitin' On You": https://lnk.to/WaitnOnYou Watch / embed the "Waitin' On You" lyric video: https://lnk.to/WaitinOnYouLV 54 years ago this month, The Temptations released their first Motown album, 1964's Meet The Temptations. For nearly 60 years, The Temptations have reigned as one of popular music's most beloved and successful groups worldwide, lauded by Billboard in 2017 as the Number One R&B Artist of All Time. The Temptations rose to the top of the charts with 16 Number One R&B albums and 43 Top Ten R&B hit songs across four decades, including 14 Number One singles. Their hits "My Girl," "Ain't Too Proud To Beg," and "Get Ready" are timeless, iconic classics, while the group's later forays into funk and psychedelia, including "Cloud Nine" and "Papa Was a Rollin' Stone," are just as influential. The group is one of Rolling Stone's '100 Greatest Artists of All Time,' and MOJO celebrated The Temptations with a December 2017 feature, saying "the music now sounds more mind-blowing than ever." The Temptations were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1989, into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 1999, and into the Rhythm & Blues Music Hall of Fame in 2013, the same year they were honored with the Recording Academy's Lifetime Achievement GRAMMY Award. Winner of four GRAMMY Awards, they received Motown's first-ever GRAMMY in 1969 for "Cloud Nine." Additionally, a two-part, scripted miniseries on the group, broadcast by NBC in 1998, was a ratings smash and won an Emmy Award for Outstanding Directing for a Miniseries or Movie. The "Tempts" continue to actively tour, performing worldwide throughout the year. "I'm 76 now," says Otis Williams, "Looking back, I never could have imagined where my life has taken me. I'm so proud of what The Temptations have achieved, and I'm grateful for every opportunity we've been so fortunate to receive. The music carries me. Together, we lift our voices with love and wonder. We had a great time recording All The Time and we hope everyone enjoys it." Last fall, an electrifying new Temptations musical, Ain't Too ProudThe Life and Times of The Temptations, made headlines as the highest-grossing production in the Berkeley, California Repertory Theatre's 50-year history. The show is confirmed for exclusive five-week engagements at Washington, DC's Kennedy Center this June and July, at Los Angeles' Ahmanson Theatre in August and September, and at Toronto's Princess of Wales Theatre in October and November before it debuts on Broadway. Ain't Too Proud, with the iconic hits, harmonies and signature dance moves that have made The Temptations a cherished part of our cultural history forever, explores their extraordinary journey from the streets of Detroit to Motown fame and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The thrilling story is presented by Kennedy Prize-winning playwright Dominique Morisseau, Olivier Award-winning choreographer Sergio Trujillo, and two-time Tony Award-winning director Des McAnuff. The Temptations are: Otis Williams, Ron Tyson, Terry Weeks, Larry Braggs, and Willie Greene. temptationsofficial.com facebook.com/thetemptations | twitter.com/temptsofficial | instagram.com/temptationsofficial The Temptations: All The Time [digital] 1. Stay With Me 2. Earned It 3. Pretty Wings 4. Thinking Out Loud 5. Waitin' On You 6. Remember The Time 7. Be My Wife 8. Still Feel Like Your Man 9. When I Was Your Man 10. Move Them Britches Bonus Tracks 11. Stay With Me (Gospel Mix) 12. Move Them Britches (Heathens Mix) The Temptations: All The Time [CD; vinyl LP; ltd. edition white vinyl LP] LP Side 1 1. Stay With Me 2. Earned It 3. Pretty Wings 4. Thinking Out Loud 5. Waitin' On You LP Side 2 6. Remember The Time 7. Be My Wife 8. Still Feel Like Your Man 9. When I Was Your Man 10. Move Them Britches SOURCE UMe CLEVELAND, March 16, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- US lead demand is forecast to reach 1.5 million metric tons in 2022, according to Lead: United States, a report recently released by Freedonia Focus Reports. Suppliers are expected to benefit from rising US output of lead-acid batteries, propelled by expected growth in motor vehicle production and the number of motor vehicles in use. More information about the report is available at https://www.freedoniafocusreports.com/Lead-United-States-FF65018/ Lead demand in batteries is projected to continue representing the largest segment in 2022. Expanding motor vehicle production in the NAFTA region will increase US output of lead-acid batteries. In addition, rising numbers of motor vehicles in use will drive growth in the market for replacement batteries. Furthermore, increasing investment in renewable energy and power grid storage, uninterruptible power supply systems, and telecommunications will support growth for stationary batteries. These and other key insights are featured in Lead: United States. This report forecasts to 2022 US lead demand and production in metric tons of lead content. Total demand is segmented by application in terms of: batteries metal products other applications such as glass and ceramic products, paint, and chemicals The following measures of US lead production, in metric tons of lead content are also forecast to 2022: mine production secondary refinery production To illustrate historical trends, total demand; mine, primary refinery, and secondary refinery production; the various demand segments; and trade are provided in annual series from 2007 to 2017. About Freedonia Focus Reports Each month, The Freedonia Group a division of MarketResearch.com publishes over 20 new or updated Freedonia Focus Reports, providing fresh, unbiased analysis on a wide variety of markets and industries. Published in 20-30 pages, Focus Report coverage ranges from raw materials to finished manufactured goods and related services such as freight and construction. Additional Materials & Chemicals reports can be purchased at Freedonia Focus Reports or MarketResearch.com. Analysis is intended to guide the busy reader through pertinent topics in rapid succession, including: total historical market size and industry output segmentation by products and markets identification of market drivers, constraints, and key indicators segment-by-segment outlook in five-year forecasts a survey of the supply base suggested resources for further study Press Contact: Corinne Gangloff +1 440.684.9600 [email protected] SOURCE The Freedonia Group Related Links https://www.freedoniagroup.com WASHINGTON, March 16, 2018 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Kids in Vermont will unite against tobacco use on March 21 as they join thousands of young people nationwide to mark Kick Butts Day. More than 1,000 events are planned across the United States for this annual day of youth activism, sponsored by the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids. (See below for a list of local events.) On Kick Butts Day, kids encourage their peers to be tobacco-free, reject tobacco companies' devious marketing and urge elected officials to help make the next generation tobacco-free. This year, Kick Butts Day is focusing attention on the progress the U.S. has made in reducing youth smoking and the actions needed to create the first tobacco-free generation. Since 2000, the national smoking rate among high school students has fallen by 71 percent (from 28 percent in 2000 to 8 percent in 2016). However, the fight against tobacco is far from over: Tobacco use is still the No. 1 cause of preventable death in the U.S., killing over 480,000 people and costing about $170 billion in health care expenses each year. in health care expenses each year. Tobacco companies spend $8.9 billion a year $1 million every hour to market tobacco products in the U.S., often in ways that appeal to kids. a year every hour to market tobacco products in the U.S., often in ways that appeal to kids. Electronic cigarettes have become the most popular tobacco product used by kids nationwide, 11.3 percent of high school students use e-cigarettes compared to 8 percent who smoke cigarettes. The latest trend with teens is JUUL, an e-cigarette that looks like a computer flash drive and comes in flavors like mango and fruit medley. In Vermont, tobacco use claims 1,000 lives and costs $348 million in health care bills each year. Currently, 10.8 percent of Vermont's high school students smoke. On Kick Butts Day, kids and health advocates are calling on elected officials to implement proven strategies that make up a "roadmap to a tobacco-free generation." These strategies include tobacco tax increases, comprehensive smoke-free laws, raising the tobacco sale age to 21, well-funded tobacco prevention programs and banning the sale of flavored tobacco products. "On Kick Butts Day, kids are celebrating the progress we've made to reduce tobacco use and building momentum to get us across the finish line," said Matthew L. Myers, President of the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids. "Elected leaders in every state can help create the first tobacco-free generation by supporting proven strategies to prevent youth tobacco use." On Kick Butts Day, kids join in creative events ranging from classroom activities to educate their peers about the harmful ingredients in cigarettes to rallies at state capitols. In Vermont, activities include: During the week of March 19, students from Vermont Kids Against Tobacco of Riverside Middle School will produce and display a photovoice project highlighting tobacco related issues in the community at the Springfield Health Center. Location: 100 River Street, Springfield. Contact: Beth Brothers (802) 885-4203. On March 20, students of Springfield High School will host a community dialogue night at the Nolin-Murray Center where they will discuss strengths and concerns related to tobacco use they identified through a youth risk behavior survey. They will display the #BeTheFirst pledge wall and encourage the community to sign. Time: 6 PM. Location: 40 Summer Street, Springfield. Contact: Beth Brothers (802) 885-4203. Springfield High School and Riverside Middle School students will encourage their classmates to sign a #BeTheFirst pledge wall during lunch with promotional giveaways and contests to spread awareness. Time: 12 PM. Location: 303 S. Street, Springfield. Contact: Beth Brothers (802) 885-4203. Students from Burlington High School will create a "dirty laundry" display of tobacco industry quotes and statistics to highlight deceptive marketing tactics at the Miller Community and Recreation Center. Youth will collect messages of concern from students and community members about the influence of flavored tobacco. Time: 2:15 PM. Location: 130 Gosse Court, Burlington. Contact: Tara Holaday (802) 370-6829. Students from Danville High School will create a "dirty laundry" display of tobacco industry quotes and statistics to highlight to raise awareness about deceptive marketing tactics. Youth will collect messages of concern from students and community members about the influence of flavored tobacco. Time: 8 AM. Location: 148 Peacham Road, Danville. Contact: Guy Pierce (802) 684-2292. On March 21 and 26, students from Bellows Falls Middle School and Bellows Falls High School, respectively, will participate in a "chalk the walk" exercise, drawing quotes and statistics about the dangers of tobacco outside the school. Contact: Heather Waryas (802) 463-4366. March 21: Time: 12:45 PM. Location: Bellows Falls Middle School, 8 Atkinson Street, Bellows Falls. March 26: Time: 2:15 PM. Location: Bellows Falls High School, 15 School Street, Bellows Falls. All events will take place March 21 unless otherwise indicated. For a full list of Kick Butts Day activities in Vermont, visit www.kickbuttsday.org/map. Additional information about tobacco, including state-by-state statistics, can be found at www.tobaccofreekids.org. SOURCE Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids Related Links http://www.tobaccofreekids.org WASHINGTON, March 16, 2018 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Kids in Virginia will unite against tobacco use on March 21 as they join thousands of young people nationwide to mark Kick Butts Day. More than 1,000 events are planned across the United States for this annual day of youth activism, sponsored by the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids. (See below for a list of local events.) On Kick Butts Day, kids encourage their peers to be tobacco-free, reject tobacco companies' devious marketing and urge elected officials to help make the next generation tobacco-free. This year, Kick Butts Day is focusing attention on the progress the U.S. has made in reducing youth smoking and the actions needed to create the first tobacco-free generation. Since 2000, the national smoking rate among high school students has fallen by 71 percent (from 28 percent in 2000 to 8 percent in 2016). However, the fight against tobacco is far from over: Tobacco use is still the No. 1 cause of preventable death in the U.S., killing over 480,000 people and costing about $170 billion in health care expenses each year. in health care expenses each year. Tobacco companies spend $8.9 billion a year $1 million every hour to market tobacco products in the U.S., often in ways that appeal to kids. a year every hour to market tobacco products in the U.S., often in ways that appeal to kids. Electronic cigarettes have become the most popular tobacco product used by kids nationwide, 11.3 percent of high school students use e-cigarettes compared to 8 percent who smoke cigarettes. The latest trend with teens is JUUL, an e-cigarette that looks like a computer flash drive and comes in flavors like mango and fruit medley. In Virginia, tobacco use claims 10,300 lives and costs $3.11 billion in health care bills each year. Currently, 8.2 percent of Virginia's high school students smoke. On Kick Butts Day, kids and health advocates are calling on elected officials to implement proven strategies that make up a "roadmap to a tobacco-free generation." These strategies include tobacco tax increases, comprehensive smoke-free laws, raising the tobacco sale age to 21, well-funded tobacco prevention programs and banning the sale of flavored tobacco products. "On Kick Butts Day, kids are celebrating the progress we've made to reduce tobacco use and building momentum to get us across the finish line," said Matthew L. Myers, President of the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids. "Elected leaders in every state can help create the first tobacco-free generation by supporting proven strategies to prevent youth tobacco use." On Kick Butts Day, kids join in creative events ranging from classroom activities to educate their peers about the harmful ingredients in cigarettes to rallies at state capitols. In Virginia, activities include: Members of the Alleghany Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) at Alleghany High School in Covington will illustrate the deadly effects of tobacco use by dressing up as zombies, displaying tombstones on the school lawn, and creating a pledge banner for peers to sign and say NO to tobacco. Time: 12 PM. Location: 210 Mountaineer Drive, Covington. Contact: Amanda Grimm (540) 863-1700. Members of the Focus on Response and Education to Stay Healthy (FRESH) Coalition and Communities Helping Improve Local Lives (CHILL) Youth Task Force in Rocky Mount will set up a booth outside of Kroger with information about the dangers of tobacco use and visit local businesses. Time: 10 AM. Location: 400 Old Franklin Turnpike, Suite 110, Rocky Mount. Contact: Tony Wright (540) 814-1198. Members of Girls Incorporated of Bristol will trace chalk body outlines to represent the number of people who die each year in the U.S. from tobacco. Time: 4:30 PM. Location: 613 Highland Avenue, Bristol. Contact: Nicole Cullop (423) 742-0232. Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD) at Powhatan High School will display tobacco-free messages in fences and air out big tobacco's "dirty laundry." Students will commit to be tobacco-free by constructing a pledge wall. Students who sign will have a chance to win prizes courtesy of the Rural Substance Abuse Awareness Coalition. Time: 11 AM. Location: 1800 Judes Ferry Road, Powhatan. Contact: Kirsten Lightner (804) 647-0757. All events will take place March 21 unless otherwise indicated. For a full list of Kick Butts Day activities in Virginia, visit www.kickbuttsday.org/map. Additional information about tobacco, including state-by-state statistics, can be found at www.tobaccofreekids.org. SOURCE Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids Related Links http://www.tobaccofreekids.org WASHINGTON, March 16, 2018 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Kids in Washington will unite against tobacco use on March 21 as they join thousands of young people nationwide to mark Kick Butts Day. More than 1,000 events are planned across the United States for this annual day of youth activism, sponsored by the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids. (See below for a list of local events.) On Kick Butts Day, kids encourage their peers to be tobacco-free, reject tobacco companies' devious marketing and urge elected officials to help make the next generation tobacco-free. This year, Kick Butts Day is focusing attention on the progress the U.S. has made in reducing youth smoking and the actions needed to create the first tobacco-free generation. Since 2000, the national smoking rate among high school students has fallen by 71 percent (from 28 percent in 2000 to 8 percent in 2016). However, the fight against tobacco is far from over: Tobacco use is still the No. 1 cause of preventable death in the U.S., killing over 480,000 people and costing about $170 billion in health care expenses each year. in health care expenses each year. Tobacco companies spend $8.9 billion a year $1 million every hour to market tobacco products in the U.S., often in ways that appeal to kids. a year every hour to market tobacco products in the U.S., often in ways that appeal to kids. Electronic cigarettes have become the most popular tobacco product used by kids nationwide, 11.3 percent of high school students use e-cigarettes compared to 8 percent who smoke cigarettes. The latest trend with teens is JUUL, an e-cigarette that looks like a computer flash drive and comes in flavors like mango and fruit medley. In Washington, tobacco use claims 8,300 lives and costs $2.81 billion in health care bills each year. Currently, 6.3 percent of Washington's high school students smoke. On Kick Butts Day, kids and health advocates are calling on elected officials to implement proven strategies that make up a "roadmap to a tobacco-free generation." These strategies include tobacco tax increases, comprehensive smoke-free laws, raising the tobacco sale age to 21, well-funded tobacco prevention programs and banning the sale of flavored tobacco products. "On Kick Butts Day, kids are celebrating the progress we've made to reduce tobacco use and building momentum to get us across the finish line," said Matthew L. Myers, President of the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids. "Elected leaders in every state can help create the first tobacco-free generation by supporting proven strategies to prevent youth tobacco use." On Kick Butts Day, kids join in creative events ranging from classroom activities to educate their peers about the harmful ingredients in cigarettes to rallies at state capitols. In Washington, activities include: Students from the Sunnyside High School Prevention Club and Sunnyside United Unidos will design anti-tobacco chalk murals and encourage people to write or draw things more important to them than tobacco. Time: 3 PM. Location: 1801 East Edison Avenue, Sunnyside. Contact: Brenda Barrios (509) 840-9680. Students from the Mercer Island High School's Students Acting For the Environment (SAFE) will hang posters and hand out flyers in the middle and high schools to demonstrate the health consequences of smoking and vaping, as well as host educational peer-to-peer meetings between middle schoolers and high schoolers. Time: 11 AM. Location: 9100 Southeast 42nd Street, Mercer Island. Contact: Lisa Stewart (206) 275-7743. On March 22, students from Clover Creek Elementary School will perform a flash mob for fourth- and fifth-grade students to demonstrate the consequences of tobacco use and how Big Tobacco targets them with flavors and deceptive marketing tactics. Time: 12:30 PM. Location: 16715 36th Avenue E., Tacoma. Contact: Patty Little (253) 720-9063. All events will take place March 21 unless otherwise indicated. For a full list of Kick Butts Day activities in Washington, visit www.kickbuttsday.org/map. Additional information about tobacco, including state-by-state statistics, can be found at www.tobaccofreekids.org. SOURCE Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids Related Links http://www.tobaccofreekids.org WASHINGTON, March 16, 2018 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Kids in West Virginia will unite against tobacco use on March 21 as they join thousands of young people nationwide to mark Kick Butts Day. More than 1,000 events are planned across the United States for this annual day of youth activism, sponsored by the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids. (See below for a list of local events.) On Kick Butts Day, kids encourage their peers to be tobacco-free, reject tobacco companies' devious marketing and urge elected officials to help make the next generation tobacco-free. This year, Kick Butts Day is focusing attention on the progress the U.S. has made in reducing youth smoking and the actions needed to create the first tobacco-free generation. Since 2000, the national smoking rate among high school students has fallen by 71 percent (from 28 percent in 2000 to 8 percent in 2016). However, the fight against tobacco is far from over: Tobacco use is still the No. 1 cause of preventable death in the U.S., killing over 480,000 people and costing about $170 billion in health care expenses each year. in health care expenses each year. Tobacco companies spend $8.9 billion a year $1 million every hour to market tobacco products in the U.S., often in ways that appeal to kids. a year every hour to market tobacco products in the U.S., often in ways that appeal to kids. Electronic cigarettes have become the most popular tobacco product used by kids nationwide, 11.3 percent of high school students use e-cigarettes compared to 8 percent who smoke cigarettes. The latest trend with teens is JUUL, an e-cigarette that looks like a computer flash drive and comes in flavors like mango and fruit medley. In West Virginia, tobacco use claims 4,300 lives and costs $1.00 billion in health care bills each year. Currently, 18.8 percent of West Virginia's high school students smoke. On Kick Butts Day, kids and health advocates are calling on elected officials to implement proven strategies that make up a "roadmap to a tobacco-free generation." These strategies include tobacco tax increases, comprehensive smoke-free laws, raising the tobacco sale age to 21, well-funded tobacco prevention programs and banning the sale of flavored tobacco products. "On Kick Butts Day, kids are celebrating the progress we've made to reduce tobacco use and building momentum to get us across the finish line," said Matthew L. Myers, President of the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids. "Elected leaders in every state can help create the first tobacco-free generation by supporting proven strategies to prevent youth tobacco use." On Kick Butts Day, kids join in creative events ranging from classroom activities to educate their peers about the harmful ingredients in cigarettes to rallies at state capitols. In West Virginia, activities include: On March 20, Advocates for Substance Abuse Prevention (ASAP) Youth Council will host a community carnival where attendees will compete for prizes in activities including bowling, toss across, and kicking a karate bag designed to resemble an evil pack of cigarettes. Refreshments will be served. Time: 4:30 PM. Location: 1300 Potomac Avenue, Upper Level, Weirton. Contact: Mary Ball (304) 748-7850. Nicholas County High School's Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD) will hold an interactive display and "Chalk-the-Walk" event to demonstrate the effects of smoking, vaping and using e-cigarettes, as well as provide information on quitting tobacco. Time: 7:50 AM. Location: 30 Grizzly Lane, Summersville. Contact: Kim Major and Natasha Green (304) 883-3900. The Weirton Christian Center RAZE Crew plans to host a carnival-themed event featuring booths and tobacco-related games, as well as a tobacco-free pledge wall and face painting. Time: 4 PM. Location: 3420 Main Street, Weirton. Contact: Jennifer Matheny (304) 374-0558. On March 22, Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD) and RAZE club members from four local high schools will hold a mock trial at Mercer County Courthouse for tobacco companies targeting youth, followed by a rally outside the courthouse. Time: 11 AM. Location: 1501 W. Main Street, Princeton. Contact: Angie Willoughby (304) 323-8568. All events will take place March 21 unless otherwise indicated. For a full list of Kick Butts Day activities in West Virginia, visit www.kickbuttsday.org/map. Additional information about tobacco, including state-by-state statistics, can be found at www.tobaccofreekids.org. SOURCE Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids Related Links http://www.tobaccofreekids.org PHILADELPHIA, March 16, 2018 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- This weekend at the Philadelphia Flower Show, AARP donated $5,000 to the William Way LGBT Community Center for addressing aging issues that impact the LGBT community in the Greater Philadelphia region. A check for $5,000 was presented to Meg Rider, Board of Directors Co-Chair, and Ed Miller, Senior Programs Coordinator, with the William Way LGBT Community Center. "The William Way LGBT Community Center is deeply honored to receive the AARP's partnership award and generous grant," said Chris Bartlett, Executive Director of The William Way Community Center. "We have worked closely with AARP over many years to transform services for LGBT seniors, and we stand ready to take the work to the next level. Our seniors deserve that commitment and support." The AARP Block Party exhibit, which took place at the Philadelphia Flower Show on March 10-11, included a Wishing Well where specially-designed coins were provided to event goers. For every coin tossed into the wishing well, donations were made to William Way, resulting in the $5,000 donation. "We're proud to present William Way with this award and recognize their tireless efforts to advocate for the well-being and acceptance of those in the LGBT community," said Bill Johnston-Walsh, AARP Pennsylvania State Director. "William Way has really helped to disrupt aging through social, recreational, and educational programs. William Way was selected to receive the $5,000 because it shatters stereotypes about aging, challenges outdated beliefs and sparks new solutions that help the LGBT community, particularly those 50+, choose how to live as we age." Community members turn to William Way, not as aging individuals, but as individuals looking to find new beginnings. They are encouraged to share their stories with each other, as well as with the younger generations in order to provide insight on what life was like for LGBT people in the past. In 2017, AARP Pennsylvania partnered with SAGE to help bridge the gap between generations at SAGE Table, an event where LGBT and allied people of all ages gathered together to discuss the challenges and opportunities they face. William Way helped address aging issues through programs that promote involvement and advocacy in the community. In 2017, efforts included a letter writing campaign that was instrumental in helping to pass legislation that will provide assistance for aging Americans and their caregivers. "The work that is being done at William Way is redefining what it means to age, to care for your family of choice, to be rooted in our past and strive for a better future," said Johnston-Walsh. Other highlights of the AARP Block Party, an interactive exhibit that travels across the country, were AARP's new augmented reality (AR) experience, a social media art mosaic photo wall and a prize wheel. The Philadelphia Flower Show is held annually and attracts over 250,000 visitors to the Pennsylvania Convention Center. The Philadelphia Flower Show, a top destination and "must experience" horticultural event, is a showcase of excellence that dates back to 1829. About AARP AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization, with a membership of nearly 38 million that helps people turn their goals and dreams into 'Real Possibilities' by changing the way America defines aging. With staffed offices in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, AARP works to strengthen communities and promote the issues that matter most to families such as healthcare security, financial security and personal fulfillment. AARP also advocates for individuals in the marketplace by selecting products and services of high quality and value to carry the AARP name. As a trusted source for news and information, AARP produces the world's largest circulation magazine, AARP The Magazine and AARP Bulletin. AARP does not endorse candidates for public office or make contributions to political campaigns or candidates. To learn more, visit www.aarp.org or follow @aarp and our CEO @JoAnn_Jenkins on Twitter. CONTACT: Jacklyn Isasi (609) 902-6242, [email protected] SOURCE AARP Pennsylvania Related Links http://www.aarp.org WASHINGTON, March 16, 2018 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Kids in Wyoming will unite against tobacco use on March 21 as they join thousands of young people nationwide to mark Kick Butts Day. More than 1,000 events are planned across the United States for this annual day of youth activism, sponsored by the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids. (See below for a list of local events.) On Kick Butts Day, kids encourage their peers to be tobacco-free, reject tobacco companies' devious marketing and urge elected officials to help make the next generation tobacco-free. This year, Kick Butts Day is focusing attention on the progress the U.S. has made in reducing youth smoking and the actions needed to create the first tobacco-free generation. Since 2000, the national smoking rate among high school students has fallen by 71 percent (from 28 percent in 2000 to 8 percent in 2016). However, the fight against tobacco is far from over: Tobacco use is still the No. 1 cause of preventable death in the U.S., killing over 480,000 people and costing about $170 billion in health care expenses each year. in health care expenses each year. Tobacco companies spend $8.9 billion a year $1 million every hour to market tobacco products in the U.S., often in ways that appeal to kids. a year every hour to market tobacco products in the U.S., often in ways that appeal to kids. Electronic cigarettes have become the most popular tobacco product used by kids nationwide, 11.3 percent of high school students use e-cigarettes compared to 8 percent who smoke cigarettes. The latest trend with teens is JUUL, an e-cigarette that looks like a computer flash drive and comes in flavors like mango and fruit medley. In Wyoming, tobacco use claims 800 lives and costs $258 million in health care bills each year. Currently, 15.7 percent of Wyoming's high school students smoke. On Kick Butts Day, kids and health advocates are calling on elected officials to implement proven strategies that make up a "roadmap to a tobacco-free generation." These strategies include tobacco tax increases, comprehensive smoke-free laws, raising the tobacco sale age to 21, well-funded tobacco prevention programs and banning the sale of flavored tobacco products. "On Kick Butts Day, kids are celebrating the progress we've made to reduce tobacco use and building momentum to get us across the finish line," said Matthew L. Myers, President of the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids. "Elected leaders in every state can help create the first tobacco-free generation by supporting proven strategies to prevent youth tobacco use." On Kick Butts Day, kids join in creative events ranging from classroom activities to educate their peers about the harmful ingredients in cigarettes to rallies at state capitols. In Wyoming, activities include: Family Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) Youth Leaders from across the state will gather in Cheyenne to learn about the dangers of tobacco use and how to kick butts before heading back to their communities to promote local events. Time: 2:30 PM. Location: 2800 W. Lincolnway, Cheyenne. Contact: Angela Sweep (307)780-5224. Students 4 Change is encouraging Gillette middle and high school students to participate in the Chalk the Walk. Students, along with adults from the Campbell County Prevention Council, will walk from the town recreation center to the library and back to the junior high school. They will chalk phrases outside various businesses to encourage people to stop smoking, chewing, and vaping. Time: 3:10 PM. Location: 250 Shoshone Avenue, Gillette. Contact: Carmen Toole (605) 940-7334. On March 23, after participating in the Chalk the Walk, students at Twin Spruce Junior High in Gillette will host a #pledgewall and encourage their friends to sign the wall and pledge to be tobacco free. Time: 3 PM. Location: 100 E. 7th Street, Gillette. Contact: Kacee Hardy (307) 214-8482. All events will take place March 21 unless otherwise indicated. For a full list of Kick Butts Day activities in Wyoming, visit www.kickbuttsday.org/map. Additional information about tobacco, including state-by-state statistics, can be found at www.tobaccofreekids.org. SOURCE Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids Related Links http://www.tobaccofreekids.org WIESBADEN, Germany, March 16, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- More than 1,800 works seized by German authorities in 2013, amid investigations into forgery rings operating throughout Europe, have been confirmed as genuine, following an extensive five-year investigation into their authenticity. The collection, including works by Kasimir Malevich, El Lissitzky, Vladimir Tatlin and Natalia Goncharova, have now been returned to renowned collector Itzhak Zarug after a thorough examination by the German police and more than 10 expert witnesses. The investigation declared that all allegations of forgery were unsubstantiated, lifting a damaging taint on the value and prestige of the Zarug collection. German state prosecutors leading the investigation first withdrew the central indictments on 7th February 2018, a U-turn which was reaffirmed in today's judgement. Mr Zarug was arrested in June 2013 following raids on his apartments and galleries amid investigations into an alleged international art forgery ring. All allegations have now been dismissed in the face of overwhelming evidence which both exonerates Mr Zarug, accepts his collection as genuine, and rejects the existence of an international art forgery ring. During the trial, the German courts heard incontrovertible scientific evidence following extensive scientific and art-historical analysis. The German authorities also requested assistance from authorities and experts in Israel, France Spain, Switzerland and the UK, with each country undertaking their own investigation in the Zarug collection and finding no fault. This included verification from leading independent art authenticators, following careful analysis and chemical testing. Two of the experts involved in this case were Dr Erhard Jagers, a leading chemist, specialising in the analysis of works of art and a director of the Microanalytical Laboratory in Borheim, Germany, as well as distinguished Russian avant-garde scholar and President of the International Chamber of Russian Modernism, Dr Patricia Railing. Speaking today, Mr Zarug said: "Reason and justice have prevailed, and my pictures can at last be enjoyed without suspicion or concern. I am pleased that the allegations against me and against my pictures have been proven to be unfounded. We wish to thank the German authorities for the diligence, objectivity and intensity of their investigation into my collection. The degree of thorough scientific and historical analysis can leave no doubt that these paintings are true and genuine masterpieces of the Russian avant-garde." SOURCE Zarug Legal Team The NSW state government is believed to have bought the Fernhill trophy estate Mulgoa, on the outskirts of Sydney, for $27.25 million. The 384 hectare property was initially listed for $30 million in 2016, with a sale last year expected to be close to that figure. It was set to become a cemetery, although Fernhill never changed hands after local objections put an end to the sale, which saw Sydney's Rookwood General Cemeteries Reserve Trust walk away. The state government are yet to announce what they intend to do with the property. The property, the former home of property tycoon Warren Anderson, was sold by struggling debenture company Angas Securities after its deal with Simon Tripp failed to proceed to final implementation. Christie's International agent Ken Jacobs had the listing of the Georgian mansion. If you are new to iQ you can schedule a demo and learn more about this opportunity. PSFK iQ - Where Innovators Turn for Research. Our professional-grade research platform is designed specifically for Retail and CX leaders who want to know whats next. Whether youre staying current on trends or need a real-time research partner to help you get ahead, count on PSFK iQ to deliver the info you need to make your next move. For her new YA novel, Stay Sweet, Siobhan Vivian serves up a blend of feminism, friendship, history, romance, work ethic, andoh yeahice cream. In the book, 17-year-old Amelia, Head Girl at the all-female-run Meade Creamery, finds her true passion while navigating relationships and trying to emulate the legendary ice cream stands impressive founder, Molly Meade. We spoke with Vivian about the tasty research she did for the book, her high school summer job resume, and how her discovery of creative writing partly inspired the story. Whats your favorite summary of Stay Sweet so far? How are you describing the book to people? I think it was on my ARC that somebody called it Mystic Pizza meets The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants and I thought that was such a fun this meets that for the book. Though the connotation of The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants is these magical pants, the mystery and the magicalness of the pants goes away and its really about the relationships of the girls. And I love Mystic Pizza too. You have the great relationship between three girls working at a small business and an older woman making the pizza, who has the secret recipes, and wondering if she will pass along these recipes to the girls. Ive kind of loved that pitch. Those are two nice comparisons to the book, I think. To me, its a story about a girl falling in love with work, falling in love with the thing she wants to do. It kind of mimics my own experience discovering creative writing, feeling really adrift and then finding this thing that doesnt feel like work in the way that I always thought work was supposed to feel. It felt just wonderful. When people, particularly my husband, see me around deadline time, unshowered after hours spent cramming to get my draft together and turned in, Im sure from the outside I probably look like I might not be enjoying myself. But the truth is Im so happy being at my desk chest-deep in my story trying to wade my way through. And I wanted to write about that experience. Was that self-discovery about your passion for writing part of what sparked the idea for this book? I think sometimes the magic of a book coming together is like several experiences dovetailing under the umbrella of the story. But the real impetus of this book came to me following a library visit in rural Ohio. As I was leaving, some of the kids there told me, You should make sure to hit the ice cream stand down the road. Its really great, the spot in town. So, yeah, of course, Im definitely doing that! I traveled a bit down the road and there was this roadside stand with not much around it, except some picnic tables. And theres a line, even though its kind of an off time, maybe 2 pm on a Saturday afternoon. I get up to the window and there are all these girls working in the pit of the ice cream stand making their cones. Its a really small space but theyre almost like dancers, gracefully moving about the stand with cones and getting the job done. However, I did notice that the girl who was helping me was wearing a t-shirt, like a uniform, that said, Hot Fudge Hotties. And I thought, thats weird; thats kind of a strange saying. And so I asked her, Whats the deal with the t-shirt? She sort of rolled her eyes at me and thumbed towards the back of the stand, where I saw a young man, probably college-age, on the phone with his feet kicked up on the desk, like the lord of the castle, and he wasnt wearing the shirt, he wasnt a hot fudge hottie. So I just took my cone and went and sat at the picnic table, and from that experience, this thing just started to pop inside me like popcorn, all different kinds of ideas about what that meant, what that kind of workplace would be like. Here are these girls working so hard but they have these shirts on that are demeaning, and heres this guy looking like the alpha male with all these girls in his charge. This thing really festered and sat inside me. And during recent times, certainly during this past [presidential] election, while watching women really come into their own as leaders, all that started to percolate in there too. It kind of became this perfect storm of issues of female empowerment and girls being strong with other girls. How do you manage your peers? How do you remain likeable while being a manager? All of this was churning together when I sat down to write the book. Your books have been critically lauded for their portrayals of realistic, strong girls. Have you always seen yourself that way? And, how does it feel to be a champion of feminism when, in many ways, women are having a moment, their voices re-invigorated? As an extroverted person, I am oftentimes one of the loudest voices in the room. That said, I really struggle with my peers and wanting to maintain likeability, and I have some trouble with confidence or projecting myself as somebody who is a leader or in charge. I often default to jokester, or a person who doesnt take herself seriously and I like to disarm people sometimes in that way. And I recognize that that is not necessarily putting me in a position of strength. I read an article in the New York Times a couple of years ago about a leadership academy where girls can go and act out ways to project confidence, because oftentimes confidence comes off as being unlikeable. What a trap that is. There were girls in this article who were saying, we dont like to be picked to manage a project at school because delegating work to our peers makes us come off like were mean. And I thought, oh my gosh, how difficult it could be to be a strong woman, a woman whos in charge, if you feel like you cant execute basic responsibilities of leadership. That somehow makes you fear being unlikeable, just having expectations of people. God forbid somebody doesnt live up to those expectations. Then what do you do? Personally speaking, this is something I have struggled with and continue to struggle with, and seeing that its something that contemporary teens are struggling with, it sets up a difficult path to success, for women to really embrace roles of leadership. Certainly that question of likeability came out plenty during the election, with a woman who was arguably the most prepared, experienced candidate. Her articulating that success, and being comfortable with that success was judgedwomen included in thatas unlikeable. That is really sticky for the future. We need to be talking about that more. Youre a mom and your daughters are still very young. But are there any ways that you consciously think about addressing these issues with them? It is something I think about. Its sort of half fixing my own issues with it. How can I model this behavior for my daughters if some of these things are things that I struggle with? I can see that my younger daughter, especially, is praise-driven in a way that I am, and I can see down the line where that sort of thing can become an impediment to being self-possessed, being self-motivated, being strong. My hope is that I get to address those shortcomings in myself and in tandem try to steer my daughters toward a stronger, more self-possessed place. What kind of summer jobs did you have when you were a teenager? Did any of those experiences make their way into Amelias story? My very first job in high school, I worked for a local pharmacy. It was kind of in the waning days where a mom-and-pop shop could survive. The Rite-Aids and the Walgreens hadnt moved in so hard into our town. It was a very small store that had once had a soda counter that was then repurposed into storage. And I always liked the idea that this place had been around for a long time and you could see that history in the space. And then, after that, I worked all through high school and into my college years at my local Pier 1 Imports. It sounds so funny, but we had such a cool crew of young people who worked there and we got along so well. I would work the early shift, the stock shift, to unload the trucks. It was 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. and we were sort of left to our own devices. We worked really hard but we also had so much fun. I remember one time where we expected a large truck to come and we unloaded it so quickly that the five of us ended up climbing into the pillow wall until the store opened for the day. This is many, many years ago now but Im still really friendly with the five people I used to work that shift with. In addition to sharing behind-the-scenes information about the ice cream world in your book, you include [ice cream stand founder] Mollys diary entries from her businesss earliest days during WWII. What kind of research did you do? In the ice cream half of that question, Pittsburgh [where Vivian lives] has two very well-known ice cream artisans here. There are two women who own a small business called Leonas, and they make ice cream sandwiches. And we have Millies, which is more of an ice cream scoop shop. I reached out to both of them and both were incredibly generous with time and access, and answering my questions. I got to go into the production facilities of both of these ice cream makers and watch them do their stuff. At Leonas, they do everything they need to do with one big Emery Thompson ice cream machine and its really astounding to me that you could have such a small footprint and have such incredible output. I got to sit there in the factory space watching them make ice cream and have them talk to me about what happens if you do this or that, how things can go wrong, what the machinery looks like. They take it very seriously. The ladies at Leonas went through the Penn State ice cream program which is super rigorous and I wanted to get in the weeds with them. They really helped me with unwrapping what Mollys secret recipe could be in the book. We talked about things that we could flavor ice cream with if sugar wasnt available [due to wartime rations, for example]. Just to have them as a sounding board for that was incredible and a real gift to the writing process, because certainly, those details I wanted to get right. And they definitely made that possible. With the historical stuff, that had really evolved from draft one of this book. When I decided that I wanted to do a deep dive into the story of a woman [from Mollys era] also struggling to have her aspirations taken seriously, it felt like a nice counterpoint to the modern-day story, and was also a way to look athow far have we really come? The first person I reached out to was Judy Blundell, who won the National Book Award and has written a lot of historical fiction. And I said to her, You know, I only remember half of my history lessons from high school, where do I start with this? She suggested tuning in to Turner Classic Movies to get the cadence down of the speech of the time, and, she said, you can find magazines from that time period, and those are really helpful too. I went on to eBay and started digging around and [found] these Seventeen magazines from the time of WWII. I ordered seven of them and started to flip through them and they were amazing. The war is so central to everythingthis idea that the boys are off, and the war is going on, and times are different, and its good to be a patriot. The lipsticks from the time are named things like Victory and Winning Red. Then you also have this awakening of women at the time about what they might want to do and what things are important to them counterbalanced against advertisements for wedding dresseswhich is unbelievable to think that Seventeen magazine would have advertisements for wedding gowns! It was so remarkable. And there was even discussion of race relations then. I remember reading a letter to the editor that was written by a woman who said, I dont think you paid enough attention to the girl who won the contest that you featured because she is black. And Im writing an upset letter to the editor to say that. The activism and awakening that was happening during this time seemed unreal. It was a treasure trove for me. I would sit and read these things cover to cover and would find so much that I wanted to use. Theres also some romance going on in Stay Sweet, too. Did you enjoy writing that? I had a lot of fun with this romance and I think one of the reasons is that I wanted my main character, Amelia, to really blossom in the love of her work and the love of figuring out that this is something that she loves. And it was nice to have a character react to that change in her, watching her come into her own, and find that so incredibly attractive. That was balanced against Amelia, who was feeling, well, yes, there is this really cute boy in the room and she likes being around him and thinks that hes smart. The real love is figuring out what she wants to do and realizing that shes good at it, and it clicks for her. I almost feel like I got to write two love stories, and that felt great. What kinds of things will you be doing to promote the book? Will you be hitting the road? Yes. Ill be going out on a national tour just before the book comes out for a full week of stops. And every event is going to feature ice cream or sweets of some kind. My Pittsburgh event is going to have an ice cream truck parked out in front of the bookstore [White Whale Bookshop], and at my New York event Im having a full-service sundae bar [with ice cream from Brooklyns Ample Hills Creamery] at the bookstore [Books Are Magic]. Were really trying to take the theme and run with it, all while supporting local businesses. And, finally, I have to ask: Whats your favorite flavor of ice cream? Easy. I always go coffee ice cream, chocolate sprinkles. And a sugar cone; sugar cones are my favorite. Thats my go-to. Stay Sweet by Siobhan Vivian. Simon & Schuster, $17.99 Apr. ISBN 978-1-4814-5232-8 Silence is anything but golden in the heavily stigmatized and emotionally fraught instance of sexual violence, whose victims often do not have the resources or the language needed to identify or report the abuse. YA author Erin E. Moulton (Chasing the Milky Way; Keepers of the Labyrinth) seeks to break that silence with Things We Havent Said: Sexual Violence Survivors Speak Out, an anthology illuminating the personal stories of survivors of sexual abuse. Released this week by Zest Books, the compendium aims to give voiceand hopeto children and young adults who have experienced or are experiencing similar abuse. Moulton, who has worked in public libraries in several New England states and is now a librarian in Derry, N.H., said that the seeds of the book began germinating in her mind after she witnessed an incident six years ago, during a library summer reading program for teens. Wed split up into small groups to brainstorm plot ideas for a summer movie, Moulton recalled. From across the room, I heard the word rape, followed by laughter. I assumed there had been some sort of a rape joke and was on my way over to deal with it when a new girl said, Hey, some of us have bad memories. The laughter immediately stopped, and I redirected the conversation, but felt as though I wasnt well equipped to handle the situation. After the program ended, the girls response stuck with me. I wondered if she had been raped, and thought about how uncomfortable it must have made her to have memories of it stirred up at the library. I never found out. That episode shot to the forefront of Moultons memory some months later, while she was weeding nonfiction and got to the 300s at her library. I noticed there were several works on the subject of sexual violence for adults, but far fewer for teens, she noted. And so I started to think about what a good resource would look like. And she soon resolved to create one. After landing a contract with Zest, negotiated by her agent, Ammi-Joan Paquette at the Erin Murphy Literary Agency, she faced the challenge of finding sexual abuse survivors willing to share their stories. She spread word of the book through social media and reached out to two relevant organizations: the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN) and the Voices and Faces Project (these two groups will share the net proceeds from Things We Havent Said). Though she was gratified by the response, Moulton sent out further submission calls online until, she noted, we had a well-rounded collection. It was important to me that we have a variety of voices and represent a range of backgrounds and experiences, to enrich the book. In the end, she whittled down the number of entries to 25 written by individuals who experienced sexual violence between the ages of four and 19, including three male abuse survivors and several LGBTQ survivors. Featuring a foreword by therapist and author Sharon Lamb, Things We Havent Said includes, for each contributor, a piece of her or his creative writing, a q&a with Moulton, and a biographical profile. I find that creative writing engages the reader, especially a teen reader, in a different way than informational text does, said the author. What surprised her most about the creative material submitted was the incredible variety, she added. Everyone seemed to find a form that really worked for them. I also was impressed by how much could be conveyed with such brevity. A Call for Communication and Action The q&a sections explore questions about recovery, coping methods, therapy, dealing with social situations, and abuse warning signals. But the statistics underscorehorrifyinglythe high hurdles kids face in dealing with sexual abuse. In 2015, Moulton reported, an article published in the academic journal Child Maltreatment stated that parents of victims constituted 78% of perpetrators of juvenile sexual violence. So when you think of the lack of information in American classrooms and in the world about this subject, you can appreciate the problem, she said. If home life is often where the abuse takes place and school is where it is ignored, there is a huge power dynamic working against [children], and victims are on an island. Moulton hopes that Things We Havent Said provides young adults with the informationand the languageto identify and report sexual abuse. To that end, she included in the book a glossary of terms to guide kids and help them speak out without shame. There is so much weighted against victims of sexual abuse, including the fear of reprisal, being taken from their homes and put in the [foster care] systemand even knowing what reporting abuse even means, Moulton noted. I want this book to help them learn the right language, identify what is happening, and know how to find help. We say information is power for a very good reason. And I want this book to be healing for survivors, as well as an education for non-survivorsand I hope that it is the start of a larger conversation about what we share with teens in our schools and classrooms. Hallie Warshaw, publisher and creative director of Zest, designed the interior of Things We Havent Heard and worked with Moulton and editor Jeff Campbell to pull together the editorial content. I am extremely proud to be publishing this book, because it brings to light and into the forefront a subject that has largely been ignored until very recently, especially when sexual abuse happens to young people. she observed. Warshaw also addressed the urgent timeliness of the book, evidenced by the recent disclosures and testimony from past and current members of the womens U.S. Olympic Gymnastics team. The fact that it is an anthology of many peoples accounts is very importantthats the #MeToo factor, she said. Just knowing that there are other survivors out there who have been through something similar may make all the difference for someone who is also a survivor and may be suffering in silence. The people who shared their stories in this book are brave and amazing. I am humbled to even be just a small part of their survival journey. Things We Havent Said: Sexual Violence Survivors Speak Out, edited by Erin E. Moulton. Zest Books, paper $16.99 Mar. ISBN 978-1-9421-8634-2 Published on: 15 March 2018 An installation at the Southbank Centre showcased the research from Rio de Janeiro An installation at the Southbank Centre showcased the research from Rio de Janeiro The research also found that two in five Brazilian women living in London had experienced VAWG in both Brazil and the UK, while one third had solely experienced it in Brazil. Transnational research on gender-based violence The findings are the result of a transnational research project on gender-based violence that explored the experiences of over 200 Brazilian women living in London, as well as over 800 women in one of Rio de Janeiros largest favela, Complexo da Mare. The project was conducted in partnership with the Latin American Womens Rights Service in London and with Redes da Mare (Networks of Mare) and the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro in Brazil. 56 per cent of the women surveyed never reported an episode of violence in London, for reasons that included shame and fear of deportation due to insecure immigration status. This figure was even higher in Rio de Janeiro, where 64 per cent of women did not report the violence because they did not believe it to be sufficiently serious. Emotional and psychological violence was the most commonly experienced type of violence in London (48 per cent), while physical violence was the most common type experienced in Rio de Janeiro (42 per cent). The intersectionality of Violence Against Women and Girls The researchers also found that VAWG was intersectional; women of mixed race were more likely to experience violence (63 per cent) than white women (44 per cent). Lead author Professor Cathy McIlwaine, who undertook the research at Queen Mary before joining Kings College London, and whose research revolves around issues of gender, poverty and violence in cities of the global South, especially in Latin America, presented the insights at a seminar at the Embassy of Brazil in London on Wednesday 14 March. She was joined by fellow researcher Professor Paul Heritage from Queen Mary and their colleagues from the partner organisations, as well as the team from the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro led by Dr Miriam Krenzinger. A major pandemic of our time Commenting on the findings, Professor McIlwaine said: This research has provided an evidence base to show that VAWG is a major pandemic of our time and we need to do a lot more to address it. But by working in a transnational way between the UK and Brazil, we have been able to show that deep-rooted structural gender inequalities underlie VAWG everywhere, and that it varies in nature in different places requiring specific responses. The research findings from London also revealed that two-thirds of VAWG was perpetrated by men known to women and, strikingly, that most (78 per cent) took place in the public sphere, not behind closed doors; while just under a quarter of the violence disclosed was committed by an intimate partner. Fear of deportation Professor McIlwaine continued: The recent global #MeToo campaign has been really important in highlighting that VAWG is not just domestic violence in the home. Yet it has been less likely to recognise the voices of more invisible or marginalised women. While VAWG affected Brazilian women from all backgrounds, the most severe types are experienced by those in the most vulnerable economic and legal situations in London and living in communities with high levels of public insecurity in Rio, such as the study community of Mare. She added: We found that Brazilian womens right to seek help and support when they were exposed to VAWG was routinely undermined in London. Women who struggled with speaking English or whose status was insecure were especially fearful of reporting because of fear of deportation. Abusive partners often take advantage of this; we interviewed women who had ended-up in police cells in London being accused of crimes they did not commit because they did not speak English or they were undocumented and their partners had lied about incidences of domestic violence. It is therefore essential to acknowledge womens human rights to be protected from VAWG, regardless of their immigration status. Different forms of violence Last week, the research project team held an audio-visual installation at Londons Southbank Centre based on the testimonies from 20 women interviewed during the research in Rio de Janeiro. These findings were also presented during the seminar at the Brazilian Embassy. In comparing the results from the two contexts, these initially showed that reported incidences of VAWG in Rio de Janeiro were lower than in London (almost 40 percent of women had stated they had suffered, compared with 82 percent in London). However, it soon emerged that this was because the women in Rio did not acknowledge certain types of VAWG such as coercive control and financial manipulation to be a form of gender-based violence (the former now acknowledged in the UK as a crime, and the latter part of the current domestic violence act draft legislation as of last week). More information Televisa continues trimming its portfolio of non-core assets with the sale of its 50% stake in the Televisa CJ Grand home shopping channel in Mexico. The network was formed through a joint venture with CJ O Shopping, a South Korean company owned by the Seoul-based CJ Group.According to the information sent to Mexicos stock market authority, Televisa will continue providing certain services to CJ O Shopping for the channels production and distribution in Mexico.This transaction has resulted from Televisas ongoing thorough review of its portfolio of assets, which includes the disposition of select non-core operations, said the media giant.As part of its strategy, Televisa also sold its 19% participation in Spains Mediapro to the Chinese capital fund Oriental Hontai in a deal worth 284 million.The Mediapro and CJ Grand sales wont be the last such moves, as Televisa intends to focus on its main business areas content production and distribution, as well as pay-TV in Mexico and Central America. Leading global music channel MTV is hitting the shores of Hawaii with the green light of a US version of the global youth brands international phenomenon, Ex on the Beach. Multi-platinum rapper and actor Romeo is set to host the social experiment, which features ten romantically embattled reality stars. The guests come from the Bachelorette, Big Brother, Bachelor in Paradise, The Challenge, Vanderpump Rules, Are You The One? and Bad Girls Club, alongside everyday singles who show up for what they think is a run-of-the-mill love and dating show in paradise, only to be completely blindsided by their exes (in some cases multiple) face-to-face.The ten-episode series will debut on MTV on 19 April.The US series is the 11th local adaptation of the hit format and marks the first time that an MTV International - originated format has been localised by MTV in the US. In ousting his chief diplomat on Tuesday, U.S. President Donald Trump has eliminated a key champion for ending the monthslong Gulf crisis over Qatar and left U.S. plans to resolve the dispute in flux. Trump's surprise decision to replace Secretary of State Rex Tillerson with CIA Director Mike Pompeo sent shock waves through Washington, just a week before Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is set to visit. Tillerson had close ties with all the Gulf leaders from his four decades with Exxon Mobil, while Pompeo is largely seen as more sympathetic to Saudi criticism of Qatari ties to Islamists and Iran. The People's Republic of China seeks to contest information dominance () and discursive dominance () in cyberspace. For the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), cybersecurity is integral to comprehensive state security (). That's distinct from national' security in that it focuses on preserving stability and legitimacy to ensure the regime's survival. Xi Jinping has said that without cybersecurity, there is no state security'. In this concept of cybersecurity, information security and control take priority. Indeed, for the CCP, threats to cyber sovereignty () are seen as existential in nature. For that reason, the People's Liberation Army (PLA) is actively building its capabilities to engage in military struggle' () in the cyber domain. The CCP has long believed itself to be engaged in an ideological contest in cyberspace. It has sought to counter foreign hostile forces' () through censorship and propaganda. It blames those influences for popular protests that have overthrown authoritarian governments, as in the Arab Spring. Tellingly, a research centre with the Cyberspace Administration of China has written, If our party cannot traverse the hurdle represented by the internet, it cannot traverse the hurdle of remaining in power for the long term.' So far, China has defied initial, utopian expectations for the future of the internet. Instead, the CCP has sought to reshape and harness the internet as a tool to enhance its social control, while still allowing a vibrant digital economy to thrive within certain parameters. Xi Jinping articulated the objective for China to become a cyber superpower' (), to be not only the world's largest nation in cyberspace, but also the most powerful. His own consolidation of power has included gaining absolute control over the PLA, in line with Mao's maxim that the Party commands the gun'. China's 2015 national defence white paper on military strategywhich included the PLA's commitment to remain a staunch force for upholding the CCP's ruling position' and to preserve social stability'also called for the PLA to expedite the development of a cyber force' and to enhance its capabilities in cyberspace situation awareness' and cyber defence. The stated objectives of these forces are to stem major cyber crises, ensure national network and information security, and maintain national security and social stability'. At a basic level, the PLA's approach to employing military cyber forces should be understood as another piece in China's strategy of active defence' (). In essence, that means, We will not attack unless we are attacked, but we will surely counter-attack if attacked.' When applied to the cyber domain, this logic implies that offensive operations at the tactical and operational levels would be consistent with a defensive orientation at the strategic level. At the strategic level, the question of what constitutes an attack' is likely to be decided according to political and ideological factors, particularly in cyberspace. According to an authoritative text on information operations, the PLA should emphasise active defence if facing a formidable enemy', but might pursue an active offensive' against a weaker enemy in order to achieve rapid battlefield information superiority. PLA concepts of cyber conflict are informed by Chinese strategic culture. For the US and most Western militaries, there's a clear distinction between peace' and war'. In contrast, the PLA appears to place these along a spectrum. In the Science of military strategy, PLA thinkers discuss the dynamics of military struggle in the cyber domain, highlighting the functional integration' of peacetime and wartime in cyberspace. The PLA's official dictionary of military terminology defines military struggle as the use of military methods in order to advance the struggle among nation states or political groups to achieve a definite political, economic or other objective; the highest form is warfare'. This concept has Marxist and Maoist antecedents consistent with the CCP's tradition of combined political and military struggle. That includes its history of political warfare that today provokes concerns about Beijing's interference in democracies. Notably, the PRC's pursuit of a national strategy of militarycivil fusion () not only seeks to leverage synergies between commercial and defence developments, but also intends to take advantage of civilian personnel in defence and force development. The Science of military strategy argues that: In light of the ambiguous boundaries between peacetime and wartime in cyber countermeasures, and the characteristic that military and civilian attacks are hard to distinguish, persist in the integration of peace and war [and] in militarycivil integration; in peacetime, use civilians to hide the military; in wartime, the military and the people, hands joined, attack together . The Central MilitaryCivil Fusion Development Commission, under the leadership of Xi Jinping himself, established the Cyberspace Security MilitaryCivil Fusion Innovation Centre (). Qihoo 360, a major cybersecurity enterprise, will lead the centre. The new centre will seek to improve national cyber defences and could even explore the creation of cyber militia and teams'. Looking forward, the PLA sees space, cyberspace and the electromagnetic domain as critical strategic frontiers' () and the commanding heights' () of future warfare. In particular, the PLA is concentrating on information operations' () that include cyberwarfare, electronic warfare and psychological warfare. Traditionally, core aspects of PLA strategic thinking have included the focus on seizing information dominance' () through strikes against key nodes in an adversary's command and control systems using integrated information and firepower assaults. Unsurprisingly given the perceived dominance of offensive attacks in this domain, the PLA is believed to prefer seizing the initiative through a first strike (). Increasingly, the PLA considers cyber capabilities a critical component in its overall integrated strategic deterrence posture, alongside space and nuclear deterrence. PLA thinkers highlight that blinding', paralysing' and chaos-inducing' methods of deterrence in cyber, space and other domains will probably possess even more ideal deterrence outcomes'. The establishment of the Strategic Support Force () in 2015 integrated the PLA's space, cyber, electronic and psychological warfare capabilities in order to enhance its capability to achieve dominance in these new commanding heights of future warfare. The Peoples Republic of China seeks to contest information dominance (a????) and discursive dominance (???) in cyberspace. For the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), cybersecurity is integral to comprehensive state security (a??a?a?). Thats distinct from national security in that it focuses on preserving stability and legitimacy to ensure the regimes survival. Xi Jinping has said that without cybersecurity, there is no state security. In this concept of cybersecurity, information security and control take priority. Indeed, for the CCP, threats to cyber sovereignty (c?c???) are seen as existential in nature. For that reason, the Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) is actively building its capabilities to engage in military struggle (a??a???a?) in the cyber domain. The CCP has long believed itself to be engaged in an ideological contest in cyberspace. It has sought to counter foreign hostile forces (???a?a??) through censorship and propaganda. It blames those influences for popular protests that have overthrown authoritarian governments, as in the Arab Spring. Tellingly, a research centre with the Cyberspace Administration of China has written, If our party cannot traverse the hurdle represented by the internet, it cannot traverse the hurdle of remaining in power for the long term. So far, China has defied initial, utopian expectations for the future of the internet. Instead, the CCP has sought to reshape and harness the internet as a tool to enhance its social control, while still allowing a vibrant digital economy to thrive within certain parameters. Xi Jinping articulated the objective for China to become a cyber superpower (c?c??a?), to be not only the worlds largest nation in cyberspace, but also the most powerful. His own consolidation of power has included gaining absolute control over the PLA, in line with Maos maxim that the Party commands the gun. Chinas 2015 national defence white paper on military strategywhich included the PLAs commitment to remain a staunch force for upholding the CCPs ruling position and to preserve social stabilityalso called for the PLA to expedite the development of a cyber force and to enhance its capabilities in cyberspace situation awareness and cyber defence. The stated objectives of these forces are to stem major cyber crises, ensure national network and information security, and maintain national security and social stability. At a basic level, the PLAs approach to employing military cyber forces should be understood as another piece in Chinas strategy of active defence (??e??). In essence, that means, We will not attack unless we are attacked, but we will surely counter-attack if attacked. When applied to the cyber domain, this logic implies that offensive operations at the tactical and operational levels would be consistent with a defensive orientation at the strategic level. At the strategic level, the question of what constitutes an attack is likely to be decided according to political and ideological factors, particularly in cyberspace. According to an authoritative text on information operations, the PLA should emphasise active defence if facing a formidable enemy, but might pursue an active offensive against a weaker enemy in order to achieve rapid battlefield information superiority. PLA concepts of cyber conflict are informed by Chinese strategic culture. For the US and most Western militaries, theres a clear distinction between peace and war. In contrast, the PLA appears to place these along a spectrum. In the Science of military strategy, PLA thinkers discuss the dynamics of military struggle in the cyber domain, highlighting the functional integration of peacetime and wartime in cyberspace. The PLAs official dictionary of military terminology defines military struggle as the use of military methods in order to advance the struggle among nation states or political groups to achieve a definite political, economic or other objective; the highest form is warfare. This concept has Marxist and Maoist antecedents consistent with the CCPs tradition of combined political and military struggle. That includes its history of political warfare that today provokes concerns about Beijings interference in democracies. Notably, the PRCs pursuit of a national strategy of militarycivil fusion (a???e?a?) not only seeks to leverage synergies between commercial and defence developments, but also intends to take advantage of civilian personnel in defence and force development. The Science of military strategy argues that: In light of the ambiguous boundaries between peacetime and wartime in cyber countermeasures, and the characteristic that military and civilian attacks are hard to distinguish, persist in the integration of peace and war [and] in militarycivil integration; in peacetime, use civilians to hide the military; in wartime, the military and the people, hands joined, attack together . The Central MilitaryCivil Fusion Development Commission, under the leadership of Xi Jinping himself, established the Cyberspace Security MilitaryCivil Fusion Innovation Centre (c?c??e?a?a?a???e?a??a??a?). Qihoo 360, a major cybersecurity enterprise, will lead the centre. The new centre will seek to improve national cyber defences and could even explore the creation of cyber militia and teams. Looking forward, the PLA sees space, cyberspace and the electromagnetic domain as critical strategic frontiers (??c??c??) and the commanding heights (a?e?c?) of future warfare. In particular, the PLA is concentrating on information operations (??a???) that include cyberwarfare, electronic warfare and psychological warfare. Traditionally, core aspects of PLA strategic thinking have included the focus on seizing information dominance (a????) through strikes against key nodes in an adversarys command and control systems using integrated information and firepower assaults. Unsurprisingly given the perceived dominance of offensive attacks in this domain, the PLA is believed to prefer seizing the initiative through a first strike (a??a?a??). Increasingly, the PLA considers cyber capabilities a critical component in its overall integrated strategic deterrence posture, alongside space and nuclear deterrence. PLA thinkers highlight that blinding, paralysing and chaos-inducing methods of deterrence in cyber, space and other domains will probably possess even more ideal deterrence outcomes. The establishment of the Strategic Support Force (??c???e?e??) in 2015 integrated the PLAs space, cyber, electronic and psychological warfare capabilities in order to enhance its capability to achieve dominance in these new commanding heights of future warfare. The late pundit Robert Novak used to say that government officials can choose to be either a source or a target. In other words, leak information to reporters and you can count on flattering coverage and protection from them. An added bonus to leaking, as former Intelligence Director Jim Clapper discovered, is that the network to which you are leaking will turn you into a paid contributor. According to Congressman Jim Jordan, speaking to Fox News, Clapper was actually the guy leaking information to CNN about the presidential briefing on the Steele dossier that served as the pretext for the media feeding frenzy over possible Russian blackmail of Trump. The school walkoutaor to speak correctly, the Enough! National School Walkoutatook place on March 14. The point of the event was to call attention to the need for gun-control legislation. Students were to walk out of their classrooms at 10:00 a.m. for 17 minutes to remember the 17 people killed at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School.Thousands of students took part in the nationwide event, which was duly pronounced a success by the enthusiastic news media. The Enough! walkout was planned by the organizers of the 2017 Women's March, and like that event it was hard to know what the aim was or what constituted success. The spectacle of kids standing around in school parking lots instead of sitting in classrooms seems unlikely to pressure state and federal lawmakers to alter their views on gun legislation.The most passionate among the protester-studentsamy teenaged daughter holds this view even more firmly than I doafeel strongly about the issue of gun-control precisely because they know hardly anything about it. Which is why, as anybody with a touch of common sense might have predicted, a huge proportion of the walkout participants had no interest in addressing gun violence and mainly enjoyed the chance to get out of class and crack jokes with friends and, for a few, smoke a furtive cigarette or two. To grasp the significance of Donald Trumps decision to replace Rex Tillerson with Mike Pompeo, its worth remembering how Tillerson became secretary of state in the first place. He got the job, in large measure, because Condoleezza Rice and Robert Gates urged Trump to hire him. Rice and Gates knew Tillerson because they both consulted for his company, Exxon, and because Tillerson sat alongside Gates on the board of the Boy Scouts. In explaining the logic behind pushing for Tillerson, Rice told The New Yorkers Dexter Filkins that, This president doesnt trust the foreign-policy establishment. A businessman who has made big oil dealswe thought that would be something that Trump would be comfortable with. The news that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un would meet with President Trump has strained the prodigious capacity of the Trump Resistance to debunk his accomplishments. Anti-Trump journalists who don't know anything about war in general, and Anyone who follows coverage of racial politics in America will notice how often Asians are elided in opinion surveys, and how often they are portrayed in an incoherent and nakedly instrumental manner. Mother Jones, for instance, emblazoned the headline Silicon Valley Firms Are Even Whiter and More Male Than You Thought over a story disclosing that Googles workforce was 60 percent white (less than the share of white people in the general population) and 34 percent Asian (nearly six times greater than the share of Asians in the general population). Asians arent seen as a real minoritynobody has them in mind when they speak of minorities, and thus the hiring of many Asians does not count for those in pursuit of diversity. This exclusion has been formalized into the bureaucratic euphemism underrepresented minority, which means minorities who are not Asian. Washington is paralyzed by conflict over consumer and environmental regulations. Rules ranging from pesticide control to emission limits are stalled because of legislative or legal challenges. It doesnt have to be that way. California recently took the lead in mandating the clear communication of ingredients in popular cleaning products with the passage of a new law. The Cleaning Product Right to Know Act, authored by state Sen. Ricardo Lara and signed by Gov. Jerry Brown late last year, requires extensive disclosure of ingredients of household and commercial cleaners and auto care products. It was the result of months-long negotiations between environmental advocates and name-brand consumer product companies, a rare example of agreement in todays polarized political landscape. The law is important nationally. As a practical matter, it doesnt make financial or business sense for manufacturers to revise their packaging just for the products they sell in California. Most manufacturers and retailers want one label for the entire U.S. market. Walmart, the nations largest retailer, announced it will voluntarily accept Californias law because it meets its own disclosure requirements for the cleaning products it sells. Other major retailers are considering doing the same. While this is progress, manufacturers still face the potential for different rules across the U.S. with either states or retailers establishing conflicting requirements that create confusion along with significant added costs. Congress can change this by pursuing a national solution that incorporates the collaborative spirit of Californias successful negotiation to guide much-needed federal action. A single, nationally recognized standard has long been needed to replace the complicated and increasingly incompatible set of disclosure rules now issued by states and retailers. In addition, without such a standard, consumer and commercial prices on cleaners would surely rise if regional labeling was necessary. It wasnt easy to find a consensus. Environmental and public health groups believe that consumers and workers need to know a lot more about the cleaning products in their kitchens, bathrooms and work spaces. Product manufacturers want labels that educate their customers about safety without alarming them unnecessarily or providing details so minute that they obscure serious messages about human health. California wisely avoided this clutter by giving companies the option of disclosing on their package labels either the intentionally added ingredients or the ingredients that concern health experts the most. A comprehensive explanation of ingredient information must also be provided online. The balanced solution that California lawmakers devised allows consumers and workers to see the facts they really need to know because the labeling includes important ingredients, such as those that have been linked to various health concerns. The law was backed by more than 100 environmental and public health groups, including the Natural Resources Defense Council, Breast Cancer Prevention Partners, Womens Voices for the Earth and the Environmental Working Group, as well as cleaning product giants such as ECOLAB, Procter & Gamble, Reckitt Benckiser and SC Johnson. Both sides compromised after numerous meetings -- a clear sign of a successful negotiation. But everyone also won something in California: A law that mandates ingredient communication so people can make better-informed decisions about the products they use in their homes and at work. If only Washington could follow this example, the entire country would also benefit. Good morning, its Friday, March 16, 2018, the birthday of James Madison, Americas fourth president and the man often honored as the primary father of the U.S. Constitution. That description is something of a stretch. The profound document -- with its imperfect yet necessary compromises -- was the work of many early American patriots. Yet, much of the heaviest mental lifting was done by the man his future wife, Dolley, had excitedly described in a letter as the great little Madison. Born on this date in 1751, James Madison is remembered for his excellent choice in a spouse, for accompanying American troops into battle, and for the ignominious denouement of the war he launched against Great Britain -- the British burning of the White House and much of official Washington. Mostly, though, Madison is venerated for his contribution to the Federalist Papers and efforts to ensure the Bill of Rights would be part of Americans foundation. Like Thomas Jefferson -- his friend, mentor, and fellow Virginian -- Madison was also a writer with great felicity of language. Ill cites some of my favorite James Madison lines in a moment. First, Id point you to RealClearPolitics front page, which presents our poll averages, videos, breaking news stories, and aggregated opinion columns spanning the political spectrum. We also offer original material from our own reporters and contributors, including the following: * * * We Don't Need Government to Regulate the Internet. Ryan Hagemann explains why in RealClearPolicy. Bear Stearns Bailout Didnt Avert Financial Crisis -- It Was the Crisis. In RealClearMarkets, Peter Wallison looks back on the 10-year anniversary of the federal rescue of the investment bank. If You Need an Inclusion Rider to Make It in Movies, You Wont. Also in RCM, editor John Tamny takes a dim view of the Matt Damon/Ben Affleck promise of diversity in their hiring/casting decisions. The Hidden Role of Chemical Weapons in 9/11 Attacks. In RealClearDefense, Ian Wilkie has the story. Gauging the Evolution of Chinese Nuclear Doctrine. Also in RCD, Lorenzo Termine argues that the U.S. must determine whether China is modernizing its arsenal solely for second-strike purposes or to threaten a first strike. Truman Doctrine Pushed America Into World Politics. In RealClearHistory, Richard Brownell writes that Harry Truman's offer of $400 million in aid to Greece and Italy in 1947 forced the U.S. out of postwar isolationism. What Space Warfare Would Look Like. In RealClearLife, Lee Ferran interviews the former head of the militarys Star Wars program about the potential battlefield of the future. * * * Although its true, as some conservatives like to assert, that the phrase separation of church and state is nowhere in the Constitution, its also true that the sentiment informs the document -- and was explicitly discussed by several of Americas Founders, including Thomas Jefferson and John Adams. James Madison, too. Here is how he put it in 1785: Who does not see that the same authority which can establish Christianity, in exclusion of all other Religions, may establish with the same ease any particular sect of Christians, in exclusion of all other Sects? Here are three other enduring Madisonisms: --In any political society, parties are unavoidable. The great art of politicians lies in making them checks and balances to each other. --I go on the principle that a public debt is a public curse, and in a Republican government a greater curse than in any other. --A popular government, without popular information, or the means of acquiring it, is but a prologue to a farce or a tragedy; or perhaps both. Carl M. Cannon Washington Bureau chief, RealClearPolitics @CarlCannon (Twitter) ccannon@realclearpolitics.com WASHINGTON -- Russian President Vladimir Putin told NBC's Megyn Kelly this month that in using power, you "must be ready to go all the way to achieve the goals." Now, it seems, Putin has gone all the way too far. Putin's aggressive use of covert action to settle scores hit an international tripwire after the poisoning of a former Russian spy and his daughter in the quiet British cathedral town of Salisbury. An outraged Britain was joined Thursday by France, Germany and America in condemning the murderous use of the banned Soviet-era toxin known as Novichok. A joint statement denounced the attack as "the first offensive use of a nerve agent in Europe since the Second World War" and called it "a breach of international law" that comes "against the background of a pattern of earlier irresponsible Russian behavior." That strong language warrants action by NATO and the U.N.. The Trump administration, after a year of mealy-mouthed, temporizing statements, also announced sanctions Thursday against Russia's "malicious cyberattacks." The sanctions, targeting five Russian organizations and 19 people, will have little practical effect beyond those already in place. What matters is that President Trump finally seems to have eased, at least for the moment, his dubious defense of Putin. "It certainly looks like the Russians were behind it," he said of the poisoning. "We're taking it very seriously." So how can the U.S. and its closest allies alter Putin's behavior, if they're truly serious about holding Russia to account? The answer, say several former senior CIA officials, is to use America's network of alliances to put Russia under strain. Putin has been playing a weak hand well, but the high cards remain in Western hands. Russia's greatest vulnerability is its dependence on sales of oil and gas. Here, the U.S. is uniquely positioned for payback. Consider the ways in which Trump could stress Russia on the energy front. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman visits Washington next week. "MBS," as he's known, has a quiet deal with Moscow to limit oil production sufficiently to keep prices above $60. If MBS truly wants to reciprocate Trump's friendship, he should suspend this oil deal to punish Russia for its unacceptable actions. A united front should include the United Arab Emirates, which has also cultivated a relationship with Moscow as well as Washington. The UAE's military leader, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed, should stand with his American friends now. And Qatar, with one of the world's biggest gas reserves, can appease Trump and show the West that it's a reliable friend by playing the energy card as well -- offering Russia's gas customers deals that are too good to refuse. Russia's outrageous behavior in Syria should be on the table, too. Moscow betrayed the Syrian Kurds, its longtime allies, when it withdrew its forces in January from the Afrin enclave and allowed Turkey to attack Kurdish forces there. The slaughter of civilians in Afrin has been almost as grim as in Goutha, east of Damascus. Incredibly, when asked about chemical weapons use in Syria, Putin told Kelly: "One wants to say, 'Boring.'" Russia has been getting a pass for the Syria carnage, thanks partly to its manipulation of Turkey and its quiet liaison with Israel. But this back-channel hedging of bets needs to stop. If the U.S. is serious about altering Russian behavior, it must organize a new coalition of the willing. For NATO allies and Israel, participation should be mandatory. Putin seems to think he has found the sweet spot of deniability. Kelly pressed him about last month's indictment of 13 Russians, led by Putin's oligarch pal Yevgeniy Prigozhin, for meddling in the U.S. election. Putin responded contemptuously: "I have heard about some of them ... but they are just individuals, they do not represent the Russian government. ... There are some names, so what?" Putin used the phrase "so what" nine times during the interview. That's his tell. He thinks he can get away with it, based on his experience over the last 18 years in power. He hacks political campaigns around the world and insists he's blameless because, as he told Kelly, "the internet is yours." He cynically manipulates the battlefield in Syria, causing thousands of civilian deaths there, and pretends he has a peace plan. When he gets caught cheating, he throws up his hands in mock innocence. By his reckless actions, Putin has sharply raised the price of his admission to the club he needs to join, if his dreams of a revived Russia aren't going to come crashing down around him. Putin says he wants to talk. OK, let's talk. But first, Putin needs to start cleaning up the mess he has created. (c) 2018, Washington Post Writers Group Intriguing tidbits from the week in election surveys and public opinion polls. Some Perspective on Polls: A new study shows that despite some recent high-profile misses, polls are as accurate as theyve ever been. Co-authors Will Jennings of the University of Southampton and Christopher Wlezien of the University of Texas at Austin looked at more than 30,000 polls conducted in 351 elections in 45 different countries between 1942 and 2017. They found that polling errors during that period have held fairly constant at around 2 percent. The authors note their study only analyzed national surveys and did not include referenda (like the Brexit vote). Nevertheless, the study provides a valuable corrective to recent claims that polls have become inherently unreliable. Confrontation Nation: A new survey released by the Polling Institute at St. Leo University reveals some discouraging trends. While its not news that America is a deeply divided country, many of us appear to be losing hope we can reduce those divisions. Just 33 percent say theyre optimistic about reducing political discord in America, a significant drop from the 49 percent who expressed optimism in March of last year. Even more disturbing: People appear to be more accepting of stifling speech and committing crimes on behalf of their political beliefs. Forty-two percent of those surveyed said not all free speech patterns should be protected, up almost seven points from last year. Nineteen percent said that at times, physical violence during demonstrations is justified, up one point from last year. And 17 percent said that damaging property is also sometimes justified during demonstrations, up three points from the previous year. The View From the Ivory Tower: A recent survey of 618 presidents of colleges and universities in the U.S. shows that more than half agree that the 2016 election exposed that academe is disconnected from much of American society. One-third of those surveyed agreed with the statement that the perception of colleges as places that are intolerant of conservative views is accurate. On the positive side, four out of five university presidents say that race relations on their campuses today are either excellent (19 percent) or good (61 percent). Moving the Needle on Guns: Public opinion on gun control appears to have shifted significantly in the wake of the Parkland, Fla., shooting last month. A new Gallup survey shows that 67 percent of Americans favor making laws covering the sale of guns more strict, while 28 percent say they should be less strict. That 67 percent figure is a 12-point increase from October of last year and represents the strongest public support for more restrictive gun sales since 1993. On a related note, a separate Gallup online survey showed teachers in the U.S. do not favor being armed. Seventy-three percent oppose the idea of special training that would allow them to carry guns in school, and 71 percent say the proposal would be not too effective or not effective at all. And only 20 percent say arming teachers would make schools safer, while nearly three times that amount, 58 percent, say the plan would make schools less safe. Speed vs. Accuracy: As the scourge of fake news continues to frustrate consumers, a new Rasmussen poll shows that 62 percent of Americans believe most major news organizations are more concerned with getting a story first than getting it right. That number is unchanged versus a year ago but, perhaps surprisingly, is down significantly from 2013 when the question was first asked. At that time, 84 percent said they believe news outlets were more concerned with speed than accuracy. To execute a historic, unprecedented and high-risk meeting with the rogue regime in North Korea, it was a good idea for President Trump to fire his secretary of state via tweet while planning the firing of his national security adviser, all within 72 hours -- said no one ever. Add to that the commander-in-chief is also likely to can his chief of staff, Gen. John Kelly, and it's no wonder North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has remained silent. Why should he respond before theres a body count? The South Koreans, meanwhile, already anxious about the sacking of Rex Tillerson, must have been stunned to read Wednesday of President Trumps threat -- made at a fundraiser where he bragged about making up facts in a discussion with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau -- to pull U.S. troops out of South Korea should they fail to fall in line with his trade agenda. And Thursday, when the South Korean foreign minister arrived for a meeting previously scheduled with Tillerson, she learned she would instead be meeting with First Daughter Ivanka Trump -- who doesnt hold a permanent security clearance -- for discussions of a nuclear disarmament summit. Since the Trump administration has no ambassador to South Korea, the foremost expert on the Koreas just resigned from the State Department, and incoming Secretary of State Mike Pompeo will not be permitted to communicate with officials from either nation on the peninsula until he is confirmed by the U.S. Senate, this may end up being another Trump family production. Everythings fine here. Or as President Trump says: There is no Chaos, only great Energy! Sure, planning is technically underway for the Bigger Button Meeting, but no one -- including Kim -- knows just what the terms will be for such talks. Trump, after all, does deals, not details. He changes his mind throughout each day. And Kim never put anything in writing anyway. A suspension of missile tests was reportedly offered, but a summit with a U.S. president is a decades long goal of his regime, so suspension of testing -- while continuing development of his nuclear arsenal -- is a great play for time to reach operational capacity while being elevated on the world stage. Indeed, Trumps snap decision was based on a continuation of sanctions and military exercises, during which time North Korea would halt testing so they could discuss permanent denuclearization at a meeting. No verifiable inspections were demanded by the U.S. government first and the North Koreans have a storied history of breaking promises they have made as a means to achieving a summit. Trumps advisers learned what happened after the president instructed the South Korean delegation to inform the media on their own in the dark driveway of the White House. Before they did, they had to call their boss, President Moon Jae-in, to get permission to do so. Trump, who wanted the meeting to take place next month, was advised by the South Koreans that with their own summit with the North Koreans coming up in late April, a faceoff between Kim and Trump would have to wait until May. Somewhere in there, the South Koreans asked for an exemption from the steel tariffs Trump had announced that day. At 6:11 p.m. Thursday, Jonathan Karl of ABC News tweeted: I ran into the President (and VP) in colonnade. I asked him if the South Korea announcement is about negotiations. "It's almost beyond that," he told me. "Hopefully, you will give me credit." Sometime before members of Congress and the rest of official Washington saw it all for the first time on the news, the prime minister of Japan, another key ally on the North Korean nuclear issue, got a last-minute call from President Trump. It was, in diplo-speak, an insult. And all of it was straight out of a movie, just the way Trump likes it. Then overnight some cooler heads got in the way. The experts, after all, would have advised not only caution but silence. Secretary of Defense James Mattis refused to even comment the next day. Because its that delicate, Mattis said, when you get into a position like this. The potential for misunderstanding remains very high or goes higher. While negotiation is widely preferred to further aggression or war, diplomats are alarmed at the prospect of the government racing toward a high-risk meeting for which it wont be prepared, which would ultimately advantage Kim. Normally a presidential summit would be offered as a reward, at the end of good faith negotiations, and not a starting point. Experts say the bottom-line outcome must be determined first. Those years of on-and-off negotiations were like climbing peaks and then sliding down the other side, John Park, director of the Korea Working Group at Harvard Kennedy School, told Bloomberg. The announced Trump-Kim meeting is a very high peak. If it fails, we crash. The day after the bombshell announcement, the walk-back began, with Sarah Huckabee Sanders warning, Look, theyve got to follow through on the promises they made, and even indicating denuclearization was possibly a pre-condition for the meeting -- instead of the goal of the talks. Trump tweeted hopefully that the North Koreans hadnt tested missiles since the end of November and that they wouldnt do so again during the planning and execution of a summit -- I believe they will honor their commitment! Yet neither Sanders, nor any other administration official, has described how or when the U.S. government would determine denuclearization before the summit. Saturday morning the president was not pleased with the coverage of his administrations brake-pumping, and tweeted: 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! No one quite seemed to understand what the president meant by that, so on Monday Sanders clarified that the meeting is on but that "North Korea made several promises. We hope that they would stick to those promises. If so, the meeting will go on as planned." Trump has made it clear he would like the deranged dotard vs. Little Rocket Man faceoff -- he loves a good blockbuster. He also first spoke back in 1999 about how we should negotiate like crazy with the North Koreans. While he complained last weekend at his rally in Pennsylvania that the North Korea problem should have been handled 30 years ago, he said he will handle it. Thats what we do, we handle things. Trump was as exuberant as ever before the crowd, talking up how he might put together the greatest deal for the world. Who knows whats going to happen? It could happen, it couldnt happen, he said. More than likely, it doesn't. In the past decade, Russia has made a strategic breakthrough in terms of developing its military, but before its operations in Syria, it had not tested its armed forces in combat. In this regard, Syria became the perfect laboratory for mastering skills and testing equipment of the Russian military machine. Recent events in Washington, especially the nomination by US President Donald J. Trump of Mike Pompeo to be the next secretary of state and US imposition of tariffs on aluminum and steel imports, combined with a Europe that is politically weakened and internally focused, are helping create what may become the worst divergence in the transatlantic relationship since the 2003 crisis over the war in Iraq. Unlike the Iraq split, which was over one issueFranco-German opposition to the US intervention there the new crisis involves a wide range of complex issues that will be much more difficult to resolve. The replacement of Rex Tillerson with Pompeo, whose paternal great-grandparents came to the United States from Italy, is being greeted in Europe with caution and concern. Tillerson, who favored traditional diplomacy, often agreed with his European Union (EU) counterparts on key issues such as Iran and climate change and was one of a handful of US officials who sought to reassure Europeans that the United States remained committed to the transatlantic alliance. Pompeo is a national security expert but has no diplomatic experience and is widely believed to share Trumps hawkish views on most international issues. Europeans, on the other hand, place much greater emphasis on diplomacy over the use of force. While Pompeos specific views on Europe are not yet known, he may well clash with European officials on a range of issues given his past policy pronouncements, for example, favoring regime change in Iran and North Korea. On the other hand, if he can revitalize the State Department and better manage the implementation of US diplomacy than did Tillerson, that would be welcome in many European capitals and would facilitate cooperation on issues where the two sides of the Atlantic largely agree such as on China and Syria. Transatlantic relations have been fraying since well before the election of Trump in 2016 as a result of US political and diplomatic retrenchment from Europe that began under the Obama administration, which pivoted its foreign policy from Europe to Asia, and growing divergence in policy preferences between US and European leaders. The present rift is more specifically a product of the Trump administrations recent moves to implement the presidents more radical policy ideas such as the trade tariffs and a likely decertification of the Iran nuclear deal in May, which the EU, a signatory to the deal, favors and has worked behind the scenes to shore up in recent months. If the United States walks away from the nuclear deal, that it itself could cause a serious rift with Europe, which already sees the United States under Trump as an unreliable partner. The Trump administrations move last year to deploy US military equipment and forces to Eastern Europe partly put to rest concerns about the presidents commitment to NATO given his previous statements about the allies not paying their fair share of the military burden and his initial failure to endorse NATOs mutual defense clause during his first trip to Europe last May. But last fall a Pentagon official criticized recent EU efforts to cooperate more closely on defense as a threat to NATO, which would undercut the administrations efforts to increase European defense spending and encourage the EU to put more emphasis on independent capabilities. Trump is now moving to turn his previously-stated critique of Europe as military free riders who take advantage of the US economically into concrete action by imposing tariffs on steel and aluminum without offering an exemption for Europe as he did for Mexico and Canada. Trumps framing of the tariff issue as one of national security led EU trade commissioner Cecilia Malmstrom to ask: Are Europeans not US allies, rather than threats to American national security? European Council President Donald Tusk on March 14 echoed this concern and challenged Trump to reopen stalled negotiations on an US-EU trade pact, the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP), rather than fight a trade war. Guardian columnist Natalie Nougayrede noted that the Trump tariffs could really be designed to split EU countries from each other given Trumps frequent comments about negotiating a trade deal with the United Kingdom once Brexit is complete and his suggestion that he might encourage Polandthe one EU country he has praisedto split from Germany on car exports and other trade matters. Meanwhile, Europe remains largely focused on its own project within the EU. And key allies such as British Prime Minister Theresa May are less inclined to act as intermediaries than in the past because of strained ties with Trump, exacerbated over issues such as the US presidents initial failure to show solidarity with the United Kingdom over the Russian nerve agent attack on a former Russian spy and his daughter on March 4. Angela Merkel, Germanys chancellor who just began her fourth term, has seen her status within Germany and the EU diminished after almost a half a year of negotiations to form a new coalition. Plus, Trumps frequent bashing of Germany make it harder for her to mediate the transatlantic rift. Merkel and French President Emmanuel Macron are trying to reform the EU, but that effort, which has failed to command support in some EU quarters, will be much harder given the rise of populist forces in countries such as Italy, which will likely soon have a government that is skeptical about the EU and NATO. Atlantic Council expert Stanley Sloan, in a new book, warns that the populist radical right surge that has hit both sides of the Atlantic in recent years has revealed failures of and weaknesses in Western democracy that, if not attended to, could destroy the unity of principles and purpose that have defined the West for over seven decades. The wide range of issues currently dividing the transatlantic allies and the new, unleashed approach of the US president, are contributing to a dangerous and growing rift. To address it, experts say the Trump administration should rethink its tariffs, either offering exemptions for Europe or aiming them squarely at China; support EU efforts to develop a European pillar within NATO; and work towards a unified transatlantic position on key issues like Russia and Iran. Reprinted with permission from The Atlantic Council. Louis Golino is an independent analyst covering Europe, US foreign policy, and transatlantic affairs. He was formerly at the Library of Congress Congressional Research Service where he worked on NATO and EU issues. Many liberal Cubans are looking for change in the Communist islands power structure. Raul Castro, Fidels younger brother, is expected to step down as president early this year. At the beginning of 2017, many observers thought that the death of Cubas authoritarian leader, Fidel Castro, would bring about dramatic changes to the islands 59-year old Communist regime. Yet Cuba stayed as oppressive as ever: arbitrary arrests soared, promised economic liberalization policies have yet to be seen, and the media remains heavily censored. Just as 2017 brought about no real change, the installation of a new head of state in 2018 might disappoint those who hope to see the Communist Partys domination of the island diminished. Will the status quo survive Raul Castros retirement in 2018? Having been the de-facto ruler since 2008, when Fidel fell ill, Raul announced in 2013 that he would step down in February 2018. Raul Castro is expected to be replaced by First Vice President Miguel Diaz-Canel. This change would mark the first time since the 1959 revolution that someone outside of Fidel Castros immediate family takes charge of the island nation. Many liberal Cubans hold out hope that the end of the Castro family regime will bring fundamental changes to Cuba. However, there are strong reasons to believe the Communist regime might survive 2018. To begin with, Raul Castro has already delayed his abdication. At the end of 2017, Raul announced that he would stay in power for two more months, through April. The Cuban Communist Party claims this move was made to allow the country to recover from Hurricane Irma, which caused severe damage to the island in September 2017 and destroyed thousand of homes, injuring Cubas already fragile agricultural sector. There is nothing stopping Castro from issuing further delays to his supposed retirement. Even if Cuba does get a new president, this does not guarantee a change in the ideology that rules the countrys politics. Castros probable successor, Diaz-Canel, is a fervent believer in Marxist-Leninist ideology and has promised to continue Castros authoritarian policies. Ever since Diaz-Canel became a member of Cubas Communist Politburo in 2003, he has been under the Castros tutelage in order to ensure that he will continue their rule. He has already criticized Cuban dissidents, the independent media, and the United States. Not only has he been a zealous censor of news outlets, but he is also constantly looking for ways to arrest those he considers to be a threat to the regime. Theres no reason not to assume Diaz-Canel will continue the Castros legacy of abusing human rights, persecuting dissidents, and enriching himself at the expense of Cuban citizens. Furthermore, a new president will mean very little when Cubas presidents are not really elected by general vote. The Cuban people have not elected a single president since the 1959 revolution. In Cuba, the president is elected by the National Assembly. There are very few National Assembly members, if any at all, that are willing to go against the orders of Raul Castro and elect someone that he has not appointed for president. Diaz-Canel was not elected to his current position by the public, nor will he be elected by the citizens when he becomes president. To top it off, Raul Castro is not giving up power at all by passing on his position as president. While Diaz-Canel might become the president of Cuba, Raul Castro will remain head of the Communist Party of Cuba. According to Article 5 of the Cuban Constitution, the Communist Party is the highest leading force of society. It is the party, and not the president, that sets all government policy and dictates the direction of the country. Raul will thus remain the most important man in Cuba. Nor does Raul Castro appear interested in giving up the position of head of the party any time soon. Changing the head of the party without changing the power structure and party ideology will not change the Cuban regime. Real change in Cuba will only happen with the fall of the Communist Party and the introduction of real democracy. Change in Cuba will happen when those fighting for freedom stop being persecuted, when the Cuban population are able to speak their mind, when human rights are respected, and most importantly, when the Cuban people are able to decide who they want to rule their country. Katarina Hall is the director of the Human Rights Center at Universidad Francisco Marroquin in Guatemala. She is a Young Voices Advocate. The views expressed are the author's own. Athens, GA (30605) Today Scattered thunderstorms in the morning becoming more widespread in the afternoon. High 79F. S winds shifting to WNW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 80%.. Tonight A mostly clear sky. Cooler. Low 53F. Winds NW at 10 to 15 mph. MORRIS A car crashed into a utility pole early Friday morning, knocking down the pole and sending live wires onto a school bus, Connecticut State Police wrote in an email. State troopers responded to the area of 57 Watertown Road around 6:35 a.m. The less than a dozen students on the bus were uninjured, while the driver of the car suffered minor injuries. Eversource is on scene, the email said. Legislators to hold update sessions State Senator Kevin Witkos (R-8) and State Representative Bill Simanski (R-62) are holding two Legislative Updates in March in Granby and New Hartford. The Granby event will take place on Monday, March 19, 7-8:30 p.m. in Granby Town Hall, located at 15 North Granby Road, Granby. The New Hartford event will be held on Tuesday, March 27 from 6:30-8 p.m. at the Licia & Mason Beekley Community Library, 10 Central Avenue, New Hartford. The Legislative Updates are free and open to the public. Each event provides an opportunity for the public to meet with local state lawmakers to discuss the 2018 legislative session and major state issues. For more information, including information any potential weather related cancellations, visit www.senatorwitkos.com or www.repsimanski.com. Nominations sought for Youth Service Day TORRINGTON National Youth Service Day will be held on Tuesday, April 17. The Mayors Office in conjunction with the Torrington Area Youth Service Bureau and the Mayors Committee on Youth wish to recognize the contributions and actions exhibited by the young people of our community. National Youth Service Day reinforces in young Americans the importance and excitement of helping others. Presently, T are looking for young people to honor for their many hours of volunteer time. A few of the many suggested activities for recognition are: aid to the hungry/homeless/illiterate, drug and alcohol prevention, and assisting the handicapped. By honoring our youth we will recognize and encourage the many positive contributions that young people are making in their communities. The ceremony is planned for Tuesday, April 17, 4 p.m., in Coe Memorial Park, Torrington. Anyone is interested in nominating a youth can call the Torrington Area Youth Service Bureau at 860 496-0356 Ext 3 to obtain a nomination form. The deadline for nominations is March 31. Safe boating course starts April 10 TORRINGTON The Torrington Parks and Recreation Department is sponsoring a Safe Boating/Personal Watercraft Certification Course, presented by the Connecticut DEEP. The fee for the course is $25 per person. The course is open to individuals 12 years and older and will take place on April 10, 12, and 17 from 6-9 p.m. at Coe Memorial Park. Attendance on all three days of the course is required. Participants who successfully complete this course and pass the test qualify for a Safe Boating Certificate and a Certificate of Personal Watercraft Operation which allow an individual to operate any recreational vessel including a personal watercraft ("jet ski" type vessel) on Connecticut's waters. The registration fee submitted to the Parks and Recreation Department covers only the cost of attending the 3-day course. Upon successful completion, participants will need to purchase the Safe Boating/Personal Watercraft Certificates through the State of Connecticut DEEP for an additional fee of $50. All participants are required to have a State of CT Conservation ID number; all can register for the course without an ID number, but must have one established prior to the first night of class. For more information, call 860-489-2274. EdAdvance announces student scholarships LITCHFIELD EdAdvance has awarded annual scholarships to high school seniors and GED students in its service area for more than 20 years. This spring, the agency will award four different students $1,500 scholarships, based on responses to an essay regarding their perspective on service. In this essay, respondents will be asked to describe an instance when they used their time and talents to serve their own school or community as a volunteer or leader. Essays are judged based on clarity, example of talent, motivation, future plans, use of language, and are limited to 500 words. Winning essays will make a strong connection between each students contribution and the positive impact his or her actions had on people or institutions in their community. All applications are due by Thursday, April 5. Four graduating high school seniors from within the EdAdvance service area will be awarded their scholarships on or around May 4, 2018. Application submission instructions can be found at www.edadvance.org/about-us/news. For more information on these scholarships, contact Abby Peklo, Director of Student and Community Programs at peklo@edadvance.org or 860-567-0863 x166. ASAP! seeks submission for annual writing celebration WASHINGTON ASAP! is now accepting submissions for the 13th Annual Celebration of Young Writers, a special event that showcases students writing from across the state of Connecticut. All public, private, and home-schooled children in grades K-12 are encouraged to participate. A panel of judges will select exceptional pieces of writing through a blind process where all names and schools are removed. This years celebration will be held on Saturday, June 2 at The Gunnery in Washington. The evening will conclude with one outstanding teacher being awarded The Frank McCourt Prize for Excellence in Teaching. Students, teachers, and parents can submit pieces for consideration. The deadline for submissions for the Celebration of Young Writers is Friday, March 30. For information on how all writings must be submitted, go to http://asapct.org/project/celebration-of-young-writers/ Deadline for teacher nominations for the Frank McCourt Prize in Excellence in Teaching is Friday, March 30. For more information on nominations and applications for the Frank McCourt Prize, go to http://asapct.org/the-frank-mccourt-prize-for-excellence-in-teaching-2/ For further questions about submissions or nominations, call Jenn Pote at 860-868-0740 x304. History club to meet March 19 The Gunn Historical Museums Washington History Club in the Morning will meet at the Washington Senior Center on Monday, March 19 at 10 a.m. The topic of discussion will be the history of the Washington Supply Company. Founded in 1893, and celebrating its 125th anniversary this year, The Supply is a Washington institution with a long history. Valerie Sedelnick, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Washington Supply Co., Jay Combs, Vice President and Service Manager, and former employees will be in attendance and joining the conversation. Guests can bring memories, stories, photographs, and object to share. The Washington History Club in the Morning is a program of the Gunn Historical Museum and meets the third Monday of the months of September, December, March and June at 10:00am at the Washington Senior Center to discuss the history of Washington, Washington Depot, Marbledale, New Preston and Woodville. Share your memories and stories with the group or just come and listen to the fascinating conversation about our town's past. Bring your photos and objects for show and tell! Everyone is invited to attend this free program. The Washington Senior Center is located at 6 Bryan Hall Plaza, Washington Depot. Call the Gunn Museum at 860-868-7756 or view www.gunnmuseum.org for more information. NEW HARTFORD James Casey is aiming to offer residents something fresh and interesting, crafted with skill and intuition, as he gets ready to open Bridgestreet Libations & Temptations in the former home of Chatterleys. Casey said Thursday he began working in the restaurant business while growing up in Enfield, scooping ice cream at Friendlys. It wasnt glamorous work hed come home sticky from leaning into ice cream containers but he enjoyed it. After watching Iron Chef avidly as a teenager, he began to cook, and hasnt stopped since. Now, hes planning to follow his instincts and skill with the new restaurant, which is set to feature a small menu that changes week-to-week and a series of lesser-known drinks and spirits. Im not Italian, Im not French its not Spanish, its not burgers, its not high-end, its not low-end. Its whatever we want it to be that week, said Casey. We wrote my first menu on Wednesday, and theres no rhyme nor reason to it. Its all good stuff, but its not one type of cuisine or genre. Casey and the other chef at the restaurant, good friend Freddy Marcos, sat down over a meat-and-cheese plate and some wine to create that first menu. Among other dishes, itll include a take on grilled shrimp ceviche, mole-braised short rib and a spin on chicken-and-dumplings, he said. One rule make sure it tastes good, said Casey. Casey said he enjoys the freedom of cooking. He plans to extend that chance for creativity to other aspects of the restaurant as an example, the bartenders will create the cocktails, he said. If you are invested in something, you are going to try harder to make it better, said Casey. I think thats important everybody come together and be part of the living, breathing organism that a restaurant is. He said he enjoyed a similar sense of freedom when cooking at The Mill at 2T, the Simsbury restaurant that closed roughly two years ago. The menu there changed all the time, and thought of experimenting and refine what they served to embrace what was good stuck with him. Casey said his father, Pat, is a New Hartford resident, the president of the historical society. They knew Paul Samele Jr., the former owner of Chatterleys, and James Casey decided to take over the space after that restaurant closed in September. Since then, Casey, with the help of his father, town residents and friends, has worked hard to put his own spin on the place. Among other steps, theyve taken the walls down to the studs, put up new sheet rock, replaced the bar, set up new bathrooms, stained wood, and are working on new floors now, he said. The common theme here is metal and wood, and basically raw materials, which is kind of more my style of everything, said Casey. Kind of raw, kind of refined. No rhyme or reason. Just it is what is keep it simple, stupid. The project grew over time as they embraced the vision for the place, and theyre proud of the results, Casey said. He said he moved to Torrington about a month ago, taking up residence in a home on top of a mountain, looking over farmland its quiet, but he hasnt been able to spend any time there yet, spending 12-14 hours a day at the new restaurant. Casey said hes aiming to open for business on March 28, with soft openings next week. He wants to thank folks and check out how his staff functions in a real-world situation. Its exciting to take this next step and see the place hes planned and labored over become reality, he said. He hopes the restaurant provides something special and unique for local residents a consistently changing, intriguing place to eat. Its not a place for old standbys its a chance to anticipate and revel in something new. I want people to be excitedly uncomfortable. Its like opening up a present on Christmas you know youve got a big box; you dont know whats inside, but you know its going to probably be pretty good. And I want that same excitement, said Casey. I want people to come into this with an open mind and an empty stomach, and trust us to guide them into unknown territory, as far as their eating habits are concerned. More information about Bridgestreet Libations & Temptations is available on the restaurants website, www.bltnewhartford.com/, and Facebook page, facebook.com/bltnewhartford/. File photo of Pak Beng pier on the Mekong River in northern Laos, site of a planned hydroelectric dam. Thailands national electricity authority has decided to delay a decision to purchase power to be produced by a controversial Mekong River hydropower dam. The Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT) said in mid-February that it has delayed a decision to purchase power produced by the Pak Beng Dam in Laos until an ongoing review of the countrys power development plan can be completed. While that may sound like a technicality, its being interpreted by analysts as a sign that, along with other issues involved, the Thai government has been listening to concerns about the dam expressed by local Thai communities and by civil society groups. These communities and organizations have for several years been outspoken in pointing to the potential negative environmental impacts resulting from construction of the Pak Beng dam, including on Thailand. Thailands review of its national power development plan is expected to be complete at the end of this month. It could now determine whether the dam will be built or not. According to experts, the dam could severely affect downstream fishermen and farmers by disrupting fish migration patterns and blocking vital sediment flows needed to refresh farmland, plants, and the smaller organisms on which the fish feed. Other dams in China, Laos, and Cambodia block adult fish trying to migrate upstream and larvae and juveniles trying to migrate downstream. Some dams in Laos and Cambodia use fish ladders intended to mitigate the harm to fish, but at this stage these amount to experiments that have yet to be proven effective. A fish ladder, or fish pass, is a structure built around dams to facilitate natural migration. It sounds simple, but it involves carefully matching the fishes swimming patterns with the water flows. And fish ladders around the world have had a mixed record of effectiveness. Experts concluded seven years ago that a fish pass on Laoss Mun River, an important tributary of the Mekong, had been a total failure, with fewer than a quarter of the rivers fish species making it through the passage. The stakes involved in all of this are huge, not only at the high end among banks, bureaucrats, and developers, but also among ordinary people. Fish are the main source of protein for millions of people living along the Mekong River downstream from the proposed Pak Beng dam. When completed, the dam is expected to be the third large-scale hydropower project to be built in Laos on the Mekong mainstream, after the Xayaburi and Don Sahong dams. And its expected to cost some $2.4 billion to build and five years to complete. The lead project developer is Chinas Datong Corporation, working together with a subsidiary of EGAT and Electricite du Laos (EDL). International Rivers, an environmental watchdog, estimates that 6,700 people will have to be relocated to build the Pak Beng dam, with 25 villages in Laos already directly affected by work being done in preparation for its construction. On a larger sale, the impacts of the dam on the flow of the Mekong could affect the livelihoods of millions of people living downstream from the project. What the dams suspension might mean As International Rivers has noted, 90 percent of the electricity generated by the Pak Beng dam is proposed for sale to Thailand. But does Thailand really need this much electricity? Experts in both the Thai government and nongovernmental sector have argued that, given its high energy reserves, the country has no need for more electricity from a dam built abroad in Laos, according to Brian Eyler, an expert based in Washington, D.C. Eyler directs the Southeast Asia program at the Stimson Center, a nonpartisan research center. Analysts such as Eyler have long questioned what they describe as Thailands inflated energy demand projections. In their view, the loss of the Pak Beng dams power output is unlikely to affect Thailands energy consumption in any significant way. This development appears to be a bellwether for how plans for future dam projects, especially for Mekong mainstream dams, might falter, Eyler says. Thailands suspension of the power purchase for the dam, he says, can create a pathway to a more sustainable water-energy blueprint for the regionone that better optimizes food, water, and energy outcomesand could conserve the Mekong rivers core environmental flows. It might also signal that the time has come for several nations in the regionLaos, Cambodia, and Vietnam, in particularto take advantage of renewable energy sources, such as wind and solar power. All three countries offer ideal conditions for solar and wind power generation. And prices for the equipment needed for these renewable energy sources have plummeted in the past few years. Maureen Harris, the Southeast Asia program director for International Rivers, says that its too early to say what the current delay in the Pak Beng dam project will mean for the project overall. But, she says, the delay indicates that campaigning by Mekong communities and environmentalists to raise concerns over the project, and particularly in Thailand, has had an impact. Strong resistance to dams in Thailand Analysts like Eyler find it interesting that the EGAT issued its announcement of a delay in the Pak Beng dam project to Rak Chiang Kong, a grassroots nongovernmental group in Thailand that has been advocating for protection of the Mekong River and its resources. The group has also been promoting community-focused sustainability practices in Thailands Chiang Rai province. In a letter, Rak Chiang Kong had asked EGAT about the status of the Power Purchasing Agreement (PPA). Rak Chiang Kong had held a dialogue on the Pak Beng dam, bringing Thai stakeholders, the Lao government, and Chinese dam developers together in January this year. Harris says that the Thai governments cabinet members have to approve a Power Purchasing Agreement (PPA) before EGAT can go ahead with it. Harris adds that Thai government officials are likely to be well aware of Rak Chiang Khongs concerns regarding the Pak Beng dam project because of a lawsuit filed by the group that is now before Thailands Administrative Court. Finally, Harris says, theres a growing amount of information and analysis publicly available on alternatives for Mekong countries to meet energy needs in more sustainable and equitable ways. Dan Southerland is RFA's founding executive editor. More than 300 Cambodian-Australians gathered in Sydney on Friday to protest Prime Minister Hun Sens human rights record as the Cambodian leader prepared for a special summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), to be held over the weekend. Buddhist monks, Cambodian community leaders, Australian MP for Victoria State Hong Lim, and Bou Rachana the wife of murdered Cambodian political analyst Kem Ley led protesters in condemning Hun Sen for his governments crackdown on the opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP), the media, and civil society ahead of Cambodias general election in July. Protesters also called for the release of CNRP President Kem Sokha who was arrested in September and charged with treason and other political prisoners, as well as the reinstatement of the CNRP, which was dissolved by the Supreme Court in November for its alleged part in a plot to topple the government. The group carried signs that said Hun Sen, youre fired and An end to Hun Sen and authoritarianism, demanding that the assets of Cambodias strongman and his cronies be frozen and a return of true democracy to the country after his 33 years in rule. They also pledged to proceed with plans to burn Hun Sen in effigy as part of a mock funeral procession on Saturday during the first day of the March 17-18 ASEAN summit, despite threats the Cambodian prime minister made last month to use violence against anyone who dared do so. Cambodias government-aligned Fresh News media ignored Fridays protest and instead reported that Australia pledged a grant of U.S. $68 million in development aid to Cambodia during an official bilateral meeting between Hun Sen and his Australian counterpart Malcolm Turnbull, quoting Cambodian delegate Kuo Kim Hourn. Turnbull praised the progress being made by ASEAN members, the delegate said, and called for greater cooperation between his country and the Southeast Asian region in the name of peace and stability. The report also published extensive photos of a 40-minute get-together between Hun Sen and what it said were some 800 of his Cambodian supporters from Australia and New Zealand. PM threats While this weekends summit will feature topics as diverse as counter-terrorism, trade liberalization and tensions in the South China Sea, observers have urged its host to raise the poor human rights records of ASEAN nations including Cambodia, saying that failing to do so would give their leaders a free pass. Hun Sen has suggested that Australia should thank him for agreeing to attend the summit, which he said would be meaningless without him, and warned that he has the power to veto any joint communique issued at the end of the ASEAN gathering. On Friday, Chheang Vannarith, an associate fellow at Singapores ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute, told RFAs Khmer Service that Hun Sen doesnt need to threaten the blocking of a joint statement because Australia will not raise Cambodias issues [of human rights abuses] during a multilateral meeting. He also chastised the Cambodian leader for speaking from emotion, instead of thinking strategically, while representing his countrys interests diplomatically. Heng Sreang, a Cambodian social and political commentator, told RFA that Hun Sens threats of beating protesters who burn his image are bad for the country. The subsequent tit-for-tat comes off as a loss for the nations image within the region and on the international stage, he said, although he acknowledged that a democratic society should provide for freedom of expression. CIA claims Also on Friday, while speaking with supporters in Sydney, Hun Sen claimed that RFA Khmer Service reporter Chun Chanboth also known as Vuthy Huot contacted his son, Lt. Gen. Hun Maneth, and Lt. Gen. Mao Sophann in Australia to request their protection from the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), which the prime minister alleged was responsible for the murder of Kem Ley. RFA closed its operations in Cambodia in September amid a government crackdown on the media, and Chun Chanboth and other RFA reporters fled the country, fearing arrest. Hun Sen said that when Chun Chanboth left Cambodia, he sent messages to Hun Maneth via WhatsApp saying he feared that he would be murdered by agents from the U.S., who Cambodias government has accused of assisting the CNRP in trying to take over the country. You scold Hun Sen, yet you work with Hun Sens son. You should be ashamed of that, he said. You scold me in order to satisfy the U.S., yet at the same time, you are afraid of being murdered by the Americans just like Kem Ley. Kem Ley, a popular political commentator, was gunned down in broad daylight in Phnom Penh on July 10, 2016, 36 hours after discussing on an RFA Khmer call-in show a report by the London-based group Global Witness detailing the wealth of Hun Sens family. Though authorities later charged a former soldier with the murder and sentenced him to life in prison, many in Cambodia did not believe the governments story that Kem Ley was killed by the man over a debt. Hun Sen said Friday that he had tried to stay quiet about Chun Chanboths communication with his son because the reporter used to work as a spy and send information to me, but recently felt the need to disclose it. Immediately following Hun Sens remarks, Fresh News published a screen grab of messages sent between Chun Chanboth and Hun Maneth, apparently to arrange a meeting, although it was not immediately clear what the two intended to discuss. Bail denied Meanwhile, two former RFA Khmer Service reporters who were taken into custody by Cambodian authorities on Nov. 14 for illegally collecting information for a foreign source were denied bail by the Supreme Court Friday. Keo Vanny, the lawyer for Yeang Sothearin and Uon Chhin, called the Supreme Courts decision unfair, saying the two men did not commit the crimes they have been charged with and suggesting prosecutors have failed to present evidence that shows they are guilty. In the end, the court issued the ruling, but did not present any new evidence, he said. Yeang Sothearin and Uon Chhin were arrested by police who initially said they had been detained for running an unlicensed karaoke studio. They were later accused of setting up a studio for RFA and were formally charged under Article 445 of Cambodias Criminal Code. In December, Cambodias Appeals Court upheld an earlier ruling that denied the two men bail from pre-trial detention in Prey Sar Prison, and they face a possible jail term of up to 15 years if convicted. Last month, a consortium of journalist organizations, including Paris-based Reporters Without Borders (RSF), and New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), issued a joint statement calling the charges inappropriate and demanded the reporters immediate release. Reported by RFAs Khmer Service. Translated by Sovannarith Keo. Written in English by Joshua Lipes. A draft policy document put before lawmakers in Hong Kong that seeks to criminalize "insults" to China's national anthem has sparked concerns over how it will be enforced in the former British colony, which was promised freedom of expression under the terms of its 1997 handover to China. A policy paper submitted to the Legislative Council (LegCo) on Friday would require anyone present in a public place when the "March of the Volunteers" is being played to "stand up and show respect." Use of the rousing revolutionary tune, which marks the struggle of the ruling Chinese Communist Party to found the People's Republic, will be banned in advertising, at private funerals, or as background music in public venues. The paper suggests that anyone found "insulting" the national anthem face a maximum penalty of HK$50,000 or three years' imprisonment. "Anyone who deliberately and openly changes the words or music, or otherwise insulting the national anthem by singing it in a distorting or derogatory way will be breaking the law," the paper said. "The penalty [would be] the same as in mainland China: maximum three years' imprisonment and a maximum fine of HK$50,000," it said. Pro-democracy politicians have called on the government to consult widely with the general public about the proposals, and make it very clear exactly what would be considered "insulting." Ip Kin-yuen, who represents the education sector in LegCo, said the proposals were irrelevant to schools, because children in Hong Kong schools are already taught the national anthem, and are below the age of criminal responsibility. But he raised concerns over how a future law might be enforced in university campuses. "If serious problems of this kind occur on university campuses, will the relevant criminal liability provisions take effect? This needs to be clarified by the government," Ip said. Details still unclear LegCo is required to enact some form of national anthem law, now that China's own National Anthem Law has been entered into an annex of Hong Kong's mini-constitution, the Basic Law. But education secretary Kevin Yeung said many of the details of how to apply the law in Hong Kong have yet to be decided on. "Hong Kong's legislation must take into consideration the legislative intent and background requirements of [China's] National Anthem Law," Yeung said. "When drafting the local legislation, we will make appropriate decisions in accordance with the actual situation in Hong Kong." LegCo member Dennis Kwok, who represents the law profession, said that a key problem with the law is that everyone has a different idea of what is respectful or disrespectful. "Something that I think is respectful in a given set of circumstances might be viewed very different by another person," Kwok said. "The wording around what constitutes deliberately insulting behavior needs to be very clear indeed." Blurring the difference Eric Cheung, a law lecturer at the University of Hong Kong, said he is worried that the proposed law blurs the differences between Hong Kong's legal system and that of mainland China. "Hong Kong law doesn't include clauses that are ideological within the text of legislation," Cheung said. "The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government seems to be heading in [that] direction." "This is very worrying," he said. Civic Party leader Alvin Yeung said LegCo shouldn't try to follow the Chinese law too closely. "[China's national anthem law] states very clearly that the national anthem has to promote socialism," Yeung said in comments reported by government broadcaster RTHK, adding that to do so would be to weaken clauses in the Basic Law stating that Hong Kong's existing capitalist system shall remain separate from mainland China's socialist system. "The gist of 'one country, two systems' is that we do not have socialism, we have capitalism here in Hong Kong," RTHK quoted him as saying. ""If that becomes part of the Hong Kong law, I have strong concerns that would clash with the principle of One Country, Two Systems and the foundation of the Basic Law." LegCo member and barrister Tanya Chan agreed. "Here we see them wanting to insert references to socialism into the national anthem law," Chan told RFA. "But Article 5 of the Basic Law states that Hong Kong operates under a capitalist system." "This contravenes a universal principle of common law in Hong Kong, and it may also be in breach of the Basic Law," she said. 'No right to intervene' Meanwhile, Beijing has hit out at recent comments from the U.K. over its recent interventions in the political and cultural life of Hong Kong. In a six-monthly report to parliament on Hong Kong, foreign secretary Boris Johnson called on Beijing to respect Hong Kong's promised high degree of autonomy "in full." Citing the refusal of entry to Conservative Party human rights campaigner Benedict Rogers by Hong Kong immigration authorities last year, Johnson said he had asked for an explanation from China. "Beijings involvement in this case has strengthened our view that Hong Kongs high degree of autonomy is under increasing pressure," Johnson wrote in the report. In Beijing, foreign ministry spokesman Lu Kang said the U.K.'s comments were unwelcome. "There is no room or right for the U.K. to intervene," Lu told reporters. "The attempt to show the U.K.'s influence on Hong Kong affairs is in vain and can only lead to Chinese people's antipathy." Reported by Wen Yuqing for RFA's Cantonese Service, and by Gao Feng for the Mandarin Service. Translated and edited by Luisetta Mudie. The ruling Chinese Communist Party is stepping up controls on dissidents who speak out against changes to the constitution allowing President Xi Jinping to rule indefinitely, as authorities in the southern Chinese province of Guangdong placed a rights activist under house arrest for giving interviews to overseas media on the subject. Guangdong activist Huang Meijuan said she was prevented from leaving home to pick up her child from school on Thursday by state security police. "They said I had given interviews to the foreign media, and I said 'Why can't I do that?'" Huang told RFA on Friday. "They told me I shouldn't think they wouldn't do anything just because I am a single mother." "So I asked them what I said [and] they said it was the one in which I talked about the constitutional amendments," she said. On Sunday, China's rubber-stamp parliament, the National People's Congress (NPC), voted to amend the country's constitution to abolish any limits to Xi's term in office. Criticism of the move has been largely expunged from China's tightly controlled social media platforms, and dissidents who spoke out against it have been targeted by police. Last week, authorities in the eastern province of Anhui detained former state prosecutor Shen Liangqing on public order charges after he criticized the changes. Cowed into silence Huang said many people have been cowed into silence by the government's swift suppression of dissent in the wake of the move, which many fear will take China back to the unpredictable strongman politics of late supreme leader Mao Zedong, or even the imperial dynasties. Police have also confiscated the ID card of online activist Xiucai Jianghu, telling him to "stay quiet" until the end of March if he wants to get it back. And justice bureaus across the country have been ordered to warn lawyers, whose business licenses they are able to revoke, not to give interviews to foreign media about the removal of presidential term-limits. The wife of detained rights lawyer Yu Wensheng, who is currently in police detention facing charges of "incitement to subvert state power," said she sometimes fears to speak out about his case in the current climate. "A lot of people are too scared to speak out right now, including me," Xu Yan told RFA on Friday. "Whenever I do, I always feel very nervous, because things are very serious right now." "But, as his wife, I think this is my fundamental duty." Yu has been held since Jan. 19 in connection with online posts deemed critical of the government, and has been denied access to a lawyer or visits from his friends and family. Nationwide operation A series of police raids and detentions linked to the Beijing Fengrui law firm in July 2015 later broadened into a nationwide operation targeting more than 300 lawyers, law firm staff, and associated rights activists for detention, professional sanctions, house arrest, and travel bansincluding for family members. Yu had previously acted as defense attorney for one of the detainees, Wang Quanzhang, who has been held incommunicado ever since. The ruling Chinese Communist Party continues to tighten controls on freedom of expression among its citizens, according to a U.S. congressional report published this week. "The government and [ruling] party continued to prioritize control of the press and media outlets for 'maintaining social and political stability, and in advancing [the partys] policy goals'," the Congressional-Executive Commission on China said in its annual report. "Moreover, the government has encouraged, and in some cases paid, social media users to post positive comments about the government and party to influence public opinion," it said, citing estimates that some 448 million targeted pro-government comments are posted per year. Reported by Yang Fan for RFA's Mandarin Service, and by Wong Lok-to for the Cantonese Service. Translated and edited by Luisetta Mudie. Authorities in the eastern Chinese province of Jiangsu are holding a prominent rights activist in incommunicado detention after detaining her last month on suspicion of "picking quarrels and stirring up trouble," her attorney said on . Xu Qin, a key figure in the China Human Rights Observer group founded by detained veteran dissident Qin Yongmin, had recently spoken out in support of a number of high-profile human rights cases, including that of detained human rights lawyer Yu Wensheng. Xu's lawyer Peng Jian said he went to the Yangzhou Detention Center on in the hope of meeting with his client, but was refused permission to see her. "I don't know the details of the case yet; [I] asked for a breakdown of the case from the investigating team, but they didn't tell me anything about it," Peng said. "I'm still waiting for the investigating officer to get back to me." He added: "I won't be able to read the case files until it gets to the point of indictment and goes to the state prosecutor for review." A friend of Xu's, who gave only his surnamed Zhang, said the police have likely prevented Xu from meeting with her lawyer because they fear she will speak out about abuses of her human rights. "They want to cut her off completely from the concern of the outside world, so that she is isolated, and starts to despair, or has a mental breakdown," Zhang said. "Of course she is innocent, but ... citizens in mainland China don't have any rights." Xu's husband Guo Mingwen said he has been interviewed by police on several occasions about his wife's human rights activism. "She has been innocent right from the start," Guo said. "I can't say what's going on for sure." "If the authorities want to detain someone, it's very easy for them to do so," he said. China Rights Observer founder Qin is being held at the Wuhan No. 2 Detention Center. He had been scheduled to stand trial in late December on charges of "incitement to subvert state power," but the date was postponed at the last minute by the authorities, citing 'procedural' reasons. Zhao Suli, the wife of Qing Yongmin, was detained alongside her husband in , and both were initially held in unknown locations. But while Qin has since been tracked down by friends and lawyers to a detention center in the central city of Wuhan, Zhao had been in an unknown location for nearly three years, before resurfacing briefly last month to spend time with relatives and call her son in the eastern province of Anhui. She is now believed to be back under residential surveillance. Reported by Wen Yuqing for the Cantonese Service. Translated and edited by Luisetta Mudie. Myanmar villagers displaced by fighting between two ethnic militias in northern Shan state's Kyaukme township take shelter in a monastery, March 16, 2018. Nearly 200 villagers displaced by repeated clashes between two rival ethnic armies in Kyaukme township in Myanmars northern Shan state arrived safely in Kyaukme city on Friday, where they are seeking shelter until the hostilities die down, rescue workers said. The latest round of clashes between troops from the Restoration Council of Shan State (RCSS) and Taang National Liberation Army (TNLA), an ethnic Palaung militia, began in the township on March 9 and has escalated during the past two weeks, leaving a handful of villagers dead and wounded and forcing a total of about 1,000 residents to flee their homes. NGOs from Kyaukme and the towns of Nongpane and Hsipaw transported the displaced villagers to safety in 13 trucks as fighting continued between Mankhauk and Manhkan villages in Mong Ngoc sub-township and Tawphai village in Kyaukme township, said rescue worker Thar Zaw. These people are from the village closest to the battle zone, he told RFAs Myanmar Service about the newest group of displaced villagers. They fled their village on foot right up to Mong Ngoc sub-township, and we fetched them from there. The clashes have affected four or five villages in the area, and many of these refugees are the elderly and children, he said. Earlier this week, shelling from the fighting left two residents of Tawphe village dead and three injured, and forced about 500 others to flee. On Monday, the online journal The Irrawaddy reported that the TNLA said its soldiers had killed three RCSS members and had seized some of its weapons and ammunition during hostilities along the border between Kyaukme and Namhsan townships, where the RCSS is said to be building a new base, and in Namtu township. Some clashes have been quite severe during the past four days, RCSS spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Sai Oo told RFA on Thursday, adding that other forces may be assisting the TNLA in its attacks against the RCSS. We heard that in Pophae village, TNLA troops set fire to some houses because they were angry that Ta'ang villagers failed to report the presence of the RCSS there, he said. I think the TNLA has been pressured to launch these attacks considering the strength of the attackers and the type of weapons they have used against us, he said. They could not have done it by themselves. There must be some other forces behind all this. Sai Oo also said the continued fighting would not resolve the conflict between the RCSS and TNLA. Only political dialogue will do that, he said. The TNLA and RCSS, the political organization that oversees the Shan State Army-South, held a preliminary meeting along the Myanmar-China border on Jan. 22 to discuss the ongoing conflict and how to resolve it. They agreed that their senior officials would continue talks to end the hostilities. But now because of this recent fighting, we dont know whether they will resume as planned, Sai Oo said. Innocent internally displaced persons, mostly the Ta'ang people, are suffering greatly from these clashes, and if the fighting continues against the peoples wishes, the TNLA will surely lose their support. Blame it on the RCSS TNLA spokesman Colonel Tar Aik Kyaw told RFA that a few TNLA troops have been wounded in the latest clashes, though the militia did not have further details. Initially, the TNLA engaged in hostilities against the Myanmar military along the border between Kyaukme and Namhsan townships and in Namtu township, but began to fight the RCSS when its troops entered TNLA-controlled territory and harassed, seized, interrogated the locals, took away some farm animals, and laid mines in the areas outskirts, he said. The TNLA has been fighting the Myanmar army and the RCSS in Shan state since late November 2015, about six weeks after the signing of a nationwide cease-fire agreement (NCA) between the government and eight of the countrys more than 20 ethnic armed groups. The RCSS is one of the eight original signatories to the NCA, while the TNLA was excluded from signing the accord because of its ongoing hostilities with Myanmars armed forces. The clashes began after the signing of the NCA pact when RCSS forces moved up from the south in 2015, and government troops didn't stop them, Tar Aik Kyaw said. They were even helping the ... troops' movements, and in some instances in the Namkham area, [they] shelled our forces with heavy weapons when RCSS forces suffered heavy losses, he said. Tar Aik Kyaw went on to say that in many cases, the Myanmar army has launched offensives against the TNLA, which were followed by RCSS attacks. We can see the Tatmadaw [Myanmar military] is using the RCSS to weaken our forces, he said. Ongoing fighting has resulted in an increase in the number of internal refugees and civilian deaths in Shan and neighboring Kachin states, and has stymied the governments efforts to bring warring ethnic militias to the negotiating table. The United Nations estimates that more 15,000 people, the majority of whom are women and children, remain displaced in camps or camp-like settings in Shan state after fleeing fighting that erupted in 2011, with continued sporadic hostilities between ethnic armies and the Myanmar military and different ethnic armed groups further compounding the situation. More than 91,000 people, mostly women and children, remain displaced in neighboring Kachin State as a result of an armed conflict that restarted between government soldiers and ethnic armed groups in 2011. Reported by Aung Theinkha and That Su Aung for RFAs Myanmar Service. Translated by Khin Maung Nyane Written in English by Roseanne Gerin. Rohingya children sit under the shade of trees in the village of Kanapara, Bangladesh, March 8, 2018. The United Nations and its partner non-government organizations (NGOs) pleaded Friday for nearly U.S. $1 billion to aid 900,000 Rohingya refugees and 330,000 vulnerable locals hosting them in communities along Bangladeshs border with Myanmar. The U.N. said the $951 million (79 billion taka) it was trying to raise for its 2018 Joint Response Plan would go into meeting urgent needs of the refugee and host populations. These range from supplying them with more food, water and sanitation to building thousands of classrooms and helping them prepare for monsoonal rains, officials said. The suffering of the Rohingya people remains deep, disturbing and relentless. As a result, Bangladesh has witnessed the worlds fastest growing refugee crisis, U.N. Secretary General Antonio Guterres said Friday in a statement. The Rohingya are under siege as a group simply for who they are. Many refugees are victims of horrific trauma psychological and physical cast out of their homes and country in a clear example of ethnic cleansing. The appeal for the money is in addition to $434 million (36 billion taka) the U.N. had requested in October 2017 for emergency aid of which $321 million (26.6 billion taka) has been collected in responding to what the United Nations called the worlds fastest-growing refugee crisis. In Geneva, U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi joined the director general of the International Organization for Migration and the U.N. Resident Coordinator in Bangladesh to announce the appeal bringing together more than 100 U.N. agencies and NGOs. We are talking about truly critical needs here both on the part of the Bangladeshi communities who have so generously opened their doors, and of a stateless and refugee population that even prior to this crisis was among the worlds most marginalized and at risk, Grandi said according to a news release issued by his agency, UNHCR, on Friday. In Dhaka, Md Mohsin, an additional secretary of Bangladeshs ministry of disaster management and relief overseeing Rohingya refugees, told BenarNews he was unaware of the latest U.N. appeal, but welcomed the effort. What I can say is the U.N. system and agencies have been very serious about feeding and ensuring basic necessities of the Rohingya, he said. We welcome the appeal as Rohingya people have been a big burden on us. But we are not sure how long the international community will feed these people, he said. Needs Fifty-four percent of funds from the new appeal would be spent to ensure that food, water and sanitation, shelter and other basic aid is provided as food needs account for one-quarter of the request, the United Nations reported. More than 16 million liters (4.2 million gallons) of clean water is needed every day and about 12,200 metric tons of food is required every month. The response plan points to the need for nearly 200 primary health centers and smaller posts to serve the Rohingya community and others in Coxs Bazar, the Bangladeshi district that has borne the brunt of the latest influx of refugees from Rakhine. To educate 614,000 children, another 5,000 classrooms are needed. In addition, 400,000 children in refugee and host communities require trauma care and related support. The Kutupalong-Balukhali site in Coxs Bazar is home to about 600,000 Rohingya and is the largest and most densely populated refugee settlement in the world, according to the U.N. Precarious conditions for the refugees and the ongoing emergency response are about to be further challenged by the approaching monsoon season and rains, the U.N. said. More than 150,000 Rohingya refugees are in places at risk of landslides and floods, in what could become a disaster on top of the current emergency. The conditions include incidents of gender-based violence and health concerns including measles, diphtheria and diarrhea. The solutions to this crisis lie inside Myanmar, and conditions must be established that will allow refugees to return home. But today we are appealing for help with the immediate needs, and these needs are vast, Grandi said. The U.N. and human rights groups have criticized Myanmars military and security forces over a brutal crackdown launched in northern Rakhine State in August 2017 that forced 671,000 people from the stateless Rohingya ethnic minority to flee to southeastern Bangladesh. Myanmar government forces have been accused of committing widespread atrocities against Rohingya civilians during the crackdown, which followed attacks on army and police posts by Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army insurgents. Myanmars government has denied the allegations. Reported by BenarNews, an RFA-affiliated online news service. Dung Truong, who was beaten when he went to the police station to seek the release of another activist detained at a gathering in Hanoi to mark a deadly 1988 naval clash with China, March 14, 2018. A Vietnamese activist lost two teeth in a beating by plainclothes policemen in Hanoi this week after he tried to win release of another activist who had been detained for attending an unauthorized commemoration of a deadly 1998 naval clash with China, his fellow activists told RFAs Vietnamese service on Thursday. Dung Truong was beaten when he went to the police station to seek the release of Nguyen Thuy Hanh, who was herself detained and questioned over her attendance at the ceremony in central Hanoi Wednesday to mark 30 years since a conflict with China over a disputed South China Sea reef killed 64 Vietnamese sailors, Hahn told RFA. They dragged Dung Truong into (the station) when he was sitting outside. They tried to take his iPhone but he broke it before they could grab it, she said. They all dashed toward him, beat him very brutally right inside the station. He lost two teeth. After he fainted they called a taxi and took him home. They just threw him out of the taxi on the pavement near his house, she said by telephone. Blogger Nguyen Tuong Thuy wrote on his blog that Dung was found by neighbors lying on the pavement near his house at 10 p.m. Wednesday with several bruises on his face and body and was sent to hospital for a checkup. RFA could not reach Dung or his family because his phone was broken. Hanh, who was released after several hours of questioning, said police asked if I raised money to hire lawyers for prisoners of conscience who are to stand trial in the future. The second thing they asked me was about my call for ceremonies to mark January 19, February 17 and March 14, she said, referring to dates associated with Vietnamese military conflicts with China. On March 14, 1988, Vietnam sent two armed transport ships and a landing craft carrying around 100 Peoples Army of Vietnam soldiers to Johnson South Reef, Collin Reef, and Lansdowne Reef in the contested Spratly Island chain with construction materials in a bid to secure its territorial claims. Chinese frigates deployed members of the Peoples Liberation Army to confront Vietnamese soldiers on Johnson South Reef in a bid to remove a Vietnamese flag planted there, sparking a skirmish between the forces on the ground. The ships then exchanged fire and the heavily outgunned Vietnamese vessels were sunk, leaving 64 Vietnamese soldiers dead and 11 wounded. The Chinese forces, which suffered only one wounded casualty, arrested nine Vietnamese troops who were later freed. On Tuesday, Vietnams one-party Communist government permitted relatives of soldiers and veterans of the naval clash to observe the 30th anniversary by visiting waters near the clash in the South China Sea and holding a prayer ceremony to honor the dead. But Vietnamese police routinely break up unofficial protests marking the anniversaries of the takeovers of the Spratly and Paracel islands and detain demonstrators. In Wednesdays incident, a group of about 10 activists gathered to commemorate the Johnson Island skirmish in the center of Hanoi under close watch of plainclothes policemen and security officials. There was a brief brawl between activists and a few others believed to be government supporters at the ceremony, but police did not interfere, activists told RFA. Activists in Ho Chi Minh City in southern Vietnam held a ceremony on Wednesday and encountered no police interference, they said. Reported by RFAs Vietnamese Service. Translated by Viet Ha. Written in English By Paul Eckert. Kazakhstan's Foreign Ministry has rejected a Russian proposal to revisit its visa-free regime for U.S. citizens. Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said in Moscow on March 15 that the existing agreement which allows Americans to travel to the Central Asian country without a visa should be "coordinated" with the Eurasian Economic Union (EES). Both Russia and Kazakhstan are EES members, along with Armenia, Belarus, and Kyrgyzstan. Foreign Ministry spokesman Anuar Zhainaqov said on March 16 that the EEC "is not a political alliance but a group created to tackle economic issues only." "Introducing or abolishing visa requirements for foreign citizens is the right of any sovereign country.... When they outlined the agreement on the creation of the EES, member states...agreed that issues related to national sovereignty be excluded from the group's competence," Zhainaqov said. Kazakhstan in 2014 introduced a measure allowing for a visa-free stay for up to 15 days for citizens of the United States, Netherlands, Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Malaysia, the United Arab Emirates, South Korea, and Japan. The visa-free stay was later extended to up to 30 days and the list of countries was increased to 45. Another EES member-state, Kyrgyzstan, in 2012 abolished visas for citizens of a majority of Western countries, including the United States, allowing them to stay in the country for up to 60 days without visas. Belarus also abolished visas last year for short-term visitors from some 80 countries, including the United States and European Union member states. Based on reporting by TASS and Interfax Britain, France, and Germany have proposed new European Union sanctions against Iran related to its ballistic-missile program and its role in the Syrian conflict, according to a document seen by the Reuters news agency. Reuters on March 16 reported the move would be aimed at satisfying demands made by U.S. President Donald Trump and keeping him committed to the 2015 nuclear pact that Tehran signed with world powers and from which Trump has threatened to withdraw. Reuters, citing two people familiar with the matter, said the document was sent to EU capitals on March 16 to measure the level of support for fresh sanctions. According to EU rules, all 28 members must agree to any such sanctions. "We will...be circulating in the coming days a list of persons and entities that we believe should be targeted in view of their publicly demonstrated roles," the document said, specifically citing Irans ballistic-missile tests and its role in supporting Syria's government in the seven-year-old civil war against Western-backed rebels. The document added that Britain, France, and Germany were involved in "intensive talks" with the Trump administration to "achieve a clear and lasting reaffirmation of U.S. support for the [nuclear] agreement beyond May 12." The document suggested the measures would "target militias and commanders" and build on the blocs existing sanctions related to Syria, which include travel bans, asset freezes, and a ban on conductingbusiness with public or private companies. Trump has taken a hard line on Iran throughout his term as president. He has threatened to withdraw the United States from the nuclear agreement unless European allies and the U.S. Congress agree by May 12 to fix what he called "disastrous flaws" in the deal and impose tough new restrictions aimed at curbing Iran's ballistic-missile development and its intervention in regional conflicts. Trump asserts that Tehran has violated the spirit of the nuclear deal and that it is using its ballistic-missile program to get around its restraints and continue development of nuclear weapons. Trump wants to extend the duration of the nuclear curbs on Iran, increase international inspections on its nuclear program, and include restrictions on ballistic missiles. Iran insists its nuclear program is designed strictly for civilian energy purposes and denies that it is interfering in the affairs of countries in the region. Concerns about the future of U.S. participation in the nuclear deal were raised again this week after Trump fired Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, who was seen as being in favor of remaining in the pact. Trumps nominee to replace him, CIA Director Mike Pompeo, is a strong critic of Iran and the nuclear deal. With reporting by Reuters and dpa A Prague court on March 16 rejected Russian cybercrime suspect Yevgeny Nikulin's appeal against the Czech Interior Ministry's refusal to grant him political asylum. Nikulin, 30, who has been in Czech custody since October 2016, is at the center of a tug-of-war between Moscow and Washington and may be extradited to either Russia or the United States. The court said Nikulin's appeal was groundless and its goal was to avoid possible extradition to the United States. Nikulin's 2016 arrest in Prague was based on a warrant issued by the United States, where he is suspected of hacking the LinkedIn and Formspring social networks and the Dropbox file hosting service in 2012-2013. After he was detained, Russia asked the Czech authorities to extradite him to his home country, citing him as a suspect in a $2,000 online theft in 2009. Nikulin denies he is a hacker. His lawyers have argued their client should be returned to Russia because he would not get a fair trial in the United States. Nikulin faces a maximum 30 years in prison and up to $1 million in fines if convicted on U.S. charges including computer intrusion, aggravated identity theft, conspiracy, and trafficking in illegal access devices. With reporting by Echo24.cz, Novinky.cz, and iDnes.cz Vladimir Putin is taking us back to the future. The Kremlin is returning us to a darker and more dangerous era. Four years ago this weekend, the Putin regime annexed Crimea from Ukraine, which represented the first forceful seizure of another country's territory in Europe since the Second World War. And just shy of two weeks ago, of course, we discovered that former Russian double agent Sergei Skripal and his daughter -- as well as a number of British first responders -- were poisoned with the nerve agent Novichok in Salisbury, England. And that, according to U.K. officials, represented the first offensive use of a nerve agent on European soil since World War II. Reintroducing territorial annexations and nerve agents to Europe isn't the only way Putin's Kremlin is trying to take us back to darker days of the past century. Moscow's blatant support of xenophobic far-right parties has helped move Europe's fringe back into the mainstream for the first time since the 1930s and 1940s. The pattern is clear. But why is Putin doing this? We, of course, can only surmise. Trying to get inside the Kremlin leader's head, after all, puts one in a dark place where it is very difficult to see anything. But my guess is that this regime believes that it cannot compete and survive in a world governed by rules, norms, and law. It seems to believe that its position at home is weaker than it appears, and needs international crises to buttress its legitimacy and rally the population. And it seems to understand that it is weak vis-a-vis the West, and thus must behave like a rogue to gain a measure of asymmetrical advantage. It's a dangerous game for both Russia and the West. And we know, because we've been here before. Keep telling me what you think on The Power Vertical's Twitter feed and on our Facebook page. Air strikes killed dozens of civilians in eastern Ghouta on March 16 and forced thousands more to flee, as Syrian troops continued their offensive on the last rebel stronghold near Damascus. The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said at least 80 civilians were killed in Russian air strikes on the southwestern Ghouta pocket on March 16. The latest reported deaths brought the toll for the nearly month-old offensive to 1,350. Another deadly assault is also unfolding in the north, where Turkish-led forces pressed an operation to seize the Kurdish-majority region of Afrin. The operation has sent thousands onto the roads, with bombing on the city of Afrin on March 16 killing 36 people and hitting the main hospital. The Observatory said 15,000 had fled Afrin on March 16 in fear that a Turkish advance would cut the last exit road. The monitor said a Turkish strike on March 16 hit Afrin's hospital, killing nine people and damaging the already-strapped facility. That brought to 36 -- at least 27 of them civilians -- the death toll in the bombardment of the town on March 16, according to the Observatory. Based on reporting by AFP, AP, Reuters, and dpa At least 10 people have been injured in a harrowing incident at a ski resort in Georgia, with some skiers thrown far from their chairs as a lift cable sped backward at high speed. Video footage from the Gudauri resort on March 16 showed desperate skiers jumping from the lift as it hurtled downhill or being flung through the air when their chairs spun around the wheel at the bottom. A senior Health Ministry official, Avtandil Talakvadze, told reporters that the injured people included Russians, Ukrainians, and a pregnant Swedish woman. He said seven of the injured were taken to hospitals in Tbilisi. Health Minister David Sergeenko said earlier that a Ukrainian citizen sustained an open fracture of the hand and that the Swedish woman was suffering sharp back pain. The Interior Ministry said it launched an investigation into the incident. Georgian Deputy Prime Minister Dimitri Kumisishvili, who came to the ski area, said all those found to have been responsible will be "severely punished." Georgian Ski Federation Vice President Eka Gabashvili told RFE/RL that rescue teams worked in a highly professional manner, and praised skiers and snowboarders for not panicking. TARAZ, Kazakhstan -- A jailed Kazakh businessman, Muratkhan Toqmadi, has been sentenced to 10 1/2 years in prison in a high-profile and politically charged murder case. The verdict was delivered by the Zhambyl Regional Court on March 16. In February, Toqmadi pleaded guilty to murdering Erzhan Tatishev, the chief of TuranAlem Bank, on a hunting trip in 2004. Toqmadi has already been serving a three-year prison term on an extortion and illegal firearms possession conviction since June. Toqmadi told the court that he murdered the banker at the behest of Mukhtar Ablyazov, a fugitive tycoon and vocal critic of President Nursultan Nazarbaev. After Tatishev's death, which was ruled an accident at the time, Ablyazov became the bank's chief. Wanted by Kazakhstan, Russia, and Ukraine on suspicion of embezzling some $5 billion, Ablyazov has been living abroad since 2009. He denies the embezzlement charges and has called allegations that he ordered Toqmadi's killing a "lie." Opponents and rights groups say that Nazarbaev, who has held power in the Central Asian nation since before the 1991 Soviet breakup, has taken systematic steps to suppress dissent and sideline potential opponents. British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson has said it is "overwhelmingly likely" that Russian President Vladimir Putin made the decision to use a highly toxic chemical against a former double agent in England, prompting a swift and angry response in which the Kremlin called his remarks "shocking and unforgivable." "We have nothing against the Russians themselves. There is to be no Russophobia as a result of what is happening," Johnson said on March 16, nearly two weeks after former spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter, Yulia, were exposed to what British authorities say was a potent nerve agent developed in the Soviet Union. The two were found unconscious on a bench outside a shopping mall in the southern English city of Salisbury on March 4. They remain hospitalized in critical condition. "Our quarrel is with Putins Kremlin, and with his decision -- and we think it overwhelmingly likely that it was his decision -- to direct the use of a nerve agent on the streets of the U.K., on the streets of Europe for the first time since the Second World War," Johnson said. It was the first time a high-level official has clearly specified that Putin may have ordered the poisoning, which police are treating as attempted murder. Putin's spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, said shortly afterwards that any suggestion that Putin was involved is "a shocking and unforgivable breach of the diplomatic rules of decent behavior." He repeated the Kremlin's claim that "Russia has nothing to do with this story." In a separate development, London police have launched a murder investigation into the death of London-based Russian businessman Nikolai Glushkov, after a postmortem established he died from compression to the neck. Glushkov was a close associate of Russian oligarch-turned-Kremlin-critic Boris Berezovsky, who died under disputed circumstances in 2013. Glushkov, 68, was found dead at his London home on March 12, a week after the poisoning of Skripal and his daughter. The police said in a March 16 statement that at this stage, "there is nothing to suggest any link to the attempted murders in Salisbury, nor any evidence that he (Glushkov) was poisoned." Counterterrorism police are leading the case "because of the associations Mr. Glushkov is believed to have had," the statement said. Meanwhile, Russian authorities said they have opened their own investigation into what they also classified as the attempted murder of Yulia Skripal, 33, who they said is a Russian citizen. The federal Investigative Committee, which answers to Putin, also said it opened an investigation into what it called the "murder" of into the "murder" of Berezovsky associate Glushkov. Berezovsky was found hanged in a bathroom at his home in England in 2013. An inquest failed to establish if he had committed suicide or died from foul play. Glushkov told RFE/RL in 2013 that he did not believe Berezovsky committed suicide. A lawyer for the Russian businessman said on March 13 that his client had died but that he was unaware of the circumstances, while a London police statement that contained no name but appreared to refer to Glushkov said officers were investigating an "unexplained" death. The Investigative Committee did not explain why it opened the probes, but Russian officials -- including Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov -- have accused British authorties of failing to provide Moscow with information about their investigation into the nerve-agent exposure, and suggested that they had a right to be involved because Yulia Skripal is a Russian citizen. The committee statement said Russian investigators are "ready for joint work" with British law-enforcement authorities on the cases. Earlier in the day, Lavrov said that Moscow will kick British diplomats out of the country in response to Britain's expulsion of 23 Russians it said were working as spies under diplomatic cover. Asked by a reporter in Kazakhstan's capital on March 16 whether Russia would expel British diplomats, Lavrov responded: "Of course we will," but did not say when or how many. Peskov later told reporters that Russia's response to the British measures could come "at any minute." He also gave no details, saying only that Russia's retaliation would be "well thought out" and "fully in line with the interests of country." In addition to expelling 23 diplomats Prime Minister Theresa May said were spies, she said on May 14 that Britain would suspend all planned high-level bilateral contacts with Russia, revoking an invitation for Lavrov to visit, and that British ministers and the royal family would not attend the soccer World Cup in Russia this summer. May said Britain would also freeze Russian state assets wherever there is evidence of a threat and seek to strengthen its power to impose sanctions over human rights violations. Anger over the incident has added to persistent tensions between Russia and the West over a host of issues, including Russia's aggression in Ukraine and its alleged interference in elections in the United States and other Western countries. It has cast a shadow over a March 18 election in which Putin, who has been president or prime minister since 1999, seems certain to secure a new six-year term. In a joint statement with Britain on March 15, the leaders of the United States, France, and Germany condemned the attack as "an assault on U.K. sovereignty." "This use of a military-grade nerve agent, of a type developed by Russia, constitutes the first offensive use of a nerve agent in Europe since the Second World War, the leaders said. U.S. President Donald Trump told reporters that "it certainly looks like" Russia was behind the nerve-agent exposure, which also left a police officer injured. Police said 21 people received medical attention. NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said that the "unacceptable" attack in Salisbury occurred "against the backdrop of a reckless pattern of Russian behavior over many years." In another foreign response, New Zealand said on March 16 that it was putting plans to pursue a free-trade deal with Russia on hold. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and Foreign Minister Winston Peters said in a joint statement that there was no plausible explanation other than the poison came from Russia. In Britain, meanwhile, opposition Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn warned against rushing into a "new Cold War" with Russia and suggested more evidence of Russia's culpability is needed. "To rush way ahead of the evidence being gathered by the police...serves neither justice nor our national security," Corbyn wrote in The Guardian. British officials say they have determined the toxin used in Salisbury was one of a series of nerve agents that were developed in the late Soviet era and are known by the collective name Novichok. May put the blame squarely on Russia on March 14, after Moscow failed to respond to a deadline she set for an explanation of how the substance got there. Lavrov and other Russian officials have denied Moscow was involved and accused British officials and media of whipping up anti-Russian "hysteria." Citing unnamed "senior sources," the British newspaper The Telegraph reported on March 16 that intelligence agencies believe the nerve agent was planted in Yulia Skripal's suitcase before she left Moscow for Britain recently to visit her father. Skripal, a retired Russian military intelligence colonel, was convicted of treason in 2006 for passing the identities of Russian intelligence agents to Britain's Secret Intelligence Service, or MI6. He was one of four Russian prisoners released in 2010 in exchange for 10 Russian sleeper agents uncovered in the United States, including Anna Chapman. With reporting by RIA, TASS, Interfax, AP, Reuters, AFP, and The Telegraph The Russian presidential debates ahead of the March 18 election wrapped up on a final trash-TV-style note, complete with a scandalous surprise guest and a near descent into fisticuffs. The antics in the final debate, broadcast on Russian state television on March 15, capped off a scandal-marred debate season that critics have likened to tawdry reality TV or daytime talk shows. The multiple debates, which gave the seven challengers to incumbent President Vladimir Putin face time before a national television audience, included incidents of water-throwing, profanity, and walkouts. They were capped off with one candidate threatening to break an opponent's jaw. Absent from these fracases, of course, was Putin, who is set to win reelection in a landslide and has never participated in a televised debate while running for office in his 18 years in power. Putin and the Kremlin have long cultivated his image as one of a leader who stands high above the everyday political fray. Navalny? No Threat Russian President Vladimir Putin's spokesman says the Kremlin does not consider opposition leader Aleksei Navalny a threat. And during an election season in which the Kremlin is pushing to maximize turnout for Putin's all-but-guaranteed reelection, state television has been playing up the debate melees in subsequent news reports. Here's a recap of some of these incidents from the presidential debates of this campaign season. 'I'll Break Your Jaw, B***h!' In the final presidential debate on March 15, Maksim Suraikin, the little-known head of the Communists of Russia Party, brought out a gotcha guest to criticize Communist Party candidate Pavel Grudinin (the two candidates' respective parties are not affiliated). Grudinin left the studio after Suraikin brought a woman on stage who accused Grudinin of evicting her family from their apartment while she worked for him. Grudinin was replaced on stage by one of his campaign's official surrogates, journalist Maksim Shevchenko. He proceeded to hurl insults at Suraikin, who then aggressively approached Shevchenko and threatened to assault him. "I'll break your jaw, b***h!" Suraikin yelled at Shevchenko as he was escorted from the studio. 'This Is A Circus' In a debate that aired on state television on March 1, Grudinin denounced the format of the discussion and said he would refuse to participate. "This is not a debate, this is a circus," said Grudinin, who has been the target of critical coverage from state-run and other federal media during the campaign. Grudinin criticized the question-and-answer structure and accused the Central Election Commission and federal television channels of making "a show" out of the debates and "ruining attitudes about the presidential election." "These debates have no right to exist. I'm leaving the studio," he said. 'You're A Whore' During the first televised debate of the campaign, broadcast February 28, firebrand nationalist candidate Vladimir Zhirinovsky hurled insults at liberal candidate Ksenia Sobchak, a liberal who positions herself as a protest candidate against Putin's government. She proceeded to douse Zhirinovsky with water, to which he responded with profanity and more insults, calling Sobchak a "whore." Tearing Up During a debate broadcast on March 14, Sobchak, a professional journalist and former reality TV host, appeared to tear up as she complained about the verbal abuse she has faced from Zhirinovsky. "This person calls me a whore and a dirty witch on your program," she told host Vladimir Solovyov, a Kremlin-loyal television journalist who hosts a weekly political talk show that frequently features similar acrimony. "And you allow this to happen every time." Solovyov responded by saying that the law prevented him from interrupting candidates, while adding: "It horrifies me to think that [the Russian voter] watches all of this, that this is the level of our political culture." "This is the culture you're offering us," Sobchak replied. Pakistani authorities say seven people have been killed by a powerful blast at the home of a Taliban-linked cleric in the remote town of Qillah Saifullah, near the Afghan border. Deputy commissioner Shafqat Shahwali said on March 16 that more than 10 others, including women and children, were also wounded in the blast late on March 15. Local police chief Mohammad Yousaf said that the explosion apparently occurred when a bomb or an explosive device was being loaded in a vehicle. Yousaf identified the slain cleric as Habibullah Khan, who was known for public support of the Afghan Taliban. Khan's cousin, Khair Mohammad, was quoted as saying that the cleric was a member of Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan, known as the Pakistani Taliban. Police said some of the wounded were in critical condition in hospital. Police officer Mohammad Aslam told reporters that the blast was so strong that rescue workers were pulling body parts from the debris of the house, which had completely collapsed. The town of Qillah Saifullah is located in the Balochistan Province, the scene of a low-level insurgency by separatist groups who demand a greater share of the province's resources. Balochistan is also believed to be a hiding place for the Afghan Taliban and Pakistani militant groups. Based on reporting by AP and geo.tv An empty ritual and a full-on diplomatic confrontation. A fake election and a very real international crisis. Political theater in Moscow and an apparent political assassination attempt in the U.K. Two stories competed for our attention in recent weeks, as the campaign in Russia lurched toward it's conclusion and the British government accused Moscow of attempting to poison Sergei Skripal, a former double agent. What do they tell us about where Russia is headed -- both at home and abroad -- after March 18? On this week's Power Vertical Podcast, we take a look. Joining me from Moscow is co-host Mark Galeotti, a senior research fellow at the Institute of International Relations in Prague and author of the forthcoming book Vory: Russia's Super Mafia. Enjoy... Listen or subscribe to The Power Vertical Podcast on iTunes. Russian President Vladimir Putin has called Russians to vote in the presidential election on March 18, urging citizens to "use your right to choose the future for our great and beloved Russia." Putin's appeal, posted in video and text form on the Kremlin website on March 16, echoed patriotic addresses he has issued earlier in the campaign ahead of a vote that appears certain to hand him a new six-year term. Analysts say he wants a high turnout and a convincing margin of victory to bolster his mandate as he heads into what may be his last term. "We in Russia have always decided our destiny ourselves, have done things in a way our conscience, our understanding of the truth and justice, and our love to the Motherland directed us. That is in our national character, which is known to the whole world," said Putin, whose vocal defiance of the West has been a factor in his popularity over nearly two decades as president or prime minister. The election comes as Russia's relations with the West have been driven to a post-Cold War low by disagreements over issues including Russia's aggression in Ukraine, its role in the war in Syria, its alleged interference in the U.S. presidential election in 2016, and Western accusations that it was behind the poisoning of former a Russian spy and his daughter with a highly toxic nerve agent in Britain. Eight candidates are on the ballot in the presidential vote. Putin's popularity, his control over the levers of power, and what critics say have been years of steps to suppress dissent and marginalize opponents virtually ensure his victory. Candidates are barred from using their official positions to campaign, and Putin did not call on Russians to vote for any particular candidate. He said that "as the current head of state, I consider it important to appeal to you ahead of the election." A senior Russian diplomat says that Moscow will respond to a new set of U.S. sanctions by expanding its "blacklist" of Americans who are barred from traveling to Russia. Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said on March 16 that Russia is preparing sanctions against "a new group of American actors" and possible "additional" measures. The U.S. Treasury Department announced new financial and travel sanctions on March 15 against 19 Russian people and five entities, among them two Russian intelligence agencies, in response to what it said was interference in the 2016 U.S. presidential election and "malicious cyberattacks." Ryabkov said that Russia would use the principle of parity in its response to the U.S. sanctions, targeting the same number of people. He did not say what Moscows sanctions would be, but in the past Russia has retaliated by imposing travel bans on Americans it accuses of rights violations. Ryabkov added that he doesn't want to definitively close the door to dialogue. President Vladimir Putin's spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, also said that Moscow would respond but gave no details. Russia will retaliate "in due time" and "in a way that it considers expedient," Peskov told reporters. The U.S. sanctions came in response to what officials said was a wide range of "malicious cyber activity," including Russian efforts to hack into the U.S. energy grid, and other parts of the U.S. infrastructure, including dams. The agencies targeted by the U.S. sanctions over alleged election meddling include the Internet Research Agency, a Russian company known in the West as the "troll factory." Russia denies meddling in the U.S. election campaign. Its unclear how much effect the new U.S. measures will have in influencing Russian actions in the United States or Europe. Many of the agencies, individuals, and entities had either been sanctioned previously, or had been publicly accused in U.S. statements, including in the indictment released last month by U.S. Special Counsel Robert Mueller. With reporting by AP, Reuters, and RIA The streets of Siberia are hardly paved with gold -- but a runway in Yakutsk was strewn with the stuff after an aircraft hatch flew open accidentally on takeoff, Russian news reports said. A cargo of 9.3 tons of precious metal was not properly secured and a portion of it tumbled out, reports cited local investigators as saying in a statement. Damage to a door handle caused it to fly open when the Soviet-designed An-12 plane was taking off for Krasnoyarsk with the cargo from a mining company. Authorities recovered 172 gold bars weighing 3.4 tons, state-run news agency TASS quoted Interior Ministry officials as saying. Nobody was hurt. The aircraft, operated by the transport company Nimbus, made an emergency landing in the town of Magan, about 12 kilometers from Yakutsk. A blog post on Facebook said bars of gold and platinum were scattered about the local fields, and a photo posted on social media showed glittering objects strewn across a runway. Saudi Arabia's crown prince asserted on March 15 that the kingdom will develop nuclear weapons if Iran does, in a television interview immediately denounced by Tehran. Iran signed a nuclear deal with world powers in 2015 that prohibits it from developing nuclear weapons, and beyond that. Tehran has said it has no ambition to develop such weapons of mass destruction. However, U.S. President Donald Trump has threatened to pull out of the nuclear deal, and Tehran has said that, if the United States withdraws, it will no longer be bound by the deal. "Saudi Arabia does not want to acquire any nuclear bomb, but without a doubt if Iran developed a nuclear bomb, we will follow suit as soon as possible," Saudi Prince Muhammad bin Salman told CBS television in an excerpt from an interview released on March 15. The full interview is due to be aired on March 18. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Bahram Qasemi responded sharply, saying the Saudi prince was a "delusional naive person" who "never talks, but with lies and bitterness" and has "no idea of politics," Iranian television reported. The Sunni Muslim kingdom, which has been making plans to develop a nuclear energy program that would enable it to acquire weapons-making capabilities, has clashed with Shi'ite-led Iran increasingly in recent years. The two regional rivals stand on opposites in two regional civil wars in Syria and Yemen, and have also backed opposing sides in political clashes in Iraq and Lebanon. Prince Muhammad serves as Saudi defense minister and, at 32, is heir to the Saudi throne. He is scheduled to meet this week with U.S. President Donald Trump, who regards the kingdom as a close U.S. ally. Muhammad has previously clashed with Iran, saying in an interview last year that the kingdom would make sure any future conflict between the two countries "is waged in Iran." His remarks prompted Iranian threats to hit back at most of Saudi Arabia except the holy cities of Mecca and Medina. Saudi Arabia, in making plans to develop a civilian nuclear energy program, has refused to rule out acquiring technologies such as uranium-enrichment systems that could be used to develop nuclear weapons. The United States, South Korea, Russia, France, and China have consortiums that are competing to build the country's first two nuclear reactors. To get the Saudi's business, Trump reportedly has been considering departing from past U.S. policies of allowing U.S. nuclear corporations to sign deals only with countries that rule out acquiring technologies that have military applications. Nuclear reactors use uranium that is enriched to around five percent purity, but the same technology can also be used to enrich the heavy metal to a higher, weapons-grade level. Iran currently has uranium-enrichment capabilities, but they have been curbed under the nuclear deal, which requires it to restrict its nuclear activities in exchange for sanctions relief. With reporting by AFP and Reuters Dozens of people have been killed in separate attacks in Syrias rebel-held enclave of eastern Ghouta and the northern town of Afrin, a war monitor says. At least 31 people were killed in Russian air strikes on eastern Ghouta, near the capital, Damascus, on March 16, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said. The air strikes targeted the Saqba and Kfar Batna areas, in the south of the splintered enclave, the British-based group added. Meanwhile, shelling and air strikes carried out by Turkish forces killed at least 20 people in the northern Kurdish-held town of Afrin, Syrian Kurdish forces said. Redur Khalil, a spokesman for the Syrian Democratic Forces, also said that 30 people were wounded as Turkish forces shelled the Ashrafieh neighborhood of the town on March 16. The Observatory put the death toll at 18. Turkish forces have surrounded Afrin to drive out Kurdish fighters from the town and the surrounding region. In both Ghouta and Afrin, tens of thousands of civilians have been trapped inside areas encircled on the battlefield. The Observatory said that almost 20,000 civilians fled eastern Ghouta for government-controlled territory on March 15. Western governments and the United Nations have urged Syrian government forces and their allies, including Russia, to halt attacks that UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said on February 28 had created "hell on Earth" for civilians stuck in Ghouta. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on March 16 that the Russian military and the Syrian government were extending a cease-fire in Ghouta as long as it takes to allow all the civilians to leave the area. More than 30,000 people had fled Afrin in 24 hours and civilians were still trying to slip out on March 16 before Turkish-led forces cut the last exit road, the monitoring group said. Seven years of war have forced nearly 12 million Syrians from their homes. Based on reporting by AFP, AP, Reuters ON MY MIND An empty ritual and a full-on diplomatic confrontation. A fake election and a very real international crisis. Political theater in Moscow and an apparent political assassination attempt in the United Kingdom. Two stories competed for our attention in recent weeks, as the campaign in Russia lurched toward it's conclusion and the British government accused Moscow of attempting to poison Sergei Skripal, a former double agent. What do they tell us about where Russia is headed -- both at home and abroad -- after March 18? On this week's Power Vertical Podcast, we'll take a look. Joining me from Moscow will be co-host Mark Galeotti, a senior research fellow at the Institute of International Relations in Prague and author of the forthcoming book Vory: Russia's Super Mafia. So be sure to tune in later today. IN THE NEWS U.S. Special Counsel Robert Mueller has subpoenaed the company founded by President Donald Trump for documents, including some related to Russia, media are reporting. NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg says the West is not looking to start a new Cold War or an arms race with Russia, but he reiterated that the military alliance will defend "all allies against any threat." British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson has said that the countrys law enforcement agencies were investigating rich Russian individuals with assets in Britain, and suggested that those who owe their wealth to their ties with President Vladimir Putin could be brought to justice. The leaders of France, Germany, the United States, and Britain say Russian responsibility is the "only plausible explanation" for the poisoning of former spy Sergei Skripal with a military-grade nerve agent in England on March 4. The European Union is unlikely to introduce new sanctions against Russia after the nerve-toxin poisoning of Skripal, people familiar with the matter have told RFE/RL. U.S. authorities have announced new financial sanctions against Russia's top intelligence agencies, more than a dozen Russian citizens, and the company known as the Russian "troll factory" in the latest U.S. push to punish Moscow. Police in New Zealand said on March 15 that they are investigating claims by a man who said he once worked for Russian intelligence and was poisoned in Auckland more than 10 years ago. More than 170 gold bars fell out of a Russian cargo plane during takeoff on March 15 in the far-eastern city of Yakutsk, state media reported. Lawmaker and former Russian captive Nadia Savchenko has traded incendiary accusations with senior Ukrainian authorities and faces possible arrest over what Prosecutor-General Yuriy Lutsenko alleged was a detailed plan for a devastating "terrorist" attack on parliament. Ukraine's parliament has approved Yakiv Smoliy as the new chief of the National Bank. WHAT I'M READING Poison And Dark Power In his column for Raam op Rusland, Mark Galeotti, author of the book Vory: Russia's Super Mafia, looks at the Skripal poisoning as an example of Russia's "dark power." And in Republic.ru, political analyst Tatiana Stanovaya writes that the Skripal poisoning was a message to former Russian spies living abroad. The Putin Report Opposition figures Ilya Yashin and Vladimir Milov have released a report on the results of Putin's rule. The report "Putin-Itogi 2018" continues a tradition pioneered by slain opposition leader Boris Nemtsov, to whom it is dedicated. Putin's Gamble In The Atlantic, Julia Ioffe argues that Putin isn't a tactical genius, he's "just a gambler who won big." Revisiting To Nord-Ost Also in Republic.ru, opposition journalist and political commentator Oleg Kashin looks back at the 2002 Nord-Ost theater siege and the Kremlin's response to it. Anton Shekhovtsov On The Tango Noir Krisztian Simon interviews Anton Shekhovtsov, author of the book Russia And The Western Far Right: Tango Noir, for the Green European Journal. Crime And Punishment In Belarus Meduza has a feature story looking at the use of capital punishment in Belarus. Life In The Russian 1990s And for your weekend enjoyment, check out this compelling photo essay of Russia in the 1990s. Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbaev held talks with the son of Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdymukhammedov ahead of a Central Asian summit in Astana, Nazarbaev's office said a day after the meeting. The revelation on March 16 is likely to reinforce speculation that Serdar Berdymukhammedov, a lawmaker and the only son of the authoritarian Turkmen president, may be being groomed to succeed his father. Nazarbaev discussed Kazakh-Turkmen ties with Serdar Berdymukhammedov hours before the summit in Astana on March 15, a statement on the Kazakh president's website said. Gurbanguly Berdymukhammedov was the only one of the five Central Asian presidents who did not attend the summit, officially sending Turkmen parliament chairwoman Akja Nurberdyeva in his stead. There were no official reports saying that Nazarbaev, who met separately with the presidents of Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan ahead of the summit, held any talks with Nurberdyeva. There were also no earlier reports saying that Serdar Berdymukhammedov was travelling to Astana. Gurbanguly Berdymukhammedov, 60, has ruled the former Soviet republic since his autocratic predecessor, Saparmurat Niyazov, died in December 2006. Serdar Berdymukhammedov has headed a parliamentary committee on legal affairs since March 2017. Before he became a lawmaker in November 2016, he was chief of the Foreign Ministry's information department. His career arc has been seen by political analysts as a sign that he is being groomed to eventually succeed his father as president. U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis has accused Iran of "mucking around" in Iraq's parliamentary elections, in which Prime Minister Haidar al-Abadi is seeking another term in office in May. "Iran is following Russia's example of mucking around in Iraq's elections," Mattis told reporters as he returned to Washington on March 15 from a trip to the Middle East and Afghanistan. Mattis was referring to allegations that Russia has interfered in elections in the United States, France, Mexico, and elsewhere. "We have worrisome evidence that Iran is trying to influence -- using money -- the Iraqi elections. That money is being used to sway candidates, to sway votes," Mattis said. "It's not an insignificant amount of money, we believe. And we think it's highly unhelpful." There was no immediate comment from Iran, which has in the past denied interfering in Iraq. Tehran has close ties with Iraq's Shi'ite-led government and it has strong historical and cultural ties with Iraq's majority Shi'ite population. Iran has also backed Iraqi Shi'ite paramilitary groups that played a role in ousting the Islamic State extremist group from its strongholds in northern Iraq last year. Mattis declined to say whether he believes Iran is seeking to undermine Abadi, a Shi'a who has sought to build and maintain bridges with Iraq's large Sunni and Kurdish minorities as urged by the United States to prevent the country from splintering along ethnic and religious lines. Mattis said his trip to Afghanistan and the Middle East reinforced his concerns about Iran's activities in the region. He cited Iran's support for Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in his eight-year civil war against Sunni rebels, its support for Shi'ite Huthi rebels in Yemen, and its alleged aid for insurgents in western Afghanistan. 'Weapons Testing Ground' Mattis said Iran is providing advanced arms to the Huthis, enabling them to wage a civil war against the Saudi-backed government in Yemen, and he said Tehran's involvement threatens to turn the war into a broader regional conflict. The Huthis several times last year fired ballistic missiles into Saudi Arabia that a United Nations expert panel determined were manufactured in Iran. Iran denies the allegations. Mattis said Iran is using Yemen as a testing ground for its weapons. "It's where you find their radars, their ballistic missiles, their antiship cruise missiles. We found their mines, their explosive boats all being tested," he said. Mattis said Iran is using the strait between the Red Sea and the Arabian Sea, off the coast of southern Yemen, as a "proving ground" for such advanced Iranian weaponry. Still, Mattis conceded an improvement in relations with Iran in one area. He said confrontations between U.S. and Iranian vessels operating in the Persian Gulf have dropped significantly in recent months. Mattis's staff said Iran's naval vessels have halted what once were fairly routine, aggressive maneuvers near U.S. ships since August. "They don't seem to be engaging in the same provocative behavior" in the Gulf, Mattis said. "It's like an outlier, and I don't know why." Mattis said the drop-off in naval confrontations was the only exception to what he said was a pattern of aggressive behavior by Iran. "It was just brought home to me again that they are not changing their behavior, they are continuing to be a destabilizing influence," he said. With reporting by AP and Reuters The United States for the first time is blaming the Russian government for an ongoing campaign of cyberattacks that it says is targeting the U.S. power grid, water systems, and other critical infrastructure. A U.S. security alert published on March 15 said that Russian government hackers are seeking to penetrate multiple sectors that U.S. consumers depend on for day-to-day necessities. Those targeted in the attacks, which began in March 2016 or earlier, include energy, nuclear, water, aviation, and manufacturing, the alert said. The alleged breaches by Russian hackers were cited by the U.S. Treasury Department as one reason for imposing a new round of sanctions on Russia on March 15. The Department of Homeland Security and FBI said in the alert that a "multi-stage intrusion campaign by Russian government cyber actors" has targeted small commercial facilities "where they staged malware, conducted spear phishing, and gained remote access into energy sector networks." The alert said the FBI and the National Cybersecurity and Communications Integration Center determined that the ultimate objective of the cyberattacks is to "compromise organizational networks." U.S. intelligence officials have said cyberattacks on critical U.S. infrastructure could do significant damage to the economy if they cause extensive blackouts or major disruptions of transportation systems, the Internet, or other essential sectors. The Russian intrusions reported on March 15 did not appear to cause such large-scale disruptions. However, U.S. officials have been concerned about the possibility of damaging disruptions ever since suspected Russian hackers succeeded at causing temporary power outages affecting hundreds of thousands of customers in Ukraine through cyberattacks in 2015 and 2016. Moreover, U.S. officials said they believe that the Russian military perpetrated the "NotPetya" cyberattacks in June 2017 that caused the most extensive and costly damage to global businesses in history. The NotPetya virus spread quickly across the world, paralyzing computers and resulting in billions of dollars in damage through disruptions in shipping, trade, health care, and other industries, the U.S. Treasury Department said. U.S. cybersecurity official Rick Driggers told reporters on March 15 that the Russian breaches of U.S. critical infrastructure thus far have been limited to business networks and have not affected any plant's control systems. "We did not see them cross into the control networks," he said, but "we know that there is intent there." U.S. intelligence officials recently testified that the Kremlin appears to believe it can launch hacking operations against the West with little fear of significant retribution. Russia denies trying to hack into other countries' systems. With reporting by AP, dpa, and Reuters Governor says Cancun-Riviera Maya passenger train real possibility Cancun, Q.R. The possibility of a passenger train running from Cancun to Riviera Maya is real, says state governor. During the 2018 Real Estate Forum, Carlos Joaquin Gonzalez said the project of a Cancun-Riviera Maya train route should be developed. To be viable, the train should be extended to reach Chetumal, he said. The issue of the train is a real possibility, a real option, and there are companies interested in participating in the project. We are working on the planning, in the possibility that this is the case, he explained. He noted that although the project is a real possibility, it does not mean it will be developed since a project of that magnitude requires a private investment of about $3 billion USD. He did say, though, that the project is being deeply analyzed by the Agency of Projects in Quintana Roo. I believe that before the end of the current six-year term, this proposal can be finalized and continue to be refined, he added. Joaquin Gonzalez said that he was very pleased with the forum, saying that it helps to lay foundations for better tourism development throughout the state. Talks of installing a public train route from Cancun to Riviera Maya are not new. Last year, proposals were on the table to connect the north with the south to improve transportation and alleviate traffic congestion between the major tourist towns. Travel alert against area could be lifted by next week Cancun, Q.R. According to protocol, the travel alert against the area of Playa del Carmen could be lifted by next week. Marisol Vanegas Perez, Secretary of Tourism of Quintana Roo, explained that the travel alert put out the US Embassy regarding the Barcos Caribe incident in February, could be withdrawn by early next week. In order for protocol to be followed and the travel alert reversed, Vanegas Perez says the Attorney Generals Office (PGR) must clarify several elements including who was responsible. The three elements necessary in an alert of this kind for public relations are, what happened? Who was the cause? and What did the government do? Once the PGR clarifies these things, we will communicate the answers to the state department, with whom we have daily communication, he said. The prediction of the withdrawal of the alert are estimates made by the tourism industry, he said, when the Department of State (of the United States) made travel recommendations toward other countries, in other occasions. So that it is very clear and that consequently, knowing that it is not a terrorist act, that there is no organized crime involved, it is very necessary for the PGR to clarify what follows. The strategy is based on three levels, which are the alert, containment, monitoring and metric groups, said the state official. The fundamental problem is that a security alert is issued at specific moments before a specific threat. For the one-dimensional criteria of the US Department, there is no negotiation. We are not asked to first provide information. We have daily contact with the US embassy and with international organizations. He says a travel alert is very different from a warning, which is something most countries update every six months. He also noted that they continue to dispel the negative and misinformation being circulated around social media. The governor of the state, Carlos Joaquin Gonzalez, says whomever is found to be responsible for the explosion of the ferry will be punished. A new study of African savannah elephant populations in Angola by wildlife ecologists from Elephants Without Borders (EWB) and the University of Massachusetts Amherst reports today that though the population seemed to be recovering after the war ended there, that trend has now reversed, underlining "the need to be vigilant against poaching and habitat loss," says first author Scott Schlossberg. He and colleagues write, "There may be time to reverse the ongoing decline of elephants in Angola and conserve this important population" if the government commits to "active protection." Schlossberg and Chase of the Botswana-based conservation group did this work with co-author Curtice Griffin, professor of environmental conservation at UMass Amherst. Details appear in PLOS ONE. "Our study shows that ending war is not necessarily sufficient for the long-term recovery of wildlife populations. Active protection of wildlife is also needed," says Chase, who flew the first aerial surveys after the war. "Measures such as anti-poaching and limiting human encroachment in protected areas are now essential to saving Angola's elephants." The authors note, "Fortunately, as of late 2015, Angola still had over 3,000 elephants." Before the 1970s, as many as 70,000 elephants lived in Angola, one of the largest populations in southern Africa at the time, and a key link between populations in Namibia and Botswana. However, war from 1975 to 2002 saw great loss of human life and reports of elephants slaughtered on a mass scale. In 2004-05, Chase and Griffin were able to conduct the first systematic survey in 25 years and they found a "small but apparently healthy and growing population estimated at 1,800 elephants." For the next 10 years, no elephant research was possible in Angola, but in 2015, the government granted EWB permission to resume research. Chase was Griffin's graduate student when he founded EWB at UMass Amherst in 2007. For the current work, the researchers say they used aerial surveys and satellite monitoring of eight collared elephants to determine the current status of populations in Angola and to learn how humans may be affecting elephant habitat. The aerial survey revealed a population of 3,395 elephants. This was a decrease of 21 percent measured in a subset of the 2015 study-area that was surveyed in 2005, Schlossberg explains. The study was conducted in the Cuando-Cubango province of southeast Angola, where the 2015 survey as part of the Great Elephant Census in a 43,459 square-km area, mostly in the newly created Luengue Luiana National Park. Four major rivers cross the area and settlements are found along them. Minefields left from war still remain and have caused injury to humans and wildlife, including elephants, they add. Schlossberg and colleagues report that the number of elephant carcasses observed increased greatly between 2005 when none were seen, to 2015 when approximately four carcasses were seen for every 10 live elephants. The high number of carcasses observed suggests that populations may have increased after the 2005 survey but were declining as of 2015, the authors note. This number "suggests a much more rapid decline" than the 2 percent decrease per year indicated by the live elephant numbers," and may indicate that their survey has "substantially underestimated the current rate of decline for elephants in Angola." A major finding of this study, say Schlossberg and colleagues, is that human development is widespread in southeast Angola and may be limiting elephant distributions. Satellite tracking showed that elephants avoid areas within 6 km of human indicators. "Growing human populations may be displacing elephants from their preferred habitats in Angola," Schlossberg says. The team notes that to conserve elephants in southern Africa, conservationists have proposed establishing the Kavango-Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area (KAZA TFCA) to protect core habitats and movement corridors between Angola, Botswana, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe. But their data suggest that increased poaching in the region would threaten the integrity of the proposed KAZA TFCA and greatly diminish elephants' ability to move around safely. Since the 2015 survey, the Angolan government has taken several steps to protect elephants, the authors point out. "The government has submitted a national ivory action plan to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, enacted new legislation to make the sale of live or dead wildlife a crime and stepped up seizures of elephant ivory." FULL STORY Experts aim to halve the number of deaths from a type of meningitis by changing drug treatment as a result of a new medical study. The fungal infection cryptococcal meningitis is responsible for more than 180,000 deaths per year worldwide, mainly in HIV-infected patients. Current treatment for this type of meningitis is difficult and mortality rates in Africa in routine care are in the region of 70% - as high as for the Ebola virus infection. Under the new suggested treatment regimen, the research indicates this would fall to 25-35% - potentially saving up to 80,000 lives a year. An international team led by Professor Tom Harrison at St Georges, University of London has published results of their Advancing Cryptococcal Treatment for Africa (ACTA) Trial in the New England Journal of Medicine which shows relatively simple changes can save tens of thousands of lives a year. In the light of the new findings, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has issued new Cryptococcal Disease guidelines recommending a one-week drug course. The shorter, safer and more effective antifungal drug regimen treats cryptococcal meningitis with a one-week combination antifungal regimen of amphotericin B and flucytosine for the initial induction phase of treatment. This one-week regimen has been shown to reduce mortality by at least a third, compared to the previously recommended two-week regimen. Tom Harrison, Professor of Infectious Diseases, said: The research programme has taken 15 years and has at times been a long hard journey but we are delighted to be able to show a way forward to dramatically cut the number of deaths from meningitis. We are calling for the generic manufacture and widespread availability of the drug flucytosine, and plan large-scale programmes of implementation with partner countries and international agencies that could result in the mortality from this dreaded infection being halved. Our trial has shown beyond doubt that flucytosine is an essential medicine for the treatment of meningitis related to HIV. However, it is currently completely unavailable in Africa which is where three quarters of the global cases occur. The St Georges team worked with partners at Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, The Institut Pasteur, Paris Descartes medical school and hospitals in Malawi, Zambia, Cameroon and Tanzania for the study whose results were announced at the International AIDS Society meeting in Paris on July 24. The trial, funded by the UK Medical Research Council and the ANRS (the French national agency for research on AIDS and viral hepatitis), is the largest conducted to date, including over 700 participants, on the treatment of cryptococcal meningitis. advertisement make a difference: sponsored opportunity Story Source: Materials provided by University of St George's London. Note: Content may be edited for style and length. Journal Reference: Sile F. Molloy, Cecilia Kanyama, Robert S. Heyderman, Angela Loyse, Charles Kouanfack, Duncan Chanda, Sayoki Mfinanga, Elvis Temfack, Shabir Lakhi, Sokoine Lesikari, Adrienne K. Chan, Neil Stone, Newton Kalata, Natasha Karunaharan, Kate Gaskell, Mary Peirse, Jayne Ellis, Chimwemwe Chawinga, Sandrine Lontsi, Jean-Gilbert Ndong, Philip Bright, Duncan Lupiya, Tao Chen, John Bradley, Jack Adams, Charles van der Horst, Joep J. van Oosterhout, Victor Sini, Yacouba N. Mapoure, Peter Mwaba, Tihana Bicanic, David G. Lalloo, Duolao Wang, Mina C. Hosseinipour, Olivier Lortholary, Shabbar Jaffar, Thomas S. Harrison. Antifungal Combinations for Treatment of Cryptococcal Meningitis in Africa. New England Journal of Medicine, 2018; 378 (11): 1004 DOI: 10.1056/NEJMoa1710922 Social media provides a new environment that makes it possible to carefully edit the image you want to project of yourself. A study from Lund University in Sweden suggests that many people are prepared to pay to "filter out" unfavorable information. Economists Hakan Holm and Margaret Samahita have investigated how we curate our social image on the web using game theory. Previous studies have been conducted on, for example, how anonymity affects our willingness to act pro-socially, and thus our concern for social image. However, the internet and social media now make it possible to edit the image we want to project of ourselves retroactively. One can therefore expect other, -- less impulsive, mechanisms to control this behavior. The purpose of the study was therefore to better understand online behavior. Each subject participated in a cooperative situation with an anonymous person, and the participants earned real money during the experiment. They could be "good" and cooperate a lot, which is costly, or be less cooperative, which costs less. They then found out that information about how much they actually cooperated could be published online along with their name, but that they could avoid this publication if they paid to censor the information. It turned out that those who cooperated less, valued the censorship highest which meant that information about this group's actions tended to be filtered out. "That the image people share of themselves is 'softened' on the internet is perhaps not that surprising. What is new is that this is shown under experimental control and that the will to 'filter out' is so strong that one is prepared to pay for it," explains Hakan Holm. Before the cooperative situation was presented, a group of subjects had to take a "selfie" while other subjects did not. One question was the effect of a selfie on the willingness to share sensitive information. "The selfie can be said to increase visibility, and by combining this with the information about subjects' cooperation, we found that it increased their valuation of censorship. This was especially true for those who cooperated little," says Holm. Another effect that surprised the researchers was that the likelihood to cooperate, for subjects who reported that they often took selfies, was greatly influenced by the selfie-taking. For the frequent selfie-takers who took a selfie before the cooperative situation, cooperation was significantly lower than those who did not take a selfie. "One interpretation is that among some groups, a selfie can initiate a temporary selfish mindset that crowds out other motives such as the willingness to cooperate with others. However, we would like to see more studies about this effect before it can be considered scientifically established," Hakan Holm concludes. Insulin resistance and elevated blood glucose levels are considered to be the cause of type 2 diabetes. However, scientists from the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and Heidelberg University Hospital have now provided evidence that things might be completely different. They showed in flies that elevated levels of the metabolite MG (methylglyoxal) cause the typical diabetic disturbances of the metabolism and lead to insulin resistance, obesity and elevated blood sugar levels. Type 2 diabetes, a form of diabetes with a typical onset in middle or older age, causes severe health complications including elevated risks for heart disease and strokes, massive blood flow problems in the legs as well as severe damage to eyes, nerves and kidneys. These dangerous late effects are believed to be caused by high blood sugar levels, which develop when the body cells no longer respond to insulin, the regulatory hormone that lowers blood sugar. Blood glucose levels correlate with the level of diabetic symptoms. When very high blood glucose levels are lowered using drugs, the rate of infarctions and strokes as well as blood flow problems decrease in parallel. "But this holds true only up to a certain point," said Peter Nawroth, Medical Director of the Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism at Heidelberg University Hospital. "Large clinical trials in recent years have shown: Even when blood sugar could be lowered by drugs below the diabetes threshold value, many patients nevertheless developed typical diabetic damage to nerves and kidneys. This suggests that type 2 diabetes might in fact have molecular causes that are independent of insulin and glucose." Peter Nawroth and Aurelio Teleman, who leads the Division of Signal Transduction in Cancer and Metabolism at the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) in Heidelberg, knew that in type 2 diabetics, high levels of a glucose metabolite called methylglyoxal (MG) have been observed. Medics have thought so far that this is an effect of elevated blood glucose levels. Since MG can cause damage to proteins, textbook knowledge consequently holds that it must be one of the culprits in causing typical diabetic damage. However, in light of their recent results, metabolism experts Teleman and Nawroth have now doubted this sequence of events. When rats are given MG with their food, they develop many typical signs of diabetes, including insulin resistance. The Heidelberg researchers planned to investigate the effects of long-term elevated MG concentrations on the organism. They chose fruit flies as a model for this purpose. "Flies and humans are not very closely related. However, since energy metabolism developed very early on in evolution, results are nevertheless meaningful and can usually be translated to mammals and humans," said Teleman. Using genetic engineering, the researchers turned off the enzyme that breaks down MG in flies. The glucose metabolite MG subsequently accumulated in their bodies. The flies soon developed insulin resistance. Later, they became obese and at higher age their glucose levels also became disrupted. "It appears to be sufficient to increase the MG level to trigger insulin resistance and typical diabetic metabolic disturbances," Teleman resumes. "This is clear evidence that MG is not the consequence but rather the cause of type 2 diabetes." This observation, in turn, raises the question about what might cause an elevated MG level. For example, obese people who are not diabetic also display elevated MG levels. "Why this is so, we don't know. This is an important aspect of our future research," said Nawroth. Teleman adds: "Production as well as decomposition of MG is influenced by numerous metabolic processes which we do not know yet and have to understand better. And we also urgently plan to study in mice which clinical symptoms long-term elevated MG levels cause in mammals." An international team of researchers, led by Johannes Krause and Choongwon Jeong from the Max Planck Institute for the Science of Human History (Jena, Germany), and Abdeljalil Bouzouggar from the Institut National des Sciences de l'Archeologie et du Patrimoine (Rabat, Morocco) and including scientists from the Mohammed V University in Rabat, the Natural History Museum in London, University of Oxford, Universite Mohammed Premier in Oujda and the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology in Leipzig, have sequenced DNA from individuals from Morocco dating to approximately 15,000 years ago, as published in Science. This is the oldest nuclear DNA from Africa ever successfully analyzed. The individuals, dating to the Late Stone Age, had a genetic heritage that was in part similar to Near Eastern populations and in part related to sub-Saharan African populations. North Africa is an important area in the history of the evolution of our species. The geography of North Africa also makes it an interesting area for studying how humans expanded out of Africa. It is part of the African continent, but the Sahara desert presents a substantial barrier to travel to and from southern regions. Similarly, it is part of the Mediterranean region, but in the past the sea could have presented a barrier to interaction with others as well. "A better understanding of the history of North Africa is critical to understanding the history of our species," explains co-author Saaid Amzazi of Mohammed V University in Rabat, Morocco. In order to address this, the team looked at a burial site in Grotte des Pigeons, near Taforalt in Morocco, associated with the Later Stone Age Iberomaurusian culture. The Iberomaurusians are believed to be the first in the area to produce finer stone tools known as microliths. "Grotte des Pigeons is a crucial site to understanding the human history of north-western Africa, since modern humans frequently inhabited this cave intensively during prolonged periods throughout the Middle and Later Stone Age," explains co-author Louise Humphrey of the Natural History Museum in London. "Around 15,000 years ago there is evidence for more intensive use of the site and the Iberomaurusians started to bury their dead at the back of the cave." 15,000-year-old nuclear DNA is the oldest recovered in Africa The researchers analyzed DNA from nine individuals from Taforalt using advanced sequencing and analytical methods. They were able to recover mitochondrial data from seven of the individuals and genome-wide nuclear data from five of the individuals. Because of the age of the samples, at approximately 15,000 years old, and the poor preservation characteristic of the area, this is an unprecedented achievement. "This is the first and the oldest Pleistocene DNA of our species recovered in Africa," explains co-senior author Abdeljalil Bouzouggar. "Due to challenging conditions for DNA preservation, relatively few ancient genomes have been recovered from Africa and none of them so far predate the introduction of agriculture in North Africa," explains first author Marieke van de Loosdrecht of the Max Planck Institute for the Science of Human History. "Successful genome reconstruction was possible by using specialized laboratory methods to retrieve highly degraded DNA, and relatively new analysis methods to characterize the genetic profiles of these individuals." The researchers found two major components to the genetic heritage of the individuals. About two-thirds of their heritage is related to contemporaneous populations from the Levant and about one-third is most similar to modern sub-Saharan Africans, in particular West Africans. As early as the Stone Age, human populations had links that stretched across continents The high proportion of Near Eastern ancestry shows that the connection between North Africa and the Near East began much earlier than many previously thought. Although the connections between these regions have been shown in previous studies for more recent time periods, it was not generally believed that humans were interacting across these distances during the Stone Age. "Our analysis shows that North Africa and the Near East, even at this early time, were part of one region without much of a genetic barrier," explains co-senior author Choongwon Jeong. Although the Sahara did present a physical barrier, there was also clearly interaction happening at this time. The strong connection between the Taforalt individuals and sub-Saharan populations shows that interactions across this vast desert were occurring much earlier than was previously thought. In fact, the proportion of sub-Saharan ancestry of the Taforalt individuals, one-third, is a higher percentage than found in modern populations in Morocco and many other North African populations. Sub-Saharan heritage from a previously unknown ancient population Though the scientists found clear markers linking the heritage in question to sub-Saharan Africa, no previously identified population has the precise combination of genetic markers that the Taforalt individuals had. While some aspects match modern Hadza hunter-gatherers from East Africa and others match modern West Africans, neither of these groups has the same combination of characteristics as the Taforalt individuals. Consequently, the researchers cannot be sure exactly where this heritage comes from. One possibility is that this heritage may come from a population that no longer exists. However, this question would need further investigation. "Clearly, human populations were interacting much more with groups from other, more distant areas than was previously assumed," states co-senior author Johannes Krause, director of the Department of Archaeogenetics at the Max Planck Institute for the Science of Human History. "This illustrates the ability of ancient genetics to add to our understanding of human history." Further studies in this region could help to clarify more about when and how these different populations interacted and where they came from. New research from UBC's Institute for the Oceans and Fisheries suggests that larger reef areas may help protect the Caribbean's coral reef fish communities from the impacts of ocean warming. "We are seeing alterations to local reef fish populations due to warming ocean temperatures, particularly in those Caribbean countries that are closer to the equator, like Trinidad and Tobago, where commercially important fishes such as Cero and Northern red snapper are on the decline already," said Ravi Maharaj, first author and PhD candidate at the Institute for the Oceans and Fisheries. The study looked at the size of reefs in the exclusive economic zones (EEZ) -- estimated from satellite imagery -- of nine Caribbean countries and assessed the impact of rising ocean temperatures on the fish that are most important to the local fisheries. The researchers examined how reef size may moderate such impacts. Using sea water temperature and fisheries records going back to the 1970s, researchers found that the Caribbean Sea is warming, and fish that like cooler temperatures were decreasing in dominance in the catch. But they also found that the change in fish composition was slower in countries with larger coral reefs compared to countries with smaller coral reefs. Using findings from the study, the researchers predict that changes in fish community can be reduced by 30 to 80 per cent with a doubling of reef area. This highlights the potential effectiveness of interventions that may maintain and restore reef habitats to reduce climate impacts on fish communities. "With a small degree of warming, some fish may be able to acclimate but they need suitable habitat to grow and thrive," said Maharaj. "More refuge can be found in bigger reefs, however, with the addition of habitat loss due to pollution, coral bleaching, damage from the storms that frequent the area as well as unmanaged fishing pressures, such fish refuge is becoming rarer." Most of the fisheries along the many coral reefs in the Caribbean are small-scale and subsistence-based, providing one of the main sources of food and employment, however, the fisheries are currently unmanaged. The researchers say that policy makers should focus their attention on habitat protection and fisheries management in the area. "There is a dire need for effective fisheries and conservation measures mechanisms in the Caribbean region, as the interactions between climate impacts and unmanaged fisheries are likely to weaken the resilience of fish populations," said senior author William Cheung, associate professor in the Institute for the Oceans and Fisheries. "Our results show that increasing the resilience of fish populations to climate impacts will involve managing for the broader ecosystem, particularly through protection and restoration of critical fish habitats." Spurred on by climate change, international travel and international trade, disease-bearing insects are spreading to ever-wider parts of the world. This means that more humans are exposed to viral infections such as Dengue fever, Chikungunya, Zika, West Nile fever, Yellow fever and Tick-borne encephalitis. For many of these diseases, there are as yet no specific antiviral agents or vaccines. Global warming has allowed mosquitoes, ticks and other disease-bearing insects to proliferate, adapt to different seasons, migrate and spread to new niche areas that have become warmer. These are the findings of a JRC report that aims to raise awareness about the threat posed by the spread of arboviruses (arthropod-borne viruses). The growing spread of arboviruses Aedes mosquitoes spread several arboviruses, including Dengue, Chikungunya, Zika, West Nile and Yellow fever viruses. advertisement These mosquitoes thrive in urban settings due to the lack of natural predators and the ready availability of food and habitats in which to procreate. They have existed in Africa and Asia for many years and are now becoming more and more widespread. They have recently become established in some European countries and the Americas, largely as a result of international travel and trade. Their alarming spread poses a problem for public health. They are difficult to eradicate -- their larvae can survive for months, even in suboptimal humidity and temperature conditions. The tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) has been found in several European countries, including Austria, the Czech Republic, Germany, Lithuania, Poland, Slovakia, Sweden and, more recently, the Netherlands. advertisement One of the more recently reported vectors for the virus, the Dermacentor reticulatus tick species, is rapidly spreading through Europe. It has a high reproduction rate, is cold resistant and can live underwater for months. Humans can be infected by a tick bite or through consuming unpasteurised dairy products that do not meet EU safety standards and have come from infected animals. Luckily, TBEV can be vaccinated against. Zika virus -- a serious concern for Europe Zika virus has received a lot of media attention due to its association with neurological disorders such as Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) and the development of microcephaly (abnormally small head) in fetuses. It is difficult to diagnose and there is no cure or vaccine. First identified in 1947 in the Zika forest of Uganda, its spread is a serious concern given the growing presence of its main vector, the mosquito Aedes albopictus, in temperate zones including Europe and America. The first documented outbreak of ZIKV infection was reported in 2007 in Micronesia. Since then it spread to French Polynesia and Brazil, where it infected up to 1.3 million people in 2015. More than 70 territories worldwide have confirmed autochthonous (indigenous) cases of ZIKV. By March 2017, 2 130 Europeans were reported to have travel-associated ZIKV infections. Mosquito control strategies The report describes and discusses several methods that have been used to control the spread of mosquitoes, including insecticides, mosquito traps, genetic modification, land reclamation and habitat surveillance. Currently, the safest and most readily available and effective methods of controlling mosquitoes are mosquito traps (for relatively small areas) and nets, and the reduction of potential breeding sites (standing water). While the research team behind the study advocate better control of mosquito populations, they also warn that it would be unwise to remove mosquitoes completely from the ecosystem. They are part of the food web for some species, and pollinate many plants. Wiping them out completely could have negative effects on nature, and consequently on humans. Reference: CONDUTO ANTONIO Diana Sofia, SANSEVERINO Isabella, POZZOLI Luca, LETTIERI Teresa, 2017. Toward Climate Change Impact: Vectors carrying viral infection. Publication Office of the European Union, Luxembourg. ISBN:978-92-79-80856-2, https://doi.org/10.2760/067022 On March 2, 2018, the Securities and Exchange Commission announced securities fraud charges against a U.K.-based broker-dealer and its investment manager in connection with manipulative trading in the securities of HD View 360 Inc., a U.S.-based microcap issuer. The SEC also announced charges against HD View's CEO, another individual, and three entities they control for manipulating HD View's securities as well as the securities of another microcap issuer, West Coast Ventures Group Corp. The SEC further announced the institution of an order suspending trading in the securities of HD View. These charges arise in part from an undercover operation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, which also resulted in related criminal prosecutions against these defendants by the Office of the United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York. In a complaint filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York, the SEC alleges that Beaufort Securities Ltd. and Peter Kyriacou, an investment manager at Beaufort, manipulated the market for HD View's common stock. The scheme involved an undercover FBI agent who described his business as manipulating U.S. stocks through pump-and-dump schemes. Kyriacou and the agent discussed depositing large blocks of microcap stock in Beaufort accounts, driving up the price of the stock through promotions, manipulating the stock's price and volume through matched trades, and then selling the shares for a large profit. The SEC's complaint against Beaufort and Kyriacou alleges that they: opened brokerage accounts for the undercover agent in the names of nominees in order to conceal his identity and his connection to the anticipated trading activity in the accounts suggested that the undercover agent could create the false appearance that HD View's stock was liquid in advance of a pump-and-dump by "gam[ing] the market" through matched trades executed multiple purchase orders of HD View shares with the understanding that Beaufort's client had arranged for an associate to simultaneously offer an equivalent number of shares at the same price A second complaint filed by the SEC in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York alleges that in a series of recorded telephone conversations with the undercover agent, HD View CEO Dennis Mancino and William T. Hirschy agreed to manipulate HD View's common stock by using the agent's network of brokers to generate fraudulent retail demand for the stock in exchange for a kickback from the trading proceeds. According to the complaint, the three men agreed that Mancino and Hirschy would manipulate HD View stock to a higher price before using the agent's brokers to liquidate their positions at an artificially inflated price. The SEC's complaint also alleges that Mancino and Hirschy executed a "test trade" on Jan. 31, 2018, coordinated by the agent, consisting of a sell order placed by the defendants filled by an opposing purchase order placed by a broker into an account at Beaufort. Unbeknownst to Mancino and Hirschy, the Beaufort account used for this trade was a nominal account that was opened and funded by the agent. The SEC's complaint also alleges that, prior to their contact with the undercover agent, Mancino and Hirschy manipulated the market for HD View and for West Coast by using brokerage accounts that they owned, controlled, or were associated with including TJM Investments Inc., DJK Investments 10 Inc., WT Consulting Group LLC to effect manipulative "matched trades." The SEC's complaint against Beaufort and Kyriacou charges the defendants with violating Section 10(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Rule 10b-5 thereunder. The SEC also charged Hirschy, Mancino, and their corporate entities with violating Section 17(a)(1) of the Securities Act of 1933, Sections 9(a)(1), 9(a)(2), and 10(b) of the Exchange Act and Rules 10b-5(a) and (c) thereunder. The SEC is seeking injunctions, disgorgement, prejudgment interest, penalties, and penny stock bars from Beaufort and Kyriacou. With respect to Hirschy, Mancino, and their corporate entities, the SEC is seeking injunctions, disgorgement, prejudgment interest, penalties, penny stock bars, and an officer-and-director bar against Mancino. The investigation was conducted in the SEC's New York Regional Office by Tejal Shah and Joseph Darragh, Lorraine Collazo, and Michael D. Paley of the Microcap Fraud Task Force and supervised by Lara S. Mehraban, and in Washington, D.C. by Patrick L. Feeney, Robert Nesbitt, and Kevin Guerrero, and supervised by Antonia Chion. Preethi Krishnamurthy and Ms. Shah will lead the SEC's litigation against Beaufort and Kyriacou. Ann H. Petalas and Mr. Feeney, under the supervision of Cheryl Crumpton, will handle the SEC's litigation against Mancino, Hirschy, and their entities. The SEC appreciates the assistance of the Office of the United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Internal Revenue Service, the Alberta Securities Commission, the Ontario Securities Commission, the Financial Conduct Authority of the United Kingdom, and the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority. The Commission's investigation in this matter is continuing. 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. Google may be testing a feature in the search results where the people also search for box not only shows up when you click back from the web site, into the search results again but also when you hover your mouse cursor over the snippet. Here is what the people also search for box looks like, again, it shows up below the snippet after you go from Google's search results page, click on the result and then click the back button from the web site landed on, back to the Google search results page: Rob Bonham said on Twitter that he was able to trigger it without the pogosticking behavior and just by moving his mouse cursor over the snippet. I tried to replicate it but was unable to. Can you see this yourself? Forum discussion at Twitter. They help some of the most vulnerable people in Sonoma County, those grappling with severe mental illnesses who cant afford to pay for help. Now, their funding is in jeopardy at a terrible time. Sonoma County officials are considering millions of dollars in emergency budget cuts to more than 40 nonprofit groups that provide counseling, suicide prevention, supportive housing and addiction intervention even as the region faces a mental health crisis after Octobers Wine Country firestorm. The Board of Supervisors, desperate to address a mounting deficit caused by mismanagement, is set to vote March 27 on the potential cuts, though a precise figure for the savings has not been finalized. The changes would be effective immediately. Its just one thing on top of the next, said Kai Harris, the director of programs at California Human Development, a nonprofit that offers residential treatment and outpatient programs. We are seeing a massive demand for mental health services after these fires. Folks are really at the end of their ropes. Santiago Mejia/The Chronicle Lomi Psychotherapy, a tiny nonprofit clinic tucked in a Santa Rosa strip mall, would be among those affected. It offers affordable counseling to patients on a sliding scale. But a reduction in county dollars would trigger layoffs, a 25 percent cut in services and discontinued care for some Medi-Cal clients, said Clinical Director Thomas Pope. Already, we do not meet the needs that we receive, Pope said. These cuts will have a severe and lasting impact on a very vulnerable population and will result in more crisis care, more emergency room visits, and ultimately more costs to the county. The behavioral health division of the countys Department of Health Services was running an $11 million deficit before the wildfires sparked. The shortfall improved this spring, to $8.5 million in the fiscal year that ends June 30, after an infusion of one-time state funding. But the problem remains, stemming from the countys failure to predict federal Medicaid reimbursements, officials said. For more than six years, the county paid out money for mental health programs, they said, but didnt properly file paperwork to get compensation needed to run those programs, leaving millions of dollars on the table. Now, officials are hoping to stanch the losses by eliminating a portion of the funding to nonprofits. Crisis counseling for fire victims, funded with federal money, would not be affected. But the fires, which displaced tens of thousands of people, exacerbated many existing mental health conditions that the nonprofits treat, advocates said. You are talking about the worst point of timing, said Board of Supervisors President James Gore. This is coming at a time when we are dealing with community trauma. Theres more need for services. This isnt cutting the job of somebody who is creating tchotchkes. Barbie Robinson, the director of the Department of Health Services since last year, said she hoped to avoid laying off county staff. But she acknowledged the cuts could hurt people with serious needs. We cant understate the impacts, with respect to loss of services, Robinson said. We recognize the fact that we have a mental health parity issue in our community. We had an unmet need before we encountered this budget crisis. We recognize the impact of these cuts and what it means for our system of care. Its devastating. Santiago Mejia/The Chronicle More than $40 million of the $93 million allotted to the behavioral health division funnels into 90 nonprofits, many of which have treated residents struggling to cope after the North Bay fires, which in Sonoma County killed 24 people and ruined 6,957 homes, businesses and other structures. The nonprofits provide the bulk of mental health services within the county, which refers patients to the programs. The county planned to lay off 32 behavioral health employees this winter before receiving $2 million from the states substance abuse prevention and treatment program. Cutting overtime, along with 36 staff vacancies, also helped. But the temporary fixes will carry the county only into the summer. The board could vote to backfill the budget from rainy-day reserves. But some supervisors worry the money might be needed elsewhere. The biggest blaze, the Tubbs Fire, will cost the county $4.8 million this fiscal year, in part due to lost property, sales and business taxes, and another $6.7 million next year, according to county projections. We are going to have to find ways to backfill, through reserves, or going after fees, said Supervisor Shirlee Zane. Mental health is one of our top priorities, but its going to be a challenge. Another group facing cuts is the Progress Foundation, which provides residential treatment to people struggling with schizophrenia and other mental illnesses. Under the county proposal, it must shave $60,000 from its budget through June 30 a nearly impossible task, said Steve Fields, the executive director. He said staffing minimums mean one of the groups 24-hour-a-day facilities would be shuttered. 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. We dont have a place we can find $60,000 in two months to save, Fields said. Im concerned that they have made the nonprofit sector secondary citizens in this process. City and county layoffs were rescinded. The burn of whats remaining falls on the nonprofits. Tom Bieri, executive director of the Community Support Network, which provides supportive housing for people with behavioral health challenges, said hes facing a potential loss of $236,000, which would force closure of some programs. Im hoping the county decides its in the best interest to find the money to fill this somewhere else so we arent displacing individuals and putting them back on the streets, Bieri said. On a recent day, at the networks 12-bedroom Hope House in Santa Rosa, patients chatted in the dining room, where red plastic dishware had been set on a table for lunch. One man sat in the backyard, basking in the sun. The house offers a kind of freedom patients cant get at some other facilities. It felt like a normal day in a normal home. If we were to close them, I cant say with any degree of confidence that we could reopen them even if new funding comes through, Bieri said. The county is trying to solve a short-term budget problem that will force us to close homes that save the county millions. Its not a good move. Positive Images, a nonprofit that helps LGBT teenagers and young adults, could lose $17,000 of the $114,000 it receives annually from the county. It is the only organization in the area doing this kind of work, said Christian Sullberg, the president. Many of those getting help from Positive Images plan to testify at the county board meeting. Our teens rely on our mental health support groups and leadership training programs and art programs, Sullberg said. Many of our teens are making testimonials of how the program has impacted them, and for some, even saved their lives. Abby Friedman was thrilled when she got a text this week from one of the students she counsels at the college resource center at Coliseum College Preparatory Academy in Oakland the teen had been accepted at Wesleyan University. Friedman texted back to ask whether the school said anything about financial aid. The girl said she wasnt sure, that it was confusing, and she forwarded a photo of the acceptance letter. There were a lot of numbers on the page, but they translated to a full ride for the student, no loans, just free tuition, room and board. Friedman let out a whoop and sent the good news to the student. Its a scenario Friedman said she sees frequently as she helps often-overwhelmed students frequently the first in their families to go to college navigate the application, financial aid and enrollment process. Friedman is the director of her schools Future Center. There are 10 such centers at middle and high schools in Oakland, part of the citys Oakland Promise initiative, which was started two years ago by city and school officials. The centers try to promote a college-going culture among students and with examples like Friedmans and some statistics now in hand, they are showing early success. At the four high schools with Future Centers, 88 percent of students applied to college, compared with 79 percent at schools without one, according to an independent study by University of Chicago researchers. The results were even more stark for African American and Latino students. According to the study, 66 percent of black students at Future Center schools, for example, enrolled in a two- to four-year college, compared with 47 percent at other high schools. Mayor Libby Schaaf and school Superintendent Kyla Johnson-Trammell released the results of the study Thursday evening at a news conference outlining progress for the first two years of Oakland Promise. Its working, Schaaf said Thursday morning. My lifetime dream is coming true. The whole point is to break down the barriers to college for students, not just get kids excited about their lives after K-12 is over, but to literally hold their hands down the path to get them into and through that college experience, Schaaf said. Oakland Promise is a cradle to career plan that seeks by 2025 to ensure that 30 percent of Oaklands ninth-graders ultimately complete college a daunting task given that, as of 2016, just 10 percent were earning a degree. Currently, the initiative costs about $9 million per year, but organizers hope that will expand in the coming years to include more schools and more children. Funding comes from the city, the school district and philanthropic donations. The goal is to provide $500 in a college savings account for every Oakland baby born into poverty, as well as a $100 college scholarship for each kindergartner and up to $16,000 for all eligible seniors to help cover college costs. The initiative also teams up students with individual mentors to support them through a postsecondary education. The Future Centers bridge the gap, but they dont just offer university brochures and federal financial aid forms. Their counselors provide the kind of support students need to believe they can become college graduates, school officials said. Some of the most dramatic change weve seen because of the Oakland Promise has come from the Future Centers, Johnson-Trammell said. Planning for college and career can be overwhelming for our young people, but the Future Centers make it easier to manage. 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. While many schools have college and career offices, the Future Centers dont wait for students to walk in they pull them in, said David Silver, director of education for Schaaf. Were not just about having a place, opening the door and having the really motivated kids come in, he said. Jimmy Huynh, 18, remembers the first time he walked into the Oakland High Future Center. I didnt know how to apply to college, he said. I didnt know what colleges to apply to. He started going in three times a week. Hes now a freshman at UC Berkeley. Just being there, he said, it was such a caring environment. San Francisco mayoral candidate Mark Leno laid out an ambitious plan Friday that he claims can end the citys homelessness problem by 2020. At a news conference in U.N. Plaza, which for years has been a backdrop for the citys homelessness and open-air drug-use problems, Leno laid out a multipronged approach that begins with keeping at-risk people housed. He was joined by BART Director Bevan Dufty, an ex-supervisor and the citys former homeless czar, who has endorsed Lenos campaign. That, Leno said, would involve increasing the citys investments in rental and legal assistance to stop unfair, unjust evictions from the Ellis Act. Ill take speculators who are buying buildings and evicting all tenants illegally to court. Leno also pledged to immediately move at least 1,000 people off the streets and into single-room occupancy hotels. Citing figures from the citys Department of Building Inspection, Leno said there were as many as 1,500 vacant SRO units that could be used for housing. We dont have to build those units. Theyre there, Leno said. I will bring the owners of those (SRO) buildings together with the mayors office to identify how we can get those who are homeless into those units and provide the supportive services theyll need to keep themselves successful in their housing. He estimated it would cost the city about $1.2 million annually for every 50 people housed in SROs. The plan did not include further details about how much his proposals might cost, but Leno said shifting the citys budget priorities would make the plan feasible. The city could spend less on street cleaning, he said, once more homeless people are housed, because there would be less trash, human waste and needles on the streets, he said. His plan also calls for expanding the citys existing homeless shelters and Navigation Centers and creating a so-called mental health justice center to address those on the streets suffering from mental illnesses. In terms of Lenos aggressive timeline, Im not sure if its possible or not, but we can certainly do better, and its certainly going to take more investment, said Jeff Kositsky, who leads the citys Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing. Kositsky declined to weigh in on the specifics of Lenos plan. Dominic Fracassa Help, or get out of the way: San Francisco Mayor Mark Farrell asked federal law enforcement officials this week to cooperate not hinder with the city on its efforts to open the nations first safe-injection site for injection drug users. In a letter to U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions, Farrell wrote that the ultimate goal of such sites to save lives requires partnership and support from the federal government, rather than impediment. 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. Citing the need to address the national opioid epidemic, the spread of infectious diseases from dirty needles and the risks of overdose deaths, Farrell asked the federal government to turn their attention to supporting rather than prosecuting those who are trying to save lives. Whether Farrell will persuade the federal government to back off seems unlikely. Katherine Pfaff, a spokeswoman for the federal Drug Enforcement Administration, said in an email that safe-injection sites plainly violate federal law. Any facilitation of illicit drug use is considered in violation of the Controlled Substances Act and, therefore, subject to legal action. Dominic Fracassa When self-driving taxis hit the streets, people will pay for ride subscriptions instead of piecemeal for each ride, many industry experts predict. But Lyft isnt waiting for autonomous vehicles to get up to speed to experiment with that payment model. The San Francisco ride-hailing company this week sent out beta invitations for all-access plans. It describes them as locking in rides for one monthly fee. The ride plans arent all-you-can-eat. Otherwise, San Franciscans could do frequent jaunts to Wine Country or Mount Tamalpais, for instance, all on Lyfts dime. Instead, passengers pay an up-front monthly price for a set number of rides, up to a certain amount each. On Twitter, users reported a range of price offers. For instance, one offer was $249 a month for 30 rides, up to $15 each. Other monthly plans offered were $199, $299 and $399. Were always testing new ways to provide passengers the most affordable and flexible transportation options, Lyft said in a statement. For the past few months, weve been testing a variety of all-access plans for Lyft passengers. Both Lyft and Uber have experimented with similar models before, although they took the form of paying a monthly fee to ensure low fixed-price rides. Air Quality Tracker Check levels down to the neighborhood Ratings for the Bay Area and California, updated every 10 minutes In the future, we wont own transportation, well subscribe to it, Lyft CEO Logan Green said in a videoconference call this week, describing the companys plans for autonomous cars. Weve seen industries make this shift in the past from an ownership model to a service model weve seen it with companies like Netflix and Spotify but at over $2 trillion, transportation will be the largest industry to flip, and the implications will be world changing. Editors note: This story has been updated to clarify which department oversees the work permit program for spouses of H-1B visa holders. After President Barack Obama allowed spouses of H-1B holders to work in 2015, worlds opened up for these foreigners. In the Bay Area, one woman built a preschool, another pursued a job at Facebook. With the extra income and security, some could finally afford to buy a home. But then the Trump administration came into office with plans to get rid of their work permits. For Preethi Rao and others like her, long-term planning screeched to a halt. The uncertainty is driving her crazy, she said, and she dreads the thought of not working once more. I still have (the permit), but it is very uncertain, said Rao, who is studying for a medical degree at Foothill College and plans to start applying for jobs soon with her work authorization. If they get rid of it, Ill just have to sit at home again. After months of rumors that the administration would eliminate the program, which has given about 100,000 spouses of H-1B visa holders permission to work, the Department of Homeland Security, which oversees it, suggested last year that it would publish a proposal to do so by February. This month, it pushed that target date to June. As thousands of foreigners like Rao wait for an answer, department officials have been carefully analyzing the argument they intend to use for eliminating the program, say people familiar with the administrations thinking. The bureaucratic rigmarole behind this little-known program, which grants work permits to those who hold a spousal H-4 visa and whose husbands or wives are in line for a green card, illustrates how challenging it is for the administration to change rules midstream. But it also shows how determined the White House is to carry out one of Trumps chief campaign promises: cracking down on foreign work programs that it believes threaten American jobs. Advocates of the rule are skeptical of how the department can justify removing these spouses from the economy, while critics say they never should have been able to work in the first place. Caught up in the debates around economics and politics are those like Rao, who are not sure how much longer they can wait. I cant explain the feeling, Rao said. If I start working and all of a sudden (the work permits) get removed, then Ill go into depression. At first the department planned to argue that Obama created the work permits without congressional approval, and they are therefore illegal. It is the same argument that a group of technology workers called Save Jobs USA used when it first sued the government in 2016 for implementing the rule. Carlos Avila Gonzalez/The Chronicle The Trump administration adopted a similar position when it ended protections for nearly 700,000 young, undocumented immigrants under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival program, commonly known as DACA. But in January, a San Francisco judge blocked those plans, saying the government offered no reasoned explanation for its termination. The department has now switched gears on the argument it plans to use for the H-4 work permits to instead focus on the economic implications of retaining the permits, say people familiar with the administrations deliberations. One said the department changed its strategy because it saw from its losses on DACA that it would not likely prevail with making a similar argument against the H-4 permits. The department did not respond to a request for comment. In a recent court filing in the Save Jobs USA case, the department said it has reevaluated the rule and determined that significant revisions to the draft proposal were necessary. Those revisions include a new economic analysis that required several weeks to perform, it said, though it did not elaborate on what prompted this reevaluation. John Miano, a fellow at the Center for Immigration Studies and a lawyer representing Save Jobs USA, said part of the reason behind these delays could be because the Trump administration is taking a schizophrenic view of the power of the executive branch. They are looking at all of these court losses that they have been hitting, and they are saying, We need to cover ourselves this time, he said. Ur Jaddou, former chief counsel for the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services, said for insiders familiar with federal bureaucracy, the delays are not surprising. As it is, drafting notices of proposed rule-making are hard and time-consuming, she said, adding, If you want to get it right and ensure you protect against any legal challenges, you have to dot your is and cross your ts. Air Quality Tracker Check levels down to the neighborhood Ratings for the Bay Area and California, updated every 10 minutes From May 2015, when the rule became effective, through June 29, 104,750 permits were approved for the spouses of H-1B visa holders, according to the most recent United States Citizenship and Immigration Services data. Its not clear how many permits were issued locally, though almost half of the H-1B visas granted in 2017 in California went for jobs in eight Bay Area cities. Unlike for H-1B visas, companies do not need to report to the government when they employ someone with an H-4 work permit, so it is difficult to determine where these foreigners typically work. Some of the visa holders who are mostly Indian women use the permits only for identification. Andy Halataei, senior vice president of government affairs at the Information Technology Industry Council, which represents major Bay Area tech companies, said his organization cannot imagine an argument that shows H-4 visa holders hurt the economy. Were talking about such small numbers that it would be such a stretch to make a claim that there is any adverse impact to American workers, he said. But Miano said these foreign workers are taking jobs from Americans, and he believes the government can prove they have an adverse impact on the economy. And regardless of the numbers, he said, the executive branch should not be able to create foreign work permits without congressional approval. Everything is stacked in the governments favor in this case, he said. They just need to be able to say that they didnt act arbitrarily and capriciously. While the government works on these plans, Rao waits and continues her coursework. She doesnt know whether her education will pay off. If (hospitals) like my work, they can offer me a job but I dont know if I can take that job or not, she said. I dont want to sit at home after I finish my studies. Ten years ago, California voters approved very narrowly a $9.95 billion bond issue to partially finance what was described as a $40 billion high-speed train system linking the northern and southern regions of the state. Since then, construction has started on a 119-mile starter line in the San Joaquin Valley, from Madera to an orchard near Bakersfield. However, the project as a whole has undergone numerous revisions of scope, timing and costs. At first, the plan was to extend the San Joaquin Valley stretch southward to Los Angeles, but that was scotched when the difficulties and costs of traversing or tunneling through two mountain ranges proved daunting, as did local opposition. Instead, it was decided to extend the San Joaquin Valley segment to San Jose and connect with an upgraded commuter rail line to San Francisco. The latter, dubbed a blended system, was decreed because opposition to noisy high-speed trains through the very wealthy San Francisco Peninsula could have been fatal. However, switching to a blended system, with lower-speed service between San Francisco and San Jose, would also make it virtually impossible to meet the 160-minute travel time between San Francisco and Los Angeles that had been promised in the 2008 ballot measure. Last week, the High-Speed Rail Authority issued its latest business plan, which supposedly lays out how the bullet train would be completed. The cost estimate, which had once ballooned to about $100 billion before being dropped back to about $65 billion, has once again risen to $77.3 billion, or just about twice the 2008 figure. The 160-minute travel time has been banished from the newest plan in favor of three hours, more or less, but with the blended system, even that higher figure seems highly unlikely. Although voters were told that the $9.95 billion would be taxpayers only burden for the system, hopes for enormous federal or private investment have faded. Therefore, the latest version would build the line to San Jose by using the projects 25 percent share of proceeds from the auction of greenhouse gas emission permits, known as cap-and-trade, to secure a loan from somebody. California consumers thus would be tapped, through their utility bills, gasoline purchases, etc., to pay for the bullet train, an indirect form of taxation. And to make the projected loan work, the business plan says, cap-and-trade would have to be extended from the current 2030 to 2050 and the state would also have to give the lenders some guarantees for backup payments. 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 should also be noted that while cap-and-trade auction proceeds are supposed to be used for projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions, the bullet train, by official estimate, would reduce automotive travel by just 1 percent, even if fully built out. Finally, the plan assumes that once passengers were riding between San Francisco and Bakersfield, the system would generate enough profit from fares to finance extension to Los Angeles. That assumption counts on as many as 31.7 million passengers during the segments first full year, 2033, or roughly as many who board planes in the Dallas-Fort Worth Airport each year. Realistic or wishful thinking? The 2008 ballot measure assumed that the system would be completed, including service to Anaheim, by 2030, but the new plan barely sees very limited service on the San Jose-Bakersfield portion by then. There are obviously a lot of uncertainties in the new business plan. But even if all are resolved, the bullet train still looks like a solution in search of a problem, rather than a vital transportation system. California has no shortage of transportation problems, but traveling between San Francisco and Los Angeles isnt one of them. San Franciscos auto break-in hot spots We sent a reporter and photographer to four of the hardest-hit square blocks for break-ins. Heres what they found San Franciscos auto break-in hot spots We sent a reporter and photographer to four of the hardest-hit square blocks for break-ins. Heres what they found With more than 31,000 people last year reporting the same dismal ordeal of returning to their vehicle to find a window shattered and the inside ransacked, San Francisco claimed the worst break-in rate of any big city in the state. But this target-rich environment isnt evenly spread. Thieves visited a collection of hot spots over and over again, particularly tourist draws near the beach or the bay, city landmarks and shopping areas with large parking lots, while by and large avoiding some other areas, according to a Chronicle analysis of crime data from 2017. Interactive SF's car break-in epidemic The Police Department has been using the same information to analyze the epidemic and test potential solutions in its 10 districts, which all showed an increase in vehicle break-ins last year. Compiling heat maps, officials are using the data to boost patrols and deploy uniformed and undercover officers. Were going for a visible presence at the locations, said Northern Station Capt. Joseph Engler, whose district includes a pair of noted hot spots, the Palace of Fine Arts and Alamo Square. The visibility is working, and were getting the word out and asking everyone to be partners in this. But solving cases remains a challenge. Police made arrests in 550 incidents last year, or roughly 1.8 percent of cases, according to the data reviewed by The Chronicle. Officials, though, said the numbers may be incomplete, and that their most up-to-date records show 639 cases were cleared with arrests last year. Each of the window-smashing hot spots has unique characteristics that make them easy quarry and demand a different approach from police and visitors. Yet there are common themes, such as vibrant atmospheres that give visitors a false sense of safety, and parking lots with little to no security where people leave vehicles for hours at a time with visible plunder for the taking. The Chronicle sent a reporter and photographer to explore four of the worst-hit square blocks in the city to try to understand why criminals find each location so appealing. Point Lobos Avenue Looking out over the ruins of Sutro Baths and the Pacific Ocean beyond from his perch behind the counter at Louis Restaurant, Tom Hickox offers diners breathtaking views, some of the citys most famous comfort food, and a hard-boiled warning. When people come in, I tell them, If you have anything in your car, go get it, he said. A long stretch of Point Lobos Avenue extending north from Ocean Beach suffered the highest number of break-ins for any single block in San Francisco in 2017, according to city data. One of the 305 vehicles hit there last year, Hickox recalled, belonged to a film crew that parked in front of the restaurant. The group brought in some gear, but had to leave heavier items in a locked van. When the guests finished eating, they made the sad discovery the vehicle had been ransacked in a stealthy smash-and-grab. I didnt see anything, and I didnt even hear anything, Hickox said. The criminals are very well organized. Though he didnt witness that caper, Hickox often looks out at the parking lots up the street and notices thieves casing cars and smashing windows. By the time he picks up the phone to call police, he said, theyre gone. I felt so bad for these people, he said. Its very deceiving because it seems safe here, but its not. San Francisco police are aware of the problem along the picturesque point, and when they can, officers place flyers under windshield wipers reading, Take your things. Lock your car. Catching the slippery criminals in the act, though, is rare. Police reported making arrests in just one incident along the stretch last year, according to the city data. As with many other break-in hot spots, the area has large parking lots sitting out of view from the sights people come for. Sutro Baths and the Cliff House, for example, are not visible from the main lot at Lands End. The lot the largest in the area is where burglars really get busy. Steve Robinson, 62, makes and sells jewelry at a stand in front of the Cliff House two days a week. Sometimes, he said, hell walk by and see dozens of freshly pilfered cars with windows smashed in the lot. Its crazy, man, he said. Its going to be hard to stop this thing. Theyre running three deep. You got some people that are so sophisticated. Illinois Street in Dogpatch Upscale restaurants, wine bars and artist studios mix with the long-standing warehouses and blue-collar workshops along Third Street in the citys fastest-growing neighborhood. Thieves have also discovered Dogpatchs allure and have been exploiting one square block in particular between Illinois Street and Third Street, to the tune of 195 vehicle break-ins last year. Police reported making arrests in two of those cases. Unlike so many of the worst-hit areas in the city, the 1000 block of Illinois doesnt boast any city landmarks or famed tourist magnets. Rather, the quiet industrial backstreet runs beside a row of warehouses near a Pacific Gas and Electric Co. yard. But Third Street, one block away, has become a popular nightlife destination with an influx of new restaurants and bars. What really puts this spot in the crosshairs of the burglary epidemic, said workers in the neighborhood, is the ample street parking, as one of the last places in the city with free spots, 24 hours a day. And for those who dont nab a spot on Illinois Street, theres a privately operated lot with more than 100 spaces available for less than $20 a day. The parking lot has a pretty bad reputation, said 25-year-old Paul Bougare, who manages La Fromagerie cheese shop on Third Street. Its always a risk parking there. Bougare rides his bike from his South of Market home, knowing cars are easy targets, especially at night. During the day, the block of Illinois bustles with trucks pulling into warehouses and visitors coming and going from nearby businesses. Come nightfall, the street goes dark and quiet, and vehicles become easy prey. Theres not nearly anyone watching, said 25-year-old Dave Johnson, who works at a warehouse that stores art for hotels. Its a pretty good smash-and-grab spot for thieves. Third is happening, but back here its empty. A security guard at the parking lot, who said he was not authorized to speak on behalf of Impark, the company that operates the lot, said he was recently hired to patrol it, and believes the change is making a difference. Impark officials did not return messages. At any rate, people who need affordable parking havent stopped coming, even though a broken window costs more than $350 a pop. Golden Gate Park Golden Gate Park is a rough spot in general for break-ins, but one swath popular with guests stands out. Cars parked near the California Academy of Sciences from John F. Kennedy Drive south to Martin Luther King Drive, and from Music Concourse Drive east to Nancy Pelosi Drive were looted 250 times last year, city data show. Police reported making arrests in just one case in the area last year and four in the entire park. City cleanup crews regularly sweep up broken glass from the streets and sidewalks. But some areas are tough to clear, and the detritus piles up near the Lily Pond, where thousands of multicolored shards sparkle as they mix with dirt, bark chips, pine needles and dead leaves. The scene offers its bandits the cover of a nearby wooded hillside. Anyone can sneak down a dirt path, hit cars in a guerrilla attack and disappear into the brush. On a recent day, a stream of cars pulled into another favorite stop for thieves, a large parking lot with little supervision. Visitors to the Academy of Sciences, the de Young Museum or the Music Concourse often park in a two-level underground garage off Nancy Pelosi Drive and leave for hours on end. As he visited the hot spot on a recent day, Brad Burnham said he knew all about the break-in crisis. The van he uses for his dog-walking business has been busted into five times in the past 18 months in different neighborhoods though his pooches were never inside when the thieves struck, he said. Its an enterprising activity for sure especially in places like this, the 64-year-old said, surrounded by seven dogs. The first time he was victimized, he was surprised, but after nearly half a dozen times, You start to realize its the cost of doing business. The last time his window was smashed, in the Marina neighborhood, the glass broke into fragments but somehow stayed in place. So he opted to tape the window up rather than pay $500 to have it replaced. It gives the impression its already been broken into, Burnham said, showing off the unusual visual deterrent. Palace of Fine Arts With its elegant rotunda reflecting in a lagoon surrounded by manicured trees, the Palace of Fine Arts is a popular spot for picture-snapping and relaxing. But all too often, that serenity is abruptly cut short when guests discover their vehicles have been burglarized and their possessions taken. Living just half a block from the Marina landmark, Skylar Skikos has seen the heartbreak firsthand more than hed like. On a recent sunny day after work, the 38-year-old walked his English sheepdog, named Magnificent, along Baker Street, keeping an eye out for crooks. I try to warn tourists, he said. This place just gives people a false sense of security. People jump right out and break into cars. I see it all the time. Its pervasive. Its terrible. The problem is so prevalent that the location is plastered with signs warning people to guard their valuables. Even so, the streets directly around the palace saw 288 auto break-ins last year an 11-fold spike since 2003. Police made arrests in six of the cases, according to city data. Around back from the main building, criminals gorge on a smorgasbord: Out of view from the landmarks attractive sights, cars in the main parking area on Palace Drive are easy pickings. While the street in front of the palace bears warnings placed on light poles, the placards on Palace Drive are more in-your-face. Attention! Do not leave valuables in your car, several read, accompanying a graphic of shattered glass over a silhouette of a car. While the impact of the timeworn signs is unclear, the recent presence of a marked city police cruiser on Baker Street appears to be making a real difference. Capt. Engler said a greater police presence, combined with outreach to neighborhood associations and the deployment of undercover officers, has reduced break-ins across his district this year. For his part, Skikos said hes noticed less broken glass in the street since police stationed an officer there. But he added, Thats not a long-term solution. We need to treat our tourists better. We need a deeper solution. Chronicle staff writer Joaquin Palomino analyzed the data used in this report. There were slim hopes in Europe that Italys national elections this month might follow the 2017 French elections and act as a brake in the march of populist and illiberal revolts moving across Europe the same movements that surprised Britain in its Brexit referendum and the United States in our election of Donald Trump as president. But it was not to be. Instead, more than 50 percent of the Italian electorate voted for populist and far-right nationalist parties. The showings for the standard-bearing parties of both the incumbent center-left and the center-right suffered painful losses, pulling their percentages of the vote into the teens. The sources of populist support in Italy will sound familiar to American ears, if in a somewhat different, Italian, key. No figures of resentment in the Trump base are more pervasive than the globalists. These are the elites whose economic interests and presumed sense of cultural identity lies beyond the national borders. To them the Trumpists retort, America First. For the Italians, the globalists are the European Union technocrats in Brussels, and their power over the countrys economy and politics is real. As Luigi Zingales, a professor of finance at the University of Chicago, observes, the power of Brussels to limit the policy choices of Italian governments is enough to make the election superfluous, engendering a sense of loss [of] sovereignty that fuels nationalism and populism. The big populist winners in the election are both fervently anti-EU. The biggest winner, which now commands a third of Italys popular vote, is the Five Star Movement. This is a purely Internet political party that determines its candidates and policy choices through direct democracy voting online. Five Star was founded by a comedian, Beppe Grillo, whose attacks on all parties of the Italian establishment and the EU have typically been over-the-top vulgar tirades. To date, while the movements criticisms have been legion, it has been able to remain ambiguous on what it stands for. Its candidate for the countrys prime minister post, 31-year-old Luigi di Maio, calls the movement neither left nor right, and that it stands for all things to all people. The second big winner is La Lega, the League. The Leagues national vote soared from 4 percent to more than 17.5 percent in the election, eclipsing by several points the vote total of Silvio Berlusconis Forza Italia party to become the strongest party on the Italian right and dash Berlusconis plan for a political comeback. In addition to running on the radical platform of removing Italy from the euro currency, the Leagues stock in trade is its fierce anti-immigrant views. The primacy of the Leagues demonization of immigrants in its political appeal is reminiscent of the place attacks on Latinos and Muslims had in Donald Trumps presidential campaign. In its exceptional virulence, the League resembles the radicalism and racism the American alt-right brings to its support of Trumpian anti-immigrant politics. In February, a would-be League candidate terrorized African immigrants in a day of drive-by shootings in the Italian city of Macerata. The Leagues leader, Matteo Salvini, traveled to the United States in April 2016 to support Trumps presidential campaign. After meeting with Salvini for 20 minutes, Trump commented that he hoped Salvini would be Italys next prime minister. Its interesting to note that it is only in recent months that Salvini changed the Leagues name. Formerly it was the Northern League, and its signature politics was separatism, attacking southern Italians as racially and socially inferior to northern Italians. As in the United States, much of the support for the populist right in Italy comes from people who feel left behind economically. The country has stagnated economically over the past two decades. Italian youth unemployment is more than 30 percent. In 2016 alone, an astounding 2 percent of Italians between 18 and 34 emigrated abroad. The country has been unable to resolve the ongoing crisis of its national debt. It fears a fate resembling the pauperization of Greece these past four years. The architect of Trumps populist electoral victory, Steve Bannon, traveled to Italy to be present for the elections. Bannons political goal is to turn the racially fraught populist nationalism he cultivated at Breitbart.com into the successor movement to the Tea Party that dominated Republican politics in the Obama years. Whats more, he believes that his movement is of a piece with where history is headed in the Western world. Bannon was clear on what he saw in the Italian election. The Italian people have gone farther, in a shorter period of time, than the British did for Brexit and the Americans did for Trump, he declared. If immigrants and minorities are not going to be scapegoated for economic and social dysfunctions if, that is, there is to be a brake on the march of populism in the West these days that brake will have to come from somewhere other than Italy. One of the things that motivated my old friend Andrew Breitbart was his righteous indignation at being called a racist. Thats a running theme in his book, Righteous Indignation. Andrew Breitbart despised racism, his friend Ben Shapiro told me. He took pride in rejecting racism and fighting it tooth and nail. He saw it as a form of bullying. Nothing devastated him more personally than being maligned as racist. He would also advise conservatives not to be deterred if their opponents on the left unfairly called them racists something he rightly believed happened all the time. Indeed, one of the things that got him out of bed in the morning was fighting the media/Democratic narrative that conservatives are all a bunch of racists. In one famous episode, members of the Congressional Black Caucus walked through a crowd of Tea Party protesters seeking a provocation. Subsequently, they claimed the attendants screamed the N-word and other epithets at them. The media reported it all as fact. Andrew, noting the sea of cameras and iPhones at the event, offered a $100,000 reward to anyone who could provide proof of the CBCs claims. No one came forward. That was the Andrew Breitbart I was proud to call my friend. Last week, just after the sixth anniversary of Andrews demise, the man who replaced him at Breitbart News, Steve Bannon, launched his blood-and-soil tour of Europe. The climax was a speech to the ultra-right French National Front in which he perverted Andrews defiant message, preferring to embrace the caricatures Andrew dedicated himself to fighting. Let them call you racists, Bannon told the crowd. Let them call you xenophobes. Let them call you nativists. Wear it as a badge of honor. He continued: The tide of history is with us, and it will compel us to victory after victory after victory. Theres something darkly comic about a guy who in the last year was fired from the White House, ousted from his website and defenestrated by the patrons who supported him speaking to a sparse crowd of Vichy nostalgists, claiming that the tide of history is with him. If Andrew were still around, I bet hed tell Bannon to stay in Europe and not just because his tendency to wear several shirts at once seems more consistent with European fashion. Bannons understanding of conservatism is entirely European. In a famous and famously misunderstood essay, Why I Am Not a Conservative, Friedrich Hayek, the Nobel prize-winning economist and political theorist, wrote: Conservatism proper is a legitimate, probably necessary, and certainly widespread attitude of opposition to drastic change. It has, since the French Revolution, for a century and a half played an important role in European politics. Until the rise of socialism, its opposite was liberalism. What Hayek meant by liberalism is the laissez-faire, limited-government philosophy that defined the best parts of the French and Scottish Enlightenments. These classical liberals fought with conservatives of all stripes, arguing for inalienable and universal human rights. They were opposed by theocrats, aristocrats, monarchists and arch-traditionalists who argued for the rule of altar and throne, caste and guild. There is nothing corresponding to this conflict in the history of the United States, Hayek observed, because what in Europe was called liberalism was here the common tradition on which the American polity had been built: thus the defender of the American tradition was a liberal in the European sense. Conservatism in America has always been deeply traditionalist, sometimes too much so. But at the core of the modern conservative movement has been the effort to protect, defend and conserve the traditions of a liberal revolution, grounded in the best arguments of the enlightenment (slavery notwithstanding). Bannons potted nativist nationalism and racially tinged populism run counter to that project and to the best and highest ideals of conservatism and America itself. He turned Andrews Breitbart.com into a platform (his word) for the alt-right, seeking to inject European swill into the American body politic. Let Bannon stay in Europe and hand out torches for the marchers. His un-American shtick has no place here. Im sure Andrew would agree. 2018 Tribune Content Agency LLC Michael Macor / The Chronicle 2017 The depredations of Californias housing shortage havent made the inevitable solution more housing any less hated in some corners. Take San Franciscans reaction to state Sen. Scott Wieners bill to encourage high-density housing near mass transit, which had neighborhood groups lining up to decry it before a supervisors committee this week and was the target of a rally staged by mayoral candidate Jane Kim. She warned that the legislation by Wiener, D-San Francisco, would usher in virtually unlimited construction of luxury high-rise condos ... from the Embarcadero waterfront all the way to Ocean Beach. Such sentiments have driven the state into a deep housing hole and a disproportionate share of homes into the hills. Amid staunch resistance to building in cities and suburbs, development heads for the exurbs; neighborhood opposition is scant, after all, where there are no neighborhoods. The trouble is that pushing growth out of town and toward the fringes crowds highways, compounds pollution and invites deadly fires. San Francisco is taking the final and overdue steps to deploy stun guns to its police force. The Police Commission promises to limit the risks and tap the clear advantages that Taser guns offer in handling violent encounters more safely. The decision carries another impact. It should eliminate the argument for Proposition H, which is backed by the Police Officers Association, on the June ballot. That flawed and overbroad measure would permit stun guns under conditions that cant easily be modified if trial-and-error points up problems. The department, not the union, should set the rules, a situation that led Chief Bill Scott to oppose the ballot measure. Mayor Mark Farrell, who initially favored Prop. H, is signaling he may drop his support now that commission has hammered out rules on Taser use. The union is hailing the commission vote, claiming it only came about because of its ballot measure. The debate has lasted too long, fueled by ideologues more worried about extreme examples of stun gun dangers than the need for a non-lethal option on a cops belt. The commission signaled its direction last year, and then worked out detailed policies approved this week. Expect to see Tasers by years end, but not everywhere. Only officers trained in crisis intervention will get them, and the devices are barred when it comes to encounters with the young, old, frail or pregnant. These instructions and limits are contained in a 24-page directive worked out after months of talks with community groups, which played a role in Taser use. Police work is essential and comes with the need for public support and modern tools. Endorsing the use of Tasers under controlled conditions meets that responsibility. The issue has been addressed the right way. Vote no on Prop. H. 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. On March 9, Martin Shkreli was sentenced to seven years in prison. What, if anything, does Shkrelis downfall tell us about modern America? Shkrelis early life exemplified the rags-to-riches American success story. He was born in Brooklyn, N.Y., in 1983, to parents who emigrated from Montenegro and worked as janitors in New York apartment buildings. Shkreli attended New Yorks Hunter College High School, a public school for intellectually gifted young people, and in 2004 received a bachelors degree in business administration from Baruch College. But soon thereafter, Shkreli turned toward shady deals. He started his own hedge fund, betting that the stock prices of certain biotech companies would drop. Then he used financial chat rooms on the Internet to savage those companies, causing their prices to drop and his bets to pay off. In 2015, Shkreli founded Turing Pharmaceuticals. Under his direction, Turing spent $55 million for the U.S. rights to sell a drug called Daraprim. Developed in 1953, Daraprim is the only approved treatment for toxoplasmosis, a rare parasitic disease that can cause birth defects in unborn babies, and lead to seizures, blindness, and death in cancer patients and people with AIDS. Daraprim is on the World Health Organizations list of essential medicines. Months after he bought the drug, Shkreli raised its price by over 5,000 percent, from $13.50 a pill to $750. Shkreli was roundly criticized, but he was defiant: No one wants to say it, no ones proud of it, but this is a capitalist society, a capitalist system and capitalist rules. He said he wished he had raised the price even higher, and would buy another essential drug and raise its price, too. In February 2016, Shkreli was called before a congressional committee to justify his price increase on Daraprim. He refused to answer any questions, invoking the Fifth Amendment. After the hearing, Shkreli tweeted, Hard to accept that these imbeciles represent the people in our government. Shkreli was subsequently arrested in connection with an unrelated scheme to defraud his former hedge fund investors. In anticipation of his criminal trial, Shkreli boasted to the New Yorker magazine, I think theyll return a not-guilty verdict in two hours. There are going to be jurors who will be fans of mine. I walk down the streets of New York and people shake my hand. They say, I want to be just like you. During his trial, Shkreli strolled into a room filled with reporters and made light of a particular witness, for which the trial judge rebuked him. On his Facebook page, he mocked the prosecutors and told news outlets they were a junior varsity team. He retaliated against journalists who criticized him by purchasing Internet domains associated with their names and ridiculing them on the sites. I wouldnt call these people journalists, he wrote in an email to Business Insider. He said on Facebook that if he were acquitted, hed be able to have sex with a female journalist he often posted about online. After his conviction, Shkreli called the case a witch hunt of epic proportions, and maybe they found one or two broomsticks. As she imposed sentence, the judge cited Shkrelis egregious multitude of lies, noting also that he repeatedly minimized his conduct. Shkrelis story is tragic and pathetic, but I ask you: How different is Martin Shkreli from other figures who dominate American life today, even at the highest rungs? Shkreli will do whatever it takes to win, regardless of the consequences for anyone else. He believes that the norms other people live by dont apply to him. His attitude toward the law is that anything he wants to do is OK unless it is clearly illegal and even if its illegal, its OK if he can get away with it. Hes contemptuous of anyone who gets in his way whether judges, prosecutors, members of Congress or journalists. He remains unapologetic for what he did. He is utterly shameless. Sound familiar? The Shkreli personality disorder can be found on Wall Street, in the executive suites of some of Americas largest corporations, in Hollywood, in Silicon Valley, in some of our most prestigious universities, and in Washington. If you look hard enough, you might even find it in Donald Trumps White House. Face it: America has a Shkreli problem. Martin Shkreli will spend significant time in prison. But what will happen to the other unbridled narcissists now in positions of power in America who also blatantly defy the common good? 2018 Robert Reich Gary Delagnes, the brash former president of the San Francisco Police Officers Association, is known for dramatic flourishes. But some say he may have gone too far by showing off a confidential criminal rap sheet at a recent community meeting. Its against state law for Delagnes, a retired police inspector who now works as the unions consultant, to have access to rap sheets, let alone print them out for public view. Yet he and Police Officers Association President Martin Halloran used the private criminal record as a prop during a Jan. 24 public safety forum at the San Francisco LGBT Community Center. On Thursday, the Police Department said it had opened an investigation, two days after The Chronicle began asking questions about whether Delagnes had a right to display the record. The only people allowed to see those records, under a state law that bans the unlawful furnishing of state summary criminal history information, are law enforcement workers and people with special authorization from a court. The person who provided it could be charged with a misdemeanor. San Francisco Police Department policy also prohibits any employee from using criminal history information for curiosity, personal or political purposes anything other than a criminal investigation. Theyre just blatantly putting it out there, like We dont care, said retired Santa Clara County Superior Court Judge LaDoris Cordell. She sat on the panel that recommended reforms for the San Francisco Police Department after several officers were accused of sending racist and homophobic text messages in 2015. Michael Macor/The Chronicle Approached at a Board of Supervisors committee meeting Thursday afternoon, Police Chief Bill Scott said he could not comment on the case. He and the police union have clashed on key policy issues involving Tasers and use of force, and Halloran publicly upbraided Scott this week for firing a rookie officer who shot an unarmed carjacking suspect to death in December. Some political observers are now wondering whether Delagnes and Halloran are lashing out because they see their political capital in City Hall diminishing. It feels like were trying to drag them into Obamas 21st century policing kicking and screaming, said longtime Police Commissioner Petra DeJesus, referring to a set of law enforcement principles recommended by former President Barack Obama that were meant to improve relationships between police officers and communities. DeJesus noted that the police union seems to resent all forms of supervision and civilian review. The Police Commission and union are now at war over Tasers. On Wednesday, the commission approved a policy on their use, while the union is behind a June ballot measure that would set less-restrictive rules. The January forum, which was sponsored by the San Francisco Community Alliance for Jobs and Housing Delagnes serves as its secretary was advertised as a community conversation about public safety issues. But it became a political event for the Police Officers Association to promote its agenda on stun guns and auto burglaries. The rap sheet was part of the show: Delagnes taped the record to a wall and let the stream of paper unfurl, spilling into the aisles so that audience members could bend down and peer at it, according to persons who were there. They represented this giant paper rollout as one persons criminal history, said retired ACLU attorney John Crew, who attended the meeting and was alarmed to see private information used for a political purpose. Delagnes described that purpose in an interview with The Chronicle last week. The intent, he indicated, was to shift blame for San Franciscos vehicle break-in epidemic away from the Police Department which in 2017 made arrests in only 1.8 percent of auto break-ins and onto the district attorney. He apparently was trying to make the point that prosecutors and courts are not treating auto break-ins seriously enough. The person whose history was displayed with the name redacted had been arrested 33 times for vehicle burglaries, but he has yet to spend a week in prison, Delagnes said. Weeks after the community meeting, Halloran published an article on the front page of the Police Officers Associations March newsletter, titled Career Criminals Are Causing Mayhem and Murder Why Are They Allowed Back on Our Streets? It included a detailed arrest history of two individuals, with their names included. Police Capt. Joseph McFadden defended Delagnes, saying that he too presents rap sheets at neighborhood meetings. Its used to make the public aware of what were dealing with, McFadden said, adding that the sight of voluminous rap sheet can sometimes inspire a letter-writing campaign to city politicians. Unlike Delagnes, McFadden is authorized to have the files, but hes not supposed to show them to the public. One official on Thursday privately raised concerns that McFadden had violated both Police Department policy and state law. Some who attended the community neighborhood meeting were angered by Delagnes antics, saying they represent a pattern of above-the-rules posturing by the police association. It is symptomatic of the SFPOAs anything goes approach to politics, where they too often act like the rules dont apply to them, that their ends justify their means, Crew said. Delagnes, who left his job with the union four years ago, declined to say how he got the private record and was defiant in response to questions. Well continue to use these (records) until someone tells us not to, he said. For years thats been the attitude of the Police Officers Association, a political organization thats long wielded influence in City Hall. Its always been a player in city elections, and its leaders freely attack city officials and politicians in its monthly newsletter. In recent months, though, the groups power appears to have been receding. The turning point was last year, when former Mayor Ed Lee, who died in December, hired Chief Scott an outsider from Los Angeles instead of the unions pick, Assistant Chief Toney Chaplin. Scott has distanced his department from the Police Officers Association, opposing the groups June ballot initiative to arm all officers with Tasers and pulling his command staff out of the union. But the union has an ally in Mayor Mark Farrell, whose adviser, Nathan Ballard, is a political consultant who works as a POA spokesman but is now on a leave of absence. Ballard helped craft Farrells message in support of the Taser ballot initiative. The mayors office said Thursday night that it does not comment on ongoing police investigations. The police union is negotiating its first new contract in 11 years with the mayors office. Those negotiations have to be finalized and brought to the Board of Supervisors by May 15. This summer, Farrell will be out of office, and the association doesnt trust the top three candidates to succeed him Supervisors London Breed and Jane Kim, and former Supervisor Mark Leno. Delagnes said the POA will either endorse less-popular contender and former Supervisor Angela Alioto or sit out the June mayors race. On top of that, several supervisors have been critical of the police union, and one Malia Cohen will hold a hearing Wednesday so that she and her colleagues can weigh in on the unions contract negotiations with the mayors office. Cohen suggested Thursday that the POA has lost its relevance. I believe that with 21st century policing, the country is moving in a different direction than our Police Officers Association, she said, adding that the unions mentality is unfortunate. SACRAMENTO Public officials and victims advocates expressed fury Thursday that a rape kit shelved in 2008 for six years let a suspected Bay Area serial rapist evade detection. That suspect is now facing charges that he murdered a woman in 2015, while Berkeley police say they have no answers on why the critical evidence was ignored. What more proof do we need of the absolute necessity to test every rape kit? asked state Sen. Nancy Skinner, D-Berkeley. Leaving any kit on the shelf in a police department gives serial rapists a free pass. San Francisco Supervisor London Breed called it a horrifying reminder that rape kits need to be tested to prevent avoidable tragedies. Added Sen. Connie Leyva, D-Chino (San Bernardino County): We need to fix this. The Chronicle told the story of the deadly misstep on Thursday. Later in the day, Sgt. Ray Kelly of the Alameda County Sheriff's Office said he believed the revelation will galvanize law enforcement agencies across the Bay Area that have unsolved rapes. I would imagine with the attention this is getting that (they) are looking to see if there is any connection to their cases, said Kelly, the former head of the departments special victims unit. Rape kits should not sit in storage in a freezer at a police station, he said, noting that the Alameda County Sheriffs department tests rape kits as they receive them. These should receive top priority, like a homicide would receive. Keith Kenard Asberry Jr., 33, of Antioch is being held without bail in Alameda County on multiple charges that include rape, attempted sexual assault and kidnapping. A Chronicle investigation revealed in 2016 that the Berkeley Police Department failed to test a rape kit after a 19-year-old woman and 15-year-old girl reported that they were held at gunpoint and sexually assaulted near Berkeley High School in 2008. The evidence from that case emerged six years later when Alameda County District Attorney Nancy OMalley led efforts to clear rape kit backlogs in her county. After police tested the DNA evidence in 2014, they said it matched Asberry, who had been in a national database of known criminals since a felony gun conviction in 2005. While a warrant was put out for his arrest, police say Asberry tried to sexually assault a 46-year-old woman in North Berkeley in February 2015 before she fought him off. Police said they linked Asberry to that crime after testing blood on the womens shirt. Last year, El Cerrito police linked Asberry to a 2005 rape of a 20-year-old woman after police there retested evidence using newer technology. On Friday, the Alameda County District Attorneys Office charged Asberry with the rape and murder of Randhir Kaur, 37, of India, who attended the UCSF School of Dentistry. Kaur was killed in March 2015 in her second-floor Albany apartment on Kains Avenue in what became the citys first homicide in more than a decade. Albany police have not said what evidence links Asberry to Kaurs murder. Asberry was arrested in 2015 and is in Santa Rita jail in Dublin, awaiting trial. Berkeley police said they cant explain why the rape kit from the 2008 attack was shelved, and they would not speculate on whether the lapse led to additional victims. California lawmakers have pushed for new laws over the past five years to ensure rape kits are tested, inspired by reports from across the country that tens of thousands of evidence kits have sat on shelves for decades. Victims have expressed frustration at being unable to learn whether their kits were part of the backlog. Assemblyman David Chiu, D-San Francisco, has a bill pending in the state Legislature to require a one-time audit of all untested rape kits. The number untested in California is unknown. Chiu called the Asberry case absolutely horrifying. Given these cases, it has been mind boggling that as a society we have not been able to commit to ending the backlog, he said. Leyva, the senator from Chino, has authored a bill to require that all future rape kits be tested. Leyva said the untested rape kit in Berkeley should serve as a chilling reminder for any lawmaker hesitant to vote for her bill this year. Victim advocate Heather Marlowe said its not enough for Berkeley police to say they have no explanation for the rape-kit lapse. As a rape victim whose own rape evidence still hangs in the balance after years, and who advocates for thorough rape investigations, this case comes as no surprise to me, said Marlowe, who sued San Francisco and its police department, saying her sexual assault case was mishandled in 2010. The case was dismissed. She said she is appealing to the U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. Marlowe said while lawmakers have focused on clearing the shelves of rape kits, whats missing is a focus on why they were there in the first place. Many police departments are quick to label a report of rape unfounded with little to no investigation, and rape is not a priority, she said. This case is a clear example of who continues to pay the price over and over again: the victims, she said. The road to confirmation as CIA director for Gina Haspel just got tougher, as California Sen. Dianne Feinstein asked the agency to declassify documents related to Haspels participation in the agencys secret prison and torture programs. And by asking for the documents, Feinsteins road to re-election might have gotten a little easier. Feinstein wants the CIA to declassify cables, emails and internal memos documenting how the 33-year CIA veteran was involved in the federal governments torture program. Haspel oversaw black sites in Thailand where detainees were held. Later, she supported destroying video of the torture. In a letter to current CIA Director Mike Pompeo and Haspel on Thursday, Feinstein wrote that senators must have the complete picture of Ms. Haspels involvement in the program in order to fully and fairly review her record and qualifications. I also believe the American people deserve to know the actual role the person nominated to be the director of the CIA played in what I consider to be one of the darkest chapters in American history. That tone sounded better to the ACLU who, as The Chronicle reported Wednesday, was considering campaigning against Feinstein after her tepid initial comments about Haspels nomination. We appreciate Sen. Feinstein and her staffs responsiveness to our concerns, Faiz Shakir, the ACLUs political director, said Thursday. This is a good step in the right direction. Well continue to be watching closely. Joe Garofoli Convenient target: With Republicans eager to salvage something anything, actually from their disastrous performance in a ruby-red Pennsylvania congressional district election Tuesday, theyve found a familiar target: House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi. The San Francisco congresswoman was the real loser Tuesday night, they argue, since Democrat Conor Lamb distanced himself from her and vowed not to support her in any House leadership vote. Lamb ran a TV ad where he directly attacked her. And this mornings headlines arent any more favorable for her, said Jesse Hunt, spokeswoman for the National Republican Congressional Committee, citing stories in Politico and Axios that suggest other Democrats hoping to flip GOP seats might look to run away from Pelosi. Its not that the Republicans didnt try to tie Lamb to Pelosi during the campaign. They spent millions on a variety of television ads suggesting that the first-time Democratic candidate would be Nancys little Lamb if he went to Congress and that his views were left, like hers. But in politics, as in sports, its not how, but how many. Lamb ended up with enough votes to win a seat in Congress, Pelosi rode out the GOP attacks shes long been used to, and Democrats are feeling even better about their chances to flip the 24 seats they need to take control of the House in November. Lambs call for for new and younger party leadership didnt have that much influence on the race, the 77-year-old congresswoman said at her weekly news conference Thursday. He won, Pelosi said. If we hadnt won, you might have a question, but we won the D next to his name was very significant. John Wildermuth Whats in the numbers? This just in. A new poll has Republican businessman John Cox less than a single percentage point behind Democratic Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom in the race for governor, 45.1 percent to 44.6 percent. Of course, the internal poll was paid for by Cox. And the numbers come after the 496 people in the online survey were asked about the importance of a series of issues or proposals and given undisclosed positive arguments likely to be made by Cox and Newsom. But the most interesting part of the poll is that it simulates a head-to-head matchup in the November governors race, ignoring the still very-much-undecided June 5 primary. No problem. The poll by Smith Johnson Research was designed to show whether Cox had a chance against Newsom in November, so mission accomplished. Results of the survey demonstrated the viability of a John Cox candidacy, the polls directors said in a memorandum Sunday. But it seems a bit early for Cox to be talking about November. A poll released early last month by the nonpartisan Public Policy Institute of California found Newsom at 23 percent, former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa at 21 percent and Cox at 7 percent, in a scrum with three other candidates. But a new survey by Newsoms pollster, which The Chronicle obtained Thursday, indicates Cox could be on the ballot in November with Newsom, of course. In the survey of 1,000 likely voters done by nationally recognized pollster David Binder, Newsom corrals 26 percent of the vote; Cox, 16 percent; Democratic state Treasurer John Chiang, 13 percent; Villaraigosa, 12 percent, Assemblyman Travis Allen, R-Huntington Beach (Orange County), 10 percent; Democratic former Superintendent of Public Instruction Delaine Eastin, 7 percent; and former Hillary Clinton adviser Amanda Renteria, 4 percent. The survey found 12 percent of respondents were undecided. John Wildermuth and Joe Garofoli Congress may be one of the worlds great deliberative bodies, deciding questions of national and international import. Problem is, that often isnt what gets someone elected. Thats why Justin Fareed, a Republican congressional candidate in Santa Barbara, is running on an issue that does get the local voters stirred up: widening Highway 101. For far too long, politicians have used U.S. Highway 101 as a pawn in their bids for election and re-election, Fareed, who is seeking a rematch of his 2016 loss to Democratic Rep. Salud Carbajal, said in a campaign email. I will work to ensure your tax dollars are spent the way they were proposed. Former House Speaker Tip ONeill famously said that All politics is local, and in Santa Barbara County, it doesnt get more local or more political than the fight over Highway 101, the regions main north-south artery. In 2008, county voters approved a $1 billion sales tax hike for a variety of transportation projects, including one that would widen Highway 101 from Santa Barbara south to Carpinteria. Yet a decade later, motorists still sit and fume in highway gridlock, waiting none too patiently for the long-promised relief. Thats the local part. As for the politics, its no coincidence that one of the people in the middle of the original battle with Caltrans over the details of the still uncompleted project was then-Santa Barbara County Supervisor Carbajal. My opponent has played both sides of the fence on this, Fareed said, yet he wants you to believe hes fighting to deliver results. A spokeswoman for Carbajal said Friday the congressman was a leader in the 2008 ballot measure drive and has fought for more funding for the project. As in most state-versus-county disputes, theres plenty of blame to go around when projects have design disputes and are way behind schedule. (See: Bridge, San Francisco-Oakland Bay.) Its also far from clear exactly what a member of Congress can do in a battle thats essentially between California and Santa Barbara County. But to Fareed, and plenty of other congressional candidates in similar situations, thats beside the point. If an issue is important to voters, its important to them. And if they can shove their opponents to the wrong or at least less popular side of that fight, well hey, thats just politics. John Wildermuth Republican no more: Former Republican state insurance commissioner and 2010 gubernatorial candidate Steve Poizner is running for his old job again, this time as an independent candidate. And he acknowledged Friday that going indie is not an easy path. Turns out even in hyper-partisan times, having the label no party preference next to your name on the ballot raises more questions than it answers. I think a lot of voters dont have any clue what that is. No party preference, people think what, you cant make up your mind? Poizner said Friday during an appearance before The Chronicles editorial board. If I could be Steve Poizner, independent a lot of people understand that. Given that nobody has ever won statewide office as an NPPer, Poizner envisions himself as a pioneer. It will be an interesting test case, as Poizner is the rare independent candidate who has the name recognition, experience in the job and deep pockets he sold his GPS company to Qualcomm for $1 billion in 2000 to have a strong chance to be elected. Of course, theres no better time pick to up the pioneering spirit and shed the Republican label in California than when the leader of the party one President Trump is highly unpopular in California. And the GOPs electoral success rate here stinks, too. Aside from a Republican who starred in the movie Terminator, the last Republican to be elected statewide in California was a guy named Steve Poizner, when he won the office of insurance commissioner in 2006. But Poizner insisted Friday that his new lack of affiliation isnt politically opportunistic. The insurance commissioner job should be free of party politics, he said. And, in some ways, hes found it very liberating being independent. For one, he doesnt have to endorse anyone for governor or any other office. So he isnt. Im not supporting anybody, state or federal, Poizner said. I dont feel any pressure to endorse anybody or to take positions on every little thing coming out of Washington. I just want to focus on my race. Joe Garofoli Look! Up in the sky! Its a bird, its a very slow moving prequel to Superman, called Krypton, premiering on the SyFy Channel on Wednesday, March 21. Cameron Cuffe stars as Seg-El, grandfather of Kal-El, who wont even be born for another 200 years, much less don his blue Superman long johns, flowing red cape and tighty reddies. Seg-El is a brash young man whos carrying on a secret relationship with Lyta Zod (Georgina Campbell), a Kryptonian soldier who is also the rebellious daughter of the planets Primus, Alura Zod (Ann Ogbomo). Krypton is awash with political intrigue, and Seg-Els grandfather, Val-El (Ian McElhinney) is sentenced to death for making a false claim that the planet is going to be attacked. Instead of being executed, Val-El disappears into the Phantom Zone, which enables him to come back from time to time to help his grandson who is trying to clear the family name. Seg-El throws his lot in with the ruling faction, even though they were the ones who sentenced his grandfather to death and are responsible for yet more grievous harm to the El family. He finds himself conflicted as he tries to restore his familys honor while working for its enemies. The series was created by Damian Kindler and David S. Goyer, with admirable attention to Superman lore. You could almost argue that the writers are too respectful of the lore: It may be accurate, but still, calling a villain Brainiac in 2018 seems silly and anachronistic. I know, I know: authenticity. But still ... The series eventually begins to click but the pacing is slow, the action is sporadic and the special effects are, well, not all that special, even allowing for the fact that theyll probably look better in finished versions of the episodes. But the cast is appealing, especially Cuffe, who seems to have limited acting skills but exudes a magnetic, star-in-the-making presence. Syfy / Steffan Hill/Syfy Campbell and Ogbomo, and the battle of wills between daughter and mom, are consistently more interesting than Seg-Els machinations to restore his family honor. One reason were more interested in this part of the story is that Campbell and Ogbomo are individually strong and have great chemistry. But the two characters are also created with more attention to credible detail than some of the others. Both Lyta and her mother are struggling to balance their personal and professional relationships. Lyta is determined to be a warrior, although her mother either doesnt think shes ready or is being a protective mom. SyFy demonstrates a lot of creativity from season to season, defying the odds against a channel devoted to a single genre. I mean, really, dystopia starts to feel old after a while, and old isnt what youre going for in shows about the future. David Wiegand is an assistant managing editor and the TV critic of The San Francisco Chronicle. Follow him on Facebook. Email: dwiegand@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @WaitWhat_TV Krypton: Dramatic series. Premieres 10 p.m. Wednesday, March 21, on SyFy Channel. The Starline Social Club in Oakland could barely contain the Sunday afternoon horde. Five hundred people had gathered here for Brumaire, an annual tasting event of natural wines from around the world. Thirsty attendees jostled through the rooms, foisting their shoulders through a sea of supplicants, holding out their glasses for a few precious drops of carbonic Trousseau, or Xarel-lo pet-nat, or ramato Pinot Gris, or whole-cluster Marquette. This was the third Brumaire, and by far the biggest. Led by Bradford Taylor, who owns the Oakland wine bar Ordinaire, this years event featured 51 wineries, about double the number it hosted in its original 2016 installment. Brumaire sold out in mid-February, and by this weekend the wait list for tickets had grown to over 400. Yes, you read that right. A 400-person wait list for natural wine. Not a typo. The Brumaire turnout is remarkable because natural wine is or has been a fringe movement, a radical blip on the massive radar of conventional winemaking. Broadly, natural wine (a.k.a. natty wine, a.k.a. glou glou, a.k.a. zero-zero wine, with zero output/zero input) refers to wines made without manipulation: no synthetic pesticides in the vineyard, no commercial yeast, no tannin or acid additions, no filtration. Ideally, a natural wine would use no sulfur, a preservative that can prevent microbial spoilage. (However, many wines that characterize themselves as natural do use small amounts of sulfur.) The case for natural winemaking is largely an argument for transparency and consumer safety. I just want to know whats in my wine, says Jared Brandt, who with his wife, Tracey, owns Berkeleys Donkey & Goat winery. When it comes to chemicals in the vineyard or cellar, Brandt says, my standard is always: Would I let my kids drink this? The appeal is also spiritual. Natural wine, the theory goes, is a pure, unadulterated conduit for a vineyards expression. Its personal. Its ancient. Its raw. Im always trying to explain to customers, says Aran Healy, owner of Ruby Wine shop, that these wines are actually like art. Like other art forms, natural wine can be off-putting to the uninitiated palate: often cloudy (since it doesnt get filtered), and often pretty funky-tasting. To its devotees, those idiosyncrasies are what make it beautiful. But associations with descriptors like sweat, fart and barnyard exclude natty wines from the arena of the squeaky-clean, ultra-consistent mass market. That, and the fact that natural wine is necessarily a low-volume endeavor, anti-industrial by definition. As Healy says, Its impossible to scale this industry. And yet. Fifty-one wineries and a few hundred enthusiastic consumers might barely scratch the surface of the global wine industry, but the energy of Brumaire and recent natural-wine events like it is evidence of the mainstreaming of a category that just a few years ago was confined to the outermost margins. Natty wine may remain a tiny slice of the overall wine market, but its an increasingly major part of the wine conversation. But is natural wine ready for those higher stakes? *** John Storey/Special to the Chronicle Natural wines home has long been Europe, where it is much more widely produced and enthusiastically embraced than on this side of the Atlantic. We have come to recognize that California is just at a very different moment than Europe, says Taylor. Brumaire maybe represents 1 percent of the natural wine from Europe, whereas we have pretty much every California producer at the event. There are easy explanations for this. The high costs of buying land and doing business in California. The preponderance of Napa Valleys opulent wine style. A Bay Area culture that privileges technology. As Josh Eubank, owner of the importer Percy Selections and a co-organizer of Brumaire, puts it: Young winemakers here are under immense pressure to bring a consistent product to market, not so much because this is what they want to drink, but rather because their alternative is bankruptcy. Thats certainly not a recipe for experimental winemaking. On the other hand, Californias reluctance to embrace natural wine makes little sense at all. Jared and Tracey Brandt recall their bewilderment upon launching Donkey & Goat in 2003: They sold out of wine in New York, but couldnt sell any in California. Why? After all, Bay Area restaurants have long waved the flag for transparency in ingredients, in organic farming, in farm-to-table. And our tech culture is all about so-called disruption: You have people who made all their money in Silicon Valley challenging convention, Brandt says. Yet when it comes to wine, those disrupters veer toward the utterly conventional. A lot has changed since then. In 2007, Terroir opened in SoMa, an early signal of the natural wine bar wave that was to come. Oaklands Punchdown came in 2011, and Ordinaire in 2012; Ruby Wine, though open since 2000, went all-natural in 2012. Then, some acceleration: Lord Stanley opened in 2015, the first San Francisco restaurant with a Michelin star to have an exclusively natural wine list. That same year, Del Popolo and KronnerBurger opened with Ordinaire-designed wine lists. (Essam Kardosh now oversees Del Popolos wine list, and it remains dedicated to natural wines.) At what point did Bay Area wine drinkers get on board? Certainly, the popularity of the wine bars, and their staffs fervent advocacy, helped ease consumers into the idea of natural wine. They became places you wanted to hang out at, and their mantra of drinking real wine is easy to want to adopt. The growing acceptance of natural wine seems to mirror, too, our local food cultures embrace of the weird. If youre eating at restaurants serving sprouted mung bean croquettes or sesame-based desserts, it feels only fitting to drink amphora-aged Viognier and carbonic-maceration Counoise. All of a sudden, in the last two years, the consumer is really ahead of the curve, says Healy. Suddenly wines we always sold, like Clos du Tue-Boeuf from Frances Loire Valley, are impossible to get. We get an allocation, and then we sell out immediately. This year, 22 California wineries poured at Brumaire. That included the states natural-wine stalwarts like Donkey & Goat, Clos Saron, La Clarine Farm and Coturri. More surprising was the number of brand-spanking-new brands, like Frenchtown Farms, Subject to Change, Absentee and Vin de California, all launched since 2015. John Storey/Special to the Chronicle Wine-world thought leaders not previously involved in natural wine have jumped in, too. Rajat Parr, the former Michael Mina wine director and owner of Santa Barbaras not-natural Domaine de La Cote, was at Brumaire with his new brand, Combe. Wolfgang Weber, a former senior editor of Wine & Spirits, debuted his new En Cavale label. Many of the wines poured at Brumaire I can describe only as bizarre. There was Ruth Lewandowskis Feints cuvee, a half white, half red wine from Italian varieties in Mendocino County. There was the sparkling Grenache, from Vin de California, that somehow came out the color and opacity of Goya mango nectar. And the wines made from cold-hardy hybrid grapes like La Crescent and Frontenac Gris, from Deirdre Heekin of La Garagista in Vermont, and the cider-wine amalgamations of Heekins protegee Krista Scruggs. Were these wines good? I found it difficult to evaluate them, as I imagine an art critic might have felt when looking for conventional markers of subject and form in a Jackson Pollack painting. Some I found wonderful and surprising. Some I found undrinkable. But my undrinkable if I found volatile acidity, for example, or excessive brettanomyces appeared, at Brumaire, to be many peoples delicious. Good or bad, not all wines at Brumaire were bizarre. Nothing about the pure, deeply structured Rhone-style blends from Cote de Cailloux in Sonoma Valley tasted radical, for example. Nor the concentrated, black-fruited Cotillion from Frenchtown Farms, an old-vine red blend from Lodi grapes. Or the bright, floral Calaveras County Syrah from Purity Wine in Richmond. Is this the fringe? For the hundreds of drinkers zealously throwing back their glasses at Brumaire on Sunday, this seemed to be home. No one was complaining that the wines were too funky, or asking why the Pinot Gris had come out magenta-colored. Like the wines themselves, on Sunday these natural wine lovers were free to be who they are, without apology. *** John Storey / Special to the Chronicle 2018 In the Bay Area and beyond, natural wines recent ascent has not gone unnoticed. In fact, on a national stage, 2017 felt like natural wines year-long debutante ball. I counted the launch of three new publications (Sprudge Wine, Terre, Glou Glou) solely devoted to natural wine. Bon Appetit, whose wine writer Marissa A. Ross covers natural wine exclusively, pronounced it 2017s Drink of the Year. Jeff Gordinier pledged his endorsement in Esquire (after pledging it the year before in the New York Times Style Magazine). Punch even had to convene a panel to hash out the full implications of this mainstreaming. And there was the categorys most unlikely celebrity advocate, the rapper Action Bronson, who embraces natural wine in its funkiest forms. In one episode of his Untitled Action Bronson Show, he described a white wine from Austrian natural-wine darling Gutt Oggau as ass-y, which turned out to be a compliment. Its a beautiful wine, Bronson concluded. Of course, under this new spotlight, new detractors have emerged. But that discourse, too, has changed. Whereas a few years ago, the natural-wine conversation was a black-and-white, with-us-or-against-us proposition (cf Why Natural Wine Tastes Worse Than Putrid Cider, an actual Newsweek headline from 2014), today for the most part the tenor has softened. Yes, natural wines devotees continue to play the part of the resistance. But today few of us who deal in wines so-called mainstream would refuse on principle to drink a wine simply because it is natural. It is an accepted part of our landscape. Thats not to say I still dont have some major questions for natural wine. For instance, why does the conversation revolve so heavily around winemaking practices in the cellar, and so little around farming practices in the vineyard? Do some of natural wines favored winemaking techniques carbonic maceration, skin fermentation for whites conflict with the mandate of expressing the grapes in their purest form, rendering them more a product of process than of ingredients? And I keep coming back to this question: What about the times when sulfur can preserve a vineyards site expression, rather than stifle it? If your wine tastes like brettanomyces or lactobacillus, Id argue youre tasting spoilage organisms, not terroir. Food Guide Top 25 Restaurants Where to eat in the Bay Area. Find spots near you, create a dining wishlist, and more. The most familiar complaint leveled against natural wines use as little sulfur as you want, but the wine has to taste good is perhaps more relevant now than ever. Recent years have seen the rise of one particular wine flaw, commonly referred to as mouse, which can develop in the absence of sulfur. (Supposedly it makes a wines finish taste like a dead mouse, though this strikes me as difficult to verify.) As more novices enter the natural wine game, its up to experienced wine buyers to be more diligent now, says Healy. The great opportunity for natural wine now is to use its megaphone to challenge all wineries to re-examine their long-accepted notions. It may itself not become the mainstream, but maybe some of its principles, like lower intervention and consumer transparency, will. Finding ways to be critical of whatever is mainstream is pretty integral to natural wines identity, Taylor says. As natural wine steps onto a bigger stage, it will be important for natural wine to still find ways to be marginal, be progressive, be radical. Thats a tall order, and a vague one. Yet there was one marginal, progressive, radical tenet on display at Brumaire that I was not expecting to find. As much as the event was a celebration of low-intervention wines, I found it also to be a celebration of table wines simple wines, humble wines, unapologetic for their flaws and, by California standards, relatively inexpensive. Yes, I tasted some aged wines and some young wines that I think will age but the lions share of wines at Brumaire were young and imperfect, and exuberant in their imperfection. I doubt theyll have Bordeaux-level shelf lives. But I wonder whether, in their fleeting, natty existences, they might shine a little more brightly. Esther Mobley is The San Francisco Chronicles wine, beer and spirits writer. Email: emobley@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @Esther_mobley Instagram: @esthermob *** Lesser-known standout natural wines from California Stirm: One of The Chronicles 2017 Winemakers to Watch, Ryan Stirm produces savory, highly expressive Rieslings from the Central Coast. Absentee: This new project from Avi Deixler, based in Point Reyes Station, is barely 2 years old, but his savory Carignan and floral Syrah from Mendocino County show promise. Frenchtown Farms: Aaron and Cara Mockrish farm a small property in northern Yuba County. Look for their Sauvignon Blanc-Viognier blend, called the Pearl Thief, and 19 Harts, a Syrah-Roussanne co-fermentation. AmByth: Paso Robles might seem like a difficult place to pull off dry-farming, but Phillip Hart and his son Gelert run an irrigation-free, biodynamic operation there. Their estate Mourvedre is meaty and structured. Purity: Winemaker Noel Diaz poured a tropical, juicy Viognier at Brumaire, as well as three whole-cluster Syrahs at Brumaire; his Calaveras County rendition was the standout. Subject to Change: Despite launching less than a year ago, winemakers Alex Pomerantz and Bradley Friedman already have their wines stocked around the Bay Area, including a juicy, herbal Sauvignon Blanc and a floral, waxy white Rhone blend, both from Mendocino. Martha Stoumen: One highlight in this lineup of vibrant, insistently light wines is the Nero dAvola, a bright, delicate Sicilian grape variety. Hardesty: Chad Hardesty farms the Winnett Vineyard in Humboldt County, and produces structured, Bordeaux-style reds as well as a tangy Sauvignon Blanc-Semillon blend. J. Brix: Based in San Diego County, Emily and Jody Brix Towe produce a lineup of fresh, quaffable wines, including Nomine Amoris, a bright pink skin-fermented Pinot Gris; and a black olive-laden Syrah, called La Belle Reveuse. Les Lunes/Populis: These sister labels are the work of Diego Roig and Shaunt Oungoulian. The Populis lineup includes a lively old-vine Sauvignon Blanc; the high point of Les Lunes is a concentrated, brambly Mendocino County Zinfandel. Methode Sauvage: Chad Hinds works with some sites of serious pedigree, including the Bates Ranch in the Santa Cruz Mountains, the source of his peppery Cabernet Franc, and the Rorick Heritage Vineyard in Calaveras County, whose chalk soils produce a beautiful Chardonnay. MESA, Ariz. Oaklands rotation already was a major question mark going into the regular season, and now it appears the team will be without Jharel Cotton for a significant period of time. The second-year right-hander had an MRI exam Thursday and was diagnosed with a sprained ulnar collateral ligament a torn UCL, in other words. Typically, ligament tears require Tommy John surgery, although some pitchers are opting to rehab after stem-cell treatment, while others are pursuing other forms of ligament-repair surgery besides the traditional UCL replacement. As manager Bob Melvin said Cotton is seeking a second opinion, which is common when surgery is considered the next step. Melvin said that Cotton also has a strained flexor muscle. Obviously not great news, Melvin said. A full UCL repair would keep Cotton out at least a year; recovery time is usually 13-16 months. Andrew Triggs appears to be the top candidate to take Cottons spot; Triggs had been scheduled to pitch Friday but he said he has been moved to Saturday and will start the As game against the Giants in Scottsdale. Cotton was one of five pitchers vying for three spots in the rotation along with Daniel Mengden, Daniel Gossett, Paul Blackburn and Triggs. Everyone whos potentially fighting for spots has had success before, Melvin said. Predominantly young and maybe not much of a track record, but we feel good about all of them. A.J. Puk, the As top pick in the 2016 draft, has been the teams best starter all spring but he hasnt pitched above the Double-A level and opening the season in Oaklands rotation would cost the As a year of his service time. Still, Puk would be a tempting option for a team that has had issues with starting pitching this spring. Hes still here, Melvin said. So well see where it goes. The As stretched their projected payroll to $69.5 million by signing catcher Jonathan Lucroy earlier this week, so theyre unlikely to explore the free-agent market for another starter, although adding a veteran on a minor-league deal might be a consideration. Cotton, 26, was acquired in the Rich Hill-Josh Reddick deal with the Dodgers in August 2016, and he went 2-0 with a 2.15 ERA in five starts that September. He couldnt quite get back to that level in 2017, with a wildly inconsistent rookie year in which he went 9-10 with a 5.58 ERA. 200K tickets distributed: The As distributed 200,000 tickets for their free 50th anniversary game on April 17, but the team does not anticipate chaos for the game against the White Sox: Once tickets were claimed beyond maximum capacity, the remainder went onto a waiting list, according to As vice president of communications Catherine Aker. Aker said the team is beginning the process of contacting those who received actual tickets to the free game to gauge how many still plan to attend, and some fans will be moved off the waiting list and provided with game tickets as they become available. Seating for the game will be general admission, with season-ticket holders allowed early entry. The Coliseums capacity is currently 48,592; as The Chronicle reported in January, with the exception of Mount Davis, the tarps have been removed from the upper deck for the 2018 season. The Mount Davis tarps will come off for the April 17 game, which, added to new standing-room-only areas, will increase the capacity to 58,063. Briefly: Melvin said Lucroy will make his As debut catching Sean Manaea at Hohokam Stadium on Saturday. ... Matt Joyce, limited to DH duty because of shoulder soreness, began his throwing program Tuesday and hopes to play in the outfield this weekend. Susan Slusser is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. As 6, Mariners 2 Notable: A.J. Puk, so good in his first three outings that there was increasing talk of him making the Opening Day roster, threw 38 pitches in the third inning and, after allowing one run on a wild pitch, left with the bases loaded. ... Eric Jokisch walked in another run, then gave up a grand slam, pinning four earned runs on Puk, the first hed allowed this spring. ... Puk was throwing 93-94 mph, according to two scouts, mostly throwing two-seam fastballs rather than his harder four-seamer. ... Rotation hopeful Paul Blackburn worked four scoreless innings, allowing two hits, walking one and striking out six. ... Matt Chapman had two RBI doubles. Quotable: The third inning, I was a little erratic with my pitches. I wasnt as aggressive with my fastball as Id like to be. ... I just wasnt able to get it done. Puk on his rough night. Friday: vs. Indians, 1:05 p.m. Susan Slusser Sacramento State grad Spencer Fry had just earned his degree in anthropology when he began working as an intern in Bodie State Historic Park in summer of 2017. But what started as a unique opportunity living in state-provided housing soon took a turn after the young man contracted a rare case of hantavirus and suffered permanent hearing loss in his left ear and partial leg paralysis. Spencer's father, Curtis Fry, told the Sacramento Bee that he wants state investigators to conclude how his son was exposed and hold State Parks accountable. But after eight months, he says the California Occupational Safety and Health Administration (Cal/OSHA) has yet to produce a report. Fry's father said he fears investigators may soften any negative findings of the employee living conditions because his son had submitted a form saying he may file a lawsuit. Meanwhile, State Parks officials have stated that they are working together with Department of Public Health to provide hantavirus exposure control training to Bodie's residents and staff and conduct inspections to evaluate park's rodent exclusion efforts. "I hope that they make some changes and make the place safer," Fry told the Sacramento Bee. "That's one of the major concerns on my part, but I also want them to finalize this thing and show what responsibility the state has had in Spencer's contraction of the virus." Hantavirus is an often-fatal respiratory disease that can be contracted when fresh mice droppings, urine, saliva or nesting matter are disturbed. The virus made California headlines in 2013 after 10 visitors to Yosemite National Park got the virus and three of them died. ALSO: Whiteout conditions spawn traffic nightmare in Tahoe As of January 2017, there were 61 confirmed cases of hantavirus in California, with Mono Countywhich includes Bodie State Historic Park recording the most. New Mexico leads all states with 109 confirmed cases. Discovered in the 1970s, hantavirus is an example of a zoonotic disease one the moves from animals to humans. Other examples of zoonotic viruses include West Nile, Ebola and SARS. Bodie is a ghost town in the eastern Sierra about 75 miles southeast of Lake Tahoe that became a mining boom town in 1876 after the discovery of gold. Cabins and other dwellings in the Eastern Sierra can harbor deer mice, which carry the virus. A man who worked at front desk of the Bodie Visitor's Center died of hantavirus in 2010. A new ad campaign that was rolled out Thursday at a number of heavily trafficked BART stations is being dubbed as "disgusting" and "thinly-veiled anti-immigrant" by passengers and critics. The signs, first reported by Buzzfeed, are directed at American tech workers, and claim that Bay Area tech companies believe they are "expensive, undeserving, and expendable," and as a result, hire non-U.S. workers instead. An organization called Progressives for Immigration Reform paid $80,000 for the campaign to run through mid-April, according to BART spokesperson Alicia Trost. The Southern Poverty Law Center has previously characterized the group as "anti-immigrant." Trost states that the ads were placed "primarily at San Francisco's Civic Center Station and Oakland's 12th St. and 19th Street Stations with smaller numbers in other stations and in trains." But despite the dozens of posters installed around the transit system, Trost flatly states to SFGATE that BART "does not endorse these ads," but can't remove them due to the First Amendment. RELATED: BART says it's 'safe,' but not a sanctuary, for immigrants "This campaign complies with free speech laws that allow advertisers to express a point of view without regard to the viewpoint," she tells SFGATE. "BART must post these ads to comply with the law. Court rulings reinforce the fact that we can't deny the ads." Kevin Lynn, the executive director at Progressives for Immigration Reform, told Buzzfeed Friday that the point of the campaign is to "make immigration work for the citizens as a whole." Buzzfeed also notes that Lynn's mother immigrated to the U.S. in 1952. RELATED: BART moving to ban man who yelled racial epithets and slapped rider "I don't see where innovation necessarily comes from diversity," Lynn continued, later adding that they will continue to lobby for their cause in the Bay Area. "What it comes from is having an environment where you can hire your college graduates, put them into a good paying job, and allow them to innovate." BART riders don't seem to agree with Lynn's position. "Awful, anti-immigrant ads in the BART station today," wrote rider Don McCurdy on Twitter Thursday. "Where can I donate to support the exact opposite of this?" "BART is supposed to be for everyone!!!" replied Karin Spirn. "How will immigrants feel when they see these disgusting advertisements on their commute?" In response to questions about the new ads, Trost also referenced the Safe Transit Policy, which BART passed in 2017 following a slew of racially- and religiously-charged confrontations, often directed at U.S. citizens, that took place on transit lines. "Our Board of Directors passed a Safe Transit Policy in 2017 to send a clear message to the public and our riders that BART is a safe and welcoming system for all people," she reiterated. "The policy states in part 'the strength and vitality of our riding community and our employees come from our rich diversity of cultures, experiences and faiths, and we celebrate that diversity.'" Alyssa Pereira is an SFGATE staff writer. Email her at apereira@sfchronicle.com or find her on Twitter at @alyspereira. Delma Pineda flew from San Francisco to Miami to undergo a series of plastic surgery procedures. A day after going under the knife, the mother of two was dead. The 44-year-old medical assistant and longtime San Franciscan received a breast lift and augmentation, tummy tuck and liposuction treatment on March 5 at CG Cosmetic Surgery, her ex-husband told NBC 6. Shortly after surgery, Pineda reported feeling intense pain. She collapsed at 4 a.m. in her friend's home, and died 12 hours later at Jackson Memorial Hospital. The ex-husband, who wished to remain anonymous, said Pineda had swelling in her brain and suffered a stroke that later spurred a heart attack. An official cause of death has yet to be determined. Danny Simon, a lawyer for CG Cosmetic, said in a statement to el Nuevo Herald: "It is our preliminary understanding that the events giving rise to this incident are unrelated to CG Cosmetic's services." Records obtained by the Miami Herald indicate that CG Cosmetic has ties to an establishment previously called Coral Gables Cosmetic Surgery. An 18-year-old woman ended up in a coma and later died after a breast augmentation at Coral Gables in 2013. Both clinics are reportedly owned by Guiribitey Cosmetic & Beauty Institute. Eight patients have died after undergoing liposuction at a South Florida cosmetic surgery clinic since May 2016, the Miami Herald reported. Almost all of the patients were out-of-staters, "lured to South Florida with the promise of inexpensive plastic surgery," the newspaper said. Pineda grew up in El Salvador and lived in San Francisco for two decades. She is the mother of two sons, ages 4 and 17, according to a GoFundMe page. The younger son accompanied his mom on her trip to Miami, where she was visiting with an old friend. Funeral services will be held Friday in El Cerrito. Michelle Robertson is an SFGATE staff writer. Email her at mrobertson@sfchronicle.com or find her on Twitter at @mrobertsonsf. It seemed like an epic blunder: United Airlines announced that it was replacing a standard bonus with a lottery that would give nothing to most of its roughly 90,000 workers while awarding lavish prizes, like $100,000 in cash and Mercedes-Benz sedans, to a few lucky winners. United had hoped the sweepstakes approach would build excitement and a sense of accomplishment. But after workers deluged the company with hostile comments, the airline said last week that it was pressing the pause button on these changes. The fiasco pulled back the curtain on the widespread use of gamelike techniques for motivating employees. While employers have relied on such practices for decades, the methods have become increasingly sophisticated in an age when companies can collect more data about employee behavior than ever before, and as video game technology has proliferated. Recent studies show a rapidly growing market for gamification software, some of which allows workers to earn points and badges by completing certain tasks or performing well. Defenders say such practices can be useful if they are designed to make employees feel more engaged and invested in their work, not to save money. But to skeptics, the United program illustrated a deeper problem with gamelike motivational methods. Shareholders and management get the monetary rewards, and meaning and excitement are consolation prizes that go to workers, said Caitlin Petre, an assistant professor of media studies at Rutgers University who has examined similar practices at media companies. This is very much in line with my understanding of how the gamification trend in workplaces operates. Whatever one thinks about the ethics of workplace games, few question their potential to influence workers in certain circumstances. A pile of psychological research has shown that they can be cheaper and more effective at motivating workers than straight cash. An experiment published in 2012 in the American Journal of Health Promotion showed that a far higher proportion of employees completed a health-risk assessment when they got a modest chance to win up to $125 in a lottery than when they would receive a $25 gift certificate. Lotteries in general may be more effective than fixed payments, as people tend to overweigh small probabilities in making decisions, the paper noted. Other studies have shown that simple compliments and recognition, which gamification software frequently incorporates, may be more effective than cash in motivating workers. An experiment at a semiconductor plant, published in 2014, showed that workers productivity rose more if they were rewarded with a note thanking them for their hard work and great achievements in yesterdays shift than if they were given a cash bonus worth about $25. In principle, there is no moral problem with seeking cheaper ways to motivate workers. Compensation and motivation are two distinct concepts, and a company could decide to pay its workers fairly or exceedingly generously and then deploy lotteries and praise to motivate them to perform better. There are two things to consider, said Kristen Berman of the behavioral consulting nonprofit Irrational Labs. One is pay what do people get paid, what should they get paid, what do they expect to get paid. The second is motivating people to do things we want them to do in the workplace. That distinction is often easiest to enforce when the tasks that employers link to gamelike rewards are narrow, and not central to a workers job description. Charlotte Blank, chief behavioral officer of Maritz, which designs employee motivation and incentive programs, said lotteries could be an effective way to pique interest among salespeople in a new product but should not replace crucial components of pay. In practice, however, many companies appear to have a hard time resisting the urge, as United did, to blur the lines between wages and motivation to shift from paying workers in cash to paying them with less cash and more psychic income. Why wouldnt they? said Karen Levy, an assistant professor in the department of information science at Cornell University, who has studied gamelike incentives. Its the structure of the corporation to want to minimize labor costs. Perhaps most prominent, gig economy companies like Uber have frequently used gamelike incentives as a cheaper alternative to traditional bonuses. Ubers operations managers have sometimes cut back on straight cash bonuses and hourly guarantees in favor of raffles and other contests, for which the prize could be a few hundred dollars or tickets to a sporting event. The goal was to get drivers onto the road during high-demand periods at a lower cost. Often companies dont actually lower compensation but push workers to do more for the same pay by using games and gamelike incentives. To motivate thousands of employees to flag translation errors in foreign-language editions of Windows, Microsoft once set up a game that allowed the employees to advance to different levels by reviewing screenshots, then displayed each workers level on a leader board. Not only did they do it above and beyond their work responsibilities, wrote Kevin Werbach, a University of Pennsylvania business professor, and Dan Hunter, then a professor at New York Law School, in a book on gamification, but a large number of them described the process as enjoyable and even addicting. Other employers, including the Walt Disney Co. and Gawker, have used scoreboards and leader boards to drive up productivity by giving workers constantly updated performance information that compares them with one another. In effect, that is lowering compensation, Petre said. It has the effect of driving more and more output as peoples competitive instincts kick in. In the end, what may have set United apart was not that it tried to replace a portion of traditional compensation with excitement but the companys openness about the trade-off. In the gig economy, said Alex Rosenblat, a researcher at the Data & Society Research Institute who is the author of the forthcoming book, Uberland, nonmonetary rewards that rein in labor costs, or incentives aimed at individual drivers, can work because drivers rarely have enough information to piece together the larger picture sometimes even their own bottom line. But in the United case, Rosenblat said, everyone knows what theyre earning. There is little doubt that the Defense Department needs help from Silicon Valleys biggest companies as it pursues work on artificial intelligence. The question is whether the people who work at those companies are willing to cooperate. Robert Work, a former deputy secretary of defense, announced last week that he is teaming up with the Center for a New American Security, an influential Washington think tank that specializes in national security, to create a task force of former government officials, academics and representatives from private industry. Their goal is to explore how the federal government should embrace AI technology and work better with big tech companies and other organizations. There is a growing sense of urgency to the question of what the United States is doing in artificial intelligence. China has vowed to become the worlds leader in AI by 2030, committing billions of dollars to the effort. Like many other officials from government and industry, Work believes the United States risks falling behind. The question is how should the United States respond to this challenge? he said. This is a Sputnik moment. The military and intelligence communities have long played a big role in the technology industry and had close ties with many of Silicon Valleys early tech giants. David Packard, Hewlett-Packards co-founder, even served as the deputy secretary of defense under President Richard Nixon. But those relations have soured in recent years at least with the rank and file of some better-known companies. In 2013, documents leaked by former defense contractor Edward Snowden revealed the breadth of spying on Americans by intelligence services, including monitoring the users of several large internet companies. Two years ago, that antagonism grew worse after the FBI demanded that Apple create special software to help it gain access to a locked iPhone that had belonged to a gunman involved in a mass shooting in San Bernardino. In the wake of Edward Snowden, there has been a lot of concern over what it would mean for Silicon Valley companies to work with the national security community, said Gregory Allen, an adjunct fellow with the Center for a New American Security. These companies are understandably very cautious about these relationships. The Pentagon needs help on AI from Silicon Valley because thats where the talent is. The tech industrys biggest companies have been hoarding AI expertise, sometimes offering multimillion-dollar pay packages that the government could never hope to match. Work was the driving force behind the creation of Project Maven, the Defense Departments sweeping effort to embrace artificial intelligence. His new task force will include Terah Lyons, executive director of the Partnership on AI, an industry group that includes many of Silicon Valleys biggest companies. Work will lead the 18-member task force with Andrew Moore, the dean of computer science at Carnegie Mellon University. Moore has warned that too much of the countrys computer science talent is going to work at Americas largest Internet companies. With tech companies gobbling up all that talent, who will train the next generation of AI experts? Who will lead government efforts? Even if the U.S. does have the best AI companies, it is not clear they are going to be involved in national security in a substantive way, Allen said. Google illustrates the challenges that big Internet companies face in working more closely with the Pentagon. Googles former executive chairman, Eric Schmidt, who is still a member of the board of directors of its parent company, Alphabet, also leads the Defense Innovation Board, a federal advisory committee that recommends closer collaboration with industry on AI technologies. This month two news outlets revealed that the Defense Department had been working with Google in developing AI technology that can analyze aerial footage captured by drones. The effort was part of Project Maven, led by Work. Some employees were angered that the company was contributing to military work. Google runs two of the best AI research labs in the world Google Brain in California and DeepMind in London. Top researchers inside both Google AI labs have expressed concern over the use of AI by the military. When Google acquired DeepMind, the company agreed to set up an internal board that would help ensure that the labs technology was used in an ethical way. And one of the labs founders, Demis Hassabis, has explicitly said its AI would not be used for military purposes. Google acknowledged in a statement that the military use of AI raises valid concerns and said it is working on policies around the use of its machine learning technologies. Among AI researchers and other technologists, there is widespread fear that todays machine learning techniques could put too much power in dangerous hands. A recent report from prominent labs and think tanks in both the United States and Britain detailed the risks, including issues with weapons and surveillance equipment. Google said it was working with the Defense Department to build technology for non-offensive uses only. And Work said the government explored many technologies that did not involve lethal force. But it is unclear where Google and other top internet companies will draw the line. This is a conversation we have to have, Work said. Hock Tan had a trick for winning over skeptical investors. When people asked why he was so confident that Washington would approve his $117 billion takeover of Qualcomm, Broadcoms CEO would take out his cell phone and show them a photo of himself with President Trump. Boy, was Tan wrong. Instead of siding with Tan, the president shot down what would have been the largest technology deal in history. Trump dinged the deal on national security grounds but not because Broadcom, which is based in Singapore until it redomiciles to San Jose soon, poses an immediate threat. The big worry was China, Trumps nemesis in trade, in the form of telecommunications giant Huawei Technologies. The story of Broadcoms misadventure is a lesson in global deal-making for the Trump era. A letter asking for an investigation sent by Qualcomm, which outspent Broadcom by almost 100 to 1 on Washington lobbying last year, seems to have connected with a president whose protectionist impulses have now taken shape in tariffs on foreign steel and aluminum. Wall Street bankers are still trying to assess the implications; few say the decision bodes well for mergers and acquisitions. Trumps verdict bookends Tans unlikely path from White House favorite to acquirer-non-grata in just four months. Tan, a 66-year-old deal addict who built Broadcom from an unwanted spinoff of Hewlett-Packard to one of the giants in the $400 billion semiconductor industry, on Wednesday was forced to concede defeat: Broadcom would formally abandon its bid for Qualcomm. But it also pledged to carry through with plans to move its headquarters to the U.S. a move that appeared to be designed to appease officials and, possibly, open the way for other acquisitions. This account of what happened is based on conversations with multiple people who worked on Broadcoms bid and Qualcomms attempts to stop it, and from investors asked to support it. Representatives for both companies declined to comment. The night before Tan was due to meet Trump last November, he wanted to practice his speech. Again and again, he ran through the lines on a small group of advisers. The Malaysian-born CEO, a U.S. citizen since 1990, planned to begin by saying his mother could never have believed that hed one day stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the president of the United States. The words were carefully choreographed, but the emotion was genuine, a person close to Tan said. The CEO was excited to be going to the White House. The visit, enshrined in videos uploaded to the presidents Twitter feed of Trump and Tan laughing together, was a success. Tan praised Trump for fostering the business-friendly climate that had encouraged him to bring Broadcom a company created through acquisitions back to the U.S. Trump, in turn, proclaimed Broadcom as one of the really great, great companies. Analysts applauded Tan for making a canny move to smooth approval of his pending acquisition of Brocade Communications Systems. Twenty-four hours later, it became clear that everyone was underestimating Tans ambition, when Bloomberg broke the news that Broadcom was planning to go after Qualcomm, the biggest maker of mobile-phone chips. The $70-a-share offer, when it came, immediately catapulted Tan into far less amicable conversations. From the start, Qualcomms board characterized Broadcom, and Tan in particular, as opportunistic financial engineers who lacked appreciation for the kind of long-maturity research and development that the semiconductor industry needs. In a rare display of emotion, Tans counterpart at Qualcomm, Steve Mollenkopf, said the offer wasnt even in the ballpark. The Qualcomm board backed Mollenkopfs sentiment; investors called the offer an attempt to steal the company. When Tan bumped his offer to $82 a share in early February, Qualcomm continued to demur. For their part, Broadcoms management pointed to a track record of creating outsize shareholder value and the benefits of building a semiconductor powerhouse. Qualcomm, left to its own devices, would continue to spend on overambitious expansion schemes, they said. But as the fight dragged on, it morphed from a tussle over price into what at times felt like a referendum on the future of the technology industry: A choice between profits and innovation. Broadcom seemed to have grasped the importance of these cultural differences when, as the two sides eventually met in New York on Valentines Day, Tan took a back seat. Instead, he left it to Henry Samueli to deliver the pitch, according to people who attended the meeting. Samueli, the co-founder of legacy company Broadcom Corp., had been in this position before, just on the other side of the table when he was negotiating the 2015 merger of his company with Tans Avago. The electrical engineer tried to appeal to Qualcomm from the standpoint of a skeptical techie founder whod been won over by Tan and eventually sold his startup to the businessman. Now, by his own account, he was relishing the ride. Im enjoying it a lot and learning at lot from Hock, Samueli said in an interview. Hes the master. During his 20-minute appeal, Samueli encouraged Mollenkopf and his counterparts, including the son of Qualcomms founder and its then-chairman, Paul Jacobs, to follow him in changing their thinking about the semiconductor industry. The message: Trust in Hock. That technology had to be at the center of the conversation rather than price and closing terms of a deal illustrates just how far apart the two sides were. Simply put, Tan believes that the 50-year-old semiconductor industrys growth spurt is over. The sector that led to the U.S.s dominance in technology and fueled the creation of Silicon Valley will struggle to grow quicker than the overall economy going forward, he argues. Instead, companies should shelve risky investments and concentrate on maximizing profits. Opposite him were two men behind Qualcomms effort to push its chips into laptops, server computers and cars, making the kind of expensive bet that Broadcom thinks is a waste of money. Jacobs and Mollenkopf were unmoved by Samuelis pitch, the people who attended the meeting said. While both men are younger than Tan, theyre steadfastly old school in their view of how a chip company should be run. Engineers by training who hold more than 20 patents between them, the pair embody Qualcomms belief that a chip companys job is to develop leading technology then invest to spread its use into new markets. With that belief, it was hardly surprising that neither man was swayed by Tans alternate worldview. And when Broadcom proposed new directors for Qualcomms board ahead of its March 6 shareholder meeting, the idea of the sides negotiating on friendly terms all but evaporated. The votes started to come in on Friday, March 2. By Sunday it was clear that Qualcomms defense had failed. Four of the six directors Broadcom had nominated were polling so far ahead of their Qualcomm peers that the race was effectively over, according to data viewed by Bloomberg. The remaining two were winning by less substantial margins. Making it worse, Mollenkopf and Jacobs, the architects of Qualcomms standalone plan, had received some of the fewest votes. Inside the Qualcomm camp, the mood was bleak; assuming the trend continued, the board would lose control of the company at the shareholder meeting. Broadcoms message was one of quiet confidence. The company knew it had won, one person close to the discussions said. At that point, the person said, it was just a question of by how many votes, and who was going to leave the board. Early Sunday evening, with victory a sniff away, members of Broadcoms deal team gathered at the Hyatt Regency hotel in San Diego, a 30-minute drive from where Qualcomms shareholder meeting was set to be held. Tan stayed at home in San Mateo. But even as he was winning the battle for shareholders, Tan had failed to see trouble gathering away from Silicon Valley. At a little after 9 p.m. local time that night, the Treasury Department contacted both companies lawyers. They were concerned that a merger of the companies presented a potential threat to national security, and more specifically that Tans record for private equity-style cost-cutting could damage Qualcomms, and therefore Americas, long-term technological competitiveness. Both companies were instructed to temporarily abandon any pursuit of a deal. In a letter made public by the Committee on Foreign Investment in the U.S. the following day, it emerged that the investigation was the result of Qualcomm having voluntarily filed a notice seeking a review of Broadcoms efforts to secure seats on its board. The move by Qualcomm unilaterally seeking a review of a theoretical merger is, according to several former committee employees who agreed to speak on the condition of anonymity, highly unusual. As Broadcoms team scrambled to get up to speed in Washington, one thing became quickly apparent: Qualcomm had beaten them to it. Many of the people that the company tried to hire there were already working for Qualcomm, according to two people close to Broadcoms efforts. Another person familiar with the matter said that Tan had refused to spend on lobbying until it was too late. Federal lobbying disclosures for 2017 showing that Qualcomm spent $8.3 million, or roughly 100 times the $85,000 Broadcom spent, appear to support this theory. Few investors had more at stake in Broadcoms $117 billion hostile takeover bid for chipmaker Qualcomm than Jerome Dodson, the founder and chief executive of Parnassus Investments in San Francisco and chief portfolio manager for the Parnassus Endeavor mutual fund. Endeavor owns 8.3 million Qualcomm shares, making it one of the companys largest shareholders. A week ago the shares were worth more than $500 million and accounted for nearly 10 percent of Endeavors assets, a highly concentrated position. By pursuing a mix of value and socially responsible investing avoiding companies that harm the environment, and favoring companies that treat their employees well Dodson has emerged as one of his generations most successful investors. Morningstar ranks his Endeavor fund first among large capitalization blended mutual funds over 10-, five- and three-year periods. Then, this week, President Trump killed Broadcoms takeover bid on national security grounds, and Qualcomm shares plunged. They dropped more than 5 percent Tuesday, a $25 million hit to the Endeavor fund. Yet in an interview, Dodson was not only serenely unruffled by the presidents decision he applauded it. Theres no doubt I would have made a quick profit if the Broadcom deal had gone through, he said. But as a shareholder, I voted against it. Thats partly because, as a citizen, I didnt like the deal, he said. Broadcom typically slashes costs, especially research and development, and the company said it would do exactly that if it acquired Qualcomm. In the long run, thats not good for the country or for society, Dodson said. He agreed with the Trump administrations assessment that, by cutting Qualcomms research costs, Broadcom would be assisting Chinese rivals in the global race for dominance in 5G communications technology. But as an investor, his reasoning can pretty much be reduced to one word: Apple. Apple has traditionally been one of Qualcomms biggest customers, along with Samsung and every other major handset company. But the two technology giants are also embroiled in an epic battle over licensing fees for Qualcomms patented technology, with profound implications not only for Qualcomms business model and Apples profit margins, but the future of wireless communication. If Qualcomm and Apple can just bury the hatchet, Dodson reasons, Qualcomms revenues would soar, and its stock price would climb well past Broadcoms offering price of $79 a share. By Dodsons reckoning, once Apple resumes paying Qualcomm, the chipmaker will be worth at least $84 a share, which is why Broadcoms offer didnt really engage my attention, he said. That, however, is a big if, given the intractable positions both sides have staked out. At the heart of the dispute is the way Qualcomm calculates the licensing fee it charges customers, which is a percentage of the cost of the net selling price of the entire handset and not the price of the chip. That means Apple, a high-cost producer whose iPhone X sells for as much as $1,000, has paid much higher licensing fees than low-cost competitors using exactly the same chip set. Apple has called the arrangement an extortion scheme. It infuriates Apple that Qualcomm has, in effect, been subsidizing its low-cost competitors, including the very Chinese companies Trump says he is so concerned about. Qualcomm has countered that its intellectual property makes many of the iPhones distinctive features possible, features that low-cost competitors havent replicated, and therefore Qualcomm deserves a percentage of the cost of the entire device. Dodson made little immediate headway when he met with top Qualcomm officials late last month and pressed his case for a settlement with Apple. The officials, including Steve Mollenkopf, the chief executive, and Paul Jacobs, a Qualcomm founder and, until recently, executive chairman, visited Dodson in San Francisco to make their case against the Broadcom bid. In Dodsons account of the meeting, he urged the Qualcomm executives to settle with Apple rather than risk alienating it as a customer over the long term. But Qualcomm officials said Apple was demanding more than they were prepared to give and that, on an engineering level, relations with Apple remained good. They assured him that eventually they would reach a settlement, revenues would normalize, and Qualcomm stock would respond. Still, Id like to see them budge on licensing, Dodson said. I can see Apples point. But if Qualcomm stops charging Apple a percentage of the devices cost, it would probably have to extend similar terms to all its major customers. It recently amended its agreement with Samsung without abandoning its approach to license fees. At the meeting, Qualcomm officials told Dodson they offered Apple similar terms, but Apple rejected them. A Qualcomm spokeswoman declined to comment, as did an Apple spokeswoman. While Apple has continued to buy and deploy the latest Qualcomm chips, it also reached out to Santa Claras Intel, which began supplying an alternative to Qualcomms chip for the iPhone 7 (that phone, the iPhone 8 and the X may contain either a Qualcomm or Intel chip). Qualcomm claims Apple has compromised the performance of Qualcomm-equipped handsets to mask their superiority over the Intel-equipped phones. (Both Intel and Apple have vehemently denied the claims.) Numerous lawsuits are well under way in the United States, with some expected to go to trial this year. Regulators in the European Union, Taiwan, South Korea and China have ruled that Qualcomms licensing practices are unlawful and have levied fines, decisions that Qualcomm is appealing. In the United States, the Federal Trade Commission is conducting its own investigation. While armies of patent lawyers fight over the rival claims, investors have already rendered a verdict. Qualcomm shares, after peaking at more than $80 in 2014, dropped nearly in half, hitting a low of $44 a share in 2016. Qualcomms precipitous decline is what attracted Dodsons attention along with other value investors, who look for stocks trading below their intrinsic value. He said his funds average cost per share for its Qualcomm position is about $56, so the fund was still ahead even after the deal collapsed this week. On Friday, Qualcomm was trading at around $60. Members of InterContinental Hotels Groups IHG Rewards Club loyalty program have lots of properties to choose from in the groups lodging lineup, but nothing really high-end for a blowout five-star luxury award stay. Its competitors boast silk-stocking brands like St Regis or Ritz-Carlton (Marriott), Waldorf Astoria (Hilton), Park Hyatt or Four Seasons. But thats changing as the lodging giant announced plans to acquire a majority stake in the ultra-luxury Regent Hotels and Resorts group for $39 million, with an option to buy the rest after 2026. Regent isnt big it only has six properties and three more in development, and none in the U.S. but IHG said it plans to expand the Regent brand to 40 urban and resort locations in the years to come. Property locations in Taipei-based Regents portfolio Beijing, Berlin, Chongqing (China), Singapore, Taipei, and Porto Montenegro, a luxury yachting destination along the Adriatic Coast north of Albania. A Jakarta hotel is expected to open later this year, followed by Harbin, China, in 2019 and the Vietnamese resort island of Phu Quoc in 2020. TravelSkills with Chris McGinnis sponsored by . See More Collapse One hotel that will be rebranded as a Regent in 2021, after a major renovation -- is the harbor-front InterContinental Hong Kong in Kowloon, the company said. Ironically, that hotel started out as a Regent when it opened in 1980; it joined the InterContinental brand in 2001. The company didn't say if its expansion of the Regent brand would include other InterContinental rebrandings, but it has some likely candidates (in my mind at least) include the Barclay in New York and the new InterContinental in Los Angeles (which we visited last year and wrote this post). The acquisition of Regent is part of one of IHGs new strategic initiatives focused on continuing to expand its footprint in the fast-growing $60 billion luxury segment, the company said. IHGs last big acquisition was announced in late 2014, when it said it was buying the 62-property boutique chain Kimpton Hotels for $430 million. Just last fall, IHG said it expected finally to merge Kimptons Karma Rewards program into its own IHG Rewards Club in early 2018. The Regent Hotels brand has taken a curvy road over the years. It was founded in 1970 by legendary hotelier Robert Burns. It was acquired by Four Seasons Hotels in 1992, but that company sold the brand to Radisson parent Carlson Companies for newly developed properties in 1998. Carlson subsequently sold the Regent brand to Taiwan-based Formosa International Hotels in 2010. In the mid-1980s, Regent acquired the iconic Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Beverly Hills, but it dropped the Regent name in 2006 and became the Beverly Wilshire (a Four Seasons Hotel). As part of IHG, Regent will be joining a company that has 5,300 hotels worldwide in a number of brands including Intercontinental Hotels & Resorts, Kimpton, the new Hualuxe group in China, Crowne Plaza, Indigo, EVEN Hotels, Holiday Inn, Avid Hotels, Staybridge Suites, and Candlewood Suites. It will add a dash of panache to the staid brand, and offer some sexy new redemption options for IHG Rewards members. Thoughts? Read all recent TravelSkills posts here Get twice-per-week updates from TravelSkills via email! Sign up here 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 50-year-old woman who attends Solano Community College was arrested Wednesday for making bomb threats to the Fairfield campus./Solano County Sheriff's Office A woman was arrested Wednesday for allegedly making bomb threats to Solano Community Colleges Fairfield campus. Lavirrise Bynes, of Vallejo, was taken into custody two days after she called in two separate bomb threats on Monday, according to the Solano County Sheriffs Office. The 50-year-olds calls prompted evacuations on three campuses, authorities said. The threats came at a time of heightened anxiety on school campuses across the nation, and particularly in light of the mass shooting in Parkland, Fla, that took 17 lives. In the Bay Area, San Leandro High School went on lockdown Wednesday after a graffiti threat was found on a school wall. On Feb. 28 in San Jose, Alum Rock Union School District received a threat on Twitter that led to a girls arrest. And in Burlingame and Martinez, junior high schools canceled classes last week after threats were found on campus. The first call to Solano Community College on Monday came in at approximately 12:05 p.m. I dont have much time, there is a bomb on each campus, the caller allegedly stated. At 12:08 p.m, officials said, the person called again and said, There is three campuses and we gonna bomb all of them, one of them is gonna go off soon. The callers voice was initially described by one of the employees at Solano Community College as a female possibly trying to disguise her voice as a male, the sheriffs office said in a statement. More than 8,000 students, 170 staff members and 350 teachers and children who attend the Early College High School and Early Childhood Center were evacuated from three campuses before the threats were determined to be bogus. The calls were initially blocked, but after an investigation, police determined the phone number used and the address of the threats, leading to Bynes arrest. A federal grand jury indicted two men who allegedly planted a pipe bomb last month at the home of one of the mens brothers in Suisun City. Thomas Wayne Capenhurst, 33, of Dixon, and Robert Lee McGraw, 20, of Fairfield, were charged Thursday with conspiracy, malicious use of explosive materials and using a destructive device during a crime of violence. McGraw was also charged with possessing an unregistered destructive device. Capenhurst allegedly offered to pay McGraw and another man $10,000 each to place pipe bombs at his brothers house in Suisun City. Capenhurst gave McGraw three bombs and told him to try to knock the house down, according to the complaint. On Feb. 17, McGraw allegedly walked to the front door of the home on Bluejay Drive just before 1 a.m., according to court documents. A family of five had just returned from a trip to the Bay Area and were active in the house. McGraw allegedly set one of the pipe bombs on the front porch, lit the fuse, banged on the front door and ran. The bomb broke windows and blew the front door off its hinges, and shrapnel lodged into the homes walls, according to the complaint. No one was injured in the explosion and the remaining pipe bombs were defused by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. A multi-agency investigation into the incident was led by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the FBIs Solano County Violent Crimes Task Force and the Suisun City Police Department. Seven other law enforcement agencies police departments in Benicia, Dixon, Fairfield, Vacaville and Vallejo, the Solano County Sheriffs Office, and the California Highway Patrol provided assistance. If convicted of using a destructive device during a crime of violence, Capenhurst and McGraw could face 30 years to life in prison, as well as a $250,000 fine. If found guilty of the other charges, the men could receive between five and 20 years in prison in addition to heavy fines. Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy H. Delgado is prosecuting the case. Fremont police investigating a series of auto break-ins shot and wounded two men Thursday night in a residential cul-de-sac in San Leandro, authorities said. The incident stemmed from an investigation at about 9 p.m. at Bayfair Center, a mall in San Leandro, where Fremont detectives had tracked two men suspected of breaking into vehicles across the East Bay, said Lt. Robert McManus, a spokesman for the San Leandro Police Department. They believed that the suspects were there to do additional auto burglaries, he said. After detectives called San Leandro police for assistance, McManus said, the suspects rammed some of the officers cars and took off. The officers chased the men a short distance, eventually ending up at Ruth Court, a dead-end street in San Leandro. The detectives got out of their car, and one of the suspects raised a handgun, prompting at least one officer to open fire, McManus said. Both of the suspects were hit. One man, who McManus said is about 31 years old, was immediately arrested and taken to the hospital. Its not known if his injuries were life threatening. The other suspect, whom police also believed was armed, fled on foot into a residential backyard, leading San Leandro officers on a long search with the assistance of Fremont police and the Alameda County sheriffs SWAT team. A police dog was eventually able to track the man to bushes near railroad tracks behind a KFC restaurant on Hesperian Boulevard. McManus said the man had a gunshot wound that was not considered life-threatening. He was transported to the hospital and remains under police supervision. Police declined to release the suspects names, but the second man taken into custody is a 30-year-old on parole for a conviction of pimping and illegal possession of firearms. San Leandro investigators are continuing their investigation as to everything related to the incident, McManus said. Movies go bad in all kinds of ways, but in 7 Days in Entebbe the filmmakers found a brand-new way for their movie to commit suicide. It happens, remarkably, in the movies last 10 minutes, in a jaw-dropping flameout unlike anything Ive ever witnessed. Until then, 7 Days in Entebbe is a tense and gripping historical thriller, re-creating the terrorist hijacking of an Air France airliner in 1976 and the hostage drama that followed. As anyone who buys a ticket to this movie will know, the drama culminated in a stunning rescue operation by Israeli commandos. So this is not a movie that people watch while wondering how it will turn out. This is a movie people watch while knowing how it will turn out and looking forward to seeing it. Indeed, a full half of the experience of 7 Days in Entebbe is anticipating the big finish. But the big finish we get is ridiculous. Yes, the movie depicts the rescue operation, but it does so in a sparing way, just a few glimpses here and there. And it intercuts the rescue scene this is amazing with a modern dance performance. So its a few seconds of gunshots, and a few seconds of dancing to noisy percussive music, back and forth, back and forth, until you want to find director Jose Padilha, sit him down in a chair and yell, Are you kidding me? Are you kidding me? over and over until the movie is finished. Apparently, at least according to this, one of the soldiers, Yoni Netanyahu, brother of the future Prime Minister, had a girlfriend in a modern dance troupe. And for some reason, either Padilha or the screenwriters or both thought it would be a nifty idea to show her performing while the raid takes place: Somebody gets shot in Entebbe, and someone onstage falls down. That kind of thing. And give the filmmakers credit, they had an idea for something no one had ever done before. What they didnt realize is that there was a reason for this: The idea was horrible. Yet, until then, 7 Days in Entebbe is a credible and arresting slice of history. The Air France jumbo jet, bound for Tel Aviv, is hijacked by German terrorists with ties to the Red Army Faction. They want to make a statement on behalf of the Palestinians, and their idea is that the Israeli government will release the terrorists in its prisons in exchange for the hostages. As portrayed here, Wilfried Bose (Daniel Bruhl) is a misguided zealot, but not a murderer, while Brigitte Kuhlmann (Rosamund Pike) is a more enigmatic figure, by turns empathetic and fanatical and increasingly strung out on amphetamines as the crisis plays out. The terrorists had the idea that it would be much harder for the Israelis to use force if the hostages were held outside Israel, particularly in a strange, unaligned country such as Idi Amins Uganda. Nonso Anozie appears several times in the film as Amin, and hes fascinating to watch and lots of fun a genial monster who wants to be loved. The movie follows the crisis over its seven days, with several brief flashbacks to fill in the details. Just as dramatic as the scenes in Uganda are the deliberations within the Israeli Cabinet, with the main clash coming between President Yitzhak Rabin a forthright former soldier, as played by Lior Ashkenazi and Shimon Peres (Eddie Marsan), a wily politician. Peres wants to attempt a rescue, and Rabin, who ultimately must make the decision, is less sure. Yet remembering everything good about 7 Days in Entebbe is a little like remembering the first act of Our American Cousin. Yes, it was going well, but in light of subsequent events, it doesnt much matter. Imagine if Kathryn Bigelow in Zero Dark Thirty had decided that what the Bin Laden raid really needed was some Irish step dancing. So first the Navy SEALs jump out of the helicopter and next we see the chorus line in Riverdance. Might have worked, right? No. Not right at all. Mick LaSalle is The San Francisco Chronicles movie critic. Email: mlasalle@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @Mick LaSalle 7 Days in Entebbe Historical thriller. Starring Rosamund Pike, Daniel Bruhl and Lior Ashkenazi. Directed by Jose Padilha. (PG-13. 107 minutes.) Movie newsletter Get the latest movie reviews, Mick LaSalles views, critics picks and more film news each week in the San Francisco Chronicles revamped movie newsletter! Sign up here for Popcorn Picks and other Chronicle and SFGATE newsletters like the Taploid, Chronicle Commuter, and breaking news alerts. MIAMI As Florida authorities work to identify the people who died in Thursdays catastrophic bridge collapse, state and federal investigators will begin the task of figuring out how and why the 5-day-old span failed. Miami-Dade County Fire Chief Dave Downey said Thursday night that his crew is using high-tech listening devices, trained sniffing dogs and search cameras in a race to find anyone still alive in the rubble. The $14.2 million pedestrian bridge was supposed to open in 2019 as a safe way for students to cross the busy road. It linked the community of Sweetwater with the campus of Florida International University. We have to remove some of this piece by piece. Its very unstable, he said. Aerial footage at the site showed a trained dog running atop fallen concrete and sniffing in the crevices for victims. But Miami-Dade Police Director Juan Perez acknowledged the likelihood of finding more victims under the rubble is slim. We know that theres going to be a negative outcome at the end of the day, Perez said. Four people were found dead and at least nine others were injured and taken to local hospitals; officials at one point said 10 were injured. Florida Gov. Rick Scott and U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio attended the evening briefing. Rubio said the public and the families of the dead and injured deserve to know what went wrong. Scott added that an investigation will get to the bottom of why this happened and what happened. He said that if anyone did anything wrong, we will hold them accountable. National Transportation Safety Board Chairman Robert Sumwalt III said a team of specialists was heading to Miami on Thursday night with plans to begin its investigation Friday morning. Rubio, who is an adjunct professor at the school, noted the pedestrian bridge was intended to be an innovative and one-of-a-kind engineering design. An accelerated construction method was supposed to reduce risks to workers and pedestrians and minimize traffic disruption, the university said. The school has long been interested in this kind of bridge design; in 2010, it opened The ABC (accelerated bridge construction) Center, to help bridge professionals. Other universities around the country partnered with FIU to provide the transportation industry with the tools needed to effectively and economically utilize the principles of ABC to enhance mobility and safety, and produce safe, environmentally friendly, long-lasting bridges. President Trump has cleared a primary election path for one of the most vulnerable Senate Republicans running for re-election this year, persuading Nevada Sen. Dean Hellers GOP opponent to drop out of the race and instead run for a House seat. Republican Danny Tarkanian of Las Vegas, who has frequently criticized Heller for failing to be a strong supporter of Trumps agenda, announced Friday morning that at the presidents request, he decided to leave the Senate race and instead run for Nevadas Third Congressional District. I am confident I would have won the U.S. Senate race and done a great job representing the people of Nevada in the Senate, but the president is adamant that a unified Republican ticket in Nevada is the best direction for the America First movement, Tarkanian said in a statement. His announcement came shortly after Trump tweeted Friday that, It would be great for the Republican Party of Nevada, and its unity if good guy Danny Tarkanian would run for Congress and Dean Heller, who is doing a really good job, could run for Senate unopposed! A message seeking comment from Hellers campaign was not immediately returned Friday. Heller, the only Republican senator seeking re-election in a state Democrat Hillary Clinton carried in the 2016 presidential election, sharply criticized Trump when he was a presidential candidate and at times kept a careful distance from him as president. Trump publicly scolded him last year, but in recent months, their relationship has warmed. The first-term senator has become an ally to the president by working to get legislation to Trumps desk, including working closely to help write the Republican tax overhaul. Though Tarkanians exit from the race creates an easy path for Heller to win his partys nomination this summer, he will still face in November Democratic Rep. Jacky Rosen in an election that could help swing control of the Senate. Senator Heller spent the last eight months falling in line with President Trump, and this backroom deal is his special reward for caving to the White Houses pressure on health care, Rosens campaign said in statement. The Reno Gazette Journal contributed to this report. Three victims and the shooter in a massacre at a rehabilitation center for soldiers in Yountville died from gunshot wounds to the head that were fired by gunman Albert Wong, according to an autopsy report released Thursday. One of the victims, Dr. Jennifer Gonzales Shushereba, was six months pregnant. Her fetus died from lack of oxygenated blood, the report from the Napa County Sheriffs Offices coroners division said. Thursdays report reveals some of the tragic final moments the morning of March 9 inside Pathway Home on the campus of the Veterans Home of California-Yountville, where 36-year-old Wong, a decorated soldier of the war in Afghanistan, took five people hostage before executing three health care workers and turning a gun on himself. The forensic examination and autopsies of the three shooting victims, Christine Loeber, Dr. Jennifer Golick, and Dr. Jennifer K. Gonzales Shushereba, revealed that they all suffered immediately fatal head wounds caused by a high velocity projectile consistent with the rifle that the shooter, Albert Wong, used in this incident, the report says. Wongs autopsy revealed he died from a self-inflicted wound to the head from a shotgun. Officials found no evidence that any of the injures to the victims were inflicted by anyone other than Wong. Administrators for Pathway Home on Wednesday said the veterans care center would suspend operations indefinitely. The nonprofit has treated hundreds of veterans suffering from emotional trauma from post-9/11 wars. Wong, a former patient who had been kicked out of the program, burst into a going-away party for an employee at the facility and carried out the rampage. Before the killings, he allowed several staffers to leave, but ordered the three victims to stay. Loeber was Pathway Homes executive director, Golick was a therapist with the program, and Gonzales Shushereba was a psychologist with the Department of Veterans Affairs. Investigators have not identified a motive for the killings. A San Francisco police officer who gained online fame as the Hot Cop of the Castro, only to fall from grace after slamming his car into two people in North Beach, was found guilty Thursday of two felony counts of hit and run. After a day of deliberation, a jury found Christopher Kohrs, 40, guilty of hit and run causing injury and hit and run causing serious permanent injury. He was remanded into jail custody by Superior Court Judge Carol Yaggy. It does not matter who you are or who you work for, everyone will be held accountable for their actions, said Max Szabo, a spokesman for the district attorneys office. Kohrs attorney argued during the trial that the off-duty officer fled the scene of the Nov. 29, 2015, crash because he felt threatened by an aggressive crowd that formed and recognized him as the Hot Cop. The officer, who is on unpaid leave, had been out clubbing with his brother and a friend before the incident. While driving his orange Dodge Charger west on Broadway through a green light, he struck two male pedestrians as they crossed near Montgomery Street just after 2:20 a.m., authorities said. Kohrs briefly stayed at the scene, where victims Victor Perez and Frank Vilches lay bloodied in the street and his Charger sat with a smashed windshield, but took off running before police arrived. Eight hours later, Kohrs turned himself in, frustrating prosecutors who said they couldnt collect evidence to determine if he was under the influence when he was behind the wheel. Vilches nearly died that morning, suffering permanent disabling injuries while racking up medical bills exceeding $600,000, his attorney wrote in a lawsuit against Kohrs and the city. Kohrs worked in the departments Park Station for seven years. While Kohrs was an officer in the Castro, a resident noticed his good looks and posted pictures of him on social media. Fan pages began cropping up and the images went viral. Kohrs used the attention for charity, occasionally going shirtless for benefits and posing as a calendar model. 1 Church shooters sister: The younger sister of Dylann Roof, who murdered nine black parishioners during Bible study in 2015 at a Charleston, S.C., church, was arrested and charged Wednesday for possessing drugs and weapons on school grounds. Morgan Roof, 18, was charged with simple possession of marijuana and two counts of carrying weapons on school grounds, according to the Richland County Sheriffs Department. Morgan Roof had also made a social media post on Snapchat which alarmed the student body. In it, Morgan Roof said she hoped the students participating in the National Walkout Day, protesting gun violence, would get shot. Students across the U.S. participated in the walkout. 2 Executions: Alabama and Georgia executed men in decades old murders. Michael Wayne Eggers, 50, was put to death in Atmore, Ala., for killing his employer at a traveling carnival in 2000 and later dropped appeals and asked for the death sentence to be carried out. Georgia put to death a man known as the stocking strangler, who was convicted of raping and killing older women in attacks that terrorized a small city in the 70s, at the state prison in Jackson. Carlton Gary, 67, was convicted of killing three elderly women in Columbus in 1977 and 78. Though Gary was charged only in those deaths, prosecutors say he attacked nine elderly women in Columbus in 1977 and 1978. Most were choked with stockings, and seven of them died. A couple accused by Vallejo police of fabricating a kidnapping even though the woman was in fact abducted in the dead of night, held for ransom and sexually assaulted said Friday they were humiliated on a public stage while announcing a $2.5 million settlement with the city. Denise Huskins and Aaron Quinn released a statement through their attorney, Jim Wagstaffe. The Vallejo city attorneys office did not respond to requests for comment. What happened to us should not happen to anyone, Huskins and Quinn said. Victims should be protected in their time of need, not humiliated on a public stage. We hope that this settlement brings inspiration to others like us to speak up and keep fighting. The couple filed a defamation of character lawsuit after the Vallejo Police Department publicly accused them of making up their horrific story in which Huskins was taken in the middle of the night from the couples Mare Island home by a masked intruder in the early-morning hours of March 23, 2015. The kidnapper, Matthew Muller, broke into the home, tied up the couple, drugged them and vanished with Huskins. Muller set up a video camera and told Quinn to remain in a taped-off section of his home, where Muller could monitor him. After the drugs wore off a few hours later, Quinn called police despite being told by Muller to leave the cops out of it and cough up $8,500 in ransom. But when Quinn went to police, investigators dismissed the story and instead interrogated Quinn, demanding he reveal where Huskins was, according to the couples lawsuit. During the two days Muller held Huskins at his parents vacation home in South Lake Tahoe, he sexually assaulted her. He also sent anonymous messages to The Chronicle, which shared the information with police. Muller wrote that he would let Huskins go and included a proof-of-life audio file in which she referred to a plane crash that had just happened in the French Alps and recalled the first concert she had attended. The next day, Muller dropped Huskins off at her familys home in Huntington Beach (Orange County). Vallejo police, though, quickly dismissed the ordeal as a hoax to a bank of television cameras outside department headquarters as media attention in the sensational case swirled. Vallejo police Lt. Kenny Park said at the news conference that there was no evidence to support the claims this was a stranger abduction or an abduction at all. He added that given the facts that have been present thus far, this event appears to be an orchestrated event and not a kidnapping. Soon, The Chronicle received more emails from the still-anonymous kidnapper, who was shocked his crime had been labeled a hoax. Muller insisted the crime happened and claimed to be part of a network of Oceans Eleven-style criminals. Muller, a 40-year-old former Marine and San Francisco immigration attorney, was captured six months later, in September 2015, following a home invasion in Dublin, leading the FBI to identify him in the Huskins case. He was sentenced in March 2017 to 40 years in prison for kidnapping Huskins. After Mullers arrest, Vallejo Police Chief Andrew Bidou admitted the department was wrong and privately apologized to the couple. Huskins and Quinn, both 32, have since gotten engaged and plan to get married in September, Wagstaffe said. The U.S. Department of Education has awarded $2 million to help school districts affected by the wildfires in Napa and Sonoma counties and six others in California. The money comes from a School Emergency Response to Violence (Project SERV) grant. The money may be used to reimburse Local Education Agencies for expenses incurred as they worked to quickly reopen their schools in 2017. SAN FRANCISCO (BCN) Transgender students at City College of San Francisco will soon be able to use their chosen names for school emails, class rosters, online courses and student identification cards, instead of the names assigned to them at birth, according to both the college and the city's Office of Transgender Initiatives. The effort came about with help from faculty, staff, students and community advocates in order to ensure that trans and gender non-conforming persons feel safe and have full access to an education. "In order for students to stay engaged in their education, they need to feel safe and supported by faculty and the administration, starting with being referred to by the correct name," Ardel Haefele-Thomas, chair of the college's LGBT Studies Department, said in a statement. According to the college, data from the 2015 U.S. Transgender Survey found that 24 percent of college or vocational school students who were out or perceived to be trans were either verbally, sexually or physically assaulted. The college says other students such as undocumented immigrants fearing for their safety could also benefit from the new policy. City College spokesman Jeff Hamilton said the joint effort with the transgender initiatives office to complete the policy was a long, complicated process. "There was a lot of administrative work that was required to make this easily available for people online," Hamilton said. Students wishing to have their chosen names reflected on the college's administrative systems must complete a preferred name change form, which can be obtained at the Office of Admissions and Records at City College's Ocean Campus at 50 Phelan Ave. ### A car plunged down an embankment off westbound state Highway 4 in Martinez this morning, slamming into a tree and killing the driver, the California Highway Patrol said. The left-hand lane on the Alhambra Avenue off-ramp is partially shut down at present to recover the driver's car, according to the CHP. The man was driving a black 1994 Honda Civic in the rain approaching the off-ramp when he veered from his lane off the roadway around 8:29 a.m., the CHP said. The car sped down the embankment and hit the tree on the driver's side, crushing the driver, the sole occupant of the car, the CHP said. CHP officers found the Walnut Creek man unresponsive and trapped in the car, according to the CHP. The man was pronounced dead at the scene. The left lane on the off-ramp is partially shut down so workers can recover the Honda. Anyone with information about the crash is asked to call the Contra Costa CHP at (925) 646-4980. A 64-year-old woman died in a hit-and-run this morning in San Francisco's Chinatown, according to police. Officers found the woman in the roadway near Broadway and Stockton Street around 5 a.m. suffering from life-threatening injuries. She was taken to the hospital, where she died a short time later, police said. At the scene officers determined that a vehicle collision occurred but were initially unable to locate the vehicle and its driver. After investigating, however, officers found the vehicle and arrested the driver, a 35-year-old man, according to police. His name was not immediately released. Two ex-convicts suspected of committing a string of East Bay auto burglaries were shot and wounded by Fremont officers after the suspects allegedly rammed the officers' patrol cars when the officers were trying to arrest them in San Leandro on Thursday night, police said. Fremont Police detectives were in San Leandro on Thursday night to investigate a series of East Bay auto burglaries that started in Fremont and tracked the two suspects to the Bayfair Center and watched the men as they drove though the parking lot near Starbucks Coffee and 24-Hour Fitness, according to police. The Fremont officers called San Leandro police for assistance at 9 p.m., when they believed the men were getting ready to commit another auto burglary, police said. As San Leandro officers were responding to assist the Fremont detectives, the suspects used their car and intentionally rammed some of the cars driven by Fremont police detectives, according to police. The suspects fled the parking lot and were pursued into the nearby neighborhood on Ruth Court near Hesperian Boulevard. Fremont detectives tried to arrest the suspects when they stopped running, but the detectives were confronted by one suspect who raised a handgun, according to police. Fremont police shot at the armed suspect and quickly arrested him but the other suspect, who was also believed to be armed, ran into the backyard of a house at the end of the Ruth Court cul-de-sac. San Leandro officers arrived and assumed command of the incident and paramedics transported the first suspect to a local hospital, where he was treated for gunshot wounds. Police issued a "shelter in place" order and called on the Alameda County sheriff's office and California Highway Patrol to help in the search for the other suspect who fled into the Ruth Court neighborhood. The San Leandro Police Department's Tactical Operations team led a search for the second suspect that lasted for a few hours. A police dog trained in human scent tracking picked up a scent from clothing discarded in a Ruth Court yard and tracked the suspect for 100 to 150 yards before finding him hiding in the bushes near the railroad tracks behind a Kentucky Fried Chicken restaurant on Hesperian Boulevard, police said. The suspect was found with a gunshot wound not considered to be life-threatening which police believe was a result of being shot by Fremont officers. The second suspect was treated by paramedics and transported to a local hospital for further medical treatment. San Leandro police, who are leading the investigation because the incident occurred in their jurisdiction, said they aren't yet releasing the suspects' names because their investigation is continuing. But they described the suspects as being in their late 20s to early 30s. Police said one of the suspects is on parole for a previous conviction for pimping and is also on probation for a conviction for possession of illegal firearms. They said the second suspect is on probation for a previous burglary conviction. Both suspects remain hospitalized and will be transferred to the Santa Rita Jail in Dublin after they are discharged from the hospital, according to police. San Leandro police said investigators will meet with the Alameda County District Attorney's Office to seek criminal charges against the suspects, including assault against police officers, various firearms-related offenses and revocations of probation and parole. As is standard protocol in officer-involved shootings, an independent investigation will be conducted by the District Attorney's Office and an internal investigation will be conducted by the Fremont Police Department. Police announced this morning that a bus driver for the Salinas Union High School District is in custody on five charges relating to the alleged rapes of special needs children over the last ten years. Bill Harvey, 58, was arrested after an investigation launched from a call of a man harassing a female victim on Feb. 22, according to Salinas police. Findings of the investigation revealed that Harvey, a long-time bus driver for the district, had inappropriate relationships with at least two of the children who rode on his bus. Police said that Harvey bought gifts and met with at least one victim several times outside of his job duties. The victims, both physically and developmentally disabled, told law enforcement that they were inappropriately touched several times and forced to commit sexual acts against their will. According to Salinas police, the first sexual act occurred eight years ago when one victim was 13 years of age. The acts continued, with the most recent being last year. Harvey was booked into the Monterey County Jail on charges of rape of a person unable to give consent, rape by force or fear, lewd acts upon a child, kidnapping and stalking, officers said. The high school district was notified and is working with detectives on the investigation, which is still ongoing, police said. Anyone with information on the Harvey case should call the investigations bureau at (831) 758-7226 or Detective Gabriela Garibay at gabriega@ci.salinas.ca.us. Anonymous tips can be submitted by calling the department's tip line at (831) 775-4222 or the We-Tip Line at 1 (800) 78-CRIME. The Union City Police Department is investigating a threatening graffiti message found Thursday on the James Logan High School campus. The school will still be open for classes today, however. Police said they do not believe the message was a credible threat, but the incident did cause a brief precautionary lockdown Thursday. Police are working with the high school to investigate the incident. Additional officers will be patrolling the area and the school campus during school hours, police said. A woman yanked a man out of his car in BART's Warm Springs station parking lot early this morning and tried to carjack the car, police said. The man was sitting in his car in the parking lot just before 1 a.m. when a woman pulled him out, jumped in and tried to drive away, according to police. In response, the man grabbed the keys out of the ignition, police said. The woman got out of the car and walked away through the lot, according to police. The woman is described as around five feet six inches tall, wearing a black hoodie and carrying a green bag with white stripes. Officers searched the area but were unable to find the suspect. The man had a minor injury to his hand, police said. ### The Marin County Sheriff's Office has identified a deputy who died after a solo vehicle crash in the west part of the county early Thursday morning as Ryan Zirkle, 24, of Petaluma. Zirkle was hired by the sheriff's office in December 2015 and he was assigned to the Point Reyes substation. California Highway Patrol Officer Andrew Barclay said Zirkle lost control of his vehicle on a left turn on state Highway 1 just north of Point Reyes Station Road shortly after midnight. The vehicle went off an embankment on the right side of the road and struck a tree. Sheriff Robert Doyle said his office received a 911 hang-up call by someone reporting signs of a traffic accident. The sheriff's office had not heard from Zirkle for several minutes, so Zirkle's partner was dispatched to investigate and discovered the crash scene, Doyle said. It took 35 minutes to remove Zirkle from his vehicle and he was flown by medical helicopter to Petaluma Valley Hospital where he died, Doyle said. On-duty sheriff's deputies escorted Zirkle's body to the Sonoma County coroner's office, Doyle said. Doyle said Zirkle grew up and attended schools in Novato and attended Sacramento State University. He was described as happy, enthusiastic, positive and a man who wanted to serve the community. Zirkle's fiancie was out of town at the time of the crash and her father returned her to Marin County. Zirkle recently bought her a home in Petaluma, Doyle said. Zirkle is survived by his parents, two older brothers and his fiancie, Doyle said. Three female employees of The Pathway Home veterans' mental health treatment center in Yountville died last Friday of gunshot wounds to the head caused by a high-velocity rifle, according to autopsies by the Napa County coroner's office. The shooter, Albert Wong, 36, of Sacramento, died of a single, self-inflicted shotgun wound to the head, coroner's office Capt. Steve Blower said. Wong's victims were The Pathway Home's executive director Christine Loeber, 48, Jennifer Gray Golick, 42, a clinical director, and 32-year-old Jennifer K. Gonzales Shushereba, a clinical psychologist, who was 26 months pregnant. Shushereba's unborn child died from a lack of oxygenated blood caused by her mother's death, Blower said. There is no evidence that any of the victims' injuries were caused by anyone other than Wong, Blower said. The deaths occurred inside Madison Hall of the Veterans Home of California at 620 California Drive where gunshots were reported outdoors around 10:20 a.m., the Napa County Sheriff's Office said. Wong and a sheriff's deputy exchanged gunfire and Wong held the three women as hostages. The four bodies were discovered around 6 p.m. The California Highway Patrol is investigating the slayings. Two Oakland residents died in an apparent drowning in Lake Merritt early Thursday morning and police are investigating one of the deaths as a homicide. Police officers and fire crews responded around 4:15 a.m. to the area of the water near Lakeshore Boulevard and Hanover Avenue after a witness reported that two people appeared to be drowning. Four police officers went in to try to rescue the victims. A man, later identified as 39-year-old Michael Grace, was found and taken to a hospital where he died, according to police. Police said around 7:30 a.m. that the female victim, identified as 24-year-old Tayana Johnson, was also found and pronounced dead. Investigators say Grace and Johnson were dating and had gotten into some kind of physical altercation. They're investigating Johnson's death as a homicide, but say that Grace's death appears to be accidental. Attorneys representing a Sacramento-area couple have filed a class action lawsuit on their behalf against a San Francisco fertility clinic after the clinic announced earlier this week the potential destruction of thousands of eggs and embryos in storage. The eggs and embryos, which were being stored at Pacific Fertility Center for in vitro fertilization procedures, were impacted due to a leak in the seal of a tissue storage tank, which allowed liquid nitrogen to dip below necessary levels, according to attorney Adam Wolf with the law firm Peiffer Rosca Wolf Abdullah Carr and Kane. The attorneys are charging the clinic with negligence, breach of contract and conversion, or interfering with someone else's property. The couple, who are both in their mid to late 30s, had been paying Pacific Fertility $600 annually for about four years to store their eight embryos, Wolf said. The couple had been planning on transferring their embryos, the final step for in vitro fertilization, next month. Those plans, however, have been quashed, according to the couple's attorneys. "Pacific has forced these people into an untenable position," attorney Tracey Cowen said of the couple. "They are not sure if they have the financial means to even do this again." The price for the initial process of extracting eggs or embryos can cost at least $10,000, Cowen said. According to the attorneys, when the leak was discovered, Pacific Fertility immediately notified patients but said the eggs and embryos had been impacted and could not confirm whether they had been irreversibly damaged. That could only be confirmed once the embryo has been thawed. "Once you thaw them, you have to use them more or less immediately," Cowen said. The class action lawsuit is seeking damages in excess of $5 million and the attorneys said they may take on more of the clinic's patients as clients. In addition to the lawsuit, Cowen said the law firm plans on working with regulators and legislators at all levels of government to change the fertility industry by creating more regulations for clinics and providing more protections for clients. "What we really hope is that this never happens anywhere again," Wolf said. The law firm on Monday filed a similar class action lawsuit against a Cleveland hospital for the potential destruction of up to 2,000 eggs and embryos. Litigation also involving the loss or destruction of eggs and embryos is being handled by the firm in a hearing this week in Orange County. Officials with Pacific Fertility Center were not immediately available for comment on the lawsuit. A jury Thursday found a San Francisco police officer who gained fame online guilty of two counts of felony hit-and-run for a Nov. 2015 collision in the city's North Beach neighborhood, which injured two pedestrians. After the verdict was read, Judge Carol Yaggy remanded Officer Christopher Kohrs, 40, into custody without bail, explaining that because Kohrs had made himself unavailable to police for about eight hours after the collision, there was a possibility he could flee again. "I'm extremely disappointed," defense attorney Peter Furst said regarding Thursday's outcome. "This is someone who reacted to a situation," Furst said. "He didn't appear before the police for a number of hours, but he did come in himself and the idea that he's a flight risk because of that one incident is not one with which I agree." Kohrs became known as the "Hot Cop of the Castro" because of his time spent patrolling the Castro District and participating in events such as the San Francisco AIDS Foundation's Big Gay 10K race. On Nov. 29, 2015, an off-duty Kohrs was driving with his brother and a friend around 2:20 a.m., when the vehicle he was in struck pedestrians at the corner of Broadway and Montgomery Street. The pedestrians, two men, were sent flying in the air. The collision drew a crowd and, after recognizing Kohrs, some began yelling "Hot Cop" and, according to Furst, some shouted epithets and threatened Kohrs with physical violence. During the trial Furst had argued that after Kohrs checked on one of the victims, he realized that he was in immediate danger and delegated the tasks of checking on the victims and calling police to his brother, Nathan Kohrs, before fleeing the scene. Prosecutor Rolando Mazariegos argued during the trial that Christopher Kohrs fled in order to avoid a blood alcohol test and left the victims for dead. Kohrs turned himself in at police headquarters around 10 a.m. that day, after he was identified by investigators as the registered owner and driver of the Dodge Charger that was left at the scene. Max Szabo, a spokesman for the San Francisco District Attorney's Office said, "We're very grateful to the jury for their service in this case and we're very supportive of the decision that they reached. This was a decision a couple years in the making... but ultimately this man was brought to justice. "It doesn't matter whether you're a police officer or an everyday person, everyone needs to be held accountable for their actions," Szabo said. According to Mazariegos, one victim suffered a missing tooth, a broken jaw, a fractured ankle, and an injured shoulder ligament, while the other suffered a broken nose, a broken eye socket, a broken neck, a brain hemorrhage, a spinal fracture and memory impairment. In March 2017, Kohrs settled a civil lawsuit filed against him by one of the victims. Kohrs is scheduled to be sentenced on April 4. A federal judge in San Francisco Thursday set a fast-track schedule with a jury trial as soon as June on a civil rights lawsuit in which pregnant Alameda County jail inmates claim they are mistreated. U.S. District Judge James Donato said at a hearing that he will handle the case on an expedited basis and hopes to have a trial possibly by early June on the lawsuit filed in January by six current and former pregnant inmates at the county's Santa Rita Jail in Dublin. The trial is expected in three or four days. The plaintiffs claim pregnant prisoners are denied adequate medical care, nutritious food, warm clothing and fresh air. They contend they are kept in unsanitary conditions, there are rats in the jail kitchen and their laundry is sometimes returned dirty. The defendants in the case are Alameda County, Sheriff Gregory Ahern and other jail officials. County lawyers told the judge in a filing last week that "Santa Rita Jail is a clean, orderly, and well-managed jail staffed by extraordinarily professional and compassionate deputies." "It also meets or exceeds all controlling legal requirements regarding the administration of local detention facilities and is proudly accredited by the American Correctional Association," lawyers for the county wrote. Donato originally scheduled Thursday's court session as a hearing on the plaintiffs' request for a preliminary injunction requiring improvements in the conditions before a trial is held. But he said that the two sides' descriptions of conditions are so far apart that the facts must be decided by a jury. He deferred ruling on a preliminary injunction and instead announced the fast-track schedule. The judge said that in the meantime, while awaiting trial, the plaintiffs can file emergency requests for specific changes if needed, but said they must back up any requests with statements from doctors. Two pregnant inmates, guarded by officers, attended Thursday's court session, but Donato did not hear any testimony from the inmates or any other witnesses. Donato also said a seventh plaintiff who is a current pregnant inmate can join the case and he ordered the plaintiffs to file an amended version of their lawsuit by April 5. Outside of court, Yolanda Huang, a lawyer for the inmates, said Donato's decision to make the trial a priority shows that he "recognized the seriousness of the issue." Huang said she expected that at trial, the jurors will decide whether the inmates' rights were violated; if they find a violation, the judge would then decide on the remedy, such as a permanent injunction. Sheriff's spokesman Sgt. Ray Kelly referred to his initial comment on the case in January and said sheriff's officials would have no further comment outside of court now that the litigation is under way. In January, Kelly said the allegations were "false claims" and were "especially egregious." A San Jose State University student in custody for three counts of alleged sexual assault appeared in court Thursday and was denied a motion to eliminate bail set at $210,000 because of his inability to pay it. SJSU officials said university police are searching for witnesses or survivors in connection with alleged acts committed by Luis Venegas, 21. Venegas is a fourth-year student at SJSU and had been living in Campus Village A before someone contacted campus police on March 3, prompting an investigation, according to the university. Venegas was then arrested and booked into Santa Clara County Jail on March 5. Two additional survivors were discovered through the investigation. In each case, Venegas and his survivor knew each other, university officials said. Venegas was charged with sexual assault, assault with the intent to commit sex crimes, false imprisonment and sexual battery. Venegas appeared in court Thursday morning at the Santa Clara County Hall of Justice, just minutes from SJSU. Judge Socrates Peter Manoukian denied Venegas' defense motion to eliminate bail because he had no money to his name. Venegas' attorney said there was documentation that he had no money in his wallet and his parents receive disability and Social Security benefits. Venegas had not had a job since 2015 and is undertaking at least $4,000 in student loans each year, the attorney said. Manoukian said there was insufficient evidence that Venegas had no money, and that "not having money in your wallet means your significant other could have cleaned it out the night before." Venegas' attorney said he is prepared to withdraw from the university, where he was studying to obtain a bachelor's degree in chemical engineering, and will submit to a stay-away order from the campus itself if he is able to obtain his belongings still at SJSU. The defense also proposed that Venegas stay with his parents at their home in the Southern California town of Brawley once he's released from custody, but Manoukian rejected the idea. Prosecutors said removing bail and allowing Venegas to leave jail would be a public safety concern. The judge discussed the seriousness of the five felonies the suspect is charged with, noting that two of the individuals alleging sexual assault told investigators that they were weakened into the situation by at least one drug. Venegas remains in custody and will be in court next on April 12. Students were alerted of the situation in a campus-wide email sent out Wednesday, according to SJSU police Capt. Alan Cavallo. Venega's arrest was made public by the college on Wednesday and not prior to that because the suspect was already in custody, according to university spokeswoman Pat Harris. A celebration of life service is scheduled Monday evening for the three women employees of The Pathway Home veterans' treatment center in Yountville who were slain there last week. Executive director Christine Loeber, 48, and staff psychologists Dr. Jennifer Gonzales Shushereba, 32, a clinical psychologist, and Dr. Jennifer Gray Golick, 42, a clinical director, were found dead around 6 p.m. last Friday after a standoff that began around 10:15 a.m. in a room at the Veterans Home of California on California Drive. Albert Wong, 36, of Sacramento, is suspected of shooting the women before taking his own life, according to the Napa County Sheriff's Office. Autopsies on the victims are scheduled for this week. The Board of directors of The Pathway Home announced Wednesday it is suspending its operations at the veterans' home. Veterans in the program will be supported by mental health and other services in cooperation with the federal Department of Veterans Affairs and local Napa County non-profit providers. Napa Valley College officials said its counseling services for student veterans will continue. Both Golick and Shushereba also worked at Napa Valley College, school spokesman Doug Ernst said. The Celebration of Life is scheduled for 6 p.m. Monday at the Lincoln Theater in the Napa Valley Performing Arts Center on the Veterans Home campus in Yountville. The event is open to the public. A petition of support is circulating for a Seaside man placed on administrative leave from both the high school he teaches at and the police department where he serves as a reserve officer after accidentally firing a gun in his classroom, according to the Monterey Peninsula Unified School District. District spokeswoman Marci McFadden said the district knows of a petition that students are signing with the intention of saving teacher Dennis Alexander's job, but they have not received it yet. On Tuesday, Alexander was giving a presentation on gun safety at Seaside High School when he accidentally discharged his gun, according to Seaside police. A statement the school district put out said that Alexander, who has been with the district since 1994, had the gun pointed at the ceiling, at which point he accidentally shot and debris fell from the ceiling. Officers were called to the school located at 2200 Noche Buena St. at approximately 1:20 p.m. as a result of the shooting. Sand City police Chief Brian Ferrante confirmed Alexander's leave and said that the department will conduct their own investigation after the Seaside Police Department does. Ferrante said his agency will use any evidence and analysis that Seaside police compiles to help with their own research on whether Alexander violated departmental policies. MPUSD officials could not confirm reports that one student in the classroom was injured when the bullet ricocheted off the ceiling or what time the school administration found out about the incident. A news release issued by police about the shooting stated, "no one was seriously injured." McFadden said the district's policies prohibit any person other than authorized law enforcement or security personnel from possessing weapons, imitation firearms or dangerous instruments of any kind in school buildings, on school grounds or buses, at a school-related or school-sponsored activity away from the school or while going or coming to school. When asked what the district is going to do to ensure this type of event doesn't happen again at their schools, McFadden said the district has safety protocols in place and practices emergency drills at each school on a regular basis. "We will continue to emphasize these protocols and drills with students and staff," she said. The day after a shot rang out at their own school, Seaside High students on Wednesday participated in the walkouts that occurred nationwide over gun violence and to mark a month since the fatal mass shooting at a school in Parkland, Florida. "We were proactive early on and communicated to students, staff and parents and guardians that we supported student and staff voice in a safe manner on our school campuses and encouraged students to 'stand up' or 'walk in' to common areas on campus," McFadden said. ### SAN FRANCISCO (BCN) A jury today found a San Francisco police officer who gained fame online guilty of two counts of felony hit-and-run for a Nov. 2015 collision in the city's North Beach neighborhood, which injured two pedestrians. After the verdict was read, Judge Carol Yaggy remanded Officer Christopher Kohrs, 40, into custody without bail, explaining that because Kohrs had made himself unavailable to police for about eight hours after the collision, there was a possibility he could flee again. "I'm extremely disappointed," defense attorney Peter Furst said regarding today's outcome. "This is someone who reacted to a situation," Furst said. "He didn't appear before the police for a number of hours, but he did come in himself and the idea that he's a flight risk because of that one incident is not one with which I agree." Kohrs became known as the "Hot Cop of the Castro" because of his time spent patrolling the Castro District and participating in events such as the San Francisco AIDS Foundation's Big Gay 10K race. On Nov. 29, 2015, an off-duty Kohrs was driving with his brother and a friend around 2:20 a.m., when the vehicle he was in struck pedestrians at the corner of Broadway and Montgomery Street. The pedestrians, two men, were sent flying in the air. The collision drew a crowd and, after recognizing Kohrs, some began yelling "Hot Cop" and, according to Furst, some shouted epithets and threatened Kohrs with physical violence. During the trial Furst had argued that after Kohrs checked on one of the victims, he realized that he was in immediate danger and delegated the tasks of checking on the victims and calling police to his brother, Nathan Kohrs, before fleeing the scene. Prosecutor Rolando Mazariegos argued during the trial that Christopher Kohrs fled in order to avoid a blood alcohol test and left the victims for dead. Kohrs turned himself in at police headquarters around 10 a.m. that day, after he was identified by investigators as the registered owner and driver of the Dodge Charger that was left at the scene. Max Szabo, a spokesman for the San Francisco District Attorney's Office said, "We're very grateful to the jury for their service in this case and we're very supportive of the decision that they reached. This was a decision a couple years in the making... but ultimately this man was brought to justice. "It doesn't matter whether you're a police officer or an everyday person, everyone needs to be held accountable for their actions," Szabo said. According to Mazariegos, one victim suffered a missing tooth, a broken jaw, a fractured ankle, and an injured shoulder ligament, while the other suffered a broken nose, a broken eye socket, a broken neck, a brain hemorrhage, a spinal fracture and memory impairment. In March 2017, Kohrs settled a civil lawsuit filed against him by one of the victims. Kohrs is scheduled to be sentenced on April 4. ### 3 1 of 3 Allen J. Schaben/TNS Show More Show Less 2 of 3 Bryan Cox/Associated Press Show More Show Less 3 of 3 U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement officers arrested at least one person in Berkeley this morning in furtherance of an ongoing criminal investigation, authorities said. However, ICE agents didn't make any civil arrests, a federal official said, commenting on background. A Salinas man was sentenced to six years in prison today for committing forcible digital penetration of a minor over the age of 14, according to the Monterey County District Attorney's Office. On Dec. 10, Eliseo Osuna Reyes, 44, molested a 15-year-old family member when they were home alone together, prosecutors said. He entered her room, removed her pants while they were lying in bed and then sexually assaulted her, the victim told authorities. OAKLAND (BCN) Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf today named Darin Ranelletti to be the city's first policy director for housing security, saying she wants to ensure that all city residents have equitable access to safe, healthy, affordable and stable housing. Schaaf said the new position for Ranelletti, currently the interim director of the city's Planning and Building Department, will coordinate efforts by her office, city departments, and private and public partners to bring a unified vision to improve housing security for all residents. Schaaf said Ranelletti will develop policies to promote new housing construction at all income levels and create strategies to protect citizens from displacement and also lobby for resources at the regional, state, and federal levels. "This new position gives the Mayor's Office the resources needed to address the housing crisis effectively and with urgency," Schaaf said in a statement. Schaaf said Ranelletti's comprehensive perspective on the city's housing situation "begins with his work in the Planning and Building Department to increase Oakland's housing production at a record pace this year, as well as his recent efforts to protect tenants and safeguard our city's affordable housing stock." Ranelletti said, "I am excited to join Mayor Schaaf at this critical moment in Oakland's history." He said, "There is important work we can do right now to ensure that current and future city residents have access to secure housing, which is a vital component to protecting the city's rich cultural diversity and promoting economic prosperity for all residents." Schaaf said creating the new position is her latest effort to improve housing security for all Oaklanders. She said that as a member of the Metropolitan Transportation Commission she led an initiative last month to create a $10 million fund to protect affordable housing for existing residents. Schaaf said in January that she announced new cash incentives for Oakland landlords and property owners to expand the number of Section 8 low-income housing units. Earlier this year, she also joined "Mayors and CEOs for Housing Investment to advocate for homeless services and affordable housing funding at the federal level. In addition she joined California's "Big 11 Mayors" to ask for $2 billion in state funds to help cities eliminate homelessness. Ranelletti has spent the past 15 years in the Planning and Building Department, most recently as the interim director, where he oversaw the preparation of the city's neighborhood plans and led policy efforts to promote housing production and sustainable development. He will begin his new job on April 9. ### BERKELEY (BCN) City of Berkeley and BART officials are holding an informational community meeting tonight to discuss the possibility of building housing at the parking lot at the North Berkeley BART station. There aren't any current plans or proposals for housing construction at the station, but Councilwoman Linda Maio, who represents that area, wants to explore the option of putting housing there or at other locations as a way of easing the city's housing crisis, her aide Lars Skjerping said today. BART officials, including Director Rebecca Saltzman, will present the status of the lot itself, the constraints posed by the station's location on top of a tunnel and the transit agency's guidelines on transit-oriented development. Skjerping said the fact that the station and parking lot are on top of an underground tunnel that carries BART trains places limits on the size of any development that might be built on the lot. He said one community group has posted a scale model of a 300-unit, 31-story housing development at the North Berkeley station but he said such a large building wouldn't be feasible and isn't being proposed. Berkeley Mayor Jesse Arreguin and other council members also are expected to attend the meeting, which is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. in the multipurpose room at Berkeley Adult School at 1701 San Pablo Ave. The entrance to the room is at the intersection of Curtis and Francisco streets. In an email announcing the meeting, Maio said, "There has been considerable response from all sides of the issue and we expect a big and lively turnout." ### MARTINEZ (BCN) Someone left a message on a bathroom wall at Martinez Junior High School threatening at shooting at the school Friday, the superintendent of Martinez Unified School District wrote on the district's website today. Superintendent CJ Cammack said as a result he is canceling classes and all after-school and evening functions at the junior high school at 1600 Court St. for Friday. Classes will resume Monday. The threat was specific only to Martinez Junior High School. All other schools in the district will be open Friday, Cammack said. Junior high administrators got in touch with school district officials and police immediately after discovery of the threat. Cammack said an investigation was begun and the threat does not appear to be credible. Cammack said that he decided to cancel classes because of recent events, the climate around school violence and to ensure the safety of students and staff. ### SAN FRANCISCO (BCN) A 19-year-old man appeared in court this morning out of custody and wearing an ankle monitor, charged for an alleged armed robbery that occurred minutes before a fatal officer-involved shooting that killed his friend last week in San Francisco's Mission District. A pre-hearing conference for Victor Navarro Flores was scheduled for next month. According to police, Navarro Flores was driving the black Honda Accord in which his friend, Jesus Adolfo Delgado-Duarte, was hiding when officers pulled them over around 10:35 p.m. on Capp Street near 21st Street on March 6. An officer had pulled them over after two people nearby said they had been robbed at gunpoint by the occupants of a black Honda Civic, police said. Officer ordered all of the Honda's occupants out. Navarro-Flores eventually exited the driver's seat and officers detained him. Officers then ordered Delgado-Duarte out of the halfway open trunk, where he was hiding. After yelling several commands at him, first in English and then in Spanish, officers fired a beanbag round at him. A short time later, Delgado-Duarte fired a gun from inside the trunk, according to police. In response, 10 officers fired 99 rounds at him, fatally striking Delgado-Duarte about 25 times. Delgado-Duarte was pronounced dead at the scene, police said. After the shooting, an 18-year-old woman who was still inside the car was ordered out and detained. She was apparently uninjured. Officers later recovered a 9mm handgun from the Honda's trunk, police said. Police have not yet released the name of the 10 officers who fired their weapons. Several community groups have expressed outrage over the recent fatal police shooting. Mission-based activist group Justice for Luis Gongora Pat has specifically asked SFPD to release the police audio of the incident and the names of all the officers involved, including the officer who gave Delgado-Duarte the commands in Spanish. According to Delgado-Duarte's family, he had lived most of life in San Francisco, coming from Mexico when he was young and attending Bryant Elementary School, Aptos Middles School and Life Learning Academy. Delgado-Duarte's death is being investigated by several different agencies including the police department's homicide detail and internal affairs division, the San Francisco District Attorney's Office and the Department of Police Accountability. ### Three female employees of The Pathway Home veterans' mental health treatment center in Yountville died Friday of gunshot wounds to the head caused by a high-velocity rifle, according to autopsies by the Napa County coroner's office. The shooter, Albert Wong, 36, of Sacramento, died of a single, self-inflicted shotgun wound to the head, coroner's office Capt. Steve Blower said. BCN10) SAN LEANDRO (BCN) Two ex-convicts suspected of committing a string of East Bay auto burglaries were shot and wounded by Fremont officers after the suspects allegedly rammed the officers' patrol cars when the officers were trying to arrest them in San Leandro on Thursday night, police said. Fremont Police detectives were in San Leandro on Thursday night to investigate a series of East Bay auto burglaries that started in Fremont and tracked the two suspects to the Bayfair Center and watched the men as they drove though the parking lot near Starbucks Coffee and 24-Hour Fitness, according to police. The Fremont officers called San Leandro police for assistance at 9 p.m., when they believed the men were getting ready to commit another auto burglary, police said. As San Leandro officers were responding to assist the Fremont detectives, the suspects used their car and intentionally rammed some of the cars driven by Fremont police detectives, according to police. The suspects fled the parking lot and were pursued into the nearby neighborhood on Ruth Court near Hesperian Boulevard. Fremont detectives tried to arrest the suspects when they stopped running, but the detectives were confronted by one suspect who raised a handgun, according to police. Fremont police shot at the armed suspect and quickly arrested him but the other suspect, who was also believed to be armed, ran into the backyard of a house at the end of the Ruth Court cul-de-sac. San Leandro officers arrived and assumed command of the incident and paramedics transported the first suspect to a local hospital, where he was treated for gunshot wounds. Police issued a "shelter in place" order and called on the Alameda County sheriff's office and California Highway Patrol to help in the search for the other suspect who fled into the Ruth Court neighborhood. The San Leandro Police Department's Tactical Operations team led a search for the second suspect that lasted for a few hours. A police dog trained in human scent tracking picked up a scent from clothing discarded in a Ruth Court yard and tracked the suspect for 100 to 150 yards before finding him hiding in the bushes near the railroad tracks behind a Kentucky Fried Chicken restaurant on Hesperian Boulevard, police said. The suspect was found with a gunshot wound not considered to be life-threatening which police believe was a result of being shot by Fremont officers. The second suspect was treated by paramedics and transported to a local hospital for further medical treatment. San Leandro police, who are leading the investigation because the incident occurred in their jurisdiction, said they aren't yet releasing the suspects' names because their investigation is continuing. But they described the suspects as being in their late 20s to early 30s. Police said one of the suspects is on parole for a previous conviction for pimping and is also on probation for a conviction for possession of illegal firearms. They said the second suspect is on probation for a previous burglary conviction. Both suspects remain hospitalized and will be transferred to the Santa Rita Jail in Dublin after they are discharged from the hospital, according to police. San Leandro police said investigators will meet with the Alameda County District Attorney's Office to seek criminal charges against the suspects, including assault against police officers, various firearms-related offenses and revocations of probation and parole. As is standard protocol in officer-involved shootings, an independent investigation will be conducted by the District Attorney's Office and an internal investigation will be conducted by the Fremont Police Department. ### 577-3232 It's possible to produce Muslim President ... Peter DaSilva/Special to The Chronicle These articles and photo collections on SFGate.com and the premium SFChronicle.com got the most visits in the week ended Thursday at 10 a.m. SFChronicle.com 1. SF ICE spokesman quits, disputes agencys claim that 800 eluded arrest 2. New allegations suggest Charlie Hallowell was long aware of harassment charges 3. Yountville killings shatter a young family 4. Stienstra: At dinnertime, mountain lion lurks in the shadows 5. Nolte: Seeing San Francisco through new eyes after trip to tidy D.C. SFGate.com 1. All 3 hostages, gunman dead at Yountville veterans home 2. Trump, in statement full of falsehoods, calls Schaafs immigration warning a disgrace 3. People who left the Bay Area tell us what brought them back 4. So many amazing things happened at Stephen Currys 30th birthday party 5. Alaska Airlines already cutting back in California Most popular searches 1. Golden Gate Bridge (traffic fatality shuts bridge briefly). 2. Cost of living San Francisco. 3. Tara VanDerveer (March Madness arrives and Stanford is back). 4. Wrinkle in Time. 5. Anonymous lottery (N.H. ruling means winners can protect privacy). It begins with some fake news. A woman in a pert red dress collapses sideways into the arms of a man in a business suit, who joins his cronies in a shimmying dance of celebration. As quickly as those things happen theyre reversed, in a magical-thinking moment of collective amnesia. After that unnerving now-you-see-it-now-you-dont feint, News of the World, an ODC/Dance piece seen in its world premiere Thursday, March 15, at Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, gets down to some seriously indelible business about men and women. Choreographer Brenda Way says in a program note that she and her company began rehearsing News before the flood tide unleashed by the fall of Harvey Weinstein and all thats followed. But the 30-minute work, paired on the bill with Ways 2017 What We Carry What We Keep, seems thoroughly steeped in the moment. Keeping the daily news cycle out of the studio, the companys artistic director allows, was impossible. With the six female dancers dressed in red and five men in dark suits and ties, the battle lines are clearly drawn. There are face-offs and abductions, scenes of the women fighting back against their abusers and others where theyre shamelessly pawed. A scrap of spoken dialogue You look nice addressed to the women and inflected in multiple ways by the men as they circle one another, is a capsule account of how corrosive a compliment can be. In one especially volatile passage that seems to weaponize their bodies, the women enter from the stage left wing in a crab-walking line, legs spread and crotches aimed at the audience. Moments later theyre on their feet and shadow-punching toward the footlights, as if to take on the male gaze lurking out there in the dark. If a good deal of this News lands with blunt impact, thats very much in sync with the #MeToo drumbeat for change. So is the David Lang score, with its percussive arrythmias and huffing breath sounds, and a visual collage by Doug Argue that turns the masklike faces of Picassos Les Demoiselles dAvignon into glowering witnesses. Subtlety is not in the tool kit here. The dancers are all in, whatever the moment demands. That said, News of the World does not come off as a simplistic or reductive screed. Along with the victimization and defiance of the women, there are moments of tender sisterhood, when they cluster together in solidarity or gently roll one of their own out of harms way. The men, too, arent merely cartoon villains or snivelers, but people occasionally swallowed up in their own perplexity. They run like mad in place several times, without getting anywhere. News doesnt represent Way at her choreographic best; the opening What We Carry What We Keep is consistently richer and more suggestive in its imagery, patterns and ideas. News is instead purpose driven. And the purpose comes through. In What We Carry, the beguiling ODC dancers, dressed in a thrift shop tumble of stripes and plaids, engage each other in a wonderfully inventive series of encounters. Hauling each other around like unwieldy pieces of stiff-limbed furniture or heavy sacks of grain, they also lever each other up in feats of conjoined force. The piece is about retaining what matters, a notion strongly bodied forth in the way the dancers affectionately and creatively value each other. They were all delightful to watch on opening night, with Rachel Furst one standout, as willowy and supple as a tree in a breeze, bending but never breaking. Steven Winn is The San Francisco Chronicles former arts and culture critic. Dance Around Town: What We Carry What We Keep and News of the World. ODC/Dance. Choreography by Brenda Way. Through Sunday, March 18. Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, 700 Howard St., San Francisco. $25-$80. (415) 978-2787, www.odc.dance Since May 20, 2017, a four-mile stretch of Highway 1 has been covered in 1 million tons of dirt, rock and debris. The landslide just south of Gorda shut down the Pacific Coast Highway, isolating Big Sur communities for months and putting a wrench in many tourists' travel plans. A road trip up or down the California coast is a bucket list item for many travelers, local and international alike. We're here to make the case that you shouldn't let the landslide stop you. You may not be able to head straight down Highway 1 to Hearst Castle, San Luis Obispo or Los Angeles, but there is still plenty to see along the 190-mile stretch of open road. NORCAL TRAVEL: The coolest thing to do in each Northern California county Plus, the farther south you go, you'll have more of the Pacific Coast Highway to yourself. Click through the slideshow at the top of this story for 22 reasons you should still take a Highway 1 road trip. The sights in the slideshow are ordered from north to south, between San Francisco and the southern part of Monterey County, where Highway 1 is blocked off. The road is expected to stay closed until at least September 2018, according to Caltrans. Use our suggestions to customize your own road trip itinerary depending on your tastes, budget and destination. Don't forget to leave some stops for the ride back! ALSO READ: The coolest thing to do in each Bay Area city If Big Sur feels "been there done that," you can always head north instead of south on Highway 1 to explore the redwoods and the "Lost Coast." Read Alix Martichoux's latest stories and send her news tips at amartichoux@sfchronicle.com. WASHINGTON Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer made clear almost two weeks ago that he would vote against a bill that eases some of the Dodd-Frank regulations put in place after the 2008 financial crisis. He also made clear he wouldnt try to stop it. As more than a dozen Democratic senators helped Republicans chip away at the Obama-era banking law Wednesday, Schumer largely stepped aside, rather than twist arms. It was a do-what-you-must strategy aimed at allowing some moderate Democratic senators to avoid the wrath of powerful banking interests back home. But it also split the party and, some argued, muddied the partys populist message against President Trump ahead of the midterm election. For Schumer, it was a crucial test of how he intends to shepherd a deeply divided group of Democrats through a difficult campaign year, and beyond. While some of his predecessors might have blocked the vote or tried to hold troops in line, Schumer, a New Yorker unafraid of noisy disagreements, was comfortable with some fights within the family. When half of our caucus sides with Republicans and the banks, its impossible to rise above the din and show that were on the side of the working class, said Brian Fallon, a former top Schumer aide who later advised Hillary Clintons presidential campaign. You cant blame leader Schumer for not wanting to twist the arms of red-state Democrats against home-state banking interests, Fallon said, but from the standpoint of the larger party messaging, its a missed opportunity to not strike a bright-line contrast on behalf of consumers. The Senate approved the bill Wednesday 67-31. Schumer put the party on this path last fall when he agreed to allow four Democratic senators almost all of them up for re-election in states Trump won to work with Senate Banking Committee Republicans on legislation to ease regulations imposed after the 2008 financial crisis. Initial talks between Sen. Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, the panels chairman, and its top Democrat, Sen. Sherrod Brown of Ohio, broke down as Democrats said the changes went too far. But within a month of gaining Schumers nod, the Democratic senators Jon Tester of Montana, Heidi Heitkamp of North Dakota, Joe Donnelly of Indiana and Mark Warner of Virginia struck a deal with Republicans. Their compromise sailed through the committee. Moderates say the changes they have been seeking for years are needed to help small and mid-size banks, particularly in rural regions, that cant afford to keep up with the regulations. But liberals argue it goes too far in lifting requirements on bigger banks that received federal bailout funds. MOSCOW The gulf between Russia and Britain widened Friday as they cranked up pressure over a nerve agent attack and a suspected murder in Britain that have deepened Western worries about alleged Russian meddling abroad. Britains foreign secretary accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of personally ordering the poisoning of ex-Russian spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter, Yulia, describing it as the most brazen such move since World War II. Putins spokesman denounced the claim as shocking and inexcusable. As relations between the two nations sank to a new post-Cold War low, nearly two dozen Russian diplomats in London were packing their bags to leave Tuesday after an expulsion order from Britain. British diplomats in Moscow were bracing for a retaliatory order from the Kremlin and were just waiting to be told who had to leave and when. Geopolitical tensions have been mounting since the poisoning of the Skripals in the English city of Salisbury on March 4, in what Western powers see as the latest sign of increasingly aggressive Russian interference in foreign countries. The tensions threaten to overshadow Putins expected re-election Sunday for another six-year presidential term. But thats not all. New concerns surfaced Friday about the death this week of a London-based Russian businessman, Nikolai Glushkov, found dead at his south London home on Monday. British police said Friday that he died from compression to the neck and opened a murder investigation. Russia also suspects foul play in Glushkovs death and opened its own inquiry Friday. Russias top agency for major crimes was also investigating the attack on Yulia Skripal, who is a Russian citizen. Her father has British citizenship. Both are in critical condition. While Britain has accused the Russian state of ordering the poisoning of the Skripals, Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson took it a step further Friday and said its overwhelmingly likely that Putin himself ordered the attack. While many British politicians have backed the government in blaming Moscow for the nerve agent attack, Britains main opposition leader has cautioned against a rush to judgment. Labor Party leader Jeremy Corbyn said in the Guardian that its possible that Russian mafia-like groups, rather than the Russian state, were responsible. 1 Impeachment proceedings: Perus congress voted by a wide margin to allow impeachment proceedings to begin against President Pedro Pablo Kuczynski over his ties to the Brazilian construction giant implicated in Latin Americas biggest corruption scandal. Opposition leaders attempted to impeach Kuczynski last year after an investigation revealed Odebrecht had made $782,000 in payments to his private consulting firm more than a decade earlier. Kuczynski has denied any wrongdoing and says he will not step down. 2 Mayor ousted: The mayor of Irans capital Tehran resigned after hard-liners criticized him for attending a ceremony in which primary school girls danced, Iranian media reported Thursday. Mohammad Ali Najafi submitted his resignation to Tehrans City Council. Last week, prosecutors summoned Najafi for attending the ceremony in which a group of under-age girls danced in a ceremony held to commemorate International Womens Day. Council head Mohsen Hashemi Rafsanjani, without elaboration, said Najafi resigned due to illness. Hard-liners used the case to increase pressure on the U.S.-educated 65-year-old technocrat who came into office in August promising to fight corruption. There is a ban on dancing in public for women in the Islamic republic and girls older than 9 are regarded as women by clerics, who resist any change in social norms. 1 Politician assassinated: Crying, chanting and screaming in anger, thousands gathered in front of the Rio de Janeiro state legislature Thursday to say goodbye to a black city councilwoman shot in the head four times, a brazen killing that shocked Brazil and raised questions about the effectiveness of a military intervention in the countrys second biggest city. Marielle Franco was slain Wednesday night while returning from an event focused on empowering young black women. Her death touched a nerve in Latin Americas largest nation, where more than 50 percent identify as black or mixed-race yet most politicians are white men. Elected in 2016, Franco was a member of the left-leaning Socialism and Liberty Party known for her social work in poor and marginalized shantytowns, and for her outspokenness against police violence, which disproportionately affects black residents. The attack came just a month after President Michel Temer put the military in charge of security in Rio, which is experiencing a spike in violence less than two years after hosting the 2016 Summer Olympics. 2 North Korea talks: Swedens foreign minister held what she called good and constructive talks with her North Korean counterpart Friday amid growing speculation about a possible meeting in the Scandinavian country between President Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. Foreign Minister Margot Wallstrom refused to comment on whether she and North Koreas Ri Yong Ho discussed a Trump-Kim meeting as she left the Stockholm villa where the meeting took place. Sweden has been rumored as a possible site for the summit, though a truce village on the South Korean side of the demilitarized zone between the Koreas is seen as more likely. VIENNA Officials from the U.S., Russia and other major world powers in charge of assessing the implementation of the Iran nuclear deal met in Vienna on Friday with delegates from Iran amid growing questions about the U.S. commitment to the plan. Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and other delegates refused to comment on the closed-door session after it wrapped up and before bilateral meetings were expected to begin. The periodic meeting of the so-called Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action Joint Commission, or JCPOA, was being closely watched for an indication of American thinking following President Trumps firing of Secretary of State Rex Tillerson this week. Trump has vowed to walk away from the 2015 agreement in mid-May unless European countries join the U.S. in addressing what the president says are its key flaws. These include no penalties for Irans missile work and support for militant groups in Lebanon, Syria, Yemen and elsewhere. Tillersons firing and the choice of anti-Iran hard-liner Mike Pompeo to replace him have fueled speculation that Washington will pull out a move that seems likely would kill the deal. Aragchi told a parliamentary committee in Tehran on Wednesday that Tillersons ouster was proof that Trump would pull out and promised that Iran would withdraw if the U.S. does. In addition to the U.S., Russia and Iran, the Vienna meeting included delegates from the European Union and China. The nuclear deal, which was negotiated during the Obama administration, limits Irans enrichment and stockpiling of material that could be applied to a nuclear weapons program. In exchange, Tehran was granted widespread relief from international trade, oil and banking sanctions. Page Content Although most states follow federal law in calculating overtime and other wage and hour issues, California does not. The California Supreme Court reinforced this principle on March 5, when it held in Alvarado v. Dart Container Corporation of California that overtime pay attributable to an employer's "flat-sum" attendance bonus should be calculated by dividing the amount of the bonus by only the total number of non-overtime hours rather than by all hours worked, resulting in greater exposure for employers. This latest departure from federal law further illustrates that employers who operate in California must be closely attuned to the Golden State's unique labor laws. Background According to the opinion, Hector Alvarado worked for Dart as a warehouse associate in California. Alvarado and other nonexempt warehouse associates were paid on an hourly basis and received a flat-sum attendance bonus of $15 if they completed a full shift on a Saturday or Sunday. Alvarado brought a class-action lawsuit against Dart alleging that it failed to properly calculate and pay overtime wages to him and similarly situated employees. He claimed that the formula Dart used for calculating an employee's overtime compensation incorrectly computed the regular rate by dividing the amount of the bonus by the sum of all hours the employee worked, as opposed to dividing the amount of the bonus by only non-overtime hours actually worked. Dart had followed the long-accepted methodology set forth in the federal regulations promulgated under the federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). Those regulations provide that the "regular rate of pay" for calculating overtime must be determined by dividing the sum of all remuneration by the total hours worked, including any overtime hours. Alvarado contended that employers should follow the methodology set forth in the California Division of Labor Standards Enforcement's "Enforcement Policy and Interpretations Manual" (DLSE manual), which calls for calculating the regular rate of pay by dividing the bonus amount by only the non-overtime hours worked. For a full-time employee, this would be a maximum of 40 hours a week. The trial court sided with Dart. It concluded that there was no valid California law or regulation explaining how to factor a flat-sum bonus into an employee's regular rate for purposes of computing and paying overtime wages. In reaching that conclusion, the trial court noted that the DLSE manual is not binding. In the absence of any binding California law or regulation on point, the trial court concluded that Dart was permitted to follow the relevant FLSA regulation methodology. The California Court of Appeal affirmed that ruling and reasoning. California Supreme Court Ruling The California Supreme Court reversed the lower courts and held that, in calculating the overtime attributable to the flat-sum bonus, Dart should have divided the bonus amount by only the non-overtime hours worked. The high court agreed with the lower courts' finding that the DLSE manual was not binding authority. However, the court believed that the DLSE's interpretation of that controlling state law may be persuasive. The court also noted that it was obligated to favor an interpretation that gives effect to the principles that California law discourages employers from imposing overtime work (i.e., by making overtime as costly as possible) and that California's labor laws should be liberally construed in favor of worker protections. Thus, the court held that only non-overtime hours should be considered when calculating overtime owed on the flat-sum weekend attendance bonus. It reasoned that, because the bonus is payable even if the employee works no overtime during the relevant pay period, it should properly be treated as if it were fully earned by only the non-overtime hours in the pay period. The court also noted that a contrary ruling would drastically dilute the value of the flat-sum bonuses for part-time employees. The court then held that, because the amount of the flat-sum attendance bonus does not increase in rough proportion to the number of hours worked, it is more akin to a salary than to an hourly wage. Accordingly, when determining the employee's overtime rate, the hourly rate attributable to the bonus should be multiplied by 1.5, not 0.5. Finally, the court rejected Dart's pleas that it would be unfair to impose this new rule retrospectively. Consequences for Employers Because the Alvarado decision applies retroactively, it calls into question whether employers' prior calculations and payments of overtime wages attributable to flat-sum bonus payments violate California law, even if they were made in compliance with the long-accepted FLSA methodology. Employers should immediately review any bonuses they pay (or have paid) to employees to determine whether they might be subject to attack under Alvarado. Employers not in compliance with the recent ruling should change their calculation methods and consider remedial measures such as back pay. Fortunately for employers, and despite concerns that the Supreme Court would issue a broad interpretation of overtime calculations, Alvarado is limited to the specific factual scenario presented and to specific types of bonus payments. To that point, the court expressly limited its holding to flat-sum bonuses that are akin in form and function to Dart's attendance bonus. That is, a flat-sum (nonformulaic) bonus that rewards employees based on some metric that does not correlate to and reward the employee for each hour of work (such as completing a weekend shift). Bonuses that function as an incentive for increased production for each hour of work and therefore increase in amount as the number of hours worked increases, such as production or piecework bonuses or commissions, are not encompassed by this decision and may be calculated differently. Notwithstanding the narrow ruling in Alvarado, the case serves as another reminder that employers operating in California who use uniform methods of payroll calculations based on federal law do so at their own peril. Alvarado illustrates that California courts often do not look to federal law or regulations as guideposts and will construe any ambiguity in California's unique labor code favorably for employees. Thus, special attention to California payroll practices is necessary to ensure compliance. Sylvia J. Kim, Michael D. Mandel, Matthew C. Kane and Sabrina A. Beldner are attorneys with McGuireWoods in Los Angeles and San Francisco. McGuireWoods. All rights reserved. Reposted with permission. Page Content Under the Colorado Wage Claim Act (CWCA), a terminated employee's right to seek unpaid wages or compensation at termination is subject to the two- or three-year statute of limitations found in the CWCA, the Colorado Supreme Court has held. Hernandez v. Domenico Farms, Inc., 2018 CO 15 (Mar. 5, 2018). The court also clarified that the statute of limitations begins to run when the wages or compensation first become due and payable. Background The plaintiff-employees filed suit in the U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado alleging, in pertinent part, that their employer violated overtime wage requirements under the CWCA. On cross-motions for partial summary judgment, the plaintiffs and the defendant presented an issue to the district court regarding how far back in time a terminated employee's unpaid wage claims can reach. As Colorado courts had yet to consider this issue, the district court certified the following question for resolution to the Colorado Supreme Court: Does the CWCA Section 109 (wage payments upon termination) permit a terminated employee to sue for wages or compensation that went unpaid at any time during the employee's employment, even when the statute of limitations has run on the cause of action the employee could have brought for those unpaid wages under Section 103 (wage payments during employment)? To answer this question, the Supreme Court examined three provisions of the CWCA: Section 103, requiring employers to pay employees at regular intervals during their employment (C.R.S. 8-4-103). Section 109, requiring employers to pay employees upon termination for unpaid wages or compensation (C.R.S. 8-4-109). Section 122, the statute of limitations, which states that "all actions" must be commenced within two years (three years for willful violations) "and not after that time" (C.R.S. 8-4-122). The plaintiffs argued the statute of limitations on a Section 109 claim begins to run "only upon the termination of the employment relationship," and thus, upon termination, they could "seek any unpaid wages or compensation earned during the course of their employment." The employees asserted that, even if they would be time-barred from bringing a claim under Section 103 (wage payments during employment), Section 109 (wage payments upon termination) would nevertheless "revive" a terminated employee's right to seek those unpaid Section 103 wages upon termination. Conversely, the defendant argued that Section 109 "allow[ed] a terminated employee to collect wages only due as part of the final paycheck." Due and Payable The Supreme Court agreed with the plaintiffs that Section 109 allows employees to seek wages and compensation that (1) "only become due and payable" when an employee terminates his or her employment, and (2) "had previously become due and payable." The court, however, disagreed with the plaintiffs' "revival" argument. It held that Section 109 allows terminated employees to pursue claims for unpaid wages that could have been brought under Section 103 during their employment, subject to the statute of limitations in Section 122. The court further held that "[a]lthough a terminated employee may bring a claim under [S]ection 109 for previously earned yet unpaid wages, the statute of limitations for those wages begins to run on the date that each set of wages first became due and payablenot on the date of separation." The Court clarified that Section 103 "wages that had previously been earned but remain[ed] unpaid" had indeed "become due and payable on the payday after the close of the pay period in which they were earned." Thus, the Section 122 statute of limitations would bar an employee's pursuing a claim to receive those unpaid wages "more than two (or three) years after those wages were due and payable." In other words, "[t]hose wages are no longer due to the employee, and [S]ection 109 does nothing to make these extinguished claims due and payable again." As the Court explained, following the employees' interpretation of the CWCA would create an unusual result because their version of the statute "would in effect create an indefinite period for a statute of limitations," which was not the intention of the General Assembly. Employers should be careful to pay their employees the wages they earn when they are due. Employers should consult with employment counsel to determine whether and how the Supreme Court's decision affects their policies and practices. Ryan P. Lessmann and Jonathan H. Geneus are attorneys with Jackson Lewis in Denver. Jackson Lewis. All rights reserved. Reposted with permission. A bizarre incident in Bomet has left a 55-Year-Old man nursing serious burn injuries after he was set on fire by his son. The man is said to have been attacked by the son as he enjoyed a snack at the family kiosk. According to police, the son then proceeded to douse his father with petrol before setting him ablaze. Bomet OCPD Samson Rukunga said the elderly man sustained serious body burns and was rushed to hospital with half his body having sustained burn wounds. When the father went out after getting a snack, the shop owner followed and poured some liquid we believe was petrol and lit him on fire, said the OCPD. The victim is recuperating at Tenwek Mission Hospital in Bomet. It is still not clear what led to the incident. The police boss said they arrested the suspect who is being held at Bomet Police Station for further investigations. Rukunga added that property of unknown value was destroyed in the shop. 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! Ms Orr questioned the accuracy of the document, noting it had been filed the same year that Mr Sahay and Ms Khalils conduct was discovered "and it became apparent that there was inadequate risk management systems. Do you agree that these parts of this document that I have directed you to ought to have been answered no, no we did not have adequate systems in place to deal with risk management and other matters? Ms Harris said in hindsight Aussie should have had more robust compliance systems in place and that is what we are building now. Ms Harris was grilled about why Aussies systems had failed to detect the brokers' misconduct, which in some cases involved loan applications relying on false letters of employment featuring the same employers, fonts, styles and format for multiple different clients. And she was asked why in three of the four cases Aussie had not notified ASIC or the industry accreditation body, the Mortgage & Finance Association of Australia, and why it relied on mortgage lenders like ANZ or Suncorp to investigate the mortgage brokers instead of investigating them itself. Ms Harris told the hearing that Aussie had "beefed up" its compliance systems and was "about to beef up even more". 'Potential financial claims' Earlier, the commission had heard how an Aussie clients home loan had been unconditionally approved by lender Suncorp, but in 2014 was put in jeopardy along with the clients funds due to a significant shortfall stemming from misleading first home owner grant paperwork submitted by Mr Sahay. An internal letter between senior Aussie staff discussed the likely impact to the Aussie brand and potential financial claims and spoke of the clients fragile state, as she had just had a premature baby who was in a bad way, the royal commission heard. The letter discussed what to tell the client about the circumstances of Mr Sahays departure. Ms Harris said the client had not been told of the reasons for Mr Sahays departure or that he had been terminated. Ms Orr asked whether the email revealed that Aussies focus was not on the customer or the customers interest but the potential brand and financial impact on the group. Instead of talking to the customer about Mr Sahays conduct, the customer was told nothing about that? Ms Orr asked. The customer was certainly told Mr Sahay had left, Ms Harris said, adding the group was guided by legal advice about what it could or could not say. Our focus is trying to look after the customer the best we can, she said. Trailing commissions Earlier, the commission was shown an internal Aussie document discussing what action lenders had taken following Mr Sahays termination, with Aussie concerned that BankWest had chosen to cease paying trail commissions for loans Mr Sahay had brokered. This would have an immediate financial impact to Aussie of $2000 a month, the document revealed, proposing that Aussie challenge the BankWest decision including on legal and goodwill grounds. But Ms Harris did not know whether this challenge went ahead. The hearing continues. How quickly things change, especially in Kenyas political landscape. Just six months after insulting President Kenyatta, embattled Paul Ongili alias Babu Owino has been forced to eat humble as he stares at an uncertain political future. The controversial Opposition politician has turned to Uhuru Kenyatta to intervene following the nullification of his Embakasi East win last August. While speaking in Parliament, Babu Owino stated the dialogue between Uhuru and Opposition leader Raila Odinga must continue for him to be saved. He pleaded with President Kenyatta to release him from the furnace now that the opposition and the government are reading from the same script. Quoting the Biblical story of Shadrack, Meshach and Abednego, Babu said he has already burned from the fire he was put in by the President. In the Bible, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were put in a furnace to burn to death for failing to obey the king but came out of the furnace stronger, he noted. I would like to tell the President that he has put Babu Owino in fire and that he has burned and he is strong. I do not want to be stronger than this. Let him remove me from the fire. This ofcourse was in reference to his previous claims that the President and DP William Ruto had a hand in the nullification of his win by the High Court. The whole nation knows that this is a war of the President and DP versus Babu. It is sad that the government is controlling the Judiciary, he said. No one can destroy me. If either Uhuru or Ruto decides to vie against me in Embakasi East, I will beat them seriously. Watch Babu Owinos remarks in parliament below. A confidential group audit of Aussie Home Loans, undertaken just last month, warned that the broking group faced significant issues including with compliance with responsible lending laws, the banking royal commission has heard. The audit, undertaken by Aussies parent, the Commonwealth Bank, was completed in February and highlighted that significant issues remained from a previous audit and new issues had emerged - including some relating to compliance with responsible lending obligations that possibly required flagging with the Australian Securities and Investments Commission. The audit said that management was awaiting legal advice on whether ASIC reporting was required, and warned that the CBA group had to "strengthen" its oversight of Aussie and its "risk culture". It noted that procedures to ensure compliance with responsible lending obligations had not been met. Aussie chief financial officer Giles Boddy. Credit:Jason South In the financial services royal commission's fourth day of substantive public hearings in Melbourne, details from a series of internal documents were revealed that suggested Aussie had lax monitoring over its network of more than 1000 brokers. If the new-look management at Coles want to get a feel for the shoppers they need to win over they should look no further than Michael Birch. Birch, 75, is a regular at a Coles outlet which is just a couple minutes walk from the supermarket giant's head office in Melbourne's inner-east. He used to be a regular shopper at Woolworths, but soured on them after seeing some of their produce. Michael Birch think there's too much emphasis on home brands at Coles Credit:Eddie Jim Woolworths advertise fresh food, but their product is disgusting. Coles has beautiful vegetables and meat, he told Fairfax Media on the day Wesfarmers announced it would spin the supermarket company out into a separate ASX-listed entity. The company behind major Australian retailers including Just Jeans, Peter Alexander, Jay Jays and Smiggle is threatening to pull every store from shopping centres where fast-fashion rivals are being offered cut-rate rents. Billionaire Solomon Lew's retail group, Premier Investments, on Friday issued the stern warning of widespread store closures if landlords did not start providing the company with similar deals, which included capital incentives and cheaper rents by up to two-thirds. Premier Investments chiarman Solomon Lew Credit:Angela Wylie Premier retail chief executive Mark McInnes said it was aware of landlords offering the better deals to local and international brands including H&M, Forever New and Specialty Fashion Group. "Unless those same landlords offer us the same rent and capital, then we will escalate the closure of all our brands in that centre, and in the landlord's future development pipeline," Mr McInnes said. Mining giant Rio Tinto could be facing another headache after a Rio subsidiary developing a vast copper and gold mine in Mongolia said it was gearing for negotiations with the Mongolian government over a tax dispute. The Oyu Tolgoi mine in Mongolia. Credit:Reuters The news came as the international mining company, Turquoise Hill, released its results for 2017 on Thursday, Canadian time. Turquoise Hill said its Mongolian mining operation filed a notice of dispute with the Mongolian government on Thursday, over a recent tax assessment from the Mongolian Tax Authority seeking about $US155 million. The hefty tax bill came after an assessment of taxes paid and imposed on the Mongolian company that owns the mine, Oyu Tolgoi, between 2013 and 2015, Turquoise Hill said. Giorgio de Chirico had an irascible reputation but never lacked self-confidence. Although recognised as one of the great modern artists, de Chirico (1888-1978) was a vehement opponent of Modernism. In his eyes, Cezanne, Matisse and Modigliani were no more than "pseudo-artists", makers of infantile daubs. "Naturally," he writes in his memoirs, "in order to see and say all this, one must have, in addition to my exceptional intelligence, so far as true painting is concerned, one must also have my mighty personality, my courage and my ardent desire for truth." Giorgio de Chirico's Il saluto degli Argonauti partenti (Greetings of the Departing Argonauts), 1920. Credit:? Giorgio de Chirico, by SIAE 2018 With so many qualities it's no wonder de Chirico felt besieged on all sides by small-minded, envious enemies. He had become famous in the years before World War I as the inventor of Metaphysical painting a poetic, symbolic style that took every motif as the basis for deep reflection. When he moved on to a form of neo-classicism, the new works were greeted with hostility or indifference. For de Chirico there were only two kinds of art: good and bad. Good art had "technique", bad art was all hype and bad faith. One wonders what he would have made of Francesco Federico Cerruti, a reclusive collector who died in 2015, at the age of 93, leaving almost 300 paintings and sculptures to the Castello di Rivoli on the outskirts of Turin a city de Chirico declared truly metaphysical. Courts are traditionally intimidating places. Grand buildings from the 19th century, such as Melbourne's Supreme Court, exude authority, power and control. Today, rather than intimidate, courts the world over are increasingly designed to alleviate stress. "Previous generations [of courts] were fortresses [with] heavy walls and small punched openings," says Mark Wilde, director of Architectus, who designed Shepparton's new five-storey, multi-judiciary courthouse and the recent Queen Elizabeth II Courts of Law in Brisbane. In the entrance to Shepparton's new court building, layered timbers abstract the Koori court logo of a giant tree and its roots. "A greater focus has come on the users of the building to help them get through the day. In the last 10 years the modern court building has taken another direction, one that's more sensitive and supportive of all the occupants in the building." Shepparton Law Courts is the first regional court development in Victoria for more than a decade. It's part of a 15-year plan to cope with a rapidly growing population, and its out-of-date infrastructure. Gather round, youngsters. Once upon a time there were no smart phones. If you wanted to phone your boyfriend or girlfriend, you queued up to insert your coins into a Telecom Gold wall-mounted public phone. Inevitably the money would run out just as you were getting to the good part Telecom Gold Phone. Credit:Courtesy of the Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences, MAAS, Sydney On May 17, Jan Utzon will be a guest presenter at the Sydney Opera House (which his father, Jorn Utzon, designed) for the 60th annual presentation of Australia's only internationally recognised design awards. So? To misquote Monty Python, "What have designers ever done for us?" Samuel Dundas, who plays Marcello, almost sends a prop chair flying across the raked stage when its back comes off. "I think they're very boyish," Champion says. "They're very rough and tumble with each other a bit knockabout." Champion, who previously worked on Opera Australia's Ring Cycle, is no fan of the exaggerated acting sometimes deployed to entertain audiences in the nose bleeds. "I often try to work to make them more authentic," she says. "The challenge is how do you make them large so that they can be read from a distance but not pantomime?" I think they are very boyish. They're very rough and tumble with each other a bit knockabout. Kate Champion On the outdoor stage at Farm Cove, the versatile cast have to compete for the audience's attention with bats and birds, noisy party boats, exploding fireworks and a backdrop of the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge. Rain might fall too, given Sydney's temperamental weather, complicating matters for the show's uni cyclist and stilt walkers. "There's a clause in my contract to make alternative choreography for rain," Champion says. "Obviously, there have been situations in the past where things have been modified because of the slipperiness that rain causes." Champion was 16 when she cajoled her parents into letting her join the Iwanson Dance Company based in Munich. It was the late 1970s and one of their projects involved a collaboration with a little known British band, the Police. Champion recalls wandering around a brick factory where rehearsals were taking place and "there was Sting just on his own singing Roxanne". The band later gave her a vinyl single of the song, with messages written on it. "I took them to this club and gave the single to the DJ [and] I said it would be so wonderful if you could be playing this song when they come in." The DJ not only played the song but kept the single signed by the band. Sharing the stage with Sting was one chapter in Champion's storied career as a dancer and choreographer that included the creation of her own dance company Force Majeure, which she led until 2015. Her upcoming schedule includes directing a stage adaptation of Tim Winton's 1986 novel That Eye, The Sky for the State Theatre Company of South Australia in August, and a new outdoor, participatory work in Sydney shrouded in secrecy. Italian composer Giacomo Puccini originally set La Boheme on a wintry Christmas Eve in the Latin Quarter of Paris in the early 19th century. Snow falls in this production, rather miraculously for Sydney Harbour in early autumn, but Rodolfo and Mimi fall in love amid the student demonstrations that convulsed Paris in 1968. Morton says the outdoor show is a very different affair from a performance inside the Opera House. "Someone said once it's an event with an opera attached, you know what I mean?" he says. "When they go to the House it's an artistic event first and foremost." In addition, the vast majority of the audience seated under the fig trees at Mrs Macquaries Point are not regular opera patrons. "They're new to it," Morton says. "So what's different about this is I can't get too wanky with it." Snow falling on Sydney Harbour requires a certain leap of imagination but it is no less surprising than the space ship and lunar landscape that greeted audiences at the Paris Opera's controversial production of La Boheme, which featured Australian soprano Nicole Car. Australian productions tend to play it safer. Gale Edwards' production of La Boheme transported the bohemian lovers to 1930s Berlin, while Baz Luhrmann turned Rodolfo into a James Dean-rebel without a cause. Simon Phillips' 2008 production turned Puccini's protagonists into a group of scruffy students squatting in an apartment block about to be demolished in modern-day Paris. "I have a remit not to be too controversial," Morton says. "It doesn't mean I can't be original. Being original is about interpreting the libretto in a way people may not have experienced." To counter the naysayers, the state government is also insisting the shop is necessary for the financial viability of the square, as if tearing down one of the original buildings and plopping a huge commercial multinational into the middle of it is the only way of achieving this. If you listen to the cheerleaders spruiking the project, you might imagine this store is an act of philanthropy, gifted to the city by our generous benefactors in California. We're told that Federation Square is a "destination of choice" for Apple! It'll be a "global flagship store" as well as a "technology hub". But wait, there's more! This Apple shop (sorry, "space") will host "workshops, classes, and live music events!" All of which is simply double-speak describing a very big shop that will sell Apple products. Which brings me to Federation Square, Melbourne's quirky yet incredibly successful centrepiece, which now looks set to have a large Apple store wedged into it, a development that is being waved tantalisingly under the public nose like fairy floss on a stick. Fed Square is a unique civic space, a place where people really do come together. It's not just another shopping mall where you go to waste money on the latest iPhone. As historian Graeme Davidson noted recently in The Conversation: "It would not occur to the average Briton to ask whether Trafalgar Square is paying for itself, much less to install an Apple store beside Nelson's Column. Isn't it time we grew up and recognised that not everything that is important to our collective life has a price?" But it's not just the privatisation of a valuable public asset that makes this project so offensive. What's amplified the stench is the way Apple and those in cahoots is spinning us a yarn of magnificent and implausible proportions. The way the project is being so shamelessly puffed and touted. Like children, we're meant to be dazzled at how lovely it looks and how sweet it briefly tastes, while ignoring the fact it's really a worthless confection. Apple is not a charity providing a community service. It's not there for us. It's a slick multinational juggernaut that's making buckets of money, which it takes out of our country while paying minimal tax. It frustrates consumers with its costly, overhyped devices, their built-in obsolescence fuelling the relentless need to buy the latest product, again and again, each time at massive cost, to our wallets and to the environment. Apple is, quite simply, a corporate behemoth, with zero interest in civic accountability, responsibility or "community spirit". Yet we're meant to regard it as a privilege that its going to bulldoze part of our city's most important civic space. Of course it's not just the Apple store. We live in a world where politicians and corporations are constantly spinning excrement into sugar and expecting us to thank them for feeding it to us. Think of the public housing developments in some inner Melbourne suburbs, areas where property prices are booming. Housing Minister Martin Foley insists this is "shaping a vibrant future for local residents and communities", when what the government is really doing is selling off public land to private developers, throwing in a paltry amount of vaguely defined social and public housing, and calling it "renewal". The bulk of the benefit will flow to the developers and the residents will get screwed. But hey, think of the "vibrant future!" Artist and filmmaker Ai Weiwei is out to encapsulate the global refugee crisis in just over two hours and if the drone sequences have you believing that you'll be looking at it in long shot, think again. You're with the Iraqis and Syrians as they clamber out of their crammed little boats on to the beach at Lesbos and you're still with them as they tramp through the northern winter, hoping to reach Germany yet finding themselves trapped by razor wire fences on the Macedonian and Hungarian borders. Its dazzling drone photography sends you gliding over vast expanses of ocean and desert yet the film itself leads to the inescapable conclusion that the world is shrinking. Ai Weiwei is there, too, with his iPhone camera, listening to their stories and their ambitions for the future, but they all come back to that central paradox. How can so many people cover such immense distances only to be penned up in a leaky tent or a tiny cubicle in a detention camp at the end of it all? The film contains many statistics but perhaps the most telling is the fact that in 1998, when the Berlin Wall came down, just 11 countries maintained border walls and fences. By 2016, the number had risen to 70. The film was born out of coincidence. Ai Weiwei and his son were on holiday in Lesbos when they saw a refugee boat draw up. He started filming with his iPhone and curiosity did the rest. His next step was to set up a mini-studio on Lesbos and gather a small crew. Then, with the help of his regular collaborator, Chin-Chin Yap, he plunged in without a script or a budget. He had shot hours of footage by the time he was joined by his Scandinavian editor, Nils Pagh Anderson, and Heino Deckert, a German documentary producer who set about organising a shooting schedule together with the visas needed for the 23 countries the shoot would eventually cover. Continuity is the film's most haphazard element yet it hardly matters. The pace never falters and there's a grim logic in the story's inexorable patterns of cause and effect. The cameras penetrate the devastated cities that the Iraqis once called home and we go to Afghanistan with those who have been sent there from Pakistan, even though many of these Afghans have never known the country, having been born in exile. Nasa co-principal Moses Wetangula has warned the ODM Party that a Nasa divorce will be noisy and messy. The Bungoma Senator was reacting to a move by the Nasa affilaite party to replace him, as Senate Minority leader, with his Siaya counterpart James Orengo. He termed the move as a mischievous plot hatched by the Raila-led party. While making his speech in the Senate on Thursday afternoon, a visibly angry Wetangula accused ODM Senators of holding secret meetings to orchestrate his ouster. I want to say this, Mr. Speaker: If anybody wants a divorce, it would be messy, it would be noisy, it would be unhelpful, it would not be easy, and it would have casualties, he said. A call to eject Wetangula was fronted to Senate Speaker Ken Lusaka by ODM Senators on Thursday, March 15. Out of NASAs 27 Senators, 20 signed in favour of Wetangulas ouster, surpassing the required two-thirds majority by two. Lusaka okayed the move but told the Opposition coalition to ensure that it follows proper procedures in electing Orengo before the appointment becomes official. The removal of Wetangula, though valid, stands suspended and will not take effect until a Senator is elected by the coalition in the manner provided by Standing Order 20(1), Lusaka said. Wetangula said he felt betrayed by his NASA counterparts, but played up the consequences of the ODM Senators action. I want to tell my colleagues in ODM for avoidance of any confusion that for the last two presidential elections, we have supported a candidate fronted by ODM; and that is the reason they have a bigger number in both Houses than their partner parties. The Bungoma Senator said Wiper would enjoy a majority in Parliament if Kalonzo Musyoka was the presidential candidate. So, I want to tell my colleagues, let them try to go to NASA, bring the four constituent parties together and lets see if they will extract a resolution to bring to this House, because NASA has ODM, Wiper, ANC and Ford-Kenya. The leaders of these parties: Raila Amolo Odinga, Kalonzo Musyoka, Wycliffe Mudavadi and Moses Wetangula are an integral part of all the organs of these parties and whenever we hold even PGs, the parties leadership attend, he added. If anybody wants to play games, Mr Speaker, then anybody can play games; and many of us are good at playing games. I represent people; nobody can belittle me in this House. Nobody has a right to play games behind my back; let them be frontal and we will fight Omundu Khumundu; it is as simple as that Mr Speaker. The Australian Council of Trade Unions has hit out at the Canberra airport, after it refused to display its latest advertising campaign, claiming it was too political. The ACTU this week launched a massive advertising campaign, across television, print, online, radio and billboards, criticising big business and insecure working arrangements. The "change the rules" campaign had been approved by QMS Media, the advertising company that manages the billboards inside Canberra airport, but it was rejected by the airport itself. The ACTU has told Fairfax Media the campaign had originally been accepted, but was rejected once the proposed advertisement was seen. ACTU secretary Sally McManus launched the 'Change the Rules' advertising campaign this week, but Canberra airport won't show the advertisement. QMS Media said the decision was due to Canberra airport's strict policies regarding political messaging, but the ACTU has pointed out that much of the advertising shown inside the airport was from companies vying for defence contracts. Manufacturers such as Raytheon, BAE Systems and Lockheed Martin are among the many companies that frequently advertise in the airport. ACTU chief of staff Ben Davison said the union was "disappointed" by the decision and described it as "a bit outrageous" when compared to advertising that was approved by the airport. A 79-year-old man has been charged with child sex offences linked to incidents alleged to have happened while he was an employee of the Catholic Archdiocese of Canberra and Goulburn almost three decades ago. NSW Police will allege the man was performing an administrative role within the archdiocese when he met the 15-year-old alleged victim. The offences are alleged to have occurred in 1989 during a work-related trip to Batemans Bay and Huskisson. Police investigated the alleged incidents after receiving a referral from the archdiocese's Institute for Professional Standards and Safeguarding last year. The man was arrested in Brisbane on Tuesday and charged with five counts of gross indecency by male with male under 18 years. While the ALP is right to draw attention to the flaws inherent in the current dividend imputation system, its plan to abolish cash refunds to an estimated 1.2 million Australians has the potential to create more problems than it solves. Labor, despite having been the first political party to call for the refunds back in 1998, now believes the payments are way too costly and weighted in favour of rich tax avoiders who are profiting at the public's expense. It says it can save up to $5.6 billion a year by scrapping the refunds and has promised to redistribute that money as tax cuts for low and middle income earners. The refunds, which make up about one sixth of the $30 billion-a-year cost of the dividend imputation scheme under which investors are compensated for the tax already paid on franked dividends, are paid to people with little or no taxable income. The spend-now-and-leave-before-the-bill approach shown by the Coalition makes a matching pair with Labor's National Disability Insurance Scheme: both expensive vote winners with a fragile, or non-existent, funding base, and both left by their originators as problems for a future government to fix. The Coalition is doing its best by the NDIS; Labor is promising to be the responsible managers who solve the Howard-Costello over generosity. It is certainly a courageous promise, and justifiable. The Howard-Costello government was over generous in introducing the giveaway during the mining boom years. The cost has grown steadily to a point where it is a heavy burden on the budget. But with pensioners and self-funded retirees emerging relentlessly on television, radio, Twitter and Facebook to condemn Labor's move, it looks hard to sell. Labor has announced it will reform imputation tax credits on dividend payments so shareholders will no longer be entitled to refunds based on them. They will pay no extra, but can no longer rely on a negative tax liability to earn them a refund from the Tax Office. As poll after unfavourable poll ticks over, Malcolm Turnbull must be surveying the horizon for some sign anything that suggests the dark clouds will lift and things will get better. This week he may have received it. Sensible though it may be, however, it sets the usual trap reformers face: those who may benefit are silent while those who are or worse still, fear they may be disadvantaged scream their heads off. And since Labor has yet to announce how it will spend the money saved, and since the measure itself is difficult to explain and its effects unclear, the effect is magnified. It is open to a simpler criticism, too: people have planned their retirement incomes carefully and are relying on them right now to pay their bills. Some may be wealthy; others are not. All are understandably furious when those plans are overturned and incomes are cut. The government is gleefully fuelling the resulting conflagration, and Bill Shorten, who struggles to make the simplest case at the best of times, has already started to sound the retreat. Though Labor held its nerve with negative gearing, another hard but responsible promise, things may be more difficult this time. Many will feel landlords and real estate investors affected by negative gearing changes can look after themselves, but retirees who have saved enough to live off in their twilight years deserve more sympathy. The timing is odd, too. Labor announced the plan, which it knew would be controversial, in the week before two difficult elections. In South Australia Jay Weatherill's Labor government is seeking re-election after 16 years in power. Not only is the "It's time" factor working against it, a redistribution has removed a previous bias so that to win, Mr Weatherill needs a 3 per cent swing to Labor. After four terms in power, that will be tough. Possibly in his favour is the candidacy of Nick Xenophon and his new SA Best team, which may well split the conservative or centrist vote, which the Liberals under their lacklustre leader, Steven Marshall, have found difficult to attract. Though recent polls show his support weakening, Mr Xenophon may attract enough voters to hold the balance of power. His long-standing opposition to gambling gives South Australians good reason to think well of him, despite the loud and well-funded opposition of the poker machine lobby. The other election this weekend is for the inner-Melbourne seat of Batman, a left-wing enclave disgruntled at being represented in Parliament by a footsoldier of Labor's right, David Feeney until he fell foul of the constitution's bar on dual citizenship. The contest is important: it should signal how Labor is faring against its further-left competitor, the Greens. Yet the timing of the tax imputation announcement suggests Labor has already despaired of victory, despite the high profile of its candidate, the former ACTU president Ged Kearney. Dramatic footage has emerged of the brazen execution of former bikie boss Mahmoud Mick Hawi in the car park of a south Sydney gym. The former Comanchero national president was shot multiple times in the head and body when he was ambushed after a gym workout at Fitness First Rockdale on February 15. CCTV footage aired on Seven News shows Hawi, 37, climbing into his Mercedes-Benz four-wheel-drive before a balaclava-clad gunman sprints towards the driver's side window. He points his pistol into the window and appears to fire a flurry of shots at close range before he runs from the car park. Eastern suburbs cosmetic surgeon William Mooney, who boasts he performs the highest number of nose jobs in Australia, has to submit to random drug testing as part of the conditions placed on his medical registration, medical sources have confirmed. On Thursday Dr Mooney had to appear before a special hearing at the NSW Medical Council following revelations by Fairfax Media that two of his patients had died and that their deaths have been referred to the coroner. Surgeon Dr William Mooney. Under section 150 of the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law Act, the Medical Council can take immediate action to either suspend or impose restrictions on a NSW doctors registration to protect the public while a full investigation is undertaken by the Health Care Complaints Commission. Medical sources have confirmed that further restrictions have been placed on his registration on top of the current conditions which require the ear, nose and throat surgeon to undergo random drug testing. A 43-year-old man who groomed a 14-year-old girl online says he does not have a sexual interest in children, but that alcohol was his "master" in lowering his inhibitions leading to the offence. Jeremy Lysaght, a Sydney-based paralegal, last year pleaded guilty to grooming a child online, after he used the messaging application Viber to contact a 14-year-old girl in the Philippines in 2015. Jeremy Lysaght, who has previously pleaded guilty to using a carriage service to groom a child under the age of 16. Credit:Twitter At the Downing Centre District Court on Friday, Lysaght was sentenced to 18 months, to be served in the community under supervision of community corrections, as well as a $500 good behaviour bond. The court heard Lysaght consumed a large amount of vodka on Christmas Day 2014, when he first engaged in conversation with the child. So what's Malcolm to do? It's already clear. He has no intention of resigning or opening himself to a spill motion to allow his party room to adjudicate, of course. He's already switched emphasis to another test entirely. When he announced his challenge to Abbott, he cited a second Abbott failure: "Ultimately, the prime minister has not been capable of providing the economic leadership our nation needs." And it's here that Turnbull is already seeking refuge. And he does have a good story to tell. At every opportunity he repeats the mantra: "403,000 jobs last year, over 1100 a day, strongest jobs growth in our nation's history. The economy is powering up, it's powering along." No longer 30 Newspolls but 403,000 jobs. Malcolm Turnbull is feeling the heat. Credit:Nick Moir Fair enough. There is no point to economic growth if it's not providing jobs. Growth is accelerating a little, by all accounts, as Australia enters its 27th year of continuous growth, a record for any developed country. And, as the eminent political economist Ross Garnaut says, "we've had much stronger - and more continuous - employment growth than we've had in any other 27-year period". Unemployment at 5.5 per cent is still too high after such a long boom, but the trend is in the right direction. Seven out of 10 new jobs last year were full-time. Female participation in the workforce has hit an all-time high of 60 per cent. So when Coorey asked Turnbull why the people should stick with him after 30 lost Newspolls, he replied: "Well, because it's working. 403,000 jobs last year ... That's what it's all about." Except that, unfortunately for Turnbull, it's not. It used to be a rule of Australian politics a federal government could confidently expect re-election if the economy was growing solidly. That rule held true for the entire post-war era. It implied that voters put high priority on prosperity, and that they rewarded governments accordingly. But that rule expired in 2007. The government of John Howard and Peter Costello was thrown out despite the fact that it had presided over a stellar economic performance - unemployment halved, household wealth doubled, federal deficits turned into federal surpluses. By the time of the 2007 election, the Australian economy was already enjoying its longest boom on record, 15 years and counting. But, tired of John Howard and swooning over Kevin Rudd, Australia decided that a strong economic performance was no longer credential enough for a government's re-election. It turned out that this was not an aberration. The Labor government of Julia Gillard lost its majority at the 2010 election, and was forced into minority government, again in a time of solid economic growth. Kevin Rudd lost the 2013 election in a similarly strong phase of growth. Perhaps most striking was that the Rudd-Gillard government of 2007-2010 had successfully managed the Australian economy through the savage global crisis of 2008. Almost alone among the major developed nations, Australia avoided recession. Decisive Reserve Bank action was also necessary but it was insufficient. Without the Rudd fiscal stimulus, Australia would have felt the pain of recession. Still the people seemed to give economic performance no special priority and elected Tony Abbott. As the boom rolled into its 26th year, Turnbull all but lost his majority last year, holding on by a single seat. What's happened? "The long period of growth may be leading all of us as a community to somehow think that's just the natural state of affairs, that we don't need to do anything to achieve it," said the former governor of the Reserve Bank Glenn Stevens in his parting remarks in 2016. "That's not really so." ANU political scientist Ian McAllister confirms this suspicion. The survey data show that "there is a growing detachment in people's minds between economic conditions and what the government does people see much less of a connection between the two." In other words, Australians now think that growth and prosperity is automatic and inevitable. We now give no credit to the governments that preside over conditions that are the envy of the rest of the world. Most Australians have no experience of recession. With a 27-year boom, you need to be at least 45 to have any adult memory of the last recession. The median age of Australians? 38. Of course it was an abject moment in modern democracy when Turnbull said that opinion polls should be the definition of prime ministerial success. But even when he survives the likely 30th lost Newspoll and sweats his way through an uncomfortable April week and falls back on the economy's strength as his talking point, it's still not enough. Because under the post-2007 rule of Australian politics, an economic boom is necessary yet insufficient grounds for a prime minister to win. The government is hatching personal tax cuts, the time-honoured electoral bribe, to help it win the next election. When it finally declares that it can't get its proposed company tax cuts through the Senate, it will repurpose the remaining $35 billion for personal tax cuts instead. Labor can see the manoeuvre coming. That's why it's making difficult decisions to cut spending. So it can amass a revenue war chest to match and outmatch whatever the government promises. Bill Shorten has copped criticism for his new tax policy. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen Of course, all polling in recent decades shows that Australian would prefer better health and education services than tax cuts. People want the government to provide what only governments can provide - these vital public goods - and are prepared to worry about their incomes for themselves. But political parties nonetheless charge ahead with fiscally reckless tax cuts. And, just like an economic boom, tax cuts aren't sufficient for victory either. Turnbull will need more if he hopes to win. Ultimately, at some point before the next election, Turnbull will actually need to win the hearts and minds or at least the attention of the electorate. Tony Abbott isn't the only Liberal who'll be looking to Turnbull's Newspoll performance. Turnbull might think that polling constitutes "no such metric" for measuring his leadership. His Home Affairs Minister and prime ministerial aspirant Peter Dutton has a different view. He agreed with an interviewer last year that 30 lost Newspolls in a row would present a legitimate trigger for leadership challenge: "That's a fair point and Malcolm Turnbull wouldn't step back from that point," Dutton predicted. Four accused attempted murderers will walk free on bail after a series of police bungles slammed as not good enough by a magistrate. Simone Cox, 35, Rikki Dean Page, 38, Michael James Fountain, 35, and Matthew James Cox, 39, were all granted bail after a chaotic series of appearances in the Brisbane Magistrates Court on Friday. The Constance Street apartment building Mitchell King was allegedly thrown from. Credit:Google They are all accused of trying to murder 22-year-old Mitchell King, who was allegedly thrown from his third-storey apartment in inner-city Brisbane, over a drug debt. But the court heard co-accused Bradley James Keleher, 35, was the only person the victim accused of touching him. Two police officers accused of stopping uniformed colleagues from breath-testing a driver on the Sunshine Coast have been stood down. The 48-year-old female detective senior constable and 41-year-old male plain clothes senior constable allegedly intervened in a traffic interception at Mooloolaba in July 2016. Two police officers have been stood down. They were charged with misconduct in public office on Thursday following a Crime and Corruption Commission investigation. The Queensland Police Service on Friday said the pair had since been stood down. Ida Mae Henry Born to Alfred and Dora Ash in La Mesa, Texas on Oct 25th, 1923. Ida and her thirteen siblings lived a primitive and yet wholesome life together. Her father, a pioneer in the railroad industry, relocated the family out west to Bakersfield, CA. As the eldest daughter with working parents she nurtured and raised her younger siblings, teaching them to read and write and cook. As time persisted, the bond of such a large family became strong and everlasting, a cornerstone for the generations of Ash family to come. Continually seeking a better life for their large family they relocated further north to Santa Rosa where the children attended school. As devout patriots of their country, at the onset of WWII each of the brothers departed for various branches of the military. One of the greatest blessings in the familys history was the successful return of each of them all post-war. It was there in Santa Rosa that Ida Mae met the love of her life, John (Jack) Stanley, who was equally infatuated by his striking red-haired blue-eyed beauty. They immediately married and they began a beautiful life together, first touring South Carolina and Florida for Jacks service requirements, and finally settling to Vallejo, California where they raised 5 children together. She lost Jack all too soon in 1969, and years later remarried John Henry, subsequently relocating to Napa in 1972 where she remained for the following forty-five years. Carl Williams, Roberta Williams and George Williams. Credit:The Age Gangland matriarch Roberta Williams will see her family's Essendon home seized and sold off by the taxman following a damning ruling in the Supreme Court of Victoria. Roberta, widow of slain drug lord Carl Williams, had been embroiled in a bitter legal dispute with the Australian Taxation Office over the estate of her father-in-law George Williams, who died in 2016 owing more than $576,000 in unpaid taxes. The fight centred on who should take control of the home after George left it to his under-age granddaughter, Dhakota, in his will. The ATO had agreed in 2013 to become the mortgagee on the Essendon property rather than force the convicted drug trafficker to sell the home to cover the debt. The sweetheart deal gave George time and resources to wage a separate lawsuit against the state government for compensation over his son's murder in prison in 2010. After losing that case, George reneged on the ATO agreement and refused to pay the tax debt. Raymond Finkelstein, QC, will investigate Trinity's dismissal of Rohan Brown. Credit:Josh Robenstone Ray Finkelstein, QC, has presided over one of the highest courts in the land and helped reshape Australias media landscape. Now he's investigating the fallout from a schoolboys haircut. He and high-profile barrister Renee Enbom - who represented actor Rebel Wilson in her $4-million-plus defamation case, and for the AFL during the Essendon supplements scandal - have been hired to investigate one of the biggest high-school brouhahas in years. The pair has been appointed by Trinity Grammars school council to investigate the sacking this month of deputy principal Rohan Brown after he cut a schoolboys hair on school photo day. As a Federal Court judge, Mr Finkelstein presided over major cases including one brought by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission in 2005 against Steve Vizard for breaches of his duties as a director of Telstra. Vizard was fined $390,000 and banned from serving as a company director or manager for 10 years. Archaeologists only recently visited the site and carried out radiocarbon dating and other forms of testing to determine that the area had been used for at least 23,000 years. In defence of the sites, the local Wintawari Guruma Aboriginal Corporation had hired the consultants to prepare the report into 14 of the most significant, to inform Aboriginal Affairs Minister Ben Wyatt of their meanings. The Minister was tasked with considering FMGs application to destroy the sites to make way for its proposed railway, which would service its new $1-$1.5 billion Eliwana iron ore mine. While the East Guruma people did not oppose the mine or the railway they hoped it would go around these sites. They felt FMGs report did not convey the areas significance or appreciate the relationship of these sites to Spear Hill. East Guruma traditional owners near the site. Credit:Paul Abrahams. A government bungle? The Aboriginal corporation made an application to the states Aboriginal Cultural Materials Committee, advising the committees registrar that the purpose was to determine and provide missing information on the cultural significance of the sites so that FMG, the cultural materials committee and the Minister had complete information with which to consider FMGs notice. The Aboriginal Cultural Materials Committee considered the Aboriginal peoples application and the FMG application at the same meeting. Meanwhile the Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage, to which the committee belongs, gave the Aboriginal corporation until March 1 to provide their archaeologist's report in support of their claims. But on the Committees recommendation, Minister Wyatt approved FMGs application on November 30. The government had given the OK to do further studies into the sites heritage significance, in the same breath as giving FMG permission to destroy them. The Aboriginal corporation was very upset, Mr Bevan said, by what it saw as different government agencies contradicting each other. The rock shelters were once used to house ceremonial objects too precious to be kept in camps. Credit:Paul Abrahams. It had spent $250,000 to engage the consultant archaeologists who visited with traditional owners to explore the sites and carry out the radiocarbon and luminescence dating tests. We would have imagined the government would hold off so we could do the work, Mr Bevan said. I dont see how the cultural materials committee can do their job without all the information. The archaeologists' report said the site was unlike any other area in the region and its traditions had continued to the present day unbroken and uninterrupted. "In less than a year, Eastern Guruma have seen their age-old connection to Ngajanha Marnta ignored, belittled and ultimately threatened with destruction ... the ancient route along Ngajanha Wuntu and its tributaries will no longer exist. For the first time in more than 20,000 years, Eastern Guruma will not be able to care for or visit Ngajanha Marnta as their ancestors did, the report said. "Not only will Eastern Guruma lose all of the sites around Ngajanha Marnta, but also the ancient access route up the hill which can only be climbed from its western side. Eastern Guruma will no longer be able to harvest spearwood, or maintain the sanctity of Ngajanha Marnta." Rock art near the site. Credit:Paul Abrahams. "Eastern Guruma people wonder what the Minister would have done if he had only known. Minister Wyatts office, when WAtoday asked, stood by the decisions of the Committee, the Registrar and the Minister. Minister Wyatt said in a statement that the approval had been on condition that the Aboriginal people be given the opportunity to salvage the thousands of artefacts on the sites before they were destroyed. The Aboriginal corporation has lodged a Freedom of Information request with the government regarding the matter. It called for FMG to realign three kilometres of railway, less than three per cent of its length, to go around the heritage sites. FMG have not consulted with us properly. We asked for time to do the assessments and the research and theyve proceeded with their plans. We dont believe the consultations been sufficient. And now our report has just been ignored. Fortescue chief executive Elizabeth Gaines rejected the suggestion that FMG had not consulted properly. She said the company worked closely with the Eastern Guruma people and the state to secure the necessary heritage approvals." We remain optimistic that through ongoing engagement important cultural heritage can be managed appropriately, while also increasing economic opportunities for Eastern Guruma people," she said. Without any appeal process available, the Aboriginal corporation has gone to federal Environment Minister Josh Frydenberg, who has ordered a Melbourne barrister to make a report on the matter. It asked the Federal Minister to place an emergency protection order on the site. His department said that negotiations on this point between the Aboriginal corporation and FMG had been unsuccessful but Mr Frydenberg had not declared an emergency protection for the site based on a commitment from the proponent. The barrister is due to make his report to Minister Frydenberg by the end of May. There is then no time limit for the Minister to make his decision. First up was Prue MacSween, a public relations expert-turned-performative TV reactionary. MacSween said the issue was a no-brainer, which was true insofar as she didnt engage hers before talking. We cant have another generation of young Indigenous children being abused in this way and this conspiracy of silence and fabricated PC outlook that its better to leave them in this dangerous environment, she snipped. Sunrise host Sam Armatage (centre) with Prue McSween and Ben Davis. Credit:Seven Network Its crazy to even contemplate that people could be arguing against this. She is right there: it would be crazy if anyone was arguing to leave Aboriginal children in abusive environments. No one is. Then came the remark that took the segment from being mildly horrifying to really out-of-bounds. Just like the first Stolen Generation, where a lot of children were taken because it was for their own wellbeing, we need to do it again perhaps. Her co-panellist Ben Davis was right behind her. What culture are they growing up and seeing? Theyre getting abused and hurt and damaged, he said, casting Aboriginal families as universally unfit. Protesters outside Channel 7 Studios in Sydney. Credit:AAP As Richard Weston, chief executive officer of the Healing Foundation, which helps indigenous communities deal with the inter-generational trauma of forced removal, asked me this week: How do they think Aboriginal children watching that segment might have felt about what they were saying? The fact that three white journalists or commentators with no experience, knowledge or understanding of the sensitivity and complexity of Indigenous issues feel competent to comment freely on the lives of Aboriginal families is negligent and racist. Now for some facts. Indigenous kids are seven times more likely to end up in child protection. They comprise 37 per cent of the long-term foster care population. Kevin Rudd hugs guests after his apology to Indigenous Australians. Credit:Gary Ramage Speaking on ABC radio Brisbane this week, Natalie Lewis, director of Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Child Protection Peak, said it was a nonsense to suggest Aboriginal children are left in abusive environments. Loading Its not about ignoring the fact that a child has been harmed and leaving them in that situation, Lewis said. Thats a nonsense, thats absolutely ridiculous the issue around placement is not a contributing factor in making that [removal] decision. In other words, all at-risk children are (in theory, anyway) assessed in the same way when it comes to removing them from their families. But once they have been removed, Indigenous children (who are hugely over-represented in child protection) are considered differently to non-Indigenous kids. If they cant be placed with a relative, an effort is made to find them an Indigenous carer from another community. And there are very good reasons for this protocol. MacSween would have to be one of the most ill-informed people on Australian television, but for a topic as sensitive and historically freighted as this, she and Davis could have at least Googled Stolen Generations" on their smartphones while in the make-up chair before going on set. If these two Indigenous affairs commentators cared as much about Aboriginal children as they claimed to, they would tear their hair with grief as they read about the terrified children who were removed from their homes, and the parents who lived through that most elemental fear - having your baby taken. The idea that this historical tragedy would be re-perpetrated is abominable. Just as importantly, to anyone who values progress, it wouldnt work. The inter-generational trauma of the Stolen Generations is widely acknowledged as a causative factor in the dysfunction of many Aboriginal communities. We have 30 years of research on how much it damaged children and communities, but you dont need a PhD to know that anyone who has grown up in trauma has a hard time being a functional parent themselves. Some Aboriginal communities face that problem on a mass scale. To prevent it being endlessly re-visited on future generations, child protection authorities do everything they can to keep Indigenous kids with their families or community. There is another reason why authorities try to keep kids in their families, and this goes for non-Indigenous and Indigenous kids: foster care can have terrible outcomes for children. Notwithstanding the dedication of thousands of foster carers, they often come too late in a child's life, and the reality of foster care tends to involve a lot of churn. Consequently, foster care, overall, tends to lead to terrible outcomes for kids. Its so easy to say we should remove kids from bad families. The people who make these calls rarely say where they should go. Foster children are much more likely to end up homeless, they have poorer mental health, and according to the Australian Law Reform Commission, they are 68 times more likely to appear in the Childrens Court than other children. Lawyers call them crossover kids because if they turn up in the protection arm of the Childrens Court, they often graduate to its criminal arm later. But we are talking about adoption, not fostering, right? Australian children are generally only adopted after years of living with a foster family. And contrary to the faux-pinions of MacSween and Davis, who seem to have formed their views from watching Diffrent Strokes re-runs, white families are not lining up to adopt black kids. Most states have enormous problems recruiting foster carers at all, which is why so many of the religiously affiliated agencies have long allowed gay couples to foster, even when their churches are not so cool with gay people generally. Im no fan of knee-jerk cultural cringe about how racist Australia is. Generally our society is remarkably tolerant and cohesive. But when this kind of racially offensive, ignorant garbage is served up for breakfast television, which speaks directly to middle Australia and has a daily audience of nearly half a million viewers, we have a problem. There has been a lot of commentary on voters' loss of trust and faith in politicians. Survey after survey shows it, and election results like Trump and Brexit confirm it. However, this loss of trust and faith goes both ways and perhaps we should be even more worried about the loss of politicians' faith in the people. In recent weeks and months we have seen a wave of troubling policy proposals, both in Australia and overseas, that displays a deep lack of trust in markets and the ability of people to make their own choices about who to listen to, how to spend their money, and now how to plan for their retirement. Bill Shorten has come under fire for targeting refugees. Credit:Louie Douvis The Coalition is pushing ahead with plans to significantly regulate public policy commentary, and ban foreign donations outright; the latest ham-fisted attempt to combat the public not listening to the inane mumblings of their political betters. In the US, Trump has proposed significant tariffs, which Australia supposedly opposes, yet back home we have the unedifying sight of Australia's major political parties competing with each other over who can be the toughest on dumping, a different and more insidious kind of protectionism. You know those guys who seem to be nearly unembarrassed by Royal Commission into banking? Yeah, those guys in charge of the banks, the banks ripping off thousands of customers, have got a good thing going. Those CEOs of the NAB and CBA earn a truckload. It's all above board but unfair. NAB boss Andrew Thorburn earns almost 100 times what the average person earns in Australia. Credit:Janie Barrett New research reveals Andrew Thorburn and Ian Narev earned, respectively, 108 and 93 times average weekly earnings in 2017. That's right, they earned about 100 times what the average person earns in Australia working full-time. David Richardson, the author of a new report from the Australia Institute, puts it plainly. That cathartic moment of the global financial crisis, which shamed Big Greed, has all but disappeared. It's 10 years since fat capital had a long hard look at itself and its companies and guess what? There was a dip in the average CEO pay for the largest 100 Australian companies from $5.5 million pre GFC to $4.7 million in 2011. Now it's climbed back up to $5.2 million. Malcolm Turnbull is urging business leaders to ride the economic surge from Asias rising middle class amid a dramatic show of support in the region for closer ties with Australia. The Prime Minister is using a two-day summit with regional leaders to outline a boost to Australian jobs from stronger links as long as business leaders tap into the growing wealth of south-east Asia. In a speech to business leaders at the summit, Mr Turnbull emphasises the four-fold rise in the middle class to 160 million potential customers among member countries of the Association of South-East Asian Nations. Malcolm Turnbull with Joko Widodo last year. Fairfax Media revealed on Friday that Indonesian President Joko Widodo said it was a good idea for Australia to join the ASEAN group of 10 nations, a significant show of support in a relationship that has been strained in decades past. The Fair Work Ombudsman will investigate companies offering unpaid internships for which some students paid $1000, following a report by Fairfax Media. The Ombudsman, Natalie James, said the report raised "serious questions" about the internships hosted by web developer Future Squared and recruitment by Industry Placements Australia. Some graduates paid a $990 "administration fee" to IPA for placement in the 12-week Future Squared internship, which is unpaid, and takes place away from the company's headquarters in a co-working space leased by IPA. Future Squared director Zakk Goodsell had told Fairfax Media the internship was a "recruitment process" for the company designed to "weed out people who might screw up our projects". He said that from about 64 interns in a recent period, just one had "passed" and remained employed. In response to social media posts, Ms James tweeted that Fairfax Media's report "raises some serious questions" and "we will take a look". She called for anyone with direct experience of IPA or Future Squared should contact the Ombudsman's office. Greens leader Richard Di Natale has made a late pitch to conservative voters in Batman the 20 per cent who voted Liberal in 2016 urging them to preference the Greens ahead of Labor to protect retirees incomes. On the last day of campaigning ahead of a byelection that the Greens are narrowly favoured to win, the minor party sought to capitalise on the backlash Labor has received over its proposal to recoup $59 billion from shareholders over a decade. Dr Di Natale urged right-leaning voters in Batman to send Opposition Leader Bill Shorten a message about the tax plan by preferencing the Greens ahead of Labor. Those people who might be inclined to vote for one of the conservative parties here [or] might be inclined to stay at home, well heres your chance to say what you think about Bill Shortens attack on so many people in this community, he said on Friday. Australia's top spy boss has warned journalists would be targeted by foreign agents if they were given a blanket exemption to the Turnbull government's proposed crackdown on espionage. Duncan Lewis, the head of the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation, also defended a massive expansion of the definition of espionage, which will now include any information that compromises Australia's political and economic interests. The country's largest media organisations repeated demands for a wide-ranging exemption to new secrecy and anti-espionage laws during a parliamentary inquiry on Friday. ASIO boss Duncan Lewis said expanding the definition of national security was "very, very defendable". Credit:Andrew Meares But Mr Lewis said reporters would "automatically become a target for foreign intelligence services" if they were carved out of the legislation. COVENANT PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH: This fifth Sunday in Lent the Rev. Lynda Hyland Burris and Liturgist Carla Yost turn to the text of Jeremiah 31:31-34 and well remember that we are here because our hearts are filled with love for God. Well sing the hymn of praise, God is Here and organist Ted Lassagne, will fill the church with magnificent melody. Colorful art by Carole Toy adorns our bulletin again this week and reminds us that our talent, when shared, delights others. 1226 Salvador Ave. Worship at 10:30 a.m. Coffee and conversation follows in our fellowship hall. cpcnapa.org, facebook.com/cpcnapa. CREEKSIDE COMMUNITY CHURCH: Weekly worship service is Sunday at 10:30 a.m. Services and attire are casual with a blend of fellowship, music and teaching. Child care and childrens church offered during service. 1050 Hagen Road, Napa. CreeksideChurchNapa.org; 255-7266. CROSSWALK COMMUNITY CHURCH: With his cattle dogs tumbling at his feet, Stjepan Brticevic warned Labor its latest plan was "pretty bloody bad". Mr Brticevic, a 74-year-old retired pastry chef is from Gilead in south-west Sydney, where incomes are half the national average. The suburb, which at 73 has the highest median age in Sydney or Melbourne, is in the heart of the marginal Labor electorate of Macarthur, one of the seats where voters have been voicing their concerns about Labor's policy announcement this week. Under the proposal the opposition plans to cancel a cash refund of as much as $5000 on share dividends for up to 1 million voters if it wins the next federal election. Mr Brticevic estimates he will lose several thousand dollars a year. Queensland had hoped to lure the live-action Hollywood production of Dora the Explorer. Federal Treasurer Scott Morrison on Friday afternoon refused a request to increase Paramount movie studio's tax break so it could produce the live-action children's movie in Australia. The Queensland government is making a last-ditch effort to keep the filming of Dora the Explorer in the sunshine state. The film's producers needed to know by Friday so they could meet their filming schedule. Mr Morrison said Queensland was "well placed to provide the necessary top-up grant" from $20 million it had committed in 2017 to attract the production of more movies. But Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the federal government's refusal to help out was a slap in the face and would cost Gold Coast jobs. "I've urgently written to Paramount to give us an extra 48 hours to try and save Dora," she said. "How come Canberra can give billions of dollars to Victoria and NSW, and Queensland jobs on the Gold Coast are going to miss out thanks to Scott Morrison and Malcolm Turnbull?" In Singapore, the Peranakan people are the descendants of enterprising Chinese traders who settled in the Malay archipelago more than 500 years ago, married locally and raised their children in a mix of local customs and Chinese traditions. Today, their influences give Singapore an enduring and unique cultural heartbeat that can still be felt strongly among the malls and the office towers, one which manifests itself in distinctive architecture, clothing and, most of all, food. Singapores Katong area is famous for its shophouses, including these heritage terraces on Koon Seng Road. Credit:Alamy The best place to experience it all today is in Katong, a district bracketed by Tanjong Katong and Joo Chiat roads, on Singapore's east coast. Better still, Katong is in that sweet spot for a gentrifying suburb, with enough funky novelty to be interesting while retaining much of the history and charm that made it attractive and different in the first place. The most beautiful vision in Peranakan culture, in all its mixed-up wonder, is the shophouse front, a signature Singapore sight. A classic shophouse always follows the same pattern: narrow and two-storey, arranged in long terraces, it has a shop on the ground floor recessed behind a pedestrian walkway, vivid carved reliefs in the timber, and shuttered windows on the upper floor. The windows feel French, the shutters Spanish or Portuguese, the construction Malay and the decoration Chinese: exactly the combination of cultures and ideas that make the Peranakan what they are. The best place to see the shopfronts is off the main streets on Koon Seng Road, a terrace of heritage shophouses each coloured in a different vivid pastel. Though maintained with a very Singaporean exactitude, these are real, occupied homes, not museum pieces, although one a little distance away, called The Intan, has opened its doors as a living museum where owner Alvin Yapp shows off a lifetime's accumulation of Peranakan furniture and decoration. Try the district's most famous shop, Rumah Bebe, where one can not only buy the classic Peranakan slippers, embroidered with hundreds of coloured beads, but learn how to make them. Warsaw: A Romanian court has upheld a death notice against a man despite him being alive and present in the court at the time. The decision by judges in the eastern Romanian town of Barlad left Constantin Reliu, 63, legally dead despite him showing all the vital signs of life. A very much alive Constantin Reliu speaks to media, outside a courtroom, in Vaslui, northern Romania. Credit:AP "My name is Constantin Reliu. I am dead but I'm still alive," he said as he left the court. "I have no source of income, and because of the fact that I am dead I cannot hire a lawyer. In fact I can't do anything in this country." Reliu left Romania in 1992 to work in Turkey, where he settled down. His wife, having heard nothing from him for years, applied successfully for a death notice in 2016. Her husband first became aware of his death when he tried to return to Romania in January, after the Turkish authorities expelled him because his papers had expired. Washington: US President Donald Trump has signed legislation that would allow American officials to travel to Taiwan to meet their Taiwanese counterparts, a move certain to anger China, which views Taiwan as a wayward province. Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen, left, and US President Donald Trump spoke by phone last year raising expectations that he would upgrade bilateral relations. Credit:AP The bill, which is non-binding, would have gone into effect on Saturday morning, even if Trump had not signed it, said the White House. The move adds to strains between the two countries over trade, as Trump has enacted tariffs and called for China to reduce its trade imbalance with the United States, even while Washington has leaned on Beijing to help resolve tensions with North Korea. On Friday, the Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang reiterated that Beijing was opposed to the legislation and urged the United States to abide by the "one China" policy and cease official exchanges with Taiwan. In my previous column, I wrote about the value of oak woodlands using the Napa County Voluntary Oak Woodland Management Plan as a resource. The county adopted that measure in 2010. Continuing on the subject, as I prepared my part in the informational forum on Measure C: The Napa County Watershed and Oak Woodland Protection Initiative, held last Monday at the Napa Library, I studied the issue, looking at management practices, initiatives, academic studies, and policies intended for protection. There is an overwhelming world of information out there. Here a few points of interest: While we tend to think of Napa Valley as it is now and as it was when native peoples were the dominant human force here, the San Pablo Bay once extended as far north as Yountville. That and the periodic flooding and movement of the Napa River accounts for the formation of soils that allow the valley to support agriculture. (See Napa Valley Vintners website). Five factors influence soil formation: parent material, climate, biota, topography, and time. See that third one there: Biota living things, including healthy woodlands build soil. Georgetown, SC (29440) Today Thunderstorms. Potential for heavy rainfall. High 82F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 60%.. Tonight Variable clouds with scattered thunderstorms. Low around 65F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 60%. Tom Davis of Murrells Inlet filed a lawsuit against the Town of Pawleys Island concerning the bidding process for a new Town Hall, shown in a rendering above. Meet the Gemini 8 Crews NASA On March 16, 1966, NASA astronauts Neil Armstrong and Dave Scott performed the first space docking on the Gemini 8 mission. See photos from that historic spaceflight here! This Nov. 4, 1965 official NASA portrait presents both the Gemini 8 prime and backup crews. Sitting in the front, from left to right, are the prime crewmembers astronauts David R. Scott and Neil A. Armstrong. Astronauts Richard F. Gordon, Jr., and Charles Conrad, Jr., standing from left to right, are the backup crew. Gemini 8 Apparel NASA On Jan. 18, 1966, a new spacesuit and extravehicular equipment suit, planned for use by astronaut David R. Scott, was donned by test subject Fred Spress of the Crew Systems Division. The system includes a chestpack with a life support system, a backpack with a support system and a gold-plated visor on the helmet. A Moment to Float NASA During a Jan. 5, 1966 training at the Manned Spacecraft Center in Houston, TX, astronaut David R. Scott participates in water egress training. Assisting in the training inside building 260A, an MSC swimmer assists while Scott rests in a floatation device. New Devices for a New Era NASA This official NASA photo presents the Hand Held Maneuvering Unit. The HHMU will be used by astronaut David R. Scott during the Gemini 8 extravehicular activity. The tool works by releasing high-pressure cold gas through the nozzles, producing the controlled thrust required for the zero-gravity environment. EVA Practice NASA On Feb. 1, 1966, astronaut David R. Scott practices for the upcoming Gemini 8 EVA maneuvering around the air bearing floor in the MSC with the HHMU. Zero-Gravity and HHMU NASA Aboard a C-135 Air Force plane, known as a Vomit Comet, astronaut David R. Scott uses the HHMU while in a weightless state. Scott is preparing for the upcoming EVA planned for during the Gemini 8 mission. Improving with Practice NASA During another training session aboard the C-135 Air Force plane, astronaut David R. Scott wears his full spacesuit and uses the HHMU while in a weightless state. Perfecting Balance NASA At the Pyrotechnic Installation Building on Kennedy Space Center's Merritt Island, astronaut Neil A. Armstrong participates in weight and balance tests. The Long Walk NASA On Mar. 16, 1966, astronauts Neil A. Armstrong and David R. Scott, the prime crew for the Gemini 8 mission, walk up the Pad 19 ramp during the mission's prelaunch countdown. Dual Launches NASA Also on Mar. 16, 1966, an Atlas rocket lifts off with an Agena Target Docking Vehicle. This launch took place just before the Gemini 8 mission launch from the nearby Launch Complex 14. Watchful Eyes NASA At Mission Control, NASA personnel watch the Gemini 8 launch. A ULA Atlas 5 rocket sits on the pad ready for launch. WASHINGTON The Air Force on Wednesday awarded two major launch contracts to SpaceX and United Launch Alliance. Under the Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle (EELV) program, SpaceX received a $290 million firm-fixed-price contract for three GPS 3 missions. ULA was awarded a $351 million firm-fixed-price deal for Air Force Space Command (AFSPC)-8 and AFSPC-12 satellites launches. The contracts include launch vehicle production, mission integration, launch operations and spaceflight certification. The missions will be launched from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station or Kennedy Space Center, Florida. [The Most Dangerous Space Weapons Concepts Ever] This is the fourth competition under the current Phase 1A EELV procurement where there has been more than one competitor for national security space missions. The three GPS 3 missions are planned between late 2019 and 2020. The AFSPC-8 mission has two identical Geosynchronous Space Situational Awareness Program (GSSAP) satellites, known as GSSAP 5 and 6. AFSPC-8 would launch in 2020 into a geosynchronous orbit. The AFSPC-12 mission has a forward and an aft space vehicle. The forward vehicle is known as the "wide field of view" testbed and the aft vehicle is a propulsive EELV secondary payload adapter that hosts auxiliary payloads. AFSPC-12 would launch in 2020 into a geosynchronous orbit. Lt Gen John F. Thompson, Air Force program executive officer for space and commander of the Air Force Space and Missile Systems Center, said the competitive award of these two EELV launch service contracts supports the military's larger effort to bring "affordable space capabilities" to the nation. This story was provided by SpaceNews, dedicated to covering all aspects of the space industry. A couple of years ago, I took Ancestrys DNA test. Mama mia! Not only did the results estimate my percentages of various ethnicities, but it also gave me a list of relatives. By the way, you can make up a userID if you want to maintain your privacy. One day, I received an email from a young man saying he had taken the test and the results showed we were closely related. He said he had been adopted and in the most endearing way, asked, Can you help me find out who I am? Then he said, The only thing I know is that my great-great-grandmothers name is You guessed it, Gina Barsi. I replied, If Gina lived in Baltimore, youve hit the jackpot, and I can tell you exactly who you are! I then sent him a copy of the Barsi family tree in the form of a poster I had made, which leads to the home decor portion of this column. Four unauthorized cubesats apparently launched atop this Indian Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle rocket in January 2018, according to the U.S. Federal Communications Commission. Concerns about space junk and satellite-launch regulations are swirling after the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) alleged that a U.S. company launched four tiny satellites without permission. As first reported in IEEE Spectrum, four miniature satellites called SpaceBee-1, 2, 3, and 4 launched to orbit from India aboard a Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) rocket in January, along with several dozen other cubesats and an Indian Earth-observing spacecraft. Launch documents did not identify the SpaceBees' operator. But the documents' description of the four satellites matches information that a California-based company called Swarm Technologies filed in an application to the FCC last year. In the application, the company noted plans to launch four satellites on that same rocket and referred to the satellites as "Space BEES." [In Photos: India's PSLV rocket Launches Cartosat-2 Satellite & 30 More!] The FCC declined to comment for IEEE Spectrum's article, and the publication stated that Swarm Technologies did not respond to interview requests. But launch-services provider Spaceflight Industries confirmed to SpaceNews that it integrated the SpaceBees onto the PSLV for Swarm. Spaceflight Industries representatives told SpaceNews that the responsibility for getting the necessary FCC approvals lies with a satellites' developer. "I always assumed that people wouldn't launch something if they couldn't" get those approvals, Curt Blake, president of Spaceflight Industries' launch services group, told SpaceNews. "I thought that would be sort of a self-regulation function." On March 7, IEEE Spectrum reported, the FCC sent a letter to Swarm Technologies setting aside a grant to expand Swarm's satellite program, pending further review. The reason: "to permit assessment of the impact of the applicant's apparent unauthorized launch and operation of four satellites," according to the letter. Space junk concerns Swarm Technologies is operating in stealth mode; its website reveals little information about the company's plans. The one-page site simply states that Swarm will offer "the world's smallest two-way communication satellites." Some more data is available via Swarm's FCC application for the launch. There, the company said the goal of the SpaceBee mission is "a technology demo for two-way communications satellites, data relay and a new attitude-control system." The target altitude was 360 miles (580 kilometers) roughly 1.5 times that of the International Space Station, which orbits at an average height of 250 miles (400 km). But the SpaceBees will sink closer to Earth over time, dragged down by the planet's atmosphere, the application noted. After the satellites' operational phase, they will likely remain in orbit for anywhere from 4.4 to nine years, depending on the final orbit of the satellites and the influence of the sun on Earth's atmosphere. The FCC grounded the project over worries about the SpaceBees' potential threat to other space assets. The tiny satellites measure 4 inches by 4 inches by 1.1 inches (10 by 10 by 2.8 centimeters), meaning they're just 25 percent as big as a standard "1U" cubesat. That 1.1-inch side makes the SpaceBees too small to be easily tracked by the U.S. military's Space Surveillance Network (SSN), the FCC wrote in a letter dated Dec. 12, 2017. And the satellites would only be able to beam out GPS data during their operational lifetimes. Swarm's proposal to add microwave (Ku-band) radar reflectors to the satellites would be of little help, because just a "small portion" of the SSN uses that band, the FCC letter said. [Cubesats: Tiny, Versatile Spacecraft Explained (Infographic)] "The ability of operational spacecraft to reliably assess the need for and plan effective collision-avoidance maneuvers will be reduced or eliminated," the FCC wrote. "Accordingly, we cannot conclude that a grant of this application is in the public interest." Internet of things Swarm apparently aims to offer a satellite network for the "Internet of Things" (IoT), the universe of devices that are connected to the web. The IoT includes not only computers, tablets and phones, but also connected everyday devices such as refrigerators and thermostats. The U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) awarded $220,463 to Swarm for an IoT satellite network under the foundation's Small Business Innovation Research program in 2017, according to the NSF website. "The proposed project addresses the problem that there are no existing low-cost options for sensing, transmitting and connecting devices from remote locations with no cell or Wi-Fi coverage," read the abstract attached to Swarm's proposal. Under the company's proposal, Swarm said, "Scientific, shipping, tracking, automotive, agriculture, energy, medical, educational and other commercial entities will have the ability to return their data from anywhere on the planet to support tracking, safe operations, and optimal and timely decision making." After the rejection of the mini-satellite proposal, Swarm sent additional applications to the FCC, including one proposal for four larger cubesats (which would launch on a Rocket Lab rocket from New Zealand in April) and a second asking to construct ground stations. Swarm, which is based in Menlo Park, California, is led by Sara Spangelo, a former worker at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory who then joined Google, IEEE Spectrum reported. The publication added that Benjamin Longmier, Swarm's chief financial officer, co-founded Apollo Fusion (a company that develops electric propulsion for satellites) and a balloon company called Aether Industries, which was eventually sold to Apple. Follow us @Spacedotcom, Facebook or Google+. Originally published on Space.com. Twin astronauts Scott and Mark Kelly pose at Johnson Space Center in Houston on Jan. 19, 2015, before Scott Kelly's nearly yearlong stay on the International Space Station. After a stream of erroneous media coverage about how spaceflight affects astronauts' genes, NASA issued an updated statement yesterday (March 15) about its "twins study" of former astronauts Scott and Mark Kelly. The study is following changes to Scott Kelly's body after he spent nearly a year in space between 2015 and 2016. His brother and identical twin Mark remained on Earth during that time and is the control subject for the study. In late January, NASA issued an update to its 2017 results that confirmed most of the initial findings. "Mark and Scott Kelly are still identical twins; Scott's DNA did not fundamentally change. What researchers did observe are changes in gene expression, which is how your body reacts to your environment. This likely is within the range for humans under stress, such as mountain climbing or scuba diving," NASA said in the recent clarification to the Jan. 31 update. [Twins In Space: Astronauts Mark and Scott Kelly in Photos] NASA's update came after some media outlets initially misreported that Scott Kelly's DNA itself had changed. "The change related to only 7 percent of the gene expression that changed during spaceflight that had not returned to preflight [levels] after six months on Earth," NASA officials wrote. "This change of gene expression is very minimal. We are at the beginning of our understanding of how spaceflight affects the molecular level of the human body. NASA and the other researchers collaborating on these studies expect to announce more comprehensive results on the twins studies this summer." The brothers joked about the media coverage on their Twitter accounts. "What? My DNA changed by 7%! Who knew? I just learned about it in this article," wrote Scott Kelly, who linked to a Newsweek article in a tweet on March 10. "This could be good news! I no longer have to call @ShuttleCDRKelly my identical twin brother anymore." Mark Kelly added his input yesterday (March 15) while linking to a CNN article. "I used to have an identical twin brother. Then this happened," he joked. After he tweeted, the CNN article was updated. See more Several reporters also wrote articles pointing out the erroneous information spread by other news outlets. "The NASA result everyone is freaking out about actually measured Scott Kelly's expression levels, and it found that not surprisingly spaceflight affects how much expressing certain genes do, particularly those involved in immune function, DNA repair pathways, and bone growth," Nadia Drake wrote in National Geographic. "Kelly's base DNA didn't actually change by seven percent during his time in space. His gene expression the transcribing and translation of genes, not the genes themselves was what actually changed during his year on the space station," added Miriam Kramer in Mashable. See more Ars Technica's John Timmer's roundup of coverage pointed out errors in several articles, including in a now-corrected story by Space.com's sister site Live Science. For that story, he pointed out problems not only with the description of DNA altering but with a phrase saying Kelly's genetic code had changed. Timmer said changing a person's genetic code would actually kill them. (Live Science posted a follow-up piece today.) Follow us @Spacedotcom, Facebook and Google+. Original article on Space.com. A view of Kepler, whose extended mission may be nearing an end as it runs out of fuel. The Kepler space telescope's prolific planet-hunting days will end soon. After finding more than 2,300 confirmed planets across its two missions, Kepler is low on fuel and will run out within several months, according to NASA engineers. "Our current estimates are that Kepler's tank will run dry within several months but we've been surprised by its performance before! So, while we anticipate flight operations ending soon, we are prepared to continue as long as the fuel allows," Charlie Sobeck, system engineer for the Kepler mission, said in a NASA statement. "The Kepler team is planning to collect as much science data as possible in its remaining time and beam it back to Earth before the loss of the fuel-powered thrusters means that we can't aim the spacecraft for data transfer," he added. "We even have plans to take some final calibration data with the last bit of fuel, if the opportunity presents itself." [Kepler's 7 Greatest Exoplanet Discoveries (So Far)] The Kepler data will also be plumbed for years as scientists seek to confirm other possible planets in its archive. As of today (March 16), Kepler has confirmed the existence of 2,342 planets across its two missions about two-thirds of all exoplanets ever discovered. (Just last month, Kepler scientists released a batch of 95 planets that are included in this total.) On top of that, there are 2,245 possible planets that require more observation a ripe ground for future follow-up. The $600 million Kepler mission launched in 2009 to search for exoplanets in a fixed location in the constellation Cygnus. For four years, it watched the stars for the telltale dimming that occurs when an exoplanet crosses the face of a star. The mission's ultimate aim was to find rocky exoplanets that were Earth-size or smaller a type of planet rarely found when Kepler went into orbit. But within a few years, Kepler's data showed that rocky planets are extremely common in the universe. Infographic showing how the K2 mission works. (Image credit: NASA) The mission was originally slated to last two years, but it was extended. In 2013, after four years of operation, three of Kepler's four gyroscopes the "wheels" that aimed the craft failed. Kepler couldn't maintain a steady gaze in space anymore. So NASA devised a new mission for the spacecraft, called K2. Using the pressure of the solar wind to maintain position, the spacecraft would rotate between different areas of the sky every three months (which, in the parlance of the mission, is called a "campaign"). This would allow Kepler to keep looking for exoplanets, albeit with a shorter orbital period. Even with K2, Kepler exceeded expectations. "Initially, the Kepler team estimated that the K2 mission could conduct 10 campaigns with the remaining fuel," Sobeck said. "It turns out, we were overly conservative. The mission has already completed 16 campaigns, and this month entered its 17th." He added that there is no gas gauge on Kepler showing when it might run out of fuel, so the team relies on estimates. These estimates consider factors such as changes in thruster performance and drops in the fuel tank's pressure. But Kepler has an advantage: It's located in deep space. It's not close to a planet hosting icy moons, unlike the Galileo mission near Jupiter (which orbited there between 1995 and 2003) and the Cassini mission near Saturn (which orbited the planet from 2004 to 2017) . When Cassini and Galileo ran low on fuel, NASA engineers deliberately aimed these spacecraft on death dives into their respective planets, just in case the drifting machines accidentally smacked into an icy moon that has the potential to host life. Kepler, by contrast, can keep going as long as feasible. "We can afford to squeeze every last drop of data from the spacecraft and ultimately that means bringing home even more data for science," Sobeck said. "Who knows what surprises about our universe will be in that final downlink to Earth?" While Kepler is in the twilight of its mission, another planet-hunting spacecraft is ready to take the stage. NASA's Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite will launch no earlier than April 16 from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. It will do a full-sky survey of at least 200,000 stars, focusing on planets orbiting stars that are brighter and closer to Kepler. This means it will be easier for scientists do follow-up observations using ground telescopes or the James Webb Space Telescope that is slated to launch in 2019. Follow us @Spacedotcom, Facebook and Google+. Original article on Space.com. The "Star Wars" robots R2-D2 and BB-8 are the droids that NASA is looking for "astromechs" that can help repair spaceships on the fly, a NASA robotics engineer says. Future NASA robots might resemble humanoid droids such as C-3PO and K-2SO from the waist up, but have giant mechanical spidery legs from the waist down, the engineer added in a new piece for the journal Science Robotics. For more than 20 years, NASA has sought to develop robot assistants for astronauts. So far, they have developed three droids. [R2-D2 Gets Real: 'Star Wars' Droids Already Exist] First, NASA developed Robonaut, a humanoid upper body mounted on several different lower bodies, although it was never flown in orbit. Second, they developed the far more advanced Robonaut 2, which made its way to the International Space Station in 2011. Third, in 2013, NASA engineers built Valkyrie, a lighter, full-body humanoid, to explore the potential of bipedal walking on Mars and other planetary surfaces. However, to explore the full range of possibilities that robots in space can offer, look no further than "Star Wars," where droids can serve as translators, pilot ships, fight wars, hack enemy computers, ferry secret documents across enemy lines, and even serve drinks. "'Star Wars' is a common cultural touchstone say something's just like R2-D2, and your eyes will light right up," said W. Kris Verdeyen, a robotics engineer at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston, who wrote about 'Star Wars' robots March 14 in Science Robotics. "Now 'Star Wars' is a fantasy movie they take a lot of leeway with the physics, they're never without gravity but as a tool to communicate to the public what the potential with robots is, it's wonderful," he told Space.com. Of the most interest to NASA are "astromechs" such as R2-D2 and BB-8, which can keep a spaceship running even as it is being blown apart. "It'd be really nice to imagine a robot crawling on the outside of a space station to repair it," Verdeyen said. Such droids could start off simple. "Even if the robot was really dumb, you could put it on the outside of the space station, and if there's a hole, it could just put its finger in it until the astronaut fixes it, to give you an idea of how we can get from no capability to 'Star Wars' capabilities," Verdeyen said. In the movies, droids act just like robotic Swiss Army knives, nearly always equipped with the right tools for any situation. Although NASA would be hard-pressed to mimic this aspect of astromechs, Verdeyen does note that in tests, NASA's droids have used drills, surgical equipment and other tools. "If we make a robot that looks and manipulate tools like a human, it can use tools that already exist for astronauts," Verdeyen said. The ability to use human tools is just one reason why NASA droids are more likely to resemble humanoid droids than "Star Wars" astromechs. Another is that, well, rolling droids like R2-D2 and BB-8 are unlikely to fare well in real-life environments. But the robots that NASA develops for missions to space may also not resemble humanoid droids such as C-3PO and K-2SO, either, Verdeyen added. "It doesn't make sense to have a bipedal walking robot for zero gee," he said. "If you look at the legs for Robonaut 2, they're big, spidery legs, made for climbing around in zero gee." Although future NASA droids may not physically resemble "Star Wars" astromechs, when it comes to brains, NASA's robots would aim for their detailed spacecraft knowledge and real-time problem-solving ability. To reach that level, NASA is exploring what it calls "embedded intelligence," where robotic bodies are accompanied by an artificial intelligence and knowledge database similar to IBM's Watson. "We're picturing something like Watson on a rack in a spacecraft local to whatever robot or astronaut would need to use it," Verdeyen said. This computer could then wirelessly control the robot or communicate with the astronaut, he said. Verdeyen emphasized that NASA's droids are not coming a long time from now in a galaxy far, far away. "Everybody thinks robots like we see in the movies are far off, and they are, but they're less far off than they were five or 10 years ago," he said. Follow Charles Q. Choi on Twitter @cqchoi. Follow us @Spacedotcom, Facebook and Google+. Original article on Space.com. The former Doctor Who star is joining Camping, HBO's eight-episode, straight-to-series comedy from Girls duo Lena Dunham and Jenni Konner and based on the British format of the same name. Jennifer Garner has already signed on to lead the limited series, which will begin production in the spring in Los Angeles.Written and executive produced by Dunham and Konner, the series revolves around Kathryn, played by Garner in her first TV role since Alias. Tennant will portray Walt, Kathryn's obedient husband and loving father, who is the reliable lynch pin of his male social group but below all that reality lurks a subtle but growing discontent about what he's just signed up for.The comedy kicks off on Walt's 45th birthday, which was supposed to be a delightful weekend back to nature, at least according to his obsessively organized and aggressively controlling wife, Kathryn. But when the camping trip gathers Kathryn's meek sister, her holier-than-thou ex-best friend and a free-spirited tagalong in one place, it becomes a weekend of tested marriages and woman-on-woman crime that won't soon be forgotten. Remember last week when I was talking about the lawyers dying storyline and if it continues? Yep, it does. Within the very first scene it's back. Another lawyer has been murdered by their client and the lawyers at Boseman, Reddick & Kolstad are up in arms about it. Just then, Liz appears for what seems to be her first day at work at the firm. Looks like she agreed to join after all. She thanks them for welcoming her and hopes to live up to the name of her father. They have a moment of silence for their fallen fellow lawyer, during which Diane and Liz share a look. Hmm. Looks like Liz didn't just take a moment to think about Dan, but Dan's clients. When Adrian asks her to speak to her father's clients, she offers to speak to Dan's as well. The others at the firm are uncomfortable with the idea of going after his clients so soon, but Liz is a shark in the legal water and hungry for blood. She wants to nab them before anyone else does. There's one specific client she wants, having information about him from her time at the Department of Justice that suggests he will be in need of a lawyer very soon. Adrian agrees to let Liz go after him. Diane is impressed with Liz's fortitude in client hunting. After, Diane asks for Liz's help in Maya's case. Maya's prosecution starts today and since Liz used to be the prosecutor on it, Diane wants to know how her case is going. Of course, Liz can't divulge confidential information but tells her enough to know that Maya is doomed. But Diane implores her to help her help Maya, so Liz tells her the current prosecutor on the case has been handed all of Liz's cases and he's drowning in them so he'll want a continuance for this case, which they should not let him get. Oh, but one more thing. The prosecution has a surprise witness. Liz can't say who, but apparently it's devastating. Diane texts Maya the news. In the courtroom, Maya and Lucca are facing the case. She's been tipped off by Diane that they should not let the prosecution get their continuance and push the prosecution to fight now. Lucca asked how Maya knows they aren't ready, but Maya can't say. Lots of bordering the law-breaking line in this episode, I see. Diane, Liz, and Maya are all pushing the legal boundaries of divulging information. I wonder how far they're going to push it. Anyway, Lucca tells the judge they've had three continuances and at some point need to fight. The prosecutor, Colin, argues that they need more time because Liz retired. Lucca counters by saying she was fired by Trump. At this moment, we see the judge. It's Denis O'Hare! Judge Abernathy, the famously liberal judge. However, surprisingly, he's more interested in getting Lucca and Colin to stop sniping at each other and have them shake hands and be civil. There's too much anger in the world already. They begrudgingly shake hands, and it's funny because Abernathy is like a parent trying to get his two kids to be nice to each other. Abernathy rejects the continuance on the basis of them already having two. Lucca thinks they've won until Colin's co-counsel sucks up to Abernathy and then asks him to remove Reddick and Boseman from the case, considering Liz is now working there. But, Abernathy stays on Lucca's side on the bases of Maya having a right to whatever counsel she wants and the fact that Lucca has been on the case since before Liz worked there. They're going to fight. Diane and Liz talk to Dan's client to get him to agree to sign on with them. Problem is there's another lawyer also vying for his business, Tim Shefflin, who also happens to be Liz's rival. He doesn't appear for the rest of this episode, but it looks like the beginning of a future plotline.Colin and Lucca run into each other at the elevator. It's very uncomfortable. She accuses him of sleeping with his co-counsel, of whom she is totally not jealous (except she is) which he doesn't deny. When the trial begins, the tensions are as high as ever. Colin's first witness is completely knocked down by Lucca. The second one is much more difficult, given that it is Maya's girlfriend Amy. Maya texts the news to Diane, who thinks Amy is the surprise witness. But, surprise! Liz informs her the surprise witness will actually be Diane.Amy on the witness stand does not go well for Lucca and Maya. Colin brings up both the fact that Maya prevented Amy's father from investing in the Rindell Fund and the fact that she also proposed to Amy after the indictments of her father, indicating that Maya wanted spousal privilege so that Amy couldn't testify. It doesn't look good for Maya.Back at Reddick and Boseman, Lucca sees Maya and Diane talking and puts the pieces together. She wants to know what's going on, so Diane tells her she's going to be the surprise witness. They're going after Maya's charity foundation, for which Diane wrote up the papers. Lucca wants to plea bargain with Colin, but Maya has another idea. Maya goes to Marissa and tells her about Rosalee. She wants Marissa to find Rosalee so they can find Henry, who has proof Maya is innocent, at least concerning her charity foundation. Despite everything, she doesn't want to put her dad in prison, she just wants him to give her this help.Diane and Liz go out for drinks and bond. Liz talks about why she's helping Diane with the case. She's gunning for the U.S. Attorney's office because they wanted to oust her for that tweet she wrote about Trump being a white supremacist. Diane confesses that these recent string of lawyer murders are disturbing to her. She half-jokes about leaving the lawyer life behind and getting a new job, one where people don't get murdered by the people they serve, or just retiring.Maya comes home to Amy and it's obviously awkward. Amy wonders if Maya wants to break up, but Maya is too upset and angry to even discuss it.Marissa has found Rosalee's sister. She chit chats her way into finding out about Rosalee, who apparently likes to travel and doesn't have one place where she lives. She does, however, call her once a week. Marissa tells her to tell Rosalee that Maya is looking for her and to call them. Diane is subpoenaed and forced to testify. Colin confronts her about her part in Henry using Maya's foundation to store funds. Marissa gets the call and Maya gets the chance to talk to Rosalee. She's nervous at first but gathers the nerve to speak to her authoritatively and tell her that she needs to talk to her father and get this evidence. If he doesn't, she's going to give the FBI information on how to find them. Now it really does look like Rosalee and Henry were/are having an affair, but the way Maya reacts to Rosalee makes me wonder if something happened between them, too. Back in court, Lucca gets another slam dunk when she shows that Diane also helped with the papers of another non-profit organization of which Judge Abernathy is on the board. The papers were written so that funds for this non-profit and the funds for the company who runs it can also be mixed. Abernathy admits that this organization could be involved in a Ponzi scheme and he wouldn't know it, which means the same could be said for Maya. The prosecutors don't have an answer for this, but they have one last bombshell witness; Maya's mother, Lenore. They discuss what Lenore could possibly have to testify against Maya, who has another flashback of her mother telling her that they had problems but Henry had a system to offset them.Liz tells Adrian they got the client she wanted. Then she tells him that Diane is thinking of retiring, and he should think about bringing her on as a partner to convince her not to. She tells him not to tell Diane she said this. Interesting. Diane goes to the prison to talk to Maya's mother. We don't see what happens. We cut to Lenore about to testify in court. Colin questions her about what she told Maya the same night as the flashback. She says she doesn't remember telling Maya anything. Lenore looks very spooked, what did Diane say to her? He keeps trying to bring out the truth in her, but she keeps firm. Colin has nothing. Maya is grateful for her mother finally doing something good for her after everything Lenore and Henry have put her through.After court, Maya gets the call from her father. She wants her father to turn himself in so she can go free and Lenore can get a reduced sentence to time served. He doesn't even respond to that. Instead, he changes the subject to the photo the FBI have of Rosalee in Dubai. In a shocking turn of events, it is revealed that the firm and Maya are helping Colin and the FBI find Henry's location by them getting Henry's location from the phone call. Maya begs him to turn himself in to spare her and Lenore from all this pain, but he just won't because he doesn't want to go to prison. Yet, he's going anyway because the Italian police have found him and Rosalee. Maya listens as Henry is arrested.Wow, good second episode. I'm into this Lucca versus Colin, Diane and Liz versus their jobs, and Maya versus basically everything and everyone except Lucca and Diane. Plus, with Henry now going to jail, I wonder how Maya's going to feel about doing to him what he virtually did to her. Most. Dysfunctional. Family. Ever. Another thing to note is that during the episode we also saw that Diane is keeping a gun in her desk at work. It seems like she's getting paranoid. Although I'd hate to see Diane use it, this better be a Chekhov's gun situation where it is used at some point and not dropped. With Liz bringing up Will again and if you've watched The Good Wife you know what happened there, Diane having a gun on her seems very poignant.What did y'all think of Day 415? Madrid, March 15, 2017 (SPS) - Spanish deputies of the parliamentarian intergroup of support and friendship with Western Sahara called on their government to comply with the decision of the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) which stipulates that the fisheries agreement between EU and Morocco is not applicable to the territories of Western Sahara and its waters. In a communique published after their visit to the Sahrawi refugee camps, the Spanish deputies underlined that in order to ensure the respect of CJEUs decision by the commercial companies and Spanish citizens who could be interested in the use and exploitation of the natural resources of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR), the Spanish government must urgently initiate a procedure leading to the implementation of the decision of 27 February 2018. The parliamentarians also called on the Spanish government to extend the humanitarian aid to the Sahrawi refugees which has been noticeably reduced in the past few years while underlining that they noted the decrease in the funds that the Spanish government allocates to the Sahrawi refugee population. The parliamentarians of the intergroup of peace and freedom for Western Sahara also pointed out the need to raise the representation of the Frente POLISARIO in Spain to the diplomatic rank. The recognition of SADR will allow establishing privileged relations in the cultural, economic, political and human levels, they said while underscoring Spains historic responsibility in the conflict of Western Sahara and its presence as a member at UN Human Rights Council.SPS 125/090/700 Algiers, March 15, 2018 (SPS) - The Italian Foreign Ministry has approved the granting of one million euro humanitarian aid to the UN World Food Programme (PAM) and the UN Funds for Children (UNICEF), said Italian embassy to Algiers, adding that the aid will be destined to support the emergency actions, in terms of nutrition, health and education for the Sahrawi refugees. The aid is composed of two contributions, namely 0.5 million for the WFP and 0.5 million for the Unicef, said the same source. The Italian contribution to WFP will be served to support the activities, planned as part of the project "support to refugees from Western Sahara." Through this aid, food ratios will be purchased by the WFP (high energy biscuits, sugar and vegetable oil) for the preparation of lunches for 40,500 children. The activities will be executed in close collaboration with the avec les Sahrawi authorities, the UNHCR (UN High Commission for Refugees), the Algerian Red Crescent (CRA) and the Sahrawi Red Crescent (CRS), as well as international NGOs operating in the sector.SPS 125/090/700 Simi Polozani has proven over the years to be a successful restaurant builder and contractor; now he is showing his mettle as a restaurant owner. Polozani, who opened Prime Pub in Bethel in late 2016, recently opened his second Prime Pub, this one on Nabby Road in Danbury adjacent to Stew Leonards Wines & Spirits. The Danbury restaurant is similar to the Bethel location with the same basic menu and rustic decor. It differs in its daily specials, craft beer and cocktail selection, and wood-fired pizza oven. Its been successful so far, Polozani said. Bethel has been very successful, too, and I cant thank my customers enough for that. Im very happy with the way things are going. Polozani said the Danbury location took a bit longer to open than he had hoped because he was getting Bethel up and running, building a restaurant for his friend and also building the Danbury restaurant himself. You always say you are going to do some of the work, but end up doing all of the work, he joked. He completely remodeled the interior and exterior of the building, which used to be the club and restaurant Bluu. The vibe is great. Everyone loves the ambiance, restaurant manager Frank Polozani said. Its so different than it used to be. Everyone loves the refreshed look and the food. Its clean and fresh. Simi Polozani added: Ive always wanted this location. I knew it could be done right. Simi Polozani said the reception at the Danbury location has been positive and customers have appreciated the organic offerings. Similar to the Bethel location, Prime Pub in Danbury will use fresh, local vegetables when in season. We have upscale comfort food with our twist, said Rich Curry, who is the executive chef at both locations. We use natural ingredients and keep it as healthy as possible. Simi Polozani said he plans to add gluten-free and vegetarian options to the menu soon. Prime Pub offers 12 craft beers on tap that change periodically and include Connecticut brands. Frank Polozani also designed a cocktail menu with many signature drinks only available at Prime Pub, such as Evil Genius and American Gangster. They were created especially for this location, he said. Simi Polozani said the key to running a successful restaurant is freshness, affordability and consistency. He said he is considering opening another restaurant, but not until late this year or early next year. For now, he wants to focus on the Bethel and Danbury locations to make them as successful as possible in the face of increased competition. Prices on the menu range from $5 to $19.75, with some specials going up to $25. You have to be on top of your game, he said. The food has to be fresh and affordable. People dont want to go out and spend a fortune. Prime Pub in Danbury may be reached at 203-456-6935. NEW YORK - If Congress and the courts ultimately fail to protect the residency status of DACA recipients - young people known as "dreamers" who were brought to this country before they were old enough to have a say in the matter - what will their expulsion look like? Will there be videos of Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents in tactical armor raiding high schools and college classrooms, rounding up kids at churches, clubs and cafes, and yanking them out of suburban tract homes at gunpoint? Will we see them herded into detention centers and forced onto chartered flights to countries they never knew and don't remember? The hypothetical videos and photographs that emerge from this looming civic crisis will probably look a lot different from what is on view in "Then They Came for Me," an exhibition about the internment of Japanese-Americans during World War II, at the International Center of Photography. Made by some of this country's greatest photographers, including Dorothea Lange and Ansel Adams, these images have a curious calm to them, a surface beauty, a quiet humanity. They are expertly staged black-and-white studies of family and community, patriotism and the persistence of dignity in the face of arbitrary and dehumanizing injustice. Most of these photographs were made by photographers working for the U.S. government's War Relocation Authority, which perpetrated the incarceration of Japanese Americans in the months after the attack on Pearl Harbor. They exist only because of a quirk in the American moral conscience, an endearing and utterly maddening belief that we can do no wrong. Just as it had done during the years of the New Deal, the government made a carefully selective record of its actions, commissioning what was effectively propaganda, though most of the images didn't circulate during the war years. Although the WRA exercised strict control over the photographers it hired, setting limits on what they could photograph and impounding images it deemed improper, the results were ambiguous and revealing. Lange, who had produced one of the most moving images of the 20th century when she photographed a haggard migrant woman with two suffering children, wasn't capable of making anodyne public-relations imagery. And she was deeply grieved by what she saw during the few months she worked for the WRA in the spring of 1942. "The stress of it was that she thought that we were entering a period of fascism, and she thought that she was viewing the end of democracy as we know it," her assistant Christina Gardner recalled later. The exhibition at the ICP, paired with another that explores the legality and ethics of the U.S. government's global war on terrorism, is clearly intended to underscore the disturbing historical affinities between our current moment and the events that so profoundly disturbed Lange more than 75 years ago. What Lange witnessed was heartbreaking. On April 18, 1942, she photographed the Shibuya family in front of their house in Mountain View, California, with its crisp lawn, painted shutters and white-columned porch. The extended family includes a boy in overalls, young men in spectacles, girls in dresses and slacks, and a dog lying at their feet, nuzzling a hand and knee. It is an image of domestic prosperity and happiness, almost to the point of cliche, and yet shortly after it was made, the family was forced out of its home, sent to a temporary incarceration facility before being deported to the Heart Mountain concentration camp in Wyoming, where the family matriarch, Tora Shibuya, died a year later. After they were released, they had to build from scratch the flower farming operation they left behind because of the internment. Working rapidly and in near constant motion during the early months of round up, Lange captured both the normality of Japanese-American life and the misery of its disruption, stressing images like the American flag, children with their hands to their hearts and groups of neatly dressed people gathered for community engagements. Within weeks, she and another WRA photographer, Clem Albers, began documenting the rupture itself, Japanese businessmen desperately selling what they could of their stores and merchandise and an exhausted man sitting alone in the middle of the farm he is about to lose. One poignant Lange photograph shows a neatly typed letter, thanking the customers of a Japanese-American owned dry goods store: "We take this opportunity of expressing to each of you our heartfelt appreciation and 'thank you' for your patronage and for the many courtesies and opportunities extended to us in the past." It isn't easy to compare moral crises across the decades. Some of those interned in 1942 were Issei, or first-generation Japanese immigrants who had been prevented by law from attaining U.S. citizenship, while many others were Nisei, or second-generation Japanese Americans who were fully U.S. citizens. The dreamers who are in peril of expulsion fall somewhere in between, culturally and emotionally fully American, like the Nisei, but stuck in a legal limbo not of their making, like the Isei. There are similarities in the cultural atmosphere, as well. The internment of Japanese-Americans wasn't prompted just by war fears and hysteria; it was preceded by decades of prejudice and racism. The ground was prepared for their mistreatment by demagoguery. The internment, as many U.S. leaders confessed even at the time, served no rational purpose, and in fact damaged American interests and the economy, with impacts on agriculture and business, and high costs for sustaining a formerly productive population as prisoners. Like the removal of Native Americans from their homelands in the 19th century, the internment of Japanese-Americans required financial investment, organizational skills, logistical efforts and bureaucratic oversight. The removal of some 800,000 dreamers who filed for DACA protections, and the millions more who haven't, will similarly require enormous public resources and expenditure. If this comes to pass, will our government document the events as it did the Japanese internment? To get a sense of what this may look like, we can turn to videos and images already being produced by ICE, especially those chronicling its stepped up enforcement campaign against undocumented people with criminal records (often misdemeanors). These are easily found on the ICE website and circulated widely on social media. These do indeed look very different from what the WRA produced some 75 years ago. The WRA photographers were discouraged from emphasizing the military or police aspects of the internment, including guard towers and fences. ICE videos today tend to militarize the drama, with officers dressing for the raid, pulling on body armor, advancing in unmarked cars and swarming a house or workplace. Faces are blurred, both those of government agents and those being detained. This precludes the direct appeal to the viewer made by the images seen in this exhibition. The blurring of faces, perhaps justified as necessary for the safety of the agents and the privacy of the person arrested, in fact serves a dual government purpose. It prevents the agents from being implicated in the morality of their action, and it dehumanizes the detainee, placing them not in the category of immigrant, but criminal (though many people without criminal records are now being swept up in "collateral" captures). Did Lange, and later Ansel Adams, invade the privacy of the people they photographed in the 1940s? Did they abet the government by making these images? Adams was chastised from both the right and the left for the images he made at Manzanar, a concentration camp in the Owens Valley of California. Some felt his photographs humanized the enemy, while others felt he aided the government's effort to put a happy face on the internment. But his work, and that of Lange and Albers, emphasized the persistence of community and American-ness among Japanese-Americans, a powerfully different point of view than the police-style raids on foreign and isolated individuals seen in today's government videos. After his retirement as chief justice of the United States, Earl Warren, who had been one of the strongest advocates of the Japanese internment, wrote: "I have since deeply regretted the removal order and my own testimony advocating it, because it was not in keeping with our American concept of freedom and the rights of citizens." Others involved felt the same way, and in 1988 the United States offered a formal apology for the internment of some 120,000 people. If the dreamers are expelled, there will be many times that number of victims. It will happen in an age that has given up as quaint the notion that America is fundamentally good and can never do wrong. America First suggests a different self understanding: Our country is fundamentally aggrieved and need not endeavor to do right. The visual record we make of the coming cruelty must necessarily be different, too. To acknowledge the dreamers as Americans, to allow them to appeal to us as people, to capture the normalcy of their lives, would create a record too galling to the conscience. The Dorothea Lange of this tragedy will have to emerge from among the dreamers themselves, for our government would never tolerate someone with her eye and humanity working on its behalf. I am not at liberty to comment further as this is a different procedure from the civil tax matter, grand jury foreperson Alan Charles DellArio said in an email. State law gives county grand juries the power to make a willful or corrupt misconduct accusation against any officer of a county, city or district. At least 12 of the 19 grand jury members must concur. The defendant must appear in the countys superior court for a hearing. One option is to challenge the legal sufficiency of the accusation. But, if the court disagrees with the challenge, the defendant must plead guilty or deny the truth of the accusation. Denial of the accusation leads to a jury trial conducted in the same manner as a trial for indictment, state code says. Conviction can lead to removal from office. The report The California Grand Jury System by the California Grand Jurors Association comments on the procedure. The Accusation is a powerful tool with respect to the civil oversight of local public officials, the report said. It reaches an intentional misconduct or failure to act that violates a law, rule or duty of office. It is tricky to use, but is a potent weapon specially reserved to the grand jury. STAMFORD Owners of a food truck who fear the city will ban them from selling their hot dogs downtown have started a petition after officials considered creating a zone that would have pushed most trucks farther from their longtime Bedford Street haunt. The petition, which has garnered 373 signatures, was started earlier this month by the owners of Julians New York Hot Dog truck. All trucks have been banned since August from vending on Bedford Street between Broad Street and Walton Place, and a recent Food Truck Committee proposal would have also restricted most trucks from parts of Spring Street, where they are now. The proposal, which died at a late February meeting, would have allowed one truck in a four-block zone around the Ferguson Library picked through a lottery instead of the three or four that now congregate on Spring. Now vendors and city officials are hoping they can find middle ground. We want to work with them to come up with a compromise, said Krissy Keeler, who runs Julian's with husband Dominic Telesco. But it looks like they are trying to do away with (food trucks) , shoo them out of downtown, said Telesco. Matthew Quinones, president of the Board of Representatives and co-chair of the citys fledgling food-truck committee a group comprised of city reps and members of law enforcement, the health department, cashiering and permitting and the transportation bureau said the move was to enhance public safety and protect downtown restaurants. Its very difficult to strike that balance between food truck presence in downtown and respect restaurants, said Quinones, D-16. Downtown restaurant owners have said food trucks leave messes, prompt drunken masses to stick around after bars close and hurt business. Leyla Dam, owner of Lorca cafe on Bedford Street told The Advocate last summer that food trucks contributed to drunk patrons getting into fights and otherwise delaying their return home. Telesco said food trucks owners clean up after themselves and any fights can be attributed to bars that over serve alcohol, not trucks that sell hot dogs and fries. He also said that any potential policy forcing mobile vendors to regularly relocate would hurt their businesses. You cant move a food truck every couple months and expect the business to thrive, he said, adding that he built a reputation for being on Bedford over six years before the city banned him and other trucks. Quinones said he, too, hopes to find a compromise. The committee will likely next meet in April, he said, but he doesnt yet know if it will then take any further action on the trucks. STAMFORD A Colombian man who did not oppose being deported will remain here where he is accused of repeatedly assaulting his estranged girlfriend and is suspected of nearly beating her 2-month-old baby to death. Jeisson Garcia, 22, was returned to the states custody this week after being detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement on an immigration hold since last month. Garcia was charged in February with second-degree strangulation, first-degree unlawful restraint, risk of injury to a child, third-degree assault and third-degree criminal mischief in the domestic case involving his estranged girlfriend. Garcia was released after his family posted $250,000 bond, but he was immediately picked up by ICE agents. Garcia, who has overstayed his Visa, did not challenge a deportation order and was scheduled to be sent back to Colombia later this month, according to court documents. However, Supervisory Assistant States Attorney Paul Ferencek summoned Garcia to the Stamford courthouse this week to request a judge increase his bail and have him returned to the states custody. Ferencek told Judge Gary White that Garcia is being investigated for the assault of the baby. Ferencek said the girl suffered skull fractures and other neurological injuries that appeared life-threatening after the assault. Garcias public defender Barry Butler argued his client has been in the country for five years and he had already posted a large bond and was not a flight risk. However, White agreed to raise his bond to $750,000 and Garcia was remanded to the Bridgeport Correctional Center. A warrant has not been issued for Garcias arrest for the childs assault. Stamford Bureau of Criminal Investigations Lt. Tom Barcello declined to confirm if Garcia was under investigation. Barcello said everyone who had contact with the child was being investigated. A ccording to the latest figures from the Sleep Council, 74 per cent of British people sleep for less than seven hours a night and the lack of good-quality rest takes its toll on your skin. Most of us dont realise that, when it comes to our skin, the hours we spend asleep are actually among our most productive. Sleep is the time when our internal systems switch from between protecting the skin to regenerating it, with the main overnight repair mode (called mitosis) kicking in from 11pm to 4am. Sleep deprivation, however, knocks out this circadian clock, meaning the skin cant perform its essential overnight repair work. As a result, skin loses moisture quicker, lower levels of collagen are released, premature ageing is accelerated and, by morning, your complexion looks dry and lacklustre. But what to do? Our always on lifestyles means its unlikely well be getting more sleep any time soon, so why not enlist some help to ensure you get your best beauty sleep with these night-time wonders The Overnight Mask NCEF-Night Mask, Fliorga, 60 / Filorga For those who suffer from dry and dehydrated skin, this overnight mask from Parisian brand Filorga is well worth a go. The gorgeous silky consistency means dehydrated skin drinks it up in minutes, but the magic of this cream is in fact twofold. Not only does it have a good dose of both collagen and hyaluronic acid to plump and hydrate the skin, but it also contains something called Melatonin CX, a silk tree extract that activates the production of melatonin, a hormone naturally secreted by our body which plays an essential role in regulating our circadian rhythms. By boosting the melatonin, this wonder cream triggers the overnight skin repairing processes. Youll wake looking hydrated and well rested. Filorga NCEF Night Mask, 60 for 50ml, available at MarksandSpencer.com The Eye De-puffer Advanced Night Repair Concentrated Recovery Eye Mask, Estee Lauder / net a porter Estee Lauders Advanced Night Repair has been one of the brand's global bestsellers since it launched in the 80s. Now you can give your dry, puffy undereye area a direct boost of the anti-ageing serum that earnt the product a cult following. Place the serum-soaked pads under your eyes for ten minutes while you read your book, and wake feeling like superwoman. Advanced Night Repair Concentrated Recovery Eye Mask, 10 for one mask, Estee Lauder. Available on Net-a-Porter. The Oil Essence Merveilleuse, Sanoflore / sanoflore Sanoflores Essence Merveilleuse is a wonderfully dry night oil that uses a cocktail of essential oils rebalance and reharmonise skin after the stresses of the day. Essential oils of Geranium and Lemon Balm (whose efficacy has been proven to rival that of retinol and Vitamin C) smooth and re-plump the complexion with just a few drops, while Sweet Orange, Chamomile, Marjoram and Neroli oils lull you to sweet-smelling sleep. 36, available exclusively at feelunique.com The Redness reducer Freshly juiced Vitamin E Mask, Klairs, 29.50 / Klairs Having one of those weeks where your skin just looks a bit battered and weathered? Perhaps youre suffering from rosacea or sunburn? Or had a few too many nights on the tiles? Trust me, this ones a miracle worker when it comes to reducing redness and generally giving skin a bit of TLC. Formulated with antioxidant Vitamin E, balancing Niacinamide and anti-inflammatory Adenosine, the slightly strange pudding-like texture of this cream transforms into a rich essence that melts into the skin. The memory foam-style texture then bounces back to its original shape within the jar. Weird, but wonderful stuff. Freshly juiced Vitamin E Mask, Klairs, 29.50, available on Skincity.co.uk The Body Boost Sleep Plus Dream Body Cream, This Works, 25 / This Works Our skin is the largest organ in our body, and yet we typically only lavish our attention on the small part of it that sits on our face. So what? I hear you cry. Just try lathering yourself in lavender and chamomile oil-loaded Sleep Plus + Dream Body cream from This Works and experience the calming effects on your skin and your mind and come back to me. Sleep Plus Dream Body Cream, This Works, 25. Available on Feelunique.com A hug for your hair Overnight Hair Repair, Sachajuan / net a porter Slather wet hair in this luscious potion and leave it on overnight. No need to wrap (it won't stain pillows), no need to rinse. Light enough to use on fine hair too. Overnight Hair Repair, 35, Sachajuan. Available on Net-a-Porter Sleep soft net a porter Crafted from high-grade mulberry silk, Slip's queen-sized pillowcase is the key to a sound night's rest. The brand's trademark Slipsilk is a fabric so smooth that it protects and hydrates the skin, reduces split ends and keeps frizz at bay. Pair with their uber-luxe silk eye mask to ensure a night of uninterrupted beauty sleep. H ousebuilder Berkeley again attacked politicians for putting the brakes on development ton Friday as the property firms shares sank following a downbeat update. Although the firm is in line to hit its target of generating 3.3 billion in profits by 2021, the City was disappointed with comments that it was being stymied in efforts to boost production beyond the levels in its business plan. The shares dropped 218p, or 5%, to 3705p as it blamed high stamp duty costs, limits on mortgage borrowing and economic uncertainty for its inability to increase supply. It also blamed curbs on the buy-to-let market and the time and complexity of getting onside following planning approval. Despite a compelling market in London and the south-east, the operating environment does not support the step-up in Berkeleys production levels that these markets so badly need, it added. Jefferies analyst Anthony Codling said: Whilst some view being a housebuilder as a licence to print money, it turns out that constructing homes is more complicated than building a printing press. S hares in Michael Spencers NEX Group rocketed on Friday as the City licked its lips over a bidding war for his trading empire. The stock jumped 218p, or 33%, to 888.5p causing the value of the firm soar to 3.4 billion after it admitted it was in preliminary talks with US exchange giant CME about a takeover. Sources said Spencer a former Conservative Party chairman would hold out for at least 10 a share, which would put a 650 million price tag on his 17% stake and mark an end of an era for the business he founded 30 years ago. CME a $56 billion (40 billion) concern led by American Terry Duffy is the biggest player in the trading of US Treasury futures and covets NEXs BrokerTec, which is the worlds largest platform for trading electronic securities. The potential tie-up between an exchange and an interdealer broker was described as a game-changer by one insider although one unlikely to go unchallenged by rivals. NEX is being advised by Citi and Evercore and CME by JPMorgan. Sources said rival exchanges including ICE and the Singapore Stock Exchange are also likely to weigh into the fight although the LSE and Deutsche Borse were less likely to bid. Analysts at Bank of America Merrill Lynch said: We think NEX could be an attractive asset for a range of exchange groups. We do not, from the outside, see any big regulatory issues, as NEXs businesses have few overlaps with the large exchange groups. The approach comes just two years after Spencer split the former Icap empire in two, selling the traditional voice-broking business to Tullett Prebon. The deal was widely seen as the trading tycoon tidying up his empire for a sale but few expected a deal to come so quickly. A sale would leave Spencer as part owner of investment bank Exotix and chairman of wine exchange BI. If CME is successful, it would mark a return to London by the back door for the exchange. The company, nicknamed the Merc, was best known for its open-outcry pits, where noisy traders in colourful jackets would shout and signal to buy and sell commodities. C live Watson, chairman of the City Pub Group, reveals how he came to work in the food and drinks sector, and appear on TV show Made in Chelsea... What is the City Pub Group? It is an AIM-listed landlord and operator of 33 premium pubs, mainly in London. Sales last year were up 34% to 37.4 million. What do you do? I launched the business with brewing industry veteran David Bruce, who is still a shareholder, in 2012. I lead the business and my focus is on doubling the size of the estate by 2021. I spend much of my week meeting property agents about acquiring sites, or with our pub managers. Our next venture is a pub in Parsons Green that will only serve vegan drinks and food. What do you enjoy about it? One perk is getting to sample lots of local craft beers. But the main thing I love is that its a job where I am out most of the time rather than stuck in our head office in Fitzrovia. What dont you like? The industry is subjected to so much government policy. It can be hard to keep margins growing and have fixed growth plans when you never know what might be thrown at you next in terms of beer duty, business rates and licensing laws. Biggest break? It was realising that I didnt want to work in the City any more. I grew up in Epsom and qualified as a chartered accountant in 1986 with PwC. I went straight to work for investment bank Manufacturers Hanover and spent three years there, but really didnt enjoy being behind a desk. So I swapped the Square Mile for suburbia, and took a job as the finance chief of Regent Inns. It was headquartered in Whetstone and owned bars. I was much happier. In 1998, I ventured out to invest in my own pubs. In 2001 I teamed up with David to launch the Capital Pub Company. We sold to Greene King in 2011 for 93 million. And setback? We floated Capital Pub Company in 2007 at 165p per share. Then the recession hit and we really struggled with high borrowings and weak consumer confidence. In April 2009 the shares plunged to 32p. We worked extremely hard to get the business back into shape, including developing spaces within the pubs to increase the trading area. We sold at 235p a share. It was a roller-coaster journey. How do you balance your work and home life? I control my own diary and often meet friends and family in our pubs to socialise and catch up with staff at the same time. I have two adult daughters, Lucy and Tiffany, who have appeared on TVs Made in Chelsea. I have also popped up in the show, but dont plan on doing so again. I have two younger sons, aged 11 and nine, with my second wife Helen, so I try to take us on weekend breaks and tie that in with quick visits to our pubs outside London. I have just completed a part-time course to get a masters in modern history from Cambridge University. It was something I always wanted to do. Any tips for those starting out in the industry? Birmingham and Uber have decided to have a scrap. Birmingham wants clarity from Uber on its business model as it decides whether to renew the taxi apps license after granting a temporary extension. Uber, which is fighting to keep its cars on Londons streets after the regulator deemed it unfit to run a taxi service, saw its one-year license in Birmingham expire last month. Officers in our Licensing team have temporarily extended Ubers private hire operator license in Birmingham, whilst they seek clarity from Uber around its operating model, said the councils Acting Director of Regulation and Enforcement Chris Neville. Uber has made a series of changes to its business model in recent months, responding to requests from regulators, including the introduction of 24/7 telephone support and the proactive reporting of serious incidents to Londons police. The Silicon Valley firm said its application in Birmingham was still being processed and in recent months we have been granted licenses by a number of councils across the UK including Sheffield, Cambridge, Nottingham and Leicester. Last year, it lost its license in York due to council concerns including over a data breach. The firm, whose investors include Goldman Sachs, intends to reapply. C ulture is spilling out onto the streets. From the Lumiere festival lighting Londons buildings and spaces, to the moving performance events in public spaces around the centenary of the First World War, the arts are heading for the places where people live and work. London has undergone a huge artistic resurgence: public spaces at Kings Cross and Trafalgar Square, venues such as the Bridge Theatre and a renewed South Bank reinforce the capitals place as one of the greatest cultural cities in the world. Now the City of Londons new Culture Mile is joining in. This weekend Barbican OpenFest offers a variety of free events in and around the mile from Farringdon to Moorgate. It will show how one of Londons less welcoming spaces the road tunnel at Beech Street running underneath the Barbican can be transformed into an immersive light and sound experience. A two-day installation called Tunnel Visions: Array is being created by 59 Productions, the artists behind the video design of the London 2012 Olympics Opening Ceremony, with contemporary music by the leading composer Esa-Pekka Salonen recorded by the BBC Symphony Orchestra and Chorus. The City of London Corporation, which built the Barbican in the period after the war as a utopian vision of a residential estate with the arts at its core, is now supporting new era of cultural development. Culture Mile, launched last year, brings together four of Londons leading cultural institutions led by the City Corporation, all working together to bring the north-west of the Square Mile to life with exciting events and unique collaborations. The Museum of London, the Barbican, the London Symphony Orchestra and the Guildhall School of Music & Drama will work together with an increasing network of diverse partners to deliver new experiences for everyone. This is the start of a long journey. Later this year the central section of Crossrail opens: the new Elizabeth line will transform access to the north-west of the City, connecting it directly to Londons airports, putting more than a million people within easy reach of the area. Culture Mile will work with the community and City Corporation to improve streets with pop-up art, better signage and wayfinding, with welcoming public spaces. Engagement with our neighbouring boroughs in arts outreach and learning has been central to our activity and will be crucial for the future. And at the heart of Culture Mile, two landmark projects will establish it with an international public: the new Museum of London at West Smithfield, and the proposal for a new Centre for Music, offering great music for all. The arts in the City, inside and outside, bringing meaning and value to our lives, will be a powerful part of our future. Fashion month is always awash with street style stars and the latest autumn/winter 2018 season was no exception. However, standing out from the front row arrivals, influencer crowd and perfectly coordinated outfits was one fashionista in particular: Little Lola Sunshine. The trendy Yorkshire Terrier stole the spotlight on the streets of Paris with her haute couture outfits and her Anna Wintour-stopping tricks. However, the Chicago-born dog, called Miss Lo for short, isn't just a style icon, her main job is working as a therapy dog where she helps children and charities. People. Fashion. Power. Delivered weekly. Email Sign up Sign up I would like to be emailed about offers, event and updates from Evening Standard. Read our privacy notice {{message}} {{permutiveUid}} {{message}} "Since 2013, I have been a regular at Shriners Hospital For Children as a working therapy dog", Miss Lola explains on her website. Her day job is very different to role during fashion week, where she becomes "the very first and the only real-deal, Fashion Dog". Unsurprisingly, the fashion set have quickly becoming obsessed with Little Miss Lo and she has already amassed a 25.4k Instagram following, which just keeps on growing. We sat down with Little Miss Lo's owner Caron, to ask her a few questions about the chic canine that is taking fashion week and social media by storm. Why and when did you start dressing up Miss Lo? Never, in a million years did I think I would dress up my dog. Very early on, it was suggested by our trainers that people would love to see Lola in clothing but I always rejected the idea. Little did I know what was to come... When did you start her Instagram account? Lolas Instagram was created about 4 years ago. We set out to build a following of people that cared about Lola and her therapy work. Instagram has enabled us to fundraise for organizations close to our hearts: Feeding America, Shriners Hospitals and SitStayRead. We have let so many people know that with a little training, therapy work is not out of reach for their dog and will make such a difference to so many. Every dog can make a difference and paying it forward feels so good. If a few followers step up to the plate when Lolas children need books and pencils or donations for medical equipment or food, we have succeeded. Who makes Miss Lo's costumes? Lolas clothes for Fashion Week are custom made for her. We work with some very talented people who understand our vision and purpose and were lucky to find them. To compliment her looks, we often add actual designer accessories which Lola and I share. When did Miss Lo make her fashion week debut? Chanel, Grand Palais, March 2015. After training Lola for almost a year, I traveled to Paris with her during Fashion Week. As a last-minute decision, we went out to do tricks at Chanel. Lola was wearing a black dog sweater and a camellia on her topknot. We didnt know what to expect, but the response from the press and people watching was beyond our wildest dreams. It was the first time I truly felt support for Lola in-person and on Instagram. It made me realize that the fashion gig as a supporting role wasnt so crazy after all. What did Miss Lola get up to at the most recent Paris Fashion Week? Lola sat FROW at Andrew GN (she gets the invitation and I am the +1!). We street styled at Dior and showed up for Valentino and Giambattista Valli... and of course we would never miss Chanel. In between, we visited with family and friends and had several meetings for a very exciting project that we hope to announce soon. How did she learn all her tricks? Lola was about 6 months old when I offhandedly mentioned to a young woman, Krista, that I wanted to train Lola to do tricks for children in hospitals. Her response was do you know my Dad is a dog trainer? I did not. With that, Krista and her father agreed to train me and work with Lola. It was serendipity! I spent my mornings for the next year and a half, teaching and working with my dog and learning a language that belongs uniquely to Lola and me. I taught small behaviors, adding them up and turning them into big tricks. Some of the tricks have never been seen in public but the time is coming. For example, she steps in to a pair of glittery ballerina flats (sized 32cm) and walks away in them. Lola gets so sassy when she nails the trick. She literally struts! What's been her biggest fashion highlight so far? Each and every moment is special but this past trip! A very accomplished and famous fashion photographer, Leo Faria, also pulled out his phone at Valentino and showed me that Lola graces the entire back cover of his book about Street Style. A ndy McNabs survival kit, which he used as he led the SASs Bravo Two Zero patrol behind enemy lines in Iraq, is going on show in an exhibition dedicated to the Armys special forces. The kit, which includes Wrigleys chewing gum, matches, safety pins, condoms to carry water and tampons to plug wounds, was donated to the National Army Museum by the SAS hero-turned-author. Also in the kit is a handheld wire saw, fishing lines and hooks and a carborundum stick for sharpening blades. Bravo Two Zero, his account of the 1991 patrol, which was sent on an undercover mission to destroy missile launchers in the first Gulf War, became a bestseller and was made into a TV drama. Three members of the eight-man team were killed and four captured, including McNab who was held for six weeks before being released, suffering from nerve damage, a dislocated shoulder and hepatitis B. He wrote: Water and bullets: those are always the main considerations. All other kit is secondary so personal comfort items would be last to go in, and only if we had room. The exhibition traces the history of the SAS and other elite units, including the Special Boat Service, back to the Second World War. It includes photographs taken as SAS men stormed the Iranian embassy in 1980 in a daylight attack covered live on TV. Other exhibits include a Nazi swastika flag captured by the SAS, goatskin coats worn in Iraq and a canoe used by the forerunners of the SBS during a raid on France in 1942 that inspired the film The Cockleshell Heroes. The show includes the map used by the only two men to survive the operation as they were pursued through France and Spain by the Germans for three months before reaching safety in Gibraltar. It also includes testimonies from the families of soldiers, explaining how the secrecy that surrounds them affects their home life. The museums director-general Justin Maciejewski, a former soldier, said the exhibition would tell a story about an amazing part of the Army and how they evolved and became established. It is the first major exhibition at the Chelsea museum since it reopened last year after a refurbishment. T hroughout March, the Evening Standard is running a special series to mark Womens History Month, covering everything from forgotten female heroes to the brilliant women of today. If you're aware that women made a significant contribution to the war effort during the First World War, that's in huge part down to the work of one woman: Agnes Conway. Many of the artefacts she preserved to see that their efforts were remembered can now be found in the Imperial War Museum, an institution that continues to pay tribute to her work. Sarah Paterson, a Women's Work Collection Specialist at the museum, explains the huge impact of her efforts and why they should be acknowledged. Who was Agnes Conway? Agnes Ethel Conway, born in London in 1885, came from a well-connected family; her father, Sir Martin Conway, was an art historian, politician, explorer and mountaineer. He was also a passionate collector, served as Trustee of both the Wallace Collection and the National Portrait Gallery, and became the first Director General of the Imperial War Museum when it was established in 1917. These interests certainly had an impact of Agnes, who went on to study history, Greek and archaeology at Cambridge. In 1917, she wrote a book about her travels round the Balkans, and the traveller father of a travelled daughter wrote an introduction to this account of travels in a war-torn region, hoping that it may open the eyes of other young women to possibilities which had not previously occurred to them. When the First World War broke out she was active in caring for wounded Belgian soldiers and refugees who had been brought to Britain, and so like most women of her class she had first-hand experience of contributing to the war effort. In 1917, she was appointed Honorary Secretary of the Womens Work Sub-Committee, working closely with Chairman Lady Priscilla Norman and other members of the committee in order to preserve women's contribution to the war effort. They wrote to all the female organisations they were aware of, appealing for information about their work, and asking for objects and artefacts that could be displayed. The WWSC also commissioned works of art, and photographers to cover particular aspects of the war. After the war, she took up archeology again, visiting Petra in 1928 and becoming involved with the excavations there. In 1932 she married George Horsfield in Jerusalem. He was Chief Inspector of Antiquities in Transjordan, and friendship, and later romance had blossomed, when they met at Petra. The Horsfields lived in Jerash, an ancient Roman city north of Amman, until their return to Great Britain in the Second World War. The couple conducted research together and wrote up their findings. Agnes died in 1950. What were her most significant achievements? Agnes Conways work for the Womens Work Sub-Committee (WWSC) is hugely significant, not only for acquiring artefacts for the Imperial War Museum, but for providing such a well-rounded information resource that is continuing to help us to understand the female contribution to the First World War. Her fathers work had taught her the value not only of collecting, but also thinking about having an organised plan for the collection and ensuring that it was classified and properly documented and how it could be displayed to best effect. One of the aims of the WWSC was to ensure the names of all women who had died whilst working for the war effort would be recorded. The National Memorial for women who died during the war is at York Minster, where the Five Sisters window was restored, and a memorial screen with the names of the women who died was installed. These names were compiled in conjunction with the WWSC. Her archaeological work was also very significant she was working in a field that not many women were active in, and her work with the small team excavating and surveying Petra was extremely important. Why has she been forgotten? Her work at IWM is very much remembered! It is true to say that the Womens Work Gallery was always allotted the smallest place in the less choice locations in the various IWM homes, but this reflects the way that women were regarded generally. They were not fighting in the war, but were supporting it their role was crucial but had less recognition than those fighting in the front lines. There is also the general factor that when women marry they usually change their names and this can break up their life meaning that different aspects may be remembered almost as two people. Her war work was definitely under the name of Conway, but her archeological work is probably better remembered as Horsfield. Why does she deserve more recognition? The work that women did during the First World War generally deserves more recognition and repays further study. Agnes Conway enabled us to be able to do this and was instrumental in ensuring that this national collection exists and is accessible. She was rather a Renaissance Woman in that she was able to apply herself to many different activities and occupations; she was an author, archaeologist, historian, traveller, carer, collector and curator, daughter and wife. Eight paintings by women you have to see in London 1 /8 Eight paintings by women you have to see in London 10 paintings by women you have to see in London Virginia Woolf by Vanessa Bell (nee Stephen), 1912 National Portrait Gallery, London 10 paintings by women you have to see in London Artemisia Gentileschi, Self Portrait as Saint Catherine of Alexandria, about 1615-17 National Gallery, London 10 paintings by women you have to see in London Angelica Kauffman RA, Self-portrait, 1770 Royal Academy of Arts, London 10 paintings by women you have to see in London Mary Moser RA, Spring, ca. 1780 Royal Academy of Arts, London; Photographer: John Hammond 10 paintings by women you have to see in London Gwen John, Dorelia in a Black Dress, c.1903-4 Tate. Presented by the Trustees of the Duveen Paintings Fund 1949 10 paintings by women you have to see in London Agnes Martin, Faraway Love, 1999 Tate / National Galleries of Scotland/ Estate of Agnes Martin 10 paintings by women you have to see in London Rachel Ruysch, Flowers in a Vase, about 1685 The National Gallery, London 10 paintings by women you have to see in London Elisabeth Louise Vigee Le Brun, Self Portrait in a Straw Hat, after 1782 The National Gallery, London How are you celebrating her this Womens History Month? IWM continues to support organisations by sharing our Collection, and during the centenary year of (some) women winning the vote, will share our First World War film and images documenting womens experiences of the conflict. T omorrow marks St Patricks Day, a day where you don your favourite green outfit, join parades, drink Guinness... and potentially score incredibly cheap international flights. Yes, Norwegian are celebrating the patron saint of Ireland by holding a four-day sale on flights from the UK and Ireland. The sale starts today and will run until the 19th March for flights going between 15th April to 31st May and 5th September to 31st October 2018. If you want to be really savvy, book your international flights from Scotland, Ireland or Northern Ireland as they start from cheaper at 119.90/124.90 one-way compared to Gatwick flights which begin at 144.90 one-way. There are 12 routes to choose from and the prices are a total steal. People. Fashion. Power. Delivered weekly. Email Sign up Sign up I would like to be emailed about offers, event and updates from Evening Standard. Read our privacy notice {{message}} {{permutiveUid}} {{message}} For example, from London you can get to Chicago for 144.90 one-way, Los Angeles from 174.90 one-way and even as far as Buenos Aires for 289.90 one-way. From Cork, Shannon and Dublin, you can fly to Providence Airport (offering connections to Boston and New England), and from Shannon and Dublin you can get to New York Stewart International Airport (New York State) from just 124.90 one-way. As for Scotland and Northern Ireland, flights from Belfast and Edinburgh, youll also be able to go to Providence Airport with a direct flight to New York Stewart International Airport too. Below is the full list of London bargain flights to be had. What are you waiting for? Flights from Gatwick: New York JFK from 144.90 Boston from 144.90 Orlando from 189.90 Fort Lauderdale from 154.90 Denver from 169.90 Los Angeles from 174.90 Oakland from 154.90 Seattle from 169.90 Singapore from 169.90 Chicago from 144.90 Austin from 169.90 T he leader of far-right group Britain First has been punched by two fellow inmates in prison after being jailed for hate crimes. Paul Golding, 36, was attacked at HMP Elmey on the Isle of Sheppey in Kent on Wednesday. He suffered a suspected broken nose, according to the Mirror. Kent Police confirmed it was investigating after the incident left Golding with minor facial injuries. Paul Golding was jailed earlier this month / PA A spokesman said: Kent Police is investigating a reported assault at HMP Elmley on the Isle of Sheppey, between 4.15pm and 4.30pm on Wednesday, March 14. The victim is alleged to have been punched by two other inmates, causing him to suffer minor facial injuries. Enquiries into the incident are ongoing. Golding and deputy leader of Britain First Jayda Fransen, 32, both of Penge, south-east London, were jailed earlier this month of religiously-aggravated harassment. Golding and Fransen were found guilty of religiously aggravated harassment / PA They were arrested in May last year as part of an investigation into the distribution of leaflets and online videos which were posted during a gang rape trial. Judge Justin Barron said their words and actions "demonstrated hostility" towards Muslims and the Muslim faith. He found Fransen guilty of three charges and Golding guilty of one charge. T his is the first picture of a former college student shot dead as he sat in a parked car in the street. Joseph Williams Torres, 20, was sitting in a car in Walthamstow, east London, when he was approached by a gunman who fired several shots through the window. The former Waltham Forest college student, who had studied carpentry, was treated at the scene in a car park on the Essex Close estate but died en route to hospital. A close friend told the Standard: Were all heartbroken. We would walk to school together every day. He had a cheeky smile and was the class joker. He was close to his little sister, she is distraught. Joseph was innocent and completely harmless. The shooting at 9.30pm on Wednesday is the third in a week in London. A 14-year-old boy was left with life-changing injuries after being shot outside Seven Sisters Tube station on Tuesday. On Thursday last week 19-year-old Kelvin Odunuyi was shot dead outside a cinema in Wood Green. On the same night as Mr Torres death, a teenager was stabbed to death yards from his home in Chadwell Heath after being chased by a gang through an estate. Lyndon Davis was cradled by a friend after the attack in Nash Road at about 10.30pm on Wednesday. The 18 year old, an aspiring rapper who was known as Lynx, was taken to hospital where he died less than two hours later. Today his father Ricardo Green told the Standard: Im devastated. He was a great boy. Lyndon is the eighth teenager to be fatally attacked in London this year. Seven have been stabbings. A friend said: He was a nice guy we cant believe it. He loved his rap, he was a talented musician. His sister and family are devastated. Another added: I am going to see his family, They are grieving. We are all struggling to understand how this happened. A police cordon was put in place as homicide police searched for discarded weapons. A forensic tent was erected, yards from Lyndons front door. The teenager and his family are thought to have moved to Chadwell Heath recently after previously living in Barking. Witness Kelly Lowing said: I heard terrible screaming - it was so loud. There was the boy outside in the ground who was screaming, they were desperate cries. The ambulance came and was working on him. It was terrifying and horrible. Lecturer James Sodimu said: There were loads of young boys running around the estate. They were obviously chasing someone. They were covering something with plastic bags, it looked like they were concealing weapons. It was very frightening. Another witness said: He was chased down through the estate - he nearly made it home. We are all totally shocked. In another incident, another teenager was fighting for life today after being stabbed in an argument outside Woodford Station. Witnesses said he was approached by a group of teenagers who asked where he was from. Passers-by rushed to give the victim first aid after he was found collapsed outside the station just before 5.30pm yesterday. T he family of an Egyptian student allegedly attacked by a group of women in Nottingham have said her death could have been prevented if police acted further on an earlier incident. Mariam Moustafa, 18, was left in a coma after a street assault on February 20 and succumbed to her injuries on Wednesday. The engineering student's death has caused uproar in Egypt and the country's embassy called on those responsible to be "brought to justice swiftly". Nottinghamshire Police have said there is no information to suggest Ms Moustafa's death was a hate crime, although investigators are "keeping an open mind". Her family allege an incident in August, which they claim involved the same attackers and left Mariam hurt and her teenage sister with a broken leg, was not sufficiently acted upon by police. Malak Moustafa, 16, told The Times: "No one did anything, something could've been done, and if the police did then she would still be here. "I do think vital warnings were missed, the police should've done something after the first attack, but they did nothing. "A complaint was filed and that was it." Her older sister was allegedly punched several times during a confrontation with a group of women in Parliament Street, Nottingham, at about 8pm on February 20. The teenager got on a bus at the scene near the Victoria Centre shopping precinct but was followed by the same group, who it is claimed were then threatening and abusive towards her. She was taken to the Queen's Medical Centre in the city then transferred to Nottingham City Hospital where she was treated until her death. Ms Moustafa's father, Mohamed, 49, told The Times: "I don't know why they attacked her the first time, but they recognised her the second time and went after her again. "My wife and I think it was racially motivated because Mariam didn't know these girls. Why would you attack someone randomly? They were all of different colour skin to Mariam, maybe that is why they did this." Despite a Nottinghamshire Police statement saying there is no information to suggest it was a hate crime, the embassy has said the "deep concern of the Egyptian public is evident". The force have said they are aware of social media posts claiming the attack was motivated by hate and are "keeping an open mind". A Home Office post-mortem examination is due to take place. A 17-year-old girl arrested on suspicion of assault occasioning grievous bodily harm was bailed pending further investigation following the incident. A statement from the Egyptian embassy said: "The government of Egypt and the embassy have been closely following the circumstances of this vicious attack with the relevant British authorities and expressed the need for those responsible to be brought to justice swiftly." The statement continued: "The deep concern of the Egyptian public is evident and the embassy remains focused in its efforts to support and assist Mariam's grieving family whose life has been shattered by their traumatic loss. C ounter-terror police have launched a murder probe as they revealed Russian Nikolai Glushkov's death was caused by "compression to the neck". Mr Glushkov, a closed friend of Vladimir Putin critic Boris Berezovsky, was discovered dead at his home in New Malden, south-west London, on Monday. Scotland Yard, who called in counter-terror officers to lead the investigation because of the 68-year-old's associations, had until today been treating Mr Glushov's death as "unexplained". The Met said that at this stage there is nothing to suggest a link between Mr Glushkov's death and the nerve agent attack in Salisbury. Forensics investigators work at the home of Nikolai Glushkov / REUTERS Police were called after Mr Glushkov, a Russian national, was found dead at his home in Clarence Avenue on Monday evening. In statement, Scotland Yard today said: "A special post mortem began on Thursday, and we received the pathologist report today, which gave the cause of death as compression to the neck." Neighbour of strangled Russian Nikolai Glushkov had been visited by people in supercars Mr Glushkov was a former deputy director of Aeroflot, a Russian state airline, and worked for Mr Berezovsky's LogoVAZ car company. He was twice charged with fraud in Russia. He was granted political asylum in the UK in recent years and moved to London where he lived in New Malden. Mr Glushkov had lived at the New Malden address for two years. A police officer outside the scene of a property where the body of Russian businessman Nikolai Glushkov was found / EPA Mr Glushkov's close ally Mr Berezovsky, once one of the most powerful businessmen in Russia, was found hanged at his home near Ascot, Berkshire, in March 2013, aged 67. Police said a post-mortem showed no sign of a violent struggle and a coroner recorded an open verdict after an inquest. Due to "contradictory" evidence, the coroner said he could not prove beyond all reasonable doubt that he either took his own life or was unlawfully killed. Mr Berezovsky played a key part in Mr Putin's rise to power in 1999 but later fell out with the Russian president and fled the country. In 2013, Mr Gluskov gave evidence at the court case brought by Mr Berezovsky against Chelsea FC owner and fellow oligarch Roman Abramovich. Police continued to guard Mr Glushkov's home on Friday evening. A blue and a purple tent remained covering the front drive of the property, which was cordoned off along with several adjoining properties either side. Presh and Shanj Phelz, who live on the street, three doors down, said they did not know the man and that a family friend who lived next door to Mr Glushkov had heard nothing. A n Iraqi asylum seeker who detonated a homemade bomb on the Tube at Parsons Green in a bid to maim and murder commuters during morning rush-hour is facing life in prison today. Ahmed Hassan, 18, plotted carnage on the Underground with an improvised device he had filled with a volatile explosive and packed with 2.2kgs of metal shrapnel. The teenager rigged the bomb with a modified kitchen timer, set to explode at Parsons Green station as scores of passengers headed to work on September 15 last year. The device only partially detonated, the Old Bailey heard, but sent a fireball shooting through the carriage which left thirty people injured and many more traumatised by the incident. The aftermath of the attempted Tube bombing at Parsons Green Iraq-born Hassan sneaked into the UK less than two years earlier, telling the Home Office in January 2016 he had been trained to kill by ISIS after he was forced to join the extremist group in his native Iraq. Parsons Green Tube bomber Ahmed Hassan pictured in a police mugshot The teen was referred to the governments anti-terrorism Prevent service, given counselling from the Freedom from Torture organisation, and housed in a hostel run by charity Barnardos. Ahmed Hassan, 18, plotted 'carnage' on the London Underground / Metropolitan Police/PA He was eventually settled with foster parents in Sunbury-on-Thames, maintaining that ISIS had forced him into terror training by threatening to murder his uncle and brother. Hassan, 18, is accused of packing shrapnel into a plastic bucket containing 400g of explosives then leaving it to go off on a timer / PA But at trial Hassan claimed it had all been a lie to support his bogus claim for asylum, telling the jury he had never been involved with ISIS and had travelled across Europe in search of a better life. He denied attempted murder but a jury found him guilty unanimously this morning, as the defendant stared intently at the floor of the dock. A plastic bottle of acid on top of table in conservatory which Ahmed Hassan allegedly bought on Amazon to make explosives / PA Mr Justice Haddon-Cave told the teenager he had been convicted "on overwhelming evidence" and will sentence him next week. The true motive for the bombing remains a mystery, as Hassan insisted during his evidence that he had built the device to burn rather than explode and was living out a fantasy as an international fugitive after watching Mission Impossible films. The jury was shown CCTV of the bomb being detonated on the train / AFP/Getty images Alison Morgan, prosecuting, suggested Hassan had spent weeks plotting the bombing during last summer, angry at the death of his father in a 2006 bombing raid during the war in Iraq. "You were given a safe haven to live in this country. You were given a home and an education and you felt guilty about that, didn't you?, she asked of the teenager. "You felt guilty that you had let down people in Iraq by coming here and accepting a safe haven in the country that you held responsible for your father's death." CCTV footage shows a suspect linked to the Parsons Green tube attack / PA The court also heard Hassans own claims that he had been trained to kill by ISIS while in Iraq, told to a Home Office official when he was applying for asylum in January 2016. Barnardos workers said they saw Hassan watching a video featuring guns, masked men, and the ISIS black flag, as well as catching him listening to a song about slaughtering people. Hassan told the jury he had travelled to the UK from Iraq via Turkey, Italy and France, eventually managing to sneak into Britain on a Channel Tunnel train. A survivor escorted away from the train after the bombing / Kerry Davies/Daily Mail He was detained by the Italian authorities on his journey, he said, but was set free again without any action being taken to challenge his immigration status. While appearing to be a shy teenager with signs of post-traumatic stress disorder and depression, Hassan settled well into British life, winning a student of the year prize last summer from Brooklands College in Surrey. The train at Parsons Green after the device was set off / PA However, he spent the prize, an 20 Amazon voucher on chemicals used to make the explosive TATP the same volatile mixture which was used in recent terror attacks in Manchester, Brussels, and Paris. Hassan was caught on camera shopping in Asda and Aldi for parts for the bomb, which he constructed at home in an old bucket, using a Tupperware box and a vase to hold the explosives and packing it with shrapnel including knives, screwdrivers, and metal sockets. He took the bomb, concealed under a pair of trousers in a Lidl shopping bag, to Sunbury train station, heading to Wimbledon where he armed the device in the station toilets. Hassan then got on the District Line towards Edgware Road, leaving the ticking bomb on the floor when he got off the train at Putney Bridge. A forensic investigator at the scene / PA The court heard he had already taken steps to hide his planning, including wiping his computer, and headed to Dover in a bid to escape capture. When he was stopped by a border guard, Hassan claimed he was only there to meet a friend. Victimes of the bombing were forced to relive the ordeal during the trial, telling jurors how they were badly burned when the fireball ripped through the carriage. The smoking bomb on board the train / Sylvian Pennec/Reuters Retired counter-terrorism officer Alex Beavan, who was among the 93 passengers in the carriage, said: I heard a huge popping sound. Looking towards the direction of the sound, I saw a rolling fireball coming over the ceiling at the back of the train. Everything goes in slow motion. There was a woman. I could see her realise what was happening and she began screaming and some men were shouting Run. A woman who suffered burns in the attack is led away from the scene / Dominic Lipinski/PA Lucinda Glazebrook was among those who suffered serious burns and told the court: I kept touching my face and feeling the back of my hair and my hair was coming out in chunks, and I asked somebody if my face was burnt, because I couldnt see it but I felt the heat from the fireball so I was scared of the damage that it had done to my face. More people were injured during a stampede to evacuate the train and get out of the single entrance to Parsons Green station. Hassan was on a bus towards Earls Court when the blast happened, and was caught on camera hiding the SD card on his phone, which had key evidence about the making of the bomb. During his evidence, he told the jury: "I wish I could travel back in time and stop it at once but that's not possible. I'm very sorry but it can't be done." He denied the charge of attempted murder but was convicted at trial. The judge will be handed medical reports on Hassan before passing sentence. I t was like an army of red hot maggots eating me alive. Thats how author Cathryn Kemp described her pain on being discharged from a hospital in London after being treated for an apparently incurable form of pancreatitis. Hers was an excruciating pain that began in her belly, radiated out across her back and spread through every muscle in her body. But in her hand, Cathryn held hope: a prescription for fentanyl. This synthetic form of opium, 100 times more potent than morphine, is one of the strongest painkillers invented. I was given a 100 microgram transdermal patch and sent home with a repeat prescription for Actiq lozenges of 200 micrograms each, she said. They came in berry-flavoured lollipops and I was told to take eight lozenges a day. Little did Cathryn, 46, know that this legally prescribed painkiller would almost kill her. That instead of solving her pain problem, it would create an even greater addiction problem that would last more than two years and leave her feeling as bad as ever. Today, when Cathryn meets me in a cafe in the Strand, she is smiling but not quite pain-free. These days she is clean of opioids and opts instead for alternative mind and body therapies to manage her chronic condition. Cathryn recalled how the fentanyl initially provided relief and helped with her acute pain. It was like stepping into a warm bath and it made me feel comforted, she said. But over the next couple of months the agony returned and one day, two months after leaving hospital, Cathryn tried to deal with her pain by taking a single extra lozenge. That was the moment everything began to spin out of control, she said. There was nothing in the fentanyl patient information leaflet to warn her that opioids are rarely effective for chronic pain. I was extremely vulnerable and trusted my doctor, she said. I never imagined he would prescribe something so addictive and ineffective. Soon, instead of taking eight lozenges a day, Cathryn was on 12, all obtained legally on prescription. That kept rising until I was taking 60 lozenges a day, a potentially fatal dose, she said. Did it ease her torment? No, she said. I was caught in this impossible trap of feeling terrible on them but going into withdrawal vomiting, shaking, hallucinating if I tried to stop. I refused to contemplate that I was addicted. You think a drug addict is someone who lives on the edge of society, so that couldnt be me. I heard orchestras coming out of plug sockets, I saw images of devils in the roof beams of my cottage. I would lie there, curled up, curtains shut, in the dark, alone and utterly desolate I would wake in the morning and crawl on my hands and knees to the bathroom and take the first six of my 60 lozenges. Twenty minutes later I would take another six. If I waited an hour, the drug would start to leave my system and I would experience opiate delirium. I heard orchestras coming out of plug sockets, I saw images of devils in the roof beams of my cottage. I would lie there, curled up, curtains shut, in the dark, alone and utterly desolate. Cathryn tried to conceal her addiction from her parents, hiding her fentanyl supply in boxes of tampons. She quit her job as a writer because she was too ill to work. Her doctor tried to help. My GP knew within a month of me upping my dose that I was becoming addicted and tried to get me off fentanyl, she said. But I was adamant that I was in pain and needed it to live my life, even though it was a living death and I was mostly bedbound. Every few days Id visit my GP, totally focused on getting more prescriptions. I would cry and scream and bully him. It was like a monster came over me. Three times he tried to get me into an NHS detox centre and three times I was refused because I wasnt homeless or an offender. He tried referring me to the NHS substance misuse service but they could only offer me outpatient and I knew I couldnt come off fentanyl on my own, that it had to be inpatient rehab to succeed. "I felt very alone and so did my GP, who really didnt know where to turn. Eventually he had enough and cut me off. I was left with a supply of fentanyl for one week. Cathryn had two options: find a street dealer for an illegal opiate such as heroin, or raise the money to check herself into a private inpatient detox clinic that, at 5,000 a week for five weeks, was more than she could afford. She put her cottage on the market, borrowed money from her parents and bit the bullet. When I got to rehab, they said I had three months to live if I carried on. I had to make it work. But withdrawal was a brutal business I was nauseous, sweating, trembling, vomiting, unable to sleep, hallucinating and I had diarrhoea. I stuck it out and came off fentanyl. That was eight years ago. Cathryn has since married, resumed her writing career as a ghostwriter, and four years ago became a mother. She wrote a book, Coming Clean, about her experience. She also became a campaigner and started an online charity, the Painkiller Addiction Information Network (Pain), to help fellow opioid addicts share their experience and lobby the Government to represent the patients voice. Ive had thousands of chronic pain sufferers contact me via the website, many of them mothers who are addicts with young children and who feel caught in a trap, she said. These women dont know what to do with their children if they go into rehab. They are desperately struggling with addiction to their opioids prescribed by their GPs, an addiction they feel ashamed of and try to hide from their loved ones as I did. As a campaigner, she welcomes the government review into prescription drug addiction announced in January as not yet a victory but a step in the right direction and an acknowledgement of the suffering that too many people have had to endure in silence. But how has Cathryn managed her chronic pain since ditching the drugs? The first thing I had to do was accept there was no fairytale pill that was going to take all my pain away, she said. Gradually I have learnt to live with the pain and to manage it. Its not easy, but its easier now than it was then. The pain I live with ebbs and flows and, at its worst, it is not dissimilar to the pain I was medicating against. Have alternative therapies helped? These days I see a herbalist and take high-strength turmeric capsules which is brilliant stuff for dealing with pain. I see an acupuncturist, do yoga and do breathing work. It all helps. But She paused to collect her thoughts. The difference today is I am not dealing with all the awful side-effects of the drugs, just the pain. Its clearer and its cleaner. I can cope. I am lucky that my job as a writer allows me to work from my bed because there are days when I am too sore to leave it. I have learnt to pace myself. Its how I have to live. Opioids investigation - David Cohen B ermondsey has overtaken Peckham to top a prestigious list of the best places to live in London. The south-east London district was revealed as the capitals most desirable location by the Sunday Times Best Places to Live Guide 2018. Clapton, Herne Hill and Richmond were also among a total of ten London locations named by the guide as the best places to live in the UK this year. Bermondseys ranking as the best place to live in London reflects the rise of an area that epitomises the modern urban good life, writes the guide. 'Modern urban good life': Maltby Street Market in Bermondsey / Shutterstock Its residents are typically young, affluent and often reside in photogenic lofts in converted warehouses, while railway arches are fast being converted into galleries, bars and restaurants. Bermondsey is home to Millwall FC (PA) / PA Archive/PA Images The area, home to Millwall FC, Southwark Park and the White Cube gallery, comes with a high price high tag. The average starter home costs 700,000 while family homes can be above 6,000,000. Bermondseys convenient location close to the City and the Thames, as well as its vibrant food and culture scene, were lauded by the guide. The guide praised Bermondsey's cultural and culinary scenes / Getty Images Last year hipster neighbour Peckham took top spot, thanks to its swift transformation from a no-go patch of south London to a middle-class hotspot. The guide uses a wide range of factors including jobs, schools, culture and community spirit when compiling its winners, as well as the insight of a judging panel. The 10 best places to live in London 2018 Bermondsey Clapton Fulham Furzedown Herne Hill Kings Cross Notting Hill Richmond Tufnell Park Wanstead Furzedown in Wandsworth made the list, described as an urban village thats cheaper than Balham, but less gritty than Streatham, with leafy side streets and a vibrant community spirit. Notting Hill was hailed as resurgent for luring families and foodies back west, while Clapton was described as among the capitals hippest neighbourhoods. Fulham, Kings Cross, Tufnell Park and Wanstead complete the capitals most desirable locations for this year. Helen Davies, The Sunday Times Home editor, said: Choosing the right location to put down roots is one of the most important decisions you'll make. J eremy Corbyn faces a growing revolt within his party over his reluctance to blame Russia for the Salisbury attack, as MPs today blasted the Labour leaders response as inadequate. Senior Labour backbencher Sir Kevin Barron criticised Mr Corbyn for a failure to engage in Labour foreign policy and for being driven by ideology. Sir Kevin, a former member of the Parliamentary Intelligence and Security Committee, said: Jeremy has not been engaged in the foreign policy of the Labour Party for decades. "He has a different view on the international scene than many members of the Labour Party. Jeremys response was not in my view an adequate response to the situation. Sir Kevins comments followed senior front-bencher Sir Keir Starmers demand that there must be no ifs or buts in criticising Russia for the poisoning of former spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia. E U and UK negotiators today closed in on a Brexit transition deal by postponing a deadline for a solution to the Irish border impasse. Several sources told the Standard that a decision has been taken that the border argument cannot be allowed to derail agreement at next weeks EU summit of an implementation period until the end of 2020. The issue has been effectively parked until the blocs next summit in June, which means the Commons has a chance to vote first on whether Britain will stay in the customs union. There will not be a breakthrough now on Ireland [at the summit], said one EU official close to the talks. Juncker: Britain will regret Brexit A series of intensive three-way talks among EU, UK and Irish officials will take place in the next four weeks. But there are moves at Westminster to settle the issue by voting to instruct Theresa May to seek to continue membership of the customs union, which would render border controls unnecessary. Next weeks summit is due to agree on the 21-month transition period, giving business more time to adapt to changes, and to launch discussions on trade and future relations. Irish officials insist that the border issue has not been sidelined. The Commons Northern Ireland affairs committee has expressed concerns about the lack of progress on solutions for the border. In a report, the committee said there are no technical solutions, anywhere in the world, beyond the aspirational that would avoid the need for infrastructure at the border post-Brexit. B oris Johnson today said it was overwhelmingly likely that Vladimir Putin ordered the Salisbury attack. Stepping up the accusations against the Kremlin, the Foreign Secretary put the Russian president in the frame for the use of a nerve agent to poison the former spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter earlier this month. Visiting the Battle of Britain Bunker museum in Uxbridge with his Polish counterpart, Mr Johnson said: Our quarrel is with Putins Kremlin, and with his decision and we think it overwhelmingly likely that it was his decision to direct the use of a nerve agent on the streets of the UK, on the streets of Europe, for the first time since the Second World War. That is why we are at odds with Russia. His words went further than those of Theresa May, who has laid the blame for the attack on Russia but not directly on Mr Putin. The Foreign Secretary put the Russian president in the frame for the use of a nerve agent on UK soil / EPA They are, however, in line with the findings of the inquiry into the murder of the dissident Alexander Litvinenko in London in 2006, using radioactive Polonium 210, which concluded that the killing was probably approved by Mr Putin. Mr Johnson also warned Russia that the world is losing patience amid a backlash over the use of the Novichok nerve agent. Nato said the Kremlin had miscalculated the resolve of the West. Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson tells Russia to 'go away and shut up' Moscow, however, taunted Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson, who yesterday told Russia to go away and shut up. Sergei Skripal, pictured here on CCTV, was poisoned by an illegal nerve agent Sergey Lavrov, the foreign minister, suggested the MP lacks education and Major-General Igor Konashenkov, a spokesman at Russias defence ministry, said: The market wench talk that British defence secretary Gavin Williamson resorted to reflects his extreme intellectual impotency, he jibed. It proves the deficiency of Londons accusations thrown at Russia in the past but also the inadequacy of the accusers. Mr Lavrov also confirmed that Moscow will expel British diplomats in retaliation for Mrs Mays move on Wednesday. She ordered 23 Russian envoys suspected of spying to pack their bags following the conclusion that Russia was behind the poisoning of Mr Skripal who was convicted of spying for MI6 in 2006 and his daughter Yulia, 33. The Kremlin denies involvement. Yulia Scripal: The former Russian spy's daughter may have been poisoned over an anti-Vladimir Putin social media post / Facebook Nato chief Jens Stoltenberg, who was briefed by Britains National Security Adviser, Sir Mark Sedwill, in Brussels, said: Russia has underestimated the resolve and unity of Nato allies. "The Nato allies express strong political support for the UK. We have no reason to doubt the findings and assessments made by the British government. The UK and Poland are stepping up the battle against Russian disinformation and will also work with nations on Russias borders to defend their institutions. In Uxbridge, Mr Johnson signed a memorandum of understanding with the Polish foreign minister, Jacek Czaputowicz. Experts will tackle online trolls, bots and fake news coming out of Russia. Mr Johnson said: What weve seen over the last few days is an abundance of support from our friends across the continent and beyond. Support which shows the world is losing its patience with Russias flagrant disregard for the international order on which we all rely. Britain will spend 100 million over five years to target Russian disinformation, including by boosting support for independent Russian language media, particularly in Eastern Europe. Theresa May visited Salisbury on Thursday / PA Some senior political figures in Britain were taken aback by Mr Williamsons go away and shut up comment. Sir Malcolm Rifkind, who served as both foreign secretary and defence secretary, said: It was not very diplomatic language but he is the defence secretary, not the foreign secretary. He mixes with the military who sometimes use stronger language than diplomats. The Tory grandee was far more critical of the social media mockery and sarcasm coming from the Russian embassy in London. He said: If the Russian ambassador authorised that behaviour in tweets from his own embassy, he should be ashamed and himself start packing his own bags. Forensics search The Mill pub in Salisbury in Britain today after ex-spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter were attacked with a nerve agent in the city / EPA The former Lib Dem leader Lord Ashdown, who served as high representative in Bosnia, criticised Mr Williamsons schoolboy comments. Last night Britain, the US, Germany and France issued a joint call to Russia to explain the Salisbury attack. US president Donald Trump said it looked as though the Russians were behind the attempt to kill the Skirpals. Russian spy poisoning: Military forces work on a van in Winterslow / AP An 83-year-old whistleblower who revealed the existence of the Novichok nerve agent in the Nineties said the Skripals have little chance of surviving the use of the weapon. Vil Mirzayanov, who now lives in New Jersey, also said that few countries have laboratories powerful enough to develop it. Investigators in protective gear pursue the probe into the nerve agent attack on Sergei Skripal / Getty Former Navy head Lord West, who served as a Labour security minister, backed the measures being taken by the Government. He said Britain had known decades ago that Russia had not completely ditched its chemical weapons arsenal. The peer, who served as Chief of Defence Intelligence from 1997 to 2000, said: We knew that they had not destroyed all of their holdings of chemical weapons even though they said they had. They had holdings of particularly nasty, nerve agent toxin. Amid the expulsions, he said high-level back channel contacts needed to be maintained. We dont want something awful to happen by miscalculation, he stressed. T opman has come under fire from furious Liverpool fans who claim a red shirt mocks the victims of the Hillsborough disaster. The top has the words "Karma" down one sleeve and a large '96' on the back along with a rose and the words underneath, "What goes around comes back around." The design is an apparent reference to a Bob Marley song dating from 1996. But since the 20 shirt went on sale online it has come to the attention of hundreds of Liverpudlians, who have taken to Twitter to express their disgust. The Hillsborough Disaster left 96 Liverpool fans dead after a crushing incident at the start of an FA Cup semi-final in April, 1989. Justice for the 96 tweeted: "So it's a #BobMarley song and it's managed to get through god knows how many people before it's printed. "Just shows you how few people know about the biggest sporting disaster and cover up this country's ever seen" Nick Murphy wrote: "Please @Topman - take this off the shelf. An genuine mistake I'm sure but this is insulting and upsetting. #JFT96" And another fan said on Twitter: "I don't think it's the @Topman design that's the issue, Hillsborough wouldn't have been in their thinking, it's the brain dead people who will end up wearing it for the wrong reasons, and there will be people like that." B ritain's top law enforcement body today dashed hopes of a major purge on Russian oligarchs living in London on criminal profits by warning that only a small number will be targeted under new powers. The National Crime Agency said it had scoped around 50 potential unexplained wealth order cases in which tycoons could be required to prove the source of their cash or face losing their assets. It expected to bring a significant number of these to court over the next two years. But it said that only a handful of the cases involved Russians and that more of the suspected criminals came from other parts of the world. Donald Toon, the director in charge of the agencys fight against economic crime, said the reason that so few Russians were in the frame was that law enforcers could not target people by nationality and had to have evidence to take action. His comments will disappoint MPs who this week called for greater use of unexplained wealth orders against rich Russians as part of the governments response to the nerve agent attack on former spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia. Double agent: Sergei Skripal was found unconscious in Salisbury, where he has been living a quiet retirement Those calling for the powers - which came into effect at the start of February - to be used to target Russians with illicit assets include the chairman of the Commons Foreign Affairs Committee, the Tory MP Tom Tugendhat, as well as Liberal Democrat leader Vince Cable and Labours Jeremy Corbyn. But Mr Toon said that although some Russians were likely to be taken to court, Britains reputation depended on the absolute priority of the rule of law and that there was no evidence to justify a wider purge. Under current circumstances, I cannot see significant numbers of unexplained wealth orders being used against Russians. Its all about being able to set out for the court whether there is enough evidence to justify an order, he said during an interview with the Evening Standard. Are there any issues with Russian controlled money in the work we are preparing? Yes, there are. But we are talking about a small number. Significantly more are from other nationalities. We cannot simply take legal action unless there is the basis to do so. Somebody has to do something wrong. Simply being born Russian is not illegal. He added: We have scoped a whole series of cases and a range of nationalities - initially around 50 cases. We have taken two unexplained wealth orders to court and have further cases in the pipeline. Its designed to address a gap in our ability to target illicit finance, but its doing so in a balanced way within the UKs normal rule of law. Skewing law enforcement efforts to target Russians would damage Britain. The UKs reputation as a place to do business is based on the absolute priority of the rule of law. To remove someones assets, you have to be able to demonstrate to the courts that those assets have been illicitly obtained and are illicitly held. It is the law that we enforce, not an opinion or a point of view. Thats what makes the UK a safe place to operate, whether you are an individual, own a business in the UK, are a multinational, or a very rich person, the law is there to apply to everyone in the same way, he said. Mr Toon added that using sanctions to target Russians was, by contrast, very different and absolutly legitimately set out as part of a recognised international procedure and the National Crime Agency would play its part in enforcing any that are imposed. He also disclosed that his agency, which tackles organised and other forms of serious crime, currently had more than 1 billion of suspected criminal assets held under restraint by the courts. Most of this was in UK, including a signficant amount of London property. It also included around 700 million linked to cases of grand corruption, money laundering and bribery. Some cases involved suspects from Africa and central Asia, as well as other foreign jurisdictions. Britons were also under investigation. In his Commons call for the greater use of unexplained wealth orders, Lib Dem leader Mr Cable named the Arsenal shareholder Alisher Usmanov and Russias First Deputy Prime Minister, Igor Shuvalov, who owns... a 14 million flat overlooking the Ministry of Defence as potential targets. He said both had been identified by the Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny as being critical to the Putin operation and urged Prime Minister Theresa May to act. A former British Airways captain is facing a 600,000 bill and possible financial ruin after losing a 16-year legal fight over the paternity of his child. Richard Wilmot, 62, had claimed his daughter with his third wife, Viki Maughan, was fathered by a lover she was secretly seeing before their divorce. For years he refused to pay child maintenance as agreed in their divorce settlement because he was absolutely convinced that he was not the father. At the High Court, however, Mr Justice Mostyn condemned the former BA pilot for his utter folly, ruling that his paternity was beyond any doubt at all. The judge has ordered that Captain Wilmots assets, including his pension, bank account and properties, should be seized until he settles the six-figure bill of back maintenance and legal costs. Vindicated: Viki Maughans divorce from Captain Wilmot was granted in 2001 Mr Justice Mostyn said in the ruling that a new DNA test has concluded that the probability that Captain Wilmot was the true father of the child was 99.999999 per cent. This demonstrates beyond any doubt at all that [he] is the father, the judge added. Captain Wilmot, who was warned by his own lawyers that this case could bankrupt you, must pay almost 25,000 for his daughters university education and about 115,000 in back maintenance. That is dwarfed, though, by the astonishing 290,000 in legal costs. When this sum is added to other court bills and the costs of a receiver who has been working to recover the funds for Ms Maughan, it brings the total to 593,598. Captain Wilmot maintained during the legal fight, thought to be Britains longest divorce battle, that a 2000 DNA test concluding he was the father was obtained by fraud, and that his daughters birth certificate was a forgery. The couples decree absolute was granted in 2001 but they have been fighting over the settlement and maintenance ever since. At a hearing last July, he admitted the court tussle was ghastly when called to explain why he had been ignoring court documents that had been sent to him. While together, Ms Maughan, 50, and Captain Wilmot shared an 800,000 country home in Cranbrook, Kent. They separated in the late Nineties. The pilot, now flying for Turkish Airlines, has since remarried. He has another country home in Alcombe, Somerset, a 500,000 18th-century listed house in Dunster, Somerset, and another property on the Isle of Man. W ealthy Russians in central London are toughening up their home security in response to the nerve agent attack, the Standard understands. Specialist advisers to oligarchs in the capital said they had been deluged with enquiries from clients concerned about their security in the wake of the poisoning of the former double agent Sergei Skripal Requests have included close protection bodyguards, round-the-clock access to medics, monitoring of food deliveries and security checks run on staff. One has even requested a nuclear bunker style air filtration system to be installed in their apartment at One Hyde Park in Knightsbridge. The address in New Malden which has been sealed-off by police after Russian businessman Nikolai Glushkov was found dead / PA Concern was heightened following the death of Putin critic and former businessman Nikolai Glushkov, 68, at his home in New Malden, south London. Becky Fatemi, managing director of estate agent Rokstone, which also runs a lifestyle concierge service for multi-millionaire buyers in the capital, said: Ive already had half a dozen of our Russian clients on the telephone asking for information on bodyguards, extra security for their houses and dialling in for takeaway food. Nikolai Glushkov, 68, was found dead at his home in New Malden, south London They are stopping their usual food deliveries and getting random take-out food orders for safety, and are only drinking bottled water. She added: If you go back to the Russian love-in days of Tony Blair, Russian buyers were one in three clients for properties priced above 10 million in central London, and we used to call London Moscow-on-Thames. Since the current tensions all of that has changed. We are still getting enquiries from Russian purchasers but we are 30 per cent down on the number of enquiries from last year, and without doubt this is due to the tensions between the two governments. Peter Wetherell, CEO of Wetherell, an estate agent which specialises in exclusive properties, said most Russians living in London already have meticulous security arrangements in place. But he added that recent events could make them even more security conscious. Their homes are alarmed, with CCTV links to police stations, infra-red beams to corridors, eye-retina and finger print entry security. Some homes have steel and concrete reinforced panic rooms, he said. At the ultra prime level of the market this is all quite standard - just basics for the super rich like the Russians. At the end of the day the Russians, like all the global super rich, love living in London and a drama like this wont put them off the British capital - but it has made them even more security conscious. Mark Pollack, founding director at Aston Chase, commented: Security has always been a serious concern for our clientele. However, in light of recent events in Salisbury, this concern has undoubtedly grown for our Russian buyers. Contrasting his record with that of Newsom, with whom every poll indicates hes likely to be matched in a two-Democrat November runoff election, Villaraigosa doesnt actually say this race could pit his practicality against the idealism that saw Newsom pioneer same-sex marriage and universal health care in San Francisco. But it seems like things might go that way. For me, this isnt about any contrasts between me and (outgoing Gov.) Jerry Brown or Newsom, Villaraigosa said, Its about me and my sense of California. I met a lot of really good, hard-working people on my tour and it gave me a sense that weve got to build again. We need to fix our roads and highways, maybe build more. We need to fix our schools because so many of them are crumbling. And I am for high speed rail. Villaraigosa recognizes that he might not seem quite as progressive as Newsom, one reason he got only 9 percent support in the spring state Democratic Party convention, dominated by the partys left wing. But he says his record of building and repairing schools, renewing the Los Angeles airport and hiring 1,000 more police during his eight years as mayor might resonate among moderate Democrats and with the 25 percent of state voters who are registered as Republicans. Add that to his strong Latino support. B ritain today warned Russia that the world is losing patience amid a growing backlash against Moscow over the Salisbury attack. Nato warned the Kremlin that it had miscalculated the resolve of the West in responding to the first use of a nerve agent in Europe since the Second World War. Moscow, however, taunted Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson, who yesterday told Russia to go away and shut up. Major-General Igor Konashenkov, a spokesman at Russias defence ministry, accused him of market wench talk and Sergey Lavrov, the foreign minister, suggested the MP lacks education. Mr Lavrov also confirmed that Moscow will expel British diplomats in retaliation for Theresa Mays move on Wednesday. Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson tells Russia to 'go away and shut up' The Prime Minister ordered 23 Russian envoys suspected of spying to pack their bags following the conclusion that Russia was behind the poisoning of the former spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia in Salisbury earlier this month. The Kremlin has denied involvement. Mr Konashenkov said of Mr Williamson, 41: The market wench talk that British defence secretary Gavin Williamson resorted to reflects his extreme intellectual impotency. It proves the deficiency of Londons accusations thrown at Russia in the past but also the inadequacy of the accusers. Gavin Williamson told Russia to "go away and shut up" As the tensions grew, Nato chief Jens Stoltenberg stressed: I am absolutely certain that Russia has underestimated the resolve and unity of Nato allies. The Nato allies express strong political support for the UK. The UK is not alone. All allies stand in solidarity with the UK. After being briefed by Britains National Security Adviser, Sir Mark Sedwill, in Brussels, he added: We have no reason to doubt the findings and assessments made by the British government. The UK and Poland are launching action to step up the battle against Russian disinformation. They will also work with nations on Russias borders, including Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine to defend their institutions. In Uxbridge, Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson signed a memorandum of understanding with his Polish counterpart Jacek Czaputowicz. Experts will tackle online trolls, bots and fake news coming out of Russia. Critical: Sergei and Yulia Skripal are fighting for life in hospital / PA Mr Johnson said: What weve seen over the last few days is an abundance of support from our friends across the continent and beyond. Support which shows the world is losing its patience with Russias flagrant disregard for the international order on which we all rely. Britain will spend 100 million over five years to target Russian disinformation, including by boosting support for independent Russian language media, particularly in Eastern Europe. Last night Britain, the US, Germany and France issued a joint call to Russia to explain the Salisbury attack. US president Donald Trump said it looked as though the Russians were behind the attempt to kill Mr Skripal, 66, who was convicted of spying for MI6 in 2006, and his daughter Yulia, 33. An 83-year-old whistleblower who revealed the existence of the Novichok nerve agent in the Nineties said the Skripals have little chance of surviving the use of the weapon. Vil Mirzayanov, who now lives in New Jersey, said a few countries in the world have laboratories powerful enough to develop the toxin. Putin smirks as he's asked about the poisoning of Sergei Skripal Senior political figures in Britain were also taken back by Mr Williamsons go away and shut up comment. Sir Malcolm Rifkind, who served as both foreign secretary and defence secretary, said: It was not very diplomatic language but he is the defence secretary, not the foreign secretary. He mixes with the military who sometimes use stronger language than diplomats. However, the Tory grandee was far more appalled by the social media mockery and sarcasm coming from the Russian embassy in London to the incident. He added: If the Russian ambassador authorised that behaviour in tweets from his own embassy, he should be ashamed and himself start packing his own bags. Former Lib Dem leader Lord Ashdown, who served as high representative in Bosnia, criticised Mr Williamsons schoolboy comments. M oscow has launched a scathing assault on Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson accusing him of talking like a market wench and suffering intellectual impotency as part of Britain's tit-for-tat war with Russia. The attack highlights the depth of the breakdown in relations between Moscow and London over the Salisbury nerve agent scandal as the Kremlin prepares its expulsion of British diplomats. Russian defence ministry spokesman Major-General Igor Konashenkov hit back as part of a concerted Moscow attack on Williamson who had said Russia should go away and shut up. He was branded a disgrace to Britain and acting as if he was still going through puberty. Gavin Williamson told Russia to "go away and shut up" The market wench talk that British defence secretary Gavin Williamson resorted to reflects his extreme intellectual impotency, said Konashenkov. It proves the deficiency of Londons accusations thrown at Russia in the past but also the inadequacy of the accusers. Russia had "long become immune to London accusing us of all sins," he said. As for the boorish remarks by the British defence secretary on Russia, they seem to be the only thing that Her Majestys armed forces have in ample supply. Russian Spy Sergei Skripal: Salisbury Nerve Agent Incident 1 /14 Russian Spy Sergei Skripal: Salisbury Nerve Agent Incident Investigators in protective gear pursue the probe into the nerve agent attack on Sergei Skripal Getty Russian spy 'poisoning': Sergei Skripal and Yulia Skripal are fighting for life in hospital PA Personnel in hazmat suits work to secure a tent covering a bench in the Maltings shopping centre in Salisbury, where former Russian double agent Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia were found critically ill by exposure to a nerve agent Andrew Matthews/PA ilitary personnel are deployed to help remove vehicles from the scene after former Russian double agent Sergei Skripal and his daughter were found critically ill after exposure to a nerve agent in Salisbury Getty Images Military in protective clothing remove vehicles from a car park in Salisbury EPA Police cordon: Military personnel in Salisbury PA Traces of the nerve agent used to poison Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia were found at Zizzi in Salisbury PA Amber Rudd: she visited the scene where Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia were found after having been poisoned by a nerve agent REUTERS Personnel are helped from their hazmat suits (right), after securing a tent covering a bench in the Maltings shopping centre in Salisbury, where former Russian double agent Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia were found critically ill by exposure to a nerve agent Andrew Matthews/PA Personnel in hazmat suits walk away after securing a tent covering a bench in the Maltings shopping centre in Salisbury, where former Russian double agent Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia were found critically ill by exposure to a nerve agent Andrew Matthews/PA Police put a red bag inside a police evidence bag immediately after the nerve agent attack on a Russian spy. Officers previously issued CCTV of a woman clutching a red bag Solent news Snap Fitness 24/7 Police activity in the cul-de-sac in Salisbury that contains the home of former Russian double agent Sergei Skripal who was poisoned along with daughter Yulia with a nerve agent PA Sergei Skripal shops at Bargain Stop in a CCTV image from five days before his apparent poisoning Britain long ago turned into a comfortable nest not only for defectors from the whole world - but also for numerous offices in charge of making fake sensations. Meanwhile, Vladimir Putin ally Konstantin Kosachyov, chairman of the upper houses International Relations committee, claimed a hostile Britain was preparing for war against Russia. Britain is making wholesale accusations against Russia" before the inquiry into the Skripal poisoning is complete and without proof. Russian spy 'poisoning': Sergei and Yulia Skripal are fighting for life in hospital / PA Massive aggression has been organised against Russia with the use of tools of informational, political and economic force, he complained. And with the preparation of public opinion for the possibility of the use of military force. He stormed: Nobody is keen to submit any facts, samples and other evidence to Russia. Once again, a traditional scheme is used: we have made all decision here with us, we wont give any evidence, and Russia must prove it is not guilty. He claimed that the catastrophe of the Soviet breakup had led to some arsenals of mass destruction weapons going missing. Forensics search The Mill pub in Salisbury in Britain today after ex-spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter were attacked with a nerve agent in the city / EPA Nowadays they can float in unexpected places, he said. This is very awkward for the West which wanted rid of the USSR since it already decided that Russia was the one to blame. Russian senator Franz Klintsevich accused Williamson of being non-professional and a disgrace to Britain. Theresa May visited Salisbury on Thursday / PA The expressions chosen by Gavin Williamson are unprecedented for a minister of a major country, he said. It is a proof of his total non-professionalism. It is a disgrace for Great Britain. It is impossible to imagine that something like this would have been said in public of the Russian defence minister. Williamson cant get rid of old habits acquired in puberty when he partied with his young mates and sorted things out with them with the help of abusive words. Former head of the GRU military espionage agency Fyodor Ladygin was not guilty of using a nerve agent on ex-spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia. Russian intelligence has never, I repeat, never resorted to such heinous nonsense, as the UK tries to attribute to it, he said. Skripal was pardoned and was of no interest to the authorities. "For us the fate of traitors is indifferent. For an intelligence officer, traitors die immediately - they absolutely stop existing in the memory, they are washed out of it, he said. Theresa May wants a short victorious war to unite a Britain divided over Brexit and an unstable Tory party, claimed Elena Ananyeva, Head of the Centre for British Studies at the Russian Academy of Sciences Institute of Europe. The poisoning scandal is being used to blacken Russia and unite Britons, she said. May needs a "short victorious war and a threat posed to the country from a monster., she said. The entire nation should be united in a single effort and there should be a monolithic unity of the Conservative Party and people. Williamson said: It is absolutely atrocious and outrageous what Russia did in Salisbury We have responded to that. Frankly Russia should go away and should shut up. P rime Minister Theresa May has been caught on camera fist bumping a member of the public as she visited Salisbury. She was there to meet members of the public and emergency services following the poisoning of ex-Russian spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia on 6 March. The moment the bizarre greeting took place was caught on camera and in pictures. She can be seen walking around the town before approaching a group of people. She is carrying a bunch of flowers in one hand as she approaches one woman who goes to fist bump her. Ms May goes ahead with the fist bump and talks to the woman and the crowd around her. She was in the town to greet locals and emergency services / Toby Melville/WPA Pool/Getty Images During her visit to the town, the PM said: There has been, as I understand it, a fall in the number of people visiting Salisbury, but the important message Ive had today is that Salisbury is open, its a great city to visit and we want to see people coming here and continuing to enjoy the beauty and the history of this wonderful city. Earlier today, a joint statement was released by the leaders of Britain, France, Germany and the US. The statement blamed Russia for the nerve agent attack adding that it was a clear violation of international law. Up to 500 people in Salisbury were told to wash their possessions as a precaution after the suspected poisoning of the former Russian spy and his daughter. Graffitti art by the 'guerilla' artist Banksy is seen on May 16, 2006 in Chalk Farm, London. The striking large scale spray-painted image entitled 'Sweeping It Under The Carpet' depicts a maid who cleaned the artist's room in a motel in Los Angeles. The piece commissioned by 'The Independent' newspaper edited on Tuesday by U2's frontman Bono, is intended to represent a metaphor for the west's reluctance to tackle issues such as Aids in Africa Getty Images T ens of thousands of protestors have taken to the streets of Rio de Janeiro following the death of a politician that had challenged police brutality. Rallies were also held in cities across Brazil as people mourned the death of the Marielle Franco. The 38-year-old was shot dead along with her driver on Wednesday. Her press officer was in the back seat of the car at the time and was injured during the attack. Dramatic pictures show the sheer size of the crowds as her coffin entered the state assembly building. People can be seen in tears upon seeing her coffin. The councilwoman and her driver were killed on Wednesday (AFP) It's thought that nine shots were fired into the vehicle by two men. Ms Franco was known for her work in the favelas and for her work on speaking out against police violence. Images from the rally in Rio show the streets flooded with protestors. Thousands of protestors gathered outside the city council chamber / AFP The crowd gathered outside Rio de Janeiro's council chamber and according to reports, could be heard chanting "not one step backwards". Marielle Franco was killed on Wednesday / EPA A police official told AP that the 38-year-old appeared to be targeted by perpetrators who knew exactly where she would be sitting in a car with tinted windows. Amnesty International have called on the Brazillian State to guarantee 'an immediate and rigorous investigation' for the assassination of the councilwoman. Protestors took to the streets of Rio de Janeiro on Thursday (AFP) Mariella was born and raised in the Complexo de Mare complex and was elected to the city council in the Party for Socialism and Liberation. She had spoken out against police killings. According to the Guardian, 154 people were killed in Rio state as a result of police action in January this year. T his shocking footage shows the moment a pedestrian bridge collapsed in Florida, leaving six people dead and others fighting for life. The surveillance footage, posted online, shows the harrowing moment the bridge gives way onto cars below from a CCTV camera trained on a motorway junction at the scene in Miami. The footage emerged as rescuers called off their efforts to find survivors, saying all dead and wounded had been accounted for. Claims emerged today that engineers were carrying out work to tighten wires supporting the bridge when the whole thing came crashing to the ground onto cars below. The moment of the bridge's collapse was captured on CCTV US Senator for Florida Marco Rubio said: "The cables that suspend the Miami bridge had loosened & the engineering firm ordered that they be tightened. They were being tightened when it collapsed today." This shocking image shows the seconds after the bridge collapsed in Miami / Twitter Witnesses have described frantic efforts by rescuers who were desperately trying to drill people free from rubble after the pedestrian bridge collapsed onto a motorway in Miami, killing at least four people. The bridge crushed several cars and killed at least four people / EPA The newly-erected bridge spanning several lanes of traffic collapsed at Florida International University on Thursday flattening cars under slabs of concrete and twisted metal. Four bodies have been pulled from the wreckage and at least 10 more people have been rushed to hospital. At least four dead in Florida bridge collapse Two of those taken to hospital are believed to be in a critical condition. As passers-by described the horror of hearing terrifying screams from crushed cars, authorities in Florida vowed to hold those responsible accountable. Rescue: other drivers dragged people from their crushed cars / EPA "If anybody has done anything wrong, we will hold them accountable," said Florida Governor Rick Scott, after his office issued statement saying a company contracted to inspect the bridge was not pre-qualified by the state. Emergency teams with sniffer dogs this morning called off their search for any further survivors, according to the Miami Herald. Devastation: The collapsed pedestrian bridge at Florida International University / AP The 174-feet bridge was installed on Saturday to connect the university with the city of Sweetwater. It was intended to provide a walkway over the busy road where an 18-year-old student was killed while trying to cross last August, according to local media reports. Witnesses told local media the vehicles were stopped at a traffic light when the bridge collapsed on top of them at around 1:30 pm (5.30pm GMT). Rescue efforts: Miami-Dade Fire Rescue Department workers at the scene of the tragedy / Getty Images Student Aura Martinez was having lunch in a nearby restaurant with her mother when a waitress told her the bridge had collapsed. She ran outside and helped pull a woman out of her car, most of which was flattened by the bridge. "Her car, it was literally a miracle of God, her car got squished by the bridge from the back, so she was able to get out and she was on the floor and it was just very traumatic," she told the local CBS affiliate. Collapse: The bridge had been installed on Saturday over the busy road / REUTERS Another witness Tiona Page told ABC News that the screams for help coming from cars were "terrifying." "As soon as I looked outside, I saw dust flying everywhere," she said. "I knew the bridge had collapsed." Bystanders rushed in to help those trapped, but struggled to dig through the rubble. Suzy Bermudez said she had been sitting in traffic when she saw the bridge collapse from the left and then toward the middle. She leapt from her car and said that they were able to drag one woman out of her vehicle, that had been smashed on the rear. FIU student Aleia Stillwell was in her car when the bridge came down in front of her and said it sounded like thunder. Rescue services are still working to create holes in the wreckage to be able to see if anyone is trapped, Miami-Dade Fire Department Division Chief Paul Estopian told reporters. At one point, police requested television helicopters leave the area so rescuers could hear for any sounds of people crying for help from beneath the collapsed structure, CBS Miami television said. Complicating the rescue effort was the uncertainty about the integrity of the bridge, parts of which remained off the ground, much of it inclined, local media reported. Students at FIU are currently on their spring break vacation, which runs from March 12 to March 17. To keep the inevitable disruption of traffic associated with bridge construction to a minimum, the 174-foot portion of the bridge was built adjacent to Southwest 8th Street using a method called Accelerated Bridge Construction (ABC). It was driven into its perpendicular position across the road by a rig in only six hours on Saturday, according to a statement released by the university. The $14.2 million bridge was designed to withstand a Category 5 hurricane, the most dangerous measure by the National Hurricane Center, and built to last 100 years, the university said. Aftermath: A rescue dog works at the scene where the pedestrian bridge collapsed / Getty Images The National Transportation Safety Board was sending a team to investigate why it collapsed. President Donald Trump thanked first responders for their courage on Twitter. Along with Governor Scott, U.S. Senator Marco Rubio went to the scene of the collapse. The bridge crushed several cars and killed at least four people / EPA Munilla Construction Management, which installed the bridge was founded in 1983 and owned by five brothers, according to its website. "Munilla Construction Management is a family business and we are all devastated and doing everything we can to assist," the company said in a statement. FIGG Engineering said it took part in the bridge project and the collapse was a first in its 40-year history. R ussian ambassador to the UK Alexander Yakovenko has sensationally claimed that there is no proof former spy Sergei Skripal is critically ill. Mr Yakovenko said the government's response to the poisoning of Mr Skripal in Salisbury earlier this month was "gross provocation" against Russia. The ambassador said the British investigation was "untransparent and secret", and that there was "no proof" that Mr Skripal was gravely ill. Mr Skripal, 66, and his daughter Yulia, 33, are currently in critical condition in hospital after being poisoned with a Russian nerve agent. Detective Sergeant Nick Bailey who responded to the attack was also left critically ill, but it was announced on Friday evening that he has regained consciousness. Mr Yakovenko told Channel 4 News: "Just the statements of the government is not enough for us." Theresa May said that it is "highly likely" that Russia is responsible for the poisoning and expelled 23 Russian diplomats from the UK embassy in response to the attack on Thursday. Mr Yakovenko said he did not know how long it would take Russia to retaliate. Double agent: Sergei Skripal was found unconscious in Salisbury, where he has been living a quiet retirement Asked if the Prime Minister was a liar, he replied: "Definitely we would like to see the statements of the Prime Minister supported by facts." The UK response has "serious consequences" for relations between the two nations, he added. Theresa May announces a series of anti-Russia measures in the Commons Sergey Lavrov, the foreign minister for Moscow said Russia will expel British diplomats in retaliation for Mrs Mays move on Wednesday. Russia has denied any involvement in the poisoning and said expulsion of its diplomats from the UK embassy was "unacceptable, unjustified and short-sighted". The US, France and Italy have came out in support of Mrs Mays response to the poisoning. On Friday leaders of Britain, the US, Germany and France issued a joint statement blaming Russia for the attack. The four allies urged Moscow to provide "full and complete disclosure" of its Novichok nerve agent programme to the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons. The foreign secretary Boris Johnson took the Prime Ministers words one step further on Friday by saying that it was overwhelmingly likely that Vladimir Putin ordered the attack. Boris Johnson stated Vladimir Putin was directly responsible for ordering the nerve agent attack on Sergei Skripal Labour Leader Jeremy Corbyn came under fire from his own MPs, after he failed to condemn Russia over the poisoning of former Russian spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia. However he appeared to backtrack on his words on Thursday when he said "the evidence points towards Russia." Nerve agent attack: Jeremy Corbyn responds to Britain's Prime Minister Teresa May's address to the House of Commons / REUTERS On Friday evening NHS England announced that Detective Sergeant Nick Bailey, who was also part of the initial response to the incident, was no longer in critical condition. Mr Skripal, the ex-Russian spy who was the target of the attack, and his daughter Yulia remain in a critical but stable condition after being exposed to a nerve agent. All three patients are being treated in intensive care at Salisbury District Hospital. Lorna Wilkinson, director of nursing at Salisbury NHS Foundation Trust, said: "Today's news about the improvement in Sargent Bailey's health is very welcome. "I want to take this opportunity to thank all our staff who've been working tirelessly to give outstanding care to him, as they do with all our patients. D amp and mould are a growing problem in UK homes and if left untreated can cause health problems. Weather, heating systems and even breathing contributing to damp creeping up our walls and even ceilings. Research from UK property specialists Peter Cox revealed that nearly three quarters (71 per cent) of property surveyors have noticed an increase in damp issues over the last year. However only a third (31 per cent) of Brits know how to address a damp-related problem, leaving them potentially exposed to other issues. What is a dehumidifier? A dehumidifier is an electrical item which sucks up moisture from the air and helps to prevent damp forming on the walls or ceilings of your home. It can also reduce the smell of mould or mildew. Normally they can hold up to 20L of water at a time in slide out buckets or trays, which can then be thrown away. Do I need a dehumidifier? If you can see damp or dark patches on any of your walls or ceilings then you probably have the beginnings of mould. While we all do it, drying clothes in your house regularly creates moisture in the air and in the long term will make damp and mould worse. Weve tried and tested a whole array to find you the best. Auzkin portable Electric dehumidifier We love how portable this dehumidifier is, meaning you could move it from room to room without much fuss. The size and design are also a plus. The models rounded edges and perspex water tank give it an edgy look, while also being practical. The water tank is removable so its easy to empty the water when full. The dehumidifier, with its Peltier technology, can remove up to 450ml of humidity in the air per day, which could be causing damp and mould spores. The low sound means you can run it all day and night without any loud or disturbing noises. Another plus was the LED indicator which changes colour when it turns on. Theres also the option to lock in the colour you like. It also just happens to be one of the cheapest on the list but gets our vote for size and practicability. Auzkin DeLonghi DEX216F Dehumidifier This mid-sized dehumidifier is perfect for a large bedroom or living room. It holds an impressive up to 16 litres of water per day and handily comes with a 2.1L removable water tank so youre not constantly emptying it while youre trying to keep damp or mould at bay. The slimline, attractive-looking dehumidifier would blend into your living space, while the handle also makes it practical for moving around the house. The model is also perfect for drying your washing more economically too as it draws moisture and allergens away from your clothes. De'Longhi Russell Hobbs Fresh Air Mini Compact Grey Dehumidifier The smallest and cutest humidifier we tried out, the Russell Hobbs Fresh Air Mini is great if you are short on space but still want to help prevent the build-up of moisture. The compact 600ml size is suitable for spaces up to 15m, so you can pop it on your desk or mantel piece without it looking out of place. We loved the one touch button function. But at 22cm high and 14cm wide and with a tiny tank size of just 600ml it will only hold around a bottles worth of water in one go. However, the model does have an auto cut-off function when the tank is full, meaning you dont have to worry about it overflowing. The motor is extremely quiet - we barely remembered it was there. However, if your extraction needs are higher than this mini humidifier may not be worth the investment. Russell Hobbs The MeacoDry 20L ABC One of the largest dehumidifiers on the list, this model will eliminate moisture as well as reduce damp and condensation in a large house. The low noise levels have also won the dehumidifier a Quiet Mark accreditation with the ABC 20L found to be of the quietest products in its category. The 4.8 litre tank requires you to empty it far less, and it runs at a low cost less than 4p per hour to run. The model also comes with a sleep mode, child lock and laundry setting while it also has castors so you can move it around easily. A worthy investment for a large house, which may be experiencing damp. MeacoDry Pro Breeze 12 Litre Dehumidifier This is another mid-size dehumidifier which is good for larger spaces and has a water tank size of 1.8L. It also comes complete with an attachable drainage hose for plumbing purposes. The models three dehumidification modes, auto, continuous and sleep, are really practical. It has also been awarded a Quietmark accreditation, meaning it wont interrupt your busy work day or sleep. The model has capacity to remove 12 litres of moisture per day from a home which is ideal for anyone that has persistent humidity issues. The Digital LED screen is also a plus displaying current room humidity level, and the sensor allows you to set the room humidity levels to how you like them. A worthy investment for a mid-sized house or flat. Pro Breeze MeacoDry ABC 12L Dehumidifier If Meacos model above was too large for your compact home, this smaller version is ideal for flats or smaller rooms while still extracting up to 12L per day an is ideal for damp and condensation. The dehumidifier has a very handy laundry mode which helps to dispel any humidity when drying clothes inside. On this setting, it will run at full speed for six hours then automatically switch off to save energy. It also has low energy costs at 2.45p/hour based on 15.2p/kWh. Easy to use and set up, this is ideal for a small family or couple, and the price is very reasonable too. MeacoDry Bionaire BDH001 Dehumidifier Style-wise, this dehumidifier has hit the nail on the head with its frosted water tank and funky grey griddled top. Suitable for bedrooms or offices, which are up to 30 square metres, its design means it wont look out of place in your house. The mid-sized model can hold up to 12L of water, and it has a helpful light that indicates when its ready to be emptied. It is also very quiet and doesnt vibrate when working like some models. There are three settings and so you can change it up whether you are eradicating damp, drying clothes or tackling mould. Its one of the more expensive models on the list but the extensive quantity of five-star reviews say it all. Bionaire Verdict G igi Hadid has stepped out for the first time since her split with Zayn Malik and her phone case has an important message. The A-List couple announced their break up earlier this week, with them both sharing emotional messages on social media. But while Malik has continued to up his online presence, the model has kept a low profile and off platform. Returning to her apartment in New York on Thursday, Hadid was spotted holding her phone in a case emblazoned with: Social media seriously harms your mental health. The pair called time on their relationship earlier this month, having been together two years, with Hadid insisting she will continue to support him as a friend. Posting on Twitter, she wrote: Breakup statements often seem impersonal because there is really no way to put into words what two people experience together over a few years.. not only in the relationship, but in life in general. Im forever grateful for the love, time, and life lessons that Z and I shared. She continued: I want nothing but the best for him and will continue to support him as a friend that I have immense respect and love for. Zayn Malik and Gigi Hadid - In pictures 1 /21 Zayn Malik and Gigi Hadid - In pictures Zayn Malik and Gigi Hadid attend the Givenchy show as part of the Paris Fashion Week Womenswear Spring/Summer 2017 Getty Images Gigi Hadid and Zayn Malik spotted out and about in New York City Splash News Gigi Hadid and Zayn Malik hold hands as the young couple are seen out and about in New Yor Splash News Gigi Hadid and Zayn Malik attend the 'Manus x Machina: Fashion In An Age Of Technology' Costume Institute Gala at Metropolitan Museum of Art in 2016 Getty Images Gigi Hadid and singer Zayn Malik who feature in in Vogue Vogue Gigi Hadid and singer Zayn Malik who feature in in Vogue Vinoodh/Vogue/PA Zayn Malik and Gigi Hadid attend the Givenchy show as part of the Paris Fashion Week Womenswear Spring/Summer 2017 Getty Images Gigi Hadid and Zayn Malik attend the 'Manus x Machina: Fashion In An Age Of Technology' Costume Institute Gala at Metropolitan Museum of Art in 2016 Getty Images Gigi Hadid and Zayn Malik are a striking pair as they step out for his 25th birthday party that was a "Men in Black" theme in NYC Splash News Zayn Malik and Gigi Hadid attend the Givenchy show as part of the Paris Fashion Week Womenswear Spring/Summer 2017 Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Taylor Swift, Gigi Hadid and Zayn Malik in 2016 Rex Features Zayn Malik and Gigi Hadid arrive to Gigi Hadid's New York apartment in 2016 James Devaney/GC Images Gigi Hadid and Zayn Malik out and about in London for London Fashion Week in 2016 Rex Features Gigi Hadid and Zayn Malik out and about in London for London Fashion Week in 2016 Neil Mockford/GC Images Gigi Hadid and Zayn Malik hold hands as they head to the airport, NYC Splash News Zayn Malik and Gigi Hadid were spotted out in Soho Splash News Zayn Malik and Gigi Hadid arriving back at their apartment after having dinner out in New York Splash News Zayn Malik and Gigi Hadid head to the airport in NYC. Splash News Gigi Hadid is seen stepping out with Zayn Malik in New York Splash News Gigi Hadid and Zayn Malik attend the 'Manus x Machina: Fashion In An Age Of Technology' Costume Institute Gala at Metropolitan Museum of Art in 2016 Getty Images As for the future, whatevers meant to be will always be. xG. Her statement came as Malik unfollowed her and her mother Yolanda on Instagram, just after posting his own confirmation of the news after it was rumoured in the press. The couple started dating in late 2015 before going public with their romance on Instagram. They starred together in Maliks music video for Pillowtalk and posed for a Vogue shoot before making their red carpet debut at the 2016 Met Gala. A Michael McIntyre fan was rushed to hospital after she started suffering from severe chest pains at one of his shows. Student Jessica Owen, 19, had to undergo an ECG in A&E after attending the opening weekend of McIntyres Big World Tour in her hometown of Plymouth. Recalling the terrifying experience she said: My chest started to really hurt with sharp pains and my arm went numb. It was pretty scary. We decided to leave ASAP and get it checked out. But doctors diagnosed Miss Owen with a case of laughing too hard. She said: We went to our local A&E at the Derriford Hospital. I had an ECG and was told my chest was inflamed from laughing too much. The doctor asked where I had been and he said Its obvious what youve done ... youve laughed too hard!. Miss Owen has now made a full recovery. She contacted McIntyre on Facebook to tell him what happened and was offered tickets to see the show at a venue of her choice later on in the year. McIntyre is currently touring the UK and Ireland after a brief stint in the US. Helping children learn healthy ways to express affection is important, but Lindsey cautions that parents shouldn't take it too far. "Romantic and sexual behavior in children is just not the same as in adults. It's largely due to curiosity and wanting to try things out that they've seen." According to Lindsey, children should be able to recognize and react to verbal and nonverbal cues about affection by age 5 or 6, and parents should be concerned if the behavior persists beyond that age. As my daughter has gotten older, she has become more open to affection and better able to vocalize her feelings. At 4 1/2, she's quick to speak up when she doesn't want her friend holding her hand or when she'd like her 2-year-old brother to stop hugging her. I've tried to advocate for her, offering words to help her express her feelings and stepping in when necessary. I want her to know it's okay for her to say no now, so she feels empowered to say no as she gets older and the stakes are higher. I also feel challenged with my son, who at 2 is very loving, but doesn't understand that we can't fix everything with a hug and a kiss, especially when the problem is that hug or kiss. Martinelli articulated that challenge well, saying that as the mother of two boys, she feels a lot of pressure to raise them to be decent men. To that end, she remembers "consent is something that needs to be reinforced time and again, even from a young age." By reminding children to ask first, stepping in when they forget, encouraging them to speak up when they're uncomfortable and having potentially awkward conversations with other parents on their behalf, parents can teach kids that consent matters, even when affection comes from a place of love. Westlake is a freelance writer based in Rockville, Md. Find her on Twitter @Shana Westlake. B enedict Cumberbatchs new drama will be available to stream on Sunday 13 May, airing at 9pm on the same day. The Sky Original Production will actually first broadcast at 2am that morning, simulcasting with Showtime over in the US, who own the rights to the joint-venture drama. Patrick Melrose will then be available to download on Sky and NOW TV is neither a 2am start nor a 9pm showing suit. The five-part drama stars Sherlock star Cumberbatch as the lead in five different Patrick Melrose novels and follows his journey from childhood to substance abuse. Starring role: Benedict Cumberbatch is the lead role in the new drama / SKY/SHOWTIME Alongside Cumberbatch, the cast also includes Jessica Raine, Holliday Grainger, Hugo Weaving and Celia Imrie among its line-up. Each episode has been penned by BAFTA nominee David Nicholls and directed by Edward Berger, who was behind Deutschland 83. The series will trek through the 1960s South of France, New York in the 80s and land in Britain in the early 2000s. The drama is one of a few Sky Originals to hit screens this year with Suranne Jones Save Me currently available to download, withy Wednesday at 9pm broadcasts on Sky Atlantic. The six-parter focuses on Nelly Rowe, a man who has his world turned upside down when his fling Claire McGory accuses him of kidnapping his 13-year-old daughter, Jody, whom he never knew about. 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 The truth is that these factors taken together make it look as though the Republican Party is facing a 12-alarm fire. To be clear, this is what a losing cycle looks like. And this is what a wake-up call sounds like. Everyone seems to see it and hear it except for President Donald Trump. But Trump is the only person who can move the needle for Republicans right now. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., and House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis., have limits on the reach of their megaphones. They will do what they can to rally voters behind the Republican agenda, but only the bully pulpit of the presidency will make a real difference. Trump must realize moving forward that what he says and what he does need to have broader appeal than to just those who turn out for his rallies. That doesn't mean he should voice panic or admit his blunders, but it does mean he should be more thoughtful and measured in what he says and does. What's new? Similarly, Republicans (besides me) shouldn't be hand-wringing in public. It isn't time for rending garments and putting on ashes and sackcloth just yet. With that said, if Trump learns anything from Tuesday's special election, it is that presenting a modicum of self-awareness and perhaps a more reassuring, more serious tone from the White House could have a calming effect on Republican voters. Prime Minister Netanyahu received a truly warm welcome this week in the White House, with AIPAC subsequently gushing over him, the Washington Post reports. President Trump, who seems to have established a strong personal bond with Bibi, apparently would like history to judge him as the accelerant, slashing away at all the red line binders (the issue of Jerusalem being one, in his view), that have been Gulliverising the path towards the normalisation of Israel in the Middle East. The handing over of Jerusalem to Israel, was presented by Mr Trump as one slap of reality that should catalyse the parties into action; the Trumpian framing of a solution in which a Palestinian state is but one possible option (were Israel to be so disposed), was yet another slap; and the warning to the Palestinians that if they did not play, there would be no pay, may be counted as a third. And if this dose of realism delivered to the Palestinians was not sufficient, Ben Caspit, the veteran Israeli columnist, tells us that Trump is mounting an operation to save Netanyahu (from his possibly imminent indictment for corruption): another slap. But this time to much wider audience Netanyahu is as disliked in European, as in Middle Eastern capitals: There are those among the Israeli opposition who call this "Operation Saving Bibi. It relies on the particularly close relationship between Netanyahu and Trump, as well as Trumps son-in-law Jared Kushner; vital aid provided by US Ambassador to Israel David Friedman; and the unprecedented influence that Israels ambassador in Washington, Ron Dermer, has on senior administration officials, among them Kushner The underlying principle of this strategy is to convince the Israeli public that the prime minister wields enormous influence over Trump, and that their special, close relationship has been advantageous to Israel in many ways, chief among them the decision to accelerate the embassys move to Jerusalem. What is it with Trump? Yes, there are, of course, pragmatic reasons why this President should make no bones about being one-sided in Israels favour (the Javenka family input, the important Evangelical constituency, and heeding of funders such as the arch-Zionist, Adelson), but the very fervour with which Trump pursues this issue suggests something more visceral and therefore something potentially more dangerous. An American magazine, the Federalist, recently published a piece by Frank Cannon entitled Trump Isnt A Conservative And Thats a Good Thing. He suggests rather, that: Instead of conservative, the President would be more accurately described as a radical anti-progressive. The difference? Conservatives are willing to attack progressives to a point but never to the detriment of the institutions they cherish and respect. Playing by these rules, conservatives are doomed to fail: As progressives, who do not share the same respect for institutions, capture and dominate every American institution, with the full intention of using, and abusing them. But, like the progressives, Trump doesnt play by these ridiculous rules designed to keep conservatives stuck in a perpetual state of losing Trump instead seeks to fight and delegitimize any institution the Left has captured, and rebuild it from the ground up. It should be stressed, though, that Trump is attacking the progressive capture of those institutions and the distortion of their true purposes [rather than our nations bedrock institutions themselves]. Is that it? The Palestinian cause has always (but often, falsely) been labelled as a progressive cause, and Zionists labelled as anti-Leftist. Furthermore, Trumps Alt-Right base sees itself as cultural re-sovereigntists like many Israelis even to the extent of the Alt-Right leader Richard Spencer describing himself as a 'white Zionist,' saying he wants a secure homeland for 'my people' like the Jews have in Israel. (This does not imply that the American Alt-Right is pro-Jewish, but rather, that the Alt Right detests the liberal, multicultural, multi-identity mantra). So, is Cannon right? Is anti-progressivism taking root: For decades, progressives have sought to capture Americas institutions; to marginalize conservatives, and shut down conservatives ideas. Prior to Trump, they were largely successful in doing that. Now they are facing an existential threat to the future of their movement a Republican president who is willing to get in the mud, break a few rules and do whatever it takes to win Progressives intuitively understand this, which is why they feel so compelled to resist. Cannon may have something here. Trump for sure has been tearing-up the Oslo rules. He is evidently willing to get into the mud of unqualified support for Bibi and MbS. And re-build policy from a bottom-up, unapologetically pro-Israeli positioning. And it is not hurting him at home. The more Muslims shout and threaten, the more it consolidates his bases vision of itself as preserving the white cultural America sphere from Islamic radicalism. Well, the silver lining, at least, is that Trumps slaps of reality have stripped the so-called peace process naked. The Emperor had been without clothes for many years, but now the nudity is obvious to all. The big question is, how far will Trump go with Netanyahus and MbS warmongering towards Iran, Lebanon and Syria. Where will Trumps acceleration of reality really lead? Well, firstly, it has accelerated the notion on the Israeli Right of carpe diem. Or, lets go for it whilst Trump and Kushner are in the White House, and their support is unparalleled. Polls show sentiment in Israel is flowing strongly towards Likud. Naftali Bennett, a champion of Israeli settlers, and a potential rival on Netanyahu's Right, for example, insists that neither the settlements nor control over large sections of the West Bank would be relinquished. Its never pleasant, Bennett said, according to one account, gesturing to how the West no longer challenges Israels occupation of the Golan Heights, [and] after two months it fades away, and 20 years later and 40 years later its still ours. Forever. In short, is it the Israeli Right who will define the next post-Oslo era? The Israeli press is full of stories of heroic Mossad assassination tales (with some fairly evident hints towards Secretary General, Seyyed Nassrallah). Threats against Lebanon emit daily from both Israel and MbS, as well as threats about any Iranian presence in Syria. The Right of the (Israeli) coalition must be tempted (they are already changing the facts on the ground in Jerusalem ensuring its indivisibility): They have the White House captured; they have Mohammad bin Salman, and Mohammad bin Zayed already normalising frantically with Israel and for Israel, the subjection of the Palestinians is seen as manageable and of no real threat. We have too, an Israeli Prime Minister whose bark has mostly been worse than his quite cautious bites; but who is now fighting for his political life: A desperate man, in other words. But havent we been here before? In late 2010, As Israeli investigative journalist Ronen Bergman describes, Defence Minister Ehud Barak and PM Netanyahu, had decided that the window for an attack on Irans nuclear sites was closing, and ordered the Israel Defense Forces and the intelligence arms to prepare for a huge operation: an all-out air attack in the heart of Iran. Some $2 billion was spent on preparations for the attack, and for what the Israelis believed would take place the day aftera counterattack either by Iranian warplanes and missiles, or by its proxy in Lebanon, Hezbollah. But the then head of Mossad, Meir Dagan, among other security chiefs, thought the plan was insane. [Dagan] saw it as a cynical move by two politicians who wanted to exploit the widespread public support that the attack would provide them in the next elections, not a level-headed decision based on national interest Ive known a lot of prime ministers, Dagan said, Not one of them was a saint, believe me, but they all had one thing in common: When they reached the point where the personal interest came up against the national interest, it was the national interest that always won. There was absolutely no question. Only about these two, I cannot say itBibi and Ehud. Whilst the Israeli political echelon on the Right are hugging themselves for having achieved internal quiescence in the Palestinian sphere (the Palestinian situation is managed, and not a threat according to this narrative), and are celebrating the peculiarity of the present moment of Trump in the White House there is now no Meir Dagan, that formidable, and experienced military officer, whom I knew and respected, to counsel caution. Ronen Bergman again: When in September 2010, Netanyahu illegally ordered preparations for an attack Dagan was stunned by the recklessness: The use of [military] violence would have intolerable consequences Even the mere act of putting the Israeli forces on attack alert could lead to an inexorable slide into war, Dagan argued, because the Syrians and the Iranians would see the mobilization and could take preemptive action. Dagans criticism of Netanyahu was trenchant and personal, but it also sprang from a profound change in attitude that Dagan underwent in his later years as director of the Mossad, a change that was of far greater importance than his ferocious fight with the prime minister over the Iranian nuclear project. Dagan, along with Sharon and most of their colleagues in Israels defense establishment and intelligence community, believed for many years that force could solve everything, that the right way to confront the Israeli-Arab dispute was by separating the Arab from his head. But this was a delusion, and a dangerously common one at that. Throughout their successive histories, the Mossad, AMAN and the Shin Betarguably the best intelligence community in the worldprovided Israels leaders with operational responses to every focused problem they were asked to solve. But the intelligence communitys very success fostered the illusion among most of the nations leaders that covert operations could be a strategic and not just a tactical toolthat they could be used in place of real diplomacy to end the geographic, ethnic, religious and national disputes in which Israel is mired. Because of the phenomenal successes of Israels covert operations, at this stage in its history the majority of its leaders have elevated and sanctified the tactical method of combating terror and existential threats at the expense of the true vision, statesmanship and genuine desire to reach a political solution that is necessary for peace to be attained. Toward the end of his life, Dagan, like Sharon, understood this. He came to the conclusion that only a political solution with the Palestiniansthe two-state solutioncould end the 150-year conflict, and that the result of Netanyahus policies would be a binational state with parity between Arabs and Jews and a concomitant danger of constant repression and internal strife, replacing the Zionist dream of a democratic Jewish state with a large Jewish majority. He was anxious that the calls for an economic and cultural boycott of Israel because of the occupation would become bitter reality, just like the boycott that was imposed against South Africa, and even more anxious about the internal division in Israel and the threat to democracy and civil rights. At a rally in central Tel Aviv before the March 2015 elections, calling for Netanyahu to be voted out, he addressed the prime minister: How can you be responsible for our fate if you are so frightened of taking responsibility? There were times when the words of the generals were taken as sacred by most Israelis. But their campaigns against Netanyahu have thus far failed to topple him, and some say they have even bolstered him. Israel has undergone drastic changes in recent decades: The strength of the old elites, including the generals and their influence over the public agenda, has ebbed. New elitesJews from Arab lands, the Orthodox, the right wingare in ascendancy. I thought I would be able to make a difference, to persuade, Dagan told me sorrowfully in the last phone conversation we had, a few weeks before he died, in mid-March 2016. I was surprised and disappointed. I am sure that Dagan would have understood that the Middle East is changing fundamentally: power is migrating, as the US era there draws to its close and he would have mistrusted this retro, late-flowering, of American-style neo-liberalism in Saudi Arabia precisely at the moment when neo-liberalism is disavowed, across the region. If Dagan no wilting flower considered an attack on the northern tier reckless then, how much more would it be so now? Then, Russia was absent from the Middle East. Now, Russia controls much of its northern airspace. Then, Turkey was a US ally. Now, it is not. He would have seen too, that to open the door to Jerusalem to put it front and foremost ultimately is to make the external more existentially dangerous to Israel, than the internal, since such an in your face gesture, touches, angers and unites all Muslims and Christians, (except certain American Christian Evangelicals). Are all these tales of daring assassinations and of earlier threatened wars suddenly emerging from Israel pure coincidence? Or, or they an indirect warning to us that the situation in Israel is resembling that of 2010 except that there is no Dagan in Herzaliya, and there is in the White House a President who doesnt play by these ridiculous rules designed to keep conservatives stuck in a perpetual state of losing. [But] instead seeks to fight and delegitimize any [situation] the Left has captured [i.e. Oslo], and to rebuild it from the ground up. The US military has significantly reduced its operations at Turkeys Incirlik air base. Permanent cutbacks are under consideration as tensions between the two NATO allies continue to flare. Now that the warplanes are gone, only the refueling aircraft are left. There have been reports that the A-10 Warthogs have left for Afghanistan. The number of personnel and their family members has been decreased. US officials complain Turkey is obstructing its air operations. It should be noted that the voices calling for the eviction of the US military from Incirlik have been heard in that country before. Ankara sees the base as leverage it can use against Washington. With no operations based there, the US military would be in a tough spot. Perhaps it already is. The WSJ article about the US leaving Incirlik appeared right after the bilateral working groups met in Washington on March 8-9 to try to improve their declining relationship. Not much has been reported about the results of those talks, but if it were a success story, we would know by now. Washington was definitely at sea when Turkish forces launched an operation to take control of Afrin. It looks like it still is. Meanwhile, the disagreement about the policy on Syria appears to be intractable. Turkey still insists it should establish control over the Syrian town of Manbij, which has a large Kurdish population, making Washington choose between Ankara and the Kurds. The town is patrolled by the US military and if Turkish forces move in, that will result in a very real clash. In its remarks about the meetings between the working groups, the State Department made no mention of Manbij. They would be delighted to report on any progress that had been achieved, but no, they avoided the issue. Evidently that relationship is really teetering on the edge. Syria is not the only irritant in that partnership. On March 12, Vladimir Kozhin, Putins presidential aide for military cooperation, announced on television that Russia would start delivering S-400 Triumf air-defense systems to Turkey in early 2020. NATO has expressed concern over the deal because the S-400 is not compatible with NATO architecture. US officials have recently warned Ankara about possible consequences, including sanctions, if the purchase goes through. The rift between Turkey and NATO is truly deep. At least 19 members of the alliance worked to block Ankara from hosting the 2018 NATO Summit. They were successful. Last October, it was announced that the summit would take place in Brussels on July 11-12. Last year, the German military left Incirlik as those bilateral relations edged closer to the brink of conflict. The newly-formed German ruling coalition intends to freeze negotiations on Turkeys accession to the EU under the pretext of human-rights abuses. In 2017, President Erdogan said the governments of Germany and the Netherlands were Nazi remnants and fascists because they refused to allow pro-Erdogan rallies on their soil before the parliamentary elections in Turkey. Turkey even suspects NATO of harboring plans to attack it. Some Turkish analysts believe that the alliance has left Ankara on its own in its fight against terrorism. On March 11, the Turkish leader slammed the allies refusal to back his offensive in Afrin. Ankara is predictable. It pursues its own agenda, putting it at odds with its obligations to NATO. The country is currently actually semi-detached from that bloc. Now that Turkish forces have approached Afrin, the Kurdish soldiers of the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) alliance are leaving their positions in other locations in order to defend the town against the Turkish offensive. Some SDF operations have been halted. With the fighters gone, there will not be enough soldiers to hold the captured territory in the eastern part of the country. The whole US policy in Syria will be in ruins. America will also suffer defeat if it loses an important NATO ally such as Turkey. So Washington is in a bind. It will take a lot of ingenuity to fix this problem. Turkey has always been a bit of a black sheep. Its invasion of Cyprus in 1974 caused a rift in the alliance, prompting Greece pull its forces out of the blocs command structure until 1980. Today its shift away from NATO and the West in general is clear. A marriage of convenience is possible on some issues but Turkey is definitely not a real ally of the US, NATO, or the EU. It will find its own way while the West finds itself between a rock and a hard place. If the US continues its military activities in Syria, it will need the Kurds. But it risks losing Turkey. Abandoning the SDF in order to forestall a possible clash with Ankara would damage its credibility in the region. The SDF is already doing its own thing as its fighters move in to defend Afrin. They are taking no orders from American commanders. The US has no major actor to side with in Syria. It would be a good policy to coordinate its activities with Russia, which is on friendly terms with everyone, but Washington has flatly rejected such an approach. Today Americas maneuverability in Syria is very much constrained. It has no vested interest in that country. Losing Incirlik significantly weakens its military capabilities in the region. It could be an ominous sign warning that there may be graver consequences yet to face. The best thing the US could do is pull its military out of Syria. With the Islamic State defeated, its no longer Americas war. By staying it has nothing to gain, but risks losing a lot. My distinguished colleague at Strategic Culture Foundation, Federico Pieraccini, has recently argued that nuclear-armed powers decrease the likelihood of a nuclear apocalypse, and this is a response to that: Obviously, if there were no nuclear-armed powers, then the possibility of a nuclear apocalypse would be zero; so, that statement is disputable at the very least. However, in a carefully modified form, I agree with something not too far different from it; and here is that form: In the nuclear-weapons era, at least two nuclear super-powers are essential in order for there to be any realistic possibility of warding off a nuclear apocalypse, global annihilation. Here, the concept of nuclear super-power is absolutely core (merely nuclear-armed power is not): a nuclear super-power is a nation that possesses second-strike capability, the ability to retaliate so effectively against a nuclear attack from any other nuclear power so as to annihilate that attacking country, even though this responding power might be annihilated by the attacking one. As I have documented in prior articles (such as here), the United States, ever since at least 2006, has been virtually officially pursuing the goal of achieving Nuclear Primacy so as to be able to win a nuclear war and conquer Russia the prior military geostrategic system, called Mutually Assured Destruction or M.A.D., being ended on the American side. (Russias Vladimir Putin says that it had actually ended when US President George W. Bush made the as was brilliantly explained here "decision in 2001 to withdraw from the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty, and the bipartisan failure by both the Bush and Obama administrations to engage meaningfully with the Russians over their concerns about American missile defenses." However, I have argued that, in essence, the US regime had already made the decision for nuclear primacy and secretly imposed that decision upon its allied or vassal-regimes as being henceforth the US sides aim, back on 24 February 1990, and that decision was made by George Herbert Walker Bush but has continued ever since. Putin is politic; so, he needs to filter what he says through a political screen, in which he refers to the United States as being a partner, which I myself an American and no politician at all and not representing any country at all do not need to do. Whereas the US regime has been committed for a long time to achieving nuclear primacy (regardless whether its since 2006, or since 2001, or since 1990 the initial decision was actually made on 24 February 1990, and has merely been in its execution-phase on the American side from that time till now), Russia has been responding to that decision as best it has been able to. A crucial effort on the part of Russian President Boris Yeltsin in the 1990s to deal with it produced the so-called NATO Founding Act, but the US regime trashed that in 2016. President Putin recognized as soon as George W. Bush trashed the ABM Treaty, that unless Russia would somehow block the US from achieving nuclear primacy (if any side even is capable of achieving nuclear primacy now or in the future), then a surprise intended planned nuclear first-strike against and annihilating Russia would be the outcome (given the US regimes by-then clear record on the matter); so, he has carefully worked, ever since that time (2002), so as to not only block it, but, finally, on 1 March 2018, announced to the entire world, that Russia is now able, reasonably and with evidence, to say that Russia is securely in a position so that if the United States attempts a surprise nuclear attack against Russia, then the United States will also be annihilated. What is crucial here, during the nuclear-military age, is that there be at least two nuclear super-powers, not just one. As I have argued elsewhere under the heading The Three Global Superpowers: There are currently three global superpowers, three nations that lead the world: China, Russia, and US. However, this is true regardless of whether or not China is a nuclear super-power (I dont think it is), because China is clearly a leading economic power, and may come to lead above the United States in other fields as well. In economic matters, the trend-lines are watched with at least as much and close attention as are the absolute or current numbers, and China, in any case, is clearly one of the three global super-powers already, regardless of whether its a military super-power. What, then, will be the result if China comes to be a third nuclear super-power? The problem, if any, is not whether there will come to be a third nuclear super-power: the problem is whether there will, ever again, be a nuclear super-power that is attempting military conquest of the entire world. This was the point that Putin was making in his March 1st speech. The U.S. Army is rebuilding its stockpiles of ammunition and equipment. These stockpiles are also referred to as the War Reserve (large quantities of munitions and spares stockpiled to keep the troops supplied during the initial month or so of a war). Thus orders for 155mm artillery shells are up from 16,573 (for 2018) to 148,287 for 2019. As are orders for GPS guided 227mm rockets (GMLRS) and upgrades for the longer range 600mm ATACMS guided rocket. The army has been ordering many more of the PGK (Projectile Guidance Kit) 155mm fuze. The PGK fuze turns an unguided 155mm shell into a GPS guided one. These were found to be exceptionally useful in Syria and Iraq and in mid-2017 the U.S. Army ordered another 5,600 PGK fuzes and now wants to build a large stockpile. The army still uses unguided artillery shells for situations that dont require precise accuracy for each shell but the PGK provides options that can be implemented quickly to turn any dumb shell into a smart one. Orders for the latest version of Blue Force Tracker (that lets commander see where all their troops are in real time) are up from 16,552 in 2018 to 26,355 in 2019. This JBCP (Joint Battle Command Platform) gear began arriving in 2015 and is essential in large scale combat. The 2019 budget accelerates purchases of numerous items that have to be stockpiled to sustain a major war, even a short one. Although fighting in Iraq, Syria and Afghanistan has involved few American troops it has seen enough action, and use of artillery in support of Iraqi, Syrian and Afghan forces to deplete stockpiles and indicate which items would be needed in another major war. A decade ago there were warning that stockpiles and war reserves were being allowed to shrink to dangerously low levels. In early 2016 American military leaders went public about how their complaints about smart bomb and missile shortages are being ignored. In 2015 over 25,000 smart bombs and missiles were used by American (mostly) and allied (NATO and local Arabs) warplanes operating over Iraq and Syria. Nearly all weapons were supplied by American firms and American politicians and military leaders couldnt agree on how to get the money to replace bombs being taken from the war reserve stocks. This is not a new problem. It was a major and widespread problem in 2011 when NATO warplanes provided air support for Libyan rebels. In the aftermath of the 2011 campaign NATO countries noted the importance of smart bombs and guided missiles and the tendency of European nations to maintain meager stocks of these (and many other) munitions and spare parts for the aircraft that deliver them. NATO nations did not start acquiring smart bombs until after the Cold War ended, about the same time their procurement budgets were cut sharply. European defense spending continues to shrink, and war reserve stocks are still not a high priority. In Europe the attitude seemed to be that the Americans would be able to supply smart bombs in a crises. For a long time that was the case, but with the Americans now running down their own war reserves and deadlocked over what to do about that (which is currently not much) American allies are getting anxious. In 2011 the situation was made worse by the fact that the NATO air forces delivering most of the bombs in Libya had already used many of them in Afghanistan over the last few years. The now chastised NATO air forces are still trying to deal that the 2011 mess and now they find that their safety net (dependable emergency deliveries from American war reserves) is rapidly disappearing. All this was yet another reminder that cutting corners in maintaining war reserve stocks was false economy. But the smart bombs and missiles are expensive. About 30 percent of the cost of the NATO Libya operation was for these high-tech weapons, with the rest of the expense being operational costs (fuel, spare parts, and personnel expenses). But if you dont have the smart bombs to deliver there is no action, except for the imaginative stories conjured by my political and military leaders to shift the blame onto someone else. When the smart bomb stockpile shortage got some attention it became obvious that the new army guided, and unguided, artillery ammunition stockpiles needed attention as well and that modernization efforts, like JBCP. Army procurement for 2019 is up 18 percent over the previous year that is expected to go on for a few years like this. One of the things Israel and Egypt agree on is the danger to everyone created by the Islamic radical Hamas government in Gaza. Hamas has always called for the destruction of Israel but the more radical Hamas factions have always wanted to impose a religious dictatorship (similar to Hamas) on Egypt. Most Egyptians do not want this and remember that Hamas began as a Palestinian branch of the Egyptian Moslem Brotherhood (which has failed several times to impose religious rule on Egypt most recently in 2012.) Another problem with the Palestinians in general is that there can be no peace with Israel until there is some kind of real unity among the Palestinian factions. Egypt tried to broker such a reunification (of Palestinian governments in Gaza and the West Bank) and thought it had a deal in October 2017. But that deal is still waiting to be finalized and that means there is no peace among the Palestinians and radicals are free to make trouble with the neighbors. That has come to include Egypt with is running out of ideas on how to make peace with Hamas. Despite all the noise the Palestinians make Israel is concentrating on what it perceives is its greatest threat; war instigated and backed by Iran on two fronts. In the north there are over 100,000 rockets in Lebanon and Syria aimed at Israel. In the south there are over 50,000 rockets in Gaza, where Iran is once again a major backer of Hamas. Iran does not have sufficient ground forces available in Gaza (Hamas) and the north (Hezbollah and Iranian mercenaries in Syria) to invade Israel. The coming war involves Israel invading Lebanon, Syria and Gaza to stop the massive rocket attacks. Thus thousands of Israel ground troops are constantly taking short (usually a week or so) courses at special facilities that provide them realistic replicas of what they will face on the ground and instruction on how best to deal with it. There's some urgency to this training effort because Israel knows from recent experience (several wars with Hamas or Hezbollah since 2006) that the best preparation is detailed training based on the latest techniques the enemy is using and the latest tech and tactical ideas Israel has available. Meanwhile there is the mess in Syria. This is not of Israels making but Israel is left to deal with the side effects. Iran, Russia, Turkey, the United States and Israel are all present in Syria along with the Assad government and a considerable number of Syrian rebel groups who are still not united. Everyone has different goals and a different (often constantly shifting) set of allies. Keeping track of who is doing what to whom and why (and for how long) has become increasingly difficult. A current summary of allies, foes, frenemies and chimeras goes like this; Israel wants to keep Iran out of Syria and Lebanon and avoid a war with Iran. For this Israel has the support of the U.S., Russia and most Gulf Arab states. None of these supporters is willing to provide any military assistance, at least not until Iran actually attacks Israel. Russia wants to get Turkey out of NATO, to keep the Iranians from starting a war with Israel and make the Americans look bad. At the same time Russia needs to do this on the cheap and make Russia look good, especially to Russians back home. That is proving difficult as most Russians were not enthusiastic about the Syrian operation in the first place and popular support has been declining. Israel sees Russia as being of limited use because of the Russian strategy. Moreover Russia is not as militarily powerful as it pretends to be. Privately the Russians agree with Israel on that and appreciate any help the Israelis can provide in this area. Turkey wants to create a security zone on the Syrian side of the border that has no Kurds or Islamic terrorists in it. Turkey also wants to show the Sunni Moslem world that it can handle Iranian aggression (without going to war with Iran) and keep the Israelis out of Lebanon and Syria. Turkey is willing to play diplomatic games with Russia and Iran to achieve these goals as well as send troops into Syria to fight, and get killed. Turkey also likes to play (or pretend) tough with Israel. Turkish military experts know better but many Turkish politicians are clueless and that is very dangerous in this part of the world. The U.S. wants to ensure that ISIL (Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant) does not reestablish itself in Syria. To help with that the American are doing what they can to help the local Kurds maintain autonomy in northeast Syria (east of the Euphrates) where the Kurds have always been dominant. Secondary objectives are keeping Iran, Turley and Russia out of Syria. The U.S. and Israel are allies and any attack on Israel will trigger American intervention on the Israeli side. But short of that the Americans are quite blunt about stating that their troops are in Syria to deal with terrorists, not Iranian preparations for an attack on Israel. The Americans will not stop Kurds in the northeast from going to the aid of Kurds defending Afrin. The Turks asked the Americans to stop the Kurds and the U.S. refused. Friends In Strange Places In February former (2005-13) Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad went public with his criticisms of the election process in Iran and demanded that the presidential and parliamentary elections be free of interference by the senior clerics. Ahmadinejad also questioned the wisdom of current Iranian policies in general and agreed with what a growing number of Iranians are saying (and often shouting) openly; the most dangerous foe of Iran is corrupt and incompetent Iranians. While in power Ahmadinejad proclaimed that he would crack down on corruption and all the damage corruption was doing to the economy. He largely failed, mainly because some senior clerics and especially the IRGC (Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps), quietly but decisively opposed him on this. Faced with continuing corruption related problems Ahmadinejad simply repeated his belief that these misfortunes were all the work of Israel. That did not work in 2009 when Ahmadinejad was up for election to his second, and last, term as president. The widespread and blatant rigging of the vote caused nationwide protests. Since he left his job as president the IRGC and senior clerics have continued to harass Ahmadinejad for going public with corruption allegations (that were mostly true). Ahmadinejad also believes that the only way forward was to have a government that is supported by most Iranians and the current election process was moving farther and farther away from that. This, Ahmadinejad and many other Iranians believe, will do great damage to Iran. Free elections, even if it hurts many current Iranian leaders, is the only way to prevent even greater damage to the Shia clergy and Iranians in general. Ahmadinejad called for basic reforms in the Iranian government but did not provide specifics. He doesnt have to. The December 2017 protests had many Iranians calling for a return of the constitutional monarchy the religious leaders replaced in the 1980s (after first promising true democracy). Even more disturbing is that some of the protestors are calling for Islam to be replaced with something else, like Zoroastrianism, the ancient Persian religion that Islam replaced violently and somewhat incompletely in the 7th and 8th century. After decades of mandatory rallies where you had to shout Death to America and Death to Israel these same young Iranians were now shouting about who they believe is really the enemy rather than who they were ordered to pretend was the enemy. The government says it has things under control while admitting that the protestors do voice some (unspecified) legitimate grievances that must be attended to. Young Iranians have, like their Arab neighbors, noted the success of Israel (a former Iranian ally, before the current religious dictatorship took over in the 1980s) and are now demanding changes that involve less foreign troublemaking. The cost, in terms of money (billions) and Iranian lives (thousands) of operations in Lebanon, Syria, Yemen, Afghanistan, South America, Africa and elsewhere does most Iranians no good at all and makes the people on the receiving end hostile to Iran. The operation in Syria was seen as particularly wasteful and expensive, especially with Israel threatening to use whatever it takes (including their nukes) to prevent Iran from creating a military presence there. Iranian history is one of frequent rebellions and civil wars, but also frequent cooperation with Jews and increasingly expatriate Iranians see Israel as a potential, and traditional, ally and not another enemy Iran does not need. The current Iranian rulers were young men in the 1970s and 80s and many can sense a bit of deja vu here. Since the senior leaders are nearly all clergy, some have always been critical of the corruption and more of them are speaking out. Becoming A Happy Middle Eastern Country For Israelis the internal threat of Islamic terrorism and the external threat from Iran overshadows a third major threat; corruption. Israel has seen some growth in corruption but has done a better job of dealing with it than most. Accoding to international surveys of corruption Israel ranks 32nd out of 180 countries (28 out of 176 last year). Progress, or lack thereof, can be seen in the annual Transparency International Corruption Perception Index where countries are measured on a 1 (most corrupt) to 100 (not corrupt) scale. The most corrupt nations (usually Syria/14, South Sudan/12 and Somalia/9) have a rating of under 15 while of the least corrupt (New Zealand and Denmark) are over 85. The current Israeli score is 62 (64 in 2016) compared to 14 (13) for Syria, 18 (17) for Iraq, 40 (41) for Turkey, 49 (46) for Saudi Arabia, 28 (28) for Lebanon, 32 (32) for Pakistan, 28 (26) for Bangladesh, 33 (36) for the Maldives, 38 (36) for Sri Lanka, 40 (40) for India, 15 (15) for Afghanistan, 30 (28) for Burma, 29 (29) for Russia, 41 (40) for China, 17 (14) for Libya, 71 (66) for the UAE (United Arab Emirates), 75 (74) for the United States, 27 (28) for Nigeria, 43 (45) for South Africa, 73 (72) for Japan, 37 (37) for Indonesia and 54 (53) for South Korea. A lower corruption score is common with nations in economic trouble and problems dealing with Islamic terrorism and crime in general. Israels corruption score has not changed much since 2012, when it was 60. In addition to a decent rating in the corruption survey Israel did even better in the UN sponsored World Happiness Index, coming in at number 11. The top ten are all the usual suspects (Finland, Norway, Denmark, Iceland, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Canada, New Zealand, Sweden and Australia) and then comes Israel, the happiest country in the Middle East as well as being the most powerful militarily and one of the least corrupt. The rest of the rankings are similar to the corruption survey. The U.S. is at 18th place, UAE at 2o, Saudi Arabia at 33, Kuwait at 45, Russia at 59, Japan at 54, South Korea at 57, Libya at 70, Turkey at 74, Jordan at 90, China at 86, Pakistan at 75, Venezuela at 102, Lebanon at 88, Somalia at 98, Palestinian Territories at 104, Egypt at 122, Iran at 106, Iraq at 117, Bangladesh at 115, Burma at 130, India at 133, Afghanistan at 145, Yemen at 152, Syria at 150 and at 156 (last place) Burundi. Communist dictatorships like North Korea and Cuba block access to data needed for the survey and were not rated. March 15, 2018: In the south (Gaza) there were two explosions along the border, apparently directed at a passing Israeli patrol. There were no casualties and Israel attacked five Hamas military facilities in retaliation. March 13, 2018: In the south (Gaza) just across the border in Gaza a convoy carrying the Palestinian prime minister was attacked by a roadside bomb. The explosion occurred prematurely and the prime minister, who travelled through Israel from the West Bank, was making a rare visit to Gaza. A second bomb was found, which failed to explode. No one took responsibility for the failed attack. The Palestinian government in the West Bank blamed Hamas (possible) while Hamas blamed Israel (unlikely). It was more likely that one of the smaller, more radical (and uncontrollable) Islamic terror groups in Gaza did it. Some of these small terror groups are on the Iranian payroll. The problem with these smaller groups is that they have been under intense attack by Hamas lately and none of them have the resources to pull off an attack like this with a high probability of success. Nevertheless the attack did inflict damage, mainly on the October deal, brokered by Egypt, for Hamas and the Palestinian government in the West Bank to hold joint elections and end the division created when Hamas took control of Gaza in 2007 and split from the united Palestinian government. Hamas says it is investigating the incident but the damage has been done. The October agreement has not been implemented because more radical Hamas factions are not willing to operate under West Bank Palestinian officials. There are also disagreements over how many government employees (especially armed ones) there would be and who would control them. In short there is some agreement but not enough for the two governments to actually merge. Not yet anyway and possibly not ever. The Palestinian prime minister was in Gaza to preside over the opening of a sewage treatment facility paid for by foreign aid. The explosion reminded foreign aid donors that Gaza is a dangerous and unpredictable place to do business. A growing number of foreign aid donors are moving their efforts (and money) to safer and more productive disaster areas. March 11, 2018: Egypt released data on the performance of its latest counter-terrorism offensive in Sinai. This one has been going on since February 9th and so far has killed 121 Islamic terrorists at the cost of 18 soldiers. Nearly 3,000 suspects were arrested but most of these were soon released. However hundreds of those arrested turned out to have terrorist connections or were willing to talk about Islamic terrorist activity. That is one reason why the operation also found over 2,200 locations where weapons, ammo and other military gear was stashed. Most of this stuff, especially the explosives and locally made bombs, were destroyed. Hundreds of vehicles were seized, and some of them destroyed when they were discovered being used to transport weapons or armed terrorists. Over 500 mines and roadside bombs were located and disabled or destroyed in place. One less publicized aspect of this campaign was the impact all the roadblocks and checkpoints had on the civilian economy. For over half a million civilians life has become a lot more difficult. Movement in general, and especially the movement of food and other essentials, has been slowed down or stopped in some areas. People are going hungry and while you can fly in emergency medical supplies you cannot do the same for the needed food supplies. Egypt also released data on how many troops (43,000 in 88 battalions) are now in Sinai. These forces have over 800 armored vehicles. Israel has quietly agreed to the growing number of Egyptian troops in Sinai. That permission is required by treaty The terms of the 1979 peace treaty between Egypt and Israel limited the number of Egyptian security forces in the Sinai Peninsula, which was to serve as a sort of neutral zone. Israel has to agree to any increase in Egyptian forces in Sinai. In 2012 Israel agreed to Egypt sending in 3,500 more troops to deal with the growing Islamic terrorist violence. Before that, in 2005, Israel allowed 750 more Egyptian police into Gaza to take care of increased security needs following Israeli withdrawal from Gaza. The original treaty allowed about 26,000 Egyptian soldiers and police in the Sinai and about 2,500 foreign observers (mostly American). Since 2012 Israel has also allowed Egypt to bring in AH-64 helicopter gunships. Israel believes that Egypt has sent more additional troops into Sinai than are allowed by international agreements, and recent modifications to those deals. Israel is monitoring the size of Egyptian forces in the Sinai, and not saying anything as long as the Egyptians are going after Islamic terrorists there. March 10, 2018: In the West Bank, for the second day in a row Palestinians have attacked Israeli settlements with rocks and firebombs and then attacked Israeli soldiers. For the second day in a row this tactic has left one Palestinian dead and many more wounded. March 9, 2018: In the south (Gaza) an Islamic terrorist died and two were wounded when explosives they were working with went off. Hamas reported this as a work related incident. March 7, 2018: Saudi and Israeli officials held a series of discreet (but hardly secret) meetings in Egypt. This was largely about a new American peace plan and the Israelis and Arab states agreeing that the Palestinians had to make peace or lose what little Arab support they had left. The Palestinians are increasingly unpopular in Arab countries, which see the Palestinians as ungrateful, untrustworthy and their own worst enemy. Israel, on the other hand, has become a valuable Arab ally in the face of Iranian aggression. Israel enacted a new law that allows the government to take away residency rights for some of the 420,000 Palestinians living in Jerusalem. The law applies to those involved in terrorist activities or advocating such activities. These Palestinians are technically Jordanians who obtained permission to remain in Jerusalem as part of various treaties over the years. But a growing number of these Jerusalem Palestinians are taking advantage of their status (living within Israel) and supporting or taking part in terror attacks on Israelis. March 5, 2018: The Israeli military posted to the Internet video showing Hamas members stealing electric power from supplies of power sent from Israel to enable hospitals, schools and other essential services. Most Gazans get power 25 percent of the time because Hamas and Fatah are feuding over how to pay for generating power in Gaza. In the video the Hamas men are creating an illegal hookup to a nearby Hamas military facility. March 4, 2018: Two weeks of Joint training exercises by 2,500 American and 2,000 Israeli troops began in Israel. Among the joint efforts are several that involve American and Israeli air defense systems being tested to ensure the systems from the two countries work together as planned. These joint exercises, called Juniper Cobra have occurred nine times so far and were first held in Israel in 2001. March 3, 2018: Responding to Israeli requests Russia blocked Iranian efforts to set up a naval support facility at the Syrian port of Tartus. This is where Russia has already built a facility (and has a long-term lease) to handle the needs of its warships operating off the coast and in the Mediterranean. Tartus is also where Russian military cargo for Russian and Syrian forces is unloaded. Meanwhile Iran has built a new base 16 kilometers northwest of Damascus and is apparently planning more. These large bases tend to get hit with Israeli airstrikes before long but apparently Iran is hoping to improve air defenses enough to cause the Israelis some losses. Israel believes Iran has three large bases in Syria and seven smaller tactical ones near areas where there is active fighting. Iran is also bringing in more rockets, missiles, ammunitions and weapons for the 80,000 militiamen it supports in Syria. Many of the militiamen, especially the Afghans and Iraqis, are being demobilized and sent home. In response Israel is preparing for an Iranian attack from Lebanon and/or Syria. In addition to moving more troops to the Syrian border, improving the security fence and anti-aircraft/rocket defense Israel is also making deals with rebels on the Syrian side of the border in an effort to establish a 40 kilometers deep buffer zone. Israel has long provided some support (usually medical, in Israeli hospitals) for cooperative Syrian rebels. Now that support includes material aid and airstrikes and artillery fire against shared threats. Nevertheless Iran keeps pushing its mercenary forces closer to the Israeli border. March 2, 2018: Egyptian intelligence officials visited Gaza and told Hamas that if Hamas allowed another major attack against Israel Egypt would not object to Israel invading Gaza and removing Hamas and replacing it with a local government more capable of getting along with Egypt and Israel. Details of this meeting were supposed to be kept secret but details got out in Gaza, where many locals are fed up with Hamas. Meanwhile Hamas is cooperating with Egypt by hunting down and arresting Islamic terrorists in Gaza who are not associated with Hamas. In addition Hamas is also arresting Hamas members suspected to working with or even considering joining Islamic terror groups active in northern Sinai. Hamas resumed preventing the family of recently killed ISIL men from erecting a mourning tent. These tents are traditional but since 2017 Hamas has, in some cases, forbidden families of men who joined ISIL in Egypt and were killed there from openly mourning their loss. For one thing these events are often used to recruit more Gaza residents to join ISIL for operations in Egypt. Many of the recruits are from elite Hamas units and these men are technically deserters. Such desertions continue and these former Hamas men continued to get killed in Egypt, where ISIL continues to be a problem for Egyptian security forces. As part of the existing peace deal with Egypt Hamas has to crack down on ISIL activity in Gaza. February 28, 2018: In the south (Gaza) Israeli troops found and disposed of another bomb protestors had tried to hide near the security fence during a violent demonstration. A similar bomb went off earlier in February and wounded four soldiers. February 27, 2018: The inability of Hamas to effectively govern Gaza has led to a growing number of strikes by unpaid government workers. This includes support staff at hospitals for weeks at a time and, increasingly, one day strikes by all the unpaid government workers. Senior officials and most armed staff always get paid on time. One side effect of this mismanagement is that a growing number of young, unemployed Gazans try to get across the security fence and into Israel to find work. Few, if any, get away with it because the security fence (and lots of sensors) are there to keep Islamic terrorists out. But in 2017 Israeli forces caught about five people a month trying to get over the fence and less than 20 percent of them were, or could be considered, a terrorist threat. Hamas security forces also stop these illegal migrants but Hamas wont release the number they arrest for trying. February 25, 2018: In the north (across the border in Syria) Iran has apparently moved its UAV operations from the airbase that Israel bombed on the 10th to another base in central Syria at Palmyra. The Israeli airstrikes on the 10th destroyed 75 percent of the T-4 base and Iran soon began moving surviving equipment and personnel from T-4 to the Palmyra base and flying in replacement equipment and personnel from Iran. February 22, 2018: Israel alerted Egypt that the Egyptian cell phone jamming in northern Sinai (part of a major counter-terrorist operations) were jamming Israeli cell phones along the border as well as cell phone service in Gaza. Egypt had begun the jamming yesterday without alerting the Israelis. Egypt explained that the jamming of Israeli cell phone service took place because Egypt had discovered that some Islamic terrorists were using phones with Israeli SIM cards along the border to try and avoid the jamming that has become a common practice during major counter-terror operations. It took a couple of weeks to sort it all out to everyones satisfaction (except for the Sinai Islamic terrorists). February 21, 2018: Two Russian Su-57 stealth fighter prototypes appear to have been flown to the Russian air base in Syria. The Russians apparently plan to test some Su-57 features in a combat environment. The Su-57 is nowhere near ready for combat but it can fly and some of its features (limited stealth, some electronics) are operational. Besides, it is great publicity for an aircraft Russia hopes to export someday. The two American stealth fighters are operational in Syria. F-22s have flown some missions and Israel has declared its F-35I operational, the first non-U.S. user of that new aircraft to do so. UN investigators have decided that the flight of over 700,000 Burmese Rohingya Moslems to Bangladesh was deliberate genocide and that this was made possible by Facebook and that someone in the Burmese government should be prosecuted as a war criminal. This assessment generated more anger and hostility in Burma because the UN investigators seemed to miss the fact that the Burmese military operates autonomously, as it has done for decades and the 2011 deal that returned an elected government to power did little to curb the power of the military to do as it pleases in the border areas and tribal north. The tribal rebels of Burma would like to see the UN go after the Burmese generals for decades of violence, as well as holding China to account for supporting the Burmese generals, but that is unlikely to happen. The Chinese, who have substantial investments in Burma, are pro-government when it comes to the Rohingya. Burmese wonder what the definition of genocide is when 99 percent of the victims survived the attempt to kill them (although six percent are considered missing). The instigators of the violence were a handful of ambitious, nationalist and eloquent Buddhist clerics that created a crises the army took advantage of. The UN is unlikely to prosecute radical clerics and rogue generals because that model is too close that found in a lot of the Moslem nations that are pushing the UN effort to prosecute Burma. The tribal rebels are out of luck as well because they are a problem for China and China has also paid for a lot of UN clout. Meanwhile some of the Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh have organized (established a presence on Internet social media sites) and are demanding peacekeepers (armed escorts) before they will return to Burma. That is unlikely to happen because the UN peacekeeper budget is exhausted and the Burmese generals will not tolerate foreign troops for any reason. The repatriation to Burma of Rohingya Moslems in Bangladesh was supposed to begin in January but continued army violence against Rohingya still in Burma made that impossible. Those Rohingya going back must do so voluntarily but there have been many reports of Rohingya refugee camp leaders putting Rohingya on the will return list even if the refugee does not want to return. This abuse of the lists may have to do with corruption or Rohingya politics. There has been some violence in the camps over the issue. The Burmese military is accused of agreeing to allow repatriation while also ordering its troops to interfere with that in subtle ways. Rohingya leaders have called on the UN and Bangladesh to persuade Burma to renegotiate the repatriation agreement so that the Burmese military will behave. Burma will not even try that because the military has veto power over government decisions and China has been backing Burma (and the Burmese military) in the Rohingya matter. So the UN has to be careful not to offend China or anyone else who has purchased a lot of loyalty in the UN bureaucracy. Rohingya keep fleeing across the border to Bangladesh. Although arriving in much smaller numbers the more recent Rohingya refugees report that Burmese troops continue to make life difficult by blocking their movement as well as interfering with commercial traffic and the distribution of relief supplies. The soldiers conduct frequent searches of Rohingya homes and businesses which is usually just an excuse to do some looting. Rohingya heading for the border, carrying possessions, are often stopped, searched and robbed of any valuables plus an occasional rape. Sometimes Rohingya are taken away for questioning, which turns out to be a kidnapping and only the payment of cash to the soldiers will get the captive released. This is, in effect, a less newsworthy way to forcing Rohingya to leave. The Burmese army denies everything and refuses to allow foreign (UN) investigators into Rakhine State to see for themselves. Satellite photos and local reports indicate that the military is treating the abandoned (by fleeing Rohingya owners) property is being considered as available for the taking by anyone able to enforce their claim. The military is already doing that and this is something the military has done before in the tribal territories. Up until late 2017 the soldiers used rather blatant force to persuade the Rohingya to leave. This usually involved looting Rohingya settlements as well as killing or raping those too slow to move. Less than a third of the 1.1 million Rohingya are still in Burma and over half of them fled since August 2017. Surveys of the 680,000 Rohingya refugees in Burma indicate that the two month army operation killed about 7,000 of the fleeing Rohingya. Most (about 70 percent) of those deaths were directly due to army violence. Some 15 percent of these were burned to death when their homes were destroyed and another seven percent were beaten to death by soldiers. Some two percent died when they encountered landmines near the border. The army claims only 400 civilians died but the evidence shows otherwise, as it has throughout the north for decades, usually against non-Moslem tribal minorities. But the violence was never on such a scale because there was no neighboring nation the military could legitimately push unwanted groups into. The elected government in Burma is limited in what it can do because the post 2011 constitution (where the army gave up half a century of military rule) guaranteed the military veto power over what the elected officials could do to the military. There is an ongoing effort to change that and some Burmese see the increased army violence in the north as part of an effort to delay changes to the 2011 constitution. The next major struggle between the government and the military will be how the agreement to take back the refugees could or would be carried out. The military is aided by Buddhist radicals, who started the Rohingya expulsion effort in 2012. While the Buddhist clergy oppose the scale of the army violence against the Rohingya they do not support taking the refugees back. Whatever happens the repatriation process will be carefully scrutinized in Bangladesh and Burma. So far the repatriation has not started and may never do so because of continued violence and Rohingya unwillingness to trust the military. Reviving Dead Monsters All this Rohingya activity in Rakhine State has attracted existing tribal rebels like the AA (Arakan Army) who are now calling for restoration of the Arakan Empire which ceased to exist 233 years ago. This is a renewal of ancient feuds over who should control the northwest coast of Burma, an area with a long history as an independent Arakan state. For example in late 2017 ARSA (the new Islamic terror group in Burma) called for Rohingya to join with al Qaeda to fight the Burmese army and establish Rakhine State as the independent Moslem state of Arakan. This refers to the Arakan region, which is the coastal area that includes Rakhine State and the coastal area along the Bay of Bengal from eastern Bangladesh down deep into Burma. Some 1800 years ago Arakan became an independent Hindu state but 500 years later Islam spread to the area in part became Arakan was one of the many branches of the ancient Silk Road from China. The population was largely Bengali and Burmese. In the 18th century the Burmese kingdom to the east conquered the area but lost it to the British a century later. After that most of Arakan became part of the post-colonial nation of Burma. When the British left in the late 1940s they had created a Burma with unique borders and many citizens who were not ethnic Burmese. For Islamic radicals Arakan, like Spain, Portugal and parts of the Balkans are still considered part of the Caliphate (Islamic Empire) because they had once been ruled by Moslems. The current inhabitants of these lost territories are now largely non-Moslem and have no interest in becoming Islamic states again. Groups like al Qaeda see an opportunity in Burma. Islamic terrorists first showed up in late 2016 and August 2017 when there were attacks by a Rohingya Islamic terrorist group called ARSA. Its founder (a Rohingya expatriate) and much of the cash came from Saudi Arabia. Burma prefers to call groups like ARSA Islamic terrorists but until ARSA and the Saudi cash showed up there had not been much, if any, religious aspect to the armed Rohingya resistance. ARSA was openly calling for Rohingya worldwide to support a war against Burma for the bad treatment the Rohingya have received, especially since 2012. Until this new document appeared ARSA had denied any connection with al Qaeda but that has apparently changed. The ARSA leader; Ataullah abu Ammar Jununi (or just Ata Ullah) has received more attention now that Islamic terror groups like al Qaeda are calling for its members to help ARSA and the Burmese Rohingya any way they can. Since August 2017 there have been no more large scale ARSA attacks but there have been some clashes with security forces. For the moment ARSA is largely a force on the Internet, not on the ground. Slavery To The South Rohingya who seek to flee farther than Bangladesh run into even worse situations. To the south in Thailand and Malaysia slavery is still thriving as fishing companies seek cheap labor. Men from Bangladesh and Burma are recruited for jobs in Thailand but once they arrive are forced to first work for nothing to pay for their transportation and the recruiting fee. This form of debt slavery is a common scam in the region, especially in remote areas where it will not be noticed. This sort of thing is illegal everywhere but police dont do anything unless a violation is reported. The persistent poverty in Burma and Bangladesh has led to an increase in this sort of people smuggling to Thailand and Malaysia, two countries that have been economic powerhouses in the region and a magnet for millions seeking jobs. The smugglers charge a lot of money, and those smuggled (also illegal) in then become slaves for years until the fees are paid off. Sometimes the slaves are offered paying jobs once their debts are paid off but the system tends to keep the slaves in debt for life. These debt slaves are common on rubber plantations as well as aboard fishing boats. Corruption Declines As The Military Fades Decades of military rule left Burma one of the most corrupt nations on the planet. The 2017 international corruption ratings show that Burma is still near the bottom when it comes to corruption (130 out of 180 nations compared with 156 out of 175 nations in 2013). Corruption in the Transparency International Corruption Perception Index is measured on a 1 (most corrupt) to 100 (not corrupt) scale. The most corrupt nations ( usually Syria/14, South Sudan/12 and Somalia/9 ) have a rating of under 15 while of the least corrupt (New Zealand and Denmark) are over 85. African nations are the most corrupt, followed by Middle Eastern ones. The current Burma score is 30 (versus 28 in 2016) compared to 63 (61) for Taiwan, 40 (40) for India, 29 (29) for Russia, 54 (53) for South Korea, 17 (12) for North Korea, 35 (33) for Vietnam, 84 (84) for Singapore, 73 (72) for Japan, 37 (37) for Indonesia, 38 (36) for Sri Lanka, 33 (36) for the Maldives, 34 (35) for the Philippines, 32 (32) for Pakistan, 28 (26) for Bangladesh, 30 (29) for Iran, 15 (15) for Afghanistan, 41 (40) for China, 71 (66) for the UAE (United Arab Emirates), 62 (64) for Israel, 75 (74) for the United States, 27 (28) for Nigeria, 43 (45) for South Africa, 18 (17) for Iraq, 40 (41) for Turkey, 49 (46) for Saudi Arabia and 28 (28) for Lebanon. A lower corruption score is common with nations in economic trouble and problems dealing with Islamic terrorism and crime in general. Burmas corruption score has changed a lot since democracy was restored in 2011. Back in 2012 it was 15. That went up to 21 in 2012 and has continued to rise despite the military resisting attacks on their many scams, especially in the northern tribal areas. March 12, 2018: In the north (Shan State) there were several clashes between TNLA tribal rebels and a rival group SSA-S over territory. There were about a dozen casualties over the weekend. SSA-S is pro-government and TNLA is not but both groups generally try to avoid fighting each other. February 26, 2018: India has agreed to cooperate more with Burma to control the flow of illegal drugs from Burma to neighboring countries. Most of the drugs (meth, hashish, opium and heroin) come from the northern tribal territories of Burma. This drug production has been going on there for centuries and large scale efforts have managed to reduce but not eliminate the production and distribution of banned drugs. February 24, 2018: In the northwest (Rakhine State) three bombs went off in the state capital. There were no deaths and police later arrested six Buddhist radicals associated with the local Arakan Army (AA) tribal rebels. February 16, 2018: The Burmese army commander-in-chief visited Thailand and the Thai military arranged for the Burmese general to a high royal honor (medal); the Knight Grand Cross (First Class) of the Most Exalted Order of the White Elephant. This good will gesture was appreciated by the Burmese general, who is under criticism by the Moslem world and the UN for the way the Burmese has been handling their Royhinga minority. Thailand continues having problems with the drug trade in neighboring Burma, where the northern tribes resist government efforts to suppress the drug trade. Because of this the leaders of both countries try to cooperate in controlling and containing this drug trade. It is the first time since his assuming the office in August last; Prime Minister Abbasi has opted to avail break. The Prime Minister landed in Pennsylvania.The Prime Minister will be attending his younger sister who underwent sensitive surgery in Philadelphia. He will be having brief stopover in London on his return journey on Sunday next where he will be visiting ailing spouse of the former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, said the sources. He will look after his sister himself at the hospital. It is expected that the prime ministers another sister Senator Saadia Abbasi will also leave for the US in a couple of days as she will have to apply for a visa after surrendering her American nationality. She gave up her US nationality before submitting nomination papers for contesting Senate berth. The issuance of a visa will take some time due to which she will not be able to be with her sister on the day of operation. Sources said the premier has traveled by a commercial plane and will bear all the expenses from his own pocket. No personal staff has traveled with him except his Chief Security Staff (CSO) Shahid Rana which is compulsion on account of security blue-book. The sources pointed out that in his absence, the federal cabinet will look after all the affairs under collective responsibility while Interior Minister Professor Ahsan Iqbal Chaudhary and Foreign Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif will oversee the essential assignments. The Pakistan Embassy in the US has been informed under the instructions of the Prime Minister that since he is on a private visit due to which there will be no official protocol required for him. The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Friday has recommended the formation of larger bench to hear contempt court case against former prime minister Nawaz Sharif and his daughter Maryam Nawaz. Announcing the written verdict by Justice Mazahir Naqvi in contempt court case termed that the contempt of court was one of the crucial and sensitive issue, thefore a larger bench should be formed to hear the case. There are several petition of contempt of court against Nawaz Sharif and Maryam Nawaz have been under hearing process, therefore there is need to club all these petition, court said in its verdict.On the petition of Azhar Siddique LHC summoned the secretary Pakistan Electronic Media Regularity Authority (PEMRA) on March 29 along with concern record. The petitioner told the court that Nawaz Sharif and Maryam Nawaz have been campaigning against the judiciary and were trying to make the judiciary controversial as their speeches came under the contempt of court law, therefore court should order the PEMRA to ban the airing of their speeches. The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) has nominated Azam Swati his candidate for opposition leader in Senate on Friday. The decision was taken in partys core committee meeting held with the chair of chairman Imran Khan and also attended by Shah Memood Qureshi, Jahangir Tareen, Shireen Mazari and others. The meeting has decided to contact other political parties to get support for Azam Swati as Senate opposition leader. The meeting has also decided to accelerate country-wide membership campaign. The core committee meeting has decided to launching of election campaign from April 29 begins with public rally from Lahore. In a tweet on Thursday, he repeated the falsehood that we have a trade deficit with Canada. In fact, "The Office of the United States Trade Representative says the United States has a trade surplus with Canada. It reports that in 2016, the United States exported $12.5 billion more in goods and services than it imported from Canada, leading to a trade surplus, not a deficit." To recap: He doesn't even know whether we have a trade surplus at a time when he is imposing tariffs. He is willing to bluff/mislead an ally. He's so proud of himself for bluffing that he repeats the story. Even when the bluff is exposed, he doubles down. And no one, but no one, in his administration is going to contradict him. The official policy of the United States is that we will trick our allies - and humiliate them for having fallen for our deception. The University of Waikato is hosting the Tauranga Study Options Fair today at Baycourt Theatre in Tauranga. This free event is an opportunity to learn about the new Tauranga city campus set to open in 2019, as well as the study programmes being offered and the student experience that will be unique to the Bay of Plenty. The Tauranga Study Options Fair is targeted at Year 13 students, careers advisors, teachers, parents and anyone from the wider community interested in study or curious about the universitys new home in the Bay. A special Schools Programme has been devised for Year 13 students from Bay of Plenty schools. While parents and interested members of the public are welcome to drop into the fair at any time during the day, they may like to consider avoiding the school session timings. The fair will begin with a presentation for schools in the theatre and students will then move through to the exhibition hall where faculty members, along with local business leaders and industry representatives, will be present to help prospective students make real connections between qualifications and career opportunities. Student advisers will also be on hand to provide information on study programmes and the enrolment process. The new campus, which the University of Waikato is leading on behalf of the Bay of Plenty Tertiary Partnership, will enhance our current range of qualifications and study options available to students in the Bay. We want to capture the attention of students, teachers and parents, as well as members of the general public looking at university study in 2019 and beyond," says senior deputy cice-chancellor Professor Alister Jones. As the new campus is part of the Tauranga revitalisation plan and has come about by a collaboration of funders and partners, the event will have a community focus. Local business and industry leaders have been invited to join with university staff in presenting information on qualifications and career pathways. The University of Waikato currently offers a growing range of qualifications in the Bay from diplomas, bachelor degrees, graduate diplomas, postgraduate diplomas, to masters and PhDs. Ten kiwis from the Bay of Plenty travelled to Bangladesh to visit a number of projects supported and funded by International Needs New Zealand. John Elen the operations manager for International Needs Humanitarian Trust, a Christian aid organisation, along with his wife Jocelyn, led the team. The trust began 40-years ago by New Zealander Ray Harrison and is now in more than 30 countries around the world. INHT works in under developed countries by empowering local leaders to bring lasting change to their community. The four main areas of work are sponsoring children, challenging injustice, meeting urgent needs and transforming communities. The visit left a lasting impression on the team and they were pleasantly surprised about the lifelong, positive changes this support brought to many. In his own words, John shares the experience with SunLive. Were not in Kansas now Toto, this line from the Wizard of Oz, is when Dorothy and her dog Toto find themselves in a strange and enchanting new land. I have only been to Asia (Manilla, the Philippines) once before and found it was very Westernised. We landed at Dhaka at 1am and we were met head on with thousands of Muslim pilgrims returning home from their recent pilgrimage to Mecca. This, combined with the heat, chaos, noise, music and car horns, made me quickly realise I was somewhere totally different from New Zealand. We were part of a group that explored a number of International Needs funded projects. Our programme was full, as our hosts (International Needs Bangladesh) wanted us to see and experience as much as possible during our time there. We travelled, with armed escorts, in the oppressive Bangladesh heat by train, ferry, a three-wheeled bike and, fortunately, by air-conditioned mini-van sometimes. We visited childrens villages, a building project, a village reeling from recent flooding, health projects aimed specifically at women and children and a slum school that endeavours to educate children as young as six who spend seven hours a day, seven days a week in a welding shop or brick-making factory. The people of Bangladesh were amazing and everyone we spent time with was gracious, enthusiastic, hospitable, open and welcoming. At the slum school, one of our party spent time with a six-year-old boy who worked in a welding shop. He was so happy to have the opportunity to go to school for just three hours a day. His story broke the hearts of our team as we realised that he was one of thousands in which this was their world. When we arrived at Bethany Childrens Village in the Barisal area, we were given the most amazing welcome. The children were so pleased to see us and so appreciative of the help they are given. Slum school in Barisal. The children we met have absolutely nothing, everything they own fits into a small wooden box, but they are so grateful. Their thankfulness humbled us and there wasnt a dry eye in our group. It is so sad to think what would happen to these vulnerable and innocent children if they didnt have the support of International Needs supporters in New Zealand. Visiting Bangladesh gave me an appreciation of just how hard it is to do life in that country. The masses of people, the government bureaucracy, the heat and the natural disasters would certainly make the faint hearted give up. The people we visited, nevertheless, achieved an incredible amount with very little resources at their disposal. The teachers, community workers and office staff who serve the children and families of Bangladesh are amazing. All had an enormous degree of passion, commitment, humility and energy. The workers are all very qualified and committed to the community of people they are responsible for. I was impressed with their lines of accountability and the quality of the projects. This instilled in us all a very real confidence that this team would meet its aims and aspirations and that the funds and resources that New Zealanders have donated would bring about lasting and positive change in the lives of many of them. Luke Edwards, from Pongakawa, meets six-year-old Hasim. In the north of Bangladesh International Needs is in the process of funding a building project that will house and educate up to 400 children whose families are trapped in the cycle of generational poverty. At 2pm on March 25 at The Orchard Church in Te Puke there is a fundraising event run by The Charitable Stage Company. This stage production is written, produced and performed all by young people. My trip to Bangladesh has left a lasting impression; it is a beautiful, chaotic and noisy country. The International Needs Bangladesh team are bringing about transformation and change in peoples lives and that is exciting. Without a doubt the people of Bangladesh stole my heart. UPDATE: 21:50 The three men believe they are lucky to have survived after another boat collided with theirs. He went over the top of us, says Darren Jones who lives on The Madness. Two of the men - Pier Terangi and Gromet (Jones) - who were fishing in a dinghy near the yacht saw the boat. It was steaming towards us and missed us by about two metres, says Pier. The boat hit the yacht that had Divo in it. We pulled up the anchor to head over to the yacht to see if Divo was alright. The other boat was still there and hung around for a bit trying to start their boat up and then they left. One of their guys was in the water. With the impact of the boat he must have fallen in. He swam back to their boat and they headed off. The Madness is on a mooring. The whole back of it is wrecked. Its smashed right through, says Pier. Gromet believes they were struck by an 18 foot aluminium it was flying, says Gromet. The men are shaken but no injuries were sustained. Earlier: About 8.30pm tonight a loud bang was heard in Pilot Bay. Two boats collided near the Tangaroa statue with the noise from the collision heard as far away as Salisbury Wharf. The Coastguard sent a boat out to the collision area and is bringing the passengers to shore. Police say that it appears one boat may have been sitting in the water near the entrance with no lights and this boat was hit by another boat at dusk as it came in to the harbour. It was not known how many people were on board the boat that hit the stationary boat as it has now left the site. A St John Ambulance crew traveled to Salisbury Wharf to assist with any injured from the stationary boat however it is still unknown if they will be required. Davis Resigns UK To Shorter Brexit Transition Period by Jason Gorringe, Tax-News.com, London 16 March 2018 In an interview with UK state news agency BBC's Newsnight, David Davis, the UK's Brexit negotiator, said the UK would "live with" the December 2020 transition deal being offered by the European Union as part of Brexit, even though the UK had sought the later date of March 2021. He was discussing new draft Brexit negotiating guidelines published by the EU on March 7, which firmed up some areas surrounding the EU perspective on what the business and tax environment between the bloc and the UK should look like after the UK leaves the European Union. Davis said it was more important to secure a transition deal than to argue over the length of that period, stating: "That is more important to me than a few months either way. So, I'm not bothered too much about the question of whether it is Christmas 2020 or Easter 2021." Among other things, the EU decided in earlier guidelines released in February 2018 that the jurisprudence of the EU Court of Justice should continue to apply to the UK until the end of a Brexit transition period, during which EU acquis will continue to apply to the UK as though it were a member state. In respect of free trade deals and trade policy, the UK will remain bound by the obligations stemming from the agreements concluded by the EU, while it will no longer participate in any bodies set up by those agreements. The EU noted in February 2018 that as the UK will continue to participate in the customs union and the single market (with all four "freedoms") during the transition, it will have to continue to comply with EU trade policy, to apply EU customs tariffs and collect EU customs duties, and ensure all EU checks are being performed on the border. In addition, the UK will no longer attend meetings of Commission experts groups, committees, or other similar entities where member states are represented, such as for instance in tax matters. Exceptionally on a case-by-case basis, the UK could however be invited to attend one of these meetings without voting rights, the General Affairs Council (Art.50) has said. Significantly, there will be major ramifications for businesses doing business with and from the UK in terms of indirect tax. In February, the EU explained Brexit will have the following impact on businesses, from December 31, 2020: For indirect taxes (value-added tax and excise duties): Goods entering the VAT territory of the EU from the UK or are dispatched or transported from the VAT territory of the EU to the UK will respectively be treated as importation or exportation of goods in accordance with the EU VAT Directive. The means VAT must be charged at importation and exports will not be subject to VAT. Taxable persons wishing to use one of the special schemes of Chapter 6 of Title XII of the VAT Directive (the so-called Mini One-Stop Shop or MOSS), who supply telecommunications services, broadcasting services, or electronic services to non-taxable persons in the EU, will have to be registered for the MOSS in a member state of the EU. Taxable persons established in the UK that purchase goods and services or import goods subject to VAT in an EU member state who wish to claim a refund of that VAT may no longer file electronically in accordance with Council Directive 2008/9/EC but have to claim in accordance with Council Directive 86/560/EEC. Member states may make refunds under the latter Directive subject to reciprocity. A company established in the UK carrying out taxable transactions in an EU member state may be required by that member state to designate a tax representative as the person liable for payment of the VAT in accordance with the VAT Directive. The movement of goods which enter the excise territory of the EU from the UK or are dispatched or transported from the excise territory of the EU to the UK will respectively be treated as importation or exportation of excise goods in accordance with Council Directive 2008/118/EC of December 16, 2008, concerning the general arrangements for excise duty. This means, among other things, that the Excise Movement and Control System (EMCS) on its own will no longer be applicable to excise duty suspended movements of excise goods from the EU into the UK, but those movements will be treated as exports, where excise supervision ends at the place of exit from the EU. Movements of excise goods to the UK will therefore require an export declaration as well as an electronic administrative document (e-AD). Movements of excise goods from the UK to the EU will have to be released from customs formalities before a movement under EMCS can begin. For Customs: EU Adopts New Rules For Tax Advisers by Ulrika Lomas, Tax-News.com, Brussels 16 March 2018 The EU is to require intermediaries such as tax advisers, accountants, banks and lawyers that design and/or promote tax planning schemes to report schemes that are considered potentially aggressive. On March 13, the European Council reached an agreement on a draft directive aimed at tackling aggressive cross-border tax planning. EU member states will now have until December 31, 2019, to transpose the directive into their national laws and regulations. EU member states will be required to automatically exchange the information they receive through a centralized database. The aim is to enable new risks of tax avoidance to be identified earlier and for measures to be taken to block harmful arrangements. Member states will also be obligated to impose penalties on intermediaries that do not comply with the new transparency regime. The draft directive establishes "hallmarks" to identify the types of schemes that will need to be reported to the tax authorities. Such hallmarks include: the use of cross-border losses to reduce tax liability; the use of special preferential tax schemes; or arrangements through countries that do not meet international good governance standards. The requirement to report a scheme is not intended to imply that that scheme is harmful, rather that it may be of interest to the authorities for further scrutiny. The new reporting requirements will apply from July 1, 2020. Information exchange will be required every three months, within one month from the end of the quarter in which the information was filed. The first exchanges should therefore be completed by October 31, 2020. Vladislav Goranov, Minister of Finance of Bulgaria, which currently holds the Council presidency, said: "Enhancing transparency is key to our strategy to combat tax avoidance and tax evasion. If the authorities receive information about aggressive tax planning schemes before they are implemented, they will be able to close down loopholes before revenue is lost." Tax Commissioner Pierre Moscovici welcomed the Council's decision. He said: "The new rules agreed today confirm the EU as the world leader in tax transparency. In future, intermediaries will have to share with tax administrations the schemes they sell to their clients. Tax administrations will then have access to the information they need to put an end to the aggressive tax planning schemes eroding their tax bases." "This agreement is a further step towards more openness and better cooperation, facilitating fairer and more effective taxation throughout the EU." EU Expects To Be Excluded From US Steel Tariffs by Ulrika Lomas, Tax-News.com, Brussels 16 March 2018 The EU expects to be excluded from the scope of the US's new tariffs on imports of steel and aluminum, according to the bloc's Vice-President for Jobs. Jyrki Katainen said that the Commission expects that the EU "as a whole will be excluded as a key political, security, and economic partner that trades fairly with the US." He added that the Commission hopes that "the process of exclusion of EU steel and aluminum exports... will be expedited, transparent, and smooth." The US has announced the imposition of a 25 percent tariff on imports of steel and a 10 percent tariff on imports of aluminum from all countries. Canada and Mexico are exempted in each case. The measures will enter into force the night between March 22 and March 23. The Department of Commerce has alleged that the current level of aluminum and steel imports in the US has the potential to threaten national security. The White House maintains that further closures of domestic steel and aluminum facilities could render the country unable to produce enough steel and aluminum to meet defense and critical industry needs in the event of a national emergency. According to President Trump's proclamation, any country with which the US has a "security relationship" is "welcome to discuss... alternative ways to address the threatened impairment of the national security caused by imports from that country." Should Trump decide that "imports from that country no longer threaten to impair the national security," he may remove or modify the import restrictions and adjust the tariff accordingly. EU Trade Commissioner Cecilia Malmstrom warned that "justifying tariffs on the basis of national security considerations risks undermining the multilateral trading system." She explained that the EU suspects that the announcement "is effectively not based on national security considerations but an economic safeguard measure in disguise." Malmstrom said she had made clear to the US Trade Representative (USTR) that the EU is disappointed that "longstanding allies and security partners from Europe need to justify their exports of steel and aluminum and to prove that they are not a threat to US national security." She added that the EU is seeking further clarity from the US on possible exemptions and has been informed that the USTR will soon publish an outline of the procedures for the exemptions. Malmstrom said that if the EU is not excluded from the measures, it would take "a firm and resolute, but proportionate, response." The EU is in discussion with other countries affected by the US's announcement in an effort to see if they can "coordinate [their] rights in the WTO." Malmstrom noted that there could be a surge of steel or aluminum imports into the EU following the implementation of the US's tariffs. As a result, the EU is "preparing to put in place our own safeguard measures," but does not wish to "encourage further closing of steel and aluminum markets." In the final instance, the EU is "ready to act in a proportionate way according to WTO rules" and is discussing the possible imposition of measures "corresponding to the economic loss suffered" on a number of US products. EU MEPs Back CCCTB Proposal by Ulrika Lomas, Tax-News.com, Brussels 16 March 2018 Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) have backed plans to tax companies where they earn their profits under a harmonized EU corporate tax system. On March 15, MEPs voted in favor of the introduction of a common consolidated corporate tax base (CCCTB) by 438 votes to 145, with 69 abstentions. A separate measure, the common corporate tax base (CCTB) which would create the basis for the harmonized corporate tax system was approved by 451 votes to 141, with 59 abstentions. Under the new regime, companies would calculate their tax bills by adding up the profits and losses of their constituent companies in all EU member states. The resulting tax would then be shared between member states, depending on where the profits were generated. A series of benchmarks would be used to identify whether a company has a "digital presence" within an EU member state and is therefore liable for tax. MEPs want the European Commission to use the benchmarks to produce a clearer picture of where a company generates its profits. For instance, the number of users or the volume of digital content collected could be used to calculate a company's tax liabilities. A single set of tax rules would apply in member states, with the aim that companies would no longer have to deal with 28 different sets of national rules and would instead be accountable to a single tax administration. The aim is to prevent companies from moving their tax base to a low-tax jurisdiction. Alain Lamoassoure, rapporteur on the CCCTB proposal, said: "This is a fabulous opportunity to make a giant leap in the field of corporate taxation; not only would this legislation create a model that is more suitable to today's economies through the taxing of the digital economy, but it would also halt unfettered competition between corporate tax systems within the single market, by targeting profits where they are made." Parliament's resolutions will now be passed on to the European Council and Commission for their consideration. UK Hails Win Over Tax-Avoidance Scheme by Jason Gorringe, Tax-News.com, London 16 March 2018 HM Revenue and Customs, the UK tax agency, has lauded a ruling in its favor secured before the courts that will save the UK exchequer tens of millions of pounds in related tax-avoidance cases. The Upper Tribunal upheld an earlier ruling against Cyclops Electronics and Graceland Fixing on appeal, concerning a tax avoidance scheme used by the companies and also employed by over a hundred other businesses. The businesses used loan notes a financial instrument that creates or acknowledges indebtedness to pay company directors' bonuses in an attempt to get around paying tax and National Insurance (the UK's social security levy) on their awards. Specially created companies issued loan notes in GBP10 denominations which matched the bonus amount exactly. Special conditions were included to dodge the tax and National Insurance due when the loan notes were given to the director, HMRC said. The agency said the scheme was designed to take advantage of legislation that provides tax relief for genuine commercial transactions, which has now been amended to prevent any further attempts to exploit the rules. The scheme was devised to work around the anti-avoidance legislation introduced to the employment income share schemes legislation at Part 7 Income Tax (Earnings and Pensions) Act 2003 by Schedule 22 of the 2003 Finance Act. The legislation has been amended to prevent any further attempts exploit the rules. Penny Ciniewicz, HMRC's Director General for the Customer Compliance Group, said: "We cannot allow tax avoidance schemes like these to deprive the UK of vital revenue. The honest majority of people who pay their taxes shouldn't have to carry the burden of paying for the public services we need." The agency pointed out that, over the last two years, HMRC has won nine out of every ten avoidance cases taken to court, with many more settling before reaching that stage. The win over Cyclops Electronics, a supplier of electrical components, and Graceland Fixing, a building company, was worth GBP350,000 (USD489,000), with GBP55.2m in related cases. Jane Bowyer's recent letter is outrageous. She ascribes her inability to follow my argumentative threads to her naive, and prescriptive, idea that decisions should be based on facts. She implies that I assert a normative ethical claim, e.g. Decisions should be based on facts, not emotion. In fact, I never claim this. I offer descriptive conceptual analysis to illuminate the ways in which emotions do, in fact, drive people's decisions. Besides, she also makes two false claims regarding my decision to resign from St. Helena's school board. Bowyer erroneously says that my resignation caused "an uncertain amount of complexity and possible additional costs." In fact, the options provided school boards, per California Ed Code, are simple: boards can either appoint someone to fill a vacancy or opt for a special election. Given the fact that the board decided to fill via appointment, taxpayers didn't have to pay between $25,000 and $40,000 for a special election. Bowyer fails to frame the issue in a manner consistent with the facts. 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. Radon doesnt get as much attention as other indoor air pollutants, such as carbon monoxide and asbestos, but its every bit as dangerous. The naturally occurring colorless, odorless gas is the leading cause of lung cancer in the United States after smoking, according to the EPA. Because its a byproduct of naturally occurring breakdown of uranium in soil, rocks, and water, its found all over the U.S., indoors and out. But people get their biggest exposure where they spend the most time: at home. You can check radon levels in your home using charcoal-based kits, but these usually require you to test your levels for up to 90 daysradon is a cumulative threat, so levels need to be monitored over a span of time for accuracyand then you must ship the kit to a lab for analysis. Airthings, a Norway-based tech company, developed the Wave ($200), a Wi-Fi enabled, battery-powered indoor air quality monitor as a more expedient testing solution. Mentioned in this article Airthings Wave MSRP $199.95 See it The Wave is about the size of a smoke detector. Its surface is pocked with tiny holes and features an LED ring in the center that glows different colors to indicate air quality. A pair of sensors are located near the bottom edge. Editors' note: This article was updated on April 5, 2018 to include information about two new features added after our review: IFTTT integration and a new web interface that allows you to check your home's radon level, ambient temperature, and humidity level from anywhere you have internet access. Airthings The Waves LED ring glows different colors to indicate air quality. The Wave comes with two AA batteries installed, so all you need to do is remove the tab sticking out of the battery compartment and the devices voice prompt will tell you its ready to be paired with your phone. The Airthings app walks you through this process. Once youre connected, you can mount the Wave to a wall using the supplied bracket and screws. For accurate readings, its advised not to mount it near windows or vents. It takes about an hour after setup to get your first radon reading, according to Airthings. You can get a general radon-level status by waving your hand in front the Wave. The indicator ring will glow green if your air quality is good. If its yellow, it means the Wave is detecting above the recommended levels of radon and you should continue measuring. Red means you must take action to reduce your radon levels. The Airthings Wave app lets you track radon levels more closely, downloading the latest data every time your phone is within 30- to 50 feet of the detector and its Bluetooth radio is enabled. The home screen displays the same ring light as the Wave itself along with measurements for temperature, humidity, and the average radon level for the last 24 hours. Michael Ansaldo/IDG The Wave app downloads the latest data whenever youre near the device, so you can track radon levels in real time. Swiping to the right, you can get a longer-term look at each of these air-quality elements. You can toggle to see the average levels for each over the last 48 hours, week, month, or year. In each case a graph of historical values is displayed across the bottom of the screen. In an update released after we completed testing, Airthings added the ability check your homes radon levels, as well as temperature and humidity, from any web browser. The new Airthings online dashboard lets you monitor multiple rooms, manage devices, analyze historical data and export it as a .CSV file. You can login with the same credentials you use in the Airthings Wave mobile app. Airthings added IFTTT integration in this same update. Currently, there are a half dozen applets available that expand the capability of the device. Now you can have the Wave flash your Philips Hue lights red or send you an email when Radon levels rise too high. The device can also push you notifications when your home gets cold or humid, and brag about your good radon levels with a tweet. Though there is technically no safe level of radon, the EPA has set 4 pCi/L (picoCuries per liter of air) as the action limit. Fortunately, the levels in my home were well below that. If yours arent, its time to turn to a radon mitigation service that can install a system to reduce radon levels and prevent them from building up again. Whether you use a standard short-term test kit or the Airthings Wave, you need to monitor levels for at least 48 hours to even approach an accurate reading. But because radon levels can fluctuate, a longer term approach is better. Airthings says the levels the Wave displays are accurate within 20 percent after one week and within 10 percent after a month. Bottom line The wave is not cheap for such a one-trick device. Consider that a radon-test kit typically costs $15 to $35, including lab fees. Even at the upper end, you could test five rooms for less than it costs for the Wave. True, you can test your entire home with a single Wave just by moving it from room to room, but given that youd need it to spend at least two days in each spot, it would admittedly take longer to test the whole house than the conventional method. What the Wave really seems to have over test kits is the ability to monitor radon levels in real time, rather than waiting days or weeks for lab results. Given the health hazard radon poses thats not a small thing, but only you can decide if its worth $200. An Oregon man is still recovering from wounds received during an attack by his sword-wielding girlfriend on March 3. According to The Oregonian, Alex Lovell of Camas was sleeping when his live-in girlfriend, Emily Javier stabbed him. Lovell scrambled out of bed and struggled to fight off his attacker, nearly losing his fingers in the process. Javier continued to attack until Lovell fell to the ground lifeless. At that point, she called 911 and surrendered to police. During her call with the dispatcher (listen below), she said she had attacked her boyfriend with a samurai sword. Once in custody, she told police that she had grown increasingly frustrated with Lovell because he was always playing video games and paid little attention to her. Lovell admitted in an interview that he played PlayerUnknowns Battleground for as much as 12 hours a day, but claims that he has aspirations to play professionally. Javier said that the last straw occurred after she discovered he had the dating app Tinder installed on his phone. She also said that she had found red hairs in the shower that did not match hers or Lovells color. It was after this that she went to the mall and purchased the replica Japanese-style sword known as a katana with the purpose of stabbing him with it. Lovell claims he did not have an affair, and that he had Tinder on his phone when he first met Javier but deleted it once they started dating. I barely had time to hang out with my girlfriend, let alone another girl, he said referring to his long hours playing PUBG. Basically, she [Javier] was delusional. More than a week passed between the time Javier bought the sword and when the incident occurred. During that time she stewed in her anger and plotted revenge. On March 2, Lovell came home from his day job as a bookkeeper and ignored her, so Javier put the sword and two knives taped together next to her side of their shared bed and waited for him to go to sleep. According to court documents obtained by The Columbian, police stated, Her plan was to kill her boyfriend and then herself. However, she lost her nerve once she saw Lovell on the floor bleeding. Javier pleaded not guilty to attempted murder charges and remains in jail with bail set at $350,000. Lovell is still in the hospital recovering from his wounds and surgery to reattach his ring, middle, and index fingers which were sliced nearly through. In the meantime, his PUBG buddies have started a GoFundMe for him to help cover medical expenses. So far the campaign has raised $8,155 of its $10,000 goal. Image courtesy Alex Lovell via Twitter Last week brought news that Vincent Ramos, CEO of Phantom Securea seller of custom encrypted Android and BlackBerry phones to criminal gangshad been arrested by the FBI. Now, the Department of Justice has announced indictments against four other alleged Phantom associates. As reported by Motherboard, the announcement names Kim Augustus Rodd from Phuket, Thailand; Younes Nasri from Dubai in the United Arab Emirates; and Michael Gamboa and Christopher Poquiz both from Los Angeles as alleged co-conspirators of Vincent Ramos. As was the case with the Phantom CEO, they have been charged with racketeering, conspiracy to conduct enterprise affairs, conspiracy to distribute narcotics, and aiding and abetting. Unlike Ramos, the four defendants havent been arrested and are currently considered fugitives. The original complaint against Ramos alleges that the company was created specifically to aid criminals and the upper echelon members of infamous groups including the Sinaloa cartel. Phantom removes the microphone, camera, GPS navigation, internet browsing, and normal messaging services from devices before selling them. It also uses Pretty Good Privacy (PGP) encryption software to keep criminals conversations secure. The indictment states that authorities have seized Phantoms properties, including 150 domains and licenses that were being used by criminal enterprises to send and receive messages. While there are companies that mod phones to make them ultra-secure for legitimate individuals and organizations who may need to take such precautions, Ramos allegedly told an undercover agent We made itwe made it specifically for this [drug trafficking] too, When criminals go dark, and law enforcement cannot monitor their phones or access evidence, crimes cannot be solved, criminals cannot be stopped and lives can be lost, said U.S. Attorney Adam Braverman. As a result of this groundbreaking prosecution, we will disable the communication infrastructure provided by a criminal enterprise to drug traffickers and other violent criminals. Phantom Secure was designed to profit off of criminal activity committed by transnational criminal organizations around the world. We are committed to shutting these criminals down. A small shrine that my father kept in his bedroom included a statue of Guanyin, a Buddhist figure who personifies compassion, and one of Maitreya Buddha, who embodies love. It also held figurines of Daoist sages, Navajo turtles, and several images of the Tin Man from the Wizard of Oz. The latter reminded him of a lyric sung by the rock band America: Oz never did give nothin to the Tin Man that he didnt, didnt already have. Two of my fathers journals express thoughts about the politics of professional planning; two deal with aging; and one is an extended meditation on death, for which he carefully prepared over many years. When it finally arrived, in the wee hours one morning last December, he simply exhaled quietly one last time and surrendered his body peacefully. I heard him slip away while I was meditating nearby. In several places, my father had quoted these lines from Rabindranath Tagore: Death is not extinguishing the light. It is only putting out the lamp because dawn has come. Just as my father spent decades collecting, reflecting upon, and digesting the wisdom of mystics, it will take me a long time to understand and digest all that he bequeathed to me. He lives on as a teaching about how to live a committed, loving, thoughtful, beneficial life. He is a gift that keeps on giving to us all. Ive been reflecting on all of this as part of a retreat undertaken at the Catholic university where I presently work. The nun who is serving as my spiritual director for the retreat observed, One never knows what lies beneath the surface of a person. Trusting the mystery of what lies unseen in the depths of each person is a gift that we can give to everyone we meet. The Rev. Wakoh Shannon Hickey is an Associate Professor of Religious Studies at Notre Dame of Maryland University in Baltimore. We wont have to wait until June for Apples next big media event. The Cupertino-based company on Friday sent out invitations to an education-focused press event thatll take place on March 27 at a high school in Chicago. Its an unusual locale for Apple as the company typically hosts media events closer to home in California. Nevertheless, it ties in with Apples education theme and the tagline on the invite which reads, Lets take a field trip. As for what Apple plans to discuss, thats anyones guess. There wasnt much to gather from the invite aside from its hand-drawn nature and given the events unexpected announcement, we really dont know much. The company did say it plans to discuss creative new ideas for teachers and students. As The Verge points out, rumors have been swirling that Apple is working on cheaper versions of its MacBook and iPad. The MacBook Air, specifically, is due for an upgrade as the current model is quite outdated at this point. Reports have suggested a new 13.3-inch Air could feature a 2,560 x 1,600 Retina Display with a price point of somewhere between $799 and $899. While still more expensive than a Chromebook or budget Windows machine, itd be cheap for an Apple notebook. Theres also been talk of a cheaper iPad, perhaps priced around the $259 range. Todays most affordable iPad, a 9.7-inch Wi-Fi model with 32GB of storage, retails for $329. The Cuban FM also noted that the disguised implementation of former President Donald Trump's erroneous and dangerous foreign policy (2017-2021) makes the current U.S. Government accountable... | Read More Public requests to open further discussion on these key issues were rebuffed or limited to the three-minute comment rule in council meetings. In short, this is how the frustration of a few grew to the collective concern of several hundred residents who sought a recall petition as a last-ditch effort to tell the Mayor that he needs to listen more to the community before taking unilateral positions. Thankfully, with the generous intervention of Judge Snowden, this admittedly contentious recall was averted in favor of public meetings whereby the Mayor agreed to hear and respond to grievances on key issues. Regardless of the inquisitional appearance of the meetings where the Mayor agreed to defend his leadership positions on issues that were challenged by frustrated citizens, we believe the overall outcome will benefit us all. For starters, we are already seeing City Council activity on the following requests: A re-examination (and hopeful rate reduction) of the water/wastewater report that led to our incredibly high water rates; a review of our city attorney relationship that has cost the city over $900,000 in a single year; the introduction of a logical Code of Conduct as matter of sound governance policy; and finally, the recognition and inclusion of St. Helenas Latino community in regards to rate and policy decisions. Day one of this weeks public hearings began with a bang, as Senior Counsel Assisting Orr took to the stand to lead the commission through a forensic exposition and examination of a bribery and fraud ring operating in Greater Western Sydney involving senior NAB bankers across multiple branches. After a morning spent reading - and harshly critiquing the rap sheets of misconduct provided to the Commission by six major institutions - Commonwealth Bank, NAB, Westpac, ANZ, Aussie Home Loans and Citibank Orr called the first bank executive to the stand after lunch. NABs head of broker partnerships, Anthony Waldron, would endure a full afternoon and a following morning of devastating questioning by Orr, who proceeded to lead him through an avalanche of previously confidential internal emails and whistleblower reports, detailing how bribes of $2800 cash passed over the counter in white envelopes at branches in return for fraudulent loans. NAB bankers including branch managers massaged their sales figures to either boost sales to game its Star Sales Incentives bonus system, or understate them to avoid scrutiny of how they were rorting another scheme designed to reward introducers to the bank. All up, 20 bankers were sacked or left NAB over the scandal, which, as Orr painstakingly detailed during questioning of Waldron, was known to NAB staff as early as April 2015, but which NAB failed to officially report to the corporate regulator until February the following year. Previously unknown to most Australians, all banks have such introducer programs, which reward third parties with a spot and refer fee for directing new customers to the business. Eligible referrers which in NABs case at the time included gym owners and tailors earn upfront commissions of around 0.4 per cent of the total loan balance if a loan is subsequently approved. On a $500,000 loan, thats a spotters fee of $2,000. Writing loans to customers directly is more profitable for banks rather than having to pay a mortgage broker intermediary commissions and banks have looked for ways to increase their sales through such proprietary channels in recent years, including using introducers. An ASIC report last year found a significant increase in the volume of loans written through such introducers from 8,124 in 2012 to 26,106 in 2015 - or an increase in value from $3.3 billion to $14.6 billion. But unlike mortgage brokers and financial advisers, who provide advice and are regulated, such introducers are supposed not to recommend a certain bank and therefore fall outside consumer protection regulation. Next to the stand for the banks was Commonwealth Bank, which on day three was forced to defend its relationship with mortgage brokers. CBA executive Daniel Huggins (left) CBA executive, Daniel Huggins, was grilled by Orr over the banks decision to revoke the accreditation of more than 700 brokers who had failed to submit a loan to the bank in the past two years. Huggins denied the move was designed to penalise brokers who directed business to other lenders. Amid widespread concerns about billions of dollars of liar loans, Huggins was also questioned by Orr about an internal report by Ernst & Young which revealed an excessive reliance on using a standard benchmark of household expenses to write loans. Most sensationally, Orr read out parts of a confidential letter written by former CBA chief Ian Narev in February last year to Stephen Sedgwick, a former head of the federal public service reviewing, at the time, remuneration in the banking sector. In the letter, Narev conceded commission payments to mortgage brokers, charged as a percentage of loan value, could potentially lead to poor customer outcomes" by incentivising brokers to sign customers up to higher value loans. Hayne interjected to accuse CBA of being economical with the truth in not properly disclosing this fact to customers in loan documents. Orr went further, questioning why CBA was still relying on a conflict-riddled way of remunerating brokers a year after Narevs letter. We are here now in March of 2018, CBA has known all of these things for some time, but CBA has not stopped paying volume based commissions to brokers? Huggins: Thats right. Orr: Has CBA taken any steps towards ceasing its practice of paying volume-based commissions to brokers? Arguing doing so would result in a first mover disadvantage, Huggins conceded: No, we havent. The star power of Rowena Orr is one of the main features to emerge out of this weeks hearings. Hayne and Orr appear to work in complete synchronicity Hayne ready to jump in at a moments notice, but largely leaving his Cambridge-educated silk to continue her meticulous and relentless questioning. Orr was on her feet for almost all of this weeks 20 hours of hearings. As one bank industry executive observed this week: Its very impressive to watch unfold, but very uncomfortable to be on the receiving end of it. If banks are to be held to the same standard of work ethic and rigour as both Hayne and Orr, they will surely be found wanting. Loading In general, the industry appears to have been caught on the hop by Orrs gotcha strategy of taking witnesses to explosive elements of reams of documents provided to the commission under its notice to produce powers. Literally hundreds of thousands of pages of documentation have already been lodged in the court document management system, with many more to come as requests for documents continue to stream into banks. To deal with the volume of work, banks have employed armies of lawyers, taking out entire office floors at bank headquarters. These legal armies now know they must redouble efforts to comb through the documents they have been asked to provide the commission, advance scouting for potential landmines. Fail, and legal teams can only watch helplessly as Orr detonates these bombs in the faces of their clients key executives. Legal bills look set to hit the billion dollar mark, including $75 million for the Commission itself, and $100 million to $150 million for each of the major four banks, plus other lenders, super funds and insurers. These legal costs will ultimately be borne by taxpayers, shareholders and customers. But, as Orr told the Commission this week, financial institutions have paid out nearly $500 million since 2010 in remediation to customers affected by poor lending processes and administrative stuff ups on homeloan, personal loan, credit cards and car loan products. A billion dollars spent to expose such banking failures might be worth it to reduce future damage to customers. What policies Hayne may ultimately end up recommending after his year long Commission remains to be seen. Early indications are that Hayne feels, in the balance between the necessary hunt for profit and providing a good service to customers, banks have swung too far in favour of the former. His comments this week betray a deep distaste for the commission structure of mortgage broking, and it looks likely he will recommend a shift to a flat fee for service model, like in financial planning. In a self described soliloquy this week, Hayne mused on whether banks seemed to appreciate the difference between admitting to breakdown in controls and outright breaches of the law. One thing that I may have to look at, I think, is what the attitude...is to the notion of obedience to the law... there may be a difference between a breakdown in controls and an acknowledgment of breach of law...I dont want people ignoring the fact these are ideas that are at least on the table. It is hard to imagine Steven Cain would have resisted the opportunity to return to Coles. The supermarket and liquor group remains unfinished business for the British retail veteran who was unceremoniously sacked just before Christmas in 2004, after just 14 months in the top job. The pace of change demanded by Cain - dubbed Mr Ruthless by his staff - was too much for them to stomach. Coles will face a new life as a separate entity. Credit:Michael Clayton-Jones MCJ Cain knew that major change was needed at the grocer which was running an underperforming business and being strangled by a sclerotic management structure. A former union leader has alleged that her computer keystrokes were logged as part of a covert surveillance operation. Julie Bignell, a former official from the Queensland branch of the Australian Services Union, launched a forensic investigation which found the security of the union computer system had been compromised. Julie Bignell addressing a protest against the then-Newman government's cuts in 2012. Credit:Harrison Saragossi An internal investigation has since confirmed that her computer strokes were logged for a six-day period. Keystroke logging can potentially allow for passwords and any other words or numbers keyed into a computer keyboard to be tracked. Ms Bignell has made a complaint to the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (previously known as the Office of the Australian Privacy Commissioner) and the Registered Organisations Commission about the discovery. Western Sydney University Chancellor, Professor Peter Shergold, AC, said the University Board acknowledged the exceptionally strong leadership demonstrated by the Vice-Chancellor over the past four years. Western Sydney University Vice-Chancellor Barney Glover will remain in the role until at least the end of 2023. Credit:Gene Ramirez This has been a period during which the higher education sector has experienced significant volatility and policy uncertainty," Professor Shergold said. "As Vice-Chancellor, Professor Glover has successfully navigated the university through this complex environment while maintaining a clear focus on quality outcomes in teaching, research and service to our students. While Chair of Universities Australia he was an articulate voice for the sector. The Universitys rising international rankings and growing national and international reputation can be attributed to the Vice-Chancellors drive, energy and passion. This has been accompanied by an unswerving commitment to, and highly skilled advocacy for, the Greater Western Sydney region that we serve. Professor Glovers leadership has placed Western Sydney University in a very strong position to respond to the future challenges and the opportunities presented by a rapidly changing sector, economy and a global context. Professor Glover said: I am proud to be part of such a distinctive university and to work with outstanding colleagues, with whom I have enjoyed and shared success over the past four years. I am particularly pleased to see our students achieve success both in their studies and in their careers as some of the most sought-after graduates. I look forward to the next five years a time of great importance to both the university and to the Western Sydney region. Cbus Property has snapped up a large development site in the heart of Melbourne from two rival Singaporean property powerhouses for an estimated $170 million. Cbus now controls the Tower Melbourne site. The deal gives Cbus control of nearly 3000 square metres of land, close to a quarter of a city block, between Queen, Bourke and McKillop streets with a potential development value of more than $1 billion. Confirmation of the transaction, first reported by The Age two weeks ago, was announced by Singapore-listed Chip Eng Seng which told the local exchange it had sold its Tower Melbourne site at 150 Queen Street for $55 million. The sale followed a long-running and acrimonious legal battle between Chip Eng Seng and a neighbouring property owner, Singapore magnate George Chow. Homeless couple Kylie Rinkin and Allan Holloway in their riverside 'apartment' at Kangaroo Point. Credit:Tony Moore In Queensland, that means assured five-year funding for 89 non government organizations to provide 170 specialist homelessness services. For the first time since 2013, an agreement between the federal and state governments has been reached to provide funding in a five-year blocks to let agencies plan long-term to fight rising homelessness. Friday marked the first time five-year funding has been agreed since the Coalition superceded Labor at the federal level and asked for tighter controls on where the homelessness funding was being spent. The dispute has festered for five years, with funding extended year by year, instead of a block. Now, Queensland agencies trying to help homeless people can now rely on five-year funding which is targeted to actual outcomes; finding homes and building low-cost housing. The sector has told me repeatedly that short term and insecure funding has been severely affecting service providers ability to develop workforce capacity, Queensland Housing Minister Mick de Brenni said. It was impacting their ability to plan and develop services, and to attract quality staff because they could only employ people for a few months at a time. There are few genres as demanding as the picture book. Words and images must entertain, inspire, educate and connect with the child, and the child within the adult. Stories, complex or not, must be distilled to roughly 32 pages. Despite this rigid formula, something inexplicable can happen; and when the good ones come along, they never quite leave. In Reimagine the world according to children's books, the Geelong Art Gallery brings together more than 100 works by artists including Bronwyn Bancroft (Colours of Australia), Shaun Tan (Rules of Summer), Leigh Hobbs (Mr Chicken Arriva a Roma), Ann James (The Butterfly), Van T. Rudd (The Patchwork Bike), Tai Snaith (Slow Down, World), and Anna Walker (Mr Huff). Ann James, Wrapping the loose robes, 1995, watercolour and pencil [from The Butterfly, Penguin Random House, Australia, 1996; Walker Books, Australia 2012]. Reproduced courtesy of the artist and Walker Books, Sydney. Senior curator Lisa Sullivan said the idea was inspired by the building next door to the gallery Geelong's Regional Library. "We wanted a way to bring our two worlds together. The library has an entire floor dedicated to children's books and we had the perfect space." Jennifer Lopez has revealed her own #MeToo moment, saying a director once asked her to undress in front of him. "I haven't been abused in the way some women have," she told Harper's Bazaar, about the wave of accusations that have rocked Hollywood since last October's Harvey Weinstein scandal. "But have I been told by a director to take off my shirt and show my boobs? Yes, I have. But did I do it? No, I did not." The 48-year-old said she feared she'd hurt her work prospects in the moment. Camilla Franks doesn't like to sit still. In 2017, her business clocked up its 56th international market (Iran and Belgium are among the new additions), and in January she welcomed her first child, a daughter, Luna. No longer just a kaftan queen ... Camilla Franks is broadening her offering. Credit:Wolter Peeters But some of the biggest changes to the business have been happening in the design room, where the brand, which earned an international reputation for its kaftans Oprah and Beyonce are fans has been slowly adding more structured silhouettes, such as tailored jackets and bombers. It's part of a strategy to win new business, in particular what Franks calls "high-fashion customers". You know, the women who attend the fashion shows and shop the collections straight off the runway. "While we still remain true to our core product, weve shifted our offering to [introduce] ... new silhouettes to remain progressive as a label," Franks said. I realize we may have our favorites (note the plural) when thinking about wine, food, restaurants, locales or a wide variety of other interests. But a favorite, I dont think so. Thankfully, at any given time my memory bank is filled with remarkable wines Ive enjoyed over time (regardless of price, lineage, varietal or a critics score) and the impact theyve had on the occasion. Isnt that what makes something memorable? So upon reflection, perhaps my stock answer about my kids and grandkids isnt so trite after all. I surely love them all but each in a different and more individual fashion. They are all my favorites, each in their own way. My March 2 column CorkIs the jury still out? generated several comments from the recognition of the cork industrys efforts to overcome TCA taint, to both questioning and affirming corks reliability as a closure along with the convenience of screw cap vs. cork. CarlWhat is the life of a cork in the bottle? I remember not many years ago Chateau Lafite Rothschild sent representatives to the U.S.A. to re-cork and top-off vintages over 25 years old. I havent heard that this is still being donebut should it? EDITOR'S NOTE: The High Court overturned Cardinal George Pell's conviction for historic child sex offences in a judgment handed down April 7, 2020. In a unanimous decision all seven High Court judges found Victoria's Court of Appeal should not have upheld Pell's conviction It found the evidence could not support a guilty verdict. Scoop the support dog (he is a three-year-old black Labrador) is being suggested as the next Australian of the Year. If Lake Burley Griffin could talk, surely it would welcome West Basin being enriched so more people are encouraged to live and play on its shores. Credit:Rohan Thomson The therapeutic powers of dogs' company are well known and scientifically proven. So 'twas no wonder that we learned this week that Scoop will be on standby to assist witnesses as they give evidence in the George Pell committal hearing. Readers' comments on news stories about Scoop are including the suggestion that he be the next Australian of the Year. Scoop's supportive powers have been much in the news. Meanwhile, away from the limelight and the paparazzi my own support dog, Voss the 15-month-old mongrel, has been working therapeutic wonders with me. The discovery that taxpayers are being milked to help fund the idyllic love life of expensively-bejewelled foreign minister Julie Bishop (we pay the travel expenses that enable her Romeo to go everywhere in the world with her), has left decent Australians bristling with rage. Huge population growth in western Sydney and the development of Western Sydney Airport necessitates the need for radical local government reform to ensure the "string of dysfunction" exhibited by the former Auburn council and the exploits of its former deputy mayor Salim Mehajer and others are not repeated, a new discussion paper says. Christopher Brown, chairman of the Western Sydney Leadership Dialogue, said the paper Governance Reform For Growth, a collaboration with Sydney Business Chamber, wasn't intended to provide all the answers, but to spark discussion. The site of the Western Sydney Airport at Badgerys Creek. Credit:Peter Braig "Western Sydney was embarrassed by the appalling governance issues at [the former] Auburn council and we need new systems in place to attract and maintain municipal talent, to weed out corruption and ensure ratepayers get value for money," he said. "This region should be a beacon for best practice, not a sanctuary for spivs." The paper was launched to 100 public and private sector leaders at Western Sydney University in Parramatta, but no politicians were invited. A truck driver has had a lucky escape after his semi-trailer exploded in Brisbanes south on Friday afternoon. Meanwhile, a male driver has been cut from the wreckage of his car after it was rear-ended by another vehicle on the Gateway Motorway in Brisbane's east. In the initial incident, emergency services were called to a truck engulfed in flames on Marshall Road at Tarragindi just after 4pm. A Queensland Fire and Emergency Services spokesman said when two crews arrived on scene they saw large flames coming from the engine bay. Rohan Brown, the former deputy principal at Trinity Grammar. Credit:Josh Robenstone Former Federal Court judge Ray Finkelstein QC and barrister Renee Enbom, who represented actor Rebel Wilson in her recent defamation case, will investigate Trinity Grammar's sacking of its deputy principal Rohan Brown for cutting a student's hair. Loading The Kew private school announced the appointments in a letter to the school community from school council chair Robert Utter on Friday afternoon, saying the investigation would begin immediately. It came hours before a deadline of 5pm imposed by the Old Trinity Grammarians' Association, which has threatened legal action if remaining members of the school council do not stand down by close of business on Friday. This month marks the 50th anniversary of an event in history the Vietnamese people call Tham sat My Lai the My Lai Massacre. Unmatched as the most appalling episode of Americas campaign in Vietnam, the incident at My Lai was so visceral and so objectively abhorrent as to have a permanent impact on the ultimate perception of the war. The name My Lai itself has become practically synonymous with the war crimes concept. My Lai Massacre Scene: Bodies of woman and children on road leading from village of My Lai in South Vietnam in March 1968. Credit: Ronald L. Haeberle,/Associated Press In total, as many as 500 men, women and children were murdered on March 18, 1968 the final outcome of a clearance operation conducted by the US Army inside a so-called free fire zone in South Vietnam. Immediately afterwards, Captain Ernest Medina, the commanding officer of the company responsible for the killings was issued a Letter of Commendation and General William Westmoreland, the overseer of the entire war, personally congratulated the unit for an outstanding job. A heavy blow had been dealt against the enemy, the dispatches initially claimed. When all was said and done though and the truth about My Lai was finally revealed, Second Lieutenant William Calley, a junior-level officer present at the scene, was charged and convicted with 22 counts of pre-meditated murder. He was the only officer to serve time for offences related to the massacre. Engineers have delivered a blunt message to the ACT government as Victoria moves to adopt a compulsory registration scheme for the profession. Calls for the ACT to adopt an engineers register date as far back as 2012, when the then-government promised to tighten-up the regulation of the territory's engineers in the wake of the 2010 Barton Highway bridge collapse and other incidents. The ACT government committed to an engineers register after the 2012 Barton Highway bridge collapse. Credit:Lannon Harley "It's time to get on with it," Engineers Australia ACT general manager Keely Quinn said. "There is no reason why this can't happen in the ACT, and in fact the government has promised to deliver it a number of times. Chief Minister Andrew Barr has strengthened his apology for saying he "hates journalists", saying he has learned from the strong reaction to his comments last week. "I shouldn't have made that statement, I apologise for making that statement. It wasn't a nice thing to say," he said. Chief Minister Andrew Barr: "I apologise for making that statement. It wasn't a nice thing to say." Credit:Dion Georgopoulos "But it doesn't detract from my point that I need to communicate with all Canberrans and I can't rely on the traditional media to reach all Canberrans. I've got to use other methods as well." Mr Barr told a briefing of communications specialists last week that he hated journalists and was "over" dealing with the mainstream media. He dismissed The Canberra Times as a dying newspaper that would be gone within years and viewers of ABC television as in their mid-60s. Former prime minister John Howard believes Australias biggest companies should come to the defence of their shareholders in the row over Labors reforms to dividend rules to prevent more than one million taxpayers losing cash refunds. Mr Howard accused Bill Shorten of demonising people who owned shares and said the companies that paid dividends to millions of Australians should stand up for free enterprise. The former prime minister, whose government introduced the cash refunds for people with no or low taxable income, said he of course believed companies should speak up on the issue. Former PM John Howard. Credit:Andrew Meares Id always welcome strong statements of support for free enterprise and small business and personal ownership and self-advancement by large corporations, he told Fairfax Media on Friday. The incoming United States ambassador to Australia, Admiral Harry Harris, has issued a stark warning about China's intentions in the Asia-Pacific, accusing the resurgent power of bullying regional neighbours by economic, political and military means. Admiral Harris, a well-known defence hawk who President Donald Trump picked last month to be the next US envoy in Canberra, also said there were lessons to be learnt from Chinese Communist Party-linked influence in Australia. "China is leveraging military modernisation, influence operations and predatory economics to coerce neighbouring countries to reorder the Indo-Pacific to their advantage," Admiral Harris, the commander of US forces in the Pacific, told a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing in Washington, DC. Admiral Harry Harris in Canberra earlier this month. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen "While some view China's actions in the East and South China Seas as opportunistic, I do not. I view them as co-ordinated, methodical and strategic, using their military and economic power to erode the free and open international order." Like Burgundy producers, all three of these Oregon producers focus their attention on the soil. Aaron from Domaine Drouhin noted that the plants grow differently in the two regions. In Oregon there is more vigor, more vegetative growth and deeper, richer soils whereas in Burgundy, the plant is self-regulating. But like they do in Burgundy, they have 49 blocks on 100 acres and Aaron knows the personalities of each of the 49 different places on the 100 acres. Thomas from Lingua Franca explained that there are 42 premiere vineyards on 60 hectares in Beaune, the most diverse in Burgundy. In Oregon, they have 23 parcels in the one vineyard and keep every parcel separate to try to see what is happening. We need to be close to the wine and taste all the time. We want to let it speak as it should, he said. The focus is on the expression of the place. Mark from Chapter 24 said Oregon is much more complicated to grow and make great wine than Burgundy. In Burgundy, you throw a stick and find limestone. In comparison, Oregon is a Swiss watch of terroir. The Russian ambassador has left open the door to a sanction war with Australia if it retaliates against Moscow over the UK spy poison attack, conceding he does not have good relations with Malcolm Turnbull or Julie Bishop. The ambassador to Australia, Grigory Logvinov, also accused the Turnbull government of being deaf to outside views in strongly backing Britains response to the poisoning of a former Russian agent. But Foreign Minister Julie Bishop has not backed down from her threat of Australian action against Russia over the first use of chemical weapons in Europe since World War II. Russian ambassador to Australia Grigory Logvinov has left open the possibility of stronger sanctions against Australia. Credit:Fairfax Media Australia has joined Britain, the US, France and Germany in condemning Russia over the assassination attempt in southern England of Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia. Later, answering questions from the floor, Foster reflected with considerable regret that non-Indigenous Australians remained largely ignorant of Indigenous forms of knowledge. You just dont know, he insisted, you dont understand how we live. He admitted that he still felt like an outsider in his own country. Foster had heard many whitefellas speak of acknowledging history and moving on, as if the past was a commodity that could be selectively embraced and abandoned at the nations convenience. But he was unable to leave history behind him. He lived its consequences every day. His comments reminded me of a remark by Warlpiri elder Rosie Nappurrula. When the Europeans came to her land in Central Australia, she said, it represented the end of the Jukurrpa [Dreaming]". This was not to say that the Dreaming was over, but that she was unable to live in the Dreaming in the same way as before. As Peggy Rockman Napaljarri and Lee Cataldi explain in their introduction to Warlpiri Dreamings and Histories, an extraordinary collection of 15 stories from Warlpiri elders, the arrival of Europeans meant the end of the Jukurrpa as a world view, as a single, total explanation for the universe". If this is true of blackfella Dreaming, what then of whitefella Dreaming? After nearly 230 years of living with Indigenous Australians, has it not too been altered? Now that the Indigenous cultures that were thought to be destined for extinction have emerged to demand their rightful place in the Commonwealth, and in light of new historical knowledge, can we continue living in our Dreaming in the same way as before? Still asserting that the country is ours for the taking? Still believing that our civilisation has a right to supersede that of Indigenous Australians? Still claiming that our ways of governing the country are superior and uncontestable? Has the whitefella's Dreaming changed? Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and Minister for Indigenous Health Ken Wyatt wait to greet Clinton Pryor at Parliament House on September 6. Credit:Andrew Meares While Australians today embrace aspects of Indigenous culture in ways that would have been unimaginable only 50 years ago, and while our communities show an increasing willingness to listen to Indigenous voices and stories, the state lags far behind. As historys victor, the Commonwealth has yet to give a true indication that whitefella Dreaming has changed. Symbolic recognition alone is an impoverished vision. After little more than two centuries of European occupation, we agree to say to the people whose ancestors have lived here for thousands of generations We recognise you!. Its precisely for this reason that the Uluru Statement from the Heart called for substantive constitutional change and structural reform". Without this, Recognition is a hollow vessel that soothes the conscience of whitefellas but does nothing to improve the lives of Indigenous Australians. The Uluru Statement may have been circulated around the corridors of Parliament House, but its potential still waits to be realised. Our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander tribes were the first sovereign Nations of the Australian continent and its adjacent islands . . . This sovereignty is a spiritual notion: the ancestral tie between the land, or mother nature . . . With substantive constitutional change and structural reform, we believe this ancient sovereignty can shine through as a fuller expression of Australias nationhood. May 26, 2017: Mutitjulu elder Rolley Mintuma (left) and Pat Anderson from the Referendum Council with a piti holding the Uluru Statement from the Heart, during the closing ceremony in the Mutitjulu community of the First Nations National Convention held at Uluru. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen Australians have long lacked confidence in their civilisation. Deeply ashamed until the 1970s of our convict ancestry and colonial origins, forever measuring our society and culture against superior British and European models, endlessly pining for prominence on an imagined world stage while our political leaders shrilly proclaim that we live in the greatest country in the world, we have long preferred self-congratulation to criticism. In this respect, we are not exceptional. Yet the most profound source of our alienation from the continent remains to be fully appreciated and overcome. Until the late 20th century, white Australia was intent on conquering, eradicating and forgetting Indigenous Australia. We believed that history began in 1770 on the shores of Botany Bay. We were not only estranged from the history of the countrys violent foundation on the frontier, we were also completely disconnected from the spiritual and ancient sovereignty of Aboriginal people. This too was something we sought to overcome, or reduce to the level of superstition and fairytale. The Uluru Statement asks us to confirm that we have overturned our assumptions not only about the beginning of history", but also about our relationship with the country and our identity as a people. It is both an invitation and a challenge: to embrace the ancient sovereignty that we have long denied and finally allow it to form the bedrock of our nations identity. After all that has happened since 1770, this is a gift of incalculable generosity. And it speaks directly to key elements of the new constitutional settlement we are attempting to establish in the years ahead: recognition, the republic and truth-telling. Noel Pearson signs a canvas on which the Uluru Statement from the Heart was later painted in May. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen Since the late 19th century, when Henry Lawson and The Bulletin argued that Australia should cut the painter and sever its ties with the United Kingdom, republicans have always imagined that their independence would come from severance alone. By the 1990s, the argument for a republic was not so much about Britain republicans argued that they wanted to retain Australias British heritage and parliamentary traditions as it was about an Australian head of state. Yet for all this time, republicans have imagined that the question of the countrys independence was anchored solely in its relationship with Britain and her monarchy. We have looked outwards rather than within, knowing what we want to reject but being less certain about what we want to create in the monarchys absence. Business as usual the credo of minimalist republicanism in the 1990s is no longer a credible response. We have already broken away and become an independent nation except in two crucial respects: we are without an Australian head of state and we have yet to anchor our vision of popular sovereignty in the continents Indigenous antiquity. This is the true source of a more mature and independent Australia the grounding of our sovereignty on our own soil, in the songlines and histories of an ancient island continent. One of the many questions that historian Manning Clark asked about Australia was whether Indigenous Australians, Australians of British origin and those who have come to this country from more than 150 countries around the world would find a way to build a new civilisation one that Clark believed would be not only independent, republican and genuinely inclusive, but also fiercely protective of its environment, fully reconciled with its past and completely at home. Mutthi Mutthi elder Dave Edwards takes part in the repatriation of the remains of Mungo Man and 104 other ancient ancestors in Balranald, NSW. Credit:Justin McManus In 2012, novelist Kim Scott pointed to the same connection from a different perspective. This is an Aboriginal nation, he asserted. Its a black country, the continent. Some people are starting to think about [whether we can] graft a contemporary Australian community onto its Indigenous roots. Naturally, neither Scott, who has done much to preserve his Noongar language and culture, nor the authors of the Uluru Statement are implying that we should simply appropriate the ancient sovereignty of Indigenous Australians in a latterday form of colonial theft. What they are suggesting is that this process of grafting can only avoid appropriation if it is accompanied by a constitutional settlement that brings a fundamental realignment of the relationship between Indigenous Australians and the state. For every Australian citizen, regardless of ethnicity, a meaningful constitutional settlement with Indigenous Australia would stand as a fundamental pillar of the democratic nation to which they belong. Truth-telling is the other cornerstone. The reasons why are spelt out in the Referendum Councils report: Now is an opportunity for the First Nations to tell the truth about history in our own voices and from our own point of view. And for mainstream Australians to hear those voices and to reconsider what they know and understand about their nations history. This will be challenging, but the truth about invasion needs to be told. Council members stressed how delegates repeatedly emphasised the need for non-Aboriginal Australians to take responsibility for that history and this legacy it has created". These demands have still not registered in the corridors of Parliament House or in the broader community. The experience of post-apartheid South Africas Truth and Reconciliation Commission (199698), and Canadas more recent Truth and Reconciliation Commission (200815) demonstrated the capacity of such commissions to promote healing and restorative truth". I hope that an Australian commission would involve both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal truth-tellers. As Inga Clendinnen explained in 2009, the purpose of truth-telling is not to wring our hands over past brutalities and injustices" but, in Australias case, to understand how punitive expeditions, which were often composed of a majority of Aboriginal Native Police, were sent out and did their work. Berating Australians, besmirching what they perceive as an honourable past, or telling them that they must know the truth of their history without explaining why can be counterproductive. Asking them to listen to Indigenous voices in good faith holds out more hope of change. Listening but not hearing? Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull with Clinton Pryor at Parliament House in September. Credit:Andrew Meares Already at a local level, community groups (including the descendants of families involved on both sides) have come together on the anniversaries of massacres such as Coniston, Myall Creek and Ravensthorpe to erect memorials, commemorate the tragic events and listen to one anothers stories. They are all inspiring examples of truth-telling and healing that will prove invaluable for a future national body. As ever, governments have yet to catch up. While every state parliament has passed an act of recognition (Victoria was the first, in 2004), few of these reassuring declarations have confronted the reality of violent dispossession and almost all are accompanied by no legal effect clauses. More importantly, there is no state-sanctioned memorial to the frontier wars in Australia. While our federal governments busily erect memorials to our servicemen and women who fought in conflicts overseas Canberras Anzac Parade, with its ever-burgeoning number of war memorials, already resembles the worst of Soviet-era bombast they refuse to acknowledge the Aboriginal patriots who died defending their country. After a truth-telling commission, a national memorial to the frontier wars would not only be the next logical step, it would have more force. It would also act as a sorely needed corrective in other ways. Anzac Day, which has become Australias de facto national day, is a case in point. Unlike any other nation, Australia has embraced a legend of national birth that takes place 16,000 kilometres offshore. Not on our own soil but on the distant shores of the Gallipoli Peninsula in Turkey. By doing so, weve turned our eyes from the true site of melancholy, loss and birth in our history, the land itself and the encounter between Aboriginal people and those who came from across the seas to claim this land. Thirteen-year-old Wiradjuri-Brinja Yuin boy Jai Russell waiting to lead the Frontier Wars contingent for the ANZAC Day march at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra, April 2017. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen The timing of Anzac Days resurgence which began in earnest after more than a decades debate over the Bicentenary, Mabo and the Stolen Generations was not coincidental. For conservatives especially, exasperated by the rise of black armband history, April 25 offered a much more attractive proposition: a foundational narrative that told of heroic sacrifice and the loss of honourable blood, conveniently situated far away from the site of the countrys true foundation. Our governments go to extraordinary lengths to repatriate the bodies of our soldiers buried in unmarked graves on the former battlefields of the Western Front in France, yet show little interest in the repatriation of the bodies of Aboriginal warriors, many of them unknown and sent back to England during the frontier wars, pointing yet again to our inability to mourn the dispossession of Aboriginal people. The fracas about the future of Australia Day would also take on a different inflection. The voices heard in the commission would speak directly to the point of division: invasion and dispossession. After the Indigenous perspective on Australias history was aired in such a way, the question of Australia Day which has, after all, only been a national public holiday since 1994 would be more easily settled. Rather than choosing another day, the day needs to choose itself. We need to first prepare the ground for a truly unifying national day by working through the challenges of constitutional recognition, truth-telling and genuine legislative reform. This could happen in a way that changes the nature of commemoration on January 26, making it more inclusive, or lead to another date entirely. As it stands, the day is already untethered from the events that took place on January 26, 1788, when Governor Arthur Phillip and his officers, who had already been in Sydney Harbour since January 21, came ashore to plant the British flag and toast the King. The focus is on citizenship ceremonies and, as the cliche goes, the things that unite Australians rather than those that divide us''. Even the convicts and Phillip struggle for airplay, which explains why less than half those polled in two recent surveys could connect Australia Day with the arrival of the First Fleet. Eager to depict themselves as defenders of the national honour, politicians including Malcolm Bligh Turnbull line up to trumpet the day as an occasion when we should be proud of Australia and its history and celebrate all of our achievements". After ABCs Triple J moved its annual Hottest 100 from Australia Day to January 27, The Australians editorial followed the politicians lead, absurdly claiming that Triple J was attempting to subvert the nation". As Waleed Aly perceptively remarked in 2016, as a nation, we lack a national mythology that can cope with our shortcomings. That transforms our historical scars into fatal psychological wounds, leaving us with a bizarre need to insist everything was and is as good as it gets. Victoria wants the states and Commonwealth to work together to tackle gay conversion therapy. Credit:Bruno Domingos Victoria has urged Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull to help other states crack down on gay conversion therapy, describing it as insidious bullying and dangerous quackery that should be tackled as part of a national mental health strategy. But the Turnbull government has declined to cooperate, saying that conversion therapy which involves trying to change or suppress a persons sexuality or gender identity - is a matter for individual states to address. A Fairfax Media investigation last week revealed that gay conversion practices remain prevalent in Australia: hidden in health services, schools, and religious ministries linked to an informal network of churches and counsellors. In one disturbing case, a transgender child was forced into seven sessions of chaplaincy counselling at her religious school - without her parents knowledge - in a bid to stop her from transitioning. While Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull would not commit to raising the issue of Myanmar's Rohingya crisis at the Sydney meeting of ASEAN leaders this weekend, Indonesia's leader promised he would. President Joko Widodo said that he would raise the crisis, which UN officials have said appears to be genocide, with the group of regional leaders. Myanmar is a member of the 10-country group, represented at the meeting by state counsellor and foreign affairs minister Aung San Suu Kyi. Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull. Credit:Nick Moir "Yes, we want to solve this problem together, of course with Myanmar and also with others and also with our colleagues in ASEAN and with Australia," Indonesia's leader told Fairfax Media in an interview ahead of the summit. "Yes, I want to talk to the other leaders in Sydney." Pressure on the issue is unwelcome with Ms Suu Kyi, and other ASEAN leaders are uncomfortable discussing matters of human rights in the forum because they fear scrutiny of their own countries' conduct. London: British police said on Friday they had launched a murder investigation following the death in London of a Russian associate of late tycoon Boris Berezovsky. Former Russian businessman Nikolai Glushkov was found dead at his London on March 12. Credit:AP "A murder investigation has been launched following the results of a post mortem into the death of 68-year-old Russian businessman Nikolai Glushkov," London's Metropolitan Police said in a statement, adding the cause of death was compression to the neck. The police statement said that at this stage there was nothing to suggest a link to the attempted murders of former Russian spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter on March 4 or that poison was involved. Earlier on Friday, Russia's Investigative Committee said it had opened a criminal investigation into both the attempted murder of Yulia Skripal and what it said was the murder of Glushkov. It also said it was ready to cooperate with British authorities on the two cases. London: Russian assassins planted the nerve agent that poisoned Russian ex-spy Sergei Skripal in his daughters suitcase before she left Moscow, British investigators now believe. Intelligence agency sources told London's Telegraph they strongly suspect the 66-year-olds daughter Yulia Skripal, 33, unknowingly carried a piece of clothing, cosmetics or a gift impregnated with the toxin into his house in Salisbury, where it poisoned both of them. British Prime Minister Theresa May during her visit to Salisbury. Credit:Pool If the theory is correct, it will be all but impossible to identify the perpetrators. More than 130 people may have come into contact with the deadly Novichok nerve agent since it was released in Salisbury almost two weeks ago, Wiltshire police said. Their health was being monitored daily, and some had been treated in hospital. London: Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the powerful heir to the Saudi Arabian throne, has reportedly kept his own mother away from his father, the king, out of fear she would stand in the way of his rapid rise to power. The reports came as he warned that Saudi Arabia would develop its own nuclear weapons if Iran was allowed to build a nuclear bomb. Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Arabia's crown prince. Credit:Bloomberg The prince has prevented Princess Fahda bint Falah al-Hathleen, his mother, from seeing King Salman for more than two years. At one point, she may even have been held under house arrest at a royal palace, NBC News reported, citing 14 current and former US intelligence officials. Saudi Arabia's government strongly denied the claim. Little is known about Fahda, the king's third wife, and as with most Saudi royal women she is not seen in public. It would appear that Mueller, with the full force of the law and subpoena power behind him, intends to proceed as he sees fit. Mueller has already made it clear that he wouldn't hesitate to look at Trump's business transactions. Bloomberg News reported last July just a day after Trump conversed with the New York Times about that red line that Mueller was expanding the scope of his investigation to Trump's commercial dealings. Mueller's probe seems to be pursuing three primary questions. The first is whether Trump or his campaign worked with the Kremlin to tilt the 2016 election in Trump's favour. The second is whether Trump or his advisers obstructed justice to derail the federal investigation. The third involves the possibility of financial quid pro quos that Trump and his family members (especially his son-in-law, Jared Kushner) may have sought in exchange for public policy favours, such as possibly lifting economic sanctions on Russia or shifting US-Ukraine policy. The quid pro quo stuff is likely to be all about money ultimately, and that's why the Times' scoop on Thursday is significant. Mueller is venturing into the Trump Organisation itself, the nexus of all of the President's business deals. He's collecting records from a company that's inseparable from the President himself. No major transactions have occurred at the Trump Organisation without Trump's blessing, and his unwillingness and failure to separate himself from his company since entering the White House make that reality even more apparent. The President's intersection with Russian money is also a potential powder keg. The Times said that Mueller is examining a 2015 proposal by a Trump business partner, Felix Sater, to Trump's personal lawyer, Michael Cohen, to orchestrate a real estate deal in Moscow. Sater claimed that he could get Russia's President, Vladimir Putin, to buy into the transaction and that doing so could help the Trump win the election. Sater is, as they say in the trade, a character Cohen's efforts to contact the Kremlin about that deal relied on using a publicly available email address in the Kremlin's press office. That's not exactly the work of sophisticates who have contacts in the highest reaches of Russia's government. Cohen has handled some of Trump's most sensitive matters, including payoffs to a porn star Stormy Daniels in exchange for her silence about an alleged sexual encounter with Trump. And Sater is a career criminal with organised crime ties. Trump and his children worked closely with him on the launch of the Trump SoHo Hotel and other real estate projects in the US long before he set himself on course for the White House. Some of the murkiest financial dealings with possible Russian ties that Trump engaged in may have taken place in New York, not Moscow. Trump has repeatedly called Mueller's investigation a "witch hunt," and his lawyers have said that the last decade of Trump's tax returns, which the President has declined to release would show that he had no income or loans from Russian sources. Last year, Trump told NBC that he had no property or investments in Russia. "I am not involved in Russia," he said. But Trump's description of his dealings doesn't allow for the fact that national security problems and other quandaries might arise for the President over potentially compromising business transactions and relationships in the US, or because of funds that might have flowed into his wallet years ago. Sater's company, the Bayrock Group, operated out of Trump Tower, just two floors beneath the Trump Organization's headquarters. A former partner of Sater at Bayrock claimed that the company was run as a money-laundering operation. Bayrock also allegedly got some of its funding from the former eastern Europe and from Iceland, and the company paid Trump to put his name on their projects. Although Bayrock eventually went dormant, Sater never left the Trump team. He tried to engineer a diplomatic overture to Ukraine in early 2017, an effort he reportedly undertook with Cohen and which he tried to present to Trump's former national security adviser, Michael Flynn. And, of course, there is the 2015 Moscow deal he pitched to Cohen that Mueller is now examining. I have some history with Sater. Trump sued me in 2006, alleging that my biography, TrumpNation, had misrepresented his business record and his wealth. Trump lost the suit in 2011; my lawyers deposed of him and Sater during the litigation. NEW CAR REVIEW: 2018 SUBARU IMPREZA REVIEW BY STEVE PURDY 2018 SUBARU IMPREZA Review by Steve Purdy The Auto Channel Michigan Bureau The trusty little Subaru Impreza got a full makeover for the 2017 model year and were reviewing it here just as the 2018s are arriving at dealers. The 08 gets some platform changes as well as a few content and trim upgrades, but youll not find it much different than the 2017. Impreza comes in sedan or hatchback, both with four trim levels. Setting Impreza apart from a plethora of other compacts sold in the U.S. is the standard all-wheel drive and a horizontally-opposed, boxer, engine. Both define the Subaru brand vehicles throughout its range. Impreza, by the way, is also the car upon which is based the awesomely fast, race-worthy WRX and WRX-STI. Subaru now markets those as a separate brand. Impreza styling is mostly nondescript. You would probably be unable to identify it in a crowd. The typical-for-Subaru small trapezoidal grille with badge looks modern enough but will turn no heads. This years styling update resulted in some subtle but attractive body sculpting, but youll see no excesses in design. Thats not the point of this car, to be sure. Its reason for being is as a dependable, economical, modest sedan for those with a social conscience and hankering for that all-wheel drive. The brands social conscious is more often seen in their marketing and promotions with some sort of social or ecological message. Our first slide into the drivers seat triggered a little thrill when I realized we have the manual transmission. A five-speed manual is the starting point for the Impreza powertrain. A CVT is optional on the lower trim levels and standard on the top. Only one engine powers the Impreza, a tepid, 2.0-liter boxer that desperately needs a turbo. It makes just 152 horsepower and 145 pound-feet of torque. Thats good for just a 9.7-second 0-60 time. Even those attuned to the feel of a powertrain will barely be able to discern the unusual rhythm of the boxer engine. That was a big part of a Subarus charm, at least for me, in the early days. The EPA says we should expect about 31 mpg on the highway, 23 in the city and 26 mpg combined for this 3,100-pound car. Our experience this week was about 10% below that, but my driving style is, . . . how shall I put it . . . enthusiastic. For a compact sedan this Ohio-built Subaru Impreza felt roomy and comfortable. They claim it has the most interior volume in its class. As we filled the trunk for our road trip and readied ourselves in the cabin, it felt roomier than you would expect for a compact sedan. Of course, the 5-door hatchback will have even more cargo space. Ingress and egress caused this big guy no consternation, unlike even many larger cars. The cabin was nicely trimmed with red stitching and good quality materials throughout. Controls are attractive, simple and seldom confused us. Road noise crept into the cockpit more than most and we had to turn the radio up to hear the news over the hum of mottled pavement. While steering, throttle response and the feel of the shifter are not nearly as intense and mechanical as earlier Subarus, theyre not bad. Driving dynamics are as good as any in its class. In bad weather, particularly snow, the handling will really stand out, probably best-in-class, as the most agile car on the block because of that full-time all-wheel drive. While small sedan sales overall are waning in the market, this one continues to do well, maybe something to do with having that wonderful symmetrical all-wheel drive system for not much more money than cars of lesser competence. The Subaru brand also has a remarkably loyal following. The brand is particularly popular in snowy climates like New England and the Rocky Mountains. We sat at a rustic diner in a busy little town in northern Vermont some years ago and it seemed fully half the cars that passed were Subarus of one kind or another. You can get an unadorned, bottom-of-the-line Impreza but still with all-wheel drive for just about $18,500. Our test car is the Sport, third-of-four trim levels, starting at just under $22,000. Content for the price represents, if not a bargain, certainly a good buy. With the optional power moonroof, premium audio, blind spot detection and rear cross-traffic alert our stickers bottom line shows $24,965. Throughout the trim levels, youll pay only about $500 extra for the 5-door hatchback. Subarus warranty covers the whole car for 3 years or 36,000 miles and the powertrain for 5 years or 60,000 miles. Our road time in the Impreza this week involved a four-hour drive each way to cover the massive Chicago Auto Show and hang with the grandkids, just as a heavy winter storm began to bear down on the city. Lake effect snow greeted us along the shore of Lake Michigan with glazed roads slowing most of the traffic. Not us. We breezed along, carefully but confidently, through white-knuckled traffic. Then the big snow came just as I left the auto show dumping about 10 inches. Sure glad we had that Subaru this week. Steve Purdy, Shunpiker Productions, All Rights Reserved The Most In-Depth Subaru Vehicle Shopper's Research - Anywhere! Healdsburgs David Ramey, one of the worlds finest wine makers, is pioneering a new category of wine: the parallel brand. The idea hearkens back to the older idea of second labels, a wine industry tradition that began in the 1870s in Bordeaux. Second labels were adopted in California in the 1970s, and for a time the category had a major market impact here for bargain hunters. Second labels were a prestige winerys lower-priced version of its main label, intended to offer good value for a wine that wasnt up to the standard of the main label. In Bordeaux, some of the finest houses developed second labels, like Pavillon Rouge of Chateau Margaux and Carruades de Lafite-Rothschild. In most cases, the wines werent from the primary (mature) estate vineyards, but were from the same varieties from younger vines, made by the same winemakers. As good values, they eventually grew into a serious category, and by the 1980s many budget-conscious Americans swore by the quality of Bordeaux second wines. Steve Bannon and Benito Mussolini. Photo: Getty Images Steve Bannon admires Benito Mussolini in much the way a 14-year-old boy might look up to his cool college-aged brother: Hes a total man, he doesnt look awkward in his clothes, and most importantly, many girls want to do it (sex) with him. In a new profile for British magazine The Spectator, the former White House strategist extolled the virtues of the fascist dictator who, in 1920s Italy, banned all rival political parties and opposition newspapers, ramped up secret police activities, abolished local elections, and straight up gave us the term fascism. While Bannon has previously described himself as a Leninist, he went into detail about his fascination with Mussolini. He was clearly loved by women, Bannon said. He was a guys guy. He has all that virility. He also had amazing fashion sense, right, that whole thing with the uniforms. While Mussolini did have a notoriously insatiable appetite for sex, how much his lovers revered that is obviously debatable. About that fashion sense, though little does Bannon know that he may have a future in fashion consulting. Parkland shooting survivor Emma Gonzalez. Photo: John McCall/TNS via Getty Images In the wake of the horrific shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, a number of student survivors became vocal gun-control advocates apparently, to the dismay of Republican Maine House candidate (and lifetime NRA member) Leslie Gibson. The politician had been running unopposed when he decided to call survivors Emma Gonzalez a skinhead lesbian and David Hogg a bald-faced liar. But now, after learning of his comments, 28-year-old Eryn Gilchrist filed paperwork to run against him. Gibson made headlines this week after a now-deleted tweet went viral. In response to an article that had a photo of Gonzalez (who is bisexual), Gibson wrote, There is nothing about this skinhead lesbian that impresses me and there is nothing that she has to say unless youre a frothing at the mouth moonbat. He also insulted Hogg. Soon after, Gibson issued an apology, saying his comments were made in defense of Constitutional rights. But on Thursday, Hogg tweeted: Hey freinds in Maine! Who wants to run against this hate loving politician hes is running UNOPPOSED RUN AGAINST HIM I dont care what party JUST DO IT. (sic) That same day, Gilchrist filed paperwork to enter the race against Gibson in Maines 57th District. Eryn Gilchrist. Photo: Courtesy photo Speaking with the Sun-Journal, Gilchrist said she never intended to run, but felt so horrified and embarrassed at the prospect of Gibson representing her that she felt compelled to enter the state House of Representatives race. I would really have been happy to partake in representative democracy by voting, Gilchrist said. Gilchrist is a 2013 graduate of Bates College who currently works for a medical device company in Bowdoin, Maine. House Speaker Sara Gideon told the Sun-Journal in a statement, We could not be happier to have Eryn run. The new candidate added that she was looking forward to working hard over the next several months to earn the trust and support of people throughout my community. Professor Stephen Hawking delivers his speech at the release of the 'Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists' in London on Jan. 17, 2007. (Photo by Bruno Vincent/Getty Images) Actresss Seemingly Innocent Tribute to Stephen Hawking Made Some People Upset A tribute to famed scientist Stephen Hawking in the wake of his death has been slammed by some as an example of being ableist. Actress Gal Gadot, the star of Wonder Woman, was one of millions of people to post tributes to Hawking after his death on Wednesday at age 76. Rest in peace Dr. Hawking, Gadot wrote in a tweet. Now youre free of any physical constraints. Your brilliance and wisdom will be cherished forever. But people with disabilities and some of their advocates took issue with the physical constraints portion, believing that the assertion was discriminating against people with disabilities. Some refer to this as being ableist. Rest in peace Dr. Hawking. Now you're free of any physical constraints.. Your brilliance and wisdom will be cherished forever pic.twitter.com/EQzSxqNTuN Gal Gadot (@GalGadot) March 14, 2018 I think youre fantastic Gal but this tweet is very ableist. His physical constraints didnt stop him from changing the world. People with disabilities dont wish for death to be free of their challenges. We wish to be valued for what we CAN do, not pitied for we cant. Adam B. Zimmerman (@ABZimm) March 14, 2018 Hawking spent the majority of his life in a wheelchair after becoming afflicted with ALS at the age of 21. I think youre fantastic Gal but this tweet is very ableist. His physical constraints didnt stop him from changing the world. People with disabilities dont wish for death to be free of their challenges. We wish to be valued for what we CAN do, not pitied for we cant, wrote one Twitter user. He will always be remembered for his brilliance and humor despite his physical condition. I must disagree however, with a mind like his, he had no physical constants. He took trips through space, time and dimensions that we could not even imagine. May he Rest In Peace, wrote yet another. Hawking wrote in his memoir, published in 2013, that ALS was a great motivating factor in his life. Before my condition was diagnosed, I had been very bored with life. There had not seemed to be anything worth doing, he wrote. I suddenly realized that there were a lot of worthwhile things I could do if I was reprieved. You had a good go at it..thanks for your input pic.twitter.com/iCyAe1zuN0 Kirstie Alley (@kirstiealley) March 14, 2018 I know that people are not sharing this image to be ableist, but please remember that it ties into the rhetoric of Stephen Hawking is now free of his wheelchair now that he is dead. This is highly problematic since it reinforces the better dead than disabled trope. pic.twitter.com/08csp8Ml1d Derek Newman-Stille (@DNewmanStille) March 15, 2018 Gadot was not the only person who was slammed for her tribute to Hawking. Actress Kirstie Alley posted a picture of Hawking and captioned it, You had a good go at it thanks for your input. Twitter users slammed the sentiment, with one saying, Seriously? This is how you talk about the greatest mind ever? And cartoonist Mitchell Toy was criticized for a drawing he made in tribute to Hawking that showed the scientist standing apart from his wheelchair. Yet some defended Gadots post. This world is way too politically correct! Its a beautiful tweet, Gal. If we choose to argue about everything people say, no one will say anything at all for fear of exactly this, posted one user. This world is way too politically correct! It's a beautiful tweet, Gal. If we choose to argue about everything people say, no one will say anything at all for fear of exactly this. Dorian Louis (@DorianLouis1847) March 15, 2018 From NTD.tv Recommended Video: Trump Calls on Nation to Answer Hate with Love after Florida School Shooting Tragedy My first encounter with Baijiu came as a gift from a good friend and chef who brought it back from a trip to Hong Kong a few years ago. The packaging for this alcoholic beverage (pronounced bye-joe) was a detailed ceramic container with a smiling pig resting on a barrel quite deceiving for what lies inside. A mere assimilation of fire! If youre not expecting it, you might think you just ingested a chemical never intended for consumption. The nose a bit grainy and gamey just, my closest resemblance would be a stale Cheerios with a touch of bacon. As it goes through your mouth, it is a bit fruity and similar to the Italian spirit, grappa, in the finish. This was quite a life-changing experience. It was so strong that I immediately checked my chest expecting a handful of hair to have magically appeared. My next memorable experience with Baijiu was while judging at the San Francisco International Spirits Co. last year. My panel included David Wondrich, a cocktail historian and Baijiu aficionado. We tasted a variety of examples that ranged from a softer and fruity style to a monstrous, rich and layered distillate that can linger for days in your memory, of course, in a good way. Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Sen attends the formal session of the ASEAN-Republic of Korea Commemorative Summit in Busan on Dec. 12, 2014. (Ahn Young-joon/AFP/Getty Images) Australia to Raise Rights Concerns With Burma, Cambodia at ASEAN Summit SYDNEYAustralian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop said she will raise human rights concerns with Burmese and Cambodian leaders during a three-day summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) that begins in Sydney on Friday. Australia is hosting the special meeting, despite not being a member of the 10-nation bloc, as it seeks to tighten political and trade ties in the region amid the rising influence of the Chinese Communist state. Bishop said that Australia would very seriously consider any formal invitation to join the grouping, a move advocated by Indonesian President Joko Widodo. Asked whether the meeting was a direct counter to the Chinese regimes influence in the region, Bishop said Australia believed the bloc brought it peace, stability and security. We dont see it as having a role to balance the powers in the Indo-Pacific but rather be at the heart of the engagement collaboration with other countries, she told Australian Broadcasting Corp radio ahead of the opening of the summit. China claims most of the South China Sea, an important trade route and which is believed to contain large quantities of oil and natural gas, and has been building artificial islands on reefs, some with ports and air strips. Brunei, Malaysia, Vietnam, the Philippines, all of which are members of ASEAN, and Taiwan also have claims in the sea. The inclusion of Burmese leader Aung San Suu Kyi and Cambodia Prime Minister Hun Sen in the meeting has drawn criticism, and large protests are planned. Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull is under pressure to publicly condemn the deaths and expulsion of thousands of Rohingya Muslims from Burmas Rakhine State. Burma is also known known as Myanmar. It is in our interest to engage all ASEAN members including Aung San Suu Kyi at this summit because it gives us the best chance of influencing outcomes and making our concerns known, so these are matters that we would be discussing with the Myanmar delegation, Bishop said. Hun Sen has stirred anger in the Australian Cambodian community when he warned potential protesters against burning effigies of him in Sydney, saying: I will follow you all the way to your doorstep and beat you right there I can use violence against you. Hun Sen has come under criticism from Western countries and rights groups for a crackdown on government opposition ahead of Cambodias elections in July, at which he is expected to extend his 33-year rule. Asked about the threat, Bishop said Australia was certainly going to raise our concerns with the Cambodian delegation. Officially, the summit will focus on fostering closer economic ties among the 10 members of ASEAN and Australia, and countering the threat of Islamic insurgents returning to the region from the Middle East. By Paulina Duran Recommended Video: How Doctors in China Turn into Murderers Chicago Students Trash Walmart During National Walkout Over Gun Violence Police officers in Chicago are working to identify dozens of students from a local school seen trashing a Walmart during a walkout on Wednesday, which saw thousands of students nationwide walking out of schools at a certain time to advocate for gun control. The students all attend Simeon Career Academy, according to an initial investigation. Officers said that students were permitted by administrators to leave the school for 17 minutes for the walkout. However, soon after they exited the school, between 40 and 60 students crossed the street and started trashing a Walmart, reported Fox 32. Police said that the students knocked over product displays, yanked items off of shelves, broke packages, and stole some items such as chips and candy. High quality video surveillance from inside the store is being used by officers to help identify the students, who will likely be charged with misdemeanors and possible additional discipline from the school. Wal-Mart has not commented on the incident. Administrators at the public school have not commented on the situation. A spokesperson for Chicago Public Schools said in a statement, We are very concerned by these allegations and we are reviewing the matter. 21st Ward Alderman Howard Brookins, who helped get Wal-Mart to open a store in the neighborhood, condemned the trashing of the store. Weve worked too hard to try to get these national retailers here in our community. And this doesnt help us. It makes no sense to tear up the community which you call home, he said. From NTD.tv Recommended Video: The Origins of Antifa Egyptian Student, 18, Dies After Being Beaten by Gang of 10 Women Detectives are investigating the death of an 18-year-old Egyptian student, who was beaten by 10 girls in Nottingham, UK. Mariam Moustafa was attacked by the group of girls outside a shopping centre while she waited for a bus on the evening of Feb. 20. The engineering student was rushed to Nottingham City Hospital and placed in an induced coma but died on Wednesday, March 14. Moustafas mother Nessrin Shehata told Egypt Today that the group attacked her daughter when they saw her walking alone in the street, dragging her about 20 meters. She said, She managed to get up and run towards one of the buses, but they went after her and started to beat her again. Just one man tried to defend her, but no one else tried to interfere. A 17-year-old girl was arrested on suspicion of assault occasioning grievous bodily harm and was subsequently released on conditional bail. A Home Office post-mortem examination is due to take place. Mariam is understood to have suffered from bleeding in the brain as well as a stroke during the attack. She was reportedly punched several times before she was further verbally assaulted after getting onto the number 27 bus. Mariam was originally discharged from the hospital, but started to deteriorate at home and was rushed back to the hospital. Her sister, Mallak, 15, said previously: We are very upset about what has happened, She is such a kind, ambitious person and one who was running after her dreams of being an engineer. We dont understand who would do this to her, she is very quiet and never gets involved in any problems. Moustafas family believe the attack was racially-motivated, with her mother saying in the video that the same group of girls had abused her daughter four months previously. We went to the police station and issued an official complaint; however, nothing happened, she said. However, Nottinghamshire Police said they are aware of social media posts claiming the attack was racially motivated but they are keeping an open mind, reported Metro. They said in a statement, We would like to reassure the community that we are treating this incident very seriously and we are working hard to establish the circumstances. We are also giving support to Mariams family at this very difficult time. Police are appealing to the public to help with their enquiries. Detective Chief Inspector Mat Healey said, We know there were a lot of people standing at the bus stop when the assault happened and were urging them to please come forward with any information which could help us. First responders are shown as rescue efforts continue after a pedestrian bridge collapsed at Florida International University in Miami, Florida, on March 15, 2018. (REUTERS/Joe Skipper) Florida Bridge Collapse Deaths Likely to Rise as More Trapped Victims Found, Authorities Say Six people have been confirmed killed when a newly erected pedestrian bridge collapsed at Florida International Universitys Miami campus, but the number of fatalities is expected to grow as crews work to free those still trapped, authorities say. The 950-ton bridge, which spanned several lanes of traffic, came crashing down on Thursday, March 15, burying at least eight vehicles in rubble. The death toll could rise, Miami-Dade Police Department director Juan Perez said on Friday. There must be some others in the vehicles, Perez told Miamis NewsRadio 610 WIOD early on Friday, according to Reuters. We know theres bodies down there and we cant get to them. Its terrible. The mission has been reclassified from a rescue to a recovery effort, ABC news reported, as authorities said anyone still trapped under the wreckage is likely dead. The engineers are working at it in a very tactical way, Alvaro Zabaleta, a spokesman for the Miami-Dade Police Department, said at a news conference Friday, according to ABC. The structure is fragile and could be dangerous to rescue personnel. Earlier emergency personnel with sniffer dogs searched for signs of life amid the wreckage of concrete and twisted metal that rained from the collapsed structure and crushed vehicles on one of the busiest roads in South Florida. But police determined late on Thursday that nobody would be pulled from the wreckage alive, Perez said at a news briefing on Friday. The identities of the victims are not yet known, but at least one was a female student at Florida International University, the universitys president, Mark Rosenberg, told reporters. At least 10 people were taken to hospitals and two were in critical condition, officials and local media reported. Bridge installed on Saturday The 174-foot (53-meter) bridge connects the university with the city of Sweetwater and was installed on Saturday in six hours over the eight-lane highway, according to a report posted on the universitys website. If anybody has done anything wrong, we will hold them accountable, Florida Governor Rick Scott said at a news briefing late Thursday. FIU President Mark Rosenberg said today on Good Morning America that the project has been done as every other project at FIU in terms of construction. We only work with certified contractors that have been approved by all the appropriate authorities. Were shocked and were going to cooperate fully, Rosenberg said, according to ABC. Weve got to get to the bottom of this and we will. Our condolences to all the family members and loved ones to those who were injured and killed in this tragic accident. The governors office earlier issued a statement saying a company contracted to inspect the bridge was not pre-qualified by the state. Munilla Construction Management, which installed the bridge, was founded in 1983 and is owned by five brothers, according to its website. In addition to its Florida operations, the company also has divisions in Texas and Panama and employs 500 people. FIGG Engineering said it took part in the bridge project and would fully cooperate with investigators, adding that the collapse was the first in its 40-year history. The bridge was intended to provide a walkway over the busy street, where an 18-year-old female FIU student from San Diego was killed as she attempted to cross in August, according to local media reports. Students at FIU are currently on their spring break vacation, which runs from March 12 to March 17. Recommended Video: Officer Saves Woman Who Was Pinned Students at Ballard High School participate in a walkout to address school safety and gun violence on March 14, 2018, in Seattle, Wash. (Karen Ducey/Getty Images) High School Student Suspended for Refusing to Leave Classroom During Walkout A high school student in Ohio was suspended for refusing to leave the classroom during the National Walkout on Wednesday, March 14. The walkout involved students across the nation leaving class to advocate for gun control legislation, coming exactly one month after a shooter gunned down 17 people at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Florida. Many schools allowed students to leave class for the walkout while some even required students to do so. Others reportedly threatened punishment for any students who left class while others set up school-sanctioned events inside that allowed students to protest in a school-controlled environment. At Hilliard High School, senior Jacob Shoemaker said he didnt want to take sides in the protest, which explicitly advocated for legislation that would restrict gun ownership and/or ban certain types of guns. Shoemaker chose to stay in his classroom but ended up being suspended for a day since he didnt join the protests or go to the alternative, a study hall. Shoemakers suspension was shared online by a friend, reported The Associated Press. The letter said the student was suspended for failing to follow instructions. Shoemaker and his father Scott confirmed to 10TV that he was suspended since he chose neither option the school provided. The student said that he was aware there could be consequences for his decision and he was willing to accept those consequences. Its the least political protest that exists. The thing that I was protesting was politics in the classroom. I feel it has no place in a school, in a district, anywhere, Shoemaker told ABC 6. Student at a high school in Ohio was suspended after refusing to leave the classroom during the National School Walkout. pic.twitter.com/jUYyBTfFJR Jim Eastridge (@jimEastridge1) March 16, 2018 Hilliard City Schools objected to the framing of the story though, calling the post claiming the student was suspended for refusing to participate in the walkout false. Stacie Raterman, director of communications, said that federal privacy laws prevented her from talking about Shoemaker specifically. I can only confirm that no student was suspended for not walking out, nor were any suspended for walking out, she added. Scott Shoemaker said that he received some death threats because some members of the public mistakenly thought he was the schools principal, with some believing that Shoemaker was suspended for joining the protests. Ive had to change my number today. It has not been a fun day for me. But yeah, Ive had a couple of death threats too. People who thought that I was the one who suspended him and that basically what they would like to do to me, said Scott Shoemaker. From NTD.tv Recommended Video: Surveillance Footage Shows Robber Attack Virginia Store Employee Byron Montgomery was arrested March 13, 2018, and booked with second-degree murder and obstruction of justice. (Jefferson Parrish Sheriffs Department) Louisiana Man Charged With Murdering His Mother A man from Marrero, Louisiana, was charged with murder in the death of his own mother, whose body was dumped in a ditch near a highway. Byron Montgomery, 44, was arrested on March 13 on charges of second-degree murder and obstruction of justice, according to the Jefferson Parish Sheriffs Department. Montgomery is accused of murdering his mother, 63-year-old Patricia Davis, with whom he resided. His mothers naked and decomposing body was found in a ditch near Interstate 10 in eastern New Orleans on Oct. 31, 2017, Nola.com reported. The New Orleans police said they saw no signs of any physical altercation when examining the body. The New Orleans coroner autopsied the body and declared the death a homicide, but has declined to release the cause of death, Sheriff Lopinto said. The case had caused controversy in the Jefferson Parish Sheriffs office. Deputies had been sent to the house on Wednesday, Oct. 25 but did not enter. According to Nola.com, 911 received two calls at about 10:30 a.m. on that Wednesday. The first call was a woman crying, and was abruptly disconnected. The second call was from a woman whispering the address of the house on Third Avenue. Deputies saw a woman peering at them through the curtains, but no one answered the door. Then, according to the report, Deputies then heard a scream in the house. The deputies asked the ranking officer on duty what they should do. Sgt. Christopher Gai told the deputies they didnt have probable cause to enter the home. Sgt. Gai was later fired for trying to cover up his role in making the decision not to enter. While Daviss surviving relatives suspect Montgomery might have injured his mother that day, police do not believe he killed her then. Sheriff Lopinto said that an independent witness saw Davis outside of the home on Oct. 27, and Nola.com reports that she communicated with her youngest son, Nigel Davis, of Baton Rouge, via Facebook, on Oct. 28. History of Abusing Mother Montgomery, who lived with his mother at her house on 6104 Third Avenue, in Marrero, had a history of domestic abuse, Sheriff Joseph Lopinto announced at a press conference. Montgomery had been reported by an old girlfriend and had been convicted of second-degree battery on his mother in July 2011. Daviss relatives suspected Montgomery was involved somehow from the first time they heard about Daviss death. He never gave any good answers, Herbert Williams, 62, Daviss brother and Montgomerys uncle, told Nola.com. He denies it, but his actions say otherwise. Some of the things he did just dont add up. The family wondered why Montgomery never reported his mother missing. When I asked him the last time he seen or talked to his mom, I couldnt get no good answer from him, Williams told Nola.com in November. From NTD.tv Recommended Video: How Doctors in China Turn into Murderers Man Murdered in Front of His Children Made Haunting 911 Call Weeks Before Shooting A man murdered in front of his children in Ohio made a haunting 911 call just two weeks before the shooting. Robert Caldwell made a 911 call to the Greene County Sheriffs Office on Aug. 5, 2017. During the call, Caldwell said that he feared for his life. Yeah I have got a guy chasing me over here on Sutton in Jamestown, and he just tried to lure me, Im assuming hes trying to kill me, Caldwell told dispatchers in Greene County, reported Fox 45. Do you know who it is? the dispatcher asked. Yeah I do, Caldwell replied. After the dispatcher asks who the guy is, Caldwell says that its Sterling Roberts, the boyfriend of his ex-wife. And they just lost full custody of all our kids, he added. At the end of the call, the dispatcher tells Caldwell to go to the Jamestown Police Department, where a deputy would be waiting for him. A man who was murdered in front of his children made a desperate 911 call just weeks before the shooting. Read more from @KellyFOX45Now's investigation here: https://t.co/RXBCCi6xEV pic.twitter.com/mjkHOaLcJg ABC 22/FOX 45 Dayton (@ABC22FOX45) March 16, 2018 Okay, thank you. Im going to call my wife and have her get my kids out of my house in Beavercreek, Caldwell said. Its unclear if law enforcement officials caught up with Roberts on that day. Roberts has been indicted for federal crimes relating to Caldwells death, as has Caldwells ex-wife and four others. According to the indictment, Roberts cyberstalked Caldwell via cell phone his girlfriend, Caldwells ex-wife. Sterling Roberts cyberstalked Robert Caldwell via cell phone through the assistance of Tawnney Caldwell, U.S. Attorney Ben Glassman said, reported Cincinnati.com. He traveled interstate to stalk and murder Robert Caldwell. Roberts allegedly used a firearm that he purchased illegally to stalk Caldwell before shooting him dead. A federal grand jury has charged six individuals with crimes related to the 2017 murder of Robert Caldwell in an indictment returned today. pic.twitter.com/EY7lDGAvDS Lauren Clark (@LClarkWHIO) March 13, 2018 Tawnney Caldwell allegedly obstructed justice by destroying the contents and data of a cell phone on that same day. Authorities said that Tawnney Caldwell and her mother, Chandra Harmon, conspired to intimidate and threaten witnesses related to the case in November. James Harmon, Christopher Roberts, and Chance Roberts were also indicted. The Harmons were charged with aiding and abetting Roberts illegal gun possession. Chance Roberts and Christoper Roberts, brothers of Sterling Roberts, were also charged with aiding and abetting the illegal gun possession. The FBI is also working to recover Jacob Lee Caldwell, 14, who vanished on the day of the murder. From NTD.tv Recommended Video: GoPro Dropped Down Deep Well to Check Out Reports of Limestone Caves Massachusetts Woman Charged With Drunken Driving in Crash That Killed Tow Truck Driver The Massachusetts woman who killed a tow truck driver this week was charged on Friday, March 16, with drunken driving. Shiina Dionne, 28, was set to be arraigned on charges of drunken driving and motor vehicle homicide. Dionne will also face charges of negligent operation of a motor vehicle, speeding, failure to wear a seat belt, and obstructing a stationary emergency vehicle, reported WCVB. Authorities said Dionne was driving on Route 495 late on Wednesday night when she caused Dan Coadys death. Coady, 41, was working at the site of a crash. He was loading one of the vehicles involved in the original crash onto his flatbed when Dionne slammed into another vehicle, pushing it into him, reported WHDH. Coady was rushed to the hospital where doctors declared him dead soon after arrival. Essex DA: 28-y-o Shiina Dionne to be arraigned this afternoon at Tufts Medical Center in #Boston, accused of drunk driving & motor vehicle homicide while OUI in death of tow truck driver Dan Coady on 495 #Andover. #wbz pic.twitter.com/6PRP0Yxlgu Christina Hager (@HagerWBZ) March 16, 2018 Dionne herself was taken to Tufts Medical Center where shes still being treated for serious injuries. The Essex District Attorneys Office said that she would be arraigned in her hospital bed. Coady had been a driver with Coadys Towing for 25 years before his death. He was a husband and father to his loving wife and sons. Our hearts are filled with sorrow by his loss. We ask for some privacy during these extremely trying times, Frank Coady said in a statement, reported CBS. Another tow truck driver at the site, reported NECN, suffered minor injuries when he fell from the top of the flatbed when the collision occurred. From NTD.tv Recommended Video: Kayaker Rescues Iguana Swimming Miles From Shore Missing Pennsylvania Teenager and 45-Year-Old Man Are Likely in Another Country by Now: Police The Pennsylvania teenager who was signed out of her school by a 45-year-old man has likely been taken to another country, authorities said in the latest update. Amy Yu, 16, was taken from her school in Allentown by Kevin Esterly on Feb. 9. Yu is friends with one of Esterlys daughters, with Amys family saying the pair met initially at church years ago. He is married with four children. School records showed that Yu was signed out of school by Esterly, who was listed as her stepfather, 10 times between Nov. 13 and Feb. 9. Yus mother reported her daughter missing on March 5, reported The Morning Call. Esterlys wife told police officers that she saw him that morning for the last time. He withdrew $4,000 from his wifes bank account before vanishing. The pair disappeared after being seen last that day at 15th and Allen streets, shortly after Yus mother dropped her off at a bus stop. #AlertaAmberMx continua la busqueda para la localizacion de la adolescente AMY YU de 16 anos de edad. pic.twitter.com/xMW39O3bWL Alerta AMBER Mexico (@AAMBER_mx) March 16, 2018 Amber Alert Mexico posted an alert on Thursday night asserting that Yu and Esterly are now in Mexico and urging people to be on the lookout for them. Authorities believe that Yu could be in danger. From investigations it seems she is traveling on national territory in the company of Kevin Esterly, Amber Alert Mexico said in its tweet. It is believed that the integrity of the teenager is in danger and she may be a victim of crime. Esterly has a warrant out for his arrest on the charge of interfering with the custody of a child. Authorities said the pair struck up a romantic relationship at one point but 16 is the age of consent in Pennsylvania. Anyone who sees either of them is asked to call 911, local police, or the Allentown Police at 610-437-7751. Yus mother, Miu Luu, told CBS that she wanted to convey to her daughter that she wants her to return home. I want to tell her, Amy, can you come back to me? I love you,' she said. I just hope you come back.' Where is Amy YuWho is Amy Yu? Tonight at 10, we sit down with her former youth pastor, who tells us the reason he thinks Amy went with 45yo Kevin Esterly in the first place, and why he believes the teen will WANT to come home soon. @69News #AmyYu #Allentown pic.twitter.com/3dLR6piF6w Joy Howe (@Joy_Howe) March 15, 2018 If shes safethats okay. But I want them to catch the guy and bring her back, Miu Luu told ABC. His daughter is a friend and just one year younger than Amy. I never thought he would act like that. I know him from the church and I know his family for years. While Yu has asserted that Esterly tricked her daughter into leaving, others say the teen helped plan the escape. A female mentor in Amys youth group told WFMZ that Amy posted Snapchat messages in the days before she vanished that said things like Im done with this place, or Im done with people who dont like me. Yus brother, John Yu, also believes Amy helped plan the disappearance. I think they know or they planned it, to do this and I think it was both of their ideas because Amy is not that stupid, he told CNN. From NTD.tv Recommended Video: First Lady Melania Trump Visits United States Holocaust Memorial Museum Mommy Hurts Me: Ohio Police Report Outlines Chronic Abuse Prior to 4-Year-Olds Death Previous signs of abuse have been revealed in the case of a 4-year-old who died from child abuse in Ohio recently. Aniya Day-Garrett died from blunt impacts to the head and malnourishment, according to the Cuyahoga County Medical Examiners Office. A police report indicated that despite the parents calling 911 on March 11, the girl had been dead for some time. She only weighed 29 pounds. Tamika Robinson, the administrative assistant of Aniyas day care facility, Harbor Crest, told WAFB that she noticed what she believed were signs of abuse in May 2017. I was like, Niya, what happened to your face? Oh my God. And she was like, Mommy pushed my face in carpet, but mommy said I fell at the park,' said Robinson. Three days later Niya comes walking in the door. Niya has three lumps in her head with blood clots in them. Niya is bleeding from her ear. Robinson called 911 and the child was rushed to the hospital for treatment. 'Mommy hurts me': Euclid police report outlines chronic abuse prior to 4-year-olds death https://t.co/4QHoaEfKyU pic.twitter.com/tIdIFHtmSL Cleveland 19 News (@cleveland19news) March 15, 2018 It was there that she told a county Children and Family Services worker that mommy hits her and hurts her, according to the police report. At the day care center, Robinson went through the girls file and found similar incidents dating back to 2015, including bruises, scrapes, and even handprints on the childs body. The police report cited the files, stating there were 14 reports and of those, eight times Aniya had verbally reported that mommy hit me or mom did it. Despite the reports, it appears that no charges had been filed prior to the girls death. Cuyahoga County Children and Family Services said they received three calls regarding the girl last year and opened an investigation but ultimately didnt find enough evidence to remove the child from the home. The Cuyahoga County Medical Examiners Office ruled the death a homicide. The first court appearance took place this week and included the girls father screaming at his daughters suspected killers, mother Sierra Day, 23, and her boyfriend Deonte Lewis, 26. You killed my [expletive] daughter, Mickhal Garrett shouted at the couple, reported Fox 8. You hurt my baby. Garrett said he petitioned for custody of his little girl and had tried to warn authorities that she was being abused. I did everything in my power to let them know you know that I was a standup dad and that my daughter was being harmed and abused at home and this was an emergency, Garrett said. Day and Lewis have been charged with one count of aggravated murder each. They are each being held on a $1 million bond. This beautiful 4-year-old daughters life was cut down, senselessly, Aniyas paternal grandmother, Rachael Garrett, told reporters, reported Cleveland.com. Beaten, abused, battered, starved you have to be heartless. From NTD.tv Recommended Video: Boiling Water Turns to Snow Lawrence, Mass., where a snow plowing team helped a 100-year-old man who was going to shovel snow by himself. (Screenshot via Google Maps) Plow Drivers Help Owner Struggling to Shovel Snow, Shocked by His Age Two plow drivers coming back after working 21 hours straight, decided to help a homeowner almost waist-deep in snow. After finding out that he is 100 years old, they offered to give him free lifetime snow plowing services. Martin Gutierrez and Austin Sciacca work for Dream Team Contracting and had a busy stretch clearing the snow dumped on the area by the noreaster. Despite that, they wanted to help a man trying to shovel his driveway, Boston 25 reported. After helping the man, the plow drivers felt the need to ask how old he was. Maurice told them his birthday was May 13, 1917, meaning he would be 101 years old in two months, Boston 25 reported. Gutierrez and Sciacca didnt see why he should have to shovel snow, and offered to do it for him for free, whenever needed, according to Boston 25. We come from a very close-knit family and the elders in the family are what we take care of the most because they started everything, so we definitely want to give our part back, Sciacca told Boston 25. I Saw this old man with a shovel in his hand and snow up to his thighs trying to shovel his 40x60ft driveway. Although we were backed up and down 2 plow trucks, and weve been going 21 hours straight, We made the decision to remove all the snow from driveway, Dream Team Contracting published in a Facebook post. So nice there are still some gentlemen in this world who know how to treat the elderly! Such a beautiful thing! Thanks for being so kind, commented Amy Santangelo Tilton. I have never met anyone that was over a hundred years of age. I was so impressed by his condition, that Ive made the decision that this man will not have to lift a shovel for the rest of the year, added Dream Team Contracting, in the post. Its about respecting and protecting the elder generation who has protected us when we were vulnerable as kids. Its about not forgetting the ones that came before us. Its about instilling this respect to our young so they in turn can protect us when we are older. From NTD.tv Recommended Video: 45-Year-Old Woman Unexpectedly Gives Birth After Not Realizing She Was Pregnant Skiers Flung from Malfunctioning Lift in Georgia Ski Resort, Several Hurt At least eight people were injured when a malfunctioning ski lift hurled people from their seats at the Georgian ski resort of Gudauri on Friday, March 16, local media reported. According to the Telegraph, skiers were being ferried downhill at the resort, located in the Caucasus mountains in the former Soviet republic of Georgia, when the lift began to speed up, out of control. Video shot by people next to the lift, posted on social media, showed skiers jumping or falling from the carriages, as horrified onlookers shouted in panic. The lift appeared to be moving backward dangerously fast, leading to a pile-up of broken and twisted chairs at the lifts starting point. Multiple tourists captured the incident on video from different perspectives, showing people trying to leap to safety or being catapulted into the air as the lift chairs rounded the lower pulley. As damaged chairs piled up, some skiers told CNN that they had to jump from the lift to avoid being crushed. Yuri Leontyev, a skier from Belarus, filmed people being thrown off the lift. The ski lift stopped and started going in reverse, he told CNN. We had to jump from it, because at the bottom (of the hill) it was total trash and no chance to stay safe. Iryna Iadak, from Ukraine, was on the lift with her boyfriend. The movement of the lift stopped and a minute later we drove back, she told CNN. The speed increased, it was out of control. The lift could not be stopped. People began to jump from different altitudes, panic began. Many did not manage to jump off and were thrown out from the impact. A pregnant woman from Sweden and a tourist from Ukraine were seriously injured in the incident, according to RT, citing Georgian Health Minister David Sergeenko. The woman reportedly sustained a back injury while the man suffered an open arm fracture. Eyewitness Peter Knyshov shared a video of the incident, RT reported, and wrote about it on social media. People who fell under the meat grinder after the chairs collided received numerous injuries, Knyshov wrote on Facebook, RT reported. According to Knyshov, the technicians managed to switch off the cableway two minutes after it went out of control and emergency responders arrived seven or eight minutes later. An investigation has reportedly been launched by the Georgian Interior Ministry. Student With Trump Flag Reportedly Assaulted During National School Walkout Day Protest A student carrying a flag with the word Trump written on it was assaulted outside a Minneapolis high school during a National School Walkout Day protest, police say. CBS Minnesota reported that the incident occurred outside of Southwest High School while students were holding a moment of silence in remembrance of victims of school shootings. Two students reportedly confronted the flag-bearing student across the street from the school. Six other students joined in the altercation and took the victims flag. They also damaged his camera and inflicted minor injuries, CBS Minnesota reported. Police said no arrests were made, and the school resource officer who intervened is currently investigating the assault, the station reported. While the walkouts held on Wednesday, March 14, were mostly peaceful, students in Tennessee reportedly vandalized property, tearing down an American flag and jumping on a police car. In addition, a Minnesota high school demonstrator was reportedly escorted off school grounds by the principal for holding a sign that said Guns dont kill people, people kill people. From NTD.tv Recommended Video: Trump Calls on Nation to Answer Hate with Love after Florida School Shooting Tragedy Tripp Halstead, Toddler Seriously Injured When Tree Limb Fell on Him 5 Years Ago, Has Died Tripp Halstead, a young boy who was seriously injured more than five years ago when a tree branch fell on him, damaging his brain, has passed away. Halsteads father broke the news to Atlantas WSB-TV reporters on Thursday, March 15. Thank you for all of the support, Tripps mother, Stacey Halstead, told 11Alive in a statement. We are devastated. Commenter Shannon Boves statement reflects a sentiment doubtlessly widespread among the more than 1.3 million followers of the Facebook page Tripp Halstead Updates, set up by his family to allow a broader community to share in the boys journey. My heart broke when I heard the news. Thank you to the Halstead family for letting us all be a part of Tripps life and journey. No amount of words will help the pain or take your hurt away. We all loved Tripp so much and are praying for your entire family. My deepest condolences. Im lighting a candle for him and your family tonight and praying. The lives of Tripp and his family were forever changed on Oct. 29, 2012, when Stacy Halstead dropped off her 2-year-old son at a Winder, Georgia daycare, 11Alive reported. She received a call at 11 a.m. with heart-breaking news that her son had been injured in a freak accident. While initially touch-and-go, eventually the toddler pulled through. People all over the country started to follow along and root for his recovery. There was the initial news on Nov. 6, 2012, that he was going to make it, after all. Later, on July 15, 2014, Tripp and his family moved into a home renovated by Sunshine on a Ranney Day to accommodate the boys needs. And on July 31, 2017, Tripp started first grade. Then on Thursday, the boys mother wrote that she brought him to the hospital Thursday morning after she noticed his breathing had become labored. When doctors examined the boy, he was suspected of having pneumonia or mucus in the lungs. Later that day, Tripps family shared the sad news. There are no words to express how Bill and I are feeling at this moment. We are beyond devastated and honestly, I believe I am in shock. Our amazing, perfect, beautiful miracle of a son, Tripp Hughes Halstead passed away at 5:47 pm today. He was our whole world. We love you Trippadoo and you will never realize the impact you made on our lives. I have no idea when I will post again. Im still processing everything. But Bill and I were in the room when he passed at the hospital. His little body was just done fighting this last infection. His little heart gave out. This winter was brutal for him. Im just so thankful he had the best summer ever. Jet skis, Disney World, the list is endless and thats when we got those amazing huge smiles. At this time, I will not be reading the comments but your welcome to leave them for me to read in the coming weeks. You have been the most loyal and outstanding followers we could have ever asked for and We thank you from the bottom of our hearts for the past 5 1/2 years. You let us into your lives and You were there when we needed you most. Love, Bill and Stacy Recommended Video: Timelapse Video Captures Ocean of Clouds Over Vancouver, British Columbia President Donald Trump speaks to the media before departing the White House to Joint Base Andrews en route to San Diego, Calif., on March 13, 2018. (Samira Bouaou/The Epoch Times) 2 Million Americans Quit Food Stamps in Trumps First Year The number of Americans receiving food-stamp benefits dropped to a six-year low during President Donald Trumps first year in office, reflecting a healthy jobs market and an improving economy, according to an annual report by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. On average, 42.2 million Americans received food stamps in 2017, down 11 percent from 2013, when food-stamp usage reached record levels. From 2000 to 2013, food stamp participation grew every year except 2007. The food stamps program, officially known as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, cost American taxpayers $68 billion in 2017. Thats 4 percent less than last year and 15 percent less than the historical high of $79.9 billion in 2013. The Obama administration let states drop work requirements for food stamps in 2009 as part of a stimulus package amid the recession. The number of childless adults receiving food stamps doubled after the conditions were relaxed, according to Daily Caller. The number of food stamp recipients has been dropping for four years, prompted by an economic recovery as well as welfare reforms on the state level. In Alabama, food-stamp use fell by 85 percent in 13 counties after the state imposed work requirements for childless adults. In Georgia, 21 counties saw a significant reduction in food stamp recipients after the state restored the work requirement. The Trump administration has proposed innovative and unprecedented changes to the food stamps program. The Trump administration has proposed innovative and unprecedented changes to the food stamps program, including the USDA Foods Package, a monthly parcel that would be given to about 80 percent of all current food stamp recipients. The so-called Harvest Boxes would include American-made, shelf-stable foods like milk, cereal, pasta, and canned produce. Some have compared the idea to Blue Apron, a meal-kit delivery company. The parcels would account for half of the benefits, while the other half would be deposited to electronic benefit transfer cards, which are already in use. Since the government can acquire the food at wholesale prices, the proposal would reduce the cost to American taxpayers by $129 billion over the next 10 years. One half of Americans support the program, according to a Feb. 16 poll by Rasmussen. The total enrollment number dropped under Trump despite a spike in participation that resulted from several destructive hurricanes. From NTD.tv Recommended Video: President Trumps First State of the Union Address Lifestyle: Strewing: An Easy Way to Add Delight and Wonder to Your Homeschool At DIMDEX 2018, the Doha International Maritime Defence Exhibition & Conference held this week in Qatar, the Qatari Navy was showcasing for the very first time a scale model of its future air defense LPD. At DIMDEX 2018, the Doha International Maritime Defence Exhibition & Conference held this week in Qatar, the Qatari Navy was showcasing for the very first time a scale model of its future air defense LPD. The future LPD of the Qatar Emiri Naval Forces. Qatar confirmed in August 2017 its order for seven vessels from Fincantieri following the signing of a preliminary contract in June 2016. The deal consists in four air defence corvettes of over 100 meters in length, one amphibious vessel (LPD - Landing Platform Dock acting as mobile radar station for the corvettes), and two patrol vessels (OPV - Offshore Patrol Vessel). The future LPD on the Qatari Emiri Navy stand at DIMDEX 2018. The LPD design selected by the Qatari Navy has a length of 142.90 meters, a maximum breadth of 21.50 meters, a draft of 5.40 meters for a full load displacement of 8,800 tons. According to Fincantieri, the Qatari air defence LPD is a customization of the San Giusto-class already commissioned with the Italian Navy (as well as the Kalaat Beni Abbes of the Algerian Navy). Performance data was not available at DIMDEX 2018 (except for the maximum speed of be 20 knots). However the Kalaat Beni Abbes-class has a range of 7,000 nautical miles (at 15 knots) and an endurance of about 30 days at sea. The propulsion system consists in 2x diesel engines, 2 shafts and 2 fixed pitched propellers plus one bow thruster. The crew complement of the Qatari vessel will be 550 sailors. The flat deck is large enough to accommodate two NH90 helicopters (with 1x spot forward and 1x spot aft). There is potential space in the hangar for five NH90 helicopters in the hangar. Artist impression of the LPD. In terms of weapon systems, the LPD will be close in configuration to the Kalaat Beni Abbes-class: It will be fitted with a 76mm main gun by Leonardo, 16x VLS cells for ASTER 30 surface to air missiles (by MBDA), four Marlins 30mm remote weapon stations (Leonardo). No anti-ship missile launchers are present on the vessel, however the embarqued NH90 NFH will be able to deploy Marte ER (MBDA). Leonardo is responsible for the integrated supply of the new naval units combat system (Athena), main radar system (Kronos) and on-board sensors and defence sub-systems, including the fire control system. The LPD is set to be fitted with the same L-band radar currently being developed by Leonard for the Italian Navy future LHD. Four Sylena Mk2 decoy launchers by Lacroix will protect the vessels against anti-ship missile threats. The LPD was designed to provide long range defense to the future Qatari Navy fleet, and deploy with the corvettes. It will act as the radar node for the air defence corvettes and their ASTER 30 missiles. According to Fincantieri, the Qatari air defence LPD is a customization of the San Giusto-class already commissioned with the Italian Navy (as well as the Kalaat Beni Abbes of the Algerian Navy). The contract also includes support services in Qatar for 15 years (10 for the corvettes and 5 for the OPVs and LPD) after the delivery of the vessels. All the units will be entirely built in Fincantieri Italian shipyards starting from 2018, ensuring 6 years of work and an important impact on the main Italian defense companies. Fincantieri and the Qatari Navy are also showcasing for the first time the designs of the Corvette and the OPV. Navy officials have identified the two aviators killed on March 14 in Super Hornet crash as Lt. Cmdr. James Brice Johnson (L) and Lt. Caleb Nathaniel King. (Navy) US Navy Identifies Two Aviators Who Were Killed in Florida Crash The identities of two U.S. Navy aviators who were killed when their fighter jet crashed off the coast of Key West, Florida, on March 14 have been confirmed. Lt. Cmdr. James Brice Johnson and Lt. Caleb Nathaniel King, both Florida residents, were operating an F/A-18F Super Hornet on a training mission when it crashed near the naval air station, according to a statement released on March 15. They were declared dead shortly after they were recovered in the water. Both pilots were assigned to the Blacklions of Strike Fighter Squadron Two One Three (VFA-213), based at Naval Air Station Oceana in Virginia. VFA-213s commanding officer, Cmdr. Kevin Robb, said the entire Blacklion family was grieving the loss of the two aviators who were described as exceptional. The entire Blacklion Family is grieving the loss of two great Americans. Lt. Cmdr. Johnson and Lt. King were phenomenal young men, exceptional naval aviators, and were living models of what honor, courage and commitment really mean, Robb said in the statement. JUST IN: Two Navy aviators have died after F/A-18F Super Hornet crash near Key West, Florida, officials confirm. https://t.co/U9dzP46fEE pic.twitter.com/uevSlFlB6A World News Tonight (@ABCWorldNews) March 15, 2018 Johnson, a naval aviator, was a 2007 graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy and was piloting the jet at the time of the incident. King was a 2012 U.S. Naval Academy graduate and was serving as the weapons systems operator, according to the Navy. As warfighters they excelled in combat, as naval officers they exemplified the qualities of what our Navy values most dear. I was extremely proud to have led, flown and served with both Brice and Caleb, Robb said. I would ask that during this trying time we all keep the families of our two heroes in our thoughts and prayers, he added. The Navy is still investigating what caused the crash. The jet will remain in the water pending their investigations. VFA-213 is scheduled to complete their training in Key West on March 21 when they will return to Naval Air Station Oceana, the Navy said. Naval Air Station Oceana is one of the three master jet bases and is home to F/A-18 Hornets and Super Hornets, according to the Navy website. From NTD.tv Recommended Video: President Trumps First State of the Union Address Woman Makes Haunting Call To Police After Killing Ex-Boyfriend A disturbing recording of a phone call made to the police by a distressed woman who bludgeoned her ex-partner to death with the help of her new lover has been released by the Western Australia Supreme Court on Thursday, March 15. Melony Attwood, 37, and her lover, Robert Edhouse, 22, murdered Alan Taylor, 42, with a hammer in the bedroom of his Perth home before trashing the house to make it look like a botched robbery in April 2016, reported ABC. In the audio Attwood could be heard crying hysterically as she pretended to break down in front of the phone operator. Umm, Ive just gotten home, umm, my front door handles just been caved in. Umm, I dont want to go inside but Im calling out to my ex whos meant to be inside and no-ones making any noise or anything, she said. Alan? Oh my God, theres blood everywhere (crying). The operator then asks Attwood to take a few breaths before asking her more questions. Excerpt of Attwoods call: Attwood: Theres blood all over the bedroom, and hes on the floor. Operator: Whos on the floor? Attwood: Alan. Operator: Is he breathing? Attwood: I dont know. Alan? Operator: Im sorry to ask this question but does it look like someone has done this to him or does it look like hes done this to himself? Attwood: No I dont think hes done this to himself, the house is trashed. Theres blood splattered, I dont know. The court heard that on the day of the crime, Attwood, Edhouse, and two other associates went to Taylors home after his shift on the mines to carry out their plan of killing the 42-year-old. Edhouse carried out the attack with the help of the two associates, who were said to be roped in to execute the plan, reported ABC, citing the state prosecutor. Attwood was not part of the actual murder. However, she helped drown out the sounds of the what happened with loud music and helped trash the house to stage a robbery gone wrong. After the murder, the group then went to the movies to watch The Jungle Book and to an apartment where the group laughed and joke about what they had done, according to a resident of the apartment. Attwood, who has a 3-year-old son with Taylor, boasted about receiving money from Taylors life insurance, reported the news broadcaster. Attwood then returned to Taylors property in the afternoon to make the disturbing call to police, saying she believed someone had broken into the property. During police investigations, Attwood continuously denied any knowledge of Taylors murder and did not give any evidence during her trial, reported ABC. Attwood and Edhouse were found guilty of murder on Monday, March 12, while a third person. Corey Joshua Dymock, 21, was found guilty of being an accessory. The fourth associate, whose identity has been suppressed, has pleaded guilty to murder and received a reduced sentence for testifying in court, reported the news broadcaster. The couple faces life in prison and all three were remanded in custody. They will learn about their fate at their sentencing in May. From NTD.tv Recommended Video: Huge Crocodile Snags Fishermans Catch at Last Moment Greater Fort Lauderdale Conventi / Greater Fort Lauderdale Conventi A Florida man pleaded guilty to bilking a dozen investors in Connecticut and elsewhere by enrolling them in a purported sharing club promising them the use of luxury yachts globally, but leaving them high and dry after paying out hefty commissions to two people hired to bring in more investors. Andrew Deme, a 52-year-old resident of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., pleaded guilty Thursday in U.S. District Court in New Haven to conspiracy in the investment fraud. Within minutes of liftoff, it was clear the Dragon spacecraft was in trouble. Inside mission control on the morning of March 1, 2013, the SpaceX team was desperately trying to figure out what went wrong and soon pinpointed the problem: A few valves were stuck. Lori Garver, NASA's deputy administrator, was beside herself. The Obama administration had placed a bold bet on Elon Musk's SpaceX, awarding it hundreds of millions of dollars on contracts to fly cargo to the International Space Station, despite the critics who said it was foolish to trust a private outfit with such a complicated endeavor. This was a fundamental shift for NASA, a move that some in the agency's highest reaches were wary of, and a risky bet by the White House. Under President Barack Obama, NASA had retired the space shuttle and hired contractors - SpaceX and Boeing - to fly missions to the International Space Station as if they were providing a taxi service to space. That, in turn, would allow NASA to focus on missions in deep space and recapture some of the glory that had faded in the decades since the Apollo era put 12 men on the moon. In a 2010 speech at the Kennedy Space Center, Obama acknowledged the risks of the proposal. "Now, I recognize that some have said it is unfeasible or unwise to work with the private sector in this way," he said. But the U.S. space program needed a kick-start, he said: "We will also accelerate the pace of innovations as companies - from young start-ups to established leaders - compete to design and build and launch new means of carrying people and materials out of our atmosphere." Musk had become the face of this new policy, the brash Silicon Valley tech billionaire who founded SpaceX in 2002 with the goal of colonizing Mars. At first, the company had struggled, and it nearly went out of business after three failed attempts to reach orbit. But after a successful launch in 2008, SpaceX won a $1.6 billion NASA cargo contract, prompting Musk to change his log-in password to "ILoveNASA." Now, he had to show that his Hawthorne, California, upstart could deliver. And with Dragon struggling in 2013, he was starting to sweat. --- Musk wasn't the only one with a lot to lose. If the spacecraft didn't dock with the station, if the mission somehow failed, Garver feared the critics would again blast Obama's decision. Many were already upset with the White House for canceling the President George W. Bush-era Constellation program - a plan to return to the moon using big rockets and spacecraft built by the traditional industrial base led by Boeing and Lockheed Martin, a plan that SpaceX was fighting to disrupt. Sen. Richard Shelby, R-Ala., a powerful member of the Appropriations Committee, said at the time that Obama's plan "begins the death march for the future of U.S. human spaceflight," and that Obama was turning NASA into the agency of "pipe dreams and fairy tales." Obama's shift also drew criticism from Michael Griffin, a former NASA administrator. "One day it will be like commercial airline travel, just not yet," he said of space flight. "It's like 1920. Lindbergh hasn't flown the Atlantic, and they're trying to sell 747s to Pan Am." To assuage concerns, the White House decided Obama would visit the United Launch Alliance, the joint venture between Lockheed Martin and Boeing. The message was clear: Although the president canceled one of their major programs, the contractors were still a vital part of the U.S. space program. His presence there would be an endorsement and a signal to Congress. But there was a problem: The Alliance was about to launch a highly classified spaceplane known as the X-37B that would ultimately stay in orbit for months at a time. But doing what? The Pentagon wouldn't say. The program was secret, which was why the president couldn't just swing by for a photo op. The National Security Council wouldn't hear of it. So the White House scrambled. Instead, the president would visit SpaceX, a development that the company welcomed. A presidential visit would represent a public relations triumph over its archrival, even if it was, as Musk said later, "a sheer accident." An accident that had raised the stakes even further - for Musk and the White House. This was SpaceX's second official cargo delivery flight to the space station. It had to work, thought Garver, the NASA deputy administrator. They had to find a way to rescue Dragon, and fast. But as they tried to figure out what was wrong, Steve Davis, SpaceX's director of advanced projects, had begun to prepare for the worst - aborting the mission. "Is the vehicle even functioning enough that you can bring it back?" he wondered. "We weren't sure. That was the only time we had ever planned for an emergency reentry, which is like a big thing because you have to whip it through airspace. You have to reroute planes in real time. It's not awesome. And so we were in panic mode." --- SpaceX had been in panic mode before. In late 2010, on the eve of the Falcon 9's second launch and the first test flight of the Dragon spacecraft, a last-minute inspection of the rocket revealed a crack in the nozzle, or skirt, of the second-stage engine. "You're not going to fly with a crack," Davis said. "We're like, 'What do we do?' " The normal thing would be to take the rocket apart, replace the engine skirt, reinspect it. And then "you're up and launching in a month," he said. No one wanted to lose that much time. Musk had a wild idea: "What if we just cut the skirt? Like, literally cut around it?" That is, what if they trimmed off the bottom as if it were a fingernail? "He went person by person and said, 'Would this have any adverse effect on you?' " Davis recalled. Davis said that because the skirt would be shorter, they would get less performance from the engine. "But we had so much margin built into it, it didn't matter," he said. Everyone concurred, and "literally within 30 minutes, the decision was made." The company flew a technician from California to Cape Canaveral; armed with a pair of shears, like the kind used to trim hedges, he cut around the crack. "And we flew the next day successfully," Davis said. "That could have been the dumbest thing we ever did, but it was amazing." That was not how NASA would have handled it. But its officials agreed that there wasn't any reason it wouldn't work and approved the launch, astounded by how quickly SpaceX was addressing the problem. That sort of go-for-it ethos had become a SpaceX trademark. Gwynne Shotwell, the company's president, described the culture this way: "Head down. Plow through the line." "We had to be super scrappy," Musk said. "If we did it the standard way, we would have run out of money. For many years, we were week to week on cash flow, within weeks of running out of money. It definitely creates a mind-set of smart spending. Be scrappy or die: Those were our two options. Buy scrap components, fix them up, make them work." So when the company was rebuilding launchpad 40 at the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, one of SpaceX's employees spotted a 125,000-gallon liquid nitrogen tank and thought, "Maybe we could use this?" Despite sitting outside for years, the tank seemed in decent shape, and the SpaceX's 10-member team on the Cape wanted it. They called the Air Force asking permission, but their calls went unreturned. They persisted and were put in touch with a company that been hired to haul away the tank and destroy it. The company was willing to part with the tank for $1 more than the cost of scrapping it - $86,000. So the members of the SpaceX team became the scavengers of Cape Canaveral, looking for leftover hardware as if they were on a treasure hunt. Old rail cars from the 1960s that had been used to ferry helium between New Orleans and Cape Canaveral became the new storage tanks. Instead of spending $75,000 on new air-conditioning chillers for the ground equipment building, someone found a deal on eBay for $10,000. Cost drove lots of decisions, even how the company built its rockets. Once Musk got wind that the air conditioning system used to keep the satellite cool in the rocket's fairing, or nose cone, was going to cost more than $3 million, he confronted the designer about it. "What's the volume in the fairing?" he wanted to know. The answer was a couple thousand square feet, less than the size of a house. He turned to Shotwell and asked her how much a new air-conditioning system for a house cost. "We just changed our air-conditioning," she replied. "It was six thousand bucks." "Why is this $3 or $4 million when your air conditioning system is $6,000?" he asked. "Go back and figure this out." The company did, buying six commercial A/C units with bigger pumps that could handle a larger airflow. --- Now, as Dragon was in trouble with the stuck valves, SpaceX had to figure out on the fly how to make it work. As the SpaceX team scrambled, Bill Gerstenmaier, NASA's associate administrator for human exploration and operations, and Michael Suffredini, the space station's program office manager, were in the room watching. They were two of the agency's most senior officials, with nearly 60 years at NASA between them. They had served through the Challenger and Columbia disasters, had seen all sorts of problems in space, and now, as NASA faced another potential crisis, they were talking softly between themselves. Fearing the political fallout of a failed mission, Garver, the deputy NASA administrator, wanted them to take over, to swoop in and save SpaceX. There were no better people to come fix this. But the two NASA elder statesmen just watched, offering a bit of advice, a whisper here, a suggestion there, to the SpaceX crew. Mostly, they stayed out of the way. "They were like grandparents," Garver recalled. "And it was almost like grandpa taking them fishing: 'Try over there. There might be some fish over there.' " A soft touch designed to let the kids learn to fish on their own, rather than an impatient dad grabbing the pole and catching the fish for them. "If there was something we saw that we could have interjected, we would have done it," Gerstenmaier recalled. But it wasn't NASA's spacecraft. "We really were in an advisory role," Suffredini said. As they watched, the people in the control room worked the problem. The valves were stuck, so they'd need something to make it unstuck. On a spacecraft circling the globe at 17,500 mph, that was no easy task. But the SpaceX team knew that if pressure could be built ahead of the valves and then suddenly released, it might just deliver the kick needed to jar them open. "It's like the spacecraft equivalent of the Heimlich maneuver," Musk said later. One of the engineers typed up a command, right then, on the fly, programming the spacecraft to build up the pressure. Then, they tried to beam the new command up to the Dragon, as if it were an iPhone update. At that moment, the NASA elders knew they were witnessing something special. It wasn't that they had fixed a problem with the spacecraft; that happened all the time. It was how fast they did it. "The SpaceX mind-set had always been about adapting quickly, and it really shined that day," Suffredini said. "They had really an in-depth understanding of that system and the software, and that's one of the secrets of their success. They probably had the kid in there who wrote the original code." But the SpaceX crew was having a hard time communicating with the spacecraft. The code wouldn't transmit. So someone got the Air Force on the phone, which gave the company access to a more powerful satellite dish, which allowed, at last, the uplink. The code worked. The valves opened. The mission was a success. --- This article is adapted from the forthcoming book "The Space Barons: Elon Musk, Jeffrey P. Bezos and the Quest to Colonize the Cosmos." HARTFORD Peter turned on his microphone and looked up at the semi-circle of legislators before him. The pepper-haired man took a deep breath. Then, he told them of a crime that for 46 years he had kept secret. Between the ages of 8 and 16, Peter was sexually assaulted by someone he knew. I wasnt able to even begin processing it until about four years ago, he said. Peter, who lives in Hartford County, might be able to prosecute his perpetrator, if he wanted to, because he was a minor when assaulted. But Connecticuts statute of limitations on sex crimes mean many victims, like Peter, who wrestle with the trauma for years before saying anything, are unable to prosecute. Members of the Judiciary Committee are now considering eliminating the current five-year statute, but they are mulling over other options, too. They may extend the statute of limitations from five years to 10 or creating a task force to look at what time limit would be best. Connecticuts statute of limitations for felony sex crimes is one of the shortest in the nation. Exceptions to this five year limit are class A felonies, like sex crimes against minors, or crimes with DNA evidence. Meanwhile, seven states have eliminated their statutes of limitations for felony sex crimes, according to the Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network. In a public hearing at the Capitol Friday, many advocates said Connecticut should also take this step so victims have time to report these traumatic, personal crimes. It is not unusual for survivors to wait months, years, even decades to disclose a sexual assault due to fear and the stigmas attached to their experience, said Sarah Holmes, a community educator for Safe Haven of Greater Waterbury, a sexual assault and domestic violence service provider, in written testimony. She pointed to the national #MeToo movement and other headline-grabbing stories as evidence for the need for this change. Consider the cases against Jerry Sandusky, Bill Cosby, Harvey Weinstein, Larry Nassar and numerous cases of sexual abuse perpetrated by clergy members within the Catholic church, she wrote. Many victims who exhibited tremendous courage to come forward with their stories were unable to receive justice through the courts due to statutes of limitations. Also, sometimes the five year window is not enough time to fully investigate and build a case against a perpetrator, said Ann Rodwell-Lawton, director of Education, Training and Outreach at the Womens Center of Greater Danbury. Eliminating the statute of limitations would not change the burden of proof in a court case, she said in written testimony. But lawyers say a statute of limitations is needed to preserve defendants right for a fair trial. The Office of the Chief Public Defender would support a 10-year statute of limitation, Deborah Del Prete Sullivan, the Offices legal counsel and director told the Judiciary Committee Friday. Witnesses disappear, memories fade, she said. (The statute of limitations) has to end because it would be possible to get a fair trial for the accused. The Public Defenders Office and the American Civil Liberties Union of Connecticut both advised legislators to create a task force to study the issue, however. The task force could address the underlying barriers to justice for survivors: fear of losing their jobs, that others wont believe them, that law enforcement will not treat them with respect, of deportation for themselves or loved ones, of reliving the experience or suffering through legal proceedings or of defamation lawsuits, wrote David McGuire, executive director of the ACLU of Connecticut, in testimony. He urged such a task force to consider restorative justice models, in addition to criminal approaches. Alternative models can offer victims justice and, many times, may not be limited by statutes of limitations, McGuire wrote. Others, including Rep. Devin Carney, R-Old Lyme, dismissed the task force as a delay tactic. I encourage the passage of something this year that would move Connecticut forward in this area, he said. The Judiciary Committee will likely vote on these proposals by early April. When it comes to how Connecticut deals with its state workforce, it is time to give power back to the voters of Connecticut and the people they elect. Connecticut is home to persistently broken budgets, high taxes, a massive amount of debt and a dragging state economy. Residents deserve better. The primary reason for Connecticuts dire fiscal situation is clear: State law grants enormous privileges to government unions at a time when reform could not be more crucial all while nearby states have made commonsense changes to protect taxpayers and workers. A comprehensive review of Connecticuts labor laws shows how even in a union-friendly region, Connecticut is an outlier in how much power it cedes to unions in the public sector. But how? First, government unions dominance in Hartford has led to a two-tiered system of laws, which come at the expense of everyone else. There are plenty of good reasons lawmakers might reject a union contract offer. Maybe it doesnt serve the public. Or maybe its more expensive than taxpayers can afford. But whatever the reason for opposition, elected representatives in Connecticut can be powerless when negotiating government worker contracts that are in the best interests of their constituents. This is because unelected, unaccountable officials can impose a contract even if the General Assembly or a local board has rejected it twice. As a result, taxpayers voices are effectively muzzled at the bargaining table. But thats not all. Once theyre in place, those contracts can veto or supersede state law enacted by Connecticuts elected representatives. State auditors last year found a Connecticut state worker who received paid leave for over a year while being investigated for wrongdoing, which exceeded the limits in state law. Why? The union contract provided for paid leave that far exceeded the law and when contracts and the law disagree, the contract wins. The second area lawmakers should focus on is transparency. Connecticuts laws make it all too easy for officials to hide essential information from workers and the general public. Government union financial reports are not publicly disclosed, and union members can view them only at the union hall. Private sector union members and the public can see detailed information on how these unions spend members dues. Unfortunately, the federal law that allows for this disclosure does not apply to government unions in Connecticut. Public employees deserve the same transparency as their private sector brothers and sisters. For decades, Connecticuts pro-government-union lawmakers have built a superstructure of state laws and regulations that give unelected union officials outsized, unchecked power. In turn, Connecticuts union leaders have wasted no time advocating for spending decisions that wreak havoc on state and local budgets. Lori Pelletier, head of the Connecticut AFL-CIO, admitted in 2016 legislative testimony that government unions had repeatedly agreed to underfund pensions, even though it was not a good idea. Unfortunately, many union members have never had a say on which union represented them and so they must accept unions that agree to things which are not good ideas. Most government unions in the state organized almost four decades ago, meaning the vast majority of union members never had a chance to vote on which union represents them in the workplace. Many workers were not even born when the union organized. State lawmakers should give public employees the right to re-elect which union represents them. Similarly, individuals should not be forced to accept representation just to keep their jobs, and unions should not be forced to provide unwanted representation to those who dont want to pay. Thats why another reform Connecticut lawmakers should champion is Workers Choice. A Workers Choice law would allow workers to refuse union membership altogether in favor of representing themselves, and would also remove the requirement that unions represent them. The time for continued special privileges for government unions in Connecticut is up. The experiment has failed. Ultimately, fixing the states problems in government means first fixing outdated and unfair labor laws. For The Intelligencer This February, the Edwardsville Rotary Club honored Edwardsville High School student Marcus Kwasa with the Student of the Month Award. Nominated by Missi Sanders, Marcus will be attending SIUE in the fall of 2018 as a Nursing Major. He plans to become a travel nurse and explore across the world. He also aspires to come back to the U.S. to be a music writer/instructor while being either a cardiac or pediatric nurse. Marcus participates in many organizations at EHS including Key Club, French Club, and the Medical Occupations Club. He has also started a Mental Health Awareness campaign and is a marching band member. He has also been a member of the Macys Great American Marching Band. Marcus has many hobbies including being a musician, a lifeguard and swim instructor at the YMCA, a music instructor at St. Boniface and St. Marys band and he writes music. The Edwardsville Rotary Club recognizes a student each month September through April. Each May, Edwardsville High School staff chooses one of the monthly winners for the $1,500 Edwardsville Rotary EHS Scholarship. The awards have been given since 1996 and the Edwardsville Rotary Club has given out over $26,500 in scholarships to date. American Consumer News, LLC dba MarketBeat 2010-2021. All rights reserved. 326 E 8th St #105, Sioux Falls, SD 57103 | U.S. Based Support Team at [email protected] | (844) 978-6257 MarketBeat does not provide personalized financial advice and does not issue recommendations or offers to buy stock or sell any security. Our Accessibility Statement | Terms of Service | Do Not Sell My Information 2021 Market data provided is at least 10-minutes delayed and hosted by Barchart Solutions. Information is provided 'as-is' and solely for informational purposes, not for trading purposes or advice, and is delayed. To see all exchange delays and terms of use please see disclaimer. Fundamental company data provided by Zacks Investment Research. 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 Wall Street analysts have given iShares MSCI Denmark 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 Denmark ETF wasn't one of them. MarketBeat thinks these five companies may be even better buys. View MarketBeat's top stock picks here. 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 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. 5 hours ago US sues to stop deal between American Airlines and JetBlue The Justice Department and officials in six states have filed a lawsuit to block a partnership formed by American Airlines and JetBlue, claiming that it will reduce competition and lead to higher fares. The Justice Department said Tuesday that the agreement will eliminate important competition in New York and Boston and reduce JetBlue's incentive to compete against American in other parts of the country. Read Article Thousands of Brazilians took to the streets of popular Rio de Janeiro city to protest the murder of a councilwoman, who had campaigned and publicly spoken against police brutality. Investigators, prosecutors and even drug gang leaders said the shooting of 38-year-old Rio city Councillor Marielle Franco, a rising star in the Socialism and Liberty Party (PSOL) and her driver on Wednesday, appeared to be a political assassination. Marielle Franco seen by many as an activist for human rights and champion of women's rights, was killed on Rio's dangerous north side around 9:30 p.m. while her press secretary suffered minor injuries but was not shot. "It is far too soon to say, but we are obviously looking at this as a murder in response to her political work, that is a main theory," said a Rio de Janeiro public prosecutor. Rivaldo Barbosa, head of Rio's Civil Police, told reporters, "One of the possibilities in analysis is, yes, an execution." Brazil's federal government had, a few week ago, declared that the country's army would take over security operations through the end of the year in Rio, a city with a very sharp rise in murder cases. The decision was strongly condemned by Franco, who was made part of a commission that would oversee the military intervention, insisting that it could worsen police violence against residents. One investigator in the police force said the major reason for for her assassination seems to be her calling out police for allegedly killing innocents in their constant battles with drug gangs. Crowds gathered in Rio, Sao Paulo and several other cities on Thursday night, bearing banners calling for justice and an end to Brazil's endemic violence. "The path of her own fight is what gives us the strength to carry on," said Danielle Ramos, 26, who was attending a rally in Rio de Janeiro in front of the city council building, along with thousands of others. "The best way to honor Marielle is to dedicate every second of our days to the fight that she was a part of," said Ramos, part of the Olga Benario Womens' Movement, which battles against violence. On Demand We have a new story every day on the front page of thephuketnews.com. Also like us on our Facebook page (facebook.com/thephuketnews) and be the first to watch all the new stories. Finally you can watch any segment, any time by going to thephuketnews.com/tv where all the stories are listed for you to enjoy. All our programs can be enjoyed in High Definition when watching on the internet. In-Room VDO Overseas investors were net sellers of Japanese equities for the ninth straight week through March 9 as a strong yen and U.S. President Donald Trump's protectionist policies rattled markets. In the week of March 5-9, foreigners sold 839.6 billion yen ($7.92 billion) more in Japanese cash stocks and futures than they bought, Japan Exchange Group figures out Thursday show. That brings net selling over the nine-week stretch to 7.8 trillion yen, topping the 6.9 trillion yen figure from August-September 2015, when China devalued the yuan. The current streak is the longest period of net selling since an 11-week run in January-March 2016, when investor sentiment worsened on such factors as lower oil prices. In the face of falling stock prices worldwide since February, investors fled to the relative safety of the Japanese currency. A stronger yen in turn clouded earnings prospects for domestic companies that export products overseas. Concerns about global trade from Trump's protectionist policies are also causing "more investors to let go of Japanese stocks, which are often sensitive to economic conditions," said Kenji Abe of Okasan Securities. On March 6, Trump's top economic adviser and free trade advocate Gary Cohn resigned after failing to sway the president against steel and aluminum tariffs. - Nikkei TORONTOAn Ontario Superior Court judge has found Sino-Forest Corp.s co-founder and former CEO Allen Chan guilty of fraud, breach of fiduciary duty and negligence, and ordered him to pay more than $2.6 billion. Justice Michael Penny found that Allen Chan abused his unique position as a fiduciary to orchestrate an extremely large and complex fraud that caused the timber company to lose billions. Pennys decision Wednesday is the latest development in one of the countrys largest corporate fraud sagas, which has landed the troubled companys executives tussling with the Ontario Securities Commission and auditors for years. Read more: Toys R Us in negotiations to sell Canadian business Household debt-to-income ratio dips in fourth quarter, StatCan reports BMO launches AI chatbots to answer customer questions on Facebook and Twitter The civil case that Penny presided over was filed in 2014 by SFC Litigation Trust, which was acting on behalf of Sino-Forests creditors. In his decision, Penny said, Mr. Chan, rather than directing Sino-Forests spending on legitimate business operations, poured hundreds of millions of dollars into fictitious or over-valued lines of business where he engaged in undisclosed related-party transactions and funnelled funds to entities that he secretly controlled. In an effort to deter the defendant and others from similar misconduct in the future, and to mark the communitys collective condemnation of what has happened, Penny ordered Chan to pay $2.63 billion in damages and $5 million in punitive damages. Sino-Forest first became embroiled in lawsuits and an Ontario Securities Commission investigation after Muddy Waters LLC released a 2011 report suggesting it was a Ponzi scheme that exaggerates its assets. A year later, it filed for bankruptcy protection, put itself up for sale and delisted from the Toronto Stock Exchange. In 2017, the OSC found Chan and other Sino-Forest executives defrauded investors, misled investigators and engaged in deceitful and dishonest conduct. That same year, the OSC reached a $8-million settlement with accounting firm Ernst & Young, who it had accused of preparing a negligent audit of Sino-Forest and shoe manufacturer Zungui Haixi Corp., which both faced criticism for their financial practices. When University of Toronto engineering professor Parham Aarabi first began researching face tracking technology, it never occurred to him that his resulting startup would later be snapped up by the worlds biggest cosmetics company, LOreal. In fact, Aarabi thought the initial application of what is now ModiFaces lip and eye tracking capabilities would be speech recognition in noisy environments, he said. What happened was I realized, and we initially realized, that this technology had a lot of use for cosmetic simulations, said Aarabi, ModiFaces chief executive, in an interview. For example, showcasing lipstick products, because we had the exact boundary of the lips. On Friday, 11 years after Aarabi founded the Toronto-based startup, LOreal announced it was acquiring ModiFace as part of its digital acceleration strategy. The Paris-based beauty behemoth, whose 34 brands include Maybelline and Lancome as well as its namesake beauty products line, did not disclose financial terms of the acquisition. ModiFaces technology is already being used by 100 brands and allows customers to try on beauty products such as lipstick or eyeshadow or do skin diagnoses via mobile app, online or in-store augmented reality mirrors. For example, customers can try on different hair colour shades by taking a photo or using their smartphone or webcams video capabilities before making a purchase online or at the counter. ModiFace uses artificial intelligence to help track the users face and detect where the eyes and lips are, he said. AI is also used to track data, including colour selections and how that pertains to face and eye shape, said Aarabi. The Toronto-based firm will be part of LOreals Digital Services Factory, a dedicated network to design and develop new digital services for the groups brands, LOreal said. With its world-class team, technologies and sustained track record in terms of beauty tech innovations, ModiFace will support the reinvention of the beauty experience around innovative services to help our customers discover, try and chose products and brands, said Lubomira Rochet, LOreals chief digital officer in a statement. We at LOreal and ModiFace want to pioneer this new page of the beauty industry. ModiFace now employs nearly 70 engineers, researchers and scientists, who have submitted more than 200 scientific publications and registered over thirty patents. In addition to beauty brands, ModiFace is also being used by the likes of Samsung, which has equipped its newest Galaxy S9 smartphones with its augmented reality technology. Aarabi said ModiFace also has a partnership with virtual bulletin board platform Pinterest, but would not disclose more details as it is not public yet. Even after its 100 per cent acquisition, ModiFace will remain based in Toronto to stay close to the University of Toronto where Aarabi continues to be a professor and where the firm has established research partnerships. Last April, ModiFace invested $4 million to fund student internships and research at the universitys engineering department. ModiFace became what it is because of the excellent engineering talent in Toronto... Its a great place to have a tech company. Were very much not only interested in staying here, but also growing here as well, said Aarabi. Jim Deacove began feeling uneasy about his companys relationship with Toys R Us in the U.S. about five years ago, when they began asking for 90 days to pay their bills. Deacove, the founder of the board game company Family Pastimes based near Perth, Ont., which makes board games focussed on getting players to work together, was used to being paid before shipping products, or at least within 30 days. When Toys R Us began taking more than 90 days to pay, Deacove raised questions with the company. He said he was met with a demand that he provide financial statements to prove his company was financially healthy. Read more: Toys R Us in negotiations to sell Canadian business As Toys R Us stumbles, Mastermind is opening more stores Mastermind Toys plans to open stores in Toronto, Fredericton I was absolutely stunned, said Deacove, pointing out that he wasnt the one asking for 90 days to pay a bill. I said, This is the last straw. We bailed. I stopped sending any product. At the time, his firm was doing $200,000 in gross sales annually with Toys R Us, and to replace it, Deacove successfully sought out new markets in Europe. Have Your Say That has worked out wonderfully well, said Deacove, who founded the family-run company 45 years ago. Family Pastime games now sell in five languages in France, the Netherlands, Poland and Germany. Deacove has no regrets about making the switch. But he has empathy for the suppliers that didnt, or couldnt, and are now lining up to be paid after the retailer announced this week it will have to liquidate the chain in the U.S., closing more than 700 stores and putting an estimated 30,000 people out of work. I regret that there are other game companies that were left holding the bag, and for significant amounts, said Deacove. While analysts point to Amazon, debt and the rise of electronic games as factors in the fall of North Americas largest toy retailer, suppliers and competitors say the retailer had not been operating efficiently for some time when it filed for creditor protection in September it had more than 800 stores in the U.S. There is no reason to have that many stores, even in the U.S., said competitor Austin Da Silveira, founder, Northmen Collectibles, a local company that sells action figures, some of which were also sold by Toys R Us. Toys R Us operates 82 stores in Canada, where it continues to be profitable. Canadian stores are not being closed and the hope is that they can be sold and continue to operate. The only reason the Canadian branch is healthier than the U.S. is because in Canada they were way more conservative with opening stores, said Da Silveira. And the experience of other toy retailers doesnt seem to reflect the Toys R Us experience in the U.S. In Canada, homegrown Mastermind Toys is flourishing, with plans to open 10 locations in Canada this year, bringing the total number of stores in eight provinces to 70. In fact, since 2011, Mastermind Toys has opened 53 new stores. Mastermind is really a model for how to do it right, said Christopher Byrne, a 30-year veteran of the toy industry and content director at TTPM (Toys, Tots, Pets & more). Its possible to do it right, to create that store experience that people want to have that makes it a destination that kids and families enjoy. He said that while Toys R Us came up with many ideas over the years for how to improve the store experience, it was never able to execute the plans because so much of the companys profit went to servicing the mountain of debt created after a deal to take it private in 2005. I think they could have made a lot of operational changes, Byrne said. Toys R Us was never able to get beyond that supermarket model, which worked well during the Baby Boom and even into the 1970s, but its not relevant to the way people shop today. Retail consultant Bruce Winder, who was a toy buyer in the late 1990s, said Toys R Us had challenges when it came to execution. They were always an okay retailer, they were never best in class. Everyone knew that it was a bit of a challenge just getting things done, and they were in a very tough industry, said Winder. Then Walmart started taking a run at toys. I was a toy buyer in 1997, even then they were getting kicked by Walmart. After being kicked for 20 years, eventually you succumb to your injuries. Toymaker Hasbro said in a statement that the bankruptcy will have an impact, but it expects to recover. We expect the pending liquidation and closure of Toys R Us stores to be disruptive to our business in the near term, most notably during 2018, but over the longer-term we believe the market and Hasbro will continue to grow. Hasbro brands are performing and we are well-positioned with a global omnichannel retail model that ensures our products can be found everywhere consumers shop, according to an emailed statement from Hasbro, Inc. Read more about: Past a certain age, pounding green beer at a bar doesnt hold much appeal. So why not celebrate St. Patricks Day with a glass of Vinho Verde? Its not Irish, no; its Portuguese, actually. But it translates to green wine, which is an allusion to its youthful nature wineries release Vinho Verde shortly after harvest, to be consumed young and fresh. So go ahead and toast the patron saint of Ireland with any of these light and lively Vinho Verdes scored to reflect their value for money. All five wines are widely available, under $12 and less than 11 per cent alc. Wine recommendations NV Casal Garcia Vinho Vinho Verde, Portugal (LCBO 530261 $9.95 in stores only) Not only is this delicious drop the No. 1-selling Vinho Verde in the world, it just hit shelves in Ontario as a General List item at the LCBO. Expect discreet aromas of sea salt and lime zest that lead to a sleek but electric attack of freshly sliced Granny Smith apple sprinkled with salt. Love the way the mouthwatering salinity resonates on the long dry finish. Its not complex, but theres a delicacy, restraint and polish to this wine that makes it taste more sophisticated than the price might suggest. And it actually works quite well with bangers and mash. Score: 92+ 2016 Aveleda Vinho Verde, Portugal (LCBO 5322 $10.95 in stores and online) Compared to the Quinta da Aveleda Vinho Verde by the same producer (also featured here), this bottling is sweeter and thinner so will appeal to those who prefer a slightly rounder and less concentrated style of Vinho Verde. Think barely there aromas of green pear and lemon zest followed by a sweet-and-sour entry that suggests sweet red apples and sugared grapefruit. The sweetness is balanced by Vinho Verdes hallmark high acidity, keeping the wine finishing fresh and clean. Pairs nicely with corned beef. Score: 88 2016 Quinta da Aveleda Vinho Verde, Portugal (LCBO 89995 $11.95 in stores and online) I love this particular vintage of this wine its just so expressive! Scents of bay leaf and lime blossom rise from the glass and draw you in before the tense, cool, tightly wound beam of flavour glides in all saturated and pure before unravelling with green apple, grapefruit, lime oil, salt and bay leaf notes that resonate on the finish. So articulate, smooth and racy. Serve it with sausage and potatoes for that Irish twist. Score: 90 2016 Alianca Vinho Verde, Portugal (LCBO 75663 $8.90 in stores and online) Sometimes, Vinho Verde is bottled with a shot of carbon dioxide to amp up the refreshment factor. Such is the case with this off-dry version with its quick lick of sprightly lime sorbet flavour shot through with a gentle spritz. It douses the mouth with cool, quenching appeal and an unmistakable undertow of green olive that emerges on the finish. Not as complex or generously fruited as other Vinho Verdes recommended here, but still not a bad bottle for the price. Pour with corned beef hash. Score: 88+ NV Gazela Vinho Verde, Portugal (LCBO 14132 $8.55 till April 1, reg. $9.55 in stores and online) Here, a slight spritz imbues a bright, tight fruit centre of mixed citrus (lime puree and grapefruit zest) edged with a dry stoniness that leaves an almost chalky note on the finish. Very fetching little Vinho Verde that tastes tart, pure and wildly refreshing. It finishes quite abruptly rather than lingers on the palate so I docked it a point. But otherwise, a very good value Vinho Verde, especially with back bacon, cabbage and a slice of Irish soda bread. Score: 89 Carolyn Evans Hammond is a Toronto-based wine writer. She is also a London-trained sommelier and two-time bestselling wine book author. Reach her at carolyn@carolynevanshammond.com. Aurora hunters descending on Yellowknife have plenty of options for searching out the storied northern lights a major draw to the region known for green- and red-hued swirls dancing across the night sky. The city which boasts that it is the best place in the world to see the northern lights lands just below the auroral oval, a ring also known as the Earths geomagnetic North Pole above which the aurora appear. Add in a climate that sees little rain and a fairly flat landscape and Yellowknife makes for an excellent place to experience the northern lights. Visitors should plan their trip between January and March, or during the shorter window of the middle of August to early September to maximize their chances of an aurora sighting, according to the citys tourist guide. Read more: What to do in Yellowknife, Canadas northern frontier city An afternoon on a commercial fishing boat on Great Slave Lake Eating Ethiopian in Yellowknife a tasty surprise There are plenty of curated experiences to witness the natural phenomenon, with tour operators taking visitors to locations that are expected to have the best view. For those who want to attempt seeing the sight solo, the citys travel guide advises: the trick is to simply get away from street lights. That can mean walking to Frame Lake in the city or driving along the ice road to nearby Dettah during the winter. For an even more undisturbed view, camping on an island on nearby Mason Lake puts one far from the city lights. Visitors can check the daily aurora forecast on astronomynorth.com, which provides information up to six days in advance, including whether to expect a geomagnetic storm. Scattered throughout the city are so-called northern lighthouses, which show the expected nighttime events. A flashing blue light means low solar activity, green indicates auroras expected especially around midnight and red warns of a possible geomagnetic storm and potential aurora-viewing jackpot. While visitors wait for nightfall, theres plenty to keep them occupied during daylight hours, including a tour of the Northwest Territories legislature and a lesson on the territorys unique consensus government system. A short walk away is the Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre, where visitors can enter at no cost and view collections showcasing the territorys heritage. If the weather co-operates, several companies offer boat tours of Great Slave Lake that pass colourful houseboats floating on Yellowknife Bay and often include a stop for a picnic lunch where the tour guide fries freshly caught fish. IF YOU GO: Flights: Air Canada flies direct to Yellowknife from Vancouver, Calgary and Edmonton, while WestJet offers direct service from Calgary and Edmonton. A number of small airlines also fly in and out of Yellowknife to a number of locations, including a direct flight to Ottawa via Air North. Clothing: Even in August with the latter half of the month considered a good time to catch the northern lights Yellowknifes minimum temperature was an average 11.8 C in 2017, according to Environment Canada. Bring layers to bundle up because aurora hunting can mean patiently standing still in the cool night. Aurora spotting: Scan the daily forecast on astronomynorth.com to see when its worth heading out into the night. Read more about: In this city with four major pro teams, theres another sport: trying to keep track of the dizzying number restaurant openings. National headlines have proclaimed Detroit a hot food destination. Certainly, Motor City natives can list a lifetime of favourites, many dating back generations. The latest restaurant breed tends toward new American cuisine, dedicated to local sourcing with a splash of Michigan-made beer or Detroit-distilled spirits. In one newbie Detroit diner, where tables are so close that your neighbours conversations merge with yours, a fellow patron told me she and her husband were opening a wood-fired pizza place soon. Of course! Menus, it seems, are Motowns new playlist. And in the 313 area-code tradition, consider a nightcap at one of the proliferating bars, including one in the mural-filled Belt alley. Later, a Coney dog is the classic Detroit fourth meal. Read more: Detroit is Americas great comeback story 8 classic and cutting edge Detroit experiences Enjoy sports, food and party bike tours in the new Detroit Just off the atrium-lit lobby of the Chrysler House, a 1912 neoclassical downtown skyscraper formerly named the Dime Building, as locals still prefer to call it, is the Dime Store restaurant (eatdimestore.com). This 75-seat spot is a bustling contrast to the stately architecture it occupies. Funky, 1970s-style light fixtures are suspended from tangled black cords above the 12-seat bar. Floors are concrete, east-facing windows offer an expansive street view, and the food is varied, creative and locally sourced. Here, in this self-dubbed American Brunch Bar offering breakfast, lunch and booze, T-shirts mingle with business suits and the walls are painted with murals depicting the heads side of Mercury and Eisenhower dimes. Of course you can order a custom omelette, but why not a duck Reuben sandwich ($13.50 U.S.), which was the most popular item at my table recently? Other favourites include the duck bop hash ($12.50) and breakfast sandwiches ($7.50-$10.50). The menu offers day drinks, and its most popular, Im told, is the peach sparkling wine mimosa ($8), which is as light as midday. Afterward, stop in at Bon Bon Bon, just across the lobby, for a nationally acclaimed chocolate ($3) made just minutes away. Then, work off the calories with a stroll down the block to the Guardian Building, a National Historic Landmark with a stunning art-deco interior. Square Detroit-style pizza is a thing and you wont find it at Supino Pizzeria (supinopizzeria.com), where round pies reflect owner Dave Mancinis Italian roots in Supino, Italy, plus years of trial-and-error experimentation in his home kitchen with a KitchenAid. Supino opened a decade ago, making it a veteran of Detroits new-wave dining. Its windows face the historic Eastern Market, where its a draw for takeout and sit-down diners alike. In addition to pizza, the menu offers antipasti, daily pastas and salads. (Try the rucola salad with labne dressing, $7.) Local bakery Katies Cannoli provides the handmade traditional dessert with chocolate sauce and pistachios ($4). Which pizza to order? There are 13, divided into two categories: white (no sauce) and red (with). The popular Bismark (red, $13 and $19) is topped with mozzarella, prosciutto and egg; the Affumicata (white, $13 and $19) is nicknamed the Smokey for its combination of smoked prosciutto and smoked Gouda with roasted garlic, chopped parsley, mozzarella and ricotta. Supino is as comfortable as a pizza joint should be. Dine at the bar and get a side order of conversation. As for the bar itself, note the eight varieties of amaro ($6 and $8), the Italian herbal liqueur. To justify the calories, meander the market (Saturdays are lively) or walk the Dequindre Cut, a recreational path that leads to the Detroit River. Take a single-storey, plain building that once housed a dry-cleaning business on a forlorn stretch between downtown and Midtown, paint the cinder block, add an attractive patio with a fireplace, and you have the foundation of a restaurant that garnered immediate raves when it opened in late 2014. Selden Standard (seldenstandard.com) turns out meals with subtle flavours enhanced by a wood grill. Its narrow interior hugs diners. The decor is restrained, with graphite-coloured walls, white subway tile with in-vogue dark grout, concrete floors and a long, wooden bar that ends at the visible kitchen. But the aura of simplicity is a contrast to what arrives on the plates. I recently watched three men nod silently to one another as they consumed forkfuls of the vegetable carpaccio ($10). Sharing is encouraged here, and at my table, we took two forks to the grilled whole trout ($32), gussied with pineapple puree, guajillo chiles and herbs. Its possibly the best restaurant fish preparation Ive ever had. We also split smoked potatoes with scallion creme fraiche, Comte cheese and dill ($10); and roasted beets with avocado puree, kohlrabi and pepitas ($11). The chocolate halvah (sort of like a Snickers bar, the waitress explained) is highlighted with tahini caramel, sesame ice cream and pistachio ($11) a sweet but not heavy finish. Seldens owners arent finished. Theyre opening another restaurant in another hot neighbourhood, one of many proposed to satisfy Detroits large appetite for new dining. Canadians with disabilities are about twice as likely to experience violence as their able-bodied peers, with greater instances of victimization taking place at every stage of life, new data from Statistics Canada indicated Thursday. The numbers, drawn heavily from the agencys 2014 General Social Survey on victimization, take an in-depth look at the experiences of Canadians over the age of 15 who identify as having a physical, sensory, cognitive or mental health disability and do not live in an institution. The report, while breaking down data on both genders, offers a particular focus on women, who experience noticeably higher rates of victimization in many areas. Read More: People with disabilities lose hope, skills in psychiatric hospital: Nova Scotia therapist Opinion | Its time for Canada to measure up on kids with disabilities Protesters push back against immigration law that deters disabled people While the report explores factors such as homelessness, sexual orientation and exposure to childhood abuse that exacerbate the likelihood of being victimized, report author Adam Cotter said the data clearly demonstrates that merely being disabled is enough to elevate a persons risk of harm. The experience of having a disability itself (is) contributing to those higher rates, Cotter told The Canadian Press in an interview. Those rates, which reflect the self-reported experiences of disabled people in the 12 months before the survey was conducted, drastically surpass numbers seen in the general population. While StatCan found the rate of violent victimization of women in the able-bodied population totalled 65 per 1,000 people, the figure for disabled women more than doubled to 137 per 1,000. Numbers for men came in at 58 and 105 per 1,000 respectively. The numbers doubled again for people whose disability was cognitive in nature or involved mental health, making them four times as likely to have experienced violence as the general population. Four in 10 self-reported instances of robbery, physical or sexual assault involved a victim with a disability, the report said. The number was higher for disabled women, who comprised 45 per cent of such victims. Risk of violence decreased with age, but disabled people remained at higher risk from childhood through to old age, the numbers found. As in the general population, nearly 90 per cent of disabled sexual assault victims were women. But while 29 in 1,000 women overall reported surviving a sexual assault, the number jumped to 56 per 1,000 for disabled women. Women with a cognitive or mental health condition were at greater risk, StatCan said, identifying their rates of victimization at 121 and 131 per 1,000 respectively. Cotter said widespread misconceptions about the sexuality of disabled women contribute to the higher instances of violence they faced. These range from the perception that women with disabilities are hypersexual and sexually deviant, to a tendency to treat women with disabilities as children, or a view that women with disabilities are entirely non-sexual, Cotter wrote in the report. Attitudes such as these can both place women with disabilities at a higher risk of sexual assault, and also serve to minimize or ignore the consequences or impacts of victimization for women with disabilities. Sarah Jama said shes experienced such attitudes first-hand. The 23-year-old Hamilton resident, who has cerebral palsy and uses a wheelchair, said she was waiting for a bus when she was approached by two men who began asking her personal questions. Jama alleged one man grabbed her and reacted incredulously when she resisted, telling her well, its not like youre going to get some anywhere else. Jama said she deals with other less overt forms of violence regularly. People often make decisions about how they interact with me because of how I look, she said. Im seen as vulnerable, and theres this idea that people with disabilities are incompetent and cant make their own decisions. While most of the population can find sanctuary from violence in their own homes, the StatCan data suggests that is less likely for the disabled. One in three instances of victimization took place in a disabled persons home, the data found, adding the figure was double that recorded for the general population. Disabled women were more than twice as likely to report spousal violence than non-disabled women, the report found, noting violence in such cases can involve issues such as restriction of access to mobility aids. Disabled seniors were also four times as likely to report abuse at the hands of their caregivers, Cotter said. The numbers, advocates said, paint a picture that has been clear to community members for years disabled people, particularly women, experience more harm and inadequate protection from society. Bonnie Brayton, national executive director of the Disabled Womens Network (DAWN) Canada, said disabled women have been overlooked for years, noting that the numbers should be a wake-up call. Federal Minister for Persons with Disabilities Kirsty Duncan thanked StatCan for the research, saying Ottawa is committed to safeguarding the rights of disabled Canadians. Our government recognizes that people with disabilities are more at risk of experiencing violence, she said. These numbers are alarming and we are working to rectify the situation. Brayton said the latest figures likely underestimate the scope of the problem, since they omit people living in institutions and rely on evidence from people who disclose that they have a disability. It is time for politicians and for everybody to act on this, she said. Because it is Canadians with disabilities, and especially women with disabilities, who have been failed by everyone. A former Quebec university student on trial for terrorism in Senegal said a money transfer allegedly intended to get him to Syria was in fact meant for him to return to school in Canada, a court in the Senegalese capital of Dakar heard Thursday. The criminal trial is the first opportunity that Assane Kamara has had to plead his innocence since he was arrested in January 2016. He was taken into custody at the airport after trying to travel to Tunisia. Among the discoveries made by police were receipts from Western Union for money transfers worth the equivalent of more than $1,500, according to a report from the trial. One of the friends named by Senegalese officials as having sent Kamara money, Harris Catic, told the Star in 2016 that he sent a simple present through the mail at Ramadan to thank Kamara for having taught him Arabic and verses from the Quran. It was Kamaras mother who brought his case to light. Concerned that he had cut himself off from family members while in Canada, she sought out her son and found him leading prayers at Edmontons Sahaba mosque. She later forced him to return to Senegal. She told investigators her son had become radicalized while studying economics at Universite de Sherbrooke in eastern Quebec, as well as later while living in Edmonton with three friends from Quebec. The trio Samir Halilovic, Youssef Sakhir and Zakria Habibi fled Canada in the following months to join Daesh, also known as the Islamic State. At his trial Thursday, Kamara admitted his friendship with the three men, but said he was different. I did not aspire to violent jihad like them. Jihad is an Islamic principle that allows you to make efforts to improve the practice of your Muslim faith, he said, according to a Senegalese news website covering the trial. My mothers worries were not justified. The trial did not hear any evidence of Kamaras Facebook exchange with Halilovic from July 2014 in which he tried to arrange a prison break to travel from Senegal to Turkey to meet his friends shortly before they crossed into Syria and joined Daesh, which the Star reported on exclusively in 2016. Testifying on Kamaras behalf were an older brother as well as his fiance of several years. I dont consider Assane to be a jihadist. Hes not a violent person. Hes calm. He prays, he fasts. He warns against what is bad and endorses what is good. He has always been determined to marry me. I have faith in him, said his fiance, Mariama Camara, according to Aliou Diouf, a legal affairs reporter who reported from the courtroom. Asked by his lawyer, Ousmane Seye, if he had ever considered killing for a cause, Kamara said: Never. Im not radical. I try to be in conformity with my religion. Prosecutor Aly Cire Ndiaye asked the court to find Kamara guilty of being involved in a criminal association with a terrorist group and a terrorist financing charge. He is seeking a five-year prison sentence in the case. The crime of financing terrorism occurs even if the money was not used to commit an act, he said, according to Dioufs account of the trial. Seye, Kamaras defence lawyer, said a person cannot be convicted on the basis of rumours. There is the presumption of innocence, but we have the impression that the prosecution would prefer the presumption of guilt, he told the court. At the end of the hearing, once lawyers had made their sentencing submissions to the judge, Kamara pleaded for mercy with the court. He noted that his father had died only a few days ago. Today my mother has lost her husband. Please give her back her son, he said. The court will deliver a verdict in the case on April 9. Read more about: Ontarios quasi-judicial tribunals are not courts and should not be subject to the same principles of openness when it comes to their records, the province argued in a court filing Thursday. Responding to a constitutional challenge from the Toronto Star that calls on Ontarios various administrative tribunals such as the Landlord and Tenant Board, and the Ontario Municipal Board, among others to disclose hearing records as readily as courts do, the provinces lawyers said that while openness and transparency are important features of tribunals and the hearings themselves are typically open to the public, the right to access documents related to those hearings must be balanced against privacy concerns. (The Star) ignores the critical legal, institutional and practical differences between courts and tribunals that make the open courts principle an inappropriate foundation for access to tribunal files, the provinces factum reads. The Star launched its legal challenge against the province last year in an effort to gain faster and fuller access to documents the paper argues are a matter of public interest. While reporters can attend and report on what happens at the tribunals public hearings, obtaining documents related to those hearings after they occur is inconsistent, onerous and often significantly delayed, the Star has argued. Tribunals appear, on the surface, no different than traditional courts with adjudicators, hearing rooms, dockets and generally open hearings but they depart dramatically from open court rules when it comes to providing records, the Star wrote in an editors note published last year. Unlike courts, some of Ontarios tribunals require members of the public, including the media, to file formal freedom of information requests in order to access to documents related to a case. That process, the Star argues, can take months or years and the documents are often heavily redacted. Some tribunals do not even make their dockets or schedules public, which makes it almost impossible for reporters to cover cases. The province argues this is necessary to address legitimate privacy concerns for the people involved in the hearings, who often represent themselves. It describes freedom of information requests as a relatively minor administrative burden that doesnt substantially impede reporters abilities to cover tribunals. The Star, meanwhile, is arguing that the way freedom of information legislation restricts access to tribunal records amounts to an unjustifiable infringement on the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Newsgathering requires timeliness, the papers factum reads. Delay in public access has a deleterious effect on the ability of the media to report, and as a result, on the publics right to be informed. Freedom of information legislation was intended to apply to governments and its agencies, not judicial bodies, the Star argues. The function of all the tribunals were once the domain of the courts, it states. Tribunals were created to relieve the burden on an increasingly backlogged court system, but the fundamental principle of openness should still apply. The province argues that tribunals do not require the same public scrutiny as courts because they are created by government legislation and subject to government oversight. Tribunal case files also include reams of unvetted documents that would never be released by a court. The fact that some tribunals already release records without a freedom of information request does not mean all should, as the Star suggests. (The tribunals) have adopted approaches that are well tailored to the types of disputes and documents that come before them. The province said that in all of the instances entered as evidence by the Star where reporters did file freedom of information requests, documents were released by the respective tribunal within 45 days, albeit with redactions. The province also argues that increasing public access to tribunal documents will have a chilling effect on peoples willingness to bring complaints forward, citing the testimony of lawyers who said they believed some people would be less inclined to participate in tribunal process if they knew documents related to their case would be publicly available. The Star said the province provided no evidence of a single person who would not have come forward to a tribunal if access to documents was less restrictive and argued that in many reporters experiences, individuals want public attention and scrutiny on their case. HALIFAXA Halifax-area navy sailor convicted of sexually assaulting a woman he met over Facebook has won a new trial because of ineffective legal representation. The Nova Scotia Court of Appeal overturned Paul Simpsons conviction, saying his trial would not inspire public confidence in the criminal justice system and noting the Crown itself conceded the appeal. The appeal judges said Simpsons lawyer, Laura McCarthy, did not appear to give effective, dedicated representation, noting she caused multiple delays and did not prepare him to testify. There was nothing complicated about this trial, the three-judge panel said in its ruling. A reasonable member of the public would not view the representation provided to Mr. Simpson as emblematic of a fair trial. The Crowns conceding of this appeal reflects that. The 43-year-old leading seaman is accused of assaulting the woman on their second date, on Feb. 23, 2014. The provincial court judge who convicted Simpson last June, Judge Theodore Tax, said the two had some consensual activity on both dates, but she told him she would not have intercourse that night. She repeatedly told him no before he forced himself on her, Tax said. McCarthy had taken over as defence counsel for Simpson from her husband, Lyle Howe, after he was suspended from legal practice. The appeal court noted late arrivals in court, disagreement over admitted facts in the case, an abandoned application to question the alleged victim about prior sexual activity, and Simpsons claim that she did not advise him on how to present himself on the witness stand. Mr. Simpsons trial cannot be seen as one that would reassure the public to have confidence in the administration of criminal justice, said the appeal court. Its appearance was not of effective, dedicated representation. It was plagued by delays occasioned by Ms. McCarthy and the distractions of a proposed section 276.1 application that had no merit and never materialized. It was not characterized by a diligent preparation of Mr. Simpson for testifying. The appeal judges ordered that Simpson, who was sentenced to three years in jail, be released pending a new trial. Simpson had never met the woman before inviting her to a 2013 New Years Eve party at his house over Facebook. They had one date in late December, and he asked her to dinner about two months later. She agreed to go back to his Middle Sackville, N.S., house afterwards, but told him there would be no sex, according to Taxs ruling. After some consensual activity in his bedroom, she told him she did not want him to touch her, but he ignored her, Tax said. Simpson insisted she never told him no, but acknowledged she was visibly upset afterwards. You just raped me and I dont know what you might have, she told him, according to the judges ruling. A cab driver who drove her home testified she was crying and told him shed been raped, and he took her to hospital. The woman has since been diagnosed with PTSD, suffers from social anxiety and has been self-mutilating, Tax said. Over the past three years, her life has changed and been turned inside out, filled with despair and depression on a daily basis, he said. Simpson, a sonar technician, is married and has a daughter, and his naval colleagues described him as reliable and focused, the ruling said. Mr. Simpsons wife describes him as a gentle, calm and patient person who is a dedicated family man and that everyone speaks of him very highly, said the judge. Mr. Simpsons brother, who is a correctional officer in Ontario, stated that his brother is a family man, and would never be abusive to a woman. Read more about: HALIFAXNova Scotia has become the first province to ban medically unnecessary cat declawing. The ban part of a worldwide movement against the practice took effect Thursday after a three-month education period. The Nova Scotia Veterinary Medical Association decided in December to amend its code of ethics to make the practice of elective and non-therapeutic declawing ethically unacceptable. Read more: Canadian Veterinary Medical Association opposes declawing of cats Some owners declaw their cats but a U.S. state may soon call that animal cruelty Cat credited with saving owners lives when fire breaks out Veterinarian organizations in many other provinces are having active discussions on the issue. The Canadian Veterinary Medical Association strengthened its stand against declawing domestic cats last March, saying the practice causes unnecessary and avoidable pain. While some municipalities have enacted regulations against declawing, Nova Scotia becomes the first province or state in North America to declare the practice unethical. The practice has already been banned in the U.K., Europe, Australia and several California cities. Its a great day. Im so proud of the Nova Scotia Veterinary Medical Association, Dr. Hugh Chisholm, a retired veterinarian who had pushed for the change, said after the associations decision in December. You are amputating 10 bones from 10 digits on the paws of a cat, and if that doesnt constitute mutilation, I dont know what does, he said. For years, some pet owners have had their cats declawed to prevent scratches to furniture, people and other pets. But the Canadian vets association says scratching is normal behaviour that cats use to mark territory, help with balance, climb and defend themselves. Chisholm said there will still be cases where declawing will be medically necessary. Read more about: MONTREAL A Quebec police chief has defended the decision to arrest a reporter after the subject of a story he was working on lodged a complaint of criminal harassment. Radio-Canada said Friday the complaint against Antoine Trepanier stems from calls and emails he sent seeking reaction to a story about the head of the chapter of Big Brothers Big Sisters in western Quebec. The network said the complainant was Yvonne Dube, who is executive director of the organizations Gatineau chapter and the subject of the interview requests. Gatineau police Chief Mario Harel held a news conference Friday to defend the process that led to Trepaniers arrest this week. It is our duty to respond to an (alleged) victims complaint, which we did, and its our duty to protect the public, Harel said. We have the obligation to listen to the (alleged) victim, take their statement and, with that statement, we assess the situation. Once we deal with a person suspected of having committed an infraction under the Criminal Code, the first thing we have to do is to give him his rights the right to keep silent and the right to have a lawyer. He refused to say whether Trepanier gave police his version of events Radio-Canada said it is standing behind Trepanier, whose investigation involved an Ontario court decision that said Dube falsely passed herself off as a lawyer between September 2011 and March 2012. We find that his arrest was unfounded, that he was only doing his job and that he fully respected the CBCs journalistic standards and practices, Yvan Cloutier, Radio-Canadas director of French services in Gatineau, said in a statement on the networks website. Trepanier will continue to work as a reporter in the Gatineau newsroom. The CBCs French-language network said the reporter first contacted Dube on Monday and spoke to her for 20 minutes. It said she initially agreed to an on-camera interview before backing out. The reporter then emailed her again Tuesday to give her another chance for an interview. The complaint was filed later that day and the reporter was called to the police station in the Hull district. Accompanied by two managers, Trepanier was arrested and released on a promise to appear in court June 20. Gatineau police said it would be up to the Crown to decide whether charges would be filed. Trepanier is not permitted to contact Dube and must notify police of any change in address or employment. Stephane Giroux, head of the Quebec journalists federation called the arrest extremely worrying and noted it was based solely on a single complaint without investigation. By imposing a condition of no contact, the journalist doing his job has in effect been silenced, Giroux said. Canadian Journalists For Free Expression also said it is gravely concerned by the decision to arrest Trepanier and called on the Crown to withhold charges given the impact a charge could have on press freedom. The organization said a reporters job involves asking difficult questions of community leaders and acting proactively to give the respondent a chance to comment. The law is intended to protect victims of domestic abuse, stalking or other serious criminal behaviour, executive director Duncan Pike said in a letter to the Crown. Using it as a way to discourage or silence speech, advocacy or public interest journalism is deeply troubling. Read more about: Montreal police went door to door on Friday as they continued their search for a 10-year-old boy who has been missing since Monday. Ariel Jeffrey Kouakou was last seen when he left his north-end home to head to a friend's house a few blocks away. Const. Jean-Pierre Brabant said police decided to move their mobile command post to Galerie Normandie, a nearby shopping centre Kouakou was said to frequent. Otherwise, Friday's search was largely a repeat of the day before as police continued to comb through the same area looking for any clues that could lead them to the boy's whereabouts. Read more: Montreal police continue search for 10-year-old boy missing since Monday Police spokesperson Benoit Boisselle said officers decided to not widen the search perimeter, and spent the day going over the same territory in case something had been missed. Officers have used boats, horses, a helicopter and all-terrain vehicles to search a river and a wooded riverside park where someone matching Kouakou's description was last seen by a witness at about 2 p.m. on Monday. They've also been searching homes, interviewing witnesses and reviewing security camera footage as well as more than 120 tips from the public. Authorities still don't know exactly what happened to the boy, although his father has told reporters he's convinced his son was abducted. Police are asking area residents to remain vigilant and are inviting anyone with information to call them. "Police are still on the scene, and still asking the population to give them any information they have regarding the disappearance," Boisselle said. They say the boy, who is French-speaking, is Black, has black hair and black eyes and was wearing a black coat with a hood, grey pants and yellow shoes before he disappeared. Read more about: A teenage boy is seriously injured after a shooting in Flemingdon Park Thursday night. Toronto police were called around 11:10 p.m. in a townhouse complex near Rochefort Dr. and Deauville Ln., in the area of Don Mills and Eglinton. When police arrived, they found the boy with multiple gunshot wounds. Toronto paramedics said he was rushed to hospital in serious, but non-life-threatening condition. No suspect information has been released. Police are investigating. A Burlington man was sentenced to 10 years in prison for drug trafficking and weapons offences after he was duped by a member of a New York City crime family who turned police agent. Massimigliano Carfagna was sentenced in Milton court on Thursday after pleading guilty to trafficking in cocaine and the opioid fentanyl, a weapons charge and a drug importation conspiracy charge. His conviction came after a made member of the Bonanno La Cosa Nostra family of New York City agreed to turn police agent and work undercover in southwestern Ontario. Read more: RCMP, FBI announce fentanyl trafficking arrests involving organized crime groups Accused Violi brothers in trafficking bust come from colourful family The Bonanno crime family is considered the oldest of the New York City Mafia families, with roots in the 19th century. A made member is someone with high status in the group, who has undergone a ritualistic initiation ceremony. Carfagnas sentence gave him credit for 17 months of pretrial custody. Several others have yet to go to trial in the bust, which came from a three-year RCMP led project called Project Otremens by police. Several undercover police officers assisted the made member of the Bonanno crime family who agreed to co-operate with authorities. His guilty plea included an apology for the harm caused by illegal drugs, including fentanyl. Carfagna has an American criminal record that dates back to 1987 and includes convictions in Niagara Falls, N.Y. for criminal impersonation and criminally negligent homicide. In an agreed statement of facts, Carfagna agreed with the prosecution that, between March 1 and October 28, 2016, he and Giuseppe Joey Violi, 47, of Hamilton agreed to import 200 to 300 kilograms of cocaine into Canada. They sought to use the police agent from the Bonanno crime family and his connections to provide transportation for the cocaine. Violi and his brother Domenico Paolo Violi, 51, have yet to be tried in the case. Carfagna said that he and Violi believed they would make $10,000 per kilogram smuggled into Canada through British Columbia by ship, according to the agreed statement of fact. They had hoped to ship as much as 300 kilograms into the country from Colombia, but first agreed on a 200 kilogram shipment, court heard. As part of their plan to organize the cocaine shipment, Carfagna and Violi advised the agent that they had sent .. a male associate of Carfagnas .. identified as Porkchop, to make arrangements to get the cocaine on consignment in Colombia, the agreed statement of fact says. Court heard that in 2016, Carfagna also became a suspect in a Halton Regional Police Service case called Project Harland, which probed fentanyl trafficking. That led to a raid at a storage locker at 1207 Appleby Line in Burlington, where police found a stash of cocaine and fentanyl and handguns, a sawed-off, pump action rifle, a .22 calibre rifle, ammunition and nine bundles of cash containing $45,550. Giuseppe and Domenico Violi are sons of mob boss Paolo Violi, who was murdered by the Rizzuto crime family in Montreal in 1978. Theyre grandsons of the late Giacomo Luppino of Hamilton, who was considered by police to be a founding member of the Crimine, a governing body for criminals in the Ndrangheta crime group and a long-standing associate of the Buffalo mob. Project OTremens was assisted by the FBI, Homeland Security from the U.S., the Colombian National Police and Italian police departments as well as RCMP liaison officers in Colombia, Mexico, Italy and the Netherlands. Toronto police have arrested a 51-year-old psychotherapist after a child was sexually assaulted in the Bathurst St. and Lawrence Ave. area on Tuesday. Officers did not reveal further details surrounding the incident to protect the identity of the child, whose age also remains unknown. Police said in a news release that the suspect was employed in Toronto as a psychotherapist with a focus on family counselling and corporate mediation. Investigators have charged Phillip Kravetsky, of Toronto, with one count of sexual assault and one count of sexual interference. He is scheduled to appear in court on April 27. The TTC has suspended work to install Presto fare gates at its subway stations due to the machines persistent mechanical and software problems, marking the latest setback in the troubled rollout of the smartcard system on Torontos transit network. In a report that will be debated at next Tuesdays TTC board meeting, the agencys acting chief executive officer Rick Leary revealed the deployment of the gates has been paused until the reliability issues are resolved. We have been experiencing a variety of problems related to both hardware and software, explained TTC spokesperson Stuart Green in an email. He said the exact nature of all the issues is still being investigated by the gates manufacturer, a German company called Scheidt & Bachmann. Although the details arent fully known, one of the problems is the high failure rate of the motors in the gates, which are supposed to open to allow riders access to the subway with the tap of a Presto card. As a result Scheidt & Bachmann is having to replace the motors on all 1,000 gates the TTC has contracted for. More than 800 gates are already in service, and will have to be repaired. Share your thoughts The software issue was disclosed earlier this year, and has made it difficult for the TTC to detect when a gate has malfunctioned. The machines have a failure rate of about five per cent, according to Green. He couldnt say when the installation would resume, or when it will be complete. According to the acting CEOs report, to date fare gates have been installed at 115 entrances across 65 of the networks 75 stations. Under the terms of its contract Scheidt & Bachmann is responsible for providing the parts and labour required to resolve any problems, and the transit agency can reduce its payments to the company based on the gates performance. The TTC is not on the hook for this, Green said. Scheidt & Bachmann didnt return a request for comment Thursday. In an interview, TTC Chair Josh Colle conceded he was unbelievably frustrated by the malfunctioning machines. I see them not working myself when Im on the system, and I imagine how annoyed our passengers are, said Colle, who is also councillor for Ward 15 Eglinton-Lawrence. He described Scheidt & Bachmann as an industry leader, but acknowledged when you start to see this level of ineffectiveness, it is a concern. So thats why I know our CEO is pressing them to get this right, and theyre committing to do this, he said. Although most of the installation work is being halted, the one exception is Union station. The TTC couldnt afford to have a fare line out of commission at such a busy hub, and so construction will continue with a Scheidt & Bachmann technician on-site until we are assured the operation is stable, according to the CEOs report. The implementation of Presto on the TTC is a joint effort of the citys transit agency and Metrolinx, the provincial Crown corporation in charge of transportation for the GTHA. Metrolinx owns Presto, but the fare gates are the responsibility and property of the TTC. The Toronto agency has budgeted $50 million to install them. Last June, the transportation ministry revealed Metrolinx is expected to spend $385 million to put Presto on the TTC, $130 million more than the agency estimated in 2012. The project is a crucial component of the TTCs modernization plan. All buses and streetcars have already been equipped with Presto devices, and once the automatic gates are installed on the subway, the TTC will be able to eliminate older, apparently less efficient fare media such as tickets and tokens. Transit agencies around the world made that transition years ago. Since its deployment on the TTC began in 2010, the fare card system has suffered reliability problems, including faulty readers on buses and streetcars, and sluggish payment machines. The TTC is negotiating with Metrolinx to be reimbursed for lost fare revenue as a result of misfiring Presto readers. Metrolinx has not agreed to pay, and argues that the TTC actually owes it money. Metrolinx spokesperson Anne Marie Aikins said the bus and streetcar card readers now have reliability rates higher than 95 per cent, and the organization is very pleased with their performance. She added Metrolinx started deploying second-generation payment machines last year, and theyre significantly more reliable than the original version. The deadline for the TTC to complete the switch to the smartcard system has been pushed back repeatedly. The transit authority revealed earlier this week it had been delayed again, and it now doesnt expect to stop accepting older forms of payment until 2019, nine years after the first card readers were installed at subway stations. Read more about: A 24-year-old Toronto man is dead after a single-vehicle collision in Richmond Hill Friday morning. York Regional Police were called just before 1 a.m. to the Bayview Ave. and 16th Ave. area for a reported crash. Police arrived at the scene to find a badly damaged car on the front lawn of a home, Staff Sgt. Mike Stock said. The car reportedly struck a parked vehicle. York paramedics found a man without vital signs and rushed him to hospital, where he was later pronounced dead. Police closed 16th Ave. between Fern Ave. and Bayview Ave. for an investigation but it has since reopened. Stock said the Major Collision Bureau is investigating the crash. The cause of the collision is still unknown. Police are asking for anyone with information or dash cam footage of the incident to contact them or Crime Stoppers. Toronto neurosurgeon Mohammed Shamji will stand trial for the first-degree murder of his physician wife, a judge has ruled following a preliminary hearing. Shamji wore a grim expression as he listened to Ontario Court Justice Leslie Pringle render her decision. Her reasons are covered by a publication ban. The body of Dr. Elana Fric-Shamji was found stuffed into a suitcase in a wooded area in Vaughan in December 2016. Shamji was also committed to stand trial on a charge of committing an indignity to a body. The victims parents, Ana and Joseph Fric, were at the North York courthouse but did not go into the courtroom to hear the decision. She didnt deserve what happened to her. She was so happy to looking forward to her life after divorce, Ana Fric said. Fric and her husband are raising the couples three young children, who she said are doing well. They have their life, they do have friends, theyre happy. They have all the respect and love from us. Shamji is scheduled to appear in Superior Court in downtown Toronto on April 6. Its St. Patricks Day and Toronto will be hosting an array of events to suit your boozy, or non-boozy needs. From beer-chugging to 90s punk rock throwbacks, venues across the city are taking the night of March 17 to celebrate St. Patricks day in their own, unique way. Here are some things to check out. Adelaide Hall will be the home to a pre-Pattys day party on March 16. The event will feature a free live performance from Canadian indie band Hollerado. Also worth mentioning there will be free Jameson samples inside. If free pancakes and prizes arent enough incentive to attend a party, I dont know what is. A St. Patricks day pancake kegger will take place on the night of March 17, at the Nightowl arcade bar. If youre a grunge music enthusiast, the St. Patricks Day 90s bash at the Cavern Bar might be an event youll want to attend. The night will include sets featuring 90s alternative rock and grunge covers, followed by a Rage Again the Machine Tribute set. Drunken Cinema events will be screening one of their monthly flicks with a St. Patricks twist. The cult horror classic Leprechaun will be shown at Revue Cinema, and hosts will have plenty of beer handy. If drinking is not your thing, or is and you need to burn off those carbs from your night out, check out Patricks Run on Sunday. The 19th Annual Achilles St. Patricks Day 5K run will feature Patrick Doyle, who is running to raise money for West Park in Toronto. Kidnasium by Kidz Oasis will be hosting a kids-only event, with a St. Patricks day theme on Friday night. Games, gymnastics and Saint Patricks day crafts will be offered. The TTC will be offering free service to riders, in partnership with Jameson whiskey on Saturday from 4 p.m. to 2:30 a.m. Free rides will be offered on streetcar routes including the 501 Queen St., 504 King St. and 514 Cherry St. lines. The TTC is proud to partner with Jameson Irish Whiskey to offer safe, reliable service free of charge this St. Patricks Day, TTC chair Josh Colle said. We hope customers will take advantage of the complimentary service and have a safe and fun celebration. Subway closures will be in effect on Line 3 due to maintenance work. Shuttle buses will operate from Kennedy to McCowan with stops at each station. A tumultuous two months, followed by a divided vote and a controversial result. But now at least on the surface a united front. There were the accusations, one thing after another, new Patrick Brown stories, voting problems, a court injunction, an election date that wasnt executed properly everything that could go wrong in the last 45 days, did, says one insider listing all the turmoil in Ontarios Progressive Conservative party that began in late January. Read more: Opinion | Royson James: Caught up in the populist uprising, Ontario is set to follow Doug Ford into the fire Doug Fords pitch to Ontario voters will cut costs, size of government but no layoffs Following a leadership race that ended hours late last weekend after the narrow vote was contested by runner-up Christine Elliott, it was chaos. But since then, new leader Doug Ford has been doing all the things he should be doing, said the insider. Hes reaching out, hes speaking to candidates, to the caucus. And after all the trauma the party has been through, putting aside hard feelings and coming together is the only option, said another. Weve lost three elections, he said. Were sick of losing elections so people are going to work their asses off for Doug Ford. Sources, however, told the Star there is new debate behind the scenes among the Tory executive about destroying the tens of thousands of ballots used to elect Ford. We are currently paying daily fees to store the 64,000 ballots, PC President Jag Badwal told executive members Thursday afternoon before moving a motion to destroy the boxes but it has been opposed by several members of the executive committee. In business we are required to keep accounting docs for up to seven years. I vote against the destruction of the records, wrote another member. Because Fords victory over Elliott was so close and remains in dispute in some quarters it is felt the ballots should be preserved. The Ontario PCs have just emerged from unprecedented times, that began Jan. 24 when then-leader Brown was accused of sexual misconduct involving two young women. The party arranged a quick leadership campaign as the general election loomed, just months away. Now, Ford has to reach out to the party members who did not support him, sources say, and that will be a very big challenge given Elliott took the popular vote. The key, said one, is showing Elliotts supporters that she is playing a very active role. Indeed, on Friday, Ford announced he is hosting a PC Unity Rally on Monday the same day as the Liberals throne speech and that he is thrilled to announce that Christine Elliott will be in attendance and will introduce him. Current MPPs credit Ford with motivating party members, and Ford himself said he is bringing in Liberal, NDP and even disenfranchised PC supporters. He said he has the full support of the caucus, and has already spoken to most of them. Weve all known each other, weve all been at events, Ford told the Star during a sit-down interview Wednesday. We know there is a common purpose here. MPP Michael Harris (Kitchener-Conestoga) said Ford has not only rallied the base, but given the party inroads in Toronto, where it needs votes. We cant win if we cant get Toronto seats, he said. And we are going to win those seats because of Doug Ford. MPP Randy Hillier agreed that Ford resonates in Toronto, and his last mayoralty race shows he has a strong following there, not only personally but his message as well. I think it bodes well for us exceptionally well. Beyond Torontos borders, Fords plain-talking style has gotten voters attention, and Hillier said in his own Lanark-Frontenac-Lennox and Addington riding north of Kingston, hes getting a significant amount of correspondence and much of it not all of it but much of it is people being very ecstatic with Doug as leader. MPP Bill Walker (Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound) said the leadership contest left the party invigorated. Everyone is working together, he said. The concern has to be Kathleen Wynne. While Fords election may have energized the PCs it has also done the same for the governing Liberals, says Nelson Wiseman, a political science professor at the University of Toronto. If there was an election today, (the Liberals) would still get blown out of the water, but now theyve got someone to pick on, Wiseman said. How were they going to attack Christine Elliott? How were they going to attack Caroline Mulroney? Doug Ford gives them something. Wiseman is not sure that, based on Fords controversial time in municipal politics, that he will be able to pull off the teamwork required at the provincial level but also said hes not sure how fractured the party is. Nobodys going to be talking about this divide in the party now, he said. There may be differences below the surface, but not on the surface. Read more about: BRATISLAVA, SLOVAKIASlovak prime minister Robert Fico and his government resigned Thursday as a way out of the political crisis triggered by the slayings of an investigative journalist and his fiancee. President Andrej Kiska accepted the resignation and asked Peter Pellegrini, Ficos deputy prime minister, to form a new government. The move is meant to keep the current three-party coalition in power and avoid the possibility of an early election. Im sure that a decision to create a new government is the right step, Fico said. An early election would not bring any stability. Read more: Slovakia sees mass demonstrations, serious political crisis following killing of journalist Police in Slovakia raid houses owned by alleged Italian mafia in connection with killing of journalist Slain Slovak reporter worked on story about activities of Italian mafia in his country Fico, who has led three Slovak governments in recent years, said he had no plans to leave politics. Im not going anywhere, Fico said. I want to be an active chairman of a political party. His resignation came after tens of thousands of Slovaks joined anti-government protests across the country last week to demand the governments resignation and a thorough investigation into the shooting deaths of Jan Kuciak and Martina Kusnirova. Kuciak was writing about ties between the Italian mafia and people close to Fico when he was killed. The reporter also wrote about corruption scandals linked to Ficos leftist Smer Social Democracy party. The protests were the biggest in Slovakia since the 1989 anti-communist Velvet Revolution. More demonstrations are scheduled for Friday despite Ficos move, said organizers who want to see a new election. We have a historic chance to start ridding Slovakia of corruption, they said in a statement. Pellegrini, who also is from the Smer Social Democracy party, will form the same coalition as the previous government with the Most-Hid party representing ethnic Hungarians and the ultranationalist Slovak National Party. The coalition has a majority in the 150-seat parliament, holding 79 seats. Pellegrini said he planned some changes to the government but gave no details. Earlier this week, the Most-Hid coalition party called for holding an early election but the party leadership changed its mind after Fico offered his resignation. Slovakias next regular general election is due in 2020. BEIRUTThousands of people streamed out of the besieged Damascus suburb of Eastern Ghouta on Thursday as Syrian forces overran another part of the last major rebel stronghold outside the capital. The exodus from the town of Hammouriya part of the Eastern Ghouta enclave came after an overnight battle that trapped civilians under a blitz of airstrikes that blocked their escape to other rebel-held areas, according to residents and human rights monitors. The government advances come despite a UN Security Council resolution nearly three weeks ago mandating a 30-day ceasefire. Read more: Toronto Syrian activists still hope for peace and freedom Syrian refugee baby gets life-saving surgery, others wait due to funding constraints: UN officials Syrian government troops cut major roads in rebel-held Damascus suburbs Instead of stopping the fighting, the resolution seems to have triggered an accelerated push by the government to capture the enclave. At least 1,540 people have been killed and nearly 6,000 injured since the resolution was unanimously passed Feb. 24, according to the Eastern Ghouta health directorate. Throughout the day, Syrian state television broadcast live coverage of columns of families walking out of the town toward Syrian government lines, clutching children, suitcases and plastic bags of belongings. Men were bowed under heavy suitcases. Women carried children and torn plastic bags of clothes. An injured, blood-soaked man was carried on a stretcher. An elderly man pushed his wife in a wheelchair, another walked with a herd of cows. A few carried portraits of Syrian President Bashar Assad, declaring their allegiance to the government that has been battling to reclaim control of the enclave from the mostly Islamist rebels who have controlled it since the earliest days of the war. Some walked silently past the camera, turning their faces away and refusing to talk. Others paused to speak, thanking the Syrian army. One women claimed the rebels shot her son because her husband and other son worked for the Syrian military. May God not forgive them, she said. The state-TV video was punctuated by the roar of warplanes overhead and the crashing thuds of explosions as the bombing of the enclave continued elsewhere. The latest conquest by the government comes as Syria marks the seventh anniversary of the initially peaceful uprising against Assad that quickly mutated into a raging war. The cluster of towns and villages known as Eastern Ghouta have been under rebel control since the earliest days and have been completely besieged by government forces since 2013. Numerous previous attempts by Syrian forces to wrest back the area have failed. Earlier this year, the government launched a major new offensive, dispatching elite forces and launching waves of airstrikes. The government has since recaptured over half of the territory that had been controlled by the rebels, but Hammouriya was the first significant town to be overrun. Activists said they counted more than 300 airstrikes on Eastern Ghouta on Wednesday, with most of them concentrated on Hammouriya. Residents sent desperate pleas for help as the bombs rained down, with ambulances unable to reach the wounded. Whole families are killed. Their bodies are in the streets. No one can help due to the bombing and the shelters are burning with children and women and families, according to a message posted on a social media group by Nour Adam, an activist in Eastern Ghouta who said he had received the description from a friend inside Hammouriya. Two hours later, he said, his friend stopped answering the phone. Later Thursday afternoon, state television began broadcasting from inside the recaptured town, where many thousands of people were milling in the streets with suitcases and bundles, preparing to leave. Pick-up trucks, Syrian army vehicles and buses then arrived and residents piled furniture and mattresses on board as they were escorted out of the town. Read more about: Early morning on March 16, 1968, helicopters carrying U.S. soldiers flew into a tiny village on the eastern side of South Vietnam, bordering the South China Sea. Theyd arrived by a series of hamlets, known as My Lai, expecting to find a booby-trapped stronghold of their enemy, the Viet Cong. Instead, all they saw were non-combatants: women, children, elderly men. Many of them were preparing for breakfast. The Americans, about 100 soldiers from the Armys Americal division, proceeded to massacre them. Over the next several hours, the civilians in My Lai and an adjacent settlement were shot and thrown in ditches. The body count: 504 people from more than 240 families. Some women were raped. Huts and homes were burned. Even the livestock was destroyed. It was one of the worst American military crimes in history and still pierces the collective conscience of Vietnam War veterans. On Friday, an organization called the Vietnam Peace Commemoration Committee is scheduled to hold a vigilin Lafayette Square across from the White House to acknowledge the American war crimes at My Lai. Right after the attack, the soldiers who had been told by their superiors the night before that everyone theyd see would be a Viet Cong guerrilla or sympathizer kept quiet about what theyd done. For more than a year and a half, the public wouldnt know about the atrocity. Top military officials initially tried to keep a lid on the killings and commanders even touted the mission to the press as a tactical feat. A United Press International wire service account published in newspapers March 16 reported that U.S. infantrymen tangled with Communist forces threatening the northern city of Quang Ngai Saturday and U.S. spokesmen reported 128 guerrillas slain in the bitter fighting. But a few paragraphs later, the article, unwittingly, contained an ominous foreshadowing: Details of the fighting near Quang Ngai were sketchy. Soon, a government whistleblower and a promising journalist would expose the atrocity. In early 1969, Ronald Ridenhour, a veteran from Arizona, wrote a letter to the White House, Pentagon, State Department and numerous members of Congress, revealing his conversations with soldiers who participated or saw the attack. Ridenhours letter included details that made the allegations credible and worthy of investigation, including map co-ordinates of My Lai, witness names and the identities of the perpetrators, according toa congressional probe. Ridenhours letters sparked a military investigation. By early September 1969, First Lt. William Laws Calley Jr., a 26-year-old college dropout from Miami whod served as a platoon leader in the attack, was charged with the premeditated murder of 109 civilians. But the military only released the fact that Calley had been accused of murdering an unspecified number of people. Without knowing the magnitude of his crimes, the New York Times, for instance, only ran a four-paragraph Associated Press article on his arrest, running it on page 14. The press information officer declined to give details of the case other than to say that the incident occurred in March, 1968, in Vietnam, and that the charge involves the deaths of more than one civilian, according to the article. Shortly after Calley had been charged, Seymour Hersh, a freelance reporter and former news aide to antiwar presidential candidate Eugene McCarthy, learned about My Lai from a lawyer opposed to the war. But he only got vague outlines. He started sniffing around. Eventually, he approached a Pentagon source. As he recalled in a New Yorker piece three years ago, the official slapped his hand against his knee, and said, That boy Calley didnt shoot anyone higher than this. Now Hersh had what he needed to crack the story wide open. Eventually, he found that tiny Times article noting Calleys full name and arrest. Then he visited Calley at Fort Benning, Georgia, where he was being held. Incredibly, the Army allowed Hersh to read and takes note from Calleys classified charging sheet the document that showed Calley had been accused of killing 109 people. Even more incredible was that when Hersh completed his expose and took it to Life and Look magazines, the editors rejected him. So Hersh took his story to the Dispatch News Service, which he described to the New Yorker as a small antiwar news agency in Washington. The story broke on the wires Nov. 12, 1969, and appeared in newspapers the next day. With a dateline from Fort Benning, Ga., Hersh began his story this way: Lt. William L. Calley Jr., 26 years old, is a mild-mannered, boyish-looking Vietnam combat veteran with the nickname Rusty. The Army is completing an investigation of charges that he deliberately murdered at least 109 Vietnamese civilians in a search-and-destroy mission in March 1968 in a Viet Cong stronghold known as Pinkville. Calley told Hersh he was merely following orders. His attorney, George W. Latimer, a former judge on the U.S. Court of Military Appeals, ridiculed the accusations against his client. This is one case that should never have been brought, Latimer said. Whatever killing there was in a firefight in connection with the operation. You cant afford to guess whether a civilian is a Viet Cong or not. Either they shoot you or you shoot them. Deep into the scoop, Hersh, who would win a Pulitzer Prize, wrote that Calley, only five-foot-three, seems slightly bewildered and hurt by the charges against him. He says he wants nothing more than to be cleared and return to the Army. He also told Hersh: I know this sounds funny, but I like the Army . . . and I dont want to do anything to hurt it. Hershs article prompted front page stories in The Washington Post and the New York Times, and contributed to the swelling anger against then-president Richard Nixon, who was less than a year into his first term and had earlier that month pleaded for nationwide solidarity to support the war in his famousSilent Majority speech. Coincidentally, two days after the publication of Hershs story, at least a quarter of a million people gathered by the Washington Monument to demand an end to the Vietnam War. It surpassed in size the civil rights March on Washington in 1964 and was easily the largest and was perhaps the youngest antiwar crowd ever assembled in the United States, The Post noted. The massacre at My Lai, meanwhile, continued to make news. In early 1970, charges of trying to cover up the slaughter were brought against Maj. Gen. Samuel W. Koster, whod served as the commanding general over the My Lai troops but was now the superintendent at the United States Military Academy at West Point. The news shocked the country. Numerous other officers were charged with concealing the killings, but the accusations against them and Koster were eventually dismissed. One brigade commander stood trial on coverup allegations, but was acquitted. Calley was the only officer convicted of playing a direct role in the massacre. According to Hershs account, eleven other men were charged with murder, maiming or assault with the intent to commit murder, but their cases either fizzled out before trial or they were acquitted. During his trial in early 1971, Calley argued that he was merely following orders echoing the same lines of the Nazis during the Nuremberg trials. But an Army jury of six men, five of whom served in combat, rejected that defence. On March 29, 1971, Calley was found guilty of the premeditated murder of at least 22 Vietnamese civilians. He was sentenced to life in prison, but Nixon intervened and ordered that he serve under house arrest in a reduced sentence. But Hersh was not done chronicling these crimes. In early 1972, Hersh compiled all of his research and wrote a mammoth two-part series for the New Yorker on the militarys investigation into My Lai. One soldier, Terry Reid of Milwaukee, described to Hersh what hed seen when the onslaught erupted. As soon as they started opening up, it hit me that it was insanity. I walked to the rear. Pandemonium broke loose. It sounded insane machine guns, grenades. One of the guys walked back, and I remember him saying, We got sixty women, kids, and some old men. Hersh also reported that more than 40 soldiers who spoke to him or government investigators recalled hearing, in advance of the operation, a specific order to kill civilians. He quoted one soldier, Larry G. Holmes, who said: We had three hamlets that we had to search and destroy. They told us they . . . had dropped leaflets and stuff and everybody was supposed to be gone. Nobody was supposed to be there. If anybody is there, shoot them. Calley was not done with My Lai, either. He kept appealing his conviction and ultimately took his case into the civilian court system. By November 1974, three months after Nixon resigned, a federal-district court judge ordered Calleys release, having ruled earlier that the enormous publicity surrounding his case prevented a fair trial. Finally freed, Calley went on to work for his father-in-laws jewelry store in Columbus, Georgia, and, according to Hersh, spent the following years, offering self-serving interviews to journalists willing to pay for them. In August 2009, at a local Kiwanis club near the military base in Georgia where hed been court-martialed, Calley finally delivered his first public apology. A Columbus Ledger-Enquirer reporterchronicled the dramatic moment. There is not a day that goes by that I do not feel remorse for what happened that day in My Lai, Calley told the Kiwanis members. I feel remorse for the Vietnamese who were killed, for their families, for the American soldiers involved and their families. I am very sorry. But, during a short question-and-answer session, he also couldnt resist rationalizing what hed done, either. If you are asking why I did not stand up to them when I was given the orders, Calley said, I will have to say that I was a second lieutenant getting orders from my commander and I followed them foolishly, I guess. MOSCOWThe gulf between Russia and Britain widened on Friday as they cranked up pressure over a nerve agent attack and a suspected murder in Britain that have deepened Western worries about alleged Russian meddling abroad. Britains foreign secretary accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of personally ordering the poisoning of ex-Russian spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter, Yulia, describing it as the most brazen such move since the Second World War. Putins spokesperson denounced the claim as shocking and inexcusable. Read more: Russia will expel British diplomats in response to U.K. move, Moscow confirms U.S., France and Germany unite with U.K. against Russia over nerve agent attack on ex-spy U.S. accuses Russia of trying to hack energy grid; 19 Russians sanctioned over alleged election interference As relations between the two nations sank to a new post-Cold War low, nearly two dozen Russian diplomats in London were packing their bags to leave Tuesday after an expulsion order from Britain. British diplomats in Moscow were bracing for a retaliatory order from the Kremlin and were just waiting to be told who had to leave and when. Geopolitical tensions have been mounting since the poisoning of the Skripals in the English city of Salisbury on March 4, in what Western powers see as the latest sign of increasingly aggressive Russian interference in foreign countries. The tensions threaten to overshadow Putins expected re-election Sunday for another six-year presidential term. New concerns surfaced Friday about the death this week of a London-based Russian businessman, Nikolai Glushkov, found dead at his south London home on Monday. British police said Friday that he died from compression to the neck and opened a murder investigation. Russia also suspects foul play in Glushkovs death and opened its own inquiry Friday. Russias top agency for major crimes was also investigating the attack on Yulia Skripal, who is a Russian citizen. Her father has British citizenship. Both are in critical condition. British police said there is no apparent link to the attack on Glushkov and the poisoning of the Skripals. But to the West, they are raising similar concerns. While Britain has accused the Russian state of ordering the poisoning of the Skripals, Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson took it a step further Friday and said its overwhelmingly likely that Putin himself ordered the attack. Top EU diplomats were expected to discuss next steps at a meeting Monday, with some calling for a boycott of the upcoming World Cup in Russia. British Prime Minister Theresa May is seeking a global coalition of countries to punish Moscow, and the U.S., France and Germany have already lined up against Russia over the Skripal attack. Britain is expelling 23 Russian diplomats and taking other steps against Russian interests as the two nations relations plummet. Our quarrel is with Putins Kremlin, and with his decision, and we think it overwhelmingly likely that it was his decision, to direct the use of a nerve agent on the streets of the U.K., on the streets of Europe, for the first time since the Second World War, Johnson said. Putin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov was quoted by Russian news agencies as calling Johnsons statement a shocking and inexcusable breach of diplomatic propriety. Peskov reiterated Russian denials of involvement in the attack on the Skripals. We have never encountered this level of discussion on the global stage, Peskov told reporters. Russia ordered a halt to high-level meetings with the U.K. and prepared Friday to expel British diplomats. Lithuanian Foreign Minister Linas Linkevicius told The Associated Press that the Salisbury attack was a direct challenge to Europe. He said Russias recent provocations need a tough response, including action against Russian oligarchs with questionable ties who have used London as a safe haven. The source of the nerve agent which Britain says is Soviet-made Novichok is unclear, as is the way it was administered. Russia has demanded that Britain share samples collected by investigators. Russias envoy to the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons told the AP that his country has no stocks of the Novichok group of nerve agents, insisting that Soviet-era research into the agents was totally dismantled before Russia joined the organization. Ambassador Alexander Shulgin also sought to shift possible blame, saying Western special agents spirited Russian chemical weapons experts out of the country in the 1990s and work continued on their research. He said even the name Novichok was a Western invention and that Russia never gave it a name. Hamish de Bretton-Gordon, former commander of the British Armys chemical and biological weapons regiment, called the claim that U.S. or British agents could have developed Novichok complete hogwash. Speaking to the AP, he called it unlikely that some of the nerve agent could have gone missing in the years after the 1991 collapse of the Soviet Union. He also cast doubt on the possibility that the nerve agent was sent through the mail or was placed in luggage that Skripals daughter brought with her from Russia to Britain. An 83-year-old Russian whistleblower who helped develop Novichok told the AP on Friday that no other country could have used that particular nerve agent to poison a former spy. Vil Mirzayanov, who now lives in New Jersey, said that if the substance is Novichok, as Britain claims, its 100 per cent clear it came from Russia. Mirzayanov revealed details of Russias chemical weapons in the 1990s because he said he was afraid of their impact. While many British politicians have backed the government in blaming Moscow for the nerve agent attack, the U.K.s main opposition leader has cautioned against a rush to judgment. Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn said in the Guardian that its possible that Russian mafia-like groups, rather than the Russian state, were responsible. Read more about: A Seaside, California, teacher apologized Thursday evening for firing a gun at the ceiling in a high school class, an incident which resulted in minor injuries to a student. But Dennis Alexander, who is also a reserve police officer in the nearby town of Sand City, offered no explanation for what officials have describedas the accidental discharge of his weapon. He declined a local TV reporters request for an interview. Alexander has been trained in gun safety as reserve police officer in the nearby town of Sand City. The gun, policetold KSBW 8,was a Glock 21 .45 calibre handgun, generation 4, which was his service weapon. Read more: U.S. teacher accidentally fires his gun in the classroom. He was trained in gun use Surveillance video shows armed deputy officer stayed outside during Florida shooting Florida prosecutors seeking death penalty for Parkland school shooting suspect Daniel PK Diffenbaugh, superintendent of the Monterey Peninsula Unified School District, has said that Alexander was not authorized to carry a firearm on campus. He has been placed on administrative leave by the school district as well as the Sand City police department. KSBW reported that the Monterey County District Attorney is weighing charges against Alexander. The episode happened amid a national debate about arming teachers in the wake of the mass killing at Floridas Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School on Feb. 14. It has attracted wide attention as an example of how even a teacher trained in firearms safety can pose a hazard in school. Alexander offered his first public comments at a meeting of the Seaside City Council, of which he is a member. First of all, I want to apologize from the bottom of my heart, he said, according to video broadcast on KSBW. I cant find the words to say how sorry I am for the incident. I also want to thank all of those who showed support. It helps a lot. It gets me through the day. A group of students at the school showed up at the council meeting in support of Alexander. They have alsocirculated a petitionin hopes of saving his job. Students have described him as a popular mentor. Numerous questions remain about the incident. Alexander, according to school authorities, was teaching a public safety course. Fermin Gonzalez, the father of the injured student, told reporters that it was his understanding that the teacher had told the class before pointing the gun at the ceiling that he was doing so to make sure his gun wasnt loaded. But thats something that can be determined visually. Trained gun users do not point guns to find out if they are loaded, much less pull the trigger. Why he brought the gun to school in the first place remains unanswered, along with why it was loaded. How it was accidentally fired remains a mystery as well. The gun,according to its manufacturer, has a safety device incorporated into the trigger in the form of a lever. When the lever is in the forward position, it blocks the trigger from moving rearward. To fire the pistol, the trigger safety and the trigger itself, must be deliberately depressed at the same time. If the trigger safety is not depressed, the trigger will not move rearwards and allow the pistol to fire. The injured student, Seaside Police Chief Abdul Pridgentold the Monterey County Weekly,was struck in the neck by debris or fragmentation from something overhead. His father said the boy didnt receive medical attention until he arrived at an aunts house several hours after the event. The aunt called the parents who took the teenager for medical treatment. Police, as well as school officials, say they will not offer further comment until an investigation is completed. MOSCOWIn Russia, where all governors and mayors are either Kremlin nominees or hail from Kremlin-friendly parties, Yevgeny Roizman cuts an odd figure. The mayor of Yekaterinburg, Russias fourth-largest city with 1.4 million people, is the only top regional official to openly criticize President Vladimir Putin. He has also called for a boycott of Sundays presidential vote, a move advocated by Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, who is banned from running. Yet Roizman still epitomizes the helplessness of Russias opposition in the face of Putins well-oiled government machine. Read more: Russian election commission blocks Putin adversary from running for president Russia opposition leader Alexei Navalny says he could defeat Putin in a fair election As Russia gets set for presidential election, Putin undecided on running as an independent Roizman is an outlier in Putins system of government, where every official from a village chief to the governor explicitly answers to and serves the Russian president. While millions of public workers are busy rooting for Putin and urging residents to vote, Roizman has dismissed the presidential vote as sham. You can ask anyone and everyone will tell you who is going to win this election. Whats the point in going to vote then? he told The Associated Press. But making public statements is the only thing Roizman is free to do. In the presidents power vertical, as Putin once named it, if those who oppose him are not already sidelined or jailed, they simply have no executive powers or budgets to take on the Kremlin. A former convict and leader of a vigilante anti-drug movement, 55-year-old Roizman might seem unelectable. But in his hometown of Yekaterinburg in the Urals, he won a tight mayoral race against a pro-government candidate in 2013. A visitor to Roizmans office is immediately struck by the glaring absence of the one requisite symbol of power in Russia: a portrait of Putin. On his first day, Roizman hung a portrait of dissident poet Josef Brodsky. His office is open, and his hour-long interview with the AP was interrupted when a retiree stepped in to complain about his low pension. When Roizman ran for office, one of his campaign promises was to improve the quality of water in this industrial city. But once elected, Roizman realized he was unable to do that. I have no budget to spend, Roizman said. The city has been stripped of its major powers, its major sources of income. Like other regional capitals, Yekaterinburg in the 2000s fell victim to Putins power vertical concept, which was presented as an antidote to lawlessness and the lack of co-ordination between the federal government and regional authorities. But in the end, that policy simply forced Russian regions to send most of their revenues to Moscow. Now they receive back only a fraction. The system was supposed to help economically struggling regions like the North Caucasus, but it has angered wealthier cities like Yekaterinburg and Kazan, which feel they are paying for corruption and mismanagement several time zones away. Roizmans background reflects Russias ups and downs since the 1991 fall of the Soviet Union. He spent more than two years in prison in the 1980s for robbery and fraud, something he describes as a youthful mistake. After stints making jewelry and researching local history, Roizman made his name by forming a volunteer group to stem a drug epidemic in the Urals. Official estimates in 2003 put the number of drug users in this region of 4 million at 235,000 people. We had a drug catastrophe, Roizman recalled. Ambulances were driving around picking up corpses from the sidewalks. Yekaterinburg, which still has some of Russias highest HIV rates because of the 90s drug epidemic, lies on the drug route that ran from Afghanistan and Central Asia to Europe. Its about 1,700 kilometres east of Moscow. He says the police were at best helpless to deal with the drug dealers, and at worst profiting from the drug business. Roizman and his colleagues began to track down and round up drug dealers and set up private rehab clinics to which desperate families sent their addicted relatives. Many credit the City Without Drugs foundation for fighting Russias narcotics epidemic, but others remember reports of drug users locked up in rehab clinics against their will. Roizman vehemently denies any wrongdoing and says he saved the lives of thousands. His 2013 win was also improbable because of his scathing criticism of the Kremlin. Bashing the Kremlin from the sidelines is dangerous, but doing so within the system is almost impossible. Two other regional opposition leaders have been imprisoned on charges seen as retribution for their lack of compliance. Nikita Belykh, former governor of the Kirov region who once employed Navalny as an unpaid aide, was arrested and sentenced this year to eight years in a high-security prison for accepting 600,000 euros ($968,600) in bribes. Yevgeny Urlashov, who won a landslide victory in Yaroslavls mayoral race in 2012, was arrested a year later and spent three years in jail before being found guilty of accepting bribes and sent to prison for 12 1/2 years. The popular Urlashov, who criticized the federal government for taking away the citys taxes, posed a tangible threat to the Kremlin, Roizman said, because he convinced supporters to take to the streets. That scared them, Roizman said. Urlashov would not co-operate with local pro-Kremlin elites, so Moscow retaliated by cutting back the citys budget. A year later, the mayor was slapped with bribery charges that many considered fabricated. Roizman was going to run for governor of the Yekaterinburg region last year, a position that would give him a budget to spend, but he failed to gain enough required votes from local pro-Kremlin lawmakers to field his candidacy. Roizman says hes glad he didnt get to run and win because of the inevitable Faustian bargains that he says all Russian politicians face under Putin. What would happen, he asks, if Kremlin authorities summoned him and offered to build the city a second subway line in exchange for his public support of the presidential election? What would I do? Roizman said. Im ashamed to say it but I know what I would do: I would cast my eye and say Everyone should to go to vote. I would trade it for the second metro line. Now, in a visible though largely powerless position, the only thing left for Roizman to do is stay true to myself and call for a boycott of Sundays presidential election. There will never be a fair election under this government, he said. They have only one goal: to stay in power forever. Read more about: One of the first tasks of an opposition leader is to avoid providing a diversion from a government in trouble. Over the past week, NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh has failed rather spectacularly at that basic task. At a time when the prime minister is licking self-inflicted wounds from a poorly executed visit to India, Singhs travails over his relationship with the Sikh separatist movement have conveniently shifted the spotlight away from the Liberals. For the most part, they and the Conservatives have taken pains not to pile on the rookie NDP leader. That is not a product of a sudden outbreak of charity. Read more: Jagmeet Singh says Canada should declare 1984 anti-Sikh violence in India a genocide NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh evades questions on Sikh political violence Jagmeet Singh condemns terrorism after report he spoke at Sikh rally in 2015 The first have no interest in turning Singh into a political martyr in the eyes of his sizable religious community. And to have a hope of winning next years election the Conservatives need the New Democrats to hold their own against Justin Trudeaus Liberals. In any event, both the Liberals and the Conservatives know from first-hand experience that media criticism usually hurts more than any amount of partisan attacks. This week Singh was on the receiving end of a barrage of scathing commentary. Here are some other take-aways from the NDP leaders week from hell. The whole thing could have been avoided. Singh first ran into trouble over the issue of Sikh separatism and the terrorism that has been associated with that cause on his first day on the job as NDP leader. In an interview led by veteran CBC journalist Terry Milewski, Singh repeatedly evaded questions about the glorification in some quarters of the Sikh community of Talwinder Singh Parmar, the man widely considered to be the architect of the 1985 Air India bombing. Singh is a federal rookie whose only political experience prior to becoming NDP leader was in opposition at the provincial level. At the time of his first-ballot victory he may have been unaware of the heightened degree of media scrutiny that attends a national leadership position. But the NDP does not lack for seasoned strategists who would or should have known better. A minimum amount of due diligence in the aftermath of that initial CBC interview would likely have unearthed the time bombs that exploded in the partys face this week. To be forewarned is to be prepared. Judging by the scrambling that attended the Globe and Mail revelations that Singh had in recent years attended international events that featured speakers who openly advocated advancing the Sikh cause by violence means, the NDP brain trust was as unprepared to manage the issue as it was on the week after he became party leader. In the same spirit, the open letter Singh penned on Thursday should have been offered for publication in October. It belatedly addressed many of the questions he had been dodging since his leadership victory. It also provided some needed personal and political context. But the NDP leaders explanations would have satisfied many more of his critics if they had been offered when he was still basking in the post-convention glow of having become the first Canadian from a visible minority to lead one of the main federal parties. Instead, they came on the heels of multiple attempts at evasion. By proactively disclosing his participation in the past events that came to light this week, Singh could have jumped in front of the parade rather than wait for it to trample him. Parsing the social media feed of some of Singhs most prominent fellow New Democrats, one is hard-pressed to find any defence of the leader. The ranks of the discreet include the partys foreign affairs and finance critics Helene Laverdiere and Peter Julian. Both were backers of the current leader. Former rivals Guy Caron now the partys parliamentary leader and leadership runner-up Charlie Angus also stayed out of the social media fray. The discretion of most New Democrat tenors is inversely proportional to the amount of social media vitriol that is being poured on Singh from a variety of often-anonymous sources. Those predictably include calls on the Canada-born leader to go back to his country, an invitation, as it happens, that is familiar to many of those of us who happen to be French-speaking. If there is solace for Singh to be found it may be in the fact that many of the comments have been written by people who sound like they were never going to vote for a leader from the ranks of a visible minority in the first place. On balance the silence of Singhs New Democrat fellow warriors is more symptomatic of a malaise over the leaders political mismanagement of a potentially defining issue than the blatant racism of some of his social media critics. Read more about: Just how are politicians supposed to deal with a controversial judicial decisions? Lawyers like me are quick to tell politicians what not to say. The justice minister decrying a jury verdict is like having an arsonist for a fire chief! Quick with the quip, lawyers can wrongly assume that the public shares their outrage at political interference with the judiciary. So just how do politicians navigate the terrain between the political and judicial? Getting subpoenaed by the Hells Angels in 2004 brought this issue out of the clouds for me. It was part of defence motions to have a prosecution tossed out as an abuse of process. They argued that the attorney general (me) had attempted to interfere with the trial, based on my public comments to the media. (The subpoena and motion were thrown out because the judge determined my remarks were about organized crime generally, not the Hells Angels specifically. Whew). While I survived the experience, politically, it was sobering. Id seen up close the sharp edge of the sub judice rule. The sub what-what? Yes, its Latin for (before the court); a common law rule; a parliamentary convention, sometimes codified in statutes governing elected officials. As a former associate chief justice put it, the sub judice rule generally prohibits members [of parliament] from referring to any matter that is the subject matter of an ongoing criminal or civil proceeding. Whats the big deal? The big deal is that we are supposed to have an independent legal system. Its not a popularity contest. Its supposed to be blind to political influence. Otherwise, we are Russia, where political persecution is what dissidents face. Or were Alabama, where judges face popularity contests called elections. Or we start to experience the riots that have come to characterize post-jury verdict outrage in the U.S., because of their profound loss of confidence in the independence of that system. Because one bad political deed (the seemingly unjust acquittal) deserves a political response (street protests). When politicians purposefully slander the justice system, we risk despotic results: arbitrary justice and mob rule. And yet. Does the whole judicial system actually topple because Justin Trudeau waxes about the ugly fact of too many unsolved Indigenous deaths, yet too many Indigenous inmates? Thats what happened twice in Canada over the past month, after (white) defendants were acquitted of crimes (second degree murder) against Indigenous people. It was sufficiently political that both the prime minister and justice minister waded into the fray, in turn sparking criticism (mostly from criminal lawyers) about violations of the sub judice rule. There is no need to rehash the debate over the propriety of their remarks. Time will tell if they negatively affect any Crown appeals. As for whether they ruined our justice system, I suspect that the insiders still profess its excellence, while outsiders think it has long been rotten. But heres the rub. Our legal system is not for public consumption. Its a system, first and foremost, to protect the innocent. It justifies the acquittal of possibly guilty people in the name of avoiding wrongful convictions. For the powerful to intentionally interfere with a defendants constitutional rights is the height of corruption, in Canada, because our freedom is not supposed to be taken away by the powerful or the connected or the popular. Loss of liberty is only acceptable if there is a fair trial, by an independent arbiter, based on laws, not popularity or lack thereof. Its never that simple, however. The arbiter may be born and raised to rule against Indigenous people, knowingly or not. That jury may lack any diversity, which seems horribly unfair. That court decision may be a tipping point, an event of political significance about which politicians tend to comment. I think it comes down to motive. If a politician goes out of her way to interfere with a legal proceeding, thats wrong, dangerous, and maybe unconstitutional, thereby making it counterproductive. However, for every lawyer seeking to censor politicians from interfering with the judicial, there are a hundred voters screaming for answers from their elected reps. Both are right. The job of the elected is to walk that line, between public accountability and unconstitutional meddling. I think that line gets crossed when the elected intentionally or recklessly interfere with a specific case. Walking the tightrope has its risks, Ive learned. Even the prime minister could learn a valuable lesson from former Ontario Premier Bill Davis, known often to say that he never regretted a speech he never gave, nor the media bait he never bit. Michael Bryant is executive director of the Canadian Civil Liberties Association and was the 35th Attorney General of Ontario. So how might Doug Ford comport himself as premier of Ontario, should he win the provincial election in June? As that staple of amateur psychoanalysis has it, the best predictor of future behaviour is past behaviour. But the cliche is not precisely accurate. There are caveats. High-frequency behaviour is more predictive than infrequent behaviour. Past behaviour is usually predictive of future conduct only over short intervals. The situations for the past and predicted behaviour should be similar. And the person in question must remain essentially unchanged. On the face of it, the new Progressive Conservative leaders experience as a Toronto city councillor from 2010 to 2014 is recent enough, similar enough and produced behaviours recurring enough to serve as a rough guide. Two books on the Rob Ford years Mayor Rob Ford: Uncontrollable, by former chief of staff Mark Towhey, and The Only Average Guy by city councillor John Filion offer insider accounts of Dougs temperament. In all, they provide a study in presumption, impulsiveness, indiscipline, indiscretion, bullying and an inability to put the team first. For all the Ford talk of business experience, Rob and Doug had no idea how to staff the office after Robs election, Towhey wrote. It was also soon apparent that Doug wasnt motivated solely by the opportunity to serve, but a desire to wield power at elite levels. If you think I came down here just to be the councillor from Ward 2, youve got another think coming! he reportedly yelled at Towhey and former Ford adviser Nick Kouvalis. Doug acted as if entitled to a rank and authority he hadnt earned, Towhey wrote, and would sit at the head of the table, in the mayors seat, and hold court. During the transition to the Ford administration, Doug was an unreliable presence, Towhey said. He popped in and out of meetings, usually late. He expected us to go back to the beginning to bring him up to speed. Hed participate for 10 or 15 minutes, then step out to make a call. We wouldnt see him again until he popped into another meeting later in the day, or the week. Furthermore, the mayors staff believed Doug to be the source of leaks. We began to guard our conversations around Doug, Towhey wrote, and changed the topic whenever he arrived. During the early going, Dougs impulsiveness caused his brother numerous problems, Towhey said. Doug was shooting from the hip and picking fights we didnt need. He got into slanging matches with the likes of Margaret Atwood over public libraries and, later, the chief of police. In 2011, he dreamed up a Disneyfication scheme for the waterfront that became an instant laughingstock. To Towhey, the new PC leader was a bully, even to his brother. If Rob ignored Doug, Doug would pummel him with endless calls and tenacious harassment. Often Rob would cry uncle, telling us I cant handle one more call from him. Just do it. As with many who demand utter loyal, Doug Ford was mistrustful of most everyone. I only trust the person I shave in the morning, he told Filion. Thats it. And I nick him sometimes too. Doug once told Filion, in the run-up to his 2014 mayoral run against John Tory, that youve never seen the vicious side of me. You watch. For all that, while Ford might be challenged by the quotidian details of governing, he is apt to thrive on the campaign trail, where salesmanship, partisanship and an ability to get under an opponents skin are virtues. He can deliver a message with devastating simplicity, Filion wrote. Hell win you over with generous words and a megawatt smile, all the while observing your every move, ready to pounce. Still, Doug Fords track record in city government provides ammunition for his current opponents. Its not for nothing, after all, that Premier Kathleen Wynne used the word reckless to describe Fords proposal this week to privatize cannabis sales in the province. Theres always the possibility, of course, that the trauma of his brothers premature death has changed Doug Ford. His comportment on the PC leadership campaign was more restrained. But his demeanour this week during a CBC Ottawa radio interview with host Robyn Bresnahan was entirely consistent with the man Towhey and Filion described. Ford boasted. He bristled with anger. He baited and belittled the host. He balked at being asked to explain contradictions in his proposals. Bresnahan asked how Ford could cut as much spending as he claims without cutting jobs. Very simple. You havent done it. Ive done it. Thats the difference. Next question. It was a burst of condescending man-splaining that may well have had many female listeners rolling their eyes. As both the Rob Ford experience in Toronto, and current events in the United States make clear, theres a vast difference between having the salesmanship to win an election and the competence and temperament required to govern. Ontario voters, presumably, will be hoping to see a little more of the latter from the new PC leader. As has been shown over and over again, when simplicity trumps experience, administrative expertise and policy mastery, chaos ensues. We have been warned. Read more about: Here is an incomplete list of qualifications for being prime minister: you should be able to categorically condemn political violence; you should hold a clear position on the national unity of our international partners; and you should not associate with political movements whose views you cannot endorse. It is cause for real concern, then, that Jagmeet Singh, leader of the federal New Democrats and aspiring prime minister, can claim none of these. After it was revealed that he has sometimes attended rallies in support of the Khalistani cause, an occasionally violent Sikh separatist movement in India, Singh was presented with a number of predictable questions to which he could not provide clear or consistent answers. Does he support Indian unity, as is longstanding Canadian policy? Singh says as leader of a federal party it is not appropriate that he take a position. But surely this represents a sharp diplomatic departure that would strain relations with a country with which Canada has long struggled to deepen economic ties. We and others decried Justin Trudeaus gaffe-filled trip to India for its potential to set relations back, but at least the prime minister could say without hesitation that he supports a united country. Moreover, Singhs attempt to finesse the issue surely compromises his ability to defend national unity at home. In any case, if Singh intends to be seen as neutral, why is he frequenting rallies where separatist flags are flown and Sikh terrorists are celebrated as martyrs? The NDP leader says he will continue to attend such events to promote human rights. But he has plenty of less fraught platforms from which to disseminate his views. Canadians can be forgiven for wondering if something else is going on. Singh is wrong that he should remain impartial on the Khalistan question and wrong that he can appear so while still attending Khalistani rallies. But most disturbing is his seeming inability to categorically condemn political violence. In an opinion article published in the Globe and Mail on Thursday, Singh wrote movingly of the impact on his family and on his own development of the 1984 massacres perpetrated against Sikhs by the Indian government. He wrote that he understands the anger of those who turn to violence, but that he condemns terrorism without qualification. Its a good piece. To understand the pain of the oppressed, and how it can metastasize into violence, is essential to creating a safer, more just world. At the same time, to understand is not to justify. Yet just a few hours after it was published Singh was once again dodging and dissembling on the question of violence, undermining his own important message. Asked on Thursday whether violence can be justified in the Sikh context, Singh responded with a particularly obfuscating word salad. Well, I think youre actually on the complexity of the situation, he said. Given that its complex, it requires that thoughtfulness to proceed forward. Consider the domestic implications of this mealy-mouthed positioning. In his article, Singh compared the intergenerational scars of what he describes as the Sikh genocide to those of the Indian residential schools and other policies of forced assimilation on Indigenous peoples in Canada. So what would he say about violence as a means to redress the injustices in Indigenous communities that persist to this day? The failings that Singh has displayed over the last week are not simply a problem for his party. Singh is a charismatic young leader who has the potential to be an effective advocate for progressive ideals. His partys platform includes a number of important proposals, from universal pharmacare to strengthened worker protections, that would make a material difference in the lives of Canadians, but which our government would seemingly prefer to avoid. We would all benefit from a real debate. We will all lose if Singh continues to torpedo his credibility. Read more about: Canada on wrong side of Venezuelan conflict, Opinion, March 15 I was truly shocked to read Linda McQuaigs opinion piece, Canada on wrong side of Venezuelan conflict. The article is so completely out of touch with reality in Venezuela. Thousands of people poor people, not wealthy people are now fleeing the country due to appalling living conditions and the collapse of the economy. As a lefty social democrat myself, I will admit, back in 2004, when McQuaig apparently interviewed Hugo Chavez, I was still sympathetic to the Bolivarian Revolution. No doubt Venezuela was a highly inequal country ruled by wealthy elites, and Chavezs revolution seemed like an inspiring and promising movement. But anyone who has followed events in the country or who has visited the country understands that the government became autocratic and unaccountable, and that, despite their intentions and some initial improvements in living standards, they have made the majority of Venezuelans worse off in the past five years. It has been many years since I have seen anyone try to defend Nicolas Maduros corrupt and autocratic government. Ian Griffiths, San Francisco, Calif. Thanks to Linda McQuaig for asking why Canada is supporting U.S. sanctions that are designed to prevent economic recovery in Venezuela. The answer seems to be greed. Specifically, the rich are revolting in Venezuela because they want to restore their power, and because the Maduro government refuses to follow the economic agenda of austerity, privatization and deregulation. They aim to reverse everything by all means necessary. Canadas ruling class is complicit in this situation by supporting the sanctions. As a benevolent nation, we should instead support mediation between the current Venezuelan government and the opposition. Tobi Baumhard, King City I am writing to commend Linda McQuaig on her article on Venezuela. She has told the truth about the political situation in Venezuela and exposed the hypocrisy and cowardice Justin Trudeaus government has demonstrated in sanctioning that country. Canada should be supporting the elected and popular government of Venezuela instead of making its people suffer and kowtowing to Washington. If Canada is an independent country and not the U.S. puppet, then it should have an independent foreign policy. Asad Ismi, Toronto Read more about: How coffee shops are addressing laptop loitering and Wi-Fi hogs, March 14 This article about laptop loitering and Wi-Fi hogs overlooks the creative contributions of people who write in coffee shops. A cafes atmosphere and its colourful characters and conversations have inspired many writers. Leonard Cohen allegedly wrote his well-known song Suzanne in the Cafe Prag in Montreal. Ernest Hemingway at one time a reporter for the Toronto Star wrote about Paris Rotonde Cafe in The Sun Also Rises. In Los Angeles, some cafes are known for the movie scripts that were written there. In my own experience, observing interactions of real-life relationships in our local cafes helped inspire me as I wrote a relationship advice book for men, Being the Strong Man A Woman Wants. Rather than seeing it as laptop loitering, the creativity inspired in our cafes should be encouraged and recognized as part of the cultural life of our city. Elliott Katz, Toronto Whenever theres injustice, the anti-abortionists will be there, making it worse. Whenever a womans crying, the anti-abortionists will be there, making her cry harder. For heres one of the grimmer moments in life: the doctor sits down for a gentle chat: she has the fetal test results and a look on her face. She tells the hopeful young parents that the results say Down syndrome. The parents are shocked. They weep. Will the woman end the pregnancy or not? And with this, the anti-choice campaigners are on the move again. Testing for genetic abnormalities has improved with the NIPT non-invasive prenatal blood test which is safer than the old test and 99 per cent accurate. The Aunt Lydia anti-choicers (the pregnancy enforcers of Margaret Atwoods The Handmaids Tale) are worried that fewer children with severe disabilities will be born. They are merciless. Down syndrome babies are famously lovely and loving the American Down syndrome infant on the Gerber box is gorgeous but they may have physical and mental difficulties, including heart defects, hearing loss, eye disease, respiratory infections and childhood leukemia. They will suffer. One parent may have to quit work and even then, caring for them at home is expensive, tiring and difficult. Life will be jagged. Then there comes the inarguable mathematical fact that all harried parents of the disabled face: their kids will need care throughout their adult lives and the parents wont live long enough to provide it. Not everyone is strong enough to raise a child with disabilities. Its a hard road and parents who choose it deserve all the help we can give them. There are not as many people with Down syndrome in the Western world as there once were. About 1 in 750 Canadian babies, or 0.13 per cent, has Down syndrome. Aunt Lydias who think the rate should be higher are using this fact as a handy way in like that crack in the wall that will let the stinkbug invasion into your house this year to accuse women and their doctors and nurses of genocide. The UN Genocide Convention refers to acts committed with intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnical, racial or religious group. Individual women who abort arent a group aiming to damage other Down syndrome babies. And the babies are not a group themselves, they are all over the world in uteri. And why cause pain by playing with the word genocide when actual genocide slaughtered millions: Jews, Armenians, the Rohingya. The neo-Nazis are back in Germany, Jews are being targeted in Hungary and Poland, the Rohingya are being slaughtered as we speak. Why trivialize such hideous suffering? What seemed to set the anti-choicers off was the news the numbers much mangled by Aunt Lydias that in Iceland, nearly all of the 80-85 per cent of women who take a test and then test positive will have an abortion. In the U.S., the number is 68 per cent. Many Down syndrome babies are being born and theyll have happy lives full of love. I hesitate to mention that doctors are prosecuted for performing fetal-abnormality abortions in North Dakota and Ohio because of course they are. The torment starts there. But it ends here: a woman in Catholic El Salvador has just been released after 15 years of a 30-year prison sentence for having suffered a stillbirth. Police thought it might have been an abortion. This is the dream of the Aunt Lydias, whether male or female. Until this year, they obtained Canadian federal grants to pay for anti-choice summer jobs. They display enhanced photos of tiny bloody fetuses on buses. They deliver the pictures to homes where children will see them. They torment women entering abortion clinics, even spitting on them, and now theyre targeting pregnant women at their most vulnerable moment. My job is always to see the pattern in the carpet. This fight transcends borders. Its theme is intrusion. Aunt Lydias are in your face, in your home, in your vagina with trans-vaginal ultrasounds, and now in your scans and your fetal tests. They demand obedience. Theyd turn us all into Handmaids if they could. The anti-choice forces say that sex selection is at work in some ethnic communities where far more boys than girls are born. But we dont know why female fetuses are aborted. Yes, a primitive-minded brute of a father might insist on having sons. But privately, mothers might hesitate to bring a beloved girl into a world that hates her. Few women wish their daughters to have a life of pain. This is the bullying that women face at the start of life. I am fascinated by a 2017 story of a Toronto man left in a coma after cardiac arrest. His entire family wished him to be taken off life support and his organs donated. But suddenly an obsessed lawyer harangued the family and filed a court order against their wishes. An appeal court has since ruled that she had dishonoured the legal profession and hit her with costs. I imagine she will face legal sanctions. From birth to death, Aunt Lydia anti-choicers demand rights over the bodies of people in straits, from the pregnant woman to the dying man. They barge in, search, intrude, torment at moments of great stress. Theyd tear flesh from your bones if they could. What should we call them, vultures for life? hmallick@thestar.ca Read more about: One thing you can say about Justin Trudeau hes not a prime minister you can easily accuse of pandering to his base. When loyal Liberals meet for their big biennial convention in Halifax next month, for instance, Trudeau is expected to pop in only for the last day of events. He did the same thing when the Liberals held their last convention in Winnipeg in 2016, for the same reason: a busy week of international travel beforehand. Its likely just an unfortunate coincidence that the Commonwealth heads of government meeting is taking place on April 19 and 20 the very same days that Liberals start their meeting in Halifax next month. But Trudeaus expected late arrival to Halifax also underlines his rather loose attachment to Liberal partisans especially those who joined the party before he took it over. It started with the ejection of Liberal senators when he was still in opposition and continues to today. Liberals of a certain vintage have been grumbling about this back-of-the-hand treatment ever since Trudeau came to power rightly and wrongly, in my view. While some of the complaints come from over-large egos disgruntled about their diminished clout, a lot of other allegations of ageism are fair and well-founded. In fact, its one of the rare forms of demographic discrimination that seems to be tolerated in the Trudeau government dont trust anyone older than the PM. Ageism on the Hill means that experience doesnt count for much, said a headline on a story in the Hill Times this week that stirred up some spirited conversations in Liberal circles. It was written by Andrew Caddell, a former staff member, journalist and Liberal candidate, who described applying to work for the new Trudeau government and being told that he was just too old. When I mentioned my disappointment to a new 40-something MP, he insisted had he not been elected, he would have been passed over as a staffer as well. I was astonished, as he is brilliant, Cadell wrote. He replied they are only hiring people under 40. Theres a new fire under this discussion these days for one big reason a downturn in public-opinion numbers for Trudeau, prompted by what looks like some ill-considered advisory work behind the scenes, especially on that disastrous trip to India. Some of the Liberal elders say this is the price of valuing youth over experience the arrogance of the new. There may be some truth to that, though young people dont have a monopoly on political blunders. Donald Trump is 71 years old and breaks political-communication rules in wild and wacky ways every day. What does seem to be true, however at least anecdotally, in my experience is that Trudeau is experiencing a slump in his reputation even among die-hard Liberals. Some say theyre expressing their displeasure by withholding donations or their volunteer work; others say theyre going to skip next months convention. I asked the Liberal party this week how registrations were going for Halifax, and spokesperson Braeden Caley said interest is brisk, possibly surpassing attendance numbers for Winnipeg two years ago. Even if that does turn out to be true, I suspect the mood may be much different this year. I think there may even be Liberals who are going to Halifax to lay some concerns on the table nervousness about the ways in which Trudeau has been looking out of touch, not just with average Canadians, but with his own party. In a little over a year, Trudeau is going to need loyal Liberals of all ages to help him win another election. It might be wise for him to reconnect with them even the ones who were part of Liberal governments before him. sdelacourt@bell.net Read more about: Donald Trumps relentless march to war against North Korea and, eventually, against Iran accelerated this week with the firing of Rex Tillerson, likely the most incompetent U.S. secretary of state in modern history. That may appear paradoxical, but it is the essential takeaway from another mind-spinning week in the chaotic Trump presidency. Tillerson may have had his flaws, such as abysmal management of the State department, purging it clean of expertise and experience, and obsequiously allowing Trump to replace diplomats with the military in the shaping U.S. foreign policy. But he also had his good days. As a leading globalist committed to international co-operation, he was a moderating influence on the unpredictable, self-absorbed America First impulses of his president. And on occasion, Tillerson could also be an astute judge of character. After all, he was the cabinet member who reportedly told colleagues that Trump was a f---ing moron after the president revealed at a Pentagon meeting last July that he had little understanding of key national security issues, except that he wanted more nukes. But bosses dont seem to like it when their underlings say such things, so it was only a matter of time before he got the bullet. As for what happens now, we have Trump himself who answered that question when he announced that Mike Pompeo, the hardline, hawkish head of the CIA, will become secretary of state: Im really at a point where were getting close to having the cabinet and other things I want. That is another way of saying that the most dangerous stage of the Trump presidency is about to begin. Trump appears to be clearing the deck, eliminating anyone who dissents. Thats where Pompeo will be invaluable to Trump as his top foreign policy adviser. Pompeo and Trump are close. As CIA director, Pompeo has been open to the idea of a military strike against North Korea and has called for the scrapping of the international nuclear agreement with Iran. But these crises seem to be intersecting at a perilous time. In early March, Trump shocked the world by agreeing to a high-stakes meeting with North Koreas Kim Jong Un by May. But there is no certainty the meeting will happen. However, if it does, the American expectation seems to be that North Korea may agree to give up its nuclear weapons something, say most analysts, that is inconceivable. If these talks break down, which is likely, will an angry Trump want to launch a pre-emptive military strike against North Korea? As for Iran, Trump has a deadline of May 12 to indicate whether the U.S. is pulling out of the nuclear agreement. Assuming this happens, it will escalate tensions and increase the threat of war in the Middle East. At this moment, there arent many people left who are in a position to stop Trump and his increasing appetite for war. There is James Mattis, the secretary of defence who worked with Rex Tillerson to restrain Trumps most wild-eyed impulses. But it is unlikely such a bond could be forged with Pompeo. There is Robert Mueller, of course, the tenacious special counsel whose investigation into Trumps ties with Russia appears to be getting dangerously close to the Oval Office. But if Trump becomes desperate, we shouldnt forget that he has the power to fire Mueller. And finally, there is adult film star Stormy Daniels who says quite credibly, it seems that she had an affair with Trump in 2006 just after his wife Melania gave birth to their son. She is believed to have photos and emails to prove it. Who would have thought that the future of Americas democracy might one day hinge on whether or not a porn star gets the chance to tell her story? Tony Burman is former head of Al Jazeera English and CBC News. Reach him @TonyBurman or at tony.burman@gmail.com. Read more about: Index funds, index funds, index funds says billionaire Warren Buffett. But what else should you buy for retirement? At 87 years old and still working, Warren Buffett doesn't appear to be following the traditional path most Americans take toward retirement. But after all, the billionaire CEO of Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.A) - Get BRK.A Report has never really been normal. Though he hasn't retired just yet, Buffett has offered a treasure trove of tips for those looking to settle down at a more reasonable age. Here are some of the best retirement tips from the Oracle of Omaha himself. Tip #1 At a Berkshire investor meeting in 2004, Buffett offered the following wisdom: "If you invested in a very low-cost index fund -- where you don't put the money in at one time, but average in over 10 years -- you'll do better than 90% of people who start investing at the same time." In 2013, Buffett suggested putting 10% of your cash in short-term government bonds and 90% in a "very low-cost" S&P 500 Index fund. Buffett's index fund strategy is a proven winner, too. He placed a bet with hedge fund Protege Partners in 2008 -- ahead of the financial crisis. Per the terms, Buffett contended that an S&P 500 index fund would outperform a hand-picked hedge fund portfolio over 10 years, a classic passive versus active scenario. Even after Buffett's fund lost 37% of its value in the crisis, it still came out far and away the winner when the $1 million bet expired Dec. 31, 2017. At the end of 2016, Buffet's bet had gained 7.1% per year, or about $854,000 total. Protege's bet had gained 2.2% per year, or about $220,000 total. Buffett has recommended putting your money into an index fund over time instead of all at once. He also recommends Jack Bogle's books and his Vanguard funds, which he called "reliable, low cost" investments. The Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO) - Get Vanguard S&P 500 ETF Report charges only 0.05% per year. If you invest $100,000 in the fund, you only pay $50 per year in fees -- that means your money can compound even faster. Tip #2 Buffett has long been against holding large piles of cash. "The one thing I will tell you is the worst investment you can have is cash. Everybody is talking about cash being king and all that sort of thing. Cash is going to become worth less over time. But good businesses are going to become worth more over time," Buffett has said. Cash in the bank will earn dramatically less in interest than investments in the stock market will earn in returns and dividends. Keep some cash on hand for emergencies, but avoid hoarding tens of thousands of dollars in low-return savings accounts if you have the means to invest in the market. Tip #3 And the last of Buffett's somewhat unsexy, supremely straight-forward retirement lessons? Don't spend beyond your means. Buffett is worth about $89 billion, but he lives in the same Omaha house he bought for $31,500 in 1958. He still drives himself to the office every morning in a 2014 Cadillac XTS. And he eats McDonald's (MCD) - Get McDonald's Corporation (MCD) Report for breakfast all the time. Get all the latest investing tips from TheStreet here on our YouTube channel. Though the Trump administration has slow-walked help on opioids, new measures may debut next week. The Trump administration, which has been making a lot of noise about the opioid crisis lately, may have real measures to announce next week in New Hampshire while a group of 25 opioid-related bills will be introduced by the House Health Subcommittee. On February 27 Attorney General Jeff Sessions announced a "Prescription Interdiction & Litigation Task Force" which will team up with civil and criminal law enforcement officials to focus on how opioid manufacturers and distributors contribute to the crisis. A March 1 opioid summit at the White House turned out to be mostly a photo op with the promise of more concrete measures to follow. There was one takeaway that stuck with those in the room, however, "The drug dealers, the drug pushers, they're really doing damage," President Trump said. "Some countries have a very, very tough penalty - the ultimate penalty. And by the way, they have much less of a drug problem than we do. If you shoot one person, they give you life, they give you the death penalty. "These people can kill 2,000, 3,000 people, and nothing happens to them." While the White House has spent a fair amount of time trying to walk back the president's remarks, it has also been leaking some possible anti-opioid measures as well. The information sliding out of the administration is a combination of prevention and treatment measures as well as amped up enforcement of existing drug laws. One treatment proposal calls for Congress to alter how Medicaid pays for inpatient programs for opioid issues to make it easier for patients to access. Another idea calls for the repealing of a regulation that bars Medicaid from paying for residential treatment for opioid addiction. A third measure designed to step up treatment calls for all federal prisoners to be screened for opioid use when entering the system. If opioids are detected the prisoner would be enrolled in an inpatient program. A program favored in a many urban locations may be included. The White House may go along with suggestions of making naloxone available to first responders. Naxolone is a drug that can quickly reverse opioid overdoses. In a nod to prevention, the administration is considering having states implement a database that monitors prescription drugs, so healthcare providers would have more information about patients who are doctor shopping to gain more access to opioids. Another prevention concept is to have opioid prescriptions reimbursed by federal programs Medicare and Medicaid subject to "best practices," with a goal of 95% being included in that screening process within 5 years. Besides Sessions' task force, the Justice Department would create a program to more aggressively track opioid sales online. Sessions and other hardliners in the administration also want to step up prosecution of those found selling opioids illegally with a goal of not only taking drugs off the street but also as a deterrent. Those arrested by the feds should also anticipate the administration more fully embracing enforcement of mandatory minimum sentences. While ideas on what may be included in the opioid program have made the rounds, the administration has managed to keep funding for the program secret. Trump ran for the presidency in part on cleaning up the opioid epidemic. He formed the President's Commission on Combating Drug Addiction and the Opioid Crisis and received their recommendations but didn't make any moves. He had a national listening tour in May 2017 that included Sessions and now-departed HHS Secretary Tom Price. Trump declared a National Health Crisis in August 2017 and again in October but didn't include any funding. So, critics are not holding their breath when it comes to Trump's opioid program. On the other hand, the House Health Subcommittee is set to roll out a slew of new bills March 21 and 22 aimed at lessening the crisis. Several of the bills are focused on collection of data including requiring Health and Human Services to developing a best practice to help health institutions display substance use disorder in patient files. But some of the bills are creative. The Preventing Overdoses While in Emergency Rooms Act calls for hospitals to receive resources so that when discharging an overdose patient naloxone can be provided along with a referral to treatment services. Another bill calls for the FDA to give priority to putting an accelerated approval program for drugs that can assist with the opioid crisis. The Comprehensive Opioid Recovery Centers Act calls for the creation of recovery centers that will serve as models for how recovery services should be offered. The Treatment, Education and Community Help to Combat Addiction Act will support existing Centers of Excellence or learning institutions that have championed drug treatment and pain management. Join in a fun adventure with Dora the Explorer! Dates: March 17 - March 25Country: MalaysiaVenue: Centre Court, Alamanda Shopping CentreKeep the kids entertained with Dora the Explorer when you visit Alamanda Shopping Centre . Starting from March 17 25, 2018 at the Centre Court, kids and parents alike will get a chance to enjoy the school holidays with plenty of funthemed activities. A great role model for young kids, Dora teaches kids about problem solving, music and language all while on an adventure. Your kids will get to join Dress Up Like Dora / Diego contest, sit at the kids colouring corner, catch up on pastepisodes and even meet Dora and best friend, Boots the monkey mascots on selected weekends!As a VIKIDS member your kids will be able to enjoy additional privileges such as join in at the Dora Inflatable Playland, Dora Ball Pool and Obstacle Challenge. To sign up as a member, all you need to do is spend a minimum of RM50 at any children or maternity store and register with the receipt at the information counter.March 17 18 & 24-25, 1pm, 4pm & 6pmCome meet Dora and Boots in person and have a photo taken with them!March 24, 2pm 4pmCome dressed like Dora or Diego and stand to win exclusive prizes!March 17-25, 10am 10pmJoin in the fun with exclusivecoloring artworks.March 17-25, 10am 10pmSpend RM50 in a single receipt to join in a host of excitingactivities like a Dora the Explorer Inflatable Playland, Ball Pool and Obstacle Course!Full information at https://www.alamanda.com.my/whats-hot/all-about-the-family/ Nike has reportedly gotten entangled into the workplace issues sweeping Silicon Valley. A top executive has been cut loose as a result. Corporate America's workplace behavior issues may have traveled to Oregon. According to a report in The Wall Street Journal Thursday, Nike (NKE) - Get NIKE, Inc. (NKE) Report has received complaints about workplace behavior. It's number two executive -- and heir apparent to Nike CEO Mark Parker -- Trevor Edwards has resigned immediately and will retire from the sneaker giant in August. "I'd like to thank Trevor for the important role he has played for 25 years and for his significant contributions. He has helped us grow and strengthen our brand on a global scale. I am committed to stay in my role as Chairman, President and CEO beyond 2020. Trevor has decided to retire," said Parker in a statement. Deutsche Bank awarded nearly $3 billion in bonuses last year despite the Germany lender's third straight annual loss and a $9 billion capital injection that followed a $7.2 billion fine paid to the U.S. Department of Justice. Deutsche Bank (DB) - Get Deutsche Bank AG Report said Friday it awarded nearly $3 billion in employee bonuses last year, despite a 23% fall in the lender's stock price and the third consecutive net loss, risking the ire of investors who have been waiting for CEO John Cryan's turnaround plans to bear fruit. The 2017 bonus payout of 2.3 billion ($2.83 billion) tops the 546 billion payout from the previous year and comes after a $9 billion capital injection last March and consistent speculation that Cryan's tenure at the helm of Germany's biggest bank could be under threat from unhappy investors. "I recognize that this decision was highly contentious for many given the reported net loss in 2017," Cryan said in a letter to shareholders. "If we want to live up to our claim of being the leading European bank with a global network, we have to invest in our employees so that we can continue to provide the best solutions for our clients. In the interests of the bank we could not repeat our previous decision not to pay any individual variable compensation to most of our senior staff for 2016." Deutsche Bank shares were marked 0.33% higher by mid-day in Frankfurt and changing hands at 12.81 each, a move that trims its year-to-date decline to 19.28% compared to a 2.7% fall for the Stoxx Europe 600 benchmark and a 3.9% slide for the DAX performance index. TheStreet's Bradley Keoun wrote last month that Deutsche Bank's plan to fire 250 to 500 employees in its trading and investment-banking division just weeks before annual bonuses get paid out resembles a strategy honed for years at Goldman Sachs (GS) - Get Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (GS) Report : "Fire underperforming employees, or those who aren't generating enough profits to justify keeping them, to save money that can be used to pay top performers bigger bonuses." "The move comes less than a year after Cryan appointed Marcus Schenck, a former Goldman Sachs executive, to co-head Deutsche Bank's trading, investment-banking and corporate-lending operations,"Keoun wrote. "Earlier this month, Cryan said cost-cutting was a "critical component of improved and sustained profitability," after saying last year that the bank was 'investing in people'." "They're trying to get bankers who can make more rain," said David Hendler, an analyst at Viola Risk Advisors who follows Deutsche Bank. "So they're culling out the bankers that are just taking up space and not bringing in revenue growth." Earlier this year, Deutsche Bank posted a full year loss of 497 million for 2017, a figure that was notably steeper than the 290 million tally anticipated by analysts and its third consecutive year in the red. Overall revenue fell 19% in the final three months of the year to 5.7 billion, well shy of the 6.2 billion forecast, thanks to a 29% plunge in trading revenues at its bond trading unit. The bank also said the reduction of the U.S. corporate tax rate to 21% from 35% would force the revaluation of some of the tax credits that sit on its balance sheet and reduce its core capital base about around 10 basis points. "Only a charge related to US tax reform at the end of the year meant that we had to post a full-year after-tax loss," Cryan said at the time. "We believe we are firmly on the path to producing growth and higher returns with sustained discipline on costs and risks. We have made progress, but we are not yet satisfied with our results." Deutsche Bank confirmed late last month that it will list a portion of its asset management division in a move that could raise as much as $2.5 billion for the struggling European lender. A whistleblower is suing the chain, claiming that it inflated e-commerce revenue to better compete with Amazon. Jeff Bezos must be amused. A former Walmart Inc. (WMT) - Get Walmart Inc. Report executive is suing his ex-employer, alleging that it engaged in deceptive practices to inflate e-commerce growth to compete with Amazon.com Inc. (AMZN) - Get Amazon.com, Inc. Report . Former director of business development at Walmart, Tri Huynh claimed in a lawsuit filed Thursday, March 15, in U.S. District Court, Northern District of California, that the company abruptly fired him in early 2017 after he repeatedly complained about its e-commerce reporting protocol. In the complaint, Huynh outlined Walmart's various alleged ethical wrongdoing, including charging excessive commissions to boost sales figures and failing to process more than $7 million customer returns between September 2015 to March 2016, which also jacked up total sales. The complaint also stated that in Walmart's financial results, first-party and third-party sales are not differentiated, therefore overstating Walmart's true e-commerce operational growth to investors and analysts. Walmart charged sales commissions of up to 15% from third-party sellers, versus the 6% to 8% norm, the lawsuit claims. The suit claims that the high rates bolstered revenue, and after Huynh complained that internal controls had not detected the problem multiple times, the company fired him under "false pretenses" of restructuring and performance issues. The plaintiff is seeking punitive damages under the whistleblower law the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. To make up for market share lost to Amazon, Walmart "embarked on an overly aggressive push to show meteoric growth in its e-commerce business by any means possible even illegitimate ones," the complaint reads. "Throughout approximately March through May of 2016, Mr. Huynh continued to raise concerns and make disclosures about the above issues, pressing his superiors to address the bigger picture systemic flaws including the overall lack of effective internal controls regarding these issues." Among his gripes with the retailer is that Walmart recruited third-party sellers so aggressively that it compromised the quality and delivery of the products. The complaint cited offensive products such as the "Tranny Granny" Halloween costume and the "Got Hitler" logo mug. Huynh's superiors, in turn, first told him to stop reporting his concerns, the complaint goes on, and when he refused, he began to be isolated from projects and meetings. In October 2016, when Walmart acquired Jet.com and recruited its CEO Marc Lore to lead its e-commerce business, Huynh harbored hopes that his new boss would be more receptive, according to the complaint, but to no avail. After submitting a formal report to Walmart's Global Ethics department as well as to Lore directly in late 2016, he was fired days later, as detailed by the complaint. Walmart has denied the allegations and said they were made by a "disgruntled former associate, who was let go as part of an overall restructuring," according to company spokesperson Randy Hargrove. "We take allegations like this seriously and looked into them when they were brought to our attention," he said in a statement to TheStreet. "The investigation found nothing to suggest that the company acted improperly. We intend to vigorously defend the company against these claims." According to Huynh's LinkedIn profile, he worked at Walmart between 2014 and 2017. Between 2011 and 2014, he was a category leader in consumer electronics at Amazon. Huynh could not be reached for comment. His attorney, David deRubertis of the deRubertis Law Firm, APC, based in Studio City, Calif., declined to immediately comment beyond details provided in the complaint. Walmart shares are unaffected by the news, trading up nearly 2% at Friday's close, at $89.17. In its latest quarterly report, the Bentonville, Ark.-based retailer posted online sales growth of 23%, down from its 50% uptick in the third quarter. In full fiscal 2017, e-commerce rose 44% overall. Amazon is a holding in Jim Cramer's Action Alerts PLUS Charitable Trust Portfolio. Want to be alerted before Cramer buys or sells AMZN? Learn more now. In early trading Friday, bitcoin skidded precariously close to the $8,000 mark, down nearly 60% from highs set in December. While the No. 1 cryptocurrency pared earlier losses to trade higher by Friday afternoon, bitcoin still hadn't reached above the $10,000 benchmark it last saw March 8. According to Coindesk technical analysis, if bitcoin finishes the day above its 10-day moving average it could be a signal that the selloff from the recent $11,700 high has come to a close. To reach above that moving average, bitcoin would have to reach $8,964. As investors head into the weekend, these are the headlines they can't miss in crypto for Friday, March 16. New York to Hike Rates The New York State Public Service Commission announced that upstate municipal power authorities will be allowed to charge higher electricity use rates for cryptocurrency mining businesses starting this month. The Commission said it will "allow municipal power authorities to create a new tariff focusing on high-density load customers that do not qualify for economic development assistance and have a maximum demand exceeding 300 kW and a load density that exceeds 250 kWh per square foot per year, a usage amount far higher than traditional commercial customers." The decision came following a petition from the New York Municipal Power Agency claiming that New Yorkers would see their power bills increased from crypto mining, but that the mining did little to bring forth economic development in the area. Alt Coins in the Spotlight As bitcoin struggled to maintain much momentum this week, alternative coins fared far better. The total value of all cryptocurrencies fell to $316 billion this week, down about 61% from a record high of $830 billion set in January, according to data from Coinmarketcap. While most of the highest-market cap cryptocurrencies fell throughout the week, some of the lesser-known coins earned gains. According to a report from Coindesk, Binance Coin, VeChain and NEM were all higher this week. All three of those cryptocurrencies don't make the cutoff as top-ten in market cap. As of publication, there were 1,564 cryptocurrencies trading, per Coinmarketcap data. Crypto Makes Congress Report Debut A 2018 Joint Economic Report from Congress has dubbed 2018 "the Year of Cryptocurrencies." In the report, lawmakers dedicated an entire section to blockchain and cryptocurrency in what appears to be the first mention of the technology in such an update. In addition to outlining its significant rise to prominence over the last year, the report offers a number of recommendations for cryptocurrency. It states that blockchain could be a useful tool in deterring cybercrime, suggesting both lawmakers and their constituents learn more about the technology and its "wide range of applications in the future." The report also says, "These new innovations and markets presented America's regulatory and legislative institutions with unique challenges as well as technology that could revolutionize the world's digital landscape and economy." Bitcoin Losing Hackers' Favor In a Congressional hearing Thursday, experts told lawmakers that bitcoin has fallen out of style to a degree with hackers, who have started to favor ethereum and other lower-priced coins, Forbes reported. As bitcoin exchanges have fallen under intense scrutiny from U.S. regulators, cyber crime on the platforms has become increasingly difficult. Part of the move away from now relatively mainstream bitcoin is also due to its comparably less anonymous nature. Crooks have reportedly found it easier to evade identity exposition when using lesser-known coins, as transferring bitcoin into cash leaves them more prone to unmasking. Keep up with cryptocurrency news from TheStreet here: Did you miss "Mad Money" on CNBC? If so, here are some of Jim Cramer's top takeaways. For an "Executive Decision" segment, Cramer spoke with Greg Hayes, chairman and CEO of United Technologies undefined , which just held its annual investor day. Hayes said that when it comes to aerospace, there are macro forces pulling in the company's favor, including a growing global middle class and increased urbanization. That means we will need to build more than 30,000 new aircraft in the next 12 years -- a huge ramp-up. Hayes added that innovation is also driving aerospace, and Pratt & Whitney's new geared turbofan engines are game-changing, offering significant improvements in noise, fuel efficiency and emissions. These new engines are the result of 12 years and $10 billion of investment. Turning to the topic of trade and tariffs, Hayes said that United Technologies buys 600,000 tons of steel and three million pounds of aluminum every year, but only a third of that is purchased inside the U.S. That makes the impact of tariffs negligible, he said, but nobody wins in a trade war, so hopefully these new tariffs will be the last. Finally, when asked about calls to split up the company, Hayes said some investors advocate a split, while others don't, but it's something they will be exploring. There are synergies and economies of scale that help a combined company, he said, but shareholders deserve an answer either way. Cramer and the AAP team are analyzing Broadcom (AVGO) - Get Broadcom Inc. Report share movement and the company's latest results. Find out what they're telling their investment club members and get in on the conversation with a free trial subscription to Action Alerts PLUS. On Real Money, Cramer says the truth is there simply are no "trusted advisers" in the White House. Get more of Cramer's insights with a free trial subscription to Real Money. Search Jim Cramer's "Mad Money" trading recommendations using our exclusive "Mad Money" Stock Screener. To read a full recap of this episode of "Mad Money," click here. To watch replays of Cramer's video segments, visit the Mad Money page on CNBC. To sign up for Jim Cramer's free Booyah! newsletter with all of his latest articles and videos please click here. At the time of publication, Cramer's Action Alerts PLUS had a position in AVGO. ALTON Leaders on both sides of contract negotiations between the Alton School District and the Alton Education Association issued statements in recent days in response to what they feel is misinformation being spread by the other side. After the teachers union on Monday overwhelmingly voted to authorize notice of an intent to strike, the union and the district provided details of the negotiations to The Telegraph. Superintendent Mark Cappel on Tuesday also sent a letter home to district parents summarizing the districts stance and obstacles facing the Alton district in negotiations with the union. Issues cited included a $1.3 million loss in Corporate Personal Property Replacement Tax (CPPRT) and the states troubles making aid payments in a timely fashion. On Wednesday, Jason Chapman, professional negotiating chair for Alton Education Association and fifth-grade teacher at North Elementary School, responded to the letter with a letter of his own. Mr. Cappel takes great pains to outline the Districts dire financial situation, Chapman said in email and on a social media post shared around in recent days. But teachers salaries are not to blame for the Districts financial woes. The teachers have made concession after concession to help the district: From 2008-2011, our salaries were frozen; in 2012 we agreed to reduce our step raises from $1,600 to $1,196 because, we were told, We can afford to give you that each year. In 2015, they broke their promise, offering only $975. Since 2012, we have never received more than a step. Chapman also took issue with administrative salaries while noting that teachers salaries rank among the lowest in the area. On Thursday, the school district issued a press release to address what it called a misconception about administrator salaries, citing the Illinois State Board of Educations annual Illinois School Report Card for 2017 that listed Altons average salary for district administrators as $89,179, less than local districts in Bethalto, Edwardsville, Granite City and Roxana, as well as lower than the statewide $106,273 average for administrators. I think it is important to note that the administrative line item in the budget doesnt just include administrator salaries and benefits, Alton School District Finance Director Mary Schell said. There are many other costs in that line item attached to the budget including the salaries and benefits of some bargaining unit members and overall operational costs of the district. It is incorrect to assume that administrators salaries are the lone cost in that line item because they are not. For example, some salaries for secretaries and clerks are included as well. We have also shifted some additional costs into that line item out of other portions of the budget for better alignment. Chapman said the two sides are mostly in disagreement regarding pay for certified and non-certified staff. Chapman said the district has offered a step movement plus a $100 raise to each salary cell for certified staff for each year of the proposed two-year deal, while the AEA is seeking an $800 raise on top of the regular step movement. For non-certified staff, the district is offering a $0.35 per hour raise, while the union is pushing for a $0.40 per hour raise plus a $0.25 step. The bottom line is, the Alton School District because of their self-imposed financial problems is unable to offer competitive salaries. We are being out-paced by surrounding districts, Chapman said. As a result, we are unable to recruit the best, most qualified new teachers. And those employees that the district does manage to recruit often leave after a few years to receive a higher salary elsewhere. In the end it is the education of our students, and ultimately the community that suffers. Cappel and Alton School Board President Ed Gray have both empathized with the union, conceding that teachers deserve to be better paid, while lamenting the crunch the district finds itself in. As a former teacher myself, I have the utmost respect for our teachers and staff, Gray said. I think as a board, we have to do everything we can to try and increase salaries for staff which is what we are attempting to do. The tough part is also trying to limit the impact on taxpayers and keeping the district tax rate at a manageable level for home and property owners, but we will get this accomplished. The two sides are returning to the negotiating table next week, Gray said, with hopes that a deal can be reached before any potential strike, which is still off in the distance, may occur. I am hopeful we can arrive at an agreement that is fair to all of our employees, Gray said. They are valued and critical to student success and I think they just want to see that level of support indicated through a salary increase. The board is very committed to reaching an agreement and soon. Reach managing editor Nathan Grimm at 618-208-6456. Calhoun County Sheriff Steven P. Joslin, 29, of Winfield, Missouri, was lodged in the Greene County Jail at 5:11 p.m. Sunday on a Calhoun County arrest warrant accusing him of residential burglary and possession of a stolen motor vehicle. Greene County Sheriff Marcin P. Lipinski, 26, of Chicago was lodged in the Greene County Jail at 10:50 a.m. Tuesday on a Lake County arrest warrant accusing him of aggravated battery to a peace officer. Carrollton Police Schon D. Widman, 22, of Kane was lodged in the Greene County Jail at 4:42 a.m. Sunday on charges of improper parking, driving under the influence and possession of cannabis. Greenfield Police Jessie D. Walker, 46, of Alton was lodged in the Greene County Jail at 6:52 p.m. Sunday on charges of operating a vehicle with an expired registration, improper lane use, passing in a no-passing zone, disobeying a stop sign, speeding, operating an uninsured motor vehicle, reckless driving and failing to reduce speed to avoid an accident. Leo Cook Jr., 54, of Rushville was lodged in the Greene County Jail at 3:07 p.m. Sunday on a charge of driving while license is suspended. Roodhouse Police Christian M. Hazelwood, 27, of Winchester was lodged in the Greene County Jail at 4:15 p.m. Thursday on a charge of driving while license is suspended. Shawnee E. Newingham, 21, of Roodhouse was lodged in the Greene County Jail at 4:04 p.m. Thursday on a possession of a controlled substance charge. Alexandria A. Newingham, 26, of Patterson was lodged in the Greene County Jail at 12:56 p.m. Thursday on a Greene County arrest warrant accusing her of violating bail and a Scott County arrest warrant accusing her of violating bail. Robert G. Maxon Jr., 28, of Spring, Texas, was lodged in the Greene County Jail at 1:30 a.m. Thursday on a disorderly conduct charge. Larry P. Counts Jr., 34, of Roodhouse was lodged in the Greene County Jail at 3:53 a.m. Sunday on a charge of driving while license is suspended. White Hall Police John M. Yourek Jr., 50, of Thayer was lodged in the Greene County Jail at 8:06 a.m. Thursday on a retail theft charge. Joseph E. Shanks, 37, of Hillview was lodged in the Greene County Jail at 8:06 p.m. Tuesday on charges of possession of a controlled substance and possession of a controlled substance with the intent to deliver. Richard E. Neff, 39, of Winchester was lodged in the Greene County Jail at 6:22 p.m. Tuesday on a charge of driving while license is suspended. Robert L. Deskovich, 19, of White Hall was lodged in the Greene County Jail at 7:56 p.m. Sunday on a disorderly conduct charge. Robbin M. Arnold, 60, of Winchester was lodged in the Greene County Jail at 6:16 a.m. Sunday on a domestic battery charge. Stephanie J. Arnold, 24, of Roodhouse was lodged in the Greene County Jail at 5:01 a.m. Sunday on charges of disorderly conduct and criminal trespass to property. Mackenzie N. Bishop, 23, of Carrollton was lodged in the Greene County Jail at 6:50 a.m. March 10 on a driving under the influence charge. Heather R. Williams, 38, of White Hall was lodged in the Greene County Jail at 3:15 p.m. March 9 on a charge of operating a motor vehicle with a suspended registration. Scott County Sheriff Richard T. Phillips, 27, of Ingleside was lodged in the Greene County Jail at 9:54 p.m. Monday on a charge of possession with the intent to deliver cocaine. Haley E. Spencer, 27, of Round Lake Beach was lodged in the Greene County Jail at 8:57 p.m. Monday on a charge of possession with the intent to deliver cocaine. Compiled by David C.l. Bauer JERSEYVILLE Fundraisers to support Living Life Special Olympics Team were approved by Jerseyville City Council at Tuesdays meeting. The fundraisers will be held May 5 at the intersections of U.S. 67 and Illinois Route 16, and Illinois Route 109 and County Road to benefit Living Life Special Olympics Team. ALTON The Riverbend Ministerial Alliance and Alton N.A.A.C.P are joining together to host a Souls to the Polls event Sunday, encouraging community-wide early voting for the upcoming Illinois primary elections. The march will begin at 10 a.m. Sunday, March 18 at Deliverance Temple, 1125 E. 6th St., Alton, and will end at Altons Scott Bibb Center the citys sole early voting location where attendees will be encouraged to vote in the Illinois primaries. The march is being organized by R.M.A. President Jason Harrison along with his father, Pastor Gregory Harrison of Deliverance Temple, and longtime community leader Andy Hightower, President of the Alton Branch of the N.A.A.C.P. This event is expected to draw throngs of people from across Madison County. The march was designed to highlight the incredible importance of the upcoming elections in March and November, Jason Harrison said. Souls to the Polls provides the perfect opportunity for us to gather together and collectively exercise our rights as citizens to choose who will represent us locally, state-wide and in the federal government. Election Day for the 2018 Illinois primary elections will take place on Tuesday, March 20, and Sundays event will be the final opportunity for many residents to take advantage of early voting. Souls to the Polls is a historic day for citizens throughout the Alton community, said Hightower. Earlier this year, the Madison County Board attempted to eliminate important early voting days and locations. Early voting attacks are real, and if we dont demonstrate that we value these days by voting, they will be eliminated. That is why we have organized this march to exercise our right to be heard. For more information on the Souls to the Polls march, contact the Riverbend Ministerial Alliance at (618) 223-4211 and see the march details below. EDWARDSVILLE The Illinois Metro East Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is hosting a workshop on Advancing the Development of Minority Entrepreneurship (ADME) from 6-8 p.m. on Wednesday, March 21 in the Morris University Centers Hickory/Hackberry Room. The workshop is open to all entrepreneurs and will focus on a variety of general topics that are designed to instruct new business start-ups as well as individuals who have an interest in entrepreneurship. John Badman | The Telegraph ALTON The Illinois Fire Marshals Office executed an administrative search warrant for a home at 1414 Fletcher St. that was destroyed by a suspicious fire. An investigator filed a request for the warrant a day after the March 11 fire. The search warrant allows the investigator to enter the property to determine the cause and origin of the fire. It does not offer any indication that a crime was committed. The Concerned Citizens of the Alton Area commends Chief Jason (Jake) Simmons and the city of Alton for hiring two new African-American police officers just recently. The coalition has been a strong advocate for increasing diversity within the department for many years and has worked with several Alton police chiefs in encouraging them to do this. This is really an accomplishment after 14 years. The city of Alton certainly deserves a diverse police department based upon the diverse population within the city. Chief Simmons has been working with North County Churches Uniting for Racial Harmony and Justices Discussion and Solution Committee for three years. This committee consists of the St. Louis County, Florissant, Hazelwood, and Clayton police departments working together in an effort to improve the relations between the police and community and increasing diversity has been a major goal of all these departments. Chief Simmons is the first chief to achieve this goal. In fact, at our last meeting, he informed the other chiefs that he was going to steal one of their prospective officers, and they just smiled. It will be interesting to see how they respond to this news. Of course, without the support and effort of Mayor Brant Walker this would not have been possible. In our meeting with the mayor, he reassured the coalition that he would do whatever he could to help increase the diversity in the department. Without his support this would not have been possible. Therefore, we also commend Mayor Walker for keeping his word. We certainly hope to continue to work with Chief Simmons, Mayor Walker, and the city of Alton to make the police department the best in the St. Louis Metropolitan area. Dr. Rance Thomas First Vice-President, Coalition of Concerned Citizens of the Alton Area Professor Emeritus of Sociology/Criminal Justice, Lewis and Clark Community College Competition Commission of India (CCI), the country's anti-trust regulator wants more freedom in hiring people. The commission along with the government is working on some changes in the recruitment rules. "Although we have freedom in hiring, we would like to get some more freedom in deciding terms of hiring for getting right quality of people, said Devender Sikri, Chairman, CCI. The anti-trust regulator is working with ministry of corporate affairs for restructuring the recruitment process. Smita Jhingran, Secretary, CCI, while replying to a question said that 37 per cent of the sanctioned posts at CCI are vacant. About 60 per cent of the sanctioned posts are vacant at Director General's office CCI's investigation arm. There are 197 sanctioned posts at CCI. Of late, the regulator has been hiring people on contract to fill up the shortfall. The competition watchdog whose mandate is to look into instances of abuse of dominance and unfair business practices has dealt with 940 cases so far and disposed 725 of them. The issue of staff crunch at the regulator was also flagged by the Standing Committee on Finance in its report on the Demands for Grants (2017-18) of the Corporate Affairs Ministry. "Considering its huge workload... The Commission is extremely understaffed with only 114 officers in position as against the sanctioned strength of 197 posts," the panel said in the report. Staff crunch has led to pendency of cases at CCI and the report said that 156 cases were pending for more than a year. CCI is the host for International Competition Network conference, one of the largest global conventions of competition authority leaders, to be held from 21 to 23 march 2018. It has prepared a special project report on cartel enforcement and competition for the ICN conference. About 63 per cent of CCI's investigations over the last nine years have been of cartel allegations. The special project will provide a detailed account of the issues that CCI has faced in prosecution of cartels, common underlying cartel inducing elements across sectors, sectors prone to cartelisation, stakeholder awareness and compliance. The conference is in line with Indias ever-growing engagement with the world on vital policy issues. With globalisation and digitalisation blurring the geographical boundaries for business, need for international cooperation and experience-sharing has increased. The conference will provide an opportunity to exchange ideas and strategies for effective enforcement of competition law. With the objective to achieve an increase of domestic tourists by 50 per cent and international tourists by 100 per cent by 2020, Kerala Tourism organised a Partnership Meet in New Delhi. The idea was to draw maximum tourists from Delhi and surrounding areas to Kerala. For this, Kerala Tourism has already identified new initiatives and schemes to target these tourists. Announcing the initiatives, Muraleedharan P., Tourist Information Officer, Department Of Tourism, Government of Kerala, said, We are bringing up more destinations and one international airport in Kannur in North Kerala. We are also adding new destinations to capture the tourists. These include Bekal for its sea front and, Wayanad as a hill station and for its spectacular waterfalls. The tourism body also recognised that most foreign tourists flock to Kerala to experience its cultural heritage. But through the meet, they tried showcasing the idea that Keralas culture is not limited to performances on stage. It is ingrained in our way of life and the department is taking small but significant steps towards helping a traveller experience the richness of Kerala, be it our temple festivals, cuisine, rural crafts, folk forms or traditional and popular art forms," he said. A combination of a cultural feast of Keralas traditional dance forms and its attractive tourism products were also showcased at the partnership meet. Dhrishya Thalam, a visual storytelling that showcases the various dance forms of Kerala was presented alongside, to unveil the village life and folklore of the state. The state has already registered a remarkable increase in international and domestic tourist arrivals during 2016. While international tourist arrivals to Kerala during the year 2016 was 10,38,419 an increase of 6.25 per cent over the previous years, the domestic tourist arrival was 1,31,72,535 and marked a 5.67 per cent increase. The total revenue has also seen a whopping increase of 11.12 per cent over the last years figure. Indian Navy may consider the option for producing next line of three submarines from France. But any decision to this regard will only happen after the completion of its ongoing Scorpene submarine project. French firm DCNS is already building six Scorpene submarines in the Mumbai based defence public sector undertaking Mazagaon Dock Limited. "Yes, there are speculations and even demand to have three additional submarines in MDL. Since we already have production line set up along with expertise, other options can be looked into. But first, existing submarine project should complete on time," Vice Admiral Srikant said on the sidelines of the launch of a special series on the Indian submarines on Discovery Channel. During French President Emmanuel Macron's visit to India last week, both countries discussed the issue of having additional submarines for Indian Navy. France has been pushing for the programme, but its Presidential polls had put the negotiations on hold. The strength of the Indian Navy's submarine fleet has dwindled from a total of 21 submarines in the 1980s to 14 conventional submarines plus one homemade Arihant-class nuclear submarine and one Russian Akula-class submarine operating on lease. To make the situation more worse, at a given point of time, Indian navy is operating with half of its submarine fleet strength as most of them are in the last leg of their active operational life and are on mid-life upgrades. And the matter raises serious concerns when we compare it with our neighbour China, which has strength of 65 submarines. While on the Indian Navy's upcoming Project 75 India, Vice Admiral Srikant said that government is in the process of selecting Strategic Partner. "Project will be under the Strategic Partnership Model and once partner is selected, things will roll out soon. We can not give a deadline to it," Srikant added. The Indian Navy on December 8, 2017 celebrated golden jubilee of its underwater fleet. Discovery Channel is coming out with a special four part series Breaking Point: The Indian Submariners starting from March 19, which will give the viewers a closer look into the world of complex, high-technology platform like the submarines. "The submarine arm has largely been away from the public eyes because it operates from the depths, beneath the water, and quietly add to the nations security cover. However, as we celebrate our golden jubilee of existence, we wanted to reach out to the nation and give them an insight into the life of our supremely talented officers who take grave risk to ensure that the maritime borders remain secure. We are proud to partner with a channel like Discovery and bring forth this unique four-part Breaking Point series on Indian Submariners. We believe this series will be an eye-opener for majority of our countrymen offering a never-seen-before insight into the life a submariner and the challenges he faces on a day to day basis," vice admiral Srikant further said. The division bench of the Kerala High Court on Friday stayed an order issued by its single-judge against Cardinal Mar George Alencherry, the Major Archbishop of the Syro-Malabar Church, in connection with a land deal case. "The case was filed with the police and the court on the same day. The court interfered in the case before the police could take any action in the case," the division bench observed while considering an appeal filed by the Cardinal and three others. The court will consider the case again on April 3. The Kerala police on Monday had registered a case against the Cardinal, who is also the head of the archdiocese of Ernakulam-Angamaly, and three others in connection with the land deal that reportedly brought about financial losses to the church. The case was registered following an order from the high court single-judge bench on a writ petition filed by Shine Varghese, a member of the church. The bench had ordered to book Cardinal George Alencherry, senior archdiocesan functionaries Father Joshy Puthuva and Father Sebastian Vadakkumpadan, and a parishioner Saju Varghese as there was prima facie evidence of criminal conspiracy, breach of trust and misappropriation of money in the deals. It had also criticised the police for not registering a case despite being in possession of enough information. The bench had also rejected the arguments of the defendant that only the Pope could initiate action against the archbishop and reminded the Cardinal that he was subject to the law of the land. The court also rejected arguments that the archbishop had supreme authority over the assets of the diocese. Opposition Congress today slammed Madhya Pradesh Health Minister Rustam Singh's remark that only a woman can tell whether her husband is impotent. The issue of impotency among men and childless couples came up in reply to a written question in the state assembly on Friday. Speaking to media outside the assembly later, Singh said, "We cannot comment on a man's impotency. Only his wife knows it and can tell about it. "No man will ever disclose that he is impotent," Singh said to a query. The state government doesn't have any scheme for addressing the issue of impotency among men, he said. Reacting to the minister's statement, Congress leader Bhupendra Gupta said, "Singh's statement was indecent...such words are not expected from a minister." Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan should sack Singh immediately, he demanded. Congress MLA Sunderlal Tiwari had asked in a written question in the assembly whether the state government had drawn up any plan for addressing the issue of "decrease in men's sperm count and impotency", especially in Rewa district. The minister, in his reply, said 126 childless couples were identified at a health camp for women in Rewa division recently. There was a scheme under which childless couples who are in the below-poverty-line category can receive treatment, he said in the reply. A no-confidence motion can be a double-edged sword. The TDP and YSR Congress on Friday, independently, gave a notice in the Lok Sabha for moving a motion of no confidence against the Narendra Modi government. Without the requisite numbers to topple the government, the move is aimed at sending a message to their respective constituents in Andhra Pradesh about their seriousness in raising the state-specific issues. The other opposition parties, like Congress and the Left, decided to support the no-confidence motion. The limited purpose of this move is to force a discussion in the House on the 'failures' of the Union government. But herein also lies a catch. As the BJP is expected to comfortably win the motion with help of its allies, the saffron party will claim moral victory to send a message to the country that it not only has the numbers but is also unassailable against any attack. The treasury benches even have the talent of employing better rhetorical flourishes, with Modi himself leading the pack better than anyone in the opposition. One of the main handicaps of the opposition benches in the current Lok Sabha is the absence of powerful speakers in contrast with the previous terms where leaders could hold the attention of the nation with their eloquence, even if they lacked numbers. After winning the Tripura elections and forming governments in two more states, BJP chief Amit Shah had said electoral successes were a barometer of peoples faith in the Modi governments governance. He had then evaded a reply to a question on the BJP doing poorly in the byelections. The BJP will sound a triumphalist note after a similar victory in the no-confidence motion. The BJP had already prepared to counter the move. It's the best opportunity for us. Now we will grow in Andhra Pradesh and form our own government in the state, BJP spokesperson G.V.L. Narsimha Rao said. As of now, the ball is in the court of Speaker Sumitra Mahajan on whether she admits the motion or not. After YSR Congress and TDP moved it on Friday, the speaker said as the House was not in order, it cannot be accepted. The NDA alliance has suffered its first jolt as the TDP officially severed its ties with the BJP. Telugu Desam Party has decided to officially exit the National Democratic Alliance due to failure in fulfilling the promises made in the State Reorganisation Act. This decision was taken unanimously, Andhra CM Chandrababu Naidu said. Another danger for the NDA government in the event of a no-confidence motion is the response of the Shiv Sena and other allies. They too can embarrass the government to make a point. It would require a lot of deft handling and mollycoddling from the BJP to keep them in good humour. In terms of numbers, the BJP has 274 MPs in the Lok Sabha whose present strength is 538. Five seats are vacant. The halfway mark based on current numbers comes to 269. The Congress has 48 MPs in the Lok Sabha, the AIADMK has 37, the TDP has 16 and the YSR Congress and the CPI(M) have nine MPs each. If anything happens to me, please tell my story. This was... Florida officials said that four people have been found dead in the rubble of a collapsed South Florida pedestrian bridge where the frantic search for any survivors continued past nightfall. Fire Chief Dave Downey said at a news briefing that four deceased people were found amid the chaotic scene of concrete rubble and crumpled vehicles. He said nine victims were removed "early on" and taken to hospitals but didn't elaborate on their conditions. He said the "search and rescue mode"deploying trained canines, search cameras and sensitive listening devicewas continuing into the night. Governor Rick Scott also spoke to reporters, saying "everybody is working hard to make sure we rescue anyone who can be rescued." The Florida governor added that an exhaustive investigation now beginning will get to the bottom of "why this happened and what happened" and vowed that anyone who did anything wrong would be held accountable. Miami-Dade police director Juan Perez praised the actions of first responders during a news conference but acknowledged the likelihood of finding more victims under the rubble was growing more difficult with the passage of time. "We know that there's going to be a negative outcome at the end of the day," Perez said. The bridge was under construction and collapsed onto a busy Miami highway Thursday, crushing at least eight vehicles under massive slabs of concrete and steel. One side of the bridge led to Florida International University, a school west of the city's downtown. Search-and-rescue crews drilled holes into the debris and used their highly trained dogs to look for survivors. They had to work carefully because part of the structure was still unsafe. At least 10 people were taken to hospitals. The number of fatalities was not immediately known. The 950-ton bridge had been assembled by the side of the highway and moved into place Saturday to great fanfare. The span stretched almost 60 meters to connect Florida International University with the city of Sweetwater. It was expected to open to foot traffic next year. "This bridge was about goodness, not sadness," said FIU President Mark Rosenberg. "Now we're feeling immense sadness, uncontrollable sadness. And our hearts go out to all those affected, their friends and their families. We're committed to assist in all efforts necessary, and our hope is that this sadness can galvanize the entire community to stay the course, a course of goodness, of hope, of opportunity." Jacob Miller, a senior at FIU, was visiting a friend in a dorm when he heard sirens and horns honking. He went to a balcony and could see rubble coming down. "I saw there were multiple cars crushed under the bridge. It was just terrible. I saw some people stopping their cars, trying to get out, trying to assess the situation to see if there is anything they could do to help," he said. National Transportation Safety Board chairman Robert Sumwalt III said a team of specialists was heading to Miami on Thursday night with plans to begin its investigation Friday morning. Miami-Dade Police Director Juan Perez said his department's homicide team would take over the investigation after rescue efforts are complete. The exact death toll was unclear. Florida Highway Patrol Lt. Alejandro Camacho told CBS News that there were "several fatalities." Carlie Waibel, a spokeswoman for Senator Bill Nelson, said local officials told Nelson that people had died, but a final number had not been confirmed. An accelerated construction method was supposed to reduce risks to workers and pedestrians and minimize traffic disruption, the university said. Renderings showed a tall, off-center tower with cables attached to the walkway to support it. When the bridge collapsed, the main tower had not yet been installed, and it was unclear what the builders were using as temporary supports. Robert Bea, a professor of engineering and construction management at the University of California, Berkeley, said it was too early to know exactly what happened, but the decision to use what the bridge builders called an "innovative installation" was risky, especially because the bridge spanned a heavily traveled thoroughfare. "Innovations take a design firm into an area where they don't have applicable experience, and then we have another unexpected failure on our hands," Bea said after reviewing the bridge's design and photos of the collapse. Sweetwater police Detective Juan Llera was in a nearby meeting when the bridge collapsed. "I heard a 'boom' like a bomb had exploded," he said. "At first I thought it was a terrorist attack." He said he saw three construction workers who had been injured. One had a head injury and was passing in and out of consciousness, another one had a leg injury leg and the third was lying on the street unconscious. He started performing CPR on him. "We were able to keep him alive to send him to the hospital," Llera said. Kendall Regional Medical Center received 10 injured people. Of those, two were in "extremely critical" condition and the other eight were stable with injuries such as broken bones, bruises and abrasions, said Dr. Mark McKenney, the hospital's director of general surgery. Russia is set to expel British diplomats in retaliation for Prime Minister Theresa Mays decision to kick out 23 Russians as relations with London crash to a post-Cold War low due to an attack with military-grade nerve agent on English soil. After the first known offensive use of such a weapon in Europe since World War Two, May blamed Moscow and gave 23 Russians who she said were spies working under diplomatic cover at the London embassy a week to leave. Russia has denied any involvement, cast Britain as a post-colonial power unsettled by Brexit, and even suggested London fabricated the attack in an attempt to whip up anti-Russian hysteria. Asked by a Reuters reporter in the Kazakh capital if Russia planned to expel British diplomats from Moscow, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov smiled and said: We will, of course. Britain, the United States, Germany and France jointly called on Russia on Thursday to explain the attack. U.S. President Donald Trump said it looked as though the Russians were behind it. Russia has refused Britains demands to explain how Novichok, a nerve agent developed by the Soviet military, was used to strike down Sergei Skripal, 66, and his daughter Yulia, 33, in the southern English city of Salisbury. Skripal, a former colonel in the GRU who betrayed dozens of Russian agents to British intelligence, and his daughter have been critically ill since March 4, when they were found unconscious on a bench. A British policeman who was also poisoned when he went to help them is in a serious but stable condition. President Vladimir Putin, a former KGB spy who is poised to win a fourth term in an election on Sunday, has so far only said publicly that Britain should get to the bottom of what has happened. New cold war? In a sign of just how tense the relationship has become, British and Russian ministers used openly insulting language while the Russian ambassador said London was trying to divert attention from the difficulties it was having managing Britains exit from the European Union. Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson sparked particular outrage in Moscow with his blunt comment on Thursday that Russia should go away, it should shut up. Russias Defence Ministry said he was an intellectual impotent and Lavrov said he probably lacked education. Williamson studied social science at the University of Bradford. Well hes a nice man, Im told, maybe he wants to claim a place in history by making some bold statements, Lavrov said. Theresa Mays main argument about Russias guilt is Highly probable, while for him its Russia should go and shut up. Maybe he lacks education, I dont know. In London, opposition Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn struck a starkly different tone to that of the British government by warning against rushing into a new Cold War before full evidence of Moscows culpability was proven. To rush way ahead of the evidence being gathered by the police, in a fevered parliamentary atmosphere, serves neither justice nor our national security, the 68-year-old socialist leader wrote in the Guardian newspaper. Corbyn said Labour did not support Putin and that Russia should be held to account if it was behind the attack. That does not mean we should resign ourselves to a new cold war of escalating arms spending, proxy conflicts across the globe and a McCarthyite intolerance of dissent, he said. -Reuters By imposing new sanctions on Russia and condemning a suspected Russian chemical attack in Britain, Washington has hinted at a tougher stance toward Moscow despite President Donald Trumps stated desire for better ties. The US Treasury slapped sanctions on 19 Russian citizens and five entities for election meddling and cyber attacks in the most significant steps the United States has taken against Russia since Trump took office amid US intelligence agency allegations that Moscow tried to help him win the 2016 election. While the Treasury put off targeting oligarchs and officials close to Russian President Vladimir Putin, it said further sanctions were coming and for the first time blamed Moscow for cyber attacks stretching back at least two years that targeted the US power grid, including nuclear facilities. After initially equivocating about a chemical attack on a former Russian double agent in Salisbury, England, the White House joined a statement by the leaders of Britain, France and Germany in which they said they abhor the attack and blamed it on Moscow. Moscow has denied any involvement in the poisoning. Thursdays actions have caused some Russia analysts to ask whether the administration is taking a more confrontational stance despite Trumps repeated statements in the election campaign that he wanted a better relationship with Moscow, his praise for Putin and apparent reluctance to criticise the Russian leader. I think we have hit an inflection point in the current administrations approach towards Russia, said a diplomat who spoke on condition of anonymity. There has been a shift in balance. The diplomat attributed the evolution partly to a clash between US.-backed and Russian-backed forces in the Syrian city of Deir al-Zor in February; Russia pounding Syrias eastern Ghouta enclave of anti-government rebels with air strikes during the past month; and Putin showing a video on March 1 of a weapon appearing to hover over what looked like a map of Florida, home to Trumps Mar-a-Lago resort. Those three things, taken together, have caused a shift in analysis in parts ... of the administration, said the diplomat. Trump exasperated While there was a sense at the White House that there has been a hardening of Trumps view toward Russia, at least for now, it was unclear whether this represented a long-term shift. A senior administration official said there was some feeling that the goodwill that Trump extended toward Russia when he took over has not been reciprocated and that the Russians do not want to have good relations with the United States. This has exasperated Trump, who instructed his team to make sure the United States appeared to be in solidarity with Britain over the nerve agent attack. Eugene Rumer, a former US national intelligence officer for Russia, suggested Trumps approach may ultimately be guided by Special Counsel Robert Muellers investigation into whether Russia meddled in the election campaign. The Kremlin denies interfering. Mueller is also investigating any potential collusion between the Trump campaign and Moscow officials, something Trump denies. My hypothesis is ... the White House stance on Russia is going to be determined to a large extent by how much they think the investigation threatens their political position, Rumer said. Officials from multiple US agencies discussed next steps at a meeting on Thursday, with one aim being to avoid personally attacking Putin and taking in-your-face steps that could prompt retaliation. In announcing Thursdays sanctions, US officials made clear more would follow. This is just one of a series of ongoing actions that were taking to counter Russian aggression, one US official told reporters. There will be more to come, and were going to continue to employ our resources to combat malicious Russian activity and respond to nefarious attacks. Sergei Skripal, 66, and his daughter Yulia, 33, were found unconscious on a bench outside a shopping center on March 4 after being exposed to what the British authorities have identified as a military-grade, Soviet-era Novichok nerve agent. Another US official attributed the sharper edge to US policy to increasingly brazen behavior by Russia in cyberspace and on the ground, culminating in the Salisbury attack. This US official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, also pointed to Russias refusal to restrain Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and the role of Russian mercenaries in Syria, now entering its eighth year of civil war. The official said it was unclear if Trump himself saw Russia as an adversary but suggested Putin may have overplayed his hand by leaving Russian fingerprints on the hacking, the chemical attack, the deployment of ground-launched cruise missiles which the US says violate an arms control treaty, and a March 1 speech on invincible Russian weaponry. If the president felt like Putin was one-upping him, not to mention stealing the limelight, then it wouldnt be surprising that he would react, the official said. While more sanctions are expected, it was not clear if the Trump policy toward Russia was changing, especially given Trumps unpredictability, said a third official, who is involved in talks on next steps. Tomorrow is another day, the official said. -Reuters Earlier this week, two interesting statements about Saudi Arabia's nuclear policy were made public, and both appeared to be in contradiction with each other. On March 13, the Saudi cabinet approved the national policy on atomic energy, reaffirming its plan to develop nuclear energy, although the kingdom is the world's largest oil exporter. The policy calls for enhanced safety measures, best practices for nuclear waste management and, most importantly, a commitment to the peaceful use of nuclear energy. Two days later, American television network CBS aired the preview of the latest episode of its 60 Minutes interview, featuring Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. MbS, who is visiting the United States from March 19, told host Norah O'Donnell about his plans to develop an atom bomb. Without a doubt, if Iran developed a nuclear bomb, we will follow suit as soon as possible, he said. Although Saudi Arabia has hinted in the past about its intentions of going nuclear, the latest announcement was shocking as it was made by the most powerful person in the kingdom. Saudi Arabia is already working on establishing a civilian nuclear power project. It has floated international tenders to build 16 civil nuclear reactors in the next 25 years in an effort to diversify its energy mix and reduce its reliance over hydrocarbons. The US, Russia, China, France and South Korea have bid for building the first two reactors. Saudi Arabia has been pressing the US to allow it an exemption to enrich uranium domestically and also to preprocess spent nuclear fuel as part of the deal. With MbS announcing his plans to develop a nuclear bomb, US companies like Westinghouse may have to withdraw from the project as US laws prevent the transfer of nuclear technology to a country which has not signed an agreement, ruling out uranium enrichment. MbS also targeted Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei in the interview, comparing him with Hitler. He wants to expand, he wants to create his own project in the Middle East, said MbS, referring to Khamenei. Many countries around the world and in Europe did not realise how dangerous Hitler was until what happened happened. I dont want to see the same events happening in the Middle East. MbS, however, said he did not consider Iran as a challenge to Saudi Arabia as its army was not among the top five in the Muslim world, and its economy was no match for the Saudi one. Spokesperson for the Iranian foreign ministry, Bahram Qassemi, said MbS lacked foresight. He is a delusional, naive person, who never talks, but with lies and bitterness. He has no idea of politics. Under MbS, Saudi Arabia has been ratcheting up aggression in the region, especially against Iran. It has imposed an embargo on Qatar, and blamed it on Qatar's growing ties with Iran. It has forced fellow GCC countries like the UAE and Bahrain to join the blockade. Saudi is also playing a key role in the ongoing civil war in Yemen by actively opposing the Iran-supported Houthi rebels. The timing of the threat by MbS is interesting. He is due to land in the US on March 19 for a multi-city tour, and, on the Iran nuclear deal, MbS and President Trump are on the same page. During the course of his campaign, and even after taking over as president, Trump has been clearly opposed to the deal. What probably stopped him from walking away from the deal was opposition from his European allies and from his secretary of state, Rex Tillerson. Despite the president's disapproval, Tillerson used to certify every three months that Iran was complying with its commitments under the deal, as required under US laws. With Trump firing Tillerson on March 13 and replacing him with CIA director Mike Pompeo, the possibility of a recertification looks bleak. Pompeo has always been a hardliner on Iran and once called Iran a despotic theocracy. If, subsequent to his confirmation by the senate, he refuses to certify Iran's adherence to the terms of the nuclear deal, it is likely to collapse despite support of Europe. Russia has indicated that American withdrawal will lead to the collapse of the deal. Iran, too, has warned that it will walk away if the US abandoned the deal. For MbS, therefore, the appointment of Pompeo is a clear indication that Trump is likely to adopt a position favouring Saudi Arabia on the nuclear issue. According to a Channel Ten report, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told his cabinet that Trump revealed to him that he would walk away from the Iran deal by May. MbS probably intends to keep the Iran issue in the spotlight by referring to his plans to develop nuclear weapons. MbS has been preparing exhaustively for his US visit. Several lobbyists are working to popularise his reform initiatives. His plans to curtail the power of the religious establishment, to give more rightsincluding the permission to driveto women, to pursue a more muscular foreign policy and to aggressively garner power by sidelining rival princes in the Al Saud family are all being sold to the west in a really convincing manner. Leading journalists like Thomas Friedman and David Ignatius were invited to Saudi Arabia and were given exclusive access to MbS. Both have come back and written articles eulogising the young prince and his initiatives in The New York Times and The Washington Post. Yet, achieving a sea change in a conservative society like Saudi Arabia may not be easy for MbS. The Yemeni misadventure, which has cost the kingdom reportedly $120 billion so far, has not yielded any results. With the humanitarian crisis unfolding in Yemen, most countries are opposed to the Saudi intervention. The blockade against Qatar has also been a failure. There are reports about a reconciliation process to resolve the crisis diplomatically. The biggest challenge for MbS, however, is likely to come from the royal family itself. In his attempt to be the sole power centre in the kingdom, MbS has upended the traditional power sharing mechanisms in the House of Saud. The antagonised princes are unlikely to go away silently and they could well be plotting to recover lost money, influence and even power. Moreover, the anti-corruption campaign by MbS targeting several influential princes and prominent businessmen could lead to a major backlash. Although the campaign netted more than $100 billion in fines from the princes, there are many inside the kingdom and outside who question the move as MbS, too, has expensive tastes. His reported purchases of a $550 million yacht, a Da Vinci painting worth $450 million and a French chateau worth $300 million have raised concerns about the real motives behind the anti-corruption drive. Even as the US prepares to welcome the crown prince, NBC News broke a story about MbS keeping his mother under house arrest, in order to consolidate his hold on power. According to 14 current and former senior US officials, MbS blocked his mother from meeting his father, King Salman, and told the King that she was abroad for medical treatment. MbS took the extreme step after he suspected that his mother would oppose his power grab as she felt it would affect the stability of the royal family. Iran, meanwhile, is a soft target to deflect attention from such criticisms. And, the spectre of a nuclear arms race in the Middle East will certainly raise alarm across western capitals. The latest move by MbS seems to have its desired effect. 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The Justice Department said Tuesday that the agreement will eliminate important competition in New York and Boston and reduce JetBlue's incentive to compete against American in other parts of the country. Read Article Manulife Financial Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, provides financial products and services in Asia, Canada, the United States, and internationally. The company operates through Wealth and Asset Management Businesses; Insurance and Annuity Products; And Corporate and Other segments. The Wealth and Asset Management Businesses segment provides mutual funds and exchange-traded funds, group retirement and savings products, and institutional asset management services through agents and brokers affiliated with the company, securities brokerage firms, and financial advisors pension plan consultants and banks. The Insurance and Annuity Products segment offers deposit and credit products; individual life, and individual and group long-term care insurance; and guaranteed and partially guaranteed annuity products through insurance agents, brokers, banks, financial planners, and direct marketing. The Corporate and Other segment is involved in property and casualty insurance and reinsurance businesses; and run-off reinsurance operations, including variable annuities, and accident and health. It also manages timberland and agricultural portfolios; and engages in insurance agency, portfolio and mutual fund management, mutual fund dealer, life and financial reinsurance, and fund management businesses. Additionally, the company holds and manages oil and gas properties; holds oil and gas royalties, and foreign bonds and equities; and provides investment management, counseling, advisory, and dealer services. Manulife Financial Corporation was incorporated in 1887 and is headquartered in Toronto, Canada. Read More COHOES Performing at the Cohoes Music Hall? Don't forget to leave an offering for the historical venue's friendly ghost: vaudeville star Eva Tanguay. Legend has it that the performer nicknamed "The girl who made vaudeville famous" got restless after she died in 1947 and came back to the town where she'd once regularly toured. Tanguay supposedly hangs around just off stage left and in the center of the balcony's second row. A ghost light shines on center stage to soothe her spirit. Employees at the 1874 theater say props tend to go missing, figures have been seen reflected in empty windows and colorful orbs show up in photos. To prove the theory right, a husband and wife who run the Cohoes Paranormal Society decided to investigate. Carol and Robert Rymanowski took dozens of photos and video clips over the course of several afternoons at the venue. Two video clips show what appears to be a fan blade passing in front of the camera, "but there were no fans," Carol Rymanowski said. And several photographs captured white orbs distributed across the frame: some are dust, she said, but others are balls of energy that could signal paranormal activity. But the real breakthrough came after they saw a glimmer of light in the balcony and Carol quickly placed an unlit flashlight in a nearby stairwell. Moments later it turned itself on. "Can you turn the flashlight off please? And we'll communicate with you by asking you questions," Carol Rymanowski can be heard saying in a video the couple made of the encounter. The flashlight flickers then goes dark. "Thank you, thank you," she says. "Okay, so we noticed some activity in this area. If it was you, can you turn the flashlight on please?" A moment passes and, as Rymanowski starts the question again, the light turns on. Each time the technique elicited a response, the paranormal society responded with an eager and polite 'thank you.' They learned this spirit was once a male actor who disliked the spotlight and is not the only one who roosts in the theater. Rymanowski said a former hairdresser also revealed herself to them in a dressing room. But, then, "we asked if Eva Tanguay was in the Cohoes Music Hall," Rymanowski recalled. "We got a loud 'no!'" The Cohoes Music Hall and its biggest star While such "findings" may point in other directions, some in the Capital Region want to keep the Tanguay theory alive. Built in 1874, the Cohoes Music Hall is a gilded candy box with rows of red plush seats and green serpentine benches curving below a gold, pink and blue ceiling. It was sealed off by then-owner Cohoes National Bank in the early 1900s because of worries about the roof, creating a vaudevillian time capsule. The city bought the hall in 1969 for $1 and spent millions in state and federal grant money to restore it. It reopened in 1974 with the play "London Assurance," the show it opened with a century earlier. Tanguay first appeared on the Cohoes Music Hall stage at age 12, performing in Little Lord Fauntleroy. She may have been booed off stage in 1890 but, nearly 25 years later when the racy comedian returned to the Capital Region with her feathers, beads and knee-high hemlines, she performed for packed houses with her own vaudeville company. "She was the highest paid woman in vaudeville and launched her career as a young girl at Cohoes before going on the Broadway circuit," Capital Region conductor Brett Wery told the Times Union in 2011 when his Tanguay-inspired chamber music piece debuted. "She was the Lady Gaga of her time, with these outrageous outfits. When the Lincoln penny came out, she had a whole outfit made of pennies. Another looked like the Eiffel Tower." Sign up for The Knick Get the latest news and some area history with our afternoon newsletter. Despite her flare for fashion, Tanguay was not conventionally beautiful. Born in 1878, she never bothered to try to play a pretty Victorian ingenue. She won audiences with her talent, magnetic enthusiasm and great personal style. Fans loved her sexy songs "It's All Been Done Before But Not the Way I Do It," "Go As Far As You Like" and "I Don't Care" and remained loyal even as gossip columnists attacked her disastrous marriages and her romance with a black vaudeville actor who defied Jim Crow laws. "In her lifetime, the press may have found a celebrity who was also an independent businesswoman threatening," said Hannah Milkins, who coordinates the Cohoes Visitor Center, located two floors below the Music Hall. Why Tanguay may have chosen Cohoes Milkins has spent hours researching Tanguay in hopes to tie the actress to the brick-and-marble music hall's history. And it's working: Musicians and drama troupes performing at the Cohoes Music Hall now leave Eva gifts for good luck. Chocolates, T-shirts and red roses are heaped in darkness backstage, near the box seat where her rich admirers once sat. One of those men was the devoutly Catholic Danny Cosgro, who served as Cohoes' mayor from 1921 to 1929 the years when Tanguay returned to perform in Cohoes. Cosgro reportedly fell hard for the trailblazing and untamed woman, undeterred by rumors of her tantrums. (She was once arrested for stabbing a stagehand in the abdomen with her hatpin). Rather than hide the romance, he published a love poem to Eva in a local paper. No one knows if the lifelong bachelor ever proposed, and Tanguay died single and penniless in Hollywood at age 68. It's unfinished business like this that could explain why Tanguay's ghost allegedly returned to roost in the city where she got her start, instead of a former mansion or Broadway stage. "Cohoes accepted Eva as she was and loved her before she was famous," Milkins said. Four years ago Michael D'Agostino and his wife arrived at a state campground in New Jersey, eager to escape bustling New York City and relax in the great outdoors for a few days. The experience quickly proved to be anything but: Their neighbors were Wiccans celebrating the full moon with white robes, a disco ball and bubbling pots of mead. At one point, a naked girl ran through their campsite claiming she saw a UFO. The couple barely slept (though they did taste the mead). "It was like camping in Times Square," D'Agostino said. On their way back to New York City, they passed a sprawling farm with a pond. D'Agostino wondered aloud, "What if we could camp there?" He paused. "Wait a second." He now credits the disastrous trip as the inspiration behind Tentrr, a free app he started that allows people to book pre-vetted campsites in bucolic, often rural settings within a few hours' drive of major metropolitan areas. Functioning as a kind of Airbnb for camping, Tentrr lets people find campsites by entering a location. They can browse listings, click through photos of the property and view rates, and when they book a stay they're sent a curated list of nearby activities and attractions. The company officially launched in 2016 with a handful of campsites in New York state and has grown to include more than 1,000 sites in the Northeast and California. Tentrr has a presence in the Hudson Valley and Catskills and is currently expanding to the Adirondacks and Berkshires. Within five years, the plan is to have 100,000 campsites near the top 50 major metropolitan areas. The Adirondacks have become an increasingly popular destination and Tentrr's expansion efforts are further evidence of that, said William Janeway, executive director of the Adirondack Council. "This isn't happening in isolation," he said. Janeway and deputy director Diane Fish said that the lack of sufficient lodging for visitors in some communities has been flagged. "There's a need for more visitor infrastructure," Janeway said. The camping industry is "broken," according to D'Agostino, a former investment banker at now defunct Bear Stearns who grew up camping on a friend's dairy farm in Litchfield, Conn. His goal is to make it easier for people to spend time outside by eliminating some of the barriers that may stand in the way, like owning a tent, and working to ensure a peaceful camping experience. "I wanted to make it dirt simple to get out of whatever city you're in and go experience the outdoors," D'Agostino said. "It could be the yin to Airbnb's yang for the rural market." He also wants to shift the focus from national or state parks to rural landowners to "redistribute the camp ground ground infrastructure." Many of Tentrr's "camp keepers" are farmers and people living on rural properties with ample acreage; campsites are generally located on 15 to 20 acres of land. To sign up, private landowners fill out a questionnaire about their property on Tentrr's website and schedule a time for a scout from the New York City-based company to visit. Among other criteria, scouts evaluate the site's accessibility by vehicle, scenery and noise levels. They also use the "run around naked rule" can a camper run around outside their tent in the nude without being seen by the property owner or neighbors to assess privacy and seclusion. If the site is a good fit, Tentrr employees return to set up the campsite equipment. At each location, a canvas tent rests atop a deck with Adirondack chairs, a picnic table, a stove and a grill near a sun shower and camping toilet. Inside the tent there's a queen-sized air mattress the company recently redesigned to also function as a bunk bed. Many of the components are built in a manufacturing facility in Oneonta. Landowners pay a one-time membership fee of $1,250 upfront or $1,500 over time and Tentrr gets 20 percent of the nightly rates, which property owners set themselves. During last year's season, which typically runs from Memorial Day to Thanksgiving, the average cost per night for Tentrr users was $127 and about 6,000 people booked a stay. Prices for Tentrr campsites in the Catskills and Hudson Valley are generally priced between $100 and $125 per night for four people. On Glamping Hub, a similar online booking service for vacation rentals, a teepee in the Catskills was listed at $166 per night and a cabin in Saugerties at $134 per night. Sign up for The Knick Get the latest news and some area history with our afternoon newsletter. At New York State parks, there's a reservation fee of $9 for campsites, cabins and cottages, a registration fee of $2.75 for walk-ups and a base rate of $15 with the exception of certain sites at Glimmerglass and Cherry Plain, which are $12, according to the state Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation website. Additional fees vary depending on amenities and location. At Brookside Campground, located at the edge of the Catskill Mountains near Catskill Park, tent sites start at $26 per day on weekdays for two adults and a child under 12. A six-person travel trailer costs $110 per day on weekdays and a luxury cabin that sleeps eight starts at $125. The campground also offers RV hookups and pop up rentals along with access to a pool, game room, playgrounds and other activities. Upscale services like Tentrr will likely take away business from traditional campgrounds, said Brookside owner Bonnie Schroader. "I think it will hurt businesses, but you've got to stay competitive," she said. "It's not a huge market yet." She recently suggested that several of her customers look into GlampStar, a Woodstock-based company that sets up a campsite at a customer's chosen location. The company offers several packages, include an option with a tent, bedding, chandelier, table mirror, rugs and other amenities. GlampStar has set up sites at Brookside several times and "customers loved it," Schroader said. "It's another service we can offer customers," she said, while continuing to offer simpler and cheaper options for families who may not want a luxury experience. Many of Tentrr's campers are first-timers: about half of those who booked a stay through the company last year had never been camping before, D'Agostino said. "Time is precious," he said. "People should be able to have peace of mind, safety and security. We want it to be a magical experience." miszler@timesunion.com 518-454-5018 @madisoniszler Hudson Assemblywoman Didi Barrett is asking state Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli to audit Charter Communication's upgrades to its cable TV and internet network in upstate New York. Charter, which acquired Time Warner Cable in 2016, has an agreement with the state Public Service Commission to both upgrade the internet speeds available to customers and expand its wired network into underserved areas of the state, mostly in rural communities that don't have access to high-speed internet. Charter has said it is done upgrading the Internet download speeds of all customers to 100 megabits per second, which is four times as fast as what Time Warner Cable offered. The company is still building out its cable network to new households. Barrett said she and residents in her district, which also includes Dutchess County, are frustrated because there has been little information about the upgrades and expansion. She wants to know what is going on, specifically in Columbia County. The PSC, as it does in most cases, has agreed to keep specific addresses and other sensitive data out of public view in compliance documents that Charter submits to the PSC. If it were made public, such data could be exploited by competitors such as satellite TV companies or wireless phone or streaming TV services. But Barrett says her constituents have a need to know what's going on. Columbia County because of its rural nature has historically had poor internet service. "Columbia County residents deserve transparency and accountability as they await the full broadband access essential to function and flourish in the 21st century," Barrett said in a statement. "Utility companies like Charter should be held to the highest standard. We are calling upon the state comptroller to ensure Charter's compliance as it relates to their agreement with the Public Service Commission." Barrett also wrote that she wanted to know how Charter's plans relate to the state's $500 million New NY Broadband Program, which subsidizes the expansion of broadband networks to underserved areas of the state by telecom companies. Sign up for The Knick Get the latest news and some area history with our afternoon newsletter. DiNapoli's deputy, Tina Kim, wrote Barrett a letter on March 15 telling Barrett that they will take the request under consideration. Charter spokesman Andrew Russell said that the company is on target to meet its requirement to complete its Columbia County work by the end of this year. "Charter is expanding broadband access and raising internet speeds across New York State, including in Columbia County," Russell said. "We are meeting our commitments and are on track to continue to do so." Dallas Major U.S. airlines are hiring pilots at a rate not seen since before 9/11, and that is encouraging more young people to consider a career in the cockpit. Hiring is likely to remain brisk for years. Smaller airlines in the U.S. are struggling with a shortage that will continue as they lose pilots to the bigger carriers, which in turn will need to replace thousands of retiring pilots over the next few years. Aircraft maker Boeing predicts that the U.S. will need 117,000 new pilots by 2036. Just a decade ago thousands of pilots were furloughed and some abandoned the profession. The shortage has been felt most keenly at regional carriers where many pilots start their airline careers. Last summer, Alaska Airlines subsidiary Horizon Air canceled more than 300 flights over two months for lack of pilots. Republic Airways filed for bankruptcy protection in 2016, citing a pilot shortage that forced it to ground flights. Many regional carriers fly smaller planes for American Eagle, Delta Connection and United Express. Signing bonuses and higher pay have helped them hire more than 17,000 pilots in the past four years, but that only replaced those who moved up to the major carriers, according to the Regional Airline Association. Demand at the major airlines is expected to grow as thousands of pilots at American, Delta, United and Southwest hit the U.S. mandatory pilot-retirement age of 65 in the next several years. American Airlines CEO Doug Parker believes the industry will cope. "Economics is going to take care of this, and I think that's what is happening now," Parker says. "The (flight) schools are starting to fill up with people who realize, 'If I can get myself to 1,500 hours (the minimum flight hours needed to get an airline-pilot license), I can be assured of a career as a pilot.' That's not something people could convince themselves of from 9/11 on until now." Pilot hiring nosedived after the Sept. 11, 2001 terror attacks that led to a decline in travel, and again during the global financial crisis in 2008-2009. Major U.S. airlines hired only 30 pilots in 2009, according to Future & Active Pilot Advisors, a career-counseling business for pilots. The job market didn't pick up significantly until around 2014. Last year 10 of the largest U.S. passenger and cargo airlines hired 4,988 pilots, the most since 2000 when they hired 5,105. "It's the best sellers' market I have seen in the last 45 years of monitoring airline pilot hiring," says Louis Smith, a retired airline pilot who runs the pilot-counseling outfit. Smith says forums for aspiring pilots that once drew a couple dozen people now sometimes attract more than 150. Some hope to make a mid-career change, which was rare just a few years ago. Sign up for The Knick Get the latest news and some area history with our afternoon newsletter. Aaron Ludomirski is one of those career-changers. The 31-year-old from Asbury Park, New Jersey, says he always wanted to be a pilot but studied business instead because the bleak job opportunities for pilots in the years after 9/11 didn't justify the cost of school and flight training. After college he started an online marketing business. "Year after year I found myself less and less satisfied with my work," he says. "I started thinking about what kind of career would really lead me to feeling fulfilled and accomplished, and I kept coming back to aviation." Ludomirski did some fresh research and learned that pilots were back in demand and more would be retiring in the next few years. He quit his job and went to flight school. Now he is working as a flight instructor to gain the required flying time for an airline pilot. "I can interview for and even accept a conditional letter of employment and know I have my dream job lined up for me when I'm ready," he says. Applications for commercial aviation majors at the University of North Dakota, a big aeronautical school, have more than doubled in the last three years, says Elizabeth Bjerke, an aviation professor and one of the authors of the university's forecast on pilot supply. Some students graduate early to take advantage of the job market and the chance to move up the seniority list quickly because so many older pilots are retiring. "Our graduates will fly at the regionals for a very short period," Bjerke said. "They are getting picked up by the major carriers in their mid-20s, which would have been just crazy to think of 15 or 20 years ago." Will Waldron Community Advocates for Sustainable Energy will host an information session Wednesday, March 28, at the First United Methodist Church in East Greenbush. Local experts from Hudson Solar, Monolith Solar, and High Peaks Solar will be available to answer questions about how to pick a green supplier for your electric bill; how to install solar panels on your home, property or business; and how to buy or lease solar panels at a community farm. ALBANY Comptroller Tom DiNapoli's office may withhold a chunk of the legislative stipends requested for seven members of the state Senate, including money due to Sen. Jeff Klein, the powerful leader of the Independent Democratic Conference, DiNapoli's office told the Times Union. While the comptroller's office is approving 25 per cent of the payments to these senators popularly termed "lulus" it may withhold the rest until more documentation is provided demonstrating that their titles bringing the payments (such as their listed chairmanships) match their actual duties. According to DiNapoli's office, three-quarters of its payments may be withheld to four IDC members Jose Peralta, Diane Savino, David Valesky and Klein as well as from Republican Sens. Tom O'Mara, Patricia Ritchie and Patrick Gallivan. Controversy erupted last year when the New York Times reported that several members of the Independent Democratic Conference which aligns with Republicans as well as Senate Republicans themselves were collecting the full "lulu" for a committee chair, despite the fact that they were merely serving as vice chairs of committees. On March 9, Deputy Comptroller Christopher Gorka penned a letter to Frank Patience, the secretary of the Senate, telling him that the Senate needed to provide documentation that the senators have actually "performed the proper duties of the positions and employments indicated..." The letter notes that "certain titles" listed by the Senate in handing out the bonuses do "not correspond to the public information published on the Senate website." The remaining 75 percent of the payments would normally be made after the budget passes. In addition, the letter says that if documentation is not provided showing that senators' titles match up with their stipends payments, the 2018 payments that are being made may also have to be adjusted. Vice chairs are not explicitly allowed to take such "lulu" payments under law, but the IDC and Senate Republicans assert that the practice of giving them is legal. In the paperwork submitted to DiNapoli's office, several Senate committee vice chairs are listed as being chairs. In May, the Times reported that DiNapoli's office was cooperating with federal investigators that were looking into the lulu payments. According to records provided by the comptroller's office after a Times Union open records request, these are the one-quarter "lulu" payments being made to the senators, and the titles that were listed by the Senate in requesting them: Sign up for The Knick Get the latest news and some area history with our afternoon newsletter. Jose Peralta, $3,125, chair Energy Committee Diane Savino, $4,500, chair Codes Committee Thomas O'Mara, $3,750, chair Transportation Committee Patrick Gallivan, $4,500, chair Education Committee David Valesky, $6,875, assistant majority leader Jeff Klein, $8,500, vice president pro-tempore According to the Senate website, however, the chair of the Energy Committee is Joe Griffo; the Codes Committee is chaired by Andrew Lanza; the Transportation Committee by Joe Robach; and the Education Committee by Carl Marcellino. It was not immediately clear from DiNapoli's office why Klein and Valesky who are not getting stipends as committee chairs, but from leadership positions would have their stipends withheld. The Senate's website does, however, list slightly different titles for both men from what the Senate leadership submitted in seeking the stipends. The Senate website lists both Klein and Valesky as being leaders of the Independent Democratic Conference, not as part of the majority Republican conference. "We continue to maintain that everything has been done in accordance with the law," said Senate Republican spokesman Scott Reif. "To the extent that the Comptroller has any additional questions, we will work with him to answer and resolve those questions, just like we would on any other issue." Reif noted that last year a spokeswoman for DiNapoli's office stated that "the Senate determines who gets paid what stipend consistent with state law and the practices of the house" and that at that time DiNapoli's office had "no basis to take back this money." IDC spokeswoman Candice Giove said, "We expect the Secretary of the Senate will answer all of the Comptroller's questions to his satisfaction." Ravena Seeking re-election in this small village, Mayor William Misuraca thought he'd be dealing with issues like water and sewer systems. Instead, due to a viral video of a rabid raccoon's death, he's dealing with death threats, vitriolic emails and Facebook diatribes from all over the world. And what's more, the professed animal lover said, the criticism is misdirected. Misuraca is being targeted by a social media assault triggered by the images of two town of Coeymans police cars chasing the rabid animal in Ravena for 15 minutes until they hit it. "I love animals and don't want to see any animal suffer but I've gotten hateful messages from seven different countries and from all over America," Misuraca said. Misuraca's nickname is Moose. Cartoon mooses adorn his campaign posters. Before the raccoon video, he was mostly talking to voters about plans for updating Ravena's antiquated water and sewer lines. Now, people keep asking why he can't fire the Coeymans cops who killed the raccoon. It's important to note one of the police cars was inscribed with the word "Coeymans," the town in which Ravena is situated. The other car was an unmarked Coeymans cruiser. "Ravena doesn't have its own police force so I don't oversee the Coeymans police, and I have no authority over them," he said. "The Coeymans town board has authority over those police officers, so would the town supervisor. Ravena has an arrangement that allows our village to rely on Coeymans police services. But all I can do about the raccoon now is make my concerns clear and try to get questions answered." On his official mayor's Facebook page, he says the raccoon video was "sad and heartbreaking to watch. As an animal lover, I do not condone or agree with any of the actions depicted. But that is where my jurisdiction ends." He also advised that people with concerns send their messages to the town of Coeymans. An attempt to reach Town Supervisor Philip Crandall later Thursday was unsuccessful. The state Department of Environmental Conservation is investigating the raccoon killing, and animal cruelty investigators from the Albany County District Attorney's office have asked to assist. The Coeymans police said earlier this week they did not shoot the raccoon because it was not in a place where they could safely use their guns. The raccoon was near a Shop Rite grocery store and strip mall restaurant. Police said the animal tried to enter a business. The raccoon video overshadows what appears to be much more civil politics in this village of about 3,300 residents. Sign up for The Knick Get the latest news and some area history with our afternoon newsletter. The Democratic mayoral candidate is retired schoolteacher Martin Case, who has 12 years of experience on Ravena's board. When he accepted the party's nomination in February, he told the caucus that nominated him, "This shows that the Democratic Party is alive and well in Ravena, and that gives me hope." The Times Union contacted his home for an interview but Case's wife said her husband was out knocking on doors and did not own a cellphone so she could not keep track of him. Attempts to reach the two Democratic challengers for village trustee, Linda Muller and Mary Ellen Rosato, were unsuccessful. Meanwhile, the Republican incumbents for village trustee, Keith Mahler, Jr. and Joel Coye, were wishing for another record-breaking voter turnout. "Three years ago, we had over 900 people vote," said Coye, who wants to create a master plan for on replacing what he calls Ravena's "ancient" pipelines, some of which date back to the 19th century. Mahler says one of his goals is improving Ravena's parks. He said that he's been best friends with Mayor Misuraca since the two buddies were 10 years old. "We would hang out at a little family restaurant that the mayor now owns," said Mahler. "We grew up here and when we run for office, there's no huge fundraisers or major donors. We pay for our yard signs and we run because this is a good place to live and we can make it better." BALLSTON SPA -- A Saratoga County jury on Friday convicted auto repair businessman John W. Cole of felony assault and alcohol-impaired driving for the night he sped and crashed his BMW into a tree on Sitterly Road, leaving a rear seat passenger a quadriplegic. The panel of seven men and five women deliberated over two days before announcing its verdict at about 2:45 p.m.: Guilty of second-degree assault, a felony, as well as driving while ability impaired and reckless driving. The jury acquitted Cole, 53, the owner of the Cole's Collision chain, of vehicular assault and driving while intoxicated. The March 11, 2017 crash left Deanna Shapiro of Cohoes, known as "Dee," a married mother of two children, a quadriplegic. Judge James A. Murphy III ordered Cole be held in the county jail until his April 27 sentencing. A court officer handcuffed Cole and escorted him from the courtroom. "This is a just result," District Attorney Karen Heggen told reporters in a post-verdict news conference, joined by Assistant District Attorney Katherine DeMartino, the lead prosecutor during the trial, and Assistant District Attorney Charles Bucca. She said Cole "has been held accountable and responsible for the crash that occurred and the assault injuries that occurred to the victim in this case." Cole faces a determinate sentence of two to seven years on the assault conviction. "We'll be seeking the maximum period of incarceration. We believe that the facts of this case warrant it," Heggen said. Before the jury forewoman delivered the verdict, the jurors appeared focused on Cole's consumption of alcohol on the night of March 10, 2017 -- and whether he was legally intoxicated or impaired. In a note they sent the judge Friday morning, jurors wanted to know if they could convict Cole without finding he was intoxicated. The judge, over objections from Cole's attorney, Cheryl Coleman, said they could. Coleman told reporters she suspected the note was a sign her client would be convicted on the second-degree assault count. She said her client was disappointed but would appeal, saying it was "by far not the end of the legal road." When a reporter asked Coleman if Cole's acquittal on two counts was a victory or loss, the seasoned defense attorney replied, "Whenever they take your guy out in cuffs, it's not a victory." Jurors had also asked the judge to re-hear testimony from a state trooper who testified that after the crash, Cole had bloodshot eyes, smelled of alcohol and failed four of the five field sobriety tests administered. The trooper said Cole later acknowledged he drank four to five beers over the course of the night. When the trooper asked Cole if he would submit to a chemical DWI test, Cole told the trooper, "No sir," and, "Take me to jail. Take away my license," DeMartino said. Cole's blood was drawn and showed a blood alcohol level of 0.10 percent, two points above the legal threshold for driving while intoxicated. The blood test results were later ruled inadmissible because authorities sent them to a non-authorized judge. In New York, only a county court judge or state Supreme Court justice can order a blood test to be drawn. As a result, prosecutors did not present the blood test evidence to the grand jury that indicted Cole, let alone at trial. When asked about the error, Heggen declined to get into the specifics. "We put in the evidence we had that was admissible," the district attorney said. "The jury did a very hard and difficult job of reviewing all the evidence, the testimony, the physical evidence and they brought back a verdict that says that Mr. Cole is responsible for a violent assault that was a result of his conduct that night." On March 10, 2017, Cole, his wife, Regina, and Scott and Deanna Shapiro went out to join other couples for a night out at the Rusty Nail bar and restaurant and Trick Shot, where they went to see a band play. Cole drove with his wife in the front seat of the 2015 twin-turbocharged BMW coupe. Before leaving Trick Shot, the Shapiros both testified, they asked Cole if he was OK to drive and he said yes, that he had been drinking water for the last hour. On the way back to Cole's home, where the couples had met up earlier that night, Cole turned onto Sitterly Road and, according to the Shapiros, ignored pleas from them and his wife to slow down. The Shapiros and a State Police investigator testified that Cole floored the gas pedal of his car, hitting 78 mph on a 40 mph road, hit a sign, struck a fire hydrant, smashed into a tree at 50 mph, flipped over and landed upright. On Friday evening, Scott Shapiro issued a statement: "This case was never the Shapiros versus the Coles, it's unfortunate attorney Cheryl Coleman presented the case in that manner," he said. "There are clearly no winners here, the impact on both my family and John's family cannot be understated. Our thoughts are with Gina and their children, this is a difficult situation for all of us but we're relieved the jury came to the proper conclusion and we can now return our focus to Dee's continued care." Sign up for The Knick Get the latest news and some area history with our afternoon newsletter. Unbeknownst to the jury were Cole's prior convictions. He served time in state prison after he was convicted in January 1991 of weapon possession, and then in October 1991 of first-degree burglary, second-degree assault and possession of stolen property in Rensselaer County, and promoting prison contraband. Cole was released from prison on March 6, 1995. During the trial, Cole's attorney relayed to the judge a request from Cole to have video and audio media coverage ceased because Cole feared it could wrongly influence the jury. Murphy then learned Cole had enlisted the Albany-based Baker Public Relations firm, headed by former local television reporter Megan Baker, to promote his company's philanthropic efforts with some of the area's best-known charities. The media blitz showed the leaders of several charities showing their thanks to Cole's company. Included were leaders of the regional branch of the American Red Cross, Ronald McDonald House of Albany, Hannah's Hope Fund, the Boys and Girls Clubs of Southern Rensselaer County, Lifesong Inc., the Make-a-Wish Foundation Northeast New York and Capital District Youth for Christ. The heads of some of the local charities said they would never have wanted to take part had they known Cole was on trial. The media included a March 4 Daily Gazette profile that didn't mention Cole's criminal case and a statement he issued through Baker in which he expressed regret for the crash. The judge who called it an "orchestrated, conspiratorial, PR-firm-manipulated, shopped-out method" admonished Cole and reminded him of his request to curtail media coverage. "What I am incensed with is the pious attitude of the defendant with a claim that the press be limited so as not to influence the jury as relates to a woman who comes into this court as a quadriplegic, and then at the same time that he makes those arguments through you," Murphy told Cole's attorney, "he shops out a Cole's Collision rags-to-riches piece that comes out the same day as the day of jury selection. I find that absolutely improper and extraordinary, and I don't believe it's a coincidence." He ordered Cole to reach out to Baker and cease and desist the efforts. Before the end of the trial, an additional problem arose unrelated to the facts of the case -- a threat sent to Coleman from a person she said had a close connection to the victims' family. In court, Murphy said the email was inappropriate, "threatening in nature" and possibly grounds for a criminal charge of aggravated harassment. He left it up to Coleman to decide whether to press charges, noting Coleman and the prosecution for that matter "have jobs to do." The judge, who preceded Heggen as Saratoga County's district attorney, called the email "abhorrent to this court." A killer suspected of an Albany woman's slaying in 1970 was executed Thursday in Georgia for the rape and slayings of three other women decades ago. Carlton Gary, who was known as the "stocking strangler" for the Georgia killings, was put to death by injection of compounded pentobarbital, a barbiturate, at the state prison in Jackson. He was the first inmate executed by Georgia this year. Gary was charged with the 1970 killing of 84-year-old Nellie Farmer at the Wellington Hotel in Albany. He later pleaded guilty to a lesser charge and agreed to testify against a co-defendant who was later acquitted of the killing. Gary escaped from a New York state prison and fled to Georgia where he carried out the series of killings that led to his execution. Strapped to a gurney with his eyes closed on Thursday, Gary didn't respond when Warden Eric Sellers asked if he wished to make a final statement or have a prayer recited. The warden exited the execution chamber at 10:17 p.m. Records from past executions show the lethal drug generally starts flowing within a couple of minutes of the warden exiting. Gary took several quick breaths within a few of minutes of the warden exiting and then yawned before becoming still. He died at 10:33 p.m., Sellers told witnesses. Gary was convicted in 1986 in Georgia on three counts each of malice murder, rape and burglary for the 1977 deaths of 89-year-old Florence Scheible, 69-year-old Martha Thurmond and 74-year-old Kathleen Woodruff. Though charged only in those deaths, prosecutors say Gary attacked nine elderly women in the west Georgia city of Columbus from September 1977 to April 1978. Most were choked with stockings, and seven of them died. Gary had been linked by Albany police to the 1970 strangling murder of Nellie Farmer in her rented room at the Wellington Hotel. Though initially charged with that Albany slaying, the murder charge was dropped after Gary agreed to plead guilty to robbing Farmer and to testify against another man who was also arrested for the Farmer murder, John Lee Mitchell. Mitchell maintained his innocence and was acquitted of the murder in a 1971 jury trial in Albany, and Gary was sentenced to serve 10 years in New York state prisons. After escaping from prison in New York, Gary surfaced in Georgia. Police arrested Gary six years after the last killing, in May 1984. He became a suspect when a gun stolen during a 1977 burglary in the upscale neighborhood where all but one of the victims lived was traced to him. Sign up for The Knick Get the latest news and some area history with our afternoon newsletter. At trial, prosecutors introduced evidence from all nine attacks, arguing that common factors established a pattern. The victims were all older white women who lived alone and were sexually assaulted and choked, usually with stockings. They were attacked at home, usually in the evening, by someone who forced his way inside. All but one of the Georgia victims lived in the Wynnton neighborhood, and all lived near where Gary lived at the time of the crimes. Prosecutors also presented evidence that they said connected Gary to similar crimes in New York state. In a clemency petition and in filings before state and federal courts, Gary's lawyers had argued that evidence not available to his trial attorney either because the necessary testing didn't exist yet or because it wasn't disclosed by the state proved he wasn't the "stocking strangler." The state countered in court filings that the evidence Gary's lawyers cited had already been considered by the courts and that his convictions and sentence had repeatedly been upheld by state and federal courts over the past three decades. The State Board of Pardons and Paroles, the only authority in Georgia with the power to commute a death sentence, declined Wednesday to spare his life after holding a closed-door hearing to listen to arguments for and against clemency. Appeals filed by Gary's attorneys with state and federal courts were also rejected. Sign up for The Knick Get the latest news and some area history with our afternoon newsletter. ROTTERDAM -- Three men were charged with burglary and larceny after they allegedly looted Taylor and Vadney Sporting Goods in December. The store was damaged by a fire in November and it was closed, but there was still a lot of merchandise inside, according to Rotterdam police. Jeremy Whittington, 26, and Adolph Cammilletti, 22, both of Rotterdam; and Paul Bergen, 16, of Schenectady, broke into the store Dec. 19, police said. They were charged with burglary and grand larceny. Hundreds of rides have been hailed in the Capital Region since the apps Uber and Lyft launched in late June. But one of the longest was a 413 mile trek. Someone hailed an Uber to a motel off Interstate 90 and asked the driver to take them to Clarksburg, Maryland, Uber spokeswoman Danielle Filson said. Ride-hailing apps have been operating in the Capital Region for six months now. Click through the slideshow to see the local destinations Lyft and Uber users are most likely to request. "Not only are residents and visitors integrating Lyft into all of their transportation needs from commuting to nights out to rides to the airport and more but we have developed important partnerships with Albany International Airport and the Times Union Center to create the best experience possible for passengers and drivers," Ann Ferracane, the general manager of Lyft New Jersey and upstate New York, said. "In six short months, Uber has helped New Yorkers earn money on their own schedules, move around their communities with ease, and for those who choose to drink, get home safely. It has been an exciting ride and we look forward to the years to come," Filson said. Sign up for The Knick Get the latest news and some area history with our afternoon newsletter. Filson said, for 92 percent of Uber trips, riders waited less than 10 minutes for their driver to arrive after hailing a ride. Friday and Saturday evenings, and weekday commute hours, were the company's peak times in the Capital Region. The most popular destinations for both ride hailing apps remain transportation hubs (think: airports, bus stations) and drinking establishments. What's changed since the apps' first month of operation? People are more often headed to college campuses than to bars. While seven of the combined top 20 destinations were bars after the first month, only four made the list six months in. The country's two main farm organisations have expresed concerns over payments following a meeting of the Farmers Charter Monitoring Committee. There are still specific issues relating to GLAS and TAMS that need to be addressed immediately, according to ICMSA deputy president Lorcan McCabe. It was essential that the commitments made under the Farmers Charter were met in full, he said. Mr McCabe acknowledged the progress made in relation to, particularly, the BPS which had seen improvements over the last number of years. In relation the GLAS, the final balancing payment is unlikely to be made until mid-summer according to the Department and bearing in mind the Charter Commitment was to pay by mid-December 2017, that kind of delay is just unacceptable, he said. As regards TAMS investments relating to slurry storage and structural investments, payments were being held up due to inspection issues. A commitment was given at the meeting that these would be resolved and paid before the end of March, he said. Mr. McCabe expressed disappointment that, according to the Department, there will be no change to the 2018 BPS inspection regime despite the signing into law in late 2017 of the EU Omnibus regulation that was supposed to deliver simplifications in schemes. IFA deputy president Richard Kennedy said IFA made it very clear to the Department that the IT issues across a number of schemes, including GLAS, KT and TAMS must be resolved immediately so farmers can be paid without further delay. The Department told the meeting that TAMS inspections will commence in the next two weeks. 1. The drinking... Drinking wasn't always part of the St. Patrick's Day celebrations. It appears we were drowning the shamrock too much and having way too much craic altogether, so in 1927, the government's pub ban came into force. The pubs were dry on March 17 from then until 1970 when the craic was re-introduced. 2. There's a row over the parade... Although Ireland didn't stage its first parade until 1931, there's a dispute between New York and Boston over who staged the first ever St. Patrick's Day parade. New York says they had the first official one in 1762, but the lads in Boston claim they sort of held one in 1737. Fight among yourselves, lads - we'll be in the pub! 3. Enda extended the craic... As the Minister for Tourism in the mid-1990s, former Taoiseach Enda Kenny extended the St. Patrick's Day celebrations into a week-long festival. 4. We have the colour wrong... The green colour now associated with St Patrick's day only came about in the 19th century because of his association with Irish myths and legends, but for over 1,000 years, St. Patrick was associated with the colour blue. 5. The craic is worldwide... March 17 is not just a national holiday in Ireland; it is also a national holiday on the island of Montserrat in the Caribbean. Their population of 4,000 come to a standstill for the day too, owing to the large number of Irish emigrants that landed there in the 17th century. 6. He's not even Irish... Although celebrated in Ireland as our patron saint, St. Patrick was actually born in Scotland. Some say he claimed the granny rule. Jack Charlton would have almost certainly used him to run the snakes out of Italia 90. 7. St. Patrick's real name isn't very Irish... First we hear he's from Scotland and now this. Say it isn't so! Well, in fact it is, and St. Patrick's real name was Maewyn Succat - of the Clonbullogue Succats, we believe! His father was a great hurler... 8. He had absolutely nothing to do with snakes... According to National Geographic - and they know their stuff - St. Patrick most certainly did not drive the snakes out of Ireland. They say that the reptiles never existed at all here. 9. The US President once forgot about St. Patrick's Day... One of the most popular US presidents in Ireland, John F Kennedy, allegedly forgot it was St. Patrick's Day during his first year as president in 1961. White House staff had to scramble find a green tie for the president when the Irish ambassador to America knocked in with a big aul bowl of shamrock. The shame! 10. He actually did love shamrock... Shamrock is the symbol of Ireland and St. Patrick, and it became the latter because St. Patrick used it when teaching people about the holy trinity in the Christian religion. Eason is delighted to announce Ruby Barron as the winner of the Tipperary County Spelling Bee, which took place in St John the Baptist BNS, Old Road, Cashel. 11-year-old ruby from Presentation Primary Carrick-on-Suir, came out on top against 37 other spelling enthusiasts and will now be entered into the Munster Provincial Spelling Bee final at the end of May. The 6th class student enjoys playing camogie with Ballybacon-Grange. The Eason Spelling Bee encourages kids throughout the country to practice their spelling, to read more and strives to instil greater confidence when it comes to literacy and spelling, from a young age. Brendan Corbett, Group Head of Marketing at Eason, said; Were extremely proud of the success of the Eason Spelling Bee to date. Over the eight years, we have seen the children of our nation continue to impress with their level of spelling and its wonderful to see schools from across the country continuously supporting this initiative. Each year the competition begins with registered schools hosting their own in-school Bee competitions, to find their school champion. From there, the Eason Spelling Bee team hits the road to host the County Final Bees, which then leads to four Provincial Finals. The All-Ireland Final will take place in June 2018, where the champion speller will be crowned. The winning school will receive a collection of books for their library to the value of 7,500. The Spelling Bee winner will be awarded a goody bag full of books worth 500 and the prestigious title of the 2018 Eason Spelling Bee champion. Renowned horse trainer Aidan OBrien was honoured as Cashel Person of the Year 2018 in Halla na Feile on Thursday evening. Cashel Lions Club nominated Mr OBrien for his outstanding sporting achievement and contribution to the local community, both in Cashel and Rosegreen. Lions Club Chairman DJ Horan and award organiser Richard O'Brien said the award was first established 31 years ago. The Lions Club has enjoyed a long relationship with Ballydoyle, going back to Vincent O'Brien, who kindly allowed them to buy the land for what is now Larkspur Park - that club is named after one of Vincent O'Brien's derby winning racehorses. We still have our meetings up there, and that's our clubhouse, said Richard O'Brien. Without that support, a club like ours would really find it hard to function, and to hold our Fashion Show. It's wonderful the support we receive from Ballydoyle, and I'd like to acknowledge Aidan and his family, and all the staff of Ballydoyle and Coolmore. Breda Culliton, Pat Cummins and Finbar O'Neill, proposed Aidan for the nomination, and thanked him personally for his extraordinary contribution to the community. Aidan's outstanding achievement of training 28 group and grade one winners in 2017, was not only a new world record but was absolutely remarkable given the competition which exists in horseracing worldwide, said Mr O'Neill. Year after year, Aidan O'Brien has been at the top of his profession, not only here in Ireland, but worldwide. In 2017, Aidan was crowned not only Champion Flat Trainer in Ireland but also in England. Despite all his success, Aidan modestly deflects the praise on to others. He contantly speaks in glowing terms, of his staff and always includes them when being interviewed. Aidan's contribution to this community is truly immeasurable, bringing great employment, prestige and honour . Aidan and his wife Anne Marie, and their family, have been wonderful ambassadors for Cashel and Rosegreen thoughout the world, and that's why we nominated him for Cashel Person of the Year 2018. Full story in next week's Tipperary Star The funeral of popular Newport student Cillian Ryan will take place on Saturday evening, 17 March at Meehan's Funeral Home in Newport following his sudden death earlier this month. Cillian, the son of well known local bar owners Richard and Mary, died on Tuesday March 6 in Edinburgh, following a sudden illness. The 25 year old had recently moved to Scotland after completing a MA in Journalism at the University of Limerick and was due to graduate later this year. Cillian had previously graduated with a degree from University College Cork. He was a former student of St Mary's Secondary School in Newport. He inherited his love of politics from his grandfather Neddy Ryan and had moved to Edinburgh with the hopes of becoming a journalist. A statement from the UL Journalism Department said Cillian was a "popular classmate and a very talented young journalist and is fondly remembered by those who knew him here at University of Limerick. We extend our deepest sympathies to his family and friends during this difficult time." His is survived by his loving parents Richard and Mary; brothers Cathal and Phelim; sister Eve; sister-in-law Grainne; brother-in-law Eamonn; niece Aoibhin; aunts, uncles, cousins and a large circle of friends. Funeral arrangements as follows: Reposing at Meehan's Funeral Home Newport this Saturday evening 17th March from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.. Arriving at the Church of the Most Holy Redeemer Newport on Sunday 18th for 11.30 a.m. Requiem Mass. Burial afterwards in Rockvale cemetery Newport. At the wishes of Cillian's family, house private please... Family flowers only, donations if desired to the Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust. Arriving at the Church of the Most Holy Redeemer Newport on Sunday 18th for 11.30 a.m. Requiem Mass. Burial afterwards in Rockvale cemetery Newport. At the wishes of Cillian's family, house private please... Family flowers only, donations if desired to the Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust. iPad deals are looking strong this month. Plus, with the new 2021 iPad and iPad mini just announced by Apple, retailers are offering some of the best cheap iPad deals we've seen so far. The only problem is they're selling out fast. So what are the best cheap iPad deals right now? We're here to show you which sales are worth your time. Today's best iPad deals at a glance Currently, the best cheap iPad deals come courtesy of Amazon. The retailer has the 10.9-inch iPad Air (64GB/2020) on sale for $499. That's the cheapest price we've seen for this tablet and it's one of the best iPad deals ever. If you want the new 2021 iPad, Walmart has the 10.2-inch iPad (64GB/2021) on sale for $299. That's $30 off and the first dollar-off discount we've seen for Apple's base tablet. Best iPad deals and sales 10.2" iPad (64GB/2021): was $329 now $299 @ Walmart The new 2021 iPad features Apple's A13 Bionic CPU, a new 12MP front camera, and 64GB of storage (instead of 32GB like its predecessor). You also get support for Center Stage, which uses machine learning to adjust the front-facing camera during FaceTime video calls. Walmart is the first major retailer to offer a discount on Apple's new tablet. View Deal 8.3" iPad mini 2021: was $499 now $459 @ Amazon The new iPad mini is the star of Apple's September keynote. It features an all new thin bezel design, a larger 8.3.inch Liquid Retina display, A15 Bionic CPU, 12MP wide camera, and USB-C connectivity. It also works with the Apple Pencil 2. Amazon has it on sale for $459, which is $39 off. View Deal 7.9" iPad Mini (256GB): was $549 now just $449 @ Amazon Yes, it's showing its age, but the 2019 iPad Mini is still a terrific tablet. It houses Apple's A12 Bionic CPU, which provides insanely fast performance. It also packs epic battery life that lasts for just shy of 13 hours on a single charge. The 256GB model is now at its lowest price ever. View Deal 10.9" iPad Air (64GB/2020): was $599 now $499 @ Amazon Lowest price ever: The iPad Air sports a larger 10.9-inch display, speedy A14 Bionic CPU, and support for USB-C charging. Plus, with Magic Keyboard support, it's as close to a laptop replacement as you can get. Right now it's at its lowest price ever, but history shows this deal won't last long. It's one of the best iPad deals of the moment. (If you don't see the sale price, try choosing different color models).View Deal 10.9" iPad Air (256GB/2020): was $749 now $649 @ Amazon Rarely discounted, Amazon currently has the 256GB iPad Air on sale. This is the cheapest price we've seen for the higher capacity model and one of the best iPad deals this week. View Deal 11" iPad Pro (128GB/2021): was $799 now $749 @ Amazon Editor's Choice deal: The new 11-inch iPad Pro sports Apple's M1 CPU for record-breaking speed and performance. It features a stunning 11-inch Liquid Retina display with 120Hz Pro Motion, TrueTone, and P3 wide color. You also get 12MP wide and 10MP ultra-wide cameras and Wi-Fi 6 support. Amazon is taking $99 off the 128GB model, which makes this one of the best iPad deals you'll find for Apple's new tablet. Walmart also has it on sale for $749.View Deal 12.9" iPad Pro (128GB/2021): was $1,099 now $999 @ Amazon Editor's Choice deal: Apple's top of the line iPad just got a massive price cut. For a limited time, Amazon has the new iPad Pro 12.9-inch tablet on sale for $999. That's $100 off and its cheapest price ever. It features a stunning 12.9-inch Liquid Retina mini LED display (2732 x 2048) with 120Hz Pro Motion, TrueTone, and P3 wide color. You also get 12MP wide and 10MP ultra-wide cameras and Wi-Fi 6 support. The new Apple M1 CPU also means it's the fastest iPad ever. View Deal 12.9" iPad Pro (256GB/2021): was $1,199 now $1,099 @ Walmart Need more storage space? Walmart has the 256GB model on sale for $1,099 which is $100 cheaper than Apple's price. View Deal 10.2" iPad (32GB/2020): was $329 now $299 @ Walmart Out of stock: Apple's entry-level iPad is perfect for anyone. It features an A12 Bionic CPU, 10.2-inch (2160 x 1620) LCD, 8MP camera, 12MP front camera, and an epic 12:57 battery life. Currently, retailers like Amazon and Best Buy are out of stock of this tablet. View Deal Best iPad deals accessories Apple Pencil: was $99 now $89 @ Amazon iPad deals aren't just for tablets. The Apple Pencil (1st Gen) lets you take notes, sketch, and do much more on your iPad. It supports the iPad Air (3rd generation), iPad mini (5th generation), iPad (6th and 7th generations), iPad Pro 12.9inch (1st and 2nd generations), iPad Pro 10.5inch, and iPad Pro 9.7inch. View Deal ZAGG iPad cases/keyboards: up to 75% off @ Amazon Amazon is taking up to 70% off select ZAGG iPad cases and keyboards. After discount, prices start as low as $34.99. It's one of the best iPad deals we've seen on these accessories. View Deal Apple Smart Folio: was $79 now $72 @ Amazon The Apple Smart Folio (for 10.9-inch iPad Air/4th Gen) protects the front and back of your iPad Air. It also automatically wakes your iPad when opened and puts it to sleep when closed.View Deal Apple Smart Folio for iPad Air: was $79 now $74 @ Amazon The Apple Smart Folio (for 10.9-inch iPad Air) is on sale at Amazon. The case protects the front and back of your iPad Air and can also be used for propping up your iPad. View Deal Apple Pencil: was $99 now $94 @ Amazon iPad deals aren't just for tablets. The Apple Pencil (1st Gen) lets you take notes, sketch, and do much more on your iPad. It supports the iPad Air (3rd generation), iPad mini (5th generation), iPad (6th and 7th generations), iPad Pro 12.9inch (1st and 2nd generations), iPad Pro 10.5inch, and iPad Pro 9.7inch. View Deal Apple Smart Keyboard for iPad: was $159 now $139 @ Amazon It's a modest price cut as far as iPad deals are concerned, but Amazon has the Apple Smart Keyboard on sale for $139, which is $19 off its regular price. The keyboard is compatible with the iPad (7th and 8th generation) as well as the iPad Air (3rd generation). View Deal Apple Smart Keyboard Folio: was $179 now $169 @ Amazon The Apple Smart Keyboard Folio offers a great typing experience for your iPad Air (4th Gen) or iPad Pro 11-inch (2nd Gen). The lightweight cover can also protect the front and back of your iPad. View Deal Apple Magic Keyboard for 12" iPad Pro: was $349 now $199 @ Best Buy The current-gen Magic Keyboard can turn your iPad Pro 12.9-inch (4th gen) into a laptop replacement. It attaches magnetically to your iPad and allows you to smoothly adjust it to the perfect viewing angle for you. View Deal Apple Magic Keyboard for 11" iPad Pro: was $299 now $289 @ Amazon The current-gen Magic Keyboard can turn your iPad Air (4th gen) or iPad Pro 11-inch (1st or 2nd gen) into a laptop replacement. It attaches magnetically to your iPad and allows you to smoothly adjust it to the perfect viewing angle for you. View Deal Best iPad deals refurbs Refurb Apple iPads: from $309 @ Apple Low inventory: Refurb iPads make for great iPad deals. We especially like the refurb iPads from the Apple Store because they come with the same 1-year warranty you'd get from a new factory-sealed iPad. Currently, refurb iPads deals at the Apple Store start at $309. However, they have the Apple Pencil 2nd-gen for $109 ($20 off).View Deal Best iPad deals Back to School Buy an iPad Pro M1: get free AirPods @ Apple The Apple Back to School sale is officially live. Currently, students and teachers who buy an iPad Pro M1 will get a free pair of AirPods with their purchase. In addition, they'll pay special education pricing for their iPad Pro. After discount, iPad Pro M1 prices start at $749 for the 11-inch iPad Pro M1. It's one of the best iPad deals if you're shopping for back to school. Deal ends September 27. View Deal Check out the latest AirPods sales Shop all the best Apple deals Prefer a laptop? Here are today's best MacBook deals Which iPad should I buy? Apple's iPad family is now bigger than ever. Currently, these are the models that Apple offers: 10.2" iPad 2020 (32GB/128GB): $329/$429 $329/$429 10.9" iPad Air 2020 (64GB/256GB): $599/$749 $599/$749 7.9" iPad Mini 2019 (64GB/256GB): $399/$549 $399/$549 11" iPad Pro M1 (128GB/256GB/512GB/1TB/2TB): $799/$899/$1,099/$1,299 $799/$899/$1,099/$1,299 12.9" iPad Pro M1 (128GB/256GB/512GB/1TB/2TB): $999/$1,099/$1,299/$1,499 The 10.2-inch iPad is the tablet for everyone. The mainstream tablet is not only the most affordable iPad, but it's also the best value for your dollar. The tablet uses Apple's A10 Fusion chip. That shouldn't be a deal breaker though. While the A10 Fusion chip is indeed dated, it still packs enough power for streaming movies and playing some Apple Arcade. It can also be used for sketching and drawing, thanks to its Apple Pencil (1st gen) support. For the first time, you can also pair the 10.2-inch iPad with Apple's Smart Keyboard. Check out our new iPad (2020) review to see why we love Apple's latest tablet. True to its name, the iPad mini is the smallest tablet in Apple's lineup. It houses Apple's A12 Bionic chip with an M12 coprocessor. (That's the same CPU found in the iPhone XS family). It happens to be the tablet we own and we love it for everything from streaming Netflix to playing Mario Kart. However, keep in mind that it's long overdue a refresh from Apple. Once it's been refreshed, there will likely be better iPad deals on this tablet. If you want unrivaled power, you'll want to check out the new iPad Air or iPad Pros. The latter come in 11-inch and 12.9-inch flavors and use Apple's new M1 CPU. They will be available for sale in the second half of May. As for the 2020 iPad Pros, you'll find great iPad deals on those tablets. The base models are currently up to $100 off. Guide to finding the best iPad deals Where to find the best deals: Generally speaking, Amazon tends to offer the best iPad deals. On any given day of the week you'll typically find discounts that run the gamut from $50 to $200 off. Other retailers like Best Buy, B&H Photo, and Walmart tend to offer similar prices. However, it's rare that they undercut Amazon's iPad deals. That said, in the case of the new iPad Pro 2021 tablets, Walmart was taking $50 off a few models, whereas Amazon has yet to offer them on sale. Check all colors: Amazon tends to give different color iPads different prices. For instance, the base iPad 32GB tablet in black might sell for a discounted $299 price, but the white model might sell at full price. So when looking for iPad deals at Amazon, it's worth checking various colors for the lowest price. Beware the iPad Air: The iPad Air is now one of the oldest iPads in Apple's lineup. There are also strong rumors that it could be updated with an iPad Air 5 complete with a new A15 Bionic CPU and OLED display. As a result, you might want to wait before buying this model. Aston Martin has filed a trademark for the use of the Varekai name in the U.K. and Canada, opening the door for the brand to use it under its Lagonda luxury cars marque. The trademark was filed in both countries on March 6, 2018. Oddly enough, that was preceded by a similar filing back in September 2017 in, of all countries, Lebanon. The trademark was filed as a Class 12 trademark, which is specifically for passenger cars, racing cars, and parts therefor. The words meaning in the Romani language "anywhere" or "everywhere" fits into what a luxury model is going to be. Does the Lagonda Varekai strike you as a good name? I think it is, though I wouldnt think that its a foregone conclusion that Aston Martin would use it as a model name for any of its Lagonda luxury cars. I will admit that the words meaning in the Romani language anywhere or everywhere fits into what a luxury model is going to be. The name fits, and the fact that Aston Martin also filed a trademark in the UK for the Lagonda O logo that we saw at the Geneva Motor Show with the Lagonda Vision Concept adds even more weight to the belief that the Varekai name would be put on a Lagonda model. Am I convinced? Im getting there. Am I absolutely certain that the Varekai name is reserved for a Lagonda model? Im not there yet. It just so happens that Aston Martin has plans for two new performance models, both of which dont have their own names yet. Heres the thing. The name Varekai also fits Aston Martins naming strategy. Notice how most of the British automakers models have names that start with the letter V? Theres the Vanquish and the Vantage. Throw in the Volante name for its convertibles, and you see a pattern forming. Even some of the companys new limited edition hypercar models have names that start with the same letter, specifically the Vulcan and the Valkyrie. It just so happens that Aston Martin has plans for two new performance models, both of which dont have their own names yet. Could the Varekai be the name its going to use on its planned Ferrari 488 competitor? Even better, could it be the name the company plans to use on its next hypercar project to follow-up the Valkyrie? I dont know what Aston Martins plans for the name are, but I like that its using it. Varekai sounds awesome, and Cirque du Soleil used it to smashing global success in recent years. Im on board using the name, whether its for an Aston Martin model or a Lagonda model. Who knows, it might even be used for a Lagonda SUV. We know that model is coming soon too. References Read more details about the 2018 Lagonda Vision Concept. Read more Aston Martin news. Source: IPO.Gov 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. While most of us have control over food waste and sustainable sourcing at home, dining and drinking out is much trickier. Whether youre at a sleek and chic restaurant in Soho or a cozy French bistro nestled in New Orleans, the food and drink industry is one of the most wasteful in the world. The combination of food sourcing and shipments, extreme water usage (those dishes wont wash themselves), and a never-ending stream of food waste add up to one very large carbon footprint. A 2014 study by the Food Waste Reduction Alliance found that 84.3% of unused food in American restaurants ends up being disposed of, while 14.3% is recycled, and only 1.4% is donated. Though there arent specific statistics related to just cocktail bars, there is no doubt that your martini or Manhattan is contributing to this waste. Luckily, some innovative bar owners around the world are rethinking their approach and coming up with some adventurous techniques. Take for example Elixir in San Francisco, the first bar in America to be certified green in 2006. H. Joseph Lehrmann, the owner behind Elixir, told Tales of the Cocktail in 2016: Ive always said that if the bar industry could set norms and break patterns, we can be a role model for so many others. Its actually easy for the bar business to be low impact. It just takes a matter of sustained focus on changing the way things are done operationally, and then youll never look back. Ehrmanns tactics are similar to any conscientious homeowner: he composts or recycles what little waste is left at the end of the day. Low-flow toilets and faucets were installed to cut back on water usage, as well as efficiently using ice. Their menu only includes ingredients that are local, organic and sustainably produced whenever possible. Over on the East Coast, a husband-and-wife team called Tin Roof Drink Community is leading the educational charge. Claire Sprouse and Chad Arnholt consult with various businesses and brands in the spirits industry on how to create a beverage program and physical space that make efficient use of, well, just about everything. When it comes to cutting down on waste in the industry, there is admittedly only so much one can cut. Arnholt stressed to NPR in 2017 that: "This point cannot be overstated: Bars are a luxury business. At the end of the day, it is inherently wasteful because it's not fundamentally necessary." From offering individual consultations with bar owners to helping large-scale events leave a smaller carbon footprint, the two-person team is committed to making sustainability the number one issue in the bar industry. Looking across the Atlantic, one name to follow is Ryan Chetiyawardana (aka Mr. Lyan). He made waves when he opened White Lyan in London in 2013. The bar was a pioneer in the low-waste movement, getting rid of two significant (and very uneconomical) cocktail ingredients: ice and fresh fruit and citrus. Their replacements? Housemade citric acid powder and vinegars, pre-chilling drinks so ice isn't necessary, and absolutely no napkins or straws. Chetiyawardana told The Guardian in 2014: "If you look at the cocktail part, you see hedonism and fun. Then you look at the philosophy and ethics that drives us to be so DIY and thorough about what we use and how we use it. We'd like to persuade a classically led bar to not accept the status quo, to think deeply about what they do, and make changes to push them ahead." While White Lyan closed in spring 2017 in order for Chetiyawardana to focus on opening a restaurant and two new bars that incorporate his closed loop approach, the ripple affect of his innovative, never-been-done-before bar tactics continues to spread. TOXIC and aggressive. Those were the words that Kamaria Simon used yesterday to describe the man who dealt the fatal chop to her one-year-old niece, Sariah Williams. The suspect, a 58-year-old painter, is a relative of Simon, 21. Pauline Bharat is reported to have sat in her tattered clothing and cried when a reporter visited her home in late July, telling her about the guilty verdict pronounced upon the two men who had murdered her son. To be honest, I am very thrilled that great city of Melbourne has surpassed all my expectations. Great city, very nice people, great food and lovely places. Couldnt ask for more. Although coming from Dubai, I expected maybe some resentment from some due to my background as an Arab tourist which I was afraid of but that never happened. I strongly recommend Melbourne for any tourist who wants real experience in lovely place. Thanks great ppl of Australia youve made me optimistic for humanity. AirBnB is a terrible option in NYC; almost all short term vacation rentals in NYC are ILLEGAL. You posted in the general forum for all of NY State; repost in the NY City forum to attract more readers. Include your nightly budget in US dollars, keeping in mind that taxes add 15%. Coolest thing I've seen involving a croc, Steve, was at Kogatende, watching a crossing. A big ole croc got hold of a young wildebeest buck and was holding on like black death, trying to get it off its feet to drown it. But that young wildie held his footing for what seemed a very long time -- perhaps 5 minutes or more. By the time the whole herd had made it to the opposite side of the river, we who were standing on the bluff above the crossing point -- perhaps 20 of us who'd been filming the crossing -- all started gushing and high-fiving and living the excitement when one guy exclaimed, loudly, "He got away!" We all looked back, and -- sure enough -- that young wildie had broken free of the croc's jaws and was stumbling up the bank towards the rest of its herd -- a large chunk missing from his flank but other wise as steady on his feet as any of them! We all broke into a cheer at the miraculous escape -- doomed though he probably was, it was such a heartening moment! I can't help it. I'm always rooting for the prey -- and even knowing that cubs must be fed, cheering such moments never feels really wrong. But that damned croc was at least as big as that wildebeest -- possibly even larger, since you can't see the entire animal when it's mostly submerged. I don't know why, but in some ways they're scarier when they're basking in the sun, without moving at all. You keep hearing horror movie music in the back of your mind, just waiting for one of them to SPRING! I'm going to Vietnam and Cambodia next month. I already have my visa on arrival letter, 2 copies , and two passport pictures. For vietnam I bought the multiple 30 day entry visa on arrival. I will be in Vietnam for 12 days then Cambodia for 5 , then back to Vietnam for last 4 days. Do I need extra entry/exit letters and passport pictures since I will be technically entering and exiting Vietnam multiple times or will the 2 copies of pics/letters that I have suffice? Not sure how that works . I will be entering Vietnam via Ho Chi Minh airport, then departing Vietnam at the Hanoi airport , entering again at Ho Chi Minh airport from Cambodia , and departing at Ho Chi Minh airport to the United States if that makes any difference . Thanks Hi all knowledgeable Vietnam travellers. We are approaching our second trip to Vietnam (hooray!). This has probably been asked before, but I can't get my head around it, so here goes: We are travelling with Vietnam Airlines, first to Siem Reap, transiting via HCMC, then heading back to Vietnam to arrive in Da Nang a week later. So our first stop 'inside' Vietnam will be Da Nang, even though we will be in the airport at HCMC when we travel to Cambodia. Does the brief transit in HCM count as an arrival in Vietnam? I think not, but don't want to make a mistake on my approval for VOA. Should I count the first day of arrival as HCM on 25th April, or Da Nang on 2nd May, when we are entering the country beyond the airport? If I say HCMC on 25th April, do I then need a multi-entry visa, as I am leaving to SR and re-entering later at Da Nang? Apologies for what is probably an obvious one - please be tolerant! -:- Message from Tripadvisor staff -:- This topic has been closed to new posts due to inactivity. We hope you'll join the conversation by posting to an open topic or starting a new one. To review the Tripadvisor Forums Posting Guidelines, please follow this link: http://www.tripadvisor.com/pages/forums_posting_guidelines.html We remove posts that do not follow our posting guidelines, and we reserve the right to remove any post for any reason. Hello, I can't decide where to go, so I need help making a low-medium budget itinerary for this trip. Will be arriving and departing at Kansai International Airport. Travel dates: 4/17/18 (arrival: 4PM) - 4/24/18 (departure: 3:30 PM). Places I want to go to: 1. Kanazawa-Shirakawago-Takayama (will have to purchase bus tickets separately if I get the JR pass and not the Takayama-Hokuriku Area Tourist Pass) 2. Spend ~1 day in Osaka - been to Dotonbori & central Kyoto areas before 3. Tokyo (Tsukiji Market, Shibuya, outlying areas) - I've been to Harajuku, Ueno, Asakusa, Imperial Palace before. 4. Try 1 night staying at a ryokan/onsen 5. Maybe a side trip close to Osaka or Tokyo (?) 6. Any affordable and easily accessible special events or activities (except nightlife) Likes: 1. Experience the slow pace and scenic views of the countrysides, as well as the hustle and bustle of cities. 2. Medium-paced traveling. 3. Eating - markets, kaiseki (too expensive?), different cuisines, delicacies, etc. At first, I planned on traveling in the Kansai and Chubu regions only (Osaka-Kanazawa-Shirakawago-Takayama-Uji-Koyasan), but I realized that all the places (except for Osaka) are slow-paced. Is Osaka enough to experience the city culture? I've only been to Dotonbori before. Also, a part of the Nankai Railway going to Koyasan is under repair until early April & the exact reopening date is unknown, and transferring from trains to bus towards Koyasan seems long and tiring for a side trip. Is it worth splurging more on transportation passes and go to Tokyo OR is it better to stay in Kansai & Chubu for the whole trip? Are there other cities closer to Kansai that's better than Tokyo? Thank you in advance! Edited: 3 years ago Jigokudani is a nice visit year round - I visit about 10 times a year. Sure there will not be snow, but the time of year is nice and the walk through the forest is good. There will be lots of monkeys (the troop has been getting noticably larger over the last few years IMO.) The only time of the year there would only be a few/none is late autumn (mating season). It is a long day-trip from tokyo. Enjoy Nikko. Hi we arrive in Liberia at noon, and need to get to Granada same day. I just found out that our Alamo rental car will be swapped at the border for 100$US, and taxes. Is it easier and less expensive to just take a bus to the border, walk across, and rent a car in Nicaragua? How do you get to the bus station in Liberia? What is the bus called? Is the bus safe and comfortable for a 9 year old? Once we arrive at the border, is the bus stop near the crossing? Is it easy to cross by foot? How much paper work is required to get into Nicaragua. And can I do it ahead of time? Also will I have to pay the departure tax if we arrive and leave same day? Really appreciate all of your knowledge and advice. Re: 4th of July in NYC... with a 6 yr old. Bother? 16. Re: 4th of July in NYC... with a 6 yr old. Bother? -:- Message from Tripadvisor staff -:- This topic has been closed to new posts due to inactivity. We hope you'll join the conversation by posting to an open topic or starting a new one. To review the Tripadvisor Forums Posting Guidelines, please follow this link: http://www.tripadvisor.com/pages/forums_posting_guidelines.html We remove posts that do not follow our posting guidelines, and we reserve the right to remove any post for any reason. Kakamega: One Killed in Fierce Gunfight as Suspects Attack Police Convoy to Free Accomplices The police convoy was escorting a lorry that had been impounded by police while transporting 400 bags of uncustomed sugar to Kisumu when it came under attack. - Ford Kenya deputy party leader Boni Khalwale accused Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) of impunity in its attempt to kick out Senator Moses Wetangula from leadership - Khalwale said ODM may succeed in pushing out Wetang'ula as Senate Minority Leader but must be ready to also relinquish other positions in Parliament - The former Kakamega senator told ODM to state whether it is in Jubilee or National Super Alliance (NASA) coalition Former Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale has challenged the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) to state whether it is in the opposition National Super Alliance (NASA) coalition or in government. The Ford Kenya deputy party leader turned the gun on the Raila Odinga-led party after it initiated a process to kick-out Moses Wetang'ula as the Senate Minority Leader and his position taken by Siaya Senator James Orengo. Send 'NEWS' to 40227 to receive all the important breaking news as it happens READ ALSO: Mwanafunzi ajitia kitanzi, aacha ujumbe kuwa "mpenzi" wake apikiwe chapati siku ya mazishi Khalwale said ODM may succeed in removing Wetang'ula from the Minority Leader's office through impunity but it should be ready to relinquish all other parliamentary positions it holds. Ford Kenya party leader Moses Wetang'ula and his ODM counterpart Raila Odinga during their good times in the past. Photo: NASA READ ALSO: COTU boss Francis Atwoli fingers out fake Facebook account issuing stinging statements on his behalf According to Khalwale, if ODM has decided to work with the government, then it has to let go of the positions it holds in the Parliamentary Service Commission (PSC), Parliamentary Accounts Committee (PIC) as well as the position of Leader of Minority in the National Assembly. The Orange party chairman John Mbadi is the current Minority Leader in the National Assembly. "Impunity may allow ODM to remove [Moses] Wetang'ula as minority leader. But more importantly, ODM must first make up her mind whether she is in Jubilee's government or not. For if she is, then by law, she must forfeit PAC/PIC & minority leadership in both houses to ANC, Wiper and FORD K," Khalwale said in a Twitter post seen by TUKO.co.ke. Minority Leader in the National Assembly John Mbadi during a past event. Photo: Daily Nation READ ALSO: University students go on strike after missing chicken three times READ ALSO: Sonko blames Kidero's regime for swindling KSh 10 billion meant to solve flooding in Nairobi Ford Kenya deputy party leader Boni Khalwale speaks during a past function. Photo: The Star As earlier reported by TUKO.co.ke, already 16 Senators allied to ODM have written to Senate Speaker Kenneth Lusaka seeking to have Wetang'ula replaced by his Siaya counterpart Orengo. Infighting within NASA escalated after Kalonzo Musyoka, Musalia Mudavadi and Wetang'ula skipped the swearing-in of Raila as the People's President with their supporters demanding for answers from the trio. The Opposition coalition came face-to-face with the reality of imminent breakup after Raila emerged from a secret meeting with President Uhuru Kenyatta that left Kenyans in shock. Do you have a hot story or scandal you would like us to publish, please reach us through news@tuko.co.ke or WhatsApp: 0732482690 and Telegram: Tuko news Heavy rains rock Nairobi city - on TUKO TV Source: Tuko.co.ke - President Uhuru Kenyatta unveiled a bust of his father, the late Mzee Jomo Kenyatta in Cuba during his tour - This was in honour of Jomo Kenyatta as a towering figure in African and Caribbean liberation movement. - This statue becomes the 17th of African heroes celebrated in Cuba and whose sculptures are on display at the Park of African Heroes Kenya's founding President the late Mzee Jomo Kenyatta became the 17th African leader to be honoured in Cuba after his sculpture was unveiled at the Park of African Heroes. President Uhuru Kenyatta who is Mzee Jomo's son, presided over the ceremony during his tour of the communist state. Send 'NEWS' to 40227 to receive all the important breaking news as it happens READ ALSO: Picha ya mwalimu bila mikono akitumia mdomo kuandika ubaoni yayeyusha nyoyo za wengi TUKO.co.ke understands that the Cuban leadership wants the bust to remind the world of the rich history Kenya and Cuba have in the liberation struggle. President Uhuru Kenyatta delivers his speech in Cuba after unveiling his father's statue. Photo: PSCU READ ALSO: Ford Kenya turns guns on ODM over plans to kick out Wetang'ula from powerful office Africa will forever cherish its relationship with Cuba. Together we will continue to forge mutually beneficial partnerships for the prosperity of our peoples and nations, Uhuru said during the ceremony.. He added that Kenya will not take for granted the honour given to its founding father explaining that the Park recognises and celebrates the huge contributions Africa heroes made in the liberation struggle for the continent. It is worth noting that during the Cuban revolutionary war, Fidel Castro named one of the Brigades the Mau Mau in honour of the freedom fighters in Kenya, he said. President Uhuru unveils a bust of his father Mzee Jomo Kenyatta in Cuba. Photo: PSCU READ ALSO: Heavy rains cut-off Machakos from Nairobi as two bridges are swept away Cuba's Minister for Culture Abel Prieto termed the late president as an icon whose example of heroism inspired many to take up arms against the colonial masters. Kenyas rich liberation struggle story became a big inspiration to the Cubans resistance against imperialism, he said. Do you have a hot story or scandal you would like us to publish? Please reach us through news@tuko.co.ke or WhatsApp: 0732482690 and Telegram: Tuko news. Heavy rains rock Nairobi city - on TUKO TV Source: Breaking News - The Employment and Labour Relations Court issued an order declaring the ongoing lecturers strike as illegal - Justice Onesmus Makau asked the lecturers to report to work on Monday, March 19 at 8:00am - He also directed the government to the lectures a CBA counter proposal - Lectures strike called by the Universities Academic Staff Union (UASU) kicked off on Thursday, March 1 The ongoing lecturers strike is likely to come to an abrupt end following an order issued by the Employment and Labour Relations Court. In the ruling made on Friday, March 16, Judge Onesmus Makau asked lecturers to cut off their industrial action and report to work on Monday, March 19 at 8:00am. Makau declared the boycott as unlawful and unprotected. READ ALSO: University bosses and lecturers lock horns as learning in 31 universities come to a standstill Justice Onesmus Makau declared the strike illegal. Photo: NMG READ ALSO: Afueni kwa Wenger baada ya Arsenali kufuzu kuingia robo fainali katika ligi ya Uropa Afueni kwa Wenger baada ya Arsenali kufuzu kuingia robo fainali katika ligi ya Uropa The judge ordered vice chancellors and universities to present a counter-proposal for the 2017-2021 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) to the Labour Cabinet secretary within 30 days. He also asked vice chancellors and universities not to victimise any of the lecturers who participated in the strike. "In my findings herein that the strike is not in compliance with the mandatary procedure provided by the Labour Relations Act, I allow requests of the universities to stop the ongoing strike," said Justice Makau. READ ALSO: Charges against businessman Jimi Wanjigi have not been dropped - State prosecutor Justice Makau ordered lecturers to resume work on Monday. Photo: Baraka FM Source: UGC READ ALSO: NABII BABA NYUKI, DR. NYASI (MGANGA WA WAGANGA) DOES IT AGAIN IN KISUMU! While asking the parties involved in the dispute to act in good faith, the judge referred the conflict to the Labour minister to assist in resolving the matter within 60 days before a new conciliator. The move comes barely two weeks after vice chancellors moved to court through the Inter-Public Universities Councils Consultative Forum in a bid to stop the boycott. As reported by TUKO.co.ke, learning in over 31 public universities across Kenya was paralysed after lecturers downed their tools on Thursday, March 1, over delayed implementation of the 2017-2021 CBA. It affected at least 600,000 students in public universities who had no option but to return home and wait for the lecturers to resume work. Do you have a hot story or scandal you would like us to publish, please reach us through news@tuko.co.ke or WhatsApp: 0732482690 and Telegram: Heavy rains rock Nairobi city | on TUKO TV Source: Kenya Breaking News Today - Miguna Miguna lawyers have written a letter to interior cabinet secretary Fred Matiangi notifying him of Miguna's expected comeback - The letter has also been sent to other government agencies demanding they provide the combative lawyer safe entry into the country - High Court Judge Chacha Mwita on February 26 suspended a declaration by interior cabinet secretary Fred Matiang'i that the self-declared NRM general was a prohibited immigrant - The Court of Appeal also ruled on March 12, that the former Nairobi gubernatorial aspirant was free to come back to Kenya - Miguna was dramatically arrested and deported to Canada early February 2018 after being involved in the controversial swearing in of Raila Odinga - The government said he had denounced his Kenyan citizenship and thus was in the country illegally yet he is a Canadian citizen Fiery politician and self proclaimed NRM's general Miguna Miguna could be jetting in the country very soon if a letter from his lawyers is anything to go by. In a letter dated Wednesday,March 14, Miguna's lawyers notified the ministry of interior through a notice to Fred Matiang'i, about his return. According to the letter which has also been sent to other government agencies, Miguna is expected to return on Monday, March 26. READ ALSO: Miguna Miguna deported It also demanded that the lawyer be provided with safe entry in the country. READ ALSO: I have never ever renounced my Kenyan citizenship and will never do - Miguna Miguna The move comes barely days after the High Court ruled that the former gubernatorial aspirant was free to return to Kenya. As formerly reported by TUKO.co.ke, the controversial lawyer who has dual citizenship was deported to Canada following his dramatic arrest after being involved in the swearing in of Raila Odinga. The government declared Miguna an outsider explaining that he had renewed his Canadian citizenship on June 17, 2017 but did not reapply for his Kenyan citizenship to be renewed. READ ALSO: Govt says Miguna did not reclaim his Kenyan citizenship but how was he cleared by IEBC? Miguna was involved in the controversial swearing in of Raila. Photo: NASA READ ALSO: Miguna free to come back to Kenya, court rules days after Uhuru-Raila deal The Government stated that the politician denounced his Kenyan citizenship several years back and has never bothered to reclaim it back. Miguna, however, denied the allegations that he had renounced his Kenyan citizenship. "I have never, ever renounced my Kenyan citizenship and will never do that. Ive never even contemplated it," he said. This led to a series of court battles with Miguna, being represented by a battery of lawyers, fighting to have his deportation quashed. He finally got reprieve when the Court of Appeal granted him unrestricted and unhindered return to Kenya. Do you have a hot story or scandal you would like us to publish, please reach us through news@tuko.co.ke or WhatsApp: 0732482690 and Telegram: Tuko news ALSO WATCH: Kenyan Domestic worker explains her plight in Saudi Arabia | Faces of Kenya Source: Kenya Breaking News Today You have permission to edit this article. Edit Close - Political leaders from the opposition alliance have mingled with leaders from Jubilee party following the reconciliation deal with Raila Odinga - Governor Anyang' Nyong'o led the example after travelling alongside President Uhuru Kenyatta and other government officials to Cuba - The ODM governor went to Cuba as a representative from the Council of Governors - Uhuru made a pact with Raila on Friday, March 9, a move which was largely approved by ODM MPs - On Friday, March 16, several legislators from ODM also joined Deputy President William Ruto during a ground-breaking ceremony Kisumu County Governor Anyang' Nyong'o is among politicians who accompanied President Uhuru Kenyatta to Cuba for a government mission. Nyong'o who is from the opposition openly expressed his willingness to working with the Jubilee government, especially after the Uhuru-Raila Harambee meeting. Send 'NEWS' to 40227 to receive all the important breaking news as it happen READ ALSO: "Slay queen" akatazwa kupanda matatu kwa kuvalia mavazi yasio ya kiheshima, Nairobi (picha) As reported by TUKO.co.ke earlier, Raila and Uhuru made a pact on Friday, March 16, a move that was welcomed with jubilation by ODM party. Governor Anyang' Nyong'o accompanies Uhuru to Cuba days after Raila signed deal with the president. Photo: Uhuru Kenyatta/Facebook READ ALSO: Kalonzo, Mudavadi react after ODM move to oust Wetangula from position of Senate Minority Leader Leading by example, and in a bid to prove unity between ODM and Jubilee Nyong'o joined a group of government officials who accompanied Uhuru to Cuba, where he had gone to seek a helping hand for his healthcare policy in Jubilee's Big Four Agenda. Uhuru and the officials visited Cuba's leading research and pharmaceutical group, Labiofam, to study how the Caribbean country has developed in its fight against tropical diseases, such as Malaria. READ ALSO: Raila exposed himself for the wolf he is - former presidential candidate Nazlin Umar TUKO.co.ke has, however, learnt that Anyang' Nyong'o travel to Cuba on behalf of the Council of Governor's Health committee, which he is a member. Nyong'o's open show of solidarity with the government came barely days after Uhuru and ODM party leader Raila Odinga decided to put their differences aside and work together for the sake of the country. Governor Anyang' Nyong'o accompanies Uhuru to Cuba days after Raila signed deal with the president. Photo: Uhuru Kenyatta/Facebook READ ALSO: Kakamega senator on the run after failing to pay KSh 20,000 for suit and shirt Back home, several MPs affiliated to the opposition led by Mvita MP Abdulswamad Shariff Nassir joined Deputy President William Ruto who was in Mombasa at groundbreaking ceremony of Jombi road. Opposition leaders shows open unity with Jubilee government. Photo: William Ruto/Facebook We are fully behind this idea so that we can work together for our people, Shariff Nassir said during the event. Do you have a hot story or scandal you would like us to publish, please reach us through news@tuko.co.ke or WhatsApp: 0732482690 and Telegram: Tuko news ALSO WATCH: Kenyan Domestic worker explains her plight in Saudi Arabia | Faces of Kenya Source: Tuko.co.ke Russian-backed militants launched four 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 opened fire from grenade launchers, heavy machine guns and small arms on the Ukrainian strongholds near Luhanske (59km north-east of Donetsk) and Stanytsia Luhanska (16km north-east of Luhansk). In Donetsk direction, the enemy used 82mm mortars and small arms to fire at the Ukrainian positions near Vodiane (16km north-west of Donetsk) and Lebedynske (16km north-east of Mariupol). As a result of the enemy attacks, Ukrainian servicemen were neither killed nor wounded. ish Within the framework of the the U.S. Humanitarian Demining Program, representatives of the U.S. Armed Forces handed over to Ukraines Special Transport Service 20 kits of modern metal detectors worth UAH 1.5 million. This is stated on the website of the Defense Ministry of Ukraine. "In Chernihiv, at the training center of the State Special Transport Service, in the framework of the U.S. Humanitarian Demining Program, the representatives of the United States European Command and the Defence Cooperation Office of the U.S. Embassy in Ukraine handed over 20 kits of metal detectors to the State Special Transport Service of Ukraine," the statement reads. We need to conduct mass and high-quality demining activities in eastern Ukraine and ensure security of local population. Modern demining equipment is necessary for this, State Secretary of the Defence Ministry of Ukraine Col. Gen. Oleksandr Dublyan said. According to Head of the Administration of the State Special Transport Service Lieutenant General Mykola Malkov, this equipment will increase the level of EOD units response to risks, as well as quality and security of mine clearance works. The State Special Transport Service is a specialized military formation within the Defence Ministry of Ukraine. ish No Ukrainian soldiers were killed or wounded in the anti-terrorist operation (ATO) area in eastern Ukraine over the past day. Ukrainian Defense Ministry's Spokesman for ATO issues Dmytro Hutsuliak said this at a briefing on Friday, an Ukrinform correspondent reports. "Russian-backed militants continued to violate the ceasefire regime. All four attacks on our position were defined as targeted. There have been no wounded or injured among Ukrainian defenders," he said. Hutsuliak also informed that the Ukrainian side observed the ceasefire regime and did not return fire. iy Ukrainian and Austrian businessmen are holding talks on cooperation at the Austrian-Ukrainian Economic Forum, which is taking place in Lviv, the press service of the regional state administration has reported. "As part of the forum, negotiations are being held between representatives of the Austrian and Ukrainian business environment. The investment potential of Lviv region was presented to guests during a panel discussion," Roman Matus, Head of the Investment Policy Department at Lviv Regional State Administration, said on Thursday, March 15. The forum was organized by Lviv Regional State Administration, the Trade Section of the Austrian Embassy in Ukraine and Austria's trade office in Lviv. The honorary guests of the event are Austrian Federal Minister for Europe, Integration and Foreign Affairs of Karin Kneissl and Vice-President of the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber, Richard Schenz. op Official Washington will not ease sanctions against Russia and, if necessary, will be able to increase pressure on Moscow if the Russian side does not stop the occupation of Crimea and its aggression in eastern Ukraine. A representative of the U.S. delegation said this at a meeting of the UN Security Council regarding Crimea on Thursday, an Ukrinform correspondent reported. "The United States will maintain and, if necessary, intensify pressure on Moscow until it withdraws its troops and weapons from Ukraine," the U.S. diplomat said. She stresses that there is no sense to discuss the easing of sanctions while Russia does not show that it is ready to take concrete steps to resolve the crisis in Ukraine. The U.S. representative underlines that the United States will continue to fully support the sovereignty of Ukraine. "The sanctions related to Crimea will remain in force until Russia regains full control over the peninsula to Ukraine," she said. The U.S. representative says that Russia has only one way - to fulfill international obligations and to stop the occupation of Crimea and its aggression in eastern Ukraine. ish Turkey does not recognize the illegal annexation of Crimea by the Russian Federation and continues to support Ukraines territorial integrity and sovereignty. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkey stated this in a press release issued on March 16. Ukraines Crimea peninsula was annexed by the Russian Federation following the illegitimate referendum held four years ago today. We reiterate that we do not recognize the de-facto situation caused by this act which is a violation of international law and confirm our support to the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine, reads the statement posted on the ministrys website. The ministry stressed that Turkey will continue to follow the developments in Crimea, particularly the situation of Crimean Tatar Turks. Earlier, Turkeys Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu stressed that the normalization of relations between Turkey and Russia do not mean that the position of Ankara on the issue of Crimea had changed. iy Majority of the countries participating in a meeting of the UN Security Council regarding the situation in the occupied Crimea have expressed support for the integrity of Ukraine. This is said in a statement made by the Permanent Mission of Ukraine to the United Nations. "The overwhelming majority of the UN Security Council member states expressed their full support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine and noted the illegal actions of the Russian Federation in Crimea. The meeting showed that Russias temporary occupation of Crimea and Sevastopol remained in the field of view of the international community and on the active agenda of the UN Security Council," the statement reads. The meeting was held in the Arria format on March 15. Ukraine was represented by Deputy Foreign Minister Olena Zerkal. In addition to members of the Security Council, representatives of the Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar people also took part in the discussion. The meeting was initiated by Ukraines delegation to the UN. It was supported by the current members of the Security Council, in particular Sweden, Great Britain, Poland, the Netherlands and the United States. As a reminder, on March 16, 2014, the so-called "referendum" was held in the occupied Crimea, and two days later on March 18 the "annexation" of Crimea with the Russian Federation was proclaimed. Neither the "referendum" nor the "annexation" of Crimea to Russia was recognized in the world (except for several countries dependent on Russia, for example, Nauru). The official date of the beginning of the temporary occupation of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol February 20, 2014 was defined by the Law of Ukraine "On Amendments to Certain Laws of Ukraine on Determining the Date of Beginning of Temporary Occupation" dated September 15, 2015. This law contributes to the protection of the rights of the state, citizens and legal entities as well as strengthens Ukraine's position in litigation against the Russian Federation. ish In Brussels, politicians and experts will discuss progress and challenges for the development of Ukraine's security and stability. An international conference on this issue will be organized on Monday, March 19, by the European Policy Centre in Brussels, an Ukrinform correspondent reported. The event will be attended by Ukrainian Foreign Minister Pavlo Klimkin, former NATO Secretary General, Adviser to the President of Ukraine Anders Fogh Rasmussen, and Chairman of the European Parliament's Committee on Foreign Affairs David McAllister. On the same day, the EUs Foreign Affairs Council will discuss the situation in Ukraine. The Cyborgs: Heroes Never Die film will be shown in the Belgian capital on Monday. ish Eerik-Niiles Kross (Estonia, ALDE), co-rapporteur of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) for the monitoring of Ukraine, will visit Ukraine from March 19 to 21, 2018. Ukrinform learnt this from the PACEs press service. "During the visit, he intends to focus on recent political developments, the state of the reform programme, and relations between the ruling majority and opposition ahead of forthcoming elections," the press service informed. In addition, he will also look at changes to the legal framework for NGOs, new laws on education and on minority languages, and progress in combating corruption. In Kyiv, Mr Kross is due to meet President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko, the ministers of foreign affairs, justice and education, the prosecutor general, the head of Ukraines Security Service, the chair of the Central Election Commission, and the heads of a number of anti-corruption bodies. In parliament, he is due to meet the speaker of the Verkhovna Rada, representatives of various parliamentary factions, the ombudsperson, and members of the parliamentary committees on corruption prevention and on science and education. The outlook for Moroccos crop year in 2018 is positive thanks to abundant rainfall, the agriculture ministry said in a statement. Cumulative rainfall reached 281 mm this year boding well for the yield, the statement said, adding that overall dam filling rate hit 59%. Last year, Morocco produced 96 million quintals of cereals, including 49 million quintals (51%) of wheat, 25 million quintals of barley and 22 million quintals of hard wheat. Agriculture accounts for more than 15% of the Moroccan economy and the high harvest is expected to boost growth. Estonia does not recognize the annexation of Crimea by the Russian Federation, as well as Russian "election" on the occupied peninsula. Estonian Foreign Minister Sven Mikser said this in a statement on the occasion of upcoming anniversary of Crimea annexation, published on the website of the Foreign Ministry of Estonia. "We condemn the unlawful annexation perpetrated by the Russian Federation four years ago, which ignored the Ukrainian constitution, the will of the Ukrainian people and internationally agreed rules. Crimea is, and will remain part of Ukraine," Mikser said. He stresses that Estonia condemns the holding of election by the Russian Federation in Crimea and Sevastopol and does not recognise their results. The Estonian foreign minister says that the occupying power continues to breach human rights and fundamental freedoms: Ukrainian citizens have been unlawfully detained; there have been reports of torture and mistreatment; and the situation of the indigenous people of Crimean Tartars is particularly deplorable. Annexation has also made it more difficult to keep relations with Crimean Estonians as close as before. "Russia continues to integrate Crimea into its political and economic space. Significant efforts are also being taken to militarise the peninsula, threatening security in the Black Sea region as a whole. Estonia denounces the construction of the Kerch Strait Bridge, which has not been authorised by Ukraine and which will not only have a negative impact on security but also restrict the access of cargo vessels to Ukrainian port cities," Mikser stressed. He notes that Estonia continues to support the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine. "We shall continue to raise the issue of Crimea in the international arena. We strongly support the continuation and updating the non-recognition policy of the illegal annexation of Crimea, including sanctions, and call for the release of those illegally imprisoned. It is of utmost importance that international organisations would be given access to Crimea," the Estonian foreign minister said. As a reminder, on March 16, 2014, the so-called "referendum" was held in the occupied Crimea, and two days later on March 18 the "annexation" of Crimea with the Russian Federation was proclaimed. ish The Ukrainian Telegraph Agency, the historical predecessor of the current Ukrinform, was founded in Katerynoslav (currently known as Dnipro) in 1918, during the Ukrainian War of Independence of 1917-1921. A special circular telegram of the Central Executive Committee of the Councils of Ukraine said: "The Ukrainian Telegraph Agency (UTA) began to function. Its main office is temporarily located in the city of Katerynoslav, in the house of the former provincial administration, room No. 2-a." After the formation of the Ukrainian State headed by Hetman Skoropadsky in Kyiv, the Ukrainian Telegraph Agency (UTA) began to function. The first one who headed the agency was Ukrainian literary critic, journalist, philosopher and politician Dmytro Dontsov. He simultaneously headed the Press Bureau. UTA published its reports in the Bulletin of the Ukrainian Telegraph Agency and the Telegrams of the Ukrainian Telegraph Agency. Since then, the agency has changed a lot of names: UTA, the Bureau of Ukrainian Press, the All-Ukrainian Bureau of the Russian Telegraph Agency, the Radio-Telegraph Agency of Ukraine (RATAU). This is still far from a complete list of names in the history of the agency, which had worked under the Bolsheviks, the Hetmanate, and the Ukrainian People's Republic. Together with Ukraine, Ukrinform went through all cataclysms of the 20th century of the Soviet era - repression, Holodomor, World War II, Brezhnev's stagnation, pererostroika, and the collapse of the Soviet Union. Then there was independence of Ukraine and the difficult formation of the state. The founders of the information sphere in Ukraine, the first Ukrinform employees, included many well-known public figures and cultural representatives, among them poet, translator and publicist Pavlo Tychyna, prose writer and playwright Yuriy Olesha, writer Ivan Le, writer and public figure Serhiy Pylypenko, as well as dozens of other writers, poets, and politicians. Stalinist repressions affected the agency, many of its employees. The first leaders of RATAU, Volodymyr Narbut and Ivan Lakyza, as well as dozens of other employees who showed their adherence to principles and had their own opinion, died in Gulag prisons. The agency had the name of RATAU for almost 70 years. After the proclamation of Ukraine's independence, the news agency received its modern name "Ukrinform" and gained national status. Now Ukrinform is a leading news agency in Ukraine, which cooperates with many foreign news agencies on the basis of bilateral agreements. Ukrinform is the only news agency representing Ukraine in the European Alliance of News Agencies, as well as the founder and member of the Black Sea Association of National News Agencies (BSANNA). Ukrinform now has the largest network of regional and foreign news bureaus among Ukrainian media outlets. The agency's foreign correspondents promptly inform the public about events from Australia, Belgium, Canada, Moldova, Germany, Poland, the United States, France, and the Baltic States. Ukrinform currently issues reports in seven languages - Ukrainian, Russian, English, Spanish, German, French, and Chinese. Ukrinform has an average daily audience of over 100,000 readers in Ukraine and abroad. The EUs support for Ukraine in the fight against Russia will allow the EU members to maintain their integrity. The Ukrainian World Congress urges the EU Member States to continue to stand resolutely alongside Ukraine and its people as they stand on the front lines defending not only the territorial integrity of Ukraine, but all independent states, UWC President Eugene Czolij stated. The UWC also welcomed the decision by the Council of the European Union to extend sanctions against individuals and entities for the undermining by the Russian Federation of the territorial integrity of Ukraine for a further six months until September 15, 2018. Currently 150 people and 38 entities are subject to an asset freeze and a travel ban because their actions have undermined Ukraine's territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence. The sanctions were first introduced in March 2014. The Congress of Ukrainians of Latvia on March 15 sent to Ukraine the 35th cargo of humanitarian aid intended to facilitate the lives of disabled people. Chairman of the Congress of Ukrainians of Latvia Mykola Pavliuk told this to an Ukrinform correspondent. "We loaded and sent another 35th cargo of humanitarian aid to Ukraine. It is the truck packed with means for the sick and the wounded, in general, for people with disabilities. These are special beds, wheelchairs, spare parts, comfortable crutches and some other devices," Pavliuk said. Congress members, representatives of Ukraine's Embassy in Latvia and Latvian activists, friends of Ukraine, took part in the loading of humanitarian aid. Apart from congress members, Latvian activists and friends of Ukraine took part in the loading of humanitarian aid. iy A news agency known today as Ukrinform was founded a hundred years ago, together with the Ukrainian People's Republic. Much happened during those hundred years. We plan to publish a series of news articles of all these years in order to show what was hidden between the lines and what contained short and, at first glance, impartial messages. Skoropadsky declared himself hetman April 29, 1918. Kyiv. The UTA (Ukrainian Telegraph Agency), through the press, made public a "Letter to the entire Ukrainian people," which informed the people of Ukraine that Pavlo Skoropadsky declared himself the Hetman of the whole of Ukraine. A reception by Hetman Pavlo Skoropadsky, Kyiv, 1918 Reference: Pavlo Skoropadsky came from a noble Cossack family. He was born in Wiesbaden, Germany. He spent his childhood in a family estate in Chernihiv region. He graduated from the Page Corps in St. Petersburg - a privileged educational institution. Skoropadsky was in active army since the beginning of the Russian-Japanese war in 1904. In January 1917, he took command of the 34th Army Corps, which was deployed on the territory of Ukraine, and Ukrainianized it. Later, at a congress in Chyhyryn, where the restoration of the Ukrainian Cossacks was declared, Skoropadsky was elected an honorable ataman of the Free Cossacks. Subsequently, Skoropadsky was forced to leave the service in the army and joined a party of Ukrainian farmers-democrats. People close to him from the former 34th corps and the Free Cossacks formed the "Ukrainian People's Community." It was this organization that began to promote the idea that only strong dictatorial power could bring the country out of disorder and anarchy. The most appropriate form of government, in their opinion, was the Hetmanate, and the best candidate for Hetman was Pavlo Skoropadsky. On April 29, 1918, the power of the Central Rada was overthrown, and Skoropadsky was proclaimed Hetman. Universal on the revival of the Cossacks October 16, 1918. Kyiv. UTA has published the Universal of Hetman Skoropadsky on the revival of the Cossacks: "To improve the strength of our Ukrainian state, [we need] to revive the Cossacks in all places of their historical existence in Ukraine, relying on the basis of its rebirth on those Cossack and knightly traditions that our history have brought to us since the time of the last struggle of the Ukrainian Cossacks for their freedom." Hetman Skoropadsky and the headquarters inspect the First Cossack Riflemen division, August 1918 As is known from historical sources, the issue of the revival of the Cossacks arose immediately after Skoropadsky was declared the Hetman of Ukraine. His first legislative acts separately fixed such a category of citizens as Cossacks. "A handwritten letter of the Hetman of Ukraine on the liquidation of private and free Cossack organizations and the creation of the Cossack Council" was published on June 2, 1918. In that letter Skoropadsky ordered "for all measures to be taken to ensure that the Cossacks [] could become true leaders of the national idea and an example for the future Ukrainian Cossack Army." In the autumn of 1918, the Cossacks began to implement and submit a draft Statute on the Ukrainian Cossack Army. Telegrams from the gatherings of "peasants-farmers," in which they fully supported Skoropadsky, were published in the press. However, the subsequent formation of the Cossacks was hampered by the change in the military-political situation in the Ukrainian State. In mid-November 1918, Skoropadsky spoke about a federation with non-Bolshevik Russia, and the Directory's uprising subsequently began. On December 14, 1918, the hetman was forced to give up power. Ukraine has already made a protest to the Russian Federation over the presidential elections in Crimea. Deputy Head of Ukraine's Ministry of Foreign Affairs Olena Zerkal has said sanctions against Russia should be toughened over the situation in Crimea. "It is necessary to build up existing multilateral and bilateral sanctions... Ukraine has already made a strong protest to the Russian Federation over these elections. They are another challenge to the international community and the UN. We must not tolerate another violation of international law. We must act together to put an end to the annexation of Crimea, and I urge you to take action by toughening sanctions against Russia, or be more active in the UN and other platforms," Zerkal said at a special meeting of the UN Security Council on the situation in Crimea on March 15, RFE/RL's Ukrainian service reports. Read alsoU.S. State Department: Crimea is Ukraine "The Russian occupation forces are not limited to the persecution of individuals, [they] oppress activists of the Mejlis, representatives of the legitimate representative body of the Crimean Tatars," she said. On March 15, the UN Security Council held an Arria-formula meeting on the situation in occupied Crimea. This format involves not only of the members of the Security Council, but also other states and representatives of civil society. UNIAN memo. Russia annexed Ukraine's Crimea in March 2014 after its troops had occupied the peninsula. An illegal referendum was held for Crimeans to decide on accession to Russia. De-facto Crimean authorities reported that allegedly 96.77% of the Crimean population had voted for joining Russia. On March 18, 2014, the so-called agreement on the accession of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol to Russia was signed in the Kremlin. The West did not recognize the annexation in response to which sanctions against Russia were introduced. Ukraine's parliament voted to designate February 20, 2014, as the official date when the temporary occupation of Crimea began. Bennett said in an interview that Tymoshenko is a reformer who supports the West. A former campaign aide to President Donald Trump is lobbying on behalf of a former Ukrainian prime minister who figures in the indictment of Paul Manafort. Barry Bennett's firm Avenue Strategies Global LLC will provide government relations, public relations and strategic consulting services, including making contacts with members of the Trump administration and Congress, on behalf of Yulia Tymoshenko, who served as prime minister of Ukraine in 2005 and from 2007 through 2010. She was one of the targets of an undisclosed influence campaign led by Manafort, prosecutors allege, Bloomberg wrote. The contract, filed with the Justice Department under the Foreign Agents Registration Act, calls for monthly payments of $65,000. Bennett said in an interview that Tymoshenko is a reformer who supports the West. "Paul was working for the pro-Russians," he said. "We're working for the pro-American." He said his firm is "helping her arrange trips in the United States to meet with government leaders and so on." Read alsoFormer Trump campaign manager Manafort files to dismiss charges media Mueller's indictment of Manafort, a former manager of Trump's campaign, said he directed an extensive lobbying campaign on behalf of Viktor Yanukovych, a former president of Ukraine, including hiring two firms to lobby members of Congress. Among the issues they addressed, according to the indictment, was the "propriety of Yanukovych's imprisoning his presidential rival, Yulia Tymoshenko." Manafort has plead not guilty. Tymoshenko was Yanukovych's main challenger for the presidency in 2010. In 2011, Tymoshenko, who serves as the leader of the Batkivshchyna (Fatherland) Party, was jailed on corruption charges by the government of Yanukovych, whose Party of Regions was represented by Manafort. Manafort is also alleged in the indictment to have used offshore accounts to secretly pay a U.S. law firm $4 million for a report that justified her trial and imprisonment. Alex van der Zwaan, who worked for London office of Skadden Arps Slate Meagher & Flom LLP, pleaded guilty in February to making false statements to the special counsel's office on his contacts with Rick Gates, Manafort's partner. Gates plead guilty to his role in the lobbying operation on behalf of the Party of Regions the same month. In 2015, Tymoshenko sued Yanukovych, Manafort and others in federal court claiming, among other things, that the defendants used laundered money in an effort to discredit her. That case was dismissed on procedural grounds. Bennett served as a senior adviser for Trump's presidential campaign in 2016 after initially managing Ben Carson's effort. He formed Avenue Strategies with Corey Lewandowski, who managed Trump's campaign through the primaries, in December 2016. Lewandowski left the firm in May over concerns about representing foreign clients. Bennett said his firm is representing Tymoshenko in her personal capacity. Should she run for office again, the filing says that Avenue Strategies Global would have to disclose her party as a client as well. Russia's representative claimed that one no matter the talk about the occupation of Crimea, it was not the case. The Crimean peninsula had been an "abandoned territory" before it was annexed by Russia, Dmitry Polyansky, the Deputy Permanent Representative of Russia to UN, claimed during the session of the UN Security Council where the situation in occupied Crimea ahead of Russia's presidential election was discussed. "You can talk about the occupation of Crimea as much as you want, but it just does not exist," the Russian diplomat claimed, according to 112 Ukraine TV Channel. According to him, the discussion is not about Crimea in this case but about Russia because "it is a trend of the recent days". He called other rapporteurs at the session "sofa diplomats", those who claim to be experts despite knowing little to nothing about the issue. As UNIAN reported earlier, Ukraine at the UNSC called for an extension of international sanctions against Russia over the situation in the annexed Crimea. Read alsoU.S. State Department: Crimea is UkraineUNIAN memo. Russia annexed Ukraine's Crimea in March 2014 after its troops had occupied the peninsula. An illegal referendum was held for Crimeans to decide on accession to Russia. De-facto Crimean authorities reported that allegedly 96.77% of the Crimean population had voted for joining Russia. On March 18, 2014, the so-called agreement on the accession of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol to Russia was signed in the Kremlin. The West did not recognize the annexation in response to which sanctions against Russia were introduced. Ukraine's parliament voted to designate February 20, 2014, as the official date when the temporary occupation of Crimea began. Moscow is using Crimea as a launching pad for its military interventions in other regions. Deputy Head of Ukraine's Ministry of Foreign Affairs Olena Zerkal has said the Russian Federation continues to upgrading military infrastructure in occupied Crimea to deploy nuclear weapons on the peninsula. "We are seeing an accelerated pace of modernization in Crimea, which has already changed the balance of security in the region," Zerkal said at a special meeting of the UN Security Council on the situation in Crimea on March 15. Read alsoUkraine urges UN to toughen sanctions against Russia over Crimea "Russia has more than doubled its armed forces on the peninsula and is taking further steps to upgrade Crimean-based military infrastructure to deploy nuclear weapons," the diplomat said. "We all know that Russia has recently deployed the second battalion of the S-400 Triumph anti-aircraft missile system in Crimea, while the first battalion was deployed last spring. These systems are capable of destroying airplanes, drones, cruise and ballistic missiles within a range of up to 400 km," Zerkal said. "In other words, Moscow is turning Crimea into a huge military base with land, air and sea components, using it as a launching pad for its military interventions in other regions," the diplomat said. In this regard, she noted that one of the latest similar examples was its campaign in Syria. The president has also visited the Zolote checkpoint. Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko has made a surprise visit to the village of Katerynivka and the town of Zolote in Donbas, eastern Ukraine, which have been liberated from the Russian occupation forces. "The president has visited the liberated Katerynivka and Zolote in Luhansk region, where a checkpoint was built across the contact line, but the Russian occupation forces have blocked its work by constant shelling," Presidential Press Secretary Svyatoslav Tsegolko wrote on Facebook on Friday afternoon. He did not provide other details of Poroshenko's visit to Donbas. Read alsoRussian-led forces mount four attacks on Ukraine in Donbas in last day Meanwhile, First Deputy Chairperson of the Verkhovna Rada and Ukrainian envoy to the Trilateral Contact Group in Minsk on Donbas Iryna Gerashchenko wrote on Facebook that Poroshenko had visited the Zolote checkpoint whose opening has been blocked by Russian-led militants for two years. "Poroshenko has visited the liberated Katerynivka where even monitors from the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission do not come, as they come under fire every day. The front line is several hundred meters away. The contact line virtually runs along the border of the village. It is very important that residents of this small village where 200 Ukrainians, including 20 children, still reside know that the Ukrainian government supports them and does everything to let peacekeepers come to the occupied Donbas and end the war and daily shelling," Gerashchenko said. King Mohammed VI has called on Africans, men and women, and especially young people, to rise to the challenges the African Continent is facing and to embrace the dynamic of shared growth. In a message addressed to participants in the Crans Montana Forum, which opened Friday in Dakhla under the theme Africa and South-South cooperation, the Moroccan Sovereign said that Africa is at a crossroads and that the profound changes underway in the continent are multidimensional. These changes point to a rapidly changing Africa a continent increasingly removed from the stereotypes and negative cliches it has been labeled with, stressed the royal message read out by president of the Dakhla-Oued Eddahab region Ynja Khattat. Africa is 30 million square kilometers of opportunity. It has the youngest population on earth. By 2050, there will be 2.5 billion inhabitants in the Continent, half of whom will be under 25 years of age, noted the Monarch. These young people will constitute an enormous asset, provided the demographic dividend is managed judiciously. This impressive demographic trend will produce a major change of direction which will, in turn, transform the situation in Africa and the world at large, underlined King Mohammed VI. Young Africans are a precious element in the achievement of development; through them, we have an incredible opportunity for emergence one on which our Continent ought to capitalize, went to say the King. To achieve progress, however, Africa needs to muster all its energy and build on innovative, win-win partnerships. And besides building on its resources, Africa should make use of all the means at its disposal to meet the legitimate expectations of African populations. One of the favored tools for Africas emergence is South-South cooperation, affirmed the Monarch, noting that Morocco is one of the African countries nurturing the ambition and desire to ensure that Africa becomes master of its own destiny. It is no coincidence, therefore, that Morocco has made South-South cooperation an instrument for the advent of a new Africa that believes in its potential and looks to the future, explained the King. Morocco, he said, has put that cooperation at the heart of its African policy. Under my stewardship, Morocco has shaped a truly innovative South-South cooperation model based on the exchange of knowledge, skills, expertise and resources. This model involves all of the Continents sub-regions and relevant sectors, said the Moroccan Sovereign. The South-South cooperation initiated by Morocco is meant to be integrated and multidimensional. Whether in the areas of the transfer of technology, the sharing of know-how, the establishment of public-private partnerships in various domains, or training and higher education, he added. Over the last 15 years, Morocco signed 1,000 cooperation agreements with 28 African countries. They concern such diverse sectors as education, health, infrastructure development, training and agriculture. Because it puts man at the heart of its concerns and incorporates the economic, social, cultural, spiritual, security and military dimensions, the Moroccan model is unique, recalled the King. Morocco, which defines cooperation strategies in the light of sister nations needs, has over 25,000 African students attending Moroccan universities and higher education institutions. The Kingdom is keen to implement major strategic projects in Africa, including the Africa Atlantic Gas Pipeline and the fertilizer production plants in Ethiopia and Nigeria to improve agricultural productivity and ensure food security throughout the sub-region, said the Monarch. In order to achieve a mutually beneficial relationship based on sharing and to consolidate existing sub-regional partnerships, Morocco has returned to its institutional family, the African Union, said King Mohammed VI, urging all African sister nations to get more closely involved in this constructive cooperation by helping to enhance the efficiency of regional and sub-regional institutions as instruments for the achievement of integration across the Continent. The Crans Montana Forum annual event, become a must for all those who are supporting Africa and its world integration, brings together, at this 2018 edition, Heads of State and Government, Ministers, regional & international organizations, MPs and above all top Business operators from Africa, other countries of the South and from all over the World. This session will discuss a set of issues of concern to Africa, including urban global Management; ocean economy & fishing industry, with a special focus on the Blue Belt Initiative; the Silk Road in Africa & Asia-Africa Partnerships with Morocco standing as a new gateway to the Silk Road in the continent. The issues of migration flows management; development policies; youth employment; and energy security and renewables are also high on the agenda. The elections are scheduled for Sunday, March 18, 2018. High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini says the EU doesn't recognize Russian presidential elections in occupied Crimea. "The European Union does not recognize the holding of elections by the Russian Federation in the Crimean peninsula. The European Union remains committed to fully implementing its non-recognition policy, including through restrictive measures. The EU calls again on UN Member States to consider similar non-recognition measures in line with the UNGA Resolution 68/262," she said in a statement on behalf of the EU on the 4th anniversary of the illegal annexation of Crimea and Sevastopol by the Russian Federation. The elections are scheduled for Sunday, March 18, 2018. The European Union reiterates that it does not recognize and continues to condemn this violation of international law. It remains a direct challenge to international security, with grave implications for the international legal order that protects the unity and sovereignty of all States. Read alsoRussia readying infrastructure in Crimea for nuclear weapons Ukraine MFA The ongoing militarization of the peninsula continues to impact the security situation in the Black Sea region. In violation of international humanitarian law, Russian citizenship and conscription in the armed forces of the Russian Federation have been imposed on Crimean residents. "The European Union condemns the construction of the Kerch Bridge without Ukraine's consent and the limitations it has already imposed on the freedom of transit," the statement said. Since the illegal annexation by the Russian Federation, the human rights situation in the Crimean peninsula has deteriorated further. Residents of the peninsula face systematic restrictions of fundamental freedoms, such as freedom of expression, religion or belief and association and the right to peaceful assembly. The rights of the Crimean Tatars have been gravely violated through the shutting down of Crimean Tatar media outlets, the banning of the activities of the Mejlis, their self-governing body, and the persecution of its leaders and members of their community. Crimean Tatars, Ukrainians and all ethnic and religious communities in the peninsula must be ensured the possibility to maintain and develop their culture, traditions, education and identity. The EU reiterates its call for the immediate release of Oleh Sentsov, Oleksandr Kolchenko, Mykola Semena and all those who have been detained and sentenced in breach of international law. Journalists, human rights defenders and defense lawyers should be able to work independently and without undue interference. The EU calls for full compliance with international human rights standards in the peninsula. All pending cases of human rights violations and abuses, such as enforced disappearances, torture and killings should be thoroughly investigated. Full, free and unrestricted access for international human rights actors to the whole territory of Ukraine, including Crimea and Sevastopol, continues to be paramount. "The EU recalls UNGA Resolution 72/190 of 19 December 2017, and calls for its full implementation, including the Russian Federation's obligations under applicable international humanitarian law," the statement said. Regular Russian troops remain in the occupied Donbas, the head of state said. Russia has strengthened its military presence on the border with Ukraine as several mechanized divisions are fully prepared for intervention, Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko said, speaking before the Ukrainian troops in Luhansk region Friday, referring to a report by the commander of the Anti-Terrorist Operation. According to the president said that Ukraine has long been living with the Russian military threat looming over the country. "For more than one year, we have been repelling Russia's military aggression on the front line," Poroshenko said. Read alsoPoroshenko appoints Commander of Joint Forces"In his latest report, General Zabrodsky (chief of the ATO forces and commander of the landing-attack troops of the AFU Gen. Mykhailo Zabrodsky] reported in detail on the strengthening of the military presence of the Russian Federation along our border and continued stay of Russia's regular troops in the occupied territories," the president said. According to Poroshenko, since 2014, the Russians deployed and reorganized their forces in a way to be able to support a rapid invasion both from the north and east of Ukraine. "Several mechanized divisions are fully prepared for intervention," Poroshenko added. Ukraine fully shares the call of 13 EU member states for increased efforts of the international community to counter the false narrative that nothing has changed or the reforms are backsliding. Kyiv is assuring Brussels that there is no backsliding on reform implementation in Ukraine. A non-paper drafted by the Ukrainian side, titled "Strengthening EU Support to Ukraine in Implementing Reforms and Countering Russian Aggression", is being circulated in Brussels ahead of the upcoming EU Foreign Affairs Council scheduled for March 19, where EU foreign ministers intend to discuss the Ukraine issue in two aspects: implementation of reforms and fulfillment of Minsk agreements. Also ahead of the meeting, a joint non-paper drafted by 13 EU member states has been presented, where officials touch upon the reform process in Ukraine. The non-paper prepared by the Ukrainian side, which is at UNIAN disposal, notes that Kyiv has "taken note of the joint non-paper 'Keeping Ukraine on the Reform Path', presented by 13 EU Member States in the context of preparation for discussion on the situation in Ukraine at the forthcoming EU Foreign Affairs Council on 19 March and the Ukraine Reform Conference in Copenhagen on 27 June". "We appreciate the positive assessment of the efforts of the Ukrainian leadership to implement comprehensive and large-scale reform agenda to strengthen democratic institutions and restore economic growth in Ukraine based on the best European and international standards," the non-paper reads, adding that, in fact, it is well acknowledged that over the last 4 years after the Revolution of Dignity Ukraine implemented more reforms by their scale and depth than in the course of its entire independence. Read alsoBrussels says Ukraine "not fully delivering" on EU, IMF benchmarks - journalistThe Ukrainian side states that a large number of these reforms were integrally linked with the implementation of IMF programs and Ukraine-EU Association Agreement, achieving very demanding criteria for a visa-free regime with the EU. "Concrete progress on all these tracks demonstrates clearly the success of Ukrainian government on the reform agenda. Ukraine is a unique country in the world. Ukraine keeps delivering on such immense reform track in parallel with countering the ongoing Russian aggression, which has already resulted in loss of more than 10 thousand human lives, about 2 million IDPs, huge drop in national GDP, loss of significant part of production capacities and resources in the temporarily occupied regions of the Donbas and Crimea," the non-paper reads. Besides, the Ukrainian side recalls that last year "we adopted and launched a number of long-awaited systemic reforms", including that of the judiciary, education (which symbolized the transition of the education system in Ukraine to the next generation best European and international standards), as well as decentralization and cleaning the banking sector. "Approval of the new legislation on credit registry in line with EU standards is expected to strengthen stability and security of the financial system for years to come," Kyiv believes. Ukraine has settled the long-existing problem of the VAT refund, continued the dynamic process of deregulation, launched the long-awaited comprehensive health care reform, and in the framework of the land reform developed the Concept of National land market model in cooperation with the World Bank. Read alsoSmolii tapped to head National Bank of Ukraine"It is only brief and non-exhaustive list of the reforms, which have been launched and implemented since 2017. Most of them require more than a year or two to be implemented and felt by ordinary citizens. Moreover, the government is committed to going further on the reform track in 2018: a new law on the national security based on the EU and NATO models; a new law on diplomatic service; a new law on currency based on the principle allowed is everything which is not prohibited; establishing the National Bureau of Financial Security as the only center for detecting economic crimes," the Ukrainian side says. It is underlined that this year is "crucial in our cooperation as the current IMF program expires at the beginning of the next year". "A lot has been achieved, Ukraine has demonstrated impressive performance, in particular on pension reform and privatization. In line with IMF program, we have initiated very difficult, highly sensitive and very unpopular pension reform, which introduced an accumulation pension system and drastically increased the pension insurance record," the non-paper says. Read alsoMogherini: No Ukraine fatigue in EUHowever, Ukraine acknowledges that several issues for the upcoming fourth review are yet to be done, including the establishment of the high anticorruption court and adjusting the gas tariffs. "We expect that these issues will be settled in the near future. There is no time for any pause in reforms and no justified grounds to say about any so-called backsliding. We fully share the call of 13 EU member states for increased efforts of the international community to counter the false narrative that nothing has changed or the reforms are backsliding," the Ukrainian side assures. It is noted that such narrative "clearly contributes to the societys fatigue and disappointment with 'everlasting transformations', thus undermining the trust in the pro-European government". "It also plays well in the Russian narrative of the fiasco of European integration idea," the non-paper says. Kyiv has crafted a number of proposals for the EU in case Brussels is committed to strengthening its support for Ukraine to counter Russian aggression. Ukraine has appealed to the European Union to recognize the Russian Federation an aggressor state, strengthen Russia sanctions, and take up a key role in deploying a UN peacekeeping mission in Donbas, according to a non-paper drafted by the Ukrainian side ahead of the EU Foreign Affairs Council scheduled for March 19 where the Ukraine issue will be on the agenda. In the non-paper, which is at UNIAN's disposal, circulated in Brussels ahead of the EU foreign ministers' meeting, Kyiv has drafted a number of proposals for the bloc in case Brussels is committed to strengthening its support for Ukraine to counter Russian aggression. After four years of Russian aggression against Ukraine, Kyiv expects that the EU "will recognize Russia as an aggressor country and an occupation power. The EU will significantly strengthen the restrictive measures of individual and economic nature against Russia, including preventing EU companies from cooperating with Russia in the military sphere. The EU sanctions should be leveled up to the US sanctions to form the integral transatlantic sanctions regime. They must be kept until sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine is fully restored, including Crimea," the non-paper says. Read alsoKyiv assures Brussels: No backsliding on reform in UkraineUkraine believes the EU will take the lead in promoting the deployment of UN peacekeepers in Donbas to cover the whole area beyond government control and to seal the uncontrolled part of Ukraine-Russia state border. Kyiv also deems necessary that the EU Political and Security Committee mission pay a second visit to Donbas in the coming months, while the EU unblock the possibility for its Advisory Mission to operate in the government-controlled parts of Donetsk and Luhansk regions. "The EU should take political decision to allow the EU member states to provide Ukraine with lethal defensive weapons and bolstering training assistance as a deterrent to Russian aggression with a view to helping Ukraine in ensuring its right for self-defense in accordance with the UN Charter," the non-paper says. Kyiv also believes the EU will consider Ukraines engagement in the implementation of the Permanent Structured Dialogue on Security and Defense (PESCO). Besides, according to the Ukrainian side, the EU should play a more prominent role in humanitarian aspects of a peaceful settlement in the Donbas. Kyiv hopes that the EU "will press Russia on an immediate release of all Ukrainian hostages and political prisoners". Read alsoPoroshenko: Several divisions of Russian army at Ukrainian border fully set for interventionKyiv expects that Brussels will issue a "firm public statement of condemnation and non-recognition of Russian presidential elections in Crimea before and after the vote on March 18, 2018; and impose sanctions against those who organized and were involved in the electoral process in Crimea". The Ukrainian side also hopes that the EU will take the lead in the international mechanism of de-occupation of Crimea by enforcing non-recognition policy, closing loopholes allowing Russia and certain European companies to circumvent the existing sanctions, preventing participation in Yalta Economic Forum (April 19-21, 2018), any future events in Crimea by representatives of EU businesses. The move comes after Russia turned a deaf ear to Ukraine's demands to abandon the idea of holding Russian presidential elections in the illegally annexed Crimea. On Sunday, March 18, 2018, the security regime for Russia's diplomatic missions on Ukrainian territory in Kyiv, Kharkiv, Odesa and Lviv will not provide Russian citizens access to these buildings for voting. "Today I summoned to the Ministry of Internal Affairs a Charge d'Affaires of the Russian Federation in Ukraine," Interior Minister Arsen Avakov wrote on Facebook on Friday, March 16. "The diplomat was briefed on the official position of the Ukrainian side regarding the March 18 elections in the occupied territories... According to Note of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine No. 610 / 23-110-236 of February 21, 2018, Ukraine declared a strong protest to the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, demanding that the elections not be held March 18 in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine - in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and Sevastopol. The Foreign Ministry of Ukraine noted that casting votes in Russian diplomatic and consular offices in the territory of Ukraine would be possible only if Russia fulfilled the aforementioned requirement of the Ukrainian side. As of today, the Russian Federation has not abandoned its unlawful intentions. The Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine states that illegal elections on a sovereign Ukrainian territory in violation of all norms of international law are unacceptable," said the minister. Read alsoEU doesn't recognize Russian elections in Crimea MogheriniAccording to him, in these conditions, noting the Russian aggressive hybrid war being waged against Ukraine, Crimea's illegal annexation, occupation of parts of Donetsk and Luhansk regions, and the holding of illegal elections on sovereign Ukrainian territory in violation of international law, the interior ministry decided to ban holding at the premises of Russian diplomatic missions in Ukraine the elections that violate Ukrainian law. The Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine reports that on Sunday, March 18, 2018, in the view of public protest actions in Ukrainian society, Russia's neglect of the legitimate demands of the Ukrainian side, and in order to avoid provocations and possible severe consequences, "units of the National Police and National Guard will ensure the proper protection of all diplomatic missions and institutions, as well as the territories adjacent to them - in accordance with the Vienna Convention." Avakov clarified that access to institutions will only be allowed to those with the diplomatic status. Read alsoUkraine urges UN to toughen sanctions against Russia over Crimea"The interior ministry calls on diplomats and Russian citizens to obey Ukraine's lawful requirements - not to provoke a [negative] situation, and to observe order and comply with the laws of Ukraine," the minister said. As reported earlier, the presidential election in Russia will be held on March 18, the anniversary of the illegal annexation of Crimea. In the last eight days, workers seeking to maintain the Donetsk Filter Station have been shot at on four separate occasions. Following recent shelling of water treatment workers in eastern Ukraine, a senior United Nations official has called on all parties to the conflict to protect those civilians who maintain critical infrastructure. "I am deeply concerned that water treatment workers and critical infrastructure continue to be targeted in eastern Ukraine's armed conflict," said Neal Walker, UN Resident Coordinator and Humanitarian Coordinator in Ukraine, in a statement issued on Wednesday, UN News reported. "It is clear that any targeting of civilian infrastructure and intentional disruption of access to water supply or heating systems is a violation of international humanitarian law," he added. Read alsoFour years of Ukraine conflict leave 4.4 million people in dire need of humanitarian assistance In the last eight days, workers seeking to maintain the Donetsk Filter Station have been shot at on four separate occasions. The operation of the facility relies on the safe and unfettered access for the technicians, who risk their lives on a daily basis so water continues to flow to 345,000 people affected by the conflict. On Tuesday, a truck was fired upon while making a routine delivery of water treatment chemicals vital for continued operations. A bus carrying 30 workers was also fired upon. It was only due to good luck that no one was hurt, Mr. Walker said. Given Ukraine's harsh winter, any interruption of water supply or inter-dependent heating systems could generate severe humanitarian consequences, he warned. After four years of armed conflict, ordinary men, women and children continue to be the most affected in eastern Ukraine, with their most basic needs, including safety and protection continuing to be denied. Millions of Ukrainians are either trapped in active hostilities or displaced and are losing hope, he said. Chief prosecutor Lutsenko has already submitted a motion to parliament for the arrest of MP Savchenko. Ukrainian Member of Parliament Nadiia Savchenko, a former pilot and volunteer fighter who was freed from Russian captivity, has been included in Ukraine's Myrotvorets (Peacekeeper) Center database, which lists individuals who pose a threat to the country's security. The information about her is available in the "Purgatory" section. Read alsoSavchenko asks to release POW swap organizer Ruban against her guarantees "A traitor of the country. An accomplice to terrorists. Preparations for terrorist acts in Ukrainian territory on commission from the aggressor country and pro-Russian terrorist organizations. Preparations for a coup d'etat," the website says. As UNIAN reported earlier, Ukraine's parliament on March 15 expelled independent Member of Parliament Nadiia Savchenko from the Verkhovna Rada's National Security and Defense Committee. In addition, Ukrainian Prosecutor General Yuriy Lutsenko said investigators had clear evidence that Savchenko had personally given instructions on how to prepare a terrorist attack on Ukraine's parliament. Later, he submitted a motion to the Verkhovna Rada for the arrest of Savchenko. The issue of stripping her of parliamentarian immunity is on the parliament's agenda on March 22. There are also Ukrainian language courses for adults and children in Minsk and Gomel organized by the Ukrainian ethnic community in Belarus. The Education Ministry of Belarus has approved the curriculum with the Ukrainian language as an optional subject for students from the fifth to ninth years of study at schools where Belarusian and Russian are the languages of instruction. Read alsoPoroshenko: Decade of Ukrainian language in country ahead The ministry says the purpose of this program is "to develop students' skills in speaking and writing in Ukrainian, based on elementary knowledge of the specifics of the Ukrainian language in comparison with Russian and Belarusian," RFE/RL's Ukrainian service reported. The ministry also says this will also facilitate "the development of affection and respect for the Ukrainian people, interest in their language, culture, literature, customs and traditions," it said. The Ukrainian Embassy in Minsk says this is the result of Ukraine's cooperation with Belarus in the sphere of education, as was discussed at talks with President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko in Kyiv last year. As an RFE/RL correspondent reports, the language departments at universities in Minsk and Brest have already been training teachers of the Ukrainian language and literature. There are also Ukrainian language courses for adults and children in Minsk and Gomel organized by the Ukrainian ethnic community. No Ukrainian casualties have been reported. Russia's hybrid military forces attacked Ukrainian army positions in Donbas four times in the past 24 hours. Read alsoVodiane comes under militant mortar fire after daylong truce "In the Luhansk sector, the enemy used grenade launchers, heavy machine guns and small arms against the Ukrainian fortified positions near the villages of Luhanske and Stanytsia Luhanska," the press center of the headquarters of Ukraine's military operations reported on Facebook on Friday morning. In the Donetsk sector, the defenders of the villages of Vodiane and Lebedynske came under fire from 82mm mortars and small arms. No Ukrainian soldiers were reported as killed or wounded in action. The attack prevented technical monitoring in the temporarily-occupied area. For the sixth week in a row, an unmanned aerial vehicle of the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission was targeted by small-arms fire. On March 10, near non-government-controlled Ternove, armed men fired on the OSCE-operated UAV, preventing technical monitoring and endangering SMM UAV operators, that's according to a report the Mission posted on Twitter. #OSCEs Hug: For the 6th week in a row, SMM UAV was targeted by small-arms fire; on 10 March, near non-govt-ctrl Ternove, armed men fired on UAV, preventing technical monitoring and endangering SMM UAV operators. #supportSMMpic.twitter.com/mlT7dIXWej OSCE SMM Ukraine (@OSCE_SMM) March 16, 2018 As UNIAN reported earlier, on March 5 at 12:55, an armed militant confronted an SMM patrol consisting of two armored vehicles and pointed his assault rifle directly at the first vehicle, ordering that the patrol leave. Russia has strengthened its military presence on the border with Ukraine as several mechanized divisions are fully prepared for intervention, Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko said, speaking before the Ukrainian troops in Luhansk region Friday The next meeting of the Trilateral Contact Group (TCG) on Ukraine settlement in Minsk is scheduled for April 4. CIA deputy director Gina Haspel, who was responsible for some but not all dubious interrogations at a black site in Thailand. Photo: CIA Part of the problem with official secrecy is that when information is only partially disclosed it is easy for watchdogs to get some crucial information half-wrong. This seems to have been the case with CIA deputy director and now the presidents choice to succeed Mike Pompeo as director Gina Haspel. When Haspel was first appointed deputy director a position that does not require Senate confirmation in early 2017, it was widely reported that she supervised a CIA black site in Thailand beginning in 2002 where two highly controversial interrogations took place, the most notorious being that of Abu Zubaydah. He was a man whose intelligence value was never clearly established. But he was permanently damaged (and nearly killed) by interrogations in Thailand that included 83 waterboardings, and later tortured some more at a second black site in Poland (for which Poland was ultimately fined by the European Court of Human Rights). Haspel was also charged with responsibility for a second interrogation that involved much less serious waterboarding, and then for either recommending or actually carrying out the destruction of tapes of both interrogations. All these alleged acts were troubling and borderline-illegal and contributed to the closure of the black sites by President Obama in 2009 and the establishment of new restrictions on torture by Congress in 2015. But it was the Zubaydah interrogation that became the center-piece of a national debate on torture. And it now appears that claims of Haspels responsibility for torturing Zubaydah, based on heavily redacted material from the CIA, much of it conveyed to the public in a 2014 Senate Intelligence Committee report, may have been erroneous. Yesterday ProPublica issued a correction of its 2017 report on Haspel and the Thailand black site: On Feb. 22, 2017, ProPublica published a story that inaccurately described Gina Haspels role in the treatment of Abu Zubaydah, a suspected al-Qaida leader who was imprisoned by the CIA at a secret black site in Thailand in 2002. The story said that Haspel, a career CIA officer who President Trump has nominated to be the next director of central intelligence, oversaw the clandestine base where Zubaydah was subjected to waterboarding and other coercive interrogation methods that are widely seen as torture. The story also said she mocked the prisoners suffering in a private conversation. Neither of these assertions is correct and we retract them. It is now clear that Haspel did not take charge of the base until after the interrogation of Zubaydah ended. Interestingly enough, the New York Times reached the same conclusion in a report earlier this week that was largely overlooked: Ms. Haspel arrived to run the prison in late October 2002, after the harsh interrogation of Mr. Zubaydah, a former senior C.I.A. official said. In mid-November, another Qaeda suspect, Abd al-Rahim al-Nashiri arrived. Mr. Nashiri, accused of bombing the U.S.S. Cole, was the man who was waterboarded three times. And so, in ProPublicas summary of where we stand now, the charges against Haspel have shrunk but hardly disappeared: The February 2017 ProPublica story did accurately report that Haspel later rose to a senior position at CIA headquarters, where she pushed her bosses to destroy the tapes of Zubaydahs waterboarding. Her direct boss, the head of the agencys Counterterrorism Center, ultimately signed the order to feed the 92 tapes into a shredder. Her actions in that instance, and in the waterboarding of al-Nashiri, are likely to be the focus of questions at her confirmation hearings. Because of the lurid nature of the Zubaydah interrogation, and particularly the hints weve gotten that whoever was in charge of the black site at the time was personally involved, a lot of the thunder and lightning about Haspel has involved that particular case. Now conservative media outlets are drawing attention to the ProPublica retraction of its earlier story as a big setback for her opponents. Had Haspel not (allegedly) participated in the destruction of the most compelling evidence about the torture of Zubaydah, of course, she would have not been accused of being involved in it in the first place. So she doesnt exactly come to the table for discussion of that mistaken charge with clean hands. And the CIA itself could make Haspels confirmation hearings a lot easier by declassifying more of the relevant information. The other big question is whether Donald Trump appointed Haspel as CIA Director precisely because he wants a renewed debate over torture, which he seems to favor even more avidly than the Bush administration officials with ultimate responsibility for the CIA black sites. Perhaps he will even be disappointed if it transpires that Gina Haspel wasnt quite the avid torturer she was alleged to have been in earlier reports. But there remains enough issues with her record to sustain a robust confirmation hearing. A British policeman who was also poisoned when he went to help them is in a serious but stable condition. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Friday Russia will expel British diplomats in response to London's decision to expel 23 staff at the Russian embassy in London. Asked by a Reuters reporter, at a summit on Syria in the Kazakh capital, if Russia planned to expel British diplomats, Lavrov replied: "We will, of course." He did not give any further details. Britain, the United States, Germany and France jointly called on Russia on Thursday to explain the attack. U.S. President Donald Trump said it looked like the Russians were behind it. Read alsoSuitcase spy poisoning plot: nerve agent 'was planted in luggage of Sergei Skripal's daughter' media Russia has refused Britain's demands to explain how Novichok, a nerve agent developed by the Soviet military, was used to strike down Sergei Skripal, 66, and his daughter Yulia, 33, in the southern English city of Salisbury. Skripal, a former colonel in the GRU who betrayed dozens of Russian agents to British intelligence, and his daughter have been critically ill since March 4, when they were found unconscious on a bench. A British policeman who was also poisoned when he went to help them is in a serious but stable condition. President Vladimir Putin, a former KGB spy who is poised to win a fourth term in an election on Sunday, has so far only said publicly that Britain should get to the bottom of what has happened. Russia denies involvement and said the accusations against Mr Putin were "shocking and unforgivable." British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson says Russian President Vladimir Putin is "overwhelmingly likely" to have ordered the nerve agent attack on an ex-spy and his daughter. The foreign secretary said "our quarrel is with Putin's Kremlin, and with his decision" over the Salisbury incident, the BBC reported. Read alsoSuitcase spy poisoning plot: nerve agent 'was planted in luggage of Sergei Skripal's daughter' media Russia denies involvement and said the accusations against Mr Putin were "shocking and unforgivable." Meanwhile, the head of Nato told the BBC Russia has underestimated the "resolve and unity" of the UK's allies. Speaking during a visit to a west London military bunker with the Polish foreign minister, Mr Johnson said the UK's "quarrel is with Putin's Kremlin." "We think it overwhelmingly likely that it was his decision to direct the use of a nerve agent on the streets of the UK, on the streets of Europe, for the first time since the Second World War," he said. 'UK is not alone' Russian ex-spy Sergei Skripal, 66, and daughter Yulia Skripal, 33, remain critically ill in hospital, after they were found unconscious on a bench in the Wiltshire city on 4 March. The UK government says they were poisoned with a nerve agent of a type developed by Russia called Novichok and PM Theresa May said she believed Moscow was "culpable." Mrs May has said the UK will expel 23 Russian diplomats as part of a "full and robust" response prompting Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov to say it will "certainly" expel British diplomats in response. On Friday, Nato Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said the alliance had "no reason to doubt the findings and assessments by the British government" which suggested Russian responsibility. He said the "UK is not alone" and Nato allies gave "strong political support" to Britain, following a joint statement from the US, France and Germany backing Mrs May's government and a pledge of support from Australia. Speaking to BBC Radio 4's Today programme. Mr Stoltenberg said the incident was part of a "pattern of reckless behaviour" from Russia following allegations of cyber attacks and election meddling in recent years. "It is important that Russia gets a clear signal that it costs to behave the way they behave," Mr Stoltenberg said. "I'm absolutely certain that Russia has underestimated the resolve and unity of Nato allies when we have implemented different kinds of sanctions over the last years," Mr Stoltenberg added. But Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Russia was not worried by international expressions of support for the UK and challenged Britain to "provide some confirmation." He said: "Sooner or later, the British will have to show some proof to those 'colleagues' who say they are with UK on this; sooner or later will have to stand up its accusations." Wiltshire Police said 131 people had been identified as potentially being exposed to the nerve agent but none has shown any symptoms. (@rukhshanmir) Minister for Interior Ahsan Iqbal Friday said there was need to prepare for future challenges though the economy was moving in the right direction due to revolutionary measures taken by the incumbent government in various sectors, including energy, economy, technology, health, infrastructure and education. ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 16th Mar, 2018 ) :Minister for Interior Ahsan Iqbal Friday said there was need to prepare for future challenges though the economy was moving in the right direction due to revolutionary measures taken by the incumbent government in various sectors, including energy, economy, technology, health, infrastructure and education. Addressing the inaugural ceremony of National Center of Artificial Intelligence here at the National University of Science and Technology (NUST), the minister said today other countries desired to work with Pakistan, especially in the wake of China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). Pakistan, however, still needed to adopt the latest technology to meet modern day challenges and keep pace with the fast moving world, he added. Ahsan Iqbal, who is also Minister for Planning, Development, and Reforms, said the latest telecom technology, including of 3g and 4g, were impacting the socio-economic life of the people positively, for which innovative approach would have to be adopted. He said peace had been restored in the country and the terrorists were on the run, which was evident from the fact that people in the far flung areas of Balochistan had celebrated the Independence Day with usual enthusiasm last year. He said the government was also trying to to launch development project even in the remotest areas of the country. It was the incumbent government, which had made it to exploit the precious Thar coal and electricity generation would be started from it by the end of current year, which would continue for next 400 years. The coal reserves in Tharparkar could produce energy equal to that of Iran and Saudi Arabia's oil and gas reserves, he added. He said so far depth of 120 meters had been achieved in the Thar Coal Mining project and hopefully coal would be excavated in a few months. The minister said the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz government had fulfilled the promises made during 2013 elections and price Waterhouse Coopers (PWC), a multinational professional services network headquartered in London, had also forecast that if the current pace of development continued, Pakistan would be included in top 20 world economies by 2030. Earlier, NUST Rector Lieutenant General (retd) Naveed Zaman said the National Center for Artificial Intelligence would become the hub of technological advancement. He said NUST was playing a key role in development of technology, particularly in the robotics sector of the country. Australian High Commissioner to Pakistan Margaret Adamson Friday said Australia was helping in capacity building of Pakistani youth and increasing number of Pakistani students studying in the country testified that fact. ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 16th Mar, 2018 ) :Australian High Commissioner to Pakistan Margaret Adamson Friday said Australia was helping in capacity building of Pakistani youth and increasing number of Pakistani students studying in the country testified that fact. In an interaction with media persons here at the National Press Club regarding the Australia Scholarship Programme, Margaret said education was an important link between the two countries and the growing number of Pakistanis making Australia their first choice for their professional development was encouraging. Presently some 12,000 Pakistani students were studying in Australia, she added. "The growing partnerships between Pakistan and Australia in technical and vocational education and training (TVET) sector will leverage Australia's expertise to strengthen the capacity of key public and private sector providers of TVET in Pakistan," Margaret Adamson said. Replying to a question, she said Australia Awards offered Masters scholarships and short-term professional development opportunities to equip Pakistani professionals. "However, the less number of PhDs is because of the fact that we give priority to Masters programme and short courses, which also helps mid-career professionals," she added. The high commissioner said with the advanced skills and knowledge, professionals could shape their respective careers in a better way. Margaret Adamson said Australia Awards were a central pillar of her government's longstanding development assistance programme to Pakistan. "Returned scholars will join an active and engaged community of Australian alumni in Pakistan, as well as regional and global alumni networks," she hoped. Australia, she said, had some of the world's best facilities, researchers and educators, providing local and international students with a range of quality study options. Speaking on the occasion, Australia Awards Alumnus Faiza Syed said they had a platform which would help the youth excel both personally and professionally, and the ability and skills to help the community. The awards were aimed at a better future for all, she added. High Commissioner Margaret encouraged women to apply for the programme, which had 50/50 ratio of seats for both men and women as the Austrailan government believed in equal gender based opportunities. Scholars and academicians on Friday underlined the need of recognizing and celebrating the importance of Pakistani languages to keep high the national identity, while moving towards the road of progress and prosperity. ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 16th Mar, 2018 ) :Scholars and academicians on Friday underlined the need of recognizing and celebrating the importance of Pakistani languages to keep high the national identity, while moving towards the road of progress and prosperity. Addressing the inaugural session of two-day international conference held here at Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU), they said that the national glory and unity might be well achieved through promoting languages and their literature. The inaugural session was presided over by the Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Shahid Siddiqui, while renowned scholar Prof Dr Fateha Muhammad Malik was the chief guest. The speakers who delivered key-note address on the occasion included Chairman Sindh Language Authority Dr Abdul Ghafoor Mahmood, Director General urdu Science board, Lahore Dr Nasir Abbas Nayyar, Pakistani scholar from Maryland, USA Bina Goindi, Sindhi scholar Hafeez Khan and a Pushto scholar Saleem Raj Khan. The event, arranged by the University's Department of Pakistani Languages was well-attended by scholars, researchers and academicians from home and abroad. It was part of the AIOU's regular activities to promote research-based academic work on various issues of national importance. The speakers, while deliberating upon the topic of 'Pakistani language and colonial literature' noted that the British imperialist forces had been perpetuating their hegemony in the sub-continent by using the tool of language and literature. Prof Fateha Muhammad Malik was of the view that regional languages were successfully survived during the colonial rule while putting strong resistance against imperialist forces. He spoke high about the role of Sufi poets in upholding the Islamic traditions and moral values. Their anti-colonial poetry proved most effective in getting ride of foreign domination. He noted that the Sufi poets and scholars had been on forefront for establishing an independent homeland in the sub-continent. Prof Dr Shahid Siddiqui asserted that languages and literature should be used as a tool to promote national cohesion as well as reformation of society. These two, not only served as a source of communication, but had also been powerful instrument in construction of national identity and social realities. About the objectives of the conference, the Vice Chancellor said it was an attempt on their part to support the national endeavor promoting peace and harmony among the various ethic and linguistic groups. He pointed out that the AIOU, with 1.3 million students and wide-infrastructure network had emerged as a symbol of national integrity. Dr Shahid Siddiqui further said the University through educational pursuits fulfilled its national responsibility to influence the people's' mind to adopt positive and constructive approach in the nation-building task. Dean Social Sciences Dr. Samina Awan and Chairman Department of Pakistani Language Dr. Abdullah Jan Abid also spoke on the occasion, highlighting the objectives of the conference. During working sessions, about 120 research papers will be presented on various aspects of the Pakistani languages and the event's topic. The AIOU is only educational institution in the country that is currently teaching six regional languages from Matric to PhD level. (@ChaudhryMAli88) Mongolian citizens aged between 16 and 39 can be tested for hepatitis B and C virus free of charge this year, a local health official said Friday. ULAN BATOR, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 16th Mar, 2018 ) ::Mongolian citizens aged between 16 and 39 can be tested for hepatitis B and C virus free of charge this year, a local health official said Friday. Cancer specialist of the Ulan Bator City Health Department L Battsetseg said that the second phase of the "Whole-Liver Mongolia" national program, aimed at improving knowledge about hepatitis infections, early detection of infections and cancer, and eliminating factors that lead to hepatitis infections in the future, will kick off next month, Xinhua reported. Under the initial phase of the program, people aged 40-65 were tested for hepatitis B and C virus for free last year. According to the World Health Organization, Mongolia has the world's highest rate of liver cancer, as well as the highest mortality rate from the disease. Cirrhosis and liver cancer caused by hepatitis B and C are the No. 2 killers among the Mongolian people, after heart and coronary diseases. Thus, the government of Mongolia approved the program on April 12 last year to eradicate hepatitis B and C by 2020. As for the total cost of the program, 226 billion Mongolia Tughrik (94.3 million U.S. Dollars) or 24 percent will be funded by the state budget, 68 percent by the Health Insurance Fund and 8 percent by other financial sources. Currently, some 400,000 Mongolian citizens are diagnosed with hepatitis B or C infections. (@FahadShabbir) Prime Minister of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), Raja Muhammad Farooq Haider Khan has said that complete political stability was imperative in Pakistan to project Kashmir issue the world over. MIRPUR (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 16th Mar, 2018 ) , :Prime Minister of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), Raja Muhammad Farooq Haider Khan has said that complete political stability was imperative in Pakistan to project Kashmir issue the world over. Prime Minister expressed these views while talking to a delegation of senior journalists at Jammu and Kashmir house on Friday. The delegation was comprising President Federal Union of Journalist (PFUJ) Afzal Butt, President Azad Kashmir Newspaper Society (AKNS) Amir Mehboob and newly elected member of the board of Governors of AJK Press Foundation Shehzad Rathore. Talking to the delegation, Prime Minister expressed his concerns that situation in Indian occupied Kashmir is very worrying and Indian brutalities in occupied Kashmir are needed to be highlighted. He stated that Kashmir does not consider Pakistan and Indian in a similar way, saying that Pakistan is our big brother and only advocator of Kashmiris' on international forums. "Recent uncertainties in Pakistan have affected Kashmir cause", he observed. Prime Minister lamented on Pakistani media that our Media is not highlighting the core issue of deteriorating human right violations in occupied Kashmir, "Pakistani media should highlight Kashmir issue and their content must have news from Indian occupied Kashmir on daily basis" he said. Prime Minister admired the work done by the journalists associated with International Media in Indian occupied Kashmir who have highlighted Indian brutalities courageously. Farooq said that he is aware of issues being faced by Journalists in AJK, he said, "advertisement fund for PID will be increased in coming days," he added. Prime Minister apprised the delegation that incumbent government of AJK is going to establish a state of the Art Museum in Capital and Names with details of every single martyr of Kashmir freedom of movement will be written besides paying them tribute with special Salute by State Police every year. Prime Minister in the meeting also said that all long pending issues with federal government are now progressing, "water usage charges, power purchase agreement including other issues have been fixed and are in process of implementation" PM added. PM, AJK also added that there is joint consensus between all political parties in AJK regarding amendments in Azad Jammu and Kashmir Interim Constitution Act 1974 in addition of abolishment of Kashmir Council to empower State's elected government. (@FahadShabbir) Pakistan's Ambassador to the United States Aizaz Chaudhry has emphasized the importance for the two countries to cooperate for peace in Afghanistan despite difference in approach on the way forward. WASHINGTON, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 16th Mar, 2018 ) :Pakistan's Ambassador to the United States Aizaz Chaudhry has emphasized the importance for the two countries to cooperate for peace in Afghanistan despite difference in approach on the way forward. He made these remarks at a meeting of the Women's Foreign Policy Group held in Washington as party of the "Embassy Series" at the Embassy premises, which was attended by members of WFPG, officials from the State Department, as well as eminent members of the Pakistani American community. Ambassador Chaudhry recalled the longstanding history of relations between Pakistan and the United States which were broad based and deep rooted and benefitted both the countries in achieving common objectives. "Pakistan was deeply interested to see a stable and peaceful Afghanistan. This was a shared objective for Pakistan and the United States," he added. Relations between the two countries faced strains after the US decided to withhold security assistance for Pakistan at the start of the year on the issue of cooperation in the fight against terrorism. Pakistan has said that it was determined to root out terrorism from its soil and taking action without any discrimination, Aizaz said. The Ambassador stressed the importance of maintaining good relations between the two countries, although there were differences in approach on the way forward in Afghanistan. He highlighted Pakistan's successes and achievements, both at the domestic level and also in the foreign policy domain during a time of rapid global change. While a lot remained to be done, he said Pakistan was firmly committed to overcoming the economic and security challenges. During the Q&A session, the Ambassador responded to questions on a wide range of issues including Pakistan's relations with the United States, Afghanistan, India and Iran, the impact of social media on diplomacy, U.S. foreign assistance to Pakistan, women's education in Pakistan, as well as other regional issues. On behalf of the WFPG, Ambassador Catherine Russell thanked the Ambassador for hosting the event and sharing, in detail, Pakistan's domestic situation as well as its perspective on regional peace and security. (APP/zh Photo: Courtesy of National Geographic. Photograph by Robin Hammond In her honest but odd memoir that it seems, thankfully, few besides me have read, National Geographic emerges as a crucial touchstone to Rachel Dolezals supposed racial awakening. Isolated regionally and culturally by Christian-fundamentalist parents, copies of the magazine were one of the few tokens from 1980s and 90s American culture allowed to Dolezal in a home that forbade television and processed food. And while her older brother scrounged pages for photos of topless women, NatGeo begat Rachels earliest racial fantasies. Coating herself in mud from head to feet, she would pretend to be a dark-skinned princess in the Sahara Desert or one of the Bantu women living in the Congo, images conjured exclusively by the monthly magazine. I would stay in this fantasy world as long as I possibly could, Dolezal writes. It was never long enough. Over the last century, National Geographic has used the guise of ethnographic research to stoke the racial imaginations of curious white people. Investigating peoples and cultures like flora, splaying their images upon glossy pages with unchecked fascination, the magazine does not have a great track record when it comes to stories about people of color. And yet, these are the stories NatGeo is most famous for, training generation after generation to gawk at peoples other than themselves through telephoto lenses. Founded in 1888 to document the interests of affluent explorers, the name alone evokes a colonial impulse the National Geographic Society started as a private club dedicated to worldly, exotic travel. The publication has long been an unrepentant descendant of those beginnings until now, allegedly. The magazines April issue, The Race Issue, promises to reckon with an editorial history it describes precisely as racist. In a note, editor-in-chief Susan Goldberg admits that for all its well-traveled coverage throughout the 20th century, National Geographic did little to push its readers beyond the stereotypes ingrained in white American culture. John Edwin Mason, associate professor of history at the University of Virginia, conducted a deep dive into the magazines archives, pointing out glaring erasures as evidence of a run that has more often than not failed to treat people of color as human. Examples include the absence of black South African perspectives in a story shortly following the 1960 massacre by Sharpeville police and the publications mid-century obsession with Pacific-island women, to which a casual reader could add an obsession with nonwhite women in general, often indigenous and partially nude. How we present race matters, Goldberg asserts, marking this issue as a new era for the pages of NatGeo, one that will not shirk due diligence when it comes to representation. Goldberg underscores April 4, a date that marks 50 years since Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated, a worthy moment to step back, to take stock of where we are on race. She also takes notice of another landmark event of sorts, the soon-to-come time when less than half of the children in the nation will be white. That NatGeo would choose these climactic moments is not surprising: In fact, they suggest the issue is perhaps not as committed to interrogating racial fantasies as it claims. King or a certain image of him along with Americas projected brown majority have long loomed large and symbolic in the minds and politics of people who believe that the best hope for equality is the removal of race as a topic of conversation. Race is not a biological construct, Goldberg introduces like a cherished revelation. Part of the Race Issues mission, she writes, is to examine why we continue to segregate along racial lines and how we can build inclusive communities. NatGeo wants to start a conversation on race, but their opening statement seems more like an end than a beginning. The April cover story features a set of biracial twin girls with different skin shades (one light, one brown) and curl patterns. On the cover, they stand side by side in identical off-white dresses, solemn-faced against a gray background. The headline offers some assistance in case the contrast between them isnt clear: Black and White, reads the bold white text (Black is overlaid on the lighter-skinned girl; White atop the darker-skinned girl). Though the cover and the story behind it intend to disturb preconceived notions about race in the year 2018, I am immediately reminded of a story from NatGeos 125th anniversary in 2013. Called The Changing Face of America and accompanied by portraits of ethnically diverse, racially ambiguous people, the story offered an increasingly self-identified multiracial population as the kryptonite to race and therefore racism. Similarly, Patricia Edmondss feature on Marcia and Millie Briggs traffics in a certain post-racial optimism I find incredibly uncomfortable. The story is fascinated by the juxtaposition of racialized features and the color contrast between two children born of the same parents at the same time. Even when the twins mother, Amanda Wanklin, dressed them alike, there was no mistaking one for the other, says one caption underneath a slideshow of the twins at various ages, from infancy up. As also noted in the 2013 story, Edmonds explains that race is not a biological category, but a social one. But while the older story at least acknowledges the residue of Japanese internment and Jim Crow with respect to flagging equality in America, in this new one, racial segregation and its effects (globally) derive from the heart. In an out of the mouth of babes approach, the article delegates its intellectual labor to Millie and Marcia, ages 11, who not only understand racism, but also the best way to combat it. The wisdom imparted is sweet to be sure and very much what you might expect from someone who has lived barely a decade on earth. [D]ont judge other people by their looks because they could be so much different on the inside, says Millie in a short video; If youre happy with the way you look, then you should stay the way you look, Marcia adds. Were it so easy. In truth, people have many compounding reasons wealth, power, access to judge others as less than human, and as long as those benefits remain, people will continue to do so. (And in turn, many others will be dissatisfied that what they see in the mirror will be a lifelong barrier to thriving.) I cant expect a child to know this, but adults should know better. Last year, I predicted 2017 (and the era of Trump more generally) would be a time of renewed faith in the political efficacy of interracial romance and procreation. This prediction was informed by two recent books one by UC Irvine professor Jared Sexton, the other by NYU professor Tavia Nyongo which probe the way racial hybridity is used to avoid reflection and recollection on how white supremacy works. NatGeos cover illustration, which codes one biracial twin as white and the other as black, transmits the idea that racism will be fixed with more lightly bronzed children. This future utopia is one in which children who can pass for white still exist among their tanner peers, but those with dark skin and tightly coiled hair do not. This hope, which imagines a past of white racial purity, is a form of anti-blackness itself. Racism and multiracialism can be allies. Rather than confront the power dynamics that racism relies upon to survive, these gestures fuel a deus ex machina fantasy in which humans breed themselves into equality never mind the fact that mixed-race children have existed for just as long as racism has. NatGeo is not even the first outlet to break the Briggs story that honor belonged to the Daily Mail, who covered the twins over a decade ago in a similar fashion. While twins Marcia and Millie Briggs are a genetic rarity, the nonbiological mechanisms that maintain race are not mysterious. [T]he 21st-century understanding of human genetics tells us that the whole idea of race is a human invention, writes Edmonds, as if centuries of genocide, enslavement, and discrimination were waiting to be stayed by a set of tenured biologists. Racism poses a challenge for scholars, journalists, and poets not because its delusions are hard to disprove, but because its filiations are incredibly difficult to unravel. Race is a fiction, but it is one in which people are both emotionally and materially invested. Unveiling race as a social construction without an effort to address how and why its constructed is as much a threat to racism as North West or the Briggs twins that is to say, not at all. Its also often used to undercut efforts toward radical politics. Many white people on the left, fitted with the knowledge that race is a fiction, deny the efficacy of black political organizing. They, like NatGeo here, neglect the extent to which fictions rule the world we live in. Edmonds is puzzled how 50 years after the assassination of Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr., racial identity has reemerged as a fundamental dividing line in our world. (When did it ever submerge?) Yet she darent explicate any further, relying on a pair of 11-year-olds to perform the heavy lifting on that topic. But NatGeos new commitment to confronting racism among other stories, they have a lengthy history of scientific racism and a collaboration with ESPNs the Undefeated on the routine harrowing experience of driving while black could still be promising. As Goldberg writes, the Race Issue is just a starting point. I hope thats true, but I hesitate to applaud just yet. Its just like a fantasy to materialize when you need it the most. Islamic Research Institute (IRI) of International Islamic University Islamabad (IIUI) has conferred an educational award on Senator Mushahid Hussain Syed in recognition of his outstanding academic contributions in the Muslim world. ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 16th Mar, 2018 ) :Islamic Research Institute (IRI) of International Islamic University Islamabad (IIUI) has conferred an educational award on Senator Mushahid Hussain Syed in recognition of his outstanding academic contributions in the Muslim world. The award was conferred in a ceremony here on Friday at Faisal Masjid campus organized by IRI of International Islamic University Islamabad (IIUI), a press release said. It was attended by IIUI President Dr Ahmed Yousif Al-Draiweesh, IRI DG, D. Zia ul Haq and other renowned personalities. Senator Mushahid, in his speech called upon Muslim societies to be united for the sake of dissemination of islam's message of peace. He stressed that educational institutions specially universities must play role in bringing the academia and governments closer and link both to find solutions of the hour. He hailed IIUI for its continuous efforts for tolerance, peace, stability and dissemination of moderation across the world. He also appreciated IIUI's Paigham e Pakistan initiative. Senator Mushahid appreciated the role of Dr Ahmed Yousif Al Draiweesh for strengthening Pak-Saudi relations and said that International Islamic University Islamabad was on the way of development and progress under the present leadership. Prof Dr Ahmed Yousif Al Draiweesh, President of the university lauded the role of Senator Mushahid Hussain Syed for his efforts regarding harmony among Muslim societies. Dr Zia Ul Haq also felicitated Senator Mushahid for his efforts and vowed that IRI would keep working for providing solutions to the problems of the Muslim societies. (@ChaudhryMAli88) An accountability court of Islamabad Thursday partially accepted the plea of PML-N leader Maryam Nawaz to make the joint investigation team's (JIT) report part of the Avenfield reference filed by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) against the Sharif family. ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 15th Mar, 2018 ) :An accountability court of Islamabad Thursday partially accepted the plea of PML-N leader Maryam Nawaz to make the joint investigation team's (JIT) report part of the Avenfield reference filed by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) against the Sharif family. Accountability Judge Mohammd Bashir accepted the plea after going through the arguments placed by the prosecution counsel while assuring the defence counsel not to include the JIT's analysis in the record and ordered to record the statements of JIT's witnesses. Meanwhile, prosecution witness Wajid Zia, head of the JIT, recorded his testimony while submitting three boxes of the record along with the correspondence with Qatari royal family member Hamad bin Jassim and requested the court to make entire JIT report part of the proceedings. Maryam Nawaz's lawyer Amjad Pervaiz, however, pleaded that no law allowed to include suggestions or analysis of an investigation team as record of a case. He said all volumes of the JIT report could not be considered as admissible evidence, and cited superior courts precedents. NAB prosecutor Sardar Muzaffar Abbasi, however, stressed that JIT report was the main evidence of the prosecution. The court then reserved the decision, which was announced after some time. According to the verdict, JIT's analysis in the record would not be included as record in the case The case was adjourned till March 16. A man has injured his sister and killed her alleged paramour in Tandlianwala police precincts. Police spokesman said on Friday Zulqarnain saw 36-year-old Riaz Ali, FAISALABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 16th Mar, 2018 ) ::A man has injured his sister and killed her alleged paramour in Tandlianwala police precincts. Police spokesman said on Friday Zulqarnain saw 36-year-old Riaz Ali, a resident of Chak No 423-GB, Sitiana Road, with his sister Maria and attacked them in a fit of anger. Meanwhile, people reached the scene and took the injured to an area hospital. However, Riaz Ali succumbed to his injuries while the woman was stated to be in critical condition. Police took the body into custody and started investigation. A watchman was killed and five workers sustained injuries when a fire broke out in a shoe factory, located at Rampura stop, Jallo Mor, here on Friday. LAHORE, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 16th Mar, 2018 ) :A watchman was killed and five workers sustained injuries when a fire broke out in a shoe factory, located at Rampura stop, Jallo Mor, here on Friday. On receiving information, Rescue fire service reached the spot along with fire tenders and controlled the fire. Raw material and ready products were burnt to ashes. Sources said 50 years old watchman, Latif of Malipura, received burn injuries and later died in hospital. Others who received injuries were shifted to Kot Khawaja Saeed Hospital for treatment. The cause of the fire could not be ascertained immediately. The injured were identified as Rashid (30), Irfan Elahi (23), Zeeshan (17), Najeeb (19) and one unknown person. Police on Friday registered a case against a police sub-inspector and arrested him for torturing a five-year-old girl at Dheera Sindha village. According to police SIALKOT, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 16th Mar, 2018 ) ::Police on Friday registered a case against a police sub-inspector and arrested him for torturing a five-year-old girl at Dheera Sindha village. According to police, Sub-Inspector Tahir Mehmood of Sadar Police Station was involved in an illegal raid at the house of Muhammad Imran in a case and tortured his five-year-old daughter Noor Fatima. Police arrested Tahir after registereing a case against him under section 155-C Police Ordinance 2002. Meanwhile, DPO Asad Sarfraz suspended the SI and ordered for holding an inquiry against him. United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has condemned Wednesday's terrorist attack near a religious gathering in the outskirts of Lahore. UNITED NATIONS, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 16th Mar, 2018 ) :United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has condemned Wednesday's terrorist attack near a religious gathering in the outskirts of Lahore. Guterres extends his condolences to the families of the victims and wishes those injured a speedy recovery, a statement from a UN spokesman said. It said the Secretary-General calls for the perpetrators of the attack to be brought to justice. The statement went on to say that the UN supports the efforts of the Government of Pakistan to fight terrorism with full respect for international human rights norms and obligations.'' (@rukhshanmir) Syrians should build their future themselves, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan Kairat Abdrakhmanov said on Friday. ASTANA, . (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 16th Mar, 2018 ) ::Syrians should build their future themselves, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan Kairat Abdrakhmanov said on Friday. "It is the Syrian people who should start building the future of their political system carrying out the necessary legislative reforms including modification of the country's Constitution, its territorial and administrative structure, presidential and parliament elections," Kairat Abdrakhmanov said at the meeting of the Foreign Ministers of the guarantor countries of the Astana Process. According to the Foreign Minister of Kazakhstan, new steps are required. "The global community has become a witness of a range of dangerous collisions which increased violence including in the de-escalation zones. The new armed operations caused multiple deaths among civilians, including women and children. We keep emphasizing that the suffering of the Syrian people should cease. The ordinary people of Syria were badly hit by this dreadful conflict. What we see in Syria today not only jeopardizes regional security but also undermines the efforts of political regulation. The agreements made in Astana must not remain on paper. They must bring tangible results," Kairat Abdrakhmanov told Kazinform. Kazakhstan hopes that the Foreign Ministers involved in the Astana Process will take additional consultative measures to ensure strict fulfillment of cease-fire agreements and establishment of de-escalation zones in Syria, Kairat Abdrakhmanov stressed. "With tension growing locally we are certain there is extreme need for major regional and international entities. First of all, Russia and the USA should start a constructive dialogue on this matter. Successful cooperation of these two superpowers in settlement of the situation in Syria will meet the interests of all parties and Syrian people," he added. The Kazakhstani party is convinced that further escalation of the conflict will be no good for either of the parties, and, most importantly, will cause even more damage to the suffering people of Syria. "As a non-permanent member of the UNSC and a neutral and objective mediator in the conflict, Kazakhstan will continue providing the necessary help for the parties involved in hope for soon cessation of the blood-shed and peaceful settlement of the situation in Syria," the Minister concluded. Whats that I see? Photo: Alex Wong/Getty Images In Jane Mayers definitive profile of Christopher Steele, the veteran British spy who compiled a controversial dossier documenting Donald Trumps alleged ties to Russia, and then some, theres a curious line attributed to the reclusive agent, who has gone into hiding since his investigative findings have made him the target of Republican recriminations: It was as if all criminal roads led to Trump Tower, Steele is quoted saying. Through the first ten months of his investigation, Robert Muellers interest in the headquarters of the Trump Organization seems to have been limited to Donald Trump Jr.s meeting, alongside Paul Manafort and Jared Kushner, with a motley crew of Russian characters who claimed to have damaging information about Hillary Clinton. But now the special counsel has trained its sights on the business proper: The New York Times reported on Thursday that Mueller has subpoenaed Russia-related documents from the organization which may include everything from emails to visitor logs to financial records to contracts the company entered into, all going back several years. The Times doesnt specify the breadth of the subpoena, but it wouldnt be surprising if Mueller is interested in specific sensitive records related to Trumps long-held desire to grow his real-estate empire in Moscow. Muellers team has already asked witnesses about those plans among them Felix Sater, an estranged Trump associate who knows better than most about the presidents interest in Russia. First thing I plan to do when Trump leaves office, whether its next week, in 2020 or four years later, is march right into his office and say, Lets build Trump Moscow, Sater told BuzzFeed News recently. Unlike a sit-down with Trump, which Mueller is still trying to negotiate with his legal team, subpoenas are nonnegotiable and extremely hard to quash. The Trump Organization has already turned over documents requested by congressional investigators, but Muellers request is likely far more focused than those of his counterparts on Capitol Hill, who made theirs back in the summer and are yet to produce anything of substance. Trump has warned that any snooping by the special counsel into his business dealings would cross a red line, but Mueller doesnt seem to care. Hes going to get the documents he needs whether Trump likes it or not. This is business as usual for him. Sixteen members of the US Congress support the position that "the US should facilitate a successful reunification of Cyprus through assistance to Cyprus. ICYPRUS, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 16th Mar, 2018 ) ::Sixteen members of the US Congress support the position that "the US should facilitate a successful reunification of Cyprus through assistance to Cyprus." In a letter dated March 16, the members of Congress call on the House Appropriations Committee Chairman Hal Rogers and Ranking Member Nita Lowey to "include language stating the United States' position that assistance appropriated for Cyprus should support measures aimed at solidifying the reunification of Cyprus and the unified government in Cyprus" in the State, Foreign Operations and Related Programs Appropriations bill for the fiscal year 2019, CNA reported on Friday. "It is important for the United States to continue to play an active role in ensuring that Cyprus a strategic partner of the United States and the new Federal structure that would arise out of a settlement will be able to cope with any political and financial challenges in order to safeguard a smooth and stable transition" they note. The 16 members of Congress, including the co-chairs of the Hellenic Caucus at the US Congress, Gus Bilirakis and Carolyn Maloney, say that they want to ensure that these funds are used for needs arising from a reunified Cyprus "so that a settlement has a chance to succeed". They also express hope that the US administration provides notification to the government of the Republic of Cyprus as to the nature of the programmes and the amount to be funded by the US "to assure maximum transparency in their allocation". In particular, they request an addition to be included in the bill stating that "any assistance provided to Cyprus under this Act should foremost ensure that the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) can fully implement its mandate, while remaining available to also contribute to the creation of a conducive environment for the settlement talks under the auspices of the UN Secretary-General's Good Offices. " "Furthermore, in the event of reunification, further assistance should be used to contribute towards the cost of reunification, including towards monitoring provisions, facilitation for the settlement of the property issue, supporting and underpinning the new federal structures of a reunified island and assisting with the construction of a strong unified Cypriot economy able to cope with the new challenges, and strengthening the contacts between the two communities as conducive to reunification, in a way agreed to between the United States and Cyprus." The 16 members of Congress also say in their letter that since the 1974 Turkish invasion, the United States supported the reunification of Cyprus and express hope that the progress achieved in the latest round of negotiations is soon followed by substantial action that will justify the sense of optimism that a Cyprus solution is within reach. During the past a few weeks, the Executive Director of the Hellenic American Leadership Council (HALC) had a series of contacts in the Congress on this matter. The bill proposed by the State Department says that "UNFICYP (Cyprus) will continue to support a bi-zonal, bi-communal, federal solution to the Cyprus problem by monitoring the ceasefire between the parties to ensure stability while UN-facilitated, Cypriot-led settlement talks continue". Moreover, the State Department suggests that the 2019 contribution to UNFICYP decreases to 5.298 mln Dollars, compared to 9.378 mln in the 2018 budget. Cyprus has been divided since the 1974 Turkish invasion. Repeated UN-led peace talks over the decades have so far failed to lead to a negotiated settlement to reunite the country under a federal roof. Cuban President Raul Castro on Thursday met with his visiting Kenyan counterpart Uhuru Kenyatta, with the two sides agreeing to strengthen political and economic relations. HAVANA, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 16th Mar, 2018 ) :Cuban President Raul Castro on Thursday met with his visiting Kenyan counterpart Uhuru Kenyatta, with the two sides agreeing to strengthen political and economic relations. The two sides expressed satisfaction with the official inauguration of the Kenyan embassy in Havana, which is scheduled to take place on Friday. Castro also thanked the Kenyan government for its support and donation last year after Hurricane Irma hit Cuba's north coast, costing more than 13 billion U.S. dollars in economic losses. Earlier in the day, Kenyatta unveiled a statue of his late father and Kenya's founding President Jomo Kenyatta at a park in Havana. In a speech made after paying tribute to other African independence heroes at the park, the president stressed the need to strengthen ties among developing nations, including their bilateral relations. "I thank the people of Cuba for their constant solidarity with the African nations. Africa will always keep its relations with Cuba high and together we will continue developing our beneficial links for the prosperity of our peoples and nations," he said. In 2016, Kenya opened its embassy in Havana to boost future cooperation in sectors such as commerce, education, culture and health. Kenyatta will return to Nairobi on Saturday after a three-day official visit to the Caribbean nation. (@rukhshanmir) La Paz, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 16th Mar, 2018 ) :The Bolivian government said Thursday the death toll among inmates at a riot-torn prison stormed by police had risen to eight, including two foreign nationals -- a Brazilian and a Paraguayan. Deputy Interior Minister Jose Luis Quiroga offered the new toll after Wednesday's pre-dawn operation at the Palmasola prison in Santa Cruz, which also left about two dozen prisoners and police injured. About 2,300 police surged into the cell blocks, a week after an uprising triggered by a government order that bars children younger than six from visiting jailed relatives. Wives and children live in the prison voluntarily with their inmate relatives. They were allowed to leave before the raid began, Quiroga said. "There was complete lawlessness in Palmasola," national police chief Alfonso Mendoza said. Searches turned up knives, firearms, grenades and nearly 200 mobile phones. Located in eastern Bolivia, Palmasola houses an estimated 4,000 inmates and is reputed to be one of the most dangerous and overcrowded penitentiaries in the country. It was the scene of an uprising in 2013 that left 15 dead. Five gunmen were killed in armed clashes with a security force in the Libyan town of Sorman, 60 km west of Tripoli, Libya's Investigation Bureau of the Attorney General Office said in a statement, TRIPOLI, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 16th Mar, 2018 ) :Five gunmen were killed in armed clashes with a security force in the Libyan town of Sorman, 60 km west of Tripoli, Libya's Investigation Bureau of the Attorney General Office said in a statement, Xinhua reported. "A raid was carried out on a location of an armed gang known as Al-Nimri and Brothers," the department said. The statement confirmed that the operation was carried out by a force jointly formed by security and military agencies. After the gang was sieged by the security force, five of them were killed with another one injured in an exchange of fire between both sides, the statement said. The gang is one of the most dangerous criminal armed groups in western Libya, having carried out crimes of kidnappings, murders, thefts and armed robberies. According to the security authorities, the Attorney General's Office has issued arrest warrants against the gangsters who are involved in more than 30 murders and abductions and prevented them from traveling abroad (@ChaudhryMAli88) Germany's consulate on the Greek island of Crete was briefly occupied Friday by protesters decrying Turkey's offensive in the Syrian enclave of Afrin, police said. Athens, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 16th Mar, 2018 ) :Germany's consulate on the Greek island of Crete was briefly occupied Friday by protesters decrying Turkey's offensive in the Syrian enclave of Afrin, police said. "A group of persons entered the consulate, took down frames from the walls and put up banners. Then they left," a police spokesperson said. A banner reading "Resistance is life, solidarity to Afrin" was pictured hanging from the balcony of the consulate in Iraklio, Crete. The spokesperson declined to comment on reports that the protesters also damaged equipment in the consulate, and made away with the German flag. There were no arrests and no injuries were reported. (@ChaudhryMAli88) Lisbon, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 16th Mar, 2018 ) :Spanish and Portuguese police arrested ten people and seized around 2.5 tonnes of cocaine in raids to smash an international network smuggling drugs from Latin America to Europe, police said Thursday. Police seized two tonnes of cocaine at a warehouse in Lisbon and around half a tonne hidden as it was being transported by car just across the border in the Spanish province of Badajoz, Portugal's narcotics police chief, Artur Vaz, told a news conference. The cocaine was inside vacuum sealed bricks contained about one kilo each that were decorated with the logos for Rolls-Royce and Mini vehicles as well as the logo for 1972 crime film "The Godfather" alongside an image of its star, Marlon Brando. "The drugs were to go first to Spain and from there to other destinations in Europe," said Vaz. The authorities declined to give an estimate for the street value of the cocaine, which was put on display for the media at Portuguese police headquarters in Lisbon. Police arrested ten people, mainly Colombians and Spanish nationals, who were caught during a police road stop transporting the cocaine hidden inside false bottoms of four vehicles, Spain's narcotics police chief, Antonio Duarte, said. The smuggling ring was based in Madrid and it was "completely broken up" by the operation, he added. (@rukhshanmir) Hundreds of Cambodian-Australians gathered in Sydney Friday to protest the visit of Cambodian leader Hun Sen who is accused of overseeing widespread human rights violations in the Southeast Asian nation. Sydney, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 16th Mar, 2018 ) :Hundreds of Cambodian-Australians gathered in Sydney Friday to protest the visit of Cambodian leader Hun Sen who is accused of overseeing widespread human rights violations in the Southeast Asian nation. The strongman ruler -- who is in Sydney for a special Australia-ASEAN summit -- is travelling at time when his government has intensified an anti-democratic crackdown on the press, civil society and its opponents. The opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) was disbanded following a court ruling last November not long after its leader was arrested on treason charges. "We want the whole world to know that things are not what they seem in Cambodia," Cambodian-Australian Victoria state parliamentarian Hong Lim told AFP. "We want the world to stand by us and help send this powerful message to Hun Sen that you cannot get away with murder, you cannot carry on like this, the whole world is watching." Hun Sen had reportedly threatened to "beat" protestors and warned he would "shame" Australia and block the release of a joint communique if he was embarrassed in any way. Demonstrators held banners calling for an end to the rein of one of Asia's longest serving leaders. (@rukhshanmir) Washington, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 16th Mar, 2018 ) :Russia is "complicit" in the atrocities perpetrated by Syrian President Bashar al-Assad because of its "deliberate" choice to violate the terms of a ceasefire in besieged Eastern Ghouta, the Pentagon said Thursday. Syria's government has recaptured half of the shrinking rebel enclave with air strikes that killed dozens Wednesday in defiance of United Nations calls for a halt to violence. "The Russians made a deliberate choice not to restrain the Assad regime. Thus, the carnage in East(ern) Ghouta continues. Russia is morally complicit and responsible for Assad's atrocities," Pentagon spokeswoman Dana White told reporters. "We urge Russia to compel the Assad regime to stop killing innocent Syrians and allow much needed aid to reach the people of East(ern) Ghouta and other remote areas. We support our diplomats in their efforts to resolve the conflict with the United Nations-backed Geneva process." The 15 UN Security Council members -- including the United States -- unanimously adopted a resolution last month demanding a monthlong ceasefire. But it has not been respected. The Russia-backed Syrian army and allied militia began a fierce bombing campaign on February 18 on Eastern Ghouta -- the last opposition bastion near Damascus -- then launched a ground offensive a week later. Russia, which was among those voting in favor of the text, indicated Thursday it would continue to back Damascus in its military offensive. "We will continue fighting terrorists, we will finish them off, we will help finish them off in Eastern Ghouta, where the Syrian army is now conducting operations with our support," said Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. The assault on Ghouta has left nearly 1,250 civilians dead, around a fifth of them children. "Russia is either incompetent, committing illegal acts or both. Russia is propping up the Assad regime, not targeting Al-Qaeda affiliated terrorists in Syria. Russia could stop the civilian casualties in Syria," said White. (@ChaudhryMAli88) The death toll in a Senegalese military helicopter crash rose to eight on Thursday after two more people succumbed to their injuries, the army said. Dakar, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 15th Mar, 2018 ) :The death toll in a Senegalese military helicopter crash rose to eight on Thursday after two more people succumbed to their injuries, the army said. The helicopter was carrying 20 people, including four crew, when it plummeted into a mangrove forest in the southern coastal area of Missirah on Wednesday night. What caused the crash is unclear. Army spokesman Abdou Ndiaye told AFP the death toll had risen from six to eight overnight while three of the 12 injured remained in a serious condition. The director of the Kaolack hospital in central Senegal told the public APS press agency that some of the injured had been transferred to the capital, Dakar, for treatment. Authorities have launched an enquiry to determine the cause of the crash. Tammy Baldwins reelection campaign will have to deal with tons of outside money against her, and the GOPs efforts to consummate a political conquest of her state. Photo: Bill Clark/CQ-Roll Call,Inc. At first glance, you might not expect Wisconsin senator Tammy Baldwin to be one of the more endangered of the ten Democratic senators up in 2018 who represent states carried by Donald Trump. After all, Trump carried the state by a whisker, and his approval ratings there have not been great. Nor is she facing some sort of very-well-known, strongly popular GOP opponent. But she is running for reelection in Americas ground zero for partisan polarization. And her numbers show it. According to the usually very reliable Marquette Law School poll of Wisconsin, her favorability ratio has been meh bordering on not-so-hot for a while: 40/35 a year ago, 38/38 in June of 2017, and 37/39 earlier this month. Compare that to the dominant political figure in her state, two-term Republican governor Scott Walker, and you see the problem: He was at 45/51 a year ago, at 48/47 in June of 2017, and 48/48 today. The states voters are really divided evenly, and Walker who this year faces voters for the fourth time in eight years is sucking much of the oxygen out of the room, denying pols like Baldwin much attention (which is probably why so many voters have no opinion of her after five years in the Senate). In 2012, Baldwin was famous for her successful effort to become the first openly gay U.S. senator. Now, shes just another Democratic woman in a purple state with bad guys coming after her. Indeed, according to Dylan Scott, political pros are telling her that she might as well campaign against Walker as much as or more than her actual opponent: You couldnt have two more different people, Scot Ross, who leads the progressive group One Wisconsin Now, told me. First thing Walker does in the morning is check the polls, stick his finger in the air, and then figure out how to spend our tax dollars based on the first two. Tammy is just totally different. She gets up in the morning and wants to help people. I dont see how you could have a better contrast. [A] Republican strategist noted to me that Walker has never won an election with more than 52 percent of the vote. So while he has managed to bend Wisconsin to his will, there is not an overwhelming Walker coalition and the Democratic base is motivated to beat him this year. The other reason to make this a straight-on anti-Walker campaign is that his wealthy friends are already hammering Baldwin with negative ads at a pace rarely seen this far out from an election: By mid-March, outside conservative groups had already spent $8.5 million in Wisconsin, according to a summary provided to Vox The money is coming from the usual suspects: groups aligned with the Koch brothers and organizations affiliated with Dick Uihlein, a conservative businessman with longtime Wisconsin ties, plus a little bit from the National Republican Senate Committee, which will surely become more involved once there is an official Republican nominee. And, yes, however much she focuses on Walker and however small the universe of persuadable swing-voters becomes, Baldwin will have to contend with an actual opponent. The main GOP candidates are conservative State Senator Leah Vukmir, a pretty conventional pol tied to Walker, but who might be attractive to some women who would otherwise lean toward Baldwin, and outsider Kevin Nicholson, an Iraq combat vet and business consultant that one observer called a dream candidate. The above-mentioned Dick Uihlein is backing Nicholson heavily. The primary, however, isnt until August, which gives Baldwin a lot of time to prepare for whatever happens. Beyond the Walker race and the primary to identify an opponent for Baldwin, there are two other variables that could affect the Wisconsin landscape significantly. First, there will be a special election for the Supreme Court in early April that is technically nonpartisan, but is actually a grudge-match battle for control of the Court between liberal Rebecca Dallet and conservative Michael Screnock. It will test both parties financial resources and voter-mobilization infrastructure. And in another Supreme Court, the one in Washington, a decision is expected to come down between now and June in the extremely important cases involving alleged gerrymandering in Wisconsin and Maryland. In 2016, a lower-court panel overturned the 2011 state legislative map engineered by Wisconsin Republicans on the novel grounds that it represented an unconstitutional partisan gerrymander. Oral arguments at SCOTUS last October were inconclusive, though Democrats are optimistic that Justice Kennedy, and hence a Court majority, might be ready to conclude that theres a workable standard for judging excessive partisanship in redistricting. Even if SCOTUS rules the Wisconsin map as unconstitutional, it is increasingly unlikely with each passing day that it will force the legislature to redraw it before the 2018 elections. But an adverse ruling for the GOP could have all sorts of ripple effects on Republican politics in the state. And in the present environment, even the beating of a butterflys wings in Washington could make a big difference in the 2018 elections, including Tammy Baldwins reelection campaign. She and her people have probably already game-planned it out. (@rukhshanmir) At least three people were killed and two others injured Thursday night in a grenade attack in Bosaso, northern Somalia, police said. Mohamed Jama, a police officer in Bosaso, confirmed the incident on Friday. MOGADISHU, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 16th Mar, 2018 ) ::At least three people were killed and two others injured Thursday night in a grenade attack in Bosaso, northern Somalia, police said. Mohamed Jama, a police officer in Bosaso, confirmed the incident on Friday. The attackers hurled hand grenades at security officers at a checkpoint in Bosaso, killing one soldier and two civilians, Jama told Xinhua. No group has claimed responsibility so far. Bosaso has seen several such attacks in recent months, all conducted by the al-Shabaab militant group. I Agree This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website. Privacy Policy Copenhagen, Denmark (UroToday.com) Percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) is the gold standard procedure for large kidney stones. Obratining initial access to the kidney is the most challenging part of the procedure and it is associated with a steep learning curve. Due to its complexity there are many methods and modifications have been suggested.Dr. Mohammed Lezrek, a professor of clinical Urology from the Military Hospital Moulay Ismail in Meknes, Morocco, described a simplified method of monoplane fluoroscopy for efficient percutaneous access to a calyx during PCNL. Traditionally, the Bulls Eye and Triangulation techniques use two angulations of the C-arm: 0 and then 30. Dr. Lezrek presented their experience of percutaneous renal calyx access without rotating the C-arm in the split-leg modified lateral position under constant fluoroscopic guidance. Once the patient had been put into position and draped, the C-arm was placed in between 10 to 15, allowing the surgeons hands to be outside of the field. Due to the angle of the patient on the surgical table, this angle of fluoroscopy is similar to a 0 C-arm setup in the prone or supine position.To determine the location of the calyx without moving the C-arm, Dr. Lezrek suggests to first center the needle over the kidney by using the needle outside of the skin with fluoroscopy to determine the lateral location of the kidney and calyx of choice. Next, the nephrostomy needle is inserted percutaneously into the retroperitoneum in a horizontal fashion above the posterior axillary line and between the 11and 12rib, away from any other adjacent structures. The needle is then moved from down to up in small increments until the kidney moves on the fluoroscopy scan. When the kidney location is confirmed due to recognition of renal movement, the nephrostomy needle is aligned with the calyx of choice.Dr. Lezrek profusely warned that all surgeons attempting this technique do not puncture the renal parenchyma when making movements to align the needle, as breaching the parenchyma may result in trauma. When the needle has successfully been inserted into the calyx, only lateral movements should be taken to avoid additional trauma to the surrounding tissue. Additionally the needle should not over advance into the infundibulum or renal pelvis in order to avoid potential injury to these two locations.This technique has been shown to be feasible in ectopic and malformed kidneys such as sigmoid kidney. This technique can also be used in non-PCNL procedures such as percutaneous endoscopic recanalization of the UPJ due to complete stenosis. In Dr. Lezreks experience, this technique is easier to teach and explain over traditional methods, allowing many urologists and centers the opportunity to master the calyx puncture procedure for percutaneous renal surgery.Presented by: Mohammed Lezrek, Military Hospital Moulay Ismail, Dept. of Urology, Meknes, MoroccoCo-Authors: Tazi H., Aboufaraj M., Slimani A., Alami M., Ammani A.Author Information: 1. Military Hospital Moulay Ismail, Dept. of Urology, Meknes, Morocco, 2. Al Ghassani Hospital, Dept. of Urology, Fes, Morocco, 3. Medical University of Vienna, Dept. of Urology, Vienna, AustriaWritten by: Zachary Valley and Zhamshid Okhunov, MD, (Department of Urology, University of California-Irvine) at the 2018 European Association of Urology Meeting EAU18, 16-20 March, 2018 Copenhagen, Denmark Last night, X Country celebrated two kickn years at Harrahs Las Vegas with a reception and red carpet at Toby Keiths I Love This Bar & Grill (Pictured: Cast of X Country Photo credit: Edison Graff / www.StardustFallout.com). Photo credit: Ira Kuzma / www.IraKuzmaPhotos.com Guests were also treated to a special performance of the show inside Harrahs Cabaret, featuring brand new numbers including the opening song, Kelly Clarksons Whole Lotta Woman, as well as Little Big Towns Better Man and Chris Stapletons Tennessee Whiskey. Photo credit: Edison Graff / www.StardustFallout.com The X Country Girls were joined on the red carpet by show producer/directors Matt and Angela Stabile, producer/manager Tiffany Mondell and choreographer/manager Anthony Cardella, as well as local celebrities including dancers from their sister shows X Burlesque at Flamingo Las Vegas and X Rocks at Ballys Las Vegas; Scheana Shay, Chester Lockhart and Chris Hodgson from Sex Tips for Straight Women from a Gay Man; Melody Sweets; Ricardo Laguna; Murray SawChuck; Douglas Leferovich; Xavier Mortimer; David Goldrake; Gerry McCambridge; Irwin Raymer from Animal Planets Tanked; Piff the Magic Dragon and Jade Simone; the Australian Bee Gees; Tenors of Rock, cast members from BAZ; and cast members from Thunder From Down Under. Photo credit: Ira Kuzma / www.IraKuzmaPhotos.com A Kickn topless revue featuring a combination of traditional and modern country music chart toppers, X Country showcases stimulating performances from the X Country Girls, who leave nothing to the imagination. True to the X brand, the X Country Girls are some of the most beautiful and talented dancers on the famed Las Vegas Strip, who tease and seduce the audience to country musics most popular songs from artists including Tim McGraw, Patsy Cline, Taylor Swift, Garth Brooks, Trace Atkins and Hank Williams Jr., among many others. X Country is a two-time winner of the Las Vegas Review-Journals Best of Las Vegas Award for Best Female Revue. Photo credit: Edison Graff / www.StardustFallout.com Photo credit: Ira Kuzma / www.IraKuzmaPhotos.com Photo credit: Edison Graff / www.StardustFallout.com Photo credit: Ira Kuzma / www.IraKuzmaPhotos.com Photo credit: Edison Graff / www.StardustFallout.com Photo credit: Ira Kuzma / www.IraKuzmaPhotos.com Photo credit: Ira Kuzma / www.IraKuzmaPhotos.com Thailands fishing and seafood industry has made some improvement in working conditions, including less physical violence, but problems such as unfair pay and deception in contracting persist, a survey conducted by the U.N.s International Labor Organization found. The European Union in 2015 gave Thailand a yellow card on its fishing exports, warning that it could face a ban on EU sales if it didnt reform the industry. Thailands military government responded by introducing new regulations and setting up a command center to fight illegal fishing. The ILO report released Wednesday on Ship to Shore Rights recommends the Thai government strengthen its legal framework, ensure effective enforcement, establish higher industry standards and enhance workers skills, knowledge and welfare. We want competitiveness in the global seafood trade to mean more than low prices and high quality, Graeme Buckley, ILO country director for Thailand, Cambodia, and Laos, said at a news conference. We want it to mean decent work for all the industrys workers, from the boat to the retailer. Pulitzer Prize-wining investigation A Pulitzer Prize-winning Associated Press investigation in 2015-16 that uncovered severe rights abuses affecting migrant workers in Thailands fishing and seafood industries helped focus attention on the problem. The APs stories helped free more than 2,000 enslaved men from Myanmar, Cambodia, Thailand and Laos, and led to more than a dozen arrests, amended U.S. laws and lawsuits seeking redress. The ILO said changes in Thailands legal and regulatory framework had contributed to positive developments since the groups last survey of workers in 2013. It said only 6 percent of fishing boat workers in 2013 had a signed or written contract with their employers, but a study undertaken in 2017 found 43 percent of the respondents recalled signing a contract. Another possible sign of progress is the type of abuses reported, said the ILO. Although 12 percent of all workers surveyed this year reported harassment or verbal abuse and 7 percent faced threats of violence at work reports of physical violence were relatively few, at 2 percent of all workers surveyed. The AP investigation in 2015 had documented multiple cases of physical abuse and depravity. Persistent abuses The apparent gains for workers in the industry were offset somewhat by persistent abuses noted by the ILO. One-third of workers reported being paid less than the legal minimum wage, before any deductions were made, the report said. As many as 53 percent of respondents cited deductions made to their monthly earnings. Evidence of forced labor including deception in recruiting or contracting, wage withholding, and widespread identity document retention among fishers, was another concern noted in the report. The ILO surveyed 434 workers in 11 Thai provinces in March-April 2017. The report said 125 Cambodians, 287 Burmese and 22 Thai nationals who worked either on fishing boats or in seafood packaging factories took part in the research, which asked their personal demographics, how they were recruited, if they had a contract, what they earned, what their working conditions were like, hours worked, satisfaction with their accommodations, benefits received and how they reported grievances. It warned, however, that the surveys results were not representative of Thailands entire fishing and seafood processing industry. The survey, in particular, did not include workers on long-haul boats, which fish in international waters and where abuses are more likely to occur. Those boats do not return to port as often, which the ILO said made interviewing those workers difficult. It interviewed only workers on short-haul fishing boats, those at sea less than 30 days at a time, but said there are now few Thai-flagged vessels engaged in long-haul fishing. For years an anti-corruption activist and outspoken opponent of the Russian government, Alexei Navalny was disqualified from the presidential race in December because of a conviction for embezzlement. The European Court of Human Rights has ruled that the conviction was politically motivated, but it was upheld in Russian courts. Navalny was given a suspended five-year sentence. Accused by Putin of being Washington's pick for president, Navalny has long predicted that Russian authorities will resort to widespread fraud to deliver a Putin landslide and has spoken of organizing post-election protests of the kind that roiled Russia after Putin's last election victory in 2012. In a Thursday phone interview, VOA's Danila Galperovich asked Navalny how he and his supporters plan to monitor and protest this weekend's election, which he calls illegitimate. The following translated excerpt has been edited for brevity and concision. The full-length Russian language interview is available here. VOA: How are you going to observe the elections? We know that the Central Election Committee rejected accreditation of your observers, but you continue to call for observation. How are you going to do it? Navalny: The main thing that we have done now: we created the largest network of observers in the history of Russia. We called out to the masses, called for all our volunteers. More than 60,000 people enrolled, 18 percent of them minors, which, by the way, we are very proud of. But we will offer them a different jobto monitor streaming public access video footage of individual polling stations that anyone in Russia can access online. Given that, of course, we do not expect that all enrolled will come out to actually observe. Somewhere around 25,000 to 26,000 people will be actively monitoring polling stations in the districts. And, most importantly, for the first time we will make at least 20 percent coverage on these "zones of regional anomalies"the North Caucasus, Mordovia, Tatarstan, Bashkortostan [regions that traditionally produce extremely high voter turnout and equally high results for pro-Kremlin incumbents]. We are trying to do this, and we will do it, but we can already see that absolutely unprecedented measures are being taken to destroy our network: people are being arrested every day, they are withdrawing our accreditation, closing our headquarters. Another wave of arrests is in motion. And it is connected, of course, with our supervision of polls. VOA: Why do the authorities resist your observation so strongly? If, as you say, they are trying to make the elections look free and fair? Navalny: The authorities, of course, know that their candidate will "win"and he will indeed "win"but they are no longer interested in his mere victory. They are interested in the recognition of elections and that ... at least as many people as in 2012, come out to the polls. They are interested in turnout. They are faced with the fact that people do not want to voluntarily go to these elections under the influence of our boycott, or under the influence of the obvious fact that there is no competition, and that the result of the election is predetermined. For them, the only way to increase this turnout is to falsify it. Take, for example, the Kemerovo region. Last time it showed an 87 percent turnout. But if we put observers there, the turnout will immediately fall by 30- to 40-percent, and we can prove that the 87 percent is fake. And even without any boycott, simply just through observation, it will be obvious that the turnout has fallen. And [the Kremlin] cannot allow itneither Putin nor the regional administrations. That is why they are fighting us so hard. VOA: Your critics say that boycott and observation are incompatible. You have already explained the observation, can you please explain the logic of the boycott? Why, in your opinion, is this the right step? Navalny: We do not recognize these elections as elections, but consider them a fake procedure. Because it is important not only to vote, it is important to influence politicsthe opportunity to influence power, to express one's opinion. Putin, realizing that he can achieve an overwhelming result only if he does not allow real competitors, envisioned all these scenarios and picked up the politicians under his control. We are faced with a construct in which they, the authorities, look into the eyes of the public and say: "You know, we will not allow you to choose your own people's representatives. We offered you some people, you can vote for them." Moreover, those whom they picked up, whatever I think about them, they did not even do anything. They did not campaign. Many of them, in general, found out what is going on two months before the election. So it's fake, it's a falsification, and it's pointless to participate in the construct that from the get-go foresees Putin's targeted "70/70" percent result. [As Washington Post contributor Christopher Jarmas reported in December: "Last year, the Kremlins top political technologists established a '70 at 70' objective for Putins reelection in March 201870 percent of the vote with 70 percent turnout."] VOA: It is known that the European pro-Kremlin politicians come to Russia as observers at the invitation of the State Duma. Their approval of these elections and their confirmation of the legitimacy of the favored candidate, Putin, is to be expected. How, when taking into account their connection with the Russian authorities, will the rest of the world treat such confirmation of the legitimacy of the winner? Navalny: All those so-called European observers invited by the Duma: they are "observers" in the sense that other presidential candidates are rivals to Putin. Of course, this is an absolute fake. It's ridiculous and unpleasant to look at how Putin corrupted and turned into his puppets a significant part of the European establishment. Even if we are talking about representatives of marginal parties, they nonetheless represent the European political establishment. As for legitimacy: it is not measured by any agreements or by the presence of international observers. This is a generally the populist mindset. Our task in this campaign is that as many people as possible understand that these are not elections and do not recognize them as such. That they consciously declare: "We will not go there." And that's how we fight it. A group of asylum seekers being held in U.S. detention centers since applying to enter the country filed a class-action lawsuit against the Department of Homeland Security on Thursday. The American Civil Liberties Union and other groups filed the suit Thursday in U.S. District Court in Washington on behalf of nine detained asylum seekers from Haiti, Venezuela and other countries. The suit claims that Homeland Security has violated U.S. law by refusing to allow entire groups of asylum seekers to be released on parole from prisons and detention centers while their applications are decided. Asylum is an immigration status granted to people already in the U.S. who fear they will be persecuted because of their race, religion, nationality or political views if forced to return to their home country. Every asylum seeker is interviewed by a Homeland Security agent to determine if the applicant has a credible fear of returning home. They are then allowed to make their case before an immigration judge. In 2009, the Obama administration instituted a policy that made it easier for asylum applicants to be released on parole while their cases are being decided. But under the Trump administration, the number of asylum-seekers granted such parole has dropped to nearly zero in five key Immigration and Customs Enforcement field offices: Detroit; El Paso, Texas; Los Angeles; Newark, New Jersey; and Philadelphia. The lead plaintiff is Ansly Damus, 41, an ethics teacher who fled political persecution in Haiti. He was twice granted asylum by a judge, according to the suit, but has remained incarcerated in Ohio for more than 16 months while the government appeals his case. ACLU attorney Michael Tan said the Trump administration is punishing people seeking asylum. The United States is trying to send a message to asylum seekers that they need not apply, he said. Improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and land mines kill and injure thousands of Afghans every yea. One of the victims is 12-year-old Noorzya, from the Nangarhar province, who stepped on an IED and lost her legs. It has not been determined who planted the explosive, but Islamic State and Taliban militants were active in the area. VOA's Zabihullah Ghazi spoke with Noorzya . Britain, France and Germany have proposed fresh EU sanctions on Iran over its ballistic missiles and its role in Syrias war, according to a confidential document, in a bid to persuade Washington to preserve the 2015 nuclear deal with Tehran. The joint paper, seen by Reuters, was sent to European Union capitals Friday, said two people familiar with the matter, to sound out support for such sanctions because they would need the support of all 28 EU member governments. The proposal is part of an EU strategy to save the accord signed by world powers that curbs Tehrans ability to develop nuclear weapons, namely by showing U.S. President Donald Trump that there are other ways to counter Iranian power abroad. Trump delivered an ultimatum to the European signatories Jan. 12. It said they must agree to fix the terrible flaws of the Iran nuclear deal, which was sealed under his predecessor Barack Obama, or he would refuse to extend U.S. sanctions relief on Iran. U.S. sanctions will resume unless Trump issues fresh waivers to suspend them May 12. Frustration with Tehran We will therefore be circulating in the coming days a list of persons and entities that we believe should be targeted in view of their publicly demonstrated roles, the document said, referring to Iranian ballistic missile tests and Tehrans role in backing Syrias government in the seven-year-old civil war. The steps would go beyond what a U.S. State Department cable seen by Reuters last month outlined as a path to satisfy Trump: simply committing to improving the nuclear deal. It also reflects frustration with Tehran. Were getting irritated. Weve been talking to them for 18 months and have had no progress on these issues, a diplomat said. Iran defiant; EU talks Monday European Union foreign ministers will discuss the proposal at a closed-door meeting Monday in Brussels, diplomats said. Analysts say the nuclear agreement, touted at the time as a breakthrough reducing the risk of a devastating wider war in the Middle East, could collapse if Washington pulls out. Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif struck a defiant note towards Washington on Friday. If the United States makes the mistake of pulling out of the JCPOA, it will definitely be a painful mistake for the Americans, Iranian state television quoted Zarif as saying. The JCPOA is the formal name of the nuclear deal. Zarif did not refer to the possibility of new EU sanctions. The commission overseeing the nuclear accord said Friday in Vienna that Iran was meeting its obligations under the deal. Talks with US The joint document by Britain, France and Germany said they were engaged in intensive talks with the Trump administration to achieve a clear and lasting reaffirmation of U.S. support for the (nuclear) agreement beyond May 12. The proposal follows weeks of talks between the State Department and European powers as they try to mollify the Trump administration, which is split between those who want to tear up the agreement and those who wish to preserve it. A U.S. State Department official declined to comment. We dont want to get ahead of the EUs decision-making process. ... There is broad agreement on the areas that need strengthening, but how thats done in each of the three areas is the subject of our negotiations, the official added. A different U.S. official cited very good talks with London, Paris and Berlin this week in Vienna on the issue. Proliferation of Iranian missiles The document referred to sanctions that would target militias and commanders. It proposes building on the EUs existing sanctions list related to Syria, which includes travel bans and asset freezes on individuals, and a ban on doing business or financing public and private companies. It was strident in its criticism of Irans ballistic weapons, which Tehran says are for defensive purposes, saying there were transfers of Iranian missiles and missile technology to Syria and allies of Tehran, such as Houthi rebels in Yemen and Lebanons Iran-backed Shiite Hezbollah. Such a proliferation of Iranian missile capabilities throughout the region is an additional and serious source of concern, the document said. Still, the issue is highly sensitive because the 2015 pact between Iran and six major powers Britain, China, France, Germany, Russia and the United States lifted international sanctions that crippled Irans oil-based economy. While the EU retains some sanctions on Iranians over human rights abuses, it rescinded its economic and financial restrictions on Iran in 2016 and does not want to be seen to be reneging on the agreement. Iran signed up to limits on its uranium enrichment activity, which it has repeatedly said is for peaceful power generation, not bombs, but has refused to discuss its missiles. The Islamic Republic has dismissed Western assertions that its activities in the Middle East are destabilizing and also rejected Trumps demands to renegotiate the nuclear accord. Legal arguments In the joint document, Britain, France and Germany set out questions and answers that seek to show that legally, the European powers would not be breaking the terms of the nuclear deal. It said they are entitled to adopt additional sanctions against Iran as long as they are not nuclear-related or previously lifted under the nuclear agreement. The European powers said new sanctions are justified because Iran did not commit further to stop undertaking ballistic missile destabilizing activities under the nuclear agreement. The nuclear deals terms did not cover ballistic missile activity. Activists are planning demonstrations against the visit of Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen to a regional summit in Australia. The long-serving Cambodian leader has threatened to punish anyone who protests against his presence at the summit. About 1,000 supporters of Cambodias banned opposition say they will protest Prime Minister Hun Sens visit to Australia. They intend to rally outside the ASEAN summit in Sydney despite threats from the veteran Cambodian leader that he would follow them home and assault those who planned to burn his effigy. If you have the right to burn me, we have our right to beat you up. There is nothing wrong with that. I will follow them home and grab them," he warned. Loyalists to his Cambodia Peoples Party predict up to 3,000 supporters will join a counter rally in Sydney to support the long-serving leader. Rights abuses His critics accuse him of a string of human rights abuses and believe his crackdown on dissent is tied to elections in Cambodia later this year. Jimmy Neam, who fled Cambodia in the 1980s, says the Prime Minister should not be allowed into Australia. He should not be welcomed to this beautiful country. He got a lot of blood in his hands, I think he is a dictator," he said. " We know Hun Sen. Almost 40 years that he is in power, he ruled the country with (an) iron fist. Former Australian Foreign Minister Gareth Evans has said the international communitys response to Hun Sens alleged abuses of power has been impossibly limp. Another world leader who is also facing intense global scrutiny is also expected at the ASEAN summit in Sydney. Myanmar's Aung San Suu Kyi has been widely criticized for her apparent lack of action in the face of violence towards Rohingya Muslims. It will be one of her first foreign appearances since large numbers of Rohingyas were forced to flee Myanmar. Philippines' Duterte absent Outspoken President Duterte of the Philippines, who has been criticized for his violent war on drugs, will not be attending the gathering of regional leaders in Sydney this weekend. Australia has not commented directly on Hun Sens threats to protestors, but said in a statement that it goes without saying that violence, or the threat of violence, is not acceptable in Australia. This is the first time Australia has hosted an ASEAN summit. Regional trade and security are expected to dominated talks. ASEAN is the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and has ten members. Jeanne Ives primary challenge to GOP Gov. Bruce Rauner is heavily based on anger about his record on abortion policy. Photo: Terrence Antonio James/TNS via Getty Images, Rich Hein/Sun Times via AP Theres been a lot of chatter about the liberal challenge to Rep. Dan Lipinski of Illinois in next weeks Democratic primary representing an ideological purge of the dynastic heir from Chicago. There seems to be particular angst over the possibility that his defeat by Marie Newman might eliminate one of the last reliable anti-abortion Democratic votes in Congress. But its worth noting that something similar is happening in the same state on the other side of the partisan barricades: opposition to the renomination of Gov. Bruce Rauner has been heavily based on his status as a rare pro-choice Republican. Newmans odds of beating Lipinski are higher than Jeanne Ives odds of beating Rauner, if only because the governor is outspending her on TV ads by better than a 6-1 margin. But Ives is attracting the strong support of both national and local anti-abortion activists, many of whom are accusing Rauner of flip-flopping on public funding of abortion before signing a bill expanding it last September. National Review made the alleged betrayal the main argument in its editorial this week endorsing Ives: Rauners duplicity on the issue of abortion should be disqualifying to conservatives. During the election, Rauner who is pro-choice, had once donated to Planned Parenthood, and whose wife is an abortion-rights activist insisted that he was merely running to fix the states coffers. He had, he said, no social agenda. When a bill to guarantee abortion as a right if the Supreme Court ever overturned Roe v. Wade and provide public money for abortions through all nine months of a womans pregnancy began circulating in the state legislature, Rauner said he would veto it. In September, he signed it into law. Ives has also been endorsed by the anti-abortion activists of the Susan B. Anthony List. And the abortion issue has been crucial to support for Ives among her fellow GOP legislators in Illinois, such as House floor leader Peter Breen, who abandoned Rauner the day he signed the funding bill: State Rep. Peter Breen, the Republican floor leader, said he could no longer support the governor. He looked me in the eye, shook my hand and promised to veto it, Breen said. He literally lied to Cardinal [Blase] Cupich [Catholic Archbishop of Chicago]. Rauners action calls into question whether he can be trusted to keep his word, said Breen. For me, this is the end of the Rauner experiment, Breen said, adding that he would consider supporting another Republican for governor. Breen is now on Team Ives. There are certainly Republican primary voters who have problems with Rauner that have nothing to do with abortion (like Democratic primary voters with other reasons for being annoyed by Dan Lipinski). He is, after all, one of the least popular governors in the country. But without question, if Ives pulls off the upset next Tuesday (the last major public poll, in late February, showed the incumbent up by a 51/31 margin) the results will be hailed by RTLers from coast-to-coast as the righteous defenestration of a baby-killing heretic who has no place in the Party of Life. If Lipinski loses, too, some of the same people cheering Ives will not pause for a moment before whining about Democrats no longer being a big tent party. One persons purge is anothers act of conscience. China's once powerful anti-corruption chief, Wang Qishan, appears poised to make a comeback, just a few months after many thought he was moving into retirement. Wang who will be 70 years old this July is widely expected to be elected as China's vice president on Saturday during a meeting of the countrys top legislature. And the key job many see Wang focusing on given his background and close relationship with Chinas powerful leader, Xi Jinping is serving as Xis go-to person on handling relations with the United States at a time when trade tensions are rising. Washington already has enacted a series of trade penalties targeting China and more are expected in the weeks ahead. U.S. President Donald Trump has said he wants China to slash $100 billion off Washingtons trade deficit with the worlds second economy. Wang has a long track record of handling tough situations, both domestically and internationally. He previously served as Chinas top economic representative in high-level security and economic talks with Washington, during the administrations of both former presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama. He certainly has the background and the capacity to be given an important task like handling U.S.-China relations, said Sun Yun, director of the China Program at the Stimson Center, a Washington-based research group. Wang Qishan has a good reputation here in Washington, he is regarded as an effective and capable fixer, she said, adding he is "a leader that can make difficult decisions and a very approachable negotiation partner. Sun said that when Trump visited Beijing last November she heard a story about how during one meeting with Xi, the president pointed to U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer and singled him out as the person in charge of trade negotiations with China. I think from Xi Jinpings perspective I am sure he would like to do the same thing, Sun said. And if Wang Qishan is indeed picked as the person to handle U.S.-China relations, to me, that sounds like Xi Jinpings reaction to Trump saying to him that this is the guy who will be in charge of the trade negotiations. Rare move Xis decision to allow Wang to stay around after stepping down as the partys anti-corruption chief, is a rare and what some analysts call bold move. If selected, Wang will be the first ordinary party member to serve as vice president since the early 1990s. When Xi Jinping, Hu Jintao and Zeng Qinghong all served as vice president they were also members of the partys powerful Politburo Standing Committee. Even though he's not a member to the Politburo Standing Committee, Wang is still tapped to be China's vice president. That shows how much power Xi is willing to grant him," said Wang Kun-yi, an adjunct professor at Tamkang University in Taiwan. And with Wang Qishan by his side, Xi wont feel alone, he adds. Wang Qishan has spearheaded Xi's battle on graft since the 18th party congress, so, the both men's fate is intertwined (as political partners)," he said. A massive anti-corruption drive that Xi has led since rising to power has already investigated more than one million party members, winning praise from the public for helping weed out low-level graft and eliminating Xis political rivals. Based on Wang Qishans performance as Chinas anti-corruption head, its unlikely that Xi is keeping him around to go soft on Washington, analysts note. "Given his track record in fighting corruption, he's a tough man. I don't think Xi Jinping would like to promote him to vice president to play a dovish role, Wang said. To meet Xi's expectation, I think he will take up a hawkish role in dealing with the U.S. when it comes to trade challenges." Vice president How a more prominent role for Wang as vice president would work is still uncertain. In the past, Chinas vice president has not been a significantly administrative or substantive position, analysts note. If Wang takes up the mantle of handling relations with the United States that would change dramatically. In Beijing, the question is how he will fit into an already existing hierarchy of government ministries tasked with handling relations with Washington. And the question there, Sun Yun said, is how Wangs office and his staff will interact with the United States and whether it will be above government ministries and the foreign policy establishment. In Washington, she adds, its more a matter of division of labor and who will deal with President Trump, someone who likes to deal with top leaders directly and look them in the eye. If President Trump does not have the opportunity to do that with Xi Jinping and the person that he gets to deal with is Wang, then the story might be very different, she said. Look at how Trump is trying to approach [North Korean leader] Kim Jong Un, I think he has developed an approach toward authoritarian leaders, which is to give authoritarian leaders as much compliments as you can so they enjoy your compliments so much and will consider making concessions, Sun said. Joyce Huang and Brian Kopczynski contributed to this report The United Nations refugee agency says inter-ethnic violence and sexual abuse have sent more than 4,000 people from eastern parts of the Democratic Republic of Congo fleeing to Uganda over the past three days. The latest exodus from the DRC has pushed the number of refugees that have fled to Uganda this year to 57,000. UNHCR spokesman Babar Baloch told VOA a large majority, 77 percent, are women and children. Some of them are arriving in traumatized conditions. As soon as they land, UNHCR has been trying to work with our partners to identify those who need our urgent assistance. But the scale of violence being reported of the increasing numbers is quite alarming and worrying, Baloch said. The refugees are fleeing the DRC's Ituri and North Kivu provinces. Most are crossing into Uganda by boat across Lake Albert. Baloch said they arrive with few or no belongings. He said many are exhausted, hungry, thirsty and sick. He said they recount chilling tales of violence, including rape, murder and separation from family members. Armed men are reported to be attacking villages, looting and burning down houses, indiscriminately killing civilian populations and kidnapping young men and boys. A growing number of reports indicate that the violence is taking on ethnic dimensions as tribal groups engage in retaliatory attacks, Baloch said. Uganda currently is home to an estimated 1.4 million refugees from South Sudan. The UNHCR fears the number of refugees from the DRC will continue to rise if the violence and horrific incidents of sexual and other abuse continue, sending thousands more fleeing for their lives. A difference in how the United States and North Korea define denuclearization could potentially derail the summit scheduled for May between President Donald Trump and Kim Jon Un, according to experts. Last week, Trump accepted North Korean leader Kim Jong Uns summit invitation, which was conveyed by South Korean envoys who had met with Kim in Pyongyang. If the U.S. military threat to North Korea is removed and the safety of the Kim regime is guaranteed, the North side clearly affirmed its commitment to the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, said South Korean National Security Chief Chung Eui-yong after meeting with Kim. Days later, Chung delivered Kims proposal to Trump. WATCH: US Moving Forward with Proposed US- North Korea Talks What is denuclearization But the fate of the summit scheduled could hinge on the definition of denuclearize, which the Merriam-Webster dictionary defines as to remove nuclear arms from or prohibit the use of nuclear arms in in this case, North Korea. In the past, Pyongyang has interpreted denuclearization as the removal of what it perceives as threats, including the U.S. nuclear umbrella over the Korean Peninsula, the U.S.-South Korea security alliance, and the presence of the U.S. troops in the South, according to experts, while Washington interprets denuclearization as the complete dismantlement of North Koreas nuclear weapons program. A rift in views of denuclearization could make Trump-Kim summit difficult and possibly even be canceled, said Robert Manning, a senior fellow at the Atlantic Council. Evans Revere, a former State Department official who was involved in previous talks with North Korea, warned that Trump should not expect denuclearization to be the topic that Kim wants to discuss at the summit. A very complicated situation has just gotten a lot more complicated primarily because the invitation seems to have been accepted on the premise or with the assumption that the North Korean leader is interested in denuclearization, even though I see no evidence whatsoever that hes actually interested in discussing denuclearization, Revere said. North Korea's focus North Korea will most likely attempt to shift the focus from dismantling its nuclear program to demanding the U.S. remove what North Korea perceives as threats posed against its regime as a condition for giving up its nuclear program, according to experts. Withdrawing its military from the South, will be unacceptable to the U.S., Manning said. Ken Gause, director of the International Affairs Group at the Center for Naval Analyses, thinks divergent demands resulting from the differing views of denuclearization will prevent the U.S. from finding a common ground to begin negotiations. Former State Department official Revere believes diplomatic progress will be severely impeded if Trump and Kim have different outcomes in mind. There is a rule in diplomacy that you never agree to a summit unless you understand the outcome that you are seeking in the summit, and your adversary also understands and agrees with the outcome that both parties are seeking. That doesnt seem to be the case here, Revere said. North Korea's commitment North Koreas commitment to denuclearize is highly deceptive, according to Revere. What Ambassador Chung, whom I have a lot of respect for, heard from the North Koreans is not a commitment to denuclearization, Revere said. Its a commitment to North Koreas vision of the end of the U.S.-South Korean alliance and the end of the U.S. military presence. And thats not an acceptable condition. North Korea has not made an official public pledge to give up its nuclear weapons program. The message that Pyongyang is willing to denuclearize was conveyed by the South Korean envoys who met with Kim. Without a direct statement from Kim, there is room to misinterpret North Koreas definition of, and willingness to denuclearize, according to experts. Manning warned that possible clashes over denuclearization at the summit could potentially lead to a diplomatic breakdown and raise the possibility of U.S. military action. There is a danger that if there is a Trump-Kim summit and President Trump feels played or betrayed, military action might be more likely, Manning said. If diplomacy fails, the voices in the U.S. calling for military strikes will gain momentum, Gause said. The voices for diplomacy will be drowned out. Trilateral diplomacy The trilateral diplomatic move began when South Korean envoys traveled to Pyongyang early in March at Kims invitation. Their trip was followed by the announcement of the inter-Korean summit to be held in April. The delegation then visited Washington to deliver Kims invitation for the U.S-North Korean summit that Trump agreed to have by May. Youngnam Kim from VOA Korean Service contributed to this story. Georgian President Giorgi Margvelashvili is calling for American and European leaders to capitalize on what he calls a palpable, growing international consensus about the scope, magnitude and immediacy of national security threats posed by Russian election interference and suspected assassination attempts on foreign soil. There is a now moment here in the United States; there is a now moment in London; there is a now moment in Brussels ... a moment of comprehension of the [threats] to security for all nations that are challenged by Russia, Margvelashvili said in a sit-down interview with VOAs Georgian Service on Thursday. We have seen murders in London. We have seen the murder of a retired Georgian peacekeeper in Tskhinvali, he told VOA, referring to Archil Tatunashvili, who died while in custody of Russian-backed security officials in Georgias occupied breakaway region of South Ossetia. There are problems that unite us and now is the moment to unite now is the moment to craft a joint response to the Russian Federation by Georgia and by allies of (the) EU and NATO, he said. We have to stand united in our values, in our challenges, and we must have a united rational response on better peace, security, and stability for these regions and alliances. Although Russia has denied any involvement in this months attempted murder of former spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter in Britain even offering to assist in the investigation leaders of Britain, France, Germany and the U.S. have jointly condemned the attack, blaming Moscow for the first offensive use of a nerve agent in Europe since the Second World War. Russian tanks in Georgia In Georgia, where Russian tank units maintain control over 20 percent of the terrain, a holdover from the August 2008 five-day war, officials have long espoused their conviction that Russia might one day attempt to annex portions of Ukraine, which it did in 2014. Margvelashvili, who became president in 2013, is in Washington this week to meet with members of Congress and warn them against being naive about Russian aggression toward the West, a message his country has emphatically stressed since the 2008 invasion. Although Georgia has enjoyed support from high profile legislators such as Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) and former vice president Joseph Biden, the current White House administration, while maintaining nonrecognition of Georgias two Russian-occupied, breakaway regions, has not revisited policy on Russian aggression in the region. NATO membership Margvelashvili is also seeking to expand support for Georgian efforts to join NATO, which it has been seeking since 2002. NATO leaders pledged in 2008 to secure membership for Georgia and Ukraine but stopped short of granting the former Soviet republics Membership Action Plan (MAP) status, which would have expedited membership. Critics of Georgias NATO accession say Tbilisi has not yet proven its fiscal readiness, arguing that the southern Caucasus nation needs to improve its per capita income before it can assume the financial burden of NATO membership. Currently, Georgias per capita GDP is far below the NATO average, only one-fourth that of its Baltic neighbors to the north. There are [also] concerns in the Alliance about the Azerbaijani investigative reporter who was abducted, and the [fact that] Amnesty International issued a report expressing concern about issues in law enforcement and intelligence, saying there needs to be an independent assessment of these kinds of activities, further gains in that area, former U.S. ambassador to Georgia William Courtney told VOA Georgian. Georgia ready Margvelashvili, however, insists Georgia has done its part. Georgia is committed to securing NATO membership, he said, and I believe Georgia is ready and even deserves NATO membership. There are question regarding Georgias democratic developments both in [Washington] and Brussels, these questions are asked openly, he said. If we are unable to reform judiciary system, that would be a big challenge for our democracy and our place in European family. A top NATO official, who last week spoke with VOA Georgian on condition of anonymity, said NATO believes Georgia should be able to enter the alliance intact. Georgia will not be forced to choose between its territorial integrity and membership in NATO, she said. We call upon Russia to reverse its recognition of [Georgias occupied] territories, to stop the construction of borderlike obstacles along the administrative boundary lines and to abide by its international commitments. This story originated in VOAs Georgian Service. The head of an Indian hospital says Hillary Clinton was briefly treated there after suffering a minor injury at her hotel. Suresh Goyal, the CEO of Goyal Hospital in the city of Jodhpur, says she arrived in the hospital early Wednesday and "was here for about 15-20 minutes." He declined to say what she was treated for. An employee of Jodhpur's Umaid Bhawan Palace hotel, speaking on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to the media, says Clinton had stayed there and had sprained her wrist. He said, however, that she was not injured at that hotel. A widely shared video shot earlier this week showed her tripping on the steps of a palace in central India. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said Thursday that Rex Tillerson's firing as U.S. secretary of state did not come up during his talks overseas this week, describing interest in the issue as largely a "Washington, D.C., story." In his first public remarks on the matter since President Donald Trump announced Tillerson's dismissal Tuesday, Mattis, who had forged a close working relationship with Tillerson, said allies understood that ties with the United States were deeper than with any one individual. "This issue has not even come up, other than with you all [in the media] and I understand why you're asking," Mattis told reporters as he flew back to Washington from the Gulf nation of Bahrain. He had also traveled to Afghanistan since Tillerson's firing. "But I'm just pointing out that in most parts of the world, this is a Washington, D.C., story." Reuters has reported that differences over how to deal with North Korea's nuclear challenge were a key factor in Trump's decision to replace Tillerson as America's top diplomat. Trump nominated Mike Pompeo, director of the Central Intelligence Agency, to take the job. Mattis had made no secret of his strong rapport with Tillerson, saying in January that the two had breakfast every week together and communicated frequently sometimes two or three times a day. The goal was to hammer out a consensus on key issues before addressing them to the White House. "We settle all of our issues between he and I, and then we walk together into the White House meetings. That way, State and Defense are together," Mattis said at the time. It was unclear whether Mattis, a retired Marine general, would be able to forge as strong a relationship with Pompeo. Mattis declined to comment on when he learned of Tillerson's dismissal and did not offer any personal thoughts about it, other than to say it was not discussed in his past two days of conversations with Bahrain's leaders and NATO's envoy to Afghanistan and multiple town hall-style gatherings with U.S. troops. "The durability of our relations with these countries, with the United States having very strong institutions, go beyond personalities," Mattis said. Mattis suggested that cooperation with allies was unshaken by the dismissal. "It's not about whether or not the United States is still an ally to the countries I've been in or the countries I've been talking to," Mattis said. "I've signed letters while I've been out here, the normal coordination. ... The work goes on." An ethics organization in Washington accused U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin on Thursday of bilking U.S. taxpayers by needlessly traveling on military and noncommercial jets to the tune of $1 million last year. Documents obtained after a freedom of information lawsuit against the Treasury Department showed Mnuchin apparently abused his access to military and non-commercial aircraft for business and personal travel, according to Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW). A Treasury spokesperson rejected the groups findings, calling them falsehoods or mischaracterizations. Travel with wife Mnuchin, a former investment banker and Hollywood producer, came under scrutiny in August after he and his wife traveled aboard a government jet to visit the U.S. Bullion Depository in Fort Knox, Kentucky. Mnuchins wife, the actress Louise Linton, later apologized after lashing out at a social media user who had criticized her for advertising the high fashion brands she wore during the trip. The couple also agreed to reimburse the government for the costs of her travel. The following month Mnuchin reportedly requested the use of a military jet during the couples European honeymoon, but ultimately did not use the $25,000-per-hour plane. Price resigns over travel Former Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Price resigned in September following media revelations he had also racked up $400,000 in travel bills for chartered flights. From the documents we obtained, it appears Secretary Mnuchin considers first and foremost his own comfort and ease, leaving the protection of taxpayer money at the bottom of his list of priorities, Anne Weismann, CREWs chief counsel, said in a statement. According to CREW, records show that between the spring and fall of last year Mnuchin took eight separate trips by military aircraft at a total cost of $1 million. Predecessors flew commercial Mnuchin has not explained why he has not used commercial air travel, as his predecessors did, Weismann said. The Treasury Secretary has said government aircraft allow him to send and receive sensitive national security information while traveling. A department spokesperson told AFP Thursday that Mnuchin had followed the same approval process for the flights as prior Treasury secretaries. An inspector general investigation had also reviewed the trips and found no violation of law, regulation, or ethics requirements, the spokesperson said. These documents explicitly demonstrate Treasurys concern for being prudent with taxpayer dollars while fulfilling important departmental responsibilities. Clashes and mass displacement in Myanmars southeastern Kayin State have deepened doubts that the worlds longest-running civil war, involving the Karen ethnic minority, can be resolved under a peace process led by Aung San Suu Kyi. According to the Karen Peace Support Network, a network of community-based organizations, on March 4 more than 600 Myanmar army soldiers descended from their bases to civilian areas claimed by the Karen National Union (KNU), which has been in rebellion against the central government since 1949 but signed a cease-fire in 2012. The Myanmar army, on a mission to repair a dilapidated road in Hpapun district in northeastern Kayin State, near the border with Thailand, exchanged fire with KNU soldiers and local militia. This prompted more than 1,500 villagers to flee to areas of surrounding forest, where they remain with dwindling food and few medical supplies, according to Saw Way Lay, a spokesperson for the peace support network. Saw Tender, a spokesperson for KNUs Brigade 5, which holds sway in the area, told VOA that clashes lasted from March 4-9, without casualties. Both sides are now waiting and seeing, he said. The Myanmar army, dug in by the road, has not advanced farther. Tension is still high, Way Lay said, claiming that Myanmar troop numbers have since swelled to more than 800. On March 15, the Myanmar army clashed briefly with KNU Brigade 5 soldiers elsewhere in the district, with no apparent casualties, the Yangon-based news outlet The Irrawaddy reported. Repeated calls by VOA to the militarys official Information Team, and to state government officials, went unanswered. Senior government spokesman Zaw Htay said he was unable to comment on military matters. On March 16, the KNU released a statement calling for Myanmar army troops to withdraw so villagers can return, for local and international organizations to help provide relief, and for peace talks to be expedited. Crisis talks KNU members have submitted a complaint to the Joint Monitoring Committee (JMC), the official body for monitoring and implementing a 2015 nationwide cease-fire pact between the government and eight armed groups, which last month increased to 10. Min Zaw Oo, executive director at the Myanmar Institute for Peace and Security, told VOA the JMC is now holding crisis talks about the clashes. An official JMC source refused to comment to VOA, citing the sensitivity of the issue, but a public response is expected soon. Among Myanmars ethnic armed groups, the KNU has been the most active proponent of the 2015 Nationwide Cease-fire Agreement (NCA), sometimes in the face of strong criticism from sections of Karen civil society, who view it as a weak deal. The top leadership retains regular contact with the Myanmar government and military. However, confidence within the KNU and Karen society has been sapped by the repeated deferral of political dialogue toward a federal restructuring of power, to satisfy long-held demands for meaningful autonomy from across Myanmars minority ethnic groups. Four cuts The March clashes mark the largest flare-up and community displacement in Hpapun district since the 2012 bilateral cease-fire. The area, which has stayed remote from central government control since before the British colonial era, was ravaged by a conflict that pushed tens of thousands of Karen refugees into Thailand, where many remain or have been resettled in third countries. Saw Tender said the road in question dated from a 2005-6 Myanmar army campaign. According to a 2006 report by the Karen Human Rights Group, this involved village burnings and the forced relocation of villagers to starve Karen insurgents of food, funding, intelligence and recruits a strategy known as the four cuts. Saw Tender and Saw Way Lay both told VOA the road was solely for military purposes, to transport heavy weapons and speed up troop rotations. This seemingly contravenes an informal agreement that the Myanmar army can only resupply their bases on foot or by mule. Way Lay pointed to other military-built roads in the district. The villagers cannot use them, only the government troops do. Even to cross the road is difficult for [villagers], he said, adding that the NCA has enabled the Myanmar army to upgrade existing camps and establish new ones, making local Karen perpetually fearful and insecure. Demarcation In its March 9 statement, the Karen Peace Support Network accused the Myanmar army of violating the NCA by entering KNU territory without permission, and demanded an independent probe into the clashes. However, Min Zaw Oo cited a lack of clear demarcation of territory in bilateral cease-fires with the KNU and with other ethnic armed groups. During NCA negotiations in 2015, the issue was deferred to the JMC. But, at the JMC, he said, the issue has been deadlocked. If demarcation is clearly settled, we can avoid these kind of cases, he said. The clashes also dampen prospects of any large-scale return of the more than 100,000 refugees remaining in the Thai border camps. So far, only 71 have returned under a formal, United Nations-supported process, with more returning informally. In an email to VOA, the U.N. refugee agency said they do not assess the current situation in South-East Myanmar to be fully conducive to large-scale promoted voluntary repatriation. However, UNHCR said they would aid individual repatriations if voluntariness could be confirmed, the return location verified as safe, and the agencys continued access to it for monitoring and support guaranteed by the Myanmar government. With additional reporting by Aung Naing Soe Three days of talks between North Korean and Swedish foreign ministers concluded Saturday, sessions that could lead to a meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. On Friday, Swedish U.N. Ambassador Olof Skoog said his country was trying to help de-escalate tensions on the Korean Peninsula by hosting the talks. Sweden is one of the few Western powers to have an embassy in Pyongyang. There, it provides diplomatic services for not only Swedes but also for U.S., Canadian and Australian citizens. "The security situation on the peninsula is one of the most pressing issues on the world agenda right now, and if Sweden can play a part in de-escalation there, this is what we're trying to do," Skoog told reporters in New York. North Korean Foreign Minister Ri Yong Ho and Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Lofven met briefly in Stockholm on Friday, but Skoog and Lofven's spokesman would not disclose what the two officials discussed. Skoog added, however, the talks in Stockholm would "hopefully" help "create a good environment for such a meeting." He declined to comment when asked whether Sweden would host a meeting of the U.S. and North Korean leaders. "We just want to be helpful in pursuing a de-escalation on the peninsula," he said. The majority of Ri's time was spent with Swedish Foreign Minister Margot Wallstrom. At the conclusion of the talks, Sweden's Foreign Ministry released a statement saying Wallstrom emphasized to the North Korean official "the need for North Korea to dismantle its nuclear arms and missiles program in line with several [U.N.] Security Council resolutions." The statement also said the two officials discussed "opportunities and challenges for continued diplomatic efforts." Cautious optimism U.S. President Donald Trump reaffirmed his plan to meet by the end of May with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un to negotiate Pyongyang's nuclear program, the White House said Friday. In a phone call with South Korean President Moon Jae-in, Trump expressed "cautious optimism" over recent developments regarding North Korea. The White House said the two leaders discussed preparations for their upcoming negotiations with North Korea and agreed "concrete actions, not words" were key to any denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula. North Korea, however, has not officially confirmed the meeting and no specific time or venue has been set. South Koreas senior press secretary Yoon Young-chan said Moon pledged to create an atmosphere for the successful opening of the U.S.-North Korean summit when he meets with the North Korean leader in April. South Korea said Moon also talked by phone Friday with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who expressed the possibility of having a North Korea-Japan dialogue. A South Korean spokesman said the two leaders agreed to strengthen their cooperation to work together and with the United States to bring about the denuclearization of North Korea. Earlier, Im Jong-seok, Moon's chief of staff, said South Korea is seeking high-level talks this month with North Korea to prepare for the inter-Korea summit in April. He also said Moon could meet with Trump after the inter-Korea summit, but before Trump holds his planned meeting with the North Korean leader in May. "We've decided to narrow down the agenda topics to denuclearizing the Korean peninsula, securing permanent peace to ease military tension, and new, bold ways to take inter-Korean relations forward," Im, the head of South Korea's summit preparation team, told reporters. Global maximum pressure The upcoming summits also were discussed Friday in Washington by the top diplomats from South Korea, Japan and the U.S. South Korean Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha and her Japanese counterpart, Taro Kono, met separately with U.S. Deputy Secretary of State John Sullivan, who is serving as acting secretary of state after Rex Tillerson was fired by Trump earlier this week. Sullivan's meeting with Kono affirmed the importance of the U.S.-Japan alliance in the East Asian region, State Department spokesperson Heather Nauert said. Nauert said both countries agreed "global maximum pressure" must continue to be applied on Pyongyang until it takes "credible, verifiable and concrete steps toward denuclearization." Sullivan said he was delighted to welcome Kang to the State Department to continue to forge the strong bonds that we have between the United States and South Korea. Trump has chosen CIA Director Mike Pompeo to replace Tillerson, but Pompeo is not able to have formal contacts with the foreign ministers of the two Koreas until his nomination is approved by the Senate. As Tibetans prepared to celebrate a Buddhist new year festival with prayers and dance, police officers went to schools, airports and public squares to read out 21 kinds of dark and evil forces, a list of new criminal targets. Number Two: Individuals associated with the Dalai Lama clique supporters of the Tibetan spiritual leader said the list issued by the Chinese region's public security bureau. Slightly further down the list were people described as Protecting the Mother Tongue those seeking to preserve the Tibetan language. These targets are part of a new national campaign against alleged organized crime in China that expands the range of people law enforcement officials can take into custody in the name of preserving peace and order. Analysts say the crackdown will help President Xi Jinping win political support in village, county and other lower-level jurisdictions. That could boost his legitimacy as he prepares to rule the country indefinitely following a surprise move to abolish presidential term limits. More than 10,000 people have been seized within a month of the crackdown's launch in late January. Its wide scope has raised concerns that it will be used to ensnare political opponents of the ruling Communist Party and that police will have wide leeway to apprehend anyone they consider a troublemaker. The official Xinhua News Agency reported that while previous campaigns against organized crime have focused on social security, the latest drive aims to strengthen political power at the grassroots level. In some local jurisdictions, particularly in rural areas, governments and industries are controlled by gangs. The high-profile initiative encourages local authorities to go after soft forces a reference to nonviolent behavior that the government nevertheless views as a threat to political security. Legal experts and rights groups said the anti-mafia drives political focus is troubling. Police are given too much power to handle cases at their own discretion, which is in violation of human rights said He Weifang, a lawyer who has advocated judicial reforms. People worry that the crackdown on ordinary crimes will turn into ideological and political repression, he said. He noted that nonprofit groups with connections to the West, rights lawyers and some critical online commentators have been accused of threatening political stability. In addition to Tibetan activists, announcements of the anti-organized crime drive have targeted Xinjiang separatists, people with complaints about medical malpractice, and organizers of people who petition government agencies over grievances. In Tibet, residents have protested what they regard as China's heavy-handed rule and worry that their culture is being destroyed through the steady erosion of their native tongue. Beijing, meanwhile, accuses the Dalai Lama of trying to split the territory from China. Authorities said zero tolerance will be shown in the restive far western region of Xinjiang, where notices about the campaign said it would be combined with anti-separatist efforts. Ethnic Uighur Muslims native to the region have experienced increasing religious and other restrictions in recent years. It is a worrying sign that China's top court announced that those who threaten political security would be targeted alongside drug kingpins, loan sharks and other types of criminals, said Maya Wang, a senior China researcher at Human Rights Watch. The campaign could easily double as a partisan purge, Wang said in a statement. The potential for abuses from a crackdown of this nature was laid out in 2009. Bo Xilai, then party chief of the southwestern city of Chongqing, led a crackdown on alleged gangs that was later shown to have also been used to target his political rivals. People who had been arrested and jailed later described being tortured and having their assets stolen by the authorities. In the new campaign, some police stations have posted quotas for how many criminals they sought to apprehend, and local publications have touted recent arrests. In one week, 1,481 people were captured, said a headline in a business newspaper in central Henan province. It said more than 10,000 officers were participating in the sweep. One Henan police bureau said it would give 30,000 yuan ($4,740) to anyone who reports crimes by mafia-like organizations that end up being prosecuted. A police station in central Hubei province displayed its anti-gang efforts on the Twitter-like Weibo platform with images of officers inspecting businesses and questioning people in a dark room. Police are spreading the message by holding public gatherings and meetings, handing out brochures and festooning buildings with banners. The attention to so-called organized crime adds another notch to Xi's anti-corruption drive, which has taken down more than a million low and high-level officials since it was launched six years ago. Political commentator Hu Xingdou said while the anti-graft campaign strengthened Xis grip on power at the top, the gang crackdown is aimed at winning support from people at the grassroots level. An opinion piece on the website of state broadcaster CCTV warned that while high enthusiasm for the crackdown is a positive thing, local authorities should not be swept away by quotas. Wang Guoqing, spokesman for Chinas political advisory body, assured reporters that the anti-organized crime campaign would not become a competition between local governments seeking to improve their political records. Every case should be ironclad and able to stand the tests of history and the law, he said. Donald Trump addresses attendees of an Opioid Summit at the White House on Thursday, March 1, 2018. Photo: Jahi Chikwendiu/The Washington Post/Getty Images The Trump administration finally has an ambitious, detailed plan for combating the opioid epidemic, one that includes some evidence-based reforms that public-health experts have been recommending for years and, also, the death penalty for low-level drug dealers. Or, at least, so Politicos summary of the yet-to-be-finalized plan suggests. Rarely, if ever, has a policy proposal been this simultaneously encouraging and horrifying. To this point in his presidency, Donald Trump has displayed so much callous indifference to the opioid crisis, it was far from certain that hed ever produce any remotely serious blueprint for combating it. Last year, Trump declared the opioid epidemic a national public-health emergency and then declined to call for any new funding to mitigate it, even as his administration encouraged Congress to slash $1 trillion from Medicaid (which funds addiction treatment for low-income Americans) and to add $1.5 trillion to the deficit for tax cuts. Since then, the White House has (ostensibly) ignored the recommendations of its opioids commission, and put Kellyanne Conway a career pollster with no experience in public health in charge of coordinating the administrations policy response to a drug-overdose epidemic. Given this track record, the fact that Trumps plan (reportedly) includes the following sound, serious measures is pleasantly surprising. Providing Medicaid enrollees with easier access to in-patient addiction treatment. A half-century ago, amid the backlash to the mass institutionalization of the mentally ill, Congress passed a rule barring Medicaid from funding residential addiction treatment at large facilities. Some states have already received federal waivers exempting them from this prohibition. But the law remains in force throughout most of the country, and prevents many low-income opioid addicts from accessing treatment. Repealing it might seem like a no-brainer, but precisely because doing so would expand access to treatment, the reform would cost the government billions of dollars and, to this point, the administration has been reluctant to increase federal spending on health care merely because 60,000 Americans are now dying of drug overdoses each year. Raising standards for opioid prescriptions that are reimbursed by federal programs. The White House plan would reportedly make Medicare and Medicaid more selective about the kinds of opioids prescriptions theyre willing to fund. According to Politico, the plan would require 75 percent of opioid prescriptions reimbursed by government health programs like Medicare and Medicaid to be issued by using best practices within three years. That would be scaled up to 95 percent of prescriptions in five years. Given the paucity of evidence demonstrating that opioids are an effective treatment for chronic pain, there is some rational basis for discouraging their use. That said, this particular approach is opposed by many physicians, including eight who participated in drafting the CDCs 2016 guidelines on prescribing opioids for chronic pain. Massively expanding the availability of naloxone. Many states and municipalities have already taken action to equip police officers and other first responders with the lifesaving anti-overdose drug. But Trumps plan would ostensibly provide federal funding to scale up these efforts. This would be an obvious piece of any remotely serious opioids plan, but there was some reason to fear that the conservative movements allergy to harm reduction approaches to drug abuse would keep it off of the White Houses list. Encouraging states to opt into a drug-monitoring database that allows doctors to identify patients who have been seeking multiple opioid prescriptions from a variety of providers. Screening inmates for opioid use upon their arrival to federal prison. This would provide inmates who have serious opioid problems with residential treatment. Alas, these sensible (if inadequate) proposals are paired with Draconian ones that would accomplish nothing beyond exacerbating our nations mass-incarceration problem and expanding the reach of (the moral abomination that is) the death penalty. On the first point: The plan would make it easier to impose mandatory minimum sentences on drug traffickers who knowingly distribute illegal opioids that can be lethal. There is no reason to believe that this would deter opioid trafficking according to the 2014 findings of the National Research Council, applying a mandatory minimum to a given offense does not reduce its prevalence. As criminologists have long demonstrated, potential criminal offenders are not (generally) deterred by the severity of the statutory punishment for a given illegal act, but only the certainty of apprehension. Which makes sense: It is hard to believe that anyone has ever decided whether to traffic fentanyl by consulting federal sentence guidelines, and carefully calculating exactly how many years in prison theyre prepared to serve; but its somewhat easier to imagine them making that decision after considering whether they know anyone who has made a lot of money dealing fentanyl and has not gotten caught. Anyhow, sentences for drug crimes (and virtually all other crimes) in the United States are already exceptionally long by international standards a fact that has gifted our nation with the highest incarceration rate in the world. Finally, the administrations proposal to make the death penalty an option in certain cases where opioid, including Fentanyl-related, drug dealing and trafficking are directly responsible for death is even more abominable. As written, the proposal would seem to potentially apply to even low-level drug dealers who sell opioids that result in someones death. Again, there is no evidence that this would deter the sale of fentanyl. And even if one finds the death penalty morally unobjectionable in theory, in practice, it simply cant be: Between 1973 and 2004, at least 117 convicts sentenced to death were later found innocent of their alleged crimes. One might think that our president would be sensitive to the risk of misapplying the death penalty, seeing as he personally called for the execution of five teenage rape suspects who were later exonerated (but one, of course, would be wrong). Its likely that Trumps proposal would be found unconstitutional. If not, it would make America an even crueler and more unusual place than it already is. Israelis army says a Palestinian motorist rammed into a group of troops Friday in the West Bank, killing two soldiers and injuring two others. A military spokesman said the Palestinian driver intentionally ran over the soldiers and called the incident a terror attack. The military said the soldiers were on duty securing routes near the settlement of Mevo Dotan, close to the Palestinian city of Jenin, when they were attacked. It said the Palestinian driver was arrested and taken to an Israeli hospital, where he is being treated for injuries. The military said the driver, identified as Alaa Kabha, had previously been jailed for security offenses. Israeli military officials in the West Bank said in response to the attack they had rescinded the permits of 67 of the assailants family members to work in Israel. The Islamist militant faction Hamas welcomed the ramming attack but did not claim responsibility for it. The incident came as Hamas called for a day of rage in the West Bank and the Gaza border to mark 100 days since U.S. President Donald Trump recognized Jerusalem as Israels capital. The Palestinians seek east Jerusalem as their future capital and view Trumps decision as siding with Israel in the Mideast conflict. Russians vote Sunday for their next president, with Vladimir Putin all but certain to secure another six-year term. Putin remains popular among Russians who admire his strongman leadership. Eight candidates are running, but there are accusations the genuine political opposition has been silenced. The election comes at a time of high tension with the West following British accusations that the Kremlin directed the poisoning of a former double agent on British soil. VOA's Henry Ridgwell has more. Last month, San Diego police knocked on Brandon Snyder's door and took away his rifle. They did it using a new tool: an emergency protective order issued by a court, just like orders that for years have been used to prevent spousal abuse or stalking. California is one of only two states that allow family members to seek a gun restraining order when they see warning signs that a gun owner might pose a danger to himself or others. Five other states allow only police officers to seek gun protective orders. Nearly 20 others are considering such measures. In the wake of last month's mass shooting at a Florida high school, many on both sides of the gun debate from firearms control advocates to gun lobbyists see so-called "red flag" laws like California's as a politically viable solution to gun violence. And they're pushing more states to adopt them. Co-workers of Snyder, 31, a mechanic at a car dealership, became alarmed after he praised Las Vegas mass shooter Stephen Paddock for not "committing suicide until he'd gunned down enough people to set a modern record," said Mara Elliott, San Diego's top prosecutor. That wasn't all. "What he told his co-workers is, if it was up to him, he'd have shot up a mosque and then shot it out with the cops," recalled Elliott, whose office investigated the case. Snyder, facing the prospect of dismissal, told his Ford dealership colleagues that if he was let go, he'd return with a gun. A co-worker called police. Semiautomatic rifle surrendered Unable to charge Snyder with a crime, prosecutors obtained an emergency firearms protective order. On February 27, he surrendered his semiautomatic rifle and "significant killing capability," Elliott said. "We take no chances," she told VOA. Snyder could not be immediately reached for comment. Tom Nicholl, the general manager of the dealership where Snyder worked, did not respond to requests for comment. In the United States, where many citizens take their constitutional right to own firearms as seriously as the right to free speech, removing a gun from a lawful owner is no easy task. But San Diego has done it 19 times in the past three months under California's three-year-old law. And Elliott said it's working. The law "gives people the opportunity to speak up and get a response before waiting for a crime or tragedy to happen," the prosecutor said. Last week, Florida passed a gun law that allows police officers, though not family members, to obtain gun restraining orders. The state's two senators, one a Republican and one a Democrat, recently introduced a bill in Congress that incentivizes states to adopt gun restraining order laws. The White House has spoken out for the measure. In an about-face, the National Rifle Association (NRA), the nation's main gun lobby, has thrown its support behind it. "We need to stop dangerous people before they act, so Congress should provide funding for states to adopt risk protection orders," Chris Cox, the NRA's chief lobbyist, said in a video message last week. Does it work? However, hard evidence that gun restraining orders are effective remains thin. In recent years, there has been only one major study on the topic, and it focused on the law's effectiveness in preventing suicide in Connecticut. The 2016 study, widely cited by gun control advocates, showed that for every 10 to 20 gun restraining orders issued in the state from 1999 to 2013, a life was saved. Though the NRA has come on board, other gun rights advocates say treatment, not gun seizure, is the answer to dealing with gun owners who show signs of trouble. "If you really believe somebody is a danger to themselves or others, then you ought to think about involuntarily committing them to some type of mental health facility," said John Lott, an economist and founder of the right-leaning Crime Prevention Research Center. Others worry that gun protection order laws may infringe on free speech, due process and other constitutional rights. "I don't want a police officer simply judging somebody's talk to be sufficient to seize their arms," said Peter Langrock, a Vermont lawyer who says he's not a supporter of the NRA. Right balance But supporters of gun restraining orders say the law strikes the right balance between public safety and civil liberties. "The due process goes into balancing public safety," said John Hemmerling, a prosecutor in the San Diego city attorney's office."The due process plays itself out within 21 days." On March 20 21 days after giving up his rifle Snyder will have his day in court, where a judge will hear his side of the story and decide whether to allow Snyder to retrieve his gun or extend the restraining order for up to a year. Researcher Lynn Davis contributed to this report. U.S. President Donald Trump has decided to replace H.R. McMaster as his national security adviser, The Washington Post reported Thursday. The Post said the president did not want to rush to announce the removal so as not to embarrass the three-star Army general. McMasters ouster is part of a major shake-up at the top levels of the administration, prompting fears that there will be other departures at the White House, the paper reported. There will always be change, the president told reporters Thursday. And I think you want to see change. I want to also see different ideas. Thursday night White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders contradicted the report on Twitter. Sanders was asked earlier Thursday at the daily White House press briefing to describe the current relationship between Trump and McMaster. The president and General McMaster are continuing to work together to put pressure on Russia to do the right thing. Again, I think you can see what the administrations viewpoint is simply by looking at the actions that we took today by placing new sanctions on Russia, Sanders said. Trump has sparred with McMaster, however, over the past few weeks. The president chastised McMaster last month after the national security adviser said Moscows interference in the 2016 election was incontrovertible. General McMaster forgot to say that the results of the 2016 election were not impacted or changed by the Russians and that the only Collusion was between Russia and Crooked H, the DNC and the Dems, Trump tweeted. Second national security adviser The report of McMasters removal comes at the heels of the sudden firing of Secretary of State Rex Tillerson two days ago. If Trump follows through with the decision, McMaster will become the second national security adviser to leave the job since Trump took office. The first one, Michael Flynn, was fired weeks into his tenure in 2017 after misleading White House officials about his contacts with Russians. Steve Herman at the White House contributed to this report. Vil Mirzayanov is a Russian emigre to the U.S. and chemical weapons specialist who helped develop the poison believed to have been used in the attack in Britain on Sergei Skripal, a former colonel in the GRU, Russias military intelligence, and his daughter Yulia. Mirzayanov spoke with VOAs Russian service. Q: You were involved in the development of unique Soviet chemical toxic substances of nerve agent, Substance 33, A-232 and -234, known today as Novichok (Newcomer). At the same time, you claim that no other country in the world except Russia has ever had such weapons. How were British investigators able to establish what kind of substance was used to poison Sergei Skripal? Mirzayanov: To establish which chemical agent was used in this case, you need to have access to a powerful high-resolution mass spectrometer, in the library of which are the spectra of all known compounds. The sample taken is compared with those already known, and the computer indicates a spectrum with a 96 percent probability. That is, there can be no error here. Q: But to do this, investigators must have a sample? Mirzayanov: That is the usual procedure. You can take blood, urine, extract a sample from the clothes by using solvents. There are a variety of ways. Q: Russian officials have repeatedly stated that the chemical used for poisoning ex-GRU Colonel Sergei Skripal could have been produced in other countries, including Britain. You say that in England there were models of Novichok. Mirzayanov: The British could easily have synthesized it on the basis of the formulas that I published in my book, published in 2008 (State Secrets: An Insiders Chronicle of the Russian Chemical Weapons Program Secrets). Each country takes care of its own security, and as part of the study of possible threats, a model could have been created. So the test samples could be from many countries, but the production was fine-tuned only in the USSR (former Union of Soviet Socialist Republics) and Russia. Q: Did you publish these formulas in full? Mirzayanov: In full. I suspected something like that (the attempted assassination of Sergei Skripal) might happen, so for a very long time, beginning in 1992, I sought the inclusion of Novichok on the list of officially banned chemical compounds. But that can only be done by the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), by agreeing to such a decision with all countries (that are) parties to the (Chemical Weapons) Convention. After my book was published, this issue was discussed in a meeting at the headquarters of the OPCW, and, as far as I know, no decision was taken. Q: Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, responding to the claims of the British side, accused London of noncompliance with the requirements of the Chemical Weapons Convention. Mirzayanov: The OPCW can only work with substances that are on the list of banned substances within the framework of this convention. Novichok is not on this list, and, therefore, the headquarters of this organization does not have methods to detect the chemical agent. Q: You first declared the existence of a Novichok in 1992. Could these weapons have been upgraded since then? How can you be sure that in this case it is not a completely different compound with similar characteristics? Mirzayanov: It could have been improved, of course, but the skeleton of the chemical agent remains unchanged. Novichok differs from all nerve gases, without exception, in that it is based on the bonding of phosphorus and nitrogen. None of the other toxic substances have such a connection, so that Novichok is a fundamentally new class of chemical compounds. Q: Novichok was created at the State Union Scientific Research Institute of Organic Chemistry and Technology (GSNIIOKhT) back at the end of the 1980s. Working on that project, did you assume that it could be used in such cases as the Skripal case? Mirzayanov: During the Soviet period, we always worked together with the KGB. When Markov (Bulgarian writer Georgy Markov, poisoned to death in London in 1978) was murdered, the ricin used in that attack was made in our laboratory. But we didnt handle the murder weapons; the KGB used its own laboratory for that. Q: Russian officials have claimed that the chemical agent created by you could have ended up in the republics of the former USSR. As a source of origination, for example, they have cited Georgia and Uzbekistan. Mirzayanov: That is empty talk. The Soviet Union collapsed 27 years ago, and if somewhere in the republics there was pure Novichok, it has long since decomposed and is not suitable as a weapon. Any chemical toxic substance decomposes, and there is no compound that retains its properties for a long time. In the first year, 2 percent is lost, in the second 3 (percent), and the resulting products of decomposition accelerate the process of disintegration. That is why the storage and disposal of toxic substances is a big problem, which, moreover, is more expensive than production. Q: You said that binary weapons could have been used in the attack on Skripal and his daughter. Mirzayanov: Yes. It is because of the difficulties in storage and disposal that no one now produces the so-called final product. Components are produced, component parts that are relatively harmless separately, which are combined immediately before use. Q: And such production can be hidden? Mirzayanov: Yes. For example, while developing an advanced substance, when it is undergoing incremental testing, an agricultural pesticide is developed which, according to its characteristics, mostly replicates the substance. That is, the production of so-called semi-products, which are components of binary weapons, can be carried out quite officially. At some enterprise, they can carry out a plan for the production of pesticides without even knowing that they are actually producing chemical weapons. Q: In your view, how easy was it to transport such substances across borders and then use them? Mirzayanov: It (was) not very difficult. You need two glass vials and any agent for creating a high pressure for example, light volatile gas. Ampules must be broken before use, and the mixed substances will provide the desired mixture. Then, as an aerosol, it can be sprayed. But this is a very crude version, and Im sure the FSB could come up with a more sophisticated means. Q: Do you think the attack on ex-Colonel Skripal was pointedly demonstrative? That is, that the perpetrators calculated that traces of Novichok would be found? Mirzayanov: I dont think so. This was really a demonstrative reprisal, but in my opinion, Moscow was sure that no one would find traces of the substance. This chemical agent does not officially exist; it is not mentioned in any of the lists of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons. Practically no one has been engaged in its development for almost 30 years. It is obvious to me that Moscow hoped that no one would catch them. Q: But you published the formula for Novichok eight years ago. Mirzayanov: I dont know if the FSB saw my book. Perhaps it was read in one of the (FSB) departments, but in another (FSB department), which was preparing the attack, they had heard nothing about it (the book). Q: After the incident with Sergei Skripal, did representatives of the OPCW or any other international organizations approach you, as one of the creators of Novichok? Mirzayanov: No, nobody has approached me other than journalists. Russians are expected to vote Sunday in a presidential election, but disqualified opposition candidate Alexei Navalny told VOA's Russian service that he expected the entire process to be a sham, even down to the European election observers. All those so-called European observers invited by the State Duma: they are 'observers' in the sense that other presidential candidates are 'rivals' to Putin, Navalny said in the Thursday interview, excerpts of which are available in English here. Of course this is an absolute fake. Its ridiculous and unpleasant to look at how Putin corrupted and turned into his puppets a significant part of the European establishment." Navalny, for years an anti-corruption activist and outspoken opponent of the government, was disqualified from the race in December because of a conviction for embezzlement. The European Court of Human Rights has ruled that the conviction was politically motivated, but it was upheld in Russian courts. Navalny was given a suspended five-year sentence. Navalny said Sundays election would be marked by illegitimacy. He has called for a boycott. Putin faces seven challengers, but is expected to take an overwhelming majority of the vote. Our task in this campaign is that as many people as possible understand that these are not elections" and refuse to take part in them, Navalny said. And we will fight for it. Putin has been in power as either president or prime minister since 1999. He has switched back and forth between the two roles to circumvent a Russian law banning him from serving more than two consecutive terms as president. Yet, opinion polls show he has far more support than any of his rivals, who run the gamut from far-right populist to far-left communist. With another Putin win practically guaranteed, Navalny and other experts say Russian authorities will try to use inflated voter turnout numbers to prove the election was a success. Navalny said the elections are staged to look free and fair, but that at best they are an insincere effort. We are faced with a construct in which they, the authorities, look into the eyes of the public and say: You know we will not allow you to choose your own peoples representatives. We offered you some people you can vote for them, he said. But, he added, its pointless to participate in the construct that, from the get-go, foresees Putins result is over 70 percent. Sunday's vote will span 11 time zones, starting with the far east and ending with the Baltic enclave of Kaliningrad, and 108,968,869 people are registered to cast ballots. State-owned polling company VCIOM projects a turnout of 71 percent. Yet, the Russian nongovernmental research organization Levada Center conducted a survey in December that indicated 58 percent of voters planned to boycott the elections. Spring showers took on a whole new meaning Thursday in one of the coldest places on Earth when a plane carrying gold bars lost part of its cargo after taking off from an airport in Russia's eastern Siberia region. A plane carrying more than 9 tons of gold and other precious metals spilled nearly 200 bars onto the runway and on a nearby car market when its cargo hatch failed after it took off at an airport in the city of Yakutsk. The crew decided to land at the nearby airport of Magan, 26 kilometers (16 miles) northwest of Yakutsk. Police sealed off the airport and the nearby region to search for the pricey cargo and prevent locals from rushing to the scene of the rare windfall. Local interior ministry officials told the TASS state news agency that "172 bars have been found weighing around 3.4 tons." The Kupol mine, where the cargo came from, is operated by Canada-based mining company Kinross Gold. All of the bars have been recovered, a spokesman for Kinross Gold told news agency Interfax. No one was hurt in the incident. On February 19, Boko Haram insurgents abducted 110 girls from their school in Dapchi, a town on the Komadugu Gana River in northeast Nigeria. Days after the kidnapping, President Muhammadu Buhari said on Twitter, I share the anguish of all the parents and guardians of the girls that remain unaccounted for. I would like to assure them that we are doing all in our power to ensure the safe return of all the girls. Nearly a month later, agonized families wait and hope for their loved ones release while the government prepares for a potential negotiation with Boko Haram. Prevalence of violence across continent Kidnappings and shootings terrorize communities and command international attention. But millions of students in Africa experience other kinds of school-based violence, with profound effects on their development and well-being. In 2012, researchers with the Center for Justice and Crime Prevention concluded that more than 20 percent of students in South Africa were either threatened with or became victims of assault, sexual assault or robbery. The researchers found that violence in schools often mirrors an overall pattern of abuse that children experience in their homes and communities. Last year, Human Rights Watch reported that, in Tanzania, adolescent girls frequently face sexual harassment or are persuaded or coerced into sexual relationships by their teachers. Sexual assault Rather than provide safe haven, schools too often become venues for the sexual exploitation of children, especially girls. In 2003, researchers at the University of Sussex concluded that girls in Zimbabwe, Ghana and Malawi were subjected on a routine basis to aggressive sexual advances from older male pupils and male teachers within the school. They determined that sexual aggression goes largely unpunished, dominant male behavior by both pupils and teachers is not questioned, and pupils are strongly encouraged to conform to the gender roles and norms of interaction which they observe around them. In the school setting, sexual assault often involves a breach of trust by caretakers. In South Africa, where researchers have documented widespread school-based sexual abuse, the parliament in October said that the safety of the school environment must be reasserted to ensure that parents feel free to send their children to school. Their statement followed ongoing reports of sexual abuse perpetrated by educators, including a guard alleged to have assaulted 87 girls in Gauteng, one of South Africas nine provinces. Now, the district attorney in Gauteng has issued a memorandum of complaint to the local police department with allegations that an investigating officer himself assaulted multiple girls in the course of the inquiry. Corporal punishment Many African school children experience daily violence in the form of corporal punishment, which the United Nations defines as any punishment in which physical force is used and intended to cause some degree of pain or discomfort, however light. The Committee on the Rights of the Child concluded that corporal punishment harms childrens physical, psychological and social development. Researchers have found that degrading forms of punishment interfere with learning and produce behavioral problems. In Africa, corporal punishment remains widespread. Five countries Nigeria, Somalia, Tanzania, Mauritania and Botswana have no prohibitions in any settings, according to the Global Initiative to End All Corporal Punishment of Children, an advocacy group founded in Geneva in 2001. A combined 128 million children live in those countries. An additional 22 countries have prohibitions in only some settings, of which 12 have no prohibitions in schools. There are some bright spots. In 2007, Togo became the first African country to prohibit corporal punishment fully, followed by Kenya, Tunisia and the Republic of Congo in 2010, South Sudan in 2011, Cabo Verde in 2013, and Benin in 2015. An additional 18 countries have committed to full prohibition, according to data from the Global Initiative to End All Corporal Punishment of Children. Cycles of violence Experts highlight educations potential to unlock opportunities and break cycles of violence and oppression, especially for girls. Violence in school settings, however, remains widespread and can negate those benefits. Researchers have documented the harmful fallout: unwanted pregnancies, dropouts, and long-term physical, psychological and social consequences. Thats a concern for the millions of school children exposed to violence, and for the Dapchi schoolgirls and the more than 100 Chibok girls, kidnapped in 2014 who remain missing. Rex Tillersons ouster as U.S. Secretary of State this month will reset Washingtons foreign policy on the widely contested South China Sea, analysts say. The former oil company CEO, fired by President Donald Trump Tuesday, was getting a feel for the six-country maritime sovereignty dispute, but experts say a lack of personal connections in diplomacy plus Trumps focus on North Korea, not Southeast Asia, restricted what he could do. He was considered an outsider, but he worked his way (in), said Alexander Huang, a strategic studies professor at Tamkang University in Taiwan. Trump fired Tillerson over disagreements in strategy, news media in Washington say. A maritime policy showed signs of evolving, Huang said. He was just about to build some allies within the apparatus, and his style is more predictable than the president, and he has been more prudent, he said of Tillerson. Slow start The United States does not claim any of the 3.5 million-square-kilometer South China Sea, but Southeast Asian countries that do have claims look to Washington for help in resisting maritime expansion by China. Under former President Barack Obama, the U.S. government offered political, economic and military support to the smaller maritime nations. Beijing claims about 90 percent of the sea, which is rich in fisheries and fossil fuel deposits. Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines and Vietnam all claim swathes of it, competing in some cases with the Chinese holdings. Taiwan calls the whole sea its own as well. U.S. Defense officials have led South China Sea policy under Trump, analysts say, with half a dozen naval voyages through the contested waters, including a visit by the USS Carl Vinson aircraft carrier group earlier this month. Trump is seen focusing his diplomatic energy on stronger relations with China for its help curbing the nuclear and missile programs in North Korea. Tillerson struggled to make vital connections in Washington, some regional political scholars say. Tillerson did not have support of subordinates like assistant secretaries and deputy secretaries with special focus on Southeast Asia, said Jay Batongbacal, a University of the Philippines law and international maritime affairs professor. Probably because of that, Tillersons attention to Southeast Asia has been rather limited, Batongbacal said. He did make some reports in the past few months, there were certain efforts, but it took that long for them to come around. After two 2017 encounters with government ministers in Southeast Asia, Tillerson and his counterparts worked to improve cooperation on maritime disputes in the South China Sea, the department said on its website in January without elaborating. Tillerson had also encountered the South China Sea issue as former CEO of ExxonMobil when his company signed an agreement with Vietnams state-owned oil company to extract gas from the seabed starting in 2023. New head, new start Secretary of State-designate Mike Pompeo, the current director of the Central Intelligence Agency, will take over with more foreign affairs-related experience. Pompeo was previously a U.S. congressman and member of the House of Representatives Intelligence Committee. The nominee has detailed knowledge and connections in political intelligence, Batongbacal believes. The U.S. Senate will need to confirm his appointment. Pompeo is a hawk on foreign policy, said Alan Chong, associate professor at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies in Singapore. He has a chance to diversify U.S. South China Sea policy away from the largely military one today. Right now, the Pentagon is running our policy, which is problematic because there are no military solutions to the (maritime) disputes, and the Pentagon, while critical in implementing some aspects of South China Sea policy, cant succeed without a larger diplomatic strategy played out in the other branches, said Gregory Poling, director of the Asia Maritime Transparency Institute under a Washington-based think tank. China, keeper of the worlds third most powerful armed forces, has irked other countries since 2010 by landfilling and expanding some of the seas tiny islets for military use and passing coast guard vessels through disputed waters. Trump at the helm Whether a new secretary of state can deepen U.S. involvement in the South China Sea dispute hinges on Trump, experts say. The really core U.S. diplomatic decisions have long been aggregated away from the understaffed State Department onto the White House, said Oh Ei Sun, international studies instructor at Singapore Nanyang University. But Pompeo would perhaps have more access to and ideological influence on Trump. The president still hopes to work with China on North Korea, Chong said. China is North Koreas most powerful ally. An aggressive South China Sea stance could anger Chinese President Xi Jinping and cause friction with Trump. The Xi-Trump honeymoon may not quite be over, and President Trump is still the businessman at heart, and I think he can easily be bowled over by some grand gesture, Chong said. Clashes in central Somalia between Somali army troops and al-Shabab militants have left at least 12 people dead, witnesses say. The clashes Thursday started after armed al-Shabab members tried to impose taxes on residents of villages around the town of Mahas, in the Hiran region. Resident Dahir Muse Osoble told VOA Somali that government soldiers backing cattle herders engaged in more than six hours of battle with the militants. "The fighting started at around 11 a.m. local time when heavily armed militants simultaneously entered into the villages of Kaadiley, Lebi Butale, Bulucle and Muse Geel, ordering pastoralists to hand over some of their livestock as a zakat demand, or tax. Then we took up arms to defend ourselves and our livestock from the militants' flagrant aggression, with the backing Somali National Army," Osoble said. Somali government officials in Mahas, contacted by VOA, confirmed the army had moved in to back up the cattle herders. "The pastoralists and habitants in these villages, who are already struggling economically after losing hundreds of livestock in the recent drought, dismissed the demand for taxes, leading to the fighting. And it is our job to defend our citizens from terrorists," said one official. Multiple residents said at least 12 combatants, including five militants and one civilian, were killed in the fighting. Clashes involving pastoralists resisting al-Shabab taxes began in Somalia's Hiran and Middle Shabelle regions in 2013. Who needs a new law when you have pals like Newt? Photo: John Sommers II/Getty Images Has the State Department been subjected to an ideological purge under the auspices of President Donald Trump? Inquiring House Democrats want to know. In a letter sent to White House Chief of Staff John Kelly and Deputy Secretary of State John Sullivan on Thursday, Representatives Elijah Cummings and Eliot Engel, the ranking Democrats on the House Oversight and Foreign Affairs committees, are demanding an explanation after receiving disturbing new documents from a whistle-blower indicating that senior political appointees at State worked to push out or demote career diplomats deemed insufficiently loyal to Trump and his agenda, with the assistance of right-wing activists and White House officials. The documents, also obtained by Politico, consist of a series of emails between State Department and White House officials, as well as outside parties including former House speaker Newt Gingrich, conservative activist Barbara Ledeen, and the neoconservative ideologue David Wurmser, a former adviser to Vice-President Dick Cheney and U.N. Ambassador John Bolton. The congressmen express particular concern over the reassignment of Iran expert Sahar Nowrouzzadeh, a career civil servant who had been the subject of a malicious article at the little-read Conservative Review last March saying she had burrowed into the government under Trump, calling her an architect of the Iran nuclear deal who had misled the public about it, and insinuating that she had ties to the regime in Tehran, owing to an internship she took in college with the National Iranian American Council. Nowrouzzadeh, who joined the civil service in 2005 during the Bush administration and later served on President Barack Obamas National Security Council, was indeed a key figure in crafting the Iran deal. So were many other people at the NSC and State, but not all of them had the misfortune of an obviously Iranian surname, which is what put Nowrouzzadeh on right-wing medias radar in the first place. The Conservative Review hit piece made its way through the inboxes of the aforementioned activists: Wurmser forwarded it to Gingrich with the note I think a little cleaning is in order here; Gingrich then forwarded that message to former secretary of State Rex Tillersons chief of staff, Margaret Peterlin. Nowrouzzadeh had been detailed to the secretary of States Policy Planning Staff in July 2016, where she worked on issues related to Iran and Arab countries in the Persian Gulf region an assignment meant to last one year. Nowrouzzadeh contacted the head of the policy team, Brian Hook, asking for his help in correcting the record after being smeared. Instead, according to Cummingss and Engels letter, Hook forwarded her email to other political appointees at the Department, who then forwarded it to officials at the White House and used it as a basis for a wide-ranging internal discussion that questioned her loyalty to President Trump. In the course of those discussions, White House Liaison Julia Haller falsely stated that Nowrouzzadeh was born in Iran (in fact, she was born in Connecticut). In April, a month after the Conservative Review piece landed, her detail was cut short by three months and she was reassigned to her previous post at the Office of Iranian Affairs to which she objected, saying her assignment had not been completed as the senior officials claimed and that the curtailment was not carried out according to the terms of her memorandum of understanding. Nowrouzzadeh was the second Obama holdover to be abruptly reassigned after coming under attack in the right-wing press, Politico reported at the time; Andrew Quinn, a member of the National Economic Council who had helped negotiate the Trans-Pacific Partnership, had just been sent back to the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative after being attacked for his globalist views by Breitbart News. Nowrouzzadeh was by no means the only career staffer at State targeted for a Trumpist inquisition: Politico adds that Hook emailed himself a list of potentially disloyal staffers last April, referring to one as a leaker and troublemaker and to another as a turncoat. In one of the emails, Breitbart staffer Joel Pollak offers to give Tillerson aide Matt Mowers additional background on Obama holdovers. Hooks deputy, Edward Lacey, referred to several of the career public servants on the Policy Planning staff as Obama/Clinton loyalists not at all supportive of President Trumps foreign policy agenda. These new revelations strongly suggest that the exodus of career talent from the State Department over which Tillerson presided was no mere side effect of his mismanagement, but in some cases a deliberate effort by Trumps political appointees within the department to remove or marginalize employees they saw as disloyal or ideologically unfit. Nothing about this story comes as a surprise, given Trumps marked disdain for diplomacy, foreign aid, and American engagement in global affairs generally, as well as the Bannonite principles of anti-intellectualism, anti-globalism, and obsession with dismantling the administrative state that underpin his administration ideologically. Purging undesirables and politicizing elements of the government that are designed to resist partisanship are fairly textbook moves for any nationalist government, after all, and what agency could be more crawling with globalists than the State Department? Of course Trump has presided over a personnel crisis in a department whose work he holds in contempt. Transparently politically motivated staffing decisions like what befell Nowrouzzadeh have an impact beyond the employees directly affected: How many other career diplomats and civil servants, one must wonder, have opted to quit their jobs or take early retirement after seeing their colleagues dismissed, demoted, or reassigned for no reason other than their assumed political loyalties? Under federal law, career civil servants cant be fired without cause or for political reasons. When Trump called on Congress to curtail civil-service protections and make it easier for him to fire federal employees during his State of the Union address in January, some of us feared that he was looking to legalize these politically motivated dismissals. In light of the latest revelations from the State Department, these fears look increasingly well-founded. An employee of South Sudan's embassy in Washington says the embassy owes him more than a year's back salary another indication of mounting financial problems for the war-ravaged country's government. In January, South Sudan closed its embassy in London after not paying rent on the building for five months. There is no sign South Sudan's embassy in Washington will go the same route, but its driver, Manyok Lual, suggests the embassy is having cash flow problems. In an interview with VOA's South Sudan in Focus, Lual, 44, said employees of the embassy went a year without getting paid until this month, when diplomats received two months of salary arrears and local employees like himself received one month. "They say we don't have money in the country, the country is at war now ... and just hang on, when we get the money, we will pay you. And it is quite a long time without getting paid," Lual said. Multiple sources at the embassy say the country has been paying its rent, but sometimes delays its payments by three to five days. The administrator at South Sudan's embassy, Dombek Yai Kuol, declined to comment on Lual's accusations, saying he needs time to contact officials at South Sudan's ministry of foreign affairs and international cooperation. Gordon Buay, the deputy head of mission at the embassy, told VOA last year that the embassy uses money collected for issuing visas to pay its employees. Civil war South Sudan has large oil deposits but exports have drastically slowed since the country plunged into civil war more than four years ago, with President Salva Kiir's government fighting rebels led by his former deputy, Riek Machar. Each side blames the other for violating a 2015 peace agreement and a 2017 cease-fire. This week, Kiir fired his finance minister, Stephen Dhieu Dau, and appointed Salvatore Garang Mabiordit as the country's new finance minister. During a swearing-in ceremony Tuesday, Kiir told the new minister to devise ways to revive the country's economy. "We have no money in our banks and we have nothing at all and we have become a laughing stock,'' the president said. "We have lost the value of our currency and there is nothing that we can do soon to regain our currency's value." U.S. labor laws Lual is a former South Sudanese refugee who came to the U.S. in 2001 and is now a U.S. citizen. He says that after getting one month's pay, he is still owed about $47,000. To financially survive, he says, he has to work extra hours driving customers for transportation services Lyft and Uber, and sometimes operates on as little as one or two hours sleep per night. He says that when he asked Ambassador Garang Diing about the money, the ambassador told him to file a lawsuit. "He replied, 'if you need your money, go to court and we will meet in court,'" Lual said. Richard Renner is an attorney at Kalijarvi, Chuzi, Newman & Fitch, a Washington law firm that specializes in employment issues. He said American citizens and U.S. permanent residents working at the South Sudanese embassy are governed by U.S. laws. "For [embassy] employees who are not performing policy-making roles, what we call civil servants of a foreign government, then they will be commercial employees and they would be subject to U.S. laws and have the rights to insist on payment of minimum wages or other remedies for non-payment," Renner said. He said an aggrieved party should first make a written demand for payment. "In this type and most legal cases, it is helpful to have a document trail to show that you asked the other party to come to compliance with the law," Renner said. He said diplomats are immune from liability for their actions in the United States. However, that does not apply to the foreign government itself. "If the claim is against the South Sudanese government, that claim can be asserted for the government's [South Sudan] commercial activities here in the United States," Renner said. A one-page job application filled out by Steve Jobs more than four decades ago that reflected the Apple founder's technology aspirations sold for $174,000 at a U.S. auction, more than three times its presale estimate. An Internet entrepreneur from England was the winning bidder, Boston-based auction house RR Auction said on Friday, but the buyer wished to remain anonymous. The application dated 1973, complete with spelling and punctuation errors, had been expected to fetch about $50,000. The sale price reached on Thursday was $174,757, the auction house said. The form lists his name as "Steven jobs" and address as "reed college," the Portland, Oregon, college he attended briefly. Next to "Phone:" he wrote "none." Under a section titled Special Abilities, Jobs wrote tech or design engineer. digital.f rom Bay near Hewitt-Packard, a reference to pioneering California technology company Hewlett-Packard and the San Francisco Bay area. The document does not state what position or company the application was intended for. Jobs and friend Steve Wozniak founded Apple about three years later. RR Auction said the high price reflected the continuing influence of Jobs, who died of cancer in 2011 at the age of 56. "There are many collectors who have earned disposable income over the last few decades using Apple technology, and we expect similarly strong results on related material in the future," Bobby Livingston, executive vice president at RR Auction, said in a statement. Other highlights from the online auction included an Apple Mac OS X technical manual signed by Jobs in 2001 that sold for $41,806 and a rare signed newspaper clipping from 2008 featuring an image of Jobs speaking at the Apple Developers Conference that sold for $26,950. Namoura. Ma'amoul. Barazek. The names are unfamiliar to American consumers, but the tastes of honey, cinnamon and nuts are not. These Syrian pastries are for sale at the Syrian Sweets Exchange in Phoenix, Arizona, held at local farmers markets and a series of special sales like one recently at Changing Hands Bookstore. Bake sales are a fundraising fixture of American life, so it was no stretch for a group of volunteers who wanted to do something to help the 300 Syrian families in the Phoenix and Tucson metro areas. Syria is famous for its sweets, but program co-founder Tan Jakwani said volunteers learned about them firsthand. "When the volunteers would visit the Syrian refugees to bring them donated furniture, they would bring out delicious sweets to greet the volunteers," she said. Through the exchange, the bakers' skills have been turned into revenue. All proceeds are given back to the 20 bakers, who are licensed by the state of Arizona to bake goods at home and sell them. The bakers "I sell my sweets every Saturday in the farmers market and it sells very well," said baker Noor al Mousa. "I have customers every Saturday coming for me for selling my sweets and thank me. And I thank them." Al Mousa was an engineer in Syria. Now, her husband supports the family of seven four children born in Syria and one in the U.S. by driving cars at the Phoenix airport while she bakes. "We send a lot of money to my family in Syria and in Jordan," Al Mousa said. "My sister and my aunts and the brother of my husband are all in Syria. I am very worried for them." After al Mousa and one of her young daughters were shot in Syria and their house collapsed, the family walked to Jordan overnight where they stayed for four years before arriving in the U.S. "I made sweets just for family in my country," al Mousa said. "Now volunteers help me sell my sweets in farmers markets. "When I bake, I am happy. I am very happy," she added. The volunteers The sweets exchange is part of a larger group called Refugee Connection Phoenix, whose volunteer members have grown from 60 to 800 over the last year. The Facebook-based group also has other programs, such as helping expectant mothers and teaching refugee children to read. The Syrian Sweets Exchange founders and other volunteers, who drive the bakers to the sales and interpret for them, are mostly women who come from various walks of life and from different faiths. Tan Jakwani's motivation to help refugees stems from her own background. Her father a major in the South Vietnamese Army was evacuated at the end of the Vietnam War in 1975 and took refuge in the U.S. It was 10 years before Jakwani, her mother and three siblings arrived in the U.S. "When we came, he already had a small house for us. So we did not have to go through the phase of living as refugees," Jakwani said. "But my dad always told us about the time when he first came. He had a family sponsor who helped him with getting his driver's license, getting a library card, and helped him get a job." Refugees have a lot of needs, Jakwani says, but she adds that if everyone does a little, "a lot can be done" to help. Thousands took to the streets of Brazils largest cities Thursday night to protest the execution-style murder of a popular Rio de Janeiro city councilwoman, an outspoken critic of police killings of poor residents. Investigators, prosecutors and even drug gang leaders said the shooting of Marielle Franco, 38, a rising star in the Socialism and Liberty Party (PSOL), appeared to be a political assassination. Franco, an activist for human rights and womens causes, was killed along with her driver on Rios dangerous north side around 9:30 p.m. Wednesday night. Her press secretary, who was traveling in the same vehicle, suffered minor injuries but was not shot. Army takes over security Just weeks ago, the federal government decreed that Brazils army would take over all security operations through the end of the year in Rio, where murders have risen sharply. Franco, part of a commission to oversee the military intervention, harshly criticized the move Sunday, saying it could worsen police violence against residents. It is far too soon to say, but we are obviously looking at this as a murder in response to her political work, that is a main theory, said a Rio de Janeiro public prosecutor, who spoke on condition that he not be named as he was not authorized to discuss the case. Rivaldo Barbosa, head of Rios Civil Police, told reporters, One of the possibilities in analysis is, yes, an execution. He did not speculate on who may have been responsible. An investigator with the citys police force went further, saying the prime motive appeared to be Francos calling out police for allegedly killing innocents in their constant battles with drug gangs. Political violence Political violence is common in Brazil, but typically in smaller or more impoverished cities. In the months before the 2016 city council elections in Baixada Fluminense, a hardscrabble region the size of Denmark that surrounds Rio, at least 13 politicians or candidates were murdered before ballots were cast. As night fell Thursday, crowds gathered in Rio, Sao Paulo and several other cities, with protesters holding aloft banners calling for justice and an end to Brazils endemic violence. The path of her own fight is what gives us the strength to carry on, said Danielle Ramos, 26, who was attending a rally in Rio de Janeiro in front of the city council building, along with thousands of others. The best way to honor Marielle is to dedicate every second of our days to the fight that she was a part of, said Ramos, part of the Olga Benario Womens Movement, which battles against violence. We must scream out Franco, who was raised in the Mare complex of slums, long one of Rios more dangerous areas, received more than 46,500 votes in the 2016 election. That total was bested by only four of 51 council members. On Sunday on her Facebook page, Franco decried what she alleged to be the police killing of two boys during a police raid in an area called Acari. We must scream out so that all know what is happening in Acari right now. Rios police are terrorizing and violating those who live in Acari, Franco wrote. This week two youth were killed and tossed into a ditch. Today, the police were in the street threatening those who live there. This has been going on forever and will only be worse with a military intervention. Calls to the police unit assigned to the Acari area were not returned. In a Sunday statement to the O Dia newspaper, police said they carried out an operation in the area, were fired upon by drug traffickers and returned fire, but had no knowledge of any deaths. Gangs and militias Mares roughly 130,000 residents must contend with the presence of Rios two most powerful gangs, the Red Command and the Pure Third Command. There are also militias often made up of off-duty or retired police and firefighters who are as feared as the gangs. High-level members of both the Red Command and the Pure Third Command told Reuters their gangs had nothing to do with the killings. It was impossible to reach any militia members. Raul Jungmann, who heads the federal governments newly created Public Security Ministry, said at an event in Sao Paulo that Francos killing was another lamentable, daily tragedy that takes place in Rio de Janeiro. We must understand extremely well the reasons behind this and go after those responsible, he said. But this does not put at risk the federal intervention. Jungmann said federal investigators would be involved in the investigation and that he had put Brazils federal police at the disposal of local investigators. Hundreds of mourners gathered outside Rios city council building, where Francos body briefly lay in state, while vigils and protests were planned in at least six other cities in Brazil. About 150 members of the PSOL party on Thursday entered Brazils federal Congress carrying flowers and signs demanding justice. The United Nations office in Brazil and Amnesty International demanded a quick, transparent investigation into Francos killing. We're igniting the five most popular songs in the Billboard Hot 100 Pop Singles chart, for the week ending March 17, 2018. It's a big week on the hit list, because we get a Hot Shot Debut in the Top Five that doesn't happen very often. Later this year, Camila will go on tour with Taylor Swift; Charli XCX will also be on the bill. Camila tells "ET" that she first met Taylor four years ago at the MTV Video Music Awards. She says Taylor inspired her to write songs. Camila says she's looking forward to spending some down time with her tour mates, and says her touring necessities include a laptop, headphones and Cinnamon Toast Crunch cereal. Number 4: Bruno Mars & Cardi B. "Finesse" Also losing a slot to fourth place this week are Bruno Mars and Cardi B with "Finesse." Over on the Radio Songs lineup, it moves into first place putting Bruno in the chart record books. This is Bruno's eighth champion song, making him the most successful male artist in the 33-year history of the Radio Songs chart (it was formerly known as Hot 100 Airplay). Rihanna is the all-time champ, with 13 No. 3 hits; Mariah Carey is next with 11. Number 3: Ed Sheeran "Perfect" Ed Sheeran gets dinged a notch in third place with "Perfect". On March 10, Ed performed in Melbourne, Australia, and things literally heated up. Temperatures outside the venue, Etihad Stadium, reached 35 degrees Celsius (95 degrees Fahrenheit), and some concertgoers said the air conditioning inside the stadium was too weak to keep up with the heat. The retractable roof was closed, and witnesses say several fans were taken away after fainting. Reps for Etihad Stadium said the roof was closed at the request of Sheeran's tour management, and that water stations were available throughout the venue. Number 2: Post Malone Featuring Ty Dolla $ign "Psycho" Here's your big new arrival: Post Malone and Ty Dolla $ign grab Hot Shot Debut honors in second place with "Psycho." This is the second time Post has opened in the runner-up slot. He also did it with "Rockstar" which went on to top the chart. It's Post Malone's third Top 10 hit, after "Rockstar" and "Congratulations." Number 1: Drake "God's Plan" Let's congratulate Drake on a sixth week at No. 1 with "God's Plan." There may be more hits to come: Recently on Instagram, Drake posted a simple sentence: "next one soon splash." Whatever happens, we'll be there to cover it, and we hope you'll join us. The latest U.S. sanctions against Russians are aimed at punishing those responsible for cyberattacks and attempts to interfere in the 2016 presidential elections. Washington said the issuing of the sanctions was also motivated by other factors, including the poisoning of former double-agent Sergei Skripal and his daughter with a nerve agent in the British city of Salisbury. The U.S. treasury also referred to last year's massive ransomware attack, known as NotPetya, that the U.S. and Britain have blamed on the Russian military. The sanctions target 19 people and five legal entities, including Russian intelligence officials. They ban U.S. assets and citizens from business dealings with them. 'Troll factory' Most of the new sanctions target those involved in a so-called Russian "troll factory" operation that U.S. authorities say flooded social media with posts intended to sway the 2016 election. Twelve of those hit by the new sanctions are said to have worked for the Internet Research Agency based in the northwestern city of Saint Petersburg, while the agency itself has also been blacklisted. The U.S. special prosecutor investigating Moscow's meddling indicted 13 Russians in February for allegedly running the secret campaign. They are all included on the latest sanctions list. 'Putin's chef' The most prominent name on the sanctions list is Yevgeny Prigozhin, a businessman who has been nicknamed "Putin's chef" because his Concord company has provided catering for the Kremlin and he has been photographed with the president. Prigozhin has been under U.S. sanctions since December 2016 for having "materially assisted" senior officials of the Russian Federation and for "extensive business dealings" with the defense ministry over the conflict in Ukraine. The U.S. has now updated the details of his sanctions listing, adding that he and his Concord company provided "material assistance" to the troll factory, which Washington says he owns or controls. He has denied this. Prigozhin brushed off the sanctions Thursday, saying he has no business interests in the U.S. or with Americans. "I'll stop going to McDonald's," he joked in a comment to RIA Novosti state news agency. Spies The sanctions list also targets those described as "cyber actors operating on behalf of the Russian government." It adds Sergei Afanasyev and Grigory Molchanov, who are both referred to as senior officials in the military intelligence agency GRU. The list also includes secret service officials who are already under U.S. sanctions, including the head of GRU, Igor Korobov, and three of his deputies. The military intelligence agency itself and the FSB security agency, the successor to the KGB, are also sanctioned. Turkish opposition parties are warning that the raft of electoral reforms parliament passed this week pose a threat to free and fair elections. "They hid the package from the nation. Why? Because the law explains line by line how election fraud can be conducted," Kemal Kilicdaroglu, leader of the main opposition CHP party, said Tuesday after the measures were approved. The reforms were so contentious that fistfights erupted in the parliamentary chamber among deputies as the articles were approved. The 26 changes include easing restrictions on the presence of security forces in ballot stations, allowing state governors to locate ballot boxes and authorizing security forces to remove ballot boxes. One of the most contentious reforms is allowing the use of paper ballots that do not have official stamps. Until now, ballots had been issued to match the number of voters, which were then stamped by monitors drawn from all political parties. Controversial 2017 referendum The use of unstamped ballot papers has revived the controversial April 2017 referendum on extending President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's powers. The extension was narrowly approved, but in the middle of vote counting, the electoral body controlling the election allowed unstamped ballots to be included. The decision to accept the votes as valid and the way in which it was implemented was criticized in a report by the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) and Council of Europe referendum monitors. "These decisions undermined an important safeguard against fraud," the report noted. The use of unstamped ballots in future elections has caused alarm among opposition parties. "We can say there is very little hope there are going to be fair elections in Turkey, so the election themselves are under question," warned Ertugral Kurkcu, parliamentary deputy and president of the pro-Kurdish HDP party. "Tayyip Erdogan put his hand inside the ballot box. Unless the situation is changed dramatically ... every election is going to be tainted with fraud and the result won't be legitimate." Voter fraud is of particular concern in Turkey's predominantly Kurdish southeast, the region at the center of a conflict between security forces and Kurdish insurgents. During the 2016 presidential referendum, HDP party election monitors raised allegations of ballot-box stuffing. Several voting areas recorded 100 percent support for extending Erdogan's powers, even though the area was a stronghold against the president. Adding to such fears, Turkey remains under emergency rule, which was introduced after the failed 2016 coup. "The next elections most probably take place under the state of emergency, and the government and the regime will do everything in its power to win all the elections. They will not allow any meaningful elections," political scientist Cengiz Aktar warned. Ruling party criticisms Criticism over the latest electoral reforms and fears of fraud have been angrily dismissed by the ruling AK Party and its ally, the MHP party. Mustafa Sentop, AK Party parliamentary deputy, described opposition party concerns as "ignorant." The ruling AK Party argued the reforms are aimed at ensuring fair elections and reducing the threat of voter intimidation. The opposition CHP party, however, said monitoring elections and counting ballots are key elements of creating free and fair elections. "For the security of the elections, we have already started working to ensure we will have 1 million volunteer observers, which will mean more than one overseer for each ballot box," said Sezgin Tanrikulu, deputy head of the CHP party. "I am still hopeful for a just and honest election. At least we should make sure the results cannot be changed." The CHP has been frequently criticized by observers for failing to mobilize and marshal its members to properly scrutinize polls. Already, government supporters have labeled monitoring efforts as subversive and a threat to fair elections. "The two [opposition] parties' aim is to create a perception among the public that elections are being manipulated by the ruling party, and the results are therefore illegitimate," columnist Mehmet Acet wrote in the pro-government Yeni Safak newspaper earlier this month. He said adding a perception of illegitimacy can instigate a "change in government by nonelectoral means." Pro-Kurdish HDP party president Kurkcu said, "So what's ahead for Turkey's elections is a very big disagreement on how the vote is carried out. There is going to be a very heated debate in the coming days." The success of monitoring, especially under emergency rule, in next year's presidential, general and local elections will be key to whether all parties will accept the election's results, experts said. Turkey has reacted furiously to the European Parliaments motion calling for an end to Ankara's military offensive in Syria's Afrin enclave against a Kurdish militia. The motion cited concerns for the hundreds of thousands of civilians trapped in Afrin city under siege by Turkish forces for almost two months. But beyond the diplomatic haranguing, both the European Union and Ankara appear anxious to continue to work to rebuild relations. Speaking at his presidential palace, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan addressed local representatives from across the country and contemptuously dismissed the European Parliament motion. Dont get your hopes up. We will only leave Afrin once our work is done, Erdogan said. Hey, European Parliament, what are you doing? You should be honest. There is nothing the European Parliament can tell us on this. Your statement will go in one ear and out the other. What burden have you shared with us in hosting 3.5 million Syrians? The call comes amid rising humanitarian worries for the hundreds of thousands of civilians trapped in Afrin city. Since midnight, 18 civilians, including five children, were killed by Turkish artillery fire in the city of Afrin, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights stated Friday. Ankara strenuously denies any civilians have been killed since the start of its operation, despite its wide use of artillery and airstrikes. Turkish planes dropped leaflets on Afrin this week, calling for civilians to leave the city and not to be allowed to be used as human shields. No turning back There is little expectation the European Parliament motion will have any effect on Ankara. There is no turning back for this operation, said political columnist Semih Idiz of the al-Monitor website. "The government has invested too much in the operation, whatever the international pressure. Other Turkish observers have gone further to suggest the non-binding motion was merely political cover for European politicians. The move [European Parliament motion] amounted to killing two birds with one stone for the EU leadership, as Turkey-bashing for public opinion was combined with unblocking a major aid package to Turkey to moderate relations at the diplomatic level, wrote Murat Yetkin, editor of the Hurriyet Daily News. Earlier this week the EU Commission, in the face of strong political and public criticism from some quarters in Europe, allocated 3 billion euros to Turkey as part of refugee deal with Ankara. Under the deal, signed two years ago, Ankara has committed itself to stemming the flow of migrants into the European Union. The agreement has seen numbers dramatically fall from hundreds of thousands per month to a few hundred. Ankara views the refugee deal as one of the most important tools of leverage with Europe, particularly Austria and Germany, which are strong critics of the Turkish government. Earlier this week German Chancellor Angela Merkel spoke with Erdogan. According to Turkish media reports, the refugee deal and security cooperation were discussed. Such leverage will be important in the forthcoming EU summit with Erdogan this month in Bulgaria. Ankara is looking for visa-free travel for its citizens traveling to EU countries, along with a recognition of a custom union. Beholden to none [The] EU is a community that requires consensus or qualified majority to make decisions and it's not there for Turkey, said analyst Atilla Yesilada of Global Source Partners. There is this unspoken consensus across the EU, 'yes, its nice to talk to the Turks, but if they want something concrete they will have to comply with the Copenhagen criteria, otherwise no deal.' The Copenhagen criteria are the human rights standards that countries seeking to join the EU have to comply with in order to make the grade. Ankaras ongoing crackdown following the 2016 failed coup resulting in tens of thousands of detentions, including over a hundred journalists has been strongly criticized by Brussels. But in a move interpreted as a gesture to the EU, several prominent journalists recently were released from jail. This is a process that reportedly is expected to continue as Ankara seeks to improve relations with the EU. At the same time, Ankara continues to deepen relations with Moscow. The two countries, along with Iran, are cooperating, ostensibly to resolve the Syrian war. Foreign ministers from all three nations met in Astana, Kazakhstan, ahead of a planned summit to be held in Istanbul next month to discuss Syria. Observers say such cooperation carries an implicit message to its western allies that Turkey is a country beholden to no one. The U.N. Commission on the Status of Women says gender equality in Africa can be achieved only if women and girls especially those in rural areas have a voice in politics and economic planning. That conclusion came out of the commission's annual meeting in New York this week. Lopa Banerjee, director of the U.N. Women's Civil Society Division, said the commission has "irrefutable evidence" that women and girls in rural areas will be left behind unless government policy failures are addressed. "We are putting the laser light on the rights of women and girls who live in rural areas whose rights and ability to exercise their full potential has been held back," Banerjee told VOA's South Sudan in Focus. Esther Mwaura-Muiru, founder of the nonprofit GROOTS (Grassroots Organizations Operating Together in Sisterhood) Kenya, who spoke at this year's session, said one key issue is unpaid child care and other work that African women and girls routinely provide. "We are not saying [they must] be paid, but there must be investment for them to be able to engage with government," Mwaura-Muiru told South Sudan in Focus. Banerjee said the level of deprivation that women and girls in rural areas face has existed for decades, to a point where it becomes a vicious cycle. "If you think about a young girl who is born into a poor household in a deep rural community, by the time that she is able to work she is already taking care of other siblings" and "perhaps already involved in domestic work," Banerjee said. Women make up 50 percent of Africa's population, but 80 percent of them live in rural areas. More than half of rural women are employed in the agriculture sector, which U.N. Women describes as the backbone of African economies. South Sudan The U.N. children's agency UNICEF says even though child marriages are on the decline globally, the practice is still widespread in parts of Africa. Under the South Sudan Education Act 2012, all children have the right to be in school. Under South Sudan's Child Act 2008, it is illegal to force a schoolgirl to get married. And under South Sudanese law, one must be 18 to marry. However, education officials in South Sudan's Jonglei state say it's extremely difficult to implement those laws. John Adol Malual, education director in Bor East County, explained: "If somebody has impregnated a girl child in the school and you want to come in as implementer of this law, you may already find the parent of the girl and the girl herself and the man who has done that have an agreement. So there is no way of putting yourself there." Ajier Mary, 27, said she married at the age of 15 because she was worried that she might not find a husband later in life. "We just thought that we are wasting our time because we know that mothers and fathers who survived, they are alive without education. So, I chose to drop out of school without instruction from [my] mom and also my dad. Now when I see my classmates holding bachelors [degrees], I feel guilty," Mary said. Mary said she thinks about going back to school, but the responsibilities of family have prevented her from doing so. She said her experience has taught her to raise her seven-year-old daughter differently. Abel Majak, a community elder in Bor, admits he forced his 16-year-old daughter to accept a marriage proposal. "Six men came to me offering to marry my daughter. My daughter was in [eighth grade] and she refused, saying she wanted to continue her education first. I told her that was not acceptable. When a husband has come with a lot of cows and wants to marry you, your education should stop," Majak said. According to UNICEF, an estimated 12 million girls a year marry in childhood worldwide. That number is 25 million fewer than what was anticipated 10 years ago. To end the practice by 2030 the target set out in the U.N.'s Sustainable Development Goals UNICEF said progress must be significantly accelerated. It says that 650 million women alive today were married as children. U.N. Women is urging governments to undertake legislative and administrative reforms to promote land rights, control over reproductive resources, and access to natural resources. 2018 report The Commission on the Status of Women report argues, in part: * Women are susceptible to dispossession because they lack inheritance rights. * Women lack effective and transparent land governance. In many countries, rural land is often undocumented, making it highly vulnerable to land grabs and expropriation and making local communities vulnerable to dispossession and displacement with little or no compensation. * Child and early marriage has clear implications for the sexual and reproductive health and rights of women and girls. These include a lack of information, adequate health care and decision-making power regarding safe sex and family planning. * Death and disease associated with lack of access to safe and reliable water and sanitation disproportionately affect poor rural women and girls. The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said Saturday that more than 150,000 Afrin residents have been displaced since Wednesday as Turkish warplanes and artillery are reported to have struck the northern Syrian region overnight. The U.N. secretary-general said Friday he is deeply concerned about Syrians fleeing in a mass exodus from Afrin and another rebel-held enclave, eastern Ghouta, outside Damascus. I profoundly regret that resolution 2401, concerning the cessation of hostilities throughout Syria, has not been implemented, Antonio Guterres said of the Security Councils unanimous March 4 decision that has failed to deescalate the violence. The United Nations and its partners are fully mobilized to bring immediate life-saving relief to all those in need, Guterres said in a statement. I call on all parties to ensure safe and unimpeded humanitarian access in all areas. WATCH: UN Expresses Concerns as Syrian War Enters Eighth Year 'Alarming reports' The U.N. Human Rights Office warned Friday that it has received alarming reports from the northwestern town of Afrin, where Turkish forces are battling Kurdish fighters. Civilians there are reportedly being prevented from leaving the town by Kurdish forces. We have received reports that only those civilians who have contacts within the Kurdish authority or the Kurdish armed forces have been able to leave, spokesperson Ravina Shamdasani said. She noted that even those that could leave faced grave dangers as they exited and then had to pay government-backed armed groups to let them leave Afrin. The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) says it has finalized plans to assist as many as 50,000 people fleeing the opposition district of eastern Ghouta, which the Syrian government has been fighting to recapture since last month. "We have been working, planning to respond to evacuations for a while and specifically to provide shelters with emergency assistance," Marixie Mercado told reporters in Geneva. Airstrikes continued for a second day Friday in the area, killing dozens of people. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights director said thousands of civilians had fled eastern Ghoutas town of Hammouriyeh on Thursday. Russia said the number of people who left Thursday exceeded 12,000, while Syrias U.N. ambassador said Friday that 40,000 had left all of eastern Ghouta and were transported to temporary shelters, where they were provided with assistance. International Committee of the Red Cross President Peter Maurer accompanied an aid convoy into eastern Ghouta on Thursday. The 25-truck inter-agency convoy carried a months worth of assistance for the 26,100 residents of Douma. The people I have met are exhausted, Maurer said afterwards. Exhausted from bombs and rockets dropping on civilian neighborhoods; exhausted from not knowing details about missing or detained family members.usands of civilians had fled eastern Ghouta's town of Hammouriyeh on Thursday. Russia said the number of people who left Thursday exceeded 12,000, while Syria's U.N. ambassador said Friday that 40,000 had left all of eastern Ghouta and were transported to temporary shelters, where they were provided with assistance. Aid for Douma International Committee of the Red Cross president Peter Maurer accompanied an aid convoy into eastern Ghouta on Thursday. The 25-truck interagency convoy carried a month's worth of assistance for the 26,100 residents of Douma. "The people I have met are exhausted," Maurer said afterward. "Exhausted from bombs and rockets dropping on civilian neighborhoods; exhausted from not knowing details about missing or detained family members." VOA's Margaret Besheer contributed to this report from the United Nations. Governments recent approval of NSSF as the only body mandated to manage workers savings puts to rest a two-decade battle for reforms but also leaves a mess in the public pension sector, writes ALON MWESIGWA. The cabinet recent decision that National Social Security Fund (NSSF) remains the only receiver of mandatory savings has elicited mixed reactions, with a couple of financial experts saying the move is ill-advised. On March 5, cabinet announced the NSSF Act Cap 22 will be amended to make NSSF a mandatory social security scheme for all Ugandans employed both in the formal and informal sectors, mandated to provide the basic social guaranteed benefits, except for Ugandans employed in the public service. This means the bill in parliament that seeks to open up the sector for more firms to take mandatory savings i null. It also puts to rest a more-than-two-decade battle to have the sector opened up. Minister of Gender Janat Mukwaya said this renders the Retirement Benefits Sector Liberalization Bill 2011 before parliament irrelevant. John Baptist Kakooza, the former NSSF corporation secretary, lauded government decision, saying those who were clamouring for reforms were less interested in collection but more into the management of money that has already been collected. This [collection] part is expensive and hard, Kakooza said. Ramathan Ggoobi, an academic at Makerere University Business School (MUBS), said government was right on not allowing private schemes to compete with NSSF for mandatory savings. He said this partly because private sector regulation in Uganda is weak. We have failed to regulate it. He added that people were not saving just because there is only NSSF mobilising savings. There were other issues including low incomes and the fact that there is a poor savings culture in the country. Ggoobi said a law should be in such a way that although NSSF should receive the mandatory of workers savings, other entities should be allowed to take savings for those willing. Just over 10,000 companies are contributing savings to NSSF out of the eligible 30,000. The reformers argued that more firms would have bridged the gap, the argument vehemently rejected by non-reformers. Stephen Kaboyo, a financial expert and director of Alpha Capital Partners, said: Pension reforms are a catalyst for mobilising savings through intermediation vehicles such as capital markets. Experiences from other countries that have undertaken reforms suggest that overall level of savings in an economy can riseThe current approach of encouraging a monopoly falls short of this expectation. Dr Adam Mugume, executive director of Research at Bank of Uganda, said the country needed other players to collect savings. He said while people were arguing that reforms would increase costs for NSSF and therefore eat into savers funds, the fund was already using such vehicles as fund managers and custodians to invest its money abroad. NSSF has Shs 8.7tn assets as at December 31, 2017, with much of this money on fixed accounts in commercial banks and government securities. A small portion has been invested in equities and real estate. TREK TO NOWHERE The call for reforms has been around for almost two decades with little on how they should be carried out. NSSF covertly supported those that campaigned against opening up the sector to allow more players to come in. These things didnt start yesterday. There was a time when Kampala was full of fund managers. They would come to my office and say we want to manager your funds but I would say we are managing, said Kakooza. After close to ten years of haggling, parliament passed the Retirement Benefits Regulatory Act 2011. This paved way for the creation of the Uganda Retirement Benefits Regulatory Authority as the body to supervise the industry. As at 2016, URBRA had 66 registered retirement schemes with NSSF being the biggest of all. No reforms means government has to look for other ways to fix the mess in the public pension sector. Hundreds of civil servants who have retired from government work have gone unpaid. The reformers had suggested that it be made contributory such that civil servants contribute part of their salary for retirement to either NSSF or a scheme of their choice. Kakooza said the mess in the public pension scheme is to do with indiscipline coupled with fraud - where ghosts have been paid ahead of real beneficiaries. At least Shs 165bn for pensioners was stolen from the ministry of public service. amwesigwa@observer.ug The United States is demanding the world hold Syria's government, Russia and Iran responsible for what a top official calls "some of the worst atrocities known to man." The statement, by U.S. national security adviser H.R. McMaster, came Thursday during an event at the U.S. Holocaust Museum in Washington marking the seventh anniversary of the start of the Syrian conflict. "The Assad regime has killed indiscriminately, tortured, starved, raped and used chemical weapons on its own people," McMaster said, referring to the government of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. "It has attacked hospitals and schools, and countless Syrians have been arrested, abducted or simply disappeared." But McMaster, one of the most senior advisers to U.S. President Donald Trump, also accused Russia and Iran of enabling Assad, and said they, too, must be held accountable. "All nations must respond more forcibly than simply issuing strong statements," McMaster said. "Assad should not have impunity from his crimes and neither should his sponsors." Political, economic pressures So far, McMaster and other U.S. officials have emphasized an approach using political and economic pressure, pointing to ramped-up sanctions against both Iran and Russia. "The president and General McMaster are continuing to work together to put pressure on Russia to do the right thing," White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders told reporters when asked about McMaster's comments. "Again, I think you can see what the administration's viewpoint is simply by looking at the actions that we took today by placing new sanctions on Russia," Sanders said. But while the U.S. has repeatedly criticized Russia, Thursday's sanctions were not aimed at its support for the Syrian regime. Instead, the actions were aimed at five entities and 19 individuals accused of interference in the 2016 U.S. presidential election and for cyberattacks targeting U.S. infrastructure. There are also questions about how far the Trump administration is willing to go to stop attacks on civilians in Syria, including in eastern Ghouta, a suburb of Damascus that has been bombed repeatedly by Russia and Syria. "The U.S. seeks to halt Assad's atrocities and constrain and ultimately reduce the buildup of Iranian proxy forces and Iranian influence in Syria," said Jennifer Cafarella, with the Washington-based Institute for the Study of War. "The means the U.S. is willing to use will not accomplish the stated goals." And there are few signs the U.S. is going to change course, at least for now. "We urge Russia to compel the Assad regime to stop killing innocent Syrians and allow much-needed aid to reach the people of east Ghouta," chief Pentagon spokeswoman Dana White told reporters Thursday. "We are going to be consistent in that message and we are going to continue to urge them to do that," she added. When pressed on whether the U.S. military would consider taking any action to help ensure the safety of civilians, White said that Syria's Assad would be "ill-advised to use any gas [chemical weapons]." U.S. action against Syria The U.S. has taken action against Assad once before, launching a barrage of 59 cruise missiles at Shayrat airfield, in western Syria, in April 2017. Officials said it was in retaliation for a gruesome sarin gas attack by Assad's forces that killed about 100 civilians. But despite more recent reports alleging Assad's use of chemical weapons and chlorine gas, the U.S. has not acted. Military officials say while they are looking into the reports, they have yet to find conclusive evidence that chemical weapons were used. There are also no indications that Washington, which has said a political settlement is the only way forward, is willing to use air power or ground forces already in the region to stop the onslaught against civilians, including the most recent bombing campaign in eastern Ghouta, or to forcibly remove Assad from power. "Our mission in Syria is to defeat ISIS," said the Pentagon's White, using an acronym for the Islamic State terror group. "It is not our intention to be part of a civil war. We are pushing toward the Geneva process." On Wednesday, the commander of the U.S. military's Central Command, General Joseph Votel, told lawmakers he would advise against the use of military force. "I don't recommend that at this particular point," Votel said. "Certainly, if there are other things that are considered, you know, we will do what we are told." But when asked whether Assad, with the backing of Russia and Iran, had "won" the civil war in Syria, Votel suggested that was the case. "I do not think that is too strong of a statement," Votel said. An aide to Rep. Louise Slaughter says the 88-year old Democratic congresswoman from upstate New York has died. Slaughter was serving her 16th term in Congress and was the top Democrat on the House Rules Committee. She was the first woman to chair that committee when she led it from 2007 through 2010. Liam Fitzsimmons is her chief of staff. In a statement, he says Slaughter died early Friday at George Washington University Hospital after injuring herself in a fall in her area home. Fitzsimmons said on Wednesday that she'd sustained a concussion but no broken bones. Slaughter was originally from Kentucky and had a degree in microbiology. She was repeatedly re-elected, sometimes narrowly, and was the longest-serving member of Congress from New York. Brothers Victor and Benard Okoth were in their early twenties when they were killed on August 9, during unrest sparked by results of the Kenya presidential run-off. The death toll from election-related violence last year topped 100, according to findings released by Human Rights Watch. HRW and other rights groups say most of the victims were killed by police. The families of those killed are demanding justice but say they don't know if their calls are being heard. Benna Buluma, the mother of Victor and Benard Okoth, remembers the day her sons died. Because of the tensions, she said, speaking through a translator, people were stockpiling food so I woke up early to get some vegetables. Victor walked in and left his baby with me. Benard was just from his house. Then I heard them saying they were going to the main road. Police were already throwing tear gas. The family lives in Mathare, an informal settlement outside Nairobi where most people support the opposition. There were gun shots, Benna said. I never thought it would ever be my children. It was Benard that I saw first. Benna said she lay on his body until it was taken away by the police. She later found Victor at the morgue. She said she saw bullet holes in both her sons. VOA met Benna on the steps of the Mathare Social Justice Center, where she had come to check on her sons case. Activist Kennedy Chindi works at the center, documenting and reporting police abuses. During the elections, we documented 19 deaths in Mathare," Chindi said. "The extrajudicial executions, they become more rampant during elections because the police take advantage." The center says police gunned down 805 youth in Mathare and the surrounding area between 2013 and 2015. Most of the victims were young men aged 13 to 20. Mathare resident Sarah Wangari said police gunned down her son as he walked home with four friends on November 18 of last year. It pains me because this was a 19-year-old, and these were six police officers, said Wangari, speaking through a translator. Was it so hard to take him to a police station if he had done something wrong? She said his body was riddled with 10 bullet holes. With Chindi's help, she is disputing the official police report that said the young men were thieves and that her son had a gun. Benna recently provided testimony about the killing of her two sons to the Independent Police Oversight Authority (IPOA), the government body tasked with investigating police abuses. She wants whoever shot her sons to answer for murder. "IPOA got 63 cases between August and October election period, and we are at various stages of looking into those cases, investigating those cases," said Dennis Oketch, the head of communications at IPOA. "So far, we have terminated or closed at least two of those cases which we recommended to the director of public prosecutions. In those two cases, IPOA established that police clobbered a 6-month-old baby to death in her parents' house in Kisumu, and that a 9-year-old was shot by police while on a balcony of her familys house in Mathare. But IPOA said it could not determine the specific officers that were involved. Oketch said investigations into other killings during the electoral period are at the advanced stages. "A good number of the around 20 are undergoing internal legal review, and after legal review we will be advancing them to the attention of the director of Public Prosecution," Oketch said. But the families of the victims have their doubts. Oketch told VOA that since IPOA was created in 2013, it has successfully completed 640 investigations. However, critics say IPOAs recommendations rarely lead to consequences for the police accused of abuses. On March 9, President Uhuru Kenyatta and opposition leader Raila Odinga grasped hands and said they would work out their differences in the interest of the country. It was unexpected after the long and bitterly contentious election period. Benna worries her sons will be forgotten. What kind of friendship is that?" she asked. "The first thing they would have said is that they want to talk about the loss of lives during the election period because people were killed and they know that many people were killed in different areas." Chindi, the activist in Mathare, says political reconciliation is impossible without justice. There is so much worry among the victims and survivors, mostly of police extrajudicial executions, because most of them right now fail to understand how their fate will be," Chindi said, "because the two principals have come together and they are now forming some committees without putting in the interest of the victims and survivorsNow they are negotiating, the two of them, without the interest of those who died for their cause. He says the center will continue its work in Mathare, seeking justice for victims and their families. The death of an African immigrant lead to a violent protest in central Madrid on Thursday (March 16) night, leaving at least twenty people injured, emergency services said. The man, a 35-year old Senegalese street vendor, was, according to witnesses, trying to escape from a police crackdown. Spanish agency Europa Press quoted police as saying the man died of cardio-respiratory arrest while running from officers. Angry protesters burned plastic trash containers and threw stones at riot police while others broke shops windows and damaged vehicles parked along the narrow streets in the Lavapies neighborhood. Police said all those arrested were Spanish nationals. No one is getting fired right now. That is what the White House is telling reporters and its own jittery staff. Chief of Staff John Kelly gathered some personnel Friday and told them "people shouldn't be concerned," White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said. "We should do exactly what we do every day, and that's come to work and do the very best job that we can." Sanders took to Twitter on Thursday night to rebut breaking news stories that President Donald Trump had decided to remove national security adviser H.R. McMaster. "I spoke directly to the president last night," Sanders told reporters Friday. "He asked me to pass that message along to General McMaster. I know the two of them have been in meetings today. Whether or not that came up, I don't know." A little while later, McMaster was seen escorting guests out of the West Wing entrance. "Sarah set it straight yesterday. Everybody has got to leave the White House at some point," he said. Asked by a reporter whether he was leaving sooner rather than later, McMaster replied, "I'm doing my job." Media reports on dismissal The Washington Post and several other news organizations have reported the three-star general's removal from the key post had already been decided by Trump, but it is not yet being announced to spare McMaster embarrassment. There is also speculation the president will award the general a fourth star and send him back into the field to command troops, perhaps on the Korean Peninsula. Trump has made little effort to hide his frustration with the active-duty career officer who is regarded as an iconoclastic battle veteran. McMaster, according to White House insiders, also seems eager to leave, fed up with an unconventional administration and flummoxed by a commander-in-chief with whom he has failed to bond. The president chastised McMaster last month after the national security adviser said Moscow's interference in the 2016 election was "incontrovertible." "General McMaster forgot to say that the results of the 2016 election were not impacted or changed by the Russians and that the only Collusion was between Russia and Crooked H, the DNC and the Dems," Trump tweeted. Reports of McMaster's impending removal followed the firing of Secretary of State Rex Tillerson this week. 'There will always be change' There is also intense speculation that several members of the president's Cabinet could be short-timers, primarily because of bad publicity about costly and dubious travel, as well as questionable cosmetic but expensive office modifications. "There will always be change," Trump told reporters Thursday. "And I think you want to see change. I want to also see different ideas." If the president follows through in replacing him, McMaster will become the second national security adviser to leave the job since Trump took office. The first one, retired Army Lieutenant General Michael Flynn, was fired weeks into his tenure in 2017 after misleading White House officials about contacts with Russians. Flynn has made a plea deal with federal prosecutors for lying about conversations with then-Russian Ambassador Sergey Kislyak and is bound to fully cooperate with special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation into Russian government efforts to interfere in the 2016 presidential election. Mueller's team appears to be examining a wide range of transactions involving Trump's businesses, as well as those of his associates, and now has reportedly issued a subpoena for records from the Trump Organization. Delegates from across Africa are attending the Commonwealth Africa Summit in London where the theme this year is the Common Good. Topics under discussion include climate change and improving gender equality. The Commonwealth has its origins in the British Empire most members were former colonies - and Britain is hoping to rekindle those ties as it leaves the European Union. Nineteen African countries are members of the Commonwealth an organization that encompasses one-third of the world's population. The opening summit address was given by Maria Fernandez De La Vega, president of the Women for Africa Foundation. She said that in the face of the ever-greater tolerance of inequality, we have to continue to cry out for equality." She said "the combination of young people and women together will allow us to take a new look at Africa. Issues like gender equality are being tackled by other institutions like the United Nations and the African Union. So what is the point of the Commonwealth? Sue Onslow is from the Institute for Commonwealth Studies at the University of London. There is a general interest and value which is attached to the Commonwealth as a political imagination, to the access and networks that it offers, to possibilities of best practice and indeed to emphasizing commonalities of working together, she said. Gambia was last month re-admitted to the Commonwealth after a four-year absence, following the democratic election of President Adama Barrow. Zimbabwe has indicated that it may apply to re-join after it was suspended in 2002 following concerns over unfair elections. Caroline Kampila - a Zimbabwean citizen living in London, attending the conference - hopes Zimbabwe will soon be readmitted. Weve been isolated for such a long time and we really want to be where other people are, where other nations are, she said. Interest in the Commonwealth has also revived in Britain where the government hopes increased trade could help to make up for any losses after leaving the European Union. Quite frankly I find that idea laughable because the Commonwealth is the antithesis, the very opposite of the EU as a bureaucratic, trading bloc, said analyst Sud Onslow. Nonetheless Britain is aiming to strengthen ties when it hosts the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting next month when the leaders of all 53 member nations will gather in London and at the Royal Familys residence at Windsor Castle. American authorities are moving ahead with Poland's request to extradite a 99-year-old Minnesota man to be tried on allegations he was involved in a World War II massacre of civilians, Polish prosecutors said Thursday. Polish authorities issued an arrest warrant last year after opening a case following a series of 2013 reports in which The Associated Press identified the man as Ukrainian-born Michael Karkoc, an ex-commander in an SS-led Nazi unit that burned Polish villages and killed civilians during the war. Karkoc's family denies that he was involved in any war crimes. Last July, Poland asked U.S. authorities to hand over Karkoc, who lives in Minneapolis, so he could face a court trial. National Remembrance Institute prosecutor Robert Janicki said Thursday that in response to Poland's extradition request, American authorities have now chosen three medical experts to determine whether Karkoc can "consciously take part in a court trial and travel by plane." The timing of the examination was not immediately known. It was the first sign of progress made on the extradition request. Prosecutors from the institute, which investigates wartime crimes against Poles, have determined that evidence shows that American Michael K. whose last name they haven't released in line with Poland's privacy laws was a commander of a unit in the SS-led Ukrainian Self Defense Legion that raided eastern Poland's village of Chlaniow in July 1944, killing 44 people, including women and children. The investigation was opened after the AP published a series of stories establishing that Karkoc commanded the unit, based on wartime documents, testimony from other members of the unit and Karkoc's own Ukrainian-language memoir. The AP also established that Karkoc lied to American immigration officials to get into the United States several years after the war. German prosecutors also opened an investigation into Karkoc after the AP's 2013 stories. In 2015, they concluded there was enough evidence to pursue murder charges, but shelved their investigation, deciding Karkoc was unfit to stand trial based upon medical reports from his own doctors. President Emmerson Mnangagwa says former head of state and government Robert Mugabe, who was removed from power last November, tendered his resignation instead of being forced to step down by the army. In a statement, Mnangagwa said the former president tendered his resignation in terms of Section 96, Sub-section 1 of the Constitution of Zimbabwe. He is entitled to express himself freely, as is the case for any private citizen. The Zimbabwe government continues to honor all its obligations towards the former presidents welfare and benefits, as provided for under the Constitution of Zimbabwe. Mnangagwa noted the nation has moved on. Our focus as this time shall remain on preparing for free, fair and credible elections in 2018. This is a key step in the immense task at hand, which is to lift our people from the effects of years of severe economic regression and international isolation. Mugabe claims that he was violently removed from office by Mnangagwa, who was helped by the Zimbabwe Defence Forces five months ago to stage what the former president calls a coup. The Southern African Development Community, African Union and various other political bodies have shied away from referring to the military intervention as a coup. On Thursday, Mugabe insisted that the military and Mnangagwa used unconstitutional means to get rid of him. He is demanding a restoration of order in the country. Special counsel Robert Mueller, widening his investigation of Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. presidential election, has subpoenaed documents at the Trump Organization, President Donald Trumps global business empire. It was not immediately clear about the extent of the records Mueller was seeking, but The New York Times reported that the subpoena, delivered in recent weeks, ordered the New York-based Trump Organization to turn over all documents related to the company's dealings with Russia and other issues Mueller is investigating. Mueller's quest appears to move his investigation closer to Trump himself, beyond the array of election campaign aides Mueller already has indicted or secured guilty pleas from that were linked in one way or another with Trumps successful run to a four-year term in the White House. Trump has said that Mueller would be crossing a red line if he started investigating the familys business operations beyond any relationship with Russia. Alan S. Futerfas, a lawyer for the Trump Organization, said, Since July 2017, we have advised the public that the Trump Organization is fully cooperative with all investigations, including the Special Counsel, and is responding to their requests. This is old news and our assistance and cooperation with the various investigations remains the same today. Muellers investigators have appeared in recent weeks to be probing the role money played in Trumps political operations as the billionaire mogul moved away from running a vast real estate business with sideline consumer product companies offering clothes, wine, steaks and more, to run for public office for the first time. In one aspect of the probe, Muellers investigators have recently questioned an adviser to the United Arab Emirates about the movement of Emirati money into the U.S. Mueller also has indicted 13 Russians and three Russian entities on charges of meddling in the U.S. election, accusing them of sowing discord online in the U.S. with an array of fake news stories and commentary about divisive American issues in the months ahead of the 2016 election. On Thursday, the U.S. Treasury Department imposed sanctions on two dozen Russian individuals and entities for their alleged cyber attacks linked to the U.S. election and other malicious online activities. Trump ignored government ethics critics who said he should divest his business holdings to avoid conflicts of interest with government decisions he would be making when he assumed power in January 2017. He instead opted to hand over day-to-day management of the Trump Organization to his two eldest sons, Donald Trump, Jr. and Eric Trump, and other company officials, but retain ownership of his worldwide business operations. While the White House repeatedly has said it is cooperating with Mueller in handing over campaign documents and other information the investigators have sought, Trump has often ridiculed the notion that his campaign colluded with Russian interests to help him win. He has branded investigations into any Russian connections with his campaign as a witch hunt employed by opposition Democrats to explain Trumps upset win over former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. U.S. President Donald Trump claimed Wednesday that he made up information about a purported U.S. trade deficit with Canada during a meeting with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, without knowing whether such a deficit existed. Trump recounted his White House meeting with the Canadian leader last October while talking to political donors in Missouri, with The Washington Post quoting from an audio recording of the president's remarks at the private event. Trudeau came to see me. Hes a good guy, Justin. He said, No, no, we have no trade deficit with you, we have none. Donald, please, Trump said, as he mimicked Trudeau. Nice guy, good-looking guy, comes in -Donald, we have no trade deficit. Hes very proud because everybody else, you know, were getting killed. ...So, hes proud. I said, Wrong, Justin, you do. I didnt even know...I had no idea. I just said, Youre wrong. You know why? Because were so stupid...And I thought they were smart. I said, Youre wrong, Justin. He said, Nope, we have no trade deficit. I said, Well, in that case, I feel differently, I said, but I dont believe it. I sent one of our guys out, his guy, my guy, they went out, I said, Check, because I cant believe it. Well, sir, youre actually right. We have no deficit, but that doesnt include energy and timber...And when you do, we lose $17 billion a year. Its incredible. The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative says that in 2016, the most recent year with complete statistics, the United States had a $12.5 billion trade surplus with its neighbor to the north, with the U.S. exporting $320.1 billion in goods and services to Canada and importing $307.6 billion. It was not clear what Trump was referring to when pointing to energy and timber trade figures, because those, as natural resources, are included in the overall trading figures. Repeating false claim Trump continued to make the Canadian trade deficit claim on Thursday, without offering new numbers. "We do have a Trade Deficit with Canada, as we do with almost all countries (some of them massive)," he said in a Twitter remark. "P.M. Justin Trudeau of Canada, a very good guy, doesnt like saying that Canada has a Surplus vs. the U.S. (negotiating), but they do...they almost all do...and thats how I know!" Trump's remarks on trade with Canada come at a time when the two allies and Mexico are negotiating changes to the 1994 North American Free Trade Agreement, which Trump claims is unfair to the United States. The U.S. ran a $55.6 billion trade deficit with Mexico in 2016. In one recent tweet, Trump said Canada needed to treat American farmers better in a revised NAFTA, while Mexico needed to tighten its border security to thwart more undocumented immigrants from entering the United States. Trump last week imposed a new 25 percent tariff on steel imports to the U.S. and 10 percent on aluminum, while at least temporarily exempting Canada and Mexico from the levies. In the Missouri speech, Trump attacked the European Union, China, Japan and South Korea for trade imbalances with the U.S. Trump singled out South Korea, a longtime ally, seeming to threaten to withdraw the U.S. military from the Korean peninsula. We have a very big trade deficit with them, and we protect them, Trump said. We lose money on trade, and we lose money on the military. We have right now 32,000 soldiers on the border between North and South Korea. Lets see what happens. Our allies care about themselves, he said. They dont care about us. In 2016, the U.S. trade office said the country ran a $17 billion trade deficit with South Korea. Over the last three years, teachers at various levels of education have stepped up use of computers in class. More schools will likely invest in computers in 2018. From extensive computer laboratories and remote servers, we are already seeing plans to establish positions for computer managers in schools. More schools are investing more in this area, and not restricted to just hardware of software, but training staff in specialized areas of computer use pedagogy. In the past, teachers were not computer literate, but now we are spending more to train them in this area, due to increasing demand, said Godfrey Kayongo, the head teacher at Hormisdallen School, Gayaza. We will also expand on the number of computers and laboratories this year. Initially, this was an area where international schools dominated but all high end private primary schools offer exactly the same thing today. According to Fred Mwesigye, executive director at Forum for Education NGOs in Uganda: The schools see this as a marketing gimmick, since parents are easily persuaded by the regular use of computers by teachers. SECONDARY SCHOOLS Several secondary schools are firmly onboard. For instance, Bishop Cipriano Kihangire SS replaced outdated and dusty blackboards with smart boards and projectors, to redefine the Ugandan learning experience. It is all very modern, inspirational and will inevitably evolve into a wholly paper free environment where students receive notes and assignments online. UNDERLYING RISKS Mwesigye however, is concerned that unless education authorities monitor these initiatives more seriously in primary schools, there is a potential for disaster. As we saw in the Bridge schools, a smartboard or tablet opens the door for someone out there to set up a lesson plan for the teacher and all one does is play it back for the learners, Mwesigye said. Already, we have a problem of rote learning [cramming], now we could lose the last traditional teaching skills if we allow anyone to walk into a classroom with a fancy tablet and say anything we might as well start on the last funeral rites of our education system. But if regulated well, he also believes it could evolve into a major revolution that improves Ugandas education system dramatically. We must undo this disgrace which we have imposed on ourselves we don't deserve it. We don't deserve it, we don't deserve it. Please, we don't deserve it. Zimbabwe doesn't deserve it, we want to be a constitutional country." If you havn't done it yet,to get one of the fastest volcano news online: Fascinating satellite images, reports, and pictures about the massive explosion of Kelut volcano in East Java on 13 Feb 2014. See which volcanoes are erupting at the moment! Probably more than you think... A selection of great books about volcanoes and volcanism, grouped into sections of different reading level interest. A third tectonic setting where volcanism occurs is believed to be the result of mantle plumes and not directly related to plate boundaries. So called hot spot volcanoes fall into this category. Support us - Help us upgrade our services! Maintaining our website and our free apps does require, however, considerable time and resources. We're aiming to achieve uninterrupted service wherever an earthquake or volcano eruption unfolds, and your donations can make it happen! Every donation will be highly appreciated. Improved multilanguage support Tsunami alerts Faster responsiveness Earthquake archive from 1900 onwards Detailed quake stats Additional seismic data sources Download and Upgrade the Volcanoes & Earthquakes app to get one of the fastest seismic and volcano alerts online: Android | IOS to get one of the fastest seismic and volcano alerts online: We truly love working to bring you the latest volcano and earthquake data from around the world.We need financing to increase hard- and software capacity as well as support our editor team.If you find the information useful and would like to support our team in integrating further features, write great content, and in upgrading our soft- and hardware, please PayPal or Online credit card payment )., these features have been added recently: Todays Headlines The most important news stories of the day, curated by Post editors and delivered every morning. Email address By signing up you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy 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. The company was willing to part with the tank for $1 more than the cost of scrapping it $86,000. So the members of the SpaceX team became the scavengers of Cape Canaveral, looking for leftover hardware as if they were on a treasure hunt. Old rail cars from the 1960s that had been used to ferry helium between New Orleans and Cape Canaveral became the new storage tanks. Instead of spending $75,000 on new air-conditioning chillers for the ground equipment building, someone found a deal on eBay for $10,000. Nineteen-year-old Ibrahim Fauzi is unofficially the best-performing student from the recently-released Uneb A-level results but his journey to academic excellence has been anything but smooth, writes MOSES TALEMWA. Fauzi has a dream. In that dream, set six years from now, you will walk into a health facility and he will be the doctor on duty. And Fauzi is not any dreamer. He has consistently backed it up with excellent grades. He was the only student in the whole country to obtain three As in his principal subjects; Biology, Chemistry and Mathematics as well as distinction 1 in each of his subsidiary subjects, IT and General Paper. Ibrahim Fauzi The former student of Kibuli SS applied for the Bachelor of Science in Medicine and Surgery at Makerere University as his first choice. And as things stand, he should gain admission to the university for this academic programme. I hope to excel in this programme so that I can become a surgeon, who is able to save the lives of many Ugandans with complicated diseases, some of which are very expensive to treat within the country and abroad, he says. Fauzi is the son of devout Muslims, in Gangu, Busabala in Wakiso. They are Ibrahim Ali and Lukia Nassali, local traders in the area. He started his education at Gangu Muslim PS in 2005, where he obtained aggregate seven at Primary Leaving Examination. In his last year of primary school, he was unable to afford fees, until the school offered him a waiver to allow him to register for national exams. However, even after this, his family could not afford to send him to a school fitting his achievements, until he was offered a four-year bursary by Nansana SS. Even at O-level it was hard for him to keep up, as his family ensured that he had the bare minimum, on top of the bursary. Due to his circumstances, Fauzi was determined to succeed. I put God first in everything I did, engaged in group discussions with fellow students, as well as consulting with both students and teachers, he adds. All this paid off, and he obtained, aggregate 16 at O-level, enough to gain admission to Kibuli SS. Joining Kibuli SS proved to be a bold gamble. For starters, his family could not afford all the school requirements. It would have been hard for him to complete his studies, if it had not been for an uncle based in Japan, who also sent the tuition fees on time. Fauzi also notes the support of one of his teachers, Hajji Siraje Katantazi. He always encouraged us to perform well and gave us stories of successful persons which inspired me to read and achieve my goal, he adds. Despite their modest support, Fauzi is also grateful to his parents. My parents have been giving me everything that I needed in my studies such as textbooks, paying school fees in time and also teachers have been reminding me all the time to perform well, he relates. So, I resolved to do my best, not to embarrass them. TEACHER COMPETITION Fauzis efforts also coincided with a move by the schools head teacher, Ali Mugagga, to inspire the teachers, with a competition. The teachers, whose students passed well enough would get cash prizes, among others. As the schools director of Studies, Hajji Ahmed Kijjambu Kaddu, explains. The head teacher set up a competition among teachers and this helped produce the best results, while also motivating the students to work hard, he explains. Kijjambu Kaddu explained that the resulting teamwork helped improve the schools performance last year. He explains that the syllabus was completed in the first term, leaving the last two terms for revision. Consequently, Kijjambu Kaddu says they intend to replicate the formula this year. We plan to re-establish ourselves as one of the best schools in the country, he adds emphatically. As Kijjambu Kaddu waxes lyrical about his school, Fauzi maintains a smile on his face, looking forward to life at Makerere University. It is the start of big things to come! he says. In the centre of the pine wood called Coilla Doraca there lived not long ago two Philosophers. They were wiser than anything else in the world except the Salmon who lies in the pool of Glyn Cagny into which the nuts of knowledge fall from the hazel bush on its bank. He, of course, is the most profound of living creatures, but the two Philosophers are next to him in wisdom. Their faces looked as though they were made of parchment, there was ink under their nails, and every difficulty that was submitted to them, even by women, they were able to instantly resolve. The Grey Woman of Dun Gortin and the Thin Woman of Inis Magrath asked them the three questions which nobody had ever been able to answer, and they were able to answer them. That was how they obtained the enmity of these two women which is more valuable than the friendship of angels. The Grey Woman and the Thin Woman were so incensed at being answered that they married the two Philosophers. In creator (and Scandal writer) Paul William Daviess For the People, a group of eager young attorneys begin their first day at U.S. District Court in Manhattan, where half of them have been chosen to work as prosecutors and half to work as public defenders. These newbies are the cream of the crop, including BFFs Sandra Bell (Britt Robertson of Girlboss) and Allison Adams (Jasmin Savoy Brown of The Lefovers), who work together as public defenders under the watchful eye of their boss, Jill Carlan (Hope Davis), who constantly reminds her team that public defenders in federal cases seldom see a win for their clients. Instead, theyre encouraged to bring back small victories in the form of plea deals and reduced sentences. For the People starts from the idea that the prosecutors arent as coldhearted as they seem, nor are the public defenders as noble. Just like the mayor has done nothing about housing, I dont think she has done anything about education, said Johnson, a 74-year-old Northeast resident who lives with her daughter and 8-year-old grandson. She has all the responsibility, and I would like to see the school board back, because you are asking someone to run a school system who has never taught . . . never been a principal and doesnt have degrees in education. Weeks after pulling out two of its ministers from Narendra Modi government, N Chandrababu Naidu-led Telugu Desam Party today officially quit the NDA. Earlier this month, two TDP ministers - Ashok Gajapati Raju and Y S Chowdary - had resigned over the demand of Special Category Status to Andhra Pradesh. Former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh had promised Andhra Pradesh Special Category Status or SCS after the Centre had carved out a new state -Telangana. However, the current dispensation ruled out that possibility after 14th Finance Commission removed SCS concept. TDP today issued a statement, saying that 'the party will also move a no-confidence motion against the Modi government over the injustice meted out to the state'. Later, TDP MP Thota Narasimham moved a no-confidence motion in the Lok Sabha. "We go according to principles. Our leader felt being part of NDA and moving a no-confidence motion would not be ethical. So we withdrew from the NDA and I have issued a letter on no-confidence motion to the speaker at 9.30 am," Narasimham said. The BJP have 274 members in the 536-member Lok Sabha and enjoys support of allies. LIVE UPDATES 13:10 pm: Congress MP Shashi Tharoor on TDP's no-confidence motion: When a no-confidence motion is moved 50 MPs should stand in its support & 50 MPs stood, but Speaker said it cannot be considered as House is not in order. So, I want to ask what does govt fear? They have huge majority in Lok Sabha: Congress' Shashi Tharoor on today's proceedings pic.twitter.com/dZ2x7xyjtQ - ANI (@ANI) March 16, 2018 12:15 pm: The Lok Sabha adjourned for the day after TDP, YSR Congress, AIADMK and RJD protested over various issues, including the banking scam and special status for Andhra Pradesh. #Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) MPs storm the well of #LokSabha over their demands, following which speaker adjourned the House till Monday. pic.twitter.com/Gp6OIhuCHh - ANI (@ANI) March 16, 2018 11:50 am: Congress leader Renuka Chowdhury says committed to people of AP Our commitment to people of AP continues & this govt has no business to take away that right of ours. It is only right that we fight collectively, it is the principle we are fighting on. Centre has exposed itself and that it does not stand by any ally: Renuka Chowdhury. 11:32 am: Even if guided by political compulsion, TDP had to yet again follow YSR Congress Party's lead of moving no confidence motion against the central government for not granting Special Category Status to Andhra Pradesh: YSR Congress Party President Jagan Mohan Reddy. 11:30 am: After 4 years of relentless struggle and fight by YSR Congress Party with people's support for Special Category Status; finally the nation, including N Chandrababu Naidu's TDP wakes up: YSR Congress Party President Jagan Mohan Reddy. 10:10 am: WB Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee welcomes TDP's decision to quit NDA I welcome the TDP's decision to leave the NDA. The current situation warrants such action to save the country from disaster. I appeal to all political parties in the Opposition to work closely together against atrocities, economic calamity and political instability: Mamata Banerjee 09:45 am: TDP MP Thota Narasimham moved a no-confidence motion in the Lok Sabha. "We go according to principles. Our leader felt being part of NDA and moving a no-confidence motion would not be ethical. So we withdrew from the NDA and I have issued a letter on no-confidence motion to the speaker at 9.30 am," Narasimham said. The development comes just a day after YSR Congress Party on Thursday announced that it would move no-confidence motion against the Central Government on Friday. In a tweet it said: "YSR Congress Party moves the No Confidence Motion against the Central Government. For the rights of the people of Andhra Pradesh, we will continue our fight for the Special Category Status." The TDP will write a letter to BJP president Amit Shah and also other constituents of the NDA informing its decision and the reasons for it, the statement said. While the demand for SCS has been on for a couple of years, the recent fallout began after Finance Minister Arun Jaitley in a press conference earlier this month said that giving special category status to Andhra Pradesh was constitutionally not possible after the implementation of the 14th Finance Commission recommendation. However, the TDP was not convinced. Andhra Pradesh CM and TDP chief Chandrababu Naidu accused the government of not honouring its promise. He said: "Arun Jaitley's statement was the last straw. They are apparently predetermined. They don't appear to help the state." Congress created TPS in 1990 to offer temporary humanitarian relief to citizens of countries torn by war, natural disasters or other severe conditions. President George W. Bush granted TPS to Salvadorans in 2001 after a pair of earthquakes devastated parts of their country. Many had come to the United States illegally or overstayed their visas, and the money they sent home helped the nation rebuild. As it turned out, more than 40 officers swarmed the Chalfants neighborhood on Ferrara Drive in the Wheaton area. Chalfant drove there to give officers a front-door key. A SWAT team went in and found no one, leading police to say the incident appears to have been a hoax. The charter bus that struck Hunter is owned by QT Transport, based in Virginia. In a statement released through the American Bus Association, the company expressed its thoughts and prayers for the family and said it will fully cooperate with the Park Police as we work to find the cause of this accident. A representative did not comment further. Weeks after pulling out two of its ministers from Narendra Modi government, N Chandrababu Naidu-led Telugu Desam Party today officially quit the NDA. Earlier this month, two TDP ministers - Ashok Gajapati Raju and Y S Chowdary - had resigned over the demand of Special Category Status to Andhra Pradesh. Former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh had promised Andhra Pradesh Special Category Status or SCS after the Centre had carved out a new state -Telangana. However, the current dispensation ruled out that possibility after 14th Finance Commission removed SCS concept. TDP today issued a statement, saying that 'the party will also move a no-confidence motion against the Modi government over the injustice meted out to the state'. Later, TDP MP Thota Narasimham moved a no-confidence motion in the Lok Sabha. "We go according to principles. Our leader felt being part of NDA and moving a no-confidence motion would not be ethical. So we withdrew from the NDA and I have issued a letter on no-confidence motion to the speaker at 9.30 am," Narasimham said. The BJP have 274 members in the 536-member Lok Sabha and enjoys support of allies. LIVE UPDATES 13:10 pm: Congress MP Shashi Tharoor on TDP's no-confidence motion: When a no-confidence motion is moved 50 MPs should stand in its support & 50 MPs stood, but Speaker said it cannot be considered as House is not in order. So, I want to ask what does govt fear? They have huge majority in Lok Sabha: Congress' Shashi Tharoor on today's proceedings pic.twitter.com/dZ2x7xyjtQ - ANI (@ANI) March 16, 2018 12:15 pm: The Lok Sabha adjourned for the day after TDP, YSR Congress, AIADMK and RJD protested over various issues, including the banking scam and special status for Andhra Pradesh. #Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) MPs storm the well of #LokSabha over their demands, following which speaker adjourned the House till Monday. pic.twitter.com/Gp6OIhuCHh - ANI (@ANI) March 16, 2018 11:50 am:Congress leader Renuka Chowdhury says committed to people of AP Our commitment to people of AP continues & this govt has no business to take away that right of ours. It is only right that we fight collectively, it is the principle we are fighting on. Centre has exposed itself and that it does not stand by any ally: Renuka Chowdhury. 11:32 am: Even if guided by political compulsion, TDP had to yet again follow YSR Congress Party's lead of moving no confidence motion against the central government for not granting Special Category Status to Andhra Pradesh: YSR Congress Party President Jagan Mohan Reddy. 11:30 am: After 4 years of relentless struggle and fight by YSR Congress Party with people's support for Special Category Status; finally the nation, including N Chandrababu Naidu's TDP wakes up: YSR Congress Party President Jagan Mohan Reddy. 10:10 am: WB Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee welcomes TDP's decision to quit NDA I welcome the TDP's decision to leave the NDA. The current situation warrants such action to save the country from disaster. I appeal to all political parties in the Opposition to work closely together against atrocities, economic calamity and political instability: Mamata Banerjee 09:45 am: TDP MP Thota Narasimham moved a no-confidence motion in the Lok Sabha. "We go according to principles. Our leader felt being part of NDA and moving a no-confidence motion would not be ethical. So we withdrew from the NDA and I have issued a letter on no-confidence motion to the speaker at 9.30 am," Narasimham said. The development comes just a day after YSR Congress Party on Thursday announced that it would move no-confidence motion against the Central Government on Friday. In a tweet it said: "YSR Congress Party moves the No Confidence Motion against the Central Government. For the rights of the people of Andhra Pradesh, we will continue our fight for the Special Category Status." The TDP will write a letter to BJP president Amit Shah and also other constituents of the NDA informing its decision and the reasons for it, the statement said. While the demand for SCS has been on for a couple of years, the recent fallout began after Finance Minister Arun Jaitley in a press conference earlier this month said that giving special category status to Andhra Pradesh was constitutionally not possible after the implementation of the 14th Finance Commission recommendation. However, the TDP was not convinced. Andhra Pradesh CM and TDP chief Chandrababu Naidu accused the government of not honouring its promise. He said: "Arun Jaitley's statement was the last straw. They are apparently predetermined. They don't appear to help the state." Embattled liquor tycoon Vijay Mallya on Friday appeared before a UK court here in his extradition case for one of its final hearings. The 62-year-old, who is on trial at the Westminster Magistrates' Court to rule if he can be extradited to India to face charges of fraud and money laundering amounting to around Rs 9,000 crores, is on bail until April 2. Though he was not obliged to attend the hearing on Friday, Mallya still appeared in court. Judge Emma Arbuthnot is expected to rule on the admissibility of evidence presented by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), on behalf of the Indian government and set a timeframe for her final verdict. At the last hearing in January, Mallya's counsel, Clare Montgomery, had argued that evidence that was claimed as a "blueprint of dishonesty" by the CPS was in fact privileged conversation between Mallya and his lawyer about "legal advice in clear contemplation of litigation" and hence should be inadmissible. On a separate category of evidence presented by the Indian government, Mallya's team questioned the reliability of investigating officers in the case and pointed to over 150 pages of "near identical material" purporting to be statement of witnesses taken under Section 161 of the Indian CrPC. "They do not appear to be in any way an account of things that witnesses would have said but rather seem to be somebody else's analysis put into the mouths of the witnesses, down to the spelling mistakes," Montgomery said, adding that the documents were "identically reproduced" with not only the same words but also the same typing errors. After the defence has completed its arguments, the CPS will respond against the claim of "absence of a strong prima facie case on grounds of iniquity". Judge Arbuthnot had also sought further clarifications related to availability of natural light and medical assistance at Barrack 12 of Mumbai Central Prison on Arthur Road, where Mallya is to be held if he is extradited from Britain. According to Indian authorities, these clarifications have been provided to the court. The extradition trial, which opened at the London court on December 4, is aimed at laying out a prima facie case of fraud against the tycoon, who has been based in the UK since he left India in March 2016. It also seeks to prove that there are no "bars to extradition" and that Mallya is assured a fair trial in India over his now-defunct Kingfisher Airlines' alleged default of over Rs 9,000 crore in loans from a consortium of Indian banks. The CPS, representing the Indian government, has argued that the evidence they have presented confirms "dishonesty" on the part of the businessman and that there are no bars to him being extradited from the UK to face Indian courts. Mallya's defence team has deposed a series of expert witnesses to claim he had no "fraudulent" intentions and that he is unlikely to get a fair trial in India. Mallya was arrested by Scotland Yard on an extradition warrant in April 2017 and has been out on bail on a bond worth 650,000 pounds. Chief Magistrate Arbuthnot is expected to pronounce her verdict in the case by May this year. If she rules in favour of the Indian government, the UK home secretary will have two months to sign Mallya's extradition order. However, both sides will have the chance to appeal in higher courts in the UK against the chief magistrate's verdict. Leslie Pott, Sandozs vice president of communications, explained that Kerydin is patent-protected and priced at parity with its one market competitor, Jublia. She also pointed out that to secure a place on an insurers list of approved drugs its formulary the drugmaker often had to offer substantial discounts to insurers and various middlemen. We have no visibility into the extent to which these discounts are passed onto patients or payers, she wrote in an email. In the wake of the Rs 13,000 crore PNB fraud, this week saw senior officials of all public sector banks meeting up in the capital for a three-day workshop. Attended by the chief technology officers, chief risk officers and executive directors of the state-owned banks, the workshop's agenda was to reportedly look at the existing risk management mechanism in place and figure out ways to strengthen it by adopting best practices. The meeting came about as a result of the finance ministry's February 27 directives to the public sector banks (PSBs) to come out with a pre-emptive action plan within 15 days to identify gaps and gear up in tackling operation and technological risks. Addressing the media after the workshop, M.S. Sastry, deputy managing director and chief risk officer, State Bank of India, said that the banks have drawn up action plans to "to further strengthen the controls in the areas of trade finance, SWIFT, credit risk, operational risk besides cyber and IT risks". He added that the formulated plans will now be submitted before the respective boards and will be implemented by all banks "in three to six months". For instance, according to The Business Standard, PSBs will now discourage multiple banking arrangements for large loans since the banks involved are not aware of the transactions that take place between the borrower and other lenders. "In case of multiple banking arrangements there is no discipline. There will, preferably, be consortium lending for loans above Rs 2.5 billion [Rs 250 crore]," Sastry told the daily, adding that all existing accounts with exposure of above this ceiling will also be moved to consortium lending. The latter is expected to facilitate better control and coordination since there will be common documentation and collateral, plus the cash management facility will be entrusted to one bank in the consortium. The report added that PSBs have decided to tighten lending to corporates by asking promoters to give equity upfront while the quality of equity will be assessed by verifying the loss absorption capacity of firms. Significantly, PSBs will also deter from funding the interest during the construction period. Another key decision taken at the workshop was to integrate SWIFT with the core banking system (CBS) latest by April 30 this year. CBS refers to system where all branches are inter-connected and all the transactions are updated real-time. However, the PNB officials - who fraudulently issued the LoUs - had bypassed the CBS and used a messaging system called SWIFT, which was not integrated with it. A senior bank executive told the daily that currently only 3-4 PSU banks, out of 21 in total, have fully integrated SBS with SWIFT. Sastry added that further controls have now been put in place that includes additional layer of approval for all outward SWIFT messages and restricting such transactions to bank business hours. Moreover, each bank will not only establish Onsite Cyber Security Operation Centre (C-SOC) to monitor all the IT systems but will also bring all software applications under the control of corporate centre of its IT department to ensure there is no misuse of system. Another point in the action plan is to organise branch-level risk awareness workshops at PSBs to create awareness among employees. Banks will not only henceforth strengthen their 'know your employees' systems, but reportedly also encourage whistleblowing. According to R.K. Gupta, executive director, Bank of Maharashtra, these revised processes are robust and will go a long way in checking fraud. (With PTI inputs) Shipping containers were developed in the 1950s as an efficient and economical means of moving substantial amounts of cargo by sea. Because the United States imports far more than it exports, most of the containers used to ship goods to the United States sit empty and unused at our nations ports, including Baltimore. The ports would love to find a way to rid themselves of these boxes as they take up valuable space. Mukesh Ambani, Chairman and Managing Director of Reliance Industries Limited, said that his daughter Isha had seeded the idea of telecom venture Jio in 2011. Talking at an award ceremony in London, Ambani, the richest Indian, said his daughter once complained about the slow internet speed, and this inspired him to enter the broadband internet arena. Reliance Jio Infocomm (Jio), which was launched in September 2016, is the fourth largest carrier in India. Jio offers free lifetime voice call services and mobile data at dirt cheap rates. "My children, Isha and Akash, belong to India's young generation that is far more creative, far more ambitious and far more impatient to become the best in the world. These young Indians convinced me that broadband internet is the defining technology of our age and India cannot be left behind," he said, while delivering his acceptance speech for the 'Drivers of Change' award at the Financial Times ArcelorMittal Boldness in Business Awards. He added that Indian mobile networks in 2011 suffered from poor connectivity and data packages were artificially priced at a premium, which made them unaffordable for most. With the entry of Jio, data was not only made abundant, but also accessible and affordable to all Indians. He went on to add that while the US and Europe had ushered 1G and 2G connectivity, respectively, before China leapfrogged with 3G, Jio's 4G LTE-only data network opened up new possibilities. "Jio has already become the biggest game changer in India and will make India a leader in 4G in 2019," he said. "The entire Indian telecom industry took 25 years to build a pan-India 2G network. We (Jio) took just three years to build a 4G LTE network, which is much larger and far more advanced. We are also 5G-ready today," Ambani said. He has reportedly pumped in more than $31 billion to break into India's mobile-phone market. He said that Jio's endeavour with high-quality data at the lowest price in the world -- at almost one-tenth the prices of the US -- has resulted in the migration of 300,000 to 500,000 Indians daily on its network. "This has made Jio the biggest start-up in India's history," said Ambani. He added that Jio is also offering the "world's most affordable 4G LTE smartphone" that is available for free with a deposit of Rs 1,500 in order to capture the feature phone market in India. "In the next few years, Jio will empower the equivalent of two-thirds of Europe's population to enjoy world-class digital services in India," he said, adding that with everyone getting access to internet, India will be among the first to graduate to the Internet of Everything. Jio is also preparing itself to offer newer data-heavy services that can connect homes, businesses, and cars to the internet. With Jio, India has jumped from 155 to No. 1 ranking, globally, in mobile broadband data consumption in less than two years. Reliance Industries was felicitated for "commitment to innovations and growth in the areas of hydrocarbon exploration and production, petroleum refining and marketing, petrochemicals, retail and 4G digital services." Ambani said that his late father Dhirubhai Ambani was the original 'Driver of Change' in India's business history, stating that the legendary industrialist founded Reliance Industries Ltd (RIL) in 1966 with a meager capital of Rs 1,000. Today, RIL is an over $50 billion group. Notably, Charlie Company had lost 28 soldiers during the recent Tet Offensive to land mines, booby traps and snipers. Numerous soldiers reported that, in the briefing the day before the My Lai operation, Capt. Ernest Medina told his three platoons they had a chance for revenge: The civilians would have departed for Quang Ngai City on that market day, and Army intelligence reported that more than 200 forces from the Viet Congs 48th Local Force Battalion lay embedded at My Lai 4. When U.S. troops began their assault, they expected to encounter only the enemy. And they were driven by fear, frustration, vengeance, racial hatred and the determination to shoot first as the chief means to survive against a force twice their size. Free-speech hawk Nat Hentoff helped bring attention to what he saw as a campus chilling effect with a 1990 Washington Post essay. Students at various campuses have told me that they have learned to keep their heretical ideas on such subjects, for example, as affirmative action and abortion to themselves rather than be treated as pariahs. He wrote about a controversy at New York Universitys law school, where students had refused to represent a man in a mock trial who was suing for sole custody of his young daughter because the childs mother lived with her lesbian partner. One refusenik said, Writing arguments on the side of the petitioner is hurtful to a group of people and thus hurtful to all of us. Hentoff thought law students, of all people, should prioritize free speech, and he believed that the college kids were beginning to shield themselves from views they deemed offensive. He cast the fight over political correctness as a contest between civil liberties (individual rights) and civil rights (groups rights) and thought the university, where individuals sought truth, should prize the former over the latter. The sanctions were the first such actions taken under legislation passed nearly unanimously last year by Congress and follow months of criticism that the White House has been slow to counter Russian aggression. But the steps taken Thursday fell well short of the full penalties Congress authorized and focused on a narrow list of targets rather than the broader range of individuals and entities believed to have played a role in Russias efforts to interfere in the election. The difficult problem is intelligence agencies work aside from the law. So our job doing oversight is really to do our level best to keep them within the law, Feinstein said on Tuesday. And fortunately the law, thanks to Senator McCain, has been changed. And torture is now illegal in the United States. Thats with specificity. And I think thats important. So its a different day. Russia has never paid a direct cost for its actions in Syria, said Emile Hokayem, a senior fellow for Middle East security at the International Institute for Strategic Studies. Its current strategy is to escalate things precisely to drive home the point that there is no possible counterescalation, and that ultimately, as long as Russia can shape battlefield dynamics, then they will always get away with what they are doing militarily. Since taking office, Duterte has threatened to block the franchise renewal of ABS-CBN, a major television station that at times has been critical of police-led violence linked to his anti-drug campaign. He also has taken aim at the Philippine Daily Inquirers coverage. Im not trying to scare you, but one day karma will catch up with you, the president warned both outlets in March 2017. Our quarrel is with Putins Kremlin, and with his decision and we think it overwhelmingly likely that it was his decision to direct the use of a nerve agent on the streets of the U.K., on the streets of Europe for the first time since the Second World War, Johnson said during a visit to a museum in London. The mathematical (and other) thoughts of a (now retired) math teacher, The President of the Republic, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, is establishing ranches in some parts of the country, aimed at finding an amicable, lasting solution to the Fulani herdsman menace. According to the President, everybody in this country has been very disturbed by the activities of Fulani herdsmen. We hear about the fights that have been going in different parts of the country Ashanti, Volta Region, Eastern Region. They are very disturbing. Therefore, finding a solution is one of the big concerns of my government. President Akufo-Addo made this known on Wednesday 14th March, 2018, when a delegation from the National Council of Fulani Chiefs in Ghana paid a courtesy call on him at the Flagstaff House, in Accra. Making reference to the work undertaken by the 2nd President of the 4th Republic, His Excellency John Agyekum Kufuor, and his government, in resolving the issue of the herdsmen, President Akufo-Addo lamented the discontinuation of the work by successive governments. But, we (NPP) are back, and we are determined to find a solution. We want to have a solution that will protect everybody, the herdsmen, their cattle and the communities in which they work. Because, if we do not have that understanding, having to work together becomes very difficult, the President said. He, nonetheless, commended the Chiefs for their sense of responsibility, adding you have shown yourselves to be Chiefs who are responsible for their people and their communities. Continuing, President Akufo-Addo said he was very encouraged by the offer of the taskforce, that we work together through your community and with the law enforcement agencies to make sure that anybody who wants to misbehave is appropriately dealt with as the law prescribes. The President requested that some of the Chiefs from the Fulani National Council be made part of the Joint Committee, under the Ministry of Agriculture, that is seeing to the establishment of Kraals. This will ensure that we are a co-operative that can go about making sure that, in future, we have peace, he added. On his part, Alhaji Idriss, spokesperson for the Council of Fulani Chiefs, expressed gratitude to the President for the invitation, which, according to them, is the first time any President has met the Chiefs and leadership of Fulanis in Ghana, to deliberate on issues that affect the security of Ghana. He expressed worry about the loss of lives and properties in areas where there has been confrontations between Fulanis and the community. He said the continued occurrence and re-occurrence of the confrontations between nomadic herdsmen and crop farmers and other crimes that has been associated with Fulani and the Fulani ethnic groupings is giving us sleepless nights. These activities have portrayed the Fulani in a very negative light, thus, making it look like the Fulani community is in conflict with Mother Ghana. We do not support these blatantly criminal activities. He, however, appreciated the effort thus far by government to ensure peaceful co-existence with Fulanis. Concluding, the National Council of Fulani Chiefs pledged to co-operate with Government to ensure peaceful co-existence in Ghana. Source: Peacefmonline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video BRIDGEPORT Its not very often that you see people in downtown Bridgeport wearing dark suits, white shirts, sunglasses and skinny black ties. But that was the scene Thursday when an attempt was made to contact aliens in flying saucers using for lack of a better term mind waves. It might take three months or so for us to hear back from the aliens, said Bridgeport librarian Michael Bielawa. We dont really know how fast thought waves travel through space. In the 1950s, flying saucers and mental telepathy were all the rage. People went in droves to see movies like The Man from Planet X and Invaders from Mars. It was in this backdrop of fascination with life on other planets that Bridgeport resident and UFO researcher Albert K. Bender, along with about 600 members of his International Flying Saucer Bureau, attempted to contact beings from outer space using so-called mind waves back in 1953. Bielawa observed the 65th anniversary of Benders Contact Day Thursday with a public reading of the UFO fanatics original Calling Occupants of Interplanetary Craft proclamation an attempt to replicate the mental call out to whatever space creatures were roaming near enough to Bridgeport to pick up the transmission. Benders contact day took place on March 15, 1953, said Bielawa, whose book, Wicked Bridgeport, explores some of quirky and nutty characters of the Park Citys past. If the phrase Calling Occupants of Interplanetary Craft sounds familiar, its because it was a pop hit released by The Carpenters in 1977 and by the Canadian group, Klaatu, a year earlier. Thursdays brief ceremony began at 12:15 p.m. across the street from the site of Albert Benders home long since demolished for the Connecticut Turnpike at the corner of Broad Street and North Frontage Road. It took place in the nearby bookstore lobby of Housatonic Community College owing to the blustery weather outdoors. It was Bender who came up with the term Men in Black, Bielawa said. Most people have heard about Men in Black, but what they dont know is that it all originated right here in downtown Bridgeport. Men in Black Made in Bridgeport. Benders black-clad men in sunglasses avatars of paranoia were behind the inspiration for the Columbia Pictures trilogy that kicked off with Men in Black in 1997 starring Will Smith (Agent J) and Tommy Lee Jones (Agent K). There were two other flicks in the series, Men in Black II and Men in Black 3. Bielawa said that on March 15, 1953, Bender and the 600 members of his International Flying Saucer Bureau at the exact same time and from their own homes all projected this thought: Calling occupants of interplanetary craft we of the IFSB wish to make contact with you. We are your friends and would like you to make an appearance here on Earth. Three months later, Bender was visited, he said, by three men in black suits, who urged him to stop his UFO contacting efforts. At first he thought the three were FBI agents, but he soon came to believe the MIBs were not of this Earth. They departed Benders garret (his parents lived on the first two floors) in a sulfurous fog, he said. Benders living space was filled with the peculiar and the eccentric. There were 20 clocks that chimed every 15 minutes in a cacophony of bells and gongs. Skulls, shrunken heads and other oddities completed the picture. Nine years later Bender wrote the book Flying Saucers and the Three Men, which is still in print. Its considered one of the most influential UFOlogist books of the Atom Age; an original first edition can fetch $100 today. Bielawa said he hopes March 15 will become an annual Men in Black Day in Bridgeport, perhaps with the showing of schlocky sci-fi movies like Invasion of the Saucer-Men and Cosmic Monsters. And hes hoping the southeast corner of Broad Street and Frontage Road will soon have a historical marker commemorating Benders Home, the place where he cooked up many of his ideas about interplanetary communications using thought waves. World Contact Day is still observed by UFO enthusiasts every March 15th. GREENWICH Greenwich High School administrators and students said this weeks rally for school safety empowered teenagers at the school to make their voices heard on subjects important to them. What was really so powerful about this event was all of us together in one room united around a common goal, said Willa Doss, a member of GHS student government. We were able to put aside partisan differences because school safety we believe is an innately apolitical issue. Students and teachers being killed is something all of us recognize is an issue we need to act on. Sophie Lindh, a member of student government, added that after the rally students, even those who had been reluctant to go, came out inspired and eager to get involved. Thats exactly what we wanted from this, Lindh said. Student leaders and administrators met with members of the media Thursday morning to discuss the previous days rally, and to defend decisions to hold it inside the school and to not allow live press coverage, subjects that have come under some criticism. This was a conscious decision made by the administration, I think all of us completely supported it, Doss said of the choice not to allow media coverage. School administrators released a video of the event later in the day Wednesday. While we are all strong advocates of freedom of the press, this was an event that was about the students and about our GHS community and family. Without the media there it allowed it to be a lot more intimate, and what we wanted to accomplish together. Doss said she was a little disappointed to see much of the coverage of the event focused on the media ban. More for you GHS holds 'unity rally' for school safety The rally was one of thousands of events that took place across the nation Wednesday, including student walk-outs, protest rallies in Washington D.C. and outside Trump Tower in New York City, and moments of remembrance in honor of 17 students and staff murdered last month in a mass shooting in Parkland, Florida. Television crews from coast to coast Wednesday broadcast images of students leaving their schools, holding up signs and demanding that lawmakers do something to help bring about an end to gun violence. GHS was one of several schools, including some others in the region, that chose not to hold a walkout protest but instead an indoor unity rally, a decision that raised eyebrows in some circles, garnered praise in others. Students Thursday said they made the decision about the type of rally they would hold in conjunction with school and district administrators, and the event was organized, created and executed entirely by them. Wednesdays rally was moving event for them, and brought them together during a difficult time in a way that a walkout would not have been to do, they said. We had 2,700 kids come together in one room under one roof, which is something that really no other school that I know of can do, said Greg Goldstein, GHS student body president. If you have kids scattered all over campus, you arent able to have a message heard. We were able to have our message heard. We were able to come together and show how we grieve for those in Parkland and get the message across that enough is enough. Alissa Landberg, senior class president, added, If we had a protest and we had a walkout, we would have had people walking out of every random door and it wouldnt have been as strong as it was. Lindh noted pictures and posts about the rally went viral and were even picked up by CNN for broadcast. Goldstein and others said they hoped by bringing everyone together it would inspire further action. Our main argument in the rally was about youth advocacy and how no matter what side of the aisle you stand on you can get involved and have your voice heard, Goldstein said. Voter turnout among kids our age is on a straight decline and we want to get that going back up. ... While gun control is a part of school safety, our mission was not to focus straight on gun control but how you can get involved as a person. A decision was made that this would be an event for our students and staff, said Greeniwch high Headmaster Chris Winters. We wanted to keep it a closed event for that reason This was a student-led rally. I had a very small part in organizing and speaking because it was meant to be student voices who were heard. It was a great example of students putting aside their politics but coming together around a message that we need to do more in our schools to keep us safe. We dont want students coming to school feeling unsafe. While the adults bicker about how to get that done, the students are saying enough is enough. HARTFORD Legalization of recreational marijuana in this election year seems distant, as a bill about regulating the drug limped through the General Law Committee on Thursday. In a public hearing, lawmakers voiced many concerns about regulating recreational use, sales, commercial and personal growing, and the impact of a recreational industry on the states burgeoning medical marijuana operations. I suspect this is still a ways off, but this is a conversation to determine how to go forward, said Sen. Carlo Leone, D-Stamford, a co-chair of the committee. While chairman of the committee Rep. Mike DAgostino, D-Hamden, called regulating recreational use vital a in press conference before the hearing, his view was not matched by many. Sen. John Kissel, R-Enfield, who has served on the committee for nearly two decades, listed off many worries about the proposal, like how could regulators track that individuals are only growing the six plants permitted in their backyard? How would they measure and test the potency of the marijuana, like alcohol? I dont want our state to turn into the wild west of marijuana, said Kissel, who also opposed the states legalization of medical pot in 2012. Rep. Josh Elliot, D-Hamden, has been a vocal proponent of legalization and testified his support before the General Law Committee Thursday. But even Elliot says he is not hopeful legalization will happen this session. More for you Dan Haar: Legal pot debate is over the day Mass. sales start Given that the make up of the legislature is the same as it was last year, there is no reason to believe we are going to have a different outcome, he said. However if we can get some good work done this year in creating the infrastructure for the regulatory framework, that gives us less work to do next year, assuming we have the numbers. Advocates for legalization say now is this time to act on recreational marijuana, however. Recreational, non-medical marijuana stores in Massachusetts will open for business as soon as July. According to studies, one in seven Connecticut residents already use marijuana, said Sam Tracy, director of the Connecticut Coalition to Regulate Marijuana. Marijuana prohibition has lasted 80 years. Yet, it has been just as much of a failure as Americas short-lived experiment with alcohol prohibition, wrote Senate President Pro Tempore Martin Looney, D-New Haven, in testimony. It is time we take the rational, common-sense approach to marijuana, as we did with alcohol: regulating and taxing it. The Marijuana Policy Project predicts legalization could bring $166 million a year to the state from Connecticut residents alone, based on a flat tax of $50 per ounce and regular sales taxes. If passed, Connecticut would become the 10th state to allow recreational marijuana use. Marijuana is less addictive and less harmful than at least three other substances - alcohol, tobacco and opioid medication - that we legalize and regulate in Connecticut, said Rep. Steven Stafstrom, D-Bridgeport. I support that effort so that we can bring the sale and regulation of marijuana out of the shadows and off our streets. General Law is not the only committee talking about recreational pot this session; bills dealing with taxing marijuana and other aspects of recreational use are being discussed by the Appropriations and Judiciary committees this session. Out of all of the committees that are going to hear it, this is probably going to be the least contentious one because this the one thats just, if we were to do it, what would the framework look like? said Elliot. Judiciary is going to be a total nightmare. General Law will vote on its bill dealing with legalization by Tuesday, with the other committees following with votes in April. While up or down votes in committee dont kill the bill they only result in a favorable or unfavorable recommendation to the House or Senate they are a good indication of how successful a bill may be later. Rep. Daniel Rovero, D-Killingly, joked to advocates: I have to vote on this sooner or later and somewhere you have to supply us with some samples... I love brownies. But I gave them up for Lent. But Easter is only a few weeks away. Kennebunk Post Extensive work on the steeple, the Aaron Willard Jr. clock and the weathervane of the 1824 building is complete. Rickie was one in a million Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 15/3/2018 (1286 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. A decade ago, the outlook was bleak for renowned Altona book printer, Friesens Corporation. The first e-reader was marketed by Amazon in 2007, the global economy tanked in 2008 and China emerged as a cheap competitor in book printing, sending business offshore. "We had this digital threat, foreign threat and economic threat, all three of those had a tremendous impact on publishing and on Friesens," said Chad Friesen, who was appointed CEO last October. But the march of ebooks hasnt wiped out paper, as many predicted. In fact, ebook sales in North America plateaued the past two years at about 20 per cent of the market, and even dipped slightly last year. Meantime, hardcover books Friesens stock in trade went on a little surge. They have climbed seven per cent in each of the past two years in North America. Friesens is a privately owned company and the CEO wouldnt divulge its sales figures except to say its gains were comparable. "Were thrilled," Friesen said. "We feel like were hitting on all cylinders." While it may be too early to run the "Paper wins! Paper wins!" headlines, no one was predicting this. To meet rising demand, Friesens has gone on a hiring spree. A total of 36 employees were hired from the Philippines last year, and another 40 are in the pipeline and expected to arrive soon. As well, the company has reinvested $7 million into two top-end bookbinding lines, the kind of shopping spree the company wouldnt have made five years ago, Friesen said. But there were tough times. Many book printers and bookbinders left the sector between 2008-12. "There was a kind of hollowing out of the book-printing market," Friesen said. At Friesens, the private company staved off layoffs in part because its employee-owned. "Employee-owners made some concessions on compensation," including a pay cut, Friesen said. Key to the turnaround, Friesen said, was the corporation maintained its sales force. When the economy started to recover it positioned Friesens more quickly in the market than companies that cut sales staff. The company also started two new product lines. In 2009, it entered self-publishing services, where it helps people publish their own work. The same year it started a specialized packaging company, think4D. Think4D is a plastic packaging company using patented thermoforming technology. Friesens purchased the technology from the developer and holds the patent until 2025. Its decorative packaging that can not only be contoured but gives texture, and has been used by global brands on everything from Gillette womens razors to kids toys. (Its called 4D instead of 3D because it incorporates a fourth dimension, the sense of touch, into packaging.) "Its still print. We come from a print space so we were able to apply some of those capabilities to packaging," Friesen said. It meant repurposing some employees, but Friesens today has virtually the same number of employees, 570, as back in 2007. "It hasnt been that weve just held the same people that we had in 2007 and they are in the same types of roles. Theres been a dramatic change in roles," Friesen said. The two new businesses combined make up more than 10 per cent of the companys gross sales today. CEO Friesen is no relation to the founding family of that name. David Friesen, the last of the founding family members connected to the company, sits on the companys board. The new employees are largely coming from overseas, as Friesens accesses the provincial nominee program. Thats a surprise. Friesens is one of the top, if not the top-paying employer, in southern Manitoba. Its wages have to stay competitive with unionized printers in Winnipeg. However, it already has about 570 employees in Altona, which has a population 4,167, according to the 2016 census. "We have a very difficult time just finding enough people. Were running 24/6 four full-time shifts," Friesen said. Employees work two 12-hour shifts one week, followed by four 12-hour shifts the following week. The company started foreign recruitment about three years ago, and the first arrivals included people from Syria, Venezuela and China. Lately, it has focused its efforts on the Philippines. Want to get a head start on your day? Get the days breaking stories, weather forecast, and more sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. Ron Funk, the vice-chair of Morden Chamber of Commerce, said most major companies are having to access the provincial nominee program for employees in the Pembina Valley. "Everybodys suffering from the same thing. They desperately need workers," Funk said. Foreign workers can arrive within weeks or months after recruitment, and receive the same compensation as any other employee. However, it costs the company extra for recruitment. Those costs include travelling overseas to recruit workers, reimbursing the new arrivals their airfare and assisting them to get settled. They receive funds from the Canada-Manitoba Job Grant to help pay for training initiatives like English language or essential skills training, but 55 per cent of the costs are still borne by the company and the classroom is on the company site, Friesen said. bill.redekop@freepress.mb.ca After seeing her father killed by rebels in South Sudan, growing up in a refugee camp and then moving to the other side of the world by herself, Rebecca Riak is a survivor on a mission. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 16/3/2018 (1285 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. After seeing her father killed by rebels in South Sudan, growing up in a refugee camp and then moving to the other side of the world by herself, Rebecca Riak is a survivor on a mission. Shes trying to get more mental-health supports for refugees who resettle in Manitoba. "We are very good at giving them food and clothing and shelter, but there are other things they need," said Riak, who completed her Grade 12 in Kakuma refugee camp in Kenya and was awarded a World University Service of Canada scholarship in 2013 to attend the University of Winnipeg. She has organized an event Saturday afternoon at the U of W to raise awareness of the need for more mental-health supports for refugee newcomers. "Im not saying refugees are mentally ill. Im just saying we need to add that to the list," said Riak, adding she made it through her own rough patch a few years ago. "If we were to meet, you couldnt tell that anything is going on in my life. We dont know a lot about what is going on in the background." For a young international student on her own far from home, there was a lot going on in her background in 2015. Thats when her mother, who was at the refugee camp, was diagnosed with breast cancer. To get the treatment to fight it, she had to be in Nairobi. With no income, travel documents or health coverage, it was up to Riek to save her mom and younger siblings. Riak scaled back her time in school and got more hours at her residential support-worker job to move them to the Kenyan capital and to pay for their support and her mothers cancer fight. "One chemo treatment costs $850 and she had to do 12. The mastectomy cost $5,000." Her mother survived, but Riak isnt sure how she did, with so much to worry about. "Maybe through Gods grace I made it," said Riak, who now has two jobs and is working toward two university degrees. Helping refugees who need mental-health services now will pay dividends in the future, she said. "They can welcome other refugees and heal each other." Canada owes it to them and its a good investment, agreed immigration researcher Lori Wilkinson. "With refugees, we signed an international agreement saying we will settle 11,000 to 14,000 refugees per year," the director of Immigration Research West at the University of Manitoba said. "If we want to resettle people successfully, we need to give them the tools to resettle." The short-term costs are high but the long-term benefits are huge, the U of M sociology professor said. "Most (refugees) come before their 30th birthday," she said, adding the amount of income taxes they pay over a lifetime of work is vastly greater than the cost of government services they receive. Wilkinson is one of the Saturday events speakers, joined by former refugees sharing their personal stories. Want to get a head start on your day? Get the days breaking stories, weather forecast, and more sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. She said she plans to dispel some myths, such as the one about all refugees having mental-health issues. Among non-refugees, around 15 per cent will experience a mental-health issue, said Wilkinson. For refugees, its closer to 20 per cent, she said. Another myth is refugees mental-health issues all stem from traumatic experiences. "Most of the mental-health problems come up six to 24 months after arrival and they mostly have to do with issues of resettlement," Wilkinson said. "Its when they get here and can take a breath and realize, Im not running anymore. Now that Ive stopped running and have a life to look forward to and a little stability, its going to be harder than I imagined. "In Manitoba, theyll give you 10 one-hour counselling sessions but, for many people, thats not enough." carol.sanders@freepress.mb.ca The man who was acquitted of killing 15-year-old Tina Fontaine did not confess to undercover police officers during a Mr. Big sting against him, the Free Press has learned. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 16/3/2018 (1285 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. The man who was acquitted of killing 15-year-old Tina Fontaine did not confess to undercover police officers during a Mr. Big sting against him, the Free Press has learned. "The Mr. Big operation did not produce a confession," confirmed Crown prosecutor James Ross, who handled the case through to the completion of the three-week trial last month. The jury acquitted Raymond Cormier, and Manitoba Justice announced this week the Crowns office wont appeal. The Canadian Press files Raymond Cormier was acquitted of second-degree murder for the August 2014 slaying of Tina Fontaine. Ross spoke highly of the police work that went into Cormiers case. "The police investigation was thorough, comprehensive and well-conducted," Ross said. The jury that decided Raymond Cormier was not guilty of second-degree murder in the teens 2014 death didnt hear any details of the Mr. Big portion of Project Styx, a six-month undercover investigation by the Winnipeg Police Service. It also involved setting up a public housing apartment for Cormier to live in, wiretapping the place with secret probes to record his conversations and equipping an undercover officer with a body-worn recording device as he posed as Cormiers neighbour. The police planned 62 different scenarios in which undercover officers interacted with Cormier, ranging from his "neighbour" saying hello to Cormier in the hallway, to giving him odd jobs to make some cash. One of those scenarios, which played out at the Logan Avenue apartment block, involved a female undercover officer made up to look bloodied and beaten. She posed as an unconscious victim of domestic violence, and Cormier saw her body being carried into a truck and taken away. Police wanted to measure his reaction to seeing a dead body being disposed, but they couldnt determine his reaction. While the scenarios culminated in undercover officers flying Cormier to Vancouver for the Mr. Big operation in B.C., none of that was part of the Crowns case against Cormier. The controversial technique, developed by RCMP in B.C. in the 1990s, involves undercover officers staging crimes to pose as a criminal organization and offering the suspect odd jobs and money to gain their trust. The suspect is groomed to be part of the organization and is eventually asked to meet with the crime boss, "Mr. Big," in a room police equip with secret video cameras to record an expected confession. The suspect is told they must confess to a crime as a way to prove themselves. They are sometimes assured the group can protect them from punishment or destroy evidence that would link them to the crime. In Cormiers case, police ended the undercover investigation without securing a confession. They arrested him and brought him back to Manitoba to face the murder charge. The Crown didnt use the Mr. Big evidence in court, meaning details of the Mr. Big sting arent public. More oversight needed: professor The case is an example of the need for more oversight of police techniques, says Kate Puddister, a University of Guelph political science professor who has studied Mr. Big techniques in Canada. "If the public doesnt have confidence in the criminal justice system, the system ceases to function. If theres no confidence, then theres no perceived legitimacy in the processes. Thats pretty detrimental to society. Kate Puddister In a 2012 study, she found there is very little oversight of police use of Mr. Big operations, particularly when evidence of them isnt brought up in court. "Its really this black box. Unless it comes into court or the media gets wind of it and reports on it, we dont know. Thats what we found in our research: theres no public reporting of this. The oversight from the civilian oversight bodies for various police forces dont have reports on it unless someone complains," she said. Puddister said the public needs to be informed about police investigations, even undercover investigations, to hold police accountable and have faith in the justice system. "We choose to be policed. We police on the notion of consent, so we hold the police to a particular standard. And if theyre not going to engage in investigations in a way that we think is right, its going to be pretty difficult to have confidence in the criminal justice system and confidence in the investigation and confidence in the outcome. If the public doesnt have confidence in the criminal justice system, the system ceases to function. If theres no confidence, then theres no perceived legitimacy in the processes. Thats pretty detrimental to society." Cormier filed LERA complaint Cormier complained about getting caught up in a Mr. Big operation, and the Winnipeg Police Service acknowledged the tactic was one piece of its investigation against him. He launched a Law Enforcement Review Agency complaint against the police service, alleging police fabricated evidence. Part of his concern, court heard during his trial, was that police gave him fake identification bearing the name Sebastian during their undercover operation. Cormier did not want police to use that fake ID to connect him to the name Sebastian, a name Tina used in a 911 call to police before she died in August 2014. He admitted in a prior interview with police, though, that he used to "tell everybody my names Sebastian." Ultimately, the Crown relied on what it considered to be the strongest evidence against Cormier: wiretap conversations in which prosecutors argued he admitted to killing Tina because he found out she was underage and didnt want to be considered a pedophile for being sexually interested in her. Cormiers lawyers offered different interpretations of the wiretaps and argued Cormier didnt kill Tina or have sex with her. No authorization needed for Mr. Big Police dont need judicial authorization from the courts to use Mr. Big techniques. Evidence that is gathered during a Mr. Big operation is presumptively inadmissible in court, based on a 2014 Supreme Court decision, unless the Crown can prove the evidence is important enough to outweigh the prejudice to the accused, who will be shown to have participated in criminal activity along with undercover police. The Supreme Courts ruling didnt ban the practice, but it did restrict how Mr. Big evidence is used in court. "I think theyll probably continue to happen, but with a mindful eye that there are limits to how far the police can go." Amar Khoday Despite those restrictions, police are likely to keep using Mr. Big techniques if they consider them necessary, said University of Manitoba law Prof. Amar Khoday, who has studied controversial Mr. Big confessions. Want to get a head start on your day? Get the days breaking stories, weather forecast, and more sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. "I think theyll probably continue to happen, but with a mindful eye that there are limits to how far the police can go, and if they go beyond a certain point that the Crown believes this might run afoul of the (2014 Supreme Court decision), then they might have to keep it out of evidence and go with what they have. "In some cases, that may be other evidence that they feel can support a conviction, and in other cases, it may be that they dont have it, and they have to decide whether or not to pursue the case," he said. "I think theres an argument to be made that huge public resources are spent on these things, and there is a fair space for the public to debate whether these things should happen or not. "I mean, I have no doubt theres a segment of society maybe a huge segment of society that says its perfectly fine that these things happen within reason, and another side that will say no, these things cost too much money and theres too much of a risk of wrongful conviction or a false confession leading to a wrongful conviction. "But I think these tactics are open for public scrutiny, especially since public funds are spent on it." katie.may@freepress.mb.ca Twitter: @thatkatiemay The Windsor Park Library turned the page onto a new chapter in its history when the doors to its new $4.9-million facility were opened to the community Thursday for the first time. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 15/3/2018 (1286 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. The Windsor Park Library turned the page onto a new chapter in its history when the doors to its new $4.9-million facility were opened to the community Thursday for the first time. Nestled against the backdrop of a spattering of trees on the 1100 block of Archibald Street, the new 8,000 square foot space featuring floor-to-ceiling glass windows and a tile mosaic mural from a local artist, sits a stones throw away from a St. Boniface community pool. In the eyes of Coun. Matt Allard (St. Boniface), its that connection to other public amenities that makes the new library more than just a place to check out books to him, it's an integral part of a new civic campus. "I think this site is really amazing. It is a campus for the mind and a campus for the body, a civic campus. Across the way you have Bonivital Pool where people can exercise their bodies. And here, now, we have Windsor Park Library where people can exercise their minds," Allard said. "Libraries, for me, are the grand equalizer. They are such an important public service. It doesnt matter what your income is, what your religion is, what your creed is, everyone is welcome here. Anyone can access this wealth of information. It really does open up the world to you." At the grand opening Thursday, the community came out see the new space, which over the past two weeks was filled with more than 25,000 items, including books, movies and music. Given that libraries are no longer just a place for books, the facility also features free Wi-Fi, computers for public use, meeting and study spaces, a family literacy playground and more than 80 free programs now open for registration. Architecturally, the space doesnt look like other libraries in the city, with the building built in the shape of a large triangle and decked out with glass walls that provide plentiful natural lighting. RUTH BONNEVILLE / WINNIPEG FREE PRES Mayor Brian Bowman, right, and City Councillor Matt Allard hand out books to officially open the new Windsor Park Library Thursday. Thanks to Winnipeg-based artist Simon Hughes, one of the libraries walls is fixed with a three-metre by six-metre mosaic constructed from more than 60,000 ceramic tiles. At first glance the piece, entitled Tributaries, resembles a large, sprawling maze, but as your eyes settle into it, other hidden images begin to appear. Prior to the unveiling of the new facility, the Windsor Park Library had been closed since Feb. 25, when its original location, built in 1961 on the 900 block of Cottonwood Road, locked its doors for the last time. The fact it had been nearly 60 years since the opening of its original location was noted by Mayor Brian Bowman. Want to get a head start on your day? Get the days breaking stories, weather forecast, and more sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. "Just to put that in perspective: The Beatles were on the cusp of greatness, the U.S. had severed relations with Cuba, The Great One Wayne Gretzky was born, and, of course, as Im sure all of you know, the Winnipeg Blue Bombers beat the Hamilton Tiger-Cats for their sixth Grey Cup win," Bowman said. "This is a great day for the city and what a spectacular space were in right now." The new Windsor Park Library is the latest installment in the citys larger public library redevelopment strategy passed by council in July 2012. In addition to Windsor Park, that strategy also led to the opening of the Charleswood Library on Roblin Boulevard in January 2015. In lieu of a ribbon cutting, the occasion was marked with the ceremonial shelving of books. Bowman and Allard were helped in that task by the young students from Ecole Howden elementary school, who swarmed the two local politicians and, in a frenzy, each pushed the spine of a hardcover until it fell into place on the shelf. ryan.thorpe@freepress.mb.ca Twitter: @rk_thorpe The following companies are subsidiares of Archer-Daniels-Midland: ADM (Shanghai) Management Co. LTD, ADM (Thailand) Ltd, ADM Ag Holdings Ltd, ADM Agri-Industries Company, ADM Agriculture Limited, ADM Agro Iberica S. L. U., ADM Agro Indust Latur and Vizag Pvt Ltd, ADM Agro Industries India Private Limited, ADM Agro Industries KOTA and AKOLA Pvt. Ltd., ADM Agro SRL, ADM Agroinvestimentos LTDA, ADM Alliance Nutrition of Puerto Rico LLC, ADM Americas S de RL, ADM Andina Peru SRL, ADM Antwerp NV, ADM Arkady Ireland Limited, ADM Asia-Pacific Trading Pte. Ltd., ADM Australia Holdings I PTY Limited, ADM Bio Science And Technology (Tianjin) Co Ltd, ADM Bioproductos SA DE CV, ADM CZERNIN SA, ADM Caribbean Inc, ADM Chile Comercial LTDA, ADM Clinton Bioprocessing Inc, ADM DO Brasil LTDA, ADM Direct Polska SP. ZO.O, ADM Dominican Holdings Inc., ADM Dominicana SA, ADM Edible Bean Specialties Inc, ADM Europe HoldCo SL, ADM European Holdings LLC, ADM European Management Holding GMBH, ADM Export Co, ADM Food Technology (Beijing) Co. Ltd., ADM France, ADM Germany GmbH, ADM Grain River System Inc., ADM Hamburg Aktiengesesllschaft, ADM Holding (Thailand) LTD, ADM Holdings LLC, ADM Hungary Agro Trading LLC, ADM Industries Centers Ltd, ADM International Holdings Inc, ADM International SARL, ADM Interoceanic LTD, ADM Investments LTD, ADM Investor Services Inc, ADM Investor Services International LTD, ADM Ireland Receivables Company Limited, ADM Israel, ADM Japan Ltd, ADM MALBORK SA, ADM Mainz GMBH, ADM Medsofts Sarl, ADM Mexico Inc, ADM Mexico SA DE CV, ADM Milling Co, ADM Milling LTD, ADM New Zealand Limited, ADM Olomouc S.R.O., ADM Paraguay SRL, ADM Protexin Limited, ADM Pura Limited, ADM Receivables LLC, ADM Rice Inc, ADM Ringaskiddy Unlimited Company, ADM Romania Logistics SRL, ADM Romania Trading SRL, ADM Specialty Ingredients - Europe BV, ADM Spyck GMBH, ADM Szamotuly SP Z O.O, ADM Trading Australia Pty. Ltd., ADM Trading Co, ADM Transportation Company, ADM Trucking Inc, ADM Vietnam CO. LTD, ADM WILD Europe GmbH and Co. KG, ADM WILD Ingredients GmbH, ADM WILD Nauen GmbH, ADM WILD Valencia S.A., ADM Wild Netherlands BV, ADM Worldwide Holdings LP, ADMIS Holding Co Inc., ADMIS Hong Kong LTD, ADMIS Singapore Pte Limited, AOR, AT Holdings II Company, Agri Port Services Investments Ltd., Agri Port Services LLC, Agricolas Madagascar SARLU, Agrinational Insurance Co, Agriserve, Agrograin LTD, Alfrebro LLC, Alfred C Toepfer International Netherlands BV, Alimenta USA, American River Transportation Company LLC, Ameriseed, Amylum Bulgaria EAD, Amylum Nisasta Sanayi Ve Ticarek Anonim Sirketi, Archer Daniels Midland (UK) Limited, Archer Daniels Midland Asia Pacific Ltd., Archer Daniels Midland Erith LTD, Archer Daniels Midland Europe BV, Archer Daniels Midland Europoort BV, Archer Daniels Midland Nederland BV, Archer Daniels Midland Singapore PTE LTD, Arinos Unlimited, Aston Foods & Food Ingredients, Balanceados Nova SA Balnova, Barbados Mills Limited, Bela Vista Bio Etanol Participacoes LTDA, Bern Aqua, BioPolis SL, Biopolis, Campa Sued GmbH & Co KG, Cattleman's Choice Loomix LLC, Chamtor, Ci ADM Colombia Ltda., Controladora ADM Sa De Cv, Crosswind Petfoods Inc., Daavision BV, Eaststarch, Eatem Corporation, Eatem Foods, Elstar Oils, English River Pellets Inc., Epicore Bionetworks INC, Epicore Networks (USA) INC, Erich Ziegler GmbH, Evialis France, Fasco Mills Co., Filozoo SRL, Florida Chemical, Florida Chemical Company LLC, GP Blanching Inc., Global Cocoa Holdings LTD, Golden Peanut Company LLC, Golden Peanut and Tree Nut Seed SA (PTY) LTD, Golden Peanut and Tree Nuts SA, Group Lysac, Guyomarc'h - VCN Company Limited, Guyomarc'h Vietnam CO LTD, HFR Shipping Company Ltd, HRA Shipping Company Ltd, HTI Shipping Company Ltd, Harvest Innovations, Hilltop Grain and Feed, Holding P and A Asia Company Limited, Hubei Meiweiyuan Biotechnology, Ilitchevskiy Maslo Extractionniy Zavod (IMEZ), Invivo NSA Asia PTE LTD, Invivo NSA Philippines Inc, Jamaica Flour Mills Limited, Julius Meijer-Alpharma BV, LLC ADM Ukraine, Liquid Feed Commodities, Malta Industries SA de CV, Malta-Texo De Mexico SA de CV, Master Mix of Trinidad LTD, Medsofts Investment Co, Medsofts L.L.C., Medsofts Trading Co, Mepla Comercio e Navegacao Ltda, NRG Inc, Naviera Chaco SRL, Neovia, Neovia Latina SL, Neovia Nutricao E Saude Animal LTDA, North Star Shipping S.R.L., P and A Marketing SA, PJSC ADM Illichivsk, PT Wirifa Sakti, Pancosma (Shanghai) Feed Additives CO LTD, Pancosma France SAS, Pancosma SA, Premiere Agri Technologies of Mexico Inc, Pura Foods LTD, Rodelle Inc., Schokinag-Schokolade-Industrie Herrmann, Sermix, Setna Nutricion SA, Societe Industrielle Des Oleagineux, Southern Cellulose Products Inc, Soy Investors LLC, Specialty Commodities, Specialty Commodities LLC, Sul Mineira Alimentos LTDA, SzSzV Kft, Toepfer International, Toepfer International Trading (Shanghai) Co. LTD., Vantage Corn Processors LLC, WILD Amazon Flavors Ltda, WILD Flavors, Wild Flavors Inc., Wild Flavors International GmbH, Wild Flavors Singapore Pte. Ltd., Wild Intermare GmbH, Wild Russia LLC, and Wisium SA (PTY) LTD. Best Buy Co., Inc. engages in the provision of consumer technology products and services. It operates through two business segments: Domestic and International. The Domestic segment comprises of the operations in all states, districts, and territories of the U.S., operating under various brand names, including Best Buy, Best Buy Mobile, Geek Squad, Magnolia Audio Video, Napster, and Pacific Sales. The International segment includes all operations outside the U.S. and its territories, which includes Canada, Europe, China, Mexico, and Turkey. It also markets its products under the brand names: Best Buy, bestbuy.com, Best Buy Direct, Best Buy Express, Best Buy Mobile, Geek Squad, GreatCall, Magnolia and Pacific Kitchen and Home. The company was founded by Richard M. Schulze in 1966 and is headquartered in Richfield, MN. Read More Wall Street analysts have given Eaton Vance California Municipal Bond Fund 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 Eaton Vance California Municipal Bond Fund wasn't one of them. MarketBeat thinks these five companies may be even better buys. View MarketBeat's top stock picks here. Enbridge Inc. operates as an energy infrastructure company. The company operates through five segments: Liquids Pipelines, Gas Transmission and Midstream, Gas Distribution and Storage, Renewable Power Generation, and Energy Services. The Liquids Pipelines segment operates pipelines and related terminals to transport various grades of crude oil and other liquid hydrocarbons in Canada and the United States. The Gas Transmission and Midstream segment invests in natural gas pipelines, and gathering and processing facilities in Canada and the United States. The Gas Distribution and Storage segment is involved in natural gas utility operations serving residential, commercial, and industrial customers in Ontario, as well as natural gas distribution and energy transportation activities in Quebec. The Renewable Power Generation segment operates power generating assets, such as wind, solar, geothermal, and waste heat recovery facilities; and transmission assets in North America and Europe. The Energy Services segment provides energy marketing services to refiners, producers, and other customers; and physical commodity marketing and logistical services in Canada and the United States. The company was formerly known as IPL Energy Inc. and changed its name to Enbridge Inc. in October 1998. Enbridge Inc. was founded in 1949 and is headquartered in Calgary, Canada. 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 New York Times pays an annual dividend of $0.28 per share and currently has a dividend yield of 0.57%. The New York Times has been increasing its dividend for 2 consecutive year(s), indicating that it does not yet have a strong track record of dividend growth. The dividend payout ratio of The New York Times is 28.87%. This payout ratio is at a healthy, sustainable level, below 75%. Based on earnings estimates, The New York Times will have a dividend payout ratio of 18.79% next year. This indicates that The New York Times will be able to sustain or increase its dividend. View The New York Times' dividend history. Rayonier Advanced Materials, Inc. engages in the production and sale of cellulose products, which is a natural polymer commonly used in the production of cell phone and computer screens, filters, and pharmaceuticals. It operates through the following segments: High Purity Cellulose, Forest Products, Paperboard, Pulp and Newsprint, and Corporate. The High Purity Cellulose segment manufacture and market high purity cellulose, which is sold as either cellulose specialties or commodity products in U.S., Canda, and France. The Forest Products segment manufacture and market construction-grade lumber in North America through seven sawmills located in Canada. The Paperboard segment comprises paperboard products. The Pulp and Newsprint segment involves in the production of pulp and newsprint in Canada. The Corporate segment consists senior management, accounting, information systems, human resources, treasury, tax, and legal administrative functions that provide support services to the operating business units. The company was founded in 1926 and is headquartered in Jacksonville, FL. Read More 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.. Ahead of a federal by-election in the Melbourne electorate of Batman tomorrow, the Australian Education Union (AEU) convened a public debate on March 7 involving the Labor Party and Greens candidates. The event underscored the fraud of the efforts of the two parties to present themselves as duelling progressive entities. In reality, both are pro-business parties, whose purported policy differences amount to little more than demagogy. Between 2010 and 2013, the Greens formed a de facto coalition administration with the Labor Party, providing critical parliamentary support for Julia Gillards minority government. Nothing the Gillard government did disrupted the warm relations between Labor and the Greensfrom undermining workers wages and conditions, to extending Australias brutal anti-refugee laws, to lining up with US imperialisms aggressive confrontation of China. In public education, the Greens-backed Labor government, supported by the unions, extended the NAPLAN-MySchool standardised testing regime, promised all private schools they would never experience a cut in government funding, and continued to starve public schools of money, while making bogus promises under the banner of Gonski supposed needs-based funding. The AEU and the Labor and Green candidates in Batman, Ged Kearney and Alex Bhathal, evidently assumed everyone in the debate audience suffered collective amnesia. The AEU, consistent with its collaboration in the ruling-class assault on public education, worked to ensure that no critical voices would be permitted. During the question and discussion period, union deputy president Justin Mullaly (a Labor Party member) instructed the person carrying the microphone to audience members not to give it to Will Marshall, a public school teacher and well-known member of the Committee for Public Education (CFPE) and Socialist Equality Party. Labors Kearney, the president of the Australian Council of Trade Unions since 2010, and the Greens Alex Bhathal, a social worker, sought to outdo one another with empty motherhood statements about how they valued public education. Bhathals left posturing included criticism of NAPLAN testing and school ranking, calls for teachers to be paid more, higher spending on school infrastructure, full funding for students with disabilities, the de-privatisation of the TAFE trades and technical education system, and more public spending on kindergartens. Bhathal claimed this all would be implemented because her election would put pressure on the [state Labor] Andrews government. She asserted that if I end up with the balance of power in the federal government, Ill have power to negotiate about school funding. Teachers and education workers, with the working class as a whole, have had bitter experiences with the Greens negotiations with Labor when they held the balance of power at both the state and federal level. In the state of Tasmania in 2011, a Labor-Greens coalition government attempted to impose an austerity budget, slashing overall public spending by 10 percent, including through the closure of 20 schools, proposed by Greens education minister Nick McKim. McKim declared, in words that ought to be recalled by those who heard Bhathals performance at the AEUs Batman event: The Greens have to show that were prepared to roll up our sleeves and make decisions that arent necessarily going to be popular. In their 2010 federal election campaign material, the Greens had declared that education will be a major funding and policy priority for any responsible government and pledged to strongly advocate a high quality, state funded, inclusive public education system. A different tune was immediately sung once the Greens were in power and made aware of the financial oligarchys diktats. The school-funding model that emerged from the 20102013 Greens-backed Gillard government, known as the Gonski model, was a complete fraud. It guaranteed continued lavish funding for private schools, while projecting promised funding increases for public schools to the distant and never arriving future. At the same time, Gonski tied every schools needs-based funding to the level expected to ensure that 80 percent of students achieved above minimum standard results in NAPLAN tests. In other words, standardised testing was entrenched as the basis for public school funding, while students real needs continued to be ignored. Bhathal made no attempt to reconcile her supposed opposition to NAPLAN testing with her support for Gonski, which rests on NAPLAN. Kearney attempted to promote Gillards funding model as an example of how important it was to elect a candidate who would be part of a party that is in government. The long-time senior union bureaucrat, responsible for numerous sell-outs of workers struggles, boasted of her relations with the AEU leaders, who have enforced countless betrayals against public educators. She described the AEU as all those people who sat down with Julia Gillard and worked out Gonski Gonski is and always will be a Labor policy, it was implemented by Labor and put there by Labor. Kearneys ability to promote such a regressive education policy as a progressive measure that benefits public schools is a product of the AEUs long-standing defence of the Labor Party and the Greens. While the AEU blocked any questions by the CFPE and Socialist Equality Partypreventing an exposure of the Gonski model and the record of Labor and the Greensanger among public educators and working-class families nevertheless emerged in the discussion period. Four questions were fielded. A parent asked about the need for funding for a new high school in the northern working-class suburb of Preston. A teacher at Pavilion school in Preston East raised the urgent need for more classroom space for children who have been excluded from, or disengaged from, mainstream education, [including those] dealing with complex issues such as homelessness, substance dependence, unsafe home environments and relationships, the youth justice system, and other traumatic experiences. A parent whose child goes to Reservoir East Primary School told the audience that it is in desperate need of capital works and has been constantly overlooked for fundingthe buildings are crumbling, the facilities are woefully below standard, and teachers are forced to become ad hoc plumbers and carpenters just to keep the buildings functional enough for our kids. A TAFE teacher denounced the privatisation of the vocational education system, explaining that while he had previously campaigned for the Labor Party, now we are angry, and we are exhausted. None of these questions were answered directly by either candidate. Each responded with platitudes and evasionssumming up the entire Batman by-election. None of the political issues confronting the working class has been dealt with during the campaignabove all the growing danger of a devastating global war that is being prepared by US imperialism and its allies, including in Canberra. Working people and youth need to break with the Labor Party and Greens, and their trade union accomplices, and build the Socialist Equality Party, the only party that represents their interests and that fights for a revolutionary socialist perspective, including guaranteed free access to first-class education at all levels. The authors also recommend: Australian Labor Party parliamentarian resigns over dual citizenship furore [5 February 2018] The dual citizenship furore in the Australian parliament: What is at stake for the working class? [6 September 2017] In a sharp shift further right, Ontarios Progressive Conservatives chose Doug Ford as their new leader last weekend. A multi-millionaire businessman and the elder brother of former right-wing populist Toronto Mayor Rob Ford, the new Conservative leader aims to intensify the assault on the working class. He has pledged that if he becomes premier of Canadas most populous province following Ontarios June 7 election, he will slash social spending, environmental and labour standards, and taxes on big business and the rich. The leadership race was triggered by the unceremonious dumping of former leader Patrick Brown, who was thrown to the wolves by the partys legislators and senior staff within hours of CTV airing unsubstantiated claims of sexual misconduct. Some of these claims have since been disproven. As the World Socialist Web Site noted at the time, if Brown could so rapidly be drummed out of the leadership, it was because powerful forces within the party establishment and big business were opposed to his attempt to moderate the partys hard-right image in hopes of returning to power after a decade and a half in the political wilderness. Nothing progressive can come out of the removal of Brown, we wrote at the time. It advances the struggle to develop an independent political movement of the working class against austerity and war not one iota. On the contrary, the anti-democratic and right-wing character of the #MeToo witch hunt, together with the media hysteria being whipped up around Brown, will be used to push the political climate in Ontario and across Canada further right. The development and outcome of the Progressive Conservative (PC) leadership race have entirely vindicated this assessment. The three other contendersCaroline Mulroney, the daughter of former Canadian Prime Minister Brian Mulroney; former Ontario legislator Christine Elliott; and social conservative activist Tanya Granic-Allenjoined Ford in repudiating much of Browns electoral platform, the so-called Peoples Guarantee. Fords victory is part of a general lurch to the right in official bourgeois politics internationally, exemplified in Donald Trumps elevation to the White House and the rise to prominence of the neo-fascist National Front in France and AfD in Germany. Last November, Jason Kenney, a former minister in Stephen Harpers federal Conservative cabinet, won the leadership of Albertas newly-created United Conservative Party, a fusion between the provinces PCs and the far-right Wildrose Party, with open appeals to anti-Quebec chauvinism and pledges to roll back the minimum wage and slash public sector jobs. Like Ford, he is adamantly opposed to the federal Liberal governments carbon tax. Though the Tory establishment and substantial sections of the Bay Street financial elite welcomed Browns departure as a means of shifting the party further right, Ford was far from their candidate of choice. This is because they fear that like his late brother, whose legacy he claims to uphold, he could prove to be a liability due to erratic behaviour and his readiness to make divisive and provocative populist appeals. As Toronto mayor, Rob Ford pushed through devastating budget cuts and imposed major contract concessions, including the gutting of job security guarantees, on city workers in 2012, when the Canadian Union of Public Employees shamelessly surrendered before his threat to hire scabs in the event of a strike. But the ruling elite ostracized Rob Ford in 2013 after news became public of his crack cocaine habit, alcohol addiction, and sleazy backroom business dealings. The following year, they swung behind a mayoral candidate who was more polished, but no less devoted to enforcing the dictates of big business, former Ontario Conservative leader John Tory. Elliott was the preferred candidate of the party establishment, closely followed by Mulroney who attracted hefty donations from Bay Street. However, since Fords narrow victory over Elliott, the corporate media has gone out of its way to dismiss claims that he is a Canadian Trump and to proclaim him a strong candidate for premier. Andrew Coyne opined in the neoconservative National Post that Ford is not his brother, hes not Trump, while Susan Delacourt, who enjoys close ties to the Liberal Party, reassured her readers at iPolitics, Ford is no Trump, hes a lot more like Harper. If the corporate media, or at least much of it, is quickly reconciling itself to a Ford-led government, it is because there is growing concern within the ruling class that the federal and Ontario Liberal governments are not moving aggressively enough, in the face of the development of trade war and intensifying great-power conflict, to bolster the competitive position of Canadian capital and to pursue rearmament. Coyne and Delacourt notwithstanding, comparisons between Ford and Trump are not gratuitous. Ford casts himself as an opponent of the elite while denouncing big government and a reputed gravy train of spending and vowing to make Ontario open for business by slashing corporate taxes and government regulation. During a question-and-answer session with reporters shortly before the conclusion of the leadership race, Ford enthused over Trumps massive business tax cut, claiming that it was bringing manufacturing jobs back to the US. Delacourts linking of Ford to Harper also bears comment. During his decade as Canadian Prime Minister (2006-15), Harper celebrated Canada as a warrior nation, imposed brutal austerity measures, and whipped up Islamophobia and a climate of fear to justify Canada participations in a series of US-led military wars and a massive expansion of the powers of the national security apparatus. That such a reactionary record is being held up as evidence of Fords moderation only underscores how far establishment politics have shifted right. Ford made a deliberate appeal during the campaign to the religious right. As premier, he said he would introduce a requirement for parents to approve teenage abortions, a move that won him plaudits from the anti-abortion Canadian Life Coalition. He also vowed to scrap Ontarios new sex education curriculum, which has become a hobby horse for social conservatives due, among other things, to its discussion of homosexual sex. Ford was publicly blessed and endorsed by evangelical preacher Paul Melnichuk, a controversial figure who was accused of anti-Semitism in the early 1980s for a sermon which denounced the crooked Jew. In the end, it was Fords appeal to such social conservative elements that secured him the leadership. Ford finished second to Elliott on the first ballot and won fewer individual votes on the final ballot. But he was propelled to victory because he was the second choice of an estimated 80 percent of supporters of fourth-place finisher, Tanya Granic-Allena Christian fundamentalist and head of the socially conservative Parents as First Educators campaign group. The fact that a reactionary anti-working-class figure such as Ford is able to posture as an opponent of the elites, while decrying overcrowded hospitals and the social devastation caused by the hemorrhaging of manufacturing jobs, is due above all to the right-wing record of the Liberals and NDP, and their supporters in the pro-capitalist trade unions. Ford will face off June 7 against Kathleen Wynne, whose Liberals have been in power for the past 16 years. With the backing of the trade unions, which have poured millions of dollars into Liberal election campaigns, Wynne and her predecessor Dalton McGuinty have enforced ruthless austerity measures, privatized public utilities, illegalized teacher strikes, and extended billions in tax handouts to the corporate elite. From 2012 to 2014, Wynnes minority government was kept in office by the NDP, which provided the parliamentary votes necessary to pass two austerity budgets in the name of stopping the Conservatives. When the New Democrats last held power in the early 1990s under Bob Rae, they came into headlong conflict with the working class, imposing a job and wage-cutting social contract, sweeping social spending cuts, and workfare. During the Liberals period in office, their trade union allies have connived in the destruction of hundreds of thousands of manufacturing jobs, devastating the provinces southwest in particular. Unifor, one of the most enthusiastic supporters of the Liberals, has imposed round after round of concessions on autoworkers. It is already clear that Wynne, backed by her trade union allies and egged on by their pseudo-left appendages, will seize on Fords candidacy to step up appeals for uniting the progressive vote behind the big-business Liberals. Speaking at an Ontario Secondary School Teachers Federation (OSSTF) conference Sunday, Wynne hypocritically cast herself as the representative of working people against the big business candidate Ford, claiming the election presents Ontarians with a stark choice. This author also recommends: Ontario Tory leader felled by unsubstantiated sexual misconduct allegations [27 January 2018] With an April 2 strike date by teachers set, the Oklahoma legislature failed to pass a proposed 13 percent across-the-board pay hike for educators. Sentiment for a struggle is growing among teachers in the state for strike action over low wages and abysmal conditions in the schools. Oklahoma teachers have the lowest average pay in the US and have not had a raise in 10 years. The pay raise bill failed to get the required three-fourth majority to enact a tax increase. The bill contained a combination of regressive tax increases on cigarettes and motor fuel as well as levies on oil and natural gas production. The Senate bill, even if it had been enacted, would have provided for an increase only half the $10,000 annual raise teachers are demanding. Following the vote, Oklahoma teachers rallied Thursday at the state capitol in Oklahoma City and in several other cities to voice their demands, which also include lower class sizes and improved health care. Teachers have established several Facebook pages to press their fight. One group, Oklahoma Teacher WalkoutThe Time is Now, has more than 68,000 members. Meanwhile, the Oklahoma City Public Schools and several other districts say they plan to suspend classes for multiple days if teachers walk out on April 2. However, several smaller districts have announced plans to stay open in the event of a strike. Oklahoma state employees are also advancing their own pay demands. Facing overwhelming sentiment for strike from workers, the Oklahoma State Employees Association board voted to join the teachers walkout if the legislature does not enact pay raises. There are about 32,000 state workers and they have not had an increase in 12 years, with some 25 percent earning less than $30,000 annually. The Oklahoma Education Association (OEA) long resisted calls for strike action, insisting that teachers continue futile lobbying efforts aimed at pressuring Democratic and Republican state legislators. Finally, the OEA set an April 23 strike date, but then faced a firestorm of opposition from teachers. It was eventually forced to move the strike date up three weeks to early April. Oklahoma has aggressively slashed education funding as the legislature has handed out tax breaks to business, including the oil and gas sector. The state has cut its state education formula funding by 28 percent since the 2008 financial crash. Some Oklahoma school districts are so hard-pressed for funds that they have cut back to four school days per week. The World Socialist Web Site Teacher Newsletter recently spoke to Larry Cagle, an Oklahoma City high school English teacher and one of the organizers behind the Facebook group Oklahoma Teachers United (OTU). We forced the strike date on the union. We forced it on the superintendents. The rank and file want it, with or without the union, Cagle said. He continued, We are very proud of where we are today, but we dont feel safe, and we dont feel confident. We believe strongly that we must win in Oklahoma. Workers around the nation, not just teachers, are looking at us, and we need to know they have our backs. We are fighting for workers everywhere. Cagle told the Teacher Newsletter that the OEA had responded angrily to the attempts of his Facebook group to mobilize support for strike action. He noted that when the union lost its attempt to delay strike action until April 23, they came after me. He continued, Ive been slandered and lied about, and theyve tried intimidation, but our strength is gaining momentum. When asked about the role being played by the unions Cagle responded, Unions are supposed to be militant and unquestionably pro-worker and fighting to the very last drop for workers, and they dont. They sip on their drinks and have their catered dinners, and they do nothing for the workers. Oklahoma teachers should study carefully the lessons of the nine-day strike by 33,000 West Virginia teachers and school employees. The unions opposed the fight of the teachers every step of the way. They blocked a wider mobilization of the working class behind the teachers and tried to shut down the strike on March 1 without attaining any of the strikers demands. This prompted a rebellion by rank-and-file educators and the continuation of the strike. The West Virginia affiliates of the American Federation of Teachers and National Education Association, however, managed to regain control and shut the walkout down, just at the point when the struggle was sparking a wider movement, among Frontier Communications workers, and teachers in Kentucky, Arizona, Oklahoma and other states and major cities. Asked by a reporter whether she would call strikes in 49 other states, NEA President Lily Garcia emphatically said, No. The deal brokered by the unions to end the strike abandoned the fight to fully fund teacher health care and called for regressive cuts to Medicaid and other public services in the impoverished state to fund meager 5 percent pay raises. As for the OEA, it has done nothing to resist the continuing assault on public education in the state, carried out under Republican and Democratic administrations alike. Poverty level salaries have resulted in a teacher shortage, with many non-certified teachers in the schools as a result. The last teacher strike in Oklahoma was in 1990. The unions cannot be pressured to represent the interests of teachers. To the extent that teachers follow the lead of the OEA their struggle will be betrayed and defeated. The urgent task is the building of new organizations, rank-and-file committees in the schools and communities, independent of the OEA and other unions, to fight for the broadest mobilization of the working class to defend the right to high-quality public education and a living wage for teachers and other public employees. This will require a direct assault on the entrenched wealth and power of the energy giants. The struggle by Oklahoma teachers is part of a growing movement of school workers against decades of under-funding of education and suppression of teacher salaries. In Jersey City, New Jersey, 4,100 teachers have been working without a contract since September. The main issue is rising health care costs, which have effectively slashed teachers already depressed wages. Citing a $65 million deficit, the school board has balked at meeting teachers demands. Teachers have already voted overwhelmingly for strike authorization. In Arizona, teachers are preparing for a March 28 day of action at the state capitol that is expected to draw thousands. Per-pupil spending in the state is near the bottom in the US. Arizona children ranked near the bottom nationally in overall well-being. According to the Arizona State University Morrison Institute for Public Policy, the median pay for elementary school teachers was $42,474 as of 2016, ranking 50th in the nation. The unions have sought to divert protests behind futile efforts to pressure Democratic Party politicians. The Arizona Education Association even tried to use a recent teacher rally as a platform to announce the campaign for a Democratic candidate for governor. Meanwhile, in Kentucky, sentiment for strike action is also growing in opposition to the attempts by the Kentucky Education Association to squelch talk of a walkout. We urge teachers to subscribe to the WSWS Teacher Newsletter, which is fighting to provide the leadership and socialist perspective required by educators in uniting their struggles in the US and internationally. The critical question is fusing the fight of teachers with a broader movement of the working class in defense of public education, health care and all basic social rights in opposition to the capitalist profit system. Three separate package bombs have gone off in Austin, Texas in the past two weeks, killing Stephen House, 39, and Draylen Mason,17. Masons mother and an elderly woman were also injured in the bombings. Austins interim Police Chief Brian Manley told the media the packages were placed in front of the residents houses. According to Manley they appeared to be average-sized delivery boxes, not exceptionally large. The first bomb detonated in northeast Austin on March 2 with a force strong enough to kill House and alarm his neighbors. The package exploded after House picked it up outside his home. At the time, authorities said the blast was suspicious but likely an isolated incident that posed no ongoing danger to the community. On Monday, March 12 two packages left in other parts of the city also detonated; one killed Mason and injured his mother while the other injured 75-year-old Esperanza Herrera. The package that killed Mason detonated inside of his familys home at 6:44 a.m. One of the residents went out front, and there was a package on the front doorstep, Manley stated. They brought that package inside the residence, and as they opened that package, both victims were in the kitchen, and the package exploded, causing the injuries that resulted in the young mans death and the injuries to the adult female. Hours later, the second blast was reported at Herreras home after she found the package on her porch. When she picked up the package, it detonated. Police believe that the third bomb was not meant for Herrera but her neighbor, Erica Mason, who is not related to the Mason family but shares their last name and may have been targeted under the impression that she was related. According to ABC News, the explosives displayed a level of sophistication, indicating that the bomb-maker or bomb-makers were highly skilled. The devices were designed to be detonated by motion like shaking or jostling, which is why they exploded when they were picked up. They also supposedly had some sort of safety switch, enabling the bomber to move the devices without blowing them up. Theres a certain level of skill and sophistication that whoever is doing this has, and... we are hoping to use the evidence we have to track them down based on what we are seeing on all three scenes that seem to be consistent, Manley to KXAN news on Tuesday. The police reported in an update to the media on Thursday that the bombs were made from a common materials readily available in most hardware stores, making the identification of suspect more difficult than if specialty materials had been used. Though the Austin police agree that the bombings are related, they have yet to suggest a motive or a suspected perpetrator. They also have not said whether they think the victims were personally targeted. Manley did tell reporters that police are not ruling out the possibly that hate crime is at the core of this. Police and local community leaders have stated the package bombs appear to have targeted members of prominent black families with close connections. The president of the local NAACP told NBC News that House and the Mason family knew each other and went to the same church. Mason has been described as a talented musician who had been accepted into the University of Texas Butler School of Music. His grandmother LaVonne Mason is a co-founder of the Austin Area Urban League, a local civil rights organization. Houses stepfather, Freddie Dixon, is close to Masons grandfather, Dr. Norman Mason, and was the longtime pastor at Wesley United Methodist Church, a predominantly black church in Austin that was founded by newly freed slaves in 1865. Its not just coincidental. Somebodys done their homework on both of us, and they knew what they were doing, Dixon told the Washington Post. My diagnosis: Number one, I think its a hate crime. Number two, somebodys got some kind of vendetta here. The as yet unsolved bombings have placed the citys residents on edge. Since Monday some 500 suspicious packages have been reported to the police throughout the city, though none of them have turned out to contain explosive devices. The Trump administration Thursday announced a new set of punitive sanctions against Russia, targeting 19 individuals and five organizations, including the countrys two main intelligence agencies, the Federal Security Service, or FSB, the successor to the KGB, and the GRU, the intelligence arm of Russias military. Coming together with a virtually unprecedented joint statement by the heads of the US, British, German and French government indicting Russia for alleged responsibility for a nerve gas attack in the UK that has hospitalized a former Russian intelligence officer and his daughter, the sanctions represent a major ratcheting up of tensions between the worlds two major nuclear powers. The pretexts for the latest sanctions consisted of allegations of Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election and claims of Moscows responsibility for malicious cyberattacks. The Administration is confronting and countering malign Russian cyber activity, including their attempted interference in U.S. elections, destructive cyber-attacks, and intrusions targeting critical infrastructure, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said in a statement Thursday. He added, These targeted sanctions are a part of a broader effort to address the ongoing nefarious attacks emanating from Russia. The statement accused the Russian government, without providing any substantiation, of targeting U.S. government entities and multiple U.S. critical infrastructure sectors, including the energy, nuclear, commercial facilities, water, aviation, and critical manufacturing sectors with cyberattacks. The charges are ominous, given that a recently released series of US national security and nuclear posture documents have laid out a new nuclear strategy that suggest that a significant cyberattack on the United States could justify retaliation with nuclear weapons. The case laid out by the treasury secretary largely dovetailed with last months indictment of many of the same individuals and organizations by special counsel Robert Mueller, whose investigation had previously been denounced by President Donald Trump as a witch hunt. The Democratic Party working in close collaboration with predominant layers within the US intelligence apparatus and the major media have waged an unrelenting campaign around so-called Russian meddling in the US elections, combined with claims that Moscow is responsible for the social divisions and tensions wracking American society. Underlying this campaign is opposition within the US ruling establishment to any let-up in aggression against Russia, which is viewed as a principal impediment to the US drive to militarily assert its dominance over the Middle East, Eastern Europe and the entire Eurasian landmass. At the same time, the allegations against Russia have been employed to justify internet censorship and prepare for domestic political repression. While leading Democrats voiced support for the new sanctions, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer declared Thursday that they were not enough. He demanded that Trump carry out more punishing measures and publicly denounce Russian President Vladimir Putin. Similarly, the ranking Democrat on the Senate Intelligence Committee, Senator Mark Warner of Virginia, described the measures as a first step and said he did not understand why its taken the administration so long to lay out these sanctions. The Congress voted overwhelmingly to impose election-related sanctions nine months ago. The statement from the Treasury Department further cited the recent use of a military-grade nerve agent in an attempt to murder two UK citizens, claiming that it further demonstrates the reckless and irresponsible conduct of the Russian government. Trump joined British Prime Minister Theresa May, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Emmanuel Macron in signing a joint declaration Thursday demanding that the Russian government address all questions related to the attack that allegedly employed a military-grade toxin to poison the former Russian GRU colonel Sergei Skripal, who became a double agent for British intelligence, and his daughter in the southern English city of Salisbury. The statement described the alleged attack as an assault on UK sovereignty that threatens the security of us all. Britain has claimed that the attack was carried out with the nerve agent Novichok, which was first developed by the military of the Soviet Union, but it has provided no evidence to substantiate its claims. Moscow has denied any responsibility for the attack on Skripal, who was arrested for betraying dozens of Russian agents to British intelligence and sentenced to 13 years in prison in 2006, and then released in a US-Russian spy exchange and granted British citizenship. The statement declares that it is highly likely that Russia was responsible for the attack. Without presenting any evidence, the British government retaliated against Moscow with the expulsion of 23 Russian diplomats. Moscow has vowed to respond in kind. The Russian government has repeatedly asked London to supply a sample of the nerve agent that it claims was used in the attack on Skripalas is required under the rules of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weaponsbut the May government has ignored the requests. Russias President Putin gave his first public response to the charges by the May government Thursday saying that he was extremely concerned about the destructive and provocative stance taken by the British side. Earlier, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters, Russia perceives the position taken up by UK authorities with great bewilderment and incomprehension The accusations are groundless. Moreover, these accusations were voiced before any information about the substance used emerged, which shows the presence of all signs of a provocation against Russia. Britains defense minister summed up the tenor of the charges made by the May government, declaring Thursday that Russia should go away and shut up. He made the statement after delivering a keynote speech calling for a major increase in UK arms spending to prepare for military confrontation with Russia. British warplanes, he told his audience, are policing eastern European skies against a resurgent danger from Russia and our soldiers stand sentinel with our NATO allies in Estonia and Poland to deter this threat. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg Thursday declared the Western military alliances solidarity with London, while claiming that the alleged chemical weapons attack was part of a reckless pattern of Russian behavior over many years. He added, however, that London had not requested activation of Article 5 of the NATO treaty, which requires all NATO members to come to the aid of a member state that claims it has been attacked, including through the use of armed force. Nonetheless, the May government and its principal allies in Washington are clearly making the case for war with Russia. The joint statement issued by Britain, the US, Germany and France commits the four powers to no specific actions against Russia. Both Germany and France have chafed at previous sanctions imposed by the United States against Moscow, viewing them as a deliberate threat to their economic ties with Russia aimed at boosting US interests in Europe, particularly in terms of American energy conglomerates. The European powers are likewise hostile to the Trump administrations apparent intention to upend the 2015 nuclear agreement with Iran, with which they have sought to negotiate profitable trade and investment deals. Just a day before Macron signed the joint declaration, his spokesman indicated to a news conference that Paris was not prepared to jump onto the UKs anti-Russian bandwagon over unsubstantiated charges. We dont do fantasy politics, he said. Once the elements are proven then the time will come for decisions to be made. Clearly, immense pressures are being exerted for the adoption of a more belligerent policy toward Russia. In part this is driven by the debacle confronting the seven-year-old US-orchestrated war for regime change in Syria, where the Assad government, with Russian backing, is on the verge of overrunning one of the last major strongholds of the Western-backed Islamist rebels in the rural Damascus suburb of eastern Ghouta. In an opinion piece published by the Washington Post Thursday, British Foreign Minister Boris Johnson sought to directly link the alleged Russian role in the Skripal affair with events in Syria, arguing that there was a direct connection between Putins indulgence of Assads atrocities in Syria and the Russian states evident willingness to employ a chemical weapon on British soil. Johnsons column follows the threat earlier this week by US Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley that the US is prepared to launch unilateral military action against the Assad government in Syria over alleged chemical weapons attacks in Ghouta, and a response from General Valery Gerasimov, the chief of the general staff of the Russian Armed Forces, that any US attack that threatened the lives of Russian military personnel in Syria would be answered by Russian retaliation. Tomorrows state election in South Australia marks another stage in the disintegration of the two-party parliamentary system that has propped up capitalist rule across the country since World War II. Anxiety and uncertainty have dominated the political and media establishment throughout the election campaign. No party leader or commentator has been able to predict the result, because of the ongoing collapse of support, across the state and nationally, for the two long-time establishment parties: Labor and Liberal. Media polls indicate that neither party is likely to win a majority of the 47 seats in the lower house of parliament. So a minority government will have to be formed, relying on the support of various independents or a third party. The widespread alienation has been fueled by deteriorating living standards. Successive federal and state governments have imposed blow after blow on the working class in South Australiaincluding General Motors closure of the last remaining auto assembly plant last year. At the previous state election in 2014, Premier Jay Weatherills already unpopular decade-old pro-business Labor government failed to win a majority, obtaining only 35.8 percent of the vote. But it clung to office with the support of a regional independent, who was rewarded with a key cabinet ministry, and an ex-Liberal state leader. This years campaign has again featured a barrage of phony promises and confected attacks on each other by Labor and Liberal. Both are pledging to work with business to create jobs and cut soaring electricity bills, while reversing the ongoing deterioration of public health, schools and infrastructure. Such are the lies being told that the states electoral commissioner this week handed down extraordinary rulings that both Labor and Liberal contravened the states Electoral Act by making inaccurate and misleading claims. The commissioner ordered retractions and corrections be published of the Liberals claim that its energy scheme would save households more than $300 a year, and Labors allegation that the Liberals had a secret plan to cut $557 million from the states share of national Goods and Services Tax revenue. Late last year, in a much-publicised attempt to divert the disaffection, and fill the political vacuum, ex-federal Senator Nick Xenophon, a right-wing populist, quit his federal Senate seat to stand as a candidate in the state poll, heading his most recent formation, SA Best. Xenophon is trying to channel the discontent in nationalist and protectionist directions, essentially backing big business interests. In particular, he has worked with the trade unions to secure multi-billion-dollar contracts to build warships in Adelaide as part of the federal Liberal-National governments massive military buildup. At the same time, to garner votes Xenophon is falsely posing as an outsider. He told a party leaders debate: This election is a chance to replace the bastards of whichever persuasion For the first time ever in the states political history, there is a third alternative from the political centre. That debate itself, however, pointed to the lack of public enthusiasm for any of the contenders. The host, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC), invited 140 hand-picked people, said to be of all voting persuasions. Only about 100 showed up, forcing the staff to stack up the spare chairs and shepherd the participants closer to the front. Empty chairs made for bad television, one ABC producer told the audience. Under the guise of addressing the states unemployment crisis, each of the three leadersWeatherill, Xenophon and Liberal leader Steven Marshallused the debate to make pitches to the financial markets, desperately seeking to attract investment. Repeating Labors main slogan, making jobs our number one priority, Weatherill claimed the government was attracting major companies. He cited Tesla, whose billionaire owner Elon Musk is using the state to test large-scale battery projects, supposedly to resolve the supply shortages and price hikes produced by the privatisation of the electricity networks. Marshall declared that, rather than providing subsidies for individual companies, the Liberals would woo investors by cutting payroll taxes. Xenophon was vaguer, calling for the state government to harness an entrepreneurial spirit and facilitate big dreams and big ideas. The corporate media initially heavily promoted Xenophon and raised the prospect that he could become the next state premier. In recent weeks, however, it has turned against him, and played down his chances, out of concern that political instability could allow the underlying social unrest to erupt to the surface. Recent reports, for example, have revealed that while Xenophon publicly opposes large corporate donations to political parties, SA Best last month received $50,000 from Cartwheel Resources, which wants faster approval for mining exploration around the Lake Gairdner national park, in the states centre. Even so, the media polls suggest that SA Best still could hold the balance of power in the next parliament and that its second preference votes could determine who forms a government. As the WSWS has documented, Xenophon is a right-wing nationalist, peddling anti-Chinese messages in particular, and pushing a militarist program of building submarines and other weaponry to confront Beijing. SA Best seeks to divide workers along national, even parochial, lines, and divert hostility to governments and the corporate elite into the demonising of overseas workers. Another right-wing formation, Senator Cory Bernardis Australian Conservatives, is also vying to exploit the disaffection. Bernardi, a social conservative, quit the Liberal Party last year in a bid to emulate US President Donald Trump in building a far-right constituency. Bernardis free market proposals include repealing $3 billion in state taxes, axing renewable energy state subsidies, and undertaking a cost-benefit analysis to either bring coal-fired power plants back to the state or build a nuclear power plant. According to media polls, Bernardi is unlikely to pick up any lower house seats but may still emerge as a kingmaker in the states upper house, where his party obtained two seats last year by merging with the Christian-based Family First. The underlying political turmoil was highlighted this week by the release of a report by the Grattan Institute, a business and government-backed think tank, warning that protest politics is on the rise in Australia, because of collapsing trust in politicians and the major parties. The vote share for minor parties and independents has been rising for a decade, the report noted. At the 2016 federal election it hit its highest level since the Second World War. More than one-in-four Australians voted for someone other than the ALP [Labor], the LNP [Liberal-National] or the Greens in the Senate. First-preference Senate votes for minor parties and outsider candidates leapt from 12 percent in 2004 to 26 percent in 2016. In an effort to shore up the existing political and economic order, the report urged our political leaders to heed the warning signs and focus on what matters to voters: restoring trust and social cohesion. But the only solution the report offered was for politicians to stop raising public expectations. They will need to stop over-promising and under-delivering, on everything from reducing power bills to making houses more affordable and developing regional Australia, it said. This is the voice of the corporate elite speaking. Without overpromising, the various political servants of big business must find ways to get elected and impose its austerity dictates on an increasingly hostile population. 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Ireland Uruguay, Eastern Republic of Uzbekistan Vanuatu Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic of Viet Nam, Socialist Republic of Wallis and Futuna Islands Western Sahara Yemen Zambia, Republic of Zimbabwe There really is no place like home. National Geographic, acclaimed filmmaker Darren Aronofsky and award-winning producer Jane Root join forces on an epic, cinematic event series that will redefine natural history filmmaking. Hosted by Will Smith "One Strange Rock" promises to be a mind-bending, thrilling journey that explores the fragility and wonder of planet Earth, one of the most peculiar, unique places in the entire universe. Its the extraordinary story of why life as we know it exists on Earth, brought into perspective by the only people to have left it behind astronauts. "One Strange Rock" guides viewers through our vulnerable, tiny speck of a planet among the vast, harsh cosmic arena, revealing the magical twists of fate that have allowed life to emerge, survive and thrive only on Earth. Donald Trump Jr. and wife Vanessa are splitting after more than 12 years of marriage. After 12 years of marriage, we have decided to go our separate ways. We will always have tremendous respect for each other and our families, Trump Jr. and Vanessa said in a statement obtained by PEOPLE. We have five beautiful children together and they remain our top priority. We ask for your privacy during this time. PEOPLE has confirmed that Vanessa filed the documents late Thursday in Manhattan Supreme Court, according to court records. Page Six, who first reported the news, said she filed for an uncontested proceeding. The filing comes after a day of speculation that the couple was headed for divorce, according to an earlier Page Six report from Wednesday. The pair, who share five children together, wed on Nov. 12, 2005, at his fathers Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Florida the same spot where President Donald Trump married third wife Melania in January of that same year. A source who sometimes socializes with the couple told PEOPLE just prior to the filling: I heard for a while they have been living separate lives Even before all this Trump presidency stuff started they werent good and their marriage was strained. But another source close to the Trump family tells PEOPLE of the split, This is surprising news. They always seemed very cute together, and were a really fun couple. News of the split comes a month after former model Vanessa, 40, was hospitalized after the family received a suspicious letter containing a white, powdery substance that police later found to be nontoxic. Trump Jr., 40, later confirmed that his wife was unharmed. Thankful that Vanessa & my children are safe and unharmed after the incredibly scary situation that occurred this morning, President Trumps oldest son tweeted. Truly disgusting that certain individuals choose to express their opposing views with such disturbing behavior. Donald and Vanessa Trump Donald Trump Jr. and Vanessa Trump The New York Post broke the news of the split on Wednesday, reporting that the couple have been leading separate lives. Story continues The Daily Mail reported last month that the couple didnt spend Valentines Day together, opting instead to treat their children to separate dinners. Vanessa took her two oldest sons, Donald III, 9, and Tristan, 6, to a low-key sushi restaurant in upper Manhattan, while her husband took oldest daughter Kai, 10, on a date. Their youngest children, Chloe, 3, and Spencer, 5, apparently stayed at home for the holiday. The source close to the Trump family notes that Vanessa is crazy about her kids, and she prides herself on being an incredibly hands-on mom. She may not even have a nanny. Donald Trump Jr. poses with wife Vanessa Trump and their children at Disney On Ice Presents Frozen at Barclays Center on November 11, 2014 Donald Trump Jr. and wife Vanessa with daughter Kai and son Donald III The family has been living on Manhattans Upper East Side while Trump Jr. took over managing the Trump Organization with younger brother Eric after their father was elected president. On the weekends, Trump Jr. and his family often retreated to their home in upstate Roscoe, New York, known as Trout Town, USA, where locals say hes known to indulge in two of his favorite hobbies: hunting and fly-fishing. Hes good people, hes family, the manager of the Riverside Cafe, a Roscoe restaurant, told PEOPLE last summer. He comes in wearing his Columbia shirt and a cap and settles in with his kids and wife and they all enjoy a meal together. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. Donald Trump introduced his son to future wife Vanessa Hayden at a fashion show in 2003. Im at this fashion show, Vanessa told The New York Times in 2006. Donald Trump comes up to me with his son: Hi, Im Donald Trump. I wanted to introduce you to my son Donald Trump Jr. The pair were introduced again six weeks later by a mutual friend at a birthday party at a New York restaurant, where they ended up hitting it off. We talked for an hour, Vanessa recalled. Although the two initially didnt remember each other from their first meeting, Vanessa says she recalled blurting at one point, Wait, youre the one with the retarded dad! Donald Trump Jr. and Vanessa Trump Donald Trump Jr. and Vanessa Trump at their 2005 wedding Long outshone by his sister first at the Trump Organization and now in the White House, where she and her husband, Jared Kushner, have West Wing offices and White House titles Trump Jr. has reportedly had a harder time adapting to life after the election. Over the summer, he found himself at the center of a firestorm after it was revealed that he took a meeting at Trump Tower in June 2016 with a Russian lawyer promising dirt on his fathers Democratic rival, Hillary Clinton. Trump Jr. made matters worse for himself when he tweeted screen shots of the email chain, exposing his glee (I love it) over the prospect of learning damaging information about Clinton. Hours later, Trump Jr. went on Fox News Hannity and said, In retrospect, I probably would have done things a little differently. According to recent reports from The New York Times and the Los Angeles Times, special counsel Robert Muellers probe is still intensely focused on figuring out what happened during the meeting, as well as investigating President Trumps claim that the discussion was about American adoptions of Russian children. A friend of the Trump brothers told PEOPLE at the time that Trump Jr. and brother Eric Trump hate their role as First Sons: They never wanted this. Added a source in their circle: Don cant do any deals, because hell be overly scrutinized. He just goes to work every day and is miserable. Despite his reported unhappiness, Don. Jr has continued to support his father, often lashing out at his critics on Twitter. Most recently, he campaigned for Republican congressional candidate Rick Saccone in Pennsylvania on Monday, where he dodged questions about his father and the Russia investigation, according to Business Insider. Shepard Smith is happy and in love. In a new profile with Time published Thursday, Fox News Channels chief news anchor and managing editor of breaking news opened up about both his professional and personal life, including his relationship with his boyfriend of six years. I dont mind talking about it. Its just, you know, thats just my personal life. And Im not hiding anything, Smith, 54, told the outlet about his beau. I have a longtime boyfriend and were as happy as we can be and we live a very normal life and go to dinner and go to games and see his family and see my family, he shared. Its great for us. Smith, 54, added: But I cant imagine anyone else finding it interesting. Last May, the Mississippi native was discussed his sexuality and relationship at his alma mater, the University of Mississippi, at an April conference on diversity at the Meek School of Journalism. I dont think about it. Its not a thing, he said. I go to work. I manage a lot of people. I cover the news. I deal with holy hell around me. I go home to the man Im in love with. Shep Smith The journalist said he didnt hide his sexuality, but rather stayed away from the subject. I wasnt hiding anything from anybody I never hid anything from anybody, he said at the conference. I was always as true to me as I knew how to be. If I was fibbing to you, its because I was fibbing to me. His Time profile was published the same day that Fox News announced that Smith, who joined Fox News Channel in 1996, signed a new multi-year deal with the network. I am incredibly proud to be part of a group of journalists who helped build the Fox news division from scratch 22 years ago and extremely thankful for the opportunity to continue to lead our breaking news coverage for years to come. Our teams commitment to delivering facts to our loyal viewers in context and with perspective, without fear or favor, is unwavering, Smith said in a statement. The investment that Mr. Murdoch has infused into our already strong news division affords us endless opportunities, he said, referencing Fox News Executive Chairman Rupert Murdoch. I am excited for the future and honored to continue to call Fox News my home. Authorities are searching for two missing toddlers believed to be with their father, a man authorities have identified as a person of interest in their mothers shooting death. Illinois State Police confirms to PEOPLE that an AMBER Alert was issued Wednesday for 2-year-old Jordyn Washington and her brother, Lynn Roby, who is 3. Both children are African American and have brown hair. Police allege that the children were last seen with their father, 40-year-old Lynn Washington. The three may be traveling in a silver 2004 or 2005 Chevrolet Malibu or Impala, according to investigators. Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Click here to get breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases in the True Crime Newsletter. Washington is African American with brown hair and brown eyes and stands about 5 feet 9 inches. He weighs about 180 pounds and has tattoos on his neck, left arm, right arm, and chest. Washington is considered armed and dangerous, and anyone who may encounter him is urged to immediately call 911. Lynn Washington According to police, the siblings mother, 27-year-old Lakisha Roby, was fatally shot at around 1:35 a.m. on Wednesday outside a gas station in Markham. Police alleged Washington approached Roby at the gas station, and the two began to argue. After the killing, detectives say a man who was with Roby at the time sped off, and sought help at the nearest gas station. Washington is alleged to have picked up his children from a family friend more than 12 hours after the homicide. The family friend, according to police, was unaware Roby had been killed. The Chicago Sun-Times reports a protective order granted against Washington last November forbade him from having any contact with his kids. For more compelling true crime coverage, follow our Crime magazine on Flipboard. Washington is no stranger to Illinois law enforcement. The Chicago Tribune reports that Washington was charged in October with misdemeanor domestic battery in a case that has not been adjudicated. If you troll on Kelly Ripa, she will call you out. The Live With Kelly and Ryan co-host is not shy about replying to rude comments left by people on her social media accounts. On a clip posted on the daytime show's Instagram on March 7, a user commented, "Her head looks to big for her tiny body." Ripa was quick to reply to the woman, pointing out her grammatical error, and writing, "To is spelled too FYI." This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. This isn't the first time she's clapped back on social media. Just last week, another user commented on her husband, Mark Consuelos', height after she posted a throwback pic of the two. "Too bad he's short when he tries to look taller," the user wrote. "It looks funny. Just be who you are." Consuelos was first to reply, writing, "Please tell me how it is I can try to look taller. I'm dying to know," with Ripa quipping, "He's tall where it counts, babe." This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. And if the trolls happen to be in her family, Ripa has a clapback for them, too! After she posted a still of her husband on his show, Riverdale, the couple's 16-year-old daughter, Lola, left this cheeky comment: "Stop posting Riverdale photos, we get it." Ripa took it easy on Lola replying, "Imma block you in a minute." Instagram She's also quick to defend Consuelos and set the record straight on her comments. One user went at it on Ripa's Instagram, writing how Ripa "lies about her husband being Italian" and that she changes her husband's nationality. In two different comments, Ripa called out the internet troll by calling the person a "fool" and explaining how Consuelos' parents are both from Mexico and Italy. Instagram Instagram For more on Ripa's Instagram replies, watch below. RELATED CONTENT: Kelly Ripa and Mark Conseulos Inspire Even More Couple Goals When They Clapback at Instagram Troll Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos Make One Hot Oscars Red Carpet Couple Story continues Kelly Ripa Talks 'Privilege' To Work With Ryan Seacrest Amid Sexual Harassment Allegations Related Articles: A jury has convicted a man in the brutal murder of Reagan Tokes, an Ohio State University student who was killed in February 2017. The jurors deliberated for nearly six hours before convicting Brian Golsby, 30, of kidnapping, robbery, rape and aggravated murder. He now faces sentencing, and is eligible for the death penalty. Tokes family members sat silently in the courtroom as the verdict was read, their heads slightly bowed. Later, according to the Columbus Dispatch , Tokes mother burst into tears while embracing Reagans younger sister. Golsby showed no emotion as the verdict was read. Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Click here to get breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases in the True Crime Newsletter. According to court testimony, Tokes usually had a co-worker walk her to her car after her shift as a part-time server at Bodega, a restaurant and bar in Short North, a trendy part of Columbus, Ohio. But she left the restaurant alone on February 8, 2017. At about 9:45 p.m., Golsby kidnapped her. According to court testimony, he forced her to drive to a nearby ATM and withdraw $60 for him. Then, according to testimony, he forced her to drive to Scioto Grove Metro Park in Grove City, Ohio. There, he raped her before shooting her twice in the head. Her body was found the following day. Throughout the trial, prosecutors described Golsby as being cold and calculating. He went out to hunt that night and he found Reagan Tokes, Jimmy Lowe, a Franklin County assistant prosecutor, told jurors. Theres no mystery here. Brian Golsby On Tuesday morning, the prosecutor gave her closing arguments, and she spoke about the terror that Tokes must have felt. He had her for two hours thinking what hes going to do to her, Assistant Prosecutor Jennifer Rausch told the jurors. For more compelling true crime coverage, follow our Crime magazine on Flipboard. Defense attorney Diane Menashe disputed the prosecutions contention that Golsbys actions were premeditated. If Mr. Golsby didnt want to get caught, then perhaps he should not have worn the GPS bracelet, she told jurors, adding that Golsby likely shot Tokes when he panicked at the park. The conviction came on what would have been Tokes 23rd birthday. The sentencing phase of the trial begins Friday, when jurors will decide whether Tokes receives the death penalty or life in prison without the possibility of parole. A horror-stricken grandmother came home Wednesday to find an entire family including her 1-year-old granddaughter shot to death in a triple murder-suicide in Brooklyn, multiple outlets report. Police believe that Terrance Briggs, 27, shot his stepfather, Loyd Drain Jr., 57, his stepbrother, Loyd Drain III, 16, and then his daughter, Laylay, 1, before turning the gun on himself, the New York Times reports. The grandmother, Patricia Green, 53, who is Briggs mother and Loyd Drain Jr.s wife, came upon the grisly scene when she arrived home at the Brownsville apartment at 5 a.m. to babysit the toddler, local station WPIX reports. At approximately 5 a.m., police responded to a 911 call about unconscious people inside an apartment in a Brownsville building, the New York City Police Department said in a statement obtained by PEOPLE. Upon arrival, officers found four people unconscious and unresponsive, with gunshot wounds to the head, the statement, which identifies the deceased, said. They were pronounced dead at the scene. Police found a firearm at the location, the statement says. Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Click here to get breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases in the True Crime Newsletter. Officials from the medical examiner's office head to the Brooklyn apartment where four people were found shot to death For more compelling true crime coverage, follow our Crime magazine on Flipboard. We do not have a motive for this incident, but we are working very hard to establish one, NYPD Deputy Chief Michael Kemper said, according to ABC7. I can say this, a firearm has been recovered inside the apartment, along with bullets and shell casings. Known as Big Daddy, Drain Jr. and his wife would often cook for anyone who was hungry, neighbor Vanessa Swain told the Brownsville Patch. Patricia kept her family whole, Swain told the outlet. She loved her family beyond love. It breaks my heart to see him gone. They had a perfect marriage. In a nationwide protest against gun violence, students across the country exited their classrooms at 10 a.m. local time for 17 minutes a minute for each of the victims killed during the Feb. 14 school shooting in Parkland, Florida. In an effort to peacefully protest gun violence, the organizers of the January 2017 Womens March created National Walkout Day to coincide with the one-month anniversary of the massacre at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, where 17 victims were fatally shot. More than 185,000 students from more than 2,500 schools were expected to participate. A rally on Pennsylvania Avenue across the street from the White House Theres gun violence in our schools and on our streets and we want to show the members of Congress and other adults in our lives that we are fed up with being unsafe, Madison Thomas, national college coordinator for Womens March Youth Empower, told PEOPLE. Were finally taking a stand and showing unified support for gun reform. Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Click here to get breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases in the True Crime Newsletter. Students around the nation have planned walkouts, including at Marjory Stoneman Douglas in Parkland, Fla., in Washington, D.C. and Los Angeles. Communities with schools where other mass shootings occurred such as Columbine High School in Littleton, Colorado, and Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut, are expected to hold walkouts as well. Students at Perry Hall High School in Maryland Some school districts across the country have threatened disciplinary action against students who walk out. The American Civil Liberties Union and the National Juvenile Defender Center will be staffing a legal referral hotline to connect students and/or their parents to local attorneys. The hotline number is 1-857-529-9373 (1-857-LAWYER3). For more compelling true crime coverage, follow our Crime magazine on Flipboard. The wave of support for laws to prevent gun violence continues to surge. The student-organized March For Our Lives will take place on March 24 in Washington, D.C. There will be hundreds of sibling marches held across the world, according to the marchs website. Story continues Students at Battery Park City School in New York City A student at Battery Park City School in New York City Students across the country will be showing their support through social media. EMPOWER, the group organizing the protest, is using the hashtag #ENOUGH, and students are also using the hashtags #NeverAgain and #StudentsStandUp. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. To help you make your voice heard and to let your representatives know you will vote on the issue of sensible gun legislation PEOPLE has released its Call to Action with the contact information for every single voting member of Congress. Weve entered the interesting Red Line Crossing phase of special counsel Robert Muellers investigation into Russian meddling during the 2016 election. Mueller has issued a subpoena demanding the Trump Organization cough up documents including some related to Russia, The New York Times reported Thursday afternoon. Its the first known time Mueller demanded docs directly related to President Trumps businesses, NYT noted, adding that the breadth of the subpoena is unclear. Also murky: why Mueller issued a subpoena rather than just ask for the docs from the umbrella organization that oversees Trumps business ventures. The subpoena was delivered in recent weeks, NYT reported. It orders the Trump Organization to hand over all documents related to Russia and other topics Mueller is probing, the newspaper said, citing unnamed sources. In a recorded interview NYT did with Trump last July, he was asked whether he would consider it a red line if Mueller was looking at his finances and/or his family finances unrelated to Russia. I would say yeah, I would say yes, Trump responded. Report of the subpoena comes in a red-hot news cycle that has Trump attorneys trying to broker a deal for their client to testify before the investigation, and Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein continuing to insist no grounds exist for sacking Mueller. NYT report also comes same day Treasury Department finally saw fit to slap new sanctions on 24 Russian entities and individuals for interfering in the 2016 election. Maybe not coincidentally, those sanctioned included all parties who had been named in Mueller indictment last month, saying they participated in a campaign to use online trolls to mess with the 2016 election. The administration is confronting and countering malign Russian cyber activity, including their attempted interference in U.S. elections, destructive cyberattacks, and intrusions targeting critical infrastructure, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said un-ironically. Story continues Related stories Jimmy Kimmel Wonders How Donald Trump Will Spell 'Subpoena' In Tweets White House Soft-Shoes Questions On Robert Mueller Subpoena Of Trump Organization Jimmy Kimmel Unveils New Melania Trump PSA On Cyberbullying All three members of Sigur Ros have been investigated for and cleared of tax evasion, The Reykjavik Grapevine reports, citing Icelandic papers Frettablai and Morgunblai. The investigation reportedly followed an inquiry from the Directorate of Tax Investigations in Iceland, with 800 million Icelandic kronur (roughly $8 million) worth of assets frozen. The band has now already paid back their tax debt. The members of Sigur Ros denied that they were responsible, citing an error on the part of their accountant. The bands Georg Holm told Morgunblai (translated by the Grapevine), This was quite annoying and extremely costly for us. He added, We thought we had a good relationship with this accountant, we fully trusted him, but then it turned out he hadnt handed in the right documents at the right time. This is nothing but a complete mess that we had no knowledge of until we were notified by the Commissioner. The Grapevines report claims that the majority of the 800 million Icelandic kronur frozen by the government came from assets belonging to vocalist Jonsi. They included thirteen properties, two motorcycles, two cars, six bank accounts and shares in three companies for a total value of 638 million ISK (6.4 million USD). Representatives for Sigur Ros sent the following statement to Pitchfork: Catelynn Baltierra is focusing on the positive after her time in rehab. Weeks after the Teen Mom OG star left rehab at the end of February, she posted an inspirational message to Instagram Wednesday, which declared, I am enough. I am enough. I am full of sparkle & compassion. I genuinely want to make the world a better place. I love hard. I practice kindness, the quote from Molly Mahar reads, which overlays a woman running on an open road and holding balloons with her arms raised. Im not afraid of the truth. I am loyal, adventurous, supportive, and surprising. I am a woman. I am enough, the post continues. It concludes: I make mistakes, but I own them and learn from them. Sometimes I make a lot of mistakes. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. Last month, fans learned on an episode of Teen Mom OG that Catelynn, 26, and her husband Tyler they share 3-year-old daughter Nova and 8-year-old daughter Carly (whom they placed for adoption) lost a baby in a miscarriage. Tyler described the moment as being similar to placing Carly for adoption: Carly is a little different because we get to see her every year. But its a loss, and you feel it, like, you process it as a loss. I guess its something I didnt really understand before. Its crazy. After Catelynns doctor confirmed she had suffered a miscarriage, she told MTV producer Kerthy in her car that she felt the incident was a sign it wasnt the right time to have children. Thank God for kids and husbands, she added. If they werent around I probably wouldve offed myself. Seriously. Im sure a lot of people can relate, Catelynn said. Its like I dont want to live another day like this. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. In January, Catelynn announced on Twitter that she would be returning to rehab for a third time. Well they say third times a charm Im going back to treatment people for 6 weeks to work on my trauma and getting on different meds. THANK YOU @TylerBaltierra I LOVE YOU SO MUCH!!!!! You are my light!! And nova you are my sunshine #KeepTalkingMH, she tweeted. In response to questions from fans, the mother of two said her decision to go back stemmed from childhood trauma. Story continues While she was in rehab, Tyler publicly praised his wife for taking steps to better her mental health. Seeing this gorgeous woman & all the work she has done has given me such hope, a feeling of peace, and unconditional love that is hard to explain with words. It was a very emotionally intense Family Week Program, but I know that our love & commitment towards each other will persevere through anything this life throws our way, he captioned a photo of the couple on Instagram. Im so proud of you Babe & I cant wait until you finally come home so I can just hug you & hold you for as long as I want. You are worthyYou are strongYou are beautifulYou are loved! Thank you for not giving up on your life @catelynnmtv #MyBabe #Soulmate #MyWife, he wrote. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. After a two-month stint in rehab, Catelynn confirmed on Instagram Feb. 26 that she had returned home. Finally home and it feels so good! she captioned a smiling photo of herself and Tyler. Teen Mom OG airs Mondays (9 p.m. ET) on MTV. This summer will be filled with outsize blockbusters, but for sheer scale, nothing will touch Avengers: Infinity War, Marvel Studios years-in-the-making epic that brings together virtually all of its myriad superheroes in one titanic battle against Josh Brolins villainous Thanos. Joe and Anthony Russos eagerly anticipated adventure should squash the box-office competition when it premieres in April (having moved up its release date from May), and though footage of the film has so far been scant, that all changed this morning, when it debuted its jaw-dropping final full-length theatrical trailer and jam-packed poster. Given that its premise sells itself, Avengers: Infinity War needs no spoiler-filled promos to get audiences into the multiplex. That said, the above clip (arriving on the heels of its well-received teaser) is definitely going to amplify anticipation for the upcoming effort, given that it provides a series of eye-opening sights designed to create further excitement about what, precisely, is going to happen in the Avengers battle against the world-conquering, Infinity Stone-coveting Thanos. In just over two minutes, the clip delivers moments featuring just about everyone involved in the jam-packed proceedings, including Chris Pratts Star Lord telling Robert Downey Jr.s Tony Stark that his plan sucks, Tom Hiddlestons Loki standing with Thanoss Black Order, Tom Hollands Spider-Man meeting Benedict Cumberbatchs Dr. Strange (and learning that theyre using their made-up names), Chadwick Bosemans Black Panther joining forces with Chris Evanss Captain America, and most thrilling of all the sight of Cap engaging in outright hand-to-hand combat with Thanos and showing off a feat of Herculean strength thats at once terrifying and thrilling. Even thats just scratching the surface of this latest look at the whos-who extravaganza (new Iron Man tech! Dr. Strange being tortured! The Hulkbuster!), which has naturally been greeted with unbridled enthusiasm from fans: Story continues This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. If excitement was the initial reaction to the above trailer, fear soon followed thanks, in large part, to certain moments and lines of dialogue that seemed to confirm the widespread rumor that some of Earths Mightiest Heroes are fated to die in the forthcoming film. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. 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And what of those Avengers not seen in the trailer or the poster namely the diminutive Ant-Man and ace archer Hawkeye, the latter of whom was revealed to be semi-retired in the new Infinity War prelude comic series, but is nonetheless expected to factor into the film? This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. Eagle-eyed fans also noticed that the above posters cast list indicates that Gwyneth Paltrows Pepper Potts, Idris Elbas Heimdall, and Benicio Del Toros Collector will also be playing a part in the saga. But most intriguing of all is confirmation that Peter Dinklage will be participating in a role thats yet to be specified. Not that people dont have some guesses: This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. Starring just about everyone whos ever appeared in a Marvel movie (give or take a few), Avengers: Infinity War smashes into theaters on April 27. Read more from Yahoo Entertainment: A ski lift in the country of Georgia experienced a massive mechanical failure that appeared to dramatically increase its speed while going in reverse, which forced many of its passengers to jump before they were thrown into the air. According to CNN, about 10 people were injured on Friday when the ski lift malfunctioned at a Gudauri resort, located in the Greater Caucasus Mountain Range. Video of the incident shows the out-of-control lift fling passengers high into the air as their chairs were ripped from the lifts railing. With more chairs racing down at a high speed, many passengers threw themselves into the snow to evade crashing into the pile of damaged chairs piling up at the bottom. Speaking to CNN, Yuri Leontyev of Belarus, who was on the ski lift during the malfunction, described the chaotic scene. The horrifying incident is shown in the video above from ViralHog.com. The ski lift stopped and started going in reverse, Leontyev, 32, told the news station. We had to jump from it because at the bottom (of the hill) it was total trash and no chance to stay safe. Iryna Iadak, of Ukraine, told CNN that her chair paused momentarily before it spun in reverse. RELATED: 18-Year-Old Killed on Ride at Ohio State Fair Died Days After Enlisting in the Marines: He Was One of the Brave Few The movement of the lift stopped and a minute later we drove back, Iadak said, adding that she was on the chair with her boyfriend. The speed increased, it was out of control. The lift could not be stopped. People began to jump from different altitudes, panic began. Many did not manage to jump off and were thrown out from the impact. Ski patrol and a medical crew arrived at the scene to treat the injured, CNN said, and transported them to a clinic on the mountain. The Telegraph reports that the producers of the ski-lift, the Doppelmayr Garaventa Group based in Austria, do not yet know the cause of the incident but are sending representatives to Gudauri. Georgian health minister David Sergeenko told the Telegraph that of the injured, there are two cases they are primarily monitoring. One of the injured, a Ukrainian citizen, broke his hand during the incident, and has a small head injury,Sergeenko told outlet. While a Swedish citizen is pregnant and feels pain in her waist. Most students who wear an outfit deemed inappropriate by school administrators get sent home at some point during the school day. But for one high schooler in North Carolina, getting home from school was the whole problem after the assistant principal wouldnt let her on the school bus because of the top she was wearing. On Friday afternoon, India Middleton received a call from her 16-year-old daughter, Makhigha Davis, who was sitting in Hoke County High Schools main office, telling her mom that she was taken off of the bus by school administrators. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. I told her I was working and needed to wait until my last pickup came, Middleton wrote in a Facebook post that has gone viral. I didnt receive a call from the administration until 5 p.m. He and I had a verbal exchange that ended in him hanging up on me. Nearly an hour later, around 5 p.m., Middleton was finally able to get to the high school to pick up her daughter. When she arrived, she found Davis sitting outside of the school in 50-degree weather, with no adult supervision. In a video included in her Facebook post, Middleton is seen walking up to the building to show that all the lights are off, and all doors are locked. Davis said the last staffer left inside had closed the office and told her to wait outside. I feel that if my child is not allowed to ride the bus because of inappropriate clothing, why would she be allowed to remain on campus for an hour and 45 minutes past the incident? Middleton continued in her post. And could this not have been addressed by in-school suspension Monday? According to a statement provided to ABC11 by the school, it probably could have been dealt with at another time and should have been. Hoke County Schools will not make excuses for the poor judgement demonstrated by the assistant principal, the statement read. The best course of action would have been to allow the student to get on the bus Friday afternoon and, if deemed necessary, handle any dress code issues on Monday morning. All administrators understand that if a child is pulled from a bus then they are responsible for that childs supervision until they are safely picked up by a parent. Story continues But after coming to find her daughter in a seemingly unsafe situation, Middleton doesnt think the school has done enough by the statement. In fact, Middleton told ABC11 that she hasnt sent Davis back to school since. Numerous parents have chimed in on Middletons Facebook post to express their own concerns about the way that Davis was treated, in addition to their confusion over the dress code issue. But, most important, everyone seems to be wondering about what the superintendent will do to punish the assistant principals actions Yahoo Lifestyles request for comment from the school has not yet been returned. It seems like there is no consequence for the administrator, Middleton told the ABC affiliate. He gets to go about his regular day. Read more from Yahoo Lifestyle: Prom dress code bans students from showing excessive clevage and the teens are upset After a boy with braided hair violated his dress code, his mom switched schools Dress-coded student told that not wearing a bra makes people assume bad things Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter for nonstop inspiration delivered fresh to your feed, every day. Holographic lips! 24-karat eyes! Shocking red hair! Fashion month has drawn to a close, but the transportive hair and makeup looks that emerged on the runway have already left a stamp on the collective consciousness. This season, transformation was a theme that informed many above-the-neck statements. There were the dramatic Vidal Sassoonstyle cuts and neon dye jobs at Marc Jacobs, which rendered models unrecognizable to a watershed-moment effect, while Giambattista Vallis glitter-bombed skin and Louis Vuittons subversive, MoMA-worthy gazes proved you can slip into an entirely different character just for the night. And serving as a counterbalance to these moments were the reimaginings of the classics, from Dolce & Gabbanas individualized red mouths to Alexander McQueens powerful serpentine braids. Here, scroll through the eight biggest beauty trends of Fall 2018. Best Beauty Trends of Fall 2018: Red Hair Photographed by Phil Oh Photo: Courtesy of Guido Palau / @guidopalau Photo: Indigital.tv Photo: Indigital.tv Supercharged Red Hair It all began backstage at Alexander Wang, where British colorist Josh Wood proclaimed the reign of platinum over after giving Wang model-muse EZ a penny red dye job. Wood then proceeded to streak rising runway star Songhwa Ohs freshly shorn bowl cut with vivid crimson for Marc Jacobs and helped models Lily Nova and Pasha Harulia transform into shocking Miu Miu redheads, ending Paris Fashion Week on a decidedly fiery note. Best Beauty Trends of Fall 2018: Dramatic Chops Photo: Courtesy of Guido Palau / @guidopalau Photo: Courtesy of Guido Palau / @guidopalau Photo: Courtesy of Paul Hanlon / @paulhanlonhair Photo: Courtesy of Guido Palau / @guidopalau Transformative Chops Models have been getting progressively bolder when it comes to lopping it all off for a single show. But this seasons architectural haircuts were a made-for-Instagram marvel. These geometric shapes are like an accessory in and of themselves, said Guido Palau backstage at Marc Jacobs, where a handful of models had received asymmetrical bobs and curvilinear mop tops inspired by Sassoons iconic 60s crops. And that was just the beginning. Austrian-born hair chameleon Stella Lucia traded in her long, chest-grazing lengths for a piece-y lob ahead of the Roberto Cavalli show, while Givenchy girls Simone Doreleijers and Monika Sawicka each debuted metamorphic boy cuts at designer Clare Waight Kellers request. Story continues Best Beauty Trends of Fall 2018: Futuristic Glam Photo: Courtesy of Laurent Philippon / @laurentphilippon Photo: Courtesy of Pat McGrath / @patmcgrathreal Photo: Courtesy of Thomas de Kluyver / @thomasdekluyver Photo: Shutterstock Futuristic Shine From Maison Margiela to Balmain, fashion looked to the future with designs cast in holographic materials and finishes. But theres no need to wait until next season to embrace a touch of divine shine. As the shimmer-painted, finger-waved updos at Sophia Webster and kaleidoscopic faces at Valli demonstrated, a fewmake that a dozenpots of glitter put matters squarely into ones own hands. If a concentrated touch of glimmer is more your speed, look no further than the Margiela show, where model Alyssa Traores ultraviolet lips beamed thanks to slicks of reflective pigment and high-shine gloss, or Opening Ceremonys Disneyland extravaganza, where prismatic strokes of color were blocked around the eyes. Best Beauty Trends of Fall 2018: Hair Accessories Photo: Courtesy of Sam McKnight / @sammcknight1 Photographed by Corey Tenold Photographed by Corey Tenold Photo: Courtesy of Sam McKnight / @sammcknight1 Go-Big-or-Go-Home Hair Accessories Thanks to Alexander Wangs nine-to-five-inspired metallic claw clips and Tom Fords Rodeo Driveready leather headbands, New York Fashion Week came out swinging on the hair accessory front. But it was Gucci and Chanel that catapulted the accoutrements to Kirakira-worthy effect with extravagant diamante fringe headpieces and twinkly interlocking double-C clips respectively. For a more subtle flourish, the feather-adorned side parts hairstylist Sam McKnight dreamed up for Dries Van Noten were a stunning lesson in thinking outside the box. Best Beauty Trends of Fall 2018: Graphic Eye Photographed by Corey Tenold Courtesy of Pat McGrath / @patmcgrathreal Photographed by Corey Tenold Photo: Courtesy of Dior Courtesy of Pat McGrath / @patmcgrathreal Painterly Eye Statements Jet-black cat-eyes will always be a catwalk mainstay, but designers made a convincing case for a Rainbow Brite gaze. The Technicolor trip began at Sies Marjan, where eyes were encased in richly pigmented ruby-red and deep purple, and continued at Prada, where seven models handpicked by Miuccia herself received supercharged wings decorated with Ziegfeld Girlstyle Swarovski crystals. Then there was the Dior beauty battle cry heard round Paris Fashion Week, with a slew of powdery pastels bluntly slashed along the upper and lower lashes, as well as Altuzarras 80s club-kid eyes in soft-focus washes of aubergine, turquoise, and forest green, and Vuittons equal parts off-kilter and geometric strokes of liner in ultra-punchy brights. Best Beauty Trends of Fall 2018: Braids Photographed by Phil Oh Photo: Courtesy of Eugene Souleiman / @eugenesouleiman Photo: Courtesy of Kristina Vidic / @kristinavidic_ Photo: Courtesy of Eugene Souleiman / @eugenesouleiman Personalized Plaits The custom braids at Simone Rocha, whether swinging down the back or molded into neat updos, were all topped off with black satin bows for a romantic touch, while models who wore cornrows on the Preen by Thornton Bregazzi runway achieved laser-like precision. Meanwhile, Tommy Hilfigers festival-friendly, sporadically placed micro braids and McQueens thick, slicked, and waist-grazing dominatrix plaits proved theres an expressive woven style for everyone. Best Beauty Trends of Fall 2018: Gold Accents Photographed by Corey Tenold Photo: Courtesy of Samantha Lau / @samanthalmua Photo: Courtesy of Julien Dys / @juliendys Photo: Courtesy of Diane Kendal / @diane.kendal Gilded Accents A golden moment can be extreme, as proven by the closed-cropped 24-karat coifs seen at Thom Browne and the towering, glittering Cleopatra-like headpieces and exaggerated Princess Leia buns at Comme des Garcons. Or, it can be a bit more pared back, as exemplified by Ulla Johnson and Akriss gold leaf accents on the eyes and Chanels whisper-light washes of golden shimmer on the cheekbones and temples. Best Beauty Trends of Fall 2018: Red lip Photographed by Corey Tenold Photo: Indigital.tv Photographed by Corey Tenold Photo: Indigital.tv A Rainbow of Red Lips Take it from makeup visionary Pat McGrath: No two red lips should ever be the same. At Dolce & Gabbana, McGrath mixed a variety of scarlet hues to create a bespoke shade for each model, such as Zhenya Katavas bloodred or Maria Borgess tangerine-tinged crimson. And the right finish is just as crucial. Brandon Maxwell, Erdem, and Bottega Veneta showcased bold mattes, while McQueens fire-engine pouts were a study in sexy, high-shine gloss. Want more Vogue Beauty? Sign up for our newsletter to stay up to date on the latest celebrity news, backstage secrets, product reviews, wellness trends, and more. From Town & Country Amid a report that Donald Trump Jr. and his wife Vanessa are "living separate lives," a search reveals that the couple has not been photographed together since November 30, when they attended the National Christmas Tree lighting ceremony at the White House. Photo credit: Manuel Balce Ceneta / AP - Shutterstock Back then the couple, who married at Mar-a-Lago in 2005 and have five children together, did not sit next to each other. Before that, the last time they were photographed next to each other-and looking happy-was at the White House White House Easter Egg Roll on April 17, 2017. Photo credit: Leigh Vogel - WireImage Vanessa Trump has kept a lower profile than the other Trump siblings and their spouses. Jared Kushner has an official role in the White House and Lara Trump, Eric's wife, works with the President's reelection campaign. It has also been a difficult few months for Vanessa. In February, she was hospitalized in New York after opening a suspicious letter addressed to her husband that contained white powder. (The substance was later determined to be cornstarch.) Donald Jr. issued a statement on Twitter saying he was "thankful that Vanessa & my children are safe and unharmed." This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. On Wednesday Page Six, which first reported on the couple's unconfirmed marital woes, also resurrected a cringeworthy quote Vanessa gave during a 2006 interview with the International Herald Tribune. She and her future husband met at a fashion show in 2003, when they were introduced twice by Donald Trump in the course of about five minutes. When Vanessa and Donald Jr. ran into each other at a birthday party six weeks later, Vanessa said she blurted out, you're "the one with the retarded dad!" A spokesperson for the Trump Organization did not respond to a request for comment. You Might Also Like Eryn Gilchrist, a health care worker, is challenging Republican Maine House candidate Leslie Gibson, who was previously running unopposed. (Photo: Maine Democratic Party) On Thursday, Maine Democrats announced a new candidate for the states House District 57 in Maine race in November 2018, a 28-year-old whose social media presence is nonexistent and for whom details are scarce. Eryn Gilchrist, a health care worker from Lewiston, Maine, announced just before Thursdays filing deadline that she would be the one to challenge the previously unopposed Republican candidate, Leslie Gibson, after Gibson used Twitter to attack two Parkland, Fla., high school students who have become prominent faces of the gun control movement. Gilchrist told the Sun Journal that she felt horrified and embarrassed at the thought of Gibson representing her, so she decided to run. In Gibsons attacks on Twitter from his now-deleted account, he called 18-year-old Emma Gonzalez a skinhead lesbian and David Hogg, another student who survived the Feb. 14 shooting that killed 17 people, a bald-faced liar, after the students criticized the National Rifle Association and NRA spokeswoman Dana Loesch for owning members of Congress. Yet, new candidate Gilchrist is a ghost on Twitter, as well as on other social media Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, or otherwise. (There is one Twitter account not personally managed by Gilchrist, but by a group of committed folks dedicated to electing Eryn Gilchrist.) The only public statements Gilchrist has made since announcing her candidacy is one that was published on NBC News: I never thought I would run for office, and I was perfectly content with just remaining a member of the community, but after reading Mr. Gibsons comments I thought that the people of Greene and Sabattus deserved a representative who will respect people and try to work through their differences to make our lives better. Thats what I pledge to do if I am lucky enough to be elected, and I look forward to working hard over the next several months to earn the trust and support of people throughout my community. Story continues This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. Unlike a modern political campaign that includes vast social media outreach and glimpses into a candidates life, information about Gilchrist is scant (granted, her candidacy was only just announced on March 15). According to a school directory search, Gilchrist was an English student at Bates College and graduated in the class of 2013. Gilchrist penned an English fiction thesis, The Sharpening of Carlton Beavers, which she read to an audience at a school summit celebrating student works. The faculty moderator, Robert Farnsworth, a senior lecturer at Bates College, oversaw Gilchrists thesis reading along with those of four other students, and says of the candidate, Im struggling to remember if we had class together. We probably did, but my remembrance of her as a writer was uniformly positive; she was quite ambitious and energetic. There was real fizz in what she wrote as Im remembering. While theres plenty of chatter about Gilchrists run, theres little information about the candidates policy beliefs and whether they align strictly with those of the Maine Democratic Party, which did not immediately respond to a request for comment. According to NBC News, the congressional district in which Gilchrist is running is currently represented by Stephen Wood, a Republican who has reached his term limit and thus cannot run for reelection. Hillary Clinton won Maines statewide vote and the First Congressional District in the 2016 presidential election, but only by a slim margin. Donald Trump won Maines Second Congressional District. Read more from Yahoo Lifestyle: Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter for nonstop inspiration delivered fresh to your feed, every day. Aubrey Lane, American Airlines, Rape A woman who said she was raped during a recent flight claims the man responsible still hasn't been arrested. Aubrey Lane, a 31-year-old married mother from Colorado, said she was assaulted while on a red-eye flight from Phoenix to New York this past June. The man who sat next to her on that flight appeared to be drunk. "My first thought was this guy's drunk. He was super chatty,' Lane said in an interview with the Dallas Morning News. 'I've flown a lot. I'm used to people saying hello. This is the most anyone has sat down and started talking to me." RELATED: Shia LaBeouf Reveals The Heartbreaking Childhood Memory That Gave Him PTSD Even though the man seemed drunk, Lane said flight attendants continued to serve him alcohol throughout the flight. A few hours into it, she got up to use the bathroom. She said the man got up and followed her into the bathroom where he raped her. Lane said she immediately reported the incident to the flight attendants who moved her to a seat at the back of the plane. "I was feeling overwhelmed," she said. "All of a sudden, I was thrown in a middle seat, bawling. On top of being sad and hurt and scared, I was also embarrassed." When they landed in New York, authorities were called to meet the plane at the gate but they only took Lane to the hospital. RELATED: 8 Strange Details About The Unsolved Murder Of Faith Hedgepeth The Disturbing Voicemail On Her Phone & The Threatening Note On A Fast Food Bag Her attacker wasn't taken into custody and today she still doesn't even know his name. Because the alleged raped happened in the air, FBI has to investigate and prosecute. Lane said she's looking to sue American Airlines for letting the drunk man board the plane and continuing to serve him drinks. Facebook Lane said American responded to her attorneys with a letter this past December and called her allegations a "nuisance claim." They offered her a $5,000 payout, which she has not accepted. Story continues "I'm coming out now because [American] hasn't made it evident it wants to change this," Lane said. "What's going to stop this from happening again unless I make a big fuss about it?" RELATED: Horrific New Details Released About WHY A Mother Let Her Boyfriend And His Cousin Rape And Murder Her 10-Year-Old Daughter While She Watched Emily Blackwood is an editor at YourTango who covers pop culture, true crime, dating, relationships and everything in between. Every Wednesday at 7:20 p.m. you can ask her any and all questions about self-love, dating, and relationships LIVE on YourTangos Facebook page. You can follow her on Instagram (@blackw00d) and Twitter (@emztweetz). Keywords: crime, rape read more Watch news, TV and more on Yahoo View. Congressman Joaquin Castro was frustrated and angry. The Texas Democrat had just learned that the Republicans were pulling the plug on the tortured, bastardized House Intelligence Committee investigation into Russian interference with the 2016 presidential election. I just sawon the newsthat Mike Conaway is announcing that theyre wrapping up the investigation and the committee is just going to do a report, Castro, a member of the committee, says. There are unanswered questions on collusion, money laundering, and obstruction. Not following any of these leads is an abject failure for the American people. So thank God that Bob Mueller and the Senate are still conducting their investigations. The Senate probes have plenty of their own partisan constraints. Mueller, however, has been barreling ahead. In mid-February the special counsel unveiled the indictment of 13 Russians and 3 Russian-related companies, charging them with waging a sprawling effort to plant thousands of bogus Internet items and stage sham rallies in support of the Trump campaign. Last months indictment, though, did more than identify alleged foreign criminals: it laid a foundation for Muellers next big move. Hes likely to target another batch of Russians, this time for hacking into the Democratic National Committee, Republican National Committee, and Clinton campaign computersand outside investigators expect Mueller will also name Americans who may have helped the Russians distribute the hacked materials. Castro has a unique window onto the special counsels possible course and sees careful calculation in its unfolding. By indicting the 13 Russians first, he says, Mueller laid the groundwork to show that there is this malignant force out there that was interfering with the American elections. Once everybody can appreciate that, then he moves forward and says, O.K., these are the Americans that were helping these bad people. Story continues Possible big-name targetsall of whom have consistently denied conspiring with or aiding the Russian election-meddlinginclude Roger Stone Jr., the longtime Trump adviser; Guccifer 2.0 correspondent, and gleeful dirty trickster; Cambridge Analytica, the data-mining company; and Brad Parscale, who ran the Trump campaigns social-media operation. But Mueller has so far proven adept at uncovering previously obscure operatives and forcing them to plead guiltyincluding foreign-policy adviser George Papadopoulos, Dutch attorney Alex van der Zwaan, and Rick Gates, the right-hand man to Paul Manafort, Trumps former campaign chairman who has financial ties to Eastern Europe. The big question here is whether the Russians had any help in distributing the hacked material, Castro says. And its really any guidance or direction or information sharing or data sharing with any Americans. These are very sophisticated folks, so it doesnt take a lot of interaction necessarily to get them springing into action. They dont need 10,000 e-mails going back and forth. You just need to point them in the right direction. Mueller is very good at getting people to turn on their superiors. If youre looking just for a paper trail with the main cast of characters, you may not find it. But youve got all these underlings who may have been given a direction, Hey, go figure this out. Parscale had 100 people under him here in San Antonio for the digital operation. Including helpers from Twitter, Facebook, and Google. Weve heard that the Trump campaign went through dozens of Facebook embeds until they settled on people who they found loyal, one House investigator says. Has Mueller talked to them, or to the Google and Twitter embeds? Seems logical. (The special counsels office and Twitter declined to comment; Facebook and Google did not return requests for comment.) Whoever Mueller names in the next indictment will also be contending with a new, sinister extra-legal worry. The poisoning of former Russian spy Sergei Skripal and his 33-year-old daughter in England has sent chills through the ranks of witnesses and possible cooperatorsjust as it was intended to do. When countries do a spy swap, youre basically agreeing that were going to let you take this person, and theyre allowed to live in your country, says Michael Carpenter, a former deputy assistant defense secretary with an expertise in Russian affairs. Its not, Were going to let you take this person but were going to continue to try and kill them. Thats an unwritten rule of spycraft. When it comes to the 2016 American presidential election, however, the Putin regime looks increasingly unwilling to follow rules of any kind. I suspect Skripal was talking to Christopher Steele or someone on Christopher Steeles team, Carpenter says, referring to the former British spy who in 2016 compiled the dossier of alleged ties between Trump and Russia. That is why this got Putins ire up, and so thats why they went after him. The Kremlins No. 1 goal here is to intimidate anyone that may have talked to Steele or any of his associates, or who might cooperate with Mueller. Yeah, its pretty ominous. Its a really, really bad development. Passengers and social media users alike are outraged after a video surfaced showing Southwest Airlines bringing a taxiing plane back to the gate to kick off a previously unruly young girl and the toddlers parents. Passenger Alexis Armstrong, who filmed the Southwest Flight 1683 incident, said the two-year-old girl, and a man who was likely her father were asked to leave the Chicago to Atlanta flight Wednesday prior to takeoff. Video shows the end of the incident at Chicago Midway International Airport, in which the man exiting the plane ridicules an airline employee directing them to leave, Im glad you screwed up everyones day. Trending: Tribeca Games Festival Lineup Includes God of War, Tomb Raider Talks In an interview with Law&Crime, Armstrong said the girl had a brief fit during the boarding process while passengers were still milling about and the man was told, she needs to calm and sit or she will be escorted off. The young child reportedly quieted down for five minutes and the plane pushed back from the gate. But just minutes later, the pilot came on and said the plane would be returning to the gate for a customer service issue and to fill up gas. But it was then that several flight attendants and security personnel entered the aircraft, confronted the family and told them to leave immediately. No more discussion. Get back at the gate. You know that was the option, and Im gonna get out of your face, the videotaped confrontation shows a female Southwest employee telling the family. Were cleared for departure, we all need to understand the operation unfortunately. Don't miss: Watch: Women Accuse Muslims at Tempe Mosque of 'Child Marriages, Raping Goats' Shes a child. She was scared, he was trying to calm her down, another passenger can be heard pleading with the flight attendants. Several additional passengers can be heard taking the side of the family, arguing that the child had been quiet for several minutes at that point. Story continues OK, this is not helpful guys. Do you wanna go to Atlanta? Or the airline official snaps back. The decision has been made, a second flight attendant says. The Wednesday video aboard the Southwest Airlines flight is just the latest viral clip showing chaotic scenes aboard planes. The woman who recorded the incident on her phone told Inc., "I am not sure why I even began to film, I just knew from the womans attitude and security approaching it wasnt going to end well. Most popular: Jared Kushner and Donald Trump to Get 200 Freedom Of Information Act Requests From Impeachment Campaign "All I really wanted was [the video] to be seen by Southwest and apologize to this family, Armstrong added to Law&Crime. The airline issued a statement saying the girl and her family were boarded onto the next flight, but they said the flight attendants were simply following pre-flight protocol for disruptive young children: After pushback Wednesday evening, Flight 1683 to Atlanta returned to the gate at Chicago Midway to allow supervisors to board the aircraft. Our initial reports indicate a conversation escalated onboard between the crew and a customer traveling with a small child. We always aim for a welcoming and hospitable experience and regret the inconvenience to all involved. The traveling party was booked on the next flight to Atlanta after the original flight continued as planned. We will reach out to the customer to listen to any concerns they have about their experience and look forward to welcoming them onboard again soon. This article was first written by Newsweek More from Newsweek Rescuers had to wait until Tuesday for the weather to clear to fly to Mendenhall Towers, a mountain that rises nearly 7,000 feet (2,134 meters) over the Juneau Ice Field, about 12 miles (20 kilometers) north of Juneau. They found an intact anchor rope at the top of an ice chute on one peak and saw two climbing ropes in a crevasse midway down the same peak. Megan Peters, a spokeswoman for the Alaska State Troopers, said it wasnt clear what went wrong because no one saw what happened. We know they made it to the top. We know they set anchor, she said. Whether they were taken out by an avalanche, whether their rope failed I mean, anything could happen. Officials wont be able to recover the bodies right away because of avalanche danger. Johnson and Leclerc had been flown to the mountain and planned to ski out to an area to be picked up. Leclerc was considered a gifted climber. Outside magazine called him one of the best young alpinists in the world, and his biography on the website of a sponsor, Canadian outdoor equipment company ArcTeryx, says he completed several ascents in Canada and Patagonia. Sadly, we have lost two really great climbers and I lost a son I am very proud of, Leclercs father, Serge, wrote on Facebook. Thank you for the support during this difficult time. My heart is so broken Part of me is gone with him. Treya Klassen, a close friend of Serge Leclerc, said last week that the younger Leclerc had his eye on climbing Mendenhall Towers for a decade. An online version of Alpinist magazine said Johnson knew the mountain. He had scaled Mendenhall Towers multiple times and received an American Alpine Club grant earlier this year to climb the 13,832-foot (4,216-meter) Mount Hayes in the Alaska Range, according to the Juneau Empire newspaper. Online fundraising pages have been set up for both men. The page for Johnson said the money will be used to pay for search efforts and to support his 2-year-old son. Leclercs family said donations will help his partner as she and other family members grieve. Lawmakers in the Alaska House of Representatives held a moment of silence for the climbers Wednesday. Stephen Hawking was well-known for his work on black holes and the theory of relativity. He also had theories on topics from artificial intelligence to humans moving to other planets. Hawking once predicted that the earth would turn into a giant ball of fire by 2600 and humans would need to colonize another planet or face extinction. The scientist also claimed that the advent of artificial intelligence could be the "worst event in the history of our civilization." Hawking died at the age of 76 on Wednesday. Stephen Hawking was well-known for his work on black holes and the theory of relativity. But, the famous physicist, who passed away on Wednesday at the age of 76, also had some predictions about the future, ranging from topics such as aliens to the end of the world. Here are some of his most famous predictions. The earth will turn into a ball of fire Hawking theorized that humans would turn the planet into a giant ball of fire by 2600 due to overcrowding and energy consumption which will make Earth uninhabitable. As a result, humans will need to go to live on another planet. Hawking said humans will need to colonize another planet within 100 years or face extinction. "With climate change, overdue asteroid strikes, epidemics and population growth, our own planet is increasingly precarious," he said in a BBC documentary last year. Hawking is part of the Breakthrough Starshot initiative, which plans to develop ultra-fast light-powered spacecraft that can look for habitable worlds that might be circling the nearby star, Alpha Centauri. "Such a system could reach Mars in less than an hour, or reach Pluto in days, pass Voyager in under a week and reach Alpha Centauri in just over 20 years," Hawking said at the event. Hawking's thoughts were similar to SpaceX and Tesla CEO Elon Musk . He said last year that there will be an "extinction event" if humans stay on Earth, according to an article in the journal New Space. Musk has made it clear that he believes that Mars could be a good alternative to Earth. Story continues Warnings on A.I. In November last year, Hawking said the emergence of artificial intelligence (AI) could be the "worst event in the history of our civilization," unless society finds a way to control its development. The physicist did say that the technology could help eradicate poverty and disease, but admitted its future is uncertain. "Success in creating effective AI, could be the biggest event in the history of our civilization. Or the worst. We just don't know. So we cannot know if we will be infinitely helped by AI, or ignored by it and side-lined, or conceivably destroyed by it," Hawking said during the speech. "Unless we learn how to prepare for, and avoid, the potential risks, AI could be the worst event in the history of our civilization. It brings dangers, like powerful autonomous weapons, or new ways for the few to oppress the many. It could bring great disruption to our economy." Global warming could reach a 'tipping point' In an interview with the BBC last July, Hawking warned that global warming could reach a point where it can't be reversed. "We are close to the tipping point where global warming becomes irreversible. (President Donald) Trump's action could push the Earth over the brink, to become like Venus, with a temperature of two hundred and fifty degrees, and raining sulphuric acid," Hawking said. The scientist criticized Donald Trump decision last year to pull out of the Paris climate agreement, saying that it would cause "environmental damage to our beautiful planet, endangering the natural world, for us and our children." There may be aliens out there Given that Hawking spent most of his life looking at space, it's not surprising that he has pondered whether there are other lifeforms out there. In 2015, Hawking joined Russian billionaire Yuri Milner to launch a project aimed at using high-powered computers to listen for aliens. The project, known as Breakthrough Initiatives, supports SETI@home, a scientific experiment based at the University of California, Berkeley. It uses computers to scan the skies to look for life. "Somewhere in the cosmos, perhaps, intelligent life may be watching these lights of ours aware of what they mean," Hawking said. "Or do our lights wander a lifeless cosmos, unseen beacons announcing that here on our rock, the universe discovered its existence?." CNBC's Robert Ferris contributed to this report. More From CNBC Geneva (AFP) - More than 57,000 refugees have crossed into Uganda this year after fleeing ethnic strife in the Democratic Republic of Congo's northeastern Ituri province, the United Nations refugee agency said Friday. That rate of flight far surpasses the 44,000 refugees who made a similar journey through all of 2017, UNHCR spokesman Babar Baloch told reporters in Geneva. Refugees are primarily entering Uganda via Lake Albert on makeshift boats, a dangerous crossing that has already proved fatal for "several" people, UNHCR said in a statement. Fighting in Ituri has involved the Hema and Lendu communities, respectively cattle herders and farmers who have a long history of violence over access to land. At least 130 people have been killed since clashes flared anew in December, according to an unofficial toll compiled by AFP, while humanitarian workers say around 200,000 have been displaced. The conflict is one of many plaguing the chronically insecure central African nation. UNHCR noted that the struggles aid workers face in accessing Ituri made it "difficult to offer a detailed picture of the situation." But the agency said it "has received chilling accounts of violence," including rape and murder, and had stepped up measures to help survivors. Tensions in DR Cogo have heightened amid the political uncertainty surrounding President Joseph Kabila's future. In December, Kabila faces elections that have been twice delayed since his second presidential term -- the last under the country's constitution -- expired at the end of 2016. WASHINGTON (Reuters) - All personnel aboard a U.S. military helicopter carrying American service members were killed in a crash in western Iraq, the U.S. Central Command said on Friday. Central Command did not say how many people were killed in the crash late on Thursday. A U.S. military official told Reuters on Thursday the U.S. HH-60 Pave Hawk helicopter was carrying seven people. The crash, which did not appear to be the result of enemy activity, is under investigation, the command said in a statement. "All personnel aboard were killed in the crash," said Brigadier General Jonathan P. Braga, director of operations of the Combined Joint Task Force. "This tragedy reminds us of the risks our men and women face every day in service of our nations." The military said a second accompanying American helicopter immediately reported the crash and Iraqi security forces and coalition members secured the area. Two U.S. officials, speaking on condition of anonymity and citing initial reports, said on Thursday the aircraft crashed near al-Qaim, a town in Anbar province close to the Syrian border. The United States says it has about 5,200 troops in Iraq that are part of a coalition fighting Islamic State militants. (Reporting by Doina Chiacu and Idrees Ali; Editing by Bernadette Baum) A man accused of robbing a Las Vegas casino in January attempted to elude capture by disguising himself in blackface. Cameron James Kennedy, 26, was charged Monday in federal court for one count of interference with commerce by robbery after he allegedly stole $23,367 from a casino cage at the New York-New York Hotel & Casino on Jan. 10. At the time of the robbery, Kennedy was under federal supervision for a bank robbery and required to wear a GPS device. Police said he cut off the bracelet three hours before the casino robbery, according to local station KVVU. Kennedy allegedly covered his face with black makeup before the robbery, but the casino cashier told authorities she thought the perp was white because his skin tone appeared irregular and blotchy, according to the Las Vegas Sun. Cameron James Kennedy, 26, is accused of robbing a casino cage at the New York-New York casino in Las Vegas while wearing blackface. (Photo: Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Dept) Kennedy allegedly committed the robbery by showing the cashier a handgun was tucked in his waistband and telling her, I want all your hundreds, and dont mess around, according to the Las Vegas Review-Journal. According to a criminal complaint, Kennedy left the casino in a taxi with more than $23,000. Investigators said Kennedy bought a gold bracelet for $1,500, money orders of more than $1,800 and a $1,000 prepaid debit card in someone elses name after the robbery. An anonymous tipster fingered Kennedy for the crime on Jan. 18 and he was arrested Jan. 25. In addition, an unidentified witness told the FBI that Kennedy bought him a $1,000 prepaid debit card several weeks after the casino heist, according to The Associated Press. Phone records also placed Kennedy near where the taxi dropped off the robber. Kennedy was ordered held in federal custody pending a March 26 preliminary hearing on the robbery charge. If convicted, the maximum penalty is 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine, according to CBS Las Vegas. Also on HuffPost David Ziskowski and Megan Ohara Authorities say David Ziskowski and Megan Ohara left the woman's name and telephone number in the guestbook of a South Florida art gallery before stealing about $6,000 worth of jewelry. Darrin Farmer Darrin Farmer, a local judge of elections in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, was arrested after allegedly failing to show up to the polls Tuesday and instead deciding to work as a jitney driver for the day. Quanta'e Powell Powell is accused of running naked around a Florida apartment complex in Feb. 2012. A police report on Powell's arrest notes that, ""Statements from the defendant were not possible as he would only state he loved cocaine and needed more cocaine." Darron Lynn Koenig Koenig was accused in Feb. 2013 of throwing hammers at Texas construction workers and then baracading himself inside his residence when police arrived to question him, according to the Houston Chronicle. Garrett Michael Hoover Hoover was arrested for disorderly conduct in South Carolina on Nov. 16, 2012. But, more importantly, he's "down to boink." Sean Carl Payne Story continues Payne is accused of being so drunk that a police officer had to hold his head up for his mugshot after he was arrested in Oct. 2012 by Humble, Tex. cops. Terry Smith Officers in Port Orange, Fla., say Terry Smith allegedly tried to rob a taxi and, in the process, left his wallet in the cab. William Kise After crashing his Mustang into an Indianapolis home, William Kise's first question to the victims was reportedly, "You want some pizza?" Michael Don Mitchell Michael Don Mitchell, 38, is accused of stealing $87 in cash and change from a home in Lakeport, Tex., as well as a can of Chef Boyardee ravioli. Investigators identified him by the spaghetti sauce around his lips and mouth. Arthur Brundage Police in Syracuse, N.Y., say Arthur Brundage robbed a bank and then came back to claim he was shortchanged on the loot. Daniel Selmon Police in Aurora, Ill., say they discovered Daniel Selmon was growing marijuana when they spotted a large bonfire he allegedly lit to keep the plants warm. Raymond Garcia Raymond Garcia, 45, was arrested after cops saw him fighting a street sign. Phillip Beach Phillip Beach is accused of trying to steal a boat by jumping in the water and pulling it as he swam. He was arrested for felony theft. John Caruso John Caruso is accused of squirting dish soap in his girlfriend's mouth in an attempt to stop her from cursing. Cristian Villarreal-Castillo Sheriff's deputies responding to a burglary call say they found Cristian Villarreal-Castillo, a 20-year-old man, asleep on the kitchen floor of a home in Oregon. Chad William Forber Chad William Forber, 41, has been charged with possession of methamphetamine, resisting or obstructing a peace officer and possession of drug paraphernalia, stemming from an incident where he was found naked in public covered in nothing but Crisco. Johnny Broestler Johnny Broestler, 46, is accused of smearing dirty underwear on another man's face after an argument about rent. Joyce Coffey Joyce Coffey was arrested four times in 26 hours for blasting the AC/DC song "Highway to Hell" and other loud music from her home and for throwing a frying pan. LaKeisha Nicole Brown LaKeisha Nicole Brown, 24, of Longview, Tex., is accused of running an SUV over five people playing dominoes in a car port. James David Gray James David Gray was charged with his fifth DUI when police in Ocala, Fla., pulled him over for driving drunk on a lawnmower. Terry Davis Terry Davis is accused of stealing a textbook called "Resolving Ethical Issues" from the University of Louisville's Health Sciences Center and then later trying to resell the book to a rival book store. April Hill April Hill, 22, of Greenville, Indiana, was arrested on preliminary charges of operating a vehicle while intoxicated with a blood-alcohol content of 0.15 or higher and a felony count of disturbing a train bed. Eric Butkiewicz Patriotically-adorned Butkiewicz, 31, was arrested in the wee hours of the morning after Independence Day for allegedly dealing drugs at Miami's posh Fontainebleau Hotel. Rhonda Washington Rhonda Washington, 33, of Bryan, Tex., is accused of stabbing her husband because she didn't like his Facebook update. She maintains that she stabbed him with keys because she was mad he was doing PCP in the house. Naked Chainsaw Lindsay Medd Stevens was arrested by police in Knoxville, Tenn., for indecent exposure after his neighbor saw him cutting a tree down -- while completely in the buff. Knox County sheriff's deputy Scott Ritch told WATE-TV that he saw Stevens standing completely nude in his yard cutting a tree, only to run inside his house when he saw the officer. Jason Dornhoff Jason Dornhoff was arrested after he wrote a bomb threat on the back of a job application, police said. Cops searched his truck, but found no explosives. Robert Gernot Germot was accused of threatening his neighbor by saying, "When I get done taking a s--t, I'm gonna kick your f---ing a--!" Ilyass Nabih and Thony Sengsoulya Ilyass Nabih and Thony Sengsoulya, both of Nashua, New Hampshire, were arrested on drug charges in June 2012 after authorities spotted them allegedly trying to shoot up heroin while parked outside the Lawrence Police Station in Massachusetts. Vladimir Mishkov Mishkov is accused of masturbating in front of a jail employee on his way to court to face a previous flashing charge. Kelsey Smith In June, 2012, Smith was accused of driving under the influence and of spitting blood on law enforcement officers in Volusia County, Fla. Raymond Carl Knudson Raymond Carl Knudson pleaded guilty June 25 to sticking up a Bank of America branch in April, a crime he confessed within minutes of committing. Kola J. McGrath Kola J. McGrath was arrested for sneaking into her boyfriend's apartment complex by hiding in a small pink suitcase in Portland, Ore. The police searched the apartment of Curtis T. Lowe after being informed that a man had kidnapped a woman, put her in a suitcase, and taken her into the building. They found McGrath hiding in a closet. Houaka Yang Houaka Yang, 20, of Wisconsin, accidentally videotaped his confession and identified himself on tape with a camcorder he stole. Once the video camera was recovered, the victim uploaded Yang's clip to YouTube. Pocahontas Luerissie Ashley Ross -- who is also a stripper called Pocahontas -- was arrested in February after she allegedly lured a man to his death and shot another in two robberies in Houston. Read more. Clyde Hobbs Clyde Hobbs was arrested in May, 2012 for allegedly calling 911 at least 17 times -- to talk dirty to operators. He'd been arrested several times in the past for the same crime. When cops arrived to collar him, Hobbs asked, "Are you here to arrest me again?" Read more. Love HuffPost? Become a founding member of HuffPost Plus today. This article originally appeared on HuffPost. Pretoria (AFP) - Former South African president Jacob Zuma will face prosecution on corruption charges that haunted much of his term in office, the country's chief prosecutor said Friday. Zuma is accused of taking kickbacks from the $5 billion purchase of fighter jets, patrol boats and other arms, manufactured by five European firms, including British military equipment maker BAE Systems and French company Thales. National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesman Luvuyo Mfaku confirmed to AFP that Thales would also face prosecution, alongside Zuma. Thales declined to make any immediate comment. "After consideration of the matter I am of the view there are reasonable prospects of a successful prosecution of Mr Zuma on the charges listed in the indictment," National Director of Public Prosecutions Shaun Abrahams told a media briefing in Pretoria. Zuma will face one count of racketeering, two counts of corruption, one of money laundering and 12 counts of fraud -- all of which can carry lengthy custodial sentences on conviction. "I am of the view that a trial court would be the most appropriate forum for these issues to be ventilated and to be decided upon," said Abrahams. Prosecutors declined to confirm what charges Thales would face. "We don't want to be prosecuting people in the media," said Mfaku. "That will come out in court." The former president could now appeal the ruling on a number of grounds and argue that the decision is illegitimate. In December, the High Court in Pretoria ordered then-deputy president Cyril Ramaphosa to replace Abrahams, ruling that Zuma's original decision to appoint him was "null and void" because he was "conflicted" at the time. "Justice must not only be done, but must also be seen to be done -- I am mindful that everyone is equal before the law," said Abrahams, who noted that "Mr Zuma disputes all allegations against him". Story continues "I don't think Zuma can stay out of court -- there's too many charges hanging over him," independent political analyst and author Nomavenda Mathiane told AFP ahead of the announcement. Abrahams said that his department's representatives in Zuma's home region of KwaZulu-Natal "will facilitate the necessary processes for Mr Zuma and his co-accused to appear in court". Last year, a court ruled against a decision by prosecutors in 2009 to drop the corruption charges against Zuma just months before he became president, laying the path to Friday's announcement. - 'Innocent until proven guilty' - Zuma's criminal charges relate to an arms procurement deals struck by the government in the late 1990s and from which he is accused of profiting corruptly to the tune of four million rand ($345,000, 280,000 euros). State prosecutors previously justified dropping the case by saying that tapped phone calls between officials in then-president Thabo Mbeki's administration showed undue interference. In 2005 Zuma's former financial adviser Schabir Shaik was convicted for facilitating bribes over the contracts and sentenced to 15 years in prison. He was later released on medical parole. Shaik told the local TimesLive online news wesite that he had been subpoenaed "so I must testify". "I think the law must take its course," he told News24. Zuma resigned as president last month after the ruling African National Congress (ANC) party threatened to remove him from office. The ANC noted Friday's decision and called in a statement for "Comrade Zacob Zuma to be presumed innocent until, and if, proven guilty". The AfriForum campaign group, which has railed against corruption in South Africa's democratic era, had threatened to privately prosecute Zuma if the NPA did not. "The NPA's decision to prosecute Zuma (is) not only a victory for AfriForum, but also for the principle of equality before the law," said the group's chief executive, Kallie Kriel. In addition to the corruption scandals that dogged his time in office, Zuma had been under fire for his handling of the economy, which has been battered by falling economic growth and record unemployment. The opposition Democratic Alliance (DA) party has campaigned since 2009 to reactivate the charges. "It doesn't matter who you are, whether you are the president, in whatever office you hold, accountability must be effective and justice will be met," said DA leader Mmusi Maimane. "He must have his day in court... We will see him in orange overalls." Zuma's successor Ramaphosa has vowed to tackle corruption, admitting it was a major problem in the previous government. Johannesburg (AFP) - Here is a timeline of major events in the corruption charges against disgraced South African former president Jacob Zuma: October 1995 - The South African air force decides to replace some of its jets. March 1997 - The government approves a plan to replace defence hardware. October 1997 - Deputy president Thabo Mbeki opens a tender for the supply of arms estimated to cost around 12 billion rand. November 1998 - The cabinet approves the arms deal at a price tag of 30 billion rand. On the same day Zuma, then a provincial minister, meets with his personal financial advisor Schabir Shaik and an official from French arms dealer Thomson-CSF. The auditor-general raises red flag over the deal as "high-risk". June 1999 - Thabo Mbeki is elected president of South Africa with Jacob Zuma as his deputy. September 1999 - An opposition lawmaker Patricia de Lille alerts parliament that the arms deal could be fishy and calls for an inquiry. December 1999 - Finance Minister Trevor Manuel seals off the deal at 29.9 billion rand. February 2000 - The serious economic crimes offences police unit known as the Scorpions launch investigations. November 2002 - Local media reports that Zuma, who is not yet president, is under investigation. October 2004 - Trial of Zuma's adviser Shaik opens. June 2005 - Shaik is convicted and jailed for 15 years for fraud and corruption. Four years later he is released on medical parole in 2009, the year Zuma becomes president. - Zuma is charged with having had a "generally corrupt" relationship with Shaik. Mbeki fires him as deputy president - Zuma is formally indicted on two graft charges. December 2007 - Zuma is elected president of the ruling African National Congress party, unseating Mbeki. Ten days later Zuma is slapped with fraud, corruption, money laundering and racketeering charges for allegedly getting kickbacks from one of the bidders. September 2008 - A judge rules that the corruption charges against Zuma are invalid. Story continues April 2009 - Acting chief prosecutor Mokotedi Mpshe withdraws charges against Zuma based on the phone conversation of the so-called "spy tapes" that suggest the charges were politically motivated. May 2009 - Zuma is sworn in as South Africa's president. October 2011 - Zuma appoints a judiciary panel into the arms deal. April 2016 - The panel clears all government officials of corruption over the arms deal. Days later the High Court in Pretoria rules that the 2009 decision to drop the charges was "irrational" and that charges must be reinstated. October 2017 - The Supreme Court of Appeal rules that Zuma is liable for prosecution. February 2018 - Zuma is forced to resign as South African president by his party in the wake of mounting corruption scandals around him. March 2018 - Prosecutors decide he should face 12 counts of fraud, two of corruption, one of racketeering and one of money laundering. New Delhi (AFP) - India's state-run carrier Air India said Friday it will fly over Saudi airspace to Tel Aviv, a move that ends a decades-long Saudi ban on the use of its airspace for flights to Israel. The decision comes at a time of growing ties between India and several Middle Eastern countries, and after Israel's leader Benjamin Netanyahu hinted at a diplomatic realignment in the region earlier this month. "The Air India flights to Israel will start from March 22. The flights will take around seven hours and five minutes, and fly over... Saudi airspace," airline spokesman Praveen Bhatnagar told AFP. The new route was announced by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi last July, with Netanyahu first suggesting in January the route could pass over Saudi Arabia. Riyadh has no official ties with Tel Aviv, with Israel's national carrier El Al currently taking a detour over the Red Sea on its India service to avoid Saudi and Iranian airspace. Netanyahu told reporters in Washington earlier this month that Air India had reached an agreement with Saudi Arabia for the route. The airline's spokesman at the time confirmed the launch schedule for a thrice-a-week service from New Delhi to Tel Aviv but couldn't confirm the exact route. - 'Common challenges' - Flying over Saudi Arabia significantly shortens the flight time over the proposed route. Riyadh has maintained public silence about suggestions the kingdom has covert relations with Israel, but Netanyahu said earlier this month in Washington that Israel and the Arab states have "never been closer". "Most of the states in our region know -- they know very well, believe me -- that Israel is not their enemy, but their indispensible ally in confronting our common challenges and seizing our common opportunities," Netanyahu also said at a public event in the US capital. Modi became the first Indian Prime Minister to visit Israel last year, and has pushed for investment, technology cooperation and closer defence ties between the two countries. Saudi Arabia and its immediate neighbourhood is also strategically important for India as the major source of the country's energy imports. The wider region also hosts millions of Indian migrant workers who send billions of dollars in remittances each year. By David Beasley ATLANTA (Reuters) - Alabama on Thursday executed a 50-year-old man convicted for the kidnapping and murder of a woman in 2000, and Georgia put to death a man dubbed the "stocking strangler." Carlton Gary, 67, was convicted of a series of murders in which he chocked victims with panty hose in Columbus, Georgia. Gary was convicted in the murders of Florence Scheible, Martha Thurmond and Kathleen Woodruff in Columbus in 1977 and 1978. He was also linked to the murder of four other women in a two-year crime spree, police said. But Gary's lawyers say evidence uncovered since his conviction raised serious doubts about the prosecutions case against him. Mr. Gary is not the Columbus Stocking Strangler, his lawyers wrote in their March 9 appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court. Hours before the planned execution, they asked for a halt to the proceedings to allow for DNA testing. Gary was pronounced dead at 10:33 p.m. ET, Georgia prison officials said. The killings in Columbus stopped in 1978 but Gary was not arrested until 1984 when he was linked to a gun stolen in the home of one of the victims. Prosecutors said they had a confession from Gary and fingerprint evidence that implicated him in the crimes. DNA testing of body fluids from crime scenes was not available at the time and subsequent testing clears Gary, his lawyers said. In neighboring Alabama, Michael Eggers was put to death by lethal injection without complications at 7:29 p.m. CDT, state prison spokesman Bob Horton said. Mr. Eggers was convicted of brutally beating and then murdering Mrs. Francis Murray, who was simply trying to help him," Alabama Governor Kay Ivey said in a statement after the execution. It was the first execution in Alabama since a botched lethal injection a few weeks ago. The two men, neither of whom gave a final statement, were the fifth and sixth to be executed in the United States this year. Their executions brought to 1,471 the number of inmates put to death since the U.S. Supreme Court reinstated the death penalty in 1976. Story continues Alabama's death chamber protocols have come under a federal court review after it aborted its attempt on Feb. 22 to execute Doyle Hamm, 61, a convicted murderer with terminal cancer and severely compromised veins. After more than 10 attempts to place a needle, the execution was called off. (Reporting by David Beasley in Atlanta and Jon Herskovitz in Austin, Texas; Editing by James Dalgleish and Lisa Shumaker) STEVE isnt as popular or as famous as the northern or southern lights, but STEVE is still a beautiful show. This green and purple aurora appears in Alberta, Canada and scientists are starting to understand it a little better. Aurora fans, who find, photograph and video the night-sky phenomenon, discovered the aurora and named it Steve. After pictures and video of STEVE appeared on a Facebook group called Alberta Aurora Chasers (and users came up with a whimsical name for it), a researcher at the University of Calgary in Alberta, Canada contacted group-members to confirm it. The scientist cross-referenced the pictures with the European Space Agencys satellites in 2017, Space.com reports. AuroraSTEVE NASA / Krista Trinder Trending: Fortnite 1.50 (3.3) Update Adds C4, Llamas & Blitz Mode - Patch Notes In a study published Wednesday in the journal Science, scientists proposed an official name to match the one that citizen scientists suggested. STEVE, in all-caps, signifies the newly assigned acronym: Strong Thermal Emission Velocity Enhancement. STEVE is special because it forms in a different area than he northern and southern lights. An electric field and a magnetic field meet in the Canadian region where STEVE was found, and those fields pull solar particles westward when they come together. When those particles meet neutral particles, the particles warm up and produce light that continues to streak westward across the sky. While northern and southern lights generate exclusively near the north and south poles, STEVE forms closer to the equator in warmer areas with a higher population, which is why people in Alberta were able to see it so clearly. STEVE may end up just as popular as the northern and southern lights if its easier for tourists to visit it and take pictures. Satellites and scientific inquiries are integral to discovering, documenting and understanding auroras. However, in this case, citizen scientists with online communities, on-hand cameras and a desire to share proved just as important in discovering natural phenomenon like STEVE. Story continues This article was first written by Newsweek More from Newsweek Vladimir Putin, the Russian president - Getty Images Europe Donald Trump yesterday hit Russia with new sanctions for election meddling and cyber-attacks as Washington vowed to punish Moscows nefarious attacks. Nineteen people and five Russian organisations were targeted in what amounts to the most significant action against Moscow since President Trump took office. The news came shortly after Western leaders backed Britain in blaming Russia for the nerve agent attack in Salisbury 10 days ago. Mr Trump, with France's Emmanuel Macron and Germany's Angela Merkel, rallied round Theresa May after days of mixed messages, directly blaming Russia for the attack which left double agent Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia hospitalised. Their joint statement represented a major boost for the Prime Minister and came 24 hours after she moved to expel 23 Russian diplomats and suspended high-level contact with Moscow in response to the Salisbury incident. In the unprecedented joint message, Mr Macron, Mrs Merkel and Mr Trump said they agreed with Mrs May's assessment that there was "no plausible alternative explanation" for the attack. The statement, issued by 10 Downing Street, said: The United Kingdom briefed thoroughly its allies that it was highly likely that Russia was responsible for the attack. We share the UK assessment that there is no plausible alternative explanation, and note that Russia's failure to address the legitimate request by the UK government further underlines its responsibility. We call on Russia to address all questions related to the attack in Salisbury. This use of a military-grade nerve agent, of a type developed by Russia, constitutes the first offensive use of a nerve agent in Europe since the Second World War. It is an assault on UK sovereignty and any such use by a State party is a clear violation of the Chemical Weapons Convention and a breach of international law. It threatens the security of us all. Donald Trump, the US president Credit: REUTERS/Leah Millis Story continues Frances decision to back Britain was in contrast to Pariss response on Wednesday when President Macron's spokesman derided Mrs May's decision to act against Moscow as "fantasy politics". Benjamin Griveaux had told a news conference: Once the elements are proven then the time will come for decisions to be made. But that hardened overnight with Francois Delattre, Frances permanent representative to the UN, saying: We have full confidence in the British investigation. In Brussels, Nato member states were briefed by UK National Security Adviser Sir Mark Sedwill at a meeting of the North Atlantic Council. That came shortly after former Nato secretary general Anders Fogh Rasmussen said the international response must be collective or it would be a victory for Russia. He told the BBC: "A collective response is very important. Anything short of full solidarity with the UK now will be considered a victory for the Kremlin. Gavin Williamson, the Defence Secretary, also added to the pressure, saying: It is absolutely atrocious and outrageous what Russia did in Salisbury. We have responded to that. Frankly, Russia should go away and should shut up. Mrs May yesterday visited the scene in Salisbury for the first time since the attack where she met with members of the emergency services. She said: "We do hold Russia culpable for this brazen and despicable act that has taken place on the streets of what is such a remarkable city." Russia, which has repeatedly denied it is responsible for the attack, was last night preparing its response in the rapidly deteriorating diplomatic row. In Moscow, Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov warned British diplomats will be expelled "soon" in retaliation to the biggest expulsion of Russian embassy staff since the Cold War. Vladimir Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the final decision on retaliatory measures "will, of course, be made by the Russian president". He said: "There is no doubt that he will choose the variant that best of all corresponds to the interests of the Russian Federation". On Wednesday night Vasily Nebenzya, the Russian permanent representative to the United Nations, compared the British government to Inspector LeStrade, a "hapless" investigator from Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes stories. The Russian Embassy in London claimed it had received death threats after Mrs May's announcement. Ambassador Alexander Yakovenko's told the Russian news channel Rossiya-24 that the embassy had received "a mass of messages", including some from Britons vowing to take revenge. Theresa May in Salisbury Credit: Toby Melville/PA Under the new Washington sanctions, Russias spying agency the Federal Security Service (FSB), the successor to the KGB, was among those hit. The action punished Russian behaviour that pre-dated the Salisbury attack but Steven Mnuchin, the US treasury secretary, said it was part of a broader effort to address the countrys "nefarious attacks". Mr Mnuchin said: The administration is confronting and countering malign Russian cyberactivity, including their attempted interference in U.S. elections, destructive cyber-attacks, and intrusions targeting critical infrastructure. These targeted sanctions are a part of a broader effort to address the ongoing nefarious attacks emanating from Russia. The sanctions against Russia will block those affected from travelling to America, freeze any assets they have in the country and bar US companies from working with them. A US Treasury statement said the FSB, Russia's intelligence organisation, knowingly engages in significant activities that undermine cyber-security on behalf of the Russian government. It added that the FSB had targeted US government officials in cyber-security, diplomacy, the military and the White House, as well as critical Russian journalists and politicians at home. Russias military intelligence organisation, the Main Intelligence Directorate, was also sanctioned. Many of the individuals targeted allegedly worked for the Internet Research Agency, the Russia troll factory which America believes systematically targeted the 2016 election campaign. More than 40 US Congressmen also signed a letter, seen by The Daily Telegraph, to Mrs May pledging full support in taking on Russian President Vladimir Putin over the attack Anderson Cooperand his boyfriend of nine years, Benjamin Maisani, broke up, the CNN host told People on Thursday. In a statement to the magazine, Cooper said, Benjamin and I separated as boyfriends some time ago. We are still family to each other, and love each other very much. He added that the pair remain the best of friends, and will continue to share much of our lives together. Benjamin Maisani, left, and CNN's Anderson Cooper had been together for nine years. The couple was photographed together last year at Coopers Brazilian vacation home for the July issue of Architectural Digest. In October, Cooper and Maisani spoke with Town & Country magazine about theirgrowing art collection. According to Us Weekly, the pair had been seen together as recently as Saturday, when they attended a benefit for New York Citys The Windward School. In a 2014 interview in the publication French Morning, Maisani, a nightclub owner, spoke of how he avoided the limelight while dating Cooper. I understand that it interests people, but it doesnt interest me, Maisani said of dating a celebrity,according to People. I knew Id have to be careful right from the start before it had a chance to get out of hand. As a result, the pair kept a low-key profile over the years, though there was the occasional Instagram post. A post shared by andersoncooper (@andersoncooper)on Dec 23, 2016 at 6:30am PST This article originally appeared on HuffPost. Heres a look at some of the companies the Yahoo Finance team will be watching for you. The battle for Qualcomm (QCOM) isnt over yet. Former Chairman Paul Jacobs wants to take the semiconductor private. Hes building a team of investment firms to make an offer for the company he once ran and that was co-founded by his father. Sources think a deal is highly unlikely, but if approved, it would be one of the largest in tech history. Just days ago, President Trump shot down Broadcoms (AVGO) unsolicited bid for Qualcomm. Shares of Adobe (ADBE) are looking pretty this morning. The Photoshop maker posted a beat on profit and revenue for its first quarter. The companys CEO credits higher subscription fees and increased use of its entire Creative Cloud Suite for the boost. Casino mogul Steve Wynn may be cashing in his chips. According to a new regulatory filing, Wynn and his ex-wife, who have a combined 21% stake in his casino business (WYNN), are now free to sell all of their shares. Previously, the two were barred from selling more than a third of their stock on the open market in any given quarter. Last month, Wynn resigned following claims of sexual harassment. Uber is talking to Toyota (TM) about installing its self-driving tech into the Japanese automakers vehicles. The Nikkei reports Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi met with Toyota about using Ubers automated driving technology in one of its minivans. Uber has previously worked with Volvo and Daimler Chrysler on autonomous driving projects. Another celebrity hit on Snapchat (SNAP) is moving the stock lower. This time pop star Rihanna is telling fans to delete Snapchat after the app ran an ad mocking her 2009 assault by then boyfriend Chris Brown. Rihannas words shaved a billion dollars off Snaps market cap. Back in February, Kylie Jenner tweeted her dislike for Snapchats new update, effectively wiping out $1.3 billion dollars in stock value. Though people in some parts of the country may be digging themselves out of back-to-back blizzards, heres a sure sign of spring coming: Retailers are hyping their prom dresses with a vengeance. One teen in western Michigan is hoping to make other the young women in her area feel good about this particular rite of passage by opening her own used gown pop-up store, Blessed with a Dress. It originated from this experience I had at the mall, where I was looking in the mirror, trying on what felt like 100 dresses [for homecoming], and I couldnt find something that I liked, 16-year-old Chloe Mitchell told Yahoo Lifestyle. The more dresses I tried on, the less and less confident I felt about my body. I ended up walking out of the dressing room in a gown, and this random girl who didnt even work at the store came up to me and built me up in a way that I hadnt been built up before. She encouraged me when I needed it, and she began telling me how nice I looked. Photo: Courtesy Chloe Mitchell That stranger inspired Mitchell, a sophomore at Western Michigan Christian High School, to see if she could re-create that encouraging shopping experience for others, particularly girls who cant afford to spend hundreds on a dress theyll only wear once. With the help of her mother, Kimberlee, who works in publicity and marketing, Mitchell launched Blessed with a Dress, which she currently calls a ministry but is looking like it might turn into a full-fledged business. She began by texting 20 friends asking for dress donations, then she spread the word on social media and built a website with her mother. I think it was a wonderful way for her to bless other people, Kimberlee Mitchell told the Grand Haven Tribune. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. People have dresses from prom, homecoming and they really just wear them once and then they sit in their closet, Chloe Mitchell reasoned. They graduate and go to college, and before you know it theyre married and have kids, and the parents of these girls have these dresses just taking up space and collecting dust in their closets. Story continues Now she has 50 donated gowns and the sponsorship of local drycleaner Plantengas Cleaners, which will clean and alter the gowns for free, and shes offering the gowns for rent or sale for $50 or less at a pop-up store this Saturday, March 17. She says shes received donations ranging from the smallest sizes to plus sizes, and since theyve all been worn to school dances already, shes sure theyll be dress-code-approved. To staff the event on Saturday, Mitchell has recruited some friends who are all onboard with her mission to make it seem like getting a dress from an older sisters closet. Were going to be building up the women and having a fun time, she said. It will be a group hangout, a fun shopping experience for girls. Though Mitchell never planned on having a career in fashion retail before this, shes received advice from a mentor from the local chapter of the Small Business Administrations SCORE, and is contemplating how to continue this project into the future. If the first pop-up is a success, she hopes to have more this season. In the meantime, she seems open to prospect of other girls across the country cribbing her idea. If girls helping girls were to spread like wildfire, and women all over the country are able to get blessed with the dress for less, and save money and spend it on things that are more lasting, thats amazing, she said. Read more from Yahoo Lifestyle: Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter for nonstop inspiration delivered fresh to your feed, every day. SARAJEVO (Reuters) - Bosnian Serb nationalist leader Milorad Dodik suggested on Friday that Bosnia's Serb region and a Serb-dominated part of Kosovo should merge with Serbia, defying the stance of international peace sponsors against any border changes. Dodik, president of post-war Bosnia's autonomous Serb Republic, has long called for secession from Bosnia and lately urged Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic to put the issue on the agenda when in talks with big power policymakers. Dodik, also popular among nationalists in Serbia, has stepped up pressure on Vucic to back his secessionist bid. But Vucic, a former nationalist now seeking to meet conditions for Serbia to join the European Union, has repeatedly said he respects Bosnia's territorial integrity and sovereignty. "We need to open talks," Dodik said in an interview for the Belgrade-based private Pink television. "There does not have to be war, it can be resolved through political means." Separatist sentiment in the Serb Republic is raising concern among the Western overseers of Bosnia's 1990s peace deal about a relapse into turmoil in the Balkans. The Bosnian Serbs' rejection of an independent, multi-ethnic Bosnia in 1992 triggered an avalanche of bloodshed in which Serbs and Croats carved out ethnically pure statelets with the backing of kin in neighboring Serbia and Croatia. The war, in which about 100,000 people died, was ended by the 1995 Dayton peace agreement which divided the country into two highly autonomous regions, the Serb Republic and the Federation dominated by Croats and Muslim Bosniaks. Dodik's SNSD party announced a referendum on the Serb Republic's independence in 2018 but has postponed it. Instead, Dodik will run for the Serb seat on Bosnia's three-way inter-ethnic presidency in the October general election. He told Pink TV that in that capacity he would be better placed to protect the Serb Republic from any usurpation of its powers by Bosnia's central government in Sarajevo. "Most Serbs would vote to join Serbia if a referendum was organized today. This has been a taboo until now; we were not allowed to do anything," he added, citing what he called international pressure against such a referendum. Serbian Foreign Minister Ivica Dacic on a visit to Sarajevo said that Belgrade respected the integrity of Bosnia. "(This) is a guarantor of the Dayton peace treaty and (Serbia) will respect any agreement that is reached with a mutual consensus of its three ethnic groups," he told Reuters. European Union officials say that Bosnia, Kosovo and Serbia, which all aspire to join the bloc, must first settle territorial disputes dating to the 1990s wars that followed the collapse of then-federal Yugoslavia. Dodik also backed the creation of a third, Croat only-dominated region in Bosnia, an option increasingly advocated by Bosnian Croat nationalists and strongly opposed by Bosniaks - the biggest victims of the 1992-95 war - and Western powers. (Reporting by Daria Sito-Sucic and Maja Zuvela; Editing by Mark Heinrich) New Delhi (AFP) - Former 007 star Pierce Brosnan has told Indian authorities he was "cheated" by a company that employed him to promote its mouth freshener brand, officials said Friday. Brosnan first appeared in the adverts on TV channels, newspapers and billboards in 2016 for Pan Bahar, a mixture of spices and areca nut -- a known carcinogen linked to oral cancer. The James Bond-style TV ad, which sparked ridicule on social media, showed a bearded Brosnan fighting villains and flirting with beautiful women before revealing a can of Pan Bahar. The ad also prompted health authorities in Delhi to send a notice to the 64-year-old Irish actor, asking him to explain his appearance in the commercial. In his reply, Brosnan said his contract with the company was over and he would not endorse "any harmful product" in future, senior health department official S.K Arora told AFP on Friday. "Mr Brosnan has said that he has been cheated by the company as they had not disclosed the hazardous nature of the product," Arora said. The makers of Pan Bahar insist their product does not contain nicotine, but many other pan masala mixtures in India contain tobacco along with pastes, areca nut and spices. In India, alcohol and tobacco brands are not allowed to advertise, so marketing firms often use surrogate products for promotion. "The advertisement also violates Indian laws on surrogate advertisement," said Arora, adding that the areca nuts used in Pan Bahar were scientifically proven to cause cancer. An official of Ashok and Company, which manufactures Pan Bahar as well as tobacco products, refused to comment immediately. Arora said Brosnan had promised to assist Indian authorities "to stop such kind of campaigns for hazardous products". Authorities said they would review Brosnan's reply before deciding on what action, if any, to take. San Salvador (AFP) - The younger brother of murdered Salvadoran archbishop Oscar Romero, who is to be canonized a saint, said he forgives the killers but regrets the government's failure to prosecute them. Speaking to AFP in an interview, Gaspar Romero said his brother had confided in him before his death: "'I know they are going to kill me, but I already forgive those who are going to do it.' So, picking up on those words, I forgive those who did it." But 38 years since his brother's assassination sent shock waves around the world, 88-year-old Gaspar laments that the culprits were never caught and brought to justice in El Salvador. "Everyone already knows" who did it. "Why didn't the prosecutor's office act? That's the question. Many prosecutors have come and gone and everyone knows it -- except the prosecutor's office," he said. Romero was shot dead by an assailant while celebrating mass in the chapel of a cancer hospital where he lived in San Salvador on March 24, 1980. A beloved advocate of the poor, Romero was an outspoken critic of the civil war in the Central American country. The assassination occurred at the outset of El Salvador's civil war and propelled the country deeper into a brutal conflict that raged until 1992. No one was ever convicted of Romero's killing, but a UN-sponsored truth commission later concluded it was carried out by a right-wing death squad under the orders of a former army officer, Major Roberto D'Aubuisson, who died the year the war ended. Gaspar, a former telecommunications worker, said he could take a certain amount of satisfaction and die in peace after the Vatican announcement on March 7 that his brother is to be made a saint. -- Close brothers -- "In life, he was a saint who did no harm to anyone." Gaspar said his brother was known for his humility and generosity throughout his life and "we want his person to be respected because they defamed him a lot." Story continues "We want the truth to be told." Conservatives within the Catholic Church and the Salvadoran right had long campaigned to block Romero's canonization over what they saw as veiled Marxism in his sermons eulogizing the poor and his radio broadcasts condemning government repression. His brother's eyes turn tearful when he talks about the impact his death had on the family that continues to mourn him. "As brothers we were very close, I felt the pain of losing a brother, and as a Salvadoran, I felt the loss that the country had of a great, good and wise man, who did not hurt anyone." He insisted that "we as a family that knew him very well wanted that the truth be told of what he was, a simple man and a defender of the poor." Gaspar recalls he chauffeured his brother around the city on many occasions. The archbishop "never had money because he was charitable in the extreme," so he would ask for coins to give to beggars who approached his car at traffic lights. He also remembers a group of "high society" people who presented Romero with a huge well-stocked refrigerator. Thanking his donors, he asked them to take it to a nursing home "because they have great need." He is looking forward to the canonization ceremony at the Vatican later this year. But as it is taking place so far away, in Rome, "I'm going to have to get a loan to be able to go." A view of the California state capitol in Sacramento, which has become a hub of opposition to Donald Trump: REUTERS/Max Whittaker California has appointed an unauthorised immigrant to an official state post, a first that also functions as the states latest act of defiance against Donald Trump. State Senate President pro Tem Kevin de Leon, a Los Angeles Democrat who is running for the US Senate on an anti-Trump platform, announced that 33-year-old attorney Lizbeth Mateo would serve as a member of the California Student Opportunity and Access Program Project Grant Advisory Committee. The appointment is unpaid. While Donald Trump fixates on walls, California will continue to concentrate on opportunities, Mr de Leon said in a statement. Born in Oaxaca, Mexico, Ms Mateo came to Los Angeles with her parents when she was 14. She said in a statement that her experience as an undocumented, first-generation college student would inform her work. While undocumented students have become more visible in our state, they remain underrepresented in places where decisions that affect them are being made, Ms. Mateo said. Dominated politically by Democrats who are sympathetic to immigrants, California has a long history of both shielding from deportation and offering new rights to immigrants in the country illegally. In recent years, the state has passed laws allowing undocumented immigrants to secure drivers licenses and to practice law. After the latter measure passed, the California Supreme Court ruled in favour of an undocumented immigrant named Sergio Garcia who had been fighting for a law license. Governor Jerry Brown last year signed a so-called sanctuary law that bars law enforcement from cooperating with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) unless federal agents have a warrant or immigrants of interest to ICE have been convicted of serious crimes. The law, specifically crafted to counteract the Trump administrations crackdown on illegal immigration, has prompted a legal challenge from the Department of Justice and frequent denunciations from Mr Trump. Story continues California sanctuary policies put the entire nation at risk, the President said this week during his first visit to California since taking office. Theyre the best friend of the criminal. State elected officials have been similarly vocal in denouncing the Trump administration. Mr Brown last week decried the federal government going to war against California and slammed the administration as full of liars. The sister of Dylann Roof, the white supremacist who in 2015 shot nine black people in a racially-motivated attack inside a historically black church in Charleston, South Carolina, allegedly brought a knife and marijuana to her school after posting threats on Snapchat. Lt. Curtis Wilson from the Richland County Sheriffs Department confirms for PEOPLE that Morgan Roof, 18, has been charged with simple possession of marijuana and two counts of carrying weapons on school grounds. On Wednesday, the same day scores of students walked out of class as part of a national protest against gun violence, she showed up for classes at A.C. Flora High School in Columbia, South Carolina, allegedly with pepper spray, marijuana, and a knife. The Richland County Sheriffs Department School Resource Officer was contacted by a school administrator, according to Lt. Wilson. Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Click here to get breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases in the True Crime Newsletter. Roof had also made a social media post on Snapchat which caused alarm to the student body, Wilson tells PEOPLE in an email. The schools administrative staff acted appropriately by calling in the School Resource Officer to arrest Roof for violating school policy, Wilson adds. No students were injured Wednesday. It was unknown Thursday if Roof has an attorney or if she entered pleas to the charges against her. Roof was released from custody, according to online records. In 2015, the Charleston shooter sat alongside his victims for about an hour in a service at the Emanuel AME Church in Charleston before opening fire. For more compelling true crime coverage, follow our Crime magazine on Flipboard. In that moment, a man of immense hatred walked that room shooting person after person after person, stopping only so he could reload more magazines and kill more people, assistant U.S. Attorney Nathan Williams told jurors at the shooters trial. Story continues He was eventually convicted on 33 federal counts, including hate crimes resulting in death, religious obstruction and use of a firearm to commit murder during a crime of violence. It was an act of tremendous cowardice, shooting people as they have their eyes closed in prayer, shooting them on the ground, Williams said. In 2017, he was sentenced to death. The victims were: Tywanza Sanders, 26; Rev. Clementa Pinckney, 41; Cynthia Hurd, 54; Rev. DePayne Middleton-Doctor, 49; Ethel Lance, 70; Myra Thompson, 59; and Rev. Daniel Simmons Sr., 74. With reporting by Stephanie Petit A Japanese court on Thursday ordered the government to pay one million dollars in new damages over the 2011 Fukushima nuclear disaster, ruling it should have predicted and avoided the meltdown. The Kyoto district court ordered the government and power plant operator Tokyo Electric Power Co (TEPCO) to pay 110 million yen in damages to 110 local residents who had to leave the Fukushima region, a court official and local media said. Thursday's verdict was the third time the government has been ruled liable for the meltdown in eastern Japan, the world's most serious nuclear accident since Chernobyl in 1986. In October, a court in Fukushima city ruled that both the government and TEPCO were responsible, following a similar ruling in March in the eastern city of Maebashi. However, another court, in Chiba near Tokyo, ruled in September that only the operator was liable. On Thursday, presiding judge Nobuyoshi Asami ordered that 110 plaintiffs who saw their lives ruined and their property destroyed by the disaster be awarded compensation, Jiji Press and other media reported. Contacted by AFP, a court spokesman confirmed the reports, adding that the ruling denied damages to several dozen additional plaintiffs. "That damages for 64 people were not recognised was unexpected and regrettable," a lawyer for the plaintiffs said, adding that they would appeal, according to public broadcaster NHK. Around 12,000 people who fled after the disaster due to radiation fears have filed various lawsuits against the government and TEPCO. Cases have revolved around whether the government and TEPCO, both of whom are responsible for disaster prevention measures, could have foreseen the scale of the tsunami and subsequent meltdown. Dozens of class-action lawsuits have been filed seeking compensation from the government. In June, former TEPCO executives went on trial in the only criminal case in connection with the disaster. The hearing is continuing. Triggered by a 9.1-magnitude earthquake, the tsunami overwhelmed reactor cooling systems, sending three into meltdown and sending radiation over a large area. "Within the OPEC countries, the biggest risk factor is, and will likely remain, Venezuela," the IEA said in its closely-watched report published Thursday. While Venezuela boasts the world's largest proven oil reserves, crude production in the state has been steadily declining in recent years. The IEA upwardly revised its global oil demand forecast to 99.3mb/d in 2018. However, the group warned recent signs of protectionism from the U.S. could hamper economic growth forecasts worldwide and in turn, hit trade flows and oil demand. Venezuela is likely to remain the biggest risk factor among leading oil producers for some time to come, according to the latest monthly report from the International Energy Agency (IEA). "Within the OPEC countries, the biggest risk factor is, and will likely remain, Venezuela," the IEA said in its closely-watched report published Thursday. "Without any compensatory change from other producers it is possible that the Latin American country could be the final element that tips the market decisively into deficit," the Paris-based organization added. While Venezuela boasts the world's largest proven oil reserves, crude production in the state has been steadily declining in recent years. The South American country continues to slog through an economic crisis precipitated by years of government mismanagement and exacerbated by a prolonged oil price slump. Following years of sharp output losses, Venezuela's crude output is projected to tumble to 1.38 million barrels per day (mb/d) by the end of 2018, according to the IEA. That would represent the oil-dependent state's lowest level of output in approximately 70 years with the exception of the 2002-2003 strike. Trade war would have 'strong consequences' for oil demand The IEA upwardly revised its global oil demand forecast to 99.3 mb/d in 2018. However, the group warned that recent signs of protectionism from the U.S. could hamper economic growth forecasts worldwide and in turn, hit trade flows and oil demand. Last week, President Donald Trump pressed ahead with the imposition of tariffs on steel and aluminum imports, sparking fears of a global trade war . "A slowdown (in global trade) would have strong consequences, particularly for fuel used in the maritime sector and in the trucking industry," the report said. The IEA's latest monthly report comes at a time when oil prices have skyrocketed more than 43 percent since the middle of last year, with Brent crude averaging close to $67 a barrel in 2018 to date. Story continues The main price driver has been a supply cut from major oil producing group OPEC and Russia, who started to withhold output in January last year. The production cuts by OPEC and 10 other allied producers, which are scheduled to last throughout 2018, are aimed at clearing a global supply overhang and propping up prices. OPEC compliance surges to record high The IEA said several key indicators were showing a market re-balancing was "clearly moving ahead" with supply and demand becoming more closely aligned. And should OPEC's production levels remain relatively flat for the remainder of 2018, the IEA suggested that the chances of a market deficit could rest on the cascading output losses in Venezuela. "The deepening unplanned decline in Venezuela knocked crude oil production 420,000 barrels per day below its OPEC target during February and helped boost OPEC's compliance with supply cuts to the highest ever," the IEA said. OPEC's quota compliance soared to 147 percent in February, though even without production declines in Caracas the group's compliance would still be close to 100 percent, according to the IEA's findings. At least eight OPEC countries were found to have exceeded their compliance quotas in February, with Venezuela lifting the average to its highest level so far. WATCH: Bitcoin mining can land you in jail in this country More From CNBC Sydney (AFP) - From the safety of suburban Australia, Bou Rachna recalls the hours before her husband Kem Ley, a prominent Cambodian political analyst, was shot dead at a Phnom Penh gas station in a 2016 killing that rattled the nation. They had just finished breakfast together when he left to meet some students for a chat over coffee. She received a call soon after, informing her that he had been gunned down in broad daylight. "He never did anything for himself," Bou Rachna told AFP of her late husband. "He did everything for Cambodia, so that it could have freedom, real democracy, independent courts and respect for human rights." She and her five children arrived in Australia last month where they were granted asylum after hiding for more than a year in Thailand. But reminders of the violence that felled Kem Ley have followed them, with death threats mailed to the family ahead of a visit to Sydney by Cambodia's strongman leader Hun Sen for a special Australia-ASEAN summit this week. Australia's hosting of the summit, which will focus on economic ties and counter-terrorism cooperation, is not without controversy. Critics say Canberra has a patchy record on rights in Southeast Asia with Human Rights Watch warning that the government should not "dance with dictators". While Australia granted asylum to Kem Ley's family, it also struck a controversial deal with Hun Sen's government to take in a small number of refugees refused Australian asylum in exchange for $55 million in aid. Despite the death threats, Bou Rachna is determined to speak out from her new home, and believes her husband was silenced for his criticism of the Cambodian regime. Little-known outside Cambodia, Kem Ley was a popular analyst and critic at home, who focused on corruption and land-grabbing that continues to plague the country. He criticised politicians of all shades, often speaking to rural and urban Cambodians on Khmer-language radio. Story continues - Crackdown intensifies - His brazen killing shocked the country, with tens of thousands attending funeral ceremonies and marching through the capital. Unemployed former soldier Oeuth Ang admitted to the murder and was sentenced to life in prison last year, saying Kem Ley owed him US$3,000. But many observers are sceptical, arguing the killing was politically motivated -- a throwback to the 1990s and early 2000s when political assassinations in Cambodia were commonplace. "I didn't accuse them, but the people in Cambodia know who the killer is behind Chuob Samlab," Rachna said, referring to a moniker given to Oeuth Ang during his years as a soldier, which in Khmer means "meet to kill". Hun Sen's government has long denied involvement, but for many Cambodians Ley has become the face of resistance against mounting oppression in the country. The Cambodian strongman, one of the world's longest serving leaders, has recently intensified a crackdown on the press, civil society and the only credible opposition, which was disbanded following a court ruling last November after its leader was arrested on treason charges. In response, the United States and some European countries reduced aid commitments and put travel restrictions on senior officials and Hun Sen's family, although China is increasingly filling that void. "All Hun Sen does is he gets up and he is looking for ways to crush somebody," Cambodian-Australian Victoria state parliamentarian Hong Lim told AFP. Lim has long been critical of the regime and has been threatened with violence if he returns to Cambodia. Hun Sen, a Khmer Rouge defector who has ruled the country for 33 years, is due to meet Turnbull during his visit. Lim believes Canberra has not done enough to condemn rights abuses in Cambodia, claiming it compromised its values when it agreed to the refugee deal. "We don't seem to get the message that we have stooped so low, working with this hideous regime and then trying to secure people to go to that country," he said. "We Australians are better than that." - Threat to beat protesters - Hun Sen is expected to be confronted by hundreds of protesters in Sydney, where there is a sizeable population of Cambodian refugees who fled the Khmer Rouge in the 1970s. Ahead of the regional summit, he sparked a storm by reportedly threatening to "beat" any demonstrators and warned he would "shame" Australia and block the release of a joint communique if he was embarrassed in any way. Australia's department of foreign affairs said it had made clear to its Cambodian counterparts "that Australia supports freedom of expression and the right to protest, and that threats of violence on Australian soil are not acceptable". They said Turnbull will raise rights abuses during the summit. Phnom Penh said Canberra had taken Hun Sen's comments out of context. Rachna plans to join the protests, but holds out little hope that justice will prevail for her husband, and fears she may never be able to return to Cambodia. "We cannot return at this time unless there is a change in our Cambodia," she 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 U.S. President Donald Trump welcomes Canadas Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on the South Lawn before their meeting about the NAFTA trade agreement at the White House in Washington, U.S. October 11, 2017. (REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst) United States President Donald Trump fired another shot in the ongoing who needs who more trade debate this week, saying that the U.S. has a trade deficit with Canada. The comment, delivered via Twitter, is short on context but raised a few eyebrows. According to data from the U.S. Trade Representative, goods and services trade with Canada totaled an estimated $627.8 billion in 2016. On the U.S. goods side, there was a $12.1 billion deficit with Canada and on the services side, there was a $24.6 billion surplus with Canada leading to a total goods and services trade surplus of $12.5 billion for the U.S. in 2016. But thats not what made economists and trade experts alike shudder. Bilateral current account deficits are almost meaningless once we take into account global value chains, says Isaac Holloway, an economist and assistant professor at the University of Western Ontarios Ivey Business School. Bilateral current account deficits illustrate the difference between the value of imports and the value of exports. While one country may import a finished product from another country, the exporter often gets the raw components making up that product from other countries. Sui Sui, an economist and associate professor in global management studies at Ryerson Universitys Ted Rogers School of Management agrees, says most economists agree a trade deficit isnt necessarily a bad thing. Whats more relevant, says Sui, is the supply chain integration between Canada and the U.S. She points to something as simple as a sausage. The pigs may be born and bred in Canada then sent to the slaughter in the U.S., before being shipped back to Canada to be processed as sausage then packaged and sold to the U.S. and throughout Canada. Before it reaches customers, its crossed the border so many times. Give and take and give Both countries have worked hard to build infrastructure to facilitate the flow of components and byproducts intermediate goods that will eventually be combined to create products sold both North and South of the border. Story continues NAFTA-enabled trade accounted for 50 per cent of intermediate good imports as a share of total imports for 2015, according to a Brookings analysis of U.S. Census data. Just go to the border and see how many trucks cross its very efficient, says Sui. It makes both countrys companies more productive, reduces costs for the customers on both sides and makes products more competitive compared to other countries. According to 2017 foreign trade data from the U.S. Census Bureau, 14 states count Canada as their biggest import partner and 36 states export more to Canada than any other country. Some states like Montana, Colorado, Iowa, or Illinois point to Canada as their number one trading partner in both imports and exports. Multinationals in the U.S. have put certain products in Canada and certain products in the U.S. there are supply chains (that) you cant just turn around and change overnight, says Peter Clark, one of Canadas leading international trade strategists. This isnt a game of Monopoly, youre playing with peoples lives and with investments and those investments have been pretty carefully considered. American voices While the official message out of D.C. seems to be a mix of trade war rhetoric followed by back-stepping and tariff exemptions, Clark says industry players are very much interested in protecting their investments on both side of the border. Ive already seen all the U.S. brewers petition [U.S. Secretary of Commerce] Wilbur Ross to make sure that their product is not included, says Clark pointing out that Canada supplies more raw aluminum than the United States does to its market, predominantly because Canada has access to inexpensive electricity to produce aluminum. We have arrangements with the [U.S.] defense industries, with the aerospace industry and the aircraft industry to supply aluminum thats used in their products. The Rust Belt the nickname for the Midwestern states and the Great Lakes region has been particularly vocal about the importance of NAFTA-enabled trade. John Austin, director of the Michigan Economic Center, points out that the 11 midwestern states together account for 48 per cent of all U.S. exports to Canada, and 21 per cent of all U.S. exports to Mexico. When President Trump proposes stuff you get a pretty universal pushback from the business and government and civic leaders on our side of the border, certainly in our state, who know whats at stake and how the world works, Austin told Yahoo Canada Finance. Hes willing to do economic damage to the very region that elected him. Exports represent 12.3 per cent of the U.S. GDP, according to Austin, with the Rust Belt generating 26 per cent of export-derived GDP. Were very much export-reliant, says Austin, also pointing to the highly efficient production system between Canada and the U.S. in the region. In his Brookings thought-piece, he called the bridge and tunnel crossing between Detroit and Windsor the single largest trading location by value on earth where more than $100 billion in goods are traded annually. If you start throwing spanners in those works you raise the tariff here, make it harder to cross the border there youre throwing the whole thing out of kilter, he says. It [sends] us into a scramble to figure out how we can rejigger everything and produce competitively again and youre potentially throwing people out of work. Force of habit But could the relationship be remixed? Could President Trumps Buy America mandate work? Its a good question, says Holloway. Certainly, when it comes to displacing Canadian trade, for the most part they probably could, and the reasons we can say that is because we have a lot of two-way trade in the Canada-US relationship. He points out that both Canadas top export and top import category for the U.S. last year was autos. Tariffs set up by the U.S. government to encourage buying local could eventually prompt states like Montana, Vermont, Wyoming, North Dakota and Maine, all of which get more than 50 per cent of their imports from Canada, according to Holloways analysis of U.S. Census Bureau data, to source locally. Its presumably going to increase their cost as well, assuming that theyre currently cost minimizing. The clutch of the current system, says Holloway, is that automakers, for example, can have factories both north and south of the border specializing on certain vehicle models, which helps them minimize costs through economies of scale. Thered be massive one-time adjustment costs to re-tool all their factories, that would be fairly significant, then on an ongoing basis, theyd be producing stuff at lower scale and higher cost, says Holloway. Could they (produce a lot) without Canada? Yes they could and it would cost more and everyone would be poorer for it. Download the Yahoo Finance app, available for Apple and Android. Former CIA Director John Brennan, Senator Dianne Feinstein, CIA Deputy Director Gina Haspel and President Barack Obama. (Photo: Reuters/Yuri Gripas/Joshua Roberts) In the same tweet he used to unceremoniously fire Secretary of State Rex Tillerson Tuesday morning, President Donald Trump announced the twin nominations of CIA Director Mike Pompeo as Tillersons replacement and CIA veteran Gina Haspel as the new head of the nations premier intelligence agency. Haspel, the CIAs current deputy director, now stands to become the agencys first female director, despite the fact that she previously supervised a CIA black site where detainees were tortured and was later implicated in the destruction of video evidence of those interrogations. The news of her nomination was met with mild skepticism by some Democratic senators, but assuming she doesnt get bottled up behind an impasse over Pompeo, nothing suggests her eventual confirmation is in serious doubt. While Haspel might be preferable to some hackish alternatives either Pompeos continued tenure or the nomination of Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) her confirmation would also represent the culmination of the Democrats failure to categorically oppose torture. Back in 2002, Haspel oversaw the black site in Thailand, where Abu Zubaydah, the man incorrectly thought to have masterminded Sept. 11 attacks, and Abd al-Rahim al-Nashiri, who was allegedly behind the USS Cole attack, were tortured. It was long unclear whether Haspel oversaw just the waterboarding of Nashiri or also the 83 waterboards that Abu Zubaydah endured, long beyond the time he had agreed to talk, though new reports from ProPublica and The New York Times say the latter man was tortured before her time at the helm. Whats not in dispute is Haspels role in the cover-up: Once Abu Zubaydah and Nashiri were shipped to their next stop in a series of black sites, Haspel started her multiyear campaign to destroy the videos that showed their torture, which indisputably contradicted written authorizations and records. Defying the warnings of multiple Democrats, the director of national intelligence and several judges, Haspel in November 2005, as chief of staff for the director of clandestine services, sent a cable ordering officers to stick the tapes into an industrial-strength shredder. Story continues America continues to suffer the consequences of those twin acts, the torture and the cover-up. The torture program, according to the Senate Intelligence Committees massive torture report, provided little useful intelligence, and in notable cases sent officers chasing false leads for months. Numerous detainees (including both Abu Zubaydah and Nashiri) were tortured beyond their ability to provide reliable intelligence. The countrys embrace of torture inflamed the same Muslims we needed as allies to fight terrorism. And because of both the torture and the cover-up, the U.S. has failed to achieve justice for either the USS Cole or for Sept. 11 attacks. Abu Zubaydah remains warehoused in Guantanamo Bay, and Nashiris own trial has ground to a halt after his defense team discovered their privileged conversations were being spied on. But Haspel, who advanced from line manager overseeing the imposition of torture to chief of staff for the cover-up, continues to thrive, now poised to run the agency whose reputation she attempted to preserve by destroying evidence. To be clear: Republicans bear the bulk of the blame for promoting torturers while those who objected were ousted. Former President George Bush and former Vice President Dick Cheney instituted the program, and outspoken torture fan Trump is the guy sponsoring Haspels promotion to lead the agency (after she was denied a promotion during the Obama administration). But at key moments, Democrats missed their chance to move the country beyond torture. After all, Nobel Peace Prize winner Barack Obama was the first to elevate someone with involvement in the torture program. Even after political pressure about torture prevented Obama from naming veteran CIA officer John Brennan director in 2009, the career CIA official rehabilitated his reputation (in part by overseeing the drone killing program from the White House), and ultimately got the CIA director post in 2013. President Barack Obama nominates John Brennan to direct the CIA on January 7, 2013. (Photo: ImageCatcher News Service via Getty Images) That same year, Dianne Feinstein then chair of the Senate Intelligence Committee nixed Brennans attempts to make Haspel director of the agencys clandestine services. But Brennan got his revenge when he, with Obamas backing, thwarted Feinsteins efforts for a fulsome declassification of the torture report she fought to complete. Brennan didnt even face consequences for having staffers from the Senate Intelligence Committee spied on. Feinsteins failure to declassify key details of the torture report notably, including the real names or even pseudonyms for the officers involved is one thing that prevented an airing of precisely what Haspel did when she was confirmed as deputy director last year. Sens. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) wrote a memo for colleagues describing Haspels role in the torture program, but the document remains classified, even as Haspels champions boast of her successes. And now not even Feinstein herself is categorically opposed to Haspels nomination. Its no secret Ive had concerns in the past with her connection to the CIA torture program and have spent time with her discussing this, Feinstein said in a Tuesday statement. But she seems inclined to drop her past concerns about a torturers continued promotions in favor of competence leading the agency. To the best of my knowledge she has been a good deputy director and I look forward to the opportunity to speak with her again. It may well be, as her supporters argue, that Haspel is the best, most competent, least politicized nominee were likely to get from Trump. But thats true as much because of what happened under Obama as under Trump. John Brennans success, even as critics were sidelined or imprisoned, paved the way for Gina Haspel. This column has been updated to acknowledge new reporting about Haspels involvement with Abu Zubaydahs torture. Marcy Wheeler is an independent journalist writing about national security and civil liberties. She writes as emptywheel at her eponymous blog and is the author of Anatomy of Deceit. Follow her on Twitter at @emptywheel. ALSO ON HUFFPOST OPINION It Only Takes One Trump Tweet To Fall Into North Korea's Trap American Foreign Policy Has A Masculinity Problem First You're The Party Of Torture. Then You're The Party Of Trump. Love HuffPost? Become a founding member of HuffPost Plus today. This article originally appeared on HuffPost. Washington (AFP) - US President Donald Trump's Republican Party was on course Wednesday for a stunning defeat in a key special congressional election in Pennsylvania, adding to the turmoil engulfing his administration after the sacking of Secretary of State Rex Tillerson. Democrats exulted in the stunning performance by one of their own in a race that has taken on national implications, insisting that their unexpectedly strong showing in Trump country -- unthinkable a year ago -- bodes well for them ahead of November's midterm elections. With all precincts reporting, and more than 240,000 ballots cast Tuesday, Democratic candidate Conor Lamb was leading Republican Rick Saccone by 579 votes, or 49.8 percent to 49.6 percent. As county officials counted provisional and absentee ballots that will likely determine the outcome, Lamb declared victory in the wee hours of Wednesday, in a district Trump won by nearly 20 points in the 2016 presidential contest. The New York Times later called the race for Lamb, saying his lead "appeared insurmountable." And Lamb's party swiftly proclaimed that Trump and his Republicans could face a political reckoning this year -- with control of Congress up for grabs. "As we head into the 2018 midterms, the momentum is undeniable for Democratic candidates running up and down the ballot," Democratic National Committee head Tom Perez said. "Pennsylvania is just the beginning." - 'Wake up call' - The performance by Lamb -- a 33-year-old former federal prosecutor and US Marine officer -- was an eye-opener on multiple fronts. Not only did it show Democrats have reconnected with organized labor, it demonstrated that moderates who fought for economic fairness could resonate with older, white, male working-class voters -- the very segment of America's electorate that swung to Trump in 2016. Somber Republican leaders were forced to acknowledge that, regardless of the District 18 outcome, Lamb had dealt a sharp blow to their prospects of maintaining control of the Senate and House of Representatives. Story continues "This should be a wake up call," House Speaker Paul Ryan told Republican lawmakers in a closed-door conference, according to a person in the room. Speaking to reporters, however, Ryan sought to downplay the impact, suggesting Lamb was a Democrat unusually well-suited for his district, who ran a pro-life, pro-gun, anti-establishment campaign. "Both of these candidates ran as conservatives," Ryan said of Lamb and Saccone. "I just don't think you're going to see that across the country" in November. - 'No district is safe' - Democrats exulted over the political ramifications of having potentially ousted a Republican in a conservative, working-class bastion. "The results in Pennsylvania spell disaster for Republicans in November," said Bradley Beychok, who heads the pro-Democrat political action committee American Bridge. "If they can't win in a longtime Republican stronghold, no district is safe." All 435 House seats are up for election every two years. Senate terms are for six years, and 35 of the 100 seats are in play in November. Trump campaigned in person for Saccone, a culturally conservative state representative who had been accused of running a lacklustre campaign. But the election was held just as the White House was whipsawed by political upheaval including a series of staff ousters, including Trump's sacking of Secretary of State Rex Tillerson on Tuesday. Trump's own low approval rating no doubt contributed to Saccone's poor showing, though White House spokesman Raj Shah put a brave face on it. "The president's engagement in the race turned what was a deficit for the Republican candidate to what is essentially a tie," Shah said. But Lamb, acutely aware of how his district voted in 2016, refused to pile on against the president during the campaign, seeking to minimize the political divisions that have set many Americans on edge. "I know people voted for the president and voted for me," Lamb told CNN. His performance in a conservative stronghold -- Democrats had not even fielded a candidate against the Republican incumbent in recent elections -- suggests far more congressional districts might be in play in November than the 24 seats necessary for Democrats to reclaim the House. The party in power in Washington traditionally loses seats during the midterm elections of a president's first term. But there are signals that 2018 could be a banner year for Democrats. They over-performed in five special elections in deep-red districts last year, including in Georgia, Montana and South Carolina. And in a special election last December, Doug Jones became Alabama's first Democratic senator in 25 years. Strategists point to unprecedented Democratic grass-roots activism, strong fundraising, and competitive candidates that have combined to animate voters this year. "We knew the midterms were going to be difficult," House Republican Tom Cole told CNN, acknowledging that "our majority is at stake." "We're certainly not in a state of denial or complacency on our side," he said. Police department says criminal charges were possible after inquiries into the accident that killed at least six are completed Homicide detectives opened an investigation on Friday into the collapse of a new footbridge that killed at least six people at Miamis Florida International University (FIU), as questions began to swirl about the companies behind the structures controversial design and construction. Juan Perez, the director of Miami-Dade police department, said criminal charges were possible once exhaustive inquiries by his detectives and state and federal authorities were complete. Hours later, the Florida department of transportation (FDOT) revealed that the lead engineer working for one of the companies involved in the bridge construction reported a crack in the structure two days before its collapse. The engineer, W Denney Pate, left a voicemail on the landline of a department employee. Calling to, uh, share with you some information about the FIU pedestrian bridge and some cracking thats been observed on the north end of the span, the pylon end of that span we moved this weekend, a transcript of the recording reads. Um, so, uh, weve taken a look at it and, uh, obviously some repairs or whatever will have to be done but from a safety perspective we dont see that theres any issue there so were not concerned about it from that perspective although obviously the cracking is not good and somethings going to have to be, ya know, done to repair that. The unnamed FDOT employee whose landline the message was left on was said to be out of the office on assignment for three days, and did not hear the message until after the bridges collapse. Meanwhile, teams of rescue workers and engineers with heavy lifting equipment began the slow and dangerous task of lifting the unstable remains of the 950-ton concrete structure from vehicles that were crushed when the bridge came down early on Thursday afternoon. One of the victims was student Alexa Duran, 18, who was driving her car under the bridge when it fell. My little girl was trapped in the car and couldnt get out, her father, Orlando Duran, told local press. He was on a trip to London when he got the news and said he was dreading the return. Story continues This is going to be the longest and saddest trip of my life, he said. Doctors at the Kendall regional medical centre continued to treat 10 trauma patients, two of them in critical condition. Perez said federal investigators would look into every element of the tragedy. They will examine the innovative accelerated assembly technique used by Miami-based Munilla Construction Management (MCM) to piece together the $14.2m single-span bridge on a remote sitebefore it was lifted into place last Saturday. On Thursday, emergency services had been racing to find survivors in the rubble using hi-tech listening devices, sniffer dogs and search cameras. By Friday, the operation turned fromrescue to recovery. Workers will painstakingly break down the giant chunks of fallen concrete so they can be removed safely. Our priority is to get to the victims and recover the people that are below that bridge so their families can have appropriate burials and ceremonies, Perez said. The bridge, which was not scheduled to open officially until next year, was meant to improve student safety as they crossed one of the busiest highways in the county from their campus to the town of Sweetwater, about 45 minutes west of Miami, where many of them live. Weve got to look at the reality there may be some negligence down the line, Perez told Miami radio station WIOD. [The inquiries] will help determine whether someone is liable for this. Its obviously an accident either way. We have to look to see if somebody contributed to that accident. At a morning press briefing, Perez said a team of prosecutors led by the Miami-Dade state attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle had visited the site of the collapse on Friday morning to assist the inquiry. State officials revealed on Thursday night that the universitys bridge-build team, which included MCM and the Tallahassee-based Figg Bridge Group, had hired a third-party company to conduct an independent, secondary design review of the project, and that that contractor was not pre-qualified by the Florida transport department to do the work. Carlos Gimenez, the Miami-Dade mayor, said he believed MCM workers were conducting a stress test on the bridge when it collapsed, while Floridas junior US senator, Marco Rubio, tweeted that support cables were being tightened. Asked at the press conference why traffic passing under the bridge had not been halted, Perez said: These are the answers we are looking for as well. So far, neither MCM nor Figg has responded to questions about the tragedy other than through social media posts expressing sympathy for the victims and promising full cooperation with continuing investigations. Both companies have safety records that are giving rise to questions. A TSA worker at Fort Lauderdale airport filed a lawsuit against Munilla alleging shoddy work that caused injuries in another footbridge project. The Miami Herald, meanwhile, said that sites constructed by MCM had been investigated by federal authorities eight times since 2013, resulting in four separate fines for violations. MCM is owned by five brothers from the Munilla family, several of them former students at FIU. The company has built terminals at south Floridas airports and cruise ports, and a school for the US government at Guantanamo Bay in Cuba. Figg, the company behind major bridge construction projects including the Sunshine Skyway over Tampa Bay, was fined by the Virginia labor department after the collapse of a section of the South Norfolk Jordan Bridge on to railway tracks in 2012, according to the Virginian-Pilot. Mark Rosenberg, the president of FIU, said the university was heartbroken about the death of the as yet unnamed student. This bridge was about goodness, now its about sadness, he said. Everybodys in shock and we just want answers. The Associated Press contributed to this report London (AFP) - NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said Friday the alliance did not want a return to Cold War hostilities with Russia while expressing support for Britain's strong stance on the nerve agent attack. He said the targeting of former double agent Sergei Skripal fit a "pattern of reckless behaviour" to which the US-led military alliance had responded, but insisted political dialogue must also continue. "We don't want a new Cold War, we don't want a new arms race, Russia is our neighbour therefore we have to continue to strive for an improved better relationship with Russia," he told BBC radio. He noted that NATO allies have in recent years imposed economic sanctions on Russia and deployed more troops in eastern Europe in response to the "changed security situation". But he stressed: "To isolate Russia is not an alternative." He added: "At some point Russia will understand that it is in its interests not to confront us but to cooperate with us, and we are ready to do so if they respect some basic norms and rules for international behaviour." - Quarrelling with Putin - NATO has backed Britain following the March 4 attack in the southwestern English city of Salisbury, which left Skripal and his daughter Yulia in a critical condition. "We have no reason to doubt the findings and assessments made by the British government, not least because this takes place at the backdrop of a pattern of reckless behaviour by Russia over many years," Stoltenberg said. British foreign minister Boris Johnson on Friday stressed the government's "quarrel" was with President Vladimir Putin rather than the Russian people. "Our quarrel is with Putin's Kremlin, and with his decision, and we think it overwhelmingly likely that it was his decision to direct the use of a nerve agent on the streets of the UK, on the streets of Europe, for the first time since the Second World War. Story continues "That is why we are at odds with Russia," Johnson said, during a museum visit in west London alongside his Polish counterpart Jacek Czaputowicz. - 'Mafia-like groups' - Opposition leader Jeremy Corbyn, who has questioned whether the Russian state was responsible for the attack, warned Friday against a "drift to conflict". Writing in The Guardian, the Labour leader said "a connection to Russian mafia-like groups that have been allowed to gain a toehold in Britain cannot be excluded". "To rush way ahead of the evidence being gathered by the police, in a fevered parliamentary atmosphere, serves neither justice nor our national security," he said. Corbyn's leftwing views have in the past drawn criticism of many of his own MPs, and several among them have defied him to back the Conservative government's position. By Friday morning, 33 Labour MPs had signed a parliamentary motion blaming the Russian state "unequivocally". Corbyn wrote that Labour was "no supporter of the Putin regime", but added: "That does not mean we should resign ourselves to a 'new Cold War' of escalating arms spending, proxy conflicts across the globe and a McCarthyite intolerance of dissent." On Wednesday, March 14, students at more than 3,000 schools across the country participated in National School Walkout Day to show solidarity with the students of Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School on the one-month anniversary of the school shooting that killed 17 people and demand gun control reform. But while many students were able to protest peacefully, and encouraged by school administrators to do so, others said they faced obstacles that made the walkout a bit more challenging. Among them were the teenagers at Mt. Diablo High School in Concord, CA, who broke through a gate to get off school grounds for the 17-minute protest. According to the East Bay Times, Mt. Diablo officials locked the main campus gates prior to the 10 a.m. scheduled walkout, and students broke through one of them at 10:15 a.m. before continuing to march and chant enough is enough along the street outside campus. When reached by phone, an administrator at the Mt. Diablo Superintendents office told Teen Vogue that there is a public street that runs through campus and the gate that students broke through is locked every school day to prevent cars from entering. She also noted that there was an open exit available, which students did not use. These students, during a time of remembrance, chose to show their protest by breaking a gate in the street rather than walking to an open exit nearby, Superintendent Nellie Meyer said in a written statement shared with Teen Vogue. Some students told the Times, while that particular back gate is indeed usually locked during school hours, a gate near Mt. Diablos main entrance is typically open. On Wednesday, it was locked, which prompted protesters to head to the back gate that was eventually broken open. The Mt. Diablo administrator, however, told Teen Vogue on the phone that account isnt accurate, to [her] knowledge. While Mt. Diablo students did intend to participate in the national walkout both on and off campus, for those who spoke to the Times, breaking through a physical barrier wasnt part of the plan. That was not my idea of a peaceful protest, Lila Souza, a sophomore who helped organize the event, told the Times. Story continues Even so, she was disappointed by the fact that school staff seemingly tried to deter students with a physical barrier against walking out of campus. The Times reported that those who did make it out through the gate were quickly rerouted back to school by administrators who threatened to call parents. Mt. Diablo principal Loren Barbosa told the Times that he wasnt necessarily against a walkout, but that the student government had decided not to do one, so the school wasnt prepared for such an event. Meyer said in her statement that schools throughout the district had activities planned to honor victims of school shootings. Speeches were given, tears were shed, and adults were directed not to stop any students from walking out, she said. At Mt. Diablo High School, the Times reported that there was an announcement made at 10 a.m. to commemorate the victims. Mt. Diablo students werent the only ones who felt they were being deterred from actively participating in the protest on Wednesday. According to ThinkProgress, school officials at Intermediate School 318 in Brooklyn, NY reportedly blocked doorways to keep the junior high students from leaving the building. New York City Department of Education had released information prior to the walkouts that said Middle and high schools will not prevent students from participating in the walkout, even if students do not have parental permission. An anonymous source from the school told ThinkProgress that students were told, If you wanted to walk out so badly, you should have had your parents come pick you up, some students were threatened with suspension, and one official told a student that no one cares if you walk out, according to the source. Students were also reportedly told that participating in the walkout would be unsafe. In Greenville, South Carolina, there were reports of officials attempting to limit walkouts at multiple schools. Students at Riverside High School told Greenville Online that teachers blocked classroom doors and officials walked through the halls telling students to return to class. At Wade Hampton High School (also in the Greenville County School District), officials stood in front of the doors at the time of the walkout, according to photos obtained by the site. But Greenville County Schools district spokesperson Beth Brotherton told Teen Vogue that there weren't efforts to stifle the walkouts. "Despite news reports to the contrary, we gave very clear direction to our principals that no one should block doors or prohibit students from participating in this walkout," she said. She also noted that administrators stood at exits to take names of students walking out so they "could account for their safe return," and that an alternative event at Wade Hampton took place near the exits in the main lobby. Prior to the walkout, the school district announced its decision to deny press access to the schools on the day of the protest and discouraged students from walking out, instead offering indoor alternatives (like 17 seconds of silence. Brotherton told Teen Vogue this decision was made for safety reasons. "Walking out of a secure building at a highly publicized, designated time to call for greater gun control seemed to us to provide an easy target for someone in an unstable frame of mind," she said. "To have such an event occur at 34 locations across our district (middle and high school sites) stretched both district and law enforcement resources too thin for our comfort." She also expressed concerns that sanctioning an event for gun control would lead to a simultaneous event for gun rights. "While we don't mind opposing points of view being expressed in a stable environment and believe that these are important topics that need to be discussed in our society, we were again concerned about the level of supervision needed to secure such an activity," she said. Jeannie Taylor, the stepmother of a student at Riverside High School, took issue with the safety reasons logic. Its sure safe for them to go outside when theyre having a fire drill or a pep rally, but if they want to stand up for their own rights, suddenly its not safe? she told Greenville News. Brotherton said that the more than 1,000 Greenville County School students who partook in the walkouts will receive warnings for cutting class (which she said some people are calling a "referral") but that there won't be further consequences. At Pensacola High School in Pensacola, FL, students who walked out were reportedly handed slips of paper that read, Malcolm Thomas, Escambia County School District Superintendent, does not support a student walk out. If you leave campus, then there will be discipline consequences for refusing to follow directions at Pensacola High School, the Pensacola News Journal reported. Thomas himself told the Journal that he wasnt aware of those papers and said that the four students who did walk out would not likely be punished. Teen Vogue reached out to Pensacola High School for comment but has not received a response. In Lakeland, Florida, students at McKeel Academy of Technology were reportedly warned via an intercom announcement that anyone who participated in the walkout would receive a detention at minimum, according to local NBC News affiliate WFLA. Some chose to walk-out anyway. A student who participated told The Ledger that the doors were locked when they tried to leave. Shortly after the scheduled 10 a.m. time, the school enacted a fire drill. In an email to parents sent later on Wednesday, which a parent posted to Facebook and WFLA published, McKeel principal Joyce Powell reportedly said there was considerable misinformation spreading. She noted that the school allowed students to participate in an event at 8:30 a.m., and that theyre required to conduct a monthly fire drill, which they chose to align with the event to give those students who wished to participate, at the nationally recognized time, an opportunity to do so without causing a separate disruption to the school day. She continued, No students were encouraged to participate nor were they discouraged to participate. But junior Katie Gallo, who organized the walkout, told The Ledger that the 8:30 a.m. walkout defeated the purpose of being unified with other students nationwide, and that the 10 a.m. fire drill undermined their planned walkout. She said many students realized what was going on immediately because it was not a coincidence, and that those who didnt support the protest were angry that they were forced to leave the school because of the drill. And sophomore Reagan Craig told The Ledger that the drill scared students, considering the Parkland shooter pulled the Douglas High fire drill, causing chaos before shooting and killing 17 people. A lot of kids were scared maybe an active shooter would come in and hurt them because they knew the walkout was coming, Reagan told The Ledger. I think the way they organized this was insensitive and disgusting and I know it did scare a lot of students, seeing as though a month ago the events occurred at (Douglas High) with the fire alarm being pulled. Teen Vogue reached out to McKeel Academy of Technology but has not received a response. On a day when students around the nation were making their voices heard about gun control and the fear they have for their own lives, others expressed frustration at what they felt was an effort by their administrations to keep them quiet. Were all students at high school, were all directly affected by current gun laws, Gabrielle Vines, one of the four students who walked out of Pensacola High School, told the Pensacola News Journal. And we dont think that were safe in school with our current laws and we want to change them, we want to walk out for that change and not be bullied and scared by the school administration into not saying anything. Related: National Walkout Day Inspires Celebrity Responses from Miley Cyrus, Chris Evans, and More Check this out: Berlin (AFP) - Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte on Friday cautioned Berlin and Paris not to try to push through their ambitious EU reform plans against the will of other member states. Rutte, who believes deeper integration is not the answer to the club's problems, told German news weekly Der Spiegel that countries would not just "nod along" to French-German proposals to shake up the bloc, particularly the eurozone. The warning came just hours before German Chancellor Angela Merkel was due in Paris for talks with French President Emmanuel Macron, who is eager to push his vision for an overhaul of EU institutions. "We have freedom of movement in the EU, and of course the German government can meet the French government without us being there," Rutte told Spiegel in an interview. "But that doesn't mean that we and other EU countries agree with everything the Germans and French agree on. We won't just nod along to everything." Macron has called for a major reform drive to reinvigorate the European Union and deepen eurozone cooperation to respond to rising populist challenges on the continent. While Merkel has cautiously welcomed his ideas, Rutte is firmly opposed to many of Macron's plans -- especially his proposal of a common eurozone finance minister and budget. "I believe that in the first place it's every EU country's own responsibility to prepare itself for crises," he said. "Sound finances are the best precaution." Rutte also objects to raising his country's contributions to the EU's budget from 2020 to plug a multi-billion-euro hole left by Brexit Britain and has called for spending cuts instead. This puts him at odds with Merkel, whose new coalition government recently committed to lifting its contributions, despite the fact that Germany, like the Netherlands, is a country that pays more into the EU coffers than it gets out. Rutte is not alone in his criticism. Finance ministers from Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Ireland, Latvia, Lithuania, Sweden as well as the Netherlands last week issued a joint statement calling for "structural reforms" to strengthen the bloc's economic stability. But in an implied broadside at Macron, they said more modest goals such as completing the eurozone banking union should have priority over "far-reaching proposals" for change. National Security Agency whistleblower Edward Snowden has jumped into the fray over Donald Trumps pick to head the CIA and her role in the CIAs waterboarding program. Current CIA Deputy Director Gina Haspel was reportedly involved in a controversial CIA black site operation in Thailand that involved waterboarding detainees, and she was accused of destroying evidence of the gruesome operation. A number of legislators have raised concerns about Haspel. Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) has said he wont confirm the head cheerleader for waterboarding to replace Mike Pompeo, who has been tapped by Trump to become secretary of state after the firing of Rex Tillerson. Snowden joined the debate Thursday on Twitter, knocking down glowing reviews of Haspel by Rep. Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.). Cheney said Haspel has spent her career defending the American people. She said Paul, on the other hand, is defending terrorists. Cheney is the daughter of Dick Cheney, the former vice president under George W. Bush, who blasted Snowden as a traitor after the NSA contractor released secret documents about the agencys extensive surveillance of U.S. citizens and world leaders. Snowden was granted asylum in 2013 in Russia, where he currently lives. He faces treason charges in the U.S. Snowden shot down as an easily demonstrable lie Liz Cheneys claim that enhanced interrogation techniques were no different than those that some members of the U.S. military were subjected to as part of their Survival, Evasion, Resistance, Escape (SERE) training. Cheney also claimed the tactics led to valuable intelligence. A 2014 Senate investigation found that torture led to no useful intelligence. Snowden also pointed out grim details of CIA torture discovered by investigators, such as agents assaulting inmates with food when they went on hunger strikes. The Senate report revealed what investigators termed rectal rehydration using tubes filled with ground-up, uneaten meals. Story continues Snowden concluded: Listen, you can defend torture or you defend the Constitution. Not both. To defend torture is to attack the Constitution. Liz Cheney was also criticized after she appeared to explain the benefits of enhanced interrogation tactics to Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.). McCains daughter, Meghan, snapped back on Thursday: My father doesnt need torture explained to him. McCain was imprisoned in Hanoi during the Vietnam War for more than five years. After Trump named Haspel as his pick for the CIA, John McCain said that the CIA torture of al Qaeda suspects in the wake of 9/11 was one of the darkest chapters in American history. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. Also on HuffPost Love HuffPost? Become a founding member of HuffPost Plus today. This article originally appeared on HuffPost. Brussels (AFP) - EU leaders will discuss a nerve agent attack on a Russian ex-spy in Britain at a Brussels summit next week, with president Donald Tusk saying the bloc would send a "clear message". The decision to add the Sergei Skripal case to the summit agenda on March 22 is another display of solidarity with the government of British Prime Minister Theresa May despite divisions over Brexit. Tusk, who will host the summit as head of the European Council, said on Twitter he had phoned May on Friday "to prepare (a) clear message of the EU on #SalisburyAttack". Former double agent Skripal and his daughter Yulia were left critically ill by the attack in the city of Salisbury, southwestern England, on March 4, which May has blamed on Russia. "Skripal will be discussed Thursday evening next week. At this stage, I expect summit conclusions on it," a European source told AFP on condition of anonymity. The incident comes at a particularly tense time for UK-EU relations, as the two sides are locked in Brexit talks ahead of Britain's departure from the bloc in March 2019. Western leaders have strongly backed Britain in the wake of the attack and supported its claim that Russia is "culpable". Polish Foreign Minister Jacek Czaputowicz on Monday said Warsaw was "in favour of taking action, including sanctions." "But that needs to be agreed with a larger circle of EU or NATO allies," he added alongside his German counterpart Heiko Maas in Warsaw. The attack has already been raised in recent days at the UN Security Council and in the NATO military alliance, which described it as the "first offensive use of a nerve agent on Alliance territory since NATO's foundation." British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson is also set to discuss the attack with his EU counterparts and with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg on Monday. But while Western rhetoric has been strong, it is not yet clear how far Britain's allies will go in terms of concrete steps to support London. Story continues One European diplomatic source expected the EU to adopt "similar measures" to London, which has expelled 23 Russian diplomats and cut high level-ties But the diplomat warned that imposing fresh sanctions against Russia would be more difficult. The European Union already has sweeping economic sanctions in place against Russia over the conflict in Ukraine and has imposed travel bans and asset freezes on dozens of people. "More vigorous action would require proof of Russian responsibility," the source said, adding that it was "more difficult" to attribute blame for a murder to the standard or proof necessary if sanctions were involved. (Photo: Sputnik Photo Agency / Reuters) TOP STORIES (Get this roundup directly in your inbox each weekday sign up for The Morning Email here.) TRUMP ADMINISTRATION BLAMES RUSSIA FOR CYBERATTACKS ON ELECTRICITY GRID Beginning in March 2016, or possibly earlier, Russian government hackers sought to penetrate multiple U.S. critical infrastructure sectors, including energy, nuclear, commercial facilities, water, aviation and manufacturing, according to a U.S. security alert published Thursday. Russia has vowed to respond to the resulting U.S. sanctions by expanding its black list of Americans. [Reuters] [Tweet | Share on Facebook] BREAKING DOWN THE MUELLER SUBPOENA NEWS The subpoena is the first known instance of Mueller ordering the production of documents directly from President Donald Trumps business during his nearly yearlong investigation into whether the Trump campaign colluded with Russia. [HuffPost] AT LEAST SIX DEAD AFTER PEDESTRIAN BRIDGE COLLAPSE IN MIAMI Multiple cars and people were trapped under a newly constructed 950-ton bridge at Miamis Florida International University after it collapsed Thursday. [HuffPost] AMERICA HAS A MASSIVE HEPATITIS A PROBLEM, AND NO ONE IS TALKING ABOUT IT Yours truly reports on the rise of the potentially deadly disease in homeless and drug-using populations across the country. [HuffPost] H.R. MCMASTERS WHITE HOUSE DAYS ARE NUMBERED And the national security adviser may not be the only one in jeopardy in the Trump administration. [WaPo] THE TWO WOMEN BEHIND THE FACEBOOK LIVE VIDEO TEACHING CHILDREN HOW TO VANDALIZE MOSQUES Have been arrested. [HuffPost] HUFFPOST OPINION: DONT FORGET ABOUT FLINT, MICHIGAN Its been over 1,440 days since the city had clean water. [HuffPost] WHATS BREWING VANESSA TRUMP FILED FOR DIVORCE FROM DONALD TRUMP JR. Vanessa Trump, 40, and Donald Trump Jr., 40, have five children and have been married since 2005. [HuffPost] FOR WOMEN ACROSS THE FILM INDUSTRY, SEXUAL HARASSMENT IS PART OF THE JOB A HuffPost investigation found that women across crew positions experience an onslaught of lewd comments, gendered discrimination and even physical assault and in some cases, its driving them out of the industry. [HuffPost] Story continues OKLAHOMA WILL BECOME THE FIRST STATE TO EXECUTE DEATH ROW INMATES WITH NITROGEN GAS Replacing lethal injection. [HuffPost] RIHANNA BLASTED SNAPCHAT For an ad that made light of Chris Brown assaulting her. [HuffPost] YOU HAVE TO READ THIS STORY TO BELIEVE IT She found a dating app on her boyfriends phone. Then she bought a samurai sword. [WaPo] BUT MAYBE DONT READ THIS DISTURBING RECOUNTING From the teen who gouged her own eyes out. [HuffPost] BEFORE YOU GO And love this newsletter? Share it with a friend! Love HuffPost? Become a founding member of HuffPost Plus today. This article originally appeared on HuffPost. Welcome Guest! You Are Here: By Christian Lowe MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russian gas giant Gazprom (GAZP.MM) will cut hundreds of jobs at its overseas trading and export offices, including Britain, and move them to St Petersburg, according to two sources familiar with the plan, which comes at a time of rising tensions with the West. One of the sources said the decision reflected a broader trend of Russian state firms retreating from the West as part of President Vladimir Putin's drive to repatriate capital to reduce exposure to sanctions and also shore up the domestic economy. "In Russia, this story can be sold as a job creation exercise on home turf. This is useful, especially ahead of the presidential election," said the source, referring to the vote on Sunday that Putin is widely expected to win. The reorganisation comes as relations between Russia and Britain, where Gazprom has the largest trading office by far, have hit a new low after Prime Minister Theresa May said Moscow was to blame for the attempted murder a former Russian double agent in an English city. However the jobs decision was taken earlier this year, long before the spy scandal erupted, according to the sources who declined to be named due to the sensitivity of the matter. Gazprom, which has its headquarters in St Petersburg, said it was too early to comment on numbers and moves. The company last month that it planned to reorganise its overseas trading and export operations but gave no details. "This work is aimed at strengthening the company's position abroad," a spokesman said. Gazprom's overseas trading and exports divisions employ around 2,000 people, with the bulk of them - around 1,000 - in London. It also has offices in locations including Paris, Houston, Singapore and cities in Germany. Not all employees are traders, as they also include finance and logistics specialists. The reorganisation will see the number of people more than halved, while about the same number of people will be hired in St Petersburg from where many trading operations will be executed, according to one of the sources who did not give more specific details about where the cuts would happen. Story continues Since setting up Gazprom's trading offices in London in 2005, Gazprom has hired dozens of top traders from rival companies such as Total (TOTF.PA) and Gunvor. REPATRIATING CAPITAL Russia's annexation of Crimea from Ukraine in 2014 triggered a series of U.S. and EU sanctions against the Kremlin and its companies, and ties have worsened further after Russia was accused of meddling in the 2016 U.S. presidential election. Russian state banks such as VTB and companies such as Rosneft have since scaled back their presence in the West, while some of Putin's closest allies such as businessman Gennady Timchenko have sold their assets in the West and repatriated capital to Russia. The West has repeatedly accused Putin of using Gazprom as a economic and political weapon after the gas behemoth cut supplies to Ukraine, thus disrupting deliveries to Europe. Moscow denies that charge. Europe gets a third of its gas from Russia, and Gazprom has spent 15 years on building a mighty trading division to help it further boost that share. The plan to move Gazprom's trading headquarters from London to St Petersburg was first considered by the company's management in 2015 but it was put on ice due to concerns about an exodus of people and the difficulties of raising credit for a capital-intensive operation, according to Gazprom sources. The last time Gazprom's marketing and trading division published its results, for 2014, it said it made a net income of $613 million and a return on equity of 41 percent while staff costs stood at $162 million. The unit has not published results since. (Additional reporting by Olesya Astakhova; Editing by Dmitry Zhdannikov and Pravin Char) When Benjamin Netanyahu visited Washington earlier this month, it should have been a political triumph, a moment of exultation. For most of his 12 years in power, the hawkish Israeli prime minister was forced to work with presidents who despised him, left-leaning Democrats who talked about settlements and Palestinian statehood. Now, he has Donald Trump. Their March 5 meeting at the White House was the first since the U.S. announced plans to relocate the American Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem this spring. Israeli politicians had long demanded the move; Netanyahu was the one to deliver it. Ever the flatterer, he compared Trump to Cyrus, the Persian ruler who freed his Jewish subjects 2,500 years ago and let them return to Jerusalem. From there, it was off to the annual American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) policy conference, where Netanyahu and his wife were greeted with standing ovations, a warmer welcome than anything he would find back home. And yet the whole trip was spoiled from the start. Hours before Netanyahu met with Trump, Israelis learned that one of the prime ministers closest advisers had turned against him. Nir Hefetz, a former journalist, has been described as Netanyahus spin doctor, the man responsible for massaging press coverage of the first couple. But after Hefetzs arrest in February, he agreed to turn states evidence and hand over recordings of the Netanyahus discussing an alleged criminal conspiracy. He is the third confidante of the prime minister known to have cooperated with the authorities in recent months. Trending: What Are the Ides of March? Meaning, Facts About the Day Netanyahu acted as if nothing was wrong. He is, after all, Israels second-longest-serving prime minister. He has survived police investigations before, as far back as his first term, in the 1990s. There will be nothing because there is nothing, he has said, dismissing the latest spates of corruption probes. And critics have made a career of underestimating him. Before the last election, in 2015, Israelis were convinced Netanyahu was finished. The vote would hinge on the economy, they predicted, and the prime minister had little to offer (he didnt even bother releasing an economic program). He won anyway, in decisive fashion. Story continues Yet even his allies are starting to whisper that this jubilant visit to Washington was his last. After years of investigations, the police are closing in; the cases against him grow more substantive by the day. The attorney general will decide in the coming months whether to indict him on a slew of charges, which range from comically absurd to deathly serious. The man Time once dubbed King Bibi has lorded over Israels political scene for 10 years and planned to stay for many more. Now, suddenly, he seems vulnerable. His address to AIPAC was his usual stump speech. He talked about Israels security, its burgeoning diplomatic ties in previously unfriendly parts of the world, its enviable high-tech industry. These are undeniable achievements, but they are not Netanyahus real legacy. When he goesand it now seems a question of when, rather than ifhe will leave behind a country that is deeply, perhaps irreparably, divided. This division is not entirely his fault. Demographic and cultural changesfrom the rapid growth of the ultra-Orthodox Jewish population to the hawkishness of a younger generation raised during the second intifada, the violent Palestinian uprisingplay a major role. But he has undeniably sped up the process. He allows the Haredim (the Hebrew word for ultra-Orthodox Jews) to dictate policy on everything from railroad construction to prayer arrangements at the Western Wall. He has largely remained silent about the wild, right-wing incitement aimed at the president and the army. Rather than push back against the racist and nationalist fringes in his coalition, Netanyahu empowers them. The final act of his 2015 campaign, for example, was an Election Day warning that the Arabs are coming to the polls in droves. The schisms in Israeli society may be on stark display in a few months. With indictments looming, Netanyahu may call an early election. He would enter the campaign with an approval rating in the low 30s and most Israelis demanding his resignation. Many voters are struggling financially because of a high cost of living, low wages and housing shortages. The peace process with the Palestinians is defunct. And yet, if the election were held today, despite his unpopularity and the growing likelihood of a prosecution, he would probably still win. Someone Put Bibi in a Corner The Netanyahus have been accused of petty corruption for decades, and the press loves to feast on their lavish, entitled lifestyle. Gidi Weitz, a Haaretz correspondent and one of Israels top investigative reporters, once wrote a story about their penchant for skipping out on the check at an Italian restaurant where he worked in the 1990s. The freebies got larger after Netanyahu was re-elected in 2009: He signed a $2,500 contract for gourmet ice cream at their official residence and had workers install a $127,000 bed on a government plane so the first couple could nap on the five-hour flight to London. Still, these were small-time swindlesa politician taking advantage of his position to live a little more luxuriously. Perhaps the highlight was whats known as Bottlegate: For several years, Sara Netanyahu pocketed the 8-cent refunds from returning empty wine bottles that the state had purchased. (Sara is an influential figure in her husbands administration, as well as a source of his legal troubles: Two former domestic workers have successfully sued her for abuse.) The allegations turned far more serious on February 13, when the police recommended filing charges against Netanyahu in two separate cases. In the first, known as Case 1000, he is accused of accepting gifts from billionaires and doing them favors in return, like helping one renew his American residence visa. Their largessecigars, champagne and the likeallegedly came to 1 million shekels, or about $288,000. (In a delightful flourish, one of his benefactors was Arnon Milchan, the producer of Pretty Woman.) The other revolves around Arnon Mozes, the publisher of Yediot Aharonot, Israels largest paid daily newspaper. It has long been critical of Netanyahu, a position that owes more to a personal feud than political differences. Sara Netanyahu once compared Mozes to Lord Voldemort, the villain of the Harry Potter novels. Yet according to the police, the two foes held friendly meetings to discuss a quid pro quo. Mozes offered to tone down his newspapers coverage of the prime minister. In return, Netanyahu allegedly offered to kneecap Israel Hayom, a popular free paper funded by American casino magnate Sheldon Adelson that has taken a huge chunk out of Yediots ad revenues. There is no evidence that Netanyahu acted on his promise. In fact, he did the opposite: He called early elections in 2014 to stop a bill that would have restricted the distribution of Adelsons newspaper. But the mere discussion may have been a crime. In years past, these allegations would have sufficed to end an Israeli politicians career. Yitzhak Rabin resigned the premiership in 1977 after a journalist discovered that his wife kept a foreign bank account, which held about $10,000 of their own money. Bizarre as it sounds now, that was illegal in Israel, then a relatively poor country in dire need of foreign currency. Rabin admitted it was a mistake and said he would not hide behind parliamentary immunity. There was no suggestion of bribery or corruption, but even this minor technical violation was enough to drive a prime minister from office. FE_Bibi_03_928356780 Cheriss May/NurPhoto/Getty No longer. A country romanticized for its socialist kibbutzim has now become a neoliberal economy; among the members of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, a club of wealthy nations, Israel ranks second only to the United States in economic inequality. We used to be a very homogeneous society where nobody had a lot of money, says Ifat Zamir, the head of the Israeli branch of Transparency International. And then, in the 1990s, some people earned some money, and the world changed with them. And so did the publics trust in government. Indeed, many Israelis have reacted to the allegations against Netanyahu with apathy. Left-wing activists have organized weekly protests against the prime minister, but even at their peak this summer, the crowds numbered only in the thousands. By March, they had dwindled to a few hundred. And many of the attendees were already inclined to dislike Netanyahu. His right-wing base has not deserted him. Quite the opposite: Some polls actually show his popularity has increased. In the first days after the police released their recommendation, it was possible to think Netanyahu would keep his job. But the list of allegations keeps growing. He is accused of cutting another allegedly shady deal, this one with the owner of Bezeq, Israels main telecommunications company. The businessman, Shaul Elovitch, also owns Walla, a popular news website. In this case, the favors may have been worth hundreds of millions of dollars. The police are also looking at whether Netanyahu and his aides offered to promote a judge to attorney general if she agreed to halt a case against the prime ministers wife. And looming in the background are allegations that top security officials took bribes from a German conglomerate that makes the nuclear-capable submarines used by Israels navy. The last one has yet to implicate Netanyahu, but several of his senior advisers are under investigation. Don't miss: California Parents Killed In Car Crash After Fleeing ICE Officers Who Mistook Father For Arrest Target As one Knesset member puts it, speaking anonymously because of the matters sensitivity: We still have a few red lines, and one of them is messing with national security. Mr. Status Quo If Netanyahu is one day sentenced to the minimum-security Maasiyahu Prison, he will be following a well-worn path. In February 2016, Ehud Olmert, the previous prime minister, was being driven to the facility. Two years earlier, he was convicted of bribery and sentenced to 19 months behind bars. A morning show on Israeli radio wanted to offer some advice to the new inmate. That wasnt hard to arrange: A veritable shadow Cabinet has done time in Israeli prisons. The hosts called a former health minister, Shlomo Benizri, to offer tips. (The guards are not sentimental about ministers, he noted.) But Netanyahus case could be different for one reason: Israeli law is clear that a minister charged with serious offenses must step down, but says nothing about a prime minister. Olmert resigned before he was charged. His successor is determined to stay. The legal consensus is that he can, until he is convicted and exhausts his appeals. So at least for now, his battle is political. Olmert stood down after his coalition partners told him, first privately and then publicly, that he had lost their support. He also came under withering attack from the opposition. A prime minister who is sunk up to his neck in investigations has no moral and public mandate, said the opposition leader at the time. That opposition leader was Benjamin Netanyahu, who seems to have forgotten his earlier edict. He is under no real pressure to resign. His allies are standing by him. Education Minister Naftali Bennett, in Washington to attend the AIPAC confab, said Netanyahu should be presumed innocent until proved otherwise. Miri Regev, the populist culture minister, said she was unimpressed by the case against Netanyahu: I dont rush to hang people in the village square. There is talk in the Knesset, Israels parliament, of early electionsbut as a show of strength for Netanyahu, not of weakness. Just a few weeks ago, his coalition seemed unassailable, on track to become the first since 1988 to serve a full four-year term. It passed a two-year budget in December 2016, all but assuring its survival until the next scheduled election. (Under Israeli law, if a government fails to pass a budget, it automatically dissolves.) But now the ultra-Orthodox parties have threatened to vote against the next budget unless the Knesset passes a law exempting Haredi men from the army draft. Though the spending plan does not have to pass until December, Netanyahu may use it as a pretext to go to the polls. He has good reason to be confident. Surveys of the Israeli electorate can be admittedly unreliable. Days before the 2015 election, most of them had the Likud Party trailing well behind its main center-left competitor. Still, they offer a decent barometer of the public mood. The latest poll, conducted by Channel 10, puts Likud, Netanyahus party, at 29 seats, just one below its current total. In second place, with 24 seats, is Yesh Atid, a centrist party that has seesawed in popularity since it was founded in 2012. Labor ranks a distant third, with just 12 mandates, half of what it has now. The rest of the Knesset would remain largely the same. Some analysts paint Israel as a country lurching inexorably to the right. This is an oversimplification. In 1981, the right-wing and religious bloc won 64 seats in the 120-member Knesset. In 2015, it won 67. The center-left ceded a lot of groundbut almost all of it to the Arab parties, which came into existence in the 1990s. The size of the conservative, religious bloc has remained almost constant for a generation. The real shift is found within the blocs. In 1981, the two largest partiesLikud and Alignment, a forerunner of Laborwon 95 seats, nearly four-fifths of the Knesset. No other party won more than 5 percent of the vote. In the last election, though, Likud and Labor won just 54 seats. Even if they agreed to form a unity government, they still wouldnt have a majority. Seven other parties, from across the ideological spectrum, cleared the 5 percent mark. This fragmentation makes it hard for many Israeli politicians to form coalitions. Netanyahu could reassemble his current one, albeit with a smaller majority. Yair Lapid, the chairman of Yesh Atid, would struggle with the task. Even with a broad coalition spanning from the center-right to the far left, he would fall short of a majority. To cross the 60-seat threshold, he would need either the ultra-Orthodox parties or the ultranationalist Yisrael Beiteinu faction. The latter is a far-right party that campaigned in 2015 on ethnic cleansing and reviving the death penalty. And Lapid built his political career agitating against the former, demanding cuts to their welfare benefits and an end to their draft exemptions. Either would be an awkward fit. FE_Bibi_08_RTX3FR0E Argentine Foreign Ministry/REUTERS Most of Netanyahus potential replacements on the left and right face a similar dilemma. Though he carries on as the opposition leader, the unpopular Isaac Herzog no longer controls the Labor Party. His successor, Avi Gabbay, was elected to the top job in Labor last year and immediately set out to court right-wing voters. His popularity soon plummeted and has yet to recover. Bennetts Jewish Home Party is too closely linked to the settlers, and Avigdor Liebermans party, Yisrael Beiteinu, to Russian emigres. Neither is likely to win a plurality in the Knesset. A few recently retired generals are eying a second career in politics, but they need to find a party to run with, and some of them are still in a cooling-off period that bars them from running for office. As it stands, Likud is the only party with a realistic shot at forming a government. Netanyahus resilience seems puzzling, given that he has little to offer his voters. His critics often deride him as Mr. Status Quo. In 2011, massive socioeconomic protests shook Israel. They started with a small tent city on a fashionable boulevard in Tel Aviv; by September, hundreds of thousands of people were in the streets to complain about the high cost of living. They ended without any major reforms. Mobile phone plans are cheaper. Supermarkets slashed the price of cottage cheese. But the fundamentals of the economy remain unchanged. Netanyahu has done little to address a nationwide housing shortage that has made apartments unaffordable for the majority of young Israelis. (Buying a five-bedroom apartment costs the average Israeli almost 16 years pay, compared with seven and a half in France and five in the United States.) Meanwhile, the prime minister hasnt tried to address the constant skirmishes over religion and culture that roil Israeli politics, from restrictions on business during the Sabbath to the growing incitement against liberal activists and academics. To some foreign audiences, Netanyahus most unforgivable lapse is his inaction on the peace process. Every month, the centrist Israel Democracy Institute conducts a survey called the Peace Index. The first two questions are always the same: Do you support peace talks with the Palestinians? Do you think they will succeed? The latest numbers are grim. Nearly 60 percent of Israeli Jews support the process, but just 18 percent believe it will bring peace. Put those numbers together, and barely one in 10 Jewish Israelis both supports and believes in a two-state solution. An overwhelming majority thinks the status quo is here to stay. (The Palestinians are similarly resigned.) Netanyahu had two goals when he took office, says a former adviser, who asked for anonymity to speak frankly about his ex-boss. One of them was to dismantle the Oslo Accords. The prime minister has never put it so bluntlyat least in public. But he has undeniably been successful. For nearly a decade, he has stalled for time, agreeing to peace talks but never to the substantive concessions that might advance the process. He says one thing in Hebrew and another in English. Days before the 2015 election, he promised to never establish a Palestinian state. After his victory was securedand after sharp criticism in the Westhe tried to disavow those comments. When Trump first took office and asked Netanyahu to hold back on settlements, the prime minister was nonplussed. Hes going to lose interest, another aide predicted last year, while Trump was visiting Jerusalem. Sure enough, the president is no longer on speaking terms with the Palestinians and seems to doubt he can reach what he once called the ultimate deal. Most popular: Python Mother Spotted Caring for Her Babies, Defying Rules for Maternal Snake Behavior In fairness, even a dovish prime minister would struggle to negotiate with the Palestinians, divided as they are between Fatah, the secular party that controls the West Bank, and Hamas, the Islamist group that seized power in Gaza in 2007. Nor would he receive much help from the current White House. The American ambassador to Israel, David Friedman, is an unabashed supporter of Israeli settlements. Jared Kushner, Trumps son-in-law, whose familys charity has donated money to settler groups, was meant to play a leading role in the peace process. Today, he is mired in scandal, his role in the White House greatly diminished. Yet there is no reason to think Netanyahus successors will be willing or able to implement to the two-state solution. Of the six men likely to replace him, four are avowed opponents of Palestinian statehood. Bennett wants to annex two-thirds of the West Bank, a step that would preclude a Palestinian state. Lieberman rejects the idea of statehood, as do most of the leading lights within the Likud. When journalists from Walla polled the Cabinet, just four ministers were willing to publicly endorse a two-state plan. While Lapid and Gabbay support it, they have been vague about how they might achieve ithow to avoid the mistakes that crippled 25 years of U.S.-led negotiations. They offer nothing beyond vague talk of regional initiatives and involving the Arab states. There is little incentive to do otherwise. The issue does not bring in many votes, nor does it even come up much in Israeli politics. Before the 2015 election, the heads of most major parties gathered for a two-and-a-half-hour debate on Channel 2. The word peace was uttered exactly five times, three of them by Ayman Odeh, who leads the party that represents Palestinian citizens of Israel. This is not a parameter that differentiates between the parties, said Dani Dayan, a former settler leader who now serves as Israels consul-general in New York. Because Israelis understand that whoever is prime minister, nothing will change. I Didnt Have a Newspaper Netanyahus first stint in office lasted only three years. He won by a narrow margin in 1996, and voters quickly soured on him. The peace process was faltering. The blood-soaked occupation of south Lebanon seemed endless. Stories of corruption were already swirling around Netanyahu and some of his coalition partners. The public tossed him out in 1999, handing Ehud Barak the election by a 12-point margin. For Bibi, though, all these substantive issues were secondary. Contemplating his defeat on election night, he told aides, I lost because I didnt have a newspaper. He solved that problem before his next run for the premiership a decade later. Israel Hayom made no attempt to be an objective source of news. The loss-making paper, subsidized heavily by Adelson, was a crude propaganda outlet for Netanyahu; the prime ministers office even reportedly dictated its headlines. His ambition went beyond winning the daily war for headlines. On the eve of Israels 70th birthday, the countrys political history can be cleaved roughly into two halves. The first was dominated by the center-left predecessors of the Labor Party. The political establishment was largely liberal, secular men of Ashkenazi descent. Likud did not win its first election until 1977, an event that Israels main news anchor famously dubbed the mahapakh (revolution). Since then, the left has struggled to regain power. Right-wing prime ministers have ruled for 29 of the past 40 years. And yet Likud continues to act like a permanent opposition party. To hear Netanyahu and his allies tell it, they are fighting for control against the entrenched elites: the military, the judiciary, academia. (His friend in the White House might call this the deep state.) To hear his advisers tell it, this was Netanyahus second goalto reshape Israels establishment. His obsession with manipulating the media is one example. He has appointed an unprecedented number of religious Israelis to the top echelons of the security services. Ayelet Shaked, the nationalist justice minister, is trying to change the way judges are appointed, handing power to the Knesset instead of a judiciary seen as leftist. Regev, the culture minister, lashes out constantly at artists, even proposing a loyalty test for those who receive state funding. FE_Bibi_14_AP18047492680013 ilia yefimovich/picture alliance/dpa/AP Images Nearly one in four Israeli primary school students is ultra-Orthodox, up from one in 10 a generation ago. Though most Israelis support a greater separation between synagogue and state, ultra-Orthodox politicians are pushing in the opposite direction. In the fall of 2016, they balked at the state railways plan to conduct maintenance on Shabbat, the Jewish Sabbath. The timing made sense: Trains do not run on Saturdays, road traffic is light, and most workers have the day off. But the Haredim, under pressure from their constituents, threatened to bring down the government unless the repairs were canceled. Netanyahu dawdled until the last possible momentFriday afternoon, less than an hour before the Sabbath. Then he canceled the work, a move that cost the state millions and caused gridlock the following Sunday. All this to avoid alienating a religious constituency that alienates a majority of Israelis. Different Israeli Jews have fundamentally incompatible views on how to define Israel as a Jewish and democratic state. Sixty-nine percent of the ultra-Orthodox and 46 percent of the national-religious (a plurality) feel that the state is too democratic. Fifty-nine percent of secular Jews think it is too Jewish. A majority of Israeli Jews feel it is inappropriate for Arab lawmakers to sit in the coalition, and many think it is acceptable that the state allocates more money to Jewish communities than to Arab ones. In the first decades after 1948, Israel was surrounded by hostile (and much larger) Arab states. The sense of shared danger helped bind together Jews from all over the world, especially since the memory of the Holocaust was still fresh. Those ties weakened after the treaties with Egypt and Jordan. Still, the peace process continued to stitch up Israeli society, albeit into two halves: a peace camp that believed a two-state solution was the only way to safeguard the countrys future and an opposing group that felt otherwise. There was nonetheless a sense of shared destiny, that both sides were arguing over a common fate. By 2018, however, there is no real threat to draw Israelis together. The country has peace treaties with two of its four neighbors; a third, Syria, is in ruins; and the fourth, Lebanon, is so weak that Israel routinely uses its airspace to launch strikes in Syria. (Hezbollah poses a serious threat, but hardly one that could destroy the country, and it is constrained by both its involvement in Syria and Israeli deterrence.) Neither the Iranian nuclear program nor the pro-Palestinian boycott sanctions and divestment movement currently threaten Israels survival. And the status quo with the Palestinians, rightly or not, seems sustainable well into the future. Few Israelis give it much thought on a daily basis. Their society cannot be drawn together by the need to stand united in the face of mortal danger, because it does not exist. At this point, and for the foreseeable future, there is no existential threat facing Israel, said Moshe Yaalon, who served as defense minister until 2016. Ofer Zalzberg, a Jerusalem-based analyst for the International Crisis Group, seems to agree. Were caught in a crisis of identity. People are worried about globalization, about a sense of losing tradition. Its the autonomy of the individual versus Jewish tradition. And nobody knows which side will win, he says. Full of Hubris If Netanyahu left office tomorrow, it would be difficult to choose a headline for his political obituary. Menachem Begin signed a lasting peace treaty with Egypt, and Rabin did the same with Jordan. Barak ended the decades-long occupation of Lebanon. Ariel Sharon withdrew from Gaza. Shimon Peres oversaw vital reforms that paved the way for Israels high-tech economy. Even Olmert, despite his ignominious end, could argue that he pursued a serious attempt at peace with both Syria and the Palestinians. Netanyahu simply survived. In his third government, he agreed to a plan to draft ultra-Orthodox men into the army; in his fourth, he postponed it. He announced the mixed-gender prayer space at the Western Wall to great fanfare, but he never opened it. His promise to lower prices and housing costs has gone unfulfilled. Even his wars have been indecisive. The year 1973 was the last time...both sides said, OK, lets make a deal, says Oded Eran, a longtime Israeli diplomat. All of the wars since ended with a U.N. resolution, which was only partially effective, or the arrangement of 2012. What does it mean that we end it unilaterally? It means that Israel continues to live under the current circumstances. Its not clear what is actually ending. A senior officer in the Israeli army once called Netanyahu a character from a Greek tragedy. (The officer is still in the military and asked for anonymity.) He is both a gifted politician and an educated man, a keen student of world history and contemporary geopolitics. As a man of the right, the son of a prominent Revisionist historian and a former army commando, he had the stature to be a transformative politician in the mold of Begin. But his lust for power led him to pursue short-term tactics instead of grand strategy, and the schisms in Israeli society deepened all the while. Hes full of hubris, the officer said. FE_Bibi_09_688076164 Linda Davidson/The Washington Post/Getty Or as the Israeli journalist Raviv Drucker wrote in Haaretz in February, After Netanyahu goes, a lot of the warped norms of governing will go with him. Its not corruption but normalcy thats at stake. This is true enough. The next prime minister, whoever it is, will probably not be dogged by tales of cigars and champagne and verbal abuse of the domestic help at the official residence. The prime ministers wife wont steal bottle deposit refunds. His son wont ask the sons of wealthy oligarchs to spot him 400 shekels for a prostitute, as Yair Netanyahu did. But on the most critical questions of Israels futureits relationship with the Palestinians, and with itselfthe prime ministers successor may not be much different at all. Gregg Carlstrom is a Middle East correspondent for The Economist. Portions of this article were adapted from his book, How Long Will Israel Survive? The Threat From Within. 9780190843441 Oxford University Press This article was first written by Newsweek More from Newsweek An Emirates flight attendant died after falling off of a Boeing 777 plane parked on the tarmac. The incident occured on Wednesday at the Entebbe International Airport in Uganda. Flight EK 729 arrived from Dubai to Entebbe around 2 p.m. local time (7 a.m. EST) and was scheduled to take off again towards Dubai at 3.25 p.m. The circumstances of the incident, which occurred while no passengers were on board, are currently under investigation. Trending: Spotify Tests Voice Control, Will It Soon Compete with Apple and Amazon? "A female member of the cabin crew appeared to have opened the emergency door and unfortunately fell off an Emirates aircraft that had safely landed and parked," read a press release issued by the CAA shortly after the incident took place. A Boeing 777 measures more than 60 feet in height. 03_15_emirates Kacper Pempel/Reuters The woman was taken to a hospital with life-threatening injuries. Emirates has yet to identify the cabin crew member by her name and nationality. Don't miss: Virtual Kidnapping: Police Warn of Scammers Claiming to Abduct Children and Demanding Ransom Vianney Luggya, a spokesperson for the Ugandan Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), told Newsweek on Thursday that the woman died on Wednesday evening, having sustained serious injuries to her head. Local media cited unidentified eyewitnesses saying the woman intentionally opened the emergency exit door and jumped off the plane. A gruesome image published in some Uganda news outlets and on social media purportedly showed the woman, wearing an Emirates uniform, lying face down on the tarmac, a stream of blood forming around her head. Most popular: What Are the Ides of March? Meaning, Facts About the Day The airline has yet to reply to a request for comment from Newsweek, but an Emirates spokesperson confirmed the incident to the Khaleej Times. Story continues "We can confirm that a member of our cabin crew unfortunately fell off from an open door while preparing the aircraft for boarding on flight EK729 from Entebbe on 14 March. The injured crew member was brought to the nearest hospital," the spokesperson said. "We are providing all possible support and care for the affected crew, and will extend our full co-operation to the authorities in their investigation." This article was first written by Newsweek More from Newsweek By Sarah N. Lynch WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Former FBI deputy director Andrew McCabe, who stepped down in January after criticism from President Donald Trump, met on Thursday with a U.S. Justice Department official in an effort to preserve his pension, according to a source familiar with the matter. McCabe planned to retire on Sunday with full benefits, but some or all of his pension could be at risk after the Federal Bureau of Investigation's Office of Professional Responsibility recommended firing him for misleading Justice Department investigators about his supervision of probes into Hillary Clinton, Trump's presidential opponent, said the source, who requested anonymity. The person spoke anonymously because no decisions have been made, and the matter is still not public. McCabe did not return a call seeking comment. Sunday is McCabe's birthday, which triggers his eligibility for full pension benefits, the source said. Attorney General Jeff Sessions is out of town on Thursday, so McCabe met with a person in Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein's office to make his final appeal in a meeting that lasted more than three hours, the source said. The person spoke anonymously because no decisions have been made. McCabe, a 20-plus-year FBI veteran and lifelong Republican, has been a target of Trump and others who have questioned whether his role in the investigations was politically biased or compromised because his wife, a Democrat, got donations for her Virginia state Senate campaign from Virginia's then governor, Terry McAuliffe, a close ally of the Clintons. If Sessions fires McCabe, he could be accused of bending to the will of Trump, who has attacked McCabe on Twitter for his role in the Clinton investigations while his wife received donations from what Trump called "Clinton Puppets." But if Sessions allows McCabe to stay until his retirement, he could face a backlash from conservatives who have attacked the FBI. When asked about it on Thursday, White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders said the decision is up to Sessions. However, she also called McCabe a "bad actor" and said it is "well documented that he has had some very troubling behavior." "FACTS AND CIRCUMSTANCES" It is unclear what will determine if McCabe can retain all or part of his pension if he is fired, the source said. In general, the impact of a person's termination depends on facts and circumstances, according to a Justice Department spokeswoman. The recommendation to fire McCabe was based on a report by the Justice Department's inspector general, which according to the source says McCabe misled investigators about his communications with a former Wall Street Journal reporter. McCabe denies misleading them in any way. On two occasions in 2016, McCabe authorized an FBI public affairs officer to talk to a Wall Street Journal reporter who was writing about McCabe's role in probes related to Clinton, the source said. The FBI has said that at the time McCabe got involved in one of the probes, into Clinton's use of a private email server, his wife's election campaign was over. One article that discussed McCabe's role in the investigation into the Clintons' charitable foundation claimed some agents thought McCabe was trying to quash the probe which McCabe said was not true. (Reporting by Sarah N. Lynch; Editing by John Walcott and Leslie Adler) King (57, bottom left) had 61 total tackles in his Navy career. (Getty) Former Navy linebacker Caleb King was one of two people killed in an F-18 crash off the coast of Key West, Florida, on Wednesday. King and James Johnson were in the plane when it crashed while trying to land at the naval station in Key West. It came up short and crashed into the water approximately a mile east of the runway. the Navy said both had ejected from the plane but did not survive. A witness told Military.com that she didnt see either of the pilots eject from the aircraft. She said the wings of the plane went vertical and then there was a fireball with the plane subsequently dropping out of the sky. From the Associated Press: Dana White, Pentagon spokeswoman, said the cause of the F/A-18 Super Hornet crash Wednesday off the coast of Key West, Florida, is still under investigation. But she was asked if there was a link between the crash and persistent military complaints about reductions in flying hours and other training cutbacks because Congress hasnt approved the 2018 budget. Its important that we not necessarily draw a direct correlation, but it is important that we have stable funding. That has been our message to the Congress and to the American people for the last several months, said White. Capabilities erode. And things are delayed. King appeared in 38 games over his Navy career and had 61 tackles. As a senior in 2011 he had 31 total tackles in eight games and recorded an interception in the teams loss to Rutgers. Nick Bromberg is a writer for Yahoo Sports. More March Madness coverage from Yahoo Sports: Cinderellas upset bid ends on physics-defying miss Loyola Chicago stuns Miami on last-second shot for upset win Oklahoma wastes Youngs heroics in NCAA tournament NCAA player winks at NBA legend after insane shot Loyolas 98-year-old nun loved buzzer-beater The Daily Beast YouTubeThe last text Gabby Petito sent before she went missing while road-tripping across the U.S. with her fiance set off alarm bells for her mother, who became fearful for the 22-year-olds safety after receiving the odd message.Thats according to a newly-unsealed search warrant giving North Port, Florida, police permission to search a hard drive investigators found in Petitos white van, which she and Brian Laundrie, 23, had been using to tour the countrys national parks.The text message (This March 14 story corrects paragraph 16 to say that Lamb personally opposes abortion but accepts 1973 Roe vs. Wade decision, instead of that he opposes abortion rights.) By David Morgan and Jason Lange (Reuters) - The special election in Pennsylvania's 18th Congressional District was still too close to call on Wednesday but the winner could soon have to start campaigning all over again - in a different district against a different opponent for the November congressional elections. That is because the 18th District, as currently drawn in southwestern Pennsylvania, will cease to exist because of a recent court order that set new boundaries for every district in the state. Democrat Conor Lamb, who was slightly ahead in the race for the seat in the U.S. House of Representatives on Wednesday, likely will start campaigning in the new 17th District. Republican Rick Saccone, should he still have a political future after failing to handily win a district Donald Trump carried by 20 points in 2016, might try for the seat in the newly drawn 14th District. The political game of musical chairs could once again make western Pennsylvania hard-fought ground. Districts that were once considered solidly Republican and that voted for Trump in the 2016 presidential election now look winnable by Democrats. Pennsylvania's top court ruled in January that the state had been unfairly gerrymandered by Republican legislators, with districts shaped in order to include voters apt to favour their party. Pennsylvania Republicans, including eight U.S. congressmen, have filed a federal lawsuit challenging the new map. "It's a much more competitive map," said Eric McGhee, a political scientist at the Public Policy Institute of California who helped craft an analysis of the new districts by PlanScore.org. Saccone, a conservative four-term state representative from Elizabeth Township, lives in the newly drawn 18th District that will skew Democrat because it includes the strongly Democratic city of Pittsburgh. Story continues But Saccone has already said he intends to run in the new 14th District, which will include much of the current 18th and strongly Republican communities to the west of it. Political analysts label the new 14th District safely Republican. It has a higher share of people who have not studied past high school and its median household income, at about $55,000, is lower than the old 18th District's $65,000, according to PlanScore's analysis. Saccone might want to move to the new district, although Pennsylvania law does not require candidates to run in the districts where they live. 'I WILL BE RUNNING LATER' Lamb has not said which seat he would seek in November but was clear during the campaign that he intended to compete. Political analysts and Pennsylvania Democratic strategists such as Mike Mikus believe the moderate Democrat would be a strong candidate in the new 17th. Compared with the old 18th, the new 17th District will have a larger share of black residents and will be slightly more educated - segments of the electorate that skew Democratic. Should Lamb run in the 17th, it could set up an incumbent-versus-incumbent showdown against Keith Rothfus, the Republican now representing the 12th District, a hammer-shaped district stretching from the Ohio border north of Pittsburgh to the Allegheny Mountains. Trump won that district over Democrat Hillary Clinton by 21 points. Rothfus has said he will run in the new 17th, which takes in the western portion of his current district. The newly drawn 17th District could be an easier district to win for a Democrat than Pennsylvania's 18th. Trump's vote tally in the new 17th would have barely won him the district. It includes the suburbs southwest, west and north of Pittsburgh where a large numbers of suburban Democrats might find Rothfus too conservative. The new 17th District does include a swath of Republican strongholds stretching to the Ohio border. But Lamb could make inroads in the blue-collar Trump strongholds of traditionally Democratic Beaver County, where voters could be attracted by his pro-gun, pro-military and pro-union positions. Lamb says he personally opposes abortion but accepts the Supreme Court's landmark 1973 Roe vs. Wade decision allowing abortion as the law of the land. "I would put Lamb or another Democrat as a favourite over Rothfus," Mikus said. "Rothfus raises a lot of money but he is very conservative and probably too conservative for this district." Political analysts at the University of Virginia Center for Politics considered the new 17th District as leaning in Rothfus' favour until last week, when they moved it to a toss-up in anticipation of a possible Lamb candidacy. (Reporting by David Morgan in Mount Lebanon, Pa., and Jason Lange in Washington; Editing by Damon Darlin, Peter Cooney and Bill Trott) Photo illustration: Yahoo News; photos; Getty Images (3), Luca Bruno/AP In Wisconsin last week, Kelda Roys, a Democratic candidate for governor, appeared on camera while breastfeeding her daughter and though thats not what she set out to do (the 4-month-old got hungry while her mother was filming an ad about banning BPA in bottles), it seems fitting for the times. Two states away in Missouri, meanwhile, on the other end of the masculine/feminine axis, Republican Senate hopeful Courtland Sykes has spent weeks not apologizing for his Facebook post describing feminists as career-obsessed banshees and declaring he expects his fiancee to fix him a home-cooked dinner every night. And while he insists he supports womens rights, his particular way of doing so seems to reflect something about the moment as well. Gender is back with a vengeance in political campaigns. Not that it ever went away completely, but as recently as the last midterm elections it had settled into somewhat of a background hum. The benefits and challenges of running as a man or a woman were studied and known; the candidates were oblique about using whatever advantages and weapons they might have; voters biases were more often of the unconscious or unspoken variety. Not anymore. Since Trump and his appeal to toxic masculinity, and then the response to that in the form of #MeToo, theres been a shift, says Erin Cassese, an associate professor of political science at West Virginia University whose research focuses on gender in politics. People feel more strongly about what men and women should and should not do. Prejudices that had gone underground, and/or were alluded to in coded language its become more acceptable to express those things. She and others who follow campaigns predict that the 2018 midterms will be the most direct use of gendered signals, tropes, stereotypes and attacks in decades. Gender matters to more voters this year, she says, but it matters in different ways to different voters, and candidates have to navigate that. Story continues The 2016 presidential campaign was like no other in terms of gender dynamics, and not only because it included the first woman nominee of a major party. On one side, it featured a Republican man who reinforced the most patriarchal norms of masculinity, says Kelly Dittmar of the Center for American Women and Politics at Rutgers University, which has just launched a project called Gender Watch to monitor the ways both men and women portray themselves in the midterms. Donald Trump campaigned in a way that reinforced stereotypic ways of masculinity that we have not seen in more than a decade. He was successful. Voters responded positively in particular portions of the electorate. In facing that idea of masculinity, the Democratic woman showed that much of the accumulated conventional gender research is correct: Women will be subjected to greater scrutiny of their appearance, will be seen as shrill, will have ambition held against them. But there were also surprises. Male candidates have traditionally been warned that attacks on women backfire, for instance, but Trump attacked with apparent glee. Voters were thought to give women extra points for honesty, but Trump successfully portrayed Hillary Clinton as crooked. What, then, does this mean for men and women running in 2018, particularly for higher state and national office? For some the takeaway is that the Trump blueprint works, making it OK to call working women banshees and say your dinner should be on the table by six. Roy Moore believed that a similar tone would play well with Alabama voters (and it might have if not for the revelations about his past behavior with minors), and Rick Saccone, who lost a special Pennsylvania congressional election on Tuesday, had been boasting, I was Trump before Trump was Trump, and spoke in a similar macho tone. The fact that the most forceful of the Trump imitators to face voters thus far have fallen short hints at the limits of that strategy and the fact that it does not account for a second legacy of Trumps win the pushback. Women in particular have responded with organized outrage of an intensity rarely seen in American politics, certainly not in the decades since the Clarence Thomas hearings led to the election of a record number of women to Congress in 1992. Anger at sexism during the campaign helped fuel the #MeToo movement and is responsible for hundreds, perhaps thousands, of women deciding to run for all levels of elected office for the first time. They will run races in a new electoral landscape, one where the old campaign strategies may not apply but the new ones are not yet clear. All the focus on more women running can distract from the larger point, Dittmar says. The question of whether we will see stasis or change is not entirely about how many more women might win, but rather how much the candidates across genders will disrupt some of the norms of this masculine institution. Beyond the number of folks that are running, we need to look at how are they running? How are voters responding to their choices? How are men and women balancing the traits of masculinity and femininity? It is still the early days, but already there are examples of candidates feeling their way as they go. Royss breastfeeding ad, for example, which celebrates the candidates feminine credentials at the same time as her feminist ones. Or Sol Flores, seeking the Democratic nomination to Congress in Illinoiss Fourth District in a primary on Tuesday, who created a stir with a campaign spot discussing being sexually abused by a family friend when she was 11. There was a time when such vulnerability would be seen as weakness and women candidates were loath to appear weak; now it is an exhibition of strength. Or look at the contrast between Martha McSally, a retired Air Force colonel and incumbent congresswoman currently seeking the Republican Senate nomination in Arizona, and Amy McGrath, a retired Marine combat pilot running as a Democrat for Kentuckys Sixth District congressional seat. The old instinct would be to use those resumes to highlight strength, and McSally does exactly that, though with the very modern twist of telling the GOP to grow a pair of ovaries and discussing her fight with her commanding officers because she did not want to wear a traditional Muslim head covering while serving in Saudi Arabia. McGrath tweaks the formula in another way, feminizing her message by focusing not on her time as a warrior but rather her journey to the job, which required that she overcome the biases of men who did not believe women should serve in combat. Women of color, who have long faced all the obstacles of white women candidates and then some, are beginning to challenge the formula. The idea of strength has long been particularly tricky for African-American women, says Wendy Smooth, a professor of political science at Ohio State University, who studies the intersection of race and gender in electoral politics. Voters expect women to prove they are strong, and there is the trope associated with black womanhood that they are indeed strong, but thats not necessarily a stepping stone, she says. If you remember the early days in which Michelle Obamas strength and confidence were seen as political liabilities that the campaign went to great lengths to disappear. One example of new context, she says, might be the Georgia governors race, in which Democratic hopeful Stacey Abrams is not changing the ways she experiences black womanhood in order to run for office. She has natural hair. This is her walk. This is who she is. Abrams is also strategic in addressing the traditionally feminine areas of family and children. A single woman, she speaks often about the issue of kinship care and the fact that the definition of family should be broader than just blood or marriage. So female candidates seem emboldened by a changed landscape. But what of male candidates? Theirs are the choices that most interest Dittmar. When we look at masculinity and femininity, the burden to challenge the rules shouldnt just fall to women, she says. For a long time there were women who felt they had to prove their masculinity to get the job, and one could argue that is no longer true. But the straight white cis men have to be able to present themselves in a way that doesnt represent the traditional masculine norm for us to declare a sea change. Some men are also challenging the traditional expectations. Rich Madaleno, a white Democratic candidate for governor in Maryland, released an ad narrated by his African-American son, who introduces not only the candidate, whom the boy calls Daddy, but also Madalenos husband, whom the boy calls Papa. Madaleno is shown on camera being very much a state legislator, but also a hands-on parent. For each race like that one, however, there is the possibility that there will be one like the West Virginia Senate race, where incumbent Joe Manchin is running for reelection. A Democrat in a heavily Republican state, Manchins likely takeaway from the 2016 campaign was to move to the more macho side. When Republican challenger Patrick Morrisey called for Manchin to resign from his position in the Senate Democratic leadership, Manchin told a local reporter on the record: I dont give a s***, you understand? I just dont give a s***. Dont care if I get elected, dont care if I get defeated. How about that? And that, experts say, is the key to reconciling how two contradictory messages about masculinity and femininity can drive the post-2016 campaign messages at the same time. How candidates act is a direct response to how they believe voters want them to act. And voters are divided. The latest report by the Barbara Lee Family Foundation, which has studied women in politics for 20 years, is titled Opportunity Knocks: Now Is the Time for Women Candidates. It concludes that voters want women candidates who are different, not only from the sea of male mostly white elected officials and candidates but also from the act like a man version that women used to be. Another study, though, by the nonpartisan Public Religion Research Institute, found that a subset of voters does not want that at all. When asked if they agreed that society was becoming too soft and feminine two-thirds of Trump supporters agreed, while 64 percent of Clinton voters disagreed. When the question asked was whether these days society seems to punish men just for acting like men, 41 percent of Trump supporters said yes, compared with 22 percent of Clinton supporters. And 50 percent of Trump supporters said society is better off when men and women stick to the jobs and tasks they are naturally suited for compared with 39 percent of Clinton supporters. Were divided in terms of gender right now, Cassese says. Theres a polarization by geography and party. Candidates will try to meet voters where they perceive them to be, meaning there is a different lesson from the 2016 race depending on which electorate you are courting. Whether that lesson is to magnify gender-linked traits or blur them, each candidate will have to make a choice from the changed array of masculine and feminine options. You might want to believe that gender doesnt play a role in a given race, Dittmar says. Maybe theres two women running so you think that neutralizes gender. No. Gender is always at play. Its been at play in male-only races for centuries. Its not a question of whether gender is playing a role, its what role is gender playing. _____ Read more from Yahoo News: By David Shepardson WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Georgia State Supreme Court on Thursday unanimously upheld a $40 million award to the family of a four-year-old boy killed in 2012 when the 1999 Jeep Grand Cherokee in which he was riding was rear-ended and burst into flames. A lower court in 2015 reduced a jury verdict from nearly $150 million to $40 million. Fiat Chrysler spokesman Michael Palese said the company was "disappointed in this decision. We are considering our legal options." The Jeeps fuel tank was placed near the back of the vehicle, which plaintiffs said made it vulnerable to rear-end collisions. The Supreme Court ruling said "evidence showed that Chrysler had long known that mounting a gas tank behind the rear axle was dangerous. Evidence also showed that Chryslers placement of the gas tank behind the rear axle was contrary to industry trends, which favored placing tanks in front of the rear axle." Fiat Chrysler lawyers said during the trial that the fire did not cause Waldens death and blamed the driver of the pick-up truck that hit the vehicle. The company said Thursday it "continues to extend sympathies to the family of Remi Walden for their loss." On appeal, the company contended it was prejudicial to raise Fiat Chrysler Chief Executive Sergio Marchionne's compensation, which totaled more than $68 million, according to a company executive who testified at trial. The automaker had denied there was a safety issue and has said the vehicles were no more dangerous than comparable SUVs built at the time. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) linked more than 50 deaths to the Jeep fuel-tank issue. Under government pressure, Fiat Chrysler recalled 1.56 million 2002-07 Jeep Liberty and 1993-2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee SUVs in June 2013 to address fire risks and agreed to install trailer hitches to protect the gas tanks. The recall and a "customer satisfaction campaign" that covered the Jeep in the fatal Georgia crash occurred after Marchionne held private talks with senior U.S. Transportation Department officials in 2013. Story continues The Georgia Supreme court opinion said the award was proper in part because Marchionne was "alleged to have specifically interjected himself in a federal safety investigation to the detriment" of the Walden family. In 2015, NHTSA announced Fiat Chrysler would pay a then-record $105 million civil penalty over lapses in safety recalls involving millions of vehicles, including older Jeep SUVs for fire risks. (Reporting by David Shepardson; Editing by Cynthia Osterman) PARIS (Reuters) - German Chancellor Angela Merkel said on Friday she would discuss with French President Emmanuel Macron an appropriate response to an attack using a military-grade nerve agent that Britain has blamed on Russia. "Many trails point to the fact that Russia is responsible," Merkel said before talks with Macron in Paris. "It is a very difficult situation and today we will discuss what the appropriate response is." (Reporting by Ingrid Melander, Writing by Joseph Nasr, Editing by William Maclean) As the post-mortems of Mike Pompeos tenure as CIA director are finalized, a rough consensus has emerged. Pompeo, the conventional wisdom holds, is the rare Trump administration Cabinet official who kept his head down, focused on the mission, and did what President Donald Trump refused to do: He spoke with clarity and conviction about Russias ongoing attack on U.S. democracy. He was an effective, if quiet, workhorse pursuing Americas national security interests, weve been told, whose close relationship with the president was good for the CIA and, in turn, U.S. national security. He was a founding member of the so-called Axis of Adults, whose membership has steadily dwindled. As is typically the case in Washington, the conventional wisdom is wrong. Pompeo, previously a Republican congressman from Kansas, came to the CIA as a square peg in a round hole, as many of Trumps Cabinet selections did. Unlike some of his colleagues, however, Pompeo didnt make any effort to become more spherical. He opted to make the role as CIA director conform to him. Many of these efforts were well beyond public view, taking place in secure conference rooms in Langley or within the confines of the White House Situation Room, only occasionally and even then, subtly spilling into public view. But the largely shrouded nature of Pompeos leadership of the agency didnt make it any less pernicious to the CIA its integrity, mission, and workforce. Well before Pompeo was confirmed as CIA director in January 2017, there was every indication he would not approach the job as his predecessors had. Pompeo made a name for himself in Congress as a leading purveyor of hard-line conservative ideology and even conspiracy theories. While his firebrand reputation would have given most presidents-elect pause, Pompeos incendiary rhetoric especially his relentless, and not always factual, attacks on former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in the context of the Benghazi investigation reportedly endeared him to Trump, who himself rose to prominence peddling a conspiracy theory. Story continues Agency-watchers recognized that Pompeos selection was fraught, as the CIA workforce prizes its distance literal and physical from the politics of Washington. Indeed, theres no dirtier word within Langleys corridors than politicization. Thats not to say that Pompeos tenure was doomed to failure. Previous directors from George H.W. Bush to Leon Panetta had successfully made the turn from political animal to above-it-all intelligence chief. As most CIA directors have, they checked their policy predispositions at the great seal and adopted a just the facts demeanor both in public and behind closed doors. Not Mike Pompeo. Even in public, Pompeo never tried to play the part of CIA director. He not only didnt discard his policy views, but he also seemed to revel in the opportunity to air them publicly. Last year, as Trump was grappling with how to approach his predecessors Iran nuclear deal, Pompeos constant boogeyman, CIA analysts reportedly continued to conclude that Tehran was abiding by the 2015 agreement. Pompeo didnt betray that in his public remarks, however, nor did he stick to cut-and-dry assessments. He told an audience at the Aspen Security Forum in July 2017: I kind of think of Iranian compliance with the nuclear deal like a bad tenant. This is Iranian compliance today. Grudging, minimalist, temporary with no intention of really what the agreement was designed to do. Just the facts this was not, but it was classic Pompeo, a CIA director who never let his unique responsibilities stand in the way of his own opinions. That may be why, contrary to previous CIA directors, Pompeo was a fixture at the White House, where he traveled most mornings ostensibly to take part in Trumps presidential daily briefing. The president often requested that he accompany him to his next meeting regardless of the topic according to one account. Indeed, Trump came to see Pompeo as much more than an intelligence advisor; he became his policy Svengali and, in so doing, blurred the lines between intelligence and policy. Pompeo took the same liberties during White House meetings. Whereas his predecessors typically spoke at the beginning of a policy discussion to provide an intelligence laydown, Pompeo was a powerful policy voice, especially on his pet issues, including Iran. Intelligence analysts familiar with the matter recounted to me that, in preparation for such meetings, Pompeo would adopt the Dick Cheney-esque strategy of asking the same question repeatedly namely whether Tehran remained in compliance with the terms of the deal apparently hoping for a different answer. Even without the facts on his side, Pompeo was said to have argued in favor of trashing the accord and ramping up the pressure on Iran, an approach Trump by many accounts is preparing to take at the next opportunity in May. Theres also ample evidence to suggest Pompeo was active in shaping favorable public narratives. When asked about Russias electoral interference, for example, Pompeo distinguished himself from his boss by acknowledging that it occurred. But he attempted to normalize the unprecedented multipronged assault by quickly adding, as he did mid-last year, that Moscow had meddled in multiple previous elections, having done so for a hell of a long time. Whats more, he played fast and loose with the facts, asserting publicly that the intelligence community had found that Russias interference had no effect on the electoral outcome. It was a CIA spokesperson who was left to correct him, noting that analysts had come to no such conclusion. Pompeo even entertained and perhaps propagated at least one fringe conspiracy theory, holding a private meeting at his Langley office last year with a leading purveyor of the theory that WikiLeaks obtained the Democratic National Committee emails through an insider leak, not a Russian hack a theory embraced by Moscow. Rather than counter the theory, Pompeo seems to have fueled it, ultimately reportedly referring the former official he met with to other senior intelligence officials. Sometimes his efforts were more subtle. Shortly after the ouster early last year of Trumps short-lived national security advisor Michael Flynn, the White House reportedly enlisted Pompeo, along with Republican members of Congress, to place quiet calls to journalists challenging the emerging storyline now proven beyond a reasonable doubt that the Trump campaign had extensive ties to suspicious Russians. Previous CIA directors would occasionally intervene with news organizations to attempt to quash a story that would jeopardize sensitive sources or methods, but weighing in on such politically explosive reporting was an early indication that Pompeo would not hesitate to shed his partisan clothing. Nor was Pompeo above weaponizing intelligence as a political tool. Late last year, he unexpectedly announced the resumption of an effort to declassify files recovered from Osama bin Ladens compound, an initiative the Director of National Intelligence had declared compete that January. The CIA ultimately released several hundred thousand more files. None of them changed our fundamental understanding of the terrorist masterminds final years, but they did put the spotlight back on al Qaedas ties with Iran, just as the administration was renewing the case that Tehran was a state sponsor of terrorism that had violated the spirit of the Iran deal. As if to ensure that storyline took hold, Pompeos CIA first released the files to a journal run by the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, a think tank virulently opposed to the nuclear deal, where Pompeo twice spoke publicly during his short time as CIA director. No tactic seemed to out of bounds for this CIA director. No accounting of Pompeos stewardship of Langley would be complete without noting his efforts to impose his worldview on a workforce that prizes diversity as a strength. Agency employees had an early taste of what was to come when, as Foreign Policy reported, their new director became visibly frustrated during his first meeting with his workforce after several employees asked about his commitment to diversity. And they had good reason to ask. According to that same account, Pompeos CIA, for reasons that later came under inspector general scrutiny, cancelled a Pride Month appearance by the parents of Matthew Shepard, who was slain in anti-gay hate crime. In addition to his apparent efforts to scale back the programming, Pompeo, breaking with his predecessors practice, notably declined to take part in the festivities. During the same period, Pompeo did, on the other hand, consult with Tony Perkins of the Family Research Council, which the Southern Poverty Law Center labels as an anti-gay hate group, regarding an initiative to expand the agencys chaplaincy program. Pompeos approach was striking for its break with that of his predecessors, who championed the idea that diversity within the agency workforce much more than a virtue was an operational necessity. Language skills, cultural familiarity, and historical grounding are but a few of the traits that have served the CIAs analysts and operations officers especially well. John Brennan, Pompeos immediate predecessor, told FP last year: We have the responsibility of covering the globe, understanding all societies, cultures, and backgrounds. Pompeo, it seems, preferred a CIA that conformed to his image, not the worlds. As Pompeo and his champions fix their sights on his next assignment, theres a sense among them that the State Department will be even better suited to his strengths. As the nations top diplomat, the thinking goes, Pompeo will be able to espouse his sincerely and deeply held policy views in a way that was frowned upon at Langley. And his close relationship with the president, they contend, will lead this administration to prioritize diplomacy and galvanize a deeply dispirited workforce. All of that assumes Pompeo will play the role of a traditional secretary of state. Nothing about his tenure at the CIA suggests he will conform to the role set out for him. Whats more, Pompeos time across the river raises profound questions about his loyalty. Time and again, Pompeos statements and actions whether in public or behind closed doors suggested an ultimate allegiance to Trump, whose personal interests have all too often clashed with those of the American people. Theres no reason to believe that would change were Pompeo to transfer to Foggy Bottom. Above all, however, we must consider the dangerous prospect of Pompeo calling Americas foreign-policy shots. The irony of rewarding Pompeo, who has spoken only grudgingly of diplomacy in the past, with Americas top diplomatic post is a bit much even for this administration. And the stakes could not be higher in the weeks to come, as the administration faces potential war-versus-peace decisions with both North Korea and Iran. Members of Congress will find themselves in the perhaps awkward but exceedingly necessary position of taking a critical lens to one of their former colleagues. Senators confirmed Pompeo as CIA director last year by a comfortable margin. In spite of the prevailing narrative, however, none of them should be comfortable with his track record at the agency, nor with the prospect of Mike Pompeo taking on an even larger foreign-policy portfolio. Two cases of measles have been confirmed in individuals who traveled through airports in Newark, Detroit, and Memphis this month, health officials said. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services said Wednesday that a person who returned on March 6 to Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport from traveling internationally was contagious at the customs and baggage claim in the airports north terminal, putting anyone who was in the area between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. at risk for measles. The person, who The Washington Post reports was traveling from India, lives in Washtenaw County and was hospitalized after returning to the U.S. The health department said the individual is currently recovering. A case of measles was also detected in Newark and Memphis after a young child traveling from Brussels to Newark Liberty International Airport was confirmed to have the disease, putting others in the airport at risk, New Jersey health officials told NJ.com. The child landed in Terminal B on Monday and left the airport from Terminal C to travel to Memphis, and may have traveled to other areas of the airport, the state health department said. People in the Newark airport from 12:45 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Monday are most at risk for developing measles, with symptoms able to appear by April 2 at the latest, NJ.com reports. The child could have also exposed others to measles while traveling to Memphis International Airport, health officials told USA Today. Measles is a highly contagious virus that spreads through the air via coughing and sneezing, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Symptoms begin with a fever, runny nose, red eyes and a sore throat, followed by a rash that spreads all over the body. Health officials have urged vaccination as the most successful way to prevent the spread of measles. While students across the country walked out of their schools Wednesday as part of a movement to show solidarity for the people killed in the Parkland, Florida school shooting, students at Grand Blanc High School in Eastern Michigan were locked in their classrooms. Police said the school was put into secure mode due to a threat. Yet several students said their rights had been trampled on and believed that the lockdown was to prevent them from walking out. About ten minutes prior to the planned walk out our School Resource Officer (SRO) received information from a student that someone would get hurt if the walkout took place, the Grand Blanc Police Department said in a statement. The timing of the information was unfortunate in the fact that the SRO did not have time to follow up on the threat before the decision needed to be made. Trending: Learn Klingon on Duolingo: 'Star Trek' Alien Warrior Language Released Before the threat was made, the school had discouraged students from participating in the walkout. A message from Principal Michael Fray said walking out would result in a school infraction, according to The Flint Journal. As many of you know, there is a nationally advertised Student Walkout for today, March 14 at 10:00 a.m. We are NOT supporting participation in this walkout and any attempt to walkout will be considered skipping class, said Fray in the message. We do believe in your right to assemble and are working with a group of students to provide an organized and safe walkout event on April 20th. Student Corena Kalinin told WJRT, a Flint, Michigan ABC News affiliate, that she thought the school was silencing her and her classmates. It was very frustrating because it felt like our voices were being shut down on a very important issue that's facing us, said Corena. Don't miss: Overtime in College Basketball: How Long, What the NCAA Rules Say Student Alex Zaliagiris tweeted that the lockdown was to prevent students from protesting. Story continues This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. After the lockdown ended, dozens of students had a sit-in outside the schools administrative offices. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. Grand Blanc East Middle School, which is approximately 2.5 miles away from the high school told Newsweek that students there had an internal walkout, but were unaffected by the threat. Grand Blanc Community Schools and high school administrators did not immediately respond to Newsweeks request for comment. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. RTS1NMY9 Rick Wilking/REUTERS This article was first written by Newsweek More from Newsweek Hillary Clinton has injured her wrist on a book tour of India in another fall while on official duty. The former US presidential candidate was staying at Umaid Bhawan Palace, the one-time residence of the former royal family of Jodhpur, when she slipped in the bath, DNA India reported. The former first lady was taken to the private Goyal Hospital at around 5am Wednesday. Trending: Ancient Tools Discovered In New Excavation Shed Light On Human Behavior "We did a CT scan and X-ray and found a hairline fracture around the wrist area. She was advised to take rest for few days and use a crepe bandage for support," a doctor at the hospital told AFP, on condition of anonymity. The medical advice meant she had to cancel her plans to visit the Mehrangarh Fort in the city. It is the second time she has been injured on her trip to India promoting her book What Happened?, having previously been filmed falling down the stairs at the Jahaz Mahal. RTX4QOK4 REUTERS/Aaron P. Bernstein Don't miss: FEMA Removes Climate Change References from Four-Year Strategic Plan She has suffered a number of tumbles in recent years. In London last October, she had to wear a surgical boot during an interview on the BBCs Graham Norton Show. She said she had broken her toe after falling over running down the stairs with a cup of coffee in her hand. During her presidential campaign in 2016, video showed her collapsing as she exited a 9/11 memorial Manhattan, which led to speculation about her health. She put the incident down to pneumonia and dehydration. In 2013, she suffered a mild concussion and had a blood clot near her brain after a fall at her home. She had to appear before Congress to testify about the militant attack on Benghazi in Libya wearing prism eyeglass lenses. She has put the incidents down to clumsiness. Story continues Most popular: Worlds First Flu Vaccine Pill May Be Right Around the Corner She has been criticized on her tour promoting her book which outlines her presidential campaign for claiming she lost the 2016 election partly because women in the Republican Party vote like other men in their lives. Donald Trump's counselor Kellyanne Conway said that this view is "insulting half of the country." This article was first written by Newsweek More from Newsweek Thousands of students walked out of class on Wednesday to demand action from Congress on school safety and gun control. The #Enough National School Walkout commemorated the one-month anniversary of the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School that left 17 dead, and it was just the first of several planned marches and walkouts. On that same day, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the STOP School Violence Act of 2018 in a bipartisan vote of 407 to 10. Only five Democrats and five Republicans voted against the bill. It was the first school safety-focused measure to pass in the House since the shooting. The bill has been introduced in the Senate, where it has bipartisan support. What is in the STOP School Violence Act? The bill, which was introduced by Rep. John Rutherford (R-Fla.) several weeks before the shooting in Parkland, Florida, has 94 bipartisan co-sponsors in the House, including Rep. Ted Deutch (D-Fla.), whose district includes Parkland. The bill reauthorizes a Justice Department program focused on stopping school threats. It provides $50 million per year to: Create and operate ananonymous reporting systems for threats of school violence, including mobile telephone applications, hotlines, and internet websites Implement improvements to school security infrastructure. Develop student, teacher and law enforcement training to prevent violence. Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School student Kyle Kashuv, who calls himself a conservative, supported the Senate version of the bill in a tweet. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. What isnt in the STOP School Violence Act? Absent from the STOP School Violence Act is any mention of gun control despite student protests for gun control laws and high levels of public support or guns at all. At the request of Democratic lawmakers, a provision was added to the bill preventing the funds from being used to arm teachers. And while there is bipartisan support for the school safety provisions in this bill, some Democrats criticized the lack of gun control measures. Story continues It should be unacceptable to all of us that we must take steps to train staff and students to protect themselves against these types of incidents, instead of spending more money on actually educating our young people, Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-N.Y.), who voted for the bill, said in a statement. This bill does not include any provisions to strengthen our gun laws or to help keep guns out of the hands of those who should not possess them. Evidence and experience tell us that we must establish universal background checks instead of the flawed system we now have. What is the status of gun control in Congress? Gun control bills have been introduced in both chambers, but they have remained stalled. President Donald Trump has shown support for a Fix NICS (the National Instant Criminal Background Check System) bill proposed by Sens. John Cornyn (R-Texas) and Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) that would fix holes in the background check system. Im extremely interested in seeing Senator Cornyns Fix NICS bill passed and a significant school safety bill passed, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said on Tuesday, according to CNN. The best way to get that done is still under discussion. But Im anxious to pass both of them, and pass both of them soon. Though there is bipartisan support and cosponsorship for this bill, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) said it would be an abject failure if that was the only gun control measure passed after the Parkland tragedy. Correction: The original version of this story misstated how Rep. Jerrold Nadler voted on the STOP School Violence Act. He voted for the bill, not against it. If you think your love life is crazy, wait until you hear about what early humans got up to. New research shows that thousands of years ago, our ancestors were having children with another hominin known as the Denisovansaccording to new data published Thursday in Cell. The comingling came in two distinct waves, thousands of years ago. These two periods help explain an odd pattern. People from countries in the Pacific Ocean, including Papua New Guinea, can chalk about 5 percent of their DNA up to Denisovan sources. Chinese and Japanese people also carry some Denisovan DNA, too, though not as much. But among East Asian populations, researchers could discern, that genetic material had to have come from two different populations that were distantly, but not closely, related. The two waves of sexual relations explains why the East Asian gene pool appears to have two separate sources of Denisovan DNA. These hominins were first discovered in 2008; the first paper about them was published in 2010. But although we have very little to go onjust four fossils from one woman discovered in a Siberian cave, The Atlantic reportedits not hard to find DNA that might have come from that time our ancestors were shacking up with other, related species. Trending: What is Facebook Lite? The data-friendly app is coming to the US Neanderthal bones and teeth California EMMANUEL DUNAND/AFP/Getty Images The thousands of years since those waves is not enough time to scrub the evidence of ancient dalliances from our DNA. Scientists can look at odd genes that tend to be inherited together to spot where the Neanderthal or the Denisovan might be in our DNA, a phenomenon called linkage disequilibrium. Theres actually a statistic to measure linkage disequilibrium called S*; Sharon Browning at the University of Washington and her colleagues riffed on S* for this recent paper. Story continues Genetic remnants of other ancient populations can provide useful insights to other areas of science. Browning and her colleagues found two new regions that appear to be from another hominin on chromosome 3 that both are involved in our immune systems. These particular regions code for genes that express two receptors, CCR9 and CXCR6, which both interact with an immune protein called a chemokine. Theres a good chance all of humanitys affairs havent yet been exposed. About 25 percent of the DNA that Browning classified is likely coming from a hominin other than a Neanderthal or a Denisovan, New Scientist reported. Which hominin those might be is still unclear. This article was first written by Newsweek More from Newsweek Budapest (AFP) - Prime Minister Viktor Orban told around 100,000 supporters gathered in Budapest on Thursday that Hungary's "way of life will lose its meaning" if his opponents win the upcoming parliamentary elections. Orban told the rally, a show of strength ahead of the April 8 vote, that he was the defender of "millions with national feeling" against the "globalist elite". He repeated his key campaign themes in attacking international NGOs and US billionaire George Soros -- whom he accuses of meddling in Hungarian politics -- as well as his vehement opposition to immigration. "Large western European countries bit by bit are losing their own countries, they want to force us to do the same," he told the crowd. "Africa wants to kick down our door, and Brussels is not defending us." He added: "We will take moral, legal and political revenge after the elections" on opponents, in what some opposition politicians have interpreted as a threat. Another 10,000 people gathered for a counter-demonstration, according to an estimate by an AFP journalist at the scene. A further 5,000 attended a leftwing rally organised by the socialist MSZP party and former prime minister Ferenc Gyurcsany's DK, with another 5,000 at a students' demonstration. Despite polls consistently showing a majority of Hungarians are dissatisfied with the government, 54-year-old Orban looks firmly on course to win a third consecutive term. But a surprise by-election defeat for Orban's ruling Fidesz party last month suggests the race may be tighter than expected, especially if turnout is high. - 'Homeland before all' - Critics say the charismatic strongman has eroded democratic institutions like the independent judiciary and the media, and steered Hungary towards authoritarian one-party rule. After he came to power in 2010, Orban placed loyalists in charge of state institutions and rewrote both the constitution and election rules, cementing his grip on power. Story continues His second four-year term has been dominated by nationalistic and anti-immigration campaigns that detractors say have stoked xenophobia in the central European country of 10 million. But bolstered by an improving economy and with the opposition divided, the former student leader of demonstrations that brought down communism nearly 30 years ago still enjoys strong support among his base. They say Orban defends Hungary against Soros and in his clashes with the EU, and that his reforms are cleaning up a mess left by previous Socialist-led governments. Numbers at the pro-Orban "Peace March" were swelled by people brought in from outside the capital and also from Poland, which has also clashed with Brussels. At the front of the march was a banner reading "Homeland Before All", while others carried slogans saying: "God protect Hungary and Poland from leftwing ideology!" "This government supports the Hungarian people by helping them start families," David Magyar, a 23-year-old economics student told AFP. "We feel safe here," said a 53-year-old business woman, who gave her name only as Gyongyi. "There isn't a single refugee running around the streets." - Divided opposition - At one of the smaller counter-demonstrations, a banner of the opposition MSZP-DK read: "Down with the Christian dictatorship of Orban!" Protester Erzsike, 74, said she was worried that opposition divisions could favour Fidesz in Hungary's voting system, which is predominantly first past the post: "Without coordination, we have no chance," she said. Addressing the crowd, Gyurcsany admitted the splintered opposition "can only win and govern together" and announced his party was standing aside in one district to clear the way for another opposition leader. Gabor Vona, the leader of the main far-right opposition party Jobbik, told another rally attended by around 2,000 people that his party "will bring back freedom" and emphasised his anti-corruption message. By Fergus Jensen SYDNEY (Reuters) - Indonesia has lobbied Southeast Asian countries to carry out maritime patrols in the disputed South China Sea, claimed in most part by China, to improve security, Defence Minister Ryamizard Ryacudu said on Friday. Indonesia says it's a non-claimant state in the South China Sea dispute but has clashed with China over fishing rights around the Natuna Islands and expanded its military presence there, and also renamed the northern reaches of its exclusive economic zone, asserting its own maritime claim. Austalian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop and Defence Minister Marise Payne held talks with their Indonesian counterparts Retno Marsudi and Ryacudu in Sydney, ahead of an Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit. Australia is hosting the meeting, despite not being a member of the 10-nation bloc, as it seeks to tighten political and trade ties in the region amid China's rising influence. "For the South China Sea, I went around to friends - ASEAN defense ministers - so that each country that faces the South China Sea patrols up to 200 nautical miles, around 230 kilometres," Ryacudu told reporters at a joint press conference. Indonesia is focusing on three areas, notably the Sulu Sea, the Malacca Strait and the seas around the coast of Thailand, Ryacudu said, referring to existing cooperation with Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam, Cambodia and the Philippines. "If we look at the (borders) from Vietnam down to Indonesia and to the Philippines, we can see we have secured almost half of the South China Sea (in areas) we are already patrolling." China claims most of the South China Sea, an important trade route and which is believed to contain large quantities of oil and natural gas, and has been building artificial islands on reefs, some with ports and air strips, developments that have irked ASEAN members. China has also been rapidly increasingly its military deployment in the South China Sea and its air force said last month that Chinese Su-35 fighter jets took part in a combat patrol over the disputed waterway. Story continues Brunei, Malaysia, Vietnam, the Philippines, all of which are members of ASEAN, and Taiwan also have claims in the sea. China's foreign minister said last week that China's resolve to protect peace and stability in the South China Sea was unshakeable, and that outside forces were attempting to muddy the waters. China has been angered in the past by freedom of navigation patrols in the South China Sea by the United States which it sees as provocative. Australia - which says it takes no sides on South China Sea disputes but has supported U.S.-led freedom of navigation activities - has previously said it had no plans to take part in joint patrols. Officially, the ASEAN summit will focus on fostering closer economic ties among the members of ASEAN and Australia, and countering the threat of Islamist militants returning to the region from the Middle East. Australian Foreign Minister Bishop also said Australia would "very seriously" consider any formal invitation to join the grouping, a move advocated by Indonesian President Joko Widodo. (Reporting by Fergus Jensen; Editing by Nick Macfie) Astana (Kazakhstan) (AFP) - The foreign ministers of Iran, Russia and Turkey were locked in talks on Syria in Kazakhstan Friday, almost a month after the Moscow and Tehran-backed regime began pounding an opposition enclave just outside of Damascus. The dire humanitarian situation in Eastern Ghouta, a suburb of the Syrian capital, is likely to be on the agenda as Mohammad Javad Zarif of Iran, Sergei Lavrov of Russia and Mevlut Cavusoglu of Turkey convened in the Kazakh capital Astana Friday. Speaking at the outset of the talks Friday Lavrov said that "millions of Syrians are looking in the direction of Astana" as the three power brokers work towards an end to the conflict. The meeting is expected to lay ground for a summit involving the presidents of the three countries in Istanbul on April 4. More than 340,000 people have been killed since Syria's brutal civil war started in 2011. It has since spiralled into a complex conflict involving multiple world powers. In recent weeks focus has been on Eastern Ghouta. Nearly 1,260 civilians have been killed there, a fifth of them children, since the Syrian regime's bombardment of the rebel enclave began on February 18. UN chief Antonio Guterres has described the former rebel stronghold facing stark shortages of food and other basic goods as "hell on Earth". Forces loyal to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad are now believed to control over 70 percent of the enclave that saw nearly 20,000 civilians flee on Thursday alone according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. Rebel-backer Turkey has called for an end to the siege in Eastern Ghouta but remains embroiled in its own offensive on the northern Syrian town of Afrin that is inhabited mostly by ethnic Kurds. The United Nations Syria envoy Staffan de Mistura is missing the Astana talks through illness, his office said Thursday, adding that deputy Ramzi Ramzi would take his place. Kazakhstan has hosted multiple rounds of talks on Syria since January 2017 backed by the three power brokers, most of which involved delegations from the Syrian government and opposition. A deal for four "de-escalation zones" thrashed out in Astana last year was credited with reducing government-rebel hostilities but was branded a failure by the United States in the wake of the assault on Eastern Ghouta. By Michelle Martin BERLIN (Reuters) - New Interior Minister Horst Seehofer said Islam does not belong to Germany, and set out hardline immigration policies in his first major interview since being sworn in this week, as he sought to see off rising far-right challengers. His comments put him on a collision course with Chancellor Angela Merkel, who on Friday reiterated her long-held view that Islam was a part of Germany, even if the country was traditionally characterized by Christianity and Judaism. "Islam does not belong to Germany," Seehofer, a member of Merkel's CSU Bavarian allies who are further to the right than her own Christian Democrats (CDU), told Bild newspaper in an interview published on Friday. Seehofer said he would push through a "master plan for quicker deportations" and classify more states as 'safe' countries of origin, which would make it easier to deport failed asylum seekers. Seehofer is particularly keen to show his party is tackling immigration ahead of Bavaria's October regional election, when the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) is expected to enter that state assembly. Both Merkel's conservatives and their centre-left coalition partners - the Social Democrats - lost ground to the anti-immigrant AfD in September's national election following the arrival in Germany of more than a million migrants and refugees. Merkel, who has faced strong criticism from some Germans as well as elsewhere in Europe for agreeing to take in so many migrants, most of them Muslims, reaffirmed on Friday her vision of an inclusive, multi-ethnic Germany. "There are now four million Muslims living in Germany and they practice their religion here and these Muslims belong to Germany, as does their religion - Islam," she said. "LIVE WITH US" Many of the Muslims living in Germany are of Turkish origin. But a majority of those who have arrived in the past three years are from Syria, Iraq and other conflict zones in the Middle East and beyond. Seehofer's comments come at a sensitive time for Germany's Muslim community. Several organisations representing them complained on Thursday that politicians were not showing enough solidarity after a spate of attacks on mosques. "Of course the Muslims living here do belong to Germany," Seehofer told Bild, but added that Germany should not give up its own traditions or customs, which have Christianity at their heart. "My message is: Muslims need to live with us, not next to us or against us," he said. Andre Poggenburg, head of the AfD in the eastern state of Saxony, said Seehofer was copying his party with a view to Bavaria's October regional election: "Horst Seehofer has taken this message from our manifesto word for word." The far-left Linke and Greens condemned Seehofer's message, and the Social Democrats' Natascha Kohnen told broadcaster n-tv: "Saying that incites people against each other at a time when we really don't need that. What we really need is politicians who bring people together." In their coalition agreement, Merkel's CDU/CSU conservative bloc and the Social Democrats agreed they would manage and limit migration to Germany and Europe to avoid a re-run of the 2015 refugee crisis. They also said they did not expect migration (excluding labor migration) to rise above the range of 180,000 to 220,000 per year. (Reporting by Michelle Martin; Editing by Gareth Jones) By Dan Williams JERUSALEM (Reuters) - An Israeli official who has coordinated with the Gulf Arab state of Qatar on aid to the Palestinians credited it on Friday with trying to prevent the funds reaching Hamas, but accused it of still "flirting" with the Islamic militant group. Under embargo by four U.S.-allied Arab powers, Qatar has publicized its low-key contacts with Israel in an apparent bid to find favor with Washington and weaken U.S. President Donald Trump's apparent sympathy for the boycott. The Qataris have also courted several American Jewish leaders deemed close to Israel. Qatar says Israel's blessing for the some $800 million in civilian relief funds it has funneled to the war-ravaged Gaza Strip counters suspicions it backs Hamas, which has de facto control of the enclave but is shunned by Israel and the West. "If we are helping Hamas, do you think the Israelis (would) allow us to go inside and come out?" Qatari envoy Mohammed Al-Emadi told Reuters during a Feb. 22 visit to Jerusalem, where he said he had met Israel's regional cooperation minister. Confirming that meeting on Friday, the minister, Tzachi Hanegbi, described it as part of a bid "to expand our diplomatic horizon with Middle East states that, for practical and formal reasons, cannot have above-the-radar relations" with Israel. The Qataris, he told Tel Aviv radio station 102 FM, "are endeavoring hugely to ensure their aid does not end up as any Hamas force build-up". "We know this, we supervise this and we approve this, because they really are doing construction - the construction of neighborhoods." Asked whether Qatar might be using its contacts with Israel for "public relations", Hanegbi said: "They are in distress, as most of the countries in the Arab world boycott them because they flirt too much with terrorism, with Hamas, with all kinds of episodes that border on subversion." DIPLOMATIC OUTREACH He did not elaborate on the allegations. Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Egypt cut diplomatic and commercial ties with Qatar in June, with vocal backing from Trump, accusing it of supporting militant groups such as Hamas, meddling in their internal affairs and backing the agenda of Shi'ite Iran, Saudi Arabia's main rival for influence across the Middle East. Qatar denies the charges and says its diplomatic outreach in Washington aims to set the record straight. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu last month chided American Jewish leaders who made private trips to Qatar in the name of advancing Israel's interests, such as a return of the bodies of two soldiers who were declared killed in a 2014 war in Gaza. He encouraged U.S. Jewish engagement with Gulf states such as the United Arab Emirates, in which Israel sees partners against Iran and Hamas, but added: "Im definitely not talking about Qatar." Netanyahu delivered his speech at a Jerusalem conference as Emadi held meetings with Israeli officials at a nearby hotel. Hanegbi said he was surprised that the Qatari envoy had disclosed their talks: "Usually there is an agreement that a meeting of this kind remains secret. But they (the Qataris) decided (to publicize it) and that's their prerogative." Like other Gulf Arab states, Qatar does not have full relations with Israel. Envoys from both - as well as from the Arab countries boycotting Qatar - attended a conference hosted by the White House this week on Gaza's economic plight. Trump's Middle East envoy, Jason Greenblatt, who has previously promoted Israeli-Qatari cooperation on Gaza, tweeted to the conference's participants: "Thank you for putting all tensions aside to work w/ us." On Jan. 15, in remarks that suggested a warming of ties between the two countries, Trump thanked Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani for "action to counter terrorism and extremism in all forms" and called for Gulf Arab unity. Qatar has said Hamas is regarded by Arabs as a Palestinian resistance movement fighting against Israeli occupation, but it denies providing any financial support to the Islamist group and says all its aid goes to help the Palestinian people. Many Western countries classify Hamas as a terrorist group over its failure to renounce violence, recognize Israels right to exist and accept existing interim Israeli-Palestinian peace agreements. (Writing by Dan Williams, Editing by William Maclean) First daughter Ivanka Trump is such a fan of her fathers controversial Jerusalem speech that a framed copy of it shares space on her White House desk with pictures of her children and Dont Stop Believin lyrics handwritten by Journey. Related: Is Ivanka Trump Staying at the White House in 2018? Presidents Daughter Updates Twitter Location and Profile The copy of President Donald Trumps Remarks Regarding the Capital of Israel is signed To Ivanka, Love Dad, according to a Washington Post profile of the first daughter published on Sunday. Trending: China Says It Is Testing World's First Railgun At Sea, Confirming Leaked Photos of Electromagnetic Weapon There was strong criticism around the world of President Trump's December 6 speech recognizing Jerusalem as Israels capital, particularly from Palestinians who burned photos of him in Gaza. But the announcement was welcomed by Ivanka Trump, who converted to Judaism in 2009 before marrying Jared Kushner. The couple, who practice Orthodox Judaism, got a rabbis blessing last May before joining the president on a trip to Israel and Saudi Arabia. Don't miss: Splatoon 2 X Rank Details and Schedule Changes Revealed This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. Ivanka Trump later conveyed the personal significance of her visit to the Western Wall and Jerusalem. It was deeply personal for me as you note standing at the Western Wall in a moment of privacy, because it was really just us, it was our family that was there, she said. It was beyond specialfor each of these moments its hard to find the words to adequately describe them. President Trumps speech reversed decades of United States policy. Jerusalem is revered by Jews, Muslims and Christians. While Israel seized the eastern part of the city in the 1967 Six-Day War and claim the entire city as its capital, the move was never recognized internationally. Palestinians believe the capital of an independent state of theirs should be based in East Jerusalem. Story continues Most popular: Best 'Clash Royale' League Challenge Decks & Strategy for Getting 20 Wins Ive judged this course of action to be in the best interests of the United States of America and the pursuit of peace between Israel and the Palestinians, the president said in his speech. This is a long-overdue step to advance the peace process and to work towards a lasting agreement. The Trump administration plans to relocate the U.S. embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem in May to coincide with the 70th anniversary of Israels independence. This article was first written by Newsweek More from Newsweek Tokyo (AFP) - Ikeida leaves the house once every three days to buy food, shuns deliveries to avoid human interaction and has not seen his parents or younger brother for 20 years. The 55-year-old has chosen to shut himself completely away from society -- such a commonplace phenomenon in high-pressure, conformist and workaholic Japan that there is a word to describe it: "hikikomori". Until recently it was thought to be an issue mainly afflicting those in their teens and 20s, but ageing Japan is seeing a growing number of older hikikomori cloistering themselves away for longer periods of time. There are more than half a million hikikomori in Japan -- according to the latest government survey published in 2016 -- defined as people who have stayed home for more than six months without going to school or work and interacting with no one other than family members. However, this underestimates the scale of the issue as it only counts people under the age of 39 and the government has now decided to conduct the country's first survey of hikikomori aged between 40 and 59. Ikeida (not his real name) told AFP he graduated from a prestigious Tokyo university and received several lucrative job offers from major firms during Japan's "bubble economy" period in the 1980s. But he quickly realised he could not follow his university colleagues into the massed ranks of Japanese salarymen. "I went to a good university my parents wished me to go to and tried hard to conform," he said in a rare interview arranged through a non-profit trying to help those isolated from society and their parents. "But I realised I had to conform forever when I got those job offers. I felt hopeless. I couldn't wear a suit. I felt like my heart had broken," he added, speaking on condition on anonymity. Feeling under unbearable pressure, he took the decision to shut himself away in his room, shunning all forms of human contact -- a pattern that was to continue for the next three decades. Story continues - 'They have been hurt' - What drives people to shut themselves away is not entirely clear, but many featured in the survey said they stopped interacting with society after struggling with relationships at work or school, or failing at job hunting. "Some people who suffer from schizophrenia become hikikomori. But it's often hard to know as they don't go out to see a doctor," said Kayo Ikeda, a clinical psychologist who heads a non-profit offering advice to elderly parents with hikikomori children. "What we know is that they have been hurt. They were bullied or experienced interpersonal trouble at work," she said. Ikeida describes in his blog how his mother would hit him if he did not study hard enough and also subjected him to psychological pressure. Statistics suggest they also find it harder to reintegrate into society after turning away. In the 2016 survey, more than one third of hikikomori said they had withdrawn from society for more than seven years, up from 16.9 percent of such cases in a previous survey in 2009. As the hikikomori age and shut themselves away for longer periods of time, this places more pressure on elderly parents, both financially and emotionally. "Maybe it's common overseas that grown-up children leave their parents' home, but in Japan, parents let them stay," said Ikeda, the clinical psychologist. Rika Ueda, who works for the non-profit that supports parents of hikikomori children, says social stigma can make the situation worse. "Families with hikikomori children are very ashamed of themselves.... They hide their situation from their community and become isolated" without being able to seek help, Ueda told AFP. "I think such circumstances contribute to the problem of prolonged cases," she added. - 'Lonely death' - Recognising the growing problem, the health ministry has requested 2.53 billion yen ($24 million) to support hikikomori people from the next fiscal year starting in April. The government also aims to help such people find employment that suits their condition. Ikeida lives mainly on social benefits but also makes a little money by writing online articles from his room. He desperately wants to recover and has asked his parents several times to accompany him to a psychiatrist but they refused. "I want society to understand that we are not crazy people," said Ikeida. He also worries about dying alone, another common fear in ageing Japan. "I think about a lonely death. I don't want to die that way. I don't want to be found rotten. So maybe I can ask for more visits by welfare officials, but I don't want that either," he said. "It's such a contradictory feeling." A campaign aimed at getting President Donald Trump impeached plans to file more than 200 public records request on him and his son-in-law Jared Kushners business dealings in an attempt to shed light on conflicts of interest. Related: Trump Impeachment Campaign Will Tour the U.S. to Pressure Democrats and Republicans to Remove President The requests demanding records of Trump and Kushners business interactions with government agencies and administration members expenditures will be filed on Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Day on March 16, the Need to Impeach campaign announced on Thursday. Trending: Whos the Coach? Watch LeBron James and Tyronn Lue Clash on Cavs Bench Campaign founder and major Democratic donor Tom Steyer hired a team of two lawyers and three researchers to file the requests on the birthday of former President James Madison, a Founding Father and advocate for government transparency. This president entered office with more conflicts of interest than any other in history and it seems like the more you know the facts about one thing, the more you learn that you dont know about something else, the campaigns lead strategist Kevin Mack told Newsweek. Every day, things break that sound worse than the day before. Mack cited a CNN report on Wednesday that Department of Defense employees charged the government nearly $140,000 at Trump brand properties in the first eight months of his presidency. Don't miss: Tripp Halstead: Boy Who Survived Being Hit by Tree to Become Social Media Star, Dies So were subpoenaing every single federal agency to see how much money theyve spent on Trump-owned properties, Mack said. The FOIA requests will include any emails with federal business conducted through private accounts. Every single person across the country has a right to know if Donald Trumps private business dealings are intertwined with the federal government and whether taxpayers are footing the bill, Steyer said in a statement. Story continues Most popular: Video: Florida FIU Bridge Collapse Captured on Surveillance Footage Other requests seek information on why the Securities and Exchange Commissions stopped an investigation into Apollo Global Management a month after Kushners family-run real estate company secured a $180 million loan from the financial company. The campaign also wants to know how much taxpayer money Kushners Office of American Innovation has used, while it's unclear whether it has accomplished anything concrete. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. Both Jared and Ivanka work in the administration, Mack said. We think the public has a right to know about them. Since it launched last October, the campaign has obtained signatures from more than five million Americans calling on Congress to begin proceedings to remove Trump from office. While he has insisted he will not be running for office himself in 2018, Steyer has announced plans to spend $30 million to help Democrats win back control of the House, where any impeachment process would begin. This article was first written by Newsweek More from Newsweek By Patricia Zengerle WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The lawmaker behind a landmark congressional torture report on Thursday demanded the release of classified documents on past CIA interrogations before the U.S. Senate considers President Donald Trump's nomination of Gina Haspel to lead the spy agency. Trump nominated Haspel, the Central Intelligence Agency's deputy director, on Tuesday to become director. The announcement prompted objections from inside and outside government over her involvement in the CIA's use of waterboarding and other "enhanced interrogation techniques" widely described as torture. "As we move forward with the nomination process for Ms. Haspel, my fellow Senators and I must have the complete picture of Ms. Haspel's involvement in the program in order to fully and fairly review her record and qualifications," Democratic Senator Dianne Feinstein wrote in a letter to CIA Director Mike Pompeo and Haspel. Trump on Tuesday nominated Haspel to succeed Pompeo, his choice to be the next secretary of state. [nL1N1QV0JE] Feinstein's opinion of Haspel is considered a key to her chances of being confirmed. Feinstein chaired the Senate Intelligence Committee when it produced a massive 2014 report describing the CIA's harsh detention and interrogation programs. A handful of Democrats have already said they would oppose Haspel. Senator Rand Paul on Wednesday became the first Republican to oppose her. [nL1N1QW149] In 2013, Feinstein sought to keep the CIA from appointing Haspel as head of clandestine operations. But she has not come out against Haspel's selection to be director, indicating that, while she had reservations, she was impressed by her performance as deputy director. Haspel oversaw a secret CIA "black site" prison where detainees were tortured as the United States investigated the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks. Two suspected members of al Qaeda were subjected to waterboarding and other harsh interrogation techniques at the facility. Haspel's nomination could be at risk if there is enough of a groundswell of opposition to keep her from getting at least 51 Senate votes. Trump's fellow Republicans control only a 51-49 seat majority in the chamber. Haspel defenders say she was only following orders when drafting a cable ordering the destruction of the videotapes of the interrogations and that another official sent it without consulting her. A former U.S. security official said Haspel appeared multiple times before a grand jury investigating the interrogation program but neither she, nor anyone else investigated for their role, was ever indicted. (Additional reporting by Mark Hosenball; editing by Jonathan Oatis) Tamika Mallory is an adherent of Kingian Nonviolence. What does it mean? (Photo: Getty Images) Womens March co-founder Tamika Mallory who has become a lightning rod of controversy since attending an incendiary speech given by the Nation of Islams Louis Farrakhan in February was out and about in New York City on Wednesday, stopping by various school walkouts to lend her support. You all are the missing link! Mallory, speaking through a megaphone, told a group of more than 200 students from Grace Church School who had gathered in Washington Square Park for a peaceful morning protest. She said she has been fighting gun violence for 17 years ever since the father of her son was shot and killed and told the students, Right now, you have the attention of America and the attention of the world. Dont stop. Keep pushing. Mallorys presence made sense, as the Womens March youth contingent was the planning force behind the March 14 nationwide school walkout that marked one month since the deadly shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. But regarding the Farrakhan controversy thats been trailing her, Mallory told Yahoo Lifestyle, she has been laying low and processing the situation watching it play out in the media, and speaking to and writing for just a handful of publications. Ive been taking a lot of time to sort of remove myself from the issue, and to really read these things from an objective standpoint, versus being so immersed in it, she says. But whats more important, particularly as a leader, is to be able to read and digest and really understand some of the underlying issues that some folks are talking about. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. Mallory added, Ive already stated multiple times that my work with the Nation of Islam has been very related to gun-violence work. This is work that Ive been doing for a very long time and they have been involved in it. Still, when asked why she will not couch her support of Farrakhan with a clear and direct denouncement of his anti-Jewish and anti-LGBT statements a repeated theme that has earned Farrakhan a long and scathing bio on the Southern Poverty Law Centers website she offered Yahoo Lifestyle a brief explanation before ending the discussion: Thats not my language, she says. Read the Kingian Nonviolence principles and youll understand. Story continues Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. giving his I Have a Dream speech in Washington, D.C. Tamika Mallory says she is follower of his nonviolent philosophy. (Photo: Getty Images) The philosophy of Kingian Nonviolence an approach to conflict reconciliation laid out by Martin Luther King Jr. and codified into six principles by his longtime partner in activism, Bernard Lafayette is actually a foundation of the Womens March organization, according to its website. And Wednesday was not Mallorys first mention of the philosophy in the wake of the Farrakhan controversy. As she told the Atlantic recently, I study in a tradition, the Kingian nonviolent tradition. I go into prisons and group homes and I dont come out saying, I just left the criminals or the killers. Thats not my language. Thats not something I do. I dont speak in that way. In the tradition that I come out of, we attack the forces of evil, but not people. So what are the principles, exactly? And how might they possibly explain Mallorys refusal to condemn a man whose hate-laced speech is not exactly nonviolent? In an attempt to more fully understand where the feminist activist may be coming from, Yahoo Lifestyle spoke with Victoria Christgau who does not know Mallory and certainly cannot get inside Tamika Mallorys head, but who is a Kingian Nonviolence expert and advocate, and the executive director of the Hartford-based Connecticut Center for Nonviolence, which she co-founded with Lafayette. Heres what she had to say about the philosophy. What is Kingian Nonviolence? Its a framework to understand and manage conflict, and a set of principles to help you apply to the conflicts in life on every level personal as well as institutional and it addresses the root cause of problems, not just the aftermath of the root cause, she explained. In Martin Luther King Jr.s autobiography you have reference to it, but this road map was laid out by Bernard Lafayette. He worked with Martin Luther King directly, who told him, We have to institutionalize and nationalize nonviolence. Bernard Lafayette brought this training into being, and taught it in Atlanta at the King Center. How many people get trained in this philosophy, and who are they? There are thousands of people trained. We dont have an actual tracked number, because many of us work through independent centers, but thousands trained in this country and around the world, such as in Palestine and Nigeria. There is a large movement in Rhode Island, and at the East Point Peace Academy in California they teach Kingian Nonviolence in prisons. We throw out a wide open net and have worked with everyone from professors to law enforcement people, a lot of teachers, social workers, and people who were formerly incarcerated young people too, high school students who become trainers of other youth, Christgau said. Mallorys refusal to denounce Farrakhan and its relation to Kingian Nonviolence seems to most clearly relate to principle No. 3: Attack forces of evil, not persons doing evil: The nonviolent approach helps one analyze the fundamental conditions, policies and practices of the conflict rather than reacting to ones opponents or their personalities. Can you walk us through that idea? You want to get to the root of the concern. If she just attacks Louis Farrakhan, then shes attacking another person and calling him something that may not be the total of his character. We want to, as Kingian practitioners, look at the entire picture, the whole picture, and we also weigh things out. Martin Luther King understood philosophers and the way Georg Hegel looked at things the dialectical thinking, the truth lies in the whole, she said. So rather than just throw somebody out because of one perception of what they are, you would look for whats good in them you would look for whats also true, because you cant just throw it all away. The truth lies in the whole. And what Farrakahn has done with the Nation of Islam, sending young men into neighborhoods to help escort kids to school those are some very positive things to do, rather than leave them to rot in their communities. He is supporting black identity and black strength; theres some really good work there, so you wouldnt just throw him out entirely. But how do you balance the non-attack of evildoers with what should then be the active attack of evil itself? You would not stand with that which is racist, because Martin Luther King called the triple evils, in Kingian language, racism [which explicitly includes anti-Semitism], poverty (such as materialism), and militarism (power over, or overpowering). In this, any racist rhetoric has to be examined. And then youd want to get at the root of the problem of: Why does this person have so much racism? Why is this person behaving this way?Christgau said. We know two wrongs dont make a right but we have a president in power who is just saying one horrific thing after the next about so many groups of people, and claiming so much hatred, and hes still not ousted; hes still in power. Why would we so vehemently go after the black leader? I would say that half the country, at least, is vehemently going after the president. But how does a Kingian justify their support of someone who is a proponent of one of the philosophys triple evils? I think your article ought to be left with that question. Theres no answer for that. I dont have an answer for that, because I dont know her. Shes grappling, probably, with where she stands on some of these issues. But certainly by moving the Womens March along, shes doing great things for our country, said Christgau. I think were human beings; were flawed. We are sometimes pulled in opposites, and the idea is to eventually align your words and your actions, and perhaps over time she will start to develop more of that alignment. I understand that theres a desire for independence and leadership, and Farrakhan is probably one of the only ones whos stood up to leadership over and over again. Its unfortunate that its couched with ugliness, too, because not everything he says is horrible. And thats the bottom line, and maybe what shes saying. Read more from Yahoo Lifestyle: Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter for nonstop inspiration delivered fresh to your feed, every day. By Andrew Osborn MOSCOW (Reuters) - Police last month detained David Kankiya, an observer at Russia's forthcoming presidential election, yards from his home in southern Russia. Police said his car may have been used in a crime, according to Kankiya. Hours later, Kankiya was charged with disobeying the police, something he denies, and jailed for five days by a court. Weeks later, his car tyres were slashed with a knife, he says, and on Tuesday, pro-Kremlin journalists ambushed him. "I have information that you have insulted the Russian people," one of the journalists said, a video of the incident shows. Days before Sunday's election, which polls show incumbent Vladimir Putin is on track to win comfortably, Golos, a non-governmental organization that monitors Russian elections, says it is under unprecedented pressure. Its problems are part of what Kremlin critics say is a wider campaign by authorities to hinder or silence dissenting voices. Opposition politician Boris Nemtsov was shot dead in 2015, while current opposition leader Alexei Navalny has been barred from running in Sunday's election over what he says is a trumped-up fraud conviction. The Kremlin, which denies involvement in Nemtsov's murder, wants Putin's re-election to be viewed as legitimate and largely clean in the West so as not to further damage already poor relations. At home, wary of street protests, the Kremlin is keen that voters see it in the same way. The Kremlin says complaints about a crackdown on dissent are hollow. Individual cases are a matter for the relevant authorities who it says are only trying to uphold the law. Equally, the Central Election Commission says it will do everything it can to ensure Sunday's vote is free of fraud and has turned to Golos for advice on how to do that. However, opposition leader Navalny, accused by Putin of being Washington's pick for president, has predicted the authorities will resort to widespread fraud to deliver a Putin landslide and has spoken of organizing post-election protests of the kind that roiled Russia after Putin's last election victory in 2012. Golos says the authorities unfairly blamed it for those protests -- some of the biggest since the Soviet collapse -- because of its work publicizing what it said were serious election violations, something it plans to do again on Sunday. Kankiya, a Golos coordinator in the Krasnodar Region, says that's why he was targeted. "I was detained and charged on a false pretext," Kankiya, 28, told Reuters by phone. "It's political pressure." A court in Krasnodar disagrees. It rejected his appeal against his arrest and jailing on Wednesday. Police say he was detained after he failed to produce identification during a routine check. 'FOREIGN AGENT' Election fraud has been a problem in Russia since the 1991 Soviet collapse. Abuses have often been highlighted by Golos, whose observers spend election day at polling stations and flag suspected cases of fraud to the authorities. Founded in 2000, the year Putin won his first presidential term, Golos says its problems began when Putin returned to the presidency in 2012. "After the 2012 election, their task was to destroy Golos," Grigory Melkonyants, the movement's co-chairman said in an interview in his Moscow office, referring to the authorities. A month after the election, the tax inspectors came. And, in July that year, Putin approved a law that forced non-governmental organizations engaging in political activity to register with the justice ministry as "foreign agents." Golos lost one of its main donors in 2012 when Moscow accused the United States Agency for International Development (USAID)of trying to influence politics and forced it to leave. Soon, weighed down by the red tape that came with being designated a "foreign agent" and facing a funding squeeze, Golos was struggling to function. In July 2016, at the behest of the justice ministry, a court ordered Golos to close. Today, Golos still operates after reconfiguring its structure in such a way that it is not classified as a legal entity. PRESSURE A shoe-string operation run out of a pokey Moscow office staffed by about nine volunteers, it says it relies on private donations from inside Russia. It has coordinators in almost half of Russia's voting regions, about 6,000 volunteers, and dozens of experts who train people how to observe elections. Melkonyants says the movement on Sunday plans to field thousands of observers, run a telephone hot line for complaints, and chronicle reports of electoral abuses on a nationwide violations map on its website. It will deliver its verdict on how clean the election was on Monday. But as election day draws near, pressure on Golos is intensifying. Its volunteers have complained of being systematically stopped for long periods when leaving or entering the country by border staff who tell them there's a note by their name that says they are linked to terrorism, Golos says. REN TV, a Russian TV channel, on Monday broadcast what it billed as a special investigation into Golos and other groups. The program depicted Golos as a shadowy Western-funded group that worked to discredit Russia in the eyes of the world. Andrei Klimov, a senator who heads up a committee in the upper house of parliament to prevent interference in Russia's internal affairs, told the program such groups posed a threat. "They (Golos and other groups) will try to trigger protest," said Klimov. And on Thursday, Golos said the landlord of a hall in Moscow it had agreed to rent for a call center on election day had annulled the rental contract after being told by the police to back out of the contract or face problems. Kankiya, the Golos coordinator in southern Russia, said he would continue his work regardless. "We're the only election observation movement in Russia capable of operating on a large scale," said Kankiya. "Many people don't like that." (Editing by Cassell Bryan-Low) Fifty years after taking photos of an American massacre of Vietnamese villagers, a former US army photographer said he is sorry for the "carnage" his countrymen unleashed in one the war's worst atrocities. Ronald Haeberle told AFP he started snapping instinctively, capturing the chilling photos that would later expose the full extent of the My Lai massacre: 504 Vietnamese dead in a single day, mostly unarmed women, children and older men. "I wanted to remember what was happening there, I wanted to capture a moment in time, and I did," he told AFP while touring the My Lai massacre museum in the village on Friday, the 50th anniversary of the killings. His images, some of which were published in Life magazine in 1969, would eventually help to blow the lid on the cover-up of the massacre, as controversy over the killings cascaded up military ranks and eventually embroiled then-US President Richard Nixon. The gruesome pictures, some depicting bare-bottomed babies face down in a ditch alongside piles of corpses, added fuel to a mounting anti-war movement in the United States and eventually led to several charges against military officers. Haeberle was in My Lai, known as Son My by Vietnamese, with US troops on that day in 1968 for what he was told was an ambush to clear Viet Cong rebels from the rice-growing hamlet in central Vietnam, which was believed to be a hotbed of communist resistance. But as he toured the village with another reporter, he realised most of the dead weren't armed enemies. "It was complete carnage what we witnessed inside the village, but it happened," he said after a sombre ceremony Friday attended by hundreds of mourners, including massacre survivors, officials and American veterans of the Vietnam War. "It was a tragedy, something happened that should not have happened. There was no combatants, they were all civilians," he said. Only one man was ever convicted for the murders -- former lieutenant William Calley -- who said he was following orders from his superiors on the "search and destroy" mission. Calley publicly apologised for the killings in 2009. Story continues Haeberle said he was brushed off by some of those military officers on March 16, 1968, when he pressed them on what happened. He recalled how a Vietnamese interpreter pleaded with the American army captain in charge of the battalion that carried out the murders. "He kept saying 'Why are they shooting my people? Why? These are civilians'. He was visibly upset," Haeberle recounted. Like hundreds of US war veterans who have returned to Vietnam since the war ended in 1975, Haeberle -- who has previously visited My Lai -- came back to Son My to repent for the horrors of the war's deadliest massacre. "I'm able to pay my condolences to the survivors and the ones that were deceased... hopefully they accept my apology for what happened on March 16," he said. Paris (AFP) - French President Emmanuel Macron called Friday for a "clear, ambitious" roadmap for EU reforms by June as he sought crucial support for his shake-up of the bloc from German Chancellor Angela Merkel. Speaking after talks between the two leaders in Paris, Merkel backed the deadline, telling a joint press conference: "We have to achieve results by June." Macron has called for a major reform drive to reinvigorate the EU, including a common eurozone finance minister and budget, but some European leaders have expressed reservations. The French president has been counting on support from Merkel, the leader of Europe's biggest economy -- but nearly six months of politico limbo in Germany as she struggled to form a coalition government forced him to put his plans on hold. Flying into Paris for her first foreign trip since she was finally granted a fourth term Wednesday at the head of a hard-fought coalition, Merkel said the Franco-German relationship remained key for Europe's future. "We do not always have the same opinions at first but France and Germany have accomplished a lot together in the past," she said. "We now want to find common paths ahead," she added. "I am determined to get there and I think we can do it. It is more necessary than ever that Europe be united in a geopolitical situation in which multilateralism is under pressure." Macron also said it was key for the EU to find a united way forward as it confronts a host of challenges including Brexit, migration and the rise of populism reflected most recently in the Italian elections. "This is our task by June: on the eurozone, on migration policy, defence, trade, research, education and large areas that we have been able to set out -- we will propose a clear, ambitious roadmap for this refoundation by June." He congratulated Merkel on her new government, adding: "I have to tell you that the joy was all ours when it ended well." And he reiterated his support for Britain after the brazen assassination attempt on a Russian former double agent. "We condemn this Russian interference as everything leads us to believe that it was indeed Russia" that was behind the nerve agent attack, he told reporters. Madrid (AFP) - More than a thousand protesters took to the streets in central Madrid on Friday as tensions remained high a day after violent clashes over the controversial death of a Senegalese street vendor. The protesters gathered in a square in the Lavapies district of the Spanish capital in the early evening, many of them young, dressed in black and wearing bandanas. Some shouted "kill police", an AFP journalist heard. Marches were also held in Barcelona and Bilbao. The call for demonstrations after the death of Mame Mbaye Ndiaye, a 35-year-old man from Senegal who suffered cardiac arrest after being reportedly chased by police on Thursday. Mbaye was one of the many street vendors in Madrid who lay out items like perfume or hats on white sheets, which they can quickly pick up and take away when the police arrives. While illegal, the trade is often the only way to make a living for migrants struggling to find other employment. According to city councillor Jose Javier Barbero Gutierrez, Mbaye had been selling his wares on the central Puerta del Sol square, which attracts scores of tourists daily, when police intervened. Fellow vendors said police chased him through the streets, forcing him to run with his heavy merchandise wrapped in a sheet. He died of cardiac arrest in a street close to his home in Lavapies some 15 to 20 minutes later, Barbero said. He added that Mbaye did not appear to have been tracked by police for at least the last part of the way home. When Mbaye suffered the cardiac arrest, he was with a friend who called the police. Several officers arrived and tried unsuccessfully to resuscitate him. - Call for calm - Protesters then took to the streets on Thursday evening, setting fire to dustbins and motorbikes, and throwing stones at riot police. Authorities arrested six people during the clashes, in which at least 10 police officers were injured. The unrest continued on Friday morning, with several dozen migrants clashing with police and throwing chairs at security forces. Story continues "We understand the spontaneous expression of pain that took place in our streets yesterday (Thursday)," Madrid Deputy Mayor Marta Higueras told reporters. But "we want to call for calm," she said, adding that Mayor Manuela Carmena had cut short a trip in Paris to return to the city. Also on Friday, Senegal's Foreign Minister Sidiki Kaba said he had sent a "note of protest" to Spain and requested an independent inquiry into the death. - 'Chronic stress' - The city hall announced a full investigation, asking for CCTV footage to try and determine exactly what happened, as the plight of street vendors in Spain suddenly lept to the fore. Barbero said that Mbaye had been living in Spain for 12 to 15 years without proper ID, "without the possibility of finding a proper job," adding living in these conditions caused "unhealthy chronic stress". He called for reflection on "the way they experience daily situations of fighting for survival, when you constantly escape from the police, with the constant fear of being arrested." According to Modou, a 25-year-old vendor from Senegal who refused to give his surname and knew the victim, Mbaye regularly sent money back to his family. He was one of thousands of migrants who have reached Spain over the years in search of a better life. Spain is the third busiest gateway for migrants coming to Europe, with more than 28,000 arrivals in 2017 by sea and by land, according to the International Organization for Migration. Hundreds have died along the way. Anti-racism association SOS Racisme denounced that Mbaye was not able to get a residency permit after more than a decade in Spain. Human rights groups regularly criticise the way migrants are dealt with in Spain, with detention centres often full, and limited access to asylum demands at the border. Spain has a population of 46.5 million, among whom 10 percent are foreign, with some 64,000 from Senegal. Travelers through three different airports in the U.S. are being warned by public health officials to check for symptoms of measles after two cases of the viral infection were confirmed in recent visitors. A boy with measles arrived from Brussels at Terminal B of Newark Liberty International Airport on March 12 before departing for Memphis International Airport in Terminal C. He was in the airport between the hours of 12:45 p.m. and 9 p.m. The individual, a young child, was infectious on that day and may have traveled to other areas of the airport, New Jersey health officials said, reported CBS. Trending: Tiny Robot Arm Made With Origami Can Hold the Weight of Three Cats measles Joe Raedle/Getty Images A second, separate case of measles was confirmed in Washtenaw County by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS). That individual returned to Detroit Metropolitan Airport from travel abroad on March 6, said a media release, and was found to be contagious with measles when they reached Michigan. Don't miss: Pokemon Go Windy Event End Time: When Does Rayquaza Leave and Double XP Stop? Health officials urged anyone in customs or baggage claim in the airports North Terminal between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. that day to seek medical attention if they develop symptoms of the disease. Measles is a vaccine-preventable respiratory infection that can result in hospitalization, pneumonia, encephalitis and death, warned the release. The illness has a 1012 day incubation period and initially presents with a high fever, red eyes, cough, runny nose, photophobia and is followed by a red, raised body rash starting on the head and face that then progresses to the rest of the body. Story continues Most popular: 'Willy Wonka Child Star Goes on Jeopardy! but Doesnt Use That for His Fun Fact Individuals may be contagious for a few days before they present with symptoms, which increases the potential of exposing others to the infection. Dr. Eden Wells, MDHHS chief medical executive, said the Michigan measles case underscores the importance of following vaccine recommendations and being up-to-date on vaccines. Immunizations are the best way to protect our families and communities from the harmful, sometimes deadly consequences of vaccine-preventable diseases like measles, he said. If you have questions about a childs vaccination status or your own vaccination history, talk to your doctor right away to ensure your family has optimal protection. This article was first written by Newsweek More from Newsweek President Donald Trump's choice to lead the CIA has spurred a feud between the daughters of Republican Senator John McCain and former Vice President Dick Cheney, who take opposing views on appointee Gina Haspel's track record with torture tactics. Not long after the Tuesday announcement, John McCainwho spent more than five years as a prisoner of war in Vietnamreleased a statement, calling the period when the United States tortured its own detainees "one of the darkest chapters in American history," and insisting that the Senate take a critical eye to Haspel's involvement in the program during confirmation hearings. Soon after, Wyoming Representative Liz Cheney retweeted the senator, adding her own commentary defending the Enhanced Interrogation Program's "techniques," which she said had prevented acts of terrorism, saved lives and aided the capture of Osama bin Laden. Trending: Senators Introduce WOOFF Act After Dog Tragically Dies On United Airlines Flight "No one should slander the brave men and women who carried out this crucial program," she wrote Tuesday. Cheney's apparent dismissal of John McCain didn't sit well with his daughter, The View co-host Meghan McCain, who retorted: "My father doesn't need torture explained to him." Don't miss: Game Of Thrones Sean Bean Reveals Ned Starks Last Words This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. Haspel's resume includes time she spent between 2003 and 2005 overseeing the CIA's Rendition, Detention and Interrogation Program, which involved agents detaining dozens of terror suspects. Those detained were beaten, deprived of sleep and forced into coffins in an attempt to get information from them. Haspel is also known for her involvement in the interrogation of Al-Qaeda suspect Abu Zubaydah, who was thought dead after multiple rounds of waterboarding. Afterward, Haspel signed off on an order from her superior to destroy the tapes documenting his interrogation. Story continues Trump's appointment of Haspel has raised red flags with many, especially given the president's own statements on tactics like waterboarding. "When ISIS is doing things that no one has ever heard of, since medieval times, would I feel strongly about waterboarding?" Trump told ABC News in January. "As far as I'm concerned, we have to fight fire with fire." Most popular: Neil Young Finally Responds To Dana Loesch's Decades-Long Grudge At the time, Trump said he'd take his cues on the issue from former CIA Director Mike Pompeo, who is now set to step into the Secretary of State role, and Defense Secretary James Mattis. "If they don't want to do [it], that's fine." Trump said. "And if they do want to do [torture], I will work toward that end." But even if Haspel makes it her mission to bring back the interrogation program, she and the Trump administration will run into some obstacles, according to experts. The Obama executive order forbidding the CIA from maintaining detention facilities remains in place, and, even were it revoked by President Trump, I cant see Congress funding the construction of new [secret interrogation] sites, or any foreign country agreeing to allow one to be built on its soil," Robert Eatinger, a former CIA lawyer, said Tuesday. This article was first written by Newsweek More from Newsweek After Rep. Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.) appeared to explain the value of so-called enhanced interrogation tactics to Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) this week, McCains daughter Meghan stepped in. My father doesnt need torture explained to him, Meghan McCain tweeted at Cheney on Thursday. The senator, who fought in the Vietnam War, was held in solitary confinement and tortured while imprisoned in Hanoi for more than five years. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. The senator had tweeted earlier in the week in response to news that President Donald Trump had nominated CIA deputy director Gina Haspel to lead the agency. Haspel was reportedly involved in a controversial CIA program in the early 2000s that involved torturing detainees. She allegedly was also involved in destroying evidence of such interrogation techniques. McCain called the United States use of torture against detainees one of the darkest chapters in American history. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. Cheney responded to McCain by defending the CIAs use of enhanced interrogation and saying it had saved lives, prevented attacks. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. Cheneys father, Dick Cheney, was the vice president under George W. Bush. The Bush administration used the enhanced interrogation program to fight al Qaeda after the 9/11 attacks. Love HuffPost? Become a founding member of HuffPost Plus today. Also on HuffPost Dick Cheney, Liz Cheney FILE - This Feb. 18, 2010 file photo shows Former Vice President Dick Cheney hugs his daughter, Liz Cheney, at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in Washington.(AP Photo/Cliff Owen, File) Dick Cheney, Liz Cheney Former Vice President Dick Cheney, accompanied by his daughter Liz Cheney, addresses the third annual Washington Ideas Forum at the Newseum in Washington, Thursday Oct. 6, 2011. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta) Dick Cheney, Liz Cheney Former U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney (L) speaks with his daughter Liz during the 2011 Washington Ideas Forum at the Newseum in Washington, DC, October 6, 2011. (JIM WATSON/AFP/Getty Images) Liz Cheney, Dick Cheney Four-year-old Joshua McBride shows his Batman shirt to Liz Cheney and her father former Vice President Dick Cheney during a tour for their book, In My Time-a Personal and Political Memoir, at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum on Tuesday Sept. 20, 2011 in Simi Valley, California. The books covers 40 years of the former vice presidents career in Washington. (AP Photo/David McNew) Dick Cheney, Liz Cheney U.S. Vice President-elect Dick Cheney (L) is sworn into office by U.S. Supreme Court Justice Willaim Rehnquist (R) as his daughter Elizabeth (2nd R) holds the Bible, wife Lynne (3rd R) and daughter Mary (hidden) watch on Jan. 20, 2001 on the South Front of the U.S. Capitol. Bush was sworn in as the 43rd President of the United States. (TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP/Getty Images) Dick Cheney, Liz Cheney Lynne Cheney (L), Vice President Dick Cheney and daughter Elizabeth 'Liz' sit in the Vice President office in the U.S. Capitol prior to President George W. Bush's State of the Union address January 29, 2002 in Washington, D.C. (Photo by David Hume Kennerly/Getty Images) Liz Cheney, Dick Cheney Former Vice President Dick Cheney and daughter, Liz, held a lecture at the Richard Nixon Library in Yorba Linda., Calif., on Wednesday night Sept. 7, 2011. (AP Photo/Rose Palmisano/Orange County Register) Liz Cheney, Dick Cheney Liz Cheney, board member, Keep America Safe, walks off the stage with her father, former Vice President Dick Cheney, after they addressed the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC), in Washington, Thursday, Feb. 18, 2010. (AP Photo/Cliff Owen) Liz Cheney, Dick Cheney Former Vice President Dick Cheney responds to questions posed by his daughter Liz Cheney during a talk on his book, In My Time-a Personal and Political Memoir, which was co-authored by his daughter Liz Cheney, at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum on Tuesday Sept. 20, 2011 in Simi Valley, California. (AP Photo/David McNew) This article originally appeared on HuffPost. Melania Trumps been accused of copying Michelle Obama in the past. Will wearing an outfit from one of the former first ladys go-to designers spark more comparisons? Survey says: Probably. Trump joined the president March 15 in welcoming Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar to the White House. Both she and her husband sported sartorial nods to the Emerald Isle and the upcoming St. Patricks Day holiday. In keeping with tradition, POTUS wore shamrocks in the breast pocket of his blazer. Melania Trumps Brandon Maxwell dress made a bold statement during the White House visit of Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar. (Photo: Manuel Balce Ceneta/AP) FLOTUS, meanwhile, wore a sleeveless emerald-green leopard-print sheath dress for the occasion. The jacquard cocktail dress, which retails for $1,595, is by Brandon Maxwell, a designer popular with a number of A-listers. His most notable fans, however, are a far cry from the Trumps: Lady Gaga and Michelle Obama. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. The pop star, who famously protested outside Trump Tower after the results of the last presidential election were announced, has worked closely with Maxwell during his stretch as her stylist and fashion director. Maxwell has been described as both her favorite designer and best friend. One of Maxwells biggest breaks came when he dressed Obama in an ivory column dress for a state dinner in 2016. It has been an incredible honor for me and my team to create this dress for the first lady, the designer said in a statement at the time. Strong and elegant, she is the embodiment of the woman that inspires me to create, and a role model for women all over the world. Maxwell, whose designs have also been worn recently by Blake Lively and Octavia Spencer, has yet to comment on his latest first lady fan. But the look is earning rave reviews from FLOTUS supporters though not so much from her critics. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. Read more from Yahoo Lifestyle: Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter for nonstop inspiration delivered fresh to your feed, every day. By Stefanie Eschenbacher MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - In a widely criticized selection process, Mexico's lower house of Congress on Thursday picked David Rogelio Colmenares, an economist, to head the Federal Audit Office (ASF), a key position in the battle against political corruption. Non-governmental organizations and anti-corruption groups criticized the selection of Colmenares, alleging a lack of transparency or justification in the selection of three candidates chosen to compete for the top job. Corruption has become one of the main concerns of the Mexican electorate ahead of a July 1 presidential election, in which President Enrique Pena Nieto's Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI) is currently polling third. The PRI has for years been associated with rampant corruption, and Pena Nieto and his government have been assailed by myriad scandals since he took office in 2012. The head of the ASF leads audits into how federal money is spent, and often, misspent. In recent years, the ASF has played an ever-larger role in bringing to light high-profile corruption cases, but can only flag irregularities and lacks teeth to prosecute wrongdoing. Colmenares replaces Juan Manuel Portal Martinez, who resigned from the job last year. Mexicans Against Corruption, a non-governmental organization, criticized the selection process for not explaining how and why Colmenares and the two other candidates were chosen. "The autonomy and independence of the auditor is fundamental to stop the crisis of trust and credibility that exists in government institutions," said the NGO's Dario Ramirez. Neither the lower house - where the PRI holds a majority - nor the ASF could be reached for comment. Colmenares has held various public posts, including with the ASF. (Editing by Gabriel Stargardter and Leslie Adler) Drinking from a plastic water bottle likely means ingesting microplastic particles, a new study claims, prompting fresh concerns and calls for scientific research on the possible health implications of widespread plastics pollution. A study carried out on more than 250 water bottles sourced from 11 brands in nine different countries revealed that Microplastic contamination was nearly universal, found in more than 90% of the samples. The study, by journalism organization Orb Media and researchers at the State University of New York at Fredonia, found an average of 10.4 microplastic particles about the width of a human hair per liter. Thats about twice the level of contamination discovered in the groups earlier study on the ubiquitous plastic contamination in tap water across the globe, with the highest rate found in the U.S. Previous studies have found that a large portion of the microplastic particles found in our oceans, lakes and rivers, as well as in fish stomachs, can be traced back to the washing of synthetic clothes. In the case of bottled water, Orbs new study indicated contamination was partly the result of plastic packaging, and partly the fault of the bottling process. The survey included brands like Aquafina, Dasani, Evian, Nestle and San Pellegrino. Its unclear what effect, if any, this consumption of tiny bits of plastics has on human health. As much as 90% of ingested plastic could pass through a human body, but some of it may end up lodged in the gut, or traveling through the lymphatic system, according to research by the European Food Safety Authority. We dont know all the chemicals in plastics, even Theres so many unknowns here, Jane Muncke, chief scientist at the Zurich-based Food Packaging Forum, told Orb. Bottled water is often sold to consumers on the basis of its supposed purity. However, every time you consume the drink, you may be ingesting thousands of tiny pieces of plastic waste, according to a major new study conducted by researchers at the State University of New York at Fredonia. The researchwhich was commissioned by nonprofit journalism organization Orb Mediafound that 93 percent of 259 bottles from 11 leading international brands were contaminated with plastics, such as polypropylene, nylon and polyethylene terephthalate (PET). This contamination comes in the form of tiny particles called microplasticswhich originate from a variety of sources, including clothing, industrial processes, cosmetics, packaging and the degradation of larger plastic items. Trending: Danny Boyle Will Direct the Last James Bond Movie to Star Daniel Craig With the rise in plastics manufacture, there has been an associated rise in plastic pollution of the external environment, most famously within the worlds oceans, the authors wrote in the study. But more recently plastic pollution has been found within freshwater lakes, inland seas, rivers, wetlands and organisms from plankton to whales (and nearly every species in between). The researchers found a huge variation in the quantity of plastic in each bottle, ranging from zero particles to more than 10,000 in single container. Based on their results, they concluded that the global average was 325 particles per liter. Ninety-five percent of these particles are between 6.5 and 100 micrometers in size, although some are larger. To give some context, 100 micrometers is about the width of a human hair. Some bottles had very high concentrations of particles per liter, and others had very low concentrations, Dan Morrison, author of the Orb Media report, told Newsweek. That was as notable a result as the numbers themselves. Among bottles purchased in the same case, one could have a very high number of particles and the bottle sitting next to it could have a very low number of particles. Story continues To identify the microplastics in the bottled water, the team used a screening technique known as Nile red tagging, which was pioneered by scientists at the University of East Anglia (UEA), in the U.K. This method involves the use of a fluorescent Nile red dye which absorbs onto plastic surfaces. The dye is applied to the water samples, which are subsequently irradiated with blue light. The researchers then view the samples through a microscope while wearing orange goggles, through which any plastic particles appear to glow brightly. The particles can then be counted. To ensure geographic diversity, the samples came from 19 locations in nine countries across five continents, including the United States, Brazil, China, Indonesia, Kenya, Lebanon, Mexico and Thailand. Don't miss: This Harpoon Could Lasso Space Junk To A Fiery End The scientists say it is unclear exactly where all the plastic particles are coming from, however, the results suggest that the bottle manufacturing process is, at least, partly responsible. For the particles larger than 100 micrometersthe bigger particlesmore than 50 percent of those were polypropylene, which is the material from which most bottle caps are made, Morrison said. However, some of the particles may be coming from the original water source, according to Andrew Mayes, one of the developers of the Nile red technique from UEAs School of Chemistry, who was not involved in the new study. In the case of some brands, this original source may simply be unfiltered municipal tap water. Mayes said in a statement that the latest research is the largest and most comprehensive study of water I know of to date. We are becoming increasingly aware of microplastics in the environment and their potentially harmful effects, but their prevalence in other areas has been much less studied. They have been reported in tap water, beer and many other foods, but I think that people will be surprised that almost all bottled water appears to be contaminated too. bottle-2032980_1920 Pixabay He added that the scale of the bottled water market is one of the main issues. It creates so much waste, which itself feeds into the environmental problem, whether or not the microplastics in bottled water turn out to be harmful to us. Most popular: Thailand Fights Deadly Rabies Outbreak With Rush to Vaccinate 10 Million Animals Given that millions of people around the world drink bottled water every day, the implications for human health could be huge. However, research into the impact of microplastics on the body is seriously lacking, according to Morrison. Across the board researchers that we interviewed said that there is a near absolute dearth of research that could indicate to you what the health risks to a human being might be through daily consumption of microplastics, he said. It could impact your health in a way thats marginal or it could impact your health in a way that does matter. One study, for example, conducted by the European Food Safety Authority in 2016, found that as many as 90 percent of microplastics consumed through seafood passed straight through the body, while some made their way into the bloodstream. The impact of these particles once they enter the bloodstream though remains unclear. In light of the recent findings, the World Health Organization has announced that it will be conducting a review into the potential risks posed by microplastics in drinking water, according to the BBC. The Orb Media report notes that the bottled water manufacturers have stressed their products are safe and have met all government requirements. We stand by the safety of our bottled water products, the American Beverage Association said in a statement. Meanwhile, Nestle one of the brands analyzed for the studysaid they had tested six bottles from three locations after an inquiry from Orb Media, finding that they contained between zero and five plastic particles per liter, a much lower figure than the results of the new study showed. None of the other manufacturers agreed to make their test results public. Frederic de Bruyne, Nestles head of quality management, told Orb that the researchers had not conducted tests in which biological substances were removed from the water samples, and therefore, some of the particles that appeared to be plastics may be false positives that the dye stained by accident. De Bruyne did not specify what these biological substances might be. The researchers admit there is a small possibility that unknown contaminants could be skewing the numbers. In their tests, particles over 100 micrometers in size were confirmed to be plastic using both the Nile red method, as well as an additional technique known as Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectrometry (FTIR). The smaller particles in the 6.5 to 100 micrometer range, on the other hand, were confirmed to be plastic using only the Nile red method, due to the limitations of FTIR in identifying smaller particles. However, they are confident these small particles are indeed plastics, suggesting that, if anything, the numbers reported were very conservative and likely undercounted. This article was first written by Newsweek More from Newsweek Berlin (AFP) - Chancellor Angela Merkel's hardline new interior minister declared that Islam is "not part of Germany" in an interview published Friday, setting off a political storm two days into her fourth term. Asked by the top-selling Bild daily whether the influx of Muslim migrants and asylum seekers to Europe's top economy over the past several decades meant that Islam now belonged to the fabric of the nation, Horst Seehofer replied "no". "Islam is not part of Germany. Christianity has shaped Germany including Sunday as a day of rest, church holidays, and rituals such as Easter, Pentecost and Christmas," he said. "The Muslims who live among us are naturally part of Germany. But that of course does not mean that we, out of a false sense of deference, should sacrifice our traditions and customs." Merkel quickly contradicted her minister, saying that despite Germany's Judeo-Christian roots, more than four million Muslims now made their homes in the country. "These Muslims are part of Germany and with them, their religion, Islam, is just as much a part of Germany," she told reporters after talks with Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Lofven. Despite Merkel's intervention, Seehofer's comments are likely to prove divisive in the fledgling right-left "grand coalition", which only came together when the reluctant Social Democrats (SPD) got on board after months of political paralysis. Most of Germany's Muslims are descendants of Turkish so-called "guest workers" invited to Germany in the 1960s and 1970s. The community grew again when Merkel in 2015 opened the border to more than one million asylum seekers from war-torn Muslim-majority countries such as Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan. - 'Completely superfluous controversy' - The outspoken Seehofer, leader of the Christian Social Union (CSU), the Bavarian sister party of Merkel's Christian Democrats, is new to the cabinet, which was sworn in on Wednesday. Story continues His expanded interior super-ministry also covers "Heimat" or homeland affairs, intended to recapture claims to patriotism and national identity from the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, which won nearly 13 percent of the vote in September's general election. The premier of Lower Saxony, Stephan Weil of the SPD, accused Seehofer of sparking "a completely superfluous controversy" just as Merkel begins her new term. The issue, however, has divided Germany for more than a decade. Powerful conservative Wolfgang Schaeuble said in 2006 that Islam was part of Germany and Europe while he was serving as interior minister in Merkel's first cabinet. The comment provoked little reaction at the time but when Christian Wulff, then president of the country, revived the phrase in 2010, it touched off a heated national debate about what it means to be German. Merkel has come down firmly on the side of inclusion, repeatedly stating that Islam and Muslims belonged in Germany, and vocally defending the stance at the height of the refugee influx. In her comments to reporters Friday, Merkel said she supported the practice of Islam in Germany "on the basis of the constitution" and pledged her new government would continue a formal dialogue with the Muslim community started by Schaeuble in 2006. Normally Seehofer as interior minister would chair the talks. - 'Quoted from our platform' - But the head of the Central Council of Muslims, Aiman Mazyek, said angrily that a minister who started work with such a "lack of solidarity" with minorities in Germany had "immediately disqualified" himself and acted "extremely irresponsibly". The anti-immigrant, anti-Islam AfD for its part welcomed the remarks, with its Saxony state leader Andre Poggenburg claiming that Seehofer had "quoted word-for-word from our platform". Bavaria is holding a state election in October, when the CSU is expected to face a strong challenge from the far-right. Seehofer, the harshest critic of Merkel's border policy within her conservative bloc, fought for and won an agreement to set a maximum target in the government coalition pact of around 200,000 new arrivals to Germany per year. Most of those who came across the Balkans route in 2015 passed through Seehofer's southern state of Bavaria, at times more than 10,000 a day, sparking a strong backlash in the region. He has vowed to now as a federal minister take a tough line against convicted criminal migrants and speed up repatriations of rejected asylum seekers. Cryopreservation of frozen sperm straws and embryos in liquid nitrogen, Medically Assisted Procreation Laboratory, (CECOS), Bordeaux hospital, France. (Photo: Getty Images) The loss of thousands of eggs and embryos at a fertility clinic in Cleveland hit home for many women, including one who was inspired to donate to those affected. Niki Schaefer knows the frustration and emotional experience that is in-vitro fertilization (IVF). So now that shes had two children, the mom is donating her remaining frozen embryos to families who lost theirs in the Cleveland disaster, one of two fertility clinic disasters to occur this month. Clevelands University Hospital Fertility Clinic incident on March 4 was the first, caused by an unexpected temperature fluctuation that affected the clinics tissue storage bank. It resulted in an estimated 2,000 damaged eggs and embryos, affecting around 700 patients in total. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. A week after news broke about the incident, the Ohio resident posted a photo of a petri dish on Facebook, along with a very personal caption: I am the mom of a girl that was a frozen embryo, transferred from this petri dish. I have 4 more frozen embryos that Ive never been quite sure what to do with. The unfortunate events that compromised the frozen embryos at the University Hospital Fertility Center changed my mind. She continued, My 4 frozen embryos are at a different facility where my doctor, friend and hero, Jimmy Goldfarb, used to work. I contacted Dr. Goldfarb (who now heads the UH Fertility Center) yesterday to tell him I would be donating them to families affected by this tragedy, she wrote. Schaefer ended the post by encouraging others in her shoes to do the same. This is an opportunity to be real sisters and bring light to the darkness that these families, and those who work at the UH Fertility Center, are experiencing. Schaefer tells Yahoo Lifestyle that the accident, while tragic, felt like fate. This incident made the decision easy. It felt meant to be, she says in regard to donating her leftover embryos. I am too connected to the people involved, patients and UH staff. I felt I had to do something to help. Without this event, though, deciding what to do with them was a very tough choice. Story continues The fact that her family was on board made the decision even easier to make. My husband is completely supportive, Schaefer says. And while her little ones dont totally understand, having them experience the love and positivity that comes from doing something nice for strangers has been a beautiful thing to watch, she says with feeling. I think its a great lesson about how good you can feel when you give to others. Schaefer began her IVF journey when she was diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) shortly after she got married in 2007 and was trying to get pregnant. What that meant for me was that pregnancy was not going to happen the good old-fashioned way, she explains. In 2008, my husband and I started trying intrauterine insemination (IUI), but that never worked. So we began trying IVF in spring 2008. The second round was a success, and she got pregnant with her son Noah, who is now almost 9. I started trying to get pregnant with Lane in 2010 and jumped straight to IVF. After a few failed attempts, she got pregnant with a frozen embryo. By that point, I was at the end of my rope, physically and mentally, she shares. Although compared to so many who struggle with infertility, what I went through was nothing. She adds, IVF is incredibly taxing on your body, your mind, and your bank account. It is a very isolating and anxiety-provoking time in peoples lives. But Schaefer says there is some good that comes out of it (aside from the kids). The loneliness, helplessness, and darkness that people going through fertility treatments feel is a unique experience that creates an empathy thats hard to appreciate if you havent been through it, she says. I think it bonds us like sisters. So of course she felt for those involved when she heard the news about the embryo damage at this nearby fertility clinic. I was heartbroken for the people whose embryos and eggs were there, and for all of the staff at the fertility center who work so hard and care so much about their patients, she says. Everyone lost here in some way or another. The lost embryos and eggs were peoples hope of having the families that they dreamed of. It would be devastating to lose that after all you put into creating that hope for yourself. Patients arent the only ones coping with the loss. Schaefers former doctor, James Goldfarb, who is now the medical director of the affected clinic, is heartbroken, she says. No one cares about their patients more than that man, she adds. This is his lifes work. It is incredibly stressful and upsetting. Since her announcement, many parents have reached out to her. I have spoken to several [of those affected by the incident]. They are experiencing varying levels of sadness depending on what those frozen embryos meant to the family, although everyone feels a significant and understandable loss, she explains. But it would be different for me to lose my embryos than for someone who was still planning on trying to conceive more children. Most women feel worse for women who they perceive as worse off than them so women who can try again have all said that they feel terrible for those who cannot, due to medical reasons. While some families are filing lawsuits against the hospital, the people Schaefer has spoken to feel awful for the doctors too. Read more from Yahoo Lifestyle: Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter for nonstop inspiration delivered fresh to your feed, every day. More than three tons of gold bars fell from the sky in Russia Thursday after the hatch of a cargo plane flew open, officials said. The vessel was loaded with gold, platinum and diamonds and was taking off from the east Siberian city of Yakutsk when a door malfunctioned, causing more than $368 million of precious metal to plummet to the ground below, according to the Tass news agency. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. The Antonov An-12 aircraft operated by Nimbus Airlines was taking off for Krasnoyarsk carrying 9.3 tons of gems and precious metals when a damaged door burst open, according to a government statement. Authorities later recovered 172 gold bars weighing 3.4 tons, according to an Interior Ministry official. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. RELATED STORIES American Snowboarder Chloe Kim 'Stoked to Bring Home the Gold' American Brother-and-Sister Duo Compete in First Olympics Mixed-Doubles Curling Competition Suspect Takes Off With $60G Gold Chain After Trying It On at Mall Kiosk: Cops Related Articles: Ride-sharing platform Lyft is testing a new subscription service that would allow travelers to pay a lump sum at the start of the month for a set number of rides. According to The Verge, Lyft has sent out an invitation detailing the Netflix-style model. Subscribers would pay between $199 and $450 a month for a set number of rides. Subscribers can either purchase 60 or 30 rides per month and none can be worth more than $15. Lyft has not made an official announcement, but it did reveal it was exploring options. Were always testing new ways to provide passengers the most affordable and flexible transportation options, a statement sent to The Verge reads. For the past few months, weve been testing a variety of All-Access Plans for Lyft passengers. Trending: 'Clash Royale' New Cards 2018: Barbarian Barrel Releases Next Month GettyImages-909455660 Isaac Brekken/Getty Images for Lyft Subscription pricing varies depending on the invite received. $199, $250, $300, $399 and $450 have all been sent out. It is not yet known if Lyft will extend the subscription service to all passengers. The San Francisco-based company operates in hundreds of cities across the United States. Earlier this week (Wednesday, March 16), Lyft chief executive Logan Green announced the company would partner with Magna to produce parts for self-driving cars. Green also gave an early clue that Lyft would offer a new payment model. We are going to move the entire industry from one based on ownership to one based on subscription, he said. Don't miss: Arm Homeless People with Shotguns and Ban TSA, Senate Candidate Says This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. According to one of the invites, which was shared on Twitter, the all-access plan will offer predictable pricing, auto-renew and anytime cancellation. No hidden fees, no surprises, the offer states. Uber tested something similar in 2016 in six U.S. cities. Residents of Seattle, San Francisco, Washington, D.C., Miami, Boston and San Diego could apply to join Uber Plus which charged less for bulk packages of rides. In San Francisco, subscribers could pay just 30 for 40 trips. Uber has since been quiet on the test and has not announced any plans to mass-market the scheme. Story continues This article was first written by Newsweek More from Newsweek Special Counsel Robert Mueller has subpoenaed documents from the Trump Organization as part of his investigation into Russias meddling in the 2016 U.S. election, The New York Times reported on Thursday, citing two people briefed on the development. Some of the documents are related to Russia, the sources said. The subpoena is the first known instance of Mueller ordering the production of documents directly from President Donald Trumps business during his nearly yearlong investigation into whether the Trump campaign colluded with Russia. Trump has denounced the probe as a WITCH HUNT! and said in July that he would consider any investigation into his finances as crossing a red line. I think thats a violation, he said in a Times interview at the time. Look, this is about Russia. So I think if he wants to go, my finances are extremely good, my company is an unbelievably successful company. Mueller at the time had just asked Deutsche Bank, which has loaned the Trump Organization millions of dollars, to share information on accounts held by the Trump family. A Trump Organization attorney said in a statement that the company continued to be fully cooperative with Muellers investigation. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders declined to comment, and deferred questions to the Trump Organization. The president reportedly attempted to fire Mueller in June, but reconsidered, several outlets reported in January. This is a developing story and will be updated. Love HuffPost? Become a founding member of HuffPost Plus today. This article originally appeared on HuffPost. The Hammer mission would take more than seven years to reach a devastating asteroid - Mark Garlick Nasa has drawn up plans for a huge nuclear spacecraft capable of shunting or blowing up an asteroid if it was on course to wipe out life on Earth. The US space agency published details of its Hammer (Hypervelocity Asteroid Mitigation Mission for Emergency Response) deterrent, an eight tonne spaceship which could deflect a giant space rock. Nasa has said previously that Earth is overdue a huge asteroid strike and programmes are in places across the globe to map dangerous rocks as they move through the Solar System. Last year an 100 foot asteroid named 2012TC4 passed within 27,000 miles of Antarctica, a distance that astronomers described as 'damn close.' In detailed plans published in the journal Acta Astronautica, Nasa and the National Nuclear Security Administration, calculated the time and payload it would take to move or destroy the 1,600-foot-wide asteroid Bennu. Nasa's Osiris-Rex mission is already heading to Bennu to take samples Credit: Nasa Nasa already has a space probe on route to Bennu to take samples and has been monitoring the asteroid since it was discovered in 1999. Although there is little risk it could hit the Earth, it is still considered as an NEO, or Near Earth Object, which would hit the planet with 1,450 megatons of TNT. The Atomic Energy Commission has shown that a one gigaton warhead detonated about 10 miles up could be expected to start fires over an area of more than 430,000 square miles, an area more than four times the size of Britain. Dante Lauretta, professor of Planetary Science in the Lunar and Planetary Laboratory at the University of Arizona, said Bennus impact would release three times more energy than all nuclear weapons detonated throughout history. "The impact would release energy equivalent to 1,450 megatons of TNT," he said. For comparison, the fission bombs used in World War II had an energy release of roughly 20 kilotons of TNT each and the most powerful nuclear weapon ever detonated, the Russian Tsar Bomba, had a yield of 50 megatons." Story continues The Hammer spacecraft within a Delta-IV rocket Credit: Nasa However the study showed that Earth would need years of warning to be able to put a deterrent plan in action. The experts calculate that 7.4 years would be needed from building Hammer, to the craft hitting the asteroid. Earth is hit by asteroids with surprising regularity but most are too small to do much damage or fall in unpopulated areas. In 2013, a meteor airburst over Chelyabinsk, Russia, broke shattered windows for over 300 miles. Asteroid near-misses Nasas Centre for Near-Earth Object Studies now lists 73 asteroids which have a 1 in 1,600 chance of hitting the Earth. Teams from across the world are working on similar deterrents. Earlier this week a team of Russian researchers from Rosatom, the state nuclear energy corporation, and Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology (MIPT), announced they had constructed and blown up tiny asteroids in the lab to calculate how much power it would take to prevent a devastating impact. Using laser pulses to simulate the effect of a nuclear bomb they found that to eliminate a 650 foot wide asteroid, the blast would need to deliver the energy equivalent of three megatons of TNT - the equivalent of 200 Hiroshima bombs. The most powerful explosive device ever detonated was the Tsar Bomba, or king of bombs, built by the Soviet Union in 1961 which had an energy output of about 50 megatons of TNT. At the moment, there are no asteroid threats, so our team has the time to perfect this technique for use later in preventing a planetary disaster, says study co-author Vladimir Yufa, an associate professor at the departments of Applied Physics and Laser Systems and Structured Materials, MIPT. Were also looking into the possibility of deflecting an asteroid without destroying it and hope for international engagement. LONDON (Reuters) - The military-grade nerve toxin that poisoned former Russian agent Sergei Skripal was planted in his daughter's suitcase before she left Moscow, The Telegraph newspaper reported, citing unidentified sources. Skripal, 66, and his daughter Yulia, 33, were found slumped unconscious on a bench outside a shopping center in the genteel southern English city of Salisbury on March 4. They have been in a critical condition in hospital ever since. Yulia Skripal flew to London from Russia on March 3, according to counter-terrorism police. British investigators are working on the theory that the toxin was impregnated in an item of clothing or cosmetics or in a gift that was opened in Skripal's house in Salisbury, the Telegraph said, citing the unidentified sources. Britain has said the toxin, which also poisoned a British police officer who attended the scene, was Novichok, a lethal nerve agent first developed by the Soviet military. After the first known offensive use of such a weapon on European soil since World War Two, Britain has pinned the blame on Moscow and given 23 Russians who it said were spies working under diplomatic cover at the London embassy a week to leave. Britain, the United States, Germany and France jointly called on Russia on Thursday to explain how the toxin came to be used on British soil. Russia has denied any involvement and has accused London of whipping up anti-Russian hysteria. (Reporting by Guy Faulconbridge; Editing by Andrew Heavens) Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Charles, Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle attend the Commonwealth Service at Westminster Abbey on March 12. (Photo: WPA Pool via Getty Images) Meghan Markle and Prince Harry have been engaged since November, but Queen Elizabeth II only just gave her official permission for the two to marry. Elizabeth issued her royal declaration of consent for the nuptials during a Wednesday privy council meeting at Buckingham Palace. Since Harry is in line to the throne, he must have the consent of the queen before marrying. Some in the media saw the queens declaration as shady, given that she once used especially positive language to describe the former Kate Middleton near the time of Prince Williams wedding, but merely listed Markles name in this declaration. But based on documents available on the Privy Council website, the consent declaration language is fairly typical. For Prince Harry and Meghan Markles declaration on Wednesday, the queen (using Markles actual first name, Rachel) proclaimed: My lords, I declare My Consent to a Contract of Matrimony between My Most Dearly Beloved Grandson Prince Henry Charles Albert David of Wales and Rachel Meghan Markle, which Consent I am causing to be signified under the Great Seal and to be entered in the Books of the Privy Council. (Photo: Privy Council) Certain sites pointed to one of the queens statements made around the time of Prince William and the Duchess of Cambridges 2011 wedding, which used flowery language to describe Middleton. The queen referred to the couple as Our Most Dearly Beloved Grandson Prince William Arthur Philip Louis of Wales, K.G. and Our Trusty and Well-beloved Catherine Elizabeth Middleton. But a source with knowledge of the queens pronouncements told HuffPost that wording was from a different statement not the declaration of consent that the queen made public a week or so before the two got married. When Elizabeth gave her official declaration of consent for the nuptials of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge at a Privy Council meeting on Feb. 9, 2011, she said: My lords, I declare My Consent to a Contract of Matrimony between My Most Dearly Beloved Grandson Price William Arthur Philip Louis of Wales and Catherine Elizabeth Middleton, which Consent I am causing to be signified under the Great Seal and to be entered in the Books of the Privy Council. Story continues (Photo: Privy Council) There are a couple of months before Prince Harry and Markles wedding on May 19, so the queen could still issue a separate statement about the upcoming nuptials. Related Coverage Body Language Experts Dissect Meghan Markle's First Event With The Queen Meghan Markle Looks More Royal Than Ever For First Official Outing With The Queen Prince Harry's Raised Eyebrows At Meghan Markle Cause A Stir Also on HuffPost Love HuffPost? Become a founding member of HuffPost Plus today. Meghan Takes The Lead Some body language experts have suggested that Markle comes across as the more dominant partner in the relationship. That certainly comes through in this photo, as she grabs Harry's hand and leads him on. Wood was most taken by the affection displayed in this pic, though. "Meghan's looking back at him and reaching out to hold his hand again [like she did at the engagement announcement]," she said. "Notice how her head comes down slightly and she tilts her head to look at him. That's such a beautiful little moment of intimacy. I find the adoration they show so charming." Harry's Signature Move This is a variation on Harry's sometimes-confusing signature hand pose. When he tucked his hand into his jacket at an event with first lady Melania Trump in September, some speculated that he was making the sign of the devil. It's a lot more innocuous than that, though: According to Brown, putting ones hand on ones stomach is an act of self-comfort. "Here again we see Harry guarding his solar plexus -- the part of your stomach, below your ribs, where it can be painful if you are hit hard," she said. "It's his habit and a way to guard against the media and crowds. It's something we need to get used to seeing as he's in the news more." Peak PDA The pair couldn't have been more touchy-feely during their visit to Nottingham Academy. "I love how she leans down and into him here," Wood said. "It shows that she has respect for him and wants to connect in a tender way. And I love that genuine smile on her face!" The Protectiveness There's mirroring going on in these two shots; both Meghan and Harry look protective, reaching out as if to check in with one another while meeting the public. Sure, Meghan is used to being in the public eye as an actress, but life under the spotlight as a royal is an entirely new stratosphere of fame. "You see that she wants that connection and comfort in these very public situations," Brown said. "Harry's more comfortable in them than she is at this point. It's really something to adjust to." Meghan's Ease With The Public Harry isn't in this one, but Wood was struck by Meghan's almost Princess Diana-esque ease and humility with the public. "I loved how she bent down to get close to children," she said. "When she's interacting with each person, she greets them and makes it a private conversation, which is pretty incredible considering this is the first time she's out in an official capacity." A Tight Grip During the wedding announcement and BBC interview, Meghan often gripped Harry's hand and used her free hand to touch his elbow or back of his hand. It's one of the most interesting details of the couple's body language, Brown said. "She often has two hands on Harry," she said. "That shows the deep, intimate connection that they have. It could also say that she needs to be in control, but we do see pics of Harry in the control position, too. They have a relationship where one complements the other and they each lead at appropriate times." All Smiles Has Prince Harry ever looked happier? This big, giant grin is clearly a good sign, Wood said. "I love his open mouth and big laugh here," she said. "He's always been a happy, playful person; his baseline is happy, but what's great is that it's not diminished with Meghan. He can be fully happy in her presence." This article originally appeared on HuffPost. In Dorothy L. Sayerss short story Talboys, the noble sleuth Lord Peter Wimsey at one point gives his young son Bredon an important lesson about adult behavior. Ill tell you a secret, Bredon, he says. Grown-up people dont always know everything, though they try to pretend they do. That is called prestige, and is responsible for most of the wars that devastate the continent of Europe. I thought of that passage when I heard about U.S. President Donald Trumps decision to accept North Korean leader Kim Jong Uns invitation to a summit meeting. Like the grown-up people in Sayerss story, Trump and Kim are both leaders who try to pretend they know everything. Moreover, the petty war of insults between Little Rocket Man and the dotard might have led to a war that devastated not the continent of Europe but the Korean Peninsula. In addition to the tangible conflicts of interest dividing the two states, issues of status, prestige, and ego are clearly involved as well. For the United States, the central issue is North Koreas nuclear weapons capability and its missile development program, which if continued will eventually enable it to hit the continental United States (though why it would choose to do so remains a mystery, given the consequences of U.S. retaliation). And for all his earlier bluster and saber-rattling, Trump seems to have realized for now that the existing military options are unattractive and that diplomacy is the only realistic path. For North Korea, however, a key element in the dispute is its desire for recognition and prestige. In addition to wanting a reliable deterrent against a U.S. attack, North Korea would like the mighty United States to treat it not as a pariah but as something of an equal. Having diplomatic relations with Canada or Laos is one thing for Pyongyang; getting some respect from Washington is something else entirely. This is why some of Trumps critics are already accusing him of once again practicing the art of the giveaway. By accepting Kims invitation without any prior discussion and without any clear commitments on North Koreas part, Trump has already given Kim what North Koreas leaders have long wanted: the chance to meet and bargain face-to-face with the president of the worlds most powerful country. Suddenly, Little Rocket Man is enjoying the prospect of a summit meeting with Trump that will command the attention of the entire world, ahead of dozens of world leaders whom Trump has yet to meet with, visit, or pay the slightest attention to. And what did Trump get for this remarkable concession, a gift that none of his predecessors ever made? Nada. At the end of Round 1, the score is: Kim 1, Trump 0. Story continues Why does Kim care whether he gets respect from Washington or not? After all, the United States hasnt recognized North Korea officially for the entire 70 years of its existence. Actually, theres your answer: As soon as the two leaders sit down to talk, Kim can plausibly claim to have pulled off something that neither his father nor his grandfather ever managed. Even if the talks themselves lead nowhere, Kim will have gotten an American president to treat him as an equal. To be sure, the United States has engaged with North Korea on numerous occasions in the past including at the worlds longest-running (and slowest moving) peace talks at Panmunjom but no U.S. president has ever met with his North Korean counterpart, precisely because no U.S. president wanted to grant status and prestige to any of the Kims without getting significant, tangible concessions in return. In common parlance, prestige is recognition by others that someone or something is exceptional in some way, that it has positive qualities that distinguish it from the norm. Thus, Rolls-Royce and Mercedes-Benz are more prestigious car brands than Chevy or Hyundai, and victory at Wimbledon confers more prestige than winning a regular ATP tour event. Like legitimacy or status, prestige is not a quality that an actor can confer on itself; it is something one earns or obtains from others. No matter how rich you are, you cant give yourself prestige or status unless you can convince others that you deserve it. Someone of more modest means might enjoy greater prestige, for example, if others saw them as more virtuous, likeable, smart, well-behaved, or deserving. Case in point: Some have argued that Donald Trumps compulsive tendency to inflate his own achievements derives from his repeated efforts to impress New York Citys social and business elite, which saw him as a boorish parvenu from Queens who had inherited a lot of money but not a lot of class. But I digress In international politics, a nations prestige is obviously tied to its past achievements, but it can also produce power in the present, which is why states are eager to acquire it. Signs of respect and acceptance from the rest of the international community make a countrys leaders look good and are likely to bolster their domestic support. Furthermore, states that enjoy a high level of prestige (for whatever reason) can expect greater deference from others, simply because they are believed to be skillful, competent, and capable. During the Cold War, for example, the Warsaw Pact poured immense effort into winning Olympic medals (often by cheating) because it believed such triumphs would showcase the superiority of communism and bring other states to follow Moscows lead on other matters. Americas moon landing was a similar achievement that underscored its technological sophistication, daring, and ability to set a goal and pull it off. Via a similar logic, Americas Cold War victory and its impressive economic performance during most of the 1990s convinced many observers that Americans had found the magic formula for success and contributed to its soft power. Sadly, that perception that was subsequently squandered by the debacle in Iraq and the 2008 financial crisis, and evaporating before our eyes today. Nonetheless, there is little doubt that states value their reputations and believe being admired, respected, and maybe even envied by others can be a subtle but important source of influence. This helps explain why states with power and prestige would seek to withhold it from others. Sometimes they do so to penalize those who are violating established international norms. For example, hardly anyone has recognized the pro-Russian satellite regimes in South Ossetia, Abkhazia, or Trans-Dniester, because these semi-states did not emerge from a legitimate international process and appear to violate a number of existing norms. Similarly, no state ever recognized the so-called caliphate that the Islamic State militant group proclaimed in 2014; instead, they treated the Islamic State not as a new member of the international community but as a dangerous gang of brutal criminals. Nonrecognition can also be a source of leverage; by making recognition conditional on a foreign governments behavior, outside powers can try to persuade it to accept and conform to existing international norms. If pushed too far or overused, however, refusing to recognize an opponents existence or legitimacy ceases to be a useful tactic and becomes a self-defeating bad habit instead. One can understand why most Arab governments refused to recognize the new state of Israel back in 1948, for example, but sticking to this position 70 years later looks rather silly and counterproductive today, and all the more so when cooperation between Israel and governments such as Saudi Arabia is an open secret. Similarly, did Americas refusal to recognize Communist China or Fidel Castros Cuba for decades really advance U.S. interests? The answer is no: This policy made the United States look clueless and reduced Washingtons ability to influence either regime. Today, the United States aversion to establishing diplomatic relations with Iran looks more like a self-defeating act of spite than an example of wise statecraft. Why? Because the lack of regular, routinized contact between the two governments limits U.S. understanding of Irans leadership, gives Washington few avenues for shaping Iranian perceptions and attitudes, and allows Americas rivals to build relationships there in its absence. These examples of protracted estrangement underscore an important paradox. The longer that a country refuses to talk with or recognize another, the harder it is to break the silence and the greater the symbolic leap when the conversation finally begins. Like a family quarrel, the longer two parties refuse to speak with one another, the more importance will be attached to the moment when one party finally picks up the phone and tries to repair the rift. Having treated North Korea as a pariah since the early 1950s for understandable reasons the slightest move toward normalcy today takes on grave significance for the United States, for them, and for others. And that is the real danger lurking behind a Trump-Kim summit (assuming, of course, it ever takes place). Having already given Kim a significant propaganda coup no matter how much Trumps staff tries to deny it the president will be under enormous pressure to come away with an agreement that makes the gamble seem worth it. The moment Trump walks into a room with Kim an event thats likely to attract as much press attention as the Super Bowl he will be giving the North Korean leader a degree of status and prestige that the regime has long craved and never before received. If Trump gets little or nothing in return for example, if he gets a nuclear deal that is self-evidently worse than the Iran deal he has consistently derided everyone from Seoul to Seattle will know he got played. In this scenario, Trumps personal prestige and especially his puffed-up claims to be a master dealmaker rather than an expert in bankruptcy and con artistry will have been exposed as hollow. What would he do then? No one knows. But as Lord Peter told his son, concerns for prestige have been responsible for a lot of wars in the past. By Gina Cherelus NEW YORK (Reuters) - Two Muslim-American women and a non-profit group on Friday sued the New York City Police Department for forcing Muslim women and others to remove their hijabs or other religious head coverings in post-arrest photographs. Arwa Aziz and Jamilla Clark, who were arrested in unrelated incidents, say in the lawsuit that they were forced to remove their hijabs by the NYPD to take post-arrest photographs. Turning Point for Women and Families, a non-profit organization based in the borough of Queens that supports Muslim women and girls who have been victims of domestic violence, joined the lawsuit. The suit challenges a 2015 NYPD policy requiring that booking photos have an unobstructed view of the subject's head, ears and face, requiring the removal of any headwear. The plaintiffs contend that policy violates the women's freedom of speech, the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act and New York state law. A representative for the NYPD did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Friday. The lawsuit alleged that in January 2017, after Clark's ex-husband complained that she had violated an order of protection, an NYPD officer took a post-arrest photo of the New Jersey resident, as she wept and begged to put her hijab back on. "The officer ignored Ms. Clark, stored the photograph in an online database and in Ms. Clark's paper file, and showed it to numerous male officers," court documents said. The lawsuit added that another officer had openly mocked the Muslim faith. In August 2017, Brooklyn resident Aziz was arrested after her sister-in-law obtained a protective order against her on what Aziz said in the lawsuit were false pretenses. While in custody, Aziz begged officers to allow her to push her hijab back slightly to expose her hairline and ears for the post-arrest photo. "Frantic, weeping and bareheaded in a hallway full of men who do not belong to her immediate family, Ms. Aziz felt broken," the lawsuit said. The suit seeks unspecified financial damages and for the NYPD to discontinue its practice. (Reporting by Gina Cherelus; Editing by Scott Malone and Susan Thomas) A Utah family is suing the Boy Scouts of America, alleging that their 15-year-old son could not achieve its Eagle Scout ranking because he has Down syndrome and autism, KSL-TV reports. The Boy Scouts of America is being sued for turning down a disabled Eagle Scout hopeful. (Photo: Amy Kerk/Getty Images) The Utah National Parks Council, which was also named in the lawsuit, has issued a statement saying that it remained committed to helping Logan Blythe achieve the rank of Eagle Scout. It noted, however, that final decisions were determined by the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) at a national level suggesting that their hands are tied. We are moved by this young mans desire to achieve the rank of Eagle Scout, the statement reads. Weve worked closely with this young man and his family to attain the benefits of the Scouting program and are committed to continuing to do so. The Eagle Scout Award is a national award. Final decisions regarding the Eagle requirements are made at the National BSA level. Since its founding in 1910, the Boy Scouts of America has served youth members with physical, mental, and emotional disabilities. Through the Disability Awareness Committee, the BSA enables youth to achieve the rank of Eagle Scout. The Utah National Parks Council stands ready to assist all Scouts and their families who, despite extraordinary circumstances, have the desire to achieve the rank of Eagle Scout. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. According to his parents, Blythe has been a Boy Scout for four years, earning numerous awards and badges. He began the process to become an Eagle Scout in November 2017, and was excited to reach the next level of his training. But the National BSA reportedly refused to accommodate him. We had all this planned, and 24 hours later we get a text message saying we should have never said you were approved,' Chad Blythe, the teens father, told KSL-TV. When National [BSA] was contacted about possible alternates, we were told that for Star Life Eagle Ranks, there are no alternates, Logans father added. The young man must do the requirements as written, including leadership responsibilities. Story continues Blythe wouldnt have been the first Eagle Scout with Down syndrome. Elliott Hodgson achieved the Boy Scouts highest rank in 2015 after completing a modified program, as have others with special needs. Read more from Yahoo Lifestyle: Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter for nonstop inspiration delivered fresh to your feed, every day. Police have released video of armed Broward County Sheriff's Deputy Scot Peterson outside of Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School during last months mass shooting in Florida. Peterson has been highly criticized for not entering the Parkland school as Nikolas Cruz allegedly shot and killed 17 people on Valentines Day. After police reviewed the surveillance video, Peterson was placed on unpaid leave. He later filed for retirement benefits. A judge ordered the release of the video Thursday. In it, Peterson can be seen receiving a call and running with other officers before standing still outside the school. "The video speaks for itself," Sheriff Scott Israel said Thursday. His actions were enough to warrant an internal affairs investigation, as requested by Sheriff Israel on Feb. 21. In a previous news conference that followed the shooting, Israel said Peterson, who was assigned to the campus in 2009, should have gone inside and "addressed the killer, killed the killer. Instead, Peterson stood outside, doing nothing, for more than four minutes, police said. Israel said he was "devastated" and "sick to my stomach" by what he saw on the surveillance tape. Even President Trump criticized the officers alleged inaction, saying he would have run into the school if he were in that same situation. "You don't know until you test it, but I think, I really believe I'd run in there, even if I didn't have a weapon, and I think most of the people in this room would have done that too," Trump said. Peterson's lawyer, Joseph DiRuzzo, said in February that the criticisms of the sheriffs department are a gross over-simplification of the events that transpired." Peterson claims he received an emergency "call of firecrackers," not gunfire, and responded by running hundreds of yards where he "heard gunshots, but believed that those gunshots were coming from outside." Story continues RELATED STORIES Nikolas Cruz's Brother Cries in Court as Shooting Suspect Appears at Arraignment Hearing Parkland School Shooting: Nikolas Cruz to Face Death Penalty If Convicted Nikolas Cruz Seen Giggling and Smiling While Behind Bars: Reports Related Articles: fiu bridge collapse Joe Raedle / Getty Images A bridge at Florida International University's campus collapsed Thursday, trapping people in the rubble and resulting in multiple injuries and deaths. The 950-ton bridge, which was supposed to be ready for use in 2019, was designed to make it safer for students to travel between FIU's campus and Streetwater, a city where about 4,000 students live. The bridge was installed in a single day on Saturday using a method that was supposed to increase safety for workers, pedestrians, and drivers. A bridge on Florida International University's campus collapsed Thursday, trapping people in the rubble and resulting in at least six deaths and nine injuries. The 950-ton bridge was designed to make it safer for students to travel between FIU's campus and Streetwater, a city in Miami-Dade County where about 4,000 students live. According to The Miami Herald, students and faculty had asked for a bridge that would span the seven-lane road where a student was killed by a motorist in August. At least one FIU student died in the collapse, Sweetwater Mayor Orlando Lopez said at a press conference Friday. The bridge was installed in a single day on Saturday after the 174-foot span and support towers were built over several months. The rapid installation method was supposed to increase safety for workers, pedestrians, and drivers. The bridge was scheduled to be used in 2019 and was part of a $14.2 million project, paid for by the US Department of Transportation, also featuring sidewalks, a plaza, benches, tables, and Wi-Fi. Before and after the bridge was installed, MCM Construction, which built the bridge with FIGG Bridge Design, retweeted posts on its Twitter account that alluded to how the bridge and its installation were designed with student safety in mind. "Student # SafetyFirst !!" one tweet said after the bridge was installed. fiu bridge tweet Twitter / PaulAcostaMBPD The company later released a statement about the collapse on Twitter. Story continues "Our family's thoughts and prayers go out to everyone affected by this terrible tragedy," the company wrote. "The new UniversityCity Bridge, which was under construction, experienced a catastrophic collapse causing injuries and loss of life. MCM is a family business and we are all devastated and doing everything we can to assist. We will conduct a full investigation to determine exactly what went wrong and will cooperate with investigators on scene in every way." The National Transportation Safety Board sent a 15-member "go team" to investigate the collapse. NTSB chairman Robert Sumwalt told reporters on Friday that his team will likely stay five to seven days and determine both how the bridge collapsed and how the incident could have been prevented. "Our entire purpose for being here is to find out what happened so that we can keep it from happening again," he said. Michelle Mark contributed reporting. NOW WATCH: A blockchain without cryptocurrency is just a database innovation and that's great See Also: SEE ALSO: A pedestrian bridge near Florida International University collapsed, trapping people and cars underneath; several deaths reported Multiple cars and people were trapped under a newly constructed bridge at Miamis Florida International University when it collapsed Thursday. Officials said there are at least six fatalities, including one student. They dont expect to find any more survivors amid the rubble. Ten victims were taken to Kendall Regional Medical Center. The Miami-Dade homicide bureau is leading an investigation into the collapse. Gov. Rick Scott said investigations are proceeding at the local, state and federal levels. He promised to hold anyone accountable if there is evidence of wrongdoing. Rescuers in Miami worked through the night into Friday, combing through rubble from a newly erected pedestrian bridge at Florida International University that had collapsed across a multi-lane road the day before, trapping cars underneath and killing at least six people. Juan Perez, director of the Miami-Dade Police Department, said Friday that officials expected to find more bodies amid the wreckage, although they had determined there were no more survivors to be rescued. One of the fatalities was an FIU student identified by her father as Alexa Duran, 18. A friend in the passenger seat of Durans Toyota SUV was able to escape. Another victim was identified as Navaro Brown, 37, who had been working on the bridge. The 100-plus rescuers on the scene have shifted their focus from search and rescue to recovery, excavating remains and trapped cars. That whole structure is considered unsafe right now, MDPD spokesman Lee Cowart said. Officials explained that the bridge would have to be removed piece by piece because of its instability. This is going to be a long, long process because to get through that rubble and the pieces of concrete laying there is not going to be an easy task, Perez said. He noted that the police departments homicide bureau would take the lead on the investigation, with the local state attorneys office on standby. The 950-ton bridge, built to provide a safer crossing for FIU students over the busy road, collapsed at about 1:30 p.m. Thursday. Story continues We have located victims, but were unable to identify them or have any confirmation, Fire Chief Dave Downey of Miami-Dade Fire Rescue said in the hours afterward. But by Friday morning, the police department had confirmed six fatalities. Ten people, ranging in age from 20 to 50 years old, were hospitalized at the citys Kendall Regional Medical Center. Two arrived in critical condition. Police spokesman Alvaro Zabaleta said one of the injured died overnight. At least six people are dead following a pedestrian bridge collapse in Miami on Thursday. (Photo: 7 News WSVN) The bridge stretched along FIUs campus, across Southwest Eighth Street, and had not yet opened to pedestrians. It was lifted into place on Saturday and was still under construction, with completion expected by early 2019, according to the school. A support beam and a series of support cables had yet to be constructed. Florida Gov. Rick Scott (R) noted Thursday that the bridge project was initiated by FIU and not the Florida Department of Transportation. Investigations into the bridge and its collapse are being conducted at the local, state and federal levels, Scott added. There clearly will be an investigation to find out exactly what happened and why this happened, the governor said. We will hold anybody accountable if anybody has done anything wrong. The National Transportation Safety Board announced Thursday that it was sending a team of 15 experts to the scene to look into the collapse and examine why central supports were absent. The investigating team specializes in civil engineering, material science and survival factors, according to NTSB Chairman Robert Sumwalt. At the scene on Thursday, Miamis WSVN interviewed an emotionally distressed Mario Valdez, a local who said hed heard his friend was walking beneath the bridge when it abruptly collapsed. He was crossing the street at the moment that the bridge was coming down, Valdez told the station. He was rushed to the hospital. I dont know. Im just so worried. Valdez declined to identify his friend because the friends mother was out of town. Surveillance footage obtained by the Miami Herald shows the bridge crumbling to the ground in almost an instant: This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. Twitter user Damani Reed, who told HuffPost that he heard the bridge collapse from a nearby apartment building, snapped a photo that showed the destruction spread across the multiple-lane road. It wasnt too loud. It sounded like two metal walls fell over, Reed told HuffPost. FIU President Mark Rosenberg initially offered few details on the tests that Munilla Construction Management, which built the bridge, may have run on the structure earlier Thursday. In a tweet, Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) said that at the time the structure collapsed, workers were tightening cables that had become loose. Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Gimenez later revealed that before the disaster, workers were running a stress test that involved tightening cables on the bridge. The university had previously boasted that the bridge was designed to withstand a Category 5 hurricane and last for at least 100 years. It was built using a method known as accelerated bridge construction, in which most of the structure was built off-site and then moved into place. The university called it the largest pedestrian bridge move in U.S. history. Soon after the collapse, FIU released a statement saying it was shocked and saddened about the tragic events unfolding. Barnhart Crane and Rigging, the company contracted to move the bridge into place last weekend, told HuffPost that it was not involved with the structures design or construction. Our scope of work was completed without incident and according to all technical requirements, the companys statement read. Barnhart crews and equipment were not on site at the time of the incident. We will fully cooperate with authorities as they investigate the cause of the collapse. Love HuffPost? Become a founding member of HuffPost Plus today. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. Munilla Construction Management also released a statement over Facebook describing its staff as devastated by the catastrophe. The Miami company vowed a full investigation. Our familys thoughts and prayers go out to everyone affected by this terrible tragedy. The new UniversityCity Bridge, which was under construction, experienced a catastrophic collapse causing injuries and loss of life, the statement read. Munilla Construction was awarded the $9.3 million bridge project in partnership with FIGG Bridge Group. It was designed to connect the universitys Modesto A. Maidique Campus with the city of Sweetwater, according to the schools website. Vehicles are trapped under the collapsed pedestrian bridge on March 15. (Photo: Joe Raedle via Getty Images) The construction company has been cited in the past for unsafe practices that led to employee injuries, the Miami New Times reported. It is currently facing a lawsuit from a Transportation Security Administration employee who says a temporary walkway that the company built at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport in 2016 collapsed underneath him, sending him crashing to the ground and causing him multiple injuries. FIGG Bridge Group, the designer behind the FIU span, was fined $28,000 after another bridge in Virginia collapsed mid-construction and left four workers with minor injuries, the Miami New Times also reported. The company had violated several safety rules, the state found, and was lucky that no one died in the accident. President Donald Trump was briefed about the situation, White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders told reporters on Thursday. Trump later tweeted his condolences and thanked first responders for their work. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. This article has been updated with comments from police, emergency responders and the universitys president. Willa Frej contributed reporting. View of the main span of the FIU-Sweetwater UniversityCity Bridge that collapsed five days after it was installed. Miami-Dade Fire Rescue personnel and other rescue units work at the scene where a pedestrian bridge collapsed. Miami-Dade Fire Rescue personnel and other rescue units work at the scene of the collapse. Miami-Dade Fire Rescue personnel and other rescue units work at the scene. A crane is seen near the collapsed pedestrian bridge. Miami-Dade Fire Rescue personnel and other rescue units work at the scene. Vehicles are seen trapped under the collapsed bridge. This AFP TV video frame grab shows emergency response workers at the collapsed pedestrian bridge. Emergency crews work at the scene of a collapsed pedestrian bridge. Emergency crews look for victims. Miami-Dade Fire Rescue personnel and other rescue units work at the scene. This article originally appeared on HuffPost. A University of Pennsylvania law professor will no longer teach a first-year lecture class after backlash to her claim that black students score lower than their counterparts. Amy Wax, who made the racial inferiority argument in an interview last fall that resurfaced recently, will lose her duties teaching the introductory civil procedure class, Penn Law dean Ted Ruger announced Tuesday. He insisted the decision was not a penalty of any kind, and noted Wax will retain her faculty status, seniority and tenure. She will be similarly situated to a substantial majority of our tenured and chaired faculty, most of whom do not teach required first-year courses, Ruger said in an email to students. Ruger slammed Waxs claim as false, but said shes entitled to free expression and will continue teaching elective classes. Black students have graduated in the top of the class at Penn Law, Ruger told The Daily Pennsylvanian, the student newspaper. And contrary to any suggestion otherwise, black students at Penn Law are extremely successful, both inside and outside the classroom, in the job market, and in their careers. Wax cited her experience with the civil procedure class in an interview last fall with Brown University professor Glenn Loury. Heres a very inconvenient fact, Glenn: I dont think Ive ever seen a black student graduate in the top quarter of the class, and rarely, rarely, in the top half, Wax said. I can think of one or two students who scored in the top half of my required first-year course. She said the class has 89 to 95 students per year, so Im going on that because a lot of this data is a closely guarded secret. Ruger said Wax violated school policy by mentioning student grades to back up her argument. Alumni circulated an online petition this week urging Ruger to take action after Waxs comments resurfaced. The professors claims are in clear violation of the terms and spirit of Penn Laws anonymous grading policy, and compromise the law schools assurance that grades are maintained by the Registrar under strict scrutiny, the petition says. Story continues Waxs views on race ignited backlash even before her interview with Loury. In August, she wrote an op-ed published in The Philadelphia Inquirer that declared, All cultures are not equal. Or at least they are not equal in preparing people to be productive in an advanced economy. Wax declined to comment to HuffPost. She has defended her statements in the past, and doubled down on her argument in an interview with The Daily Pennsylvanian, asserting that people seek to move to countries with superior bourgeois values. I dont shrink from the word, superior. Everyone wants to go to countries ruled by white Europeans, she said. More than 30 Penn law professors signed an open letter condemning Waxs statements. She has pushed back, however, arguing in a Wall Street Journal op-ed last month that hurling epithets at people who promote unpopular views is wrong. This story has been updated to include an additional statement from Penn Law clarifying that their decision was not a punishment, nor a demotion, as the headline in a previous version of this story stated. Love HuffPost? Become a founding member of HuffPost Plus today. This article originally appeared on HuffPost. Peter Thiel interview Economic Club of New York YouTube.com/CNBC Tech investor Peter Thiel talked cryptocurrencies, the potential outcome of the 2020 election, and Silicon Valley's insulated culture during a fireside chat at the Economic Club of New York on Thursday. Thiel, an early bitcoin investor, predicted there will be one leading future cryptocurrency that will be the digital equivalent of gold. Thiel suggested that, if President Donald Trump runs again, he'd see a positive outcome in the 2020 election. Thiel also chatted candidly about his negative opinions of Silicon Valley, which he described as having a "lemming-like" quality. Tech investor and Facebook board member Peter Thiel chatted on Thursday with Fox Business Network anchor Maria Bartiromo during a fireside chat at the Economic Club of New York. Thiel talked about a variety of things, including the viability of cryptocurrencies, the results of the 2020 election if President Donald Trump were to run again, and Silicon Valley's insulated culture. Thiel, who has invested more than $15 million in bitcoin along with his investment firm, said he's "long bitcoin, neutral to skeptical on everything else." "Im not exactly sure whether or not I would encourage people to turn out and buy these cryptocurrencies right now," he said. In the future, Thiel predicted that there will be one prevailing cryptocurrency that will be viewed as the digital equivalent of gold. "It will most likely be bitcoin," Thiel said, although he hinted at the possibility of ethereum. Thiel seemed unswayed by the increasing speculation regarding what many feel to be the cryptocurrency bubble. "Any of the objections most people would have to bitcoin are the same objections people would have had to gold," he said. "But money is a bubble that never pops ... and there is this bubble-like aspect to money that can be quite stable." Thiel, who recently announced he intends to move from his longtime home of Silicon Valley to Los Angeles, reiterated his thoughts that the tech hub has become the home of pervasively hermetic ideologies. More than once Thiel described the valley's tech community as having a "lemming-like" quality that lacked diversity of thought. Story continues "I thought it would be healthier to be somewhere outside [Silicon Valley]," Thiel said. Thiel stressed the importance of investors considering the geographic expansion of the tech community, not only within the US but globally as well. "This geographic question is something we should be thinking about super hard," Thiel said. He added: "We're living in a very different world where we have to think about how we get American companies to compete globally." donald trump peter thiel handshake Drew Angerer/Getty Thiel said his stance on global economics was a contributing factor in his political backing of Trump, a move that was controversial within the left-leaning community of Silicon Valley. "I thought that supporting Trump was one of the least contrarian things I've ever done," Thiel said, citing the president's popularity among voters and his victory. Thiel, while initially hesitant to speculate on the 2020 election, predicted a positive outcome for Trump. "Im not trying to speculate on this," Thiel said. "I think if he runs again he will get reelected." NOW WATCH: Why does Bluetooth still suck? See Also: Billionaire venture capitalist and entrepreneur Peter Thiel believes the high cost of living is stifling entrepreneurship in Silicon Valley. One thing Ive been thinking about as a venture capitalist in Silicon Valley is the vast majority of the capital I give to the companies is just going to landlords. Its going to commercial real estate and even more to urban slumlords of one sort or another. And thats an odd thing to be doing as a venture capitalist. Thats so disproportionate, Thiel said at an event on Thursday hosted by the Economic Club of New York. He explained that when a one-bedroom apartment goes for $2,000 in San Francisco versus a one-bedroom in Austin for $1,000 that suggests that San Francisco is a better place to live. However, when the rent on that one-bedroom in San Francisco reaches $4,000, perhaps its time to be open to other areas. Paypal co-founder Peter Thiel speaks at the Republican National Convention in Cleveland, Ohio, U.S. July 21, 2016. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst/File Photo I think this geographic question is one that we should be thinking about super hard. And even though the megacity trend has been this enormous social, economic trend for the last 40 years, theres always a question Is there some point where its gone a little bit too far? The next Google Thiel, 50, recently relocated from Silicon Valley to Los Angeles. Back in 2005, Thiel was asked during a panel discussion at Stanford University where the next Google (GOOGL) might emerge. At the time, Thiel answered that he thought there was a 50% chance that the next Google would be within a 5-mile radius of that room. Unbeknownst to him, that company was Facebook (FB), which was just 1.8 miles away and a company he had invested in early. Today, he says finding the next Google is a lot more challenging, and it likely wont be in Silicon Valley. As Ive been thinking about it, if I were to try to answer that same question today, in 2018, I would think its much less than 50% chance that its anywhere within a 50-mile radius, anywhere within the broader San Francisco/Silicon Valley corridor. Its not clear there will be another consumer internet company, Thiel said during an event at the Economic Club of New York. Story continues For the last 20 to 25 years, Silicon Valley has been focused mainly on the internet, with most of that focus on the consumer. He says its not clear there will be another consumer internet company like Google. The good ideas were found pretty quickly, and perhaps most of those have been explored. There is a sense that the future is going to be perhaps harder to predict. Its going to be much more distributed. It will be areas outside of that. he said. Beyond consumer internet Nowadays, the conversations in Silicon Valley are about artificial intelligence, augmented reality, virtual reality, self-driving cars, etc. You can be sort of bullish or bearish on these. I often worry that a lot of them are a little bit too much buzzwords and are somewhat exaggerated. But I believe they reflect the sense that perhaps it wont be another app on the iPhone, it will be sort of beyond the consumer internet that we have to do new things. Whats more, he expects the next big idea will be geographically more distributed. He explained that a few years ago, people would come to Silicon Valley and participate in Y Combinator, the startup accelerator, and theyd go through that process for a few months, do a demo day, get funding, and stay in Silicon Valley and build the company. Now hes seeing more entrepreneurs return to their hometowns and cities. He noted that there are a lot of different factors, but the major one is the high cost of living. One of the important economic questions we should ask is at what point is this a feature and at what point does this become a bug? Thiel said. Megacities like San Francisco, New York, and London are a draw when they offer a deep network of people, ideas and capital. They become a bug when they get so expensive that entrepreneurs are focused on making money to just to pay the rent. Julia La Roche is a finance reporter at Yahoo Finance. Follow her on Twitter. GettyImages-932329962 Thousands of Syrians are fleeing the rebel-held enclave of eastern Ghouta as the army presses its advance into the last major opposition stronghold near Damascus. GettyImages-932316512_master Louai Beshara/AFP GettyImages-932329850 Louai Beshara/AFP Trending: Who was John Christopher Ludwick? The Man Who Said He Helped Dispose of Natalee Holloway's Body Found Dead The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a UK-based monitor, said at least 7,000 people have walked out of the enclave toward positions of advancing government forces, which have split eastern Ghouta into three separate pockets. GettyImages-931210446_master Louai Beshara/AFP GettyImages-931340652_master Hamza al-Ajweh/AFP RTS1NCPM Bassam Khabieh/Reuters The is the first time a large group of people have fled the enclave since Damascus launched an offensive to recapture it last month, said Observatory Director Rami Abdulrahman. Earlier this week, scores of sick and wounded people were evacuated from eastern Ghouta. Don't miss: Tomi Lahren's Dog Kicking Comment Was 'a Joke,' She Says After Claiming to Boot Pet for Chewing Loudly GettyImages-931870926_master Hamza al-Ajweh/AFP GettyImages-931871556_master Hamza al-Ajweh/AFP GettyImages-931899548_master Hamza al-Ajweh/AFP Story continues GettyImages-931899690_master Hamza al-Ajweh/AFP In an offensive that began nearly a month ago, Syrian government forces have splintered rebel territory in eastern Ghouta, which had been the largest insurgent bastion near the capital. GettyImages-931798198_master AFP GettyImages-932332682 AFP GettyImages-932333422 AFP Most popular: 'The Witcher' Star Geralt Confirmed For 'Soulcalibur 6' The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) said 25 aid trucks entered a pocket further north, controlled by rebel faction Jaish al-Islam, and was headed to the town of Douma. ICRC spokeswoman Iolanda Jaquemet said the convoy, which entered through the al-Wafideen crossing, contained enough food aid for 26,100 people for one month, among other items. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said that overnight, dozens of airstrikes and shellings hit eastern Ghouta's southern pocket. GettyImages-932274530_master Amer Amolhibany/AFP GettyImages-932290888_master Amer Amolhibany/AFP GettyImages-931512708_master Ammar Suleiman/AFP Moscow and Damascus say their forces only target armed militants and seek to stop mortar attacks by insurgents that killed dozens of people in the capital. They accuse the rebels of using civilians as human shields, which the fighters deny. This article was first written by Newsweek More from Newsweek A Russian AN-12 transport plane carrying approximately 9 tons of gold blocks, worth hundreds of millions of dollars, lost a third of its cargo as it was taking off from the Yakutsk Airport in eastern Siberia on Thursday. According to local reports, the planes hatch door snapped during liftoff. The bars of dore, a semi-pure alloy of gold and silver, dropped out of the aircraft and onto the runway. The airports press service told Russian news agency Tass the technicians may have failed to properly secure the cargo. After the incident, various pieces of the planes fuselage were reportedly found on the ground near the runwayalong with dozens of gold and silver bars. Trending: Five of the Most Extreme Weight-Loss Diets Include Cotton Balls, Sleeping, Charcoal GettyImages-95934775 (1) Getty A police spokesperson said five crewmembers were on the plane and none were hurt in the incident. He confirmed that a "total of 172 gold bars weighing 3.4 tons" dropped out of the plane, reported Tass. In an official statement, Yakutsk Airport said the plane belonged to Nimbus Airlines and confirmed an investigation is underway to determine the cause of the incident. After the bars fell, the crew members immediately landed the aircraft in nearby Magan Airport and returned to Yakutsk to gather the lost gold. Don't miss: Brazilian Activists Demand Justice After Assassination of Rising Councilwoman Marielle Franco The cargo belonged to Chukotka Mining and Geological Co., a private company based in Anadyr in Russia and mostly owned by Kinross Gold Corp., a Canadian-based gold and silver mining company. Stanislav Borodyuk, a representative of Kinross, confirmed that the dore bars have since been collected and safely stored. Story continues "An internal review is underway with the transport company. I wouldn't exclude the possibility that, at the minimum, more stringent requirements will be introduced for cargo transports," he told Lenta.ru, a Moscow-based news agency. The crew was headed for Krasnoyarsk, on the way to Kupol Gold Mine, a gold and silver mine in the Bilibinsky District of the Chukotka Autonomous Okrug of Russia. This article was first written by Newsweek More from Newsweek A Minnesota mom who pleaded guilty last December to killing her boyfriend as part of a video stunt gone wrong was sentenced this week to six months in jail, PEOPLE confirms. Monalisa Perez, 20, pleaded guilty to second-degree manslaughter and learned at her sentencing Wednesday she will spend 180 days in jail for her role in the June 26 death of 22-year-old Pedro Ruiz III, the father of her children, court officials tell PEOPLE. The 20-year-old was pregnant at the time of the killing and her 3-year-old was nearby when she shot him. She has since given birth to their second child. The jail term was agreed to months ago in a plea deal that takes the welfare of her two children into consideration. The deal allows Perez to serve out her sentence in her home state of South Dakota. Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Click here to get breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases in the True Crime Newsletter. It further permits her to serve her time over the next three years, in 10-day increments, court officials confirm to PEOPLE. The deal also bars Perez from ever owning a gun. In three years, she will be placed on probation for the next ten years and is prohibited from profiting from the video she made during the accidental killing. Authorities previously said that Perez and Ruiz wanted to become YouTube stars and used two cameras to capture the deadly incident. The couple started posting videos to YouTube a month before the killing, which was filmed outside Perezs home. Their channel remains live. Standing just a foot away from Ruiz, Perez fired a gun directly at an encyclopedia that Ruiz was holding in front of his chest, according to the criminal complaint previously obtained by PEOPLE. The book did not stop the bullet. For more compelling true crime coverage, follow our Crime magazine on Flipboard. According to the Star Tribune, Norman County Attorney James Brue said the punishment in this case was just. The reality that this foolish stunt was dreamed up, planned, and executed by Pedro Ruiz, and the defendant wrongfully and tragically relied on his assurances that the stunt was safe, the paper quotes Brue as saying. Moscow (AFP) - President Vladimir Putin has appealed to Russians' "love of the fatherland" to encourage them to vote on Sunday, as he seeks to boost turnout at an election he is sure to win. The Kremlin is seeking high participation to give legitimacy to Putin's inevitable fourth term as opposition leader Alexei Navalny has called for a boycott of a vote he denounces as a sham. "Who to vote for, how to exercise your right to free choice, that is the decision of each person," Putin said in a video released late Thursday and carried in news bulletins Friday morning. "But, if the decision is avoided, then this key, defining choice will be made without your opinion being taken into account," he added. He said Russians should be guided in their decision by their "conscience, understanding of truth and fairness, and love of the fatherland." Putin is predicted to win with around 70 percent of the vote despite a lacklustre campaign and his refusal to participate in televised debates. He is standing against seven other candidates, including millionaire communist Pavel Grudinin and former reality TV host Ksenia Sobchak, but none are polling more than 8 percent. Navalny, Putin's most vocal critic, has been barred from standing because he has a criminal conviction that supporters his supporters have slammed as politically motivated. Rape has been used as a weapon by those fighting in Syria's seven-year civil war and others preying on refugees fleeing the conflict, according to the United Nations. A report released Thursday by the U.N. Commission of Inquiry on Syria accused forces fighting on behalf of the Syrian government, the opposition and jihadi groups of being complicit in sexual assault against Syriansmostly womenas well as other human rights violations, including acts of torture and arbitrary execution. Based on interviews with 454 survivors, relatives of victims, defectors, medical professionals, lawyers and members of affected communities, the 29-page report found widespread abuses committed since the March 15, 2011 uprising against Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. Trending: Neil Young Finally Responds To Dana Loesch's Decades-Long Grudge Related: Syria War Anniversary: These Pictures Show How The Country Has Changed After Seven Years of Conflict "It is utterly repugnant that such brutal acts of sexual and gender-based violence continue to be perpetrated throughout Syria by warring parties," Commission Chair Paulo Sergio Pinheiro said in a statement. "These violations affect Syrians from all backgrounds, including men and boys, though women and girls are disproportionately impacted, and continue to be victimized on multiple grounds," he added. Don't miss: Russia Says U.S. No Longer Rules the World as Tensions Mount in Middle East, Europe and Space GettyImages-913375770 DELIL SOULEIMAN/AFP/Getty Images The report claimed that members of the Syrian security forces carried out mass arrests of those suspected to be working against the government and sexually assaulted both male and female detainees. The documented found that some women were gang-raped and males penetrated with objects such as batons and bottles. Story continues It also revealed that insurgents, including Al-Qaeda-affiliated Nusra Front successor Hayat Tahrir al-Sham and the Islamic State militant group (ISIS), had "caused severe physical and psychological harm to women, girls, and men, by imposing strict religious dress codes and, in the case of women and girls, prohibiting their free movement unless accompanied by a male relative." Most popular: Students Petition to Save Armed Teachers Job Who Injured Students When Handgun Accidentally Fired In Class The report blasted ISIS in particular, accusing the jihadis of "stoning of women and girls to death on charges of adultery, executing sexual minorities by throwing them off buildings, lashing those who violated its onerous dress code, and forced marriage" of Sunni Muslim women to ISIS fighters, often passing them on to other members after their husband was killed. "By severely depriving sexual minorities of their fundamental rights, ISILs atrocious policy of targeting them seriously contravened international law, and amounted to the crime against humanity of persecution," Commissioner Hanny Megally said in a statement, using an alternative acronym for ISIS. RTX2GLRS Rodi Said/Reuters Sexual violence also followed those who escaped the war, according to a separate U.N. report. In a report published in December, the U.N. Refugee Agency highlighted the plight of men and boys who had suffered sexual abuse in refugee camps and other places outside of Syria. The Syrian Democratic Forces, a mostly Kurdish alliance that replaced the largely Arab opposition as the U.S.'s leading Syrian ally in recent years, has also been accused of human rights abuses in the battle against ISIS. In March 2017, the Syrian Democratic Forces-affiliated Manbij Military Council announced it had arrested some of its own fighters after they were seen on video torturing an ISIS fighter trying to plant mines in villages near the area. This article was first written by Newsweek More from Newsweek Human Origins Program, Smithsonian Just 20 years ago, many archaeologists believed there was a human revolution 40,000-50,000 years ago during which modern behaviours such as symbolism, innovation and art suddenly arose. This was thought to have enabled a major shift in cognitive organisation and probably the advent of complex language. At the time, the earliest modern human fossils had been found in Africa and dated to some 100,000 years ago, leaving a gap between the emergence of anatomically modern humans and behaviourally modern humans. This gap in the development suggested that we only achieved modernity as our species migrated out of Africa and into the rest of the Old World. But this view is increasingly being challenged. Just weeks ago, we learned that Neanderthals could paint images. Now, three new papers, published in Science, show that technologically advanced behaviours occurred much earlier than we thought in the African stone age. Not all researchers supported the view that modernity arose outside of Africa. Writing at the turn of the millennium, archaeologists Sally McBrearty and Allison Brooks complained that this view was Eurocentric and brought about by a profound under-appreciation of the depth and complexity of the African archaeological record. They argued that components of the human revolution were to be found in the African Middle Stone Age some 280,000-50,000 years ago. The role of climate change Now, two decades later, Brooks and her colleagues have presented well-dated evidence from the Olorgesailie Basin in Kenya that places the evolution of some of these behaviours much further back in time. They highlight technological change at around 300,000 years ago that likely occurred in response to the effects of long-term, global environmental and climatic change. Human Origins Program, Smithsonian Around 800,000 years ago, the Olorgesailie Basin comprised a series of floodplains. Over the course of the next several hundred thousand years, the climate changed and the area developed into a vast arid grassland with massive turnover of prey mammal species as a consequence. Story continues This would have made life difficult for early humans in the region by making food sources unpredictable. Human populations needed to adapt or go extinct. The crux of these papers is that hominin populations did not disappear so at least some of them must have adapted technologically and culturally, with the environment driving greater mobility, information gathering and sharing, and innovation. Based on excavations at five sites dating from 320,000 years ago, the team found distinct differences in the forms of stone tools compared to older deposits in the area suggesting technological innovation had taken place. Older sites yielded large, bulky stone tools such as hand axes and cleavers. This technology is generally referred to as Acheulean (Early Stone Age). In contrast, these sites at Olorgesailie contained much smaller, standardised pieces such as points and blades, some modified in a manner that made hafting possible. The team therefore classified them as Middle Stone Age industries. Many of the tools were made on obsidian (a volcanic glass) rather than rock. Whats more, chemical testing indictated that these raw materials came from 25-50 km away, and some from further afield. Some of these tools were made at the site and not brought in as finished items. Obsidian wasnt the only exotic material they also discovered bright red ochre pigment displaying evidence of grinding and cut marks, which makes this among the oldest known pigments used to colour rocks in the archaeological record. Human Origins Program, Smithsonian Together, the glass and ochre mark the earliest evidence for long-distance transport of raw materials in the East African record. Gap in the evidence Across Africa, the Middle Stone Age is characterised by the absence or rarity of large cutting tools and the presence of prepared core technologies for making sophisticated points and blades. Crucially, the transition between the African Early and Middle Stone Age occurred around the time that our own species, Homo sapiens, was evolving across the continent. It might therefore be tempting to treat the appearance of the earliest Middle Stone Age technology as a cultural marker linked to the evolution and appearance of our own species a smoking gun for evidence of the modern human mind. But it is probably too soon to jump to that conclusion. Elsewhere across Africa, the association between Early and Middle Stone Age and pre- and fully-modern human fossils remains complex and confusing. Before 400,000 years ago, there are Early Stone Age sites which contain components such as blades and prepared cores. These are associated with archaic rather than modern human fossils such as at the Cave of Hearths. Conversely, we know that the production of Acheuelean large cutting tools by modern humans continued well into the period of the Middle Stone Age such as at the 160,000-year-old site of Herto. Lee Berger et al/eLife Journal What is genuinely exciting about the discoveries in the Olorgesailie Basin is that we now know that one or more hominin groups were doing seemingly modern things at this critical time period. New tool forms and exotic materials require an understanding of space and time bringing materials over great distances and passing on technological skills through successive generations. This suggests expanded social networks, transmission of information and technological innovation. Rethinking the revolution It does seem that the human revolution that made us modern never was archaeological evidence for modern behaviours arose much earlier, starting in groups that predated our own species. Every criterion that has historically been used to differentiate modern humans from archaic humans culture, art, treatment of the dead, ornamentation and abstract symbolism has much older examples. What remains to be understood, however, is the relationship between complex behaviours and hominin species from 500,000 years to 160,000 years ago when many species of hominins (not just modern humans) inhabited the African landscape. Gradual complex change is more difficult to interpret than revolution. This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article. The Conversation Patrick Randolph-Quinney has worked extensively on Middle Pleistocene sites in South Africa. He is a scientist on the Rising Star team and co-author on papers describing the taphonomy and geological context of Homo naledi. He has co-directed palaeo-archaeological excavations in the Makapansgat Valley and region, including the Cave of Hearths. Anthony Sinclair does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment. By Brad Brooks RIO DE JANEIRO (Reuters) - A popular Rio de Janeiro city councilwoman who was an outspoken critic of police killings of poor residents in shantytowns was gunned down in what police, prosecutors and even drug gang leaders said on Thursday looked like a political assassination. Marielle Franco, 38, a rising star in the Socialism and Liberty Party (PSOL), was killed along with her driver on Rio's dangerous north side around 9:30 p.m. Wednesday night. Her press secretary survived the shooting. Just weeks ago, the federal government decreed that Brazil's army would take over all security operations through the end of the year in Rio, where murders have risen sharply. Franco, part of a commission to oversee the military intervention, harshly criticized the move on Sunday, saying it could worsen police violence against residents. "It is far too soon to say, but we are obviously looking at this as a murder in response to her political work, that is a main theory," said a Rio de Janeiro public prosecutor, who spoke on condition that he not be named as he was not authorized to discuss the case. Rivaldo Barbosa, head of Rio's Civil Police, told reporters that "one of the possibilities in analysis is, yes, an execution." He did not speculate on who may have been responsible. An investigator with the city's police force went further, saying the prime motive appeared to be Franco's calling out police for allegedly killing innocents in their constant battles with drug gangs. Political violence is common in Brazil - but typically in smaller or more impoverished cities. In the months before the 2016 city council elections in Baixada Fluminense, a hardscrabble region the size of Denmark that surrounds Rio, at least 13 politicians or candidates were murdered before ballots were cast. MODEST ROOTS Franco, who was raised and lived in the Mare complex of slums, long one of Rio's more dangerous areas, received over 46,500 votes in the 2016 election. That total was only bested by four of 51 council members. Story continues On Sunday on her Facebook page, Franco decried what she alleged to be the police killing of two boys during a police raid in an area called Acari. "We must scream out so that all know what is happening in Acari right now. Rio's police are terrorizing and violating those who live in Acari," Franco wrote. "This week two youth were killed and tossed into a ditch. Today, the police were in the street threatening those who live there. This has been going on forever and will only be worse with a military intervention." Calls to the police unit assigned to the Acari area were not returned. In a Sunday statement to the O Dia newspaper, police said they carried out an operation in the area, were fired upon by drug traffickers, returned fire but had no knowledge of any deaths. Mare is a complex of slums where about 130,000 residents must contend with the presence of Rio's two most powerful gangs, the Red Command and the Pure Third Command. There are also militias often made up of off-duty or retired police and firefighters, who are as feared as the gangs. High-level members of both the Red Command and the Pure Third Command told Reuters their gangs had nothing to do with the killings. It was impossible to reach any militia members. Raul Jungmann, who heads the federal government's newly created Public Security Ministry, said at an event in Sao Paulo that Franco's killing was "another lamentable, daily tragedy that takes place in Rio de Janeiro." "We must understand extremely well the reasons behind this and go after those responsible," he said. "But this does not put at risk the federal intervention." Jungmann said federal investigators would be involved in the investigation and that he had put Brazil's federal police at the disposal of local investigators. Hundreds of mourners gathered outside Rio's city council building, where Franco's body briefly lay in state, while vigils and protests were planned in at least six other cities in Brazil. About 150 members of the PSOL party on Thursday entered Brazil's federal Congress carrying flowers and signs demanding justice. The United Nations office in Brazil and Amnesty International demanded a quick, transparent investigation into Franco's killing. (Additional reporting by Pedro Fonseca and Rodrigo Viga Gaier in Rio de Janeiro, Eduardo Simoes in Sao Paulo and Anthony Boadle in Brasilia; Editing by David Gregorio) Swansea, UK: March 08, 2018: Front view of a Toys R Us store with closing down signs in the window. The lyric I dont wanna grow up, Im a Toys R Us kid was burned into the pop culture lexicon for generations, but more recently, Toys R Us has faced a stark reality: Many of those former Toys R Us kids are all grown up now and the toy store is no longer the financial success it once was. Toys R Us effectively the last man standing in the major toy retail market announced Wednesday that it would be liquidating and closing or selling all 800 of its stores, multiple media outlets reported. This closure leaves a gaping hole in the retail landscape, but what does it mean for you? Click through to see retailers that have closed the most stores, and find out what Toys R Us closures mean for the U.S. Toys R Us Closures by the Numbers This is a profoundly sad day for us as well as the millions of kids and families who we have served for the past 70 years, Toys R Us CEO Dave Brandon said in a statement. I am very disappointed with the result, but we no longer have the financial support to continue the companys U.S. operations. GOBankingRates took a look at the Toys R Us closures by the numbers. See 20 companies that have quietly downsized. Over 800 Stores Will Get the Axe Toys R Us filed its official liquidation paperwork on Thursday morning, confirming its intent to sell or close its approximately 800 stores left in the U.S. Open for nearly seven decades, this final move closes the door on big-box, toy-centric retailers across the U.S. Across the pond, the axe came early for the Toys R Us brand: With news of financial instability imminent, the chains collapse led to the demise of 100 stores in the United Kingdom to abruptly shutter putting 3,000 people out of work, BBC. The chain had a global reach beyond the UK. The chain announced Thursday that it is pursuing a reorganization and a sale process for its businesses in Asia and Central Europe, including Germany, Austria and Switzerland. Its businesses in Australia, France, Poland, Portugal and Spain are considering their options, including a potential sale, CNBC reported. Story continues Also See: The Rise and Fall of Sears Canada Might Save the Day for 200 Stores You might not have to say goodbye to Geoffrey the Giraffe forever if Toys R Us can successfully see through its last-ditch effort. Higher-ups at the company have drafted a proposal that would keep the lights on at 200 U.S. stores, according to a report by CNBC. The plan, which has a potential to save nearly a quarter of the stores as well as the jobs that come with them, is contingent on Canada. The Toys R Us Canadian brand is still going strong and the company has no intention of liquidating the Canadian business. This plan would hinge on selling 200 of the most profitable U.S. stores to the Canadians, effectively moving management up to the Great White North. See: How Retailers Will Have to Adapt to Millennials Spending Habits in 2018 Not Just Toys Babies, Too The Toys R Us brand includes more than just the Toys R Us label it also encompasses the Babies R Us brand. In the past, the company also owned the clothing-centric Kids R Us brand, which it announced it was closing in 2003, as well as the FAO Schwarz brand, which it purchased in May of 2006. The Closures Mean Over 33,000 Jobs Lost With stores in all 50 states and Puerto Rico, the massive closures will lead to massive layoffs as well. At the announcement of the closures, Toys R Us CEO Dave Brandon announced employees would have 60 more days of employment leaving over 33,000 employees nationwide without a job after that period. The End Began Months Ago With 180 Stores The chain had already reportedly begun liquidating over 180 stores in early February in a last-ditch effort to restructure assets. The initial closures, which affected most states, were handpicked in an attempt to stop those locations from being cannibalized by other, pre-existing stores. In a report from analysts to the chain in December, 183 Toys R Us and Babies R Us stores in the U.S. had at least one other location within a 15-minute drive, so these initial closings were meant as an attempt to minimize saturation of those markets and help stop the bleeding. Over 32,000,000 Square Feet of Unoccupied Real Estate Space Once the closures come to pass, Toys R Us will be leaving a massive real estate footprint in its wake one which not many retailers are ready or able to adequately fill. With most stores clocking in at about 40,000 square feet some as large as 65,000 not many retailers currently in business are occupying that much space, so most former Toys R Us and Babies R Us storefronts are facing extensive remodeling to bring them down to size. Click through to see 20 giant retailers with the strongest stock in the past decade. This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: The Ripple Effect of Toys R Us Closure Will Affect 30,000 People and More Astana (Kazakhstan) (AFP) - Russia on Friday accused western powers of enabling terrorists in Syria, after meeting with Iran and Turkey for a new round of talks to try and broker an end to the conflict there. The Russian, Iranian and Turkish foreign ministers had met in the Kazakh capital of Astana, and the focus of their consultations was Eastern Ghouta, an opposition enclave just outside Damascus, which the regime of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad began pounding a month ago. The Astana meeting was to lay the ground for a summit involving the presidents of the three countries in Istanbul on April 4. Speaking after the talks, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov accused the West of shielding terrorists and even trying to "preserve their combat potential" Both Moscow and Tehran back Assad, but Ankara has called for an to the siege in Eastern Ghouta, in which nearly 1,260 civilians have been killed, a fifth of them children, since it began on February 18. UN chief Antonio Guterres has described the dire humanitarian situation in former rebel stronghold, which is facing stark shortages of food and other basic goods, as "hell on Earth". But Lavrov said the West's view of the crisis there was "one-sided" and accused "Western colleagues" of trying to protect the terrorists and even "preserve their fighting potential." Lavrov singled out Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), a group made up mostly of Al-Qaeda's ex-affiliate Al-Nusra Front which is present in Eastern Ghouta. He claimed the group was "playing a role in a scenario directed by Western directors." - 'Liquidate' the terrorists - In a resolution signed by Lavrov and his counterparts, Mohammad Javad Zarif of Iran and Mevlut Cavusoglu of Turkey -- and released by Kazakhstan's foreign ministry at the end of the talks -- the three countries vowed to "liquidate" the group and others associated with Al-Qaeda. Story continues Lavrov also called on the international community to supply the enclave "more actively." Eastern Ghouta was intended to be covered by a safe zones deal to reduce fighting. But the Syrian regime and Russia have used the presence there of extremist groups not party to government-rebel truce to justify the bombardment. More than 340,000 people have been killed since Syria's brutal civil war started in 2011, spiralling into a complex conflict involving multiple world powers. Forces loyal to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad are now believed to control over 70 percent of Eastern Ghouta, from which nearly 20,000 civilians fled on Thursday alone, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. Kazakhstan has hosted eight rounds of talks on Syria since January 2017 sponsored by Ankara, Moscow and Tehran, most of which featured delegations from the Syrian government and opposition. A deal for four "de-escalation zones" thrashed out in Astana last year was credited with reducing government-rebel hostilities but was branded a failure by the United States in the wake of the assault on Eastern Ghouta. Lavrov reprimanded the West for "attempting to undermine" the Astana talks, which have run in parallel to largely fruitless UN-led negotiations in Geneva and have been viewed as an attempt to circumvent Western diplomacy on Syria. Rebel-backer Turkey has called for an end to the siege of Eastern Ghouta but remains embroiled in its own offensive on the northern Syrian town of Afrin that is inhabited mostly by ethnic Kurds. Its a crisis between Russia and the U.K., two heavily-armed nuclear powers, over the first offensive use of a chemical weapon in Europe since World War II in a breach of both international law and the national sovereignty of a NATO member. But the U.K. Defense Secretary Gavin Williamson didn't appear to treat the tense situation with the gravity it deserves when he told Russia to go away and shut up during a press conference, earning him derision and criticism on social media. The Russians, not to be outdone, responded in kind. He is a nice young man," Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said about Williamson, reported state media. "He probably wants to get a place in history by making bold statements Maybe he lacks upbringing." Trending: More Children Have Been Killed by Guns Since Sandy Hook Than U.S. Soldiers in Combat Since 9/11 Nuclear test explosion Reuters Pictures Russia denies poisoning its former military intelligence colonel Sergei Skripal, 66, and his daughter Yulia, 33, in the centre of British city Salisbury. The Skripals are critically ill in hospital. They were poisoned with a Russian-developed nerve agent called Novichok. The U.K. and its closest allies, including the U.S., blame the Russian state for attempting to murder Skripal, who was convicted in 2006 in Russia of spying for the British, but released under a spy swap deal four years later. Skripal settled in the U.K. Don't miss: Who Was St Patrick? Meet Irelands Patron Saint While trolling isnt really in the U.Ks diplomatic arsenal, troll diplomacy is nothing new to the Russians. The Twitter account of the Russian embassy in London spends much of its time shitposting against the Kremlins critics with a mix of wild conspiracy theories, random stock photos, and terrible memes. Story continues Most recently, its been peddling the conspiracy theory that Britains intelligence service MI6 is really behind the Skripal assassination attempt. Most popular: Pacifier Recall: Choking Hazard Leads to More Than Half a Million Baby Products Recalled What a coincidence! Both Litvinenko and Skripal worked for MI6. Berezovsky and Perepilichny were linked to UK special services. Investigation details classified on grounds of national security, the embassy tweeted on March 10, six days after Skripal was poisoned. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. Its not clear if Williamson will respond to Lavrov, though rumor has it hes preparing to give the Russian a swirly at the next international summit. This article was first written by Newsweek More from Newsweek By Denis Pinchuk MOSCOW (Reuters) - Any move by Britain to cut its gas imports from Russia would be "politically motivated", the Russian energy minister said on Thursday, amid a worsening rift between Moscow and London over the poisoning of a former Russian double agent in England. Prime Minister Theresa May announced on Wednesday that Britain would kick out 23 Russian diplomats, the biggest such expulsion since the Cold War, over the poisoning of Sergei Skripal and his daughter with a nerve agent. May has squarely blamed Russia for the attack and also said Britain was looking to reduce its gas imports from the country. Moscow denies any involvement in the attack and has vowed to retaliate against the measures announced by London. "Every country has the right to choose its own energy policy... Any decision (by Britain to cut Russian gas imports would be) politically motivated and not aimed at developing competition on the European (gas) market," Alexander Novak told reporters. Gazprom, which holds a monopoly on Russia's gas pipeline exports, supplied a total of 16.3 billion cubic metres of gas to Britain last year, slightly less than a year earlier, but still accounting for a fifth of the country's total gas consumption. Gas exports to Britain represent only 10 percent of Gazprom's total exports to western Europe. Germany remains its biggest buyer in Europe, taking a third of overall Russian gas exports. Last year Novatek, Russia's largest private gas producer, started liquefied natural gas exports, which could be shipped to any point globally depending on cost. (Reporting by Denis Pinchuk; Writing by Katya Golubkova; Editing by Gareth Jones) United States government officials on Thursday accused Russian hackers of attacking key U.S. infrastructure across a wide range of industries, including aviation, nuclear and its electric grid. Related: Who Is Putins Chef? Yevgeny Prigozhin Sanctioned by Treasury Department for Russian Election Meddling While much attention has focused on allegations of Russias efforts to interfere with the 2016 presidential election and plans to do the same with this years midterms, the announcement was the first official announcement accusing Russia of attempting to destabilize the countrys basic services. Trending: Florida Bridge Latest: Everything We Know About Deadly Collapse at FIU Since at least March 2016, Russian government cyber actors...targeted government entities and multiple U.S. critical infrastructure sectors, including the energy, nuclear, commercial facilities, water, aviation, and critical manufacturing sectors," according to a joint alert issued by the Department of Homeland Security and the FBI. According to the alert, the hackers succeeded in gaining remote access to energy sector networks, including a nuclear plant. Energy Secretary Rick Perry, who was testifying in a House committee panel at the time of the alert, told lawmakers that cyber-attacks were literally happening thousands of times a day. He added that the warfare that goes on in the cyberspace is real, its serious, and we must lead the world. Don't miss: Is H.R. McMaster Next? White House Denies National Security Advisor To Be Ousted However, Perry cautioned that he was not confident the federal government had a strategy in place to adequately deal with the ongoing threats. rick perry Mark Wilson/Getty Images House Energy and Water Appropriations Subcommittee Chairman Mark Simpson also signaled that he was less than positive about the governments efforts. Story continues Most popular: Is Paddling Legal? Arkansas Students Paddled For Taking Part in National School Walkout Against Violence Im as worried about cybersecurity as I am nuclear," Simpson said. I think were attacking it department-wide, but Im not sure were attacking it government-wide. President Donald Trump has faced repeated criticism throughout his time in the White House for his response to Russias hacking efforts. Despite the findings of U.S. intelligence agencies and special counsel Robert Muellers investigation that Russia sought to influence the 2016 election, Trump has often cast doubt upon, or sought to downplay, Russia's role. Ive repeatedly asked President Trump to tackle this urgent task and have been met with deafening silence, Senator Maria Cantwell, the leading Democrat on the Energy and National Resources Committee, said following the alert. I hope todays belated response is the first step in a robust and aggressive strategy to protect our critical infrastructure. A report from researchers at the American cybersecurity firm Symantec last September warned that Russia could potentially have the ability to cause widespread blackouts across the U.S. This article was first written by Newsweek More from Newsweek Kiev (AFP) - Russians living in Ukraine will be unable to vote in Russia's presidential election because access to Moscow's diplomatic missions will be blocked, Kiev said Friday. "On Sunday, March 18, 2018, security arrangements for Russia's Ukraine-based diplomatic missions in Kiev, Kharkiv, Odessa and Lviv will not provide access to these facilities for Russian nationals voting in the election," Ukraine's interior minister Arsen Avakov said. The announcement came in retaliation for Russia's annexation of Crimea, which votes in a presidential election for the first time since it was taken over in 2014. "Ukraine's interior ministry states that conducting illegal elections on Ukraine's sovereign territory in violation of all norms of international law is unacceptable," Avakov said on Facebook. He also pointed to "Russia's aggressive hybrid war against Ukraine" and "the occupation of parts of Donetsk and Lugansk regions" in eastern Ukraine. Moscow's foreign ministry responded by criticising what it called Ukrainian "overt interference in the internal affairs of the Russian Federation." It accused Ukrainian authorities of displaying "righteous indignation" and "taking their revenge on ordinary Russian citizens." Sunday will mark four years since Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a treaty that declared Crimea part of Russia following its annexation from Ukraine, a move that led to the outbreak of a pro-Kremlin insurgency in the industrial east of the ex-Soviet country in April 2014. Putin, who has ruled Russia for 18 years, is polling at around 70 percent and is expected to extend his term to 2024 in Sunday's vote. Lets all hope President Donald Trumps next candidate for secretary of state isnt Ryan Zinke. Because as evidenced by a stupid blunder on Thursday, diplomacy isnt his strong suit. The incident centers around Zinkes tone-deaf reaction to Rep. Colleen Hanabusa (D-Hawaii), whose grandfathers were incarcerated by the U.S. government during World War II for their Japanese heritage. She said one of her grandfathers, a U.S. citizen, didnt speak about the painful experience until much later in life. Hanabusa shared the detail Thursday morning in a hearing with the interior secretary, seeking to persuade him to restore around $2 million in grant funds for organizations dedicated to preserving the memory of that ugly chapter in American history. I believe that it is essential that we as a nation recognize our darkest moments so that we dont have them repeat again, Hanabusa urged Zinke. My grandfather was born in Hawaii and is a citizen by birth, Hanabusa noted during the hearing. Despite being a U.S. citizen, however, he was imprisoned in an Oahu camp called Honouliuli though the prisoners there used a different name: jigokudani, or Hells Valley. After listening to her concerns, and for reasons that arent entirely clear, Zinke responded to the U.S. representative with a cheery and extremely tone-deaf Konnichiwa! The phrase which, lets remember, Hanabusas grandfather imprisoned on Oahu was a U.S. citizen means good afternoon or good day in Japanese. If youre wondering what sort of reaction it prompted from the audience, heres a perfectly good summary: (Photo: House Natural Resources Committee Democrats) A short yet painfully awkward silence followed, as indicated by the shocked woman in the above photo. Hanabusa broke the tension with a terse, I think its still ohayo gozaimasu [good morning], but thats OK. Several social media users, including many Asian-Americans, took to Twitter to express their disappointment over Zinkes handling of a sensitive topic. Some labeled his choice of greeting as racist: Story continues This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. Hanabusa had been inquiring specifically about the Japanese American Confinement Sites Grant Program, which Congress established to preserve sites where Japanese-Americans were detained during World War II, a time of rampant anti-Japanese sentiment. As the congresswoman mentioned, Trumps 2019 budget proposal, unveiled in February, would eliminate funding for the program a move widely criticized by Japanese-American activists. The JACS grant program is an important component of our countrys recognition of the egregious wrong that was done, and the need to remember and preserve that history so that it not be repeated, the Japanese American Citizens League wrote in a statement. Zinke did eventually answer Hanabusas question, telling her that hed look into the issue. Love HuffPost? Become a founding member of HuffPost Plus today. This article originally appeared on HuffPost. Just one day after Sarah Huckabee Sanders went through verbal hoops to avoid naming Russia as the party responsible for poisoning a former spy with a deadly nerve agent, the White House press secretary released a surprisingly stern message on Wednesday denouncing the nation. In the statement, Huckabee Sanders repeated her claim that the U.S. stood in solidarity with the U.K., but this time she said the Trump administration shares its allys conclusion that Russia is culpable for the poisoning of Sergei Skripal, 66, and his 33-year-old daughter, Yulia. Both remain critically ill. The message from Sanders read: The United States shares the United Kingdoms assessment that Russia is responsible for the reckless nerve agent attack on a British citizen and his daughter, and we support the United Kingdoms decision to expel Russian diplomats as a just response. This latest action by Russia fits into a pattern of behavior in which Russia disregards the international rules-based order, undermines the sovereignty and security of countries worldwide, and attempts to subvert and discredit Western democratic institutions and processes. The United States is working together with our allies and partners to ensure that this kind of abhorrent attack does not happen again. After U.K. Prime Minister Theresa May said investigators found it was highly likely Russia was behind the attack, the country expelled 23 Russian diplomats from the country. May said President Donald Trump, along with other U.K. allies, would cooperate closely to respond to the attack, according to Reuters. Though U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley and now Huckabee Sanders have come out and condemned Russia, Trump himself has yet to acknowledge the countrys responsibility in the attack. Love HuffPost? Become a founding member of HuffPost Plus today. This article originally appeared on HuffPost. Seth Meyers revealed an element of truth to one of President Donald Trumps lies on Thursdays broadcast of Late Night. Earlier this week, Trump openly admitted to outright lying to Canadas prime minister, Justin Trudeau, about the U.S.s trade relationship with Canada, said Meyers. I had no idea. I just said, Youre wrong. You know why? Because were so stupid, Trump said at a Missouri fundraising event on Wednesday. Trump later walked back his story, but Meyers concluded that in fairness, I lie because Im stupid is the truest thing Trump has ever said. Meyers also likened the White Houses high turnover of staff to that crappy restaurant you worked at in college. Youd like take two days off, and when you came back there were four trainees and a new manager and now theres moussaka on the menu and you thought, Oh, this place isnt going to make it, joked Meyers. Check out the full segment above. Related Cover Obama Photographer Taunts Trump Over Rex Tillerson Ousting Robert De Niro Again Tears Into 'Idiot' Donald Trump, And Vows Not To Stop Dan Rather Subtly Zings Donald Trump With Immanuel Kant Quote About Lies Also on HuffPost Love HuffPost? Become a founding member of HuffPost Plus today. This article originally appeared on HuffPost. A pedestrian bridge at Florida International University in Miami collapsed on Thursday afternoon, killing several people, Florida Highway Patrol officials told local NBC News affiliate WTVJ . Eight cars were trapped under the bridge, said Miami-Dade fire officials at a press conference. Eight victims have been transferred to the hospital, with "a lot of serious injuries," Miami-Dade police officials said. The 950-ton span fell at the university's main Miami-area campus after being installed on Saturday. A newly-installed pedestrian bridge at Florida International University in Miami collapsed on Thursday afternoon, killing several people, Florida Highway Patrol officials told local NBC News affiliate WTVJ . Eight cars were trapped under the bridge, said Miami-Dade fire officials at a press conference. Eight victims have been transferred to the hospital, with "a lot of serious injuries," Miami-Dade police officials said. Fire department and police department officials did not confirm any fatalities and said search and rescue efforts would continue with over 100 technicians on site. The 950-ton span fell at the university's main Miami-area campus after being installed on Saturday. @NBCNews: First responders attend to scene of pedestrian bridge collapse in south Florida. Florida International University released a statement, saying "w e are shocked and saddened about the tragic events unfolding at the FIU-Sweetwater pedestrian bridge. At this time we are still involved in rescue efforts and gathering information. We are working closely with authorities and first responders on the scene." The school is currently on spring break, so classes are not in session. The White House said President Donald Trump is aware of the bridge collapse and is monitoring the situation. Florida Gov. Rick Scott tweeted that he will be in "constant communication with law enforcement throughout the day." The U.S. Department of Transportation issued a statement, saying Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao has offered the "full assistance and support of the Department for both the immediate and long-term needs the community will have." Story continues Billed as an "instant bridge," the 30-foot-wide, 174-foot-long structure was lifted, rotated 90 degrees across an eight-lane thoroughfare and lowered into place by cranes on Saturday, according to an FIU press release . It was set to open in early 2019 to allow students on bike and foot to cross the busy roadway safely. It was also supposed to serve as a study and gathering space. The structure was built and designed by MCM Construction and FIGG Bridge Engineers. MCM Construction said on Twitter Thursday: "Our family's thoughts and prayers go out to everyone affected by this terrible tragedy." @WeAreMCM: Our family's thoughts and prayers go out to everyone affected by this terrible tragedy. The new UniversityCity Bridge, which was under construction, experienced a catastrophic collapse causing injuries and loss of life. @MoniqueOMadan: Service dogs are on the scene barking. Crew focusing on one vehicle. #fiubridge @MiamiHerald The bridge was built using Accelerated Bridge Construction methods, which reduce "potential risks to workers, commuters and pedestrians and minimizes traffic interruptions," the FIU press release said. "FIU is about building bridges and student safety. This project accomplishes our mission beautifully," said FIU President Mark B. Rosenberg in the release. "We are filled with pride and satisfaction at seeing this engineering feat come to life and connect our campus to the surrounding community where thousands of our students live." The $14.2 million bridge across Southwest 8th Street was partially funded by the Department of Transportation through a grant. @FIU: First-of-its-kind pedestrian bridge "swings" into place. "FIU is about building bridges and student safety. This project accomplishes our mission beautifully," -President Mark B. Rosenberg. @MoniqueOMadan: 8 cars are under the rubble. 8 people taken to hospital. If you need to be reunited with friends and family, call 305.348.3451. #fiubridge @MiamiHerald @FIU: We are shocked and saddened about the tragic events unfolding at the FIU-Sweetwater pedestrian bridge. At this time we are still involved in rescue efforts and gathering information. We are working closely with authorities and first responders on the scene. @FLGovScott: I have spoken with Miami-Dade County Police Chief Juan Perez about the pedestrian bridge collapse at FIU. I will be in constant communication with law enforcement throughout the day. This story is developing. Please check back for updates. More From CNBC Bratislava (AFP) - Tens of thousands of protesters took to the streets across Slovakia on Friday to call for snap elections, saying the premier's resignation was not enough to fix what they see as a corrupt government. The local Dennik N newspaper said about 50,000 people turned out in the capital Bratislava alone, where protesters carried signs with slogans like "Slovakia is going the wrong way" and "We want elections". Organisers of the "For a decent Slovakia" protest had announced there would be rallies in 34 cities at home and 25 cities abroad. The EU member has been in political crisis since last month's killing of an investigative journalist who had been probing alleged ties between top politicians and Italian mafia. Faced with street protests, threats to quit from a coalition partner and a no-confidence vote tabled by the opposition, Robert Fico resigned as prime minister on Thursday. But analysts believe he will continue to pull the strings from behind the scenes as the chairman of the governing Smer-SD party, whose deputy Peter Pellegrini was tapped to become the new prime minister. The country's three-party government coalition remains in place. It consists of the left-wing populist Smer-SD and two junior partners: the Most-Hid Hungarian minority party and the far-right Slovak National Party. Earlier on Friday, Pellegrini said he believes his government will "calm the situation in our country." "I can assure you that it will be a government that maintains its clear pro-European orientation," he added in a statement. But the leadership change was not enough for activist Filip Vagac in Bratislava. "A resignation no longer suffices. It has to be them (government politicians) leaving public life. Go away. Enough," Vagac said. "November '89 brought enormous changes. I believe that this situation will also start a process that will change Slovakia." Story continues He was referring to the 1989 Velvet Revolution that toppled Communism in the former Czechoslovakia and was the country's last anti-government protest of this size. The demonstrations come after journalist Jan Kuciak and his fiancee, both 27, were found shot dead at their home near Bratislava on February 25. Police said Kuciak's death was "most likely" related to his investigation into alleged ties between top Slovakia politicians and Italy's 'Ndrangheta mafia. The murder and Kuciak's article, which was published posthumously, raised fresh concern about media freedom and sparked anti-government sentiment in the EU member of 5.4 million people. By Marja Novak LJUBLJANA (Reuters) - Slovenia will likely hold an early national election in May, the president's office said on Thursday, after Prime Minister Miro Cerar resigned protesting about legal obstacles to a key development project. Cerar said he had also had enough of pressure from trade unions and what he described as obstruction from coalition partners when he said late on Wednesday he was stepping down. Slovenia was already due to hold elections in June. But President Borut Pahor had decided after meeting Cerar not to nominate an interim prime minister to lead the government until then, his office said. Pahor believed "it is better to call premature parliamentary election" in the last two weeks of May, his office added. That would be the country's third early vote in a row. The presidency said he would hold off formally calling the vote until he met parties and lawmakers next week. They also have the right to nominate an interim prime minister - though that was seen as highly unlikely so close to election day. Cerar resigned hours after the Supreme Court annulled the result of a September referendum that had approved a 1-billion-euro railway project which was the biggest investment project of his center-left government. He has also faced strikes by public sector workers demanding wage hikes, alongside squabbling in the governing coalition, made up of his Party of Modern Centre, the Social Democrats and the pensioners' party Desus. The Chamber of Commerce and Industry said earlier on Thursday that Cerar's resignation did not pose a significant risk to the economy, as the political system had already been gearing up for an election. The government's macroeconomic institute UMAR on Thursday increased its GDP forecast for 2018 to 5.1 percent from the 3.9 percent forecast in September, saying the economy would be boosted by exports and investments. The yield on Slovenia's 10-year benchmark bond fell to 1.197 percent by 1310 GMT (9.10 a.m. ET)on Thursday from 1.247 percent a day before, according to Reuters data, suggesting investors were keeping their nerve. (Reporting By Marja Novak; Editing by Hugh Lawson and Andrew Heavens) By Alexander Winning PRETORIA (Reuters) - Former South African president Jacob Zuma is to face corruption charges over a $2.5 billion arms deal, prosecutors said, as a years-old scandal returned to haunt him within weeks of his fall from power. It was a stunning judicial development on a continent where political "Big Men" rarely have to face their accusers in court. Zuma, who was forced to resign by his ruling African National Congress (ANC) last month, was at the center of a 1990s deal to buy European military kit that has cast a shadow over politics in South Africa for years. Chief state prosecutor Shaun Abrahams told a media conference on Friday that Zuma's attempts to head off the charges hanging over him for more than a decade had failed. The 75-year-old denied all the allegations against him, Abrahams added. "After consideration of the matter, I am of the view that there are reasonable prospects of successful prosecution of Mr Zuma on the charges listed in the indictment," Abrahams said. "I am of the view that a trial court would be the most appropriate forum for these issues to be ventilated and to be decided upon." Zuma will face 16 charges relating to 783 instances of alleged wrongdoing, National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesman Luvuyo Mfaku said. Twelve are of fraud, one of racketeering, two of corruption and one of money laundering. There was no immediate comment from Zuma and it was not immediately clear when the former leader might go to trial. Zuma was deputy president at the time of the arms deal. Schabir Shaikh, his former financial adviser, was found guilty and jailed in 2005 for trying to solicit bribes for Zuma from a French arms company. The 16 counts were filed against Zuma but then dropped by the NPA shortly before he successfully ran for president in 2009. Since his election nine years ago, his opponents have fought a lengthy legal battle to have the charges reinstated. Zuma countered with his own legal challenges. The ANC said it had confidence in the country's criminal justice system and the independence of the judiciary. "We continue to assert the inalienable right of all in our country, including Comrade Jacob Zuma, to be presumed innocent until and if proven guilty," the party said in a statement. "A VICTORY," SAYS OPPOSITION Mmusi Maimane, the official opposition leader and head of the Democratic Alliance party, said: "This is a victory for all who have fought for years for Jacob Zuma to face accountability for his crimes. That accountability starts now." Pierre de Vos, a law professor at the University of Cape Town, said Zuma could seek a court order to block the case against him by asking for "a permanent stay of prosecution so that the court decides whether he is capable of getting a fair trial. That could be done of course, that is a possibility". In 2016, Zuma said a four-year investigation he set up while president had found no evidence of widespread bribery, corruption or fraud in the selection of bidders to supply the arms. Nor had it found evidence that officials were bribed in an attempt to influence the deal. The former South African leader was beset by scandal during his tenure as president. He survived several motions of no-confidence in parliament and the Constitutional Court said he breached the law by ignoring an order to repay some of the $16 million in state funds spent on renovating his home. Zuma has since repaid some of the money, as ordered by the court. The former president has also been implicated by South Africa's anti-corruption watchdog in a 2016 report that alleges the Gupta family, billionaire friends of Zuma, used links with him to win state contracts. An inquiry on the influence-peddling allegations is due to start soon. The Guptas and Zuma have denied any wrongdoing. (Additional reporting and writing by James Macharia; editing by Andrew Roche) PRETORIA (Reuters) - Former South African President Jacob Zuma will be prosecuted for corruption relating to a 30 billion rand ($2.5 billion) arms deal in the late 1990s, chief state prosecutor Shaun Abrahams said on Friday. "After consideration of the matter, I am of the view that there are reasonable prospects of successful prosecution of Mr Zuma on the charges listed in the indictment," Abrahams said. Zuma disputes all the allegations against him, he added. ($1 = 11.9350 rand) (Reporting by Alexander Winning; Writing by James Macharia; Editing by Ed Cropley) By Christine Kim and Steve Holland SEOUL/WASHINGTON (Reuters) - South Korea said on Friday it was seeking high-level talks this month with North Korea to prepare for a summit and that South Korean President Moon Jae-in may meet Donald Trump before the U.S. president's planned meeting with the North Korean leader. Amid a flurry of diplomacy from Asia to Europe to Washington, Trump reaffirmed his plan to meet with North Korea's Kim Jong Un by the end of May during a phone call on Friday with Moon and both voiced "cautious optimism" about efforts to resolve the crisis over North Korea's nuclear weapons. A White House statement said Trump and Moon discussed preparations for their upcoming engagements with Pyongyang and agreed that "concrete actions," not words, were the key to denuclearization of the Korean peninsula. They "emphasized that a brighter future is available for North Korea, if it chooses the correct path," it said. Earlier, Moon's chief of staff, Im Jong-seok, said proposed North-South talks in late March would cover key agenda topics and other details of the pending summit between Moon and Kim. If North Korea agrees to the talks, they would offer an opportunity for Pyongyang to break its silence on what Seoul says is Kim's desire to meet Trump and Moon and his willingness to freeze his country's nuclear and missile programs. "We've decided to narrow down the agenda topics to denuclearising the Korean peninsula, securing permanent peace to ease military tension and new, bold ways to take inter-Korean relations forward," Im, the head of South Korea's summit preparation team, told reporters. Im said Moon may meet Trump after an inter-Korean summit but before Trump's planned summit with Kim in May. South Korea's Yonhap news agency said Moon pledged in the call with Trump to cooperate closely with Washington on summit diplomacy. Trump asked South Korean officials to show flexibility in trade negotiations with the United States in the call, the South Korean presidency said. Even amid North Korea tensions, Trump has repeatedly denounced a U.S. free trade deal with ally South Korea as "unfair" and threatened many times to scrap it. Senior South Korean officials met Kim Jong Un in Pyongyang this month and told Washington the North Korean leader was open to giving up his nuclear weapons if North Korea's security was guaranteed. Trump responded with a surprise announcement that he was willing to meet Kim in a bid to resolve the crisis over North Korea's development of nuclear missiles capable of hitting the United States. TALKS IN SWEDEN North Korea's state media has yet to comment on the content of Kim's meeting with the South Koreans, but North Korean Foreign Minister Ri Yong Ho arrived in Sweden this week for talks with his Swedish counterpart Margot Wallstrom, prompting speculation he could lay the groundwork for a Trump-Kim summit. Wallstrom's press secretary Pezhman Fivrin said the talks, which had been due to end late on Friday, would continue on Saturday. He declined to give further information. Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Lofven told a joint news conference with German Chancellor Angela Merkel in Berlin on Friday that Sweden, whose embassy represents U.S. interests in Pyongyang, was ready to act as a facilitator to help resolve tensions. South Korea's Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha was in Washington on Friday for talks on North Korea and trade, as was Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Kono, who met U.S. Deputy Secretary of State John Sullivan in the morning. The U.S. State Department said the two sides called the announcement of a meeting between Trump and Kim a "historic opportunity," while stressing that the U.S.-led campaign to press North Korea to give up its nuclear weapons through sanctions must continue until Pyongyang "takes credible, verifiable, and concrete steps toward denuclearization." Kang held talks later on Friday with Sullivan, who is standing in after Trump fired Rex Tillerson as U.S. secretary of state this week. It was not known whether the two Asian ministers would meet CIA Director Mike Pompeo, who Trump has tapped to replace Tillerson. Kang told PBS NewsHour she was "cautiously optimistic" denuclearization talks would happen between the United States and North Korea and that these would lead to "a breakthrough for a peaceful resolution of the North Korean nuclear issue." She stressed though that full denuclearization would "take a long while because the (North Korean nuclear) program is very advanced." The Japanese and South Korean ministers were expected to meet in Washington on Saturday. In a phone call with South Korean President Moon on Friday, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe expressed a wish for talks with North Korea following Pyongyang's planned summits with South Korea and the United States, South Korea's presidential spokesman, Kim Eui-kyeom said. On Thursday, the head of the U.S. Pacific Command, Admiral Harry Harris, cautioned the United States could not be overly optimistic about the outcome of any summit between Trump and Kim and must go into it with "eyes wide open". A report on Friday by intelligence analysts at Jane's by IHS Markit said satellite imagery from Feb. 25 showed gas emissions at the North's experimental light water reactor, suggesting preliminary testing had likely begun. The reactor could be used to produce weapons-grade plutonium, but North Korea is believed to already have enough fissile material for multiple nuclear bombs, according to Joshua Pollack, a senior research associate at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey. An official at South Korea's defence ministry said authorities were aware of the Jane's report, which follows a similar one on the 38 North website this month that said a nearby reactor had also continued to show signs of operation. The U.S. State Department declined to comment on the Jane's report, calling it an intelligence issue. (Reporting by Christine Kim and Josh Smith in Seoul, Lesley Wroughton, David Brunnstrom and Steve Holland in Washington and Simon Johnson in Stockholm; Writing by David Brunnstrom; Editing by Mary Milliken and James Dalgleish) SEOUL (Reuters) - South Korea will make a request to hold high-level talks with North Korea over a planned summit meeting of their leaders, the chief of staff of South Korean President Moon Jae-in said on Friday. The preparation committee will ask for the talks to be held some time in late March, Im Jong-seok told a media briefing, where officials of the two sides will discuss key agenda topics. Im added that he could not rule out the possibility that Moon may meet U.S. President Donald Trump after the inter-Korean summit but before Trump's planned summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in May. (Reporting by Christine Kim and Ju-min Park; Editing by Clarence Fernandez) Sydney (AFP) - A species of spotted marsupial devastated by foxes has been returned to the wild in mainland Australia for the first time in almost 50 years in a rare and landmark conservation success story. The eastern quoll -- a furry carnivore about the size of a domestic cat -- disappeared from the mainland in the 1960s but clung on in the island state of Tasmania. They have now been re-introduced to their native environment on the country's east coast after a 15-year project to bring feral predators in one area under control. Twenty of the cute critters were released into the Booderee National Park, south of Sydney, this week. "This is the first time in Australia that a carnivore extinct on the mainland has been re-introduced to the wild," WWF-Australia's head of living ecosystems Darren Grover said Thursday. "Most of the carnivores lost from the mainland are gone forever, its not possible to bring them back, so this is a rare opportunity. "For thousands of years eastern quolls played a part in the ecosystem as primarily insect-eaters. It will be fascinating to see what happens when they return to that role at Booderee." Australian National University researcher Natasha Robinson said the quolls, which tend to live alone, had been fitted with GPS collars so their progress could be closely monitored. "Over the next three months the eastern quolls will be intensively monitored via GPS tracking and then regularly monitored over three years," she said. "Foxes, both outside and entering the park will also be monitored and managed with the aim of ensuring fox incursion to the park is very limited. "This will help us understand how resilient the eastern quolls can be to very low densities of feral predators in the landscape." Large numbers of eastern quolls were killed in the early 1900s by a mysterious epidemic, and their population was then devastated as foxes spread across south-eastern Australia. They were last regularly seen in the 1960s in the Sydney region. By Shihar Aneez and Ranga Sirilal COLOMBO (Reuters) - Sri Lankan officials said on Thursday they had lifted a ban on Facebook after discussions with the social network, a week after blocking access on the grounds it was being used to fuel communal violence. At least two people were killed in clashes last week when Sinhalese Buddhists, angered by the killing of a Buddhist driver by Muslims, attacked mosques and Muslim-owned properties in the central Kandy district. Some of the violence was instigated by threatening posts on Facebook, according to the government, which cut access to Facebook, Viber and WhatsApp on March 7. It initially said the ban would last for three days but extended the block without informing the public, users said. "On my instructions, my secretary has discussed with officials of Facebook, who have agreed that its platform will not be used for spreading hate speech and inciting violence," President Maithripala Sirisena said on his Twitter feed. He said he had instructed the telecommunication regulator to remove the temporary ban with immediate effect. Government officials have said Facebook's action against those who spread hate speech had been too slow. "Facebook officials agreed to speed up the response time," telecommunication minister Harin Fernando, who participated in the discussion with Facebook officials, told Reuters. "We have discussed how we can create new windows to make sure easy removal of these hate speech items," he said without elaborating. Facebook Inc said in a statement to Reuters its officials met Sri Lankan government officials to outline the company's community standards and commitment to removing hate speech and incitement to violence from its platform. "We have clear rules against such content, and will remove it when we're made aware of it. We are glad access to our services, and important connections for people and businesses, have been restored," the statement said. The government lifted the ban on Viber and WhatsApp earlier this week. Communal tensions have grown over the past year, with some hardline Buddhist groups accusing Muslims of forcing people to convert to Islam and vandalizing Buddhist archaeological sites. Muslim groups deny the allegations. Fernando said on Tuesday the government could not control hate speech and fake messages on Facebook by "extreme" Buddhists and Muslims and it had become a menace to national security. Police are investigating whether 10 suspected ringleaders of the wave of attacks on Muslims had outside funding or foreign help. Sri Lanka's Muslims make up about 9 percent of its 21 million people and mostly live in the east and center of the island. Buddhist Sinhalese account for about 70 percent and ethnic Tamils, most of whom are Hindus, about 13 percent. (Reporting by Shihar Aneez; Editing by Andrew Roche and Paul Tait) STOCKHOLM (Reuters) - Talks between Sweden and North Korea in Stockholm will continue on Saturday after initially being due to end late on Friday, a source with knowledge of the situation said. Sweden has said it is ready to act as a facilitator to help resolve tensions on the Korean peninsula. "Talks will continue tomorrow," the source said. North Korea's Foreign Minister Ri Yong Ho arrived in the Swedish capital on Thursday for talks with Swedish counterpart Margot Wallstrom. The rare visit prompted speculation the two diplomats could lay the groundwork for a possible meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. (Reporting by Stockholm Newsroom, Editing by William Maclean) STOCKHOLM (Reuters) - Sweden is happy to help resolve tensions on the Korean peninsula but it is up to the parties involved to try to find a way forward, Foreign Minister Margot Wallstrom said on Friday. She was speaking a day after North Korea's foreign minister Ri Yong Ho landed in Sweden for talks, prompting speculation the visit could lay the groundwork for a meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. "We believe in dialogue and in a political process," Wallstrom told reporters. "We are hoping that if we can use our role and also our contacts, then we will put them to the best use." Sweden is among a number of countries touted as a possible venue for what would be a historic meeting between Trump and Kim, who have engaged in bellicose mudslinging over North Korea's nuclear ambitions. It is one of the few western states with a diplomatic channel to the North Korean leadership and may be able to smooth out obstacles in the path of a summit meeting. Sweden acts as diplomatic representative in North Korea for the United States, which has no embassy there, and has helped with the release of U.S. citizens held by the reclusive state. At a news conference in Washington last week, Trump thanked Swedish prime minister Stefan Lofven for helping American detainees in North Korea and particularly in securing the release of U.S. student Otto Warmbier last year. Swedish public broadcaster SVT reported, without citing sources, that Ri planned to stay in Sweden until Sunday. A source familiar with the matter declined to comment but told Reuters the bilateral talks would end on Friday. (Reporting by Johan Ahlander and Johan Sennero; Editing by Andrew Roche) Beirut (AFP) - The rebel groups left in Syria's Eastern Ghouta said on Friday they would be willing to negotiate with regime backer Russia on a ceasefire for their one-time stronghold outside Damascus. In a joint statement, Islamist factions Jaish al-Islam, Faylaq al-Rahman, and Ahrar al-Sham said the United Nations should host such talks in Geneva. "We are totally ready to hold direct negotiations in Geneva with Russia, sponsored by the United Nations," the statement said. Such talks would aim to implement UN Security Council resolution 2401, in which world powers last month demanded a 30-day ceasefire. Syrian government troops have been pressing a ferocious air and ground assault on Ghouta since February 18 that has seen them retake 70% of the former rebel bastion. Regime forces have broken up the remaining territory into three pockets, each one held by a separate rebel group. Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, a jihadist group made mostly of ex-members of a former Al-Qaeda affiliate, also has a presence in Eastern Ghouta but is not a signatory to the statement. Jaish al-Islam, Faylaq al-Rahman, and Ahrar al-Sham said their statement on Friday was in response to comments by the UN's envoy for Syria, Staffan de Mistura. De Mistura had hours earlier briefed the UN Security Council on one negotiations track his team was already facilitating between Jaish al-Islam and Russia. Those talks had already resulted in six days of calm for Ghouta's largest town of Douma, he said. "We hope it will continue, notwithstanding engagements between government forces and Jaish al-Islam in other areas, outside of Douma," he said, however warning that even in Douma, the truce is "fragile." "It need not be this way. Negotiations in Douma do show that there is a way to create the conditions that can advance the implementation of your resolution 2401," he told the council. By Brad Brooks RIO DE JANEIRO (Reuters) - Thousands took to the streets of Brazil's largest cities on Thursday night to protest the execution-style murder of a popular Rio de Janeiro city councilwoman, an outspoken critic of police killings of poor residents. Investigators, prosecutors and even drug gang leaders said the shooting of Marielle Franco, 38, a rising star in the Socialism and Liberty Party (PSOL), appeared to be a political assassination. Franco, an activist for human rights and women's causes, was killed along with her driver on Rio's dangerous north side around 9:30 p.m. Wednesday night. Her press secretary, who was traveling in the same vehicle, suffered minor injuries but was not shot. Just weeks ago, the federal government decreed that Brazil's army would take over all security operations through the end of the year in Rio, where murders have risen sharply. Franco, part of a commission to oversee the military intervention, harshly criticized the move on Sunday, saying it could worsen police violence against residents. "It is far too soon to say, but we are obviously looking at this as a murder in response to her political work, that is a main theory," said a Rio de Janeiro public prosecutor, who spoke on condition that he not be named as he was not authorized to discuss the case. Rivaldo Barbosa, head of Rio's Civil Police, told reporters, "One of the possibilities in analysis is, yes, an execution." He did not speculate on who may have been responsible. An investigator with the city's police force went further, saying the prime motive appeared to be Franco's calling out police for allegedly killing innocents in their constant battles with drug gangs. Political violence is common in Brazil - but typically in smaller or more impoverished cities. In the months before the 2016 city council elections in Baixada Fluminense, a hardscrabble region the size of Denmark that surrounds Rio, at least 13 politicians or candidates were murdered before ballots were cast. As night fell on Thursday, crowds gathered in Rio, Sao Paulo and several other cities, with protesters holding aloft banners calling for justice and an end to Brazil's endemic violence. "The path of her own fight is what gives us the strength to carry on," said Danielle Ramos, 26, who was attending a rally in Rio de Janeiro in front of the city council building, along with thousands of others. "The best way to honor Marielle is to dedicate every second of our days to the fight that she was a part of," said Ramos, part of the Olga Benario Womens' Movement, which battles against violence. "WE MUST SCREAM OUT" Franco, who was raised in the Mare complex of slums, long one of Rio's more dangerous areas, received over 46,500 votes in the 2016 election. That total was bested by only four of 51 council members. On Sunday on her Facebook page, Franco decried what she alleged to be the police killing of two boys during a police raid in an area called Acari. "We must scream out so that all know what is happening in Acari right now. Rio's police are terrorizing and violating those who live in Acari," Franco wrote. "This week two youth were killed and tossed into a ditch. Today, the police were in the street threatening those who live there. This has been going on forever and will only be worse with a military intervention." Calls to the police unit assigned to the Acari area were not returned. In a Sunday statement to the O Dia newspaper, police said they carried out an operation in the area, were fired upon by drug traffickers and returned fire, but had no knowledge of any deaths. Mare's roughly 130,000 residents must contend with the presence of Rio's two most powerful gangs, the Red Command and the Pure Third Command. There are also militias often made up of off-duty or retired police and firefighters who are as feared as the gangs. High-level members of both the Red Command and the Pure Third Command told Reuters their gangs had nothing to do with the killings. It was impossible to reach any militia members. Raul Jungmann, who heads the federal government's newly created Public Security Ministry, said at an event in Sao Paulo that Franco's killing was "another lamentable, daily tragedy that takes place in Rio de Janeiro." "We must understand extremely well the reasons behind this and go after those responsible," he said. "But this does not put at risk the federal intervention." Jungmann said federal investigators would be involved in the investigation and that he had put Brazil's federal police at the disposal of local investigators. Hundreds of mourners gathered outside Rio's city council building, where Franco's body briefly lay in state, while vigils and protests were planned in at least six other cities in Brazil. About 150 members of the PSOL party on Thursday entered Brazil's federal Congress carrying flowers and signs demanding justice. The United Nations office in Brazil and Amnesty International demanded a quick, transparent investigation into Franco's killing. (Additional reporting by Pedro Fonseca and Rodrigo Viga Gaier in Rio de Janeiro, Eduardo Simoes in Sao Paulo and Anthony Boadle in Brasilia; Editing by David Gregorio and Leslie Adler) President Donald Trump on Wednesday finally admitted that sometimes he just has no idea what hes talking about. In audio recordings obtained by The Washington Post, Trump told a crowd at a Missouri fundraising event about a trade meeting he recently had with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Nice guy, good-looking guy, comes in Donald, we have no trade deficit. Hes very proud because everybody else, you know, were getting killed, Trump said, according to the Post. So, hes proud. I said, Wrong, Justin, you do. I didnt even know. ... I had no idea. I just said, Youre wrong. You know why? Because were so stupid. And I thought they were smart. I said, Youre wrong, Justin. He said, Nope, we have no trade deficit. I said, Well, in that case, I feel differently, I said, But I dont believe it. I sent one of our guys out, his guy, my guy, they went out, I said, Check, because I cant believe it. Trump told his audience that he eventually admitted he was wrong, but he walked back the entire story in a tweet on Thursday. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. According to the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, the U.S. actually has a trade surplus with Canada, though the truth is a bit more complicated. There are multiple methodologies for calculating trade figures, and by some estimates the U.S. does run a deficit. Canadas own data even shows it comes out ahead. But as Bloomberg notes, Whichever data is used, the deficit (or surplus) is still relatively small compared to total trade between the two countries between 1 and 2 percent. And trade deficits arent even necessarily a bad thing. This is hardly the first time Trump has been criticized for misinformation. While he often cites incorrect or misleading information with unflinching confidence, Wednesdays comments add confusion to already complicated trade talks. Trump, who has long complained about trade imbalances, recently decided to impose tariffs on steel and aluminum imports. Canada and Mexico were exempted from the tariffs, with the caveat that the ongoing talks on renegotiating the North American Free Trade Agreement result in a deal that satisfies Trump. Trumps admission of cluelessness could make it harder for NAFTA negotiators to take him at his word. Story continues Then again, it might not come as much of a surprise. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. (Photo: POOL New / Reuters) Love HuffPost? Become a founding member of HuffPost Plus today. This article originally appeared on HuffPost. The Trump administration on Thursday slapped financial sanctions on a group of two dozen Russian government officials and entities. But most of them were already under U.S. sanctions or were previously named in an indictment by special counsel Robert Mueller, making many lawmakers and experts question what impact the new measures might have. The designations announced Thursday come as part of a long-delayed effort by the Trump administration to implement some of the sanctions mandated in a bill passed overwhelmingly by Congress last summer. The delay in implementing the sanctions has drawn intense criticism on Capitol Hill. The sanctions could suggest a slight hardening of the administrations stance toward Russia, coming the same day that President Donald Trump for the first time appeared to acknowledge Russias role in the nerve-agent attack on a former Russian agent in Britain and hours after a sharply worded White House statement criticized Russian destabilization efforts. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said in a statement he expects to implement additional sanctions under the legislation informed by our intelligence community and to hold Russian government officials and oligarchs accountable for their destabilizing activities. He did not offer a timeline for when those additional sanctions would be imposed. Its great that the administration has finally decided to begin implementing the law. But if this is it, its very weak. We are still waiting for the administration to unveil sanctions directed at Russian oligarchs, and its energy and defense sectors, says Max Bergmann, a former State Department official now at the left-leaning Center for American Progress. Thursdays sanctions target two groups. The first is a collection of 15 individuals who worked for the Internet Research Agency, the Russian troll farm that Mueller indicted last month for carrying out a social media campaign to divide the American public ahead of the 2016 elections. The second group includes Russias two main intelligence agencies and six officials employed by the GRU, the Russian military intelligence arm. Story continues In a statement, the Treasury Department said the sanctions come in response to Russian election meddling, attacks on U.S. critical infrastructure, and the NotPetya cyberattack, a destructive computer virus judged to have the most destructive and costly cyber-attack in history. Lawmakers and experts alike met the Trump administrations belated announcement of sanctions with a mix of appreciation and wonder why it has taken so long. Sen. Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), the ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, called the measures a long overdue response to Russian government interference in the 2016 election. But more is needed, he suggested: The Russian government continues to aggressively attack democratic institutions and incite destabilizing behavior; its brazen chemical weapons strike on British soil is the latest example of what will happen if there are no serious consequences for the Kremlins actions. The sanctions today are a grievous disappointment and fall far short of what is needed to respond to that attack on our democracy let alone deter Russias escalating aggression, Rep. Adam Schiff, a California Democrat who is the ranking member on the House Intelligence Committee, said in a statement. If President Trump believes that todays action sufficiently addresses the sanctions package Congress sent to respond forcefully to Moscows election interference, then he is sorely mistaken. Thursdays sanctions include a group of six Russian intelligence officials, only two of whom were not previously sanctioned. The Treasury Department described the two, Sergei Afanasyev and Grigoriy Molchanov, as acting for or on behalf of the GRU, and that they have recently served as senior officials in the Russian military intelligence agency. The Treasury Department also said that by redesignating the Federal Security Service (FSB) and the GRU under the congressional legislation, it will give the department greater ability to levy further sanctions on them. The immediate practical impact of these sanctions is probably going to be limited because many of the people and entities designated today, like the FSB and GRU, were already subject to U.S. sanctions, says Peter Harrell, former U.S. Treasury Department official and now senior fellow at the Center for a New American Security. I think the question is whether, in those next rounds of designations, the Trump administration follows through and does sanction prominent Russian oligarchs and other Russians who actually have money in the U.S., or whether they mostly focus on less economic important figures, he added. The legislation, the Countering Americas Adversaries Through Sanctions Act, mandates that the Trump administration name the individuals in Russian President Vladimir Putins inner circle. It mandated the drafting of an oligarchs list that could form the basis for future sanctions efforts. The unclassified version of the list appeared to be copied from the Kremlin website and Russian Forbes. Treasury officials hinted this month that some of those oligarchs would be hit with sanctions, yet nobody has been sanctioned as yet from the classified Kremlin list, says Anders Aslund, resident senior fellow at the Atlantic Councils Eurasia Center. Minneapolis police said a student carrying a flag containing the word "Trump" was assaulted Wednesday outside of a high school as students held a moment of silence during a National School Walkout Day protest. The altercation took place as hundreds of students gathered outside Southwest High School in Minneapolis, Minnesota, WCCO-TV first reported. Two students confronted the Trump flag-bearing student across from the high school campus on West 47th street. At least six additional students were involved in the physical altercation. Trending: Gaza Is Not a Humanitarian Disaster, It Is A Crisis Of Human Consciousness That Demands Your Attention Police said the six students took the Trump flag, damaged the other student's camera and inflicted minor injuries during the brief altercation. No arrests were made in the incident and a school resource officer who intervened is investigating the attack, police said. Thousands of students across the country walked out of their respective schools for 17 minutes on Wednesday to commemorate the 17 people killed during the February 14 Marjory Stoneman Douglas high school shooting. Although the National School Walkout Day protests were largely peaceful, altercations did occur in Nashville, Tennessee and New Prague, Minnesota. The New Prague incident involved a student carrying a poster board reading, "Guns don't kill people, people kill people." The student was reportedly escorted from school property by the principal. Don't miss: High School Locked Down Due to Threat Just Before Gun Violence Walkout, Prevents Student Protest Screen Shot 2018-03-15 at 11 Screenshot: Ryan Saavedra Twitter During the National School Walkout, a student at New Prague High School in Minnesota held a sign that said: guns dont kill people, people kill people. A student at the school said, "he was escorted off the property by our principal & threatened to be put into a police car." pic.twitter.com/1V6eaL0eRi Ryan Saavedra __ (@RealSaavedra) March 15, 2018 Story continues The nationwide rallies intend to put pressure on lawmakers to establish more stringent gun laws to prevent mass school shootings across the country. This article was first written by Newsweek More from Newsweek (WASHINGTON) President Donald Trumps company said Thursday that it has been turning over documents for months in response to requests from federal investigators looking into Russian election interference and possible coordination with Trump associates. An attorney for The Trump Organization said in a statement to The Associated Press that the company has been fully cooperative with special counsel Robert Muellers investigation since July 2017. The company has been in routine contact with the prosecutors, turning over documents and regularly discussing the scope of requests. This is old news and our assistance and cooperation with the various investigations remains the same today, said Alan Futerfas, who represents the company. Muellers interest in extracting information from Trumps private company has put a new spotlight on comments he made in an interview with The New York Times last year. Asked if Mueller would be crossing a red line by looking into the presidents finances and those of his family unrelated to Russia, Trump said he thought that would be a violation of Muellers authority. Trump would not say whether he would fire Mueller if he did look into his finances. Asked Thursday about the presidents previous comments, White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders referred questions to the Trump Organization. Were going to continue to fully cooperative out of respect for the special counsel, Sanders said. Mueller has had similar negotiations over records, including some that involve subpoenas, with dozens of attorneys, companies and people involved in the investigation. Attorneys and witnesses involved in various parts of the investigation have described weekly and even daily phone calls with Muellers prosecutors when they want specific information. In addition to the companys record production, the White House and the Trump campaign combined have provided more than a million pages of documents to Muellers investigators. The Trump Organization is an umbrella entity that encompasses hundreds of companies owned by the president through a trust. The Trump Store, run by the family of President Donald Trump, tried to troll late-night host Jimmy Kimmel on social media on Thursday. It didnt go as they had hoped. On Jimmy Kimmel Live earlier this week, Kimmel bought and mocked a bunch of Trump Store merchandise, pretty much all of which was made overseas despite the presidents Buy American slogan. Kimmel also said he planned to file a complaint about two of his purchases, which didnt list a country of origin, an omission that could lead to fines if the products were made overseas. The store took to Twitter to retaliate against Kimmels segment: This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. Kimmel fired back: This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. He wasnt the only one who thought the Trump Stores tweet rang hollow: This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. Related... Jimmy Kimmel Pleads With Senator To Put Trumpcare To Kind 'Kimmel Test' Kimmel's Plea for Childrens Healthcare Jimmy Kimmel Could Cost Trump Sons Bigly Also on HuffPost Love HuffPost? Become a founding member of HuffPost Plus today. President Donald Trump delivers remarks at the beginning of a meeting with his son-in-law and senior adviser, Jared Kushner, and government cybersecurity experts at the White House on Jan. 31, 2017. Citing the hack of computers at the Democratic National Committee by Russia, Trump said that the private and public sectors must do more to prevent and protect against cyberattacks. This article originally appeared on HuffPost. ANKARA (Reuters) - Turkey on Friday denied as "baseless allegations" a Swiss media report that Turkish diplomats tried to abduct a Swiss-Turkish businessman allegedly linked to the 2016 failed coup in Turkey, a case now under investigation by Zurich prosecutors. Swiss daily Tages-Anzeiger said one of the two diplomats linked to the alleged plot to snatch the Swiss-based businessman - who was active in the Gulenist movement that Ankara blames for the coup bid - remains in office in Bern. It said the second diplomat had since returned to Turkey. "We utterly deny the baseless allegations contained in an article regarding the attempted abduction of a Swiss business person ... that also point to our embassy and our personnel as a target," Turkish Foreign Ministry spokesman Hami Aksoy said. Earlier on Friday, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu lashed out at a journalist during a news conference in Kazakhstan for asking a question related to the matter. In the wake of the Tages-Anzeiger report, Swiss prosecutors confirmed a criminal investigation into the alleged plot had been under way since March 2017. The Office of the Attorney General (OAG) said it had asked the Swiss Foreign Ministry to clarify whether the suspects enjoyed diplomatic immunity now or at the time of the alleged crime. Waiving any immunity was necessary to carry out further investigations, it added. The OAG said a year ago that it had begun a criminal inquiry into possible foreign spying on Switzerland's Turkish community. Swiss intelligence got wind of the 2016 kidnapping plot while it was being hatched, Tages-Anzeiger reported, adding that the intended victim remains under police protection. The Turkish government blames U.S.-based cleric Fethullah Gulen for the failed military coup. Gulen has denied any role in it. (Writing by Ece Toksabay; Editing by Daren Butler and Mark Heinrich) ANKARA (Reuters) - Turkey slammed a motion approved by the European Parliament on Thursday that calls for a halt to Ankara's military offensive in northern Syria's Afrin region, saying it demonstrated "clear support" for militants. The non-binding motion also urges Turkey to remove its troops from Afrin, where Ankara is targeting the Syrian Kurdish YPG militia in an offensive launched nearly two months ago. The Parliament's motion stressed "the need to focus on defeating the U.N.-listed terrorist organizations", a reference to Islamic State and other militant Islamist groups operating in Syria. Turkey considers the YPG a terrorist organization that is a Syrian extension of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), which has waged a three-decade against the Turkish state. The PKK is deemed a terrorist organization by the European Union and the United States as well as by Turkey. "The latest decision is the most visionless decision the European Parliament has taken in recent years... Calling on Turkey to withdraw its troops is a clear support for terrorist organizations," Turkey's minister for EU affairs, Omer Celik, told reporters. Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan also dismissed the motion. "Don't get your hopes up, we will not leave there until the job is done. The European Parliament has nothing to say to Turkey and whatever it has to say on this issue will go through one ear and out the other," he said. Erdogan is due to meet senior European Union officials later this month in neighboring Bulgaria, which holds the bloc's rotating presidency, to discuss EU-Turkey relations as well as regional and international issues. Ties between Ankara and the EU have gone from bad to worse since a failed 2016 coup in Turkey. The EU has infuriated Erdogan by criticizing the scale of his crackdown on suspected supporters of the coup. But the EU also depends on Turkey, which has NATO's second-biggest army, for support in the security field and for helping to restrict the westward flow of migrants from the Middle East. The EU's top migration official, Dimitris Avramopoulos, said on Wednesday the bloc would chip in another three billion euros ($3.7 billion) for Syrian refugees living in Turkey. (Reporting by Tuvan Gumrukcu; Additional reporting by Gabriela Baczynska in Brussels; Editing by Gareth Jones) Istanbul (AFP) - Turkish prosecutors on Friday demanded prison sentences of up to 15 years for 13 staff from the opposition Cumhuriyet newspaper, the daily and state media reported. A total of 17 current and former writers, cartoonists and executives from Cumhuriyet ("Republic") are currently on trial on terror charges in a case which has raised alarm over press freedom under President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The trial began on July 24, 2017, and despite several conditional releases in previous hearings including two last week, the paper's chairman Akin Atalay remains in jail. The prosecutor requested between 7.5 and 15 years in jail for 13 staff for "helping an armed terror organisation without being a member" during the hearing in Istanbul, Cumhuriyet and state news agency Anadolu reported. The 13 included Atalay, the daily's editor-in-chief Murat Sabuncu, investigative reporter Ahmet Sik, cartoonist Musa Kart and veteran political commentator Kadri Gursel. Cumhuriyet did not specify what the prosecutor demanded in relation to the others. The prosecutor also asked that Atalay -- who spent his 500th day in prison on Wednesday -- remain behind bars. The Cumhuriyet staff have been accused of coverage which offered support to three groups Turkey views as terrorists -- the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), the ultra-left Revolutionary People's Liberation Party-Front (DHKP-C), and the movement of US-based preacher Fethullah Gulen who is accused of ordering the July 2016 attempted coup. The P24 press freedom group said this week there were 153 journalists behind bars in Turkey, most of whom were arrested under the post-coup state of emergency. Turkey ranked 155 out of 180 countries listed in the 2017 World Press Freedom index published by Reporters Without Borders (RSF). Beirut (AFP) - Turkish artillery fire on the Kurdish-majority enclave of Afrin in northern Syria killed at least 18 civilians on Friday, a monitor said. "Since midnight (2200 GMT Thursday), 18 civilians, including five children, were killed by Turkish artillery fire on the city of Afrin," the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said. "There is fighting on the northern edge of the city," the Britain-based monitoring organisation said. On January 20, Turkey and Syrian Arab rebel proxies launched an air and ground offensive on the Afrin region, which is controlled by the US-backed Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG). Ankara has consistently denied targeting civilian infrastructure but the Observatory said at least 245 civilians, including 41 children, have been killed in less than two months. Turkish-led forces have nearly fully encircled the city of Afrin, with only one road left open for civilians to flee to areas controlled by the Syrian regime or the YPG. The Observatory said on Thursday that more than 30,000 civilians had fled Afrin in 24 hours. By Ali Samudi JENIN, West Bank (Reuters) - A Palestinian motorist rammed and killed two Israeli soldiers and wounded two others in the occupied West Bank on Friday, the Israeli military said. The army said the driver was a "terrorist" who ran over soldiers who were securing routes near the Jewish settlement of Mevo Dotan, west of the Palestinian town of Jenin. Lt. Col. Jonathan Conricus, an Israeli military spokesman, said on Twitter that an "officer and soldier were killed and two soldiers were injured in a car-ramming attack," and that the attack was "deliberate". The motorist was detained, treated in an Israeli hospital for injuries and was being questioned, the military said. Israel's Shin Bet security agency identified him as Alaa Rateb Aa-Latif Kabha from the village of Barta, near Jenin, adding: "The working assumption is that this was a terrorist attack." It said that Kabha had previously been jailed for security offences and had been released in April 2017. Palestinian media reports said he was 26. Israeli military authorities in the West Bank swiftly announced the "immediate and broad suspension" of all permits for the family of the Palestinian driver. A military spokesman said these included 71 employment permits and 26 trade permits. Some of the injured soldiers were taken by helicopter to Beilinson Hospital in Petah Tikva, and were wheeled into ambulances on stretchers. Israel's Defence Minister Avigdor Lieberman said on Twitter: "We will act to secure the death penalty for the terrorist, for the demolition of his home and for the punishment of anyone who collaborated." The Islamist militant faction Hamas welcomed the ramming attack but did not claim responsibility for it. Hazem Qassem, a Hamas spokesman in Gaza, said that it took place 100 days after U.S. President Donald Trump recognized Jerusalem as the capital of Israel on Dec. 6, a move which angered Palestinians and reversed years of U.S. policy. Another Hamas official, Fawzi Barhoum, lauded the "hero of the Jenin attack," and said it showed that Palestinians were willing to "continue the path of resistance, using all its tools to protect themselves against the occupation." Car-ramming attacks have been used by Palestinians against Israelis in violence that has surged in 2015 but has been on a lower ebb in recent months. (Writing by Dan Williams; Editing by Matthew Mpoke Bigg) Migrant farmworkers harvest romaine lettuce in King City, California: REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson Two undocumented farmworkers died in California while fleeing immigration agents who were pursuing the wrong person. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers arrived in the early morning at a house they believed belonged to a Mexican citizen who had previously been deported. When a man exited the house and got into his vehicle, the agents turned on their emergency lights and pulled him over. But the driver sped away, according to ICE and the Delano Police Department, crashing into a power pole and flipping the vehicle over. Both 35-year-old Santo Hilario Garcia and 33-year-old Marcelina Garcia Profecto were pronounced dead at the scene. While Mr Garcia had a history of migrating between Mexico and the US - ICE said he was voluntarily returned to Mexico three times, which is distinct from deportation, and was removed from the US in 2017 - ICE said he was not the man agents were looking for. The accident occurred in Kern County, a hub of a vast California agricultural industry that relies heavily on immigrant labour. A March report estimated that there are around 58,500 undocumented immigrants in Kern County out of a statewide population of around 2.6 million people who are in the country illegally. At a news conference following the crash, United Farmworkers president Arturo Rodriguez said the couple had set out looking for work and left six children behind. He said they became very scared because of their legal status. Its extremely sad when you see the women and the men who work so hard every day to harvest our fruits and vegetables being abused and exploited, Mr Rodriguez said, adding that when they get here theyre abused and exploited, theyre terrorised, theyre intimidated, like happened in this particular case. Fulfilling a campaign promise, Donald Trump has overseen a sharp rise in arrests of unauthorised migrants, including those who have not been convicted of crimes. (Mr Garcia had been convicted of a DUI). Story continues Critics of the crackdown say the increase has been driven in part by an increase in collateral arrests, or situations when ICE agents arrest people other than the immigrants they set out to find and arrest. ICE says it does not collect separate data on collateral arrests. Breaking from an Obama-era policy that focused immigration enforcement on people who had committed violent crimes or posed public safety threats, the Trump administration has said no immigrants are exempted from deportation. By Phil Stewart WASHINGTON - U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis accused Iran on Thursday of "mucking around" in Iraq's May parliamentary election, in which Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi is seeking another term after a successful, U.S.-backed war against Islamic State militants. The ballot will decide Iraq's leader for the next four years, when Baghdad will be faced with rebuilding cities and towns seized from Islamic State, preventing the militants' return and addressing the sectarian and economic divisions that fueled the conflict. Among Abadi's challengers are former Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki and Hadi al-Amiri, a former transportation minister both of whom are among Iran's closest allies in neighboring Iraq. Mattis stopped short of detailing whom Iran sought to influence but said it was doing so by channeling cash into Iraqi politics. "We have worrisome evidence that Iran is trying to influence - using money - the Iraqi elections. That money is being used to sway candidates, to sway votes," Mattis told reporters as he flew back to Washington after a trip to the Middle East and Afghanistan. "It's not an insignificant amount of money, we believe. And we think it's highly unhelpful." There was no immediate comment from Iran, which has in the past denied interfering in Iraq. Mattis compared Iran's actions to those of Russia, which the U.S. intelligence community has concluded attempted to influence the 2016 U.S. presidential election in favor of Donald Trump. Russia denies this. "Iran is following Russia's example of mucking around in Iraq's elections," Mattis said. He declined to say whether he thought the Iranian effort had been successful or say whether Iran sought to undermine Abadi. Mattis said his trip to Afghanistan and the Middle East reinforced his concerns about Iran's activities in the region, from stoking violence in Syria to aiding insurgents in western Afghanistan. The United States also accuses Iran of escalating the civil war in Yemen and threatening to turn it into a broader regional conflict by supplying advanced weaponry, including missiles, to Houthi rebels who have fired at targets in Saudi Arabia. Mattis said Iran was using Yemen as a testing ground for its weapons. "It's where you find their radars, their ballistic missiles, their anti-ship cruise missiles. We found their mines, their explosive boats all being tested," he said. Still, the U.S. Navy told reporters traveling with Mattis that provocations by Iran had decreased in the Gulf. Iran's naval vessels halted their fairly routine, aggressive maneuvers near U.S. ships last August. U.S. officials including Mattis said they were unsure why. But Mattis said that the drop-off in naval maneuvers was an outlier in an otherwise clear pattern of aggressive behavior. "It was just brought home to me again that they are not changing their behavior, they are continuing to be a destabilizing influence," Mattis said. (Reporting by Phil Stewart; Editing by Cynthia Osterman) WASHINGTON - U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis accused Iran on Thursday of "mucking around" in Iraq's May parliamentary election, in which Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi is seeking another term after a successful, U.S.-backed war against Islamic State militants. "We have worrisome evidence that Iran is trying to influence- using money - the Iraqi elections. That money is being usedto sway candidates, to sway votes," Mattis told reporters, without detailing who Iran sought to influence or offering evidence. "It's not an insignificant amount of money, we believe. Andwe think it's highly unhelpful." (Reporting by Phil Stewart; Editing by Cynthia Osterman) WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The State Department's recently retired envoy for North Korea said on Thursday he has urged North Korea to send a positive signal by releasing three American prisoners before a possible summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. In an interview with CNN, Joseph Yun, who announced his retirement from the State Department in late February, said he also encouraged North Korean officials to respond to Trump's announcement that he will meet with Kim. No date or location for the talks has been announced, although they are expected to occur in late May. Yun said he had delivered the message in talks with North Korean officials after Trump's announcement last week that he would be willing to meet face-to-face with Kim. "I've talked to North Korea and I sent a single message to them, which was that this was an amazing opportunity for both sides and they need to respond," Yun told CNN. "I pressed the point to them, this would be an incredibly good time for them to release those prisoners so that they can be reunited with their families. And that that in itself, I told them, would be a very positive message," he added. South Korean-born Yun, a strong advocate for engagement with Pyongyang, led contact with North Korea and quietly pursued direct diplomacy since taking his post under former President Barack Obama in 2016. The possibility of a summit has raised speculation it could lead to the release of the three Americans. They are: Kim Dong Chul, a Korean-American missionary; Kim Sang-duk, who spent a month teaching at the foreign-funded Pyongyang University of Science and Technology (PUST) before he was arrested in 2017; and Kim Hak Song, who also taught at PUST. Yun said he hoped the summit would open the way to further talks on easing U.S. concerns over Pyongyang's nuclear programs. "What I hope comes out of the summit is that President Trump and Kim Jong Un paint a broad-brush ... framework of where we need to go, and agree on some principles and agree to kick off a process," he said. (Reporting by Lesley Wroughton; Editing by Leslie Adler) RAMADI, Iraq (Reuters) - A U.S. military helicopter crashed in western Iraq with seven people on board, U.S. officials said late on Thursday. Two U.S. officials, speaking on the condition of anonymity and citing initial reports, said the aircraft was a HH-60 Pave Hawk helicopter and it crashed near al-Qaim, a town in Anbar province close to the Syrian border. One of the officials said that fatalities were "likely" and so far there were no indications that the helicopter was brought down by hostile fire. In a statement, U.S. Central Command said a U.S. military aircraft carrying U.S. service members crashed in western Iraq. "Rescue teams are responding to the scene of the downed aircraft at this time," the statement said. Further details of the incident were not yet known, but Central Command said an investigation will be launched to determine the cause of the crash. The mayor of al-Qaim, Ahmed al-Mahlawi, also told Reuters there were seven people on board. The United States acknowledges that it has about 5,200 troops in Iraq that are part of a coalition fighting Islamic State militants. Late last year, Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi declared final victory over Islamic State, three years after the militant group captured about a third of Iraq's territory. (Reporting by Reuters Staff in Ramadi and Idrees Ali in Washington; Editing by Sandra Maler and Cynthia Osterman) By Michael Holden LONDON (Reuters) - An Iraqi teenager, who had come to Britain as an asylum seeker, was found guilty on Friday of attempted murder after detonating a homemade bomb on a packed rush-hour London commuter train, injuring 30 people, prosecutors and police said. Ahmed Hassan, 18, was found guilty of trying to murder the passengers on board an underground train heading to central London on Sept. 15 last year, prosecutors said. The bomb went off at Parsons Green station and flames engulfed the carriage, but it did not fully explode, limiting the scale of injuries in what authorities said was Britain's fifth major attack of 2017. "It was only a matter of luck that the device did not work as he intended or it could easily have led to the loss of innocent lives," said Sue Hemming from Britain's Crown Prosecution Service. Hassan, who the court heard had spoken of his duty to hate Britain because of the deaths of his parents in Iraq, had been placed under Britain's counter-radicalisation program at the time. "He was very cunning and devious," Dean Haydon, the head of London Police's Counter Terrorism Command told BBC TV. "On the face of it, Hassan was engaged on the program. But coming back to his devious nature, he kept it very secretive in relation to what he was doing, what he was planning, and nobody around him actually knew what his plot was." Haydon said a review of the counter-radicalisation program would now be undertaken. On the day of the attack, the teenager left his foster home in Sunbury-on-Thames in west London and set the timer for the device, made with the highly volatile triacetone triperoxide (TATP) - known as "the mother of Satan", in toilets at Wimbledon station where he boarded a District Line underground train, police said. SHRAPNEL He got off at the stop before Parsons Green leaving behind his bomb which was placed in a bucket. It was packed with more than two kilograms of metal shrapnel including screws, bolts, nails, knives and screw drivers, the court heard. There were 93 passengers in the carriage when it detonated. They reported hearing a loud bang and seeing a fireball with one woman suffering burns to her hands, legs, and face causing her to lose the hair on her eyebrows and eyelashes. Others were hurt in a stampede to flee the scene. Hassan was arrested in the southern port of Dover the following day carrying 2,320 pounds in cash and a new phone. The court heard he arrived in Britain in the back of a lorry in 2015, claimed asylum and was placed with foster parents in Sunbury. He told British officials that he had been taken by force by Islamic State militants, who had threatened to kill his family members, and had given him military training. Britain said at the time there was no evidence to suggest IS was responsible for the Parsons Green attack despite the group's claims of responsibility. Police and prosecutors said his motive was unclear. A teacher and a youth worker told the court Hassan had seemed confused and angry, and that he believed his father had been killed by U.S. bombing. Hassan admitted to police he had made the bomb but said he had never intended to kill and merely wanted attention. He had pleaded not guilty to charges of attempted murder. He told the court that he had been attracted to the idea of being a fugitive, chased across Europe by the police and Interpol. However, the jury at London's Old Bailey court convicted him of attempted murder and he will be sentenced at a later date. (Editing by Guy Faulconbridge, Paul Sandle and Andrew Heavens) London (AFP) - Britain's opposition Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn on Friday suggested "mafia-like groups" in Russia could have been responsible for the nerve attack on a former double agent. In an article in The Guardian newspaper, he repeated doubts that the Russian state targeted Sergei Skripal and his daughter in the English city of Salisbury. "Either this was a crime authored by the Russian state; or that state has allowed these deadly toxins to slip out of the control it has an obligation to exercise," he wrote. "If the latter, a connection to Russian mafia-like groups that have been allowed to gain a toehold in Britain cannot be excluded." He added: "To rush way ahead of the evidence being gathered by the police, in a fevered parliamentary atmosphere, serves neither justice nor our national security." The left-wing leader has drawn criticism from his own MPs for failing to fully back the Conservative government, which said Moscow was "culpable" for the March 4 attack. Corbyn condemned the "barbaric" incident, which left Skripal and his daughter in a critical condition and also injured a police officer. "But in my years in parliament I have seen clear thinking in an international crisis overwhelmed by emotion and hasty judgements too many times," he said, noting the flawed intelligence used to justify the US-led invasion of Iraq. He said Labour was "no supporter of the Putin regime", but "that does not mean we should resign ourselves to a 'new Cold War' of escalating arms spending, proxy conflicts across the globe and a McCarthyite intolerance of dissent". There are many Labour MPs who oppose Corbyn's left-wing views, but there has been a truce since he led the party to a better than expected result in last year's election. His stance on Russia has put them in conflict once again, and by Friday morning, 33 had signed a parliamentary motion blaming Russia "unequivocally" for the attack. Geneva (AFP) - The United Nations on Friday launched an appeal for nearly $1 billion to care for Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh, while underscoring that efforts must remain focused on securing the safe return to Myanmar of those displaced. UN agencies asked for $951 million (774 million euros) through the rest of the year to provide basic needs for the nearly one million Rohingya Muslims in Bangladesh, including the almost 700,000 who have crossed the border since August. The head of the UN refugee agency, Filippo Grandi, told reporters that the immediate concern was mobilising life-saving aid for refugees, especially with monsoon season approaching and tens of thousands of people living in areas prone to landslides and floods. Grandi again acknowledged that it "may take a very long time" before any Rohingya can return to their home in Myanmar's Rakhine state, in the absence of any evidence that they will be safe if they go back. The Rohingya fled after Myanmar launched a brutal crackdown on insurgents six months ago that the UN has called "ethnic cleansing" -- a claim the country vehemently denies. But Grandi insisted that despite those circumstances, he would not stop fighting for the repatriation of those who wish to return home. "I think it is very important to talk about the right of the Rohingya to return," he said, adding that he "cannot entertain the notion" where their displacement is deemed permanent. Bangladesh and Myanmar agreed in November to begin repatriating Rohingya who volunteered to return to Rakhine state, where the persecuted Muslim minority has lived for generations. Grandi conceded that the conditions for safe return are not in place and that discussions with Myanmar on repatriation "have been pretty basic, not very frequent (and) not very advanced". But, he added, those talks "have continued". "We have to take this thing one step at a time," he said, reiterating the need for humanitarian assistance while repatriation negotiations play out. If youre traveling with your beloved dog, you might want to think twice about traveling United Airlines. Just yesterday, news broke that a dog died during a United flight after an attendant forced a passenger to store her pet in an overhead compartment. Today, it was reported that a Kansas familys dog was accidentally sent to Japan. The dog, a 10-year-old German Shepherd named Irgo, was on a separate flight from his family but was supposed to arrive at the proper destination soon after they did. The family Kara and Joseph Swindle, along with their two young children were in the midst of moving from Oregon to Kansas. Kara Swindle and her children were ready to pick up Irgo and start the next leg of their journey when the airline presented them with another familys Great Dane. The two dogs were apparently mixed up during a connecting flight, and we can only assume that someone in Japan was as equally confused when the airline presented them with Irgo. But the most distressing part of the whole story is perhaps that the Swindle family was initially given no clear timeline as to when they would see their dog again. Originally, Swindle heard that Irgo could be stuck in Japan for up to two weeks, but on Facebook, she clarified that the airline is now telling her that her dog would meet with a veterinarian to ensure hes okay, and then immediately be sent back to Kansas. Swindle also said, They have been sending us pictures and keeping us updated, which is good to hear. A spokesperson for United issued an apology through KCTV5 News, stating, We apologize for this mistake and are following up with the vendor kennel where they were kept overnight to understand what happened. Hopefully United is seriously working on its internal protocol when it comes to our pets because frankly, this is unacceptable. Washington (AFP) - Donald Trump's administration levied sanctions against Russia's top spy agencies and more than a dozen individuals Thursday for trying to influence the 2016 US presidential election and two separate cyberattacks. The announcement follows a lengthy delay, which had caused anger on Capitol Hill and raised questions about President Donald Trump's willingness to confront Moscow. The measures target five entities and 19 individuals -- including the FSB, Russia's top spy service; the military intelligence agency, or GRU; and 13 people recently indicted by Robert Mueller, the US special counsel handling a sprawling Russia probe. Sanctions were also levied against individuals behind the separate Petya cyberattack and an "ongoing" attempt to hack the US energy grid. The move comes despite Trump's repeated denial that Russia tried to tilt the election in his favor, fearing it could call his victory over Hillary Clinton into question. The US president has also decried more damaging allegations that his campaign colluded with the Kremlin -- the subject of Mueller's ongoing investigation that has seen several key aides indicted or make plea deals. Many of the main entities and individuals hit -- including the spy agencies and alleged "troll factory" boss Yevgeny Prigozhin -- already face asset freezes and travel bans, either put in place under former president Barack Obama's administration or for actions linked to Russia's actions in Ukraine. Leading Democratic Congressman Adam Schiff said the sanctions "fall far short of what is needed to respond to that attack on our democracy let alone deter Russia's escalating aggression." Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin claimed the decision showed the administration was "confronting and countering malign Russian cyber activity, including their attempted interference in US elections, destructive cyberattacks, and intrusions targeting critical infrastructure." Story continues He added: "These targeted sanctions are a part of a broader effort to address the ongoing nefarious attacks emanating from Russia." Senior administration security officials said more sanctions are on the way and denied the response had been tardy. - 'Troll factory' - Moscow said it was preparing its response. "We view this calmly. We have begun to prepare response measures," deputy foreign minister Sergei Ryabkov told Interfax news agency. He claimed the US move was designed to coincide with Russia's presidential election on Sunday. The decision heaps pressure on Moscow as it faces separate punitive measures for an alleged attempt to kill a Russian-born British informant with a nerve agent west of London. Britain, France, Germany and the United States condemned the attack on the Russian ex-spy and his daughter, saying there was "no plausible alternative explanation" to Moscow's involvement. Trump said Thursday he had spoken with British Prime Minister Theresa May about the case. "We are in discussions," he said. "A very sad situation. It certainly looks like the Russians were behind it. Something that should never, ever happen, and we're taking it very seriously." Moscow has denied being involved, claiming the British government was trying to "deflect attention" from difficult negotiations with the European Union over Brexit. On Thursday The New York Times reported that special counsel Mueller had subpoenaed the company founded by Trump to turn over documents including some related to Russia. In an interview with the Times last July, the president said that the special counsel would be crossing a "red line" if he probed his family's finances beyond any relationship with Russia. The firm's lawyer Alan Futerfas said it was "fully cooperative with all investigations, including the Special Counsel, and is responding to their requests." Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin talk during a photo session at the APEC Summit in Danang, Vietnam, 11 November 2017: REUTERS/Jorge Silva The Trump administration has announced sanctions against 19 Russians - including an individual known as Vladimir Putins chef - for their alleged role in trying to interfere in the 2016 presidential election. In the most significant response yet from the US to Russias alleged role in meddling in the election since Donald Trump became president, the US Treasury announced the names of the Russians whose assets were being frozen and whom Americans were prevented from doing business with. Among the names were the 13 individuals indicted last month by Special Prosecutor Robert Mueller for conspiracy to defraud the United States. The US also accused Russia of being behind a cyber attack on the energy industry and other, similar sectors. The administration is confronting and countering malign Russian cyber activity, including their attempted interference in US elections, destructive cyber attacks, and intrusions targeting critical infrastructure, Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin said in a statement. The names of the 19 Russians were added to the Treasurys Office of Foreign Assets Controls list of specially designated individuals, or SDNs. It means their financial assets are blocked and that Americans are prohibited from doing business with them. In the aftermath of the 2016 election, Barack Obamas government accused Russia of trying to interfere in the election, to the benefit of Mr Trump. Mr Trump denied the suggestion, as did Russia, but Mr Obama went ahead and expelled 35 Russian diplomats accused of spying. Russia did not respond at the time, apparently after conversations with former general Michael Flynn, the man who would briefly become Mr Trumps national security adviser. In this instance, Thursdays sanctions, which came at the same time the Trump administration added its name to a collective statement with Britain, France and Germany on Thursday denouncing Russia for its apparent role in a nerve gas attack on a former Russian spy and his daughter in the UK, Russia vowed that it would respond in turn. Story continues Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said Moscow was preparing retaliatory measures, Reuters cited the Interfax news agency as saying. Mr Ryabkov said the Kremlin was responding calmly to the new sanctions and taking this in our stride. But he said Russia had begun preparing retaliatory measures. He also suggested the Trump administration timed the sanctions to come ahead of this weekend's presidential election in Russia. Among the 19 Russian individuals named in the latest round of sanction was Yevgeny Viktorovich Prigozhin, who has been nicknamed Putins chef, because of his close relationship with the Russian president. Mr Prigozhin was among the 13 individuals indicted by Mr Mueller in February. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. In addition to the 19 individuals, the sanctions listed five organisations and groups, including the Internet Research Agency, a so-called troll farm based in St Petersburg, and which Mr Progozhin allegedly controlled. The new sanctions also include Russian intelligence services, the Federal Security Service (FSB) and Main Intelligence Directorate (GRU), and six individuals working on behalf of the GRU. Meanwhile, the Department of Homeland Security Department claimed the Russian government was behind a hacking operation has affected the USs nuclear, aviation, water, construction and manufacturing sectors. The Associated Press said the Computer Emergency Readiness Team said the operation targeted smaller American commercial facilities. The operation is said to have resorted to various methods, to try to compromise legitimate user accounts, gather user credentials, and target industrial control systems and their networks. A US government alert to industry said the hackers deleted activity logs to try to cover their tracks. The alert said the hackers also used created administrator accounts on local machines that were disguised to appear legitimate. The NotPetya attack that cost billions of dollars in damage across Europe, Asia and the United States. Vladimir Putin announces missions to the moon and Mars during a film released before he stands for re-election on Sunday - VK Vladimir Putin has said that Russia will launch a mission to Mars in 2019, adding echoes of a space race to the Cold War-style nuclear arms development he announced earlier this month. The statement comes ahead of Sunday's presidential election, in which he will almost certainly win a fourth term. We will now carry out unmanned and then manned launches to explore deep space, and a lunar programme, and then the exploration of Mars, Mr Putin said in a state television film highlighting his accomplishments during 18 years in power. The first will be very soon. In 2019 we are planning to launch a mission toward Mars. He also said Russia would try to land on the poles of the moon because there's reason to believe that water could be there. The exploration of other planets and deep space could start from there, he said. Roscosmos said last year it will start a programme in 2019 to establish bases on the moon, where it will develop techniques for manned Mars missions. A Soyuz rocket carrying international satellites blasts off from Russia's new Vostochny cosmodrome before crashing in November Credit: Dmitri Lovetsky/AP Mr Putin's pledge to reach the red planet follows cosmic sabre-rattling by the United States. This week, Donald Trump declared space is a war-fighting domain and suggested the US military could create a new space force. Last month, air force chief of staff Gen David Goldfein said the United States would be fighting from space in a matter of years. Meanwhile, Russia's defence minister Sergei Shoigu has revealed plans for a new network of military satellites. The competition in space mirrors that in the nuclear sphere, where Russia and the United States have embarked on a new arms race. In his state-of-the-nation speech this month, Mr Putin announced a bevy of high-tech nuclear weapons he claimed would be able to avoid US missile defence, including hypersonic missiles, a glider warhead and a nuclear-powered cruise missile. That followed Mr Trump's promise this month to counter Russia's nuclear modernisation by expanding the US strategic arsenal. Story continues The United States is currently ahead of Russia in the Mars race. NASA, whose Curiosity rover has been roaming Mars for five years, plans in May to launch its InSight lander, which will measure seismic activity on the planet to study its composition. A joint project by the European Space Agency and Russia's Roscosmos sent an orbiter to Mars in 2016 and plans to deploy a rover there in 2019. Entrepreneur Elon Musk, whose Falcon Heavy rocket delivered a red Tesla convertible car into space last month, said his SpaceX company could next year begin short flights of its BFR rocket, which he hopes will bring payloads to Mars by 2022 and people by 2024. Just as the Soviet Union's Mars programme suffered a string of failed missions, Roscosmos has experienced setbacks, including a November rocket crash that destroyed a payload of small spacecraft from Canada, Germany, Japan, Norway, Russia, Sweden and the United States. A self-portrait of Nasa's Curiosity rover drilling rock on Mars in 2015 Credit: Reuters/Nasa Elsewhere in the pre-election film, the first half of which was published earlier this week, Mr Putin made a number of candid comments about his personal life. He said he had slept with a pump-action shotgun in the turbulent 1990s and thought about working as a taxi driver before he was invited to join Boris Yeltsin's presidential administration in 1996. Chancellor Angela Merkel periodically gives him his favourite German Pilsner, although he tries not to drink too much to avoid a beer belly, Mr Putin said. Students at an estimated 3,000 schools and universities across the United States are expected to stage a 17-minute walkout on Wednesday Students with a banner outside the front of the American School in London, after taking part in a 10am local-time, 17-minute walkout in the school playground, which was attended by approximately 300 students on Wednesday. Photograph: Matt Dunham/AP Students at an estimated 3,000 schools and universities across the United States are expected to stage a 17-minute walkout on Wednesday morning to protest about government inaction on preventing school shootings and everyday gun violence. The protest marks a month to the day since the Parkland, Florida, school shooting, which left 17 people dead. The walkouts are supposed to last 17 minutes in tribute to each of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas victims. The National School Walkout is organized by Womens March Youth Empower, which lists more than 3,100 separate walkout events registered on its website. In a press call on Tuesday night, student organizers from across the country shared their plans, which include writing letters to lawmakers and registering older students to vote. At one small school in California, students will share the stories of each of the 17 Parkland victims, before staging a die-in on the ground outside even though theyre expecting it to rain. At a Jewish school in Massachusetts, students will recite prayers and read a poem written by a student at Marjory Stoneman Douglas. In rural Maryland, students are writing down the reasons they are walking out to present to a visiting local politician. Some students in the north-east, who are facing blizzard conditions, are planning to walk out into their school gymnasiums, rather than go outside. The American Civil Liberties Union has released guidelines for students explaining what penalties schools can legally impose on students who walk out, including issuing them unexcused absences for missing class, and what the limits of those punishments should be. The school system cant single out students political speech for harsher punishment than it would any other student conduct, Sonia Kumar, an ACLU staff attorney, told the Guardian. Story continues The politically charged protests have forced many schools to perform a balancing act, particularly when young children have announced they want to stage walkouts. In Alexandria, Virginia, a group of 10- and 11-year-olds are leading a walkout at their elementary school. Parents will sign students out, allowing them to attend the protest. Rural, urban and suburban groups are participating in the protest, and Womens March organizers said that participants should consider many kinds of gun violence, including police violence and the violence America inflicts on other countries through its foreign policy. This isnt just about school shootings, Madison Thomas, a Womens March Youth Leader, said on the Tuesday night call. Gun violence is an issue that impacts a lot of communities, and in particular black and brown communities. We want to make sure that people are uplifting those voices. My school, myself and my community cannot explain how much it means to us, Ashley Schulman, a student at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High, told student organizers on the call. Thank you. Additional reporting by Tom Dart Mr Kudlow is known popularly for his appearances as a financial analyst on networks like CNBC: AFP/Getty Images The White House has named Larry Kudlow, a conservative media analyst who was an informal economic adviser to President Donald Trumps 2016 campaign, as the next head of the West Wings National Economic Council. The announcement that Mr Kudlow would replace outgoing adviser Gary Cohn was made in a simple statement delivered to the press by White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders. Larry Kudlow was offered, and accepted, the position of Assistant to the President for Economic Policy and Director of the National Security Council, Ms Sanders said in the statement. We will work to have an orderly transition, and will keep everyone posted on the timing of him officially assuming the role. The outgoing director of the council, Mr Cohn, resigned this month amid a heated debate in Washington over Mr Trumps plan to impose stiff tariffs on steel and aluminium imports, which Mr Cohn opposed alongside much of the Washington establishment. Still, while the timing of Mr Cohns suggestion implied that those taxes had created to great a distance between the President and a tariff-skeptics, Mr Kudlow himself was less than enthused about Mr Trumps steel and aluminium plans. Shortly after the tariffs were announced, Mr Kudlow lent his name to a column warning the President that could hurt millions of American manufacturing jobs, and consumers, even if they provide a brief spike for the two industries in question. Steel and aluminium may win in the short term, but stele and aluminium users and consumers will lose, that column, written with conservative economists Arthur gaffer and Stephen Moore, read. In fact, tariff hikes are really tax hikes. The President has acknowledged those differences, and said during a Tuesday meeting with reporters before the nomination was confirmed that he would welcome differing opinions in his White House. Im looking at Larry Kudlow very strongly. Ive known him a long time. We dont agree on everything but in this case I think thats good, Mr Trump said. I want to have a divergent opinion we agree on most. Story continues The choice was warmly received by Republicans on Capitol Hill, who know Mr Kudlow from his time as a cable news analyst, and as a regular attendee of Republican conferences. Couldnt be more pleased, Rep Tom Cole, an Oklahoma Republican, said of the appointment when asked by CNN. He is somebody that House Republicans are extraordinarily comfortable with. (WASHINGTON) The Trump administration on Thursday imposed sanctions on 19 Russians for alleged interference in the 2016 U.S. presidential election, including 13 indicted by special counsel Robert Mueller as part of his Russia-related investigation. Also targeted were five Russian companies, including the Internet Research Agency, which is accused of orchestrating a mass online disinformation campaign to affect the election that Republican Donald Trump won over Democrat Hillary Clinton. The Treasury Department announced the sanctions amid withering criticism of Trump and his administration for failing to use the congressionally mandated authority to punish Russia for the election interference. Trump himself has been skeptical of the allegations. The sanctions are the first use of the powers that Congress passed last year in retaliation for Moscows meddling. The targets include officials working for the Russian military intelligence agency, GRU. Thursdays action freezes any assets the individuals and entities may have in the United States and bar Americans from doing business with them. The department said in a statement that the GRU and Russias military interfered in the 2016 election and were directly responsible for the NotPetya cyberattack that hit businesses across Europe in June 2017. The administration is confronting and countering malign Russian cyber activity, including their attempted interference in U.S. elections, destructive cyberattacks, and intrusions targeting critical infrastructure, said Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin. These targeted sanctions are a part of a broader effort to address the ongoing nefarious attacks emanating from Russia. Among those penalized was Yevgeny Prigozhin, who is known as Russian President Vladimir Putins chef and who ran the St. Petersburg-based Internet Research Agency, and 12 of the agencys employees. They were included in Muellers indictment last month. The Internet Research Agency tampered with, altered, or caused a misappropriation of information with the purpose or effect of interfering with or undermining election processes and institutions, specifically the 2016 U.S. presidential race, the department said. The IRA created and managed a vast number of fake online personas that posed as legitimate U.S. persons to include grassroots organizations, interest groups, and a state political party on social media, the Treasury Department statement said. Through this activity, the IRA posted thousands of ads that reached millions of people online. The sanctions also affect the Russian Federal Security Service, or FSB, and six of its employees, for cyberattacks more broadly, including those targeting Russian journalists, opposition figures, foreign politicians and U.S. officials. The Americans members of the diplomatic corps, the military and White House staffers. (CLINTON, Mo.) A woman has been charged with second-degree murder in the fatal shooting of a western Missouri police officer last week. The Kansas City Star reports that Tammy Dee Widger was charged Wednesday. Her rental home was the site of the fatal shooting of Clinton officer Ryan Morton on March 6. She had previously been charged with possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute and with keeping or maintaining a public nuisance. Henry County prosecutors said the murder charge was added because Morton was killed as a result of Widgers drug crime. Morton was wounded after being sent to the wrong house while responding to a 911 call made from another town. The suspect, James Waters, then barricaded himself inside the home. By the time officers got to Morton hours later, he was dead, along with Waters. Widger, 37, is jailed on $100,000 bond. She has requested a public defender but does not yet have an attorney. An investigation continues into the 911 mistake that sent officers to the wrong house, 20 miles (30 kilometers) away. Henry County emergency communications officials have blamed a database error. Court documents say Widger answered the door when officers arrived and said there was no disturbance and that she had not made a 911 call. Five officers went into the house anyway, to ensure no one was being harmed, authorities said. Soon after the officers entered, gunfire erupted. In addition to Morton, two other officers were wounded. Morton lay dying in the home and officers were unable to reach him for hours because of the gunfire. Eventually, a Missouri State Highway Patrol SWAT team entered the house, Widger, who was arrested at the scene, told investigators that in exchange for helping Waters distribute methamphetamine, he agreed to pay her bills, according to court documents. Dubai (AFP) - Relations between Middle East heavyweights Iran and Saudi Arabia have been fraught for decades as they spar over regional influence and religion. Each considers itself to be the guardian of one of the two main branches of Islam: Saudi Arabia is a Sunni kingdom and Iran is Shiite. On Thursday the young Saudi crown prince dramatically threatened to acquire a nuclear weapon if Iran does so, and likened its supreme leader to Hitler. Here is a look over the high points of tension between the rivals. - Iranian revolution, war - After the Islamic Republic of Iran is established in April 1979 following a revolt, Sunni nations accuse Iran of seeking to "export" revolution to them. Iraq attacks Iran in 1980, triggering an eight-year war in which Saudi Arabia financially backs the Iraq regime. - Pilgrims killed, ties cut - Security forces at the holy site of Mecca in Saudi Arabia crack down in July 1987 on an unauthorised anti-US protest by Iranian pilgrims. More than 400 people, mostly Iranians, are killed. Angry Iranians loot the Saudi embassy in Tehran and, in April 1988, Saudi Arabia breaks off diplomatic relations for several years. Its pilgrims are absent from Saudi pilgrimages until 1991. - Opposing sides in Syria, Yemen - As Arab Spring demonstrations sweep the region in 2011, Riyadh sends soldiers to Bahrain where Shiites are protesting. Riyadh accuses Tehran of stoking tensions. The rival capitals square off again in 2012 as the Syria crisis erupts. Iran backs President Bashar al-Assad and provides him with military forces and funds to battle Sunni rebels. Saudi Arabia backs the rebels, but joins a US-led coalition fighting the Sunni extremist Islamic State group. Saudi Arabia and Iran also take opposing sides in the Yemen conflict: in March 2015, Riyadh forms a Sunni Arab coalition to intervene in support of the Yemeni president, while Tehran backs the Shiite Huthi rebels. Riyadh and Washington accuse Tehran of supplying weapons to the rebels, who from late 2017 fire several missiles towards Saudi territory. Iran denies the charge. Story continues - Deadly hajj stampede - A stampede at the hajj annual pilgrimage in September 2015 leaves around 2,300 foreign pilgrims dead, including hundreds of Iranians. Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei says the Saudi ruling family does not deserve to manage Islam's holiest sites. - Ties cut again - In January 2016 Saudi Arabia executes prominent Shiite cleric Nimr al-Nimr, a driving force behind anti-government protests, for "terrorism". Iran is furious. Protestors attack Saudi diplomatic missions in Iran, and Riyadh again breaks off relations. - Hezbollah, Qatar - Lebanon's powerful Shiite militia Hezbollah, an Iran ally, is in March 2016 classified as "terrorist" by the Gulf Arab monarchies. In November 2017 it is from Riyadh that Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri announces his resignation, citing Iran's "grip" on his country through Hezbollah. He later recants. In June 2017 Saudi Arabia and its allies break off diplomatic relations with Qatar, accusing it of fostering too close ties with Iran and backing extremism. The claims are rejected. - Iran nuclear accord - In October 2017 Saudi Arabia says it backs US President Donald Trump after he refuses to certify the 2015 nuclear deal aimed at halting Tehran's nuclear ambitions. On March 15, 2018 Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman warns in a US television interview that if Tehran gets a nuclear weapon, "we will follow suit as soon as possible". The prince also refers to Iran's supreme leader as "the new Hitler". "He wants to create his own project in the Middle East, very much like Hitler who wanted to expand at the time," the prince says. By Barbara Lewis LONDON (Reuters) - Zimbabwe has attracted around $300 million in its coal industry that will quadruple production next year versus 2017, its mining minister told an investment conference in London on Thursday. The country, which says its abundant mineral resources include more than 40 exploitable minerals, is seeking to lure foreign investment to reboot its economy after a coup that pushed out veteran leader Robert Mugabe last year. Minister of Mines and Mining Development Winston Chitando said interest had focused on coal, as well as on lithium and platinum. He was speaking to investors in London, attending his first conference on Zimbabwe outside Africa since taking office. In Cape Town in February, he had said battery mineral lithium was among the most popular deposits. [nL8N1PQ7OO] He told London investors coal output in Zimbabwe would reach more than 8 million tonnes next year compared with around 2 million in 2017. Speaking to Reuters on the sidelines of the conference he said that followed investment of around $300 million. He did not name the investors. Zimbabwe says it is trying to develop solar power too, but needs to address its energy needs, which are responsible for around 25 percent of its import bill because of a shortfall in domestic generation. Many miners see a strong business model in coal as a high-margin business and a cheap way to generate power in remote African communities. The world's biggest shipper of export quality coal Glencore says the best coal will generate profits for the foreseeable future because of a shortage of new supply following a collapse in investment during the 2015-16 commodity downturn. It says there is still demand, despite environmental opposition to the most polluting fossil fuel. Zimbabwe is at the same time trying to promote those minerals that serve a cleaner world economy. Speaking in Cape Town in February, Chitando announced a lithium deal. In London, he said another would soon follow. He also said there was interest in Zimbabwe's platinum reserves, which are second only in scale to those in South Africa. International companies seeking to develop lithium in Zimbabwe - which Chitando has said could meet around a fifth of the world's needs - include Prospect Resources and Chimata Gold. [nFWN1Q413Z] As terms for foreign investors get tougher in some African jurisdictions, notably Democratic Republic of Congo, many investors welcome Zimbabwe's promise of a stable environment and regulatory certainty as well as a crackdown on corruption. For anyone investing more than $100 million, Chitando said there would be a special mining licence, meaning particularly favourable conditions, such as negotiating royalties. (Editing by David Evans) Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu knows hes facing trial. He knows theres going to be an indictment against him. He has decided to build a bunker against the indictment. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter He pondered whether to entrench himself with the current coalition or move up elections and entrench himself with the next coalition. It was a human, if not very stately, internal conflicthe drove the political system and the entire country insane. Netanyahu has decided to build a bunker against the indictment (Photo: Reuters) The Central Elections Committee is the body that ensures elections are held in a legal and proper manner. The committee is headed by a Supreme Court justice. This time, the situation is different. We could say, as a joke, that this time the committee is headed by State Attorney Shai Nitzan. Nitzan is a yeshiva graduate and former member of religious-Zionist youth movement Bnei Akiva. He observes Shabbat and keeps kosher. I take the liberty to assume that he, he too, is more right-wing than left-wing. He shares some biographical details with Police Commissioner Roni Alsheikh. I wouldnt be surprised if they also share in their conversations their shock over the Netanyahu familys corrupt greed, and especially over the governmental lawlessness and the incitement against enforcement and security bodies. Listen to Shai Nitzan, pay attention to his speeches. They are written carefully, their words are weighed, and they are delivered with the consent and authority of Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit. Many months ago, there was a report that Nitzan has an even harsher opinion of the illicit gifts affair, Case 1000 , than head prosecutor Liat Ben Ari . Illustratively, he sees it as bribery, and she sees it as fraudulently obtaining benefits under aggravating circumstances, fraud and breach of trust. Nitzan recently delivered a speech that was right to the point, foreseeing the future, in which he warned criminals that their partners, assistants, relatives and associates could turn into states witnesses against them. And just by chance, only two weeks went by before it was published that Netanyahu's former right-hand man Shlomo Filber had turned states witness. And just by chance, another three weeks went before and it was published that Netanyahu's former media advisor, Nir Hefetz , had turned states witness. Last week, Netanyahu exceeded his own anxieties and ancient hallucinations, saying that a certain suspect had been threatened that his life and home would be destroyed if he failed to come up with delusional lies and dish the dirt on Netanyahu. Nitzan directly refuted this fib : We would never, never, recruit a states witness and tell him to lie. Indirectly, he said much more than that. A decision to file indictments will be dictated neither by the level of public sympathy or resentment nor by public opinions polls, but only by evidence and professional considerations. Listen to State Attorney Shai Nitzan, pay attention to his speeches (Photo: Hillel Meir/TPS) Two kinds of events take place or break out in the public domain, even though no one wants them: wars and elections. Israels history is littered with warsthe Six-Day War or the Second Lebanon War, for examplewhich neither side was really interested in. The same applies to early elections, which none of the parties wanted or predicted. But for the second time in a row, Netanyahu tried to drag an entire country to elections aimed at protecting himthe first time to protect his assets and the second time to protect his personal freedom. Meanwhile, a scholarly debate has developed between good and strong-minded people on whether we should bring the prime minister to justice or settle for removing him from public life for good. The investigations against him are packed and filled with evidence. They have a highly reasonable chance of a conviction and no risk of an acquittal. They arent splendid, they arent spectacular, they have no smoking gun or golden piece of evidence, terms which are reserved for the use of popular media. There is no need for a gun and no need for a golden piece of evidence when there is so much valuable evidence. After Netanyahu's former chief of staff Ari Harow signed a states witness agreement, way before Filber and Hefetz added their signatures, someone asked one of Netanyahu's advisors, "Why dont you suggest that he resigns and strikes a deal?" Bibi is a sensible man, he said, he can be convinced. Thats easy for you to say, the man answered. To convince him, you have to get through to his wife and son first. Many testimonies have flowed in since then, and the indictment is slowly but surely making its way to becoming a done deal. Netanyahu's private deliberation is a national problem. But theres a more significant and fundamental problem: As he deliberates, he keeps inciting to rebellion against the police, the State Attorneys Office and the legal system. Amnon Abramovich is an Israel Television News Company commentator. David Levy, who held the position of deputy prime minister and various ministerial postsincluding foreign affairs ministerwill be bestowed with the Israel Prize for Lifetime Achievement and Special Contribution to Society this coming Independence Day, it was announced Thursday. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter Miriam Peretz, the mother of two IDF soldiers killed in action, will receive the Israel Prize for Strengthening the Jewish-Israeli Spirit. David Levy and Miriam Peretz (Photo: Ohad Zwigenberg and Gil Yohanan) Education Minister Naftali Bennett, who announced Levy's win, wrote, "The boy who made Aliyah from Rabat, Morocco, to the ma'abara (refugee absorption camp) and the development town and then blazed a trail straight into the heart of Israeli society. A social, courageous leader, the essence of the story of Zionism, the shatterer of the glass ceiling." "I gaze upon your image, David," Bennett concluded, "and see us. Congratulations to the people of Israel!" In its reasoning for awarding the prize to Levy, the Israel Prize committee wrote, "David Levy's personal story is a story of a boy who made Aliyah from Rabat to the ma'abara and development town, and from that low point leapt into the heart of public and social work and was one of the instigators of Israeli society's melting pot. "David Levy is a social warrior for the lower strata of society, a workers' leader and a representative of developments town and the periphery. David Levy (Photo: Gil Yohanan) "He is an entrepreneur and leader of social and political programs, an activist in struggles for the poor and a political leaderall through rare, total conscription to the service of the people and the state. "His unique image, devotion to his principles and posing as a social symbol are a source of inspiration and appreciation for the public. His vision, courage, struggles and deeds have left an indelible mark on Israeli society." David Levy's son, Deputy Housing Minister Jackie Levy, was moved by his father's recognition. "I'm elated. There's no one worthier than my father and mentor. David Levy is a trailblazer, a man whose honest ways bridged many painful gaps existing in society, a man who built this country and led the country's largest ever social projectProject Renewal (for rebuilding decrepit neighborhoodsed)which today I am proud to lead," he said. "David Levy is a role model, both for his humble ways, his achievements and his steadfast insistence on his principles, befitting a true leader." President Reuven Rivlin congratulated Levy as well, saying, "Warm greetings to Israel Prize laureate, former minister David Levy. David reared generations of public servants, and his own years' long work in the public's service and endless devotion served as inspiration. Jackie Levy with his father (Photo: Knesset) "Dear David, you were one of the first to blaze a trail from the periphery into the heart of Israeliness, a pioneer who made many others believe they could as well." Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu offered his own comments, saying Levy was "richly deserving (to receive the award) in light of (his) deep work and commitment to our country." From Morocco to deputy prime minister Levy, a father of 12 who recently celebrated his 80th birthday, was born in the Moroccan capital of Rabat in 1937. He made Aliyah in 1957 and was elected to Knesset for the first time a little more than a decade later, in 1969. After the 1977 political upheaval following the Likud's first election win, Levy received the duty of absorption minister in Menachem Begin's cabinet. Following the 1981 elections Levy aroused public outcry by refusing to attend the second Begin government's swearing-in ceremony until he was appointed deputy premier. Thereafter, in the 10th and 11th Knessets, he served as deputy prime minister and housing minister, using the latter portfolio to push through Project Renewalpartly the reason he has now won the Israel Prize. After failing to secure his party's leadership in 1983, Levy retained his positions in government and in 1985 was one of only two Likud ministers to vote against the IDF's withdrawal from Lebanon. David Levy and PM Netanyahu (Photo: Yaron Brener) In March of 1990, Levy was sworn in as foreign affairs minister under Prime Minister Yitzhak Shamir, but had somewhat of a strained relationship with his deputy minister, a relative unknown named Benjamin Netanyahu. In 1992, after failing to achieve a prominent position in the Likud primaries, Levy resigned from government and returned to his northern region hometown of Beit She'an, but reneged after being promised being Likud's second-in-command. After the 1996 elections, and mending his relationship with now Prime Minister Netanyahu, Levy returned to the fold and was appointed acting prime minister and foreign affairs minister, as well as Security Cabinet member. Merely a month after the Likud's win, however, the first crisis erupted between Levy and Netanyahu, with the former threatening to resign if a position was not found for Ariel Sharon. Netanyahu backed down and appointed Sharon, but Levy once again threatened to quit in August, 1996, and recanted the threat after being promised to be brought in on state decisions. From L-R: David Levy, Yitzhak Shamir and Ariel Sharon (Photo: AFP) Eventually, Levy made good on his threats and resigned in January, 1998. After the 1999 elections, in which Levy's party joined up with Ehud Barak's Labor alliance, he returned to the foreign affairs ministry but resigned in August, 2000 and later returned to the Knesset as a Likud MK. David Levy speaking to Ehud Barak (Avi Ohayon/GPO) 'I've had my fill of politics' Two of Levy's children are MKs. His son Jackie, the former mayor of Beit She'an, is a Likud MK. His daughter, Orly Levy-Abekasis, recently quit Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman's Yisrael Beytenu party and announced she will be heading her own party in the 21st Knesset elections next year. The family's patriarch recently gave an interview to Ynet in which he congratulated his daughter for creating a party of her own. "Orly is not only smart, but also courageous," he said. "There's no doubt she's an outstanding parliamentarian who has contributed much to the Knesset." In the same interview, Levy said he had no aspirations to return to the political sphere, but claims that his daughter "continues my path and is loyal to our life's main principles. Orly is standing tall like a lioness, and I'm proud of her." Orly Levy-Abekasis and her father (Photo: Knesset and Alex Kolomoisky) MK Levy-Abekasis also offered comments in her father's recgonition late Thursday, and recounted, "As someone who was there as a child and saw dad's work and struggles up close for those hundreds of thousands of people whose voices were not being heard, I could not be more excited to hear this news and know how much he deserves this award." Levy-Abekasis further added that her father "blazed a trail for many, even at great personal cost to himself, and served as a role model for me and for an entire generation. Dad, I'm proud and happy at the immense recognition and appreciation you received today. I've learned much from you and will continue on your path." Miriam Peretz to also receive Israel Prize Along with Levy, another Israel Prize winner was announced ThursdayMiriam Peretz, the mother of IDF soldiers killed in action Uriel and Eliraz Peretz, who will receive the Israel Prize for Strengthening the Jewish-Israeli Spirit. Education Minister Bennett visited Peretz in her home to inform her that she would be the recipient of the honor, to which she replied, "I'm unworthy, it's theirsUriel and Eliraz'sit's not mine." The education minister later tweeted, "Miriam Peretz, who lost her sons, has devoted her life to educational work. Miriam did not choose the harsh circumstances of her life, but chose to live and thus revived an entire people. She's the mother of us all." The Prize's committee explained her win by saying, "The Israeli Prize has been awarded to Miriam Peretz, an educator who has lost two of her sons. Ever since, Peretz has dedicated her life to education and instilling the Jewish and Zionist legacy by lecturing to teenagers and IDF soldiers and visiting communities abroad. "Moreover, Miriam assists bereaved families and wounded IDF soldiers. She is a symbol of the Jewish and Israeli spirit and is a symbol and shining example of giving and helping others." Peretz, like Levy, made Aliyah from Morocco. She came to Israel in 1964 with her family and resided in a ma'abara near Be'er Sheva. In the mid-seventies she married Eliezer Peretz and the couple moved to the Ofira settlement in Sinai, where Uriel and Eliraz were born. In 1982, when Israelis were evacuated from the peninsula, the family moved to Givon and then to Givat Ze'ev, near Jerusalem, where she resides today and where she gave birth to four more children. Miriam was the principal of Givat Ze'ev first school and today serves as supervisor at the Education Ministry's Youth and Society Administration. Her eldest son, Lieutenant Uriel Peretzcommander of a reconnaissance platoon in Golani's 51st Battalionwas killed on November 25, 1998, in a south Lebanon ambush. On March 26, 2010, another son, Major Eliraz Peretz, was killed after encountering terrorists in the Gaza Strip. She was previously chosen to light one of the traditional Independence Day torches in 2014, for the country's 66th Independence Day. "When they told me I'll be lighting a torch," she said then, "I thought, 'Who am I to deserve this honor?' I don't represent anyone. After thinking about it some more by myself, I told my living children, and then went to a wall with photos of the two sons I lost in battle, and told them as well." The State Department's recently retired envoy for North Korea said on Thursday he has urged North Korea to send a positive signal by releasing three American prisoners before a possible summit between US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. In an interview with CNN, Joseph Yun, who announced his retirement from the State Department in late February, said he also encouraged North Korean officials to respond to Trump's announcement that he will meet with Kim. No date or location for the talks has been announced, although they are expected to occur in late May. Yun said he had delivered the message in talks with North Korean officials after Trump's announcement last week that he would be willing to meet face-to-face with Kim. According to the Washington Post, US President Donald Trump reportedly decided to replace his national security adviser, H.R. McMaster. Citing five people with knowledge of the plans, the Post said Trump was considering several possible replacements, including former US Ambassador to the United Nations John Bolton and Keith Kellogg, the chief of staff of the National Security Council. Later, the Trump administration denied the claims. Israel issued Thursday a belated criticism of the poisoning on British soil of a former spy with a powerful nerve agent, but failed to attribute responsibility to Russia in a bid to avoid souring relations with Moscow. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter Israel views the event that took place in Great Britain with gravity and strongly condemns it, an official statement put out by the Foreign Ministry said. PM Netanyahu and Russian President Vladimir Putin (Photo: EPA) We hope that the international community will be able to join forces to prevent the recurrence of such events in the future. The statements omission of any implication that Russia stands behind the March 4 attack that left former Russian double agent Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia in critical condition and a British police officer seriously ill came shortly after the leaders of the United States, France and Germany joined Britain in blaming Russia Loath to cut cooperation with Moscow as Jerusalem continues taking military action against Iranian proxies seeking to attack Israel from Syrian soil, explicitly blaming Russia would likely be an ill-advised course of diplomatic action. During a conversation about the Iranian nuclear deal between the British Ambassador to Israel David Quarrey and head of the National Security Council Meir Ben Shabbat, the former stated clearly Britains position that Russia was fully to blame for the attack. Quarrey also told Ben Shabbat that he expected the UKs allies, including Israel, to join it in condemning the poisoning, which investigators suspect was carried out with nerve gas. David Quarrey (Photo: Eli Attias) Quarrey also raised the issue with other Israeli senior officials and indicated that he expected Israel to also lay responsibility at Russias doorstep. However, after an advisory session with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on how to handle the matter, a more laconic statement was issued that fell short of pointing the finger at the Kremlin. It was also decided that the statement would be published by the Foreign Ministry rather than the Prime Ministers Office. UK PM Theresa May (Photo: EPA) Netanyahu and Putin have held numerous meetings in recent years as Israel attempts to ensure that no military operations against targets in Syria clash with Russian interests. Moreover, blaming Russia risks upsetting relations between the two countries, which could have major security implications for Israel. In February, Netanyahu spoke to Russian President Vladimir Putin and US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson after an Israeli F-16 jet retaliating against an Iranian drone infiltration was downed by Syrian aerial defense. Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov says the Russian military and the Syrian government are extending a cease-fire in Damascus' rebel-held suburbs as long as it takes to allow all the civilians to leave the area. Lavrov spoke in Kazakhstan on Friday, saying the cease-fire will be extended "until all (civilians) leave" the enclave known as eastern Ghouta. The Russian Defense Ministry said that 2,000 people had exited the rebel-held suburbs by early morning. Thursday saw the largest single-day exodus of civilians in Syria's civil war. Tens of thousands emerged from Hamouria and other opposition towns to escape the onslaught. The civilians were fleeing as Syrian government troops, backed by Russian aircraft, pushed further into eastern Ghouta. Elsehwere, Turkish forces are pushing their way into the northern Kurdish-held town of Afrin. Five prominent US Jewish Zionists have urged Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu against proceeding with a government plan for the mass deportation of illegal African migrants from Israel, warning that it could cause incalculable damage to the moral standing of Israel and the Jewish people. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter One of the authors of the letter of caution, which seeks to block the impending expulsion of the migrants, mainly from Eritrea and Sudan, was Rabbi Marvin Hier, who accepted an invitation by US President Donald Trump to offer a prayer at his presidential inauguration. Heir also lit a memorial torch on Mount Herzl and was one of the founders of the Simon Wiesenthal Center and its Museum of Tolerance and of Moriah. He, like the rest of the letters signatories, is considered to be a strong advocate for Israel. Alan Dershowitz (Photo: AP) Abe Foxman, the former director of the Anti-Defamation League, also put his signature to the letter, as did renowned American attorney and Israel activist Alan Dershowitz, New York Rabbi Avi Weiss from the communitys liberal stream, and modern-Orthodox scholar Rabbi Irving (Yitzchak) Greenberg. Dershowitz, a one-time supporters of President Barack Obama, was vocal in his support for Netanyahu against the Iran nuclear agreement, and attended his 2015 speech to the US Congress in a last-ditch effort to derail the efforts toward signing the agreement. Rabbi Marvin Hier (Photo: Reuters) We, a group of ardent Zionists, who have devoted our lives to defending the good name of the state of Israel and the Jewish people, write with urgent concern about the situation of the African asylum seekers, said the letter. We fear that a mass expulsion could cause incalculable damage to the moral standing of Israel and of Jews around the world, it continued. We respectfully urge you, Mr. Prime Minister, to appoint Natan Sharansky to head a committee that would propose a humanitarian solution to the problem that also takes into account the concerns of the government of Israel. However, a response issued on behalf of Sharansky, the outgoing Jewish Agency Chairman , said that he was unaware of any such initiative regarding a committee. Natan Sharansky (Photo: The Jewish Agency) Mr. Sharansky was not a party to this initiative, has no knowledge of its details, and did not grant it his approval. On Thursday, Israels High Court issued a temporary injunction for the state, ordering it to halt the expulsion of asylum seekers from Israel until it submits a response to a petition made to the court against the expulsion . The state's reply, the justices ruled, must be submitted by March 26. The High Court issued a temporary injunction to block asylum seekers' expulsion (Photo: EPA) Last Friday, some 500 activists marched along the streets of south Tel Aviv in a latest display of solidarity with illegal African migrants and asylum seekers, who are set to be deported to Uganda or Rwanda or face imprisonment in Israel. In January, Israel began notifying thousands of Africans who entered the country illegally that they have three months to leave or face incarceration. They have until the end of March to decide. The Population and Immigration Authority called on migrants at the same time from Sudan and Eritrea to leave "to their country or to a third country," meaning Rwanda or Uganda. Those who leave by the end of March will be given $3,500, along with airfare and other incentives. Talks on the Iran nuclear deal are about to get underway in Vienna amid growing questions about the US commitment to the plan. President Donald Trump has vowed to walk away from the 2015 agreement in mid-May unless what the president calls fatal flaws are addressed. This week's firing of US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and the choice of Iran hard-liner Mike Pompeo to replace him have fueled speculation Washington will pull out. An indication of American thinking could come Friday, when the US, Britain, China, France, Germany, Russia, the European Union and Iran gather for a periodic meeting of the so-called Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action Joint Commission, or JCPOA, in Vienna. State Department policy planning chief Brian Hook is leading the US delegation. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said on Friday Russian air strikes on the Syrian rebel-held village of Kafr Batna in eastern Ghouta killed 12 civilians and wounded more than 100 others. "The bodies are completely burnt by the Russian war plane air strikes," Rami Abdulrahman, the director of the UK-based war monitor, said. Talks on the Iran nuclear deal got underway in Vienna on Friday amid growing questions about the US commitment to the plan. President Donald Trump has vowed to walk away from the 2015 agreement in mid-May unless European countries join the US in addressing what the president says are its fatal flaws. These include no penalties for Iran's missile work and support for militant groups in Lebanon, Syria, Yemen and elsewhere. This week's firing of US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and the choice of Iran hard-liner Mike Pompeo to replace him have fueled speculation Washington will pull out. Eyes are now on Friday's periodic meeting of the so-called Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action Joint Commission, or JCPOA, in Vienna for an indication of American thinking. Delegates from the US, Britain, China, France, Germany, Russia, the European Union and Iran made no comment to reporters as they arrived for the talks, which were expected to last through the day. A Syrian war monitoring group says Russian and Syrian government airstrikes on a town in the besieged eastern Ghouta enclave, just outside of Damascus, have killed 46 people. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights says the town of Kafr Batna was hit with cluster munitions, napalm-like incendiary weapons, and conventional explosives on Friday. Government forces are advancing on towns inside the rebel-held enclave, prompting a massive exodus of civilians. A medical charity supporting hospitals in the Ghouta region, the Syrian American Medical Society, says doctors in Kafr Batna are treating patients for severe burn wounds. The charity says it recorded 40 casualties on Friday. The Syrian Civil Defense search-and-rescue group says it has identified 42 bodies so far. It says the streets are strewn with body parts and that it expects the death toll to rise. Hundreds of protesters, mainly children, staged a solidarity rally on Friday with illegal African migrants who are set to be deported by the government in the coming weeks to Uganda or Rwanda. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter The demonstrationheld under the banner of Children of GodChildren and youth against deportationbegan at Habima Square from where the children made their way to Sderot Chen and concluded at Rabin Square. (Photo: Motti Kimchi) At the conclusion of the march, the famous Israeli musician and activists, Aviv Geffen performed at Rabin Square together with a band from the Bialik Rogozin high school in south Tel Aviv, the area most noticeably affected by the influx of the migrants. The school teaches many of the migrants children. We came in the name of the principle that the State of Israel is composed of refugees who had the doors slammed on them. We cant do the same thing to people from other terrible places, said one of the school girls, Hayley Kopperstein. (Photo: Motti Kimchi) It isnt ok that we, of all people, behave this way. The children and the youth dont make decisions but if anyone can reach the hearts of the citizens it is us. Liam Strikovsky, a school boy who attended the march from Jaffas Open Democratic School said that he had come to show Israels sympathy. (Photo: Motti Kimchi) We are here to show the state and the government that we care about what happens and that it affects us too. It seriously bothers us how the state treats people who are just looking for a home. I care so I came because if we dont do anything, nothing will change, Liam said. Yuval Gurvitch said that the matter was more important that studies. There are some things that are more important that two hours of math and I call on everyone who is at home to come here instead of watching TV, Yuval added. Sign reads: "Children and the youth oppose deportation" (Photo: Motti Kimchi) The Israel children also walked side by side with some of the migrant children. We came here nine years ago because of the situation in Eritrea, said one of the 17-year-old migrants from the Bialik Rogozin high school. It was very hard for us, but now, when they talk about deportation, I am worried about my family, about my future and my education. Jaril, 16, also from the same school said: I am a son of a Filipino immigrant and I was born in Israel. A few years ago we were supposed to be deported and I remember how scary and hard it was. I have friends who are 18 who would have wanted to draft into the army. Think how they feel about the deportation. We invite you to our school to come and see how much we are like them. Five prominent US Jewish Zionists have urged Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu against proceeding with a government plan for the mass deportation of illegal African migrants from Israel, warning that it could cause incalculable damage to the moral standing of Israel and the Jewish people. On Thursday, Israels High Court issued a temporary injunction for the state, ordering it to halt the expulsion of asylum seekers from Israel until it submits a response to a petition made to the court against the expulsion. The state's reply, the justices ruled, must be submitted by March 26. Lithuania's foreign minister says the nerve agent attack on an ex-spy is a direct challenge to the European Union that will likely be discussed at an upcoming meeting in Brussels even though it's not on the formal agenda. Linas Linkevicius told The Associated Press that Russia's recent provocations need a tough response, including action against oligarchs with questionable ties who have used London as a safe haven. Linkevicius said that "it's not a big secret that many oligarchs find refuge here in London" and invest in real estate. He said that "this is really strong leverage that would be very important pressure against" the Russian government. He says Russia has become accustomed to weak reactions to provocations, including the British response to the fatal poisoning of ex-spy Alexander Litvinenko in 2006. European Union foreign ministers meet in Brussels on Monday. A Hezbollah military media unit said the Syrian army captured the town of Jisreen on Friday in an insurgent pocket in eastern Ghouta where thousands of people have fled since Thursday. "The Syrian army is continuing its operations in eastern Ghouta and gained control of Jisreen town," said the unit run by Lebanon's Hezbollah, which fights alongside the army in Syria. Thousands of civilians were fleeing from besieged enclaves on opposite ends of Syria on Friday as two major battles in the multi-sided war entered decisive phases. A Palestinian terrorist rammed into a patrol of IDF soldiers with his car on Friday afternoon on route 585 between the settlements of Mevo Dotan and Hermesh, killing two of the soldiersan officer and a conscriptand moderately-to-seriously wounding two others. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter The attack took place when the four left their military jeep to man a nearby guard, where Palestinians have been throwing rocks and Molotov cocktails at the road. When they were spotted by the terrorist, the troops were standing near a pillbox post located between the village of Ya'bad and nearby olive plantations. The two slain soldiers were standing at the front of their jeep, while the other two stood on the vehicle's other side, near the road. The ramming vehicle Upon spotting the soldiers, the terrorist veered from the road, sped up, and hit the officer and the soldier who was standing with him first. The two were killed instantly. Then, the terrorist sped towards the two other troops, wounding one very seriously and the other moderately. At some point, the terrorist also hit the barbed-wire fence that surrounded the pillbox post. The IDF's assessment is that only seconds passed between the time the terrorist hit the first two soldiers to when he hit the other two, leaving the troops no time to respond and fire at him. The terrorist's Hyundai jeep has been completely destroyed in the attack, with vehicle parts scattered to considerable distances from the spot of the attack, which is a testament to the force with which he rammed into the soldiers. Just last week, the soldiers replaced another battalion in that area of the Samaria district, which is considered relatively quiet. The guard tower the four were headed to (Photo: Yair Sagi) Israeli and Palestinian medics that arrived to the scene gave the wounded first aid before pronouncing two dead and evacuating the rest to Rabin Medical Center in Petah Tikva. One of the soldiers is in serious condition and has been sedated and put on life support due to suffering blunt trauma to the head. He underwent a series of operations throughout the night Friday and continues fighting for life at the ICU. The other wounded soldier is in moderate condition. He too underwent a series of operations overnight Friday and early Saturday. The terrorist sustained light-to-moderate wounds and was treated at the scene. He was then evacuated to Hillel Yaffe Medical Center in Hadera. The aftermath of the attack X The IDF Spokesperson's Unit confirmed the attack was meant to hurt and kill IDF soldiers, adding the terrorist is currently under interrogation. The Shin Bet security service identified the terrorist as 26-year-old Alaa Kabha, a resident of Barta'awhich straddles both sides of the Green Line in the Wadi Ara region. Kabha is a former security prisoner who was released from prison in April 2017. Kabha is a former security prisoner who was released from prison in April 2017. Palestinian media reported that the IDF raided the Kabha's home, questioned members of his family and arrested his brother for further interrogation. The Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories, Major General Yoav Mordechai, ordered the immediate suspension of the permits of Kabha's clan. Following COGAT's directive, 67 permits to work in Israel will be revoked, along with 26 trade permits and four employment permits applicable to the settlements. While deciding not to put a full closure on the terrorist's village, the IDF stationed troops at roads going in and out of the village to prevent other would-be attackers from leaving the village and carrying out an attack inspired by Kabha. The terrorist, Alaa Kabha Gaza's two main terror groups welcomed the attack and praised its perpetrator. Its de facto governing authority, Hamas, noted it marked "100 days since Trump was recognized Jerusalem as the capital of Israel," and that it made clear that "the Palestinian people are continuing the intifada and that the protest against (Trump's) decision and the (Israeli) occupation is not just a wave of (momentary) anger, but an ongoing matter until full liberation is achieved." The Palestinian Islamic Jihad welcomed the escalation in attacks against soldiers and settlers, asserting they are part of the "natural right of the Palestinian people to defend itself in its land and holy places." IDF raids Kabha's home Defense Minster Avigdor Lieberman vowed to push for the terrorist to be executed, his home demolished and all those who cooperated with him brought to justice. "There is no such thing as individual terrorism," Lieberman then added, claiming this attackand others like itdo not qualify as such for the fact that it is backed and supported by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and the Palestinian Authority, "which pays money to the families of the terrorists." Germany's Federal Foreign Office strongly condemned the attack, wishing the wounded a fast and complete recovery. "The Israeli-Palestinian conflict cannot be resolved by force. Such criminal acts or the call for violence only lead to more hatred. On the contrary, it is all the more important to maintain the perspective of a lasting solution that will enable all Israelis and Palestinians to live a life of peace and dignity. The federal government will continue to do so," a spokesperson for the Federal Foreign Office said. It is the second ramming attack against Israeli security forces in just two weeks. Earlier this month, an Israeli Arab ran over and lightly-to-moderately wounded two Israelis, a Border Policeman and a pedestrian, in the city of Acre in what police confirmed was a terror attack. Hamas welcomed the ramming attack, saying it was marked "100 days since Trump was recognized Jerusalem as the capital of Israel," and that it made clear that "the Palestinian people are continuing the intifada and that the protest against (Trump's) decision and the occupation is not just a wave of anger, but an ongoing matter until full liberation is achieved." Mostafa al-Asar's lawyer said he had barely started work on a documentary critical of Egypt's President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi when police arrested him and charged him with publishing "fake news". The journalist was detained before he had even begun filming, his lawyer said. The government did not respond to requests for comment. The arrest on Feb. 4 came ahead of a presidential election later this month which Sisi is virtually guaranteed to win. All opposition candidates except one have dropped out citing intimidation, while the remaining challenger has said he supports the president. The election commission says it has been receptive to any complaints and the vote will be fair and transparent. As the March 26-28 election nears, Egypt has turned its attention to news outlets and journalists it accuses of spreading lies, including some foreign media and even one pro-government commentator. Authorities say curbing fictitious news is necessary for national security. They regularly accuse outlets of a lack of professionalism in covering Egypt and urge reporters to use only official outlets as sources. Saudi Arabia and its adversaries in Yemen's armed Houthi movement are holding secret talks to try to end a three-year-old war that has unleashed the world's worst humanitarian crisis, diplomats and Yemeni political sources said. A Saudi-led coalition is fighting to counter the influence of Riyadh's arch-foe Iran, an ally of the Houthis, who deny any help from Tehran and say they are fighting a revolution against corrupt politicians and Gulf powers in thrall to the West. Speaking to Reuters on condition of anonymity, two diplomats and two Yemeni officials said the Houthi spokesman Mohammed Abdul-Salam had been in direct communication with Saudi officials in Oman on a comprehensive solution to the conflict. "There are consultations between the Houthis and the Saudis, without a representative of the internationally recognised government, and it is clear that there is a desire of the Houthis and the coalition to go toward a comprehensive agreement," one diplomat told Reuters. The United States and three European allies have had "very good" talks on President Donald Trump's demand that their nuclear deal with Iran be improved by a May 12 deadline, a US envoy said on Friday. Trump has threatened to withdraw the United States from the accord between Tehran and six world powers, signed in 2015 before he took office, unless France, Britain and Germany help agree a follow-up pact by that date. Trump does not like the deal's limited duration, among other things. A State Department cable obtained by Reuters last month, however, outlined a path under which the three key European allies would simply commit to try to improve the deal over time in return for Trump keeping the pact alive by renewing US sanctions relief in May. Senior officials from the countries which signed the deal held a quarterly meeting in Vienna on Friday. Separately, the US delegation met their counterparts from France, Britain and Germany on Thursday, US envoy Brian Hook said. Britain, France and Germany have proposed fresh EU sanctions on Iran over its ballistic missiles and its role in Syrias war, according to a confidential document, in a bid to persuade Washington to preserve the 2015 nuclear deal with Tehran. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter The joint paper, seen by Reuters, was sent to European Union capitals on Friday, said two people familiar with the matter, to sound out support for such sanctions as they would need the support of all 28 EU member governments. The proposal is part of an EU strategy to save the accord signed by world powers that curbs Tehrans ability to develop nuclear weapons, namely by showing US President Donald Trump that there are other ways to counter Iranian power abroad. Chancellor of Germany Merkel, President of France Macron and UK PM May (Photo: Getty Images, Reuters, EPA) Trump delivered an ultimatum to the European signatories on Jan. 12. It said they must agree to fix the terrible flaws of the Iran nuclear dealwhich was sealed under his predecessor Barack Obamaor he would refuse to extend US sanctions relief on Iran. US sanctions will resume unless Trump issues fresh waivers to suspend them on May 12. We will therefore be circulating in the coming days a list of persons and entities that we believe should be targeted in view of their publicly demonstrated roles, the document said, referring to Iranian ballistic missile tests and Tehrans role backing Syrias government in the seven-year-old civil war. The steps would go beyond what a US State Department cable obtained by Reuters last month outlined as a path to satisfy Trump: simply committing to improving the nuclear deal. It also reflects frustration with Tehran. Were getting irritated. Weve been talking to them for 18 months and have had no progress on these issues, a diplomat said. European Union foreign ministers will discuss the proposal at a closed-door meeting on Monday in Brussels, diplomats said. Analysts say the nuclear agreement, touted at the time as a breakthrough reducing the risk of a devastating wider war in the Middle East, could collapse if Washington pulls out. US President Trump (Photo: AP) Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif struck a defiant note towards Washington on Friday. If the United States makes the mistake of pulling out of the JCPOA, it will definitely be a painful mistake for the Americans, Iranian state television quoted Zarif as saying. The JCPOA is the formal name of the nuclear deal. Zarif did not refer to the possibility of new EU sanctions. The commission overseeing the nuclear accord said on Friday in Vienna that Iran was meeting its obligations under the deal. The joint document by Britain, France and Germany said they were engaged in intensive talks with the Trump administration to achieve a clear and lasting reaffirmation of US support for the (nuclear) agreement beyond May 12. The proposal follows weeks of talks between the State Department and European powers as they try to mollify the Trump administration, which is split between those who want to tear up the agreement and those who wish to preserve it. A US State Department official declined to comment, adding, "We don't want to get ahead of the EU's decision-making process ... There is broad agreement on the areas that need strengthening, but how that's done in each of the three areas is the subject of our negotiations." A different US official cited "very good" talks with London, Paris and Berlin this week in Vienna on the issue. 'Proliferation' of Iranian missiles The document referred to sanctions that would target militias and commanders. It proposes building on the EUs existing sanctions list related to Syria, which includes travel bans and asset freezes on individuals, and a ban on doing business or financing public and private companies. It was strident in its criticism of Irans ballistic weapons, which Tehran says are for defensive purposes, saying there were transfers of Iranian missiles and missile technology to Syria and allies of Tehran, such as Houthi rebels in Yemen and Lebanons Iran-backed Shiite Hezbollah. Such a proliferation of Iranian missile capabilities throughout the region is an additional and serious source of concern, the document said. Iranian President Rouhani during a Tehran military parade (Photo: EPA) Still, the issue is highly sensitive because the 2015 pact between Iran and six major powersBritain, China, France, Germany, Russia and the United Stateslifted international sanctions that crippled Irans oil-based economy. While the EU retains some sanctions on Iranians over human rights abuses, it rescinded its economic and financial restrictions on Iran in 2016 and does not want to be seen to be reneging on the agreement. Iran signed up to limits on its uranium enrichment activity, which it has repeatedly said is for peaceful power generation, not atomic bombs, but has refused to discuss its missiles. The Islamic Republic has dismissed Western assertions that its activities in the Middle East are destabilizing and also rejected Trumps demands to renegotiate the nuclear accord. In the joint document, Britain, France and Germany set out questions and answers that seek to show that legally, the European powers would not be breaking the terms of the nuclear deal. It said they are entitled to adopt additional sanctions against Iran as long as they are not nuclear-related or were previously lifted under the nuclear agreement. The European powers said new sanctions are justified because Iran did not commit further to stop undertaking ballistic missile destabilizing activities under the nuclear agreement. The nuclear deals terms did not cover ballistic missile activity. Talented Ghanaian actor and showbiz personality, Christopher 'Chris' Attoh, has shared an inspiring photograph hanging out with famous American rapper and superstar 50 Cent. The movie star shared the photo in an Instagram post on Thursday, after having a good time out together with the famous rapper somewhere in the United States. Chris Attoh and 50 Cent READ ALSO: Let's 'preach condoms' to pupils - NDC MP Although it is not clear what brought the two stars together, Chris Attoh captioned his Instagram post Thank you @50cent for all the Love. Its a wrap for a bit out here!!! Next stop, Washington DC. Chris Attoh's caption gives an indication that, the Ghanaian star is embarking on an international movie project together with the American superstar. This is not the first time Chris Attoh is being spotted enjoying himself with famous Hollywood stars. The actor has over the years embarked on similar Hollywood projects. The Ghanaian actor through hard work recently secured a juicy endorsement deal with international IT firm Iflix. READ ALSO: Shatta wale finally gets keys to his Zylofon mansion READ ALSO: Joe Mettle shares his life story and how he sold 'waakye leaves' Meet emerging music star Kobla Jnr on Star Gist with Yen.com.gh: YEN.com.gh 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. Message us on Facebook now Source: Yen We have retired this blog site If you are not redirected automatically, please access our PwC Global CEO Agenda research and insights. - Richard Akoto, was in Singapore on the ticket of Microsoft as part of the global technology giants support for him after he went viral earlier this year - The teacher gained the attention of the world after he posted photos of himself improvising by drawing the entire Microsoft Word window on a blackboard to teach his pupils - Richards viral story has since gotten a benefactor at UKs University of Leeds to donate a brand new laptop to his school The Ghanaian ICT teacher who used a blackboard drawing to teach his students how to launch Microsoft Word, was welcomed with a raucous cheer when he appeared on stage at the Education Exchange conference in Singapore. Richard Akoto Appiah became an internet sensation when his exploits in using drawings on a black board to teach his students how launch to Microsoft Word went viral. Richard Appiah Akoto in Singapore READ ALSO: NDC MP John Oti ties the knot The 34-year-old who teaches at Betenase M/A Junior High School in the town of Sekyedomase posted photos of how he takes his pupils through ICT lessons on Facebook, leading to many reviews. "Teaching of ICT in Ghana's school is very funny," he said on the caption accompanying the said post. With the photos going viral, international media firms like the CNN and BBC featured him as his story became known across the globe. Microsoft Africa also took notice of his exploits and invited him for the Microsoft Education Exchange 2018 being held in Singapore. The event brought together over 400 educators and school leaders from 91 countries to discuss the role of technology in education. When Mr. Akoto Appiah was called to step up on stage he received a standing ovation from all who were present in acknowledgement of his exploits. Richard Appiah (R) with Vice President for Worldwide Education at Microsoft, Anthony Salcito (L) in Singapore Join YEN on Instagram to be always informed and entertained! The Vice President for Worldwide Education at Microsoft, Anthony Salcito, was full of praise for the Ghanaian teacher, saying his work has really inspired the world. It really shows the amazing innovation and commitment and passion that teachers have for helping their students get ready for the future. On his part, Mr. Akoto Appiah said he was delighted to have taken part in the Microsoft Education Exchange conference. According to him, something very positive has come out of this and I am very happy. We are no longer going to use the chalkboard again. We will have computers. He added: I wanted to teach them [the pupils] how to launch Microsoft Word. But I had no computer to show them. I had to do my best. So, I decided to draw what the screen looks like on the blackboard with chalk. I drew the features and labeled them correctly so that they would know what-was-what. Then I drew what you would see on your computer screen after launching Word. Richard Akoto and his pupils in class READ ALSO: Im the most sexually attractive actress in Ghana Actress I have been doing this every time the lesson Im teaching demands it. Ive drawn monitors, system units, keyboards, a mouse, a formatting toolbar, a drawing toolbar, and so on. In another development, the Betenase M/A Junior High School teachers exploits have also led to many benefactors donating ICT equipment to the school. The UKs University of Leeds recently donated a brand new laptop to the school, while NIIT Ghana, an IT training school, has also donated five (5) desktop computers to help provide pupils with knowledge on ICT. Who is going to be Ghanas next top pastor? Check out YEN.com.gh's top picks: READ ALSO: Former COCOBOD boss, Stephen Opuni Charged with causing financial loss to the state Send us a message via our official Facebook and/or Instagram page to get it published on YEN.com.gh Source: Yen.com.gh - Kennedy Agyapong has threatened to expose celebrated broadcaster and journalist Abeiku Santana - The MP has noted that Abeiku Santana colluded with his pay masters during Mahama's tenure to deplete funds from the national purse Member of Parliament for Assin North, Kennedy Ohene Agyapong has accused ace broadcaster, Abeiku Santana, of being corrupt. According to the MP, Abeiku has been involved in several shoddy deals and must be jailed for that. Kennedy Agyapong is MP for Assin North in the Central Region. READ ALSO: NDC MP John Oti ties the knot The controversial and outspoken lawmaker further accused the broadcaster of selling a state vehicle to a businessman during the erstwhile John Mahama administration. Speaking on Oman FM's Boiling Point show, Thursday night, the firebrand NPP MP described Abeiku as a crook who deserves to be in jail. Mr Agyapong explained that national security operatives managed to retrieve the said car from the businessman, only to find out that it was Abeiku who sold it out. He wondered why such a thing should happen, insisting the Okay FM presenter is in no capacity to sell a state vehicle to another person. Abeiku Santana Join YEN on Instagram to be always informed and entertained! Abeiku Santana is known to be a staunch NDC supporter, and was one of the main advocates for John Mahama during the 2016 elections. The presenter has, however, often shrugged off criticism from those who chide him for taking a stand when it comes to politics. In his view, there is no crime in supporting the NDC and he will continue to do so until the party returns to power. Who is going to be Ghanas next top pastor? Check out YEN.com.gh's top picks: READ ALSO: Ghanaian blackboard ICT teacher gets standing ovation in Singapore Send us a message via our official Facebook and/or Instagram page to get it published on YEN.com.gh Source: Yen News - A Plus has fired at MPs for advocating for shoot-to-kill approach for galamsey fight - The musicians says politicians are corrupt and must rather be shot dead Controversial Ghanaian musician and politician, Kwame Asare Obeng, aka A Plus, has lashed out some Ghanaian politicians for calling on security agencies to adopt shoot-to-kill approach in fighting illegal mining activities. According to A Plus, security agencies must rather shoot-to-kill corrupt Ghanaian politicians instead of illegal miners. Kwame A Plus READ ALSO: Let's 'preach condoms' to pupils NDC MP The First Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Joseph Osei Owusu and Majority Leader of Parliament, Osei Kyei Mensah Bonsu have come under fire for advocating for shoot-to-kill in fighting galamsy. The two parliamentarians over the week asked that the security agencies be given the power to shoot those involved in illegal mining activities. Hon. Osei Owusu on his part observed that shoot-to-kill is the only approach to deter criminals from engaging in the illegal act. READ ALSO: Shatta wale finally gets keys to his Zylofon mansion The MP in his submission suggested that a joint military and police anti-galamsey task force fighting illegal mining in various parts of the country should adopt the approach in order to save the countrys water resources. However, the controversial NPP activist, A Plus in a Facebook comment insisted that corrupt Ghanaians should rather be killed in that bizarre manner and not illegal miners. I also propose that we should start shooting to kill politicians who steal our money. That is the only way to deter criminal politicians from engaging in that act. When it hungry people trying to earn a living they must be shot without trial. When its a politician we must wait for the special prosecutor because they are special. Nonsense man!!!, A Plus lashed out at the MP. READ ALSO: Prophet Nigel Gaisie drops another doom prophecy on Ghana Meet emerging music star Kobla Jnr on Star Gist with Yen.com.gh YEN.com.gh 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. Message us on Facebook now Source: Yen.com.gh - One of two men arrested for wielding grenades at Odorkor in Accra has been freed - Osman Alhassan, according to the attorney general, is an onion seller - Both men have so far been arrested The Accra Central District Court has freed one of the suspects arrested for wielding grenades at Odorkor, a suburb of Accra. It all happened when the Attorney General's office ordered the case of Osman Alhassan to be closed. READ ALSO: Latest pre-wedding picture of Ghanaian couple sets the internet on fire In fact, a lawyer to Osman revealed to the court that Osman is rather an onion seller and not a part of those wielding the bombs. Meanwhile, a senior state attorney, Sefakor Batse, told the c5ourt, that the remaining two convicts deserve to be behind bars. On the evaluation of the evidence available in the docket referred to the AGs Office on the matter, the AG has directed that Ismaila Ali Musah and Abdul Karim Yakubu be charged with possessing explosives and firearms without lawful authority, he argued. Background: The grenades, amounting to 7 pieces were captured in camera as the men stood with handcuffs on. So far, it remains unknown who these men are affiliated with and what terrorist organization their operate for as there are high suspicions they could be linked to the terrorist group, ISIS. Police arrest men with bombs at Odorkor in Accra Police officials are also yet to confirm the intentions of these men for possessing these bombs and also how they got arrested but information reaching YEN.com.gh from the police at Odorkor show one of the men is linked to ISIS in Libya. So far, suspicions of a probable terrorist attack are not confirmed but this development follows the previous call on the government to take a closer look at national security against terror attacks in the country. YEN.com.gh had earlier reported of how investigations by the Libyan government show how Ghana, Gambia, Senegal, Niger, Chad, Mali, and Eritrea, had between 50 and 100 of its citizens in the militant group. The revelation by the Libyan government followed an argument by ranking member on parliament's foreign affairs committee, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, that Ghana ranks among the highest countries with IS recruits in Libya. READ ALSO: Yvonne Nelson opens up about how she delivered her baby Okudzeto's concerns have been downplayed by the government and the majority who claim there remain no existential evidence to such claims and reports. So far, the only Ghanaian believed to have joined ISIS is the graduate of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) - Nazir Nortei Alema. Star Gist on YEN brings you an exclusive interview with upcoming music star Kobla Jnr: We are looking for unique stories and photos about developments happening in your area. Get in touch with YEN on Facebook or Instagram. Source: Yen Most Ghanaians who live in urban environments are fully aware of the sanitation crisis in the country's major cities. With plastic waste clogging city gutters, Ghana still has a long way towards achieving its sanitation goals. While there are varying opinions regarding what is the main cause of the problem, many agree that a change of attitude towards sanitation would go along way towards providing a solution to Ghana's - and Africa's - sanitation problem. YEN.com.gh put together a series photos of Japanese gutters, compared to some in Ghana that suggests Ghana has a long way to go towards changing the attitude towards sanitation. Ghanaian gutters (left) compared to Japanese ones (right). READ ALSO: Joe Mettle says One Corner song is "backed by evil spirit" Pay attention: Get all the latest news on the go with YEN NEWS Android app A Reddit user posted photos of the streets of In Takayama in Gifu prefecture, in the mountains near the Japanese Alps. The gutters carry snow melts that feed into a nearby river. Koi fish are notorious for being able to survive only in very clean water, something that goes a long way towards showing how much Japanese cities are doing to tackle sanitation in urban areas. Also checkout the most recent edition of YEN TV's Star Gist with rising Ghanaian Musician, Kobla Jnr, and watch the artiste speak about his plans of making it big in the music industry: READ ALSO: Fetish priest cuts himself to death after magic fails him Do you have any story to share with YEN? Get featured! We are available on Facebook and Instagram Source: Yen.com.gh Ghanaian film maker and Chief Executive Officer of Sparrow Productions, Shirley Frimpong-Manso, is celebrating her 41st birthday today, March 16. The Adams Apples producer has shared a lovely photo on her Instagram page with a message that suggests that no matter the troubles of life, one needs to laugh. The caption of the photo read I found this picture and thought Ive had quite a year, its okay to laugh and thank God for being ever present. So heres to laughter guys love you all!#marchbornsrock #16march #thankful READ ALSO: These 5 Ghanaian politicians are missing in action Shirley did not make it end there, she added another one that is even more captivating. Her followers have also posted a lot of flattering images to make her birthday wonderful. Shirley Frimpong Manso is has produced quite a number of movies that have taken Ghana international. She has also won several awards in Ghana and abroad. READ ALSO: Kwesi Pratt in trouble over KNUST comment She is currently producing her new movie titled 'Potato Potahto'. 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.com.gh Politicians are the very persons who influence public discussion and the decision of voters in every election period. In the midst of their presence in the political sphere, you dare not mess with some of them. READ ALSO: Man suspected with bombs at Odorkor in Accra freed Check out this list of the 5 most "scary" politicians in Ghana today. 1. Kennedy Agyapong Kennedy Agyepong is one of the most "no-nonsense" politicians in Ghana today. This was a man who made the allegation that the electoral commissioner, Charlotte Osei, got appointed in exchange for sexual favors. In fact, he was also the politicians to get arrested after "declaring war" in Ghana on a local radio station. In spite of all these controversies, Kennedy Agyapong somehow comes back stronger as ever. 2. Kojo Twum Baffuor Former Chief Executive of the Ghana Free Zones Board remains one of the politicians in Ghana who is feared for saying it as it is. Kojo Twum Baffuor has personally attacked various political opponents often through the clever use if insinuations and verbal attacks. You dare not joke with him. 3. Ursula Owusu She is a staunch feminist. A woman of stature who always uses her feminine wiles to influence public debates and discussions. It will not be a surprise to see her appointed a minister in charge of children and gender affairs should her party, the New Patriotic Patriotic Party (NPP) wins the December polls. 4. Ama Benyiwa Doe It was not for anything that Ghanaians starting asking where Ama Benyiwa Doe had gone to after disappearing from the public glare for years. She is feared as the queen politician in Ghana today. This is a firm personality who can even slap her colleague discussants to order in a heated political radio show. You dare not mess with her! 5. Dr. Tony Aidoo He is one of the fearful politicians in Ghana today. Fearful to the extent that journalists even fear to poke a recorder to his lips. This is an intellectual who criticised Archbishop Duncan Williams for praying for the Cedi and also termed Christians who speak in tongues as "mad". 6. Sir John Oh, yea! You can not mention politicians in Ghana without mentioning Kwadwo Owusu Afriyie. Popularly known as "Sir John", Mr. Afriyie has always been in the media for the wrong, funny and controversial reasons. Most of his utterances are considered vile to the extent that he got summoned by the Supreme Court for unsavory comments made during the election petition. Did we leave out any politician? Share your views in the comment section below. We are available on Facebook and Twitter. Source: Yen ndtv.com, March 11, 2018 Renowned historian Romila Thapar spoke to NDTVs Sonia Singh on covert pressures in the contemporary political arena and the intersection of nationalism, secularism and democracy. Ms Thapar also discussed on nationalism in the current socio-political framework. Here is the full transcript: NDTV: Its interesting, youve talked about contemporary pasts. Suddenly, the past seems omnipresent in our politics whether its about discussing whose version of culture should dominate, whether its about whose statues still deserve to still be standing. Why do you think that is? Dr Thapar: Well, thats why I call it the contemporary past because its the way in which the past is being used for contemporary purposes. People would argue that the past has always been used that way. Fine historians have said that the best historians are those who understand the relationship between the past and the present and understand how the present is using the past. Therefore, in a sense, it seems to be quite logical to talk about the contemporary past because this is the contemporary use of the past and in that, there are periods in which theres not too much interest in the past, there are periods when theres a great deal of interest. I think we really have to ask ourselves why is there this great interest? Partly, I suppose, its the kind of interest that developed around the world at the time of nationalism because one of the components of nationalism is to bring the past into the present and use it. NDTV: When you look at contemporary nationalism perhaps this kind of tearing down of the past, whether its about statues or challenging ideas that seem to have dominated historical thinking over the years, is natural and in a way, if a particular party or ideology has won the democratic battle, does it make sense that they then have the right to challenge the history we have studied so far? Dr Thapar: Statements about the past have to be based on the logic of causality and the reasonableness with which you are making connections. If B comes after A, you have to explain why and not assume that the two are connected, and then finally you get to a stage where you make a statement. Theres one way of using an explanation to explain the data but someone may come with a better explanation and the same data is then subjected to the better explanation and the paradigm shifts. Ideally, this is what goes on in circles of scholarship. The problem arises when you need history for political purposes, then attacks become ruthless, they become abusive. The kind of attacks we turn our faces away from. NDTV: You have in fact faced a lot of those attacks. In some ways Romila Thapar has become the face of the Left historians who have somehow distorted Indian history. How do you react to this? Dr Thapar: Thats an old story, it goes back a long way. It really started getting bad when the Right was in power, the Morarji Desai government, where members of the BJP wanted our history textbooks to be banned because we were called anti-Indian. Murli Manohar Joshi referred to us as academic terrorists which I thought was quite a compliment, thats when the attack began and it got more abusive as it went along. Second time with the first NDA government, there was a fierce attack on textbooks. Thats when it was zeroed in on a few of us and then just me. I have many explanations of why I have been picked. Well, I deal with ancient history, which is considered sacrosanct in certain political circles. I criticize earlier views which I shouldnt be doing and the ability to question knowledge. Knowledge advances when a student is able to question existing knowledge. The second reason, I suspect, I may be exaggerating over here but its not for a woman to question the sacred text, it comes more easily if a man was to do that. A woman historian is expected to just carry on with what they have been given and not ask questions. These attitudes are understandable in terms of the political shift. As history moved into the arena of the social sciences, the issue of questioning sources became a very live issue, we are constantly questioning each other. NDTV: As you pointed out, the debate is now with professional politicians. We have seen in states like Rajasthan, where in fact textbooks are going to be rewritten, to actually, the facts of history. UPs Chief Minister says the Taj Mahal is not a monument of Indian culture. How do you react as an Indian historian? Dr Thapar: As an Indian, I react very fiercely because I belong to a generation where being Indian meant being inclusive. We had to know the culture of everybody from top-down and here to there. To narrow that down to a single identity, this is unacceptable. It is unacceptable to me as an Indian. As a historian, it is not only unacceptable, but it is completely flawed. It does not stand the test of historical analysis. NDTV: For instance, Aurangzeb Road being renamed, why do you think it wont stand the test of history? Dr Thapar: Because the kind of history they are trying to bring in and replace existing history with, it is not based on evidence. It is based on fantasy. If now tomorrow the history textbooks are going to talk about Rana Pratap winning the battle, what does an historian do? As a historian you cannot accept this, you cant teach it. But are you going to be forced to teach it? Thats a simple issue and it moves to bigger issues. This kind of history is so politicized that they even forget that there are very provocative, interesting and in some ways analytically challenging questions that we are dealing with in our studies of history. All that is pushed aside and all they are concerned with is, were the Hindus indigenous? Are the Aryans indigenous? These issues were important to some people but for most historians we have moved on from that, we are asking a lot of different questions. Your profession is being reduced to something it shouldnt be reduced to. Its an intellectual profession. This attack on the intellectual side of history, reducing it to muttering slogans, this is unacceptable. NDTV: The Government has announced a committee to rewrite textbooks and also to look at mythology and how in a sense that mythology can also be looked at as history, the Ram Setu Bridge for example. Do you think in a democracy, they are saying they are correcting the wrongs of the past not just historically, they have been voted in on a mandate that gives them the right to relook at Indian culture, how do you react to this? Dr Thapar: I think you have to separate the fact they have been brought here on a political mandate, its an election. This mandate doesnt give them the right to interfere with the findings of professional groups. Those finding will continue. No matter what they do to textbooks, there will always be historians, anthropologists, sociologists and economists who will carry on researching and writing what they have been doing. For purposes of the political ideology, history becomes very important because you are basing yourself on it. Look at the writings of the Hindutva ideologues in the 1930s and the whole issue of the Hindu Rashtra for example, the argument is that the Hindus were the original indigenous inhabits of the country, Hinduism is the religion of this country and every other person is alien. But history doesnt support this. Yes, history supports the fact that various groups of religious thinkers contributed to the making of Hinduism and it has become a very major religion, but the question of the Hindus today being descents of the original population, this makes no sense, because there is no way to confirm this. Even the DNA reports of this talk about a very mixed population. NDTV: The current RSS chief, Mohan Bhagwat, has made the same point that everyone born in India is necessarily Hindu. Do you accept the view that there was perhaps a hegemony of historians and there was a Left version of history and now this is a Right version of history and thats just part of this current process of social and political churning? Dr Thapar: We recognise that there are a variety of theories. These explanations will be in debate. What you had was a dominance of a particular type of explanation, which in terms of history was not supportive of a political ideology, but a certain way of looking at the past. Then you have other people coming along and saying we dont accept this explanation. Please provide a different explanation, not a fantasy narrative. This is what we are battling against. The tragedy today is that it is not Left historians versus Right historians. It is generally good historians versus non-historians. NDTV: Is that a problem? Do you feel the right wing needs to develop their own public intellectual? Is that a condescending way of looking at it? Dr Thapar: Its not a condescending way to look at it. The point is that there has never been an intellectually investigative, analytical history from the right wing. There has been in the past, the colonial history was very much there. Now, what has happened is, the ideology of the right today, certainly of the religious right, is based very much on colonial interpretations. Now they have to work out an analysis and explanation which is not colonial and is also questioning the kind of history written in the last 50 years. I dont see anybody doing that at the moment. At the moment, there is this disjuncture of trained historian versus other people for whom history is still a 19th century concept. NDTV: Statues have been vandalised, theres of course again a sharp divide and some say its a battle of ideologies. When it comes to bulldozing a statue of Lenin, defacing statues of Periyar or Syama Prasad Mukherjee in Kolkata, what do you think the larger message being sent out here is? Dr Thapar: Vandalism, something people happily indulge in today and nothing happens to them. One of the crises we face today is that we seem to have no ethical values anymore. Ethics is in for bad times. Its time ethics was revived. Lynching and vandalism is something that is not and should not be acceptable. You may get a thrill of knocking down statues, but at the end of the day, what does this achieve? It achieves nothing. Knocking them down is absolutely of no use. The main point is that these are like getting up, like shouting slogans and saying, this is nationalism. It is not. These are things we have to think of much more deeply. If we were going to talk about being nationalists, what do we mean by this? What is it to say that we are not subjects of the king but now citizens of the state? We pay no attention to that. NDTV: Nationalism is such a hotly debated word today without looking at the meaning, especially in the context of JNU which almost became a symbol of anti-nationalism and yet its been chosen as the best university in terms of academics, the contradiction seems bizarre. Dr Thapar: This is a clear indication of where we are going. They chose the best university by general reckoning, largely they focused on the Department of Social Science because social sciences are the methods of analysing social activities. If anybody is going to question the politics of the government, it is going to be the social scientists. So, you pick the best university and you pick the social sciences department and you try and create havoc, so much so, that every week practically theres a crisis between the teachers and the students and the administration. One thing is to say its a left-wing bastion thats why we are setting things right, but they are doing nothing of the kind. They are not bringing an alternate ideology. They are simply and slowly ensuring that JNU will integrate. This attitude is that of desperation almost, that you know, we really want to plant our flag in such a way that no one will have the opportunity to pick it up again and take it out and plant another flag in its place. NDTV: Does anyone who asks a question or challenge the Indian flag, the national anthem, become an anti-national? Dr Thapar: I distinguish between patriotism and nationalism. I think nationalism is a very serious thing in terms of the kind of society you want, the kind of rights and obligations citizens have. This is something we dont pay attention to. All this talk of development for example, where is the development? Unemployment is still there. farmers are still in a mess. Corruption is still rampant. One says, every Indian citizen should have the right to food, water, education, healthcare, social justice, where are we paying attention to that? It shouldnt be bullet trains, it should be about improving the railway system so that the ordinary person is assured of a decent journey. Thats where the emphasis should be. Education is absolutely crying out to be redone in a proper fashion. Instead there are worries about textbooks and who is shouting slogans and so on. Nationalism is something we havent understood how serious it is. My argument is that nationalism, secularism, democracy are all integrated. You cannot give emphasis to one and not the other. This is not what we are doing. Patriotism is the importance of the national anthem, the flag, which has its own place in giving an identity, but if you are giving an identity, you have to be sure that the identity is that of the Indian and the label of being Indian is not equated with a single community. I dont see this emerging at the moment. We had it at the time of the national movement but thats not the case now. NDTV: Who do you think is the real secular? Dr Thapar: I would say, one of the definitions of secularism that I would hold to is the civil laws must be secular; Not a uniform civil code that begins with the Hindu civil code and then moves on to say that all the minorities must conform. One has to scrap the religious codes and we will devise a completely new code which is secular. This is difficult to do because these religious identities are very strong identities. Governments should really bring in, in schools, in teachings and in legal systems, the question of gradually moving away from religious codes to introducing secular codes and making people think in terms of secular codes. I mean, why is it that marriage rituals have become so complex and expensive, when in fact what should be happening is a simple civil marriage, with whatever celebration you want to have on the side, without going through a hundred ceremonies lasting 10 days. If you want to do that, you can do so quietly on your own. NDTV: We tend to get worked up about issues that seem irrelevant, instead of worrying about unemployment and crime issues. Take for instance, the release of Padmavat in Rajasthan. How do you perceive this through a vandalism aspect, because in the end this seemed to be hoodlums getting a certificate to do this in the name of culture? Dr Thapar: What Im worried about is the separation of political ideology and political actions from patterns of living, because thats how I define culture. I dont define it as the pattern of the elite or upper class. The point is, this separation is something we are deliberately not making, that there is a political advantage to exploiting cultural identities and cultural forms and referring to them as culture. This is an old game that has been played by various organizations in this country. Like the RSS for example, you cannot also make a clear separation because public activities tend to become political. You cant say Im totally free of any politics, but you can say you are aware of the fact that you are using culture in a political way. When people are agitated about a film being played, people should be aware that there is a political message. It is immediate, contemporary and political. That awareness is essential. People who are involved in writing and speaking about it shouldnt be abused but allowed to openly discuss. NDTV: When we talk about culture, do we also look at silencing other voices? The other end of the spectrum seems more dangerous. There are lynchings, fringe groups are increasingly coming centre stage. By calling them fringe groups we seem to be diminishing how powerful they are becoming. Do you agree? Dr Thapar: They shouldnt be called fringe groups because they are calling the shots in many places. This is a form of terrorism. It is creating fear and it has succeeded. It has succeeded because people are fearful now. In the name of politics, culture, religion you cannot accept lawlessness. NDTV: Its interesting that you brought this up because one of the most closely watched cases is going to be on the Ayodhya issue. We are already hearing out of court settlements. A spiritual guru has said that the Supreme Court can rule one way, but if it goes against what the majority wants, there can be "bloodshed". In that sense, issues of the past are so contemporary and are at the heart of our political faultiness today. How do you look at the issue that is coming up now? Dr Thapar: This issue has been deliberately made. We are seeing the consequences of something that started 40 years ago. The breaking of the locks, the bringing in of the idols, the rath yatra, and the destruction of the mosque. This is not incidental. This had a political purpose. This happened across governments, some perhaps little less involved than the others. One is sitting over there and saying do the people who are taking these decisions, they obviously understand the politics behind it - are they going to act in a way in which they will annul those politics and say were getting back to something much more basic, much more ethical, which is at the root of what people in the society want. Now, Im very worried that a "spiritual" man should say there would be bloodshed and yet we go around saying we are the most non-violent civilisation in the world. How can you marry these two? You cannot. On the one hand, youre talking about violence as a solution to a problem that doesnt require a violent solution; and on the other hand, you are claiming that your values are non-violent? I find this too ironic. NDTV: Can the Supreme Court decide? When it comes to history and faith, who decides? Dr Thapar: Faith is a difficult issue and it complicates history, like the Ram Setu thing. With regards to Ram Setu, why isnt there a proper scientific geological investigation, which in a sense would not put an end to faith, but would give certain strength to those saying this is a natural formation? Its the confusion that this kind of thinking brings, everything gets merged and you cant stand up and say theres a historical, demographical, sociological explanation. You can go on saying these are complex issues that cannot be reduced to just faith or history, but its a case of who do you convince? NDTV: Do you think when we look ahead, how will we see India in the future? Dr Thapar: Ive always been of the opinion that historians dont predict and should not predict but I am struck by the present situation. We have had examples of this kind of combination of very strong ideology with religion or with a cultural idiom. One that comes to my mind frequently these days is the Chinese cultural revolution. They were facing the same problems; the problem of development and the problem of identity. The intention was of course, we go back to Chinese roots because thats what really matters, everything we have inherited from the West is to be expunged and then we will have a pure Chinese society and pure Chinese culture and so on. Married into it were some problems like the battle against the capitalist world which was getting stronger, not quite unlike what we are facing today. This lasted 20 years and they were desperate to come back, to come back to pre-culture revolution. I was invited in 1992 by Beijing University to give lectures on bringing people up to date with discoveries in Indian history that they had lost touch with in the last 20 years. My fear is that this kind of movement of directing yourself to just one ideology and one ambition means two things; it means that you damage the existing institutions, as we see happening so clearly in JNU, and you have a new agenda that is so damaging that it takes a long time to get back to normality again. If we are going to have a similar situation, it will take a downturn. It will cause damage and then we will have to come back to seeing India as the all-inclusive cultures and seeing Indians as people who accept the all-inclusiveness of the cultures that have gone into our making. Dawn, March 16, 2018 The infamous legacy of aenforced disappearancesa that the Chilean military dictator Augusto Pinochet left behind has, unfortunately, been picked up by Pakistan. This phenomenon is today a source of great human agony in the country with thousands believed to have been abducted, many for political reasons. Balochistan has suffered much. One cannot be certain about who is behind this torturous form of suppression of the freedom of expression. One hears of the aagenciesa, Baloch dissidents, RAW agents, religiously inspired militants and others being involved. Last week, on a visit to Turbat, I learnt from someone I was talking to that three young men had been called out of their homes by unknown persons and were later found shot dead. No one knew who committed this heinous crime. Of course, the ultimate responsibility rests on the state which as the custodian of the citizensa security is bound to provide them protection. Balochistanas biggest tragedy is the education emergency there. Whoever is to blame for this tragic situation, the fact is that Balochistan has not received a fair deal from Pakistan right from the start when it made its debut in controversial circumstances on the political stage in this country. Comprising nearly 44 per cent of the land area of the country and with a population of 12 million (less than 6pc of the total), Balochistan has been a fit candidate for exploitation and repression, given its rich natural resources and historical underdevelopment. Kaiser Bengali, once the head of Balochistanas Policy Reform Unit, has collected all the facts and figures in his book Cry for Justice. This extremely readable book has become the bible of Baloch activists as a vindication of their cause. Some of this information should be compulsory reading for all if people really believe in fair play and the even-handed distribution of resources to make equity the underpinning of our system. Take the case of Sui gas which was discovered in 1952 and was piped to many remote areas of the country in the 1950s and 1960s. It, however, took three decades before a awhiff of gasa was supplied to Balochistan which even now consumes only 2pc of the total production. Here lies the paradox. Despite its mineral wealth the province is impoverished. According to Dr Bengali, the economic growth rate of Balochistan in 2000-2011 was a measly 2.8pc per annum compared to the over 4pc average in the other provinces. This is attributed to Balochistanas extremely low share of 5.1pc in the Public Sector Development Programme. As can be expected the province is grossly underrepresented in the federal administration (only 2.1pc officers in BPS 20-22 are Baloch). Similarly, the Baloch are at a disadvantage politically. In my view, Balochistanas biggest tragedy a inflicted by Islamabad and some of the provinceas own chieftains a is the education emergency that grips it today. According to the National Education Management Information System, 66pc girls of primary school age are out of school while the overall enrolment ratio is only 47pc. There is also the additional factor of Balochistanas low literacy ratio (43 pc, with only 25 pc for women). The education shortfall, along with the alienation caused by the centreas discrimination and the use of military force, has created a formula for a grave national crisis that could threaten the territorial integrity of the country. In this bleak situation, it would be cynical not to acknowledge the ray of hope generated by the brave and concerted efforts of those who are trying to help. One of them is a pioneer of female education, Zobaida Jalal, whose school in Mand has been educating hundreds of children of Kech district since 1988. During my stay in Turbat, I met many women who matriculated from this school, went on to study in college and are now teaching or working in offices. That is a remarkable change that augurs well for the future. The Childrenas Literature Festival, which has Zobaida Jalal on its board of directors, recently organised a session in Turbat for the first time. This event brought cheer to the lives of the children who attended. The CLF has proved to be a successful means of engaging children in healthy educational activities that open the childas mind. It could only have been Zobaida Jalalas brainwave given her dedication to the cause of education. Thanks to her work, Turbat is now ranked sixth among the districts of Balochistan in terms of educational score (Alif Ailaan 2017) and has one of the best ratios in the province for primary:secondary schools. One hopes these seeds of education will blossom to bring a better future to the children of Balochistan. But the powers that control the provinceas destiny should realise that education can be successfully imparted in an atmosphere of freedom. It is not possible to nurture young minds under the shadows of guns. Let the book culture flourish and say no to guns. www.zubeidamustafa.com Thank you for reading! Please log in, or sign up for a new account and purchase a subscription to continue reading. 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 Its been said that movies are a universal medium, capable of connecting to the ways, plights, and struggles of different cultures. A machine of empathy and all that. Although Dear Dictator, a relatively unlikely teen comedy, centrally involves a foreign despot, at least in part, it is not that movie. The Third World dictator in question, Anton Vincent, is played by Michael Caine (of all people), his country remaining a vague background detail, if its mentioned by name at all. Its intended as so generic that its realized, in all its brevity, through bizarre use of older stock footage of places like Haiti. Meanwhile, its also been said that Michael Caine, back when he was prone to accepting any role under the sun, would make one of his primary selection criterias the locale of the shoot. Which helps to explain his presence in such tropically-based films as Jaws: The Revenge and Blame it on Rio. Spending most of his screen time in a suburban American garage, Dear Dictator also defies that previous line of reasoning. So, now that Ive ruled out some of what this film isnt, its time to focus on the less eventful notion of what Dear Dictator is. Odeya Rush plays high school outcast Tatiana Mills. Tatiana suffers from that problem of so many attractive young leads were told are ugly ducks: Mean Girls. Not the movie - the actual girls who are mean. (Although the movie Mean Girls is talked about). Shes learned to be a modern punk, sporting t-shirts that say Eat Me and Piss Off, the perfect top to compliment her crazy-high platform boots. Tatiana is not a hateful person, though she loves to get a rise out of her teacher by using a write to your hero assignment to correspond with despised foreign dictator, Anton Vincent (Caine). Shes articulate and punchy, owing more than she knows to her well-scripted fore-bearers on Dawsons Creek. Speaking of Dawsons Creek, Tatianas mom, Darlene, is played by one of that shows stars, Katie Holmes. A single dental hygienist whos carrying on an obsessive affair with her married boss (Seth Green), Darlene is what they call a hot mess. Neurotic, paranoid and always oversharing personal life details with her ever-repulsed but understanding daughter, she exists in a state of survival mode,, or an approximation thats as close to it as any movie that isnt The Florida Project is willing to get. Call it light comedy survival mode. Then, Anton Vincent is overthrown!! The rebels in his country have stormed the palace in a mostly implied coup detat, leaving Vincent missing and presumed dead. In actuality, hes made his way to the American suburban garage of Darlene and Tatiana. How he, as a globally despised figure, infiltrated the U.S. border is a skipped detail, although it stands to reason that bypassing numerous likely designated safe-houses in favor of traveling hundreds of miles to try his luck at the home of the high school girl who wrote him a few letters he enjoyed getting makes some sort of light comedy sense. I guess. Anyhow, it turns out that Vincent is quite the handyman, much to Darlenes delight. He teaches Tatiana how to overthrow the Mean Girls at her school, though she tells him she is definitely not cool with torture. Its all rather charming if innocuous, though it obviously sees itself as more edgy. As is the case with most any good movie, much of the success of Dear Dictator lies with the casting. However silly and far-fetched the story concept may be on the whole, the solid and committed performances of Rush, Holmes and Caine make for an enjoyable experience. Wishing to be an offbeat teen comedy with a subversive punk streak (think Heathers), Dear Dictator might miss that mark even as it succeeds in being a perfectly passable way to spend a low-energy evening. (For authentic under the radar bad girl teen movie of the moment, seek out Max Winklers Flower). As directed by Lisa Addario and Joe Syracuse, Dear Dictators heart is visible through its low budget seams. Though in-world, most of the characters are jaded, and on set, not every wall seems to reach exactly to the ceiling, the general concept actually works, and holds together like it should. The notion of a ruthless third world dictator turning out to be a semi-charming retiree in hiding may not play as universally as many other films, but it's far from being torture. Seguin, TX (78155) Today Mostly cloudy skies this evening will become partly cloudy after midnight. Slight chance of a rain shower. Low around 65F. Winds NNE at 10 to 20 mph.. Tonight Mostly cloudy skies this evening will become partly cloudy after midnight. Slight chance of a rain shower. Low around 65F. Winds NNE at 10 to 20 mph. "Mandatory Minimum Penalties for Firearms Offenses in the Federal Criminal Justice System" | Main | New Philly DA puts forward new policies intended to "end mass incarceration and bring balance back to sentencing" March 16, 2018 The latest account of Trump Administration's latest punitive ideas for responding to drug problems Politico has this lengthy new article reviewing the soon-to-be-released (and perhaps still in development) plan from the Trump Administration to respond to the opioid crisis and other drug problems. The piece is headlined "Trump finalizing opioid plan that includes death penalty for dealers," and here are excerpts (with an emphasis on punishment pieces though it seems there will be important public health parts to the coming plan): The Trump administration is finalizing a long-awaited plan that it says will solve the opioid crisis, but it also calls for law enforcement measures like the death penalty for some drug dealers that public health advocates and congressional Republicans warn will detract from efforts to reverse the epidemic. The ambitious plan, which the White House has quietly been circulating among political appointees this month, could be announced as soon as Monday when President Donald Trump visits New Hampshire, a state hard hit by the epidemic. It includes a mix of prevention and treatment measures that advocates have long endorsed, as well as beefed-up enforcement in line with the presidents frequent calls for a harsh crackdown on drug traffickers and dealers. Trumps plan to use the death penalty in some cases found at least one fan among congressional Republicans: Rep. Chris Collins of New York, one of the presidents most consistent cheerleaders. Im all in on the capital punishment side for those offenses that would warrant that, he said when asked about the plans Thursday afternoon. Including drug cases. Yep. But several congressional Democrats said they were alarmed by Trump's plan to ramp up punishment. We are still paying the costs for one failed 'war on drugs,' and now President Trump is drawing up battle plans for another," said Sen. Ed Markey of Massachusetts. "We will not incarcerate or execute our way out of the opioid epidemic." The White House's most concrete proposal yet to address opioids comes after complaints from state health officials and advocates that Trump has moved too slowly to combat the epidemic after his bold campaign promises to wipe out the crisis touching all parts of the country. However, the plan could cost billions of dollars more than Trump budgeted and likely far more than any funding package that Congress would approve raising questions about how much of it can actually be put into practice. Trump's emphatic embrace of the death penalty for some drug dealers has also alarmed some advocates, who say the idea has been ineffective when tried in other countries and resurrects the nations unsuccessful war on drugs. Under the most recent version of the plan, which has gone through several revisions, the Trump administration proposes to change how the government pays for opioid prescriptions to limit access to powerful painkillers. It also calls on Congress to change how Medicaid pays for treatment, seeking to make it easier for patients with addictions to get inpatient care. It would also create a new Justice Department task force that more aggressively monitors internet sales.... POLITICO obtained two versions of the White House plan and spoke with four individuals who have reviewed it. The White House confirmed that a plan was in development but didnt respond to multiple requests for further comment. Many of the measures in the plan were recommended by the presidents opioids commission last fall or discussed at a March 1 White House opioid summit. For instance, it endorses a long-promised priority: greatly expanding first responders' access to naloxone, a medication used to reverse opioid overdoses. It also calls on states to adopt a prescription drug monitoring database that health care providers can access nationwide to flag patients seeking out numerous opioid prescriptions. On the policing side, the plan would ramp up prosecution and punishment, underscoring the tension in how public health advocates and law enforcement officials approach the crisis. Public health advocates say the nation's opioid epidemic should be treated as a disease, with emphasis on boosting underfunded treatment and prevention programs. But some law enforcement officials back tougher punishments as a deterrent, especially for drug dealers. The two camps dont always see eye-to-eye, at times pitting HHS and DOJ officials against each other. There is a lot of internal dissension between the health folks and the enforcement folks, said an official involved in the crafting of the plan. While Trump this month repeatedly suggested using the death penalty to deter drug dealers and traffickers an idea roundly opposed by public health advocates many lawmakers have said they werent sure whether to take the idea seriously. I would have to strongly evaluate and look at any proposal like that, said Sen. Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska) on Wednesday. I dont know if the president was serious or just said it off the cuff. Its a big issue when you decide to bring a capital case or pass a law that allows for capital punishment. According to language circulating this week, the Trump administration will call for the death penalty as an option in "certain cases where opioid, including Fentanyl-related, drug dealing and trafficking are directly responsible for death." Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), whose home state is one of the hardest hit by the opioid epidemic, said she doesn't support the death penalty for drug cases. I mean, I get the message hes delivering: Weve got to treat it seriously, she said. I dont see that thats going to solve the problem. The White House plan also calls for making it easier to invoke the mandatory minimum sentence for drug traffickers who knowingly distribute illegal opioids that can be lethal, like fentanyl. It also proposes a new Justice Department task force known as Prescription Interdiction and Litigation, or PIL, which would be empowered to step up prosecutions of criminally negligent doctors, pharmacies and other providers. As serious sentencing fans perhaps already realize, though any proposal for the death penalty for drug dealers is sure to garner a lot of attention, proposals to expand the reach or application of mandatory minimum sentences are sure to be far more consequential to the day-to-day operation of the federal criminal justice system. Prior related posts: March 16, 2018 at 07:42 AM | Permalink Comments The deceased have a low recidivism rate. Assuming no deterrence effect, kill enough dealers, eventually, there will be fewer drug deaths. Posted by: David Behar | Mar 16, 2018 11:16:02 AM But in certain precincts they have excellent voter turnout. Posted by: Soronel Haetir | Mar 16, 2018 1:03:17 PM This post brought back all of the death penalty class discussion we had. As we discussed in class, and as this post mentions, use of the death penalty is quite controversial and has several different and complex layers to it. The potential use of the death penalty in cases of drug trafficking/dealing I think will bring about a discussion for this new plan that does not necessarily have much to do with the plan's potential effect or success. For example, I think that the plan's suggested use of the death penalty in certain drug related cases could bring up discussions regarding all the different actors in death penalty cases and how those individuals can impact the cases. Overall, this plan seems to have several areas which will affect federal sentencing in drug-related cases from potentially affecting mandatory minimums to the death sentence in certain cases. Based on this post, the proposed plan seems to be trying to approach the opioid crisis with a view from both law enforcement and public health sides. The plan appears to suggest stronger law enforcement for the drug traffickers/ dealers while also trying to make the drugs harder to get for drug users. Posted by: MacKenzie Newberry | Mar 16, 2018 1:29:09 PM SH. Sad, but still The Laugh of the Day. Posted by: David Behar | Mar 16, 2018 1:51:57 PM Mitt Romney will not face the death penalty according to this federal court decision by Judge Kugler. We will have to endure that smooth Harvard Law bullshit longer. They are really stupid, but smooth. Hey. Romney, you stink. The voter rejected you, and put Trump in to reverse the damage to our nation by Obama, another Harvard Law dirt bag. All that school teaches is big government tyranny. Even conservatives end up blowing up the size of government. https://www.courierpostonline.com/story/news/local/south-jersey/2018/03/15/judge-no-death-penalty-mitt-romney-christie-whitman/430915002/ Posted by: David Behar | Mar 16, 2018 4:49:16 PM The death penatly for drug dealers (not associated with a resulting death of a user) would no doubt run into constitutional problems. See Kennedy v. Louisina (2008) ("a death sentence for one who raped but did not kill a child, and who did not intend to assist another in killing the child, is unconstitutional under the Eighth and Fourteenth Amendments."). The Court pointed to the danger in laws such as Louisiana's, which allowed the death penalty where no murder was committed: "When the law punishes by death, it risks its own sudden descent into brutality, transgressing the constitutional commitment to decency and restraint." Posted by: Michael R. Levine | Mar 16, 2018 5:38:50 PM Kennedy v. Louisiana also said: "Our concern here is limited to crimes against individual persons. We do not address, for example, crimes defining and punishing treason, espionage, terrorism, and drug kingpin activity, which are offenses against the State. As it relates to crimes against individuals, though, the death penalty should not be expanded to instances where the victims life was not taken." The inclusion of "drug kingpin activity" here seems somewhat artificial -- how exactly is that specifically an "offense against the State" in unclear to me, but does leave open that the Federal Death Penalty Act (1994) as to drug kingpins is somehow constitutional. What is required to fit this category also is an open question, I guess. Posted by: Joe | Mar 16, 2018 6:50:48 PM The Supreme Court is in defiance of Article I Section 1. All its judicial reviews may be ignored by the federal government and by the states. The Court is breaking the law by making the law. Posted by: David Behar | Mar 18, 2018 10:57:00 PM Post a comment This is part of the project for Improvement of employee satisfaction and work environment, funded by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) from May 2016 to April 2018. The project, also known as the WISE Project, has helped companies identify factors that hinder their productivity and develop solutions to common industry problems. Almost all the Vietnamese companies, especially small-scale enterprises, are considered to be seriously lacking in practical consulting skills and human resources that could improve business and workers welfare. Under the project, companies are instructed to apply the 5S - a workplace organisation method that uses a list of five Japanese words: seiri, seiton, seiso, seiketsu, and shitsuke. Their translations from Japanese are sort, set in order, shine, standardise and sustain, respectively. The list describes how to organise a work space for efficiency and effectiveness by identifying and storing the items used, maintaining the area and items and sustaining the new order. The decision-making process usually comes from a dialogue on standardisation, which builds an understanding among employees of how to work. Do Van Dung, deputy director of Yamaguchi Vietnam, major producer of auxiliary mechanic, lab equipment and factory supplies, said before joining the WISE Project, the flow of product lines in the company was not effective. He said the company had no standard, no specific regulations, no training policy, no check-sheet for machine maintenance and no periodic maintenance plan. He also admitted that previously, communication to staff at the company was not good. But this changed with the WISE Project, Dung said. The company restructured and redesigned the flow of products (for example, raw material, completed product, quality test) so that distances between the stages of production were narrowed, helping save time and labour, and increasing connectivity. Yamaguchi worker Ha Thi Linh said after learning about and practising the 5S method, workers put office equipment in an orderly manner and the work place became cleaner and brighter. Tran Dinh Trung, a worker of ALS Cargo Terminal at Aviation Logistic, another participant in the WISE Project, said there were visible changes after the projects implementation. With a clean working environment, everything is easier to find, thanks to 5S, he said. For build-up work, I do not have to wait for a forklift or for material as much as before. Jobs are assigned clearly. This has helped increase productivity, Trung said. Le Thi Thu Huong, Administrative and Human Resources Director at ALS, said one of the causes of Vietnams low productivity was that Vietnamese workers carried out tasks quickly but not carefully and meticulously. Other causes included unreasonable work organisation, lack of funding for updated technology and a training system relying heavily on theory instead of practical skills. Once the problems were solved, productivity increased, which also led to better income for employees, Huong said, adding if the employees were satisfied with the working environment and income, they would be with the company for further growth. Kobayashi Ryutaro, a senior representative of JICA Vietnam Office, said: Improvement in the work environment and increasing labour satisfaction are very important for Vietnamese enterprises, which are facing limitations in terms of capital, technology and human resources. I do believe that in near future, Vietnamese enterprises will receive high-quality support and consultation by made-in-Vietnam experts. Vietnamnews [March 15, 2018] Frost & Sullivan Awards ibex the Growth Excellence Leadership Award ibex, a leading contact center services provider, received the Growth Excellence Leadership Award in Central America and the Caribbean from Frost & Sullivan at its recent Excellence in Best Practices award banquet in San Diego, CA (News - Alert) . Frost & Sullivan Best Practices awards recognize companies throughout a range of regional and global markets for superior leadership. "Receiving this award is a great accomplishment for us, as it represents a prestigious third-party validation of our success in Jamaica and Nicaragua," said Bob Dechant, ibex CEO. "It recognizes our recent expansion in both countries and, in particular, rewards our dramatic client growth in Jamaica." "I promised Jamaica's Prime Minister Holness, when he attended the opening of our Portmore location in late 2016, that we would grow to 5,000 jobs in Jamaica by 2020. We are well on our way to that number," continued Dechant. Frost & Sullivan's (News - Alert) global team of analysts and consultants continuously research a wide range of markets across multiple sectors and geographies. They identify companies that maintain consistently high standards for delivering customer value, which translates into growth above the industry average. The award cites ibex's non-existent nearshore presence in 2015 and the company's rapid expansion within two years in both Latin America and the Caribbean. Since December of 2015, ibex grew to over 700 employees in just over six months at its current Portmore location and is currently nearing over 1,500 employees. The company has also built a brand-new center in Kingston (ibex Waterfront) with 1,000 seats, which is the home of ibex's Caribbean headquarters "In 2016, ibex was the fastest-growing company within the contact center outsourcing space in the Central America and Caribbean region," said Juan Gonzalez, research director at Frost & Sullivan. "The company exhibited an outstanding 150% growth in revenue, which places it far above its closest competitors." The success of ibex in both Jamaica and Nicaragua is due to many factors, including existing client growth and the company's acquisition of new brands. Additionally, the award recognizes that ibex is growing in countries that do not have an oversaturation of contact center service companies and that have not experienced explosive growth. This allows for more access to resources and a larger employment pool. Excellence in customer service and a deep focus on employee engagement were also named as reasons for ibex's nearshore success. The award also acknowledged the addition of ibex AcquireTM, an advanced digital marketing solution for high-volume customer targeting and acquisition, as a significant industry benchmark. Acquire is comprised of predictive and adaptive lead generation technologies designed to target high value leads online, through search and social media channels. The tool automates the ad bidding and placement processes, resulting in lower cost per acquisition and increased customer click and conversion rates. Once customers click on an ad, they are directed to a trained ibex agent that is knowledgeable about the specific product in question. This is a major competitive differentiator for any Business Process Outsourcer (BPO), as brands are increasingly seeking partners who can help with the end-to-end customer value chain. About ibex ibex is a leading end-to-end provider of technology-enabled Customer Lifecycle Experience (CLX) solutions, helping leading brands acquire, manage, and grow high-value customer relationships. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., ibex employs more than 17,000 employees in seven countries across 26 sites. In 2017, ibex managed over 50 million customer interactions across 45 countries in over 25 languages. CLX is the customer lifecycle, evolved. About Frost & Sullivan Frost & Sullivan, the Growth Partnership Company, works in collaboration with clients to leverage visionary innovation that addresses the global challenges and related growth opportunities that will make or break today's market participants. For more than 50 years, we have been developing growth strategies for the global 1000, emerging businesses, the public sector and the investment community. Contact us: Start the discussion. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180315006374/en/ [ Back To SIP Trunking Home's Homepage ] Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lu Kang's Regular Press Conference on March 16, 2018 2018/03/17 Q: According to reports, China and Russia distributed a draft press statement by the President of the UN Security Council on politically resolving the Korean Peninsula issue to other Council members. Can you confirm this and why did China take this action? A: Recently, the situation on the Korean Peninsula has witnessed positive changes. Such development accords with China's consistent position on the Korean Peninsula issue, conforms to the relevant resolutions of the UN Security Council and serves the common interests of all parties. China believes that in light of the latest development of the situation, the UN Security Council need to send out some positive signals to further encourage and support dialogues and talks. With such considerations in mind, China proposed to the Security Council to issue a press statement by its President, and together with Russia, we distributed a draft statement to other members. The draft statement is mainly about recognizing the positive changes on the Korean Peninsula, supporting the amelioration of inter-Korean relations, and welcoming the proposed talks and interactions between the US and the DPRK. It also stresses the goal of realizing denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and maintaining its peace and stability and reaffirms the commitment to supporting the Six-Party Talks. Q: Reports say that Choe Kang-il, the deputy director general of the DPRK Foreign Ministry is now in Beijing to promote DPRK-US contacts. Do you have any information on that? A: I am not aware of the situation. Q: A follow-up question about the press statement. It was also reported that it was blocked by the United States. I wonder if you have any comment to that? A: I believe you know our position on this. We always believe that the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue should be resolved through political, diplomatic and peaceful means, which also represents a broad consensus shared by the UN Security Council members. The draft press statement has the support of the vast majority of the UN Security Council members. Q: Djibouti's Finance Minister Ilyas Dawaleh said that Djibouti's government will embrace greater Chinese involvement in the nation's ports and sees no reasons for US concern that "its strategic interests may be threatened". What is your comment? A: We all know what prompted the Djibouti's Finance Minister to say this. The evaluation on China-Djibouti cooperation made by the Djibouti side is objective and fair which also echoes the voice of most African people. In recent years, China-Djibouti cooperation in various fields has brought tangible benefits to the two peoples and made important contributions to regional peace and stability. We have noted that some people in the US have been playing such tunes as "its strategic interests being threatened" and there are also reports alleging that the Doraleh Container Terminal is controlled by China. These claims are not without ulterior motives. The Djibouti government has made it clear in its recent statements that "Djibouti is an open economy and ports cooperation is a commercial act where Djibouti has diverse partners. No country can develop itself without having a strong infrastructure, and China is, from that perspective, a very good partner". We believe that the relevant side should lend their ears to these African voices. We welcome efforts from all parties of the international community to help Africa grow its economy and realize development and prosperity. For the relevant side, we hope that it could choose to make positive contributions to our concerted efforts for peace, stability and prosperity of Africa. Q: According to reports, the US government has said that it has yet to decide whether to go ahead and sign the Taiwan Travel Act. But the bill could automatically become law on Saturday. I would like to ask if that does become a US law, how would China respond? A: We have made clear our position on this issue many times. I bet even if I don't repeat it, you already know by heart the position of the Chinese government. The relevant clauses of the act mentioned by you, though not legally binding, still severely violate the one-China principle and the three joint communiques between China and the US. China is strongly dissatisfied with that and also firmly opposes it. We have lodged stern representations with the US side. I must reiterate that the one-China principle is the political foundation of the China-US relationship. We urge the US side to adhere to the one-China policy and honor the commitments it made in the three joint communiques, stop pursuing any official ties with Taiwan or improving its current relations with Taiwan in any substantive way. It must handle Taiwan-related issues properly and cautiously so as to avoid causing any major disruption or damage to the China-US relations. Q: According to the ROK media, China will send a special envoy to the DPRK to discuss the inter-Korean and DPRK-US talks. Can you confirm this? A: I am not aware of that. As I said before, regarding the Korean Peninsula situation, relevant parties have been engaging in active dialogues and interactions, which we believe represents a positive momentum worthy of our support and encouragement. We also hope that all relevant parties of the international community could offer their best support. Q: On March 15, the British government issued its latest biannual report on Hong Kong. What is your comment? A: It seems that Britain needs to be reminded every six months that Hong Kong affairs are China's domestic affairs in which the British side has no right, nor any chance, to interfere. By issuing this so-call biannual report which makes unwarranted comments on Hong Kong affairs, the British government wanted to showcase its influence. But it was a waste of time and energy and will only be detested by the Chinese people. Q: It is reported that Indonesia is trying to hold joint patrols in the South China Sea with other ASEAN countries. What is your response? A: I haven't seen such information released by the Indonesian side officially. With the concerted efforts of China and ASEAN countries, the South China Sea situation is stable and getting better. You may also know that China and ASEAN countries are working together to implement the DOC and launch COC consultations. What I know is that China and ASEAN countries are all committed to maintaining this region's peace, stability, development and prosperity, something that we hope could have the respect and support of all non-regional countries. Q: According to reports, on March 15, Thomas J. Donohue, the President of the US Chamber of Commerce issued a statement, saying that tariffs are damaging taxes on American consumers. He also mentioned that tariffs of another 30 billion dollars which the US government is considering on commodities imported from China every year would wipe out most of the savings American families received from the government tax deduction and may lead to a destructive trade war. What is your comment on this? A: I have noted Mr. Donohue's remarks. In fact, recently, a growing number of clear-eyed people in the United States have made their voice of reason heard on China-US economic relations. As I said yesterday, the China-US economic cooperation has opened up huge market and created a large number of jobs for our two sides. The truth is that US trade with China has considerably lowered American families' per capita spending burden. I also want to say that if China-US economic cooperation only benefited China lopsidedly, then I honestly don't believe that China-US economic relations could have gone this far. As we always say, there are no winners in a trade war, as it will harm every side including the initiator. No side shall take its chances and choose to believe that it will emerge intact. That is one thing I can say for sure. It is normal for China and the United States, the world's top two economies with interests highly intertwined, to have some differences and frictions in our economic cooperation. What matters is that we should manage them in a constructive manner and properly address each other's major concerns by making the pie of our cooperation bigger so as to ensure the sound and steady development of bilateral economic relations. Q: According to reports, a cyber security firm Fire Eye Inc says that Chinese hackers have launched a new wave of attacks on US engineering companies linked to the South China Sea issue. Can you confirm these reports and do you have any comment on this? A: China firmly opposes and cracks down on all forms of cyber-attacks. We will not allow any country or individual to engage in such illegal activities as cyber-attacks on the Chinese soil or by capitalizing on China's infrastructure. China and the United States have important common interests in safeguarding cybersecurity. We will continue to implement the important consensus on cybersecurity reached with the US in 2015, make good use of the existing cyber dialogue mechanisms, and step up cybersecurity cooperation. Meanwhile, we hope that the US could make concerted efforts with China on the basis of mutual respect to advance the relevant cooperation. 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. This article describes the creation of a collaborative initiative started by PhD students interested in mental health issues in Latin America. It reports on its first workshop Mapping new voices. Towards a Latin American perspective in Global Mental Health held at the Maison de Sciences de lHomme in Paris on the 26-27 of June 2017. The article is collaboratively authored by the members of the Platform for Social Research on Mental Health in Latin America (PLASMA). They are (in alphabetical order): Gabriel Abarca (Kings College London, UK) Sofia Bowen (Kings College London, UK) Elaine Flores (London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, UK) Alvaro Jimenez (Universite Paris Descartes, France) Claudio Maino (Universite Paris Descartes, France) Cristian R. Montenegro (London School of Economics, UK) Felipe Szabzon (Ecole des Hautes Etudes en Sciences Sociales, France) Norha Vera (Kings College London, UK) The call for scaling up mental health services in Low and Middle-income countries, initiated by Euro-American psychiatrists and institutions during the early 2000s, has received mixed reviews. A significant amount of literature has emerged to interrogate the underlying motives and affinities of the Movement for Global Mental Health (Campbell & Burgess, 2012; Summerfield, 2012). Alongside important gains in mobilising attention and resources to scale up mental health services in the global south, the imposition of western modes of thinking and acting upon human suffering across cultures have been especially contested (Mills, 2014; Mills & Fernando, 2014). Beyond these controversies or probably because of them the notion of global mental health has gained ground, becoming an irreversible descriptor of contemporary policy practices and aspirations and producing an on-going discussion that involves different voices and disciplines. In June 2016, one such conversation started. A small group of PhD students in the social sciences gathered to discuss and debate their projects on mental health in Latin America. Several things became clear: 1) although the Movement for Global Mental Health had become ubiquitous in academia, somehow Latin America did not seem to be part of its focus; 2) the social sciences have only had a minor role within this field of study; and 3) epistemological and political questions were hardly considered in the main calls for action and research (Lancet 2007, 2013). Platform for Social Research on Mental Health in Latin America (PLASMA) These questions laid the ground for further reflexion and networking. The group started to get in touch with different doctoral students and early career researchers working in the social sciences and sharing an interest in Latin Americas mental health issues and policies. Eventually a team of eight doctoral students from Latin America was formed. We come from diverse training backgrounds in anthropology, sociology, epidemiology and psychology and are based in different universities in London and Paris. We are currently conducting research in or about Chile, Brazil, Peru, Colombia and Argentina. The outcome of this process was the creation of the Platform for Social Research on Mental Health in Latin America (PLASMA). An initial concern for us was the need to highlight the specificities and diversity of Latin America vis-a-vis the universalistic ambitions of global mental health, adopting a critical and comparative perspective of the region. That is, highlighting how political, cultural and social processes find expression in the mental health issues affecting the area, and in their description and intervention. Some questions emerged: How can the singularities of Latin America (i.e. particular modernisation processes, forms of inequality, social conflicts and political violence) be included in the study of the globalisation of psychiatry and mental health? Does globalisation influence the expert and lay descriptions and approaches to human suffering in Latin America? The persistent outcome of these deliberations was the recognition of the complexity of Latin America, and the desire to extend and enrich the conversation. PLASMA wants to be a space for students and early career researchers to exchange ideas and collaborate. It aims to explore how the historical and socio-political characteristics of the region play a part in the way mental health problems are framed, acted upon and experienced. Based on this, the aim is to engage in a critical discussion about global mental healths epistemic and political characteristics. Workshop: Mapping new voices. Towards a Latin American perspective in Global Mental Health. A call for papers was drafted, and several funding opportunities were approached. The call had a positive response, and 27 abstracts were received. Abstracts were evaluated by a scientific committee which included prominent scholars in the field. Ten papers were selected and distributed across four thematic sessions: 1) Historical mental health issues in Latin American countries; 2) Challenges for mental health policy in the region 3) From diagnosis to experience: Different voices, different approaches 4) Global tendencies, local realities: Global Mental Health and Latin American perspectives. The two-day workshop was titled Mapping new voices: Towards a Latin American perspective in Global Mental Health, and it was held at the Maison de Sciences de lHomme in Paris. It included the presence and support of a group of scholars that had both participated and critically engaged with global mental health. Anne Lovell gave a talk on metrics in this field; Catherine Campbell on community mobilisation, agency and social change in the mental health field; and Clara Han on subjective and social experiences on death and violence in Chile. China Mills, Livia Velpry and Ursula Read gave commentaries and prompted the debate further. The workshop ended up with a collective discussion led by the PLASMA group called Towards a Latin American perspective on Global Mental Health. Key questions and themes that emerged in the workshop During the different sessions of the workshop and throughout the varied topics and cases discussed, PLASMAs original key questions remained present: How do the particular epistemologies, knowledge, practices and experiences on mental health taking place in Latin America enter in dialogue with the debate about global mental health? Anne Lovell provided a framework to understand the kinds of transformations leading to the emergence of the Movement for Global Mental Health. According to her presentation, a set of metrics such as the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) and the Disability-Adjusted Life Year (DALY) had laid conditions and rules for conceiving mental illness on a global scale. This framework provides local and regional actors of low and middle-income countries (LMIC) access to resources but introduces at once new forms of governance. Through a global mental health framework, dominant agents create the standards for forensic profiles, evaluating countries capacities to generate reliable numbers on mental health. She also showed how, in this process, disability became the standard measure of all diseases, bringing new visibility to mental disorder. This, however, mostly focusing on their negative effects on individual productivity rather than in others aspects of an individuals life. China Mills comments to Anne Lovells presentation focused on the impacts of the Movement for Global Mental Health on local policies and politics in LMIC, prompting the participants to contemplate the dangers of standardisation, objectification and neglect of local epistemologies and experiences. The presentations in both days of the workshop addressed to a greater or lesser extent these kinds of concerns, and the potential impacts of the global mental health agenda in the Latin American region. These papers presented cases from Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Cuba, and Ecuador, which all highlighted the value of local experiences and epistemologies on mental health, according to their different historical, political, cultural and economic backgrounds. Although Latin America is not a homogenous region, the presentations revealed the existence of common elements at the level of policy and practice. These differences and similarities are vital for recognising the regions complexity and its particular input in the international debates on global psychiatry and mental health. In the following section, these contrasts and commonalities are summarised in four transversal themes: (1) psychiatric epistemologies and public policies on mental health; (2) socioeconomic dimensions and mental health; (3) subjectivities and local experiences on mental illness; and (4) agency and community mobilisation. 1. Latin American psychiatric epistemologies and public policies on mental health Maria Castro and Steve Melluishs presentation showed to what extent the societal function and ethical scope of psychology and mental health policies in Cuba differed from other countries in the region. Papers by Sebastian Fonseca, Marcelo Valenzuela, Nicolas Morales, Karla Ramirez and Khalil Rujana, on the other hand, demonstrated the existence of similar mental health policy processes across the region, rooted in epistemological tendencies coming from Europe and elsewhere. All these presentations highlighted the need to reclaim the value of local intellectual traditions in mental health, including social medicine and politically oriented psychoanalysis; as well as the social science disciplines and mental health professionals historical commitment to the vulnerable, the poor and the victims of violence. 2. Socioeconomic contexts and mental health Many of the papers emphasised how policy and practice were intertwined with social, economic, political and cultural contexts. These contexts are crucial to understanding how policies work (or fail to do so), and how specific groups experience illness. But beyond this sheer diversity, the presentations and discussions allowed for the identification of a series of common factors and challenges such as the political, cultural and economic aftermath of dictatorships; political and structural violence; issues of urbanisation, inequality and segregation; and the marginalization of indigenous knowledges and practices regarding mental well-being and suffering. Manuel Capella and Sushrut Jadhavs presentation illustrated how the presence of mental health issues challenges mental health policies in Ecuador amidst a context where structural and cultural violence looms, and where many multiple notions of wellbeing coexist. Likewise, Karla Ramirez and Khalil Rujana highlighted the intricate relationship between political violence, mental health and problems of policy implementation in Colombia. Overall, there was consensus to comparatively assess the impact of those processes upon policies through social research. 3. Subjectivities and local experiences on mental illness A third transversal theme concerned subjectivities and local experiences of mental illness. Clara Han, in her keynote presentation, carefully analysed how mourning, distress and care are expressed in the ordinary lives of people living in contexts of structural violence, poverty, and inequality. Drawing on her current ethnographic work with families in a low-income neighbourhood under police occupation in Santiago of Chile, she detailed the ways that children come to learn kinship in a setting of pervasive death. She described how the process of re-making their world and kinship is woven by a complex interplay of death and life, absence and presence. Livia Velpry made an insightful comment on the originality of Clara Hans anthropological work as she approaches mental health from the texture of ordinary life, rather than framing it through a care institution. According to Velpry, Han highlights how loss and care are woven into family relationships and everyday tensions, while at the same time, revealing the moral dilemmas of the Chilean neoliberal society. Other papers were also focused on the encounters of experts practices and knowledge with survivors of political violence (Gina Donoso), refugees (Gesa Duden), and of people diagnosed with mental illnesses (Alejandro Castro). These presentations demonstrated growing attention towards how mental health embodies critical moral dilemmas, how subjects act and think in particular ways in different places, and how psychiatric knowledge, practices and performativity enable the formation of new subjectivities. 4. Agency and community mobilisation In her keynote presentation, Catherine Campbell drew on her extensive work on community mobilisation on health and mental health. She focused on how researchers and professionals can work alongside affected communities to create health-enabling contexts, considering available examples of both success and failure. Community mobilisation and processes of collective empowerment are a recognisable feature of Latin Americas intellectual and practical approaches to social problems. For this reason, her words, and the comments given by Ursula Read, profoundly resonated with the audience. The discussion expressed a keen awareness of the need to inform mental health practices with participatory and democratic principles. This was illustrated in some papers by the positive outcomes of users struggles against institutional powers, in a context of a predominantly top-down policy implementation. At the same time it was pointed out that the existence of participatory mechanisms doesnt prevent the emergence of standardized procedures ensuing from the negotiations between patients associations, insurances, pharmaceutical companies, medical institutions, and other relevant actors. In the last roundtable, in which all participants were invited to speak up and provide ideas for PLASMAs next steps, the need for participatory spaces that include the perspective of service users and indigenous people was highlighted. To acknowledge these aspects means to problematize how and when different kinds of evidence are produced, for whom and for what purposes. Conclusions This meeting established a common working route and some challenges around the role of the social sciences in the mental health field. The presentations and conversations shared a concern about the problematic simplification of subjective problems operated by international standardised frameworks. In light of this, the social sciences can restore the complexity of individual suffering while at the same time, providing a better understanding on how local epistemologies and political commitments are intimately connected with mental health conceptualisations and practices. However, it is also relevant to recognize that the globalisation of mental health discourses and interventions provides an opportunity to enable a different relationship between global and the local scales. Such relationships could allow regions that are usually taken as recipients of knowledge and interventions to re-emerge as sources of knowledge, conceptualisations and interventions around human suffering and social adversity. The challenge is to create a body of research that translates the abovementioned tensions in their theoretical, methodological and empirical aspects. If done correctly, Latin America could become a crucial region for studying the globalisation of psychiatry and mental health and the role of local systems of values and collective representations shaping mental health and ordinary life. This first workshop was a small step in that direction. As for the broader challenges ahead, PLASMAs goal is to become a collaborative and synergic space from which researchers and institutions from diverse countries can expand the possibilities of social scientific research into mental health issues in the region. Share this: Share Email Facebook Twitter Reddit Tumblr LinkedIn [view academic citations] [hide academic citations] Greg Dranda was a small-town guy with a big heart whose life was cut too short. He was a regular fixture on the cover of David Magazine in the 1970s and early 80s. I came across Greg as I was thumbing through a collection of old magazines where I kept noticing his handsome face and perfectly sculpted body on several of the covers. I was sure there was more to him than just a photo so I started digging. Greg was once a bartender at The Copa and Backstreets in Fort Lauderdale. Originally from the small-town of Zanesville, Ohio, Greg always had an interest in fashion, acting, and performing. After his 1965 high school graduation he served two years in the army. When he returned he appeared in a few local television commercials. His first big break came when he was asked to be in the showcase role in a film titled The Killing of Jack Riley. Greg, with his vicious smile and serious look, played the killer. The local newspaper described him as a dark, smoldering sex symbol with a big career ahead of him. Acting, though, it turned out would not be Gregs thing. Instead he turned to modeling and was able to land some big gigs. Around 1971 he left his Ohio small town life for a modeling contract in Atlanta. In the couple of years he spent there he would appear as the focal point in everything from national commercials to magazine ads for major clothing lines. He even appeared in a Coca-Cola calendar ad. It took two weeks of him waking up in the early morning to capture the perfect mist scene. He hated it. His boy next door look took him from city to city, and contract to contract, but after a couple years he returned home to Ohio. In 1973 he traveled to Florida and was photographed by Mark III Studios in North Miami for a spread in the then Jacksonville based David Magazine. During his short stay he fell in love with South Florida and would relocate to the area. Having had some experience in banking, Greg found a North Miami apartment at Summer Winds and got a job at a local bank. It was around this time that he came to terms with his sexuality publicly and began to explore the local gay circuit scene. Keiths Cruise Room in Hallandale, Tops and Teejays in Hollywood would be among the places youd find Greg on a Saturday night. Sometimes he could even be found in Miami Beachs Pin-Up Lounge or up at West Palm Beachs Turf Bars. After a stint learning to bartend he found himself working the Pitts at The Copa. It was at this time Greg began entering, and winning Mr. David, Mr. Fort Lauderdale, and Mr. Florida contests. He even gained some more national notoriety in 1979 when he became Blueboy Magazines man of the year. His body became such a famous sex symbol in Fort Lauderdales disco era that when Alive! Magazine photographed him (without showing who he was) for a story about giving the perfect massage, readers immediately wrote in stating theyd recognize those pecks anywhere. Greg never participated in what he called tacky take it off style contests, but did do a handful of artful nude photo spreads for several magazines, including Alive! He always said his success was due to his intelligence, poise, smile, and incredible ability to resist telling his age. He was once quoted saying As long as you have a good body and people want to pay you to photograph it, you should let them. You wont look that good forever. In all seriousness, he felt his appreciation and sensitivity to others was really key, more so than his good-looking body. And it is that legacy that lives on today. I spoke to Keith Allen of Fort Lauderdale who knew Greg quite well. He told me Greg was a big model train collector. When you went inside his North Miami apartment there would be model trains in all directions everywhere. When you looked at Greg you would see the masculine muscular handsome hunk of a man, but when you would go inside his home you would see a sensitive, caring, mothering type of a man, Allen said. Allen told me when Backstreets opened in 1981 in Fort Lauderdale, Greg left the Copa and finished out his career there and moved to the Victoria Park area with his partner, Steven, the only partner Allen had known Greg to ever have. In 1984, Steven died of AIDS and Greg sank into depression. With AIDS beginning to appear in all corners of the gay world in South Florida it wasnt long before Greg himself realized he too had the virus. Knowing that he probably didnt have many years left he traveled home to Ohio and back to Atlanta to put his affairs in order. Greg Dranda died due to AIDS complications on December 11, 1986. He was 39 years old. His name is commemorated as a patch in the AIDS Memorial Quilt. He will forever be remembered as what David Magazine called him, A perfect example of what todays groovy guy should be. In Naples, Italy, handsome young Francesco Mangiacapra is a self-identified marchettaro, a male prostitute servicing gay men. The Cardinal Archbishop of Naples is 74 year-old Crescenzio Sepe, who was made a Cardinal by Pope Saint John Paul II, and had a terrific Vatican career before his star crashed when he was farmed out to Naples by Pope Benedict XVI under a cloud of financial corruption. Mangiacapra and Sepe are two typical players in the everyday drama that is Naples, a city guided by its patron Saint Gennaro whose blood has, for the last six centuries, liquefied on his feast day, Sept. 19, to indicate good things, or, remained dust to indicate his disapproval of something. Recently, Mangiacapra sent Sepe a personal 1,200 page dossier exposing 40 Italian priests as his clients, Sepe did not bother to consult with Saint Gennaro. Instead, he forwarded the dossier to Pope Francis, who may have it on his nightstand, on top of The DaVinci Code. Cardinal Sepe is charged with announcing what the saints blood is doing. Having spent a considerable amount of time in Vatican City in the 70s where I had sex in the papal household, I contacted Mangiacapra who was more than happy to do an interview about the dossier. We are both sufficiently bilingual to get into trouble on either side of the Atlantic, but Mangiacapra gave me permission to brush up his auto-generated English. He also asked me to shout out his book published on Amazon in 2017 in Italian, Il Numero Uno. Confessioni di un Marchettaro. Now that you know what a marchettaro is, no translation needed for a title like that. I asked Mangiacapra the obvious question: why give Cardinal Sepe a dossier exposing 40 gay and sexually active priest-clients? His response morally transcends what you might expect from a prostitute talking about hypocritical priests. I released this dossier because I wanted to expose the bad apples, not to throw mud at the Catholic Church but to help her get rid of the rot that contaminates the healthy part. The behavior of these priests is, in many cases, the fruit of bad leadership in which priests are allowed to do the opposite of what they preach, Mangiacapra said. This kind of schizophrenic morality is typical of the hierarchy. The paradox of my relationship with the clergy is that there is a role reversal in which I am a sinner denouncing the priests who are the supposedly moral leaders but are committing sin. Those priests throw stones from their glass houses and the bishops make sure that all those stone-throwers are never exposed! In my book, and now with this dossier, I demonstrate that there is a real lobby of gay priests, a freemasonry, an underground." Mangiacapra continued that "because they know each other, help each other and support each other together with their wide circle of sympathetic friends, I do not pass judgment on priests because they are gay. I like to think that the priests who have sex with me are not souls to be saved but only hearts and minds to be liberated from their hypocrisy. Basically, my sex work is a ministry similar to that of priests, but more scrupulous. What did Cardinal Sepe do when he received the scandalous dossier? Cardinal Sepe responded that the priests I denounced were not part of his territorial jurisdiction. This a laughable response, as if the real problem were one of legal jurisdiction rather than widespread immorality. I turned to Cardinal Sepe because he personifies for me the whole institutional Church. I suffer because he viewed my complaint in terms of jurisdiction rather than morality, Mangiacapra said. As always, the hierarchy responds only when bad headlines force them to react. But how will they respond? Sadly, the most that will probably happen will be a shuffling of guilty priests, as if they were pawns on a chessboard. That will be the extent of their disciplinary punishment. In this game, the hierarchy creates the rules and then hides the players who break those rules, with the Church losing all credibility, he added. When I asked Mangiacapra what he hoped to achieve by releasing his dossier, he said, I am not under the illusion that my revelations will end the nonsensical ecclesiastical system in which the manhood of priests is mutilated and distorted because they are forced into lives that are unnatural. I throw light on the situation and force the hierarchy to view it with honesty. Is Mangiacapra, despite his sour experience of hypocritical priests, still a practicing Roman Catholic? I have always considered myself to be a rational atheist. It took me several years to request and obtain the removal of my name from the baptismal records of the Catholic Church. After all, the Catholic Church uses those records to proclaim the size of its worldwide membership that is, in reality, much smaller. It is close to impossible to force the Church to remove your name from that registry. Just try it. Contact the church in which you were baptized and brace yourself for some serious frustration. Mangiacapra feels that his renouncing of baptism is a "symbolic gesture that clarifies the difference between spiritual and secular authority." He would very much like to see the Catholic Church evolve to embrace a world that is vastly different for what it was hundreds of years ago. Despite the modern marketing practiced by Pope Francis, he is not optimistic about serious change. I asked Mangiacapra, who is trained as a lawyer, if he plans to continue pursuing that career. He responded, Probably not. I would rather sell my body for a fair price than sell my heart and mind for peanuts. Having been on both sides of this bed first as a Catholic priest for five years, and then, very briefly, as a Manhattan hustler I find myself empathizing with Mangiacapra who also says that while prostitution is fast money, it is not easy money. I know a little about this also from my own experience more recently in Naples, where I am a tour guide for gay men (HEtravel.com/tony) If it was easy," Mangiacapra said, "everyone would do it. Meanwhile, it's the latest sex scandal to cause convulsions in the Italian church and the Vatican, and it has made waves in the international press all month. When I left the active ministry, the first thing my angry bishop did was to discontinue my health insurance and try to coerce me to pay back my student loans. He re-assumed that obligation only when I threatened to contact the local newspaper about it. He did not care about the fact that I had no money and no income. Having been trained to respond to the sexual overtures of older priests, I took the logical route in my new circumstances. While interested in marketing himself and his book, Mangiacapras moral posture is convincing and seems to be authentic. I believe that the names of the 40 priests in his dossier constitute just the tip of the iceberg of those leading double lives. While I do not expect that Mangiacapras revelations will change the hearts and minds of the hierarchy, I think his juicy dossier will help Catholics in the pews see their priests for the not-so-celibate men they really are. According to the Associated Press, Mangiacapra came forward with his list because he wanted to expose the priests alleged hypocrisy. That he does most assuredly. It will make for a continuing saga for us to cover as Mangiacapra's whistleblower story unfolds on the worldwide stage. This day is for the ladies. On March 24, Sunserve Womens Services presents Womens Day of Empowerment, a full-day event meant to embolden women to take charge of their health and lives. The event takes place at the Center for Spiritual Living in Oakland Park. They will serve free breakfast and lunch, and will have events like 80s Neon Yoga, theater and art workshops, body positivity and more. Weve all had experiences where we know our situations might be unique, but were afraid to talk about it with our doctor because we dont know what to say or what to expect, said Emily Cohen, Director of Womens Services for Sunserve. By getting to know who we are and what we need through self-empowerment, we can take the first steps towards becoming advocates for ourselves. The University of Miamis Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center funded the event via a grant. Event partners include United Way, IGNITE Women South Florida, The Sunshine Cathedral, Susan G Komen Miami/Fort Lauderdale, Florida Health, Women In Network, CenterLink and more. The Center for Spiritual Living is located at 4849 N Dixie Highway, Oakland Park, FL 33334. To register, visit SunserveWomen.Eventbrite.com. For questions, call 954-764-5150 x 201 or email Cohen at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . A 12-year-old boy killed himself last week after being bullied for coming out as bisexual. Andrew Leach came out to his family after struggling with his sexual orientation, his father Matt Leach told WREG. Andrews family said he was bullied at Southaven Middle School in Mississippi, but after coming out to classmates, the bullying intensified. He took his life on March 6. "Kids were telling him, 'We're gonna put hands on you. You're not going to make it out of this bathroom,' Matt Leach said. Things of that nature." His mother Cheryl Hudson admitted she didnt realize her son needed help. "I guess I was just oblivious to it. He just always seemed happy," she said. She wants the bullies to know what they've done and how it affects other people. Andrews school district in DeSoto County has a zero tolerance policy for bullying but the family doesnt believe its enforced. "All bullying reports are treated with the utmost importance, the school district said in a statement. Students and parents are encouraged to contact school officials anytime there are bullying concerns, and they can use a link on the DeSoto County Schools website if they would prefer to report bullying incidents anonymously. All claims are investigated thoroughly, and school counselors are trained to help students and intervene when they are aware of a situation. Our hearts go out to this young students friends and family." The school district did not say whether it was aware of Andrews bullying. "If you think there's any chance of your child suffering from depression, their grades are drastically changing, their eating habits or sleeping habits changed, then get in their business. Talk to them," Matt Leach said. Those who are struggling with depression and suicidal thoughts can contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255. They can also reach The Trevor Project, which provides trained suicide counselors specifically for LGBT youth. Call 866-488-7386. To contribute to the familys funeral expenses, a GoFundMe is available here. 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. Notanee Bourassa knew that what he was seeing in the night sky was not normal. Bourassa, an IT technician in Regina, Canada, trekked outside of his home on July 25, 2016, around midnight with his two younger children to show them a beautiful moving light display in the sky -- an aurora borealis. He often sky gazes until the early hours of the morning to photograph the aurora with his Nikon camera, but this was his first expedition with his children. When a thin purple ribbon of light appeared and starting glowing, Bourassa immediately snapped pictures until the light particles disappeared 20 minutes later. Having watched the northern lights for almost 30 years since he was a teenager, he knew this wasn't an aurora. It was something else. From 2015 to 2016, citizen scientists -- people like Bourassa who are excited about a science field but don't necessarily have a formal educational background -- shared 30 reports of these mysterious lights in online forums and with a team of scientists that run a project called Aurorasaurus. The citizen science project, funded by NASA and the National Science Foundation, tracks the aurora borealis through user-submitted reports and tweets. The Aurorasaurus team, led by Liz MacDonald, a space scientist at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland, conferred to determine the identity of this mysterious phenomenon. MacDonald and her colleague Eric Donovan at the University of Calgary in Canada talked with the main contributors of these images, amateur photographers in a Facebook group called Alberta Aurora Chasers, which included Bourassa and lead administrator Chris Ratzlaff. Ratzlaff gave the phenomenon a fun, new name, Steve, and it stuck. But people still didn't know what it was. Scientists' understanding of Steve changed that night Bourassa snapped his pictures. Bourassa wasn't the only one observing Steve. Ground-based cameras called all-sky cameras, run by the University of Calgary and University of California, Berkeley, took pictures of large areas of the sky and captured Steve and the auroral display far to the north. From space, ESA's (the European Space Agency) Swarm satellite just happened to be passing over the exact area at the same time and documented Steve. For the first time, scientists had ground and satellite views of Steve. Scientists have now learned, despite its ordinary name, that Steve may be an extraordinary puzzle piece in painting a better picture of how Earth's magnetic fields function and interact with charged particles in space. The findings are published in a study released today in Science Advances. "This is a light display that we can observe over thousands of kilometers from the ground," said MacDonald. "It corresponds to something happening way out in space. Gathering more data points on STEVE will help us understand more about its behavior and its influence on space weather." The study highlights one key quality of Steve: Steve is not a normal aurora. Auroras occur globally in an oval shape, last hours and appear primarily in greens, blues and reds. Citizen science reports showed Steve is purple with a green picket fence structure that waves. It is a line with a beginning and end. People have observed Steve for 20 minutes to 1 hour before it disappears. If anything, auroras and Steve are different flavors of an ice cream, said MacDonald. They are both created in generally the same way: Charged particles from the Sun interact with Earth's magnetic field lines. The uniqueness of Steve is in the details. While Steve goes through the same large-scale creation process as an aurora, it travels along different magnetic field lines than the aurora. All-sky cameras showed that Steve appears at much lower latitudes. That means the charged particles that create Steve connect to magnetic field lines that are closer to Earth's equator, hence why Steve is often seen in southern Canada. Perhaps the biggest surprise about Steve appeared in the satellite data. The data showed that Steve comprises a fast moving stream of extremely hot particles called a sub auroral ion drift, or SAID. Scientists have studied SAIDs since the 1970s but never knew there was an accompanying visual effect. The Swarm satellite recorded information on the charged particles' speeds and temperatures, but does not have an imager aboard. "People have studied a lot of SAIDs, but we never knew it had a visible light. Now our cameras are sensitive enough to pick it up and people's eyes and intellect were critical in noticing its importance," said Donovan, a co-author of the study. Donovan led the all-sky camera network and his Calgary colleagues lead the electric field instruments on the Swarm satellite. Steve is an important discovery because of its location in the sub auroral zone, an area of lower latitude than where most auroras appear that is not well researched. For one, with this discovery, scientists now know there are unknown chemical processes taking place in the sub auroral zone that can lead to this light emission. Second, Steve consistently appears in the presence of auroras, which usually occur at a higher latitude area called the auroral zone. That means there is something happening in near-Earth space that leads to both an aurora and Steve. Steve might be the only visual clue that exists to show a chemical or physical connection between the higher latitude auroral zone and lower latitude sub auroral zone, said MacDonald. "Steve can help us understand how the chemical and physical processes in Earth's upper atmosphere can sometimes have local noticeable effects in lower parts of Earth's atmosphere," said MacDonald. "This provides good insight on how Earth's system works as a whole." The team can learn a lot about Steve with additional ground and satellite reports, but recording Steve from the ground and space simultaneously is a rare occurrence. Each Swarm satellite orbits Earth every 90 minutes and Steve only lasts up to an hour in a specific area. If the satellite misses Steve as it circles Earth, Steve will probably be gone by the time that same satellite crosses the spot again. In the end, capturing Steve becomes a game of perseverance and probability. "It is my hope that with our timely reporting of sightings, researchers can study the data so we can together unravel the mystery of Steve's origin, creation, physics and sporadic nature," said Bourassa. "This is exciting because the more I learn about it, the more questions I have." As for the name "Steve" given by the citizen scientists? The team is keeping it as an homage to its initial name and discoverers. But now it is STEVE, short for Strong Thermal Emission Velocity Enhancement. Other collaborators on this work are: the University of Calgary, New Mexico Consortium, Boston University, Lancaster University, Athabasca University, Los Alamos National Laboratory and the Alberta Aurora Chasers Facebook group. If you live in an area where you may see STEVE or an aurora, submit your pictures and reports to Aurorasaurus through aurorasaurus.org or the free iOS and Android mobile apps. To learn how to spot STEVE, click here. Banner image: STEVE and the Milky Way at Childs Lake, Manitoba, Canada. The picture is a composite of 11 images stitched together. Credit: Courtesy of Krista Trinder Please follow SpaceRef on Twitter and Like us on Facebook. Coffee Design is proudly sponsored by Savor Brands , your boost in coffeedence through maximizing designs in packaging, sustainability and tech. Good opened its doors in Portland's Southeast neighborhood in 2014. Since then, the multi-roaster cafe transitioned to a roaster and opened a second cafe (with another on the way). The company is now braving the exciting, adventurous world of bottling coffee beverages for the ever-growing ready-to-drink category. In a sea of cold brew bottles and cans, Good's choice of bottle shape and minimal (yet colorful) label stands out. We talked to owner Sam Purvis to find out more. Good Coffee now bottles RTD beverages. What are you currently offering? Yes we do! We are currently in what we are calling Chapter One of our RTD program. We've built out a small warehouse here in Portland for brewing and packaging RTD drinks. We're offering only cold brew for sale at this time. We wanted to venture into RTD slowlyproduct development is expensive and mistakes costly. Chapter Two is something we're just now starting to venture into (planning, design, etc) and it will involve a lot of new product developmenta number of new beverages in the coffee category, and a couple beverages not coffee based at all. Chapter Two will have an emphasis on forced carbonation. We love sparkling drinks and are very excited to give our guests access to some take-away beverages that are fun, refreshing and spritzy. Where is it available? You can buy bottled bevi's from us at either of our stores, we'll also have them on offer at our new NW Portland cafe when it opens in May. While a small distribution strategy is in the works, we're going to be slow moving on this and most likely won't push on it until we have 2018 growth projects finished and stabilized. What's the price? We sell 12 oz. bottles for $4 and and have four-packs available as well at a discounted bulk price. Any plans on new flavors/milks? Yes! Lots of fun ideas we're kicking around as we start to get into Chapter Two. We'll lean into our current cast of collaborators on new beverages: Superjugoso, Portland maker of DELICIOUS natural/seasonal reductions; Jacobsen Salt, whenever we can integrate their products; Mizuba Tea Co, Song Tea, etc. Alt milks are a must on milk beveragesbetter shelf life too. Who designed the bottle? This was kind of a hand-off project. General layout concept was developed by Kylie Freeman who had done some really great brand work for us prior. During this project, we were in the process of moving design fully in-house. Shawnie Fortune worked in our cafes and is a really talented designer and we were able put her on part-time salary for design work. She put the final touches on this project and has been on point with everything we've done moving forward, new store, new packaging concepts, web, etc. She rocks. Is RTD the future? I don't think I know enough to know. I mean, it is interesting the part RTD has played in coffee companies (both growth and acquisition) in the last number of years. I have a friend who is in restaurants and he goes to these big conferences where they talk about macro trends. They were saying that packaged goods are definitely a big growth market for specialty brands right now, yes. I think for us the push into RTD came out of a desire to be a diverse company, and a desire to make things. Our company is built on one thing: creating delight. There are two ways we've said we're really focused on doing this in the future: creating really great hospitality experiences for our guests in our own stores, and creating and making really delightful things (products). In both scenarios the guest is the hero. They're the bar we're trying to raise to. We really want to give them a good time. Zachary Carlsen is a co-founder and editor at Sprudge Media Network. Read more Zachary Carlsen on Sprudge. In this edition of the New Vocations retired race horse recap, we will be featuring a former star, donated by Tom Barrett. His name is LTs Best, and he is a 15-year-old brown gelding by Davanti out of the Supergill mare Light Tackle. Having an impeccable career racing with Tom Barrett from Michigan and Vince Copeland in Delaware, "LT" has had a lot of people interested in him, but he hasn't found his right match yet. He's had a chance to settle down and has learned to be a horse while with us," New Vocations Standardbred Director Winnie Nemeth said. The former connections of LT made it abundantly clear that he loved to race. He is a very smart horse, maybe too smart for his own good. While talking with former caretaker Ryan Barrett, he emphasized the professionalism LT demonstrated. LT started 117 times, making his way to the winner's circle on 28 occasions earning $467,995 lifetime. In 2009, at the age of six, he had a career high, earning over $177,000. He took his lifetime mark in the Green Speed Open Trot in 1:53.3 at Harrah's Philadelphia. Barrett has many memories with LTs Best, but one that sticks out was when LT won the Open Trot three weeks in a row at Hazel Park Raceway in 2007. Aside from that, LTs Best had many highlights in his career, as well as his fair share of success on the stakes circuit, where he collected cheques in The American National Trot at Balmoral, The Patriot Trot at Colonial, and The Dygert Memorial Trot at Hawthorne. In 2007 and 2008, he was invited and participated in the Patriot Trot. LT definitely looks for his groom or rider to have confidence in their abilities, to also have confidence in him and trust they will guide him in the right direction, Barrett said. "LT loves kids and loves any kind of treats, his favorite is carrots. We are really excited to have had the opportunity to work with him. I think he will be great at whatever he does next, whether it's a show horse, a trail horse, or even a driving horse. "LT is ready for his next step and a new home, Nemeth said. For more information regarding donations or aid, visit www.posttimewithmikeandmike.com or www.newvocations.org. (With files from Post Time with Mike and Mike) Mark Your Calendar for November: American Baptist Home Mission Societies Announces Space for Grace 2018 Contact: Susan Gottshall, Associate Executive Director of Communications, American Baptist Home Mission Societies, 800-222-3872 ext 2119 susan.gottshall@abhms.org VALLEY FORGE, Penn., March 15, 2018 /Standard Newswire/ -- Building on the highly successful Los Angeles Space for Grace national gathering in 2015, American Baptist Home Mission Societies will sponsor Space for Grace 2018: "Thy Will Be Done," Nov. 14-16, 2018, in Philadelphia, featuring author and theologian Walter Brueggemann as keynote presenter. Faith leaders, community service leaders, social justice advocates and others seeking God's leading for creating social transformation are invited to the national conference, which will span 2 days at Loews Hotel in the heart of one of the top 10 largest cities in the United States. In this urban setting, "Thy Will Be Done" will provide opportunities for refreshment and renewal, along with opportunities to connect with passionate speakers, workshop leaders and fellow participants, around critical issues facing Christians todaymission engagement, discipleship, and worship and church transformationthrough discussion, sharing and hands-on participation. Brueggemann, an ordained United Church of Christ minister, is considered one of the most influential Bible interpreters of our time. Currently the William Marcellus McPheeters professor emeritus of Old Testament at Columbia Theological Seminary, Decatur, Ga., he holds doctoral-level degrees from Union Theological Seminary, New York City, and St. Louis (Mo.) University. He has authored more than 100 books. His most recent book, "Interrupting Silence: God's Command to Speak Out," was published last month. In this Bible study for adults, Brueggemann explores the injustice that follows when some societal voices are coerced into silence because of control by the voices that dominate today's conversations. For updates and more information as it becomes available, visit abhms.org > Events > Space for Grace or call 800.222.3872, x2394. American Baptist Home Mission Societies partners with American Baptists to promote Christian faith, cultivate Christ-centered leaders and disciples, and bring healing and transformation to communities across the United States and Puerto Rico. American Baptist Churches is one of the most diverse Christian denominations today, with over 5,200 local congregations comprised of 1.3 million members, across the United States and Puerto Rico, all engaged in God's mission around the world. Night Diving to See Mandarin Fish Mating In Lembeh, IndonesiaMandarin fish, commonly known as Dragonet fish, are very colorful, with beautiful patterns on its body.It is the most popular and requested fish in salt water aquariums, even though it is hard to keep in captivity.This is because in captivity, a Mandarin fish will not eat factory made fish food.It requires large amounts of live, tiny shrimp, copepods, and worms.Because it is nearly impossible to recreate the conditions of its natural habitat in salt water aquariums, it often dies from malnourishment.Mandarin Dragonet fish live in warm tropical waters.They dwell at the bottom of the sea, among broken corals, no deeper than 18 meters (60 feet).During the day, they tend to sleep and hide in the coral, while at night they swim out into the ocean.In Lembeh, the Mandarin fish are found at a shallow site aptly named the Mandarin Fish Dive Site.It is a late afternoon dive that stretches into the night.We left the resort at 5PM, when the daylight was already growing dim.I was equipped with a small flashlight and was told not to use it directly on the Dragonet fish, as the bright white light would chase them back into their hiding places inside the corals.We arrived at the site by 5:15 PM, and were instructed to dive down to the bottom of the sea and rest on our knees in front of the coral.The location was full of long spiny sea urchins, which give a painful sting if you were to touch them.After crouching on my knees, I was instructed not to move and to wait until darkness, when the Mandarin fish comes out to mate.I leaned on my knees in front of the broken coral reefs in the shallow water, one eye observing the spiny sea urchins that were changing positions, and the other eye looking for the Mandarin fish to emerge.Suddenly they emerged, one by one.Mandarin fish are very distinctive because of their shape and intense coloration.They have a broad, depressed head and many primary colors, like blue, orange, red, and yellow, in wavy patterned lines.The intensely bright colors and the wavy patterns are part of their protection from predators.The males are noticeably larger than the females.Mandarin fish do not have scales; they instead have a thick mucous coating that omits an unpleasant smell.The smell is not noticeable by divers, since our noses are enclosed inside our masks, but it is another deterrent for predators.Mandarin fish mate all year round, and external fertilization occurs when a male and female are in close contact and swimming upward.It was not easy to photograph them mating, as they move fairly fast and stay in contact only for a few seconds at a time.Females produce about 200 eggs, which have a short incubation time.The newborns develop quickly.The eggs are colorless, and at first they are clumped together; then slowly they break up into smaller units.The eyes and mouth are formed and become pigmented only 36 hours after fertilization.In 12 to 14 days, the juveniles have fully formed bodies.At 18 to 21 days, the body darkens to brighter colors, and the dorsal spines can be seen.By the second month, their adult colors and patterns are developed.After kneeling at the bottom of the sea observing Mandarin fish mate, I got a little chilly.I asked my dive master to move around a bit to get warmer.We made our way in the dark sea, pointing with our torches to illuminate the way.There is something serene and unearthly quiet about diving at night.I felt like a tiny sperm swimming inside a dark womb.The rest of the photos here are from three other dives that I did in Lembeh.I have been posting in the past week a lot of photos that I have taken with my tiny Olympus Tough camera during my dives.I was lucky and fortunate to have a couple of photographers on my dives who also stayed at our resort.While on the boat between dives and over our communal meals, I got lots of tips about how to use my underwater camera effectively.Because I do not have an underwater housing for my camera, I had to limit my dives to 60 feet in depth.If I dive deeper than that, my camera gives a depth warning signal.Anyway... I posted many photos from my dives, and will continue to do so until we leave Indonesia and get to Japan.I have been very taken by the beauty of the sea, and also this has been my first diving trip in three years.Another factor is that beside diving, eating, reading and resting, there is not much to do at a dive resort...From Sulawesi, I am sending you love and colorful photos of Dragonet Mandarin fish....Tali AN INFRASTRUCTURAL development that will see all of the inhabited Caicos islands being connected by highways or bridges, is on its way, the Weekly News can reveal. This is according to Minister of Infrastructure, Housing and Planning Goldray Ewing, whose thoughts on the project were recently solicited by the Weekly News. Last February 14, at a Cabinet meeting in Grand Turk the minister provided members with an information paper on the The Turks and Caicos Spine Road Project which would provide inter-island connection from as far as South Caicos to Providenciales. Speaking with this publication, Minister Ewing said: "I know that a lot of people want that project, but there are powers that be that dont want it and I for one would like to see that project go ahead. It would open the Turks and Caicos to things that we cant even imagine, good things. He reflected that this is one of the biggest projects the Government will undertake that will have the biggest impact socially and economically on the Turks and Caicos Islands. "I brought a paper to Cabinet after we had finished doing all of the RFP (request for proposal) work, all of the designs, in house costing and everything for the project, to let them know that it was the Governments intention to pursue with the connection of the islands. "The reason why I did that in that way is because if I had taken a paper for Cabinet to make a decision on it, the Governor and everyone else would have been asking me where is the money, how are you going to finance it. Ewing said that it is clear to many that the territory does not currently have the money to finance such a huge project on its own, as such it would have to be a public private partnership project. He noted that this is the route they intend to pursue. "Our Governments intention is to budget for it during this 2018/2019 budget for the consultation part of it, which will include the EIA (environment impact assessment) and all other studies that goes with it. "That should cost approximately $3 million to get that done, once we get that done that, the consultation should tell us what is the best method or the best style and the better way to do the project, and who has the best design. "Those type of things will come out of the consultation and out of the study. He stated that from the studies that will be conducted, they will then have a better idea as to whether they ought to go with causeways to connect the islands, where to put them, how many will be needed, or whether bridges are a better idea. Speaking to the ambitiousness of the project, which has been previously expressed by some in the territory, Ewing stated the Government has a medium-term plan to have a transshipment deep water port in South Caicos, which would support the bridging system. Adding: "And because Provo is where the demand is, and to get the goods from South Caicos you would have to use the road structure. "Basically we are hoping that as more and more business goes into South Caicos, it would also increase the demand for the bridging of the islands. He said that as a result of this the Government is moving forward to put a request for proposal together for a public private partnership project for the deep water port in South Caicos, which will in turn marry with the Spine Link road, making it even more feasible. Asked about the opposition to the project, Minister Ewing spoke of crime and environmental concerns. "Some people are opposing it because they think it is going to spread crime from Provo to other places, and there are also the environmentalists talking about roadkill from traffic. The minister expressed that the latter concern is basically an issue that cannot be avoided anywhere. "The benefit of the road to this country far outweighs these issues, and we cannot look at that as a reason why we shouldnt put the infrastructure in place. "But we will certainly put mitigating measures in place to try to lessen the incidence of these things happening, and that is the reason why the study has to be done and we will be working along with the everyone. He further expressed that this project "definitely needs to be done and that they are hoping to start the first phase of this project before his term ends. The road is intended to connect all of the islands by road with exits going off into each settlement. 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 Archives - Archives - July 2005 August 2005 September 2005 October 2005 November 2005 December 2005 January 2006 February 2006 March 2006 April 2006 May 2006 June 2006 July 2006 August 2006 September 2006 October 2006 November 2006 December 2006 January 2007 February 2007 March 2007 April 2007 May 2007 June 2007 July 2007 August 2007 September 2007 October 2007 November 2007 December 2007 January 2008 February 2008 March 2008 April 2008 May 2008 June 2008 July 2008 August 2008 September 2008 October 2008 November 2008 December 2008 January 2009 February 2009 March 2009 April 2009 May 2009 June 2009 July 2009 August 2009 September 2009 October 2009 November 2009 December 2009 January 2010 February 2010 March 2010 April 2010 May 2010 June 2010 July 2010 August 2010 September 2010 October 2010 November 2010 December 2010 January 2011 February 2011 March 2011 April 2011 May 2011 June 2011 July 2011 August 2011 September 2011 October 2011 November 2011 December 2011 January 2012 February 2012 March 2012 April 2012 May 2012 June 2012 July 2012 August 2012 September 2012 October 2012 November 2012 December 2012 January 2013 February 2013 March 2013 April 2013 May 2013 June 2013 July 2013 August 2013 September 2013 October 2013 November 2013 December 2013 January 2014 February 2014 March 2014 April 2014 May 2014 June 2014 July 2014 August 2014 September 2014 October 2014 November 2014 December 2014 January 2015 February 2015 March 2015 April 2015 May 2015 June 2015 July 2015 August 2015 September 2015 October 2015 November 2015 December 2015 January 2016 February 2016 March 2016 April 2016 May 2016 June 2016 July 2016 August 2016 September 2016 October 2016 November 2016 December 2016 January 2017 February 2017 March 2017 April 2017 May 2017 June 2017 July 2017 August 2017 September 2017 October 2017 November 2017 December 2017 January 2018 February 2018 March 2018 April 2018 May 2018 June 2018 July 2018 August 2018 September 2018 October 2018 November 2018 December 2018 January 2019 February 2019 March 2019 April 2019 May 2019 June 2019 July 2019 August 2019 September 2019 October 2019 November 2019 December 2019 January 2020 February 2020 March 2020 April 2020 May 2020 June 2020 July 2020 August 2020 September 2020 October 2020 November 2020 December 2020 January 2021 February 2021 March 2021 April 2021 May 2021 June 2021 July 2021 August 2021 September 2021 Former Trump administration adviser Steve Bannon told members of Frances far-right political party Saturday that the tide of history is with us, and it will compel us to victory after victory after victory. Bannon who was once President Trumps chief political strategist made the remarks at the anti-immigrant National Front congress in Lille. Nationalism is part of a worldwide movement that is bigger than France, bigger than Italy, bigger than Hungary, bigger than all of it. It is not about left versus right, Bannon said, quoting National Front standard-bearer Marine Le Pen, who was defeated in the French presidential race last year by Emmanuel Macron. She described it perfectly, Bannon said. Do you consider the nation state an obstacle to be overcome, or a jewel to be polished, loved and nurtured? Let them call you racists, let them call you xenophobes, let them call you nativists, he proclaimed. Wear it as a badge of honor, because every day we get stronger and they get weaker. What was once called Front National is now renamed Rassemblement Nationale in France, as Marine Le Pen's management makes an effort to sever all ties with her repulsive father. And with that done, Steve Bannon spoke to a gathering I consider it the latter. He also told them how not be ashamed of their anti-Islam positions:Just so long as they distance themselves from disgusting men like Jean-Marie Le Pen, and make distinctions between race and ideology, then it'll work out. Congratulations to Bannon for this special visit to France. Labels: dhimmitude, Europe, France, immigration, islam, jihad, Moonbattery, political corruption, terrorism, United States Iran 'mucking around' in Iraq polls: Mattis AFP, Aboard a US military aircraft : US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis lambasted Iran on Thursday for "mucking around" in Iraq's upcoming elections in a bid to sway votes towards pro-Tehran candidates. Speaking to reporters as he returned from a trip to Oman, Afghanistan and Bahrain, Mattis said officials he met with had expressed frequent concerns about Iranian behavior. Bus communication on 11 routes resumes, 6 routes remain closed in Barisal Barisal Correspondent : Bus communication on 11 routes of southern region resumed on Thursday evening, but direct bus operation on six routes crossing Jhalakathi from Barisal remained closed till filing this report. Azizur Rahman Shahin, President , Divisional Bus Owners Association, disclosing these facts said a meeting of the bus owners, workers associations of Barisal, Patuakhali, Barguna and Jhalakathi held by initiatives of the district and divisional commissioners held at the divisional commissioner's office in Barisal. After long three hours, discussion, leaders of the Barisal, Patuakhali and Barguna agreed to resume bus operation from Thursday evening. However, leaders of Jhalakathi District Bus Owners association disagreeing with the decision remained stand still on their point of barring direct bus operation to six routes of Jhalakathi, Pirojpur, Bagerhut and Khulna, Azizur told. The direct bus operation to five southern routes crossing Jhalakathi were no resumed yet, as the demand of the Jhalakathi District Bus Owners-Workers Association over increasing quota on Barisal-Kuakata route, was not heard at all, said Nasiruddin Ahmed, Joint Secretary , Jhalakathi District Bus-minibus Association. Bahadur Bepary, Secretary, Jhalakati Bus-minibus Workers Union, said buses of different owners associations plying on Kuakata route from different areas except Jhalakathi. So we demanded barrier-free bus-plying on Jhalakathi-Kuakata route as some portions of the route crossed over the Jhalakathi district. Due to this we make a temporary stoppage for crossing district borderline for riding on other bus at Rayapur point of Jhalakathi district to take alternative vehicle, he added. Slovak PM quits after journo murder Reuters, Bratislava : Long-serving Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico resigned on Thursday, passing his government to a deputy after the murder of an investigative journalist provoked the country's biggest protests since the fall of communism. President Andrej Kiska asked Deputy Prime Minister Peter Pellegrini to form the next government, opening the way for the three-party coalition to stay in power even though tens of thousands of Slovaks are demanding early elections. The unsolved killing of 27-year-old reporter Jan Kuciak, who delved into fraud involving businessmen with political connections, has fueled public anger over corruption and threatened to bring down the coalition before the party leaders agreed a change of guard. Fico vowed on Thursday to remain in politics as the active leader of his Smer party. Pellegrini presented the president with a list of signatures showing coalition lawmakers supported the switch in prime ministers, guaranteeing a parliamentary majority. But Pellegrini, a former speaker of parliament, will face his first test already on Friday as the protests are scheduled to continue into a third week. Organizers are demanding new elections and a thorough investigation of Kuciak's murder in late February. The events of the past few weeks have also exposed growing unease in some central European countries that governments may be backsliding on democracy almost 30 years after communism was pushed out of the region. President Kiska himself had urged a government shake-up or snap elections to restore public trust. "After two weeks of international shame, a denial of political responsibility and mass protests, we are back at the start, at a government resignation and change of prime minister," Kiska said before Fico tendered his resignation to him. Fico had promised to step aside if Kiska allowed Smer, the biggest coalition party, to pick his successor. The government will continue with Smer, the Most-Hid party which represents the ethnic Hungarian minority, and the Slovak National Party that has shifted to center in recent years from the far right. Fico will stay on as caretaker prime minister until his successor is officially named. Kiska and Fico were opponents in the last presidential run-off vote and have battled again in the crisis. Fico has accused outside forces of trying to destabilize the country and questioned Kiska's meeting last year with financier George Soros, echoing attacks on the Budapest-born billionaire by Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban. Protesters are also taking to the streets in the neighboring Czech Republic, a fellow member of the European Union and NATO. Nationalisation of 5500 pry schools planned M M Jasim : The government has taken massive initiative to nationalise at least 5,500 primary schools across the country. The Primary and Mass Education Ministry sources said the government took the decision to make several thousand primary schools nationalized in view of the teachers' demand. In the meantime, the Prime Minister's Office has sent a letter to the Primary and Mass Education Ministry to take proper step to prepare a list. Additional Secretary of the Primary and Mass Education Ministry AFM Monzur Kadir said many MPs had sent application with Demi-Official Letter to the Ministry to consider schools in their constituencies for nationalization.. "The PMO asked the Mass Education Ministry to prepare a list and we did that and sent it to the concern office. Now the government will decide," Monzur Kadir said. Monzur Kadir said, "We will take further initiative after getting government's nod." An official of the Ministry wishing anonymity told The New Nation that the government would try to cash popularity in nationalizing the primary schools. "It is the election year. The government is trying to meet the demands of the primary teachers of the non-government primary schools thinking that it will help the AL to win the next national elections," he said. The government has already nationalized 26,193 primary schools established before May 9 of 2012. But, around 6,000 primary educational institutions were not included in the third phase of the nationalization process despite fulfilling the prerequisites for the process. Bangladesh Besharkari Prathomik Shikkhak Samity President Mamunur Rashid welcomed the government decision and requested the Ministry to implement it as early as possible. He said, "Committees were formed at district and upazila levels to recommend primary schools, suitable for nationalization. Unfortunately, we were left out though all the criteria existed. Mamunur claims their schools operate like any other government primary schools and their students participate in Primary Education Completion Examination every year. Yet they are excluded from the nationalization process. "We have jobs, but we have no salaries. Hence we are leading inhumane lives. We will continue our protest till our demand is met," he said. Bangladesh Non-Government Primary Teachers' Association President Shamsul Alam said as many as 6,000 primary schools are yet to be nationalized due to bureaucratic complications despite the announcement of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Bangabandhu`s Birthday today BSS, Dhaka : The country is set to celebrate the 99th birthday of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman today in a befitting manner. Since the re-assumption of state power in 1996, Awami League has been observing the day as the National Children's Day as Bangabandhu liked to spend time with children on his birthday. The nation will celebrate the day through extensive programmes with fanfare and gaiety. The day is a public holiday. The president and the prime minister will lay wreaths at the mausoleum of Bangabandhu at Tungipara in Gopalganj on Saturday this morning and join a milad and doa mahfil. A smartly turned out contingent drawn from Bangladesh Army, Navy and Air Force will give a guard of honour on the occasion. Later, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will attend a children's rally, book fair and cultural event to be organised on the premises of Bangabandhu Mausoleum. The premier will release memorial postal stamp in memory of Sheikh Russel, unveil the book of 'Amader Chhoto Russel Shona', distribute sewing machines and enjoy the video exhibition titled 'Uthbo Jege, Chutbo Bege'. The ruling Awami League (AL) and its associate bodies have chalked out a different programmes in observance of the day. The programmes include hoisting of national and party flags atop of their offices and placing of wreaths at the portrait of Bangabandhu at Bangabandhu Memorial Museum at Dhanmondi Road No-32 in the capital. Milad and doa mahfils will be organised at mosques while prayer sessions will also be arranged at other places of worship across the country seeking eternal peace of the departed souls of Bangabandhu and his family members. Bangladesh Betar, Bangladesh Television and other private TV channels and radio stations will air special programmes highlighting the significance of the day in the life of Bangalees. The national dailies will publish special supplements on the occasion. AL's associate and likeminded bodies and other socio-cultural- professional organisations including Awami Juba League, Awami Swechchasebak League, Jatiya Sramik League, Mahila Awami League, Juba Mahila League, Krishak League and Chhatra League have also drawn up extensive programmes to mark the day. Apart from national programmes, children's gatherings, public rallies, discussions and cultural functions will be organised at district and upazila levels. Bangladesh missions abroad have also chalked out elaborate programmes to observe the day. On this day in 1920, Bangabandhu, the vivacious leader of the Bangalee nation, the architect of independent Bangladesh and the greatest Bangalee of all times, was born in a greatly respected Muslim family in Tungipara village of Gopalganj sub-division, now district. He was the third among four daughters and two sons of his parents - Sheikh Lutfur Rahman and Saira Khatun. At the age of seven, Sheikh Mujib was admitted to nearby Gimadanga Government Primary School and later he studied in Madaripur Islamia High School, Gopalganj Government Pilot School and Gopalganj Mission School. While studying at the secondary level he was attacked by beriberi disease and had to undergo treatment in Calcutta. As a result, there was a gap in his studies for few years. After passing the Matriculation examination in 1942, Sheikh Mujib was admitted to Islamia College in Calcutta having residential accommodation in famous Baker Hostel. He passed the BA examinations in 1946. He was elected general secretary of Islamia College Students' Union. During his hostel days, when the 'quit India' movement was gaining momentum against the British domination, he came in touch with the legendary politicians like Huseyn Shaheed Suhrawardy and Abul Hashim. That was also a turning point in his long political career to pursue politics of secularism and patriotism. After partition of the sub-continent, Sheikh Mujib chose Dhaka as the centre of his political activities and took admission in the Law Department of Dhaka University. 3 other injured victims of plane crash arrive Three other injured victims Mehedi Hasan, Kamrunnahar Swarna and Alimunnahar Anny of ill-fated US-Bangla Airline plane crashed in Kathmandu brought back home and admitted to DMCH burn unit on Friday. UNB, Dhaka : Three injured passengers of the crashed US-Bangla Airlines aircraft arrived here on Friday afternoon from Kathmandu, Nepal. MdKamrul Islam, General Manager (GM), Marketing Support and PR of US-Bangla Airlines told UNB that the three injured passengers-Mehedi Hasan, Saiyada Kamrunnahar Shwarna and Almun Nahar Annie-arrived at Shahjalal International Airport by a flight of Biman Bangladesh 1 Airlines at 3:42 pm. They are being taken to Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) from the airport, he added. Earlier on Thursday, Shahreen Ahmed, one of the injured passengers of the crashed aircraft, was brought back to Dhaka from Kathmandu. She was admitted to the burn and plastic surgery unit of Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH). She is now undergoing treatment at its ICU. US-Bangla Airlines flight BS211, which flew from Dhaka to Kathmandu carrying 67 passengers and four crew members, crashed at Tribhuvan International Airport in the capital of Himalayan country of Nepal on Monday, leaving 49 people, including 26 Bangladeshis, dead. Trump threatens to withdraw US troops from S Korea over trade Washington (CNN) : President Donald Trump on Wednesday appeared to threaten to withdraw US troops from South Korea if he can't get a better trade deal with Seoul. In a fundraising speech in Missouri, Trump told donors South Korea had become rich but that American politicians never negotiated better deals, according to audio obtained by The Washington Post and confirmed to CNN by an attendee. "We have a very big trade deficit with them, and we protect them," Trump said. "We lose money on trade, and we lose money on the military." "We have right now 32,000 soldiers on the border between North and South Korea. Let's see what happens," Trump said. The President went on to argue, "Our allies care about themselves. They don't care about us." The two countries signed the United States-Korea Free Trade Agreement (KORUS FTA) in 2007 and, since then, trade between the two countries has grown. However, the US' trade deficit with Korea stood at $17.0 billion, according to figures from 2016. On Friday, South Korean Finance Minister, Kim Dong-yeon, appeared to hit back at Trump's remarks. "We don't think it's ideal to link an economic issue with such an issue [the withdrawal of US troops]," said Kim, while speaking on South Korean TBS radio. "The South Korean government, with national interest of South Korea as priority, will consider striking a balance in the national economy and among multiple industries," said Kim. "We have many issues to take into consideration dealing with the United States as well." Kim's comments, the first by a senior member of the South Korean government, follow the arrival of South Korea's foreign minister in Washington to discuss the proposed face-to-face meeting between Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. South Korea and the US maintain a longstanding defense partnership. At the end of this month, joint military exercises involving tens of thousands of troops from both countries are set to resume, following their postponement during the Olympic Games. Last year, the annual exercises, code-named Key Resolve and Foal Eagle, saw an estimated 3,600 additional US service members deployed to join the 28,000 US troops already based in South Korea to participate in the drills, which included ground, air, naval and special operations field exercises. The United States and South Korea assert that the annual exercises, which have been carried out regularly for nearly 40 years, are strictly defensive and non-provocative. Both exercises, according to US Forces Korea, are designed to "highlight the longstanding military partnership" between the two countries and improve stability and security on the Korean Peninsula. However, the exercises usually draw a fierce response from North Korean. During last year's drills, Pyongyang launched multiple missile tests and held a massive artillery exercise at the end of April. The US and South Korea have maintained this year's drills will proceed as planned, despite the thawing in relations with the North. BNP may join 5 city polls: Fakhrul Staff Reporter : The BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Friday said, his party may take part in the upcoming five city corporation elections subject to the friendly environment. "Participation in the election will depend on the prevailing polls atmosphere," Mirza Fakhrul said after offering Fatiha for the departed soul of Khandaker Delwar Hossain, former Secretary General in Manikganj. Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) KM Nurul Huda on Thursday announced that election to five city corporations ie Gazipur, Rajshahi, Khulna, Barisal and Sylhet city corporations will be held by July this year. "People think that the ruling parties aim to manipulate election result for strengthening own hands" the BNP leader said. "There is no democracy and human rights in the country," he said. The BNP Secretary General stressed on to creation of level playing field so that all the political parties enjoy equal opportunities. Next polls to be inclusive: CEC UNB, Rajshahi : Chief Election Commissioner KM Nurul Huda on Friday expressed the hope that the next general election will be held with the participation of all political parties, saying they were working to this end. "As no party has yet declined to take part in the election, I hope all the parties will join the polls," he said while addressing a views-exchange meeting arranged by Durgapur upazila administration at the upazila parishad auditorium. The CEC said the Election Commission is taking preparations to hold the election in a free, fair and credible manner. In reply to a query from reporters, he said country's every citizen will get smart card in phases. Superintendent of Police of the district Md Shahidullah, Durgapur upazila parishad Chairman Nazrul Islam, municipality Mayor Tofazzal Hossain and district Election Officer Atiar Rahman also attended the meeting. The ultimate winners in military conflicts Thalif Deen : In most military conflicts worldwide, the ultimate winners are not one of the warring parties- but the world's prolific arms traders, described by peace activists as "merchants of death". While fighting keeps escalating, the hunger for conventional weapons continues unabated, as exemplified in several ongoing battles. The conflicts include the six-year civil war in Syria where multiple warring factions are being armed either by the US, Russia or Iran; the three-year armed conflict in Yemen where American weapons are being used indiscriminately by Saudi Arabia, mostly against civilians; and the simmering 50-year old Israeli-Palestinian conflict which has transformed the heavily-armed Jewish state into a formidable military power described as far superior to the collective might of all the Arab states put together. And arms are also pouring uninterruptedly into Egypt, Libya, Lebanon, Iran, India, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Qatar, Kuwait, Afghanistan and Pakistan. The world's five major arms suppliers include the four permanent members of the UN Security Council (UNSC) - namely the US, Russia France and China- plus Germany (which is engaged in a longstanding battle for a permanent seat in the UNSC). Together, these five biggest exporters, have accounted for about 74 per cent of all arms exports during 2013-17 The weapons of war include sophisticated jet fighters, combat helicopters, unmanned aerial vehicles, missiles, warships, battle tanks, armoured personnel carriers, heavy artillery and small arms. According to a new study, released March 12 by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), the world's five major arms suppliers include the four permanent members of the UN Security Council (UNSC) - namely the US, Russia France and China- plus Germany (which is engaged in a longstanding battle for a permanent seat in the UNSC). Together, these five biggest exporters, have accounted for about 74 per cent of all arms exports during 2013-17, according to the latest SIPRI figures. The fifth permanent member of the UNSC, namely Britain, - which finalized an estimated $5 billion dollar arms agreement with Saudi Arabia for the sale of 48 Typhoon jet fighters last week, as reported in the Wall Street Journal March 10 - is not far behind. The proposed agreement also involves trade and investments between the two countries. "All five permanent members of the Security Council", ridicules one UN diplomat, "preach the doctrine of peaceful coexistence and the principles of disarmament - while having no compunctions in simultaneously selling lethal weapons in battle zones." The mostly strife-torn Middle Eastern nations alone more than doubled their arms purchases over the last 10 years, says SIPRI. 'Widespread violent conflict in the Middle East and concerns about human rights have led to political debate in Western Europe and North America about restricting arms sales,' says Pieter Wezeman, Senior Researcher with the SIPRI Arms and Military Expenditure Programme. "Yet the USA and European states remain the main arms exporters to the region and supplied over 98 per cent of weapons imported by Saudi Arabia," he noted. Wezeman told IPS the current ongoing violent conflicts in Yemen, Syria, Iraq, Sinai, Libya, Palestine, Israel, Lebanon, Turkey- and the prevalent view that military force is an important, if not the main instrument to deal with these conflicts- are major reasons for the demand for arms in the region. In addition, he pointed out, these conflicts are closely linked to the aspirations of several states to be regional powers, in particular Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Iran, Qatar and Turkey, which in turn, leads to deeply entrenched threat perceptions between Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Iran, and between Israel and Iran. In addition, he said, the rapidly developed deep rift between Saudi Arabia together with the UAE, on the one hand, and Qatar on the other, shows once again how fast new tensions can develop in the region, even between states that were military allies only shortly before. "Preparing for such unforeseen tensions is likely to be a motive for regimes in the region to modernize, or as in the case of Qatar, rapidly expand their arsenals. The fast pace of arms procurement by several countries in the region risks becoming a multi-facetted and asymmetric regional arms race," Wezeman declared. Arms supplying states, he noted, have shown little signs of restraint aimed at cooling off the situation. The economic, and partly, the perceived security benefits of arms exports, remain a driving force for continuing aggressive arms marketing in the region. Such marketing, he said, also plays into other non-security or power aspirations related reasons for arms procurement, namely prestige and the opportunities that arms procurement offers for corruption Dr. Natalie J. Goldring, Senior Fellow with the Security Studies Program in the Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University, told IPS "the new SIPRI data on the global arms trade represent good news for arms dealers and bad news for the rest of us." The new data, she pointed out, confirm a disturbing trend, with the United States widening its lead over Russia, the world's second largest arms exporter from 2013-2017. She said the United States retains its title as "the leading merchant of death". US manufacturers supplied more than a third of the value of the major conventional weapons delivered around the world from 2013-2017, the period covered by this report. "The situation isn't likely to get better any time soon, with a report from Reuters earlier this year indicating that the Trump Administration plans to loosen controls on weapons exports and task embassy officials with being more active in pursuing sales". This initiative is reportedly a "Buy American" plan, which effectively treats weapons as if they were simply another consumer commodity. "It seems clear that President Trump is going to continue the unfortunate pattern of previous administrations, exercising little control over US weapons exports. Rather than seeing the risks inherent in unfettered arms transfers, he merely seems to see dollar signs," said Dr Goldring, who also represents the Acronym Institute at the United Nations on conventional weapons and arms trade issues. One hopeful sign, she pointed out, is that "Congress is taking a more critical look at some US arms exports. Last summer, for example, the US Senate fell just three votes short on a resolution to block a sale of precision-guided munitions to Saudi Arabia. That more critical perspective should also be applied to sales of major conventional weapons to Saudi Arabia." "SIPRI reports that arms transfers to the Middle East have doubled in the last decade. If more weapons made people safer, the Middle East should be a remarkably peaceful place. The opposite seems closer to the truth, with continued conflict across the region," Dr Goldring declared. Meanwhile, India was the world's largest importer of major arms in 2013-17 and accounted for 12 per cent of the global total. Saudi Arabia was the world's second largest arms importer, with arms imports increasing by 225 per cent compared with 2008-12, according to SIPRI. Arms imports by Egypt-the third largest importer in 2013-17-grew by 215 per cent between 2008-12 and 2013-17. The United Arab Emirates was the fourth largest importer in 2013-17, while Qatar (the 20th largest arms importer) increased its arms imports and signed several major deals in that period. (Thalif Deen, a Senior Consulting Editor at Inter Press Service (IPS) news agency, has been covering the United Nations since the late 1970s). Dozens fled dodging immigration ACC to seek Interpol help Special Correspondent : Dozens of BASIC Bank loan scandal suspects have fled the country dodging the airport immigration and law enforcing agencies. In this context, the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) is considering to seek the help of Interpol in arresting the suspects through Bangladesh police, official said. The Commission filed 56 cases in connection with Tk 3,500 crore BASIC Bank loan scandal in 2015, accusing a total of 156 people. The cases were filed with three Dhaka police stations -- Gulshan, Motijheel and Paltan - however without involving former chairman of the bank Abdul Hai Bachchu, who resigned on July 5, 2014 from his post amid growing allegations that he misappropriated funds by approving shady loans. Among the accused, 130 are chairmen and managing directors of 45 borrower companies and 26 are bank officials. Many of them are accused in multiple cases. "At least 25 out of the total accused have already fled the country. They left the country dodging the airport immigration," an ACC official told The New Nation on Friday on condition of anonymity. He said the ACC imposed ban on foreign travel of the accused and the immigration authorities were informed about the matter. "We imposed ban on their foreign travel. At the same time, we requested the immigration department to put the names of the accused on the Exit Control List (ECL). Unfortunately, many of them could flee the country deceiving the immigration," he added. Bank's ex-managing director Fakhrul Islam and proprietors of several companies who were involved in the loan scam are among those ran out of the country. Fakhrul, who has been accused of most of the cases, left the country with his family after the ACC filed the cases. Like him, the Bank's former Santinagar branch manager Mohanmad Ali also ran out the country taking his family with him. "We have solid information that they are now living in Malaysia, Singapore and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). They fled there to escape from the ACC prosecution," said the ACC official. He said they are now collecting necessary documents, passports, NIDs and other relevant information of the accused persons to approach for the Interpol's help. "We would seek their help through local police in arresting the culprits so that they can be brought to book. We would ensure their punishment," he added. On July 14, 2014, Bangladesh Bank sent a report on the BASIC Bank scam to the ACC, detailing how borrowers embezzled money from the bank's three Dhaka branches (Gulshan, Dilkhusha and Santinagar) under shady companies and accounts. Richwood, TX (77531) Today Scattered thunderstorms during the evening, with mostly cloudy skies after midnight. Low 68F. Winds NNW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 60%.. Tonight Scattered thunderstorms during the evening, with mostly cloudy skies after midnight. Low 68F. Winds NNW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 60%. 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. The best bang for your buck! This option enables you to purchase online 24/7 access and receive the Sunday, Tuesday & Thursday print edition at no additional cost * Print edition only available in our carrier delivery area. Allow up to 72 hours for delivery of your print edition to begin. Print edition not available for Day Pass option. Subscribers and potential customers crashed in on the Digicel Kingstown outlet to be part of the March Celebration Madness. While March 2003 is etched in the minds of Vincentians as the time that Digicel revolutionised the telecommunication in St. Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG), March 2018 is shaping up to also have a great impact on Vincentians. This as Digicel on Monday, March 6th officially launched its March Madness promotion, which is geared at rewarding all its customers, both pre and postpaid, with a series of deals and FREE offers. On Monday morning, prepaid customers woke up to a message informing them that they were all gifted 50 free minutes to call, not only SVG but over 150 countries, including the USA, the UK and Canada. Additionally, customers were rewarded with free data and International minutes for simply topping up $5 or more. Fanta Williams, Chief of Operations at Digicel SVG, said about the exciting promotion, "This is the start of a month full of rewards for our loyal customers of 15 years - free credit, data and a giveaway of up to $5,000 in cash. In fact, our March Madness promotion is just one aspect of Digicels 15th anniversary celebration activities since the promotion will climax with a grand concert on Saturday, March 24 at the Victoria Park. The concert, which connects our customers to the music they love, is our way to thank them for choosing and supporting Digicel over the past 15 years. Siccaturie JahCure Alcock and Andrae Popcaan Sutherland are billed as headliners for the March 24 concert making it the first time the two artistes will share the stage. Patrons can also expect to see performances by some of SVGs best artistes including: Shirtz "Problem Child James and Kevon "Kev Alleyne, along with SVGs best DJs. For further information on the March Madness offers and the concert details, Digicel customers should stay tuned to the radio, check their text messages and follow Digicels social media pages for the latest updates. Left: Dr. Keith Mitchel has much to smile about after leading his NNP to another landslide victory at the polls. (Photo: Wikipedia) Right:Nazim Burke, leader of the NDC, now has to count the number of votes (unofficially 126) by which he failed to win a seat in the Grenada House of representatives. (Photo: youlisten.com Who said history does not repeat itself? If you said that to Dr, Keith Mitchell, leader of the New National Party (NNP) of Grenada, he would more than likely laugh in your face and say that history not only repeats itself, but it three-peats. Dr. Keith Mitchell re-created history when he led his NNP to a complete sweep of seats in the general election held on Tuesday 13th March, 2018. His NNP took all 15 constituencies - 14 on mainland Grenada and one comprised of Carriacou and Petit Martinique - up for grabs, and in the process, repeated what he had done in the general elections of 2013 and 1999. In fact, the NNP has won all but two of the eight national elections since the Grenada Revolution imploded in October 1983. The unofficial figures show a percentage decrease in the number of voters who turned out to the polls last Tuesday (73.65 percent in 2018 compared to 88 percent in 2013), but Dr. Mitchel will be nonetheless pleased, since the popular vote matters not in a first-past-the-post voting system as obtains in Grenada. Forty-five candidates were nominated to contest the 2018 General Election. Both the New National Party (NNP) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC), led by Nazim Burke, presented full slates of candidates. The other candidates were from seven minority parties, and there were two independent candidates. As it stands, albeit unofficially as of press time Wednesday, seven of the 15 members of the new House of Representatives will be women. First time MPs Kindra Maturine Stewart, Kate Skeeter-Lewis and Pamela Moses will be joining returning MPs Clarice Modeste-Curwen, Emmalin Pierre, Yolande Bain-Horsford, and Delma Thomas. This augurs well in the face of increasing calls for more women to be included in the race for public office, one Caribbean-profiled Womens Rights Advocate told THE VINCENTIAN. Others returning as incumbents are Dr. Mitchell, Gregory Bowen, Oliver Joseph, Tobias Clement, Nickolas Steele, Alvin DaBreo and Anthony Boatswain. New to the House of Representatives as an NNP representative is Peter David, a former General Secretary of the main opposition NDC and a minister in that partys administration of 2008 -2013. David joined the NNP and became its General Secretary. He was elected in the town of St. Georges (the Capital) constituency. The result of the March 13, 2018 poll shows clearly that the Grenadian electorate had bought into what Dr. Mitchell had said was an overwhelming confidence in his governments programmes for the administration of the affairs and development of the country, and the positive economic growth, averaging over five per cent for the last five years, achieved by his administration. The argument of the NDC, in particular, that the NNP had placed the country in a precarious national debt situation, did not sway with the electorate, as substantiated by the landslide victory of the NNP. Dr. Keith Mitchell stands alone as having been the only modern day Caribbean political leader to have led his party in three full sweeps of general elections. Assemblyman Michael Benjamin (3rd from left front), members of the Garifuna Coalition USA Inc., and the Evangelical Garifuna Church, pose with Proclamation Declaring Garifuna Day In The Bronx. (Photo: Teofilo Colon Jr.) The Bronx, New York-based Garifuna Coalition USA, Inc., says it is "proud to celebrate the 10th Anniversary of Garifuna-American Heritage Month in New York, inviting all New Yorkers to join in the Mar. 11 - April 12 celebration. The coalition said that, each year, Garifuna Americans in New York observe Garifuna-American Heritage Month, from Mar. 11 to April 12. "The day of Mar. 11 is significant because it is the anniversary of the forcible deportation of the Garifuna people by the British from St. Vincent and the Grenadines in 1797, the coalition said. "All of the communities in Belize, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua descend from the just over two thousand Garifuna people forcibly deported from St. Vincent in 1797, the coalition said. In addition, it said Mar. 14 is National Hero Day in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, in observance of the anniversary of the death of Paramount Garifuna Chief Joseph Chatoyer on Mar. 14, 1795. The coalition also said that Mar. 25 is the anniversary of the tragic fire in the Happy Land fire, an arson fire that killed 87 people trapped in an unlicensed social club named Happy Land Social Club, at 1959 Southern Blvd. in the West Farms section of the Bronx on Mar. 25, 1990. Most of the victims were young Hondurans celebrating, largely drawn from members of the local Garifuna American community, the coalition said. "It was through the Happy Land Fire that New York discovered the Garifuna people, the coalition said. The month concludes on April 12 in commemoration of 221st anniversary of the Garifuna Settlement in Central America. The path to recognition In 2008, The Garifuna Coalition USA, Inc., said it developed an initiative to raise awareness and appreciation of the Garifuna Community and its contribution to the culture and society of New York City. The coalition said the strategy was to "plan, organize and execute a series of activities to promote the Garifuna Community in New York City. This initiative led to Bronx Borough President Adolfo Carrion issuing a proclamation declaring Mar. 11 to April 12, 2009 as "Garifuna-American Heritage Month in the Bronx, the coalition said. In 2010, Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr., issued the proclamation. In addition, Assemblyman Michael Benjamin introduced a resolution in the New York State Assembly "memorializing Gov. David Patterson to declare Mar. 11- April 12, 2010 as Garifuna-American Heritage Month in the State of New York., the coalition said. New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg also issued a proclamation. In 2011, the coalition said Sen. Ruben Diaz, Sr. introduced a resolution in the New York State Senate "memorializing Gov. Andrew Cuomo to declare Mar. 11 - April 12, as Garifuna- American Heritage Month in the State of New York and invited the first Garifuna delegation to be present to receive the proclamation. "It was the first time in history that the Garifuna community was invited to the New York capitol to celebrate its heritage, the coalition said. Beginning in 2012, Assemblymen Marcos Crespo, Michael Blake and Luis Sepulveda have introduced a resolution in the New York State Assembly. The 8th annual ceremony is scheduled for Tuesday April 17. On March 12, 2014 New York City Council District 16 Council member Vanessa L. Gibson presented the first New York City Council Garifuna-American Heritage Month Proclamation Ceremony at the New York City Council Chambers. The fifth annual ceremony is scheduled for Thursday, April 12, the coalition said. It said that, on April 10, 2014, Congressman Jose E. Serrano "rose on the United States House of Representatives to honor Garifuna American Heritage Month (Congressional Record E572). On Feb. 1, 2017, New York City Council District 17 Councilmember Rafael Salamanca, Jr. was the primary sponsor of Resolution 1358-2017, along with Council District 42. The coalition said Councilmember Inez D. Baron and Council District 31 Councilmember Donovan J. Richards, as co-sponsors, recognize April 12 annually as Garifuna Heritage Day in the City of New York, as part of the annual Garifuna-American Heritage Month celebrations. "Garifuna-American Heritage Month provides an opportunity to recognize the significance of Garifunas contributions to the quality and character of life of New York, through many events and activities throughout the month, the coalition said. "People gain a greater appreciation of Garifuna history and traditions, and of the role Garifuna-Americans have played, and will continue to play, in New Yorks society. Justice Adrian Saunders a Vincentian by birth - will become the next (third) President of the Caribbean Court of Justice. Inset:Sir Dennis Byron will retire this year as the second President of the Caribbean Court of Justice. St. Vincent and the Grenadines born Adrian Dudley Saunders is to become the next president of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) The sitting president, Kittitian Sir Dennis Byron, made the announcement Friday, while addressing the 10th Annual CCJ International Law Moot Competition, held in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, where the CCJ is also headquartered. Justice Saunders appointment will take effect from July 4, 2018. The Heads of Government of CARICOM made the appointment at their Ninth Intersessional Meeting held from 26-27 February, 2018, in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. Legal career to date Justice Saunders, as a letter writer in the THE VINCENTIAN of September 22, 2017 said, has "distinguished himself, and by extension St. Vincent and the Grenadines, with his intellectual excellence, first class practical mind, utter sincerity and wonderful judicial temperament all combined with an acute understanding of our West Indian societies. The 64-year-old Saunders, who earned his LLB degree with Honours from the University of the West Indies in 1975, was first appointed a judge in 1996 when he was elevated to the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (ECSC). He served as a High Court Judge in Montserrat and Anguilla (1997 2001) and St. Lucia (2001 2003). In 2003, he was appointed a Justice of the Appeal of the ECSC, and in 2004, was further elevated to acting Chief Justice of the ECSC. He stepped down from that position in 2005 when he was appointed to the CCJ, i.e. from the inception of the Court. What he now guides Justice Saunders will become the third president of the CCJ. He succeeds Sir Dennis Byron who himself succeeded the first president - Trinidadian jurist Michael De la Bastide - in 2011. As President of the CCJ, Justice Saunders will preside over a body that is the final Court of Appeal for only four CARICOM countries - Guyana, Barbados, Belize and Dominica who have all severed ties with the London-based Privy Council. Antigua and Barbuda has given indications of putting a decision in this regard, to a referendum. He will also guide the body which is tasked as the final decision-making body with respect to interpreting the Revised Treaty of Chaguaranas, the foundation of CARICOM. Justice Saunders is expected to continue as chairperson of the ongoing project to develop and execute the CCJs Strategic Plan for 2018-2023. During his almost 13 years as a member of the CCJ, Justice Saunders would have seen the body rule on some landmark cases in the Caribbean, not least being: a ruling that ordered substantial damages against the Barbados government for denying entry to a Jamaican national, Shanique Myrie; a case involving gay rights in which Maurice Thomlinson challenged the governments of Belize and Trinidad and Tobago, and in which the CCJ ruled that homosexual CARICOM nationals have a right of freedom of movement on the same terms as any other CARICOM Nationals. According to Sir Dennis, the CCJ, in the calendar year 2018, received 18 cases in its Appellate Jurisdiction and 35 cases in 2017. Of these, 46 were disposed of by the court. Justice Saunders would be keen, one observer said, to ensure that this degree of efficiency is maintained, and that every effort would be made, in keeping with the Courts policy, of having cases disposed of within six months from the date the case is filed until the final judgement is given. Government has had nothing to do with a recent policy adopted by Money Transfer Agencies operating here. Persons who use these agencies as points for collecting remittances from family and friends abroad, now have to produce two forms of identification when doing transactions. Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves explained on Monday that the policy was more based on international standards that had been set. "What I understand has been happening is that the agencies who offer money services, they have been using their discretion, Gonsalves explained, adding that if an individual is a regular recipient of remittances from abroad, and the name is in the system, then the agency may or may not require that individual to produce a second piece of identification. However, if it is an instance where an individual is doing a transaction for the first time, they may be required to comply with the rules and regulations and produce a second form of I.D. Gonsalves noted that the policy was implemented months ago. Within recent weeks, though, a number of Vincentians have complained about the new regulation, with many admitting that they do not have any form of identification other than their National ID card. (DD) Students, donned in Garifuna wear, on their march to Victoria Park. Stories by Gloriah On Friday 9th March, the National Schools Garifuna Cultural Festival and History Expo kicked off to an impressive start with the parade of participating schools dressed in their Garifuna colours. Participating schools paraded to the strains of musical accompaniment by the Royal St. Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force Band and the C.W. Prescod Primary School Marching Band, from the Bishops College Kingstown to Victoria Park. The activity, held under the auspices of The Garifuna Heritage Foundation for the fourth consecutive year, saw participation from some thirty primary and secondary schools. The local history component came through a collaboration with the Curriculum Development Unit within the Ministry of Education, and is in its third year. Performances This cultural festival functions as a mouthpiece for the dissemination of Garifuna historical information. It would be fair to say that this years presentations showed a notable increase of Garifuna-centric performances in song, dance, monologues, and dramatic pieces. Kudos must go out to those teachers and other individuals who did the research, wrote original songs and monologues, tastefully packed with content on the struggles and survival of the Garifuna peoples. Some of these, worthy of mention were: Island of Love by Argyle Primary; We Cry No More by Tourama Government; Balliceaux by the Lowmans Leeward Anglican; Our Heritage by the Calliaqua Anglican; I am Garifuna by the Kingstown Preparatory. Garifuna songs, Bankwatawwilliamo and Alegundahengna by the soloist from the George Stephens Secondary School and Weyularigi Weyu by the Georgetown Secondary School were enlightening and were well received. There were several adaptations of the punta dance, and some traditional folk songs were brought back into play by some schools. Special mention must be made of an awesome drumology by the Brighton Government School, passionately conducted by a confident female teacher, and the excellence in voice and action portrayed in the presentation of Fitun Bariye by the Thomas Saunders Secondary School. Awards Though not a competition, the Garifuna Heritage Foundation has always sought to award outstanding performances and participation. Among these were the award for the Most Creative Use of Garifuna Colours which went to the Brighton Methodist School with favourable mention to St. Marys Roman Catholic and Belmont Government. Most Outstanding Garifuna Song went to the Thomas Saunders Secondary; Most Outstanding Garifuna Dance, to the C. W. Prescod Primary, with favourable mention to St. Josephs Convent Kingstown and St. Marys Roman Catholic; Most Outstanding Garifuna Choral Speech, to the Lowmans Leeward Anglican; Most Outstanding Garifuna Drama, to the Georgetown Secondary; Best Drumming/Musical Band, to the Brighton Methodist; and Most Outstanding Traditional Booth to the Intermediate High School. With the content of this festival the fourth time around shifting more swiftly to Garifuna history, it will be interesting to see what 2019 will bring. President Desi Bouterse (R) and Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves during a visit to the Klaaskreek Maroon village in Brokopondo, Suriname. (Photo: National Information Institute) The Prime Minister of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Dr. Ralph Gonsalves, reported on Monday, that this country can expect a visit by officials of the privately-owned Surinamese airline Fly All Ways. Speaking at a press conference on Monday, Prime Minister Gonsalves said that, while he was in Surinam on his first official visit to that country (March 2 5), he held talks with the Chief Executive Officer of that airline. The discussion centred around the possibility of having that airline, which currently operates a charter flight service from Paramaribo, Suriname, to Havana, Cuba, to include SVG/Argyle International Airport in that route. That would mean a route that begins in Paramaribo to AIA and then on to Havana, with a reverse of the route on return. This arrangement, if it becomes operational, would replace the once scheduled EasyJet flights from AIA to Havana. With respect to bi-lateral discussions held with President of Suriname, Desi Bouterse, Dr. Gonsalves reported the primary areas of focus as being trade, agriculture, air travel and people to people travel. He alluded to discussion about this countrys purchase of Surinames timber and sand, and to an exchange of students for study at tertiary level institutions in both countries. It was important, Prime Minister Gonsalves said, to build relations with Suriname, the only Dutch-speaking country that is a full member of CARICOM. He qualified this importance with reference to what he envisions as the emergence of two "poles within CARICOM, within an ongoing existence of CARICOM and the OECS. Dr. Gonsalves envisioned a Northern Pole and a Southern Pole arising out of the realities of trade demands. The Northern Pole he sees as being comprised of Bahamas, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Haiti, Jamaica and Puerto Rica. Barbados, Guyana, the OECS, Surinam and Trinidad and Tobago, he sees, as being grouped as the Southern Pole. This country, Prime Minister Gonsalves conjectured, has to prepare for this likelihood. Elson Bailey (right) and Supt. Brenton Charles exchange a gentlemans handshake that marked the donation and receipt of a quantity of tools for use in the Auto Mechanics programme. "Our courts are over-punishing decent people who make mistakes, and our prisons have no rewards or incentives for good behaviour. In this alone, criminal justice and prison systems contradict their own mission statements (244). Bernard B. Kerik Prison authorities here have taken this quotation to heart, and are bent on proving it wrong, as it applies to the Penal System here. According to Brenton Charles Superintendent of the state-run penal institutions here, there are several trades/vocation training opportunities available to inmates during their period of Incarceration, all intended to tool or retool them for reintegration into society and the work market, on their release. In this way, Charles said, the incidence of repeat offenders can be curbed. Some of these opportunities currently available to prison inmates here are Tailoring, Culinary Arts, Woodwork, Metal Work, Arts and Craft and the most recent, Auto Mechanics. The Auto Mechanics programme was launched Friday 9th March at Her Majestys Prison in Kingstown. It is a joint collaboration between the Prisons and businessman Elson Bailey of Cash Money Auto, who, according to Superintendent Charles, first came to the rescue of the Prisons when he replaced an engine for one of the prison vehicles. That vehicle was, as reported, vandalised when sugar was poured into its petrol tank. This kind gesture by Mr. Bailey was the beginning of a relationship that has blossomed into the structure Auto Mechanics programme. A significant range and number of tools and quantities of auto supplies were on display as part of the press conference, the sum total of contributions from Bailey and Carl Samuel of KAG Auto. Also present was Mr. Steve Oliver, renowned auto-mechanic, who will assist with training. Superintendent Charles is hopeful that Prison Officers would also get an opportunity to avail themselves of the training, so as to make the penal institutions less dependent on outside service in this regard. He also ensured the imposition of strict discipline in what he described as a "high demand Rehab Programme. In acknowledging the appreciation extended to him, Bailey expressed the hope that the prison system would, in due course, be equipped with a bearings press and an auto-body repair facility, services which it can extend to the public. Also present at the press conference were Vonnie Roudette, artist, arts instructor, community development specialist, who has been pivotal in developing the training/vocational rehabilitation efforts of the prison; and Chef Alvin Jackson who recently conducted a successful first time training programme in culinary arts for the inmates. Trinidad and Tobago has given indication that it will honour an amount of US$64 million, the remaining amount on a US$100 million debt resulting from the fallout of British American Insurance Company (BAICO). According to Prime Minister, Dr Ralph Gonsalves during a press briefing on Monday, it is the first time that the Trinidadian Government has admitted that it is liable for the amount, and has given the assurance that it has identified a source from which it can honour the payment. That source of funds, according to PM Gonsalves, will come from the liquidation of BAICOs parent company, CL Financial. Back in January, Gonsalves said that he was intending to gather support from other CARICOM member states to get Trinidad and Tobago to pay the remaining amount of the US$100 million, pledged by the then Patrick Manning administration. The matter was an agenda item at the 29th Intersessional Meeting of the CARICOM Heads of Government held in Haiti, February 26 -27, 2018. Regarding the issue with CLICO, Gonsalves said that he continues to work with the court and Government of Barbados. (DD) Prime Ministers (from left) Dr. Keith Rowley (T&T), Dr. Keith Mitchell (Grenada) and Dr. Ralph Gonsalves (SVG) in one of the many important side meetings at the recent 29th Intersessional Meeting of Heads of Government of CARICOM. Trinidad and Tobagos Prime Minister, Dr Keith Rowley, has pledged to resolve the present trade impasse affecting this countrys traffickers and farmers. While speaking at a press conference on Monday, Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves said that he had spoken one on one with Dr. Rowley, during CARICOMs 29th Intercessional Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government in Haiti between February 26 and 27. Earlier this year, Dr. Gonslaves indicated that he had intended to raise the issue at that meeting, which he did, and arising out discourse, Dr. Gonsalves said that Dr. Rowley had given him the undertaking that he (Rowley) would deal with the issue. "I think he understood the seriousness of this, Gonsalves said. Addrsssing the core of the issue, PM Gonsalves explained that over the last five years, SVG imported EC$167.1 million worth of goods from the twin-island republic, but had only exported goods, primarily agricultural produce, amounting to a value of EC$17.2 million. The imbalance is that, while goods imported from Trinidad are paid for in hard currency, local exporters were having a hard time repatriating income earned there, and this was having a negative impact on the farming community here. In fact, the amount of income earned in 2017 through the export of produce decreased, and according to Gonsalves, this was because a number of producers were no longer sending their goods to Trinidad, because they were having problems collecting their money. Government had implemented certain measures here in an effort to make it easier for local producers, but PM Gonsalves admitted that it was not enough. "[I] am hoping that with the interaction of CARICOM, we hope to find an appropriate solution. "Its a matter that I am not giving up on, he said. (DD) Select Facility Management (Select FM) has commenced operations at King Abdullah Economic City (KAEC), in partnership with EFS, a leading facility management services provider in the region. We are committed to providing full services to the residents, employees and visitors by paying attention to their demands and meeting their needs on a continual basis, guaranteeing quality assurance within a safe and advanced contemporary environment, said Ahmed Linjawi, deputy CEO of KAEC. KAEC offers a wide range of services in conjunction with the increasing growth witnessed in its different projects, which highlights the importance of facility management in various sectors and constitutes a quality addition to the level of services offered to the customers, he added. Select FM is one of the initiatives to enhance the services offered at KAEC, including a broad variety of integrated and advanced facility management services such as the maintenance of buildings and public networks, as well as logistics and technical services, said Ayman Mansi, CEO of the Industrial Valley and head of New Business Ventures in KAEC. King Abdullah Economic City initiates services alongside the development of other projects that contribute to enhancing its position among investors. These projects also ensure an environment rich in features such as logistics services, as well as industrial, commercial, social and recreational facilities. Among the total housing solutions that KAEC offers, The Village provides a suitable environment for workers and supervisors, and complements the integrated components of the Industrial Valley, which is supported by state-of-the-art infrastructure and a strategic location boasting an integrated network of surrounding roads, in addition to direct access to King Abdullah Port and the Haramain railway station. - TradeArabia News Service Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy (SGRE) has secured orders for the supply of 39 onshore wind turbines in France, with aggregate capacity of 104 MW. The wind turbines are being developed at five wind farms in the regions of Hauts de France, Grand Est, Burgundy and in Western France, said a statement. Siemens Gamesa has been selected to supply, transport and install 11 of its SWT-3.2-113 turbines (35.2 MW) for Innovents Eplessier project in Hauts de France, it said. These turbines will be delivered the third quarter of 2018. In addition, the company will deliver another 11 SWT-3.2-113 turbines for the ENGIE Greens Les Monts projects in the Grand Est region. The company will maintain both projects for 20 years, it added. On the other hand, the company has secured the supply of eight SG 2.1-114 turbines with 16 years of service agreement for a 16 MW project in Burgundy and four G97-2.0 MW turbines with 15-year service contract for an 8 MW project in Western France. The company will also supply another five G97-2.0 MW turbines to an undisclosed customer for a 10 MW wind farm located in Western France. Enrique Pedrosa, CEO for Siemens Gamesa's onshore business in South Europe and Africa, said: These orders demonstrate our companys ability to respond to its customers constraints and its capability to deliver tailor-made projects taking into account the wide variety of site characteristics and product demand. Siemens Gamesa wants to become a strong contributor to the energy model transition underway in France through the excellence, quality and guarantees offered by its products and services, he said. Siemens Gamesa ranked as the fourth-largest turbine manufacturer in terms of capacity installed and connections to the grid in France in 2017. With a total installed base of 1,444 MW, Siemens Gamesa continues reinforcing its position in one of most solid and promising markets, it stated. TradeArabia News Service The Belt and Road Initiative is brand new and therefore enjoys huge potential. Yet, it will only be brought to full potential when all players come to realise its importance and take part in it, writes Zhang Ming, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary and Head of Mission of the Peoples Republic of China to the European Union, in his article China and Europe can work together on the Belt and Road Initiative exclusively for Euractiv. Last month, I had my first Chinese Spring Festival celebration in Brussels. It was unforgettable to see Chinese lanterns illuminating the Grand Place, the worlds most beautiful square as described by French writer Victor Hugo. It was exciting to see the Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert decorated with Chinese red lanterns, bringing a moment of happiness to my European friends. Again, I was fascinated by the perfect fusion of Chinese and European cultures. More than 700 years ago, The Travels of Marco Polo invoked Europeans curiosity of the East. Numerous trailblazers made strenuous efforts to connect Europe with Asia, and finally, opened up the ancient Silk Road. Today, China and Europe are bound together by faster transportation, closer commercial ties, and more diverse cultural exchanges. Despite its long history, the spirit of the ancient Silk Road, namely the respect for diversity and the pursuit of common prosperity, is still alive and relevant. Since it was launched over four years ago, the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) has received wide support from more than 100 countries and international organizations, more than 80 of which have signed BRI agreements with China. The first Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation held last year produced fruitful results, and contributed to a global consensus on Belt and Road cooperation. China and Europe, each located at one end of the Silk Road, are natural partners on the BRI. With the joint efforts of both sides, the BRI and Europes development strategies are creating synergy. Governments of 11 EU member states have signed BRI cooperation documents with the Chinese government. The China-Europe express freight trains are busy traveling across the Eurasian continent. In 2017, a total of 3,673 trips were made, up by 116% from 2016 and exceeding the total number combined during the past six years. The train services reach 36 European cities in 13 countries and make the access of European goods to the Chinese market much easier. In addition, a great number of projects are well underway, such as infrastructure, logistics, ports, e-commerce and finance. For instance, in Serbia, a Chinese enterprise bought a troubled steel mill and turned it around in less than a year. In Greece, the Port of Piraeus regained its position as one of the largest ports in Europe. In the United Kingdom, China is partnering with France to build a nuclear power plant, a stellar example of tripartite cooperation under the BRI. The Brussels-based economic think tank Bruegel estimates that the EUs foreign trade will increase by 6% because of the BRI. The BRI, as a brand new initiative, enjoys huge potential. Yet, its potential will be brought to full only when all players come to realize its importance and take part in it. To help you better understand this initiative, I would like to characterize it with three words. First, openness. The BRI aims to promote economic cooperation through infrastructure connectivity and to bring about common development by leveraging the comparative strengths of all participants. As a global public good, the BRI follows the golden rule of extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits. All parties get involved and gain benefits on an equal footing. The BRI is definitely not a unilateral strategy or Chinas Marshall Plan, as some have called it. On the contrary, it is designed to promote cooperation that is open to all. Second, transparency. The BRI is not a one-way street allowing only China to export its resources, market opportunities, technologies, projects, and manpower. Rather, it is based on wide consultation and communication. Our goal is not only to strengthen the physical connectivity of infrastructure but also to improve the institutional connectivity of rules and standards. All BRI projects have to go through well-informed feasibility studies conducted by interested parties and must follow market principles and international rules. All projects must be results-oriented, high-standard and sustainable. Third, inclusiveness. The BRI aims to establish a regional economic cooperation platform that is inclusive, balanced and beneficial to all. It is not meant to reinvent the wheel. Rather, it seeks to complement the existing bilateral and regional cooperation mechanisms. As people say in Europe, Rome wasnt built in a day. The BRI is such a great undertaking that it has to involve many participants, including those from Europe. While each participant comes from different backgrounds and has different needs, we respect such diversity and value flexibility in our cooperation instead of insisting on uniformity. In our world today, protectionism and isolationism are still taking a toll. China, with its 40 years of reform and opening-up, has made its stance clear: openness brings progress, while self-seclusion leaves one behind. We remain committed to partnering with our European friends in an open spirit. Lets consult, contribute and share together to make a success of the Belt and Road Initiative. Turkish prime minister who is on a two-day visit to the Azeri capital to attend the Sixth Global Baku Forum on Wednesday called on the international community to exert pressure on Armenia to resolve the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. Speaking to state-owned Azerbaijan Television (AZ TV) in capital Baku, Binali Yildirim said: "We want all sovereign rights of Azerbaijan to be protected. The UN and all other organizations acknowledge that Armenia is wrong. However the necessary sensitivities towards adopting a resolution are absent." Anadolu Agency reports in its article Turkey urges solution to Nagorno-Karabakh conflict that regarding the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, Yildirim reiterated Turkey's support to Azerbaijan. "Whatever is a threat to Azerbaijan, is also a threat to us. The international community and institutions must further pressure Armenia." Azerbaijan and Armenia remain in dispute over the occupied Karabakh region. Karabakh broke away from Azerbaijan in 1991 with Armenian military support, and a peace process has yet to be implemented. Turkey reiterates that the dispute needs to be resolved within the framework of international law and Azerbaijan's sovereignty and territorial integrity. Turning to trade volume between the two countries, Yildirim said: "We do not operate at our full potential. Our presidents set a trade volume target of $5 billion a year. There are steps which need to be taken to actualize this. "Facilitative steps must be taken regarding transportation and restrictive conditions in trade must be removed. Before everything, formalities must be reduced." Speaking about Turkey's ongoing Operation Olive Branch in Syria's Afrin, he said it was launched to ensure peace in the region and eliminate terror groups. He added that Turkey will continue its counter-terror efforts against all threats within the framework of international law. Separately, Yildirim held several closed-door meetings with officials including former Serbian President Boris Tadic and former Bosnia Herzegovina's Prime Minister Zlatko Lagumdzija at a local hotel in Baku. British artist Banksy has unveiled a mural in New York highlighting the case of a Turkish artist who was jailed for nearly three years over a painting. Zehra Dogan was reportedly imprisoned last year for her painting of a brutally damaged Turkish city. Banksy's protest shows the image projected above a mural of black tally marks which resemble jail bars and represent the time she has spent in prison. A painting of her face is seen peering from behind one set of bars. The New York Times reported that the mural was 70ft long, made in collaboration with graffiti artist Borf and was unveiled yesterday. Today, Crimea citizens celebrate the fourth anniversary of referendum on reuniting with Russia. The official solemn events will take place in the capital of the Crimea, while folk festivals, historical excursions, festive concerts, car rallies and flash mobs will take place in the cities and districts of the republic, the Crimean government said. The main anniversary celebrations will be held on March 18, RIA Novosti reported. On March 16, 2014, a referendum on reuniting with Russia was conducted. Over 80% of voters participated in the plebiscite, most of them supporting the idea (96.7% in Crimea and 95.6% in the city of Sevastopol). On March 18, 2014, a treaty on Crimeas reunification with Russia was signed by President Vladimir Putin, Russias Federal Assembly approved the document on March 21. French Ambassador to Georgia Pascal Meunier warned the citizens of the country about the possible suspension of the visa-free regime by the European Union if the number of asylum seekers increases, the Georgian media reported. "The number of Georgian citizens applying for asylum in France has increased, and they often violate the terms of stay in France," he stated, urging Georgian citizens not to trust those who offer them illegal residence in France and Germany for two years and obtaining asylum after that. According to the French ambassador, these actions are fraught with consequences for the whole of Georgia. "It is possible that due to such actions, sanctions will be imposed on Georgia and the suspension mechanism can be applied to the visa liberalisation agreement," the French ambassador said. The EU countries have been increasingly expressing their dissatisfaction with the growing number of asylum seekers from Georgia. Germany, France, Sweden and Iceland have already expressed their concern, Sputnik Georgia writes. In January, only 13 Georgian citizens were granted asylum in EU countries, and almost 1,3 thousand people were refused. According to the latest data, applications from more than 5.4 thousand Georgian citizens are being considered. The head of the Institute of Management Strategy, Petre Mamradze, speaking to Vestnik Kavkaza, noted that increased emigration from Georgia to Europe is a predictable phenomenon, as the unemployment rate in the country is extremely high now. The political scientist drew attention to the fact that the likelihood of depriving the country of a visa-free regime is extremely low. "There is no such decision to deprive Georgia of a visa-free regime, in addition. The government is taking all measures to prevent a possible suspension of the visa-free regime. Also, the government suggests introducing electronic registration in order to track the movements of those who left the country," the head of the Institute of Management Strategy pointed out. Political scientist Gela Vasadze, in turn, drew attention to the fact that the pace of emigration of Georgian citizens to Europe in comparison with previous years increased slightly, but the conditions for interaction between Tbilisi and Brussels on migrants changed. "In past years, there was no visa-free regime, and Georgia was not responsible for those people who left the country after receiving a visa - and now it bears this responsibility," he said. According to the expert, there is no risk of abolishing the visa-free regime. "There is only a risk of suspension of the visa-free regime with Georgia in some countries for a certain period, and it is not really high," Gela Vasadze said, adding that certain measures are being taken in Georgia to limit migration to Europe. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said that any use of force against Syria based on far-fetched pretexts and groundless accusations is unacceptable "We reiterate that any use of force against Damascus based on far-fetched pretexts is unacceptable," he stressed at a ministerial meeting of the guarantor countries of the Syrian ceasefire in Kazakhstans capital of Astana. "The United States recent threats to carry out unilateral attacks on Syria and Damascus in particular, like it happened last April after the Syrian government had faced groundless accusations of using chemical weapons, are unacceptable and inadmissible," TASS cited Lavrov as saying. "We have made it clear for the United States through diplomatic and military channels," the Russian top diplomat added. US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis accused Iran of funneling money into Iraq to sway the outcome of its May parliamentary election. "We have worrisome evidence that Iran is trying to influence - using money - the Iraqi elections. That money is being used to sway candidates, to sway votes," Mattis stressed. "Its not an insignificant amount of money, we believe. And we think its highly unhelpful," he told reporters as he flew back to Washington after a trip to the Middle East and Afghanistan. Mattis also compared Irans actions to those of Russia. "Iran is following Russias example of mucking around in Iraqs elections," Reuters cited Mattis as saying. He declined to say whether he thought the Iranian effort had been successful or say whether Iran sought to undermine Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi. Considering the present situation in the world, in particular, in the countries of the Middle East, it is necessary to take into account not only own national interests, but also the interests of the region as a whole, Turkish Deputy Foreign Minister Ahmet Yildiz said, stressing that Turkey intends to adhere to this balance. "The wars that broke out in Iraq and Syria are mainly consequences of the obsession of many countries in the region only with their own interests, and one shouldnt let this happen in the future," the Turkish diplomat said, speaking during discussions on peace and security in the Middle East at the 6th Global Baku Forum. He added that when a post-conflict situation is achieved in Syria, Turkey intends to observe balance and be responsible for the interests of the whole region. "Otherwise, Syria will turn into a playground for criminal organizations and forces that want further incitement of conflicts and wars," Trend cited Yildiz as saying. The diplomat said that Turkey aims to avoid the repetition of the situation in Iraq and Syria. "States must open their borders for refugees from the countries in conflict," Yildiz said. Turkish artillery fire on Afrin in northern Syria killed at least 18 civilians on Friday, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said. "Since midnight, 18 civilians, including five children, were killed by Turkish artillery fire on the city of Afrin. There is fighting on the northern edge of the city," the Britain-based monitoring organisation said. The Observatory said on yesterday that more than 30,000 civilians had fled Afrin in 24 hours, AFP reported. On January 20, Turkey and Syrian Arab rebel proxies launched an air and ground offensive on the Afrin region, which is controlled by the US-backed Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG). Londons expulsion of 23 Russian diplomats over the poisoning amounted to a 40% staff cut,Russia's Ambassador to the United Kingdom Alexander Yakovenko said. He also said that this decision would seriously affect the work of his embassy. "Moscow would exert maximum pressure on London in a standoff over the poisoning of a former spy," Interfax cited Yakovenko as saying. Russia denies Britains allegations that it was involved in the poisoning of Sergei Skripal, the former double agent, and his daughter Yulia, in England. HA NOI The Viet Nam Renewable Energy Summit 2018 (VRES 2018) will take place on March 26 to 28 in InterContinental Nha Trang in the south-central province of Khanh Hoas Nha Trang City. VRES 2018 is organised by Neoventure Corporation, an energy advisory firm which helps international investors identify investment opportunities in the energy sector of emerging markets. The event will be a match-making platform for key stakeholders in Viet Nams renewable energy sector to source partnerships in renewable sectors. It is expected to gather some 30 local developers, including TTC Energy, KN Group, Phu Cuong, Ocean Group and Hado Group, together with international developers and investors like Tata Power, Mainstream and Blue Circle. Government bodies and State-owned Electricity of Viet Nam together with its associated companies will also attend, including the Ministry of Planning and Investment, the National Load Dispatch Centre, Power Engineering Consulting Joint Stock Company No 3 and Thuan Binh Wind Power Joint Stock Company. In September 2017, the Ministry of Industry and Trade of Viet Nam issued a circular on the detailed mechanism to encourage the development of solar power projects in Viet Nam, which includes a final template power purchase agreement and the feed-in-tariff (FiT) rate of 9.35 US cents per kWh for solar projects. The Vietnamese Government is currently reviewing the FiT rate of 7.8 US cents per kWh to further incentivise the development of wind power projects and push forward Viet Nams 800MW wind energy target by 2020. The event will consist of conferences, workshops, exhibitions and project match-making forums. It will be a place for industrial players to share knowledge and expand business contacts. VRES 2018 can provide topical sessions to understand market intelligence and to get connected with key local developers with approved renewable projects open for investment. VNS Bo Xuan Hiep BANGKOK Asias leading food and beverage trade show THAIFEX-World of Food Asia 2018 will return in its 15th edition as the largest satellite show of Anuga, the worlds foremost food and beverage (F&B) exhibition for the Asian market. The trade show, to be held from May 29 to June 2 in Bangkok, will feature an international line-up of exhibitors, including as many as 60 from Viet Nam. The gateway to ASEANs F&B industry, the trade show is strategically positioned to penetrate the ASEAN region, which is expected to grow 5.1 per cent this year and is projected to rank as the fourth largest economy by 2050, according to the shows organisers. Speaking at a press conference held yesterday in Bangkok, Nuntawan Sakuntanaga, permanent secretary of the Thai Ministry of Commerce, said the food industry is one of the major sectors instrumental in driving Thailands economy. Last year, food exports generated income of more than US$26 billion for the country, employing more than 10 million workers in the agriculture and fishery sectors, she said. Thailand is looking to enhance trade partnerships, including foreign investment in the agricultural and food sectors as well as other support industries, she added. The ultimate goal is to encourage a more efficient and sustainable global value chain that benefits all, she said. The benefit of this joint effort is not just about Thailand. It is about the world of food, providing fresh opportunities for buyers, suppliers, exhibitors and consumers around the world. Five days of the event will be dedicated for trade visitors, up from three last year. Around 60,000 visitors from around the world, a rise of 10 per cent over last year, are expected this year. An expanded and improved hosted buyer programme will also facilitate trade and commerce for over 3,000 buyers. This is the largest contingent of buyers hosted at an F&B trade show as a result of a partnership between the private and public sector organisers of the show. Key hosted buyers include Capital Retail Limited (Myanmar), Indoguna (Cambodia), Kaimay Trading (Singapore), PANDURASA KHARISMA (Indonesia), PHDeli (Philippines), and Premium Distribution (Myanmar). Kalin Sarasin, chairman of the Thai Chamber of Commerce and Board of Trade, said the trade show boosts the competitiveness of Thailand by bringing global and local players onto a single platform and showcasing their world-class products and services in F&B. The trade show is expected to play host to more than 2,500 exhibitors from 40 countries and regions. It will showcase 11 masterfully crafted trade shows across all 11 mega halls, an increase from nine halls previously. This years event also welcomes Argentina as the official partner country, and more than 40 country and provincial pavilions, including new exhibitor groups from Belgium and Sicily, Italy. Continuing the positive partnership, the Innova Market Insights will return as the official knowledge partner to THAIFEX-World of Food Asia. Making a debut this year is the THAIFEXtaste Innovation Show, where in-depth analysis on the opportunities and challenges driving the F&B landscape will be showcased alongside top consumer trends around packaging, technology and flavours that are taking product development forward in 2018. Three other special shows include the Halal, Organic and Franchise markets. The trade show this year continues to host two highly anticipated public events, the Celebrity Coffee Bar and the Thailand Ultimate Chef Challenge. As many as 50 Vietnamese F&B enterprises, double the number that took part in 2016, displayed and promoted their products at the event in Bangkok last year. Leading Vietnamese F&B businesses, including Viet Nam Dairy Products Joint-Stock Company (Vinamilk), Dan On Foods, Rita Food & Drinks Co Ltd, and Minh Phong Green & Agricultural Products JSC, have participated in the show for the last six years. This year, the Vietnamese High Quality Product Business Association will be taking part in the trade show for the first time. Viet Nams food service industry was worth $20.9 million in 2016 and is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 8.4 per cent in the next five years, according to the organisers. The exhibition is co-hosted by Koelnmesse, a food and food-technology event organiser, along with the Thai Department of International Trade Promotion and the Thai Chamber of Commerce. VNS HCM CITY Japanese enterprises proposed to Viet Nam to further reform administrative procedures for import goods, especially food. Nakagawa Mikihisa, a representative of the Japan External Trade Organisation (JETRO), said this at a meeting held in HCM City on March 14. The meeting discussed solutions on dealing with difficulties in food trade activities of Japanese companies in Viet Nam. The representative highly appreciated the Vietnamese Governments administrative reforms for imported goods, including food. However, JETRO and Japanese businesses were eager to further reduce the frequency and timing of animal and plant quarantine. Mikihisa said quarantine was extremely important to prevent the entry of pests and diseases, however, the testing of samples for each import had become an obstacle to bringing fresh food to the Vietnamese consumers. He said the time for quarantine in Viet Nam was seven days for fresh meat and four days for vegetables and fruits, which was quite long. The required time for quarantine and storage in the cold storage at ports makes the food lose its freshness. Moreover, businesses must pay more for storage during quarantine. Le Van May, director of the Hoa Sen Food Processing Company, said although the time for animal quarantine had reduced from nine days to three days, she expected a further reduction in the timing. Fresh fish imported from Japan expire in three days. It takes five-six hours to transport the fish by air, which is then kept in cold storage. All stages take up to three days, which means the goods will expire, according to May. am Xuan Thanh, deputy head of the Animal Health Department under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD), said Viet Nam had applied the national single-window mechanism to accelerate administrative procedures. Hoang Trung, director of MARDs Plant Protection Department, said four days to test vegetables was too long as it would affect the quality. According to curent regulations, testing of vegetables only needed four hours at the border gate and 10 hours on the sea if transported by airplane or ship, he said. He further said that since the regulations were applicable at all border gates, JETRO needed specific proof of their violation so that the State offices could penalise the violators. Japanese businesses also expect a reduction in the frequency of food inspection. At the meeting, JETRO proposed to the Vietnamese Government to consider a reasonable reduction in the frequency of inspecting samples not only for meat used by export enterprises but also for meat, vegetables and fruits distributed within Viet Nam. However, the Plant Protection Department said it was impossible to reduce the frequency of inspections. At present, Viet Nams procedure of food inspection is too easy compared to other ASEAN countries. So far, State agencies have conducted inspections according to existing regulations and standards, and no enterprises have complained. Thanh said it was quite easy to import fresh food into Viet Nam compared to other countries. For fish and meat imported from Japan, Viet Nam has not had inspection for processes of raising and processing in Japan. Meanwhile, processed food of Viet Nam imported to Japan must pass a series of mandatory regulations. VNS Thai Products Week is underway in the northern port city of Hai Phong, attracting 50 Vietnamese and Thai exhibitors. Photo baocongthuong.vn HAI PHONG Thai Products Week is underway in the northern port city of Hai Phong, attracting 50 Vietnamese and Thai exhibitors. Part of a series of trade and investment promotion events in Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Viet Nam and ASEAN members, the week is being organised by the Thai Ministry of Commerces Department of International Trade Promotion, the Thai embassy in Ha Nois Office of Commercial Affairs and the Viet Nam National Trade Fair and Advertising Company. About 70 booths are showcasing food, beverages, fruit, household appliances, apparel, jewellery, electronics, health and beauty products, decorations and souvenirs from Thailand. The event will run until Sunday. In his speech at the events opening ceremony on Thursday, vice chairman of the municipal Peoples Committee Le Van Thanh said local authorities would always create the best conditions for enterprises, including those from Thailand, to do business in the city. Thailand is among the 10 largest foreign investors in Viet Nam, pouring more than US$8.4 billion into nearly 500 projects. VNS HA NOI The European Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam (EuroCham) announced the publication of the 2018 White Book on Trade and Investment Issues and Recommendations yesterday, in cooperation with the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI). According to the 2018 White Book , Vietnam is an attractive destination for foreign direct investment, thanks to a number of legislative changes such as reducing tariffs, easing licensing conditions for foreign workers, tax incentives for business expansion or removal of corporate taxes. The book also makes recommendations in terms of healthcare, agriculture, food and nutrition, consumer choice, sustainability and efficiency, as well as legal, tax and customs, from the addition of statutory representation to single member limited liability companies or the construction of a sustainable energy roadmap to attract new investments, to the enforcement of intellectual property rights. In its 10th edition, the book marks not only 30 years of European foreign direct investment into Viet Nam , but also 20 years since the establishment of EuroCham. The book brings up perspectives from EuroCham member companies, demonstrating European businesses aspirations of supporting the Vietnamese Government in developing sustainable business models that contribute to building a thriving business environment, for the benefit of businesses, investors and the public. It focuses on market improvements, clean energy development, rights and laws for foreign workers clarification, facilitates the registration and enforcement of intellectual property rights and addresses specific sectoral issues such as reducing the tax burden on alcohol and providing advice on safety measures in the automotive sector. Speaking at yesterdays launch event, Deputy Prime Minister Vuong inh Hue said that Viet Nam appreciated EuroChams growth, which has helped boost Vietnamese GDP growth, investment and employment, as well as bringing economic and financial institutions closer to international standards. The Deputy PM agreed that though there may be some technical issues in the White Book that still need to be amended, the Government of Viet Nam would continue to recommend short and long-term solutions to meet European and Vietnamese businesses requirements across all sectors. Hue also asked EuroCham to actively participate in the process of ratification of the Vietnam-European Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) to implement it as soon as possible. With two-way trade increasing more than 12 times, from US$4 billion in 2000 to over $50 billion in 2017 and thousands of EU investment projects already in place in Viet Nam, a comprehensive FTA was yet another step to bringing the bilateral relationship to a new height, creating and maintaining a free trade and investment environment, Hue said. He stressed that the EVFTAs ratification and implementation would be an important message from the EU and Viet Nam to the world, showing determination on both sides to create and maintain free trade and investment in the face of emerging protectionism. Gellert Horvath, EuroChams chairman, expressed his belief that the EVFTA is not only a reference agreement in the process of global trade integration through the reduction of tariffs and strong commitments, but also proof that Europe is a trusted partner for Viet Nam, helping to promote sustainable development for comprehensive and socially responsible enterprises. Horvath said European partners were committed to strongly supporting Viet Nam in the process of modernisation and integration into the world economy, motivating its industries to develop and enhance the quality of its exports. HA NOI Dutch businesses have shown interest in Viet Nams agriculture sector in general and the vegetable processing industry in particular as the industry has grown well in recent years. This was said by Dutch Agricultural Counsellor in Viet Nam Arie Veldhuizen at a conference in Ha Noi on Wednesday to connect Vietnamese and Dutch agricultural businesses. The conference was organised by the Netherlands Embassy in Viet Nam and saw the participation of some 150 enterprises from the two countries. Veldhuizen said Dutch companies, such as De Heus, Friesland Campina and PejaViet Nam, were interested in investing in Vietnamese agriculture. According to an assessment of the Netherlands Embassy in Viet Nam, the bilateral relationship between Viet Nam and the Netherlands is a win-win situation in which Vietnamese enterprises and farmers can learn about and utilise advanced technology to improve their competitiveness. The growth in agriculture is not only attributed to the efforts of Vietnamese enterprises but also Viet Nams Government, which is showing increasing concern about the development of chain goods and has been investing in modern machinery and technology to increase the value and quality of products, Veldhuizen said. However, many opinions suggest that the agricultural sector of Viet Nam is still limited in the application of advanced cultivation techniques, and logistics services for harvesting and preserving have gained little interest of local investors. Developing the value chain, on the other hand, needs large investment by enterprises and policy support from the Government. The Netherlands, for example, is a small country, with a low area of cultivated land and a small population (some 17 million people), but with policies and appropriate steps, it has successfully built a system of sustainable agriculture, the most competitive and effective in the world. According to Veldhuizen, to develop the agricultural sector towards the value chain, it is important to link businesses together. As businesses of many countries meet, they can explore and exchange new opportunities for co-operation in future. VNS SYDNEY Vietjet will launch a non-stop service between HCM City and Brisbane (Australia) to boost the regions integration and trade exchange. This move followed an agreement inked between the Vietnamese airline and Brisbane Airport Corporation (BAC), Queensland, on Friday. The signing ceremony in Sydney was witnessed by visiting Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and senior leaders of the two countries. The direct flight route between the two cities is expected to be launched in 2019. Travel between Queensland and Viet Nam has been growing at an average of 8 per cent per annum over the past five years, Julieanne Alroe, CEO and managing director of BAC, said, adding that this new service will further stimulate the market. It makes perfect sense for Vietjet to choose Brisbane, Queensland, as its very first Australian port for direct flights given that HCM City is one of Brisbanes top five markets without non-stop services. We look forward to welcoming Vietjet to the Brisbane Airport family and further strengthening the ties between Queensland and Viet Nam, she said. Vietjet has been prepared for international aviation integration to connect Viet Nams economic and tourism hubs with international destinations, including Australia, said Vietjet Vice President Nguyen Thi Thuy Binh. The HCM City-Brisbane route the first non-stop service between the two cities will meet the increasing travel demand from businesspersons and tourists, she said. As the capital of Queensland, located in Southeast Australia, 900 kilometres from Sydney in the north, Brisbane is the third populous city of Australia and known as the new world city by the locals. On the same day, Vietjet and Investec Bank PLC also signed a memorandum of understanding worth US$609 million to finance its purchase of five Airbus A321 aircraft at the manufacturers list price. -VNS HA NOI The Peoples Committee of Binh Phuoc on Friday conducted the ground-breaking ceremony and handed over certificates of investment to the first enterprises in Becamex Binh Phuoc industrial and residential area. This is considered the most significant industrial and residential area of this southern province in particular, as well as of the key economic zone in the Southern region. The first five investors in this industrial zone are from the Republic of Korea (RoK), with total registered capital of US$80 million, including Hankuk Carbon, Yongsung, River Runs, Hankuk Advanced Material and Mi Sung companies. Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, Huynh Anh Minh, vice chairman of the provincial Peoples Committee, said Binh Phuoc promoted the planning, construction and development of industrial zones to attract foreign investment. The province had assigned Becamex IDC Corporation to study the planning and develop Becamex - Binh Phuoc industrial and urban complex with an area of 4,633ha. The province would create favourable conditions for investors during the project implementation process, Minh said, and requested the investors to concentrate on completing the project in accordance with the schedule and strictly comply with the regulations in the implementation process. Cho Moon Soo, chairman of Hankuk Carbon Company Limited, said, with 26 years of diplomatic relations between Viet Nam and RoK, and 6,000 businesses investing in Viet Nam, this is a good opportunity to seek opportunities for co-operation and investment. Along with the good policies and support mechanisms of the government for foreign investors, Viet Nam is an attractive destination for foreign businesses in general and Korean enterprises in particular. With the efforts to improve the attractive investment environment, Binh Phuoc has been attracting more and more domestic and foreign investors, especially foreign investors with strong financial potential, specialised in manufacturing spearhead industries investing in the province. Located on a 4,633ha site, of which, 2,448ha are planned for industrial zones and 2,185ha for residential areas, it is expected that this industrial-urban area will attract over $5 billion in investment. VNS HOI AN French photographer Rehahn, based in Hoi An Ancient town in the central province of Quang Nam, won the Trophees des Francais de letranger in recognition of his art gallery and museum in Hoi An, in a ceremony in Quai dOrsay, Paris, on Tuesday. Organised annually by the prestigious French daily news website lepetitjournal.com since 2013, Trophees des Francais de letranger is awarded to French expatriates with successful projects or outstanding achievements abroad. The jury includes leaders of major political, economic and media organisations in France. Rehahns Precious Heritage Art Gallery Museum project, at 26 Phan Boi Chau in Hoi An city, was selected as the winner among nine nominees for Trophees des Francais de letranger this year. French photographer Rehahn (right), based in Hoi An Ancient town in the central province of Quang Nam, receives the Trophees des Francais de letranger, awarded to French expatriates with successful projects or outstanding achievements abroad, in Quai dOrsay, Paris, on Tuesday. Photo courtesy of Rehahn The 250sq.m museum is home to more than 30 authentic traditional costumes and 200 photos, precious artifacts and stories translated into French, English and Vietnamese. It is the culmination of five years of exploration of Viet Nams 54 nationalities. Rehahn, who was born in Normandy, France, has made Hoi An his home since 2011. A smiling girl. Photo courtesy of Rehahn Im very honoured to win the award for my project after a seven-year course seeking photos of ethnic groups and their fashion collections for exhibition in Hoi An, Rehahn said in a statement. The French always love and pay attention to cultural preservation, so I was fascinated by the colouful cultural value of 54 ethnic groups of Viet Nam, even when the precious culture has fallen into oblivion, he said. Rehahn has met almost all 54 ethnic groups in Viet Nam in his time living and working in Hoi An town, an UNESCO-recognised world heritage site. Girls photographed by Rehahn in a mountainous province. Photo courtesy of Rehahn He said he opened the non-profit museum to showcase the traditional costumes of ethnic minority groups along with images and documentary stories of different Vietnamese cultures, particularly those of the smallest ethnic groups left in the country. The French photographer and a group of artists and entrepreneurs plan to turn Phan Boi Chau Street in Hoi Ans old French Quarter into Rue des Arts with highlights including such stops as the Precious Heritage Art Gallery Museum, March Gallery, Hoi An Photo Tour and Gallery, Phap Gallery, Village Craft Planet and Ly Ly Gallery, as well as the elegant Brothers Cafe and Mia Coffee, the oldest Western-style coffee shops in the town. He has also been building a Co Tu Museum in Tay Giang district of Quang Nam Province. VNS HA NOI A variety of activities, including art events, concerts, film screenings and a writing contest will be held nationwide to celebrate International Francophone Day 2018 in Viet Nam. International Francophone Day, celebrated every March 20, is an opportunity for Francophones globally to demonstrate their strong attachment to French language, confirm their aspirations to live together in their diversity and honour humanitys global values. French language, connecting for action is the theme chosen to honour the French language this year. The theme aims to highlight the diversity of the language and the importance of solidarity as Francophone countries and governments face the challenges of a new era. The theme also allows each nation, city, organisation and individual to exercise creativity as they plan activities to celebrate Francophone communities and to highlight the richness and liveliness of the French language. An official ceremony will be jointly held by Viet Nams Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the International Organisation of Francophonie (OIF) and the Group of Francophone Embassies, Delegations and Institutions in Viet Nam (GADIF) at the Centre of International Conference, Ha Noi at 6.00pm today. At the ceremony, GADIF will present an Award of Honour and an Award of Youth to two Francophones with significant contributions to Francophone communities. A free-entrance concert featuring the album NU-BASS 6tet by Swiss band NU-BASS will be held on the following day at Youth Theatre at 8pm. Founded in 2015 by pianist Francois Lindemann, the band features a unique combination of various musical instruments, including contrebasse, oud, piano and tabla. Films The highlight of the celebrations will be the 11th Francophone Film Festival which will showcase the cultural diversity of the Francophonie, from this coming Saturday to April 1. It will kick off in HCM City on Saturday with the Swiss animated movie Ma vie de courgette (My Life as a Zucchini) directed by Claude Barras, which is about a young boy sent to a childrens home. It shows how abused teenagers find strength from solidarity. The film was nominated for best Animated Feature Film at the Oscars 2017 and has won numerous European Film Awards. The festival will present 11 films in genres of drama, comedy, musical and animation from Switzerland, France, Germany, Morocco, Wallonie-Bruxelles, Canada, Lebanon and Burkina Faso. The films, which have won prestigious prizes, will be screened in HCM City, Ha Noi, Hue and Vinh with Vietnamese subtitles, while the Vietnamese movies will have French subtitles. The entrance fee is VN50,000 and VN40,000 for students. Other cultural activities A programme Cultural Colours showcasing unique cultural features and cuisines of Francophone countries will be held on the campus of the Faculty of French Language and Culture, University of Languages and International Studies this Sunday. Another highlight of the festival is the international conference entitled Cultural Diversity and National Unity: Sharing Experiences Between Morocco and Viet Nam on March 27 at the Institute For Africa and Middle East Studies. It will be followed by the launching of the book Histoire dAnh Ma by Pro. Abdellah Saaf, which has been translated from French into Vietnamese. In addition, the third journalistic writing contest for young Francophones has been launched by Le Courrier du Viet Nam, the only French-language newspaper in Viet Nam. With the theme Strength of Words, the contest is open to all Francophones from 18 to 35 years old and closes on September 15. In HCM City, a collection of 60 photos taken by Swiss physician and bacteriologist Alexandre Yersin (1863-1943) during his life in Viet Nam will open on March 19. The exhibition is organised by the Consulate General of Switzerland in HCM City and its partner, the Association of Admirers of Alexandre Yersin, in Switzerland to mark the doctors 75th death anniversary. The exhibition will be free for the public until March 23 at the Institute of Cultural Exchange with France (IDECAF) on 28 Le Thanh Ton Street in District 1. The organisers will offer a free screening of a documentary about the life and career of Dr Yersin titled Ce nest pas une vie que de ne pas bouger (What Is Life If You Dont Commit to Something?) directed by Stephane Klebb, a renowned Swiss film director, at 6:30 pm on March 19 at IDECAF. A wide range of other cultural activities are also being organised in Hue, Vinh, HCM City, a Lat, and Can Tho. More detailed information can be found on the website http://www.20mars.francophonie.org. The date of March 20 was chosen as Francophone International Day to commemorate the signing in 1970, in Niamey (Niger), of the Treaty establishing the Agency for Cultural and Technical Cooperation (ACCT) today the International Organisation for La Francophonie. Viet Nam was among the founding countries of the International Francophonie Organisation in 1970. Over the years, the IFO has maintained active co-operation with Viet Nam including the exchange of training and technical expertise in a number of fields. French is spoken by 274 million people in 80 countries across the world. Viet Nam is home to the biggest number (674,000) of French-speaking people in Asia. VNS ao Ngoc Nghiem. Photo theleader.vn ao Ngoc Nghiem, vice chairman of the Ha Noi Association for Urban Planning and Development, speaks to the newspaper Kinh te o thi (Urban Economy) about the high demand for more social housing projects in the city Ha Noi plans to build a pilot social housing project in the outlying district of ong Anh, with complete infrastructure and services. What do you think about this plan? Developing social housing projects has become an imperative need for all major urban areas like Ha Noi or Ho Chi Minh City. The development of social housing projects is already included in the national housing development by 2020 with the vision to 2030. The current rapid economic development requires a huge labour force. In such a context, the development of a strategy on housing development is rational. Whats more important, current housing projects have been facing many challenges. So Ha Nois decision to focus on the development of social housing is the right choice. However, in my opinion, to meet the increasing demand of social housing, Ha Noi should learn experiences from the past in its social housing development and focus on the principle of meeting peoples demand, rather than having more houses built. Do you know of any foreign country that has been successful in developing a project on building concentrated social houses? There are two types of such housing projects that have been carried out in other countries. The first type is that the project gets a part or the entire funding from the State budget. In the second type, the project is financed by the private sector. So after the project is completed, it will be on lease or for sale. This model is very common in developed countries. According to social statistics on demography, it is projected that from 2018-2020, Viet Nam will experience a boom in social housing development. This forecast should be treated as a benchmark in social housing development for Viet Nam. At the same time, it should be considered a good opportunity for the construction sector to develop. Social housing development should take a step ahead. It lays the foundations for the building of new high rises or new urban areas. Will you please share with us some principles in the development of social houses which put people at the centre? There are four principles as follows; First, the scope and scale of a social housing project is very diverse. It is divided into 10 groups. Thats why a very important principle for a social housing project is to define who will be the future residents in the project. When that piece of information is available, the architects will then start to design the floor plans. Of course, for a building designed for blue-collar workers, the floor plans will be totally different from that for white-collar workers. Second, it is imperative to have a good concept plan for a social housing project. Who are the residents of the building? We need to have an answer to the question as the living arrangements should be comfortable for the residents. The architects need to consider such questions to design the apartments and cater to the needs of their future residents. Third, social housing projects are not simply a product of an enterprise. It is a product of the whole society, so it should be diverse and meet the aesthetics of the general public. Last but not least, its social infrastructure, techniques and especially the common space for people to gather and share their ideas together. In short, the residents should feel happy to live in the buildings. And finally, the Government should grant a special policy for the construction of social housing projects. In the past, the Government already gave a low interest loan of VN30 trillion ($1.3 billion) for the construction of social housing projects. And this time, the Government wants enterprises to collaborate to build more social housing projects for people with low income, particularly projects in Ha Noi. VNS Foreign Affairs Deputy Minister ang inh Quy speaks at a press conference on Thursday in Ha Noi. VNA/VNS Photo Doan Tan HA NOI Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and his regional counterparts are expected to gather in Ha Noi this month to attend two development summits, announced the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Thursday. Foreign Affairs Deputy Minister ang inh Quy during a press conference on Thursday said that Ha Noi planned to welcome more than 2,000 government leaders, international organisations officials and business representatives for the 6th Greater Mekong Sub-region (GMS) Summit and the 10th Cambodia-Laos-Viet Nam Development Triangle Summit. They are due to take place from March 29-31. The summits are the most important international events of Viet Nam this year, Quy said. They also involve the development of our closest bordering neighbour countries. The GMS consists of six member countries locating in the basin of the Mekong River: Cambodia, Laos, Viet Nam, Thailand, Myanmar and China, specifically Yunnan Province and Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. Early this week, the Asian Development Banks Division of Regional Co-operation and Operations Coordination in Southeast Asia director Alfredo Perdiguero told the media that an agreement for regional development worth of US$66 billion is to be signed at the GMS Summit. Business forum Quy highlighted the organisation of the GMS Business Forum, being held for the first time during the 25-year history of the GMS. He said that the forum was of great interest to domestic and international businesses, with more than 200 firms so far registered to attend. The forum aims to create an opportunity for businesses seeking co-operation to meet up and connect. VNS HA NOI President of the Republic of Korea (RoK) Moon Jae-in and his spouse will visit Viet Nam from March 22-24. The visit will be made at the invitation of Vietnamese President Tran ai Quang, announced the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The two sides set up diplomatic ties on December 22, 1992 and elevated their relationship to a strategic partnership in 2009. According to Viet Nams General Department of Customs, two-way trade between Viet Nam and the RoK hit US$61.5 billion in 2017, a year-on-year increase of 41.3 per cent. Viet Nams exports to the RoK reached $14.8 billion, while its imports from the East Asian country stood at $46.7 billion, up 30 per cent and 45.3 per cent against 2016, respectively. The two countries have set a target of $100 billion in two-way trade by 2020. The RoK was the second largest foreign investor in Viet Nam last year, behind Japan, with total registered capital of $8.49 billion. In terms of accumulative investment, the country ranked first among 125 countries and territories investing in Viet Nam, with total investment capital of $57.7 billion by the end of 2017. VNS HA NOI The Party Central Committees Inspection Commission is proposing disciplinary action against some top leaders of southern ong Nai Province and the Central Highlands ak Lak Province for their violations which caused serious consequences. The information was disclosed yesterday as the commission, in charge of combating corruption and wrongdoings by Party members, announced the result of its 23rd meeting held on March 12-13. The officials in question are Phan Thi My Thanh, deputy secretary of ong Nai Province Party Committee and head of the provincial National Assembly delegation, inh Quoc Thai, deputy secretary of ong Nai Province Party Committee and chairman of the provincial Peoples Committee and Tran Quoc Cuong, member of the Central Committee of the Vietnamese Communist Party and deputy secretary of ak Lak Province Party Committee. In July last year, the commission issued a warning against Thanh for a series of violations, including her involvement in her husbands company and favouritism toward it. She was found to have violated the anti-corruption law and Party regulations. The commission said apart from the violations found last year, Thanh also bore responsibility for other violations. As a member of the ong Nai Province Party Committees Standing Board in the 2015-2020 tenure, Thanh must bear responsibility for shortcomings and violations of the standing board, including mistakes in personnel management and poor resolution of violations in some investment projects committed by the standing board of the previous tenure, which caused public discontent. When serving as director of the provincial Department of Industry (now the Department of Industry and Trade), Thanh was irresponsible in implementing an apartment project leading to serious consequences. Thanh was also found violating the Party and States regulations on overseas travel of public officials. The commission said Thanhs shortcomings and violations were very serious, hurting the prestige of the Party and herself and causing public discontent. Meanwhile, inh Quoc Thai was found to have failed to follow procedures when approving planning of Quyet Thang Ward in Bien Hoa City when he was deputy chairman of the provincial Peoples Committee. After becoming chairman, he was lax in management, monitoring and inspection which led to his inferiors signing of unlawful documents for some projects. Also related to these violations, Nguyen Phu Cuong, member of the Central Committee of the Vietnamese Communist Party and secretary of the provincial Party Committee, and Tran Van Tu, standing deputy secretary of the provincial Party Committee were also found responsible, according to the commission. However, they were only requested to practice strict self-criticism and promptly correct the violations and wrongdoings. No warning or disciplinary action is being considered against them. Tran Quoc Cuong was found responsible for violations when he was director of B41 Department and deputy director of General Directorate V under the Ministry of Public Security. He signed unlawful documents relating to the general directorates Ha Noi-based ai Kim housing project. This helped create loopholes which were taken advantage of by his inferiors to commit fraud and property appropriation. He was also accused of signing documents approving illicit use of money paid by the general directorates staff to buy houses in the project. VNS HA NOI The South China Sea (the East Sea ) is one of the richest seas in the world, but its resources are being depleted quickly. According to experts at the second Ocean Dialogue, themed fisheries co-operation, held yesterday in Ha Noi, stakeholders in the sea, including coastal countries and international agencies, must collaborate on safeguarding fisheries. In remarks opening the dialogue, Vice President of the Diplomatic Academy of Viet Nam Le Hai Binh said for regional countries, fishing in the South China Sea brings about more than simple economic benefits. It strongly affects the socio-economic stability and survival of hundreds of millions of people living along coastal areas, he said, adding that fisheries are closely linked to legitimate rights to maritime resources under the international law on the sea. However, in the face of overfishing, illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, and the use of destructive catching methods, countries bordering the South China Sea have the responsibility to develop fisheries in a sustainable manner and protect the marine environment, Binh stressed. He said the dialogue provided experts with a valuable opportunity to share their views and discuss ways to improve fishery cooperation in the region. Experts around the world have repeatedly voiced their concerns, asking the countries surrounding the South China Sea most being entangled in tense territorial disputes to carve out a space of co-operation to better manage resources, or else fisheries in the region face an imminent collapse. Wang Guan, a research fellow from Chinas National Institute for South China Sea Studies Haikou, said at the meeting that China categorised the South China Sea issues into three main perspectives: politics, petroleum, and protein, with the last one referring to the fact that fish is currently the second source of protein for Chinese population (just after pork). Fisheries and related activities are also the main livelihood for at least 20 million Chinese people, making up nearly 90 per cent of their disposable income, Wang added. She also added that China has signed fisheries agreements with several of its neighbours, including Japan , South Korea and other ASEAN states like Philippines where the two have formed a joint-fisheries committee, with China s pledge to fund the committees activities and provide training for Philippines fisheries authorities. Indonesian Dr Shafiah F. Muhibat (Centre for Strategic and International Studies) noted that her countrys fisheries industry is mostly comprised mostly of small-scale fishing, and has recently adopted hardline measures against illegal fishing, including provisions to blow up trespassing vessels and arrest fishermen from other countries illicitly operating in its sea. Muhibat said that drastic measures to combat drastic methods of fishing must come hand in hand with providing safer and environmentally friendly alternatives, such as development of green aquaculture, for fishermen. She also stressed the role of education and promoting awareness at the local level of national policies. She also shared Indonesia s policy of annually taking stock of all licensed fishing vessels operations, to determine which ones having fished outside of their permitted ones or are operating on falsified documents. Captain Marti A. Sebastian RMN, head of the Malaysia s Centre for Maritime Security and Diplomacy, asked for an equivalent focus on maritime issues such as fisheries and pollution as strong as the commitment we give to land issues. The Ocean Dialogue is an annual seminar in talkshow format, for experts, think tanks and the media to discuss pressing issues related to sea and island. It was held for the first time in late 2017 with the theme of governance strategy in the South China Sea. VNS HCM City Party Secretary Nguyen Thien Nhan speaks at a meeting on Wednesday to review the efforts to prevent and uncover corruption and wastage. Photo dantri.com.vn HCM City HCM City Party Secretary Nguyen Thien Nhan has expressed dissatisfaction with the efforts to combat corruption and squander last year. He told a meeting on Wednesday to review the efforts to prevent and uncover corruption and wastage: During the whole year related authorities found only one case of violation at the medical examination centre and another at the Tan Thuan Industrial Park. The efforts must be improved. He instructed authorities to clearly define bribery and squander and send to the Party Committee by next quarter. From now on, related authorities must report every quarter on the fight against and prevention of graft and waste to the city Party Committee and apprise the media. This year city authorities should focus on issuing Decision 1374 on how to proceed with information about individuals and groups who violate the law and Party regulations. Last year the city prosecuted graft cases involving a total of VN42 billion (US$1.85 million), but only 4 per cent of the amount has been recovered by the city. Justice authorities must recover [stolen public assets] for the treasury. We cannot fight bribery and squander if we do not place any responsibility on related authorities. Last year the city had undertaken several important activities but achieved very little from them, he said. The first was listing the assets of 37,000 senior government staff, but no one had been found falsifying information. Nhan said: Thousands of complaints and denunciations were sent by the public last year, but related authorities did not find any evidence of bribery or squander. That is impossible. The city also set up 43 task forces to review and assess the responsibility of 63 chiefs of various departments, industries and companies, but no violation was found. VNS HA NOI After waking up at 5am, Nguyen Thi Oanh, a farmer in Ha Nois Ba Vi District, headed to the field to cut cabbages and carried them to the local market for sale. Some 40 cabbages freshly harvested on the farm filled her two baskets. But Oanhs mood was gloomy. Even if they are sold out, I will earn less than VN100,000 (US$4.3), Oanh estimated. This year, she grew nearly 1,500 sq.m of cabbages, yielding some two tonnes of cabbages. Oanh estimated that if the cabbages are sold to traders, after she accounts for her spending on the seeds and the caring process, she will lose more than VN4 million ($174) in total. Vegetable and fruit prices in the north are reported to be cheaper than ever before, local media reported after Tet (Lunar New Year) holiday. Prices for vegetables and fruits sold at big markets in the capital city such as Dich Vong, Nhon, Mai Dich, Phung Khoang, Hom and ai Tu have dropped by half or even three times as compared to those before Tet. Cabbages are sold at VN6,000-8,000 per kilo, or even VN1,5000 per kilo at some markets. Potatoes and cauliflowers are VN8,000-10,000 per kilo. Tomatoes are VN8,000-10,000 per kilo. Six German turnips are sold at only VN10,000 ($0.4). Traders of these markets said that the consumption has not surged after Tet while vegetable supply is plentiful, leading to lower prices. Nguyen Thi Mai, a farmer in Song Phuong Commune, Hoai uc District, Ha Noi said that never before have vegetables been as tough to sell as right now. Many families have to throw them away or bring them back home for feeding cattle. Farmers in the central provinces are also struggling as their vegetables have remained unconsumed for weeks due to a price fall that reduces traders interest in buying them. In Nghe An Province, the vegetable fields of Quynh Luu, Yen Thanh and Hung Nguyen districts have been abandoned since Tet. Farmers even pulled up cabbages to feed to their pigs. Nguyen Thi Minh, a farmer in Quynh Luong Commune, Quynh Luu district told online newspaper Dan Tri, This year farmers and traders do not bother buying vegetables as the prices are too low. Farmers suffered losses in spite of efforts and expenses. In Ha Tinh, farmers are harvesting their vegetables to feed pigs and cattle. Others have let the plants wither in the fields. Nguyen inh Dung, a farmer in the provinces Thach Lien Commune, said he had fed his vegetables to his cows as no traders came to his field after Tet. Nguyen Sy Dan, chairman of Thach Lien Commune, said favourable weather at the end of last year resulted in a bumper crop of mustard, cabbage, turnip and lettuce. But as always, a bumper crop meant a price fall as supply exceeded consumption, he said. Farmers in Thua Thien- Hue experienced a similar situation. Vegetables produced by farmers in the province could not be consumed either due to a similar price fall. Local farmers said the cost for each kg fell from VN25,000 (US$1.1) to VN2,000, driving traders away from their VietGAP (Vietnamese Good Agriculture Practice) produce. Truong Hao, a farmer in Quang Thanh Commune, said he had to harvest the mature lettuce to feed pigs and attempt to save the younger plants until a price increase would allow him to sell them more profitably. Meanwhile, in a Lat City and on Duong District of Central Highlands province of Lam ong, a major supplier of vegetables for the whole country, prices of high-quality vegetables planted in the green house have decreased by half. Only good-looking and standardised vegetables can be sold. Farmers of wards No.7 and 8 in a Lat City and Thanh My Town of on Duong District have had to uproot vegetables to prepare for a new season. Tran Xuan inh, deputy head of the Department of Crop Production under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development told online newspaper Dan Viet that after Tet, farmers harvested vegetables of the winter season to start a new season. The supply has surged dramatically, exceeding demand. It is also because the favourable weather conditions of the winter-spring season increased productivity, he said. Regarding speculation that prices for domestically grown vegetables have declined because of vegetables imported from China , inh said, We usually import vegetables from China in June and July which are not Viet Nam s vegetable seasons. After Tet, the northern region of China is cold so it is impossible to import vegetables from China . Hoang Trung, head of the ministrys Plant Protection Department, also confirmed to Dan Viet that imported vegetables have not affected domestic vegetable prices. - VNS KIEN GIANG Five men were arrested in the southern province of Kien Giang for stealing batteries from local network service providers, local police said on Thursday. The men admitted that they had broken into local base transceiver stations at night 18 times and stolen more than 300 batteries. They then sold the batteries to scrap dealers for hundreds of millions of ong. The value of the stolen batteries is estimated at some VN1 billion (US$44,000), according to the police. The arrested men are Tran Thanh Phi, 25; Nguyen Van Sieu, 21; Huynh Chi Dung, 39; Le Cong Qui, 45; and Le Cong Nguyen, 43. All are residents of Rach Gia City. Further investigation is underway. VNS HCM CITY Inspectors from the HCM City Department of Health will check the operations of private general clinics and beauty clinics, officials have said. The number of these clinics mushroomed in recent years to meet the rising public need, Tang Chi Thuong, deputy director of the department, said. Many expanded their businesses, he said. The department would perform quality assessment of the clinics and strengthen inspection starting in May, he told a meeting held on Thursday. The results of the assessments would be published on the departments website, he said. The department has issued quality criteria for both private medical clinics and beauty clinics. To ensure service quality, they are required to meet some key requirements related to the number of health professionals, infrastructure and equipment, price listing, medical technologies, emergency procedures, infection and contamination control, and waste treatment. Nguyen Manh Cuong, deputy head of the departments inspection office, said health inspectors checked 264 private medical clinics and 208 beauty clinics last year. Forty four of the former and 81 of the latter were fined a total of VN2.8 billion (US$122,800) for flouting various regulations, he said. Four general medical clinics had their licences revoked while two beauty clinics were closed for nine months, he said. VNS LAO CAI The body of the last of nine roustabouts who drowned in the northern province of Lao Cai was recovered on Friday, the provinces border guard police said. Nine roustabouts drowned in the section of the Red River in the province last Sunday. Five of them were found on Monday, one on Tuesday, and two others on Thursday. The last victim was found on Friday morning in the section of the river in the provinces Bat an District, said the Lao Cai border guard police. The bodies of all victims were returned to their families after the autopsy. The nine were hired by the Bac Song Hong Services and Trading Company Ltd on early Sunday morning to transport goods along the Red River to its Chinese counterpart using iron rafts. At about 6am, the raft by which they were returning to Viet Nam malfunctioned and stopped in the water on the Chinese side. The labourers jumped into the river, tried to swim back to Viet Nams territory and got drowned. Four of the nine victims were residents of Lao Cai Province, including Chau A De, 46, Thau A Hoa, 26, as well as Trang Van Long, 25, and Vang Van Thang, 26. Three others were residents of the northern province of Lai Chau, which were Thao A Lau, 28, Thao A Giang, 16, and Lo Nam Nan, 24. The remaining two Giang A Do, 23, and Giang A Tenh, 21 were residents of the northern province of Yen Bai. VNS MIAMI A newly installed pedestrian bridge over a major road in Miami collapsed on Thursday, killing four people and trapping multiple cars below. The walkway, which connected Florida International University to a student housing area, went up less than a week before. We have located up to four victims. Four deceased, Miami-Dade Fire Chief Dave Downey told a news conference. Maurice Kemp, the areas deputy mayor, said the search for survivors had not yet been abandoned. Miami-Dade county and our partner agencies... have been working feverishly in the search and rescue mode to ascertain how many victims there are and rescue as many as we can, Kemp told journalists. We will continue in this mode until we are certain there are no more viable victims, and at some point, we will transition into an investigation and recovery mode, but were not there yet," he said. Miami-Dade Fire Rescue Division Chief Paul Estopinan had earlier said that at least eight cars were trapped when the 950-ton (tonne) concrete bridge suddenly gave way. The bridge had only installed on Saturday, ahead if its planned opening in 2019. Isabella Carrasco, who said she arrived on the scene just after the collapse, told CNN that some cars were completely crushed, and there was just a lot of debris everywhere. She said she saw one woman get out of a car that was just nicked and rescue personnel performing life-saving CPR on another person in the street. Another shaken driver, Lynnell Collins, told CNN he was about to make a right turn when the whole thing really just came down. Whole thing broke After the whole thing broke, I was freaking out. I got out of my car and me and a few other people were sprinting over there. We started helping people whose cars were at least half crushed and whoever was easily saved. He said he saw two trucks that were completely crushed. We are shocked and saddened about the tragic events unfolding at the FIU-Sweetwater pedestrian bridge, Florida International University said in a statement. At this time we are still involved in rescue efforts and gathering information. FIU had only recently been celebrating the installation of the bridge, which crossed a dangerous, heavily traveled section of highway that students said had been the scene of accidents. It had been erected using an accelerated modular building method that enabled it to go up in the space of a day. We are stunned by todays tragic collapse of a pedestrian bridge, said FIGG Engineering Group, one of the partners involved in the walkways construction. We will fully cooperate with every appropriate authority in reviewing what happened and why, the firm said in a statement. In our 40-year history, nothing like this has ever happened before. "Continuing to monitor the heartbreaking bridge collapse at FIU - so tragic, President Donald Trump wrote on Twitter. Many brave First Responders rushed in to save lives. Thank you for your courage. Praying this evening for all who are affected, he said. Bridge collapses in the United States are infrequent despite rising risks associated with aging infrastructure. The deadliest this century was the 2007 collapse of an eight-lane bridge in Minneapolis, Minnesota, which killed 13 people. AFP QUITO Colombias government and ELN guerrillas resumed peace talks in the Ecuadoran capital on Thursday, more than two months after they were suspended over a spate of rebel attacks. The latest round of talks, being held in a hacienda run by the Jesuit religious community outside Quito, are aimed at agreeing a new ceasefire that would pave the way for a final peace agreement. We can see the light at the end of the road that will lead us to the end of armed conflict with the National Liberation Army (ELN), to build a lasting and stable peace, said the head of the government delegation Gustavo Bell. President Juan Manuel Santos, who is due to leave office in August, is trying to conclude a peace agreement with Colombias last active rebel group, similar to the one he signed with Marxist guerrillas FARC in November 2016, which has since transformed into a political party. However, the latest round of talks are being held against the backdrop of a more hostile political context in Colombia, after hardline conservatives opposed to making peace with the rebels gained ground in legislative elections Sunday. Santos announced Monday that the talks would resume following the rebels unilateral ceasefire during the elections -- seen as a test of the groups willingness to get back to negotiations. He said the parties would discuss a new, broad and verifiable ceasefire agreement that would prevent a resurgence of violence of the kind that forced the suspension of talks in January, following a series of attacks on police stations that left six people dead and dozens more wounded. The ELN will continue talking and does not reject peace, said its leader Nicolas Rodriguez Bautista, according to a statement released by negotiators. In a separate development not affecting the ceasefire, at least six people were killed and two wounded in a clash between ELN forces and a drug trafficking gang in northeastern Colombia, the army said Thursday. The firefight displaced six families and was sparked by a turf war over several municipalities in the department of Norte de Santander, on the Venezuelan border, it said. The clashes occurred after a meeting in which both factions did not reach an agreement for control of the region, so they decided to kill each other, General Alberto Mejia told Colombian media. AFP ADRA, Syria Thousands of civilians poured out of Eastern Ghouta on Thursday after a month-long bombardment brought the Syrian regime closer to recapturing the devastated rebel enclave outside Damascus. Defying expectations and calls to step down, Syrias President Bashar al-Assad was strengthening his grip on power as the conflict entered its eighth year. His troops advanced in a ferocious assault on Eastern Ghouta, once the oppositions main bastion on the outskirts of the capital. A war monitor said regime forces now control 70 per cent of the area, splitting the remaining rebel territory into three shrinking pockets. After a fierce air and ground assault, regime forces on Thursday captured Hammuriyeh town, in an isolated southern part of Ghouta. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a Britain-based monitor, said Hammuriyeh fell to regime forces after fighters from the Faylaq al-Rahman rebel faction withdrew. The regimes advance into Hammuriyeh overnight had punched a corridor through the town into government-controlled territory. Streams of women and children escaped through that corridor on Thursday, carrying plastic bags stuffed with clothes and pushing strollers piled high with suitcases and rugs. They reached a regime checkpoint in Adra district, where ambulances and large green buses waited to take them to temporary shelters. Largest displacement The Observatory said nearly 20,000 people fled the enclave in 24 hours before the flow stopped on Thursday evening. It called the exodus the largest displacement since the beginning of the assault on Ghouta. The United Nations said it was trying to determine how many people have left the enclave. "The UN has not observed the evacuations, but is visiting collective shelters where some of the evacuees are arriving," a UN spokesman said. Eastern Ghouta had been the main rebel bastion on the outskirts of Damascus since 2012 and came under a devastating regime siege the following year. That left the areas roughly 400,000 residents struggling to secure food and hospitals crippled by shortages of medicine and equipment. On Thursday, a joint convoy of food supplies for some 26,000 people entered Douma, the largest town in Ghouta and part of a separate rebel-controlled pocket. This is just a little of what these families need, said the International Committee of the Red Cross, which delivered the aid alongside the Syrian Arab Red Crescent and the UN. ICRC President Peter Maurer went with the convoy, the first time he had accompanied such an operation. Twenty-five trucks were delivering food parcels and flour bags to hunger-stricken Douma residents when mortar rounds hit nearby. Aid workers scrambled for cover, an AFP correspondent said, but were able to resume deliveries shortly afterwards. AFP GENEVA UN staff in Geneva have overwhelmingly voted to strike on Friday over unfair pay cuts, in a move sure to disrupt a wide range of activities at the world bodys European headquarters. Staff unions said a full 1,040 staff members, or 89.4 per cent of those who cast a ballot Thursday, voted in favour of the full-day strike. The results, which are overwhelmingly positive, show the extent to which UN staff have lost trust in the way in which their conditions of service, whether in Geneva or in the deep field, have been set by their employer, Ian Richards, who heads the UN staff unions association in Geneva said. It is unclear how many of the around 9,500 UN staff members in Geneva would participate in Fridays work stoppage, but the impact on UN operations was expected to be broad. The Human Rights Council, which is in the midst of its main annual session, will close for the day, delaying an already jam-packed programme, spokesman Rolando Gomez said. Last month, UN Geneva staff staged a two-hour work stoppage after they received their first pay slips showing a 3.5-per cent salary cut, with the knowledge the cut will swell to five percent by June. That brief strike managed to disrupt high level meetings at the rights council and the Conference on Disarmament, impacting the UN Secretary-General and a number of government ministers. AFP The 145th Airlift Wing stood up on March 15, 1948, just six months after the Air Force established its own separate service on Sept. 18, 1947. Starting its journey with the P-47 Thunderbolt, the Wing has undergone several transitions in mission and aircraft. The most recent change being the transition to the C-17 Globemaster III aircraft in April, but what remains the same, is the dedication and commitment of its members. The North Carolina Air National Guard has come a long way since its establishment 68 years ago. Then, Lt. Col. William J. Payne, who ran a furniture store in downtown Charlotte, was asked to start the unit, which became the 156th Fighter Squadron, the oldest unit of the North Carolina Air National Guard. The unit, which was equipped with P-47D Thunderbolt aircraft, was federally recognized March 15, 1948 and activated at Morris Field. Its mission was the air defense of the state. Retired Chief Master Sgt. Terry Henderson recalls a conversation he once had with Brig. Gen. Payne while driving him to Raleigh, N.C. I was driving the general up to Raleigh when he started reminiscing about how the unit got its start. He said that back in 1948, he received a call saying that the Air Force had a group of P-47Ds in route to the base here in Charlotte. The general (then a lieutenant colonel) said he told them to turn them around; he didnt have a jack or wrench to change a tire or the basic equipment to maintain the aircraft. They told him it was too late, the aircraft were in the air and would be there soon, and to just figure it out, Henderson recalled. For the next several years the facilities at Morris Field expanded and subordinate units formed adding to the ever changing flying mission. Those units would eventually include 145th Aeromedical Transport Group (ATG), which flew evacuation missions. From 1966 to 1971 the 145th ATG found themselves deployed to Vietnam, flying over 20 million km without an aircraft accident. Today, over 1500 Airmen support the NCANGs mission by providing tactical airlift to the United States Military and delivering supplies anywhere in the world as needed. This a huge milestone, and the Air Force just celebrated its 70th Anniversary. What this tells you is the 145th has been in the fight since nearly day one of the Air Force, said Col. Alan Cecil, vice commander of the 145th Airlift Wing. Change has evolved the unit, which makes it continually valid in the overall mission of North Carolina and the Air Force. Whether its been standing up new missions, changing aircraft, or creating new units, we have always really stepped up and done an outstanding job. We break down the change that has to take place and embrace it, said retired Chief Master Sgt. Terry Henderson, 145th Force Support Squadron Airmen and Family Readiness program manager. Henderson has been with the 145th Airlift Wing for 48 years; first, as an Airman, and now as a civilian employee and said, Ive been involved in this unit for most of my adult life and its hard to put into words, but its like family to me. Airmen of the 145th Airlift Wing not only have a strong camaraderie, they also live for the mission taking part in disaster relieve efforts and supporting overseas deployments. We are known for getting the job done in locations we have been assigned and places we are currently deployed. Our Airmen want to be a part of whats happening in world and serve by being part of the solution. They have the drive and dedication to make that happen. We have the heart for service, said Col. Alan Cecil, vice commander of the 145th Airlift Wing. The transition to the C-17 Globemaster II aircraft brings the 145th Airlift Wing into the future by providing greater flexibility, performance, and the capability for rapid strategic delivery of troops and all types of cargo to fulfill the worldwide air mobility requirements. Im thrilled to be a part of the transition and this unit. As a leader, I hope I can set up as much success for the unit as our forefathers did so we can have another 70 years of success, said Cecil. 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indicating that North Korea may be running a large underground military base in Syria. Source: U.S. Monitoring Possible North Korean Military Base in Syria Why those little devils: Meet The Overlords of Clandestineness, North Koreans! And they are just plain terribly smart too What I find truly inconceivable is that North Korean Scientists, in a nation (where according to highly reliable western news reports/sources and our own highly reliable western politicians, ) people die every day of starvation, eat their children, still run a single 486DX computer (with stolen Windows 3.1) and only have one light bulb in the whole damn country Have developed a means to teleport people and material across continents, and to hide their dastardly activities from all the world satellites, Santa Claus and even our (heaven forbid) American electronic surveillance So Clandestine of you North Korea (& seriously smart too)! No wonder United States Government (USG for you alphabet lovers) is so scared of North Korea and the demigod Kimmy their science leaves us deep behind into caveman territory, or for you lessor degreed individuals, we are looking at the ass end of superior alien god like technology and it all comes from North Korea. We behind and need more money folks! I would imagine that both China and Russia are damn worried, that now that their technology is way behind the Norks? Which I imagine is why the Russians and or China dared not implement any form of resistance to this project Who is to mess with a god? How dare Syria allow the Norks to build a Death Star upon their land WtR Yes, you can transfer your domain to any registrar or hosting company once you have purchased it. Since domain transfers are a manual process, it can take up to 5 days to transfer the domain. Domains purchased with payment plans are not eligible to transfer until all payments have been made. Please remember that our 30-day money back guarantee is void once a domain has been transferred. For transfer instructions to GoDaddy, please click here. Mar 16, 2018 | By Tess In another heartwarming 3D printing story, a father from Barnsley in England has used additive manufacturing to create a number of prosthetic arms for his three-year-old son. Adam Dengel, a 29-year-old father from the South Yorkshire town of Barnsley, wanted to help his young son, Tommy, lead a more normal life. Tommy, you see, was born with an underdeveloped arm and no right handcaused by amniotic band syndrome, a condition where amniotic tissue wraps around the limbs of a fetus inside the womb, cutting off blood flow and restricting development. And though the young boy was provided with a more traditional arm and hand prosthetic from the UKs National Health Service (NHS), his father wanted to find a better alternative for his son. Thats where Team Unlimbited comes in. A backyard startup from Swansea, Team Unlimbited has since become one of the UKs most well-known 3D printing prosthetics charitiesproviding custom 3D printed arms to children in need. Three-year-old Tommy received his first 3D printed arm courtesy of Team Unlimbited and some of his fathers friends. Upon seeing his sons ecstatic reaction to the colorful and functional 3D printed arm, Mr. Dengel decided to try his own hand at making the 3D printed prosthetics. Tommy was absolutely over the moon with it, he said. When I saw the smile on his face I just thought, right, this is something I need to do. With 3D models and instructions from Unlimbited in tow, Mr. Dengal purchased his very own 3D printer and set about 3D printing the parts for more plastic hand prosthetics. Apparently Mr. Dengel has a knack for it, as he has successfully made six 3D printed artificial arms for his son. Each 3D printed arm, which is fitted to Tommys current size, can be made for only about 15 ($21) and can be assembled with commonplace materials like fishing wire, velcro, and orthodontic elastic bands. (Images: Adam Dengel / BBC) To function, the arm is simply strapped to the wearer using velcro in such a way that when he or she moves the upper arm, the 3D printed mechanism will trigger and the hand will grip or release. After seeing the difference 3D printed prosthetics have made in his own sons life, Mr. Dengel and his wife Katie have even decided to start their own charity effort to provide 3D printed limbs to families in need. Tommy, for his part, will surely enjoy having new 3D printed arms at his disposal as he grows up. Posted in 3D Printing Application Maybe you also like: Say Grace In my country our shamans were women and our gods multiple until white people brought an ecstasy of rosaries and our cities today glow with crosses like graveyards. As a child in Sunday school I was told Id go to hell if I didnt believe in God. Our teacher was a woman whose daughters wanted to be nuns and I asked What about babies and what about Buddha, and she said Theyre in hell too and so I memorized prayers and recited them in front of women I did not believe in. Deliver us from evil. O sweet Virgin Mary, amen. O sweet. O sweet. In this country, which calls itself Christian, what is sweeter than hearing Have mercy on us. From those who serve different gods. O clement, O loving, O God, O God, amidst ruins, amidst waters, fleeing, fleeing. Deliver us from evil. O sweet, O sweet. In this country, point at the moon, at the stars, point at the way the lake lies, with a hand full of feathers, and they will look at the feathers. And kill you for it. If a word for religion they dont believe in is magic so be it, let us have magic. Let us have our own mothers and scarves, our spirits, our shamans and our sacred books. Let us keep our stars to ourselves and we shall pray to no one. Let us eat what makes us holy. . by Emily Jungmin Yoon from Poetry, Nov. 2017 Though most of the participants barely know each other, the atmosphere is congenial and relaxed. Amira Yousif, high cheek-boned and imperceptibly pregnant, came down for a rice pudding and has stayed for the spectacle. She sips a taste of cocktail from a teaspoon. Can you feel the baby yet? asks Hannah Letten, a sprightly, ginger-haired student. Do you feel a little pod inside you? Its like asking can you feel your heart or can you feel your liver, says Amira. Its just nothing at the moment. Welcome to the modern commune: wipe your feet before you enter. The inhabitants of this 34-bedroom house live and eat alongside each other, laugh and get drunk together, play Cards against Humanity, a game of post-ironic bad taste, as the evening hubbub dies down. Some stay for weeks, some for months, others indefinitely, uncertain and often unconcerned about where they will move to next. As well as three Englishmen, the cocktail class includes an American, a Canadian, a Venezuelan and an Australian. They are unencumbered by family responsibilities and have no place they call home. Most of them would happily function anywhere in the world with a robust internet connection. Ink Resins Market Global Ink Solvent Market Research Report by Chemistry Type (Alcohols, Acetates, Hydrocarbons), by Product Type (Conventional, Green & Bio-Based), by Process (Flexographic Gravure), by Application (Packaging, Corrugated, Publication) Forecast till 2023 Ink Solvent Market Overview Ink Solvent possess high efficiency, rapid evaporation rate, and non-coating properties in numerous end use application such as packaging, corrugated, publication, and others. The market is estimated to witness moderate growth due to their usage in numerous end use industries specifically in paints & coatings, building & construction, and others. On the basis of the end use application segment, packaging is predicted to register strong growth followed by corrugated due to increasing consumers disposable income along with expanding packaging industry in developing countries across the globe. In addition, increasing construction and other food & beverage manufacturing base in emerging economies combined with increasing need for high quality Ink Solvent is estimated to propel the growth of the market over the assessment period. Geographically, Asia Pacific accounted for the largest market share for ink solvent in 2016, followed by Europe which is further trailed by North America. The North American Ink Solvent Market is expected to witness moderate growth over the assessment period on account of substantial growth of food & beverage and packaging industry in this region. In North America, the market is further categorized into Canada and the U.S., among these the U.S. is anticipated to hold major regional market share of ink solvent on account of strong presence of key operating players in this region. Asia Pacific is estimated to witness tremendous growth over the forecast period in Ink Solvent Market during 2017 to 2023. The demand for ink solvent is estimated to raise in several countries of Asia Pacific such as Malaysia, Taiwan, India, China, South Korea, the Philippines, Japan, and Indonesia due to rising population along with shifting of manufacturing base for most of the matured market players in this region. In Europe, ink solvent market is projected to register average growth due to shifting consumer preference towards the ink solvent based products combined with high adoption rate in numerous end use industries specifically in UK, Germany, Poland, Italy, Spain, and Russia. In addition, various countries of the Middle East & Africa and Latin America are anticipated to witness significant growth in ink solvent on account of rising disposable income along with sales of Ink Solvent based product specifically in Argentina, Brazil, Venezuela, and Mexico along with increasing commercial, institutional, and residential construction activities specifically in Oman, Israel, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Turkey, Qatar, and the UAE. Get Sample of Report @ https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/sample_request/5123 Industry/ Innovation/ Related News: November 2017 Toyo Ink group announced to expand its production facilities in Turkey. The construction plant is expected to start in mid of 2018 and will cost around USD 26.7 Million. With this capacity expansion the company will meet the increasing demand in Central Asia, MENA, and Eastern Europe. December 2017- Siegwerk announced to acquire Tupahue Tintas, a Brazilian ink manufacturer. Tupahue Tintas products includes flexo and gravure printing inks and varnishes for a broad range of substrates such as HDPE, LDPE, polyolefin, polyester, aluminum, PP, and others. With this acquisition, the company will strengthen its presence in Latin America region and enhance their product portfolio. June 2016- Kao Chemicals Europe announced to acquire Chimigraf Holding S.L., a Spain based organization involved in manufacturing and sales of inkjet ink and flexographic ink for package printing. This acquisition will help company to meet the demand for innovative products and provide better service. May 2016- Flint Group announced to acquire American Ink & Coatings (AIC), the eight largest North America ink manufacturers. AIC market comprises of folding carton, gift wrap and corrugated printing, water and solvent based inks. With this acquisition the company strengthen their packaging ink position in North America. Competitive Landscape The Ink Solvent Report has analysed the level of competition among the major manufacturers in ink solvent market as well as sector growth and market scenario. The global ink solvent market composed of large number of suppliers operating in the market which includes large scale and medium scale manufacturers. The noticeable manufacturers of ink solvent and medium level producers which has strong hold in the market have shifted their focus towards growth association specifically by Asia Pacific as small level and medium level suppliers belongs to this region specifically from the Philippines, Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia, Australia, Japan, South Korea, Indonesia, India, Bangladesh, China, and Thailand. In addition, the key operating players of ink solvent are observed to follow various strategic plans to improve their product portfolio such as distribution agreements, joint ventures, product launches, strategic acquisition and mergers, and exclusive agreements. Numerous key operating players in this market are expected to expand their manufacturing capacity of ink solvent to meet the increasing demand for Ink Solvent Worldwide. Access Complete Report @ https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/ink-solvent-market-5123 About Market Research Future: At Market Research Future (MRFR), we enable our customers to unravel the complexity of various industries through our Cooked Research Report (CRR), Half-Cooked Research Reports (HCRR), Raw Research Reports (3R), Continuous-Feed Research (CFR), and Market Research & Consulting Services. MRFR team have supreme objective to provide the optimum quality market research and intelligence services to our clients. Our market research studies by Components, Application, Logistics and market players for global, regional, and country level market segments, enable our clients to see more, know more, and do more, which help to answer all their most important questions. Media Contact Company Name: Market Research Future Contact Person: Akash Anand Email: akash.anand@marketresearchfuture.com Phone: +1 646 845 9312 Address:Market Research Future Office No. 528, Amanora Chambers Magarpatta Road, Hadapsar, Pune City: Pune State: Maharashtra Country: India Website: https://www.marketresearchfuture.com In 1996 Notorious B.I.G. performed in Kingston Jamaica on Jamaicas biggest show called Sting which is also known as the greatest one night show on earth. The show was held on December 26th on that year, one day after Christmas. Biggie performed to a sold out crowd of over 30,000 people along with Jamaicas biggest dancehall artists at the time. Biggie performed in a wheelchair as his broken leg was in a cast. He broke his leg in a car accident and was in the hospital for over 2 months. In 2005, Sean Contractor Edwards head of the Contractor Music Group based in Ocho Rios, Jamaica acquired the master audio tape recording of Biggies live performance. He licensed the recording non exclusively to Sean Puff Daddy Combs, head of Bad Boy Records. Contractor was in dialogue with Harve Pierre who was Puffys assistant at the time. One day while Contractor was driving in his hometown in Ocho Rios, Jamaica, Puff Daddy called Contractor personally and said the recording was fire and that he would be doing the deal with Contractor for the licensing of the Biggie live recording. Contractor signed the paperwork and sent the tape to Puffy. In 2005 Puffy used a snippet of Biggies live performance on Biggies posthumous album called Duets the Final Chapter. The album was released by Bad Boy Records and Atlantic Records in December of 2005. This year the Notorious B.I.G.s live performance in Kingston Jamaica will be released by the Contractor Music Group and distributed digitally by Amada Records out of Atlanta in the United States. The album will be called Hip Hop Cruises to Jamaica and will be a compilation album featuring an unreleased single with Tupac, an unreleased Mobb Deep, and several other hip hop and r&b stars including PitBull, C-Murder (Master Ps Brother), Missy Elliott, Ed Sheeran, Jethro Alonestar Sheeran (first cousin of Ed Sheeran), Sean Kingston, Safaree, Mopreme Shakur (brother of Tupac), Mahoggany Blu, Tory Lanez, Chris Brown, Akon, Lizzy Ashliegh, Katie Bates, Jahonze, Wyclef, Revelation Johnson (2nd Cousin of Tupac), and dancehall stars Honorebel and Capleton. Contractor Music Group and Amada Records currently have a reggae album called Tropical House Cruises to Jamaica which has spent 9 consecutive weeks on the Billboard Charts and 4 straight weeks at number 1 on the Billboard Reggae Album Charts. The album Tropical House Cruises to Jamaica features top reggae acts including Mojo Morgan from Morgan Heritage, Damian and Stephen Marley, and many more. The album Tropical House Cruises to Jamaica has been receiving extensive airplay worldwide via The DJ Grid USA and the Digital Radio Tracker. Media Contact Company Name: Amada Records Contact Person: AG The A&R Email: info@amadarecords.com Phone: 800.214.8036 Country: United States Website: http://amadarecords.com Memory is a 22-year-old activist, advocating for girl's education and against child marriage. The opinions in this article belong to the author. Growing up in Malawi, one of the world's least-developed countries, exposes young girls to a number of risks -- some of which are life-threatening. Despite the fact that there are so many people advocating for gender equality, women and girls still do not have much choice when it comes to taking control of their own lives. This often comes down to cultural traditions that seem at times impossible to overcome. I have witnessed many injustices against women and girls in my country. It is so sad to see girls in life-threatening situations when they are so young, preventing them from exploring opportunities that would give them a completely different life. When I was a little girl, I used to see my relatives, friends and schoolmates going through a rite of passage to adulthood. We all grew up knowing we would have to go through this at some point ourselves -- whether we understood what was happening to us or not. After all, we did not have a choice. It was something that the community expected of us. In Malawi, there are numerous traditions that girls must go through as they approach adulthood. Girls as young as 10 are expected to go to "chinamwali" -- a camp where they are taught how to sexually please a man. This is a tradition not only in my country, but in other African countries too. In the most extreme cases, a man who has been hired by the community comes and sleeps with the girls at the camp to prove that they have been well trained. As soon the girls return from the camp, most of them will be forced into a marriage. In other traditions, some girls are given away as young as nine for marriage. They will long have been aware that once they reach puberty, there will be a man who their parents have already promised their child to. These girls grow up with all of the most important decisions about their lives already made for them. So it is not surprising that so many girls drop out of school once they reach puberty. And If girls are never taught at a young age that they can be leaders, it shouldn't surprise anyone that we have so few women in positions of power. Even when a girl has been sexually abused and exploited, the blame is always on the her. These social injustices against girls create a damaging chain of events. If we do nothing about it now, the vicious cycle will continue indefinitely. These traditions can be stopped. Communities can be restructured. When you talk passionately and often enough about injustices that young girls face today, people do listen. The human rights of all people must be respected. This is something that goes beyond the traditions, norms and beliefs that any community might have. Of course, traditions exist. But how can it be right that, in the name of tradition, the human rights of young girls are taken away solely because of their sex? It's high time that girls are taught how to be tough, strong and able to make their own choices. From an early age, I aspired to be different from everybody and everything. I was a tough girl. I had a voice, even though my culture reminded me to be quiet and silent because I was a girl. But I believe that girls everywhere are strong. They have a voice and should have a choice. Girls everywhere have to know that no matter where they are born they have a say about what goes on in their lives and their communities. Silence has never saved anyone. It's been a week since US President Donald Trump surprised the world -- and the White House -- by accepting an invitation to meet with North Korea's reclusive leader Kim Jong Un. The message was delivered to Trump by a South Korean delegation, who in the seven days since, have been involved in a whirlwind of international diplomacy and consensus building, flying from Seoul and Washington to meet with allies in Beijing, Moscow and Tokyo. Meanwhile, their neighbors to the North have remained inscrutable on the subject. North Korean State broadcaster Korea Central Television opened its first news bulletin after the news of Trump's announcement with a story about passenger riverboat travel in Pyongyang. KCNA, the North Korean newswire, led with a report about industrial production levels in the capital. The first significant diplomatic move by Pyongyang didn't come until Thursday when Sweden announced that North Korea's foreign minister was on his way to the country for two days of talks. There he will meet his Swedish counterpart and "address the security situation on the Korean Peninsula," the Swedish government, which represents US interests in North Korea, said in a statement. Slow in responding On the face of it, the lack of a reaction from North Korea appears odd, but it might not be that unusual given the hermit nation's past behavior. When the North Koreans decided to invite President Bill Clinton to Pyongyang in 2000, the formal invitation came months after Secretary of State Madeleine Albright met with her North Korean counterpart on the sidelines of an Asian nations' summit in July. The pair discussed whether then-leader Kim Jong Il would send an emissary to Washington DC to extend a formal invite to Clinton. "Once again, the North Koreans were deliberate -- which is to say slow -- in responding," Albright wrote in her book "Madame Secretary." "Unused to consulting with a democracy, they had the habit of doing nothing for months, then making a decision and expecting an immediate response." Indeed, she notes that it was in October that year [right before the November elections] that the country's second most powerful military official arrived in Washington, and in full military uniform presented a letter of invitation to Clinton. It's possible, says Mike Chinoy, the author of "Meltdown: The Inside Story of the North Korean Nuclear Crisis, "that the South Korean envoys may not have accurately conveyed what Kim said to Trump, "let alone what he meant." "Don't count your summits until they hatch," warned Chinoy, who was CNN's Beijing bureau chief from 1987 to 1995 and has visited North Korea 17 times. But diplomatic sources have signaled enough confidence in South Korea's words and actions that most of the parties are pressing ahead with planning for the summit, even as the details of where, when and who will attend, remain undetermined. Full steam ahead Back from a four-day visit to China and Russia, South Korean envoy Chung Eui-yong said China's President Xi Jinping fully supported South Korean President Moon Jae-in's efforts to build dialogue with North Korea. Chung declared that Xi was "delighted" with the development, and even offered a traditional Chinese proverb "once hard ice melts, spring comes and flowers bloom," to describe the current situation on the Korean peninsula. Japan was more circumspect. At the beginning of a meeting on Tuesday with Suh Hoon, South Korea's National Intelligence Service chief, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said it was "extremely important" that the North Korean regime "takes concrete action which realize their words" with regards to denuclearization. Days before Secretary of State Rex Tillerson was fired by Trump, White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders told reporters the administration "fully expected" the meeting between the two leaders to take place. "The offer was made and we've accepted," she said on Monday during a briefing with the press. "North Korea made sereval promises and if -- we hope that they would stick to those promises and, if so, the meeting will go on as planned." When asked what preparations were being made so far she declined to give much detail. "Most of that is an inter-administration, interagency process and I'm not going to get ahead of any of the details of the where, the when, or any of that here today," Sanders said. She refused to answer questions about whether Kim Jong Un has been using a special envoy to Seoul to send messages to Trump. Trump talk And while the world waits for word from Kim Jong Un, the man he is expected to meet by the end of May cannot resist talking, and sometimes about issues that could be to his allies' detriment. In a fundraising speech on Wednesday, President Trump appeared to threaten to remove American troops from South Korea if he didn't get the trade deal with Seoul that he wants, The Washington Post reported. "We have a very big trade deficit with them, and we protect them," Trump said about South Korea. "We lose money on trade, and we lose money on the military. We have right now 32,000 soldiers between North and South Korea. Let's see what happens." The US has some 28,000 troops based in South Korea. The two countries' joint military exercises include group, air, naval and special operations drills, and have long been a point of contention for Pyongyang. Seo Jeeyeon, a spokeswoman from South Korea's trade ministry, said: "We're not in a position to be able to make comments every time President Trump makes remarks." Meanwhile on Thursday, the first mention of the US by a North Korean public broadcaster addressed a report by the United Nations highlighting the isolated nation's dismal human rights record, by aiming at the US' treatment of its own people. It was the "height of folly for the US, which has seriously threatened the right to existence of the Korean people through persistent sanctions and blockade to violate the sovereignty of the DPRK [Democratic People's Republic of Korea] with nuclear weapons for decades, to voice 'concern' about its 'human rights performance,'" said KCNA. "The world's worst human rights abuser is none other than the US," the report said. There was no word about a Trump-Kim summit. Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico resigned Thursday after weeks of public protests over the slaying of an investigative journalist who reported on fraud among the country's elite, including people connected to the governing party. Fico announced his resignation during a ceremony in Bratislava. Resignation follows weeks of protests over journalist's killing; Jan Kuciak reported on fraud among country's elite Police are offering a reward of $1.2 million for information on the killer Jan Kuciak, 27, and his fianc-e, Martina Ku-n-rov-, were found dead in Kuciak's apartment in western Slovakia on February 26 with bullet wounds to the chest and head, respectively, according to the International Press Institute. Kuciak reported on tax evasion and fraud among Slovak businesses, including people connected to the country's governing party, Smer. Though the bodies were found February 26 at Kuciak's apartment in Velk- Ma-a, investigators believe the pair were shot sometime between February 22 and February 25, police said. On March 1, Slovak police said they had detained seven people in connection with the killings. The people detained, who are between 26 and 62 years old, are believed to have ties to Italian organized crime, Police Corps President Tibor Gaspar said at a news conference that day, according to TASR. On February 28, Aktuality.sk published the last unfinished report Kuciak was working on before he was killed. The report identified people settled in Slovakia who allegedly have connections to the Italian organized-crime group the 'Ndrangheta. It also linked these people to high-profile Slovaks, including some connected to Smer. The government of Slovakia said it was offering a reward of -1 million ($1.2 million US) for information about the killing. In the last four years, Russia has annexed Crimea from Ukraine, meddled in a US election and helped turn the tide of the Syrian war in Bashar al-Assad's favor. Now it's in a major diplomatic row with the UK, which blames Moscow for the poisoning of a former spy, his daughter, and a British policeman in the English countryside. The UK's top defense official said Thursday that Russia was "ripping up the international rulebook." Such an accusation is likely music to President Vladimir Putin's ears -- his popularity tends to spike when Russia confronts the West, polls show. He is well on track to retain power in an election this Sunday, but he is showing a growing appetite for power beyond his country's borders, and Russia is beginning to fill the void in parts of the world where the US once wielded influence. Here are some ways Russia is stepping up around the globe. Propaganda Accusations that Russia meddled in the 2016 US election -- the same election that saw Donald Trump's meteoric rise -- have rocked Washington and led to several formal investigations. US intelligence agencies accuse Russia of hacking into and releasing the emails Hillary Clinton's campaign chairman and other servers belonging to the Democratic Party. This was in an attempt, they say, to influence the outcome of the vote. European nations have been dealing with Russian cyber-meddling for some time, cybersecurity researchers say, and the UK, France and Germany have all accused Russia of trying to influence votes in their countries. British Prime Minister Theresa May gave a stern warning to Russia in November last year, accusing it of trying to "weaponize information" to disrupt the world order. One of the same troll armies that meddled in America's 2016 election, a CNN analysis found, also posted dozens of pro-Brexit messages on the day the UK held a referendum and voted to leave the European Union. The troll army has established ties to the Russian government. Germany accused Russia of propagating fake news to stir far-right sentiments in the country and in June last year it passed a law to tackle fake news, forcing online platforms to remove false reports within 24 hours or face hefty fines. Military power President Putin has boasted about Russia's military might many times, and Syria has felt the force of that power profoundly in recent years. Russian warplanes have bombed territory, and mercenaries and advisers on the ground have supported offensives to prop up Syrian President Assad. Russia's firepower has helped turn the war around in Assad's favor and has made the country a game-changing player in the complex multi-sided conflict. That role also means a stronger foothold in the Middle East for Russia. Russia's military power also enabled Moscow to annex the Crimean peninsula from Ukraine in 2014. It was a move that led to sanctions and condemnation from the West but one that perhaps boosted Russia's image as a major world power. Russia still backs separatists in Ukraine. Elsewhere, Russia has increased its military influence in Libya, a country still in chaos since the 2011 death of Moammar Gadhafi in the Arab Spring. Moscow is courting Gen. Khalifa Haftar in the country, a rival of the fragile UN-backed coalition government in Tripoli. Russian forces have also held joint military drills with Egypt on Russian soil, with plans to host the exercises this year in Egypt. Arms sales There has been much talk about a global arms race as world powers increase their nuclear stockpiles, but there is also a race between Russia and the US to sell conventional arms. Russia is the second-biggest exporter of arms behind the US, and it is finding markets in countries that traditionally bought American-made weapons, especially in Asia and the Middle East, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (Sipri). India was the world's largest importer of major arms between 2013 and 2017, Sipri data shows. Russia accounted for 62% of India's arms imports, during that same period. Military officials in the US, Europe and Afghanistan are concerned that Russia may also be providing supplies to the Taliban in Afghanistan. Russia is selling arms to countries in Southeast Asia as well, including Indonesia and Myanmar. Russia donated weapons and military equipment to the Philippines last year and signed agreements for arms exports, CNN Philippines reports. Countering US influence Last year, Russia's finance ministry came to the aid of crisis-hit Venezuela with a deal to restructure sovereign debt, making Moscow the primary foreign backer of President Nicolas Maduro. The burgeoning relationship with Venezuela has given Russia an important economic and political foothold in Latin America, just as already soured US-Venezuelan relations declined further. It's a two-way street: In December, Venezuela awarded licenses to a unit of Rosneft, Russia's state-controlled oil company, to develop offshore gas fields. Closer to home, Russia has historical and cultural ties in the Balkans and the Kremlin is keen to use these links to counter NATO expansion in the region. In 2017, officials in Montenegro alleged that Russian security services were involved in a plot to overthrow the government, after Montenegro was formally invited to join NATO. Russia denied the allegations. Russia has tried to boost ties with eastern European nations that are not NATO members, such as Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia and Macedonia. Energy supply Many former Soviet nations in eastern Europe rely heavily on Russian oil and gas to fuel their economies, with Poland, Slovakia, Bulgaria, Hungary and Lithuania among them. Most are trying to diversify their energy sources to reduce their dependence on the Russian state. Roughly a third of the European Union's natural gas still comes from Russia, which has made it difficult for the union to impose sanctions on the country. Some parts of Europe are expanding energy ties with Russia. Hungary -- whose leader Viktor Orb-n has been compared to Putin -- is extending its Soviet-era nuclear power station with Russian financing. Russia in the meantime is looking to grow its energy market elsewhere. In Iraq, Russian state oil company Rosneft has signed contracts to gain control of the main oil pipeline in the Kurdistan region, boosting Russia's influence there. It has also teamed up with Saudi Arabia -- another country with an oil-dependent economy -- and agreed to extend oil production cuts to buoy global prices. Middle East diplomacy Russia has increased its diplomatic contacts across the Middle East. Iran, a longtime adversary of the US, is allied with Russia on the ground in Syria, and the two countries have also stepped up official visits recently. But Russia has also boosted relations with Iran's regional rivals. Last year, the Kremlin gave a lavish welcome to Saudi Arabia's King Salman, and earlier this year, Putin hosted Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Russia is working with Israel to agree on certain responses to the Syrian conflict. Israel opposes keeping Assad in power, but in 2015 it agreed with Russia to "deconflict" military operations in the war-torn country to avoid accidental clashes in the skies. Elsewhere in the region, Russia has expanded contacts with Iraq, Kuwait, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates. Russia has also become closer to Turkey in facing the Syria crisis, and Putin speaks routinely with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Middle Eastern issues. The countries managed to repair ties quickly after Turkey shot down a Russian warplane near the Syrian border in 2015. Russia hasn't had the same kind of rapprochement with the US, despite Putin and Trump repeatedly promising a restoration of relations. And as Russian tensions with other Western countries rise, the next six years could see the world change yet again. The first ever direct flights from Scotland to China will begin in June following an announcement in Beijing this morning. The ground-breaking announcement will see Hainan Airlines flights to Beijing Capital International Airport beginning from 12th June, flying four weekly on an Airbus A330-300. It is part of an innovative flight model which links in three capital cities Beijing, Edinburgh and Dublin. The route will fly from Beijing to Dublin and then onto Edinburgh and then back to Beijing on Thursdays and Sundays, flying to Edinburgh and then Dublin and then back to Beijing on Tuesdays and Saturdays. It marks the successful culmination of Edinburgh Airports partnership working with colleagues in China to attract these routes to Scotland in a move which will benefit the countrys economy, culture and tourism. Chief Executive of Edinburgh, Gordon Dewar said: This is a fantastic day for Edinburgh Airport and for Scotland as we connect Scotland and China for the first time. We are two countries steeped in history and rich in culture, offering new destinations for people from both countries to visit and explore. Edinburgh is second only to London as the most popular UK destination for Chinese tourists, and we have worked incredibly hard with partners across the city and country to get to this point. This is an incredibly exciting day for the airport, for the city and for the country. Tourism is one of our biggest economic drivers and still has masses of potential to unleash lets use this opportunity to drive it forward. The culmination of more than three years of work, Gordon added that relationship building and working with partners in both countries has been crucial to the announcement: A number of organisations shared our vision in attracting this route to Scotland and its testament to our working together with both UK and Scottish governments and bodies such as Scottish Enterprise, Visit Scotland, Laings the Jeweller and Edinburgh Hoteliers Association among others that weve finally achieved it. Edinburgh Tourism Action Groups China Ready programme has also prepared the city for this growing market, so we are in good shape. Of course, weve also built close relationships with firms in China who have been instrumental in this development and we thank them for their assistance. Hainan Airlines have been a huge help and they must be congratulated for this innovative approach to tie the Celtic capitals of Edinburgh and Dublin into the route and open up these cities to the Chinese market. Mr Bao Qifa`s, chairman of Hainan Airlines, said: As a five-star Airline and an outstanding representative of Chinese national enterprises, Hainan Airlines actively participates in the One Belt One Road Initiative, and is committed to become the forerunner and practitioner of achieving Chinas civil aviation power. By continuously expanding and improving our international network, Hainan Airlines dedicates to bringing more convenience to peoples life. This opening of the first nonstop service from Beijing to Dublin and Edinburgh will provide new facilities to stimulate the development of Sino-Irish and Sino-British relations. Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Jobs and Fair Work Keith Brown said: This new air link between Scotland and China is excellent news, helping to strengthen relations between our two countries and build on the cultural and economic links that we already share. China is a major importer of Scottish goods and services food and drink in particular and this flight will give Scottish businesses a direct link into this important market.It will also make it even easier for Chinese visitors to experience our fantastic tourism offering and get a taste of our world-renowned Scottish hospitality. I congratulate both Edinburgh Airport and Hainan Airlines on securing this new service and have no doubt it will prove a great success. I look forward to the flights taking off later this year. UK Government Aviation Minister Baroness Sugg said: The first scheduled direct route between Edinburgh and Beijing is fantastic news, and follows on from our work to increase the number of flights possible between the two countries. Edinburgh offers tourists from around the world a unique and vibrant cultural experience, and this link will mean more Chinese visitors can enjoy Scotlands incredible hospitality and stunning scenery. As a major market for Scotlands world class produce this is also a vote of confidence in the strong economic links between the UK and China, bringing our ambitious businesses and exporters even closer to their customers. City of Edinburgh Council Leader, Adam McVey said: As the Gateway to Scotland, Edinburgh Airport is well-placed to welcome visitors from an ever increasing global range of destinations. A direct flight path from the Capital to China has been a coveted route for many years, and todays confirmation of the countrys first route to Beijing is a major coup for the city. The Council has worked hard to lay the foundations for this connection to the worlds fastest growing economy. Working with the Airport and Marketing Edinburgh, I am pleased we have helped deliver this substantial outreach to Asia for tourism, business travel and investment opportunities. Malcolm Roughead, Chief Executive of VisitScotland, said: This first-ever direct flight from China to Scotland is fantastic news and marks an exciting gear change for Scottish tourism and its engagement with the Chinese market. Already in recent years we have seen a steady rise in Chinese visitors to our shores and have been working closely with businesses across Scotland to help them to access this important opportunity. At the same time, we have been working with Chinese travel companies to continue to develop the range of Scottish holidays available to their clients. At our own VisitScotland Expo travel trade fair in Glasgow next month we will be hosting 35 Chinese tour operators, keen to do business with Scotland, and todays announcement by Hainan Airlines will offer further encouragement for them to drive forward their plans to increase the number of Chinese visitors choosing Scotland as their next destination. An iconic and out-of-service harrier jump jet which played a valuable role for the Royal Navy for more than 30 years, is also housed within the Portsmouth Naval Base and is not accessible by the public. In order to protect this asset, Jacksons installed a pedestrian guardrail around the jet helping to showcase the display without intruding on its appearance. The welded hollow tubular rail and solid pale construction is extremely strong and features a bolt-together design for ease of installation or replacement. Cris Francis, Security Consultant at Jacksons Fencing, commented: Jacksons successfully balanced the need for both access and exclusion in perimeter security for all of these projects at Portsmouth Naval Base. Due to the age and nature of the site, there were many challenges in the design and installation which we had to overcome. The specification and installation was completed entirely by Jacksons, meaning a more efficient fully rounded service was successfully delivered. Jacksons Fencing has been in the business of perimeter protection for over 70 years, providing a full mix of solutions complete from design support to installation and maintenance. Protecting and securing sensitive sites around the UK, its project teams have a vast wealth of experience supported by a range of products that can meet the highest security requirements. Epidemic? Pandemic? Not according to this Pan-Democrat in California, Richard Pan. Thanks to Laura for this update. Thanks to readers for the photo suggestions... ;) Kim By Laura Hayes 6-minute video summary of recent hearing in CA (have a listen before reading) Link to download hearing in its entirety. At this point in time, one would have to be living under a rock, severely intellectually challenged, or frighteningly indebted to Pharma to deny that we are in the midst of an autism epidemic. CA Senator Richard Pan, a public figure, is not living under a rock, which leaves the remaining two possibilities. On Feb. 28, 2018, a Joint Hearing for Special Education Finance in CA was held. Partners in SB277 crime, Senators Richard Pan and Ben Allen, were both in attendance. In the midst of plentiful, pleading, and powerful testimony from many involved in CAs public school system with regard to the dramatic and alarming increase in autism up and down the state for the past 10-15 years, corroborated by Ryan Andersen of the Legislative Analysts Office, Senator Pan interjected to clarify that they are all wrong. He clarified that there is no increase in autism, not in CA, nor elsewhere. To repeat, to take such a preposterous stance when the autism epidemic is self-evident at this point in time (with even the incompetent and corrupt CDC reporting that 1 in 36 American children has autism), one would have to be living under a rock, severely intellectually challenged, or frighteningly indebted to Pharma. Pans insistence that autism rates have always been 1 in 36 defies the research coming from the institution at which he used to teach, UC Davis. A 2009 study by researchers at UCDs MIND Institute found that the humongous increase in the incidence of autism is real, is not due to how autism is diagnosed or counted, and shows no sign of abating. This study was published in the January 2009 issue of Epidemiology. Pan dug himself further into his hole of lies as he referenced a growing body of research showing that the increase in autism rates is due to difference in diagnosis and changes in the DSM. The only research from this growing body that he could then cite was a laughable and completely unscientific 2009 study from England which Dr. Carol Stott and John Stone ripped apart from start to finish, summarized here. For his coup detat, both of imbecility and offensiveness, Pan basically accused school districts of over identifying special education students in an effort to secure more funding, which is moronic because school districts statewide, nationwide, and worldwide are drowning in the costs of special education. Identifying special education students means having to provide services for them, services that are costly. In reality, school districts have a financial disincentive to identify special education students. Despite that fact, Pan stated, in his native tongue of gibberish, One of the things that seems to come up a lotwe heard it from the LAO presentation, we also in some of the other policythey keep saying that, Well, what we are worried about is that we actually pay for the needwere gonna incentivize more people, more kids, moving into special ed, and also theyre less likely to be mainstreamed. This was immediately scoffed at, countered, and corrected by the next 2 women who testified. If Pan truly believes that school districts, in cahoots with parents and licensed professionals, are purposefully misdiagnosing students as needing special education services when in fact they dont, with the express purpose of the school district enriching itself at the expense of the child, who might then be placed into a segregated classroom and subjected to unneeded therapies,THAT IS A VERY SERIOUS CHARGE. As such, his first and top priority should be to start an immediate investigation into the abuse of these children. DIMDEX 2018 Doha, 14 March 2018 Qatar has signed a contract for the purchase of 28 NH90 military helicopters, during DIMDEX, Qatars biennial defence exhibition. The agreement, which includes 16 NH90s in tactical transport (TTH) configuration and 12 NH90s in naval (NFH) configuration, will support the countrys plan to modernise their military helicopter fleet. As part of the plan, Qatar will receive 16 H125 light single-engine helicopters in training configuration for operation by the Qatar Armed Forces Air Academy. We are honoured to support the Qatar Armed Forces through this strategic partnership, said Ben Bridge, Executive Vice President Global Business at Airbus Helicopters. The NH90 is a modern and combat-proven asset that will meet Qatars demanding operational requirements for decades to come, both in troop transport and naval missions. Our partnership on the new training academy will also strengthen the relationship between our countries by enabling the exchange of expertise and know-how in helicopter operations, he added. Leonardo will act as prime contractor for the programme management with the end customer and Airbus will be responsible for the final assembly and delivery of 16 NH90 TTH aircraft from its facility in Marignane, France while Leonardo will be responsible for final assembly and delivery of the 12 NH90 NFH helicopters from its Venice Tessera facility in Northern Italy. The NH90 is well suited for operations in the most demanding conditions and has been combat-proven in many theatres of operation worldwide. This contract for 28 helicopters brings the total order book to 543 aircraft. To date, 350 aircraft have been delivered to 20 customers in 13 countries and have accumulated around 170,000 flight hours. The twin-engine, medium-size NH90 helicopter program is managed by the consortium NHIndustries, a company owned by Airbus Helicopters (62.5%), Leonardo (32%), and Fokker (5.5%). About Airbus Airbus is a global leader in aeronautics, space and related services. In 2017 it generated revenues of 67 billion and employed a workforce of around 129,000. Airbus offers the most comprehensive range of passenger airliners from 100 to more than 600 seats. Airbus is also a European leader providing tanker, combat, transport and mission aircraft, as well as one of the worlds leading space companies. In helicopters, Airbus provides the most efficient civil and military rotorcraft solutions worldwide. At a time when family-owned bulk oil distribution firms are becoming scarcer, Chattanooga-based Hunter Oil Co. stands out. Now in its third generation under family leadership, the company is looking to continue its expansion in Alabama and through the Southeast. The Birmingham market is the company's fastest growing sector, Company President Charlie Hunter said. Hunter Oil is looking to make acquisitions in Alabama and Tennessee, and it plans to open a fifth distribution center somewhere in the Southeast later this year. "We see it as a good opportunity to grow," Hunter said of the current business climate. "Our service levels have increased despite people consolidating around us. Some of that is because we've demonstrated our versatility, and making sure our customers are taken care of." Hunter Oil started in 1957 in Chattanooga with Hunter's grandfather, Jim, who sold an oil additive to truck stops around the city out of his station wagon. After he heard about a popular diesel engine oil asked for in various places, he wrote the California company that made it, asking to become a distributor. Jim and his wife Margaret borrowed money to get Hunter Oil up and going. They stored their inventory inside their one-car garage. But as the economy of Chattanooga began to transition, the company began looking beyond its familiar home base. Two generations later, it added a distribution point in Knoxville, then looked south. In September 2014 Hunter Oil established a third distribution facility just north of Birmingham, and less than two years later, a fourth in Evergreen, doubling its footprint in state. Now Hunter serves five states with Conoco, Kendall, 76, Phillips 66, Castrol Automotive, Castrol Heavy Duty, Spectra, and Private Label oils, with passenger vehicle engine oils, heavy duty, industrial and lubrication, filters and absorbent products. It has national service contracts with Honda, Volkswagen, Audi, Volvo and others. Ramsey White remembers how the operation in Alabama began. He was hired more than four years ago and is now the company's sales consultant for Alabama. When he started, he was the only employee in state. Since then, business has increased five fold. "No one knew who we were, and we had 12 other competitors selling the same type of product," White said. "With growth has come a lot of challenges, but we've reinvested heavily, bought new trucks, trailers and hired additional people. We've had a huge influx of business, and we've found ways to become more efficient." White said Hunter Oil has been working with technology to manage business, reading oil tanks remotely through cellular devices and using inventory control systems. "We listened to our customers," White said. "We helped them grow their businesses." For more information, visit the website. TrimTab Brewing Co. has weathered growing pains over the past year to make a big push - the Birmingham brewery is expanding into markets in Georgia. CEO/Co-founder Harris Stewart said varieties of TrimTab are authorized for purchase and will soon be available in Kroger, Ingles and Food City, with eyes on Publix. Within the next month, it should be available at retailers throughout the state, both inside the Atlanta perimeter and elsewhere statewide, with the exception of the Savannah area. Georgia markets await for an Alabama brewery. J&L Ventures will distribute outside the Atlanta area, while Liberator Distributing will handle the Atlanta area. The company is also looking for a full-time Georgia field sales rep to make connections, and is working with two distribution partners in the area. "Over the years, an increasing number of people would travel over from Atlanta to sample," Stewart said. "And we could tell from traffic on social media groups that there was interest. People were just asking when they could get our beers over there." What's available? There's the TrimTab IPA and Paradise Now. There's also Cloud Hollows, the second beer in the Light Visions collection. Stewart describes it as a "Willy Wonka" beer - a New England IPA without bitterness that is triple dry hopped for a light taste. Rounding it out is Language of Thunder, an aged imperial stout. And the brewer also has plans on expanding into another big market before the end of summer. That's a contrast from last year, when TrimTab was having trouble keeping up with demand. "Our issue in the last year was our rampant capacity constraints," Stewart said. "We were essentially out of stock all year." Last year, TrimTab entered into a partnership with Abita Brewing Company out of Abita Springs, La., which allowed the company to expand its production. Not only has that opened up the company's ability to branch into other markets, but also to create. "It's freed us up, so in the last six months, we've been able to unleash the creativity of our brewers," he said. "We've had 12 unique canned beers that we've been able to get out. We've been able to push the envelope of particular styles and show that creativity in a more dramatic way." This weekend, the push will start with four beers available at the Suwanee Beerfest, the first of several appearances over the next few weeks. On the night his Broadway musical, "Escape to Margaritaville," opened on Broadway, Mobile semi-native Jimmy Buffett (he was born in Pascagoula, Miss., but grew up here) appeared on "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon." As he shared with Fallon, Buffett wrote the song "Margaritaville" - his only Top 10 hit - in six minutes: three before he boarded a plane in Austin, Texas, and three more when he arrived in Key West, Fla. The song, which came out in 1977, made Buffett a star but also gave him a theme for his business empire that includes albums, books, casinos, beer and now a musical and even retirement communities. Fallon praised Buffett for the Latitude Margaritaville concept for those 55 "and better," and Buffett was quick to correct him that they're designed for "active living," not retirement. "It's a continuation of fun, to me," he said. "People got very interested in actively living again with like-minded people." The first of these communities is being built in Daytona Beach, Fla., with another one on the way in Hilton Head, S.C., he said. Latitude Margaritaville will reflect the Parrothead beach-bum lifestyle with streets named Flip Flop Alley and a Fins Spa, he said. Likewise, "Escape to Margaritaville," which had its world premiere in the spring of 2017 and has since traveled to New Orleans, Houston and Chicago before debuting on Broadway, seems designed to indulge Parrotheads. The show's tagline is "More than a musical. It's a way of life." When Fallon asked Buffett what audiences can expect, he replied, "Fun. Pure fun. I think we need a little fun in the world today." The musical, written by Greg Garcia and Mike O'Malley and directed by Tony Award-winning Christopher Ashley, is playing an open-ended run at the Marquis Theatre in New York City, with an 1,800-room Marriott Marquis Hotel above it. Buffett said fans can participate in "vertical tailgating." "They can just tumble down into the theater," he joked. "Escape to Margaritaville" features songs from Buffett's repertoire including, of course, "Margaritaville," as well as "Fins," "Son of a Son of a Sailor," "A Pirate Looks at Forty," "One Particular Harbour" and "Cheeseburger in Paradise." The ushers trade their stuffy uniforms for Hawaiian shirts, audience participation is encouraged, and a deluge of beach balls are tossed to the crowd at the end of the show. "We're not going to the principal's office here," Buffett said. "We're going to Margaritaville. Let's just make it fun." A 38-year-old man was arrested early Friday in the sexual assault of a young child. Tuscaloosa sheriff's deputies and the Tuscaloosa Violent Crimes Unit responded about 4 a.m. to the 3600 block of Rice Mine Road on a report of the sexual assault, said Capt. Gary Hood. The victim was 10 years old. Hood said investigators processed the scene and interviewed suspect Juan Vazquez Cornelio, an undocumented immigrant from Mexico. The investigation led to a first-degree rape charge against Cornelio. Details about the assault weren't released, but the child was transported to Children's of Alabama hospital in Birmingham for evaluation. Cornelio is being held in the Tuscaloosa County Jail on $60,000 bond. A 24-year-old man is charged with a sex crime involving a teen girl. John David Coggins, 24, was arrested Thursday by the Etowah County Sheriff's Office. Investigators said the Gallant man is accused of raping a 14-year-old girl at a home on Smith Chapel Road in Boaz. Coggins was arrested after a family member of the victim alerted sheriff's officials. He is charged with second-degree rape. Under Alabama law, a person commits the crime of second-degree rape if, being 16 years old or older, he or she engages in sexual intercourse with a member of the opposite sex less than 16 and more than 12 years old. The person being charged must be at least two years older than the member of the opposite sex. Also, a person commits second-degree rape if he or she engages in sexual intercourse with a member of the opposite sex who is incapable of consent by reason of being mentally defective. It is a Class B felony. Coggins remains in the Etowah County Detention Center on $50,000 bond. As a condition of the bond, Coggins is not allowed to have any contact with a minor under the age of 18 years old. The Birmingham Police Department must foster community involvement and embrace diversity to help stabilize the city's 99 neighborhoods, according to a report from Mayor Randall Woodfin's transition team. Public safety is the most critical component to neighborhood revitalization. But before the city can revitalize its neighborhoods, it must stabilize its neighborhoods, said committee Co-Chair Herschell Hamilton. He said the city has demolished 1,700 houses in the last 10 years and has only built 400. "This is not sustainable," Hamilton said. More than 800 Birmingham residents took part in Woodfin's citizen-led transition process since he took office in November. This process involved a series of public input meetings and research on the part of the chairs of the five transition committees, which focused on: public safety and neighborhood revitalization, education and workforce development, entrepreneurship and economic development, transparent and efficient government and social justice. The mayor's transition team presented the culmination of their 100 days of work -- recommendations for change -- to Woodfin during a Thursday night event at Alabama Theater. Most of the recommendations presented aligned with the promises Woodfin made on the campaign trail. Read the full report here. Hundreds of Birmingham residents attended the event to learn what recommendations the mayor would implement. On Thursday, Woodfin said he is already being aggressive in neighborhood stabilization. He had previously announced that the city will demolish at least 125 houses in the next few months. "We need our citizens and our developers to come together over the next four years to help revitalize this city," Woodfin said. He said residents will have to take part in the Birmingham Land Bank Authority to purchase property in their neighborhoods. Public Safety Briefly mentioning the active shooter situation Wednesday evening at UAB Highlands Hospital, city hall Detective Ralph Patterson, who co-chairs this committee, said police officers need annual active shooter training. According to the transition team's report, titled "The Woodfin Way," transparency in recruitment and hiring in the police and fire department was recommended. "Integrity is essential in hiring good cops. Interpersonal communication skills are also vital in choosing the right candidates, and they must possess empathy and be effective in dealing with people," the report stated. "The city of Birmingham must offer a comprehensive compensation package. Pay and benefit packages are important for attracting officers. Benefits such as take-home cars, pay increases, comprehensive healthcare coverage and retirement packages influence an individual's initial decision to join a department and then stay with that department once they get some experience under their belt." The committee recommended the mayor's office, the city council and the police department create a police advisory board made up of local residents that represent a cross-section of the community. Education During Thursday's event, Woodfin committed to entering into a formal agreement to work with Birmingham City Schools based on the recommendations from his transition team. The committee stressed the importance of improving education from birth through college or career. "It is our responsibility to start early," Birmingham City School Superintendent Lisa Herring said, of educating children. "If we do that well, we can ensure our Pre-K children are ready for kindergarten and that in the years to follow our kindergarten students are ready and reading at the third-grade level. The school system also has a responsibility to provide Birmingham with students with the option to choose between college and career, Herring, who co-chaired the education and workforce development committee, said. The committee recommended creating a "Promise Scholarship" program where eligible Birmingham City Schools high school graduates would receive assistance attending one of two community colleges in Jefferson County. While he supports "Promise Scholarships," Woodfin said making vocational and technical training more accessible to city students is going to be a priority. He said it is important to give students this option. Birmingham resident Janice Washington said she appreciated Woodfin's transparency. "I think historically Birmingham has been a city that made great changes for good," she said. "I don't think that should stop now." She said the best way to make sure the city is running properly is to do a thorough evaluation. She said it puts this is a positive starting point for the mayor. Washington said she is glad to see a real plan to make sure students have an opportunity to have confidence in entering the workforce or college and not have "finances be a barrier to success." Syrenthia Fowler, who works as a substitute teacher in Birmingham City Schools, said the mayor is doing a great job in working with the school system. She is glad to see a focus on building workforce development including opportunities for students to go to a technical school to learn a trade. Economic Development Overwhelmingly residents surveyed said the biggest barrier to starting a business in Birmingham was obtaining a business license, said Annie Allen, who co-chaired the entrepreneurship and economic development committee. She said the process to obtain a business license has to be streamlined and involve cooperation between city departments. The majority of Birmingham residents are black, but Allen said the city doesn't track the number of women or minority-owned businesses. Woodfin said he is recommending making the Mayor's Office of Economic Development a department and renaming it the Department of Innovation and Economic Opportunity. Josh Carpenter, who co-chaired the committee, said putting people first is more than a slogan, it is an economic strategy. He said the city is growing, but they have found that too many people are still hurting. "There are too many people who haven't felt the opportunities in their neighborhoods and their backyards, Carpenter said. He said too many people are still finding it difficult to find a job in Birmingham. "We firmly believe that Birmingham can be the best place in the world to change the world because it already has been, Carpenter said to Woodfin, "but in order to do that we have to lay the groundwork for your vision." Moving forward, Carpenter said the city has to have inclusive growth and foster innovation. Transparent and Efficient Government Committee Co-Chair Daniel Coleman said overall the city's finances are in good shape, but there's a lack of investment in the city's infrastructure. He said the city's pension fund has been underfunded for nearly 10 years. "That is the bad news," Coleman said. "The good news is that these holes aren't so big that they can't be filled up." Woodfin said many of the recommendations made by this committee will be addressed in the performance assessment which will be completed this spring. He said the city has largely been delivering services to residents in the same way for 30 to 40 years, and some things need to change. For example, he said 311 needs to be improved so residents know the process and receive updates on their complaint or issue. Woodfin said the city is working to improve transparency through a partnership with OpenGov, a virtual dashboard that makes city finances, community development efforts, and many other data-intensive initiatives much more visible to the public. Birmingham business owner Daphne Finley said she appreciates Woodfin listening to what residents have to say. "I think they made some good steps in spending our tax dollars the right way," she said of Woodfin's first 100 days. She said she appreciates Woodfin being transparent and hosting Thursday night's event. Social Justice Based on recommendations from the social justice committee, Woodfin said he will form the Mayor's Office of Social Justice and Racial Equity. He said this office will be formed in the next 100 days. He said the city needs once again to be a "beacon of hope" in social justice. "In order to protect that legacy and build on it we are going to need to put resources into issues such as sustainability and environmental protection, health equity, LGBTQ, cultural exposure and racial justice," Woodfin said. Teams of searchers will fan out over the several Birmingham neighborhoods Saturday in search of a Carver High School senior who vanished five weeks ago. Daniel Rickett, 17, was last seen on Thursday, Feb. 8. "It's very stressful,'' said Devin Rickett, his 19-year-old brother. "I haven't been getting any sleep." Family and friends are asking for volunteers to help in their search. They plan to walk the streets of Fountain Heights, Druid Hills and surrounding areas. The search will begin at 11 a.m. at the Fountain Heights Recreation Center located at 1101 15th Avenue North. A $2,500 reward for information on his whereabouts is now being offered by a private citizen. "It's been really tough,'' Devin Rickett said. "Please help us bring home my baby brother and ease my family's agonizing sorrow." One of five children in a close-knit family, he had spent some time with his older sister that day and then they went their separate ways in the 1100 block of 12th Court North. "We haven't seen him since,'' said Devin Rickett, a student at Alabama State University. Daniel Rickett had eye surgery on the day before he disappeared and is supposed to be on a list of medications. The family said it is not like him to disappear. Daniel Rickett is scheduled to graduate in May, and then has plans to try to join the United States Air Force like his father, who is now retired from the service. Devin Rickett said his brother's disappearance is wearing on the family. "You think about everything,'' he said. "Maybe he's out there and being tortured. Or he could just walk up anytime. You just don't know." Police have previously said Daniel Rickett could be in danger of physical harm. He is considered an endangered missing person. Daniel Rickett is described as a black male. He is 5-feet, 6-inches tall and weighs about 135 pounds. Anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to call Birmingham police Family Services detectives 205-297-8413. How are robotics competitions like engineering? Listen to an aerospace engineer explain it from pit row at the international robotics competition sponsored by NASA at Huntsville's Von Braun Center this week. "You get a budget, but you don't have as much money as you want," Kate Caldwell said Thursday. "It (the robot) doesn't work just like you thought it would. You have to make modifications to it." And you have to design, build and modify as a team. "It's as close an approximation to real world engineering as you can get," Caldwell said. "It definitely set in that I want to be an engineer," agreed South Carolina 11th grader Austin Bercume a few booths away in the pit area. Bercume and his team from Laurens, S.C., were working the bugs out of a computer program that controls their robot when they stopped to talk to a visiting reporter. The pits are open to visitors. Both the Grissom and Laurens teams are competing in the FIRST Robotics Competition Rocket City Regional today and Saturday. It's free and it's fun to watch as robots the size of washing machines score points by grabbing and manipulating "power cubes" the size of milk crates. The 46 teams in the competition have designed the robots over a six-week "build season" that starts with the arrival of identical parts kits. Using mentors, volunteers and sponsors for help, the high-schoolers design and build the best machines they can. There are about 500 teens involved from as far away as Brazil. Friday is when things get serious. It's qualifying day, and top qualifiers compete Saturday. This is the third year the regional meet has been in Huntsville, and the next stop is global competition. Two Piedmont teenagers were charged with making a terrorist threat this week, according to the Piedmont Police Department. Around 8:30 p.m. Monday, a parent notified Piedmont police about a possible threat. Police arrested and charged a 13-year-old male with making a terrorist threat just before 10 p.m. the same night, police said. The 13-year-old was taken to Coosa Valley Detention Center. Piedmont High School staff reported a possible threat to police around 3 p.m. Wednesday. Around 6:15 p.m., Michael Glenn McFry, 18, was arrested and charged with making a terrorist threat, police said. McFry was taken to the Calhoun County Jail. He is set to appear in court April 19, police said. Two women were killed in head-on collision on Highway 91 Thursday morning, according to the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency. Natasha Nicole Byrd, 31, of Hanceville, was killed when the KIA Spectra she was driving crossed the center line and collided head on with a Hyundai Sonata on Highway 91, troopers said. Michelle Denean Hicks, 45, of Hanceville, was driving the Sonata. Both women were pronounced dead on the scene, troopers said. The crash happened about four miles south of Holly Pond at 7:52 a.m. Thursday. Additional details about the crash were not immediately available. Troopers are still investigating the crash. A sheriff's deputy shot a mentally-ill man who approached police with a knife Thursday afternoon in Marion County, state investigators say. The sheriff's office and Hamilton police officers were serving an involuntary commitment order at a home on the 200 block of Robin Road when the incident happened around 1:30 p.m., said Capt. Jonathan Winters, a State Bureau of Investigation spokesman. Hamilton is a small town in northwest Alabama near the Mississippi state line. "At some point after the officers arrived at the residence, the subject they were attempting to locate approached them while armed with a knife," Winters said in a news release. "A brief altercation occurred and one of the deputies discharged his firearm causing nonfatal injuries to the subject." Sheriff's deputies around Alabama are tasked with serving court-ordered commitment papers for mental health patients. The man was taken by ambulance to North Mississippi Medical Center-Hamilton then transferred by helicopter to North Mississippi Medical Center-Tupelo. Winters told AL.com he expects to release the man's identity later today. The man's condition wasn't immediately available. State investigators are probing the case at the request of Marion County Sheriff Kevin Williams. Further details weren't immediately available. The sheriff couldn't immediately be reached. Pay raises for education employees and state employees got approval today in the Alabama Legislature. Gov. Kay Ivey, who included the raises in her budget proposals, could sign them into law. For state employees, that would mean their first cost of living increase in 10 years. State employees would get a 3 percent cost of living increase under a bill by Sen. Clyde Chambliss, R-Prattville. The raise will cost about $57 million a year, about $14 million of which will come from the General Fund, according to the fiscal note. Employees in Alabama's K-12 schools and community colleges would get a 2.5 percent increase under a bill by Rep. Bill Poole, R-Tuscaloosa. The raise will cost $102 million a year, according to the fiscal note. Legislators still have to give final approval to the education and General Fund budgets that support the raises. That could come next week. Happy St. Patrick's Day! March 17, 2018 is St. Patrick's Day. Officially, the holiday is the observance of the death of St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland, though in recent years it has turned into a celebration of Ireland and Irish culture in general. St. Patrick was born in Britain but kidnapped and brought to Ireland as a slave at age 16. He later escaped and returned to Ireland to spread Christianity to its people in the 5th Century. Legend holds it that Patrick died on March 17, 461. Today, St. Patrick's Day is marked by parades, parties and a celebration of all things green, in honor of shamrocks, the three-leaved plant used by St. Patrick to explain the Holy Trinity. Restaurants, bars join in St. Patrick's Day fun There are plenty of ways you can enjoy discounts, freebies and special offers this St. Patrick's Day. Here are some of the best offers and, as always, check with your local store to make sure they are participating: Enjoy a small mint chocolate shake for a limited time. The mint chocolate shake is topped with Andes candy pieces. Bar Louie is hosting an all-day St. Patrick's Day celebration on March 17 with green beer and whiskey shots will be on tap. Stop by participating stores for a sample of the Mint Chip 'n Oreo Cookies Milkshake from March 17 from 3-7 p.m. Enjoy green bagels at Bruegger's through March 17. The chain is offering $2 off a big bagel bundle with this offer. Get the Lucky Jameson (an Irish spin on a margarita, made with Jameson whiskey) for $5 through the month of March. The chain is offering corned beef and cabbage dinner for $9.99 through March 17. Mint Oreo Blizzard is the flavor of the month at Dairy Queen. Enjoy green-frosted Mint Brownie Donuts for St. Patrick's Day. Those who celebrate with Dunkin and use the hashtags #DDLuckyDozen and #Sweepstakes on social media will have the chance to be one of 12 winners of a year's supply of doughnuts. One grand prize winner will receive a trip to the chain's headquarters and get to create their own doughnuts in the test kitchen. Edible Arrangements has St. Patrick's Day arrangements, including a box of chocolate-dipped strawberries drizzled with green chocolate. Enjoy a shamrock box or an Irish stout cupcake through March 17. Krispy Kreme is offering its original glazed donut with green glaze. McDonald's is offering its Green Shamrock Shake for a limited time at participating locations. March 17 is also National Corndog Day and Sonic will offer 99 cent corndogs all day long. TGI Fridays is offering Pot 'O Gold Jameson Irish Mule, rainbow shots, and more through March 18. Offers.com has some more St. Patrick's Day discounts from retailers: Claire's - St. Patrick's Day accessories are 50 percent off. The sale is online only and includes St. Patrick's Day earrings, crowns, beads, scarves, false nails and more. Blarney.com - Shamrock jewelry is 20 percent off. The sale includes pendants, necklaces, earrings, pocket watches and more. Gourmet Gift Baskets - Get 10 percent off St. Patrick's Day gift baskets plus free shipping with coupon code GREEN. Groupon Getaways - Through March 23, get 30 percent off an 8-day vacation package to Ireland. The package includes round-trip airfare from several major U.S. cities, accommodations and car rental. Various departure-date options are available for the spring and fall. Guinness - Engraved and monogrammed glassware are 20 percent off at the Guinness Webstore. Hot Topic - St. Patrick's Day merchandise is discounted up to 20 percent off. The sale includes clothing, accessories and green hair dye. Oriental Trading - St. Patrick's Day items are up to 50 percent off. the sale includes hats, accessories, party supplies and decorations. Party City - Get select St. Patrick's Day accessories and party supplies for $1 or less. Save even more on your next purchase by signing up for the Party City email list. Perfect Memorials - Get 10 percent off with the St. Patrick's Day Sale through March 17 by using promo code SPD18. The sale includes commemorative jewelry, urns, ornaments and more featuring Irish and Celtic symbology. Pier One Imports - St. Patrick's Day seasonal gifts are 20 percent off through March 15. The sale includes decorative plates, wreaths, leprechaun figurines and shamrock towels. Spencer's - Buy one, get one 50 percent off on St. Patrick's Day tees, tanks and accessories. Sale runs until March 18. Clay Martin has been coming to Leos once a month since his first semester in college, Fall 2015, for his sweet and sour Greek slice. Topped with feta cheese, banana peppers and olives, the Greek has been Martins favorite slice since the beginning. I plan on buying a full Greek pizza on the day theyre done, he said. Its been my go-to, I cant do it a disservice at the end. That day might be closer. UF announced it will replace Leonardos Pizza By the Slice with a new School of Music. UF spokesperson Margot Winick wrote in an email that the roughly 120,000-square foot building will include a recital hall and parking. The construction date is to be determined, and she does not know when Leonardos will close. The restaurant remains open for business. Winick said UF already renewed Leonardos lease for another year and might renegotiate to extend it again. We at UF are all big fans of Leonardos Pizza, she said. But for Martin, 20, its not just about the pizza, its about the place. You can eat a piece of pizza in your bedroom, or you can eat a piece of pizza in a cool place with cool people, he said. His four friends erupted in laughter with him. The UF architecture junior said theres no other place for him and his friends to go. Leos legacy is coming on an off day with some close friends, reading the newspapers on the wall, looking at the skateboards and letting pizza take all your problems away, he said. The UF Foundation bought the restaurant, at 1245 W University Ave., in August 2016, according to Alligator archives. The university also owns Kangaroo Express gas station next to the restaurant. The building is estimated to cost $55 million, Winick said. The university secured $6 million from last years state legislative session and will seek more legislative funding in the future. The current School of Music building will likely be repurposed for faculty offices or UF programs, she said. Enjoy what you're reading? Get content from The Alligator delivered to your inbox Subscribe Now Although he doesnt want to see his favorite pizza place go, UF School of Music director Kevin Orr is excited for the new building. Orr said the new location will make the schools free concerts more accessible to the Gainesville community. The current music building, which opened in 1971, has inefficient air-conditioning and heating systems, which make the schools climate difficult to control, he said Thats terrible for the millions of dollars worth of instruments inside this building, Orr said. Brian Johnson, one of the owners of Leonardos, said he hopes to stay on the corner of university for as long as possible, but plans to reopen at another location when closing day comes. Johnson said that even in a new location, Leonardos will be the same. But it will be the end of the original location. The product would be the same, the equipment would be the same, the staff would hopefully be the same," he said, "but its definitely going to be the end of a legacy." Contact Amanda Rosa at arosa@alligator.org. Follow her on Twitter at @AmandaNicRosa. Contact Christina Morales at cmorales@alligator.org. Follow her on Twitter at @Christina_M18. Edgar Hathaway, shift manager at Leonardos Pizza by the Slice, puts tomatoes on a pizza in 2010. Perhaps youre just a plebeian, going in and out of the Reitz Union and Southwest Recreation Center, showing up to various general body meetings of clubs and riding the bus. Maybe youre a power user of Student Government services, taking advantage of our schools free New York Times subscriptions and subsidized late-night Uber services (Google UF Safe Rides if you dont know what Im talking about, and thank me later). SG and the services it provides are ubiquitous and useful. Its also kind of wild, too; where else in the world do 20-somethings manage a $20 million budget? As students, inside and out of SG, we have a lot of power. Think about the big conversations weve had this year about access to mental health counselors and free menstrual hygiene products. Progress ultimately came about after students spoke in support of the initiatives during Student Senate meetings. Progress can be complicated, however. As a two-term senator, Ive had my fair share of getting lost in the confusing bureaucracy of not only our SG, but also the greater UF administration. As a result of the complicated process of getting things done, sometimes there is misinformation and misdirected rage where there doesnt have to be. We need more transparency and more engagement with the Student Body as SG officials, and it is along that line of thought that I came up with the idea of this column. I see this column as something dynamic, responsive and changing every week, depending on what is happening in SG. Sometimes this column will serve as an update for whats going on, while other times itll be the story behind an accomplishment or perhaps a Q&A. I cant tell you why you should care about SG, but at least I can tell you why I care. I also thought itd be fitting to introduce myself in my first column. My name is Zachariah Chou, and Ive had a passion for public service for as long as Ive known. That one annoying story that got repeated in all my college application essays talked about preschool-aged me professing my desire to become a missionary to my parents, only to have them respond by questioning why I dont instead try to be a politician? My skills would likely be put to better use toward the greater good, they contended. That led to a relatively early involvement in SG in middle school, which I continued throughout high school as well. When I knew I was coming to UF, I knew I just had to be a part of SG. I went online to The Alligator website and started reading about all the drama. I cant say I didnt know what I was getting myself into. I started my time here in UF during Summer B of 2016 and immediately started attending Senate meetings. At those meetings, I got to see just a small portion of the work that SG does and even from that I realized the enormous potential that exists within our SG to make a difference to every student on campus. Glossing over all the lovely partisan political drama, I got elected in the Fall as the first senator for Infinity Hall and was elected this past Fall as the senator for the Murphree Area. I love and stress over my role quite a lot, and while its given me more white hairs than Id like to say, it is helping people and making positive change that keeps me going. Enjoy what you're reading? Get content from The Alligator delivered to your inbox Subscribe Now What keeps you going? I daresay there is certainly some way SG intersects with what you care about. Maybe its a reason for you to care more about SG. Well see. Questions, comments or concerns? You can email me at: zchou@ufl.edu. Zachariah Chou is a UF political science sophomore and serves as the senator of the Murphree Area. His column focuses on Student Government. Editors note: Chou formerly worked as a paid photographer for the Alligator. As part of my many evening events this week, I am having dinner with the brothers of the Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity. Several years ago, SigEp was suspended from UF for hazing and drug use violations. It is hardly alone, neither at UF or other universities. Indeed, serious and often unlawful incidents related to hazing and drinking have left fraternities and sororities nationwide at a tipping point. Pennsylvania State University banned the Beta Theta Pi Fraternity after 19-year-old Timothy Piazzas death due to extreme hazing and alcohol violations last year. Prosecutors have filed charges against 26 people. Louisiana State University suspended all Greek activities and banned the Phi Delta Theta chapter after freshman Maxwell Gruver died following a drinking and hazing incident. Police have filed charges against 10 people. Florida State University shuttered the Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity after the hazing death of 20-year-old Andrew Coffey last year. Police have filed charges against nine people. At UF, 22 percent of our undergraduates, or 7,584 students, are members of 65 Greek organizations on campus. Although, thankfully, we havent experienced a death tied to hazing or drinking at these organizations in recent years, we do have on average, in the past five years, one fraternity or sorority suspended every year for policy violations, usually involving hazing or alcohol. What Penn State, LSU and FSU experienced could occur here. How should we respond? Following the FSU incident, President John Thrasher received both national criticism and praise for his decisive actions in suspending all Greek activities, suspending consumption of alcohol on campus and launching a campus-wide initiative to reinvent Greek life at FSU. I stand with President Thrasher and all other leaders who are setting a higher standard for all students, particularly members of the Greek community. At UF, the Office of Student Affairs is working with the four UF Greek councils to seek to eliminate underage drinking, hazing and sexual violence, along with managing events with alcohol more effectively and adding more staff support. Amid these institutional efforts, fraternities and sororities also need to take it upon themselves to raise the bar. The good news is some already are. Enjoy what you're reading? Get content from The Alligator delivered to your inbox Subscribe Now In the past two years, SigEp, nationally and locally, has undergone a transformation. Policy changes remove pledging from membership and establish substance-free chapter houses as the fraternity standard. The fraternity has worked to establish what it calls the Balanced Man Program, which eliminates hazing and instills purpose, perspective, academic excellence, integrity, physical health and mental wellness. Other UF fraternities have undergone similar transformations. The Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. chapter at UF was suspended in 2012 for hazing charges. After restarting in Fall 2015, it won the National Chapter of the Year award in 2017. Although I have never been a member of a fraternity, I have come to appreciate the considerable value of the Greek community and the positive difference fraternities and sororities can have on their members as well as on the university overall. The Florida Greek community shapes the college experience of its members and contributes significantly to their personal development. The four pillars of Greek life at UF are scholarship, service, leadership and community. I see this lived out across our fraternities and sororities. At UF, our overall aspiration is that we will be a premier university that the state, nation and world look to for leadership. UF must lead in Greek life, particularly in being a model for the elimination of all alcohol and substance abuse, hazing, sexual assault, sexual harassment and racism. At this tipping point for fraternities and sororities, I call on all of us involved to make sure that Greek life at UF has a future. Kent Fuchs is the president of UF. His column is featured monthly. Kent Fuchs The UF Womens Student Association will host a self-care fair Friday on Plaza of the Americas to commemorate Womens History Month. The fair focuses on the importance of taking time to take care of oneself and how self-love and acceptance can drastically improve both mental and physical health. Alexandra Woodard, a 24-year-old Florida State University alumna, said she was looking for things to do while visiting Gainesville and was drawn to the events promotion of self-love in a time when society warns women that taking time to focus on oneself is selfish. Society is always telling women their focus should be on men or finding a man or even taking care of their kids, said Woodard. Women are running everything, but its still never about us. That in itself makes life kind of stressful for women, so I think we need more time to just focus on our own needs. The fair will include a variety of activities such as free yoga on the lawn, DIY lip and body scrub, learning how to make the perfect sleep kit taught by GatorWell Health Promotion Services and the chance to grab free face masks, tote bags, candles and more. Makayla Nicholas, an 18-year-old UF business management freshman, said the fact that she was on a tight college budget and couldnt normally splurge on skincare attracted her to the event. She also liked that it was more focused towards self-love and resting instead of just aiming to achieve nice skin and beauty standards. We can be so caught up in our day-to-day activities that we can forget how to take care of and truly love ourselves, Nicholas said. If we dont love who we are, not just based on how we love or our material possessions, we cant possibly be able to genuinely pour that love into our education, career, communities, families, friends, pets and others we interact with. Nicholas stresses how, especially with the pressure of classes and grades, taking just 15 minutes a day to set aside as me time can positively benefit our mental health and self-image. If we arent healthy, we wont be able to actively live and enjoy the lives we are trying to build, Nicholas said. Gainesvilles Pace Center for Girls, an organization that strives to provide young women the opportunity for a better future through education, counseling, training and advocacy, will be in attendance collecting hygiene products. For every hygiene product package you bring, you will be entered to win a raffle. Nicholas said that shes interested in helping out and applauds the organization for the work that they do. Its important that they are doing this because we need to help our young girls, take care of them, love them, educate them, mentor them and support them, Nicholas said. The free Womens History Month Self-Care Fair will be Friday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Enjoy what you're reading? Get content from The Alligator delivered to your inbox Subscribe Now The biggest drinking holiday of the year, St. Patricks Day, is just around the corner. Falling on a Saturday for the first time in nearly a decade, this years celebration of the Irish holiday is guaranteed to be one of the rowdiest to date. With no school or work to worry about, students and locals alike will be out in full force. So break out all the green gear your wardrobe has to offer; here are the best places to spend the holiday in Gainesville. Swamppatricks Day 2018 @ The Swamp Restaurant The Swamp Restaurants St. Patricks Day celebration may kick off the earliest of all: On Friday, March 16, the bar and restaurant will host their weekly Free Beer Friday with green beer and a green balloon drop at midnight. Along with Irish dancers at 5 p.m. and an annual bagpiper at 8 p.m. on St. Pattys itself, there will be green beer pitchers, $5 Irish car bombs, $15 lucky leprechaun liquor pitchers, Jell-O shots, Irish food and much more. St. Patricks Day @ First Magnitude Brewing Company First Magnitudes annual Clean Creek Revival, which benefits cleaning local creeks and waterways, also falls on St. Patricks Day this year. Starting at noon patrons can enjoy beers such as Time Out Irish Dry Stout, Irish Red Ale, Green Kiwi Sour, Mint Chocolate Stout and many more for a good cause. Irish bands Scuttured The Bruce and The Resonant Rogues will play from 4 to 7 p.m. and 8 to 11 p.m., respectively. Original Gainesville Food Truck Rally @ High Dive If youre still going strong by 5 p.m., the Original Gainesville Food Truck Rally also falls on St. Patricks Day this month. Enjoy food trucks, live music, a silent disco and more, with the event raising money for Habitat for Humanity. SOJA @ Heartwood Soundstage Trade in Irish jigs for soulful roots reggae with SOJA, a Grammy-nominated, eight-piece band thats made waves all around the world with smooth releases packed with passion. The show kicks off at 7 p.m. with supporting acts RDGLDGRN and Propaganajah opening. Tickets are available from $28 to $62 at heartwoodsoundstage.com/events. The Disco Ball St. Paddys Day @ The Backyard at Boca Fiesta & Palomino If youre somehow able to go through the night after a long day of partying, The Backyard is the place to be. Starting at 9 p.m., the bar will host The Disco Ball, a 70s and 80s themed event with funk, soul, disco and more from DJPFunk. Throwback outfits are encouraged. Entry is $5 at the door. Enjoy what you're reading? Get content from The Alligator delivered to your inbox Subscribe Now The Rector of St Johns in Port Dalhousie, Canada, the Revd Laura Marie Piotrowicz, is a member of the Anglican Communions delegation to the UN Commission on the Status of Women. In this blog post, she reflects on her experiences in New York yesterday (Thursday) and the need for us all to provide safe spaces. An inspiring activist shared an analogy of tight shoes today. She said that as children, whenever new shoes arrived, she would wear her sisters smaller shoes for a day or two. The purpose for this was to stretch them out a little bit, breaking them in, so that they would be more comfortably wearable for her sister. Despite any personal discomfort, she was, in her words, making more space. This seemed to be a theme in my very busy day. I attended six distinct sessions Thursday, and all of them had the intention of making more space for justice for those who were restricted in some way. In the regional caucus meeting, discussions were held about the need for making space for NGOs to communicate in meaningful ways with the negotiating countries: identifying spaces that are friendly, spaces that are less receptive, and spaces that have been removed (a distressingly increasing number). The impact of faith was predominant in a number of discussions: a panel shared experiences and perspectives on climate change; it aimed to highlight church efforts of making space for women, as they are disproportionately impacted negatively by human-influenced climate change. In another, faith agencies identified what might be possible for justice issues affecting women and girls after mainstream media have moved on, using examples of the Boko Haram atrocities which began the #BringBackOurGirls campaign (distressingly, nearly four years ago) and local trafficking concerns (any night in New York City, some 5,000 women and girls are being trafficked). We were challenged to find ways to make space for these issues to remain at the fore until they are fully resolved. A number of faith-based development organisations identified how working on cross-cutting themes, towards the Sustainable Development Goals, is making space for gender justice policies to become mainstream, thereby educating all people on gender equality to do things like dismantle the stigma of HIV/Aids and educate communities on ending dangerous traditions to stop the spread of diseases like ebola. Migrant workers discussed the injustices that they face on a regular basis, inviting support against the rampant abuse in the agricultural sector, including psychological, physical, and sexual abuses. The women told us how space was being made as they campaigned corporate buyers, 90 per cent of whom work under their new third-party fair food standards council, under which the workers earn 1 cent more per pound of tomatoes picked and have access and structure to report abuses should any occur. This has led to a decrease in challenges. Most of my energy, however, went into a session addressing the intersectionality of human trafficking and the #MeToo movement. A crowded area was a space in which several survivors of human trafficking bravely shared their experiences. The stories were devastating; from a five-year-old child raped (in front of her family), to a Harvey Weinstein victim, to a woman who escaped after 20 years of oppression and deals with the physical and psychological impacts of her harrowing experience. Her story will not be forgotten. The victims thanked the participants for giving them space to share their story; they asked us to be aware that others may need such space, and to advocate and be intentional about creating safe space. Human trafficking denies humanity, it commodifies a woman or girl into an object for purchase or rent (globally the average price to buy a human in 2017 was $90 USD (approximately 65 GBP)), it is anything but a victimless crime. And through the #MeToo movement, a voice is starting to be heard; a space is being made; a movement is demanding that the world eliminate the demand for this toxic evil in our culture. Any day when a woman or girl is trafficked is a day too many for this institutionalised violence. Indifference is the largest threat to society today (Ingibjorg Gisladottir). It was a heavy day; it was a long day. It was a day of eye-opening statistics and heart-gripping stories. People were gracious in sharing their narratives, their histories, their realities. They detailed the importance of having space made, of keeping space open, and encouraged that we all go out and make space. So how will you make space, for the equality of women and girls? What mild and temporary discomfort would you undertake in order that a woman or girl else might be more comfortable and safe? What actions might you undertake proactively to prevent harm to a sister in Christ? Whatever it might be, I pray we keep our eyes open for opportunities. Stretching a shoe is an easy piece of justice that makes the journey so much easier for us all. Posted on: March 16, 2018 11:35 AM Anglicans from the Diocese of Wellington are planning a series of protests against what is billed as New Zealands premier oil and gas event. The Petroleum Conference will take place from 26 28 March, when large numbers of delegates from across New Zealand and around the world come together to celebrate our petroleum industry, conference organisers say. Senior government officials, regulators, industry leaders, international experts and service providers will gather in Wellington as the industry comes together to celebrate its achievements. New Zealands oil and gas sector is poised for action and ready for growth, organisers say, exploration activity is progressing and there is genuine excitement about the opportunities available and the development underway. Strong international attention continues to be focussed on the country with its strong economy, stable policy settings, robust regulatory framework and strong potential for commercial hydrocarbon discoveries. But Kate Day, the Advocacy Enabler for the Diocese of Wellington, told the dioceses online news website Movement, that for the past few years, the Energy Minister has used this conference to announce block offers: New areas of New Zealand land and sea that they will offer for exploration for oil and gas. Last year, New Zealands energy minister Judith Collins used the conference to offered 481,735 square kilometres of New Zealand land and sea for petroleum company tenders. Despite the Prime Minister declaring that climate change is this generations nuclear-free moment, our new government has not ruled out further offers of land and sea to the petroleum industry for exploration, Day said. Exploring for new oil and gas is the first step towards extracting it and burning it, and that causes carbon emissions we cannot afford. When New Zealand signed the Paris Agreement, we agreed to play our part in reducing global emissions. To do this we cant burn existing fossil fuels, let alone mine for more. Mitigating climate change is essential for loving our global neighbours, caring for creation, promoting peace and stewarding our resources for future generations. Our climate is already changing, causing more storms, fires and droughts. It is our poorest global neighbours who will suffer most. The Diocese of Wellington has taken a number of action to mitigate climate change, including divesting from fossil fuels, tree planting, and the creation of a Climate Catalysts Network. As part of its protests against the conference, the Diocese is encouraging Christians to write to the countrys new energy minister, Dr Megan Woods, to urge her to rule out any new oil and gas exploration in New Zealand. They are also planning a number of events outside the conference venue. These include speeches, music and chalk art to coincide with the opening of the conference on 26 March; and the creation of arty prayer / reflection and reconciliation / confession spaces outside the conference venues. The reconciliation / confession space will provide an opportunity to invite strangers to hear us say sorry for the Churchs role in harming the environment, and invite them to share their own sorry if they wish, Day said. Posted on: March 16, 2018 4:54 PM Two kindergarten children have died after being attacked by a man wielding a machete at an Anglican school in Nigeria. Mubarak Kalesowo, and Sunday Obituyi were killed in the attack at St Johns Anglican Primary School in Agodo, Ogun State, on Monday. A suspect, Lekan Adebisi, was arrested on Wednesday after a search by local youth and a hunters association, and was handed over to police in Ogbere. Police Commissioner Ahmed Iliyasu said that Adebisi will shortly be charged. This week, 28-year-old Adebisi was paraded in front of journalists who asked why he had carried out the attack. I did not eat for two weeks and I went out to beg for money, he said, switching between English and Yoruba. Nobody gave me money. When I had money, I took care of family members, friends and even outsiders. It was due to frustration, it was due to frustration. When hunger gripped me and it became unbearable, I then thought about my life and I concluded and asked myself: what type of life am I living? It was a bad life, then I went and took cutlass and I was prepared to face the consequence. He told journalists that he used to teach children, earning 20 Nigerian Naira (approximately 0.04 GBP) per child. Posted on: March 16, 2018 11:45 AM The Revd Sereima Lomaloma, Ministry Officer in the diocese of Polynesia, and a trustee of the House of Sarah, writes about how the Church is taking a stand in Fiji, which has one of the highest rates of violence against women in the world. [Church Times, by Sereima Lomaloma] Fiji has one of the highest rates of violence against women in the world. Studies suggest that about two-thirds of women who have ever been in an intimate relationship have experienced physical and/or sexual violence. When emotional violence is included, the number rises to 74 per cent. From the age of 15, 31 per cent of women and girls were subject to physical or sexual assault by non-partners. Statistics from Tonga and Samoa are just as high. Globally, violence against women and girls is one of the most widespread human-rights violations, but one of the least-prosecuted crimes. Against this backdrop, the predominant perception is that the Church is an institution complicit, by silence, in the perpetuation of violence. The Church is not seen often enough speaking out and making a stand against violence against women, or proactively correcting misinterpretations of particular biblical texts used to justify physical abuse. Many look on the Church as a gatekeeper, a conservative force resistant to change or, worse, as denying that violence occurs within its own community. In the past seven years, the diocese of Polynesia, part of the Anglican Church in Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia, has been among the faith-based organisations in Fiji and Oceania in the forefront of advocacy for a stronger prophetic voice against this scourge. We believe that there is a gospel imperative to take action. (ANSA) - Rome, March 16 - Three Libyan ISIS militants were arrested in Libya Friday for kidnapping four workers from the Bonatti oil infrastructure engineering firm, two of whom later died in a fire-fight. The three have reportedly confessed, sources said. Fausto Piano, Salvatore Failla, Filippo Calcagno and Gino Pollicardo were kidnapped in Sabratha on July 19 2015. Piano and Failla died on March 3 2016 during a firefight while they were being moved by their captors. Calcagno and Pollicardo were freed. "I knew we were in the hands of ISIS," said Pollicardo on Friday. "The network (of kidnappers) is probably wider," he said. The three are accused of kidnapping with a terrorist aim aggravated by the deaths of two hostages. The three are already in jail in Tripoli on other charges. They are Youssef Aldauody, the driver of the vehicle carrying the Italians when they were abducted, and Ahmed Dhawadi and Ahmad Elsharo. They have reportedly confessed the four were taken hostage to get a ransom to fund the terror group. The trio have reportedly confirmed that no ransom was paid for the Italians. Another 10 people allegedly took part in the abductions, all of whom died in the firefight. Bonatti are an oil and gas international general contractor with 70 years of experience in the service of the oil and gas and power industries, according to their website. photo: Failla (L) and Piano, the two killed (by Paola Del Vecchio) Madrid - The streets of Madrid's multi-ethnic Lavapies district turned into a battleground on Thursday night following the death of a Senegalese street seller aged 35. At least 20 people sustained mild injuries in the violent clashes, including 10 anti-riot police. Meanwhile, 6 people including a minor were arrested for damaging property and resistance to a public official. The skirmishes began on Thursday evening after CD and DVD pedlar Mmame Mbage died of a heart attack following a police chase from Puerta del Sol to Lavapies, according to sources cited by agency Europa Press. The Senegalese community has blamed "outside anti-establishment groups" for the violence and called a gathering in memory of the victim at 6 pm local time in Plaza Nelson Mandela. Rome - Libya's military prosecutor Masoud Erhouma was abducted by an armed group on Thursday. Al Arabiya reports that Erhouma was kidnapped near his home in Tripoli. He joined Libya's government of national reconciliation in November 2017. Before becoming military prosecutor he served as defence minister in the interim government in eastern Libya. Tunis - The Italian naval ship San Giusto is in Tunisia for the second time as part of the European Union Naval Force Mediterranean - EUNAVFOR Med operation Sophia, of which the north African country is a partner. San Giusto is berthed in La Goulette. EU ambassador in Tunisia, Patrice Bergamini, and Sophia commander Rear Admiral Enrico Credendino, said at a joint press conference that the EU naval mission launched on May 18, 2015, served to combat migrant trafficking and save lives in the Mediterranean. "This second visit by San Giusto is the reflection of the excellent cooperation between the EU and Tunisia in the field of security," Bergamini said. Credendino recalled that the operation has been given two new missions: training the Libyan coast guard and monitoring and enforcing the arms embargo on Libya. "Roughly 188 coast guards have been trained as part of this mission," the rear admiral said. The training will continue until the end of the year, he added. ROME - A tense standoff continued on Friday concerning the Spanish NGO Proactiva's Open Arms ship, which on Thursday rescued 218 migrants. The Libyan Coast Guard ordered the ship to hand over the people it had rescued, including by threatening the use of force. ''For having refused to give the Libyans the migrants rescued,'' Proactiva founder Oscar Camps said, ''protocol prohibits us at the moment from landing in a European port.'' But the medical team, he stressed, ''has asked for the immediate evacuation of the people in the most serious condition onboard. We are in any case headed north.'' Regulations call for the authorities of the country that coordinated the rescue operation - Libya, in this case - to indicate the port of arrival, but Open Arms does not recognize the authority of the North African country. The country of the flag that the ship bears - Spain - has been asked to seek a solution. A three-month-old child in serious condition - dehydrated and suffering from scabies - on her mother were evacuated on Friday from the Proactiva Open Arms ship. ''Onboard,'' a tweet by the NGO stated, ''there are many women and children in critical condition.'' Over 100 civilians killed in Syria today Russia denies that it is bombing Ghouta (ANSAmed) - BEIRUT, MARCH 16 - Over 100 civilians were killed in Syria on Friday in bombing by the Syrian regime, Russians and Turks, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR). The NGO said that 64 people had been killed in opposition-held Eastern Ghouta by Syrian government forces with the help of allied Russian ones, while another 27 died in the Kurdish-majority area of Afrin, in the northwestern part of the country and under the control of the YPG militia, where since January 20 an offensive has been underway by Turkish special forces and allied Syrian opposition forces. The Russian defense ministry issued a statement denying that there have been any bombings by the Russian air force on Eastern Ghouta, reported the Interfax news agency. (ANSAmed). Beirut - Over 40 civilians have died over the last few hours in Russian and Syrian government air strikes against rebel-held Eastern Ghouta, the national observatory for human rights in Syria has said. Medical sources say cluster bombs and incendiary bombs have been used, but it is not possible to verify the reports independently on the ground. At least 18 civilians have died in Turkish airstrikes against the Kurdish enclave of Afrin in northern Syria, the national observatory for human rights in Syria (ONDUS) said on Friday. The NGO showed videos of lifeless bodies in an unspecified location in the city. Other press sources reported 20 civilian deaths, citing Kurdish Syrian forces dominated by PKK's local arm.The Turkish army has dropped pamphlets on the Syrian Kurdish enclave of Afrin inviting the YPG rebels to lay down their weapons, military sources say. Earlier, the Turkish army dropped pamphlets on Afrin inviting the YPG rebels to lay down their weapons, military sources say. "Surrender! A future of calm and peace awaits you in Afrin. Trust the hand we are holding out to you," read the pamphlets. In other written messages civilian residents, referred to as "our brothers of Afrin", are invited to stay away from the "terrorist positions" to avoid getting hit and not to be used as "human shields". Turkey also invites civilians to feel safe in evacuating the area "under the guarantee of its military". Turkey launched its offensive against the northern Syrian enclave in mid January. ANSAmed - Weekly diary from March 19 to March 25, 2018 (ANSAmed) - ROME, MARCH 16 - Weekly diary of the main events scheduled in the Euro-Mediterranean area from March 19 to March 25: MONDAY, MARCH 19 BRUSSELS - EU Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management Christos Stylianides will be receiving Abdullah Ayaz, deputy general director of migration management at the Turkish interior ministry. BRUSSELS - First Vice-President of the European Commission Frans Timmermans will be receiving Cypriot foreign minister Nikos Christodoulides. NAPLES - the 'Algeria and Italy Meet in Naples' initiative continues (until 26/3). Rachid Benhadj's 'Perfumes of Algiers' will be screened at the Palazzo di Arti, with photographs by Vittorio Storaro. TUESDAY, MARCH 20 STRASBOURG - The European Court of Human Rights will be publishing its ruling on appeals by two journalists imprisoned in Turkey. BRUSSELS - EU Donors Conference for a desalinization plant in Gaza, regular session of the international donor coordination group in support of the Palestinian economy, the Ad Hoc Liaison Committee (AHLC). WASHINGTON - US president Donald Trump will be meeting with Saudi crown prince Mohammed bin Salman. WEDNESDAY, MARCH 21 ROME - Palazzo Rondinini, 2:30 PM: CONFERENCE ENTITLED 'EU-Turkey Cooperation in the Eastern Mediterranean'. TUNIS - inauguration of the new Cite de la Culture. TUNIS - festival of films in honor of Claudia Cardinale with the Italian actress who was raised in Tunis as 'godmother' at the Tunisian national film archives (until March 25). THURSDAY, MARCH 22 ROME - Islamic Cultural Center of Italy, 5 PM: inauguration of the exhibition 'Lo Spirituale nell'Arte: Espressioni di Armonia tra le Fedi' ('The Spiritual in Art: Expressions of Harmony between Faiths'). FRIDAY, MARCH 23 NO MAJOR EVENTS SCHEDULED SATURDAY, MARCH 24 BRUSSELS - the EU will be hosting the second conference on the Syrian conflict with support for the UN-led political process (until 25/3). BELGRADE - anniversary of NATO bombing of Serbia. SUNDAY, MARCH 25 NO MAJOR EVENTS SCHEDULED. (ANSAmed). TUNIS - Ksours are "castles of the desert", ancient fortified villages characterizing North Africa, which was once where semi-nomads from the region would gather: ancient structured that inspired some scenography in Star War movies. Tunisia will draw attention to this attraction in its southern Sahara region with the 39th international Ksour Festival of Tataouine, which will be held from March 21 to March 24. The villages generally have homes and granaries dug into rocky hills or near oases or waterways for protection from attacks from nomadic tribes and for abundant harvests. At the center of these villages, on the top of the hill, there is normally a "Ksar": a fortified granary where food was stored to tide the community over during periods of drought. The oldest structures date back to the 12th century and some are still in use. These places are important for the civilization and history of southern Tunisia and are buildings that range between one and six floors and are built of blocks put on top of one another called "ghorfas". The Festival of the Ksour Saharien is a time when there are reconstructions of Bedouin and Berber life are made in the historic center of Tataouine. During the four days of the festival there is the chance to see traditional parades, camel runs and Berber art and crafts shows as well as take part in guided visits to the villages and evenings with traditional food. Tataouine is still one of the most picturesque cities of southern Tunisia, where the colonial past brushes up against mountainous landscapes. The uniqueness of this place that was able to resist modernization inspired George Lucas, the director of 'Star Wars'. Lucas shot many of the scenes in the saga in Tataouine, especially in some set in the native planet of Luke Skywalker, Tatooine, which took its name from the ancient Berber villages of Tataouine. Yesterday at the Doha International Maritime Defence Exhibition & Conference (DIMDEX), CAE was awarded a subcontract from Leonardo Helicopters to provide the Qatar Emiri Air Force (QEAF) with a comprehensive NH90 helicopter training solution. The contract is valued at more than C$150 million. The QEAF has signed a contract with Leonardo Helicopters to acquire a fleet of both NH90 tactical transport helicopters (TTH) and NH90 NATO frigate helicopters (NFH). CAE was selected by the QEAF to provide the comprehensive NH90 training solution, including training centre facility, suite of simulators and training devices, and training support services. "We are honoured to serve as the training systems integrator to lead the overall design and development of a comprehensive training solution for Qatar Emiri Air Force NH90 helicopters," said Ian Bell, CAE's Vice President and General Manager, Middle East/Asia-Pacific. "We will leverage our unmatched helicopter training and simulation experience to deliver a world-class training solution that cost-effectively prepares Qatar's NH90 pilots, aircrews, and maintenance technicians for mission success." CAE will lead the design and building of a new training centre facility in Qatar. Housed in the training centre will be a suite of training devices, including: CAE 3000 Series NH90 TTH full-mission simulator; CAE 3000 Series NH90 NFH full-mission simulator; NH90 NFH rear-crew trainer for training tactical coordinators (TACCO) and sensor operators, and capable of networking with the full-mission simulators to provide full-crew mission training; CAE Simfinity NH90 integrated procedures trainers for the TTH and NFH configurations; NH90 winch and door gunner trainer; NH90 virtual maintenance training system (VMT) classroom. Following delivery of the training centre facility and NH90 training devices in 2021, CAE will commence providing training support services, including classroom and simulator instructors. CAE will also design and develop a Tactical Control Centre to be used for managing networked mission training exercises. The CAE 3000 Series NH90 full-mission simulators, which will be certified to Level D, the highest qualification for flight simulators, will feature a range of CAE's core simulation technologies. These technologies include: six degree-of-freedom (DOF) electric motion system and high-performance vibration platform to replicate vibration cues critical to helicopter pilots; a high-fidelity CAE Medallion-6000XR visual system; and a direct projection 220-degree by 88-degree extreme field-of-view dome display. The NH90 simulators will also feature the Open Geospatial Consortium Common Database (OGC CDB) architecture, an international standard for the creation of synthetic environment databases. This common database software and standardization will enhance synthetic environment database re-use and interoperability across the Qatar Armed Forces. The United Arab Emirates has aspirations that are literally out of this world when it comes to its space industry. In fact, as Steve Nichols reports, it has its eyes firmly fixed on Earths nearest neighbour Mars. The UAE has declared that it aims to establish the first inhabitable human settlement on the Red Planet by 2117. The Mars 2117 project is set to be developed and executed in partnership with major international scientific research institutions. But why Mars and why now? His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, vice president and prime minister of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Dubai, said: An Arab official once asked me about the target the UAE wanted to achieve from launching the first Arab probe to Mars. I told him, we want to send a message of hope to 350 million Arabs that we are capable of reclaiming our future. Sarah Amiri, UAE Mars mission deputy project manager at the UAEs Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC), and the recently appointed minister of state for advanced sciences, said that Earth and Mars have a lot in common, so understanding Mars is a vital step to understanding our own world. But there is a lot to be done before Emiratis can set foot on the planet. Announced in 2014, the Hope Mars probe will launch in July 2020, arriving at the Red Planet seven months later after a journey of more than 60 million kilometres. It should arrive in time for celebrations that will mark the 50th anniversary of the UAEs foundation. Once in orbit, Hope, which was named after a public campaign, will explore the Martian atmosphere using scientific instruments that include visible, infrared and ultraviolet spectrometers. Its data should help scientists build a holistic model of the planets daily and seasonal cycles, and may explain why Mars lost a lot of its atmosphere to space. Doctor David Brain, of the University of Colorado, said that understanding the Martian atmosphere better will go a long way to helping us predict conditions on up to 100 billion other planets in the Milky Way. We dont know much about the early life of Mars, but we do know that its atmosphere is now 95% toxic carbon dioxide at minus 55 degrees Celsius on an average day. The planets low pressure means liquid water cant exist for more than a few minutes. But making Hope a success wont be easy. MBRSC has to hit its launch target precisely if the spacecraft is to rendezvous with the Red Planet. Missing the deadline will mean the Earth and Mars will be moving away from each other, making the journey even more complex, or downright impossible. Mars missions are statistically some of the hardest to accomplish. NASA figures show that 50% of them over the past 50 years have ended in failure. Many of these have occurred on missions that took upwards of 10 years or more to plan and design. So there is no room for complacency, especially as the UAE will have only had six years from conception to getting Hope into orbit around Mars. There is also a wider goal behind both the Hope mission and Mars 2117 project to inspire and develop youngsters in the UAE to become the next generation of scientists and engineers. The Mars 2117 project is the final step in a long line of Mars-based science projects that include Hope and the building of a Dubai-based space habitat to simulate how the colonisation of Mars could work. Omran Sharaf, project manager, Emirates Mars mission, MBRSC said: Naming our 2021 probe mission to Mars Hope sends an inspiring message to our young people. If we can reach Mars within 50 years you can do so much more than that. There are 100 million young people in the Arab region. You can either emigrate, which doesnt help the region, or stay and help us develop. The Mars 2117 project says to our scientists and engineers that we can guarantee you a job for 100 years. He said that, in the past, the UAE has invested a lot in developing engineers, but there were fewer opportunities for scientists. These occupations complement each other, Sharaf said. A creative and knowledge-based economy needs both. Since Mars 2117 was launched, we have had a team devoted to science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education. We have three universities now offering space and science courses and are seeing students opting for that over business courses. HE Dr Ahmad Belhoul, minister of state for higher education and advanced skills and chairman of the UAE Space Agency, said: We are now seeing rising interest in youngsters wishing to study STEM subjects. We recently held an event to encourage youngsters to think about STEM-based careers and had a target to try and attract 400 people. We eventually had more than 2,000 people attend. The momentum for STEM is there. Sharaf agreed, adding that the successful colonisation of Mars would need secure supplies of food, water and energy. These are also exactly what we need in the UAE, so there is much cross-fertilisation. Whatever technology is developed for the Mars mission will benefit us as well, he said. And, although the manned colonisation of Mars is still around 100 years away, the UAE is already planning how its explorers might survive in the hostile environment they will find on the Red Planet. MBRSC has unveiled plans to build Mars Science City a space habitat on Earth to mimic what life would be like on a manned mission to Mars. The habitat, which will comprise a series of futuristic domes, is to be built next to MBRSC in Dubai and include a visitor centre and space museum. Work on the AED500 million ($136m) Mars Science City has already started and will be completed in less than two-and-a-half years. The project includes specialised science laboratories for food, energy and water, as well as agricultural testing and studies about future food security. It will also contain a Mars museum. Salem Humaid Al Marri, MBRSCs assistant director general for the science and technology sector, said: The habitat will be able to support humans living in it in isolation for up to 12 months. It is a unique project and will form part of the Mars 2117 project to transport people to the Red Planet and establish the first mini city in the next century. The city will sprawl across 177,000sqm and will explore and feature new ways to manage food, energy and water. UAE Prime Minister, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, described it as an extraordinary national project. It will also feature walls made with 3D printed sand gathered from the Emirates deserts. Reports say that researchers hope to build on work already completed on space agriculture involving plants such as lettuce, strawberries, and tomatoes three foods already shown to have thrived when grown in space. Al Marri said that he could envisage the first real habitats being delivered to Mars in the 2040-2050 timeframe. But why do we need to leave Earth in the first place? Speaking at the Dubai Air Show, Apollo 15 astronaut, Al Worden, said of Mars 2117: A trip of a thousand miles starts with a single step. The Sun will have burned all its fuel sometime in the future it will happen. Were going to have to find a liveable planet somewhere for when we cant live here any more. Mars 2117 is a mission for the whole world. The way we will get to Mars is to build on the work of people who are still youngsters today. The whole of humanity must unite for this task, which is a unique and worthwhile challenge. Latest News Inmarsat launches new customer experience platform for airlines Inmarsat has launched its innovative new OneFi customer experience platform for airlines. Emirates ramps up US flights from October Emirates is increasing flight frequencies to a number of US destinations from October. Qatar Airways scoops four gongs at Onboard Hospitality Awards 2021 Qatar Airways has been rewarded with four new accolades at the Onboard Hospitality Awards 2021 virtual ceremony, including the coveted Gold Winner for the Cabin Concept of the Year 2021. Etihad Airways and Talabat team up Etihad Airways and Talabat, the region's food delivery and q-commerce platform, have signed a region-wide MoU. The agreement will see the two organisations collaborate on a range of initiatives that will benefit both Etihad Airways FAI dedicates Global Express to ultra-long-range air ambulance operations FAI rent-a-jet, Germanys Special Mission Operator, has configured one of its seven Global Express aircraft (D-AFAM) as a dedicated air ambulance. The latest episode of, the bimonthly podcast in which Peter Marks, Elisabeth Vincentelli, and I talk about theater in America, is now available on line for listening or downloading. In this episode, Peter, Elisabeth, and I start things off by sharing our preliminary thoughts about the Broadway transfer of the National Theatre revival of Tony Kushners Angels in America, which all three of us will be seeing in the next few days. After that, were joined by Chris Jones, the Chicago Tribunes theater critic. Says the Three on the Aisle web page: The critics discuss the Broadway revival of Tony Kushners Angels in America, plus the new book about the making of the show, The World Only Spins Forward, by Dan Kois and Isaac Butler Then Chris shares his thoughts on Hamilton in Chicago and the non-NYC productions of the hit musical. Has its move across the country dampened the shows popularity, or is it as hard to purchase a ticket as ever? We wrap up the episode by talking about shows that weve seen in New York, London, and Chicago. Some of them we liked, otherswell, listen and learn. To listen, download the eighth episode, or subscribe to Three on the Aisle, go here. In case you missed any of the first seven episodes, youll find them all here. Other unions of Ola and Uber are also in support of the strike. Strike is expected to be observed in key cities like Mumbai, New Delhi, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Pune among other cities. Mumbai: Drivers of cab aggregators Uber and Ola have threatened to go on an indefinite strike from the midnight of March 18. The strike is expected to be observed in key cities like Mumbai, New Delhi, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Pune among other cities. "Ola and Uber had given big assurances to the drivers, but today they are unable to cover their costs. They have invested Rs 5-7 lakh, and were expecting to make Rs 1.5 lakh a month but are unable to even make half of this, owing to the mismanagement by these companies," Sanjay Naik of Maharashtra Navnirman Vahatuk Sena, who is organising the strike, told PTI on Friday. Naik further alleged that these taxi-hailing companies are giving first priority to company-owned cars rather than driver-owned vehicles, causing a slump in their business. While taxi-hailing companies offered loan-guarantee letters to drivers through the Mudra scheme and that too without any verification, they are defaulting on repayment now as their costs are not covered, he claimed. In Mumbai alone there are over 45,000 cabs on these aggrgators but due to the slump in business there has been a fall of 20 per cent in the number of cabs running on these platforms in the city. "If our demands are not met, we will go on an indefinite strike," he said, adding the drivers had approached MNS leader Raj Thackeray to intervene in the matter. Other unions of Ola and Uber are also in support of the strike, Naik said. "The transport department should take strict action as these taxi-hailing companies are violating permit conditions, and also encroaching on the taxi-rickshaw business. It is good they are going on strike," Al Quadros, general secretary, Mumbai Taximen's Union said. While Ola declined to comment, an Uber spokesperson said termed the strike call as a speculative. With this role, Rajkummar Rao has proved that he is ready for any kind of role on the spectrum of acting. Rajkummar Rao shares his experience of playing an antagonist in Omerta, based on British-Pakistani terrorist Omar Saeed Sheikh who was sentenced to death for killing Wall Street Journal reporter Daniel Pearl. Rajkummar Raos performances in Shahid, Trapped and Newton have won the actor much deserved acclaim and he is now ready to dazzle the audience with his performance in Omerta. Directed by Hansal Mehta, the film is based on British-Pakistani terrorist Omar Saeed Sheikh who was sentenced to death for killing Wall Street Journal reporter Daniel Pearl. With this role, Rajkummar Rao has proved that he is ready for any kind of role on the spectrum of acting. Speaking at the trailer launch of the film in the Capital, Rao shared his experiences of preparing for his role as an antagonist. There are some very scary videos out there. I watched them in order to feel the anger and get into my character Omar for Omerta. I hope that this film starts a dialogue and gives hope to the young people out there who probably are watching these videos, getting influenced and thinking of taking a different route, he said, adding, It took me some time to get out of this character. This film focuses only on the bad. There was no part of the character Omar that I could relate to. It was so different. While the actor is not shy to explore different roles, he admits that playing such dark characters can affect ones mental health, Yes, sometimes it becomes tough because you are juggling so many characters, especially characters like in Trapped or Omerta which can take a toll on your mental health. Thankfully, I have my loved ones around me always, and then I travel. I travel a lot. I try to rejuvenate myself with my travels, come back and start the next one. Rao has been working in films like Trapped where the entire focus is on him, as a central character. While such films can bring one a lot of acclaim, the criticism is also to be shouldered alone, so how does he deal with such pressure? He explains, I never work under stress. It is impossible for me to do that. I dont work under pressure, so I never think about what is going to happen and how people will react to my performance. For me its about living my character truthfully and giving my 200 per cent to it. The process is the most important thing for me. Omerta will be releasing in India in times of growing fundamentalism, would it have been easier on the team had the film released before? Rao answers, Well, all we can do now is speculate. There was no plan on when this film will release. Its a story that has been with Hansal sir for almost 13 years now. He has been trying to make it for so long. But it is the right time, I feel. The actor is also shooting for other films like Mental Hai Kya and Fanne Khan. Since last year I have been working non-stop. Acting and travelling is all I have time for, he says, adding, I am a very greedy actor. I love all genres. I would love to explore horror again and also an action film. I cant be like, This is my space and comfort zone. I want to live it all. At an event, HT Sangliana said Asha Devi has 'good physique' and he can 'imagine how beautiful her daughter would have been.' Former Karnataka DGP HT Sangliana (L) further said if rape victims are overpowered, they should surrender, and follow up the case later. He asserted that by doing so, the victims can remain safe and prevent themselves from being killed. (Twitter Screengrab/ @D_Roopa_IPS) New Delhi: Karnatakas former Director General of Police HT Sangliana on Thursday sparked a controversy when he made shocking statements against the mother of Delhi gangrape victim Nirbhaya. While addressing an award function organised to honour women, Sangliana said Asha Devi, the mother of the 23-year-old medical student whose fatal gangrape on a moving bus in Delhi on December 16, 2012 scarred the nation forever, has a "good physique" and he can "imagine how beautiful her daughter would have been." In addition, he also gave some tips to women to protect themselves from being killed which were equally appalling. Sangliana said if rape victims are overpowered, they should surrender, and follow up the case later. He asserted that by doing so, the victims can remain safe and prevent themselves from being killed. Later, while talking to the media, Sangliana justified his statements. He said, "I consider my statement to be totally within the limit and I feel people are making an issue out of a non-issue." "I said it in order to emphasise the importance of protection and security to women, they should be given protection at all times," he further added. Asha Devi criticised the derogatory remarks made by Karnataka top cop and said, "It would have been better if he had spoken about our struggle than making a personal remark. It shows that people's mentalities in our society has not changed." Anita Cheria, an awardee at the function, slammed the DGP over his remarks during her acceptance speech and said that such comments from a top cop only reflect how long a path this country has to go before any favourable change for women is seen. The insensitive statements made by Sangliana drew flak from all quarters. People attending the ceremony were appalled at the statement and some of them even left in protest. Video shows the boy talking to a girl, who is believed to have rejected his proposal, and then committing suicide as she watches in shock. 20-year-old Ajmeer Sagar hanged himself from the ceiling fan using a sari after a brief conversation wherein he is heard saying that he is ending his life and the girl telling him not to do so. (Representational Image) Hyderabad: In another shocking incident, a 20-year-old Industrial Training Institute (ITI) student allegedly committed suicide by hanging during a video call conversation with his girlfriend apparently over "love failure", police said on Thursday. A purported clip of the conversation has gone viral. It shows the youngster, Ajmeer Sagar, hanging himself from the ceiling fan using a sari after a brief conversation wherein he is heard saying that he is ending his life and the girl telling him not to do so, police said. Police say, Sagar, a native of Sircilla District, was staying with his sister and brother-in-law in Vinayak Nagar and was pursuing the course. Incidentally, no one was at home when he resorted to the extreme step. "After his sister and relatives left home, Sagar was alone. Sagars sister contacted the house owner and said that he was not answering her calls. He then went to check and found the body hanging, said Sub-Inspector, Neredmet J Venkat Reddy. Acting on a complaint lodged by Sagars mother Rajavva, police have recovered a WhatsApp video call that was made and recorded from Sagars mobile phone. The video shows Sagar talking to a girl, who is believed to have rejected his proposal, and then committing suicide as she and another girl watch in shock. Inspector M Jagadish Chander said Sagar was in love with the girl, but she had rejected him and their parents too had said no to the same. Soon after, Sagar went into depression and had several times expressed disappointment with his family for rejecting his love. According to reports, on Wednesday morning, Sagar texted his girlfriend saying he will be happy to die in front of her. He then did a WhatsApp video call to the girl and committed suicide by hanging during their chat. The 2-minute video call went viral on social media in which two girls were seen talking to him and observing him when he stood on a chair to commit suicide by hanging. While initially the girls thought it was a prank, later one of them was heard screaming. As he was not responding to her calls, the victims sister rushed home from her workplace and discovered his body hanging from the ceiling. The girl was watching him when Sagar hanged himself. Along with her, there was another girl too, who is seen waiving her hand asking him not to take the extreme step, he said, adding that the mobile phone was sent to the Telangana Forensic Science Laboratory for examination. According to the police, relatives of both parties were contacted and further investigation was on. The body was meanwhile handed over to the family after autopsy at Gandhi Hospital morgue on Thursday. This is not the first such case, on February 18, a management student too committed suicide while on a video call with her boyfriend at a hostel at Kompally. The 19-year-old girl was pursuing B.Sc (Nursing) course and though the couple wanted to get married and even tried to elope in January, their parents foiled their plan. Sitharaman said infiltration bids from across the border with Pakistan have not come down. Sitharaman, while speaking at a book release function in Delhi, said India is complying with nuclear non-proliferation regulations despite not being a signatory to the non-proliferation treaty. (Photo: PTI) New Delhi: India takes nuclear non-proliferation very seriously and unlike some of its neighbours, it does not believe in "dirty bombs", Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said on Thursday, in an oblique reference to Pakistan. Sitharaman, while speaking at a book release function in Delhi, said India is complying with nuclear non-proliferation regulations despite not being a signatory to the non-proliferation treaty (NPT). "We are signing nuclear treaties as a commitment to non-proliferation and are not supportive of illegal spread," she said. "Unlike some of our neighbours, India does not believe in dirty bombs, we take non-proliferation very seriously," she said. Sitharaman also said infiltration bids from across the border with Pakistan have not come down. "We are remaining alert, we will not entertain infiltration," she said. On the issue of rising terrorism-related incidents in Kashmir, the minister said the government is working with the state government to deal with the issue. Efforts are going on and government is engaged, she said, referring to the visits of the centre's interlocutor who has been engaging with different sections of people in the state. She said India does not want an escalation in tensions, but it is for Pakistan to prove that their territory is not being used for terrorism. The ties between West Bengal and Sikkim were strained after unrest, violence gripped Darjeeling last year over the demand for Gorkhaland. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and her Sikkim counterpart Pawan Chamling buried all acrimonies after meeting each other in North Bengal secretariat in Siliguri on Friday. (Photo: AFP) Kolkata: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and her Sikkim counterpart Pawan Chamling buried all acrimonies after meeting each other in North Bengal secretariat in Siliguri on Friday. To maintain friendly relations between the two states, both the CMs made it clear that misunderstanding between them was over and that the Darjeeling issue has become past now. They also assured each other of cooperation. The relations between the two states were strained after unrest and violence gripped Darjeeling last year when the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) led by its president Bimal Gurung called for bandh to press for the demand of Gorkhaland. The bandh continued in the hills for a long time. Lashing out at the BJP ruled government in Sikkim, Mamata openly accused Chamling of patronising GJM and sheltering Gurung to evade arrest. When a West Bengal police team went to catch Gurung hiding at a resort owned by a relative by Chamling in Sikkim, they faced resistance by the Sikkim police. Also, Kalimpong superintendent of police Ajeet Singh Yadav was booked in a case by the Sikkim police for the raid. According to sources, the two CMs agreed to meet following the Centre's advice. Addressing a joint press meet with Mamata, Chamling said, "Now we will work together for the development of Sikkim, Darjeeling and West Bengal. Our discussion was focused on development issues. Whatever misunderstanding was there is past. Now we have to move together for our better future and better relations." Mamata Banerjee said, "Bengal and Sikkim are two neighbouring states to each other." She elaborated, "Our people love very much to travel in Sikkim. So we want good understanding between the two states. Since Siliguri is called Chicken's neck, Sikkim is very important from the northeast point of view. If the two states can undertake work simultaneously, both of them can prosper with the tourists' rush. We will sort out our problems which took place between ourselves. It is unanimous. We will work together." Mamata further explained, "We will give our full cooperation to Sikkim for its development. That was discussed. I think a new rapport has been created and the two states have come close to each other. The misunderstanding over Darjeeling is over now. Past is past. Whatever problem there was, it is over now. Now, a new innings have started. Let us start it from now. This is a good sign." She added, "This is good for Darjeeling, Sikkim and Bengal. Like our vehicles will go to Sikkim, their vehicles will also come here. Our officials will discuss it with their counterparts. If our meeting would have taken place a few days ago, I could have invited Chamling to the industry meet here. Next time I will invite Sikkim to industry summit. Both states will benefit from it. Tourism will get a boost in both." Mamata also asked Binay Tamang, head of the board of administrators of the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration, to talk to Sikkim to improve ties. The petitions seeking a probe into special CBI judge BH Loya's death were opposed by the Maharashtra government. BH Loya, who was hearing the high-profile Sohrabuddin Sheikh fake encounter case, had allegedly died of cardiac arrest in Nagpur on December 1, 2014 . (Photo: Facebook) New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Friday reserved its verdict on a batch of petitions seeking an independent probe into the death of former CBI Judge BH Loya, even as the Maharashtra government strongly opposed any such probe. A three-judge bench of Chief Justice Dipak Misra and Justices AM Khanwilkar and DY Chandrachud reserved its verdict on the conclusion of marathon arguments spreading over nearly two months. At the outset senior counsel Mukul Rohatgi, appearing for Maharashtra said the petitions are politically motivated as all their attention is towards one politician (BJP President Amit Shah). He said Apart from politics, there is nothing amiss in the death of Loya. Rohatgi said, These petitions are filed for extraneous petitions with oblique motive. The unfortunate death of judge Loya is sought to be politicised. Their real intention is not for a probe into the death of the judge. The arguments of protection of rule of law, independence of judiciary are all a facade to justify their demands for a probe. Rohatgi also 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. He said four district judges who were present with Loya from November 29 till the afternoon of December 1, 2014 had given statements as to how the Judge died of heart attack in the early hours of December 1, 2014. There are medical records to show that despite resuscitation, he could not be revived. Post mortem was conducted as Loya was brought dead on way to the hospital. Rohatgi wondered as to how this court could disbelieve the statement of four subordinate judges, who are colleagues of Loya and when he had died on their lap. Unless this court is prima facie satisfied that the four judges (two of them are now Judges of the Bombay High Court) were conspirators in the death of Loya no further probe can be ordered. He said, If you (court) order an enquiry then the four judges will have to give statements under Section 161 CrPC as if their earlier statements are to be doubted. Cautioning the court from ordering any such probe, Rohatgi said even one word from the top judiciary, instead of protecting the institution would cause damage to the institution. The petitioners have whipped up a kind of frenzy to keep up the propaganda, as their idea is to keep the pot boiling. Rohatgi said the Commissioner of State Intelligence Department conducted a discreet enquiry and the state government was satisfied that no further probe was necessary. He said the unimpeachable evidence of the four judges is enough to show that Loya died of heart attack and there is no reason to disbelieve their evidence. He said all these petitions were filed only after the article in Caravan magazine in November last year. This article is completely false and by this irresponsible article the magazine had done immense damage to the judiciary, he added. Senior counsel Harish Salve, representing Maharashtra government, had earlier said if any such enquiry is ordered it would mean that the four subordinate judges who were with Loya during his death are conspirators in a murder. He regretted that the petitioners could go to the level of targeting one man (Amit Shah) and say that the entire judicial system dances to the tune of this man. This is really sad for the judiciary. Salve had said, If the Supreme court orders a probe the four judges will be guilty of conspiracy to murder and people will say `oh this man who is probed for murder is hearing our case. The judicial system is robust enough to deal with such allegations but the Supreme Court should not order any such enquiry against subordinate judges who are the most vulnerable sections in society, as they cannot openly go to the public. If an enquiry is ordered the judicial system will stand condemned for ever, he added. In October 2015, Taufeeq went to Kashmir along with his friend Md Arif who is a native of the state. Taufeeq met Arif at ECIL in Hyderabad. Taufeeq along with two other Kashmiris, Eisa Fazili and Syed Owais Shafi were killed in a gun battle with the security forces in Anantanag district of Jammu and Kashmir on Monday night. (Photo: AFP/Representational) Hyderabad: The Telangana police found that Mohd Taufeeq, the slain ISIS militant, who was killed in an encounter with security forces in Kashmir, was lured into the militant group through social media, police officials said. He spent more time on social media including telegram. He befriended several persons with names Husne Mubarak Sri Lanka, Trisha USA, Haleema Sadiq Pune, Mubashir Islam Kashmir and Ziaul Khalid of Uttar Pradesh. It appears, these are pseudo names of recruiters who are based in different countries, an official said. He stayed in Hyderabad and worked with a construction company based at Nallakunta in 2015 where he devoted much of his time browsing literature about Kashmir issue. In October 2015, Taufeeq went to Kashmir along with his friend Md Arif who is a native of the state. Taufeeq met Arif at ECIL in Hyderabad. During his visit, Tauseef met his telegram friend Mubassir in Kashmir and both decided to join ISIS in one year after obtaining passports and money. Nearly a year later, he went to the Kashmir and joined the group Ansar Ghazwatul Hind (AGUH), the police dossier of the slain militant revealed. According to the dossiers, the slain militant, Mohammed Taufeeq, got attracted to Kashmir cause, during his visit to the valley in 2012. Taufeeq along with two other Kashmiris, Eisa Fazili and Syed Owais Shafi were killed in a gun battle with the security forces in Anantanag district of Jammu and Kashmir on Monday night. In the year 2012, Taufeeq had gone for a tour along with his family for seven days. During his travel to Gulmarg valley, he took pictures of the banners put up to support Kashmir cause and inquired about the issue with the locals there. Since then he got inclined towards the Kashmir issue and followed it on facebook and other social media platforms, an intelligence official said. Taufeeq, according to the police, keenly followed Jammu and Kashmir-based newspaper and posted anti-national messages. He regularly heard the speeches of Maulana Masood Azhar and other separatist leaders from the valley. A bench headed by CJI was told by AG Venugopal that even before investigating agencies start probing case, people come to courts with PILs. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has already registered two FIRs -- one on January 31 and another in February -- against billionaire Nirav Modi, his relative Mehul Choksi. (Photo: File) New Delhi: The Centre on Friday told the Supreme Court that there cannot be a "parallel inquiry" and "parallel monitoring" by the court in investigations while opposing a suggestion given by the apex court to the CBI to file in a sealed cover the status of the probe in the over Rs 11,000 crore the Punjab National Bank fraud case. A bench headed by Chief Justice Dipak Misra was told by Attorney General K K Venugopal that even before the investigating agencies start probing the matter, people come to courts with public interest litigations. "Is there any justification for anyone to come to this court by filing a PIL and say that the court should be informed about the status of the investigation? There can't be a parallel inquiry and parallel monitoring by the courts," Venugopal told the bench also comprising Justices A M Khanwilkar and D Y Chandrachud. "In principle, what is the justification for any court, not only this court, to call upon the government and seek such reports as if a parallel inquiry is going on?," he said. The attorney general (AG) also contended that why such petitions should be entertained by the courts unless there was something wrong shown by the petitioner. Terming this issue as serious, Venugopal told the bench that such a matter would bring down the morale of the investigating agencies. The AG opposed the plea filed by lawyer Vineet Dhanda, who has sought an independent probe in the PNB case and also a direction to the government to get diamond merchant Nirav Modi deported. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has already registered two FIRs -- one on January 31 and another in February -- against billionaire Nirav Modi, his relative Mehul Choksi of Gitanjali Gems and others for allegedly defrauding the PNB of about Rs 11,400 crore. During the hearing, the bench took exception to the submissions advanced by the petitioner that the AG had not read the prayers sought by him in the plea. "The attorney general holds a constitutional post. Why should we ask him whether he has read it or not. Language in this court has to decorous and absolutely appropriate," the chief justice said. The court said that such statements were unacceptable and posted the matter for hearing on April 9. The PIL has made PNB, the Reserve Bank of India and the ministries of finance and law and justice as parties. It has sought a direction for initiation of deportation proceedings against Nirav Modi and others allegedly involved in the banking fraud, preferably within two months. It has asked for a special investigation team (SIT) to probe the case, allegedly involving Nirav Modi and Choksi and also sought a probe into the role of the top management of PNB. The plea has sought a direction to the finance ministry to frame guidelines on the grant and disbursal of loans involving big amounts, besides ensuring safety and recovery of such loans. It has also sought the setting up of a body of experts to deal with cases of bad banking debts in the country. The petition has asked for framing of rules for the recovery of loans from the defaulters within a stipulated period, even by attaching their properties and auctioning them in the open market. In his PIL, Dhanda has also sought a direction to fasten liabilities on the employees of a bank for sanctioning loans on the basis of deficient documents and said loans should also be recovered by attaching the properties of such bank officials even after their retirement. Telugu Desam Party (TDP) led by Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Friday snapped ties with the BJP. The party is also set to move a no-confidence motion against the central government. (Photo: PTI) Amaravati: The Telugu Desam Party after breaking alliance with NDA on Friday accused the Bharatiya Janata Party of not keeping its promises and added that BJP stands for 'Break Janta Promise.' Telugu Desam Party (TDP) led by Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Friday snapped ties with the BJP and exited the alliance with NDA. The party is also set to move a no-confidence motion against the central government. Following TDP's decision, party ministers staged protest in front of Mahatma Gandhi statue in Parliament and raise slogans of 'We want justice, NDA talaq, talaq, talaq.' #WATCH TDP MPs stage protest in front of Mahatma Gandhi statue in Parliament, raise slogans of 'We want justice, NDA talaq, talaq, talaq.' pic.twitter.com/qOWDBOqO9q ANI (@ANI) March 16, 2018 The TDP had been at loggerheads with the Centre over the demand for special status for Andhra Pradesh. Read also: Telugu Desam Party snaps ties with BJP, exits alliance with NDA "BJP has cheated Telugu people, this time also they have succeeded in doing so, we will be moving a no-confidence motion in the Parliament," Andhra Pradesh minister KS Jawahar said. TDP lawmaker Thota Narsimhan also said that the party will give a serious no confidence motion in Parliament with at least 50 signatures as is mandated. Terming the move as unfortunate, TDP's YS Chowdary who earlier quit from the Union Cabinet, said, "We tried our best to be together but the present government ignored the sentiments and emotions of people of Andhra Pradesh". Andhra Pradesh Congress Committee President N Raghuveera Reddy said that the Congress will support no-confidence motion against the Centre by TDP and YSR Congress Party. Along with the Congress, CPI(M) and All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) have also extended support to TDP's no-confidence motion against the Centre. West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee also welcomed the TDP's decision to quit the NDA and urged all opposition parties to work closely together against "atrocities, economic calamities and political instability". "I welcome the TDP's decision to leave the NDA. The current situation warrants such action to save the country from disaster," Mamata Banerjee said in a tweet. "I appeal to all political parties in the Opposition to work closely together against atrocities, economic calamity and political instability," she added. Earlier on Thursday, Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu had said that Prime Minister Modi is trying to repeat in Andhra Pradesh what he has done in Tamil Nadu where BJP supported OPS faction against EPS in the AIADMK. (With PTI inputs) Terming the TDP's decision 'win for democracy', Reddy asserted his party would continue to fight for Special Category Status for Andhra. 'Win for democracy & people of AP. YSRCP will continue to fight for SCS, the rights of the people of AP,' Reddy, who is also the Leader of Opposition in Andhra Pradesh, said in another tweet. (Photo: File) Amaravati: YSR Congress president YS Jagan Mohan Reddy on Friday said the TDP had "woken up" to the needs of Andhra Pradesh by giving a notice for a no trust vote against the Narendra Modi government over special status to the state. His remark came after the TDP on Friday morning quit the NDA following the Centre's refusal to give Andhra Pradesh Special Category Status (SCS). TDP leader Thota Narasimham on Friday gave a notice in the Lok Sabha to move the no trust vote on Monday. Terming the TDP's decision a "win for democracy", Reddy asserted his party would continue to fight for Special Category Status (SCS) for Andhra Pradesh. "After 4 years of relentless struggle and fight by YSRCP with people's support for Special Category Status; finally the nation, including @ncbn's TDP wakes up!" Jagan said in a tweet. He said that even if guided by political compulsion, the TDP had to yet again follow the YSRCP's lead of moving a no-confidence motion against the Centre for not granting SCS to the state. "Win for democracy & people of AP. YSRCP will continue to fight for SCS, the rights of the people of AP," Reddy, who is also the Leader of Opposition in Andhra Pradesh, said in another tweet. The YSRC had on Thursday issued a notice to the Lok Sabha Secretary-General for moving a no-confidence motion against the NDA government. It said that this was for failing to implement the AP Reorganisation Act, 2014, and also the promises made in Rajya Sabha by then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, including grant of special status. Initially, the main opposition party in Andhra Pradesh wanted to move the motion on March 21, but with indications that the Lok Sabha may be adjourned sine die ahead of schedule, it decided to move the motion on Friday. The TDP, which last evening announced support for the no trust vote, on Friday decided to move a motion on its own. "Supporting a no-confidence motion moved by a thieves' party (YSRC) will send wrong signals to the people. Hence, we should move a motion on our own," TDP president and Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu told his party leaders via a tele-conference. "YSRC's notice (for a no-trust motion) will have only five signatures whereas we have 16. It will be easy for us to muster support of 51 MPs (required for the motion to be taken up)," Naidu said. He alleged that the BJP was enacting a "drama" through Reddy and Jana Sena chief Pawan Kalyan. "You move a no-confidence motion and make your MPs resign. We will grant SCS and make believe it happened only because of you. That's the BJP drama through Jagan," the chief minister alleged. The TDP chief said that the BJP was enacting "another drama" through Kalyan by asking him to launch a fast-unto-death. "People are watching all this and they will teach a fitting lesson," he said. BJP leader GVL Narasimha Rao said the state govt and the TDP are feeling the pinch of public opinion going against them. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) suffered a huge setback as TDP broke ties with the party and exited from the NDA alliance on Friday. (Photo: PTI/File) New Delhi: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) suffered a huge setback as TDP broke ties with the party and exited from the NDA alliance on Friday over the demand for special status for Andhra Pradesh. The party is also set to move a no-confidence motion against the Central government. Reacting to the development, Union Minister MA Naqvi said it was not right to comment on the decision of a state with elections around the corner. He added that every state has demands and issues and that it is a custom to have a rehearsal in the Parliament before the actual elections. However, BJP leader GVL Narasimha Rao sought to downplay TDP's move stating that the party is finding the going tough in Andhra Pradesh as they are seeing a defeat for themselves in the 2019 elections. "They want to use this as an alibi to really retrieve lost political ground," he said. Rao said the state govt and the TDP are feeling the pinch of public opinion going against them, adding that the BJP will use this as an opportunity to grow as a political party and emerge as a dominant political force in Andhra Pradesh. "For us it will prove to be the next Tripura," he added. The campaign shows that tobacco consumption and exposure to secondhand tobacco smoke increases risk of TB and of dying from the disease. New Delhi: The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW), during the End-TB Summit here, has re-launched 'Cough,' a national mass media campaign to warn citizens about the links between TB and tobacco use. 'Cough' shows that tobacco consumption and exposure to secondhand tobacco smoke increases the risk of TB and of dying from the disease. A key barrier to timely diagnosis and treatment among smokers is the assumption that a cough is related to their smoking. This campaign encourages smokers to visit their doctor to confirm whether a persistent cough is a sign of TB. TB killed 432,000 Indians in 2016 - more than 1,183 every day. The government aims to eradicate TB from India by 2025, five years ahead of the global TB elimination target of 2030. The campaign, which is designed to create support for TB eradication, encourage smokers to quit, and increase timely diagnosis and treatment of TB, was developed and implemented with technical support from Vital Strategies. "Most TB deaths in India occur among young, economically productive adults and the disease is one of the top five causes of death among people aged 30-69 years," said Jose Luis Castro, President and Chief Executive Officer, Vital Strategies. "India's tobacco epidemic is contributing to this burden. 'Cough' will support progress towards the target of eliminating TB by 2025 by encouraging smokers to quit and ensuring that smokers and those exposed to secondhand smoke visit the doctor about a persistent cough. This is a life-saving message and we congratulate MoHFW on the re-launch of this important campaign," added Castro. When 'Cough' first launched on World No Tobacco Day in 2017, India became the first country in the world to run a national tobacco control campaign that highlights the increased risk of TB and dying from TB linked to smoking tobacco (cigarettes or bidis) or exposure to second hand smoke. The public service announcement (PSA) graphically shows that while a smoker's cough tells the smoker they have a health problem, a persistent cough over two weeks or more could indicate that problem is TB. The PSA shows a father smoking and coughing beside his daughter, noting that exposure to second-hand smoke brings the same risks. It ends with the stark warning that "Every bidi cigarette brings you and those around you closer to TB." Police has seized five computers connected with CPUs, printers and scanners. The gang had developed a website and an online lottery application named 'Bhagyashree,' which is similar to Rajshree Lottery. (Photo: ANI) Mumbai: The Mumbai Police has busted an online lottery racket and arrested four people from the Malwani area in western suburbs. The gang had developed a website and an online lottery application named 'Bhagyashree,' which is similar to Rajshree Lottery, the authorised online lottery centre. Police has seized five computers connected with CPUs, printers and scanners. The main accused had developed a mobile application named RB for the same. A case has been registered in this regard. A case was lodged against the duo by the brother of the patient Sandhya Sonawane who died of multiple organ failure on March 12. A screen grab of the video of the priest performing tantrik rituals in the ICU. Pune: A priest was arrested on Thursday for allegedly performing some 'rituals' in the ICU of Deenanath Mangeshkar Hospital here for recovery of a 25-year-old woman patient, police said. The accused, identified as Sachin Yerwadekar, and private doctor Satish Chavan were booked under the Maharashtra Prevention and Eradication of Human Sacrifice and other Inhuman, Evil and Aghori Practises and Black Magic Act after the video of the alleged incident went viral on social media. A case was lodged against the duo by the brother of the patient Sandhya Sonawane who died of multiple organ failure on March 12, a day after the rituals were allegedlyperformed. "The accused Sachin Yerwadekar is a priest at the Parvati Devasthan Trust in the city. He was remanded in police custody for three days," said Alankar police station seniorinspector Rekha Salunke. Dr Chavan is still at large. The deceased woman's relative had claimed that Dr Chavan, who runs a private hospital, had advised a surgery to remove a lump in Sonawane's chest, and as per his advise, she underwent the surgery. Sonawane was admitted to the ICU of Deenanath Mangeshkar Hospital after her condition deteriorated. The alleged incident occurred on March 11 when Dr Chavan brought along the priest to perform some rituals. "This man took out some items from his bag and wavedthem from her head to toe while chanting something. We didn't have any prior knowledge about it, so we recorded the whole incident on mobile," the relative had said. The hospital management had said its staff had no role in the entire episode. Members of the Maharashtra Andha-shraddha Nirmulan Samiti (Maharashtra Superstition Eradication Committee) had sought registration of a complaint against the doctor. Scamsters are using the rumoured Jio DTH set-top box to rob people of their important credentials. Reliances Jio 4G network is one of the most talked-about entity recently in the world of technology. And thats primarily due to one major reason affordable pricing for their services. Jio has been slowly venturing into fields other than a network service provider. Recently, rumours about Jio venturing into DTH set-top boxes and wired network have been doing the rounds of the Internet. Scamsters have been taking advantage of these rumoured services and they have been exploiting Jios hype to perform cyber crimes. After unearthing an SMS scam promising the rumoured Jio DTH boxes for Rs 11, theres another scam related to the Jio DTH TV and JioPhone going around. We recently received an SMS that carried the following message: JIO PHONE & DTH Rs. 10 only for lifetime free channels register now offer for 1st 1000 customers avail this offer http://jiodevices.online/ Book now. Now, the initial impulse to such a lucrative offer is to register for the product immediately before it runs out of stock. Clicking on the link will lead you to a website that you may pass as the actual Jio website at first glance, with big banners of the JioFi and a crude-looking Jio DTH set-top box decorating the page. Once you click the book button, it will lead you to a payment gateway portal that offers payment through a debit or credit card. The subsequent page in both the subsections will ask for your card number, CVV number, expiration date, cardholder name and DOB. The banner on top of the page displays Rs 10 as the amount to be transacted. However, once you click on the Make payment button, you will be greeted with the following message: Oops!!!! Transaction declined by your Bank. Even if you go through the whole process once again, the webpage will keep showing the same message repeatedly. If you fell for the hoax and gave in all of your actual bank account details, then the information now rests with someone possessing malicious intentions. The website doesnt belong to Reliance Jio and isnt even https verified. The URL jiodevices.online doesnt exist and has been designed to fool users into believing its authenticity. Therefore, its advisable to watch out for such dubious messages with URLs. One has to always keep in mind that rumoured products and services from a particular organisation never rollout before the companys official announcement. The rumoured Jio DTH isnt a reality yet and the company will announce on its official website once the product is launched. If you are keen on buying the Jio DTH box, keep following the media for all the latest news and information related to the same. We also request our readers to look out for certain elements that may give out signs about a malicious website: Look for the product or service from the official website. If its listed there, its advisable to follow the links from their own website. A malicious website will feature several incorrect elements despite replicating the official site. Therefore, one can expect susceptible-looking products, incorrect logos, grammatical spellings and many others. If you happen to have a computer nearby, check for the link on Google Chrome. If the link doesnt show https as a part of its URL, it is advisable to stay away from that website. Whenever an SMS with links leading to a booking page is received, one can follow a simple precautionary step fill in random details in the boxes and if the page keeps on accepting all the information without notifying you of incorrect information, then stay safe of such websites. (source) Google has made its semantic image segmentation model the DeepLab-v3+ available to developers. When Googles Pixel 2 range rolled out last autumn, the smartphones were known to demolish absolutely every rival when it came to camera performance. While the competition was relying on a dual camera setup for the new portrait mode, the Pixel 2 managed to do it with a single camera and the power of machine learning, making portraits out of any still photo captured through its eyes. In fact, the Pixel 2s camera app was so tempting to techies that they ported it out for older devices. While the port works only for some, Google wants to make sure that all Android manufacturers get to offer a portrait mode with a single camera sensor. Googles Research team has recently released their Semantic Image Stabilisation technology-based DeepLab-v3+ as an open source code project available for developers. The source-code can be used for any smartphone camera and Google wants third-party developers to improve upon the technology by implementing newer applications in various usage scenarios. DeepLab-v3+ utilises a neural network to identify certain elements in a photo such as a road, sky, person and dog. The semantic image segmentation technology puts a semantic tag to these elements to help the algorithms in applying depth-of-field applications. While Google has made the source code available for use by anyone, its still required by third-party manufacturers to work on the image sensors. The DeepLab-v3+ will only bring the portrait mode to more smartphones while the image quality is still dependent on how an individual manufacturer optimises the software and hardware. (source) On Tuesday, Trump signalled a shake-up at the top levels of his administration after firing Rex Tillerson. Trump has complained that McMaster, a three-star Army general, is too rigid and that his briefings go on too long. (Photo: File) Washington: US President Donald Trump has decided to replace his national security adviser, H R McMaster, but the move is not expected to be made immediately, the Washington Post reported on Thursday. Citing five people with knowledge of the plans, the Post said Trump was considering several possible replacements, including former US Ambassador to the United Nations John Bolton and Keith Kellogg, the chief of staff of the National Security Council. The White House did not immediately respond to a request from Reuters for comment. On Tuesday, Trump fired Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and the president has signalled in recent days that a shake-up at the top levels of his administration was not over. "I'm really at a point where we're getting very close to having the Cabinet and other things that I want," Trump told reporters after Tillerson was fired. McMaster is not expected to be ousted immediately, the Post reported. Trump is willing to take his time making the change to avoid humiliating McMaster and carefully choose a strong replacement, the Post said. Trump never personally gelled with McMaster and the president recently told White House Chief of Staff John Kelly that he wanted McMaster replaced, according to the Post. Trump has complained that McMaster, a three-star Army general, is too rigid and that his briefings go on too long and seem irrelevant, the Post reported. McMaster is Trump's second national security adviser, succeeding Michael Flynn who was dismissed in 2017 for misleading Vice President Mike Pence about his contacts with the Russian ambassador to the United States. India is 'a key partner and a great strategic opportunity' for the US, Admiral Harry Harris said. 'Seventy per cent of their military hardware is Russian in origin. You cant expect India to go cold turkey on that,' Admiral Harry Harris told the lawmakers. (Photo: AFP) Washington: The US cannot expect India to abruptly stop using Russian arms and instead needs a glide path to increase defence trade with New Delhi, a top American commander has told lawmakers. India is a key partner and a great strategic opportunity for the US, Admiral Harry Harris told members of the Senate Armed Services Committee during a Congressional hearing on Wednesday. Seventy per cent of their military hardware is Russian in origin. You cant expect India to go cold turkey on that, Harris told the lawmakers. I think we ought to look at ways to have a glide path, so that we can continue to trade in arms within India, he said. Harris was responding to a question from senator Tom Cotton who asked about the impact of the recent sanctions legislation (CAATSA) Congress passed, designed primarily with Russia in mind, and specifically countries that continue to use Russian military hardware and systems. India, a major consumer of Russian arms, is one of the countries that would be impacted by such a legislation. I supported that legislation. I still do. But I do have some concerns about potential unintended consequences among countries that, for various historical reasons, still have Russian hardware and itd be hard to avoid Russian hardware, Senator Cotton said. Harris expressed hope to achieve some relief for the rigidity thats in the Countering Americas Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA) legislation. Cotton then referred to a classified letter written by Defence Secretary Jim Mattis in which he is seeking exemptions for a number of countries. India is believed to be one of those countries for which Mattis has sought exemptions. I assume Secretary Mattis point in this classified letter is, do you have a country like India thats a close ally, and growing ever closer, but for historical reasons going back decades, they just rely on a lot of Russian equipment, and would really impair them and therefore, our relationship with them to try to ask them to go cold turkey immediately, Cotton said. You are correct, Harris said. While Trump has frequently called the Russia probe a witch hunt, the new sanctions appear to affirm Muellers investigative strategy. Donald Trump has faced fierce criticism in the United States for doing too little to punish Russia for the election meddling and other actions. (Photo: File) Washington: The United States on Thursday took its most notable action against Russia since Donald Trump became president, slapping sanctions on a group of Russian individuals and entities, including Moscows intelligence services, for meddling in the 2016 US election and malicious cyber attacks. Under pressure to act, the administration still deferred making a move targeting Russian government officials and oligarchs, those closest to Russian President Vladimir Putin. Thursdays announcement marked the first time that the US government stated publicly that Russia had attempted to break into the American energy grid, which US security officials have longed warned may be vulnerable to debilitating cyber attacks from hostile adversaries. Trump has faced fierce criticism in the United States for doing too little to punish Russia for the election meddling and other actions, and a special counsel is looking into whether Trumps campaign colluded with the Russians, an allegation the president denies. Combined with the United States joining Britain in blaming Moscow for poisoning a former Russian spy in southern England, the actions represented another plunge in US-Russian relations despite Trumps stated desire for improved ties. "The administration is confronting and countering malign Russian cyber activity, including their attempted interference in US elections, destructive cyber-attacks, and intrusions targeting critical infrastructure," Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said in announcing the new sanctions. Trump has frequently questioned a January 2017 finding by US intelligence agencies that Russia interfered in the 2016 campaign using hacking and propaganda in an effort eventually aimed at tilting the race in Trumps favour. Russia denies interfering in the election. But Mnuchin was unequivocal in saying that Thursdays Treasury action "counters Russias continuing destabilizing activities, ranging from interference in the 2016 election to conducting destructive cyber-attacks." A senior administration official told Reuters that Trump, who campaigned on warmer ties with Putin, has grown exasperated with Russian activity. The Treasury Department aimed the sanctions at 19 Russian individuals and five groups. Sixteen of the Russian individuals and entities sanctioned were indicted on February 16 as part of Muellers criminal investigation. While Trump has frequently called the Russia probe a "witch hunt," the new sanctions appear to affirm Muellers investigative strategy. Trump told reporters during a White House event with Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar that "it certainly looks like the Russians were behind" the use of a nerve agent to attack Sergei Skripal, a former Russian double agent in England. Trump called it "something that should never, ever happen, and were taking it very seriously, as I think are many others." Russian government hackers since at least March 2016 "have also targeted US government entities and multiple US critical infrastructure sectors, including the energy, nuclear, commercial facilities, water, aviation, and critical manufacturing sectors," a Treasury Department statement said. A senior administration told reporters on a conference call that Russian actors infiltrated parts of the US energy sector. "We were able to identify where they were located within those business systems and remove them from those business systems," the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity. Mnuchin said there would be additional sanctions against Russian government officials and oligarchs "for their destabilizing activities." Mnuchin did not give a timeframe for those sanctions, which he said would sever the individuals access to the US financial system. The new sanctions also include Russian intelligence services, the Federal Security Service (FSB) and Main Intelligence Directorate (GRU), and six individuals working on behalf of the GRU. Thursdays action blocks all property of those targeted that is subject to US jurisdiction and prohibits American citizens from engaging in transactions with them. The Treasury Department said the sanctions were also meant to counter destructive cyber attacks including the NotPetya attack that cost billions of dollars in damage across Europe, Asia and the United States. The United States and Britain in February attributed that attack to the Russian military. Muellers indictment stated that Russians adopted false online personas to push divisive messages, travelled to the United States to collect intelligence and staged political rallies while posing as Americans. Both Republicans and Democrats in the US Congress, which nearly unanimously passed a new sanctions bill against Russia in summer 2017, had criticized Trump for not punishing Moscow. The Trump administration in January did not announce sanctions against Russia, for now, under the new law. Republican Ed Royce, chairman of the House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee, welcomed the new sanctions as an important step. "But more must be done," Royce said in a statement, promising that his committee would "keep pushing to counter Russian aggression." The Treasury Department said it would keep pressure on Russia for its ongoing efforts to destabilize Ukraine and occupy the Crimea region, as well as corruption and human rights abuses. Saeed said the FIF owns 369 ambulances, helped 72,000 persons to charity hospitals and treated 600,000 patients only in 2017. Hafiz Saeed pleaded the court to declare the impugned notification of the interior ministry null and void with regard to taking over the assets of the organisations. (Photo: file) Lahore: Mumbai attack mastermind and Jamaat-ud-Dawah chief Hafiz Saeed on Thursday filed a petition in the Lahore High Court, challenging a notification of the interior ministry of Pakistan to ban his social welfare activities. Saeed filed the petition through his counsel advocate AK Dogar. He submitted to the LHC that the interior ministry on February 10 issued a notification with regard to freezing bank accounts and taking over assets associated with the Jamaat-ud-Dawah and Falah-i-Insaaniyat Foundation under the Anti-Terrorism (amendment) Ordinance 2018. The government of Pakistan acted under the pressure of foreign powers, including UN and India, he said and contended that Pakistan is a sovereign independent state and makes its own laws to govern its citizens. If there is a conflict between the laws of the land and any provision of United Nations Security Counsel Act, 1948, the law of the land shall prevail, he said. The founder of Lashkara-e-Taiba further said the FIF owns 369 ambulances, helped 72,000 persons to charity hospitals and treated 600,000 patients only in 2017. JuD dug out 2000 wells for supplying water in Tharparkar, Baluchistan and Balochistan. He pleaded the court to declare the impugned notification of the interior ministry null and void with regard to taking over the assets of the organisations. Separately, Saeed last week challenged the presidential ordinance under which his group has been banned for being on the watch-list of the United Nations in the Islamabad High Court. President Mamnoon Hussain last month promulgated an ordinance amending the Anti-Terrorism Act, 1997 with regards to proscription of terrorist individuals and organisations to include entities listed by the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) -- in a move to declare Hafiz Saeed-linked JuD and Falah-i-Insaniyat Foundation (FIF) as proscribed groups. Saeed, who is accused of having masterminded the November 2008 Mumbai attack, was placed on the terrorism black list by the United Nations in December 2008. The banned Jamaat-ud-Dawah (JuD) head was released from the house arrest in November last year after the Pakistan government decided against detaining him further in any other case. He was under house arrest since January last year. Foreign ministers from Russia, Iran and Turkey meet in the capital of Kazakhstan. A preparatory meeting ahead of the presidents summit on April 4 in Istanbul. Yesterday 20 thousand people left the rebel enclave on the outskirts of Damascus, besieged by the government army. At least 25 trucks loaded with aid for Douma. Astana (AsiaNews / Agencies) - Foreign ministers from Russia, Turkey and Iran met this morning in Astana, capital of Kazakhstan, in an attempt to revive the peace process in Syria, a nation tormented by a bloody conflict since March 2011. Their efforts are concentrated on Eastern Ghouta, a rebel enclave on the outskirts of Damascus, the goal of an imposing Damascus army offensive, supported by Moscow. In a note the Russian Foreign Minister states todays talks will focus on "the situation on the ground" and "the successes and difficulties encountered in the de-escalation process" of the war. Today's summit will also serve to prepare the ground ahead of a meeting between presidents Turkeys Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Russias Vladimir Putin and Iranian Hassan Rouhani - in Istanbul, Turkey, on 4 April. The Astana meetings were the first to successfully gather government and opposition factions at the same table and proved to be more decisive than the diplomatic efforts promoted by the United Nations in Geneva (Switzerland). In one of these meetings, last May, the creation of "de-escalation of conflict" areas was envisaged, including a cease-fire, no fly zones, immediate provision of humanitarian aid and the return of refugees. This new round of meetings, like the previous ones, is sponsored by Russia and Iran close to the Damascus and by Turkey which is close to the Syrian opposition. In recent days, forces loyal to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad have gained control of about 70% of the rebel enclave on the outskirts of Damascus. There is a huge civilian evacuation operation underway in the area, in particular of those requiring urgent medical treatment. Sources of the London based NGO Syrian Observatory for Human Rights which is close to the rebel opposition - say that at least 20,000 civilians left Ghouta east yesterday alone. Local witnesses report women, men and children loaded with bags and blankets fleeing the town of Hamouria, which has been the subject of heavy bombing by the Syrian army in recent days. This is the most important exodus since the beginning of the government offensive, whose goal is to regain complete control of the area. Also in these hours 25 trucks loaded with food, medicines and basic necessities entered Douma. The International Red Cross say it is only a small part of what is needed to meet the needs of about 390 thousand people. Turkey is also among those calling for an end to the siege in Eastern Ghouta, as it is close to the pro-Islamic rebel groups. But Turkey is also the protagonist of an equally bloody siege in the north of Syria, in Afrin, to bend the resistance of the Kurds who control the area. by Melani Manel Perera Sri Lankas national television network opens a new channel dedicated to Tamil culture, identity and religion. For some it is "useless" because it cannot be understood in the south; for others it is "a positive effort because today's Tamil youth have abandoned their culture in favour of Western styles". Colombo (AsiaNews) The Sri Lankan government has sponsored the opening of the first Tamil-language television channel by the Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation (SLRC), Sri Lankas national television network. For the authorities, the goal is to support national unity and reconciliation in a country marked by 30 years of civil war. But many people who spoke to AsiaNews expressed doubts about it. "The station is in Tamil, so only Tamils can understand it, some say. The new channel does not meet its goal. Reconciliation Channel has been on the air since 20 February. It enjoys the patronage of President Maithripala Sirisena and broadcasts programmes in Tamil about the national, religious and cultural identity of the Tamil population. According to some viewers, it "should have been in both Sinhala and Tamil. Instead, those who do not speak the [Tamil] language cannot understand and value the [Tamil] culture." For Sundaram Velayudhan, a 59-year-old businessman in the capital, it is "a senseless effort. Why should the reconciliation channel be only in one language?" A native of Jaffna Peninsula, in northern Sri Lanka, he has lived in Wattala since 1978, a large suburb in Colombo. "I have three sons, all of them married, he explained. In 1983, during the violent clashes provoked by the Sinhalese Buddhists, they burnt all my properties. It was hard to start from scratch; we suffered a lot. My wife and I have done everything to protect our lives and that of our children. We still have bad memories of that period. Sundaram, who is Hindu, is still struggling to forget about the violence and abuse. For this reason, "if the government wants to create a peaceful and just society for the whole nation, we must know each other and value our national, religious and cultural identities." For Anusha Sivalingam, a young Tamil activist who works as a translator, the channel "is a positive step" but not enough. "For now, the word 'reconciliation' is not suitable. The right ones should be 'justice' or 'equality'. The government must teach humanity, because we cannot hope for reconciliation without knowing or respecting the humanity [of others]. There must be a way to present to the people in the south of the country the real problems of those living in the north. Otherwise. it is useless." "I appreciate the new channel, said Mano Ganesan, Minister for National Coexistence, Dialogue and Official Languages. However, it must not be addressed only to the north. The residents of the south must know the problems of the north. Only this way will we see a path of reconciliation." Whilst some might express doubts, many also express satisfaction. This is the case of Ms Anandi of Jaffna, now retired, who for years taught at the Muslim Maha Viddyala in Matugama, Kalutara District, about 60 km south of Colombo "This channel is a positive effort, she said, because today's Tamils have forgotten our culture. They follow Western styles." by Shafique Khokhar On March 15, 2015, two Taliban kamikazes blew themselves up at the entrance to two churches in Youhanabad. The blood of martyrs against terrorism. After the suicide attack, the number of faithful has increased. Lahore (AsiaNews) - Hundreds of people participated in the commemoration for the third anniversary of the attacks on Christian churches in Youhanabad, a district of Lahore. On March 15, 2015 two Taliban blew themselves up at the entrance of two churches - the Catholic St. Johns Church, and Protestant Christ Church - causing the death of 19 people and the wounding of over 70. In his homily Fr. Francis Gulzar, vicar general of the local archdiocese and parish priest of Youhanabad, recalled the Christian martyrs. "The faithful - he said - who sacrificed their lives are not dead. Their sacrifice is exceptional because they have offered their lives for the love of the faithful of Jesus Christ ". The ceremony took place yesterday at John's Girls High School. The theme of the meeting was "Service of Prayer for Peace and Stability in Pakistan". Priests, nuns, catechists, students, teachers, social and political activists, the families of the victims were present. Fr. Gulzar stressed that "the blood of these martyrs is the proof that they sacrificed not only for love, peace, harmony and union, but with their blood they have also challenged terrorism and extremism" . The parish priest points out that "after the suicide attack with our churches, the number of faithful has increased. Now many more people come to church without fear and fear. This is a clear message: we are true proponents of peace and harmony and we will not accept negative attitudes ". Fr. Anayat Barnard recalled the sacrifice "of the martyr Aakash Masih, a boy who that morning of March 15th placed himself before the bomber. He is a true hero for our nation. He died for the love of Christ and his faithful. This is why I ask the Pakistani Episcopal Conference to intercede with Pope Francis so that he may be declared 'Venerable' ". Then he invited "in this period of Lent, to focus on the passion of Christ, because he taught us that he who sacrifices himself for others can never be defeated. For this reason we will never accept extremism and we will continue our efforts to make peace and harmony prevail in our country ". Emmanuel Yousaf Mani, national director of the National Commission for Justice and Peace (NCJP), asks that "the president of the Supreme Court of Pakistan act on the Youhanabad case and free the [Christian] victims unjustly arrested". Christians, he underlines, "have sacrificed themselves as much as others for the creation of Pakistan. We have done our best for its development and progress. Therefore the discriminatory attitude against us must end and we must be treated as equal citizens of the state ". The two sides meet in Oman in their first attempt to end a war that has caused one of the worst humanitarian crises in the world. The goal is to reach a comprehensive agreement. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia deposits US$ 2 billion in the Central bank of Yemen. Sana'a (AsiaNews/Agencies) Saudi Arabia and Yemens Houthi movement are holding secret talks to try to end the countrys three-year war, anonymous diplomatic and Yemeni sources said. If confirmed, this would be the first attempt to stop the worst current humanitarian crisis. Speaking to Reuters, two diplomats and two Yemeni officials said Houthi spokesman Mohammed Abdul-Salam had been in direct communication with top Saudi officials in Oman to find a comprehensive solution to the conflict. There are consultations between the Houthis and the Saudis, without a representative of the internationally recognised government, said one source. Both sides want to reach an agreement as soon as possible. But so far, neither Saudi nor Houthi officials have issued any official comment. A brutal civil war has gripped the Arab country since January 2015, pitting Saudi-backed Sunnis led by former President Hadi, against Houthi Shias, supported by Iran and Hezbollah. In March 2015, a Saudi-led Arab coalition began attacking the rebels, sparking criticism from the United Nations over heavy civilian casualties, including many children. UN sources speak of more than 9,200 deaths, 60 per cent civilians, and 45,000 wounded. And up to 22 million people out of a total of a population of 28 million have been left in need of assistance and humanitarian aid in order to survive. About 8.4 million are close to famine. Even Apostolic Vicar Mgr Paul Hinder spoke to AsiaNews about the seriousness of the disaster that is unfolding. According to some sources, the first step towards a deal includes a truce, followed by a peace agreement to settle outstanding political, economic and military issues separating the parties. Increasingly, Saudi leaders, starting with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, want to see an end to a conflict that no one seems to be able to win in a country on the verge of collapse. Diplomats said the Saudi-Houthi dialogue had been going on for about two months and appeared aimed at providing a framework for a resolution to coincide with the arrival of a new UN envoy to Yemen, former British diplomat Martin Griffiths. For its part, Saudi Arabia ha also signed an agreement in Riyadh to deposit US$ 2 billion in a Central Bank of Yemen account. The deal inked by Saudi Finance Minister Mohammed al-Jadaan and Central Bank of Yemen Governor Mohammed Mansour Zemam is aimed at shoring up the countrys currency weakened by war and divisions. The government has until March 26 to explain the plan. The lack of clarity of nations where migrants are deported to is a source of insecurity. Until the Court's final decision, Israel cannot expel or arrest other asylum seekers. Jerusalem (AsiaNews / Agencies) - The Israeli Supreme Court has put a temporary halt to the deportation of tens of thousands of African asylum seekers living in Israel until further notice. The decision, which gives the authorities until March 26 to provide more information on the deportation program, comes as a result of an appeal presented by human rights activists. On January 1, Israel warned tens of thousands of asylum seekers that they will have to "voluntarily" leave the country by April or end up in jail. The program for now only concerns unmarried men. Last month, the first refugees who refused to leave were arrested. In Israel, there are about 40 thousand asylum seekers from Eritrea and Sudan, the majority of whom arrived through Sinai between 2005 and 2012, where they suffered torture and violence. At the first hearing on March 12, Judge Hanan Melcer said that the authorities must clarify the agreements in force in "third countries" to which the migrants are deported, especially considering that they - Uganda and Rwanda - deny having made any commitment. For the magistrate, clarity is needed to protect asylum seekers: "If agreements are broken, they can go to court and show the agreement. But when the authorities say there is no agreement, what will they show? " The court also ruled that the government will not be able to expel or detain other asylum seekers in the Saharonim prison until a final decision is taken. However, those who want to leave the country "voluntarily" will be able to do so and there is no provision for the release of refugees currently in prison. Two days ago, the authorities closed Holot, the main detention center for thousands of Eritreans and Sudanese for over four years. Its closure is part of the expulsion campaign. The future of migrants who agree to leave the country is uncertain: several asylum seekers interviewed by the Israeli daily Haaretz in Rwanda and Uganda have said that once they have arrived on the spot, they have been robbed of the documents issued by Israel, have not been recognized as refugees and have had extreme difficulty finding a job and a home. According to UNHCR - UN agency for refugees, which is highly critical of the measure - many set off on a second dangerous journey, this time to Europe. The Filipino government is accused of crimes against humanity. The police say they have killed about 4 thousand suspects for resisting arrest, but human rights groups claim that the number is three times higher. Duterte has often called on authorities to kill drug suspects by promising to protect agents from legal consequences. Manila (AsiaNews / Agencies) - The Philippines government has officially announced its decision to abandon the Rome Statute, the treaty establishing the International Criminal Court (ICC). The International Crime Tribunal, based in The Hague (Netherlands), had launched a preliminary investigation last month on charges of crimes against humanity in the drug war ordered by President Rodrigo Duterte. The Filipino police say they have killed about 4 thousand suspects who resisted the arrest, but human rights groups claim that the actual number is three times higher and they accuse the murder authorities. The government yesterday sent a letter to the United Nations, which oversaw negotiations to found the Court, to announce that the country would withdraw from the Rome Statute. "The decision is the principle position of the Philippines against those who want to politicize and transform human rights," reads the Manila statement. Foreign Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano says the Philippines has taken action because of "the well-orchestrated campaign to mislead the international community and crucify President Duterte, distorting the human rights situation in the country." The government states in the UN mission that, despite the withdrawal, the nation "renews its commitment to fight against impunity in atrocious crimes". Duterte has often called on the authorities to kill drug suspects by promising to protect the police from legal consequences. The president also stated earlier that the ICC would never have had jurisdiction over him. Meanwhile, the ICC declares to take note of the "sovereign decision" of Manila, but warns that the move will not save Duterte from the judgment of the Court if it is decided to proceed with the investigations. "A withdrawal would have no impact on the ongoing proceedings or on any issue that was already before the Court before the date on which the withdrawal became effective," says the ICC. by Paul Nguyen Hung Fr Ignatius Ho Van Xuan and Fr Joseph ao Nguyen remember Mgr Paul Bui Van oc and his last days. For Catholics in Saigon, "Now Archbishop Paul belongs to the love of Jesus and the Church in heaven." Ho Chi Minh City (AsiaNews) Mgr Paul (Phaolo) Bui Van oc has come home. The late archbishop of Saigon died on 6 March during the ad limina visit of the Vietnamese bishops to the Vatican. His remains will be buried tomorrow in the ancient church of the pastoral centre of his archdiocese. Fr Ignatius (Inhaxio) Ho Van Xuan, Vicar General of Saigon, was with Mgr Paul Bui Van oc during the last days of life. He shared his thoughts with archdiocesan media. "On 25 February, the 32 bishops of Vietnam went to Paris (France), he said. For the first time, prelates, priests, religious and faithful were concerned about the archbishops health. "At the time, Mgr Paul struggled to walk and barely dragged his small suitcase, Fr Xuan explained. 'It doesnt matter. It's all right, he said as he walked slowly toward the airport. Shortly after he told me: 'Please try to restore [Saigons] Notre-Dame cathedral well.' 'Yes, I'll try,' I replied. "After a few steps he asked me: 'When will you build the parish hall?' 'Dear Archbishop, I think in 2019. When the restoration of the cathedral is almost finished, we will build it.' At that point, the archbishop told me: 'When you build it, remember to make it beautiful'. 'Yes, I know. I will do as you wish,' I answered. "I did not imagine that those would be his last words to me, Fr Xuan said. Pope Francis ordained him bishop of Saigon in 2014 and when I started working with him, Mgr Paul shared many things with me. One day, when we were at the archdiocesan pastoral centre, he asked me: 'Who have you buried in this church?' 'Archbishop Paul Nguyen Van Binh and Mgr He Nguyen Van Nam, auxiliary bishop of Saigon.' 'When I die, where will you bury me?' he asked me. 'It depends on you,' I said. "On the day of our arrival, 2 March, we saw that Mgr Paul was very tired, said Fr Joseph (Giuse) ao Nguyen talking about the archbishop's last days in Rome. The following day, he visited the tombs of the holy apostles Peter and Paul with the other bishops, before going to the Roman parish of St Thomas the Apostle, entrusted to Card Pierre (Phero) Nguyen Van Nhon. "Inside the church the archbishop had his confession. On 5 March, after meeting Pope Francis, Mgr Paul asked Fr ao Nguyen Vu to open the box of the pontiff's gifts to the bishops, choosing for himself a white rosary. 'It's so beautiful! he said. I will use it for all my life.' Shortly afterwards he began to pray. In 2014, Mgr Paul Bui Van oc gave an interview to AsiaNews, in which he expressed his love for the faithful and his desire to celebrate Mass in all the parish communities, even the smallest, and in all the congregations of his archdiocese. For Catholics in Saigon, "Now Archbishop Paul belongs to the love of Jesus and the Church in heaven." by Card. Joseph Zen The considerations of the bishop emeritus of Hong Kong on claims made by recent articles regarding the agreement between Beijing and the Holy See. Hon Kong (AsiaNews) - Finally the good Fr. Jeroom Heyndrickx, the God Father of China experts, has come out with his 2018 the year of truth [referring to the imminent (?) China-Vatican Agreement.] I could ignore the Breaking the trust by (now) famous Francesco Sisci. I could resist the temptation of answering Fr. Michael Kellys (an expert in Church History?) Cardinal Zen is just wrong. But how can I ignore Fr. Heyndrickx or abstain from reacting to his pathetic sermon? Actually, I think it would have been convenient to answer both Sisci and Kelly, at least briefly, because I would have answered, at the same time, some main points of Fr. Heyndrickxs article. I know Sisci. We met a couple of times many years ago. His strong point in life is that he conquered the heart of a girl, who happens to be the daughter of a Chinese General. This allowed him to come and go in the corridors of power in Beijing. But that does not make him a real expert in Chinese matters, even less an expert in Church affairs. As to the central point of his article, co-authored with a certain Strazzari, I have this to say: I plead guilty of breach of confidentiality, but I did it to discharge the Holy Father from responsibility for those evil (wrong?) things perpetrated by his collaborators in his name (they plan to do their dirty job quietly and let us swallow the fait accompli). Yes, I am convinced that the Holy See is not always the Holy Father. Until I see an evil deal signed, I refuse to believe that it can be real. This brings me to my first answer to Fr. Heyndrickx. He is calling everybody to unite behind the Pope, if He has repeated that there is an if. He confesses that we do not know whether the Pope will He is only making a prophecy. So I can still challenge him. Only if that unfortunate signing happens, rumored to be on March 23 or 27, I will accept defeat, retire in silence and leave the rostrum to Fr. Heyndrickx to sing his victory. Fr. Kelly went back to the times when Christian monarchs had the decisive power in making bishops. But that is, fortunately,HISTORY. He mentioned also the Vatican compromise with the Nazi, the Fascist and the Eastern Bloc Communist powers. But nobody should, today, feel proud of that (only the strong faith of the people could prevent the Church from a complete collapse!) [Last summer I spent three weeks making a study tour to the Church of Hungary, Slovakia and Czech Republic.] Now, the present HISTORICAL reality we face in China is: a pusillus grex (a tiny flock) being persecuted by a gigantic atheist power. What is happening in China from 1949 until today has no precedent in HISTORY. It was, until recently, either surrender or martyrdom (without me pushing for martyrdom), and now it is either surrender (with the encouragement from the Vatican) or back to the catacombs. But why surrender? Doesnt the Vatican see that many churches (buildings) survive in the underground community e.g. in Hebei and Fujian? Doesnt the Vatican know that in cities like Shanghai, many priests celebrate Sunday Mass in private homes for their faithful? There is still a certain degree of freedom for the birds outside the cage. But now things are going to change. The Vatican is coming to help the Government to push everybody into the cage. This is absolutely novel! This makes HISTORY! This brings me to my second answer to Fr. Heyndrickx. He says that the signing of the Agreement would be a blessing because it will enable the Catholic faithful in China to openly celebrate their faith in one community. The year 2018 will be the year of truth. What truth? Truth with Chinese characteristics? (I would like Fr. Heyndrickx to read the pastoral letter by the late Bishop Aloysius Jin on Truth. The truth doesnt enjoy good health or high esteem nowadays in China. Everything is faked, from food to medicine. You are not expected to tell the truth, just say what the boss likes to hear.) To openly celebrate their faith in one community? How wonderful! But where? In a church registered with the Patriotic Association, under the surveillance cameras, listening to a priest preaching the latest instruction from the reigning President-Emperor?! What other possibility? Surely this is not a really normal worship as in any Catholic church in the world! Fr. Heyndrickx has learned a lot from the Chinese, who are masters in playing with words. Beautiful words: To openly celebrate their faith in one community, and restoring church unity and normalization in China. How wonderful, how unusual, how tragic lies! The Reality is: People who for years, bearing all sorts of discrimination and harassment, kept their loyalty to the true faith, under the authority of the Pope, are now forced by the Vatican into the same prison where, led by the Government officials, dressed like Gods ministers. They have to shout in unison: long live China, long live (in that order) [you may not notice the contradiction as when you say Chinese Catholic Church (zhongguo tianzhujiao) - An independent Chinese Church is no more a Catholic Church!] Fr. Heyndrickx attributes the merit of this miracle to the courageous initiative of Pope Francis [obviously Pope Benedict (the confrontationist?) is not his Pope]. Fr. Heyndrickx is too humble. He is the one who deserves the price for this big success. He is now harvesting what he has sown for the last ten years, with the complicity of the Holy See, as soon as the Popes 2007 letter was published. He picked up, out of the context, the words the clandestine condition is not a normal feature of the Churchs life. The complete text in the letter is in Paragraph 10 of Chapter 8: Some of them (bishops in China), not wishing to be subjected to undue control exercised over the life of the Church, and eager to maintain total fidelity to the Successor of Peter and to Catholic doctrine, have felt themselves constrained to opt for clandestine consecration. The clandestine condition is not a normal feature of the Church life, and history shows that Pastors and faithful have recourse to it only amid suffering, in the desire to maintain the integrity of their faith and to resist interference from state agencies in matters pertaining intimately to the Churchs life. Being a friend both of the Holy See and of the Patriotic Association he could spread his twisted interpretation of the Popes letter all over the Church in China. Let everybody come into the open, there should not be underground church anymore! His latest conquest: the Bishop of Lanzhou has been publicly installed last November. Another one, Bishop Wei Jingyi, is on the waiting list. A clarification on distinction between Reconciliation and Unification succeeded in fighting its way into the compendium, but only after 2 years when irreparable confusion and damage has already been caused in the Church. I am not going to point out all the absurdities in the article of Fr. Heyndrickx. I only want to remind him that his emphasis on the Vatican knows best goes against Pope Francis emphasis on the periphery. Remember also: you go often to China, but every day in Hong Kong, the reality of China comes before our eyes. You are welcome to Hong Kong to watch how they are going to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the first illegal episcopal ordination in China next month. Once again we are witnessing high level engagement between India and China. This is an important development after repeated Line of Actual Control (LAC) violations by China, a long standoff in Dolam, a faceoff in Arunachal Pradesh and the recent Maldives flashpoint. Just recently India was willing to be a lone voice against Chinas Belt and Road Initiative and its debt-trap diplomacy while pursuing high-level diplomacy with the western powers to multiply its options viz-a-viz Beijing where a lot of big talks are going on yet to fructify. Everything seemed to be on track but then India decided to go ahead with another reset. In its attempt to reset with China, India refrained from taking an assertive stance on the Maldives crisis and allowed its strategic advantage slip to China. India also coldly distanced itself from all events to mark the Dalai Lamas 60 years in exile. Though, India managed to convince China to put Pakistan on the grey list of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) but only in exchange for Beijing gaining the vice-presidency of the organization. This is the second time in 4 years that the Narendra Modi government is trying a reset with China. The first attempt in 2014 ended up in embarrassment as the Chinese President Xi Jinpings India visit was accompanied by the intrusion of hundreds of Chinese troops in Chumar in Ladakh, Jammu & Kashmir. It is interesting to note the events that followed the first failed reset attempt in 2014. You just cant trust the Chinese; they use the language of co-operation and engagement in a misleading way to achieve their objectives China stonewalled Indias entry bid in the NSG: In 2015, China stonewalled Indias entry bid in the NSG. Chinas position on this remains unchanged so far. Chinese opposition has made Indias entry into the group difficult as the NSG works on the principle of consensus. China not only stridently opposed Indias entry but also pushed its partner in crime Pakistans (having serious allegations of proliferation of nuclear technology by its scientist A Q Khan) application for membership of the 48-member elite nuclear club which controls nuclear trade. It was a malicious attempt to interlink the applications of India who has an impeccable non-proliferation record with Pakistan who cannot claim the same for membership of the club that sets the rules for global nuclear commerce. China blocked Indias move to designate Masood Azhar a terrorist: China has repeatedly blocked Indias move to designate Pakistani national Masood Azhar a terrorist under the Al-Qaeda Sanctions Committee of the UN Security Council. 14 out of 15 countries were willing to designate Azhar a terrorist but China alone decided to go against all the others in the bid. Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), a terror outfit founded by Masood Azhar is already in the UNs list of banned terror outfits. JeM was responsible for the attack on the Indian parliament in December 2001 that brought India and Pakistan to the brink of a full-scale war. Jaish-e-Mohammed is also responsible for 2016 Pathankot airbase attack in Punjab, 2016 Uri attack in Jammu and Kashmir, 2008 Mumbai attacks and the 2002 murder of American journalist Daniel Pearl in Karachi, Pakistan to name a few. China refused entry to Indian pilgrims: In 2017, China cut off access for Indian pilgrims to the annual Kailash Mansarovar Yatra in Tibet. Hundreds of pilgrims pay visit to the holy Mount Kailash via Nathu La Pass every year but were denied entry this time. After the Indian efforts of reset China has agreed to allow pilgrims through Nathu La, months after it shut the route in June 2017 following the standoff on the Dolam plateau. SinoIndia border standoff: The Dolam standoff began in mid-June 2017 after Indian and Bhutanese opposition to the Chinese Road construction in the disputed territory towards the Dolam plateau. The standoff went on for more than two months. Since then the Chinese have built sentry posts, trenches and helipads, all not too far from the standoff point. China refused to share hydrological data: According to the 2006 India-China Expert Level Mechanism (ELM) on Trans-border Rivers, China is expected to share hydrological data information of Brahmaputra River (Yarlong Zanbo in Chinese) and Sutlej River (Langqen Zangbo in Chinese) with India from 15th May to 15th October each year. In 2017, China refused to share hydrological data in violation of two MoUs as India battled floods. Increasing Chinese transgressions at LAC: India and China share unresolved 4,057-km Line of Actual Control (LAC) where the Chinese have shown brazen military aggression. Between 2010 -2013 and 2014-2017, India recorded 1,240 and 1549 transgressions respectively at LAC by the Peoples Liberation Army. The statistics clearly show a significant increase in Chinese aggression across the LAC. China and Pakistan were the driving force behind the 2012 Maldivian coup which allowed China to extend its footprints in Maldives Historically an Indian ally, the Maldives archipelago comprising of 1,200 coral islands lies next to key shipping lanes which ensure uninterrupted energy supplies to countries like China, Japan and India. It is located just 700 km from Indias Lakshadweep island chain and around 1,200 km from the Indian mainland. The recent flashpoint between India and China is the Maldives crisis which began on February 6, 2018 after the Maldivian President Abdulla Yameen ordered the arrest of the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court along with a former president and declared a state of emergency. The Maldives crisis has spiralled into a power struggle between the two Asian giants whose inception was in 2012 when Yameen staged a coup against the first freely and democratically elected President Mohamed Nasheed and forced him to resign at gunpoint followed by a police mutiny in the Indian Ocean island nation. Many in the intelligence community across the globe believe that China and Pakistan were the driving force behind the 2012 Maldivian coup which allowed China to extend its footprints in Maldives. The coup also led to the scrapping of Indian giant GMRs Male airport contract which was subsequently awarded to a state-owned Chinese company. Beijing has been wooing Maldives for long to dominate the strategically-important sea lanes of the Indian Ocean Region. Maldives has traditionally been an Indian ally which now seems to have fallen to China. Until 2011, Maldives was not a priority in Chinas foreign policy; Beijing did not even have an embassy in Male but after the 2012 Maldivian coup the Sino-Maldives collaboration is going in full swing. Listed below are the key China-Maldivian engagements post 2012 coup in the island nation: Year 2014: In 2014, Xi Jinping became the first Chinese president to visit Maldives since 1972 wherein Maldives endorsed Chinas Belt and Road Initiative. Subsequently, Export-Import Bank of China (Chexim) disbursed a $373.8 million loan to build a new 3.4 Km runway, seaplane terminal and cargo facility at Velana International Airport. Chexim also issued a $66 million loan to build China-Maldives Friendship Bridge connecting the airport with the island capital of Male. Year 2016: Maldives registered a prominent increase in the Chinese tourist arrivals. From 42,000 i.e., 6 percent of arrivals, in 2008 to 300,000 Chinese tourists accounting for 25 percent of all arrivals in Maldives in 2016, this is a clear example of how Chinas intelligence agency MSS uses tourists as a foreign policy tool. The Maldives government leased Feydhoo Finolhu, an uninhabited island near the countrys capital city of Male, to a Chinese firm for 50 years at a cost of $4 million. Maldives foreign minister Ahmed Naseem informed the media in April that China had bid to build a port on Gaadhoo island in the southern atoll of Laamu roughly 800 Km from the Indian mainland. Several reports suggest that Beijing has already begun construction work on the island. Year 2017: BoCom International, the Hong Kong based securities arm of Chinas fifth-largest Shanghai-based Bank of Communications was the sole underwriter of the Republic of Maldives inaugural sovereign bond valued at $200 million with a five-year maturity period. This marked the first transaction in which a Chinese investment bank was the sole lead of an international sovereign bond issuance. In August, Maldives also permitted the docking of three Chinese warships in Male. Maldivian President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom visited China in December where Maldives and China signed a Memorandum of Understanding that brought Maldives into the Maritime Silk Road, a component of Chinas ambitious Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). During the visit Maldives also signed a free trade agreement with Beijing becoming the second south Asian country after Pakistan to do so. China and Maldives also signed a protocol to build the joint ocean observation station at Makunudhoo Island of the Maldives not far from the Indian mainland. Over 70 percent of Maldives current foreign debt is owed to China, on which the loan interest alone is more than 20 percent of Maldives budget The above events clearly give a glimpse of Chinese intentions against India which have seriously dented Indias status as peacekeeper of the region and the primary regional partner of the Maldives. There can be no greater indication of this than the fact that Maldives was the only SAARC country that seemed reluctant to follow Indias call for the boycott of SAARC summit in Pakistan after the Uri attack. India needs Maldives to maintain its leadership in the region. Unfortunately China has already started trapping Maldives in its deb trap similar to what it did with Sri Lanka under Rajapaksa. Already over 70 percent of Maldives current foreign debt is owed to China, on which the loan interest alone is more than 20 percent of Maldives budget. While a lot of this is due to Indias passivity, India needs to understand that China will adopt this strategy everywhere to undermine it. China firmly believes that a strong & assertive India would never be in its interest and it will do everything possible to undermine Indian growth and its strategic influence. Despite all, India continues to be optimistic in its efforts to reset ties with China. Though, we understand that such engagements may help to develop some sort of mutual trust and avoid any unexpected military conflict between the two Asian giants, we also believe that India is moving too fast on the reset for short term gains. You just cant trust the Chinese; they use the language of co-operation and engagement in a misleading way to achieve their objectives. Notes: Hello everyone my name is yoann and I come here to get some help. I lodged my 457 couple of Days ago I was on whv and I get my bridging visa a for me and my partner but I still get the 8547 restrictions and it's already 6 months I am with the same employer wich form I can fill for that and if you have any advice about it ? And for partner which is on de facto she get work restriction too 8115 I know it's the form 1005 to fill up but I have a couple of question about it if someone can help me ? I just get out of the immigration office and he asked 3000 dollar to do it and as the regard of the situation both unemployed at the moment I can't afford that . Thanks for your help I hope you have a great day Photo: JUCY RV Rentals JUCY RV Rentals announced its expansion into Canada with a new Vancouver branch. JUCY bookings are currently available for early May. The JUCY Vancouver branch is located in Point Roberts, Wa., a 40-minute drive from the Vancouver International Airport. The branch will have the same offerings as its existing locations in Los Angeles, Las Vegas, and the San Francisco Bay Area. 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. The Miami-Dade Police Department is conducting a homicide investigation into the Florida International University pedestrian bridge collapse on Thursday that killed at least six people, one of them being a student at FIU, officials said during a news conference Friday morning. At least 6 people are dead, 9 others injured Sen. Marco Rubio says workers were on bridge when it collapsed Next news conference between 9 a.m. and 10 a.m., Friday RELATED: Officials: 4 dead at site of FIU bridge collapse, 9 hospitalized During a 10 a.m. news conference, Juan Perez, Director of Miami-Dade Police Department, said they are working with several agencies to determine the cause of the bridge collapse and to bring closure to the families of the victims. Perez said the police department is calling it a homicide because people died, not because there are any criminal charges pending. "Please do not jump to any conclusions. This is a homicide investigation, that's all it is. That means that someone died. That is it. That does not mean that there are criminal charges looming or pending, or anything like that. Is there a possibility like that? There is always a possibility for something like that to occur," he said. One question asked during the conference is why traffic was not shut down while workers were tightening the bridge cables and Perez said that is another thing the department is looking in to. The Miami-Dade Fire Rescue is working closely with the police department to help find any additional survivors and to recover the bodies of the victims. "This has turned into a rescue to a recovery operation," said Chief Dave Downey with the Miami-Dade Fire Rescue. The National Transportation Safety Board is also conducting an independent investigation, separate from the police department's investigation, to determine the cause of the accident and to help prevent it from happening again. Robert Sumwalt, chairman of the NTSB, said during the news conference that the investigation will be very detailed and that the agency's goal is to determine the cause and to make recommendations so that it won't happen again. Early Friday morning, the Miami-Dade Police Department first announced the number of people killed, saying that "at least" six people died because there might be more under the rubble. "There is a possibility, a sad possibility, that under the concrete there maybe additional vehicles," said Alvaro Zabaleta, a Miami-Dade Police Department detective and public information officer. The identities, even the ages, races and sex, of the victims have not been released, Zabaleta said, adding that nine people were sent to a local hospital and it is believed that another person drove him or herself to that hospital. One of the dead died at the hospital, Zabaleta confirmed. During the overnight, crews have been cleaning up the debris from the deadly pedestrian bridge collapse that has also left nine injured. Investigators worked throughout the night at Florida International University trying to figure out what caused the bridge to collapse. HAPPENING NOW: A newly-installed pedestrian bridge has collapsed at @FIU, and there are at least 5 vehicles underneath. Video showed several people being loaded into ambulances. Story we're updating: https://t.co/RbfEXlkEtK pic.twitter.com/aPLbjeJ8mB Bay News 9 (@BN9) March 15, 2018 U.S. Florida Sen. Marco Rubio tweeted that the cables that suspend the bridge had loosened and the engineering firm ordered that they be tightened. He said they were tightening them when it collapsed. The cables that suspend the #Miami bridge had loosened & the engineering firm ordered that they be tightened. They were being tightened when it collapsed today. https://t.co/9Uc9EUsDYY Marco Rubio (@marcorubio) March 16, 2018 Zabaleta said that engineers warned that the rescue operation has to be done carefully, not just to preserve evidence and the victims who could be under the rubble, but to also keep rescuers safe. Engineers are concern for the rescue crews because the collapsed bridge is unstable, he said. Witnessing the bridge falling Many who were there described chaos as they witnessed the bridge falling. "It sounded like a bomb. Multiple bombs in one. It was terrible. It was super loud. It sounded like the world was ending," said one witness. Witnesses in shock, the bridge that just went up last weekend, now on the ground. "I couldn't believe that it was falling. So I told myself, 'Why would they do this. Why are they bringing the bridge down?' I don't understand what's going on. I was in shock and when it finally hit me like, 'This is bad,'" said Sweetwater Police Department Sgt. Jenna Mendez. Some ran towards the rubble to search for survivors. "I was on the way to work today and just a couple blocks away from me when it happened. When I saw happened I immediately got on the radio to get the word over to the incident location so we could start helping out. So when I ran up to the scene I saw multiple workers," said Adrian Mesa, another sergeant with the Police Department. Witnesses say they saw construction crews on the bridge when it came down. "They were working on top and they fell several feet obviously," described Mendez. Others on the scene say they crossed under the bridge just moments before it came crashing down. A witness described what happened to someone he knew as the bridge fell. "He was crossing the street at the moment that the bridge was coming down. And I don't know if he was ... I don't know really. He was just severely injured," the man said. What the bridge meant and its history The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), the FBI and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) are already on scene preparing to start their investigation and Gov. Rick Scott has directed the Florida Highway Patrol to send help with the search and rescue efforts and traffic control. Rubio has been an adjunct professor at FIU for the last 10 years and calls it home and it is ironic because the bridge was designed for safety. He said that there was so much pride and excitement that surrounded this project and what happened is heartbreaking. "To see it on the ground there today, and underneath it. Those who lost their lives as a result of this and those who have been injured. It's just so tragic. We recognize that, even as we speak to you now, there are families whose hearts are being broken by the news or the thought that a loved one has perished," Rubio said. The bridge, which was went up last weekend, cost $14.2 million and was supposed to open in 2019 as a safe way for students to cross the busy road. It was the first of its kind to be built using an accelerated bridge construction method. For Immediate Release, March 15, 2018 Contacts: Tanya Sanerib, (206) 379-7363, tsanerib@biologicaldiversity.org Noah Greenwald, (503) 484-7495 (available on site for interviews) As Elephant Killing Controversy Expands, Protesters to Urge Trump to Disband Biased Wildlife Panel 'Wildlife' Council, Meeting Friday, Stacked With Trophy Hunters, NRA Interests WASHINGTON Amid a growing controversy over imports of elephant and lion trophies, the Center for Biological Diversity will protest tomorrow morning against a new federal wildlife advisory committee stacked with trophy hunters and gun-industry representatives. Protesters wearing elephant masks will gather at 9:15 a.m. Friday outside a meeting of the so-called International Wildlife Conservation Council at the Main Interior Building, 1849 C Street NW, Washington, D.C. The council is composed almost entirely of hunting guides, celebrity hunters, and people affiliated with pro-trophy hunting organizations, gunmakers and the National Rifle Association. Fifteen of the councils 16 members have trophy hunting or gun ties. If Trump really wants to stop the slaughter of elephants for trophies, he should shut down this biased thrill-kill council, said Tanya Sanerib, international program legal director at the Center. The administration cant make wise decisions on trophy imports if it only listens to gunmakers and people who want to kill wildlife. Africas imperiled elephants need protection, not a bullet to the head. On Twitter Trump has blasted trophy hunting as a horror show. Yet the council was created by Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke specifically to advise the Trump administration on the removal of barriers to trophy imports and the benefits that result from United States citizens traveling to foreign nations to engage in hunting, according to government documents. In November 2017 Zinke formally reversed an Obama administration ban on importing elephant trophies from Zimbabwe. Zimbabwes elephant population continues to decline as a result of poaching, and the Obama-era ban came in part because of a lack of evidence that trophy hunting was contributing to conservation. Zinkes U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service recently decided to begin approving trophy imports on a case-by-case basis. Zinke isnt just hopping into bed with the NRA and trophy hunters, hes bringing the roses and champagne, said Sanerib. Trophy hunting targets Africas strongest, most majestic elephants and lions. Trump should follow through on his tweets and block the import of animal parts from this bloody business. Partnering with Google, the Common Ground initiative has launched a global campaign that will support the Sustainable Development Goals. Saving the world with little actions Step by step, little by little It is a first of its kind collaboration between the advertising industry and Google in support of the Sustainable Development Goals adopted at the United Nations, the campaign will leverage the power of YouTube and global influencers to mobilise Gen Z to carry out 2 billion acts of good.Launched on 15 March, Little by Little is rooted in the truth that exponential change can be made possible through the repetition of little acts by the largest generation on earth.To kick-start, the campaign, model and activist, Jillian Mercado, is featured in the anthem video which has already garnered more than 15 million views in just two weeks. At the launch, she will be joined by a global roster of influencers UN ambassadors and YouTube creators curated by FameBit who will share their stories, content and actions on YouTube and other social platforms, including Yara Shahidi, Marissa Rachel, Roxy Rocks, Jessica Dante, Adebola Williams, Gemma Stafford and Khushi Maheshwari, The voices of these global influencers will be amplified by a host of other creators in the US, UK, India and Nigeria as they inspire user-generated content from their followers to save the world with little actions.This global campaign is under the banner of Common Ground the initiative by the worlds six largest advertising groups to support the Sustainable Development Goals. In April 2017, the six founding members of Common Ground , Dentsu, Havas, IPG, Omnicom, Publicis and WPP alongside Wieden + Kennedy with the financial, creative and logistical support of Google came together under the banner The Common Futures Project . The initial direction was conceived in a Hackathon in New York, drawing on resources from all agency partners and then developed further by a coalition of agencies including Sapient Razorfish, Ogilvy and Mediacom.The deputy secretary general of the United Nations, Amina J. Mohammed commented on the initiative: We have a blueprint for a better world the Sustainable Development Goals. Little by Little is about young people around the world coming together to build a movement for success. It is based on a powerful notion. Yes, we face a lot of big problems but we can start fixing them through a lot of small acts. Step by step, little by little, we will get to a better world.In a joint statement, the CEOs of the Common Ground partnership said, Common Ground was born of the idea that, as an industry, we can set aside our differences to support the agenda of the 17 global goals . Little by Little is proof that this is not a theoretical ambition, but an achievable goal.In explaining their support for the project, Google spokesperson, Torrence Boone, VP global agency development, commented: Video can affect us like no other medium. It can educate, build understanding and even change the way we see our world. Its exciting to see Common Grounds Little by Little campaign come to life and were proud that YouTubes platform and influencers will play a crucial role in spreading this important initiative. Millions of Somali children will be vaccinated against measles in a joint campaign by the World Health Organisation (WHO), Unicef and local health authorities. The aim is to target more than 4.7-million children aged from six months to 10 years. Drought Over 2,800 cases of suspected measles have been reported since the start of the year, with the most affected regions including Bay, Banadir and Mudug. In 2017 there were more than 23,000 suspected cases of measles six times as many as in 2016 with the vast majority (83%) affecting children under 10.In early 2017, WHO, Unicefand partners, together with national health authorities, vaccinated nearly 600,000 children aged six months to five years for measles in hard-to-reach and hotspot areas across Somalia.The campaign will intensify efforts to improve immunity against measles and reach unvaccinated children. As we saw last year when partners responded to a major cholera outbreak, with the right interventions, WHO and health authorities are confident that similar success may be seen in controlling this measles outbreak, said Dr Ghulam Popal, WHO Rrepresentative in Somalia.More than two years of severe drought has led to widespread child malnutrition, mass displacement, and a lack of access to clean water and sanitation, creating ideal conditions for infectious disease outbreaks.The situation is especially critical for millions of under-vaccinated, weak and vulnerable children who are susceptible to contracting infectious diseases. More than 1.2-million children are projected to be at risk of acute malnutrition in the next 12 months. These children are nine times more likely to die of killer diseases such as measles and acute watery diarrhoea /cholera than healthy children, said Steven Lauwerier, Unicef Somalia representative.Ahead of this latest campaign, in late 2017, WHO conducted a series of trainings for Somali health workers on early outbreak detection and response for measles. The trainings aim to enhance measles case-based surveillance and laboratory confirmation, improve measles case management during outbreaks, and achieve high routine measles vaccination coverage.Unicef has procured and distributed over 4.7 million doses of measles vaccine and organised 1,700 social mobilisers to encourage families to vaccinate children and adults who are not or think they might not be fully immunised. This will be accompanied by Vitamin A supplementation which will help to boost immunity.The response is supported through funding from Alwaleed Philanthropies (Saudi Arabia), the United Nations Foundation, WHO, and the Somalia Humanitarian Fund. A leading meat scientist has urged the companies implicated in SA's biggest recorded outbreak of listeriosis to collaborate in efforts to determine how their products became contaminated with deadly listeria bacteria. More than 180 people have died in the outbreak since January 2017.The outbreak was traced after scientists from the National Institute for Communicable Diseases found listeria in polony made by both Tiger Brands and RCL Foods at a Soweto creche, where several children took ill with listeriosis."Several of the ingredients used to make polony could potentially harbour listeria, but the bacteria could have been introduced into a factory from another source," said Louw Hoffman, chair of meat science at Stellenbosch University.Tiger Brands said its polony was made from water, mechanically deboned chicken, soya protein, pork, tapioca starch, salt, dextrose, sucrose, irradiated spices, flavourings, onion, spice extracts, phosphates, monosodium glutamate, sodium erythorbate, garlic, colourant and the preservatives sodium nitrite and sodium nitrate.RCL said its polony ingredients differed by variant, but the core ingredients included chicken meat, chicken skin and fat, spices, flavours, binding agents and water."I don't know if they will ever be able to find out where it comes from, but the question I would ask is what is the common denominator between these companies," said Hoffman. "Neither one of them can afford it happening again," he added.RCL had not responded to queries about industry co-operation by the time of publication.Tiger Brands representative Nevashnee Naicker said the company had not formally engaged RCL so far but it supported an "industry-wide engagement" to co-ordinate responses to the outbreak."Our focus thus far has been on managing the crisis and the recall, ensuring that we minimise the risk to consumers and engaging with the local municipalities in Polokwane and Germiston. We have been working with the local and international experts who have been brought in to support our investigation efforts. Furthermore, the teams have been involved with deepcleaning interventions during the week," said Naicker.On March 4 Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi said that the strain of listeria responsible for most of the cases recorded since last January had been traced by the institute to Tiger Brands's Enterprise Foods factory in Polokwane, prompting an immediate recall of its products.Listeria was also found in cold meat products made in its Germiston factory. LONDON, England - Donatella Versace has said her family's luxury fashion label will no longer use real furs in its products, according to an interview with a British magazine. Piotr Trojanowski via 123RF The Italian fashion queen and Versace's creative director told The Economist'smagazine that it would stop the practice, without providing further details on the change."Fur? I am out of that," Versace said. "I don't want to kill animals to make fashion. It doesn't feel right."Versace's headquarters in Milan, Italy, could not be reached for comment on Wednesday night.noted the announcement was such a "volte-face" that at the time of the magazine writing its article, which was published online Wednesday, Versace's website was still urging customers to buy "fur-embellished coats that turn heads".Versace had previously resisted pressure to join a host of other fashion brands, including Armani, Calvin Klein, Hugo Boss and Ralph Lauren which had all already ditched furs from their collections.The luxury label has historically included lots of furs across its ranges, from a variety of species including mink and raccoon dog, according to the Humane Society International (HSI), which campaigns globally for an end to the fur trade.It noted Versace's autumn/winter 2017 collection included laser cut mink and fox coats. "Versace is a massively influential luxury brand that symbolises excess and glamour, and so its decision to stop using fur shows that compassionate fashion has never been more on trend," said Claire Bass, executive director of HSI's UK arm.However, the International Fur Federation said it was "disappointed" by the decision. "The majority of top designers will continue to work with fur as they know it is a natural product that is produced responsibly," said its CEO Mark Oaten."With growing concern about the environment and plastics in fashion, I truly believe fur is the natural and responsible choice for designers and consumers." Toys 'R' Us Inc. is going out of business, shutting all of its 735 toy stores and Babies 'R' Us stores in the US after a failed turnaround. Approximately 33,000 jobs are expected to be affected by the liquidation. Taina Sohlman via 123RF Retail apocalypse Africa business The toy and baby goods giant said in a statement on Thursday that it had filed a motion seeking bankruptcy court approval for the wind-down of its US business, and liquidation of inventory in all of its stores.I am very disappointed with the result, but we no longer have the financial support to continue the companys U.S. operations," said Dave Brandon, Toys 'R' Us chairman and chief executive officer.There are many people and organizations who have remained in our corner every step of the way. I want to thank our extraordinary team members who helped build Toys 'R' Us into a global brand. I also want to express my appreciation for my colleagues on our board who have continued to provide support to sustain the brand and our operations throughout the restructuring process. I would also like to thank our vendors who we owe a great deal of gratitude to for their decades of support. This is a profoundly sad day for us as well as the millions of kids and families who we have served for the past 70 years.Toys 'R' Us filed for bankruptcy in September with a plan to turn around the unprofitable retailer, but sales sputtered during the crucial holiday season, "and the company began missing payments to some suppliers in recent days, all but sealing its fate," reports Bloomberg The chain is the most recent casualty of what's been dubbed a 'retail apocalypse' in the US. In 2017 alone 3,500 stores closed in the region, leading to approximately 30,000 retail jobs being lost. Department stores J.C. Penney and Macy's were among those that experienced hundreds of store closures.Euromonitor International's toys and games consultant, Tim Barrett, said that while the Toys 'R' Us closure is a gut check to legacy retailers that are struggling to adapt to modern retail realities, the development doesn't come as a surprise."In an age where shopping for toys is more efficient online or at Walmart, a big-box toy retailer with next to nothing in terms of service or experience doesnt make a lot of sense. Had the chain embraced e-commerce earlier instead of outsourcing it to Amazon from 2000-2010 things might have gone differently. Had the chain made a bold move to reimagine stores, perhaps by adding in daycare centres, things might have improved. But Toys 'R' Us did none of these things. Spread thin across too many countries, with too many stores and too much debt, it boxed itself into its current fate.As far as Toys 'R' Us operations in Southern Africa is concerned, it's business as usual.Although these challenges will have ramifications on the global toy landscape it must be clear that Toys 'R' Us and Babies 'R' Us South Africa are a privately owned South African enterprise which merely pays a royalty to utilise the brand names and operates completely independently from its global counterparts said Toys 'R' Us and Babies 'R' Us SA marketing manager Nicole Annells.In fact, the local company has invested heavily into upgrade projects nationwide, noting the soon-to-be-unveiled flagship Canal Walk store as its latest upgrade attraction.The aggressive expansion project has seen Toys R Us and Babies R Us launch seven new stores last year, with an additional one expected to open its doors next month.We have maintained our momentum. Our revenue growth is solid, and Toys 'R' Us & Babies 'R' Us continues in a clear path of strengthening our brand footprint throughout South Africa, said Annells. Support for diversification of the sugar industry provides a superb and immediate opportunity for the government of South Africa under its new president to create thousands of new jobs by leveraging sugarcane as a key strategic economic resource. Rufino Uribe via Wikimedia Commons Sugarcane is a magical plant with multiple potential uses that far outstrip its face-value use as a sweetener for food and drink. No other agricultural crop produced in South Africa has such potential to create a healthier, greener planet while creating employment, reducing dependence on petrol and lowering carbon dioxide emissions. And yet the government is lagging behind in the initiatives that could help this crucial industry contribute to its full capacity.South Africa once had a thriving sugar industry, but in the last 20 years, 58,000 hectares and around 11,000 mostly smaller independent producers have gone out of production. Diversification into new areas is now essential for the industry to survive and prosper.The good news is that if these new avenues are exploited, particularly if the government were to ratify a mandated blend of ethanol in petrol, the sugar industry can not only expand, it can create jobs and alleviate poverty.There are nearly endless opportunities for products derived... Carbon- and energy-intensive companies in the mining, steel, chemical, cement and paper industries have come out against the carbon tax proposed by the Treasury. Public hearings on the draft Carbon Tax Bill were held in Parliament on Wednesday, 14 March 2018, by the finance and environmental affairs committees.Opposition to the proposed tax was expressed by energy and chemical company Sasol, which did not believe it was the correct approach and warned of the regulatory and policy uncertainty surrounding the proposals because they would be adjusted in future.Eskom acting-chief financial officer Calib Cassim argued that a carbon tax was not required for SA to meet its international commitments and would result in a sharp increase in electricity tariffs from 2023.Business Unity SA said the bill should be halted until an integrated mitigation system had been finalised.The Treasury estimates that the introduction of the carbon tax will result in a decrease in greenhouse gas emissions of between 13% and 14.5% by 2025 and between 26% and 33% by 2035 compared with business as usual. The headline carbon tax proposed is R120 a tonne of CO2 emissions above the tax-free thresholds.Taking into account the allowances, this would imply an initial effective carbon tax range from R6 to R48 a tonne of CO2.Deloitte managing partner for tax and legal Nazrien Kader said electricity generation was responsible for 43% of SA's greenhouse gas emissions. Agriculture and waste were responsible for 10% and 4%, respectively, but would be excluded from the tax, so only 43% of emissions would be subject to the tax.The industry task team on climate change, which represents carbon- and energyintensive companies, said it was in favour of a "predictable and gradual transition" to a lowercarbon economy but did not support the envisaged tax.Task-team representative Jarredine Morris argued that a carbon tax was not suitable in the economic context.Existing policy instruments, such as the carbon budget regime of the Department of Environmental Affairs, the Integrated Resource Plan and the industrial policy action plan of the Department of Trade and Industry would achieve a lowcarbon, resource-efficient outcome, she said.Electricity consumption had contracted, especially in mining and industry, and there were other interventions to increase the supply of low-carbon electricity."The carbon tax will have no material impact on reducing carbon emissions from the electricity generation sector. Furthermore, the proposed tax is administratively and practically enormously costly and onerous," Morris said.Sasol vice-president for group regulatory services Johan Thyse submitted that a carbon tax could not address the structural issues at the heart of SA's greenhouse gas intensity, which included the lack of lower-carbon energy alternatives. The current water crisis in the Western Cape has highlighted serious problems with South Africa's approach to water management and finding viable solutions. Dr Kevin Gast Drought relief Cost of desalination Impacts of climate change Implementing clean technologies In 2001, the province experienced its worst drought in a hundred years. At the time, plans, programmes and protocols were put into place and budgeted for to augment the potable water supply, specifically to the city of Cape Town. Good rains followed, and the money was reallocated to other politically expedient projects. This has resulted in an unexpected challenge from a technological and engineering perspective.Current published mathematical models on climatic change indicate that the Western Cape could lose up to 40% of its winter rainfall and specific areas of Limpopo up to 20% in years to come.The climate change models also indicate that a significant shift in the Southern African rainfall pattern will occur, resulting in the Western geographical areas below the sub-tropics to be dryer by up to 8% by 2080, while the Eastern geographical areas below the sub-tropics will experience a slight increase in rainfall.The current drought and future rainfall outlook has significant implications for farmers. Crop yields are expected to be reduced by about 50% and aquaculture by an estimated 20% in the 2018 season. This, in turn, will affect food security, leading to an increase in the occurrence and intensity of famine in Sub-Saharan Africa. In a nutshell, we can expect worsening droughts and increased flooding in different geographical regions of Southern Africa.In his budget speech, former finance minister Malusi Gigaba committed a provisional allocation of R6bn in 2018/2019 for drought relief and to augment public infrastructure investment. He also raised concerns about the potential job losses for vulnerable farming communities as a result of the drought, noting that government is exploring the option of partially mitigating losses by temporarily increasing intake into the Working for Water programme.He added that the allocation for drought response funds for water infrastructure projects and Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) will be made in the Adjustment Budget. To provide short term assistance, this budget includes disaster relief grants for provinces and municipalities worth R473m in 2018/19.It is estimated that R16.6bn is required to alleviate the drought in the Western Cape. Of this, only R639m has currently been made available. This is an untenable situation and government, on a national and provincial level, needs to sharpen its drought relief tool box, including financial and other mechanical methodologies.The estimated water loss from leaking pipes, valves and seals for South Africa is around 37% (Cape Town about 120-million litres per day). The first port of call is to plug as many holes in the system as possible as this loss is water that has ready been prepared for human consumption.Many countries run purely on desalination. The current water production cost in South Africa is about R6.90 per kilolitre (kl), while the cost of desalinated water is approximately R16.00 per kilolitre (kl). It is never too late to implement a properly engineered desalination solution, but this should not be done in haste. While it may be tempting to choose a cheaper and more expedient option in the short-term, the country will suffer the consequences of an inadequate solution in the long term. Obviously, the cost of desalinisation will come down in direct proportion to the loss of water from water reticulation systems currently used.Some additional alternatives include the construction of deeper dams with lower evaporation coefficients, provided there is water available for capture. These dams are, however, extremely expensive. In addition, the water needs to be reticulated to the end user, which is an additional cost. The construction of dams and canals using high density polyethylene does reduce the cost dramatically.To avoid a water crisis of the magnitude in the Western Cape, South Africa needs to look to its past. Previously, consulting civil engineers were allocated a geographical area of responsibility. This meant that the data was always available at the specified engineering practices fingertips, guaranteeing succession in design and implementation. This occurred along a pre-planned methodology integrated with a cash flow budget. Political intervention unfortunately usurped this internationally recognised practice and the repercussions are now highly tangible.With regards to climate change, the acidification of South Africas rivers, coupled with an increase in ambient temperature, is of great concern. We have seen a 1.4C increase in temperatures in the countrys interior over the past century, while the coastal and tropical regions have only increased by 0.2 C. The increase of CO in our water bodies dramatically impairs fish larvae production as well as that of all other aquaculture. This is further exacerbated by statistically significant increases in ambient temperatures and a decrease in rainfall.Greenhouse gases provide an average surface temperature on earth of +14C. Without these gasses the average surface temperature on earth would be -16C. The issue is obviously an over-abundance of these greenhouse gasses, which are made up mainly of carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide.To put this in perspective, 80% of the worlds greenhouse gasses originate in the production of energy, for example, via coal-fired power stations. Africa is only responsible for 3% of the worlds total greenhouse gasses (2008 data). Of the 3%, South Africa is responsible for 1.5%.It is unfortunate that neither the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), nor the Kyoto Protocol, define clean technology. Use of photovoltaic technology has, however, been increasing by an average of 48% since 2002, but developed and westernised countries with a strong energy infrastructure are at a disadvantage to implement this cleaner energy technology as their existing energy infrastructure creates an entry-barrier impediment for cleaner energy sources. That said, climate change will continue to affect all regions on the Western side of the continent South of the equator, rendering them more arid over a period of time.South Africa needs to commit more scientific resources to develop disruptive technology so as to soften the climatic change phenomena on our economy, especially where food security and tourism are at stake. Farmers, in particular, need to conclude proper risk assessments prior to implementing their planting strategies. One of the most notable announcements in the 2018 Budget Speech was the increase of the VAT rate from 14% to 15%, effective 1 April 2018. This is the first VAT increase in 25 years and is expected to raise approximately R22.9bn more for the fiscus, collectible by the South Africa Revenue Services (Sars). Yusuf Bodiat, acting CFO of Lion of Africa Technology perspective Accept a risk and write/renew the business Collect an amount which is marginally larger than before Pay over the indirect tax to Sars (15% as opposed to 14%) Its cash-in and cash-out business as usual If an annual policy is already in force, where premiums are collected monthly, is the premium automatically increased? Perhaps not as the contract has already been entered into and the supply was at inception date of the policy? If a policy is written at 14% and subsequently cancelled (at 15%), how much is the refunded amount? One would think it would be at 14%, but what if there were additions/endorsements to the cover before or after 1 April 2018? From a reinsurance perspective, there will be potential VAT leakage (or negative leakage) due to the delay in settling accounts with reinsurers? If a policy is incepted and the cash is received by a broker in March 2018 and paid over to the insured in April 2018 (ie within 15 days), does the insurer have sufficient information at the end of March to capture the transaction accurately? Rating engines use the sum insured value to price and accept/reject a risk. If the sum insureds were to automatically increase, what would happen to policies which now fall outside the risk appetite of the company? For large risks, would forums/committees need to reconvene to determine if the risk is still appropriate? Although the increase to the end consumer of 1% can be seen as relatively small as part of the bigger picture, the potential amount of time, resources and effort to the entire short-term insurance industry is massive. Not only will all companies need to update their systems, they will also need to train staff, communicate to customers and ensure nothing slips through the cracks, all in a very short space of time. This is in addition to the significant amount of system enhancements and improvements required to cater for this change.The actual impact to the end consumer is 0.877% and not 1% [(115 114) div 114 x 100], when looking at the cash impact of a transaction to the end user.From a technology point of view, the change in VAT rate of 1% may seem simple. However, when looking at the complexities of the various types of transactions within the short-term insurance industry, one tends to feel a sense of deja vu. Is the VAT increase not similar to the infamous and far forgotten Y2K bug that promised to cripple economies and disrupt businesses in the late 1990s?At face value, it is quite simple:But have we thought about the complexities and potential headaches that will be encountered? Below are a few examples of the simpler complications that the industry will face:The above are just a handful of scenarios that insurance companies will need to firstly understand and then amend their systems accordingly. Due to the large number of transactions that insurance companies process daily, it will be extremely difficult to correctly account for these VAT anomalies. So, any instances where the VAT is calculated incorrectly will need to be re-coded and then retrospectively adjusted. Depending on the nature and size of these complexities, VAT payment trends/cycles could change shape completely.The South African Insurance Association (SAIA) has contracted an expert consultant to prepare a letter of submission to the National Treasury (NT) and Sars which contains a high level overview of the difficulties that will be experienced by the industry as a result of the increased VAT rate. This letter is intended to form the basis for a discussion between the industry, Sars and NT to demonstrate the need for a Section 72 application and was submitted on 4 March 2018. A Section 72 application is basically an arrangement between the Sars and a vendor (or group of vendors) where there are difficulties; incongruities or anomalies as a result of a provision of the VAT Act (ie a change in the VAT rate). The above is likely to be issued in a Binding General Ruling (BGR).At the end of the day, the fiscus revenue would increase (approx. R22.9bn). Over time 15% VAT will be the norm and businesses will continue as normal. The biggest winners will be the IT companies contracted to fix the problems in the technology. The insurance companies would need to invest a substantial amount of resources to gear up for the change. Tower Property Fund has announced the launch of TPF International, separate offshore company to be incorporated in Mauritius as a Category 1 Global Business Licence company, explains Marc Edwards, CEO of Tower. The company intends to list TPF International on the Stock Exchange of Mauritius and the JSE in due course. Strengthening Towers balance sheet We have embarked on the process of ring-fencing our Croatian properties through TPF International a move that leverages our existing relationships in Croatia and surrounding countries and allows us to grow Towers European exposure and enable TPF International to raise its own capital, says Edwards.TPF Internationals initial portfolio will comprise Towers R1.30bn (90.88m) Croatian property portfolio, made up of four retail properties (two shopping centres and two hypermarket type centres), with retailer Konzum as the head-lease tenant, and the majority of the VMD building, an office building in Zagreb. Tower will be represented on TPF Internationals board through Edwards, who will be a non-executive director. Towers regional representative in Croatia, Ivan Bozac, will be the companys CEO.The establishment of TPF International will strengthen Towers balance sheet (through the Oryx investment detailed below) whilst providing us with the ability to grow our earnings from our Croatian investments, says Edwards.Tower is also very pleased to announce that Oryx Properties Limited, a property loan stock company listed on the Namibian Stock Exchange with a diverse property portfolio valued at approximately $N2.3bn (R2.3bn), has committed to invest R300m in TPF International through, a combination of, the acquisition of TPF International shares from Tower and a subscription for shares in TPF International.Edwards advises that TPF International will use the proceeds from the share subscription to fund yield enhancing acquisitions, while Tower intends to use the proceeds from the share sale to strengthen its balance sheet by reducing both euro and ZAR debt. A hike in the value-added tax (VAT) rate, which kicks in at the end of March, could have been avoided, Judge Dennis Davis, chair of the Davis Tax Commission, said. Judge Dennis Davis Davis headed a committee that was appointed in 2013 to review SA's tax policy framework. A finding from the committee was that a one percentage point increase in the VAT rate from 14% to 15% could raise R20bn in revenue.In February, the government was forced to turn to a VAT hike - the first in 23 years - to plug a nearly R50bn revenue gap.Davis, speaking at the Small Business Indaba in Bryanston, raised the topic of the total amount of money lost to corruption and state capture, allegedly masterminded by the Gupta family, saying: "Ask yourself, would we really needed to have collected R20bn in VAT if we, even to a small extent reduced corruption?"To put up VAT by 1% is difficult," he added.Even more alarming was the unauthorised and wasteful expenditure amounting to between R60bn and R80bn that the auditor-general's office recently highlighted, he said."If we cut that down by 25%, in other words, if we said 'okay we'll give you R40bn to waste and we'll save R20bn, we wouldn't have had to increase VAT. That is exactly why we can't talk about small-and medium-sized businesses without looking more holistically at the location of where we are in SA."Davis said while the climate under new president Cyril Ramaphosa suggested that SA had turned a corner, "It's perfectly obvious we've got a hell of a long way to go."His comments come as the Treasury intends to proceed with a plan to convene a panel of experts to investigate the possibility of expanding the basket of zero-rated food items, to reduce the effect of the VAT hike on the poor.A Treasury spokesperson said: "The details of public hearings will be communicated in due course and the public will be invited to make submissions." The High Court in Pretoria has rescinded an order issued last week against the Airports Company SA (Acsa) to provide reasons for its failure to act against its CEO, Bongani Maseko, over corruption allegations and breaches of the Public Finance Management Act. It said the order, handed down by Judge Cynthia Pretorius, had been granted erroneously. Last week's order was sought by Acsa's group legal counsel, Bonginkosi Mfusi. His application was based on a 2016 forensic report that recommended the suspension of Maseko and others while a disciplinary process was under way. The report lists contraventions of the Public Finance Management Act, the Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Act, fraud, gross violations of Acsa's own codes and negligence in oversight duties. It finds that the contraventions amount to wilful or grossly negligent conduct over which criminal and civil proceedings might be instituted against senior Acsa personnel and the board.Mfusi's court action was supported by a group calling itself "concerned employees" at all levels of seniority at Acsa.Mfusi said the rescission did not mean the matter was not going ahead."All it means is we are waiting for new court date."The rescission followed representation by Norton Rose Fulbright Attorneys, though Mfusi questioned the firm's standing in the matter.However, an Acsa spokesman said it had been appointed after a board resolution in December 2017.Acsa said that a notice to oppose Mfusi's application - which Acsa's attorneys had delivered to Mfusi's attorneys - had not been brought to the judge's attention when Mfusi's attorney argued the matter without Acsa's attorneys being aware of the hearing."Mr Mfusi's attorney was also required to notify Acsa's attorneys of the hearing of the matter, which he did not do. It was on this basis that the court found that the order was granted erroneously against Acsa," the spokesman said. M&A activity in the technology and telecommunication sectors in Africa and the Middle East will more than quadruple in 2018, from 2017 - this is according to Baker McKenzie's Global Transaction Forecast, developed in association with Oxford Economics. The report shows that M&A in the tech and telecoms sector in Africa and the Middle East was valued at $1.2 billion in 2017. This is predicted to increase to $5.9 billion in 2018 and a further $5.9 billion in 2019, before decreasing to $3.9 billion in 2020. The report notes that a more positive global economic outlook, the expansion of technology across industries, investment from emerging markets, and strong corporate balance sheets are the key factors in driving investment in tech M&A around the world, including in Africa.Darryl Bernstein, head of the Technology, Media and Telecommunications (TMT) Practice at Baker McKenzie in Johannesburg, South Africa, explains the predicted rise in tech and telecoms M&A in Africa, Africas growing telecoms infrastructure and access to online services and platforms continue to improve access to the online economy. Increased local demand for innovative products, services and solutions drives offshore telecommunications and technology companies to target opportunities in Africa. The growing financial services sector has also seen domestic banks make significant investments in technology to advance their innovation agenda. African tech companies are also targeting offshore investments in companies that will deepen their access to new technologies, markets and talent."The expansion of emerging technologies across industries, including agribusiness, automotive and of course fintech, will also drive M&A activity as we expect to see more cross-sector deals involving technology," says Bernstein.Globally, deal activity in the technology and telecommunications sector is also likely to accelerate. In 2018, M&A activity in the tech and telecom sector is forecast to rise significantly across all regions. North America will top the list with transactions totalling $243 billion, followed by Asia Pacific with $108.3 billion, Europe with $106 billion and Latin America with $4.9 billion.The rapid growth of innovation in artificial intelligence, cloud computing, cybersecurity, and big data is driving anticipated deal activity, says Matthew Gemello, an M&A partner at Baker McKenzie based in Palo Alto.Hybrid sectors represent the growing convergence of traditional industries and technology as companies battle to remain competitive, says Anne-Marie Allgrove, global chair of Baker McKenzies Global TMT Industry Group based in Sydney. When you couple the rapid pace of innovation and continued push for vertical integration, it creates a recipe for increased M&A activity.One of the clearest market dynamics driving transactions is that businesses focused on the use of customer data need to increase the scope of their customer reach and are seeking to achieve this by buying competitors and new technologies that will attract more customer engagement.Top talent continues to be an important driver in technology acquisitions, Gemello says. We are seeing fewer pure acqui-hires as compared to prior periods in the last 10 years, but the overarching need remains paramount from a competitive perspective. 1. Decline in portfolio transactions 2. Ongoing confidence in developer activity 3. A growing interest in both non-traditional and/or foreign assets Retail transactions Office transactions Industrial sector Gradual recovery The report reviews investment activity in the South African commercial real estate market and analyses key trends observed from investment sales data.Zandile Makhoba, head of research for South Africa at JLL comments, While it is evident it was a difficult year across all asset types with low levels of secondary market investment recorded, commercial real estate remains a solid option for investors. There are three crucial elements that explain the contraction in 2017.Compared to profound increases in 2016 and 2015, the slowdown in investment activity in large portfolio sales by 53.9% y/y in 2017 is somewhat exaggerated.In addition to the completions made in 2017, the national office development pipeline is estimated at a notable 690,000m(SAPOA) with similar trends visible in the retail and industrial sector. This questions the long-term value of existing assets in the current economic climate and increases competition for the secondary market.REITs that traditionally play in the office, industrial and/or retail space showed greater interest in student housing, residential accommodation, and hotels in 2017. Several local REITs also invested in or considered opportunities in Europe, Australia, America and other parts of Africa.The total number of transactions across South Africa decreased from 250 in 2016 to slightly under 100 last year.On the retail front, transactions amounted to just over R6.1bn, a 14% decline in value compared to 2016. Interestingly, the transaction volume recorded a 65% decline compared to 2016. This indicates that transactions that took place were of high value despite fewer properties exchanging hands, further proof that property owners on the sell-side are driving for higher value transactions rather than focusing on the number of transactions.Looking at office transactions, the total investment value came to R3.81bn for 2017, a 53.8% decline compared to 2016. While the poor economic climate is one reason for the low transactions performance, the fact that R5.8bn worth of new office buildings were completed last year is another. It highlights the increased demand for new higher quality office accommodation over existing stock.Then, in the industrial sector, 2017 produced an inferior performance for the sale of existing assets the lowest value since 2013. However, it would be remiss to see this decline as a lack of confidence on the side of investors. In contrast, what is evident is that investors are looking to initiate large scale greenfield developments (such as the Aeroton Business Park in KwaZulu-Natal). Instead of acquiring existing assets, investors are building hi-tech projects from the ground up and in some cases are catering to specific requirements of pre-let occupiers.Going into 2018, the improved political climate could certainly swing investor sentiment. However, there are a few drivers that point to a more gradual recovery in outlook. One is that portfolio deals for companies with distressed balance sheets are likely to reduce as economic outlook improves (these were a 2017 trend on the sellers side). Another is that the option to invest in development sites or newly completed assets may see investors delaying capital expenditure until these options have reached completion. The market remains starved of high quality assets.Makhoba adds, Lastly, with investors looking at ways to diversify, asset type and geographical diversification could reduce demand for 'traditional' investments. That said, we are certainly moving into a more stable investment climate where commercial real estate remains a solid option for investors. About 30 minutes out of Cape Town en route to Tulbagh, I look in the rearview mirror and see my sister's face, happily stuck between my two nephews on either side of her. But, we all know these moments don't last very long. Tulbagh the fourth oldest town in South Africa Groot Winterhoek Mountains A mountainous wilderness Not long before they both start getting unsettled and a toy comes flying past my head from the back. The toddler wants out like a Pollsmoor prisoner and the baby wants well, who ever knows what a baby really wants?We however, are enjoying the luxury of the 3.2l Ford Everest Limited with coffees in hand and wish the kids, too, could just appreciate the ride. Is that too much to ask? Clearly. The total amazement of their first experience of a sunroof opening above their heads only lasted about ten minutes.So we start singing. What else?The wheels of the bus go round and round, round and round, round and round And so it goes.We stop for a quick shop in Malmesbury: braaivleis, salad, rolls,ingredients, marshmallows - the usual camping foods. Off we go again. A snack and juice in hand seem to keep the kids happy until we arrive at the farm just outside of Tulbagh, about 45 minutes later.I was shocked to learn that Tulbagh is the fourth oldest town in South Africa (after Cape Town, Stellenbosch and Swellendam). The quaint town dates back to the early 1700s!Even though the main road (Van der Stel St) is nothing to write home about, charming Church Street, which is just one street down and parallel to the main road, boasts the largest number of Cape Dutch, Edwardian and Victorian provincial heritage sites in one street in South Africa.We stop at the farmhouse where my bro-in-law chats to the owners and gets some directions - well be camping on their private grounds up in the mountain for the weekend.Just us, the mountains, and the stars. No fellow campers. No waiting for a shower or a loo. You get the picture. Pure bliss.Without the 4x4 Everest, I doubt we would have made it. We follow a man on a quad bike through the vineyards and up the mountain. The terrain changes quickly but when the going gets tough, the tough get going. I easily switch the dial out of normal mode and the Everest does what it does best. In less than a second, we have maximum traction and stability to effortlessly stay in control.The 3.2l TDCi diesel engine delivers 147kW of power and 470Nm of torque and the five-cylinder Duratorq engine is the perfect complement to the smooth six-speed automatic gearbox.We finally arrive and are impressed with the Everests performance as well as the picturesque remote camping spot in front of us.Such an intense backdrop, I think to myself as I pitch my tent, mesmerized by the gigantic mountain in front of me. These are the Groot Winterhoek mountains with altitudes of 1000 to 2077m above sea-level.Im shaken out of my day-dream by my almost-three-year-old nephew (lets call him G) tugging on my leg: What do you think lives up there? he asks with big, bright green eyes.I think theres definitely some baboons I say. Oh he replies. He internalises for a mere second, then his eyes catch the sight of his fishing rod and hes off.The Groot Winterhoek area is rich in history, with ancient rock paintings by the San and Khoi people, and the oldest farm established in 1875.Not long after, the final four of our party arrive: my other sister, her hubby and their two boys (C and B). The fire already crackles as they set up their tent. Soon enough, three of the four boys climb up a tree the five-year-old (C) like a real monkey and the two toddlers trying their best to keep up, both dads trying to catch when feet slip.In the first hour of arrival, were already met with disasters of all kinds. First, a huge scorpion hiding in the toilet and not long after, B slips off a hill and falls face-first into a bramble bush. As we pull thorns out of the poor buds head and clean up his bleeding lip, we decide its definitely time for food and an early night.And then, it starts to rain. Fabulous.I wake the next morning, not from a drenched tent, but rather from the smell of fresh coffee being brewed on the fire. The kids have had their Oumaand are ready for a walk.The Groot Winterhoek Wilderness Area comprises a conservation area of 30,608 ha and falls under CapeNature . There are waterfalls, swimming holes, rivers and everything else a mountainous wilderness could offer. The greater Groot Winterhoek conservation area is particularly important for protecting mountain fynbos and wildlife. It is also one of Cape Towns sources of fresh, clean water, and is a World Heritage Site.Winters here are cold and wet and during the night, temperatures can drop to below freezing. Summers are moderate, but campers and hikers should always be prepared for sudden cold and mist. We found February to be the perfect climate for camping in this area (even though there was some unusual rainfall on the first night).After a walk and some ball play, we eat lunch and everyone soaks up the chill time as the kids nap. Not for long, though.B decides that he actually doesnt want to sleep. Were in the wilderness, hello!I quickly remember that we forgot to buy ice, so I propose to take the little man for a ride to town to go and buy ice (with the hopes of him falling asleep, of course). The Everest is all too happy to get more dust on it and help us to solve our ice and toddler troubles.Upon our return, B is knocked out in his child seat. Its clear that the 4x4 driving rocked him into a deep sleep.With ice cold drinks now in hand, kids rested and fed, its time for fishing, swimming, slingshot practice and 'foefie sliding' followed by more games and a delicious. The kids send-off to bed is a couple of marshmallows braaied over the fire.On our way back to Cape Town on Sunday, were refreshed and relaxed, almost too relaxed. Just as well the Everest is equipped with adaptive cruise control with collision warning to help us keep our distance from the traffic ahead. If it senses slow-moving traffic, it slows down. When traffic clears, it goes back to our pre-set speed, or maintains a pre-set distance from the car in front. It can even detect the potential for an accident to occur, alert you with a brake-light warning on your windscreen, and pre-charge your brakes.Sure, camping with kids might require some extra planning and definitely the right vehicle. But its worth it. Keep planting wild roots in those younguns. They will thank you for it one day.For more about Tulbagh, go to www.tulbaghtourism.co.za . Unfortunately, you wont be able to visit our particular spot, but Tulbagh and the surrounding areas have many beautiful campsites such as Secret Falls (which definitely requires a good 4x4 vehicle). Thanks to Ford for lending us the Everest without which none of this would have been possible. Egypt is seeing a promising rebound in tourism following devastating jihadist attacks, in welcome news to the government of President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi as he seeks re-election this month. aggi via pixabay Attacks on tourism Robust demand for Egypt ivabalk via pixabay Russia resumes flights In the eastern Red Sea city of Hurghada, tourists lounge on sunbeds on the beach or play volleyball as boats carrying divers pass by. Among them is Bent Skovboe from Denmark, a 77-year-old who says he has visited Egypt more than 75 times."If there was only Red Sea for snorkelling, I will come, but they also have pyramids in Cairo, temples in Luxor, the Nile and Aswan, and the people are very friendly," says Skovboe, decked in a swimsuit with a cold drink in hand.Already in decline after the toppling of longtime ruler Hosni Mubarak in 2011, Egypt's tourism industry was dealt a devastating blow in 2015 when jihadists bombed a Russian airliner carrying holidaymakers from the Red Sea resort of Sharm El-Sheikh, killing all 224 on board. The Islamic State group, which has killed hundreds of policemen and soldiers in an insurgency based mainly in North Sinai, claimed responsibility for the airline attack.Sisi, who is running virtually unopposed in the March 26-28 election, has pledged to wipe out the jihadists, saying such attacks pose an existential threat to the state.Talking about attacks on tourism earlier this year, Sisi said: "When I say the goal is to bring down the state, you have to know how that is done. When a certain sector is targeted, he (an attacker) knows what he's doing."IS, now encircled in its Sinai strongholds, has pledged to redouble efforts to attack tourists and the industry is a barometer of the stability Sisi has promised to restore.The year after the attack on the Russian airliner was "one of the worst years for tourism," says Hisham El Demery, the chairman of the Egyptian Tourism Promotion Board. That year, Egypt received 5.4 million tourists, down from 14.7 million in 2010. Tourism revenue, a primary source of foreign income, fell to $3.8bn in the fiscal year ending June 2016, down from $11.6bn in the year ending June 2010, according to the central bank.Last year, the number of visitors was up to 8.3 million people, according to official figures.Travel agencies, hotel managers, and diving centres told AFP that reservations are rising, especially in Red Sea destinations such as Hurghada and Marsa Alam. "There's a very large increase in reservations this year and the demand for Egypt is very robust, especially in the German market," says Ali Okda, CEO of Travco Travel Company of Egypt, a leading local agency.Mohamed Aboustate, general manager of Mahmya, one of Hurghada's top attractions, said this rebound took place mainly after "tourism companies and hotels made a big effort... spending a lot on compelling advertising campaigns."Mahmya is a 10,000-square-metre day-resort project on Giftun island. Visitors take a boat to the island, spend the day on its beach, snorkel along its coast or scuba dive, and head back to mainland Hurghada by night.Increasing stability has been a factor in the rebound, says Marc Zafra, head of destination management at LuxairTours, the tour operator of Luxembourg's national carrier. As demand rises, LuxairTours plans to double flights to Hurghada - currently, one per week - by the end of March, while they already "have an increase of 250% compared to last year," in bookings, says Zafra.More than 70% of Egypt's tourists arrive on charter flights, run by operators such as LuxairTours, according to Demery. "Tourism's revival will probably continue as long as there are no large-scale terrorist incidents," says Mostafa Kamel al-Sayed, a political science professor at Cairo University.In Hurghada, the Grand Plaza hotel's occupancy rose to about 80% in February, up from around 50% a year earlier, said manager Taher El Sayed.The German Steigenberger Beach Hotel expects an 85% occupancy this year, said general manager Thomas Huth.Sisi, a former army chief elected in 2014 a year after ousting his Islamist predecessor following mass protests, has not stressed this revival in his election campaign. But he often suggests his government's counter-terrorism strategy is making headway in restoring stability.The rebound, however, has yet to reach Sharm El-Sheikh and the wider South Sinai region as authorities battle IS in North Sinai."The destinations that are most (negatively) affected are Sharm El-Sheikh city, or South Sinai, and this is, of course, a result of the absence of two very important markets which represent more than 50 to 60% of the business mix, which is the English and Russian markets," says Demery.Russian flights to Egypt were suspended after the 2015 plane bombing. Aeroflot, Russia's flagship carrier, announced on Tuesday that flights would resume between Moscow and Cairo starting April 11. But no specific date has been set for flights to resume to Sharm El-Sheikh.Tourism Minister Rania al-Mashat told AFP that "all issues around the airports' security have already been resolved" and aviation officials are to meet in the coming weeks. The Seda NMB ICT Incubator has been relaunched as the Nelson Mandela Bay I-Hub in Kwantu Towers in Govan Mbeki, Port Elizabeth. Applicant requirements Incubation programme Post-incubation programme Make vision a reality All future applications to the incubator will be judged by a panel of information and communication technology (ICT) experts.Only applicants who focus solely on disruptive technologies and whose business idea is socially relevant will be accepted as incubatees by the Nelson Mandela Bay I-Hub.Our main objective is to remain at the cutting edge of the fast-paced ICT sector. To achieve this, we need to focus on technologies that have the potential for disrupting existing value chains to facilitate market access whilst contributing to social development including automation and robotics, educational technology, smart agriculture, big data analytics, cloud computing and blockchain technology, says chairman of the Nelson Mandela Bay I-Hub, Darryl Dennis.The incubation programme is divided into three phases namely the Bronze phase that continues for a duration of about three months, the Silver phase for a duration of six months, and the Gold phase for a duration of between 12-24 months.Incubatees will need to graduate from each phase to progress to the next phase, ensuring that only serious business owners continue to benefit from the resources of the Nelson Mandela Bay I-Hub.There will be an opportunity for incubatees to be part of the post-incubation programme, where they proactively contribute to and benefit from major projects working with the more established businesses in the metro and the province.The post-incubation programme reportedly ensures that ICT professionals under the Nelson Mandela Bay I-Hub continue to contribute to the ICT sector in the Nelson Mandela Bay.The Bronze phase concludes with a fully registered business, a completed business canvas and product/service concept. At the end of the Silver phase, the incubatee should be able to prove earned revenue and have achieved market readiness. With the Gold phase, the incubatee must be ready to exit the incubator at 24 months with self-sustainable revenue, established business processes, and be non-reliant on incubation services.We want the Nelson Mandela Bay I-Hub to become accessible to the community of the Nelson Mandela Bay, and not only clients of the Nelson Mandela Bay I-Hub. This is our vision. However, the first step is to get clients and partners on board who will enable us to make that vision a reality. With our focus on disruptive technologies, our stricter selection criteria, expert judging panel and our new outcomes-based programme that is deadline driven, a new benchmark is set for ICT professionals that will encourage innovation, and hopefully attract more investors to the ICT sector in the Nelson Mandela Bay, says Dennis.Interventions in the pipeline for the Nelson Mandela Bay I-Hub for the next two years include a software engineering training lab and app factory, an e-health platform for poor communities, two e-learning platforms, and the enterprise development intranet. Homemakers Media Holdings launches innovative mobi magazine Homemakers Media Holdings, the publisher that in 1984 set the trend as lead-generator for service providers in the home improvement sector, has done so again with the launch of its Homemakers Mobi magazine. This is an improved and updated mobile version of the well-known Homemakers magazine that will be sent to 140,000 home owners in the seven regions where Homemakers Fair is currently distributed. Ogilvy took top honours last night at the Creative Circle's Annual Awards. Ogilvy Johannesburg won the Creative Circle's Annual Individual Agency Award and the Ogilvy Group the Overall Group Award. Flanked by his wife Tabitha, Alistair King is inducted into the Creative Circle Hall of Fame. Image provided. Constant push to be original .@OgilvyJoburg wins the individual agency of the year gong at the @CCreativeCircle awards, with the @OgilvySA claiming the group agency of the year award. Congrats to the winners! #stateofcreativity pic.twitter.com/ZILofn3IOV media update (@mediaupdate) March 15, 2018 Intoxicating joy of being recognised All the Creative Circle Annual Award Winners: 2017 Digital and Interactive Entry Agency Prize Brand Title King James Group First Sanlam UkShona Kwelanga NATIVE VML Second HuffPost SA Stop The Cycle Ogilvy Johannesburg Third KFC KFC Soundbite Chart Experiential Entry Agency Prize Brand Title TBWA\Hunt Lascaris Johannesburg First Flight Centre BabyBot TBWA\Hunt Lascaris Johannesburg Second Goodbye Malaria Beautiful Pathogens NORTH VCA Third Polyco Packa-Ching Integrated Entry Agency Prize Brand Title King James Group First Sanlam UkShona Kwelanga Ogilvy Johannesburg Second KFC KFC Soundbite Chart Ogilvy Johannesburg Third KFC KFC Suppertime Stories Outdoor and Out of Home Entry Agency Prize Brand Title Grey First Satellife Grey Design Y&R Second Joburg Zoo Conservation Animals Frog, Bird, Snake, Bat Ogilvy Johannesburg Third Viacom MTV #FCKHIV Blue, Green, Yellow, Pink Print Entry Agency Prize Brand Title DDB South Africa First Commission for Gender Equality He She Eric, Ethan, Frasier, Steve FoxP2 Advertising Second National Geographic Kids Magazines Nature never gets old Frog, Sprout Joe Public Third One School at a Time Unsanitary Pads Radio Entry Agency Prize Brand Title Ogilvy Johannesburg First KFC Sad Man Meal No One Cheerses, Long red thin shape, Repeat the Punchline FCB Africa Second Cell C iGugu Lebo, Nomsa, SIya Grey Advertising Africa Third Duracell Times Change, Power Doesnt Britney, Harry, Paris TV, Video and Cinema Entry Agency Prize Brand Title Y&R First Surfshack Salt FCB Joburg Second South African Tourism Bheki the uMbaco Maker FCB Cape Town Third Western Cape Government Safely Home Boys TVC The runner-up in both categories is the King James Group. The agency had a lot to celebrate on the night as it also won two of the seven category awards, Digital and Interactive, and Integrated for its Ukshona Kwelanga campaign for its client Sanlam.Co-founder and group creative director of the King James Group, Alistair King was also inducted into the Creative Circle Hall of Fame at the event, which took place at Katys Palace Bar in Sandton, Gauteng.David Krueger and Tammy Retter, group heads at Ogilvy, says being awarded the top accolades at the Creative Circle Awards is testimony to creativity. Being creative requires hard work and pushing clients to be more original. There is a constant push to be original.Both also believe it is about trust. Ogilvy leadership allows us to build relationships of trust and the creativity follows from that.King James copywriter, Kagiso Tshepe, is thrilled that the success of the Ukshona Kwelanga campaign. This work is essentially South African, so it is inspiring to be recognised for that. It reflects a truly South African experience there are no international ideas present.Ukshona Kwelanga is a campaign for Sanlams funeral scheme offering that used WhatsApp text messages, voice notes, and videos to tell the story of a family planning a funeral.Speaking about using WhatsApp as a medium, he says it was a no-brainer. Its where your audience. However, you need to use the correct language. Digital does not allow for complicated language.Tshepe adds that it a campaign close to his heart as he went through what the family in the campaign go through a few months before. The campaign came from an honest place.In accepting his award, Alistair King, confessed that this was quite a moment for me. He told the gatherers, who gave him a standing ovation twice, that long ago at his first Loeries ceremony in Sun City, he learnt that not all awards are equal. There are some advertisements anyone can do and then there are ones that solve a tough brief. It is with the second one in mind that he co-founded King James and has approached his work.For me, nothings more satisfying than to do spectacular advertising for a client that no one really expects it from and it has never been a more important time for agencies in our industry to fundamentally make a difference to the bottom line of our clients business and not just the already sexy and already award-winning clients, but the clients who have not already tasted the intoxicating joy of being recognised. The transformation of the previously disadvantaged brands, thats my mission and it always will be.Other winners include TBWA\Hunt\Lascaris Johannesburg in the Experiential category for their client Flight Centre for the campaign Babybot. Grey is the recipient of the Outdoor and Out of Home (OOH) category for its Satellifes campaign for Grey Design. DDB South Africa walked away with the Print category for the campaign He She - Eric, Ethan, Frasier, Steve for the Commission of Gender Equality. Ogilvy South Africas KFC Sad Man Meal won the Radio category while Young and Rubicam took the TV and Cinema category for Salt Heals Wounds for client Surfshack.At the Awards the new Creative Circle chairperson, TBWA\Hunt\Lascaris' CCO Peter Gabriel Khoury for the next two years, was also announced. Ooh, the DA is on a roll now, trying to tally up how much taxpayer cash has been spent on defending people who have since left their top jobs. Sunday Times via Times Live. Image: Simphiwe Nkwali. via Every single cent must be recovered Phumzile van Damme, MP and Democratic Alliance shadow minister of communications, said the SABC has spent over R22m to pay for the legal costs of its former chief operating officer.This was disclosed in a reply to a DA parliamentary question.Said Van Damme: "In the reply, former Communications Minister, Mmamoloko Kubayi-Ngubane, reveals that the public broadcaster has since 2013 paid millions of rands in legal fees for Hlaudi Motsoeneng and the amount 'might increase as other matters are ongoing'.""Just like the other litigious delinquent, Jacob Zuma, Motsoeneng must pay this money back to the public purse. The public should not have to pay for this one man wrecking ball's legal fees," she said."In addition to the R21m the Special Investigating Unit is pursuing in Motseoneng's debt to the SABC, this R22m must be added, making what he owes R43m."Every single cent must be recovered from him."Van Damme alleged: "Hlaudi left a trail of destruction in his wake. He flouted policy processes; demoralised, victimised and purged staff; brought the SABC's newsroom into disrepute and left the public broadcaster on the brink of collapse.""The DA calls on the SABC to personally hold Hlaudi responsible for this excessive amount of money, that can be much better spent on paying off its debts, investing in content development, finding new talent, informing and educating the public, and restoring the SABC's image as a credible and reliable news source."via I-Net Bridge. The winners of the Hogan Lovells Community Solar Innovation Awards 2017 were announced on Thursday, 15 March, during the 2018 SEED South Africa Symposium in Pretoria. The 2017 winners are: Congratulations to the winners of the Hogan Lovells Community Solar Innovation Award winners. Ingenious and innovative they are improving lives in poor communities in developing countries by harnessing the power of the sun #SEEDSAS18 #solar #technology #bizhumanrights #sdgs pic.twitter.com/5OmCEY22Vi Hogan Lovells (@HLCitizenship) March 14, 2018 The awards, implemented by Adelphi and managed by SEED and Barefoot College, seek to address the UN Sustainable Development Goals, adopted in September 2015 by 193 countries, which call for collaboration to end extreme poverty, tackle inequality and injustice, and safeguard the planet. Judges awarded entries which significantly improve the lives of women and girls, particularly those which focus on gender equality or female empowerment. a last-mile sales, marketing and after-sales service distribution company bringing clean energy solutions to rural India. A growing network of rural women are empowered with clean, safe energy access and training to become micro-entrepreneurs promoting solar energy systems. runs courses that target students and professionals to facilitate information exchange on building and solar-technology. Clients participate in hands-on activities such as building solar cell phone chargers and installing photovoltaic systems in rural homes that lack access to electricity. alleviates energy poverty in rural Nepal by empowering women entrepreneurs to sell clean energy products, stimulating economic growth. Women entrepreneurs are given extensive business training and mentorship support. supplies charging stations in villages where locals can rent solar lamps, batteries and charge mobile phones, ensuring basic electricity is supplied at affordable costs in financially sustainable ways. promotes the use of solar water pumps in organic fish farming and production, and provides market linkages to fresh fish, dry fish and fish fingerlings through working with organised local household farmers. the first pay-as-you-go distributor of off-grid solar energy in Mali. The unique payment infrastructure is complemented by entrepreneurial thinking which is geared towards promoting employment and gender equality in rural Mali. this rural womens organisation runs a solar-powered radio station Radio Bubusa and provides its listeners with portable solar radios and solar charging stations, and runs an agro-ecological cooperative Coopaeki that focuses on coffee agriculture. provides smallholder farmers in Kenya access to portable solar cooling units to prevent post-harvest loss, thus providing farmers and traders the leverage to move and store smaller quantities of fresh produce more frequently. uses solar energy to ensure a supply of safe drinking water for the urban poor, creating a women centric end-to-end solution for climate adaptive basic amenities and sanitation with minimal emissions. designs and installs customised solar installations for businesses, agriculture and community institutions that lead to improved livelihoods, job creation, and access to services. With its traveling academy, it trains rural youth and women as solar technicians to find opportunities within the solar industry.These 10 winning enterprises and financial award winners were selected by an independent international judging panel from over 280 applications across 53 countries, 54% of which were youth (under age 35) and 42% of which were female led. Click here for more info about the winners.Commenting, judge and global head of Hogan Lovells Energy and Natural Resources Group, Scot Anderson said: "These awards demonstrate the incredible innovation in capturing and using solar energy to make a real difference to the lives of people in some of the worlds poorest areas."As overall winner, Village Energy will receive a $10,000 financial award. All winners will receive a tailor-made business support package including: up to $30,000 pro bono legal advice; peer networking; one-on-one support and mentorship to develop business and financial plans; and support from SEED to replicate their business model in other regions around the world.This is a validation that our hard work over the years is finally being recognised globally. This prize will really help us to increase the vocational training we are providing to rural youth and women," said Abu Musuuza from Village Energy."We want to develop rural businesses which continue to be neglected we want to train them, finance them and really get them to be more productive. Media24 has admitted to price fixing and the fixing of trading conditions, says the Competition Commission of South Africa. Settlement agreements Caxton & CTP Publishers and Printers Ltd agreed to an amount of R5,806,890.14 ; Independent Media (Pty) Ltd agreed to pay R2,220,603; and DStv Media Sales (Pty) Ltd agreed to pay R22,262,599. The company has agreed to pay nearly R14 million in a settlement agreement entered with the Commission.Media24 is part of 28 media companies referred to the tribunal for prosecution. The case relates to a November 2011 investigation which found that, through the Media Credit Co-Ordinators (MCC), various media companies agreed to offer similar discounts and payment terms to advertising agencies that place advertisements with MCC members, the Competition Commission said in a statement on Friday.MCC accredited agencies were offered a 16.5% discount for payments made within 45 days of the statement date, while non-members were offered 15%.In addition, the Commissions investigation found that the implicated companies, as MCC members, employed services of an intermediary company called Corex to perform risk assessments on advertising agencies for purposes of imposing a settlement discount structure and terms on advertising agencies.The Commission found that the practices restricted competition among the competing companies, as they did not independently determine the discounts and thereby fixed the price and trading terms in contravention of the Competition Act, the Competition Commission said.Media24 has agreed to pay an administrative penalty amounting to R13,828,892.26, in terms its settlement agreement.Furthermore, Media24 has agreed to contribute R4,978,401.21 to the Economic Development Fund over a three year period.The company will also provide 25% bonus advertising space for every rand of advertising space bought by qualifying small agencies, over three years and capped at R35,000,000 annually.In addition, out-of-home advertising firm, Provantage Media has also admitted to price fixing and fixing of trading conditions. The company has agreed to pay R1,094,222 as part of its settlement agreement. The two agreements have been referred to the Tribunal for confirmation, the Competition Commission said.To date, the following media companies have concluded settlement agreements with the Commission and agreed, among others, to pay administrative penalties:The Competition Commission said on 27 February over 20 media companies were referred to the Tribunal for prosecution on charges of price fixing and the fixing of trading conditions in relation to this matter. Private media outlets in Cameroon are defying a ban on political programs imposed by the country's National Communication Council. The council had ordered the ban, insisting political debates may cause conflict ahead of senatorial elections on March 25. skantgarg via 123RF National Communication Council president Peter Essoka says Cameroon needs to promote peace, democracy and human rights, and needs to avoid hate speech. He says journalists may incite the population with one-sided reporting."Propaganda is when you go into elaborately telling about one political party and what they have done and all kinds of shouting on what they are doing. That is propaganda. Now, there must be a limitation. Let them [journalists] as much as possible be able to keep to these principles," said Essoka.Public broadcaster CRTV and Cameroon Tribune have respected the NCC's order. But the Cameroon journalists' trade union president Denis Kwebo and other private media outlets described it as an attack on press freedom. Many radio and television stations have refused to respect the NCC instructions.At Galaxy FM 93.5, a popular radio station in Cameroon's capital city Yaounde, heated debates on the senatorial elections to take place on March 25 are going on in a French-language political program called Au coeur de la Republique.Political analyst Jean Jacques Ola Bebe says the station has defied instructions from the NCC and is ready to face the consequences.He says as an analyst, he cannot accept that someone should restrain freedom of speech in a country that says it wants to be fully democratic. He says the pillar on which any true democracy should stand is freedom of expression and that Cameroonians need to listen to and question all candidates for the senatorial election on their political plans and ask the balance sheet of outgoing senators.Cameroon has more than 500 newspapers and 100 radio and television stations.NCC secretary-general Jean Tobie Hond says the outlets who ignore the instructions will be punished.He says they are calling on such media outlets to make sure there is some balance in what they are doing, so the campaign for senatorial elections remains democratic and goes on hitch free. He says if they continue to favor or give preference to some political parties, their media organs will be suspended.Last year, Cameroon's National Communication Council suspended 35 journalists and media outlets, accusing them of failing to respect professional norms and ethics. Some of those punished had criticized the government's handling of the crisis in the English-speaking regions. Others criticized senior state functionaries over the use of public funds.Source: Voice of America. CAIRO, Egypt - Egypt has launched a digital forensic lab to improve Intellectual Property Rights' (IPR) protection and enforcement. The government has made great strides in combating cyber-crime and cracking down on IP infringement. Training The Government of Egypt has announced today that it is setting up a specialised digital forensic lab for Intellectual Property as part of its enforcement schemes of combating software piracy.The new lab, the first of its kind in the MENA region, is mainly designed to resolve business software and internet-based piracy cases. It authentically recovers data from digital devices and unearths new fraud techniques.The latest measures applied aim to enhance the investigative capabilities and ease the digital forensic evidence acquisition, analysis, and reporting.The cutting-edge techniques and latest technologies employed in the lab devise a roadmap for judges, prosecutors, and lawyers. The practiced procedures enable them to distinguish the counterfeit products from the genuine and manage the intellectual property and digital piracy issues at hand.The Information Technology Industry Development Agency developing the IT industry in Egypt, hosts the lab at its premises. The agency is the executive IT arm of the Egyptian ICT ministry to enforce IPR related to software products and databases.Over the last couple of years, ITIDAs IPR office has undertaken comprehensive actions to increase IP enforcement with all the stakeholders like the economic courts; i.e., judges and prosecutors, police officers, and copyright owners, said Dr Mohamed Hegazy, Egypts IPR office manager.Aiming at developing the necessary skills, the fully dedicated IPR office has delivered extensive training and capacity-building programs in legal, technical and practical aspects during 2017 to more than 900 police officers, 97 journalists from the National Broadcasting Authority, 125 employees from different software companies, in addition to 473 judges and prosecutors in the economic courts.We are committed to sustaining our success in combating IP infringement and expanding IP rights. The launch of this lab enables us to achieve our targets. Only in 2017, we have delivered technical expertise reports of 96 cases to the economic courts, registered 203 computer software programs and issued 267 licenses for the first time, Hegazy added.According to the latest BSA-IDC Global Software Piracy Study in 2016, the Egyptian piracy rate reached 61%, a ratio lower than most of competing countries and leading global outsourcing locations including Morocco (65%), the Philippines (67%) and Vietnam (78%).The Cabinet is preparing a data protection and privacy law draft. It has already agreed on cyber-crime law and awaits the Parliaments approval to be enacted, according to Egypts state media.Egypt is currently undergoing an unprecedented phase of development in all fields, which is largely attributed to sound policies, monetary reforms, and global partnerships.With the sustained momentum that Egypt is gaining in the area of tech innovation and startups ecosystem maturity, the Egyptian government represented by the Ministry of ICT has put its free and open software strategy into action in 2016.The newly adopted policy represents a paradigm shift in intellectual property rules as it provides an alternate software-licensing model while developing a healthy eco-system for software production and innovation. This job expired on 15 May 2018. Cairngorm Capital Partners (Cairngorm Capital) has acquired Parker Building Supplies (Parkers) from its founder and Managing Director Tom Parker who is set to retire. Cairngorm Capital is looking to expand the business through developing the training of the existing employees and expansion to the branches. The investment firm, based in the UK, already has invested in a number of distribution and manufacturing businesses and had been looking to invest in the builders merchants industry before making the deal with Parkers. As Tom will retire from the company, four new senior managers will join the company. John Declerck, Cairngorm Capital Operating Partner, will become Executive Chairman, Chris Maityard will be Managing Director, and Iain Bell is joining as Chief Operating Officer. Finally, Stewart Harries joins as Finance Director. Alex Bayliss, Managing Director of Cairngorm Capital, told BMN: We want to create growth opportunities for the employees, open new branches and possibly make more acquisitions as well. All the terms and conditions for the employees will stay the same and our investment will create opportunities for them. We are big proponents of helping out employees with training and development. We have invested in a similar business over the last couple of years called Stevenswood, which is a trade counter business, and already we have put in place a number of training schemes over the last 18 months. We will have a similar focus on ensuring continuity, and increase training and development for the employees at Parkers. The acquisition took a couple of months from the initial proposal to final deal on 14th March. This is Cairngorm Capitals 13th proprietary transaction since July 2016. Tom said: For 34 years, our priority has been to provide our customers with the best range of building products and outstanding customer service. Parkers has grown substantially in recent years and has the potential to achieve much more. This is the natural point for me to pass the company to new, trusted custodians who can deliver on its potential. The team at Cairngorm Capital has demonstrated considerable flexibility and integrity in completing this investment. Having a detailed understanding of their plans and knowing the team as I do, I am confident that Parkers is in good hands and will go from strength to strength. Some of the best cocktails in the city are made underground. We love a challenge. Like the challenge of figuring out which fire-stairs-looking door is the actual entrance to a cool underground bar, or how long we'll have to walk down this seemingly endless passageway before we can get a cocktail in our hands. Does this passageway even lead to a bar, or will we end up at a rubbish room staring at a confused line cook bringing out the bins? Don't worry, we've done the underground bar exploration so you won't get lost. Here are five of our favourite underground bars in Sydney. Soul Trap If you've been to Pocket Bar, the eclectic, left-of-centre design of Soul Trap might feel vaguely familiar. Owner Christophe Lehoux was one of Pocket Group's founders, but he sold his share to open this Surry Hills underground bar that's one part moodily-lit, soul music hideaway, and one part milliner's workshop. Although Christophe has been in Australia for many years, his French roots shine on Soul Trap's menu. Make sure to try one of the mistlles, a French spirit that's sweet and delicious like an aperitif wine. Small plates include tartines (think French bruschetta) and an incredible range of cheeses, charcuterie and pickled vegetables. 70-72 Campbell St Surry Hills Bridge Bon Appetit Bridge Bon Appetit is a lesson in clever use of space. It occupies a long wide bridge that reaches over Hubert's main dining room. There are just 45 seats, and the kitchen and bar are in a combined space, but that doesn't mean they can't churn out some seriously incredible food and drink. Part of the Swillhouse family, Bridge Bon Appetit's drinks list is short and innovative. Try the Fume, a drink that's made with triple smoked blueberry juice they make in house plus whisky, figs, caramel and lemon. Basement, 15 Bligh St Sydney The Doss House Come to Doss House for the whisky, stay for the history lesson. Every of the four small rooms and two terraces that make up Doss House's small space are inspired by the many tenants that have occupied this sandstone building over the last 170 years. There's the Bootmaker's Workshop with its original fireplace, bookshelves and leather chesterfield and armchairs, or Ung Quoy's Den, named for a Chinese tenant who ran an opium den out of the space. The drinks menu is heavy on whisky, but there are also amazing rum cocktails and, given the owners are Irish, Guinness on tap. 77-79 George St The Rocks, Sydney Door Knock The key to Door Knock isn't a key at all, it's a yellow ceramic pineapple door knocker. Bang it three times and the door will open to a dimly lit, underground oasis with hanging plants, and plenty of comfortable, sheepskin rug-lined seating perfect for big groups of friends or a cosy date night. Sit at the bar to watch the bartenders at work on Door Knock's unusual and delicious cocktails. The Caskhopper, a whisky, espresso and coconut milk drink is creamy and warming with a hint of chocolate mint. The Kiwi As is Door Knock's take on a spritz. It's made from vermouth, gin, lemon thyme and a dash of apple cider vinegar. B2, 70 Pitt St Sydney The Baxter Inn Also part of the Swillhouse Group, the Baxter Inn is the older brother to Bridge Bon Appetit and Hubert. It's another whisky focused bar, but given the strength of the spirit, The Baxter's offering runs from approachable (for newbies) to those who appreciate a peaty, aged drink. Complementing the 800-strong whisky list, the Baxter also does killer cocktails. Try a regular old negroni or their version of a whisky sour. There's no menu here, so if you're hungry, wander down the laneway to the Duke of Clarence pub for a fish finger sandwich and a glass of boozy punch. Rear Basement 152-156 Clarence St Sydney The brewing war between Manipal Health Enterprises-TPG Capital combine and IHH Healthcare for control of Fortis Healthcare would be advantageous for Fortiss shareholders as both parties are aggressively trying to raise their stakes in the company. According to sources, both Manipal-TPG and IHH are eyeing a controlling stake in the company, which is likely to lead to two simultaneous open offers. Sources said both suitors would try to come up with premium offers to attract investors. Lawyers said this was an example of a hostile takeover where both investors could make ... Dear Reader, Business Standard has always strived hard to provide up-to-date information and commentary on developments that are of interest to you and have wider political and economic implications for the country and the world. Your encouragement and constant feedback on how to improve our offering have only made our resolve and commitment to these ideals stronger. Even during these difficult times arising out of Covid-19, we continue to remain committed to keeping you informed and updated with credible news, authoritative views and incisive commentary on topical issues of relevance. We, however, have a request. As we battle the economic impact of the pandemic, we need your support even more, so that we can continue to offer you more quality content. Our subscription model has seen an encouraging response from many of you, who have subscribed to our online content. More subscription to our online content can only help us achieve the goals of offering you even better and more relevant content. We believe in free, fair and credible journalism. Your support through more subscriptions can help us practise the journalism to which we are committed. Support quality journalism and subscribe to Business Standard. Digital Editor Budget carrier will partially shift operations from Terminal 1 to the revamped Terminal 2 (T2) of Delhi's IGI airport from March 25, after losing a court battle on the issue. The airline will operate flights to Bengaluru, Chennai, Amritsar, Bhubaneshwar, Raipur, Srinagar, Bagdogra, Udaipur, Vadodara and Vishakhapatnam from T2 of the Indira Gandhi International Airport. These flights will be numbered from 6E 2000 to 6E 2999. As per the recent order of the Supreme Court, both and SpiceJet had submitted lists of sectors to GMR-led Delhi International Airport Ltd (DIAL) for shifting to T2 and the DIAL has given its consent to the proposal, a statement said. While GoAir had decided to shift operations to T2 in October 2017, SpiceJet and decided to follow suit last month for partial shifting after the Supreme Court dismissed IndiGo's plea challenging a Delhi High Court order on shifting operations from Terminal (T1) to T2. Yesterday, SpiceJet had announced shifting 22 flights to T2 with destinations to seven cities from March 25. The shifting, however, is a temporary move to ease the pressure of fast growing traffic at T1. The move will enable the expansion works at T1 effectively, the DIAL statement said. T1 is set to be expanded from the current capacity of 20 million to 40 million passengers per annum. The IndiGo, in a release said, it is reaching out to all affected passengers and their respective travel agents via SMS, calls, and e-mails provided in reservation. The airline also said in the event of an IndiGo passenger missing the flight due to the change in terminal, it will rebook the flight at no extra charge. A social media campaign has also been launched by the DIAL to generate awareness among passengers about shifting of the flights. Passengers can get all the required information regarding T2 by using #ShiftingToT2. It has identified a number of aircraft parking bays, airline office space and related facilities from seamless operation from T2. The terminal has many key features to provide hassle free experience to flyers including adequate check-in counters, X-ray machines, baggage reclaim belts and aerobridges. With the partial shift of operations of SpiceJet and IndiGo to T2, passenger area for the flyers will increase from 25,917 sqm at T1 to combined 62,010 sqm. T2 adds additional 36,093 sqm passenger area. A brand new Pratt & Whitney engine-powered ATR aircraft of IndiGo's maiden flight from Toulouse to New Delhi was aborted and had to return to the French facility due to low oil pressure. The IndiGo ATR 72-600 aircraft on its maiden flight on Thursday from its Toulouse headquarters to the New Delhi hub of IndiGo had no revenue passengers onboard. Confirming the development, the airline in a statement said, "IndiGo ATR 72-600 while being ferried from Toulouse to India, with no revenue passengers onboard, returned to Toulouse for technical reasons. The aircraft will conduct checks and take actions as required as is the usual practice while delivering new aeroplanes." Though the airline did not specify what the technical glitch was, sources said this problem was low oil pressure. Currently Indigo has four ATRs in the fleet besides the 152 Airbus A320 planes, including 32 A320 Neos. Early last year, the airline had signed a term sheet for buying 50 of these 70-seater planes. It plans to take 21 of them by this December. IndiGo ATR aircraft are fitted with Pratt & Whitney engines (PW127M). The carrier took the delivery of its first ATR last November. The airline is already facing many a headwind with its P&W engines on its Neo planes, of which 11 were grounded by the regulator earlier this week. The worlds largest music streaming service, Spotify, is looking to bring its service to India, one of the fastest-growing internet markets in the world, as it looks to boost growth and stay ahead of rival Apple. Announcing Spotifys plans to list on public markets on April 3, CEO Daniel Ek said the Stockholm-based company was planning an entry into some of the largest markets in the world. Spotify is taking a rather unusual path to go public and will directly sell shares to the public. "We are working on launching in some of the biggest markets in the world, ... Chennai airport officials were put on high alert following a bomb threat call to an airline, hours before the arrival of the vice president and defence minister to the Tamil Nadu capital. The call was made to an airline operating flights between Chennai and Hyderabad, and security measures have been put in place, officials said. Twenty flights are scheduled through the day between the two cities. Security was stepped up at the airport in view of Vice President Venkaiah Naidu and Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman visit on Friday. Delhi Lt Governor has requested the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to inquire into the alleged irregularities in Delhi Nagarik Sehkari Bank Ltd and has also directed the Economic Offences Wing of the Delhi Police to probe into the matter. Baijal had on October 16 referred the matter to the Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB) for an inquiry. Already 40 appointments made by direct recruitment have been cancelled and promotion of 62 employees of the Delhi Nagarik Sehkari Bank Ltd has been set aside. A number of FIRs have also been lodged, a statement issued by the LG house said. "The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has been requested to inquire into the matter to ensure that there are no financial irregularities in the running of the bank and wherever required, corrective and preventive measures/actions are taken. "Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of Delhi Police has been directed to investigate the entire matter. Anti Corruption Branch (ACB) has been provided the copy of the various reports and directed to inquire into the matter expeditiously for action as per law," the statement read. The alleged irregularities in the cooperative bank came to light in 2013, after complaints were filed to the registrar of cooperative societies and the RBI, alleging fraudulent loans. Actor Irrfan Khan on Friday revealed that he has been diagnosed with neuroendocrine tumour, a rare carcinoma that can target various parts of the body, and is out of the country for treatment. The actor, 51, said it has been difficult dealing with the disease but people around him have given him hope and support to fight it. He began his statement to the media with a quote from Margaret Mitchell's "Gone with the Wind", "Life is under no obligation to give us what we expect." The unexpected, he added, makes us grow, which is what the past few days had been ... Drivers of cab aggregators Uber and Ola have threatened to go on an indefinite strike from the midnight of March 18. The strike is expected to be observed in key cities like Mumbai, New Delhi, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Pune among other cities. "Ola and Uber had given big assurances to the drivers, but today they are unable to cover their costs. They have invested Rs 5-7 lakh (500,000 - 700,000), and were expecting to make Rs 1.5 lakh (150,000) a month but are unable to even make half of this, owing to the mismanagement by these companies," Sanjay Naik of Maharashtra Navnirman Vahatuk Sena, who is organising the strike, told PTI on Friday. Naik further alleged that these taxi-hailing companies are giving first priority to company-owned cars rather than driver-owned vehicles, causing a slump in their business. While taxi-hailing companies offered loan-guarantee letters to drivers through the Mudra scheme and that too without any verification, they are defaulting on repayment now as their costs are not covered, he claimed. In Mumbai alone there are over 45,000 cabs on these aggrgators but due to the slump in business there has been a fall of 20 per cent in the number of cabs running on these platforms in the city. "If our demands are not met, we will go on an indefinite strike," he said, adding the drivers had approached MNS leader Raj Thackeray to intervene in the matter. Other unions of Ola and Uber are also in support of the strike, Naik said. "The transport department should take strict action as these taxi-hailing companies are violating permit conditions, and also encroaching on the taxi-rickshaw business. It is good they are going on strike," Al Quadros, general secretary, Mumbai Taximen's Union said. While Ola declined to comment, an Uber spokesperson said termed the strike call as a speculative. The YSR Congress Party on Thursday moved a no-confidence motion in the Lok Sabha against the Narendra Modi government. The no-confidence motion can be accepted only if it has the support of at least 50 members in the House. The YSR Congress has nine MPs in the Lok Sabha. It has appealed to other opposition parties to support the motion. If accepted, it will be the first no-confidence motion moved, the first of this governments tenure. There is, however, little danger to the government even if the motion is accepted as the Bharatiya Janata Party has a majority in the Lok Sabha, ... The government on Friday categorically said there was no proposal to discontinue Rs 2,000 currency note, which was introduced post in November 2016. The government also informed the Lok Sabha that it had decided to conduct field trials of plastic currency notes of Rs 10 in five cities. "There is no proposal under consideration of the government to stop Rs 2,000 note," Minister of State for Finance P Radhakrishnan said in a written reply in the Lok Sabha to a question whether the finance ministry has any plan to stop the note in near future. The sizes of new Rs 500 and Rs 2,000 denomination in the Mahatma Gandhi (New) series is 66mm X 150 mm and 66 mm and 166 mm, respectively. The difference between the two currency notes is 10 mm for easy identification, he said in reply to another question. The government had scrapped old Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes on November 9 with an aim to check black money and push digital economy. As regards plastic notes, the minister said: "It has been decided to conduct field trial of plastic banknotes in denominations of Rs 10 at five locations". The trial would be conducted in Kochi, Mysore, Jaipur, Shimla and Bhubaneshwar, he said, adding that the note will be printed in Indian presses on imported substrate. He, however, did not specified any timeline. Country's October-December current account deficit widened sharply from a year earlier, driven by higher imports, data from the Reserve Bank of India showed on Friday. The deficit widened to 2% of gross domestic product, or $13.5 billion, up from 1.4%, or $8 billion, in the corresponding period a year ago. "The widening of the CAD on a year-on-year basis was primarily on account of a higher trade deficit brought about by a larger increase in merchandise imports relative to exports," the RBI said in a statement on India's balance of payments. India's ... The World Banks India Development Update had for rather long just parroted the governments line on development. As a result, it was hardly accurate and ended up swaying in whichever direction the government of the day swung. That might now change a little. Also, at a time when the new kid on the block, the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, is weighing in heavily to correct the perceived infrastructure shortage in its member countries, the older World Bank is setting the needle away to make what is available deliver better results. It has gone about doing so with ... Senior Congress leader M Veerappa Moily has landed in a controversy over a tweet suggesting money plays a role in his party deciding who gets the ticket for upcoming elections in Karnataka, though he denied posting it, saying "I have not done it". "INC need (sic) to solve money in politics. We can't afford to have contractors and their nexus with the state PWD minister determine how candidates are selected for the upcoming assembly elections," said a tweet from a twitter handle that is not verified. As the tweet went viral on social media and created a buzz in political circles, Moily, when contacted by PTI, said it was a "mistake (committed) by somebody else." "That Twitter (handle) is not in my control. It's not (an) appropriate (tweet). I'm withdrawing (it)," said Moily, who heads the manifesto committee for the assembly polls. Coming on the day when the AICC plenary was to begin at New Delhi, the tweet also tagged Rahul Gandhi's office, Congress headquarters, Karnataka Pradesh Congress and Moily's son Harsha Moily. Minutes later, the same tweet was posted on the twitter handle of Harsha too. This tweet tagged Chief Minister Siddaramaiah also. Both the tweets were later deleted. The tweet was allegedly targeted at PWD minister H C Mahadevappa, a trusted aide of Siddaramaiah. The tweet row has erupted amid reports that Moily, a former chief minister, was unhappy over discouraging remarks allegedly made by Mahadevappa during a screening panel meeting about giving party ticket to Harsha to contest the assembly polls from Karkala. Asked if his twitter account was hacked, Moily said, "I don't say that but even then it's not proper." "It's unfortunate. It shouldn't have come. I haven't done it. Somebody else has done it. I don't want to go public on party matters."Asked whether any action would be initiated against those who played "mischief" with his twitter handle, Moily said he didn't want to make any further statements. "Forget the matter."Reacting to the controversy, Mahadevappa said he didn't have any information about it. "I don't know social media, hence I don't know about tweets. Someone told me about such a tweet, after that he (Moily) has said that he has not tweeted, this is what I know....rest you have to ask him," he added. Seizing the opportunity, state BJP president B S Yeddyurappa said Moily's tweet validates his party's stand that Siddaramaiah is "a 10 per cent CM". The comment relates to a charge made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at a rally in the state recently, where he had called the Siddaramaiah dispensation a "10 per cent commission government." "At last someone's conscience in @INCKarnataka prodded him to speak up! @moilyv ji is right. We have been saying that @siddaramaiah is 10 percent CM," Yeddyurappa said. "With contractors filling PWD min's deep pockets, state's coffers & roads are in tatters. Congress veteran's view validates our point," Yeddyurappa tweeted. The Centre on Friday told the Supreme Court that there cannot be a "parallel inquiry" and "parallel monitoring" by the court in investigations while opposing a suggestion given by the apex court to the CBI to file in a sealed cover the status of the probe in the over Rs 110 billion the Punjab National Bank fraud case. A bench headed by Chief Justice Dipak Misra was told by Attorney General K K Venugopal that even before the investigating agencies start probing the matter, people come to courts with public interest litigations. "Is there any justification for anyone to come to this court by filing a PIL and say that the court should be informed about the status of the investigation? There can't be a parallel inquiry and parallel monitoring by the courts," Venugopal told the bench also comprising Justices A M Khanwilkar and D Y Chandrachud. "In principle, what is the justification for any court, not only this court, to call upon the government and seek such reports as if a parallel inquiry is going on?," he said. The attorney general (AG) also contended that why such petitions should be entertained by the courts unless there was something wrong shown by the petitioner. Terming this issue as serious, Venugopal told the bench that such a matter would bring down the morale of the investigating agencies. The AG opposed the plea filed by lawyer Vineet Dhanda, who has sought an an independent probe in the PNB case and also a direction to the government to get diamond merchant Nirav Modi deported. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has already registered two FIRs one on January 31 and another in February against billionaire Nirav Modi, his relative Mehul Choksi of Gitanjali Gems and others for allegedly defrauding the PNB of about Rs 114 billion. During the hearing, the bench took exception to the submissions advanced by the petitioner that the AG had not read the prayers sought by him in the plea. "The attorney general holds a constitutional post. Why should we ask him whether he has read it or not. Language in this court has to decorous and absolutely appropriate," the chief justice said. The court said that such statements were unacceptable and posted the matter for hearing on April 9. The PIL has made PNB, the Reserve Bank of India and the ministries of and law and justice as parties. It has sought a direction for initiation of deportation proceedings against Nirav Modi and others allegedly involved in the banking fraud, preferably within two months. It has asked for a special investigation team (SIT) to probe the case, allegedly involving Nirav Modi and Choksi and also sought a probe into the role of the top management of PNB. The plea has sought a direction to the ministry to frame guidelines on the grant and disbursal of loans involving big amounts, besides ensuring safety and recovery of such loans. It has also sought the setting up of a body of experts to deal with cases of bad banking debts in the country. The petition has asked for framing of rules for the recovery of loans from the defaulters within a stipulated period, even by attaching their properties and auctioning them in the open market. In his PIL, Dhanda has also sought a direction to fasten liabilities on the employees of a bank for sanctioning loans on the basis of deficient documents and said loans should also be recovered by attaching the properties of such bank officials even after their retirement. Public sector (PSBs) will discourage multiple banking arrangements for companies with exposure of more than Rs 2.5 billion in the banking system and will move all such loans under the consortium of for better monitoring. In case of multiple banking arrangements there is no discipline. There will, preferably, be consortium lending for loans above Rs 2.5 billion, M S Sastry, deputy managing director and chief risk officer, State Bank of India, said on Thursday. All chief technology officers, chief risk officers and executive directors of PSBs met in New Delhi for a three-day workshop from March 12 to prepare a road map that can follow to strengthen their risk mechanism systems. The banks will need approval from their respective boards and implement the measures agreed upon. These include strengthening information technology systems in three to six months. The workshop was organised after the department of financial services asked banks to submit a report on how to strengthen risk management in the aftermath of Rs 129-billion letters of undertaking scam at Punjab National Bank. ALSO READ: Nirav Modi fraud: Public sector banks expect PNB to honour LoUs Existing accounts with exposure of above Rs 2.5 billion will also be moved to consortium lending, Sastry said. Companies take loans from separate banks with different credit limits. Though the credit limits will remain the same, a consortium of lenders will be formed for better control and coordination. In a multiple-bank arrangement, banks are not aware of the transactions that take place between the borrower and other lenders. Under a consortium, the control will be better. All the loans will progressively be brought under consortium and we feel genuine borrowers will have no issue with such an arrangement, said an executive director of a PSB present at the workshop. The executive added there will be common documentation, same collateral and more financial control over transactions under consortium lending. There will be a common loan document with standard covenants to be followed for consortiums and the cash management facility will be entrusted upon one bank in the consortium. Earlier this year, the government had said that the number of lenders under consortium will significantly reduce from 20-22 banks to a maximum 10 banks for effective coordination between banks. PSBs have decided to further tighten lending to corporates by asking promoters to give equity upfront and assessing the quality of equity by verifying the loss absorption capacity of firms. ALSO READ: Except for PNB, no unauthorised LoUs issued by PSBs: SBI official PSBs will also deter from funding the interest during the construction period. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has allowed banks to fund project cost overruns without treating such loans as restructured assets. Banks fund additional interest during construction that may arise due to delay in completion of a project. State-owned banks will organise branch-level risk awareness workshops to create awareness among employees. The bank staff will be encouraged to do whistleblowing in case they observe any wrongdoing. Staff awareness will go a long way in strengthening risk management in banks, Sastry said. Banks will strengthen their know your employees systems by monitoring behaviour of all staff through a centralised IT process. This will work by taking feedback about staff in key roles from bank branch managers, said a bank executive. ALSO READ: 'RBI to be Neelakantha': Urjit on Nirav Modi PNB fraud; top 10 developments PSBs further decided to strengthen their IT systems, including integration of core banking system (CBS) with SWIFT by April 30. Two executives at PNBs Brady House branch in Mumbai were able to bypass the system by issuing fraudulent letters of undertaking as the banks CBS and SWIFT were not integrated. A senior bank executive said that only three-four out of 21 PSBs have fully integrated SBS with SWIFT at present. We are confident that both the systems will be integrated by all banks by April 30, Sastry said. The banks will restrict SWIFT transactions during business hours of the branch and the reconciliation process of a banks foreign branch account, known as Nostro account, will be done thoroughly. Further, each bank will establish Onsite Cyber Security Operation Centre (C-SOC) to monitor all the IT systems. The banks will also bring all software applications under the control of corporate centre of their IT department to ensure there is no misuse of system. ArcelorMittal, the world's largest steelmaker, has offered to sell plants across Europe in an effort to address EU antitrust concerns over its 1.8 billion euro ($2.2 billion) bid for Italian peer Ilva. The offer of concessions was submitted on Thursday. No details were provided, in line with the European Commission's policy. While declining to provide further details, ArcelorMittal said it hoped the concessions would allay the EU competition enforcer's worries. "We understand this remedy package will now be subject to market testing. We hope for a swift ... Former Qualcomm Inc Chairman Paul Jacobs has informed its board of directors that he will seek to partner with investment firms to make an offer for the US semiconductor company, people familiar with the matter said on Thursday. Jacobs attempt to put together an offer comes just a few days after Qualcomm fended off a $117 billion hostile bid from Singapore-based rival Broadcom Ltd thanks to an order by US President Donald Trump prohibiting the deal due to national security concerns. Qualcomm does not view Jacobs attempt to put together a buyout bid as credible, the ... A pedestrian footbridge near Florida University (FIU) in the US has collapsed, causing "several fatalities," officials said. According to Miami media reports, the footbridge collapse left at least six to 10 persons dead. "There are several fatalities," Florida Highway Patrol officer Alex Camacho told the media on Thursday. "There are five to six vehicles underneath that are crushed," Camacho said, Xinhua news agency reported. Miami-Dade County police said at least eight cars had been crushed under the walkway, while hospital sources were quoted as saying that at least eight persons had been transported to the trauma centre at Kendall Regional Medical Center. Fire trucks, police and other emergency vehicles were seen at the spot to rescue people trapped underneath the fallen bridge. The bridge, still under construction, was supposed to link a FIU campus with a nearby residence area. The FIU said in a statement that it is "shocked and saddened by the tragic incident," and is cooperating with first responders to rescue victims and gather information. Miami-Dade County Fire Rescue Department confirmed on social media that "multiple patients" have been injured and that search and rescue efforts are still underway. The 950-tonne cable-supported bridge spanned 174 feet (53 metres) over a six-lane expressway. The main span of the bridge was put in place on Saturday morning by a rapid installation method. It is scheduled to open in early 2019. The FIU said the innovative installation method was aimed to significantly reduce risks to workers, pedestrians and motorists and minimize traffic disruptions. The project cost $14.2 million and was funded by the US Department of Transportation. North Korean Foreign Minister Ri Yong-ho has arrived in Sweden on a surprise visit, the first significant diplomatic move by Pyongyang since US President Donald Trump said that he was willing to meet Kim Jong-un, the media reported. Ri arrived at the Swedish Foreign Ministry on Thursday night, reports CNN. Sweden, whose embassy represents US interests in the North Korean capital, has been touted as a possible venue for the momentous summit between Kim and Trump, and the visit will fuel speculation that a Stockholm encounter is in the cards. Talks between Ri and his Swedish counterpart Margot Wallstrom will "focus on Sweden's consular responsibilities as a protecting power for the US, Canada and Australia", the Swedish government said, announcing the two-day visit. The security situation on the Korean Peninsula is also on the agenda. North Korea has made no official comment on the proposed face-to-face meeting since Trump accepted Kim's invitation last week which was delivered verbally by a South Korean delegation, CNN reported. But diplomatic sources have signaled enough confidence in South Korea's words and actions that most of the parties are pressing ahead. Ri's trip comes as Nirj Deva, the chair of a European parliamentary delegation, told reporters on Wednesday that his group has been holding secret meetings with senior members of the North Korean regime over the past three years to try to convince it to return to peace talks, CNN reported. "We met in secret with senior North Koreans on 14 occasions... We understood their concerns and they understood ours," Deva said. Sweden was one of the first non-communist countries to establish diplomatic relations with North Korea in 1973. It posted diplomats there shortly thereafter, said Jim Hoare, Britain's former charge d'affaires in Pyongyang, told CNN. However, Hoare said he was not sure Kim would travel to a European country, where there might be attempts to arrest him. Other possible summit locations include: Switzerland, the neutral nation where Kim went to school; the Joint Security Area in the demilitarized zone that divides North and South Korea; and China, which has diplomatic relations with the US and North Korea and has hosted Kim's father, the late North Korean leader Kim Jong-il. Former South African president will face prosecution on corruption charges that haunted much of his term in office, the country's chief prosecutor said today. The ruling is the latest twist in a case that has dogged post-apartheid South Africa's democratic leadership after the country inked a $5-billion arms deal in the 1990s. "After consideration of the matter I am of the view there are reasonable prospects of a successful prosecution of Mr Zuma on the charges listed in the indictment," said National Director of Public Prosecutions Shaun Abrahams at a media briefing in Pretoria. Zuma will face racketeering, corruption, money laundering and fraud charges -- all of which can carry lengthy custodial sentences on conviction. "I am of the view that a trial court would be the most appropriate forum for these issues to be ventilated and to be decided upon," said Abrahams. The former president could now appeal the ruling on a number of grounds and argue that the decision is illegitimate as Abrahams' own position is uncertain. In December, the High Court in Pretoria ordered then-deputy president Cyril Ramaphosa to replace Abrahams, ruling that Zuma's original decision to appoint him was "null and void" because he was "conflicted" at the time. "Justice must not only be done, but must also be seen to be done -- I am mindful that everyone is equal before the law," said Abrahams, who noted that "Mr Zuma disputes all allegations against him". "I don't think Zuma can stay out of court -- there's too many charges hanging over him," independent political analyst and author Nomavenda Mathiane told AFP ahead of the announcement. Abrahams said that his department's representatives in Zuma's home region of KwaZulu-Natal "will facilitate the necessary processes for Mr Zuma and his co-accused to appear in court". Last year, a court ruled against a decision by prosecutors in 2009 to drop the corruption charges against Zuma just months before he became president, laying the path to today's announcement. Zuma's criminal charges relate to an arms procurement deals struck by the government in the late 1990s and from which he is accused of profiting corruptly to the tune of four million rand ($345,000). State prosecutors previously justified dropping the case by saying that tapped phone calls between officials in then-president Thabo Mbeki's administration showed undue interference. Zuma and other officials were accused of taking kickbacks from the purchase of fighter jets, patrol boats and other arms manufactured by five European firms, including British military equipment maker BAE Systems and French company Thales. In 2005 Zuma's former financial adviser Schabir Shaik was convicted for facilitating bribes over the contracts and sentenced to 15 years in prison. He was later released on medical parole. Zuma resigned as president last month after the ruling African National Congress (ANC) party threatened to remove him from office. The ANC noted today's decision and called in a statement for "Comrade Zacob Zuma to be presumed innocent until, and if, proven guilty". The AfriForum campaign group, which has railed against corruption in South Africa's democratic era, had threatened to privately prosecute Zuma if the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) did not. "The NPA's decision to prosecute Zuma (is) not only a victory for AfriForum, but also for the principle of equality before the law," said the group's chief executive Kallie Kriel. In addition to the corruption scandals that dogged his time in office, Zuma had been under fire for his handling of the economy, which has been battered by falling economic growth and record unemployment. The opposition Democratic Alliance (DA) party has campaigned since 2009 to reactivate the charges. "It doesn't matter who you are, whether you are the president, in whatever office you hold, accountability must be effective and justice will be met," said DA leader Mmusi Maimane. "He must have his day in court... We will see him in orange overalls." Zuma's successor Ramaphosa has vowed to tackle corruption, admitting it was a major problem in the previous government. United States President Donald Trump has decided to remove H R McMaster as his national security advisor. The Washington Post quoted five people with knowledge of Trump's plans as saying that he is actively discussing potential replacements. "Trump is now comfortable with ousting McMaster, with whom he never personally gelled, but is willing to take time executing the move because he wants to ensure both that the three-star Army general is not humiliated and that there is a strong successor lined up," they said. On Thursday, Trump signalled that more personnel moves were likely. "There will always be change," the President told reporters. "And I think you want to see change. I want to also see different ideas." The news came just days after following the recent departure of two key officials, former Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and top economic advisor Gary Cohn, from the Trump administration. Trump, in a tweet, announced Tillerson's removal and said Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) Director Mike Pompeo would replace him. "Mike Pompeo will become our new Secretary of State. He will do a fantastic job! Thank you to Rex Tillerson for his service!" the US President had tweeted. Turkish artillery fire on the Kurdish-majority enclave of Afrin in northern Syria killed at least 18 civilians on Friday, a monitor said. "Since midnight, 18 civilians, including five children, were killed by Turkish artillery fire on the city of Afrin," the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said. "There is fighting on the northern edge of the city," the Britain-based monitoring organisation said. On January 20, Turkey and Syrian Arab rebel proxies launched an air and ground offensive on the Afrin region, which is controlled by the US-backed Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG). Ankara has consistently denied targeting civilian infrastructure but the Observatory said at least 245 civilians, including 41 children, have been killed in less than two months. Turkish-led forces have nearly fully encircled the city of Afrin, with only one road left open for civilians to flee to areas controlled by the Syrian regime or the YPG. The Observatory said on Thursday that more than 30,000 civilians had fled Afrin in 24 hours. 67 percent Indian businesses have been hit by ransomware, due to which business entities are spending nearly USD 1.17 million to rectify the impact of the cyber attack, a survey conducted by Sophos, a network and endpoint security provider noted. Titled 'The State of Endpoint Security Today', the survey shows the extent to which Indian businesses are at risk of repeated ransomware attacks and are vulnerable to exploits, for which Sophos polled more than 2,700 IT decision makers across mid-sized businesses in 10 countries worldwide, including the US, Canada, Mexico, France, Germany, UK, Australia, Japan, South Africa and India. Ransomware continues to be a major issue across the globe with 54 percent of organisations surveyed hit in the last year and a further 31 percent expecting to be victims of an attack in the future. On average, respondents impacted by ransomware were struck twice. "Today's persistent cybercriminals are deploying multiple attack methods to succeed, whether using a mix of ransomware in a single campaign, taking advantage of a remote access opportunity, infecting a server, or disabling security software. If IT managers are unable to thoroughly clean ransomware and other threats from their systems after attacks, they could be vulnerable to re-infection. No one can afford to be complacent," said Sophos India and SAARC Managing Director (Sales) Sunil Sharma. This relentless attack methodology combined, with the growth in Ransomware-as-a-Service, the anticipation of more complex threats, and the resurgence of worms like WannaCry and NotPetya puts businesses in serious need of a security makeover, according to Sophos. In fact, more than 90 percent of Indian IT decision makers surveyed impacted by ransomware were running up to date endpoint protection, confirming that traditional endpoint security is no longer enough to protect against today's ransomware attacks. According to those impacted by ransomware last year, the median total cost of a ransomware attack was USD 133,000. Indian organisations median total cost stood at USD 1.17 million, the highest, in rectifying the impacts of ransomware. This extends beyond any ransom demanded and includes downtime, manpower, device cost, network cost, and lost opportunities. IT professionals also need to be aware of how exploits are used to gain access to a company's system for data breaches, distributed-denial-of-service attacks, and cryptomining. Sophos' survey revealed considerable misunderstanding around technologies to stop exploits with 72 percent unable to correctly identify the definition of anti-exploit software. Intrusions from exploits also have been happening for years but are still a prominent threat and often go undetected for months, if not years. Once inside a system, cybercriminals use complex malware that can hide in memory or camouflage itself. In many cases, businesses do not know they've been breached until someone finds a large cache of stolen data on the Dark Web. Although 94 percent of respondents admitted their endpoint defenses need to be stronger to block the attacks seen last year, only 34 percent have predictive threat technologies, such as machine or deep learning, leaving 66 percent vulnerable to repeated ransomware attacks, exploits, and evolving advanced threats. Sixty three percent plan to implement predictive threat within a year, yet confusion about it persists. Of those surveyed, 37 percent admitted that they do not have a full understanding of the differences between machine learning and deep learning. "It is important for organisations to keep up in this dynamic world of IT threats. Organisations need effective anti-ransomware, anti-exploit, and deep learning to stay secure in 2018 and beyond," said Sunil. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Aspirants appearing for the Sub Inspector (SI) examinations were lathicharged on Friday by police for staging protest at Patna's Kargil Chowk. The protesting aspirants also demanded to call off the examination. The police lathicharged the protestors to disperse them after they allegedly threw stones at the Bihar police officials. Meanwhile, several vehicles were vandalised in the protest. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Central Government on Friday told the Supreme Court it wants to release 56 Pakistani prisoners. "We have found no case against 56 Pakistani prisoners lodged in Indian jails, as a result of which we would want to release them and send them back to their country," Centre told Apex Court in an affidavit. Earlier on March 7, Pakistan accepted humanitarian proposals received from India for exchange of prisoners over 70 years of age, facilitating the visit of medical experts from both sides to examine the mentally challenged prisoners for their repatriation and revival of judicial committee mechanism. According to reports, Pakistan Foreign Minister Khawaja Asif, while accepting the proposals, suggested that the exchange be applicable to child prisoners under 18 years of age and those who are over 60. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A group of contractual medical practitioners gathered recently before the Gilgit Press Club in Gilgit city to protest and demand that their jobs be regularised. The gathering included medical specialists and new appointees, who claimed that they have been working relentlessly for years for the people and the state not knowing whether they will get their salaries on time. They said they have remained victims of Pakistan's indifferent attitude. One contractual doctor said, "There are around 90 G-B (Gilgit-Baltistan) domicile holders out of 120 who have come here. There are a few from KPK (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa) and Punjab as well. There are some new appointees as well, many of them have completed two to three years in service, yet, they have not been regularised. What we are demanding is that there should be a one-time solution to the issue and that these doctors should be regularised as there is a need for it. Hospitals are not being able to meet requirements, there are hospitals where there is a requirement for at least four doctors and we have only one." Islamabad has denied these doctors their basic rights in spite of them working in the most treacherous and inhumane conditions. The local government which is hand in glove with the federal administration has been complicit in the systematic suppression of these doctors and has made no tangible efforts to support the cause of these lifesavers. Another contractual doctor said, "Contractual doctors are working everywhere; you can take an example of Gultari in Skardu district which remains closed for around eight months in a year. DHQ Skardu and DHQ Gilgit are running on the services of contract doctors only, whether it is the specialist cadre or a medical officer. Medical officers in Astore and Ghanche are also not regularized. So, we have gathered here (Gilgit Press Club) to discuss the issue." A third doctor said, "(There are many) doctors who have been working here since 2012 and the list includes dental doctors, medical officers, lady medical doctors, medical specialists and cardiologists. The government has not been acting on their demands. It has repeatedly been making promises, but not fulfilling them. We just want these doctors to be regularised and the department to work properly." These protesting medicos claimed that they have already faced innumerable hindrances before making the cut to become doctors for the government, and now, are being subjected to unethical and immoral practices after finding jobs. For decades now, no government in Gilgit-Baltistan has provided benefits to local residents and they continue to suffer at the hands of a suppressive regime. The health sector too has crumbled owing to a lack of facilities and there being no permanent medical staff at hospitals in the region. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Supreme Court on Friday dismissed a plea filed by Darjeeling blast accused Gorkha Janmukti Morcha leader Bimal Gurung. The top court rejected Gurung's plea seeking transfer of cases from West Bengal. The court further lifted the stay issued on his arrest. West Bengal-based Janmukti Morcha leader had been charged under the Unlawful +Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) in connection with the grenade attack at the Kalimpong Police Station and a blast in Darjeeling's Chowk Bazaar area in August 2017. Earlier in December 2017, Gurung claimed before the Supreme Court that the Mamata Banjerjee-led government was trying to break his party to finish the movement for separate statehood after Bengal's ruling party Trinamool Congress (TMC) approached the top court against protection from arrest to Gurung. In November 2017, the West Bengal government had filed a plea against providing protection to Gurung from being arrested, following which Gurung claimed that incorrect statements have been made in the plea. Gurung had been earlier suspended by GJM and was replaced by Binay Tamang as the new party president. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Vanessa Trump, Donald Trump Jr's wife, has filed for divorce in the Manhattan Supreme Court. According to The New York Post, Vanessa filed for an uncontested divorce on Thursday, meaning she's not expecting a legal battle over custody of the couple's five children or their assets. They are the parents of five of United States President Donald Trump's grandchildren; theirs range in age from 3 to 10. The duo tied the knot in 2005 and the was struggling with marital problems due to Trump Jr.'s heavy travel schedule and his controversial tweets, mostly related to defending his father from all criticism. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Russia on Friday dismissed claims by the British officials regarding the incidence of chemical attack in Salisbury and warned the latter to resort to spreading hysteria. Russian ambassador Alexander Shulgin at the 87th session of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) Executive Council called the allegations of a chemical attack levied by the British authorities as 'unfounded' and 'absolutely unacceptable'. "Our British colleagues should recall that Russia and the United Kingdom are members of the OPCW which is one of the most successful and effective disarmament and non-proliferation mechanisms. We call upon them to abandon the language of ultimatums and threats and return to the legal framework of the chemical convention, which makes it possible to resolve this kind of situation", Shulgin stated at the OPCW session. British Prime Minister Theresa May on 14 March issued a statement to "punish" Russia under its false pretext to allegedly involve the UK in the case of poisoning Sergey Skripal and his daughter. She said it was "highly likely" Russia was to blame for the attack. Shulgin retorted to May's statement by saying, "Any threat to take punitive measures against Russia will meet with a response. The British side should be aware of that". Shulgin further termed these allegations as unprecedented, flagrant provocation undermining the foundations of a normal dialogue to take place between Russia and UK. Shulgin also asked the UK to follow legal procedures stated in paragraph 2 of Article 9 of Chemical Weapons Convention and officially contact the former in case of any concerns in relation to the case of poisoning. The UK on Wednesday expelled 23 Russian diplomats in connection with the issue. He further mentioned of UK Ambassador Peter Wilson's statement which suggested that UK does not have any concrete reason to suspect the UK in the case as discussed above. Shulgin requested for a time frame of 10 days to respond to the allegations levied by the UK as authorised by the CWC convention. He also asked the UK to provide the data and material evidence related to the accused that was used by Britain to form allegations regarding the attack. He said, " London has nothing substantial to show, and all its loud accusations are nothing but fiction and another instance of the dirty information war being waged on Russia. Sooner or later, they will have to be held accountable for their lies". Shulgin further sought the support of OPCW Technical Secretariat to conduct an independent laboratory analysis of the available samples that allegedly show traces of nerve agents in Salisbury. Retired military intelligence officer Skripal, 66, and his daughter, Yulia, 33, were found slumped on a bench in Salisbury city center on March 4. White House Press secretary Sarah Sanders earlier in a statement to the ABC on Friday said to agree with UK that Russia was behind the nerve agent attack and is working with allies ""to ensure that this kind of abhorrent attack does not happen again". The UK ambassador to Russia, Laurie Bristow on Tuesday was summoned to the Russian Foreign Ministry, over the nerve agent attack on a former Russian spy, Sergei Skripal, in the UK last week. Earlier on Monday, Russian ambassador to the UK Alexander Yakovenko was summoned to the UK Foreign Office in London in the wake of the investigation into the possible poisoning of Skripa. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Russian Ambassador in London Alexander Yakovenko has said that the Russian diplomats expelled from the United Kingdom (UK) over the spy poisoning will leave that country along with their families on March 20. "They will leave on March 20," Tass quoted Yakovenko as saying. Adding that about 80 people, the diplomats and their family members, would leave the United Kingdom. The Russian Ambassador denied the UK's allegations, saying, "It is nothing but a fable, absolute nonsense." He added that nearly half of the embassy's employees were to leave the country. "These people are regular diplomats, 40% of the embassy's staff. The embassy has never been overmanned since the Britons have always been practising expulsions. So, the staff has constantly been decreasing," Yakovenko said. "Naturally, further expulsions will reduce the embassy's possibilities, first of all, as far as consular services are concerned. It will create certain problems but most of us understand where we are working and in the current situation each diplomat is ready for any unexpected developments," he added. Earlier on Wednesday, British Prime Minister Theresa expelled 23 Russian diplomats over spy poisoning. The British Prime Minister gave a week's time to the diplomats for leaving the country. Britain will also cancel high-level contacts with Russia, said May. Retired military intelligence officer Skripal, 66, and his daughter, Yulia, 33, were found slumped on a bench in Salisbury city centre on March 4. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) GIFAS, the French Aerospace Industries Association, a driving force behind French-Indian cooperation, will head a major industrial mission to India from 16 to 19 April 2018, drawing on the very constructive and promising feedback resulting from French President Emmanuel Macron's official visit to India. Eric Trappier, the Chairman of GIFAS and Chairman of CIDEF (Council of French Defence Industries), has enlisted 60 French aerospace industrial companies for this outward mission to further French-Indian cooperation efforts. Cooperation in the areas of aeronautics and space that started in the Fifties is organised and well established. It has been strengthened by bilateral strategic partnerships that were brokered twenty years ago. This GIFAS trade mission is an industrial demonstration of this long-standing strategic partnership across the civilian, defence and space sectors. During their mission from 16 to 19 April 2018, the delegation will make stops in New Delhi, Bangalore, Mumbai and Hyderabad, where meetings are organised to bring together the sectors' companies from both countries. The major aviation and space players representing both civilian and defence interests will be present - Airbus, Ariane Group, Dassault Aviation, MBDA, Safran and Thales - not to mention 54 subcontractors, suppliers, SMEs and equipment manufacturers. The Chairman of GIFAS, Eric Trappier, Chairman and CEO of Dassault Aviation, supported by seven members of the GIFAS board, will lead this important mission to India. The Chairman of GIFAS, Eric Trappier said, "France and GIFAS are proud to develop and strengthen our bonds with India through this mission, as our country and industries are clearly committed to encouraging the "Make in India" initiative. We are glad to contribute to buttressing the strategic partnership between France and India". (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) An illegal Sri Lankan immigrant has been arrested in Tamil Nadu, said Tamil Nadu coastal police on Friday. The police said 37-year-old Vijayakumar, who hails from Colombo, was arrested as he was preparing to leave for Colombo by a boat from Dhanushkodi. He told the authorities that he had come to India more than ten years back and had been working in a private company in Chennai. Investigations are underway as to how he landed in India and stayed here for so long without valid papers. Further details are awaited in the case. This comes two days after twenty-three Indians were arrested in Sri Lanka for allegedly working in the country while on a tourist visa. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) At least two terrorists were killed in yesterday's encounter with the security forces in Srinagar's Khanmoh area in Jammu and Kashmir. "In the said incident, two dead bodies of militants have been recovered so far, whose identities are being ascertained," police said in a release. Moreover, incriminating materials, including arms and ammunition, were also recovered from their possession. A case has been registered in this regard under relevant sections of law and an investigation is underway. On Thursday, during the initial firing by the terrorists, a Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel sustained bullet injuries and was shifted to 92 base hospital for treatment. His condition is stable now. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Jamaat-ud-Dawah (JuD) on Friday submitted a petition at the Lahore High Court (LHC) against the Pakistan government's decision to block their 'welfare activities'. A counsel for petitioner advocate Dogar said that JuD chief and 26/11 mastermind Hafiz Saeed had established 142 schools and three universities in Pakistan and added that he was doing welfare activities for the last several years. According to reports, the LHC has sent a notice to the Pakistan government and Punjab provincial government seeking them a response within 15 days. Justice Aminuddin Khan heard this matter at the request of the JuD chief, The Express Tribune reported. The petitioner stated that the JuD and Falah-i-Insaniyat Foundation (FIF) has always been active in welfare activities and that "the US and India are creating a hindrance in the 'regular party affairs' which is uncalled for." On March 8, the LHC extended its order till April 4 under Justice Khan to take no action against Saeed on his plea about his possible arrest at the behest of Washington D.C. and New Delhi. Advocate Dogar contended that a UN delegation was to arrive in Pakistan in January and the Pakistan government had planned to take strict action against Saeed. He said that the Punjab government had earlier detained the UN-designated global terrorist under 'Maintenance of Public Order' for 90 days. However, a review board comprising judges of the LHC denied an application of the government for further detention and house arrest Saeed as it failed to justify the detention before the board. In January, Saeed's entities were moved from Pakistan's watch list to the list of proscribed organisations after the Pakistan government introduced a presidential ordinance by amending the country's anti-terrorism act to include UN-designated terrorist groups and individuals for terror financing, paving the way for the confiscation of JuD and FIF assets. However, despite the ban, the entities were found to be freely operating in Pakistan. Last month, Pakistani authorities confirmed that the country was going back on the "grey list" of the Financial Action Task Force on Money Laundering (FATF), a global watchdog on combating terror financing and money laundering, after a span of nearly four years. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A day after Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal issued an apology to former Punjab minister Bikram Singh Majithia, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) unit of Punjab on Friday said the Kejriwal has become weak. AAP unit of Punjab said, Kejriwal tendered an apology to Majhithia without any consultation. Speaking to media during a presser, AAP leader Sukhpal Singh Khaira said, "Strongly condemn Arvind Kejriwal's apology to Bikram Majithia. Nobody was consulted before he took this decision. This shows that he has become weak and also raises questions on his talks with Akali Dal. For me, welfare of Punjab's people is most important." Earlier in the day party's Punjab unit had expressed their displeasure over Kejriwal issuing an apology to Majithia. "All of us in Punjab are saddened to learn how Kejriwal ji has went to apologise to Majithia when state government's Special Task Force has submitted in High Court that there is strong clinching evidence against him," AAP leader Sukhpal Singh Khaira told ANI. Kejriwal had earlier accused Majithia of being allegedly involved in drug trade. Thereafter, Majithia reportedly filed a criminal defamation case in May 2016 against Kejriwal and AAP leaders Sanjay Singh and Ashish Khetan for falsely linking him to the drug trade and tarnishing his image. However, on Thursday, the AAP chief apologised in court for his "unfounded allegations" and announced the withdrawal of all his statements. He also submitted a copy of the apology letter to the court. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Criticizing Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) head Arvind Kejriwal for issuing an apology to former Punjab minister Bikram Singh Majithia for his "drug trade" remarks, Lok Insaf Party (LIP) member and MLA Simarjit Singh Bains said his party will now reckon over snapping alliance with AAP in Punjab. "He accused Majithia of being involved in a drug trade and then gave him a clean chit. Punjabis had given Kejriwal immense respect due to his honesty but he has betrayed them. Punjabis will not be able to tolerate this," Bains told ANI. He added, "Our MLAs will sit together and will take a collective decision on [snapping alliance with AAP] it. We are the whistleblowers for Punjab and will not stand with traitors." Bains further accused Delhi Chief Minister Kejriwal of back-door dealing. Earlier in the day, Punjab AAP chief Bhagwant Mann resigned from the state president's post expressing his displeasure over Kejriwal issuing an apology to Majithia. Kejriwal had earlier accused Majithia of being allegedly involved in drug trade. Thereafter, Majithia reportedly filed a criminal defamation case in May 2016 against Kejriwal and AAP leaders Sanjay Singh and Ashish Khetan for falsely linking him to the drug trade and tarnishing his image. However, on Thursday, the AAP chief apologised in court for his "unfounded allegations" and announced the withdrawal of all his statements. He also submitted a copy of the apology letter to the court. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Kerala High Court stayed the release of the final notification on fixing the minimum wages of nurses. The state government had earlier decided to release it by March 2018. A petition was earlier filed by private hospital managements requesting not to release it as per the schedule. But acting on a petition filed by hospital management, the high court prevented the nurse associations from going for a strike. As the court's order came against the strike, the nurse association decided to change the form of protest and they planned to take mass Leave from duty. Later, the Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan intervened and assured them that the final notification would be released on March 31, this year. In November 2017, the government had fixed the minimum wages as Rs 20,000. A committee appointed by the Supreme Court had concluded that the private sector nurses must be paid a minimum salary of Rs 20,000. The nurses association had called off a strike announced for March 6 in view of the government order that was supposed to come on March 31. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Holi celebrations in Farook College in Kerala's Calicut turned violent after few students were allegedly assaulted by the college staff members. The incident took place on Thursday evening when two students were rounded up and beaten by a group of faculties and staff members. According to reports, two students sustained injuries and were admitted to Kozhikode Medical College for further treatment. However, a faculty member also alleged being beaten up by the students. Earlier, the college management had denied permission to celebrate Holi on campus, citing security reasons. But after the exams, a group of students decided to celebrate the festival of colours, which is believed to have irked the management. A case has been registered in this regard and a probe is underway. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) All India Majlis-e-Ittehad-ul Muslimeen (AIMIM) party chief Asaduddin Owaisi on Friday said that they will support the no-confidence motion in the Lok Sabha, brought by the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) against the Narendra Modi-government. Stating the reasons for supporting the motion, Owaisi said, "The Modi government had failed to implement the State Reorganisation Act". For the unversed, the Telugu Desam Party (TDP), who pulled out of the Democratic Alliance (NDA) earlier in the day, wrote to the Lok Sabha Secretary-General for moving a motion on 'No-Confidence in the Council of Ministers' in the House. "Under Rule 198(B) of chapter XVII of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of business in Lok Sabha, I hereby give notice to move the following motion in the House on Today Dated 16.03.18," TDP MP Thota Narasimha said in the letter. "This House expressed No confidence in the Council of Ministers," read the Motion stated therein. The 'No-Confidence motion' was also supported by the key opposition parties like the Congress, All India Anna Dravida Munetra Kazagam(AIADMK), Aam Aadmi Party(AAP) and Communist Party(Marxist)(CPM). Owaisi further accused the Government of failing to fulfil its promise of providing employment to the youth and prevent the growing instances of injustice against Muslim women and minorities. Owaisi is the only serving member of parliament (MP) from the AIMIM in the present Lok Sabha. Congress President Rahul Gandhi on Friday alleged Prime Minister Narendra Modi led Centre is paying Rs 11 billion (Rs 1,100 crore) extra per jet. Citing manufacturer Dassault's 2016 annual report, Gandhi said that the Narendra Modi government is purchasing per jet at the rate of Rs 16.7 billion while the Congress-led Manmohan Singh (MMS) government had finalised the deal at the rate of Rs 5.7 billion per Rafale jet. Gandhi said that Rafael manufacturer Dassault has busted lie of Raksha Mantri (Defence Minister) by releasing prices paid per Rafale plane in its 2016 annual report. "Dassault called RM's lie and released prices paid per RAFALE plane in report: Qatar = Rs 13.19 billion, MODI = 16.7 billion, MMS = 5.70 billion. 11 billion per plane or 360 billion i.e 10 % of our Defence budget, in the pocket. Meanwhile, our Army begs our Govt. for money," Gandhi tweeted. Narendra Modi government has signed a deal with France based Dassault Aviation to purchase 36 Rafale jets. This is not the first time that Rahul has alleged corruption in the In February, Gandhi posed eight questions to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the deal and alleged that the Prime Minister personally went to Paris and changed the deal. After this, Prime Minister Modi led Democratic Alliance (NDA) government issued a detailed clarification and said the Opposition was misleading the country over the The NDA also said its deal is better in terms of capability, price, equipment, delivery, maintenance, training than that notionally negotiated by the then Government (United Progressive Alliance) in a process it could not conclude in ten years. The founder leader of Pakistan's political party Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) Altaf Hussain claimed that the Mohajirs in Pakistan were considered "anti-national", adding that they were being "deported and killed" by the Pakistani forces. In a video message, Hussain, living in exile in the UK, asserted that Pakistan was suppressing the fundamental rights of the Mohajirs as well as other communities such as Sindhis, Qawwalis, Pashtuns and Baloch people and the army were carrying out extrajudicial killings on them. "Instead of providing rights to the citizens, they have only caused incidents of missing people and used gun power. There is a clear violation of human rights on the minorities," said Hussain. Commenting on the Punjabi community, which comprises the majority ethnic group in the country, Hussain claimed, "Punjabis are getting all the benefits. They have captured the land resources there. The army and the judiciary are supporting them. The Punjabis have strengthened their hold on different government posts. Their dominance has totally sidelined us. (Mohajirs and other communities) We are being treated as slaves." "The Pakistan army conducted murders of Mohajirs. The Mohajirs created the infrastructure which was then occupied by the Punjabis later on," he said. Terming Balochistan as an "occupied colony of Pakistan army", Hussain added that the armed forces have captured Balochistan forcefully in the name of eliminating insurgency in the province. Talking about the plight of the Mohajirs in Pakistan, Hussain alleged that the community has remained poor even after 70 years of independence. 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. He also said that the citizens in the country were not getting fair justice, since the courts were not "independent", as enshrined in the Pakistan Constitution and that politicians and army forces were colluding with vested interests. Continuing his tirade against the Pakistan army, the MQM chief further said that the army was "corrupt" and was meddling in defence deals along with the government. He also blamed the army for causing political instability in the country and the authorities for failing to take action on corrupt officials. "Never ever an army general or judge being convicted of war crimes or wrong judgement," Hussain underscored. Discussing the slain MQM leader Professor Dr. Hassan Zafar Arif, he said that Pakistan's military establishment assassinated him in custody because he "refused to take dictation and live like a slave." Professor Arif was found dead in his car in Karachi's Ilyas Goth area on January 14, a day after his abduction. According to him, the Pakhtoon community, demanding freedom from Pakistan, is directly pointing at the military establishment as the main culprit behind the genocide of minorities in Pakistan and terrorism. Hussain said that Pakhtoon community has been enslaved by the Pakistani military establishment. The firebrand leader regretted that it was his "mistake" that he had forgiven the Pakistan army for its brutalities committed on minorities in Pakistan. Hussain further said that the MQM was formed as a liberal, progressive, democratic and a secular party to help the distressed minorities in the country. He also called on the Baloch, Sindhis, Pashtuns and other communities to join and launch a movement against the Pakistan army's "genocide acts". (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Terming North East of India as the New Engine of growth, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said that India's develpoment story is proportional to the progress of the eastern part of our country. Speaking at inauguration of the 105th session of Indian Science Congress in Manipur University, Prime Minster Modi said, "I have always maintained that India's growth story shall never be complete until the eastern part of our country progresses at par with the western part. The North-East can be the 'New Engine' of India's growth." The Prime Minister meanwhile also laid the foundation stone of 1000 Anganwadi Centres. "These centers will work as a medium for improving the health of thousands of Mothers and their babies. They will also benefit from the recently launched Nutrition Mission," he said. Speaking on the lines of women empowerment, the Prime Minister said that the Manipur state government has undertaken construction of a new hostel for girls in the tribal area. "I am happy that the State government is working to reduce the problems faced by girls in Hill and Tribal areas for their education. The state government has undertaken construction of a new hostel for girls in the tribal area. I am fortunate to inaugurate 1 such hostel today," Prime Minister Modi said. Speaking here, the Prime Minister also remembered political leader Rani Gaidinliu, who led a revolt against British rule in India and inaugurated a park dedicated to her name. "Woman power in this state has always been a source of inspiration for the country. Today, on this occasion, I salute the great revolutionary and daughter of the nation Rani Gaidinliu," he said. Prime Minister Modi further informed that the Government of India has sanctioned ten India Reserve Battalions for the North Eastern States, which include two battalions for Manipur. "These two battalions will directly provide job opportunities to about 2,000 youth in the State," he opined. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) It is common knowledge that human beings need about 7 to 8 hours of sleep - and not just to feel good or to do away with those under-eye circles but also for overall Sound sleep benefits the heart, weight, mind, and body. It helps in repairing damaged cells and the immune system, handling daily wear and tear, and recharging our system. Unhealthy food habits, lack of exercise, and irregular and varying working styles are all conditions that can hamper sleep. "Apart from this, there are those who suffer from what are called sleep disorders. It is alarming to note that not many people take these disorders seriously and are, therefore, also prone to other conditions such as obesity, hypertension and diabetes. One such common sleep disorder is sleep apnea," said Dr. M Udaya Kumar Maiya, Medical Director, Portea Medical. Sleep Apnea, its types, and symptoms Sleep apnea is a serious condition in which a person's breathing starts and stops repeatedly while they are asleep. It is further divided into three types: -Obstructive sleep apnea is a condition where the airway repeatedly becomes blocked, limiting the amount of air reaching the lungs. People with this condition snore loudly or make choking noises while breathing. It leads to oxygen deprivation in the brain and body and the person may wake up. -Central sleep apnea occurs when the brain doesn't send proper signals to the muscles that control breathing. -Complex sleep apnea syndrome or Treatment-emergent central sleep apnea occurs when a person has both obstructive and central sleep apnea. Some of the symptoms common to all the above forms include loud snoring (most prominent sign), episodes of breathing cessation during sleep, waking up abruptly with shortness of breath, waking up with a dry mouth or sore throat, morning headache, insomnia, daytime sleepiness or grogginess, attention issues, and irritability. Risk factors and complications Although anyone irrespective of age can get sleep apnea, there are certain factors that increase the likelihood of acquiring this condition. Some of these include sex (it is more common in males due to their anatomy), excess weight, family history of the condition, narrowed airway or an anatomical defect, menopause, pregnancy, smoking and drinking, posture, and certain medications. It is important to consult a specialist if any of the characteristic symptoms of sleep apnea are present or if you fall under any of the risk factors for the condition. In the absence of timely diagnosis and treatment, sleep apnea can also lead to death. This is because a person's heartbeat becomes irregular during an apneic episode causing a rise in blood pressure. In people who are overweight, it increases the chances of developing diabetes and high cholesterol later in life. Besides this, sleep apnea can also cause day-time accidents, due to grogginess. Diagnosis and management Sleep apnea is diagnosed with the help of a sleep study called nocturnal polysomnography, done in an overnight sleep laboratory. This process records brain waves, eye and leg movements, oxygen levels, airflow, and heart rhythm during sleep. At times, a CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) machine is recommended, which consists of an air blower that continuously blows air through the nose or mouth. The air pressure helps in preventing collapse of the upper airway tissues during sleep. Other options include certain oral devices and surgery. Certain lifestyle changes can help avoid the onset of this condition or provide relief from existing symptoms. Lose excess weight as this is a major contributing factor for sleep apnea - even a 10% weight loss is helpful. Avoid smoking and drinking. Do not consume sleeping pills. All of these can cause the airways to collapse during sleep and lengthen the time you are unable to breathe well. Avoid sleeping on your back; sleep to one side instead. Nasal sprays are best avoided as these can aggravate any sinus problems or congestion, making sleeping difficult. Sleep apnea is a serious disorder and can affect the and quality of life of an individual, which makes it imperative to get diagnosed and treated on time. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Controversy has surfaced in Canadian again, with the leader of a prominent social democratic party, the New Democratic Party (NDP), being found to have close links with a Canadian Sikh rapper known for promoting the need for "Khalistan", or an independent homeland for Sikhs. According to a report published in the web site of the daily Toronto Sun, NDP leader Jagmeet Singh has personal ties with Canadian Sikh rapper Chani Natt, who is known to glorify violence and promote an independent state of Khalistan. The daily suggests that Natt is a close personal friend of NDP leader Jagmeet Singh, and had even posted a photograph of both together on Instagram on February 8, 2017. The Instagram caption read as follows: "Looked up to this guy for a while!! Never thought we would become friends one day and hang out. It's an honour to have him as a brother." Another photo of Singh and Natt, posted on July 6, 2017, includes the caption "full support." A third photo, from September 19, 2017, Natt writes "With love and courage (love) Jagmeet Singh. Vote for the boyyy." Neither Singh nor Natt have responded to questions from the Toronto Sun. According to the Toronto Sun, Natt has a large following on social media and his YouTube videos, which often depict violence and terrorism, have allegedly been viewed millions of times. For instance, his song 'ROOSE' features images of men carrying military equipment, including an assortment of guns and bullets, wearing black turbans, dark sun glasses and T-shirts that read: "INDIA'S MOST WANTED." The Toronto Sun web site further states that these men are seen waving a flag of the erstwhile Soviet Union and the yellow Khalistani independence flag. Interlaced with the modern images of Natt and his gun-wielding gang, the web site also reveals that there are historic images that glorify the Sikh militants who were active during the 1984 anti-Sikh riots in India. The Toronto Sun suggests and reports that the video may have been filmed in Surrey, British Columbia. It says that the video shows one man wearing a Vancouver Canucks jersey and several cars having British Columbia license plates. The YouTube description reads, "Dedicated to the Shaheeds (martyrs) of the Sikh nation," the daily reports, adding that this video has been viewed over 1.3 million times. Another video titled 'KAALI,' shows a memo entitled "Khalistan Commando Force." The video shows Natt among other heavily armed men, as well as historic footage of armed Sikh militants in India. The historic footage also shows an actor firing a gun at a photo of the first woman Prime Minister of India, Indira Gandhi, who was assassinated by her Sikh bodyguards on October 31, 1984. One part of the song, according to the Toronto Sun web site, goes as follows, "Black turbans, black beards, black scarfs (sic scarves) with black AK-47s. We kill people, we're courageous terrorists (or bandits)." Natt's large Canadian following and his open celebration of Khalistani war and terrorism, flies in the face of claims made by Sikh activists. It may be recalled that last month, controversy dogged Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's week-long visit to India, when his government is alleged to have invited a Khalistani sympathizer and former terrorist Jaspal Atwal to a dinner in Delhi. At that time, the Sikh Organisation had controversially tweeted, "There are no current examples of 'Sikh extremism' in Canada." Addressing media last month, Trudeau had said then, "Obviously we take this situation extremely seriously. As soon as we found out, we rescinded the invitation immediately." He said the MP from his party "took full responsibility" for the dinner invitation. Atwal, now a businessman in the Canadian city of Surrey, claimed that he had travelled to India separately and was not part of the Canadian delegation. Indian officials had then said they were investigating how Atwal was granted a visa. Atwal told Canada's Postmedia network that he had no plans of attending the dinner, which was being hosted by Canada's High Commissioner to India, N.Patel, and that he was visiting Mumbai for business. Atwal, it may be recalled, was convicted along with three others for shooting an Indian minister Malkiat Singh Sidhu while he was in Vancouver on a personal visit. The minister was hit twice but survived the attack. He was, however, assassinated in India in 1991. All four convictions were later overturned on appeal. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister and Telugu Desam Party (TDP) chief N. Chandrababu Naidu on Friday said his party's exit from NDA coalition would not have happened, had there been a provision of Special Category Status (SCS) in the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act that bifurcated the state. "The bifurcation promises are not yet fulfilled. Had special status been included in the Act in the Lok Sabha then, this situation would have not arisen," Naidu said in the state Assembly. In a formal announcement of TDP's exit from the NDA, Naidu said, "I took the decision, not for selfish reasons, but for the interests of Andhra Pradesh. For four years, I made all efforts, went to Delhi 29 times, asked many times. This was centre's last budget and there was no mention of Andhra Pradesh, we had to pull our ministers out of cabinet." Naidu said that he also gave a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, recently "but nothing materialized." The Chief Minister also lambasted Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley who denied the TDP's demand for more funds contending that "sentiment cannot increase quantum of funds." "What a reckless statement. Telangana was carved for sentiment. Sentiments are very powerful. Even now you are doing injustice," Naidu said. Naidu concluded on a hopeful note for the future of TDP, "TDP has survived many crises and we can sail through this situation." The prolonged tension between the allies over the TDP-led state government's demand for 'Special category status' to Andhra Pradesh, finally concluded with Naidu deciding to pull the party out of the NDA coalition. The demands arose when Telangana was scooped out of Andhra Pradesh in 2014, under the Congress-led UPA government, and suffered a considerable reduction in revenue. The BJP had promised to grant Special Category status to the state, in the 2014 General elections, and later forged an alliance with TDP in the state. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Russia has dismissed the reports that it carried out airstrikes on eastern Ghouta that killed several civilians, calling them "fake news." Russian news agency TASS quoted Russian Defense Ministry Spokesman Igor Konashenkov as saying on Friday, "Reports from the British Syrian Observatory For Human Rights citing anonymous 'activists' from the village of Kafer Batna about alleged Russian airstrikes in Eastern Ghouta are yet another fake. Russia's air force performed no combat missions in the area of Eastern Ghouta." The Russian military staying in this area are officers of the Russian centre for the reconciliation of the warring parties in Syria, said Konashenkov, adding that they have been given the work to ensure operation of humanitarian corridors, help civilians conduct ceasefire negotiations with armed opposition leaders. "I would like to stress that these activities are carried out in the eyes of journalists, including from foreign media. Moreover, the Russian Defense Ministry has organized online broadcasting both from the ground and from unmanned aerial vehicles of the actual situation in Eastern Ghouta, around the humanitarian corridors that have already been used by more than 16,00 civilians to leave the area," he said. In the past eight months, Syrian regime forces have intensified their siege of Eastern Ghouta, making it nearly impossible for food or medicine to get into the district and leaving thousands of patients in need of treatment. Since February 19, escalating hostilities have resulted in 500 deaths and some 1,500 injuries in Eastern Ghouta, with 24 health facilities impacted by shelling and airstrikes, according to UN officials. Eastern Ghouta, which houses around 400,000 residents, has remained under a crippling regime siege for the last five years with humanitarian access being completely cut off. In May last year, Russia, Iran and Turkey signed an agreement to set up de-escalation zones, in order to prevent airstrike-related incidents in some parts of Syria. The de-escalation zones include- Idlib province, some parts of Latakia province, Hama and Aleppo provinces, Homs, Eastern Ghouta, Daraa and al-Quneitra provinces in southern Syria. Syria has been embroiled in a civil war since 2011. Protesters have been long demanding the resignation of President Assad over his autocratic rule. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Scientists have discovered a new biomarker that could help to unlock the medical mystery behind an untreatable blood cancer. QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute's Immunology in Cancer and Infection senior scientist Professor Mark Smyth and clinician researcher Dr Kyohei Nakamura worked with colleagues in France to make the discovery about multiple myeloma. Multiple myeloma grows in the bone marrow. The study found a particular molecule called IL-18 suppressed the immune system to help create a bone marrow environment where the cancer was more likely to grow. The study analysed the impact of IL-18 on 152 patients with multiple myeloma and found strong evidence that high levels of the molecule were associated with poorer survival. Professor Smyth said IL-18 was responsible for promoting the immune suppressive function of a particular kind of white blood cell (granulocyte) in the bone marrow. He said the resulting suppression hindered another kind of immune cell, known as a T cell, from doing its job of finding and destroying cancer cells. "IL-18 has traditionally been recognised as a growth factor for immune cells because it was thought to promote the activity of the white blood or 'natural killer' cells that protect us from infection and cancer," he said. "We've turned that thinking on its head with our discovery that IL-18 is actually a pro-tumour factor, which causes virtually the opposite effect. "IL-18 is critical in the progression of multiple myeloma by enabling one part of the immune system to suppress another." Professor Smyth said bone marrow IL-18 levels were a potential biomarker for predicting a person's disease prognosis as well as a potential target for new multiple myeloma treatments. "Our research shows IL-18 could be an independent prognostic factor, which is very significant," he said. "Practically speaking, the higher a person's IL-18 levels in the bone marrow, the greater the likelihood their immune system is suppressed. That means their prognosis is not as good." Dr Nakamura said the findings could one day influence the way patients were treated for multiple myeloma. "If a person's prognosis is not as good because they have higher levels of IL-18 in the bone marrow, a doctor might choose to treat the patient more aggressively," he said. Dr Nakamura said the discovery was vital to building a better understanding of what caused inflammation in the bone marrow that leads to the development of multiple myeloma. "Multiple myeloma creates a really inflammatory microenvironment inside the bone marrow," he said. "We want to understand the molecular processes underpinning that inflammation. "This will help us to determine whether this biology is unique to the bone marrow and multiple myeloma, or whether it is also present in other cancers." Dr Nakamura said there was even potential to one day work with pharmaceutical partners interested in targeting IL-18 with a unique antibody or small molecule inhibitors. He said a test for IL-18 in the bone marrow of patients would need to be performed at the point of diagnosis by taking a fluid sample from inside the bones. The QIMR Berghofer-led research involved multiple collaborators from across the globe and within Australia. It was published in Cancer Cell. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Market indices fell sharply in Friday morning trade, after the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) pulled out of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA). The BSE's Sensex fell 244.83 points to 33,440.71, while the Nifty traded at 10,303.10. Among sectoral indices, Nifty Metal incurred maximum loss, followed by FMCG, auto, bank and IT. Meanwhile, the Indian Rupee gained two paise, trading at Rs. 64.91 for one US dollar. Earlier in the day, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu post a tele-conference with his party members announced that the TDP would step back from the NDA. Furthermore, the party said they would move a no-confidence motion against the Centre in Parliament, today. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Shiv Sena on Friday scoffed at the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) over the result of the recently concluded Lok Sabha by-polls in the state of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. The Shiv Sena, in their editorial mouthpiece 'Saamana', called the results of the by-election alarming for the BJP, saying that it is clear indication of the party's defeat in the 2019 General Elections. "The result of Uttar Pradesh by-election is worrisome for the BJP. They say that by-poll doesn't define the mood of the nation, but from the time the BJP came to power at the Centre they have lost 9 out of 10 by-polls in the country," read the editorial. It further raised a question on the 'popularity' of Prime Minister Narendra Modi across the nation, which made the BJP victorious in the 2014 Lok Sabha election, saying that change in people's behaviour is visible after the party's defeated in the by-polls. The Shiv Sena even advised the Prime Minister to stay more in India among the people and pay heed to their woes, if he wants to win a marginal vote share in the forthcoming elections. "Even after massive popularity of Prime Minister Modi, this kind of result is astonishing. A clear drop in the number of Lok Sabha seats for the BJP in 2019 general election is visible," said the editorial. "The BJP has t0 contest election in India and not in Russia, Canada, France, America and Israel, so they should to the woes of the people," it added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Hours after Congress MP from Assam Rupin Bora demanded the removal of "Sindh" from the National Anthem, prominent activists from Sindh region on Friday condemned the move, saying Sindh is the base of India. "The word 'Hind' came from nowhere, it was Sindh and is the basis for Hind and Hindustan. The entire subcontinent of Bharat (India) is on the basis of Indus civilisation", said Lakhu Luhana, the Secretary-General of Sindhi Congress. "The Indus civilisation is the base civilisation of entire India. You cannot remove the word under your feet. It will remain there," he underscored. "Can any sane nation remove the basis of its civilisation? The answer is no. Though Sindh is a part of Pakistan now, most Sindhis do not associate themselves with the ideology of Pakistan," Luhana further said. Luhana further said famous poet Rabindranath Tagore, who had great in-depth knowledge of history of the entire sub-continent had mentioned Sindh in the anthem. Echoing similar sentiments, Dr. Hidayat Bhutto, a Sindhi political activist also said, "We are taking it very seriously. Sindh is the basis of India and it should remain there. It cannot be removed at all." He asserted that the Sindhis never considered themselves to be a part of Pakistan and they were fighting for their right to self-determination, adding that Sindh would be soon free from Pakistan. "It (Sindh) should be there in the anthem of India, as India has the basis foundation," Bhutto stated. Citing the example of Sindhis living in Kutch of Rann in Gujarat, Bhutto said that over 20,000 Sindhi Muslims were living there and speak Kutchi, which is almost similar to Sindhi. The Sindhi activist claimed that the proposal to remove the word Sindh from the National Anthem was seen as a ploy by Pakistan and the Inter-Service Intelligence (ISI), which is in favour of its removal. Bora on Friday moved a private resolution in Rajya Sabha, seeking an amendment of the National Anthem and replacing the word 'Sindh' with 'Northeast' region. The resolution mentioned that the Northeast region finds no mention in the National Anthem. "Then President of India Dr. Rajendra Prasad had in a statement on January 24, 1950 said the composition consisting of the words and music known as 'Jana Gana Mana' is the National Anthem of India subject to such alterations in the words as the Government of India may authorise as occasion arises," the resolution said. Bora sought an amendment of the National Anthem and replacement of the words, saying that Sindh was no longer in India, but was in Pakistan, which is a hostile country. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Estranged ally, Telugu Desam Party (TDP) on Friday pulled out of the Democratic Alliance (NDA). The decision was taken following a tele-conference conducted by Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandra Babu Naidu with his party members. The party will also move a no-confidence motion against the Centre, in the Parliament, today. Meanwhile, the YSR Congress has written a letter to Lok Sabha Secretary-General for moving a motion on 'No-Confidence in the Council of Ministers' in the house. On Thursday, the TDP chief N Chandrababu Naidu in his state assembly speech said: "If necessary, we will support the no-confidence motion against the Centre, whoever may place it." The Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister said his party would support anybody who moved a no-confidence motion in the state's interests. The BJP and its Andhra ally TDP have been sharing a sour relationship following the announcement of the Union Budget 2018-19, over the issue of granting 'Special Category' Status to Andhra Pradesh. While the TDP has been alleging that the Centre neglected the state in the budget, the BJP rejected the charges and said the Centre not only fulfilled all its obligations but also went out of its way to help the state. The TDP MPs have been regularly staging protests in the Parliament over the issue. On the direction of Naidu, two TDP Ministers Ashok Gajapathi Raju and Y.S.Chowdary also resigned from the Union cabinet. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) 'Technip India Limited' has been declared as the Winner of Special Commendation for 'Golden Peacock Award for Corporate Social Responsibility' for the year 2017, by the Awards Jury under the Chairmanship of Justice (Dr.) Arijit Pasayat, former Judge, Supreme Court of India. 'Seed of Hope' program launched in 2015 is a unique model engaging employees in sustainable development initiatives undertaken by TechnipFMC in India. The model allows employees to propose CSR projects and after necessary due diligence, the project gets implemented by the Company. In this way, employees feel empowered and responsible to do their bit towards society. TechnipFMC in India has implemented noteworthy projects in partnership with various NGOs to promote: Education and Skill Development Healthcare facility for underprivileged Clean energy Sanitation facility to promote Swachh Bharat Disaster Response program On receiving the certificate presented by Institute Of Directors (IOD) during its 12th International Conference on CSR held in Bangalore, Swayantani Ghosh, Technip India Communications and CSR Head said, "We are honored to receive the award for our commendable efforts to sponsor education for orphaned students, install solar panels, launch mobile healthcare units, build toilets in rural and remote areas, drive plantation programs and enhance employability through skill development centers. We are committed to bringing about economical, social and environmental sustainable development of society through our diversified CSR program, 'Seed of Hope'." Golden Peacock Awards, instituted by the Institute Of Directors (IOD), India in 1991, are now regarded as a benchmark of corporate excellence worldwide. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The UN Security Council on Friday urged militant group Taliban to consider the peace process initiated with Afghan government with an open mind. While welcoming Kabul's offer to Taliban to engage in direct talks, the UNSC advised the latter to participate in the Afghan peace process without any preconditions or resorting to violent threats, reported by certain media sources. Earlier on February 28, Afghan president Ashraf Ghani dwelled on a plan to conduct peace process with Taliban which might include the latter to be declared as a political organisation. Later Afghanistan's Chief Executive Officer Abdullah Abdullah blasted Taliban for not responding to the Afghan offer for peace and reconciliation. Security Council President Karel Jan Gustaaf van Oosterom of Netherlands said in a statement that UNSC members commended the second meeting of the Kabul Process for Peace and Security Cooperation in Afghanistan in February. "The members of the Security Council also welcomed the offer made by the Afghan Government to the Taliban to engage in direct peace talks, and called upon the Taliban to accept this offer without any preconditions and without the threat of violence, with the aim of an ultimate political settlement that leads to sustainable peace for the people of Afghanistan," the statement said yesterday. The Security Council underlined the importance of an inclusive peace process led by the Afghan government to initiate a practical plan for reconciliation. "The Kabul Process must lead to the renunciation of violence and breaking of all ties to international terrorism, as well as the respect for the equal rights of all Afghans, including women, under the Afghan Constitution," the Council further said. The members of the Security Council also welcomed ongoing international efforts to advance peace and stability in Afghanistan. Earlier in March, Ghani proposed to the Taliban group to declare themselves as a political group after conducting discussions with the Afghanistan government. Other suggestions by Ghani included issuing passports and possibly freeing Taliban prisoners. Ghani, in his offer, also emphasized the government was ready to reconcile and make peace with the insurgent group. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) On 13 April 2018 Infosys will hold a meeting of the Board of Directors of the Company on 12th and 13th of April 2018, to approve the audited consolidated financial statements of the Company and its subsidiaries as per Indian Accounting Standards (INDAS) for the quarter and year ending March 31, 2018, the audited consolidated financial statements of the Company and its subsidiaries as per INDAS for the year ending March 31, 2018, the audited condensed standalone financial statements of the Company as per INDAS for the quarter and year ending March 31, 2018, the audited standalone financial statements of the Company as per INDAS for the year ending March 31, 2018, the audited consolidated financial statements of the Company and its subsidiaries as per International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) in INR for the quarter and year ending March 31, 2018 and to recommend a final dividend for the financial year ending March 31, 2018. The Board of directors would finally approve the financial results on April 13, 2018. Powered by Capital Market - Live News (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Key benchmark indices extended fall and hit fresh intraday low in morning trade. At 10:23 IST, the barometer index, the S&P BSE Sensex, was down 209.13 points or 0.62% at 33,476.41. The Nifty 50 index was down 56.05 points or 0.54% at 10,304.10. Oil & gas stocks dropped. Telecom stocks saw mixed trend. Trading for the day began on a dull note as the key benchmark indices edged lower in early trade on negative Asian stocks. The S&P BSE Mid-Cap index was down 0.09%. The S&P BSE Small-Cap index was up 0.27%. Both these indices outperformed the Sensex. The market breadth, indicating the overall health of the market, was positive. On the BSE, 1,189 shares rose and 868 shares fell. A total of 104 shares were unchanged. Breadth was strong in early trade. Overseas, Asian stocks fell as weak volumes in the US session overnight gave little impetus for traders ahead of next week's Federal Reserve meeting. US stocks ended mixed yesterday, 15 March 2018 as industrial and tech gains were offset by losses in the consumer and energy sector. Back home, Tata Motors (down 2.05%) and Asian Paints (down 1.19%) edged lower from the Sensex pack. Oil & gas stocks dropped. Shares of oil exploration and production (E&P) companies fell. Reliance Industries (down 1.13%), ONGC (down 1.4%) and Oil India (down 0.3%) edged lower. Among PSU OMCs, HPCL (down 1.7%), BPCL (down 2.18%) and Indian Oil Corporation (down 2.16%) declined. Among gas utility stocks, Indraprastha Gas (down 0.65%), Gujarat State Petronet (up 0.84%), Gujarat Gas (down 0.54%) and GAIL (India) (down 1.24%) fell. Telecom stocks saw mixed trend. MTNL (up 1.44%), Tata Teleservices (Maharashtra) (up 4.98%) and Reliance Communications (up 1.06%) rose. Bharti Airtel (down 0.19%) and Idea Cellular (down 0.03%) fell. Shares of Bharti Infratel rose 0.43%. Bharti Infratel is a provider of tower and related infrastructure and is a unit of Bharti Airtel. Zensar Technologies rose 1.26% after the company announced an extension of its managed partner relationship with Microsoft in South Africa in the Global Systems Integrator (GSI) market. The key focus of this partnership for both entities will involve making inroads in the growth areas of cloud, digital, big data & analytics, cyber-security and e-commence. Customers in the region will also be able to leverage differentiated offerings in the cloud space from this alliance. The announcement was made after market hours yesterday, 15 March 2018. The scope of this partnership will involve the Zensar team working with Microsoft's recently formed One Commercial Partner team to build a go to market strategy. This will involve leveraging Zensar engagements and case studies on Azure, as well as more than 100 Zensar Azure certified associates. Powered by Capital Market - Live News (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Key benchmark indices hovered near day's low in mid-morning trade. At 11:28 IST, the barometer index, the S&P BSE Sensex, was down 212.71 points or 0.63% at 33472.83. The Nifty 50 index was down 66.30 points or 0.64% at 10,293.85. Index heavyweights Reliance Industries (RIL), HDFC and ITC dropped. Cement stocks fell. Trading for the day began on a dull note as the key benchmark indices edged lower in early trade on negative Asian stocks. Stocks extended fall in morning trade. The S&P BSE Mid-Cap index was down 0.09%. The S&P BSE Small-Cap index was up 0.23%. Both these indices outperformed the Sensex. The market breadth, indicating the overall health of the market, was positive. On the BSE, 1,273 shares rose and 1,073 shares fell. A total of 141 shares were unchanged. Breadth was strong in early trade. ONGC (down 1.76%), Reliance Industries (down 1.24%) and NTPC (down 1.21%) edged lower from the Sensex pack. Tata Motors lost 2.03% to Rs 345.90 after witnessing a series of bulk deals yesterday, 15 March 2018. Tata Motors witnessed promoter holding rejig via open market transactions on 15 March 2018 on the BSE at an average price of Rs 354.15 per share. Sir Dorabji Tata Trust sold 8.08 lakh shares. Sir Ratan Tata Trust offloaded 8.59 lakh shares. Tata Sons bought 16.68 lakh shares. Sir Dorabji Tata Trust held 0.03%, Sir Ratan Tata Trust 0.03% and Tata Sons controlled 33.24% stake end December 2017. Cement stocks fell. UltraTech Cement (down 1.25%), Ambuja Cements (down 0.35%) and ACC (down 0.28%) fell. Shree Cement (up 0.87%) gained. Grasim Industries was off 0.74%. Grasim has exposure to the cement sector through its holding in UltraTech Cement. Jaiprakash Associates surged 9.14% to Rs 20.90 after ace investor Rakesh Jhunjhunwala's Rare Enterprises bought 3 crore shares of the company at Rs 18.37 per share in a bulk deal on the NSE yesterday, 15 March 2018. Meanwhile, India's trade deficit for February 2018 was estimated at $11,979.21 million, 25.8% higher than the $9,521.73-million deficit reported during February 2017, government data released after market hours yesterday, 15 March 2018 showed. Exports during February 2018 stood at $25,834.36 million compared to $24,726.71 million during February 2017. Imports during February 2018 were pegged at $37,813.57 million, compared to $34,248.44 million in February 2017. On the political front, Andhra Pradesh's Telugu Desam Party (TDP) reportedly pulled out of its alliance with the BJP-led NDA at the Centre. The N Chandrababu Naidu-led TDP, as well as other local parties, expressed their discontent over Narendra Modi led Union govt not giving special status to Andhra Pradesh. Overseas, Asian stocks fell as weak volumes in the US session overnight gave little impetus for traders ahead of next week's Federal Reserve meeting. US stocks ended mixed yesterday, 15 March 2018 as industrial and tech gains were offset by losses in the consumer and energy sector. Powered by Capital Market - Live News (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Steel Strips Wheels rose 2.21% to Rs 1,064.30 at 14:08 IST on BSE after the company said it bagged an order of 130,000 caravan wheels from Europe. The announcement was made during trading hours today, 16 March 2018. Meanwhile, the S&P BSE Sensex was down 364.40 points, or 1.08% to 33,321.14. On the BSE, 637 shares were traded in the counter so far compared with average daily volumes of 1,393 shares in the past two weeks. The stock had hit a high of Rs 1,074.20 and a low of Rs 1,052 so far during the day. The stock hit a record high of Rs 1,225 on 10 January 2018. The stock hit a 52-week low of Rs 709 on 20 March 2017. Steel Strips Wheels (SSWL) announced bagging an exports order for supplying steel wheels for European Union (EU) Caravan market. Order comprises of approximately 130,000 steel wheels to be shipped from SSWL's Chennai plant from May 2018 onwards until period of 6 months. The company is expected to close some more export orders with another European customers in recent future. This repeat order makes SSWL as a leading supplier of caravan Steel wheels market in European region. Shares of SSWL rose 0.66% to settle at Rs 1,041.25 yesterday, 15 March 2018, after the company announced bagging an exports order for supplying steel wheels for EU caravan market. Order comprised of approximately 100,000 steel wheels to be shipped from SSWL's Chennai plant from May 2018 onwards until period of 5 months. Steel Strips Wheels' net profit rose 43.6% to Rs 18.12 crore on 19.4% rise in net sales to Rs 397.44 crore in Q3 December 2017 over Q3 December 2016. Steel Strips Wheels designs and manufactures automotive steel wheels and is among the leading supplier to Indian and global automobile manufacturers. Powered by Capital Market - Live News (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) To the extent of Rs 750 crore Mahindra Renewables, a wholly owned subsidiary of Mahindra Susten, has achieved financial closure for its 250 MW Solar Power Project, to be located in Rewa District of Madhya Pradesh with Yes Bank for financial assistance in the form of project debt to the extent of Rs 750 crore and from other financial institutional upto Rs 200 crore. The project is part of the 750 MW Rewa solar park which is one of the largest solar parks in the world. The 250 MW project of Mahindra Renewable is expected to generate over 525 million units and is envisaged to sell 78% of the generate units of Madhya Pradesh Electricity Distribution Utilities and the balance 22% to Delhi Metro Rail Corporation. Powered by Capital Market - Live News (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) At least 31 people were killed and hundreds injured in airstrikes allegedly carried out by Russian warplanes over Syria's rebel-held region of Eastern Ghouta, a war monitor said on Friday. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the Russian jets, which are allied to the Syrian regime, launched an attack on the town of Kafr Batna, held by al-Rahman Corps Islamic militia which fights against the government forces, the BBC reported. In the attacks, the airplanes allegedly used RBK-500 cluster bomb provided with thermite, a pyrotechnic composition of metal powder, which serves as fuel, and metal oxide which cause burn, according to SOHR. As many as 50,000 people fled separate offensives against rebel forces in northern and southern Syria in recent days, activists said. Twenty thousand people have left Eastern Ghouta while 30,000 people fled northern town of Afrin, a town populated mainly by ethnic Kurds near the frontier, the BBC reported. Afrin has been under bombardment from the air and the ground by Turkish forces and their local Syrian allies. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan told a gathering in Ankara that his country would not stop until its mission to capture Afrin had been completed. The attacks came amid international efforts to deliver aid to the area. Another attack launched by unidentified planes took place in the Syrian town of Saqba, also located in Eastern Ghouta and controlled by al-Rahman Corps, killing at least 10 people and wounding dozens on Friday. This brings the total number of casualties since the beginning of the current offensive on Eastern Ghouta on February 18 to 1,301, including 256 minors and 171 women. Seven years of war have driven nearly 12 million Syrians from their homes. At least 6.1 million were internally displaced while another 5.6 million fled abroad. Over 400,000 are believed to have been killed or are missing, presumed dead, since the uprising against President Bashar al-Assad began in March 2011. The Foreign Ministers of Turkey, Russia and Iran -- three countries closely involved in the conflict -- met in the Kazakh capital Astana to prepare for a summit on Syria in Istanbul in April. --IANS soni/mr (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) At least 57 civilians were killed and hundreds injured in airstrikes allegedly carried out by Russian warplanes over Syria's rebel-held region of Eastern Ghouta, a war monitor said on Friday. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the Russian jets, which are allied to the Syrian regime, killed 46 people in the town of Kafr Batna, which is held by al-Rahman Corps Islamist rebel group fighting against government forces, Efe news reported. In the attacks, the airplanes allegedly used RBK-500 cluster bomb provided with thermite, a pyrotechnic composition of metal powder, which serves as fuel, and metal oxide which cause burn, according to SOHR. As many as 50,000 people fled separate offensives against rebel forces in northern and southern Syria in recent days, activists said. Twenty thousand people have left Eastern Ghouta while 30,000 people fled northern town of Afrin, a town populated mainly by ethnic Kurds near the frontier, the BBC reported. Afrin has been under bombardment from the air and the ground by Turkish forces and their local Syrian allies. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan told a gathering in Ankara that his country would not stop until its mission to capture Afrin had been completed. The attacks came amid international efforts to deliver aid to the area. Another attack launched by unidentified planes took place in the Syrian town of Saqba, also located in Eastern Ghouta and controlled by al-Rahman Corps, killing at least 11 people and wounding dozens on Friday. Seven years of war have driven nearly 12 million Syrians from their homes. At least 6.1 million were internally displaced while another 5.6 million fled abroad. Over 400,000 are believed to have been killed or are missing, presumed dead, since the uprising against President Bashar al-Assad began in March 2011. The Foreign Ministers of Turkey, Russia and Iran -- three countries closely involved in the conflict -- met in the Kazakh capital Astana to prepare for a summit on Syria in Istanbul in April. --IANS soni/mr (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Andhra Pradesh's Telugu Desam Party (TDP) on Friday pulled out of the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) at the Centre, a party leader said. TDP Rajya Sabha MP Y.S. Chowdary told IANS: "Yes our party (TDP) has pulled out of the alliance with the NDA." The decision comes in the backdrop of the Centre refusing to award special category status to Andhra Pradesh. On March 8, the TDP had pulled its two ministers -- Ashok Gajapathi Raju and Y.S. Chowdary -- out of the Narendra Modi government but had stopped short of walking out of the alliance. Raju held the Civil Aviation Ministry while Chowdary was the Minister of State for Science and Technology. --IANS aks/in (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) To help parents control their children's screen addiction touted as a "growing public health crisis", Apple has introduced a new page called "Families" on its website. The page has features like "Ask To Buy" tool that lets parents approve or decline app purchases from their device. "Find My Friends" feature lets parents keep track of their kids' locations, get alerts when they leave or arrive somewhere, and see distances and travel times to where they are. Another app management feature lets users automatically block in-app purchases. It has the option to limit adult content on kids' devices and restricts browsing to only pre-approved websites. "We've also made it easy for parents to set privacy controls on their kids' devices. We're continually designing new features to help make sure kids use them in the ways you want," Apple said on the new page. Two key Apple shareholders had requested the Cupertino-based iPhone maker to take urgent steps to safeguard young users from the ill-effects of iPhone addiction. In a letter, Jana Partners and the California State Teachers' Retirement System told Apple to make its products safer for the younger users. Not only Apple, Facebook, which has over two billion users, is also making drastic changes to its News Feed that will allow users to see more updates from family and friends than posts from businesses, brands, and media. According to its CEO Mark Zuckerberg, Facebook has got a feedback from the community that public content -- posts from businesses, brands and media -- is crowding out the personal moments that lead us to connect more with each other. --IANS na/in (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Aam Aadmi Party's (AAP) Punjab chief Bhagwant Mann resigned from the top post on Friday, a day after party convenor Arvind Kejriwal apologised to a former state minister for alleging his involvement in the drug trade. Mann, who announced his resignation on Twitter, said his fight against the drug mafia would continue. "I'm resigning as a president of AAP Punjab... But my fight against drug mafia and all kind of corruption in Punjab will continue as an 'Aam Aadmi' (common man) of Punjab," Mann tweeted. Mann, who represents the Sangrur parliamentary constituency in the Lok Sabha, was appointed the state party chief in May 2017. On Thursday, Kejriwal withdrew his allegations and an application regarding the same was filed in a trial court in Amritsar, where a defamation case filed by Bikram Singh Majithia against the Delhi Chief Minister on May 20, 2016, is being heard. "This proves that they were raking up the issue to tarnish my image and harm me and gain politically," Majithia, who is the brother-in-law of Shiromani Akali Dal President Sukhbir Badal, told reporters here on Thursday. "I will withdraw the case, which I had filed for what is right and for my own and my family's honour." Majithia said another AAP leader Ashish Khetan too had submitted his offer of regret. In the letter, Kejriwal said: "In the recent past, I made certain statements and allegations against you regarding your alleged involvement in the drug trade. These statements became a political issue. "Now, I've learnt that the allegations are unfounded. Hence, there should be no on such issues... "I, hereby, withdraw all my statements and allegations made against you and apologise for the same." --IANS vg/ksk/bg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) As many as 100 Indian women will be awarded the British Council's 70th Anniversary Scholarships to mark the organisation's 70th anniversary in India here on Saturday. It is the organisation's largest investment in a scholarship programme in India, according to a top official. The UK-India Year of Culture saw many new concepts and digital ideas coming to life. The 71st year of British Council will witness a heightened focus on placing Indian women from different fields on the global map, as a step to support Prime Minister Narendra Modi's shift to women-led development, said Alan Gemmell, Director, British Council India. "The investment in women scholars supports Prime Minister Modi's shift to women-led development and the British Council's own focus on women and girls and Sustainable Development Goal 5. It is also part of the organisation's drive to partner the economic growth and knowledge ambitions of states across India," Gemmell told IANS in an email interview. The programme, costing almost Rs 18 crore, is the organisation's largest investment in a scholarship programme in India, he said. Together, they will be aiming to fix global problems -- from climate change to drug discovery -- all the while building the societies everyone wants to live in. "We're already inspired by them (the women) and by what we will do together. The scholarships, which are the first British Council scholarship programme solely for women, will cover tuition fees for a one-year master's course in science, technology, engineering or mathematics during the 2018-19 academic year," Gemmell said. British Council - partner to India's knowledge ambitions - has been consciously working towards increasing the participation of women in science, across multiple phases of the and career span. The year will also see new digital ideas and activations to augment its digital presence, enhancing relevance and engagement for the Indian millennial. The 71st year of the British Council will begin on Saturday with a celebration of Indian talent and creativity through a multitude of programmes including a line-up of Indian musicians for Mix The City Soundfest and The Selector Pro-Woman workshops, apart from the scholarships. "We've been inspired by India everyday of the last 70 years - by its artists, students and its teachers. This year we want to say thank you for 70 inspiring years. We want to share the stories of the great things we've done together, tell new stories, and inspire millions of young people to develop connections for the next 70 years," said Gemmell. The organisation will even train 30,000 teachers across India to improve their proficiency in the English language through the myEnglish online course. This apart, there will be a training programme to support 120 women in their ambitions to make it in the music industry. Participants will learn to DJ, sound engineer and venue manage and get to apply their skills at professional events across India. On their plans to promote talent from the northeast, he said: "We're inspired by young people, artists and musicians across the northeast. "Mix The Northeast is our digital celebration of their unique fusion of contemporary and tradition. With performers like DJ Sagar and the Tetseo Sisters and content from all eight states, Mix The Northeast will inspire people all over the world with a unique introduction to a unique part of India." (Nivedita can be contacted at nivedita.s@ians.in) --IANS nv/rb/bg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Border Security Force personnel seized seven gold biscuits, weighing 1.165 kg and valued at approximately Rs 37.36 lakh, near the India-Bangladesh border in West Bengal's Solak, a BSF statement said on Friday. Acting on a tip off, a party of BSF was waiting hidden in an area close to the Indo-Bangladesh Border Fence in Krishnanagar sector on Thursday when they observed a Bangladeshi national approaching near the fence from the other side. The troopers immediately challenged him, but he threw one article over the fence towards India side, before fleeing back towards the Bangladeshi village of Tangrail, the statement said. On a thorough search of the area, the troopers recovered nylon socks, in which was hidden seven gold biscuits, wrapped with polythene. The seized biscuits have been handed over to Customs authority at Bagdah for further legal action, the release said. During the ongoing year, the BSF's South Bengal Frontier has seized 1.515 kg of gold valued over Rs 48 lakh and apprehended a gold smuggler so far. --IANS ssp/vd (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A Special CBI court on Friday issued notices to three ex-officials of the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) office and fixed Saturday for pronouncing its verdict in the fourth fodder scam case involving RJD chief Lalu Prasad. Lalu Prasad on Thursday filed a fresh petition in the court of Shivapal Singh to make then Auditor General in the CAG office an accused. Another former Chief Minister Jagannath Mishra and 30 others are co-accused in this case. Hearing the petition, the court issued notices to former Accountant General P.K. Mukhopadhayay, former Deputy AG B.N. Jha and former Senior Accountant Pramod Kumar asking why they should not be made accused in the case. They have been given three weeks to respond. on Thursday, the court was to pronounce the judgment in the fourth fodder scam case involving former Bihar Chief Minister Lalu Prasad but deferred it after he filed the fresh plea. The hearing in the fodder case -- relating to fraudulent withdrawal of Rs 3.13 crore from December 1995 to January 1996 from the Dumka treasury -- was completed on March 5 and March 15 fixed for the verdict. Lalu Prasad was convicted in the first fodder scam case in 2013 and awarded five years in jail. The Rashtriya Janata Dal chief was convicted by a special CBI court in the second case on December 23, 2017 and awarded three-and-a-half-years imprisonment on January 6. He was convicted in the third case on January 24, related to fraudulent withdrawals from the Chaibasa treasury, and awarded a five-year jail term. He now faces two other cases -- one each in Ranchi and Patna. The multi-million-rupee fodder scam surfaced in the 1990s when Lalu Yadav was Chief Minister of undivided Bihar. The probe was handed over to the Central Bureau of Investigation on the Patna High Court's order. The bulk of the cases were transferred to Ranchi after Jharkhand was carved out of Bihar in 2000. --IANS ns/tsb/mr (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Centre will be adopting the policies and best practices of the states which have been successful in reducing malnutrition and improving health conditions for the National Nutrition Mission (NNM) titled Poshan Abhiyaan. "Chhattisgarh, Telangana, Karnataka, Rajasthan - these states have shown improvement in health sector. So we will assemble the best policies and measures adopted by these states to improve the health status," Rakesh Srivastava, Secretary, Women and Child Development (WCD) Ministry, told IANS on Friday. "We will put it up in the website as role model to be studied and adopted by the others," he added. The Secretary who is also heading the Executive Committee - the apex body for all nutrition related activities under the Poshan Abhiyaan, held the first meeting earlier this week. According to the WCD Ministry, for the financial year 2017-18, 315 districts have been identified. "Out of 315 districts, we will begin the scheme in 115 aspirational districts who have scored poor in terms of health sector. However, no particular states have been focused for the scheme, it is a pan India problem," he added. Funds amounting to Rs 9,046.17 crore were allocated in this year's budget and the secretary mentioned that for the first phase Rs 1,500 crore has been finalised. The Poshan Abhiyaan was launched earlier in March from Jhunjhunu in Rajasthan on International Women's Day by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. "For NNM, the Health Ministry will also be closely working with the WCD Ministry which will be rolling out certain health measures like Pneumococcal vaccination and Rotavirus vaccination, first in the 115 districts and later across the country," the secretary said. --IANS som/in/bg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Chinese government on Friday warned that the US-Taiwan travel bill, which would allow US officials to travel to Taiwan for diplomatic missions, would severely damage ties between Washington and Beijing. The warning coincided with the deadline for US President Donald Trump to sign the bill into law or reject the legislation, Efe news agency reported. "The so-called bill you mention, though not legally binding, severely violates the 'one China principle' as well as joint US-China communiques, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lu Kang said at a press conference. Lu said that Beijing had sent formal protests to Washington asking them to avoid formal contacts with Taiwan in order not to adversely affect relations and cooperation between the US and China. The US-Taiwan travel bill, which would facilitate travel between senior officials from both countries, was approved by the US Senate and the House of Representatives on March 1 and has been sent to the President for his approval. If Trump does not act, the bill would automatically become law on Saturday. Taiwan separated from mainland China in 1949 and relations between the two nations have been dominated by sovereignty disputes and tension ever since. --IANS soni/bg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) There has been a surge in cyber attacks on the US engineering and maritime industries -- especially those connected to the South China Sea -- and a Chinese cyber espionage group TEMP.Periscope is behind this, US-based cybersecurity firm FireEye said on Friday. Since early 2018, FireEye has observed an ongoing wave of intrusions, suspected to be from TEMP.Periscope, targeting engineering and maritime entities, especially those connected to South China Sea issues. Active since 2013, TEMP.Periscope has primarily focused on maritime-related targets across multiple verticals including engineering firms, shipping and transportation, manufacturing, defence, government offices and research universities, FireEye said. "FireEye found a group of Chinese cyber-spies that appear to specialise in collecting data on maritime industries, and more broadly, the engineering sector, Fred Plan, Senior Analyst at FireEye, said in a statement. TEMP.Periscope had gone quiet like many other Chinese groups after the Barack Obama-Xi Jinping agreement in late 2015. FireEye observed TEMP.Periscope resurfacing around the summer of 2017, and the group has been particularly active since this past February. "The organisations targeted by TEMP.Periscope have a connection to the ongoing disputes in the South China Sea. They or their customers are involved in military and defence, or the shipping business, or they are developing technologies that would be advantageous to the defence industry or governments in the region," Plan observed. In their recent spike in activity, TEMP.Periscope has leveraged a relatively large library of malware shared with multiple other suspected Chinese groups. "Because of the group's tendency to target engineering organisations we believe the group is seeking technical data that can help inform strategic decision-making," he added. --IANS na/bg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Donald Trump Jr's wife Vanessa has filed for divorce after being married for 12 years, the media reported. "After 12 years of marriage, we have decided to go our separate ways," the couple told The New York Post's Page Six in a joint statement on Thursday. "We will always have tremendous respect for each other and our families. We have five beautiful children together and they remain our top priority. We ask for your privacy during this time." President Donald Trump's daughter-in-law filed for an uncontested proceeding at the Manhattan Supreme Court, meaning she was not likely to fight her former husband for custody of the couple's five children or over their assets. Vanessa and Donald Trump Jr., both 40, were married in November 2005 at Mar-a-Lago, the President's exclusive country club in South Florida, where he also wed his wife Melania in January of that year. Page Six first reported that they were struggling with marital problems related to Donald Trump Jr's travels and controversial tweets. The filing comes the same day as special counsel Robert Mueller subpoenaed the President's family business, demanding that the Trump Organization release information related to Russia. Donald Trump Jr. and his younger brother Eric have been running their father's company since he was elected President in 2016. --IANS ksk (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.) Vice President M.Venkaiah Naidu on Friday said the Indian system should inculate values and emphasis on the country's culture and heritage. In his address at the Golden Jubilee celebrations of Hindustan Group of Institutions here, he said the system should inculcate strong ethical, moral and humanistic values. Naidu also said students should remain reooted to India's glorious tradition, culture, ethos and heritage while acquiring knowledge across the world. India needs system with greater emphasis on Indian history, heritage and culture, he said. Stressing education does not end with mere acquisition of knowledge or degrees, he said: "It is aimed at holistic development of an individual, who will be able to face the challenges of a fast-changing world with vision of a seer and temperament of a scientist. It should help in building the character, capacity, calibre and promoting proper conduct." --IANS vj/vd (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Union Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Friday said that enhancing connectivity is crucial to deepening India's diplomatic, economic and cultural ties with the Indo-Pacific countries. "The geopolitical climate of today has unleashed on us new perils as well as opportunities. It is imperative, therefore, in my mind to combat the current uncertainties by sticking together as a group and intensifying our economic, cultural and trade imprints across our nations," he said in his address at international conference aPurbasa: East meets East' organized by the Kalinga International Foundation (KIF) here. He said the Act East Policy of the union government envisages the development of North-East Region (NER) with adequate infrastructure and human resource capital in order to facilitate people-to-people contacts on social, cultural, academic and economic platforms for physical and soft connectivity. Pradhan said the focus is now on economic development and addressing the "trust deficit" in the region. Kalinga International Foundation Chairman Lalit Mansingh said: "Kalinga International Foundation believes that the East and the Northeast should be seen as a homogeneous cultural and economic region of India, which is playing a crucial role in India's Act East Policy." Sri Lankan Minister Gamini Jayawickrama Perera stressed for more cooperation to strengthen socio-cultural relations among the countries. Assam's Industry and Tourism Minister Chandra Mohan Patowary, Ambassadors of Indonesia, Myanmar, Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam, High Commissioners of Sri Lanka and Bangladesh and the Economic Minister from Japan were also present during the inaugural event of the three-day long international conference. On this occasion, the Kalinga Saraswati Samman was conferred to noted scholars- V Suryanarayan for his book "Together in struggle: India and Indonesia" and Sudip Sen for his book "The pride and glory of Bali Yatra". --IANS cd/vd (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Lahore High Court on Friday ordered the Pakistan government to explain why the Jamaat-ud Dawa (JuD) and its charity wing Falah-i-Insaniat Foundation (FIF) of 2008 Mumbai terror attack mastermind Hafiz Saeed were banned and their accounts frozen. The order came during a petition filed by Saeed through his lawyer A.K. Dogar in which the JuD chief told the court that the Interior Ministry on February 10 had issued a notification to freeze the bank accounts of both organisations and take over assets associated with them under the Anti-Terrorism (amendment) Ordinance of 2018. Saeed alleged that "the government of Pakistan had acted under the pressure of foreign powers, including the US and India", Dawn online reported. The founder of Lashkara-e-Taiba (LeT) added that "if there was a conflict between the laws of the land and any provision of the UN Security Council Act, 1948, the law of the land shall prevail". Saeed in his petition had asked the court to declare the impugned notification of the Interior Ministry null and void with regard to taking over the assets of the organisations, according to the Dawn. In May 2008, the US Department of the Treasury named Saeed a Specially Designated Global Terrorist. He was also individually designated by the UN in December 2008 following the Mumbai attack in which 166 Indians and foreigners were killed. Pakistani authorities released him from house arrest in November last year due to "lack of evidence", much to Washington's frustration. He had been under house arrest since January 2017. --IANS soni/mr (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) All four BJP MLAs were marshalled out of the Delhi Assembly on Friday for protesting ahead of Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal's address on the first day of the budget session. The MLAs including Leader of Opposition Vijender Gupta protested stating that only elected members should be allowed inside the House. It was a veiled attack on disqualified AAP MLA and Delhi Transport Minister Kailash Gahlot, who was present in the House. In January, President Ram Nath Kovind had approved the Election Commission's recommendation to disqualify 20 AAP MLAs in Delhi, including Gahlot, on charges of holding Office of Profit. --IANS nkh/ksk/bg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) At least four persons have been killed and 10 others injured after a footbridge collapsed near Florida International University in Miami in the US, officials say. Rescue teams were still searching the rubble on Thursday night for victims trapped beneath the buckled footbridge, BBC reported. President Donald Trump tweeted on Thursday night he was monitoring "the heartbreaking bridge collapse". "Continuing to monitor the heartbreaking bridge collapse at FIU - so tragic. Many brave First Responders rushed in to save lives. Thank you for your courage. Praying this evening for all who are affected," he tweeted. The structure toppled over an eight-lane motorway on Thursday afternoon, crushing at least eight vehicles, according to police. It is still unclear how many people were under the bridge at the time. Miami-Dade Fire Chief Dave Downey said on Thursday night he could confirm at least four people were killed. "This is going to be a long incident. We are going to have rescuers here through the night, if not longer," Chief Downey said. At least 10 people were treated for injuries at theKendall Regional Medical Center, including two who were in "extremely critical condition", according to Dr Mark McKenney, director of general surgery. The 950-tonne, 174-foot (53 mere) bridge was erected on Saturday in just six hours over the highway, according to a story posted on the college website. Witnesses told local media vehicles were stopped at a traffic light when the structure collapsed. "We're working our way into the pile trying to create holes that we can actually physically see," Miami-Dade Fire Department Division Chief Paul Estopian told reporters. A witness told ABC News that the screams coming from the cars were "terrifying". "As soon as I looked outside, I saw dust flying everywhere," Tiona Page said. "I knew the bridge had collapsed." Another witness, Damany Reed, told CBS News: "I heard a big kaboom... it sounded continuous. We look outside... we thought something had fallen but it was the bridge that collapsed. It was just surreal at that moment and pretty scary." The 174 feet cable-supported footbridge was to be publicly opened in 2019. Costing $14.2 million, it was funded by the US Department of Transportation. --IANS pgh/ (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Delhi Assembly Speaker Ram Niwas Goel on Friday said that Transport Minister Kailash Gahlot can continue as a Minister for six months without being a member of the house. In January, President Ram Nath Kovind had approved the Election Commission's recommendation to disqualify 20 AAP MLAs in Delhi, including Gahlot, on charges of holding the offices of profit. Earlier on Friday, all four BJP MLAs, including Leader of Opposition Vijender Gupta, protested in the house that only elected members should be allowed inside the Assembly, while referring to Gahlot. Goel later said in his ruling: "... Leader of the Opposition and other members are unnecessarily trying to create a controversy where there is none regarding the continuation of Kailash Gahlot as a Minister. As per Section 43(2) of the NCT Act, he can continue as a Minister for six months without being a member of the house." The Speaker later told reporters that Gahlot can participate in the proceeding of the Assembly and its committees, but not vote on any issue. --IANS nkh/tsb/vd (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Film: "Gringo"; Director: Nash Edgerton; Cast: David Oyelowo, Charlize Theron, Joel Edgerton, Amanda Seyfried, Harry Treadaway, Thandie Newton, Melonie Diaz, Carlos Corona and Sharlto Copley; Rating: *** "Gringo" is an unoriginal, twisted, messy and at times incoherent madcap dark crime comedy that is largely fun to watch because of its superb cast. It is a politically incorrect and sometimes convoluted drama that doesn't expect you to take it seriously for a second. The story revolves around Harold Soyinka (David Oyelowo) a Nigerian migrant who has a mid-level job at a Chicago pharma company run by his college friend Richard Rusk (Joel Edgerton) and his psychotically ambitious partner, Elaine (Charlize Theron). Early on in the narrative, Harold's accountant Stu (Bashir Salahuddin) warns him that he would soon be rendered jobless due to an impending corporate merger. Hurt and disappointed, Harold confronts Richard who dismisses it as a rumour and responds with a ridiculous pseudo-parable about carrots and bananas. Unbeknownst to Harold, Richard and Elaine have been offloading a portion of their inventory to a Mexican drug cartel to raise the much needed cash, also, his spendthrift wife, Bonnie (Thandie Newton) is sleeping with Richard. So while on a work trip to Mexico, he gets double stabbed with the back-to-back news that he is about to lose his job and wife. In order to overcome the situation, Harold fakes his own kidnapping with the intention to fleece Richard of five million dollars. What he doesn't know is that he is about to be kidnapped for real by Villegas (Carlos Corona) aka The Black Panther - a cartel boss who is looking to get his hands on a top-secret marijuana pill formula that Harold's company holds. This sets the ball rolling for a screeching roller-coaster drama. Predictably convoluted, this is a surprisingly gripping tangle of miscommunications, confusion and back-stabbing. There are also sub-plots which involve Mitch Rush - an ex-mercenary with a newfound interest in charity work who is assigned to eliminate Harold and two tourists Miles (Harry Treadaway) and Sunny (Amanda Seyfried). Miles is in Mexico to grab a drug sample and smuggle it back to the state. His accompanying girlfriend Sunny has no inkling that her boyfriend is on a dangerous and very ridiculous mission. In fact, everyone wants Harold including the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), who is hoping Harold will unwittingly help them to break a major case. The plot is definitely convoluted and the screenwriters Anthony Tambakis and Matthew Stone along with the director Nash Edgerton do a fabulous job of juggling the multiple storylines. It uses a flashy and dramatic approach in an attempt to cover up its weak storyline. And the pacing too is an issue as it takes forever to get into the story and develop a connection which by the end plants us firmly in Harold's corner. With an author-backed role, Oyelowo steals the show with his sense of humour and superb comic timing. And to match him on the other side of the scale is Charlize Theron as the antagonist. She is brilliant as the predatory Elaine who would do anything to get ahead in life. Joel Edgerton is adequately loathsome as the yuppie opportunist. The others in the supporting cast leave their mark onscreen, making their characters relatable. With good production values and ace technical qualities, the film does stand out among its genre flicks. --IANS troy/rb/bg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Christine Lagarde, Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), has urged global policymakers to guard against trade protectionism in the wake of US proposed tariffs on steel and aluminium. "Policymakers need to work constructively together to reduce trade barriers and resolve trade disagreements without resort to exceptional measures," Lagarde said in a blog post on Thursday, Xinhua news agency reported. "They should ensure that the recently announced US import tariffs do not lead to a wider escalation of protectionist measures," she said, warning that trade wars will hurt global growth and they are also "unwinnable". Her warning comes as finance ministers and central bank governors from the Group of 20 (G20) prepare to meet in Buenos Aires, Argentina, next week. "Their focus will be on the policies needed to protect this (global economic) upswing against downside risks and bolster growth going forward," said the IMF chief. As "harming trade is bad for the economy and bad for people," it's critical to use fiscal means to address global economic imbalances rather than raising new obstacles to trade, she added. Lagarde's remarks also comes after US President Donald Trump announced last week that the US would slap a 25-per cent tariff on imported steel and a 10-per cent tariff on imported aluminium on the grounds of national security. These unilateral protectionist measures have sparked widespread criticism and provoked threats of retaliation from major trading partners, raising the prospect of escalating global trade conflicts that threaten the global recovery. --IANS pgh/ (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Delhi High Court on Friday reserved order on the bail plea of senior Congress leader P. Chidambaram's son Karti Chidambaram in the INX Media corruption case. Justice S. P. Garg reserved order on the bail plea after hearing arguments from prosecution as well as defence counsel. Karti Chidambaram's counsel told the court that his client has been co-operative during the investigation. Countering his claim, the Central Bureau of Investigation contended that he did not co-operate and has tried to influence witnesses in the case. However, the agency did not disclose the name of witnesses. The CBI said that if the junior Chidambaram is released on bail, then he might try to hamper investigation in the case. The special court on Monday sent Karti Chidambaram to judicial custody till March 24. Karti Chidambaram was arrested in February for allegedly taking money to facilitate Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) clearance to INX Media in 2007 when his father was the Finance Minister in the United Progressive Alliance government. --IANS akk/vd (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Former US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, who is on a visit to Rajasthan, has fractured her wrist after slipping in a bathtub at a resort in Jodhpur where she was staying, informed sources said on Friday. She slipped in the bathtub at Umaid Bhavan Palace in Jodhpur on Wednesday. Clinton had also sustained injuries during a visit to Madhya Pradesh's Mandu earlier this week. She tripped twice while coming down the stairs of Jahaz Mahal. The video of the incident went viral on the social media. Suresh Goyal, CEO of Goyal Hospital in Jodhpur, said she was treated there for about 15-20 minutes. He refused to speak more on the matter. However, the sources confirmed Clinton was rushed to the hospital around 5 a.m. on Wednesday after the fall and underwent an X-ray and a CT scan. A hairline fracture in her right wrist was diagnosed, hospital sources said. After a plaster bandage, she was advised to go for another check-up in three days and allowed to travel further as her injury did not impact her travel ability. She arrived in Jaipur on Thursday. The sources said Clinton had complained of pain in her right hand ever since she arrived in Jodhpur on Tuesday and was treated for the same. She had cancelled a visit to the 15th-century Mehrangarh Fort because of it. --IANS arc/soni/bg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Sulochana Chaudhary, a mother of three successful daughters, was watching TV with keen interest as Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the audience while launching the "Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao" campaign in Jhunjhunu on March 8. But long before the girl child became a campaign slogan for the current Prime Minister, Sulochana went against all odds to educate her children and inculcate a strong sense of values in them -- in a Marwari society which looked down upon a woman giving birth to multiple daughters. "The entire Churu society to which we belonged had something bad to say to me when I delivered my third daughter. Their frequent taunts, soon after the delivery, left me and my husband tormented and pained. But I took my daughter in my lap, kissed her and told her, 'You are going to be my third son. I will give you the best so that you too can serve the nation following in the footsteps of Indira Gandhi and Mother Teresa'," Sulochana told IANS. As the girls grew up, she took them frequently to visit the village. "I wanted them to know that this was the real India and they had to help the poor here. So they grew up with a vision and mission of improving the socio-economic standards in rural India," she said, adding that "we also gave them wings to fly abroad and spread their horizons... to do their best". They were never made to feel that they were weaker or inferior in any way to the boys. Sulochana's husband N.K. Chaudhary said, "I knew I had three daughters, but I decided they will build my future and realise my dreams. Although society left no stone unturned to make me feel unlucky for having three daughters, my best English friend, Ilay Cooper, who has written many books on the Shekhawati region, inspired me with his positive thoughts." He made the Chaudharys realise why it was important to treat their girls at par with boys -- and that often women were more efficient and capable than men. "I decided to give the best education to my daughters. As they grew up, I decided to send them to the US so that they could bring best practices to my business," Chaudhary said. The girls joined the family business, Jaipur Rugs, after finishing their education, with Archana Chaudhary heading the operations in the United States and Asha Chaudhary becoming the CEO. Kavita Chaudhury became head of the design department. "They took the business to heights which I might not have been able to do alone," says the trio's father. Kavita is extending the business by engaging rural artisans and allowing them to transfer their thoughts and ideas into rug designs which are making waves across the globe. Recently, one of their weavers, Vimladevi from Aaspura village, was taken to Germany to receive the prestigious German Design Award she had won. "We want to create more such Vimlas in India," says N.K. Chaudhary. He says they are always trying to boost the confidence of their grassroots weavers. "We want more daughters to become empowered, to stand on their own. We are employing more women and setting up doorstep opportunities for them so that they can recreate the magic of success at different levels," he added. Kavita says there was a lot of pressure from their Marwari relatives on her parents to treat their girls in accordance with traditional societal norms -- where girls were hidden within the confines of four walls at home and limited to kitchen-related work. "However, my parents trusted Cooper and, since early childhood, provided us with the best education and nurtured our personal interests, including sending us abroad." All this despite their limited resources. Asked if her parents motivated the sisters to pursue their dreams, Kavita said it was not really that. "As children, we did not know what it meant to have dreams that could be fulfilled. They simply created a nurturing space for us to grow and experience life. They motivated us to learn the things we loved to do. And they greatly trusted us," she said. The Chaudhary family business is now working with the most modern versions of enterprise resource planning, the design studio has been computerised and the products are being counted among the best, inviting global awards. N.K. Chaudhary believes strongly in the concept of women empowerment. Nature, he says, gave sufficient time to man to prove himself and contribute to the society. "But now it is women who are scripting success stories in each field with their untiring efforts," he adds. For him, 'Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao' has been more than a slogan. (Archana Sharma can be contacted at arachana.g@gmail.com) --IANS arc/hs/sac (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A day after a study claimed that 90 per cent of bottled water from leading brands is contaminated by microplastics, Indian bottling on Friday contested the findings, saying they enforce strict quality control. The report, led by Orb Media, a US-based non-profit, revealed widespread contamination with plastic debris including polypropylene, nylon and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) in 93 per cent of the 259 individual bottles across 11 brands sold in nine countries, including Brazil, China, India, Indonesia and the US. Plastic was identified in 93 per cent of the samples. Particle concentration ranged from zero to more than 10,000 in a single bottle. The brands tested included Aqua (Danone), Aquafina (PepsiCo), Bisleri (Bisleri International), Dasani (Coca-Cola), Epura (PepsiCo), Evian (Danone), Gerolsteiner (Gerolsteiner Brunnen), Minalba (Grupo Edson Queiroz), Nestle Pure Life (Nestle), San Pellegrino (Nestle) and Wahaha (Hangzhou Wahaha Group). "Bisleri water undergoes a stringent 10-step purification process. All Bisleri production facilities have their own quality testing labs that ensure that every Bisleri product is made as per guidelines set by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) and WHO (World Health Organisation)," Ramesh Chauhan, Chairman and Managing Director, Bisleri International, said in a statement. "The safety of our consumers is of paramount importance to us. We are currently investigating this issue," Chauhan added. The findings suggested that a person who drinks a litre of bottled water a day might be consuming tens of thousands of microplastic particles each year. On average, plastic particles in the 100 micron (0.10mm) size range known as microplastics were found at an average rate of 10.4 plastic particles per litre. Even smaller particles were more common, averaging about 325 per litre. PepsiCo India also contested the findings. "Aquafina maintains rigorous quality-control measures, sanitary manufacturing practices, filtration and other food safety mechanisms which yield a reliably safe product for enjoyment anywhere in the world. "The science of microplastics and microfibres is in its infancy. Microplastic particles are found across our environment, including soil, air and water", PepsiCo India said in a statement given to media outlets on Thursday. Valued at $147 billion per year, bottled water is the fastest-growing beverage market in the world. As per the WHO, packaged drinking water is a lifeline for many of the 2.1 billion people worldwide who lack access to safe tap water. In India, the minimum water requirement for an average adult human who weighs around 64 kg is approximately 6 litres per day, according to WHO. Besides the potential to cause chronic diseases, contamination of drinking water with pathogenic micro-organisms can cause a number of waterborne diseases. However, the researchers are not yet sure about the extent and consequences of it on human health, the Orb report said. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Former South African President Jacob Zuma will be prosecuted on charges of corruption and other crimes linked to an arms acquisition deal from the 1990s, the country's chief prosecutor announced on Friday. Shaun Abrahams said in Pretoria that he believed there were "reasonable prospects of a successful prosecution" and taking the case to court was the most appropriate way to face the charges, the BBC reported. "After consideration of the matter, I am of the view that there are reasonable prospects of a successful prosecution of Zuma on the charges listed in the indictment," he said. In February, the former President bowed to party pressure and agreed to step down following a flurry of corruption allegations that had left him isolated from his supporters. He was facing his ninth no-confidence vote in Parliament before he left office. The charges relate to a $2.5 billion government arms deal in the late 1990s, before he became President. Zuma faces one charge of racketeering, two charges of corruption, one charge of money laundering and 12 of fraud. --IANS soni/mr (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Jet Airways will soon fly to Amritsar, Patna and Indore from Bengaluru, the carrier announced on Friday. "The service will be on five days a week to Amritsar via Delhi, six days a week to Indore and daily to Patna starting from the week of March 25," said Jet in a statement here. "With the addition of these flights, Bengaluru, the fastest growing metro, will have its position reinforced as Jet's third upcoming domestic hub, after Mumbai and Delhi," it said. --IANS bha/mr (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Lok Sabha was disrupted once again on Friday as members from different parties trooped near the Speaker's podium, raising slogans and showing placards. As the House met, the newly elected members -- Rashtriya Janata Dal's (RJD) Sarfaraz Alam, who won from Araria, Bihar; Samajwadi Party's Nagendra Patel and Praveen Nishad, who won from Phulpur and Gorakhpur constituencies of Uttar Pradesh respectively -- took oath in the House amid cheering from the opposition benches. Speaker Sumitra Mahajan then condoled the death of three former members, physicist Stephen Hawking, and the nine CRPF personnel killed in the recent Naxal attack in Sukma, Chhattisgarh. As soon as the obituary references ended, members from different parties once again trooped near the Speaker's podium raising slogans on a host of issues. The parties including the Congress, the Trinamool and the Left parties have been protesting over the Punjab National Bank fraud. Other issues being raised in the Lok Sabha include a special economic status for Andhra Pradesh being demanded by the Telugu Desam party and the YSR Congress, and the Cauvery Water Management issue being raised by the AIADMK among others. --IANS ao/in/bg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A man carrying a Chinese-made pistol and some ammunition was arrested in Jammu and Kashmir's Kulgam district on Friday, police said. According to police, acting on specific inputs, security forces had set-up special check points in the Nillow, Kakran and Adijan areas of Kulgam and it was during checking, the man was arrested and the pistol, a magazine, five live rounds and Rs 10,000 seized from it. The man identified himself as Shahnawaz Ahmad Mir, son of Abdul Rehman Mir and a resident of Bugam. "Investigation conducted so far has revealed that the said individual is involved in subversive activities," said a police officer. --IANS sq/vd (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Two militants killed in a gunfight on the outskirts of Srinagar belonged to an Islamic State (IS) affiliated group, police said on Friday. The gunfight took place on Thursday night in Balhama area. A police statement said: "In the encounter... the two militants who were killed have been identified by the families as Rasiq Nabi Bhat of Tral and Shabir Dar of Awantipora." Both were militants of Ansar Ghazwatul Hind group. "As per police records, they had joined militancy last year... Further investigation is on," the statement said. Prior to the gunfight, the slain militants had fired at a BJP leader's vehicle in which a security guard sustained minor injury. --IANS sq/ksk/mr (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A month after accusing neighbouring Sikkim of fomenting trouble in Darjeeling and dealing out cash to fuel the Gorkhaland agitation, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Friday said the "misunderstanding" between the two states has been resolved. "Whatever misunderstanding was there between us centering the Darjeeling issue, is over now. I think it is good for the people of Darjeeling. It is good for both Bengal and Sikkim," Banerjee said, with her Sikkim counterpart Pawan Kumar Chamling by her side. Terming the meeting with her Sikkim counterpart at 'Uttar-Kanya', state's administrative headquarters in north Bengal as fruitful, she said both states are now ready to forget differences of the past and work together for betterment of each other. "We want good understanding between the two states. We will sort out whatever small issues and misunderstandings were there between us. Mr. Chamling also said the same. We will work together. I think this a good stepping stone for the two states to come close to each other. "If the two states can stay together and work unitedly, there can be more development and higher inflow of tourists in both the states," she said. Echoing Banerjee, Chamling, who once openly supported the Gorkhaland agitation and wrote to the Central government seeking its intervention in solving the Darjeeling unrest, also said that the misunderstanding between the two states is now a past incident. He vowed to work together with Bengal for the betterment of both states. "Now we will work together for the development of Sikkim and Darjeeling district in West Bengal. Our discussion was on developmental issues. "Whatever misunderstanding was there before, that is past. Now we (Bengal and Sikkim) will move together for our better future and better relation," he said. Referring to the strategic importance of Siliguri in north Bengal that is called the 'chicken neck' as it connects India's northeastern states to the rest of India, with the countries of Nepal and Bangladesh lying on either side, Banerjee said Sikkim's location is equally important from the northeastern point of view. She also said there would be no impediments on the interstate movement of vehicles between Bengal and Sikkim and asked the administrative officials from both the state to discuss and sort out the issue. "Their vehicles would come to our state and our vehicles would go to theirs. The administrative officials of both the states would sit and discuss the matter," she said. The Trinamool Congress supremo, who recently organised the first ever hill business summit in Darjeeling, assured that her government would invite Sikkim from the next industrial summit held in Bengal. "We could have called Chamling in the recent industrial summit here. From the next tie we would invite Sikkim in our industrial summit. It would be good as the industrial circuit of both the states would be developed," Banerjee said. "I would also appeal to the GTA to maintain a good relationship with Sikkim," she added. During her visit to strife-stricken Darjeeling in February, Banerjee alleged that people from Sikkim of giving out cash to keep the disturbances alive in the north Bengal hills. She claimed Sikkim and a few foreign countries are eager to tarnish Darjeeling's image as a world famous tourist destination as it would, in turn, benefit them. Her statements had evoked large scale condemnation by Sikkim's leading political outfit Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF) that suggested Banerjee to solve the Darjeeling dispute on her own rather than blaming other states for it. --IANS mgr/vd (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.) A new gene study has revealed that modern humans interbred with another species of archaic hominins, the Denisovans, on at least two occasions instead of the previous opinion of one-off admixture. Researchers from the University of Washington identified the genomes of two groups of modern humans with Denisovan ancestry, which are individuals from Oceania and East Asia. The genomes are uniquely different, indicating that there were two separate episodes of Denisovan admixture, Xinhua news agency reported. The study was published on Thursday in the journal Cell. The Denisovans were unknown until 2010, when an archaeological study unveiled the discovery of a tiny fragment of a child's finger bone in Denisova cave in Siberia's Altai Mountains in Russia. DNA sequencing showed that the child did not belong to any known ancient hominins, such as Neanderthals. Therefore, it had to be something new. "What was known already was that Oceanian individuals, notably Papuan individuals, have significant amounts of Denisovan ancestry," said the paper's senior author Sharon Browning, a research professor of biostatistics with University of Washington School of Public Health. The researchers found that the genomes of modern individuals from Papua New Guinea contain approximately five per cent Denisovan ancestry. Previously, researchers also knew Denisovan ancestry is present to a lesser degree throughout Asia, but they assumed that the ancestry in Asia was achieved through migration, coming from Oceanian populations. "But in this new work with East Asians, we find a second set of Denisovan ancestry that we do not find in the South Asians and Papuans," she said. "This Denisovan ancestry in East Asians seems to be something they acquired themselves." After studying more than 5,600 whole-genome sequences from individuals from Europe, Asia, America, and Oceania and comparing them to the Denisovan genome, Browning and others determined that the Denisovan genome is more closely related to the modern East Asian population than to modern Papuans. "The assumption is that admixing with Denisovans occurred fairly quickly after humans moved out of Africa, around 50,000 years ago, but we do not know where in terms of location," Browning said. Browning suggested that perhaps the ancestors of Oceanians admixed with a southern group of Denisovans while the ancestors of East Asians admixed with a northern group. Going forward, the researchers plan to study more Asian populations and others throughout the world, including Native Americans and Africans. "There are signs that intermixing with archaic humans was occurring in Africa, but given the warmer climate, no one has yet found African archaic human fossils with sufficient DNA for sequencing." --IANS in/ (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Special Counsel Robert Mueller, has subpoenaed the Trump Organization to turn over documents, including some related to the ongoing probe into the alleged Russian meddling in the 2016 presidential election, the media reported. The order is the first known instance of Mueller demanding records directly related to Donald Trump's businesses, bringing the investigation closer to the President, informed sources told The New York Times late Thursday. The breadth of the subpoena was not clear, nor was it clear why Mueller issued it instead of simply asking for the documents from the company, an umbrella organisation that encompasses Trump's business ventures. Mueller ordered the Trump Organization to hand over records related to Russia and other topics he is investigating, the people said. The subpoena is the latest indication that the investigation, which Trump's lawyers once regularly assured him would be completed by now, will continue for at least several more months, the sources told the daily. The news of the subpoena comes as Mueller appears to be broadening his inquiry to examine the role foreign money may have played in funding Trump's political activities. In recent weeks, Mueller's investigators have questioned witnesses, including an adviser to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), about the flow of Emirati money into the US, reports The New York Times. Mueller has already indicted 13 Russians and three companies accused of meddling in the 2016 presidential campaign, and on Thursday, the Trump administration included them in sanctions it levelled at Moscow as punishment for interference in the campaign and "malicious cyberattacks". The Trump Organization has typically complied with requests from congressional investigators for documents for their own inquiries into Russian election interference and there was no indication the company planned to fight Mueller's order. Alan Futerfas, an attorney for the Trump Organization, said in a statement that Thursday's report are "old news and our assistance and cooperation with the various investigations remains the same today". White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders, reiterated during her daily briefing that the president was cooperating with the special counsel inquiry and referred further questions to the Trump Organization. News of the subpoena broke shortly after the Trump administration announced a new raft of sanctions on Moscow, including Russian nationals previously indicted in the special counsel probe, reports CNN. His former campaign chairman Paul Manafort faces more than 300 years in prison if he's convicted of charges stemming from Mueller's investigation that are unrelated to alleged Russian meddling in the election. Meanwhile, Republicans on the House Intelligence Committee moved earlier this week to close their investigation, saying they found no "collusion" between the Trump campaign and Russia, as well as denying that Russian efforts to interfere in the election were done to bolster Trump, a central tenet of the US intelligence community's conclusion about the meddling. --IANS ksk (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) North Korean Foreign Minister Ri Yong-ho attended talks in Stockholm with Sweden's Prime Minister Stefan Lofven on Friday, ahead of a possible meeting between US President Donald Trump and Kim Jong-un. The meeting was believed to be among the first steps to clearing the diplomatic abyss between Washington and Pyongyang, the BBC reported. Sweden, whose embassy represents US interests in the North Korean capital, has been touted as a possible venue for the momentous summit between Kim and Trump and Ri's visit fuelled speculation that a Stockholm encounter was in the cards. Ri and Lofven met at the government headquarters in the Swedish capital. The North Korean official had also met his Swedish counterpart Margot Wallstrom. Sweden's Foreign Ministry earlier said their discussions would focus on tensions between the two Koreas and Sweden's diplomatic work on behalf of the US in North Korea. According to Sweden's SVT Nyheter news website, Ri's visit was extended from the scheduled two days and he will now stay in Sweden until Sunday. The agenda of the talks was broadened, the report said. One topic was said to be confidence-building measures with the US, including the release of US citizens from North Korean detention. Trump last week accepted an invitation for direct talks with Kim, a shock announcement from the two leaders who had traded threats and insults for months. There was no official word from North Korea since the invitation was delivered via South Korean officials in Washington. Meanwhile, the Swedish Prime Minister told his country's news agency TT that "if the main actors (North Korea and the US) want Sweden to play a role (in holding a summit), then we are ready to do that". "We are a country that is militarily non-aligned and have a longstanding presence in North Korea, and with the trust we enjoy we think we can play a role. But it has to be the main actors who decide which role Sweden will play." Ri's trip comes as Nirj Deva, the chair of a European parliamentary delegation, told reporters that his group has been holding secret meetings with senior members of the North Korean regime over the past three years to try to convince it to return to peace talks, CNN reported. Sweden was one of the first non-communist countries to establish diplomatic relations with North Korea in 1973. However, Britain's former charge d'affaires in Pyongyang Jim Hoare said he was not sure Kim would travel to a European country, where there might be attempts to arrest him, CNN reported. Other possible summit locations include: Switzerland, the neutral nation where Kim went to school; the Joint Security Area in the demilitarized zone that divides North and South Korea; and China, which has diplomatic relations with the US and North Korea and has hosted Kim's father, the late North Korean leader Kim Jong-il. --IANS soni/mr (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Nepali Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli is set to expand the Cabinet on Friday. According to Oli's political adviser Bishnu Rimal, lawmakers from CPN-UML, CPN Maoist Centre and Federal Socialist Forum Nepal (FSN-N) will be inducted to the Cabinet, the Himalayan Times reported. It is likely that 14 ministers -- seven from UML, five from CPN-MC and two from FSF-N -- will be added to the Cabinet as FSF-N joins the ruling coalition. --IANS soni/mr (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Peru's Congress has voted to debate the impeachment motion of President Pedro Pablo Kuczynski for his alleged ties to Brazilian construction giant Odebrecht, which has admitted paying millions of dollars in bribes to politicians. Lawmakers on Thursday night voted 87-15 in favour of the impeachment motion with 15 abstentions, reports Efe news. To remove the conservative President from office, 87 of the 130 members of Congress must vote in favour of the motion. Congress will begin debate on the impeachment motion within the next 10 days and Kuczynski will be able to defend himself accompanied by an attorney, as was the case during the first impeachment motion against him submitted last December based on the same accusations. On that occasion, Kuczynski avoided impeachment thanks to the votes of 10 opposition lawmakers led by Kenji Fujimori, son of disgraced former President Alberto Fujimori. Three days later, Kuczynski pardoned Alberto Fujimori, serving a 25-year prison sentence for crimes against humanity during his 1990-2000 presidency. Kuczynski became President by defeating Keiko Fujimori - Kenji's older sister - in a 2016 runoff. During the campaign, Kuczynski vowed not to pardon Alberto Fujimori. The impetus behind impeachment comes from the right-wing Popular Party, led by Keiko Fujimori. Pro-impeachment forces cited as evidence Kuczynski's written statements to the congressional committee investigating the Odebrecht bribery scandal. While the president denied having received money from Odebrecht, the panel said that it had documents showing that the Brazilian firm paid Kuczynski's financial-consulting business, Westfield Capital Ltd., more than $782,000 between 2004 and 2007. During those years, Kuczynski served as economy minister and prime minister in the 2001-2006 administration of President Alejandro Toledo. The president said in December that during his tenure with the Toledo administration, he turned over management of Westfield to then-business partner Gerardo Sepulveda, and that it was the latter who signed the consulting contract with Odebrecht. Kuczynski said that he was unaware at the time of the work for Odebrecht, as he had erected a "Chinese wall" between himself and Westfield's operations. --IANS ksk (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Philippines on Friday informed the UN Secretary-General of its intention to withdraw from the International Criminal Court (ICC). Teodoro Locsin, the permanent representative of the Philippines to the UN, tweeted that he had submitted the letter to the Chef de Cabinet of the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and shared a photo of the document, reports Efe news. The letter said the Philippines was withdrawing from the Rome Statute - which established the ICC in 1998 - as a "principled stand against those who politicise and weaponise human rights". On Wednesday, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte had announced his country's withdrawal from the ICC, accusing the body of "baseless, unprecedented and outrageous attacks" against him and his administration, due to the ICC's attempts to investigate his anti-drugs campaign, which has led to over 12,000 deaths, according to Human Rights Watch. Under Article 127 of the Rome Statute, a state party's withdrawal from the treaty can only take effect a year after the written notification is received by the UN Secretary-General. The US and Russia withdrew from the Statute years after signing it, while China, India and the majority of Asian nations never ratified the treaty and are not part of the Hague-based court. In April 2017, a Filipino lawyer filed a lawsuit against Duterte before the ICC, accusing him of mass murder during his 22-year tenure as the mayor of Davao, and also during the anti-drugs crackdown that began after he took office on June 30, 2016. The court began a preliminary probe on February 8 to establish if there were grounds to open a case about the alleged extra-judicial killings during the campaign. In recent months, the Philippine government has lashed out against UN rapporteurs on human rights, issuing threats against officials such as Agnes Callamard, who is investigating extra-judicial killings in the Philippines. The ICC has urged the Philippines to reconsider its decision, since it is one of the few Asian countries that have ratified the Rome Statute, while human rights organisations said a withdrawal from the ICC does not exonerate Duterte from his alleged crimes. --IANS ksk/mr (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday inaugurated the five-day Indian Science Congress at the Manipur University here. "I appeal to the scientists to spend at least 100 hours a year with 100 school students of classes 9 to 11 to teach them the aspects of science. This will go a long way in exposing the students to science," he said in his speech. Modi said this was the second Science Congress in the northeast in the last 100 years. Over 5,000 invitees are taking part, including 2,000 research scholars and scientists. Stating that the WHO was planning to eradicate TB from the world in 2030, he said India would accomplish this mission by 2025. Modi appreciated the contribution in space science and said the country would check the brain drain of its scientists. He urged scientists to help overcome problems like malnutrition and diseases like malaria and Japanese encephalitis. --IANS il/and/mr (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The government has ordered investigation to be carried out by the Serious Fraud Investigation Office (SFIO) into the affairs of 107 companies and seven limited liability partnerships (LLP) pertaining to multi-billion fraud in Punjab National Bank (PNB), Lok Sabha was informed on Friday. "The government has ordered investigation into the affairs of 107 companies and 7 LLPs under the provisions of Section 212(1)(c) of the Companies Act, 2013 and Section 43(3)(c)(i) of Limited Liability Partnership Act, 2008 on 17.02.2018 belonging to Nirav Modi (Firestar Diamond group) and Mehul Chinubhai Choksi (Gitanjali Group) to be carried out by the Serious Fraud Investigation Office connected with Punjab National Bank Fraud wherein all matters in their entirety will be examined," Minister of State for Corporate and Law & Justice, P.P. Chaudhary said. The investigation is under progress, he informed. On March 7, continuing the probe into the PNB fraud, sleuths of the SFIO questioned the bank's Managing Director and CEO Sunil Mehta for five hours. The SFIO had also summoned top executives of ICICI Bank and Axis Bank for questioning into this matter. Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday urged the citizens to cast their votes in Sunday's presidential election for the country's future development. "Dear Russian citizens, as the incumbent president, I ask you to go to the polling station on Sunday. Use your right to choose the future for our great and beloved Russia." Putin said in a special address to voters. The Constitution of the Russian Federation dictates that the only source of power is the people and "the future of Russia and our children depends on the will of every Russian citizen" Xinhua news agency quoted the President as saying. Putin will compete with seven other candidates in the election. He is widely expected to win with a landslide given his high approval ratings. --IANS ksk/bg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Qatar has announced a $50 million donation to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), officials said. The government communications office and Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Thursday said the donation came during the extraordinary ministerial meeting of UNRWA held in Rome, Italy in the presence of UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, Xinhua reported. Subsequently, Qatar also announced that it has continued to finance projects implemented by the UNRWA, especially in the education and health sectors. In February, Qatar announced the distribution of 9 million dollars of emergency aid of medicines, medical supplies, foodstuff, and fuel to operate hospital generators in the Gaza Strip. Qatar is facing a nine-month boycott by its Gulf allies, which accused Qatar of supporting extremist political movements in the Middle East, including Hezbollah, the Muslim Brotherhood, and Hamas. Qatar has categorically denied the allegations. --IANS pgh/ (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Congress President Rahul Gandhi on Friday accused Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman of allegedly lying on the price paid per Rafale aircraft, citing a Dassault report. "Dassault called RM's (Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman) lie and released prices paid per RAFALE plane in report," he said in a series of tweets. "Qatar 1319 crore, MODI (Prime Minister Narendra Modi) 1670 crore, Manmohan Singh (MMS) 570 crore," he wrote, citing the Dassault Aviation Annual Report 2016. "1,100 crore per plane or 36,000 crore i.e 10 per cent of our defence budget, in the pocket." "Meanwhile, our Army begs our government for money," he added attaching a couple of pages from the report. The Narendra Modi government on Wednesday ruled out any plan to issue a White Paper on the Rafale fighter jet deal, which has been questioned by opposition parties. Congress MP K.V. Thomas, in a written question in the Lok Sabha, had asked if the government had been urged to issue a White Paper on the Rafale deal by "defence experts as well as some political leaders", and its reaction. But Minister of State for Defence Subhash Bhamre replied in the negative to both the questions. The Opposition Congress had alleged that the deal for 36 Rafale fighter planes with the French government was finalised at a higher price than the previous deal for 126 medium multi-role combat aircraft (MMRCA). --IANS sid/vd/bg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Reliance Industries (RIL) has won the Financial Times ArcelorMittal Boldness in Business Awards in recognition of the company's work across various businesses, RIL said on Friday. The award was received by RIL Chairman Mukesh Ambani at a ceremony in London on Thursday. "RIL's demonstration of boldness was recognised by a panel of FT (Financial Times) journalists and independent judges who selected the company out of six shortlisted businesses," a RIL statement said. "The award provides recognition of RIL's exceptional commitment to innovation-led, exponential growth within the areas of hydrocarbon exploration and production, petroleum refining and marketing, petrochemicals, retail and 4G digital services," it said. "RIL's vision has pushed them to achieve global leadership in many of their businesses, including their position as the largest polyester yarn and fiber producer in the world and India's premier mobile and digital services provider," the statement added. Commenting on the development, RIL Chairman Mukesh Ambani said, "This recognition belongs to our 1,00,000 plus young colleagues of Jio, the most powerful Drivers of Change in India today. We at Jio resolved to re-imagine, re-purpose, and transform the digital services landscape in India." --IANS bc/and/mr (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) UK police have launched a murder investigation after the death of Russian businessman Nikolai Glushkov in London. Glushkov was found dead at his home in New Malden, in southwest London, on March 12, BBC reported on Friday. A post-mortem examination revealed Glushkov, who was 68, died from "compression to the neck". There is, at this stage, no evidence linking the death to the attempted murder of a former Russian spy and his daughter in Salisbury, police said. Detectives are retaining an open mind and are appealing for any information that will assist the investigation. In particular, they are appealing for anyone who may have seen or heard anything suspicious at or near his home in Clarence Avenue, New Malden, between March 11 (Sunday) and March 12 (Monday) to contact them. Glushkov is the former deputy director of Russian state airline Aeroflot. He was jailed in 1999 for five years after being charged with money laundering and fraud. After being given a suspended sentence for another count of fraud in 2006, he was granted political asylum in the UK in 2010 and became a critic of Russian President Vladimir Putin. Glushkov also had a close friendship with fellow Russian businessman Boris Berezovsky, who came to the UK in 1999 after falling out with Putin. Berezovsky was found hanged in the bathroom of his Berkshire home in 2013 and an inquest recorded an open verdict. --IANS pgh/ (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Russian President Vladimir Putin is "overwhelmingly likely" to have ordered the nerve agent attack on an ex-spy and his daughter, British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson has said. Johnson said "our quarrel is with Putin's Kremlin, and with his decision" over the Salisbury incident, BBC reported on Friday. Russia denies involvement and said the accusations against Putin were "shocking and unforgivable". Meanwhile, the head of Nato told the BBC that Russia has underestimated the "resolve and unity" of the UK's allies. Speaking during a visit to a west London military bunker with the Polish foreign minister, Mr Johnson said the UK's "quarrel is with Putin's Kremlin". "We think it overwhelmingly likely that it was his decision to direct the use of a nerve agent on the streets of the UK, on the streets of Europe, for the first time since the Second World War," he said. Russian ex-spy Sergei Skripal, 66, and his daughter Yulia Skripal, 33, remain critically ill in hospital, after they were found unconscious on a bench in the Wiltshire city on 4 March. The UK government says they were poisoned with a nerve agent of a type developed by Russia called Novichok, and Prime Minister Theresa May said she believed Moscow was "culpable". May has said the UK will expel 23 Russian diplomats as part of a "full and robust" response -- prompting Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov to say it will "certainly" expel British diplomats in response. Russia's investigative committee said it had opened a criminal case investigation into the "attempted murder" of Skripal and "the murder" of Nikolai Glushkov, a Russian exile who was found dead in his home in London on Monday. According to Russian news agency Tass, the Russian ambassador to Britain, Alexander Yakovenko, said the UK claimed the nerve agent used was A-234, but this has not been confirmed. A Downing Street spokesman said the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) has been invited to come to the UK to take a sample of the nerve agent -- that process is expected to begin "imminently". --IANS pgh/ (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Starring: Claes Bang, Elizabeth Moss, Terry Notary; Directed by Ruben Ostlund; Rating: * 1/2 Look, I enjoy deviant cinema as much as any cerebral critic who goes to the movies for some serious mental manipulation. But "The Square" left me aggravated and exasperated beyond the norms of cinematic exploration. It is just not fair to weigh down a film with so many disembodied episodes that look like segments of students' short-films at a film-appreciation class mentored by a professor who thinks avant-garde-ism is the best way to place rationale in a recline. "The Square" is an exercise in intellectual nihilism. It aims to show the passionate proximity between art and pretence and it slowly becomes a casualty of the very malaise that it sets out to expose in the world of high-art represented by the cloistered stuck-up world of the museum. A sequence showing privileged museum guests being shouted at by the host for rushing towards the food tables jostles for absurdity with a scholar-audience interactive session where an intruder suffering from Tourette's Syndrome keeps interrupting with profanities. Don't laugh. Because the narrative seeks out the grand absurdity in art conventions , and then invites us to not be judgemental about the grand design that destiny often scoops up into our lives in unexpected ways. But this film tries your patience.There is no way one can allow the disembodied images of arthouse artifice to merge with the museum curator Christian's after-hours adventures which includes a tumble in the hay with an American journalist (while a baby ape sits patiently in the next room) who first pulls him up during an interview for making pretentious comments on the nature of Art and mankind's struggle to yoke works of art with the rhythms of daily existence. The journalist then rebukes Christian for forgetting her name the morning after the feisty love-making. Her preposterous bullying is no different from what this Swedish film's director expects from us the audience. The American journalist's love-making sequence with Christiano has a twisted ironic subtext (as does nearly every sequence in this haphazardly written dialectic on the polemic of artistic pretension) when she wants to preserve the condom with Christian's semen after their lovemaking. What does she want do with it? I have no clue. This is a work of arrested art and rapid promotional developments, that had me wondering about its raison d'etre most of the way.Why did director Ruben Ostlund squander so much precious time on creating a world so devoid of continuity and flow? It's like watching a free-flowing trapeze artiste who has forgotten to buffer his fall on the ground. By the time Teri Notary (filled with bestial hormonal anxiety) arrives at an elitist sit-down dinner playing the human ape to create havoc among the guests, I was done with looking for a centre to the plot. There is none. Unless you would like to see a central stream in the theme of creating chaos in the universe of the creative, and looking for artifice in art and then satirizing it with a savagery that is at once brutal, startling and ridiculous. "Creating chaos" is a major theme in "The Square". Christian does so by sending personal threatening letters to people whom he suspects of stealing his cellphone and wallet. Eventually the payoff catches up with him in ways that are as aggressively circumvent as a roller coaster ride that derails midway . Yes, "The Square" is a film brimmimg with provocative ideas and audacious images. But they all add up finally to creating a cosmos that is as loosely constructed as an interstellar missile poised for takeoff into a galaxy that doesn't really exist outside the creator's head. You are very likely to come away from this experience embittered and swearing to stay away from everything Swedish except the music of ABBA all your life. --IANS skj/nv/bg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Passion, perseverance and a flair for building relationships with students are pre-requisites for the kind of teachers that the world needs, says American motivational speaker and educator Brad Cohen, whose book "Front of The Class" -- detailing how Tourette Syndrome made him the teacher he never had -- has inspired upcoming Bollywood film "Hichki". "Hichki", with a cast led by Rani Mukerji, is the second movie to be inspired by Cohen's story after the 2008 American film "Front of The Class". "This is an amazing experience. I thought I was lucky enough to have one film made about my life. But now to have two movies made about my life story, I'm truly honoured. It is a great feeling to know so many people are inspired by my story. "I know 'Hichki' will make a difference in the lives of so many people around India and the world," Cohen told IANS in an email interview from Atlanta, Georgia, where he has been working for over two decades. The Yash Raj Films movie, he says, is especially for teachers. "It is a reminder for every teacher about the difference they make in the life of their students. Teaching is the best profession in the world. We need more quality teachers. It is my hope that my story will inspire others to want to grow up and become a teacher. "It is my goal for people to walk away from 'Hichki' being a better person," added Cohen. During his growing-up years, Cohen used to be reprimanded by his teachers for the tics and noises he caused, which were a consequence of his struggle with Tourette Syndrome, described as a neuropsychiatric disorder. It is because of this that he decided to be a teacher that he never had -- to be accepting towards every child. What according to him are the three most important traits needed in a teacher? "Passion. A teacher must bring passion to the classroom. They must make learning come to life and engage students to be the best persons they can be. "Perseverance. Teachers must never give up on their students. And they must never give up on themselves. Teaching is one of the hardest jobs, but it is also the most rewarding job. Teachers need to be that role model and show their kids to never give up on pursuing their dreams. "Build relationships with students... Teachers need to get to know their students and build trust, because if a child doesn't trust his or her teacher, the teacher won't be able to teach the child. But once that teacher gets to know (the children) and what motivates them, the teacher can support them and help them find success in the classroom." Besides this, he believes people need to be more open and honest about their issues. "If we hide issues, then we are dodging the tough questions. We must embrace people's differences and help support them to be the best they can be. There is nothing to be ashamed of. "The truth is that everybody has an issue. Some are severe like Tourette Syndrome and some are not as severe and may go unnoticed by common people. That is the theme of 'Hichki'. If people would just look at other people's illnesses like we do a hiccup, then the world would be a better place." (Radhika Bhirani can be contacted at radhika.b@ians.in) --IANS rb/sac/tb (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A visiting top United Nations official has met Zimbabwean Foreign Affairs Minister Sibusiso Moyo to discuss the world body's support to Zimbabwe's upcoming polls. United Nations Development Program (UNDP) administrator Achim Steiner told journalists after the meeting on Thursday that the UN was committed to supporting Zimbabwe's efforts to hold free and fair elections and achieve economic growth, Xinhua reported. "We are very much committed to the success of this election as we are committed also to the economic recovery of Zimbabwe as a nation in terms of its macro-economic indicators," Steiner said. He said the UN was pleased to provide Zimbabwe with technical support for the crucial polls, which comes after the resignation of former president Robert Mugabe last November. "We are very proud and pleased to be part of efforts to support the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) not only on the technical side but also on public outreach, voter education and many of the elements that are essential to make this a successful election," he said. Already, the UNDP has provided support to ZEC to conduct bio-metric voter registration under which 5.3 million Zimbabweans have so far registered for the polls. Steiner's visit is the first by a UN official since the end of Mugabe's presidency. Zimbabwean elections are expected to be held no later than August 21 this year. --IANS pgh/ (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The UN Security Council has welcomed the Afghan government's offer to engage the Taliban in direct peace talks and called on the Taliban to accept it without preconditions. The offer was made at the second meeting of the "Kabul Process" in early March. The Taliban had insisted on direct negotiations with the US. In a press statement on Thursday, the Security Council welcomed the convening of the meeting and underlined the importance of an inclusive Afghan-led peace process for the long-term prosperity and stability in Afghanistan, Xinhua news agency reported. The Security Council welcomed that participants of the meeting recognized the Kabul Process as a forum under the leadership of the Afghan government to lead peace efforts to end violence in the country. The Kabul Process must lead to the renunciation of violence and breaking of all ties to international terrorism, as well as the respect for the equal rights of all Afghans, said the press statement. --IANS pgh/ (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) US Ambassador to India Kenneth I. Juster on Friday met Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh here. Home Ministry officials did not disclose the agenda of the meeting but it is understood that it was a courtesy call by Juster who met the Minister at his North Block office. Intelligence Bureau Director Rajive Jain was also present during the half-an-hour long meeting. "Amid worsening India-Pakistan relations, it is assumed that both sides might have discussed this issue also," a senior Home Ministry official said on the condition of anonymity. --IANS rak/vd (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A US military HH-60 Pave Hawk helicopter, a Black Hawk variant, has crashed in Iraq near the border with Syria, according to US defence officials. A US defence official said that there were "likely fatalities" involved and rescue teams were on the scene in under an hour, CNN reported on Thursday. The officials cautioned that these are early reports and that the Pave Hawk was carrying seven personnel, but was not on a combat mission. The officials said the early reports do not indicate hostile fire, but they emphasized they need to determine what happened. "A US military aircraft has crashed in western Iraq with US service members aboard," the US-led coalition fighting Islamic State (IS) in Syria and Iraq told CNN. "Rescue teams are responding to the scene of the downed aircraft at this time. Further details will be released when available. An investigation will be initiated to determine the cause of the incident." --IANS pgh/ (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) In Karnataka, the Congress does to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) what is done to the Congress by the BJP elsewhere. The BJP is kept off balance on issues it monopolises in other parts of India. On the issue of nationalism, it has been made to squirm by the Congress in Karnataka. On March 8, the Congress government here decided to release a flag for the state. This came after the recommendation of a committee (there was no popular demand for a flag) set up by the government. No other state, except of course Jammu and Kashmir, has a flag and its unclear what the ... BJP president is likely to hold a meeting with the core group of the party's Andhra Pradesh unit tomorrow, party sources said after the Telugu Desam Party walked out of the NDA. The meeting comes as the BJP finds itself in a tight corner in Andhra Pradesh after the TDP and YSR Congress moved notices for a no-confidence motion in the Lok Sabha against the Modi government. Shah is likely to review the political situation in Andhra Pradesh and strategise over his party's options in the state, which sends 25 members to the Lok Sabha and where assembly polls will be held along with the parliamentary elections next year. The party has already asserted that the TDP's decision to sever ties with it is a timely opportunity for it to grow in the state. "TDP's decision to quit was inevitable after its mischievous propaganda against Centre. People of AP have now realised that the TDP is resorting to lies to cover up its inept & inert governance. Far from being a threat, TDP's exit is a timely opportunity for the BJP to grow in AP," BJP spokesperson G V L Narasimha Rao said. The TDP and the YSR Congress headed by Jagan Mohan Reddy are the two main parties in the state. While the former has been a part of the NDA since 2014, the YSR Congress too has often supported the government in Parliament on many legislations. However, both have now been targeting the BJP after the Centre declined to grant special category status to the state. (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 international pecking order is usually defined by economic and military might. That puts the U. S. at the top of the pile, with China gaining fast in second place. But when it comes to tackling long-term global challenges such as climate change, poverty or peacemaking, its also vital to identify which leaders are likely to stick around. Whether democrats, dictators or somewhere in between, theyre all balanced atop a shifting ziggurat of potential rivals. And only those with the home front under control are in a position to make meaningful promises for the 2020s ... The YSR Congress on Thursday gave a notice for moving a no-confidence motion against the BJP-led NDA government, in the backdrop of the Centre's refusal to grant special category status to Andhra Pradesh. The party's MP Y V Subba Reddy gave the notice to the Lok Sabha secretariat for including the motion in tomorrow's list of business, his office said. The motion can be accepted only if it has the support of at least 50 members in the House. YSR Congress has nine MPs in the Lok Sabha. If accepted, it will be the first no-confidence motion moved against the Modi-government. YSR Congress chief Jagan Mohan Reddy has written to leaders of various parties seeking their support for the motion. In the letter, he has asserted that if the Centre remains reluctant to grant the special category status to the state then all MPs of his party will resign on April 6. With the BJP alone having 274 members in the 536-member Lok Sabha and enjoying support of allies having over 56 members, the no-confidence motion, if accepted, is certain to be defeated but has the potential to put the ruling party in a tight corner in a state like Andhra over the demand of special category status to the state. The TDP has withdrawn its ministers from the government after the Centre made it clear that it cannot grant the status to the state and the regional party, which is in power in the state, is now mulling to quit the NDA. Even if its 16 members support the no-confidence motion, the government will still have a big numerical advantage in the House. The YSR is also seeking to put the the TDP, its rival in the state, on the defensive by moving a no-confidence motion. Whether it supports the motion or opposes it, the TDP faces the prospect of handing the YSR Congress a plank in the state in which Assembly polls are due to be held along with the Lok Sabha elections the next year. The Delhi Police has arrested two burglars and recovered diamond and gold jewellery worth Rs 40 lakh from their possession. The police has arrested Rajneet Soni, 32, and Vimal, 21, and claimed to have solved three cases of theft and trespass in Anand Vihar area in East Delhi. Besides jewellery, the police said it has also recovered a car, used in commission of the offence, from the possession of the two men. Deputy Commissioner of Police (Shahdara) Nupur Prasad said that on February 18, a burglary took place in Ram Vihar area in east Delhi and diamond and gold jewellery of around Rs 50 lakh and Rs four lakh cash were taken away. An FIR was lodged at Anand Vihar Police Station and during investigation, the police examined the CCTV footage of the area in which the burglars were seen using a Scorpio car to commit the crime. On March 11, the police received an information about presence of the accused at a metro station here to dispose of the stolen property and they were arrested along with the articles. During interrogation, both the men disclosed that they used to commit the crime with their two other associates and they were fond of betting and were in heavy debt, so they started indulging in such offences to repay the loan. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Two persons were arrested here today for allegedly raising anti-national slogans, while celebrating the victory of RJD candidate Sarfaraz Alam in the Araria Lok Sabha bypoll, police said. A video footage, which has gone viral on the social media, shows a group of people raising "anti-India" and "pro-Pakistan" slogans after the declaration of the bypoll results on Wednesday, they added. Taking cognizance of the video, the Station House Officer (SHO) of Araria town police lodged an FIR against a group of persons -- three named, the rest unidentified -- under various sections of the IPC and IT Act. "Two persons named in the FIR -- Mohammad Shahzad and Mohammad Sultan -- have been arrested. The third accused, Mohammad Abid, will be nabbed soon," District Magistrate, Araria, Himanshu Sharma said. The video showed the sloganeers flashing the victory sign near Alam's residence. Alam had defeated the BJP's Pradeep Kumar Singh by over 60,000 votes in the bypoll. Reacting to the development, Leader of Opposition in the Bihar Assembly Tejashwi Yadav said in Patna, "Let the matter be thoroughly investigated. Videos that go viral are not always authentic. Moreover, those named as accused may not necessarily be our party workers." Stating that he had spoken to Alam, who had told him that no victory celebrations were organised by him, the RJD leader said, "On occasions like these, people gather on their own. In a crowd, anybody can cause a mischief. Moreover, the BJP has been carrying out a smear campaign against us, describing our victory in Araria as a boost to terrorist activities." Yadav also took strong exception to Union minister Giriraj Singh's statement that the RJD victory would convert Araria into a terrorist hub. "Does he not remember that the seat was with the RJD since 2014, when Alam's father, the late Mohammad Taslimuddin, got elected from there? Was it a terrorist hub during that period? If yes, what was the government, of which Singh is a part, doing," he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Nearly 25 per cent of the overseas branches of the public sector banks (PSBs) suffered losses in 2016-17, the government informed Parliament today. "As per data reported by PSBs, 159 branches of PSBs are operating in foreign countries, of which 41 branches were in loss in the financial year 2016-17," Minister of State for Finance Shiv Pratap Shukla said in a written reply to the Lok Sabha. The country's largest lender State Bank of India (SBI) led the pack with nine of its overseas branches in the red. It was followed by Bank of India and Bank of Baroda with eight and seven branches, respectively. Shukla further said that a reforms agenda based on recommendations made by Whole Time Directors and senior management of PSBs has been referred by the government to lenders for appropriate action, as per approval of bank boards. "The agenda covers, inter alia, rationalisation of overseas operations for cost efficiencies and synergies in overseas markets, based on competitive strength and viability,and a differentiated banking strategy to leverage bank's competitive advantage, which may include branch network rationalisation for a strong regional connect," he said. All PSBs having foreign branches namely Allahabad Bank, Bank of Baroda, Bank of India, Canara Bank, IDBI Bank, Indian Bank, Indian Overseas Bank, Punjab National Bank, State Bank of India, Syndicate Bank, UCO Bank and Union Bank of India have jointly taken the initiative to prepare a note in mutual consultation for rationalisation of their foreign branches. "Action on closure of branches identified by banks is at various stages. Banks take a view on branch operations, including their revival, based on commercial considerations," he said. In reply to another question, Shukla said, as per data reported by PSBs, the total number of wilful defaulters has grown from 6,336 as on March 31 2014, to 9,063 as on December 31, 2017. As per RBI's instructions, wilful defaulters are not sanctioned any additional loans by banks or financial institutions, he said. A number of steps have been taken to reduce incidence of default on account of wilful defaulters, he said. "To deal with wilful defaulters, as per RBI's instructions, they are not sanctioned any additional facilities by banks or financial institutions, their unit is debarred from floating new ventures for five years, and lenders may initiate criminal proceedings against them, wherever necessary," he said. As per SEBI Regulations, wilful defaulters and companies with wilful defaulters as promoters or directors are debarred from accessing capital markets to raise funds, he said, adding, the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code has been amended to debar wilful defaulters from participating in the insolvency resolution process. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Centre has told the Supreme Court that 56 persons, believed to be Pakistani nationals who are under detention in India, are not being repatriated as the Pakistan government has not yet confirmed their nationality. Due this reason, these persons have been under detention in spite of completing their sentences or no offence having been made out against them, the government said. The issue of confirmation of their nationality was being taken up "regularly" with the Pakistan High Commission through the Ministry of External Affairs and these 56 persons can be repatriated as soon as their nationality is confirmed by Islamabad, it said. "All of them have been provided consular access. It is respectfully submitted that the release of these 56 persons from detention will not be advisable in the interest of national security," the Centre said in an additional affidavit, adding that these 56 persons include four fishermen. The matter was today listed for hearing before a bench comprising Justices A K Sikri and Ashok Bhushan which posted it for hearing after three weeks. The affidavit also gave details of the status of over 340 prisoners who are either in jail or detention centres or have been repatriated to Pakistan. It also referred to the data furnished earlier before the apex court and said out of 21 mentally-challenged persons, who are either lodged in detention centres or mental hospitals here, 10 have been repatriated, four have died and the nationality confirmation of the remaining seven persons still awaited. "It is respectfully submitted that in term of the provisions in the agreement on consular access signed between the Governments of India and Pakistan on May 21, 2008, Government of India has been providing comprehensive lists of Pakistani prisoners and Pakistani fishermen lodged in jails/detention centres in India twice in a year (on January 1 and July 1 every year) to the Government of Pakistan," it said. The last such list was provided to Pakistani authorities on July 1, 2017 which comprised 263 Pakistani prisoners and 78 Pakistani fishermen, the Centre said. It said that 20 such prisoners and 13 Pakistani fishermen have been repatriated to Pakistan between July and November last year and 167 were facing trial here. The apex court had on November last year asked the Centre to "positively" file a report before it on the latest status of foreign nationals, including those from Pakistan, languishing in jails after having served their full sentence. Senior advocate Bhim Singh, the petitioner in the matter, had earlier told the court that when he had filed the plea in 2005, there were 82 such persons who were detained in Jammu and Kashmir. The court was hearing the plea which has sought release and repatriation of foreign nationals languishing in different jails in India even after having served their full sentence. The petition has also raised the issue of Pakistani prisoners arrested for illegally entering India through Jammu and Kashmir. Expressing serious concern over prolonged imprisonment of such prisoners, the apex court had earlier directed the Centre to release and repatriate 61 Pakistani nationals lodged in various jails in India despite having undergone their punishment for various offences. It had also asked the government to bring in a suitable mechanism to ensure that such foreign nationals were not forced to remain in jails as courts were being frequently flooded with complaints about Pakistani nationals remaining incarcerated despite having served their sentence. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Director Padmakumar Narasimhamurthy screened his critically-acclaimed film "A Billion Colour Story" to a standing ovation by the Indian community here. The film was screened as part of the Indian film festival. Shot in black and white and told through the eyes of a child, its story revolves around the theme of Hindu-Muslim unity and religious harmony. The film has been screened in international film festivals such as Busan, London and Mumbai. "Emerging generation (of Indigo children) is in huge number. (They are) most creative, imaginative and wonderfully gifted generation ever seen. This indigo generation - they are the inventors, artists, creators, scientists. They will do something special if we allow.They will do wonder in the years (ahead)," the director said at a session after the screening. Padmakumar featured his then 11-year-old son in the one hour 55 minute film, which has been produced by Satish Kaushik. The director said the original idea behind the film came from this feeling of 'Oh my God, what is happening around us." "The child's vision of the world is always uncovered. They are not born with filters of colour, race, religion, or socio-economic status," said Padmakumar. "People ask me if this is personal. I think everything should be personal. If something happens out there in Syria, I think we should take it personally," said Padmakumar, adding that similar concerns should also be about the neighbours. India's High Commissioner to Singapore, Jawed Ashraf, led the community comprising diplomats, academics and business people at the closing ceremony of 4th Indian film festival 2018. The festival, held annually, also screened "Running Shaadi", "Trapped" and "Wazir" this week. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Bihar assembly was today adjourned till lunch break as opposition RJD members created ruckus over a media report claiming that CBI has lodged FIR against party chief Lalu Prasad in a graft case notwithstanding agency's legal wing opinion that there was "no evidence" against him. As soon as Speaker Vijay Kumar Chaudhary took the Chair to start the day's proceedings, RJD legislators led by leader of opposition Tejashwi Yadav were on their feet, many of them waving copies of the report carried by a leading English daily. The opposition members shouted slogans alleging that the report proved that Prasad was being "framed" in corruption cases as part of a "political conspiracy" and probe agencies were acting upon instructions of NDA government at the Centre. In the report it has been claimed that Prasad - a former Railway Minister - was booked in the land for hotels scam despite opposition from the CBI's legal wing. The Speaker asked the opposition members to take their seat and that they may raise the issue during the zero hour. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Shravan Kumar also said that the government was ready to respond to whatever questions the opposition had if the latter did not obstruct the proceedings. However, as the RJD members, who were later joined in slogan shouting by other opposition parties, did not relent, the Speaker adjourned the proceedings till 2 pm. Talking to reporters outside the assembly, Tejashwi Yadav said "the newspaper report vindicates our stand that Lalu Prasad and his supporters are being harassed in the name of corruption cases". "In the so-called land for hotels scam, an FIR has been lodged without any irregularities. This is a clear indication of investigating agencies acting under political pressure". "It is the right and duty of the opposition to draw the attention of the government towards its own failings. Tardy functioning of probe agencies is a glaring example of a government's failings and we wanted to point this out on the floor of the House", Yadav said. "The Nitish Kumar government too owes an explanation on a number of issues like extension granted to Chief Secretary Anjani Kumar Singh whom the CBI court has named an accused in the fodder scam and involvement of close relatives of Deputy CM Sushil Kumar Modi in the multi-crore Srijan scam", the RJD leader alleged. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The ruling AIADMK in Tamil Nadu has moved the Madras High Court, seeking to restrain sidelined leader T T V Dhinakaran from using any colour combination deceptively similar to its flag in the flag of his new party or any other material. Chief Minister K Palaniswami, who is also the joint co-coordinator of the AIADMK, sought the leave of the court to file the suit, seeking a permanent injunction against Dhinakaran in this regard. Justice C V Karthikeyan granted leave for filing the suit when the plea, filed before Dhinakaran launched his party in Madurai yesterday, came up for hearing today. Dhinakaran had yesterday launched his new party, the Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam, and unveiled its flag, which features the image of a smiling Jayalalithaa, the late chief minister. The flag is black on top and red below with white in the middle. In the suit, Palaniswami submitted that the AIADMK flag was described in rule 4 of the party's Rules and Regulations, which clearly stated that the upper half of it should be black in colour, the lower half red and the bust of late chief minister C N Annadurai superimposed in white in the middle. The flag set the AIADMK apart from the other political parties and gave it an unique identity for four decades since its launch in 1972, he contended. Palaniswami said Dhinakaran was expelled by the "eternal" general secretary of the party, J Jayalalithaa, on December 19, 2011 and not re-inducted till her death in December, 2016. Dhinakaran was re-inducted into the party last year by V K Sasikala, a close aide of Jayalalithaa, as a primary member and immediately appointed the deputy general secretary, before she proceeded to serve her jail term in a corruption case, he said. Palaniswami also submitted that the Election Commission (EC), in its November 23, 2017 order, had held that the party headed by Dhinakaran was not the original AIADMK. Though Dhinakaran had challenged the EC's order in the Delhi High Court, no stay had been granted on his plea, he added. Thus, if Dhinakaran was allowed to use the "unique" black, red and white colour combination of the AIADMK in any deceptively misleading flag or any promotional material of his party, it would cause confusion among the public, Palaniswami contended. He also claimed Rs 25 lakh as damages. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Bhutan, Kiribati, Sao Tome and Principe and Solomon Islands are set to move up from the ranks of poorest nations due to their increasing national earning power as well as access to better health care and education, a UN committee said today. The four countries will be recommended for graduation from the least developed country (LDC) category, the United Nations Committee for Development Policy (CDP) announced. This is a historic occasion, Chair of the Committee for Development Policy Professor Jose Antonio Ocampo. Ocampo said in the 47 years since the start of the Least Developed Countries category, only five countries have previously left the list. He added that two more countries, Vanuatu and Angola, are scheduled for graduation in 2020 and 2021 respectively. If the recommendation is endorsed by ECOSOC, 2018 has the potential to be a momentous year, increasing by more than half the total number of LDC graduates. Never before have so many countries been identified at a single review of the Committee for Development Policy, Ocampo said. Bhutan is driven by the concept of Gross National Happiness, a term coined by the Fourth King of Bhutan, Jigme Singye Wangchuck in the 1970s. The concept implies that sustainable development should take a holistic approach towards notions of progress and give equal importance to non-economic aspects of wellbeing. The Gross National Happiness Index is a single number index developed from 33 indicators categorized under nine domains. Secretary of the Gross National Happiness Commission in Bhutan Thinley Namgyel said the transition period presents a unique opportunity to mainstream the transition strategy into the national development plan and incorporate our obligation to fulfill the target of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals. The Committee found that while Nepal and Timor-Leste also met the criteria for graduation, they were not recommended for graduation at this time due to economic and political challenges. These countries may again be considered for graduation at the next triennial review of the Committee for Development Policy in 2021 if they still meet the criteria. Bangladesh, Lao PDR and Myanmar met the graduation criteria for the first time but would need to meet the criteria for a second time at the next triennial review in 2021 to become eligible to be considered for graduation. The Committee for Development Policy's recommendations follow increases in the national income in all countries, as well as improved education and health, a statement from the UN said. The Committee found that government development policies, as well as an improved global economic and the coordinated efforts of the international community have driven the progress. For Bhutan and Sao Tome and Principe, per capita GNI tripled, the under-five mortality rate declined and gross secondary enrolment more than doubled from 2003 to 2018. During that same period, the per capita GNI doubled for Solomon Islands while the country's gross secondary enrolment rate almost doubled, the UN said. While in Kiribati the per capita income almost tripled and it continues to perform very well in health and education since 2003, the country remains one of the most environmentally vulnerable LDCs due to its exposure to climate change. For this reason the CDP has recommended that Kiribati's graduation is contingent on the creation of a category of countries facing extreme vulnerability to climate change and other environmental shocks. Kiribati and other extremely vulnerable countries should receive support targeting their specific vulnerabilities to climate change and other environmental shocks. The LDC category is assessed using three criteria: human assets (health and education targets), economic vulnerability and gross national income per capita. Countries must meet two of the three criteria at two consecutive triennial reviews of the CDP to be considered for graduation. CDP will send its recommendations to ECOSOC (the UN Economic and Social Council) for endorsement, which will then refer its decision to the UN General Assembly. Bhutan, Kiribati, Sao Tome and Principe and Solomon Islands each continue to meet the gross national income per capita and human assets criteria but not the economic vulnerability criterion. It's good to see development efforts bearing fruit, but it is important for the international community to keep supporting these three countries in ways that will enable them to reduce their economic vulnerability in years to come, said Committee for Development Policy member Professor Diane Elson of the University of Essex. The Committee acknowledged the Bhutanese government's request for graduation to become effective after the conclusion of the 12th National Development Plan 2018-2023, which will serve as the country's strategy for transition to non-LDC status. The graduating country has a grace period (normally three years) before graduation effectively takes place. This period, during which the country remains an LDC, is designed to enable the country and its development and trading partners to agree on a smooth-transition strategy, so that the planned loss of LDC status does not disrupt the socioeconomic progress of the country. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Four nations, Bhutan, Kiribati, Sao Tome and Principe and Solomon Islands, are set to move up from the ranks of poorest nations due to their increasing national earning power as well as access to better health care and education, a UN committee said today. The four countries will be recommended for graduation from the least developed country (LDC) category, the United Nations Committee for Development Policy (CDP) announced. This is a historic occasion, Chair of the Committee for Development Policy Professor Jose Antonio Ocampo. Ocampo said in the 47 years since the start of the Least Developed Countries category, only five countries have previously left the list. He added that two more countries, Vanuatu and Angola, are scheduled for graduation in 2020 and 2021 respectively. If the recommendation is endorsed by ECOSOC, 2018 has the potential to be a momentous year, increasing by more than half the total number of LDC graduates. Never before have so many countries been identified at a single review of the Committee for Development Policy, Ocampo said. Bhutan is driven by the concept of Gross National Happiness, a term coined by the Fourth King of Bhutan, Jigme Singye Wangchuck in the 1970s. The concept implies that sustainable development should take a holistic approach towards notions of progress and give equal importance to non-economic aspects of wellbeing. The Gross National Happiness Index is a single number index developed from 33 indicators categorized under nine domains. Secretary of the Gross National Happiness Commission in Bhutan Thinley Namgyel said the transition period presents a unique opportunity to mainstream the transition strategy into the national development plan and incorporate our obligation to fulfill the target of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals. The Committee found that while Nepal and Timor-Leste also met the criteria for graduation, they were not recommended for graduation at this time due to economic and political challenges. These countries may again be considered for graduation at the next triennial review of the Committee for Development Policy in 2021 if they still meet the criteria. Bangladesh, Lao PDR and Myanmar met the graduation criteria for the first time but would need to meet the criteria for a second time at the next triennial review in 2021 to become eligible to be considered for graduation. The Committee for Development Policy's recommendations follow increases in the national income in all countries, as well as improved education and health, a statement from the UN said. The Committee found that government development policies, as well as an improved global economic and the coordinated efforts of the international community have driven the progress. For Bhutan and Sao Tome and Principe, per capita GNI tripled, the under-five mortality rate declined and gross secondary enrolment more than doubled from 2003 to 2018. During that same period, the per capita GNI doubled for Solomon Islands while the country's gross secondary enrolment rate almost doubled, the UN said. While in Kiribati the per capita income almost tripled and it continues to perform very well in health and education since 2003, the country remains one of the most environmentally vulnerable LDCs due to its exposure to climate change. For this reason the CDP has recommended that Kiribati's graduation is contingent on the creation of a category of countries facing extreme vulnerability to climate change and other environmental shocks. Kiribati and other extremely vulnerable countries should receive support targeting their specific vulnerabilities to climate change and other environmental shocks. The LDC category is assessed using three criteria: human assets (health and education targets), economic vulnerability and gross national income per capita. Countries must meet two of the three criteria at two consecutive triennial reviews of the CDP to be considered for graduation. CDP will send its recommendations to ECOSOC (the UN Economic and Social Council) for endorsement, which will then refer its decision to the UN General Assembly. Bhutan, Kiribati, Sao Tome and Principe and Solomon Islands each continue to meet the gross national income per capita and human assets criteria but not the economic vulnerability criterion. It's good to see development efforts bearing fruit, but it is important for the international community to keep supporting these three countries in ways that will enable them to reduce their economic vulnerability in years to come, said Committee for Development Policy member Professor Diane Elson of the University of Essex. The Committee acknowledged the Bhutanese government's request for graduation to become effective after the conclusion of the 12th National Development Plan 2018-2023, which will serve as the country's strategy for transition to non-LDC status. The graduating country has a grace period (normally three years) before graduation effectively takes place. This period, during which the country remains an LDC, is designed to enable the country and its development and trading partners to agree on a smooth-transition strategy, so that the planned loss of LDC status does not disrupt the socioeconomic progress of the country. In the case of Sao Tome and Principe the Committee noted the Government's request for a preparatory period longer than the standard three years. The country could use the extended preparatory period to embark on the transition process and to engage its trading and development partners and the United Nations system, said Ocampo. The prospect that we may be graduating from the list of LDCs is a positive step in our development path. It encourages us to be more bold in our approach to implementing the SDGs and our own National Development Strategy, Prime Minister of Solomon Islands Rick Nelson Houenipwela said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, Chairman of the Pakistan Peoples Party will contest the upcoming general elections from Larkana in Sindh province, a senior party official was quoted as saying by the media today. Bilawal, 29, will contest from the NA-200 seat in Larkana, The Express Tribune quoted President of the Sindh wing of the PPP, Nisar Ahmed Khuhro as saying. This constituency was previously known as NA-207 from where Bilawal's mother and late prime minister Benazir Bhutto used to contest the polls. PPP co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari's sister Faryal Talpur won this seat in the last general elections in 2013 defeating Ghinwa Bhutto. The constituency comprises of Larkana city, Ratodero Taluka and areas that fall under the limits of Aqil town. General elections in Pakistan is expected to be held in July. After the recent delimitation of the constituencies, this seat has now been renamed as NA-200, the report said. "Bilawal will win with record votes from Larkana," Khuhro said about the Oxford-educated young scion of the Bhutto family. "We challenge all opposition parties to field their candidates against Bilawal," he said. "The 2018 elections will be the first for Bilawal and the last for all his opponents," he added. Khuhro said that they would love to see Bilawal as the next prime minister of Pakistan. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Union Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan today charged the ruling BJD in Odisha of forging a secret alliance with the Congress to win last month's by-poll in Bijepur Assembly segment. "The BJD, headed by Naveen Patnaik, has entered into an undeclared alliance with Congress. It has become amply clear as the ruling BJD won the by-poll in Bijepur because of this tie-up," said Pradhan. The by-poll in Bijepur Assembly segment was conducted on February 24. BJD candidate Rita Sahu trounced her nearest rival, Ashok Panigrahi of the BJP, by 41,932 votes. After being elected to Rajya Sabha from Madhya Pradesh, Pradhan was accorded a rousing welcome by Odisha BJP leaders on his arrival here today. Pradhan said that the BJD, once known for its anti-Congress stand, had tied up with the BJP in 1997. However, now BJD is moving close to the Congress and the secret understanding between between the two parties had put the interest of the state in jeopardy, Pradhan said at a meeting organised by the state BJP here. Describing the Congress as a political party steeped in corruption, Pradhan alleged that the Congress had always neglected Odisha. On the other hand, the BJP government at the Centre is sincerely trying to ensure development of the state, giving it special attention in the last four years, he said. Stating that he would continue to uphold the pride of Odisha, Pradhan said the Bijepur by-election result showed that BJP was emerging as the main opposition party in the state. A large number of BJP activists and supporters had gathered at Biju Patnaik International Airport to welcome Pradhan, who led a procession to the state party headquarters. Pradhan is the first political leader from Odisha to be elected to Rajya Sabha twice from outside his home state. Earlier, he was elected to the upper house of Parliament from Bihar. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Terming the BJP's loss in the Gorakhpur Lok Sabha bypoll a "defeat of ego and arrogance", the Shiv Sena today launched a fresh salvo at its ally, saying the party's strength in the Lower House of Parliament will come down by at least 110 seats in the 2019 general elections. The Sena also taunted its ally saying those who abandon their friends and "tread the path of lies" are destined to lose. "The BJP won the tiny state of Tripura. While the party was celebrating the victory, the results of two Lok Sabha bypolls in Uttar Pradesh took the shine off the win. "These results have created panic in the BJP camp. The party's two strongholds- Gorakhpur and Phulpur- were won by the SP," the Sena said in an editorial in its mouthpiece- 'Saamana'. It said that since the Modi government came to power, bypolls to 10 Lok Sabha seats were conducted, of which the BJP lost nine. "Initially, there were 282 BJP MPs in the Lok Sabha, but the figure has now come down to 272. Under the leadership of Modi and Amit Shah, the BJP has lost virtually every bypoll," the Uddhav Thackeray-led party said. The editorial referred to the BJP's stunning victory in the Uttar Pradesh Assembly polls last year as it attacked the party over its loss in the Gorakhpur byoll. "Last year, the BJP set a record by winning 325 seats in UP Assembly polls. Yogi Adityanath became the chief minister, while Keshav Maurya became his deputy. Since 1991, Adityanath had never lost the Gorakhpur seat. But now, despite being the CM, his party lost. If the BJP could topple the Left government in Tripura, why couldn't it win Gorakhpur?" it asked. In Bihar, the Araria Lok Sabha seat and the Jehanabad Assembly seat were won by the RJD, it said. "All this shows that the BJP is losing ground," it said. "It is now clear that in 2019, the BJP will not get 280 seats. The number will come down by at least 100-110. Therefore, the BJP needs to remain grounded. Defeat is certain for those who abandon their friends and tread the path of lies. When the downfall starts, no Chanakya can stop it," it said. "(TMC chief) Mamata Banerjee says this is the beginning of BJP's downfall. We do not know if this is true, but what is certain is that the people who supported the party (in 2014), are now pushing it to the ground." The party said that after the bypolls in Rajasthan, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had said that the Congress should only contest bypolls now. "The BJP's loss in the Gorakhpur Lok Sabha bypoll is a defeat of ego and arrogance," the Sena added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Unidentified persons hacked to death the father of a BJP worker here allegedly over a tiff over naming of a square on the outskirts of the city after Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Police, however, claimed that murder of 65-year-old Ramchandra Yadav late last night, whose BJP activist son Kamlesh Yadav sustained injuries in the attack, was the fallout of a "personal enmity". Kamlesh Yadav, who was undergoing treatment at a hospital, told reporters "a chowk (square) at our native village of Bhadavan in Sadar police station area had been named after Narendra Modi two years ago". "Yesterday, local RJD supporters, who had been opposed to naming of the square after Modi, tried to remove the plaque bearing the name of the square. When we protested, they said that the RJD's victory in bypolls to one Lok Sabha and an assembly seat marked their party's resurgence and hence they wanted to rename the square after Lalu Prasad", Yadav alleged. "The RJD supporters went away after we resolutely opposed them. However, in the night, a group of 20-25 persons came to hour house riding on motorcycles, attacked my father with a sword, severing his head", Yadav, whose arm was slashed by a sword carried by the assailants, said. Additional SP, Darbhanga, Dilnawaz Ahmad, however, said "as per our information, the attackers had some personal enmity with Kamlesh Yadav and his family. We are not aware of any dispute over naming of the square, though all angles would be investigated". Local BJP workers in the district also staged a demonstration in protest against the killing, blocking road traffic for close to an hour. They were pacified by the police who assured them of adequate action against the guilty. Meanwhile, state BJP spokesman Rajib Ranjan told PTI over phone "incidents like these demonstrate RJD's belief in hooliganism and corruption. They have merely retained two seats they had held earlier, but they want to strike terror in the hearts of the people of Bihar". (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov today said statements by British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson tying Russian President Vladimir Putin to the attack on an ex-double agent were "shocking and unforgiveable". Mentioning Putin in the context of Sergei Skripal's poisoning "is nothing but shocking and unforgiveable behaviour from the point of view of diplomacy," Peskov said. Speaking of Putin, Johnson on Friday said: "We think it overwhelmingly likely that it was his decision to direct the use of a nerve agent on the streets of the UK, on the streets of Europe, for the first time since the Second World War." But Peskov repeated that "Russia has nothing to do with this story," in comments carried by Russian agencies. Skripal and his daughter Yulia are in critical condition after being exposed to a Soviet-designed nerve agent on March 4 in the English city of Salisbury. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Burundi today freed 740 prisoners, most of whom had been imprisoned after taking part in protests against President Pierre Nkurunziza in 2015, the government announced. The detainees were released from Bujumbura's Mpimba prison -- the country's largest -- after a ceremony presided over by Justice Minister Aimee-Laurentine Kanyana, with several western ambassadors in attendance. Their release came in the wake of a presidential pardon at the turn of last year. Of the 740 released, 450 had been "sentenced for taking part in the insurrectional movement of 2015," Kanyana said, using the official term for protests that ran from late April to mid-June 2015. A western diplomat who saw the ceremony said, "We heard that there would be many prisoners of opinion who were freed." "It's good if that's the case," said the diplomat, who spoke on condition of anonymity. "We will check before speaking on an official basis." In 2015, the authorities released a number of opposition candidates, again in the context of a presidential pardon, but grassroots groups said the tally of those released was smaller than announced, and was followed by a wave of re-arrests. The minister today warned those released against committing "any re-offence," saying this would lead to life imprisonment. The governor of Mpimba prison said the release would help to ease conditions in the overcrowded facility. Around 2,800 people, most of them convicted for common-law offences, have been released since the start of 2018 under the latest pardon. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The leader of Canada's third party in parliament, who will challenge Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in elections next year, faced a backlash over his affiliations with Sikh separatists. Jagmeet Singh, leader of the New Democratic Party, was a keynote speaker at a rally in San Francisco in 2015 for an independent Sikh homeland to be carved out of India, known as Khalistan, Canadian media reported. Behind him on stage was a large poster of Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, the leader of an armed extremist group who died in a shootout with Indian forces. In his speech, translated from Punjabi for the daily Globe and Mail, Singh accused India of "genocide" against Sikhs in the Golden Temple assault. The National Post also reported on Singh's attendance at another event in 2016 organized by the British-based National Sikh Youth Federation, which advocates for an independent Khalistan. Singh has said he does not condone terrorism or acts of violence. "Terrorism can never be seen as a way to advance the cause of any one group. It only leads to suffering, pain and death," he said in a statement. In February, Singh defended Sikh Liberal government ministers who were photographed with a Canadian man convicted of attempting to assassinate a visiting Indian official in 1986 in retaliation for the Golden Temple assault. "I reject the baseless attacks against Canadian cabinet ministers, and we should be wary of any international interference in our political affairs especially when it's targeted at minorities such as members of the Sikh community," he said. "The Indian government has a troubling record of conflating human rights advocacy with extremism for their own political benefit." The photo taken at a Mumbai mixer and an invitation to dinner in New Delhi with Trudeau, which was rescinded, caused embarrassment for Trudeau during his recent trip to India -- which was already dogged by suspicions that Canada was soft on Sikh separatists. Canadian Sikhs number nearly 500,000 and account for roughly 1.4 per cent of Canada's population, according to a 2016 census, and hold sway in some key electoral districts. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Indira Gandhi Krishi Vishwavidyalaya (IGKV) will develop a 'weed atlas' to provide information on the undesirable plants found in plains of Chhattisgarh to farmers. "The atlas will be prepared after mapping various weeds found in plains of the state. Though, there are thousands of weeds varieties but we will try to cover most of it," Dr Shrikant Chitale, senior scientist department of Agronomy in the city-based IGKV told PTI. The decision in this regard was recently taken by the Directorate of Weed Research (DWR under Indian Council of Agriculture Research), Jabalpur, head Dr P K Singh and his assistants while reviewing the All India Weed Management Project being conducted by the varsity, he said. The atlas will cater details related to characteristics of weeds andprevention of its introduction and multiplication and it will be later uploaded on a mobile app named "Weed Manager" developed by DWR for use of farmers, students and industry professionals, Chitale said. A couple of years ago, a scientist from Jagdalpur agriculture college (affiliated to IGKV) had developed an atlas of weeds found in Bastar region, which has densely forested and hilly geographical condition, while so far no such step was taken for plains, he said. The review team from DWR appreciated the experiments done under weed management projects in the university and asked to disseminate its conclusions to farmers so that they can implement it on their farms, he said. The weed atlas, will be compiled in the form of a booklet, which will have crop name and images of common dominated weeds of particular crop with their control measures, he said. These booklets will be distributed to Kisan Vigyan Kendra (KVK) set up in different districts of the state for use of farmers, he said. It will help farmers for better crop and weed management keeping the weed population at a level that does not result in loss of the crop cultivation or harm its quality, he said. Farmers and agriculture practitioners will have more knowledge about cropping and weed management techniques for ensuring better productivity in the state, he added. Besides, the atlas will also be used in academic purpose in agriculture institutions in the state, Chitale signed off. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) China has punished 17 army deserters, blacklisting them from using the social credit system, limiting their rights to travel abroad and seek employment in the government, according to a media report today. These men had enlisted themselves in the army but were unable to handle the tough and strict life. They tried to quit multiple times before being expelled from the force, the state-run Global Times reported. The 17 men, who were enlisted and later quit the army, have been sent home, it said, adding that they have been blacklisted on China's social credit system. Their rights have been limited to travel abroad, work as government officials. Blacklisting would also affect their ability to buy real estate and their travel rights, including booking plane tickets, travel in high-class trains and stay in star-rated hotels, the report said. "Many of these young people are the only child in their family, growing up in gilded cages and unable to bear hardships in the army," Li Daguang, a professor at the National Defense University in Beijing told the Global Times. "As military discipline becomes stricter, training has become harder," he was quoted as saying in the report. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) China is meddling in the internal affairs of the Maldives and engaged in massive land grabbing, posing a major security threat to India and the entire Indian Ocean region, a former Maldivian foreign minister and Opposition leader had said. Ahmed Naseem, who is in the US to brief Trump administration officials on the political turmoil in the Maldives and China's alleged interference in the island nation, said his country is now a "full-blown dictatorship". "China likes to tell the West not to meddle in the domestic affairs of Asian countries. But in the Maldives, China is only too happy to meddle in our domestic affairs, by corrupting the ruling elite and encouraging an authoritarian president to double down on repression," Naseem said yesterday addressing a gathering at top American think-tank South Asia Centre of Atlantic Council here. The Maldives has been witnessing political crisis as President Abdulla Yameen declared an emergency in the island nation on February 5 after the Supreme Court ordered the release of a group of opposition leaders, who had been convicted in widely-criticised trials. The emergency was extended for another 30 days on February 20. There has been international condemnation of the Maldivian government's moves. "Almost all the democratic gains that we made in recent years have been lost since President Yameen assumed power in 2013. Every opposition leader is in jail, or exile. The military has stormed, and now occupies, the parliament," he said. Asserting that the Maldives is now a "full-blown dictatorship", Naseem, who is also vice chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee of the Maldivian Democratic Party, said, "It's difficult to believe that President Yameen would have dared to do all this defying India and the West -- without the implicit support of his new best friend in Beijing." He said that Beijing likes dictatorships because "dictators are easier to bribe, and dictatorships are easier to seduce into a Chinese debt trap." "This facilitates China's primary goal which is a land grab. More specifically, China appears to be keen on building a base in the Maldives which one day may house warships and submarines, Naseem alleged. "China's standard prescription for a land grab have been change state type to autocracy, dismantle transparency and democratic oversight, acquire infrastructure projects, very often vanity projects; roads that lead to nowhere, bridges that don't bridge. "Prices of these projects are often extremely inflated, and financed through commercial loans or supplier credit. The receiving country therefore cannot pay back the debt, and that debt is used as a disciplining regime," he alleged. Calling it a "classic case of debt trap", he said, "When countries can't pay back the debt, they ask for equity and we end up relinquishing sovereignty. Without firing a single shot, China has grabbed more land than the East India Company." Describing this as a dangerous situation, Naseem said that this affects not just the Maldives, but the security and stability of the entire Indian Ocean region. "In particular, China's actions are undermining India's security concerns. What is happening in the Maldives is not just about democracy. It's about peace, stability, and security of entire neighbourhood, he said. Naseem alleged that Yameen's "criminal activities" undermine the US-led, rule-based international system. Last month, a Maldivian oil tanker was photographed by the Japanese air force engaged in suspected sanction busting activities, he said. The Maldivian government furiously denied any involvement in the incident, claiming the tanker was using a fake Maldivian flag. But since then, the tanker has been connected to the Maldives where it is registered and also to President Yameen's family, he said. "We have now learned that a member of Yameen's family used the tanker as collateral in an application for a USD 4 million mortgage at the Bank of Maldives. "The opposition believes that Yameen has a fleet of 27 oil tankers, which are being used to systematically bust UN sanctions on North Korea. This business model is nothing new for President Yameen. In the early 2000s, he was documented selling bootleg oil to the Burmese junta, in breach of then UN sanctions, Naseem said. So this is the problem we face in the Maldives. China is propping up, and actively encouraging a criminal regime, which is busy dismantling the institutions of democracy to cement his rule, and busy selling off the country to Beijing," the former foreign minister said. Naseem warned the Washington audience that the Maldives is becoming more volatile, more lawless, and more in the grip of Islamic extremists. "I don't think things are going to end well, unless this regime can be brought to a swift end and democracy restored, he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) China is expected to unveil a new government tomorrow headed by President Xi Jinping after scrapping of the two-term limit for him that makes him China's first leader for life since Chairman Mao Zedong. Except Premier Li Keqiang, all top posts including the entire Cabinet besides governor of the central bank will be occupied by a new set of officials. However, all eyes will be on the vice presidential nominee as the recent constitutional amendment adopted by the rubber stamp parliament - National People's Congress (NPC) - has removed the two-term limit for the president and vice president. While the amendment empowered 64-year-old Xi to remain in power for life, his power base is expected to be further reinforced by his close associate Wang Qishan who carried out the dreaded anti-corruption campaign in the last five years in which over one-and-a-half million people including over 100 ministerial-level officials were punished. Wang is due to quit as he has crossed 68 years of age, the limit for all top Chinese officials to retire. But he is widely expected to become vice president as he was given top billing by the official media during the current annual parliament session coverage. Weeks before the legislative sessions, various officials said Wang would be named vice-president, the Hong Kong-based South China Morning Post reported today. "It was all but confirmed by carefully arranged close-ups of Wang appearing on state broadcaster CCTV immediately after Xi and other members of the Politburo Standing Committee China's de facto power centre," it said. From India's perspective of the new line-up of officials, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi is widely expected to be elevated as state councillor which makes him the top diplomat of the country. The elevation will entail him to become China's special representative for India-China boundary talks. The post is currently held by Yang Jiechi who has been elevated to the politburo, the top policy body of the ruling Communist Party of China (CPC). The line-up of the new government will be announced tomorrow, the Post report said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Former US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton who lost the 2016 presidential race has a disdain for Americans who voted for the eventual winner, Donald Trump, the White House has said. White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders yesterday slammed the then Democratic presidential nominee for her remarks at the India Today Conclave in Mumbai over the weekend in which she blamed the "backward parts of the US" for her loss in the election. "I think that's a perfect example of why Hillary Clinton is not in the White House," Sanders told reporters at her daily conference. "She is completely disconnected from the American public, and certainly, I think, shows her disdain for the millions and millions of Americans who came out and voted, and supported President Trump, and still support him today," Sanders said. Speaking at the recently-concluded 'India Today Conclave' in Mumbai, Clinton suggested that those people who supported Trump did so because they didn't like black people getting rights, women getting jobs or Indian-Americans succeeding more than them. "You know, you didn't like black people getting rights. You don't like women, you know, getting jobs. You don't want to see that Indian-American succeeding more than you are. Whatever your problem is, I'm going to solve it," Clinton said during the India Today Conclave 2018. "If you look at the map of the US, there's all that red in the middle where Trump won. I win the coasts, I win Illinois, I win Minnesota, places like that," Clinton said. "What the map doesn't show you is that I won the places that represent two-thirds of America's gross domestic product. So I won the places that are optimistic, diverse, dynamic, moving forward. And his whole campaign, 'Make America Great Again', was looking backwards," she alleged. Clinton has received backlash from several quarters for her comments. Many Indian-Americans have opposed the comments. The Wall Street Journal in an editorial slammed her and now the Democratic party appears to be distancing itself from her statement which has now gone viral on the social media. Democratic senator Claire McCaskill said that's no way to talk about voters. "I think they were expressing their frustration with the status quo. I may not have agreed with their choice, but I certainly respect them. And I don't think that's the way you should talk about any voter, especially ones in my state," McCaskill said. Trump's top advisor Kellyanne Conway also took exception to Clinton's remarks. "The idea that I, or other women like me, have to ask our husbands how to vote, it's really a joke. Particularly since this country knows who you are, first and foremost, because of who you married," she told Fox in an interview on Thursday. "Stop pretending you're a feminist, you're for equality, you're for fairness for women, and then running around accusing us of checking with our husbands and significant others before we vote," she said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Faced with manpower crunch, Competition Commission is in discussions with the government for amendments in recruitment regulations as it looks to rope in the right kind of people, according to a senior official. The Competition Commission of India (CCI), which keeps a tab on unfair business practices across sectors, has around 197 sanctioned posts but a substantial chunk of them are vacant. CCI Chairman D K Sikri today said the regulator is working with the government on looking at the recruitment rules so that they are made more in tune with the markets. "We are like a knowledge organisation and we are not like a traditional department of the government. We need quality people from economics background as well as from the law...," he said at a press meet here. Noting that it is hiring people, he said the regulator should get the right quality of people, adding that the government has been very empathetic. "Like all other regulators, we want a certain degree of freedom in deciding and selecting our manpower... Even IBBI has greater freedom than CCI," Sikri said. CCI Secretary Smita Jhingran said the shortfall of manpower is about 37 per cent at the CCI and about 60 per cent at the Director General office. The DG is the investigation arm of the regulator. "We have powers for appointment. It is only terms and service conditions that we are asking for through regulations," she said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Expressing hope that the 'rashtravadi' (nationalist) and Hindutva forces will stay together, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis exuded confidence that Shiv Sena won't support the no-confidence motion against the NDA government.. The statement came after the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) moved a no-confidence motion against the BJP-led government in the Lok Sabha today, following TDP president N Chandrababu Naidu's announcement that his party was exiting the National Democratic Alliance. "There have been no talks with Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray as yet. The seniors in our party (BJP's central leadership) will do that. However, I am confident that the 'rashtravadi' and Hindutva forces will stay together," Fadnavis told reporters. "The Sena will remain with us." "Some Sena leaders met me this morning. They had come to seek (the BJP's) support in the Mumbai municipal corporation bypoll. We are supporting them," Fadnavis said. However, he denied that he met the Sena leadership over the no-trust motion. On the recent farmers' long march here, Fadnavis said the manner in which the issue was highlighted made it seem that farmers were protesting over the disbursement of loan waiver amount. "There were barely a few farmers in the protest. Most of the participants were adivasis, against whom injustice has been meted out over the years," he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Latching on to a media report claiming that an FIR was filed against RJD chief Lalu Prasad despite CBI's legal wing saying there was no proof, the Congress today accused the BJP of engaging in political vendetta against its opponents to hide its "epic failures". The Congress also warned that the BJP should "count its days" as it will be in power at the Centre only for a few months and should "be ready to face people's wrath". Leading the Congress' charge, party president Rahul Gandhi accused the ruling BJP of "using" the CBI to "harass" key opposition politicians and asked who will be Prime Minister Narendra Modi's "next target". Dubbing the CBI as the "Captive Bureau of Investigation" in the hands of the Modi government, the Congress said political opponents should not be "hounded" by misusing state machinery. It accused the Modi government of "leaving no stone unturned" to file a series of cases against its political opponents, and said the direct consequence of these actions is that the credibility of institutions built with decades of hard work gets denigrated. "The BJP Govt uses the CBI to target key opposition politicians to intimidate and harass them. "Now, a report reveals how the CBI was pressured to file a case against @laluprasadrjd, ignoring the advice of its own legal team. Who will Modi ji target next?#VendettaPolitics," Rahul Gandhi said on Twitter. Congress' chief spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala, in a statement, alleged that the BJP has "absolutely no contribution" in establishing institutions like CBI. He said the ruling party will "never realise" the price that the nation has to pay for its "politically motivated, sinister and ill-driven actions". "The faith of the people in these institutions is fast eroding and the BJP is to be squarely blamed for it," Surjewala said. Accusing the BJP of engaging in malicious propaganda through false cases against its political opponents, the Congress said eventually all such attempts "fall flat". The Congress also named some of its key leaders including P Chidambaram, Ashok Gehlot, former Himachal Pradesh chief minister Virbhadra Singh, and also Patidar leader Hardik Patel as the ones against whom the BJP "unleashed state machinery". "The Modi government is trying to hide its epic failures by unleashing vendetta The Congress unequivocally condemns any act of political vendetta, indulged by the Modi government. Now that the BJP has only few months left in power, it should count its days and be ready to face the people's wrath," Surjewala said. According to a media report, the CBI's Economic Offences Division had in June 2017 pressed for an FIR against Lalu Prasad saying that as Railway Minister in 2006, he allegedly facilitated the transfer of two railway hotels to a private firm in exchange for prime land in Patna. But the probe agency's legal wing opposed it, saying there was no evidence to show that Prasad influenced officials or that the land transfer was a quid pro quo, the new report claims. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Lahore High Court today gave a deadline of 15 days to the Pakistan government to explain why Mumbai attack mastermind Hafiz Saeed's outfit JuD and its charity wing had been banned and their accounts frozen. The court order came during a petition filed by Jamaat-ud-Dawah (JuD) chief Saeed yesterday, challenging a notification of the interior ministry of Pakistan to ban his social welfare activities. Saeed filed the petition through his counsel Advocate A K Dogar. He submitted to the Lahore High Court (LHC) that the interior ministry on February 10 had issued the notification related to freezing bank accounts and taking over assets associated with the JuD and Falah-i-Insaaniyat Foundation (FIF) under the Anti-Terrorism (amendment) Ordinance 2018. The LHC today ordered the federal government to submit its reply in court by March 29 on why the organisation and its charity wing had been banned and their accounts frozen, Dawn reported. The petitioner alleged that the government of Pakistan had acted under the pressure of foreign powers, including the US and India, the report said. He contended that Pakistan is a sovereign independent state and makes its own laws to govern its citizens. He added that if there was a conflict between the laws of the land and any provision of the United Nations Security Council Act, 1948, the law of the land shall prevail, it added. The FIF owns 369 ambulances, helped 72,000 persons to charity hospitals and treated 600,000 patients only in 2017, Saeed said. He pleaded the court to declare the impugned notification of the interior ministry null and void with regard to taking over the assets of the organisations. Separately, Saeed last week challenged the presidential ordinance under which his group has been banned for being on the watch-list of the United Nations in the Islamabad High Court. President Mamnoon Hussain last month promulgated an ordinance amending the Anti-Terrorism Act, 1997 with regards to proscription of terrorist individuals and organisations to include entities listed by the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) - in a move to declare Hafiz Saeed-linked JuD and FIF as proscribed groups. Saeed, who in November last year was set free from a 300-day-long house arrest, has been repeatedly accused by the US and India of masterminding the 2008 Mumbai attacks that killed 166 people. Saeed was declared a global terrorist by the US and UN over his alleged role in the Mumbai attacks. JuD is considered by the US and India to be a front for LeT, the militant group blamed for the attacks. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The CPI will support the no-confidence motion moved by Andhra Pradesh parties against the NDA government, the party General Secretary S Sudhakar Reddy said today. "Our party supports it (no-confidence motion) completely," Reddy told PTI, describing it as a "positive development." The no-confidence motion is a logical conclusion as the NDA government has not honoured the promise made by the then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to accord Special Status to Andhra Pradesh (post formation of Telangana), he said. "In fact, it (special status) is a promise made by the Government of India, not by the Congress... because the Prime Minister (then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh) made the announcement after Venkaiah Naidu and Arun Jaitley raised this issue of special status in Rajya Sabha." "So, whatever is the government, the next government has to keep up the promise of the prime minister and of the previous governments," Reddy said. The NDA government has not even given the funds equivalent to the special status to Andhra Pradesh, he claimed. "Therefore, no-confidence is a logical conclusion they have come to and our party supports it completely," the CPI leader said. "In fact, we are happy that Chandrababu Naidu (TDP chief) at last is able to realise that the BJP cannot implement the promises which they have made," Reddy said. The no-confidence motion may not pass given current numbers in Parliament, "but lines will be drawn now," he said. The majority, which the BJP had, is getting reduced as the party has lost 10 Lok Sabha seats in bypolls in the last one year, Reddy said. TDP and YSR Congress have moved notices for no-confidence motion against the NDA government in the Lok Sabha, but the lower House could not take them up. Amid vociferous protests over various issues, Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan adjourned proceedings for the day, saying there was no order in the House. The CPI is represented by CN Jayadevan in the lower House of Parliament. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A month after telecom regulator Trai issued norms on predatory pricing, competition watchdog CCI today said current market conditions do not warrant "regulatory intervention" to curb such practices. The comments assume significance as certain sections in the telecom industry are not happy with the decision of Trai, wherein telcos could be fined up to Rs 50 lakh per service area in case their rates are found to be predatory in nature. In his first comments on the Trai norms, Competition Commission of India (CCI) Chairman D K Sikri said, "We don't find that the current market conditions warrant a regulatory intervention to curb predatory pricing of significant market players". Last month, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) came out with new rules amid allegations by established players like Bharti Airtel, Vodafone and Idea Cellular that Reliance Jio is indulging in predatory pricing ways. Describing it as a very sensitive subject, Sikri said the issue is with regard to predation by the significant market player. "Our sense is that it is a standard tool and available to the regulator at any point of time. In economics, they call it text book regulation, not something that you really need to revise. "What is the issue is the timing of the order. We don't find that the current market conditions warrant a regulatory intervention to curb predatory pricing of significant market players," he told reporters here. Sikri also noted that there are no significant market players who are indulging in predatory pricing. "It is a regulation available, it is a text book regulation. The regulator can always use it but you are not sure whether the timing is appropriate," he added. The CCI keeps a tab on unfair business practices across sectors. The predatory pricing rules of Trai have sparked off a furore in the industry with the older and established telecom carriers as well as industry body COAI slamming the new norms. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) An Indian man was arrested at the Delhi airport by the Customs for allegedly trying to smuggle air gun parts into the county, according to an official statement issued today. The man was intercepted after his arrival from Dubai yesterday. A detailed search of his baggage and personal examination resulted in the seizure of an air gun barrel and air gun trigger action of Carl Walther make, three gun mounted scope and butt stock (plastic), the statement issued by the Customs said. "The said parts can be converted into an air gun (5.5mm/0.22 bore)," it said. The passenger, aged about 54 years, a native of Bhopal, has been arrested, the statement said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Two Indian men have been arrested from the Delhi airport by customs officials for allegedly trying to smuggle pistol and air gun parts into the country. The arrest and subsequent seizure happened in two separate cases. In the first case, a 45-year-old man was intercepted by customs officials after his arrival from Bangkok yesterday. A detailed search of his baggage and personal examination resulted in recovery of four RONI G1 pistol-carbine conversion units, one RONI B (Beretta) pistol-carbine conversion unit, holographic weapon sight, magnifier units, rail sling attachment and RONI instruction manual, a release issued by the customs said. These parts can be assembled together to make a leather weapon, according to a senior customs official. The accused was arrested and the gun parts were seized. In the other case, an Indian man was arrested for allegedly trying to smuggle air gun parts. The man was intercepted after his arrival from Dubai. A detailed search of his baggage and personal examination resulted in the seizure of an air gun barrel, air gun trigger action of Carl Walther make, three gun mounted scope and butt stock (plastic), the statement said. "The said parts can be converted into an air gun (5.5mm/0.22 bore)," it said. The passenger, aged about 54 years and a native of Bhopal, has been arrested, the statement said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) AAP's Punjab in-charge Manish Sisodia said today that the party leadership will talk to state leaders, who are unhappy over Arvind Kejriwal's apology to Shiromani Akali Dal leader Bikram Singh Majithia, to solve the issue. "We fight for the people on streets. It is not our work to fight in court. However, we will fight for people in court," Delhi's Deputy Chief Minister Sisodia said on the apology to Majithia. "If we spend time in court, then how we will be able to spare time for the people?" he said. In a surprising development, Kejriwal yesterday tendered an apology for having levelled "unfounded" allegations against Majithia in connection with his involvement in drugs trade. The SAD leader later decided to withdraw a defamation case against the Delhi chief minister. Miffed over his apology, Sangrur MP Bhagwant Mann resigned as AAP's Punjab chief today. Kejriwal's apology also drew flak from party's leaders and MLAs in Punjab, who said they were "stunned" by the move and "disappointed" as they were not kept in the "loop". (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Delhi Assembly's budget session began today amid protests by opposition MLAs over the presence of Transport Minister Kailash Gahlot in the House despite the latter's disqualification in connection with office-of-profit case. All four opposition MLAs were marshalled out as they entered the well of the House in protest against Gahlot's participation in the House proceedings. As the assembly proceedings began with the arrival of Lt Governor Anil Baijal, Leader of Opposition Vijender Gupta and three other BJP MLAs - O P Sharma, Manjinder Singh Sirsa and Jagdish Pradhan- stated that only elected members should be allowed in the House. Speaker Ram Niwas Goel later ordered the MLAs to be marshalled out. Gupta said bonafide members were marshalled out while "a disqualified MLA who is a minister attends the budget session". "Why is Gahlot being allowed to sit in the House even after his disqualification? We were just demanding that disqualified members should not be allowed inside the House, but we were marshalled out," he said. 20 AAP MLAs, including the transport minister, were disqualified by President Ram Nath Kovind following the Election Commission's recommendations in connection with the office-of-profit case. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Delhi Lt Governor (L-G) Anil Baijal today listed the AAP government's achievements, including those in the education and health sectors, saying it was committed to the "welfare of citizens" of the national capital. Delivering his speech at the beginning of the Delhi Assembly's Budget Session, Baijal also spoke about the newly-approved doorstep delivery of public services. The per capita income of Delhi at current prices is likely to increase to Rs 3,29,093 in 2017-18 while the same was Rs 3,00,793 during 2016-17, he said in his 25-minute speech. Baijal said that for the development of human resources, the government's focus is on strengthening and modernising the education sector. Educational infrastructure has been strenghtened by making about 6,400 additional classrooms functional in existing schools, he said. "CCTV cameras are already installed in most of the schools. It is proposed to strengthen CCTV surveillance system in all the schools, including classrooms, with the facility to parents to watch the feed from the schools," Baijal said while addressing the House for the second time. The L-G said that mentor teachers are being trained at National Institute of Education, Singapore. Providing better health care facilities to the citizens of Delhi is one of the prime objective of the government, Baijal said. "The government has taken several patient-centric initiatives. All essential drugs are provided free of cost to the patient attending the public health facilities of government of Delhi. "The radiological services are being provided free of cost to all residents of Delhi at 23 DGEHS empanelled radiological centres subject to referral from the public health facilities of Delhi government," the L-G said. He said that government hospitals have been authorised to refer patients to 48 empanelled private hospitals for 52 types of surgeries free of cost. The government intends to bring primary health facility at the doorstep of residents through Aam Aadmi Mohalla Clinics, he said, adding that initially, 102 such clinics were started on pilot basis and during the current fiscal, 62 more clinics were set up. Talking about several welfare schemes, the L-G said, "My government believes in inclusive development. It has extended support to the vulnerable section of the soceity." "Department of women and children development provided financial assistance to women under Delhi Pension Scheme to women in distress," he said. "My government is committed for the welfare of the labourers. Government of Delhi has revised the minimum wages by 37 per cent," Baijal said To meet the housing need of the poor, the government has notified the Delhi Slum and JJ Rehabilitation and Relocation Policy, the L-G said. "This policy will facilitate in-situ rehabilitation of JJ dwellers in built-up flats on the same land or in the vicinity within a radius of 5 kms, or beyond 5 kms in exceptional circumstances," he said. The L-G also spoke about the subsidy of 50 per cent on energy charges for all domestic consumers consuming up to 400 units per month. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Delhi High Court today refused to ground the entire fleet of IndiGo's A320neo aircraft, which allegedly have defective engines. Advocate Yeshwanth Shenoy's said in his plea that IndiGo's A320neo fleet should be grounded until the manufacturers give in writing that the existing defects have been rectified and the DGCA is satisfied. "Your (petitioner) first prayer seeking direction to Directorate General of Civil Aviation to ground the entire fleet of Airbus A320neo cannot be granted," a bench of Acting Chief Justice Gita Mittal and Justice C Hari Shankar said. It, however, said Shenoy's plea seeking various other directions to the authorities, including an order to ensure that all accidents are published on DGCA's website within 24 hours of its occurrence, shall be heard on March 20. Aviation watchdog DGCA had on March 12 ordered IndiGo and GoAir to immediately ground 11 A320neo planes powered with a certain series of Pratt & Whitney engines after three incidents of mid-air engine failures in less than a month. Concerns over the safety of such planes increased with another engine failure, forcing an emergency landing of an IndiGo flight at Ahmedabad airport on March 12, and the regulator cracked the whip saying that there is no concrete proposal in place at this stage to address the issue. A total of 14 A320 neo aircraft fitted with a specific series of engines -- 11 are operated by IndiGo and three by GoAir -- have now been grounded. Three IndiGo planes are already on the ground following the problem. (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.) Dozens of prisoners broke out of jail on the Venezuelan tourist island of Margarita, the military said, adding that a major manhunt was underway. Military authorities on the island said 58 prisoners escaped at dawn after smashing a hole in the wall of a police detention center where they were being held. Four prisoners were recaptured, the regional military chief, Vice Admiral Jonny Vera, told the local newspaper. The prisoners were in the custody of the local police in Nueva Esparta state, to which Margarita belongs. Venezuelan authorities often use police detention centers as places of permanent incarceration to cope with overcrowding in the prison service. By law, detainees should only be held at the centers for a maximum of 48 hours. Venezuelan NGO Window to Freedom estimates that overpopulation of these temporary facilities runs to 400 percent. It said that 65 people, including a policeman, were killed in clashes for control of these centers in 2017, and also reports death from malnutrition due to a lack of food and diseases like tuberculosis. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Labour Commissioner E Vallavan has been appointed the new Administrator of Puducherry State Cooperative Bank (PSCB). Lt Governor Kiran Bedi announced this in her twitter handle today, describing Vallavan, a senior Pondicherry Civil Services Officer, as 'a man of action and performance'. Bedi, who recently paid a surprise visit to the bank to know what ails it, also said that the bank was back on the path of recovery. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman today said efforts would be made to manufacture military equipment in Tamil Nadu and urged local entrepreneurs to take part in it. "Efforts will be made to manufacture military equipment in Tamil Nadu. Entrepreneurs of the local area should come forward to manufacture them," she said. There was also a plan to scale up production of Tejas Light Combat Aircraft, she said. Currently, HAL produces around eight Tejas, a single engine multi-role aircraft, annually and the defence ministry wants it to increase the number to 18 planes per year. She was addressing a meeting here on the proposed defence manufacturing corridor in Tamil Nadu and an interactive session on business opportunities in the defence sector. Sitharaman had said on February 2 that the first of the two defence industrial production corridors, as announced in the Union Budget, would link Chennai and Bengaluru. The minister today held discussions on the requirements of the defence sector, how to procure raw material and store them and how small and micro industries could play a role in the production of ordnance factory items. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The death of an Egyptian teenager in the UK has sparked outrage across Egypt, where officials have described the incident as "barbaric." Mariam Mustafa, an 18-year-old engineering student, was allegedly attacked on the street by a group in Nottingham on Feb. 20 before she died of her wounds on Wednesday. The Egyptian Foreign Ministry described Mustafa's death on Friday as "barbaric" and urged British authorities to bring those responsible to justice. Her family said her death could have been prevented if police had taken action after an earlier warning. They also accuse the hospital where she was treated of negligence. Nottinghamshire Police said there are no indications that Mustafa's killing was a hate crime but said that they are "keeping an open mind. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) At least eight tourists, including a pregnant woman from Sweden, were injured on Friday when a chair lift ran out of control in the Georgian ski resort of Gudauri, officials said. Video of the accident showed skiers being flung out of their chairs as they turned a bend as other resort visitors screamed in terror. An emergency stop led to the chairs sliding back at high speed, Economy Minister Dimitry Kumsishvili told journalists, adding that the incident was "allegedly caused by an electricity outage". "The interior ministry has launched a criminal probe into alleged violation of safety norms," he added. Health Minister David Sergeenko said the tourists -- who were Georgiain, Russian, Swedish and Ukrainian -- did not suffer serious injuries. "Two of them - including a pregnant woman from Sweden -- were airlifted to a hospital in (the Georgian capital) Tbilisi," he added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) An Emirates crew member has died after falling out of an emergency door of an aircraft parked at Uganda's Entebbe airport, a hospital official said. Francis Sekandi, spokesman for the Kisubi hospital where the female crew member was taken for emergency treatment following the fall on Wednesday, confirmed her death. "We received her from the Civil Aviation Authority in an ambulance, but she was already dead," Sekandi said late last night. Uganda's Civil Aviation Authority said an investigation into the incident has been opened. "A female member of the crew appeared to have opened the emergency door and unfortunately fell off an Emirates aircraft that had safely landed and parked," it said in a statement. One witness, Isaac Seremba, who works at the airport, described the fall from one of the stationary plane's emergency exits as an apparent "suicide" attempt. Local newspaper The Daily Monitor also cited unnamed sources as saying the woman appeared to have jumped intentionally from the plane. Emirates meanwhile said "a member of our cabin crew unfortunately fell from an open door while preparing the aircraft for boarding". The airline promised to "extend our full cooperation to the authorities in their investigation," the Dubai-based carrier said in a statement. Months after the Environmental Performance Index (EPI) ranked India among the bottom five countries, the government today said the ranking needs to be interpreted in "due perspective" as it is based on a distinct methodology and involves "assumptions and uncertainties". A report titled 'Environmental Performance Index 2018', ranking 180 nations has been produced by Center for Environmental Law and Policy, Yale University, and Columbia University in collaboration with World Economic Forum and Joint Research Centre of the European Commission. According to it, India's ranking in Global Performance Index (EPI) was 141 in 2016 and 177 in 2018. "The rankings need to be interpreted in due perspective as it is based on distinct methodology and involves various assumptions and uncertainties. "The methodology adopted to calculate EPI in 2018 varies from the earlier adopted methodology," Minister of State for Mahesh Sharma told the Lok Sabha. According to EPI 2018, India's position plummeted by 36 positions from that in 2016 and is ranked among the bottom five countries. Sharma said the 2016 EPI report included nine issues and 20 indicators but 2018 EPI report includes 10 issues and 24 indicators. "The 2018 EPI gives a weightage of 40 per cent to Environmental Health and 60 per cent to ecosystem vitality. India's overall score for environmental health policy objective has shown substantial improvement. "The decrease in score is on account of ecosystem vitality, which has been given higher weightage and at the same time, has higher subjectivity. India, with high population, would indicate higher exposure level in the absence of proper normalisation," he said. The minister said the government has taken a number of steps to enhance implementation of existing environmental laws and regulations in order to restore environmental quality in the country. These include, promotion of 24x7 real time online monitoring of emission and effluents of 17 categories of highly polluting industries, real time water quality monitoring through 44 monitoring stations on the Ganga river and two on the Yamuna, and 100 continuous ambient air quality monitoring stations in 61 cities, he said. Further, inspections are being carried out by field functionaries of Central Pollution Control Board, State Pollution Control Boards and Regional Headquarters from time to time to improve the implementation of existing laws and regulations, Sharma said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Over 70 girl students of the Kasturba Gandhi Vidyalaya at Awagarh here have taken ill allegedly after consuming food in the school, official sources said. The girls felt uneasy after consuming food last night and were taken to a hospital where their condition was stated to be stable, they said. The girls suffered from food poisoning, the doctors treating them said. Taking note of the incident District Magistrate Amit Kishore ordered a magisterial probe into the matter. Kishore, who has also ordered collection of food samples from the school, said the report of the incident will be sent to the government after probe. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) EU leaders will discuss a nerve agent attack on a Russian ex-spy in Britain at a Brussels summit next week, with president Donald Tusk saying the bloc would send a "clear message". The decision to add the Sergei Skripal case to the summit agenda on March 22 is another display of solidarity to the government of British Prime Minister Theresa May despite divisions over Brexit. Tusk, who will host the summit as head of the European Council, said on Twitter he had phoned May today "to prepare (a) clear message of the EU on #SalisburyAttack". Former double agent Skripal and his daughter Yulia were left critically ill by the attack in the city of Salisbury, southwestern England, on March 4, which May has blamed on Russia. "Skripal will be discussed Thursday evening next week. At this stage, I expect summit conclusions on it," a European source told AFP on condition of anonymity. The incident comes at a particularly tense time for UK-EU relations, as the two sides are locked in Brexit talks ahead of Britain's departure from the bloc in March 2019. Western leaders have strongly backed Britain in the wake of the attack and supported its claim that Russia is "culpable". It has already been raised in recent days at the UN Security Council and in the NATO military alliance, which described it as the "first offensive use of a nerve agent on Alliance territory since NATO's foundation." British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson is also set to discuss the attack with his EU counterparts and with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg on Monday. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Former Zimbabwean president Robert Mugabe described his departure from office in November as a "coup d'etat" that "we must undo" in his first TV interviews since then, aired today. Mugabe, 94, spoke slowly but clearly to South Africa's SABC broadcaster from an office in Harare, dressed in a grey suit, sitting in front of a portrait of himself and his wife Grace. "I say it was a coup d'etat -- some people have refused to call it a coup d'etat," said Mugabe referring to the brief army takeover which led to Emmerson Mnangagwa assuming power after Mugabe's resignation. "We must undo this disgrace which we have imposed on ourselves, we don't deserve it... Zimbabwe doesn't deserve it." In another similarly vehement interview, with Britain's ITV News, the elderly former leader said he had no desire to return to power. "I don't want to be president, no of course," he said. "I'm now 94." Mugabe told both interviewers he did not hate his successor President Mnangagwa, 75, but alleged that he had "betrayed the whole nation". The ousted leader insisted he would not work with Mnangagwa and suggested that his presidency was "illegal" and "unconstitutional". "People must be chosen in government in a proper way. I'm willing to discuss, willing to assist in that process -- but I must be invited," he said. Gideon Chitanga, an analyst at the Johannesburg-based Political Economy Southern Africa think-tank, said that Mugabe's intervention was significant "coming at a time of elections". Presidential polls are due by the end of August in which Mnangagwa will face his first major electoral test. "In the back of his mind (Mugabe) still sees himself as part of the problem and part of the solution," said Chitanga. Mugabe's media appearance was apparently organised by the new National Patriotic Front (NPF) party which hopes to unseat Mnangagwa's government in polls expected by August. Mugabe sent shockwaves through the ZANU-PF ruling party when he recently met with the NPF's leader, retired general Ambrose Mutinhiri. In response to a widely-shared image of the two, ZANU-PF Youth League supporters chanted "down with Mugabe" at a rally, a rare outburst from the normally disciplined party that Mugabe led for nearly four decades. Mugabe was forced to quit the political scene he had dominated since independence from Britain in 1980 when the military stepped in and ZANU-PF lawmakers launched impeachment proceedings against their once beloved leader. Since his dramatic reversal of fortune, he has largely stayed out of public life -- until breaking his silence today. Despite widespread jubilation following the army's seizure of power, many Zimbabweans are now disenchanted by what they see as a mere changing of the guard at the top of Zimbabwe's authoritarian system. "It was a coup with a script to turn this into a military state. The people wanted a change of the entire ZANU-PF system -- not just one individual," businessman Munyaradzi Chihota, 40, told AFP as he travelled home. "The situation has not changed since they removed Mugabe. If anything, we are worse off. (Mugabe) is 100 per cent right that this was a military coup, that this country has been turned into a military state -- and that this has to be undone." The military moved against Mugabe after he sacked his then-deputy and heir-apparent Mnangagwa, seemingly fearing the nonagenarian was grooming Grace to succeed him as president. The former first lady had cultivated her own factional support base within ZANU-PF known as "G-40" that was seen as hostile to the security establishment -- Mnangagwa in particular. "I never thought... he would be the man who turned against me," said Mugabe. "It was truly a military takeover, there was no movement visible unless that movement was checked and allowed by the army." Evan Mawarire, a pastor who became the face of anti-Mugabe demonstrations last year, tweeted that Mugabe "destroyed our lives". "Today he appears on foreign media which he banned and claims he must be invited to a transitional process for Zimbabwe #RetireInPeaceBob." Reflecting on his decades in power, which were marked by catastrophic economic policies, Mugabe remained adamant it had been a success story and any errors "weren't that bad". "If anything, in comparison to other countries in Africa, we have had greater prosperity here and people have their land," he told ITV However, when questioned about well documented human rights abuses throughout his tenure, Mugabe appeared more acknowledging of reality. "We have been accused of that and on that side, yes some errors were done. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) official was today suspended for allegedly creating a scene at the office of Leader of Opposition in the Maharashtra Legislative Council, Dhananjay Munde. FDA minister Girish Bapat announced suspension of class II officer from Bhiwandi, R D Akrupe, in the House. Munde alleged that the officer created ruckus over a calling-attention notice Munde had moved over the ban on gutka last week. Despite the ban, gutka was being smugged in from other states, the NCP leader had said then. R D Akrupe, a class II FDA officer, came to his office with a BJP MLA from Udgir, and threatened Munde's Officer on Special Duty (OSD), asking how could the NCP leader raise the issue in the House, Munde claimed today. "A probe by the FDA has proved corruption charges against Akrupe, and the matter reached the office of Vice President of India as the officer holds a post under the Constitution," Munde said. Following the probe, the FDA commissioner had 'de-notified' the officer, the Leader of Opposition said. Wanting to know who was behind the officer's misbehaviour, Munde demanded his suspension. Leader of the House and Revenue Minister Chandrakant Patil said that announcing suspension in this manner would be problematic. "The officer may approach the Maharashtra Administrative Tribunal (MAT)," he said. However, Council Chairman Ramraje Naik Nimbalkar directed the government to probe the incident and suspend the officer in the meantime. Issue of MAT case could be dealt with later, he said. Nimbalkar had to adjourn the proceedings twice, as members argued that business of the House can not continue till the issue was sorted out. Earlier, during a debate on a starred question on ban on gutka and some other food items, Bapat announced that the government will amend sections 272 to 276 of the Indian Penal Code (which deal with adulteration) to make the offence of possession or sale of such items non-bailable. Provisions of stringent acts such as the Maharashtra Prevention of Dangerous Activities Act (MPDA) and Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) would be invoked against the offenders, the minister said. After the ban came into effect, Rs 114 crore-worth gutka was seized and destroyed, Bapat said. Anil Parab (Shiv Sena) said some gutka brands are manufactured in slums in Mumbai and they contain "tails of dead lizards and intoxicating chemicals". These illicit manufacturers have links with gangsters and other anti-social elements, the Sena leader said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu today said he was fighting a "dharma yuddh" to secure the state's 'legitimate' rights and parties at national level were backing TDP's no-confidence motion against the NDA government due to his party's credibility. Speaking to reporters here hours after the TDP quit the BJP-led NDA and moved the notice for the motion in Lok Sabha, Naidu said he would now go ahead and bring various parties at the national level together. The TDP supremo said he had not contacted any party yet but given the "TDPs credibility" they were supporting the no-trust motion. "We are fighting a dharma yuddham against the Centre to secure our states legitimate rights. TDP has a credibility at the national level, so many parties are coming forward to support us. I will soon speak to those who are ready to support us," he said. Naidu said he was now free to talk with any party which he could not do while being a partner of the ruling alliance at the Centre. "I now have no obligations and I will go ahead by bringing various parties at the national level together," he added. The TDP, which had recently pulled out its ministers from the Modi government, this morning decided to quit the NDA. The party later moved a no-confidence motion in the Lok Sabha against the Modi government demanding that the AP Reorganisation Act, 2014 be implemented in toto and also the promises made by the then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in Rajya Sabha be honoured. We came out of the NDA because of moral values. Only then we moved a no-confidence motion. Those who dont have any moral values were making rounds of the Prime Ministers Office, Chandrababu said, in an obvious reference to the YSR Congress that also moved a no-trust motion. The TDP decided to move the motion on its own rather than support the one moved by a party that "did not have any moral values", he said. Earlier, speaking in the state Legislative Council on a short discussion on implementation of the AP Reorganisation Act, the Chief Minister explained the reasons for the TDP exiting the NDA. "We joined the NDA in the first place only to protect our states interests in the aftermath of bifurcation. We waited for four years with the hope that the Centre will honour all the promises but it only meted out injustice to us, Naidu said. However, the BJP never cared about TDP, he charged adding while in the opposition, it promised to take care of the state and its needs but once in power, "it completely ignored us." Coming down on the Prime Minister, he said Modi did not even bother to invite the TDP MPs for a discussion when they were agitating in Parliament for the states rights. He said Modi showed a lot of concern for AP on the eve of 2014 elections and promised many things, including building the states new capital better than New Delhi. The chief minister wanted to know what happened to all those promises. "Why was the Centre not co-operating in building Amaravati?" he asked. The TDP supremo charged both YSR Congress and the Jana Sena, the main rivals for TDP in the state, with colluding with the BJP. Whose interests are they seeking to protect, he questioned angrily and found fault with the Prime Minister for trying to enact "a Tamil Nadu-type drama in Andhra as well." "O Pannerselvam himself said he agreed to accept the deputy chief minister post at the behest of Narendra Modi. The Council later adopted a resolution demanding that the Centre implement all provisions of the AP Reorganisation Act and also the promises made in Rajya Sabha. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) One person was killed and six others were injured after a fire broke out in three shops in Shahdara's Maujpur area this morning, said senior Delhi Fire Services officer. A call was received at 5.45 am about the fire in three shops and three fire tenders were rushed to the spot, he added. The fire was doused by 6.50 am. Further details are awaited. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Jharkhand Chief Minister Raghubar Das today alleged that foreign forces were trying to create unrest in the state to bring it back to the era of political instability. Due to 14 years of political instability in state, Jharkhand has lagged behind in various sectors including healthcare, Das said after inaugurating a private super speciality hospital here. "Foreign forces are active in Jharkhand for sometime and creating unrest. We must be alert and foil their plot, as we have to make Jharkhand more developed than Gujarat and Maharashtra by 2022," the chief minister said. He said the state had been reeling under acute shortage of doctors and his government has tried to bring health services back on track. On the pattern of campus selection at engineering colleges, health department officials were sent to private medical colleges of southern and western states to select doctors for catering the requirement of state, he said. "My government is aiming to the state the medical hub of the country by 2022. Five medical colleges and six nursing training colleges will start from next financial year," the chief minister said. Of the five medical colleges, the state government would run three at Hazaribagh, Palamu and Dumka while while a private body would set up the other two at Jamshedpur and Bokaro, Das said. This would not only cater requirement of doctors in the state but also create job opportunity for the youth at, Das added. Besides, 4500 women trained in Auxiliary Nurse Midwifery courses, would be appointed in three months in two phases, he said adding that tribal girls would be given priority in nursing training. After 2022, patients of Jharkhand would not need to go to West Bengal or other states for treatment, he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Goa Mineral Ore Exporters' Association, the body representing the mine owners in Goa, today said the closure of the mining leases in the coastal state will bring about an "economic and social disaster". The Goa government put a complete halt on iron ore mining in the state from today, after the Supreme Court last month quashed the second renewal of iron ore mining leases given to 88 companies in Goa in 2015. The apex court had given time till March 15 to mining lease holders to manage their affairs. The people dependent on this industry are in the panic mode as there is no clarity over their future. "This is an economic and social disaster," GMOEA president Ambar Timblo told PTI in an interview today. "The industry has faced many challenges in the past 70 years; be it sovereign, economic, political and so on. We have an obligation to our history and our stake stakeholders (now in the third generation across Goa) to persevere, and we will," he added. Timblo, who is also the managing director of Fomento Resources, one of the oldest mining firm, said that such a situation was not anticipated. "After the hearing in the Supreme Court (lifting the mining ban in 2014) and after ensuring that all the compliances were in place, this situation was unforeseen and a huge blow to everyone," he said. According to Timblo, the mining ban will take an immediate toll on the truck operators. "The truck owners will have no operations from today; and at mines all operations have stopped. So a huge economic setback immediately," he said. "The impact on unemployment will gradually start taking a toll, especially in the event of missing clarity on the road forward," he added. When asked whether the Goa government wrongly handled the mining issue before the apex court, Timblo said "I do not believe any person, either in the government or in the opposition, expected this situation." "I believe the shock and impact of it is still affecting all. Goa had compliance (of the SC directives) higher and superior to any other state in India, still we are in this depressed situation," he added. Responding to a question about industry's opposition to auctioning of the mining leases, Timblo said, "The provision for auctioning is provided for in the (Mines and Minerals Development and Regulation) Act in a very detailed manner and is very clear on when it would be applicable. It is not applicable to the cases in Goa." Goa's mining industry had faced a ban in 2012 after an SC directive which had taken cognisance of the M B Shah panel's report that claimed there was illegal mining worth Rs 35,000 crore in the state between 2005 and 2012. The industry remained banned for nearly 19 months from October 2012 to April 2014, when the SC finally allowed the industry to operate imposing several riders. The restriction to extract only 20 million tonnes was also imposed on the industry, which had double the capacity to tap the ore before the ban. It took another 18 months for the industry to actually start the extraction process in October 2015. The industry could not reach its full potential after resumption, with just 7.2 million tonnes being extracted during fiscal 2015-16. The figures from the department of mines and geology show that 37.11 million tonnes of iron ore was extracted from the time the ban was lifted till date, bringing in a revenue of Rs 1,243.54 crore. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Gujarat Deputy Chief Minister Nitin Patel today told the state Assembly that the government would construct 10,532 kilometres of canals in the next two years as part of the Sardar Sarovar Narmada project. He was addressing the House on the budgetary allocation of Rs 4,950 crore for the Narmada project. "Till now, we have completed the construction of the Narmada canal network having a cumulative length of 52,231 kms. At present, work is underway for 10,532 kms of canals and it will be completed in the next two years" Patel said. He refuted Congress allegations that the state government was favouring industries over farmers in the allotment of water. Out of the annual supply of nine million acre feet(MAF) sanctioned for Gujarat, only 2.22 per cent, that is 0.20 MAF, has been alloted for industries, the Deputy CM said. "However, industries have never utilised the entire quota of 0.20 MAF in the past. Looking at lower water levels in dams, we have further curtailed that quota to just 0.06 MAF this year" said Patel. He said that the dam was able to store 1.48 MAF additional water because the Narendra Modi government had, within 17 days of assuming office in 2014, given permission to raise the height of the dam. Commenting on the stoppage of water for irrigation from today due to a drop in water levels of the Sardar Sarovar Dam, Patel said farmers had been intimated of the stoppage well in advance. "Since the dam has received just about half the water this time when compared to last year, we had already urged farmers to not take up sowing of summer crops" he said. "People dependent on Narmada water for drinking purposes will not face any difficulty. They will be supplied the same amount of water as last year. In case it is needed, we have also planned to supply more than what was done last year" he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Haryana Agriculture Minister O P Dhankar today said the state government is contemplating to start agri-tourism, besides setting up of 340 'Bagawani Villages' along with collection centres. The government also mulling to increase the number of Kisan Bazar to facilitate the farming community in the state. The minister said the international horticulture market at Gannaur in Sonipat is the dream project of the government and the work on the project is likely to commence in April this year. Dhankar was speaking to reporters here in connection with 3rd Agri Leadership Summit-2018 to be organised at Mela Ground, Rohtak from March 24 to 26. He said Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar will inaugurate the summit on March 24. Union Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh, Minister of State for Agriculture Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Haryana Governor Prof Kaptan Singh Solanki and Himachal Pradesh Governor Dev Vrat will be among the prominent personalities to be present during the summit. While underlining the significance of entrepreneurship in agriculture, he said that without this, making agriculture business viable and increase the farmers income is a challenging task. The Agri Leadership Summit is being organised for the third consecutive year in the state with an aim to showcase before 16 lakh farmers the achievements of the state in agriculture sector and also to apprise them about the vision for the coming years. "The theme of summit would be direct marketing and peri urban agriculture on March 24, doubling farmers' income on March 25 and enhancing milk production on March 26," Dhankar said. The previous two summits witnessed footfall of over one lakh people each day but this figure is expected to increase this year, the minister said. He said from the previous year's summit, the state government has decided to honour those farmers who have made outstanding contribution in their respective fields. Impressed with this initiative, several private players have approached the state government to honour farmers. "This year tractors of Sonalika and John Deere Company and Bullet Motorcycles would be given to the farmers as first, second and third prize respectively on all three days. The awards would be given through draw of lots by the Chief Guest of that day," Dhankar said. The minister also said that workshops of different stakeholders would be organised on all three days. In a reply to a question, Dhankar said that promotion of agriculture allied sectors and adoption of crop pattern is necessary for increasing the income of farmers. He said that the government is also promoting organic farming in the state in a big way. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Science and Technology Minister Harsh Vardhan on Friday claimed that cosmologist Stephen Hawking, who passed away this week, had said the Vedas have a theory that is superior to Albert Einstein's equation e=mc^2 that sums up the theory of special relativity. Vardhan, who was addressing the inaugural session of the 105th Indian Science Congress here, however, parried questions on the source of the information. "We recently lost a renowned scientist, cosmologist He also emphatically said on record that our Vedas might have a theory which is superior to the Einstein's theory of e=mc^2," Vardhan told a gathering of scientists and academicians. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Manipur Governor Najma Heptulla, Chief Minister N Biren Singh were present on dais when Vardhan spoke. Asked to disclose the source to buttress his claim, Vardhan told reporters, "You find the source. He had on record said that there is a possibility that Vedas have a better formula than the one given by Einstein. You also work a bit on this (to find this source)." Vardhan, who is an ENT (Ear Nose Throat) specialist by qualification, told reporters that could get back to him in Delhi if they failed in their research. "I have said this in an open forum. I thought he needs to be remembered (on the occasion)," the minister said. Vardhan also defended his statement on Twitter. "#ISC2018- Each and every custom and ritual of Hinduism is steeped in science; every modern Indian achievement is continuation of our ancient scientific achievement. Even said, our Vedas might have a theory superior of Einstein's law E=MC^2," Vardhan tweeted. A Google search on and the Vedas throws open several links, one of which, www.serveveda.org, makes the claim. The website is hosted by the Institute of Scientific Research on Vedas. The portal also claims that the organisation I-SERVE is recognised by the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research (DSIR) of the government of India as a Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation. Einstein's theory of special relativity is a critical contribution to modern physics. As part of his Theory of Special Relativity, he made the intriguing point that a large amount of energy could be released from a small amount of matter. This was expressed by the equation E=mc2 (energy = mass times the speed of light squared). Even Vijay Bhatkar, the man behind the supercomputers in India and also known for his links with the RSS-backed scientific organisation Vigyan Bharati, said he was not aware of Hawking's this quote on the Vedas. "I personally have not come across this quote," Bhatkar said, but added that it does not mean the quote doesn't exist. He said that he is "not contradicting" the minister. Bhatkar is currently the chancellor of the Nalanda University and on a government panel that has been set up for carrying out scientifically validated research on cow derivatives, including its urine, and its benefit. Several claims made in past editions of the Indian Science Congress have come under criticism by the scientific community for not being backed by empirical evidence. For instance, a lecture in the 102nd Indian Science Congress held in Mumbai examined ancient aviation technology in the Vedas and claimed that aeroplanes existed in India 7,000 years ago and they travelled from one country to another and from one planet to another. The Indian Science Congress is an annual science carnival, which is attended by students, academicians and top scientists from India and the world over. Science and Technology Minister Harsh Vardhan on Friday claimed that cosmologist Stephen Hawking, who passed away this week, had said the Vedas have a theory that is superior to Albert Einstein's e=mc^2 theory of relativity. Vardhan, who was addressing the inaugural session of the 105th Indian Science Congress here, however, parried questions on the source of the information. We recently lost a renowned scientist, cosmologist He also emphatically said on record that our Vedas might have a theory which is superior to the Einstein's theory of e=mc^2, Vardhan said in his speech. Asked to disclose the source to buttress his claim, Vardhan told reporters to find the source themselves. He had on record said that there is a possibility that Vedas have a better formula than the one given by Einstein. You also work a bit on this (to find this source), He told the reporters that could get back to him in Delhi if they failed in their research. "I have said this in an open forum. I thought he needs to be remembered (on the occasion). A Google search on and Vedas throws open several links, one of which, www.servveda.org, makes the claim. The website is hosted by the Institute of Scientific Research on Vedas. The portal also claims that the organisation I-SERVE is recognised by the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research (DSIR) of the government of India as a Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation. Einstein's theory of relativity is a critical contribution to modern physics. Several claims made in past editions of the Indian Science Congress have come under criticism by the scientific community for not being backed by empirical evidence. For instance, a lecture in the 102nd Indian Science Congress held in Mumbai examined ancient aviation technology in the Vedas and claimed that aeroplanes existed in India 7,000 years ago and they travelled from one country to another and from one planet to another. The Indian Science Congress is an annual science carnival, which is attended by students, academicians and top scientists from India and the world over. Japanese auto-maker Nissan today informed the Madras High Court that there was a possibility of an amicable settlement between the Tamil Nadu government and the company as talks had commenced between the two sides. "As a step forward, the Tamil Nadu government has initiated talks with us. As of now, the subjects of the talks are kept confidential," senior counsel P S Raman, appearing for the company, submitted. Raman requested the court to defer the hearing of the state government's plea to stall the international arbitration proceedings initiated by Nissan. The matter came up before the bench of Justice Anitha Sumanth today. As no one represented the state when the plea was taken up for hearing, the judge said she wanted to know the government's stand as it might throw some light on the latest development in the issue. The court then posted the matter to March 21 for the appearance of the advocate-general. In December last year, the Tamil Nadu government had moved the high court, seeking an interim injunction against Nissan from proceeding with its arbitration against India over alleged unpaid tax refunds of nearly USD 770 million. The state had alleged that Nissan invoked the international arbitration clause of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) between India and Japan to "coerce the Tamil Nadu government". However, the Centre had filed an affidavit, saying the Tamil Nadu government did not have a locus standi to challenge the international arbitration proceedings initiated by Nissan against India. After various rounds of hearings, the case was listed today for the parties to argue on the maintainability of the application. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The CBI today opposed in the Delhi High Court the bail plea of Karti Chidambaram in the INX Media corruption case, contending that he has already destroyed evidence being an "influential" person. Karti's counsel, however, argued that no case under the Prevention of Corruption Act was made out against him since the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has neither questioned any public servant, nor made them an accused in the matter. After hearing arguments of the counsel for CBI and Karti, Justice S P Garg reserved the order on the bail application. Karti's parents, P Chidambaram and Nalini, both senior advocates, were also present in the court room during the hearing. Additional Solicitor General (ASG) Tushar Mehta, representing the CBI, said there was serious apprehension of threatening of witnesses and destroying of evidence if Karti was released on bail. A battery of senior advocates, including Kapil Sibal, Abhishek Manu Singhvi, Gopal Subramanium and Dayan Krishnan, appearing for Karti's lawyers, submitted that the FIR lodged in the case did not state which public servant or Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) official was influenced. During the arguments, the ASG said FIPB officials have also been interrogated and all of them are holding high offices in their respective fields. He said it would not only seriously prejudice the investigation, but also harm the cause of justice, making it difficult for the agency to probe further. Placing certain material before the court in a sealed cover, the ASG said their details cannot be read out at this stage. The agency, in its written response to the bail plea, also opposed Karti's move of withdrawing his bail plea from the trial court and moving the high court, saying it amounted to the abuse of legal process and no fault can be found with the trial court judge. Mehta submitted that CBI investigates so many cases and if such a conduct of an accused is accepted, it will become a precedent and everyone will directly approach the high court and the agency would not be able to discriminate between any two accused. "The investigation is at a very crucial stage and we have placed documents in sealed cover that Karti has already destroyed a piece of evidence", he claimed, adding that the accused has never cooperated in the probe and even when basic questions are asked, he refuses to answer and it is non-cooperation. While placing the case diary before the court, the ASG said "court may see whether it is political vendetta as claimed by Karti, or an actual alleged commission of offence where credible material is available on record. "Not only he has tampered with the evidence, he is influential enough to tamper the evidence if he is released on bail. It's not the stage where the accused should be granted bail." Karti's lawyers denied the allegation of tampering with the evidence and added that when the CBI has not sought his further custodial interrogation, why should he be kept in judicial custody. They also said that no one else has been arrested in the case and what the CBI has done is to put Karti behind bars. CBI has also not spoken about the persons who were to be influenced and, without there being any public servant, how can the case survive, they added. Sibal argued that the CBI kept on seeking time to file response to Karti's bail plea before the trial court after which they (Karti) moved the high court for the relief. He said there was no question of Karti going abroad as he has already deposited his passport with the Enforcement Directorate as per the high court's order in the money laundering case, in which he was given protection from arrest. Karti's lawyers also claimed that CBI was trying to connect him with a private company, Advantage Strategic Consulting Pvt Ltd, which had received the alleged bribe amount of Rs 10 lakh, when he was in no way related to it. Karti had moved the high court seeking bail, hours after a court here had sent him to judicial custody till March 24. A special court had on March 12 remanded Karti in judicial custody in the graft case and dismissed his plea that he be put in a separate cell in Tihar Jail in view of "threat perception". It had sent him to prison after the CBI, in whose custody he was quizzed for 12 days in a row after his arrest on February 28 in Chennai, said he was no longer required for further custodial interrogation. Karti was arrested by the CBI on his return from the United Kingdom in connection with an FIR lodged on May 15 last year, alleging irregularities in a FIPB clearance given to INX Media for receiving funds of about Rs 305 crore from overseas in 2007 when his father was the Union finance minister. The CBI had initially alleged that Karti received Rs 10 lakh as a bribe for facilitating the FIPB clearance to INX Media. It, however, later revised the figure to USD 1 million (about Rs 6.50 crore at the current exchange rate and Rs 4.5 crore in 2007). The fresh evidence in the case, which triggered Karti's arrest, was based on a statement of Indrani Mukerjea, former director of INX Media (P) Ltd, who recorded it under Section 164 of the CrPC before a magistrate on February 17. Indrani is currently lodged in a Mumbai prison in connection with the case of murder of her daughter Sheena Bora. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Kerala High Court today stayed probe into alleged irregularities in land deals in the Ernakulam-Angamaly Archdiocese involving the head of the Syro-Malabar Catholic Church, Cardinal George Alencherry, and three others. A division bench of Chief Justice Antony Dominic and Justice Dama Seshadri Naidu issued the stay while considering a plea filed by the Cardinal against a single bench order directing police to register an FIR in the case. Staying further investigation, the court directed police to maintain status quo in the matter. Last week, the single bench had passed the order on a petition filed by Shine Varghese from Cherthala. The petitioner had moved the court saying the Ernakulam central police had not lodged a First Information Report (FIR) on his complaint against the Cardinal and others over the land deals. Besides Alencherry, the others against whom the complaint was lodged were priests Joshy Puthuva and Sebastian Vadakkumpadan and middleman Saju Varghese. Following the single bench order, the police had registered a case against them. In his complaint, the petitioner had sought the registration of an FIR for criminal conspiracy, criminal breach of trust and cheating against the Cardinal and three others in sale of land worth crores of rupees belonging to the archdiocese. Alencherry, who is also the major Archbishop of the archdiocese, is the first accused in the case, police said. They were charged under various sections of the Indian Penal Code, including 120b (criminal conspiracy). Moving the division bench against the single bench order, the Cardinal said the property transactions the archdiocese had were not in conflict with the applicable laws of the land or canon laws. Under canon law, the Archbishop has the power and authority to administer properties of the archdiocese. Cardinal Alencherry also claimed that the writ petition was disposed of by the single bench without issuing any notice to the respondents and serving a copy of the plea. An opportunity to file a counter affidavit was denied. "This tantamounts to violation of natural justice as well as the applicable rules," the Cardinal submitted. The complaint was filed last month after a church committee, which probed the alleged irregularities in financial and land transactions of the archdiocese, said it found numerous instances of violation of canon and civil laws and recommended necessary action against those responsible. The six-member inquiry committee had also said that Cardinal Alencherry "seems to have fully known and involved" in the alienation and purchase of lands by the archdiocese between April 1, 2015 and November 30, 2017. The panel, comprising priests, was appointed by Alencherry, who is also the Major Archbishop of the archdiocese, after some priests and faithful accused him of selling prime land of the archdiocese for "a very low price." The Syro-Malabar Church has over 30 dioceses in the country and four outside -- in the US, Canada, Australia and Britain -- serving over five million faithful. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Highlights from the Southern region at 1700 hrs. MDS1 TN-AVI-AIRPORT Chennai: Chennai airport officials were put on high alert following a bomb threat call to an airline, hours before the arrival of the Vice President and Defence Minister to the Tamil Nadu capital. MDS2 AP-JAGAN-SCS Amaravati: YSR Congress president Y S Jaganmohan Reddy says the TDP had "woken up" to the needs of Andhra Pradesh by moving a no-confidence motion against the Narendra Modi government over special status to the state. MDS3 TN-NO CONFIDENCE-AIADMK Chennai: The AIADMK says its top leadership will decide on the party's stand on the no-confidence motion moved against the Narendra Modi government by the Telugu Desam Party. MDS4 TDP-TRS Hyderabad: The Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS) led by K Chandrasekhar Rao rules out its support for the no-confidence motion against the NDA government, describing the move as a "political gimmick". (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Actor Irrfan Khan today revealed that he has been diagnosed with neuroendocrine tumour, a rare form of cancer that can target various parts of the body, and is out of the country for treatment. The actor, 51, said it has been difficult dealing with the disease but people around him have given him hope and support to fight it. "The unexpected makes us grow, which is what the past few days have been about. Learning that I have been diagnosed with Neuro Endocrine Tumour as of now has admittedly been difficult, but the love and strength of those around me and that I found within me has brought me to a place of hope," Irrfan said in a media statement. "The journey of this is taking me out of the country, and I request everyone to continue sending their wishes," he added. The "Piku" actor also addressed the rumours surrounding his illness, saying neuro is not always about brain and thanked those who had not speculated about his health. "As for the rumours that were floated, NEURO is not always about the brain and googling is the easiest way to do research. To those who waited for my words, I hope to be back with more stories to tell," he said. Neuroendocrine tumours are described as neuroendocrine carcinomas. They can start in a number of places in the body, including the lungs and the gastrointestinal tract. Dr. Sunil Kumar, assistant professor, surgery (Oncology) at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences in New Delhi, described neuroendocrine tumour as a "special or rare" form of cancer. "They originate from nerve and gland tissues combined. These are special cells which are present in either the GI (gastrointestinal) tract or in the lungs. There are special cells which are generally immature in nature and don't have very good behaviour." If detected early, it is treatable, he told PTI. Irrfan first spoke of his health on March 5, when he revealed that he was suffering from a rare disease but was yet to get a conclusive diagnosis. "Sometimes you wake up with a jolt with life shaking you up. The last fifteen days, my life has been a suspense story," he had said. On February 21, the actor's spokesperson had released a statement that he was diagnosed with a "severe case of jaundice". The next day, director Vishal Bhardwaj, who was scheduled to begin the shoot of his next, starring Irrfan and Deepika Padukone, postponed the filming of the project citing health concerns of his lead actors. Irrfan, one of India's most versatile actors, has also made a name for himself in the west, where he has been a part of critically-acclaimed films such as "The Namesake", "Life of Pi" and "Jurassic World". At home, the actor has delivered standout performances in films such as "Paan Singh Tomar", "Haasil", "Maqbool" and "Piku". (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Crime Branch of Thane police arrested a Mumbai-based lawyer tonight for allegedly illegally obtaining call detail records (CDR) from private detectives. Police had earlier arrested 11 persons in the case, including woman private detective Rajni Pandit. Police had summoned Advocate Rizwan Siddiqui for recording his statement after his name came up during the probe, but he failed to turn up, said Sukhada Narkar, spokesperson of Thane police. Police went to his house in Mumbai tonight and took him in custody, she said. Siddiqui has represented several celebrities including Bollywood actors. Pandit, a well-known woman detective, was arrested in the case on February 2. She got bail recently. The racket, which involved illegal procurement and sale of CDRs, came to light in January this year. Last week the Thane police had said that they had also summoned actor Nawazuddin Siddiqui, his wife and his lawyer in connection with the investigation. Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime) Abhishek Trimukhi had said that some of the accused told police that a lawyer had obtained CDRs of Nawazuddin's wife from private detectives. The actor and his wife are yet to record their statements, police said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The number of divorced and separated women in the country has increased by over nine lakh from 2001 to 2011, with Maharashtra leading the tally with 11,9554 such women, the parliament was informed today. In a written reply in Rajya Sabha, Minister of State for Women and Child Development Ministry Virendra Kumar said while the number of divorced and separated women was more than 23 lakh in 2001, it rose to 32 lakh in 2011. "The ministry of women and child development is implementing the Swadhar Greh scheme for women victims who are in need of institutional support for rehabilitation so that they can lead their life with dignity....A new home for widows with a capacity of 1,000 inmates has also been constructed at Vrindavan in Uttar Pradesh," the minister said. The most number of divorced and separated women are in Maharashtra (11,9554) followed by Andhra Pradesh (11,0212), Tamil Nadu (92,483) and Karnataka (74,313), Kumar said. The least number of divorced and separated women are in Lakhwadeep (35) followed by Daman Diu (96) and 363 in Anadaman and Nicobar Island. The data, the minister said, had been culled from the census of 2001 and 2011. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Gastronomic professionals and institutions from India and around the world are being invited to nominate chefs for a USD 123,000 global culinary award given annually to highlight how cooking can be a powerful force for change. The Basque Culinary World Prize, now in its third year, celebrates the impact gastronomy can have when chefs use their knowledge, leadership, entrepreneurial skills and creativity to generate changes within society. The organisers said this week that they were particularly keen to receive nominations from India due to its tradition of chefs involving themselves in projects that transform society. "The gastronomic boom of recent years has placed an international spotlight on chefs. Much of this attention and increased status is precisely because chefs around the world now take part in projects that have an impact on society," said Joxe Mari Aizega, director of the Basque Culinary Center. "In India, there is a long tradition of this work, which is why we invite everyone in the Indian gatronomic community to nominate an inspiring chef who can claim concrete achievements beyond the kitchen," he said. In the first two years of the prize, India was conspicuous by its absence from the top 10 finalists, although Indian-Canadian chef Joshna Maharaj made to the finals in year one. An interdisciplinary jury made up of influential chefs, academics and international experts select each year's winner, choosing a chef whose work embodies the ethos of the prize: to transform society through gastronomy. The winner receives USD 123,000, which he or she will devote to a project of their choice that expresses the transformative power of gastronomy. Gastronomic professionals and institutions will be able to nominate chefs for the 2018 prize until May 31 via basqueculinaryworldprize.com. The Basque Culinary World Prize is organised and promoted by the Basque Culinary Center (BCC), a leading academic institution in gastronomy, and the Basque government under the Euskadi-Basque Country Strategy. It is an annual achievement award that celebrates a chef of any nationality who demonstrates how gastronomy can be a powerful force for change. The 2018 winner will be chosen in July from 10 finalists by a jury made up of members of the Advisory Board of the Basque Culinary Center. In 2017, the Basque Culinary World Prize was awarded to Colombian chef Leonor Espinosa for her FunLeo project, a foundation that promotes "gastronomy for development". "Winning the Basque Culinary World Prize in 2017 gave voice to communities which have been fighting for years to gain recognition for value of their ancestry and their contribution to the national cultural identity. It helps us to break the silence generated by armed conflict, injustice and exclusion, said Espinosa. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) An Indian-origin former partner in global consulting firm McKinsey & Company has been sentenced to two years in prison by a US court for scheming to defraud companies out of hundreds of thousands of dollars. Navdeep Arora, a former partner in the Chicago office of McKinsey & Company, plotted with a former internal consultant at State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company to defraud both companies out of fraudulent consulting fees. US District Judge Ronald Guzman imposed the two-year sentence in federal court in Chicago yesterday. Arora, 53, also fraudulently obtained money from McKinsey, State Farm and other McKinsey clients in the form of purported work-related travel reimbursements for expenses that were actually incurred on his personal trips. He falsely expensed personal trips to the cities in the US, England, Czech Republic, Germany and elsewhere. He also took the State Farm employee, Matthew Sorensen, on two personal vacations and expensed them to State Farm as business expenses. The costs included flights, hotels, meals, car services and other items, a Justice Department statement said. Arora of London, England, and formerly of Chicago, was arrested in 2016 at the city's JFK International Airport after arriving on an overseas flight. He pleaded guilty last year to one count of wire fraud. Sorensen, a resident of Illinois, also pleaded guilty to a wire fraud charge. He was sentenced to one year and a day in prison last year. Arora and Sorensen "concocted a fraudulent scheme to benefit themselves during their employment, Assistant US Attorney Sunil Harjani argued in the government's sentencing memorandum. The defendants' actions have caused both companies to undertake time and expense uncovering this fraud, destroyed a longstanding relationship between these two companies, and caused reputational harm. Arora and Sorensen had a longstanding business relationship through Arora's work overseeing the consulting services McKinsey provided to State Farm. According to the charges, their fraud scheme began in 2007. Arora and Sorensen used two corporate entities Gabriel Solutions and Andy's BCB to defraud their employers out of the phony fees. Sorensen billed McKinsey for the bogus work purportedly performed by the companies, while Arora allocated the fees to the State Farm projects to which he was assigned. As a result, McKinsey and State Farm paid USD 38,265 for consulting services purportedly performed by Andy's BCB and USD 452,710 in fees billed by Gabriel Solutions. Sorensen pocketed a large majority of the money, while Arora received a substantial salary and benefits from McKinsey for maintaining its business relationship with State Farm, the Justice Department statement said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Indians like travelling more with an average 5.6 trips annually, significantly above the global average of 4.2 trips, according to a survey. Travellers from India have averaged 5.6 trips in the past two years, compared to 4.7 for Asia Pacific (APAC) and 4.2 globally, according to Global Travel Intention (GTI) report by Visa. The survey revealed that trips taken by Indians are largely contributed by business travel at 2.6 trips compared to APAC (1.6 trips) and global (1.4). The GTI study was conducted in collaboration with research and business intelligence firm ORC International and collected data over the course of 12,400 interviews in 27 markets. It found that Indians are good spenders doling out an average of USD 2,334 against APAC's USD 1,677. Indians plan to increase their spending by 21 per cent when travelling in the next two years, it added. About 75 per cent millennials from India, it said, indulge and spend in shopping and dining. The survey said, India is also expected to lead in all travel categories leisure, business and other, in the next two years. The main motivator for Indians to travel is bonding with family, although 'disconnecting' and 'reward' are close behind, it said. It also found that culture or heritage, time available and good scenery are key drivers while choosing holiday destinations. About 45 per cent of Indian travellers choose destinations based on personal safety. More than half of the Indian respondents said they like travelling in groups, but a third prefer exploring solo. Indians, the survey said, are less likely to be concerned about budgets, compared to APAC or global travellers. Japan, the US and Australia are the most visited countries by Indian travellers compared to their regional and global peers, it added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) IT major Infosys has announced that it will establish a USD 20.6 million-technology and innovation hub in the US state of Connecticut which is expected to create some 1,000 good paying, high tech jobs. In May 2017, Infosys had announced that it planned to establish multiple technology and innovation hubs across the US with a focus on artificial intelligence, machine learning, user experience, emerging digital technologies, cloud, and big data. The Hartford hub in Connecticut is the latest such centre announced by the company, following the selection of Indianapolis, Indiana; Raleigh, North Carolina; and Providence, Rhode Island as other locations. "We are excited to announce the expansion of our presence in Connecticut and create 1,000 technology jobs in the state," Infosys president Ravi Kumar said. "This investment will further strengthen our ability to serve clients' needs throughout the New England region and expand the local workforce to help our clients compete in the rapidly digitising insurance, healthcare and manufacturing sectors," he said. Kumar said the hub would place Infosys in proximity to its "valued clients" and accelerate the recruitment of "highly-skilled" local talent. As part of the company's establishment of the hub in Hartford, the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD) will provide up to USD 12 million in grants after certain job creation milestones are met through 'Malloy's First Five Plus Program'. In addition, the company is eligible to receive up to USD 2 million in training grants to support partnerships the company creates with local education organisations. Infosys is also eligible for additional assistance if they significantly exceed 1,000 jobs, and the incentives in place can support up to 2,000 jobs, an official media release said. Connecticut Governor Dannel P Malloy described it as a landmark day in the state's economic development efforts. "I am thrilled to welcome Infosys to Connecticut and congratulate them on their decision to establish a technology and innovation hub in Hartford. Connecticut's tremendous assets and talent pipeline continue to attract high caliber companies to the state, and I look forward to the value that Infosys will bring to our business community," Malloy said. Hartford Mayor Luke Bronin also seemed enthused by the announcement. "I am thrilled that Infosys, a global information technology company, is making Hartford one of four innovation hubs in the United States," Bronin said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Shifting of venue at the last minute has hit the Indian Science Congress (ISC) hard, organisers said, adding that fewer delegates will attend the science carnival starting here today and plenary sessions will not be held. As many as 12 nobel laureates, who had confirmed their participation in the ISC, have backed out due to change of dates from January to March. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the science carnival today. It will continue till March 20. The annual science carnival was to take place from January 3-7 this year at Osmania University in Hyderabad. However, the varsity later conveyed its inability to host the ISC due to tensions on the campus. Following this, the Indian Science Congress Association (ISCA) decided that any university that wishes to host the ISC in the future must produce a letter from the chief minister and the governor of that particular state assuring all support to the event. ISCA general president Achyuta Samanta said nearly 12,000 delegates, scientists and academicians attend the ISC, but this time the number will dip to 5,000. "Twelve nobel laureates had confirmed their participation. But due to change of dates, they will not attend the event," Samanta said, adding that nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus may participate in the science carnival. Ashok Saxena, the former general president of the ISCA, said every year the ISC has 32 plenary sessions with experts from across the world taking part and this gives students an opportunity to interact with them. However, Samanta said, "There will be no plenary session this year." Asked about the Dalai Lama not attending the ISC, he said after the event, which was to be held in Hyderabad, was postponed, they had approached the Tibetan spiritual leader, but the ISC was told that his calender was full. Also, the ISC was told that the Dalai Lama had only recently visited Manipur, Samanta said. The organisers have blamed the Osmania University for their hardships. "They (the Osmania University) have damaged us. We are the one who are suffering," Saxena said. The new dates of the Indian Science Congress has clashed with exam schedules of students. Several delegates had to face monetary loss due to cancellation of tickets, the organisers said. "The nearest railway station is at Dimapur (Nagaland). Then the delegates have to travel by road to reach Imphal in Manipur. This has led to several of them cancelling their plans," Saxena said. This is also perhaps the first time that the ISC had to be postponed. After the Osmania University expressed its inability to host the event, the ISCA got requests from five varsities, including the Manipur University to host the science carnival. With militant outfits calling for a bandh in Imphal tomorrow, vice-chancellor of Manipur University Adya Prasad Pandey, has appealed to them to not to bother the university staff and students who are assisting the delegates in reaching Imphal. The ISC will have sectional seminars on Agriculture and Forestry Science, Animal, Veterinary and Fishery Science, Chemical Science, Earth System Science, Engineering Science, Material Science, Mathematical Science, Medical Science, New Biology, Physical Science and Plant Science. Nagaland Governor Padmanabha Acharya will inaugurate the Children Science Congress on March 17 while his West Bengal counterpart Keshari Nath Tripathi will inaugurate the Women Science Congress the next day. The ISC is an annual event, usually held in the first week of January, and is attended by top scientists from the country and also from different parts of the world. The last science congress was held at Tirupati in Andhra Pradesh in January this year. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Pakistan's intelligence agency ISI continues to covertly support the Taliban in the border region, a US media report today claimed. The Washington Times' investigate story also provided specific mohallas and neighbourhoods on the Pakistani side that are being used as safe havens by Taliban terrorists. The report alleged that Taliban terrorists from Afghanistan travel freely to a Pakistani army garrison in Quetta where they meet with military and Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) officials. "We believe top Taliban leadership are operating from Pashtunabad, Gulistan and surrounding areas," an unnamed intelligence source was quoted as saying by the daily. Killa Abdullah, a small border district about 44 miles from Quetta, is another area where the Taliban is working with the ISI. Within that district, an area known as Chaman that borders Afghanistan is a Taliban hub, where terrorists operate openly and are known to local residents as Talibs, it said. Taliban fighters have been spotted here along the road from and to Kuchlak "with automatic weapons either in motorbikes, or in four-by-four vehicles along with two to five companions," the source said. The Washington Times said that the ISI also conducts security patrols in facilitating Taliban transit along the main highway to Kuchlak, using a Toyota SUV that is owned by the ISI. Claiming that the ISI security is an open secret in the region, the daily said local police are not permitted to stop the Taliban from travelling from Afghanistan to Pakistan and the fighters refuse requests at checkpoints for identification by simply stating they are Talibs. "These people freely travel in Quetta, Chaman and all surrounding areas. Civilian [police] forces cannot intervene because they work under ISI and military apparatus. The police are also powerless and are afraid for their own security," American intelligence sources told the US daily. Guldara Baghicha, near Chaman city, which houses a Pakistani paramilitary garrison is said to be a major residence for families of the Taliban. The ISI has banned the local police and Pakistan's Frontier Corps from entering or patrolling that area. Kili Jahangir, in its neighbourhood, includes restricted zones because Taliban families live nearby, the daily said. The intelligence source further described Jungle Piralizia, south of Chaman, as a Taliban "resting place after their campaigns in Afghanistan against Western forces". "The region has been scene of clashes between local police and Taliban fighters, who are known to retaliate against local police who try to arrest them, in one case blowing up a police vehicle and killing several policemen," the daily said. "In such cases, the Taliban are arrested by local police, then the ISI intervenes immediately and promptly releases them," the daily said. Meanwhile, the Pentagon yesterday said the US wants Pakistan to take more steps against terrorism in the region. "The (Defense) Secretary has said there is more that Pakistan can do. And we look forward to them taking more steps to combat terrorism in the region," chief Pentagon spokeswoman Dana White told reporters at her weekly conference. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A case has been registered against a professor of the Jawaharlal Nehru University's School of Life Sciences (SLS) following allegations of sexual harassment against him by a group of women students, police said today. The FIR was registered at the Vasant Kunj police station in southwest Delhi, they said. At a press meet held on the JNU campus yesterday, the women students had issued a statement, "The professor often makes sexually-coloured remarks, open demands for sex and comments on the figure of almost every girl. If a girl objects, he holds a grudge against her". "There is a financial nexus between the professor and the administration. No instrument has been purchased for years, but still crores of rupees have been spent," it said. The Delhi Police said they would be questioning the professor soon. The JNU professor, however, told PTI, that he was being targeted by the Left-leaning students. "The girls, who have levelled the allegations against me, had received a mail from me on February 27 regarding their irregular attendance in the lab. So, they are targeting me," he had said yesterday. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal today came under attack from several quarters over his apology to SAD leader Bikram Singh Majithia for accusing him of being involved in drug trade. Union minister and SAD leader Harsimrat Kaur Badal said Kejriwal's apology has exposed the "low level of politics" adopted by the AAP. "A classic example of a smear campaign run by them (AAP) in Delhi and Punjab by spreading false propaganda. They built the entire momentum of their election campaign (in Punjab) on lies...he (Kejriwal) stands thoroughy exposed," she said. In a surprising development, Kejriwal yesterday tendered an apology for having levelled "unfounded" allegations against Majithia in connection with his involvement in drugs trade. The SAD leader later decided to withdraw a defamation case against the Delhi chief minister. Congress leader Pratap Singh Bajwa said the AAP supremo did not have the guts to stand by his words, while BJP's Vijender Gupta said Kejriwal could have rendered his apology publicly instead of sending a private letter. "Why did he (Kejriwal) send his apology privately when he had made the allegations publicly," Gupta asked. Punjab minister Navjot Singh Sidhu said Kejriwal's apology amounted to "murder of AAP in Punjab". "I feel Kejriwal has murdered AAP in Punjab. It is as if their existence has been wiped off. With what face will they speak against drugs in Punjab now?" he asked. Reacting to the development on Twitter, senior AAP leader Kumar Vishwas said, "I have been regularly dropping my shows to attend several court hearings related to 2013, 2014 and 2015 poll campaigns without any legal assistance from AAP. Another one pending tomorrow and I hv been again engaging my personal lawyers for this. Will carry on this fight. Jai Hind (sic)". (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Ukraine said today that Russians will be unable to vote in this Sunday's presidential election because access to Moscow's diplomatic missions will be blocked. "On Sunday, March 18, 2018 security arrangments for Russia's Ukraine-based diplomatic missions in Kiev, Kharkiv, Odessa and Lviv will not provide access to these facilities for Russian nationals voting in the election," Ukraine's interior minister Arsen Avakov said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Britain today provoked Russia's wrath by directly implicating Vladimir Putin in the nerve agent attack on an ex-double agent, with the Kremlin saying the claims were "shocking and unforgivable." The war of words between Moscow and London over the poisoning of a former Russian spy escalated as Britain's outspoken Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson said his government's "quarrel" was with Putin rather than the Russian people. "We think it overwhelmingly likely that it was his decision to direct the use of a nerve agent on the streets of the UK, on the streets of Europe, for the first time since the Second World War," Johnson said in London. Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov responded saying Johnson's claims violated all rules of diplomatic protocol. Linking Putin to the attack on Sergei Skripal, who moved to Britain in a 2010 spy swap, "is nothing but shocking and unforgivable behaviour from the point of view of diplomacy," Peskov told Russian agencies. The crisis has unravelled in the thick of Russia's presidential campaign, with Putin expected to win a fourth Kremlin term on Sunday. In a rare joint statement, the leaders of Britain, France, Germany and the United States on Thursday condemned the attack on former double agent Skripal and his daughter Yulia -- both in a critical condition in hospital -- as an "assault on UK sovereignty". The Kremlin has vehemently denied it had a hand in the poisoning of its former spy in the English cathedral city of Salisbury early this month. Britain's key allies have closed ranks against Putin after British Prime Minister Theresa May announced the expulsion of 23 Russian diplomats and suspended high-level contacts, among other measures. Today Russia said it could hit back at Britain at "any minute" with its own raft of punitive measures. Earlier this week the Kremlin indicated it would expel British diplomats in response to London's move as well as adopt other measures that would "most suit Moscow's interests." "All the steps will be well thought out," Peskov said on Friday. Meanwhile the Investigative Committee, which reports to Putin, opened a probe into the "attempted premeditated murder" of Skripal's daughter, a Russian national, which it said had been "carried out in a way that was dangerous to the public." At the same time a separate probe was opened into the mysterious death of Nikolai Glushkov, a Russian exile who was found dead at his London home this week. London's Metropolitan Police have so far been treating his death as "unexplained". A spokesman told AFP Friday the police were awaiting the results of a post-mortem. Putin has barely weighed in on the row, telling a BBC reporter this week: "Sort things out from your side and then we will discuss this with you." Russia insists it had no motive to target Skripal with what Britain says was a highly potent Soviet-designed nerve agent called Novichok, in the first such attack in Europe since World War II. Many Russians remain sceptical that the state was involved in the attack and some analysts didn't rule out the involvement of ordinary criminals or rogue agents. The official military newspaper Krasnaya Zvezda (Red Star) quoted the former head of Russia's GRU military intelligence, Fyodor Ladygin, as denying his officers had been involved. "We don't care about the fate of a traitor," said Ladygin. "For an intelligence officer, a traitor dies immediately -- he absolutely ceases to exist in the memory. For a traitor, oblivion is death." The attack on the Skripals revived memories of the fate of Alexander Litvinenko, a Russian dissident who died of Polonium poisoning in a 2006 attack in the UK that London blamed on Moscow. The leaders of Britain, France, Germany and the United States said Thursday there was "no plausible alternative explanation" for the use of the Soviet-designed nerve agent. In a joint statement, they demanded Moscow "address all questions" related to the attack against Skripal, which they said amounted to a "breach of international law". But on Friday, Britain's opposition Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn poured cold water on claims the Russian state was involved, suggesting instead that "mafia-like groups" could have been responsible. Skripal had taken his daughter, who was on a visit from Moscow, out for lunch before they both collapsed on a bench on March 4. The Daily Telegraph said intelligence agencies now believe the nerve agent used on the pair was planted in the daughter's suitcase before she left Moscow. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu today defended his son and state Information Technology Minister Nara Lokesh saying the latter came into only to serve people and not to make money. He asked those levelling corruption allegations against Lokesh if they could prove them. Telugu film actor and Jana Sena Party founder-president Pawan Kalyan had recently accused the Chandrababu Naidu government of converting the state into "corrupt Andhra Pradesh." Addressing the Jana Senas fourth anniversary celebrations two days ago, Kalyan, in particular, targetted the Chief Ministers son Lokesh, accusing him of indulging in "unbridled corruption." Reacting to this, Naidu told reporters that had Lokesh wanted to make money, he would have remained in the family business (Heritage Foods). "He (Lokesh) came into only to serve people. Allegations of corruption against him are meaningless," Naidu added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Friday again trained his guns on the government over the Rafale fighter jets deal, alleging that it had caused a loss of Rs 360 billion to the state exchequer even as the Army "begs" for more money. He also alleged that Dassault Aviation, the French company that manufactured the fighter jets, had called the "lie" of "RM" (Raksha Mantri or Defence Minister) Nirmala Sitharaman by releasing the price of the aircraft. Gandhi highlighted the price the BJP government paid for the fighter jets, the figure finalised by the erstwhile UPA regime led by Manmohan Singh for purchasing the aircraft and the amount Qatar had paid for the same. "Dassault called RM's lie and released prices paid per RAFALE plane in report: Qatar = 1319 Cr (13.19 billion), MODI = 1670 Cr (16.7 billion), MMS = 570 Cr (5.7 billion) "1100 Cr (11 billion) per plane or 36,000 Cr (360 billion) i.e 10 pc of our Defence budget, in the pocket. Meanwhile, our Army begs our Govt. for money (sic)," the Congress leader said on Twitter. Gandhi has been attacking the BJP-led government over the defence deal, alleging that it has caused a huge loss to the state exchequer. He has also questioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi's silence on the issue. French President Emmanuel Macron called today for a "clear, ambitious" roadmap for EU reforms by June as he sought crucial support for his shake-up of the bloc from German Chancellor Angela Merkel. Speaking after talks between the two leaders in Paris, Merkel backed the deadline, telling a joint press conference: "We have to achieve results by June." Macron has called for a major reform drive to reinvigorate the EU, including a common eurozone finance minister and budget, but some European leaders have expressed reservations. The French president has been counting on support from Merkel, the leader of Europe's biggest economy -- but nearly six months of politico limbo in Germany as she struggled to form a coalition government forced him to put his plans on hold. Flying into Paris for her first foreign trip since she was finally granted a fourth term Wednesday at the head of a hard-fought coalition, Merkel said the Franco-German relationship remained key for Europe's future. "We do not always have the same opinions at first but France and Germany have accomplished a lot together in the past," she said. "We now want to find common paths ahead," she added. "I am determined to get there and I think we can do it. It is more necessary than ever that Europe be united in a geopolitical situation in which multilateralism is under pressure." Macron also said it was key for the EU to find a united way forward as it confronts a host of challenges including Brexit, migration and the rise of populism reflected most recently in the Italian elections. "This is our task by June: on the eurozone, on migration policy, defence, trade, research, education and large areas that we have been able to set out -- we will propose a clear, ambitious roadmap for this refoundation by June." He congratulated Merkel on her new government, adding: "I have to tell you that the joy was all ours when it ended well." And he reiterated his support for Britain after the brazen assassination attempt on a Russian former double agent. "We condemn this Russian interference as everything leads us to believe that it was indeed Russia" that was behind the nerve agent attack, he told reporters. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Mahindra Renewables, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Mahindra Susten, has achieved financial closure for its 250 MW solar power project in Madhya Pradesh for Rs 950 crore. The financial closure has been achieved with Yes Bank for assistance in the form of project debt to the extent of Rs 750 crore and from other financial institutions up to Rs 200 crore, the company said in a statement issued here today. The project is part of the 750 MW Rewa solar park which is one of the largest solar parks in the country. The 250 MW project of Mahindra Renewables is expected to generate over 525 million units and is envisaged to sell 78 per cent of the power generated to Madhya Pradesh Electricity Distribution Utilities and the balance to Delhi Metro Rail Corporation. The project is expected to commence commercial operations by December 2018. "The Rewa project is a significant step in building our sustainable presence in the renewable energy space. This project also demonstrates the Group's commitment and focus towards the sector," Mahindra Partners, president Zhooben Bhiwandiwala said. Commenting on the transaction, Yes Bank managing director and CEO Rana Kapoor said, "the Rewa project by Mahindra Renewables is a step towards our commitment to mobilise USD 5 billion for financing solar power projects in India by 2030." Yes Bank has been a partner to Mahindra Group's renewable energy venture since 2011 and has till date underwritten five solar projects for the group with a total capacity of 382 MW. Presently, Mahindra Group has 257 MW of operational solar capacity and 250 MW Rewa solar project under implementation. The Group, through Mahindra Susten, has so far completed over 1,100 MW solar projects on EPC basis. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee today welcomed the TDP's decision to quit the NDA and urged all opposition parties to work closely together against "atrocities, economic calamities and political instability". Banerjee's remark came after the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) this morning formally decided to exit the Narendra Modi government over the Centre's refusal to grant Andhra Pradesh Special Category Status (SCS). "I welcome the TDP's decision to leave the NDA. The current situation warrants such action to save the country from disaster," the TMC supremo said in a tweet. "I appeal to all political parties in the Opposition to work closely together against atrocities, economic calamity and political instability," Banerjee said. The TDP is also likely to move a no-confidence motion against the Modi government over the injustice meted out to the state. The party's politburo unanimously took the decision during a tele-conference with party supremo and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) West Bengal Chief Minister and her Sikkim counterpart Pawan Kumar Chamling on Friday agreed to bury the hatchet on the Darjeeling issue and work together for peace and development in both the states. The two chief ministers held a meeting at the mini-secretariat here today. Later, at a joint press conference, they said the differences that arose between them during the disturbances in Darjeeling last year were a matter of the past. "We are neighbouring states. Both of us need a good understanding to maintain peace and promote development works. All misunderstandings are over now," they said, adding that "all the problems and petty issues" between the two states would be sorted out and coordination strengthened. Chamling promised to cooperate with West Bengal in all the development initiatives in the Darjeeling hills. Banerjee, in turn, assured Chamling of her government's cooperation for Sikkim's development. "Because of their strategic locations, both Darjeeling and Sikkim need peace and development for growth and prosperity," Banerjee said. Stating that Sikkim's presence at the just-concluded Darjeeling Business Summit could have helped the region attract more investments, the Trinamool Congress (TMC) supremo invited Chamling to its next edition. Chamling too invited Banerjee to Sikkim. Stating that a major share of tourists to Sikkim was from West Bengal, Banerjee said she would ensure that transportation between the two states was smooth. "Bengalis constitute a major chunk of Sikkim's total tourist volume. I too love Sikkim, its capital Gangtok and several other places. We have to think about the tourists. Vehicles from both sides will move freely and officials from both the states will take appropriate measures in this regard," she said. Banerjee had, last month, accused Sikkim of fuelling the unrest in Darjeeling. She had also alleged that those with vested interests in Sikkim did not want development in the hills of Bengal. "The vested interests in Sikkim trigger violence in Darjeeling by using money, so that tourists flock to that state and the business increases there," she had said. Chamling had voiced support to the demand for a separate state of Gorkhaland during the over-three-month-long Darjeeling agitation last year and written to Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh, saying the statehood would fulfil the demand of the people of the hills, bring permanent peace in the region and benefit Sikkim. The West Bengal government too had written to Singh, protesting against Chamling's support to the Gorkhaland demand. The relation between the two states was also hit as Sikkim was alleged to have given shelter to fugitive Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) chief Bimal Gurung. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's return from Darjeeling to Kolkata got delayed today, as the flight she was scheduled to board failed to land at Bagdogra Airport in Darjeeling district due to inclement weather. Banerjee was to board the Delhi-Bagdogra-Kolkata flight of the IndiGo, scheduled to take off at 4.35 pm from Bagdogra, but it could not land at Bagdogra due to bad weather and had to be diverted to Guwahati, Bagdogra Airport director Rakesh Sahani said. The chief minister was later accommodated in an AirAsia flight, which took off at about 6.05 pm from Bagdogra and landed at the NSCBI Airport in Kolkata by 6.50 pm, nearly 90 minutes behind schedule, Sahani said. The chief minister was in in north Bengal to attend the Darjeeling Business Summit that concluded on March 14. Earlier in the day, she held a meeting with her Sikkim counterpart Pawan Kumar Chamling at Siliguri. Journalists accompanying the CM, however, returned to Kolkata much later by the IndiGo flight after it returned to Bagdogra from Guwahati. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Anti-Terrorism Squad of Maharashtra police has arrested a 41-year-old man for allegedly helping illegal Bangladeshi migrants obtain Aadhaar and PAN cards. The Navi Mumbai unit of the ATS arrested five Bangladeshi nationals who were living in India illegally from Jui village in neighbouring Raigad district on March 13, an ATS official said. They were found to be possessing original PAN and Aadhar cards. Probe revealed that a 41-year-old man from Kharghar in Navi Mumbai had helped them get the Aadhar and PAN cards, said the official. A trap was laid in Kharghar and the man was arrested yesterday, he said. The official didn't disclose the identity of the accused, who is an Indian national. He was remanded in police custody till March 21 by a local court. The ATS was also probing the possible terror angle in the case, the official said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Defense Secretary Jim Mattis today accused Iran of funnelling money into Iraq to sway the outcome of its elections, calling it part of a broader pattern of destabilizing Iranian actions across the Middle East. Mattis declined to say what outcome Iran is aiming for by allegedly interfering in Iraq, but he said Tehran is sending "not an insignificant amount of money" there to sway votes. He mentioned no dollar amounts. Iran is widely seen as gaining more influence in Iraq during its period of instability following the takeover of much of northern and western Iraq by Islamic State militants in 2014. The IS militants have since been largely defeated, but Iraqi political stability still hangs in the balance. "We have worrisome evidence that Iran is trying to influence -- using money -- the Iraqi elections," Mattis told reporters flying with him to Washington from the Persian Gulf island state of Bahrain, where he discussed Iran and other issues with senior government officials. "That money is being used," he said, "to sway candidates, to sway votes -- not an insignificant amount of money, we believe, and it's highly unhelpful." "We know that they are doing what they can to impact the elections, and we don't like it." Iran's political influence in Iraq has grown since the US invaded to remove President Saddam Hussein in 2003, marking the start of a prolonged period of sectarian division, extremist violence and political strife. The US still has more than 5,000 troops in Iraq supporting its fight against remaining pockets of IS resistance. Iranian-backed Shiite militia groups also have fought IS, sometimes in coordination with Baghdad and sometimes not. Mattis sharply criticized what he termed Iranian meddling elsewhere in the Middle East. He said Tehran is providing ammunition and explosives to fighters in Syria, and supporting rebels in Yemen. He said the strait between the Red Sea and the Arabian Sea, off the coast of southern Yemen, is being used as a "proving ground" for advanced Iranian weaponry. This includes anti-ship missiles, radars, mines, ballistic missiles and explosive boats, he said. On the other hand, Iran has stopped conducting what the US calls provocative and dangerous maneuvers against US Navy ships in the Persian Gulf, Mattis said. "It's like an outlier, and I don't know why," he said. "They don't seem to be engaging in the same provocative behavior" in the Gulf as they were prior to last summer. Navy Cmdr. William Urban said yesterday that there have been no "unsafe and unprofessional" actions by Iranian naval forces in the Gulf since August 2017. Urban is a spokesman for US Naval Forces Central Command in Manama, Bahrain. Prior to that, Iranian vessels had periodically made high-speed approaches to US ships that were considered dangerous provocations. "It seems like they've absolutely made a conscious decision to give us more space," Urban said. "That is definitely a change in their behavior." The last tense encounter between the US Navy and Iranian forces in the Persian Gulf was recorded on August 14, 2017, when an unarmed Iranian drone shadowed the USS Nimitz aircraft carrier at night and came close enough to F-18 fighter jets to put the lives of American pilots at risk, the Navy said at the time. The drone did not respond to repeated radio calls and came within 300 meters of U.S. fighters. In a similar encounter August 8, the Navy said an Iranian drone came within 30 meters of an F-18 preparing to land on the Nimitz. For the first eight months of 2017, the Navy recorded 14 instances of what it describes as "unsafe and/or unprofessional" interactions with Iranian forces. It recorded 35 in 2016 and 23 in 2015. The incidents at sea almost always involved the Revolutionary Guard, a paramilitary force that reports only to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Some analysts believe the incidents are meant in part to squeeze moderate President Hassan Rouhani's administration after the 2015 nuclear deal. Of the incidents at sea last year, the worst involved Iranian forces capturing and holding overnight 10 US sailors who strayed into the Islamic Republic's territorial waters. Iranian forces in turn accuse the US Navy of unprofessional behavior, especially in the Strait of Hormuz, the mouth of the Persian Gulf, through which a third of all oil traded by sea passes. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Meghalaya Governor Ganga Prasad's address to the state Assembly in Hindi triggered protests among a section of the lawmakers today. A Congress MLA staged a walkout, while another legislator threatened to speak in the Khasi language during the debate on the governor's address. English is the preferred language in the Meghalaya Assembly and the Garo and Khasi languages, though notified, are used rarely. Congress MLA Ampareen Lyngdoh staged a walkout during the governor's address in protest against the latter speaking in Hindi. There was also a discussion in the House on the issue. Leader of Opposition Mukul Sangma said it would have been appropriate for the governor, who had assumed office on October 5 last year, to address the House in a language that everyone understood. Khun Hynniewtrep National Awakening Movement (KHNAM) MLA Adelbert Nongrum threatened to speak in Khasi during the debate on the governor's address. "During the debate on the governor's address, I will speak in Khasi. This is not to protest, but I feel it is important that as members of the House, we understand each and every word we say," he said. Intervening in the discussion, Speaker Donkupar Roy said, "I request the members to kindly go through the rules, which clearly mention the use of languages." Outside the House, Roy told PTI that there was no bar on debating or participating in a discussion in the notified official languages, provided a copy of the speech was provided in writing to the Assembly. He also said a translation of the governor's address was circulated among the members for their benefit. Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma told reporters, "The governor was more comfortable speaking in Hindi, which is not a foreign language. Since he (governor) is more comfortable in Hindi, he spoke in Hindi." "It (Hindi) is very much an Indian language and I don't see any reason why there should be an issue when everything is given in the document in English," he said, while admitting that the members preferred that the address was in English. Speaking outside the Assembly, Lyngdoh said the governor's address had set a "very unhealthy precedent", adding that she would speak in Khasi while participating in the debate on Prasad's speech in the Assembly. A translator should have been arranged for the benefit of the general people of the state, she said, adding, "The oppression of language is the beginning of a huge suppression...This is a bullying approach and I don't appreciate it. "His (Prasad's) qualifications say he is well educated. He stubbornly speaks Hindi and I am also stubborn in not listening to anyone speaking in Hindi." Another Congress MLA, George Lyngdoh, said he felt "disconnected" as he could not understand the governor's address. Terming the use of Hindi in Meghalaya Assembly "unprecedented", he alleged that the RSS-backed BJP was trying to bring the entire country under one language and the ruling National People's Party (NPP) in Meghalaya, which is supported by the saffron party, was doing so in the north-eastern state. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Holding the BJP-led Goa government responsible for the closure of mining leases in the state, the industry stakeholders have planned a protest in Panaji on March 19. Various stakeholders of the mining industry, including truck owners and ship operators, will take part in the stir that is aimed at putting pressure on the state and the central governments for resumption of the mining activity. The five-decade-old mining industry in the state came to a grinding halt from today with the Supreme Court order of a ban on iron ore extraction. "The total blame of this fiasco goes to the state government, which failed to take timely steps despite knowing well that the SC is about to put a ban," said Sandip Pawaskar, sarpanch of Sanvordem village, which has eight mining leases. "Even now, the government is acting in a lethargic manner. We expect them to come out with a solution. They can even auction the leases or form state-run corporation to run the business. But livelihood of the people dependent on this industry should be protected," he said. Pawaskar said Monday's protest is intended at putting pressure on the state and the Union government to resolve the crisis. Vallabh Dalvi, president of Sesa Goa Truck Owners' Association, a body of the truckers plying for Vedanta Ltd, said that people dependent on the industry will hit the streets, if the mining is not resumed. "Fraudsters like Vijay Mallya and Nirav Modi are leaving the country after siphoning off crores of rupees, but the government is torturing small people like us," he alleged. He said members of the Association will take part in Monday's meeting-cum-protest in the state capital. South Goa Truck Owners' Association president Prakash Raut Desai said the truckers are already neck-deep in financial crisis as they had borrowed money to get their vehicles back on track. "Now, banks are unwilling to give loan to the people dependent on mining industry. That has sealed the fate of lakh of families who are staring at their dark future," he said. Pawaskar said all the 40 MLAs in Goa should unanimously support the cause of the mining industry as the revenue collected from the business is shared for the development of the entire state and not only for the iron ore rich belts of the state. "When we were facing dust and pollution here, those in other areas were enjoying fruits of our labour. Now it is their turn to pay back to us and support our cause," he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A five-day multi-national exercise organised by the Indian Airforce with the aim of sharing procedures and capabilities of air forces to improve disaster response concluded today. Besides hosts India, the air forces of Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal and the UAE took part in the exercise titled 'Samvedna', which began on March 12. The Multi Lateral Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) exercise was organised by the Southern Air Command of IAF here. It showcased the disaster preparedness of Indian Air Force's Rapid Action Medical Team (RAMT) and its flying capabilities at the Air Force station here, a defence release said here. In his address, Air Marshal RKS Bhadauria, Air Officer Commanding in Chief, Southern Air Command said the Air Force was invariably the first to respond during various disasters that hit the region in the recent times. Samvedna was the first Multilateral Air Exercise to practice and discuss issues relating to such eventualities, he said. A mass casualty demonstration by the RAMT showing evacuation by AN32 aircraft was also held, the release said. The RAMT of Indian Air Force was equipped with modern 25 bedded transportable tent based Medical Shelters which include ICU, Operation Theatre, X-Ray and Laboratory, which is capable of handling 100 Outpatients per day. The team was effectively deployed during various national and international HADR situations like Nepal earthquake in 2015. The RAMT also participated in the Naval exercise Milan-2018 at Port Blair just before joining Samvedna, it said. A static display of air assets were also showcased at Air Force Station. Samvedna has enhanced HADR cooperation between Air Forces of the participating nations and is an initial step towards further refining capabilities to address disaster in the South Asian Region, the release said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A naxal commander, carrying a reward ofRs 1 lakh on his head, was arrested from Kondagaon district in Chhattisgarh, police said today. Acting on a tip-off, Malya alias Malu Kashyap was apprehended last evening by a joint team of security forces from Kudur, his village located under Mardapal police station limits, Kondagaon Additional Superintendent of Police Maheshwar Nag Told PTI. After receiving information about his presence in Kudur, the composite squad of Indo Tibetan Border Police's (ITBP) 41st battalion and district force raided the village, located around 300 kms away from the capital, he said. On spotting the security personnel, he tried to escape, but was caught, the ASP said. "Kashayap was carrying a reward of Rs 1 lakh on his head. He was active as jan militia commander and was wanted in at least seven naxal-related incidents, including murder, loot and attacks on police party," Nag said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Nepal's Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli today expanded his Cabinet and inducted 15 new ministers in his Council of Ministers, including the daughter-in-law of Maoist chief Prachanda. President Bidya Devi Bhandari administered the oath of office to the newly appointed 11 ministers and four ministers of state in an official function at the president's house Sheetal Niwas, the Himalayan Times reported. With the induction of new ministers, the Oli-led Cabinet now has 22 members. Six lawmakers from the CPN-UML and five from the CPN Maoist Centre were inducted as Ministers to the Cabinet while four Members of Parliament (MPs) were given the charge of the Minister of State. Yesterday, Oli held consultations with the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist-Centre)chief Prachanda regarding the Cabinet expansion. The six CPN-UML ministers are Pradip Kumar Gyawali (Foreign Affairs), Rabindra Adhikari (Tourism and Civil Aviation), Raghubir Mahaseth (Physical Infrastructure and Development), Gokarna Bista (Labour and Employment), Jagat Bishwakarma (Youth and Sports) and Sher Bahadur Tamang (Law), according to a President's Office statement. The three Minister of State from the party are Gokul Baskota (Information and Communication), Padma Kumari Aryal (Health and Population) and Dhan Bahadur Buda (Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation). The five lawmakers from the CPN-Maoist Centre who were given the ministerial berth include Barshaman Pun (Energy and Water Resources), Giriraj Mani Pokharel (Education), Shakti Bahadur Basnet (Forestry), Chakrapani Khanal (Agriculture and Land Reforms) and Prachanda's daughter-in-law Bina Magar (Drinking Water), it said. Prachanda's only son Prakash Dahal died in November last year due to heart failure. CPN-Maoist Centre MP, Ram Kumari Chaudhary was made Minister of State for Agriculture and Cooperatives. The Oli Cabinet, earlier, had seven members including lawmakers Ishwar Pokhrel, Lal Babu Pandit, Yubaraj Khatiwada, Tham Maya Thapa, Ram Bahadur Thapa and Matrika Yadav. Meanwhile, CPN-UML lawmaker Shivamaya Tumbahamphe was today elected as Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives. The Left alliance candidate defeated her rival Pushpa Bhusal of the main opposition Nepali Congress by 140 votes. Tumbahamphe secured by 201 votes while Bhusal got 61. Out of the total 275 members of the House, 261 lawmakers cast their vote during the election. CPN-Maoist Centre lawmaker Dev Gurung had proposed her name for the post and seconded by CPN-UML Rabindra Adhikari. CPN-Maoist Centre MP Krishna Bahadur Mahara had been elected to the post of Speaker of the House of Representatives during a voting at Parliament building last week. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A four-part TV series, starting next week, will tell the story of challenging lives of Indian submariners and showcase for the first time some of the most iconic naval installations in the country on screen. The first episode of 'Breaking Point: Indian Submariners', for which the Discovery Channel had deployed "high-tech and high-penetrating" underwater cameras, will air on March 19. "The series was shot at INS Satvahana, Navy's premier submarine training establishment, and the INS Virbahu, the mother-base depot for training in Vishakhapatnam, and Mazgaon Docks in Mumbai. Parts of the training installations will be seen on the screen for the first time, as these are highly secure installations, and we have followed all protocols," Vice Admiral Srikant, Commandant of National Defence College, said today. The senior naval officer said the series would be "visual treat" and showcase the life of submariners, and the regimen they go through. "It comes soon after we (Indian Submarines) have completed 50 glorious years," he said. In the past, Discovery has given viewers a never seen before glimpse of the intense, gruelling training programs of the armed forces through shows such as 'Breaking Point: Commando School Belgaum' (2017), India's Paratroopers Earning the Badge' (2016) and Revealed: National Defence Academy' (2014). Zulfia Waris, Vice-President & Head, Premium & Digital Networks, Discovery Communications India, said, We are delighted to take the Breaking Point franchise further with this special series on Indian Submariners." "We used go-pro cameras underwater and outside to capture the essence of life of submariners. Our shooting timeline and the logistical timelines matched perfectly, and we got full support from the Navy for this series. The training installations are, otherwise out of bound for civilians, so viewers are in for a treat," she said. A teaser of the show was today launched at an event held at the iconic Kota House here. There were several challenges in capturing the life of a submariner, and "high-tech and high-penetrating underwater cameras" were used, which gave us stunning visuals, Srikant said. The story was narrated from the perspective of a civilian, who takes viewers on an extraordinary journey. The series gives the viewer a window into the world of complex, high-technology platform like a submarine, through the eyes of a common man, and anchor, Harman Singha, who takes audiences into a world which has never been explored before a "journey to live the life of an Indian Submariner; from the classroom to the officers' mess through Escape Training School; to diving to the depths of the seas on board the INS Sindhukirti". The four episode would explore the INS Satvahana Submarine Training School and classes; meeting with Submariners-in-training; 50 years of Indian Submarines; life inside a submarine; drills and duties; and submarine technology, a senior official of Discovery Channel said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Punjab National Bank (PNB) on Friday said it will honour all "bonafide" Letter of Undertakings (LoUs), an instrument which was used by billionaire diamantaire Nirav Modi to defraud the bank of Rs 129.68 billion (Rs 12,968 crore). The statement was made by top management of the bank at the Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) which was primarily convened to clear proposal for the capital infusion through issuance preferential shares to the government. Clarifying on questions of shareholders on the ongoing bank fraud case, PNB reassured its shareholders, customers, partners and employees on the bank's capability and capacity to come out of this situation. The bank has outlined a multi-pronged agenda to tighten checks and balances in the system and the top management said that they will honour all bonafide LoUs, sources said. Shareholders of the bank in the EGM approved the issuance of up to 33.49 crore shares of face value of Rs 2 each fully paid at a premium of Rs 161.38 per share amounting to Rs 5,473 crore to the Government of India (GoI) on preferential basis, PNB said in a filing to stock exchanges. The allotment of these preference shares is likely to increase the government's stake in PNB from 57 per cent to 62.25 per cent. ALSO READ: PNB fraud: There can't be parallel inquiry by courts, Centre tells SC With regard to strengthening internal control mechanisms, sources said frequency of internal audits will go up and as and when required external auditors will also be utilized. Besides, the bank has decided to increase its focus on Current and Savings Account (CASA) targeting small depositors. The bank is already generating more than 40 per cent of its resources through CASA. Billionaire jeweller designer Modi and his uncle Mehul Choksi in connivance with certain bank officials allegedly cheated the PNB of Rs 12,968 crore through fraudulent Letters of Undertaking (LoUs). A Mumbai branch of Punjab National Bank had issued as many as 1,213 letters of undertaking (LoUs) fraudulently for the group of companies belonging to Nirav Modi since March 2011. Different investigating agencies, including CBI and Enforcement Directorate, are probing the fraud, dubbed as the biggest banking scam in the country. No data available after 2016 onwards on number of farmer suicide cases because of farm debt as the home ministry has not published the report yet, Parliament was informed today. The National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) under the home ministry compiles and disseminates information on suicides in its publication titled "Accidental Deaths and Suicides in India". "These reports on suicides up to 2015 are available at its website. The report for the years 2016 onwards has not been published yet," Minister of State for Agriculture Parshottam Rupala said in a written reply to the Rajya Sabha. The number of farmer suicides were 3,097 in 2015 and 1,163 in 2014, as per the data placed in the House. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Prime Minister Narendra Modi today dubbed the north east the new engine for India's development and said the country's growth story will remain incomplete till the east comes at par with the west. Modi laid stress on infrastructure development in the region and said in 2014 Manipur had 1,200 km of declared length of the national highways. "But in the last four years we have declared another 460 km length of roads as national highways", he said. The prime minster said now seven out of eight states were connected by rail network and projects were underway to connect the remaining state capitals, including Imphal, to broad gauge network. "I have always maintained that India's growth story shall never be complete until the eastern part of our country progresses at par with the western part. The north east can be the new engine of India's growth," he said. The prime minister was speaking at a function for the foundation stone laying ceremony and dedication of multiple development projects in Manipur. Lauding the work of the Biren Singh-led government in the state, Modi said, "Last year I told you what the Congress government could not do in last 15 years we would do in 15 months. The BJP government has done more work in less than 15 months." He said the BJP government was able to solve the law and order problem in the state even though three months were still left for the completion of 15 months. Modi said there were no corruption charges against the government and infrastructure development was going on at a great speed, unlike ever seen before. The state government was working to reduce the problems faced by girls in hill and tribal areas for their education, he said. "The state government has also undertaken construction of a new hostel for girls in tribal areas. I'm fortunate to inaugurate one such hostel today", Modi said. He said the Centre had sanctioned 10 India Reserve Battalions for north-eastern states, including two battalions for Manipur. They would directly provide job opportunities to about 2,000 youths in the state, the prime minister said. He also said that 438 people, including 136 women, from the north-eastern states had joined the Delhi Police. Modi, who laid foundation stones for accommodation for teachers, doctors and nurses at 19 specified locations, said they faced hardships due to lack of proper accommodations in remote areas and hill districts. The prime minister inaugurated 1000 Anganwadi centers in the state and a park dedicated to Rani Gaidinliu. He said the woman power in the state had always been a source of inspiration for the country. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Sweden's foreign minister held what she called "good and constructive" talks with her North Korean counterpart today amid growing speculation about a possible meeting in the Scandinavian country between President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. Foreign Minister Margot Wallstrom refused to comment on whether she and North Korea's Ri Yong Ho discussed a Trump-Kim meeting in brief comments as she left the Stockholm villa where the meeting took place. The building is close to the embassies of South Korea and the United States. "We'll see what happens next," Wallstrom said. Ri has not made any public comment during a visit to Stockholm that started late Thursday. He also held a brief meeting earlier Friday with Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Lofven. Wallstrom earlier said Sweden is hoping that "we can use our role and also our contacts," but stressed that it is up to the countries concerned to decide "which way we are going." She said that "we value this opportunity to arrange a meeting," though she didn't specify what she meant. Lofven, speaking at a press conference with German Chancellor Angela Merkel in Berlin, did not answer directly whether his country had US support to organise talks with North Korea. "We have always said we want to be a mediator that facilitates this process," he said Friday. Trump has agreed to meet Kim by May. So far, North Korea has yet to comment publicly on what it hopes to gain from the talks. Sweden has been rumoured as a possible site for the summit, though a truce village on the South Korean side of the Demilitarized Zone between the Koreas is seen as more likely. Ri's visit to Stockholm, where he once served as a diplomat at the North Korean Embassy, has been shrouded in secrecy. The Swedish foreign ministry said ahead of his visit that talks would focus on "Sweden's consular responsibilities as a protecting power for the United States, Canada and Australia" but also would address the security situation on the Korean Peninsula. Sweden has had diplomatic relations with North Korea since 1973 and is one of few Western countries with an embassy in Pyongyang. It provides consular services for the United States in North Korea. The trip by Ri is being closely watched because a huge amount of preparation needs to be done before the summit. Senior South Korean officials who traveled to the North Korean capital of Pyongyang this month and met with Kim say he is willing to discuss the North's nuclear weapons program. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A notorious criminal was arrested and heroin recovered from his possession in Jammu and Kashmir's Samba district, police said today. A police team intercepted a car driven by Vipan Kumar Gupta alais Jony at Bari Brahmana and 4.2 grams of Heroin was recovered from his possession today, the police said. The accused was arrested and the vehicle along with contraband item were seized on spot, the police said, adding a case was registered at Bari Brahmana Police Station and investigation is on. The accused is a notorious criminal involved in a number of cases, they said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) An undertrial William A Sangma, who was allegedly involved in several incidents of crime, today escaped from police custody at the Tura Civil Hospital, the police said. William A Sangma and another prisoner Rongsang A Sangma had complained of medical problems and were admitted to the Tura Civil Hospital last evening and fled at about 7.05 am. "Preliminary reports available with us state that this morning when the nurses went into the Undertrial Prisoner (UTP) room, Rongsang tried to snatch a gun from the police personnel posted there. When the policemen were busy protecting their arms, both the prisoners escaped. Though Rongsang was apprehended before he could flee, William managed to escape," said SP of West Garo Hills, MGR Kumar. A high alert has been sounded following the escape of the former chief of the Achik National Cooperative Army (ANCA) which was a group of hardened criminals involved in various crimes including murder, extortion and kidnapping among other such activities in and around the Garo Hills. "We have mobilised extra teams to ensure that he is caught again while also setting up check points across all major exit points. Search parties have also been deployed to nab him," the SP said. The police have announced a cash reward for information leading to the capture of the escapee. Earlier, the former ANCA leader ran away from custody in Mendipathar in 2014 to form a criminal gang. He was once again apprehended in Goalpara district by a joint team of the police and the Army before being pushed into Meghalaya in the month of March, 2017. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The ambitious One Belt One Road (OBOR) initiative of China is intended to marginalise American influence in the Indo-Pacific region, a top US admiral said today, raising the implications of the recent 'Polar Silk Road' announced by Beijing. "It (OBOR) is probably the biggest development programme in the world. It's five times the amount of money that the United States (adjusted for US dollars in 2018) put in under the Marshall Plan. It's a significant investment by China," Admiral Harry Harris, Commander of the US Pacific Command, told members of the Senate Armed Services Committee. "I agree," Harris said when one of the senators asked if the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) partially intended to marginalise the US influence in the Indo-Pacific. "But the difference is the Marshall Plan was philanthropic in nature, and was designed to lift up the countries in Europe following World War II. And One Belt One Road is designed to lift up China," he said responding to a question on the ambitious Chinese programme. Senator David Perdue said today there is a leader for life in China. "I see that development, along with the BRI strategy that you so eloquently have called out over the last year, is two major initiatives that I think give us a hint at their long-term strategy. And it looks like, a new world order could be in mind here between Europe, Asia, and Africa," he said. In Africa alone, the Chinese got over 20 ports that they've invested in and developed. Today, they have USD 200 billion in loans in Asia, the Pacific, Africa, and Europe. They've promised over USD 1.2 trillion in future loans. That is 10 times the size of the Marshall Plan that rebuilt Asia and Europe, he said. "My concern is that we already see their intent. The Marshall Plan was not loans, primarily. It was philanthropy. This investment, the USD 1.2 trillion that's coming, is mostly in the form of loans, and in Africa, as an example, they're loaning money into these ports and the ports' development. In Sri Lanka we already have an example where some of those loans went bad, and China foreclosed, and now China, for 99 years, has a port in Sri Lanka," Perdue said. "In addition to Djibouti, and in addition to what they're doing in the belt and road strategy, it is a danger to the world order we enjoy today, where representative democracies in the free world dominate the cultural-political situation. "In longer-term perspective, regarding to what we see evidence of right now in terms of the China strategy with the BRI and also with President Xi Jinping's change to a lifetime leader," he said. Harris said the Chinese are working towards a new world order. "I do believe that for those of us, myself included, who wonder the kind of country that China will be in 2049. I think we're seeing that now. We're seeing that play out with this move toward a leader for life," he said. "We're seeing it play out in OBOR - One Belt One Road - or the Belt and Road Initiative, which is not only about development, which, of itself, is good, but it's not about development as much as it is about malign influence throughout the region making China the security partner of choice and pushing the United States and our friends, allies, and partners out of the region. So, I think it has a strategic impact beyond simple development," Harris said. He also said China had announced the Polar Silk Road a few weeks ago. "That's a clear indication that China views the Arctic as a sphere of influence for them. There are some Chinese scholars that would actually suggest that resources in the Arctic -- a portion of those resources should be China's because they have a fifth of the world's population," he said. "So I think we should look at that carefully. Consider what that means in the long term. China is putting their money where their mouth is. They have four icebreakers and are building a fifth. I think that's significant. "You know, why would a country have that kind of capability if it has no border on the Arctic or Antarctic? Because they're interested in the resources that are there. Because they've called that out and named it the Polar Silk Road," Harris said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A 43-year-old man was killed and six others including two women and two children were injured after a fire broke out in a beauty parlour cum mobile recharge shop in northeast Delhi's Maujpur area this morning, the police said. The deceased was identified as Harish Kumar, the owner of the shop in Shahdara's Maujpur area. The injured persons were from his family and were identified as Amrita Devi (80), Sunil Kumar (47), Ghanshyam (30), Neha (28), Abhinav (12) and Anant (6), they added. They are undergoing treatment at different hospitals. A call was received at 5.45 am about the fire and three fire tenders were rushed to the spot, said an officer from the Delhi Fire Services. The fire was doused by 6.50 am. The fire started on the ground floor that housed the shop and soon spread to the other floors where Kumar stayed with his family, police said. The cause of the blaze has not been ascertained yet, though it was suspected that a short-circuit triggered the fire. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Pakistan's Punjab government today formed a joint investigation team to probe a suspected Taliban suicide attack near the home of ousted prime minister Nawaz Sharif here that killed at least 10 people. Five police personnel were among the 10 killed on Wednesday evening when a teenage Pakistani Taliban suicide bomber attacked a police check-post in the Raiwind area on the outskirts of Lahore, the provincial capital. At least 20 others were wounded in the attack which took place near a mosque hosting a religious congregation of some 60,000 people. The JIT includes members of the police and intelligence agencies. The attack happened close to a police check post, a few kilometres from the palatial residence of the Sharif family in Jati Umra. Punjab Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif chaired a meeting on security-related issues today, where authorities submitted the initial investigation report of the blast. Shehbaz, also the interim president of the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) is the younger brother of Nawaz Sharif. Punjab Law Minister Rana Sanaullah said that the initial probe has revealed that police personnel were the target of the terrorist. This was the first explosion targeting the provincial capital since the start of 2018, the report said. Lahore saw a series of terrorist attacks last year in which more than 60 people were killed. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Pakistan has failed to take decisive actions against terror groups as sought by the Trump administration, the White House said today, and warned Islamabad that the US is prepared to take actions on its own to safeguard its personnel in Afghanistan. US President Donald Trump had announced his South Asia Policy in August last year, criticising Pakistan for providing safe havens to terror groups carrying out attacks in Afghanistan. "Six months after the announcement of the South Asia Policy by President Donald Trump, Pakistan has failed to take the kind of decisive actions that the US is seeking," a senior administration official told reporters. Expressing the White House's displeasure on the alleged continued reluctance on the part of Pakistan to take action against terrorists, the official said, "We are still seeking actions from Pakistan that we have not seen. We are continuing to look for real actions and not word on the Taliban and the Haqqani sanctuaries." Noting that the US want to see actions against terrorist, the official said, the Trump administration was "prepared to take steps which we feel are necessary to safeguard our personal" in Afghanistan. The official, speaking to reporters on condition of anonymity, insisted that there is an urgency on the part of Pakistan to take action. Citing some of the recent high-profile attacks in Kabul by terrorists from across the border, the official said, "It's Pakistan choice on which direction it wants to take the future of the relationship and added that the US was still engaging Pakistani leaders. "The US is interested in addressing some of the Pakistani concerns, but the ball lies in Islamabad's court," the official said. Responding to a series of questions, the official, however, did not give any indication on the kind of actions the US was contemplating against Pakistan, given its frustration for them not taking action against terrorist groups. The Trump Administration, for the first time, has really restored clarity to the US-Pakistan relationship. "We are truly holding Pakistan accountable for its actions," the official said, adding the President has made it clear that he is not satisfied with the action taken by Islamabad. "We have communicated clear to Pakistan to what we mean by decisive action," the official said, without giving details about the kind of action the US wants to see from Islamabad except for saying that it wants complete elimination of terrorist safe havens from within its territory. Pakistanis have wanted to be responsive to the US request, but they "have done bare minimum", the senior administration official said. The US continues to send specific request for actions against terrorist groups, the official added. "When provided very specific information, they (Pakistanis) have responded. But we have not seen them taking pro-active actions against terrorist groups. (we believe that) They are very capable (in taking those steps)," the official said. On questions about the deadline, the official said the US is in discussion with Pakistan. "We do not talk in terms of deadlines". However, Pakistan understand that the way the America appropriations are set up and there are deadlines with regard to assistance. These Congressional deadlines will sometime kick in, the official added. "We need to sustain the pressure. Any sense that pressure is being relieved, we definitely would not see the objective that we want to see. We intend to continue the pressure and at the same time indicate that there is a way forward. It is good for Pakistan to cooperate with the US on Afghanistan," the official said. The US also wants Pakistan to take action against Pakistan-based terrorist groups that target India like Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM). "We believe that the release of Hafeez Saeed in November was a step in the wrong direction," the officials said ruing that Pakistan has not taken sufficient steps with regard to curbing finances of terrorism. The official also said Pakistan has been taking "bare minimum" actions against terrorists on the US' request. "We expected that this would be difficult for Pakistan. We expected that it would take some time for Pakistan to break those relationship between intelligence services and the militants. So far, we have seen them taking bare minimum steps that we are requesting, the official pointed out in response to another question. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Prime Minister on Friday sanctioned ten India Reserve Battalions for Northeastern states, which include two battalions for Manipur. These two battalions will directly provide job opportunities to about 2,000 youth in the State Addressing the inaugural session of the 105th Indian Science Congress in Imphal, he exhorted scientists to extend their research from "the labs to the land" for the greater benefit of the people and said time was ripe to redefine R&D' as research for the development of the nation. Modi pointed out that this was the second Science Congress in the northeastern region in the last 100 years. He urged scientists to help overcome problems like malnutrition and diseases including malaria and Japanese encephalitis. He said India has a rich tradition and a long history of both discovery and use of science and technology. "It is time to reclaim our rightful place among the front-line nations in this field," he said, calling upon the scientific community to extend its research from "the labs to the land". I am happy that the State government is working to reduce the problems faced by girls in Hill and Tribal areas for their education. The state government has undertaken construction of a new hostel for girls in the tribal area. I am fortunate to inaugurate 1 such hostel today: PM pic.twitter.com/7mYwSTjNL6 ANI (@ANI) March 16, 2018 Modi said the country has to be "future ready" in implementing technologies vital for the growth and prosperity of the nation. "Technology will allow far greater penetration of services such as education, healthcare and banking to our citizens," he said. There is a need, the prime minister said, to communicate our scientific achievements to society. This, he said, will help inculcate scientific temper among the youth. The way people of Manipur seem happy indicates how well the state government is working: Prime Minister addressing a public meeting in Imphal pic.twitter.com/QdJ5mzbGj9 ANI (@ANI) March 16, 2018 "We have to throw open our institutions and laboratories to our children. I call upon scientists to develop a mechanism for interaction with school-children," he said. He said it was his "personal request" that scientists spend 100 hours per annum with 100 students of classes 9 to 12 to discuss science and technology as it could help nurture scientific temperament among the youth. Over 5,000 invitees are taking part, including 2,000 research scholars and scientists. Stating that the World Health Organisation was planning to eradicate tuberculosis globally by 2030, he said India would accomplish this mission by 2025. Modi appreciated the contribution in space science and said the country would check the brain drain of its scientists. The government has set a target of 100 Gw (gigawatts) of installed solar power by 2022, Modi told the gathering. "Efficiency of solar modules currently available in the market is around 17-18 per cent. Can our scientists take a challenge to come up with a more efficient solar module, which can be produced in India at the same cost," he asked. He also said the government is committed to increasing the share of non-fossil fuel based capacity in the electricity mix above 40 per cent by 2030. India is a leader in the multi-country Solar Alliance and in Mission Innovation. These groupings are providing a thrust to R and D for clean energy, the prime minister pointed out. Prime Minister Narendra Modi today exhorted scientists to extend their research from "the labs to the land" for the greater benefit of the people and said time was ripe to redefine R&D as research for development of the nation. Addressing the inaugural session of the 105th Indian Science Congress here, he said India has a rich tradition and a long history of both discovery and use of science and technology. "It is time to reclaim our rightful place among the front-line nations in this field," he said, calling upon the scientific community to extend its research from "the labs to the land". The time is ripe to redefine R&D as Research for the Development of the nation. That is R&D in the real sense. Science is after all, a means to a far greater end of making a difference in the lives of others, of furthering human progress and welfare," he said. Modi said the country has to be "future-ready" in implementing technology vital for the growth and prosperity of the nation. "Technology will allow far greater penetration of services such as education, health care and banking to our citizens," he said. By 2020, the prime minister said, India should become a major player in developing technologies, devices, standards and manufacturing for 5-G broadband tele-communication networks. Together with Artificial Intelligence, Big Data Analytics, Machine Learning and cyber-physical systems, effective communication will be a major ingredient in our success in smart manufacturing, smart cities. Let us aim for India to be among the top 10 countries in the Global Innovation Index by 2030, he added. Modi also talked about developing Clusters of Excellence in Science in cities around important scientific institutions with an aim to creating city-based R&D centres which will bring together all science and technology partners, from academia to institutes, to industries to start-ups. "This will help promote new discoveries and create globally competitive vibrant research hubs," he said. There is a need, the prime minister said, to communicate our scientific achievements to society. This, he said, will help inculcate scientific temper among the youth. He said it was his "personal request" that scientists spend 100 hours per annum with 100 students of classes 9 to 12 to discuss science and technology as it could help nurture scientific temperament among the youth. Modi said India is committed to increasing the share of non-fossil fuel based capacity in the electricity mix above 40 per cent by 2030. "Efficiency of solar modules currently available in the market is around 17-18 per cent. Can our scientists take a challenge to come up with a more efficient solar module, which can be produced in India at the same cost?" he asked. Referring to the recently held Founding Conference on International Solar Alliance, Modi said India is a leader in the multi-country Solar Alliance and in Mission Innovation. These groupings are providing a thrust to R&D for clean energy, the prime minister pointed out. Listing out key initiatives taken by his government in the area of science for the northeastern states, Modi said the agro-meteorological services that benefits five lakh farmers will now be expanded to all districts of the region. Besides this, State Climate Change Centres have been set up in seven northeastern states that will undertake risk analysis, and raise public awareness about climate change, he added. An Ethno Medicinal Research Centre has also been set up in Manipur which will undertake research on wild herbs with unique medicinal and aromatic properties available in the region, the prime minister said. Modi paid tributes to senior and renowned Indian scientists Prof Yashpal, Prof U R Roa and Baldev Raj, who passed away in last one year. Yashpal was known for his contribution for taking science to the masses while Rao and Raj were space and nuclear scientists. Remembering cosmologist Stephen Hawking, who passed away this week at the age of 76, Modi said the common man did not know the legendary cosmologist for his work on black holes but for his unusually high commitment and spirit against all odds. Hawking had a rare early-onset slow-progressing form of motor neurone disease that gradually paralysed him over the decades. This year's Indian Science Congress, which started today, was a subdued one. Due to the change of venue at the last minute -- from Hyderabad to Imphal --- there has been a dip in the numbers of delegates and scientists attending it. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A court today dismissed the bail plea of a police inspector who was arrested for causing the death of a pregnant woman after he allegedly kicked a two-wheeler that she was riding pillion. District Sessions Court judge Kumaraguru dismissed the plea when it came up for hearing. The 34-year-old woman was killed and her husband injured after they fell off their two-wheeler when it was allegedly kicked by traffic inspector Kamaraj for not stopping during a helmet check drive near here on March 7. Locals had staged a protest and clashed with the police, following which Kamaraj was arrested and suspended. According to eyewitnesses, the inspector tried to stop the two-wheeler at Tuvakudi Toll plaza as the man was not wearing a helmet. However, as he proceeded without stopping, Kamaraj took another two-wheeler, chased the couple and allegedly kicked the vehicle. The couple fell down near a roundabout on TiruchirappalliThanjavur highway. The woman was rushed to a hospital but declared brought dead, police said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Maharashtra government intends to bring private aggregator cabs under its city taxi norms and they would have to mandatorily use CNG as fuel to reduce pollution, state Transport Minister Diwakar Raote said on Friday. He was replying to supplementary queriesin the Legislative Council over a calling attention notice moved by Anand Thakur (NCP) and others about the arrogant attitude of autorickshaw and taxi drivers in Mumbai who they claimed either refuse fares or overcharge. The minister said the government would make it mandatory for autorickshaw and taxi drivers to paste stickers displaying toll free complaint numbers 1800220110 and 62426666 in their vehicles for passengers to report grievances. Raote informed the House that between April 2017 and January 2018, the Regional Transport Offices (RTOs) checked 14,788 taxis and found 4,328 of them faulty. He said that the licences of 1,294 drivers and 1,024 vehicle licences had been suspended. The state collected Rs 6.8 million in fines and also recovered Rs 1.56 million worth of fines imposed by the courts, he said. Raote said that between 2013 and March 2017, 5,719 showcause notices were issued on complaints lodged by passengers. He added that 4,203 vehicle licences and 4,431 drivers' licences were suspended and fines worth Rs 8.34 million were recovered. Replying to supplementary queries on illegal private autorickshaws plying in rural Maharashtra, Raote disclosed that the Transport department had seized 4,00,000 such illegal vehicles. He added that the owners would be given a chance to pay the stipulated fine by March so that their livelihood is safeguarded. He said that the state government was considering deploying homeguards at auto and taxi stands to help passengers against incidents of fare refusal. "With regards to private taxis, we intend to bring them under city taxi norms. They will be asked to mandatorily use CNG as fuel to reduce pollution," Raote said. Earlier, members, cutting across party lines, narrated incidents of misbehaviour by auto and taxi drivers. The NCP's Anand Thakur spoke of how a taxi driver refused to ferry him to CSMT station and relented only after the intervention of a security guard. Vidya Chavan of the NCP said that a autorickshaw driver once refused to take her from Vile Parle to Jogeshwari and when he was forced to oblige, he started driving rashly. Prakash Gajbhiye of the NCP demanded a separate pre-paid taxi booth at CSMT for legislators. The Bombay High Court today directed the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) to ensure that "passenger safety was not compromised with," in light of the engine troubles being faced by some aircraft belonging to private airlines Indigo and Go Air. A bench of Justices Naresh Patil and GS Kulkarni also directed DGCA to test the airworthinessof all Prat and Whitney engines used for A320 neo planes including those which had not been flagged by expert air safety bodies. The bench directed the DGCA to file, within a week, an affidavit on all steps taken to quell the anxiety of passengers over the aircraft engines. The bench was hearing a Public Interest Litigation filed by a city resident, Harish Agarwal, seeking appropriate directions to the civil aviation authorities over recent reports that certain 'Pratt & Whitney (PW) engines' which power A320 neo planes were more susceptible to engine failures. In February this year, a European Air Safety Authority issued an airworthiness directive for A320 neo planes fitted with PW1100 engines having a particular serial number. As per the directive, PW1100 engines are classified into two types or series of numbers, 449 and 450 and beyond. The EASA ruled that engines having the serial numbers 450 and beyond had combustion and othersafety problems. It ruled that across the world, allA320 neo aircraft with both engines having serial numbers 450 or beyond should be grounded, while those with only one engine having serial number 450 and beyond could continue to fly. However, DGCA's counsel Adveith Sethna told HC that earlier this month, the DGCA conducted its own independent study and ruled that aircraft with even one 450 and beyond PW1100 engine should be grounded. Nine aircraft belonging to Indigo and five to Go Air had one or both engines belonging to the flagged serial number, said Sethna. "Keeping public safety in mind, we grounded all affected aircraft. The issue is being further examined by the DGCA and by authorities in the United States where such engines are powered," said Indigo's counsel senior advocate Janak Dwarkadas. Go Air's counsel Venkatesh Dhond made similar submissions. "While we appreciate your decision to ground the affected flights, you must take steps to ensure that air passengers are not inconvenienced due to the consequent cancellation of flights. Take all possible steps to address the issue," the bench said. It also told the DGCA to conduct a meeting of experts and the affected airlines to ensure maximum cooperation and an effective resolution of the problem. "Take all players on board to implement remedial measures. Ensure that passenger safety is not compromised with. Tomorrow, when a citizen boards a plane, he or she should not worry about the efficiency of the aircraft engine," the bench said. "Conduct a test of airworthiness for all PW1100 engines to ensure they are absolutely safe," it said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Congress president Rahul Gandhi's meeting with NCP chief Sharad Pawar hours after the Uttar Pradesh and Bihar Lok Sabha bypoll results were announced, shows that the Congress leadership is serious on forging a bigger alliance of opposition parties, the NCP said today. In a major blow to the BJP ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the saffron party was trounced in the bypolls to three Lok Sabha seats, including the citadel of Yogi Adityanath's Gorakhpur in Uttar Pradesh. "Rahul Gandhi has started meeting various party leaders and began this practice by meeting Pawar saheb. The Congress president is meeting party presidents who are senior to him," NCP spokesperson Nawab Malik said. "Despite the Congress being the bigger party, Rahul Gandhi has started meeting leaders of other parties. This shows they (Congress) are serious on making a bigger alliance," Malik, a former Maharashtra minister, told PTI here. The NCP leader said, "Rahul Gandhi wants that Pawar saheb should bring in more people (parties) in the country under the UPA fold." Adityanath, who termed the Samajwadi Party-Bahujan Samajwadi Party alliance as one of "snake and mongoose", had said over-confidence and inability to understand the electoral understanding between the SP and the BSP led to the defeat in the Gorakhpur and Phulpur seats. In Bihar, the Rashtriya Janata Dal retained Araria Lok Sabha seat and Jehanabad Assembly constituency, while the BJP held on to Bhabua. Rahul Gandhi had received some praise from Pawar last month, who said the Congress party chief was showing an inclination to "learn and understand" the issues facing the nation. Asked if the Shiv Sena, the BJP's bickering alliance partner, will withdraw support to the Narendra Modi government, like the TDP did, Malik said, the "Sena won't part ways with the BJP-led government." "They (Sena) are just bargaining. They don't have the courage to go solo," the NCP leader said. The Telugu Desam Party (TDP) today ended its four-year-old alliance with the BJP and walked out of the NDA, eight days after two of its Union ministers resigned over the Centre's refusal to grant Special Category Status to Andhra Pradesh. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A plethora of colours was visible in the Lok Sabha today with members, mostly those from southern India, sporting colourful stoles while those from the Samajwadi Party wearing their traditional red caps. While members of Telangana Rashtra Samithi were wearing pink stoles, those from the TDP sported yellow ones. Many AIADMK members, who have been demanding immediate setting up of the Cauvery river management board, sported stoles carrying black, white and red stripes, representing their party colour. Members of the Samajwadi Party, which wrested two Lok Sabha seats in Uttar Pradesh from the ruling BJP, were wearing their red-coloured party caps. Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav too was seen wearing one. When the House convened at noon after the first adjournment, TRS parliamentarians came into the Well carrying placards saying 'One Nation, One law'. The TRS has been demanding an increase in the quota of reservation in Telangana. AIADMK members too were seen protesting with placards "constitute Cauvery managemnent board immediately". With the members of the opposition parties vociferously protesting over several issues, Lok Speaker Sumitra Mahajan adjourned the House for the day. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The mythological 'Ram Sethu', a chain of limestone shoals between India and Sri Lanka, will not be damaged while pursuing the Sethusamudram Ship Channel project, the Centre today told the Supreme Court. In 2013, the erstwhile UPA government, through two affidavits, had told the apex court that given the advantages of the project, it intended to pursue and implement it. The NDA government, in a fresh response, told a bench headed by Chief Justice Dipak Misra that it considered the "socio-economic disadvantages" of the project and was willing to explore an alternative route to the shipping channel project without damaging the 'Ram Sethu'. BJP leader Subramanian Swamy, who had filed PIL against the project, had mentioned the matter for urgent hearing saying his prayer to scrap the project stands satisfied after the Centre took that decision and made a statement in Parliament. He said the government has to file an affidavit to this effect. The court had then asked the government to file a fresh affidavit. Additional Solicitor General Pinky Anand, appearing for the Ministry of Shipping, today apprised the bench, that also comprised Justices A M Khanwilkar and D Y Chandrachud, of the stand and submitted that Swamy's PIL may now be disposed. "That the Government of India intends to explore an alternative to the earlier alignment of Sethusamudram Ship Channel project without affecting/damaging the Adam's Bridge/Ram Sethu in the interest of the nation," the affidavit filed by the ministry said. Also known as the Adam's bridge, the 'Ram Sethu' is a chain of limestone shoals between Pamban or Rameswaram Island off the south-eastern coast of Tamil Nadu and Mannar Island on the north-western coast of Sri Lanka. The Sethusamudram shipping channel project has been facing protests from some political parties, environmentalists and certain Hindu religious groups. Under the project, a 83 km-long deep water channel was to be created, linking Mannar with Palk Strait, by extensive dredging and removal of the limestone shoals. The apex court had on November 13 last year granted six weeks to the Centre to clarify its stand on the mythical Ram Sethu, a chain of limestone shoals between the coasts of India and Sri Lanka. It had also granted liberty to Swamy to approach the court if the response of the Centre was not filed. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A Congress MP today moved a private member resolution in the Rajya Sabha to replace the word "Sindh" in the national anthem with the "Northeast" saying there is no point "glorifying" a place of a hostile nation. Assam Pradesh Congress Committee President and Rajya Sabha MP Ripun Bora also said when the national anthem was adopted in 1950, the then President Rajendra Prasad had said if required the anthem would be amended in future. "There is no mention of the Northeast in the national anthem but has the mention of Sindh, which is now part of Pakistan. Why are we glorifying a place of a hostile nation. There is no point," he told PTI. Bora said since the then President had said the national anthem could be amended, it should be done now to replace the word "Sindh' with the word "Northeast". The Congress leader said he has moved the private member resolution in the Upper House today and it is expected to be taken up next week. An MP can move a private members' resolution on an allotted day. The names of all members from whom such notices are received shall be drawn by lot and those members who secure the first five places in the draw of lot for the day allotted for private members' resolutions shall be eligible to give notice of one resolution each within 10 days of the date of the draw of lot. A resolution may be in the form of a declaration of opinion by the Council or in such other form as the Chairman may consider appropriate. Subject to the provisions of these rules, any member may move a resolution relating to a matter of general public interest. In order that a resolution may be admissible, it shall satisfy the following conditions: (i) it shall be clearly and precisely expressed; (ii) it shall raise substantially one definite issue; (iii) it shall not contain arguments, inferences, ironical expressions, imputations or defamatory statements etc. The Chairman shall decide on the admissibility of a resolution, and may disallow a resolution or a part thereof when in his opinion it does not comply with rules. After a resolution has been moved any member may, subject to the rules relating to resolutions, move an amendment to the resolution. A copy of every resolution which has been passed by the Council shall be forwarded to the minister concerned. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The RJD today said it "totally supports" the notices of a no-confidence motion brought in Parliament against the NDA government by the YSR Congress and former NDA ally TDP on the issue of special status for Andhra Pradesh. After win in the recently held bypoll at Araria, the RJD has three members in the Lok Sabha at present. The party, which is the principal opposition in Bihar, also took potshots at Chief Minister Nitish Kumar questioning his "silence" on the issue of special status of Bihar and accusing him of having "sold" the interests of the people of the state in pursuit of power. "Why is Nitish keeping silent on the issue of special status for Bihar? What has happened to his inner voice?" a tweet from the twitter handle of jailed RJD supremo Lalu Prasad said. The official twitter handle of Prasad, who is in jail following convictions in fodder scam cases, is being managed by people close to him. His remark was an apparent jibe at Kumar who had cited "inner voice" as the reason behind his resignation from the Chief Minister's post in July last year which came against the backdrop of corruption cases against the then Deputy CM and Prasad's younger son Tejashwi Yadav. The JD(U) president subsequently walked out of what was then called the Grand Alliance of the RJD, JD (U) and the Congress and formed a government with the BJP and returned to the NDA. "Keep your spine erect and learn something from leaders of Andhra Pradesh. Why did you sell the interests of Biharis for the sake of your chair, a special security cover and a special bungalow?" Prasad said. Kumar was granted Z plus security cover in January, shortly after his cavalcade was attacked by a stone-pelting mob in Buxar district. Prasad's security cover was downgraded from Z Plus to Z a month earlier. The Bihar Chief Minister has also been allotted a bungalow by the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs in a plush locality of the national capital. In his tweet, RJD heir apparent Tejashwi Yadav said, "RJD totally supports the two no confidence motions (sic) against the Narendra Modi government moved in the Lok Sabha by TDP and YSRC. Special state status must be given to deserving states". Incidentally, Nitish Kumar has been raising the demand for special status to Bihar for quite some time and made the issue a poll plank on a number of occasions. In 2009, while with the NDA, he had stated shortly before the Congress-led UPA's return to power that he would support any government at the Centre if it granted special status to the state. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Electoral bonds worth Rs 2.2 billion were sold in their maiden issue, which opened for subscription for 10 days beginning March 1, Parliament was informed on Friday. These bonds are bought from scheduled banks by donors that can contribute to political parties funding without revealing their identities. Finance Minister Arun Jaitley had introduced electoral bonds in the Union Budget as a measure to cleanse funding to political parties. Unlike debt instruments, these bonds are akin to promissory notes that allow donors to contribute, with banks as intermediaries. The bonds are available for sale at designated branches of State Bank of India. Minister of State for Finance P Radhakrishnan said the scheme was notified in January and the first issue opened this month. The bonds were available for purchase during March 1-10. He said the interest-free banking instrument could be purchased by an Indian citizen or a body incorporated in India. The tenor of an is 15 days, during which it can be used for making a donation to registered political parties that have secured at least 1 per cent of the votes polled in the last Lok Sabha elections, Radhakrishnan added. No payment would be made to a political party if the bond was deposited after the expiry of the validity period, he added. The minister said the bonds would be available for purchase for a period of 10 days each in January, April, July and October. An additional period of 30 days will be specified by the government during the year of general elections. The scheme will provide anonymity to donors and at the same time, establish a transparent political funding system, he said. The bonds can be purchased only through a Know Your Customer-compliant account and these can be encashed by an eligible political party only through a designated bank account with an authorised bank. The bond deposited by eligible political parties will be credited on the same day. The Bihar Assembly witnessed a ruckus today as the opposition RJD members trooped to the Well raising slogans, alleging that their jailed chief, Lalu Prasad, was being falsely implicated in corruption cases by the CBI, forcing an adjournment of the House for the day. Speaker Vijay Kumar Choudhary adjourned the House for the day, minutes into the post-lunch session, as RJD spokesman and MLA Bhai Virendra got up from his seat and alleged that Prasad was being falsely implicated by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in corruption cases, triggering slogan-shouting by the opposition legislators. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Shravan Kumar tried to intervene by pointing out that the issue raised by the RJD MLAs pertained to a central probe agency and not the state Assembly. The opposition MLAs, however, got furious when Water Resources Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh alias Lalan Singh said the newspaper report, on the basis of which the RJD members were raising the allegations, was actually critical of Prasad, though the headline suggests otherwise. As the sloganeering persisted for around 10 minutes, the speaker adjourned the proceedings till Monday. Earlier, in the morning, the RJD MLAs shouted slogans inside the House, waving copies of the report published by a leading English daily, which claimed that an FIR was lodged by the CBI against Prasad in the land-for-hotels scam, despite the agency's legal wing expressing the opinion that there was no evidence against the RJD chief. Prasad is currently lodged in a jail at Ranchi, following his conviction in a couple of fodder scam cases. The opposition members claimed that the newspaper report proved that Prasad was being "framed" in corruption cases as part of a "political conspiracy" and that the probe agencies were acting upon instructions from the NDA regime at the Centre. Talking to reporters outside the Assembly after the House proceedings were adjourned till 2 pm, Leader of Opposition Tejashwi Yadav said, "The newspaper report vindicates our stand that Lalu Prasad and his supporters are being harassed in the name of corruption cases. "In the so-called land-for-hotels scam, an FIR has been lodged, even though there was no irregularity. This is a clear indication that the investigating agencies are acting under political pressure." Stating that it was the right and duty of the opposition to draw the government's attention towards its own failings, the RJD leader said, "The tardy functioning of the probe agencies is a glaring example of a government's failing and we wanted to point that out on the floor of the House. "The Nitish Kumar government too owes an explanation on a number of issues such as the extension granted to Chief Secretary Anjani Kumar Singh, who has been named as an accused in the fodder scam by the CBI court, and the involvement of Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi's close relatives in the multi-crore-rupee Srijan scam. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Russia today opened a probe into the "attempted premeditated murder" of Yulia Skripal, who along with her father was poisoned by a nerve agent in Britain. The Investigative Committee has also begun a separate probe into the suspected murder of a Russian living in London, Nikolai Glushkov, even though British police were still treating the crime as "unexplained." The committee, which reports directly to President Vladimir Putin, opened a case based "on the fact of attempted premeditated murder of Russian national Yulia Skripal," it said in a statement. The statement did not mention Yulia Skripal's father Sergei, who is also in a critical condition in hospital after being poisoned with a Soviet-designed nerve agent called Novichok. Russian investigators said that they were "ready for joint work with the relevant British authorities." The Investigative Committee said in the same statement that it had opened a murder probe into the death of Glushkov, a former deputy general director at the Aeroflot airline and associate of the late Kremlin opponent Boris Berezovsky. Glushkov was found dead at his home in London on March 12, days after the poisoning of the Skripals. London's Metropolitan Police have so far been treating the death as "unexplained". A spokesman told AFP Friday that the police were awaiting the results of a post-mortem expected later in the day. The Russian embassy in London said this week that it had asked British authorities for details about Glushkov's death in the London suburb of New Malden. Glushkov was an associate of Berezovsky, a one-time Putin supporter who then turned against him, and was found hanged in a bathroom at his home outside London in 2013. Glushkov had received political asylum in Britain after being held in pre-trial detention and convicted in Russia for money laundering and fraud. British police are revisiting a number of other unexplained deaths following the Skripal case. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Russia is taking efforts to restore peace in Syria and is extending support to the government there in resolving the humanitarian crisis, Russian Consul General here Sergey L Kotov said today. "My country is taking all possible steps to resolve the humanitarian crisis in Syria. We are together with the Syrian Government and taking lot of efforts for quick and peaceful resolving of the situation in Syria", he said. He stated this while briefing reporters on the Russian presidential elections, due on March 18. Ballot boxes from Vishakapatnam, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Thiruvananthapuram, Tirunelveli and Puducherry, which come under the Russian Consulate here,have been brought to Chennai. After the polling on Sunday, the boxes would be sent to Moscow, he said. On how many Indian students were taking up studies in Russian universities, he said there has been a rise in the number. "Last year, 1,236 students went from South India to Russia. Most of them are taking up courses on medicine. In the previous year, over 900 students went to Russia," he added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Russian military said its planes had not taken part in the Syrian regime's assault in Eastern Ghouta where a monitoring group says airstrikes killed 80 civilians in rebel-held zones today. "The claims of the SOHR (Syrian Observatory of Human Rights)... on the so-called Russian strikes in Eastern Ghouta are only one more piece of 'fake' (news)," Russia's defence ministry said, according to agencies. "Russian aviation has no military mission in Eastern Ghouta and has not undertaken any" in this region, it added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Russians living in Ukraine will be unable to vote in Russia's presidential election because access to Moscow's diplomatic missions will be blocked, Kiev said Friday. "On Sunday, March 18, 2018, security arrangements for Russia's Ukraine-based diplomatic missions in Kiev, Kharkiv, Odessa and Lviv will not provide access to these facilities for Russian nationals voting in the election," Ukraine's interior minister Arsen Avakov said. The announcement came in retaliation for Russia's annexation of Crimea, which votes in a presidential election for the first time since it was taken over in 2014. "Ukraine's interior ministry states that conducting illegal elections on Ukraine's sovereign territory in violation of all norms of international law is unacceptable," Avakov said on Facebook. He also pointed to "Russia's aggressive hybrid war against Ukraine" and "the occupation of parts of Donetsk and Lugansk regions" in eastern Ukraine. Moscow's foreign ministry responded by criticising what it called Ukrainian "overt interference in the internal affairs of the Russian Federation." It accused Ukrainian authorities of displaying "righteous indignation" and "taking their revenge on ordinary Russian citizens. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) SAARC business leaders today pitched for a greater regional connectivity to unleash shared prosperity through economic cooperation amid growing protectionism across the world. At a time when the world economy is getting back to protectionism and is looking inward, the ways to grow regional connectivity among SAARC nations is of great importance, SAARC CII (SCCI) president Suraj Vaidya said at the SAARC Business Leaders Conclave here. He said the industry body is working closely with all South Asian countries to enhance regional connectivity both through road and rail link and work is afoot to bring together on common energy market in terms of trade of electricity. Speaking on the occasion, Nepalese Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli expressed hope that the regional cooperation among the South Asian nations will boost further with the hill nation now getting a stable government. "Our political transition is complete, we are now in transitional phase for economic development. Our slogan is development and prosperity for which the private and public sector has to work together. My government is very clear about that," Sharma said. Delivering his address on 'Unleashing Shared Prosperity through Economic Integration, he said the Nepalese government is very clear about its policy to promote the business community by inviting private sector for investment. Talking about the potential of Nepal, he said around 15 per cent of its population is working outside the country which shows how energetic they are and also reflective of the fact that Nepalese population is very young. The three-day SCCI event will see participation from business thinkers, doers and change makers on a common platform to discuss debate and create solutions and opportunities to take South Asia on the path of shared prosperity through economic integration. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Maharashtra government today told the Supreme Court that the batch of petitions seeking an independent probe into the alleged mysterious death of special CBI judge B H Loya were motivated and aimed at targeting "one individual" in the guise of upholding the rule of law. It said the idea behind these petitions was to keep the "pot boiling" against this individual and urged the apex court not to order an investigation which will create doubts about judges and the judiciary. A bench of Chief Justice Dipak Misra and Justices A M Khanwilkar and D Y Chandrachud said it will pass orders and directed the parties to file written submissions, if any, with regard to the case. "This court has the power to order investigation and it has exercised its power in cases of fake encounter or riots. But in this case, the court should be very careful in ordering the investigation as the serving judges and even the administrative committee of Bombay High Court will then have to record their statements under section 161 of CrPC in the case," senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, appearing for Maharashtra, said. He said the court should also keep in mind that for three years after the death of Judge Loya on December 1, 2014, nothing has happened and no petition were filed. But now if the court orders investigation in the case on these petitions, there will be some repercussions. "The idea behind these petitions is to keep the pot boiling. The newspapers will have a field day. Entire sequence in this case is now before the court. The statement of judges who were along with Loya in his last moments are before the court. If the last scene theory is applied, then the last scene persons are the two judges of Bombay high court and district judges," he said. "They (petitioners) say they are here to protect the rule of law but somehow target an individual who they think is so powerful that he has done all the things. They are using death of a judge as facade so that the judiciary orders an inquiry against that individual. But in that motive, they are causing immense damage to judiciary," Rohtagi said. He also said the matter was of importance for the judiciary and if the apex court decided to order a probe, the state government was ready to comply with the directive. During the arguments, the senior lawyer told the bench that this was the apex court and the Chief Justice of India is in the role of 'paterfamilias' (the head of a family or household) of the judiciary. "It is his (CJI) obligation to see judiciary remains independent and the rule of law flourishes. If these PILs are allowed, then it would affect the judiciary and doubt will be created about high court and district judges," he said. Rohtagi referred to media reports saying that Judge Loya, after he complained of chest pain, was taken to hospital in an auto-rickshaw and some petitioners even doubted that they stayed at the guest house in Nagpur. "These articles need not be believed as there was a judge who said his car was used to take Judge Loya to hospital and even the wife of Judge Loya had said that she had talked with him when he was at the Ravi Bhavan guest house," he said, terming the articles as "innuendos" and the PILs as a "facade". He said this was a serious case of death of a district judge and the petitions based on media reports should not be entertained as it could dent the image of the judiciary. Rohatgi told the bench that petitioners arguments are not for upholding the rule of law but it is for the destruction of judiciary. At the outset, Rohatgi, who completed his arguments, detailed the sequence of events to the bench from November 29, 2014, when Judge Loya boarded the train for Nagpur along with other judges to attend the marriage of their colleague's daughter. The next morning of November 30, they reached Ravi Bhavan at Nagpur and attended the wedding along with the judges of the high court. In the wee hours of December 1, he complained of chest pain. He also gave details as how the judge was taken to Dande hospital where his ECG was taken and then to Meditrina Hospital, Nagpur, where he was declared brought dead. Rohatgi gave details of the investigations done so far, statements given by judges who were along with Loya during his last moments and claimed that there was no wrongdoing. Loya, who was hearing the high-profile Sohrabuddin Sheikh fake encounter case, had allegedly died of cardiac arrest in Nagpur on December 1, 2014 when he had gone to attend the wedding of a colleague's daughter. The apex court was hearing a batch of pleas including those filed by Bombay Lawyers' Association, Congress leader Tehseen Poonawala and Maharashtra-based B S Lone seeking an independent probe into Loya's death. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The second and third of the six Scorpene-class submarines, part of Project-75 of the Indian Navy, are undergoing sea trials while the rest are under construction, a senior naval officer today said. Interacting with reporters during an event at Kota House here, Commandant of National Defence College Vice Admiral Srikant also said the air independent propulsion (AIP) indigenous system for submarines, on which the DRDO is working, will go for marine testing. He was speaking at the launch of a teaser of 'Breaking Point: Indian Submariners', a four-part series which will air on the Discovery Channel on March 19. "The second and third of the six Scorpene-class submarines are undergoing sea trials while the fourth, fifth and the sixth are under construction. We want to focus on first getting all these submarines commissioned, before going in for more submarines," Vice Admiral Srikant said. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had on December 14 commissioned INS Kalvari, the first Scorpene-class submarine into the Navy in Mumbai, and described it as an excellent example of 'Make in India' that will boost the Navy's might. INS Kalvari is a diesel-electric attack submarine that has been built for the Indian Navy by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd. Kalvari is named after the dreaded tiger shark, a deadly deep sea predator of the Indian Ocean. The submarine had undergone around 120 days of extensive sea trials and tests of various equipment. The submarines, designed by French naval defence and energy company DCNS, are being built by Mazagon Dock Ltd in Mumbai as part of Project-75 of the Indian Navy. The first Kalvari, commissioned on December 8, 1967, was also the first submarine of the Indian Navy. It was decommissioned on May 31, 1996 after nearly three decades of service. To a question on the accident suffered by INS Chakra, Indian Navy's only nuclear-powered submarine, he said, "85 per cent of the reports on it was incorrect." INS Chakra is a nuclear-powered submarine which was taken by India on lease from Russia in 2012 for a period of 10 years. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Securing the country's borders is essentially an "executive function", the Centre today told the Supreme Court and urged it not to direct the Union and the state governments to allow foreigners to enter illegally. Responding to the prayers, made by two Rohingya refugees, including that the Border Security Force be stopped from allegedly using "chilli and stun grenades" to stop refugees from entering, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) said that it was protecting the borders in accordance with the law and complying with human rights in larger "national interests". "Securing the borders of any sovereign nation, in accordance with law, is an essentially executive function and this court should not issue a writ directing not only the central government but all state governments having a common border to ensure that foreigners enter the territory of India," the affidavit said. The MHA denied the allegations that chilli and stun granades were being used to push back Rohingyas and said that it was "false, incorrect and far from truth". India has been facing the serious problem of infiltration because of its porous border with other countries and this is "the root cause of spread of terrorism", it said. "All agencies tasked with the function of guarding the borders of our nations are discharging their duties strictly in accordance with law and complying with the human rights in larger national interests," the Centre's affidavit said. Mohammad Salimullah and Mohammad Shaqir, the Rohingya refugees, sought permission to enter India, besides education and health care facilities and grant of refugee ID cards by the Foreigner Regional Registration Office. The Centre also opposed the plea that Rohingyas may be treated like Sri Lankan Tamil refugees here saying that the comparison with Sri Lankan refugees was "ill-founded and misconceived". It said certain relief facilities to the Sri Lankan Tamil refugees has its genesis in the Indo-Ceylon agreement of 1964. In another plea, Rohingyas had claimed that according to the understanding between the Centre and the Tamil Nadu government, Sri Lankan Tamil refugees got access to education and health care facilities, but these were denied to Rohingyas. They had also sought protection and welfare of Rohingyas in India against the August 8, 2017 proposal of the MHA directing all states and Union territories to expeditiously initiate deportation process against illegal immigrants from Rakhine province in Myanmar. They had earlier approached the apex court opposing the Centre's decision to deport over 40,000 refugees who came to India after escaping from Myanmar due to widespread discrimination and violence against the community. Various other pleas, including those by ex-RSS ideologue and Rashtriya Swabhiman Andolan leader K N Govindacharya, the CPI(M) youth wing Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI) and the West Bengal child rights body have been filed in the apex court on the matter. The court had suggested to the Centre not to deport these refugees, but the Centre had urged that it should not be written in the order as anything coming on record would have international ramifications. The Rohingyas, who fled to India after violence in the Western Rakhine State of Myanmar, are settled in Jammu, Hyderabad, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi-NCR and Rajasthan. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Seven US military personnel were killed when the helicopter carrying them crashed during a routine transport mission in western Iraq, a defense official said today. "It was a routine troop transport operation going from Iraq to Syria, nothing out of the ordinary," the official said. "There were seven people aboard -- they are all believed to be dead." Another official said that four of those killed in Thursday's crash belonged to the Air Force. A Pentagon statement said the crash involved a Sikorsky HH-60 Pave Hawk and did not appear to be a result of enemy activity. An accompanying US helicopter reported the crash and a quick reaction force comprised of Iraqi Security Forces and US-led coalition members secured the scene. "This tragedy reminds us of the risks our men and women face every day in service of our nations. We are thinking of the loved ones of these service members today," Brigadier General Jonathan Braga said. "We are grateful to the Iraqi security forces for their immediate assistance in response to this tragic incident." The identities of those killed will be released after next of kin are notified. The US has operated both helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft in Iraq during the war against the Islamic State group, which overran large areas north and west of Baghdad in 2014. US forces began carrying out air strikes against IS in August 2014, a campaign that was later expanded to Syria, and has provided weapons, training and other support to forces fighting the jihadists in both countries. Baghdad declared victory over the extremists late last year, but IS still has the ability to carry out deadly violence in Iraq, including a series of attacks in the country's north that left 25 dead earlier this month. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Shiv Sena will be the kingmaker after the general elections in 2019, party leader Sanjay Raut today said, while taunting its ally BJP that it is yet to "digest" the power. "We will send an adequate number (of Lok Sabha MPs) to Parliament, which will make us kingmakers," Raut said, speaking to a web channel of a media group. "The current dispensation, which has suddenly got power, is yet to digest it. Power needs to be digested. Power is like 'Kolhapuri Misal'. Those who have the capacity to digest it, digest it. Others face the consequence," Raut said, referring to the popular snack from Kolhapur which is known for its fieriness. The BJP could not digest the power in Gorakhpur (where it lost a Lok Sabha by-election), he added. "The Shiv Sena chief (Uddhav Thackeray) has clearly said we will go solo in 2019. If a decision is taken in the national executive meeting of the party, does it have importance or not?" Raut said. "We have taken a decision, so asking again and again if we will be with the BJP is useless. Our fight is with the BJP, not with the Congress or NCP. Even the BJP acknowledges this," he said. The BJP is trying to create disillusionment among Sena workers by averring that the Sena will eventually form alliance with it in 2019, Raut alleged. "However, our policy for the last 50 years is that we do not make a U-turn. (Sena founder) Balasaheb Thackeray never went back once he took a decision, and so is the case with Uddhav Thackeray," the Rajya Sabha MP said. When asked why the Sena was not pulling out of the NDA like the TDP, Raut said the comparison was unfair. "TDP's decision is more about the local and it has come out of its competition with the YSR Congress. The Shiv Sena will take its decision at appropriate time," he said. The BJP should accept the verdict of recent byelecions in Uttar Pradesh and should not offer excuses such as low voter turnout for its defeat, the Sena leader said. "A seat that was a Hindutva bastion since 1991 (Gorakhpur) has been snatched away from it, which itself is an indication that its popularity is declining," Raut said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Punjab Cabinet Minister Navjot Singh Sidhu today sought arrest of Akali leader Bikram Singh Majithia, accusing him of having links with drug peddlers while claiming that he had findings of a Special Task Force's report. Yesterday, the Punjab government in the Punjab and Haryana High Court had said that two member panel would examine the STF report. "STF has made it clear that there is a substantial evidence of the role of Bikram Majithia in drug peddling which needs to be probed. Punjab government cannot ignore these facts," Sidhu told reporters here today. When asked why the government was not taking decision then, Sidhu replied, "our government will take a decision. It is our government which set up the STF." "As per the findings, prima facie there is sufficient evidence on record to further investigate the role of Bikram Singh Majithia as regards allegations made in application under enquiry," Sidhu said. Meanwhile, the Akali Dal hit out at Sidhu, accusing him of levelling baseless charges against Majithia with "ulterior motive". "It is an irresponsible behaviour on the part of a minister who was seen flashing documents before the media and indulging in misleading propaganda," said SAD spokesperson and former minister Daljeet Singh Cheema. STF head IPS officer H S Sidhu had submitted a report with Punjab and Haryana High Court in a sealed cover in February on the alleged role of Majithia with drug traffickers. The court had asked the STF to prepare a report after ED official Niranjan Singh submitted in Court in November last year that Majithia'a role need to be probed. Majithia had earlier denied all these charges. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Bombay High Court today directed the Maharashtra government to resolve all issues obstructing allotment and transfer of land for a state-run law university within four weeks. A bench of Justices S C Dharmadhikari and P D Naik also directed the government to file an affidavit listing the steps taken to resolve the issue and specify the land which will be allotted. The bench was hearing a Public Interest Litigation on the 'delay' in allotment of land for the university. The PIL claimed that while the government announced in 2014 that it would allot a 50-acre plot for the varsity, it was yet to do so. The state government told the HC today that two plots in north Mumbai, one in Gorai and another in Goregaon, were under consideration. However, while a part of the Gorai plot was given to the Airports Authority of India, the one in Goregaon faces constructions height restrictions, it said. It was in contact with the AAI to find a solution, the government said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Top ranking officials of three wings of defense services today sought to motivate the students to make their career in defense sector which has employment opportunities. Inaugurating an Aayutha Expo 18, a Defense Expo a defense weapon expo cum career guidance programme organised at Sri Krishna College of Engineering and Technology, Col Sameer Arora of Indian Army, interacted with the students and said that army has good avenues and defense department is most dedicated organisation in our country. Students could choose army as one of the best career options and do serve for the nation, he said. Capt Dr P Amuthakumar of Indian Navy said that colleges should provide right career guidance to the students and developing the employability skills is the responsibility of the students and the colleges. P Venu Gopal of Indian Air Force, said that the Force is the fourth largest in the entire planet now now and safeguards the nation excellently in all situations. Different types of weapons, its operations, scope were demonstrated at the expo, in which 1,200 students from various colleges participated. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi today said the state government is committed to provide necessary assistance to youths who would come forward to set up startups in the state. Exhorting youths working in the field of Information Technology, Modi said that "youths should come forward in setting up startups. They should take risks and try to do something different. The state government is committed to provide necessary assistance in the field." Modi, who is also an IT minister, said this while inaugurating the state's first "startup hub" here in the state capital. Work station and office space equipped with free of cost "plug and play" facility would be made available for 31 startup companies in the newly inaugurated startup hub, he said. The startup hub would instill a sense of entrepreneurship among youths of the state, Dy CM said adding that policy and structural reforms have been initiated recently in order to promote IT enable services and ESDM (Electronics System Design and Manufacturing) in the state. The work on IT tower, which would come up at Dakbungalow, the heart of the capital under PPP mode, has been started while an IT Park in Bihta (in Patna district) and IT city at Rajgir (in Nalanda district) have been proposed to be set up, Modi said. The startup hub would be developed as common facility centre, he said. Stating that the next revolution would come through IT, Modi exhorted youths to come up with the ideas as how things can be made better in the field of health, agriculture, skill development etc. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) North Korea's foreign minister met with his Swedish counterpart after making a surprise trip to Stockholm that has fuelled speculation about a meeting between US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. Foreign Minister Ri Yong Ho landed at Stockholm Arlanda Airport yesterday on a direct flight from Beijing and spent several hours at the Swedish Foreign Ministry before returning to the North Korean Embassy. Ri's talks with Foreign Minister Margot Wallstrom are expected to resume today. Sweden has had diplomatic relations with North Korea since 1973 and is one of the few Western countries with an embassy in Pyongyang. It provides consular services for the United States in North Korea. "If the key actors want Sweden to play a role, facilitate (talks), be a forum or a link or whatever it may be, then we are prepared to do that," Prime Minister Stefan Lofven told Sweden's TT agency yesterday. "We shouldn't be naive and believe it is Sweden that solves these problems," Lofven added. Sweden's foreign ministry said the talks between Wallstrom and Ri "will focus on Sweden's consular responsibilities as a protecting power for the United States, Canada and Australia," but also will address the security situation on the Korean Peninsula. The ministry referred to the UN Security Council's condemnation of North Korea's nuclear weapons and missile programs, saying the UN "emphasized the need for intensified diplomatic efforts to find a peaceful solution to the conflict." The Swedish ministry said a statement summarizing the talks will be made available today. Ri, a former diplomat in Stockholm and London and an ex-nuclear envoy with experience negotiating with rivals South Korea and the United States, was tapped as Pyongyang's foreign minister in 2016. In a letter to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres last month, he urged the United Nations not to remain silent about what he called "the US dangerous game of aggravating (the) situation in and around the Korean peninsula and driving the whole world into a possible disaster of nuclear war." The trip by Ri is being closely watched because there remains a huge amount of preparation that needs to be done and relatively little time before Kim is supposedly planning to sit down for summits with South Korean President Moon Jae-in and Trump. Trump has agreed to meet Kim by May. So far, North Korea has yet to publicly comment on what it hopes to gain from the summits, adding an extra element of mystery and skepticism. Sweden has been rumoured as a possible site for the summit between Kim and Trump, though a truce village on the South Korean side of the Demilitarized Zone between the Koreas is seen as more likely. Senior South Korean officials who travelled to Pyongyang earlier this month and met with Kim say he is willing to discuss the North's nuclear weapons program. It could suggest a potential breakthrough, or a fallback to the North's longstanding position that it's willing to get rid of its nuclear weapons if the United States guarantees its safety. In the past, that has meant Washington would have to withdraw all of its troops from South Korea, a condition no U.S. president has been willing to consider. Niklas Swanstrom of the Stockholm-based Institute for Security and Development Policy said the meeting between the two foreign ministers would only be preliminary to higher-level talks but they could give an indication of North Korea's interests and demands. "The assumption is of course that (they) will speak a bit about the proposed talks between Donald Trump and Kim Jong Un," Swanstrom told The Associated Press. He said he did not expect the announcement of a date or location for a Trump-Kim meeting. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Syrian army today urged civilians in Eastern Ghouta to flee remaining rebel-held parts of the enclave through routes it had opened as part of its military advance. "The command calls on our people in Eastern Ghouta to leave the yoke of the terrorist groups through the safe corridors," it said in a statement. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Syria's ambassador to the United Nations told the Security Council today that a day earlier, 40,000 people had been able to leave the besieged Damascus suburb of Eastern Ghouta. Previous estimates of the number of people who were able to flee as a Russian-backed Syrian regime assault on the sprawling semi-rural area continued had ranged between 12,000 and 20,000. Ambassador Bashar al-Jaafari, speaking after UN peace envoy Staffan de Mistura said the conflict is escalating despite a ceasefire call, said Syrian and Russian forces had opened "corridors" for civilians. "They arrived in centers set up by the Syria government and the Syrian Red Crescent -- temporary shelters equipped with all necessary means to take care of them," the envoy told the council hearing. Separately, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres raised alarm over the exodus from Ghouta, which is under a month-old bombardment by Syrian and Russian forces, and from Afrin, under Turkish assault. "I profoundly regret that resolution 2401, concerning the cessation of hostilities throughout Syria, has not been implemented," he said, referring to the February 24 UN vote to demand a ceasefire. "I urge all parties to the conflict to fully respect international humanitarian and human rights law and guarantee the protection of civilians," he continued, in a statement from his office. "Any evacuation of civilians must be safe, voluntary, and in strict accordance with protection standards under international humanitarian and human rights law," Guterres said. De Mistura, who briefed the council before it headed into a closed-door session to debate the crisis, also painted a bleak picture of a failed ceasefire and escalating humanitarian tragedy. But, speaking by videolink from Brussels where he has just undergone eye surgery, he did point to one corner of the conflict where Russia has at least demonstrated it can organize a local truce. In Douma, the northernmost of the opposition-controlled enclaves in Eastern Ghouta, Russian officials negotiated a ceasefire with the Jaish al-Islam rebel force that has held for six days, he said. "We hope it will continue, notwithstanding engagements between government forces and Jaish al-Islam in other areas, outside of Douma," he said, however warning that even in Douma, the truce is "fragile." "It need not be this way. Negotiations in Douma do show that there is a way to create the conditions that can advance the implementation of your resolution 2401," he told the council. De Mistura said Douma represented "one bit of good news" among the bad and that the UN has not been able to mediate contacts between Russia and another rebel force active in Ghouta, Ahrar al-Sham. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Ending its four-year-old alliance with the BJP, the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) today pulled out of the NDA over the Centre's refusal to grant Special Category Status to Andhra Pradesh and simultaneously moved a no-trust motion in Parliament. TDP president and chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu made the announcement to exit the BJP-led alliance in Amaravati, eight days after two of its union ministers--P Ashok Gajapati Raju and Y S Chowdary-- quit on March 8 following a meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The YSR Congress--a regional party in AP-- also moved a no-confidence motion against the Modi government. The BJP termed TDP's decision as "inevitable". Naidu later told reporters he was fighting a "dharma yuddh"(righteous war) to secure the state's 'legitimate' rights and claimed that parties at the national level were backing the TDP's no-confidence motion due to his party's credibility. Naidu also came down heavily on the prime minister saying that Modi did not even bother to invite the TDP MPs for a discussion when they were agitating in Parliament for the state's rights. He said Modi showed a lot of concern for Andhra Pradesh on the eve of 2014 elections and promised many things, including building the state's new capital better than New Delhi. The chief minister wanted to know what happened to all those promises. "We joined the NDA in the first place only to protect our state's interests in the aftermath of bifurcation. We waited for four years with the hope that the Centre will honour all the promises but it only meted out injustice to us, Naidu said. However, the BJP never cared about TDP, he charged adding while in the opposition, it promised to take care of the state and its needs but once in power, "it completely ignored us." The Centre on its part said it has been waiting endlessly for a response from Andhra Pradesh to resolve the special package issue. Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said the Centre has always been willing to give a special package to Andhra Pradesh equivalent to a Special Category Status. He also said the Centre had agreed to the mode suggested by the state for receiving special package funds but it did not revert with details. The notices for the no-confidence motion that were moved for the first time since the Modi government assumed office in May 2014 were not taken up as Speaker Sumitra Mahajan said there was no order in the House and adjourned the proceedings for the day amid vociferous protests over various issues. The no-confidence notices were moved by TDP's Thota Narasimham. YSR Congress member Y V Subba Reddy. The TDP politburo unanimously took the decision to end the alliance during a tele-conference with Naidu this morning. The party politburo meeting to decide over quitting the National Democratic Alliance(NDA) was planned for this evening, but the formality was completed during the daily tele-conference Naidu holds with party leaders in the morning. The union government exuded confidence that it has the numbers in the Lok Sabha to defeat the no-trust motion The BJP, which claimed that the TDP exit provided an opportunity for it to grow in the state, faces the prospect of going it alone in the elections in Andhra Pradesh next year with the two main regional parties -- TDP and YSR Congress -- arrayed gainst it. The TDP had yesterday offered to back the YSR Congress' no-confidence motion but said it withdrew the support as it smelt a nexus between it and the BJP. "We go according to principles. Our leader felt being part of NDA and moving a no-confidence motion would not be ethical. So we withdrew from the NDA and I have issued a letter on no-confidence motion to the speaker at 9.30 am," Thota Narasimham, the TDP's floor leader in the Lok Sabha, told reporters in Delhi. His party colleague Ramesh claimed that YSR Congress MP Vijaysai Reddy was seen making attempts to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi and this, he said, hinted at a nexus between both parties. "If it is not taken due to lack of time today, on Monday we will get signatures from 54 MPs from various other parties and push for a no-confidence motion vigorously," Ramesh said. The motion can be accepted only if it has the support of at least 50 members in the House. While the TDP has 16 MPs in the Lok Sabha, the YSR Congress has nine. Congress and Left leaders said they would support the motion against the government. As the opposition counted its numbers, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananth Kumar said the whole country has full confidence in the prime minister as does the House. "The government has the numbers... We are ready to take up everything," he said. With the BJP alone having 274 members in the 536-member Lok Sabha and enjoying support of allies, the no-confidence motion, if accepted, is likely to be defeated but it has the potential to put the saffron party in a tight corner in the state. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) TDP president N Chandrababu Naidu tonight wrote to BJP president Amit Shah, saying they felt it pointless to continue in NDA as the union government failed to discharge its constitutional responsibilities in implementing 'Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act,2014' in letter and spirit. He pointed out that on most of the crucial provisions of the Act, and the assurances given in the Rajya Sabha, the progress was 'tardy, unsatisfactory and disappointing.' In the four-page letter, the TDP chief, however, did not mention about the 'collusion' between BJP and other parties (YSR Congress and Jana Sena) that he alleged in the morning during a teleconference with party politburo members and MPs. "Today, a feeling is gaining ground in our state that the BJP is not sensitive to the aspirations of our people." "We feel the government headed by it is not willing to implement in letter and spirit the provisions in the AP Reorganisation Act and the assurances given by the then Prime Minister in Rajya Sabha," he said. The TDP chief said his party had joined the alliance in the hope that the state would get fair treatment and expectation that the people would get justice. "When our being in the alliance doesn't serve that purpose, we feel that it is pointless to continue," he noted. Naidu said Finance Minister Arun Jaitley's statement on March 7 to the media made it clear that the union government was not willing to respect the promises made to the five crore people of Andhra Pradesh. "On that day, our Union Ministers have exited the Council of Ministers. We expected that before the passage of the Finance Bill, necessary modifications will be made to do justice to the people of AP. But now the Budget was passed and our state has not got justice," the Chief Minister said. The TDP chief said his party joined the NDA under the leadership of the BJP before the 2014 general elections and fought the elections together in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. "It is a different matter that after the elections you have ended our alliance in Telangana without even the courtesy of formally informing us," Chandrababu said. He recalled that Narendra Modi, the then Prime Ministerial candidate, in his public meetings in Andhra Pradesh, had emphatically assured the people that he would give special category status as well as help the state build a capital city much better than Delhi. "We were told that the 14th Finance Commission recommended against granting of SCS to any state. Although this was a contestable interpretation of the Finance Commission's report, we went along with it because we were promised that all facilities and incentives that are enjoyed by SCS states will be extended to us in the form of special assistance, except the nomenclature. Sadly, that was not to be," he said. "The Union government, we feel, has failed to discharge its constitutional responsibilities in implementing the AP Reorganisation Act," the Chief Minister said. TDP had earlier in the day ended its four-year-old alliance with the BJP and walked out of the NDA, eight days after two of its union ministers resigned over the Centre's refusal to grant Special Category Status to Andhra Pradesh. The TDP had moved a no-confidence motion against the Modi government in Lok Sabha. YSR Congress also moved a confidence motion.But these were not taken up as Speaker Sumitra Mahajan said there was no order in the House and adjourned proceedings for the day amid vociferous protests over various issues. Union ministers P Ashok Gajapati Raju and Y S Chowdary had quit on March 8 after a meeting with the prime minister. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A Delhi court today allowed the Enforcement Directorate to interrogate a Kashmiri businessman in connection with a terror funding case involving LeT chief and 26/11 Mumbai attack mastermind Hafiz Saeed to unearth the money trail. Additional Sessions Judge Tarun Sherawat allowed the application filed by ED's counsel Nitesh Rana seeking permission to quiz Zahoor Watali, an influential businessman allegedly having friendship with Pakistani leaders and Kashmiri separatists, for two days - March 19 and 20. Watali, who was arrested by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) on charges of receiving funds from Pakistan to sponsor terror activities and stone-pelting in Kashmir, is at present lodged in Tihar jail. He is said to be close to hardline separatist leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani. In its application, the probe agency said it was conducting an investigation under the provisions of the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA) against Watali for allegedly receiving funds from abroad. "In the course of the investigation under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) and the FEMA, the interrogation of accused Zahoor Ahmad Shah Watali is required along with recording of separate statements under the PMLA and the FEMA," it said. A charge sheet was filed by the NIA in January this year against Hafiz Saeed, Hizbul Mujahideen leader Syed Salahuddin and others for "conspiring to wage war against the government" and fomenting trouble in the Kashmir Valley. The court had on February 2 taken cognisance of the charge sheet. The 12,794-page charge sheet also alleged that officials of the Pakistan High Commission here were passing on money through Watali to the separatists. The separatist leaders have been accused of taking a cut before handing over the money to foment trouble. Saeed has also been accused of using the services of Watali for passing on the money to the separatists and some individuals who were actively indulging in stone-pelting in various areas of the Valley, the NIA said in the charge sheet. The agency has charged Pakistan-based terrorists Saeed and Salahuddin, besides others, with criminal conspiracy, sedition, and under stringent provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. It said 60 locations were raided and 950 documents seized. There are 300 witnesses in the case. Besides Saeed, Salahuddin and Watali, the agency has also named hardline pro-Pakistan separatist Syed Ali Shah Geelani's son-in-law Altaf Shah alias Altaf Fantoosh, Bashir Ahmad Bhat and Javed Ahmad Bhat as accused. Hurriyat Conference leaders Nayeem Ahmad Khan, Farooq Ahmad Dar alias Bitta Karate, Mohammad Akbar Khanday and Raja Mehrajuddin Kalwal have also been charged by the agency in the terror funding case. Saeed, Salahuddin and their Pakistani handlers informed people about the agenda of violence through "protest calendars", the charge sheet said. These calendars were released through newspapers, social media and religious leaders, according to it. These acts were aimed at creating an atmosphere of terror and fear in Jammu and Kashmir, the charge sheet alleged. It claimed money was also routed through fake and bogus companies floated abroad and remitted to the Hurriyat leaders in J and K. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The textiles committee of the union ministry of textiles has asked the various weaving communities of West Bengal to go for the Geographical Indication (GI) tag for Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) protection. So far, only three types of sarees from West Bengal - Baluchari, Santipur and Dhaniakhali have obtained the GI tags. "We are asking the different weaving communities of West Bengal to go for GI registration. Some of them are the weavers of Bengali Jamdani, Begumpuri and Bengali Tangail sarees which have huge export markets", deputy director of the Textiles Committee of the textiles ministry T K Rout told PTI. The weavers of scarves and stoles of Fulia should also apply for GI registration, he said. Rout said that once these weaving communities get the GI tag, there IPR would be protected and legal action could be initiated against those who were not bonafide claimaints of these textile products. "Even the export markets of these products would be protected", he said. Rout said "GI is IPR which provides protection to the products which have origins in a particular geographical location and different from patents and trademarks". It also gives protection to those weaving communities from counterfeit claims by others, he said adding that the ministry was working to facilitate this process. As of date, 270 products of the country had been registered under the GI Act, out of which 151 of those belonged to the textiles and handicrafts segment. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) More than 500 delegates will gather here for the three-day annual conference of the International Competition Network starting from March 21. Competition Commission of India (CCI), the host of the conference, will be presenting a special project report on 'Cartel Enforcement and Competition'. Addressing reporters, CCI Chairman D K Sikri today said 519 delegates, including 379 from overseas, would be attending the conference. Delegates will be coming from over 73 countries. Various agencies, including representatives from the World Bank, OECD and UNCTAD will be participating in the conference. It would be inaugurated by Finance and Corporate Affairs Minister Arun Jaitley. The International Competition Network (ICN) comprises 138 competition authorities from 125 jurisdictions. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Confederation of Indian Industry, Tamil Nadu, today welcomed the state budget presented by Deputy Chief Minister O Panneerselvam, saying it addressed the needs of various segments. Deputy Chief Minister O Panneerselvam presented a Rs 17,490.58 crore revenue deficit budget for 2018-19 yesterday. CII Tamil Nadu State Council, Chairman, M Ponnuswami said "CII congratulates the Government for taking various measures towards improvement in road infrastructure, expansion of metro rail, focusing on balanced development". CII welcomes the plan towards creation of 9,030 acre land bank across the State by SIPCOT Industrial development and also in making announcement of Global Investors Meet in Junuary 2019, he said, in a statement today. Several initiatives taken by the government to promote industrial investment in Tamil Nadu like Aero Space Park at Vallam Vadagal in Kancheepuram district, TICEL Bio-Park at Coimbatore, Plastic Industrial Park at Ponneri are all in the "right direction", he said. Initiatives towards upgrading 62 government-owned ITIs in the State to joint the National Skill Framework will certainly help in skilling the youth and create a base workforce for industry stakeholders, he said. "Overall, CII welcomes this budget, as it aims for accelerated growth and has addressed the needs of various segments", he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A Tamil Nadu minister found himself at the centre of a controversy after he told a woman journalist she was beautiful, while trying to evade questions from her. Health Minister C Vijayabaskar today expressed regret over last night's incident, saying he was replying to queries from a "sister", clarifying that it was done to avoid replying to a political question. The journalist posed questions about the deliberations at the ruling party meet when Vijayabaskar emerged from the AIADMK headquarters here. The video footage of the minister's brief conversation was aired today by 'Puthiya Thalaimurai,' the channel the journalist represented, and some other channels. In the footage, he is seen gently pushing the mike away, saying "Madam, you look good with your spectacles on," apparently trying to avoid a question posed to him. The video shows the scribe continuing with her question while telling him that she always had her spectacles on. Vijayabaskar, who keeps walking towards his car and greeting supporters, is seen remarking "today you are beautiful." "A press release will be given (by the party)..senior leaders will talk," he says in reply to her question. As the reporter persists with her queries, he says "you are beautiful" and repeats it. The minister, when he met reporters today, said "that sister posed some political questions...generally, I do not answer political questions and reply only to those related to my department." "I attempted just to avoid political question. If I had hurt her, I am sorry. I spoke to her and expressed my regret as well," Vijayabaskar said. Last evening, hours after a resolution was passed in the Assembly on the Cauvery issue urging the Centre to set up the Cauvery Management Board and Cauvery Water Regulatory Committee, a meeting of the ruling party MLAs was held at the AIADMK headquarters here which the minister attended. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The toll in the devastating fire at Kurangani forests in the district rose to 16 with the death of two more women in private hospitals today, police said. The Deceased were identified as Sakthikala and Devi, police said. Of the 16 killed in the fire, 12 are women. A 36-member team - 24 people from Chennai and 12 from Tiruppur and Erode districts - had embarked on the trekking expedition and reached Kurangani hills on March 10. The trekkers after staying at an estate in Kozhukumalai overnight, started their return journey to the plains Sunday morning when they heard of the sudden forest fire and got separated while attempting to find a safe way. The trekkers were caught in the forest fire in Kurangani Kozhukumalai hill ranges near Theni, some 500 km away from Chennai. The hills are in the Western Ghats near Bodinayakanur, about 40 km from Theni. The forest department has suspended forest officer Jaisingh in connection with the incident. A case was also registered against Peter Van Geit, the owner of the Chennai based Trekking club believed to have arranged the trekking expedition to Kurangani Hills. He has been charged under IPC 304 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder), police said. Two persons, including an agent of the club at Erode, have been arrested in connection with the trekking programme. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The president of the member states of the International Criminal Court said today he regretted Manila leaving the tribunal, warning it would have a "negative impact" on punishing crimes. "I regret this development. A state party withdrawing from the Rome Statute would negatively impact our collective efforts towards fighting impunity," said President O-Gon Kwon, after the Philippines officially gave notice that it was leaving the court. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Turkey's top constitutional body today ruled for the second time that the rights of a prominent Turkish journalist jailed in the wake of the failed coup had been violated while in detention, state media said. The Constitutional Court had in January ruled that Sahin Alpay and fellow jailed journalist Mehmet Altan should be released on the grounds their rights had been violated. But the lower criminal courts hearing their cases defied the decision and they remain in jail. It remains to be seen if on this occasion the lower court will respond to the ruling by the higher court. Mehmet Altan was on February 16 handed a life sentence on charges of links to the group blamed for the 2016 failed coup, along with his brother Ahmet, also a writer, and veteran journalist Nazli Ilicak. In a separate case, Alpay remains on trial, also charged with links to the failed coup and facing life in jail if convicted. He was arrested shortly after the failed coup and remanded in pre-trial detention in late July 2016. The state agency Anadolu said that after the January court ruling Alpay applied to the Constitutional Court for a second time which again ruled by a majority vote Friday his rights had been violated. A similar application by Mehmet Altan would be examined at a later date, the agency added. The court said that Alpay should be paid 20,000 lira ($5,100) in compensation. The latest ruling comes as the European Court of Human Rights is scheduled on March 20 to rule on the cases of Alpay and Mehmet Altan who both appealed to the Strasbourg court. Turkey is a member of the Council of Europe rights watchdog, of which the court is a part, and is thus obliged to implement its judgements. Were Turkey to defy a ruling, it could cause a serious crisis in its relations with the body. The failure of the lower courts to release Alpay and Altan earlier this year caused uproar among Turkish activists. The Council of Europe's chief Thorbjorn Jagland also expressed concern, saying such decisions were "binding" otherwise "the rule of law will be undermined". Their cases have amplified concerns in Turkey about the rule of law under the state of emergency declared after the failed coup that has seen dozens of journalists arrested. Turkey says the crackdown is needed to eradicate the influence of the US-based preacher Fethullah Gulen who it blames for the failed putsch but critics say it has included anyone who dares criticise President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Around 200 tribal students of two government-run residential schools braved the hot sun and marched about 20 kilometres in Odisha's Mayurbhanj district today protesting against the ill behaviour of their headmaster, bad food served in the hostel and transfer of a school headmistress. Nearly 100 students of a residential high school at Balidhia marched the distance and presented their complaint against their headmaster to the additional district magistrate and district welfare. The ADM said the headmaster was suspended from his job on the basis of the complaints of the students, who said he would he would make casteist remarks against them. They also complained about the low quality of food served to them in the hostel, shortage of teachers and unlawful activities by outsiders in the school premises. Hundred tribal girl students of a tribal residential high school too met Karanjia sub-collector and demanded the transfer of the head mistress and revocation of transfer order of English teacher and matron. They also complained of substandard food served in hostel, officials said. Both the schools are run and managed by the SC/ST Development Department. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Six Democratic lawmakers from the Silicon Valley have urged the Trump administration to retain Obama-era rule allowing spouses of holders to work legally in the US, according to a media report. A 2015 rule issued by the Obama administration allows work permits for spouses who otherwise could not be employed while holders seek permanent resident status a process that can take a decade or longer. Indian-Americans were a major beneficiary of this provision. More than 100,000 H-4 visa holders have been beneficiary of this rule. More than 104,000 spouses have been granted work authorisation since the H-4 visa rule was enacted, according to DHS's Citizenship and Immigration Services. Democratic Congressmen Anna Eshoo, Zoe Lofgren, Ro Khanna, Mark DeSaulnier, Barbara Lee and Jerry McNerney in a letter to the Homeland Security Secretary urged to "reconsider" his plan, saying it would "create significant uncertainty and financial hardship for many highly skilled professionals who are vital to our economy," Silicon Valley-based Mercury news said. In their letter dated March 5, the lawmakers argued that in many areas where H-1B workers live, including Silicon Valley, "it is nearly impossible for a family to live on one income." The move comes amidst reports that the Trump administration is planning to revoke an Obama-era rule under which spouses of H-1B visas were given work permits. In a recent court filing, the Department of Homeland Security said that it needs time till June to take a decision on it. Earlier, Business and tech industry groups representing Amazon.com Inc., Google, Visa Inc. and other companies urged the Trump administration not to halt work authorisations for spouses of immigrants who have specialty worker H-1B visas and are seeking permanent residency. The is a non-immigrant visa that allows US companies to employ foreign workers in speciality occupations that require theoretical or technical expertise. It is typically issued for three to six years to employers to hire a foreign worker. But H-1B holders who have begun the green card process can often renew their work visas indefinitely. The technology companies depend on it to hire tens of thousands of employees each year from countries like India and China. Six Democratic lawmakers from the Silicon Valley have urged the Trump administration to retain Obama-era rule allowing spouses of H-1B visa holders to work legally in the US, according to a media report. A 2015 rule issued by the Obama administration allows work permits for spouses who otherwise could not be employed while H-1B visa holders seek permanent resident status -- a process that can take a decade or longer. Indian-Americans were a major beneficiary of this provision. More than 100,000 H-4 visa holders have been beneficiary of this rule. More than 104,000 spouses have been granted work authorisation since the H-4 visa rule was enacted, according to DHS's Citizenship and Immigration Services. Democratic Congressmen Anna Eshoo, Zoe Lofgren, Ro Khanna, Mark DeSaulnier, Barbara Lee and Jerry McNerney in a letter to the Homeland Security Secretary urged to "reconsider" his plan, saying it would "create significant uncertainty and financial hardship for many highly skilled professionals who are vital to our economy," Silicon Valley-based Mercury said. In their letter dated March 5, the lawmakers argued that in many areas where H-1B workers live, including Silicon Valley, "it is nearly impossible for a family to live on one income." The lawmakers in the letter said the H-4 rule is a matter of both economic competitiveness and maintaining family unity. "The United States has already invested in these workers with years of expertise and we should not be sending them abroad to innovate and use their experience and talents against US businesses," they wrote. Since the H-4 rule was implemented three years ago for spouses of highly skilled immigrants, over 100,000 workers, mainly women, were finally granted permission to work and contribute to their households and the American economy, it said. "The H-4 rule lessened the burden on thousands of H1-B recipients and their families while they transition from non-immigrants to lawful permanent residents by allowing their families to earn dual incomes," it said. "Over 880,000 immigrants own businesses in California, and together those immigrant-owned businesses have contributed over USD21 billion to our state's economy and created more jobs than such businesses in any other state," they said. "However, until 2015, the spouses of many highly skilled H-1B visa holders were left out, unable to contribute financially to their family or pursue their own professional goals because they did not have permission to work," the lawmakers from California said. The move comes amidst reports that the Trump administration is planning to revoke an Obama-era rule under which spouses of H-1B visas were given work permits. In a recent court filing, the Department of Homeland Security said that it needs time till June to take a decision on it. Earlier, Business and tech industry groups representing Amazon.com Inc., Google, Visa Inc. and other companies urged the Trump administration not to halt work authorisations for spouses of immigrants who have specialty worker H-1B visas and are seeking permanent residency. The H-1B visa is a non-immigrant visa that allows US companies to employ foreign workers in speciality occupations that require theoretical or technical expertise. It is typically issued for three to six years to employers to hire a foreign worker. But H-1B holders who have begun the green card process can often renew their work visas indefinitely. The technology companies depend on it to hire tens of thousands of employees each year from countries like India and China. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) In what could be the latest jolt to the senior ranks in the Trump administration, US President Donald Trump has decided to oust National Security Advisor HR McMaster and is discussing potential replacements, a media report has said. The Washington Post in a major story last night said that Trump is "now comfortable" with ousting McMaster with whom he never personally gelled, but is willing to take time executing the move because he wants to ensure both that the three-star Army general is not humiliated and that there is a strong successor lined up. White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders, however, dispelled the reports and said that there were no changes at the National Security Council (NSC). Citing five sources with knowledge of the president's plans, the daily said, "The turbulence is part of a broader potential shake-up under consideration by Trump that is likely to include senior officials at the White House, where staffers are gripped by fear and uncertainty as they await the next move from an impulsive president who enjoys stoking conflict." Rejecting the report, Sanders said, "Just spoke to the president and McMaster. Contrary to reports they have a good working relationship and there are no changes at the NSC." The NSC is one of the most powerful wing of the White House that drives the administration's national security agenda. The daily reported that the president has complained that McMaster is too rigid and that his briefings go on too long and seem irrelevant. Several candidates have emerged as possible McMaster replacements, including John Bolton, a former US ambassador to the United Nations, and Keith Kellogg, the chief of staff of the National Security Council, the daily said. Reports of McMaster's removal from the NSC have been gaining ground especially after Trump rebuked him last month on his statement that Moscow's interference in the 2016 election was "incontrovertible". The daily quoting a senior White House official said, "The president is enjoying the process of assessing his team and making changes, tightening his inner circle to those he considers survivors and who respect his unconventional style. If McMaster is ousted, he would be the latest in a string of high-profile White House departures since President Trump took office in January 2017. Trump recently used Twitter to fire Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and moved to install his close ally, CIA Director Mike Pompeo, in the job. On Wednesday, he named conservative TV analyst Larry Kudlow to replace his top economic adviser, Gary Cohn, who quit over trade disagreements. McMaster yesterday documented a strong speech on Syria. If Iran and Russia do not stop enabling the regime atrocities and adhere to UN Security Council resolutions, all nations must respond more forcibly than simply issuing strong statements, he said. "It is time to impose serious political and economic consequences on Moscow and Tehran. Assad should not have impunity for his crimes, and neither should his sponsors, McMaster said in his address at the Holocaust Memorial Museum. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Turkish prosecutors today demanded prison sentences of up to 15 years for 13 staff from the opposition Cumhuriyet newspaper, the daily and state media reported. A total of 17 current and former writers, cartoonists and executives from Cumhuriyet ("Republic") are currently on trial on terror charges in a case which has raised alarm over press freedom under President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The trial began on July 24, 2017, and despite several conditional releases in previous hearings, including two last week, the paper's chairman Akin Atalay remains in jail. The prosecutor requested between 7.5 and 15 years in jail for 13 staff for "helping an armed terror organisation without being a member" during the hearing in Istanbul, Cumhuriyet and state agency Anadolu reported. The 13 included Atalay, the daily's editor-in-chief Murat Sabuncu, investigative reporter Ahmet Sik, cartoonist Musa Kart and veteran political commentator Kadri Gursel. Cumhuriyet did not specify what the prosecutor demanded in relation to the others. The court later ordered Atalay -- who spent his 500th day in prison on Wednesday -- to remain behind bars, the daily reported. The judge said the next hearing of the trial will be on April 24, Cumhuriyet said. The Cumhuriyet staff have been accused of coverage which offered support to three groups Turkey views as terrorists -- the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), the ultra-left Revolutionary People's Liberation Party-Front (DHKP-C), and the movement of US-based preacher Fethullah Gulen who is accused of ordering the July 2016 attempted coup. The P24 press freedom group said this week there were 153 journalists behind bars in Turkey, most of whom were arrested under the post-coup state of emergency. Turkey ranked 155 out of 180 countries listed in the 2017 World Press Freedom index published by Reporters Without Borders (RSF). (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A Turkish bombing raid struck the main hospital in the Kurdish-controlled Syrian town of Afrin, killing sixteen civilians, a monitor said. The Kurdish Red Crescent medical service, which supports the hospital, confirmed to AFP the hospital was hit but did not give a toll. According to the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, the Turkish air strike "directly" hit the medical facility. "Sixteen civilians were killed, including two pregnant women," said Observatory head Rami Abdel Rahman. No medical staff were among the dead, he told AFP. Serwan Bery, co-chair of the Kurdish Red Crescent and based in the northeast Syria town of Qamishli, also said no hospital staff were known to have died. "There was bombing on the city during the day that got close to the hospital, but this evening it was directly hit," said Bery. "It was the only functioning hospital in Afrin city," he said. Turkey and allied rebels have waged a nearly two-month offensive on the Afrin region, which is held by the Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG). Pro-Ankara forces were now on the verge of besieging Afrin, and terrified civilians have poured out of the city. At least 15,000 people left Afrin on Friday, according to the Observatory. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) British police launched a murder probe today into the death of Russian exile Nikolai Glushkov in London, after a post-mortem found he died from "compression to the neck". "A murder investigation has been launched following the results of a post-mortem into the death of 68-year-old Russian businessman Nikolay Glushkov," London's Metropolitan Police said in a statement. The retired Russian executive was found dead at his home in southwest London on Monday evening. "A special post mortem began on Thursday, 15 March and we received the pathologist report today (Friday, 16 March), which gave the cause of death as compression to the neck," police said. Glushkov had received political asylum in Britain after being jailed in Russia for money laundering and fraud. He was linked to late Kremlin opponent Boris Berezovsky, an oligarch who was found hanged in his home outside London in 2013. Police said the force's Counter Terrorism Command would continue to lead the investigation into Glushkov's death, "because of the associations Mr Glushkov is believed to have had". The British murder probe was launched shortly after Russia's Investigative Committee, which probes major crimes, announced its own investigation into the death of Glushkov. The murder is not believed to be linked to the nerve agent attack of former double agent Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia in Salisbury, southwestern England, on March 4. Both Britain and Russia have launched their own investigations into the poisoning, which has led to an ongoing diplomatic crisis. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson says it's "overwhelmingly likely" Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered the use of a nerve agent against a former spy in the English city of Salisbury. Prime Minister Theresa May has said it's "highly likely" the Kremlin is responsible for the attack on Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia. But Johnson went a step further and blamed Putin directly today. He said "our quarrel is with Putin's Kremlin, and with his decision, and we think it overwhelmingly likely that it was his decision to direct the use of a nerve agent on the streets of the UK, on the streets of Europe, for the first time since the Second World War. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal today said the state government would enhance development activities in Dima Hasao district and transform the scenic Umrangso as an international tourist destination. Sonowal also announced that Assam Civil Service Training Centre and a Horticultural College would be set up at Umrangso. "Umrangso is a very scenic place and the state government is keen to develop it into an international tourist destination along with the development of the entire district," he said while attending the 168th birth anniversary programme of Dimasa freedom fighter Veer Sambhudhan Phonglo. Veer Sambudhan Phonglo was among the first in the area to lead a movement against the British. The chief minister also handed over honorarium to the village headmen and felicitated Pranab Langthasa who recently won the Mr Asia First runner up title at the recently held contest in Thailand. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has condemned a suicide attack on a police check-post near the residence of Pakistan's ousted prime minister Nawaz Sharif in Lahore. Guterres extended his condolences to the families of the victims of the March 14 attack, a statement from a UN spokesman said adding that the Secretary-General calls for the perpetrators of the attack to be brought to justice. The statement said the UN supports the efforts of the government of Pakistan to fight terrorism with full respect for international human rights norms and obligations. A teenaged suicide bomber blew himself up near the residence of Sharif, killing nine people, including five policemen, police said. The blast took place close to a check post, a few kilometres from the palatial residence of the Sharif family. Around 25 people were also injured in the attack. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The UN Security Council has welcomed Afghanistan government's offer to the Taliban to engage in direct peace talks, calling upon the terror group to go ahead with the process without any preconditions and threat of violence. In a statement issued here yesterday by Security Council President Karel Jan Gustaaf van Oosterom of Netherlands, members of the Security Council welcomed the convening of the second meeting of the Kabul Process for Peace and Security Cooperation in Afghanistan on February 28 and commended the declaration agreed to by its participants. "The members of the Security Council also welcomed the offer made by the Afghan Government to the Taliban to engage in direct peace talks, and called upon the Taliban to accept this offer without any preconditions and without the threat of violence, with the aim of an ultimate political settlement that leads to sustainable peace for the people of Afghanistan, the statement added. The 15-nation Council underlined the importance of an inclusive Afghan-led and Afghan-owned peace process for the long-term prosperity and stability of Afghanistan and expressed their full support for the Afghan government's commitment to developing a practical plan for reconciliation. They welcomed that the participants of the meeting recognised the Kabul Process as a forum and vehicle under the leadership of the Afghan government to lead peace efforts to end violence in Afghanistan. "The Kabul Process must lead to the renunciation of violence and breaking of all ties to international terrorism, as well as the respect for the equal rights of all Afghans, including women, under the Afghan Constitution, the Council said in the statement. The members of the Security Council also welcomed ongoing international efforts to advance peace and stability in Afghanistan. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The imposition of 25 per cent import tariff on steel products by the US is unlikely to have any significant impact on the domestic steel industry in the medium term, ratings agency Icra said. The US government recently announced its decision of imposing a 25 per cent tariff on import of steel products and 10 per cent tariff on aluminium. The order is effective from March 23, 2018. "The 25 per cent import tariff on steel products by the US is unlikely to have any significant impact on the domestic steel industry in the medium term," Icra said in a statement. Icra noted that this duty would be effective on all countries except Canada and Mexico which together comprises about a quarter of the total US imports. The impact of import tariffs may not be significant in the medium term due to reasons like global steel demand (ex-USA) is expected to increase by 25 MT in CY2018. "Chinese steel exports has been steadily declining in the last two years, reaching 75 MT in CY2017 from the peak level of 112 mt in CY2015, and in the current year too, exports have continued to shrink, declining by 27.1 per cent in the first two months of CY2018. This trend is expected to continue throughout CY2018 on the back of a resilient Chinese domestic demand and proposed steel capacity cuts," it said. "India's steel exports to the USA market remained a meagre 0.7 mt in CY2017, accounting for less than 1 per cent of India's domestic demand. Therefore, Indian steel mills should be able to find an alternate market for its nominal US export volumes without much difficulty," ICRA's Senior Vice President said in the statement. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The British judge hearing the extradition case of liquor baron Vijay Mallya on Friday said that it was blindingly obvious that rules were being broken by Indian banks which sanctioned some of the loans to the erstwhile Kingfisher Airlines. Presiding over a hearing at Westminster Magistrates' Court in London, Judge Emma Arbuthnot described the case as a jigsaw puzzle with different pieces of massive evidence to be put together to paint a picture, which she said she was now able to see more clearly than a few months ago. There are clear signs that the banks seem to have gone against their own guidelines [in sanctioning some of the loans], she said, inviting the Indian authorities to explain the case against some of the bank officials involved because that relates to the conspiracy point against Mallya. The 62-year-old businessman, who is on trial for the UK court to rule if he can be extradited to India to face charges of fraud and money laundering amounting to around Rs 90 billion, watched the proceedings from the dock. The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), arguing on behalf of the Indian government, laid out their arguments against the defence calling into question the admissibility of some of evidence submitted by the Indian authorities. Pointing out that Mallya had chosen not to give evidence in the case, CPS counsel Mark Summers rejected the defence claims on the evidence as nonsense. The government of India has established by other copious evidence a prima facie case of fraud, he said. The judge is expected to rule on the admissibility of evidence and set a timeframe for her final verdict. However, the matter could be delayed over further clarifications required on the source of some of the emails submitted as evidence by the Indian authorities. Mallya's counsel, Clare Montgomery, argued that evidence that was claimed as a blueprint of dishonesty by the CPS was in fact privileged conversation between Mallya and his lawyer about legal advice in clear contemplation of litigation and hence should be inadmissible. On a separate category of evidence presented by the Indian government, Mallya's team questioned the reliability of investigating officers in the case and pointed to over 150 pages of near identical material purporting to be statement of witnesses taken under Section 161 of the Indian CrPC. "They do not appear to be in any way an account of things that witnesses would have said but rather seem to be somebody else's analysis put into the mouths of the witnesses, down to the spelling mistakes," Montgomery said, adding that the documents were "identically reproduced" with not only the same words but also the same typing errors. The judge did not seem to be convinced by this argument and said she had found only two-three cases of mistakes but did not see a problem in the preparation of the statements. Judge Arbuthnot had also sought further clarifications related to availability of natural light and medical assistance at Barrack 12 of Mumbai Central Prison on Arthur Road, where Mallya is to be held if he is extradited from Britain. The CPS indicated to the judge that the government had provided all the necessary clarifications along with photographs of the two cells that comprise Barrack 12. The extradition trial, which opened at the London court on December 4, is aimed at laying out a prima facie case of fraud against the tycoon, who has been based in the UK since he left India in March 2016. It also seeks to prove that there are no "bars to extradition" and that Mallya is assured a fair trial in India over his now-defunct Kingfisher Airlines' alleged default of loans from a consortium of Indian banks. The CPS, representing the Indian government, has argued that the evidence they have presented confirms dishonesty on the part of the businessman and that there are no bars to him being extradited from the UK to face Indian courts. Mallya's defence team has deposed a series of expert witnesses to claim he had no fraudulent intentions and that he is unlikely to get a fair trial in India. Mallya was arrested by Scotland Yard on an extradition warrant in April 2017 and has been out on bail on a bond worth 650,000 pounds. Chief Magistrate Arbuthnot is expected to pronounce her verdict in the case by May this year. If she rules in favour of the Indian government, the UK home secretary will have two months to sign Mallya's extradition order. However, both sides will have the chance to appeal in higher courts in the UK against the chief magistrate's verdict. Liquor tycoon Vijay Mallya's extradition trial is set for one of its final hearings at Westminster Magistrates' Court here today. The 62-year-old, who is on trial for the UK court to rule if he can be extradited to India to face charges of fraud and money laundering amounting to around Rs 9,000 crores, is on bail until April 2 and therefore not obliged to attend the hearing today. Judge Emma Arbuthnot is expected to rule on the admissibility of evidence presented by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), on behalf of the Indian government and set a timeframe for her final verdict. At the last hearing in January, Mallya's counsel, Clare Montgomery, had argued that evidence that was claimed as a "blueprint of dishonesty" by the CPS was in fact privileged conversation between Mallya and his lawyer about "legal advice in clear contemplation of litigation" and hence should be inadmissible. On a separate category of evidence presented by the Indian government, Mallya's team questioned the reliability of investigating officers in the case and pointed to over 150 pages of "near identical material" purporting to be statement of witnesses taken under Section 161 of the Indian CrPC. "They do not appear to be in any way an account of things that witnesses would have said but rather seem to be somebody else's analysis put into the mouths of the witnesses, down to the spelling mistakes," Montgomery said, adding that the documents were "identically reproduced" with not only the same words but also the same typing errors. After the defence has completed its arguments, the CPS will respond against the claim of "absence of a strong prima facie case on grounds of iniquity". Judge Arbuthnot had also sought further clarifications related to availability of natural light and medical assistance at Barrack 12 of Mumbai Central Prison on Arthur Road, where Mallya is to be held if he is extradited from Britain. According to Indian authorities, these clarifications have been provided to the court. The extradition trial, which opened at the London court on December 4, is aimed at laying out a prima facie case of fraud against the tycoon, who has been based in the UK since he left India in March 2016. It also seeks to prove that there are no "bars to extradition" and that Mallya is assured a fair trial in India over his now-defunct Kingfisher Airlines' alleged default of over Rs 9,000 crore in loans from a consortium of Indian banks. The CPS, representing the Indian government, has argued that the evidence they have presented confirms "dishonesty" on the part of the businessman and that there are no bars to him being extradited from the UK to face Indian courts. Mallya's defence team has deposed a series of expert witnesses to claim he had no "fraudulent" intentions and that he is unlikely to get a fair trial in India. Mallya was arrested by Scotland Yard on an extradition warrant in April 2017 and has been out on bail on a bond worth 650,000 pounds. Chief Magistrate Arbuthnot is expected to pronounce her verdict in the case by May this year. If she rules in favour of the Indian government, the UK home secretary will have two months to sign Mallya's extradition order. However, both sides will have the chance to appeal in higher courts in the UK against the chief magistrate's verdict. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Gujarat government stopped supply of water to farmers for irrigation from Sardar Sarovar Dam today, reserving the remaining stock for drinking purposes as the state is staring at an acute water shortage this summer. The water level of the dam, considered to be the lifeline of Gujarat, stood at 105.50 meters today, near the "critical storage level", an official of Sardar Sarovar Narmada Nigam Limited (SSNNL) said. "As announced earlier, we have stopped suppling water for irrigation from Sardar Sarovar Dam from today," Minister of State for Irrigation and Water Supply Parbat Patel told reporters in Gandhinagar. "We have kept the remaining water stock reserved for drinking purposes. We have made arrangements to ensure that the entire state will get drinking water till the arrival of monsoon and no region will face water scarcity," Patel said. SSNNL had informed farmers in January that it will stop supply of water for irrigation after March 15. It had also advised farmers not to sow summer crops if they are solely dependent on Sardar Sarovar Dam for irrigation. "The decision not to supply water for irrigation has been taken for ensuring smooth supply of drinking water to over 10,000 villages and 135 towns in the state till the onset of monsoon which is expected in July," the official said. Chief minister Vijay Rupani had also appealed farmers not to sow summer crops. "The state government has to provide water for drinking purposes, and that is the priority," the SSNNL official, who didn't want to be named, said. The Sardar Sarovar Reservoir Regulation Committee (SSRRC) had met on January 10 and allotted 4.7 million acre feet (MAF) of water to Gujarat, against the nine million MAF allotted last year, due to deficient rainfall in catchment areas of the Narmada in Madhya Pradesh. On December 1, 2017 the level of water in Sardar Sarovar Dam stood at 124.02 meters. It plunged to 105.50 meters within three and a half months. As the water level fell to an alarmingly low level, the Gujarat government had sought permission from the Narmada Control Authority (NCA) to use the river water through a special Irrigation Bypass Tunnel (IBPT). The permission was granted. The state started using 'dead water stock' of the dam for meeting demands of drinking water and irrigation. However, from today, no water will be supplied for irrigation. The water in the reservoir was spread across 214 km during monsoon, while currently it stretches for less than 90 km. The government has also asked farmers not to lift water illegally from Narmada canals. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said on Friday the alliance did not want a return to Cold War hostilities with Russia while expressing support for Britain's strong stance on the nerve agent attack. He said the targeting of former double agent Sergei Skripal fit a "pattern of reckless behaviour" to which the US-led military alliance had responded, but insisted political dialogue must also continue. "We don't want a new Cold War, we don't want a new arms race, Russia is our neighbour therefore we have to continue to strive for an improved better relationship with Russia," he told BBC radio. He noted that NATO allies have in recent years imposed economic sanctions on Russia and deployed more troops in eastern Europe in response to the "changed security situation". But he stressed: "To isolate Russia is not an alternative." He added: "At some point Russia will understand that it is in its interests not to confront us but to cooperate with us, and we are ready to do so if they respect some basic norms and rules for behaviour." NATO has backed Britain following the March 4 attack in the southwestern English city of Salisbury, which left Skripal and his daughter Yulia in a critical condition. "We have no reason to doubt the findings and assessments made by the British government, not least because this takes place at the backdrop of a pattern of reckless behaviour by Russia over many years," Stoltenberg said. British foreign minister Boris Johnson on Friday stressed the government's "quarrel" was with President Vladimir Putin rather than the Russian people. "Our quarrel is with Putin's Kremlin, and with his decision, and we think it overwhelmingly likely that it was his decision to direct the use of a nerve agent on the streets of the UK, on the streets of Europe, for the first time since the Second World War. "That is why we are at odds with Russia," Johnson said, during a museum visit in west London alongside his Polish counterpart Jacek Czaputowicz. Opposition leader Jeremy Corbyn, who has questioned whether the Russian state was responsible for the attack, warned Friday against a "drift to conflict". Writing in The Guardian, the Labour leader said "a connection to Russian mafia-like groups that have been allowed to gain a toehold in Britain cannot be excluded". "To rush way ahead of the evidence being gathered by the police, in a fevered parliamentary atmosphere, serves neither justice nor our national security," he said. Corbyn's leftwing views have in the past drawn criticism of many of his own MPs, and several among them have defied him to back the Conservative government's position. By Friday morning, 33 Labour MPs had signed a parliamentary motion blaming the Russian state "unequivocally". Corbyn wrote that Labour was "no supporter of the Putin regime", but added: "That does not mean we should resign ourselves to a 'new Cold War' of escalating arms spending, proxy conflicts across the globe and a McCarthyite intolerance of dissent. The OECD today warned that countries have failed to reach a consensus on how to tax technology giants like Apple and Google, with the US and EU at odds as fears grow of a trade war. The Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development, a club of rich nations, was unveiling a report requested by the G20 ahead of a meeting of its finance ministers next week. "There are divergent views on how the issue should be approached," the OECD said, adding there was no agreement on how to approach such taxes in either the short or long term. The group pledged that its member countries "will work together towards a consensus-based solution". In particular the report flagged conflicting approaches in the US and European Union, which come as President Donald Trump's moves to impose steel and aluminium tariffs fuel speculation of a looming trade war. The United States has just passed tax reforms intended to coax its multinationals into paying more of their taxes at home, with iPhone maker Apple among the biggest beneficiaries. The changes are set to allow Apple to bring back some USD 252 billion kept abroad, a longstanding company goal. Brussels is meanwhile set to unveil a tax on technology multinationals next week aimed at recovering billions of European earnings from US-based giants diverted through low-tax countries. The EU wants "big tech" to be taxed on overall revenue in the EU and not just on profits, somewhere between two percent and five percent according to a draft proposal obtained by AFP. The plan will target companies with worldwide annual turnover above 750 million euros, including Google, Facebook, Apple, Amazon, Twitter, Airbnb and Uber -- all based in the US. EU Economic Affairs Commissioner Pierre Moscovici has said the plan he will announce on Wednesday will "create a consensus and an electroshock" on taxing digital firms. The question of how to tax web giants will also be high on the agenda at the G20 meeting in Buenos Aires next Monday and Tuesday. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A day after Araria police in Bihar reportedly booked three youths for allegedly raising pro-Pakistan slogans after announcement of bypoll results there, RJD MP from the constituency Sarfaraz Alam today stressed they did not belong to the party. Speaking to reporters outside the Parliament, the newly-elected Parliamentarian also said he did not believe in the slogans the youth concerned allegedly shouted. Those are not RJD men, not of the alliance. I don't believe (in what they have said), I believe in secularism, Alam told reporters. Meanwhile, Union Minister Ashwini Kumar Choubey, who hails from Bihar, told a channel it was unfortunate that such slogans were allegedly raised in India. It needs to be identified who these people are, he added. According to media reports, the Araria police yesterday filed a FIR against three local youths for allegedly shouting slogans such as Pakistan zindabad and Bharat tere tukde honge after the result of the bypoll was announced on Wednesday. Alam had defeated BJP's Pradeep Kumar Singh by over 60,000 votes. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa today said that the country "has moved on" in response to claims by former president Robert Mugabe that he was ousted in an illegal "coup d'etat". Mnangwa added in a short statement that he "noted recent remarks made to the media" by Mugabe who spoke to foreign journalists at a location in Harare yesterday. It was Mugabe's first public statement since his resignation in November. "I say it was a coup d'etat -- some people have refused to call it a coup d'etat," Mugabe told South Africa's SABC broadcaster, referring to the brief army takeover which led to Mnangagwa assuming power after Mugabe's resignation. "We must undo this disgrace which we have imposed on ourselves, we don't deserve it... Zimbabwe doesn't deserve it." Mnangagwa's brief response, posted on his official twitter account and bearing the seal of the presidency, added that Mugabe "is entitled to express himself freely, as is the case for any private citizen". "The nation has moved on. Our focus at this time shall remain on preparing for free, fair and credible elections in 2018. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) (Reuters) - BlackRock Inc elected three independent directors to its board, including executives from Microsoft Corp and Aviva , the world's biggest asset manager said on Thursday.The new directors are Bill Ford, the CEO of private equity firm General Atlantic, Peggy Johnson, the executive vice president of business development at Microsoft, and British insurer Aviva's Chief Executive Mark Wilson."The three new directors' global perspective and combined expertise in technology, financial services and fast-growing markets, such as Asia-Pacific, reflects BlackRock's current and future ... By Vishal Sridhar(Reuters) - Edelweiss Financial Services Ltd said on Friday its acquisition of Religare Enterprises Ltd's securities business fell through after Religare failed to get the necessary regulatory approvals.Religare shares fell as much as 5 percent in early trading, but recouped most losses to trade down 1.5 percent at 0636 GMT. Edelweiss shares were trading flat.Edelweiss Financial, the wealth management unit of Mumbai-based Edelweiss Group, said in December it would buy Religare's securities business for about 2.50 billion rupees ($38.5 million).Religare, which has been selling ... By Giancarlo Navach and Stephen JewkesLONDON/MILAN (Reuters) - Italian oil major Eni hiked its dividend on Friday and held out the prospect of a share buyback after promising higher growth in production and more cash.Eni was the first oil major to cut its dividend three years ago after a steep decline in the oil price forced the industry to tighten its belt.But as crude prices recover, the focus of the world's biggest oil companies is slowly shifting from slashing jobs and investment to boosting shareholder returns and growth.So far this year, Total has raised dividends, BP flagged a ... BRUSSELS (Reuters) - The European Commission called for industry views on Friday on a list of U.S. products it will subject to import tariffs if the United States taxes European steel and aluminium.The Commission plans to set duties of 25 percent on a range of U.S. products, from maize to motorbikes, whose annual imports to the European Union are worth some 2.8 billion euros ($3.45 billion).U.S. President Donald Trump signed an order last week that would subject incoming steel to a tariff of 25 percent and aluminium 10 percent, albeit with exemptions for Canada, Mexico and possibly other ... By Olga Yagova, Dmitry Zhdannikov and Gleb GorodyankinMOSCOW/LONDON (Reuters) - Oil trader Trafigura will regain its position as the largest buyer of seaborne crude from Russia's Rosneft, trading sources told Reuters on Friday, expanding their partnership as Rosneft reduces its dealings with Vitol and Glencore.Three sources told Reuters that Trafigura would increase its dominance in Rosneft's Urals oil trading from April when Rosneft's 5-year pre-finance deal with Vitol and Glencore expires."Trafigura will be the lucky one," a trader in the Russian crude oil market said.Rosneft, Trafigura, ... By Colin Packham and Paulina DuranSYDNEY (Reuters) - The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and Australia reject protectionism and embrace free trade, Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and his Singapore counterpart Lee Hsien Loong said on Friday."You don't grow stronger by closing the door to other markets. Protectionism is a dead end. It is not a ladder to get you out of the low growth trap, it is a shovel to dig it much deeper," Turnbull told a special meeting of ASEAN in Sydney."We must face the world, not turn from it. Embrace free trade, not retreat from it," ... By Jonathan Stempel(Reuters) - A federal appeals court on Thursday voided the U.S. Department of Labor's "fiduciary rule," an Obama administration measure adopted in 2016 meant to curb conflicts of interest among providers of financial advice to Americans planning for retirement.The 2-1 decision by the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals is the second major victory for financial services groups under President Donald Trump's administration. Last year, Congress killed a Consumer Financial Protection Bureau rule that had restricted financial institutions from forcing clients to sign mandatory ... NEW YORK (Reuters) - A U.S. judge on Thursday dismissed a lawsuit against 16 big banks by retail foreign currency investors who claimed they were indirectly harmed by a conspiracy to rig prices.U.S. District Judge Lorna Schofield in Manhattan said the investors failed to show they had legal standing to pursue antitrust claims, or that the banks' alleged conspiracy in the $5.1-trillion-a-day currency market was the proximate cause of their losses.The plaintiffs claimed they were injured by having bought currencies from dealers that did not rig prices, but which passed on the costs of the ... By Sonam Rai and Stephen Nellis(Reuters) - Broadcom Ltd on Thursday said it was likely to pursue smaller acquisitions of chipmakers after its failed hostile takeover bid to acquire rival Qualcomm Inc and said that its smart phone chip business would see a drop in demand this quarter from a North American customer and an increase from South Korea.Most analysts believe that the North American customer is Apple Inc , which made up a fifth of Broadcom revenue last year, and the Korean customer is Samsung Electronics Co Ltd , which is ramping up production of its recently announced Galaxy S9 ... WASHINGTON (AP) The Pentagon acknowledged Thursday that budget shortfalls have eroded military capabilities, including training and flight hours, but stopped short of blaming those cutbacks for the crash of a U.S. Navy fighter jet that killed both crew members. Dana White, Pentagon spokeswoman, said the cause of the F/A-18 Super Hornet crash Wednesday off the coast of Key West, Florida, is still under investigation. But she was asked if there was a link between the crash and persistent military complaints about reductions in flying hours and other training cutbacks because Congress hasnt approved the 2018 budget. Its important that we not necessarily draw a direct correlation, but it is important that we have stable funding. That has been our message to the Congress and to the American people for the last several months, said White. Capabilities erode. And things are delayed. Marine Lt. Gen. Kenneth McKenzie, director of the Joint Staff, said military readiness is a key priority, but its not clear how it affected the aircraft or the deaths of the crew. He added, however, that pilots are going to be flying more and training is going to pick up. The Super Hornet was on approach to land at the naval air station in Key West around 4:30 p.m. when it crashed into shallow water about a mile (1.5 kilometers) east of the runway. Both the pilot and weapons-system officer ejected and were pulled out of the water. U.S. Naval Air Forces said late Wednesday that both had died. The aviators have been identified as Lt. Cmdr. James Brice Johnson and Lt. Caleb Nathaniel King, both Florida residents, Naval Air Forces said. Johnson, a Naval aviator and 2007 graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy, was piloting the jet when the incident occurred while King, a 2012 U.S. Naval Academy graduate, was serving as the Weapons Systems Operator. April Phillips, a spokeswoman for the Naval Safety Center in Norfolk, Virginia, said there have been 25 serious mishaps involving F/A-18 Super Hornets since fiscal year 2008. They resulted in four deaths including the two Wednesday and the loss of 11 aircraft. The other two fatalities were in 2011. All 25 were considered Class A, which means a crew member died or the plane suffered at least $2 million in damage. There were five incidents last year, the most of any year in the past decade, and all remain under investigation. There was one mishap in 2016. Phillips did not offer an explanation for the spike in serious mishaps in 2017, saying there wasnt a common cause or smoking gun. Navy Cdr. Dave Hecht, spokesman for Naval Air Force Atlantic, said the squadron took the day off from training Thursday in order to grieve. Other squadrons in Carrier Air Wing Eight were briefed on the mishap and then resumed normal training operations. Barbie Wilson, who lives near Naval Air Station Key West, said she saw the crash from her pickup while running an errand. It looked like it was going to land on the runway and then the whole plane went sideways, she said in a phone interview. And then I saw fire and it dropped out of the sky. Wilson said her husband later told her he had heard two loud booms from their house nearby. She said the plane landed upside down in water thats barely deep enough for a kayak. It was just a matter of minutes, and there were rescue helicopters, she said. You cant get to it by boat or car. Justin Duane Hults, who also lives near the base, said the roar of the jets engines sounded abnormal right before the crash. They were coming in to land like they always do, he said. But (the engines) got real loud and then really quiet instead of (the roar) being long and drawn out. He said he later saw rescuers pull the crew from the water. Hecht said the Super Hornet remains in the water where it crashed and will stay there until the investigation is complete. That investigation will include a review of aircraft maintenance, number of hours flown on the aircraft, physical condition of the aircrew and their activities previous to the accident. The aircraft crew is based out of Naval Air Station Oceana, in Virginia Beach, Virginia. The Super Hornet is a twin-engine fighter jet that is larger than the single-seat F/A-18 Hornet. President Donald Trump has tweeted his condolences, and Republican U.S. Rep. Carlos Curbelo of Miami emailed his condolences to the victims families. Associated Press writer Ben Finley contributed to this report from Norfolk, Va. HONOLULU (AP) The state of Hawaii on Thursday released an audio recording of the drill it was running in January when an employee mistakenly sent cellphone and broadcast alerts warning of a ballistic missile attack. But the 24-second recording the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency released was heavily redacted. It started with the words exercise, exercise, exercise, followed by a prolonged beep, then the phrase this is not a drill and another prolonged beep. It ended with exercise, exercise, exercise. Spokesman Lt. Col. Charles Anthony said the agency could only disclose a small portion of the recording because the U.S. Pacific Command would use the exact same or very similar language if it notified the agency of an actual missile threat. Somebody could use that verbiage to compose a message then call the state warning point and try to spoof state warning point into thinking there was a real missile alert, Anthony said. He said this could be a prankster, North Korea or something in between. The recording isnt classified, but the material is so sensitive that the emergency management agency treats it like it is, Anthony said. But Brian Black, the executive director of the Civil Beat Law Center for the Public Interest, said its troubling that the agency is only releasing portions that support their narrative of what happened. The employee who sent the alert has said he didnt hear the word exercise spoken during the drill and thought the threat was real. The agency has since fired him. The level of public disagreement about this issue raises the interest in this such that they really should have come forward with more and they really should have been more forthcoming about what it was that happened, Black said. Black said it sounds like the agency is saying it has no way of verifying the message is coming from Pacific Command other than the language thats being used. The agencys action on Jan. 13 sent push alerts to the cellphones of thousands of Hawaii residents and visitors. Many panicked, fearing they were about to die in a nuclear attack. It took the agency 38 minutes to send another cellphone and broadcast message notifying the public the alert was sent in error. Ralph Cossa, president of the Pacific Forum CSIS think tank in Honolulu, said he understands the states need to be cautious and is quasi-sympathetic to its position on the redactions. You dont want your procedures so clearly spelled out that somebody who could hack in the future could duplicate it and send out send out a very realistic message that could then create panic once again, he said. There are people both capable and inclined to do such things today, he said. On the other hand, if thats all they put out, it certainly will raise more suspicions than it will answer questions, he said. Common ground should be found closer to being more transparent than Thursdays release, he said. Cossa said he hopes there would be procedures in place to verify future messages from the Pacific Command and the messages would adopt some new wording. BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) A settlement agreement has resolved a federal lawsuit against a Louisiana sheriff over a handcuffed mans shooting death, an attorney for the dead mans family said Friday. The amount of the settlement or any other terms cannot be disclosed by the familys lawyers, the attorney, Robert Cox, said in an email to The Associated Press. Court records indicate a magistrate judge dismissed the case after attorneys met Thursday to discuss a settlement of the suit that relatives of the dead man, Victor White III, filed against Iberia Parish Sheriff Louis Ackal and a deputy. A coroner ruled that White shot himself in the chest after his drug-related arrest in March 2014. The 22-year-olds hands were cuffed behind his back when he died in the rear of an Iberia Parish Sheriffs Office patrol car. The Justice Department and state prosecutors ruled out any criminal charges in Whites death. A forensic pathologist concluded it was possible for the gunshot to be self-inflicted even though Whites hands were handcuffed behind his back, according to the local district attorneys office. U.S. Magistrate Judge Patrick Hanna, however, ruled in October that a jury for the civil case must decide whether Whites death was a suicide, accident or at the hand of a sheriffs deputy. Hanna said the manner of Whites death hasnt been conclusively established. Thursdays court filings dont explicitly say a settlement agreement was reached, but Hannas order dismissing the case says it can be revived if the termination process isnt completed within 60 days. Hanna also ordered the attorneys to submit a joint stipulation of dismissal within 60 days. The court sealed a written summary of Thursdays settlement conference, which was held in Lafayette before a different magistrate judge, Carol Whitehurst. A lawyer for the sheriff and his deputy, Justin Ortis, didnt respond to several emails or telephone messages Thursday and Friday. A trial for the familys lawsuit had been scheduled to start Feb. 5, but Hanna agreed to postpone it amid new allegations that Ackal used racial slurs and instructed deputies how to cover up illegal actions against arrested suspects. In a court filing in January, lawyers for Whites family said two former employees of the sheriffs office had recently contacted them with highly critical and important information about Ackal. Hanna delayed the trial to give Ackals lawyer time to question the witnesses. The magistrate said their anticipated testimony is important and could unfairly undermine the familys case if jurors dont hear it. Laurie Segura, who worked as Ackals administrative assistant, told the familys attorneys that she heard the sheriff give coded instructions for writing reports to justify beatings of detainees. Segura also said Ackal referred to black people as gorillas and another racial slur, the lawyers said. The other new witness, former sheriffs Deputy Candace Rayburn, contacted Whites father on Jan. 24 and said she knew of the practice of beating up detainees before they were brought in for booking, the familys attorneys wrote. She further stated she had heard officers talking about the Victor White III incident, they added, without elaborating. Ackal, who didnt immediately respond Friday to a phone message left with his office, was acquitted in November 2016 of federal civil rights charges that accused him of ordering the beatings of parish jail prisoners and orchestrating a brazen cover-up. Ten deputies pleaded guilty in the case. Neither Segura nor Rayburn testified at Ackals trial. Shandell Marie Bradley, the mother of Whites daughter, sued the sheriff and Ortis in 2015. Ortis had patted down White and found marijuana in a pants pocket but didnt confiscate a gun before he handcuffed him. YOUNTVILLE, Calif. (AP) A combat veteran killed himself after fatally shooting three mental health workers last week at a California veterans home, authorities said Thursday. The Napa County Sheriffs Office said Albert Wong, 36, shot the three workers in the head with a rifle at the California Veterans Home in Yountville. The sheriff didnt release the type of rifle used. The sheriff also serves as the countys coroner. The sheriffs office said that Wong then used a shotgun to shoot himself in the head Friday at The Pathway Home building. Pathway home was a nonprofit organization that treated combat veterans for post-traumatic stress syndrome and other mental health disorders. Wong, whose military records show he served in Afghanistan from April 2011 to March 2012, was enrolled in The Pathway Homes veteran treatment program until he was recently expelled, according to a relative of one of the women he killed. Law enforcement officials did not respond to questions about what led to Wong being dismissed from the program. Wong killed program director Christine Loeber and psychologists Jennifer Golick, and Jennifer Gonzales Shushereba, who was also pregnant. Napa County Sheriffs Capt. Steven Blower said neither the victims nor Wong was shot by a deputy who exchanged gunfire with Wong when he first arrived at the veterans home Friday morning. The deputy was responding to a 10:20 a.m. report of shots fired. Wong ran into a room and closed the door during the gunfight no further shots were heard. Officers werent sure if Wong and the victims were still alive and they surrounded the building for seven hours and attempted to contact Wong. Shortly before 6 p.m., a robot with a video camera showed all four people appearing to be dead, which officers soon confirmed. The Pathway board of directors announced Wednesday that the program was suspending operations indefinitely. MIAMI (AP) An engineer left a voicemail two days before a catastrophic bridge failure in Miami to say some cracking had been found at one end of the concrete span, but the voicemail wasnt picked up until after the collapse, Florida Department of Transportation officials said Friday. The voicemail left on a landline wasnt heard by a state DOT employee until Friday because the employee was out of the office on an assignment, the agency said in an email. In a transcript released Friday night, Denney Pate with FIGG Bridge Group says the cracking would need repairs but from a safety perspective we dont see that theres any issue there so were not concerned about it from that perspective. At a news conference Friday night, officials from the National Transportation Safety Board said they have just begun their investigation, and cannot yet say whether any cracking contributed to the collapse. They also said workers were trying to strengthen a diagonal member on the pedestrian bridge at Florida International University when it collapsed. Robert Accetta, the investigator-in-charge for the NTSB, said crews were applying post-tensioning force, but investigators arent sure if thats what caused the bridge to fall. In a news release late Friday, FIGG Bridge Engineers said it continues to work diligently to determine the cause of the collapse, and is examining the steps its team has taken. It added, The evaluation was based on the best available information at that time and indicated that there were no safety issues. It also asked for time to accurately determine what led to the accident. The bridge collapsed Thursday, killing at least six people. Authorities are slowly removing the debris, looking for more victims. A college student who narrowly escaped from a car that got smashed in the collapse said he watched helplessly as the structure tumbled down on top of the vehicle and killed the friend who was sitting next to him in the drivers seat. Richie Humble, who studies at FIU, was riding in a car under the pedestrian bridge when he heard a long creaking noise coming from the structure that spanned a busy Miami-area highway. It sounded different from anything he had ever heard before. I looked up, and in an instant, the bridge was collapsing on us completely. It was too quick to do anything about it, Humble said Friday in a phone interview with The Associated Press. The family of the driver, Alexa Duran, has said she died. Once Humble realized he was alive, he also realized that he could not get to Duran. He called to her but got no response. A group of men outside the car started yelling at him to try crawling through the rear window. He made his way into the back seat but couldnt squeeze through because the window was crushed. The men outside grabbed a wooden plank and pried open the rear door to pull him free, he said. I was trying to get people to realize my friend was still in there, he said. He suffered cuts to his leg from glass and a slight fracture to a vertebra, but he was able to walk away from the scene. While families waited for word on their loved ones, investigators sought to understand why the 950-ton bridge gave way during construction. The cables supporting the span were being tightened following a stress test when it collapsed, authorities said. The DOT said in its Friday release that it had not been notified of any stress test. This is a tragedy that we dont want to re-occur anywhere in the United States, said Juan Perez, director of the Miami-Dade police. We just want to find out what caused this collapse to occur and people to die. Detectives declared the rubble a homicide scene. Scheduled to open in 2019, the bridge would have provided safe passage over a canal and six lanes of traffic and created a showpiece architectural feature connecting the campus of FIU with the community of Sweetwater, where many students live. The $14.2 million project was supposed to take advantage of a faster, cheaper and safer method of bridge-building promoted by the university. Authorities have not confirmed the victims names. The fatalities included a student at FIU. One person died at a hospital, and Perez said five bodies were located with the help of cameras but had not yet been retrieved. In a Facebook post, Chelsea Brownfield said she was awaiting any information about her husband, Brandon. According to a Go Fund Me page set up for the family, Brandon Brownfield was driving home from work when the collapse happened. The outpouring of love we have received is incredible, Chelsea Brownfield wrote. I know you are all concerned for us. We still have not received any news or updates about Brandon Brownfield or the progress of the search (and) rescue. The post ended with the hashtag praying for a miracle. Brownfield declined to comment in a message to The Associated Press. Jorge and Carol Fraga feared their relatives car was trapped beneath the bridge. Jorges 60-year-old uncle, Rolando Fraga, lives in the area and frequently takes the nearby turnpike to work, but no one has heard from him since midday Thursday. The waiting is so I dont have words for that, Carol Fraga said through tears. The bridge was put in place March 10, five days before the collapse. When finished, the span would have been supported from above, with a tall, off-center tower and cables attached to the walkway. That tower had not yet been installed, and it was unclear what builders were using as temporary supports. Associated Press writers Tim Reynolds, Josh Replogle, Freida Frisaro and Curt Anderson in Miami; Jason Dearen in Gainesville; Tamara Lush in St. Petersburg and Rodrique Ngowi in Boston contributed to this report. ROME (AP) A Spanish rescue ship carrying 216 migrants was heading Friday to a Sicilian port after having a high-seas run-in with Libyas armed coast guard during the rescue. Proactiva Open Arms said a sick baby and her mother were evacuated to Malta on Friday while the other migrants and crew on the ship waited at sea for instructions. By late Friday, the groups founder, Oscar Camps, tweeted that the Italian coast guard had authorized the ship to dock in Pozzallo, Sicily, on Saturday. Proactiva spokeswoman Laura Lanuza said a Libyan coast guard vessel on Thursday had threatened to shoot Proactivas rescue dinghies if they didnt offload their passengers during the rescue in international waters, 73 miles (117 kilometers) off Libyas coast. Proactiva refused and eventually the Libyan ship pulled away. Italys coast guard, for the first time, then required Spanish authorities to formally ask that Proactivas ship be allowed to dock, Lanuza said. In a statement, the Italian coast guard said the insistence that Spain make the request was in accordance with international standards. It said it allowed Proactivas ship to proceed to Pozzallo given the precarious conditions of the migrants and worsening weather forecasts. The coast guard didnt comment on Proactivas claims of Libyan threats, but said the Libyan coast guard had assumed responsibility for coordinating the rescue after the Italians reported that the migrants were in trouble. STOCKHOLM (AP) Swedens foreign minister held what she called good and constructive talks with her North Korean counterpart on Friday amid growing speculation about a possible meeting in the Scandinavian country between President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. Foreign Minister Margot Wallstrom refused to say as she left the Stockholm villa where the meeting took place whether she and North Koreas Ri Yong Ho discussed a Trump-Kim meeting. The villa is close to the embassies of South Korea and the United States. Well see what happens next, Wallstrom said. Wallstrom earlier said Sweden hopes we can use our role and also our contacts to facilitate U.S.-North Korea interactions, but stressed it was up to the countries concerned to decide which way we are going. We value this opportunity to arrange a meeting, she said without specifying to what she was referring. Ris surprise trip to Stockholm has taken on added significance due to the expectation that a summit of Kim and Trump could defuse the tensions over North Koreas nuclear weapons program. The Swedish Foreign Ministry said on Friday night that Ri and Wallstrom planned to meet again Saturday and a summary of their discussions would be provided afterward. The ministry said ahead of the North Korean diplomats visit that his meetings with Wallstrom would focus on Swedens consular responsibilities as a protecting power for the United States, Canada and Australia, but also would address the security situation on the Korean Peninsula. Ri also held a brief meeting Friday with Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Lofven. He has not made any public comments since he arrived in Stockholm on Thursday. Lofven, speaking at a press conference with German Chancellor Angela Merkel in Berlin, did not directly answer a question about whether his country had Washingtons support to organize talks with Pyongyang. We have always said we want to be a mediator that facilitates this process, Lofven said. Trump has agreed to meet Kim by May. So far, North Korea has yet to comment publicly on what it hopes to gain from the talks. Ris visit to Stockholm, where he once served as a diplomat at the North Korean Embassy, has been shrouded in secrecy. Sweden has been rumored as a possible site for the summit, though a truce village on the South Korean side of the Demilitarized Zone between the Koreas is seen as more likely. Sweden has had diplomatic relations with North Korea since 1973 and is one of few Western countries with an embassy in Pyongyang. It provides consular services for the United States in North Korea. The trip by Ri is being closely watched because a huge amount of preparation needs to be done before the summit. Senior South Korean officials who traveled to the North Korean capital of Pyongyang this month and met with Kim say he is willing to discuss the Norths nuclear weapons program. That could suggest a potential breakthrough, or a fallback to the Norths longstanding position that its willing to get rid of its nuclear weapons if the U.S. guarantees its safety. In the past, that has meant Washington would have to withdraw all of its troops from South Korea, a condition no U.S. president has been willing to consider. Olsen reported from Copenhagen, Denmark. Eric Talmadge in Tokyo and Frank Jordans in Berlin contributed to this report. VIENNA (AP) Washington wants its European allies to agree on further measures against Iran in return for keeping a landmark nuclear deal with Tehran alive, U.S. officials said Friday. Speaking after closed-doors meetings between the U.S., Iran, Russia and other major world powers in Vienna, U.S. diplomats indicated that an American walkout from the deal isnt a foregone conclusion yet, despite harsh words about the agreement from U.S. President Donald Trump. In order for the United States to remain in the deal, the United States and Europe must come to an agreement to address sunsets, inspections, and long range ballistic missiles, said Brian Hook, the State Department official who led the U.S. delegation. Washington opposes the expiry over time of restrictions on Irans nuclear enrichment program stipulated in one of the deals sunset clauses and wants the U.N. to get greater powers to inspect Irans military sites, too. Although the issues are currently outside the nuclear agreement, the U.S. also wants European countries to support a clampdown on Irans ballistic missile program and the countrys activity beyond its borders, such as by designating the political wing of Lebanons Hezbollah a terrorist organization. The president has instructed us to see if we can come to an agreement with the Europeans by May 12, said Hook. He confirmed that American diplomats also met with an Iranian delegation on the sidelines of a gathering of the so-called Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action Joint Commission, or JCPOA, but didnt provide details. Such discussions between the U.S. and Iran have occurred occasionally on the margins of regularly scheduled Iran deal talks. A senior State Department official in Washington, who was not authorized to discuss the matter publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity, said the U.S. side has used the opportunity to raise the cases of Americans imprisoned or missing in Iran. The periodic meeting of the JCPOA, was being closely watched for an indication of American thinking following Trumps firing of Secretary of State Rex Tillerson. Trump has vowed to walk away from the 2015 agreement in mid-May unless European countries join the U.S. in addressing what the president says are its key flaws. These include no penalties for Irans missile work and support for militant groups in Lebanon, Syria, Yemen and elsewhere. Tillersons firing and the choice of anti-Iran hard-liner Mike Pompeo to replace him have fueled speculation that Washington will pull out a move that likely would kill the deal. Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Aragchi and other delegates refused to comment on the closed-door session after it wrapped up. But Aragchi told a parliamentary committee in Tehran on Wednesday that Tillersons ouster was proof that Trump would pull out and promised that Iran would withdraw if the U.S. does. Hook said the meetings in Vienna had been productive, insisting that the U.S. is meeting its commitments under the Iran nuclear deal and we are holding Iran accountable for its commitments. We believe that we can work within the Iran nuclear deal to strictly enforce it while we are working on all of the aspects outside of Irans nuclear program, he said. The nuclear deal, which was negotiated during the Obama administration, limits Irans enrichment and stockpiling of material that could be applied to a nuclear weapons program. In exchange, Tehran was granted widespread relief from international trade, oil and banking sanctions. Trumps next deadline to extend some of those concessions is May 12. EU foreign ministers, who will discuss the issue Monday in Brussels, are expected to affirm that they believe the deal with Iran is good, and work to discourage Trump from pulling out of the deal. At the same time, theyre expected to start putting greater stress on Irans missile development and its destabilizing role in the region. AP Diplomatic Writer Matthew Lee in Washington, and David Rising and Frank Jordans in Berlin contributed to this story. PARIS (AP) The German and French leaders started working Friday toward what French President Emmanuel Macron said will be an ambitious, clear road map for Europes future, months after Macron first laid out his proposals for reforming the European Union. Macron hosted German Chancellor Angela Merkel on her first trip abroad after she was sworn in for a fourth term this week, ending months of postelection political drift in Germany. The leaders showed solidarity with Britain after the nerve agent attack on a former Russian spy and his daughter, which Western nations suspect Russia was behind. Merkel said the EU is looking for the most appropriate response. Germany and France have long played a key role as leading powers in the EU, which Macron wants to reform dramatically, along with the euro currency union. Macron said a new vision for Europe is indispensable as the continent faces mounting populism, seen most recently in Italys election, and the Euroskepticism highlighted by Britains vote to leave the EU. We will propose an ambitious, clear roadmap covering everything from defense to migration to education and culture, Macron said ahead of a dinner with Merkel. EU leaders are to hold their next summit next week. Macron laid out his proposals in September at the Sorbonne University, calling Europe slow, weak and ineffective. He proposed a joint budget for countries sharing the euro currency that would allow investment in European projects and help stabilize the eurozone in case of economic crisis. He suggested greater harmonization of EU tax policies notably on corporate taxes, and taxing internet giants where they make money and not where they are registered. To deal with Europes migrant influx, Macron wants a European asylum agency and standard EU identity documents, and in defense a shared European military intervention force and defense budget. Germany has yet to respond in detail because it had a caretaker government for several months until this week. Were not always of the same opinion but I think we can advance together, Merkel said. Its more necessary than ever. IRBIL, Iraq (AP) Iraqs Kurdish region on Friday commemorated the 30th anniversary of Saddam Husseins 1988 gas attack in the northeastern Kurdish town of Halabja that killed 5,000 people. Kurdish officials delivered speeches to a crowd of hundreds gathered for the ceremony at a stadium in the town. At a cemetery where many of those killed in the attack are buried, relatives of victims, survivors of the attack and officials laid flowers beside rows of headstones. From Baghdad, Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi described the attack as a crime that shook the conscience of the world, according to a written statement released by his office. As the country commemorates the Halabja attack we affirm our pride in the unity of our people, he said in the statement. Tensions between Iraqs Kurds and the central government have spiked recently following a controversial vote on independence held by the autonomous Kurdish region in September. In Halabja, residents described decades of government neglect. We are still carrying the same suffering that we suffered in the past. Until now, those injured in the chemical attack have not received proper treatment, said Hikmat Faiq Arif, a 45-year old resident, adding that much of the city also remains damaged. Iraq must be obligated to pay compensation for the destroyed city of Halabja, because it is a part of Iraq, he said. The 1988 attack was ordered by Saddams government as part of a scorched-earth campaign to crush a Kurdish rebellion in the north and came to symbolize the brutality of his rule. The vast majority of those killed in the nerve and mustard gas attacks were Kurds. Many survivors still suffer from the after-effects. BEIJING (AP) An independent think tank says Chinas military is ramping up its security presence in Tajikistan with troop deployments amid fears that militants based in nearby Afghanistan could strike at western China. The International Crisis Group said in a report Wednesday that China has deployed soldiers and built a counter-terrorism center in Tajikistan near the three-way border of Tajikistan, China and Afghanistan. China has repeatedly warned about ethnic Uighur militants who have left their homeland in western China to join extremist groups such as the Turkistan Islamic Party, a predominantly Uighur group that has bases in Syria and Afghanistan and is allied with al-Qaida and the Taliban. The Chinese defense ministry did not immediately respond to a fax seeking comment. Although the troop deployments are reported to be within a short distance from Chinas western border, they could represent a new milestone for a Chinese military that has increasingly ventured abroad in recent years. In a message primarily aimed at China, the U.S.-led coalition in Afghanistan said in February that it conducted airstrikes against militant camps in the countrys north, near the Tajik and Chinese borders, to reassure neighbors that the area would not be a safe haven for terrorists who want to carry out cross-border attacks. China has encouraged Central Asian countries to play a bigger role in regional affairs as part of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, an eight-nation group dominated by China and Russia. Apart from stepping up security cooperation, China has funneled significant economic investment into Central Asia, a critical hub in President Xi Jinpings Belt-and-Road infrastructure initiative connecting the Eurasian continent. Beijing has also sought a bigger role in Afghanistans political future, pushing for settlement talks between the Taliban and the Afghan government. | BY Ricki Green | AdFest has unveiled the companies who have made the INNOVA Lotus shortlist: McCann Worldgroup Mumbai, Colenso BBDO Auckland, TBWA\Shanghai, TBWA\Hakuhodo Tokyo, McGarryBowen Shanghai, INNOCEAN Worldwide Seoul, Hakuhodo Inc/ TBWA\Hakuhodo Tokyo and BBDO Bangkok Bangkok. For the first time, AdFest has invited representatives from each company to present their work in person to this years Jury Presidents. This live INNOVA shortlist presentation will take place on Day 1 of AdFest 2018 (Wednesday 21st March) from 9:30am to 1pm, and delegates at AdFest 2018 are invited to watch each company present their work. We want to give each shortlisted agency the opportunity to elaborate on their work, explain the challenges they overcame, and convince the judges, face to face, that their idea is truly pushing into unchartered territory. For delegates, it will be a very valuable session so much can be learned from watching other creative leaders present their ideas and answer the judges questions, explains Jimmy Lam, President of AdFest. Entries to the INNOVA Lotus category are judged on their level of genuine innovation, talk-value, and results. The judges will be looking for world-class concepts that have made a dramatic impact on the marketplace landmark ideas, technologies, designs, applications or creative properties that have pushed the marketing industry into unchartered territory. There are four sub-categories in INNOVA Lotus including Innovation in Creativity, Innovation in Technology, Innovation in Prototype Technology, and Innovation in Local Culture Application. Vinit Suraphongchai, Chairman of AdFest said, By opening up the INNOVA presentations to AdFest delegates, we are giving all shortlisted companies the chance to explain their approach to innovation, experimentation and risk taking. Its also an opportunity for judges to ask questions and interrogate how each solution met the brief. The caliber of shortlisted projects this year is unparalleled, congratulations to everyone who made the cut. All AdFest delegates are invited to attend the INNOVA shortlist presentation, which takes place in Hall A2 on Wednesday 21st March, 9:30am to 1pm at PEACH (Pattaya Exhibition and Conference Hall). Friday, March 16, 2018 at 8:09AM iOS users will soon have the visual search functionality of Google Lens with visual search and assistance which will be added on to the Google Photos app. Previously an exclusive feature to Google Pixel handsets, Google Lens has rolled out to other Android devices and now works with iOS. Google Lens, like Assistant, is an extension of Google Search. It can analyze whats in an image and provide relevant actions and search results. For example, when analyzing a picture with a phone number or address, it will provide suggestions to call and get directions. Other capabilities include: Business card: You can save the phone number or address to a contact. Book: You can get reviews and other details about it. Landmark or building: You can get more details about it. Painting in a museum: You can get details about it. A plant or animal: You can learn more about it. A flyer or event billboard: You can add that event to your calendar. In Google Photos, Lens can be accessed by tapping the new square camera icon in the bottom toolbar of any image. After a second of analysis, a panel will slide up with actions you can take or Search results. According to Google, it is rolling out on version 3.15 of the iOS app starting today with a complete release for all users over the next week. Source: 9to5Mac news, latest-news A former Canberra bikie boss has beaten drugs, weapons, and armour charges after prosecutors could not prove the drugs were his or the weapons were dangerous. Mohammed Nchouki, 37, pleaded not guilty in the ACT Magistrates Court to eight charges of unauthorised possession of a banned firearm, possessing a prohibited weapon without a permit, possessing ammunition, and possessing a prohibited substance and a drug of dependence. He was acquitted of all counts after a hearing before Magistrate Bernadette Boss last month. Police raided the southside home and car of the former joint-president of the ACT chapter of the Nomads Outlaw Motorcycle Gang in June last year. A police statement of facts, tendered in court, said officers found a handgun, ballistic vest, and cannabis in a Toyota Hilux parked in the driveway. Two further vests and a iphone stun gun-like device were found in a wardrobe, while cocaine was found in an office. At the hearing, the court heard the ute and office had been used for work purposes and could have been accessed and used by other employees of a building company. Dr Boss also rejected evidence certificates relied on by the prosecution, designed to prove that Nchouki was not authorised to possess the weapons, because the documents had not been signed by a person with the correct authorisation. A witness from the firearms registry said searches of the online database showed Nchouki did not hold a firearms licence. However, under cross-examination by defence barrister Jack Pappas, she said she had not checked if Nchouki had other permits or authorisations to possess the weapons. On day two of the trial, a ballistics expert conceded he did not have the expertise to identify the body armour, had not properly tested the taser-like device to prove it could administer an electric shock, and not opened the ammunition to check if it contained propellant to allow it to be fired. In closing, Mr Pappas argued Nchouki should be acquitted of possession of cocaine and cannabis charges because the court could not rule out the drugs belonged to someone else. Mr Pappas also argued the prosecution could not exclude Nchouki had authorisations to hold the weapons. The barrister said the prosecution had also failed to prove that the vests were in fact soft body armour, that the ammunition contained the required propellant, and that the iPhone had been capable of delivering an electric shock. In acquitting Nchouki, Dr Boss ordered the police pay Nchouki's costs. /images/transform/v1/crop/frm/silverstone-ct-migration/eb3b67f1-85c1-4eb0-8007-ea30a517fd33/r0_102_219_226_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg news, latest-news A 79-year-old man has been charged with child sex offences linked to incidents alleged to have happened while he was an employee of the Catholic Archdiocese of Canberra and Goulburn almost three decades ago. NSW Police will allege the man was performing an administrative role within the archdiocese when he met the 15-year-old alleged victim. The offences are alleged to have occurred in 1989 during a work-related trip to Batemans Bay and Huskisson. Police investigated the alleged incidents after receiving a referral from the archdiocese's Institute for Professional Standards and Safeguarding last year. The man was arrested in Brisbane on Tuesday and charged with five counts of gross indecency by male with male under 18 years. In a statement, the Catholic Archdiocese of Canberra and Goulburn said: "The charges are of a very serious nature and the matter is with NSW Police. "These allegations will now be considered by a court. It would be inappropriate for the Archdiocese to make further comment until the judicial process has been concluded." The man will appear before the Queanbeyan Local Court on April 23. /images/transform/v1/crop/frm/silverstone-ct-migration/df00364f-8f2c-47de-9499-0440513e5c7a/r0_144_2000_1274_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg news, latest-news Canberra's RSL branch wants to stop children younger than 12 from marching in this year's Anzac Day parade, and multiple military and community bands have been scrapped in a major overhaul of the event. Branch president John King said it had asked ex-services groups not to take younger children on the march after a child tripped during last year's parade causing an elderly man to fall. Both had needed treatment from paramedics and the incident had been traumatic for the pair, he said. Children younger than 12 were unable to keep up with other marchers and the RSL branch wanted to prevent injuries, Mr King said. "I know it doesn't sit well with the general public but that's a fact," he said. "We're not trying to cut people out of the ceremony, we just ask people to acknowledge this is a fact of life. "It has been the case where we've had little tykes injured, and to me that's unacceptable." The RSL branch also asked Scouts, Guides and the Boys' and Girls' brigades to select marchers who could keep up with the parade and hold banners, and the groups had agreed with the changes, Mr King said. Children under 12 can still form a guard of honour at the entrance to the marching route, and can join Scouts, Guides and the brigades in a march following the main parade. The branch's public liability insurance had not changed but the RSL needed to lower the risk of injuries to marchers, Mr King said. An ACT RSL decision will also see Australian Defence Force Academy Band, Salvation Army Band, Canberra City Band and Pipes and Drums not take part in the march down Anzac Parade, despite many decades of involvement. In a recent letter to bands outlining the decision, obtained by The Canberra Times, Mr King said this year's march would trial an audio system called a "delay stack". "It will provide a synchronised transmission of the music being performed by the Royal Military College Band from their position on the Australian War Memorial parade ground along the length of Anzac Parade," the letter said. In the letter, Mr King said the changes to the march came after complaints to the RSL from some veterans. "For many years there have been issues with the march music, including inconsistent tempos and audibility, that have been of concern to our marching veterans," Mr King said. "The unfortunate consequence of this change is that [Canberra City Band, Salvation Army, Pipes and Drums and Australian defence Force Academy] will not be required to perform for the marching contingents on Anzac Day this year." The decision has come as a shock to many of the bands involved in Canberra's Anzac Day commemorations, with some bands providing music for the marches since the 1920s. Canberra City Band spokesman Stephen Hallyburton said the band was devastated by the news, with the band playing at Anzac Day marches since 1926. "Obviously this is very sad news for us. We have very little detail about why the RSL has taken this decision, but on the face of it, it does not strike us as very sensible. "Piping music down Anzac Parade via speakers is not going to create the same atmosphere as live marching bands." Despite the RSL claiming complaints from marchers was the reason behind the change, Mr Hallyburton said the band was never told of any concerns from those taking part. "We have never had any correspondence with the RSL about the 'issues' identified in their letter. They came as a surprise to us, as we have always had very positive feedback from the veterans involved in the march," he said. A spokesman for ADFA said the contribution of the band to events such as the Anzac Day march changes based on plans. "This year the RSL has chosen a different format that does not include the ADFA band. ADFA will continue to engage with the RSL for opportunities to support events in the future," the spokesman said. "Anzac Day is an important day in the ADFA program and serves as a poignant reminder to the cadets of the tradition they have inherited from their forebears and the responsibility they have to the nation they serve." The Salvation Army band was contacted but declined to comment. ACT RSL chief executive James Davidson said a decision to change music arrangements for this year's Anzac Day was made earlier this year following a meeting with the event's chief marshall. "The community involvement [of these bands] is not being scrapped, it's just changed," he said. Mr Davidson said he was confident the changes would work during this year's march. However, he said there was the possibility they would be revised if it didn't work as intended. /images/transform/v1/crop/frm/silverstone-ct-migration/030d9741-4305-4a45-b290-88dd8f219410/r0_100_2000_1230_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg Cape Coral Hospital is the first facility in Southwest Florida to receive prestigious international recognition as a Designated Baby-Friendly birth facility from Baby-Friendly USA. Currently there are 493 active Baby-Friendly hospitals and birth centers in the United States, and more than 20,000 worldwide. The obstetrics team at Cape Coral Hospital has worked diligently to meet the challenges of attaining this recognition, said Scott Kashman, Lee Health Chief Acute Care officer. They have been the first in the state to complete each level, and now achieving the Baby-Friendly Hospital designation, setting an example for other hospitals. This is another example of following the Lee Health vision to be a national leader for the advancement of health and healing. Baby-Friendly USA Inc. is the U.S. authority for the implementation of the Baby-Friendly Hospital initiative, a global program sponsored by the World Health Organization and the United Nations Childrens Fund. The initiative encourages and recognizes hospitals and birthing centers that offer an optimal level of care for breastfeeding mothers and their babies. Based on the Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding, this award recognizes birth facilities that offer breastfeeding mothers the information, confidence and skills needed to successfully initiate and continue breastfeeding their babies. We want to support mothers and encourage them to maximize breastfeeding benefits by continuing for as long as possible. We are proud of the initiative the team has taken to support women in their decision to breastfeed, said Nancy Travis, RN, BSN, MS, Nursing Director, Womens Care Center at Cape Coral Hospital. The hospital delivers over 1,500 babies a year. The Baby-Friendly Hospital project uses hospital policy as a strategy to reduce obesity and other chronic diseases by improving optimal infant feeding practices through implementing evidence-based maternity care. According to the Centers for Disease Control, for women who intend to breastfeed, the hospital experience is critical, and to give infants the best start in achieving a healthy life, including reduced obesity, mothers must be supported immediately after birth to establish breastfeeding. More mothers in Florida are choosing to breastfeed their newborns but few breastfeed long enough to gain the maximum benefits for both mother and infant. According to the CDC National Immunization Survey, 77 percent of mothers in Florida choose to breastfeed their babies but less than 13 percent continue to breastfeed exclusively to the recommended six months. Studies published by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality indicate that hospitals practicing evidence-based maternity care, as outlined by the United Nations Childrens Fund (UNICEF) Ten Steps, have more patients breastfeeding in the hospital with longer durations outside of the hospital. The designation is maintained by continuing to practice the Ten Steps as demonstrated by quality processes, and successful completion of an onsite survey. Its an air show like no other, with the planes size small enough that you can hold one in your arms. More than 70 pilots and several thousand spectators are expected this weekend for the 24th annual Gathering of the Giants event at Seahawk Air Park at 1030 NW 28th St.. These pint-sized, radio-controlled planes may be small in stature, but they have an awful lot of power, with some able to go as much as 200 mph and able to do stunts that an actual pilot wouldnt dare try. This is not a competition, we fly for the crowd to see what happens when the plane goes up and comes down, said Dick Maltby, president of the Cape Coral R/Sea Hawks Club, which is putting on the event as its big fundraiser. We have turbine jets that go 200 mph and fly four feet off the runway which makes the crowd ooh and ahh. The planes can run on gas, diesel, electric and turbine power and can run for 10 minutes on 20 ounces of fuel, though Maltby said his can run as long as 35 minutes going 70 mph. The largest plane ever to fly at Seahawks Park during a Gathering was a B-29 Bomber with a 20-foot wingspan flown by Mac Hodge of Georgia. The plane subsequently crashed at another show. Typically, the remote-control planes with wingspans are between 60 and 84 inches. If you drive a car at 30 mph, it will go a long way. If you go 100 mph the trip will be much shorter, Maltby said. There will be a candy drop for the kids, a flight simulator, food trucks on site, prizes for pilots, a raffle for a plane, and much more. People will also be able to sit in bleachers provided by the city. Last years event drew only about 35 pilots because of the rainy weather. With that not expected to be an issue, many more are expected to come from as far away as Ohio and North Carolina. The event is Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. There is free admission and a $5 donation per vehicle. RVs and lawn chairs are welcome. For more information, go to rseahawks.org. The Republican Women of Cape Coral Federated will host its second annual Women of Distinction Awards Gala to honor Lee Countys Women of Distinction. Beginning in 2016, the RWCCF has been a force to be reckoned with as it is comprised of some of the most vocal women in local politics. With a strong grassroots foundation, the RWCCF knows the power of organization in politics. The RWCCF is organized outside of politics, as well. They raising money for local charities and the military, including veterans groups, Adopt a Troop in Afghanistan, and the Mayoral Scholarship Fund. Since the beginning of their organization in 2016, the RWCCF has hosted its event to honor distinguished Republican women all over Lee County. Its not a political event, its a community event. So, anybody obviously can come and enjoy the event, said Missi Lastra, the president of RWCCF. Our vision is to recognize women in the community that step up into leadership roles that the average person doesnt recognize. This year, the RWCCF will donate funds raised from the ceremony toward their new scholarship program which helps disadvantaged women seek an education. This year we are creating our own scholarship for women who are going back into the workforce and need to go back to school. It will be for women who have been out there, experienced challenges, needs to be re-educated and learn a new trade or craft, said Lastra, who has experienced firsthand the trials as a single mother going back to school to get a better job. It will help them get back to work and take care of their families. This is for women who just want to do good and get back to work, and we want to help them do that. The scholarship is not for high school aged students, rather it focuses on women who need a leg up in the workforce. Its going to go to someone whos experienced hard times, who are maybe homeless or close to it, or are now suddenly single and struggling to support themselves. Theres going to be no rule they have to have children, but that can be part of it. The RWCCF aims to reach out to the community in ways that go beyond politics. You dont have to be active in politics to qualify for the honorary award, but you do have to be a registered Republican woman living in Lee County, as a basic qualification. For obvious reasons, we are a Republican group. Our application process is clear about that, said Lastra about the party affiliation requirement. Sometimes people dont know who the persons party affiliation is when they nominate them, but we are kind about it. We encourage people to nominate themselves although women just dont do that, it just doesnt happen. Lastra believes its because women are so humble about their accomplishments. I think that when they told me when I was nominated, I was very humbled by that. I didnt expect it. It was quite a surprise, said humanitarian nominee Judy Petrulavage, who is a former foster parent and the current Vice President for the Veterans Museum of Cape Coral. Petrulavage has fostered more than 200 children from infancy to 5 years old, and has helped approximately 80 percent of the children shes fostered reunite with their parents. The ones that werent reunited were adopted by tremendous families, Petrulavage stated of the numerous families shes aided. Some stayed in touch for a couple of years after the fact, but its difficult for people to be reminded of a past problem or an emotional rollercoaster ride so you sort of take the back door and understand the people still care about us, but we were part of a bad chapter in their lives. Petrulavage felt emotionally attached to the children, but she overcame the painful goodbyes with the peace that the children went into better situations than where they started. Additionally, Petruvalage and her husband had created a daycare for at-risk children during her time in Cape Coral. Some of these children were not able to sit still, to learn in that kind of environment, so we started a school where they could stand up any time they wanted to. They could walk around room, shout if they needed to. It helped them understand self-restraint. Petruvalage offered an alternative environment of learning that allowed children to test their limits. When youre allowed to do it doesnt feel so necessary to do it. Petruvalage is not a war veteran, but her entire family are in the military. Impassioned to help others, she started volunteering 60 free hours a week at the Military Museum of Cape Coral more than 10 years ago. Now, she is the vice president of the museum. With the veterans, Im no longer with small children, but Im working with career war vets, WWII heros, Im thinking to myself this is amazing, some of the stories that these people relay to us. Its just amazing what they went through. Impassioned for helping people, Petruvalages team at the museum not only helps veterans, but they help the homeless and anybody who may be in need. We may not be able to give you exactly what you need right then and there, but we can show you the avenue. One of Petruvalages humanitarian qualities is that she believes that everyone needs a shoulder to lean on at one point or another. If we even do one small thing, if one person did one thing for the other person every day, and you multiply that by thousands, can you imagine how many lives would be touched? The 2017 Woman of the Year winner was Connie Ramos Williams with CONRIC PR, who will be the keynote speaker at the 2018 ceremony. There are six categories of distinction for nomination, including political, business, healthcare, humanitarian, creative arts, business, and education. Out of the top six, the 2018 woman of the year will be chosen. The Women of Distinction Awards Gala will be held at 6 pm on Friday, April 6, at the Cape Coral Yacht Club, 5819 Driftwood Parkway, Cape Coral, FL. 33904. Tickets are $50 and will include heavy appetizers, a silent Auction, and items for raffle at the event. All are welcome. Tickets can be purchased at republicanwomenofcapecoral.com or by calling (786) 339-5790. Its quite simple. We cannot achieve our mission of providing children with the opportunity to be academically successful without meeting their most basic need a safe and secure place in which to study and learn. We cannot hire and retain highly effective teachers and school staff to help us meet that mission if we do not have a safe and supportive working environment. That is why the Lee County School District has strict safety and security protocols which are updated annually as required by the Florida Legislature. In addition, since our schools do not have a common physical layout, each has its own tailored safety plan, also reviewed annually and updated in collaboration with district security staff. Currently most schools have at least three entrances, one each for buses, parent drop-off, and walkers and bikers. School administrators, SROs and School Safety Specialists greet students at each entrance. Once classes begin, additional entries are closed and locked, resulting in a single point of entry at a majority of schools. All visitors are required to show identification, sign-in, and are escorted to their destination. Classroom and school building exterior doors are locked at all times once the school day starts. Safe School Training is mandated annually for every employee of the District and we have a powerful professional partnership with the Lee County Sheriffs Office. It provides training in a variety of policing strategies and tactics, and collaborate with active shooter training, which is scheduled to be completed at all of our schools by the end of March. They also share the cost for our School Resource Officers (SROs). Every middle and high school has an SRO on premises and SROs rotate continuously among elementary schools. One week prior to the Parkland school shooting, Superintendent Greg Adkins met with Sheriff Mike Scott about the possibility of increased SRO and police presence at elementary schools and large high schools in the 2018-19 school year. In addition, every school has SRO-trained School Safety Specialists. Every school has surveillance cameras which are being updated from analog to digital. Our newest high school, Bonita Springs, will have adaptive technology cameras installed campus wide. This technology will assist security staff and school administration in proactively identifying and responding quickly to security concerns. Our long-term district maintenance plan calls for upgrading security technology district-wide. In fact, more than $8 million per year of our proposed Sales Tax Initiative is slated for school safety and security enhancements. One option that many have suggested is metal detectors. We have researched their use statewide, and preliminary findings show no other Florida district has fully deployed them in all of their public schools. We noted a limited use in special centers similar to what is currently in place here in our district. If we go forward with this idea, a minimum of two per school would be needed. If we have only one, every student would be forced to use the same entrance, causing unmanageable backlogs and congestion. Metal detectors would need to be used around the clock, no matter the event, no matter the audience, to ensure someone doesnt bring a weapon on campus. There are also possible legal ramifications in using a metal detector that would need to be carefully addressed. The bottom line is that there is no single action our school district can take to increase security. It needs to be a multi-faceted approach that not only includes strengthening buildings and technology, but also strengthening our partnerships with law enforcement, mental health professionals and psychologists who can be part of threat assessment teams in every school. School safety is a community problem that can be managed with the commitment of every citizen and public official. Our students, staff, families and visitors have the commitment from this board and our District. Cathleen Morgan serves as chair of the Lee County School Board. She represents District 7. To the editor: This letter to the editor is in response to one published regarding an earlier letter by Ms. McGuire on behalf of Pine Island ROAR on the recent town hall held in Fort Myers by U.S. Congressman Francis Rooney. I am a proud member and an organizer of Pine Island ROAR. Members of ROAR believe that everyone should have an opportunity to be well educated, earn a living wage, and live a healthy life. These opportunities can only be realized when there are equal rights for all, and when everyone has clean air to breathe, clean water to drink, and clean land to live on. These opportunities cannot be realized when power and wealth is concentrated in the hands of the very few. We believe it is our civic duty to support our values through the democratic process. While the target of the original town hall letter was Congressman Rooney and his response to questions from those in attendance, the letter I reference generally disparaged Ms. McGuire and the many Americans who agree with her sentiments. This includes members of PI ROAR. Ms. Jones highlighted several topics (net neutrality, the Russia investigation, and guns) where she suggests that PI ROAR had no sources for voter views were presented. Sources include polls conducted by the University of Marylands Program for Public Consultation, Morning Consult/Politico, NPR/PBS NewsHour/Marist Poll, Quinnipiac, and CNN. Of particular note, is a Quinnipiac poll of 2/28/18 which shows that Florida voters oppose 56 40 percent allowing teachers and school officials to carry guns on school grounds and voters with children under 18 years old in public schools oppose arming school personnel 53 43 percent. PI ROAR stands by the assertions that the majority of American voters are against repealing net neutrality rules, are concerned about Russian interference in our election process and the interactions between members of the current administration and Russian interests, and seek to have sensible measures with respect to access to high powered semi-automatic rifles be implemented. As for the notion that rising-up, organizing, agitating, and resisting for causes of common good for all Americans is somehow un-American and unpatriotic, history shows that this is not true. The Boston Tea Party helped spark the American Revolution the effort that resulted in the founding of the United States. The Suffragettes of the early 1900s demonstrated and worked for voting rights for women eventually leading to the passage of the Nineteenth Amendment. The Civil Rights movement built support for the Civil Rights Act of 1964 which made discrimination based on race, gender, religion, or ethnicity and the Voting Rights Act of 1965 which prohibits racial discrimination in voting. Pine Island ROAR and other like-minded groups around the country are actively participating in the democratic processes (set in place by the Constitution) to counter actions by those in power, who in our view, do not work for the best interests of the majority of Americans. This is the American way. Melanie Hoff St. James City Photo: CTV Cans of Molson Canadian are seen on the can line at Molson Breweries in Vancouver, Tuesday, Jan. 26, 2010. Police say charges are pending under provincial liquor rules after officers seized some 4,400 cans of beer from a Waterloo, Ont., home. Investigators allege an unofficial student group was planning to sell the brews during a St. Patrick's Day party, but didn't get a permit. They say the group was allegedly selling tickets for the event through social media. Police say charges related to alleged illegal sale of alcohol will be laid under Ontario's Liquor Licence Act. The force says they are taking "a firm but fair approach" to infractions during celebrations of the boozy Irish holiday. Madison Erhardt Green Party Leader Andrew Weaver is hoping the third time's a charm when it comes to lowering the voting age in B.C. to 16. He introduced a private member's bill in the legislature Tuesday. Young British Columbians have the greatest stake in the future of our province. They should have a say in the decisions our politicians make, said Weaver. A Castanet poll this week found readers disagree, however. Asked "How old should you be to vote in a B.C. election?" respondents were clear in their answer. Out of the 8,530 votes, 8.85 percent said 16 years old, 1.25 per cent said 17 years old, and a whopping 88.85 per cent said to leave the voting age at 18. Just 1.05 per cent were undecided. We hit the street to see what others think. If you have a thought on this topic, drop us a line to [email protected]. Photo: Google Maps Keremeos is seeking a license of occupation from the province to gain control of an area just east of the village. Keremeos is looking to gain control of a piece of land just outside of town where, for years, campers have reportedly been staying and polluting the Similkameen River. The village submitted an application to the province seeking a license of occupation for a section of land along the riverbank just east of Keremeos, between Riverside Avenue and Willis Ranch Road. "Increasingly, campers are heavily polluting the water, the riverbed, and the sensitive adjoining riparian areas," village staff said in a news release. "Regional district and village staff remove many tonnes of garbage and discarded camping materials annually to avoid it being carried into the river at spring freshet." If successful, the village plans to designate the area as a "conservation park," meaning the same bylaws would apply there as every other public park prohibiting activities like camping, fires, and smoking. Mayor Manfred Bauer said campers in that area is a longstanding problem, and said the village first contacted the province about it in 2006. "Ultimately, it really is about protecting habitats," Bauer said, noting there are blue- and red-listed at-risk species in the Similkameen River, and there are cultural interests for First Nations to preserve the riverbank. He said the section of riverbank is underwater during the spring freshet, and when the water recedes, campers typically move in during June. Bauer is hopeful the village can gain jurisdiction of the area by the end of spring. Photo: Google Street View The Town of Oliver was first trademarked as the 'wine capital of Canada' in 2004, but legally it hadn't actually had that title for more than nine years until Thursday. According to a report from RDOS staff, when the trademark was first branded it was property of the Oliver and District Community Economic Development Society. The society ceased operations in February of 2009, and its assets and liabilities were transferred to the regional district including the wine-capital trademark. Town staff in Oliver requested earlier this month that the trademark be transferred back to the town. On Thursday, board members with the regional district approved the trademark transfer following brief banter on the matter. "I think we should be bidding on this title," Naramata director and board chair Karla Kozakevich quipped. "If they get the (cannabis facility) on the Osoyoos Indian Band, can we call you the wine and dope capital of Canada?" West Bench director Michael Brydon joked. The wine-capital trademark has royal assent from Queen Elizabeth, according to Oliver Mayor Ron Hovanes. It will need to be renewed in 2019. Photo: Re/Max UPDATE 12:25 p.m. Although the property was listed publicly less than a month ago, sources tell Castanet News the three motels have actually already been sold. The sale for an unspecified amount to a Vancouver-based company closes on March 29. Its not known what the new ownership groups plans for the motels are. ORIGINAL 5:00 a.m. Three low-budget motels on the south end of Penticton have gone up for sale for a whopping $5.9 million, raising the possibility of major development on Skaha Lake Road. The Mayfair, Sun Valley and Meadowlark motels have been recently listed by Re/Max for sale as one listing. The property was designated by Penticton city council in 2008 as a comprehensive development zone which allows for the construction of three high-rise towers containing 282 residential units and 29,000 square feet of commercial space. Penticton director of development services Anthony Haddad says building and construction permits would still require council approval. The three motels have a combined 57 units all rented on a monthly basis generating $478,000 annually, according to the listing. The property, at 2730 Skaha Lake Road, is currently registered to a numbered company out of Alberta. While having the property listed in no way promises it will sell, there has been extraordinary activity in the local motel market in the past 18 months, with several changing hands or being redeveloped. Photo: Facebook A woman accused of several arsons in the Armstrong area will be spending the next 30 days in custody while she undergoes a psychiatric evaluation. Colette Leneveu is facing four counts of arson in relation to inhabited property. Leneveu was scheduled to appear in a Vernon court room Friday morning, but appeared by phone instead because no sheriffs were available to bring her to court. Justice Richard Hewson agreed to defence lawyer Glenn Verdurmen's request for the evaluation which will determine if Leneveu can be held criminally responsible. Verdurmen also requested Leneveu's bail hearing be moved to a later date. The charges stem from three suspicious fires in two days in Armstrong earlier this month. Leneveu was arrested and charged with four counts of arson on March 13. She is scheduled to appear on court on April 11. Photo: CTV UPDATE: 1:40 p.m. B.C. is backing a bid to develop high-speed rail service between Vancouver and Seattle. The province will help fund a study into a potential ultra-high-speed corridor connecting as far south as Portland. Premier John Horgan was joined by Washington Gov. Jay Inslee as he announced that B.C. will contribute $300,000 toward the study. High-speed rail would cut travel times between Vancouver and Seattle to about 60 minutes, from three hours. The trains can travel at up to 400 km/h. "The convenience ... would create countless opportunities for people in both B.C. and Washington, from sports or concert getaways for families, to untold economic growth potential for businesses," said Horgan. "Exploring the possibility of creating a clean, efficient high-speed corridor is particularly important as the Pacific Northwest grows in economic importance, and we look to reduce barriers to expansion across our borders." An economic analysis released last month by Washington state estimated that a high-speed corridor link could create up to 200,000 jobs for B.C. and U.S. workers, and generate billions of dollars in economic benefits. Washington has approved $1.2 million in funding for the rail study. "This ultra-high-speed corridor is an exciting proposal for both British Columbia and Washington, aligning with our mutual goal of strengthening our economies through collaboration," said Inslee. "The early study results show the corridor would help create jobs, generate affordable housing options, ease freeway traffic and clean our air. It's an exciting step for Washington and British Columbia." ORIGINAL: 11:25 a.m. Expect another step forward in the drive to connect B.C., Washington and Oregon by high-speed rail. Premier John Horgan and Washington Governor Jay Inslee will make an announcement about the initiative today in Vancouver. A release from the premier's office says the details will involve a proposed ultra-high-speed corridor service connecting Vancouver with the U.S. northwest. Earlier studies in the U.S. have revealed a high-speed line could cost as much as U.S. $42 billion, but stakeholders say it would support job creation and the Washington legislature voted last week to spend just over $1 million to further examine the idea. Photo: Contributed Another air quality advisory has been issued for Vernon. Yet another air quality advisory has been issued for Vernon. The Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy, in collaboration with the Interior Health Authority, has issued a dust advisory for Vernon due to high concentrations of coarse particulates (dust), which are expected to continue until there is a change in weather. This is the second such advisory this month. People with chronic underlying medical conditions should postpone strenuous exercise until the advisory is lifted. People are being advised to stay indoors and in air-conditioned spaces to help reduce exposure to particulates. Exposure is particularly a concern for infants, the elderly and those who have diabetes and lung or heart disease. More information on current air quality can be found online. Photo: Phantom Secure Still image from video on Phantom Secure's website A Vancouver man has been arrested for allegedly conspiring to provide drug traffickers with modified BlackBerry smartphones to evade law enforcement. The United States has arrested the chief executive of Phantom Secure, a Canadian privacy and security firm, alleging the Vancouver-area resident has conspired Vincent Ramos of Richmond, B.C., was arrested last week in Seattle, Wash., and faces criminal charges filed with a U.S. district court in San Diego, Calif. Those records are sealed. The U.S. Justice Department announced the charges Thursday following a years-long undercover operation that included several American, Australian and Canadian agencies including the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. Authorities continue to seek four other suspects from various countries. They allege that Phantom Secure advertised its products as impervious to decryption and guaranteed that evidence on a device could be destroyed remotely if it was compromised. The Canadian Press hasn't been able to contact Ramos or his lawyer for comment. Photo: The Canadian Press Nova Scotia has become the first province to ban medically unnecessary cat declawing. The ban part of a worldwide movement against the practice took effect Thursday after a three-month education period. The Nova Scotia Veterinary Medical Association decided in December to amend its code of ethics to make the practice of elective and non-therapeutic declawing ethically unacceptable. Veterinarian organizations in many other provinces are having active discussions on the issue. The Canadian Veterinary Medical Association strengthened its stand against declawing domestic cats last March, saying the practice causes unnecessary and avoidable pain. While some municipalities have enacted regulations against declawing, Nova Scotia becomes the first province or state in North America to declare the practice unethical. The practice has already been banned in the U.K., Europe, Australia and several California cities. "It's a great day. I'm so proud of the Nova Scotia Veterinary Medical Association," Dr. Hugh Chisholm, a retired veterinarian who had pushed for the change, said after the association's decision in December. "You are amputating 10 bones from 10 digits on the paws of a cat, and if that doesn't constitute mutilation, I don't know what does," he said. For years, some pet owners have had their cats declawed to prevent scratches to furniture, people and other pets. But the Canadian vets association says scratching is normal behaviour that cats use to mark territory, help with balance, climb and defend themselves. Chisholm said there will still be cases where declawing will be medically necessary. Photo: Contributed Sheila Campbell has a vision to create a 'super highway' for pollinators. Sheila Campbell has a vision to create a 'super highway' for pollinators and she is looking for volunteers to make the dream a reality. Campbell is a board member of SENS, the Sustainable Environment Network Society, and she wants to create a pollinator path for bees, birds, butterflies and other pollinators. The goal is to have as many areas planted with pollinator-friendly flowers, vegetables, herbs and trees as possible, said Campbell. To do this, she has been co-ordinating local individuals and community groups and consulting with neighbouring communities. Pollinators are finding it increasingly difficult to survive in our current landscape. This is due to things like pesticide use, monocrops, habitat destruction, development and less green space in general. Creating and protecting pesticide-free, natural, pollinator-friendly spaces can help them find paths through urban areas, help keep our food supply vigorous and make our community look more beautiful, she said. And helping achieve those goals does not require a tremendous amount of effort. Planting local pollinator-friendly species in yards, alleys, boulevards and what some call the forgotten strip the area between sidewalk and roadway - can make a big difference. Many folks have expressed interest in being involved in various ways, but we still need volunteers to sign up, said Campbell. Members of SENS will be at the Seedy Saturday event at the recreation centre March 17 where people can get more information on the project. Seedy Saturday will feature a multitude of seed vendors as well as guest speakers and other activities. Lena Chang Sheeran peacefully passed away in the early hours of August 13th at home surrounded by her loving family. Far more than an award-winning actuary and co-founder of both CURE and NJ PURE,... 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 Chattanooga State Community College will host its semi-annual Open House on Saturday, March 24 from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. beginning at the Amphitheater on the main campus, 4501 Amnicola Hwy. "This event caters to students of all ages. With a wide array of high school programs designed to offer students an accelerated career path; one-to two-year technical and career programs that will open doors to prompt employment; or for the student who wishes to pursue a baccalaureate degree and beyond Chattanooga State is a great starting point," officials said. In addition to a campus-wide open house, the Division of Engineering & Information Technologies has also scheduled its own open house on the same day and time. Prospective students interested in engineering and information technologies careers should meet in the Center for Engineering, Technology, Arts & Sciences building (CETAS) for hands-on opportunities to discuss these careers. The Open House gives both students and their parents the opportunity to meet with administrators, faculty, staff, and students to learn more about summer and fall classes. Information about admissions, financial aid and scholarships, including the Pell Grant which is now available year-round, career planning, student activities and campus organizations will be available. An egg hunt and other games will be presented by Student Life and light refreshments will be served. Graduating high school seniors in 2018 using the Tennessee Promise scholarship who are planning to attend Chattanooga State this fall may wish to use this time to apply for admission, officials said. Student Affairs representatives will assist students during this event to answer any questions. Adult students can learn more about Tennessee Reconnect, a last-dollar scholarship that allows Tennessee adults who qualify and have not earned an associate or bachelors degree to attend Chattanooga State free of tuition and mandatory fees, while attending at least part-time. To find out more about TN Reconnect, attend an information session at 10 a.m. in the Student Support Center located in room 124 of the IMC Building. To help visitors navigate the campus, see the Campus Map link: https://www.chattanoogastate.edu/sites/default/files/campus_map.pdf Recruiting Services at Chattanooga State sponsors this Open House. Those planning to attend are asked to RSVP at bit.ly/chattstateopenhouse. For more information, call 423-697-2689 or visit www.chattanoogastate.edu. The Chelsea wing-back earns a maiden call-up for Spain, who are due to play Germany and Argentina in the forthcoming international break, following his impressive form for the Blues Alonso represented Spain at both Under-19 and Under-18 level earlier in his career. He has been a regular starter for Antonio Conte's side this season, scoring seven goals for the Blues. After moving to Stamford Bridge early last season, Alonso went on to become an important member of the team as we won the Premier League title. Alonsos Chelsea team-mate Cesar Azpilicueta has also been named in the 24-man Spain squad. Spain's game against Germany takes place in Dusseldorf next Friday, with the match against Argentina scheduled for Tuesday 27 March in Madrid. Willy Cabellero will be part of the Argentina squad for the game against Spain, and another friendly against Italy, after being called up for the first time since 2014. TALKING POINTS Chelseas epic winning run in the Premier League had to come to an end at some stage though few would have chosen that time and that place for it to happen. Nevertheless the Blues are 22 points better off against the comparable matches last season and, as eventual league title winners, had the last laugh after our previous two losses at White Hart Lane in 2009/10 and 2014/15. Congratulations to Leicester manager Claudio Ranieri, formerly of Stamford Bridge, for winning FIFAs Coach of the Year award this week. What happened last season was amazing, something strange, he said in accepting the honour. The god of football said Leicester must win. How that faith in footballs deities must have been tested sorely by the Foxes experience this season. We thought the Blues put in a bad showing as reigning champions last season, but the East Midlanders 0-0 draw at Middlesbrough recently confirmed them as so far the worst title defenders in Premier League history, with 21 points from 20 matches. After the same number of games in 2015/16 Leicester were second, two points behind Arsenal, with 40 points banked, 37 goals scored and 25 conceded. Chelsea were 14th with 23 points and a goal difference of -3. A year later the Blues are five clear at the summit on 49 points, with a goal difference of +27. Williams has one goal in 24 games in his first season, scoring against Bolton in the FA Cup in January. He made 20 Premier League appearances, including 11 starts. "Since I joined Manchester United, it has been everything I thought it would be and more," said the Argentine international, who has penned a new deal until 2021, with the option of a further year. According to a probable cause affidavit, Robertson, then a Griffith student, approached Griffith Police Officer Pete Ghrist while at school around 8:11 a.m. on Feb. 21. Robertson told him he brought something to school by mistake, Ghrist said according to the affidavit. One of the lieutenants admitted in his deposition that he had seen others watch porn and also had viewed it himself privately while in his office. He said he didn't believe there were grounds to discipline an employee for watching porn while on duty. George Kovach offers some nifty desserts, chief among them a tuffet of fermented-banana cheesecake with guava-passionfruit gelee, coconut sorbet, macadamia crumble and finger lime, a dish so pretty that the intrusion of my fork felt briefly like desecration. I had fewer qualms about the foie-sicle (they do love foie gras here), mostly because the combination of foie, blackberry, white chocolate and white-chocolate crunch was served, as I suppose it should be, on a stick. But ATC's relationship with the Broadway producers known as the Araca Group brought to Chicago the 2012 world premiere of Ayad Akhtar's "Disgraced," one of the most successful and widely produced plays of the last decade. Paparelli's long, close relationship with the playwright Stephen Karam brought ATC the world premiere in 2014 of "The Humans," which had a successful Broadway run two seasons ago and now is on a national tour. Demonstrably, the future commercial success of those works did not provide sufficient sustenance for the theater that gave them birth. Walk up to the kid who sits alone at lunch and invite him to sit with your group; walk up to the kid who sits quietly in the corner of the room and sit next to her. ... Walk up to your teachers and thank them; walk up to someone who has different views than you and get to know them you may be surprised at how much you have in common. Uphill we go, pushing back branches and steadying ourselves against the walls. The red ribbons continue to pop up on branches. Although thoughtful, they are doubly unnecessary now. Not only could we not get lost here, but there is plenty of evidence that we are on the right path - the floor around us is littered with soda cans, plastic bottles and empty cigarette packets, their labels faded from the rain and sun. Later, I learn that this trash was probably left by domestic visitors from other parts of the country. Theories abound: Perhaps it represents a lack of environmental education, or simply not realizing that unlike in the cities - where teams of cleaners move through the streets like clockwork - out here in the wilderness things lie where they fall. Whatever the cause, it is a baffling, and concerning, sight. Webb on Friday wrote to U.S. District Court Judge Rebecca Pallmeyer to warn her that Firtashs extradition may once again be imminent. A ruling in an Austrian court case now expected Tuesday could quickly lead to Firtashs extradition sooner than was predicted previously, warned Webb, who wants Pallmeyer to toss out the case before Firtash can be put on a plane bound for OHare International Airport. The plans called for the attraction to accommodate 3,000 people an hour in pods operating every half-hour day and night along the south bank of the river. It would run from Wacker Drive and Lake Street on the west to Navy Pier on the east. There would be stops along the way, with a station at Columbus Drive being the closest to Millennium Park. But take a right, drive south, with the Indian at your back, and youll find the Balzekas Museum. And on the second floor are two small, simple and unadorned offices belonging to the guy who runs Illinois and draws all the ward, legislative and congressional maps that control who wins and who loses in this state. I was a young student when I met a black journalist at my hometown paper. Meeting her affirmed for me that there was a place in newsrooms where Id fit. As I pursued writing as a career, I never doubted I could get the job done or felt uncomfortable, because I had so many examples to lean on. The first was Jacquelyn Brown. His reaction to the poisoning of a former Russian spy in Britain, which Prime Minister Theresa May furiously blamed on the Kremlin, was to waffle. He initially declined to blame the Russians until we get the facts straight, if we agree. On Thursday, agreeing to impose sanctions, he offered the limpest possible rebuke: A very sad situation. It certainly looks like the Russians were behind it. This also is about their own districts, particularly for Madigan. Let somebody else draw the map and he might wind up in a district with few precincts in his beloved 13th Ward. He lives close to Chicago's southwestern border, so his new district could wind up being heavily suburban and more anti-Madigan. Who really knows? And that unanswerable question is the whole point of Madigan making sure anything independent is kept as far away as possible from drawing the next map. The officers pulled into an alley between Karlov and Keeler and saw Montgomery with a witness. As the officers approached, Montgomery stepped toward the unmarked car and opened fire at the officers with a 380 semi-automatic handgun, prosecutors said. One of the bullets struck the drivers side window and skimmed the door of the police car, prosecutors said. In fact, it was the FBI that put pressure on at least one of the victims a liquor store owner whod testified before a grand jury that Cochran never asked him for anything in exchange for the aldermans help with an ordinance change, the filing alleged. When the girl ignored him, he exited his vehicle abd grabbed her by the arm. Afraid, the girl snatched her arm from his grasp and ran off. That fundamental split in support in Tuesdays primary election is also reflected in their campaigns, where Mendrick has numerous deputies working or contributing, but where Bibbiano says he turns down donations from deputies. That was a sticky issue in the past, because Zaruba was accused previously of pressuring and promoting deputies who contributed to his campaign. When police arrived, they saw Jones about a block away with what appeared to be blood on him. When police asked if he was OK, Jones said that he needed the officers gun because he was going to kill him, prosecutors said. But Walter testified that he only removed his Glock 22 when he heard the Malibus engine rev. He said he identified himself as a police officer and ordered the driver to stop. Instead the car sped toward him and Walter said he fired off one or two rounds as he backpedaled to avoid being struck. He then saw the back-seat passenger holding a gun pointed at him and kept firing. Bitre directed her comments during a Chicago City Hall news conference at politicians and legislators, who she said underestimate young people who have grown up in an era of school shootings and violence in their neighborhoods. She said the upcoming rally will be proof that she and her peers are determined to replace lawmakers unwilling to make changes that will keep them safe. Early Wednesday, Lakisha Roby was returning from a club outside of Markham when she got into an argument with Washington at the gas station, Sanders said. After she was shot, a man who was with Roby in the car drove north on Pulaski to a gas station in Robbins and sought help. The man was cooperating with police, the chief said. His relation to Roby was not known. Rodriguezs phone was last tracked to the area of 65th Street and Cicero Avenue in the West Lawn neighborhood on the Southwest Side before the phone was turned off. Most recently, a 15-year-old girl on her way to school was on the subway platform at 1167 S. State St. about 7:25 a.m. Thursday when the man approached her, wrapped his arms around her and held her for several seconds before letting her go and walking away, police said. Its not just me, the city is ready. I got to respect the process, and theyre big about the process, Emanuel said. The city has all the strengths that Amazon is looking for when it comes to talent, the pipeline for talent, the affordability, livability of a major city. So, when you look at everything they need and theyve asked for, Chicago has it. Kaegi, a successful mutual fund asset manager now living in Oak Park, has the money to get his message out. To date, hes pumped more than $1.5 million of his own money into his campaign and raised another $400,000, using the cash not only to run TV ads but also to wage a legal battle to try to keep Raila off the ballot. Raila had $35,000 to start the year, and put in $100,000 of her own money last month amid the costly court battle that restored her to the ballot. We've got problems in this city we haven't seen for 30, 40 years," McCarthy told supporters at the Irish American Heritage Center on the Northwest Side. "The crime rate is out of control. The economy of the city is horrible. The taxes are through the roof. Our education system needs a lot of help. And the way we do business in the city, as I like to say, the acceptable political practices in the city of Chicago are unacceptable." WASHINGTON Most of the leading Democrats in the crowded field running to take on veteran Republican lawmaker Peter Roskam of Wheaton have made personal health crises central to their campaigns, seizing his longtime opposition to the Affordable Care Act in what they see as a rare shot at flipping a suburban district that has long favored the GOP. If she wouldnt have been there, raising (Rauners) ambiguity about Trump and all of that, in the fall, the Democrat, whoever it would be, would definitely hammer him on Trump, associate him with Trump, he added. But without Ives putting out these sort of RINO (Republican In Name Only) criticisms and so forth, those (Trump) people might have just gone ahead and would vote for (Rauner). While the eight Democrats seeking the job have gotten much of the attention on the airwaves and in public debates, the race between Harold and Grasso has remained relatively low-key. Theyve appeared at just a few public events together. Both say they want to focus on rooting out corruption, contending that Madigan, the daughter of House Speaker Michael Madigan, has let that effort go by the wayside. Durkin has raised $1.7 million since Straub announced his candidacy, and also has been helped by nearly $250,000 from the state Republican Party, which Rauner heavily subsidizes. Durkin also gotten nearly $100,000 in help from charter school groups and the states Realtors. Durkin has had a large TV presence in response to Proft, though the spending wont be revealed on state records until after the primary under election law. AP's investigation revealed that reports of sexual violence among kids on U.S. military bases at home and abroad often die on the desks of prosecutors, even when an attacker confesses. Other cases are shelved by criminal investigators despite requirements they be pursued. Many cases get lost in a dead zone of justice, AP found, with neither victim nor offender receiving help. The message on Crimean television is, if anything, darker and more conspiratorial than the regular fare on Russia's national TV. That may be because daily life in Crimea is harder than in mainland Russia. International sanctions mean that even Russian companies are wary of doing business here, and the lack of a road connection to the rest of Russia leads to higher prices and more-limited goods. British authorities say the substance that poisoned the Skripals is a powerful Russian-developed nerve agent known as Novichok. A British police officer who responded to the attack in Salisbury is in serious condition, and police say 131 people may have come into contact with the nerve agent. Now Hersh had what he needed to crack the story wide open. Eventually, he found that tiny Times article noting Calley's full name and arrest. Then he visited Calley at Fort Benning, Georgia, where he was being held. Incredibly, the Army allowed Hersh to read and takes note from Calley's classified charging sheet the document that showed Calley had been accused of killing 109 people. Even more incredible was that when Hersh completed his expose and took it to Life and Look magazines, the editors rejected him. So Hersh took his story to the Dispatch News Service, which he described to the New Yorker as "a small antiwar news agency" in Washington. The story broke on the wires Nov. 12, 1969, and appeared in newspapers the next day. The accusations against McCabe stem from a yet-to-be released report from Justice Department Inspector General Michael Horowitz, who has for months been probing broad allegations of misconduct surrounding the FBI's handling of the investigation into Clinton's use of a private email server while she was secretary of state. Horowitz has been looking in particular at Comey, including the public statement he made recommending the Clinton email case be closed without charges and his decision 11 days before the election to reveal to Congress the FBI had resumed its work. Jeffreys graduated from Medill with a bachelors degree in journalism in 1944. One of her photography teachers hired her back as an assistant, a break she spoke of in a book about the school, Inventing Medill: A History of the Medill School of Journalism, Northwestern University, 1921-1996, by Alice W. Snyder. She said the job let her attend the class without paying the $25 fee and also gave her access to the schools cameras and equipment. Lets be clear about the problems Im talking about. As of Wednesday, there were 33 individuals accused of murder or attempted murder, 51 charged with criminal sexual assault or abuse, and 39 charged with armed robbery assigned to my electronic monitoring program. One man recently ordered into the program was arrested after running from police while carrying a 9 mm loaded with hollow-point bullets. This 26-year-old man had 18 prior adult arrests, including eight convictions. One of those convictions was for running away from the same electronic monitoring program the judge sent him back to. Just a few days ago, another man on electronic monitoring though charged as an armed habitual criminal was found in a car with a loaded gun under his seat. The judge ordered him back into my program if he could pay a few thousand dollars in bond. Edward Murphys memories of the USS Pueblo are especially poignant and painful this year, as 2018 marks the 50th anniversary of North Koreas seizure of the American spy ship on which he served. It was one of a series of tragic incidents that made 1968 seem like a year of endless disasters. At the time, though, Murphy knew nothing of what else was happening in the world. The student-led protest in Florida has already notched a huge victory: Republican Gov. Rick Scott signed a set of gun measures into law, defying the National Rifle Association. But action elsewhere, including in Congress, is sluggish. We hope this movement gains momentum, that these students inspire their generation, and their elders, to champion laws that may curb gun violence. Because as an editorial here put it in late February: You want this time to be different? The kids can't do it alone. Weve endorsed Kenilworth developer Chris Kennedy in the Democratic primary. Although we disagree with many of his policies, he wouldnt be a yes man to House Speaker Michael Madigan and other Democratic swells in Springfield. Kennedy is the likeliest of the leading Democrats in this race to be an anti-establishment governor. He has shown spine on the campaign trail. He was the first to call out Cook County Assessor and county Democratic Party Chairman Joseph Berrios for his clouted, discriminatory property assessment system, and Madigan for profiting from it. Ms. L. followed all the laws this country has established for asylum seekers. But for reasons that remain unexplained, she was separated from her daughter and incarcerated at an Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in San Diego. The daughter was moved to a Department of Health and Human Services facility for unaccompanied minors here in Chicago. She celebrated her 7th birthday in December here, without her mother and in the middle of a strange country, and the two have only spoken by phone a handful of times. Huppke ignored inconvenient realities: He ignored evangelical leaders like John Piper, Russell Moore, Darrell Bock, and David French (as well as non-leaders like this writer) who opposed Trumps candidacy. He ignored that many evangelicals supported Sens. Ted Cruz or Marco Rubio during the primary season. And he ignored that during the general election, evangelicals were faced with the dilemma of choosing between two morally flawed candidates. Some evangelicals didnt vote, some voted for a third-party candidate, and many chose Trump because they hoped he would do the most good or the least damage not because they viewed him as sinless. I read that United has been having difficulties (I fly American), but what is its criterion for the employment of people who represent it? Is cash flow so bad that it is skimping on basic intelligence for people who represent it? I hope that the owner of that puppy, who was traveling with her children, sues United for negligence. It was a close election this week among 15 finalists for best tweet. Third in the online click balloting with 10.3 percent of the vote was Thank you for translating mucho for me. It means a lot, by @ElleOhHell. Second, with 11.6 percent, was I dont engage in gossip at work, but I can tell you who does, by @Scott_Towel. And the winner, with 13.2 percent support, was the oft-plagiarized, Pro cooking tip: if you stir a little coconut oil into your kale it makes it easier to scrape into the garbage. 3849 Provenance Way, Northbrook: $850,000 | Listed: July 21, 2021 This three-bedroom home has two full bathrooms, two half baths and three levels of living space including a finished walkout lower level with a wet bar. The kitchen is equipped with granite countertops, travertine backsplashes, a farmhouse sink, under- and over-cabinet lighting and an island and peninsula for seating. The kitchen, laundry room, foyer and bathrooms all have porcelain tile floors. The great room has natural finished oak flooring and offers access to a deck. A second-level loft overlooks the great room. The primary bedroom suite has a walk-in closet and a bath with double sinks and a shower. A lower-level storage area and a paver patio complete this home, which is located in a subdivision with park and playground areas. Agent: Carol Gruner and Anita Scheindel, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices, 847-790-8436, 847-373-6901 *Some listing photos are virtually staged, meaning they have been digitally altered to represent different furnishing or decorating options. To feature your luxury listing of $800,000 or more in Chicago Tribunes Dream Homes, send listing information and high-res photos to ctc-realestate@chicagotribune.com. Join our Chicago Dream Homes Facebook group for more luxury listings and real estate news. The guest speaker for the event will be Marissa Amoni, event coordinator for Aurora Downtown, who will discuss upcoming events in the city. Do you have an event coming up you would like to see included in Five Things to Do? Email your item, including time, date, place and a contact number, to wweber@tronc.com at least two weeks before the event. The Aurora Regional Chamber of Commerce, the Aurora Regional Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and the Quad County African American Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with the city of Aurora, will host the event, which will begin at 6:30 p.m. at the theater at 23 E. Galena Blvd. "He was so open to sharing his experiences and the wisdom he gained from the industry and from life. He was really big on ownership, for artists to own what they create and for you to stay true to yourself. I miss him every day. He was our brother," Welton said. The Conservation Foundation, a nonprofit that partners with units of government and communities, has preserved some 35,000 acres of land throughout northeastern Illinois. The group put the deal together and assembled the funding to make the acquisition of the Little Rock Creek property a reality, officials said. "We've had a still for distilling since June of 2017, but it took us seven or eight months to figure out what we were doing and hopefully that translates now to the finished product," Jason said. "The vodka is something we can make along with the gin in about two days, while the amaro requires making the vodka, steeping 21 botanicals in it, and then putting it in barrels. It's got a sweet and then bitter finish and is used as a cocktail mixer and makes a great Manhattan." Elections should be local and bipartisan. By law, the three commissioners of the Aurora Election Commisson are represented by both parties, Republican and Democrat. Mandatory representation by both Republican and Democrat parties in running elections is fundamental. The three commissioners are honorable representatives of the citizenry, and their only job is to work together and ensure fair, honest and efficient elections. Elections should not be administered by one partisan elected official or by one party. A previous Oak Forest attempt at funding for project through the Illinois Department of Transportation 's transportation enhancement program was rejected last year. Ishler said that grant would not have required a local match, but he thinks the current effort's local match requirement makes it more likely the three municipalities will succeed. Timmy is now in the throes of a treatment program that has involved proton radiation and chemotherapy. O'Connell said even though he is tired and sometimes doesn't feel well, he has not lost his gift for brightening a room and bringing a smile to the faces of everyone around him. Anderson began researching how to make a difference. The first thing that took him aback was Illinois' nearly 7,000 units of local government, the highest count in the nation. He started researching consolidation. He started writing letters to the editor. He put up a few signs to "abolish townships," that antiquated and often-unnecessary layer of local government blanketing the state. In the 1990s, he even spearheaded a referendum to eliminate all townships in McHenry County, and then a referendum to eliminate just McHenry Township. They both failed. But the seed was planted in voters' minds. And Anderson kept watering. A biography for Wilcox published on the Chicago Heights website said she was the first clerk elected in Chicago Heights and was named "Rookie of the Year" by the Municipal Clerks of Illinois in 2014. She is president of the Rotary Club of Chicago Heights, president of the Chicago Heights Free Public Library Board and a 12-year member of the U.S. Army Reserves with combat experience overseas, the biography said. In Cook County, the power of the Democratic Party chair is threatened for an entirely different reason. Assessor Joseph Berrios is defending his office's practices after a series of studies and reports that found the system unfairly gives breaks to some owners of downtown high-rises and wealthier suburban homeowners and over-assesses the values of less-expensive homes, especially in the Southland. He learned of the ban from a police officer last Memorial Day weekend wile trying to work his vehicle on Elgin's east side.He went to the west side where he was stopped again. Twice. He said he was told someone in the neighborhood had complained. What was revealed, O'Neal Ellis said, validates the criticism that there is an implicit bias present in schools, she said. While she acknowledged U46 educators and officials have made some progress in addressing the issue, such as in reducing expulsions and increasing equity training among staff, "something is going very wrong," she said. "When democracy does not respond, we will make it respond," Casler said. "When they don't listen to our cries, they will read our words and understand that they have hurt each and every one of our communities. And they need to know that none of us are going to be next, because none of us are going to let them let that happen." A: Being closer to our children, enjoying time with extended family and all the activities in the area. I love the hustle and bustle of downtown Evanston and living at The Merion allows us to be right in the middle of it. The senior living community also provides support for my wife Patti who has some balance issues, so she's comfortable with the range of amenities that are provided. I know she has available help if I'm away. Matthew Krummick, director of development for Pathway to Living, sought said the facility would be staffed with a round-the-clock nursing staff, which would alleviate the need for many ambulance calls. He said there would be "hardly any change" to the traffic. When asked if it helps that police, who were also present at the memorial, had made an arrest in the shooting, she said, "A little. I don't think that's the only one involved, I heard. They have so many incidents over there. I'm sorry my son had to become part of one of them." "Last time, I was so focused on actually spelling that I didn't get to hang out with them," she said, "and since this is my last year, it's going to be my last opportunity to do that." Russian domestic politics also has involved gruesome violence. In early 2009, near the Kremlin on a sunny day on a public street, activist attorney Stanislav Markelov was murdered. The hitman also murdered journalist Anastasia Baburova as she tried to help Markelov. The killer was a pro, his pistol equipped with a silencer. Emperatriz Juarez-Castro, 53, of the 900 block of Bronx Avenue, Skokie, was charged with failure to secure a child, driving without a valid license and a cell phone violation in connection with an incident at 4:27 p.m. on March 12 after she was stopped near the intersection of Waukegan Road and Franz Drive, police said. She was released on a $1,500 bond and has a scheduled court date of May 1. In response to requests from the Rockland Fire Protect District, Clark worked on several proposals that would have Libertyville taking over the areas fire coverage. The latest offer, which Libertyville trustees approved on Dec. 12, calls for Lake Forest and Libertyville to split the services and the resulting $530,000 annual payments instead of competing for the deal. Tramond D. Peet, 22, of Zion, was arrested March 10 and charged with driving under the influence of alcohol, driving with a blood-alcohol concentration greater than .08 and failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident following a crash on Riverwoods Road at Westwood Lane. Peet was released on a $3,000 bond with a notice to appear in court April 6 in Waukegan, police said. "We must continue to keep the property tax levy flat," he said. "We will continue to push for greater efficiency across the county and continue to collaborate with our other local governments to eliminate duplication wherever it is found. As the former chairman of the strategic planning committee and current chairman of the technology committee, I believe there is still enormous opportunity to improve our service and efficiency by focusing on our people, processes and technology." Former Indian Prairie Educational Foundation Chairman Kent Duncan shakes hands with Joseph Massey on Thursday as he talks with Andrew Hubler, left, and Spencer Weiland. As seniors last year at Waubonsie Valley, the three young men were part of a team that sought to power charging stations near the school commons with the solar panels on the roof and asked the foundation for funding. (Suzanne Baker / Naperville Sun) By this point, you may think this is an anti-gun column, which it is not. I come from a family of gun owners, have many friends and family who hunt, shoot for sport and own guns of all sorts. This is not about coming for anybody's guns, so let's make this clear. This is about how young children too young as we tell them they are in some cases can somehow participate in a process that has forgotten about them for too long. How could we best provide our 8th-grade son a means to be heard in a safe and responsible way? "The driver was given multiple opportunities to provide his correct information but continued to give the same information he originally gave," Wojas said. "He continued with this even when he was placed in handcuffs and told he was arrested for identity deception and that he would be fingerprinted at the jail to get his true identity." The purpose of these subpoenas is to prepare for any possible penalty phase or sentencing if Vann is found guilty, she said. Also, it could help "address some issues" with jury questionnaires, such as references to military experience, home life and "trauma" in Vann's past. "She's one of my favorite playwrights for children. She takes these sometimes marginalized characters and tells stories about them. The kid in the show is a boy who lives in the swamp. He's a poor kid and fatherless so he has to reach inside himself to find his inner strength." Bishop Noll Institute: 1519 Hoffman St. The school will host Lenten fish fry dinners from 4:30 to 7 p.m. Friday. Diners should enter through Door C at the school, 1519 Hoffman St., Hammond. Dinners include choice of entree, salad bar and sides, dessert and beverages. Prices are $8 for pollock, $9 for ocean perch, $11 for shrimp and $11 for a mixed plate (pollock, perch and shrimp). For more information, call 219-932-9058 or go to www.bishopnoll.org. The school will host its Big Event! fundraiser from 6 to 11:30 p.m. April 27 in the school field house. Tickets cost $50 per person if paid before April 20 and $60 thereafter. Buy tickets at the school or online at www.bishopnoll.org. While the city is serving corned beef and cabbage at the fire station, Kelley and his staff, including manager Meredith Wood-Johnson and kitchen manager John Bowdish, will be doing the same at Matey's. He expects to go through about 800 pounds of corned beef by the time the holiday has ended. He said all the hard work is worth it. Ray Szarmach, council attorney, said the use of the term supplemental pay implies the court workers were getting a stipend above their pay, and that was not the case. The term supplemental pay in this case refers to part of the salaries being paid not from the general fund but from proceeds from Court View, the county's online court docket. The set up helped to bring the court employees compensation more in line with pay of similar workers in other counties. Officers were called around 2 p.m. to the Key West Inn at 1855 Mississippi St. where Salazar-Bernal was found, Gonzales said. Her cause and manner of death are listed as pending with the Lake County coroner's office, according to a release. Ethel Shelton, former Township Trustee Mary Elgin's secretary, and Alex Wheeler, who ran the township's Job Search Works, appeared in federal court Friday ahead of their trial on corruption charges that is set to start April 2, and their attorneys told Magistrate Judge Andrew Rodovich neither of them intended to take plea deals. "After the Parkland, Florida, shooting last month, it became quickly evident that there was going to be a national movement of students who were standing up for what has become a defining element of this generation," Shaw said. "The students at VHS have been engaged in social justice issues a few times this year, and they were using social media to organize, communicate, and collaborate." If teachers start carrying firearms to school, who is legally responsible (liable) for "friendly fire" when it happens? Is it the teacher who injures or kills an innocent person or those that approved it: the school board, the city, the state, the federal government or Trump? Also, who pays for the psychological help the teacher will need, including, quite possibly, an income until they recover enough to return to teach? I am super impressed with Ivanka Trump. She definitely has a good head on her shoulders and will eventually fit in some where as one of our great leaders. Just by being great, these sore losers will try to create some fake news on her, but she is so mature, she can handle it. Nobody with an ounce of common sense would believe anything negative about her. "This initial review uncovered multiple emails from a board member, both from district and campaign accounts, as well as from campaign representatives, to and from district employees at their district email addresses, some of which alluded to campaign work being discussed or requested during work hours. This raises concerns about violations by both the board member and district employees of board policy and state ethics laws," Kartha said. Tollway officials said they do not yet know the height of the new sound walls, but said they will be designed so traffic on the expanded tollway will not produce more noise pollution. Matt Hsieh, who lives on Bittersweet Lane, questioned that because the roadway will be three lanes closer. He said four layers of mature trees that are taller than the sound wall, and help to screen the wall from his home, will have to come down. Zucchero said the tollway can replace landscaping and said improved pavement better muffles sound. Matt Riordan, who lives in the Woodlands, is concerned that more trucks will use the tollway after it's widened and that will mean more vibration. The dishes in his china cabinet already rattle when large trucks go by, he said. He also is concerned that construction will affect natural drainage from nearby Flagg Creek. Until recently, after Hinsdale spent millions of dollars on stormwater improvements in his neighborhood, streets in Woodlands were prone to flooding, Riordan said. The tollway staff said that is why they wanted to meet residents, to hear their concerns. "We are very light on details," said Aimee Lee, senior manager of strategic planning for the tollway. What is known is that the existing sound wall will be removed and it will be about six months before a new wall, which will be closer to people's homes, is erected. Construction is expected to begin in 2021. Before that, a temporary railway bridge will have to be built over I-294 for BNSF and Metra trains to use during construction. That work is expected to begin next year. Colorado is giving away at-home rapid COVID-19 tests Gov. Jared Polis announced Tuesday that the state would be giving away 2 million rapid, at-home COVID-19 tests to help the virus be detected early. By Jennifer Lu Those who hold an account (or are a controlling person) with Hong Kong Financial Institutions both individuals and entities must prepare to report their tax residency information to the Inland Revenue Department (IRD) by May 2018 for exchange with 75 reportable jurisdictions under the AEOI standard. In September 2014, Hong Kong indicated its support for implementing automatic exchange of financial account information (AEOI) on a reciprocal basis with appropriate partners, with a view to commencing the first exchanges from 2018. Under the AEOI standard, financial institutions in Hong Kong are required to identify financial accounts held by tax residents of reportable jurisdictions or held by passive non-financial entities whose controlling persons are tax residents of reportable jurisdictions, in accordance with due diligence procedures. Required information of these accounts has to be collected and furnished to the IRD. Such information will be exchanged on an annual basis. RELATED: Hong Kongs New Transfer Pricing Regime Determining tax residency Tax residents of reportable jurisdictions refer to those who are liable to tax by reason of residence in the jurisdictions. In general, whether or not an individual is a tax resident of a jurisdiction is determined by having regard to the persons physical presence or stay in a place or, in the case of a company, the place of incorporation or the place where the central management and control of the entity is exercised. Tax residence is determined under the domestic tax laws of each jurisdiction. There might be situations where a person qualifies as a tax resident under the tax residence rules of more than one jurisdiction, and therefore is a tax resident in more than one jurisdiction. For the purposes of the Common Reporting Standard (CRS), the Account Holder (or Controlling Person) must disclose all its tax residences in the required self-certification. The Account Holder (or Controlling Person) can refer to below criteria for considering whether they are considered as a Hong Kong tax resident. Tax residency criteria for individuals An individual is regarded as a tax resident of Hong Kong if: (a) He/she ordinarily resides in Hong Kong; or (b) He/she stays in Hong Kong for more than 180 days during a year of assessment or for more than 300 days in two consecutive years of assessment, one of which is the relevant year of assessment. RELATED: Hong Kongs 2018-19 Budget Targets a Diversified Economy An individual is generally considered ordinarily residing in Hong Kong if he or she has a permanent home in Hong Kong where he or she or his or her family lives. The legal principles are: (a) Ordinary residence connotes residence in Hong Kong with some degree of continuity and apart from accidental or temporary absence. (b) To be an ordinary resident of Hong Kong, the person must be habitually and normally resident in Hong Kong, apart from temporary or occasional absences of long or short duration. The concept of ordinary resident refers to a persons abode in Hong Kong, which he or she has adopted voluntarily and for settled purposes, with a sufficient degree of continuity, as part of the regular order of his or her life for the time being, whether of short or of long duration. In ascertaining the number of days a person stays in Hong Kong, part of a day will be counted as one day. Tax residency criteria for entities An entity is regarded as a tax resident of Hong Kong if: (a) Where the entity is a company, the company is incorporated in Hong Kong; or if the company is incorporated outside Hong Kong but normally managed or controlled in Hong Kong; or (b) Where the entity is not a company, the entity is constituted under the laws of Hong Kong; or if the entity is constituted outside Hong Kong, but normally managed or controlled in Hong Kong. The legal concept normally managed or controlled does not require that both management and control be exercised in Hong Kong. Management refers to the management of daily business operations, or implementation of the decisions made by top management, etc. Control refers to the control of the whole business at the top level, including formulating the central policy of the business, making strategic policies of the entity, choosing business financing, evaluating business performance, etc. Tax Compliance Services from Dezan Shira & Associates First reporting due With the Inland Revenue (Amendment) (No. 2) Ordinance 2017 effective from July 1, 2017, Hong Kong will conduct AEOI with 75 reportable jurisdictions. These jurisdictions include all EU member states, all of Hong Kongs tax treaty partners that have committed to CRS, and other jurisdictions that have expressed an interest to the OECD in exchanging CRS information with Hong Kong. As of July 1, 2017, financial institutions in Hong Kong have been required to collect the information about relevant account holders from these 75 jurisdictions. The first reporting to the IRD will be due in May 2018, in anticipation of exchange with partners. Our weekly round up of other news affecting foreign investors throughout Asia: Thailands Eastern Economic Corridor Opportunities for Investment On February 19, Singapores finance minister delivered the 2018 budget with a focus on helping businesses in Singapore prepare for future challenges and create new opportunities. In this article, we present key highlights from the budget with important implications for businesses. Indias Solar and Wind Power Industries: Scope for Investors In June 2015, India announced that it would develop 175 gigawatts (GW) of renewable energy capacity by 2022. To this end, federal and state governments introduced a number of tax and financial incentives to make Indias nascent solar and wind sectors appealing for investors. Russia, China Nizhneleninskoye-Tongjiang Bridge Over Amur Border River Nears Completion Construction of the Nizhneleninskoye-Tongjiang railway bridge is expected to be completed this year, together with other cross border infrastructure programmes aimed at enhancing Russias connectivity with China, Central Europe and Central Asia, according to senior officials of Northeast Chinas Heilongjiang Province. The Arctic Link: Connecting Norway, Sweden, and Russia to China Trade The Arctic Link is a proposed rail connection between northern Finland and Arctic Norway, with the potential to later include with Murmansk in Northern Russia. It is hoped to improve Scandinavias trade links to China via the Northern Sea Route. Vietnam Proposes Higher Environmental Protection Taxes Vietnam proposes higher environmental protection taxes on oil and petroleum products from July 1, 2018, to offset decreasing import tax revenues due to tariff commitments. Read more to know about the tax hikes and its effect on the economy, government revenues, and environment. A Chinese publisher Thursday said it has received orders for over 1 million copies of Stephen Hawking's works following the death of the legendary British physicist. Hawking's death has put the spotlight on his books, leading to surging orders for new copies, said Sun Guijun, an editor at Hunan Science and Technology Press, the sole publisher of simplified Chinese versions of Hawking's works in China. Many of Hawking's books are sold out on major Chinese online book retailers JD.com and Dangdang.com, and customers can only make pre-orders. The publishing house introduced Hawking's best-seller "A Brief History of Time" to China in 1992 and went on to publish nearly 10 more books in the following 26 years. "'A Brief History of Time' has been printed over 30 times and is very popular among Chinese readers," said Sun, who has been in charge of editing Hawking's books since 1999. "When I first saw him at the University of Cambridge in 2006, I was deeply shocked to see such a great scientist bound to a wheelchair forever," recalled the editor. "I could hardly believe that he had left us. I sobbed and my mind went blank several times," Sun said. "Hawking was great. He solely depended on his mind to express while being unable to speak and write. His personal charisma has long inspired me," she said. Hawking's books have been popular in China and many readers fell in love with science after reading his books. The publisher also plans to publish more of Hawking's works in the future to help more readers in China gain an insight into his thoughts and personal charisma. Hawking died at the age of 76, a family spokesperson announced Wednesday. His death has prompted mourning across the world, including among fans in China. Hawking, a legendary figure in the modern history of physics, is known for his work on black holes and relativity, and he authored several best-sellers on science, despite being bound to a wheelchair. He was diagnosed with a motor neurone disease in 1963 at the age of 21. He broke new ground on the basic laws that govern the universe, including the revelation that black holes have a temperature and produce radiation, now known as Hawking radiation. At the same time, he also sought to explain many of these complex scientific ideas to a wider audience through popular books, most notably his bestseller "A Brief History of Time," according to an obituary posted on the University of Cambridge's website. The centuries-old Dongba culture of the Naxi ethnic group in southwest China's Yunnan province may have perished, had it not been for the initiative of the Beijing Association of Dongba Culture and Arts (ADCA), a non-governmental organization led by Zhang Xu. A symposium was held last Sunday in Beijing to evaluate the progress of Dongba cultural protection. The National Social Science Fund of China (NSSFC), responsible for planning, organizing, launching, evaluating and financing social science programs, has recognized the success of the joint endeavor of the ADCA, Beijing Information Science and Technology University, Lijiang Dongba Culture Institute and Diqing Naxi Society Academy to preserve Dongba culture. Ratified five years ago by the NSSFC, the team, coordinated by Zhang, established a digital platform to record the unique culture through pictures, ranging from extant manuscripts and religious rituals to ancient handcrafts, such as the making of Naxi paper pulp. To protect the culture from pending extinction, Zhang and her colleagues made several trips abroad to a variety of libraries, including the British Library, the University Library of Languages and Civilizations in Paris and the Library of Congress in the United States. They were searching for the manuscripts first brought to Europe by French explorer Jacques Bacot and his contemporary, Joseph Rock, an Austrian-American adventurer and botanist who spent several years in Lijiang after arriving in 1922. After photographing the manuscripts, Zhang and her team brought the copies to He Zhiben, the late priest of Dongba rituals, who died last May, and to Xi Shanghong, the last known priest in Shangri-la, Yunnan, who can decipher the language. Both of the priests were invited to recreate the ancient ritual ceremonies based on the 3,378 copies of manuscripts discovered in recent years in 21 libraries both at home and abroad. More and more Chinese tech companies are capable of developing their own core technologies and have the ability to expand globally, founder of one of China's largest internet and technology innovation communities, has said. For the second consecutive year, GeekPark brings Chinese tech companies to Austin, the U.S. state of Texas, for the South by Southwest (SXSW), an annual conglomerate of film, interactive media, and music festivals and conferences. This is GeekPark's second time to participate in the SXSW and has become an official organizing partner of the activity, Founder and CEO of China's GeekPark, Zhang Peng, told Xinhua in an exclusive interview. Zhang pointed out that the Chinese tech companies which participated last year were mainly in the mobile app, businesses and consumer products industries. The companies attending this year include some of the biggest names and industry leaders in artificial intelligence. "If last year was to let Chinese tech companies debut at SXSW, this year marks the integration and collaboration of Chinese tech companies in the global technology and innovation community," he said. The biggest advantage for the Chinese tech companies is the tremendous Chinese market behind them, he said. Not only the size of the market, but also the inclusive and rapid developing society, combined with the friendly economic policies and generous capital investments provided solid ground for the Chinese tech companies, he added. "They can be easily expanded globally once the Chinese market has proven their values," Zhang said. "A successful tech company should be capable of expanding globally with its core competencies, just like a concentric circle," he said, adding "I believe that more and more Chinese tech companies can draw concentric circles with their core technologies, innovations and success in the Chinese market." Zhang believed the ultimate goal of the tech companies should be bringing happiness and value to the society and mankind. "The biggest success for the Chinese companies is when people no longer question whether the technological innovation was made possible by a Chinese company," he said. Founded in 2010, GeekPark is one of China's largest internet and technology innovation communities, as well as the first one who introduces the concept "geek" into China. The SXSW, founded in 1987 in Austin, is best known for its conference and festivals that celebrate the convergence of interactive, film and music industries. The Asia Pacific region, with China as the leading force, has made 2017 an "incredible year" for Bell Helicopter, according to company executives. Bell has seen a 75 percent year-on-year increase of orders worldwide, despite the "steep down cycle of the industry in the past few years," said Patrick Moulay, executive vice president with Bell Helicopter in global sales and marketing. "We take more orders from the Asia Pacific region, more than the combination of other markets. In particular, Bell achieved a great success in the Chinese market with 210 orders in 2017," said Moulay in an exclusive interview with Xinhua. RIGHT TIMING TO CHINA "The timing is now, now, now. The heli-industry has suffered a lot in the past few years, but we've seen the market is recovering. Of course, with the strong driving force from China and other countries in the region," Moulay said. Bell is a global leader in commercial and military, manned and unmanned vertical-lift aircraft. Headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas, Bell Helicopter has delivered more than 35,000 aircraft to customers around the world over its 80-year history. In mid-2017, Bell Helicopter and the Shaanxi Helicopter signed a purchase agreement for 100 Bell 407GXP single-engine helicopters. The helicopters will be finalized in Bell's U.S. plant, shipped to China and reassembled. Some of them will be configured for customer needs in Emergency Medical Service, emergency rescue, fire fighting and law enforcement. In 2017, it also received a total of 110 orders from the Beijing-based Reignwood Group for Bell505 single-engine helicopters, including 60 confirmed orders and 50 newly increased orders. These "big orders" from the Chinese market jointly contributed to Bell's great success in China and worldwide in 2017. "In fact, the heli-fleet in China is still quite small compared with the vast country's surging demand, but its potential is magnificent," Moulay said. COMMITMENT TO CHINA CUSTOMERS "Amid the surging market, we will not only sell our products, but also play a role in cultivating the surging market jointly with Chinese partners," said Jose Jacinto Monge, managing director with Bell Helicopter China. "China has a need to lift its public welfare, and helicopters are indispensable in emergency medical and natural disaster rescue, especially in its mountainous and disaster-prone southwestern regions," he said. China is set to boost the development of its civil aviation industry to create a market that is expected to be worth more than a trillion yuan (158.4 billion U.S. dollars) by 2020. It will build new civil airports, bringing the total to more than 500 by 2020, and support the further opening of its low-altitude airspace, which is a major operation envelope for helicopters. Global major helicopter manufacturers and the country's domestic developers are also gearing up for the burgeoning market by introducing new models and setting up new production facilities. "We have a commitment to our Chinese partners and customers to develop their capabilities in reassembly and maintenance, as well as pilot and technician training," said Monge. "Bell will support them in daily maintenance, heavy maintenance and pilot training." He said Bell Helicopter was resolved to support the healthy development of the heli-market in China. "We will in joint hands with the government authorities and industry insiders to make sure of the safe operation of customers and their passengers," Monge said. "China is our top market worldwide. It deserves our attention and focus." China has initiated a pilot mechanism of appointing "gulf chiefs" to tackle pollution on coastlines and offshore areas. The State Oceanic Administration (SOA) on Wednesday held the first on-site meeting in Taizhou, east China's Zhejiang Province, to oversee the pilot results. Officials and supervisors from the administration viewed information boards erected along the coast in Shitang Township, which provided information including the names and contact means of the gulf chiefs responsible for supervising the sections of coastline. Each board also has a QR code for the public to report cases of pollution. In 2017, some 2,000 gulf chiefs were appointed in the pilot in Zhejiang. The province has 6,486.24 kilometers of coastline, the most in China. Pan Chongmin, director of the marine and fishery bureau in Taizhou, told the meeting that gulf chiefs have helped clear and block off 117 outlets discharging sewage into the sea. Thanks to these efforts, the water quality of four estuaries in the city now meets the national standard. More than 80 percent of marine pollution derives from land. An SOA meeting in January concluded a nationwide survey of land-based sources of marine pollution, identifying a total of 9,600 such sources. The SOA selected the province of Zhejiang and cities of Qinhuangdao, Qingdao, Lianyungang, and Haikou to pilot the gulf-chief mechanism at the start of 2017. Sun Shuxian, deputy director of the SOA, said at the meeting that the pilot should be extended and expanded this year, and a national standard system to evaluate the work of gulf chiefs should be established based on the pilot results. The protection mechanism for maritime pollution control outlined by the SOA is similar to the approaches of "river chiefs" and "lake chiefs" which have been widely adopted nationwide since 2016 and have achieved visible results in combatting pollution. Under the mechanism, top officials at provincial, city, county, and township levels are appointed as chiefs, accountable for the effects of water pollution control. The school system in China has seen "significant progress" in the quality of its education, according to a World Bank report Thursday. The East Asia and Pacific region is on the way to equitable development in education, said the report,"Growing Smarter: Learning and Equitable Development in East Asia and the Pacific." The East Asia Pacific region has seven of the top 10 performing education systems in the world, with schools in China and Vietnam showing strong evidence of high and equitable learning outcomes, the report said. "Providing a high-quality education to all children, regardless of where they are born, isn't just the right thing to do, it is also the foundation of a strong economy and the best way to stop and reverse rising inequalities," said Victoria Kwakwa, World Bank vice president for East Asia and Pacific. According to the report, improving education is necessary to sustain economic growth. The report also highlights ways that countries in the region have been able to improve learning outcomes. "It is noticeable that, China provides several examples of how to equalize resources across the system, such as prioritizing the enhancement of the teacher-support system across the country," said Michael Crawford, co-author of the report and World Bank's lead education specialist. China has implemented a long-term strategy to become a high-tech knowledge economy. It has seen a high-quality schooling drive its own economic growth as well as growth in the region. It has the largest education system in the region, with 182 million students enrolled in basic deduction. The net enrollment in primary schools in China reached 99.9 percent in 2015. One of the key findings of the report is that across the region, household incomes do not necessarily determine educational success. According to PISA scores in Vietnam and some regions of China, students from poorer households do as well, if not better, in both mathematics and science, as compared to average students in the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development countries. PISA is the Program for International Student Assessment. "Quality policies and sound practices in the classroom are what determine how much students learn," said Jaime Saavedra, the World Bank's senior director for education. "For policymakers looking to improve their school systems, allocating existing budgets efficiently and systematically can make a real difference in the lives of children across the region," he said. A quarter of the world's school-age children, about 331 million, live in the East Asia and the Pacific region. Up to 40 percent of them attend school in education systems whose students are ahead of average students in OECD countries. These schools are not only in wealthy countries such as Singapore and Japan, but also in middle-income countries such as China and Vietnam, according to the report. It also highlights that student performance is not necessarily tied to a country's income level. By age 10, for example, the average Vietnamese student outperforms all but the top students in India, Peru and Ethiopia. "Equalizing the quality of education and ensuring that children develop both basic and complex skills through education will be necessary to meet future labor market demands," Crawford said. "Sustainable commitment by governments is vital in ensuring that that reforms produce learning." The first session of the 13th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) holds its fourth plenary meeting at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 14, 2018, at which a new leadership for the top advisory body is due to be elected. The leadership will include chairperson, vice-chairpersons, secretary-general and Standing Committee members. (Xinhua/Li Tao) Coincidentally, the first session of the Federal Parliament in Nepal kicked off in Kathmandu on the same day (March 5, 2018) while China's "two sessions," the annual meetings of the national legislature and the top political advisory body, were opening in Beijing. At the first plenary session of the 13th National People's Congress (NPC) and 13th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), the NPC deputies and CPPCC members are busy generating a comprehensive framework of "Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for the New Era," introduced last October by Chinese Communist Party chief Xi Jinping. With a very distinct make up, the meetings of the monsoon session of Nepal's Federal Parliament are concentrating on the functioning of federal structures formed by the recent local, provincial and federal elections; with an aim to delivering prosperity to the people across the Himalayan country. Despite close geographic and bilateral ties, Nepalese are almost unaware of the Chinese model of policy formation and the practices. Rather a majority of people in Nepal feel an absence of "democracy" in Chinese governance because of their old-fashioned and Western media fabricated understanding. Nevertheless, Chinese are untouched by the criticism made by Western media because they have a deep faith in the administrative model and the leadership of their country. When I expressed my queries of the Chinese model of democracy and western media-portrayal, Elaine Lizhi Huang, an assistant professor at Beijing Foreign Studies University, shrugged it off as if the question was not worthy of response. "China is quite confident in building a harmonious society and a nation without adopting Western traditional theories because we have our own principles of governance. We believe that the best way to move forward is developing our own path," she responded quite valiantly. To understand a nation and its governance, one should understand a nation's cultures, daily affairs and history. Most of the knowledge that Nepali people have about China is based on the books written and published either in Western countries or in India. If we observe the history, it will not be an overstatement to say that China is the fastest changing society in human history with growing influence across the globe, yet uniquely embodying historical traces. In China, family names are far more important than given names. Anthropologists agree that even the modern Chinese society is deeply rooted in Confucius' foresighted social principles, i.e. harmony, stability, order, or the state as a microcosm of the family. Thus, the two sessions seem to be the enlargement of the same foundation of societal belief. The living standard in China has significantly improved in the last 40 years. On October 12, 2012, BBC Magazine published a thought provoking article entitled "A Point of View: Making sense of China" by Martin Jacques, a renowned economist and author of the book When China Rules the World. In the article, while defining China as a civilization state not a nation state, Jacques outlined that to understand China's growing importance on the world stage, the West needs to start speaking its language. "The great task facing the West over the next century will be to make sense of China not in our terms but in theirs. We have to understand China as it is and as it has been, not project our own history, culture, institutions and values onto it. In truth such a mentality tells us more about our own arrogance and lack of curiosity than anything about China," wrote Jacques. In Nepal, after the recent three-tier elections, the agenda of stability and prosperity is the top priority. People, like before, seem less concerned about the model of governance but they are eagerly waiting a government which can deliver an increase in living standards, like its northern neighbor has been enjoying for the past few consecutive decades. The left alliance is in the majority of both sessions in Nepal's Federal Parliament, which is synonymous to China's two sessions. The Communist-led Westminster model of parliamentary system has challenges to facilitate the newly formed government to perform well to transform a country, which despite abundant potential, has lagged behind in development. Irrespective of the nomenclature set by Western media, the Chinese two sessions and the delivering governance model are a matter of learning for Nepal. Saroj Gautam writes on International Relations and Diplomacy from Kathmandu. Opinion articles reflect the views of their authors, not necessarily those of China.org.cn. Former U.S. Foreign Secretary Rex Tillerson [Photo/Xinhua] President Donald Trump unceremoniously sacked foreign secretary Rex Tillerson after it became clear that the two men have different strategies for some of the toughest foreign policy challenges the U.S. and the world have been facing. It was not a surprise for those who are closely following Trump's presidency. In fact, many experts might have wondered how they could pull along for so long. Tillerson spent his life in the corporate world holding key positions, including one as chief executive of ExxonMobil. If connections with the powerful businesses were an advantage for others, to Tillerson it became a hindrance because being an outsider and from a different professional background, he could not crave out a safe niche within the State Department. Yet, nevertheless, he could have cultivated a relationship with his subordinates and counterparts during his tenure but for his boss in the White House, who considered that the former business executive was not doing the job well and hence was no longer needed. A trademark Trump tweet did it all for the most powerful diplomat in the world. He was forewarned by chief of staff John Kelly to keep a tab on social media without telling him anything about the gravity of the incoming presidential tweet. The difference between the president and his foreign secretary were not limited to the foreign policy arena but were far varied and deeper, as the two had different temperaments a brash and self-promoting and even self-indulgent Trump versus a cool and lazily composed Tillerson. Trump also disliked Tillerson's body language. The New York Times reported that Tillerson rolled his eyes or slouched whenever he differed with Trump. This mismatch in the body chemistry was not the only point of concern. They had different ideas over the Iran nuclear deal and other threats. Trump was clearly unhappy with the agreement that allowed Iran to wriggle out of the sanctions by halting the nuclear program and accept strict international monitoring. Evidence shows that Iranians are following through on their commitments. Trump wants changes in the agreement but the State Department under Tillerson was not in favor of reopening the agreed deal as it could create new problems and ultimately crush the current arrangement. There was also confusion about how to handle the issue of North Korea. Tillerson was in favor of direct talks without any preconditions but the State Department and security establishment wanted a promise by Kim Jong-un to denuclearize the country, as a bare minimum to unroll the process of talks. Trump wanted to be tough and rattle the regime by ratcheting up pressure through rhetoric and sanctions. But then he suddenly showed readiness for talks and accepted an offer of meeting with the Korean leader, apparently without bothering to seek opinion of his chief diplomat. Trump's handling of the Korean issues has raised questions about his methods of running foreign policy. The idea of direct negotiations is fine but the entire scheme is shrouded in mystery. The meeting should not be just a photo session. So the diplomats need time to sit and chalk out a comprehensive plan to make the talks resulted oriented. Reportedly, Trump and Tillerson also had different opinions about the shifting of the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem. Trump wanted to do it as early as possible and made a public commitment about it. The decisions has compromised U.S. neutrality and made the peace between Palestine and Israel more difficult. Tillerson's successor, former CIA Director Mike Pompeo, has a difficult task ahead. Though, Trump said about him that "we have a very similar thought process" but it might make the new foreign secretary's job even harder. Tillerson was doing the balancing act against unsteady statements by Trump. With him gone and the new foreign secretary and the president having the same thoughts, one can smell problems ahead. The duo may do more harm to the global order when the world needs a dexterous pair of hands to handle international issues. The sacked foreign secretary could call Trump a "moron" and still hang on for months but nothing like that is expected from Pompeo. He is considered as a loyalist of Trump and also shares his conservatism. All that might be acceptable if he passed the first big test that is to make parleys with North Korea successful. Sajjad Malik is a columnist with China.org.cn. For more information please visit: http://www.china.org.cn/opinion/SajjadMalik.htm Opinion articles reflect the views of their authors, not necessarily those of China.org.cn. You are here: Travel Flash Hainan Airlines will launch China's first direct flight to Ireland to facilitate bilateral tourism and economic exchanges, the company announced Thursday. The flight linking Beijing and Dublin will start operation on June 12, with the flight from Beijing to Dublin taking off each Thursday and Sunday and the return flight taking off each Tuesday and Saturday. The company also decided to launch Beijing's first direct flight to Edinburgh. Flights linking Dublin and Edinburgh will also be opened. The flights will operate using Airbus A330 aircraft, the company said. Hainan Airlines also inked strategic cooperation agreements with the airports of Dublin and Edinburgh, as well as Tourism Ireland and VisitScotland to promote people-to-people and economic exchanges. You are here: World Flash Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud announced on Thursday that his country would develop a nuclear bomb if Iran does so, Al Arabiya local news reported. "We don't want to own nuclear weapons, but if Iran does that, we would do the same," he said, adding that the Saudi economy is stronger than Iran's. The crown prince also accused Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei of harboring expansion ambitions in the Middle East. The announcement came two days after the Saudi cabinet adopted the national nuclear energy policy that is restricted for peaceful purposes and focuses mainly on the construction of nuclear energy plants. The policy also requires best exploitation of local natural resources and full application of international standards in radiation waste management. Flash The Syrian army captured the Hamouriyeh district in the capital Damascus' Eastern Ghouta countryside after the withdrawal of the Failaq al-Rahman rebel group as 12,500 people evacuated that area on Thursday, a monitor group reported. The Syrian government forces have started deploying in Hamouriyeh and set up their positions in that area amid an ongoing evacuation process of civilians from that area, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. This comes amid heavy shelling from the government side on the remaining posts of Failaq al-Rahman in the towns of Jisreen, Zamalka, Kafar Batna and Saqba, said the London-based watchdog group. The observatory added that 12,500 civilians have left the areas of Failaq al-Rahman rebels through Hamouriyeh on Thursday, marking the largest wave of evacuation from civilians since the Russian-backed humanitarian pause for the civilian evacuation started two weeks ago. It said the Russian and the Syrian government are sending a message that on the seventh anniversary of the Syrian crisis, civilians have started returning to the government side. The state TV, meanwhile, aired several interviews with people leaving that area, all thanking the Syrian army for saving them. It's the latest in a series of recent civilian evacuation operations in the rebel-held areas in the east of Damascus. On Wednesday, around 90 civilians were evacuated from Eastern Ghouta, a day after 146 others left that area. Earlier in the day, 25 truckloads of aid started to move to the rebel-held district of Douma in Eastern Ghouta, according to the International Committee of the Red Cross. The aid convoy was sent in cooperation with the Syrian Arab Red Crescent and the United Nations. It's the third aid convoy to enter Douma since the military operations in Eastern Ghouta started late last month. Last Friday, 13 truckloads of aid entered Douma with 2,400 food parcels and 3,240 bags of wheat flour. 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 1,000 people have been killed since late last month by the heavy bombardment and military showdown in areas of Eastern Ghouta. The Syrian army has captured over 62 percent of Eastern Ghouta in recent days, as part of an ongoing offensive to dislodge rebels from the key areas on the eastern rim of Damascus. Still, reports say that Douma will be excluded from the military operation as the Islam Army, which is in control of that area, is not designated as a terror group. Flash Britain's defense secretary Gavin Williamson announced plans Thursday to build a new US$67 million Chemical Weapons Defense Center. It will be based at Porton Down in Wiltshire, home of the Defense Science and Technology Laboratory, and will build on what Williamson described as Britain's world class expertise. He said the new center will maintain Britain's cutting edge in chemical analysis and defense. "We've brought together world-renowned explosive ordnance expertise with chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear specialists. And we are continuing to invest and explore new ways and new capabilities to deal with this threat," he said. In a keynote speech at the Filton, near Bristol, home of Rolls Royce, Williamson also said British troops are to be offered anthrax vaccine to ensure Britain's armed forces are provided with vital protection against any deadly danger. In reference to events earlier this month in Salisbury when a former Russian spy and his daughter were attacked with a nerve agent, Williamson said: "We know the chemical threat doesn't just come from Russia but from other actors so we're evolving the capability to meet that danger." It was experts at Porton Down who identified the chemical used in the Salisbury incident. Referring to world events, Williamson said that after a long period of relative peace, threats are increasing again. "In every continent of the world there are not just extremists but states willing to undermine our values, ideas, and everything we stand for," said Williamson. Williamson also announced a US$5.6 million contract to deliver a shot detection system which can sense enemy gunfire and protect troops using armoured vehicles. Williamson was appointed defense secretary last November by Prime Minister Theresa May, replacing Sir Michael Fallon who resigned. Flash The cooperation between China and Singapore on the Belt and Road Initiative has yielded concrete results, the newly-appointed Chinese Ambassador to Singapore Hong Xiaoyong said on Thursday. Hong made the remarks upon his arrival in Singapore Thursday night. He said the China-Singapore bilateral relations have entered a new stage of even greater growth, compared with his last posting in Singapore as a diplomat 10 years ago. The Belt and Road Initiative, proposed by China in 2013, aims to build trade and infrastructure networks connecting Asia with Europe and Africa on and beyond the ancient Silk Road routes. It comprises the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road. The China-Singapore (Chongqing) Demonstration Initiative on Strategic Connectivity is moving ahead smoothly, the building of the Southern Transport Corridor is gradually realizing the goal of connecting the Belt with the Road, and the two sides are also jointly expanding cooperation in third countries, he said. "All these have demonstrated our shared commitment to our peoples and to the region," he said. For the past five years in a row, China has remained Singapore's largest trading partner and Singapore as China's top foreign investor, Hong noted. This year marks the 40th anniversary of China's reform and opening up, and it was 40 years ago that China and Singapore took the historically significant step of substantial cooperation, he said, adding that the past 40 years is the best witness of the China-Singapore relationship that is strong, dynamic and ever-growing. Hong is the 11th Chinese ambassador to Singapore. He is scheduled to present his credentials to Singapore's President Halimah Yacob at the end of March. Flash Japan and the Republic of Korea (ROK) held security talks for the first time in three years in Tokyo on Thursday. According to Japan's Foreign Ministry, the two sides exchanged views on their security situation, defense policies as well as communication and cooperation in defense fields. The two sides agreed to further enhance mutual understanding and cooperation in defense fields, said the ministry. Senior foreign affairs and defense officials of the two countries participated in the talks, including Kenji Kanasugi, head of the Asian and Oceanian Affairs Bureau of Japan's Foreign Ministry, and Kim Yong-kil, head of the ROK Foreign Ministry's Northeast Asian Affairs Bureau. The talks on Thursday were the 11th edition of the Japan-South Korea Security Dialogue which began in 1998, with the last round held in the ROK in April 2015. China's Global Newspaper Sorry, the page you requested was not found. Please check the URL for proper spelling and capitalization. If you're having trouble locating a destination on Chinadaily.com.cn, try visiting the Chinadaily home page 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. By the time Protestant Christianity arrived in China in the early 19th century, Chinese understandings of gender roles had been relatively static for more than two millennia. Confucian teachings during the Han dynasty (206 B.C.A.D. 220) nurtured patriarchal understandings which often subordinated women within Chinese society. Genders were also divided along accepted social roles, with men concerned with public matters and women focused on managing the household. In the Ming (13681644) and Qing (16441912) dynasties, positive changes in female literacy rates and economic roles improved the status of a growing number of learned and influential women. But the most dramatic changes didnt occur until the May Fourth Movement in the early 1920s. At that time, reformers rallied against foot binding and advocated for women to have the rights of suffrage, financial independence, and the freedom to choose whom to marry and when to divorce. Against this backdrop, the history of Protestantism in China includes the story of Christians who were in many ways ahead of the curve in advocating for womens equality in the church and society. By the 1860s, Chinese women were given opportunities through Christian work to leave the home and engage in education, evangelism, and medical services. By the turn of the century, churches in China discussed female Christian leadership and female ordination. Throughout the 20th century, women played a vital role in spreading the gospel and nurturing new believers. While the influence of female leaders has declined in recent decades, the story of Christianity in China cannot be told without acknowledging the female evangelists and pastors who built the Chinese church. The rise of Bible women In 1807, the Anglo-Scottish Congregationalist Robert Morrison became the first Protestant missionary to step foot on the Chinese mainland, basing his ministry out of coastal regions such as Canton (Guangzhou) and Macau. The unequal treaties levied against China by foreign nations, led by Britain after the Opium Wars (183942 and 185660), permitted missionaries to freely rent or purchase property and establish themselves in the inland of the country. While this access provided new opportunities for evangelism, Protestant missionaries quickly realized that Confucian understandings of propriety and social order limited male missionaries to work with only Chinese men. Women in the Protestant missionary enterprisemissionary wives and, later, single female missionariesfocused on evangelizing Chinese women, but they faced challenges with cultural and linguistic differences. In the 1860s, female missionaries found that one of the more strategic ways to communicate the gospel was to recruit local Chinese women as Bible women to evangelize their female compatriots. The earliest Bible women were often recruited from the employees of missionary households or from the wives and the mothers of Chinese male evangelists. Some were educated but many were illiterate. Due to the Protestant priority of the Bible, women missionaries needed to teach them to read Chineseoften through a Romanized form of Chinese charactersbefore they could read the Bible for themselves and communicate basic Christian teachings. These convictions encouraged female missionaries to create boarding schools to educate Chinese girls. As Chinese society had long prioritized literacy and education for men, the missionaries desires for everyone to have the ability to read the Bible opened new vistas for these Chinese women. Initially, Bible women worked under the supervision of foreign female missionaries. Their main responsibilities were limited to teaching the Bible to women and children, often in rural contexts. As their numbers and skills grew, these responsibilities included visiting the sick and offering various forms of medical care. By the 1880s, some missionary societies allowed Bible women to publicly evangelize and teach the Bible to mixed-gender groups. One of the most famous Bible women was Dora Yu (Yu Cidu; 18731931). The daughter of a Chinese Presbyterian preacher, Yu studied medicine at Suzhou Womens Medical School. In addition to her healthcare work, she also served as an itinerant preacher. In 1897, she accompanied American Josephine P. Campbell as a missionary to Korea, practicing medicine and preaching the gospel to Korean women. When she returned to China six years later, she eventually gave up medicine to devote her attention to revival preaching. At one revival meeting, she converted a woman named Peace Lin (Lin Heping) and, in a later meeting, converted Lins son, the young Watchman Nee (Ni Tuosheng)both of whom became evangelists themselves. Yu continued to lead revival meetings throughout China and was invited to be the main speaker at the Keswick Convention, an annual British evangelistic conference, in 1927. When Mary Stone (Shi Meiyu; 18731954) graduated from the University of Michigan in 1896, she was one of the first Chinese women to receive a medical degree from an American university. Upon her return to China, Stone saw a need for missionary work to be initiated and run by local Chinese. She co-founded the Chinese Missionary Society, became the first president of the Womens Christian Temperance Union in China, and established the Bethel Mission in Shanghai with the American missionary Jennie V. Hughes. Stone and Hughess Bethel Mission would be instrumental in the organization of a number of evangelistic bands created to spread the gospel. The most famous of these was the Bethel Worldwide Evangelistic Band established in 1931 by Andrew Gih (Ji Zhiwen), which later included the well-known evangelist John Sung (Song Shangjie). The question of womens ordination Conferences convened in Shanghai in 1877, 1890, and 1907 gathered together nearly all Protestant missionary societies in China to discuss Christian work throughout the country. Yet the voices of female missionaries and Bible women were often sidelined and relegated to a separate category of Womans Work for Woman. This began to change when the National Christian Conference met in 1922 and allowed the growing number of Chinese Christians to take the floor. In a paper entitled Women and the Church, Ruth Cheng (Cheng Guanyi) of Yenching (Yanjing) University noted that the improved rights for women in Chinese society afforded by the May Fourth Movement were not matched by improved rights for women in the Chinese church. She explained, I am not advocating that we establish women pastors, but would ask as a matter of principle why women are not recognized as worthy of that office and others in the Church. Cheng further reasoned that while there may have been legitimate historical or contextual reasons for the prohibition of women leaders in the early church and the Western church, these reasons may no longer be legitimate for the Chinese church. Did women have equal rights in the church or were they subordinate? She concluded, The question is not simply one for the present, but whether or not provision is being made as we look forward to the future of the Christian Church for the enlargement of operations in the Church for women. Slowly, denominations began to officially accept formal female church leadership. Historian Dana L. Robert notes that as early as 1871, female missionaries in the American Methodist Episcopal Church believed the advent of the Bible women meant the reinstitution of the biblical order of the deaconess. Yet these female missionaries interpretation was debated for several decades in the United States and in mission fields like China. In 1924, the General Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church met in Massachusetts and spoke of the very evident and acute need for an effective sacramental ministry on the part of women, in certain home and particularly in the foreign fields. The General Conference made the monumental decision to permit women limited rights through ordination as local preachers. This would quickly influence work in China and, in the years immediately following this decision, five Chinese women were ordained as local preachers in the Foochow (Fuzhou) and Kiangsi (Jiangxi) Conferences. Another significant case was the Church of Christ in China, the largest denomination of the time. At its General Council meeting in 1931, the North China Synod asked whether women could be ordained to the pastoral ministry. After some discussion, it concluded that there was no constitutional prohibition for this. Even more surprisingly, the General Council found that many of its constituent churches had already ordained women elders. By the 1940s, its South Fukien (Fujian) Synod would likewise report that it ordained additional women to serve their churches. In the Anglican Church, Bishop Ronald O. Hall controversially ordained Florence Li Tim-Oi (190792) as the first woman to the priesthood in Macau in 1944 in the midst of the Japanese invasion. Globally, there was no precedence for this in Anglicanism. Hence, after the end of the second Sino-Japanese war, to avoid controversy, Li resigned her license. In 1971, when the Anglican Communion eventually agreed that women could be ordained into the priesthood, the first two were in Hong Kong: Jane Hwang Hsien-yuin and Joyce M. Bennett. A Christian fever goes Calvinist In mainland China, public religious practice was effectively halted in the 1960s. However, after the end of the Cultural Revolution (196676) and Mao Zedongs death, Deng Xiaopings reforms allowed a greater openness to competing ideas to exist once again. By the 1980s, government documents began to describe a Christianity fever occurring throughout the country, whereby the number of Protestant adherents was growing at a phenomenal rateboth through the so-called house church movement and through local congregations registered with the state-sanctioned Three-Self Patriotic Movement (TSPM). The great majority of the Protestant churchin the 1980s and todayhas been made up of women. In contrast with the first half of the 20th century, the question of women in leadership in the 1980s and 1990s was not debated and the proliferation of female pastors and evangelists became the norm. One of the more well-known examples is the itinerant evangelist Ruth Lu (Lu Xiaomin; born 1970). Coming from a Muslim background as a Hui minority of rural Henan, Lu converted to a Pentecostal-like form of Christianity in 1989 and is best known for her leadership in an unlikely form: hymnody. Lus songs, collectively called the Canaan Hymns, have been transcribed by others as she is not trained in Western musical notation. The appeal of Lus 1,500 hymns within the Chinese church is so strong that they are widely sung in both registered and unregistered congregations. But in the last two decades, the place of women in church leadership has become less clear. While strong female leaders continue to be found in government-sanctioned Protestant churches and seminaries, this is different in unregistered churches which have been increasingly influenced by Calvinism. These Christians see Calvinism as offering a strong theological system that can combat the growing number of Christianity-inspired new religions, which the government has branded as evil cults. Many of those interested in Calvinism have turned to North American Calvinist and New Calvinist writings by John Piper, D. A. Carson, and Tim Keller to address questions related to nurturing a Christian family and ministering in urban China. Others have drawn from the Dutch Neo-Calvinist teachings of Abraham Kuyper and Herman Bavinck for resources to engage the Chinese civil society. However, this revived interest in Calvinism in China has tended to underscore a strong view of complementarianism, often linked to books written by American Calvinists and translated into Chinese. Fredrik Fallman has suggested that part of the draw of complementarianism is found in its resonances with Confucian patriarchal views. These changes have had a negative effect on the trajectory of female leadership in the Chinese church. These developments are partly due to stereotypes among some Chinese Christians of gendered understandings of Christianity, such as the view that men have a more rational spirituality (as exhibited by Calvinism) and women have a more emotional spirituality (as exhibited by Pentecostal-like forms of Christianity). Some are afraid that charismatic women with false teachings could lead others astray, as seen in the doomsday group Eastern Lightningestablished by a woman who taught that Christ has already returned but now in female form. Hence, Calvinism and complementarianism offer safeguards against uncontrollable and extreme forms of Christianity which are problematic for the Chinese church and society. As a consequence, this has also encouraged an increased sense of subordination of women in the church. It is impossible to predict how the Protestant church in China will develop in the future, especially in terms of female leadership. What is clear is that the many women evangelists and pastors of the 19th, 20th, and 21st centuries have left and continue to leave an indelible mark on Chinese Protestantism. Like Mao Zedong famously declared that women hold up half the sky, women also hold up half the roof of the church in China. Dr. Alexander Chow is a lecturer in Theology and World Christianity in the School of Divinity, University of Edinburgh. He has written two books on Chinese Christianity, most recently, Chinese Public Theology: Generational Shifts and Confucian Imagination in Chinese Christianity (Oxford University Press, 2018). He maintains an academic blog at https://alexanderchow.wordpress.com and can be found on Twitter at @caorongjin. 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. Administratorii portalului nu poarta raspundere pentru continutul postarilor si materialelor plasate de utilizatorii site-ului. Utilizati informatia din acest articol pe propriul risc. CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Baily Circus ended last year. Now the bankrupt GOP Elephant Circus Show that was the House Intelligence Committee Russia investigation, has also come to an end. Republican members of the committee decided to end their discredited investigation without informing Democratic members or allowing them to contribute to the final report. That report concludes that not only was there no collusion between Russia and the Trump campaign,but that Russia did not favor Donald Trump when meddling in the 2016 campaign. "We don't think that's supported by the underlying data," said Texas Rep. Mike Conaway. Conaway took over leadership of the probe after committee chairman Devin Nunes had to recuse himself as a former member of the Trump transition team and current Trump lap dog and water boy. The committee's finding that the Russian's didn't try to boost Trump's chances of winning is contradicted by the findings of the FBI, CIA and NSA. Indictments of 13 Russians by a grand jury in Robert Mueller's investigation also contradict the GOP House investigation. Even Republican committee member Trey Gowdy did not support Conaway's and the report's claim of the Russians not favoring Trump over Hillary Clinton. According to Gowdy, evidence showed clearly that Russia was "motivated in whole or in part by a desire to harm her candidacy or undermine her Presidency had she prevailed. The real hoax and fraud in the Russia story, is that the House was conducting an unbiased bipartisan investigation seeking the facts and would follow them wherever they would lead. Republican members of the House went through the motions of conducting a proper investigation. They abdicated their responsibility to even take basic steps to issue subpoenas and interview all relevant witnesses. Ryan responsible for Dumbo House Intelligence Committee Nunes and Conaway led the committee, but ultimate responsibility for the sloppy white wash job that undermined the credibility of the committee and House, should stop at the desk House Speaker Paul Ryan. Ryan could have stopped the House Investigation from becoming a farce, and chose not too. It used to be that when it came to investigations as important as the Russia probe, Congress, in both houses, could be counted on to act in a bipartisan manner to ensure the credibility of the institution and nation. That happened with virtually every other major Congressional investigation, most notably, Watergate. The legendary Watergate question, "What did the President know and when did he know it?" was asked by Sen. Howard Baker, a Republican. Richard Nixon is rolling in his grave bemoaning that Paul Ryan,Devin Nunes, and Mike Conaway weren't in office holding leadership positions during Watergate. ELYRIA, Ohio -- Three people pleaded not guilty Thursday to charges related to a botched drug robbery that ended in an Elyria man's shooting death. The trio who appeared at arraignments in Lorain County Common Pleas Court include an Elyria man accused of shooting Cody Snyder during the Jan. 23 incident and a pair accused of accompanying Snyder to sell the drugs. The accused shooter -- Kajaun Anderson, 19, of Elyria -- pleaded not guilty to aggravated murder, murder, aggravated robbery, robbery and tampering with evidence, according to court records. Anderson remains in custody on $1 million bond. He is scheduled to appear at a pretrial hearing May 27. Jeffrey Miraldi, 20, of Elyria pleaded not guilty to involuntary manslaughter, three counts of tampering with evidence and trafficking in marijuana, according to court records. Miraldi -- the son of Lorain County Judge John R. Miraldi -- is accused of hiding the drugs and discarding a gun he brought to the deal, prosecutors said. He also deleted a text message related to the incident, prosecutors said. Jeffrey Miraldi and Jenna Turner Jenna Turner, 19, of Middleburg Heights pleaded not guilty to three counts of tampering with evidence, according to court records. Turner told investigators she took Snyder's cellphone out of concern it could implicate her and Miraldi in the shooting, prosecutors said. Miraldi and Turner were released from custody after posting bond and are next scheduled to appear at pretrial hearings May 16, according to court records. A 17-year-old boy and a 16-year-old boy are also facing charges that accuse them of planning the robbery that ended in Snyder's killing. The teens are charged in juvenile court with murder and aggravated robbery, but Lorain County Prosecutor Dennis Will is seeking to try them as adults. The teens arranged to buy marijuana from Snyder but planned to take the drugs in a robbery, police said. They asked Anderson to accompany them and bring a gun, police said. Snyder, Miraldi and Turner drove to meet the teens, who got into the car to discuss the transaction. Anderson walked up to the car, opened a door and pulled out a gun. He shot Snyder in the chest, police said. Snyder died after Miraldi drove him to University Hospitals Elyria Medical Center. To comment on this story, visit Friday's crime and courts comments page. FAIRVIEW PARK, Ohio - Students across the nation participated in a March 14 walkout commemorating the one-month anniversary of the mass shooting at Florida's Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. At Fairview Park High School, the student body took a different approach, with a Day of Kindness. In addition to observing 17 seconds of silence during morning announcements, students were asked to commit to perform 17 random acts of kindness throughout the day. They were also asked to wear red and gray ribbons (the school colors of Stoneman Douglas High School) provided by the leadership group, sign a chalkboard wall and engage in a letter-writing campaign to legislators. "I'm incredibly proud of our students and the way they were responding, the way they were discussing what happened in Parkland," Superintendent Bill Wagner said. "They wanted to be very productive in their actions in response. That's the direction that they chose to go. "There will be another activist assembly on April 20 regarding guns and the safety of the schools. The students are working on that right now with administrators." As for the Day of Kindness initiative, student Raven Keck was one of its leaders. "We were hoping to bring awareness of the lives lost in mass shootings and inspire change so it doesn't happen again," Keck said. "Many people were heard complimenting others and showing peers they were appreciated." Also participating were Lewis F. Mayer Middle School students, who joined in by writing on a banner the acts of kindness they observed throughout the day. Wagner said he was proud of the students taking initiative without incident. "I think the students are ready to take some action," Wagner said. "They're ready to really research this topic and provide legislators sort of their first-person view of school safety and ways that perhaps legislation can support that." The other aspect to the current climate after the Parkland school shooting involves districts reviewing and re-evaluating safety, security and mental health policies. "We took another look at our student entrances and the safety of our facilities," Wagner said. "Part of our upcoming construction project is to renovate or rebuild our main entrances at our Early Education Center, Middle School and High School. "The construction project actually address how those entrances will be redesigned to be safer for everyone." Regarding mental health, Wagner said the district has been researching the topic for the last two years. He noted an upcoming meeting with Fairview Hospital to discuss and explore mental health services and support that can be provided to students and families "We were already working in this direction," Wagner said. "This just amplifies and emphasizes the need to continue and make some positive changes." CLEVELAND, Ohio - The ACLU of Ohio on Friday urged Cuyahoga County officials to immediately adopt the recommendations of a bail-reform task force. Caitlin Hill, policy counsel at the ACLU of Ohio issued a statement praising the recommendations, but calling it a "first step" to reform. "The recommendations mirror some of the best bail practices implemented in other states that have helped dismantle unfair systems that keep people in jail simply because they cannot afford to pay their bond," Hill wrote. "County leaders have taken the first step toward reform, but must now turn recommendations into reality without delay." The Cuyahoga County Task Force on Bail released its recommendations Friday morning. The recommendations include having centralized-bail hearings rather than have judges in each of 13 municipal courts in the county make their own bail determinations. Such an arrangement would provide for more prompt and consistent bail decisions and allow for defendants to have quicker access to an attorney. It would also limit the use of bond schedules that are based solely on the charges against a suspect rather than the risk of a defendant failing to show up for court or causing trouble if released from jail. The task force also wants judges to use a validated risk-assessment to help size up defendants. The recommendations also include beefing up pretrial services, such as supervision and mental-health treatment, and making them available to defendants throughout the county. Judges would be able to release more people who might pose a danger to the community if those defendants can be adequately monitored using pretrial services. John J. Russo, presiding and administrative judge of the Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court, convened the task force after cleveland.com and The Plain Dealer began publishing its ongoing Justice for All series about inequities in the bail system. Russo said the recommendations will be on the agenda of the judicial conference of the 8th Judicial District in May and that the feedback will be used to determine what to do next. A copy of the recommendations is also being sent to Cuyahoga County Executive Armond Budish. CLEVELAND, Ohio -- A Cleveland man is the first person to be convicted under Ohio's new anti-bestiality laws. Scott Turner, 48, was sentenced Wednesday to five years of probation. Cleveland Municipal Judge Michelle Earley also ordered him to have no contact with animals and granted the Cleveland Animal Protection League the ability to make random inspections during his probation. Turner was convicted in March after a one-day bench trial. The judge found him guilty of having sexual contact with an animal, a second-degree misdemeanor, which carries a maximum penalty of 90 days in jail. Turner, who is a convicted sex offender, was also given credit for seven days served in the city jail before he posted bond. He also served several days in prison for violating the terms of his post-prison release terms for a series of sex offenses in 2003. The law criminalizing bestiality went into effect March 21, 2017. Turner's charge, trial and conviction are the first in the state. The APL and their prosecutor said the case highlights the need for the legislation and the need for harsher penalties for the crime. Turner planned to have sexual contact with a dog, carried out that plan, and made plans to do it again with his romantic partner once his partner was released from prison, prosecutors said. He also made plans to recruit a teenage boy to film the act, a particularly disturbing prospect because Turner has previous convictions involving children, prosecutors said. Assistant Cuyahoga County Public Defender Jason Haller, however, said the APL's case is weak. He said there was little evidence to support a conviction and that he worried other prosecutions across the state could rely on thin evidence to support convictions under the new law. Turner denied ever giving the dog, a boxer mix named Athena, oral sex while babysitting her for a friend in May 2017. Haller said Turner plans to appeal the conviction. 'Our four-legged friend' The case against Turner was built around 58 pages of letters Turner sent to his partner in Clermont County jail on charges of abduction, falsification and other charges. The letters are written in a stream-of-conscious style that mostly revolves around sexual fantasies that Turner planned for when his partner was released from prison. Parts of the letters also revolve around having children, plans to live together and other anxieties that Turner had while his partner remained incarcerated. Those letters were screened by Turner's parole officer, who investigated the case. The first letter that mentions using a dog for sex starts with Turner saying he doesn't want to share his partner with another man. "I'll share you with a 4 legged friend though," the letter says. "I'm really looking forward to experiencing that with you." Turner then writes about recording their sex together and asks "How would you like to have a young guy (teen) video us together?" In a letter dated May 6, 2017, Turner wrote: "I'm looking into getting a 4 legged friend still but its hard to find the right one to get and then there's the money needed to get it also which I don't have yet either." Dog-sitting On May 13, the girlfriend of Turner's roommate asked him to watch her dog, Athena, while she and her boyfriend went out, according to the letters and APL prosecutor DanaMarie Pannella. Pannella said that's when Turner gave the dog oral sex. In a letter dated May 13, Turner wrote that his roommate's girlfriend brought her dog over so Turner could watch her while the couple went out to eat. Turner wrote that he performed oral sex on the dog and indicated that he enjoyed it and wanted to do it again while having sex with his partner. He also describes the dog as a boxer-mix. Pannella said when the woman picked up her dog, that Turner told her they spent the day in bed. When she got home, the dog acted unusual, she said. Athena constantly licked herself, was scared of human contact and barked constantly for no apparent reason, Pannella said. The dog's owner was bewildered at the sudden change in behavior, Pannella said. The woman worried about her dog so much, she canceled dinner plans that night to tend to her, Pannella said. Two days later, Turner again wrote his partner again. He wrote about how he enjoyed his partner talking about the sex that two fantasized about having with dogs. Turner denies sex act Haller said that Turner denied the sex act ever occurred. Attempts to reach Turner were not successful. Haller said that the letter did not indicate that he actually performed the sex act on the dog. Rather, Turner was writing to his partner regarding fantasies his partner had in order to keep him occupied while jailed. "Essentially, he admits to writing in a letter about committing the act, but when confronted, he gave an explanation that it was just rambling fantasy language," Haller said. "But maintains it never happened. There was little or no evidence that it occurred." The defense attorney said the only other testimony offered at trial was the dog owner, who testified that the dog had acted differently after the day with the Turner. Haller argued in court records against prosecutors presenting testimony from a veterinarian who would have testified that dogs can show signs of abuse. Haller argued that the prosecutors could not back the testimony with scientific proof. Prosecutors voluntarily withdrew the witness before Earley could rule on the arguments and the vet did not testify during the trial. Haller said prosecutors presented no physical evidence and convicted him solely on the letters and his admission to writing them. He expects they will appeal the conviction to the Ohio Eighth District Court of Appeals. "It is a poor test case going forward and I hope it's not used going forward with cases with similar evidence," Haller said. 'A class-A predator' Pannella and Cleveland APL President Sharon Harvey disagree. They think it's the ideal test case because the evidence they presented as well as Turner's history of sex offenses. Anti-animal abuse advocates have long linked animal abuse to human abuse, Harvey said. "This is particularly important," Harvey said. "This is a horrific act against an animal. But people like this pose an increased threat to society in general, to other people and to children. And that needs to be addressed under the law." Pannella said Turner's prior criminal history mirrors in many ways his current conviction. In the three sex crimes convictions, Turner was babysitting when he sexually abused children. Turner on July 25, 2003 babysat five boys between the ages of 6 and 12 when he paid a 9-year-old boy $1 to fondle another boy while he watched. Police investigated the case and later learned that he had also performed a sex act on a 9-year-old boy while they watched a pornographic video in 2002, according to court records. Investigators also found that Turner repeatedly sexually assaulted a 12-year-old girl and had attacked her as many as 10 times. Those cases, Pannella said, show Turner is a sexual predator who preys on children and animals alike. He is currently working as a plumber, Pannella said. "He's a class-A predator," Pannella said. "There's a pattern here." To comment on this story, please visit our crime and courts comments page. CLEVELAND, Ohio - Cuyahoga County should adopt sweeping judicial reforms that would dramatically change the way bail is set and give poor defendants a better shot at justice, according to a much-awaited report by a task force of local judges, lawyers and legal experts. Today's release of the report follows more than 18 months of reporting by cleveland.com and The Plain Dealer in Justice for All, a series examining how the region's bail systems dispense unequal justice, needlessly and unfairly jailing some suspects simply because they can't afford to pay for their freedom. The reforms recommended by the task force include practices that some legal experts have long pushed for locally to ensure that defendants, especially those of meager means, are treated fairly by the court and allowed their freedom while awaiting trial. The report (read it below) by the Cuyahoga County Bail Task Force is the culmination of research and analysis conducted by four committees of legal experts brought together by John J. Russo, presiding and administrative judge of Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas. Russo started forming the committees shortly after cleveland.com and The Plain Dealer launched Justice For All, which advocated for bail reform. The series showed, among other things, how many defendants are kept in jail at considerable cost to taxpayers simply because they can't afford bail and how bail-setting practices vary significantly between the 13 municipal courts in the county and result in a system of unequal justice. The primary drafter of the report was Cleveland State University law professor Jonathan-Witmer-Rich, with help from defense attorney Jay Milano, Case Western Reserve University law instructor Carmen Naso and former appellate judge Mary Jane Trapp. Russo provided cleveland.com with an advance copy of the report, which is the basis for the following Q&A. Who should be released? The report recommends that judges jail fewer suspects awaiting trial. For example, those accused of traffic offenses, including driving with suspended licenses, and offenses that state laws do not deem "crimes of violence," should be released without bail. "The purpose of money bail is not to demonstrate the seriousness of the offense or to fine or punish the defendant," the report states. "The purpose of money bail is not to detain defendants, but to release them." If a judge determines that bail is needed, the amount should be based on an evaluation of the suspect's ability to pay and their risk of failing to appear in court, the report states. Bail should not be used as a means to protect the community from a potentially dangerous suspect, but only to ensure that a defendant will return to court, according to the report. If a defendant poses a threat to the community, the judge can order monitoring, mental-health treatment or other forms of supervision to mitigate the risk, the report states. In higher-risk situations, the judge can order electronic monitoring and house arrest. Or, the judge can simply order the defendant to be detained, as long as the defendant is allowed to argue otherwise with the help of an attorney. "When a court increases a bond amount due to the defendant's dangerousness, the court is increasing the likelihood that the defendant will not be able to be released due to limited financial resources, but is not protecting the community if the defendant is released," the report states. How soon should bail hearings be held? The report recommends that bail hearings in general should be held within 48 hours of an arrest. The report also calls for actual hearings rather than having bail set based on bond schedules with pre-determined bail amounts that are based solely on the charges. Bond schedules are often used by municipal courts, especially on weekends when a judge may not be available to set bail. The amount of the bail is dictated solely by the charge, and that's a problem. In an interview Thursday with cleveland.com, Witmer-Rich said that the use of bond schedules is a major reason why defendants who cannot afford bail end up spending weeks in jail. Greater scrutiny by a judge early in the process would have resulted in their release, he said. A centralized bail process would also allow for a defense attorney to always be present for hearings. That often isn't the case in some suburban municipal courts in Cuyahoga County. "This system would lessen collateral consequences for the accused, such as loss of employment or housing while waiting in jail, and result in significant cost savings to government by reducing unnecessary detention," the report states. How should bail be determined? The report calls for use of a risk-assessment method for evaluating defendants and suggests that the risk assessment method developed by the nonprofit Laura and John Arnold Foundation and already used by the Cleveland Municipal Court would be a good choice. But the drafters of the report caution that data has yet to be compiled by Cleveland Municipal Court to determine how well the risk assessments have been working. One concern is that the tool might consider defendants to pose a low risk to the general public but fail to gauge the risk they pose to a spouse or some other family member. The report suggests the courts adopt a "specific risk assessment tool for intimate partner violence and domestic violence cases, as the Arnold Foundation risk assessment tool is not designed to reflect the unique risks of intimate partner violence or domestic violence situations." Russo said during a group interview with the drafters of the report that regardless of whether the Arnold Foundation method is adopted, it will be just one tool that judges will have at their disposal. Centralizing operations is key to reform Rather than having judges in 13 different municipal courts making bail decisions, a single municipal court judge at a central location would make bail determinations. This would bring consistency and efficiency to the process. Franklin and Hamilton counties, both of which have countywide municipal courts, and Summit County have centralized bail systems. A centralized process would not mean that defendants would have to be in the same courtroom. They could connect remotely from a jail elsewhere in the county using video equipment, Naso said during the interview. Bail hearings could be scheduled up to seven days a week, which would provide for more prompt bail decisions. Defendants facing felonies would have their cases transferred from municipal court to common pleas court. If a case originates in common pleas court, a common pleas judge would have to set bail. How about pretrial services? The report also calls for expanded and centralized pretrial services. A bail judge could tap into those services to quickly screen suspects for medical problems, both physical and mental, and other issues that could lead to a them missing a court date or causing problems in the community. Many of the region's municipal court judges lack access to pretrial services and are left to make bail decisions based on the current charge and a whatever other information can be collected about the suspect. The report cites Summit County, which turned a $783,000 investment in pretrial services in 2016 into a net savings of $7.3 million to the county by greatly reducing the average length of stay of felony defendants awaiting trial. The savings are understandable when considering the cost of pretrial supervision ranges from $1.32 a day to $5.05 a day, compared with a per-day cost of $133.25 to jail a defendant. "Summit County's experience demonstrates how a county investment in pretrial services supervision can save a county millions of dollars while improving pretrial release processes and reducing unnecessary pretrial detention," the report states. What about data collection? This is another area that would be centralized. Rather than have each court operate its own computer system, all the courts would operate under a single system that would allow for easy access to information from all the courts. "A significant problem in Cuyahoga County - one common to many other cities - is a lack of data about important questions related to how the bail and pretrial release process actually functions: such as: how many individuals are detained and for how long, what amounts of bail are set, and how many individuals are unable to afford bail amounts," the report states. Does the report address the potential for municipal court consolidation? No. There are 13 municipal courts in the county, which some reform advocates believe is 12 too many. The report, however, does not address consolidation. Russo said that while he's not opposed to consolidation, it's something that County Executive Armond Budish or state legislators would need to pursue given that such a change would be a political decision. Trapp said during the group interview that looking at consolidation would have gone beyond the scope of what they were asked to do. She said that a study being conducted by the Ohio Supreme Court on the volume of court dockets across the state should provide insight into the potential for municipal court consolidation. Milano said court consolidation "may be a wonderful idea, but it just doesn't exist now." What happens next? The report is on the agenda for the judicial conference of the 8th Judicial District in May and Russo said the feedback will be used to determine what to do next. Russo said he also plans to convene a meeting later this month to discuss the report with judges from all of the courts. A copy of the report also will be sent to Budish as some of the recommendations, such as the expansion of pretrial services, would require additional funding from the court. Russo said he anticipates that a new working group that includes county administrators and members of the legal community, will be created. Perhaps the biggest benefit of the recommended reforms would be the fairness it brings to defendants who now are stuck in jail simply because they can't afford bail, Naso said. Evidence shows that their outcomes are worse than for those who can get released from jail and work closely with their attorneys. Trapp also emphasized the importance of having a centralized data-collection system. Such data would help judges get a quick read on defendants, such as their criminal histories, and would allow for the effectiveness of the reforms to be analyzed. BEACHWOOD, Ohio -- For more than 20 years, Anshe Chesed Fairmount Temple has been welcoming different faiths with open arms to discover the rituals, music and foods of the Jewish holiday of Passover. About 400 guests from over 30 area churches of different faiths came to learn about Passover during the annual Interfaith Seder 2018 earlier this week. Rabbis read from the Haggadah, the service book that tells the Passover story of the liberation of Israelites from slavery in ancient Egypt. The traditional Passover seder is a Jewish feast held just after nightfall on the first evening of Passover. The Passover Seder plate is arranged with food items symbolic of the story about the exodus from Egypt. Passover this year will be celebrated March 30 through April 7. Rabbi Joshua Caruso said Fairmount Temple has been welcoming the community since 1842, building Cleveland's first house of Jewish worship in 1845. "To be able to communicate our love for our faith - even if our faiths differ, even if we have different perspectives, beliefs or practices - we are all creations of God," said Rabbi Caruso. "That's a real gift that we should be able to share together." Fairmount Temple has been hosting the Interfaith Seder for over 20 years with support by the Geri and Lew Bernard Jr. Interfaith Seder Endowment Fund. COLUMBUS, Ohio -- An Ohio lawmaker says law-abiding 18-year-old students should be allowed to carry long rifles in public schools, reports say. State Rep. Niraj Antani, R-Miamisburg, made the comments to the Dayton Daily News on Thursday after an exchange Wednesday on Twitter with his opponent in the election, Democrat Zach Dickerson. It comes as the nation debates gun-control measures after 17 students were killed in a shooting at a high school in Parkland, Florida, including arguments over whether teachers should be armed. "I'm not advocating anyone should do anything," Antani tells the Associated Press. "I'm not introducing a bill." However, he tells the Daily News that students should be allowed to carry long guns in school if the students meet legal requirements to own a weapon. "The law is anybody above 21 can have a handgun and anybody above 18 can have a long gun, and so anyone who complies with the law should be able to carry and protect themselves," Antani tells the Daily News. "If you look at what happened many decades ago, people brought their firearms to school. They kept them in their cars, maybe, but there was not a problem." Antani has been a longtime supporter of allowing college students to carry firearms on campuses. "I think a lot of elected officials are afraid to give their view; I'm not," Antani tells the AP. "My view is that gun-free zones don't work and that if you are a law-abiding citizen you should be able to protect yourself." Dickerson responded on Twitter, saying, "Do you think arming teachers is a bad idea? @NirajAntani wants to arm the students too. This is dumb and dangerous policy." Dickerson tells the Daily News he is a gun owner and has a concealed carry permit, but he disagrees with Antani's views. "I think that is irresponsible and I think a vast majority of both parents, students and school officials would agree with me," Dickerson says. "I support gun ownership, but I think there's a balance to be struck between public safety and the Second Amendment." COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) -- The Ohio Parole Board is recommending that a condemned killer be spared ahead of his scheduled execution next month. The parole board's Friday report supports arguments by the lawyer for death row inmate William Montgomery that there's too much doubt and uncertainty about the case. The board ruled 6-4 to recommend clemency to Republican Gov. John Kasich, who has the final say. Montgomery's execution is scheduled for April 11. Montgomery was sentenced to die for the March 1986 shooting of Debra Ogle during a robbery in the Toledo area. His attorney says there are too many unanswered questions surrounding Montgomery's conviction, including a discrepancy in the date of Ogle's death. Lucas County prosecutors say evidence points to Montgomery as the killer and he should be denied mercy. CLEVELAND, Ohio - Sociologist Matthew Desmond, author of a groundbreaking study of evictions in Milwaukee, told a Cleveland crowd Thursday that people being thrown out of their homes is a cause rather than a symptom of poverty in the United States. Desmond, whose book, "Evicted: Poverty and Profit in the American City," won the Pulitzer prize for non-fiction in 2017, also identified cities that are effectively dealing with the problem and suggested a national solution. The Princeton University professor spoke to about 2,000 people at Playhouse Square as the culmination of a months-long community series on inequality in housing. The series was presented by the City Club of Cleveland, Playhouse Square and nine library systems. What are possible solutions? Desmond suggested the federal government provide all people living in poverty with housing vouchers that would limit what they have to pay for rent of out their own pockets at 30 percent of their income. In many U.S. communities, families living in poverty now pay as much as 70 to 80 percent of their income for housing, he said. Canada, a nation with a comparable rate of home ownership as the U.S., already has a similar voucher program, he said. How would we pay for a voucher program? Desmond estimated that the cost of providing the vouchers would be about $20 billion, an amount that could be raised by capping or eliminating tax deductions given to middle-class and wealthy homeowners for their mortgage payments. By capping the tax benefits at $500,000, a cap that would affect just six percent of the nation's homeowners - the country could fund a universal voucher program, he said. What are other approaches? Desmond said a number of communities are already providing more affordable housing for their poorest residents. He cited the cities of Lawrence, Kansas, Seattle, Washington, places that have passed additional taxes to fund the construction of affordable housing. New York City, he said, has instituted a "right to counsel" in eviction cases - and provides attorneys to tenants free of charge. In its first year, that program has reduced homelessness by 70 percent. In Cuyahoga County, the Legal Aid Society can only handle one percent of the 10,000 eviction cases filed each year. VERMILION, Ohio -- An ambulance taking a patient to the hospital Thursday went off the road and down an embankment, killing the patient and injuring two EMTs. David McNeil, 76, of Vermilion, was pronounced dead at the scene on U.S. 6, east of Sunnyside Road, according to the State Highway Patrol. The North Central EMS ambulance was traveling east on U.S. 6 to Lorain Mercy Hospital at 12:33 p.m. when it went off the right side of the road, a news release from the Patrol says. The ambulance hit a guardrail and went down the embankment, hitting several trees before it overturned and came to a rest on its side. The ambulance was on a non-emergency response, the patrol says. EMT Katherine Tusing, 49, of Collins, was in the rear of the ambulance with McNeil. She suffered serious but non-life-threatening injuries and was flown by helicopter to Toledo Medical Center. The driver, Levi Hunter, 26, of Ashland, was taken to Lorain Mercy Hospital with minor injuries. No charges have been filed and drugs and alcohol use are not suspected in the crash. The Patrol is continuing to investigate. To comment on this story, please visit cleveland.com's crime and courts comments page. CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Former Ohio Attorney General Marc Dann, during a recording of the Ohio Matters podcast, elaborated on his recent cleveland.com opinion column on the National Rifle Association. In the column, he said he witnessed the National Rifle Association influence politicians, including himself, through a misinformation campaign. Dann believes the NRA works to convince its members that some gun-control measures will will lead to a ban on all guns. "In 40 years around politics, I am not aware of any serious person that's ever proposed keeping people from having handguns for personal protection or hunting rifles - ever," Dann said during the recording of the Ohio Matters podcast. "But the NRA has established in the minds of its members -- I'm a consumer lawyer, so I'm like this is almost consumer fraud -- that there is some connection between banning an assault weapon, the only use of which is to kill human beings quickly, and the possibility that somebody might take away your pistol or your hunting rifle at home." When reached for comment, the NRA referred cleveland.com to the response it gave the Associated Press about Dann's opinion piece. "Ohioans support the Second Amendment and vote on the issue," Jennifer Baker, Director of Public Affairs for the NRA's Institute for Legislative Action, told the AP. "NRA ratings are important to voters who want to know where their elected officials stand on protecting their constitutional right to self-defense before they head to the polls." He said that he believes the public is ahead of politicians on their view of guns. He also said he believes that the issue will factor into the Democratic primary for gubernatorial candidates such as Dennis Kucinich, who is making gun control a focus in his campaign. "It's a base mobilizer for Democrats, and I think Dennis Kucinich is onto something honestly here, that using an assault-weapon ban to mobilize the Democratic base could be something to drive people out," Dann said. Dann also spoke about his life after politics. He resigned from the attorney general's office in 2008, after a sexual harassment scandal in his office. He now runs a foreclosure-law practice in Cleveland. Previous episodes of Ohio Matters can be found here, with past guests including state Sen. Joe Schiavoni, former U.S. Rep. Dennis Kucinich and Lt. Gov. Mary Taylor. Given Cleveland's 2015 consent agreement on police reform, you'd think the city would want to bolster police accountability, not blur it. But what else but an attempt to mask police responsibility could lie behind Cleveland's policy of blurring the faces of Cleveland police accused of a crime before releasing those images to the public? City officials contend that Ohio open records law allows such shenanigans via an exemption for police images. But the city's interpretation of that language is laughably broad and cannot withstand scrutiny. Our editorial board long has been critical of Cleveland City Hall's foot-dragging with regard to the release of public records. But this outrageous attempt by Cleveland to rewrite open records law to shield its police officers goes far beyond even those terrible boundaries. In the most recent case, cleveland.com had requested the video of Cleveland police officer Angelia Gaston, charged with obstructing official business for ignoring orders from a fellow police officer when she got in her van and drove away as he was waiting to have the vehicle towed. Gaston owed about $1,500 in parking tickets, so her van had been ordered impounded, cleveland.com's Adam Ferrise reported. The encounter was recorded on the second officer's body camera. The city provided the video but obscured Gaston's face. Yet Ferrise reported that Cleveland doesn't blur facial images in videos it releases of other people charged with crimes who are not police officers. Cleveland Law Director Barbara Langhenry indicated in email exchanges with cleveland.com that Cleveland is interpreting Ohio open records law to provide exemptions for police officers. Ferrise reported that, "in addition to Gaston's case, the city has used the exemptions recently to deny mug shot requests for an officer accused of soliciting a prostitute, one charged with possessing cocaine and another with drunken driving." The section of the law being referenced says "public records" don't include "peace officer ... residential and familial information." The statute defines that as including "a photograph of a peace officer who holds a position or has an assignment that may include undercover or plain clothes positions or assignments as determined by the peace officer's appointing authority." In an email to cleveland.com, Langhenry said that city Safety Director Michael McGrath has said that "all Cleveland Police Officers may at any time be assigned undercover or plain clothes positions or assignments." That's a dodge. Among other police agencies, the Cuyahoga County Sheriff's Office, the Parma police and the Ohio State Highway Patrol all routinely provide unblurred mug shots and unredacted body-camera and/or dashboard-camera video of law enforcement officers charged with crimes, Ferrise reports. Then there's this bit of hypocrisy, highlighted by Dennis Hetzel, executive director of the Ohio News Media Association: "I assume," Hetzel observed, that Cleveland "will never, ever again release photos of officers even if they're getting national awards, or citations or other honors." Cleveland's interpretation, said Hetzel, is "a crazy end-run." Defining every police officer as a potential undercover cop would "create a virtually limitless exemption" to the state's open records law, Cleveland First Amendment lawyer Patrick Kabat told Ferrise. The city's stance is indefensible and clearly contrary to state law. It needs to change. Now. About our editorials: Editorials express the view of the editorial board of cleveland.com and The Plain Dealer -- the senior leadership and editorial-writing staff. As is traditional, editorials are unsigned and intended to be seen as the voice of the news organization. Have something to say about this topic? * Use the comments to share your thoughts. 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. * Send a letter to the editor, which will be considered for print publication. * Email general questions about our editorial board or comments on this editorial to Elizabeth Sullivan, director of opinion, at esullivan@cleveland.com. Last week, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson was doing cleanup as usual for President Donald Trump. He was on a five-country Africa trip, reassuring African leaders that, despite Trump's reported comments about African immigrants (and others) coming from "shithole countries," the United States was still committed to the continent. Trump, it turns out, wasn't committed to Tillerson. On Tuesday, the president swept Tillerson out the door with what amounted to a "You're fired," tweet. Trump said later that Tillerson had to go because the two men had a "different mindset," according to CBS News. Tillerson will be replaced by CIA Director Mike Pompeo, who shares many of Trump's foreign policy objectives. Mike Pompeo, Director of the CIA, will become our new Secretary of State. He will do a fantastic job! Thank you to Rex Tillerson for his service! Gina Haspel will become the new Director of the CIA, and the first woman so chosen. Congratulations to all! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 13, 2018 Trump's announcement came as no surprise to those who have been watching a revolving door of Trump cabinet members, or the signs of friction between Tillerson and the president. NBC News reported last year that Tillerson, the former head of global oil giant ExxonMobil, had called the president a "moron" after a closed-door national security meeting July 20. The two men did not see eye-to-eye on a number of foreign policy issues, clashing on the global climate change agreement and the Iran nuclear deal, among other topics. Their conflicting statements often puzzled both U.S. allies and rivals. When Tillerson said that he was "trying to calm things down" between North Korea and the United States, Trump tweeted that Tillerson was wasting his time talking to "Little Rocket Man," his disparaging name for President Kim Jong Un. Ironically, Trump now says he will hold face-to-face talks with Kim. At a time when U.S. diplomatic efforts have been pummeled by staff and budget cuts, it's unclear whether the elevation of Pompeo -- someone close to Trump, who had a reputation of working well within the CIA, but who is known to be a hawk on foreign policy -- will help reverse the hollowing out of U.S. diplomacy, or accelerate it. Nearly a third of the nation's senior diplomats -- 157 out of fewer than 500 -- have left the State Department just in the last year, seriously impairing the nation's diplomatic brain trust, Ronald E. Neumann, who heads the American Academy of Diplomacy, told our editorial board Thursday before a speech to the Cleveland Council on World Affairs. "They have no damn plan," added Neumann, a former U.S. ambassador to Afghanistan, Bahrain and Algeria, of the reductions. "They just want the numbers down." Should we be worried about our nation's foreign policy? What do you think about Tillerson's sudden ouster? Read on for the Editorial Board Roundtable's thoughts and please offer your opinions in the comments. Sharon Broussard, chief editorial writer, cleveland.com: Rex Tillerson didn't make a lot of friends at the State Department because he didn't seem to respect career staff and that's a mark against him. But hats off to him for trying to counter Trump's us-against-the-world mentality, even if it angered the boss. Now Pompeo, who has much more in common with Trump, has to learn to speak truth to power. But will he? Thomas Suddes, editorial writer: If Donald Trump's presidency had a coat of arms, the central symbol would be a revolving door. Like a temperamental child, the president seems happy only when he can stoke chaos. And of course, Trump surely prefers staging one of his sound-and-light shows to, for example, thinking about Tuesday's congressional election in Pennsylvania. Elizabeth Sullivan, director of opinion, cleveland.com: There are two parallel problems here. One is a commander in chief increasingly isolated from good, independent advice from those experienced and knowledgeable about foreign crises. The other is the deliberate sabotage of America's hundreds-year-old diplomatic expertise, in complete denial of a truth known to presidents since George Washington, that diplomacy is the most cost-effective way to avoid expensive foreign conflicts and entanglements. Both in tandem presage bad and dangerous outcomes. 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. * Send a letter to the editor, which will be considered for print publication. * Email general questions about our editorial board or comments on this editorial board roundtable to Elizabeth Sullivan, director of opinion, at esullivan@cleveland.com. University Heights' new interim police chief Dustin Rogers. UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS, Ohio -- Mayor Michael Dylan Brennan has named University Heights Police Department Sgt. Dustin Rogers as interim chief of police. Brennan swore in Rogers to the position the afternoon of March 16, the final day served by UHPD Chief Steven Hammett. Brennan announced at the Feb. 5 City Council meeting that Hammett, 56, who had been chief since 2011, would be retiring. The elevation of Rogers to the chief's position may or may not be permanent. "I interviewed all four (UHPD) lieutenants and all four sergeants," Brennan said of the process he went through in choosing Rogers. "Some of them were interested in serving as chief, some weren't, and some said they would if they were asked. "I believe Sgt. Rogers is going to do a fine job." Rogers joined the department in August 2005. He is a graduate of the Northwestern University Center for Public Safety, having completed the coursework of the School of Police Staff and Command. In a release, Brennan said of Rogers: "In the time he has been with University Heights, he has served with distinction. Among his accomplishments as sergeant, Sgt. Rogers completed the 2016 Revision of the Field Training Officer's Manual for the department, earning the praise of now retiring Police Chief Steven Hammett." Brennan was assisted in interviewing candidates by new City Prosecutor Michael Astrab. "I told the others not chosen that they shouldn't be discouraged," Brennan said, adding that the next permanent chief could be selected from among them. The mayor, who also serves as safety director, is planning to put together a hiring committee to select Hammett's eventual permanent replacement. In addition to Brennan and Astrab, that committee, the mayor said, will likely consist of a City Council representative, Law Director Luke McConville, a resident and, possibly, a member of a neighboring police department. "Our police department does a lot of work with our neighboring departments," Brennan said of getting input from a member of another police force. The search will include candidates from other police departments, as well as the UHPD. "Chief Hammett came to us from the Shaker Heights P.D. and I think that has been a benefit to our community," Brennan said. When former Mayor Susan Infeld selected Hammett, she did so from among 33 candidates. As for when the next permanent chief will be selected, Brennan said: "I don't have a firm date. I want to make sure we interview all the best-qualified candidates before we determine if he or she will be the one. "If no clear consensus candidate emerges through our process, then I, as safety director, will make the decision. But I suspect one candidate will emerge." Rogers was unavailable for comment. His public swearing-in will take place at 7 p.m. March 19, during the next City Council meeting. Questo comunicato e stato pubblicato piu di 1 anno fa. Le informazioni su questa pagina potrebbero non essere attendibili. Market Outline: Fungicides Market Fungicides are the chemical compounds, which are used to kill the fungi or fungi spores in crops. Fungal infections are a major cause of crop loss and it is a massive threat for cultivation wheat, maize, rice, soybean, fruits & vegetables, and sugarcane among others. Fungicides help in the crop protection and gives the better quality products with higher yield. Fungicides are classified into either selective to cure specific fungicides or non-selective with the broad spectrum activity and show activity against multiple fungal diseases. Sulfur is the common active ingredient used in the fungicides and the most commonly used fungicides include mancozeb, prochloraz, propiconazole, and chlorothalonil among others. Market Dynamics: Fungicides Market Factors anticipated to drive the fungicides market are increase in the demand for crop protection for better yields, increase in global population coupled with increase in the demand for food, and growing use of fungicides due to rise in incidence of fungal infections. Moreover, development in novel farming practices, shrinkage in arable land, and innovation and launching of newer products into market are expected to propel the fungicides market revenue over the forecast period. However, technological advancements in the seeds, use of genetically modified crops, adverse effects associated with the fungicides, and lack of awareness about the fungal infections in farmers might hamper the growth of the fungicides market over the forecast period. A sample of this report is available upon request @ https://www.precisionbusinessinsights.com/market-reports/fungicides-market/#ulp-4H8Z4LpNMLEuOnnx Market Scope: Fungicides Market Fungicides market is segmented on the basis of product type, crop type, formulation type, and mode of application Based on the product type, fungicides market is segmented into the following: Dithiocarbamates Chloronitriles Triazoles Benzimidazoles Phenylamides Strobilurins Based on the crop type, fungicides market is segmented into the following: Oilseeds and pulses Cereals and grains Forage crops and pastures Others Based on the formulation type, fungicides market is segmented into the following: Water-dispersible granules Liquid Wettable granules Based on the mode of application, fungicides market is segmented into the following: Soil treatment Seed treatment Foliar spray Post-harvest Market Summary: Fungicides Market Fungicides market is growing moderate rate over the forecast period due to advancements in the seed technology, which might lag the revenue growth of fungicides market. Farmers are majorly focusing to improve the crop yield due to rise in global population coupled with decrease in arable land. Various agriculture institutes and governments around the globe are taking initiation to create awareness about fungicides usage for crop protection. Moreover, increase in the sale of ornamental plants for outdoor and indoor applications due to increase in the urbanization also expected to fuel the fungicides market. In addition, acquisitions and mergers, collaborations, product approvals, and product launchings are the strategies followed by the companies for increasing their revenue share in fungicides market. For instance, in April 2014, Sumitomo Corporation acquired crop protection fungicide Metominostorbin, a broad-spectrum systemic fungicide from Bayer Crop Science Japan. Furthermore, in September 2015, Dupont received EPA approval for the oxathiapiproline, a fungicide used in fruits and vegetable crops marketed under the trade name of Zorvec. To view TOC of this report is available upon request @ https://www.precisionbusinessinsights.com/market-reports/fungicides-market/#ulp-c654SbFYO64MsOhu Regional Analysis: Fungicides Market Geographically, fungicides market is segmented into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and Middle East and Africa. North America fungicides market expected to grow moderately over the forecast period, which is attributed to ban of fungicides by FDA (FDA banned carbendazim due to severe adverse effects such as sterility and cancer in human beings). Rise in R&D for innovation of newer fungicides, frequent product approvals from U.S EPA, and rise in demand for quality food products are anticipated to fuel the fungicides market in North America region. Europe fungicides market occupied significant share in global market due to development in the farming techniques, increase in the focus on quality products with better yield, and high adoption of newer products in the region. Asia Pacific fungicides market exhibiting significant growth due to increase in production and supplying of fungicides from Asia Pacific region majorly from China, increase in demand for food products and decrease in arable land due to increased population, and high dependence on agriculture farming. Market Participants: Fungicides Market Some of the players in fungicides market are BASF SE (Germany), Monsanto Company (U.S.), Bayer CropScience AG (Germany), Nufarm Ltd. (Australia), Syngenta AG (Switzerland), E.I. DuPont De Nemours & Company (U.S.), Sumitomo Corporation (Japan), FMC Corporation (U.S.), Mitsui & Co., Ltd. (Japan), Nippon Soda Co. Ltd. (Japan), and ADAMA agricultural solution ltd. (Israel) to name a few. Notable Market Developments: Fungicides Market In April 2017, Syngenta launched Aprovia, a fungicide used for controlling the foliar disease in potatoes In January 2017, Mitsui & Co. Ltd. inked an agreement with Monsanto Company to acquire global business of Monsantos latitude, a wheat seed treatment fungicide Need more information about this report @ https://www.precisionbusinessinsights.com/market-reports/fungicides-market/#ulp-14mlyhjMGhVjZqa3 Key Features of the Report: The report provides granular level information about the market size, regional market share, historic market (2012-2016) and forecast (2017-2023) The report covers in-detail insights about the competitors overview, company share analysis, key market developments, and their key strategies The report outlines drivers, restraints, unmet needs, and trends that are currently affecting the market The report tracks recent innovations, key developments and startups details that are actively working in the market The report provides plethora of information about market entry strategies, regulatory framework and reimbursement scenario The report analyses the impact of socio-political environment through PESTLE Analysis and competition through Porters Five Force Analysis in addition to recent technology advancements and innovations in the market Get access to full summary @ https://www.precisionbusinessinsights.com/market-reports/fungicides-market/ Forming a world-class management team, Klook takes a step further in global expansion HONG KONG, March 16, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Klook, Asia's largest in-destination services booking platform, announced today the appointments of its Chief Revenue Officer and Chief Product Officer. Anita Ngai, bringing experiences from TripAdvisor and Expedia, has joined as Chief Revenue Officer to scale Klook's robust user growth to the next level. David Liu, a product management executive previously with Yahoo and Tencent, has been appointed Chief Product Officer to foster Klook's technology innovation. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/654718/David_Liu_and_Anita_Ngai.jpg As CRO, Anita will be responsible for widening Klook's revenue sources. Her top priorities include scaling up marketing channels, furthering partnerships, and deepening overall presence with trade, tech collaborators, and consumers in APAC, as well as in the Americas and Europe. Prior to joining Klook, Anita was the General Manager for the APAC business of Viator (a TripAdvisor Company) and Head of Marketing, APAC for Hotels.com, Expedia, Inc. In these roles, she was pivotal in growing the businesses through marketing, localization and globalization, user experience optimization, and bridging demand and supply. Additionally, she has worked for Link Asset Management, Asia's leading REIT as the Head of Corporate Strategy & Digital Business Development, and McKinsey & Company in New York and Greater China, consulting for companies in tra! vel and l ogistics, consumer goods, and retail sectors. As CPO, David will continue to drive Klook's product innovation and user experience. He joined Klook in 2016 as Vice President of Product and UX, and under his leadership, the team has scored key achievements including the inaugural launch of Klook's Android Instant App and our best-in-class merchant solutions, as well as localizing our platforms into a total of eight languages. David and his team have earned major accolades for Klook, including the Klook mobile app being featured over 100 times as the go-to app for trip planning and awarded "Best of the Year" by both Apple App Store and Google Play. David was instrumental in building up multiple e-commerce, messaging and social network products for Tencent and Yahoo, and thus brings to Klook valuable experience in technology development and product management from both Greater China and the U.S. "Our highly entrepreneurial and talented team is what made Klook into one of the pioneers for travel activities it is today," said Ethan Lin, Klook's Co-Founder and CEO. "We are very proud to be able to add such well-seasoned executives into our management team. With that, and our recent funding rounds and accelerating user and supply acquisition, we are well-equipped to sustain Klook's growth in the long run and pave our way to make Klook into one of the first Asian-grown startups to enter the global stage." "It is an exciting time to be in the tours, activities, and in-destination service space. Its complex and fragmented supply creates a large opportunity for online platforms to differentiate themselves by serving the rising demand in a more comprehensive and personalized way than ever before," said Anita Ngai, "I am excited to join Klook and leverage my experiences in online travel across different continents to rapidly expand our reach to travelers around the world." "Klook's technology innovation is what users love about us and what we take pride in," commented David Liu, "With my previous experience of scaling innovation for the best-known technology companies in Asia, I look forward to bringing the most creative tech solutions to the Klook platform for minimizing friction and solving traveler pain points." Anita Ngai and David Liu will be joining Ethan Lin, Klook's CEO,A Eric Gnock Fah, President and Chief Operation Officer, and Bernie Xiong, Chief Technology Officer, to form a world-class leadership team in Klook, and to scale up the company for the next phase of exceptional growth. About Klook Klook is Asia's largest in-destination services booking platform that gives travelers a simple and trusted way to conveniently book and enjoy over 35,000 popular attractions, local experiences, and services around the world. Klook's network of over 4,000 direct partners includes world-famous attractions such as Disneyland and Universal Studios, to locally recognized operators such as Hong Kong's Ngong Ping 360, Bangkok Blue Elephant Cooking School, and more. Founded in 2014, Klook has been recognized by globally-renowned media and awards including Forbes, Deloitte Fast Technology, Wall Street Journal, CNBC, and many others. With a team of over 500 across 15 offices, Klook's services are available in 8 languages, supporting over 30 currencies. Klook has raised close to US$100 million investment from world-renowned investors including Sequoia Capital, Matrix Partners, and Goldman Sachs. Download photos for this release here: https://goo.gl/g4THFb We are analyzing the site. Please wait a few seconds.. Change is the only constant and in-cosmetics has been at the forefront of it for cosmetics R&D since the event's inception 27 years ago. As such, new faces and features at the next installment, to be held April 1719, 2018, in Amsterdam should not come as a surprise but rather, a delight. Sun Care Workshop Skin and the electromagnetic spectrum will be the focus of a workshop moderated by Karl Lintner, Ph.D., president of KALIdees. Mathias Rohr, Ph.D., will join this track to speak on non-invasive in vivo SPF testing via hybrid diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (HRDS). Additional experts will join the panel to examine the big questions in the industry, such as "what's new in radiation protection?" and, "is regulatory action needed for blue light and infrared claims?" Latin Beauty and Fast Formulating Speaking for the first time at in-cosmetics, Emma Fric, head of Research & Future Insight at PeclersParis, will give a Marketing Trends session on the Latin American beauty landscape. In her presentation, she will cover socio-cultural and beauty trends that will impact beauty businesses and shape consumer desires in the next few years. Also, Paula Cardoso, head of Innovation Acceleration at Bloomoon, will present a Marketing Trends session on "the acceleration factor" for innovation in the beauty industry, alongside colleague Houda Lazaar, Innovation Business Developer. Cosmetic companies face many challenges, both when innovating quickly and on a long-term basis; this session examines them. Indie Brands Round Table A highly anticipated round table in the Marketing Trends Theatre will discuss: Are indie brands still worth the hype? This session will feature new speakers, including Camilla Marcus-Dew, cofounder of the ethical luxury personal care brand The Soap Co, and Zeze Oriaikhi-Sao, founder of the South African luxury fragrance, bath and body care range Malee Natural Science. Joining the discussion is Nick Vaus, partner and creative director at the brand design consultancy DewGibbons + Partners. New Floor Features Beyond the expanded educational program, in-cosmetics Global will present several new concepts on and around the show floor for 2018, including: A series of "silent" R&D tours, sponsored by Mibelle Biochemistry and Novacap, focused on biotechnology actives and the future of anti-aging; A half-day Regulatory Conference in partnership with Conusbat on April 16, covering crucial regulations; A highly anticipated Formulation Challenge on April 19, sponsored by Croda, where six leading manufacturers compete to create a formulation in 90 min from a mystery box of raw materials; and Boost Your Test, an interactive area spotlighting human, in vitro testing and high-tech testing within the categories of anti-pollution, microbiome and anti-aging, in partnership with Skinobs. Broaden your knowledge of the cosmetics market and keep up with the hottest trends and innovations at in-cosmetics this April. For more information, visit the event website. D.H. Lawrence in Studies in Classic American Literature. Never trust the artist. Trust the tale. The proper function of the critic is to save the tale from the artist who created it. Dragons' Den hopefuls who were branded 'stupid' when they turned down two offers on the BBC show have grown their idea into an international business. Steve Pearce and Sam Coley, both 25 and from Yorkshire, impressed the Dragons with their pitch for TickX, a one-stop online hub for attraction, concert and cinema tickets, with Peter Jones hailing the burgeoning company the 'Uber of events'. Multi-millionaire Jones joined with Moonpig founder Nick Jenkins to make an offer of 75,000, with fellow Dragon Touker Suleyman, owner of fashion brands including Hawes & Curtis and Ghost, offering the same amount. However Steve and Sam felt their business was being undervalued and declined both offers, much to the shock of friends and family watching at home. Now, just over a year later, the pair have launched TickX in Ireland and Spain and have just secured 3million in funding to help take the business global. Entrepreneurs: CEO Steve Pearce and CTO Sam Coley, co-founders of TickX. The online ticketing hub was hailed the 'Uber for events' on Dragons' Den and just secured 3m in funding Winning performance: The pair Steve Pearce and Sam Coley impressed the Dragons with their pitch for TickX, a one-stop online hub for attraction, concert and cinema tickets Last week the company also launched a partnership with NME, becoming the publication's sole ticketing provider as it ends its print version and moves online. Speaking exclusively to FEMAIL, Steve told how the idea for TickX came while he was a student at Manchester University and 'going out far to often'. 'During my time there I became increasingly frustrated with the efforts involved planning a night out and continued to be amazed there was no single destination to discover experiences - events, attractions and the cinema,' he said. 'If I were to book a flight, I would always use Skyscanner and if I were to book a hotel I would always use Booking.com knowing everything is in one place. 'Yet, when searching for whats on at the weekend it seems crazy that until TickX you had to trawl through far too many venue & promoter websites and far too many ticket sellers to discover what events were happening, whos selling tickets and whos the cheapest.' Growing business: Some of the TickX team at the company's Manchester headquarters. Sam and Steve have plans to more than double their 15-strong workforce to 35 in the near future Meanwhile Sam, a family friend, had launched his first online auction site aged 14, set up a software development company at 16 and by the age of 17 had hired his father as an employee. He said: 'I skipped the normal uni path and was focused on growing that company when Steve approached me. Our parents were good friends so hed been keeping tabs on what I was up to on Facebook. 'I loved the idea of bringing comparison into the events market and Steve saw the huge value in the discovery elements. These ideas merged to become the starting point of TickX.' Advice: How to start your own business CEO Steve shares his advice for anyone who might think they are on to a winning idea, but is unsure how to take the next step... 1. Get on with building the business as quickly as possible. Some people procrastinate and plan for years but doesnt really move forward. Our approach has always been to run not walk while continuously adapting and improving. 2. Surround yourself with great people on every level from your board members to your team. 3. Focus on creating a great product people will love and never stop trying to improve it. Advertisement Eight months after first conceiving the idea, the pair secured 175,000 seed backing from Ministry of Sound and launched officially in 2015. Shortly afterwards they were approached by researchers from the Dragons' Den team and handed the 'golden opportunity' to appear on the show. Sam said: 'It was a surreal experience having watched the show since a little kid and it was certainly a lot longer experience than we had expected. We thought wed be in there for 20 / 30 mins max but in fact we were being questioned by the dragons for over an hour and a half.' The pair impressed the dragons with their informative and considered pitch and received a joint offer from Jones and Jenkins for 75,000 in exchange for 20 per cent equity, while Touker Suleyman offered the same amount for 15 per cent. While the response from the Dragons was a 'huge stamp of validation', the pair felt the offers undervalued the business. 'We made the brave - or what our family and friends said at the time the "stupid" - decision to turn this down,' Steve said. Fortunately the risk paid off and shortly after appearing on the show the pair secured 750,000 - 10 times the amount offered by the Dragons - from investment network 24Haymarket. Big step forward: The company also launched a partnership with NME, becoming the publication's sole ticketing provider as it ends its print version and moves online Since then, it has been a string of successes for TickX, which now employs 15 members of staff and has recently had to move into a larger Manchester office to accommodate the growing team. Last year one million people used TickX to plan their day or night out. TickX has also raised 3million in Series A funding led by BGF Ventures, while Ministry of Sound and 24Haymarket both increased their backing. Their angel investors Nicholas Ferguson, chairman of Savills, and serial tech entrepreneur Stan Boland also increased their backing. The new multi-million pound investment will be used to launch the site in more European cities and to add cinema tickets to its service. The company also has plans to launch pioneering 3D seating map for theatres, giving the customers the best view of the tickets they are buying. Sam and Steve will also more than double the current workforce to 35 to support the rapid expansion. The partnership with NME is also a big step forward for the company, with Steve saying the year had 'started off with a bang'. Sam added: 'The time has flown by since Dragons Den aired just over a year ago and were proud of all the milestones weve achieved so far. But, now with the new round of investment, its given us the platform for the rapid expansion that were ready for.' A 16-year-old girl whose dog helped her to overcome extreme shyness and anxiety has scooped the top prize at Scruffts with her beloved Shih Tzu-Maltese cross, Jack. Josie Baldwin, from Deal, Kent, spent the past five summer holidays training her five-year-old pet with the help of Kennel Club Good Citizen Dog Scheme classes, before attending Crufts 2018 where this year's spin-off competition for crossbreeds was held. The thrilled teen told FEMAIL of the moment she heard her name called out: 'It was crazy, it all happened in seconds. I was so shocked.' Hundreds of dogs competed in qualifying heats around the country, but only six lucky owners and their pets, having previously won in their respective classes at a semi-final round at the Discover Dogs show in London last October, earned a spot in the Scruffts final - held in the main arena at Crufts. The competition gives crossbreed dogs the chance to compete in the same way that pedigree dogs do at the world-famous dog show. Winners Josie and Jack will appear on Scruffts: Britain's Favourite Dog, on Channel 4 tonight at 8pm alongside the runners-up. Josie Baldwin, 16, from Kent, won the title of Scruffts best in show which celebrates crossbreed dogs The teenager has been hard at work training the Shih Tzu-Maltese cross ever since she got him five years ago Josie had wanted a dog since she was six years old and when she was finally allowed to get Jack aged 11, she promptly began training him at Happy Hound Puppy and Dog Training Club in Kent. 'Before we got him I was quite shy and quiet,' Josie said, explaining how she had once struggled to talk to people. 'Training with him really built a bond. Afterwards we started competing with him so that meant I had to talk to judges - and in that way he did really boost my confidence.' Shortly after Josie and Jack began attending puppy classes, she began taking him to Kennel Club Good Citizen Dog Scheme classes, where Jack racked up bronze, silver and gold awards. After completing the scheme Josie, now trains Jack three times a week after school in competitive obedience and agility - and now she's hoping she can take the animal behaviour skills the experience has given her and turn it into a career. 'Jack is amazing, there's no other dog like him. He's one of a kind he's good at obedience and agility although he can be a bit stubborn at times,' she said. 'I used to not like talking to people but he's helped me do more of that as well. Scruffts gives crossbreeds the chance to shine and it's amazing. 'At the training classes I go to, whenever we win we bring cake so we're going to have a lot of cake next week,' she said of celebrating her Scruffts win. She was thrilled when they were told they had won and plans on carrying on her training in obedience and agility The Scruffts Family Crossbreed of the Year competition is run by the Kennel Club, which organises Crufts, and caters exclusively for crossbreed dogs: dogs whose parents are of two different breeds, or a mixture of several breeds. Throughout 2017, 15 heats of the popular Scruffts contest, sponsored by hypo-allergenic dog food from James Wellbeloved, took place at events around the country as judges set about finding crossbreeds with unique qualities. During the course of the year over 1,300 dogs took part, raising nearly 4,000 for the Kennel Club Charitable Trust and the chosen charities of the heat hosts. Staffordshire Bull Terrier cross Honey and owner Dr Emma Williamson, rescue Anatolian Shepherd-German Shepherd cross Milo and owner Charley Henkey, rescue Bearded Collie cross Missy and owner Anna Drinkwater, Irish Setter-Welsh Collie cross Hattie and owner Hanna Cunningham and Cavalier King Charles Spaniel-Poodle cross Rufus and his 12-year-old owner Dylan Kirke all made the final six. Honey and Dr Emma Williamson Best Crossbreed Rescue Dr Emma Williamson with her six-year-old Staffordshire Bull Terrier cross Honey who was awarded Best Crossbreed Rescue in her heat Six year-old Staffordshire Bull Terrier cross Honey was discovered living stray on the streets of London. After being repeatedly housed and then returned by a number of different families, the rescue centre was worried whether she'd ever find her forever home, and despite her loving nature, Honey developed a nervous disposition after so much rejection. It wasn't until Dr Emma Williamson, a clinical psychologist working with the homeless in Lambeth, came across the young crossbreed that Honey's luck started to change. Emma has worked with Pets As Therapy (PAT) dogs in previous roles with children and people with head injuries but, recognising the benefits, had wanted to introduce a PAT dog into her current team to help put homeless people at ease with the psychologists. Honey started coming into work with Emma every day, giving homeless people the confidence to talk to the psychologists, and after taking the relevant assessments, Honey became an official PAT dog last year. After their class win, Emma said: 'I am amazingly proud of Honey to have won the semi-final at Scruffts, as well as gaining recognition for therapy work with homeless people. 'It is also fantastic recognition of the lovely nature Staffies have, despite their bad reputation.' Rufus and Dylan Kirke Child's Best Friend Dylan Kirke has been best friends with his Cavalier King Charles Spaniel-Poodle cross Rufus ever since he picked him out of the litter Dylan Kirke, 12, from Newport, South Wales always dreamt of having a dog of his own, and the summer before he was due to start secondary school, he finally got his wish. His parents wanted him to always have a companion to come home to after school, and decided that a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel/Poodle cross was the right breed to suit the family's lifestyle. Dylan chose Rufus from a litter of puppies, and they've been best friends ever since. Rufus also rarely leaves the side of Dylan's new baby brother, Maxen, and is very much a member of the family. After their class win, Dylan said: 'I feel amazing this is such an achievement for us. Rufus is my best friend and I'm glad the judge saw the bond we have. I can't believe that I get to take him to Crufts we watch it every year and now we get to take part. I can't believe it!' Milo and Charley Henkey Most Handsome Crossbreed Dog Charley Henkey dedicated her time and energy to rehabilitating Milo and is now planning on becoming a chiropractor for dogs Three year-old rescue Milo, an Anatolian Shepherd-German Shepherd mix, is owner Charley Henkey's first dog - despite the fact her family had always had them when she was growing up in Reading. Milo is thought to have been rescued in Romania, but was brought over to the UK to be rehomed by a kennel in South Mimms, Hertfordshire. When Charley was able to rehome Milo, he wasn't the happy, healthy puppy that every owner looks for in a dog, and was in a terrible state when Charley picked him up, as the kennels had only just begun his rehabilitation. He was starved and neglected, weighed just 12kg, and for two weeks he wouldn't even leave the house and was continually wetting himself in fear. But after lots of love, medical attention and training, he grew into a happy, healthy and much-loved pet. Charley is a chiropractor for humans, but will begin to train as a chiropractor for dogs in April. Hattie and Hanna Cunningham Prettiest Crossbreed Bitch Hanna Cunningham decided Irish Setter-Welsh Collie Cross Hattie was the perfect mix of breeds for her and her partner One year-old Irish Setter-Welsh Collie cross Hattie found her forever home with 24 year-old Hanna Cunningham from Plymouth, Devon after she and her partner decided it was the right time to get a dog. Hanna grew up with the setter breed in her family, whilst her partner had collies. Once they met Hattie, a cross between their two family breeds, they knew she was the perfect dog for them. After their class win, Hanna said: 'I'm happy, shocked and so looking forward to seeing everything at Crufts. Discover Dogs was one of the biggest events we've ever been to, and we're so excited for Crufts.' Missy and Anna Drinkwater Golden Oldie Crossbreed Anna Drinkwater has rehomed and fostered dogs all her life and found bearded collie cross Missy on a private rescue site nearly 10 years ago Bearded Collie cross Missy was found on a private rescue website by Anna Drinkwater, 45, from Stoke-on-Trent, aged 11 months. Anna has always preferred to rehome or foster unwanted dogs to give them a second chance at life as she noticed that so many were either put to sleep or had to live out their lives in kennels, which broke her heart. When Anna drove up to Bradford to pick Missy up, she brought her other rescue dog, Bayley the Border Collie, to make sure that everyone got on. Since meeting nearly 10 years ago, Anna and Missy have become inseparable, and when Bayley sadly passed away, Missy became the only dog in Anna's life. Scruffts: Britains Favourite Dog which will be airing on Channel 4 on Friday 16th March at 8pm With Easter fast approaching, Australian cafes and chocolate brands are releasing some of their most extravagant sweet treats. And while it's best not to wonder about the calories inside them, the presentation of eggs, milkshakes, cocktails and ice creams are only getting more luxurious year to year. Here, FEMAIL looks at some of the best offerings in store now and where you can purchase them before Easter Sunday. Scroll down for video Gelato Messina may be known for its ability to churn out creative ice cream flavours but this year they've tried their hand at a giant egg made entirely from gelato (pictured) GELATO EASTER EGGS Gelato Messina may be known for its ability to churn out creative ice cream flavours but this year they've tried their hand at a giant egg made entirely from - you guessed it - gelato. Purchased in a neatly curated box of three the sweets come in limited editions flavours - and at the lucrative price of $70. Egg number one has a passionfruit yolk, white choc gelato with a dark choc shell, the second a mango yolk, cheesecake gelato with a caramel white choc shell and the third a yellow peach yolk, vanilla gelato with a milk choc shell. You can pick up the eggs in Sydney at Bondi, Rosebery, Miranda, Parramatta, Darlinghust, Tramsheds and Penrith; in Melbourne at the Fitzroy, Windsor or Richmond stores, and in Brisbane. Purchased in a neatly curated box of three the sweets come in limited editions flavours - and at the lucrative price of $70 (pictured) KINDER SURPRISE CHOCOLATE SHOT Milky Lane in Bondi, Parramatta and Cronulla is used to conduring up weird and wacky creations each month for their eager patrons. But they've truly outdone themselves this year with the return of the famed Kinder Surprise chocolate shot. The shots are filled with Vodka, Kahlua and cream and then topped with dark chocolate. Cafe owner Christian Avant told Daily Mail Australia they're also bringing back their bunny thickshakes - each of them served in Dream bunnies and topped with whipped cream and cherries. 'And we're working on a Cadbury Creme Egg Cocktail,' he confirmed. But they've truly outdone themselves this year with the return of the famed Kinder Surprise chocolate shot (pictured is the Kinder Surprise Chocolate Shot and Shake n Bake Mega Shake) DOUGHNUT FRIES IN A CHOCOLATE CUP It's usually best to steer clear of mixing savoury and sweet but Vogue cafe in Macquarie has pulled off the impossible and combined chocolate with french fries. The 'fries' are made out of cinnamon doughnut and served in a traditional Cadbury Easter egg surrounded by smaller Crunchie eggs. If that's not enough to excite you they're also pouring milkshakes into chocolate bunnies and serving them to the masses. The 'fries' are made out of cinnamon doughnut and served in a traditional Cadbury Easter egg surrounded by smaller Crunchie eggs GOOEY CARAMEL FUDGE ICE CREAM Gelatissimo is launching special 'froggies and koalas', which include 'melt-in-your-mouth milk chocolate gelato filled with gooey caramel fudge, all topped with the sweetness of white chocolate flakes.' One Instagram commenter even told the company they were so excited for the treat they were coming to Sydney just to try it. 'Make sure they have enough there for me to try,' they wrote. One Instagram commenter even told the company they were so excited for the treat they were coming to Sydney just to try it 500 KILO CRACKABLE EGG True to tradition, the Grounds of Alexandria team have once again created their giant Easter egg. The enormous 500 kilogram egg is sitting among the sunflowers at the Sydney cafe and is a whopping three metres tall. On Saturday, staff will crack the egg with customers and everyone will share it. Ganache Chocolate in Melbourne has also launched enormous Easter treats, including a 800 gram Easter bunny available in store. Also on offer is a $145 edible half egg shell made with milk or dark chocolate and stuffed with 50 fine pralines. An Australian paediatric doctor has shared what she believes all parents should know after working in one of the biggest and busiest emergency departments in the country. Dr. Nelu is passionate about informing parents and where possible, tries to highlight the little things that might help caregivers understand what's going on with them or their child. 'It is all general advice, mostly drawn from evidence and experience. And of course every child and circumstance is different so please seek help from a medical professional who can assess you/your child in person for any specific concerns,' she said. Here, FEMAIL looks at some of the take home messages Dr. Nelu has for parents - from signs of a fever to dealing with emergencies. Dr. Nelu is passionate about informing parents and where possible, tries to highlight the little things that might help caregivers understand what's going on with them or their child Here, FEMAIL looks at some of the take home messages Dr. Nelu has for parents - from signs of a fever to dealing with emergencies 1. A FEVER IS NOT AN EMERGENCY 'Fever itself is not an emergency! Your child can have a fever of 40C with a simple virus,' Dr. Nelu said. 'It is the cause of the fever that is more important than the actual number itself. 'Fever is 38C or above. And any fever in a baby less than three months should be seen by a doctor fairly urgently.' Dr. Nelu said doctors should be seen if children have a fever for more than two days (if there are no other viral symptoms), if irritability doesn't improve with medications, if they are having less than half normal fluids or if they have vomiting and diarrhoea that doesn't improve. 'See a doctor urgently if your child has a fever and the rash has dark red or purple spots that don't disappear when you push it, is complaining of a headache and is not moving their neck as much or having trouble looking at lights or is so lethargic they are having trouble waking up,' she said. Heavy breathing (sucking in at the throat, between the ribs, underneath their ribs or using their stomach to breathe rapidly) is also a sign to see a doctor urgently. 'Fever itself is not an emergency! Your child can have a fever of 40C with a simple virus,' Dr. Nelu said 2. ANTIBIOTICS DO NOT TREAT VIRUSES 'The absolute majority of infections in children are viral (fever, cough, runny nose, red ears, red throat, diarrhoea and vomiting etc) which need to be cleared by the body itself,' Dr. Nelu said. 3. SUPERVISE YOUR KIDS 'Always always watch young children in water. Drowning is one of the most common causes of preventable deaths in children,' Dr. Nelu said. 'It can take just a few seconds for a child to drown. For example popping in to the next room to get something is enough for a child to drown in a shallow bath. 'Also, if your child can roll, they can fall! I've seen too many broken bones and head injuries to not stress how much a mobile child can get up to! Change tables are the most common and dangerous culprit.' 4. INTRODUCE ALLERGENIC FOODS EARLY 'Early introduction to allergenic foods (e.g. Peanuts, all nuts, egg, dairy, fish etc) is crucial to reduce the risk of kids becoming allergic,' Dr. Nelu said. 'We're seeing soaring rates of allergy because of delayed introduction to foods. We do not do screening test for allergies, we only trust the test after the food has been introduced, so there is no value in waiting for appointments to introduce a food. 'If you're concerned you can do gradual home introduction. This isn't particularly necessary but so much better than waiting years without introducing. This message desperately needs to get out there.' The ASCIA Guidelines can be found here. 'Can't stress enough how many eucalyptus oil or accidental medication ingestion related admissions we have,' Dr. Nelu said 5. IF THEY CAN GRAB IT THEY CAN PUT IT IN THEIR MOUTH 'Keep all medications and poisons out of reach of these curious hands,' Dr. Nelu said. 'Can't stress enough how many eucalyptus oil or accidental medication ingestion related admissions we have. 'Oh and PlayStation button batteries can be life threatening if swallowed.' 6. DON'T QUESTION THE NEED FOR TWO X-RAYS Dr. Nelu shared a snap recently of two X-rays - one in which a child's arm looked fine and the second, which showed the arm snapped down the middle. 'When parents ask why we need to do two X-rays,' Dr. Nelu captioned this snap 7. IMMUNISE, IMMUNISE, IMMUNISE! 'Not only does it protect your children, but newborns or kids undergoing cancer treatments,' she said. 'Vaccine preventable diseases sadly still cause death and severe illness.' Tips for giving medication to a child * Try to always be positive about medication and always reassure them about how good they are at taking medication. For young babies this might mean cuddles, for older kids they might need a small treat like a sticker. * If your child is old enough to reason with you can try to speak to them about why they need the medication and how it might help. * Don't threaten your child with medication - "If you be naughty you will need medicine". Making medicine seem like a punishment or telling them they will be punished if they don't take makes it very negative. Advertisement 8. KNOW THE RIGHT APPROACH TO MEDICATION 'Children are very clever! They pick up on things and they develop habits very quickly,' Dr. Nelu said. 'So the key to this is to having a good approach from the very start. It's about finding a balance between being firm as the parent (not letting your child tell you what to do!) vs being gentle and understanding about the situation. 'It's important from the start to try and make medication giving a positive experience and to not make it negative or threatening for them. 'It's important from the start that they don't see taking medicine as a bad thing or punishment as they will develop these behaviours and it can get harder each time.' 'It's important from the start to try and make medication giving a positive experience and to not make it negative or threatening for them,' Dr. Nelu said 9. KNOW WHAT TO LOOK FOR WITH BRONCHIOLITIS 'Bronchiolitis is the most common condition that brings babies in =to emergency departments and Paediatric wards (this is not research based just my own observation) so let me tell you a bit about it,' Dr. Nelu said. 'Bronchiolitis is the medical word for "viral infection in the lungs of babies up to 6-12 months old". There are many many viruses so we rarely check to see exactly which one it is. 'It usually starts with upper respiratory symptoms such as cough, runny nose or sniffily nose (like a cold).' How do you identify Bronchiolitis? Usually after a few days the virus spreads in to the lungs causing lower respiratory symptoms such as: NOISY BREATHING: wheeze, rattly chest, congested nose HEAVY BREATHING: breathing very fast, sucking in under the ribs, using the tummy to breath quickly, sucking in at the neck with each breath, head bobbing up and down with each breath This can lead to poor feeding, breathlessness with feeds, becoming very upset when trying to feed and less wet nappies because of the poor feeding. Babies who are more likely to become very unwell are less than one month old, premature babies, babies with lung, heart or any severe medical condition. These babies should be seen by a doctor early on in the illness. What can you do? Of course if you are concerned or your baby has signs of heavy breathing/poor feeding you should take them to a doctor. If you have experienced Bronchiolitis before or it's very early on in the illness there are a few things you can do that might help: - Give smaller feeds but more often - Have breaks during the feed - For older babies, give small amounts of fluids often, they may be off their solids - Over the counter nasal saline drops or vaporisers can help with the congestion - Immunise baby and all household members (regardless of if they have Bronchiolitis or not) - bronchiolitis and whooping cough is not a good combination Advertisement 10. TREAT ECZEMA TWICE A DAY 'If your child (or you!) suffers from Eczema, a thick cream moisturiser applied all over at least twice a day is key,' Dr. Nelu said. 'Be sure to use a pump pack or a tub with a new paddle pop stick each application to avoid recontamination with skin bugs. 'There's no need to use fancy brands which claim to have special ingredients, something like QV or Cetaphil is perfect. Keeping the skin moist is super important to prevent and treat eczema.' 11. FOLLOW THE SIDS GUIDELINES 'Babies still die from these preventable causes,' Dr. Nelu said. 'Seeing one is enough to make you change what you do forever.' 'Babies still die from these preventable causes,' Dr. Nelu said of SIDS 12. KNOW HOW TO HANDLE A NOSE BLEED 'If your child is old enough have them sit on a chair and lean forward a bit. If they're too young to stay in that position on their own you can sit them on your lap and wrap one arm around them as you lean forward slightly. (Don't lean their head back! This makes them swallow the blood and can make them vomit),' Dr. Nelu said. 'If they're old enough ask them to squeeze the whole front soft part of their nose quite tightly together (their whole nostril not just the tip of the nose). If they don't have a tight grip or aren't old enough to understand that you can use your thumb and second finger to hold their nostrils together. 'Do not move your/their fingers for at least ten minutes! Keep an eye on the time, it feels like forever but this is the main reason why blood noses don't stop. Watch their favourite YouTube videos while you wait if you need to distract them!! If you slowly release your fingers and check at the ten minute mark and it is still oozing then do it again for another whole ten minutes.' See a doctor if the bleeding doesn't stop after two effective ten minute rounds of the nose hold technique. It is also worth seeing a doctor if you are concerned your child is very pale or unwell after what seems like a large nosebleed. 13. KINDNESS STARTS AT HOME 'Bullying is taking so many kids lives it's a growing epidemic and happens in so many forms,' Dr. Nelu said. 'Encourage your children to talk early and help them seek help early. 'Don't forget though, kindness starts in the home and kids learn by example, try not to raise a bully!' 14. TRUST YOUR GUT 'Trust your gut instinct,' Dr. Nelu said. 'No one knows your child better than you.' Dr. Nelu shares tips for parents on health and wellness on her Facebook page and blog. 'Trust your gut instinct,' Dr. Nelu said, 'no one knows your child better than you' The kids of Australia are halfway through term one of school, running around the playground and catching up with old friends. However, there are some friends they could do without - the dreaded head lice! The creepy crawlies are making an appearance in little heads across the nation as parents try and find new ways of getting rid of them. So how can you evict the little critters from your child's locks? Head lice (left artistic rendering of a head louse) strike at school, but can be treated (right) Aussie mum-of-seven Em Ward, was determined to bust these bugs so she came up with a simple hack so the lice weren't transferred between her kids. For only $20, she bought five plastic tubs and five hairbrushes, and separated the hair brushes into tubs labeled with their names. This easy trick means that her girls don't accidentally use each others' hairbrushes and limits the spread of lice. 'I needed to find a better way,' she told YahooBe. 'My thought is that if no-one shares brushes/hairbands etc, this will reduce the impact in our home,' she added. 'If nits are found in the morning of a school day, they miss out on school because I keep them home to treat them, which means I have to also miss work that day too!' Aussie mum-of-seven Em Ward she stores individual hair brushes in tubs According to the NSW Department of Health, head lice are one of the most commonly reported health complaints from parents and teachers. Busting common misconceptions about hygiene, the department says that 'anyone can catch head lice regardless of their age, sex, or how clean their hair is 'and that 'head lice move from one person's head to another via direct contact with the hair'. There are two main methods of head lice removal. The first is the mechanical method, where parents use a fine toothed comb and conditioner to catch out the critters. The second is chemical methods, which use a fine toothed comb and synthetic or natural insecticides that kill head lice. But there's bad news for parents... Head lice have built up some resistance to head lice treatments. There are two main methods of lice control, mechanical and chemical FEMAIL spoke to one of Australia's leading lice scientists, Dr Cameron Webb, of NSW Health Pathology for his tips for parents. He explained that it is vital for parents to follow instructions on treatment, because half done treatments can make lice more resistant to treatment. He said that lice are becoming increasingly resistant to chemical treatments and he said, 'the reason s for that is that many parents and carers dont use the products according to the instructions'. Your kids are back at school - and so are the lice! 'There's not enough of the product reaching the head lice so they survive a mild dose of insecticide and go on to become resistant,' he added. What is Dr Webb's number one tip? 'Patience and perseverance. And you don't have to rely on the chemical treatments to eradicate headlice. 'You can use, what we refer to as the wet comb method. And that basically involves applying a hair conditioner to the child's hair that stuns the head lice, then using one of those special lice combs. If you systematically comb through the child's hair you'll be able to remove all the adult lice.' Dr Cameron Webb, lice scientist says 'patience and perseverance' are key to busting lice To help prevent your kids from catching lice he said to prevent contact with other children's hair. 'First thing, if your child's got long hair, tie it back nice and tight, so it minimises the chance of contact with any other children that might have lice. He also said that parents should get into the habit of checking their child for lice regularly. 'That way it's easier to eradicate a small infestation, before it has a chance to become more extensive,' he said. 'Set aside two Sunday afternoons, let the child watch something that they'd like on TV while you either systematically come through those child's hair or apply one of these products. But certainly, setting aside two nights, one week apart is really critical'. It's the well-known Australian wax that couples as a balm for all manner of skin ailments. And Kirsten Carriol, who grew up on a sheep farm, knew that building a moisturising brand around the idea of lanolin would be a success story - she just had to convince everyone else. 'I was on a long-haul flight back to Sydney one day when I wondered how I was going to keep my lips from drying out. Like an "aha!" moment it hit me - why aren't I using lanolin?' the 43-year-old told FEMAIL. Scroll down for video Kirsten Carriol (pictured), who grew up on a sheep farm, knew that building a moisturising brand around the idea of lanolin would be a success story The Sydney-based businesswoman already had a burgeoning career in the communications industry - and had tried copious amounts of beauty products as a result - but would always fall back on the trusty lanolin she'd used as a child on her parent's farm. The only issue was, the product didn't exist in the mainstream market. 'So I spent many years researching why lanolin worked so well and what's so good about it. 'Once I figured out what I wanted to make it was just a matter of door-knocking. But you have to be very thick-skinned for that,' she explained. The Sydney-based businesswoman already had a burgeoning career in the communications industry but would always fall back on the trusty lanolin she'd used as a child on her parent's farm 'I let my body decide on the products rather than my brain. Your body just knows what it's going to reach for every day.' The mother-of-two finally launched her brand, Lanolips, in 2009 and it has quickly picked up a large celebrity following, with the likes of Drew Barrymore, Kaley Cuoco and Sienna Miller admitting to being big fans. One 'pinch me' moment came in the form of a video Kirsten found online of comedian and TV personality Chelsea Handler applying the $23.99 hand cream to her face while holidaying in the snow. Kirsten's (pictured) favourite product is still the tried-and-tested $18.99 101 multi-purpose balm because it's the 'beating heart of the range' 'When I saw that footage I was amazed. I've always said you can applying things like the hand cream to your face and no one believed me. Seeing her do that with our tube was incredible,' she said. Chelsea said she was 'desperate' for some hydration in the drying conditions - and had Lanolips on hand to solve the issue. Kirsten's favourite product is still the tried-and-tested $18.99 101 multi-purpose balm because it's the 'beating heart of the range.' Despite building a multi-million dollar company from the ground up, the mother-of-two acknowledges running your own business can be difficult KIRSTEN'S KEYS TO BUSINESS SUCCESS Research: You need to understand why your product is worth investing money into and why it works. Persistence: You're going to get a lot of people telling you 'no' to begin with. Maintain a clear and defined vision. Believe in yourself: Nobody else is going to pat you on the back so you need to have unwavering faith in what you're doing. Don't be afraid to fail: You're going to make mistakes but then you're going to make better decisions next time. Advertisement 'A lot of other companies mess around with additives but hydration is the key. You don't need anything else - if it's supposed to moisturise just use something that does just that,' she added. Despite building a multi-million dollar company from the ground up, the mother-of-two acknowledges that running your own business can be difficult. 'The hardest part is switching off and the hours. I'm a little bit of a workaholic so now that the brand has gone global there is always someone in another time zone that is awake and trying to get in touch. 'Sometimes you just have to resist the power of the email. But you'll still find yourself giving up personal time and sacrificing things like fitness. 'You've got to, or someone else will.' In their 20s, many women can get away with using a basic SPF and moisturiser as their entire skincare routine. But how do you know when it's time to change things up? As we grow older, our skin's needs change and little tweaks will help you get the most out of your skin care routine. FEMAIL reveals the best products to use as your skin changes to supercharge your beauty regimen to give you the best results. When searching for the perfect beauty routine, sometimes cucumbers just don't cut it! WHY SHAKE UP YOUR SKINCARE? Melbourne dermatologist Dr Adam Sheridan, who is a fellow at the Australasian College of Dermatologists explained the importance of changing your skincare routine. 'It is important to recognise that our skin changes with time,' he told The Australian Women's Weekly. 'Just as we tend not to wear the same fashions at 60 as we did at 20, so, too, our skincare approach should evolve to meet changing needs,' he told the publication. IN YOUR 20s When transitioning out of the teenage years into their 20s, skin is pretty low maintenance. At this stage, common concerns are blemishes and hormonal breakouts as women transition out of adolescence. In your 20s, sun protection is important to prevent future UV damage As we age, we should use a moisturiser with active ingredients As a bonus, products with antioxidants can help to stimulate cell renewal and Korean sheet masks add a quick burst of moisture starting from about $4 per mask. IN YOUR 30s In the 30s, sun protection is absolutely essential to slow down ageing. 'The best anti-ageing product is sunscreen for sure. Invest in a good-quality, broad spectrum, high SPF specifically for the face,' celebrity facialist Melanie Grant told Byrdie. As many women experience pregnancy in their 30s, stretch marks can become a skin concern. To fight this, body oils can help to firm the skin. It's important to double cleanse to ensure products soak into the skin IN YOUR 40s In your 40s, supercharge your skin care by deep cleansing and using an anti ageing serum such as Ultraceutical's Even Skintone Serum at $112 for a bottle. It's important to cleanse thoroughly to allow the products to absorb into the skin. 'First with an oil cleanser, then a lactic acid cleanser if your skin isn't too sensitive. The oil will break down makeup, dirt and oil, and the lactic acid cleanser will deep clean brighten, exfoliate, and stimulate collagen,' Melanie said. IN YOUR 50s AND BEYOND For mature skin, the main concern is elasticity, especially around the delicate eye area. Products like Advanced Night Repair Eye Concentrate Matrix will help to moisturise mature skin. Skincare products for every age 20s: The most important part to any routine is to sunscreen to prevent UV damage and premature ageing. 30s: Many women will notice minor sun damage in their early 30s so important to continue using a broad spectrum SPF sunscreen and an antioxidant moisturiser (like Vitamin C) to treat any signs of ageing. 40s: Using serums and an eye cream will help restore plumpness to the skin and brighten the under eye area. 50s +: To protect the skin at this age, choose products that contain retinoids, peptides or glycolic acid, which are all collagen boosters Advertisement She made her entrance to the world just last week but the littlest member of the Swedish royal family is already amassing a legion of fans. Doting mother Princess Madeleine, 35, has just joined Instagram and couldn't resist the opportunity to post a selection of sweet snaps to mark Princess Adrienne's first week. A sweet image shows the little one slumbering sweetly while another shows her tiny feet poking out from beneath a pink blanket. Her first snap on the photo sharing site, was a photo of her older children Princess Leonore and Prince Nicholas bonding with the newest member of the family. The princess's full name was officially announced last week by her grandfather King Carl XVI Gustaf in a Council of State meeting, who revealed she will be known as Adrienne Josephine Alice, the Duchess of Blekinge. Princess Madeleine of Sweden has shared a series of adorable snaps to celebrate her baby dauhgter Adrienne's one-week milestone The proud mother has only just joined Instagram and couldn't resist sharing a set of cute snaps of her baby daughter Princess Madeleine, 35, and her husband Chris O'Neill chose Adrienne as it's a name they love. Josephine is a traditional moniker in Madeleine's family and is also her fourth name, while Alice is the name of Adrienne's great-grandmother, Alice Sommerlath, the mother of Queen Silvia. Princess Adrienne was the third royal baby to arrive in the space of two weeks, when she was born at Danderyd Hospital in Stockholm in the early hours of Friday morning. In a statement, the Swedish Royal Court described the newborn as 'a healthy child' and said that 'mother and baby are doing well'. Princess Madeleine of Sweden has celebrated joining Instagram by sharing an adorable snap of her children Princess Leonore and Prince Nicholas bonding with their newborn sister It was announced this morning that the new arrival has been named Adrienne Josephine Alice, Duchess of Blekinge 'We are delighted with the new addition to our family,' Chris, 43, said in a statement. 'Leonore and Nicolas have their long-awaited sibling. They can't wait to meet their new baby sister.' The new baby, whose name has not yet been revealed, is a sibling for Princess Leonore, four, and Prince Nicolas, two, and is the latest in a spate of royal births. Chris O'Neill speaks to the media outside Danderyd Hospital in Stockholm, where his wife Princess Madeleine gave birth to a baby girl in the early hours of this morning The couple's new arrival is a sibling for Princess Leonore, four, and Prince Nicolas, two The proud dad said that mother and baby are doing well, but no name has been announced yet The stepson of Princess Caroline of Monaco and his Russian fashion designer wife Ekaterina Malysheva welcomed their first child, a baby daughter Elisabeth, at the Henriettenstifts hospital in Hanover on 22nd February. And last week Prince Philip and Princess Danica of Serbia welcomed their first son, Prince Stefan. Meanwhile, the Duchess of Cambridge is looking forward to the birth of her third child, expected to arrive in late April. Prince Philip and Princess Danica of Serbia welcomed newborn son Stefan into the world last week Prince Ernst August Jr of Hanover, 34, welcomed their first child - a daughter, Elisabeth - on 22 February at the Henriettenstifts hospital in Hanover The Duchess of Cambridge is weeks away from giving birth to her third child Princess Madeleine met her husband after fleeing to the US in 2010 with a broken heart. She crossed the Atlantic following the breakdown of her first engagement to Swedish attorney Jonas Bergstrom amid speculation that he had cheated on her. Madeleine became known as Sweden's party princess during her early 20s, when she was frequently spotted at Stockholm's high-end nightclubs. Countless column inches were also devoted to Madeleine's stylish wardrobe and glamorous lifestyle, but she now focuses on royal duties and raising her children. A German translator has told how she fell for a father-of-three more than 20 years older than her when they struck up a connection over email - and now they travel the world with their baby son in tow. Nigel Kane, 53, met his now wife Martha Kane, 31, after she translated emails he received while working for a holiday rental company he had booked a trip to Sweden with in 2006 - when she was 20 and he was in his 40s. Nigel, who is Irish, and Martha hit it off and began exchanging emails regularly, before arranging to meet in person two years later and falling in love. And although hotel receptionists in the far-flung destinations they visit occasionally mistake Nigel for his wife's father, the full-time dad says neither he nor Martha would be nearly as compatible with partners closer to their own age. Nigel and Martha Kane, who are separated by an age gap of over 20 years, met when she translated emails for him when he was booking a holiday to Sweden Nigel, who was a father-of-three when he met Martha, is now father to her son, Jonas, who is almost one They now travel for up to three months of the year, have visited 19 countries around the world and driven across the US while documenting everything for readers of their website baybreezin.com. Their age gap means hotel staff have sometimes mistaken the happy couple for father and daughter. Once, when Nigel and Martha were travelling with her mother, a hotel receptionist assumed Nigel and his mother-in-law were a couple travelling with their daughter. Martha said: 'There's the occasional forgivable assumption that I am Nigel's daughter. Martha, seen with baby Jonas on a trip abroad, says people occasionally assume 53-year-old Nigel is her father 'When we travel with my mum, hotel reception have been known to give me my own individual room key while mum and Nigel are given a separate one for 'their' room - we can laugh at these situations though.' The pair first met in Leipzig, Germany, with their second meeting in London before Martha moved to be with Nigel, in Helen's Bay, County Down, Northern Ireland. Martha, a translator, said: 'When I arrived at our first meeting place which was appropriately the local 'Fossil' store - there was a slightly awkward moment. At 53, full-time dad Nigel is more than two decades older than his 31-year-old wife, Martha Nigel, seen in Mallorca with the couple's baby, Jonas, has three grown up children Drifting away: The Kanes now write about their globetrotting in a family blog Martha admits she couldn't understand a word her husband - who is from Northern Ireland - said when they met for the first time after years of exchanging emails 'Several men around the same age as Nigel happened to be there and I wasn't sure whether I had walked up to the right man. 'I also wasn't used to the Northern Irish accent at that stage and I still have no idea what his first words to me were. 'After that initial awkward moment, things became quite natural and we just talked a lot the way friends do.' Nigel, a full time dad, added: 'I had arrived in Leipzig around midnight the previous night and had spent the following morning exploring the city. 'This was my first time in Germany so it was pretty exciting and I was looking forward to having a local guide. Leipzig is a beautiful city and well worth seeing. 'It was all quite natural very quickly despite us never having spoken even on the phone prior to meeting. 'She was every bit as sweet as I had thought and more beautiful in person than the couple of photos I had seen. 'I fell for Martha long before I knew what she looked like. I thought she was such a kind and interesting person. 'Once I saw her that didn't put me off either, she's a great person who hasn't a single bad bone in her body.' The couple married on May 19, 2015 on Coronado Island in San Diego, California, after Nigel proposed to Martha in Sweden, during a family holiday with his sons from a previous relationship Christopher, 21, and Richard, 19. Baby Jonas and his mum Martha smile for the camera in Gdansk, Poland Martha says in the past when travelling with family hotel staff have assumed that Nigel's partner was her mother, not her Martha, seen at Rainbow Falls in Mammoth Lakes in California, was working as a translator when she and Nigel began exchanging emails Nigel, who also has a 24-year-old daughter Rachel, organises the couple's travel, which now includes trips with their one year old son Jonas. By the time little Jonas was 11 months old, he had already been on 12 flights including trips to Germany to see family, Majorca, Lanzarote and Gdansk, in Poland. Martha said: 'Nigel is my travel god and I have to give him full credit. 'Luckily, we have very similar tastes and when Nigel suggests a destination, I'm usually very much on board.' Nigel added: 'Planning trips is a bit of an addiction. I enjoy going to places that are maybe slightly unusual as they are often better than the more overhyped destinations. 'I could basically plan and book a holiday without even consulting Martha as we are so similar I know she would approve. I do however almost always tell her my plans unless it's a surprise trip. 'We had three US road trips inside 20 months at one time and they require a lot of route planning which I seem to be good at.' Martha, seen here in Bodie 'ghost town' in California, now travels the world with her much older husband and their baby Nigel revealed the travel loving couple previously went on no less than three road trips in the US in the space of 20 months Full-time dad Nigel says they wouldn't have nearly as much in common with partners closer to their own respective ages Martha says strangers occasionally make the 'forgivable' assumption that Nigel is her father The Kane family have travelled all over the world - lately with baby son Jonas in tow The couple have visited and written about trips to Norway, Portgual, Denmark, the USA, Croatia, Turkey, Poland, Barbados, France, and Italy. Their favourite destination is Tromso and the Lofoten Islands, in northern Norway. Speaking about their age gap Martha said: 'Nigel's friends very much enjoyed teasing him suggesting he take me to the zoo and things like that but little did they know, the zoo was actually one of the first places we went together!' Nigel added: 'I'm sure there were a few comments by some people when Martha and I first became a couple but they certainly never said anything to me personally. 'Martha and I have both said that if were with partners of our own age we wouldn't have as much in common and be so compatible, and I think that anyone who sees us together would realise that very quickly.' Advertisement It's the last day of Cheltenham and this afternoon celebrities and royalty came flocking to the Gloucestershire course for the gran finale, the Gold Cup. Cyclist turned jockey Victoria Pendleton took literal dressing to the max, arriving in an opulent gold-trimmed cape, embellished with horse heads. Pregnant Zara Tindall also upped the glamour stakes in a dark coat and elegant hat, and indulged in a rare PDA with her husband Mike as they kissed outside the viewing boxes. Other famous faces among the crowds included Made In Chelsea's Georgia Toffolo and Ollie Locke, presenters Chris Evans, Carol Vorderman and Gabby Logan, Coronation Street's Michael Le Vell and writer Jilly Cooper. Elsewhere, the worlds of royalty and showbiz collided as her brother Peter Phillips and his wife Autumn were seen catching up with Fifty Shades actor Jamie Dornan and his wife Amelia. The couples looked very friendly as they strolled through the course and then made their way to a box where they were seen examining their betting slips as the racing action culminated in a stunning front-running performance by Native River to win the Gold Cup. Given a brilliant ride by champion jockey Richard Johnson, he and Henderson's favourite Might Bite fought out a thrilling duel throughout the race. However, just as Might Bite loomed to produce a final challenge, Native River's preference for the testing conditions told and Johnson eased him to victory. Scroll down for video The world of showbiz and royalty collided at Cheltenham as Peter Phillips and his wife Autumn caught up with Fifty Shades actor Jamie Dornan and his wife Amelia Georgia Toffolo struck a casual figure in jeans, a pink tweed blazer and a fedora by Hicks & Brown, while Victoria Pendleton took the theme of the day to heart, arriving at Cheltenham in a gold trimmed cape embellished with horse heads and Carol Vorderman sported a figure-hugging black dress and an oversized leopard print hat It's the last day of Cheltenham and revellers made sure they pulled out all the stops in the fashion stakes today. Pregnant Zara Tindall looked chic in navy and gold while another racegoer teamed smart country casuals with a fun furry bag Zara and Mike exchanged a kiss outside the viewing box as the arrived at Cheltenham for the GOld C Who knew they were friends? Autum and Peter Philipps joined Jamie Dornan's wife Amelia in a box after placing their bets Presenter Jeremy Clarkson with his Irish actress girlfriend Lisa Hogan. His fellow Grand Tour presenter Richard Hammond and his wife Mindy were a perfectly matched pair (right) Jamie Dornan and his wife Amelia Warner kept a close eye on their betting slips as the action got underway on the track Travelling in style! Some racegoers were transported by helicopter to the helipad near the course and chauffeur driven to the grounds in Bentley cars The best way to travel! Racegoers being picked up by chauffeurs at the helipad Jockey Richard Johnson celebrates with the Gold Cup after winning the Timico Cheltenham Gold Cup Steeple Chase on Native River After the glamour of ladies day and the colour of St Patrick's Thursday, it was time for fashionable Friday with attendees donning furry hats, millinery festooned with feathers and fluffy snoods. The action culminated in this afternoon's prestigious Gold Cup which is one of the most sought after wins in the racing world. All eyes were on a fiercely competitive 18-runner Gold Cup, with Native River and Might Bite the early favourites at 4/1, with the former eventually triumphing. 'Might Bite was the nightmare result, but Native River wasn't kind to us either. The Colin Tizzard super star was the most popular ante-post selection,' Nicola McGeady of Ladbrokes said. 'It was a much needed result for punters who got off to a terrible start with all three favourites being beaten in the previous races.' Race goers smile for a photo during Gold Cup Day of the 2018 Cheltenham Festival Hats off to them! Some racegoers eschewed the trend for fussy fascinators and stepped out in smart trilby hats instead An animated Princess Anne who is a lifelong equestrian fan, appeared to be in her element as she enjoyed the festival A ticket-holder put on a colourful display in a grey, purple and turquoise coat (left). Carol Vorderman looked glamorous in a black dress and leather jacket teamed with a statement leopard print hat Spirits were running high as revellers soaked up the sunshine and got into the spirit of things before the action on the track kicked off Keeping it chic! A racegoer looked elegant in head to toe black (left) while another took a more colourful approach in a fiery red outfit (centre). Princess Anne added a splash of colour to the proceedings in a purple coat and matching hat Made in Chelsea stars Georgia Toffolo and Ollie Locke showcased their racing fashion with designer Jade Holland Cooper Victory parade! Jack Kennedy celebrates after winning the 13.30 JCB Triumph Hurdle on Farclas Novelist Jilly Cooper looked the part in a horse-print scarf and a gold equestrian brooch (left). Coronation Street's Michael Le Vell was dapper in a grey checked suit for a day of racing Autumn Phillips put on an animated display as she pointed to her betting slip as husband Peter Phillips looked on The Gold Cup is the second biggest betting day in the racing calendar, second only to the Grand National. Nearly half a million racegoers have streamed through the gates over the past few days, including royalty such as Zara Tindall, the Duchess of Cornwall and Princess Anne. Today Carol Vorderman was among the early arrivals, looking glamorous in a black dress and leather jacket, teamed with a statement leopard print hat. Zara Tindall and her husband Mike were seen indulging in a rare PDA as they paused for a kiss outside the viewing boxes. The expectant mother looked chic in a bespoke navy coat by Claire Mischevani and grey suede shoes The former racing champion appeared deep in concentration with legendary jockey AP McCoy Carol Vorderman was one of the first famous faces to put in an appearance on Gold Cup day (left). Presenter Gabby Logan looked chic in black as she arrived arm-in-arm with her husband Kenny (right) Victoria Pendleton looked very much in keeping with the theme of the day in her horse embellished cape, teamed with a feathered fascinsator. Chris Evans' wife Natasha looked glamorous in checked trousers and red lace boots, although the presenter added a scruffy edge to his own outfit by turning up in muddy boots Dapper Mike Tindall looked the epitome of a country gent in a three piece suit and Holland Cooper Baker Boy Cap, while presenter Chris Evans opted for a more casual twist on the same look Coronation Street's Michael Le Vell looked dapper in a grey three piece suit as he enjoyed a day at the races Two cheerful friends who complemented each other with blue accessories paused for a coffee and chat ahead of the sporting action Two friends in feathred fascinators catch up ahead of the excitement of the Gold Cup at Cheltenham Samantha George, Charlie Gill and Gemma Woolley wisely covered their shoes with plastic bags as they made their way through a muddy car park The fun atmosphere rubbed off on this couple who performed an impromptu dance for the cameras. Early arrivals started streaming through the gates after 10.30, eager to soak up the ambiance on Gold Cup day Champagne started flowing early on as racegoers took full advantage of a free Friday to enjoy the racing festival Ready for action! A group of friends posed up a storm in their race day finery ahead of the Gold Cup A group of friends went smart casual in jeans and tailored jackets, while dapper gent was striking in a checked blue suit, teamed with a yellow tie A group of sporting fans made their way through the course ahead of this afternoon's prestigious Gold Cup Selfie time! Friends made sure to get a snap in their racing finery as they prepared to enjoy the festival Other famous faces included presenter Gabby Logan, Coronation Street star Michael Le Vell and Chris Evans who arrived by steam train with his wife. Natasha Evans glamorous in checked trousers and red lace boots, although the presenter added a scruffy edge to his own outfit by turning up in muddy boots. More than 70,000 attendees are expected to visit Cheltenham today with punters betting 35,000 a second. Fur hats have dominated the millinery at this year's festival, from traditional Cossack-style pieces, to more unusual numbers A stylish couple arriving for the Cheltenham Festival ahead of this afternoon's Gold Cup A woman put on an eye-catching display in a pink coat and cosy fur scarf (left). Another fashionable racegoer got in on the furry hat trend (right) A racegoer sipped on water as she made her way into the racecourse for one of the most exciting days on the sporting calendar (left). An attendee dressed up in a tweed coat with a fur trim for her day at the races (right) It's Gold Cup day at Cheltenham and racing fans are already streaming into the Gloucestershire course Deciding who to back? Racegoers paused to check the form guides and racecards during Gold Cup Day Advertisement They officially tied the knot five months ago in a small but stylish affair at Chelsea and Westminster Registry Office. And now Prince Christian of Hanover and his radiant fashion designer bride, 25, said their 'I dos' all over again - this time on a much more lavish scale. A host of glamorous guests including several members of European royalty have decamped to the bride's native Peru, where the Prince and Alessandra kicked off a weekend of festivities with a cocktail party on the eve of the ceremony. Then came the main event, an extravagant chapel ceremony in celebration of their love. Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie made an appearance, as did supermodel Kate Moss who arrived alongside her boyfriend Count Nikolai Von Bismarck. The happy couple: Peruvian Alessandra de Osma and her husband Prince Christian of Hanover could not help but smile as they arrived at their second wedding - six months after they first tied the knot Peruvian Alessandra de Osma walked up to the chapel, her dress train extending behind her, alongside her father Felipe de Osma, who looked delighted at the celebrations Thumbs up: Prince Christian of Hanover smiles at adoring crowds as he leaves the chapel after his second marriage ceremony Alessandra de Osma walked arm in arm with her father Ernesto for the happy occasion Kate embarked on a romance with German aristocrat Nikolai Von Bismarck in late 2015, following her split from The Kills rocker husband Jamie Hince Kate Moss, 44, and Count Nikolai von Bismarck, 30, have been dating for more than two years. However, it was reported late last year that she booted the handsome Count out of her home over his alleged refusal to tone down his wild partying ways. He is reportedly close friends with Princess Beatrice and photographed her official 18th birthday portrait years ago. The Harrow-alumni even reportedly hiked the Inca Trail in Peru alongside Princess Beatrice on his gap year. Kate and Nikolai took things public when they attended the launch of Kate's collaboration with fashion house Equipment and have been a public item since. The iconic supermodel Kate Moss dressed to accentuate her slender figure in a chic printed dress as she cosied up to her suited and booted other half. It was first reported that Count Nikolai Von Bismarck had moved in with Kate Moss more than two years ago Kate Moss lived up to her style icon status as she arrived to the venue in her chic midi-dress, which boasted a stylish print and an elongated satin pink bow-tie down the front Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie made an appearance wearing green and blue ensembles Eugenie, the 27-year-old daughter of Prince Andrew and his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson, is set to marry Jack Brooksbank at St Georges Chapel in Windsor this year Glamorous Kate Moss is a mother to Lila-Grace, 14, who she shares with ex partner Jefferson Hack Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie wore complementary outfits. Eugenie revealed she was 'over the moon' after fiancee Jack Brooksbank got down on one knee as they watched the sun set over a volcano in Nicaragua earlier this year A picture of royalty: The groom is related to most European royal families including those of the United Kingdom, Spain, Denmark and Norway The chosen location was the historic San Pedro church in Lima - which is part of the Historic Centre of Lima and was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1991 It was in Peru that the couple first met back in 2005, when a teenage Alessandra acted as Christian's tour guide. It was for this reason that they returned in order to say their 'I dos' all over again at the 16th Century Basilica San Pedro in Lima. The fashion designer wore a gown by Jorge Vazquez, which featured a high neck and an extravagant white train. For the event she donned the Hanover Floral Tiara, previously worn by Princess Caroline of Monaco and her sister-in-law Ekaterina Malyshev. The groom wore a smart three-piece suit. Kate Moss, 44, and boyfriend Count Nikolai Von Bismarck, 30, looked every inch the stylish pair as they arrived to the wedding. Who is Prince Christian of Hanover? German-born royal has connections to the British royal family Prince Christian of Hanover was born Christian Heinrich Clemens Paul Frank Peter Welf Wilhelm Ernst Friedrich Franz on June 1, 1985, in Hildesheim, Lower Saxony, West Germany His father Ernst August, Prince of Hanover, married Princess Caroline of Monaco in 1999, after divorcing his mother Chantal (nee Hochuli), the heiress to a Swiss chocolate fortune, in 1997. Ernst August and Princess Caroline are currently separated. Through his father, Hanover is a descendant of George III of the United Kingdom, William II, German Emperor, Christian IX of Denmark and Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom and is related to most members of present European royal families in the United Kingdom, Spain, Denmark and Norway. He is the second in the line of succession to the former Hanoverian throne, after his elder brother Prince Ernst August. As a descendant of Queen Victoria, through her daughter, the Empress Frederick, Christian is also in the line of succession to the British throne. As the kingdom of Hanover no longer exists, the title is not legally recognized - after the establishment of the Weimar Republic in 1919, legal recognition of hereditary titles was abolished. He has a half sister, Princess Alexandra of Hanover through his father's second marriage and two stepbrothers and one stepsister Andrea, Pierre and Charlotte Casiraghi from Princess Caroline's previous marriage. Although born in Germany, Christian moved to Paris after his parents' divorce and attended Malvern College, a prestigious British public school in Worcestershire. Fees for full-time boarders at Malvern College are currently just under 40,000 ($56,000) per year. In 2004, Christian's father signed over several pieces of German property owned by the House of Hanover to Christian and his brother, including Marienburg Castle. Christian met his new wife Alessandra de Osma in Peru when she was 14 and she acted as his tour guide. The couple remained friends and started dating in in 2011. They have lived quietly for several years in Madrid, where Prince Christian studied business administration. Alessandra's father, Felipe, is a senior executive with Hermes, a Peruvian cash management firm. Advertisement De Osma's bridesmaids wore outfits by London based Pepa & Co - a favourite of Kate Middleton A youthful looking Prince Ernst August of Hanover - father of the groom - attended the wedding ceremony Prince Christian of Hanover, wearing a dapper blue three-piece, walked alongside his mother Chantal Hochuli Both parties looked relaxed throughout the ceremony, which happened in private inside the chapel Streets around San Pedro church were closed during the ceremony, which saw members of the pubic flock to witness the affair All smiles: The gorgeous bride worked as lawyer, and more recently as a model Alessandra de Osma's extraordinary dress train was carried by one of her bridesmaids who wore a patterned pink and black number Liz Foy de Osma and Prince Ernst August of Hanover (pictured) welcomed their first child, a baby daughter Elisabeth, at the Henriettenstifts hospital in Hanover last month Carrying a bunch of flowers, de Osma looked a picture in her white wedding dress The couple looked positively radiant in their nuptial wear as they entered the church for their second round of vows The look of love: Prince Christian and de Osma exit the church after having said 'I do' for the second time Alessandra turned to wave at her family and friends in attendance as she was walked towards the entrance alongside her father Felipe Pierre Casiraghi, son of Princess Caroline of Monaco (pictured centre), is known to indulge in a spot of car racing Among the guests snapped attending Thursday night's pre-ceremony dinner were the groom's father Prince Ernst August of Hanover, his mother Chantal Hochuli, and Princess Jeanette zu Furstenberg. The glowing bride-to-be chose a 650 printed pink dress by cult label Borgo De Nor for the dinner on the eve of her big day, which she wore with vertiginous strappy heels in metallic pink. Her dress for the ceremony itself will doubtless be a showstopper, given that she herself is a fashion designer. At the civil ceremony back in November, the brunette beauty dazzled in a Chanel coat and heels by Aquazzura - not unlike the pair worn by Meghan Markle on the day her engagement to Prince Harry was announced. The glowing bride-to-be chose a vibrant printed pink dress and teetering strappy sandals, as she enjoyed a dinner with family and friends on the eve of the ceremony The lavish affair, in Alessandra's native Peru, follows the couple's intimate and chic registry office wedding in London last November The groom, Prince Christian of Hanover, is the stepson of Princess Caroline of Monaco According to local reports the ceremony will take place at Lima's Pedro de Osma Museum, a spectacular, century old building that exhibits Peruvian art dating back to the 5th Century. The Basilica San Pedro, in Lima's historic centre, could also be the setting for the religious ceremony. The celebrations are likely to carry on throughout the weekend, with lunch at the Club Nacional - where the great and good of Peruvian society and gathered for centuries - and cocktails at Casa Berckemeyer, an art gallery, believed to have been lined up for guests. The couple announced their plans to marry in 2017 after dating for six years; they first met when De Osma was Christian's teenage tour guide on a visit to Peru in 2005. Members of royalty and European society have jetted into Lima for the occasion, including Princess Jeanette zu Furstenberg A glamorous couple make their way into the celebratory dinner on Thursday night, ahead of the ceremony itself on Friday A female guest in an eye-catching cream jumpsuit with artful cut-outs makes her way inside Prince Christian and his fashion designer wife officially tied the knot at Chelsea Registry Office back in November The groom's mother, Chantal Hochuli, is seen arriving in a simple olive green dress tied with a black sash belt The groom's father, Ernst August Prince of Hanover, appeared relaxed in his open collar at the dinner on Thursday night A guest clutching a covetable Bottega Veneta handbag makes her way into the cocktail party A sun-kissed woman is seen arriving on the arm of a dapper escort as the wedding festivities got underway in Lima The bride and groom met in Peru when Alessandra was a teenage tour guide showing the Prince the city A beaming trio of guests arrive for the cocktail party, which is to be followed by a lavish church ceremony and a weekend of partying Mafalda of Hessen and the Swiss artist Rolf Sachs are among the guests in Peru for the wedding Sartorial flare: A guest in wide-legged printed trousers and a chic white blazer arrives for the cocktail party Prince Harry appeared to criticise defence cuts today as he returned to the Army Aviation Centre where he undertook helicopter training. The royal, 33, arrived at the Museum of Army Flying in Middle Wallop, Hampshire, to present the latest intake of pilots with their Wings. As he met with the new graduates, Harry told them that 'in some areas budgets are being shrunk,' according to ITV's royal editor Chris Ship. Harry looked in high spirits as he arrived at the Army Aviation Centre, ahead of the Wings Parade that takes place after each student completes their operational training. The prince was a graduate in the same ceremony in 2010, when his father Prince Charles was the Presenting Officer. Prince Harry appeared to criticise defence cuts as he returned to the Army Aviation Centre in Hampshire where he undertook his helicopter training today Harry, 33, was at the Museum of Army Flying in Middle Wallop, Hampshire, to present new pilots with their Wings The royal looked smart in a tailored suit and striped tie as he arrived ahead of the Wings Parade Harry gave the thumbs up as he posed with Army Air Corps Pilots who have received their Wings today Harry's then girlfriend Chelsy Davy accompanied him at the ceremony as he got his Wings. After completing the Army pilot course, he later qualified as an Apache helicopter commander, before serving in Afghanistan with the Army Air Corps. Harry looked smart in a tailored suit and striped tie as he arrived for the Wings Parade today, while proudly displaying his military medals. Today's ceremony will be the final Wings Parade to be held at Middle Wallop, before it transfers to the Defence Helicopter Flying School at Shawbury. The royal arrived at the Army Aviation Centre to present new graduates with their Wings in a ceremony today The prince proudly displayed his medals on his lapels as he met pilots from the Army Air Corps Harry looked animated as he posed with the pilots receiving their Wings today The prince inspected the latest graduates, before presenting each of them with their Wings Harry appeared delighted after presiding over the ceremony that he once took part in as a newly qualified pilot The royal posed with the 12 new graduates in front of an apache helicopter, following the Wings Parade Harry's appearance comes today after the Queen gave her formal consent to his marriage to Meghan, 36, in May. In a letter to the Privy Council, the 91-year-old monarch expressed her approval of the upcoming wedding between her 'most dearly beloved grandson' and his royal-bride-to be. It read: 'I declare My Consent to a Contract of Matrimony between My Most Dearly Beloved Grandson Prince Henry Charles Albert David of Wales and Rachel Meghan Markle, which Consent I am causing to be signified under the Great Seal and to be entered in the Books of the Privy Council.' Harry was a graduate in the same ceremony in 2010 when his father Prince Charles was the Presenting Officer The announcement came as it was revealed Harry took Meghan to privately meet war veterans suffering from mental health problems at Colchester Garrison in Essex. Speaking at the Veterans Mental Health Conference at Kings College London on Thursday night, Harry said: 'Some of the stories Meghan and I heard when we visited Colchester Garrison a few weeks ago shocked us to our core.' Harry who has served two tours on the frontline in Afghanistan - told how over the years he has seen his own friends from the forces 'suffer, struggling to seek out the help they desperately need'. He added: 'For me, this issue is personal. My time in the Army gave me the strongest respect for everyone who wears the uniform. Harry was seen looking animated as he spoke to Army officers at the Army Aviation Centre The royal was seen sharing a joke with Army officers as he returned to the Army Air Corps Centre where he completed his training Harry proudly displayed his military medals on his lapel ahead of the Wings Parade The royal presented each pilot with his Wings at the ceremony today Harry was seen speaking to the graduates as he went down the line during the parade Harry later gave another thumbs up as he met with the pilot's families following the ceremony Harry was seen bending down to shake the hand of a little girl as he met the families of the pilots receiving their Wings today 'It is a community I am proud to belong to, and I will always seek out anyway that I can to support it. 'I have seen those I have served with suffer, struggling to seek out the help they desperately need. 'And we know there are more just like them who continue to suffer in silence. 'And when the individual doesn't or can't reach out for help, it is also their families who suffer; especially their spouses and children, who are left feeling desperate and confused as they try to seek appropriate help for the ones they love.' The royal looked in very high spirits as he arrived at the Army Air Corps Centre today Harry look animated as he chatted to guests attending the Wings Parade His appearance comes after the Queen formally gave her consent to his and Meghan's upcoming marriage It was also revealed that Harry and Meghan met with army veterans suffering from mental health problems in a private engagement Harry and the pilots were seen looking up at the sky as the air show took place Harry later watched an air display at the Army Aviation Centre, following the Wings parade She's known for her bold fashion choices, and Queen Mathilde did not disappoint as she joined husband King Philippe at the skating rink of the Park Le Carignan project in Montreal on Friday. The Belgian Queen, 45, looked stylish in a sophisticated checked coat, which she tied in with a bold green hat and a camel shawl. Her husband Philippe, 57, put on an equally sharp display in a crisp white shirt and spotted tie, and wrapped up in a tailored coat. Mathilde and Phillipe are currently enjoying a six-day tour in Canada, the first state visit by a Belgian royal to the country in 40 years. Queen Mathilde did not disappoint as she joined husband King Philippe at the skating rink of the Park Le Carignan project in Montreal on Friday The blonde-haired royal completed her number with pear-shaped dangle earrings and wore a slash of pink lipstick. Beaming with pride, the couple engaged in conversation with the locals as they learnt about the projects. The couple also visited a project of the Montreal Canadiens Children's Foundation. The Belgian Queen, 45, looked stylish in a sophisticated checked coat, which she tied in with a bold green hat and a camel shawl The blonde-haired royal completed her number with pear-shaped dangle earrings and wore a slash of pink lipstick Her husband Philippe, 57, put on an equally sharp display in a crisp white shirt and spotted tie, and wrapped up in a tailored coat Beaming with pride, the couple engaged in conversation and games with the locals as they learnt about the projects Mathilde looked pensive as she looked at a red jersey, presented by a keen child The couple also visited a project of the Montreal Canadiens Children's Foundation This appearance comes after the busy pair attended a glitzy reception in Quebec on Thursday night. The Belgium native looked glamorous in a printed silk midi dress, which she teamed with a fur shawl. She finished off the elegant ensemble with grey suede boots and a pair of pearl earrings. Philippe meanwhile opted for a black tailored coat and a navy tie as the couple posed on the rooftop at the Mount Royal Chalet on Thursday night. The Belgian native looked glamorous as she joined husband King Philippe at a glitzy reception in Quebec on Thursday night Mathilde opted for a printed silk midi dress, which she teamed with a fur shawl The royals were attending a reception for the Belgian community living in Quebec, which was also attended by the Lieutenant Governor. The visit is designed to bolster cultural and trade ties between the two nations under the Canada-EU free trade agreement that came into force in September. However, earlier this week, Candian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau caused controversy after it was revealed that he was 'snubbing' the royal visit. The couple are currently enjoying a six-day tour in Canada, the first state visit by a Belgian royal to the country in 40 years Mathilde and Philippe were attending a reception for the Belgian community living in Quebec at the Mount Royal Chalet The royals had expressed their wishes to meet with the Prime Minister during their six-day stay, but the leader is busy touring aluminum and steel smelters this week. Canadian Governor General Julie Payette, who represents Canada's head of state, Queen Elizabeth II, welcomed the king and queen at her official residence on Monday. Mathilde and Philippe took part in a tree planting ceremony at Rideau Hall, before laying a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at the city's National War Memorial. Earlier this week, they were also treated to local delicacies including freshly made maple taffy from the local Sugar Shack. Wearing her hair up in an elegant up-do, Mathilde accessorised her look with pearl earrings Mathilde and Philippe posed on the rooftop at the Mount Royal Chalet before heading inside Hope Hicks appears to be moving on after a three-year run as President Trumps right-hand woman. The outgoing White House communications director looked as if she were leaving for good on Friday when she was spotted exiting the White House with her co-worker Sarah Huckabee Sanders and a few other ladies, who were all smiles as they made their way out of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. Hicks, 29, certainly seemed to be an equally spirited mood earlier in the day when she stepped out of her Washington, D.C. apartment in a $495 maroon blazer dress by Theory and a pastel blue blouse. Last day? Hope Hicks, 29, left the White House on Friday carrying a silver iPhone - not her black work phone - suggesting it may have been her last day on the job Switching cells: While she was using a silver iPhone on Friday afternoon, she had her black work phone in her hand when she left her apartment that morning Celebration? Hicks was all smiles as she left work with Sarah Huckabee Sanders She ditched her vintage Bally tote for a never-before-seen green suede handbag with embossed crocodile skin. And Hicks capped off the outfit with the one accessory she has not been seen without since President Trump took office: her black cell phone. That black cell phone was gone, however, on Friday evening, as she chatted away on a silver iPhone, suggesting she had turned over her government device. The departure would mean that Hicks, like any good employee, did in fact give her two weeks notice. Hicks resigned from her position on February 28, one day after the Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner's West Wing-ally and spokesperson Josh Raffel announced he was stepping down from his post as senior communications official. She appeared to be wearing her favorite dress for what may have been her last day on the job. Hicks wore the same dress in navy to testify in front of the House Intelligence Committee a few weeks ago, and she also sported a black version at the White House last month. Happy? Hicks had a small smile on her face as she walked out with her phone to her ear Friday night: Hicks' broke into an open-mouth grin when she caught up with her colleagues In good spirits: The women laughed and chatted as they headed off for the night She's off: Hicks resigned from her position on February 28, one day after she testified in front of the House Intelligence Committee Off to work: Hope stepped out of her Washington, D.C. apartment on Friday in a $495 maroon blazer dress by Theory Bright light: The 29-year-old paired the double-breasted dress with a blouse and and matching powder blue pumps Disco-inspired: Hicks gave a nod to the '70s by leaving the collar of her blouse open Hicks, who admitted to telling 'white lies' on behalf of President Donald Trump during the closed-door testimony, looked solemn as she left her Washington, D.C. apartment on Friday. Although she typical heads to work at 9:30 in the morning, Hope was out the door at 8 a.m. on Friday. The former model donned a light blue button-down shirt under the wine-colored dress, giving a nod to the '70s by leaving the collar of the blouse open. Hicks also seemed to be taking a cue from the disco decade with her flippy Farrah Fawcett-inspired 'do. While she typically wears her long, highlighted hair in loose curls, Hicks opted to do a '70s flip on Friday. The White House staffer topped off her look with smokey eye make-up and a flattering pink lip. Throwback: The outgoing White House communications director seemed to be taking a cue from the disco decade with her flippy Farrah Fawcett-inspired due Early bird: Hicks typically heads to work at 9:30 in the morning, but she left her apartment at 8 a.m. on Friday On the run: Hicks quickly hopped into a white SUV as she made her way to work Favorite frock? Hicks wore a navy, belted version of the Theory frock to testify in front of the House Intelligence Committee a few weeks ago (left) and a black version last month (right) Hicks failed to crack a smile as she walked out of building and made her way to a white SUV parked at the curb. However, despite her glum appearance, Hicks' outfit was far more colorful than it was the day before. On Thursday morning, she looked mournfully chic as she made her way from her D.C. apartment to a waiting Lyft in a fur-lined wool coat, belted turtleneck dress, and her favorite black suede pumps. Hicks kept the coat open, however, and her legs bare, despite the fact that the temperature was below freezing in the nation's capital. This funereal look was rolled out on the same day that Hicks boss President Trump made his return to the White House after a two-day trip spent in California and Missouri. Hicks did not seem all that sad, however, and she even cracked a smile at one point on her way to the car. Back in black: Hicks (above flashing a rare smile) went for an expensive and somber look on Thursday as she headed into work upon President Trump's return to the office Expensive taste: She wore a fur-lined wool coat with a belted black turtleneck dress and her favorite black suede pumps The cold never bothered her anyway: Hick bared her legs despite the fact that temperatures in the nation's capitol were sub-freezing on Thursday morning The secret in her eyes: It has been over two weeks since Hicks announced she would resign after testifying to the HIC that she tells white lies on her boss' behalf Hicks colorless ensemble was a bit of surprise considering the fact that the White House was welcoming the Prime Minister of Ireland on Thursday. This occasion even got President Trump to add a pop of color to his look, in the form of a green tie. He later got even greener when he stuffed his front pocket with a handful of shamrocks that were gifted to him by Prime Minister Leo Varadkar. President Trump spent Tuesday night in California after a fundraiser in Los Angeles and then stopped in Missouri Wednesday afternoon on his way back to the nation's capital. This was Hicks' third week at work after announcing she would be stepping down from her post in the Trump administration, making her one of the many who has exited the team over the past month. That mass exodus kicked off with the ousting of Hicks' boyfriend Rob Porter. Pursed: Hicks' was also seen carrying her go-to vintage black tote from Bally Road to nowhere: Hicks is now in her third week of work since declaring she was leaving the Trump administration Mix and match: Hicks opted for blazers as she headed into work on Tuesday (left) and Wednesday (right) Porter resigned from his post after DailyMail.com revealed that he had been accused of physically abusing his two ex-wives in early February, a claim that the administration tried to initially deny. That was on February 7, and since that time there have been five additional members of President Trump's administration who have left their posts, including Hicks. Economic adviser Gary Cohn was the next to go on March 6, and on March 12 President Trump's personal aide John McEntee was escorted out of the White House by security. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson was fired by President Trump on Tuesday, and then hours later was followed by Undersecretary of State Steve Goldstein. That second firing was a result of the first, with reports emerging that Goldstein was let go for contradicting the administration's version of events as it pertained to Tillerson's exit. It's the trendy aperitif that has come back into fashion after years of being unfashionable - and now fans of an Aperol Spritz can buy the main ingredient for less than half the price. Aldi has launched its own discount version of Aperol called Aperini at at 6.99 for a bottle, it's a lot cheaper than a 15 bottle of the classic Italian spirit. Drinkers have gone wild for the new 70cl beverage on social media, which is a vibrant orange colour just like its rival Aperol. Aperol has made a comeback in recent years after years of being deemed unfashionable. And now Aldi has launched a discount version that costs less than half the price called Aperini Aldi has launched its faux Aperol half a year after Lidl also released a discount version of the famous Italian aperitif. However Lidl's version is slightly pricier than Aldi's at 7.99 a bottle. Aperol is an Italian aperitif based on the flavours of bitter orange, rhubarb, vanilla and various herbs. It's often used in a refreshing Aperol Spritz which is made with Prosecco and a splash of soda, and often garnished with an orange slice. Aldi recommends serving Aperini with its Prosecco in a glass with fresh fruit and mint Most drinkers were desperate to get their hands on the budget version but one Italian food writer was not impressed by the budget upstart Last year in Britain, sales of the refreshing beverage soared and it was hailed the drink of the summer. Julie Ashfield, managing director of corporate buying at Aldi says: 'Not only is our Aperini Italian Aperitif perfectly on-trend, it's also in keeping with our commitment to providing our customers with products of incredible quality and at the best possible price. 'With customers planning Easter weekend get-togethers, we were keen to extend our spirits offering by introducing a perfect alternative for creating the popular spritz drink. It's equally delicious served over ice with a fresh fruit garnish and a sprig of mint.' Aperini is available in Aldi stores across the UK from March 20. Obese people have been warned exercise does not make up for being overweight If youre clinging to the hope that hitting the gym or the odd run makes up for being overweight, its time to think again. Because theres no such thing as being fat and fit, a major study has found. Even if you exercise, researchers say it is impossible to be overweight or obese without increasing the risk of heart disease. The University of Glasgow assessed the BMI and body fat of 300,000 middle-aged Britons in relation to cardiovascular disease (CVD). In every measurement, they found the risk of illnesses such as heart attack and stroke increased the fatter a person was. The findings go against previous studies that suggest carrying too much weight is not necessarily a sign of ill health. Last year, Dutch researchers claimed people were able to wipe out the dangers of obesity if they were active for at least four hours a day. But Dr Stamatina Iliodromiti, clinical lecturer in obstetrics and gynaecology at Glasgow University, dismissed such studies as being too focused on BMI alone. When it came to BMI, her study found a 13 per cent greater CVD risk for every 5.2 points higher it was for women and 4.3 for men. Heart attack and stroke danger also increased in line with waistline. Starting from size 12 (29in waist), a womans CVD risk soared 16 per cent for every two dress sizes up. And men saw the danger jump 10 per cent for every 4.5in they piled on their waistlines above the 32in mark. Other measures of obesity, including waist-to-hip and waist-to-height ratios and body fat mass, showed similar patterns. The UK is the fattest nation in western Europe, with two-thirds of adults classed as overweight. Dr Iliodromiti suggested the research, published in the European Heart Journal, should put an end to the fat but fit debate. She said: This is the largest study that provides evidence against the obesity paradox in healthy people. The message is that if youre obese or overweight, losing some definitely lowers the risk of heart disease and stroke. Professor Sir Nilesh Samani, medical director at the British Heart Foundation, which part-funded the study, agreed saying the findings proved there was no such thing as healthy obesity. Assaults soared in American cities during Donald Trump's election rallies, new research reveals. Cities experienced 2.3 more assaults than average on days when hosting presidential campaign rallies for Donald Trump during the lead-up to the 2016 US Presidential Election, according to the first study of its kind. Rallies in support of Trump's Democrat rival, Hillary Clinton, however, were not linked to any increase in assaults, according to the findings. The research, conducted by the University of Pennsylvania, follows media reports of violence during the time, and the authors suggest that aggressive political rhetoric may play a role in inciting physical conflict. Trump's aggressive rhetoric may have incited spikes in assaults in cities where he hosted campaign rallies in 2016, new research suggests During the 2016 campaign season, Donald Trump held 137 rallies in cities throughout the US. The then-candidates supporters thronged to the events - some estimates suggest that as many as 20,000 people attended at least one rally - where they could expect Trump to stir fervor with fiery rhetoric. Social scientists and epidemiologists have long observed that large gatherings can act like a pressure cooker for violence. Often, close contact, excitability and alcohol brew up aggression, and spread like a so-called 'social contagion. But many observed that Trump rallies ratcheted the already-volatile crowd settings up a notch during his 2016 campaign. Lead author Dr Christopher Morrison, a fellow at the University of Pennsylvania, said: 'News media sources reported there were violent incidents at some campaign rallies, but it was difficult to gauge whether there really was a systematic problem, and if so, how many additional assaults were associated with each rally. 'To prevent similar violence in the future, it is important to understand the underlying causes of this behavior, perhaps including the role that political rhetoric might play in normalizing or promoting violence.' To try to pin that number down more exactly, the study authors narrowed their focus to cities of greater than 200,000 people, the team performed a systematic Google search and found publicly available data for 31 rallies in 22 cities for Trump and 38 rallies in 21 cities for Clinton. Using assault figures from police departments in those cities, including aggravated assaults, simple assaults, and/or battery, the researchers counted assaults on the day of each rally. For comparison, they also counted assaults on corresponding days of the week for four weeks before and four weeks after each rally. Rallies in the study were defined as open invitation events that occurred after Trump and Clinton declared their candidacies in spring 2015 and before the US Presidential Election on November 8, 2016, featured a speech by Trump or Clinton, and were not on the same day as a party primary election in the same state as the rally. When Clinton hosted a rally, there were no unusual spikes in assaults. But on days when Trump came to town, a US city would see 1.12 times as many assaults, compared to the average of about 19.4 daily assaults. Trump's campaign rallies were notorious for whipping up fervor with phrases like his threat to 'knock the crap out of' hecklers who might protest his events Though this study is the first to aggregate and analyze general assault and battery reporting in rally cities, it is hardly the first to find an upward trend in violence during and following the campaign. In January, a Columbia University study revealed a 20 percent spike in violent deaths among transgender people between 2016 and 2017. More than 70 percent of the study's subjects also reported feeling more anxious and less safe since the 2016 election. During the campaign, Trump promised to 'fight' for LGBTQ rights, but critics have questioned whether his policies have accomplished that goal. Violent language may have affected the mood and behavior of rally attendees, as well as those exposed to the rally through news reports and social media Dr Douglas Wiebe, senior study author and U Penn professor of epidemiology But words like 'fight' were common in his campaign rhetoric, as the University of Pennsylvania study authors point out. During a Cedar Rapids, Iowa rally, Trump said he would 'knock the crap out of' anyone who came out to protest against the event, they note. This sort of language figures into the researchers' two theories to explain their findings. Firstly, all additional assaults could have occurred in and around the venues of candidate Trump's rallies where people invested in the process gathered. This explanation is consistent with news media reports that violence occurred at these specific locations. Secondly, additional assaults that took place might have occurred elsewhere in the rally cities. The researchers said that studies informed by theories of 'social contagion' find evidence that emotional states can be transmitted through news reports and social media, which could have led to more assaults occurring away from the rally sites. They noted that Trump rallies were widely broadcast and discussed through news reports and social media, increasing the possible spread of a violent social contagion. Study senior author Dr Douglas Wiebe, an associate professor in epidemiology at Penn, added: 'This research provides evidence that this increase in assaults is associated with candidate Trump's rallies leading up to the election. 'Violent language may have affected the mood and behavior of rally attendees, as well as those exposed to the rally through news reports and social media,' Dr Wiebe said. Women who work out throughout their pregnancy are more likely to have a smoother and shorter childbirth, new research suggests. Regular pelvic floor exercises, jogging and weight training shaves around 50 minutes off labor, according to the Spanish study. Researchers monitored 508 women from their first trimester - half of whom were assigned to three one-hour workouts a week, while the others had antenatal counseling. By the time the women gave birth, they found a clear correlation between length of labor and regular exercise. Experts say it is likely down to the fact that physically fit women have stronger muscles to help them push their way through childbirth. Researchers at the Technical University of Madrid say work outs seem to give women stronger muscles to help them push their way through childbirth. They hope the findings will encourage women not to fear exercise during pregnancy, as Charlotte did on Sex And The City (pictured) They said they hope these findings encourage pregnant women to get moving, since the idea that fitness could be dangerous was rejected by scientists long ago, and we now know exercise is key to preventing life-threatening complications during labor. 'We're no longer promoting the idea of resting and putting your feet up,' Kara Whitaker, an exercise scientist at the University of Iowa, told the New Scientist. 'Labor and delivery is a very physically taxing event,' she said. 'If you are physically stronger, you may have more muscle for the pushing stage.' In the study, conducted by Ruben Barakat at the Technical University of Madrid, more than half the women gave birth naturally. Of those, there was a huge disparity in the average labor time between those who had regularly exercised and those who hadn't. The exercise group had an average labor of seven hours and 30 minutes. Those in the counseling group - who learned about exercise benefits but didn't do the same workout regime - had an average labor of eight-and-a-half hours. According to Professor Barakat, 'these results confirm the huge potential of physical exercise as an exceptional preventive element of anomalies and diseases that can establish the health of future populations in the case of pregnancy processes.' The team is now in the initial stages of more trials, this time in Argentina and Canada, to assess how exercise affects the placenta. Aside from providing a morsel of relief to pregnant women, the findings could also have broader implications for childbirth and maternal mortality trends, particularly in the US. America has the highest rate of maternal mortality in the developed world. While that used to be the result of complications in the operating room, most deaths today are caused by underlying heart conditions that affect the mother's blood and placenta. Obstetricians say a major push to encourage exercise during pregnancy - and before pregnancy - could be a game changer for curbing the staggering death rates. Airbus chief executive Tom Enders made his views known at the outset of Melrose's hostile 8billion bid for GKN. He didn't much like the cut of Melrose's financially driven jib. Now, Airbus has formalised its position, arguing the aerospace industry requires 'a commitment to long-term investment and strategic vision'. Chief operating officer Tom Williams notes that the industry does not lend itself to short-term investment. The Airbus intervention is hugely significant. GKN in Bristol is a vital supplier of kit for the Airbus wing plants at Broughton in North Wales, employing 10,000 people. Concerns: Airbus boss Tom Enders made it clear at the outset that he did not welcome Melrose's hostile 8bn bid for GKN If GKN were to vanish as a supplier, France, Spain and Germany would see it as an opening to switch wing production to the Continent. That means the decision of asset manager Aviva to vote its GKN shares in favour of Melrose could risk the livelihoods of thousands of skilled workers in Britain. It cannot possibly be in the best interests of the UK savers Aviva represents who would be horrified by sabotage of the aerospace industry. If Airbus is so disquieted about Melrose, it is hard to believe the US defence contractors working on Pentagon contracts, such as the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning jet, are jumping for joy at the prospect of dealing with financial engineers interested in giving margins a wash and brush-up. There is disquiet about the speed with which GKN sold its automotive arm to American white knight Dana. But it rightly recognises that it needed Anne Stevens and another GKN executive on Dana's board and has agreed to a London share quote. It is not just Airbus which fears rapacious Melrose management. The world's largest car maker Toyota privately says there are fears over Melrose's ownership of a major supplier. There are good industrial reasons for keeping Melrose at bay and depriving its leading lights of another 285million payday. The sooner Melrose pulls back and lets GKN get on with making things, the better. Dutch comfort The fuss surrounding Unilever's retreat from London to Rotterdam is overdone. It may have escaped the notice of Brexit critics, but the reality is that 55 per cent of Unilever shares are held by Dutch institutions. Simplifying a duplicated structure that has been around since the 1929 merger of Lever Brothers with Holland's Margarine Unie was a pledge made a year ago when chief executive Paul Polman fought off unwanted attentions from Kraft Heinz. Being in the Netherlands does, culturally, offer more protection against unwanted bids than in the UK. There is a tradition of consensus under which the consent of all affected parties, workers, suppliers and the body politic is taken into account before bids and deals can be done. In Britain it is a rush to the finish line with cutting-edge firms including Arm Holdings and Worldcom surrendering independence before anyone has woken up to the foolishness of selling our intellectual property. If Unilever had decided to stay in London we would be hailing it as a victory for Brexit. The reality is that nothing much will change in Britain. The headquarters in London will become home to two divisions beauty and personal care, and home care representing 60 per cent of turnover. UK investment spend will be 1billion a year with Theresa May joining Polman at the opening of a new research centre on the Wirral. We are assured the one-for-one swap of UK shares for euro-denominated stock raises no tax issues for private shareholders, as was the case when the two Shell companies came together in 2005. The question for UK professional investors is whether Unilever can remain part of the FTSE 100 index. Certainly, Shell is still part of it and, with 45 per cent of Unilever stock held by UK-based investors, there should be no bar. The London Stock Exchange and regulators who are bending over backwards to bring Aramco to the City would be bonkers to allow Unilever to fall by the wayside. Water boarding Labour's water nationalisation threat is having an amazing impact on the utilities. Anglian Water is retreating from the Cayman Islands, cancelling an inter-company loan, putting a majority of independent directors on the board and cutting the dividend to help pay for investment. Who needs regulator Ofwat when we have Jeremy Corbyn? Pottery firm Portmeirion has posted a record profit as Americans kept snapping up fine dining tableware. The Stoke-on-Trent company grew sales for the ninth year in a row to 84.8million, a 10.6 per cent jump on a year earlier. Strong sales in the UK and US glazed over disappointing results in South Korea, where revenue plunged 32 per cent to 6.6million. Portmeirion grew sales for the ninth year in a row to 84.8m, a 10.6 per cent jump on a year earlier Portmeirion said a shift to casual dining there had hit sales, but a growing presence in other Asian countries like Taiwan and Hong Kong had offset losses. It is reviewing the types of products it sells in South Korea to be more attractive to consumers. Portmeirion sells more than two-thirds of its plates, bowls, mugs and other tableware overseas, with the US and South Korea being two of its biggest customers. Profits at the AIM-listed company jumped by 13 per cent to 8.8million. Portmeirion has integrated its home fragrance business Wax Lyrical with its other homeware ranges, boosting sales. It bought Wax Lyrical for 17.5million in 2016 and has started selling candles and diffusers alongside its pottery. Talks: Former Tory treasurer Michael Spencer set up Nex Group more than 30 years ago City veteran Michael Spencer is in talks to sell the business he set up more than 30 years ago in a deal that would net him hundreds of millions of pounds. The 62-year-old, a former treasurer of the Conservative Party, still owns a 17.6 per cent slice of financial technology firm Nex Group. The London-based company was worth 2.5billion when the stock market closed last night, valuing Spencer's stake at 448.5million. But shares could now soar pushing up the value of the company and Spencer's holding after Nex last night said it was approached by US trading giant CME Group about a takeover. 'Discussions are at an early stage and there can be no certainty that an offer for Nex will be made, nor as to the terms of any offer, if made,' Nex said after the stock market closed. Analysts said interest from CME, which owns the Chicago Mercantile Exchange and other large markets, could trigger a bidding war for Nex. Possible rivals are thought to include the London Stock Exchange, Deutsche Boerse and New York Stock Exchange owner Intercontinental Exchange (ICE). THE 800M PIONEER Michael Spencer made 30,000 from trading while still at Oxford University He was fired from his first two jobs for trading errors, set up on his own in 1986, and is now worth 800million Spencer is known for throwing lavish parties flying 150 friends to 1,000-a-night hotels in Morocco for his 60th birthday The father of three invented a charity day where celebrities man the phones, which has raised 140million since 1993 The former Tory treasurer reportedly had his peerage blocked after his firm was fined 55million for rigging Libor rates. He was not implicated He is married to second wife Sarah, ex-wife of the Marquess of Milford Haven Arnaud Giblat, an analyst at Exane BNP Paribas, said they were all 'credible and high likely interested acquirers' of Nex. He said: 'Nex has stated in the past that it would try to go it alone to grow its business. 'However, we believe selling at a high premium could make sense.' He added a takeover of Nex could see ICE bid for the LSE. Spencer has previously warned a hostile takeover of Nex would be 'very difficult' because of his holding, meaning any bidder would have to pay enough to get him on-side. The sale of Nex at a large premium to last night's closing share price of 670.5p would trigger an even bigger windfall for Spencer than the current value of his shares. The company dates back to 1986 when Spencer founded a broking firm that became known as ICAP. He sold ICAP's voice-broking business to rival Tullett Prebon in 2016 and has since sold his share of that business for 400million. ICAP's electronic trading business was split into a separate firm called Nex, where Spencer is still the boss. CME boss Terry Duffy has turned his firm into a trading powerhouse. It has done deals with the Chicago Board of Trade and New York Mercantile Exchange. BANK PROFIT Self-proclaimed ethical bank Triodos made a 33.1million profit in 2017, a rise of 28 per cent. The Dutch firm's UK arm lent a record 181million to customers last year. STRESS FEARS Investment bankers worry that their stressful jobs are harming their health, says a survey by the Banking Standards Board, with 25 per cent concerned about their wellbeing. And 27 per cent are too afraid of the consequences to speak out about bad behaviour at work. ROW CASUALTY The deputy head of French bank Societe Generale, Didier Valet, has quit after a row over how to handle a probe into claims it rigged the Libor rate. UPDATES CALL More than 7.5m finance contracts will need updating in the next 12 months because of Brexit, says global legal services provider Axiom. Many UK firms are setting up subsidiaries on the Continent to avoid disruption. OFFICES SURGE Demand for London offices is up 76 per cent on a year earlier, according to figures. Research by property company CBRE shows that there was 3.7m sq ft of space under offer in the capital last month. INVESTMENT BOOST Profits at the Anglo-South African savings firm Old Mutual rose by 22 per cent to 2billion last year. The result was powered by strong growth in its UK investment business, which is being renamed Quilter. FLOAT PLAN Online marketing firm Performatrix plans to float on the junior AIM stock market, valued at around 231.7million. It wants to raise around 163million to develop the firm. BUILDING BONANZA Construction firm Kier has announced a 5 per cent rise in profit for the six months ending December 2014 to 60million, on revenues of 2.1billion. FILMING STRUGGLE Fierce competition from online video streaming services such as Netflix and Amazon Prime is inflating the cost of hiring actors and writers, top Hollywood producer Jason Blum, the man behind films such as Get Out and Whiplash, has said. NEWS STREAM Video streaming giant Netflix could start its own TV news programme to challenge established networks, with a source telling Marketwatch it is mulling 'a current affairs show encompassing both sides of the political divide'. Netflix declined to comment. One of Britain's biggest ports has been rocked by allegations of bullying and inappropriate behaviour by its boss. The Dover Harbour Board, which has run the Port of Dover since 1606, has been sent a dossier of staff complaints about Tim Waggott. According to Sky News, the allegations include the use of abusive language aimed at staff and members of the public. The 51-year-old, who was appointed chief executive in 2013, has also been accused of making inappropriate physical and verbal gestures towards a number of female staff. Storm: The Dover Harbour Board, which has run the Port of Dover since 1606, has been sent a dossier of complaints about boss Tim Waggott by members of staff The claims have plunged Waggott's future into doubt at a crucial time for the Port of Dover ahead of Brexit. The town is Europe's busiest ferry port and handles 119billion of goods every year, 17 per cent of the goods traded by the UK. Ministers are pushing for a deal that will enable trade to be as frictionless as possible when the UK leaves the European Union. Brexit secretary David Davis yesterday said he was confident an agreement on a transition phase with the EU post-Brexit can be reached within days. He said the UK would accept a shorter transition period than initially suggested, saying he could 'live with' the arrangement ending in December 2020 rather than March 2021 if it helped secure 'the close relationship we are seeking'. This week Waggott said: 'As the UK's key maritime gateway to Europe, our largest trading partner, we remain convinced free-flowing trade and supply chains are imperative to the well-being of the many people whose jobs and livelihoods they support.' The comments came as a report by Imperial College London warned that longer vehicle checks at the UK border post-Brexit would lead to huge queues on British motorways. Waggott, who sits on the board of water regulator Ofwat and on the south east regional council of the CBI business lobby group, is still in his role at the port. 'Tim Waggott remains in post as chief executive,' a source said. But Richard Everitt, the chairman of the Dover Harbour Board, which reports to the Department for Transport, is weighing up how to deal with the allegations. The dossier was compiled by Dakota Blue, a human resources consultancy in Kent that specialises in how firms treat their staff. A Port of Dover spokesman said: 'Dover Harbour Board acknowledges that following a detailed and independently managed staff engagement survey a number of issues came to light. 'These are being worked through and so it would be inappropriate to provide further comment at this stage.' Dakota Blue Consulting founder Jackie Brooker said: 'We specialise in services to companies looking to improve engagement and relations between employees and executives to ensure best business practice and enhanced efficiency. 'Our work is confidential and we cannot confirm or deny our instruction on behalf of any particular client or the detail or outcomes of any of our work.' She added: 'We are therefore unable to provide any further comment at this time.' A spokesman for the Department for Transport said: 'This is an internal matter for Dover Harbour Board.' Plans to privatise the Harbour Board were blocked by ministers in 2012. Australia's wealthiest retirees are claiming up to $2.5 million from taxpayers every year as younger people are slugged with high income taxes. Baby Boomer millionaires in Australia who live off their self-managed super funds and don't even pay tax are getting generous tax credits from their share dividends. Taxpayers are forking out $5 billion a year to give cash refunds to these cashed-up investors, who own shares in corporations that have already paid company tax. They include the nation's 10 wealthiest self-funded retirees, who are claiming an average of $2.5 million a year from taxpayers despite having investments worth at least $100 million. The wealthiest retirees are claiming up to $2.5 million from taxpayers every year as younger people are slugged with high income taxes and welfare recipients are punished (stock image) Baby Boomer millionaires who live off their superannuation and don't even pay tax are getting generous tax credits from their share dividends (stock image) The Australia Institute think tank's senior research fellow David Richardson said it was unfair to give tax credits to wealthy, Baby Boomer retirees as younger, average-income workers paid income tax on a third of their salary. 'It's one of those things that goes to the integrity of our system,' he told Daily Mail Australia on Friday. 'If you work for a living, every cent you earn is taxed at a fairly high rate whereas if you earn the same income through passively receiving dividends, then you get the franking credit.' The Australian government gives $5 billion a year back to retirees who don't pay tax, as it spends $10 billion on Newstart benefits for the sick and the unemployed. 'There's a bit of a feeling in Australia that if you rip off the tax office, that's fair game,' Mr Richardson said. 'But those people are increasing the burden on the rest of us.' Australia Institute senior research fellow David Richardson said it was unfair to give tax credits to wealthy retirees as average-income workers paid income tax on a third of their salary Opposition Leader Bill Shorten (right) and shadow treasurer Chris Bowen (left) promised a Labor government would scrap generous tax credits for retirees who didn't pay tax Opposition Leader Bill Shorten and shadow treasurer Chris Bowen this week announced that a Labor government would scrap generous tax credits, also known as franking credits, for retirees who didn't pay tax, saving the budget $5 billion a year. Labor wants to undo this generous tax credits system, which John Howard's Coalition government introduced in 2001. It sees most self-funded retirees receive several thousand dollars a year in tax credits and undoing this system could spark an electoral backlash against Labor from older voters. This policy would affect more than 230,000 part-pensioners who earn less than $18,200 a year, which means that don't pay income tax as they live off their superannuation. The Opposition claimed this system was allowing elderly millionaires who didn't pay income tax to receive up to $2.5 million a year in tax credits from their share dividends. It cited Australian Taxation Office data showing that kind of average cash refund going to the nation's top 10 self-managed super funds, which had assets of more than $100 million. Mr Richardson said Australia was the only country in the world that allowed people who didn't pay tax to 'cash out any excess credits'. John Howard as prime minister and his treasurer Peter Costello created a system which benefited wealthy retirees who didn't pay income tax The Australia Institute's David Richardson said tax credits for wealthy retirees who don't pay tax is an unfair system Treasurer Scott Morrison argued Labor's plan would hurt share-owning pensioners who didn't pay income tax, a claim Mr Richardson said was 'really exaggerating'. However, Labor would maintain the original dividend imputations system it introduced when Bob Hawke was prime minister in 1987, whereby dividends paid to shareholders can be 'credited' against the income tax they paid. It was designed so shareholders would not be double-taxed, considering corporations had already paid company tax. Canada, Chile, Mexico and New Zealand are the only wealthy nations with this kind of imputations system. The Australia Institute goes further than Labor, and wants to scrap the dividend imputations system altogether, considering company tax rates have fallen from 49 per cent in 1987 to 30 per cent since 2001. James Bulger's mother says Parliament has 'finally listened' after agreeing to debate her son's murder and why his killer Jon Venables has been free to commit more offences. Denise Fergus has welcomed the decision to discuss a 211,000-strong petition about the horrific case and is still calling for a public inquiry. Ms Fergus is demanding answers to 'mysteries' surrounding the 1993 murder and killer Jon Venables' time in the prison system including decisions about his parole. Venables and Robert Thompson were both 10 when they kidnapped, tortured and murdered two-year-old James in Liverpool 25 years ago. Last month, Venables - who lives under a new identity - was convicted of possessing indecent images of children for a second time and jailed for three years and four months. James Bulger's mother Denise says she hopes she can get 'some justice' for her son after a campaign forced a debate in Parliament Fergus believes there is 'mystery' surrounding the case and wants information about her son's killers Jon Venables (pictured) and Robert Thompson to be made public Mrs Fergus said: 'I am so happy that something positive is happening finally, on the eve of what would have been my James's 28th birthday tomorrow. Robert Thompson has not reoffended since and is believed to have settled down with a long-term partner 'The Petition Committee have finally listened to the overwhelming support from the public.' She added: 'I cannot thank all who have supported me through what has been a very frustrating and emotional fight and hope that now I will finally get justice for James.' In its initial response to the petition, the Government said: 'The offender was convicted of further offences as a direct result of robust and effective monitoring. 'Therefore the Government considers that a public inquiry into this tragic case is not necessary.' But a statement released by the Petitions Committee on Thursday said there would be a debate on the petition. It said: 'We don't know yet when the debate will happen, because there's an active legal case that's relevant to the petition. 'Parliament avoids talking about cases that are active in the UK courts because that could interfere with the legal process.' Denise Fergus believes there is 'mystery' surrounding the case and wants information about her son's killers Jon Venables and Robert Thompson to be made public. Two-year-old James Bulger is snatched during a shopping trip to the Strand shopping centre, in Bootle, Merseyside in 1993 After serving eight years in youth prisons, Venables and Robert Thompson were both released and given new identities without ever serving in an adult jail. Thompson has not reoffended since and is believed to have settled down with a long-term partner. But Jon Venables has received almost 260,000 in legal aid to fund a number of court cases after his original conviction and has been repeatedly sent back to prison over child porn. He was also given 259,585 for judicial reviews, bids for new identities and an appeal against his sentence, a Freedom of Information request revealed. Even though their son's killer has received thousands in taxpayer funds, the family of James Bulger have not received any legal aid. Figures released by the Department of Justice revealed Venables was given almost 180,000 to appeal against his 15-year sentence, according to the Daily Mirror. His applications for new identities reportedly cost the taxpayer 250,000, while two judicial reviews came to more than 22,000, the Mirror reported. Venables served eight years for the kidnap, torture and murder, along with Robert Thompson, of two-year-old James in 1993, when they were just ten years old. Earlier this year Ralph Bulger, 51, James' father, launched a legal challenge to Venables' lifelong anonymity after his son's killer was jailed after admitting charges of making indecent images of children and having a 'sickening paedophile's manual'. The Old Bailey in London heard that he continues to pose a 'lifelong risk' and presents a 'high risk of serious harm to children'. Venables was jailed for 40 months in February for hoarding child abuse images. The 35-year-old could be freed in just 20 months even though the court heard he had downloaded 1,170 images and videos of youngsters being sexually abused while supposedly under the supervision of probation and police. It was the second time he had been caught downloading child pornography following his release from jail in 2001 In 2010 Venables pleaded guilty to downloading and distributing child pornography and was jailed for two years. For the past four years Venables has been living anonymously in a flat living a 'relatively normal life', with only local police and his probation workers knowing of his whereabouts and new identity. It later emerged that he breached his licence conditions in 2015 by going online just weeks before a Sexual Harm Prevention Order preventing him from accessing the internet expired. But secretly he was only handed a police caution rather than being taken to court. Then in July 2017, Venables started trawling the dark web for 'repulsive' images and videos depicting babies and young boys being brutally abused. On a day he was being assessed by probation, he downloaded 1,170 images on a laptop hidden behind the headboard in his bedroom, including a paedophile manual providing 'graphic details' of how children can be 'trained' to 'endure increasingly extreme forms of sexual abuse'. After he was caught last November, Venables said: 'This is my own fault. I have let people down again. I have had stupid urges.' A Massachusetts man who police say worked with a breeder accused in the deaths of four puppies pleaded guilty to animal cruelty on Wednesday. The Salem News reports that Jason Gentry, 37, entered the plea and agreed to testify against his co-defendant, New York dog breeder Dominic Donovan, 53. Donovan is accused of hanging two puppies by their collars and giving Valium to a dog that later died. Gentry had been operating a business called Alpha Canine Performance Center back in 2014, when Donovan arranged to have Gentry train the pups. Jason Gentry, 37, is arraigned at Chelsea District Court on animal cruelty charges on July 28, 2015 in Chelsea, Massachusetts Gentry, of Swampscott, pleaded not guilty to several charges of animal cruelty and the malicious killing of an animal. (puppy shown above bleeding out) Investigators say the abused puppies and dog were found 'living in squalid condition' at the kennel Dominick Donovan, 53, is the breeder accused of hanging two puppies and giving Valium to a dog that died Police say Gentry was training dogs for Donovan at an unlicensed kennel in Lynn. Investigators say the breeder cropped the ears off of several puppies without anesthesia, leading to the death of one. Puppies and dog were found 'living in squalid conditions,' according to The Salem News. Gentry has been charged in the deaths of the four dogs the breeder allegedly killed and for the mistreatment of several others. Gentry is currently awaiting sentencing scheduled for April 18. Donovan has pleaded not guilty and is awaiting trial. Advertisement Thousands took to the streets of Brazil's largest cities on Thursday night to protest the execution-style murder of a popular Rio de Janeiro city councilwoman. Marielle Franco, 38, a rising star in the Socialism and Liberty Party (PSOL), was shot dead in her car on Rio's north side, by two unidentified assailants around 9.30pm on Wednesday night. Tributes have been flooding in on social media with celebrities like supermodel Naomi Campbell honouring Ms Franco's life and work. Ms Franco had been tirelessly campaigning for LGBT, women's and human rights in the city, and had been particularly vocal in her criticism of alleged police killings of poor residents. Investigators, prosecutors and even drug gang leaders in Rio de Janeiro has called the murder of Ms Franco - the only black woman on Rio city council - a political assassination. Tribute: Thousands took to the streets on Thursday night to protest the assassination of Brazilian councilwoman and activist Marielle Franco in front of Rio's Municipal Chamber, downtown Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Inspiration: The 38-year-old had been tirelessly campaigning for human rights and women's causes, and been particularly vocal in her criticism of police brutality in the favelas Rest in peace: Friends and relatives grieve at the coffin during Ms Francos funeral on Thursday Her driver, Anderson Gomes, was also killed, while her press secretary, who was sat in the back seat, suffered minor injuries but was not shot. Just weeks ago, the federal government decreed that Brazil's army would take over all security operations through the end of the year in Rio, where murders have risen sharply. Franco, part of a commission to oversee the military intervention, harshly criticized the move on Sunday, saying it could worsen police violence against residents. 'It is far too soon to say, but we are obviously looking at this as a murder in response to her political work, that is a main theory,' said a Rio de Janeiro public prosecutor, who spoke on condition that he not be named as he was not authorized to discuss the case. Rivaldo Barbosa, head of Rio's Civil Police, told reporters, 'One of the possibilities in analysis is, yes, an execution.' He did not speculate on who may have been responsible. Protest: Demonstrators hold a banner reading 'Marielle lives' during the rally in Rio de Janeiro on Thursday night United: Young activists lead the way during the march demanding justice for Ms Franco and Mr Gomes An aerial view from the demonstration in downtown Rio de Janeiro show the huge crowds gathered to protest In honour: Protesters carry banners with the names of Marielle Franco and her driver Anderson Gomes during a protest against their murders in Rio Campaign: People call for an end to military intervention and police violence in Rio de Janeiro during the protest An investigator with the city's police force went further, saying the prime motive appeared to be Franco's calling out police for allegedly killing innocents in their constant battles with drug gangs. Political violence is common in Brazil - but typically in smaller or more impoverished cities. In the months before the 2016 city council elections in Baixada Fluminense, a hardscrabble region the size of Denmark that surrounds Rio, at least 13 politicians or candidates were murdered before ballots were cast. As night fell on Thursday, crowds gathered in Rio, Sao Paulo and several other cities, with protesters holding aloft banners calling for justice and an end to Brazil's endemic violence. 'The path of her own fight is what gives us the strength to carry on,' said Danielle Ramos, 26, who was attending a rally in Rio de Janeiro in front of the city council building, along with thousands of others. 'The best way to honor Marielle is to dedicate every second of our days to the fight that she was a part of,' said Ramos, part of the Olga Benario Womens' Movement, which battles against violence. Franco, who was raised in the Mare complex of slums, long one of Rio's more dangerous areas, received over 46,500 votes in the 2016 election. That total was bested by only four of 51 council members. On Sunday on her Facebook page, Franco decried what she alleged to be the police killing of two boys during a police raid in an area called Acari. 'We must scream out so that all know what is happening in Acari right now. Rio's police are terrorizing and violating those who live in Acari,' Franco wrote. Tribute: Supermodel Naomi Campbell was one of many who took to sopcial media to honour Marielle Franco after her death Two mourner's hug during Ms Franco's funeral outside Rio de Janeiro's Municipal Chamber in Brazil on Thursday Cross-country anger: An elderly man lights a candle during a rally against the murder of Ms Franco, in Sao Paulo, Brazil Investigation: Police officers work on a crime scene as they stand next to the car where Ms Franco and her driver were shot dead by two unidentified attackers in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil 'This week two youth were killed and tossed into a ditch. Today, the police were in the street threatening those who live there. This has been going on forever and will only be worse with a military intervention.' Calls to the police unit assigned to the Acari area were not returned. In a Sunday statement to the O Dia newspaper, police said they carried out an operation in the area, were fired upon by drug traffickers and returned fire, but had no knowledge of any deaths. Mare's roughly 130,000 residents must contend with the presence of Rio's two most powerful gangs, the Red Command and the Pure Third Command. There are also militias often made up of off-duty or retired police and firefighters who are as feared as the gangs. High-level members of both the Red Command and the Pure Third Command told Reuters their gangs had nothing to do with the killings. It was impossible to reach any militia members. Raul Jungmann, who heads the federal government's newly created Public Security Ministry, said at an event in Sao Paulo that Franco's killing was 'another lamentable, daily tragedy that takes place in Rio de Janeiro.' 'We must understand extremely well the reasons behind this and go after those responsible,' he said. 'But this does not put at risk the federal intervention.' Jungmann said federal investigators would be involved in the investigation and that he had put Brazil's federal police at the disposal of local investigators. Hundreds of mourners gathered outside Rio's city council building, where Franco's body briefly lay in state, while vigils and protests were planned in at least six other cities in Brazil. About 150 members of the PSOL party on Thursday entered Brazil's federal Congress carrying flowers and signs demanding justice. The United Nations office in Brazil and Amnesty International demanded a quick, transparent investigation into Franco's killing. A pair of strangers were caught joining the Mile High Club on a packed Virgin Atlantic flight when an air stewardess caught them mid-sex act. The passengers - both said to be in their 20s - did not know each other before boarding the Boeing 747 at Gatwick on a trip to Mexico. But they swiftly struck up a close bond and stunned passengers described seeing the drunken woman, thought to be from Chelmsford, Essex, chatting up the mystery man moments after boarding, reports the Sun. The shocking incident happened on a Virgin Atlantic flight (file photo). The woman was later marched off by police They darted off to the on-board bathroom before a suspicious flight attendant opened the door - and saw the woman sitting on the toilet while the man was stood with his trousers down. Crew were soon banging on the door to demand they come out and as the man returned to his seat, an air stewardess said: 'Would you jeopardise your holiday for a b*** job?' The incident at 30,000ft was caught on camera on Tuesday. As the man emerges from the bathroom, he tried to argue the woman had fallen ill. But a shocked crew member pointed out that the pair were not even flying together. As the amorous pair were led back to their separate seats, passengers clapped and jeered. The randy couple were flying to Cancun, Mexico. An air stewardess asked them: 'Would you jeopardise your holiday for a b*** job?' (file photo) One laughing holidaymaker is heard shouting: 'She is an absolute weapon bruv. There she is. Wahey!' And things went from bad to worse for the woman, who then brawled with a female friend and was accused of hurling drinks around the cabin. Her blonde friend hit her and said: 'Don't you f***ing ever Do you understand me?' The stunned pilot called ahead to alert police and they were waiting for the flight when it touched down in Cancun. Officers boarded the flight and escorted the woman off with her bags. The pilot radioed ahead for cops to meet the flight when it landed in Mexico. Officers boarded and marched the Mile High Club woman off with her bags. A teenage gang member cried as he was told he would be remanded in custody for a month over charges relating to car theft, burglary and hiding ice inside his anus. The 15-year-old was arrested Wednesday after stealing an Alfa Romeo and abandoning it on Brisbane's busy Bruce Highway, Seven News reported. There were four warrants out for the 'Northside' gang member's arrest for car theft and burglaries, and he was on bail at the time of his arrest. A 15-year-old (pictured with stolen car) was arrested Wednesday after stealing an Alfa Romeo and abandoning it on Brisbane's busy Bruce Highway The teen, who described himself on Facebook as a 'full-time-crim', faced about 20 charges in court Thursday and became emotional when told he would be remanded until April 13. Police revealed after stealing the vehicle in a home burglary in Jindalee, in Brisbane's west on Monday, the teen used it in a second heist at a property in Elimbah, north of the city, on Tuesday. He shared a photo of himself sitting in the car to Facebook after stealing it Monday. Police were investigating whether the vehicle was deliberately dumped to cause an accident, with it causing a seven-car pile-up after being left in the right hand lane. The vehicle was left in the southbound lane near the Burpengary weighbridge around 3.50am where it was slammed into by a ute and five other cars. The dumped stolen car caused a seven-car pile-up after being left in the right hand lane Two drivers were hospitalised following the early-morning collision, which shut down the highway until 7am and caused chaos for commuters. Police have been investigating a string of car thefts at the hands of the teenage wannabe criminals, with an estimated 100 vehicles stolen by them each year. The 15-year-old was one of the 50-strong collective of children aged 14-17 which were known for stealing luxury vehicles, burglaries and damaging property. Northside members broke into the control panel of an electronic traffic sign at Brendale earlier this month and changed its message to say 'F*** the Police Norfside'. This is the stunning moment a huge chunk of a glacier breaks off and crashes into a lake. The footage, captured by tourists on March 11, shows a big block of ice breaking off of the Perito Moreno glacier in Patagonia, Argentina. The ice then falls into the Argentino Lago, the biggest freshwater lake in Argentina. You can see the exact moment a chunk of the glacier collapses into the sea in the clip. Smaller parts of the beautiful glacier, with its shimmering ice, can be seen falling into the lake before the bigger piece falls in. The Perito Moreno glacier is one of the most important attractions in the Argentinian Patagonia. Tourists captured the moment a huge chunk of a Patagonian glacier broke off and crashed into a lake in Argentina Every four years, the ice mass sheds an ice arch. This year, the ice arch collapsed just hours before the block of ice filmed in the video. When the stunning glacier forms, a dam of ice cuts off the flow of water around it into the lake. That is, until the water breaks through, opening a increasingly wide tunnel that eventually becomes a narrow arch. Eventually, with nothing left to support it, the arch crumbles, sending towering waves rolling across the usually still surface of the lake. A baby Jesus statue stolen from a New Jersey church 80 years ago has been returned. Reverend Alexander Santora, priest at Our Lady of Grace and St. Joseph in Hoboken, was wary when an unknown package appeared on the church's doorstep on Wednesday. The package had no return address and looked as if 'it was packed by a person' rather than a company, the church priest told NBC New York. Reverend Alexander Santora, priest at Our Lady of Grace and St. Joseph in Hoboken, was wary when an unknown package appeared on the church's doorstep on Wednesday Inside was an plaster baby Jesus statue which was said to have been stolen from a Nativity display at the church during the early 1930s Santora wasn't willing to take the risk, calling the Hoboken Police Department to alert them of the package. Hoboken's Emergency Service Unit responded to the scene and brought along a heat detecting device, which they used to conclude that the package was safe to open. The plaster baby Jesus was said to have been stolen from a Nativity display at the church during the early 1930s, according to a copy of the note that was dated on January 2 and obtained by NBC New York. Santora welcomed it back, noting that the statue was in decent condition and had 'only a chip on the bottom' A tracking number found on the package came back to Crystal Springs, Florida "To Whom it may concern, My Mom told me that the Baby Jesus had been stolen from the church Nativity display at Our Lady of Grace when she was a young girl of about twelve years of age in the early 1930's. It came into her father's possession somehow, and I don't know why he didn't return it. Instead, he gave it to my Mother after she was married, and she too kept it until her passing when it came to me. Knowing the story, I felt it should be returned to the rightful owner, and you will find it enclosed,' the note said. The baby Jesus was welcomed back into the church by Santora, who felt that the note was a redeeming quality for the incident. He added that the statue was still in great condition, with 'only a chip on the bottom.' Santora did explain that the tracking number found on the package came back to Crystal Springs, Florida. Former alcoholic Derryn Hinch will have to live with his conscience if he is drinking too much, says the mother of the liver donor who saved his life. Senator Hinch, 74, suffered brain trauma after he fell and struck his head getting out of an Uber following 'two glasses of wine' in Melbourne late on Monday evening. Hinch denied alcohol had anything to do with his fall, but insisted he would keep drinking until the day he died. 'In the end only Derryn knows how much he is drinking,' said Lynda Yendall, whose son Heath's healthy organs were donated after his sudden death in 2011. 'It's on his conscience if he is doing the wrong thing by his second chance at life.' Warning: Lynda Yendall - the mother of Derryn Hinch's liver donor - says 'it's on (Derryn's) conscience if he is doing the wrong thing with his second chance at life' Derryn Hinch was spotted drinking out a wine glass at the weekend just days before he toppled out of an Uber after two glasses of Sauvignon Blanc on Monday evening Heath Gardner - one of Derryn's listeners - died suddenly in 2011 and Hinch was given the gift of his healthy liver Hinch was 'two weeks from death' suffering advanced liver cirrhosis in 2011 when Heath's family made the brave decision to donate his organs. The former broadcaster - who drank up to six bottles of wine a day at the lowest point of his addiction - declared he would never drink again after the transplant. But the politician backflipped on that promise. His on-again, off-again girlfriend exposing the truth in a series of bitter tweets following a 2016 break-up. 'Derryn Hinch has been back on booze 12+ months. So much for respecting organ donors gift of life. Fave wine, cheap Gossips. No loyalty,' she tweeted. Derryn Hinch's girlfriend Natasha Chadwick sparked a furore two years ago when she tweeted he 'has been back on the booze' (pair pictured together) Following the 2016 revelation, Heath's sister Kimberley said 'it is upsetting to think he may be polluting my brothers liver' - but said she had 'all faith in Derryn' and his choices Lynda Yendall's family have had to come to terms with what she calls his 'drinking dramas'. Her daughter Kimberley went public two years ago to say she was 'upset (Hinch was) polluting my brother's liver'. Hinch called the family after that remark but Ms Yendall this week said she had not heard from him since. 'The liver is part of Derryn now and we have no control over what he chooses to do with it.. whether we like it or not,' she told Daily Mail Australia. Hinch batted away questions about his drinking on Thursday, saying: 'I am eternally grateful for the transplant, but you have to live your life. 'Until I'm lying on a slab for the last time, I'm here to live my life the best I can. 'I'll have a couple of glasses of wine, a couple times a week - but I still water it down. Broadcaster turned crossbench Senator Hinch (seen prior to press conference this week) was hospitalised after falling from his Uber this week 'If my quality of life is improved by having a glass of wine, then I will.' The crossbench lawmaker said he had only had two glasses of 'watered down' Sauvignon Blanc when he fell out of the car on St Kilda Road about 11.30pm. He was knocked unconscious and a shocked witness had to call an ambulance. Hinch blamed a 'dodgy knee' and tiredness for the tumble and told reporters his doctors had cleared him to have a few drinks. The father who murdered his one-year-old daughter and two other family members before turning the gun on himself had been trying to get back together with the girl's mother. Terrance Briggs was guzzling Hennessy and trying to reconcile with Olivia Callender, his ex and the mother of his daughter Laylay, over FaceTime on Tuesday night, sources told the New York Post. 'Life is short,' the 27-year-old apparently told Callender about 9.15pm. Just hours later Laylay, Briggs' step-father Loyd Drain Jr, and Drain's 16-year-old biological son Loyd Drain III were found dead in a Brooklyn apartment. Scroll down for video When Olivia Callender (right), Terrance Briggs' (left) ex and the mother of his daughter Laylay, refused to get back together with him on Tuesday night, he apparently snapped and went on a triple-murder-suicide spree at his mother's apartment in Brooklyn Briggs' told Callender he wanted to get back together with her for the sake of their daughter, Laylay, who he shot dead just hours later Loyed Drain (left) and his son (right), also named Loyed, were the other two victims killed in the shooting. The elder Drain is Briggs' stepfather Briggs had schizophrenia and had just started being allowed visitation with his daughter again. On Tuesday night he was off his schizophrenia medication. 'He wanted to get back together with her for the baby's sake,' a high-ranking police source told the Post. 'She must have said no. He told her he was depressed because somebody in his family had died.' That night Briggs had been heavily imbibing with his brother in a fourth-floor apartment at the Riverdale Osborne Terraces complex in Brownsville. After his brother left, the father left on his killing spree, which ended in the deaths of the two Drain men and little Laylay. Briggs committed suicide where Laylay's body was found Briggs committed suicide where Laylay's body was found. Bullets were found lodged in an upper wall in the bedroom of the apartment, believed to belong to Briggs' mother and step-father, suggesting he flinched during his first attempt to shoot himself. 'The big question is, why was the baby there and not at the mom's?' the source wondered. A neighbor said she heard about 10 shots coming from the apartment near 1.30 am - just three hours before Brigg's mother - Patricia Green - discovered the murder scene. Family members said the reason Briggs stopped taking his schizophrenia medication is due to an adverse reaction he had to the drugs. Family members have also said at some point in the past he smoked an unknown drug that was apparently laced, and that he was never the same after that incident. Green told police there was an ongoing feud between Briggs and his stepfather, according to the Post. She said it escalated in 2005 when Briggs threatened Drain Jr with a loaded gun. He also allegedly threatened to slaughter his whole family in the past. Officials said they believe Briggs shot Drain Jr (left) first. The 57-year-old was found dead with a single bullet hole to the head on the toilet. He is then said to have shot Drain III, 16, (right) while he was playing video games A medical examiner carries Laylay's lifeless body in a body bag out of the apartment on Wednesday morning Family members said the reason Briggs stopped taking his schizophrenia medication was due to an adverse reaction he had to the drugs. Medical examiners are pictured removing the body of one of the men killed in the incident Police have yet to determine a motive in the murder suicide, and no suicide note has been found. Officials said they believe Briggs shot Drain Jr first. The 57-year-old was found dead with a single bullet hole to the head on the toilet. He is then said to have shot Drain III, 16, while he was playing video games, before turning the gun on Laylay and then himself. The infant was found on the bed, while her father's body was between the bed and the wall. A .40-caliber gun was found in a bedroom in the apartment, and police believe Green stashed it after discovering the bloodshed. A source told the Post Green was 'upset and crying,' when the bodies were discovered Wednesday morning. 'It's a horrible scene. What would make anyone want to kill a one-year-old?' the witness implored. The 53-year-old was married to Drain Jr, according to Deputy Chief Michael Kemper. The apartment building where the shooting took place is called the Riverdale Osborne Towers and is located on Thatford Avenue in Brownsville, one of the most violent neighborhoods in New York City. The 950-ton walkway was installed last Saturday and had not yet been open to pedestrian traffic The two largest construction firms involved in building a newly-installed pedestrian bridge that collapsed, killing up to 10, have a history of serious safety breaches. Munilla Construction Management, a South Florida firm and Figg Bridge Group, a Tallahassee firm, partnered to build the Florida International University bridge in Miami. Both companies have been accused of shoddy work in the past, after incidents in which they were each accused of being responsible for other bridges that have collapsed. A 90-ton portion of the South Norfolk Jordan Bridge assembled by Figg collapsed during construction in 2012. It dropped 40 feet to the ground onto railroad tracks below, according to the Virginian-Pilot. Four people were injured, and authorities called it pure luck no one was killed. A temporary walkway bridge built by Munilla collapsed under a Transportation Security Administrator's weight in 2016, severely injuring him. Scroll down for video The horrific collapse at Miami's Florida International University killed as many as 10 people on Thursday Several cars were crushed when the 950-ton structure built in part by the contracted Munilla Construction Management, in partnership with the Figg Bridge Group, fell The bridge was installed in just six hours on Saturday (pictured) and was hailed a feat of engineering Figg had an eerily similar incident when in 2012 a 90-ton portion of the Jordan Bridge (pictured) in Virginia crashed down onto railroad tracks during construction Four construction workers were injured in the Jordan bridge incident, and authorities say it was sheer luck that no one was killed Witnesses of Thursday's disaster in Miami say cars were waiting for the lights to change when the 950-ton 'instant bridge', which was installed in just six hours on Saturday, crumbled and fell on the waiting traffic on the busy, seven lane 8th Street, which runs from downtown Miami all the way to the Everglades. The 174-foot 'instant bridge' hailed as a feat of engineering and safety, was not due to open to the public until 2019. The previous incident involving Munilla went before a Florida court on March 5 this year. Jose Perez, a TSA worker, was walking along the temporary walkway that airport workers would utilize to reach restrooms at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport when it 'broke under [his] weight' and sent him falling to the ground, according to the Miami New Times. 'They built this makeshift bridge in the area where all the employees work, and it was poorly done. He fell and hurt himself really badly,' said Tesha Allison, a lawyer representing Perez. 'He had multiple broken bones and damage to his spine... They did shoddy work.' Munilla was also cited by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration for at least three 'serious' violations from 2014 to 2017, however more information on the violations is not available online. The previous Figg incident appears hauntingly similar in scope to the FIU incident on Thursday. While four workers suffered only minor injuries, state regulators later declared it was only chance that there were no fatalities. 'They were fortunate that the injuries were not more serious,' Jay Withrow, director of the legal support division for the Department of Labor and Industry, told the Virginian-Pilot, regarding the Jordan Bridge collapse. Figg was fined $28,000 by the Virginia Department of Labor and Industry, after finding the company violated several safety rules. The 'serious' violations uncovered include workers not properly trained, modifications made to equipment without permission, and more than 440 inspections missed or undocumented, according to a Freedom of Information Request obtained by WTKR. State investigators found that Figg did not follow manufacturer maintenance guidelines to launch what is called the girder system used to build the bridge piece by piece. View of the collapsed pedestrian bridge on the Florida International University in Miami, leaving a vehicle crushed View of the collapsed pedestrian bridge on the Florida International University in Miami, Florida, n 15 March 2018. View of the collapsed pedestrian bridge on the Florida International University in Miami, Florida Additionally, they made modifications to the girder system specifically against the policy of its manufacturer. According to the citation, the manual for the truss says, 'Make no modifications to the machinery without the written consent of DEAL.' NewsChannel 3 called DEAL's offices down in Florida, and the Italian company said they sold the girder system to Figg for construction of a completely different bridge, and were never contacted about any changes. It's important to note that the VOSH investigation does not say if these serious violations actually led up to or caused the truss collapse. Investigators say all the violations were fixed during inspection but those inspections all happened after the June accident. Figg was later sued in federal court by the owner of the railroad tracks, Norfolk and Portsmouth Railroad Company but that case was dismissed with prejudice in December 2013. Figg's partner in the project, Munilla Construction, also released a statement on Thursday FIU and the companies which built the bridge boasted of the speed of its construction, which was aimed at reducing the traffic burden on the busy thoroughfare, according to the Miami New Times. The bridge's planning was done at FIU's very own Accelerated Bridge Construction University Transportation Center. 'This [accelerated bridge construction] technique reduced potential risks to workers, commuters and pedestrians and prevented traffic tie-ups in the area,' FIU wrote in a press release from five days ago. 'ABC is a delivery solution method of building and repairing bridges with the capability to reduce the interruption to traffic and increase safety,' the center writes on its web site. Figg designed the project and said the bridge was not expected to be open to foot traffic until sometime next year. 'We are stunned by today's tragic collapse of a pedestrian bridge that was under construction over Southwest Eighth Street in Miami,' Figg Bridge Engineers said in a statement. 'Our deepest sympathies are with all those affected by this accident. We will fully cooperate with every appropriate authority in reviewing what happened and why. 'In our 40-year history, nothing like this has ever happened before. 'Our entire team mourns the loss of life and injuries associated with this devastating tragedy, and our prayers go out to all involved.' FIGG's partner in the project, Munilla Construction, also released a statement on Thursday. Emergency personnel work on the collapsed pedestrian bridge at the Florida International University in Miami, Florida A rescue worker walks near a car crushed in the rubble after the brand-new pedestrian bridge collapsed onto a highway at Florida International University in Miami on Thursday 'Our family's thoughts and prayers go out to everyone affected by this terrible tragedy,' Munilla said in a statement. 'The new UniversityCity Bridge, which was under construction, experienced a catastrophic collapse causing injuries and loss of life. 'MCM is a family business and we are all devastated and doing everything we can to assist. 'We will conduct a full investigation to determine exactly what went wrong and will cooperate with investigators on scene in every way.' Munilla won the bid to build the bridge, beating out three other companies, according to the Miami New Times. FIU has deleted statements on social media and press releases from earlier this week touting the construction of the bridge. 'This bridge is the result of great support from our congressional delegation and the US Department of Transportation,' FIU Senior Vice President and CFO Kenneth Jessell announced over the weekend. 'This bridge has already been the catalyst for significant economic development in the City of Sweetwater. FIU and our surrounding community will benefit from this project for generations to come.' The bridge was built at a cost of $14million and was funded by the federal government, was touted by the school as an achievement when it was completed last Saturday. An angry mob who protested at the glass windows behind the set of Sunrise on Friday morning were nowhere to be seen during the show's live broadcast, despite the same location being 'filmed'. Channel Seven ran stock footage of Sydney's Martin Place to avoid showing the group, who were accusing the show of spreading 'racist lies' against Indigenous Australians. Protesters were furious after the program aired a segment on Tuesday, in which an all-white panel discussed whether white families should be allowed to adopt Aboriginal children. Scroll down for video Channel Seven ran stock footage of Sydney's Martin Place to avoid showing angry protesters (pictured) Protesters were furious after the program aired a segment on Tuesday, in which an all-white panel discussed whether white families should be allowed to adopt Aboriginal children Despite their strong presence, hosts Natalie Barr (right) and Samantha Armytage (centre) presented the live show in front of routine scenes of workers walking through a tranquil Martin Place Hundreds of people arrived outside the set carrying Aboriginal flags and signs which read 'Scumrise', 'Sunlies' and 'Stop stealing our kids'. But despite their strong presence, hosts Natalie Barr and Samantha Armytage presented the live show in front of routine scenes of workers walking through a tranquil Martin Place. A Channel Seven spokesperson told Daily Mail Australia the decision was made to roll down soundproof blinds and use a 'generic backdrop' because of offensive signage and language. 'We respect the right to protest as much as we respect the right of free speech ... some of the group were holding offensive signage and some began banging on the window and mouthing obscenities,' the spokesperson said. 'To ensure regulatory compliance, and bearing in mind the potential for young children to be watching, the decision was made to utilise a generic backdrop.' Viewers took to social media after learning of the protest, with one saying: 'Looks like Sunrise has found a way to shoot around the hundreds of Aboriginal protesters outside their window.' Hundreds of people arrived outside the set carrying Aboriginal flags and signs which read 'Scumrise', 'Sunlies' and 'Stop stealing our kids' Viewers took to social media after learning of the protest, with one saying: 'Looks like Sunrise has found a way to shoot around the hundreds of Aboriginal protesters outside their window' Protesters held up Aboriginal flags and banged against the studio's glass shortly before 8am Meanwhile, Ms Barr and Ms Armytage put on a brave face and presented the show in front of old overlay of Martin Place Another said: 'Bit pathetic from sunrise... only reason you [are] getting good ratings today is the fact people wanna watch the protest your (sic) trying to hide.' Facebook Live video showed protesters holding Aboriginal flags and banging against the studio's glass shortly before 8am. Meanwhile, Ms Barr and Ms Armytage were putting on a brave face and presented the show in front of old overlay of Martin Place. The Facebook Live video shows the studio's blinds were closed at the time. One of the protest signs being held outside the studio read: 'Spreading racist lies against Aboriginal people to divide the masses who the greedy billionaires exploit.' The protest came after Tuesday morning's 'Hot Topic' segment, when panelist Prue MacSween argued in favour of removing Aboriginal children from abusive families, saying the move would be a 'no brainer'. 'Just like the first Stolen Generation, where a lot of children were taken because it was for their well-being, we need to do it again, perhaps,' she said. Images from outside the studio shows the blinds were closed during the protest One of the protest signs being held outside the studio read: 'Spreading racist lies against Aboriginal people to divide the masses who the greedy billionaires exploit' The protest came after Tuesday morning's 'Hot Topic' segment, when panelist Prue MacSween argued in favour of removing Aboriginal children from abusive families, saying the move would be a 'no brainer' Ms Armytage was also criticised by Aboriginal leaders for her misleading opening comments about assistant minister for children David Gillespie calling for non-Indigenous families to adopt Aboriginal children who are at risk. Post-Stolen Generations there's been a huge move to leave Aboriginal children where they are, even if they're being neglected in their own families, she said. South Sea Islander and Darumbal journalist Amy McQuire slammed the two-minute segment for being packed with 'mistruths'. The idea that Aboriginal children are not being placed in white families is a lie,' she wrote in a blog post. 'Just like the first Stolen Generation, where a lot of children were taken because it was for their well-being, we need to do it again, perhaps,' Ms MacSween (left) said Ms Armytage (pictured) was also criticised by Aboriginal leaders for her misleading opening comments about assistant minister for children David Gillespie calling for non-Indigenous families to adopt Aboriginal children who are at risk 'The greater lie is that Aboriginal children are not being taken away and are being kept in dangerous situations for fear of a 'stolen generation'. 'That does not gel with the statistics: Aboriginal children are being taken away at exponential rates and these rates have grown every year since Kevin Rudd gave his apology to the Stolen Generations and promised it would never happen again.' A spokesperson for the program defended the segment saying editorial opinions are a 'vital' part of journalism. 'At all times on Sunrise, respect for others and their values and opinions is a foundation principle in debates,' the spokesperson added. Gina Haspel, has been nominated by Donald Trump to become the next director of the CIA Her name has been excised from file after file, but insiders insist there is no mistaking the identity of the CIA chief whom they dubbed Bloody Gina. As chief of base of a secret black site CIA prison in Thailand, she oversaw a brutal regime in which suspected terrorists were subjected to enhanced interrogation techniques, including being waterboarded, hurled against walls and squeezed for hours into coffin-like boxes. It is claimed she even went to a prisoners cell to goad him after he had been tortured, and there is speculation that she once joined in an interrogation. But while she had the power to stop the interrogation of suspects as they vomited, urinated on themselves in their shackles, or lost consciousness, official records show that she never did. Those records also show that she was instrumental in the destruction of video tapes that documented the use of techniques now almost universally regarded as torture. The CIA agent in question is Gina Haspel and, to widespread horror, she may soon be the Wests most powerful spy. While President Donald Trump has been keen to highlight his wish to appoint the first female boss of the CIA, a growing outcry in Washington has greeted his announcement that, having promoted CIA director Mike Pompeo to Secretary of State, he wants Haspel Pompeos deputy to take his place. Republican Senator John McCain, who was himself tortured while a prisoner of war in Vietnam, has described the enhanced interrogations carried out under the George W. Bush administration as one of the darkest chapters in American history. He was one of the first to demand that Haspel be made to explain the nature and extent of her involvement in it when she faces approval hearings in the Senate. President Trump said he was pleased to nominate a woman as the next CIA Director That dark chapter mentioned by McCain began with the 9/11 terror attacks in 2001, after which the CIA came under intense pressure to find out more about Al Qaeda and any other planned attacks on the U.S. In 2002, the agency thought they had captured the third-highest ranking Al Qaeda official, a Saudi named Abu Zubaydah, who was a personal aide to Osama Bin Laden. It was specifically to break down this high-value captive that the CIA employed its controversial enhanced interrogation techniques. He was taken to the first of Americas black sites, an off-the-books CIA prison in Thailand whose existence was never officially acknowledged. Codenamed Cats Eye, it became a laboratory for U.S. techniques that the Obama administration later admitted were torture by another name. Under Bush, however, Haspel was reassured that these interrogation methods were not only legal, but essential in the battle against Islamic extremism. Haspel, a senior member of the CIAs counter-terrorism centre, was rapidly appointed Cats Eyes chief of base (or COB) and personally supervised the interrogation of Zubaydah and another important prisoner, Abd al-Rahim al-Nashiri, a fellow Saudi accused of numerous acts of terrorism, including helping to plot the bombing of the USS Cole in Aden in 2000. She is set to replace Mike Pompeo, pictured, who is moving to become Secretary of State Government memos reveal Zubaydah was waterboarded 83 times in August 2002 alone, far exceeding the number the U.S. Justice Department had approved. Astonishingly, the process which simulates drowning continued even after he started to co-operate. With the CIAs video cameras switched on to record any evidence he gave, guards shackled Zubaydah to a gurney and interrogators poured water over his mouth and nose until he began to suffocate. He told his lawyers: They kept pouring water and concentrating on my nose and my mouth until I really felt I was drowning and my chest was about to explode from lack of oxygen. He also said his interrogators repeatedly slammed him against walls, a technique called walling, and kept him confined in a coffin-like box for hours, meaning he was agonisingly unable to move. A 2014 Senate report confirmed he wasnt exaggerating his torment, noting that he was once waterboarded until he became completely unresponsive, with bubbles rising through his open, full mouth. Medical staff had to revive him. The report added: Interrogation techniques such as slaps and wallings were used in combination, frequently concurrent with sleep deprivation and nudity. Pompeo is replacing former Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, pictured, who was sacked The then 31-year-old Zubaydah pleaded for mercy, saying correctly, as it transpired that he knew nothing about the terror groups plans. In a scene described in a book written by one of the two psychologists who interrogated him, the COB went to his cell and congratulated him on the fine quality of his acting, telling the prisoner: Good job! I like the way youre drooling; it adds realism. Im almost buying it. You wouldnt think a grown man would do that. Although the COB is identified in the book as a he, investigators believe it was actually Haspel. The CIA has rejected the most damning reports of Haspels behaviour at Cats Eye as inaccurate, but hasnt specified in what way. Some dozen video tapes were made of the interrogations and stored at the U.S. Embassy in Bangkok. As concern grew in Washington over the Bush administrations use of black sites and enhanced interrogation, Haspel reportedly pushed for the tapes to be destroyed, say ex-colleagues. Declassified CIA cables show her name was on the order to shred them in 2005, although nobody was ever charged with the offence of destroying the tapes, despite the chief lawyers of the CIA and the White House having insisted that they be preserved. It later emerged that Zubaydah who is held in the Guantanamo Bay detention centre to this day was nowhere near as important an Al Qaeda figure as had initially been thought. And the reason he had provided no useful information while being waterboarded was because he didnt have any. A debate is now raging in Washington over whether Haspel is a sadistic monster, or a patriot who was simply following orders and acted out of duty. Her critics say the defence that she was only following orders isnt a good enough excuse because Haspel zealously went far beyond her interrogation remit. Haspel is in favour of waterboarding suspects. (This image is posed by models) While a former CIA agent who knew Haspel described her to me as a sociopath, John Kiriakou another CIA man who arrested Zubaydah and worked with Haspel in counter-terrorism before blowing the whistle on the waterboarding scandal said she was always very quick and very willing to use force. He described her as one of a group of officers in the agencys counter-terrorism centre who used torture because they enjoyed doing it. He went on: Everybody knew that torture didnt work...they tortured just for the sake of torture, not for the sake of gathering information. She didnt have any moral qualms about what she did. Zubaydah mentioned in his testimony that a woman whose name he didnt know once joined in his brutal interrogation. Some believe this could have been Haspel, although Mr Kiriakou, who wasnt posted to Cats Eye, believes it was another female CIA officer. Ironically, 61-year-old Haspel certainly doesnt look like the thuggish stereotype of a sadistic torturer. Nor, for that matter, does she remotely resemble TVs favourite female CIA agent, the glamorous if unstable Carrie Mathison, played by Claire Danes in Homeland. Rather, she has the appearance of a fresh-faced executive, well-groomed and with a pleasant, open smile. Like members of MI5 and MI6, Haspel a member of the CIAs clandestine arm has spent her career under cover. Such agents are never publicly identified and if they die in service, they are merely honoured with a star that is added to a memorial inside the agencys Virginia headquarters. Unsurprisingly, little is known about her personal life. She joined the CIA in 1985 and was reportedly posted successively to Turkey, Ethiopia and central Asia. Although critics say she should have been jailed for her role at the Thailand black site, she was instead rewarded by being made CIA chief in London widely regarded in the agency as the most plum foreign post it has to offer. In Washington, she held a string of senior roles before being appointed deputy director in 2017. Former colleagues believe she is single and has no children. She was married to her job, a workaholic like the rest of us, Mr Kiriakou told me. While former CIA bosses have praised her uncanny ability to get things done and her leadership skills, Mr Kiriakou remembers her somewhat less positively. Many of us called her Bloody Gina and we kept our distance, he said. He recalled how a CIA psychiatrist had once warned him that women in their line of work would be far more ruthless with him than men if he were ever captured abroad. He told me: Women who are true believers, theyre the psychopaths. Haspel had a reputation as someone who was not afraid to make tough decisions and to do things many of the rest of us would never have done. Like other critics of Haspel, he believes she should have been prosecuted rather than promoted. Gina Haspel should be in the dock at The Hague, not in the directors office at the CIA. She has blood on her hands, he said. He added that at least two and possibly as many as five prisoners reportedly died at Cats Eye and another black site (one from hypothermia and another from suffocation). Haspel and other senior CIA officers, Mr Kiriakou said, had effectively covered up for murderers. If nothing else, he added, her destruction of the interrogation tapes amounts to the criminal offences of obstruction of justice and destroying evidence. However, Haspel clearly has the approval of Donald Trump, who likes hard-headed military and intelligence types and who has expressed his support for using waterboarding and a lot worse to counter terrorism. Shes an outstanding person who Ive also got to know very well, he said this week. Advertisement Timelapse videos of the construction and installation of the new pedestrian bridge which collapsed at Florida International University on Thursday reveals its quick - and now controversial - construction method. The bridge was installed less than a week ago after months of construction - using a method called Accelerated Bridge Construction, or instant bridge, according to a press release sent out by the University. Instant bridge is a method meant to reduce risk to construction workers and pedestrians and to prevent traffic buildup - but is now being called into question after Thursdays incident, which killed six people. Senator Marco Rubio tweeted that the bridge came down as steel suspension cables were being tightened in a process known as stress testing. Experts told the Miami Herald that the process has been responsible for the collapse of at least one bridge in the past, which happened in Australia in the 1970s. The bridge that collapsed at Florida International University was installed less than a week ago after months of construction - using a method called Accelerated Bridge Construction, or instant bridge, according to a press release sent out by the University. Pictured is the bridge being built in its final stages of construction, which was a many-months-long process The 174-foot long, 950-ton bridge was built over the course of several months on the side of the busy seven-lane 8th Street highway - which runs from downtown Miami all the way to the Everglades - where it would eventually be placed over. The bridge is pictured as it is starting to be driven across the road and to its final resting place At a point in the construction period it was picked up and put onto its position over the roadway. That part of the construction process took a mere six hours to complete. It was up and ready to be used by the public on Saturday. Pictured left is the bridge being rolled into place over the highway, and left is the finished product The first timelapse shoes the final stages of the construction process into its instillation. It begins showing the bridge being built as it will stand but on the side of the highway. It is then rolled onto the highway and installed into the ground. The second video specifically shows the six-hour installation process, which started before dawn and saw the bridge, which was on rolling platforms, being wheeled into place. The video shows construction workers toiling before the sun has risen as they move the building across the busy seven-lane 8th Street Highway - which runs from downtown Miami all the way to the Everglades - and into its place before securing it where it was expected to stand for the next century. Accelerated Bridge Construction involves prefabricated elements meant to cut installation time, cost and environmental impact. It has also been hailed as 'a paradigm shift in the project planning and procurement approach' by the Department of Transportation's Federal Highway Administration. The 174-foot long, 950-ton bridge was built over the course of several months on the side of the busy seven-lane 8th Street highway - which runs from downtown Miami all the way to the Everglades - where it would eventually be placed over. At a point in the construction period it was picked up and put onto its position over the roadway. That part of the construction process took a mere six hours to complete. It was up and ready to be used by the public on Saturday. Instant Bridge has been hailed as a feat of engineering safety and is said to reduce risk to workers, pedestrians and drivers and have minimal to no impact on traffic flow. That construction was completed Saturday - and was installed as part of a pedestrian safety initiative aimed at reducing foot traffic along the Highway. The second video specifically shows the six-hour installation process, which started before dawn and saw the bridge, which was on rolling platforms, being wheeled into place The video shows construction workers toiling before the sun has risen as they move the building across the busy seven-lane 8th Street Highway Pictured are workers moving the bridge across the highway as well as into a straight line, all the while making adjustments to its structure The crew worked in the early hours of the morning before traffic became busy on the highway to install the bridge The bridge was eventually taken off of its rolling platforms as it was settled into the spot it was expected to stand for up to 100 years Finally the construction workers get it to a point where it is straight and set across and it can be sunk into the ground using cement beams MCM Construction and FIGG Bridge Design teamed up on the bridge - which cost a whopping $14.2million, paid for by a nearly $20million grant from the US Department of Transportation. It was designed to withstand a Category 5 hurricane and to last 100 years, the University said. The bridge was one part of a larger infrastructural plan at the university in Miami that was set to be completed in 2019. The plan was going to include a plaza equipped with free wireless internet. Several bridges in the United States have been built using the instant bridge method - including the Nevada I-15 Bridge, the revamed Massachusetts Cedar Street Bridge and the reconstructed Eastern Avenue Bridge in Washington, DC, among others. The exact cause of the bridge collapse remains unclear. 'It could be materials, it could be construction technique, it could be the engineering design itself,' Andy Hermann, a former president of the American Society of Civil Engineers told ABC News. It crumbled onto waiting traffic on the busy highway at about 1.45pm as cars were waiting for lights to change. US Senator Bill Nelson of Florida told local TV station CBS Miami that between six and 10 people died. Another 10 have been rushed to Kendall Regional Medical Center, at least two in 'extremely critical' condition. One of those who arrived in critical condition was suffering a cardiac arrest, but was revived by doctors, while the other has a serious brain injury. The remaining eight were stable, with injuries such as 'bruises and abrasions to broken bones.' Rescue teams are still working to free eight vehicles trapped in the bridge wreckage, Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Giminez said in an interview with CBS Miami. The brand new pedestrian bridge collapsed without warning on Thursday afternoon, crushing the cars below it Miami-Dade Fire Rescue Department personnel and other rescue units work at the scene where a pedestrian bridge collapsed. One driver may have had a lucky escape after the front of his car escaped relatively unscathed while the back was crushed and waiting 40 minutes to get help Piazza died after drinking a dangerous amount of alcohol and suffering fatal injuries when he tumbled down stairs Prosecutors have dropped all charges of aggravated assault over the hazing death of a Penn State University pledge, the Pennsylvania Attorney General's Office announced on Thursday. Although spared of the most severe charges, five former members of Beta Theta Pi will still face charges of involuntary manslaughter over the February 2017 death of 19-year-old Tim Piazza. Attorney General Josh Shapiro will also continue to purse charges of hazing, reckless endangerment, conspiracy and alcohol law violations against 11 defendants, according to court papers. All charges against the fraternity as a corporation have been dropped. Shapiro took over the case, which involves 26 defendants, after a referral from a county district attorney who lost re-election. A judge had tossed the aggravated assault and involuntary manslaughter charges in September but the county prosecutor refiled them. A lawyer for Piazza's parents said: 'The parents of Timothy Piazza are most pleased to see the reinstatement now by a second prosecutor of involuntary manslaughter charges. 'With hundreds of charges against 26 individuals facing serious jail time, the Piazzas remain hopeful that justice will be accomplished and support the Pennsylvania attorney general in this nationally important prosecution.' Piazza, an engineering student from Lebanon, New Jersey, died on February 4 after consuming a dangerous amount of alcohol and suffering fatal injuries when he tumbled down flights of stairs. Frat member Braxton Becker is accused of deleting video footage of the night Piazza died Fraternity members were recorded pouring liquid on Piazza and strapping a loaded backpack to him after he fell down the stairs. Pictured are his parents Jim and Evelyn Piazza Authorities recovered deleted security camera footage taken inside the Penn State fraternity house the night of the tragedy. It allegedly showed Piazza being given at least 18 drinks over a period of 1 hour and 22 minutes. After his fall, fraternity members were recorded pouring liquid on the sophomore, strapping a loaded backpack to him and taking other ineffective or counterproductive steps to deal with his condition. The video showed Piazza stumbling around in the dark at several points, then disappearing from view. After someone noticed his shoes were on the first floor the next morning, fraternity members located Piazza, unconscious, in the basement. They carried him back upstairs, but it was another 40 minutes before an ambulance was summoned. Braxton Becker, one of the fraternity members, is accused of deleting the video footage while State College police were in the room to seize the recording equipment. Piazza was found to have suffered a fractured skull, shattered spleen and other injuries. His blood-alcohol content was estimated at several times the legal limit for adult drivers. Brendan Young, the fraternity's president, was charged earlier this year with reckless endangerment, evidence tampering, hazing and furnishing alcohol to a minor After frat members found Piazza in the basement the morning after the incident, they waited 40 minutes to call an ambulance (pictured is the Beta Theta Pi house) The fraternity was supposed to be alcohol-free as a result of a suspension eight years before. Shapiro said his office will continue to review the case. 'We will seek justice for the Piazza family. My office is committed to holding every responsible individual accountable for their actions,' the state Attorney General said. An attorney for Gary DiBileo Jr., one of the fraternity members spared of aggravated assault charges has said he's pleased with the Attorney General's decision. 'We do disagree with the continued pursuit of the charge involving involuntary manslaughter as it relates to Gary, given that the evidence shows he was one of a few people who advocated for Timothy Piazza to receive medical help. 'It is our position that Gary's actions demonstrate a lack of the criminal intent that would be required to sustain an involuntary manslaughter count in this case,' Attorney Michael J. Engle said. There could hardly be a better setting for filming Antiques Roadshow than an ancient monastery in the Devon countryside. But plans for Buckfast Abbey to host an episode of the BBC programme have hit a stumbling block over fears it will promote the controversial drink produced there. Monks at the abbey have made the caffeinated tonic wine Buckfast since the 1890s. But the drink has become notorious in Scotland for its links to crime and loutish behaviour. Monks at Buckfast Abbey have made the caffeinated tonic wine since the 1890s Presenter Fiona Bruce was set to head to the historic site near Buckfastleigh on September 13 to film an edition celebrating the abbeys 1,000th year. But former Scottish health secretary Alex Neil has urged the BBC to scrap the episode, claiming it will give credibility to the 15 per cent ABV wine. In 2015, the Scottish Prison Service reported that more than 43 per cent of inmates had consumed Buckfast before their last offence, despite accounting for less than one per cent of Scotlands total alcohol sales. And since 2014, Buckfast has been linked to more than 6,500 reports of antisocial behaviour and violence in the country. In a letter to the director-general of the BBC Lord Hall, the SNP MSP for Airdrie Mr Neil said: For many years there has been great concern in Scotland about the sale of Buckfast and its adverse impact on the behaviour of those who drink it, owing to its excessive caffeine content, etc. 'A lot of anti-social behaviour is caused by the use of this drink. By using this Abbey as a location of this (excellent) programme it could send out the wrong message, especially to young people, that the BBC was giving respectability and credibility to this drink. I would strongly urge you not to use this location; or if you insist on doing so ensure that the BBC makes it clear that it does not in any way endorse the production and sale of this product. Alex Neil has written to BBC director-general Lord Hall to raise concerns about Antiques Roadshow visiting the abbey BBC sources insist there will be no on-air promotion of the product, while a spokesman for Antiques Roadshow said that the abbey was chosen due to its historical significance. And a spokesman for Buckfast Abbey said: With this important landmark year and the wealth of history at Buckfast Abbey, we are very much looking forward to welcoming the Antiques Roadshow. Stewart Wilson, a spokesman for drink manufacturer J Chandler and Co, said: We wrote to Mr Neil when he was the health secretary. We received a reply back clearly indicating that the Scottish Government has no evidence to suggest that our brand causes any issues. A restaurant chain based on The Godfather mafia films has been banned from trademarking its name because it would shock and offend the public, EU judges have ruled. The European Court of Justice said that using the name The Mafia - Take a Seat at the Table would appall people of even average sensitivity and tolerance thresholds. Judges in Luxembourg backed opposition by the Italian Government to the trademark after it was registered by a restaurant group, which has 40 Italian-style restaurants in Spain. Judges in Luxembourg have prevented a chain of restaurants inspired by The Godfather trilogy from using the name 'La Mafia' as it would be insulting to victims of the criminal organisation Its logo features the words La Mafia in large white letters set against an image of a rose, which the owners said was a clear reference to the Godfather trilogy starring Al Pacino. But the ECJ said that using the name of the notorious Italian crime syndicate was a breach of public policy that conflicted with fundamental EU values. In an embarrassing twist, EU Commissioner Pierre Moscovici recently drew upon a famous line from the film, telling non-Eurozone countries that he would make an offer they cant refuse to join the currency. The French official was later forced to say that the European Commission was not run according to a mafia model In its judgment, the ECJ said: [The mark] refers to a criminal organisation, conveys a globally positive image of that organisation and trivialises the serious harm done by that organisation. Judges said the use of the words would shock or offend victims the victims of that criminal organisation and their families. The European Court of Justice, pictured, upheld the trademark complaint They also said that any average person who laid eyes on the sign anywhere in the EU would find it offensive. The company that runs the chain, La Mafia Franchises, originally applied for the trademark in 2005. However is was eventually turned down by the EUs intellectual property office turned it down in 2015 after the Italian government complained. They complained that using references to the mafia in a commercial setting would be contrary to public policy and to accepted principles of morality. La Mafia Franchises then lodged an appeal against the decision, which the EU General Court rejected yesterday. In a strongly-worded statement, the court said the trademark was seen worldwide as referring to a criminal organisation that resorts to intimidation, physical violence and murder. Those looking to escape Australia's cooling weather can purchase dirt-cheap flights to continue the holiday season. Flights for less than $200 are on sale to Southeast Asia, while only $240 can put jetsetters on a flight to an idyllic island getaway in Hawaii. The budget prices are part of a week-long Jetstar sale on flights across both international and domestic locations, starting on Friday. Those looking to escape Australia's cooling weather can purchase dirt-cheap flights as part of a week-long Jetstar sale starting on Friday (stock image) Flights for less than $200 are on sale to Southeast Asia, while only $240 can put jetsetters on a flight to an idyllic island getaway in Hawaii (pictured) Those in Queensland also have a chance for a travel bargain, with flights from Brisbane to Bali (pictured) dropping to $179 CHEAP AUTUMN FARES Sydney to Honolulu: $239 Sydney to Phuket: $209 Sydney to Ho Chi Minh City: $229 Melbourne to Bangkok: $189 Melbourne to Singapore: $179 Melbourne to Ho Chi Minh city: $229 Brisbane to Bali: $179 Gold Coast to Tokyo: $269 Adelaide to Honolulu: $320 Perth to Christchurch: $265 Advertisement The sale will allow Sydneysiders to purchase flights to Honolulu from $239, and to Phuket from $209. Meanwhile, flights from Melbourne and Sydney to Vietnam - which is proving to be an emerging favourite with Australian travellers - can be bought for just $229. Those in Queensland also have a chance for a travel bargain, with flights from Brisbane to Bali dropping to $179. Holiday hopefuls in the Gold Coast can fly to Tokyo from $269. Domestic flights are also on sale, including flights between Adelaide and Melbourne for only $35. Brisbane to the Whitsundays can be purchased from $55 and Melbourne to the Gold Coast from $65. Checked baggage and meals are not included in the on-sale fares, which end just before midnight on Thursday. Holiday hopefuls in the Gold Coast can fly to Tokyo (pictured) from $269 National Insurance could rise by a penny in the pound to fund a major boost in health spending. The radical plan is being examined by senior Tories looking for ways to prevent a repeat of this winters NHS crisis. While officially still saying there are no plans for tax rises, Downing Street is thought to be increasingly keen on the proposal, which would raise about 5billion a year. National Insurance could rise by a penny in the pound to fund a major boost in health spending. The radical plan is being examined by senior Tories looking for ways to prevent another winter NHS crisis Tory sources say the Cabinet has accepted the need to make an intervention on the NHS in the coming months, which will involve releasing billions in extra cash. Debate is now raging over how to raise the money. One proposal is to increase National Insurance by 1p, taking the rate paid by most workers from 12 to 13 per cent. Chancellor Philip Hammond repeated the Tories election pledge to keep taxes low this week when he delivered his spring statement on the economy. But supporters of the scheme believe it would win public support if ministers guaranteed the extra money would be reserved for the NHS. Downing Street initially played down the idea yesterday, saying there were no plans for new tax rises at present and pointing out that the Government has already put an extra 11billion into the NHS since Theresa May came to power. But one senior Tory acknowledged the idea enjoyed support within the Cabinet. Health service funding is a live debate, the source said. We are looking at making an intervention in the health service at some point, and part of that will include a funding element. Once you have decided that, you are into a discussion about different ways to fund it. But we are a long way from a decision yet. Another source said there was an acceptance within the Cabinet that the Tories could not fight an election with a gaping wound on health. While officially still saying there are no plans for tax rises, Downing Street is thought to be increasingly keen on the proposal, which would raise about 5billion a year Former Tory minister Robert Halfon last night welcomed the idea, saying it was essential the Government responded to public concerns about health funding. I am very supportive of an NHS tax, he said. I think people are willing to pay more for the NHS as long as they are consulted on it and they know what they are getting in return. But there has to be a guarantee that every penny of the money would go to the NHS and that it could not be siphoned off by the Treasury the next time its short of money. Mr Halfon suggested the public should be consulted on the exact level of health spending via referendums every ten years, with taxes set accordingly. But he said ministers should also look at finding extra NHS cash from elsewhere, including the 13billion foreign aid budget. Tory sources say the Cabinet has accepted the need to make an intervention on the NHS in the coming months, which will involve releasing billions in extra cash. Debate is now raging over how to raise the money Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt has publicly acknowledged that the NHS will need significantly more funding in the coming decade to cope with Britains ageing population and medical advances. Boris Johnson and Michael Gove are also pushing for a big increase in health spending to coincide with Britains departure from the European Union having pledged during the referendum that the NHS would benefit from a Brexit dividend of up to 350million a week. The Treasury has historically opposed so-called hypothecated taxes, where revenues are earmarked for a specific cause. The Chancellor ducked questions about whether he would consider a new tax this week. But, in an interview with the BBC, he said the evidence was clearly there that the NHS would need more funds in future. Mr Hammond told MPs that a stronger than expected economic performances had given him 15billion of headroom, some of which he would consider spending on public services in the autumn Budget. But, with the Government facing demands to increase resources for defence and local government while meeting election pledges to cut taxes, some ministers believe an additional tax may be needed. An increase in National Insurance would be a direct echo of Gordon Browns 2002 gambit to put a penny on the same tax to help fund what was then the biggest ever increase in NHS funding. At the time it was seen as a major political gamble, but eventually proved to be popular with the public. Ousted White House communications director Anthony Scaramucci was spotted in deep conversation with Kimberly Guilfoyle, the Fox News host he was rumored to be dating during his brief split from wife Deidra Ball. The 'Mooch' and Guilfoyle were seen having what appeared to be an intimate conversation on Thursday, a source told Page Six. They were standing inches apart, and they were keeping their voices low, the source said. The conversation looked serious. Anthony Scaramucci (left) was reportedly having a serious conversation with Fox News host Kimberly Guilfoyle (right), whom he was rumored to have been dating Rumors swirled that Scaramucci (center) began dating Guilfoyle (right) after his wife filed for divorce. Guilfoyle and Scaramucci are seen at an event in New York in December 2016 Its not clear where Scaramucci and Guilfoyle were or how long the conversation lasted. Rumors began swirling that Scaramucci was wooing the television personality in October, three months after his wife, Deidra Ball, filed for divorce. Ball was nine months pregnant with their second child when she decided to split from Scaramucci. While reports surfaced that Scaramucci and Guilfoyle were seen 'cuddling up' at a charity gala in Italy in September and looking at houses together, the pair repeatedly denied the rumors insisting there was nothing romantic between them. The chatter didn't last long. In late November, Ball called off her divorce and reconciled with Scaramucci. During an appearance on 'Dr Phil' earlier this month, Ball said she filed for divorce after Scaramucci took the White House gig without discussing it with her first. I knew that he always had political ambitions, but this kind of happened, and we never really discussed it before, she said. Hes really motivated, which I admire, obviously, and I love about him. But, you know, in some situations you would want to have that conversation especially these types of conversations. Scaramucci and Guilfoyle, pictured together on the right with Bo Derek and John Corbett, denied the rumors saying there was nothing romantic going on between them Deidre Ball (left) filed for divorce from Scaramucci (right) in July 2017, while she was nine months pregnant with their second child Ball and Scaramucci (pictured above) reconciled in late November after Ball called off the divorce Both admitted that Scaramucci's job in the Trump administration - which only lasted 11 days - had put a strain on their marriage. Scaramucci was ousted as communications director on July 31 after an expletive-filled tirade against members of Trump's staff, including Reince Priebus and then- chief White House strategist Stephen Bannon in a conversation with a reporter for The New Yorker. I became overly ambitions, he told Dr Phil about his time working in the White House. I became misguided and I ended up doing things that today I totally regret. Theres two things you have to do, one, forgive yourself and the other thing is the people that you love you have to actually turn to and ask for forgiveness. Ball added: First of all, any relationship is a work in progress, right. And I love him and the whole time we were apart I was like, What the heck happened? So I just wanted my family back and I loved him and I wanted my kids to have their dad and were working on it and its how it should be. Footage has emerged of the moment ex-Comanchero bikie boss Mick Hawi was gunned down outside a gym in Sydney's south. Close-up vision of the broad daylight execution shows a masked gunman running up to Hawi's luxury Mercedes 4WD and opening fire. The hitman, dressed all in black, fires multiple shots at point blank range, leaning inside the car's window while shooting before sprinting to a getaway car. Scroll down for video Footage has emerged of the moment ex-Comanchero bikie boss Mick Hawi was gunned down outside a gym in Sydney's south Close-up vision of the broad daylight execution shows a masked gunman running up to Hawi's luxury Mercedes 4WD and opening fire Mahmoud 'Mick' Hawi (pictured left and right with his wife Carolina Gonzalez) was a former national president of the Comanchero outlaw motorcycle gang The gunman struck as Hawi, 37, was leaving a Fitness First gym in Rockdale on February 15. Hawi can be seen getting into his black 4WD moments before the masked assassin runs out of hiding and starts shooting. The hitman fires for seven seconds, shooting with one hand in the beginning before sticking the handgun through the window and continuing to pump bullets into Hawi. Witnesses reported seeing a man wearing a balaclava get into a waiting car, and a Mercedes station wagon was set on fire on a nearby street a short time later. The hitman dressed all in black fires multiple shots at point blank range, leaning inside the car's window before sprinting from the scene CCTV footage released after the shooting showed two masked men running away from the burning car. Hawi rose to the top of the Comanchero aged just 22, and shot to prominence for his role in the infamous 2009 Sydney airport bikie brawl which left one man dead. His murder conviction over the death of Anthony Zervas in the brawl was sensationally overturned in 2014. Hawi was released in 2015 after serving a three and a half year sentence for the downgraded charge of manslaughter. The release of the footage comes a day after police revealed they arrested a 29-year-old man trying to leave the country less than 24 hours after the killing. Hawi (pictured) rose to the top of the Comanchero aged just 22, and shot to prominence for his role in the infamous 2009 Sydney airport bikie brawl which left one man dead Witnesses reported seeing a man wearing a balaclava get into a waiting car, and a Mercedes station wagon was set on fire on a nearby street a short time later CCTV footage released after the shooting showed two masked men running from the scene New South Wales Police confirmed on Thursday detectives searched a home in Hurstville after the arrest and seized a semi-automatic Desert Eagle handgun. 'The firearm has been examined by specialist ballistic officers and determined not to be the firearm used in the shooting,' a police spokeswoman said in a statement. The man was arrested at Sydney International Airport on February 16 and taken into custody before being moved to a hospital for assessment, and is being held under mental health legislation. Strike Force Amirs, made up of detectives from the Criminal Groups Squad, is continuing to investigate the shooting. The commuter received a criminal conviction and a fine after receiving oral sex from a strange woman on the train The woman who allegedly masturbated on a train and then performed oral sex on a male commuter has been charged with offensive behaviour and public exposure offenses. It comes after Shane Brennan, 38, from Wollongong, south of Sydney, was convicted and fined on Tuesday to the same charges relating the alleged romp in broad daylight that shocked Australia. Brennan claimed the woman approached him on the platform at Port Kembla as he waited for the 9.56am train on December 14 and said: 'I'm horny, will you f*** me?' The 34-year-old woman will face court next week, police confirmed. He was caught with his pants down at the end of the line - with court facts revealing he was asked whether he had urinated on the train. He clarified it was Coca-Cola that had actually been spilled all over the floor. He had used the soft drink to clean his genitals. Brennan told Daily Mail Australia he is 'in strife' with his girlfriend of 12 years after the story of his alleged sexual encounter went viral. Shane Brennan said he had explained to his partner that 'it is what it is' His casual train partner was apparently masturbating in an empty carriage when the encounter occurred (stock image) 'She's not happy,' Brennan said of the mother of his three children. He admitted he had been on the receiving end of a 'few choice words' from his lover since his apparent broad daylight tryst came to light. When confronted by his girlfriend of 12 years, Brennan explained that 'it is what it is'. He said he had initially declined to have sex with the woman, but claimed the woman soon began masturbating on the otherwise 'empty' train carriage they shared. He then allowed her to perform oral sex on him.'As soon as the deed was done I was out of there and off.' The alleged crimes were all captured on train CCTV (closed circuit TV) cameras, a court heard. Brennan admitted: 'I didn't know they had cameras all throughout the train'. 'I can't help myself,' he said. 'As soon as the deed was done I was out of there and off,' convicted criminal Brennan said The man approached a woman who was masturbating on the train, received oral sex from her and then washed his private parts off with Coca-Cola (stock image) Brennan said he poured the Coke on his private parts to protect himself from sexually transmitted infections. The woman was a bit younger than him, he claimed, but 'wasn't a good sort'. He was outraged as he did not believe the woman had been charged, until news broke on Friday. 'She was the one masturbating,' he claimed this week. 'If she didn't offer me nothing I wouldn't have f***ing done it.' Meantime, the magistrate 'wasn't happy' with him in court this week. 'He said I well and truly crossed the line. And that sort of behaviour can't be tolerated, which is understandable,' he said. Mr Brennan argued there was no one in the carriage at the time and 'you'd think the train guard would've said 'good on ya, mate'.' He said he would not do it again and has been placed on a 12 month good behaviour bond. Donald Trump is planning to remove H.R. McMaster as national security adviser just days after firing Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, in the latest shake up of his administration, officials say. The president 'now comfortable' with firing US Army Lieutenant General McMaster, who he never really got on with, sources told the Washington Post. He is even discussing potential replacements, although he's reportedly willing to take his time to avoid humiliating the respected general. However, the White House has hit back at the claims, with Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders tweeting: 'Just spoke to @POTUS and Gen. H.R. McMaster - contrary to reports they have a good working relationship and there are no changes at the NSC.' Trump tweeted a similar denial in December, amid rumors he was planning to fire Tillerson. He branded the speculation 'fake news' saying 'hes not leaving and while we disagree on certain subjects, (I call the final shots) we work well together and America is highly respected again!' National Security Adviser H.R. McMaster, pictured Thursday, at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, is on his way out, according to sources The president is already discussing replacements for McMaster, who he never really got on with, sources say. Pictured; Trump shaking hands with US Army Lieutenant General H.R. McMaster at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach, Florida, on February 20, 2017 On Tuesday, Trump fired Tillerson from his role as the secretary of state in a tweet. The president reportedly always disliked Tillerson, and has already moved to install his own ally, CIA Director Mike Pompeo, in the job. The following day, he named conservative TV analyst Larry Kudlow as economic adviser, after Gary Cohn quit over trade disagreements. Staffers are reportedly now terrified who is going to be next on the chopping block. And Trump did nothing to allay those fears on Thursday when he hinted that there would be more shake ups to come. 'There will always be change,' the president told reporters. 'And I think you want to see change. I want to also see different ideas.' One White House aide worried aloud to theAxios news website on Wednesday that Trump is running 'the most toxic working environment on the planet.' He's in: Veteran CNBC contributor Larry Kudlow (left) replaced Gary Cohn, while there is speculation chief of staff John Kelly (right) a retired Marine four-star, could be out soon Dead men walking? Veterans Affairs Secretary David Shulkin, who was appearing at the House Appropriations Subcommittee Thursday, is seen as primed to exit the administration while Attorney General Jeff Sessions, who traveled to Nashville, TN, may also have a rocky fate 'Usually tough times bring people together. But right now this atmosphere is ripping people apart. There's no leadership, no trust, no direction and this point there's very little hope,' the aide said. The Post reports that some in the White House are reluctant to oust McMaster, a three-star general, as they want to show that people can serve in Trump's administration without it damaging their careers or reputation. They have urged the president to delay pushing the security adviser out until he's promoted to four-star rank or has a cushy alternative role lined up. However, Trump already appears to be considering his alternatives and has reportedly already spoken with John Bolton, a very conservative defense hawk and former United Nations ambassador under George W. Bush, about replacing McMaster a three-star general who has already spoken with the Pentagon about a return to active duty. Other potential candidates could include Keith Kellogg, the chief of staff of the National Security Council. Yet Trump denies a mass exodus from his administration, calling such news reports 'very false.' Trump has been frustrated by stories that project as many as four senior officials following McMasters, Cohn and Tillerson out the door. 'They wrote a story about staff changes today that was very false,' Trump said, without singling out any news outlet. 'We made a wonderful change. I think Mike Pompeo is going to be an incredible secretary of state.' 'I've gotten to know a lot of people over the last year ... so there will always be change, but very little.' 'It was a very false story, a very exaggerated and false story,' the president added. Donald Trump (left) is planning to remove H.R. McMaster (right) as national security adviser, officials say But the Post reports that Trump appears to enjoy watching his subordinates battle it out for his approval. 'I like conflict. I like having two people with different points of view,' Trump said last week. 'I like watching it, I like seeing it, and I think it's the best way to go.' He allegedly has been fueling some of the ousting rumors, musing to other staffers who he thinks would be best to fill a certain role. One very public firing, which sent a ripple of panic through the administration, was that of Trump's personal aide and body man, John McEntee. McEntee was marched out the White House on Tuesday after he came under investigation by the Department of Homeland Security for serious financial crimes and his security clearance was revoked. 'Everybody fears the perp walk,' a senior White House official said. 'If it could happen to Johnny, the president's body guy, it could happen to anybody.' There is speculation John Bolton (right) could replaced McMaster (left) as national security adviser But for some staffers, the situation has become so ridiculous, they have been cracking jokes or even betting on who will be next out of the White House. Sources say attorney General Jeff Sessions, Veterans Affairs Secretary David Shulkin, and White House Chief of Staff John Kelly could all be primed to exit the administration. EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt's name is circulating as a possible replacement for Sessions, who has incurred the president's wrath for more than a year because he recused himself from an investigation about possible collusion between Russia and the Trump presidential campaign. As a former state attorney general who had nothing to do with the campaign itself, Pruitt wouldn't be constrained from getting directly involved. '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 told The New York Times last summer, adding that the decision was 'extremely unfair' to him as president. Shulkin, the lone Obama administration holdover in Trump's Cabinet, has ethics problems and may be pushed out any day now. Energy Secretary Rick Perry, a former U.S. Air Force pilot, says he's not interested in a lateral move to take over that agency. Denial: 'I've gotten to know a lot of people over the last year ... so there will always be change, but very little. It was a very false story, a very exaggerated and false story,' the president said of claims multiple senior White House and Cabinet officials are on their way out President Donald Trump abruptly fired Tillerson in a tweet on Tuesday, but the White House insisted Kelly had called Tillerson four days earlier while he was in Africa White House budget chief Mick Mulvaney and House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy have been publicly floated as potential successors to Kelly. This week the president hired CNBC financial commentator Larry Kudlwo to be his chief economic adviser, replacing Cohn. He also named CIA Director Mike Pompeo as the new secretary of state, filling the hole created by a presidential tweet on Tuesday morning. Gina Haspel, the CIA's deputy director, will become the first woman to lead the spy agency once Pompeo makes his transition. Others at risk could be Housing and Urban Development Secretary Ben Carson, who has come under fire for his spending, after splashing $31,000 on a dining room set for his office; Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Scott Pruitt, criticized for his taxpayer funded first-class travel and Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke, whose agency spent $139,000 on new office doors. The staff turnover in Trump's White House has proceeded at a historic pace. Just 14 months after Inauguration Day, more than 20 senior administration aides have already quit, or been fired or reassigned to other jobs. A fifth victim has been claimed by the listeria outbreak contaminating rockmelons across the country. The death of a Victorian man in his 80s, has brought the toll to five after test results showed his death was linked to the outbreak. Three Victorians and two people from New South Wales have died after consuming fruit linked to a farm in southern NSW, 9News reported. A total of 18 people have been affected by the listeria outbreak due to rockmelons (stock image) There has also been a case recorded in Tasmania and four have been reported in Queensland. 'This latest case the death of a man in his 80s - has only just been linked to the outbreak as a result of our microbiological testing,' Victoria's deputy chief health officer, Dr Brett Sutton, said. 'And sadly, the investigation has also confirmed that a miscarriage has also been linked to the outbreak.' Victoria's health department would not provide further details about the victim, including the date of his death. Nine people in Victoria have been affected with listeria from the melons five men and four women, all from high-risk groups. Listeriosis is particularly dangerous for elderly people, pregnant woman, their unborn babies and anyone with compromised immune systems. Victoria and New South Wales have recorded six listeria cases each. There has also been a case recorded in Tasmania and four have been reported in Queensland (stock image) Listeriosis starts with flu-like symptoms such as fever, chills, muscle aches, nausea, and sometimes diarrhoea. Symptoms of infection in pregnant women may be mild and include a temperature before or during birth. The outbreak has been traced to Rombola Family Farms near Griffith, one of the biggest growers nationally, sparking an national recall of implicated melons. The NSW Food Authority has said it may implement additional regulation to the rockmelon industry to ensure compliance with food safety. People are being told to wash their food and refrigerate two hours after cutting it open. People are being urged to throw away the fruit that they have already bought, despite the recall of the affected rockmelons taken off the shelves and out of distribution. Supermarket giant Coles will be spun into a new corporate giant by its parent company Wesfarmers. Credit Suisse valued the Coles spin off at $19.4 billion, making it much smaller than its key rival Woolworth Group's market capitalisation of $35 billion. The proposed demerger is expected to be completed in the 2019 financial year, pending shareholder approval to create a new company on the Australian Securities Exchange. The proposed demerger would include more than 24,000 supermarkets, liquor stores, fuel stations and hotels. The demerger will allow the Perth-based conglomerate Wesfarmers to focus on growth opportunities in its remaining businesses, which include hardware giant Bunnings, department stores Kmart and Target and stationery chain Officeworks. 'We believe Coles has developed strong investment fundamentals and is of a scale where it should be operated and owned separately,' Wesfarmers managing director Rob Scott said in a statement on Friday. 'It is now a mature and cash generative business, which is expected to have a strong balance sheet and dividend paying capacity. Coles will be well positioned to continue to deliver long-term earnings growth, with an earnings profile that is expected to be resilient through economic cycles.' 'A demerger of Coles will facilitate greater focus by Wesfarmers on growth opportunities within its remaining businesses and the pursuit of value accretive transactions,' managing director Rob Scott said Chairman Michael Chaney added: 'Wesfarmers' operating model has benefited our shareholders over the long term and will continue to provide the framework for future capital allocation decisions.' If it goes ahead, the demerger would include 8061 supermarkets, Coles Online, 8941 Liquorland, Vintage Cellars and First Choice Liquor stores, 7121 Coles Express fuel and convenience stores, a general insurance and credit cards business, and 881 Spirit Hotels. The demerger will allow Wesfarmers to focus on growth opportunities in hardware giant Bunnings, department stores Kmart (pictured) and Target and stationery chain Officeworks Wesfarmers acquired Coles as part of the Coles Group in 2007. As at 31 December 2017, Coles accounted for 60 per cent of Wesfarmers' capital employed and 34 per cent of group divisional earnings. Wesfarmers will not exit the business entirely as it proposes to retain a minority ownership interest of up to 20 per cent in Coles following the demerger to support strategic alignment between the two parties in relation to various growth initiatives. 'The group expects to retain its current strong credit ratings and the dividend policy will remain unchanged,' Mr Scott said. Wesfarmers also used Friday's news to announce Metcash supermarkets and convenience chief executive Steven Cain as Coles' next managing director. He will replace John Durkan, who will step down later this year after 10 years in senior leadership positions at Coles. Mr Cain said he was very excited at the opportunity to join Coles as it embarked on the next phase of its evolution as a great Australian retailer. Thirteen days after Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia were attacked with a nerve agent in Salisbury, police appear to be no nearer any answers as to how the pair were poisoned. Theories banded around in the past fortnight include food poisoning, a bouquet of flowers laced with the deadly substance Novichok and the lethal toxin being smeared on the former agent's car door handle. Now, it is understood investigators have turned their attentions to Yulia's suitcase in a bid to find out exactly how she and her father ended up fighting for their lives after falling unconscious on March 4. But Scotland Yard's top officers are still keeping the public in the dark and a series of conflicting leaks from the investigation suggests they are no nearer the truth. Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia (pictured in Zizzi in 2016) left a trail of nerve agent in the restaurant after their poisoning Specialist officers in protective suits secure the police forensic tent that had been blown over by the wind and is covering the bench where Sergei Skripal was found critically with his daughter on March 4. Initially it was believed they were sprayed with the nerve agent here Officers stand guard outside Zizzi, where Sergei Skripal and Yulia shared a risotto on Sunday afternoon. It was thought their food might have been spiked, but this was ruled out after witnesses said they watched the chef prepare their food Officers guard The Mill pub where the pair had a drink before going to Zizzi. One theory was that their drinks were spiked, but this thesis was shortlived Senior sources in the intelligence agencies told The Telegraph they 'convinced' the poison was hidden in the luggage. Police are now said to be working on the theory the Novichok was concealed in an item of clothing, a gift or cosmetics. The eight theories leaked from the Salisbury investigation Day 1: Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia were directly sprayed with the poison on the bench where they were found slumped. Day 5: Investigators move away from the initial theory, suggesting they were poisoned by food or drink. This threw Zizzi and The Mill pub as possible locations for the attack. Day 6: A new theory emerges - the poison was posted through Sergei Skripal's letterbox. Day 7: Officers dug up Skripal's wife's grave as they scoured the city for clues. During this exercise, it was thought a bouquet of flowers were laced with the toxin, causing the former spy to be rendered unconscious. Day 10: Sergei Skripal's maroon BMW is thrust into the heart of the probe as it is suggested the poison was introduced to the car's ventilation system. Hours later, a leak suggests the vehicles door handles were smeared with the deadly Novichok nerve agent. Day 13: The latest theory to be banded around by sources is that Yulia Skripal's luggage was contaminated. Advertisement It means, according to the paper, that the 33-year-old was a deliberate target in order to get at her father. The thesis is the latest in a long line of apparent guesses which have leaked from the investigation. Andrei Lugovoy, the prime suspect in the murder of Alexander Litvinenko, was the first to offer an opinion, suggesting the pair had come down with a severe bout of food poisoning. The initial theory from police was that the nerve agent, initially unknown, was sprayed directly at the pair on Sunday, March 4. Both Yulia and Sergei Skripal were found slumped on a park bench in Salisbury, and it was thought it was here where they were poisoned. Another report suggested they had been exposed to the substance in a shopping centre. By March 8, it was said detectives had moved away from the theory that the nerve agent was sprayed directly at Skripal, a source told MailOnline. They were then instead said to be focusing more on the possibility that poison was added to his food or drink at some point before he collapsed. This pointed the finger at The Mill pub in Salisbury and the Italian restaurant Zizzi as potential locations as to where they were poisoned. But these theories were short-lived, with witnesses claiming they saw the chef prepare the risotto they shared at the Italian restaurant. A police officer carries a box outside Sergei Skripal's house in Salisbury. On March 9, Skripal's cul-de-saq in Salisbury was sealed off as police worked on the thesis that the nerve agent was posted through his letterbox The notion their drinks were spiked at The Mill were also quickly debunked, seemingly putting investigators back to square one. The following day, on March 9, Skripal's cul-de-saq in Salisbury had been completely sealed off as police worked on the thesis that the nerve agent was posted through his letterbox. Again, this came and went, and nearly 200 troops, including Royal Marines and chemical weapons experts, were drafted in to investigate the attack. The quaint city had now unexpectedly found itself at the centre of the international incident, as investigators began to suspect the Kremlin of being behind the attempted assassination. While Scotland Yard insisted 'the public should not be alarmed' and public health officials claim the incident poses a 'low risk' to residents, they were not wholly convinced, with locals complaining of being 'kept in the dark'. On March 10, Amber Rudd came out of the Cobra meeting to say police had obtained 200 pieces of evidence and identified 240 witnesses - suggesting they were no nearer any conclusions. Officers dug up Skripal's wife's grave as they scoured the city for clues. During this exercise, it was thought a bouquet of flowers were laced with the toxin, causing the former spy to be rendered unconscious. Investigators at Salisbury Cemetery where they dug up the grave of Sergei Skripal's wife. During this exercise, it was thought a bouquet of flowers were laced with the toxin, causing the former spy to be rendered unconscious Police cordon tape surrounds the grave of Alexander Skripal, son of former Russian spy Sergei Skripal, in the cemetery in Salisbury The cordon carried on extending a week after the attack, with cars, vans, parking ticket machines and belongings being seized from as far away as eight miles from Salisbury. By this time, Theresa May had blamed Russia for the attack and identified the nerve agent used as the deadly Novichok. But how the substance came into contact with the Skripals was still up in the air. A day of political mudslinging ensued on March 12 as British-Russian relations plummeted to its lowest point since the Cold War. On March 13, another leak from the investigation thrust Skripal's maroon BMW into the heart of the probe. It was initially thought the poison was somehow introduced to the car's ventilation system, and that when the former double agent and his daughter travelled along inside it, they were contaminated. But later that night, another theory was suggested - that the Novichok was smeared on the car's door handles. On March 13, another leak from the investigation thrust Skripal's maroon BMW into the heart of the probe. It was initially thought the poison was somehow introduced to the car's ventilation system, and that when the former double agent and his daughter travelled along inside it, they were contaminated. Pictured: Sergei Skripal's BMW captured on CCTV With no answers forthcoming from Scotland Yard, Theresa May banned 23 Russian diplomats from the UK and The Kremlin promised retaliation. Another day of tit-for-tat rhetoric was thrown around the Westminster and Moscow before a theory entered from left-field - Yulia Skripal was the real target. Sergei Skripal's niece speculated Yulia had angered her boyfriend's mother - a highly-ranked Russian security official - after saying she wanted to start a family. But police appeared to still be focussing on the car. A missing 40 minutes, from 1pm and 1.40pm on the day of the poisoning became the heartbeat of the investigation, with police desperately asking for information. CCTV footage obtained by the Mail showed the BMW travelling towards the supermarket in the city. The BMW is taken away for testing. The theory changed within hours from the toxin being introduced to the ventilation system to Novichok being smeared on the door handles The exact details of the movements of Sergei and his daughter are still being determined, but after visiting Sainsbury's, they went to The Mill pub in The Maltings. At 2.20pm, they arrived at Italian restaurant Zizzi where they dined before leaving at 3.35pm. Between the restaurant and a park bench where they were found, there was a possible CCTV sighting on Market Walk at 3.47pm. Scotland Yard Assistant Commissioner Neil Basu said they remained in a critical condition in hospital, days after they were found slumped on the bench in the Wiltshire city at 4.15pm. Neither he nor the Met Police Assistant Commissioner Mark Rowley have been able to shed any light on the mystery. And as the investigation knocks on the door of its second week and the suitcase has become the latest theory , the public are no clearer as to how the Skripals were poisoned. Now, it is understood investigators have turned their attentions to Yulia's suitcase in a bid to find out exactly how she and her father ended up fighting for their lives after falling unconscious on March 4 (file image) A shocking photograph of a woman appearing to shoot up a drug in a children's park is a startling reminder of Australia's worsening drug epidemic. Visitors to Harmony Park in Willagee, southwest Perth, snapped a picture of a woman allegedly shooting up in front of parents and young children in broad daylight. The woman is pictured sitting on the grass with the contents of her handbag spilled onto the ground while holding a needle in her left hand. Visitors to Harmony park in Willagee, southwest Perth, snapped a picture of a woman (pictured) allegedly shooting up in front of parents and young children in broad daylight The woman was allegedly shooting up at Harmony Park (pictured) in Perth's southwest An incensed park-goer claims a traffic police officer only 'moved her along' instead of arresting her at the scene. 'Kids are around playing at the park and this c***t shoots up at the park in front of children and everyone else,' a woman wrote in a post to Facebook. 'What is this world coming to? Anyone know this junkie? The traffic police officer just moved her along inside of calling the police.' The photograph sparked an influx of furious commenters who claim the drug problem in Australia, particularly in Perth, is out of control. 'Needles have been found at my child's school in the sand pits, if I found that piece of sh*t I would kill them - do what you do f***wit, but do it somewhere else,' one Perth woman said. 'That's why I don't live in Perth or any city,' another person wrote. One Perth man said he is sick of seeing needles scattered around Perth after finding one close to his child's primary school. One Perth man said he is sick of seeing needles scattered around Perth after finding one close to his child's primary school (Needle pictured) An incensed park-goer claims a traffic police officer only 'moved her along' instead of arresting the woman at the scene (Park pictured) The father-of-three said he found an uncapped needle 500m away from Challis Primary School in Armadale, Perth and picked it up to move it out of harm's way. 'Needles are everywhere... I hate having no license having to walk with 3 kids finding dirty sh*t like this all the time,' he said. Perth has been described in the past as the 'methamphetamine capital of Australia' and West Australians are now the biggest ice users in the country, according to the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission. Globally, Australia ranks a shocking second place behind Slovakia for the highest level of meth users among 18 countries with comparable sewage testing. While WA held the title for meth use, Sydney was found to be the worst for cocaine use and the Northern Territory for alcohol and tobacco.co use were the highest in the Northern Territory. Sydney snorted more cocaine than anywhere else in Australia with 30 hits a day per 1000 people compared to just two or less hits a day in WA. Daily Mail Australia has contacted WA Police who could not confirm if the alleged incident is being investigated. Four soldiers from Prince Harrys former regiment were caught snorting cocaine in a pub toilet while on a night out with colleagues. Staff at a Wetherspoons pub in Windsor reportedly found the serving Household Cavalry troops taking the drug on Tuesday night. The incident took place at The King and Castle, a pub which is just yards from Windsor Castle - where Harry will marry in May. The four soldiers were part of a group of twenty off-duty servicemen and were discovered snorting cocaine by staff at The King and Castle pub, yards away from Windsor Castle The Prince served in The Blues and Royals, one of two regiments which make up the Household Cavalry, and soldiers from the regiment are due to guard his wedding to Meghan Markle. The four men, who were among a group of twenty off-duty servicemen, were ejected from the pub after being caught in the first-floor toilets. They were then reported by their squadron corporal major and sent for drugs tests, The Sun reported. Last night, the Ministry of Defence confirmed they are investigating the incident and said they will discipline any soldiers who committed an offence. The soldiers are serving in the Household Cavalry which is made up of two regiments, including The Blues and Royals which Prince Harry served in (pictured). (File image - there is no suggestion the men pictured were involved) Any British soldier who tests positive for drugs faces almost certain dismissal from the army. A spokesman said: We can confirm a number of soldiers were involved in an incident in Windsor on Tuesday evening. The matter is currently being investigated and it would be inappropriate to comment further at this time. All those who are found to fall short of the Armys high standards or who are found to have committed an offence under the Armed Forces Act are dealt with administratively (up to and including dismissal) or through the disciplinary process, as applicable. Following the incident, a team of senior officers arrived at Windsors Combermere Barracks and carried out compulsory drug tests of more than 300 serviceman. Prince Harry (pictured centre) joined the regiment in 2006 and rose to the rank of Captain before leaving the Armed Forces in June 2015 A source told The Sun: This has been a long time coming - drug-taking is absolutely rife at Combermere and we need to clean up our act before Harrys wedding. The four chucked out of the pub were the tip of the iceberg. Cocaine and MDMA abuse among troops has been a problem for some time. There are now huge ructions going on trying to find out whos been dealing drugs in the camp. Its being taken very seriously. Prince Harry joined the Blues and Royals in 2006 after completing a 44-week training course at Sandhurst. The regiment has been nicknamed The Booze and Royals because of its hard-partying reputation. He was secretly deployed to Helmand in Afghanistan with the regiment at the end of 2007. Prince Harry rose to the rank of Captain in the regiment before leaving the Armed Forces in June 2015. Harry Keogh, 57, a senior executive at the Queens private bank was allowed to keep his job despite facing sexual harassment allegations, it was claimed last night A senior executive at the Queens private bank was allowed to keep his job despite facing sexual harassment allegations, it was claimed last night. Women staff at Coutts are said to have complained of lewd comments, heavy drinking and unwanted physical contact by Harry Keogh, 57, and members of his team. His behaviour was allegedly so unbearable that some women refused to work with him, according to documents seen by the Wall Street Journal. One female banker at Coutts claimed Mr Keogh touched her groin in front of colleagues at a meeting in 2015. The graduate trainee in her 20s also said he whispered to her as he left a company dinner that hed take her with him if he could. He allegedly told another colleague that she had the longest legs in Coutts and said he wanted to marry her. The 300-year-old bank, which is used by the Queen, said that it had carried out and investigation and taken decisive disciplinary action. Mr Keogh received a final written warning and had a bonus withheld but was allowed to keep his job at Coutts. One woman said Mr Keogh brought in a third of the banks business and was therefore untouchable. Ex-employee Elisabeth Prager told the investigation it was a boys club and that she had been told not to think of getting pregnant because the bank needed a few years of work out of her first. Coutts is owned by the Royal Bank of Scotland, majority-owned by taxpayers after being bailed out during the financial crisis. RBS has itself been accused of condoning sexism. Former executive Jayne-Anne Gadhia told a Treasury Committee that there had been a very male culture at the bank. The battle to save defence giant GKN from a hostile takeover received a boost yesterday. Last night, major GKN shareholder Lancaster Investment Management, which has 1 per cent of the firms stock, came out against the bid by Melrose, which buys firms, slashes costs and sells them at a profit. It comes after Jupiter Asset Management, which also holds 1 per cent, rejected the offer. In a dramatic intervention, a top boss at Airbus also said it would be practically impossible to work with GKN if it was bought out by predators Melrose. Next a City firm became the first big investor in the 259-year-old UK company to publicly reject the takeover. And finally MPs from all parties condemned Melroses 8.1billion offer and called on ministers to block it. One accused Melrose of asset-stripping. The battle to save defence giant GKN from a hostile takeover received a triple boost yesterday. In a dramatic intervention, an Airbus boss said it would be practically impossible to work with GKN As the single biggest customer of GKN, Airbuss last-minute broadside could be critical. City insiders say that 2,000 GKN jobs depend on making wing tips and other parts for Airbus. Tom Williams, chief operating officer of Airbuss commercial aircraft unit, said yesterday that the short-term approach of Melrose was not suited to the aviation sector. The nature of our industry is one that requires a commitment to long-term investment and strategic vision, he said. The industry does not lend itself to shorter-term investment which naturally reduces research and development budgets and limits vital innovation. It would be practically impossible for us to give any new work to GKN under such an ownership model when we dont know who the long-term investor will be. Should Airbus decide not to use GKN in future, it would force the aerospace giant to overhaul its supply chain. This would open the door to the French and Spanish arms of Airbus, who are said to be desperate to take all of the companys engineering overseas. That would cost an estimated 10,000 Airbus jobs in the UK. Opposition to the deal was growing last night as Jupiter Asset Management, which has a 73million stake in GKN, became the first investor to publicly come out against the Melrose offer. Steve Davies, who heads its UK Growth Fund, said the intervention from Airbus was significant. It is definitely something that investors need to factor into their thinking, he said. As the single biggest customer of GKN, Airbuss last-minute broadside could be critical. City insiders say that 2,000 GKN jobs depend on making wing tips and other parts for Airbus He backed GKNs plans to turn around the business as an independent company, adding: I dont see the need to dilute this value creation by accepting the Melrose proposal, which also brings with it pension risk, balance sheet concerns and potential issues with how GKNs customers might react to the change of ownership. Another major investor told the Financial Times that it and other shareholders were preparing a public statement in favour of GKN. MPs highlighted the defence giants vital importance to UK industry in a Westminster Hall debate yesterday. The day MPs joined our campaign to save GKN Politicians from all parties called on ministers to block the takeover of GKN yesterday. MPs lined up alongside the Daily Mails campaign to save GKN and highlighted the defence giants critical importance to UK industry during a debate in Westminster Hall organised by Labours Adrian Bailey. Labour MP Jack Dromey, who represents Birmingham Erdington, said: In the aftermath of tragedies like Carillion and British Steel, the last thing we need in an iconic British engineering company is such a problem on pensions befalling workers of GKN. If there is a will there is a way, and I very much hope that the Government will respond to the substantial all-party concern. He said the workers at the GKN were the salt of the earth, adding: There is a pride in their hearts in terms of who they are and what they do. The last thing we want to see is for GKN the great British engineering company to become history. Rachel Maclean, the Tory MP for Redditch, where GKN is based, added: GKN has a focus on a long-term business model, and this is a welcome contrast to the short-termism that we have seen by Melrose. They are not seen as sustainable long-term investors in the best interests of the company. Richard Burden, the Labour MP for Birmingham Northfield, said: The aerospace industry has warned that what happens to GKN is of critical importance to the sector. Melroses track record of taking over and selling companies does not give me confidence that their takeover bid would be in the interests of either GKNs long-term future or indeed the long-term future of British industry. Its not what Ministers say on this takeover bid thats important its what they are going to do. Mhairi Black, the SNP MP for Paisley and Renfrewshire, told the debate: The Government has the power, the reason and the support to act the question is, does it have the will? Advertisement Rachel Maclean, the Tory MP for Redditch in Worcestershire, where GKN is based, said: GKN has a focus on a long-term business model, and this is a welcome contrast to the short-termism that we have seen by Melrose. They are not seen as sustainable long-term investors in the best interests of the company. I am not convinced that this takeover bid is in the best interests of the company or the industrial strategy of the country or indeed the shareholders. Labour MP Rachel Reeves, chairman of the Commons business, energy and industrial strategy committee, heard from GKN and Melrose at a hearing last week. She said: There is a strong case for calling in this takeover on grounds of national security because GKN does supply Airbus and Rolls-Royce, who have defence contracts. Labour MP Jack Dromey said: This is a very significant intervention, and others will follow. Airbus is a world-class company that invests for the long term. GKN is a reliable partner the last thing they want is a short-term asset stripper. Shareholders will have to take note because Airbus accounts for about 700million of GKNs work. Howard Wheeldon, an industry analyst, described Airbuss intervention as a game changer. Its a very significant and very realistic comment, he said. A company that makes the sort of things that GKN makes needs to have very stable relationships and the customers need to know that a change of ownership is not going to change the way things are done. It changes the whole dynamic because it is making those who might see Melrose as the way forward, they are beginning to realise that the risks of doing that are far, far, greater than they might have imagined. That recognition is now going to start coming through. There are now under two weeks to decide the fate of GKN, which employs around 6,000 people in the UK and 58,000 around the world. It has been at the centre of the UKs biggest and most bitter takeover battle in a decade following Melroses swoop at the start of January. The bid has been rejected by GKNs board as cheap and opportunistic, while Melroses strategy of selling firms on within three to five years has raised widespread concerns. The Government is considering whether it should intervene, given the firms work on the US-UK joint strike fighter F-35 and Eurofighter Typhoon. Paul Everitt, of defence industry trade body ADS, said he had no comment on who would be the best owner of GKN, but stressed that Airbuss concerns about short-termism in the industry would be shared. Christopher Miller, Melroses chairman, said: We will be delighted to explain to all customers and stakeholders why Melroses invest as if we were to own the business forever approach is the right way forward for GKN. We are certain that GKNs new strategy of hasty short-term business breakup will not benefit the long-term requirements of customers. 'Under Melrose, shareholders and customers will be able to enjoy a considered and longer-term process of value creation, investment and business enhancement which is clearly not an option under continued GKN ownership. GKNs Mike Turner said: As we have previously stated, and as these comments from Airbus reinforce, winning new business in our markets would be more difficult if customers were uncertain as to the identity of their future long-term partners. Melrose chief executive Simon Peckham says it is committed to matching GKN research and development spending, and keeping its HQ in Britain. A woman needed brain surgery to remove blood clots after a 20-hour train journey spent lying on her side playing with her phone. The woman, a 47-year-old migrant worker, used her smartphone to kill time on the journey from her home in Henan Province, Central China, to the city of Guangzhou, capital of the southern province of Guangdong. The journey of around 800 to 900 miles reportedly took 20 hours. With the train packed, the unnamed woman was unable or unwilling to move from her prone position. Despite needing emergency brain surgery after developing blood clots on her brain, the 47-year-old woman went back to playing on her phone (pictured) When she got off the train at Guanzhou she immediately fainted on the platform. Doctors at the hospital she was taken to used an MRI scan to reveal the cause of the problem: multiple blood clots in her brain. She was rushed into surgery and had the unusually large clots removed in an operation lasting three hours. First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University in Guangzhou neurologist Meng Heng told local media: We took out many blood clots, almost two centimetres (just under an inch) in total, which is twice what patients usually have. A neurologist said that the woman developed the blood clots because she had spent a 20-hour journey lying on her side and playing on her smartphone We think she kept the same posture for too long, which compressed the blood vessels on the right side of her neck. The patient was reportedly in good health until the incident. Meng said more patients than ever were presenting with similar symptoms, usually young smartphone addicts. His patient was pictured recovering well from the surgery, again killing time by playing on her phone. Two companies rushed to delete celebratory tweets about their performance in constructing the collapsed bridge that killed at least four people at Florida International University on Thursday. On Monday, BDI boasted about the new pedestrian bridge project that had been installed on Saturday in just six hours. 'We are thrilled to have performed structural monitoring during a spectacular bridge move by #barnhartcrane at #FIU #Miami,' BDI said in the tweet, which has since been deleted from the company's social media page. 'Congratulations to BCR on a job well done, we always appreciate being part of the team!' This is the celebratory tweet BDI posted about the rapid construction of the collapsed bridge in Florida. The tweet was deleted on on Thursday Barhart also posted about the project on Wednesday: 'First-of-its-kind #pedestrian #bridge "swings" into place - Barnhart operated the #Modular #Transporters to place the bridge on permanent supports. 'The bridge was lifted from temporary supports and rotated across an 8-lane road to its permanent position.' The 950-ton 'instant bridge', that spanned several traffic lanes, crashed down onto vehicles waiting below on 8th street. Officials confirmed 10 people had been transported to Kendall Regional Medical Center in Tamiami immediately after. They were said to be in critical condition. Barnhart boasted about the 'first-of-its-kind' bridge' just one day before the collapse A brand new, 950-ton pedestrian bridge collapsed in front of Florida International University, Thursday, March 15, 2018, in Miami Florida officials said Thursday that several people have been found dead in the rubble Following the tragic event, the companies quickly removed the posts, and one sent their condolences to the victims. BDI tweeted: 'We are deeply saddened to hear that the pedestrian bridge has collapsed at #FIU. Our hearts go out to the individuals and families that have been affected by the collapse.' Barnhart had not issued a new message about the incident as of Thursday evening. BDI further took to their website to explain their role in the failed 'instant bridge' project. 'We worked as a subcontractor to Barnhart Crane and Rigging. BDI was contracted to conduct monitoring while the bridge was moved into place,' the company wrote online. The company further said they were 'not involved in the bridges design or construction' and had no personnel or equipment at the site when the event occurred. 'Our hearts go out to the individuals and families that have been affected by this incident... the safety of the communities where we live and work is always our top priority, and BDI is committed to fully assisting with the ongoing investigation.' John F Kennedy is finally able to 'deliver' his Dallas Trade Mart speech, more than 50 years after his assassination. Thanks to technology, Kennedy is heard saying the famous words he was supposed to deliver at a luncheon on that fateful day in November 1963. The Times of London said it teamed up with British audio technology company CereProc and Rothco, an Irish creative agency, to build a database that was then used to create the speech in the late president's voice. Thanks to technology, John F Kennedy is now able to 'deliver' a speech he was supposed to give in Dallas in November 1963 Kennedy was on his way to deliver a speech at the Dallas Trade Mart when he was shot. Kennedy is pictured sitting next to First Lady Jackie Kennedy and Texas governor John Connally Engineers were able to recreate Kennedy's voice by analyzing records of more than 800 of his past speeches and radio addresses. The engineers then used sound bites to create audio of the 35th US president performing the speech. The digitally created speech was a part of the Times' 'JFK: Unsilenced' project. Kennedy was traveling in a motorcade with First Lady Jackie Kennedy, Texas governor John Connally and his wife Nellie when shots rang out in the Dealey Plaza as they made their way towards the Dallas Trade Mart. The president was due to give a speech at a luncheon, but never made it to his destination. He was pronounced dead at the age of 46 on November 22, 1963. The text of the unspoken speech was preserved and reads in part: 'In a world of complex and continuing problems, in a world full of frustrations and irritations, Americas leadership must be guided by the lights of learning and reason or else those who confuse rhetoric with reality and the plausible with the possible will gain the popular ascendancy with their seemingly swift and simple solutions to every world problem. Kennedy was assassinated on November 22, 1963 in Dallas, Texas. He was 46 when he died 'There will always be dissident voices heard in the land, expressing opposition without alternative, finding fault but never favor, perceiving gloom on every side and seeking influence without responsibility. Those voices are inevitable. 'We cannot expect that everyone, to use the phrase of a decade ago, will talk sense to the American people. But we can hope that fewer people will listen to nonsense. And the notion that this Nation is headed for defeat through deficit, or that strength is but a matter of slogans, is nothing but just plain nonsense.' Meghan McCain had some choice words for Dick Cheney's daughter after the Wyoming politician accused her father - Senator John McCain - of slander for his criticism for President Trump's pick for the head of the CIA. Meghan took to Twitter to respond to Republican Rep. Liz Cheney's tweet on Thursday. 'My father doesn't need torture explained to him,' The View co-host said on Twitter. Meghan McCain (right) took to Twitter to blast Republican Rep. Liz Cheney for comments she made about her father, John McCain Former Vice President Dick Cheney is pictured with his daugther Liz Cheney in 2015 'My father doesn't need torture explained to him,' 'The View' co-host said on Thursday Cheney - the daughter of Dick Cheney - accused McCain of slander on Tuesday for his comments on President Trump's pick for the head of the CIA, Gina Haspel 'The torture of detainees in U.S. custody during the last decade was one of the darkest chapters in American history. The Senate must do its job in scrutinizing the record & involvement of Gina Haspel in this disgraceful program,' said McCain Meghan's post comes after the congresswoman had taken to the social media platform on Tuesday to defend the nomination of Gina Haspel to be the new head of the CIA. Rep. Cheney was also extremely supportive of enhanced interrogation techniques, including waterboarding. 'The Enhanced Interrogation Program saved lives, prevented attacks, & produced intel that led to Osama bin Laden,' Cheney said. Her remarks came on the 45th anniversary of John McCain's release from the 'Hanoi Hilton,' a term given to the North Vietnamese prison that tortured him He had been a pilot with the Navy but had been shot down 'The techniques were the same as those used on our own people in the SERE program. 'No one should slander the brave men & women who carried out this crucial program.' Her remarks came on the 45th anniversary of John McCain's release from the 'Hanoi Hilton,' a term given to the North Vietnamese prison that tortured him. He had been a pilot with the Navy but had been shot down. John McCain had tweeted his opposition to the role Gina Haspel (pictured) has played in enhanced interrogation John McCain had tweeted his opposition to the role Haspel has played in enhanced interrogation. 'The torture of detainees in U.S. custody during the last decade was one of the darkest chapters in American history. The Senate must do its job in scrutinizing the record & involvement of Gina Haspel in this disgraceful program,' said McCain. Trump's CIA head pick has been with the organization since 1985. Her usages of waterboarding and other interrogation techniques on alleged terrorists at a prison in Thailand was heavily scrutinized. Liz Cheney's father - former Vice President Dick Cheney - was a huge supporter of enhanced interrogation used by the CIA. Neither he nor President Trump have ever served in the armed forces. The landlord of a Lutwyche rental property in north Brisbane has evicted its Irish tenants after they painted almost the entire house in green and orange colours. The owner, Jim Everist, who privately rented the townhouse to the Irish vandals, is normally based in Bangkok but returned to Australia last week and found the residence empty and sporting a new paintjob. He said that the tenants didn't pay rent or bond and although one is a painter by trade said the quality of the renovation was appalling. Irish tenants who did not pay rent have trashed a house in Lutwyche painting it green and orange before abandoning the residence (stock image) The Irish nationals moved in during early January after Mr Everist had just repainted and refloored the house. The incident follows a six week crime spree across southeast Queensland by a group of Irish visitors who are accused of a string of offences including shoplifting, scamming restaurants by planting glass in food, and trashing rental apartments. It is believed a large group of the Irish tourists have already left the country for Hawaii, although four are wanted by police. A Queensland police spokeswoman confirmed the wilful damage incident at the Lutwyche property was being investigated. John Ibrahim has been spotted looking relaxed during a casual stroll wearing nothing but a pair of navy blue board shorts and dark sunglasses. The 47-year-old's bronzed torso was on full display as he stretched his legs in Sydney's iconic coastal suburb of Bondi Beach on Friday. Ibrahim carried a smoothie and at one point was seen laughing with one of his male acquaintances, who was also shirtless. John Ibrahim (pictured) has been spotted looking relaxed during a casual stroll at Bondi Beach on Friday Ibrahim carried a smoothie and at one point was seen laughing with one of his male acquaintances, who was also shirtless The duo appeared to be en route to the beach, as they sported minimal clothing and carried beach towels. The Kings Cross nightclub mogul looked to be in tip top shape, with his noticeable abdominal muscles in clear view. Several stab wounds across his stomach from when he was attacked with a kitchen knife as a teenager were also on show. He looked to be blending seamlessly into the crowd of beach-goers during his public appearance. The 47-year-old's bronzed torso was on full display as he stretched his legs for his rare public appearance John Ibrahim's model girlfriend Sarah Budge wore a $699 Camilla and Marc blazer and Gianvito Rossi beige suede shoes when she appeared at a Sydney court (pictured) Aisha Mehajer, sister of Salim, and Sam Sayour, nephew of Ibrahim, are expecting their first child less than four months after their whirlwind wedding. Ibrahim, who has a property empire worth $52 million but hates the limelight, supported his girlfriend Sarah Budge over firearm and ammunition offences in November. In the public outing, the pair were photographed walking alongside each other near a courthouse in central Sydney. Ms Budge, 27, was facing firearm and ammunition charges President Donald Trump has been making up trade facts and telling outrageous stories about cars and bowling balls, two new reports claim. At a closed-door political fundraiser on Wednesday night in Missouri, Trump was recorded saying he 'didn't even know' if he was right about the trading numbers he offered as proof that the U.S. has a trade deficit with Canada during a conversation with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. During the same event, Trump slammed Japan for allegedly going the extra-mile to not allow imports of American cars by using a 'bowling-ball test'. President Trump told Missouri donors on Wednesday he 'didn't even know' if he was right about the numbers he offered during a meeting with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau But a Canadian official has said he's unsure the meeting Trump referenced ever happened But Canadian authorities are unsure the interaction between Trump and Trudeau ever happened, with an official telling the National Post the conversation between the two leaders may have happened over the phone since they have discussed the topic more than once. In the recording, first obtained by the Washington Post, the President is also heard saying that staffers from each country were sent out to check Trudeau's generally accepted claim that there was no deficit. According to the President, the aides eventually said Trump was correct, and the U.S. actually loses $17billion a year when you include lumber and energy. Yet figures by the Commerce Department - part of the executive branch Trump heads - say the U.S. ran a $2.77 billion surplus with Canada in 2017 - a figure that does include oil and timber. During the same fundraiser on Wednesday, Trump claimed the Japanese use a 'bowling-ball test' to combat American car imports (pictured with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe) Washington Post reporter Josh Dawsey tweeted on Thursday that a Trump aide said the President frequently mentions the Japanese dropping bowling balls on cars during meetings It's unclear where Trump got the deficit information from, as well as where he got the story of the Japanese 'bowling ball test' - one he has been repeating, according to a White House aide. 'Its called the bowling-ball test, do you know what that is? Thats where they take a bowling ball from 20 feet up in the air and they drop it on the hood of the car,' Trump is heard saying on the recording. 'And if the hood dents, then the car doesnt qualify. Well, guess what, the roof dented a little bit, and they said, nope, this car doesnt qualify. Its horrible, the way were treated. Its horrible.' Trump double down on his deficit claims on Thursday Press Secretary Sarah Sanders said on Thursday Trump was joking about the bowling-ball test, but was correct about his deficit claims even though official statistics say the opposite No one has ever heard of or confirmed Trump's claim that there's a 'bowling-ball test' on American cars in Japan. Washington Post reporter Josh Dawsey tweeted on Thursday that a Trump aide said the President frequently mentions the Japanese dropping bowling balls on cars during meetings. 'No one knows exactly where he got the story from,' Dawsey added. White House press secretary Sarah Sanders told reporters, however, that the President was 'obviously joking' when he made the remarks. 'But it illustrates the creative ways some countries are able to keep American goods out of their markets," Sanders added. The parents of children who bully other kids could be fined up to $500 in a plan proposed by a prominent anti-bullying advocate. Moreland City Councillor, Oscar Yildiz, who has worked as a teacher for 22 years and founded an anti-bullying foundation, says it's time parents stood up and took responsibility for their children's actions. 'Parents dont take responsibility. Ive seen time and time again kids self harming, kids committing suicide. I'm close with 7 families who have lost their kids to this,' he tells Daily Mail Australia. Moreland City Councillor, Oscar Yildiz, says parents of bullies should be fined $500 and that they need to start taking responsibility 'In serious cases, parents should be fined, they should be held responsible. I think $500 is not a big ask especially if the child is repeatedly behaving poorly.' 'You think about PTSD, what people suffer after they go to war or are survivors of a terrorist attack, theyre comparing that to someone whose experience ongoing bullying kids are suffering from PTSD.' The idea of fining parents is currently being debated in America where Pennsylvanian lawmakers want to implement a policy that would require parents to pay up to $750 if their child is a habitual bully. The statistics back home are alarming. In Australia 1 in 4 students report being bullied between elementary and high school. Every day 160,000 kids stay home from school because they're afraid of being bullied and those who are bullied are 9 times more likely to attempt or contemplate suicide. While not all bullying ends in suicide, suicide is the leading cause of death for our nations young people. Mr Yildiz says bullies learn this behavior at home, from parents and toxic living situations. Amy Everett, known as Dolly, took her own life - aged 14 after becoming overwhelmed by the vile taunts of online bullies In Australia 1 in 4 students report being bullied between elementary and high school and every day 160,000 kids stay home from school because they're afraid of being bullied 'Schools dont teach bullying we just try and respond to it, theres no bullying DNA, it's learnt behavior and it can be un-learnt,' he says. 'I hear things when parents pick up their kids stuff like, "you effing idiot, you are dumb, just shut up and listen to me, you're useless, youre a waste of space.".' 'A child who is bought up in a loving home where there is laughter, they're going to go to school and demonstrate that. If kids are bought up in in dictatorial manner then theyre going to go to school and exert that physiological pain onto others,' he says. 'Its about teaching the underpinning values of respect - the apple never falls far from the tree.' Mr Yildiz says another issue that needs to be discussed is giving schools the power to expel children who bully other students. 'A school cant expel a child for bullying and thats really sad. Last year a girl from a school in Victoria ended up in a coma.' The idea of fining parents is currently being debated in Pennsylvania where some lawmakers think parents should be fined $750 if their child is a bully 'I saw on camera what that child did to that girl she almost broke her neck, she wore an neck brace for six months. She still hasnt gone back to school.' 'I met with the school principals and in any other country the child would have been expelled but that child was suspended for three days.' Even in less severe cases the memories of schoolyard bullying can stay with the victim well into their adulthood. 'It was a really toxic friendship group. All of us were new to Facebook and phones. These girls, who were meant to be my friends were basically always mean to me,' a bullying victim who grew up in Tasmania tells Daily Mail Australia. 'Saying that what I ate would catch up with me, or that I didn't eat enough or that I had too many pimples,' My Yildiz says schools should be given the power to expel bullies after a child who almost broke another girls neck was given a three day suspension 'They told me everyone hated me and their parents liked the other friends more. I alienated myself within the group, I didn't really talk to anyone, just made the occasional joke.' 'My best friend of four years, we grew up together, told me her family didn't like me. The group had to keep being called up to the principles office, parents knew it was going on but nothing happened. I felt heartbroken,' she says. 'I think it taught me long term not to hold onto toxic people.' Within advocacy groups debate rages about how best to combat Australia's bullying epidemic. If the responsibility should fall to parents, teachers or on the bullies themselves. Mr Yildiz thinks it's time for parents to stand up. 'Those parents need to change their childs behaviors because it can have such a massive impact on lives,' he says. A face-tattooed Mongrel Mob bikie kingpin has been jailed for 10 years for kidnapping and raping a teenage girl who owed him drug money, a court has heard. Alexander 'Sandy' Tamati was sentenced by Judge Tony Adeane in Napier District Court on Friday, Stuff.co.nz reported. The 60-year-old, who had previous convictions of rape and drug trafficking, has a criminal history spanning more than 40 years. Alexander 'Sandy' Tamati (pictured) was sentenced by Judge Tony Adeane in Napier District Court on Friday Tamati's ties with gang culture saw his life riddled with prior convictions as Crown Prosecutor Steve Manning noted during the trial. His serious offence subjected the girl to horrific abuse, ultimately degrading and dehumanising her, the court heard. Tamati pleaded guilty to a charge of supplying methamphetamine to the woman at the start of his trial last year, but defended four charges of unlawful sexual connection, two of kidnap, aggravated assault, assault on a female, assault with a blunt instrument and threatening to kill or do grievous bodily harm. Manning said it was only after the trial that Tamati accepted his culpability, citing to a reporter writer: 'Now, well, I did it. I actually don't know why I did it'. Judge Adeane called Tamati, 'a Mongrel Mob kingpin', was responsible for 'gangsterism' of the worst kind. His serious offending subjected the girl to horrific abuse, the court heard A jury took only one and half hours to find Tamati guilty on all offences against him. Tamati, who was also known as 'Waldo' and 'Cap', short for captain, was a senior member of the Mongrel Mob and a former president of the gang's New Zealand chapter. The court was told that his offending involved a 19-year-old who was unable to repay $800 worth of drugs and holding her captive, during which he sexually assaulted her, after sending two members of the gang to collect her. Those two men were charged with a number of charges in relation to the offending which occurred in late 2016. They each pleaded guilty to two charges of kidnap and were jailed for two years and six months and two years and three months respectively. More than 50kg of meth has been seized in Western Australia leading to the arrest of six people including three Bulgarians. The 51.5kg of meth, worth $25 million, was seized as part of a three-operation coordinated sting. A 32-year-old Sydney man arrived at Perth Domestic Airport on Monday when Border Force officers x-rayed his suitcase and found 20kg of meth. More than 50kg of meth (pictured) have been seized in Western Australia leading to six arrests A 32-year-old Sydney man flew to Perth Airport (pictured) and was found with 20kg of meth in his suitcase The Sydney man appeared in Perth Magistrates Court and police alleged he flew into Perth under a false name with the drugs. He was charged with possessing methamphetmine with intent to sell/supply. On the same day, another 31kg of meth was seized at Dampier Port, northwest of Western Australia, by the Joint Organised Crime Taskforce. The Bulgarian nationals, a 42-year-old woman, a 47-year-old man and a 39-year-old man, have all been charged with Commonwealth drug importation offences, the Government of Western Australia said in a statement. On Tuesday, 527 grams of meth was seized, as well as two guns and more than $50,000 cash at a residence in Perth's South. A 41-year-old man and 24-year-old woman have been charged with serious drug and firearm offences. Police Minister Michelle Roberts has praised WA Police Force and law enforcement partners after seizing 1,345kg of meth since July Last year. A man who bashed his girlfriend and dragged her from a service station by her hair could be out of jail in two and a half years. Jealous Christopher Josevski, then 25, thought he could assault girlfriend Rita Illiopoulos, 24, as he pleased when he knocked her down and kidnapped her inside a Derrimut service station, in Melbourne's west, in February last year. The violent episode captured on CCTV was 'extraordinary and callous' and brought to an end days of violence against the woman, who feared she would be killed, County Court Judge Michael Tinney said on Friday. 'This was dreadful offending targeting a young woman,' he told Josevski, as he jailed him for four years, with a non-parole period of two and a half years. Scroll down for video Christopher Josevski was jailed on Friday after he bashed Rita Illiopoulos and dragged her from a Melbourne service station in February last year (pictured) Josevski (pictured) was sentenced to four years, with a non-parole period of two and a half years after he knocked Ms Illiopoulos down and kidnapped her inside a Derrimut service station Josevski chased his partner and knocked her to the ground after she fled inside the service station on February 23. As she struggled, he punched her, grabbed her by the hair and dragged her through the doors to his car, taking her back to a caravan in Gordon, near Ballarat. She was found by police and taken to hospital, where she was treated for a fractured nose, grazing, swelling, bite wounds, and later, for shock. Judge Tinney said Josevski, who also smashed his girlfriend's phone and shoved her head into a glass door, was jealous and suspicious, and held a sense of power and entitlement, believing he could control her. 'You believed you could assault your partner at will,' he said. 'Get it into your head. You don't possess, you don't control others.' The violent episode (pictured) captured on CCTV was 'extraordinary and callous' and brought to an end days of violence against the woman, who feared she would be killed, County Court Judge Michael Tinney said Josevski chased his partner and knocked her to the ground after she fled inside the service station on February 23 The court heard Josevski lied to police, saying the woman wanted to be with him and was free to go at any time. He also claimed she was pregnant, but she said she wasn't. Josevski pleaded guilty to 12 offences, including intentionally causing serious injury, common assault, kidnapping and making threats to kill. He has already served 380 days behind bars. He was also fined a total of $3000 over a gun, ammunition and cannabis found at his property. Josevski, a painter and carpenter, had abused illegal drugs for a number of years but he wasn't affected at the time, the court heard. As she struggled, he punched her, grabbed her by the hair and dragged her through the doors to his car, taking her back to a caravan in Gordon, near Ballarat Ms Illiopoulos (pictured) was found by police and taken to hospital, where she was treated for a fractured nose, grazing, swelling, bite wounds, and later, for shock Josevski (pictured) pleaded guilty to 12 offences, including intentionally causing serious injury, common assault, kidnapping and making threats to kill Judge Tinney said his rehabilitation prospects were 'quite good', given his age and family support. CCTV footage released last year showed Ms Illiopoulos desperately trying to flee Josevski as he shoved her into a Holden Commodore. Josevski told Ms Illiopoulos she wasn't spending enough time with him and was spending too much time with her friends. 'He told me, 'I'm gonna kill you. You are never going home. I'm gonna come after your family,' Ms Illiopoulos told the Melbourne court last year. Josevski allegedly told Ms Illiopoulos to write goodbye letters to her family in preparation for her death as he took her to a remote block of land in Gordon. 'At that point I thought I would never go home. I thought I was going to die,' Ms Illiopoulos said last year. Court also heard that Josevski listed his girlfriend in his phone under 'Hitler's evil sister'. A 20-year-old mother from Minnesota was given just six months in jail on Wednesday for fatally shooting her boyfriend during a botched YouTube stunt last year. Monalisa Perez, who was pregnant at the time with her second child, was arrested in June 2017 after shooting her boyfriend, 22-year-old Pedro Ruiz III, in the chest for a YouTube video. She had their son in September. The mother-of-two took a plea deal in December that will allow her to serve out half of her jail term in increments of 30 days per year for the next three years. Scroll down for video Monalisa Perez (left), 20, of Minnesota, was given six months in jail on Wednesday for fatally shooting her boyfriend, Pedro Ruiz III (right), 22, during a botched YouTube stunt last year Online stars: The couple's YouTube channel had 218 subscribers at the time and included various pranks. They are pictured above filming one of the pranks Perez cannot 'make any financial compensation' from the recording of Ruiz's death, according to the Star Tribune. She is also banned from ever possessing firearms. After the shooting, Perez told police on a 911 call that Ruiz had asked her to fire a bullet from a .50-caliber Desert Eagle pistol into an encyclopedia as he held it against his body. But the projectile penetrated the volume and fatally wounded the young father. The fatal shooting was captured on two cameras that had been set up to record the stunt. Police said they do not plan to release the footage. The mother-of-two took a plea deal in December that will allow her to serve out half of her jail term in increments of 30 days per year for the next three years Ruiz is survived by the two children he fathered with Perez. His eldest, a daughter, witnessed his shooting Perez told a 911 dispatcher their YouTube prank had failed and her boyfriend had been shot in the chest Their three-year-old daughter, Aaliyah, was present when the shooting occurred. 'We were doing a YouTube video and it went wrong. Please hurry up,' Perez told the 911 dispatcher in June 2017. Prior to the shooting, Perez had tweeted: 'Me and Pedro are probably going to shoot one of the most dangerous videos ever. HIS idea not MINE'. If the 20-year-old had gone to trial and was found guilty, she could have been looking at up to 10 years behind bars. The prosecutor handling Perez's case said Ruiz's family members signed off on the plea deal. The couple's YouTube channel had 218 subscribers at the time and included pranks like Perez feeding Ruiz donuts covered in baby powder. In their last video together, the family go to a fairground and Perez says: 'Imagine when we have 300,000 subscribers.' The couple's YouTube channel had 218 subscribers at the time and included pranks like Perez feeding Ruiz donuts covered in baby powder Prior to the shooting, Perez had tweeted: 'Me and Pedro are probably going to shoot one of the most dangerous videos ever. HIS idea not MINE' A former Home and Away actor will spend at least two-and-a-half years behind bars for aggravated sexual assault. Martin Peter Lynes, 50, was sentenced to five years' imprisonment with a non-parole period of two years and six months at Parramatta District Court on Friday. His sentence has been backdated to August 2017, meaning he'll be eligible for parole in February 2020. Scroll down for video Martin Peter Lynes (pictured), 50, was sentenced to five years' imprisonment for aggravated sexual assault He will have with a non-parole period of two years and six months at Parramatta District Court on Friday could be out by February 2020 Judge Robert Sutherland described the assault as part of a 'toxic' and 'tumultuous' relationship, the Daily Telegraph reported. 'The event for which the offender is to be sentenced was very serious and is to be deplored,' Mr Sutherland told the court. The 50-year-old was found guilty of sexual assault occasioning actual bodily harm during his 2016 trial in Gosford District Court. He pleaded not guilty to a charge of sexual assault occasioning actual bodily harm and two charges of assault occasioning actual bodily harm. The 50-year-old (pictured on set for Home and Away) was found guilty of sexual assault occasioning actual bodily harm during his 2016 trial in Gosford District Court He pleaded not guilty to a charge of sexual assault occasioning actual bodily harm and two charges of assault occasioning actual bodily harm Charges were in relation to attacks on a woman at a home in Bateau Bay, on the Central Coast, in 2015 and 2016. The jury found him guilty of a sexual assault charge, which occurred during a fight at his home on February 29, 2016. He was found not guilty for two others charges of assault and sexual intercourse without consent from incidents in May and September 2015. Lynes has worked as a real estate agent since retiring from acting, with his most recent role Adam Sharpe, a mentor to Steve Peacocke's Brax, on Home and Away. He also starred as Luke Forlano in Australian drama series, All Saints. Dylan Mitchell is believed to have been inside the Tri-Chem Industries plant, which is located in Cresson, about 20 miles outside of Fort Worth, when something sparked a fire and an explosion consumed the building Two men were injured and another is missing after a massive fire at a Texas power plant on Thursday morning. Dylan Mitchell is believed to have been inside the Tri-Chem Industries plant, which is located in Cresson, about 20 miles outside of Fort Worth, when something sparked a fire and an explosion consumed the building, NBC Dallas-Fort Worth reported. The 27-year-old has been missing since the fire was first reported, at about 9.45 am. Mitchell's brother, Austin, told NBC he believes his sibling is dead. 'That my brother's dead, that no one can find him, I don't blame anyone, like any of the first responders, because it's messy,' he said. 'It sucks. I feel hollow. It's been this long, he's probably dead.' Two of Mitchell's coworkers were rescued and sent to the hospital with injuries. Scroll down for video One man was critically burned on his trunk and his hands and was flown about 50 miles to Parkland Memorial Hospital in Dallas. The second person's injuries were not as serious and was taken to the Lake Granbury Medical Center First responders - including many fire volunteers - were called to the fire at just before 10am after witnesses reported hearing a crackling followed by a pop and a 'big kaboom,' according to NBC There were no other injuries reported, and it's not clear how many people were at the Cresson facility when it burst into flames. It's thought about 12 people normally work at the plant, which opened in early 2017 One man was critically burned on his trunk and his hands and was flown about 50 miles to Parkland Memorial Hospital in Dallas. He was identified to NBC as Jason Speegle by his mother-in-law, who said he only started working at the facility three weeks ago. 'We were told that this was a hazardous job when he started, but we didn't understand that it was something that could lead to this,' Greggs said, through tears. 'My daughter is very upset. We just need prayers. Everybody needs to be praying for them.' The second person's injuries were not as serious and was taken to the Lake Granbury Medical Center. He has not been identified. There were no other injuries reported, and it's not clear how many people were at the Cresson facility when it burst into flames. It's thought about 12 people normally work at the plant, which opened in early 2017. First responders - including many fire volunteers - were called to the fire at just before 10am after witnesses reported hearing a crackling followed by a pop and a 'big kaboom,' according to NBC. The witnesses said there were 'big fireballs' shooting out of the building The earliest rescuers will be able to start searching for Mitchell will be on Friday morning, once the fire has extinguished itself. Heavy evacuation equipment also must be brought to the site The witnesses said there were 'big fireballs' shooting out of the building. 'Things were blowing out of the roof, like metal lids on buckets,' Jesse Bailey, who works next door, told the outlet. 'Then, the fire, it smells like sulfur.' The Cresson Mayor and Fire Chief Bob Cornett said it's possible the fire started by a worker dragging his or her foot along the floor while chemicals were being mixed. He later told NBC that dragging the foot could have caused static electricity and started the fire, but said the cause won't be clear until investigators have had time to go onto the scene once the fire is completely out. Cornett said his theory might not be valid because people working at the plant have special shoes designed to reduce and eliminate static. He also said the earliest rescuers will be able to start searching for Mitchell will be on Friday morning, once the fire has extinguished itself. Heavy evacuation equipment also must be brought to the site. The Tri-Chem plant and a nearby lumber yard were evacuated. Tri-Chem Industries offers chemical blending services for customers in Texas, Lousiana and the Gulf Coast, its website says. The chemicals it mixes are mostly used by the oil and gas industry to drill disposal wells. It's not clear how many of the chemicals stored at the plant were hazardous. 'What was burnt and exploded was quite toxic,' Cornett said. Smoke from the fire blew towards Fort Worth and Weatherford, and the Environmental Protection Agency is monitoring air emissions. The Texas Center on Environmental Quality will monitor cleanup efforts, and the State's Fire Marshal's Office was asked to investigate the fire's cause. Advertisement Vietnam has marked 50 years since the horrific My Lai massacre in a memorial ceremony at the site of the killings. On Friday more than 1,000 people gathered to remember the victims of the most notorious episode in modern U.S. military history. Some 504 unarmed civilians were butchered by American soldiers on March 16, 1968 in Son My, Quang Ngai Province, making it one of the worst recorded U.S. war crimes committed in the 20th century. Among them were 182 women - 17 of whom were pregnant - and 173 children. Vietnam has marked 50 years since the horrific My Lai massacre in a memorial ceremony at the site of the killings (above: schoolgirls wear traditional Vietnamese dress) Several dozen girls wearing traditional Ao Dai outfits and dove headgear performed dances in tribute for the victims and to promote peace More than 1,000 people gathered to remember the victims of the most notorious episode in modern U.S. military history Soldiers of Charlie Company were sent on what they were told was a mission to confront a crack outfit of their Vietcong enemies. They met no resistance - but their commander ordered them to start shooting villagers. The brutal killing, which lasted three or four hours, came to be known in the West as the My Lai Massacre. Do Ba was 9 when American soldiers came to his house and rounded up him, his mother and three siblings and took them to a drainage ditch. His mother and siblings were murdered, and he was left wounded, covered in blood and buried under bodies. He played dead, fearing the soldiers would return to kill him, but was rescued by a U.S Army helicopter crew that landed amid the massacre and halted the violence. 'Twenty years ago, I still harbored hatred against the American soldiers who killed my mother, brothers and sister,' he said. 'But now after 50 years as Vietnam and the United States together developed their relations, people set aside their pain and suffering to build a better society.' Sgt. Ron Haeberle, who photographed the aftermath in My Lai, and survivor Tran Van Duc, who was just six-years-old at the time and whose slain mother was photographed by Haeberle. Duc recalled how some of the U.S soldiers were appearing at his family home soon after landing by helicopter, who then ushered him, his four siblings and their mother out onto a trail, where U.S troops opened fire at them. 'The American soldiers set up machine guns at the bridge, then started to fire at us,' Duc told The Associated Press. 'At that point I had to witness the most painful moment in my life - the cries, the screams of terror. My mother pushed me into the rice field, so I survived.' Duc's mother, wounded in the stomach and thigh, tried to cover him and his 14-month-old sister. After the shooting, the soldiers moved along to the village. Duc's sister began to cry, and their mother, fearful she would draw the soldiers to return, told him to take her to his grandmother's house, four miles away. 'Take Ha to grandma, if you stay here, U.S. soldiers will kill you when they come back,' were the last words Duc heard from her. Haeberle and Duc visisted the trail along, where innocent Vietnamese citizens were gunned down, with around 30 other people. Haeberle's shocking photographs were published in November 1969 in The Plain Dealer, Ohio's biggest newspaper, then in Life magazine, and then around world. To mark the 50-year anniversary of the attack, survivors, U.S. Vietnam War veterans, government leaders and villagers came together to remember the fallen Survivors of the massacre laid flowers during the ceremony to remember those who lost their lives Pham Thi Thuan, My Lai massacre survivor, prays in front of the monument during the 50th anniversary of the My Lai massacre in My Lai village today A woman arranges flowers in front of a monument in a museum, during the 50th anniversary of the My Lai massacre in My Lai village. The commemoration comes at a time when bilateral relations between the U.S. and Vietnam are the strongest they've been since their normalisation of relations in 1995 To mark the 50-year anniversary of the attack, survivors, U.S. Vietnam War veterans, government leaders and villagers came together to remember the fallen. Several dozen girls wearing traditional Ao Dai outfits and dove headgear performed dances in tribute for the victims and to promote peace. The commemoration comes at a time when bilateral relations between the U.S. and Vietnam are the strongest they've been since their normalisation of relations in 1995. Just a week earlier there was a landmark visit by a U.S. aircraft carrier to the nearby port city of Danang, evidence of warming ties between the former foes. America is now one of Vietnam's top trading partners and investors, and relations have also expanded to security and defence following the 18 year involvement of US troops in the Vietnam conflict between 1955 and 1973. Among those laying flowers at the solemn ceremony was Vietnam War veteran Billy Kelly (right) U.S. veterans Paul Ross (left) and Jon Janas pray during the 50th anniversary ceremony. It is believed that many U.S. veterans did not make the trip as they are ashamed of what had happened during the My Lai Massacre My Lai massacre survivor Tran Van Duc (right) speaks to U.S. army photographer Ron Haeberle (left) while holding a copy of the massacre photos taken by Haeberle in My Lai, Vietnam. It was Mr Haeberle's pictures which made front page news across the world which made people start to question the U.S. involvement in the conflict My Lai massacre survivor Tran Van Duc points at a photo taken by U.S. army photographer Ron Haeberle of his mother Nguyen Thi Tau, who was killed in the massacre in My Lai, Vietnam. Mr Haeberle admitted this was one of the most disturbing pictures that he took from the massacre The My Lai Peace Foundation, a local non-governmental organization, was also launched at the event. 'Vietnam had suffered numerous pains of wars,' said Truong Ngoc Thuy, president of the foundation. 'We therefore more than anyone else understand the price of peace, we desire for peace.' Historian Duong Trung Quoc said: 'The war has ended and both nations have learned from its lessons. 'The greatest outcome of the lessons is for two nations to come close together in friendship and shared responsibilities, for the benefit of the people in both countries.' Mike Hastie, a 73-year old retired nurse from Portland, Oregon, who served as a U.S. Army medic from September 1970 to September 1971 in Vietnam's Central Highlands, was a visitor this week. He thinks many veterans do not come because they are too ashamed to face the Vietnamese people. 'It's just important that the My Lai massacre never be forgotten, because I think the greatest sin that we could commit would be to forget the 504 Vietnamese people who were murdered at My Lai,' he said. 'That's why the history has to be kept alive, not only for them but their relatives and for the country of Vietnam.' This image highlights the brutality of My Lai massacre, as bodies lay piled up on a path. Some 504 unarmed civilians were butchered by American soldiers on March 16, 1968 in Son My, Quang Ngai Province (above: chilling picture which appeared on the front page of newspapers after the killing) Do Ba was 9 when American soldiers came to his house and rounded up him, his mother and three siblings and took them to a drainage ditch (above: his father holds up his mutilated hand) Provincial official Dang Ngoc Dung said My Lai was a typical case of 'cruel crimes committed by aggressive and hostile forces' during the war - not mentioning the U.S. by name. Dung said Vietnam wants to set aside the past and befriend other countries to build a better future in which peace and happiness can thrive. He said: 'After peace was restored in the country, the people of Son My overcame pain with forgiveness and opened their arms to sincerely welcome U.S. veterans here as a place of pilgrimage, a place to face the truth, face themselves and find peace of mind in a receiving land.' An American soldier stokes the fire of burning houses during the shocking massacre Houses and people were burned by American soldiers during the My Lai massacre on March 16, 1968. This photograph shows on victim who has been covered in flammable material and then set alight in the bottom right hand side of the image while the fire rages on inside the house Vietnamese civilians killed by US Army soldiers during pursuit of Vietcong militia, as per order of Lieut. Wm. Calley Jr. He was later couter martialed and the incident became known as the My Lai massacre A devastated woman huddles up to her loved-ones after the brutal killings in the village A delegation of U.S. Vietnam War veterans and anti-war activists met Dung and other Vietnamese officials privately in a small function room after the ceremony. The veterans and activists said they were preparing to send a letter on behalf of the United States apologising for the massacre. 'In just a short time, more than 600 people have signed it,' said Chuck Searcy, Vice President of Veterans for Peace. 'It expresses the remorse, regret and sorrow of Americans and our shared responsibility for what happened here'. Advertisement Emergency services have lost hope of finding survivors after at least six people were killed when a newly-installed pedestrian bridge collapsed on to eight lanes of traffic at Florida International University on Thursday. First responders working overnight through the painstaking process of sifting through unstable rubble have shifted their focus on Friday to recovering the dead bodies of those trapped underneath, officials told a pre-dawn news conference. Authorities want to first inform the families of the dead victims before releasing their identities, according to CNN. Cars were waiting for the lights to change when the 950-ton 'instant bridge', which was installed in just six hours on Saturday, crumbled on to 8th Street, which runs from downtown Miami all the way to the Everglades. Five people were pronounced dead at the scene while a sixth died after being taken to hospital, a Miami-Dade police spokesman said. It was earlier reported that ten people were taken to hospital, two in an 'extremely critical condition', with eight others in stable condition. Crews initially used electric listening devices and sniffer dogs to search the rubble for survivors, but called those efforts off around 3am on Friday, saying they did not expect to find anyone else alive. At least eight cars remain trapped under the ruined bridge, emergency workers said, though it is not clear how many people were in those vehicles. While the cause of the collapse is not yet clear, Senator Marco Rubio tweeted that steel cables supporting the bridge were being tightened at the time it came down. Surveillance footage captured the newly installed bridge moments before the collapse on Thursday Seconds later, the bridge collapsed on the traffic below, leaving dust in its wake This is the moment the 950-ton bridge, installed in just six hours on Saturday, collapsed on cars waiting for the lights to change Experts say that tightening steel cables on this kind of bridge has caused at least one collapse in the past, pointing to an example from Australia in the 1970s He said: 'The cables that suspend the Miami bridge had loosened & the engineering firm ordered that they be tightened. They were being tightened when it collapsed today.' Robert Bea, a Berkeley engineer and catastrophic risk expert, told the Miami Herald that this process has caused bridges to collapse before, pointing to a bridge in Australia that was destroyed in the 1970s when the steel buckled as it was being adjusted. Two workers were on the bridge at the time it collapsed as part of the testing, officials said, but would not confirm whether they were among the dead. Gov. Rick Scott said an investigation will get to the bottom of 'why this happened and what happened,' adding that if anyone had done anything wrong, 'we will hold them accountable.' The 174-foot 'instant bridge' hailed as a feat of engineering and safety, was installed Saturday morning but was not due to open to the public until 2019. The $14.2 million structure was designed to withstand a Category 5 hurricane and built to last 100 years, the university said. It was constructed using a building method known as 'accelerated bridge construction', which Florida International University teaches, though its engineers were not involved in this project. The technique involves supporting columns being constructed at either side of a highway and the span being built at the roadside, before it is lifted into place in a matter of hours. The method is more expensive that traditional bridge-building, but means the roadway running underneath can be kept open during the construction. The National Transportation Safety Board was sending a team to investigate why it collapsed. 'We're working our way into the pile trying to create holes that we can actually physically see,' Miami-Dade Fire Department Division Chief Paul Estopian told reporters. Television images captured from helicopter show numerous cars crushed by the weight of the bridge. Suzy Bermudez told ABC News she was in the line of traffic when she saw the cars in front of her 'totally smashed, almost to the ground' by the falling debris. 'It fell on the cars that were waiting for the light to change,' she said. 'All of a sudden, I saw it collapse. It was in slow motion. Police and first responders blocked off the road where a bridge collapsed earlier in the day, killing at least four Police lights illuminate the scene of a pedestrian bridge collapse in Miami, Florida on March 15, crushing a number of cars below and reportedly leaving several people dead Fire crews, first responders and paramedics remained at the site of the bridge collapse late into the night on Thursday The rescue efforts continued through the night on Thursday as teams continued to search for survivors 'I couldn't process it until I actually jumped out of my car,' Bermudez continued, adding she saw just one survivor, who escaped after the bridge smashed just the back of his car. An investigation is now underway into the cause of the tragedy. Miami-based MCM worked with Figg Bridge Design to develop the bridge which was supposed to be strong enough to withstand a powerful hurricane. MCM's litigation for alleged 'shoddy work' at Fort Lauderdale International Airport and Figg Bridge Design's alleged safety violations have emerged in the wake of the collapse. Meanwhile, the search effort continued late into the night on Thursday, as rescue crews, with sniffer dogs, combed the rubble for survivors. Gov. Rick Scott and Rubio both said that they were prepared to hold anyone responsible for the tragedy accountable. 'The families and the survivors deserve to know what went wrong,' Rubio told Local 10. 'Ironically this [bridge] was designed for safety it was going to be a signature project and one of its kind in terms of its engineering design,' he said. 'The public deserves to know and the families deserve to know and the people who lost their lives deserve to know what went wrong. 'These people doing the engineering studies will tell us what went wrong. It will prevent something like this from happening again because we learn from those things.' Marco Rubio (R-FL) speaks to the media as rescue efforts continue after a pedestrian bridge collapsed at Florida International University in Miami A brand new, 950-ton pedestrian bridge collapsed in front of Florida International University, Thursday, March 15 A Miami-Dade Fire Rescue firefighter looks into a heavily-damaged pickup truck after a brand new, bridge 'We're going to do everything we can for the victims,' Scott said. 'There will clearly be an investigation into why this happened and we will hold anyone accountable if anything was done wrong, but the most important thing we can do right now is pray for the individuals who ended up in the hospital and the family members who lost loved ones.' Cars were waiting for the lights to change when the 950-ton 'instant bridge', which was installed in just six hours on Saturday, crumbled and fell on the waiting traffic on the busy, seven lane 8th Street, which runs from downtown Miami all the way to the Everglades. A motorist captured the aftermath, seconds after the collapse, as the bridge disappeared and dust rose from the rubble. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) said they are launching an investigation on Thursday. Fire Chief Dave Downey confirmed four were found dead among the rubble of the bridge, as rescuers continue to hunt for survivors. Some workers were on the bridge when it collapsed, but officials did not detail whether any of them were among the dead. He said 'search and rescue mode' is continuing after nightfall. Gov. Rick Scott also spoke to reporters, saying 'everybody is working hard to make sure we rescue anyone who can be rescued' adding that an investigation will get to the bottom of 'why this happened and what happened.' Timelapse video shows new pedestrian bridge being installed in just SIX HOURS in Miami before collapsing and killing four Timelapse videos of the construction and installation of the new pedestrian bridge which collapsed atFlorida International University on Thursday reveals its quick - and now controversial - construction method. The bridge was installed less than a week ago after months of construction - using a method called Accelerated Bridge Construction, or instant bridge, according to a press release sent out by the University. Instant bridge is a method meant to reduce risk to construction workers and pedestrians and to prevent traffic buildup - but is now being called into question after Thursdays incident, which killed four people and injured many more. The first timelapse shoes the final stages of the construction process into its instillation. It begins showing the bridge being built as it will stand but on the side of the highway. It is then rolled onto the highway and installed into the ground. The second video specifically shows the six-hour installation process, which started before dawn and saw the bridge, which was on rolling platforms, being wheeled into place. The video shows construction workers toiling before the sun has risen as they move the building across the busy seven-lane 8th Street Highway - which runs from downtown Miami all the way to the Everglades - and into its place before securing it where it was expected to stand for the next century. The bridge that collapsed at Florida International University was installed less than a week ago after months of construction - using a method called Accelerated Bridge Construction, or instant bridge, according to a press release sent out by the University. Pictured is the bridge being built in its final stages of construction, which was a many-months-long process The 174-foot long, 950-ton bridge was built over the course of several months on the side of the busy seven-lane 8th Street highway - which runs from downtown Miami all the way to the Everglades - where it would eventually be placed over. The bridge is pictured as it is starting to be driven across the road and to its final resting place At a point in the construction period it was picked up and put onto its position over the roadway. That part of the construction process took a mere six hours to complete. It was up and ready to be used by the public on Saturday. Pictured left is the bridge being rolled into place over the highway, and left is the finished product Accelerated bridge Construction involves prefabricated elements meant to cut installation time, cost and environmental impact. It has also been hailed as 'a paradigm shift in the project planning and procurement approach' by the Department of Transportation's Federal Highway Administration. The 174-foot long, 950-ton bridge was built over the course of several months on the side of the busy seven-lane 8th Street highway - which runs from downtown Miami all the way to the Everglades - where it would eventually be placed over. At a point in the construction period it was picked up and put onto its position over the roadway. That part of the construction process took a mere six hours to complete. It was up and ready to be used by the public on Saturday. Instant Bridge has been hailed as a feat of engineering safety and is said to reduce risk to workers, pedestrians and drivers and have minimal to no impact on traffic flow. That construction was completed Saturday - and was installed as part of a pedestrian safety initiative aimed at reducing foot traffic along the Highway. The second video specifically shows the six-hour installation process, which started before dawn and saw the bridge, which was on rolling platforms, being wheeled into place The video shows construction workers toiling before the sun has risen as they move the building across the busy seven-lane 8th Street Highway Pictured are workers moving the bridge across the highway as well as into a straight line, all the while making adjustments to its structure The crew worked in the early hours of the morning before traffic became busy on the highway to install the bridge The bridge was eventually taken off of its rolling platforms as it was settled into the spot it was expected to stand for up to 100 years Finally the construction workers get it to a point where it is straight and set across and it can be sunk into the ground using cement beams MCM Construction and FIGG Bridge Design teamed up on the bridge - which cost a whopping $14.2million, paid for by a nearly $20million grant from the US Department of Transportation. It was designed to withstand a Category 5 hurricane and to last 100 years, the University said. The bridge was one part of a larger infrastructural plan at the university in Miami that was set to be completed in 2019. The plan was going to include a plaza equipped with free wireless internet. Several bridges in the United States have been built using the instant bridge method - including the Nevada I-15 Bridge, the revamed Massachusetts Cedar Street Bridge and the reconstructed Eastern Avenue Bridge in Washington, DC, among others. 'It could be materials, it could be construction technique, it could be the engineering design itself,' Andy Hermann, a former president of the American Society of Civil Engineers told ABC News. Advertisement If anyone had done anything wrong, 'we will hold them accountable', he added. Ten people were rushed to Kendall Regional Medical Center, at least two in 'extremely critical' condition. One of those who arrived in critical condition was suffering a cardiac arrest, but was revived by doctors, while the other has a serious brain injury. The remaining eight were stable, with injuries such as 'bruises and abrasions to broken bones.' The 174-foot 'instant bridge' hailed as a feat of engineering and safety, was installed Saturday morning but was not due to open to the public until 2019. The $14.2 million structure was designed to withstand a Category 5 hurricane, the most dangerous measure by the National Hurricane Center, and built to last 100 years, the university said. The National Transportation Safety Board was sending a team to investigate why it collapsed. 'We're working our way into the pile trying to create holes that we can actually physically see,' Miami-Dade Fire Department Division Chief Paul Estopian told reporters. The Florida Highway Patrol has said several people were killed but did not release a figure on fatalities. Rescue teams are working to free eight vehicles were trapped in the bridge wreckage, Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Gimenez said in an interview with CBS Miami. One person was suffering from cardiac arrest, Gimenez said. Television images captured from helicopter show numerous cars crushed by the weight of the bridge. The brand new pedestrian bridge collapsed without warning on Thursday afternoon, crushing the cars below it Aerial photos show the devastation caused when the structure collapsed, as multiple emergency vehicles rushed to the scene Suzy Bermudez told ABC News she's been in the line of traffic when she saw the cars in front of her 'totally smashed, almost to the ground' by the falling debris. 'It fell on the cars that were waiting for the light to change,' she said. 'All of a sudden, I saw it collapse. It was in slow motion. 'I couldn't process it until I actually jumped out of my car,' Bermudez continued, adding she saw just one survivor, who escaped after the bridge smashed just the back of his car. At one point, police had requested television helicopters to leave the area so rescuers could hear for any sounds of people crying for help from beneath the collapsed structure, the Miami TV station said. Complicating the rescue effort was the uncertainty about the integrity of the bridge, parts of which remained off the ground, much of it inclined, local media reported. Miami-Dade County Fire Chief Dave Downey says his crew are using high-tech listening devices, trained sniffing dogs, search cameras and other equipment in the frantic race to find any survivors still trapped in the rubble of the South Florida pedestrian bridge collapse. Miami-Dade Fire Rescue Department personnel and other rescue units work at the scene where a pedestrian bridge collapsed. One driver may have had a lucky escape after the front of his car escaped relatively unscathed while the back was crushed Florida Highway Patrol initially said at least five cars were trapped underneath the debris as the bridge fell onto Tamiami Trail, but it was later learned there were eight vehicles underneath the rubble A view of the collapsed pedestrian bridge on the Florida International University in Miami, Florida, which left up to ten dead The remains of a truck is seen poking out from the rubble of the pedestrian bridge which collapsed on a busy seven-lane highway Horrified onlookers stand at the side of the road as emergency responders work at the scene of the bridge collapse Arescue dog and its handler works at the scene where a pedestrian bridge collapsed to search for survivors The bridge was constructed over several months, but it was installed within just six hours on Saturday (pictured, from left to right, is the bridge being put in place) Downey told a news conference Thursday evening that the work is dangerous and difficult but is continuing. He says his crews have traveled to building collapses elsewhere in the world but now are working as fast as they can. Says Downey: 'We have to remove some of this piece by piece. It's very unstable.' Aerial footage at the site showed a trained dog running atop fallen concrete and sniffing in the crevices for any victims. Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida joined first responders and Gov. Rick Scott at the briefing. He says he lamented the 'tragic accident' and noted the pedestrian bridge was intended to be an innovative and 'one-of-a-kind engineering designed. He says the public and the families of the dead and injured dserve to know 'what went wrong.' President Trump has also tweeted that he is monitoring the situation in Florida, and praised the brave responders who have been saving lives. 'Continuing to monitor the heartbreaking bridge collapse at FIU - so tragic. Many brave First Responders rushed in to save lives. Thank you for your courage. Praying this evening for all who are affected,' he wrote. White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said today, in a media briefing, that: 'Our brave first responders are working feverishly to save lives. We will continue to monitor the situation closely, and offer whatever support is needed to the local officials and community.' Authorities placed a yellow sheet covering the license plate of this vehicle, which was crushed by the collapsed bridge At least six injured people were taken away from the scene and eight vehicles were trapped in the bridge wreckage FIU released a statement on Thursday, saying: 'We are shocked and saddened about the tragic events unfolding at the FIU-Sweetwater pedestrian bridge' Images show a number of emergency rescue workers crawling along the rubble in an attempt to spot survivors Police and news helicopters circle the scene above a new pedestrian bridge that collapsed onto a highway at Florida International University-Sweetwater. At one point, they were asked to leave the scene so rescuers could hear the cries of those stuck under the rubble The bridge was built in order to link up Florida International University's campus with a neighborhood that houses students Florida Gov. Rick Scott tweeted that he was traveling to Florida International University 'to be briefed by local law enforcement and university officials.' 'I have spoken with Miami-Dade County Police Chief Juan Perez about the pedestrian bridge collapse at FIU. I will be in constant communication with law enforcement throughout the day,' he added. Mark Rosenberg, President of Florida International University, said in a message to students and staff that he was 'heartbroken' by the news. 'I am heartbroken at the news of the collapse of the pedestrian bridge on 8th Street and the resulting devastation. We send our deepest condolences to the victims and their families. We are working with the appropriate agencies to assist in rescue efforts. Please keep the victims and their families in your thoughts and prayers.' He said that the bridge had been a source of pride for the community. 'This bridge was about collaboration, was about hope, was about opportunity, was about determination,' Rosenberg said at the news conference. 'This bridge was about strength and unity. About being good neighbors with the city of Sweetwater.' The bridge was designed by FIGG and built by Munilla Construction - two companies who have been accused in years past of shoddy building practices. Students at FIU had demanded for months that the bridge be built because of the danger in crossing the busy, seven-lane Tamiami Trail highway. Images also show a number of emergency rescue workers crawling along the rubble in an attempt to spot survivors. It was built to provide pedestrian access from FIU's main campus to an area that houses a number of student residences. Two workers were replacing something on the side of the bridge when it collapsed, according to CBS Miami. The 950-ton span, which was built over Tamiami Trail at a cost of $14million, was not yet open to pedestrians. It was scheduled to open sometime early next year. Rescue workers frantically search for survivors as they stand atop the rubble of the pedestrian bridge Firefighters are seen near the collapsed pedestrian bridge which collapsed onto a busy highway near Miami The bridge was installed rapidly this past Saturday. FIU touted the speed at which the bridge was constructed Rescue workers approach the crushed car after the bridge's collapse near Miami on Thursday Miami-Dade Fire Rescue Department workers work at the scene of the collapsed bridge. A vehicle which appears to be a white van is seen on the left after it was crushed by the bridge First responders cross the Tamiami Trail as rescue workers look for survivors of the collapsed bridge near Miami Tamiami Trail is considered a busy roadway, and the bridge was built in order to accommodate students who were fearful of crossing the highway. Last summer, an FIU student was killed after he was hit by a car while crossing the highway, according to the Miami Herald. The tragedy amplified student demands for the bridge's prompt completion. Miami-Dade County Emergency Management confirmed the collapse and urged the public to avoid the area near SW 8th Street and 109th Avenue. 'We thought something fell,' Damany Reed, who witnessed the collapse, told CBS Miami. 'But then we saw the bridge collapse and it was just surreal at that moment. It was very scary.' 'Me and my boyfriend had just driven under the bridge,' witness Isabella Carrasco told CBSN. 'We actually commented on how new it was ... We had heard a loud bang. At first, we thought we had hit something, and when we looked around, we realized the bridge had collapsed. When we looked around we saw that it was much, much worse.' A Colorado-based engineering firm, BDI, deleted a tweet on Monday that said it was 'thrilled to have provided structural monitoring during a spectacular bridge move' Lionel Collins, another witness, said he was 'pretty shaken' after he rescued a number of people from their cars. 'After the whole thing broke, I was freaking out,' Collins told CNN. 'I got out of my car and me and a few other people were sprinting over there. We started helping people whose cars were at least half crushed and whoever was easily saved. 'But we couldn't really go under any of the rubble because at the time, the bridge - the other half of the bridge is still kind of leaning upward right now.' 'One girl, her car was literally squished by the bridge from the back,' one witness said. 'So she was able to get out. We were trying to help her. It was very traumatizing.' Student Aura Martinez was having lunch in a nearby restaurant with her mother when a waitress told her the bridge had collapsed. She ran outside and helped pull a woman out of her car, most of which was flattened by the bridge. 'Her car, it was literally a miracle of God, her car got squished by the bridge from the back, so she was able to get out and she was on the floor and it was just very traumatic,' she told the local CBS affiliate. Munilla Construction Management, which installed the bridge was founded in 1983 and owned by five brothers, according to its website. In addition to its Florida operations, the company also has divisions in Texas and Panama and employs 500 people. 'Munilla Construction Management is a family business and we are all devastated and doing everything we can to assist,' the company said in a statement. FIGG Engineering said it took part in the bridge project and the collapse was a first in its 40-year history. Both companies said they would cooperate fully with investigators. Colorado-based engineering company BDI said in a tweet on March 12 that it was 'thrilled' to have conducted structural monitoring during the 'spectacular' process of moving the bridge into place. The company removed the tweet on Thursday and said in a statement it did so out of respect for individuals affected by the collapse. FIU released a statement on Thursday, saying: 'We are shocked and saddened about the tragic events unfolding at the FIU-Sweetwater pedestrian bridge. 'At this time we are still involved in rescue efforts and gathering information.' The bridge and its support towers took months to construct, according to the Miami Herald. The main body of the span was assembled along the side of the Tamiami Trail, with support towers built at each end. In the early hours of Saturday morning, the bridge was then lifted by special gantry cranes and lowered into place. The portion of the roadway underneath the bridge was closed for the weekend. It reopened early Monday morning. A Colorado-based engineering firm, BDI, deleted a tweet on Monday that said it was 'thrilled to have provided structural monitoring during a spectacular bridge move.' The bridge, which was built at a cost of $14million and was funded by the federal government, was touted by the school as an achievement when it was completed last Saturday. Planners had envisioned the bridge as a new complex which would provide new sidewalks, a plaza, benches, tables, shade, and Wi-Fi. The bridge was touted as part of overall efforts to revitalize Sweetwater, a city in Dade County. A crane is seen near a newly installed pedestrian bridge, that collapsed, over a six-lane highway in Miami on Thursday Police set up a roadblock on Tamiami Trail just a few hundred feet away from the collapsed bridge in Sweetwater FIGG Bridge Engineers, the company that designed the project, said the bridge was not expected to be open to foot traffic until sometime next year. It is seen above before its collapse 'We are stunned by today's tragic collapse of a pedestrian bridge that was under construction over Southwest Eighth Street in Miami,' FIGG Bridge Engineers said in a statement 'We will fully cooperate with every appropriate authority in reviewing what happened and why,' the engineering firm said The bridge's planning was done at FIU's very own Accelerated Bridge Construction University Transportation Center A computer-generated rendering video depicts the final vision for the bridge, which was to include a resting area as well as Wi-Fi The image above shows a victim being wheeled away from the scene of the collapsed bridge Emergency crews load a victim into a waiting ambulance at the scene The bridge was built in order to increase student safety since the busy highway was considered dangerous to cross How the collapsed Florida bridge was erected in six hours The new pedestrian walkway that collapsed onto traffic at Florida International University on Thursday, killing several people, was erected in only six hours using a technique called 'Accelerated Bridge Construction,' according to the school. Here are a few facts about the project and Accelerated Bridge Construction: * The bridge was designed to withstand a Category 5 hurricane, the most dangerous measure by the National Hurricane Center, and last 100 years, according to the university. (http://bit.ly/2tQ2ARg) * To keep the disruption of traffic to a minimum, a 174-foot (53-meter) portion of the bridge was built adjacent to the street and was driven into its perpendicular position across the road by a rig in only six hours on Saturday, according to the university. * Accelerated Bridge Construction, or ABC, is a technique in which bridges can be replaced in 48 to 72 hours, reducing planning and work time by years and cutting traffic delays. * Accelerated Bridge Construction uses different methods, designs and materials that are intended to produce safer, more durable bridges with longer service lives than conventional bridges, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation and Federal Highway Administration. * The three leading ABC technologies being promoted under the Federal Highway Administration's 'Every Day Counts' initiative include Prefabricated Bridge Elements and Systems, Slide-In Bridge Construction, and Geosynthetic Reinforced Soil - Integrated Bridge System (GRS-IBS). * Funding for the $14.2 million bridge is part of a $19.4 million U.S. Transportation Department grant through the Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) program, according to the university. * The bridge was the first in the world to be constructed entirely of self-cleaning concrete, according to the university. Titanium dioxide used in its construction, when exposed to sunlight, captures air pollutants and keeps the surface white. Advertisement Private developers were also planning to build apartment towers to cater to FIU students, according to the Herald. 'FIU is about building bridges and student safety,' FIU president Mark Rosenberg said on Saturday. 'This project accomplishes our mission beautifully. We are filled with pride and satisfaction at seeing this engineering feat come to life and connect our campus to the surrounding community where thousands of our students live.' The school and the company which built the bridge boasted of the speed of its construction, which was aimed at reducing the traffic burden on the busy thoroughfare, according to the Miami New Times. The bridge's planning was done at FIU's very own Accelerated Bridge Construction University Transportation Center. 'This [accelerated bridge construction] technique reduced potential risks to workers, commuters and pedestrians and prevented traffic tie-ups in the area,' FIU wrote in a press release from five days ago. 'ABC is a delivery solution method of building and repairing bridges with the capability to reduce the interruption to traffic and increase safety,' the center writes on its web site. FIGG's partner in the project, Munilla Construction, also released a statement on Thursday FIGG Bridge Engineers, the Tallahassee-based company that designed the project, said the bridge was not expected to be open to foot traffic until sometime next year. 'We are stunned by today's tragic collapse of a pedestrian bridge that was under construction over Southwest Eighth Street in Miami,' FIGG Bridge Engineers said in a statement. 'Our deepest sympathies are with all those affected by this accident. 'We will fully cooperate with every appropriate authority in reviewing what happened and why.' 'In our 40-year history, nothing like this has ever happened before. 'Our entire team mourns the loss of life and injuries associated with this devastating tragedy, and our prayers go out to all involved.' FIGG's partner in the project, Munilla Construction, also released a statement on Thursday. 'Our family's thoughts and prayers go out to everyone affected by this terrible tragedy,' Munilla said in a statement. 'The new UniversityCity Bridge, which was under construction, experienced a catastrophic collapse causing injuries and loss of life. 'MCM is a family business and we are all devastated and doing everything we can to assist. 'We will conduct a full investigation to determine exactly what went wrong and will cooperate with investigators on scene in every way.' The U.S. Department of Transportation also released a statement saying that: 'Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims, their families, and first responders who are assisting in the on-going rescue and recovery efforts following today's tragic collapse of a pedestrian bridge at Florida International University.' Munilla won the bid to build the bridge, beating out three other companies, according to the Miami New Times. Both FIGG and Munilla have been accused in years past of unsafe practices. On March 5, Munilla was sued by a TSA employee at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport who claims that a pedestrian bridge built by the firm collapsed under his weight, sending him falling to the ground. In June 2012, a bridge built by FIGG in Virginia fell apart during construction, injuring four workers, according to The Virginian-Pilot. FIU has deleted statements on social media and press releases from earlier this week touting the construction of the bridge. 'This bridge is the result of great support from our congressional delegation and the US Department of Transportation,' FIU Senior Vice President and CFO Kenneth Jessell announced over the weekend. 'This bridge has already been the catalyst for significant economic development in the City of Sweetwater. FIU and our surrounding community will benefit from this project for generations to come.' A family reunification center has now been set up at FIU's SASC Building, at 11200 SW Eighth St., Miami-Dade County Emergency Management said on Twitter. Actress Rebel Wilson's barrister Ray Finkelstein QC, will be investigating the sacking of a long-standing deputy principal at Trinity Grammar. A letter was sent to the school community on Friday afternoon, informing them investigation proceedings will begin immediately. Mr Brown, known as Brownie, was dismissed from his position at prestigious private boy's school Trinity Grammar in Melbourne's east last week. Scroll down for video Rebel Wilson's barrister Ray Finkelstein QC (pictured), will be investigating the sacking of a long-standing deputy principal at Trinity Grammar Rohan Brown, nicknamed Brownie, was dismissed from his position at prestigious private boy's school Trinity Grammar in Melbourne's east last week (pictured is Mr Brown cutting a student's hair) The letter accompanies a student protest (pictured) on Tuesday in which students donned brown armbands in support of sacked deputy principal Rohan Brown Students have donned brown armbands to protest the sacking of their beloved deputy principal for cutting a boy's hair (pictured are three student protesters) A group of 50 former captains and vice captains have penned a heartfelt letter calling for the reinstatement of a long-standing teacher. The letter accompanies a student protest on Tuesday in which students donned brown armbands and smart casual attire in support of their fired deputy principal. He was sacked after video surfaced of him trimming a student's hair with scissors before school photo day at the beginning of term. The decision to let Mr Brown go outraged parents and students, who have started an online petition and wore brown armbands on Tuesday in protest. The letter was sent to the principal and the school council chair on Monday, and raises concerns held for the direction of the school. 'We are writing to express our profound disappointment at the School Council's decision to dismiss Rohan Brown after an exemplary 30 year career,' they wrote. 'Many of us are former students of Rohan's and have directly witnessed his exceptional personal qualities. The letter (pictured is page one) was sent to the principal and the school council chair on Monday, and raises concerns held for the direction of the school 'A lot of the boys are planning to have a protest at the school and everyone is wearing brown arm bands for Mr Brown and we all think that the punishment clearly does not fit the crime,' said a student (pictured) 'His defining characteristics define the school's traditional core values: he is courteous, fair and humble, wholly dedicated to the wellbeing of the school's students. 'He can be firm, but he is not a bully. He wants boys to be their best.' The letter went on to question the school's aims, and noted a change towards a performance-based school. 'In recent years, the school's executive leadership has made clear its intention to change the school's vision and direction. 'This has seen a dramatic shift from Trinity's position as a non-selective, not-elite school dedicated to holistic personal development, to an institution focused on "exceptional" performance defined by ATAR excellence, growth and profit.' Students taking part in the brown armband protest insisted they did not want to disrupt class, but felt the need to make a 'unified statement of solidarity'. The letter went on to question the school's aims, and noted a change towards a performance-based school (pictured is an image posted on a Facebook page supporting Mr Brown) 'He is a pretty integral part of this school. We all really love him, he is such a big presence at the school and he will be sorely missed,' a student told the Today show. 'He was only upholding the school rules and the school values, which he loves and cares about so much,' said another. 'A lot of the boys are planning to have a protest at the school and everyone is wearing brown arm bands for Mr Brown and we all think that the punishment clearly does not fit the crime,' said a third student. The armband protest comes after hundreds of angry parents and former students challenged the decision at a special meeting on Friday 9 March. Meanwhile, more than 5,000 people have signed an online petition urging the school to 'Bring Brownie Back.' A prestigious private school will appoint an independent expert to review its procedures after deputy headmaster Rohan Brown (pictured) was sacked for cutting a student's hair Trinity Grammar will now appoint an independent expert to review its procedures, ABC News reports. On Monday, the school's headmaster Dr Michael Davies issued a statement saying students, staff and other stakeholders will be consulted about the review He added the school 'takes seriously its duty of care to students, staff and the wider community.' Dr Davies said: 'We have reached out regularly to the boy involved in the February incident, over the past few days. 'We have also been in touch with Rohan Brown over the weekend.' A second lawsuit has been filed against a San Francisco fertility clinic after a rare tank malfunction may have destroyed thousands of embryos and frozen eggs - along with the hopes of hundreds of couples. Megan and Jonathan Bauer, from Sacramento, filed a lawsuit on Thursday against Pacific Fertility Center, claiming they were planning to transfer one of eight embryos they trusted the clinic with when they were informed that wouldn't be possible. 'Their dreams of future children were irrevocably destroyed,' their lawyer Adam Wolf said. 'They entrusted their eggs and embryos after exhausting other avenues to have children.' The class action lawsuit, filed on behalf of more than 100 of the center's clients, cites 'reckless and negligent conduct' and seeks $5million in damages for negligence, breach of contract and conversion. Megan and Jonathan Bauer, from Sacramento, filed a $5million class action lawsuit on Thursday against Pacific Fertility Center (pictured) The couple began working with the fertility center in 2014 and had paid more than $10,000 to preserve their embryos and eggs, said a second attorney, Tracey Cowan. They had been trying to conceive for three years and paid $600 a year to the clinic for storing their embryos, according to the Daily Beast. The clinic confirmed this week that there was a liquid nitrogen failure in a storage tank in the facility that may have resulted in the temperature rising above the levels needed to store the embryos and eggs. Dr Carl Herbert, the president of the center, told the Washington Post on Sunday that officials had informed some 400 patients of the failure that occurred on March 4. Dr Carl Herbert, the president of the center, told the Washington Post on Sunday that officials had informed some 400 patients of the failure that occurred on March 4 Herbert said at the time that the clinic's staff thawed a few eggs and found they remain viable, but they had not checked any of the embryos. The clinic also sent out emails to two other groups of patients about the failure - an estimated 100 patients who had tissue in the problematic tank and another tank, and then a second group whose embryos and eggs remained undamaged. A spokesperson with the clinic said that an estimated 15 per cent of the clinic's total number of eggs and embryos were in the damaged tank. The Bauers are the second clients to file a lawsuit against the San Francisco clinic. On Tuesday, an anonymous woman from San Francisco filed a $5million lawsuit against the clinic. The patient, who goes only by 'S.M' in court documents, alleges she spent about $10,000 to preserve her eggs. A liquid nitrogen failure in a storage tank in the facility may have resulted in the temperature rising above the levels needed to store the embryos and eggs The Pacific Fertility Center charges clients $8,300 to freeze eggs and $11,600 to perform in vitro fertilization, per their website. It is one of two such clinics to go through similar catastrophes recently. Last week, an Ohio hospital said more than 2,000 frozen eggs and embryos may have been damaged due to a refrigerator malfunction. The University Hospital Fertility Center in Cleveland has a long-term storage tank containing liquid nitrogen that suffered equipment failure. The failure caused the temperature to rise, ultimately making the eggs and embryos at the facility lose their viability. Some of these have been stored for decades. Approximately 500 to 600 families were affected by the Ohio fertility clinic tank failure. Multiple couples have filed similar lawsuits against the Cleveland center. A hoon driver has been jailed for 14 years over the deaths of two teenagers who were killed after their car erupted in a fireball during a drag race in Melbourne. Adem Arpaci, 23, was on Friday sentenced to 14 years in jail, with a minimum of nine-and-a-half years, after he was earlier found guilty of culpable driving that caused the deaths of Ivana Clonaridis, 18, and Harley Churchill, 19. Victorian County Court judge Frances Hogan said Arpaci was 'hyped up' when he goaded Mr Churchill into an illegal drag race that ended catastrophically on January 27, 2016. Scroll down for video Ivana Clonaridis, 18, (pictured) and her boyfriend Harley Churchill, 19, died when their ute exploded in a fireball while drag racing along the Western Ring Road Adem Arpaci, then 21, goaded them into the race and was jailed for a minimum of 9 years (crash pictured) Ivana Clonaridis, 18, and her boyfriend Harley Churchill, 19, died on January 27, 2016 when their ute exploded in a fireball while drag racing along Western Ring Road. Adem Arpaci, then 21, who goaded them into the race was found guilty in February this year. The car they were illegally drag-racing in smashed through a guard rail on the EJ Whitten Bridge and plunged 15 meters off the freeway, bursting into flames on impact. Witnesses claimed they saw two cars flying past before Mr Churchill, who had ice in his system and was driving at 182km/h, lost control of his blue Holden Ute. Ivana's father, Ignos Clonaridis told the court in Feburary how he is still haunted by flashbacks of his daughters fiery death, two years after it happened. 'I spend many nights alone at the crash site trying to understand why,' he said in a victim impact statement. Clonaridis (pictured) and Churchill died after the car they were illegally drag-racing in smashed through a guard rail and plunged 15 meters off the freeway Witnesses claimed they saw two cars flying past before Churchill (pictured), who had ice in his system and was driving at 182km/h, lost control of his blue Holden Ute It was also revealed that Arpaci (pictured) had made a false statement to detectives in the days following saying he had not seen the crash 'She was too young to die. She had so many dreams, so many plans and they were gone in a split second.' 'I will never be the same again. My happiness died that night with my baby girl,' Mr Clonaridis said that his relationship with his new wife had broken down and he had not been able to work because of his grief. 'I often have flashbacks of seeing my daughter's charred remains at the mortuary,' he said. Defence lawyer Russ Hammill said that since the crash Arpaci (pictured) had become a recluse It was also revealed that Arpaci had made a false statement in the days following, telling investigators he was in the area but had not seen the crash. A day later he admitted to detectives that he had been behind the wheel of the other car. In Feburary Defence lawyer Russ Hammill said that on the night Churchill had somewhat influenced Arpaci's behavior, a matter the crown acknowledged to be true. Mr. Hammill also said that Arpaci had no other criminal convictions and was otherwise a young man of 'exemplary character.' He also said that Arpaci had become a 'recluse' after the crash and was 'mentally decomposing.' A rejected groom is seeking revenge on his ex-fiance who he alleges accepted thousands in cash and lavish gifts before ghosting on him for good. In a new lawsuit filed in Manhattan Supreme Court this week, Jin Dong claims he forked out six figures to guarantee his former fiance, Yu Qing Weng, would marry him. The couple, who are immigrants from China, had a wedding banquet in early 2017, and were set to legally marry afterward, according to the New York Post. In August 2017, Weng vanished from the the pair's home before their ceremony. She never returned. The court papers state Weng received '$110,000' and 'exquisite betrothal gold jewelry valued at approximately $40,000,' which she held onto after leaving. A rejected groom is seeking revenge on his ex-fiance who he alleges accepted thousands in cash and lavish gifts before their wedding 'Weng took all of the money and jewelry she received in anticipation of the contemplated marriage with her when she left,' the man alleges in the lawsuit. Dong also gifted his former lover's mother a '$5,300 gift of appreciation' and both of her parents a '$63,000 cash dowry'. Furthermore, Weng's brother and grandma were given $2,000 to legalize the marriage. Dong says Weng's mother compensated $1,500 to him, but the remainder of her relatives refused, the Post reported. And by spending six figures for the wedding ceremony, Dong expected his fiance 'promise to legally marry him and in the custom of his native country'. Dong is seeking $287,000 in return. Concerned parents are worried that a shortage of a meningococcal vaccine may see their babies at risk of several dangerous strains of the disease. Pharmaceutical giant GlaxoSmithKline is experiencing a short-term supply constraint of Menveo, due to a recent increase in notifications of the meningococcal W strain, which is driving increased demand. 'This supply constraint is due to manufacturing disruption combined with high demand,' the company states on its website. Perth-based Meningitis Centre Australia says parents who paid for younger babies to have the Menveo vaccine might be caught in the supply shortage 'Recently there has been an increase in cases of Meningococcal W strain in some areas of Australia leading to the introduction of state and territory-based vaccination programs to protect those most at risk.' GSK is prioritising supply of Menveo to Australian state and territory government based programs. 'We are adjusting our forecasts to meet the anticipated increase in demand in Australia,' the company states. 'We regret the inconvenience this may cause people and their families who want the vaccine, as well as pharmacists and doctors. We are working to re-establish supply as a matter of urgency.' GSK says it expects supply to normalise in 2019, and will provide the next update on supply in January 2019. A company spokeswoman told Perth Now that Menveo was one of three ACWY vaccines in Australia so there were alternatives in the private market. The Western Australian Governments programs for ages 1-5 and and 15-19 have been guaranteed supply following a surge in the deadly disease in 2017. GSK is prioritising supply of Menveo to Australian state and territory-based programs But Perth-based Meningitis Centre Australia said parents who paid for younger babies to have the Menveo vaccine might be caught midway through the schedule. Spokeswoman Lisa D'Cruz told Perth Now the situation could be frustrating for parents. 'We urge them to speak to their GP to get advice on what they should do for future doses,' she said. GSK advised parents to visit the Therapeutic Goods Administration website for ongoing updates to supply. Two men, Carlton Gary and Michael Eggers, who were both convicted of murder, became the first executions of 2018 in their states' of Georgia and Alabama respectively, on Thursday. Gary, 67, known as the 'stocking strangler' was put to death by injection of compounded pentobarbital, a barbiturate, at the state prison in Jackson. He was the first inmate executed by Georgia this year. In neighboring Alabama, Eggers, 50, was the first inmate put to death by lethal injection without complications at a state prison, spokesman Bob Horton said. Gary declined to request a last meal. He received the institutional tray consisting of grilled hamburger, hot dog, white beans, coleslaw, and grape beverage. Eggers ate the general population's dinner menu for his final meal, which consisted of chicken creole, dirty rice, turnip greens, creamed corn, cornbread and cake. Gary was strapped to a gurney with his eyes closed, he didn't respond when Warden Eric Sellers asked if he wished to make a final statement or have a prayer recited. Convicted murderer Carlton Gary (left) also known as the 'Stocking Strangler' was executed on Thursday in Georgia for the murder of three elderly women. Michael Eggers (right) was put to death in Alabama for murdering his female employer The gurney used for lethal injections sits behind glass windows in a small cinder block building at the Georgia Diagnostic and Classification Prison (pictured), where Gary was executed The warden exited Gary's execution chamber at 10:17pm. Records from past executions show the lethal drug generally starts flowing within a couple of minutes of the warden exiting. Gary took several quick breaths within a few of minutes of the warden exiting and then yawned before becoming still. He died at 10:33 p.m., Sellers told witnesses. Gary was convicted in 1986 on three counts each of malice murder, rape and burglary for the 1977 deaths of 89-year-old Florence Scheible, 69-year-old Martha Thurmond and 74-year-old Kathleen Woodruff. Though charged only in those deaths, prosecutors say Gary attacked nine elderly women in the west Georgia city of Columbus from September 1977 to April 1978. Most were choked with stockings, and seven of them died. Police arrested Gary six years after the last killing, in May 1984. He became a suspect when a gun stolen during a 1977 burglary in the upscale neighborhood where all but one of the victims lived was traced to him. At trial, prosecutors introduced evidence from all nine attacks, arguing that common factors established a pattern. Gary was convicted for the 1977 murders of three elderly women in Georgia. 89-year-old Florence Scheible was one of Gary's victims Kathleen Woodruff, 74, was also another victim. Police said Gary broke into the women's homes and raped and murdered them Martha Thurmond, 69, was also killed. According to police, Gary would choke his victims, often times with their own stocking before killing them The victims were all older white women who lived alone and were sexually assaulted and choked, usually with stockings. They were attacked at home, usually in the evening, by someone who forced his way inside. All but one of the Georgia victims lived in the Wynnton neighborhood, and all lived near where Gary lived at the time of the crimes. Prosecutors also presented evidence that they said connected Gary to similar crimes in New York state. In a clemency petition and in filings before state and federal courts, Gary's lawyers had argued that evidence not available to his trial attorney - either because the necessary testing didn't exist yet or because it wasn't disclosed by the state - proved he wasn't the 'stocking strangler.' The state countered in court filings that the evidence Gary's lawyers cited had already been considered by the courts and that his convictions and sentence had repeatedly been upheld by state and federal courts over the past three decades. The State Board of Pardons and Paroles, the only authority in Georgia with the power to commute a death sentence, declined Wednesday to spare his life after holding a closed-door hearing to listen to arguments for and against clemency. Appeals filed by Gary's attorneys with state and federal courts were also rejected. Meanwhile Eggers was put to death at 7:30pm on Thursday, after dropping his appeal in 2016. 'Mr. Eggers was convicted of brutally beating and then murdering Mrs. Francis Murray, who was simply trying to help him,' Alabama Governor Kay Ivey said in a statement after the execution. Gary was denied clemency on Wednesday and was executed on Thursday just after 10pm at the Georgia Diagnostic and Classification Prison in Jackson Prosecutors said Eggers admitted to killing Murray, who was his employer, during an argument. It was the first execution in Alabama since a botched lethal injection a few weeks ago. The two men, neither of whom gave a final statement, were the fifth and sixth to be executed in the United States this year. Their executions brought to 1,471 the number of inmates put to death since the U.S. Supreme Court reinstated the death penalty in 1976. Alabama's death chamber protocols have come under a federal court review after it aborted its attempt on Feb. 22 to execute Doyle Hamm, 61, a convicted murderer with terminal cancer and severely compromised veins. After more than 10 attempts to place a needle, the execution was called off. NBC's Hoda Kobt has scored the number one best seller accolade for her new book, beating former network correspondent Chelsea Clinton. The Today show host's fourth book, 'I've Loved You Since Forever,' has come out ahead of Clinton's 'She Persisted Around the World: 13 Women Who Changed History.' Kotb was inspired by the love of her adopted daughter - Haley Joy - to write the best selling Children's Picture Books. The Today show host's fourth book 'I've Loved You Since Forever,' beat out Chelsea Clinton's 'She Persisted Around the World' Kotb was inspired for the love of her adopted daughter - Haley Joy - to write the best selling Children's Picture Books 'I think it will resonate for anyone who has waited for something,' she explained to USA Today. 'And also for anyone who's wished and hoped and prayed for something and wondered if it would happen.' Kelly Clarkson even made a song rendition of Kobt's book. Clinton's, on the other hand, is a sequel to her 2017 book 'She Persisted' which celebrates the woman who have changed history. Clinton's, on the other hand, is a sequel to her 2017 book 'She Persisted' which celebrates the women who have changed history Clinton had been hired by NBC to be a correspondent for NBC News's 'Making a Difference' in 2011 Both have only been on the chart for a week. The former NBC correspondent - who was hired by the network in 2011 to do NBC News's 'Making a Difference' - wrote her second book about 13 different women from across the world. 'WHAAAAAATTTTTT @hodakotb,' exclaimed Kotb's co-host Savannah Guthrie on social media Thursday. The sentiment was shared by another member of a Presidential first family, Jenna Bush Hager. 'WHAAAAAATTTTTT @hodakotb,' exclaimed Kotb's co-host Savannah Guthrie on social media Thursday 'Congrats to @hodakotb (NUMBER 1 NY Times Bestseller) who wrote the sweetest book! If you haven't readdare you not to cry,' she said on Instagram, Thursday 'Congrats to @hodakotb (NUMBER 1 NY Times Bestseller) who wrote the sweetest book! If you haven't readdare you not to cry,' she said on Instagram, Thursday. Hager has filled in as a correspondent with NBC's 'The Today Show' since 2009. The success keeps pouring in for Kobt, who took over as co-host for the Today Show following sexual misconduct allegations against the disgraced Matt Lauer. 'Congratulations @hodakotb!,' Clinton exclaimed back on January 2 when the news of Kobt's mainstay was first made public. Clinton's first edition of 'She Persisted' is still ranked at number four on the bestseller and follows How to Catch a Leprechaun by Adam Wallace. It has spent 40 weeks on the charts. Hager has filled in as a correspondent with NBC's 'The Today Show' since 2009 (pictured with Kathie Lee Gifford Furious customers have blasted Ribena for 'secretly ' changing their recipe - claiming it now tastes like 'drain cleaner'. The Suntory Group, who make the soft drink, cut their sugar content by half last month - ahead of the new UK Sugar Tax guidelines in April this year. Instead, their Ribena drinks now contain under 5g of sugar per 100ml bottle and have been replaced by controversial sweeteners Acesulfame K and Sucralose. Instead, their Ribena drinks now contain under 5g of sugar per 100ml bottle and have been replaced by controversial sweeteners Acesulfame K and Sucralose The company has also thickened the drink so its consistency appears to be the same as before by adding Polydextrose - an ingredient known to cause bloating, flatulence and diarrhea The company has also thickened the drink so its consistency appears to be the same as before by adding Polydextrose - an ingredient known to cause bloating, flatulence and diarrhea. Critics in the past have said the sweeteners have not been studied adequately and may affect pregnancy and cause tumours. Now customers have branded the company 'devious' with hundreds claiming that they are boycotting the Ribena amid claims that the new recipe tastes horrendous. The brand has followed the likes of Irn-Bru and Robinsons Fruit Shoot who also swapped some of their sugar content for sweetener ahead of new tax rules. Hundreds of angry customers have taken to Ribena's Facebook page to complain over recent weeks. Paul Court wrote: 'Just came on here to find out why our Ribena tastes like drain cleaner. Very silly move Ribena. Not even close to being nice.' Alice Glimmer said: 'The taste has totally changed and i find it disgusting. You were one of the few cordials left without sweeteners. As I don't drink them, I will have to stop drinking Ribena after 40 years of being a firm fan. #RibenaBoycott #noSweetnersInClassic' Andy Sayle wrote: 'I thought it looked a bit odd as I poured the concentrate out into my glass, it looked watery. And now I've tasted it, and it's bloody awful. Got a horrible bitterish aftertaste, and not at all like Ribena always has tasted (for what I can remember of my 38 years on this planet). 'So, I have perused the ingredients list, and lo and behold, artificial sweeteners are in there. Acesulfame K and Sucralose. Granted, it's not the badass Aspartame, but still it begs the question Why? What was wrong with a nice dose of sugar every now and again? Polydextrose? WTF? One assumes that is to replace the sticky sugar to get the texture right. 'Devious marketing too, you shady bunch. Plastering 'no artificial colours' and 'no artificial flavours' all over the bottle to trick people into thinking it is all goodness in there with no chemical trickery.' Paul Norton wrote: 'Massive fail thinking no one would notice you changed the recipe! Bring back a full strength sugar Ribena, i'd pay more for it with a Sugar Tax! Like many others have commented, it's my choice what i drink.' And Jessica McVeigh said: 'After more than 30 years drinking Ribena (my parents said it was one of my first words) I am having to part with my favourite drink. After opening and pouring my latest bottle I knew something was up. Taste only confirmed it. Absolutely awful! 'I'm lucky enough not to suffer with sweetener induced migraines but I've had them and wouldn't wish them on anyone.' Attaching a link to the NHS website, Rebecca Welsh wrote: 'On the NHS choices page, they state although Acesulfame K has been approved for general use in the EU and the US. Critics say the sweetener has not been studied adequately and may be carcinogenic, affect pregnancy and cause tumours. 'This is the product you choose to put into Ribena without even warning the consumer! 'I feel that this change will lose you many avid Ribena drinkers, I assume just for you to try and save money. I feel that your assumption in sneakily changing the recipe in the hope that no-one notices, without telling the consumer, is highly disrespectful of your customers and a shocking way for a company to operate.' Ribena responded to customers online, saying: 'We honestly feel that this is the right thing to do. 'We feel that taking out half the sugar and communicating the calorie change on all our different packs as part of the guideline daily amounts label and in the nutrition section on the website is the right thing to do. 'However, we've not taken this decision lightly and have spent hundreds of hours working on new recipes. And we feel that the one we've gone with, is the best and is the one that is the most Ribena at heart.' Furious customers have blasted Ribena for 'secretly ' changing their recipe - claiming it now tastes like 'drain cleaner' A spokesperson for Ribena said: 'Like lots of other soft drinks companies, we decided to cut the sugar in our drinks to help people be healthier and reduce obesity in this country. We first announced these plans in November 2016, and we also talked about it on the BBC TV programme 'Inside The Factory' this January. 'To get the recipe right, we undertook over 100 trials and 500 hours of work with a team of 100 people. We then got hundreds of Ribena fans to try the winning recipe and almost all of them thought it still tastes just as great as it always has, but we of course really appreciate all the feedback. 'We also wanted to reassure readers that the sweeteners used as a sugar replacement in the new Ribena recipe and in any low or no calorie drink in the UK have been approved by all the relevant safety authorities and have been around for decades.' An appeal has been launched to help find a three-metre tall rubber duck that went missing off a busy Perth beach. The Cockburn Masters Swimming Club hosted its annual Coogee Jetty to Jetty swim in Perth on March 11, but while setting up the event, Daphne the Duck disappeared. She was supposed to be the centre of attention, a nod to the 22-year anniversary of the event, which in bingo calls means two small ducks. As Race Director, Peter Marr's role included coordinate deployment of buoys and Daphne. Cockburn Masters Swimming Club are appealing to the public for help to find Daphne the Duck The missing duck flyer was shared to Facebook with the promise of a reward of her return He got her to the beach but when he went to tie her down the strong wind caught her and 'Daphne flew across the beach and into the water'. After trying to chase after her, Mr Marr lost track of her. 'So we had Daphne for two weeks, one photo and about three minutes on the actual day,' he said. Now the club has posted a missing duck flyer on Facebook with hashtags such as 'where is Daphne now' and 'help find the duck'. They have even gone so far as to offer a reward of 'swim entry passes or souvenir event merchandise' for Daphne's return. Charitha Pattiaratchi, University of WA professor of coastal oceanography, told Inside Cover: 'Even assuming a low rate of drift, it would have passed Rottnest in a couple of hours. Daphne the Duck went missing from Coogee Beach in Perth during the annual Jetty to Jetty swim (stock image) 'As we have prevailing southerlies, it will end up somewhere north, but where is anyones guess - could be as north as Geraldton.' However Mr Marr told Daily Mail Australia that the Club lives in hope. He even said there has been Facebook chatter that Daphne has been spotted. A group of fisherman saw her 40km west of where she took off. Mr Marr said that the Club is in the process of making contact. He told Daily Mail Australia: 'We expect the fisher to be a person of good character and a sense of fun, we live in hope that we can get Daphne back and we hope that our grand plans for Daphne can be put into play in another 360 days or so.' One thousand encrypted phones have been seized by police across the country in a a major crackdown on bikies and gangsters. Australian Federal Police raided 19 properties a part of the global take-down of Phantom Secure phones. The technology that uses modified BlackBerry devices is used to organise drug imports, murders, kidnappings and money laundering. The Australian Federal police have seized 1000 encrypted phones since March 6 across the nation Phantom Secure was thought to be used to plan the murder of Hells Angel bikie, Tyrone Slemnik in 2013 The AFP confirmed on Friday over 1,000 phones had been seized since March 6 and a 29-year-old man from Victoria had been arrested. He was charged with commercial drug trafficking and drug possession. It is believed the encrypted phones were used to plan the murder of Hells Angels member, Tyrone Slemnik in 2013 and Hells Angels associate Roy Yaghi in 2012. Assistant Commissioner Neil Gaughan said the 19 locations that were picked as they were actively involved in the facilitation and distribution of Phantom Secure devices in Australia. 'Some of those people, there is no doubt they were agents, based on the fact that at some of those locations there was substantial numbers of handsets found that you could not say were for personal use,' the Assistant Commissioner told the Daily Telegraph. 'We're of the view there's in excess of 10,000 Phantom Secure handsets currently or previously used in Australia,' he said. The system has been down for the past 48 hours and is not being used by any one in the country. The AFP shut down the system for the past 48 hours and it is not being used by anyone in the country 'We've taken it, it's totally down. It's not being used by anyone in Australia,' he said. Phantom Secure chief executive, Vincent Ramos was charged by the FBI on Monday for racketeering activity involving gambling and drug trafficking. Over 20,000 phones have been found world-wide using Phantom Secure by the U.S. and other countries. No allegations have been made against the manufacturers of Blackberry phones Phantom Secure costs $3,000 to start it's encrypted service and a subscription fee of $2,000 every six months. Police have said criminals paid up to $50,000 to keep these phones and had to be introduced by other Phantom Secure users initially. The software is believed to remove camera and microphone functions as well as GPS capabilities making them near impossible for authorities to track. There have been no allegations against the manufacturers of Blackberry and other phones have been found to use Phantom Secure. Jeremy Corbyn, pictured in November 2015, said he had been told to stop wearing his tracksuit in public Jeremy Corbyn's advisers have banned him from wearing a tracksuit in public as they attempt to smarten his image, he revealed last night. The Labour leader said he had been told to stop going out in the sportswear after he was widely mocked when he was pictured venturing out in his constituency dressed in a grey tracksuit. But he told how he defiantly still wears it every night behind closed doors at home. In an interview with 13-year-old Nikki Lilly for CBBC, he said: 'When I go home every night, I put my tracksuit on. 'I feel very comfortable in it. You can do anything in a track suit. You can go out. It's great. 'Although people round here make me stop going out in it. They say, 'if you are the leader of the Labour Party, you can't go out in your trackie'.' Mr Corbyn revealed how at school he refused to become a prefect because it involved issuing corporal punishment, which he did not believe in, and disappointed his family by underperforming at maths. He said: 'I was pretty bad at maths even though my mum was a maths teacher, which was embarrassing for her. 'We had a French Teacher...if you didn't write in very small writing in your exercise book between the lines as well as on the lines, he got very angry...he would come up behind you, look over your shoulder and see if you had written the whole thing. If you hadn't, he'd go thwack on your face. 'It was a very odd way of trying to make people learn foreign languages. 'My secondary school was actually very strict, and it had a regime I didn't like. It had lots of physical punishment - caning and things like that. 'And the older boys were allowed to punish the younger boys, but I said I was not prepared to beat any younger boys so I wasn't made a prefect - my choice.' Mr Corbyn also shared how he felt inadequate as a teenager. Asked what he was like in his younger years, he said: 'was like most teenagers - a bit uncertain, a bit confused and I always felt everyone else is having fun somewhere else, everyone else is doing really well but not me.' In February 2016, David Cameron famously told Mr Corbyn to smarten up his appearance during Prime Minister's Questions. The then prime minister said his mother would advise the Labour leader to 'put on a proper suit, do up your tie and sing the national anthem'. Paul Golding, 36, was beaten up by two inmates at HMP Elmley on the Isle of Sheppey in Kent The leader of far-Right group Britain First has been been attacked in prison just a week after he was jailed for abusing Muslims - leaving him with a broken nose. Paul Golding, 36, was beaten up by two inmates at HMP Elmley on the Isle of Sheppey in Kent. Police are investigating the incident, which took place on Wednesday. The far-Right activist's nose was said to have been broken in the attack. Mr Golding and his deputy Freya Fransen were jailed earlier this month after being convicted of religiously-aggravated harassment in Kent last year. The 36-year-old has now been separated from other inmates at the category C prison by being moved to another unit. Kent Police confirmed it was investigating a report of an assault at the prison between 4.15pm and 4.30pm on Wednesday. The force said it did not confirm the identity of victims but added: 'The victim is alleged to have been punched by two other inmates, causing him to suffer minor facial injuries. Inquiries into the incident are ongoing.' A Prison Service spokesman added: 'We do not comment on individual prisoners.' This week, Facebook removed the official page of Britain First, along with those of party leader Golding and deputy Fransen. The social network said it had taken action after they repeatedly broke the site's community standards on hate speech. Facebook said they had continued to violate its rules despite issuing written final warnings over their conduct. 'Content posted on the Britain First Facebook page and the pages of party leaders Paul Golding and Jayda Fransen has repeatedly broken our Community Standards,' Facebook said. 'We recently gave the administrators of the pages a written final warning, and they have continued to post content that violates our Community Standards. 'As a result, in accordance with our policies, we have now removed the official Britain First Facebook page and the pages of the two leaders with immediate effect. Police are reportedly investigating the incident, which took place on Wednesday, at HMP Elmley (pictured) 'We do not do this lightly, but they have repeatedly posted content designed to incite animosity and hatred against minority groups, which disqualifies the Pages from our service.' Facebook confirmed the violating content included an image of the group's leaders with the caption 'Islamophobic and Proud' and multiple videos which Facebook said had been posted deliberately to incite hateful comments against Muslims. The social network also confirmed that the group will not be allowed to set up an official Facebook page in the future. Golding was found guilty of one charge of religiously-aggravated harassment and Fransen three counts of the same offence in relation to an incident in Kent. Paul Golding (second right) and Jayda Fransen, leader and deputy leader of far-right group Britain First and supporters upon arrival at Folkestone Magistrates' Court last week They were arrested last May as part of a probe into the distribution of leaflets and online videos posted during a trial at Canterbury Crown Court during the trial of three Muslim men and a teenager later jailed for raping a 16-year-old in a flat above a takeaway. Restaurant owner Tamin Rahmani, 38, takeaway workers Shershah Muslimyar, 21, Raffiullah Hamid, 24 and a boy from Ashfield, who cannot be named for legal reasons, were later found guilty and jailed for a total of 49 years in prison for the crime. On May 9 Fransen visited an address in Gwynn Road in Ramsgate, on the understanding Tamin Rahmani lived there. Kelli Best, who lived there, told the court she heard banging, rattling of the door handle and recognised Fransen. She said Fransen was making racist remarks directed to Tamin and it made her feel very anxious and her children were scared. Following its suspension from Twitter in December, Mr Golding (right) said the group was looking for new social networks to join and urged supporters to follow Judge Justin Barron said the duo's words and actions 'demonstrated hostility' towards Muslims and the faith of Islam. Fransen shot into the international media spotlight last November when US president Donald Trump retweeted anti-Islamic posts from her Twitter page. Golding and Fransen, of Penge, South East London, stood trial in January charged with three and four counts respectively of the hate crime. The judge at Folkestone Magistrates' Court in Kent found Fransen guilty of three charges and Golding guilty of one - but dismissed the other counts against them. He said: 'I have no doubt it was their joint intention to use the facts of the case (in Canterbury) for their own political ends. It was a campaign to draw attention to the race, religion and immigrant background of the defendants.' A father-of-two with an MBE says it was a chance encounter with Sylvester Stallone that saw him go from a violent upbringing to the Queen's Honours List. Mark Riddell, 49, struggled as a youngster in Aberdeen after his mother died of a brain haemorrhage and his alcoholic father was incapable of looking after him. He was often left with no food and ended up in care after running away from home and refusing to go back. Despite moving out and getting a job at 16 he found himself depressed and even considered suicide. But at 19 he decided to start afresh and go travelling, eventually finding himself in Israel where he was offered the chance to work as an extra on Rambo III. Mark Riddell says meeting Sylvester Stallone (pictured together on set of Rambo III) took him from the brink of suicide to an MBE and job as a Government advisor Mark Riddell (pictured left), 49, struggled as a youngster in Aberdeen after his mother died of a brain haemorrhage and his alcoholic father was incapable of looking after him. But he says his chats with Sly (right) in his early 20s was what kept him out of trouble After being picked by Sylvester Stallone himself he started chatting to him on set, where he claims his words of wisdom changed everything. Now he's working as a Government advisor on care issues, happily married to children's centre administrator Zoe, 46, has two children Gabriella, 24, and Aaron, 20, and an MBE under his belt for services to care leavers. Mr Riddell, of Manchester, said: 'Sylvester Stallone was one of the two people who has inspired me the most in life. 'He showed me to keep things real and never to give up. 'Sometimes, it just takes one person, who shows a little bit of interest to change your life.' The father-of-two says his other inspiration was his care home manager Alex, who saved him from a night in a prison cell and took him under his wing. Pictured: Mark with his wife and children on the day he collected his MBE for care services He added: 'If I hadn't met Sylvester Stallone and Alex, I wouldn't be sat, working in government today, with an MBE.' Mark had a troubled childhood, due to his parents' violent relationship, which led his mother to leave his father when he was around eight-years-old - only for her to die from a brain haemorrhage six months later, when he returned to his father's care. He said: 'When she went, he wasn't able to look after me and my two brothers at all. He was a chronic alcoholic and it spiralled after her death. 'There was no food, our gas and electric would get cut off and our house was very run down. 'I ran away from home and refused to go back. I actually wanted to be placed in a children's home instead.' After that, Mark lived in children's homes in Aberdeen until he was old enough to leave at 16, initially moving into a one-bed flat and starting an apprenticeship with the water board. But he found life outside care extremely tough - even considering taking his own life at one point in his teens. At 19 Mr Riddell (pictured on set of Rambo III) decided to start a fresh and go travelling, eventually finding himself in Israel where he was offered the chance to work as a film extra Now Mr Riddell (pictured on set of Ramb) is working as a Government advisor on care issues, happily married to children's centre administrator Zoe, 46, has two children Gabriella, 24, and Aaron, 20, and an MBE under his belt for services to care leavers He said: 'I felt very isolate and alone and I didn't really know where my life was going.' Then at 17, he started a new job in a fish factory and decided to completely overhaul his life. 'I met a Swedish girl there, who was travelling the world, and she showed me a book called 'Let's Go Greece,' he continued. 'I was inspired by her and in 1987, aged 19, I decided to buy the book, together with a single flight to Athens for 99. I gave up my flat, put a rucksack on and just went.' Taking odd jobs fruit picking, or in restaurants, he made enough to get by and travel around Greece. On meeting a South African man, who was heading off to work in Israel, Mark decided to go with him - leading to a life changing encounter. Mark (pictured) had a troubled childhood, due to his parents' violent relationship, which led his mother to leave his father when he was around eight-years-old - only for her to die from a brain haemorrhage six months later, when he returned to his father's care He said: 'We went to Eilat, to have a bit of time out. 'I was standing in a bar called the Red Lion and bumped into a guy from Scotland, who was working as a casting agent for Rambo III, which was being filmed in Israel. 'At first I thought he was joking, but he insisted he was deadly serious, when he told me to come up to the set and work as an extra for a few weeks.' The next day, Mark and around 100 other people were taken to the set in the desert to audition. He explained: 'I was standing in the desert when I saw a dust cloud coming towards me. 'A swarm of Hummers then came towards us and Sylvester Stallone jumped out. 'We were told that if we got a tap on the shoulder, we'd made it and if not, we would be going home at the end of the day. 'He walked in between us and it was one of those 'wow' moments. He patted me on the shoulder and I went to the front with 11 other people. 'Sylvester Stallone then said, 'Who's coming with me in the car?' So, me and another guy jumped in the Hummer and drove up to the set with him. It was a 'pinch yourself' moment. That started my journey.' Over the weeks that followed, Mark had more conversations with the star, that helped change his perspective on life. He added: 'When we had lunch on the set, we would all sit down together and Sylvester Stallone would tell stories. The now father-of-two (pictured just before he went into care) found life outside social services extremely tough - even considering taking his own life at one point in his teens 'He said he was always going to do something great. He said he decided he would write a story and that was the Rocky story. 'I started to speak to him about my background and he told me about always having determination. 'He told me he wrote his story, went round the film houses and wouldn't sell it unless he had the main part in it. He wanted it to feel right.' Although they were only short conversations over a course of six weeks, they had a lasting impact on Mark and still watches all his films. After finishing filming, Mark returned to the UK, where he saved for a year for a trip to Australia, before returning to work with people with brain injuries for Aberdeen council. Meeting his wife on a holiday in Tenerife in 1990, he moved to Manchester to be with her, where he began social work training. In 1996, Mark published his own story called the Cornflake Kid, which discusses his background and path to success. Since then, a proud grandfather-of-one, Mark's family and professional lives have both gone from strength to strength. Working in children's homes and supporting care leavers across the country, in 2017, he was appointed National Implementation Advisor for care leavers. Mr Riddell is pictured with Edward Timpson, former Minister for State for Children and Families As well as working with local authorities, he feeds back to the government about issues relating to care. And in 2016, Mark was incredibly proud to receive an MBE, in recognition of his exceptional work. He said: 'I couldn't believe I was on the Honours List. For me that was for famous people. 'It was a very special thing for a boy who grew up in care in Aberdeen to be honoured by the Queen. 'Despite everything, I still remember the conversations I had with Sylvester Stallone about being determined to succeed. It did change everything.' Mark is now speaking out as part of the Department of Work and Pensions See Potential Campaign, helping disadvantaged groups back into work - encouraging employers to see past the stereotypes for care leavers, military veterans, single parents and ex-offenders and see their benefit to the workforce. Kit Malthouse, Minister for Family Support, said: 'It's up to all of us to help care leavers get the right opportunities and businesses play a vital role in this. 'I urge business leaders to recognise we're all parents to care leavers and we need to get behind the See Potential campaign. 'This not only provides the crucial support needed to find a job but can also add real value to their workforce .' The brutal tit-for-tat between Russia and Britain escalated again today as Boris Johnson accused Vladimir Putin of personally ordering the Salisbury nerve agent outrage. The Kremlin raged at the 'shocking and unforgivable' claim after the Foreign Secretary said it was 'overwhelmingly likely' the president himself signed off the attempted assassination of former spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia in Salisbury. The bruising exchanges came as Russia warned its retaliation for the expulsion of British diplomats will happen 'at any moment' - and launched an extraordinary verbal barrage at Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson for good measure. Meanwhile, the Government has told the 23 Russian diplomats being expelled that they must leave the country by Tuesday. And it announced the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons is set to carry out tests on the poison sample 'imminently'. On a visit in Uxbridge today, Mr Johnson stressed that he did not want to punish the Russian people for the assassination attempt on UK soil. Vladimir Putin visited a hospital in St Petersburg today as the row over Salisbury raged On a visit to Uxbridge today (pictured), Boris Johnson said Britain believed it is 'overwhelmingly likely' that Vladimir Putin himself ordered the 'hit' on former spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia Moscow has launched a scathing assault on Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson (pictured yesterday) accusing him of talking like a 'market wench' and suffering 'intellectual impotency' while preparing Britain for war with Russia Russian defence ministry spokesman Major-General Igor Konashenkov (pictured) hit back as part of a concerted Moscow attack on Mr Williamson who had said the Kremlin 'should go away and 'shut up' The poisoning of Yulia, left, and her father Sergei Skripal, right, sparked a huge investigation and clean-up operation (file picture) And he gave the clearest statement yet that the UK believes Mr Putin himself authorised the use of Novichok against the Skripals. 'Our quarrel is with Putin's Kremlin, and with his decision - and we think it overwhelmingly likely that it was his decision - to direct the use of a nerve agent on the streets of the UK, on the streets of Europe for the first time since the Second World War,' Mr Johnson said. But within minutes Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov hit back branding the remark 'nothing but shocking and unforgiveable behaviour from the point of view of diplomacy'. Who said what in the tit for tat exchange between UK and Russia? Gavin Williamson (pictured) has found himself at the centre of a tit for tat exchange between Britain and Russia over the Salisbury poisoning Theresa May, to Parliament, 14 March: 'There is no alternative conclusion other than that the Russian State was culpable for the attempted murder of Mr Skripal and his daughter - and for threatening the lives of other British citizens in Salisbury, including Detective Sergeant Nick Bailey. 'This represents an unlawful use of force by the Russian State against the United Kingdom.' Gavin Williamson, in a defence Q&A, 15 March: 'It is absolutely atrocious and outrageous what Russia did in Salisbury. 'We have responded to that. Frankly Russia should go away and should shut up.' Major-General Igor Konashenkov, in Russia, March 16: 'The market wench talk that British Defence secretary Gavin Williamson resorted to reflects his extreme intellectual impotency. 'It proves the deficiency of London's accusations thrown at Russia in the past but also the inadequacy of the accusers.' Russia's foreign minister Sergei Lavrov, March 16: 'He's a handsome young man. He probably also wants to be written down in history with strong claims. 'I don't know, maybe he's just not educated enough.' Boris Johnson, in Uxbridge, March 16 'Our quarrel is with Putin's Kremlin, and with his decision - and we think it overwhelmingly likely that it was his decision - to direct the use of a nerve agent on the streets of the UK, on the streets of Europe for the first time since the Second World War.' Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskovhit, March 16: He hit back at Boris Johnson's remark branding it 'nothing but shocking and unforgiveable behaviour from the point of view of diplomacy'. He added: 'Russia has nothing to do with this story.' Advertisement He added: 'Russia has nothing to do with this story.' In his first major speech, Mr Williamson said yesterday it is 'absolutely atrocious and outrageous what Russia did in Salisbury. We have responded to that. Frankly Russia should go away and should shut up.' He warned Vladimir Putin any retaliatory action would only escalate tensions as he warned the UK-Russia relationship was now 'exceptionally chilly'. But Russian defence ministry spokesman Major-General Igor Konashenkov branded Mr Williamson a 'disgrace' to Britain and accused of acting as if he was still going through puberty. He described Mr Williamson as 'intellectually impotent' and a 'market wench'. Russia's foreign minister Sergei Lavrov, speaking in Kazakhstan, said this morning that Mr Williamson may 'lack education'. The comments by Mr Williamson also came in for criticism domestically, with former Liberal Democrat leader Paddy Ashdown calling the remarks 'schoolboy' and saying the Defence Secretary 'never misses an opportunity to say something immature to make it worse'. But senior Tory MP Michael Fabricant told MailOnline Russia were the ones being childish and the Kremlin should 'take a chill pill'. 'It is clear Russia does not do subtle,' Mr Fabricant said. 'Time to take a chill pill with a nice warm cup of Horlicks. 'It is all good fun, but this does not detract from the fact that they have come up with no explanation for the use of a weapon of mass destruction originally developed in the Soviet Union, held by Russia, and now used on British soil.' Labour MP Chuka Umunna said it was 'not the detailed, thoughtful response one expects of a Defence Secretary. Tone and content wrong when people want to be assured he has a grip. Another Labour MP, Angela Rayner, likened Mr Williamson's speech to 'a spoof comedy sketch'. A Downing Street spokesman refused to be dragged into the row, saying simply: 'The PM set out the government's position and what we hope to see from Russia. 'We will continue to set out our position. 'We have been clear what we expect, as have our international partners.' The latest row comes as relations between Moscow and London crashed to a post-Cold War low following the military-grade nerve agent attack on Sergei Skripal in Salisbury that left him and his daugther Yulia in critical condition. Moscow has said it will retaliate imminently to Theresa May's decision to kick out 23 Russian diplomats, and will expel UK officials. Extraordinarily, the Russian ambassador to London claimed today that the British authorities could have faked the poisoning of the Skripals. Speaking to the Russian state-funded RT television, Alexander Yakovenko said it was 'suspicious' that information about the case, including photographs of the victims, had not yet been released. Detectives have still not said how Sergei and his daughter were poisoned - and may not even know - as they follow the poison trail (pictured) Russia's foreign minister Sergei Lavrov (left), speaking in Kazakhstan, said Mr Williamson may 'lack education' The investigation in Salisbury has been continuing (pictured) as the row between Britain and Russia gathers pace 'Nobody saw even the pictures of these people in a hospital - whether they are alive or maybe they are in good health. Nobody talked to the doctors. There is absolutely no transparency in the case, and this worries us,' he said. But a Downing Street spokesman said they have invited the OPCW to verify the Governments analysis of the nerve agent used in the Salisbury attack. A No10 spokesman said: Our Permanent Representative to the OPCW has now written to the Technical Secretariat inviting them to come to the UK to take a sample, under Article 8 of the Chemical Weapons Convention. Discussions are ongoing on the precise timing but we expect the process to begin imminently. 'The OPCW has today issued a statement confirming its willingness to support the investigation. After the first known offensive use of such a weapon in Europe since World War Two, May blamed Moscow and gave 23 Russians who she said were spies working under diplomatic cover at the London embassy a week to leave. Russia has denied any involvement, cast Britain as a post-colonial power unsettled by Brexit, and even suggested London fabricated the attack in an attempt to whip up anti-Russian hysteria. Mr Johnson and Polish counterpart Jacek Czaputowicz visited a Battle of Britain bunker in Uxbridge today The two foreign ministers visited a Battle of Britain bunker in Uxbridge, west London today Britain, the United States, Germany and France jointly called on Russia on Thursday to explain the attack. US President Donald Trump said it looked as though the Russians were behind it. Trump yesterday levelled new sanctions on five institutions and 19 individuals tied to Russia's government, citing Moscow's 2016 election interference and the recent nerve gas attack. Russia has refused Britain's demands to explain how Novichok, a nerve agent developed by the Soviet military, was used to strike down Skripal, 66, and his daughter, 33. Skripal, a former colonel in the GRU who betrayed dozens of Russian agents to British intelligence, and his daughter have been critically ill since March 4, when they were found unconscious on a bench. The eight theories leaked from the Salisbury investigation Day 1: Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia were directly sprayed with the poison on the bench where they were found slumped. Day 5: Investigators move away from the initial theory, suggesting they were poisoned by food or drink. This threw Zizzi and The Mill pub as possible locations for the attack. Day 6: A new theory emerges - the poison was posted through Sergei Skripal's letterbox. Day 7: Officers dug up Skripal's wife's grave as they scoured the city for clues. During this exercise, it was thought a bouquet of flowers were laced with the toxin, causing the former spy to be rendered unconscious. Day 10: Sergei Skripal's maroon BMW is thrust into the heart of the probe as it is suggested the poison was introduced to the car's ventilation system. Hours later, a leak suggests the vehicles door handles were smeared with the deadly Novichok nerve agent. Day 13: The latest theory to be banded around by sources is that Yulia Skripal's luggage was contaminated. Advertisement Yesterday, Mr Williamson added to the war of words between the two countries with a speech in Bristol that if Russia does respond to actions Britain has already taken, 'we are considering everything and we will look at our options but it would be wrong to pre-judge their response.' Russia's Major-General Igor Konashenkov dismissed the remarks in an extraordinary verbal attack, adding: 'The market wench talk that British defence secretary Gavin Williamson resorted to reflects his extreme intellectual impotency. 'It proves the deficiency of London's accusations thrown at Russia in the past but also the inadequacy of the accusers.' Russia had 'long become immune to London accusing us of all sins,' he said. 'As for the boorish remarks by the British defence secretary on Russia, they seem to be the only thing that Her Majesty's armed forces have in ample supply'. Britain long ago turned into 'a comfortable nest not only for defectors from the whole world - but also for numerous offices in charge of making fake sensations'. Meanwhile, Vladimir Putin ally Konstantin Kosachyov, chairman of the upper house's International Relations committee, claimed a hostile Britain was preparing for war against Russia. Britain is making 'wholesale accusations against Russia' before the inquiry into the Skripal poisoning is complete and 'without proof'. 'Massive aggression has been organised against Russia with the use of tools of informational, political and economic force,' he complained. 'And with the preparation of public opinion for the possibility of the use of military force.' He stormed: 'Nobody is keen to submit any facts, samples and other evidence to Russia. 'Once again, a traditional scheme is used: 'we have made all decision here with us, we won't give any evidence, and Russia must prove it is not guilty'.' He claimed that the 'catastrophe' of the Soviet breakup had led to 'some arsenals of mass destruction weapons' going missing. Officers guard The Mill pub where the pair had a drink before going to Zizzi. One theory was that their drinks were spiked, but this thesis was shortlived A police officer carries a box outside Sergei Skripal's house in Salisbury. On March 9, Skripal's cul-de-saq in Salisbury was sealed off as police worked on the thesis that the nerve agent was posted through his letterbox Investigators at Salisbury Cemetery where they dug up the grave of Sergei Skripal's wife. During this exercise, it was thought a bouquet of flowers were laced with the toxin, causing the former spy to be rendered unconscious 'Nowadays they can 'float' in unexpected places,' he said. This is 'very awkward for the West' which wanted rid of the USSR since it already decided that Russia was 'the one to blame'. Russian senator Franz Klintsevich accused Mr Williamson of being 'non-professional' and a 'disgrace' to Britain. 'The expressions chosen by Gavin Williamson are unprecedented for a minister of a major country,' he said. 'It is a proof of his total non-professionalism. It is a disgrace for Great Britain. It is impossible to imagine that something like this would have been said in public of the Russian defence minister.' Mr Williamson 'can't get rid of old habits acquired in puberty when he partied with his young mates and sorted things out with them with the help of abusive words'. Former head of the GRU military espionage agency Fyodor Ladygin was not guilty of using a nerve agent on ex-spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia. Russian intelligence 'has never, I repeat, never resorted to such heinous nonsense, as the UK tries to attribute to it,' he said. Skripal was pardoned and was of no interest to the authorities. 'For us the fate of traitors is indifferent. For an intelligence officer, traitors die immediately - they absolutely stop existing in the memory, they are washed out of it,' he said. Laborious, secretive and almost undetectable: Why is it taking so long to identify how Russian spy and his daughter were poisoned? Chemical weapons experts are hunting for the tiny trace needed to kill Police will be struggling to find out how Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia were poisoned because they are looking for a 'minute' trace of a weapon that is designed to be undetectable, an expert has told MailOnline. Hamish de Bretton-Gordon, a former Army Colonel , says Russia's Novichok agent is designed to evade chemical agent monitors - so will be incredibly difficult to find. Mr de Bretton-Gordon, who is one of Britain's foremost chemical warfare experts, believes the weapon is toxic for several weeks so could have been sent in the post or hidden inside Yulia's suitcase. It is also highly likely assassins would have been sent to ensure the weapon met its key target by spraying it on their victims' clothes, possessions or inside Sergei's Salisbury home. Police, the Army and security services may know how it was administered but could be keeping it quiet so as not to alert the Russians, he says. But if they do not know it could be a very long and difficult process to find out. Army personnel have been brought in to test every inch of items like cars to see if they can trace the source of the poisoning He told MailOnline: 'We are talking of a minute amount of agent which is designed to be undetectable by conventional military style chemical agent monitors. 'Basically we have to work out exactly where they went and conduct a very laborious search with in effect laboratory type detectors'. He added: 'It could be through the post, in a parcel bought back from Russia or delivered by an assassin as a spray or liquid droplets'. Police are refusing to discuss any theories about the case. He said: 'I expect the authorities know a bit more but are telling the public what they believe is best. I expect there are some highly confidential facets of this which the Security service are dealing with and do not want to alert the Russians to give them any chance to subvert or refute the evidence'. And when asked the most likely plot being discussed he said: 'I expect it might be a tiny bit of liquid which has been secreted on clothing or a door handle. They could have received an object which is contaminated and spread it in advertantly and also succumbed to it themselves'. Once touched it would take around an hour to make someone ill but the poison would be instant if consumed. Advertisement Theresa May wants a 'short victorious war' to unite a Britain divided over Brexit and an unstable Tory party, claimed Elena Ananyeva, Head of the Centre for British Studies at the Russian Academy of Sciences' Institute of Europe. The poisoning scandal is being used to blacken Russia and unite Britons, she said. May needs a 'short victorious war and a threat posed to the country from a 'monster.', she said. 'The entire nation should be united in a single effort and there should be a monolithic unity of the Conservative Party and people.' Meanwhile, Russia's government will add more Americans to its 'black list' in response to new sanctions against Russians accused of election meddling. Tensions with Moscow are growing before Russia's presidential election Sunday, after a nerve agent attack in Britain on a Russian ex-spy. Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov was quoted Friday by news agency RIA Novosti as saying that Russia is preparing sanctions against 'a new group of American actors' and possible 'additional steps.' He said Russia would target the same number of people as the U.S. but didn't say what the sanctions would involve. Ryabkov said he doesn't want to definitively close the door to dialogue and accused the U.S. of threatening global stability. What is the Novichok nerve agent used against the Skripals? The Novichok nerve agent used against former Russian spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia is among the most deadly poisons ever created. They were secretly developed by the Soviet Union during the height of the Cold war in the 1970s and 1980s. Communist scientists developed the poison so it would not be able to be detected by Nato's chemical detection equipment. They come in the form of a ultra-fine powder, Novichok is up to eight times more potent than the deadly VX gas. Victims who are poisoned by the powder suffer muscle spasms, breathing problems and then cardiac arrest. There is a known antidote to the nerve agent - atropine can block the poison. But doctors find it very tricky to administer the antidote because the dose would have to be so high it could prove fatal for the person. Novichok poisons are highly dangerous to handle, requiring the expertise of skilled scientists in a sophisticated lab. Dr Vil Mirzayanov, former Chief of the Foreign Technical Counterintelligence Department at Russias premiere, was among the team of scientists who helped develop the agent. Advertisement The Trump administration announced sanctions Thursday on 19 Russians and five companies accused of meddling in the 2016 U.S. election. Thirteen days after Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia were attacked with a nerve agent in Salisbury, police appear to be no nearer any answers as to how the pair were poisoned. Theories banded around in the past fortnight include food poisoning, a bouquet of flowers laced with the deadly substance Novichok and the lethal toxin being smeared on the former agent's car door handle. Now, it is understood investigators have turned their attentions to Yulia's suitcase in a bid to find out exactly how she and her father ended up fighting for their lives after falling unconscious on March 4. But Scotland Yard's top officers are still keeping the public in the dark and a series of conflicting leaks from the investigation suggests they are no nearer the truth. Senior sources in the intelligence agencies told The Telegraph they 'convinced' the poison was hidden in the luggage. Police are now said to be working on the theory the Novichok was concealed in an item of clothing, a gift or cosmetics. It means, according to the paper, that the 33-year-old was a deliberate target in order to get at her father. The thesis is the latest in a long line of apparent guesses which have leaked from the investigation. Andrei Lugovoy, the prime suspect in the murder of Alexander Litvinenko, was the first to offer an opinion, suggesting the pair had come down with a severe bout of food poisoning. The initial theory from police was that the nerve agent, initially unknown, was sprayed directly at the pair on Sunday, March 4. Both Yulia and Sergei Skripal were found slumped on a park bench in Salisbury, and it was thought it was here where they were poisoned. Another report suggested they had been exposed to the substance in a shopping centre. By March 8, it was said detectives had moved away from the theory that the nerve agent was sprayed directly at Skripal, a source told MailOnline. They were then instead said to be focusing more on the possibility that poison was added to his food or drink at some point before he collapsed. This pointed the finger at The Mill pub in Salisbury and the Italian restaurant Zizzi as potential locations as to where they were poisoned. Moscow to expand its US 'black list' after new set of American sanctions Moscow will respond to a new set of U.S. sanctions by expanding its 'black list' of Americans, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said on Friday, according to RIA news agency. The U.S. Treasury slapped sanctions on 19 Russian citizens and five entities on Thursday in the most significant steps the United States has taken against Russia since U.S. President Donald Trump took office. 'From the very beginning, we use the principle of parity on the number of people included in sanction lists. So we will expand our 'black list' with another group of Americans,' Ryabkov was cited as saying. The Trump administration has blamed the Russian government for a campaign of cyber attacks stretching back at least two years that targeted the US power grid. It marks the first time the United States has publicly accused Moscow of hacking into American energy infrastructure He added that Moscow did not rule out extra measures in response to new sanctions for alleged interfering in U.S. elections and cyber attacks, which Russia denies. Moscow still wants to maintain a dialogue with Washington and takes counter-measures due to 'American political stubbornness', RIA cited the diplomat as saying. 'Those (American) politicians are playing with fire by destroying Russian-American relationship because simultaneously they shake global stability,' Ryabkov said, according to RIA. Advertisement On March 13, another leak from the investigation thrust Skripal's maroon BMW into the heart of the probe. It was initially thought the poison was somehow introduced to the car's ventilation system, and that when the former double agent and his daughter travelled along inside it, they were contaminated. Pictured: Sergei Skripal's BMW captured on CCTV Senior MPs to launch super inquiry into 'dirty Russian money' Senior MPs are set to launch a 'super inquiry' into dirty money and military aggression from Russia in the wake of the Salisbury poisoning outrage. Several parliamentary select committees covering defence, the treasury and foreign affairs are understood to be in discussions to coordinate their probes into Russia. The investigation is expected to look at how Russian oligarchs close to Vladimir Putin have come by their assets and if they are stashing corrupt money in London. And MPs will also look at the military aggression and cyber warfare being mounted by the Kremlin and how Britain can respond. Senior MPs are set to launch a 'super inquiry' into dirty money and military aggression from Russia in the wake of the poisoning of Sergei Skripal (pictured) A source told Mail Online: 'London is awash with dirty Russian money. The inquiry will look at that.' Theresa May has declared that Britain will look at imposing tougher sanctions on Russia and wealthy cronies of Putin who spend their ill-gotten gains in Britain. MPs have already pointed the finger at oligarchs who have amassed vast wealth under the Kremlin's corrupt regime and used their cash to buy up expensive homes in London. Speaking in the Commons earlier this week, Lib Dem leader Sir Vince Cable urged the Prime Minister 'to act' against the oligarchs. He named billionaire Alisher Usmanov - who owns shares in Arsenal football club - and the Russian politician Igor Shuvalov - who owns a 14million flat in London - as among those who should be probed. Currently, several select committees have inquiries looking into Russia - including Moscow's role in the spread of fake news and its growing military aggression. Theresa May (pictured in Salisbury yesterday) has vowed to crack down on Russian corruption and expel 32 Russian diplomats in the retaliation for the poisoning Bob Seely, a Tory MP and expert in Russian warfare, wrote to the heads of several select committees a fortnight ago urging them to coordinate their probes. He said: 'We need a common framework. Russian warfare is holistic and multi faceted and our response has to be the same. 'We need to make sure that our own system is clean and that there is no dirty money from Russia or elsewhere. 'The hard use of soft power is a huge part of that.' Mrs May has vowed to hit back hard against Russia after former spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia were poisoned by the Russian nerve agent Novichok. The assassination attempt has sent British-Russian relations to a new post Cold War low. She told MPs in the Commons this week: 'So we will increase checks on private flights, customs and freight. 'We will freeze Russian State assets wherever we have the evidence that they may be used to threaten the life or property of UK nationals or residents. 'And led by the National Crime Agency, we will continue to bring all the capabilities of UK law enforcement to bear against serious criminals and corrupt elites. 'There is no place for these people or their money - in our country.' Advertisement The BMW is taken away for testing. The theory changed within hours from the toxin being introduced to the ventilation system to Novichok being smeared on the door handles Three investigators, heavily protected by suits and gas masks, work in Salisbury park Investigators in protective suits in the Maltings shopping centre in Salisbury, where former Russian double agent Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia were found critically ill after exposure to a nerve agent Police know Sergei Skripal parked on the first floor of Sainsbury's car park at 1.40pm. He and his daughter Yulia visited The Mill pub before arriving at Zizzi at 2.20pm, dining, and leaving at 3.35pm. They were potentially picked up on CCTV on Market Walk at 3.47pm before being found slumped on a bench at 4.15pm. The new footage shows Skripal driving past the Devizes Inn, which is equidistant from Sainsbury's to his home in Christie Miller Road, though it is not known where he had driven from nor when he was poisoned But these theories were short-lived, with witnesses claiming they saw the chef prepare the risotto they shared at the Italian restaurant. The notion their drinks were spiked at The Mill were also quickly debunked, seemingly putting investigators back to square one. The following day, on March 9, Skripal's cul-de-saq in Salisbury had been completely sealed off as police worked on the thesis that the nerve agent was posted through his letterbox. Again, this came and went, and nearly 200 troops, including Royal Marines and chemical weapons experts, were drafted in to investigate the attack. The quaint city had now unexpectedly found itself at the centre of the international incident, as investigators began to suspect the Kremlin of being behind the attempted assassination. While Scotland Yard insisted 'the public should not be alarmed' and public health officials claim the incident poses a 'low risk' to residents, they were not wholly convinced, with locals complaining of being 'kept in the dark'. On March 10, Amber Rudd came out of the Cobra meeting to say police had obtained 200 pieces of evidence and identified 240 witnesses - suggesting they were no nearer any conclusions. Officers dug up Skripal's wife's grave as they scoured the city for clues. During this exercise, it was thought a bouquet of flowers were laced with the toxin, causing the former spy to be rendered unconscious. The cordon carried on extending a week after the attack, with cars, vans, parking ticket machines and belongings being seized from as far away as eight miles from Salisbury. By this time, Theresa May had blamed Russia for the attack and identified the nerve agent used as the deadly Novichok. A poisoned umbrella tip and radioactive tea: How Russian spies have died in the UK It was one of the most audacious acts of the Cold War which could have come straight from the pages of a spy novel. In 1978, Georgi Markov was jabbed with an umbrella which fired a poison pellet into his leg as he crossed Waterloo Bridge in London while he waited for a bus. He died three days later and for almost 40 years, mystery has surrounded the whereabouts of his killer. Georgi Markov was jabbed with an umbrella which fired a poison pellet into his leg A replica of the umbrella that a KGB agent used in 1978 to kill the Bulgarian dissident Ex-KGB agent Alexander Litvinenko was poisoned in London in 2006, a killing which a judge said was probably approved by President Vladimir Putin. The defector died after two agents slipped radioactive polonium 210 into his tea pot at a Mayfair hotel in central London. The 43-year-old had been an officer with the Federal Security Service (FSB), but he fled to Britain where he became a fierce critic of the Kremlin. He died after an agonising six-day battle in hospital. Ex-KGB agent Alexander Litvinenko was poisoned in London in 2006 when a radioactive substance was poured into his tea pot at a Mayfair hotel Alexander Perepilichnyy, a key witness in a 140million tax fraud investigation, collapsed while jogging outside his 3million mansion in Weybridge, Surrey, in November 2012. The Russian had ingested gelsemium a very rare toxic plant found only in China, a coroner heard. Tests carried out by leading botanist Professor Monique Simmonds of Kew Gardens found a chemical in Mr Perepilichnyys stomach that could come only from a variety of gelsemium a known method of assassination by Chinese and Russian contract killers. Alexander Perepilichnyy collapsed while jogging outside his 3million mansion in Weybridge, Surrey, in November 2012 A radiation expert who investigated the 'assassination' of Alexander Litvinenko was found dead in a mysterious suicide five months after a trip to Russia. Matthew Puncher, 46, bled to death at his home from multiple stab wounds inflicted by two knives in his home in Drayton, Oxfordshire in May 2016. A pathologist said he could not 'exclude' the possibility that someone else was involved in the death - but concluded the injuries were self-inflicted. Radiation expert Matthew Puncher, who investigated the 'assassination' of Alexander Litvinenko, was found dead in a mysterious suicide in May 2016 Boris Berezovsky, was found dead in his in Berkshire bathroom with a ligature round his neck in March 2013. His friends in the secret service say he planned to give Putin evidence of a plot involving oligarchs to topple the strongman in a coup. Theory has it that the exiled Russian tycoon was slain by Western secret services linked to the plan to overthrow the Kremlin leader. A coroner recorded an open verdict saying he either took his own life or he was killed and the scene was staged to look self-inflicted. Boris Berezovsky, was found dead in his in Berkshire bathroom with a ligature round his neck in March 2013 but the coroner recorded an open verdict Bankrupt property tycoon Scot Young was the fifth member of a close circle of friends to die in unusual circumstances. The 52-year-old suffered fatal injuries after falling from a window on to railings after being hounded over debts by Russian mafia members. They had previously dangled him out of a window at the Dorchester Hotel, in Park Lane, threatening to drop him next time if he did not pay up, his close friend alleged. Mr Young, who was once worth an estimated 400m, claimed to have lost his fortune when a vast Russian property deal, known as Project Moscow, collapsed in 2006. Bankrupt property tycoon Scot Young (pictured right) suffered fatal injuries after falling from a window on to railings after being hounded over debts by Russian mafia members Meanwhile in 2012, German Gorbuntsov survived despite being shot several times with a sub-machine gun on the Isle of Dogs in East London. The Russian banker allegedly had evidence relevant to the attempted murder of Russian billionaire Alexander Antonov. In 2016, former Russian double agent Colonel Alexander Poteyev, who exposed glamour spy Anna Chapman, died in the US. Mr Poteyev had overseen the Russian sleeper agents in the US as a deputy head of the 'S' department of Russia's Foreign Intelligence Service. Advertisement But how the substance came into contact with the Skripals was still up in the air. A day of political mudslinging ensued on March 12 as British-Russian relations plummeted to its lowest point since the Cold War. On March 13, another leak from the investigation thrust Skripal's maroon BMW into the heart of the probe. It was initially thought the poison was somehow introduced to the car's ventilation system, and that when the former double agent and his daughter travelled along inside it, they were contaminated. But later that night, another theory was suggested - that the Novichok was smeared on the car's door handles. With no answers forthcoming from Scotland Yard, Theresa May banned 23 Russian diplomats from the UK and The Kremlin promised retaliation. Another day of tit-for-tat rhetoric was thrown around the Westminster and Moscow before a theory entered from left-field - Yulia Skripal was the real target. Sergei Skripal's niece speculated Yulia had angered her boyfriend's mother - a highly-ranked Russian security official - after saying she wanted to start a family. But police appeared to still be focussing on the car. A missing 40 minutes, from 1pm and 1.40pm on the day of the poisoning became the heartbeat of the investigation, with police desperately asking for information. CCTV footage obtained by the Mail showed the BMW travelling towards the supermarket in the city. The exact details of the movements of Sergei and his daughter are still being determined, but after visiting Sainsbury's, they went to The Mill pub in The Maltings. At 2.20pm, they arrived at Italian restaurant Zizzi where they dined before leaving at 3.35pm. Between the restaurant and a park bench where they were found, there was a possible CCTV sighting on Market Walk at 3.47pm. Scotland Yard Assistant Commissioner Neil Basu said they remained in a critical condition in hospital, days after they were found slumped on the bench in the Wiltshire city at 4.15pm. Neither he nor the Met Police Assistant Commissioner Mark Rowley have been able to shed any light on the mystery. And as the investigation knocks on the door of its second week and the suitcase has become the latest theory , the public are no clearer as to how the Skripals were poisoned. Advertisement Tens of thousands of terrified men, women and children have been forced to flee their homes within the last 24 hours as two deadly conflicts reached boiling point in Syria. In rebel-held Eastern Ghouta, 20,000 escaped through a 'corridor' carrying belongings in plastic bags and suitcases following a ferocious months-long assault by dictator Bashar al-Assad's forces. At the same time, observers say some 30,000 have fled from Kurdish-controlled Afrin city in northern Syria in a separate front of the complex war amid chaotic scenes reminiscent of the floods of refugees trekking across Europe in late 2016. Ankara and allied Syrian factions on January 20 launched a sweeping ground and air assault against the enclave, home to around 350,000 people and defended by the Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG). This morning there were warnings that the situation in Eastern Ghouta was heading for disaster and urgent calls for a ceasefire as forces pushed their way into civilian centres, in strategic military advances that could turn the page on some of the most volatile flashpoints of the conflict. Civilians are pictured fleeing the city of Afrin in northern Syria along the mountainous road of al-Ahlam while heading towards the check point in az-Ziyarah A U.N. spokeswoman says the world body is receiving 'deeply alarming' reports from the Kurdish enclave of Afrin about civilian deaths and injuries due to airstrikes and ground-based strikes A woman carries a baby as civilians fleeing the city of Afrin in northern Syria walk at the mountainous road of al-Ahlam Exodus: Tens of thousands of terrified men, women and children have been forced to flee their homes within the last 24 hours as two deadly conflicts reached boiling point in Syria. This was the scene as thousands escaped war-torn Eastern Ghouta over the last day In rebel-held Eastern Ghouta, 20,000 escaped through a 'corridor' carrying belongings in plastic bags and suitcases following a ferocious month's-long assault by dictator Bashar al-Assad's forces Syrian civilians and children wait to be evacuated from the Eastern Ghouta enclave through the regime-controlled corridor opened by government forces in Hawsh al-Ashaari, east of the Eastern Ghouta enclave town of Hamouria on the outskirts of the capital Damascus Tens of thousands have streamed out on foot and in pick-up trucks in the last 24 hours from besieged enclaves on two fronts, fleeing bombings from the Syrian military near the capital, Damascus, and Turkish troops in the country's north Thousands of civilians poured out of the area yesterday after a month-long assault brought the Syrian regime closer to recapturing the devastated rebel enclave outside Damascus. Defying expectations and calls to step down, Syria's President Bashar al-Assad was strengthening his grip on power as the conflict entered its eighth year. His troops advanced in a ferocious assault on Ghouta, once the opposition's main bastion on the outskirts of the capital. A war monitor said regime forces now control 70 per cent of the area, splitting the remaining rebel territory into three shrinking pockets. After a fierce air and ground assault, regime forces on Thursday captured Hammuriyeh town, in an isolated southern part of Ghouta. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a Britain-based monitor, said rebels later launched a counter-attack and regained parts of the town, killing 14 regime fighters. Elsewhere, however, it said the regime overran Al-Rihan town in an assault led by Russian officers and advisers. Observers say some 30,000 have fled from Kurdish-controlled Afrin city in northern Syria, also in the last day, in a separate front of the complex war. Displaced people are pictured leaving on a truck with their belongings in the north east of Afrin Thousands have escaped Syria's rebel-held Eastern Ghouta into government-held territory - the largest numbers since the regime assault on the enclave began Thousands of civilians have poured out of the Eastern Ghouta area after a month-long assault brought the Syrian regime closer to recapturing the devastated rebel enclave outside Damascus Huge crowds evacuate the town of Hamouriyeh in the Eastern Ghouta area of Damascus, Syria today. The Syrian army captured the Hamouriyeh district in the countryside after the withdrawal of the Failaq al-Rahman rebel group On the move: It was the largest single-day exodus of civilians from fighting in Syria's civil war and a reminder of how the conflict that sparked the world's worst humanitarian catastrophe continues to hit new lows as it enters its eighth year Near the capital, Damascus, the Syrian government is chipping away at one of the largest and most significant opposition bastions since the early days of the rebellion - communities where some 400,000 people are estimated to be holed up Since mid-February, Syrian troops have targeted the capital's sprawling eastern Ghouta region with shells, airstrikes and, at times, even toxic gas, according to opposition medics. They are now in control of the majority of the enclave that had been in rebel hands since 2012 In a separate front of the complex war, Ankara and allied Syrian factions on January 20 launched a sweeping ground and air assault against the Kurdish-controlled enclave of Afrin (pictured) in northwestern Syria The regime's advance into Hammuriyeh had punched a corridor through the town into government-controlled territory. Streams of women and children escaped through that corridor on Thursday, carrying plastic bags stuffed with clothes and pushing strollers piled high with suitcases and rugs. They reached a regime checkpoint in Adra district, where ambulances and large green buses waited to take them to temporary shelters. The Observatory said nearly 20,000 people fled the enclave in 24 hours before the flow stopped on Thursday evening. It called the exodus 'the largest displacement since the beginning of the assault on Ghouta.' The United Nations said it was trying to determine how many people have left the enclave. 'The UN has not observed the evacuations, but is visiting collective shelters where some of the evacuees are arriving,' a UN spokesman said. Eastern Ghouta had been the main rebel bastion on the outskirts of Damascus since 2012 and came under a devastating regime siege the following year. Thousands of frightened residents emerged from Hamouria and nearby opposition towns, carrying mats and other possessions that sometimes poked out of suitcases On Thursday, a joint convoy of food supplies for some 26,000 people entered Douma, the largest town in Ghouta and part of a separate rebel-controlled pocket Members of the Syrian government forces carry a woman sitting in a wheelchair during an evacuation of civilians from the Eastern Ghouta enclave Ghouta was in May 2017 designated a 'de-escalation zone' - an area where violence is supposed to ease, paving the way for humanitarian assistance and a nationwide truce That left the area's roughly 400,000 residents struggling to secure food and hospitals crippled by shortages of medicine and equipment. On Thursday, a joint convoy of food supplies for some 26,000 people entered Douma, the largest town in Ghouta and part of a separate rebel-controlled pocket. 'This is just a little of what these families need,' said the International Committee of the Red Cross, which delivered the aid alongside the Syrian Arab Red Crescent and the UN. ICRC President Peter Maurer went with the convoy, the first time he had accompanied such an operation. Twenty-five trucks were delivering food parcels and flour bags to hunger-stricken Douma residents when mortar rounds hit nearby. Aid workers scrambled for cover, an AFP correspondent said, but were able to resume deliveries shortly afterwards. Thursday's aid operation came after two consecutive days of medical evacuations from Douma, which saw dozens of civilians bussed out for treatment in Damascus. Ghouta was in May 2017 designated a 'de-escalation zone' - an area where violence is supposed to ease, paving the way for humanitarian assistance and a nationwide truce. But since February 18, Russian-backed government troops have pressed a ferocious air and ground assault that has brought most of Ghouta under government control. Turkish forces tightened their siege of Afrin in recent days. On Wednesday, after Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said he hoped to totally encircle the town by the evening, shells slammed into the town center after dusk, killing at least seven people and deepening the fear of a ground assault. Residents are pictured fleeing from the city Civilians fill up containers with water in the Syrian Kurdish city of Afrin as people prepare for the possibility of a Turkish siege of the city Trucks, brimming with furniture and bags lined the road out of Afrin along with civilians on foot, lugging a few belongings. Some residents, speaking to Al-Mayadeen TV, said they were going to neighboring villages to get food and bread and hoped to return to Afrin Throughout the conflict, entire neighborhoods and towns have been cleared of their residents amid intense fighting, departures that took place over days and weeks. The chaotic scenes Thursday were the most intense for a single day and were reminiscent of the floods of refugees trekking across Europe in late 2016 The Pentagon accused Russia of being 'complicit' in atrocities. US President Donald Trump's National Security Advisor, HR McMaster, said 'all civilized nations must hold Iran and Russia accountable for their role in enabling atrocities and perpetuating human suffering in Syria.' The remaining rebel-held areas have been cut off from each other, in what analyst Nawar Oliver said was part of a divide-and-conquer strategy. 'The summary is that the regime cut up Ghouta into three zones, to comfortably work on securing three different agreements,' said Oliver of the Turkey-based Omran Institute. Assad is determined to retake Ghouta in order to secure the capital, which is regularly battered by rockets and mortars fired from the adjacent rebel enclave. Dozens have been killed in rebel fire on Damascus in recent weeks, including one on Thursday, said state news agency SANA. The assault on Ghouta has left nearly 1,250 civilians dead, around a fifth of them children. The UN has made repeated demands for an immediate ceasefire in Eastern Ghouta, but they have gone unheeded. For the past seven years, international efforts to bring an end to the violence raging across Syria have consistently failed. The conflict has drawn in world powers, with Russia backing Assad and Turkey supporting an array of rebels in Syria's north against the regime, jihadists, and Kurds. On Friday the foreign ministers of Russia, Turkey and Iran met in Kazakhstan's capital Astana for a fresh round of talks. Previous discussions in Astana last year paved the way for the de-escalation zones, which were credited with reducing government-rebel hostilities. But the United States has branded the zones a failure in the wake of the assault on Eastern Ghouta. In a separate front of the complex war, Ankara and allied Syrian factions on January 20 launched a sweeping ground and air assault against the Kurdish-controlled enclave of Afrin in northwestern Syria. Turkish forces and allied Syrian militias are targeting Afrin in an offensive against the Kurdish YPG militia. The offensive has forced 30,000 civilians from Afrin city in the past 24 hours, the Observatory said. The city is home to around 350,000 people and is defended by the Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG). The real reason retail giant Toys 'R' Us went bankrupt has been revealed, with claims it was not due to online competition. The mega toy store franchise announced earlier this week it would sell or close its American and UK stores with Australia's 39 branches likely to follow. While there is speculation suggesting Toys 'R' Us' grim future is a result of online competition, it could be because of private equity. The real reason retail giant Toys 'R' Us went bankrupt has been revealed with claims it was not due to online competition. A UK store is pictured earlier this month While there is speculation suggesting Toys 'R' Us' grim future is a result of online competition, it could be because of private equity CEO David Brandon (pictured) is said to have told U.S. staff the company plans to file liquidation papers on Thursday The 70-year-old franchise was owned by private equity investors who want to make fast money which created a 'high profile retail failure', news.com.au reported. 'The particular concern with Toys 'R' Us appears to be the company was saddled with too much debt and this was unsustainable,' UNSW finance professor Mark Humphrey-Jenner said. The company had a reported $6 billion worth of debt after it was bought in 2005 in attempt to fix the franchise's future. 'That snaps out a lot of cash flow from the company,' Mr Humphrey-Jenner said. 'Toys 'R' Us didn't make the investment in online, competing online or generating an attractive customer experience.' The shock decision to close its stores will leave 3,000 Australian jobs at risk. The chain filed for bankruptcy in the U.S in September and plunged into liquidation in the UK after failing to pay a AUD$26million tax bill. CEO David Brandon is said to have told U.S. staff the company plans to file liquidation papers on Thursday and sell or close all 885 stores. 'We're putting a for sale sign on everything,' Mr Brandon told employees during a conference call, according to The Australian. The 70-year-old franchise was owned by private equity investors who want to make fast money which created a 'high profile retail failure' 'Frankly, all anyone has to do is offer one dollar more [than what is being offered by liquidation firms]... The last six months have been pure hell.' When Toys 'R' Us first filed for US bankruptcy, its Australian arm said its 39 local stores would trade as normal. But Mr Brandon is now said to have told staff the company was likely to liquidate not only in Australia, but also France, Spain, and Poland. It also reportedly plans to sell its operations in Canada, Central Europe and Asia. Toy 'R' Us' executive vice president of global communications, Amy von Walter, told The Sydney Morning Herald the company's Australian stores were 'open and serving customers as usual'. But Ms von Walter would not elaborate or comment on plans to liquidate Australian branches. Toys 'R' Us Australia posted a $7.7 million loss in the financial year to January 2017 and a $9 million loss the previous year. 'We're putting a for sale sign on everything,' Mr Brandon (pictured) reportedly told employees A financial report filed in 2016 warned that the future of the Australian arm of the business relied on the support of the U.S. company. 'Should the support be withdrawn or not continue, there is significant uncertainty whether the company or consolidated entity will be able to continue as going concerns,' the report read. The U.S. company experienced some renewed success under Mr Brandon, who since 2015 has sought to make Toys 'R' Us the destination for children that it once was. But his changes ultimately proved futile in the face of the online retailing competition from the likes of Amazon, Walmart and Target. Now, the $11 billion in sales still happening at Toys R Us each year will disperse to other retailers and online discounters, analysts say. GlobalData Retail estimates that nearly 14 percent of toy sales were made online in 2016, more than double the level five years ago. Toys 'R' Us has more 1,500 stores globally which employ around 60,000 people, including nearly 3,000 in Australia. All 75 stores in the UK are expected to will close within six weeks. A man fined after implanting an Opal card chip into hand has hit out at the 'insanity' of the state government for pressing charges. But Meow-Ludo Disco Gamma Meow-Meow, who was taken to court by the New South Wales government, says he will have a 'legal implant' within a year. He had the travel card chip surgically inserted so he could tap on to the Sydney public transport network using his hand. NSW Transport pressed charges against Mr Meow-Meow for not travelling with a valid ticket as he had tampered with the card. Meow-Ludo Disco Gamma Meow-Meow blasted the NSW government for challenging innovation Mr Meow-Meow blasted the government for pursuing the case against him and spending taxpayers' money to challenge. 'I challenged because I thought it was bulls**t,' Mr Meow-Meow told Daily Mail Australia. 'It means something different now than it did when it was implanted. It was convenient. 'Now it's insanity how much they challenged something they claim to be false, which is innovation. 'I'm not gaining the system. They do have the right to cancel because it's modified. But I'm not gaining the system. 'I paid my fare and tapped on. I'm a bit ahead of where the law is and the law is sort of behind where the technology is. 'I paid my fare and tapped on. I'm a bit ahead of where the law is', Mr Meow-Meow told Daily Mail Australia Meow-Meow was slapped with a $220 fine and $1,000 court costs at Newtown Local Court on Friday 'Most people would agree I'm paying so why is it such a big issue? 'What I was surprised by was the extent to which they challenged it.' Mr Meow-Meow was slapped with a $220 fine and $1,000 court costs at Newtown Local Court on Friday. The self-proclaimed cyborg vowed to fight the case further and would continue to explore the technology. 'I will have a legal implant by the end of the year that they can't fine me for. There's an avenue I can ride legally,' he said. Mew-Ludo Disco Gamma Meow-Meow has declared war on NSW Transport after claiming he was leaked an email telling staff to cancel his card Transport NSW said it would not comment on individual cases. But a spokesman said: 'Opal cards may be cancelled where these are not being used in accordance with the terms of use.' Mr Meow-Meow said he felt the case highlighted issues around cyber technology. 'It's OK to be civil and disobedient. I'm glad it got brought before the court. People are talking and that's good,' he added. He said his case reflected further issues over ownership of technology and other issues in society surrounding ownership. Rather than placing the plastic Opal near the card reader (pictured), Mr Meow-Meow simply uses his hand now he has the chip inserted 'You don't own the card, you rent from the NSW government,' Mr Meow-Meow said. 'Millennials don't own anything - they rent houses - and think public don't like that.' Mr Meow-Meow says the chip has been deactivated because the card is technically registered as lost. 'It's not. It would be a really big night to lose it. It's turned off at their end,' he told Daily Mail Australia. 'Until I replace it with something then I will donate it to the Powerhouse Museum. The museum wants it.' It took about an hour for the chip to be inserted in Mr Meow-Meow's left-hand by a piercing expert The case has been rumbling on for several months and last June, Daily Mail Australia revealed Mr Meow-Meow claims he was being hunted by the government. Mr Meow-Meow paid a piercing expert to insert the card's chip in a handy new method to 'tap on' public transport. But in a bizarre twist, the self-proclaimed 'cyborg' was since leaked a NSW Transport email alerting staff to fine him, scan his hand and cancel the card. The aspiring politician previously told DMA he is standing defiant in his David and Goliath battle with the state's transport authorities. The self-proclaimed 'cyborg' claims he was tipped off with an email (pictured) alerting staff to scan his hand and cancel the card 'This is about cyborg rights!' Mr Meow-Meow said. 'They've started a war.' 'It's a battle between the hackers and the NSW Transport lynch mob.' He said 20 hackers are soon to follow in his footsteps by getting implants of their own which he deems as a human right. 'Do you own your own technology? Do you actually own the rights to investigate and explore with you own technology? I'm effectively banned from using public transport.' The email he claims to have been tipped off with appears to show Transit Bosses being briefed to fine him for not having a valid ticket. A spokesperson for Transport for NSW told Daily Mail Australia: 'Transport for NSW does not support the tampering or damaging of Opal Cards, which would be a breach of the terms of use'. 'In addition, changing the physical attributes of the card may impact the reliability of the Opal card,' the spokesperson said. Mr Meow-Meow now only needs to place his hand against an Opal card reader after have a chip from the card implanted in his hand Mr Meow-Meow (pictured), his legal name, said having the chip inserted in his hand means he no longer has to worry about making sure has the normal plastic Opal card on him 'Customers that are caught tampering with their Opal card may have their card cancelled.' Dangerous Things, a US-based lab, custom-made the bio-compatible plastic encased chip, which took about one-hour to be inserted into his hand. He said he already had two chips inserted underneath his skin, tiny re-programmable cards with one kilobyte of memory able to store his LinkedIn account or pre-written text messages. The Sydney man no longer needs to carry the plastic Opal card (pictured) when he travels on public transport across the city He can even use the chip to top-up his Opal balance by swiping his hand across his smartphone. Mr Meow-Meow, who ran as a candidate of the Science Party in the inner-Sydney seat of Grayndler at last year's federal election, acknowledged the handy device would not be to everyone's expertise. 'Most certainly don't try this at home unless you know what you're doing,' he said. An immigration official who works at passport control has been filmed scrolling through her social media while on the job. The border guard was caught browsing a profile on Facebook while she absent-mindedly reviewed traveller's documents. Shocking footage shows her rubber-stamping the series of documents but between each one she looks at her phone again. The guard even flits between a passport and the phone at one stage as if she can't decide which one to look at. Disciplinary action has been taken against her along with three supervisors who monitor the border guards. Although the unnamed woman is employed by South Africa the video was taken at a border post in the town of Beitbridge in Matabeleland in southern Zimbabwe. South Africa's Home Affairs Minister Malusi Gigaba has condemned her actions and has reportedly ordered for her to be disciplined. He said: 'The department's policy prohibits the usage of cellular phones by front office officials while performing their duties. 'The official has been identified and she will be subjected to internal disciplinary processes. An immigration official who works at passport control has been filmed scrolling through her social media while on the job 'Further to this, disciplinary measures have commenced against the three supervisors on the shift for lack of adequate supervision.' Home Affairs Director General Mkuseli Apleni confirmed: 'Of major concern to me is the fact that the official is dealing with security documents without paying attention to detail and rather preoccupied with her cellular phone. 'To this end, we have commenced with disciplinary measures against the official and the three supervisors.' This is the adorable moment a baby elephant bull charged at a truck-load of tourists but then thought better of it. The elephant was disturbed by the tourists while he ate some fruit which had fallen from a tree. He was found strolling around Kruger National Park, South Africa when he encountered the group of tourists. Young bulls often try to assert their power, but are easily intimidated, so their charges aren't usually taken too seriously. This was the case when the charging youngster came up against a car and quickly backed away into the bushes. Tour guide on the day, Quintin van der Merwe, said: 'We approached this young Elephant Bull busy eating some Marula Fruits that had fallen from the tree. This adorable baby elephant wasn't happy to be disturbed by a group of tourists while he ate some fruit 'I told everyone to get their cameras ready, because this young bull will probably turn and give us a warning charge. 'And surely he did, he came so close that his trunk actually touched the car, but just by not moving back and holding my ground, he was intimidated by the vehicle. 'This is always a lot of fun to see as a guide, but one must never get too comfortable around Elephants, especially a fully grown bull, always leave them space and remember, they have right of way.' He decided to charged at the car full of tourists who had interrupted his breakfast However he became slightly startled when he saw the size of the truck and quickly shuffled away from the confrontation An isolated and depressed pensioner 'could have frozen to death within days' had it not been for kindhearted neighbours. Sandra Burton of Royston, Hertfordshire, 'slipped off the radar' after her father's's death a few years ago. Neighbours then became aware she was not paying bills and was neglecting to look after her home. Around three years ago her toilet developed a leak but she was too embarrassed to get it repaired or let anyone visit, because her flat was so untidy. The doctor said Ms Burton's home conditions were 'the worse I've ever seen' and that the floor was two foot deep with filth The electrics then fused and for more than two years Ms Burton was without a proper water supply, heating or even a single electric light. Social workers would call round to check on her, but she would always turn them away because she was ashamed and embarrassed of the state of her home. It wasn't until the pensioner had a routine appointment with her GP Diane Walters, at Granta medical surgery in Sawston, that it was noticed something wasn't right. Dr Walters said: 'I have known Sandra for about three years and saw her for regular appointments. 'But I became increasingly aware of Sandra's suffering and weight loss. Ms Burton eventually allowed her GP to see the inside of her home after she was treated for pneumonia caused by mold in her home 'In December 2016 she became acutely ill with pneumonia - probably from mould growing in her flat. 'After a spell in hospital, Sandra came home, but no social workers or members of the mental health team gained her trust to access to her flat - though they did try. 'In December 2017, Sandra didn't turn up for an appointment at the surgery and I became really concerned. 'Sandra looked mortified, emaciated and frail' Diane was so worried about Ms Burton that she drove to her flat and eventually managed to persuade the pensioner to let her in after a long chat. She added: 'Sandra's home conditions were the worse I had ever seen. I had been a district nurse in Royston from 1978 to 1984 and had never seen anyone living in such conditions. 'It was freezing cold - you could see your breath - the air was damp and pungent. T 'The floor was two foot deep with plastic water bottles, rubbish, all swimming on a sea of sewage. 'There was not even a light, TV or somewhere she could sleep. She sat in a chair with a torch with only cigarettes for comfort. 'There was no food that could be eaten and Sandra looked mortified, emaciated and frail. 'Sandra told me no one has stepped into her flat for years. Her front door lock was broken and she had been afraid to leave the flat unlocked, which was why she had not food. 'She could have starved or frozen to death within days. 'When I took a moment to think about her sitting alone and cold, my eyes would fill with tears.' After reassuring Ms Burton she would help, Dr Walters left and discussed the issue with her colleagues. With their advice, she contacted Royston Fire Station and staff met her at Ms Burton's flat the following day - installing smoke alarms and agreeing a plan of action. Dr Walters said Ms Burton agreed to start filling bags of rubbish and she arranged to bring social care team in to see her urgently. Diane Walters (far left) said volunteers flocked to help Sandra (second right) after she lost her way and could not ask for help The pensioner's door lock was repaired and she was finally able to shop for food. Dr Waltes visited Ms Burton regularly over Christmas, taking her hot drinks and snacks - while her daughter reset Ms Burton's fuse box and got two lights working in her flat. However, there was still no heating and the kitchen was unusable. In December members of Ms Burton's mental health team arranged a deep clean of her flat - which was arranged for January. After Sandra's flat was dried out, the walls were washed in preparation for a new kitchen, bathroom, vinyl flooring, decoration, electrical repairs, a new hot water tank and heating Dr Walters added: 'It was clear Sandra had very little money and we contacted the Citizen's Advice Bureau for advice. 'I knew time was of the essence so I started asking around for charitable support to fund repairs and new furniture. 'Everyone I approached responded with amazing generosity. The building company who were working on a property next door offered to help.' Volunteers and well-wishers then arranged funding for Ms Burton to stay in a B&B near her home. She added: ''A team of amazing professional cleaners, builders, volunteers and myself started to clear Sandra's flat at 9.30am - we filled four skips with rubbish. 'I took her clothes home and washed them, even her favourite teddy. 'The flat was thick with black mould rendering most of its contents unsalvageable. I took Sandra to the B&B at 11.30am and she took her first shower for years. 'She had light, heat, a clean bed and clean clothes - things we all take for granted. I took all her clothes home and washed them - including her favourite teddy.' A weekly home cleaning team is now in place to support Sandra - with Age UK and the local church also visiting regularly After Ms Burton's flat was dried out, the walls were washed in preparation for a new kitchen, bathroom, vinyl flooring, decoration, electrical repairs, a new hot water tank and heating. The pensioner officially moved back into her flat at the start of March. 'This was clearly social isolation' A weekly home cleaning team is now in place to support Ms Burton - with Age UK and the local church also visiting regularly. Dr Walters said: 'Sandra is a really nice woman, and no-one should had to have lived like that. 'This was clearly social isolation - Sandra hadn't got any friends and didn't go anywhere to make any friends. 'She had no children and no family left after her father died. She slipped into becoming isolated, and she just kept on slipping.' The doctor said it was 'absolutely amazing' to see the change on Ms Burton's face - adding that she looked and felt like a totally different woman. She added: 'Sandra now laughs, is getting her hair and nails done and we have found her some new false teeth. 'She is so grateful but remains fragile and vulnerable. Donations have flooded into the surgery for her, and from surgery staff as well. The work by everyone continued to make her flat habitable and homely. 'Sandra is known as the bird lady, as she'd sit outside her flat with a sandwich. She'd have one half, but feed the other half to the birds. 'A local pet shop gifted Sandra two beautiful canaries. 'I want to thank all the kind people and companies in Royston, who donated their time and energy into saving a woman who had lost her way and could not ask for help.' Wiltshire Police officer DS Nick Bailey The father-in-law of the police officer struck down by the deadly nerve agent used to poison a Russian spy has slammed Jeremy Corbyn's response to the attack. William Pomeroy, whose daughter Sarah is married to Detective Sergeant Nick Bailey branded the Labour leader 'mealy mouthed.' Corbyn received a barrage of criticism when he raised doubts over whether Russia was to blame for the poisoning in Salisbury. He has refused to lay the blame on Vladimir Putin's regime, and suggested the attack involving nerve agent Novichok could have been carried out by Russian mafia. Mr Pomeroy, the son of a South Wales miner, and a life-long Labour supporter told the Daily Telegraph: 'I'm very disappointed in Mr Corbyn. 'He has been a bit mealy-mouthed about Russia's involvement. 'He should be representing ordinary people like me.' He spoke out as fears mounted for DS Bailey's family, after the army and police sealed off his home in the Dorset village of Alderholt yesterday. They removed two family cars from Wiltshire Police officer's property which raised the prospect he may have carried traces of the nerve agent home. Mr Pomeroy hit out at Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn who refused to blame Russia for attack The 38-year-old officer, who is still seriously ill in hospital, was the first on the scene to attend to stricken ex Russian spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter, Yulia in Salisbury town centre. He was initially discharged from Salisbury hospital after a check up, only to be readmitted later. It is not yet known whether he was exposed to traces of the chemical when he tried to help, or if he came into contact with it in the maroon BMW in which the Skripals drove to Salisbury. Mr Pomeroy, 65, said his son in law was recovering and talking to his wife, but was 'not out of the woods' yet. He added: 'He's got such a sense of duty. He went to help those people without hesitating.' The armed forces and emergency services swooped on Ds Bailey's home in Alderholt in Dorset Two large Army low loaders and a crane escorted by police arrived in the village and were believed to have taken DS Bailey's vehicle away Corbyn's refusal to blame Russia is likely to anger Labour MPs. Several have defied his statements and come out in support of Mrs May. Yesterday, 18 MPs signed a motion declaring they 'unequivocally' believed Russia was behind the attack. Corbyn ally Chris Williamson has torn into Labour MPs who backed the Government and blamed Russia for the Salisbury attack - branding them 'political enemies'. Jeremy Corbyn has refused to blame Vladimir Putin for the outrage - instead suggesting the mafia might be behind the use of military-grade nerve agent. Shadow Cabinet ministers Sir Keir Starmer and Nia Griffith are among a host of Labour MPs who defied their leader to point the finger of blame squarely at Russia. But last night Mr Williamson took aim at moderates who backed Theresa May's tough response to the Kremlin and said he would be happy if they 'b******d off'. He claimed Labour politicians who oppose Corybn's leadership and handling of the Russian situation should be stripped off their seats. Chris Williamson used an address to a Corbynista Momentum meeting to launch a furious attack on Labour MPs who have called for tough action against the Kremlin (file pic) Shadow Brexit secretary Keir Starmer heaped pressure on Mr Corbyn by insisting the PM had drawn the 'right conclusion' about Russia's culpability Speaking in Ealing, west London last night, Mr Williamson said: 'These characters characters, they are like baying for blood. 'Some of them would be quite happy were we to enter in to a hot war.' What have Labour MPs said about Corbyn's response to Salisbury? Leading moderate John Woodcock has led Labour MPs in tabling an early day motion backing Theresa May's response against Russia over the Salisbury spy poisoning Sir Keir Starmer,shadow Brexit secretary 'I think it's very important that we support the action the prime minister laid out on Wednesday as a response to this unprovoked attack. 'It needs to be called out with no ifs and no buts, and we need strong action.' Nia Griffith, shadow defence secretary Said she did not agree with Jeremy Corbyn and it was 'quite clear' the incident was an 'act of aggression'. 'We fully support the government's action because we hold Russia responsible,' she told BBC Radio 4's Today programme. 'We very much accept what the Prime Minister said, this is a very sophisticated nerve agent, and that Russia is responsible for this attack.' Labour MP Stephen Kinnock Said Jeremy Corbyn's Guardian article 'hasn't helped to clarify the situation'. He said: 'This has to be a time where we stand together with the Government, shoulder to shoulder, and with our Nato allies, sending a very clear message to Russia.' Labour MP Yvette Cooper: 'I welcome the Prime Minister's statement. Her conclusion about the culpability of the Russian state is immensely serious. 'In addition to its breaches of international law, its use of chemical weapons and its continued disregard for the rule of law and human rights, that must be met with unequivocal condemnation' Labour MP John Woodcock: 'This is a day for the House to speak as one for the nation. 'The Prime Minister will be reassured to hear that a clear majority of Labour MPs, alongside the leaders of every other party, support her firm stance.' Labour ex minister Pat McFadden: 'Responding with strength and resolve when your country is under threat is an essential component of political leadership. 'There is a Labour tradition that understands that, and it has been understood by Prime Ministers of all parties who have stood at that Dispatch Box.' Advertisement 'Regrettably we have a few on our own benches who are like-minded, 18 of them have singed an Early Day Motion (EDM) saying they unequivocally accept Russia are responsible for the attack.' He added: 'It's far from certain, it seems to me, that it was ordered by the Kremlin.' Mr Williamson heaped praise on Mr Corbyn's response and said Labour MPs who do not like it should be kicked out of their seats. The Huffington Post reported that he said: 'It's exactly the sort of response you want from a leader, rather than the knee-jerk response you are getting from the Tories and one or two on our own benches,' he said. 'It would definitely be helpful, I think, for our own people on the green benches to actually fall in behind the leader's very statesmanlike and measured response. 'It only helps our political enemies. But frankly I see them as political enemies as well.' Mr Williamson added: 'I have been advocating for a long time now for mandatory re-selection. 'We mustn't allow the tiny minority of irrelevant malcontents that sit on the green benches on the House of Commons to deter party members.' He said: 'To be honest with you I'd be quite happy if some of them b*****ed off. 'The likes of John Woodcock and Ian Austin and people like that, God, it's so depressing.' But as Mr Williamson was launching into the tirade Sir Keir was joining the mounting revolt over Mr Corbyn's handling of the attempted murder of ex spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia. Sir Keir, the shadow Brexit secretary, joined a growing chorus of Labour moderates to say No10 was right to hit back at Russia which was behind the attack 'no ifs no buts'. Sir Keir told BBC Question Time: 'The Prime Minister asked serious questions of Russia earlier this week and no answers have been given.' 'And that led her to the conclusion that there is no alternative explanation, other than that responsibility lies with Russia. 'As you will have seen Germany, France and the U.S. have joined her in that conclusion. 'And that is the right conclusion. And for that reason I think it's very important that we support the action the prime minister laid out on Wednesday as a response to this unprovoked attack.' He added: 'It needs to be called out with no ifs and no buts, and we need strong action.' Mr Corbyn suffered another blow with a poll suggesting the public rejects his handling of the crisis - and is happy with Mrs May's response. YouGov research for The Times found some 75 per cent of people believed that Russia was responsible for the attempted murders, while just 5 per cent thought they were not. Support for Tories was up one point on 42 per cent, while Labour was down four on 39 per cent. Jeremy Corbyn was heavily criticised by Labour MPs after he failed to condemn the Kremlin over the Salisbury spy poisoning Jeremy Corbyn pictured with his communications chief Seumus Milne, who has downplayed the number of people imprisoned under Stalin's murderous rule On BBC Question Time, Mr Starmer warned there can be 'no ifs no buts' about holding Russia to account Some 53 per cent approved of Mrs May's handling, while 23 per cent said she had performed badly. Just 18 per cent thought Mr Corbyn had fared well and 39 per cent thought he had done badly. What action has Theresa May announced against Russia? The PM unveiled the fleet of measures being taken against Russia yesterday Theresa May has announced a fleet of tough measures against Russia in the wake of the poisoning of former Russian spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia. They include: Expulsion of diplomats Britain will expel 23 Russian embassy staff who have been identified as 'undeclared intelligence officers' from the country within a week. This is the biggest expulsion of diplomats since 1971 when Ted Heath kicked 90 Soviet staff out after the UK uncovered a large Communist spy ring. All high-level contacts with Russia will also be suspended in protest. New and tougher anti-espionage laws will be brought forward to help degrade Russia's capabilities in the UK. The World Cup: Ministers and the Royal Family will boycott the football World Cup in Russia this summer. Britain hopes that other allies will also snub the sporting event . Tougher Sanctions: Theresa May also signaled that Russian oligarchs wanting to come into the UK and live the high life in London will face tough new checks and sanctions. The Government will now back amendments to bring in a Magnitsky Law into the UK - which imposes sanctions on Russians found to be linked to corruption or human rights abuses. Private plane checks While checks on Russian nationals coming to the UK will be stepped up. This will include increased checks on private flights and extra customs checks. The UK will also freeze Russian state assets. Cyber warfare? Mrs May suggested there will be covert action that would not be announced - an apparent hint at cyber attacks. But this is unlikely to ever be confirmed by the Government officially. Advertisement YouGov interviewed 1,986 adults online on Wednesday and Thursday. Shadow defence secretary Nia Griffith broke ranks yesterday to say she did not agree with Mr Corbyn and it was 'quite clear' the incident was an 'act of aggression'. 'We fully support the government's action because we hold Russia responsible,' she told BBC Radio 4's Today programme. 'We very much accept what the Prime Minister said, this is a very sophisticated nerve agent, and that Russia is responsible for this attack.' Labour MP Stephen Kinnock said this morning that Mr Corbyn's latest intervention in a Guardian article 'hasn't helped to clarify the situation'. 'This has to be a time where we stand together with the Government, shoulder to shoulder, and with our Nato allies, sending a very clear message to Russia,' Mr Kinnock told BBC Radio 4's Today programme. He rejected Mr Corbyn's comparison with the run-up to the Iraq War, saying 'that sort of drift to conflict is not on the agenda at all'. 'I think we have got a fundamental need for a debate in our party about about our worldview,' said Mr Kinnock. 'There are those of us who clearly feel that Nato and the EU and standing shoulder to shoulder with our allies... are fundamentally a force for good and those alliances are the fundamental piece of architecture that we have to be a part of, and there are others in our party who take another view. 'I think Jeremy has never made any secret of his views on the role of Nato in the world and on the EU, to a large extent, as well.' In his Guardian article, Mr Corbyn warned against a 'McCarthyite intolerance of dissent' over relations with Russia. Confirming Labour's support for Mrs May's actions, Mr Corbyn said: 'We agree with the Government's action in relation to Russian diplomats.' But he added: 'Measures to tackle the oligarchs and their loot would have a far greater impact on Russia's elite than limited tit-for-tat expulsions.' Mr Corbyn said that Mrs May was right on Monday to identify two possibilities for the source of the nerve agent - either Russia authorised the attack or had lost control of the Novichok substance. 'If the latter, a connection to Russian mafia-like groups that have been allowed to gain a toehold in Britain cannot be excluded,' he said. Despite Mrs May's statement on Wednesday that 'there is no alternative conclusion other than that the Russian state was culpable', Mr Corbyn insisted that the PM had still 'ruled out neither option'. A crime clan behind a brutal campaign of kidnappings, violence and intimidation were yesterday jailed for a total of 29 years. The gang kept terrified workers in servitude and savagely punished anyone who complained or tried to get away. They were led by Robert McPhee, 65 nicknamed the Tank Commander who was backed up by his sons James, 45, and Steven, 37, along with son-in-law John Miller, 38. 'Tank Commander' Robert McPhee (left) and his son James McPhee (right) were part of a gang that kept eight worker 'in servitude' This former piggery in Shotts is where the gang disciplined workers as they kept them in servitude Their eight victims came from broken or troubled backgrounds and were promised work and money doing jobs such as monoblocking driveways. But they worked long shifts for little or no pay and were assaulted if they failed to do as ordered. Passing sentence, Lady Stacey said people with a variety of problems were used by them, adding: You did not treat them properly. In some cases there was violence over a long period, in others there were abductions by which you forced people away from their families and forced them to work for you. Robert McPhee - front and centre - can be heard abusing another traveller in this video, threatening to rip his head off and challenging him to a fight She added: These are serious matters the evidence showed an attitude from you of thinking you were able to tell people what to do, how to do it, when to do it, where to live and backing up your instructions with violence. Robert McPhee known as Bobby was convicted of 14 charges at the High Court in Glasgow in February. Video surfaced of McPhee threatening fellow travellers in a 'shout out' challenging his rivals to fight. James McPhee was found guilty of eight charges and John Miller guilty of two. Steven McPhee had also stood trial but then admitted to assaulting one worker. Yesterday, Robert McPhee was jailed for ten years, with two years of supervision when he is released. Workers were punished at the piggery in Shotts if they failed to comply with the crime clan's working conditions John Miller (left), who was the 'Tank Commander's' son-in-law and Robert McPhee's other son, Steven (right), were part of a gang that punished workers by assaulting them James McPhee was given nine years, while Miller was sentenced to seven years. Both face three years of supervision after release. Steven McPhee was jailed for three years. Their catalogue of crimes included abductions, assaults and holding workers against their will or in servitude. After hearing his sentence, James McPhee said: Im an innocent man. The gang claimed they had shown kindness, generosity and tolerance to workers. They made a living from their monoblocking, slabbing and tree-cutting businesses and stayed at traveller sites across Scotland, including one at Bathgate, West Lothian, and in Larkhall, Lanarkshire. Prosecutors said their workers were vulnerable making them ripe to be manipulated. Victim John Anderson told how he was taught a lesson after he tried to get away, while Brian McEwen said he was beaten so often he would be yelping in pain and cowering like a dog. James Keith a homeless teenager when he was approached by the family told the trial: You had no option but to go back. One victim who fled was told there was a 5,000 bounty on his head and he would be skinned unless he returned. The crimes took place between 1992 and 2016. The gang was snared during a large scale police probe that began in 2016. As the head of the FBI, James Comey oversaw thousands of covert operations - but now he is the one being subject to top secret measures ahead of his book release. Code names, electronic encryption and non-disclosure agreements are all being used to keep the details of his autobiography under wraps, it is reported. A Higher Loyalty: Truth, Lies and Leadership is due out on April 18 and will document Comey's fraught relationship with Trump before his dramatic sacking while leading the inquiry into Russia election meddling. Copies of James Comey's autobiography are being kept secret using code names and electronic encryption as the publisher desperately tries to keep details under wraps Comey (pictured recording the audio book) says the tome will give an account of his dealings with President Trump, including his sacking while leading the Russian election meddling probe Instead of circulating printed copies of the draft among editors and agents, only password-protected electronic copies are being used, Politico reports. This is to ensure that only those who are supposed to have access to the book can get their hands on it. To the same end, all electronic copies have also been saved under a code name so that people not involved with the book cannot track it down. Workers at the warehouses where the book is due to be distributed from have also been forced to sign non-disclosure agreements to stop them leaking any details. The book is due for release on April 18 and already tops three bestseller lists on Amazon And while many autobiographies are shipped to book stores weeks in advance to make sure they are on shelves on release day, Comey's will be sent out at the last possible moment to stop them falling into the wrong hands. The former FBI director is set to earn millions from the book, with it already topping three bestseller lists on Amazon, despite not be released for another month. It has also been announced that Comey will undertake a nationwide tour starting in New York on the day of the book's release with tickets selling for $97 each. He will also do three national TV appearances including The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. It is one of the most eagerly anticipated books of the year and could provide evidence of the Trump campaign's collusion with Russia to win the election. He will make stops in Chicago, Portland, San Francisco, Seattle, Los Angeles, Miami and finally Kansas City. Among the two dates in New York will be a taping of the New Yorker radio hour for which tickets cost $57 to $97. A description of the event says that the magazine's editor David Remnick will talk with Comey about 'the 2016 Presidential election, the investigation of ties between the Trump campaign and Russia, and more'. Comey has previously said that Trump demanded 'loyalty' from him and asked him to drop an investigation into former national security adviser Mike Flynn and his dealings with Russia The FBI probe is now being led by special counsel Robert Mueller who is said to be arranging a sit-down interview with Trump On TV Comey will appear on ABC for a special edition of 20/20 on April 15 and The Late Show on April 17. Comey will also appear on The View on April 18, where he will be quizzed by hosts Whoopi Goldberg and Joy Behar among others. Flatiron Books said that in his talks Comey will 'explore what good, ethical leadership looks like and how it drives sound decisions' - although most audiences will probably want to ask him about Trump. In a statement Flatiron said: 'Using examples from some of the highest-stakes situations in the past two decades of American government, Comey will share yet-unheard anecdotes from his long and distinguished career'. Whilst he was head of the FBI Comey was in charge of the investigation into possible collusion between Trump's campaign staff and the Russians to win him the election in 2016. Comey has testified before Congress about his firing and said that in a one on one meeting on January 27 last year Trump told him: 'I need loyalty, I expect loyalty'. The President also asked him to drop the investigation into Mike Flynn, his former national security adviser, and his dealings with Russia. Sweden's foreign minister Margot Wallstrom said Sweden is happy to help resolve tensions on the Korean peninsula but it is up to the parties involved to try to find a way forward. She was speaking a day after North Korea's foreign minister Ri Yong Ho arrived in Stockholm for talks, prompting speculation the visit could lay the groundwork for a meeting between US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. 'We believe in dialogue and in a political process,' Wallstrom told reporters. 'We are hoping that if we can use our role and also our contacts, then we will put them to the best use.' It comes after a report showed North Korea appears to have begun testing a nuclear reactor as recently as late February. Scroll down for video Sweden's foreign minister Margot Wallstrom (pictured) said Sweden is happy to help resolve tensions on the Korean peninsula The report by intelligence analysts at Jane's by IHS Markit said satellite imagery from February 25 showed emissions of non-condensable gases from a stack at the North's experimental light water reactor (ELWR) at the Yongbyon Atomic Energy Research Center, suggesting preliminary testing had likely begun. The reactor could be used to produce weapons-grade plutonium, but North Korea is believed to already have enough fissile material for multiple nuclear bombs, according to Joshua Pollack, a senior research associate at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey. North Korea completed construction of the Yongbyon ELWR in 2013. It was optimised for civilian electricity production, and although it is not yet operational, it could start running with 'little warning' later in 2018 or 2019, the Jane's report said. The experimental reactor is likely too small to provide much in the way of electricity, but is part of a long-running effort to develop a light-water reactor after a deal by an international consortium, including the United States, to provide two such nuclear power reactors in the 1990s fell apart, Pollack said. Satellite imagery showing emissions from the stack at the Yongbyon experimental light water reaction on February 25, 2018, suggesting trial operations are underway North Korean Foreign Minister Ri Yong Ho leaves the Swedish goverment building Rosenbad in central Stockholm after meeting with his Swedish counterpart Margot Wallstrom 'It's their way of saying, 'see, since you won't give us what you promised, we'll do it ourselves,' Pollack said. 'They haven't made any agreements lately with the U.S., so the work goes on.' An official at the South's defence ministry said authorities were aware of the Jane's report, which follows a similar one released on the 38 North website earlier this month that said a nearby reactor had also continued to show signs of operation. The isolated state has maintained it will continue developing its nuclear programme but later added it was open to abandoning the programme if the security of its regime was guaranteed, according to South Korea. Meanwhile, South Korean officials began preparations on Friday for a summit next month with North Korea that is aimed at reducing tensions on the peninsula. Although North Korea's state media has yet to comment on the pending summits with Moon and Trump, Ri's trip prompted speculation it could lay the groundwork for the summit in Sweden between Trump and Kim. The foreign minister's trip prompted speculation it could lay the groundwork for the summit in Sweden between Trump and Kim Jong-un (pictured) On Friday, Ri held talks in Stockholm with Swedish prime minister Stefan Lofven amid reports the country could play a role in setting up a proposed summit between Kim and Trump. 'They had a meeting. We will not disclose what they talked about,' Lofven's spokesman Jonatan Holst told AFP. However, Lofven on Thursday said Sweden was 'ready to' play a role if asked. Sweden is among a number of countries touted as a possible venue for what would be a historic meeting between Trump and Kim, who have engaged in bellicose mudslinging over North Korea's nuclear ambitions. Sweden has longstanding ties with North Korea. Its diplomatic mission in Pyongyang, which opened in 1975, was the first Western embassy established in the country. Satellite images from December 2016 showing signs of activity at a facility in North Korea In early January 2018, there were no vehicles or troops at the Mirim Parade training facility The embassy also represents US, Canadian and Australian diplomatic interests in North Korea, with Sweden playing a key role in liaising diplomatic talks. As a result, Sweden is one of the few western states with a diplomatic channel to the North Korean leadership and may be able to smooth out obstacles in the path of a summit meeting. Sweden acts as diplomatic representative in North Korea for the United States, which has no embassy there, and has helped with the release of U.S. citizens held by the reclusive state. At a news conference in Washington last week, Trump thanked Swedish prime minister Stefan Lofven for helping American detainees in North Korea and particularly in securing the release of U.S. student Otto Warmbier last year. Swedish public broadcaster SVT reported, without citing sources, that Ri planned to stay in Sweden until Sunday. A source familiar with the matter declined to comment but told Reuters the bilateral talks would end on Friday. By January 6, the northeast parking area of the central training area is full of trucks and there are small formations of towed artillery and air defense vehicles Work continues on submersible test stand barge seen at Nampo Navy Shipyard in North Korea on January 6 Meanwhile, South Korean officials were set to convene their first meeting at the presidential Blue House to prepare for a summit between President Moon Jae-in and the North Korean leader late next month. Headed by Moon's chief of staff Im Jong-seok, former prominent democracy activist, the team will hammer out plans for the summit, including when to contact the North and what will be discussed between Kim and Moon. After months of tension and warmongering over Pyongyang's nuclear programme, Trump agreed to a summit proposal relayed by South Korean envoys who met Kim Jong-un in Pyongyang. Trump and Kim are expected to meet sometime in May although a location has not been set yet. The push for these summits came after the North Korean leader said in a New Year's address that he wanted to improve relations with the South following a year of heightened tensions brought on by the North's nuclear and missile tests. An amazing gold rush is underway in the coldest region of Siberia despite Russian attempts to 'hush-up' the loss of much of nine tons of treasure which fell out of the back of a plane. The cargo worth 265 million was unsecured in the hold of an ageing aircraft and its weight broke the hatch on takeoff - with precious metals falling onto the runway and swamps near Yakutsk airport. Police say some 172 bars - 3.5 tons - have been located, and the company which lost the valuables said it was all now secure. Locals say that there is literally gold to be found in them there hills despite assurances from the company which lost the valuable that all has now been secured Police are scouring the Yakutsk airport area to make sure all the treasure has been recollected Police in Yakutsk reported that 172 bars weighing 20 kg each have so far been found Officials say that locals wasted no time before producing treasure hunting maps But locals are certain this is not correct and they are scouring frozen marshes and swamps trying to get rich in temperatures of minus 24C. Residents have even drawn up treasure maps showing where gold and silver - called dore bars - are likely to have fallen. A video shows one bar of gold and silver found in a snowdrift, and another highlights men scouring frozen marshes to make their fortunes. It was even reported that flights to Yakutsk, the world's coldest city, are overbooked as Russians fly in for the gold rush. The treasure hunters do not believe company and government officials saying the treasure has been found, pointing to contracting between reports that nine tones were missing and only 3.5 tons have been located. There is also confusion about the fate of diamonds and platinum which were originally reported as being on a vintage AN-12 cargo plane - flight number 9297, and built 46 years ago - chosen to carry this 265 million cargo. There is now no mention of these. Police are giving few details away but appear to be still investigating whether there was deliberate sabotage of the cargo said to belong to Canadian-led company Kinross Gold. And evidence emerged suggesting a massive cover-up over the gold as secret services and police scrambled to collect it. An airport official in Yakutsk disclosed: 'We were immediately instructed no information for journalists, just say: 'We saw nothing, know nothing, it is a fake.' 'I have not been in my job long. Nobody let me go close to this gold.' Only trusted employees were assigned to collect the gold and silver bars, reported The Siberian Times. Hundreds of police were drafted in to search for the missing precious metals. Precious metals and diamonds rained over the runway and a swathe of Yakutia, the coldest region in Russia A plane lost much of a 265 million cargo of diamonds, platinum and gold on takeoff in Siberia after the plane's hatch door fell off near a car market The plane bound for Krasnoyarsk then made an emergency landing after the discovery that it had been haemorrhaging valuables 'There were huge traffic jams,' said an airport official. 'I have not seen anything like this before. 'Each car was searched for at least 20 minutes. 'Rumours say that some gold fell elsewhere, not only on the runway.' Airport employees were ordered not to talk about the mega-gold spill. 'We do not comment on the emergency situation,' said one. 'I can inform you about flights if you need. Almost no delays.' Newspaper Moskovsky Komsomolets estimated that more than half the gold and silver bars were still missing today as locals stalked frozen wastes seeking to get rich. A police source, asked if the entire cargo had been found - some of which may have fallen from the Antonov several kilometres from the airport - said: 'Maybe not all. 'A large number of police are working in the airport area now. Locals are braving bitingly cold conditions as they seek to become rich quickly Gold and platina fell out of cargo plane in Yakutia. It is unclear if it was an accident or a deliberate attempt at a ring heist. The Nimbus Airlines AN-12 cargo plane (pictured) reportedly hit problems during takeoff The nightmare happened on takeoff from Yakutsk, the regional capital, and the plane made an emergency landing at Magan (above) 'You won't get there, the territory is closed off.' Local man Nikolay said: 'They fooled us when said in the news that all gold was found. 'They just wanted to prevent stealing of gold.' Men were 'digging int he snow for gold', he said. Treasure hunting maps have been produced locally sowing the most likely sites, he said. The area with gold is circled in red. Yakutians are undeterred by police warnings of prosecution for stealing gold, he said. The region of Yakutia, also called the Sakha republic, almost as large as India, is Russia's source of diamonds but the gold and silver on the plane came from Chukotka, further east, a region where Roman Abramovich was once the governor. 'I will go to search at night when guards will asleep,' said Nikolay. 'To dig, to dig and to dig, before dawn.' But Stanislav Borodyuk, representative of Kinross Gold insisted that the cargo was transported according to regulations. 'The main thing is that no-one from the crew and the two representatives of our company were hurt in this accident,' he said. The treasure was en route from Chukka to a plant near Krasnoyarsk. The plane landed in Yakutsk for refuelling. A single mother was found dead at her home 40 minutes after disappearing from her hospital bed. Stephanie Murphy, 28, was found unresponsive at home in East Kilbride, Scotland in the early hours of Monday. Police put out a search party after the mother-of-two vanished from University Hospital Hairmyres at 11.56pm on Sunday. She was declared dead at 12.30am. Ms Murphy is believed to have moved to East Kilbride from Cambuslang, near Glasgow, two years ago. Stephanie Murphy (pictured), 28, was found unresponsive at home in East Kilbride, Scotland in the early hours of Monday Pictured: Stephanie Murphy, 28, was found dead 40 minutes after disappearing from hospital Police have said there are no suspicious circumstances surrounding her death, but health bosses have this week agreed to a full investigation. A full probe will soon be launched by NHS Lanarkshire, involving Ms Murphy's family, the trust has said. Mental health and learning disability services manager Margaret Serrels said: 'Our thoughts and sympathies go to the family at this difficult time. 'We will carry out a full review in line with the NHS Lanarkshire significant adverse event review process. 'As part of the review process, we'll contact the patient's family to give them the opportunity to share their views and raise any questions. A copy of the final report will be provided to them.' Ms Murphy (pictured) is believed to have moved to East Kilbride from Cambuslang, near Glasgow, two years ago She was found dead at her home (pictured) in East Kilbride, Scotland in the early hours of Monday Speaking on Monday, East Kilbride police Inspector Aidan Higgins said: 'We responded to a report of an informal patient leaving University Hospital Hairmyres. 'The hospital called to report that the 28-year-old female was not within the hospital at 23.56pm on Sunday, March 11 after leaving of her own accord. 'Police commenced a missing persons investigation and discovered the patient within her house at 12.30am yesterday. 'We contacted the Scottish Ambulance Service who attended and confirmed that she had died. 'There were no suspicious circumstances and a report will be sent to the procurator fiscal.' An Australian man has been convicted of 'unnatural sex' after posing as a doctor and a priest to rape orphaned children in India. Paul Henry Dean was sentenced to three years in prison and a slapped with a $235 fine, but was released on bail the same day pending an appeal. The 75-year-old was arrested and charged in 2001 for allegedly having sex with children in his flat. Paul Henry Dean, 75, was arrested and charged in 2001 for allegedly having sex with children in his flat. Paul Henry Dean, 75, was arrested and charged in 2001 for having sex with children in his flat (stock image) He was accused of posing as a missionary priest and a doctor in Visakhapatnam, India. Dean would then prey on orphans and force them to have sex with him. The charges related to 12 boys and young men and was under section 377 292 of the Indian Penal Code. It details that whoever is found guilty under this law 'shall be punished with imprisonment for life, or with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to ten years, and shall also be liable to fine'. The trial took 17 years. The original investigator, Ravi Varma, told the ABC that the reason that it took so long was because of the legal obstacles due to Dean's Australian roots. He was convicted and sentenced at Railway Court in India (stock image) Dean fled Australia in 1976 on a fake passport escaping fraud charges in Western Australia (stock) 'Sometimes he was not available to court, sometimes he absconded,' Mr Varma said. After he was released on bail the first time, Dean moved to Odisha. He allegedly committed similar offences there. Dean fled Australia in 1976 on a fake passport escaping fraud charges in Western Australia. He was also sentenced and fined in court regarding passport breaches and exposing obscenity, according to The Hindu Times. Yevgeniy Viktorovich Prigozhin, The boss, also known as 'Putin's Chef' Yevgeniy Viktorovich Prigozhin is accused of funding the Internet Research Agency Prigozhin is accused of funding the Internet Research Agency. He was last sanctioned by former President Barack Obama in December 2016 for 'blocking property of additional persons contributing to the situation in Ukraine'. The 56-year-old is said to have used his businesses, Concord Catering and Concord Management and Consulting, to fund the Internet Research Agency (IRA), known as the 'Kremlin Troll factory' which was the vehicle for the alleged interference. Prigozhin paid the salaries of the other 12 defendants indicted by Mueller last month, it is alleged, through this financial backing which prosecutors started in 2014. The businessman is given the nickname 'Putin's Chef' because he owns restaurants favored by Putin as the venues for state dinners. A 2016 profile of him by the Russian newsite Meduza described him as an ex-con who graduated from a boarding school only to join a gang and become convicted of attempted robbery and prostitution. He spent nine years in jail. He gained access to St. Petersburg's elite in 1996 when he and a friend opened Staraya Tamozhnya, one of the city's finest restaurants. Until then, he had worked with his father more modesty in grocery stores and selling hot dogs. He opened his New Island, his second restaurant, in 1997. Putin was first drawn to it in 2001 when he took the then French president Jacques Chirac there for a meal and Prigozhin served them. He continued to cater to Putin's staff at the restaurant over the years and grew closer to them. Soon, he became the go-to caterer for official state events in Moscow. Prigozhin, also known as 'Putin's chef' and is pictured above with Putin himself, paid the salaries of the other 12 defendants indicted by Mueller last month, it is alleged, through this financial backing which prosecutors started in 2014 The 56-year-old, pictured with Putin, is said to have used his businesses, Concord Catering and Concord Management and Consulting, to fund the Internet Research Agency (IRA), known as the 'Kremlin Troll factory' which was the vehicle for the alleged interference In 2010, he launched what was billed as a good-cause initiative to feed hungry schoolchildren in St Petersburg. Putin attended the launch of food factory to celebrate it and the initiative was funded generously by state-owned bank Vnesheconombank. A year into the project, parents became angry when they realized the food being produced was full of additives. He then started feeding other school children in Moscow with more success, having obtained private contracts from the city's mayor. Prigozhin won similarly lucrative contracts with the military. In 2012, he signed a $1.2billion contract which had him provide 90 percent of the meals the Russian army's soldiers consumed. The system of outsourcing the military's meals ended in 2013. It gave him his biggest paycheck and associates said at the time he was known to pay for private jets with cash. Throughout, Prigozhin was a dedicated patriot and was proud of his association to Putin's government. This lucrative relationship with the state carried on until 2013 when the laws changed and outside caterers were no longer brought in to provide the military with meals. By then, Prigozhin had earned more than $1billion from the state through the deal. The 'troll factory' (Internet Research Agency) was founded that same year. Though Mikhail Bystrov was named as its owner and CEO, Russian journalists learned of Prigozhin's connection to it early on. Prigozhin, pictured above with Russian oligarch Oleg Deripaska, gained access to St Petersburg's elite in 1996 when he and a friend opened Staraya Tamozhnya, one of the city's finest restaurants What specifically prompted him to do it or if anyone put him up to it remains unclear. In its genesis, the factory's employees had one job - to make complimentary posts on social media about Putin and the government and besmirch the names of its opponents. When Prigozhin's association to the Internet Research Agency was revealed, he faced increased scrutiny from critics. An article in 2015 highlighted how the factory worked and the conflict Prigozhin's relationship to Putin posed. With the bad press about him growing, Prigozhin attempted in 2016 to have himself 'erased' from the internet. It coincided with the introduction of a new bill which gave an individual the right to be forgotten. The law was pushed by Putin and states that websites must delete content such as news stories about an individual if it breaks the law, is false or is 'obsolete'. To date, Prigozhin has filed 15 lawsuits against the Russian search engine Yandex to try to have articles about him removed from the internet. Mikhail Ivanovich Bystrov, retired police colonel and the CEO frontman for the 'troll factory' The Treasury sanctioned Bystrov and 11 others indicted by Mueller because they 'acted for or on behalf of and provided material and technological support to the IRA'. Bystrov was listed as the CEO of Internet Research Agency and his name has been linked to other companies which have been tied to the election interference. Little is known of him other than that was an employee of the state who was born in 1958 and is a retired police colonel. He, unlike Prigozhin, has not been pictured publicly with Putin and has kept himself out of the spotlight. According to Mueller's investigation, he joined IRC in 2014 as its highest ranking employee. 'Bystrov was the general director. He subsequently served as the head of various other entities used by the organization to mask its activities, for example, Glavset LLC, where he was listed as that entity's general director,' it reads. Mikhail Leonidovich Burchik, aka Mikhail Abramov, the second in command Burchik was Bystrov's right-hand man at the organization, according to Mueller's complaint. He used the name Mikhail Abramov too and was instrumental in orchestrating Project Lakhta, the generously funded project which officials say was the start of the interference. At conception, it had a budget of the equivalent of $1.25million. Lakhta involved both US and Russian-targeted interference, it claimed. He was in charge of meetings, structure and personnel, according to Mueller's indictment, had one-on-ones with Prigozhin. Sergey Pavlovich Polozov, IT whiz who used US servers to hide 'troll factory's' real location in Russia Polozov was in charge of the IT department and his biggest responsibility was hiding the location of the Internet Research's Agency HQ, now known to be 55 Savushkina Street in the Olgina neighborhood of St Petersburg. Prosecutors allege that the posts its employees wrote were designed to look like they had been written by Americans who favored Trump. This was possible, Mueller says, through the 'procurement of US servers' which at first glance made them look like they came from America if they were ever probed. Mueller's indictment alleges: 'Polozov served as the manager of the IT department and oversaw the procurement of US servers and other company infrastructure that masked the organization's Russian location when conducting operations within the United States. 'To hide their Russian identities, [they], particular Polozov, purchased space on computer servers located inside the US in order to set up virtual private networks (VPNs). They connected from Russia to the US-based infrastructure by way of these VPNs and conducted activity in the US, including accessing online social media accounts, opening new accounts, and communicating with real US persons - while masking the Russian origin and control of the activity,' it reads. Aleksandra Yuryevna Krylova, female spy who 'came to US in 2013 to gather information and report it back' The Trump administration claims that Kryloca served as a director at the IRA and was the firm's third-highest-ranked employee. Mueller's complaint gives little detail of the background lives of the lesser known employees and there is scarce information about them available. It is suggested though that Krylova, one of four women named, was the company's spy. 'In 2014, Krylova traveled to the United States under false pretenses for the purpose of collecting intelligence to inform the organization's operations,' the indictment reads. Anna Vladislavovna Bogacheva, data analyst for alleged US interference dubbed 'the translator project' Bogacheva was tied to what the employees referred to as 'the translator project' within the IRA. It was part of the larger Project Lakhta but focused only on US audiences, it is claimed. She too is alleged to have traveled to the US under false pretenses to gather information. Bogacheva only worked for the company for three months between April and July 2014. Maria Anatolyevna Bovda, project manager Bovda is described in the Treasury's sanction statement as the 'head' of the translator project, the designated branch of the wider pro-Putin effort which focused on US audiences. She worked there between November 2013 and October 2014, according to the statement. Robert Sergeyevich Bovda, second in charge of the project While it is not revealed in the sanctions or indictment, it is believed that Robert and Maria Bovda are married. Robert Bovda acted beneath his wife as the second in charge of the 'translator' project and worked at the company over the same dates. He too was accused by Mueller of trying to enter the US under false pretenses to collect information but he did not obtain a visa and could not make the trip. Ogly, who also used the names Jayhoon Aslanov and Ajay Aslanov, was sanctioned because he 'acted for or on behalf of and provided material and technological support to the IRA'. Robert and Maria Bovda worked in the 'translator project' in the IRA, the designated branch of the wider pro-Putin effort which focused on US audiences The Russian acted as the head of a the translator project, which conducted operations on social media with a focus on the US, according to a Department of Treasury press release. The press release says that Ogly also oversaw operations that targeted the 2016 presidential election. He took over when Maria Bovda left the project in late 2014 and he was at its helm during the election, it is claimed. The Russian was also listed as a director for another company which has been tied to interference and is owned by Prigozhin. Vadim Vladimirovich Podkopaev, data analyst Podkopaev joined in June 2014 and drafted social media content to be blasted by the 'trolls'. He also worked as a data analyst, targeting US audiences, according to the complaint. Gleb Vasilchenko was accused of posting under numerous social media accounts which the factory operated from 2014 until September 2016 Gleb Igorevich Vasilchenko, pre-election troll Vasilchenko was accused in the indictment of posting under numerous social media accounts which the factory operated from 2014 until September 2016, two months before the election. He went on to work for 'sub groups' which were also owned by Prigozhin and which also worked to interfere with the election, it is claimed. As per the complaint, he 'was responsible for posting, monitoring and updating the social media content of many organization-controlled accounts while posing as US persons or US grassroots organizations. Irina Viktorovna Kaverzina, posed as 'multiple US voters online' The fourth woman sanctioned, Kaverzina is alleged to have used multiple social media accounts to pose as an American and make influential posts about politics and Donald Trump. She joined in October 2014. When US officials launched their investigation in 2017, Kaverzine allegedly let slip to a family member that they had been 'busted' and told how she had to spend time 'covering her tracks'. 'We had a slight crisis here at work: the FBI busted our activity (not a joke). So I got preoccupied with covering tracks together with colleagues. I created all these pictures and posts and the Americans believed it was written by their people,' she wrote. Vladimir Venkov, pre-election troll Venkov, one of three designated trolls, allegedly shared the responsibilities of Kaverzina and Vasilchenko to post content online while posing as an American. The Trump administration also sanctioned two entities and six individuals for performing cyber attacks on behalf of the Russian government. All individuals involved were sanctioned for 'acts for or on behalf of the Main Intelligence Directorate' Russia's top spy agency, according to a statement from the Treasury Department. Below are the individuals and organizations involved: Sergei Afanasyev, senior official at GRU Afanasyev is a senior official at one of Russian's top spy agencies, the Main Intelligence Directorate (GRU). Russian news agency TASS previously named him as a deputy chief of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces. GRU, where Afanasyev reportedly works, is one of two Kremlin spy agencies that allegedly sent hackers into the Democratic National Committee's network ahead of the 2016 presidential election. While Afanasyev is relatively unknown outside of Russia, he apparently attended Russian peace talks for the syrian civil war Astana, Kazakhstan, in February. It is believed to be his last public appearance, and he spoke via video call. There is little known about Afanasyev's work outside the Middle East and terrorism issues. Igor Korobov is the current chief of the Main Intelligence Directorate General Staff (GRU) in the Ministry of Defense Igor Korobov, Chief of the GRU Korobov is the current chief of the Main Intelligence Directorate General Staff (GRU) in the Ministry of Defense. He was sanctioned by Obama in 2016 for the hacking that disrupted the U.S. presidential election. Prior to joining the GRU, Korobov served as head of the Strategic Intelligence Directorate and was an officer in the Soviet Air Forces. Vladimir Alexseyev, First Deputy Chief at GRU Alexseyev works on behalf of the GUR, and as of December 2016, he was a First Deputy Chief within the organization. He was previously sanctioned by the President Barack Obama in response to the Russian government's 'aggressive harassment of US officials and cyber operations aimed at the US election in 2016', according ot a White House press statement. Sergey Gizunov, Deputy Head at GRU Gizunov is a deputy head of the Main Directorate of the Russian Armed Forces General Staff. He was previously sanctioned in December 2016 for alleged hacking during the presidential election. Igor Kostyukov, First Deputy Chief at the GRU Kostyukov is a first deputy chief in the Main Directorate of the Russian Armed Forces General Staff. He was also sanctioned by Obama in December 2016 for election meddling. Igor Kostyukov is a first deputy chief in the Main Directorate of the Russian Armed Forces General Staff Grigoriy Molchanov, senior official at GRU Molchanov is a senior official in the Main Directorate of the Russian Armed Forces General Staff. He has been part of the GRU since April 2016. Five organizations were also hit with sanctions on Thursday, including two Russian government agencies and the 'troll factory', Internet Research Agency. The organizations are listed below: Internet Research Agency The 'troll factory' where 13 Russians accused of meddling in the Us presidental election is called the Internet Research Agency. It is headed up by businessman Yevgeny Prigozhin, Putin's 'personal chef' who gained access to Russia's political power players through his luxury restaurants in St Petersburg in the mid 2000s. In 2012, he landed a lucrative contract to provide the country's military soldiers with meals. It only lasted a year but was rumored to be worth around $1.2billion. With his money,from his buseinsses, Concord Catering and Concord Management and Consulting, the Agency, which was founded in 2013, flourished. At one stage, former workers say 400 people were working there. Their job began with pro-Putin posts on social media and, in one department, evolved into pro-Trump, anti-Clinton messages on fake accounts where they pretended to be American. Concord Catering and Concord Management and Consulting were also sanctioned on Thursday. Main Intelligence Directorate (GRU) The GRU is Russia's foreign military intelligence agency of the General Staff of the Armed Forces. The organization serves as Russia's largest foreign intelligence agency. Federal Security Service (FSB) The FSB, which was once run by Vladimir Putin, was set up in 1995 to fight perceived threats to Russia. It has fought separatist rebels from Chechnya in two wars, and aims to prevent pro-Western 'colour' uprisings in Russia such as Georgia's Rose Revolution of 2003 and Ukraine's Orange Revolution of 2004. But it was thrust into the global spotlight during the murder case involving former FSB officer Alexander Litvinenko who was poisoned at a hotel in London's Mayfair in 2006 after being branded a 'traitor' in Russia. There is no way of avoiding a hard Irish border after Brexit under the Government's current proposals, MPs have today warned. A report by the Northern Ireland select committee said there is not example 'anywhere in the world' of an invisible border like the one promised by Theresa May. They said Britain will need a 'significant transition period' after Brexit so officials can come up with and enact a solution to the border. The report warns: 'We have seen no evidence to suggest that, right now, an invisible border is possible.' The warning comes just a week before a crunch EU summit where leaders will decide whether they will sign up to a Brexit transition deal. The Irish border has proven to be the thorniest issue in discussions and is the one area where British ministers have yet to agree the outline of the transition deal for. There is no way of avoiding a hard Irish border after Brexit under the Government's current proposals, MPs have today warned Theresa May (pictured in Salisbury yesterday) But Brussels and Westminster are expected to agree a transition deal anyway and kick the issue down the line for further negotiations. Mrs May has promised to take all of the UK out of the EU customs union and single market after Brexit. But this has sparked concerns about the fate of the Irish border, which will be Britain's only land border with the EU after Brexit. The Government has promised to keep the invisible border and say they want to use technology to do so - but have not yet fleshed out the details. But today's report warns that no other country in the world has managed to keep an invisible border while also having a different customs and tariff rules to its neighbour. It warned that if Britain crashes out of the EU next year without a deal there will not have been enough time to put a new system in place to avoid a hard border. And it called for the Government to give more details about its plan to keep a soft border will actually work in practice. Tory MP Andrew Murrison, the chairman of the committee, said: 'Brexit's success or otherwise hinges on the UK-Ireland border. 'Everyone agrees that the border after Brexit must look and feel as it does today. 'However, we have heard no evidence to suggest that there is currently a technical solution that would avoid infrastructure at the border. 'Furthermore, we have no detail on how checks on goods and people will be undertaken away from the border.' Theresa May will need to get Angela Merkel and Emmanuel Macron (who she is pictured with at an EU summit last October) to agree to her transition plans at a summit next week to stick to her timetable on Brexit He added: 'It is now clear that a significant transition period is essential for the options in December's Joint Report to be worked though. 'It is equally clear that regulatory and tariff alignment will be required during transition to avoid any hardening of the border before a definitive low-friction solution can be determined.' The report found that Britain will need to remain either in the single market and customs union or to mirror its rules so that a hard border can be avoided. But they backed the Government is saying it would not be acceptable to move the border to the Irish sea instead - effectively creating a border between Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK. A Cabinet minister has flatly ruled out border checks at Dover after Brexit - saying the idea is 'utterly unrealistic'. Chris Grayling said there would be no checks on lorries passing through the port after Britain leaves the block regardless of the outcome of negotiations. The comments come amid fears among hauliers of huge tailbacks when the UK cuts ties with the EU. Existing rules on tariff-free trade of goods are due to end after a mooted transition period finishes, probably in December 2020. On BBC Question Time last night, Brexiteer Mr Grayling said there was no chance of checks taking place on lorries at the port of Dover Britain's Freight Transport Association warned before Christmas that failure to put a deal in place by then would mean 'chaos' at Dover. But Transport Secretary Mr Grayling, a Brexiteer, said there was no chance of checks taking place on lorries at the port. 'We will maintain a free-flowing border at Dover, we will not impose checks at the port, it is utterly unrealistic to do so,' Mr Grayling said on the BBC's Question Time. 'We don't check lorries now, we're not going to be checking lorries in the future.' Asked how the government proposed to ensure there were no checks, Mr Grayling replied: 'We'll check them electronically.' Labour MP Stephen Doughty, a supporter of anti-Brexit group Open Britain, said the government's policy was simply to 'turn a blind eye'. 'The Transport Secretary has just made a startling admission: he says the Government just won't bother checking trucks coming into Dover post-Brexit. So much for taking back control,' he said. 'The Government's new position on the chaos their Brexit red lines threaten to create at the border seems to be to just turn a blind eye to everything. 'If the cost of Brexit is to totally abandon control of our borders, then everyone is entitled to ask if it's the right path for the country.' A Chinese boy was nearly blinded after a hydrogen-filled balloon exploded under a lamp and having broken glass lodged in his face. The glass lamp cut the three-year-old on his right eye's upper and lower eyelid. Doctors gave over 100 stitches around his eye in a one-hour emergency operation. Luckily the boy's vision was not seriously affected from the injury. A boy in China has broken glasses lodged in his eyelids as a balloon exploded under a lamp According to Changsha Evening Post, the three-year-old boy, nicknamed Binbin, asked his mother to buy him a balloon of Logger Vick, a cartoon character from the popular Chinese animation, Boonie Bears, on March 10. Binbin brought the hydrogen-filled balloon back home in Xiamen, Guangdong Province. The balloon exploded when Binbin pulled it under a pendant lamp. The balloon bounced back and touched a hot light bulb. The glass lamp cover shattered and sent broken pieces around the boy's right eye. He was taken to Xiamen Eye Centre of Xiamen University by his parents after 6pm. He brought a hydrogen-filled balloon in the character of Logger Vick, from a Chinese cartoon (left). Balloon sold in China are often filled with hydrogen, which is highly flammable (right) Eye surgeon, Wu Duanxiao, told Changsha Evening Post that the young boy had underwent a one-hour-long operation. Surgeons removed broken glasses from Binbin's upper and lower eyelid on the right eye and gave over 100 stitches to close the wound. Luckily, the three-year-old's vision was not affected as no glass pieces were found on the eyeball. Local firefighters explained that balloons sold in China were usually filled with hydrogen, a highly flammable gas that can make the balloon float in the air. However, hydrogen balloons are likely to explode when it is in contact with heat. Dylan Creaven (pictured outside a previous court case in 2005), 44, of County Clare, fleeced pensioners out of a total of 3.5million promising huge returns on fake investments An Irish tycoon who ran a 'Wolf of Wall Street' boiler room where he conned elderly investors out of their life savings for worthless carbon credits and low-quality diamonds has been found guilty of fraud. Dylan Creaven, 44, of County Clare, fleeced pensioners out of a total of 3.5million promising huge returns on fake investments. He set up two fraudulent companies in order to run a plush 'boiler room' office in St James's Square, central London. Between 2012 and 2013, Creaven delivered motivational speeches to his salesmen every morning to 'rev them up' and they were allowed to keep crates of beer in the office, Blackfriars Crown Court heard. Creaven and his co-defendant Andrew Rowe, 41, told their victims the carbon credit market was growing with companies having to take their footprint into account. The diamonds they were offering were either non-existent or inferior quality and they insisted on a minimum investment of 5,000. The fraudsters socialised with each other and fostered a macho atmosphere of intimidation in the office, where being a 'soft touch' on the phone was ridiculed. Creaven and Rowe, of Barnet, north London, were convicted of two counts of conspiracy to defraud and one count of conspiracy to transfer criminal property after a six-week trial. Judge David Richardson told Creaven: 'You face a substantial sentence and I advise you to get representation.' Describing the 'boiler room frauds' prosecutor Angus Bunyan told jurors earlier: 'These individuals hard sell worthless or otherwise dubious investment opportunities to people they have cold-called on the telephone. Creaven and his co-defendant Andrew Rowe (pictured), 41, told their victims the carbon credit market was growing. 'It was sophisticated, carefully planned and persistent. 'Between 2012 and 2013, they operated a company called Agon Energy Limited and that company purported to sell carbon credits to investors. 'Carbon credits are a means of offsetting an individual's or corporation's carbon footprint - essentially by paying someone else to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions, most often in developing or semi-developed countries.' Mr Bunyan Creaven and Rowe were also involved in running a second company, Lanyard Capital Lyd, from 2013 to 2014. Agon published an impressive brochure with pictures of their St James's location, which claimed they were an 'industry leader' and included fake quotes from Forbes magazine. They sent Christmas cards, pens, caps and mugs to their clients. Leads were called on their landlines by brokers who were 'plausible, articulate and intelligent, but persistent and occasionally aggressive if challenged.' The Met Police and Trading Standards received numerous complaints and the police were able to obtain evidence from 32 investors. Mr Bunyan said: 'Both these enterprises were vehicles for fraud. They were not and never were bonafide commercial businesses. 'The carbon credits offered and sold by Agon were in fact almost completely worthless and the diamonds offered and sold by Lanyard were either non-existent or of very inferior quality. 'Almost all of those who parted with their money were relatively advanced in terms of their age, in retirement and we would suggest that there was no accident to that. 'Many were in their 70s and some in their 80s at the time and these people dipped into their savings in good faith to invest in schemes they believed would bring them and their families' big returns. 'Almost none of them have been able to receive any of their money at all. 'Many of them are clearly not able to make good these considerable losses.' Mr Bunyan said Creaven and Rowe socialised with each other and fostered a macho atmosphere of intimidation in the office, where being a 'soft touch' on the phone was ridiculed. He set up two fraudulent companies in order to run a plush 'boiler room' office (pictured) in St James's Square, central London Creaven also found himself in court in November 2005 and wept when was cleared of masterminding a multi-million pound VAT scam. He was said to have run an elaborate 'carousel fraud' by trading silicon chips between Ireland and the UK. But the Irishman was acquitted after insisting he was unwittingly being used by fraudsters who disappeared as soon as Customs started to investigate. He later agreed to hand over 18.5million, his luxury villa in Marbella, a flat in Knightsbridge, a further 176,000 euros and four racehorses after his lawyers thrashed out an agreement with the Assets Recovery Agency and its counterpart in Ireland. In his early 20s Creaven built up a global business trading in computer chips, with offices in Singapore, Boston and Ireland. He once told a computer trade magazine that his favourite song was My Way and his hero was Captain Kirk from Star Trek. Rowe and Creaven were remanded in custody ahead of sentencing on April 19. The family of an Egyptian student who died after she had been beaten by group of girls have claimed she may have been attacked due to a case of mistaken identity. Mariam Moustafa, 18, passed away three weeks after she was left in a coma following an attack outside the Intu Victoria shopping centre in Nottingham on February 20. Her family has now revealed they believe the attack on Moustafa was racially motivated after she was also attacked by a group of girls the previous month. They believe Moustafa may have been wrongly mistaken as another girl who had been taunting them online. The girls are believed to have been taunted on Instagram by a person using going by the name 'Black Rose', something which the family originally believed was a racial slur. Her father Mohamed told The Sun Online: 'They called Mariam 'Black Rose'. She said, "that's not me, I am not Black Rose, I am Mariam."' Mariam's sister Malak, 16, said her sister had previous history with the girls after being attacked last August because they said she was 'staring at them'. She added: 'She recognised them from the first attack and tried to walk away but they started shouting at her and followed her. 'They called Mariam Black Rose because someone on social media with that name had been arguing with them. I think it was Instagram. 'But Mariam said it wasnt her and they called her a liar and started to attack her. 'Then they started to push her and hit her and she ended up in a coma and died. Nottinghamshire Police said they were 'keeping an open mind' on whether the attack may have been due to a case of mistaken identity. It comes after shocking footage shows the moments before an 18-year-old Egyptian was attacked in Nottingham, leaving her with injuries from which she later died. Mariam Moustafa was left in a coma after a street assault last month and died from her injuries on Wednesday. Disturbing footage shows a girl shouting at Ms Moustafa during an altercation believed to have taken place on a bus shortly before the attack. Ms Moustafa's father Mohamed today demanded justice for his daughter as Egyptian authorities called for answers from Britain. The last photo of Mariam Moustafa, (left) an engineering student, two weeks before she was left in a coma (right) after she was jumped by a group of female yobs. She died from her injuries on Wednesday Mr Moustafa said: 'I want justice for my daughter, not just my daughter but also so this doesn't happen to another girl or another boy. My daughter was like an angel. She would do anything for anyone - a very kind girl. 'She meant the world to me. She tried to help anyone - if they needed money or anything - she would always help. 'All of my family - my son, my daughter - they have all been crying after what happened. It's not fair. I needed some help and it came after, when she died.' Speaking of what Mariam said to him after the attack, Mr Moustafa said: 'She was very upset because she didn't know why they did it because she didn't know these people. 'She told me these people came up to her and said 'Black Rose' and she said 'no my name is Mariam' and they started to hit her.' Today her mother Nessrin Shehata shared the last poignant photo of her daughter before her death. The happy snap, showing her smiling broadly, was taken outside the same shopping centre in Nottingham where her assailants struck two weeks later. She told MailOnline: 'This is the last picture of my beautiful girl. 'She looks so happy. I will treasure it.' Looking at the photo of Mariam, showing the aspiring engineer dressed in black jacket and draped in jewellery, helps keeps her memory alive for her grieving family. Mariam (right) with her mother Nessrin Shehata, who claimed that her daughter had been assaulted by the same thugs four months before but police in Nottingham 'did nothing'. Her tearful mother, 40, said: 'It was taken at the Victoria Centre just two weeks before she was attacked. 'She had her whole life ahead of her, now she's gone.' 'We'll miss her so much. She was a lovely, caring and kind daughter. She wanted to be an engineer but she enjoyed girly things too, dressing up, shopping and having fun. 'It was to be her 19th birthday next month but no celebrations now. We're so upset.' Mariam's mother has claimed that her daughter had been assaulted by the same thugs four months before but police in Nottingham 'did nothing'. The teenager (pictured) had been shopping in Nottingham city centre before she was assaulted Speaking to MailOnline, her sister Mallak, 16, told how she now fears for her life and is too frightened to leave home to go to school. Mallak, who was left with cuts and grazes as she tried to protect her sister during the first vicious assault in a park in August last year, said Mariam suffered from a heart condition. She said: 'The girls that attacked her knew she was weak. They picked on her because of her race and vulnerability. 'The first time these thugs broke her leg and the next time they killed her. It's disgraceful the authorities allowed this to happen, they never helped us. Mariam's family believe she was targeted in a racially-motivated attack by a group of women who had previously hurled abuse at her in the street 'Our family is so sad and feels let down and me and my little brother are scared for our lives now.' Mariam, who was of Egyptian decent but born in Rome in Italy, had come with her family to Britain nearly five years ago for 'a better life.' Mallak added: 'They accused us of staring at them and we told them we weren't. 'They stated picking on us, punching us and grabbing us. I was scared for my sister so I stood in front of her to try and protect her. 'They were shouting and pushed me out of the way as I was trying to defend her. They wanted to get to Miriam. Mariam, who had just been offered a place at university in London, had originally been discharged, but started to deteriorate at home and was rushed back to hospital 'They had something which looked like metal in their hands but I'm not sure what. They kept saying 'white bitches' and swearing at us. 'They pushed my sister in the chest and she fell to the ground putting out her legs to get them off her while we were pleading with them to leave her alone. One of the girls grabbed her right leg and twisted it, breaking it. I was so scared for Mariam because she was the weaker one, she was often very poorly, and to see her lying there injured was awful.' She called her parents who alerted the police and ambulance but claimed neither service responded. Her father took her to the Queen's Medical Hospital were she was treated for a broken leg. Mallak suffered cuts to her head, arms and legs during the attack. Her mother showed MailOnline photos of her daughter's injuries but declined to share them publicly. Police said they wound investigate the incident after visiting the family the following day. Nessrin Shehata told of her fear and anger when they later dropped the investigation. She said: 'They told us the CCTV in the park wasn't working and they didn't have identities of the attackers. They didn't seem to care. 'If they had done their job properly my daughter would still be alive today.' Before the second fatal attack the family has endured yobs' knocking on the front door if their three-storey terraced home, shouting racist abuse and throwing eggs. Mallak and younger brother Adam, 12, are too fearful to go out now. The teenager had been shopping in Nottingham city centre before she was assaulted by the women Mr Moustafa, who used to run a car spare parts business but doesn't work now, said he was grateful for the support from the Egyptian Embassy. He said: 'They are the only ones helping. We're not getting any support from the UK authorities and we live here. It seems very unfair.' Egypt's foreign ministry said it is working with its embassy in London to track down those responsible for the assault. They also said they would be addressing 'human rights' concerns and issues over the medical treatment she received before she died from her injuries on Wednesday. Authorities in Egypt say they will be working with her family's lawyer to make sure her attackers are brought to justice, CNN reports And they are planning to send a parliamentary delegation to visit the UK to investigate her death, prompting fears a diplomatic row now looms. Alaa Abed, the head of Egypt parliament's human right committee was quoted as saying by state news agency Ahram Online: 'We are in contact with the Egyptian foreign ministry...to help this delegation to reach England as soon as possible.' Her death has sparked among politicians in Egypt, who have criticised her hospital treatment and the police investigation. Human rights organisations in Egypt are said to be working on a dossier that includes a list of its nationals 'killed in mysterious circumstances in England.' Deputy chairman of Egypt's human rights committee Margaret Azer called the death a 'complete and flagrant violation of human rights in Britain.' Now diplomatic row looms as Egypt accuses UK of 'human rights failings' The death of Mariam Moustafa turned into a diplomatic row yesterday as Egyptian authorities accused Britain of failings. Politicians in the 18-year-old's home country criticised her hospital treatment and the police investigation into the brutal gang attack. On Twitter, campaigners gave their posts labels including JusticeforMariam as concern about the case gathered momentum. The Egyptian prosecutor-general has reportedly made an official request for information about the attack. And human rights organisations in Egypt are said to be working on a dossier that includes a list of its nationals 'killed in mysterious circumstances in England'. The head of Egypt's human rights committee is even planning to send a parliamentary delegation to England to carry out its own probe, according to reports. Deputy chairman Margaret Azer called the death a 'complete and flagrant violation of human rights in Britain.' She added: 'If a British or a western national was killed in Egypt, we would see an army of western organisations issuing reports on human rights conditions in Egypt.' Another report said deputy foreign minister Khaled Rizk was investigating possible medical 'negligence'. Critics say there is no democracy in Egypt and real power resides with the army. The country is often criticised for its own human rights violations, incuding extrajudicial killings and the repression of free speech. Last year Briton Laura Plummer, 34, was jailed after bringing in 290 tramadol tablets she said were for her Egyptian boyfriend's bad back. The Egyptian embassy in London did not respond to a request to comment. Advertisement A statement from the Egyptian embassy said: 'The government of Egypt and the embassy have been closely following the circumstances of this vicious attack with the relevant British authorities and expressed the need for those responsible to be brought to justice swiftly.' The statement continued: 'The deep concern of the Egyptian public is evident and the embassy remains focused in its efforts to support and assist Mariam's grieving family whose life has been shattered by their traumatic loss. 'Mariam was an aspiring engineering student who was well loved and regarded by her friends, peers and all those who knew her.' Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson commented on the case today. In a Twitter post he said he was 'deeply saddened' by her death. He added: 'My condolences to Mariam's loved ones. I have assured Egyptian Foreign Minister Shoukry that Nottinghamshire Police are investigating the case.' Despite relatives insisting the attacks were fuelled by racism, Nottinghamshire Police said they do not think the attack was 'motivated by hate'. The teenager had been shopping in Nottingham city centre before she was repeatedly assaulted by the women in an unprovoked attack on Parliament Street. The student was rushed to Nottingham City Hospital and placed in an induced coma but died on Wednesday. According to an Egyptian newspaper, Mariam's mother posted a video on social media saying: 'Four months ago, two of the same ten women abused my daughter in the street with no specific reason. 'We went to the police station and issued an official complaint; however, nothing happened.' She added that when the women saw her in the street walking alone, they attacked her once again and dragged her about several feet in the street. Her uncle Amr El Hariry, 46, said he believed his niece would still be alive today had detectives investigated the original attack. Speaking from Cairo, Egypt, he said: 'Two of the girls had actually attacked Mariam and Malak four months ago and broke Malak's leg. 'Their parents went to the police who just filed the complaint and that was all - that was a warning, they should've acted. 'The second time she was walking down the street when these girls shouted at her, they called her "Black Rose" and Mariam said that wasn't her name. 'They started to beat her, kicking and punching her all over, she ran away but they chased after her. She didn't even know these girls.' A 17-year-old girl was arrested on suspicion of assault occasioning grievous bodily harm and was subsequently released on conditional bail. A Home Office post-mortem examination is due to take place. Mariam, who was a Nottingham College engineering student, is understood to have suffered a bleed on the brain as well as a stroke during the attack. She was reportedly punched several times before she was further verbally assaulted after getting onto the number 27 bus. Mariam, who had just been offered a place at university in London, had originally been discharged, but started to deteriorate at home and was rushed back to hospital. Germany's new interior minister Horst Seehofer has put himself on a collision course with Angela Merkel by declaring: 'Islam doesn't belong to Germany.' Observers say he is trying to push Mrs. Merkel's fragile new coalition government with the SPD more to the right. Seehofer is one of many conservative politicians who bitterly disagreed with the chancellor's open door policy on refugees that saw the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party surge in popularity and bite deep into her CDU majority at last year's general election. Germany's new interior minister Horst Seehofer (pictured) has put himself on a collision course with Angela Merkel by declaring: 'Islam doesn't belong to Germany' The AfD used the phrase 'Islam does not belong to Germany' during its election campaign which succeeded in propelling nearly 100 MPs into parliament. In an interview with popular newspaper Bild Seehofer said: 'No. Islam does not belong to Germany. Germany has been shaped by Christianity. 'Certain Christian-inspired aspects are part of daily life and culture in Germany, such as shops being closed on Sundays and public holidays that correspond to church holidays like Easter, Pentecost and Christmas. 'The Muslims who live with us obviously belong to Germany, but false consideration for others clearly does not mean we give up our country-specific traditions and customs.' Observers say he is trying to push Angela Merkel's (pictured) fragile new coalition government with the SPD more to the right Seehofer is over at the interior ministry, now officially called the Interior, Construction and Heimat Ministry. Heimat roughly translates to 'homeland' is a word heavy with historical baggage that many say harks back to the Nazi era. Seehofer rejected criticism that the new German Cabinet doesn't include any people of colour, adding: 'Do I have to be a doctor in order to be health minister?' Seehofer promised to accelerate deportations of rejected asylum-seekers in his new role. Only this week, an 18-year-old Afghani refugee whose application to remain in Germany was rejected was arrested for allegedly murdering his 17-year-old girlfriend because she would not convert to Islam. A very-much-alive Romanian man has been told he will remain 'dead', after he took too long to appeal a wrongful death certificate. Constantin Reliu, 63, was declared dead by his wife in 2016, after he moved to Turkey and went off the grid for nearly 25 years. Mr Reliu has today lost his case in the northeast city of Vasului because he took too long to appeal his death certificate. Constantin Reliu, 63, was declared dead by his wife after he had been out of contact for 25 years, and did not know he was 'dead' until he was deported from Turkey earlier this year Romanian media reports that Mr Reliu moved to Turkey in 1992 for work and lost contact with his wife and family. Hearing no news from her husband, his wife managed to get a death certificate for him in 2016. Mr Reliu meanwhile, was alive and well in Turkey and had no idea he had been declared dead until earlier this year. Turkish authorities discovered that Mr Reliu's documents had expired and deported him. When he arrived in Romania, he discovered he had been declared dead. 'I am officially dead, although I'm alive, I have no income and because I am listed dead, I can't do anything,' he told reporters outside court today. Today's ruling is final, and Mr Reliu will officially remain dead, a court spokeswoman said Friday. Mehmet Aksoy, 32, who studied filmmaking at Goldsmiths, University of London, travelled to Kurdistan via Germany last June and joined the Kurds as a press officer A British film maker died in a hail of bullets when Islamic State militants disguised as allies sneaked their way into a compound near Raqqa in Syria, an inquest was told. Mehmet Aksoy, 32, who studied filmmaking at Goldsmiths, University of London, travelled to Kurdistan via Germany last June and joined the Kurds as a press officer. He died along with a female journalist outside a media centre during the attack last September, North London Coroners Court was told. Mr Aksoy was shot six times by the militants who had tricked their way into the compound used by the YPG - the Kurdish People's Protection Units - by wearing Syrian Democratic Forces uniforms. He was covering the battle to retake Raqqa from IS, and friends said he wanted to 'bring attention to the fight against that evil'. Mr Aksoy's father paid tribute to him, saying he would always be proud of his son. IS militants drove into the base in the Semra district of Raqqa in three vehicles between 7.30am and 8am on September 26th, the inquest heard. The first two drove past and gunmen in the third vehicle opened fire, killing Mr Aksoy, a female photojournalist and YPG guards before being shot themselves. A pathologist found Mr Aksoy died from a gunshot wound to the chest, North London Coroner's Court heard. Coroner Andrew Walker ruled Mr Aksoy was unlawfully killed. Mr Aksoy died along with a female journalist outside a media centre during the attack last September, North London Coroners Court was told Aksoy at a rally in favour of the creation of a Kurdish state. He was killed by ISIS on Tuesday He said: 'From the facts that I have found, there can be no doubt that the person who fired on the press officers did so not accidentally, or in self defence. 'It seems there is no doubt in my mind that when firing those shots, the person who did so intended to kill the persons fired at, or cause them some really serious injury. 'I am going to record a conclusion of unlawful killing.' He told Mr Aksoy's family and friends: 'Can I just offer you my deepest sympathies at this time.' DC Tim Johnson told the inquest: 'He was in the media centre for the YPG. 'This centre was attacked by Islamic State militants, who shot and killed Mr Aksoy, and a number of YPG guards and also another female journalist.' The Met Police were alerted to his death on September 27, after it was widely reported. They were unable to find any direct witnesses, and the 'best account' they received was from the YPG. Aksoy, a Londoner whose parents are Kurds from Turkey, had been documenting battles for the Kurdish People's Protection Unit. He is pictured at a rally in London Detectives initially tried to contact the group through the Foreign Office, then a police contact in Iraq, but neither was able to help, the inquest heard. Eventually, through the Blue Crescent Medical organisation, they got in touch with the YPG, who emailed a report. DC Johnson said: 'Mr Aksoy was in front of a press building for journalists in a well protected and secure area. 'IS fighters dressed in SDF uniforms drove through the base between seven and eight in the morning, and began to shoot. 'Mr Aksoy was shot by those IS militants. He was then taken to a medical building but unfortunately passed away.' He said it was unclear whether the vehicle stopped or was driving past when they opened fire. Mr Aksoy 'passed away a few seconds after being shot', the YPG report said. The account was corroborated by a friend of Mr Aksoy's, and a video produced by British fighter Jack Holmes which showed the vehicles and bodies, the inquest heard. DC Johnson added: 'The IS militants were all killed. 'Other people from the YPG retaliated to the attack and the IS attackers were killed instantly.' Mr Aksoy, who was born in Turkey but lived in Luton, Bedfordshire, suffered six gunshot wounds, including ones to his left arm and hand. But it was unclear if they were from six bullets or the injuries were linked. Aksoy studied filmmaking at Goldsmiths, University of London, and did not tell his parents, who run an off-licence in Luton, that he was travelling to Syria His father asked about the shooting distance and the type of gun used, but DC Johnson was unable to say. The Coroner thanked him for investigating 'this tragedy'. Speaking afterwards, Mr Aksoy's father, Kalender Aksoy, 55, said: 'I will always remember my son as a very good person. 'He never really did anything bad, or harm families, society or anyone else. 'He always worked hard for the society, for the values and principles of the society. 'I would like everybody to remember my son as a good person, and as a good man. 'Until I die, I will be proud of him.' He said 'of course' it was hard to hear the details, adding: 'We relived it like the first day. The pain didn't go at all. It's like the first time to hear the story. 'We were expecting it. That's why the mother and other family members didn't really want to come and listen, and see more things that they cannot really take in. More than 300 friends and family paid their respects in a late night vigil at the Kurdish Community Centre in North London last year 'There was no answer to the distance and the ballistics report. We didn't really learn anything new.' Mr Aksoy's friend Esra Turk, 33, said: 'I was in contact with him while he was out there. 'He was content with what he was doing there. He felt like it was the right place to be at that point.' She added: 'In terms of Mehmet and why he went there, with the current situation of the war in Syria, it's really crucial to remember the conflict has been going on since 2011. 'And all of a sudden ISIS turned up and added to the hell that was happening there. 'He wanted to bring attention to the fight against that evil. 'And to kind of show the world that there are alternatives to the hell that has been going on in Syria. He just didn't have much time to do that unfortunately.' Thousands of people gathered to pay tribute to Mr Aksoy at the Kurdish Community Centre in Harringay, north London, last November. He was buried at Highgate Cemetry. Close friend Yuksel Adiguzel previously told MailOnline: 'He was a very loving person with so much passion and intellect. Mehmet wanted freedom for Kurds and all other oppressed people. His dream was to help create a more educated, modern, democratic, equal and conscious society.' Seven American soldiers have been killed in a military helicopter crash in western Iraq, the Pentagon has confirmed. The HH-60 Pave Hawk helicopter crashed near al-Qaim, a town in Anbar province close to the Syrian border, yesterday, reportedly after hitting a power line. The Pentagon says in a statement Friday that the crash does not appear to be the result of enemy activity and is under investigation. President Donald Trump later tweeted his condolences to the families of the 'brave troops'. Tragedy: The helicopter crashed near al-Qaim, a town in Anbar province close to the Syrian border yesterday, with all seven U.S. servicemen on board killed in the incident Condolences: Donald Trump tweeted a message to the families of the servicemen He posted: 'Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families and loved ones of the brave troops lost in the helicopter crash on the Iraq-Syria border yesterday. Their sacrifice in service to our country will never be forgotten.' Four of the seven servicemen killed were members of the Air National Guards 106th Rescue Wing based at Gabreski Airport on Long Island, according to 27east.com. 'All personnel aboard were killed in the crash,' said Brigadier General Jonathan P. Braga, director of operations of the Combined Joint Task Force. 'This tragedy reminds us of the risks our men and women face every day in service of our nations.' Crash: The HH-60 Pave Hawk helicopter was not brought down by enemy fire (file image) The helicopter is used by the Air Force for combat search and rescue, and was in transit from one location to another when it went down Thursday afternoon. The Pentagon said an accompanying U.S. helicopter immediately reported the crash and a quick-reaction force comprised of Iraqi security forces and Coalition members secured the scene. The names of those killed will be released after next of kin have been notified, the statement added. The crash is the deadliest incident involving U.S. soldiers abroad since May, 2013, when seven servicemen were killed by a roadside bomb in southern Afghanistan. The United States acknowledges that it has about 5,200 troops in Iraq that are part of a coalition fighting ISIS militants. The US has operated both helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft in Iraq during the war against ISIS, which overran large areas north and west of Baghdad in 2014. US forces began carrying out air strikes against ISIS in August 2014, a campaign that was later expanded to Syria, and has provided weapons, training and other support to forces fighting the jihadists in both countries. Baghdad declared victory over the extremists late last year, but ISIS still has the ability to carry out deadly violence in Iraq, including a series of attacks in the country's north that left 25 dead earlier this month. A father-of-three whose luxury Audi was allegedly keyed five times by the same woman is a former reality television star who is no stranger to disputes with his neighbours over vehicles. Evan Hansimikali, who lives in Dover Heights in Sydney, has been the victim of the alleged car-keying which he filmed on a hidden dashcam. A 51-year-old woman from Vaucluse turned herself in to police on Friday, and has been charged with five counts of malicious damage after the footage went viral. Mr Hansimikali appeared on Channel Seven's My Restaurant Rules with then-partner Bella Serventi in 2005, where his restaurant Pink Salt in Sydney's swanky eastern suburbs finished second in the show's inaugural season. In 2011 he was awarded an interim apprehended violence order against his next-door neighbour after they allegedly threatened to plant a bomb in Mr Hansimikali's car, the Daily Telegraph reported at the time. Mr Hansimikali appeared on Channel Seven's My Restaurant Rules with then-partner Bella Serventi in 2005 Their restaurant Pink Salt in Sydney's swanky eastern suburbs finished second in the show's inaugural season (Mr Hansimikali pictured with then-partner Bella Serventi) The next-door neighbour was also accused of turning up to the Hansimikalis' home armed with an orange tomahawk axe and chasing the restaurateur's wife Amanda and father Manuel around their lounge room. Mrs Hansimikali was accused by the neighbour of blocking his driveway with her car. After Mrs Hansimikali denied the accusation, the neighbour allegedly said: 'Next time you park your f**king car there, I'll put a f**king bomb in it'. Mrs Hansimikali was nursing their three-week-old son Emmanuel at the time of the confrontation, and called Manuel to come over and check in on her. Manuel Hansimikali then went to talk to the neighbour about the incident before the pair began arguing. The neighbour then allegedly returned to his neighbours' home and waved the tomahawk at them, allegedly yelling: 'I'm going to slit your f**king throat, I'll f**king kill you'. A 51-year-old woman from Vaucluse turned herself in to police on Friday, and has been charged with five counts of malicious damage after the footage went viral In 2011 he was awarded an interim apprehended violence order against his next-door neighbour after he allegedly threatened to plant a bomb in Mr Hansimikali's car (Evan and Amanda Hansimikali pictured) The neighbour was also accused of turning up to the Hansimikalis' home armed with an orange tomahawk axe and chasing the restaurateur's wife Amanda and father Manuel around According to court documents, the neighbour said that he 'might have' threatened to kill his next-door neighbour's father (Evan and Amanda pictured) Mr Hansimikali told A Current Affair he couldn't think of a reason as to why someone would want to key his car The neighbour was arrested and charged with common assault and intimidation. According to court documents, the neighbour said that he 'might have' threatened to kill his next-door neighbour's father. In relation to the more recent incident, Mr Hansimikali said he never leaves his Audi blocking the footpath although he does park it on the driveway as spots on his street are often limited. He told A Current Affair he couldn't think of a reason as to why someone would want to key his car. In relation to the more recent incident, Mr Hansimikali said he never leaves his Audi blocking the footpath although he does park it on the driveway as spots on his street are often limited Mr Hansimikali shared a video of the scratchings on Facebook in the hope of tracking down the woman who allegedly carried them out One impassioned caller told the man he 'deserved' the car keying because his expensive three-month-old Audi was taking up a portion of the footpath Mr Hansimikali shared a video of the scratchings on Facebook in the hope of tracking down the woman who allegedly carried them out, and was sent a photo of her on a bus near where he lives. A woman has been granted conditional bail and will appear at Downing Centre Local Court on April 12. Speaking on the Kyle and Jackie-O radio show earlier this week, the father-of-three was flooded with callers who were very unsympathetic to his cause - while others claimed there was a serial car keyer on the loose in the wealthy area. One impassioned caller told the man he 'deserved' the car keying because his expensive three-month-old Audi was taking up a portion of the footpath. Mr Hansimikali, who lives in Dover Heights in Sydney, has been the victim of alleged car-keying which he filmed on a hidden dashcam A worker in China has miraculously survived a five-foot-long steel bar piercing through his torso at a construction site in Huizhou, China. The 44-year-old man suffered multiple tissue and muscle damages although the steel bar avoided hitting any of his major organs. Doctors joined forces to remove the bar from the worker's body under seven-hour surgery. The man is now transferred to intensive care units. A construction worker in China fell on a 5ft-long reinforcing bar that pierced through his body According to The Southern Daily, the man fell onto a three-centimetre (1.18inch) wide, 15-metre (4.9ft) long reinforcing bar from first floor at a construction site at 12 noon on March 9. The bar went in under his left armpit and out from the lower right back. Paramedics were called to send him to Huizhou Central People's Hospital. Medical staff across five departments diagnosed the man with rib fractures, lower abdominal bleeding and tissue tear. They performed a seven hours operation which included removing the bar as well as sealing his wounds. The steel bar went in under his left armpit and came out from his lower right back, as the graph shows (left). The bar did not damage any major arteries and organs (right) The unnamed worker had multiple tissue and muscle damages but is now recovering Doctor Cheng, who said similar accidents were usually fatal, explained: 'Even though the rebar impaled the patient's entire torso, the "delicate" angle at which it entered meant it missed every major artery and passed between all vital organs.' He added that the reinforced metal also plugged his entry and exit wounds, preventing blood loss. The worker is now recovering in the intensive care units after his traumatic ordeal. Riots broke out in Madrid over the death of a Senegalese migrant who protesters said was chased through the streets by police on motorbikes before he reportedly suffered a heart attack. Migrants clashed with security forces in central Madrid on Thursday after Mmame Mbage, a 35-year-old street vendor from Senegal, died. Riot police and firefighters were deployed to Lavapies, a district in the centre of the Spanish capital with a large immigrant population, on Thursday as angry protesters set fire to dustbins and a motorbike, and threw stones at security forces. Demonstrators said they were protesting in support of Mbage, who arrived in Spain by boat 12 years ago. Scroll down for video A protester throws a rubbish bin at a burning barricade in Lavapies in Madrid on Thursday Street clashes erupted over the death of a 35-year-old African vendor who witnesses said died trying to escape from police cracking down on illegal street sales Witnesses said he died trying to escape from police cracking down on illegal street sales. Emergency services said Mbage was found unconscious on a street in Lavapies by police on patrol. 'They were busy trying to revive him' when emergency workers arrived, a spokeswoman said. However, he died of cardiac arrest. She did not know what had happened to Mbage before he collapsed, but several other street vendors who were with him said he had been chased by police from Puerta del Sol. 'Municipal police arrived and chased him from Sol to Lavapies with a motorbike,' said Modou, a 25-year-old vendor from Senegal who refused to give his surname. 'At the end, he died here,' Modou told AFP, with others confirming the account. Spanish National Police officers take positions during clashes with demonstrators in Lavapies A man injured lies on the ground during the clashes with Spanish National Police in Lavapies Mbage worked as an illegal vendor and sent some money back to his family, one of thousands of migrants who have reached Spain over the years in search of a better life. Incensed that the death was needless and that, as a migrant and street vendor, he was unfairly targeted, the mostly migrant residents in the area gathered to protest. Hundreds took to the streets as sporadic violence flared up which bystanders captured with their phones and uploaded to social media. A woman cries as she attends a gathering to protest the death of the 35-year-old street hawker People speak out during a gathering to protest the death of Mmame Mbage on Friday On Friday, a large crowd of protesters gathered in central Madrid after the night of riots Brawls broke out from 8pm and spread from street to street, lasting until around 1am. According to local media, bus stops, shops and bank branches were targeted by angry demonstrators and police used rubber bullets to quell the violence. At least 20 local residents were injured during clashes, while 10 police officers were also hurt. Six protestors were arrested. Madrid Mayor Manuela Carmena said that the City Council will 'thoroughly investigate' the events and 'act accordingly'. Riots broke out in Madrid over the death of a Senegalese migrant who protesters said was chased through the streets by police on motorbikes Migrants clashed with security forces in central Madrid on Thursday after Mmame Mbage, a street vendor in his mid-thirties from Senegal, died She added that she 'lamented' the Senegalese man's death and offered her condolences to friends and family. Local authorities have denied any wrongdoing with regards to Mbage's untimely death. Spain is the third busiest gateway for migrants coming to Europe, with close to 23,000 arrivals in 2017. Hundreds have died along the way. Angry protesters set fire to dustbins and a motorbike, and threw stones at security forces A Chinese driver was forced to speed down a motorway for over 50 miles without being able to control his car after his cruise control allegedly got stuck. Mr Xue called the police after reasling he was not able to stop his new 55,000 Mercedes-Benz, which was travelling at 75mph (120kmh) in central China, according to Chinese media. Luckily, Mr Xue is an amateur racer, survived the terrifying ride unscathed after staff from the car brand managed to turn off his cruise control remotely, said reports. Mr Xue's car (circled) drives past toll gates after he lost control of the vehicle in central China According to local news site Dahe.cn, the incident occurred late at night on March 14 near Luoyang in Henan Province. The report said Mr Xue was travelling alone and he was driving his Mercedes-Benz C200L westwards with the help of cruise control on the Lianhuo Highway at a speed of 75mph. But when he wanted to switch back to manual control, he discovered he couldn't. In addition, when he tapped his foot on the brake pedal, nothing happened and the car carried on at 75mph. It's said that Mr Xue called Mercedes-Benz's customer service hotline and received some advise, but all his attempts to turn off the cruise control failed. The desperate driver called the police for help, and within five minutes the police worked with the highway control office to clear three lanes, reported People's Daily Online, quoting The Paper. The authorities also worked together to ensure Mr Xue to pass the toll gates safely. He couldn't stop his car for an hour after he said his cruise control had got stuck (file photo) Mr Xue's car apparently went out of control for some 50 minutes and he travelled for some 100 kilometres (62 miles) between two provinces during the horrifying ride. Dahe.cn said Mr Xue's car eventually stopped after the Mercedes-Benz customer service officers managed to connected to his car and turn off the cruise control remotely. Mercedes-Benz is one of the most popular car brands in China. The brand's manufacturer Daimler said in a statement that after being notified the matter, the brand sent their technical experts onsite to understand the situation and investigate the case. However, Daimler denied the claims that the car was stopped after their workers gained control of it remotely. The statement read: 'Mercedes-Benz does not and has never possessed the backend technology to interfere with driving, and Mercedes-Benzs multi safety systems ensure that the driver could always stop the vehicle even under extreme situations.' The company said it's working with Mr Xue to investigate the cause of the incident. According to Chinese media, Mr Xue was driving a Mercedes-Benz C200L (pictured) Travelling in a car while its cruise control gets locked could lead to fatal accidents. In 2016, a British driver was decapitated at a 119mph crash after his car's cruise control allegedly got stuck. Kaushal Gandhi, 32, of Harrow, Middlesex, desperately tried to stop the out-of-control Skoda Octavia before it crashed into a parked lorry, killing him instantly. In the eight minutes leading up to the collision, Mr Gandhi told the call handler that the cruise control had become stuck and he could not stop the car accelerating. A college student who survived Thursday's bridge collapse near the Florida International University campus has spoken out to recall the moment the structure fell and crushed the vehicle he was riding in. Richie Humble, a sophomore at the school, says he was being driven back from a doctors appointment by his friend, Alexa Duran, when the structure fell. 'We were parked at a red light and I started to hear the bridge creak, so I look up and I saw the bridge falling on top of us. 'It fell on the roof of the car and...kind of caved in on my neck and squished me down. But I didn't really know what was going on at all,' he told the Today show. He added: 'I tried to duck but at the same time it was just way too fast.' Scroll down for video Richard Humble (pictured), a sophomore at Florida International University, survived Thursday's bridge collapse on campus He was in the passenger's seat of his friend Alexa Duran's SUV when the bridge fell on top of the vehicle, smashing in the driver's side. He's pictured above in video from the scene after the collapse Humble says he screamed Alexa's name out, but she didn't say anything. Humble is seen at the left, after the collapse Humble says his attention then went to his friend, who went quiet after the collapse. 'I screamed her name over and over again but I didn't hear anything,' he said. When Humble got out of the gray Toyota SUV he could see that the driver's side sustained more damage than his side. Duran, a freshman political science major at the school, is still unaccounted for. Video from the scene after the collapse shows Humble calling his mother, yelling: 'Mom, the bridge fell on us!' His mother, Lourdes Humble, recalled her phone call with her son to Today. 'He said, "I have a lot of blood around me. It's not mine, Mom. I have a lot of blood,"' an emotional Mrs Humble said. Humble's mother (pictured) said her son called him and said that he was covered in a lot of blood that wasn't his Duran's SUV is seen above after the bridge collapse on Thursday Duran's smashed SUV is seen in the far right lane, where the bridge came down at an angle Other aerial footage from the scene shows a shocked Humble sitting on a nearby curb after the collapse. Humble say's he's 'just so grateful that I'm alive right now.' Friends Lynnet Gomez and Manny Perez rushed to the scene after the collapse to try and search for Duran, but had no luck. The young woman's family also went looking around local hospitals to see if she had been rescued, to no avail. Perez and Gomez told the Miami Herald that Duran was the kind of person who would 'lighten up any room'. 'She is the funniest person I know,' Gomez said. At least six people died in the bridge collapse so far, and another nine hospitalized. The $14million project was started after a FIU student died recently at the busy intersection. The bridge was put up a week ago, but wasn't to open to pedestrian traffic until next year. This is the terrifying moment strong gusts of wind hit central China during dramatic seasonal change. Video emerged showed gale-force winds blowing over scooter riders and stripping a wall off buildings. The freak weather conditions, mostly observed over central China's Henan Province, recorded wind speeds up to 54 mph, measuring level nine on the Beaufort scale, according to China Meteorological Administration. Strong gust of winds ripped a layer of tiles off a building in central China (left). The wind, measuring up to 62 mph, brought destruction to the city last week (right) Incredible footage from the provincial capital, Zhengzhou, showed at least three scooter riders being knocked off their vehicles and floored by the winds as they tried to ride along a straight road, which became a sudden wind tunnel. The riders can hardly get up off the ground as the gale presses them downwards, the clip shows. Another footage, believed to be taken by a nearby resident, captured the moment tiles on the exterior wall of a commercial building stripped off and crashed onto the ground. Fortunately, no pedestrians can be walking below at the time, resulting in no injuries, while the building's management personnel also sealed off the area immediately. Motorists were knocked off their bikes and struggled to get up under strong wind (left). A train of security gate was also blown away in the wind (right) A video from the city of Xinxiang in Henan showed a residential community's rolling retractable gate being blown away in its entirety. The structure slides along the ground and threatens to run over security guards, who were able to jump out the way. Staff at the Hengda Jinbiianxia residential community said it spent them an hour to find the gate and fix it in place again. Local residents in Henan Province reported widespread property damage because of the gale-force winds, but so far no injuries have been revealed. John Russell Hall, 55, of Pikeville, was arrested at 11am on Thursday after a tense 36-hour manhunt Kentucky police have charged a man with the murder of a police officer after a 36-hour manhunt. Pikeville Police Department Officer Scotty Hamilton was shot and killed while out on patrol late Tuesday night in Pike County, Kentucky. John Russell Hall, 55, of Pikeville, was arrested at 11am on Thursday after a tense search. Police had warned he should be considered 'armed and dangerous' before the arrest, which came a day-and-a-half after the shooting. Kentucky State Police moved in to detain him in the Stoney Brook area in the Betsy Layne community of Floyd County, abcNews reported. Hall, of Hurricane Road, was charged with murder and possession of a handgun by a convicted felon and taken to the Pike County Detention Center, according to police. He is yet to enter pleas to the charges. Hamilton and Kentucky State Police Trooper Matt Martin had been patrolling the Hurricane Creek area in Pike County on Tuesday night. Pikeville Police Department Officer Scotty Hamilton was shot and killed while out on patrol late Tuesday night in Pike County, Kentucky They found a suspicious vehicle and spoke with the passengers before canvassing the area around a nearby residence, police said. But the pair became separated during the search and minutes later Martin heard gunshots and discovered his colleague's body. Hamilton, a 12-year veteran of the Pikeville Police Department, was pronounced dead at the scene by the Pike County Coroner's Office, police said. The 35-year-old had a wife and nine-month-old daughter, according to Pikeville's 911 public safety director Paul Maynard. Advertisement British street artist Banksy has unveiled his latest work - a 70ft long mural in New York dedicated to Turkish artist Zehra Dogan who has been jailed for two years for painting a picture. Banksy's work features a projection of Dogan's original painting above a white wall covered in tally marks depicting the time she has already spent in jail. Dogan's portrait appears behind four of the tally marks like prison bars, although one of the marks has been turned into a pencil, representing her artistic defiance. In the bottom right corner is the slogan 'Free Zehra Dogan'. A 70ft-long mural painted by British street artist Banksy appeared in lower Manhattan overnight. It is dedicated to Turkish artist and journalist Zehra Dogan who was jailed for almost three years for painting a picture The mural features prison tally marks depicting the time she has already spent in jail, featuring a portrait of the artist looking as if she is behind bars, with one of the marks turned into a pencil The New York Times reported that the mural was 70ft long, made in collaboration with graffiti artist Borf and was unveiled on Thursday. 'I really feel for her. I've painted things much more worthy of a custodial sentence,' Banksy said in a statement to the paper. The anonymous artist wrote about the 'injustice' on Instagram, using the hashtag 'FREEzehradogan'. 'Sentenced to nearly three years in jail for painting a single picture,' he added. Dogan, who is of mixed Turkish and Kurdish descent, was jailed in March last year for a painting she made depicting the damage done by Turkish armed forces to the predominantly-Kurdish city of Nusaybin. She was charged with being connected to the Kurdistan Workers' Party, which Turkey considers a terrorist group, and sentenced to a total of two years, nine months and 22 days in jail. Explaining the reasons behind his work, Banksy said he feels for the plight of Dogan, adding: 'I've painted things much more worthy of a custodial sentence' The artwork also features a projection of Dogan's original painting (top left) which depicts destruction caused by Turkish armed forces in the predominantly-Kurdish city of Nusaybin President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has been battling against the Kurds and recently launched an offensive against positions in Afrin province, located in Syria. Ethnic Kurds have long been calling for the establishment of an independent state encompassing parts of Turkey, Syria, Iraq and Iran, or greater autonomy and rights within Turkey itself. Separatist groups have used terror attacks inside Turkey to exert political pressure, while Turkey has often used ground incursions and artillery bombardments in retaliation. The situation has been complicated because Kurdish forces formed the backbone of the Syrian Democratic forces, the US-backed rebels who were instrumental to defeating ISIS. American support for the Kurds has enraged the Turkish leadership which has been forming closer ties with Russia in recent months, though in January the White House signaled that its backing for the groups was waning. Ben Butler (pictured) is serving a life's sentence for beating his daughter Ellie to death at their south London home in October 2013. He has been giving evidence to her inquest by video link but today threatened to walk out of proceedings Ellie Butler's father threatened to walk out of her inquest claiming it proceedings are 'corrupt' while serving a life's sentence for her murder. Ben Butler beat his six-year-old daughter to death at their family home in Sutton, south London in October 2013. She was placed in the care of her grandparents as a baby after he was accused of shaking her, but was given back to him just 11 months after following a High Court order. Butler is serving life with a minimum term of 23 years for her murder and has been giving evidence to her inquest via video link from prison. But in a furious outburst, Butler told the hearing today: 'This is corrupt, I probably won't bother coming back this afternoon.' Referring to the coroner, retired High Court judge Dame Linda Dobbs, he added: 'You've been brought in just to do the job and not allowed anyone any leeway ever.' In response, Dame Linda warned him: 'I'm going to get extremely annoyed' and told him she would turn off his microphone if he continued. She added: 'Mr Butler, you have had the most incredible amount of leeway and I have been as patient as I can. 'That's entirely up to you if you don't want to take part in these proceedings. Ellie (pictured) was killed by Ben Butler at their family home in Sutton, south London, just 11 months after she was taken out of the care of her grandparents Neal and Linda Gray (centre and left) Pictured: Ellie Butler at home before her death in October 2013 'If you are discontent with that, so be it - if you carry on much longer I will turn you off, if you want to walk out that's up to you.' His tirade came after he was stopped from putting irrelevant questions to a witness at South London Coroner's Court in Croydon. The inquest will examine whether there were failures on the part of the authorities over Ellie's murder, including the sharing of information, co-operation and communication between organisations. Her mother, Jennie Gray (pictured), who was given a 42-month term for child cruelty and perverting the course of justice, is following the hearing from another prison Her mother, Jennie Gray, who was given a 42-month term for child cruelty and perverting the course of justice, is following the hearing from another prison. Yesterday Sutton Council extended their condolences to Ellie's grandparents, Linda and Neil Gray, who looked after her when she was taken from her mother and father over abuse claims. Richard Nash, executive head of safeguarding for children's services at Sutton Council, asked for permission to address her grandfather. He said: 'Mr Gray, as you know we have spoken on several occasions since Ellie's death. 'Today gives the first opportunity for the local authority to formally extend condolences to you on the death of your granddaughter and I wish to do that.' Mr Gray, who sat at the front of the hearing, replied: 'Thank you very much.' Mr Nash told South London Coroner's Court in Croydon the ruling left 'no role' for the local authority. He said the court had ordered private social workers should be used and that 'the door of the family's home was, in effect, firmly closed to London Borough of Sutton'. Ben Butler and Jennie Gray were jailed after he brutally murdered their six-year-old daughter Ellie (pictured together, right) He described the decision as 'disappointing' and added: 'Taking into account all the other evidence the court had sufficient cause, in the view of LBS, to question the safety of Ellie if she was to be placed in their parents' care. 'The court considered the position that LBS put forward at this time but rejected it.' Counsel for the inquest Adam Wiseman QC questioned Mr Nash on why more was not done by the council to protect Ellie. 'If the local authority had reasonable cause to suspect Ellie was at risk of significant harm your responsibility kicks in and Mrs Justice Hogg's ruling doesn't change that,' he added. Mr Nash replied that the 'threshold was set at a uniquely high level' because of the court ruling. The inquest is expected to conclude at the end of next week. Damilya Jossipalenya jumped to her death from her London apartment block when Alessio Bianchi (pictured), 26 threatened to send footage of him performing a sex act on him to her family A distraught girlfriend left a suicide note for her partner saying 'I love you, I'm sorry' before jumping to her death after he threatened to 'destroy' her by sending revenge porn to her family. Damilya Jossipalenya jumped to her death from her London apartment block when Alessio Bianchi, 26 threatened to send footage of him performing a sex act on him to her family. Hours before Bianchi had pushed her out his apartment in the early hours of the morning. He then threw her into the water feature outside the building, leaving her distraught and humiliated, Westminster Magistrates Court heard. Prosecutor, Carly Loftus, said: 'The complainant in this case, Miss Jossipalenya, was in a relationship with the defendant, they met while they were both students at university. 'They were together for two and a half years in an on-and-off way leading up to May 2017. 'On May 12, Ms Jossipalenya told police that there had been an argument at his apartment and he had 'grabbed her by the throat, struck her four or five times, spat on her and that she had passed out for a few seconds.' 'She came to and the defendant was carrying her on his shoulder and putting her on the floor,' Miss Loftus said. 'He told her that he loved her and gave her ice, he told her if she told anybody about the assault he would chase her and kill her.' The couple's university friends were aware of their tumultuous relationship and Bianchi had reported her to police himself on several occasions, when she had scratched him and when she had attempted suicide. 'On May 25 2017, late that day the complainant received a video recording on WhatsApp of her performing oral sex at a phone booth in north London,' Miss Loftus said. 'A message was sent attached to the recording saying, 'I am going to keep destroying you.' 'The complainant's friend also received the video from three different numbers, one had a message attached, saying 'I will f*** you up next, my love.' When Bianchi's phone was seized by police on June 1 they found WhatsApp messages in which he had asked his friend to send the video to Miss Jossipalenya. She reported the sending of the revenge porn to the police but continued the relationship afterwards. Ms Jossipalenya told police she did not know she was being recorded in the phone booth. 'I found it really insulting and humiliating, I think he's doing this for revenge because of the argument,' she explained. 'I am still in shock and feel broken.' She said she was 'very scared mentally and physically' because Bianchi had threatened to send the porn video, as well as footage of her taking cocaine, to her family. 'On Thursday 1 June, they went out together with friends and had been drinking and come back to the defendant's apartment at about half past eleven that evening,' Ms Loftus said. Bianchi, from Paddington, admitted disclosing private sexual photographs and films with intent to cause distress and one count of assault by beating at Westminster Magistrates' Court (pictured) 'They have had an argument and he has carried the complainant into the lift and taken her through the front door. 'The defendant pushed the complainant into the water feature at the front of the building, she was upset and cold after the incident.' There was CCTV footage shown to the court of Bianchi man-handling the girl outside his Paddington home. At one stage he was 'on top of her, making contact with her neck, on a bench.' The violence outside the building lasted for over half an hour before the concierge called police and in the early hours of June 2, Bianchi was arrested and had his phone seized. Bianchi claimed the marks and bruises on her were most likely caused as he pulled her from his 8th floor balcony, when she was trying to kill herself. The next day Bianchi received distraught text messages, similar to those he had received in the past, from Ms Jossipalenya. He called police and rushed to her apartment but found her dead on the ground. A suicide note, simply said: 'Alessio I love you, sorry.' Bianchi's defence lawyer, Steven Powles, said, 'In the footage she can be seen to look up at the camera twice,' and that 'it was in a phone booth, any members of the public walking past could have seen.' This was not dissimilar to videos she had taken part in in the past and Bianchi maintains she had consented to it being filmed. Mr Powles said 'It was a difficult relationship, both were immature and at times, jealous of each other.' The sight of his lover crumpled on the pavement has had a lasting impact on Bianchi, who has received treatment at the Nightingale Hospital for PTSD and complex bereavement disorder. 'He has lost someone who he loved and someone he intended to marry,' Mr Powles told the court. He was born in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, where his father works and he moved to London in 2009 to study at Regent's University. A statement from Miss Jossipalenya's family, who are from Kazakhstan, said: 'We cannot describe the pain we feel of losing our beloved Damilya. 'She was such an adorable, wonderful, loving, caring and intelligent girl. 'She loves everyone with all of her heart and tried to see the good in everyone she encountered. 'We are heartbroken to hear the details of the abuse and torment in which our daughter had to endure because of Mr Bianchi. 'She had a bright future ahead of her and had so many dreams and aspirations to accomplish great things. 'While we mourn the loss of a very good girl, we also celebrate her remarkable life and hope that the memory will live on in all that know her..' Magistrate, Larissa Keown, said: 'We have heard about a relationship that was complex and violent. 'It is not disputed that video was made and shared. 'The defendant knew of her mental health issues and must have known the effect this would have had on her. 'The assault was prolonged, with an extremely vulnerable victim and degrading in the way that it was carried out. 'We think that this is past the custody threshold and goes beyond our sentencing powers.' Bianchi, from Paddington, admitted disclosing private sexual photographs and films with intent to cause distress and one count of assault by beating. The suited Italian was accompanied by his father as magistrates decided to send his case to Southwark Crown Court for sentence on a date to be fixed. For confidential support call the Samaritans on 116123 or visit a local Samaritans branch, see www.samaritans.org for details. The Bank of England today said the risks posed by Brexit to Britain's powerhouse financial services are easing as progress is made in the talks. It said the Britain's banking system is strong enough to cope even if the UK crashes out of the EU without a deal. But the Bank's Financial Policy Committee (FPC) it also warned that Britain's looming departure could still pose a risk. And it called for Brussels and Westminster to issue more joint commitments to reassure business. Several European leaders including French President Emmanuel Macron are trying to use Brexit to try to swoop upon Britain's lucrative business and lure them the across the Channel. The Bank of England (headed by Governor Mark Carney, pictured)today said the risks posed by Brexit to Britain's powerhouse financial services are easing as progress is made in the talks But Theresa May and her ministers have warned that Britain's booming City is crucial for the EU-wide economy as well as the UK's. In a statement, the FPC said: 'Since November, in the United Kingdom, progress has been made towards mitigating risks of disruption to the availability of financial services. 'Nonetheless, material risks remain, particularly in areas where actions would be needed by both the UK and EU authorities.' The Bank has previously said that UK and EU legislation would be required to preserve the cross-border insurance and derivatives contracts. Some six million Britons and 30 million Europeans could be affected - with around 26 trillion of outstanding uncleared derivatives contracts could be affected. But the Bank's Financial Policy Committee (FPC) it also warned that Britain's looming departure could still pose a risk (pictured, the Bank of England) The FPC, which assess the financial stability risk facing the UK economy, said UK lenders did not need to further boost their capital reserves. The report warned of risks to the UK economy form across the world - including form the US corporate debt and vulnerabilities in China's financial system. It also warned Britain's current account deficit is still far larger than other countries, leaving Britain vulnerable if foreign investors suddenly pull out. Bank governor Mark Carney warned in the lead-up to the Brexit vote that the UK relied on the 'kindness of strangers' in order to finance the country's needs. The assessment comes ahead of a crunch EU summit next week where Mrs May is hoping leaders will agree to the transition deal. Many banking laws and regulations in the UK were drawn up by the EU. There is a risk these will suddenly no longer apply in the event of a no-deal Brexit, which could cause chaos. However, the FPC said the EU Withdrawal Bill which is being examined in Parliament will prevent this from happening. Firms have also asked for a two-year transition period meaning nothing would change for them until 2021 at the earliest. Britain and Brussels have agreed this in principle and could sign it off as soon as next week giving both parties extra certainty. Around 27billion of insurance policies held by ten million customers could be left invalid after Brexit because the rules they were drawn up under may no longer apply, according to the FPC. But the Bank said Britain has promised to change its laws so consumers are protected. The EU has not yet said it will do the same for its 38million insurance customers with policies worth 55billion. While ministers in the UK have said they will allow banks to use European firms for financial clearing, a service which underpins millions of trades a year, the EU has not made a reciprocal move leaving the continent at risk of disruption. The Bank said European firms often rely on the City for these services and without action by Brussels they could be cut off. Britain has also pledged to make sure European banks and investment firms can continue operating in London, the FPC said. A two-year-old girl has died after she was struck by a car in the driveway of a unit complex in Brisbane. The girl was hit just before 5.30pm on Friday in a quiet cul-de-sac in the suburb of Clayfield in the city's north. Police attended the scene after a father reversed a family vehicle out of the driveway when the girl was hit. The girl was hit just before 5.30pm on Friday in a quiet cul-de-sac in the suburb of Clayfield in the city's north Senior Sergeant district duty officer Catherine Jones described the accident 'terrible'. 'A father was reversing a family vehicle out of the driveway of the unit complex and unfortunately a young two-year-old female has been struck and has since passed away,' she said, according to the Courier Mail. The girl was treated at the scene by paramedics before she was transported to the Lady Cilento Hospital where she died. The family had been moving into the address where the girl had been killed. Sergeant Jones said the family were 'absolutely distraught' and visited the hospital where the toddler was taken to. Police attended the scene after a father reversed a family vehicle out of the driveway when the girl was hit A woman in the unit complex was believed to have given the young girl CPR until emergency services arrived. Another neighbour said the mother was in hysterics and the girl's father was rocking the toddler in her arms, the paper reported. These harrowing portraits show the women locked up in a Victorian asylum because they had conditions such as anorexia and 'female hysteria.' The images, taken between 1878 and 1910, were captured at the infamous Salpetriere Hospital in Paris, France. Little is known about the vulnerable women pictured, but they would have been hospitalised for conditions such as hysteria and what is now known as anorexia nervosa. Some of the pictures show women who were perhaps sectioned against their will for illnesses such as Parkinson's disease and minor facial spasms. They were taken by medical photographer Albert Londe - who was hired by neurologist Jean-Marie Charcot to capture portraits of the female patients at Salpetriere hospital. These harrowing portraits show the women locked up in a Victorian asylum because they had conditions such as anorexia and 'female hysteria.' Pictured, a woman diagnosed with hysteria Little is known about the vulnerable women pictured, but they would have been hospitalised for conditions such as hysteria and what is now known as anorexia nervosa A series of three photos showing a hysterical yawning woman, at the Salpetriere Hospital A demale patient with twitching eyelids (left) and a woman diagnosed as suffering from hysteria after having facial spasms (right) When Londe arrived at the hospital in 1878, the infirmary was home to 5,000 women purportedly suffering from mental illnesses. Charcot would go on to become pioneering figure in the understanding of hysteria. For centuries, hysteria was a common medical diagnosis, reserved exclusively for women. Women considered to have had it exhibited a wide array of symptoms - including faintness, nervousness, sexual desire, insomnia, fluid retention, shortness of breath, heaviness in the abdomen, irritability or just 'a tendency to cause trouble.' Up until the 19th century, hysteria was widely believed to be connected to a womb which was out of place. A female patient with melancholic catalepsy, a form of hysteria, photographed in the 1890s Little is known about these vulnerable women pictured who were hospitalized for conditions such as female hysteria and modern-day anorexia nervosa A praying woman, who is suffering with catalepsy caused by hysteria, is photographed A woman, who is suffering with catalepsy caused by hysteria, sniffs her fingers in a portrait The American physician Frederick Hollick deemed that a main cause of hysteria was the licentiousness present in women. Women diagnosed with hysteria were often forced to enter an insane asylum or to undergo a surgical hysterectomy. However, during Charcot's time at Salpetriere, he did somewhat reform the treatment of women diagnosed with hysteria. Under his guidance, female patients were treated through observation for the first time. Charcot talked to them, checked their reflexes, asked them to perform tasks and everything would be noted, sketched or photographed. A woman suffering with catalepsy caused by hysteria is pictured sobbing, which is said to be brought on by church bells A woman with Parkinson's disease is photographed at the Salpetriere Hospital in Paris Photograph of the bottom half of a woman who is suffering from hysteria at the asylum He initially believed that hysteria was a neurological disorder for which patients were pre-disposed by hereditary features of the nervous system. But near the end of his life in the 1890s, he concluded that hysteria was a psychological disease which could be caused by trauma. Charcot argued vehemently against the widespread medical prejudice that hysteria was rarely found in men. He also controversially used hypnotism to observe and even treat patients with the illness. Marie 'Blanche' Wittmann - known as the Queen of Hysterics - was Charcot's most famous hysteria patient at Salpetriere. He would hypnotize her at his weekly lectures so she would demonstrate her supposed illness. Sigmund Freud the founder of psychoanalysis - came to witness Wittman's hysterics at Charcot's lectures. A hysteria attack seen on a patient at the Salpetriere Hospital in Paris, France, in the 1890s Advertisement Blasts from one of HMS Belfast's powerful six inch guns thundered across London today as war heroes who served on the historic warship boarded the vessel once again for its 80th anniversary. Surviving veterans were honoured as they gathered on the deck of the ship, which has been moored on the Thames since 1971. The warship is the most significant surviving Second World War Royal Navy Warship, with a history extending back to the Arctic Convoys, D-Day, the Cold War, Korea and beyond. Today, visitors are meeting the ex-sailors and will even enjoy a slice of nine-tiered cake, made specially for the occasion by Great British Bake Off 2017 winner Sophie Faldo. The oldest surviving Second World War veteran of HMS Belfast, 104-year-old John Harrison, described the dangers of serving at sea, facing German magnetic mines and treacherous Arctic conditions. Blasts from HMS Belfast's powerful six inch gun thundered across London today as war heroes who served on the historic warship boarded the vessel once again Surviving veterans were honoured as they gathered on the deck of the ship, which has been moored on the Thames since 1971 One of the six inch guns on HMS Belfast is fired during a six-gun salute to mark its 80th anniversary Former Ordance Artificer John Harrison, aged 103, poses for photographers aboard the HMS Belfast today as war heroes who previously served on the historic ship went on board once again Mr Harrison, who served on HMS Belfast in the Second World War, recalled some of the dangerous conditions he and his crew had to endure in the Arctic He recounted a 'scary moment' when he was in the 'Arctic water', saying: 'I wanted to get to a turret, which was my turret, and you always count the big waves that come over, number seven' War heroes were honoured as they gathered on the deck of the ship, which has been moored on the banks of the Thames since 1971. Pictured: 104-year-old former Ordinance Artificer John Harrison leading the reunion today Today, visitors are meeting the ex-sailors and will even enjoy a slice of nine-tiered cake, made specially for the occasion by Great British Bake Off 2017 winner Sophie Faldo The oldest surviving Second World War veteran of HMS Belfast, 104-year-old John Harrison, described the dangers of serving at sea, facing German magnetic mines and treacherous Arctic conditions Mr Harrison described HMS Belfast as 'a lovely ship, there's some ships that are warm, and that was, it was a lovely ship, it still is' The 104-year-old served as an ordinance artificer on HMS Belfast in the Second World War and recalled some of the dangerous conditions he and his crew had to endure in the Arctic Mr Harrison, who commanded a gun turret during the Second World War, said: 'I was given a shore job with a crew to repair all merchant ships' guns, and that was a very interesting job. 'It's a warm feeling ship, it really is, right from the word go.' He recounted a 'scary moment' when he was in the 'Arctic water', saying: 'I wanted to get to a turret, which was my turret, and you always count the big waves that come over, number seven. 'I counted these big waves coming over, and dashed to my turret, grabbed the turret door and another one came over. 'My legs went up with the water, and my hand was actually frozen onto the turret handle, otherwise I would have gone over the side with it. 'I had to massage my hand, when the wave had gone past, to get my hand off it, open the turret door and get in. That was a scary moment, that was.' Mr Harrison described HMS Belfast as 'a lovely ship, there's some ships that are warm, and that was, it was a lovely ship, it still is'. He served as an ordinance artificer on HMS Belfast in the Second World War and recalled some of the dangerous conditions he and his crew had to endure in the Arctic. Mr Harrison also recalled the near-death experience when the ship was hit by a German magnetic mine. He said that it felt as if his head was squashed down into his shoulders and that the air bottle he was working in had blown up and might kill him. How did HMS Belfast become a permanent museum on the banks of the River Thames? Crowds gather to bear witness to HMS Belfast's launch ceremony on March 17 1938 Work on HMS Belfast began in 1936 amid fears over the growing military strength of Nazi Germany and she was launched in March 1938. Just over a year later, in November 1939, she struck a Nazi mine and spent the next three years undergoing repairs. However when she was relaunched in November 1942 the cruiser had been built up to be the Navy's strongest warship. In the following years she cemented her reputation as one the most feared ships in the conflict. She obliterated the German warship Scharnhorst in the Battle of North Cape in 1943 and played a key role in the Normandy landings, blasting the defences of the German army's famed 'Atlantic Wall'. After the war in Europe ended, Belfast was sent to join the British Pacific Fleet in the Far East where Japan still posed a threat. She saw action again between 1950 and 1952 in the Korean War. She was entered into reserve in 1963 and following a campaign to avoid her being scrapped by the Government a trust was created and private funds ensured she was preserved as a museum in 1971. The ship was moored on the Thames and opened to the public in 1978. She is the last remaining major warship from either world war. Sir James Eberle, a former gunnery officer on HMS Belfast who rose to become Supreme Commander of Nato, said she's a 'proud and noble vessel'. Advertisement Work on HMS Belfast began in 1936 amid fears over the growing military strength of Nazi Germany and she was launched in March 1938 She was launched on St Patrick's Day, 17 March 1938. Commissioned in early August 1939 shortly before the outbreak of the Second World War, Belfast was initially part of the British naval blockade against Germany The ship was on the verge of being scrapped in 1971 but was saved the Belfast Trust and docked in London for the public to view. In 1978, the Imperial War Museum took over its running He added: 'The deck stopped bouncing, but it was very very still and very, very dark. 'I found my way out and up, as I opened the hatch, water came pouring in and I thought 'my God, we've sunk', but one of the fire hoses had been distorted with the explosion and had directed right down my poor old hatch.' HMS Belfast was involved in the Arctic convoys between the Allies and the Soviet Union and played a pivotal role in D-Day and helping to liberate internment camps in the Far East in 1945, and was in the Korean War. The ship was on the verge of being scrapped in 1971 but was saved the Belfast Trust and docked in London for the public to view. In 1978, the Imperial War Museum took over its running. It is now moored on the River Thames between London Bridge and Tower Bridge,and is open to members of the public to visit. Mr Harrison added: 'There's very little history left which is partly active, and let's face it, this is partly active. 'It's got a wonderful history. The guns move and things can take place here, and I think it's got to be a must, because it's history working, moving.' Ian Kikuchi, senior curator at the IWM said HMS Belfast was an 'unique witness' to 20th century conflict. 'During this anniversary weekend visitors can come on board and experience the ship's life and adventures by walking the same decks, ducking through the same hatches and climbing up and down the same ladders as the crew who served on board,' he said. Among one of the peculiar stories to be retold include the first 'certificate for wounds and hurts' issued on the warship, which has been revealed by the Imperial War Museums, who own and run the vessel as a museum near Tower Bridge on the River Thames in London. The document cites the 'accidental traumatic amputation' of Boy John Campbell's 'first two phalanges' while carrying out a gun-drill on HMS Belfast. The incident is dated August 18, 1939 - the same month the warship was commissioned by the Royal Navy. What roles did HMS Belfast play during World War II and beyond? HMS Belfast leaving Scapa Flow in Scotland for the Normandy beaches in June 1944. The ship played a vital role in D-Day and helping to liberate internment camps in the Far East in 1945, and was in the Korean War On August 5 1939 HMS Belfast was commissioned into the Royal Navy and just a month later she was at war. On November 21, 1939, whilst leaving the Firth of Forth, HMS Belfast was severely damaged by a German magnetic mine, the damage was so severe that it was almost three years before she was fit for action again. She continued to serve in active military engagements until 1952, including participation in the destruction of the battle cruiser Scharnhorst the Normandy Landings and the Korean War. HMS Belfast survived fierce conflict during World War II and has one of the richest history of any warship. Work on the vessel began in 1936 and was launched in March 1938 amid fears over the growing military strength of Germany. Undated handout photo issued by the Imperial War Museum of HMS Belfast firing a six inch salvo against enemy troop concentrations on the west coast of Korea The vessel hit the Nazi mine in November 1939 and spent the next three years undergoing repairs. But she was relaunched as the Navy's strongest warship in November 1942. The following years saw Belfast become one the most feared ships in the war. She obliterated the German warship Scharnhorst in the Battle of North Cape in 1943 and played a key role in the Normandy landings. Belfast was deployed after the war to join the British Pacific Fleet the Far East where there was still a threat from Japan. She saw action again between 1950 and 1952 in the Korean War. Advertisement HMS Belfast is moored on the Thames in London in 2016. Rare documents and stories revealing what life was like serving on board HMS Belfast are being shared to mark the 80th anniversary of the historic warship's launch An Imperial War Museum handout photograph dated 16/05/1950 of HMS Belfast arriving at Kure, Japan. To mark the 80th anniversary, the oldest surviving World War Two veteran who served on HMS Belfast, described the dangers of serving at sea, facing German magnetic mines and treacherous Arctic conditions HMS Belfast encountering heavy seas off Iceland in February 1943 during the Arctic Convoys, as stories and rare documents revealing life aboard HMS Belfast are being shared ahead of the 80th anniversary weekend of the historic warship's launch on March 17-18 Undated handout photo issued by the Imperial War Museum of HMS Belfast sailing under Tower Bridge to take up its permanent mooring in the Pool of London An undated photograph of British children, liberated from Japanese internment camps in Shanghai, China, being entertained aboard HMS Belfast in October 1945 An undated photograph of HMS Belfast after the visit of King George VI. The ship was on the verge of being scrapped in 1971 but was saved the Belfast Trust and docked in London for the public to view. In 1978, the Imperial War Museum took over its running A German Shepherd which was accidentally flown to Japan by United Airlines earlier this week in a disastrous mix-up has been returned to its owners in style. Irgo the 10-year-old dog arrived back in Wichita, Kansas, on Thursday on board the scandal-hit airline's corporate jet. He had been in Naruto, Japan, where he was sent by mistake on Tuesday after being mixed-up with a Lincoln the Great Dane at Denver International Airport. Irgo's owner Kara Swindle, 27, has now vowed to sue the airline. The mix-up happened a day after another dog suffocated in the overhead bin during another flight. Swindle had arranged for Irgo to fly in the hold as she and her family moved from Salem, Oregon, to Wichita, Kansas on Tuesday. Scroll down for video Irgo the German Shepherd was reunited with owner Kara Swindle and her children in Wichita, Kansas, on Thursday, two days after being accidentally flown to Japan by United Airlines Swindle, 27, said she was relieved to finally have the 10-year-old dog back after being separated from him for two days Irgo was flown back from Japan on United Airline's corporate jet. The airline took no chances after being blamed for the death of a bulldog puppy which suffocated in its overhead bin earlier this week But when they went to collect him once their flight had landed, they were given a Great Dane instead. Irgo, they learned, had been put in that dog's place on a one-way flight to Naruto, Japan by mistake by handlers who confused the two animals at Denver Airport, where they had stopped over. After alerting United staff, Swindle got in touch with Lincoln's owners, an American military family who live in Japan. They kept in touch over Facebook until both dogs were safely returned, she told DailyMail.com on Friday. The woman said she was in 'complete shock' when she went to collect Irgo on Tuesday and found that he had not made the flight. 'I just couldnt believe how this could happen!' she said. After alerting staff, she says she was told her dog would fly home in a regular cabin but 'for some reason', the airline changed its mind. United told the dog's owner it would fly him back on a regular flight but changed its mind as the scandal surrounding its treatment of another dog spread in the US. Above, the corporate jet Irgo ended up being flown back on (left) and him on board the flight (right) being given the royal treatment 'United wouldn't let him fly in the cabin so they decided doing their corporate jet would be the best bet and got him there a whole lot faster as well. 'He's never gonna want to fly regular again!' she joked. Swindle added that while she is grateful the airline has apologized to her and her family, she plans to sue them to ensure the same mistake does not happen again. 'I don't want this to ever happen again and I want to make sure they actually do something to stop all of this and make sure that no one has to go through this,' she told Good Morning America. She has been assured that the other dog was returned safely to Naruto though it is not clear if that animal was flown in the lap of luxury too. United Airlines did not immediately respond to DailyMail.com's request for comment on Friday morning. Wrong dog: Swindle was greeted by Lincoln (pictured, the Great Dane, when she went to collect her dog. Lincoln belongs to an American military family who live in Japan Irgo is pictured being brought off the flight in Naruto, Japan. The photographs were taken by United Airlines staff Swindle says she now plans to sue United Airlines over the ordeal. She is pictured with Irgo and the rest of the family on Thursday The airline is already facing a criminal investigation over the death of a French bulldog puppy which suffocated during a flight from Houston to New York a day earlier. Kokito the puppy was in a carry bag when a flight attendant allegedly forced his owner Catalina Robledo to put him in the overheard bin. Robledo said she told the employee that there was a dog in the bag and that he would not be able to breathe but that they forced her to put him there anyway. At first United insisted that the air stewardess had not been told there was a dog inside the bag. After Robledo said other passengers had heard her making it clear that there was, the airline changed its statement to say that the employee did not understand her comments. Kokito barked for two hours then went quiet, according to his owner. At the end of the three-hour flight, he was dead, she said. His death is being investigated by the animal cruelty division of the Harris County District Attorney. A man has died from stab wounds after a fight at a Melbourne apartment block on Friday night. The victim collapsed at the petrol station on Church Street in Richmond after rushing there for help. The man believed to be in his 20s left a blood trail behind him after he fled the housing complex in the inner-city suburb. A man has died after he was stabbed in a street fight on Church Street, Richmond Emergency services attended the scene at 8.30pm on Friday night after he collapsed from the wounds 'There was quite a lot of splattered across the pavement leading down the stairs,' one resident told the Herald Sun. Emergency services attended the the 7-Eleven at 8.30pm after reports of a fight between two men. Paramedics attempted to revive him but he died from the stab wounds in the ambulance. A man was arrested at the scene and is being questioned by the Homicide Squad detectives. Residents of the housing unit say there have been regular fights in the past fortnight with one mother saying there has been blood in the foyer every couple of days. A man was arrested at the scene and is being questioned by the Homicide Squad detectives 'There's been up to 30 youths fighting, punching, stabbing, slashing and swearing at each other,' she said. She said: 'Police have told us it's not safe to bring our kids out after dark. Theyve given up, they dont even show up anymore when we call.' Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers. An Ohio high school student was suspended after he decided to stay in school while his peers joined a national walkout protest against gun violence on Wednesday. Jacob Shoemaker, a senior at Hilliard Davidson High School, decided to stay in his classroom as a form of nonpolitical protest and to avoid being grouped in with those who opted to walk out or stay in. As a result, the senior was given a one-day out-of-school suspension. Jacob Shoemaker, above, a Hilliard Davidson High School senior was suspended after he refused to join the students in Wednesday's walkout as well as the students that stayed behind Instead he remained alone in his classroom to be nonpolitical in the protest against gun violence, earning him a one day suspension slip (above) for 'refusing to follow instructions' The reason says 'Student refused to follow instructions'. The school district says it's responsible for students' safety and they can't be unsupervised as the reasoning for the punishment. 'I can only confirm that no student was suspended for not walking out, nor were any suspended for walking out,' spokesperson Stacie Raterman of Hilliard City Schools said. The suspension slip has gone viral, bringing attention to how the student was kicked out of the school for a day for refusing to join either group. 'I really didnt have a choice here,' Jacob said to ABC6. 'If you walked out you were with the protest, you were for gun control and anti-gun violence. And if you sat in this pit with all these other people you were pro gun-violence,' he said. He said by sitting in his classroom alone he chose a neutral option. 'It's the least political protest that exists and the thing that I was protesting in politics in the classroom. I feel that it has no place. In a school, in a district, anywhere,' he said. The viral slip included the phone number of father Scott Shoemaker and led to a wave of anonymous phone calls. The slip went viral, bringing Jacob and father Scott Shoemaker, above, into the spotlight. Scott said he received angry phone calls in light of the suspension Many students at the Hilliard High (above) walked out as a part of the national protest that saw students across the country walkout Scott said he received a myriad of angry comments, with many callers thinking his son was suspended for walking out. The father said he had even received a couple death threats. He took to Facebook to clear the air. 'Thought I was going to have a normal day yesterday until my son's story (and my old phone number) went viral and media outlets from all over the country started contacting me,' Scott wrote online. 'Jacob felt he was forced to make a political decision at school, but refrained. This was not the first time we have had problems with politics in the classroom as many of you are well aware. 'Proud of my son for sticking to his guns and avoiding politics in the school, although the school and the school district were less than thrilled with his decision and probably the unwanted attention that they are getting for the harsh decision that they made,' he said. Jacob will return to school tomorrow. Wednesday's protest saw thousands of students leave school to protest gun violence and remember the lives lost in the Parkland, Florida, protest in Dayton, Ohio pictured above A moment of silence was shared between protesters in Dayton, Ohio, to remember the 17 that died in Parkland, Florida Students in the protest held up signs that said 'Join the alliance, end gun violence' pictured in Cincinnati, Ohio on Wednesday Newly released documents show Harold Allen, 76, said he was the only person taking care of his wife, Karen Allen, 74, when she died weighing just 68 pounds in their Tampa home in January 2017 Newly released police interrogation video shows the husband of a woman who died weighing just 68 pounds telling police how he was the only person who cared for her, leading up to her death. Harold Allen, 76, has been charged with aggravated manslaughter for the death of his wife, Karen Allen, 74, in Tampa, Florida in January 2017. 'I shouldve got some help, I guess,' the man told police, in a video recorded at the time his wife's frail body was found in their home, lifeless, between their bed sheets. Their oldest daughter told police she thought Harold was abusing her mother. Investigators first released the clip, along with hundreds of images and documents related to the case, earlier this month to the Tampa Bay Times. 'I should have made her get her butt to the hospital,' the retired welder said. 'And I just respected her feelings, which I shouldnt have done, I guess.' Harold's wife was also the mother of their two children. Their oldest daughter, Taunya Momberger, described her father as a man with a temper, who drove her and her sister, Tracee, away. Momberger told detectives her parents' relationship was that of an 'abuser' and an 'enabler,' and that when she saw her mom over Mother's Day in 2016, she asked her to leave with her when she went back home to Georgia. She made the trip, she said, because a phone call with her father had alerted her that her mother may have scratched her father while trying to defend herself from him. 'I shouldve got some help, I guess,' Harold told police, in a video recorded at the time his wife's frail body was found in their home, lifeless, between their bed sheets in January 2017; Harold was charged with aggravated manslaughter in August and his next court date is Tuesday When Momberger got to Florida, she took her parents out for fast food, and noticed her mother was exceptionally quiet. 'She seemed mentally beaten down,' Momberger said, according to the documents. 'If he was there, she would not speak to me. It was like talking to a Stepford Wife.' 'It was very clear that she was afraid of him.' Before Momberger left after that visit, a Sheriff's deputy was called to the home, which is confirmed in notes dated May 9, 2016. Harold described his wife to detectives as a 'sweet lady,' saying he 'wouldn't have been nothing without her.' But according to Harold's account, his wife's mental and physical health rapidly deteriorated in the weeks leading up to her death. He said she was 'irritable,' had stopped doing housework, would have fits where she would jump up and and into objects, and run outside, forcing him to slap and restrain her to get her to come back into their home. Harold attributed this behavior to 'Dementia,' but it Karen hadn't seen a doctor in the last three to five years, he told detectives. 'She wouldnt go,' he said. 'She just didnt want to go.' She also hadn't been able to walk or her move around on her own for at least a month, according to Harold, leading up to her death. 'Id help her to the bathroom and stuff like that. Id take care of her, make her walk,' he said. 'And Id walk her into the living room and sometimes set her down on the couch.' Harold also claims that not long before her death, Karen fell in the bedroom and 'busted her eye and her lip,' after knocking out her own tooth by jumping off the couch and crashing into a wall, a few months before that. Karen died in January 2017, in the home she shared with Harold in Tampa, Florida (pictured) Karen had also stopped talking, one week before she died, Harold said. His wife was not eating much more than a daily peanut butter sandwich, he said. It was when Harold noticed that Karen had stopped breathing that he called 9-1-1, he told the investigators in the video. Detectives said a medical examiner's report showed a lack of bedsores and clean body. which demonstrated 'a level of care.' The report also showed that there was no food in Karen's stomach. Harold and Karen had been married for 50 years. They first met in Wyoming when Harold was working on a missile base in the US Army and Karen was working as a legislative page. They later moved to Florida together, where they made their home in Tampa. Harold was charged in August with aggravated manslaughter of an elderly or disabled person, which is a first degree felony. He remained in custody for three days before he was released after posting $15,000 bail. Harold entered a plea of not guilty in September. Assistant public defender Kay Murray is representing Allen. His next court date is scheduled for Tuesday. Neither Harold, nor his daughters could immediately be reached to provide additional comment. A hunt is underway to catch a phantom feller who poisons and chops down trees in the dead of night to improve the view in one of Britain's most exclusive areas. Three pipe trees were sliced with a hacksaw overnight on Tuesday on the Sandbanks peninsula in Dorset. Officials believe the offender is the same person who fatally poisoned two others next to it with a weed killer just weeks before. Mystery feller: Trees on a piece of public land opposite a row of luxury homes have been chopped down with a hack saw in the dead of night (above, the scene on Wednesday) The three specimens stood on an area of public land in front of a row of luxury homes that overlook Poole Harbour. The local authority has launched an investigation into the attacks which they believe to be the work of a resident want to improve their vista. It is the latest incident of 'selfish' vandalism on trees that have blocked similar views to occur in the Poole and Bournemouth area. In 2012 homeowner Neil Davey was fined 75,000 for having a neighbour's tree felled because it stood in the way of his panorama of Poole Harbour from his hot tub. A year earlier a 50-year-old oak tree that stood by the harbour's edge was cut down with a chainsaw because it interrupted another resident's view. Three pipe trees were sliced with a hacksaw overnight on Tuesday on the Sandbanks peninsula in Dorset The local authority has launched an investigation into the attacks which they believe to be the work of a resident want to improve their vista In Bournemouth, there is an ongoing investigation into the fatal poisoning of a several trees in front of block of cliff-top flats. Properties in the Sandbanks area that have uninterrupted sea views are said to be worth as much as 1m more in value. Poole Borough Council launched the latest probe on Tuesday when workmen in the area reported the young 7ft tall stone pine tree had been cut down on the junction of Brudenell Avenue and Sandbanks Road. It is believed it was hacked down the evening before by the same person who had poisoned the two Corsican pine trees 18 months ago. Andy Dearing, the planning enforcement officer at Poole Borough Council, explained the three pines were planted about two years ago to improve the street scene in the area. It is believed it was hacked down the evening before by the same person who had poisoned the two Corsican pine trees 18 months ago. Properties in the Sandbanks area that have uninterrupted sea views are said to be worth as much as 1m more in value They deliberately chose the two different species as they are low-growing pines but the culprit must have formed the view they would grow on to threaten their view, Mr Dearing said. Although the two poison attacks happened about 18 months ago, the council has only now revealed this following the loss of the third. Mr Dearing said: 'It is absolutely about the views, without a shadow of a doubt. 'Someone has formed the perception that these low growing young pines would grow up and threaten their views. 'The only motive for the tree destruction at this location is to secure the views across the harbour from nearby houses. 'The three trees destroyed were slow growing and were planted as a long term study into potential trees species that could help to improve the resilience of the Sandbanks peninsula. 'These trees were also providing a future food source for migratory birds. The council is appealing for any one with information to contact them and have reassured potential witnesses that they will be treated in the strictest confidence 'It is so frustrating and I don't understand the selfish mentality behind it. It seems to be a particular problem in Poole and Bournemouth involving high-end properties with sea views. 'In the longer term it might be time to consider secure fencing to protect any replanted trees from further attacks.' Although Poole council is appealing for witnesses to the most recent attack, officials are yet to make door-to-door enquiries. One local resident, who didn't wish to be named, expressed her shock at the tree felling. She said: 'We don't want to see trees taken down unnecessarily. 'Of course if the tree is a danger to the public if should be taken down but clearly in this case it is not a safety issue. 'You should not devastate a tree unless there is a very good reason for it, certainly not to improve your view.' Councillor Ian Potter, head of planning and regeneration at Poole council, said: 'This tree was making a positive contribution to the street scene of Brudenell Avenue so it's very concerning that it has been destroyed in this way. 'The council is fully committed to protecting Poole's environment and will have no hesitation in seeking prosecution through the courts against those individuals who seek to damage or destroy trees.' The council is appealing for any one with information to contact them and have reassured potential witnesses that they will be treated in the strictest confidence. Shakira Raposo, 14, was spotted leaving her home in Hanwell, Ealing, on Monday, March 12, but hasn't been seen since The family of a 14-year-old girl who was last seen five days ago are 'very concerned' for their missing daughter. Shakira Raposo was spotted leaving her home in Hanwell, Ealing, on Monday, March 12, but hasn't been seen since. Police are urging the public to look out for the teenage girl and have described her disappearance as 'out of character'. Shakira is known to frequent a number of areas across west London. She frequently visits Shepherds Bush, Ealing Broadway, Acton and Ruislip, police have said. The Metropolitan Police said in a statement: 'Police and Shakira's family are very concerned for her welfare. Her disappearance is described as out of character.' Officers believe the young girl may be in the company of an older female. A couple who were wrongly accused of faking a kidnapping and burglary in a case which saw them mischaracterized as the real life Gone Girl have been awarded $2.5million in damages. Denise Huskins, 32, and Aaron Quinn, 33, were at home in Vallejo, California, in March 2015 when mentally ill Harvard-educated lawyer Matthew Muller broke in, drugged them both and abducted Huskins. For two days, he held her captive and raped her, all the while demanding a $15,000 ransom from her boyfriend. Quinn, who had been drugged and tied up, called police after the break-in but was immediately questioned as a suspect. When his girlfriend reappeared two days later, the local police department's story changed from suggesting he had killed her. Instead, they said the pair had made the entire thing up. Aaron Quinn and Denise Huskins (pictured after getting engaged last March) have been awarded $2.5million by police who accused them of lying in 2015 when she was kidnapped and raped for two days It sparked national media attention and the couple, who were both physiotherapists, fled their home. They remained suspects until two months later when Muller was arrested for another burglary in a different part of the state. Police found strands of Huskins' hair attached to swimming goggles he had put on her to cover her eyes during the March abduction. The Vallejo Police department privately apologized to the pair but they sued for defamation and on Thursday they won their case. Matthew Muller broke into the couple's home and drugged them both on March 23, 2015. He was arrested two months later after police found Denise's DNA in his car Neither of them has spoken about the settlement but Quinn's mother Marianne argued it was not enough to make up for what they had endured. 'Its a nice amount of money, but when a house in the Bay Area costs a million and a half, its not a lot. 'I was hoping they would get enough to buy a house and send their kids off to college,' she told The San Francisco Chronicle. She said the couple, who plan to get married in September, now want to move on from the ordeal, adding: 'It's time to get past it'. Huskins was dubbed the real life Gone Girl after police questioned her story in 2015. After being released by Muller and when they fled their home, many said it was proof that they had lied and the couple was inundated with nasty comments on social media from trolls who believed that had made the story up. Vallejo Police Lt. Kenny Park said as much at a press conference after Huskins resurfaced. 'We were not able to substantiate any of the things that he was saying. If anything, it is Mr. Quinn and Ms. Huskins that owe this community an apology,' he said. The couple were asleep in their home in Vallejo, California, when Muller broke in at 3am and drugged them both Two days after she went missing, Huskins reappeared at her parents' home hours away. She and her boyfriend (seen above at a press conference in July 2015) were immediately branded liars by the police department On March 26 and 28, days after Huskins had been returned, the San Francisco Chronicle received emails from someone purporting to be her kidnapper. They included images of the place they said she had been kept and some of the equipment used in the kidnapping. The newspaper sent them to police. In the emails, the sender said Huskins was not their real target and that she had been taken by mistake. They described themselves as part of a group of 'gentlemen's thieves' like Ocean's Eleven. It was not until June 8 that Muller was arrested. Despite his arrest, police did not offer a public apology and instead issued one privately to the couple. They however stood by their decision to label the ordeal a hoax and said the evidence suggested as much. Among their nuggets of proof was that Denise 'didn't act like a kidnapping victim' when she reappeared at her parents' home days after she was taken. There was also a suggestion that she had fabricated being sexually assaulted after her mother told detectives she had been molested as a child. At a press conference on March 25, 2015, the same day Denise reappeared, Vallejo Police Lt. Kenny Park labeled the couple liars and said they should both apologize to the community for 'wasting resources'. It is not clear if he still works at the police department Muller told prosecutors he has bipolar disorder and was taking medication at the time of the kidnapping. He is a former Marine and Harvard-educated lawyer One deputy told her that 'in his experience, women who have already been sexually assaulted often pretend that it is happening again in order to gain attention and relive the excitement of that experience,' according to their lawsuit. Once Muller was arrested and in court, Huskins testified about how he had raped her when she was being held captive. She said he had treated her like 'an animal' as he raped her. Quinn and Huskins plan to get married in September. Neither has commented on their settlement but his mother says she hoped they would win more 'You flopped me around the bed like a rag doll. 'The only way I got through it was to picture that it was Aaron that I was with, and that will haunt me for the rest of my life,' she said. Muller, a former Marine, told prosecutors that he suffered bipolar disorder and was medicated when he abducted the woman. He was sentenced to 40 years imprisonment last March after pleading guilty to kidnapping. As part of his plea deal, he was not sentenced for sexually assaulting or drugging the woman or her boyfriend. Days after he was sentenced last year, Quinn proposed to Huskins. They shared photographs of the proposal on social media and thanked well wishers for their support throughout the ordeal. This is the brave Florida mom who evaded abduction by stabbing to death the man who notoriously claimed to have cremated Natalee Holloway's remains. John Christopher Ludwick died Wednesday after 23-year-old Emily Heistand wrestled a knife from him and plunged it into his abdomen during a struggle on her driveway. The 32-year-old staggered off but was found collapsed in the street a few blocks away and airlifted to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Cops in North Port, Florida have declined to charge Heistand saying she 'fought for her life' after Ludwick donned a black mask and hoodie and ambushed her as she got out of her car at around 6.45am. DailyMail.com has been told the pair were previously lovers but the petite mother-of-one reunited with her ex-boyfriend in February and told Ludwick it was over. Brave: Emily Heistand, 23, fatally stabbed John Christopher Ludwick in the abdomen after he ambushed her and tried to kidnap her on her driveway on Wednesday morning Ludwick, 32, was a former friend of Joran Van der Sloot - a prime suspect in the Natalee Holloway case. He had previously claimed that Van der Sloot told him where the missing teen was buried and paid him $1,500 to cremate the remains Crime scene: Ludwick attempted the kidnap of Emily Heistand on the driveway of her home In a further twist, we can also reveal that when their relationship soured, Heistand acted as an unofficial 'informant', passing on 'secrets' that later featured in a controversial TV investigation into the Holloway case. Ludwick was a former friend of Joran Van der Sloot, prime suspect in the Alabama teen's 2005 disappearance on a high school graduation trip to Aruba. He claimed in a TV documentary that Van der Sloot told him five years later where she was buried and paid him $1,500 to dig her up and cremate the remains. 'The idea was to crush everything to the point where it wasn't recognizable as her bones or skull or anything like that,' he told The Disappearance of Natalee Holloway, which aired last fall. Bone fragments were found at the spot where Ludwick said the gruesome disposal took place however forensic analysis showed they didn't belong to 18-year-old Holloway. Neither he nor Van der Sloot - currently languishing in a Peruvian jail for the 2010 murder of another woman - have ever been charged. The Oxygen network mini-series was centered on a new investigation carried out by Holloway's father, Dave, and his private investigator, TJ Ward, who learned about Ludwick's claims via a former roommate. Gabriel Madrigal, Ludwick's ex-roommate, gathered leads and videotaped Ludwick's apparent confessions when the two men lived together from November 2016 to July of 2017. In the wake of Ludwick's shock death, he told DailyMail.com that Heistand was a frequent overnight guest. Madrigal said the woman remained friendly with Ludwick despite hearing about his apparent involvement in the Holloway case but decided to get back with her previous boyfriend after his release from prison in February. Vanished: Natalee Holloway was on a high school graduation trip to Aruba when she disappeared after an evening at a nightclub in May 2005. Her body was never recovered The 18-year-old's disappearance sparked international media attention 'John said if you go back to him I'm going to kill you b***h,' Madrigal told DailyMail.com. 'But John is someone who barks and barks. He usually does absolutely nothing.' In a video interview Madrigal recorded last year, he asked Heistand, who has a young daughter, why she chose to remain friends with Ludwick. 'Until he gets in trouble it's not real,' she says in the footage. 'Dude, he tells me a different story every time. I don't know what to believe. 'I feel like if it really happened he'd be in trouble. When he gets charged I'll be like, my dog killed somebody.' Asked whether she was worried Ludwick may try to kill her, she laughed and replied: 'He doesn't have the balls to kill me, little John. I think John's a good person he just did some stupid s**t.' Heistand can then be seen climbing into a white car with Ludwick, whose rap sheet includes convictions for possessing marijuana and controlled substances. However in a subsequent video she appears to have changed her tune, saying: 'I think what he did is disturbing and he's like obsessed with me and it's gross.' She then explains that she's been taking advantage of the fact Ludwick is 'in love' with her to procure information for Madrigal that would later be featured in the documentary. 'He just tells me he has a big secret. He wants to be in a relationship with me,' Heistand says. 'I made him feel comfortable with me like I want to be with him. He has a big secret that could solve everything.' Mother-of-one Heistand previously dated Ludwick and served as an unofficial informant passing on secrets about the unsolved murder that she had learned from him. Above she is pictured during an interview in 2017 Gabriel Madrigal, Ludwick's ex-roommate, gathered leads and videotaped Ludwick's apparent confessions when the two men lived together from November 2016 to July of 2017 Acting on Madrigal's information, TJ Ward located what appeared to be human bones in Aruba sparking hopes of a major breakthrough. However DNA testing concluded that only one of the fragments was human and it did not belong to Holloway. Her mother Beth Holloway subsequently sued the network, alleging the six-part series was a 'farce' that gave her false hope her daughter's remains had been discovered and caused her unnecessary suffering. The North Port Police Department said this week it had reached out to investigators in charge of the 13-year-old Holloway case. 'We are aware of Mr Ludwick's history and comments surrounding the disappearance of Natalee Ann Holloway in Aruba during May of 2005,' a statement said. 'The correct authorities who are working that case have been notified.' A police report obtained by DailyMail.com reveals that Heistand had pulled into her driveway early Wednesday when a man in a dark hoodie and mask ran towards her and pushed her back into the driver's seat. In spite of the disguise she immediately recognized Ludwick, who pressed a knife to her throat and tried to stuff a cloth into her mouth. As he tried to push her towards the passenger's side and start the car, Heistand - whose name is redacted in the document - fought back and grabbed the knife in her right hand. She scrambled out of the car and when 5ft 11in Ludwick tried to pull her back she 'swung her right hand backwards'. Heistand raced inside and dialed 911 before telling police she feared she had stabbed or cut her attacker because there was blood on the knife. Van der Sloot was arrested multiple times in connection to the murder of Natalee Holloway but has never been charged An eyewitness interviewed by DailyMail.com confirmed the young mom's account, saying she was walking her dog and heard screaming coming from Heistand's rented home on the grounds of a church. The witness said she saw a man in black with his arms around a blonde woman who was screaming in terror and trying to flee. 'She was absolutely acting in self-defense,' the woman said, asking to remain anonymous. 'They were struggling, she broke away. She didn't look back, her only concern was getting away from him.' A second witness, Jeffery Caudill, 34, told DailyMail.com he was driving to work when he saw Ludwick stumbling into a nearby street and called an ambulance. 'He collapsed in front of me then got up, walked across the road, and collapsed again. This time his head hit the asphalt hard,' he said. 'Honestly, I just thought he was drunk.' Heistand told DailyMail.com: 'I have no comment until the police release their official statement.' North Port Police Department spokesman Joshua Taylor confirmed Thursday that nobody would face charges over the killing. 'From every ounce of evidence we have so far, she was a victim in this case,' Taylor told reporters. A man standing outside the single story home where Heistand lives with her mother and daughter on the grounds of the Trinity United Methodist Church said she was not available for comment. Ludwick lived at home with his grieving father John, 60, who also declined to speak. Natalee Holloway was on a graduation trip to Aruba with 130 classmates from Mountain Brook High School just outside Birmingham, when she disappeared on May 30, 2005. She was last seen with three men including Van der Sloot, who was a 17-year-old Dutch national who lived on the island at the time, after an evening at a nightclub. Van der Sloot soon became the prime suspect but despite being arrested twice he was never charged in connection with her disappearance. Five years to the day after she vanished Van der Sloot killed student Stephany Flores in Lima, Peru, after she allegedly accessed his computer and discovered his connection to Natalee's case. He is now serving a 28-year sentence in the isolated Challapalca prison, 16,000 ft. up in the Andes near Peru's borders with Bolivia and Chile. World Sleep Day 2018 is here, so celebrate by getting cozy in bed and catching some quality z's. That's right, the World Sleep Day Committee has organized an entire day devoted to the importance of sleep and bringing awareness to sleep-related issues. The annual celebration is held the Friday before the spring vernal equinox, which is March 20 this year. World Sleep Day is an event organized by the World Sleep Day Committee of World Sleep Society. World Sleep Day is celebrated on the last Friday before the spring vernal equinox every year Its goal is to help alleviate some of the burden people with sleep disorders, like insomnia, experience and help them better manage such issues. So what do you need to know about World Sleep Day? When is World Sleep Day 2018? World Sleep Day 2018 is celebrated on Friday March 16, 2018. Only 10% of people believe their day begins with a good nights sleep. Rethink your priorities. Begin each day by getting quality sleep. #YourDayBeginsWithSleep #SleepAwarenessWeek2018 pic.twitter.com/ddjGBLXzF6 Sleep Foundation (@sleepfoundation) March 16, 2018 World Sleep Day events and activities United States About 12 World Sleep Day events are set to take place in the United States. Among them is a Family Sleep Institute event, which provides families with young children in the Danbury, Connecticut, area with tips and information on sleep; a Start With Sleep event in the Buffalo, New York, area that will focus on sleep and college students, keys to sleep health, a kids yoga class on March 17, 2018; and an event with Arianna Huffington and Thrive Global in New York City. Find more World Sleep Day events in the U.S. here. United Kingdom Six or more World Sleep Day events are being held in the United Kingdom this World Sleep Day. There will be an event at the University of Chichester to emphasize healthy sleep habits, an event at the Bethlem Museum of the Mind, during which there'll be a reading about a piece of work by Bryan Charnley on display that the museum, appropriately titled, Sleep, and an event hosted by holistic therapist Zoe Penny in Stockport, U.K. For more information and events click here. Australia A handful of World Sleep Day events are being held in Australia, including an opportunity for sleepy Melbourne-dwellers to stay for free at the Crown Promenade on Friday to catch up on sleep. Only 30 people will be selected to enjoy all the luxurious amenities being offered by the hotel, however. More information on events can be found here. The numbers dont lie: among those with excellent sleep health, nearly 90% say they are very effective at getting things done each day, compared to only 46% of those with poor sleep health. #YourDayBeginsWithSleep pic.twitter.com/TQpP42BHm3 Sleep Foundation (@sleepfoundation) March 13, 2018 How much sleep should you get? According to the World Sleep Day site, the ideal amount of sleep a person should be getting nightly is between seven and eight hours. The site notes, however, 'the optimal sleep duration is largely determined by heredity'. Ways to sleep better There are a number of every day stressors and outside facts that effect the way you sleep. Fortunately, there are things you can do to make falling asleep, and staying asleep, an easier experience. First of all, you should figure out how much sleep you actually should be getting. The National Sleep Foundation has recommendations on their website based on age. They recommend seven to eight hours for older adults, seven to nine for adults, eight to ten hours for teens and nine to 11 hours for school aged kids between six and 13 years old. Last night, almost all of America got a poor nights sleep. This week, think about the importance of getting enough sleep every day. #DaylightSavingsTime #SleepAwarenessWeek2018 #YourDayBeginsWithSleep pic.twitter.com/yrOpnx4qWJ Sleep Foundation (@sleepfoundation) March 11, 2018 According to the HuffPost, setting an alarm for bed time can be useful. This is especially helpful to people who want to go to bed earlier, but find themselves losing track of time and staying up late. Those hoping to ease their journey to dreamland each night should avoid naps during the day and cut caffeine off in the early afternoon to avoid later disruptions. You should also stop drinking alcohol about three hours before bed, wrap up a workout around two hours prior and avoid screen time for an hour or more before heading to bed. Heavy meals and stressful activities, like work projects and studying, should conclude an hour before bed as well. Livestrong's website recommends giving Yoga poses, like hero pose, the standing forward bend, cow and cat poses, legs up on the wall pose and more, a try before crawling into your bed each night. Avoid driving during times when youre not alert. Know your bodys rhythms. #alertatthewheel pic.twitter.com/LYreO7Jx5g Sleep Foundation (@sleepfoundation) November 11, 2017 Pillows should be changed out regularly and sheets and other bedding should be washed often to avoid allergens from avoiding sleep. If anxiety's keeping you up at night, give a weighted blanket a try. It's also been proven helpful to infuse lavender scents into your bedroom and keep it at about 67 degree Farenheit (19 degrees Celcius) for optimal sleep. Impacts on sleep Exercise, alcohol, caffeine, napping during the day and a number of other things can impact the way you fall asleep. Sleep disorders Insomnia is probably the most widely known sleep disorder, but there are several other lesser-known, but equally disruptive, ones out there. According to the National Sleep Foundation, many people suffer from REM Sleep Behavior Disorders like sleep talking, sleep walking and nightmares. There are also sleep disorders categorized as circadian rhythm disorders. These include non-24 sleep wake disorder, shift work disorder and delayed sleep phase disorder. Problem sleepers may also suffer from disorders that cause extreme sleepiness. One common one is Narcolepsy. World Sleep Day quotes 'Sleep is the underpinning of our entire well-being. For centuries people thought that sleep was a time of inactivity, that the brain was resting. But all the new science proves that the opposite is true that during sleep the brain is in a state of intense activity, which is necessary for us to fully recharge and be productive, creative and truly connect with ourselves and others during the day.' Arianna Huffington 'I love sleep. My life has the tendency to fall apart when I'm awake, you know?' Ernest Hemingway 'Laugh and the world laughs with you, snore and you sleep alone.' Anthony Burgess 'There is a time for many words, and there is also a time for sleep.' Homer, The Odyssey Advertisement A remarkable set of images have come to light which document a historic British expedition to climb one of the world's tallest mountains 87 years ago. When a small team of explorers reached the 25,446ft summit of Mt Kamet in the Himalayas on June 21, 1931, they achieved something which had never been done before. At that time, it was the tallest mountain to be scaled by humans. It would be another 22 years before Sir Edmund Hillary and Nepalese Sherpa mountaineer Tenzing Norgay became the first climbers to reach the summit of Mount Everest on May 29, 1953. An explorer look out over the Himalayas in one of a set of remarkable set of images that have come to light which document a historic British expedition to climb one of the world's tallest mountains 87 years ago Sherpas carrying drums in the Himalayas taken by photographer and botanist Frank Smythe during a trip to the summit of Mt Kamet in 1931 The small team of explorers reached the 25,446ft summit of Mt Kamet in the Himalayas on June 21, 1931, they achieved something which had never been done before Explorers look over the stunning Himalayan landscape as they were the first to climb one of the world's tallest mountains 87 years ago Scaling the world's tallest mountains, the Himalayas, become a national worldwide obsession, the 'space race' of the 1930s Mt Kamet, the first peak over 25,000ft ever reached lies northwest of the world's highest summit, Mt Everest which stands at 29,030ft How the early 20th century saw dozens of expeditions of the Himalayas The 1931 Mt Kamet expedition came at a time when scaling the world's tallest mountains - which were mostly in the Himalayas - was a national and global obsession. Scaling Kamet was first attempted in 1855 but not completely successfully until 76 years later. At the time, it was the highest summit ever reached by humans and the only peak over 25,000ft to be reached. It stayed that way until five years later when Nanda Devi was mounted by a British-American team at 26,545 ft. Two decades later on 29 May 1953, New Zealander Sir Edmord Hillary and Nepalese Sherpa mountaineer Tenzing Norgay became the first climbers confirmed to have reached the summit of Mount Everest, as part of the ninth British expedition to the world's tallest summit, led by John Hunt. The first half to the 20th Century saw dozens of British expeditions into the Himalayas, and all the members of the Kamet team later attempted to trek Everest. Advertisement One of the explorers on the Kamet Expedition, photographer and botanist Frank Smythe, took breathtaking snaps which documented every stage of their epic quest. The team also included Eric Shipton, R.L. Holdsworth, Eric Bentley Beauman, Bill Birnie and the physician Raymond Greene, brother of novelist Graham Greene, as well as ten Sherpas. In total, there are 82 slides in the collection which has emerged for sale for 1,200. One stunning photo shows an explorer pitching his tent in the perfect spot to get an awe-inspiring view of the Himalayas. Another captures the treacherous nature of their trek as they edge their way up an intimidating mountain face. There is an incredible image of an explorer playing music from a gramophone to captivated natives who had never encountered such technology. The explorers stopped off at various villages to meet the locals and pose for photos. The Sherpas who accompanied them on the trek also feature in various photos including one where they have drums around their necks. Scaling the world's tallest mountains, the Himalayas, become a national worldwide obsession, the 'space race' of its day. When news broke at home that the Kamet Expedition was a success, it was celebrated in the British press and the explorers became celebrities. Smythe's gripping account of reaching the summit read: 'At 4.30pm we stood on the summit. 'It is difficult to render any account of the view. We were too far above the world. 'One's eye passed almost contemptuously over mighty range upon mighty range to seek repose in the violet shades of illimitable horizons. 'Even the turreted thunder clouds, sun-crested above, purple below, could not attain to our level. 'The breeze fanning us was deathly cold, the silence and sense of isolation almost terrible. 'There were no green valleys. All about us were peaks of black rock and glaring ice or snow.' An explorer look out over the Himalayas. The set of photos have been consigned for auction by a private collector British explorers (left) were accompanied by Nepalese Sherpas (right) during their trip up Mt Kamet. At the time it was the highest summit ever reached An explorer is being carried by a sherpa in icy conditions in 1931 when a small team of explorers climbed Mt Kamet The stunning landscape of the Himalayas, taken by botanist and explorer Frank Smythe, who documented the quest of a small team of explorers in 1931 The expedition party stopping off at a local village. The explorers stopped off at various villages to meet the locals and pose for photos A sherpa (left) and an explorer (right). These are two of the 82 slides in the collection which has emerged for sale for 1,200 An explorer sits on the edge of a stunning landscape in the Himalayas on a trip that made the small team of climbers celebrities One of the Nepalese vilages the expedition passed through (right) and a view of the Himalayan mountains (left) One of the breathtaking snaps taken by Frank Smythe as he documented every stage of the British explorers epic quest The expedition party, Eric Shipton, R.L. Holdsworth, Eric Bentley Beauman, Bill Birnie and the physician Raymond Greene, brother of novelist Graham Greene, and photographer Frank Smythe with Nepalese villagers - they often stopped off at villages on the way to the summit A group of sherpas rest of the mountain on their way to the 25,446ft summit of Mt Kamet in the Himalayas on June 21, 1931 The expedition party with a group of sherpas at camp in the icy Himalayas in the 1930s A group of sherpas making food. Ten sherpas from Nepal helped five British men on their trip to the summit Smythe, Shipton, Greene and Birnie were all members of future Everest attempts. The photos have been consigned for auction by a private collector. Mimi Connell-Lay, of David Lay FRICS auction house in Penzance, Cornwall, said: 'There are many glorious shots of the Himalayan scenery, unguarded moments between expedition members, wonderful posed images of the Sherpas, the villagers they encountered en route to Kamet and of course the mountain itself. 'The period from the 1920s to when Everest was finally climbed in 1953 was a unique period in mountaineering history. 'With basic equipment and limited understanding of the effects of high altitude on the human body, the men endured tremendous hardship in order to achieve their goals. 'This is a remarkable set of images from that golden age of mountaineering.' The auction takes place on March 22. An explorer makes his way across water on his trip to the top of Mt Kamet. It is one of the many 'glorious shots of the Himalayan scenery, unguarded moments between expedition members' Explorers set up camp in the Himalayan mountains. They only had basic equipment and limited understanding of the effects of high altitude on the human body in 1931 when they made their quest Explorers climbing a moutain range in the Himalayas, with wildlife and the rocky mountain range in the background This is the moment a pensioner was kicked off a flight to La Palma after he allegedly screamed 'I don't want blacks around me' at a flight attendant. The female cabin crew member can be seen telling the 70-year-old to 'take your suitcase and get off the plane' before the captain called in the Civil Guard at North Tenerife Airport. Eyewitnesses have claimed that the passenger had hurled racist abuse at the black flight attendant moments before boarding the Binter Canarias plane. Footage captures the moment a pensioner was kicked off a flight to La Palma after he allegedly screamed 'I don't want blacks around me' at a flight attendant Spanish media, including the respected El Pais, have reported that he is alleged to have said: 'I don't want blacks around me'. The Canarian airline has shown full support for its employee and filed a complaint against the man for racist abuse. In the video, the flight captain can be seen asking the elderly man to leave the plane. When he refused, the captain requested the assistance of the Civil Guard and two officers boarded the plane to escort him off. After a brief protest, the man removed his case from the overhead locker and left the plane. The man's nationality is currently unclear. In the video, the flight captain can be seen asking the elderly man to leave the plane Once he was removed from the flight, it took off and made its way to the island of La Palma with a 20-minute delay. Passengers recorded the scenes with their phones and uploaded videos to social media. In a tweet, the airline said: 'From Binter we want to express our utmost rejection and outrage at behaviors of this type and show our full support to our crews who constantly strive to provide the best service to our customers.' House minority leader Nancy Pelosi ridiculed President Trump's border wall as 'obnoxious' and too 'high.' Pelosi was asked about the wall during a press conference Thursday, following Trump's visit to the border and reports the White House was floating a deal to protect DREAMers in exchange for funding to build it. A reporter asked the longtime party leader whether Democrats should give in on funding without a hard deadline for negotiations. 'What do you think?' Pelosi said dismissively, pausing. 'I mean, should be give a border wall for nothing? No, I don't think so.' TOO HIGH! House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi criticized Trump's proposed border wall, pointing to its height LOOKS OKAY TO HIM: President Trump visited sample wall prototypes in San Diego this week Then she tore into the wall with critiques not only of its effect, but of its height, calling it 'obnoxious.' 'First of all, I think the border did you see it? How high it is?' 'I mean, really? In a civilized society, we do something like that? As obnoxious as it is. You know, that's a community there with a border running through it. Okay, we have a difference of opinion that, but a wall that big separating people? I mean really? Then she compared it to the walls put up between Protestant and Catholic Neighborhoods in Northern Ireland. 'I guess maybe I've seen too many walls,' she said. 'I saw the wall in Northern Ireland many years ago before the agreement was strange to see. That was like a tin fence. This is a big wall,' she said. AT LEAST IT'S TWO-TONE: President Donald Trump speaks during an inspection of border wall prototypes in San Diego, California on March 13, 2018 CIVIL WAR: ''I mean, really? In a civilized society, we do something like that?' said Pelosi as she tore into the wall Even as she ripped the wall for aesthetics and other reasons, Pelosi did not appear to shut the door to a deal, as long as it was part of an exchange. 'When there was comprehensive immigration reform ... there were serious concessions made in the balance. For nothing would we give for the wall? No. I mean what would be our motivation?' she said. Turning to DREAMers who were brought here illegally as children, she called them 'our inspiration, our pride.' 'If they never existed we'd still have a problem with what the president wants to do,' Pelosi said. 'They want to have enhanced internal enforcement that really goes against the values' of our country,' she added. Federal documents reveal that Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin spent $1 million of taxpayer money on military aircraft for just eight trips last year. Mnuchin claimed in documents obtained by Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington that he needed to use these aircrafts so that he could have secure communications in the air. It turns out however that Mnuchin did not in fact need to travel on these requested plans, and was in fact just making an very unnecessary and very expensive choice. On a trip to the Middle East back in October, the total bill for Mnuchin's time in the sky was a staggering $183,646. Scroll down for video Going for gold? Louise Linton caused a brouhaha last year when she shared this image of her and hubby Steven Mnuchin arriving in Kentucky - and tagged her clothing labels Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin (pictured with his wife in November 2017) didn't just want any plane Mnuchin requested a military airfcraft on his now infamous trip to Kentucky where he toured Fort Knox during the the solar eclipse. The documents also reveal that Mnuchin asked for a military aircraft to ferry himself and wife Louise Linton around during their four-city European honeymoon. He did not want just want any plane for that outing, requesting a Gulfstream G-IV according to several specific aircraft inquiries emailed by staff. Documents obtained by a watchdog group in an information request also revealed Thursday the repeated efforts by staff to secure the glamorous aircraft for a day trip that ended up including Mnuchin's wife, actress Louise Linton. Mnuchin withdrew that request but if it had gone ahead the Air Force would have flown the newlyweds to Edinburgh, Paris, Gargano, in Italy; and Milan in Italy then home. The request claimed it would be 'the most cost-effective means to secure communications during this trip both on-the-ground and in-transit'. On the trip to Fort Knox, the secretary the chance to see the eclipse from an optimal location after viewing some of the nation's stored bullion. The cost was up to $33,000, according to government documents revealed Thursday. The plane he got, with its sleek oval windows, provided the perfect backdrop for what ended up being an infamous image after Linton tweeted it out along with hashtags for the brands she was wearing. A June 27, 2017 email from a Treasury to advance the trip official specifically mentioned the aircraft. 'I am sending a request to see the availability for a same-day mission for an upcoming trip for us in August. The Secretary is looking to travel to Fort Knox on August 8th,' the official wrote to Lori Pink, a government aircraft specialist in a partially redacted email. 'We would request the GIV to accommodate staff and security. We would fly in to Louisville, reposition the plane at Fort Knox and then depart from Fort Knox back to DC,' wrote the Treasury's director of travel policy and operations,' the email states. 'I'm sorry, but our G-IV won't be available that week,' was the initial response from an faa.gov officlal. An eight-seat Citation was available. The plan called for a 9:30 AM departure from Washington National Airport, an arrival in Louisville at 11:00 AM, at which time people would 'reposition' the plane to allow for a 5:00 pm departure from Fort Knox 'without Treasury passengers.' The trip ended up moving when the Senate's August recess got pushed back. A June 28, 2017 estimate from the faa.gov, which arranges government aircraft, refers to running 'performance requirements for the Citation operating at Ft. Knox Army Airfield. It refers to a backup of having the group return to the Louisville airport. 'We wold request the GIV to accommodate staff and security,' wrote a Treasury aide The government's G-IV wasn't available An early estimate put the cost at $19,000 THREE-WAY TICKET: Officials arranged to have the jet move between airports without the travelers IT NEVER HURTS TO ASK: An official asked if any previously scheduled missions fell through WOULD YOU MIND FIXING THE G-IV? The unidentified Treasury employee asked if the plane might be available later in August At that point, the price is quoted at $19,000 though it would be just $2,000 without the Ft. Knox stop. Pink responded at one point: 'At this time, the end of August is heavily scheduled. We can offer the G4 on August 31 and September 1 if either of those dates work for the Secretary's travel. Should other dates become available in a reasonable time, we'll get back to you. The Treasury official wrote back: 'Just checking to see if, by chance, any other missions fell through and an asset would be available for July 21st,' the official wrote likely referring to August 21. 'Understand if nothing is available, but figured I'd give it one last shot. Thanks.' 'We are still unable to support your requested travel the week of 21 August,' Pink, a flight operations specialist, responded. A July 18 made another pitch for the GIV aircraft. 'As you may have seen, the Senate is pushing back August recess and it is going to impact our visit. We are working to identify dates later in August for the same routing and will keep you posted. We will pull down the planned mission for the 8th at this time.' 'Question,' the email continued. 'I know the GIV was unavailable for the 8th due to maintenance. Is that asset available, by chance, later in the month? Closer to the last two weeks of August?' After getting turned down, the Treasury official wrote back with another pitch. 'Just checking to see if, by chance, any other missions fell through and an asset would be available for July 21st,' the official wrote likely referring to August 21. 'Understand if nothing is available, but figured I'd give it one last shot. Thanks.' 'We are still unable to support your requested travel the week of 21 August,' Pink, a flight operations specialist, responded. A Treasury Department report found there 'is no indication that the date [of the trip] was chosen to coincide with the solar eclipse.' It also said Mnuchin requested a Gulfstream 550, the plane he apparently ended up with, in case the Fort Knox runway was wet and wanted a plane with 'communications capabilities is requested in the event that the secretary's participation on a call during travel arises.' Mnuchin racked up $33,000 in air costs to take a government jet to Kentucky with his wife during the eclipse, government documents reveal. A Treasury official made another specific request for the GIV for a Mnuchin day trip to Miami. 'Per your request I have asked FAA for a quote for use of the G-IV for the Miami day trip on June 15. Times estimated and can be updated as needed. Total cost for the flight would be approx. $26,953.33, an FAA official responded. But the official added: 'While I understand that current availability of commercial flights do not accommodate your scheduling needs, for your awareness, the cost per person on commercial air is approx.: $688 roundtrip.' Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington obtained government records for Treasury Secretary Mnuchin's travel through information requests, determining that taxpayers covered $1 million in air travel for seven trips he took in 2017. Mnuchin, a wealthy movie producer who became Donald Trump's finance chair and then secretary of the Treasury, is not among those officials required to travel on special aircraft. The Ft. Knox trip gained Internet notoriety after Mnuchin's wife, actress Louise Linton, posted a glamorous picture on Instagram, including hashtags of her various name brand accessories. Her wardrobe totaled more than $14,000, DailyMail.com revealed at the time. Mnuchin and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell attended a luncheon event shortly before the eclipse, and McConnell posted about it on Facebook, saying they viewed the eclipse. A June trip to Miami cost $45,000 for air expenses. A trip to West Virginia and Las Vegas cost $93,000. And Middle East trip cost cost $183,000, a document titled 'Mil Air Costs Administration to date.' One email, from the director of Travel Policy and Operations at Treasury, quotes a roughly $27,000 flight to Miami but also reveals Mnuchin would be able to cut costs to just $688 if he was willing to fly commercial. The email is titled 'FAA quote for Miami.' Mnuchin's taxpayer funded trip coincided with the eclipse THIS ONE'S EVEN FASTER: President Donald Trump sits between Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin (L) and Boeing Chairman and CEO Dennis Muilenburg (R) during a round table at Boeing in St. Louis, Missouri, U.S. March 14, 2018 'Per your request I have asked FAA for a quote for use of the G-IV for the Miami day trip on June 15. Times estimated and can be updated as needed. Total cost for the flight would be approx. $26,953.33,' wrote the unnamed official. The official then added: 'While I understand that current availability of commercial flights do not accommodate your scheduling needs, for your awareness, the cost per person on commercial air is approx.: $688 roundtrip. The trip was for Mnuchin to attend the Conference on Prosperity and Security in Central America and to host a meeting Mexico's finance minister. GOOD TO KNOW! A Treasury official noted that Mnuchin's cost of government aircraft to Miami would be $26,953 but he could fly commercial for $688 Treasury sought to designate it as a 'White House Mission tirp,' noting it was justified due to 'scheduling, logistics, and secure communications needs during the return flight.' Plane crass: Linton was slammed for boasting of her $14,540 outfit in a state where 19% live under the poverty line. A spokesperson said her seat on the flight was paid for by Mnuchin 'From the documents we obtained, it appears Secretary Mnuchin considers first and foremost his own comfort and ease, leaving the protection of taxpayer money at the bottom of his list of priorities,' CREW's chief FOIA counsel Anne Weismann said in a statement that accompanied the release of the documents. 'The public still has no reasonable explanation for why Secretary Mnuchin apparently has never used commercial aircraft while his predecessors did, or why he needs military aircraft that can accommodate 120 passengers when his travel manifests contain far fewer names,' Weismann added. CREW wrote in its report: 'The documents Treasury provided CREW show that to date Secretary Mnuchin apparently has not made a single trip on a commercial aircraft.' From Kentucky at the time of the Mnuchin visit, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell posted on Facebook with a sun-lit image of himself and Mnuchin with no trace of Linton in the shot outside the front door of Ft. Knox, which Mnuchin toured during the trip on Monday. 'The U.S. Department of the Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and I in front of the main door to the United States Bullion Depository at Fort Knox before we viewed the #solareclipse today,' McConnell wrote, in an image from Fort Knox, Kentucky. For those wanting to break into the Sydney property market, now could be the time. House prices in the Harbour City have plummeted, with some homes selling for up to 30 per cent less than advertised. Experts say the weakening property market is forcing sellers to settle for Global Financial Crisis-level prices. Sydney's median house price fell 1.3 per cent at the end of last year followed by another 2.5 per cent this year, The Daily Telegraph reported. The huge drop in the New South Wales capital is the biggest in a three-month period since the height of the GFC in August 2008. Properties in some Sydney suburbs have sold for up to 30 per cent less than advertised. Pictured is a house in North Parramatta which sold for $1.395 million instead of $1.49 million The harbour city's median house price fell 1.3 per cent at the end of last year followed by another 2.5 per cent this year. The North Parramatta home is pictured The huge drop is biggest in a three month period for 10 years in the New South Wales capital The median property value now stands at $880,743 and is expected to continue to drop throughout the year. The cheaper sales are because buyers generally can not afford the high asking prices and are not willing to pay, the publication reported. Prestigious suburbs including Bellevue Hill, Woollahra and Vaucluse have all seen property prices drop by up to 16 per cent. CoreLogic senior analyst Cameron Kusher said buyers are tired of expensive prices especially when some properties require hundreds of thousands of dollars of work. 'Sydney prices have hit the point where they're unaffordable for a lot of buyers. The prices some sellers are setting initially are not what buyers are prepared to pay,' Mr Kusher told the paper. Chief economist at Realestate.com.au Nerida Conisbee said the sharp decline in property value was inevitable. The cheaper sales are reportedly because buyers generally can not afford the high asking prices and are not willing to pay (Palm Beach property pictured) The average house price is expected to continue to drop throughout the year (Palm Beach property pictured) This Francis Street house in Brighton Le Sands sold for $280,000 less than asking price 'Sydney pricing has been extreme for many years. We've now hit the point where buyers can no longer continue to keep paying more,' she said. A four-bedroom house in Balgowlah has been listed for $325,000 less than its original price, a two-bedroom unit in Darlinghurst is $100,000 cheaper while a house at Palm Beach was listed for $1.55 million and sold for $1.46 million. According to CoreLogic, a number of Sydney suburbs recorded media price drops during the three month period. Mosman units dropped on average 1.9 per cent, Woollahra houses dropped 2.1 per cent and Botany Bay units decreased by 3.6 per cent. Prestigious suburbs including Bellevue Hill, Woollahra and Vaucluse have all seen property prices drop by up to 16 per cent A run down terrace on Harris Street, Balmain, is listed for $1.65 million despite being uninhabitable (pictured) Russians living in Britain are bumping up security after he Salsibury poisoning with the super-rich demanding round the clock bodyguards and people to test their food and water. One millionaire living in London's exclusive One Hyde Park development - the worlds most expensive apartment block - wants to install an air filtration system usually found in a nuclear bunkers, an expert revealed today. The attack on Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia followed by the unexplained death of rich businessman Nikolai Glushkov, 68, in New Malden, has sparked panic. Yulia, 33, and Sergei Skripal, 66, are both fighting for their lives following the poison plot and it has sparked panic among wealthy Russians in Britain Experts claim that clients have been asking for bodyguards and doctors to mind them around the clock in case they are attacked. Nikolai Glushkov arriving at the High Court annex on October 18, 2011, wearing a pink dickie bow Others are having any food brought in checked for poison and are refusing to drink tap water. Becky Fatemi, MD of Rokstone, a central London luxury estate agency said: 'I've already had half a dozen of our Russian clients on the telephone to our Rokstone Concierge Service asking for information on bodyguards, extra security for their houses and dialling in for takeaway food. 'One of my clients is also getting a special filter system connected to their air-conditioning system for their apartment in One Hyde Park. 'They are stopping their usual food deliveries and getting random take-out food orders for safety, and are only drinking bottled water'. Other experts have said that Russians living in London have been forced to protect themselves for years. Peter Wetherell, CEO of Wetherell, an exclusive estate agent in the capital says most wealthy Russians 'already have meticulous security arrangements'. A Russian resident at One Hyde Park has reportedly asked for a nuclear bunker-style air filtration system He said: 'Their homes are alarmed, with CCTV links to police stations, infra-red beams to corridors, eye-retina and finger print entry security. Some homes have steel and concrete reinforced panic rooms. 'At the ultra prime level of the market this is all quite standard - just 'basics' for the super rich like the Russians. 'At the end of the day the Russians, like all the global super rich, love living in London and a drama like this won't put them off the British capital - but it has made them even more security conscious.'. Mark Pollack, founding director at London estate agents Aston Chase, added: 'Security has always been a serious concern for our clientele. However, in light of recent events in Salisbury, this concern has undoubtedly grown for our Russian buyers. 'All of our ultra-high net worth clients, especially the Russians living full time in London, require high levels of confidence that their properties are secure and private, with some choosing to install state-of-the-art technology and to employ 24-hour security. In light of events all of this gets reviewed.' Oprah Winfrey famously ignited rumors of a presidential run after her speech at the Golden Globes awards, but then clarified that only God could convince her to run. Her call for a message from above has been answered in the form of a letter from Jesus Christ. Winfrey's friend CBS anchor Gayle King took to Instagram to share the letter addressed to TV mogul that was sent from Jesus A. Christ herself from North Waterboro, Maine. A sign? Her close friend Gayle King uploaded this image on Instagram revealing Oprah received a letter from Jesus Christ The letter was sent from Jesus A. Christ, 83, (left) from Maine who sends out letters -including Winfrey's (right) - promoting messages of faith, peace and priorities Winfrey revealed that King has also urged her to seriously consider running for president She posted the image Wednesday saying 'Hey Oprah is the is the sign you're looking for??' King, who is also editor of Oprah Magazine, shared an image of the handwritten envelope addressed to Winfrey on Wednesday. 'My assist @jznotthatjayz w/letter that just arrived @Oprahmagazine. Hey @Oprah is this the sign youre looking for?? swipe left for return address.... (sic)' King wrote on Instagram. The letter came from a 83-year-old woman named Jesus A. Christ in Maine. Christ legally changed her name 50 years ago and spends her days writing letters to spread a message of 'faith, peace and priorities'. Speaking to WGME, she revealed her name often beckons surprise. 'Most of them think Im plain crazy and ignore me,' she said. She added that she sent Winfrey the letter simply because she likes her, and not to endorse a presidential run. Upon hearing that the Winfrey got her letter Christ said 'Thank you father! He gets done what he wants!' Rumors about whether Winfrey would run for office began after her Golden Globes speech (pictured) last month, when she accepted the Cecil B. DeMille lifetime achievement award The letter, pictured above, had nothing to do with Winfrey's presidential run rumors, in fact Christ said she was oblivious them but she nonetheless gave her blessing She said she was oblivious to Winfreys presidential run rumors and had no idea the TV host was waiting for a sign. However, Christ did give her blessing. 'If she does I'll vote for her - that's for sure,' she said. Winfrey told People Magazine that she never pictured herself in politics, but would do so if compelled by God. 'I pay attention, and when you have that many people saying something, I thought gee, I never in my life, ever, ever, thought I would be in politics. I've always said no no no no no. Am I at least supposed to look at that question?' she said to People. 'I had enough people, billionaires calling me, saying I can get you a billion dollars, I can run your campaign. The TV host said that even her best friend, CBS News anchor for This Morning Gayle King (pictured with Oprah), has been pestering her about a potential run Speaking to CBS 60 Minutes Oprah made clear she would only run for president if she received a message from God to do so 'And I went into prayer. God, if you think Im supposed to run, you gotta tell me, and it has to be so clear that not even I can miss it.' Winfrey said that so far, she hadn't 'gotten that.' The talk show host also revealed that close friend King has urged her to consider the presidential run saying 'I seriously think that you should think about it.' Speaking on Golden Globes speech that started all the buzz Winfrey said she was 'just trying to give a good speech'. In the speech she spoke on the Times Up movement and passionately called for 'a brighter morning even in our darkest nights' which prompted fans to demand she run for office. 'I was looking for a way to express what was going on in this moment in terms of gender and class and race. I cared about landing that speech in the room,' she said in a 60 Minutes interview.. 'If God actually wanted me to run, wouldnt God kinda tell me? And I havent heard that,' she said. The Archbishop of Canterbury today revealed Meghan Markle's baptism into the Church of England was a 'very special, beautiful and sincere' ceremony. Justin Welby said the service at St James's Palace in London - also attended by the US actress's fiance Prince Harry - was 'very moving' and a 'great privilege'. But he joked that he must 'not drop the ring' at their wedding at Windsor Castle on May 19, adding that he was also keen to ensure he gets 'the vows in the right order'. Dr Welby, 62, conducted the intimate 45-minute baptism service at the Chapel Royal on March 6, with Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall also present. The service to formally introduce her into the Anglican faith marked an important step on her transformation into future granddaughter-in-law to the Queen. Dr Welby was asked what he could say about the service at which neither Prince William nor the Queen were present - by ITV News presenter Julie Etchingham. He replied: 'Almost nothing at all. Except that it was very special, it was beautiful and sincere. And very moving. It was a great privilege.' Harry and Meghan, pictured together at a Commonwealth Service at Westminster Abbey in London on Monday afternoon, will be married in two months' time Meghan had asked Dr Welby to lead the service after forming a close bond with him in recent weeks as he instructed her on the rites and sacraments of the Church. Archbishop Welby condemns poison plot as a 'sin and a crime' The Archbishop of Canterbury has condemned the use of a nerve agent to attack former Russian double agent Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia as a 'sin and a crime'. Justin Welby told ITV News: 'Chemical weapons are banned by international law, they are so awful that the whole world has got together and said 'you do not use these things'. 'So to use them in any way is completely wrong under all circumstances. We see here two people struck down deliberately. A police officer who rushed to help them profoundly injured. It's a terrible, terrible event.' He added that his message to Russian President Vladimir Putin was: 'This is a sin and a crime. And the people responsible must be held accountable.' It comes as Boris Johnson said today that it was 'overwhelmingly likely' that Mr Putin ordered the use of a nerve agent in the attack on the Skripals in Wiltshire on March 4. Advertisement Speaking about the royal wedding, the Archbishop added: 'Unlike recent weddings, I must not drop the ring! And I must not forget to get the vows in the right order as I did at the rehearsal for one of my children's weddings. 'At the heart of it is two people who have fallen in love with each other, who have committed their lives to each other with the most beautiful words and profound thoughts, who do it in the presence of God, through Jesus Christ. 'You pray for them to have the strength to fulfil their vows. And you seek to do it in a way that respects their integrity and honours their commitment.' The royal wedding service will be conducted by the Dean of Windsor, David Connor, with the Archbishop presiding as the couple make their vows. Dr Welby was speaking to ITV News one week after the release of his new book 'Reimagining Britain' on March 8, which claims Brexit has divided the UK and austerity has crushed the weak. The Archbishop added: 'This challenge to reimagine our society is the culmination of many, many years under many different governments. 'I look at places where I've lived like Liverpool, which has lost half its annual budget - one of the poorest cities in North West Europe. So austerity may be necessary in and of itself but the way it's done must take into account the common good.' Meghan was baptised into the Church of England at the Chapel Royal of St James's Palace Etchingham also put it to Dr Welby that the voice of the Church of England and other charities is diminished when it breaks trust with the public. It was very special, it was beautiful and sincere. And very moving Justin Welby, on Meghan's baptism He replied: 'It deeply damages it. Absolutely. And the way we deal with that is so important because we have to be transparent and honest, not to cover up, not to pretend it's any less bad than it is. And we have to take steps to make sure that it's stopped and changed.' She then suggested that the voice of the Church in society is 'perilously compromised' with it in front of the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse. Harry and Meghan will be married at St George's Chapel in Windsor Castle on May 19 But he replied: 'Church is in the middle of reimagining itself and has been certainly under my predecessor and his predecessor under Rowan Williams and George Carey and will go on with that. I must not drop the ring! And I must not forget to get the vows in the right order Dr Welby on the royal wedding 'We have to reimagine our role, our position, how we communicate the good news of Jesus Christ. How we live in a way that is convincing. And so when we speak of other things there is some authenticity. 'We're never going to be perfect, we're full of human beings and human beings fail. But we need to have a consistency in how we deal with our own failures and sins. 'The things we're seeing in the inquiry and we'll go on seeing, not only betray the Church, they betray the country, and worst of all they betray God. And they deeply damage survivors who are at the centre of the heart and compassion of God.' Two Navy aviators killed when a fighter jet crashed into the ocean off the Florida coast on Wednesday have been named. Lieutenant Commander James Brice Johnson and Lieutenant Caleb King of Strike Fighter Squadron 213 died after their F/A-18 Super Hornet came down on its final approach into Naval Air Station, Key West. A Navy press release said Johnson, a 2007 graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy, was piloting the jet and King, a 2012 U.S. Naval Academy graduate, was operating the weapons systems when the aircraft plunged into the waves. Scroll down for video Lieutenant Commander James Brice Johnson (left) and Lieutenant Caleb King (right) were killed on Wednesday after their F/A-18 Super Hornet crashed near Key West A Navy spokesman said the jet was on its final approach into Naval Air Station, Key West when it plunged into the ocean (pictured) Witnesses said the jet caught fire and plummeted into the ocean around 4.30pm. The Navy says an investigation into the cause is underway Commander Kevin Robb paid tribute to the pair Thursday, calling them 'exceptional'. 'The entire Blacklion Family is grieving the loss of two great Americans. Lt. Cmdr. Johnson and Lt. King were phenomenal young men, exceptional naval aviators, and were living models of what honor, courage and commitment really mean' he said. 'As warfighters they excelled in combat, as naval officers they exemplified the qualities of what our Navy values most dear. 'I was extremely proud to have led, flown and served with both Brice and Caleb,' Robb said. 'I would ask that during this trying time we all keep the families of our two heroes in our thoughts and prayers.' Officials said the jet is still in the ocean and will remain there until a team arrives to carry out a full investigation into what happened. Witnesses earlier reported seeing the jet burst into flames before crashing at around 4.30pm on Wednesday. Johnson and King were able to eject from the plane before being taken to hospital, but both later died from their injuries. President Donald Trump offered his condolences in a tweet after their deaths were announced early Thursday morning. President Donald Trump offered his condolences in a tweet after their deaths were announced early Thursday morning Johnson who was piloting the jet, and King, who was operating the weapons, were able to parachute out, but later died in hospital A stock image of an F 18 Jet - the same aircraft they were flying when it burst into flames 'Please join me with your thoughts and prayers for both aviators, their families and our incredible @USNavy,' he wrote. 'We are sad to report that both aviators have been declared deceased,' the Naval Air Forces said in a tweet. Witnesses said it looked like the plane had some sort of explosion in the air before crashing into the water. 'I saw the fire and then it just dropped,' Barbie Wilson told local news. She lives nearby and was driving when she said she saw the plane turn sideways before going up in flames. 'It was like something out of a movie,' she said. Photos from the scene show a rescue helicopter hovering over the water as the jet lies upside down. Vanessa Trump and her estranged husband Donald Trump Jr. were both photographed on Friday for the first time it was revealed that the couple was getting a divorce. Don Jr was seen holding a folder full of papers and cigars as he ducked out of work early, leaving Trump Tower in Manhattan shortly after noon. One thing he was not seen with however was his wedding ring. The mother-of-five, 40, was also sans ring as she was spotted heading off on the school run with her two youngest children Chloe and Spencer. Vanessa and the kids attempted to sneak out the back entrance of their Manhattan apartment building around 8am on Friday, with three Secret Service agents closely flanking the family members. The group put on a very colorful display, with Vanessa wearing a green pastel hat, Chloe outfitted in a bright blue jacket and Spencer prepared for any possible inclement weather in a yellow-and-blue raincoat. Meanwhile, court papers reveal that Vanessa has hired herself a criminal defense lawyer to handle her split from Don Jr. Scroll down for videos Down from his tower: Donald Trump Jr was seen for the first time since his wife Vanessa files for divorce (above on Friday in NYC) Band of gold: Don Jr was not wearing his wedding ring just 24 hours after his wife file papers in their uncontested divorce Donny's dossier: He carried a blue folder with him and multiple cigars before heading off for the day Over and out: Vanessa Trump, 40, did not wear her wedding ring as she headed out in new York City on Friday (above with daughter Chloe and son Spencer) Weight lifted: Vanessa ditched her wedding ring one day after filing for divorce following 13 years of marriage )(Vanessa's hand above) Future so bright: ''We will always have tremendous respect for each other and our families. We have five beautiful children together and they remain our top priority. We ask for your privacy during this time,' Vanessa and Don Jr said in a statement Little racscals: She was joined by daughter Chloe, 3, and son Spencer, 5, who looked to be going to school Color guard: The three tried to sneak out the back of their apartment building but were hard to miss in their colorful looks (Vanessa and Chloe above) David Feureisen of the firm Bartels & Feureisen will be handling the split for Vanessa, who opted for a lawyer based in White Plains, which is close to the family's residence upstate. There is little else in the filing at this time, and the lawyer for Don Jr is not revealed in the one document that has been submitted thus far that can be viewed on the court docket. Feureisen has been involved in a number of high-profile cases in Westchester and butted heads with Trump family friend Jeanine Pirro many a time when she was the acting district attorney for the area. In 2007, he managed to get a murder charge overturned after arguing that Pirro's office had purposely withheld information that would have pointed to another suspect in the case. Don Jr acknowledged his split from wife Vanessa for the first time on Thursday evening in an Instagram post. 'No matter what is going on bedtime cuddling with the smurf puts a Yuge smile on my face. #bedtime#daddysgirl #cuddle,' wrote Don Jr. He included that remark alongside a photo of himself lying in bed with his daughter Chloe, the youngest of his five children. Just a few hours earlier, a source told DailyMail.com that Vanessa had filed divorce papers in Manhattan Supreme Court after 12 years of marriage. That source added that Vanessa listed the divorce as uncontested, meaning that she is not asking for full custody of the children at this time and that Donald Jr does not object to the filing. 'After 12 years of marriage, we have decided to go our separate ways,' the pair said in a joint statement. 'We will always have tremendous respect for each other and our families. We have five beautiful children together and they remain our top priority. We ask for your privacy during this time.' Page Six reported shortly before the pair filed for divorce that Don Jr's behavior on social media had caused problems in his relationship with Vanessa. Recently, Don Jr like tweets which made controversial and false statements about the victims of the Parkland shooting, including one that suggested there was a link between anti-depressants and the murderers responsible for mass casualty attacks. He also like a tweet that said 17-year-old David Hogg, one of the young students who is leading the call for gun reform, was just 'running cover' for his father, a former FBI agent. Vanessa responded to that report by liking a number of tweets posted by her estranged husband and other members of his family. Don Jr posted this Instagram image of him with his daughter before bed on Thursday saying bedtime cuddles put a 'smile on my face' Moving on: Vanessa Trump is seen outside her Manhattan apartment building on Thursday before filing divorce papers in a Manhattan court Keeping it civil: The couple have five children and a source tells DailyMail.com that Vanessa is not seeking full custody at this time N9othing to say: Vanessa (above) hurried into her building while someone unloaded the car Cake by the ocean: The family was last seen together in February when they all celebrated Don III birthday in Palm Beach (above) Happier times: The pair were all smiles on a family vacation to Aspen last March, but left early when their son Tristan broke his leg (Don Jr, Ivanka and Vanessa in Aspen) Vanessa was photographed outside her Manhattan apartment building on Thursday morning shortly before her divorce papers were filed in court. She was joined by Secret Service on Thursday, who unloaded her car outside the building. The men began taking in empty suitcases, suggesting that the children may soon be heading off on a trip over school vacation. It is unclear if the five children will all head off with together or if the couple will split up their brood. This will be the first time that a child of the president has entered into divorce proceedings while their father held office. Some are also now wondering if Vanessa could be called to testify against her estranged husband should he be indicted in the Russia probe. 'In theory, Vanessa could talk about what Donald Trump Jr. knew about the Russia investigation if spousal privilege doesnt apply, but that would take the divorce into a dark place,' said Joshua Forman, a celebrity divorce attorney at Partner at Chemtob, Moss & Forman. 'However, she may have signed a prenuptial agreement with a confidentiality clause and would thus be precluded from speaking during or after marriage.' He went on to explain: 'If there isnt a confidentiality clause and there isnt a prenup in place, then once the divorce is complete, she could if allowable by the law in the jurisdiction she is called to testify in be compelled to testify.' Page Six reported on Wednesday that sources close to the pair had said that the two were leading separate lives, and had been for some time. 'The problems have been there for a long time, the couple had hoped to stay together during the presidents time in office, but it is getting harder to resolve their issues,' said one source. 'Hes never there.' The two have been spotted together less and less in recent months, and spent almost no time with one another over the holidays at Mar-a-Lago. Torn apart: This will be the first time that a child of the president has entered into divorce proceedings while their father held office Don Jr posted a number of videos to social media during the two weeks that the pair were in Palm Beach which showed him with the couple's children but never Vanessa. Vanessa was also absent from one of the family dinners and did not attend the annual New Year's Eve gala, with Don Jr. instead taking his son Donnie. It was also his birthday that night. Then, in February, it was revealed that Vanessa was at an apartment a few blocks away from the family's residence in Manhattan when she opened a letter addressed to her husband containing a mystery white powder. In the wake of those reports, the two were seen together on February 13 doing the school run with their two youngest children, Chloe and Spencer. A week later, the entire family traveled down to Mar-a-Lago for Donnie's birthday. Don Jr posted a photo of that to Instagram which showed everyone smiling for the camera, writing: 'Happy birthday Donnie. Some birthday cake for my 9 year old little man yesterday. Somehow I hit send then but it didnt go through.' Just before that trip however, Don Jr spent Valentine's Day with another lady - his daughter Kai. 'Valentines Day selfie with one of my favorite Valentines. Early dinner with my girl Kai,' wrote Don Jr on Instagram. Vanessa meanwhile was spotted out to eat with her sons Donnie and Tristan. Donald Trump Jr has yet to comment on the news of his split, but did post a photo of his daughter Chloe sleeping in his bedroom on Wednesday (above) The couple had been introduced multiple times before going on their first date, with President Trump responsible for two of those introductions. Vanessa said in a 2006 interview that he twice introduced her to his son at a fashion show in 2003, and she finally agreed to a date when they met a third time at a mutual friend's party. Vanessa said that she referred to Donald Jr as 'the one with retarded dad' sat the time. Don Jr proposed to Vanessa, who was a model and actress at the time, with a $100,000 engagement ring back in 2004. The proposal was captured by the multiple photographers alerted to the fact that Don Jr would be proposing in front of the same jewelry store from which he obtained the ring for a heavily discounted price. They were married at Mar-a-Lago in November 2005, though those plans were almost derailed due to Hurricane Wilma, which forced the couple to move the wedding from the club's lawn to a more sheltered space by the pool due to the damage done by high winds. Those nuptials took a backseat in the press however to the fact that the wedding marked one of the rare occasions when Donald and his new wife Melania came face-to-face with his ex Ivana. Separate lives: Don Jr and Vanessa attend the second day of the Republican National Convention Pumped: Melania, Lara and Vanessa at the Liberty Inaugural Ball in January 2017 Happy meeting: Vanessa shakes hands with the outgoing president after her father-in-law's inauguration Girl talk: Vanessa is all smiles with Michelle Obama at the swearing-in ceremony back in 2017 Photos from the event show Donald and Melania smiling in the front row while Ivana looks less than pleased to have her picture taken as she sits next to her mother Marie. Prior to marrying Don Jr, Vanessa had been linked to Leonardo DiCaprio and had a small role in the film Something's Gotta Give. Vanessa was very much in the spotlight prior to the couple's wedding, but once the couple began to have children shifted her focus to raising their sons and daughters. She gave birth to all five of the couple's children in a span of just seven years. In the wake of her father-in-law's announcement that he would be running for president, Vanessa did step out on the campaign trail a bit, and occasionally post on social media. Vanessa also may have provided the first clue that she and Don Jr were leading separate lives back in November when she posted a photo of her Christmas tree of Twitter and wrote: I just finished decorating our tree with my kiddies ! We are in the holiday spirit! Christmas will be here soon!' There was no mention of her husband at all in the tweet. She last posted a tweet that showed her with Don Jr back in June for President Trump's birthday. News of the divorce follows a difficult few days for Don Jr, who was campaigning for Rick Saccone in Pennsylvania. Saccone has not lost that race at this time but is behind Democrat Conor Lamb. An Argentine submarine that disappeared with 44 crew members on board had been on a spying mission to the Falklands, the country's government has admitted. Argentina's Navy has always claimed the ARA San Juan was carrying out training exercises when it vanished without a trace in November last year. The sub has never been found but investigators claim a violent explosion was reported near its last known location in the South Atlantic, as it returned to the Mar del Plata naval base. But now the government's chief of staff has admitted that the vessel had actually been ordered to the Falkland Islands - which the country calls Malvinas - to identify 'ships and aircraft'. Argentine submarine ARA San Juan (pictured) that disappeared with 44 crew members on board had been on a spying mission to the Falklands, the country's government has admitted Marcos Penas, answering a question arising from a report into the sub's disappearance, told Argentina's Congress that the San Juan's 'primary tactical objective' was 'the location, identification, photographic/film recording of refrigerated ships, logistic ships, oil tankers, and research vessels using other flags'. But he added: 'Secondary material coming from this activity was to establish the identity of ships and aircraft operating from the Malvinas.' Pena also revealed a list of the vessels and aircraft the submarine had identified, which included RAF planes and aircraft belonging to the Falkland Islands Government. The admission backs up a leaked 'confidential' document about the submarine's activities which was passed on to Argentinian website Infobae last month. Dated October 24 last year - a month before the vessel disappeared - and entitled 'Control of the Sea Patrol', the Navy document details what would be the ARA San Juan's mission. The submarine's disappearance triggered an international search for the ship and crew members, who have been presumed dead for weeks. Pictured above is the last known image of the submarine The submarine is ordered to 'obtain the identification by means of photographic images or video of the vessels of interested in the said area and register their activity. The list of targets includes cargo ships and oil tankers but also 'RAF130 aircraft and Malvinas Government Aircraft'. According to the timetable set out in the document, in what is described as 'Phase II of Stage 4', on November 15 - the day the sub disappeared - it was to proceed to an area called 'Milagros' and carry out an 'underwater attack' exercise. The revelations have come after family members of missing crew members claimed the submarine was being 'chased by a British helicopter' when it went missing. This claim was dismissed at the time as 'completely untrue' by Britain's Ministry of Defence. One of the missing sailors, Roberto Daniel Medina, reportedly told her sister Jesica Medina days before the vessel's last communication that that the ARA San Juan submarine had travelled close to the Falkland Islands, and that a Royal Navy helicopter was trying to track them. Jesica said the sub sailed close to the Falkands on November 3, alerting the British Navy which began searching for the vessel. Second sub-officer Roberto told her they were now heading for home, writing: 'On Monday an English helicopter was looking for us, and yesterday the Chileans, there has been a lot going on.' She said: 'It was a strange message in which he told us a British helicopter and a Chilean ship had been chasing them. 'I don't know why he said it. but unfortunately we didn't continue with that conversation, we started talking about other things, the kids, the family, and it stayed like that. It was his last message.' The missing crew of ARA San Juan Lieutenant Eliana Maria Krawczyk, 35, is third-in-command of the sub. As chief weapons officer, she is responsible for the ship's arsenal of 22 torpedoes. She grew up in Misiones province, near the borders with Paraguay and Brazil, around 1,000 kilometers (600 miles) from the sea. She dreamed of becoming an engineer but enrolled at naval school after a double family tragedy - her brother's death in a car accident and her mother dying from a heart attack. She enrolled in the naval school instead, having her first encounter with the sea at 21. She specialized in under-sea warfare, becoming Latin America's first submarine officer. Captain Pedro Martin Fernandez has been commander of the San Juan since 2015. Married with three adolescent children he flirted with the idea of becoming a teacher before joining the navy. In two decades of missions and training programs he has traveled the world. The 45-year-old lived for a decade in Mar del Plata, home port of the navy's two operational submarines, the San Juan and the Salta. Luis Niz (left) only joined the crew of the San Juan recently, after getting a promotion in 2016 Photographs of the crew of Argentina's lost submarine have emerged for the first time, including that of Captain Pedro Martin Fernandez (pictured right) Maria Leguizamon, whose husband German Suarez (pictured) is among the missing, told how 40 relatives gathered at the naval base were told about the explosion minutes before the press conference in Buenos Aires Luis Niz, 25, was due to marry soldier Alejandra Morales on December 7. He only joined the crew of the San Juan after getting a promotion in 2016. Lieutenant Renzo Martin Silva, 32, has been in the navy since the age of 18. The submarine enthusiast grew up in the foothills of the Andes in the Argentine province of San Juan, for which the submarine was named. He planned to marry his girlfriend, a soldier, Lieutenant Maria Eugenia Ulivarri Rodi, next year. Mario Armando Toconas Oriundo, 36, has spent 13 years in the navy. From Patagonia, he went to live in Mar del Plata, a seaside resort as well as the sub's home port. Father of an eight-year-old boy, his partner is four months pregnant with their second child. Fernando Santilli, 35, became a submariner seven years ago. He left the wine-growing province of Mendoza to become an engineer. His wife, Jessica Gopar, posted a moving letter on Facebook on Tuesday, in which she said every day of waiting 'is a little harder. There are moments of hope, others of great distress. You cannot imagine how many people are praying for you.' She dedicated a few lines of her note to the commander, asking him to 'do the impossible and get back to the surface. You have 44 lives in your hands. I'm waiting for my love. See you soon.' Fernando Santilli (right) left the wine-growing province of Mendoza to become an engineer Lieutenant Renzo Martin Silva, 32, planned to marry his girlfriend, a soldier, Lieutenant Maria Eugenia Ulivarri Rodi, next year Advertisement Jesica told Argentina's La Gaceta newspaper that 'many' other families of other missing crew members also received reports from their loved ones that they had been fleeing a British helicopter at the time of their disappearance. She added: 'I don't know how close they got to the Malvinas (Falklands), and I don't know what the political situation is like. That's what he told us and that is what we were left with.' According to the Argentine Navy, the vessel last made contact with commanders to report that water had entered the vessel through its snorkel and caused a battery fault. Experts said the crew only had up to 10 days of oxygen if the sub remained intact under the sea, but despite a frantic international search, including Britain's HMS Protector and the Royal Navy's elite submarine rescue team. Families later accused the Argentinian government of a cover-up after they were forced to confirm information that there had been a violent explosion in the area where the vessel would have been, just hours after its last transmission. The explosion is believed to have happened between 100 and 1000 metres under the water and sent the submarine plumetting to more than 3,000 metres. A Queensland school is under fire after sending parents an 'offensive' letter targeted at under-performing students demanding they pull them out of upcoming NAPLAN exams. Pacific Pines State High School on the Gold Coast have asked the families of under-performing students to take their children out of the exam so the school's average score isn't pulled down. The letter from the school attached a withdrawal document from the NAPLAN exams. The letter from the school attached a withdrawal document from the NAPLAN exams for under performing students The state school offered an alternative program for the lower-scoring students in place of the national exam. 'This alternative program is by invitation only, with limited spaces available,' the letter read. One man defended his brother who received the letter and said his family were offended. 'In some ways they're saying my little brother's too stupid to do the test,' he told Nine News said. 'They're looking after themselves more than looking after students and helping them improve.' The Queensland Teachers Union accused schools of cheating the system and creating incorrect data. The state school offered an alternative program for the lower-scoring students in place of the national exam 'If we are withdrawing students for particular purposes, (such as) to ensure that a school's data is better than the school down the road, it's really not an indicative measure of how well any school is travelling,' the union's Jodie Walsh said. Last year 24 per cent of year nine students at the Gold Coast school did not sit for the NAPLAN exams compared to three per cent nation-wide. The National Assessment Program is for years three, five, seven and nine and tests the types of skills that a necessary for every child to progress through school and has been running for ten years. In a statement issued to Daily Mail Australia by Pacific Pines State High School, a spokesperson said parents of approximately 50 to 60 Year 7 and 9 students received a letter offering an alternative program to NAPLAN testing. 'Only students identified as being in need of significant educational assistance have received these letters,' the statement read. Last year 24 per cent of year nine students at the Gold Coast school did not sit for the NAPLAN exams compared to three per cent nation-wide 'The school is offering an alternative assistance program in lieu of NAPLAN for those students who may experience significant stress over their ability to complete testing.' 'The Department supports the view that a decision to withdraw a child from NAPLAN testing is the responsibility of parents and carers.' 'All students at Pacific Pines State High School will take part in NAPLAN testing unless a parent/carer expressly requests their child be withdrawn or exempted.' Daily Mail Australia has contacted Queensland's Education Department for comment. The widow of murdered gangster Carl Williams could be left homeless after a judge ordered the sale of her house to settle a huge tax bill. Roberta Williams was living in the property owned by her late husband's father, the Melbourne crime lord, George Williams. But a court ruling handed down on Friday orders Mr Williams' estate to settle the $576,000 owed to the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) by selling the house. Roberta Williams said she believes her husband Carl, the notorious Melbourne gangster killed in jail in 2010, was tricked into a deal with Victoria Police The Essendon property which is now set to be sold to settle the unpaid $576,000 owed to the taxman It brings to an end a long-running battle by Ms Williams to keep the house she lived in with her daughter in Essendon, in Melbourne's north east. She previously said she had nowhere to go and would be left homeless if she lost the house - estimated to be worth around $1million. Associate Justice Mark Derham concluded: 'The plaintiffs [the ATO] be paid their costs first from the net proceeds of sale. 'The plaintiffs' costs of and incidental to the proceeding be paid from the Estate of George Leslie Williams.' The judgement issued at the Supreme Court of Victoria revealed a deal had been in place for Victoria Police to settle Williams' outstanding tax bill in 2009 with his son, Carl. But court documents show that process was abandoned after it had been 'okayed' by then Deputy Commissioner Simon Overland. George Williams, a crime lord in Melbourne's underground gangland wars, died in May 2016 The ATO's officer dealing with recovering Williams' tax bill was told nearly year later in February 2010 it was 'no longer an option for Victoria Police' to settle his debt. The money was held in a suspense account for over a year until it was repaid in July 2010. Williams' outstanding bill of $576,000 remained and when he died in May 2016, the debt passed on to Ms Williams - whose husband, Carl, was murdered in jail in 2010. Ms Williams led the pall-bearers at George Williams' funeral after he died of a heart attack 'Victoria Police made a deal with Carl to pay the tax debt, I've got the documents,' Ms William said in court, the Herald Sun reports. 'They reneged just before Carl was murdered. They got their money back. It's appalling. Carl lost his life and for what?' She says she believed her husband was 'tricked' by Vic Police and that he was 'a fool to trust them', she told the publication. In his judgement, Justice Derham said: 'That evidence shows clearly that the Victoria Police never discharged George Williams' taxation debt. 'The letter upon which the second defendant [Ms Williams] relies was sent in error and the moneys held in the suspense account at the ATO were never applied [to George Williams' debt]. Carl Williams was was killed after being struck on the head with part of an exercise bike by a fellow inmate in Barwon Prison Carl Williams was buried in a gold-plated coffin after his funeral in 2010 'The Victoria Police never gave their permission to apply the payment in reduction of George Williams' taxation debts, and Victoria Police were eventually refunded the money at their request.' Williams later entered into a mortgage agreement with the ATO secured against the property but failed to repay any of the outstanding $576,000, the court documents state. Also included in his judgement ruling Justice Derham declared Ms Williams would have to bear her own costs from the court proceedings and they could not be recovered from her father-in-law's estate. Missouri's state attorney is defending a prison sentence for a man who committed robbery and other crimes on a single day when he was 16 and now isn't eligible for parole until he's 112 years old, even though his accomplice took a plea deal and got 30 years. Bobby Bostic, who is being represented by the American Civil Liberties Union, has petitioned the US Supreme Court to throw out his 241-year sentence for 18 crimes. State Attorney General Josh Hawley said in a US Supreme Court filing on behalf of Missouri that the prison term does not violate the Constitution's ban on cruel and unusual punishment, arguing that a 2010 decision outlawing life sentences for people under 18 who didn't kill anyone applies only to a sentence for a single crime. The former St Louis judge who sentenced Bostic in the late 1990s disagrees, now vocalizing her belief that the term is unjust and backing Bostic's high-court appeal. Bobby Bostic, who is being represented by the American Civil Liberties Union, has petitioned the US Supreme Court to throw out his 241-year sentence for 18 crimes he committed on a singled day when he was 16 years old 'Scientists have discovered so much about brain development in the more than 20 years since I sentenced Bostic,' the now-retired judge, Evelyn Baker, wrote in an essay published in the Washington Post in February. 'What I learned too late is that young people's brains are not static; they are in the process of maturing.' The headline on Baker's story reads, 'I sentenced a teen to die in prison. I regret it.' Now 39, Bostic has been in prison for more than 20 years. State and federal courts around the country have ruled differently about whether young people convicted of crimes can be sentenced to prison for terms that exceed their life expectancy. State Attorney General Josh Hawley (pictured) said in a US Supreme Court filing on behalf of Missouri that the prison term does not violate the Constitution's ban on cruel and unusual punishment, arguing that a 2010 decision outlawing life sentences for people under 18 who didn't kill anyone applies only to a sentence for a single crime Evelyn Baker (pictured), the retired St Louis judge who sentenced Bostic in the late 1990s, is now vocalizing her belief that the term is unjust and is backing Bostic's high-court appeal Baker is among more than 100 current and former judges, prosecutors and law enforcement officers who are calling on the Supreme Court to throw out the sentence as grossly unfair. Among those supporting Bostic are former acting US Attorney General Sally Yates, former Whitewater independent counsel Kenneth Starr, and former Solicitor General Donald Verrilli Jr. In December 1995, Bostic and 18-year-old Donald Hutson robbed a group of six people who were delivering Christmas presents for the needy, the ACLU said in its appeal on Bostic's behalf. They fired a gun at two victims, grazing one and missing the other, Hawley said in Missouri's brief. Bostic's accomplice, Donald Huston (pictured) took a plea deal and got 30 years Bostic has been in prison for more than 20 years since he was sentenced in the late 1990s The robbers then carjacked a woman and Hutson robbed and fondled her before releasing her, according to the ACLU's brief. The two men threw the guns in a river and used the money to buy marijuana. Hutson took a plea deal and got sentenced to 30 years in prison. Bostic went to trial and lost. At Bostic's sentencing, Baker said: 'You made your choice. You're gonna have to live with your choice, and you're gonna die with your choice because, Bobby Bostic, you will die in the Department of Corrections.' Later, she said, 'I feel nothing for you. I feel the same thing for you that you apparently felt for those victims and you feel for your family.' Baker's change of heart, now based on science, follows the same reasoning the Supreme Court has used in the past, in barring life sentences for juveniles who didn't kill anyone and in throwing out mandatory life terms for people who kill before they turn 18. The ACLU wants the US Supreme Court to apply its 2010 ruling to Bostic, that bans life sentences for juveniles who are not convicted of killing some The ACLU wants the court to apply the 2010 ruling to Bostic. But Hawley, in the state's brief filed on Thursday, said there are several reasons the high court should not disturb the Missouri court rulings upholding the sentence. Among them was that the 2010 Supreme Court ruling doesn't apply to Bostic because he 'was sentenced to multiple, consecutive terms in prison for committing multiple crimes, and who will be eligible for parole in great old age.' Hawley is seeking the Republican nomination to take on Democratic US Senator Claire McCaskill in one of the nation's most closely watched races this year. A carpentry student was shot dead in a parked car after he was approached by a gunman, who fire several shots through the window. Joseph Williams Torres, 20, was sitting in a parked car in Walthamstow , east London, when he was targeted by the gunman. Emergency services rushed to the scene on Essex Close on Wednesday night. The ex-Waltham Forest college student was treated by paramedics, but died on his way to hospital. Joseph Williams Torres (pictured), 20, was sitting in a parked car in Walthamstow , east London, when he was targeted by the gunman A close friend told the Evening Standard: 'We're all heartbroken. We would walk to school together every day. He had a cheeky smile and was the class joker. 'He was close to his little sister, she is distraught. Joseph was innocent and completely harmless.' The investigation into Mr Torres' death is being led by DCI Andrew Packer. He said: 'At this early stage, it is believed that the victim was in a stationary vehicle which was approached by a number of suspects before shots were fired. 'These shots have fatally wounded the victim and left his family and friends devastated. We are doing everything we can to find the culprits. I would urge all witnesses and those with information to contact police.' There have been no arrests and enquiries continue. Anyone with information is asked to contact police via the incident room on 0208 345 3865 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. Veteran Congresswoman Rep. Louise Slaughter died Friday days after falling in her residence, her top aide said. The 88-year-old lawmaker had been the first woman to chair the House Rules Committee and was her party's top member on the panel when she died. The New York Democrat died at George Washington University Hospital in Washington, a week after a fall in which she'd sustained a concussion, said Liam Fitzsimmons, her chief of staff. Doctors had been monitoring her for a condition, Fitzsimmons said. Slaughter was serving her 16th term in the House, and her 31 years in the chamber were the third longest, according to the official House website. She chaired the Rules committee from 2007 through 2010. Tributes: Louise Slaughter, the oldest member of the House, had served since 1988. Nancy Pelosi, seen with her last year, said: 'Louise could be fiercely debating on the floor in the morning, and singing in harmony with her colleagues across the aisle in the evening.' Slaughter had a degree in microbiology and was originally from Harlan County, Kentucky, and her soft, twangy accent always seemed out of place for someone representing a district around Rochester, New York. But she was repeatedly re-elected - including a narrow victory in 2014 - and was the longest-serving member of Congress from New York when she died. 'Louise never forgot her roots as the daughter of a Kentucky blacksmith,' House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., said in a statement. 'She brought the grace and grit of her Southern background to her leadership in the Congress, building bridges and breaking down barriers all with her beautiful accent. 'Louise could be fiercely debating on the floor in the morning, and singing in harmony with her colleagues across the aisle in the evening.' Brendan Buck, spokesman for House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis., tweeted, 'The loss of Louise Slaughter is so sad. Long service: Louise Slaughter, who was pictured in 1991 during controversy over the confirmation hearings for Justice Clarence Thomas, was in her 16th term when she died Friday 'She was a powerful voice for House Democrats and incredible advocate of their agenda.' Slaughter was the chief force behind a 2012 law to ban insider stock trading based on congressional knowledge and require disclosure of market activities by lawmakers. She also helped write the Violence Against Women Act and a 2008 law designed to protect people with genetic predispositions to health conditions from facing discrimination from their employers or health insurance companies. Her death creates a vacancy at the top of the Democratic side of the Rules panel, which sets the terms of House floor debates. It's likely to be filled by Rep. Jim McGovern, D-Mass. Sam Johnson, 87, a Republican who represents the 3rd district of Texas and is a Korea and Vietnam fighter pilot veteran, is now the oldest member of Congress. A van belonging to the engineering firm which may have been conducting a stress test on the 'instant bridge' when it collapsed near Florida International University in Miami on Thursday was crushed in the rubble. Structural Technologies, a national company which offers engineering services, confirmed that one of its employees was among at least six people killed in the bridge collapse. Two other workers were injured and are in stable condition, the company told DailyMail.com. A spokesperson for the firm told DailyMail.com that the company could not comment on specifically what its employees were doing at the bridge when it collapsed due to the pending investigation. Miami-Dade Fire Rescue Department workers work at the scene of the collapsed bridge. A vehicle which appears to be a white van is seen on the left after it was crushed by the bridge. The van belongs to an engineering firm whose employees were working on the site The crushed Chevy van seen above belongs to Structural Technologies, a national company that offers engineering services A spokesperson for Structural Technologies told DailyMail.com that it could not comment on what its employees were doing at the site, though it said one of its workers died and two others were injured Arescue dog and its handler works at the scene where a pedestrian bridge collapsed to search for survivors. The Structural Technologies van is seen on the left The company said it plans to fully cooperate with local and federal authorities investigating the collapse. According to its web site, Structural Technologies offers 'post-tensioning' services to engineering firms. Post-tensioning is a method of reinforcing concrete structures. It is a form of prestressing - which means that the steel cables are stressed (pulled or tensioned) before the concrete has to support the service loads, according to ConcreteNetwork.com. Florida International University is facing questions over whether it did its due diligence in selecting the companies to ensure that the bridge was safe. The Florida Department of Transportation said that it was the school's responsibility to choose firms that were 'pre-qualified', according to CBS Miami. The state agency said that the firm chosen by the school did not fit the 'pre-qualified' criteria. FIU President Mark Rosenberg insists that the school went through the proper procedures in selecting the engineers. 'Im satisfied that the testing that was occurring was consistent with best practice,' Rosenberg said Thursday. Authorities said Friday that the cables suspending a pedestrian bridge were being tightened after a stress test when the 950-ton concrete span collapsed over traffic, killing six people only days after its installation was celebrated as a technological innovation. As state and federal investigators worked to determine how and why the five-day-old span failed, Florida politicians pointed to the stress test and loosened cables as possible factors, and a police chief asked everyone not to jump to conclusions. 'This is a tragedy that we don't want to re-occur anywhere in the United States,' said Juan Perez, director of the Miami-Dade police. Seconds later, the bridge collapsed on the traffic below, leaving dust in its wake This is the moment the 950-ton bridge, installed in just six hours on Saturday, collapsed on cars waiting for the lights to change Experts say that tightening steel cables on this kind of bridge has caused at least one collapse in the past, pointing to an example from Australia in the 1970s 'We just want to find out what caused this collapse to occur and people to die.' US Senator Marco Rubio tweeted late Thursday that cables suspending the span had loosened, and the engineering firm ordered that they be tightened. 'They were being tightened when it collapsed,' he said on Twitter. Experts from the National Transportation Safety Board and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration joined police in taking over command of the scene Friday from first responders, who had spent hours racing to find survivors in the rubble of the 175-foot span using high-tech listening devices, trained sniffing dogs and search cameras. The $14.2million pedestrian bridge was supposed to open in 2019 as a safe way to cross six lanes of traffic between the FIU campus and the community of Sweetwater, where many students live. Florida Governor Rick Scott said Thursday that investigators will get to the bottom of 'why this happened and what happened,' and if anyone did anything wrong, 'we will hold them accountable.' Rubio, who is an adjunct professor at the school, noted the pedestrian bridge was intended to be an innovative and 'one-of-a-kind engineering design.' When finished, the bridge would have been supported from above, with a tall, off-center tower and cables attached to the walkway. That tower had not yet been installed, and it was unclear what builders were using as temporary supports. An accelerated construction method was supposed to reduce risks to workers and pedestrians and minimize traffic disruption, the university said. The school has long been interested in this kind of bridge design; in 2010, it opened an Accelerated Bridge Construction Center to 'provide the transportation industry with the tools needed to effectively and economically utilize the principles of ABC to enhance mobility and safety, and produce safe, environmentally friendly, long-lasting bridges.' The rescue efforts continued through the night on Thursday as teams continued to search for survivors Robert Bea, a professor of engineering and construction management at the University of California, Berkeley, said it was too early to know exactly what happened, but he called it a risky move to use what the bridge builders called an 'innovative installation' over a heavily traveled thoroughfare. 'Innovations take a design firm into an area where they don't have applicable experience, and then we have another unexpected failure on our hands,' Bea said after reviewing the bridge's design and photos of the collapse. The project was a collaboration between MCM Construction, a Miami-based contractor, and Figg Bridge Design, based in Tallahassee. Figg is responsible for the iconic Sunshine Skyway Bridge across Tampa Bay. Both companies have been involved in bridge collapses before. FIGG was fined in 2012 after a section of a bridge it was building in Virginia crashed onto railroad tracks and injured several workers, according to a story in The Virginian-Pilot. The brand new pedestrian bridge collapsed without warning on Thursday afternoon, crushing the cars below it Aerial photos show the devastation caused when the structure collapsed, as multiple emergency vehicles rushed to the scene The bridge was built in order to link up Florida International University's campus with a neighborhood that houses students MCM, meanwhile, was accused of substandard work in a lawsuit filed this month by a worker injured when a makeshift bridge MCM built at Fort Lauderdale International Airport collapsed under his weight. Another dispute resulted in a $143,000 judgment against MCM over an 'arguable collapse' at a Miami-Dade bridge project. A review of OSHA records, meanwhile, shows MCM has been fined for 11 safety violations in the past five years totaling more than $50,000 after complaints involving its Florida work sites. Both companies expressed condolences for the victims and promised cooperation with investigators. Local The FIU community, along with Sweetwater and county officials, held a 'bridge watch party' on March 10 when the span was lifted from its temporary supports, rotated 90 degrees and lowered into what was supposed to be its permanent position. Rosenberg in a video shared on Twitter Friday that the 'tragic accident of the bridge collapse stuns us, saddens us.' 'The bridge was about collaboration, about neighborliness, about doing the right thing,' he said. 'But today we are sad and all we can do is promise a very thorough investigation in getting to the bottom of this and mourn those who we have lost.' Engineering experts say investigators looking into the collapsed bridge will want to know why a central tower which is usually built to support a suspension bridge was not in place when it collapsed onto Tamiami Trail. Last week, Florida International Universitys official Twitter account posted a rendering of the bridge in its completed form as envisioned by the planners. The rendering shows a tall central column with cables connecting it to the main span. Engineers say the design is known as a cable-stayed bridge, which is a kind of suspension bridge, according to USA Today. The bridge did not have the central tower in place, even though experts say it is usually placed at the early stages of construction. In the absence of a tower, there is usually a temporary support, though in this case it is unclear what the builders were using in the absence of a central structure. Whoever is going to investigate, they will ask the fundamental question: shouldnt the tower be there, and the cables ready to connect to the structure, when you lift it? said Amjad Aref, a professor at University at Buffalos Department of Civil, Structural and Environmental Engineering. Engineering experts say investigators looking into the collapsed instant bridge at Florida International University will want to know why a central tower which is usually built to support a suspension bridge was not in place when it collapsed onto Tamiami Trail on Thursday afternoon Last week, FIUs official Twitter account posted a rendering of the bridge in its completed form as envisioned by the planners. The rendering shows a tall central column with cables connecting it to the main span. The city of Sweetwater also released a rendering above The FIU bridge was not yet open to the public when it collapsed onto the eight-lane highway below, killing at least six people and injuring at least 10. It is seen above after it was installed last Saturday and before its collapse on Thursday Thats a question for them to answer. Cable-stayed bridges are built in stages. First, planners will locate a clear piece of land with stable ground and a good location. They will then conduct a subsurface investigation which involves lab testing on the soil to make sure that any proposed structure would be supported by the geological conditions at the site. If those tests permit, engineers would then erect piers the upright supports for a structure like a bridge or an arch - and the support span. After building the main piers, engineers usually begin construction of the central tower. After the tower is built and the stay cables are installed, engineers then begin work on extending the central span. When asked about why there was no central column built before the span, the head of the National Transportation Safety Board, Robert Sumwalt, said: Thats part of our investigation. The NTSB is an independent federal agency that probes transportation-related accidents. An IT teacher from Ghana who won worldwide praise for teaching students how to use Microsoft Word on a blackboard has finally been given some computers for his classroom. Owura Kwadwo - better known as Richard Appiah Akoto - received a laptop for students to use and at least five new desktop computers from individual donors and organisations around the world. And as part of Microsoft's promise to offer him free training, Akoto has also been flown to Singapore to attend the annual Microsoft Educators Exchange. The school - thanks to the efforts of Mr Akoto - now has at least five desktop computers and two laptops Mr Akoto for the past six years has taught at Betenase M/A Junior High School, about three hours north of the second largest Ghanaian city of Kumasi Delighted schoolchildren recently showed off their new laptop which has also comes from donors along with various IT teaching manuals and guides The tech giant had pledged to equip him with a device from a business partner as well as access to the Microsoft Certified Educator Program (MCE) for professional development, CNN reported. A Saudi benefactor at Leeds University sent him a laptop 'as a small gift to him and his students' after reading about Mr Akoto's equipment shortage. 'I always understand from the teachings of Islam that useful knowledge is crucial for the benefit of the self and humanity,' PhD statistics student Amirah Alharthi said. An Accra-based computer training school also donated five desktop computers to the school, along with books and a personal laptop for Mr Akoto, who expressed his thanks this week on Facebook. 'God bless you all,' he said. Because there were no computers at the middle school where he works he used coloured chalk painstakingly to draw a version of the computer screen onto the blackboard. In mid-February, he shared a Facebook post showing photos of his 'needs must' method of teaching. Mr Akoto's improvisation skills last month won worldwide plaudits after they appeared on social media The school did not have any computers even though in recent years 14 and 15-year-olds are expected to write and pass a national exam, with ICT being one of the subjects 'Teaching of ICT in Ghana's school is very funny,' Mr Akoto - said in a Facebook post alongside the photos. 'I love my students so have to do what will make them understand what [I] am teaching.' The IT teacher was subsequently contacted by Microsoft after the images were shared thousands of times online. The company promised to send him new computer equipment and give him access to its 'professional development resources'. Mr Akoto for the past six years has taught at Betenase M/A Junior High School, about three hours north of the second largest Ghanaian city of Kumasi. The school did not have any computers even though in recent years 14 and 15-year-olds are expected to write and pass a national exam, with ICT being one of the subjects. 'This is not my first time [of drawing] it. I have been doing it anytime I am in the classroom,' Akoto told Quartz Africa. 'I like posting pictures on Facebook so I just felt like [sharing it]. I didn't know it would get the attention of people like that,' he said. His story was brought to the attention of Microsoft by entrepreneur Rebecca Enonchong who tweeted the company to point that he was teaching the use of their product without having physical access to it. 'Surely you can get him some proper resources,' she suggested. Quartz subsequently pointed out that Akoto's situation typified an 'under-resourced dysfunctional public school system'. It said that many economically disadvantaged families throughout Africa 'are forced to choose private schools over free public primary schools' due to a lack of resources. In Ghana, there have been calls for more resources to help rural schools like Betenase which 'struggles with teaching logistics challenges'. A member of President Donald Trump's cabinet put his 'ashi' (foot) in his 'kuchi' (mouth) on Thursday when he greeted a congresswoman who had just told the gut-wrenching story of her Japanese grandparents enduring World War II internment camps in the U.S. 'Well, konichiwa!' Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke told Hawaii Rep. Colleen Hanabusa, using the version of 'hello' usually spoken in the afternoon. 'I think it's still "Ohayo gozaimasu",' she shot back, correcting him to reflect that it was still morning. 'But that's okay.' Video footage shot in the House Natural Resources Committee hearing room showed a woman in the audience behind Zinke with a horrified look on her face. Scroll down for video Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke put his foot in his mouth during a hearing of the House Natural Resources Committee on Thursday Hawaii Rep. Colleen Hanabusa asked Zinke about a small grant that preserves historical sites relating to the internment of Japanese Americans during World War II and said her grandfathers were both among them and Zinke opened his response with, 'Well, konichiwa' This photo shows Japanese-Americans in Los Angeles being rounded up in April 1942 before being taken to internment camps under 'War Emergency Orders' issued by the U.S. Army One woman seated behind Zinke was visibly horrified by his Japanese greeting Hawaii Democratic Senator Mazie Hirono was equally horrified. 'The internment of nearly 120,000 Japanese Americans is no laughing matter, @SecretaryZinke, Hirono tweeted. 'What you thought was a clever response to @RepHanabusa was flippant & juvenile.' Hirono is the first female Asian-American U.S. senator, and the first senator born on Japanese soil. Sen. Mazie Hirono slammed Zinke as 'flippant and juvenile,' while Hanabusa called his gaffe a 'teachable moment' Hanabusa tweeted that her exchange with the interior secretary was a '#TeachableMoment.' She had asked Zinke whether he would promise to fund $2 million in grants to maintain the internment camps in Hawaii and elsewhere, for historical interest. That money was stripped from the Interior Department's latest budget. Hirono was asking Zinke about small grants that fund maintenance of places like Manzanar National Historic Site near Independence, California, the site of one internment came from 1942 to 1945 This sprawling camp in Santa Anita, California, held thousands of Japanese-Americans after Japan bombed Pearl Harbor 'I sit before you the granddaughter of two internees. Both of my grandfathers were interned during World War II,' Hanabusa said. 'It is essential that we as a nation recognize our darkest moments so that we don't have them repeat again.' Zinke told the congresswoman that he understood the grant program's significance and would consider reinstating it. 'I will look at it and I will work with you on it, because I think it is important,' he said. Two thirsty thieves were caught on surveillance footage stealing an entire vending machine of soda. The footage shows one unidentified male approach a vending machine in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and appear to be interested in buying a soda. But he leaves without making his purchase only to return again with another male and a white pickup truck. The two thieves covered their faces with bandanas before hoisting the machine into the bed of a truck. The Oklahoma City Police Department is looking for this man and his accomplice after they stole a vending machine Caught on camera! Security footage shows the two men load the machine into a white pickup truck before driving off Police are still searching for the two thieves who stole the vending machine from an Oklahoma City business. The footage was initially posted by the Oklahoma City Police Department on Wednesday to help the public identify the thieves. The police believe the man who is first seen in the video eyeing the vending machine is one of the males who returns later to steal it because he is wearing a bandana around his neck in the first shot. Footage was able to get a clear look at his face before he returned with an accomplice where they both covered their faces with the bandanas. It took effort, but both were able to lift and slide the vending machine into the back of the white pickup truck before driving off. Police are asking anyone with information to call Crime Stoppers at 405-235-7300. Footage showed the two men, who covered their faces with bandanas, struggle at first to push the vending machine into the truck A murder probe has been launched into the death of Russian exile and Putin critic Nikolai Glushkov, who was found dead at his home in New Malden on Monday An exiled critic of Vladimir Putin died from 'compression to the neck' at his London home, Scotland Yard announced today, as detectives revealed they are treating his death as murder. Nikolai Glushkov, 68, was found dead by his daughter, Natalia, at his suburban home in New Malden, south London on Monday night - just eight days after the nerve agent attack on spy Sergei Skripal. Mr Glushkov was one of the last surviving members of an ill-fated circle of Russian exiles - led by Putin's enemy Boris Berezovsky - who have died in suspicious circumstances. The announcement of the murder probe comes amid mounting tensions between the Whitehall and the Kremlin over the shocking chemical weapons attack in Salisbury. Russia is set to expel British diplomats from Moscow in a tit-for-tat response to the UK's expulsion of 23 staff from Moscow's mission to London, as tensions worsen between the two nations. A Scotland Yard spokesman said today: 'A murder investigation has been launched following the results of a post mortem into the death of 68-year-old Russian businessman Nikolay Glushkov. Mr Glushkov's family has been informed.' The spokesman added: 'The Met Police's Counter Terrorism Command, which has led the investigation from the outset, is now treating Mr Glushkov's death as murder. Mr Glushkov's friend Boris Berezovsky was found dead in his Berkshire home in 2013 and the death of another of their circle, Badri Patarkatsishvili, is also unexplained Mr Glushkov was found by his daughter, Russian businesswoman Natalia Glushkova 'As a precaution, the command is retaining primacy for the investigation because of the associations Mr Glushkov is believed to have had.' Mr Glushkov was jailed in Russia in 2000 and held at the notorious Lefortovo Prison for five years until being cleared of fraud and money laundering and freed. He claimed political asylum in Britain and lived out of the limelight in suburban south London. However, at the time of his death he was preparing for a 90million High Court showdown with his former employer Aeroflot. Mr Glushkov was being sued by the airline, which is 51 per cent state-owned, for the return of 90 million which it alleges he embezzled along with Boris Berezovsky, the anti-Putin oligarch who is thought to have committed suicide in 2013. The Met Police said today: 'Mr Glushkov, a retired financial director, was a Russian national who had lived at that address for two years. Police officers stand on duty outside the home of Nikolai Glushkov in New Malden, today Mr Glushkov was one of the last surviving members of an ill-fated circle of Russian exiles - led by Putin's enemy Boris Berezovsky - who have died in suspicious circumstances (images from today) 'At this stage there is nothing to suggest any link to the attempted murders in Salisbury, nor any evidence that he was poisoned.' It comes as police and health officials have identified 131 people who could have been exposed to the nerve agent that has left Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia in a critical condition. Intelligence agencies are working on the theory that was hidden in Yulia Skripal's luggage inside cosmetics or a gift and then opened in her father's house in Salisbury around March 4. While, last year, Mr Glushkov was handed a second eight-year sentence by a Russian court in his absence over the alleged theft from Aeroflot, where he was previously finance director. Russia has not commented on the Met probe, but announced today that Moscow has launched its own investigation into his murder and the attempted murder of Yulia Skripal. The usually quiet street in New Malden, south London has been flooded with Scotland Yard counter-terrorism officers this week as a huge probe was launched into Glushkov's death Mr Glushkov's former bodyguard this week revealed the extent of his worries over his safety and the measures they took to preserve his safety. The minder told the Telegraph how Mr Glushkov had hatched an escape plan which included a hideaway should his life be put in danger. He told the paper: 'When we were informed things were a little tense, we were told to prepare a getaway for Glushkov.' The bodyguard had also worked with Glushkov's friend and former business partner Boris Berezovsky and said the exiles saw poison as 'always a threat'. The security guard said: 'Boris [Berezovsky] spoke openly that the orders came directly from Putin to eliminate him and his friends.' Forensics officers outside a house in New Malden which has been sealed off after the Russian businessman, a close friend of Putin critic Boris Berezovsky, was found dead A police forensics tent has been set up outside his home in the London suburb of New Malden Police are mounting a thorough investigation amid fevered talk of political assassinations The blue-forensics tent is visible in the otherwise peaceful suburban streets of New Malden Boris Berezovsky was said to have taken his own life after he was found strangled at his Surrey mansion in 2013, although Mr Glushkov was always among those who refused to accept that his billionaire oligarch friend killed himself. Another of his close acquaintances, Georgian billionaire Badri Patarkatsishvili, 52, also died in mysterious circumstances five years earlier. In that case, police investigated claims he was the target of an assassination plot but a coroner was told he probably suffered a heart attack. Glushkov said shortly after close friend Berezovsky's death in 2013: 'You have the deaths of Boris and Badri over a short period of time. 'Too many bodies are happening. I'd say this is a little bit too much. I don't see anyone left apart from me.' The Home Secretary has already ordered a fresh official inquiry into a number of other deaths in Britain that could be connected to Russia. The murder probe comes amid a war of words between Russia and the UK after Theresa May announced she is expelling 23 of Putin's spies Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia are both critically ill in hospital after a nerve agent attack The Russian Embassy announced today that authorities in Moscow have launched their own investigation into both Mr Glushkov's murder and Ms Skripal's attempted murder Officers are examining Mr Glushkov's movements, telephone contacts and circle of friends, amid claims he remained worried by legal manoeuvres by the Russian authorities. The investigation comes amid a breakdown in Anglo-Russian relationships after Theresa May announced Vladimir Putin's state was behind a Novichok nerve agent attack on former double agent Sergei Skripal. Mr Skripal, his daughter Yulia and a Wiltshire police sergeant, Nick Bailey, all remain in hospital following the attack. Boris Johnson today gave the clearest statement yet that the UK believes Mr Putin himself authorised the use of Novichok against the Skripals. 'Our quarrel is with Putin's Kremlin, and with his decision - and we think it overwhelmingly likely that it was his decision - to direct the use of a nerve agent on the streets of the UK, on the streets of Europe for the first time since the Second World War.' But within minutes Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov hit back branding the remark 'nothing but shocking and unforgiveable behaviour from the point of view of diplomacy'. He added: 'Russia has nothing to do with this story.' The huge clear-up operation in Salisbury continued today as part of the Skripal investigation The Army are handling contaminated evidence as the probe spreads into surrounding counties Moscow has said it will retaliate imminently to Theresa May's decision to kick out 23 Russian diplomats, and will expel UK officials. Extraordinarily, the Russian ambassador to London claimed today that the British authorities could have faked the poisoning of the Skripals. Speaking to the Russian state-funded RT television, Alexander Yakovenko said it was 'suspicious' that information about the case, including photographs of the victims, had not yet been released. Who was Nikolai Glushkov? Nikolai Glushkov spent five years in jail in Russia before he was freed and claimed asylum in Britain By David Wilkes for The Daily Mail From a high-flying role at Russia's state airline, to jail, and then being forced into exile in Britain, the trajectory of Nikolai Glushkov's life all too chillingly reflects the perils of falling out of favour with Vladimir Putin. Back in the 1990s, the debonair businessman Mr Glushkov worked for Aeroflot, where he held the title deputy director in charge of finance, and also for the oligarch Boris Berezovsky's car manufacturing company LogoVAZ. But after falling out with Putin, Mr Glushkov was jailed for five years on charges of money laundering and fraud. Claims have since emerged that Mr Glushkov had discovered that the airline worked as a 'cash cow' to support international spying operations. Crucially, too, he was also a close friend of Mr Berezovsky, who, of course, had helped Putin to power in 2000, but later turned on him, accusing him of running a gangster state. In his book The Putin Corporation, author Yuri Felshtinsky relates a claim that - 'on Putin's instructions' - if he wanted to obtain Mr Glushkov's release, Mr Berezovsky was told he would have to renounce all political activity and sell all his media holdings, 'everything, including the newspapers'. Glushkov (right in recent years and, left, during his time in Russia) was jailed in absentia in Russia last year over allegations of financial irregularities After serving his sentence and being released in 2004, Mr Glushkov was later handed another sentence for fraud, this time two years suspended, but then fled to Britain. He remained in the UK after being granted political asylum seven years ago. For the last couple of years he made his home in New Malden, South-West London, in a suburban street where the average house price is 698,000. There, he is believed to have lived alone and was regarded by neighbours as 'a nice man'. One said the Russian used to give presents to their children at Christmas. But while he lived quietly at home, Mr Glushkov increasingly became an outspoken critic of Putin in his forays into public life. In 2011, Mr Glushkov gave evidence in a multi-billion pound High Court case brought by Mr Berezovsky against his former business partner and fellow oligarch Roman Abramovich, who has maintained a good relationship with Putin. He said that he was told he would be killed shortly before he was jailed for financial crimes in Russia in 2000. He fled to England on his release and claimed political asylum Many observers remarked that the case sometimes seemed as much an attempt to embarrass the Russian president as to hold Mr Abramovich to account. Mr Berezvosky's claim was rejected by the court and he withdrew from public life. Then, in March 2013, Mr Berezovsky, 67, was found hanged at his home in Ascot, Berkshire. Suicide was suspected and police found no signs of a struggle, but a coroner recorded an open verdict into Mr Berezvosky's death. Mr Glushkov was close to Putin critic Boris Berezovsky, pictured Mr Glushkov was among friends and fellow Russian exiles who were sceptical he had had committed suicide, saying in an interview that he was 'definite Boris was killed.' He also referred to the murder of former Russian spy and Putin critic Alexander Litvinenko, who was killed in 2006 when Russian assassins poisoned him with polonium, a highly radioactive metal. 'Too many deaths [of Russian exiles] have been happening,' Mr Glushkov said. All the while, he himself was still being pursued by the Kremlin. Only last year he was convicted in absentia by a Russian court and prosecutors demanded an eight-year prison sentence for Mr Glushkov, claiming he had embezzled $122.5 million (88 million) from Aeroflot. They alleged he had conspired with Mr Berezvosky to carry out financial restructuring of the company and that the loans for this were then embezzled. Friends of Mr Glushkov always saw him as a victim of politically motivated accusations. Now, in a tragic final twist, his life has abruptly ended at the age of 68. Advertisement Advertisement These adorable pictures show a young polar bear cub waking up his mother up by licking her face as his sibling clambered onto her back. Wildlife photographer Andy Skillen, 49, of North Cheam, London, spent two weeks searching for polar bear families on the sea ice off Baffin Island, in arctic Canada. This trio was the first family he and his Inuit guides and trackers came across during their search. The cubs had left the security of their den for the first time and though one seems to be a little more relaxed about his new surroundings, his sibling is clearly eager to play. A young polar bear cub wakes his mother up with a kiss as his sibling lies on top of her on the sea ice off Baffin Island, Canada Wildlife photographer Andy Skillen spent two weeks searching for polar bear families before coming across this trio The photographs captured the mother and her two cubs playing, on an iceberg as well as resting in the snow. Mr Skillen, who has been photographing wildlife for more than 20 years, said: 'We were camping out on the ice and searching for newborn polar bear cubs emerging from the dens with their mothers. 'The cubs are out for the first time, and these were all taken on an iceberg, that, at this time of year, is locked in the sea ice like a mountain. 'Me and the team of Inuit guides and trackers were searching for these bears for a couple of weeks using snowmobiles to cross the frozen ocean, and this was the first family we had managed to track down. 'Young polar bear cubs are hugely playful - everything is new to them. 'They have been born in a dark, warm den with mother's milk on tap, and when they come out the world is cold, white, and seemingly endless.' The cubs had left the security of their den for the first time and though one seems to be a little more relaxed about his new surroundings, his sibling is clearly eager to play The photographs captured the mother and her two cubs playing, on an iceberg as well as resting in the snow Mr Skillen, who has been photographing wildlife for more than 20 years, said: 'We were camping out on the ice and searching for newborn polar bear cubs emerging from the dens with their mothers' He added that at this time, the mothers head down from their mountain dens and out onto the sea ice to hunt seals. 'Many of the seals which the polar bears manage to catch are found around the base of the icebergs, as pressure ridges form there which allow the adult seals to punch through and create breathing holes for their pups,' he said. 'At this time of year, the ocean is frozen from Baffin almost to Greenland.' Temperatures vary, with the lowest day being around -45C and the warmest, a balmy -20C. 'On average, it was about -35C to -40C most days,' Mr Skillen said. The photos were taken from a distance of about 30 to 40 metres, with Mr Skillen standing on the sea ice, while the bears relaxed on the iceberg 'The bears like to use icebergs as places to rest and survey the scene, and as such feel secure there,' Mr Skillen explained 'All of these photos were taken from a distance of about 30 to 40 metres, with me standing on the sea ice, while they relaxed on the iceberg. 'The bears like to use icebergs as places to rest and survey the scene, and as such feel secure there. 'This allows me to get closer to them on foot, having parked the snowmobiles first so the engines don't disturb them.' 'I'm standing in about two feet of snow, on top of sea ice, staring at a locked-in iceberg with a polar bear family on it. 'All the activity you see is basically the mother humouring her young cubs as they play around, full of energy. 'However, when she wanted to get up and leave, we let her go, and she carried on her way across the ice in search of a meal.' Aisha Evans, 32, a contractor working at a South Carolina school, stole $180 from students protesting gun violence, police say A school custodian stole money from students taking part in National Walkout Day to protest against gun violence, police say. Aisha Evans, 32, a contractor working at Richland Northeast High School, in South Carolina, was arrested on Thursday and charged with petty larceny. Investigators say she rifled through the book bags of three students after they left the school to take part in the demonstrations. In total she stole $180 from the children, the Richland County Sheriff's Department said. The school district said that Evans was employed by Service Solutions, a contractor which provides a number of custodians for the school. She was fired from that position on Thursday, school officials said, and is no longer welcome on any school property. The investigation was carried out by school administrators and the school resource officer before Evans was arrested and taken to jail. Thousands of high school students downed pens on Wednesday and walked out of classes in solidarity with the children and staff shot dead at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Florida last month. The #ENOUGH National School Walkout began at 10am local time across the country, and lasted 17 minutes, one minute for each victim. Students are calling for stricter laws on gun ownership to protect themselves from acts of mass violence. Evans is accused of going through the book bags of three students at Richland Northeast High School (pictured) after they walked out to take part in the protests A body was found floating in a pond after a witness posted a photo on Facebook instead of calling the police. Tracy Rex Kunzler, 51, was pulled from the pond in Ogden, north of Salt Lake City, on Wednesday after the now-deleted post went up the night before. Numerous shocked members of the community page called police after seeing the photo and berated the witness for not doing so themselves. Tracy Rex Kunzler, 51, was pulled from this pond in Ogden, north of Salt Lake City, on Wednesday after a photo of his body was posted on Facebook Local police lieutenant Danielle Croyle said Mr Kunzler's death was not suspicious but declined to provide more detail about how he died. Ms Croyle said the witness didn't contact police because they weren't sure if the boy was real or just a mannequin, but should have anyway. 'Look, if you see something suspicious, or you see something of concern, you need to call right away,' she told the Salt Lake Tribune. A medical examiner will conduct an autopsy to determine how Mr Kunzler died. The illegal alien who was acquitted of murdering Kate Steinle by the state of California is suing the federal government for bringing its own charges against him. Jose Ines Garcia Zarate was acquitted of first degree murder and manslaughter in December by a jury in California. He is between 45 and 52 - both ages appear in legal documents for him. He claimed he accidentally fired the gun which killed Steinle, 32, as she walked along San Francisco's Pier 14 with her father and a friend in July 2015. He was convicted of felony gun charges and in January was sentenced to three years imprisonment which was negated by the time he had already served behind bars. He did not walk free, however, having been indicted on federal charges three days after the verdict in his state trial was returned. Since December, he has been in federal custody and he now faces 10 years in a federal prison then deportation if convicted. Had he not been charged federally, he would have been deported back to Mexico when following the conclusion of his case in January. Jose Ines Garcia Zarate is suing the federal government for prosecuting him over the death of Kate Steinle, a 32-year-old woman he killed in 2015. Zarate is an illegal immigrant from Mexico who fired a gun, allegedly by accident, and killed Steinle. He was acquitted of murder by a Californian jury last year and was convicted of firearms charges. Federal prosecutors have charged him with their own gun charges now and he faces 10 years behind bars if convicted Zarate had been in the United States illegally for decades and had been deported five times before Steinle's death. The earliest record of him in the US was in 1991 when he was arrested in Arizona for possessing drugs. Months beforehand, he was released from the custody of San Francisco officials instead of being turned over to ICE officials over a 20-year-old drug charge. In his lawsuit, Zarate claims they are the same charges he was convicted of and that he is being unfairly prosecuted by the government. His attorneys say his prosecution was politically driven by President Donald Trump who often referred to Steinle's death as a reason to build a wall between the US and Mexico during his campaign. In his 20-page lawsuit, he cites tweets written by the president which dub his acquittal 'a disgrace'. He also makes reference to comments made by Attorney General Jeff Sessions about his case. 'This case was highly publicized, both locally and nationally. In his lawsuit, Zarate complains about President Trump's tweets which came days before he was indicted by a federal grand jury. He says the prosecution was 'vindictive' and that he is being used as a political example 'Almost immediately after the death of Ms. Steinle, then presidential candidate Donald Trump began to use Mr. Garcia-Zarate as the symbol of the dangers of illegal immigrants and the need for a wall between the United States and Mexico,' the lawsuit reads. He also claims that the federal government was involved in the state case and put pressure on prosecutors. Zarate hopes his arguments will force a hearing on the matter and ultimately lead to the charges against him being thrown out. On July 1, Steinle was walking along the pier with her father Jim and a friend when a bullet from the gun Zarate was holding pierced her aorta after striking her in the back. Zarate ran away and was arrested hours later. He first told police he had been trying to shoot a seal then claimed the gun went off by accident when he stepped on it. Zarate (pictured in July 2015) was homeless and claims he came across the gun. It had been stolen from a Bureau of Land Management Ranger's car. He said he shot Steinle by accident. The jury at his state trial could not disprove him and found him not guilty of murder and manslaughter Steinle's parents Jim and Liz are shown in court in November 2017. The family said she had been failed at every turn by the government The gun belonged to Bureau of Land Management agent John Woychowski who had left it unattended in a zipped-up compartment of a backpack in his car. It was stolen from the vehicle. Among the complaints in Zarate's 20-page lawsuit is that Woychowski got none of the blame for Steinle's death and that his attorneys were not allowed to question him sufficiently during the state trial. San Francisco officials said the government was using Steinle's death as a 'political football' after they filed charges against Zarate 'It was apparent from the questions by the prosecution that it intended to shield the ranger from any responsibility in this case, as any blame on the agent,' they say in the lawsuit. Zarate claims the federal government's prosecution of him is 'vindictive' and violates his constituional rights. He argues that it violates the Double Jeopardy clause of the Fifth Amendment which protects a person from being prosecuted twice for the same crime if no new evidence has emerged. It does not protect defendants who have been acquitted at a state level from facing federal charges, however under the Dual Sovereignty Doctrine, so long as the second prosecution is not vindictive. 'Although the charges in this case are brought forth by a different sovereign than the original trial, that, in and of itself, does not negate the vindictive nature of this prosecution,' Zarate's lawyer says in the suit. Steinle's family have not spoken publicly since his acquittal, saying at the time that they wanted to move on from the ordeal. They complained at the time that none of the case or publicity surrounding their daughter's death had been on 'their terms'. Law enforcement officials in Texas have made two additional arrests related to a child pornography case in which a man was previously charged with more than 3,000 criminal counts. Cody Franklin, 28, who was initially described as a 'person of interest,' has now been charged with aggravated assault of a child. Patrick Tumlinson, 47, has been arrested on four misdemeanors counts of failure to report aggravated sexual assault of child. Slew of charges: James Tumlinson (left), 26, has been charged with 3,191 counts of possession of child porn. His father Patrick (center), has been charged with failure to report, and his friend Cody Franklin (right), has been charged with aggravated assault of a child According to San Jacinto Sheriff's Office, Tumlinson's son, 26-year-old James Tumlinson, was arrested in Shepherd on February 28 on a single felony count of continuous sexual assault of a child. Following an investigation, Tumlinson was charged last week with a second count of continuous sexual assault of a child, 3,191 counts of possession of child pornography and seven charges of possession and promotion of child pornography. Sheriff Greg Capers told KPRC this is the 'worst case' of its kind he had even come across in his 37-year career in law enforcement. So far, investigators have identified and spoke to seven of the underage victims depicted in pornographic photos and videos that were seized during a search of a home in the 900 block of Joyce Street in Shepherd. Capers said some of the videos featuring local children between the ages of five and 12 depicted torture. Authorities suspect there could be up to 20 more victims out there, and they would like to speak to them. Tumlinson works as a plumber and lives in Shepherd, Texas, with his young daughter (left) Franklin, James Tumlinson's friend, was previously named a 'person of interest' in the case The younger Tumlinson works as a plumber and has a young daughter. He is currently being held in jail without bond. His father's bond was set at a total of $40,000, at $10,000 for each of the four counts. Franklin, who appears to have a young child of his own, is friends with James Tumlinson on Facebook. He was also ordered jailed without bond. Propublica has retracted a 2017 report that Gina Haspel, who is President Donald Trump's pick to run the CIA, ran a secret CIA prison in Thailand when terror suspect Abu Zubaydah was waterboarded repeatedly. Haspel did run the CIA 'black site,' but her tenure began in 2002, after the suspected Al Qaeda leader was waterboarded 83 times. The Propublica story said Haspel oversaw Abu Zuabaydah's detainment, where he was slammed against a wall, forced to lie in a coffin shaped box, and forced to endure sleep deprivation, blaring sounds, and isolation. The original account also said Haspel mocked his suffering in a private conversation. 'Neither of these assertions is correct,' according to the retraction. President Donald Trump's choice to be the first female director of the CIA is career spymaster Gina Haspel, who is the agency's deputy director The initial report was based in part on partially redacted documents. Haspel's nomination prompted two former colleagues to come forward and say she did not run the site until 2002, when Abu Zubaydah's interrogation had ended. However, the New York Times reported that she was in charge when Abd al-Rahim al-Nashiri got waterboarded. OOPS: ProPublica retracted a report claiming Haspel ran a secret prison during the torture of Abu Zubaydah Simulation: Some of the 'enhanced interrogation techniques' used at the CIA 'black site' run by Trump's pick to direct it were shown on Zero Dark Thirty, the movie about the hunt for bin Laden Real-life: Gina Haspel's clandestine career will inevitably see her compared to Claire Danes' Homeland character Carrie Mathison but it will be her oversight of the detention of Abu Zubaydah when he lost an eye and was waterboarded 83 times in a month which will dominate her confirmation hearing Her name also was on the order to carry out the destruction of videotapes of the interrogation, the New York Times reported, although the agency said her superior, Jose Rodriguez, head of the clandestine service, had made the decision. Haspel, who has extensive overseas experience, is likely to be compared by supporters to Carrie Mathison, the CIA spy played on hit Showtime series Homeland by Claire Danes for her clandestine career. Sen. John McCain of Arizona said torture of detainees is 'one of the darkest chapters' in U.S. history Sen. John McCain of Arizona said torture of detainees is 'one of the darkest chapters' in U.S. history She also played a role in 'extraordinary rendition' where terror suspects were handed over to foreign governments. Both policies were extremely controversial during the George W. Bush administration, and became issues during her confirmation. Zubaydah lost an eye while he was in CIA custody. An image published by WikiLeaks when he was transferred to a military prison Guantanamo Bay showed him with an eye patch. His lawyers said he lost his left eye, though exactly how is likely in the classified portion of a Senate Intelligence Committee report. Democratic Sen. Ron Wyden called her an 'unsuitable' nominee immediately after Trump announced his decision. GOP Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky said he would oppose the nomination of Haspel as well as of Pompeo to be Secretary of State. "I'm perplexed by the nominations of people who loved the Iraq War so much they advocate for war with Iran,' said Paul. Her nomination could also draw opposition from Sen. John McCain of Arizona. Ian Rooke, 28 (pictured), said he attacked Mr Kurdy because 'first guy he saw without kids' A man who randomly stabbed a Muslim surgeon in the neck as he made his way into a mosque has been cleared of attempted murder. Ian Rooke, 28, stabbed Dr Nasser Kurdy in the neck from behind with a kitchen knife on September 24 last year, Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court heard. Leading up to the attack Mr Rooke, who has a personality disorder and was prescribed mood-stabilising drugs, hadn't taken his medication for two days. Mr Rooke approached Mr Kurdy, who is of Syrian Jordanian origin, as he walked into the Islamic Cultural Centre in Hale, Trafford, Manchester, at 5.30pm. The 58-year-old, an orthopaedic surgeon at Wythenshawe Hospital, retreated inside the building, grabbed a chair to defend himself and went outside to confront Mr Rooke, but he had fled, the court heard. After the attack Rooke left the scene and his brother, Daniel Chapman, was mistakenly arrested because he matched the description of the offender. Court heard how Dr Nasser Kurdy (pictured outside Minshull Street Crown Court) retreated inside the Islamic Cultural Centre When asked about the stabbing, Rooke told police: 'I'll take full responsibility - my intention was to kill the guy, it was me I did it. I wanted to kill him. 'I saw a male with two children but thought no, that's not right. I then saw the other man and thought yeah, you're having it and I did him. I hope I have killed him. I stabbed a guy right, I did, I did.' He added: 'I'm all right. It was either my brother or me going out intentionally to kill a person. I don't give a f**k if I have to do 20 years in a prison cell.' A jury cleared Rooke of trying to kill Dr Kurdy. The three-day trial heard Rooke, of no fixed abode, who admitted the attack but denied attempted murder, apologise to his victim in court. Jurors heard Mr Kurdy was not attacked because he was entering a mosque, or because he is Muslim, but was simply 'in the wrong place at the wrong time'. Mr Kurdy was stabbed outside the Islamic Centre (pictured) in Hale, Greater Manchester They came back with a majority not guilty verdict on Friday afternoon. 'I would just like to apologise to Mr Kurdy and even to my mother. I'm really sorry,' Mr Rooke told the court on Thursday. The father-of-three suffered a 5cm wound to the left side of the back of his neck. The wound had missed his jugular vein and spinal cord by millimetres and Mr Kurdy was taken to hospital for stitches. Theresa May continued to cast off her stuffy 'Maybot' image as she cradled a newborn baby on a visit to open a housing estate today. The Prime Minister cooed over six-day-old Ted Young and posed for the cameras gazing adoringly down at him. As a poll showed the public think she is handling the aftermath of the Salisbury attack best, the Prime Minister was cheered by voters for the second day in a row. The Prime Minister (pictured today in Wokingham) cooed over six-day-old Ted Young and posed for the cameras gazing adoringly down at him Mrs May won the Tory leadership after Andrea Leadsom dropped out of the race for no 10 after comments in an interview in which she said being a mother gave her more of a stake in the future than Mrs May. In 2016 the Prime Minister told the Mail on Sunday about her heartbreaking struggle to have children. She said at the time: 'Of course we were both affected by it. You see friends who now have grown-up children, but you accept the hand that life deals you. 'Sometimes things you wish had happened dont or there are things you wish youd been able to do, but cant. There are other couples in a similar position. The photo-opp comes a day after she snatched headlines by fist bumping a tattooed member of the crowd while on a walk around of Salisbury following the poison attack. Mrs May was introduced to the new-born as she visited a new estate of affordable homes homes in Wokingham, Berkshire today. The Prime Minister was introduced to Ted by his parents Robyn Beard and Sam Young as his 18 month-old big sister Daisy looked on She was introduced to Ted by his parents Robyn Beard and Sam Young, who are set to move into one of the 68 new properties, as his 18 month-old big sister Daisy looked on. The Prime Minister has vowed to tackle the housing crisis and get more people on the property ladder. The photo-opp comes as the PM appears to be making progress in shrugging of her reputation for being stuffy and impersonal. She was nick-named 'the Maybot' during the General Election campaign thanks to her robotic style of delivery and the fact that her stump speeches stuck to a predictable and rigid script. Many commentators remarked upon the stark contrast to Jeremy Corbyn - who is most at ease while pressing the flesh and pulled in vast crowds while out campaigning. But the PM has made efforts to try to cast off this image in recent months, appearing on ITV's flagship morning show This Morning. And yesterday she won plaudits for fist bumping a member of the crowd who stopped to get a selfie with her in Salisbury. A schoolboy even shouted: I love you Theresa as she got into her car which made her turn and smile before replying thank you. The PM snatched headlines by fist bumping a tattooed member of the crowd while on a walk around of Salisbury yesterday following the poison attack The Prime Ministers tough stance against Russia appears to have won her fans all round the country. More than half of voters said the PM was doing well, compared to just 23 per cent who said she was not handling it well. By contrast, the public had a much worse view of Jeremy Corbyn, who has come under fire for his failure to point the finger at Moscow. Just 18 per cent of those asked said he had performed well in the days after the attempted murder of former Russian double agent Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia with the nerve agent Novichok. The YouGov poll for the Times found 39 per cent said he was doing badly The PM visited the Cathedral city where Russian former spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia were poisoned with the deadly nerve agent Novichok. Tory MP Nadine Dorries remarked upon the fist bump on Twitter, writing: 'Stay tuned, next up, The Macarena.' And Vote leave activist Darren Grimes wrote: 'Corbyn the absolute boi? Nah, mate. Theresa May fist bumps members of the public now.' The Prime Minister was accompanied by police officers and the local MP John Glen as she visited Salisbury for the first time since the atrocity. She received flowers from well-wishers as she condemned the 'despicable' act. The Stormy Daniels-Donald Trump saga is set to spike again at the end of this month when the former porn stars 60 Minutes interview with Anderson Cooper is broadcast. The story first surfaced in 2011, after Stormy Daniels, real name Stephanie Clifford, alleged in an interview with In Touch magazine that she had sex with Donald Trump and actually had a year-long affair with him in 2006. Things escalated at the beginning of 2018, when the Wall Street Journal reported that Trump allegedly paid $130,000 in hush money to Stormy during the 2016 US Election campaign. Stormy Daniels is expected to discuss her alleged relationship with Trump on 60 Minutes Since then Trumps lawyer, Michael Cohen, stated that he paid Stormy out of his own pocket. Stormy also signed a non-disclosure agreement preventing her from discussing the alleged sexual encounter. However, at the beginning of March 2018, Stormy Daniels sued President Trump to get the non-disclosure agreement thrown out on the grounds of it being invalid, since Trump allegedly never signed it himself. Since then, it was revealed that Michael Cohen obtained a gag order that prevents Stormy from discussing confidential information relating to the non-disclosure agreement. However, on March 8, Stormys lawyer, Michael Avenatti, tweeted a picture of him with Stormy and 60 Minutes reporter and CNN anchor, Anderson Cooper, and tagged 60 Minutes Twitter account. A source confirmed that Anderson Cooper really did conduct an interview with Stormy for the investigative journalism program, though it wasnt scheduled to be broadcast straight away. Since then, Avenatti tweeted another photo, this time showing Stormy and Anderson Cooper facing each other in an interview setting. Avenatti captioned the photo with a quote by President Theodore Teddy Roosevelt: 'Americanism means the virtues of courage, honor, justice, truth, sincerity, and hardihood - the virtues that made America.' Americanism means the virtues of courage, honor, justice, truth, sincerity, and hardihood - the virtues that made America. T. Roosevelt pic.twitter.com/y0iTSGdKYC Michael Avenatti (@MichaelAvenatti) March 14, 2018 Now, the date for the Stormy Daniels 60 Minutes interview has finally been confirmed. When is the Stormy Daniels 60 Minutes interview on? The Stormy Daniels 60 Minutes interview about her alleged relationship with Donald Trump will be broadcast on Sunday, March 25 2018. The investigative reporting program is broadcast in America on CBS News every Sunday night at 7pm ET. The Stormy Daniels 60 Minutes interview is set to be aired on Sunday March 25 2018 on CBS It is not clear how the interview will be affected by the gag order. How to watch the Stormy Daniels 60 Minutes interview Stormy Danielss 60 Minutes interview will be broadcast on CBS News and on the CBS digital streaming news service, CBSN. Who is interviewing Stormy Daniels on 60 Minutes? CNN news anchor Anderson Cooper will be conducting the interview. Although he has his own show, Anderson Cooper 360 on CNN, Cooper has been concurrently acting as a 60 Minutes correspondent since 2007. A black man who was severely beaten during a violent white nationalist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, and then initially charged with felony unlawful wounding stemming from the same incident has been found not guilty of any charge. Photos and videos of an attack in a parking garage on August 12 that left DeAndre Harris with serious injuries were widely shared online. Harold Crews, who The Los Angeles Times called a white supremacist, pressed charges against Harris for an alleged assault, following the attack caught on camera. A Charlottesville judge said on Friday that it was clear that Harris didn't intend to harm Crews, finding him not guilty of the amended charge of misdemeanor assault. DailyMail.com was not able to reach the Charlottesville Commonwealth's Attorney for comment on the decision to move forward with prosecuting the case against Harris. WARNING: GRAPHIC IMAGES DeAndre Harris, who was caught on camera being severely beaten (shown) during a violent white nationalist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, has been found not guilty of a charge filed against him stemming from the same incident Crews is the chairman of the North Carolina chapter of the League of the South. Southern Poverty Law Center described that group as 'a neo-Confederate group that advocates for a second Southern secession and a society dominated by "European Americans."' The organization added: 'The league believes the "godly" nation it wants to form should be run by an "Anglo-Celtic" (read: white) elite.' Harris, who turned himself in after the felony charge was filed against him, wrote that he was 'brutally attacked by white supremacists in the parking garage right beside the Charlottesville Police Station,' on a GoFundMe page created the day after he was attacked to help cover his medical bills. DeAndre Harris (pictured), who turned himself in after the felony charge was filed against him, wrote that he was 'brutally attacked by white supremacists in the parking garage right beside the Charlottesville Police Station' on a GoFundMe page created to cover his medical bills Harold Crews (pictured), who filed the charge against Harris, is the chairman of the North Carolina chapter of the League of the South. Southern Poverty Law Center described that group as 'a neo-Confederate group that advocates for a second Southern secession and a society dominated by "European Americans"' Harris described the attack he endured in his own words, as follows: 'I was chased and beat with metal poles. I was knocked unconscious repeatedly. Every time I went to stand up I was knocked back down. If it was not for my friends that I came with [me], I would have been beaten to a pulp. 'No law enforcement stepped in to help me. Once I was dragged off to some nearby steps I was taken to the designated area for injured protesters & counter-protesters. My injuries were too extensive to be treated at the scene so I was taken to the ER at Martha Jefferson Hospital. 'I was diagnosed with a concussion, an ulnar fracture, and had to receive eight staples in my head. I also have a laceration across my right eyebrow, abrasions on my knees & elbows, and a chipped tooth.' The case against Harris was later amended to a misdemeanor charge of assault, before a judge in the General District Court of Charlottesville found him not guilty on Friday. The attack on Harris occurred at the Unite the Right rally in Virginia on August 12. This photo of Harris was provided by the Charlottesville Police Department A car driven into a crowd of protesters in Charlottesville on August 12 killed Heather Heyer The silver Dodge Charger allegedly driven by James Alex Fields Jr passes near the Market Street Parking Garage moments after driving into a crowd of counter-protesters on Water Street on August 12 in Charlottesville Hundreds of white supremacists gathered in Charlottesville on that day to protest the removal of a statue of Confederate General Robert E Lee. Harris attended to demonstrate against the white nationalists, along with many others, including a woman named Heather Heyer. Heyer, 32, was killed and 19 others were injured by a car that was driven into a crowd of counter-protesters. James Alex Fields Jr of Ohio was arrested as the suspect accused of driving the car. Nearby the site of the rally, additional white supremacists carried lit torches are shouted racist slogans at the University of Virginia campus. Nearby the site of the rally, additional white supremacists carried lit torches are shouted racist slogans at the University of Virginia campus; Peter Cvjetanovic (right) is seen here with white supremacists at the base of a statue of Thomas Jefferson after marching through the University of Virginia campus on August 11 Brynn Cook, right joins other protesters outside the courthouse before the trial of DeAndre Harris at the Charlottesville District Court on Friday in Virginia Around 100 people came to the courthouse to show their support for Harris, according to The Daily Progress. DailyMail.com reached out to the Charlottesville Commonwealth's Attorney's Office to inquire as to why the office chose to take this case to trial. A phone call was directed to the voicemail of Commonwealth Attorney Joseph Platania. DailyMail.com left a voice message that was not immediately returned. Crews could not be reached immediately for comment. A junior doctor who illegally looked up the medical records of celebrities was found dead on his bed after injecting himself with left-over painkillers he regularly stole following hospital operations, a coroner was told. Dr Julien Warshafsky reported himself to the General Medical Council after being caught stealing Fentanyl but their lack of response led to an inquest into his death being adjourned. The coroner said she was adjourning the hearing because she believed the GMC should be legally represented so that they could respond to allegations made against them. Junior doctor Julien Warshafsky, pictured, died after he injected himself with a strong narcotic Earlier the inquest in Woking, Surrey, heard that at the time of his death 31-year-old Dr Warshafsky had been a junior doctor at the Royal Surrey Council Hospital in Guildford. He was also a trainee anaesthetist. Surrey coroner Karen Henderson heard that Dr Warshafsky injected left over narcotic Fentanyl, which had been used during an operation, into himself while he was at work. He would steal the strong painkiller to self-medicate himself for depression. However, he referred himself to the doctors' regulator the General Medical Council (GMC) in 2013 after being caught out by colleagues. He was on sick leave in 2016 when he was found dead on his bed at his Woking, Surrey flat by his wife Mariana on June 28. At the inquest yesterday the GMC admitted a catalogue of errors and lost opportunities in the lead up to his death. Assistant director of case examiners, Dr John Smyth, admitted they had infrequently tested him for drug use but failed to check for Fentanyl. He told the inquest that Dr Warshafsky returned to work under supervision in 2013 after six months on sick leave but it was 'an error' that he been under the care of a psychiatrist who did not specialise in drug misuse. Dr Warshafsky stole the drug from the Royal Surrey Hospital where he worked, pictured The inquest heard a colleague of the Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Foundation Trust, had sent an anonymous email in December 2014 saying he was still stealing the drug and was accessing celebrities' medical records. However the GMC dropped its investigation based on a previous 'flawed' clear drug test. Assistant coroner Ms Henderson asked: 'What do you think is the impact of the GMC failing to investigate properly after someone made an anonymous call which concerned not only allegations of continuing drugs use, but accessing medical records?' Dr Smyth admitted it was a lost opportunity. In a statement read to the inquest, Dr Warshafsky's wife Mariana told how she had to resuscitate her husband on three separate occasions in 2016 after he went into respiratory arrest after taking Fentanyl. She had first met him in 2013 at Tunbridge Wells Hospital where she was working as a nurse. 'I do remember Julien saying he didn't believe in therapists and he couldn't be honest with them as the first thing he'd say is that they would report it to the GMC,' she said. 'He had to pretend to be fine and I think he did that with me and his parents.' In August 2014 he moved to Medway Hospital in Gillingham, Kent, as part of his training where he collapsed on one occasion after taking Fentanyl while on duty, the inquest heard. Despite it being a 'difficult year for both because of the long commute', Mrs Warshafsky said it was the happiest time for him after he passed his exams. However, things took a downward spiral in August 2015 after moving to the Royal Surrey County Hospital, where on one occasion he injected left over Fentanyl that had been used on a patient during surgery. 'As far as I'm aware he didn't have anyone that he called a friend at Royal Surrey County Hospital,' Mrs Warshafsky's statement read. 'On the first day there a doctor told Julien that if he ever took drugs again he would call the police on him and that is how he started his time at the hospital. He never liked his time at the hospital and I can't remember a day he came home from hospital and said he had had a really good day.' He went on sick leave after an investigation was launched and told his wife he wanted to leave the profession. She told how, during the lead up to their wedding in 2016, he had been found collapsed in his room while visiting his parents in France after taking Fentanyl and had to be taken to hospital. Mrs Warshafsky told how she would never have a full night's sleep as she would have to 'check Julien over'. On the day of his death, she left for work in the morning and last spoke to him at around 2pm before arriving home at 6pm and finding him collapsed in the spare room. The inquest heard that the Canadian-born Dr Warshafksky had also referred himself on two occasions in 2013 and in April 2016 to the private NHS practitioner health programme its medical director Dr Clare Gerada said Julien never saw himself as an addict. 'I'm very surprised by the lack of supervision he was subjected to by the GMC,' she said. 'What I would like to say is that I don't think they have any place treating or managing very seriously ill people... we manage our patients in a much stricter way. I would have thought the GMC would have something like that in place. My sense is I think Julien Warshafsky's case should change practice. Asked by Ms Henderson if she thought the GMC had actively contributed to his death, she said: 'I think we all have. The GMC has contributed by not testing properly and that gave us all, accept the family, ironically, a false sense of security that he was not using Fentanyl. The non sharing of information around the respiratory arrest is quite serious.' The inquest was dramatically halted by Dr Henderson after the allegations after she said the GMC should have the opportunity to have legal representation. The hearing was adjourned until a date to be decided. A missing 16-year-old Pennsylvania girl and a 45-year-old man who signed her out of school five weeks ago is now believed to be traveling through Mexico. Mexican authorities on Thursday issued an Amber Alert saying that police believe Amy Yu and Kevin Esterly are in the country, and the teen may be in danger. The two vanished on March 5, shortly after authorities were notified the pair may have been involved in a romantic relationship. Yu's family previously said the two met at church years ago, and the girl is friends with one of Esterly's daughters. Bulletin: Mexican authorities on Thursday issued an Amber Alert saying that police believe missing Amy Yu, 16, and Kevin Esterly, 45, are in the country Yu (left) has not been seen since March 5 when she is believed to have disappeared with Esterly (right), the father of one of her friends, from Allentown, Pennsylvania School records show Esterly signed Yu out of school 10 times between November 13 and February 9. Police say the teen had changed school documents to list him as her stepfather. Her mother, Mui Luu, said she feels betrayed. Esterly and Yu had gotten so close she often went on his family's vacations and Esterly had gone to Luu's home for meals. Luu says she also found text messages suggesting Esterly and her daughter where in a romantic relationship. 'I want to tell her: 'Amy, can you come back to me? I love you. I just hope you come back',' she told CBS News. Her mother, Mui Luu, (pictured, left, with Yu) dropped her daughter off at the bus stop the day she disappeared and is now begging for her daughter to return Yu's brother, John (pictured), said it seemed Esterly 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,' he said The girl had altered her student records to list Esterly as her stepfather, said Gary Hammer, of the Colonial Regional Police When Yu's mother came to pick her daughter up from school on February 9, the school said her stepfather had already signed her out. 'The mom explained she is a single mother,' Hammer told ABC News. 'There is no stepfather.' Esterly was subsequently warned to stay away from the teen. Yu and Esterly were in a 'secretive relationship' which was laid bare in text messages between them which her 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 in a 1999 Red Honda Accord with Pennsylvania plates. Amy was last seen by her brother, John, who said she fled after being dropped off with him by their mother at their school bus stop. Esterly had signed Yu out of Lehigh Valley Academy school 10 times between November and February 9 after she changed school records to say he is her stepfather Esterly and his wife Stacey befriended Yu'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 He told CBS's Meg Oliver he was upset: 'Why would a 45-year-old man and a 16-year-old girl like, that's disgusting!' Before fleeing, Esterly withdrew $4,000 from his bank accounts, his wife Stacey told police. Luu discovered after her daughter vanished that she had taken some of jewelry, her passport and cash. She said that the family met the Esterly family through church. Luu discovered after her daughter vanished that she had taken some of jewelry, her passport and cash (Pictured, Esterly with Yu and his children) Prosecutors have charged Esterly with interference of custody of children. Yu's charter school has also banned him from school grounds since last month (Pictured, Esterly with Yu and his children) They had them over for dinner at least once and Yu's brother 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. 'We need her to come back.' Prosecutors have charged Esterly with interference of custody of children. Yu's charter school has also banned him from school grounds since last month. Britain is so unprepared for Brexit the Government should delay leaving the EU, a group of MPs is set to warn. The Brexit select committee is expected to urge Theresa May to delay the departure date so Britain does not leave in March next year. But the radical request has sparked deep divisions within the committee itself and in a rare move, several members have refused to endorse the official report. Instead a group of members, including Tory MP and leading Brexiteer Jacob Rees-Mogg, have put their name of a minority report which does not back the delay. The Brexit select committee, chaired by Labour MP Hilary Benn (pictured in the Commons) is expected to urge Theresa May to delay the departure date so Britain does not leave in March next year The main report said No10 should be prepared to keep the option of a short, time limited extension to the withdrawal date to help the PM get a better deal. The committee says this must not be 'indefinite' in case the public fear this could be seen as a bid to thwart Brexit and reverse the referendum result, according to the Huffington Post. But the move has left the committee bitterly divided with seven pro-Brexit Tories and the DUP's Sammy Wilson refusing to endorse it. But they were outvoted by 11 colleagues MPs from Labour, the Tories, the SNP, the Lib Dems and Plaid Cymru members, sources told the website. Mrs May had planned to enshrine the Brexit date in law but she abandoned the plan late last year following the threat of a Tory rebellion. But Brexiteers will fiercely resist any attempts to delay Britain's departure from the Brussels bloc. The radical request has sparked deep divisions within the committee itself and Tory MP and leading Brexiteer Jacob Rees-Mogg (pictured on television last weekend) is understood to be among those who have put their name of a minority report which does not back the delay And Number 10 has warned that any attempt to delay Brexit will be seen by the British public as a bud to wriggle out of the referendum result. The report, which will be published on Sunday, comes a week before Mrs May is due to attend a crunch EU summit where leaders will decide whether to sigh up to a Brexit transition deal. It is understood that most of the key issues have been agreed - that the UK will have a transition period lasting until the end of December 2020. During this time Britain is expected to accept free movement of people but be able to negotiate our own free trade deals around the world. The one thorny area which has yet to be settled is the Irish border, but this is likely to be kicked down the line and folded into talks about a future trade deal in order to allow negotiations to progress. A firefighter who became famous as a 'snake whisperer' has died after being bitten by a cobra. Abu Zarin Hussin, 33, become an internet star two years ago after a number of British newspapers falsely reported that he had married a snake. He has now died in hospital after being bitten by a cobra during a snake-catching operation in Bentong, Malaysia. 'Snake whisperer' firefighter Abu Zarin Hussin (pictured) has died after being bitten by a cobra during a snake-catching operation in Malaysia Mr Hussin worked as a firefighter and often taught his colleagues how to handle serpents and to catch them without killing or harming the snake. He was rushed to hospital on Monday after receiving the snake bite but doctors were unable to save him and he died today. Two years ago, several articles mistakenly identified him as a Thai man who had married his pet snake because he believed it was his dead girlfriend. However the pictures were actually of Mr Hussin and his pet snake. Although the reports were false, the Malaysian firefighter later participated in a talent show where he showed off his skills as a snake handler and even kissed a serpent. His skills with serpents took him to the quarterfinals of Asia's Got Talent. According to the Strait Times, Mr Hussin was used to receiving snake bites. In 2015, he was in a coma for two days after he was bitten by a cobra. When contacted, the Selangor Fire and Rescue Department confirmed Mr Hussin's death. Two Israeli soldiers have been killed with at least two more injured after a Palestinian man deliberately drove into them in a car ramming attack in the West Bank. The attack took place near the settlement of Reihan, west of the Palestinian city of Jenin in the West Bank at 4.15pm. The driver, a Palestinian, was arrested and taken to an Israeli hospital after sustaining minor injuries. Two Israeli soldiers were killed after a Palestinian driver rammed into a group of them following clashes between the IDF and Hamas in the West Bank Israeli soldiers could be seen standing guard at the scene of the car ramming attack near the Israeli settlement of Mevo Dotan Israel Defense Forces (IDF) spokesman Lt. Col. Jonathan Conricus confirmed that the ramming attack was deliberate and that the driver is now being questioned. The military said the soldiers were securing the routes around the settlement of Mevo Dotan in the northern West Bank. IDF soldiers are searching the area. After the attack, the driver reportedly fled from the scene before being captured. Israeli security forces and forensics experts inspecting the destroyed vehicle that was used by the Palestinian assailant in the attack Islamist group Hamas hailed the car-ramming incident but did not claim responsibility. The attack happened amid mounting tension in the region. Hamas, which dominates the Gaza Strip, called for protests to mark 100 days since President Donald Trump recognised Jerusalem as Israel's capital. An IDF spokesman confirmed the attack and said that the car ramming was deliberate. An IDF-run Twitter account also tweeted about the attack (pictured) The driver apparently fled after the attack but was quickly captured with security forces and forensic teams combing the scene of the attack There were also skirmishes between Israeli forces and Palestinian protesters all over the West Bank. The Israeli military said the soldiers had been securing routes near the settlement of Mevo Dotan. The settlements are considered illegal under international law, although Israel disputes this ruling. Israeli security forces attempting to salvage pieces of a military jeep that was damaged during the ramming attack The IDF tweeted: 'A Palestinian terrorist ran over IDF soldiers who were securing routes adjacent to the community of Mevo Dotan, west of Jenin. The terrorist was injured and was taken to the hospital. He is being questioned. 'IDF troops are searching the area.' According to AFP, since President Trump's declaration, more than 30 Palestinians and four Israelis have been killed in violence. The president of the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences is under investigation for sexual harassment, it was revealed Friday, showing just how systemic the issue is in Hollywood. Variety broke the story, citing sources who said Academy President John Bailey came under investigation on Wednesday, when three harassment claims were filed with the movie industry's governing body. Bailey, a cinematographer, has been married to film editor Carol Littleton since 1972. The 75-year-old was elected to the four-year position in August, and has seen the Academy through perhaps its darkest period - with the downfall of Harvey Weinstein and the subsequent #MeToo movement exposing the widespread mistreatment of women in the industry. Variety reported on Friday that Academy President John Bailey is under investigation for sexual harassment. Bailey (pictured in March), a cinematographer, was elected to the position in August The Academy has been largely lauded for its response to the #MeToo movement though, with the group quickly voting to expel Weinstein and Bailey overseeing the establishment of a new code of conduct for the industry. For the first time, the Academy has a clear-cut process for investigating sexual harassment claims when they arise, and a prerogative to discipline or expel members they find guilty of abuses. Bailey has worked in Hollywood for more than forty years, shooting such films as The Big Chill, Groundhog Day and How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days. Bailey's election was historic in that he was the first 'below the line' industry worker to be chosen as Academy president since the 1980s. Bailey has worked as a cinematographer for more than 40 years. He's pictured in the left image, far left, while filming The Divine Secrets of the Ya Ya Sisterhood in 2002. He's pictured on the right with his wife, film editor Carol Littleton, at this year's Oscars He succeeded Cheryl Boone Isaacs in the position, the Academy's first black president. When Bailey was elected, there was some controversy that a white male was selected for the position given the Academy's recent criticisms over diversity. When confronted with those complaints, Bailey told Variety last year: 'What you just said is bulls**t. I was born a white man, and I cant help it that Im 75 years old. Is this some sort of limiting factor?' He is a noted film history buff, and has been invested in the creation of the Academy's new museum currently under construction. If Bailey decides to step down, he would be replaced by Academy Vice President Lois Burwell, a make-up artist, until the next election in July. A jilted mother-of-three who stalked a McDonald's security guard for 18 months and threatened to 'follow him forever' has been spared jail. Former teaching assistant Harvinder Said, 44, became infatuated with Simon Wynne, 50, after they met at a gym and became friends. When he tried to end their friendship, Said bombarded him with sexual Facebook messages and pretended she was his girlfriend. Former teaching assistant Harvinder Said (centre), 44, became infatuated with Simon Wynne, 50, after they met at a gym and became friends She even staged an eight-hour 'vigil' outside his home before falling asleep on the driveway. On September 25 last year, Said pitched a tent on a roundabout opposite the McDonald's where he worked and refused to leave until police arrived. Said was arrested on October 12 last year at 3am when officers found her asleep on his driveway. On Thursday Said was found guilty of stalking at Birmingham Magistrates Court, and was handed a 12-month community order, with a rehabilitation activity requirement and four-week curfew. In a victim-impact statement, Mr Wynne said: 'I have had to change my route into work each day, as I am scared she will be there to see me when I arrive' She was also handed an indefinite restraining order banning her from making contact with Mr Wynne, and was told to pay an 85 victim surcharge. District Judge Jan Jellema said: 'What you must take into account is the effect of your behaviour on Mr Wynne. 'You have heard a powerful victim impact statement from the victim himself. 'I expect that those words have struck home to make you realize that this must not, and cannot carry on. 'This is one of the main reasons why an indefinite restraining order has been placed on you. 'It is abundantly clear that such an order is necessary and must be put in place to make sure that there is no repetition of this behaviour. 'It is important that I make you aware that if there is a breach of this order, that is a criminal offence, punishable potentially with a five-year custodial sentence.' Infatuation: A court heard how the former teaching assistant, of Ladywood, Birmingham, became infatuated with Mr Wynne when he kissed her shortly after they met in April 2016 The court heard they first met at Bannatyne's gym in the centre of Birmingham in April 2016, and would regularly meet for coffee. A court heard how the former teaching assistant, of Ladywood, Birmingham, became infatuated with Mr Wynne when he kissed her shortly after they met in April 2016. However, they quickly lost contact, leading Said to use multiple Facebook accounts to bombard him with 'crude' and 'sexual' messages. After finding out where he worked in Erdington, Birmingham, she continually turned up, often wearing a high-visibility jacket to make sure he saw her. She also handed a love letter to one of his colleagues on Valentine's Day last year. In a victim-impact statement, Mr Wynne said: 'I would like to think of myself as a caring and kind person, and I did not mislead her into believing I could ever or would ever enter into a relationship with her. 'I have had to change my route into work each day, as I am scared she will be there to see me when I arrive. 'After all of this has taken place, I would like to get on with my job again. On the occasions she has been to my workplace, it has caused me massive embarrassment. 'It has been very stressful for me, and I have had great difficulty explaining the situation to my work without looking like I am a bad person. 'Every time I go in there, I am worried that she will turn up and cause a scene. 'She has told me so many times that she will follow me forever. I am extremely worried that once all of this is finished, she will continue to harass me, but worse. 'It's creepy to think that she could turn up at any time. I just want her to stop.' Peter Ricketts, defending, said: 'She says she understands how the complainant must have felt, and is adamant she will make no further contact with him.' Police in Chicago are looking for as many as 60 high school students who trashed a local Walmart after being allowed out of classes to take part in the nationwide walk-out against guns on Wednesday. The students are from Simeon Career Academy in the city's South Side. Like thousands of others across the country, they were allowed out of class at 10am on Wednesday to take part in the protest. Instead of standing outside the school building as planned, they crossed the parking lot to the Walmart which sits opposite and stormed the store. This was the scene inside a Walmart in Chicago's South Side on Wednesday after a group of students from a nearby school tore through it at 10am after they had been allowed out to take part in the nationwide gun protests According to staff who were working there at the time, the group ran through the store kicking over displays and trashing it before fleeing it again. Some stole chips and candy during the rampage, according to the store. Police are now working to identify the youngsters from surveillance footage taken inside at the time. Other students who adhered to the rules say they are disappointed in their classmates for ruining the occasion. 'It was just an embarrassment and they shouldn't have done it,' one student told Fox News. 'They told us we could come outside for 17 minutes and we just took it upon ourselves to go over to Walmart and it got out of hand,' another boy, who was there, said. Walmart staff said the students stole bags of candy and chips after destroying displays inside The students belonged to the Simeon Career Academy in Chicago's South Side (above) He admitted watching as the others tore through the store but insisted he himself was not doing anything he was not supposed to do. The school said it was disappointed by the students' behavior and that it would work with police to find all those who took part. 'We are very concerned by these allegations and we are reviewing the matter,' a Chicago Public Schools spokesman said. Police say the youngsters may face misdemeanor charges. Their story was not the only one of disruption to come out of the well-intended protest. In Franklin, Tennessee, students carrying a Confederate flag sparked a mass brawl and others were seen tearing down the US flag from a high school. In South Carolina, a school custodian was accused of stealing $180 from students' book bags which they left behind to protest outside. A 12-year-old Mississippi boy took his mother's car keys and embarked on a cross-state joyride, driving unscathed for 75 miles. The boy fled his home and took his mother's vehicle after the two had an alleged argument. He then left his hometown of Mobile County, Alabama and drove along the busy US-98 highway, finally stopping in New Augusta, Mississippi to fill up on gas. When the pre-teen stopped at a gas station to refuel his vehicle where a skeptical clerk took his keys and reported him to police after seeing how young he was. Gone with the wind! A Mobile County, Alabama boy, 12, took his mother's car keys after the two got into an argument and drove 75 miles to New Augusta, Mississippi His joyride came to an abrupt halt when he tried to purchase gas and a clerk seized his keys after seeing how young he is and alerted police, who escorted the boy home Officials that arrived on the scene couldn't help but be impressed with the youngster's feat. The boy crossed state lines without stirring any commotion over his driving skills. The car was also found in fine condition, surviving the journey without a scratch despite the long trip along the 'Bloody 98' freeway notorious for its numerous crashes. 'Very impressive for a 12-year-old to drive from Mobile County to here, I think about an hour and a half drive. There was no damage to the vehicle and he got here safely,' Perry County, Mississippi Sheriff Mitch Nobles said. He drove for 75 miles along the notoriously dangerous US-98 highway pictured above Officers Perry County, Mississippi Sheriff Mitch Nobels, left, was impressed with the 12-year-old's long underage ride. Mobile, Alabama Sheriff Sam Cochran, right, said punishment will be left up to juvenile court and the child's mother 'He had some wits about him and stopped to get some gas at a convenience store,' Mobile County, Alabama Sheriff Sam Cochran said. 'The clerk at the store obviously knew that he was too young to drive and was able to take his keys away and report it,' he added. The boy and car were safely returned to the mother and father back in Alabama. Authorities said they would leave punishment up to the mother and juvenile court. 'In a case like this its really a child in need of supervision. There must be some underlying issues involved, well let the juvenile court straighten that out,' Cochran said. A man charged with raping a woman in South Carolina and kidnapping and sexually assaulting her four-year-old daughter whom he then drove across state lines has pleaded not guilty. Thomas Evans, 37, appeared in federal court Friday. News outlets report he said little other than answering Magistrate Judge Bristow Marchant's questions as the judge accepted his not guilty plea. Evans was indicted in federal court this week on charges of kidnapping, child sexual abuse and transporting a child to engage in sexual activity. He faces up to a life sentence if convicted. Evans faces seven charges in state court after prosecutors said he beat and raped the girl's mother in their Charleston home on February 13. Thomas Evans (seen during a hearing in early March), 37, appeared in federal court to enter not guilty pleas to charges of kidnapping, child sexual abuse and transporting a child to engage in sexual activity Evans is accused of following a woman to her Charleston, South Carolina, home where he allegedly raped, beat and tied her up The little girl was found safely in Alabama a day later, and Evans was arrested shortly after in Mississippi. Authorities have said that Evans picked the girl's mother at random and followed her to her Charleston, South Carolina, home after she dropped two of her other children off at school. He then raped, beat and tied up the woman, 31, before escaping with her four-year-old daughter, according to police. Riverside, Alabama's Police Chief Rick Oliver said that he found Evans and the girl sleeping in a car in the woods near a railroad track on February 14. Oliver said that Evans handed him the child when he said they needed to go to the police station, and then Evans sped off in the vehicle. Evans was eventually arrested in Mississippi, when deputies found him walking along the side of the road, holding a gas can, after he had been given money by a church, Live 5 News reported. Evans also faces charges in state court, including attempted murder, armed robbery, first-degree criminal sexual conduct and kidnapping. Authorities are also looking for a woman Sharon Hayden, 39, of Spartanburg County, South Carolina who owns the vehicle Evans was driving when police said he kidnapped the four-year-old girl. Hayden's mother said her daughter is missing. Authorities have said little about Hayden's case. Evans is a convicted felon who was released from prison less than two weeks prior to when the alleged rape and beating of the woman and kidnapping of her daughter occurred, federal charging documents said. His criminal past spans over the past two decades, according to official court documents. He was arrested in 2000 and charged with second-degree criminal sexual conduct with a minor. Police said he assaulted a 15-year-old girl when he was 19. At the time he wasn't required to register as a sex offender because he pleaded guilty to a lesser charge. In 2002, Evans was accused of robbery when he and another man grabbed a woman in downtown Charleston and attempted to snatch her purse. He was convicted of strong armed robbery and served two years probation. Evans was said to have picked the mother at random after she dropped two of her other children off at school Evans then allegedly drove the four-year-old girl to Alabama, where she was rescued In 2009 he and another person broke into a gas station and stole beer, cigarettes and lottery tickets. One hour later he robbed a second gas station in Charleston, this time at gunpoint. That time he was sentenced to 10 years on armed robbery and burglary charges. Evans' projected release date was February 26, but he was set free at the beginning of February, due to state prison policies, and sent to his home in Spartanburg County, South Carolina. After being released from prison on February 1, Evans was supposed to be living in Upstate South Carolina, but allegedly traveled down to Charleston where he carried out the attack on the unsuspecting woman and her daughter, the Post and Courier reported. The woman sustained bleeding on her brain and facial fractures during the alleged beating. Police were only alerted to the four-year-old's disappearance after going to her home on a welfare check, after the school reported that the girl's mother had not returned to pick up the two children that she had dropped off earlier in the day. The attack was said to have occurred at about 10am, but police did not go to the home until after 6pm. Two other, younger children were inside the house with their mother when police arrived. They were not harmed. The founder of a nonprofit company which aims to give ex-cons a second chance in the business world is facing accusations that could see her own career ending in tatters. Catherine Hoke founded Defy Ventures, a charity that is dedicated to helping former prisoners make a new start and begin their own businesses. However she now faces some disturbing allegations of her own with a number of former employees saying she fostered an abusive work environment, misled benefactors, and may even have ripped off clients. Catherine Hoke runs Defy Ventures which turns ex-cons into entrepreneurs but she is now facing some serious allegations of her own including one of sexual harassment Hoke saw setting up Defy as her own second chance after she was discovered to have had sexual relations with four Texas prisoners on a different program she was running Several big names have donated grants to Defy including Google, the Koch brothers and Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg. But according to The Daily Beast such names may now be regretting being associated with the charity after Defy fired its president, Roger Gordon, when he blew the whistle on allegations of sexual harassment by Hoke and fraudulent statistics exaggerating the program's successes. Hoke describes Defy as 'a second chance for people with criminal histories by offering classes for current and formerly incarcerated people.' The program operates in 15 prisons and also teaches classes online. The firm is also something of a redemption for Hoke also after she made some transgressions of her own. Hoke was running a business skills-training program for Texas prisoners in 2004, but five years later she was banned after she was discovered to have had sexual relations with four program graduates. The nonprofit, Defy Ventures, claims it is dedicated to helping former prisoners make a new start and begin their own businesses She started anew by founding Defy in 2010, making a fresh start for herself in New York. Three months ago, the company brought on Roger Gordon as its new president who had chaired a nonprofit that employed more than 100 formerly incarcerated people, but just weeks into the job Gordon began to have concerns about Hoke's conduct and suggested she may have made up numbers about the success of the program. One complaint surrounding Hoke was over a complaint brought by a female former employee who said Hoke 'reached her hand up the employee's skirt twice at a company party.' 'The employee signed a nondisclosure agreement prohibiting her from disclosing the incident or the existence of the NDA to anyone except the CEO, her husband or the COO.' One allegation against Defy is that lineups where prisoners and investors meets are more or less staged to generate donations and are repeated several times over for different groups 'Two employees who witnessed the assault were forced to relinquish their personal mobile phones and passwords.' On another occasion, a former Defy client, Kenneth Maxwell, sued Hoke in 2015 alleging he was forced out of the program over his 'refusal to consummate a personal and sexual relationship' with her. The lawsuit was later dismissed. Another female employee told The Daily Beast Hoke sexually harassed her during a business trip in 2014 forcing her to share a bed. 'When we checked in to the Vertigo Hotel, the reserved room only had one king-size bed, which Catherine and I both occupied despite my repeated suggestions that I sleep on a cot,' the female former employee wrote. The former Defy staffer allegedly quoted Hoke telling her 'she 'doesn't usually like blondes, but that I am really hot.' She also wrote that Hoke said she and her husband 'would try to 'gross each other out' by imagining a former employee masturbating, and that Hoke was sad she had to share a room on the trip 'because she wasn't able to bring her toys along.' There are questions over just how successful the ex-cons are at setting up their own business with the company facing accusations that it has misled investors by inflating the numbers The allegations were all noted in a letter written by Gordon and seen by the Daily Beast. Gordon also alleges that the company pocketed money from prospective students who never made it onto the program. 'There have been allegations that Defy has collected application fees from students without intending to admit them and that winners of in-prison business plan competitions do not receive the cash prizes they are promised,' he wrote in his letter. 'Instead, they have been asked to reimburse Defy for program costs and to sign over the money.' It's believed Defy's fees are around $1,200 to take the largely online course. Gordon said that he also felt uncomfortable at it stated figures that only 5 percent of the 5,500 students that has been through its courses re-offend, 'There is no way to arrive at this figure through any consistent and doctrinally sound methodology,' Gordon alleged in his letter to the board. 'Rather, it appears to be arrived at by selectively including program participants and by broadly defining success. More specifically, only the relatively few participants who complete the entire program are checked for recidivism and even then data is selectively omitted.' Gordon also wrote how Defy attempts to court donors by taking them on prison visits. A well polished routine exists whereby the company brings supporters along to meet students who are incarcerated students. Hoke then calls out the students using personal information such as step to the line if your first arrest was before the age of 10.' The whole ploy appears to work well with investors however what Gordon felt uncomfortable with was the fact the same exercise would be repeated three different times for three different sets of donors in a carefully choreographed set, while still attempting to create the illusion of spontaneity. Defy fired its president, Roger Gordon, in January after blowing the whistle on allegations of sexual harassment by Hoke and fraudulent statistics exaggerating the program's successes Other employees told The Daily Beast that the figures misleadingly included people who had enrolled in classes but not necessarily taken classes. Gordon also alleged that many of the endeavors Defy claims to have helped launch never went much further than a student registering a business name with the state. After taking his concerns to the board he was suspended and told to hand over all the notes he had taken while on the job. Defy then fired Gordon citing his outreach to donors and employees. Gordon was terminated for 'communicating with donors and supporters of the organization in a manner that the Board believed was damaging to Defy and inconsistent with Mr. Gordon's fiduciary obligations' against the board's orders, Defy said in a statement. The firm also commented on Gordon's allegations: 'We feel compelled to say that Mr. Gordon's allegations do not appear to be supported by other members of the organization or by other evidence available to the investigators.' verybody has got to leave the White House at some point White House Chief of Staff John Kelly assured aides in the West Wing on Friday that their jobs are safe for now. Press Secretary Sarah Sanders told reporters that Kelly told staffers there would be 'no immediate personnel changes at this time, and that people shouldn't be concerned.' The tepid guarantee of job security comes at a time when President Donald Trump is talking openly about his desire to make changes at the highest levels talk that is generating a torrent of uncertainty at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. Trump fired Secretary of State Rex Tillerson this week and gave CIA Director Mike Pompeo his job, and also watched chief economic adviser Gary Cohn recede into the background. He has also done little to publicly dispel rumors that National Security Advisor H.R. McMaster will be the next to go. On Friday afternoon McMaster told an ABC News reporter, 'Sarah set it straight yesterday: Everybody has got to leave the White House at some point.' Asked if he planned to leave soon, he replied: 'I'm doing my job.' Trump had tasked Sanders with selling the press on his willingness to keep McMaster and others aboard. Nothing to see here: White House Chief of Staff John Kelly has told top officials in the West Wing not to worry about losing their jobs for now Deflated lifeboat? Press Secretary Sarah Sanders said Friday that Kelly had assured senior aides there would be 'no immediate personnel changes at this time' Safe for now, but not forever: National Security Advisor H.R. McMaster said Friday that 'everybody has got to leave the White House at some point' She said Trump had told her Thursday night that he had 'no intention' to replace McMaster. The Washington Post reported Thursday evening that the three-star general's head was on the Oval Office chopping block. 'The president said that it was not accurate and he had no intention of changing that they had a great working relationship, and he looked forward to continue working with him,' Sanders insisted. 'General McMaster is a dedicated public servant,' she said, 'and he is here not focused on the news stories that many of you are writing, but on some really big issues.' 'Things like North Korea, things like Russia, things like Iran. That's what he's doing.' Where Cabinet secretaries are concerned, Sanders lashed out at Senate Democrats for slow-walking Trump's nominees. 'If the president wants to be able to make a change because he feels like it's the right thing for the American people, his hands shouldn't be tied because Democrats fail to do what they were elected to do,' she said. The president, she added, should be allowed to proceed 'with the team that he selects, not the team the Democrats think he should have. That's not how the system works.' Denial: Trump said Thursday that he has 'gotten to know a lot of people over the last year ... so there will always be change, but very little' Secretary of State Rex Tillerson was fired this week in a tweet as Trump replaced him with CIA Director Mike Pompeo White House Director of Legislative Affairs Marc Short preceded Sanders at the briefing podium, saying Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer has demanded time-consuming 'cloture' votes for 79 Trump nominees in the 14 months since Inauguration Day. That, he said, stood in contrast to the 17 such votes held in the past four administrations combined. President Trump said Thursday in the Oval Office that news reports of a coming mass exodus from his White House are 'very false.' Trump has been frustrated by stories that project as many as five senior officials following Cohn and Tillerson out the door. 'They wrote a story about staff changes today that was very false,' Trump said, without singling out any news outlet. 'We made a wonderful change. I think Mike Pompeo is going to be an incredible secretary of state.' 'I've gotten to know a lot of people over the last year ... so there will always be change, but very little.' Attorney General Jeff Sessions, Veterans Affairs Secretary David Shulkin, National Security Adviser H.R. McMaster and White House Chief of Staff John Kelly could all be primed to exit the administration. EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt's name is circulating as a possible replacement for Sessions, who has incurred the president's wrath for more than a year because he recused himself from an investigation about possible collusion between Russia and the Trump presidential campaign. Dead men walking? Veterans Affairs Secretary David Shulkin (left) could be primed to exit the administration and Attorney General Jeff Sessions (right) is constantly rumored to have one foot out the door As a former state attorney general who had nothing to do with the campaign itself, Pruitt wouldn't be constrained from getting directly involved. Shulkin, the lone Obama administration holdover in Trump's Cabinet, has ethics problems and may be pushed out any day now. Energy Secretary Rick Perry, a former U.S. Air Force pilot, says he's not interested in a lateral move to take over that agency. White House budget chief Mick Mulvaney and House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy have been publicly floated as potential successors to Kelly. The staff turnover in Trump's White House has proceeded at a historic pace. Just 14 months after Inauguration Day, more than 20 senior administration aides have already quit, or been fired or reassigned to other jobs. The White House said Friday that President Trump's pick to run the CIA, Gina Haspel, is 'uniquely' qualified for the job but also had to quickly walk back a statement that mischaracterized Democratic Sen. Dianne Feinstein as being in 'support' of the nomination. The White House called for a 'quick' hearing on Haspel, currently the spy agency's deputy director. But her nomination is already drawing scrutiny because of the time she spent running a secret CIA black-ops site in Thailand. Bolstering the case for Haspel's nomination Friday, White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders praised her as 'incredibly qualified' and cited support from Feinstein a senior Democrat who authored a signature Intelligence panel report on torture. 'There's been a number of Republicans who have come out and praised this nomination and including Senator Feinstein, a Democrat that came out in support of her today, as well as people that have worked with her a number of years, from both sides of the aisle, that have a very good understanding of the type of individual she is,' Sanders told reporters. President Donald Trump's choice to be the first female director of the CIA is career spymaster Gina Haspel, who is the agency's deputy director But Feinstein has not expressed support for Haspel, her office confirmed. Although past CIA directors are backing Haspel, Feinstein's role to date has chiefly been to push for more disclosure about what she calls 'one of the darkest chapters in American history.' Feinstein, who is facing pressure from the left in a Senate primary, asked the CIA on Friday to declassify information related to Haspel's 'personal involvement in the CIA torture program,' and said Americans need to know more about her role. Her office said Friday that the senator had said nothing else publicly about Haspel. Asked about the discrepancy, Sanders told DailyMail.com that Feinstein 'did come out and say nice things about her, but has not formally voiced support for her. It was not correct for me to say she had.' White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said at the White House press briefing that Sen. Dianne Feinstein had expressed 'support' for Trump's CIA pick, but later said her statement was 'not correct' Sen. John McCain of Arizona said torture of detainees is 'one of the darkest chapters' in U.S. history Feinstein said on Tuesday that Haspel had been a 'good deputy director,' while also pushing for more information about her career history. The nomination of the top spy post is gaining scrutiny in part due to doubts raised by Republicans in a chamber the GOP controls with just 51 votes. Her nomination will require Democratic support to get a majority. Republican Sen. John McCain of Arizona, who was himself tortured by the North Vietnamese, has called for 'scrutinizing' Haspel's nomination. Both senators were referring to U.S. government programs that relied on waterboarding and other techniques to try to extract information from suspected terrorists during the first years of the Global War on Terror. MAKE IT SHORT: White House Director of Legislative Affairs Marc Short called for Haspel to get a 'quick' confirmation hearing The focus on Haspel's confirmation comes as Propublica retracted a 2017 report that Haspel ran a secret CIA prison in Thailand when terror suspect Abu Zubaydah was waterboarded repeatedly. The White House legislative affairs director, Marc Short, called for a 'quick hearing' and a vote on Haspel. 'We're highly confident and certainly very excited about the nomination of Deputy Director Gina Haspel to take over at the CIA,' said White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders. 'She is incredibly qualified, she is someone who's been in the CIA for over 30 years, has the respect of both Republicans and Democrats,' Sanders continued. 'There's been a number of Republicans who have come out and praised this nomination and including Senator Feinstein, a Democrat that came out in support of her today, as well as people that have worked with her a number of years, from both sides of the aisle, that have a very good understanding of the type of individual she is. But everyone from Leon Panetta to James Clapper that have praised her work and support her in this process,' she concluded. White House legislative affairs director Mark Short also hailed Haspel. 'We feel that Gina is uniquely qualified as somebody who has served in the CIA for 33 years, has been a station chief in multiple localities,' Short said. 'I think that she has incredible qualities, we're very excited about her nomination. We're excited that she would be the first female director of the CIA,' Short added. 'And we would expect a quick hearing and moving forward with a vote because these are very critical national security positions.' Sanders, asked by DailyMail.com whether the White House would cooperate with providing senators with information about Haspel's tenure running a CIA black site, took a shot at Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul. 'Certainly we'll be as cooperative as we can. But we specifically want to make sure that people actually have an accurate reflection, which I know some of the senators including Rand Paul made comments off of incorrect information.' So we certainly want to make sure that they actually have accurate information, particularly before they go out and speak on behalf of their constituents. And as a member of the United States Senate, we hope that they take that role seriously and get accurate information before they peddle it out in front of the American people. Paul, who came out against Haspel and Mike Pompeo as secretary of state, said: 'I'm perplexed by the nominations of people who loved the Iraq War so much they advocate for war with Iran.' In a possible boost to her nomination, Propublica has retracted a 2017 report that Haspel ran a secret CIA prison in Thailand when terror suspect Abu Zubaydah was waterboarded repeatedly. Haspel did run the CIA 'black site,' but her tenure began in 2002, after the suspected Al Qaeda leader was waterboarded 83 times. OOPS: ProPublica retracted a report claiming Haspel ran a secret prison during the torture of Abu Zubaydah The Propublica story said Haspel oversaw Abu Zuabaydah's detainment, where he was slammed against a wall, forced to lie in a coffin shaped box, and forced to endure sleep deprivation, blaring sounds, and isolation. The original account also said Haspel mocked his suffering in a private conversation. 'Neither of these assertions is correct,' according to the retraction. The initial report was based in part on partially redacted documents. Haspel's nomination prompted two former colleagues to come forward and say she did not run the site until 2002, when Abu Zubaydah's interrogation had ended. However, the New York Times reported that she was in charge when Abd al-Rahim al-Nashiri got waterboarded. Simulation: Some of the 'enhanced interrogation techniques' used at the CIA 'black site' run by Trump's pick to direct it were shown on Zero Dark Thirty, the movie about the hunt for bin Laden Real-life: Gina Haspel's clandestine career will inevitably see her compared to Claire Danes' Homeland character Carrie Mathison but it will be her oversight of the detention of Abu Zubaydah when he lost an eye and was waterboarded 83 times in a month which will dominate her confirmation hearing Her name also was on the order to carry out the destruction of videotapes of the interrogation, the New York Times reported, although the agency said her superior, Jose Rodriguez, head of the clandestine service, had made the decision. Haspel, who has extensive overseas experience, is likely to be compared by supporters to Carrie Mathison, the CIA spy played on hit Showtime series Homeland by Claire Danes for her clandestine career. Sen. John McCain of Arizona said torture of detainees is 'one of the darkest chapters' in U.S. history She also played a role in 'extraordinary rendition' where terror suspects were handed over to foreign governments. Both policies were extremely controversial during the George W. Bush administration, and became issues during her confirmation. Zubaydah lost an eye while he was in CIA custody. An image published by WikiLeaks when he was transferred to a military prison Guantanamo Bay showed him with an eye patch. His lawyers said he lost his left eye, though exactly how is likely in the classified portion of a Senate Intelligence Committee report. Democratic Sen. Ron Wyden called her an 'unsuitable' nominee immediately after Trump announced his decision. GOP Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky said he would oppose the nomination of Haspel as well as of Pompeo to be Secretary of State. 'I'm perplexed by the nominations of people who loved the Iraq War so much they advocate for war with Iran,' said Paul. Her nomination could also draw opposition from Sen. John McCain of Arizona. The mother of James Bulger has taken to Twitter to wish her son a happy birthday on the day he would've turned 28. Denise Fergus paid tribute to her 'beautiful son' and also asked him to look after his sister Kirsty. Kirsty died shortly after her birth in February 1989 - almost four years before Jon Venables and Robert Thompson murdered James, two, after abducting him from the New Strand Shopping Centre in Bootle, Merseyside in 1983. James Bulger's mother Denise posted a heartbreaking tribute to her son as she wished him a happy birthday on the day he would have turned 28 Ms Fergus wrote: 'Wishing my beautiful son James a very happy birthday, hope you have a lovely day with Kirsty, take care of each other, love you both so much.' She also thanked supporters after 211,000 people signed a petition calling on Parliament to agree to debate her son's murder and why his killer Jon Venables was allowed to commit further offences. She said: 'So many lovely messages, thank you, fingers crossed all our hard work is paying off, please let this be some #JusticeForJames. 'Thank you all so very much for your continued support, and to all who signed my petition hopefully now we will be heard.' Ms Fergus took to Twitter to pay tribute to both her son James and her daughter Kirsty, who died shortly after her birth in 1989 Her touching tribute comes a day after she said Parliament has 'finally listened' after agreeing to the debate. She welcomed the decision to discuss a 211,000-strong petition about the horrific case and is still calling for a public inquiry. Ms Fergus is demanding answers to 'mysteries' surrounding the 1993 murder and killer Jon Venables' time in the prison system including decisions about his parole. Venables and Robert Thompson were both 10 when they kidnapped, tortured and murdered two-year-old James in Liverpool 25 years ago. Last month, Venables - who lives under a new identity - was convicted of possessing indecent images of children for a second time and jailed for three years and four months. Ms Fergus believes there is 'mystery' surrounding the case and wants information about her son's killers Jon Venables (pictured) and Robert Thompson to be made public Mrs Fergus said: 'I am so happy that something positive is happening finally, on the eve of what would have been my James's 28th birthday tomorrow. 'The Petition Committee have finally listened to the overwhelming support from the public.' She added: 'I cannot thank all who have supported me through what has been a very frustrating and emotional fight and hope that now I will finally get justice for James.' In its initial response to the petition, the Government said: 'The offender was convicted of further offences as a direct result of robust and effective monitoring. 'Therefore the Government considers that a public inquiry into this tragic case is not necessary.' But a statement released by the Petitions Committee on Thursday said there would be a debate on the petition. It said: 'We don't know yet when the debate will happen, because there's an active legal case that's relevant to the petition. 'Parliament avoids talking about cases that are active in the UK courts because that could interfere with the legal process.' Robert Thompson has not reoffended since and is believed to have settled down with a long-term partner Denise Fergus believes there is 'mystery' surrounding the case and wants information about her son's killers Jon Venables and Robert Thompson to be made public. After serving eight years in youth prisons, Venables and Robert Thompson were both released and given new identities without ever serving in an adult jail. Thompson has not reoffended since and is believed to have settled down with a long-term partner. But Jon Venables has received almost 260,000 in legal aid to fund a number of court cases after his original conviction and has been repeatedly sent back to prison over child porn. He was also given 259,585 for judicial reviews, bids for new identities and an appeal against his sentence, a Freedom of Information request revealed. Even though their son's killer has received thousands in taxpayer funds, the family of James Bulger have not received any legal aid. Figures released by the Department of Justice revealed Venables was given almost 180,000 to appeal against his 15-year sentence, according to the Daily Mirror. His applications for new identities reportedly cost the taxpayer 250,000, while two judicial reviews came to more than 22,000, the Mirror reported. Venables served eight years for the kidnap, torture and murder, along with Robert Thompson, of two-year-old James in 1993, when they were just ten years old. Earlier this year Ralph Bulger, 51, James' father, launched a legal challenge to Venables' lifelong anonymity after his son's killer was jailed after admitting charges of making indecent images of children and having a 'sickening paedophile's manual'. The Old Bailey in London heard that he continues to pose a 'lifelong risk' and presents a 'high risk of serious harm to children'. Two-year-old James Bulger is snatched during a shopping trip to the Strand shopping centre, in Bootle, Merseyside in 1993 Venables was jailed for 40 months in February for hoarding child abuse images. The 35-year-old could be freed in just 20 months even though the court heard he had downloaded 1,170 images and videos of youngsters being sexually abused while supposedly under the supervision of probation and police. It was the second time he had been caught downloading child pornography following his release from jail in 2001 In 2010 Venables pleaded guilty to downloading and distributing child pornography and was jailed for two years. For the past four years Venables has been living anonymously in a flat living a 'relatively normal life', with only local police and his probation workers knowing of his whereabouts and new identity. It later emerged that he breached his licence conditions in 2015 by going online just weeks before a Sexual Harm Prevention Order preventing him from accessing the internet expired. But secretly he was only handed a police caution rather than being taken to court. Then in July 2017, Venables started trawling the dark web for 'repulsive' images and videos depicting babies and young boys being brutally abused. On a day he was being assessed by probation, he downloaded 1,170 images on a laptop hidden behind the headboard in his bedroom, including a paedophile manual providing 'graphic details' of how children can be 'trained' to 'endure increasingly extreme forms of sexual abuse'. After he was caught last November, Venables said: 'This is my own fault. I have let people down again. I have had stupid urges.' A mass protest in Slovakia has been held in honour of a campaigning journalist who was murdered while investigating corrupt links between the government and the Italian mafia. Jan Kuciak and his fiancee Martina Kunirova were found shot dead at their home in Bratislava on February 25. Police said Kuciak's death was 'most likely' related to his investigation into alleged ties between top Slovakia politicians and Italy's 'Ndrangheta mafia. Some 50,000 people took to the streets of Bratislava to protest against the murders of investigative journalist Jan Kuciak and his fiancee Martina Kusnirova Protesters demanded the resignation of the ruling government and fresh elections Kuciak and his girlfriend were shot dead at their home as he investigated allegations of corruption involving senior political figures and members of the Italian mafia The murder and Kuciak's article, which was published posthumously, raised fresh concern about media freedom and sparked anti-government sentiment in the EU member of 5.4 million people. The scandal has already forced Slovakia's prime minister Robert Fico to tender his resignation in an effort to allow his party to remain in power. However, 50,000 people on the streets of Bratislava demanded new elections. They marched under slogans 'Slovakia is going the wrong way' and 'we want elecctions'. Fico, critics believe, will still be a major influence on the government, which has provoked anger on the streets. Organisers of the 'For a decent Slovakia' protest had announced there would be rallies in 34 cities at home and 25 cities abroad. Jan Kuciak and his fiancee Martina Kunirova were found shot dead at their home in Bratislava on February 25 Fico is planning to remain as chairman of the Smer-SD party, with his former deputy Peter Pellegrini earmarked to become prime minister. The country's three-party government coalition remains in place. It consists of the left-wing populist Smer-SD and two junior partners: the Most-Hid Hungarian minority party and the far-right Slovak National Party. Earlier on Friday, Pellegrini said he believes his government will 'calm the situation in our country.' 'I can assure you that it will be a government that maintains its clear pro-European orientation,' he added in a statement. But the leadership change was not enough for activist Filip Vagac in Bratislava. 'A resignation no longer suffices. It has to be them (government politicians) leaving public life. Go away. Enough,' Vagac said. 'November '89 brought enormous changes. I believe that this situation will also start a process that will change Slovakia.' He was referring to the 1989 Velvet Revolution that toppled Communism in the former Czechoslovakia and was the country's last anti-government protest of this size. Protesters had banners criticising members of the government following the murders An engineer called the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) to report concerns about a crack on their new 'instant' bridge two days before it collapsed - but no one ever picked up their voicemail. FIGG's lead engineer responsible for the Florida International University (FIU) pedestrian bridge project, W. Denney Pate, left a message warning that they had observed some cracking at the north end of the bridge. The voicemail was not picked up until Friday - a day after the bridge collapsed killing six. Pate warned that the cracking areas would need repairs but assured that, 'from a safety perspective we don't see that there's any issue.' An engineer called the Florida Department of Transportation to report concerns about a crack on their new 'instant' bridge two days before it collapsed (pictured before the collapse) Slide me FIU's pedestrian bridge (left) was on schedule to open to foot traffic in 2019. It was installed last Saturday (right) even though it had no central support tower or stay cables in place The graphic above shows the missing parts of the bridge which were yet to be built Two days later it fell, crushing eight cars underneath and killed six people Aerial view shows a pedestrian bridge collapsed at Florida International University in Miami, Florida He ended the call, urging the employee to 'call me back when you can' to discuss the problem. The message was not picked up by an FDOT employee until Friday as the staff member was out of the office on assignment. FDOT have since released a statement placing the blame squarely on the shoulders of FIU. 'The responsibility to identify and address life-safety issues and properly communicate them is the sole responsibility of the FIU design build team,' the statement read. 'At no point during any of the communications above did FIGG or any member of the FIU design build team ever communicate a life-safety issue. 'The tragic failure and collapse of the pedestrian bridge at FIU is the subject of an active and ongoing investigation led by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) as well as local and state law enforcement investigations. As FDOT assists in these investigations, we will continue our internal review and release all pertinent information as quickly as possible while ensuring its accuracy.' The revelation comes after Miami-Dade County Commissioner said he was shocked to discover that the busy seven-lane freeway underneath the bridge wasn't closed while stress tests were performed. THE ENGINEER'S VOICEMAIL IN FULL The voicemail, obtained by ABC, was left on a landline of an employee at Florida Department of Transportation by W. Denney Pate, FIGG's lead engineer responsible for the FIU pedestrian bridge project. Hey Tom, this is Denney Pate with FIGG bridge engineers. Calling to, uh, share with you some information about the FIU pedestrian bridge and some cracking that's been observed on the north end of the span, the pylon end of that span we moved this weekend. Um, so, uh, we've taken a look at it and, uh, obviously some repairs or whatever will have to be done but from a safety perspective we don't see that there's any issue there so we're not concerned about it from that perspective although obviously the cracking is not good and something's going to have to be, ya know, done to repair that. At any rate, I wanted to chat with you about that because I suspect at some point that's gonna get to your desk. So, uh, at any rate, call me back when you can. Thank you. Bye Advertisement Commissioner Xavier Suarez, who has a background in civil engineering, said he was flabbergasted that the street was not shut down to traffic before or during any stress tests or cable adjustments on the unfinished project Named: Alexa Duran, an 18-year-old FIU freshman (right), and bridge worker Navaro Brown, 37, (left) are among the six victims of Thursday's fatal pedestrian bridge collapse Commissioner Xavier Suarez, who has a background in civil engineering, said he was flabbergasted that the street was not shut down to traffic before or during any stress tests or cable adjustments on the unfinished project. 'Never in my life have I heard of that,' Suarez said. 'That makes no sense. That makes no sense.' 'As a public official, I am saddened by the FIU bridge collapse. As an engineer it baffles me that a brand new bridge with no unusual (or, possibly even expected) loads could collapse in that way. Our prayers are with the victims and their families. 'Collapse of a brand-new pedestrian bridge w/o pedestrians on it @ FIU makes no sense. I will not accept explanation based on 'testing.' U cannot 'test' bridge when people are driving below it. 'I want 2 know what failed - support or span? Either way, somebody was beyond negligent.' He isn't the only person demanding answers to why the highway wasn't closed at the time of the tests. The crushed Chevy van seen above belongs to Structural Technologies, a national company that offers engineering services Miami-Dade Fire Rescue Department workers work at the scene of the collapsed bridge. A vehicle which appears to be a white van is seen on the left after it was crushed by the bridge. The van belongs to an engineering firm whose employees were working on the site Sen. Marco Rubio, the bridge's internal support cables were being 'tightened' just as the bridge crumbled onto traffic below, crushing eight cars under 950 tons of concrete and steel. But no one has yet explained why cars were allowed to drive freely under an incomplete bridge while workers were testing to see if it might fall apart. Now, some local officials are demanding answers. The City of Sweetwater insists said it had no say in who built the bridge - claiming the decision was made by Munilla Construction Management (MCM), and the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT). 'We were never involved in any decisions about the streets,' said spokesman Sandy Antonio. 'The construction company worked directly with FDOT on getting approval to shut down the street.' SW Eighth Street was closed 9pm Friday until 5am Monday, while the bridge was swung into place last weekend, using FIU's Accelerated Bridge Construction. FDOT had informed Sweetwater about the closures ahead of time. 'The only involvement we had was understanding when it was shut down and when it would reopen,' she says. 'That was all determined by the construction company and FDOT.' Yet there were no such arrangements for the day of the testing. Engineering experts say investigators looking into the collapsed 'instant' bridge at Florida International University will want to know why a central tower which is usually built to support a suspension bridge was not in place when it collapsed onto Tamiami Trail on Thursday afternoon Dr. Amjad Aref, a civil engineer and researcher at the University of Buffalo's Institute of Bridge Engineering, told the New York Times it wasn't unheard-of to let traffic flow during a stress test under some conditions. But where a bridge is incomplete, the public are generally kept out of the way. 'Normally when we do anything, even a fairly completed bridge or if it's some rehab or even really minor load-testing, there's some sort of traffic control,' Aref says. He added that many bridges are typically tested in a lab setting before being installed. But it's unclear what precautions were in place before the accident. Investigators are also looking into why the 'instant' bridge, which collapsed killing six on Thursday in Miami, was not supported by a central tower when it was tested yesterday. Last week, Florida International University's official Twitter account posted a rendering of the bridge in its completed form as envisioned by the planners before its opening to foot traffic in early 2019. The rendering shows a tall central column with cables connecting it to the main span. Engineers say the design is known as a 'cable-stayed bridge,' which is a kind of suspension bridge, according to USA Today. The FIU bridge was not yet open to the public when it collapsed onto the eight-lane highway below, killing at least six people and injuring at least 10. Last week, FIU's official Twitter account posted a rendering of the bridge in its completed form as envisioned by the planners. The rendering shows a tall central column with cables connecting it to the main span. The city of Sweetwater also released a rendering above The FIU bridge was not yet open to the public when it collapsed onto the eight-lane highway below, killing at least six people and injuring at least 10. It is seen above after it was installed last Saturday and before its collapse on Thursday The bridge did not have the central tower in place, even though experts say it is usually placed at the early stages of construction. In the absence of a tower, there is usually a temporary support, though in this case it is unclear what the builders were using in the absence of a central structure. 'Whoever is going to investigate, they will ask the fundamental question: shouldn't the tower be there, and the cables ready to connect to the structure, when you lift it?' said Amjad Aref, a professor at University at Buffalo's Department of Civil, Structural and Environmental Engineering. 'That's a question for them to answer.' Cable-stayed bridges are built in stages. First, planners will locate a clear piece of land with stable ground and a good location. They will then conduct a subsurface investigation which involves lab testing on the soil to make sure that any proposed structure would be supported by the geological conditions at the site. If those tests permit, engineers would then erect piers the upright supports for a structure like a bridge or an arch - and the support span. After building the main piers, engineers usually begin construction of the central tower. After the tower is built and the stay cables are installed, engineers then begin work on extending the central span. When asked about why there was no central column built before the span, the head of the National Transportation Safety Board, Robert Sumwalt, said: 'That's part of our investigation.' The NTSB is an independent federal agency that probes transportation-related accidents. Andrew Hermann, a former president of the American Society of Civil Engineers, said it appears the engineers who built the FIU bridge didn't follow the proper sequence. 'When you're doing staged construction like this, what you have to make sure is that at each stage that the structure is strong enough for the loads that are on the bridge,' Hermann told USA Today. 'The engineering, both design and the construction engineering, should have taken that into account with the bridge in that condition.' Engineering analysts are also vexed as to how a cable-stayed bridge built to carry pedestrians could buckle under no weight even though a number of larger structures which can withstand cars and trucks remain in place. 'I wish I would be on that kind of investigation, to be honest with you, because in this country we build so many cable-stay bridges for carrying trucks, not pedestrians, and all of them work fine,' Aref said. 'The spans, from one end to the other, is much larger than that.' The most popular examples of cable-stayed bridges are the newly constructed Kosciuszko Bridge, which connects two New York City boroughs along the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway. Cable-stayed bridges (like the new Kosciuszko Bridge connecting Brooklyn and Queens as seen above during construction in 2017) usually have central towers and cables in place before the main span is completed The Sunshine Skyway Bridge in Tampa and the John James Audubon Bridge in Louisiana are other examples of cable-stayed bridges. The partially built 950-ton bridge had been assembled by the side of the highway and moved into place Saturday to great fanfare. The span stretched almost 200 feet to connect FIU with the city of Sweetwater. It was expected to open to foot traffic next year. An accelerated construction method was supposed to reduce risks to workers and pedestrians and minimize traffic disruption, the university said. Robert Bea, a professor of engineering and construction management at the University of California, Berkeley, said it's too early to know exactly what happened, but the decision to use what the bridge builders called an 'innovative installation' was risky, especially because the bridge spanned a heavily traveled thoroughfare. 'Innovations take a design firm into an area where they don't have applicable experience, and then we have another unexpected failure on our hands,' Bea said after reviewing the bridge's design and photos of the collapse. Aref said he expects this to be a quick investigation. 'I don't want to speculate. From a structural-engineering point of view, the forensic engineers won't take long to figure out what happened,' he said. The Sunshine Skyway Bridge in Tampa (above) and the John James Audubon Bridge in Louisiana are other examples of cable-stayed bridges A spokesperson for Structural Technologies told DailyMail.com that it could not comment on what its employees were doing at the site, though it said one of its workers died and two others were injured Arescue dog and its handler works at the scene where a pedestrian bridge collapsed to search for survivors. The Structural Technologies van is seen on the left 'I think it is not a long investigation. There are glaring things.' Dr. Igor Belykh, an expert on pedestrian bridges who teaches at Georgia State University, told DailyMail.com that the FIU bridge collapse appears to be a 'construction accident' - though he said it was premature to definitively pinpoint the cause. A fatality from the bridge collapse was identified by her father on Friday. Florida International University freshman Alexa Duran, 18, was identified by her father on Friday as one of the six victims of Thursday's fatal pedestrian bridge collapse in Miami. Duran was driving her friend and schoolmate Richie Humble back from a doctor's appointment when the structure came down on top of her gray Toyota SUV. Humble was able to make it out of the crumpled vehicle, but he could not extract his friend, who was in the severely damaged driver's side of the SUV. Duran was initially unaccounted for, but on Friday afternoon her father, Orlando Duran, confirmed that she was among the dead. Juan Perez, the director of the Miami-Dade Police Department, told a local radio station on Friday that criminal charges could be filed against those deemed responsible for the bridge collapse. Perez said the first priority is to remove the debris and recover the bodies of those trapped underneath, according to the Miami Herald. 'Hopefully, this morning we'll be able to get under that bridge, remove some of the [bridge] parts and start removing those bodies,' he said. 'We just want to get those bodies out of there so [families] can have their loved ones one last time.' Perez said that local and federal authorities will try to establish who - if anyone - is at fault for the bridge's collapse. 'We've got to look at the reality that there may be some negligence down the line,' Perez said. '[The numerous investigations] will help determine whether someone is liable for this. 'It's obviously an accident either way. We have to look to see if somebody contributed to that accident.' Seconds later, the bridge collapsed on the traffic below, leaving dust in its wake This is the moment the 950-ton bridge, installed in just six hours on Saturday, collapsed on cars waiting for the lights to change A van belonging to the engineering firm which may have been conducting a stress test on the 'instant bridge' was crushed in the rubble. Structural Technologies, a national company which offers engineering services, confirmed that one of its employees was among at least six people killed in the bridge collapse. Two other workers were injured and are in stable condition, the company told DailyMail.com. A spokesperson for the firm told DailyMail.com that the company could not comment on specifically what its employees were doing at the bridge when it collapsed due to the pending investigation. The company said it plans to fully cooperate with local and federal authorities investigating the collapse. According to its web site, Structural Technologies offers 'post-tensioning' services to engineering firms. Experts say that tightening steel cables on this kind of bridge has caused at least one collapse in the past, pointing to an example from Australia in the 1970s Post-tensioning is a method of reinforcing concrete structures. It is a form of prestressing - which means that the steel cables are stressed (pulled or tensioned) before the concrete has to support the service loads, according to ConcreteNetwork.com. Florida International University is facing questions over whether it did its due diligence in selecting the companies to ensure that the bridge was safe. The Florida Department of Transportation said that it was the school's responsibility to choose firms that were 'pre-qualified', according to CBS Miami. The state agency said that the firm chosen by the school did not fit the 'pre-qualified' criteria. FIU President Mark Rosenberg insists that the school went through the proper procedures in selecting the engineers. 'I'm satisfied that the testing that was occurring was consistent with best practice,' Rosenberg said Thursday. Authorities said Friday that the cables suspending a pedestrian bridge were being tightened after a stress test when the 950-ton concrete span collapsed over traffic, killing six people only days after its installation was celebrated as a technological innovation. As state and federal investigators worked to determine how and why the five-day-old span failed, Florida politicians pointed to the stress test and loosened cables as possible factors, and a police chief asked everyone not to jump to conclusions. The rescue efforts continued through the night on Thursday as teams continued to search for survivors 'This is a tragedy that we don't want to re-occur anywhere in the United States,' said Juan Perez, director of the Miami-Dade police. 'We just want to find out what caused this collapse to occur and people to die.' US Senator Marco Rubio tweeted late Thursday that cables suspending the span had loosened, and the engineering firm ordered that they be tightened. 'They were being tightened when it collapsed,' he said on Twitter. The $14.2million pedestrian bridge was supposed to open in 2019 as a safe way to cross six lanes of traffic between the FIU campus and the community of Sweetwater, where many students live. Florida Governor Rick Scott said Thursday that investigators will get to the bottom of 'why this happened and what happened,' and if anyone did anything wrong, 'we will hold them accountable.' Rubio, who is an adjunct professor at the school, noted the pedestrian bridge was intended to be an innovative and 'one-of-a-kind engineering design.' That tower had not yet been installed, and it was unclear what builders were using as temporary supports. An accelerated construction method was supposed to reduce risks to workers and pedestrians and minimize traffic disruption, the university said. The project was a collaboration between MCM Construction, a Miami-based contractor, and Figg Bridge Design, based in Tallahassee. Figg is responsible for the iconic Sunshine Skyway Bridge across Tampa Bay. Both companies have been involved in bridge collapses before. The brand new pedestrian bridge collapsed without warning on Thursday afternoon, crushing the cars below it Aerial photos show the devastation caused when the structure collapsed, as multiple emergency vehicles rushed to the scene This is the moment police stormed a house to rescue a pregnant woman, 24, after her mother and sister were killed in a hail of bullets last night - as police quiz a 35-year-old man on suspicion of murder. Firearms officers were dispatched to St Leonards-on-Sea, East Sussex, following reports of gunfire shortly before 8pm, where they led two other women from the house to safety. The two victims, have been named as Heather Whitbread, 53, and her daughter Michelle, 32. Police also confirmed a firearm had been recovered from the property. Armed police were called to the scene last night after reports a gunman sprayed bullets through a window The bodies of two women named locally as Heather Whitbread, 53, and daughter Michelle, 32, were seen being carried out of a house in St Leonards-on-Sea, East Sussex, this morning Murder scene: A police tent is set up outside the home in the quiet seaside town as officers investigate The family of Heather and Michelle have paid tribute to them, saying they were beautiful people 'that filled out family with laughter'. 'They were both special, generous and kind people who loved life, but most of all their family. 'They will both be sorely missed leaving a gap that can never be filled. We now just wish to be left to grieve in private as a family.' Two other women, including one who is heavily pregnant, were unhurt but were suffering from shock and taken to hospital. The women were known to their attacker. Heather's daughter Raven, 24, who is pregnant with a baby girl, is thought to have been escorted from the home by firearms officers. Inspector Mark Rosser said: 'It was one of those nights where you knew something bad was happening, but it got even worse as it unravelled.' The road remains closed this morning as 'more than 30' families have been displaced. The centre is now closed and ours is believed resident will be allowed back to their homes today. Scroll down for video The road remains closed this morning as 'more than 30' families have been displaced 'More than 30' families have been displaced Inspector Mark Rosser, a critical incident inspector in East Sussex Police outside home in St Leonards where two people were shot dead last night The home in Bexhill road, St Leonards where two women were critically shot last night Both women were unhurt but suffering from shock and taken to hospital. The women were known to their attacker. In a press conference at Hastings Police Station, Chief Superintendent Jason Taylor reiterated what police knew about the attack and praised the community for their patience. He said: 'I would like to begin by saying our thoughts are with the family and friends of the two victims who died following a shooting at an address in Bexhill Road last night. 'Officers responded immediately to reports of a shooting shortly before 7:45pm. 'Two women died at the scene. 'Two other women, who were also at the house, were led to safety and were taken to hospital for shock. Police search near home in St Leonards where two people were shot dead Police have been on the scene at a home in St Leonard's since last night Police have said they aren't looking for any further suspects Chief Superintendent Jason Taylor reiterated what police knew about the attack and praised the community for their patience He said: 'I would like to begin by saying our thoughts are with the family and friends of the two victims who died following a shooting at an address in Bexhill Road last night 'They are being supported by specially trained officers. 'A 35-year-old man, who was known to the victims, was arrested on suspicion of murder and taken into custody where he remains. A railway underpass near the house which leads to a beach was searched late into the night where it is believed police arrested the gunman. The 35-year-old man was apprehended two hours after the shooting and taken into custody on suspicion of murder and a firearm was seized. Detective Chief Superintendent Jason Tingley said: 'Tragically two women aged 32 and 53 have died after being shot and our thoughts are with their family and friends. 'We are not looking for anyone else in connection with this incident but we are appealing for any witnesses to come forward.' Bystander Emma Nicholson was on the main road with her husband when a black 4x4 full of armed police swerved and stopped in front of them. She told the Sun Online: 'They jumped out and took cover behind the car. A couple of them were right behind our car. It was very shocking.' She said the armed police shouted: 'Eyes on, eyes on... have we got eyes on?' Police outside the home in St Leonards where two people were shot dead last night. The road remains closed this morning Police have launched a murder investigation after two women were shot dead by a 35-year-old gunman in the quiet seaside town of St Leonards-on-Sea, East Sussex (pictures from the scene) Firearms officers were dispatched to St Leonards-on-Sea, East Sussex, following reports of gunfire at 7:32pm last night. They were able to lead two other women from the house to safety The two victims, aged 32 and 53, remained in the house overnight as forensic investigators collect evidence Miss Nicholson, who lives nearby, added: 'They were shouting for all of us to move. We can still hear helicopters overhead and police sirens rushing past.' James Butler described how he was driving east towards Hastings on the A259 when he was stopped by a police vehicle. He added: 'I was driving along when I saw a car coming towards me flashing its lights at me. 'Five seconds later, I saw why. I had to brake pretty hard because I realised that there was an unmarked police car in the road. A railway underpass near the house which leads to a beach was being searched late into the night where it is believed police arrested the gunman He was apprehended two hours after the shooting and taken into custody on suspicion of murder and a firearm was seized Forensic invesigators pictured collecting evidence at the murder scene 'People seemed to be confused, they didn't know how serious it was. 'Then one driver tried to drive past the police car. All of a sudden, police officers were shouting, 'Get back, get back, your life is at risk, do not come past, turn around!'. 'There were police officers with guns and torches shining into nearby houses.' A source told MailOnline prior to the arrest that police were looking for a man in his thirties wearing dark clothing. Inspector Mark Rosser, a critical incident inspector in East Sussex, tweeted that the double shooting 'was not a random act'. A source told MailOnline prior to the arrest that police were looking for a man in his thirties wearing dark clothing The scene of the shooting, which is close to Hastings He said: 'We are doing our best to get people back to their homes - really sorry for the disruption, we are trying to minimise the scenes as quickly as we can. One male is in custody and this was not a random act.' He added that there were 'more than 30 displaced families' and that it was 'one of the worst shifts' he'd worked in 25 years on the force. Witnesses claim there were as many as 15 ambulances at the scene including the air ambulance and Hazardous Area Response Teams. Steve Weir, who lives just 500 yards from scene of the shooting, told MailOnline last night: 'We heard a few bangs and didn't think anything of it. 'My missus then went to leave the house not long after to go and pick up one of the kids who is down for the weekend, but she was then diverted by police and told to go in a different direction. 'She was sent away for her own safety, according to police, and she hasn't been allowed back into the house.' An armed police officer leaving an unmarked vehicle near the scene Mr Weir added: 'Since then, we've had helicopters over the scene trying to search for the guy. 'They've been searching all the back gardens and have come to knock on our door. 'Police said they were looking for a man in his 30s who was wearing dark clothing. They didn't give any more of a description than that.' James Butler told the Hastings Observer he was driving east towards Hastings on the A259 when he was stopped by a police vehicle. He said: 'I was driving along to go and see my boyfriend Michael for dinner when I saw a car coming towards me flashing its lights at me. 'I wondered why they were doing it, I thought I didn't have my lights on. 'Five seconds later, I saw why. I had to brake pretty hard because I realised that there was an unmarked police car in the road. Two people were injured in the shooting earlier this evening and armed police arrived to secure the scene Sussex Police have dispatched several officers to the scene of the shooting as the hunt for the gunman continues Sussex Police have been turning drivers around from the A259 from the Ravenside Retail Park to Bulverhythe area following the incident 'People seemed to be a bit confused, they didn't know how serious it was. 'Then one driver tried to drive past the police car. All of a sudden, police officers were shouting 'get back, get back, your life is at risk, do not come past, turn around'. 'There were police officers with guns and torches shining the light into nearby houses. 'A couple of minutes later, a lady came over and asked what was going on. She was visibly taken aback by the situation, and seemed quite scared. 'The next thing she said to me was 'I'm going inside, I'm not staying out here, it's not safe'.' Armed police were spotted leaving their vehicles and entering a black car which had parked on a nearby kerb, with shouts coming from nearby. Blacked-out saloon cars, unmarked vehicles and 4x4s were also spotted near the crime scene. Sussex Police have been turning drivers around from the A259 from the Ravenside Retail Park to Bulverhythe area following the incident. Horsham Police tweeted: 'We are responding to a reports of a shooting at a property in Bexhill Road, #StLeonards. Please stay away from the area & remain indoors until more information is available. This is not a terrorist-related incident.' Nearly two years after Diane McIver was fatally shot by her husband in their own SUV, the murder trial has finally begun. Claud 'Tex' McIver, 75, has maintained that he accidentally shot his wife when he fell asleep in their car with a revolver on his lap the night of September 25, 2016. But prosecutors believe otherwise, claiming the seemingly perfect and successful Atlanta couple had dark problems underneath the surface. On Thursday jurors saw surveillance footage that shows McIver, once a prominent lawyer, pulling his 64-year-old wife out of the car in front of Emory Hospital. Scroll down for video On Thursday jurors got a first look at surveillance footage that shows Claud McIver, a prominent Atlanta lawyer, pulling his 64-year-old wife out of the car in front of Emory Hospital McIver, 75, has maintained from the beginning that he accidentally shot his wife Diane (pictured together left) when he fell asleep with a revolver on his lap on September 2016. He is currently on trial for her murder McIver is pictured here on Tuesday, when he became emotional after evidential surveillance footage played during the third day of the murder trial The footage shows McIver, wearing a bright red shirt, directing a Ford Explorer SUV to the front of the hospital. His wife was in the passenger seat and the car was being driven by their close family friend Patricia 'Dani Jo' Carter. Nurses can be seen in the video rushing to the SUV with a wheelchair to help Mrs McIver into the emergency room. On Thursday and Friday jurors also heard testimony from the doctors and nurses who treated Mrs McIver on the night she died, including Blair Brown. Brown ran out to help as McIver put his wife into a wheelchair, and said she first asked him if he could lift up Diane's leg. 'I asked him what's going on and he said gunshot wound,' Brown told the jury, according to CBS46. Brown said McIver did not mention that he was the one who had shot his wife. The nurse recalled one moment when Mrs McIver looked at her and simply said, 'I'm going to die'. In the surveillance footage, McIver can be seen directing a Ford Explorer SUV to the front of the hospital. His wife was in the passenger seat and the car was being driven by their friend Patricia 'Dani Jo' Carter Nurses can be seen rushing to the SUV with a wheelchair to help Mrs McIver into the ER Nurse Blair Brown ran out to help as McIver put his wife into a wheelchair, and said he told her it was a gunshot wound - but did not say he had been the one to shoot her Mary Wyndom, another nurse who was on the scene, said she overheard Mrs McIver tell Dr. Susanne Hardy that the shooting was an accident. 'Dr Hardy said, "What happened? Did you accidentally shoot yourself?" And she said, "Yeah. No. My husband shot me, but it was an accident,"' Wyndom recalled. Diane McIver was president of Corey Airport Services, an Atlanta-based marketing company where she had worked for more than 40 years Hardy told the jury that when she asked Mrs McIver if she would like to see her husband, the woman replied 'No'. The doctor also said that before McIver had called the shooting an 'accident', she said her husband had been holding the gun 'behind her back'. Nurse Allison Neely told the courtroom that she immediately noticed that McIver did not appear upset and was 'emotionless' that night. Neely said McIver's attorney was the first person to show up at the hospital, as was a man with shoulder-length hair. She noticed McIver and Carter talking quietly to the two men for half an hour. Emergency room nurse Terri Sullivan testified that she heard one of the men say: 'This is what you're going to tell them', according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Sullivan told the court it struck her as 'odd'. The nurse also treated McIver for anxiety after his wife died that night, and recalled that he was speaking calmly and was not crying. McIver(pictured on Monday) has been charged with malice murder, felony murder, and attempting to unlawfully influence witnesses in his case McIver (pictured in court on Tuesday and Wednesday) has been accused of being 'emotionless' at the hospital when his wife died Emergency room assistant Charlotte Armstrong, who sat with McIver after he was told Diane had died, also testified. Armstrong said that after McIver was informed that his wife hadn't survived surgery, he told the assistant: 'She didn't have any family and that's what drew her to me.' She also recalled McIver saying he 'needed to call the boys and say "Danny boy did good"'. McIver has been charged with malice murder, felony murder, and attempting to unlawfully influence witnesses in his case. Emergency room nurse Terri Sullivan (pictured) said she saw McIver talking to a man who she overheard saying: 'This is what you're going to tell them' Mary Wyndom (pictured), another nurse who was on the scene, said she overheard Mrs McIver tell Dr. Susanne Hardy that the shooting was an accident Last month it was discovered that McIver owed his wife, who was a successful business executive, $350,000 at the time of her death. McIver borrowed the large sum from her company, Clay Management Co, in 2012. He was supposed to repay the amount with interest back by December 2014 but received an extension until 2017, according to court documents. He took the loan from his wife to build a $1.3million barn on the couple's sprawling farm in Putnam County, according to the Atlanta Journal Constitution. The corporate lawyer said the loan was an idea from Mrs McIver, who said it would help with their taxes. He would write off the payments and she could claim it as income. The news of the debt to his late wife came after McIver held an estate sale of Diane's wardrobe looking to raise $350,000 to cover bequests in her will. Fulton County Assistant District Attorney Adam Abatte makes notes addressing the $350,000 loan Mrs McIver made for her husband. It was due to be paid in 2017 McIver put up Diane's entire collection of clothes, shoes and costume jewelry up for sale in hopes to raise $350,000 to cover bequests in her will The sale was promoted as ' a fashionista's dream closet' and contained designer clothes, furs and accessories. Peachtree Battle Estate Sales & Liquidations, the company handling the sale, said Mrs McIver's collection included clothing items by Jimmy Choo, Roberto Cavalli, Chanel, Prada, Christian Louboutin, Louis Vuitton, Dior and Valentino. Of the 121 fur coats in Diane McIver's closet, one by designer Thierry Mugler still had a $6,800 price tag attached to it. The estate sale also included more than 500 pieces of fine Italian and French costume jewelry, leather and suede jackets, evening gowns, and more. Among the items being sold off are 121 fur coats, including one by Thierry Mugler that originally cost $6,800. Hundreds of pairs of high-end shoes and boots from top designers were also on offer McIver has insisted that the shooting was a terrible accident. 'I absolutely did not,' he told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.'She was my life partner. My life as I know it is ruined because of this accident.' McIver told police he was sleeping in the backseat of his Ford Explorer SUV when he woke up with a jolt, causing the gun in his lap to fire. His wife was riding directly in front of him, and the bullet from the revolver struck her in the back, leaving her mortally wounded. McIver's attorney claimed that the reason his client had the .38-caliber revolver in his lap in the first place was because, earlier in the evening, he and Diane saw a group of people approach their vehicle as they rode home from their farm. McIver, a member of the American Bar Association's Standing Committee on Gun Violence, has insisted that shooting was a terrible accident McIver and Diane own an apartment in a luxury complex in Buckhead, Atlanta. They were headed back to their apartment from their farm in Putnam County when McIver shot his wife He then asked his wife to take the gun out of the center console and hand it to him for protection. McIver placed the gun in a plastic grocery bag in his lap and fell sleep. As the SUV was passing by Piedmont Park, he abruptly woke up. 'I lurched and the gun fired. I must have forgotten it was in my lap. I saw a flash,' McIver recalled. Bill Crane, a friend of the couple who had acted as a family spokesman, claimed McIver retrieved his handgun because they were concerned about unrest in Atlanta related to the Black Lives Matter movement and feared of getting carjacked. But McIver later denied ever mentioning Black Lives Matter, reported 11Alive. Mrs McIver was president of Corey Airport Services, a successful Atlanta-based marketing company where she had worked for more than 40 years. McIver was a partner in the Atlanta office of Fisher Phillips LLP, specializing in labor and employment law. A Cambridge University college held a formal dinner for self-defining black and minority ethnic students that excluded white people. Trinity College Students Union claimed the segregated dinner, which it boasted was the first ever held in the college, was a way for non-white people in the college to reclaim some space. But last night critics accused the students of imposing a new apartheid. This is the latest race row at the university, where activists have demanded that academics decolonise courses by putting more ethnic minority authors on reading lists and a student play was cancelled after complaints about its lack of black actors. Elegant surroundings: Students enjoy a formal dinner at Trinity College Hall, Cambridge In an invitation posted online, the college students union, which organised the formal dinner, said: Trinity College is hosting a formal hall open only to self-defining black and minority ethnic students. The event will hopefully be an occasion to meet new faces in the BME community, as well as old ones. Its an invaluable opportunity to show the entire university community our strength and our resilience in what can be an unwelcoming environment. I hope you can join in on the evening to reclaim some space! Last night Tory MP Andrew Bridgen said: This is divisive and will drive students apart. Equality should mean equality for all. This is a retrograde step and a new form of apartheid something people campaigned for decades to end. Now it is being re-imposed. The dress code for the event held on 28 February was formal, with gowns required. The 120 undergraduates and postgraduates attending were invited to a drinks reception in the colleges Old Kitchens before being served a three-course dinner of country pate, daube of red wine braised beef, and baked Alaska. Trinity, which was founded by Henry VIII in 1546, is the largest and wealthiest Cambridge college with an endowment of 1.1billion Last night after the Daily Mail contacted the university, the Facebook page advertising the event was taken down. Trinity, which was founded by Henry VIII in 1546, is the largest and wealthiest Cambridge college with an endowment of 1.1billion. Cambridge has been facing a vocal campaign from student activists over diversity. Between 2010 and 2015, only 1 per cent of offers were made to black British students at Cambridge, and on average a quarter of colleges failed each year to make such offers. A group of students have launched a campaign group called Decolonise Cambridge. Last October, it pressured the English faculty into agreeing to look at proposals to add more black and ethnic minority authors to their courses. Last May, the universitys amateur dramatics club scrapped a production after accusations of whitewashing when it gave a role that had been African-American in the script to a white actor. The club said too few black students auditioned. The dinner comes amid controversy about the treatment of those who self define as female. Labour is changing its rules to guarantee those who self identify as female even if they are not biologically women the right to stand on all women shortlists following pressure from the transgender rights lobby. A man is dead and another has been charged by police following a fatal stabbing inMelbourne on Friday night. Emergency services were called on Church Street, Richmond, just before 8.30pm following reports of a brawl and found a man aged in his 20s on the ground. He was allegedly stabbed at a nearby housing commission block and fled a to a 7 Eleven service station to seek help where he collapsed in a pool of blood. A man that was stabbed staggered to a service station in Richmond to seek help before he collapsed at the scene. He was unable to be revived The alleged stabbing to a place at a unit block in Richmond in Melbourne's south east Paramedics desperately tried to revive the man but he died en route to hospital. Police arrested a Port Melbourne man, 34, a short time later. He was charged with murder on Saturday night. A neighbour told the Herald Sun she has witnessed multiple fights in the area in recent weeks, including one involving up to 30 young people. 'I live in one of the housing blocks and theres been blood in the foyer every couple of days,' she said. 'Police have told us its not safe to bring our kids out after dark. Theyve given up, they dont even show up anymore when we call.' Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. Ivanka Trump sat down Thursday with South Korea's foreign minister for a meeting whose purpose remains a mystery. Kang Kyung-wha and the president's elder daughter struck up a friendship during the Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, the White House told Newsweek, saying that '[t]he foreign minister asked for the meeting.' South Korea's foreign ministry tweeted a photo of their reunion on Thursday, showing the pair seated at a large round table with bread and flowers. 'One month later [after] their last meeting in Pyeongchang, Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha and Ivanka Trump, the U.S. president's senior advisor met again in Washington,' the tweet from Thursday at dinnertime read. Ivanka Trump met with South Korea's foreign minister Kang Kyung-wha in Washington Friday? 'The meeting took place during Minister Kang's visit to Washington between March 15 and 17.' Kang's arrival in Washington came just 48 hours after President Donald Trump fired his secretary of state, Rex Tillerson. That left Acting Secretary John Sullivan to shoulder the actual diplomatic load. Neither side revealed the nature of their meeting, which comes at a time of intense uncertainty about North Korea. President Trump stunned the political world last week when he said he would accept an invitation to meet North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un. The invite offer was conveyed by a visiting South Korean delegation at the White House. South Korea's foreign ministry tweeted about the meeting, without revealing its purpose ROOM FOR MORE: The Ivanka Trump meeting was part of a series of stops made by the South Korean foreign minister WE SHOULD CONSIDER DOING THIS INDOORS: (L-R) Ivanka Trump, South Korean first lady Kim Jung-sook and South Korean foreign minister Kang Kyung-wha attend the Snowboard - Men's Big Air Final on day 15 of the PyeongChang 2018 Winter Olympic Games at Alpensia Ski Jumping Centre on February 24, 2018 in Pyeongchang-gun, South Korea LUGE DEVELOPMENT: Ivanka Trump (L), wife of Korean President Moon Jae-in, Kim Jung-sook (C) and Korean foreign minister Kang Kyung-wha (R)take a selfie while watching the final of the men's snowboard big air event at the Alpensia Ski Jumping Centre during the Pyeongchang 2018 Winter Olympic Games on February 24, 2018 in Pyeongchang SHE ALSO MET THIS GUY: Deputy Secretary of State John Sullivan greets South Korean Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha prior to a meeting at the State Department March 16, 2018 in Washington, DC THERE WERE OTHER MYSTERIOUS MEETINGS FRIDAY: North Korean Foreign Minister Ri Yong Ho leaves the Swedish government building Rosenbad in central Stockholm, Sweden, Friday, March 16, 2018 KBS World Radio in South Korea cited speculation the two would exchange information about the forthcoming meeting between Trump and Kim. The North Koreans have so far failed to issue a public response to the president's surprise statement last week. However, the signs of a diplomatic channel could be seen in Sweden, where the foreign minister held a 'good and constructive' meeting with North Korea's foreign minister Ri Yong Ho. Swedish Foreign Minister Margot Wallstrom wouldn't say after the meeting at a Stockholm villa what was discussed or whether a Trump-Kim meeting was discussed. YOU TAKE MEXICO, I GOT THIS: White House Chief of Staff John Kelly, Ivanka Trump, and White House senior adviser Jared Kushner listen as President Donald Trump speaks during a cabinet meeting in the Cabinet Room at the White House in Washington, DC on Thursday, March 08, 2018 Sweden acts at the U.S. protective power in North Korea, handling diplomatic affairs on behalf of the U.S. in the hermetic nation. "We'll see what happens next," Wallstrom said, the Associated Press reported. In the U.S., the South Korean minister also had plans to meet House Speaker Paul Ryan. She met Colorado Republican Senator Cory Gardner and other lawmakers, including Republican Rep. Ed Royce, chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee. Kang also mentioned an upcoming inter-Korean summit of the U.S. and her nation, saying they will become significant milestones in terms of the situation on the Korean Peninsula, and thereby to expedite the denuclearization and the establishment of a lasting peace on the Peninsula,' her ministry said in a statement. She also blasted 'unintended negative ramifications' of U.S. steel tariffs imposed by President Trump. Ivanka Trump is a senior advisor in her father's White House, whose areas of focus have included women's empowerment. She held several meetings to advance provisions in the $1.5 trillion tax cut such a expanding the child tax credit. Deanna J. Joseph, 40, was sentenced to 15 years in prison on Friday in New Jersey A father who found his toddler daughter dead in the backseat of the car has called for the child's mother to be sentenced to hell instead of prison for passing out on drugs and leaving her to die. Deanna J. Joseph, 40, was sentenced to the maximum term of 15 years in prison on Friday in Alloway Township, New Jersey for her role in the August 2017 death of two-year-old Kayley Freeman. Joseph pleaded guilty in January to manslaughter, child endangerment and drug and weapons charges. 'The tears are made so you feel bad for her,' outraged father Thomas Freeman said in a letter to the court read prior to sentencing, NJ.com reported. 'Every tear is a lie.' 'Hell is not good enough for her,' Freeman said, noting that there was no reason for Joseph to take young Hayley on multiple drug-buying runs the day she died. 'Fifteen years is not enough time. Kayley's life was worth way more than that.' Joseph was slumped over in the driver's seat of the car parked in her driveway as two-year-old daughter Kayley (with her above) suffocated in a car seat just feet away in August 2017 Father Thomas Freeman rushed out of the house to find the scene of horror in this driveway The grieving father described the utter horror of finding Kayley slumped over in her car seat in a Mercedes at the end of the driveway where the couple shared a home. 'I found my daughter dead in a car seat. I didn't sleep for days... I have flashbacks,' he said. An autopsy determined that Kayley died of positional asphyxia, a condition in which a person's breathing is obstructed because of the way their body is positioned. Joseph was slumped over in the driver's seat while Kayley died feet away from her. Searches of her car and home turned up bags with trace amounts of heroin, fentanyl and cocaine. A blood test revealed cocaine in her system. Cops also found an unloaded, defaced handgun in the trunk of her car, along with ammunition. A court later heard that Joseph traveled to Salem twice to purchase drugs - with Kayley strapped in the car seat the whole time - on the day the toddler died. Joseph (left and right) has a lengthy criminal record with 10 felony convictions. In two of those cases, she left a child alone while high on drugs Joseph has a lengthy criminal record with 10 felony convictions. In two of those cases, she left a child alone while high on drugs. Superior Court Judge Linda Lawhun handed down the 15-year sentence on Friday, including concurrent 10-year terms on the manslaughter and endangering charges, a concurrent 3-year term for the drug charge and a consecutive 5-year term for the weapons offense. Joseph must serve at least 85 per cent of the manslaughter term and at least 1 year of the weapons sentence before she is eligible for parole. Defense attorney Peter Alfinito said Kayley's death was a tragic accident, saying his client was gripped by drug addiction and would gladly have taken her daughter's place to save her. 'She is truly remorseful,' he said. 'She will do her sentence and hopefully when she does get out... she will be able to be a part of society.' Dr Adam Perkins (pictured), teaches psychology at Kings College London A lecturer has been prevented from giving a talk about free speech at his own university after he was criticised by hard-Left activists. Dr Adam Perkins, who teaches psychology at Kings College London, was told his event was being postponed because it had been assessed as high risk. The talk, which was scheduled to take place on campus yesterday, was called The Scientific Importance of Free Speech. But officials became worried it could be gatecrashed by demonstrators who are opposed to Dr Perkinss research. The academic, who has worked at Kings for eight years specialising in the neurobiology of personality, has been targeted online by hard-Left activists in recent years. They branded him racist because of research he did about US president Donald Trumps controversial travel ban on people from some Muslim-majority countries, and also claimed a book he wrote about the welfare state is offensive to the poor. His planned talk at the Libertarian Society, a student organisation, was postponed by the university authorities, who said they could not manage the event safely. It comes almost two weeks after masked protesters punched a security guard to gain access to another Libertarian Society event featuring a Right-wing academic and a blogger accused of being anti-feminist . The thugs, who claimed to be anti-fascist, then rampaged around the lecture hall at Kings and shut down the event. Yesterday Dr Perkins said: I am disappointed that my lecture on the scientific importance of free speech has been postponed. Free speech in science is crucial because it means different opinions can be debated. If we allow one side of the debate to be silenced because it is deemed wrong-think, we will remove its balancing effect and thus impede the development of scientific understanding. Dr Perkins added that the student society is looking into rescheduling the event and employing security guards to oversee it. A spokesman for the Libertarian Society said: The premise that a lecturer on the payroll of Kings College London itself is being risk assessed is astonishing. The academic, who has worked at Kings for eight years specialising in the neurobiology of personality, has been targeted online by hard-Left activists in recent years Dr Perkins has been a lecturer at Kings for several years now, and is an expert in his field. By no means was this a controversial event, as the value of free speech to scientific discovery cannot be questioned. The spokesman said the university authorities had effectively no-platformed the speaker until his talk could be re-scheduled and accused them of succumbing to radical elements in the student body. A Kings College London spokesman said: The society will be offered the opportunity to host it on another occasion, if they wish. Due to the current external environment and the recent violent protest at Kings, this event was assessed as high risk and postponed. The safety and security of staff, students, speakers and attendees is a priority. We are absolutely committed to academic freedom and respect the right to peaceful protest where people have conflicting views. Hacker Adrian Lamo died at the age of 37 Adrian Lamo, the hacker who turned Chelsea Manning in to the FBI for leaking classified government documents on Wikileaks, has died. Lamos father, Mario, announced the news Friday on Facebook. With great sadness and a broken heart I have to let know all of Adrians friends and acquaintances that he is dead, Mario Lamo posted. A bright mind and compassionate soul is gone, he was my beloved son. Mario Lamo did not reveal how or when his son died. Lamo, who was living in Wichita, Kansas, was 37. Kate Flavin, a spokeswoman for Sedgwick Countys regional forensic science center told Business Insider that an autopsy is being conducted and will determine the cause of death. Flavin also told the outlet that she was unsure when Lamo died or how his body was found. Lamo's father Mario confirmed the death Friday on Facebook. A cause of death has not been revealed Lamo was first thrust into the spotlight in 2002 when he hacked the systems of major US corporations, including The New York Times and Microsoft. According to the Times, Lamo broke into the paper's internal computer network and added his name to their database of expert sources. He also used the newspaper's LexisNexis account to conduct research on high-profile people, running up a $300,000 bill. He pleaded guilty to the Times hack and was fined and sentenced to six months of home detention. Lamo became a star in the hacker community, but that all changed a few years later when he outed former US Army soldier Chelsea Manning as the person who dumped thousands of classified government documents on WikiLeaks. Lamo and Manning struck up a friendship online in 2010. Manning, who was going by the name Bradley at the time before transitioning into a female, confided in Lamo that she had copies of thousands of documents the US government wanted to remain classified. Manning told Lamo that she handed over the secret documents to Julian Assange, the founder of WikiLeaks. Lamo reported Manning to the FBI, later saying he feared that lives were in danger. Had I done nothing, I would have been left wondering whether the hundreds of thousands of documents that had been leaked to unknown third parties would end up costing lives, either directly or indirectly,' the recreational hacker told The Guardian in a 2011 interview. In the early 2000s Lamo hacked into the systems at The New York Times and Yahoo and was sentenced to six months of home detention WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange commented on Lamo's death calling him a 'petty conman' and a 'snitch' Lamo's actions led to Manning being arrested and sentenced to 35 years in prison. Manning's sentence was later commuted by former President Barack Obama, and she was released last year. Lamo was also labeled a traitor among other hackers. One of his biggest critics was Assange, who called Lamo a 'petty conman' in a tweet about his death. Coroner says serial FBI snitch Adrian Lamo is dead. Lamo, a fake journalist, petty conman & betrayer of basic human decency, promised alleged source (Chelsea Manning) journalistic protection, friendship and support, then sold him to the FBI,' Assange posted, also sharing a Gif of Lamo putting on a hat with the words 'snitch' written on it. Lamo was well aware of his infamy telling US News last January that turning Manning in was not his 'most honorable moment' but he had made peace with his decision. So many people think they know why I did what I did or what I was thinking or why I made my choice. And almost without exception theyre wrong, he said. Theres essentially a public avatar thats Adrian Lamo that theyre looking at, and then theres me. And I cant be upset about what they think of something that isnt me. Councils spent tens of thousands of pounds sending delegates to an alcohol-soaked property jamboree on the French Riviera. Dozens of town hall officials, including those from some of Britains most deprived boroughs, spent three days in the sunshine at the annual Mipim conference in Cannes. It comes as householders across the country are receiving council tax bills showing the steepest rises for 14 years, which are being blamed on Government cuts. The annual MIPIM property conference in Cannes where council officials enjoyed sea front hospitality in the sunshine for three days Some councils were sponsored to attend, but at least nine used public money to send officials prompting accusations that they were enjoying a taxpayer-funded jolly. The real number could be much higher as 34 bodies failed respond to the Daily Mails requests for information. One MP called for an inquiry, saying it beggared belief that money was spent sending councillors and staff to schmooze with the property developing elite rather than going on essential services. Some councils were sponsored by property developers to send delegates but at least nine used public money to send officials to Cannes The Department for International Trade also sent delegates but a spokesman refused to say if it was a taxpayer-funded trip. Mipim is the worlds largest property conference, where leaders of the real estate sector including lawyers, agents, bankers and landlords network on a sea of champagne. Labour-run Croydon council spent 14,488 to send chief executive Jo Negrini and two officials to this weeks event, including flights, accommodation and passes. The three-day, sun-soaked conference on the Riviera opened with a champagne reception and had an unlimited supply of alcohol They manned a beachfront stall in a large area alongside other boroughs dedicated to luring investment to London. Free alcohol, including wine and beers, was served by waiters at the London section of the conference and there was free bar from midday. Croydon Council recently announced council tax rises of 5 per cent, blaming the increase on Government cuts. Shropshire Council confirmed they spent almost 20,000 of public money taking two delegates to the event, which included flights, hotels and promotional films and marketing material. Southampton City Council spent 4,420 sending two senior staff. The Labour council is raising council tax by almost 6 per cent. Mipim is the worlds largest property conference and sees leaders of the real estate sector including lawyers, agents, bankers and landlords come together Conservative-held Solihull in the West Midlands sent its leader and deputy leader at a cost of 9,000 to the public purse. The trip comes after Solihull announced a 3.9 per cent council tax rise from April, blaming adult social care costs and other pressures. Wychavon District Council in Worcestershire used 850 of taxpayers money to send a council officer, plus unspecified accommodation costs. Luton Council paid for three attendees with public money, and Leicestershire County Council and Newcastle City Council also said that council staff trips were part-funded from taxpayers cash. Some of the delegates, including one very glamorous woman, are pictured taking a break from the property conference Lib Dem MP and local government spokesman Wera Hobhouse said: It beggars belief that some council members are attending this plush property conference. We need a full inquiry into whether council taxpayers money has been spent on tickets to this event. We dont want to tar all councils with the same brush, but with council taxes set to rise considerably this April, it would be difficult to understand why councillors need to schmooze with the property developing elite. James Price, of the Taxpayers Alliance, said: Im sure Cannes is lovely at this time of year, but that doesnt mean so many councillors should be jetting off on a taxpayer-funded jolly. They should have to prove beyond doubt that the cost of the trip was justified in the investment they attracted. At least nine councils used public money, including Shropshire Council who confirmed they spent almost 20,000 taking two delegates to the event Many other councils funded their trips through private sponsorship from large investment firms. Other publicly funded bodies such as the Department for International Trade also attended. All delegates were treated to an unlimited supply of free alcohol and canapes with numerous cocktail parties taking place once the sun set. A welcome reception featured champagne on arrival, stilt walkers and a live band. Prostitutes were touting for business around the venue, saying they attend every year to make a lot of money. There is no suggestion that council staff or other British delegates or Mipim endorsed prostitutes. The British government also had a hospitality tent at the property conference, in an attempt to attract investors Dozens of delegates are pictured enjoying the stunning sunshine and beautiful sea front views during the three-day property conference Shropshire Council said: The event offered the opportunity to take Shropshire to an international audience. Southampton Council said: This was paid for by council funds. We do not consider it appropriate to accept sponsorship from developers or private companies that we are in discussions with. We had a number of successful meetings with potential investors from China, Australia, Sweden and UK. Solihull Council said it attended to raise the profile of the investment opportunities within the borough on an international stage. The Local Government Association, which speaks for councils, said: International property conferences can provide the platform for councils to attract the investment into their local communities. Major retailers, including Apple, Marks & Spencer and Iceland, have been misleading shoppers over their rights to return items bought online, it has been claimed. Most customers are unaware that they have more legal rights to return unwanted purchases bought from a website than from a high street store. And the confusion is fuelled by the fact that the information provided by big brand retailers on their websites is hard to understand and, in some cases, potentially illegal. The allegations come from Which?, the consumer group. It found that 45 out of 46 popular retailers and supermarkets failed to offer information that was completely accurate and clear. Those who make a purchase online, by mail order or over the phone have the right to return it under the Consumer Contracts Regulations. Major retailers including Marks & Spencer have been misleading shoppers over their rights to return items bought online, it has been claimed by Which? This runs until 14 days after the goods have been received. Once customers notify the retailer they no longer want the item they then have up to 14 days to return the goods to get a refund. But when shopping in the high street there is no legal right to return an item just because you have changed your mind, although many stores operate a voluntary returns policy. Many of the retailers targeted by Which? have agreed to change or review the returns information on their websites as a result of the investigation. These include Aldi, AO.com, Apple, Ebuyer, Iceland, Lakeland, M&S, Ocado, Tesco Direct and Wiggle. Examples of bad practice found by Which? included a potentially illegal statement by Iceland that it would not accept returns on items bought in error on its website or if customers had changed their mind. Apple, Beauty Bay and Mac Cosmetics all wrongly offered customers only 14 days to return unwanted goods when they actually have up to 14 days to cancel from the date they receive the goods and a further 14 days in which to return them. Customers of Allbeauty, Beauty Bay, Feel Unique were informed they could only return unwanted items if they are unopened. But Which? said: This is an unreasonable generalisation, as the shopper should be able to handle the goods as though they were in a store unless the item is sealed for hygiene purposes. Morrisons gave incorrect information on its returns and refunds FAQs, which limited the period for returning unwanted online purchases to seven days for non-perishable products. Iceland said: We do not accept that the returns policy outlined on our website was unlawful, but we concede that it was insufficiently detailed and were happy to expand it. Alex Neill, managing director of home products and services at Which?, said: As a nation that is increasingly shopping online, it is important that trusted retailers do not mislead consumers about their rights. We will continue to challenge those that carry on confusing their customers. Hundreds of British politicians, celebrities and firms have demanded that Google remove search results in alleged attempts to rewrite history. MPs, councillors and government officials have made almost 400 requests under the European right to be forgotten law since January 2016, in what campaigners branded an outrageous cover-up. Another 768 requests to delete links from the search engine have been made by UK public figures including celebrities, actors and academics. Companies have made 597 requests. Each request can cover multiple search results. Hundreds of people have petitioned Google to remove embarrassing web links under European laws concerning the right to be forgotten according to transparency campaigners Media lawyer Mark Stephens, pictured, said the ease at which politicians can erase their past is 'outrageous'. He said: 'The very people who should be under the most scrutiny are applying to cover up their miscreant deeds' In total, Google has received requests to remove 267,283 links in the UK since the controversial European ruling came into force nearly four years ago. It has deleted four in ten of these 106,603 including links to newspaper websites and government documents, according to its transparency report. Media lawyer Mark Stephens, of Howard Kennedy law firm, described apparent attempts by politicians to erase their past as outrageous. He said: The very people who should be under the most scrutiny are applying to cover up their miscreant deeds. Crooks, brigands and politicians are seeking to hide misdeeds from the public when those are the very people whose lives need to be subject to most scrutiny. Its almost tantamount to deception or rewriting history. Killers, terrorists, sex offenders and fraudsters are also among those asking for deletions in an attempt to hide their past. One in four requests in the UK related to news articles. Daily Mail reports published online had the fourth most links deleted, after electoral roll site 192.com, Twitter and Facebook. Online giant's cash to woo think-tanks Google has given millions to European think-tanks in a bid to influence regulations which affect the company, a watchdog claims. Those who have received money from the firm are said to have staged events which allowed Google executives to rub shoulders with policymakers, The Times reported. US watchdog the Campaign for Accountability (CfA) found that the Research Alliance for a Digital Economy (Readie), based in London, received hefty funding from the search engine. All of Readies papers depicted Google in a favourable light, according to the CfA. It said: Regulators need to be aware that a good deal of the academic research defending the company is written by Google-funded institutions. Half of Readies funding comes from Google, the other half from a foundation called Nesta. Geoff Mulgan, chief of Nesta, said: Nesta is not beholden to any government, company or foundation. A spokesman for Google said: Were happy to support researchers and help amplify voices that support the principles of an open internet. Readie was contacted for comment. Advertisement Google deleted 481 links from 1,830 requests about the Mail, including a May 2009 article describing the sordid captivity in which Josef Fritzl kept his family. Another Mail story removed from Google concerned Ronald Castree, 61, a paedophile who abducted an 11-year old girl before abusing and murdering her. The European Court of Justice ruled in May 2014 that Google must remove links to sites with content that is inadequate, irrelevant or no longer relevant. In total, Google has been asked to remove 2.4million web links across Europe and it has had to axe 900,665 of them. Among those who had links deleted was a bank clerk who had reports about him stealing cash from pensioners removed. In another case, links to photos of a celebritys spouse, who has a current public life, posing nude several decades ago, were erased. It comes as Google battles in the English courts against a businessman it accused of trying to rewrite history by using the rule to hide articles about his criminal past. The man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was jailed for conspiracy to account falsely in the 1990s. His lawyer said yesterday the mans conviction had been spent and he should be allowed to put the past behind him. But Google claimed the man still operated in the business world and that would-be clients are entitled to be able to discover the truth about the claimants past. Paul H Borroni was released from prison last month after 38 years. Just 26 days later he was purposely arrested on charges of armed robbery because he said he didn't want to be homeless. Jail was a better option Convicted murderer, Paul H. Borroni, was released from a Missouri prison last month after 38 years. He says he got re-arrested last week for armed robbery because he just 'couldn't relate' to being on the outside. Borroni, 57, at first had a decent go after release, working as an extra for the stagehand union making $28.50 per hour, and even got a second call back for more work. He felt great, until the phone didn't ring again. He was placed in prison for the murder of a 17-year-old Diane Kramer in 1978, and time essentially stopped there for him. 'The whole technology thing really blows my mind,' he says. 'I felt out of place. I couldn't relate,' he said in his exclusive jailhouse interview with the St. Louis Dispatch. In his one month of freedom, he said the small things tripped him up. For example he tried staying in contact with his sister, his only surviving relative, who had given him a phone to stay connected. Borroni said he hatched a plan and walked into the first place he saw open, held up the bartender with his finger in his pocket, demanded money and demanded she call the police. He says he knew going into it, he didn't want to hurt anyone in his attempt to return to jail The ex-con walked into public library to text her, but couldn't figure out what to do to send a simple message. With $30 to his name he had arrived in St. Louis where he was placed in housing at Father Dempsey's Charities on Washington Avenue, a transitional program a prison caseworker helped him get. 'It felt strange,' Borroni said, with little money in his pocket and an entirely new environment. 'I felt uncomfortable.' He was soon kicked out for violating the strict drug and alcohol rules, he says he had a few beers. In a previous 15 month release in 2004, he admits he had smoked crack. He next went to a homeless shelter, but was turned away because they said they were full. He didn't want to be homeless, that much he was sure of. 'I panicked,' Borroni said. 'I used to see homeless people downtown walking around. It seems like they're just lost. I can't live like that.' He said it was right then that he started to devise a simple plan to return to his prison routine and life. Borroni said: 'I didn't want to hurt anybody, but I knew I had to do something,' he said of his scheme to go back in. He was on St. Louis' MetroLink: 'The first place I saw with the lights on was Muggs,' he said. 'I just did it.' On his 26th day of freedom, on March 6, he walked into C.J. Muggs, put his finger in his pocket pretending it was a gun, and pointed it at the bartender. She handed Borroni a stack of bills and a roll of quarters. He ordered her to call police. 'She looked at me like I was nuts,' he said. 'I said, ''I'm serious. Please call the police.'' She was freaked out. I feel bad about that. Borroni would later tell detectives he did it just to return to jail, because he didn't want to be homeless. At the police station he explained himself, telling Police Captain Stewart Glenn: 'I just want to go back to jail.' 'He just came right out and said it,' Glenn told the newspaper. He is being held at the St. Louis County Jail in lieu of $250,000 bail, cash only. His next hearing is March 26. 'I know I have a place to sleep,' Borroni says. He says while he is having second thoughts about what he had done, and would like to give himself a real chance at being a member of society. Borroni said he watched Shawshank Redemption (1994) several times in prison, and echoing the film's sentiments, 'The world's gotten into a big hurry, and I couldn't keep up.' 'It sounds intuitive,' he explains of being told when to eat, get up and shower, behind bars. 'But it's easier in prison. Your basic needs are met. You're not gonna live well, but you don't have to worry about living in the cold. You have three meals a day. You're dependent.' 'The message is that some people need help and don't know how to get it,' he said of prisoners trying to rebuild on the outside. 'I'm not looking for pity or sympathy,' he said. Prosecutors charged him last Wednesday with first-degree robbery, a conviction in Missouri ranges from 10 years to life in prison. Ann Jacobs, director of the Prisoner Reentry Institute at John Jay College of Criminal Justice in New York City, said the Borroni case stands out because he was able to articulate his reasons for making his way back into the system. People cycle in and out of jail because 'they cannot figure out how to make their life work when they're on the outside,' she said. 'They just revert to these behaviors, but they're not doing it as consciously as this guy. They don't have the clarity to articulate it the way he did.' The Missouri Department of Corrections says more than 30,000 inmates are behind bars, and 97 per cent of them will return home one day. Borroni met Diane Kramer in high school (pictured) and killed her when she refused to go out with him After he got out of jail he ended up at Father Dempsey's Charities (pictured), which has a strict zero-tolerance policy for drug and alcohol use, where he was eventually kicked out of A recidivism report found nearly half returned to prison within five years, and a third within two years. The state says the numbers are improving as it works on re-entry programs, according to the Dispatch. Jacobs said more needs to be done to help in the transition from prison to the free world. 'You go from total supervision, your schedule being dictated, and then you're out in the world,' Jacobs said. 'You have to construct a whole life for yourself, and that's daunting.' When Borroni met Kramer they were students at Bishop DuBorgh High School in St Louis, Missouri, in 1978 and on an evening in June the teen's father found his daughter stabbed to death in her bedroom, reported the St Louis Post-Dispatch. Police say Borroni later confessed to stabbing Kramer because she refused to date him. He was friends with her older brother and had been at her home several times before murdering her. He confessed to the killing in January 1979 and began serving a 35-year-sentence on February 15. The horrendous massacre took place in the village of My Lai in Vietnam's Quang Ngai Province on March 16, 1968. Some 504 people were slaughtered. Among them were 182 women - 17 of them pregnant - and 173 children, including 56 infants during a brutal four hour assault. U.S. Army officers covered up the carnage for a year before it was reported in the American press. Quang Ngai Province was believed to be a stronghold of the communist National Liberation Front (NLF) or Viet Cong (VC) during the Vietnam War, making it a target of U.S. and South Vietnamese bombing attacks. The soldiers slaughtered countless livestock, raped an unknown number of women and burned the village to the ground. Lt. William Calley seen here in 1970, was the only man. He was freed after 3.5 of house arrest . Army officers in the U.S. battalion Charlie Company who landed near My Lai were told that people who they found upon landing could be considered VC or active VC sympathizers, and were ordered to destroy the village by Lieutenant William Calley. When they arrived shortly after dawn, the soldiersled by Lieutenant William Calleyfound no Viet Cong. Instead, they came across a quiet village of primarily women, children and older men preparing their breakfast rice. The villagers were rounded up into groups as the soldiers inspected their huts. Despite finding only a few weapons, Calley ordered his men to begin shooting the villagers. In March 1971, he was given a life sentence for his role in directing the killings but only served three-and-a-half years under house arrest. A judge later determined that Calley's trial had been prejudiced and he was released on time served. He went on to get married, have a son, and worked in Florida as a gemologist. He is still alive. Twenty-six soldiers were charged with criminal offenses but they were all later cleared. There was an initial cover-up following the massacre, which was only unveiled around a year later. The brutality and the official cover-up by the Nixon administration fueled anti-war sentiment and further divided the United States over the Vietnam War. Source: History.com Advertisement Speaking of tourist attractions that have seasonal appeal, this small island in China might be the most fascinating one yet. Dubbed the 'lucky turtle island', the rock only emerges from the water and takes the shape of a turtle once a year for about a month. For nine months every year, the rock stays under the Muodaoxi River in Chongqing; while for the rest two months, it appears to connect to the rest of the mountain because of low water levels. From afar: The rock in Muodaoxi River has become a tourist hot spot because it only resembles a turtle for one month a year The turtle shape become most visible when the water level stays between 163 and 168 metres every spring in Chongqing The interesting natural phenomenon has apparently made the rock a popular tourist attraction in China, and the best time to observe it is mid-March. A remarkable aerial footage released by China's Xinhua News Agency today shows the island in its most vivid and complete manner. According to People's Daily Online, since 2015 tourists have flocked to the bank of Muodaoxi River every spring in hope of getting a glimpse of the giant turtle, an auspicious sign in China representing longevity. The rock's appearance depends on the amount of floodwater heading downstream. The turtle shape only appears when the water level stands between 163 and 168 metres (534 and 551 feet). Thought the annual spectacle is well-known among locals, tourists have flocked to the area from around China to observe it A tourist poses with the 'lucky turtle island'. Once the island takes shape, a flood of tourists swarm over to for photographs Muodaoxi river is located within the Three Gorges Reservoir Region and the water level is controlled by the Three Gorges Dam, the world's largest power station by installed capacity. Spring is the best time to enjoy the scene because the Three Gorges Reservoir supplies water to the areas downstream, which brings down the water level. 'It's a popular saying round here for the arrival of spring, we just say the turtle is coming,' said local Meng Liu. When the river is at its normal depth at 175 metres (574 feet), the island only shows a small tip above the water. In comparison, when the water falls to around 145 metres (475 feet), the rock becomes connected to the mainland. Advertisement Incredible footage has revealed the moment that the world's biggest jet engine took to the skies for the first time, ahead of its planned maiden commercial flight in 2020. The huge GE9X powerplant, which is as wide and tall as the fuselage of a Boeing 737, is being built for the latest version of the firm's long-haul 777, the 777X 'megaplane'. General Electric has now begun flight trials of the prototype, after delays caused by technical problems stopped tests originally planned for late last year. The GE9X was attached to the plane alongside smaller engines to allow engineers to put it through the motions of flight without risking the safety of passengers onboard. It features a massive fan stretching 134 inches in diameter, more than 11 feet, and fits into a 14-and-a-half-foot nacelle. Incredible footage has revealed the moment that the world's biggest jet engine took to the skies for the first time, ahead of its planned maiden commercial flight in 2020. A special Boeing 747 test aircraft flew from Victorville, California, with the new GE9X engine mounted under its left wing, dwarfing the plane's three other engines A special Boeing 747 test aircraft flew from Victorville, California, for four hours with the new GE9X engine mounted under its left wing, dwarfing the plane's three other engines. The flight marks the beginning of a test campaign scheduled to last several months, before the aircraft itself takes to the skies under its own power in the first quarter of next year. The engine will eventually power the 777X, a plane that will have the widest wingspan of any aircraft: 235 feet, five inches (71.8 metres), making it wider than four 53-foot (16-metre) semi-truck trailers parked end to end. It is so big, Boeing has developed hinges on its wingtips. The hinges will fold up, allowing the plane to shorten its wingspan when it's rolling across airport taxiways, the first design of its kind on any commercial airliner. The hinged wingtips will measure 12 feet, and locking pins will prevent them from folding during flight, Boeing told CNN. Inside, the 777-9X will seat at least 400 passengers, 34 more than the 777-9X's competitor - the Airbus A350-1000. The 777-9X cabin will be 16 inches (40 centimeters) wider than the A350-1000, Boeing says, allowing economy-class seat widths up to 18 inches (46 centimeters). The huge powerplant, which is as wide and tall as the fuselage of a Boeing 737, is being built for the latest version of the firm's long-haul 777, the 777X. During the flight, engineers completed their test list and ensured key characteristics were working properly, GE said in a statement While the gigantic motor was not used to provide powered flight on this occasion, the successful test represents a big step towards that goal. The flight marks the beginning of a flight-test campaign scheduled to last several months, before the aircraft itself takes to the skies in the first quarter of next year GE had been expected to start flight trials in December, but announced in February it had found technical problems with both the engine and the test plane during preparatory work. The engine glitch will require the redesign of a part in the compressor, which is near the front of the engine and does not handle the hottest air flows 'The GE9X and Victorville teams have spent months preparing for flight testing of the engine, and their efforts paid off today with a picture-perfect first flight,' added Ted Ingling, general manager of the GE9X program at GE Aviation. 'Today's flight starts the beginning of the GE9X flight test campaign that will last for several months, allowing us to accumulate data on how the engine performs at altitude and during various phases of flight.' The engine that will power Boeings new 777X aircraft took to the air around 10.:40 am Pacific standard time (1.40 pm ET / 5.30 pm GMT) on Tuesday and flew for more than four hours Certification testing of the GE9X engine began in May 2017 and recently completed icing tests at GE Aviations facility in Winnipeg, Canada The GE9X is in the 100,000 pound thrust class and the firm has received more than 700 requests for the engines, valued at $29 million (19 m). The record breaking engine was first fired for the first time in April, 2016 Ted Ingling, general manager of the GE9X program at GE Aviation, said: 'The GE9X and Victorville teams have spent months preparing for flight testing of the engine, and their efforts paid off today with a picture-perfect first flight. It starts the beginning of the GE9X flight test campaign that will last for several months, allowing us to accumulate data' The GE9X is in the 100,000 pound thrust class and the firm has received more than 700 requests for the engines, valued at $29 million (19 m). The record breaking engine was first fired for the first time in April, 2016. WHAT ARE THE TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS OF THE 'WORLD'S LARGEST JET ENGINE' THE GE9X? Boeing asked General Electric to develop an engine strong enough to power its 777X aircraft family, a new version of the 777 'mini-jumbo' with up to 406 seats. It will have the largest front fan in the world, GE says, at 134 inches (11 feet) in diameter, while its inlet duct measures 18 feet (215 inches) by 12 feet (145 inches). Ultra heat-resistant materials known as ceramic matrix composites (CMC) in the combustor and turbine can operate at temperatures up to 1,300C (2,400F). Boeing asked General Electric to develop an engine strong enough to powe rits 777X aircraft family, a new version of the 777 'mini jumbo' with up to 406 seats. It will have the largest front fan in the workd, GE says, at 134 inches (11 feet) in diameter, while its inlet duct measures 18 feet (215 inches) by 12 feet (145 inches) This allows the firm's engineers to keep the heat higher inside the engine, without having to burn through fuel or emissions. The advancement in 3D printing has also contributed to this cutting-edge engine, by allowing engineers to create more complex shapes, which were once impossible - including 3D printed fuel nozzles. The new GE9X engine has 16 fourth-generation carbon-fibre fan blades at the front of the engine and feed air to the 11-stage high-pressure compressor. According to the firm, no other commercial engine has a pressure ration (27:1) that's higher. Engineers also installed a fourth fuel tank to keep the engine from going thirsty. Although GE9X has an impressive thrust generator of 100,000, the engine's predecessor, the GE90-115B, holds the record of 127,500 pounds. The huge GE9X powerplant (shown on left), is as wide and tall as the fuselage of a Boeing 737. The massive engine is shown above, compared to the 737 Advertisement Testing of the engine was seen as a critical step towards development of the 777X aircraft family, a new version of the 777 'mini-jumbo'. Boeing asked GE to develop an engine strong enough to power its 777X jet, which then prompted other airlines, including Emirates, Lufthansa and Qatar Airways, to place an order. It will have the largest front fan in the world, GE says, at 134 inches (11 feet) in diameter, while its inlet duct measures 18 feet (215 inches) by 12 feet (145 inches). Dubbed the largest jet engine in the world, GE9X's front fans span 11 feet in diameter, its inlet duct measures 18 feet by 12 feet and can generate 100,000 pounds of thrust. This massive engine is the first working prototype that was developed to power Boeing's 777X aircraft and is was first tested at the firm's boot camp for engines near Peebles, Ohio Ultra heat-resistant materials known as ceramic matrix composites (CMC) in the combustor and turbine can operate at temperatures up to 1,300C (2,400F). This allows the firm's engineers to keep the heat higher inside the engine, without having to burn through fuel or emissions. 'The hotter the engine gets, the more efficient it is,' said GE Aviation spokesman Rick Kennedy in a statement. The advancement in 3D printing has also contributed to this cutting-edge engine, by allowing engineers to create more complex shapes, which were once impossible -- including 3D printed fuel nozzles. 'These tunnels and caves are a closely guarded secret,' said Kennedy. 'They determine how the fuel moves through the nozzle and sprays inside the combustion chamber.' Currently the largest turbofan jet engine being produced by Rolls Royce, GE's main competitor. The Trent XWB-97 is a three-shaft turbofan jet engine with a fan diameter of ten feet (120 inches) and can produce up to 97,000lb of thrust. Rolls Royce has already tested its enormous Trent XWB-97 engine (pictured) in flight. With a fan diametre of almost ten feet it can produce 97,000lb of thrust during take-off These are being developed for the long-range Airbus A350-1000 Dreamliner passenger jets and has already been tested in the air on an aircraft. GE itself also produces the GE90, which has an overall diameter of 11 feet (132 inches) and can generate 93,700lb of thrust. It is currently used on the Boeing 777. In the new GE9X engine, however, there are 16 fourth-generation carbon-fibre fan blades at the front of the engine and feed air to the 11-stage high-pressure compressor. According to the firm, no other commercial engine has a pressure ration (27:1) that's higher. Engineers also installed a fourth fuel tank to keep the engine from going thirsty. 'We also upgraded our engine hoists and transporters to handle the GE9X and modified a wall in our prep building so the engine can be moved after final assembly to make its way to the test stand,' said Brian DeBruin, plant manager for GE Aviation's Peebles Test Operation. This is the first time the firm has powered the entire engine. It hass been testing the components individually for years. 'Due to the significant amount of new technologies in the GE9X, we planned the testing program differently,' says GE9X program leader Chuck Jackson. 'The early testing informed the design and manufacturing and allowed us to freeze the product definition and test the total engine as soon as possible.' Although GE9X has an impressive thrust generator of 100,000, the engine's predecessor, the GE90-115B, holds the record of 127,500 pounds. Approximately $10 million has been invested by GE to prepare its Peebles Testing Operation for the world's largest engine. Testing for the first GE9X began in April 2016 and GE Aviation continued trials for several months in order to verify aerodynamic, thermal and mechanical characteristics of the engine Not only has GE built the world's largest jet engine, it built the world's first American Jet engine in 1942. The J31 was the first jet engine to be mass-produced in the United States. It had a maximum thrust of 1,650 pounds and weighed 850 lbs (385 kg) with an rpm of 16,500. The J31 was developed from the original American-built jet engine, the General Electric I-A (which was a copy of the highly-secret British 'Whittle' engine). The I-A powered the early test flights of the U.S.'s first jet aircraft, the Bell XP-59A Airacomet, and the more powerful J31 was used in production P-59As and P-59Bs. Earth is enduring the sixth mass species extinction which is plunging the planet into 'global crisis', scientists have warned. Scientists warn humanity's voracious consumption and wanton destruction is to blame for the event, which is the first major extinction since the dinosaurs. Two species of vertebrate, animals with a backbone, have gone extinct every year, on average, for the past century. Currently around 41 per cent of amphibian species and more than a quarter of mammals are threatened with extinction. Starting Saturday, a comprehensive, global appraisal of the damage, and what can be done to reverse it, will be conducted in Colombia. Scroll down for video There are an estimated 8.7 million plant and animal species on our planet and about 86 percent of land species and 91 percent of sea species remain undiscovered. Of the ones we do know, 1,204 mammal, 1,469 bird, 1,215 reptile, 2,100 amphibian, and 2,386 fish species are considered threatened Two species of vertebrate, animals with a backbone, have gone extinct every year, on average, for the past century. Hotter temperatures and less rainfall will have a dire impact on numbers of African elephants (pictured, stock image) There are an estimated 8.7 million plant and animal species on our planet and about 86 percent of land species and 91 percent of sea species remain undiscovered. Of the ones we do know, 1,204 mammal, 1,469 bird, 1,215 reptile, 2,100 amphibian, and 2,386 fish species are considered threatened. Also threatened are 1,414 insect, 2,187 mollusc, 732 crustacean, 237 coral, 12,505 plant, 33 mushroom, and six brown algae species. 'The science is clear: biodiversity is in crisis globally,' WWF director general Marco Lambertini told AFP ahead of a crucial meeting of the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES). 'We depend on biodiversity for the food we eat, the water we drink, the clean air we breathe, the stability of weather patterns, and yet our actions are pushing nature's ability to sustain us to the brink.' Worryingly, the decline seems to be getting faster. The global populations of 3,706 monitored vertebrate species - fish, birds, mammals, amphibians, and reptiles - declined by nearly 60 per cent from 1970 to 2012. Climate change threatens the breeding patterns of marine turtles (pictured, stock image). More than 25,000 species of 91,523 assessed for the 2017 'Red List' update were classified as 'threatened' WHAT IS THE STATE OF THE EARTH'S SPECIES? - Two species of vertebrate, animals with a backbone, have gone extinct every year, on average, for the past century. - Currently around 41 per cent of amphibian species and more than a quarter of mammals are threatened with extinction. - There are an estimated 8.7 million plant and animal species on our planet and about 86 percent of land species and 91 percent of sea species remain undiscovered. - Of the ones we do know, 1,204 mammal, 1,469 bird, 1,215 reptile, 2,100 amphibian, and 2,386 fish species are considered threatened. - Also threatened are 1,414 insect, 2,187 mollusc, 732 crustacean, 237 coral, 12,505 plant, 33 mushroom, and six brown algae species. - The global populations of 3,706 monitored vertebrate species - fish, birds, mammals, amphibians, and reptiles - declined by nearly 60 per cent from 1970 to 2012. - More than 25,000 species of 91,523 assessed for the 2017 'Red List' update were classified as 'threatened'. - Of these, 5,583 were 'critically' endangered, 8,455 'endangered', and 11,783 'vulnerable'. Advertisement More than 25,000 species of 91,523 assessed for the 2017 'Red List' update were classified as 'threatened'. Of these, 5,583 were 'critically' endangered, 8,455 'endangered', and 11,783 'vulnerable'. African elephant numbers dropped to 415,000 in 2016, down about 111,000 over 10 years. Compiled over the last three years, the reports will provide the most up-to-date picture of the health of the world's plants, animals and soil. The diagnosis will be unveiled in two parts at the summit in Colombia's second-largest city, Medellin. First, on March 23, the IPBES will simultaneously release separate assessments for the four regions into which it has divided the world - the Americas, Africa, Asia-Pacific, and Europe and Central Asia. Maps showing extinction hotspots around the world and areas expecting most land clearance in the decades to come, further putting animal species in danger Percentage of local population extinction in 177 species of mammals in the continents of the world, where dark areas show areas of high rates of extinction WHEN WERE EARTH'S 'BIG FIVE' EXTINCTION EVENTS? Traditionally, scientists have referred to the 'Big Five' mass extinctions, including perhaps the most famous mass extinction triggered by a meteorite impact that brought about the end of the dinosaurs 66 million years ago. But the other major mass extinctions were caused by phenomena originating entirely on Earth, and while they are less well known, we may learn something from exploring them that could shed light on our current environmental crises. The Late Ordovician : This ancient crisis around 445m years ago saw two major waves of extinction, both caused by climate change associated with the advance and retreat of ice sheets in the southern hemisphere. This makes it the only major extinction to be linked to global cooling. The Late Devonian : This period is now regarded as a number of 'pulses' of extinction spread over 20m years, beginning 380m years ago. This extinction has been linked to major climate change, possibly caused by an eruption of the volcanic Viluy Traps area in modern-day Siberia. A major eruption might have caused rapid fluctations in sea levels and reduced oxygen levels in the oceans. The Middle Permian : Scientists have recently discovered another event 262m years ago that rivals the 'Big Five' in size. This event coincided with the Emeishan eruption in what's now China, and is known to have caused simultaneous extinctions in the tropics and higher latitudes. The Late Permian : The Late Permian mass extinction around 252m years ago dwarfs all the other events, with about 96% of species becoming extinct. The extinction was triggered by a vast eruption of the Siberian Traps, a gigantic and prolonged volcanic event that covered much of modern day Siberia, which led to a cascade of environmental effects. The Late Triassic : The Late Triassic event, 201m years ago, shares a number of similarities with the Late Permian event. It was caused by another large-scale eruption, this time of the Central Atlantic Magmatic Province, which heralded the splitting of the supercontinent Pangaea and the initial opening of what would later become the Atlantic Ocean. Advertisement The reports are not prescriptive, but 'we hope that this will help inform policy decisions to stem the loss of biodiversity and the fundamental services it provides us with,' chief scientist Tom Brooks of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature told AFP. Annual economic losses as a result of deforestation and forest degradation alone may be as high as $4.5 trillion (3.6 trillion euros, 3.2 trillion). A conference of the UN's Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) agreed in Nagoya, Japan in 2010 on a 20-point plan to turn back biodiversity loss by 2020. The plan's so-called 'Aichi Biodiversity Targets' include halving the rate of habitat loss, expanding water and land areas under conservation, preventing the extinction of species on the threatened list, and restoring at least 15 percent of degraded ecosystems. A map showing the dramatic decline in the range of African lion populations. Orange shows the historic range of lions, while brown shows where they currently roam Mankind's first home away from Earth may soon be located, thanks to the findings of an AI that can scour the moon to find new craters. Experts say that a future lunar base could be set up in one of the giant impact sites, protecting colonists from dangerous solar radiation. Now, a piece of computer software has been developed that was able to uncover almost 7,000 previously undiscovered craters in a matter of hours. Scroll down for video A piece of computer software has been developed that was able to uncover almost 7,000 previously undiscovered craters in a matter of hours, one of which could some day host a lunar colony The finding was made by a team of researchers led by Ari Silburt at Penn State University and Mohamad Ali-Dib at the University of Toronto. They fed 90,000 images of the moon's surface into an artificial neural network (ANN). ANNs try to simulate the way the brain works in order to learn and can be trained to recognise patterns in information. The team's ANN had been taught to categorise images and identify craters larger than five kilometres (three miles) in diameter. When the machine was tested it located 6,883 new craters, doubling the total number of known craters of this size. Researcher believe that, with further training, the system could be used to accelerate crater counting even more. Speaking to New Scientist, Dr Silburt said: 'Once our model has improved a bit more, we can use it to discover the hundreds of thousands of currently unidentified craters below five kilometres.' Experts fed 90,000 images of the moon's surface into an artificial neural network taught to categorise images and identify craters larger than five kilometres (three miles) in diameter. This image shows a test of the AI's ability on a non-moon photo When the machine was tested it located 6,883 new craters, doubling the total number of known craters of this size. This image shows the original image (left), the AI's predictions for crater locations (centre) and these predictions overlaid on the original image (right) The AI did slip up from time to time, however, incorrectly identifying some craters while missing others (circled red, right). The true location of around a quarter of the correctly identified craters was also off The algorithm was trained to identify the edges of a crater, which it then checked against a database of previously discovered craters. It used this information to confirm that the shape of the new object conformed to known crater shapes. This allowed it to distinguish craters from other geological shapes, including mountains and ridges. Many of the images the AI used (pictured) were captured by Nasa's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO), which was launched via an Atlas V rocket in 2009 LRO (artist's impression) helps to identify sites close to potential resources with high scientific value, favourable terrain and the environment necessary for safe future robotic and human lunar missions The AI did slip up from time to time, however, incorrectly identifying some craters while missing others. The true location of around a quarter of the correctly identified craters was also off, meaning researchers have to manually check any results generated by the system. Many of the images it used were captured by Nasa's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO), which was launched via an Atlas V rocket in 2009. SCIENTISTS DON'T AGREE ON HOW THE MOON FORMED BUT MANY BELIEVE IT WAS THE RESULT OF AN IMPACT BETWEEN EARTH AND ANOTHER PLANET Many researchers believe the moon formed after Earth was hit by a planet the size of Mars billions of years ago. This is called the giant impact hypothesis. The theory suggests the moon is made up of debris left over following a collision between our planet and a body around 4.5 billion years ago. The colliding body is sometimes called Theia, after the mythical Greek Titan who was the mother of Selene, the goddess of the moon. Many researchers believe the moon formed after Earth was hit by a planet the size of Mars billions of years ago. This is called the giant impact hypothesis But one mystery has persisted, revealed by rocks the Apollo astronauts brought back from the moon: Why are the moon and Earth so similar in their composition? Several different theories have emerged over the years to explain the similar fingerprints of Earth and the moon. Perhaps the impact created a huge cloud of debris that mixed thoroughly with the Earth and then later condensed to form the moon. Or Theia could have, coincidentally, been chemically similar to young Earth. A third possibility is that the moon formed from Earthen materials, rather than from Theia, although this would have been a very unusual type of impact. Advertisement It roared off the launch pad at Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral, Florida, on June 18. The LRO's instruments return global data, such as day-night temperature maps, a global geodetic grid, high resolution colour imaging and the moon's UV albedo. This is the measurement of the proportion of solar radiation out of the total solar radiation received by an astronomical body which is reflected back into space. LRO helps to identify sites close to potential resources with high scientific value, favourable terrain and the environment necessary for safe future robotic and human lunar missions. Special attention is paid to the moon's many craters as well as its polar regions, which could provide a constant source of solar energy. The prospect of water in the permanently shadowed regions at the poles also exists. Experts say that a future lunar base could be set up in one of the giant impact sites on the moon's surface (pictured), protecting colonists from dangerous solar radiation A nine-month-old dog that weighs 12 stone (180lb) and stands six-foot-tall (1.8m) may be the world's biggest puppy. Enormous Euphrates was bred to replicate a prehistoric canine species and eats an impressive eight cups of dog food a day. Owner Jared Howser, 41, of Salt Lake City, Utah, said onlookers often confuse his puppy for a fully-grown adult. He said: 'At nine months there simply isn't another dog 180lbs and 31.5 inches to withers anywhere else in the world, she is an anomaly. 'We've looked up online and called the Guinness World Records, reached out to hundreds of breeders to see if any dog comes closer to her size for this age and there's nothing.' She is a member of a new breed called the American Molossus, selectively bred to be the closest genetic descendent of the Mesopotamian Molossus, a massive dog species that died out 7,000 years ago. Scroll down for video Enormous Euphrates (pictured) was bred to replicate a prehistoric canine species and eats an impressive eight cups of dog food a day at her home in Utah The only remnants of the ancient canines left are in museums, with some accounts suggesting they were used in battle in ancient Mesopotamia. Because the American Molossus is still a new species, it is not known how big Euphrates will grow. In public people often gasp upon seeing the colossal canine and can't believe how big she is for her age, often confusing her for a fully-grown adult. Mr Howser, a carpenter who makes kennels for large dogs, said: 'It's unreal and unheard of, at nine months her size and strength is far beyond what I thought it would be. 'When she stands on her hind legs she is six-foot-tall, that's only at nine months too, on all fours to the withers, the tops of her shoulders she is 31.5 inches [80cm]. 'If she was to stand she is big enough to look out of the peephole on our door. After calling hundreds of breeders and Guinness World Records, owner Jared Howser (pictured), 41, of Salt Lake City, Utah, believes he own's the largest puppy in the world Nine-month-old Euphrates (left) weighs 12 stone (180lb) and stands six-foot-tall (1.8m) may be the world's biggest puppy. Pictured right is one of the puppy's feet WHAT IS THE MESOPOTAMIAN MOLOSSUS? The Mesopotamian Molossus was a massive dog species that died out around 7,000 years ago. It is a member of the Molossus breed, which originated in southern Europe. The only remnants of the ancient canines left are in museums, with some accounts suggesting they were used in battle. When the Romans conquered Greece, they adopted the Molossus dogs and also used them as war dogs in the hunt and the arena. The huge breed is reported to have been used to fight alongside the Romans by having bladed and spiked leather harnesses tied to their backs and being trained to run under the bellies of enemy horses. Other scholars argue the breed was primarily a lightweight dog used for hunting and herding, with physical characteristics more akin to a pitbull. Advertisement 'I'm 260lb and 6ft 3, but if she decided to run I couldn't hold her on the leash, she could drag me down the road with ease. 'When people look at her, they are surprised and asked how I've been able to keep her under control, joking that I must be a lion tamer. 'Most people think she is a fully-grown dog when we take her out in public, when we tell them she is a nine-month-old puppy their jaws hit the floor.' Euphrates is a member of a new breed called the American Molossus, selectively bred to be the closest genetic descendent of the Mesopotamian Molossus, a massive dog species that died out 7,000 years ago In public people often gasp upon seeing the colossal canine and can't believe how big she is for her age, often confusing her for a fully-grown adult. Pictured right is Euphrates with Mr Howser's teenage son Shakespeare Euphrates cost 3,600 ($5,000) and was the largest of the litter, so far she has had two growth spurts that took place over a couple of weeks each time Euphrates cost 3,600 ($5,000) and was the largest of the litter, so far she has had two growth spurts that took place over a couple of weeks each time. Mr Howser said that her vast alteration in size over a short period of time left her clumsy as she was having to readjust to her size on a daily basis. Mr Howser said: 'She had two growth spurts, in that time period she was so clumsy because she was getting vastly bigger every day.' Mr Howser said that her vast alteration in size over a short period of time left her clumsy as she was having to readjust to her size on a daily basis. Pictured is the puppy with his teenage son Shakespeare Mr Howser said he and his family have looked online and called the Guinness World Records, reached out to hundreds of breeders to see if any dog comes closer to her size for this age and there's nothing He started looking for a larger dog after witnessing a home invasion, where traumatically he watched as a burglar threw a 60-kilo (136lb) Cane Corso dog out of a window to its death. After consulting with a breeder, he was told about the American Molossus breeding programme and would go onto become one of the first to adopt one. Mr Howser said: 'The Molossus of ancient Mesopotamia was a magnificent animal. With a black brindle coat as dark as the night and a massive build, they were fierce in appearance. At four and a half months old (left) she already weighed 60 kilos (136lb). At nine months old, enormous Euphrates eats eight cups of a dog food a day and plays with a 4x4 piece of fence post (right) Despite being a natural protector and intimidatingly sized pup, in public the mountainous Molossus is very friend, gentle and caring, Mr Howser said 'These dogs made men tremble at their sight. With a profound sense of loyalty, these giants would defend against any man or beast that threatened the safety of their masters. 'The only two direct lines coming from that ancient dog are the English and Neapolitan Mastiff. 'Through selective cross-breeding those two breeds it's given us the closest living relative to the ancient breed that we now know as the American Molossus, a bona fide relic from the ancient past.' While looking for a larger dog, Mr Howser was told about the American Molossus breeding programme and would go onto become one of the first to adopt one Mr Howser said: 'She is very affectionate with us, when we take her out in public she is very affection with children and women especially' Despite being a natural protector and intimidatingly sized pup, in public the mountainous Molossus is very friend, gentle and caring. Mr Howser said: 'The hope is to avoid any violence, she is a big scary dog, I live in a good area but we are the only house on our block not to have had our car broken into since having Euphrates. 'She is very affectionate with us, when we take her out in public she is very affection with children and women especially. 'If anyone reaches out a hand to stroke her, her tail will start wagging, if you don't look her in the eyes she will be friendly but will posture against you.' Uber is discussing the possibility of installing its self-driving system in Toyota vehicles as the U.S. ride-hailing firm seeks to sell its autonomous driving technology to outside companies, the Nikkei reported on Friday. Without citing sources, the Japanese business daily said that the firms are negotiating a possible deal for Toyota to use Uber's automated driving technology in one of the automaker's minivan models. According to the report, Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi met with Toyota executives in the United States this week. Scroll down for video Uber is discussing the possibility of installing its self-driving system in Toyota vehicles as the U.S. ride-hailing firm seeks to sell its autonomous driving technology to outside companies. A display from Toyota's own self-driving prototype is pictured Toyota, which is developing its own automated driving functions, has said it is open to collaborating with other firms to quickly bring new mobility technologies to market. It already has partnerships with Uber on ride-hailing and development of self-driving systems. 'We regularly exchange information about automated driving with Uber for some time now,' a spokeswoman said, adding that no decisions have been made beyond its existing partnership. Global automakers and tech companies are racing to develop self-driving cars as the rise of autonomous, on-demand vehicle services upends the traditional business model of personal transportation that is largely based on individual car ownership. As it battles with Alphabet Inc's Waymo to develop self-driving car services, Uber has been testing autonomous vehicles in the United States, and has been working with Volvo Cars and Daimler AG on driverless cars. In January, the Japanese automaker said it was working with Uber to develop a system of self-driving vehicles for tasks including ride hailing and parcel delivery. Toyota is an investor in Uber, and offers flexible vehicle leasing terms for Uber drivers. It has declined to comment on its size of its stake in the company. Toyota revealed at the beginning of this month that it is establishing a new company in Tokyo in the latest move to accelerate the development of self-driving car technology. The firm has announced a new venture would be investing more than $2.8 billion to develop automated-driving software, in the latest salvo in an increasingly frenetic battle to be ahead in a sector hit by a slew of disruptive technologies. The new branch, dubbed Toyota Research Institute-Advanced Development (TRI-AD), will combine the efforts of Toyota, Aisin, and Denso to develop the software. The Tokyo-based venture, which will bring together some 1,000 employees including new hires, will be 90 percent held by Toyota with group suppliers Denso Corp and Aisin Seiki Co each taking 5 percent. 'Building production-quality software is a critical success factor for Toyota's automated driving program,' said Dr. Kuffner. Toyota is establishing a new company in Tokyo in the latest move to accelerate the development of self-driving car technology SELF-DRIVING CARS 'SEE' USING LIDAR, CAMERAS AND RADAR Self-driving cars often use a combination of normal two-dimensional cameras and depth-sensing 'LiDAR' units to recognise the world around them. However, others make use of visible light cameras that capture imagery of the roads and streets. They are trained with a wealth of information and vast databases of hundreds of thousands of clips which are processed using artificial intelligence to accurately identify people, signs and hazards. In LiDAR (light detection and ranging) scanning - which is used by Waymo - one or more lasers send out short pulses, which bounce back when they hit an obstacle. These sensors constantly scan the surrounding areas looking for information, acting as the 'eyes' of the car. While the units supply depth information, their low resolution makes it hard to detect small, faraway objects without help from a normal camera linked to it in real time. In November last year Apple revealed details of its driverless car system that uses lasers to detect pedestrians and cyclists from a distance. The Apple researchers said they were able to get 'highly encouraging results' in spotting pedestrians and cyclists with just LiDAR data. They also wrote they were able to beat other approaches for detecting three-dimensional objects that use only LiDAR. Other self-driving cars generally rely on a combination of cameras, sensors and lasers. An example is Volvo's self driving cars that rely on around 28 cameras, sensors and lasers. A network of computers process information, which together with GPS, generates a real-time map of moving and stationary objects in the environment. Twelve ultrasonic sensors around the car are used to identify objects close to the vehicle and support autonomous drive at low speeds. A wave radar and camera placed on the windscreen reads traffic signs and the road's curvature and can detect objects on the road such as other road users. Four radars behind the front and rear bumpers also locate objects. Two long-range radars on the bumper are used to detect fast-moving vehicles approaching from far behind, which is useful on motorways. Four cameras - two on the wing mirrors, one on the grille and one on the rear bumper - monitor objects in close proximity to the vehicle and lane markings. Advertisement 'This company's mission is to accelerate software development in a more effective and disruptive way, by augmenting the Toyota Group's capability through the hiring of world-class software engineers.' The firm will be recruiting globally, Kuffner added. The establishment of the new venture, Toyota Research Institute-Advanced Development, comes as firms such as Alphabet Inc's Waymo and Tesla Inc give traditional automakers a run for their money in building self-driving and electric cars. English is set to be the main business language of the new venture, the statement said. Toyota is also investing $1 billion in artificial intelligence and other technologies through its U.S.-based Toyota Research Institute, and has struck up technology partnerships with Microsoft Corp and Uber Technologies. Last month, Toyota Research Institute's venture capital unit said it was co-leading an $11.5-million seed investment in May Mobility, an Ann Arbor-based startup that is developing self-driving shuttles for college campuses, central business districts and similar low-speed applications. Google Maps now includes a feature that helps people who rely on wheelchairs navigate public transit in some metropolitan areas. The feature is now accessible in New York, Boston, Mexico City, Sydney, Tokyo and London. The wheelchair accessible filter was created to help wheelchair using commuters as well as people who rely on crutches or frequently push strollers while out and about. Scroll down for video The wheelchair accessible filter can be turned on in the Google Maps app's 'Options' section along with other route preferences, such as one that highlights paths that require less walking and another that shows routes that include fewer transfers Google said the company hopes to work with transit authorities all over the world to roll out the feature in more and more cities. A statement from Google said: 'Google Maps was built to help people navigate and explore the world, providing directions, worldwide, to people traveling by car, bicycle or on foot. 'But in city centers, buses and trains are often the best way to get around, which presents a challenge for people who use wheelchairs or with other mobility needs. 'Information about which stations and routes are wheelchair friendly isn't always readily available or easy to find. To make public transit work for everyone, we're introducing "wheelchair accessible" routes in transit navigation to make getting around easier for those with mobility needs.' The wheelchair accessible filter can be turned on in the Google Maps app's 'Options' section along with other route preferences, such as one that highlights paths that require less walking and another that shows routes that include fewer transfers. Google said: 'In addition to making public transportation more accessible, people around the world have been helping us add accessibility information to Google Maps.' Google is updating Street View images of transit stations so that users can know what to expect before arriving at them HOW DOES GOOGLE MAPS' NEW ACCESSIBILITY FEATURE WORK? To filter Google Maps routes to show only those that are wheelchair accessible users must first enter in the app their destination and current location. Next, pressing 'Directions' and hitting the public transportation icon will lead to a screen that includes transport options. On this page is a list of filters, wheelchair accessible routes among them. Google Maps has revealed a feature that highlights wheelchair accessible routes. The company says the feature will help disable people and parents who push strollers within public transportation hubs A statement from Google said: 'When you select this option, Google Maps will show you a list of possible routes that take mobility needs into consideration.' But the option also benefits parents tasked with carrying strollers up and down stairs at transit stations and people who rely on crutches to get around. The feature comes at a time when many transit authorities are receiving criticism for not creating better options for disabled people who rely on public transportation. Many are complaining that major transit stations that do not include wheelchair accessible features are discriminatory because they significantly hinder disabled peoples' ability to navigate a city with ease. Advertisement The company said that last year it began examining accessibility factors that might be helpful to users, such whether or not locations have accessible bathrooms and if they feature step-free entrances. Google is also updating Street View images of transit hubs so that people can look at the interiors of stations before they arrive. 'We built this [new] feature to make life easier for people who use wheelchairs, but accessible routes are also helpful if you're on crutches or pushing a stroller,' the company said. It also acknowledged the transit agencies that helped with the development of the new feature. He may be the patron saint of Ireland, but the raucous celebrations that have now come to be associated with St. Patrick didnt get their start in the Emerald Isle. It's been thought St. Patricks Day observance in the US began to spring up in the early 1700s with feasts, religious services, and charitable events in New York and Boston that largely mirrored traditional practices seen in Ireland. But, toward the end of the century, the first annual parades began to emerge along the East Coast. While New York has long been credited as having the first recorded St. Patricks Day parade, when Irish soldiers in the British Army organized in 1762, a recent discovery suggests the first actually occurred more than 150 years earlier, in a city 1,000 miles away. An entry from a gunpowder expenditure list made in the year 1601 describes revelries in the streets of St. Augustine, Florida to honor the feast day of San Patricio. Worship of St. Patrick was likely introduced by an Irish priest by the name of Ricardo Artur (Richard Arthur) Historical documents from the Florida city of St. Augustine now stand as evidence of the first St. Patricks Day parade in the US, according to a researcher from the University of South Florida. The first reference comes from the year 1600, with the simple mention of a celebration for S Patricio on a gunpowder expenditure list from St. Augustine. And, another entry made the following year describes revelries in the street to honor the feast day of San Patricio. It was certainly a surprise, said historian J. Michael Francis, PhD, University of South Florida-St Petersburg, who uncovered the document. It did not register the first time I saw the name San Patricio, the Spanish name for St. Patrick. After a few seconds it actually hit me that there was a St. Patricks Day parade/ procession in St. Augustine in 1601. The first reference comes from the year 1600, with the simple mention of a celebration for S Patricio on a gunpowder expenditure list from St. Augustine, as seen above The researcher discovered the records while investigating St. Augustines Spanish imperial history. Gunpowder expenditure lists can reveal a variety of historical activities, as cannons and artillery were fired for both practical and recreational reasons. At the time, they were often used to help guide ships safely across the protective sandbar outside of St. Augustine. And, they were shot off during public celebrations. HOW HAVE ST. PATRICK'S DAY CELEBRATIONS CHANGED OVER THE YEARS? Observation of St. Patricks Day on March 17 dates back more than 1,000 years in Ireland. But, unlike todays association of the holiday with raucous parades, it was traditionally a feast day marked by a religious service in the morning, and a celebration later in the day. Participants in NY can be seen above, for the annual St. Patrick's Day parade. File photo Its since evolved dramatically, thanks to the arrival of Irish immigrants to the US in the 18th and 19th centuries. Until now, it was thought St. Patricks Day observance began to spring up in the US in the early 1700s, with feasts, religious services, and charitable events in New York and Boston that largely mirrored practices seen in Ireland. New York has long been credited as having the first recorded St. Patricks Day parade, when Irish soldiers in the British Army organized in 1762. With an influx of Irish immigrants, and a thus rise in Irish patriotism in the country, larger celebrations eventually made their way to other locations as well, such as Philadelphia and Boston. Recently discovered historical documents from the Florida city of St. Augustine, however, now stand as evidence of the first St. Patricks Day parade in the US, with celebrations as early as the years 1600 and 1601. In Ireland, St Patricks Day modern celebrations have taken off in more recent years, with a parade and 4-day festival for the holiday in Dublin. New York has long been credited as having the first recorded St. Patricks Day parade, when Irish soldiers in the British Army organized in 1762. File photo Advertisement The surprise discovery was made while poring through records in the General Archive of the Indies in Seville, Spain. According to the researcher, the document also refers to the saint as the protector of fields, implying he held agricultural significance to the people of St. Augustine. Even more surprising was that the document identified St. Patrick as the patron saint of the citys maize fields, Francis said. Worship of St. Patrick was likely introduced by an Irish priest by the name of Ricardo Artur (Richard Arthur), who disappears from the record in 1604 along with the references to St. Patrick. Whether its bizarre industrial objects, spy-listening stations or bars on top of car parks, Berlin has more than its fair share of unusual things to see and do unsurprisingly given the citys standing as an epicentre of young alternative culture. These are some of our favourites. Discover a different side of the German capital with our ultimate guide Visit a cabinet of monsters The weird and wonderful Monsterkabinett is a collection of mechanical creatures that occupy a hidden space in the back of a Berlin courtyard and come to life during hourly shows. Created by the Dead Chickens artist collective, shows take place on Wednesday and Thursday 18302130 and Friday and Saturday 16302130. S-Bahn: Hackescher Markt Listen to open-air karaoke and hunt for bargains at Mauerpark On any given Sunday in Berlin, the place to be is this park that was once a section of the Berlin Walls security strip and is now one of the most popular meeting points in the city. Bargain-hunters pick through the stalls or take a break at the street-food stands of the flea market. On warm days people lounge on the grass, drinking beers and sharing picnics as they listen to the buskers or the participants at the open-air karaoke parties. U-Bahn: Eberswalder Strae Catch an open-air movie One of the best summer activities in Berlin is catching a film at one of the citys many open-air cinemas. Two of the most popular are Freiluftkino Friedrichshain and Freiluftkino Kreuzberg, both of which include English-language films in their schedule (for British and American movies, look for OV Original Version in the listings). Tram: Landsberger Allee/Petersburger Strae (Friedrichshain) U-Bahn: Kottbusser Tor (Kreuzberg) Meet peacocks on their island Created by royalty and now home to all manner of exotic plants and elaborate palaces as well as some deliberate ruins, the fairytale Pfaueninsel Peacock Island in the Havel river is a wonderful place to escape the noise of the city. Listen out for the call of the peacocks as you wait for the little ferry to take you across the water to one of Berlins most picturesque spots. Bus: Pfaueninsel (Berlin) The infamous Pfaueninsel is a must when in Berlin Swim in a pool on the river A floating barge surrounded by the choppy waters of the Spree River is where you will find Berlins most unusual swimming pool, the Badeschiff. As well as a great place to swim a few lengths, it offers great views down the river towards the TV Tower, yoga classes and stand-up paddleboarding. Bathing season is May to September (Monday to Sunday 08002400). S-Bahn: Treptower Park Explore a surreal world of industrial objects Berlins most unusual museum is the Design Panoptikum, a surrealist nightmare of medical equipment, strange technology and bizarre industrial objects that looks like what you imagine youd find inside Salvador Dalis head but is actually the brainchild of Russian collector Vlad Korneev. Its open Monday to Saturday 11001800. U-Bahn: Klosterstrae Investigate an old spy station The Teufelsberg is a mountain made out of rubble on top of which the US intelligence services built a listening station during the Cold War. Long abandoned, the domes and other crumbling structures have become a popular destination for urban explorers and bands making music videos. You can get a guided tour of the site every Friday, Saturday and Sunday, all year round. S-Bahn: Grunewald Grab a beer at the top of a multi-storey car park In the hip neighbourhood of Neukolln, on the top deck of a shopping centre car park, you will not only find one of the best viewpoints in the city but also one of Berlins coolest bars. The Klunkerkranich is open from March to December and offers great drinks and snacks, regular DJ sets, live music and other events throughout the week. U-Bahn: Rathaus Neukolln There's art all around Berlin and it isn't hard to find Take a street art tour and workshop All around Berlin youll see the work of the citys many street artists; some of these murals and paintings have become tourist attractions in their own right. Alternative Berlin Tours offer a combined street art walk and workshop introducing you to the graffiti culture of the city before giving you the chance to make your own mark on the walls of an abandoned factory complex. S+U-Bahn: Alexanderplatz Discover hidden Berlin From nuclear bunkers to abandoned train stations, from World War II flak towers to dark worlds behind reinforced doors, Berliner Unterwelten tours will take you through 160 years of underground history beneath the city streets. S+U-Bahn: Gesundbrunnen She promises a dramatic return to the small screen for Bachelor In Paradise after she came across as the feisty personality on The Bachelor in 2014. So it is of little surprise Laurina Fleure, 34, made her presence known for a luncheon hosted by Intimo Lingerie at The George Ballroom on Thursday. Sat comfortable in her chair, The Bachelor reject gave a good glimpse of her long legs which appeared endless thanks to her stunning dress. Leggy lady: Laurina Fleure paraded her legs in strapless frilled dress as she enjoyed a lavish luncheon at The George Ballroom on Thursday ahead of Bachelor In Paradise appearance The feisty television personality highlighted her incredibly tiny waistline thanks to her belt with a huge buckle to catch the eye. Glamorous Laurina also displayed her perky cleavage in the garment which was cut neatly across her bust. The Bachelor In Paradise starlet accessorised with a soft pink clutch and huge disc earrings for the hottest luncheon look. Looking good: The feisty television personality highlighted her incredibly tiny waistline thanks to her belt with a huge buckle to catch the eye As Laurina promises an explosive return to the TV four years later, she confessed her 'villainy' left her dad heartbroken. She told Stellar magazine in March: 'My dad was very sensitive. So any time there was editing that wasn't it my favour, it broke his heart. 'That made it very hard for me, to see how it affected him. Everyone else gets Ferraris, super yachts and private jets... and I get a dirty street pie.' The Beautiful And The Damned: She promises a dramatic return to the small screen for Bachelor In Paradise after she came across as the feisty personality on The Bachelor in 2014 Although it was four years ago, no doubt fans will remember her as the feisty television star who lashed out during her time on the show. Laurina couldn't contain her jealously as she raged she got a 'dirty street pie' instead of a 'Ferraris, super yacht or private jet' in an explosive showdown. But it seems she hasn't changed as in the new previous for the Channel Ten show she can be heard demanding a laundry list of qualities a boyfriend must possess. She recently shocked fans when she revealed that she still has 11 weeks to go in her pregnancy. And on Thursday, Ali Fedotowsky displayed her growing baby bump in a fitted, purple dress. For her appearance on Hallmark's Home & Family, the mother-of-two looked radiant while on the show's Universal Studios Hollywood set. Looking lovely: Ali Fedotowsky, 33, displayed her growing baby bump in a fitted, purple dress at the Home & Family show in LA With her bright patterned dress, the former Bachelorrette accessorized minimally with a pair of bright teal earrings, a cuff, and her wedding ring. The pretty blonde, 33, wore her hair back and parted down the middle. For make-up, Ali highlighted her eyes with dramatic lashes. She kept her lips toned down with a pale pink shade. Simplicity: With her bright patterned dress, the former Bachelorrette accessorized minimally with a pair of bright teal earrings, a cuff, and her wedding ring Pretty: For make-up, Ali highlighted her eyes with dramatic lashes. She kept her lips toned down with a pale pink shade Growing family! This will be Ali's second pregnancy. The former reality star shares daughter Molly, one, with TV host husband Kevin Manno, 34 This will be Ali's second pregnancy. The former reality star shares daughter Molly, one, with TV host husband Kevin Manno, 34. The two welcomed their daughter in July 2016, and married in March of last year. Coming quickly! In an interview with ET, the Ali Luvs blogger said that she's not prepared for her second child In an interview with ET, the Ali Luvs blogger said that she's not prepared for her second child. 'No, I'm not ready at all. I'm in a lot of pain this time,' she began . 'I don't know if it's like I'm more stretched out the first time or what.' '...It's different this time. The doctor legit told me to stop eating so much. I'm not even kidding you. The doctor was like, "How much weight have you gained?" I was like, "25 pounds." I was 27 weeks, this was just a week ago. And she's like, "So maybe you shouldn't eat quite as much as you've been eating.''' On Wednesday she marked six years of sobriety with a cheerful tweet to her 55.5 million followers. But on Thursday it looked like Demi Lovato just wanted to be left alone. The 25-year-old Let It Go songstress wrapped herself in an oversize black parka as she left her hotel. All bundled up! On Thursday Demi Lovato wrapped herself in an oversize black parka as she left her hotel in NYC The pop sensation's massive coat featured a fur lining and a large hood which Demi used to partially shield her face. A white t-shirt and tight black jeans with rips at the knees kept the rest of her outfit quite low-key. White low-top sneakers completed her casual ensemble. While she theoretically was in a celebratory mood due to her sobriety anniversary, the New Mexico native looked as though she was trying to hide her face from onlookers. Not ready for her close-up: The pop sensation's massive coat featured a fur lining and a large hood which Demi used to partially shield her face On Wednesday the Skyscraper hitmaker wrote: 'Just officially turned 6 years sober. So grateful for another year of joy, health and happiness. It IS possible. [praying emoji] (sic)'. The former Disney child star went to rehab back in 2010 to seek treatment for a dependence on alcohol and drugs, and to get therapy for an eating disorder and self-harming. After the tweet, she then took to Instagram to post a lengthier statement. Positive! On Wednesday she marked six years of sobriety with a cheerful tweet to her 55.5 million followers Confident: After the sobriety tweet, she then took to Instagram to post a lengthier statement In the accompanying picture, the stunner wore her raven locks parted in the middle, and sported an appropriate 'self love' t-shirt. 'I'm so thankful to my family, friends and @castcenters for being a part of this journey,' she wrote, 'a huge part of my recovery was learning to love myself and to give back to others.' She then went on to describe a competition that fans could enter to be a part of the final show of her US tour on March 31st. He's one of the most controversial contestants on this year's Married At First Sight, having being called 'sexist' for his comments about women and slammed for his 'affair' on the show. But radio star Chrissie Swan has defended Dean Wells. The 44-year-old former Big Brother contestant took to Instagram to share a snap of herself and Tracey and Dean after they appeared on her radio show, saying: 'We've all been totally tricked.' Scroll down for video 'We've all been totally tricked!' Chrissie Swan DEFENDS Dean Wells and says the Married At First Sight star is 'reasonable' and 'really normal' 'Guys. We've all been totally TRICKED!.' Chrissie wrote after interviewing the pair. 'Dean is a really normal and reasonable person and Tracey is heaven.' She added: 'I don't know what to believe any more...' Gushing: 'Dean is a really normal and reasonable person and Tracey is heaven,' Chrissie gushed Dean first made headlines before MAFS even began, after he appeared in a promo for the show making sexist remarks. He insisted: 'It's hard to say without sounding sexist or something, but I like a girl that is a girl and is girly and knows that I'm the man and that I'm in charge. 'I also want someone that listens to me... and I want to be the alpha male and she needs to respect me as the man.' At the time, the commercial angered fans on social media, including one viewer who wrote: 'It's not the 1950's anymore, mate.' 'I'm the man and I'm in charge': Dean first made headlines before MAFS even began, after he appeared in a promo for the show making sexist remarks He later defended himself when speaking to The Daily Telegraph, saying: 'I never meant it [to] sound like I'm controlling and dominating.' He added: 'I probably could have worded stuff better in that promo,' He also told OK! Magazine that his comments in the promo were taken too seriously by MAFS fans. 'That whole alpha male thing - that's not really who I am,' he told the publication. Wedded bliss? Dean is seen with TV 'wife' Tracey Jewel He added: 'I really value intelligence and someone that has a brain and who will challenge me.' 'I also like feminine women who wear nice clothes. I definitely need to be attracted to the person physically and I appreciate a woman who takes care of herself.' Meanwhile, Dean also came underfire after his highly publicised 'affair with MAFS co-star Davina Rankin. It is believed that Tracey and Dean have split following filming for the show, after she was papped with fellow MAFS star Sean Thomsen in Bali. Victoria Beckham made up for lost time with son Brooklyn during a late night out in London on Thursday evening. The fashion designer was joined by her oldest son, who is back in the United Kingdom following a protracted stay in New York, for a low key appearance in the capital. Sporting a white blouse over a high-slung peach skirt, Victoria, 43, looked typically stylish as she linked hands with Brooklyn, 19, outside local restaurant Clarette. Stepping out: Victoria Beckham made up for lost time with son Brooklyn during a late night out in London on Thursday evening Smart green heels gave the look an extra splash of colour, while heavily tinted sunglasses rounded things off. Leading the way as they made their way into the street, Brooklyn adopted his usual vintage style in a retro David Bowie T-shirt, blue denim jacket and mismatched black jeans. Battered white trainers added to the look, while his hair was casually styled with a simple centre parting. Close: The fashion designer was joined by her oldest son, who is back in the United Kingdom following a protracted stay in New York, for a low key appearance in the capital Looking good: Sporting a white blouse over a high-slung peach skirt, Victoria, 43, looked typically stylish as she linked hands with Brooklyn, 19, outside a local restaurant The pair were enjoying a night out as respective husband and father David promotes his popular Haig Club whiskey in South Africa. Meanwhile Brooklyn is back in the United Kingdom to help Victoria celebrate Mother's Day after flying back from New York, as he continues to study photography at Parsons School of Design. In perhaps the greatest Mother's Day gift of all, the teenager paid tribute to Victoria by having a heart emblazoned with the word 'Mum' tattooed on his bicep last month. Finishing touches: Smart green heels gave the look an extra splash of colour, while heavily tinted sunglasses rounded things off Gallant: Brooklyn held the door for Victoria as she climbed into their waiting car Relaxed: Leading the way as they made their way into the street, Brooklyn adopted his usual vintage style in a retro David Bowie T-shirt, blue denim jacket and mismatched black jeans David also paid tribute for being such a great mother to their four children - Brooklyn, Romeo, Cruz and Harper - despite balancing her hectic career. Sharing a sweet snap of the whole family to Instagram, he wrote: 'Happy Mothers Day to an amazing mummy to this beautiful little bunch.' In his usual playful style however, he also shared a video of Victoria dancing to a number of 80s tunes after a few glasses of wine - joking: 'Happy Mother's Day and to celebrate we have your typical Mum dance.' Understated: Battered white trainers added to the look, while his hair was casually styled with a simple centre parting As a model she's no stranger to flaunting her honed body. And on Thursday Nina Agdal gave onlookers another eye-full as she attended a Barneys fashion event in New York City. The 25-year-old Danish beauty certainly looked at ease in her black blazer, which was fastened with a single metal clasp. Not shy! On Thursday Nina Agdal gave onlookers another eye-full as she attended a Barneys fashion event in New York City The garment afforded a glimpse of her toned tummy, as well as her bare, braless chest. Down below she rounded out the sophisticated look with some ripped straight leg jeans and eye-catching scarlet heels. A small square clutch she held in her right hand appeared to be her only accessory. Her caramel tresses were parted on the left and cascaded down over her right shoulder. Forget something? The 25-year-old Danish beauty certainly looked at ease in her black blazer, which was fastened with a single metal clasp Glam! Smokey eye make-up, subtle blush and nude lipstick ensured the stunner was ready for her turn in front of the cameras Smokey eye make-up, subtle blush and nude lipstick ensured the stunner was ready for her turn in front of the cameras. Of course other fashionable celebs were on hand as well. Fellow Victoria's Secret model Martha Hunt, 28, definitely turned some heads thanks to her honey-hued trench coat and matching trouser combo. Quite a color! Fellow Victoria's Secret model Martha Hunt, 28, definitely turned some heads thanks to her honey-hued trench coat and matching trouser combo Bling bling! She accessorized with a pendant necklace and a long chain necklace as well Stylish! King Kong star Naomi Watts 49, opted for a chic olive green sweater and plaid trouser combination Ready for weather! She did arrive bundled up in a classic khaki trench coat Some delicate white strappy heels completed the coordinating outfit. King Kong star Naomi Watts 49, opted for a chic olive green sweater and plaid trouser combination, though she did arrive bundled up in a classic khaki trench coat. Songstress Sophie Auster, 30, looked warm in her black bomber jacket, which was lined with cozy fleece. Black leather trousers and black boots completed her cosmopolitan ensemble. Do The Right Thing Rating: Great Continental Railway Journeys Rating: Husband and wife Eamonn Holmes and Ruth Langsford seem to be merging Watchdog and Surprise! Surprise! consumer affairs and sentiment in their new magazine show Do The Right Thing (C5). But hang on . . . hasnt that been done before, by Esther Rantzen in Thats Life!, her long-running Sunday night classic? No one actually says Shosheges! or produces a potato that looks like a pair of breasts, but Ruth and Eamonn have conjured up a straightforward remake. Husband and wife Eamonn Holmes and Ruth Langsford seem to be merging Watchdog and Surprise! Surprise! consumer affairs and sentiment in their new magazine show Do The Right Thing (C5) Its canny timing, as BBC bosses were rumoured to be thinking about reviving Thats Life! last year. This breezy, low-budget version beats them to it, with good deeds, investigations and some slightly smutty gags. And with a golden retriever that drives a tractor, what more could you ask for? Ann Widdecombe, fresh from her game bout on Celebrity Big Brother, fills the armchair once warmed by Cyril Fletcher, he of the Odd Odes. Ann is in charge of rooting out the jobsworths a word made popular in the Seventies by Dame Esther and delivered a stern ticking off to a Bristol swimming pool where bathers in mermaid tails have been banned. Chastened, the baths management promised to hold swim-ins especially for merpeople. Well, youd buck your ideas up, too, if Ann Widdecombe scolded you. Behind the studio desk theres a couple of boyish reporters who lark about and take it in turns to read lines off the autocue, while Ruth presides briskly over proceedings. In fact, the only problem with the format is Eamonn, who trundles around like a spare wheel. Dialect of the night Even the subtitles in Still Game (BBC1) have a Glaswegian accent. When shopkeeper Navids wife yells at him from the back room in Punjabi, the translation comes up as Mop the flair! (floor) or Throw it oot!. Aye, weel . . . Advertisement He tried to find a role by cuddling up to Betty, 91, who was in the audience to tell how a phone scammer had conned her out of 7,500. Im furious with myself for being taken in, she declared, with Eamonns arm around her shoulders. Its the glib ones you have to watch, Betty. Eamonn tried some campaigning too, as he urged corner shops to stop selling high-caffeine energy drinks to under-16s. Some children are guzzling six a day, the equivalent of a dozen espresso coffees or an incredible 80 teaspoons of sugar. No wonder teachers blame the drinks for disrupting classes. The truth is that Ruthie can handle this show on her own. Still, dont forget Thats Life! had the brilliant Victoria Wood to sing satirical songs. Theres room for Eamonn yet . . . if he can play the piano. Chances are Michael Portillo could bang out a tune, if he was suitably lubricated. Its easy to imagine he knows a few music hall numbers. He didnt burst into song on Great Continental Railway Journeys (BBC2), but it wasnt for lack of vino. He visited a family of winemakers in Georgia, between the Caspian and the Black Sea, and was invited to taste the sticky, amber speciality of the house. Eamonn and Ruth present Do The Right Thing At 14.7 per cent alcohol, it was almost as potent as sherry. Michael reeled when his host produced two bottles: One will not be enough for us one for you, one for me. The next time we saw our intrepid traveller, he was snoring in the sleeping compartment of his train, chuffing towards Azerbaijan. His shows are always fun, though not for their insights. One museum curator remarked that Stalin was his nations best-known celeb, and that to be from a country of a mass murderer is not so good. Thats as profound as it gets. But Michael is such a happy traveller, it really doesnt matter. Cheers! She is known for her incredible curves, which she often puts on display in form fitting looks. And on Thursday, Blac Chyna did not disappoint while sporting a barely-there crop top with a mini skirt after a photo shoot in downtown Los Angeles. The 29-year-old flashed her toned midsection and her derriere in the striped ensemble, which perfectly hugged her curves. Scroll down for video Fancy: Blac Chyna did not disappoint while sporting a barely-there crop top with a mini skirt while leaving a photo shoot in downtown Los Angeles on Thursday The star chose red, black, yellow, blue and white vertical striped bottoms that grazed her above her knees. Chyna styled the high-waisted skirt with a bandeau top that featured horizontal stripes in the same colors. The mother of two paired the flattering ensemble with calf-length heeled boots in a bright red hue. Chyna wore a chunky necklace with a matching bracelet and a bow-tie ring for pops of sparkle while toting a small cream Chanel handbag. The 29-year-old flashed her toned midsection and her derriere in the striped ensemble, which perfectly hugged her curves The star chose red, black, yellow, blue and white vertical striped bottoms that grazed her above her knees Hours later, Chyna shared an image on Instagram of herself in the ensemble, which she revealed to be from online store, Fashionnova. The star sported sparkly brown eye shadow beneath defined brows, adding pink hued lipstick on her full pout. Chyna is mom to two children - daughter Dream, born November 2016, with ex fiance Rob Kardashian - and five-year-old son King Cairo with ex fiance Tyga; he dated Kylie Jenner after his split with Chyna. Strike a pose: Hours later, Chyna shared an image on Instagram of herself in the ensemble, which she revealed to be from online store, Fashionnova The star sported sparkly brown eye shadow beneath defined brows, adding pink hued lipstick on her full pout. Earlier this month, she was seen cuddling up with rapper YBN Almighty Jay, 18. She was also recently in the news after a recent leak of her sex tape surfaced; the clips featured her and ex boyfriend Mechie allegedly engaging in oral sex. There was another video that was a man and woman having sexual intercourse, but the woman was not Chyna - just someone who looked like her. Her lawyer Lisa Bloom revealed that authorities have been contacted over the recent leak of a sex tape. 'Revenge porn is a crime, almost always designed to humiliate a woman,' Bloom tweeted recently. 'This morning Blac Chyna, my co-counsel Walter Mosley and I filed a police report about the sex tape of her that was posted this week without her consent. Thank you LAPD for your professionalism.' Chyna is in the midst of a lawsuit against Rob, his sister Kim Kardashian and their mom Kris Jenner. She claimed they torpedoed her Rob & Chyna reality show on E!; the Kardashian/Jenner's said the network canceled the show because she had a restraining order against Rob - which made it impossible to film scenes, according to TMZ. The judge tentatively agreed to dismissing the lawsuit, reports the website. Busy lady: Chyna is mom to two children - daughter Dream, born November 2016, with ex fiance Rob Kardashian; pictured on Wednesday heading to dinner in Beverly HIlls She was a special guest at the Literacy Partners Gala the night before. And Sarah Paulson continued to flaunt her red carpet style as she was spotted at the FX Annual All-Star Party in New York on Thursday. The 43-year-old actress, who wore a black bra with a gray blazer and skirt, playfully flipped the bird at her friend Billie Lourd in a cheeky manner. Stunner: Sarah Paulson continued to flaunt her red carpet style as she was spotted at the FX Annual All-Star Party in New York on Thursday Daring to impress, the American Horror Story alum showcased her taut tummy as she wore nothing but a black bra underneath the gray jacket. Her ample assets were revealed as the plunging see-through brassiere sat just below her delicate decolletage. Flared pants sat neatly on her lithe waist as the heavy fabric belied her gorgeous gams hiding underneath. She accessorized the fashion forward look with a luxurious pair of sparkling buckle high heels and exquisite diamond hoop earrings. Daring: Daring to impress, the American Horror Story alum showcased her taut tummy as she wore nothing but a black bra underneath the gray jacket Take that! The actress wore a tailored chic outfit that left little to the imagination as she stopped to flip the bird at her friend Billie Lourd in a cheeky manner Ample: Her ample assets were revealed as the plunging see-through brassiere sat just below her delicate decolletage Throwing caution to the wind, the The Post thespian went virtually makeup free with a slight smokey eye and a dab of berry lip. Her trademark blonde tresses were left long and loose in a neat bob as they brushed against her petite shoulders. Sarah has been stationed in New York as she is busy filming The Goldfinch. Stay here: Billie nuzzled into Sarah's shoulder Pants patrol: Flared pants sat neatly on her lithe waist as the heavy fabric belied her gorgeous gams hiding underneath Additions: She accessorized the fashion forward look with a luxuiorus pair of sparkling buckle high heels and exquisite diamond hoop earrings Based on the 2013 Pulitzer-winning book by Donna Tartt, The Goldfinch revolves around Theo, who miraculously survives a bombing at the Metropolitan Museum of Art that killed his mother when he was a child. In the confused aftermath of the atrocity, Theo pocketed his mom's favorite painting, The Goldfinch. Nicole plays Mrs Barbour, a wealthy socialite who takes in Theo after he is seemingly orphaned. Directed by Brooklyn helmer John Crowley, The Goldfinch is scheduled for release on October 11, 2019. Oktoberfest came early! The annual event brought out a cavalcade of celebrities including Keri Russell Dapper duds: Evan Peters and Judy Greer cut dapper figures on the red carpet Sarah has been in a relationship with fellow actress Holland Taylor, 75; they were spotted at the Literacy Partners Gala on Wednesday night. The pair, who have been together since 2015. 'My life choices are, um, unconventional,' she told NET-A-PORTERs digital magazine,The EDIT. 'Im with a much older person and people find that totally fascinating and odd, and, to me, its the least interesting thing about me. But I do feel a bit unconventional.' Giddyup: Brendan Fraser made a return ot the red carpet wearing a cowboy hat as he channeled his character from the new show Trust She added: 'I am a woman of a certain age who chose not to have children, and who has made my career my priority. I am the captain of my own ship, and Ive never looked to anyone else to validate that, or tell me its okay.' Meanwhile, the annual event brought out a cavalcade of celebrities including Keri Russell. Brendan Fraser made a return to the red carpet wearing a cowboy hat as he channeled his character from the new show Trust. He posed alongside co-star Donald Sutherland. Evan Peters and Judy Greer cut dapper figures on the red carpet. Co-stars: He posed alongside co-star Donald Sutherland Ready for bed! Alysia Reiner cut a comfortable figure in loose black lingerie wear She has spent weeks upgrading a Paddington space for her new jewellery flagship store. And it seems as though The Bachelor's Laura Byrne is nearly ready to open the doors. Appearing inside the Sydney premises on Friday, the 31-year-old beauty was seen putting together the final touches before giving a friend a sneak peak of her latest business venture. Nearly time! On Friday, Laura Byrne's friends came to support her as she put the final touches on her Paddington jewellery store before opening it to the public Showing off her taut midriff, Laura stunned in a apricot coloured wrap shirt with a v-neck. She complimented the plain top with a printed maxi skirt. Keeping comfortable and casual, the former reality star finished off her look with flat black slides. Beauty: Showing off her taut midriff, Laura stunned in a apricot coloured wrap shirt with a v-neck All natural: Seen hard at work, Laura was makeup free and had her curly locks natural and out Support: Laura was photographed enjoying one long appreciative embrace Seen hard at work, Laura was makeup free and had her curly locks natural and out. And it wasn't long until she was inundated with support by friends. Seen at the front door greeting her pals, Laura was photographed enjoying one long appreciative embrace. First customers! It wasn't long until she was inundated with support by friends. He'll be there soon! However, boyfriend Matty J had yet to arrive Everyone's here! And wasn't just friends, it was a family affair too - with even three-legged rescue dog Buster also making an appearance And wasn't just friends, it was a family affair too - with even three-legged rescue dog Buster also making an appearance. However, boyfriend Matty J had yet to arrive. Taking to her Instagram Stories the day before, Laura revealed she was nearly ready for customers to come swarming through her doors. 'Well this looks official,' she captioned adding a 'lit' fire emoji sticker. She has spoken candidly about her life as a recovering alcoholic. And on Thursday, Kaitlyn Isham spoke about being briefly engaged in the early days of her sobriety. The Florida native told Daily Mail Australia that she accepted a proposal in 2012 from a man she had known for just three months. Scroll down for video Recovery romance: Seven Year Switch's Kaitlyn Isham revealed on Thursday she 'was ENGAGED to a man she knew for just three months' shortly after getting sober in 2012 'So in 2012 I finally went to treatment for alcoholism,' Kaitlyn told Daily Mail Australia. The former adult webcam model explained that she was 'looking for the next high' after stopping drinking. She claimed this hyperactive urge was partly the reason why she got engaged in such a short period of time. Rushing into romance: The former adult webcam model explained that she was 'looking for the next high' after stopping drinking Although Kaitlyn was 'excited' at the prospect of an engagement and a wedding, she confessed: 'I knew deep down it would never work out.' She added: 'But I wanted the attention.' Taking to Instagram on Thursday, Kaitlyn reflected on her brief engagement and her journey to sobriety six years ago. Throwback Thursday! In a flashback Instagram post, Kaitlyn described herself in 2012 as 'young, dumb (and) full of c*m' and compared her early sobriety to being on a 'pink cloud' She described herself as 'young, dumb (and) full of c*m' at the time and compared her early sobriety to being on a 'pink cloud'. Kaitlyn appeared on Seven Year Switch last year alongside her partner Mark. They amicably split after the series was filmed. There has been rumours of an imminent engagement. And Bindi Irwin and boyfriend Chandler Powell had the chance to take notes earlier this month, with the pair attending the wedding of Chandler's brother in Orlando. During their visit to Florida, the Wildlife crusader and her beau were spotted putting on a loved-up display as they walked arm-in-arm during a afternoon shopping spree. Never flannelette me go! Bindi Irwin and her American boyfriend Chandler Powell put on a loved-up display as they go arm-in-arm while holidaying in Orlando The duo were spotted wearing matching flannelette shirts as they exited the Orlando Marriott Lakeside Hotel alongside members of Chandler's family. Bindi, 19, looked comfortable in a pair of jeans and wore her unbuttoned red flannel shirt over a black top. Chandler walked beside her, also wearing blue denim and a flannel-print shirt. Shopping spree! During their visit to Florida for Chandler's brother's wedding, the couple were spotted putting on a loved-up display as they walked arm-in-arm A family affair! The pair were spotted wearing matching flannelette shirts as they exited the Orlando Marriott Lakeside Hotel alongside members of Chandler's family The group chatted happily as they made their way up the street, Bindi seen carrying some documents. She earned a huge laugh from her three companions soon after as they walked up the sidewalk. They returned to the hotel soon after, as Bindi and Chandler emerged from their parked vehicle with luggage bags. Matching! The group chatted happily as they made their way up the street Top secret! Bindi was seen carrying some documents The lovers dropped the bags off and immediately made way for the exit once again. Now on their own, Chandler at one point extending his arm out for Bindi to grab. Comedian! She earned a huge laugh from her three companions soon after as they walked up the sidewalk Time to unpack! They returned to the hotel soon after, as Bindi and Chandler emerged from their parked vehicle with luggage bags Engagement rumours: Back in December, New Idea spoke to a source who claimed the couple were already engaged They continued to cuddle-up as they left the parking lot, before spending the next few hours exploring the neighbourhood. Back in December, New Idea spoke to a source who claimed the couple were already engaged. Sorting out the finances! The lovers dropped the bags off and immediately made way for the exit once again 'We've heard that Chandler proposed to Bindi last week, and that he asked Terri for her blessing, which she of course gave,' the source said,. However, when contacted by Daily Mail Australia, a representative from the Irwin's Australia Zoo dismissed the story as 'false'. Adventure time! They continued to cuddle-up as they left the parking lot, before spending the next few hours exploring the neighbourhood She's the Married At First Sight bride who became a fan favourite after walking down the aisle in diamante encrusted thongs. But on Friday, it appeared this rambunctious blonde was reminiscing more about her school days than her wedding day. Taking to Instagram, the 38-year-old shared an adorable photo of herself as a rosy cheeked primary schooler, sporting spectacles and pig tails. Guess Who! She's the Married At First Sight bride who became a fan favourite after walking down the aisle in diamante encrusted thongs - but do YOU recognise her in this cute throwback snap? The person in the cute snap is none other than the jolly Jo McPharlin - one of Married At First Sight's most beloved brides. 'Fun fact Friday- yes I was this cute back in primary school,' the single mum captioned the throwback snap. While Jo didn't find love with her 'husband' on Married At First Sight, she did find her way into the hearts of viewers around the country. Fan favourite! While Jo didn't find love with her 'husband' on Married At First Sight, she did find her way into the hearts of viewers around the country Bring her back next year! After she failed to forge a successful relationship with her 'husband' Sean Donnelly, there were calls for the bubbly bride to brought back for the next season of the show Known for her happy-go-lucky nature, Jo quickly became a national sweetheart thanks to her boisterous behaviour, which included spilling beer down her dress on her wedding night. After she failed to forge a successful relationship with her 'husband' Sean Donnelly, there were calls for the bubbly bride to brought back next on the show in the next season. Indeed, Jo has garnered a cult following on social media thanks to her short stint on the show. Insta-famous! Jo recently treated her fans to a behind-the-scenes look at her time at the Adelaide 500 motor racing event, where she cracked open a tinnie and watched revved-up hot rods race around a track Nearly 33,000 people follow the upbeat star, who shares snippets of her life as a single mum. The star recently treated fans to a behind-the-scenes look at her time at the Adelaide 500 motor racing event, where she cracked open a tinnie and watched revved-up hot rods race around a track. And some eagle-eyed aficionados have even noticed Jo undergo a glamorous make-over, with the star now sporting a platinum bob, sultry new make-up and a golden spray tan. Glamorous! Some eagle-eyed aficionados have even noticed Jo undergo a glamorous make-over, with the star now sporting a platinum bob, sultry new make-up and a golden spray tan They have gyms of sorts, and plenty of laundry to do... but not much time to tan. Which might be why Snooki does not fancy Mike Sorrentino's chances in jail. The Situation's impending incarceration for tax fraud was addressed on the new promo for Jersey Shore Family Vacation, unveiled on Thursday night. Scroll down for video 'Hes literally not going to survive': Snooki addressed Mike 'The Situation' Sorrentino's impending jail sentence for tax fraud in the new Jersey Shore promo on Thursday night 'Dude. Prisons no joke. Its scary,' a concerned Snooki said in the brief clip. 'Hes literally not going to survive.' 'United States versus The Situation,' Sorrentino confirmed. In January the 35-year-old pled guilty to cheating on his taxes, and is facing up to five years in prison when sentenced. Guilty: In January the 35-year-old pled guilty to cheating on his taxes, and is facing up to five years in prison when sentenced Parents: 'I'm a soon-to-be dad.... f*ck!' Ronnie Ortiz-Magro exclaims. 'We're older, but I don't think many of us are wiser.' A judge allowed him to travel to Miami to film the reunion series while awaiting sentencing on certain conditions, including him not drinking. Elsewhere in the clip, the co-stars muse about the big changes they've been through since the landmark MTV reality show concluded six years ago. 'I'm a soon-to-be dad.... f*ck!' Ronnie Ortiz-Magro exclaims. 'We're older, but I don't think many of us are wiser.' Older: 'Motherhood has made me crazy, Jenni JWoww Farley adds. 'I love my children, but I never let loose.' One missing: Everybody from the original is seen in the clip bar Sammi Sweetheart, who opted against participating Gym, Tan, Laundry: Pauly D references the infamous GTL mantra of course Reunion: The gang look genuinely excited to see each other again 'Motherhood has made me crazy, Jenni JWoww Farley adds. 'I love my children, but I never let loose.' Snooki concludes in the clip: 'As we age we just get more... delinquency. What's the word?' Jersey Shore Family Vacation premieres on MTV on April 5. Good effort: Snooki concludes in the clip: 'As we age we just get more... delinquency. What's the word?' Heavily pregnant Rebecca Maddern was positively glowing in a fashionable maternity look during her AFL Footy Show hosting gig on Thursday. The 40-year-old shared a snap of the chic ensemble to her Instagram, instantly receiving well wishes from many of her almost 80,000 followers. She hash-tagged the photo 'bump style' and 'pregnancy fashion', listing the numerous brands she was wearing. Scroll down for video 'Bump style!': Pregnant AFL Footy Show host Rebecca Maddern, 40, shows off her flair for maternity fashion as her due date draws near Rebecca was wearing a dress from Cue Clothing, which hugged her curves and paired it with heels from Proenza Schouler, which she described as 'the only shoes that fit at the moment!' She was inundated with compliments from her supporters, who gushed about how elegant the television host looked in her final trimester. 'Too bloody hot for pregnancy!' noted one enthusiastic observer. 'Absolutely stunning and glowing,' offered another fan. Rebecca announced in November last year she was expecting her first child with husband Trent Miller. Elated: She has called her pregnancy a 'minor miracle' Overjoyed: Rebecca announced in November last year she was expecting her first child with husband Trent Miller Earlier this month she expressed her gratitude about conceiving at her age in an interview with The Herald-Sun. 'I have fallen pregnant when I'm 40 and that's an extraordinary thing to happen. It really is a minor miracle. I'm enjoying and relishing every day,' she gushed. 'When it happened, that's why there were all these emotions, I was overjoyed and I couldn't believe it until it was real,' she added. It's a special time for Kirsten Dunst. The 35-year-old actress, who's expecting her first child, was snapped in her native Los Angeles on Thursday with her mother Inez Rupprecht as the pair knocked off errands on a chilly afternoon. The Beguiled star, who's engaged to her one-time Fargo co-star Jesse Plemons, was clad in a long-sleeved berry blue maternity frock with black shoe boots. Scroll below for video Out and about: Kirsten Dunst, 35, was snapped in her native Los Angeles on Thursday running errands with her mother, Inez Rupprecht The Fargo actress toted a green smoothie and had her blonde locks bundled up in back with brown glasses with dark frames. Dunst's engagement ring from her relationship with Fargo co-star Jesse Plemons, 29, was visible on her hand as she looked to be in a chipper mood as spring approaches. Rupprecht wore a grey fur coat over a black shirt with blue jeans and black pointy toe boots. She had her red locks styled up and wore cat eye sunglasses with brown lenses. The Hidden Figures actress was previously in a four-year-relationship with actor Garrett Hedlund. Bumpin': The Fargo alum emerged from behind a gate on the crisp and cool day with her mother, who kept warm in a grey fur coat Maternity fashionista: Dunst wore a berry blue long-sleeved frock and shoe boots on the chilly day Following their 2016 split, she and Plemons - a Texas-based actor who's been seen on programs such as Breaking Bad, Black Mirror and No Activity - began dating and subsequently revealed they were engaged in January of 2017. Dunst, in classic Hollywood fashion, revealed her pregnancy in artsy imagery for Rodarte's Fall/Winter 2018 portrait series, as she showcased her baby bump. Dunst last summer opened up to Marie Claire UK about how she got baby fever when she tended to her goddaughter, Kiki. Happy together: The Fargo co-stars were snapped last month in LA at a film premiere Family first: The celebrity couple was snapped late last year in LA with Jesse's parents, Lisa Beth (L) and Jim Bob (3nd from L) Plemons I wasnt one of those I need a baby! people until my goddaughter was born,' the beautiful actress revealed to the publication. 'I love her so much. That love is just like you cant experience that unless you have a kid. 'I put her to bed last night and she woke up this morning and said to her mom, Wheres Kiki? I just love that love.' She continued, 'Thats what I want,' adding that she feels 'its time to have babies and chill. She was recently spotted with her ex, actor Alexander Skarsgard. But Alexa Chung went solo on Thursday for the launch event of her Superga x Alexa Chung footwear range in Los Angeles. The 34-year-old fashion designer sported a cute denim dress for the event. All by herself: Alexa Chung went solo on Thursday for the launch event of her Superga x Alexa Chung footwear range in Los Angeles The author and model looked chic in the blue denim garment that was distinguished by an embroidered flower on the front. Alexa's wavy brunette tresses were worn out and cascaded down her bare shoulders. On her feet, the Brit wore a pair of sneakers of her own design. Flower power: The 34-year-old fashion designer sported a cute denim dress for the event Got the blues? The author and model looked chic in the blue denim garment that was distinguished by an embroidered flower on the front Hair today: Alexa's wavy brunette tresses were worn out and cascaded down her bare shoulders The It author appeared to confirm her relationship with Big Little Lies actor Alexander Skarsgard is back on after returning to London with the Swedish actor earlier this month. The couple, who reportedly ended their two-year relationship last June, made their way across St. Pancras International train station after arriving in the English capital via Eurostar. The couple originally confirmed their split in July, with friends claiming the separation was entirely amicable. A source told E! Online: 'No one cheated on anyone. It was a clean breakup that was caused by busy schedules and distance. She's the former Miss Universe who has graced the modelling scene since the tender age of 13. And Natalie Roser has travelled to yet another tropical location, shooting for a US swimwear label in Fiji. Shooting alongside other influencers and bikini models alike, the group of famed faces took to Fiji to shoot a series of sexy bikini snaps for enviable bikini label Luli Fama this week. Whimsical! Australian-born model Natalie Roser has travelled to yet another tropical location, shooting for a US swimwear label in Fiji The brand, who intend to make waves with an Australian launch imminently, showcased the blonde beauty in a series of fairy tale-esq shots horses, dogs and starfish included. Shot by renowned photographers France and Jesse, the internationally famed brand is applauded for their iconic prints and stunning shape-enhancing fabrics that accentuate every woman's unique body type. The clothing brand owner of her namesake label, Roser the label, is a seasoned veteran when it comes to stripping down into skimpy bikinis in front of the camera. Pretty in pastel! The beauty was radiant and glowing in the tropical photo shoot in Fiji this week For a portion of the shoot, the bronzed goddess was captured posing with a majestic horse along the Fijian shoreline, looking as equally fierce as al-natural. Frolicking about in the tropical waters, the bikini-clad model posed alongside model pals, wearing matching bikinis and posing with majestic horses. In a candid picture, the model is snapped while running atop the foamy turquoise waters, with a horse and two dogs in a stunning two-piece set. Splashing about! In a candid picture, the model is snapped while running atop the foamy turquoise waters, with a horse and two dogs While abroad in Fiji for the shoot, the Instagram star took to the platform to share candy-hued sunset bikini snaps and a few behind-the-scenes pictures from the shoot. And if it's not bikini snaps gracing Natalie's social media, its sappy posts with boyfriend and former Neighbours star Harley Bonner, 26. Following an inconspicuous split from former fiance Dan Adair in 2017, Natalie recently took to social to celebrate her one year anniversary with new beau Harley. Ahead of jetting off to Fiji, the model travelled to Byron Bay with Jeep for another bikini modelling gig. Rachel Shenton has discussed her Oscar glory once more, as she revealed the inside secrets of her drama/short film, The Silent Child. The 30-year-old, who first found fame playing Mitzeee Minniver in Hollyoaks, scooped the coveted gong last month for the movie - co-directed by her fiance Chris Overton - about a profoundly deaf four-year-old, played by Maisie Sly. Speaking on Good Morning Britain on Friday, she revealed her mum hosted a bake sale to raise money to make the movie, she was concerned about signing her whole speech and insisted little Maisie 'is so much cooler than her'. Winners! Rachel Shenton has discussed her Oscar glory once more, as she revealed the inside secrets of her drama/short film, The Silent Child Rachel made the film about a profoundly deaf four-year-old after watching her late father go deaf two years before he died, when she was just 14. She previously said: 'He's the reason I learned sign language and got involved with the deaf community. He was the person I was thinking of up on stage, wishing so badly he was watching me from the audience. I know he'd be incredibly proud.' Maisie, from Swindon auditioned for the role after her parents replied to a post on Facebook appealing for a deaf child who communicates through sign language. During her Oscar glory, she signed her entire acceptance speech yet confessed she was concerned about conveying the words seamlessly. Happy days: Rachel (pictured with fiance Chris Overton) is clearly in disbelief over the win as she joyously discussed the news on GMB Sweet: The 30-year-old, who first found fame playing Mitzeee Minniver in Hollyoaks, scooped the coveted gong last month for the movie - co-directed by her fiance Chris Overton - about a profoundly deaf four-year-old, played by Maisie Sly Honour: Speaking on Good Morning Britain on Friday, she revealed her mum hosted a bake sale to raise money to make the movie, she was concerned about signing her whole speech and insisted little Maisie 'is so much cooler than her' She said: 'Its still surreal that they [Oscars] belong to us... I didnt regret signing [my acceptance speech], but was worried I wouldnt manage to sign it all. But I managed. It was a close subject to my heart.' On funding the movie, she and Chris discussed how short films are notoriously difficult to make, as he revealed: 'My mum and Rachels mum did a cake sale [to raise money]. Theyre sick of cupcakes now.' On Maisie, she said: 'Little Maisie is so much cooler than we are about this. So much more excited to go to Disneyland the day after the Oscars.' Can't stop smiling! Clearly basking in her Oscars joy, Rachel was beaming during her appearance on the show A vision: The pretty star kept her look natural as she wowed while bringing her gong to the studio Baking it up: On funding the movie, she and Chris discussed how short films are notoriously difficult to make, as he revealed: 'My mum and Rachels mum did a cake sale [to raise money]. Theyre sick of cupcakes now' Speaking of first coming up with the idea, she said: 'I had the idea when I was in my bedroom living in LA. Chris said, write it, if its rubbish we can delete it and no one ever has to know. I never dreamt that this could happen. 'There is no support, a limited amount of resources out there and a lack of awareness about this subject.' Adding: 'Being at the first post-Weinstein Oscars was amazing. It felt like there's a spotlight on diversity. It's really important to remember that disability, including deafness, is diversity.' Inspiring: Rachel wrote the short film in her bedroom, without financial incentive and crowdfunded the project for nine months The now six-year-old, plays Libby, a deaf child born into a hearing family who struggle to cope with her condition. Picking up her Oscar, Rachel conducted her whole speech in sign language as she didn't want Maisie to have to take her eyes off the stage to look at her interpreter. Afterwards, she was invited to party with the A-listers at the swanky Vanity Fair bash, but she skipped it after five minutes to be with her family. She said: 'We rushed off to celebrate with our families and team back at our apartment. It was really important that we got back and showed them the award.' Rachel wrote the short film in her bedroom, without financial incentive and crowdfunded the project for nine months. It cost 10,000 to make and is now in more than 600 cinemas in the US. The first images of Peaky Blinders and Game Of Thrones star Aidan Gillen playing legendary Irish comic Dave Allen have been released. The acclaimed actor plays the comic for the upcoming BBC2 factual drama, Dave Allen At Peace. Sitting on Allen's famous bar stool with a drink in hand, Aidan is the spitting image of the late funnyman. Comedy legend: The first images of Peaky Blinders and Game Of Thrones star Aidan Gillen playing Irish comic Dave Allen have been released The dramatisation will focus on the controversial comedians forty-year career, and will explore how his work was shaped by the loss of his dad and brother. Allen began his career performing as a Butlin's Redcoat alongside his brother and went onto become one of the best known faces in UK comedy. The BBC aired his Dave Allen Show from 1972 to 1986, but the comic also experienced a career resurgence in the early '90s, before his death in 2005. Spitting image: The acclaimed actor plays the comic for the upcoming BBC2 factual drama, Dave Allen At Peace Throughout his career, Allen experienced death threats from the IRA and a ban by Irish and Australian TV. The new drama will be structured in homage to Daves original television format, with Aidan speaking from his famous bar stool, reflecting on his career while flashbacks will provide a look at the key moments in his life. The drama is written by Stephen Russell who worked with Aidan on Peaky Blinders and also stars the leading man's Game Of Thrones co-star Conleth Hill who will take on the role of Allens brother, John. Leading man: The dramatisation will focus on the controversial comedians forty-year career, and will explore how his work was shaped by the loss of his dad and brother Allen's father and mother will be played by Tommy Tiernan (Father Ted) and Joanne Crawford (Line of Duty). The film also boasts a line-up of impressive cameos, including Robert Bathurst (Cold Feet), Pauline McLynn (Father Ted), Ian McElhinney (Star Wars: Rogue One), Simon Day (The Fast Show) and Julian Rhind-Tutt (Green Wing). Dave Allen At Peace will be broadcast on BBC2 on the April 2, at 9pm. She was forced to make an embarrassing backtrack earlier this week after a spot of miscommunication about her friend Cameron Diaz. But Selma Blair seems to have put the cringe-worthy incident behind her, looking in great spirits as she went on a coffee run on Thursday. The Cruel Intentions star beamed as she grabbed some drinks in Beverly Hills, after insisting her comments about pal Cameron retiring were a joke. What a week! Selma Blair seems to have put a cringe-worthy incident involving her pal Cameron Diaz behind her, looking in great spirits as she went on a coffee run on Thursday Selma, 45, looked super chic in head-to-toe black for her outing, teaming a cosy knit with tight leather trousers to show off her long legs. Boots and a pop of colour from her green leather The Daily Edited Bag completed the ensemble, while Selma added a glam full face of makeup. The actress was horrified on Monday, after being forced to backtrack over her comments that Cameron has quit her Hollywood career. Good spirits: The Cruel Intentions star beamed as she grabbed some drinks in Beverly Hills, after insisting her comments about pal Cameron retiring were a joke So chic: Selma, 45, looked super chic in head-to-toe black for her outing, teaming a cosy knit with tight leather trousers to show off her long legs Having said in an interview that the Something About Mary star was 'done' with acting, days later she insisted her comments were a joke taken out of context. 'Guys please, I was making a joke in an interview,' said Selma. 'CAMERON DIAZ is NOT retiring from ANYTHING. And for more breaking news: I am NOW retiring from being Cameron Diazs spokesperson.' She then followed up with another tweet, writing: 'No no no! It was a quip. Delete. Delete delete. It would only be official if it came from her mouth. Not mine answering a question of sweetest thing part deux was happening. Red alert. not fact.' Backtrack: The actress was horrified on Monday, after being forced to backtrack over her comments that Cameron has quit her Hollywood career Speaking at the Oscar's Vanity Fair pre-party in LA last week, Selma, who starred in the 2002 movie The Sweetest Thing with the blonde beauty, said: 'I had lunch with Cameron the other day, we were reminiscing about the film. 'I would have liked to do a sequel but Cameron's retired from acting, she's like "I'm done". 'I mean, she doesn't need to make any more films, she has a pretty great life, I don't know what it would take to bring her back.' 'It was just a joke!' Selma told the world her friend Cameron Diaz, right, had retired Mistake: Selma said her comments were not meant to be taken seriously 'It was a quip': The actress had said her friend had retired but later took to Twitter to insist she wasn't serious Cameron has been on a hiatus since the release of Annie back in 2014, where she starred as Miss Hannigan. Upon its December premiere, the film made $133 million worldwide, with her performance as the cruel orphanage worker garnering polarised reviews. An insider told the Daily Star Sunday newspaper: 'Cameron is constantly inundated with film scripts trying to tempt her out of retirement but shes just not interested. Quit? Selma said Cameron was enjoying her comfy life with guitarist husband Benji 'Shes happy, in love and wants to make the most of her freedom and free time. Diaz and her husband Benji Madden, 39, met in 2014 after being introduced by Nicole Richie and married seven months later in an intimate ceremony at the actress's Beverly Hills home in January 2015. Back in January, Us Weekly reported that the starlet was more interested in starting a family than continuing her career in front of the camera. She flew into Sydney on Friday ahead of the Australian premiere of Peter Rabbit. And shortly after arriving home in Australia, Margot Robbie stepped out for dinner at beachside restaurant Bondi Icebergs. The 27-year-old Oscar nominee looked glowing despite her long-haul flight from the US earlier in the day. Leggy lady! Shortly after arriving home in Sydney, Australia on Friday, Margot Robbie stepped out for dinner at beachside restaurant Bondi Icebergs Margot looked effortlessly chic in an oversized white shirt and short skirt which offered a generous glimpse of her legs. She completed her look with heeled sandals and a black handbag, and accessorised with a pair of hoop earrings. The Wolf Of Wall Street actress also flashed her dazzling diamond wedding rings as she rushed into the trendy eatery. Glamorous: Margot looked effortlessly chic in an oversized white shirt and short skirt which offered a generous glimpse of her legs The Australian premiere of Peter Rabbit is scheduled to take place on Saturday. The movie - which blends live action and computer animation - was filmed in locations around Sydney, including Centennial Park and Central railway station. Peter Rabbit also stars James Corden, Sam Neill, Elizabeth Debicki and Rose Byrne. She's taken! Margot also flashed her diamond wedding rings as she rushed into the restaurant It follows news Margot has been offered the role of late actress Sharon Tate in Quentin Tarantino's upcoming ninth film. Once Upon A Time In Hollywood is set in the late '60s and also stars Leonardo DiCaprio and Brad Pitt. Sharon Tate was murdered by the Manson Family cult in August 1969 under the instructions of Charles Manson. Kirstie Alley received a barrage of criticism for her Twitter tribute to late scientist Stephen Hawking, who passed away at 76 on Wednesday. The former Cheers actress, 67, was branded 'heartless' and 'cruel' for her short appearance of appreciation, taking to the micro-blogging site hours after news of his death was reported. Sharing a black and white picture of the famous physicist, Kirstie captioned the post: 'You had a good go at it...thanks for your input'. 'Thanks for your input': Kirstie Alley was branded 'heartless' after tweeting a 'disrespectful' tribute to famed scientist Stephen Hawking...hours after he died aged 76 Followers quickly jumped on the sitcom star, with many judging Kristie for her choice of words and suggested passive aggressive nature. Some Tweeters commented: 'She just gave this man's life a participation trophy', while another suggested the tribute was 'super disrespectful... just WOW! 'It's as though Kirstie Alley has inserted herself into this to be final confirmation. It's so heartless in the least emotional way. I can't stop thinking about her writing it. 'Cruel': The former Cheers actress, 67, was branded 'heartless' and 'cruel' for her short appearance of appreciation, taking to the micro-blogging site hours after news of his death 'This is incredibly cruel, Kristie. What happened in your life that you thought this was an okay thing to think, let alone say out loud?' 'Seriously? This is how you talk about the greatest mind ever?' Kirsty - who is also a Scientologist - fired back on the site a few hours later, calling the 'strange swarms' of commentators 'like locusts, only crispier'. Seemingly trying to stem the flow of backlash from her tribute, the Scream Queens actress retweeted a praising tweet of the Brief History of Time author, adding that he was 'probably one of the top 3 funniest people on the planet..beautiful mind'. 'Passive aggressive': Followers quickly jumped on the sitcom star, with many criticising Kristie for her choice of words and suggested lack of sympathy Professor Stephen Hawking died peacefully at his home in Cambridge in the early hours of Wednesday morning, leading to a swathe of tributes from across the scientific and pop culture worlds. Eddie Redmayne - who portrayed Stephen in 2014 movie The Theory of Everything - honoured the scientist with a touching tribute, calling the physicist 'a truly beautiful mind' in a touching tribute following his death. Stephen was told he had just two years to live at the age of 21 when he was diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) - also known as Lou Gehrig's disease - which confined him to a wheelchair and left him unable to speak except through a voice synthesiser. Defending: The star fired back on the site a few hours later, calling the 'strange swarms' of commentators 'like locusts, only crispier' 'Beautiful mind': The Scream Queens actress retweeted a praising tweet of the Brief History of Time author, adding that he was 'probably one of the top 3 funniest people' The scientist managed to live well beyond the life expectancy placed on him by the disease - which causes the death of neurons controlling voluntary muscles - and went on to do groundbreaking scientific research on black holes and relativity. He is perhaps most known for his best-selling book 'A Brief History of Time', which explained the mysteries of the universe in basic terms and sold over 10 million copies worldwide. Stephens family confirmed the news of his passing on Wednesday in a statement which read: 'We are deeply saddened that our beloved father passed away today. He was a great scientist and an extraordinary man whose work and legacy will live on for many years. 'His courage and persistence with his brilliance and humour inspired people across the world. He once said: "It would not be much of a universe if it wasn't home to the people you love." We will miss him forever.' He balances a Hollywood career with being a devoted father and fiance. And Idris Elba appeared to be taking it all in his stride as he enjoyed some quality time with his son Winston, three, and his fiancee Sabrina Dhowre in London's Soho earlier this week. The trio looked like the perfect family unit, with doting dad Idris carrying his adorable tot on his shoulders as they made their way to whiskey shop The Vintage House. Doting dad: : Idris Elba enjoyed some quality time with son Winston, three, and his fiancee Sabrina Dhowre while out in London's Soho earlier this week Winston had no trouble making himself comfortable while perched on his dad's shoulders, hilariously resting his hands on his father's head. Idris sported a casual, yet nonetheless stylish, outfit for his family day out in a pink T-shirt, fitted jeans and white Converse trainers. He banished the chilly British weather with a padded gillet and smart navy coat. Meanwhile little Winston looked to have taken style tips from Sabrina as the pair sported matching Dr. Martens boots. Quality time: The trio looked like the perfect family unit, with doting dad Idris carrying his adorable tot on his shoulders as they made their way to whiskey shop The Vintage House While the beauty queen teamed her cool footwear with a camouflage print T-shirt and skinny jeans, Winston went for a stripy T-shirt. Idris welcomed Winston with ex-girlfriend Naiyana Garth, though the pair called time on their relationship in February 2016, when their son was just 22-months-old. The star is also dad to 16-year-old daughter Isan, from his marriage to Hanne 'Kim' Norgaard. The couple's divorce was officially granted in 2003. Despite being one of the world's most in demand actors, Idris previously told Cosmopolitan magazine that his children always come first. Proud papa: The star is also dad to 16-year-old daughter Isan, from his marriage to Hanne 'Kim' Norgaard He enthused: '[Isan and I] have never lived together, but we adore each other and we dedicate time to be with each other. More than anything you have to make time to be with your children. 'It's something I battle a lot because of my career, because as much as it's nice to be busy and working, ultimately children don't raise themselves. 'You've got to be there to help them and guide them through it. That's one thing I try my very best to do. I love being a dad, its an important part of my life.' Last month, Idris got down on one knee at a cinema in London to ask Sabrina to marry him and presented her with a stunning diamond ring. She shot to fame as chaste Joey Potter on cult series Dawson's Creek. But Katie Holmes is certainly broadening her range, starring in a bizarre scene for her new big screen comedy Dear Dictator. Photos from the movie, which is released in cinemas this week, show Katie in ecstasy as she has her toes sucked by Austin Powers star Seth Green. Getting kinky: Katie Holmes is certainly broadening her range, starring in a bizarre scene for her new big screen comedy Dear Dictator which sees her getting her toes sucked Katie stars as vacuous single mother Darlene in the comedy, whose rebellious daughter Tatiana (Odeya Rush) writes a foreign dictator (Michael Caine) for a homework assignment. The dictator gets the letter while getting overthrown by his country and he ends up on her door step in America. The talented cast also includes American Pie star Jason Biggs. While her daughter is befriending a dictator, Katie's character is too busy having an affair with her married dentist boss Dr Charles Seaver to notice. In heaven: Photos from the movie, which is released in cinemas this week, show Katie in ectasy as she has her toes sucked by Austin Powers star Seth Green Affair: Katie stars as vacuous single mother Darlene in the comedy who is having an affair with her married dentist boss Say cheese: While her daughter is befriending a dictator, Katie's character is too busy having an affair to notice The teaser sees Katie beaming and gleefully snapping photos as Seth's character sucks her toes while she lounges in the dentist chair. Dressed in her yellow nurse uniform, the glam looking actress leans back in delight before breaking out her sparkly phone to snap her boss. The Dawson's Creek actress, who has an 11-year-old daughter called Suri, has a number of big screen projects on the horizon. Fetish: The teaser sees Katie beaming and gleefully snapping photos as Seth's character sucks her toes while she lounges in the dentist chair Getting hot in here: Besotted Seth kisses Katie's foot in the raunchy teaser I gotta take this: Dressed in her yellow nurse uniform, the glam looking actress leans back and takes a phone call at one point Katie will play an ex-Marine-turned-doorman in The Doorman, currently in pre production, for which she's undergoing an intense fitness regime. 'It's for a role. I'm getting ready to play a woman in a movie called The Doorman. She's an ex-Marine and she's a warrior. I'm excited. I'm training. I'm sore,' she told People recently. Next year, she'll appear in the much-anticipated Ocean's Eight, which features an all-star, female cast. Dear Dictator is in cinemas now. All star cast: Katie stars as single mother Darlene in the comedy, whose rebellious daughter Tatiana (Odeya Rush) writes a foreign dictator (Michael Caine) for a homework assignment She has been flitting between blonde and her natural chestnut brunette. And Jess Wright opted for a duo of colours as she posed for incredible new shots to promote her fitness DVD TV The Fi7ness by Jessica Wright 4 Week Fat Burner. Proving herself to be the perfect advertisement for her brand, the 31-year-old showed off her sizzling physique in a number of saucy outfits including a skin-tight lace mini dress and later a slick suit with racy shorts. Smouldering: Jess Wright opted for a duo of colours as she posed for incredible new shots to promote her fitness DVD TV The Fi7ness by Jessica Wright 4 Week Fat Burner Jess looked sensational for the shoot, as she ensured her transformed figure took centre stage - with the deeply plunging neckline and nipped-in waist. In the snap she wore her hair in the blonde style - which has been proven to be a wig - while she pulled her very best pout for the camera. As she later slipped into the lace mini dress, she showed off her staggering pins while reclining in the seat and gazing at the camera. Jess has recently revealed her romance with Strictly Come Dancing star Giovanni Pernice. The new couple have remained largely private about their romance until earlier this year were recently spotted enjoyed a cosy dinner date in London. Legs eleven: Proving herself to be the perfect advertisement for her brand, the 31-year-old showed off her sizzling physique in a number of saucy outfits including a skin-tight lace mini dress and later a slick suit with racy shorts Wow! She showed off her smouldering frame in a sports-inspired look with strappy sandals The couple finally confirmed months of dating rumours by posting a smitten social media snap on Valentine's Day. And it's the second public declaration of love they've made in a week as they also shared a throwback snap from New Year's Eve on Jessica's Instagram on Thursday. The beauty looked utterly besotted as she giggled away while Giovanni planted a tender kiss on her lips. Jessica captioned the shot: '#tbt #newyears'. Happy days! Jess has recently revealed her romance with Strictly Come Dancing star Giovanni Pernice. The new couple have remained largely private about their romance until earlier this year were recently spotted enjoyed a cosy dinner date in London The pair beamed with delight as they embraced each other to ring in the beginning of the year. Jessica and Giovanni - who previously dated his Strictly Come Dancing partner Georgia May Foote, 27 - are believed to have got together around December time. The passionate new image comes just hours after the Italian professional dancer paid tribute to the brunette beauty on Valentine's Day. She gave birth to daughter Goldie, who she shares with fiance Adam Ellis, just over two months ago. And on Friday, Lindy Klim looked to revel in motherhood, sharing a photo with her four children to Instagram. The snap captioned 'Bali life' saw the 39-year-old bonding with her newborn, and her three children shared with ex-husband Michael Klim. 'Bali life': Lindy Klim, 39, bonded with her four children, in a snap shared to Instagram on Friday Taking to Instagram, Lindy in a loose-fitting blue frock, relaxed on a spacious plush bed. The Balinese princess beamed as she held onto the little arm of her precious newborn Goldie. Goldie, in a cute zebra onesie, was accompanied by her step-brothers and sisters, Stella, 11, Rocco, 9 and Frankie, 6, who Lindy shares with ex-husband Michael, 40. Lindy captioned the picture-perfect snap 'HOME!!!!! alongside the hash-tags #balilife, #family and #islandlife. Impressive: Meanwhile, Lindy's ex-husband Michael, 40, took to Instagram to show off his impressive gymnastic skills while at Lake Atitlan in Guatemala Meanwhile ex Michael was seen showing off his gymnastics skills, in a holiday snap shared to Instagram. Taken at Lake Atitlan in Guatemala, the former Olympic swimmer in black workout shorts, performed a handstand. Appearing in high spirits, Michael captioned the image: 'Happy Friday!!! Still reminiscing the @chosenexperiences,' alongside the hash-tags #guatemala and #handstand. Lindy called time on her marriage to Michael in February 2016. Bundle of joy: Lindy welcomed precious daughter Goldie, with fiance Adam Ellis just over two months ago She then became engaged to British property developer Adam Ellis in October of that year, after a whirlwind romance. Speaking to Daily Mail Australia back in 2016, Lindy said she didn't predict falling back in love so soon after her split from Michael. '[It's] completely not what I expected, to fall back into another relationship, but he's so lovely,' she said cheerfully. 'It's about time I got on with my life,' Lindy continued. The brand ambassador also said it was 'difficult' juggling single parenthood, and wished Michael and his new flame Desiree Deravi 'all the best.' She shot to fame as the busty bikini model who got embroiled in the scandalous 'affair' with her Married At First Sight co-star. But it appears fans haven't forgiven Davina Rankin for the act of betrayal, with the Brisbane socialite slammed on social media ahead of her return to the show. The 26-year-old copped a brutal backlash from fans on the program's official Instagram page on Friday. 'Waste of oxygen': Fans of Married At First Sight have slammed the return of busty bikini model Davina Rankin, who will feature in the show's final week 'Can't stand her waste of Oxygen,' one fan of the show wrote on Instagram, while another added, 'God we have to watch this sociopath again.' The vitriol appeared to only get worse with a number of fans attacking the personal trainer for all manner of things. 'Davina....until I saw her. I never knew you could stack poo that high,' another fan of the show wrote, while another added, 'I really hope she reads these and sees what a pathetic desperate human she is.' 'Pathetic desperate human': Married At First Sight fans were vicious to the personal trainer, 26, when it was announced she would return to the show Davina, who recently said in a blog post she's struggled to deal with the hate-filled rhetoric levelled against her, will appear on the social experiment next week, starting from Monday night. The fun-loving bikini babe, however, did have a number of fans who were looking forward to her imminent arrival. 'Beautiful girl can't wait,' one Instagram user wrote of her, another added, 'so excited..hehe...love her.' 'Beautiful girl can't wait': It wasn't all bad for the busty beauty, with a number of fans excited for her return Married At First Sight has billed the Brisbane socialite as appearing on the show on Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. In the latest teaser for the finale week, Davina's 'affair' with Dean Wells will be dug up again possibly in front of his TV wife Tracey Jewel - who has been struggling to trust him. Although he has since made it clear that "nothing physical" happened between him and Davina. Footage of Dean and Davina canoodling, while Dean makes a disparaging comment about 'wife' Tracey Jewel's looks, is played for the entire cast of the show. 'Love her': Davina sent shockwaves through the show when she was embroiled in a 'cheating' scandal with co-star Dean Wells The whole group are seen reacting in shock, including Tracey, who gasps. The shocking reveal comes after Dean and Tracey are seen pledging their love for each other during their 'final vows.' Dean is moved to tears as he finally tells Tracey to her face that he's in love with her. Missed me? Davina is set to make her triumphant return to Married At First Sight for the show's final cocktail party, which promises to be the most dramatic in the show's five seasons Not impressed? Not everybody from the show looks pleased to see Davina back in action 'I'm taking this very seriously,' he says. 'I now know, that I love you,' Dean sobs as tears stream down his face. Married At First Sight returns to screens on Sunday 18th March She juggles her high-flying acting career with being a mum to her three children. And Chris Hemsworth's wife Elsa Pataky gushed about how she was lucky to have her brother Cristan Prieto when she has 'no energy left' on Friday. Shared to Instagram, the model's hunky half-brother can be seen tossing Chris and Elsa's three-year-old twins Tristan and Sasha over his shoulder in the family snap. Scroll down for video 'When you have no energy left': Chris Hemsworth's wife Elsa Pataky laughed at how she's 'lucky' to have brother Cristian Prieto, as he carried her twins, three, in a sweet snap shared to Instagram on Friday The twins can be seen hanging upside down off of their uncle's strong broad shoulders in the amusing photograph. Evidently sharing a close bond with her brother, Elsa leaned in to his chest with a big smile on her face when she posed for the picture. Elsa penned on social media: 'Lucky to have uncle Cristian when you have no more energy! We love you bro (sic).' Happy together: Elsa is happily married to the Thor actor and the pair share three beautiful children: India Rose, aged five, as well as three-year-old twins Tristan and Sasha Cristian also has a close relationship with Elsa's husband Chris Hemsworth, with whom he was spotted working with on the set of Thor: Ragnarok in August 2016. It's not the first time he has worked with Chris as the Madrid-born hunk also acted as a producer on The Avengers film in 2012. Elsa is happily married to the Thor actor Chris and the pair share three beautiful children: India Rose, aged five, as well as twins Tristan and Sasha. The Chris and Elsa love story begins in early 2010 when they started dating and the couple went on to tie the knot over the festive season at Christmas. Must be love: The Chris and Elsa love story begins in early 2010 when they started dating and the couple went on to tie the knot over the festive season at Christmas They have gone from strength to strength ever since, welcoming their three children into the world during their seven-year marriage. Meanwhile the couple only worked on their first movie together in 2016. The dad-of-three revealed it was like a holiday away from their parenting duties back at their home. 'It was great, it was like a little holiday away from the kids,' Chris told Good Morning America in January. 'We left the kids with their grandparents and went off for a few weeks and shot together. 'We've been rehearsing that relationship and that on-screen chemistry for seven years so if we didn't have chemistry, we would've been in trouble.' 12 Strong tells the story of the first Special Forces team that's deployed to Afghanistan following the events of 9/11. In the film, Chris plays the role of Captain Mitch Nelson, who has the task of leading his team of 12 soldiers to take down the Taliban. Elsa plays the part of the captain's dutiful wife, who looks after their daughter while he is at war. She's the Australian model-turned-actress who is single-handedly establishing herself as a Hollywood name. And following her big break in Mad Max: Fury Road in 2015, Abbey Lee Kershaw has landed parts in three upcoming flicks this year. Having landed major roles in films Welcome The Stranger, To The Night and Elizabeth Harvest, the former Victoria's secret model says her transition into acting wasn't impromptu. Scroll down for video Trifecta talent! Following her big break in Mad Max: Fury Road in 2015, Abbey Lee Kershaw has landed herself three upcoming Hollywood flicks this year Reported by Daily Telegraph, the golden-haired beauty said she often felt 'unfulfilled' during her modelling career, sharing that acting offered her an alternative creative outlet. The 30-year-old attended the SXSW Festival in Austin, Texas earlier this week, to promote the sci-fi flick Elizabeth Harvest which debuted at the festival. Channeling new school cool at the event, Melbourne-born Abbey completed her statement bootleg pants with a metallic green top with spaghetti straps, flaunting her slender shoulders and toned arms. 'A huge problem worldwide': Last month, Abbey, 30, spoke out about gender issues in Hollywood In January, the beauty spoke candidly about gender issues in Hollywood, claiming there is still 'one female to every 10 men' getting roles. 'For every script I get, a male actor friend will get five,' she said. 'Every script with a female, there's one female to every 10 men. On top of that, there's the gender pay gap issue that's a huge problem worldwide.' Famed catwalk! Abbey's acting career has gone from strength-to-strength in recent years as she steps back from modelling work 'In my workplace, I get paid less purely for that fact I am a female,' she continued. Abbey's acting career has gone from strength-to-strength in recent years as she steps back from modelling work. She has also begun using 'Abbey Lee' professionally, telling The Daily Telegraph she ditched her family name so it sounds 'sexier'. 'It's short and sweet,' she explained. With a growing list of films under her belt, including 2015's Mad Max: Fury Road, the rising star is gearing up to take Hollywood by storm. Sexism is still an issue: 'For every script I get, a male actor friend will get five,' Abbey told The Sun-Herald in January Kate Garraway had a heated clash with Coronation Street boss Kate Oates during a Good Morning Britain debate on Friday morning. The GMB host was discussing Corrie's sexual assault storyline which will see soap veteran Jack P. Shepherd's character David Platt drugged and sexually assaulted by newcomer Josh Tucker during Friday's episode. Garraway was called out by the ITV soap's series producer Oates for calling previous gay kissing scenes 'shocking'. Debate: Kate Garraway had a heated clash with Coronation Street boss Kate Oates during a Good Morning Britain debate on Friday morning The GMB was keen to discuss the increasingly violent and sexually explicit storylines in soaps with Oates, who appeared via video link from Corrie's set for the interview. 'I suppose what parents might worry about is that it feels like it's getting more and more shocking,' Garraway told Oates. 'I remember - because I'm very old - the first lesbian kiss on Brookside, then there was the first gay man kiss on EastEnders.' Drama: The GMB host was discussing Corrie's sexual assault storyline which will see soap veteran Jack P. Shepherd's character David Platt (left) drugged and sexually assaulted by newcomer Josh Tucker during Friday's episode Too far? The GMB was keen to discuss the increasingly violent and sexually explicit storylines in soaps with Oates, who appeared via video link from Corrie's set for the interview She went on: 'Now on tonight's episode we're going to see David Platt drugged and sexually assaulted in a gay sexual assault.' 'That feels like an exponential increase in the explicit nature of what's going straight into family viewing living rooms. It'll be very clear, won't it, what's going on for youngsters watching?' Oates called out Garraway on her comments, forcefully telling the host: 'I've got two points to make here, first of all you used a gay kiss as an example of shocking television, and I think it's really important that no-one thinks a gay kiss is shocking,' she said. Clash: Oates called out Garraway on her comments, forcefully telling the host: 'I've got two points to make here, first of all you used a gay kiss as an example of shocking television' Garraway, interrupted, explaining: 'But it was at the time! It was a groundbreaking thing at the time.' 'Exactly, and that's what's interesting - it was at the time and now it's been normalised - quite rightly, because to think that a gay kiss is shocking television is really, really disturbing,' Oates continued. 'This is life, this is how people should be free to live. With something like a rape storyline, male sexual assault happens. One in ten rapes that happen in the UK will be with a male victim. Story to tell: 'This is life, this is how people should be free to live. With something like a rape storyline, male sexual assault happens' continued Oates 'This needs discussion. Do it carefully, do it with consideration. I'm really delighted you mentioned those kisses as something that soaps have done to help change society for the better.' Many viewers sided with Oates, with many pointing out that the discussion was about the current sexual assault storyline, not homosexual relationships, with one tweeter commenting: 'Kate Garraway seeming to infer that something is more shocking because it's same sex is 100% more shocking to me than Corrie's male rape storyline! The debate was supposed to be about whether soaps are too dark nowadays, what has sexuality got to do with that?!' Criticism: Many viewers sided with Oates, with many pointing out that the discussion was about the current sexual assault storyline, not homosexual relationships Others labelled the GMB presenter's comments 'homophobic', with one tweet reading: 'Well done @itvcorrie boss Kate Oates for shutting down this #homophobic bs from @kategarraway (PS Kate. sexual assault happens to people of all sexualities, wake up).' 'Totally on Team Kate Oates here, despite liking Kate Garraway. It's true that a gay kiss on TV should not be seen as 'shocking'. It should be normalised. Most shows have managed it just fine but it seems there is still work to do,' commented another. Oates has been criticised by some Corrie viewers for her introduction of 'darker' story arcs during her two years as series producer. Not a fan: 'That feels like an exponential increase in the explicit nature of what's going straight into family viewing living rooms' Garraway pointed out The soap boss, who promised a 'greater breadth of storylines' when she landed the role in 2016, insisted during an interview with the BBC this week that that the humour is 'still there.' 'We've definitely got the balance. I think the Northern humour that Corrie is so famous for, you can weave that even within the dark, hard-hitting stories. You can still get gallows humour, funny one-liners... that's what our writers are brilliant at,' she continued. 'Ultimately, the show has always dealt with issues that are noteworthy and promote discussion and that's kind of the point,' she said. 'The point is that we raise issues and people talk about them and hopefully we can change opinions and make people think differently.' He's the guest of honour at Melbourne's popular Empire club. And Dean Wells looked ready for a wild boys' night as he arrived just in time for R&B Fridays alongside former love rival Ryan Gallagher. The 40-year-old Married At First Sight star left his wedding ring at home (again) while making a low-key entrance at the Narre Warren nightspot. VIP guests: Dean Wells (left) looked ready for a wild boys' night as he arrived at Melbourne's Empire club just in time for R&B Fridays alongside former love rival Ryan Gallagher (right) Dean, a.k.a. hip hop artist Visionz, wore an all-black ensemble as he eagerly licked his lips on his way inside. Tradesman Ryan looked a little more fashionable in a denim shirt, skinny jeans and Converse sneakers. Arriving late into the evening, the lads looked ready to get the party started. What have I done? Caught in the glare of the paparazzi's lens, Dean looked momentarily bewildered by all the attention A-list treatment: Ryan appeared to take the spotlight in his stride, gliding into Empire like he was P. Diddy arriving at the Met Gala Caught in the glare of the paparazzi's lens, Dean looked momentarily bewildered by all the attention. Ryan, however, appeared to take the spotlight in his stride, gliding into Empire like he was P. Diddy arriving at the Met Gala. Meanwhile, it didn't take long for partygoers to notice something amiss. Let's do this, boys! Dean, a.k.a. Visionz, wore an all-black ensemble as he eagerly licked his lips Dean was not wearing his wedding ring for the second night in a row. On Thursday, he was caught without his ring on The AFL Footy Show, but blamed it on a recent hand injury. It follows persistent rumours his TV marriage to Tracey Jewel is over and the pair are just keeping up appearances. Guests of honour: Arriving late into the evening, the lads looked ready to get the party started Last month, author Tracey was caught on a romantic Bali getaway with another MAFS contestant, Sean Thomsen. When asked about the rendezvous on Nova FM on Thursday, Dean struggled to come up with a decent excuse. It comes two weeks after Dean was spotted with a mystery blonde outside his apartment complex in the early hours of the morning. Arrival: Tradesman Ryan looked stylish in a denim shirt, skinny jeans and Converse sneakers Earlier in the evening he enjoyed a cosy dinner with his mother Victoria. But Brooklyn Beckham's night got wilder on Thursday as he partied until 3am with friends, sharing hugs with two pretty pals after a wild night of partying. The offspring of David and Victoria, 19, was seen chatting with a group of pals after a night out at Reign nightclub in Piccadilly. Saying his goodbyes: Brooklyn Beckham was sharing hugs with two pretty pals after a wild night of partying on Thursday in central London Brooklyn, who is in a relationship with actress Chloe Moretz, leaned down for an embrace with a blonde friend as he said his goodbyes near the tube station. Dressed in the same casual outfit he sported earlier in the evening for his dinner with mum Victoria, the teenager looked in great spirits after partying until 3am. After hugging the blonde, Brooklyn was also seen hugging a dark-haired beauty as the group stood around chatting. Party time: The offspring of David and Victoria, 19, was seen chatting with a group of pals after a night out at Reign nightclub in Piccadilly The photographer, who is studying in New York, is enjoying catch-ups with his London pals during his visit home to the UK. He has also, of course, made plenty of time for his family during the trip home, heading out for dinner at local restaurant Claret with his mum earlier on Thursday. Brooklyn adopted his usual vintage style in a retro David Bowie T-shirt, blue denim jacket and mismatched black jeans. Hugs all round: After hugging the blonde, Brooklyn was also seen hugging a dark-haired beauty as the group stood around chatting Bleary eyed: Dressed in the same casual outfit he sported earlier in the evening for his dinner with mum Victoria, the teenager looked in great spirits after partying until 3am Good to see you! The photographer, who is studying in New York, is enjoying catch-ups with his London pals during his visit home to the UK Battered white trainers added to the look, while his hair was casually styled with a simple centre parting. The pair were enjoying a night out as respective husband and father David promotes his popular Haig Club whiskey in South Africa. Meanwhile Brooklyn looked more besotted than ever with girlfriend Chloe Moretz on Sunday, as they packed on the PDA in New York City ahead of his trip home to London. Fashion fan: Brooklyn adopted his usual vintage style in a retro David Bowie T-shirt, blue denim jacket and mismatched black jeans Time to call it a night: Brooklyn and his friends seemed keen to continue the night as they chatted for awhile before heading their separate ways Good to be home: Brooklyn has left his girlfriend Chloe Moretz in NYC while he enjoys a break back home in Blighty The 19-year-old was seen drawing in the blonde beauty, 21, for a passionate kiss on the street as they bade each other farewell, after their romantic day out. Chloe and Brooklyn first met in 2014, and they went on to date in summer 2016 before the distance proved too much - with the actress based in LA. However, the duo rekindled their romance in September 2017, when Brooklyn moved to the Big Apple to study photography at Parsons School of Design. Brooklyn is back in the United Kingdom to help Victoria celebrate Mother's Day after flying back from New York, as he continues to study photography at Parsons School of Design. In perhaps the greatest Mother's Day gift of all, the teenager paid tribute to Victoria by having a heart emblazoned with the word 'Mum' tattooed on his bicep last month. Hugs for pals: The teen laughed as he shared an embrace with his dark-haired pal Time of his life: Brooklyn looked merry as he left the club followed by his friends Back to the Big Apple: Brooklyn moved to NYC to study photography at Parsons School of Design She is fresh from her sun-drenched getaway to Thailand. And Tully Smyth was already missing her holiday when she treated her 225,000 Instagram fans to a very sexy throwback picture. Shared to Instagram on Friday, the 30-year-old former Big Brother star put her pert derriere on display in a backless swimming costume. Scroll down for video She's so cheeky! Former Big Brother star Tully Smyth showed off her pert derriere in a backless swimsuit, in a throwback snap shared to Instagram on Friday The former reality star showed off some serious skin in her slinky backless costume which scooped down to her lower back. Tully tamed her glossy locks into a plait which wrapped around the side of her head and put her stunning features on display. To keep the sweltering heat off her sun-kissed skin, the beauty sheltered her eyes with huge sunglasses. Ahead of her holiday, the television star had discussed her struggle with alcohol in a candid video post. Sun's out, buns out! Tully flaunted her curves in a cut-out swimsuit in Thailand after going topless in a bathtub while on holiday Now she has been back three weeks, the star has admitted she is still alcohol-free but she is already planning her next holiday. 'Third Friday night on the couch and alcohol free. Just finished maybe the worst Netflix series I've ever watched (Nailed It) and Im not going to lie... already planning my next escape (sic).' Tully enjoyed a much-needed getaway after she documented her hidden struggle with alcohol with her fans. Well she is in the jungle: The reality star raised eyebrows when she shared a snap of herself posing in an outdoor bathtub while topless In an Instagram video uploaded earlier in February, she confessed: 'I really don't like the person I turn into when I have one too many.' The Instagram sensation, who previously discussed her battle with anxiety, divulged booze was her 'vice' as she shuns smoking, drugs and coffee. 'Something that used to be fun and social has turned into a bit of a bandaid, and a way of me dealing with other issues,' Tully revealed. 'I've had a rough couple of months for various different reasons and I think drinking may be compounding these issues rather than helping them. 'I'm sick of waking up in this shame cube and just not feeling great about the night before and wondering what the f**k I said or did. It's not who I am, or who I've been previously.' If you or someone you know needs help, you can contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or visit: www.lifeline.org.au/gethelp or Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636 or at www.beyondblue.org.au/get-support She enjoyed a fleeting trip to Barcelona to film The Only Way Is Essex's upcoming special. But Yazmin Oukhellou still managed to squeeze in a tanning session by the pool of her lavish hotel as the reality star flashed her phenomenal figure in a sexy bikini earlier this week. The 24-year-old brunette sizzled in a red bandeau two-piece as she took a break from filming to relish the sunshine. Sizzling: Yazmin Oukhellou still managed to squeeze in a tanning session by the pool of her lavish hotel as the reality star flashed her phenomenal figure in a sexy bikini earlier this week Showing off her toned abs and tanned complexion, Yazmin rocked a marble effect bikini, which flashed a glimpse of her cleavage with gold buckle detailing between the bust. And her bikini bottoms weren't any less sexy, with ruched fabric emphasising her perky posterior. Her swimwear look was made even more glamorous with the addition of gold stilettos and a bouncy blow-dry. Looking good! The 24-year-old brunette sizzled in a red bandeau two-piece as she took a break from filming to relish the sunshine Bikini babe: Showing off her toned abs and tanned complexion, Yazmin rocked a marble effect bikini, which flashed a glimpse of her cleavage with gold buckle detailing between the bust Yazmin joined TOWIE last year after striking up a romance with James Lock, following the breakdown of his four-year relationship with fellow TOWIE star Danielle Armstrong. The pair have been going strong ever since, and even celebrated Christmas as well as their anniversary at her father's villa in Marrakech. Yazmin recently revealed their romance first began in Morocco as she 'started talking' to James, after meeting him through her brother, during a month-long visit in 2016. Finishing touches: Her swimwear look was made even more glamorous with the addition of gold stilettos and a bouncy blow-dry Bottoms up: Yazmin's bikini bottoms weren't any less sexy, with ruched fabric emphasising her perky posterior She told the Daily Star: 'Last year my family and I went out there for a month and that's when I started speaking to James. 'I'd known him a long time as he was close to my brother but we'd always been off-limits out of respect to my brother and because he had a girlfriend. We spoke everyday for a month. And look at us now!' However, the brunette went on to admit a proposal was still 'a couple of years' away, and would only occur if he were to ask her father's permission. She was trained to be his personal assassin before becoming one of the good guys in Guardians Of The Galaxy. And it's the voice of Zoe Saldana as Gamora that kicks off the final, all-action, 2.17mins trailer for Avengers: Infinity War, released by Marvel/Disney on Friday. The green beauty intones, in a deeply ominous voice: 'The entire time I knew him he only ever had one goal...to wipe out half the universe. Gathering of superheroes: Christ Pratt as Star-Lord tells Robert Downey Jr.'s irritated Iron Man how to save the universe in the final trailer for Avengers: Infinity War, released on Friday 'If he gets all the Infinity Stones he can do it just like that, with the snap of his fingers.' It turns out she's talking to Robert Downey Jr.'s Tony Stark, aka Iron Man, who asks: 'Tell me his name again?' 'Thanos,' she replies. The forces of good have the final Infinity Stone, which is mounted in the medallion worn by Dr Strange, played by Benedict Cumberbatch. Evil personified: Josh Brolin plays mega-baddie Thanos with maximum menace The vital piece: The assembly of supes must stop Thanos from getting control of the Infinity Stone that Benedict's Dr. Strange wears mounted in a medallion around his neck The last one: The green gem is one of four stones that will give Thanos ultimate power in the universe...and he already has three Small but mighty: Pint-sized Spider-Man swing in to join the superhero cohort 'We have one advantage,' Tony says. 'He's coming to us.' And with that, chaos breaks out as the trailer introduces all the Marvel superheros in various deeply perilous situations as they fight Thanos, played with maximum menace by Josh Brolin. The all-star cast also includes Chris Evans as Captain America, Mark Ruffalo as The Hulk, Chris Hemsworth as Thor, Scarlett Johansson as the Black Widow, Tom Holland as Spider-Man and Chadwick Boseman as Black Panther. Webbed wonder: He uses his Spidey powers to help as a building collapses around him Marshaling the forces: Marvel's newest screen superhero Chadwick Boseman as Black Panther brings his army to the fight Femme fatale: Scarlett Johansson as Black Widow marches with Black Panther's men Gearing up: Black Panther arms up ready to go into war against Thanos Executing his plan: A determined Tony Stark takes off his Iron Man suit Sky bound: The superhero uses his suit's thrusters to launch him into battle The Guardians Of The Galaxy, lead by Chris Pratts Peter Quill, aka Star-Lord, also join the battle. Naturally, there are differences of opinion about how to defeat Thanos as you would expect among supes with equally super-sized egos. In one lighter scene Tony Stark explains his plan, only to have it completely taken down by Peter Quill, to his complete frustration. Infinity War hits theaters on April 27. Guardian Of The Galaxy: Dave Bautista as Drax the Destroyer, a warrior in search of vengeance against Thanos for killing his family Super baddie: Thanos holds one of the four stones he needs to destroy half the universe Counting On star Jessa Duggar is not pregnant with her third child. A spokesperson for the Duggar family told E! that the reality star and her husband Ben Seewald are not expecting another baby, after a report from In Touch claimed earlier this week that Jessa was around four months pregnant. Jessa, 25, and her husband Ben, 22, have sons Henry Wilberforce Seewald, 13 months, and Spurgeon Elliot Seewald, age two. Denied report: Jessa Duggar and her husband Ben Seewald are not expecting a third child (pictured in January 2018) Jessa and Ben celebrated three years of marriage in November 2017. The couple said 'I do' in November 2014 in front of nearly 2,000 guests at First Baptist Church in Bentonville, Arkansas. In November 2017, Jessa took to the family's blog to share the sweet letter she wrote praising her husband for his unwavering commitment to their family and his faith. 'I thought we'd reached the pinnacle of our love on this day, three years ago... but since then, you've taken me from the mountain top up into the clouds! Darling, I love you more today than ever before,' she wrote. Marital bliss: Jessa and Ben have sons Henry Wilberforce Seewald, 13 months, and Spurgeon Elliot Seewald, age two 'Sure, we worked through our squabbles and disagreements, like anyone else. But because of your meekness and gentleness in the midst of trials, I always come out loving you even more.' Jessa went on to say that she is grateful for all the blessings she has received through Ben, while noting the 'greatest blessing' is his commitment to his faith. The mother-of-two explained that when she wakes up early in the morning to care for their eight-month-old son Henry and Ben isn't beside her, she knows he is already up studying the bible. 'Many a time I have walked into the spare bedroom and discovered you there, kneeling beside the bed, in prayer... and it's brought tears to my eyes,' she said. Her stunning Elle cover was unveiled earlier this week. But Kim Kardashian looked just as glam in the pictures that hit the cutting room floor. The 37-year-old reality star took to her personal subscription-based website to share a few behind-the-scenes snaps from her photoshoot. Sultry: Kim Kardashian took to her personal subscription-based website to share a few behind-the-scenes snaps from her photoshoot Kim absolutely scintillated in a cleavage-baring shimmering silver bralette as she had her hair worked on by celebrity hairstylist Andrew Fitzsimons. She also showed off her curvaceous figure in clinging black trousers with translucent heels. In another snap she rocked a sequined silver top cutout at the front to show off her torso and brown bikini bottoms. Kim posted the snaps on her premium website with a short description which read: 'I wanted to share my behind-the-scenes pics from my Elle magazine cover shoot by Boo George. Wow factor: In another snap the 38-year-old reality star rocked a sequined silver top cutout at the front to show off her torso and brown bikini bottoms 'The location was so gorgeous! We shot at a house in Malibu that was right on the beach. I loved how all of the photos turned out. On set, Chris Appleton and Andrew Fitzsimons did my hair and Ariel Tejada did my glam. In the pages of the April 2018 issue Kim divulged all about the process of welcoming her third child via gestational carrier on January 15, as well as her future plans for expanding her family. After confessing that she and husband Kanye West, 40, selected the sex of their third child, the reality star expressed that adding a fourth to their brood would prove tricky as she also needed to give her other half a healthy amount of attention. Kandid Konfessions: Kim divulged all about the process of welcoming her third child Chicago via gestational carrier, as well as future plans for expanding her family Kim stunned on the cover for the fashion bible, as well as the rest of the photoshoot, which saw her put focus on her famous curves and jaw-dropping features. Accompanying the spread was a candid interview which saw her expand on her motherhood duties after welcoming her third child, a girl named Chicago, via gestational carrier at the beginning of the year. While she whole-heartedly expressed her initial desire to carry her third child herself, Kim was warned off by doctors following her previous two difficult pregnancies. Opting for a gestational carrier, who she 'immediately trusted' Kim relayed the difficulties in the process, which also included selecting the sex of the baby via an embryo. 'The healthiest embryo was a girl': The reality star relayed the difficulties in the gestational carrier process, which also included selecting the sex of the baby via an embryo 'My time is spread thin': The reality star expressed that adding a fourth to their brood would prove tricky as she also needed to give her other half a healthy amount of attention 'Its a really tricky thing. "What sex do you put in?" I just said, "Which one is the healthiest? Pick the healthiest one," and that was a girl.' After coming to the decision alongside Kanye, the star's only other request was for her third child to be born in LA 'where all my babies were delivered, and for her to use my doctor.' Kim also touched upon her fantastic relationship with her gestational carrier who 'ate organically' and was therefore 'a good match for us'. However, knowing full well the needs of pregnancy, Kim admitted 'I straight-up told her, "Look, I ate doughnuts every single day. If you want doughnuts and ice cream, go for it. Do whatever you feel. Im not going to be picky like that. "' Trust: Kim also touched upon her fantastic relationship with her gestational carrier who 'ate organically' and was therefore 'a good match for us' 'My home and my heart feel full': With three happy and healthy children, Kim confessed her uncertainty over adding to her brood Love story: Kim and Kanye started dating in 2012 and wed in 2014 in a lavish ceremony in Italy With three happy and healthy children, Kim confessed her uncertainty over adding to her brood. 'My home and my heart feel really full right now, in the best way,' she happily confessed before revealing four children would be her absolute max. 'I dont think I could handle more than that. My time is spread really thin. And I think its important that in all couples, the mom gives the husband as much attention as the kids,' she admitted of Kanye. Kim and Kanye started dating in 2012 shortly after the end of her 72-day marriage to Kris Humphries. They wed in 2014 in a lavish ceremony in Italy. 'He taught me to have an opinion. I taught him to be calm': Kim proved that her marriage to Kanye was still going strong and that they are the right balance for each other Baby boom! Kim's half sister, Kylie Jenner, 20, welcomed baby girl Stormi last month, while sister Khloe Kardashian will have her first child soon Dishing all: Kim's full interview on surrogacy and marriage with Elle is out now And proving that her marriage to the rapper was going strong, following a slew of failed romances in the past, Kim revealed: 'Hes taught me to have more of an opinion. Ive taught him to be a bit more calm or cautious. Were a good balance. While Kim has no sold plans to have another child, her immediate family have been busy on the baby-making front. Her half sister, Kylie Jenner, 20, welcomed baby girl Stormi with beau Travis Scott last month following a secret pregnancy. Kim also celebrated her sister Khloe Kardashian's baby shower on Saturday in Los Angeles. Pretty in pink: Kim shared another flawless snap on Friday with some hair tips for her fans He announced their engagement in June after less than a year of dating. And Mario Falcone looked happier than ever with fiancee Becky Miesner on Friday as the couple enjoyed a trip to the beach in Barbados. The 30-year-old ex-TOWIE star showed off his hunky beach body as he and Becky enjoyed a low-key trip to the beach together. Hunky: Mario Falcone, 30, showed off his toned physique in bright yellow swimming shorts on Friday as he enjoyed a trip to Barbados with fiancee Becky Miesner Jaw-dropping: Becky showed off her incredible bikini body in a mismatched white top and brown bottoms as she strolled along the beach Mario showed off his toned physique in sporty yellow swim shorts as he wandered through the sands, styling his dark hair into the signature Essex coiffe. Flaunting his tattooed figure, Mario showed off his amazing holiday tan as he enjoyed the break with fiancee Becky. The make-up artist flaunted her incredible figure in a simple white striped bikini top and brown tie bottoms, keeping her dark hair out of the way in a messy up-do. Relaxed: Mario announced his engagement to Becky in June after less than a year of dating, and has openly admitting he is ready to settle down and start a family Mario announced his engagement to Becky in June after less than a year of dating, and recently revealed that he is ready to settle down. In the interview with OK! magazine he gushed: 'The next ten years are going to be so exciting. I'm getting married, then we're going to have babies. 'I'm excited about going for weekends away with our families and our children. I had enough of partying in my twenties; I'm ready to settle down.' He's getting married! In a recent interview with OK! magazine Mario gushed that he wanted to start a family with Becky, as it is rumoured they are shelling out for two lavish weddings Flawless: Becky kept her brunette tresses tied out of the way in a messy updo, and protected her eyes from the blazing sunshine with cateye-style sunglasses The couple have been busy planning their wedding since getting engaged last summer, with reports they are set to have two ceremonies - one in Italy and one in London. However, Mario has kept coy over the rumours, and told the publication: 'I said at the start that Becky gets the final decision on everything I want her to have everything she wants. As long as she's happy, I'm happy.' The pair have reportedly budgeted for 50,000 for a London wedding, likely to take place at the Savoy, while sources say they've put 30,000 away for the Italian shindig. He dumped Becca Kufrin on national TV before going down on one knee for Lauren Burnham on season 22 of The Bachelor. And on Friday, Arie Luyendyk Jr., 36, and Lauren, 25, were spotted holding hands during their post engagement $25,000 holiday in Barcelona, Spain. The duo are staying in a two-story suite at the luxurious Iberostar Paseo de Gracia resort, with amenities including 360-degree views of the Spanish city, according to Page Six. Scroll down for video What a way to vacation: Arie Luyendyk Jr. and Lauren were spotted holding hands during their post engagement $25,000 holiday in Barcelona, Spain on Friday Arie and Lauren were seen holding hands while on a sightseeing stroll in the city on Friday afternoon. The duo later rented a scooter; they first posed for pictures on the motorized bike before taking it for a spin. According to Page Six, the celeb-loved hotel is in the heart of Plaza Cataluna. The view from their enormous suite includes the ocean, Tibidado, Montjuic and La Sagrada Familia. Focused: The duo are staying in a two-story suite at the luxurious Iberostar Paseo de Gracia resort, with amenities including 360-degree views of the Spanish city, according to Page Six Time for some adventure: The duo later rented a scooter; they first posed for pictures on the motorized bike before taking it for a spin Exploring: Meanwhile, Lauren showed off her slim frame in ripped olive jeans with a white blouse, adding a motorcycle jacket E! News' source reports that Arie and Lauren 'couldn't keep their hands off each other as they cuddled and danced in the street outside the hotel.' Adding: 'Arie and Lauren were all smiles as they kissed and embraced one another.' For their Friday outing, Arie donned a navy jacket with coordinating trousers for their outing; he carried a shopping bag in one hand. Adventure time: According to Page Six, the celeb-loved hotel is in the heart of Plaza Cataluna Strike a pose: They made sure to take pictures together in their helmets And another one: They also posed in front of the bike and had a passerby snap the photo Getting ready: The reality personality's made sure to wear helmets for their ride Meanwhile, Lauren showed off her slim frame in ripped olive jeans with a white blouse, adding a motorcycle jacket. They just arrived to Barcelona after enjoying some time in Reykjavik, Iceland together. Arie shared a snap posing with Lauren in front of the majestic Sagrada Familia, which is the largest unfinished Roman Catholic church in the world. Distracted: Lauren was on her smart phone as Arie prepped the scooter Here they go: Lauren seen getting on the scooter behind Arie Having a blast: Arie shared a snap posing with Lauren in front of the majestic Sagrada Familia, which is the largest unfinished Roman Catholic church in the world Action! Lauren shared an Instagram story while riding on the scooter with Arie Lauren shared an elevator selfie to her Instagram stories, adding the caption 'Hood Lyfe.' She also posted a video while seated behind Arie on the rented scooter. Before heading to Barcelona, they posed for photo in front of the airline while at the airport in Reykjavik, Iceland. While Lauren bundled up in a puffy fur trimmed coat and leggings, Arie kept it simple in a light jacket. Upon arrival to the pricey Barcelona hotel, Arie posted a picture of some chocolate covered strawberries and champagne left inside their suite. Keeping warm: Lauren shared an elevator selfie to her Instagram stories, adding the caption 'Hood Lyfe' Exciting: Before heading to Barcelona, they posed for photo in front of the airline while at the airport in Reykjavik, Iceland Fancy: Upon arrival to the pricey Barcelona hotel, Arie posted a picture of some chocolate covered strawberries and champagne left inside their suite That's sweet: Arie shared an image of Lauren walking down a street in the Spanish city; he added 'Queen' to the Instagram story While in Iceland, they visited the Blue Lagoon; the duo bundled up in heavy coats with boots for the tourist spot. E!'s source also revealed that the Lauren has 'been telling everyone that she is excited to get married and wants it happen quickly.' The insider noted: 'after everything that they have been through, they are ready to just seal the deal and spend forever together.' Arie stirred up drama after he dumped his first choice Becca Kufrin on The Bachelor and proposed to Lauren on the After The Final Rose special. He gave Lauren a 3.65 carat diamond cushion cut diamond ring, set on platinum. So much fun: While in Iceland, they visited the Blue Lagoon; the duo bundled up in heavy coats with boots for the cold spot One of the siblings are set to tie the knot with long-term boyfriend Jack Brooksbank in the autumn. And Princess Eugenie beamed with delight as she was joined by her sister Beatrice at the wedding of Prince Christian of Hanover and designer bride Alessandra de Osma in sunny Peru on Friday afternoon. The newly-engaged royal, 27, cut an elegant figure as she slipped into a semi-sheer green dress, embellished with delicate floral prints throughout. Elegant: Princesses Eugenie and Beatrice beamed with delight at the wedding of Prince Christian of Hanover and Alessandra de Osma in sunny Peru on Friday afternoon The flame-haired beauty teamed her ensemble with a pair of chic pointed heels and toted a designer half-circle bag. Soaking up the sun in the hot country, Eugenie shielded her eyes with stylish cat-eye glasses. Princess Beatrice, 28, showcased her slender figure in her navy off-shoulder frock, which featured dainty pleats along the rim of the dress. Chic: The newly-engaged beauty, 27, and her sister, 28, donned floral-embellished frocks at the star-studded bash The strawberry blonde beauty added to her height in a pair of matching sandal heels and accentuated her beauty with heavy eyeliner. They appeared in high spirits as they attended the glitzy wedding of Christian and Alessandra - who officially tied the knot five months ago in a small but stylish affair at Chelsea and Westminster Registry Office. A host of glamorous guests including several members of European royalty have decamped to the bride's native Peru, where the Prince and designer kicked off a weekend of festivities with a cocktail party on the eve of the ceremony. The happy couple: Peruvian Alessandra de Osma and her husband Prince Christian of Hanover can't help but smile as they arrive at their second wedding Eugenie is expected to walk down the aisle in the coming months with her fiance Jack, who popped the question in Nicaragua in January with a unique padparadscha sapphire surrounded by diamonds. The sparkler bears a striking similarity to the one Eugenie's mother, Sarah Ferguson, was presented with by her ex-husband Prince Andrew, when they became engaged back in 1986 - although Fergie's ring was set with a pink Burma ruby. Eugenie and Jack are now set to exchange vows at Windsor Castle - in the same chapel that will play host to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's nuptials in May. Sweet: Alessandra arrived alongside her father Felipe de Osma who looked delighted It has been a much-discussed storyline, with many wondering whether the soap has gone too far. And many Coronation Street fans found David Platt's sexual assault storyline difficult to watch, as harrowing scenes saw him drugged and led into the bedroom by villainous Josh Tucker. Rushing to Twitter, fans of the ITV soap felt 'physically sick' after the dark scenes, as the Street favourite had his drink spiked by his so-called friend before the assault took place. Scroll down for video Brutal: Coronation Street fans were left feeling 'physically sick' on Friday as harrowing scenes saw David Platt raped by his so-called friend Josh Tucker In Friday's double bill, fans saw David head to a bar with Josh after a row with his girlfriend Shona, opening up about his difficult past. The scene proved chilling as Josh admitted that he always had David's back, with viewers aware of what was to come. While David was in the toilet, Josh then pulled a vial out of his pocket and poured the contents into his drink, with David downing it none the wiser. Brutal: The dark scenes saw Josh loom over David who was passed out on the bed, slowly undressing Out of it: Unbeknown to David, he had been drugged by Josh earlier on, leaving him unable to object to what was about to happen Harrowing: The show closed as Josh stood over David lying on the bed and slammed the door Later in the show we saw Josh bringing David back to his flat before the pair enjoyed more drinks. As Josh drunkenly tried to kiss David - despite him saying no - he then led the Platt into the bedroom saying: 'Let's go to bed.' Throwing him onto the bed, David appeared unable to respond due to his drugged up state, and while Josh looked over the bed a sound could be heard of him undoing his trousers. As David closed his eyes while lying on the bed, Josh slammed the door leaving viewers to assume what had happened next. Dark: Fans saw David enjoy a drink with Josh where he opened up about his troubled past, unaware that Josh had spiked his drink Horrific: Viewers saw Josh pour a vial into David's drink while he went to the toilet, setting the stage for the uncomfortable assault scenes Viewers found the scenes uncomfortable to say the least, rushing to Twitter to express their shock at the pre-watershed scenes. One wrote: 'Coronation Street has made me feel so sick... so scary to think that this actually happens to poor innocent people.' Another tweeted: 'My stomach has just dropped so much, I feel sooo sick for David.' Unable to respond: Josh attempted to kiss David despite his objections, before leading him into the bedroom Out cold: After being drugged David passed out on the bed, clueless as to what was about to happen to him Shocked: Fans of the ITV soap rushed to Twitter in response to the horrific scenes, with some saying they had been left feeling 'physically sick' Following on from Friday's scenes, fans will now see David wake up in Josh's bed to realise what he has been through. The storyline will then see him struggle to cope with the horrific ordeal, unable to tell his girlfriend or even his family, especially as Josh acts as if nothing untoward has happened. Actor Jack P Shepherd - who plays David - told the Daily Mirror: 'David is tormented and the viewer needs to see that, so for David to break down it needs to feel real and not forced. Its very emotional and after one scene I couldnt stop crying.' Uncomfortable: Next week fans will see David struggle to cope with what he has been through, especially as Josh acts as if nothing untoward has happened Coronation Street producer Kate Oates also defended the controversial storyline during an appearance on Good Morning Britain on Friday. She said: 'This is life, this is how people should be free to live. With something like a rape storyline, male sexual assault happens. One in ten rapes that happen in the UK will be with a male victim. 'This needs discussion. Do it carefully, do it with consideration. I'm really delighted you mentioned those kisses as something that soaps have done to help change society for the better.' She was busy lining her Instagram feed with sizzling snaps from her South African getaway in recent weeks. And Demi Rose continued the saucy display on home turf in London as she partied the night away at the launch of Soho After Dark at 100 Wardour St, London on Friday night. The 22-year-old model left little to the imagination as she flaunted her eye-popping assets in a perilously plunging clingy jumpsuit. Racy: Demi Rose, 22, partied the night away at the launch of Soho After Dark at 100 Wardour St, London on Friday night Demi clearly oozed body confidence as she showed off her fantastic curves in the clingy one-piece. The deep plunge of the number highlighted her incredibly busty cleavage before going on to draw attention on her slim midriff. A statement silver necklace further enhanced her decolletage and she completed the all-black look with a pair of racy thigh-high boots. Sexy: The model left little to the imagination as she flaunted her eye-popping assets in a perilously plunging clingy jumpsuit Busty beauty: Demi clearly oozed body confidence as she showed off her fantastic curves in the clingy one-piece Wow: The deep plunge of the number highlighted her incredibly busty cleavage before going on to draw attention on her slim midriff Demi looked absolutely incredible as she enhanced her pretty features with a striking coat of make-up, while her glossy brunette locks fell in glamorous waves down her front. Clearly having worked up a chill, Demi threw on a stylish monochrome biker jacket as she happily continued to pose up a storm. Kylie Jenner lookalike Demi was first propelled into the spotlight when she was linked to the reality star's ex, rapper Tyga, after they split. The star has since gained a huge following on Instagram and she is known display her incredible curves in a number of risque ensembles. Looking fab: A statement silver necklace further enhanced her decolletage and she completed the all-black look with a pair of racy thigh-high boots Stunner: Demi looked absolutely incredible as she enhanced her pretty features with a striking coat of make-up, while her glossy brunette locks fell in glamorous waves down her front Stylish: Clearly having worked up a chill, Demi threw on a stylish monochrome biker jacket as she happily continued to pose up a storm Famous: Kylie Jenner lookalike Demi was first propelled into the spotlight when she was linked to the reality star's ex, rapper Tyga, after they split So of course she was more than happy to divulge the secrets to her sensationally curvy figure in an exclusive chat with MailOnline. In September, Demi told us: 'I try to keep as healthy as I can. With travelling, it's hard to work out, I travel across the world but try to keep my routine. Everyone says I'm the healthiest person they know. The fattiest thing I will ever eat is nuts and peanut butter.' 'My figure just gains weight so fast. Any bad thing I eat my body isn't used to it and just puts on the weight. That means no birthday cake! No wonder: The star has since gained a huge following on Instagram and she is known display her incredible curves in a number of risque ensembles Trim: Speaking about her figure, Demi told MailOnline: 'My figure just gains weight so fast. Any bad thing I eat my body isn't used to it and just puts on the weight' Smoking hot: The brunette beauty worked the camera as she smoldered in the racy ensemble while posing on the stairs Busty: Gazing seductively at the camera, the beauty upped the skin-flashing ante in her revealing top Disciplined: Demi credits her slim physique down to her healthy diet, saying the fattiest thing she eats is peanuts Loved-up: Meanwhile, Made In Chelsea star Alex Mytton stepped out with his stunning girlfriend Georgina Howard 'All I've eaten today is nuts. I've managed to eat a whole pot. I feel guilty as there's a lot of fat in the nuts. That's my treat! So I'm happy!' Confident in her sex appeal, the former beauty student claimed her curvaceous figure rivals the Kardashians in an interview with The Sun. The model told the publication: 'I have an amazing life travelling the world and showing off curves to rival the Kardashians. 'I love the best parties, yachts and fast cars but deep down Im just a kid from Sutton Coldfield who got lucky.' Lawyers have joined the chorus of opposition to the federal government's rewritten foreign interference and espionage laws, arguing changes haven't gone far enough. Attorney-General Christian Porter has proposed amendments to the legislation after fears were raised journalists and whistleblowers who reveal national secrets could face up to 20 years in jail. But the Law Council of Australia says there are still big concerns. Council president Morry Bailes will outline these to a parliamentary committee examining the amended bill, which is intended to crack down on foreign interference in Australian politics. He believes the definitions of national security and interference are too broad. He also wants protections for whistleblowers who provide journalists with information. "Amendments are required to ensure that the innocent receipt of information, for example in a filing cabinet, is not captured by the offence provisions," Mr Bailes will tell the committee on Friday. The law council is seeking a clearer definition of "news media", raising questions over whether bloggers will be covered by the amendments. Mr Bailes says offences should cascade in penalty and require a person knew or was reckless as to whether the protected information falls within a particular category. It comes after Labor reiterated it wouldn't accept the laws in their current form. Earlier in the week, shadow attorney-general Mark Dreyfus described the amendments as "clearly flawed". Media organisations including ABC, News Corp, Fairfax Media and AAP have made a submission to the committee, saying the rewritten laws could have a "chilling" effect on journalism. "We continue to hold that a media exemption should be provided for public interest reporting," it says. "It is far preferable for a journalist to have to establish a public interest reporting exemption than to be forced to defend themselves in court against a formal charge." The media organisations will also appear at Friday's hearing, along with the Human Rights Law Centre, ASIO and the attorney-general's department. Nick Xenophon has released a last-minute ad in a bid to sell himself as a credible alternative to Labor and the Liberals, as South Australia's political leaders prepare for their last full day of campaigning. In the clip, the SA-BEST party leader can be seen at Spain's famous Running of the Bulls festival, and hits back at recent attacks from his political rivals. "Labor, Liberal, unions and pokies operators are all trying to run me down with a lot of bull," he said. "But I'm fighting the bull so you don't get taken for a ride." He says the "biggest load of bull(beep)" has been claims he made cuts to the state's education system. "My team actually pumped in an extra $426 million for SA schools with the Gonski tick of approval," he said. He also took aim at claims by the Australian Hotels Association that SA-BEST's pokies policy would lead to job losses for musicians and hospitality workers. The ad can only appear on social media due to an election advertising blackout now in place until South Australians head to the polls on Saturday. It follows a first ad released at the beginning of the campaign which featured Mr Xenophon calling on South Australians to vote for the party with a jingle and dance moves. Premier Jay Weatherill and Opposition Leader Steven Marshall are expected to take centre stage on Friday, after Treasurer Tom Koutsantonis and opposition spokesperson Rob Lucas revealed campaign costings documents on Thursday. The Opposition said frontline workers would not be affected by savings measures included in their document, which equates to about $300 million per year, though Labor begged to differ. "There are no ways of making the savings he's talking about without cutting frontline services," Mr Koutsantonis told reporters. "It is a magic pudding that doesn't add up." A woman remains in a critical condition after she was brutally attacked in Queensland's Darling Downs. The 46-year-old was found in a home at Goomburra, north of Warwick, just before 1am on Thursday. She was flown to Brisbane's Princess Alexandra Hospital suffering a serious head injury. Emergency services were called to a property at Glenore Grove, about 90 minutes away, just after 2.30am, where they found the body of a 57-year-old man. Police allege he had attempted to kill the woman, but believe his death was non-suspicious. Acting Detective Inspector Paul McCusker said investigators were confident the pair were "well known" to each other. Readers seeking support and information about suicide prevention can contact Lifeline on 13 11 14. Suicide Call Back Service 1300 659 467. MensLine Australia 1300 78 99 78. Multicultural Mental Health Australia www.mmha.org.au. Local Aboriginal Medical Service details available from www.bettertoknow.org.au/AMS Mounting external and internal political pressure has pushed the NSW government to release the documents for their $2.7 billion stadium rebuilding policy. The government "crossed the floor on itself" to support Labor's call to publish documents about the demolition, reconfiguration or rebuild of ANZ or Allianz stadiums, as well as any legal advice or correspondence with sporting codes within 21 days. It came as the opposition announced it would not knock down and rebuild the venues if elected. The government has increasingly come under fire for the plan from its political foes and internally, with Liberal MP Matthew Mason Cox reportedly planning to cross the floor to get the documents released. The stadiums policy will also likely be combed through by a new capital works "super committee", established to investigate how the government is spending public money. Numerous protests are expected to draw attention to human rights violations in South East Asia as the eyes of the world fix on Sydney for the ASEAN summit. Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull will host South East Asian leaders on Saturday and Sunday for a special summit to discuss regional security, economic ties and counter-terrorism measures. But at least three groups of protesters have mobilised in response to the summit. Amnesty International will host a demonstration on a boat near Barangaroo on Friday morning to draw attention to the plight of Rohingya people in Myanmar who have fled ethnic cleansing. "ASEAN has been shamefully silent on what is happening in one of its member states so far," the advocacy group said in a statement earlier this week. Another community group will also gather for the Rohingya in Hyde Park on Saturday. Hundreds of Australian-Cambodians and supporters will also protest on Friday against the rule of Prime Minister Hun Sen, who is attending the summit. Cambodia has shifted towards authoritarianism following last year's ban on the main opposition party, the arrest of opposition leader Kem Sokha and forced closure of an English-language newspaper. Australia has been urged to lobby Myanmar to ensure Rohingya refugees who have fled to Bangladesh are not forced into a hasty return. Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull is hosting leaders from the 10-country Association of South East Asian Nations including Myanmar's de facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi at a special summit in Sydney this weekend. An estimated 700,000 Rohingya people from Myanmar's troubled Rakhine state have poured across the border into Bangladesh refugee camps since last August following a military crackdown. Among the reported atrocities are villages burned, women raped and babies murdered. Save the Children Australian spokesman Mat Tinkler said the summit provided an opportunity for Mr Turnbull and Foreign Minister Julie Bishop to condemn the violence in Myanmar. The United Nations has dubbed the crisis a "textbook example of ethnic cleansing". "Australia has been too cautious in not calling for Myanmar to be held to account for the cause of the crisis, favouring an engagement at all costs approach to diplomacy," Mr Tinkler said. Australia should be pushing for a regional response to the crisis, he said. He urged that Rohingya people should not be forced into a rushed return to Myanmar. "Instead, they should only return on a voluntary basis, and then, only if conditions are met to ensure their safety and rights are protected," Mr Tinkler said, adding they must be assured of rights to citizenship, freedom of movement and non-discrimination in accessing essential services to live dignified lives. Aid groups in the Bangladesh camps are bracing for the upcoming cyclone and monsoon seasons. An estimated 30,000 people are expected to have their tents destroyed by landslides and 70,000 camp residents are likely to be displaced by flooding. A fortnight after a prosecutor told a court he "may die", the victim of an alleged road rage attack on a Queensland motorway has woken from a coma. Brock Prime, 29, had been in a medically induced coma after suffering a life-threatening head injury in the attack on the M1 near Yatala on February 24. The Gold Coast tradie's brain was "infected" by dirt, with doctors telling Mr Prime's family he faced a "day-by-day" struggle to survive. Ryan Hallifax, 28, Jonathan Lawrence, 26, and Jordan Baklas, 27, have since faced court charged with grievous bodily harm. During a mention for Hallifax at Beenleigh Magistrates Court earlier this month, Acting Senior Constable Ming Gu outlined how serious Mr Prime's condition was. "He is in a critical condition and may die," Mr Gu told the court. Mr Prime's long-term recovery prospects are unknown though his family are reportedly hopeful of a good outcome. Hallifax and Baklas were both granted bail earlier this month with their lawyers arguing their alleged involvements in the attack were minimal. Lawrence, whose daughter Bella was violently killed in Victoria in 2015, has made no bail application and remains in custody. All three matters are set to be mentioned at Beenleigh Magistrates Court on May 2. Combatting illegal fishing and drug and people smuggling are among key priorities of a new Australian and Indonesian maritime action plan. Foreign Minister Julie Bishop and Defence Minister Marise Payne will hold talks with their Indonesian counterparts Retno Marsudi and Ryamizard Ryacudu in Sydney on Friday morning. The annual ministerial meeting is happening on the sidelines of a broader Australian and Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) leaders' summit. The ministers will sign a new plan which aims to strengthen maritime security, combat transnational crime, improve search and rescue coordination and disaster risk management. There will also be more team work on cleaning up marine environment pollution and scientific collaboration. The foursome are expected to discuss the threat of foreign fighters returning to South East Asia from the Middle East and boosting counter terrorism information sharing. With the so-called Islamic State caliphate mostly crushed in Iraq and Syria, Australia and South East Asian countries are making sure they are ready to keep foreign fighters at bay. There are hopes that boosting cooperation will ensure there is no repeat of last year's five month insurgency flare up in Marawi, the Philippines. Strategic issues including the South China Sea and enforcing North Korean sanctions as well as the Australian foreign policy white paper are also likely to be on the agenda. Australia and Indonesia last month signed a new defence cooperation agreement in Perth. Indonesian President Joko Widodo is expected to arrive in Sydney on Friday and will dine with Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull in the evening, ahead of their bilateral talks on Saturday. They had hoped to sign a free trade deal on the sidelines of the summit after failing to meet a deadline late last year. However, negotiations are ongoing. Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull is set to kick off a special leaders summit in Sydney attended by the 10 leaders from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. The special summit begins on Friday with a business conference. "The summit marks a coming of age of Australia's relationship with Southeast Asia," Mr Turnbull said on Thursday. As a bloc, ASEAN countries make up Australia's third-largest trading partner, worth almost $100 billion in 2016-2017. The PM hopes the meeting can help unlock new opportunities for trade and investment, creating more jobs in Australia and across the region. Mr Turnbull is particularly keen to see Australian small businesses get a piece of the action amid a rapidly expanding middle class in the region. By 2030, there will be an estimated 161 million middle-class households. The region is expected to grow by at least 5.4 per cent for the next decade, significantly higher than the global average. Chief executive officers will also put their heads together on ways to increase economic links on Saturday. Efforts will be made to progress the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership that includes the full ASEAN bloc. Mr Turnbull will have a bilateral meeting on Friday with Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong after the pair dined together on Thursday night. Indonesian President Joko Widodo will arrive on Friday and is expected to have dinner with Mr Turnbull at his Sydney harbourside home in the evening. They had hoped to sign a free trade deal on the sidelines of the summit after failing to meet a deadline late last year but negotiations are ongoing. AAP understands 95 per cent of the deal has been finalised. ___________________________________ Malcolm Turnbull will champion the untapped potential of Southeast Asia for Australian small business as he kicks off a special leaders summit in Sydney. The prime minister is hosting leaders from the 10-country Association of Southeast Asian Nations. The special summit begins on Friday with a business conference. "The summit marks a coming of age of Australia's relationship with Southeast Asia," Mr Turnbull said on Thursday. He hopes the meeting can help unlock new opportunities for trade and investment, creating more jobs in Australia and across the region. Mr Turnbull is particularly keen to see Australian small businesses get a piece of the action amid a rapidly expanding middle class in the region. By 2030, there will be an estimated 161 million middle-class households. This bodes well for quality Australian food and produce exports as well as expertise and services. The region is expected to grow by at least 5.4 per cent for the next decade, significantly higher than the global average. As a bloc, ASEAN countries make up Australia's third-largest trading partner, worth almost $100 billion in 2016-2017. Chief executive officers will also put their heads together on ways to increase economic links on Saturday. With the 11-country Trans-Pacific Partnership trade pact signed last week, attention will shift to progressing the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership that includes the full ASEAN bloc. Mr Turnbull will have a bilateral meeting on Friday with Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong after the pair dined together on Thursday night. Indonesian President Joko Widodo will arrive on Friday and is expected to have dinner with Mr Turnbull at his Sydney harbourside home in the evening. They had hoped to sign a free trade deal on the sidelines of the summit after failing to meet a deadline late last year. However, negotiations are ongoing. AAP understands 95 per cent of the deal has been finalised. The remaining sticking points include whether Australian universities can set up campuses in Indonesia. Discussions are also continuing around Indonesian workers such as nurses being granted visas to fill skills shortages in Australia. A Sydney doctor is sailing solo on a three-month trip to the United States to raise $100,000 for indigenous literacy. While on a visit to the Northern Territory a few years ago, Andrew Brazier learnt that in some indigenous communities only one in 10 indigenous children could read. He says he grew up with his mother telling him "you have to learn to read, once you can read you can do anything", so the disparity in literacy rates sparked the 27-year-old into action. Dr Brazier will on Sunday set sail in his 34-foot yacht from Glebe's Blackwattle Bay for the United States - a 15,000km journey through the Pacific Ocean. The trip is a big step up from the longest sailing trip he has ever done - one week from Queensland to Sydney. Dr Brazier is aiming to raise $100,000 for the Indigenous Literacy Foundation, which creates awareness and funds to address literacy levels in remote indigenous communities. "If you want to bring about change in communities and really help communities improve, that has to come from within from some degree," he told AAP. "By giving these kids the gift of literacy you can help them imagine." He has raised about $10,000 of his fundraising goal, and if he reaches the $100,000 mark it would help buy 10,000 books for 50 to 100 remote communities. The books would also go to women's groups, health care centres, schools, playgroups and organisations like the Royal Flying Doctor Service to be given out in communities. WHO IS BEHIND THE BATTERIES? * American tech billionaire Elon Musk's company Tesla officially switched on what was hailed as the world's biggest lithium-ion battery in South Australia in December. * SIMEC Zen Energy, owned by British billionaire Sanjeev Gupta - who recently bought the Whyalla Steelworks - wants to build an even bigger battery. HOW POWERFUL ARE THEY? * Tesla's battery is 100-megawatts and has the capacity to power 30,000 homes for up to an hour in the event of a severe blackout. * SIMEC ZEN Energy's would be 120-140-megawatts. WHAT WILL THEY BE POWERING AND WHERE? * Tesla's battery is paired to the Hornsdale wind farm operated by French renewable energy company Neoen, near Jamestown, about 200km north of Adelaide. * SIMEC ZEN Energy's battery will support a new solar farm to be constructed at the Whyalla Steelworks in Port Augusta, about 300km north of the capital. WHAT GOVERNMENT SUPPORT IS INVOLVED? * Tesla's battery was part of the state government's $530 million energy plan, but Premier Jay Weatherill was coy about revealing its cost, suggesting only that the state got a bargain. Estimates varied greatly from as little as $30 million to more than $100 million, though a price tag of about $50 million is more likely. * If Labor is re-elected, SIMEC ZEN Energy's battery will benefit from a $10 million loan from the state government's Renewable Technology Fund. A man has been arrested over the cold-case murder of a man in southern Adelaide nearly two decades ago. The 43-year-old was arrested on Wednesday in Auckland after the man's DNA was allegedly matched to the murder of Robert Sabeckis, 42, who was shot in a car park near Maslin Beach, early on January 13, 2000. "Robert was in his car at the Maslin Beach car park when he was fatally shot and the offender stole his car and drove off," Detective Superintendent Des Bray told reporters on Friday. JUNK FOOD A child's ability to control over-eating is too often overpowered by junk food marketing regardless of what a parent might attempt to do to encourage healthy eating, a study has found. Australian researchers at the University of Wollongong say the study, published in journal Appetite, strengthens the case for greater regulation of food industry marketing to children. The study, of 160 children aged between seven and 12, measured their food consumption after exposure to television and online advertising for six straight days. Food consumption of all children increased after they were exposed to promotions for unhealthy food and drinks. Interestingly, the increase was greatest among those whose parents reported that they used controlling feeding practices in the home. These practices include pressuring children to eat everything on their plate and restricting the types of food that children are allowed to eat, such as not allowing them any access to unhealthy foods. Children who self-regulated their eating had a smaller increase in food consumption than the children who were less able to self-regulate. But even these children who had better self-regulation were still overwhelmed by the food marketing and ate significantly more in after food marketing exposure. The research paper's lead author, PhD student Jenny Norman says the effects of advertising overrode any child's ability to regulate themselves. "Essentially, what the study indicates is that as a parent you are damned if you do, damned if you don't. Your child appears to be at the mercy of whatever food industry messages they are seeing," said Ms Norman. MENOPAUSE Being underweight or overweight could affect the age at which women experience menopause. A University of Queensland study of 24,000 women found underweight women were at higher risk of early menopause, while overweight and obese women were more likely to experience late menopause. The average age of menopause was about 51 years, while underweight women had more than double the risk of experiencing early menopause compared to those with normal BMI (body mass index), according to the research. Overweight and obese women had more than 50 per cent higher risk of experiencing late menopause. These associations were stronger for women who were underweight or obese at least five years prior to the onset of menopause, said lead researcher Dongshan Zhu. Ms Zhu, a PhD candidate at UoQ, says the findings warrant more specific research given the timing of menopause is associated with a range of health outcomes in women. Early menopause has been linked to a higher risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes and osteoporosis, while late menopause increased the risk of breast and endometrial cancers. "The link between obesity and late onset of menopause could be explained by a number of factors, including hormone levels and genetics, but more specific research is needed," said Zhu. PUBERTY UK research has for the first time shown early puberty could alone be a risk factor for being overweight, with girls who have their first period earlier more likely to become obese later in life. The researchers at Imperial College London say their findings, published in the International Journal of Obesity, strengthen existing evidence of a link between the onset of puberty and a woman's body mass in adulthood. "Previous studies have shown there is an association, but we didn't know whether early puberty caused obesity in adulthood, or was simply associated with it. In our latest study we've generated evidence to support that it is a causal effect," said senior author Dr Dipender Gill. For the study, researchers used genetic variants as a tool to look at the effect of the onset of puberty (known as age at menarche), measured as the age of a girl's first period, among more than 180,000 women. More than 122 genetic variants were identified that were strongly associated with the onset of puberty - with the women's age at first period obtained via questionnaire. Using data from the UK Biobank, the research team then looked for the effect of the genetic variants related to age at menarche with BMI (body mass index) - general measure of obesity - in a second set of 80,000. Initial analysis revealed a link between these genetic variants and BMI, with those women who had variants associated with earlier puberty having an increased BMI. This association was confirmed in a third group of 70,000 women. "We're not saying that it's a genetic effect, but rather that by using these genetic variants as a proxy for earlier puberty, we are able to show the effect of earlier puberty without the impact of external factors that might confound our analysis," said Dr Gill. One possible explanation could be the physical effects of hormonal changes during puberty, such as increased fat deposition in breast tissue. South Australian Opposition Leader Steven Marshall has made his final pitch to voters ahead of the state election, careful not to repeat his infamous mistake from 2014 when he urged people to vote Labor on the last day of election campaigning. Mr Marshall visited an Adelaide car service centre on Friday morning, less than a day before voters go to the polls, stressing his party's focus on businesses and jobs. "The people of South Australia should unequivocally vote for the Liberal Party," he told reporters. A federal government crackdown on wealthy welfare "cheats" has resulted in $43.4 million clawed back from recipients who had large amounts of unexplained wealth pass through their bank accounts. The government worked with the Australian Transaction Reports Analysis Centre on the crackdown, with more than 1000 people being forced to repay millions of dollars to taxpayers. "We are not going to tolerate people defrauding our welfare system and we're certainly not going to tolerate wealthy people defrauding that system," Human Services Minister Michael Keenan told reporters in Sydney on Friday. Julian Wilson will carry a busted shoulder into Bells Beach but the yellow rashie that will be covering it is giving him confidence of a breakthrough World Surf League season. The pain of Wilson's AC joint injury was dulled on Thursday, for a while at least, as he celebrated victory at the Quiksilver Pro at a thunderous Kirra Point on the Gold Coast. The 29-year-old defeated fellow Australian Adrian Buchan in the final to get his campaign off to the ideal start. Wilson finished third on the WSL tour last year but is seen as the next Aussie in line for world domination with the legendary Mick Fanning, his close mate, to retire after the Ripcurl Pro which begins on March 29. "To already have a win ... that's just a great gain on last year and a great positive to be able to take in the Australian leg," Wilson told AAP. "Hopefully I can just continue, build on my shoulder, put on performances and win heats." Wilson said he was feeling only "80 per cent fit" and doubted he would be much better at Bells. The Coolum Beach product hurt his right shoulder in a mountain bike accident in January and was close to pulling out of the Quiksilver Pro. He admitted he felt like crying after his quarter-final, such was the extreme discomfort he was experiencing from paddling in the water. "It's not amazing," Wilson said of his shoulder. "I know it's going to take a lot more work. "It was fatiguing every heat and I had a lot of challenges through the event. "I've definitely got a full week at home - physio every day and just continue to chip away with it and get it as strong as I can." Wilson hit global fame in 2015 when he was the first to come to Fanning's aid during his famous encounter with a great white shark at Jeffreys Bay in South Africa. He said he was struggling to get his head around Fanning's decision to hang up his board at 36. "I'll miss him a lot on tour," Wilson said. "It's hard for me to understand ... I watch him and see how well he's still surfing. "It's hard to fathom, but he knows. He's happy within himself. I wish him all the best." South Australian Premier Jay Weatherill has campaigned hard to win Labor an historic fifth straight term in office but Liberal Leader Steven Marshall looks more likely to be the state's next leader. This weekend's election is shaping up to have a classic "too close to call" on the night result but there could be enough working in Mr Marshall's favour to get him across the line. If not on Saturday night, then in the days that follow he could well become the state's 46th leader after the results in a number of key seats are decided. First and probably foremost pointing to a narrow Liberal win is the "it's time" factor. Many undecided voters might not be that impressed by what the opposition has to offer but just feel it's time for a change. This plays into the old adage that governments lose elections rather than oppositions win them. In that vein, working against a Labor victory, Weatherill has the state's problems over energy security and power prices in recent years and scandals over the Oakden nursing home and the abuse of children in state care. The Liberals will also benefit from the state's new electoral boundaries that have left Labor needing to increase its vote just to retain some seats. University of Adelaide visiting research fellow Dr Jenis Stock said Marshall had been looking more confident in recent days and "notionally" should be able to win the 24 seats the Liberals need to govern in their own right. "There is a feeling that it's time to change," she told AAP. But her confidence in picking the Liberals was tempered by what she said was Marshall's lack of impact since taking over as leader more than four years ago. She's also wary of the challenge posed by Nick Xenophon and his SA-BEST party though, like many others, believes he may have "fizzled out". "His main failing as far as I can see is that he's tried to spread himself way too thinly," she said. "His ambitions exceed his resources." Working in Labor's favour on Saturday night will be its infrastructure projects such as the new Royal Adelaide Hospital and the redeveloped Adelaide Oval. "Labor has had 16 years in which to do an amazing amount," Stock said. "If you visited Adelaide 16 years ago and came back now you'd hardly recognise the place." Labor has backed that up with promises of more to come. More trams and road upgrades, better hospitals, school upgrades and renewed public housing. But at the end of the day the promises may not be enough to sway a large pool of undecided voters Labor's way. Mr Xenophon will get some of them, but just enough will likely opt for Mr Marshall to give SA its first Liberal government since 2002. A half-century to rookie Tom Rogers has helped push Tasmania's lead past 300 in their final-round Sheffield Shield clash against Victoria in Hobart. The Tigers are 7-168 in their second innings at lunch on day three, with an overall lead of 330 runs. The winner of the match will claim second position on the ladder and book a spot in the final against Queensland. Resuming at 4-73 on Friday, the Tigers lost Matthew Wade and Simon Milenko in the opening 15 minutes of play. Rogers (54 not out) and Jake Doran (48) steadied the ship with an important 49-run seventh-wicket stand. Bushrangers allrounder Dan Christian trapped Doran lbw half an hour before lunch. But Rogers continued to counterattack, posting his maiden half-century in his ninth first-class appearance. Tasmania, who have finished last the past two seasons, are chasing their first Sheffield Shield silverware since 2012-13. Malcolm Turnbull might get to finally pull a thorn out of his side on Saturday. South Australian Labor Premier Jay Weatherill has been a constant critic of Canberra, refusing to play ball on school and hospital funding, and the national redress scheme for sex abuse victims. He has also fiercely pushed the coalition on electricity, with the 2016 SA blackout sparking a national debate about energy prices and security. But after 16 years of Labor rule, the state looks set to change government. A Liberal win - even as a minority government - won't just mean a boost for the federal coalition in its hopes to win seats in 2019, it also means a friendlier state government to help drive national reform. But it won't be easy, for two reasons. In the grand tradition of opposition leaders, Liberal leader Steven Marshall has been labelled uninspiring in media and political circles. And Nick Xenophon's SA-Best party has a genuine chance to win some seats, making him king-maker in a tight contest. Labor's Anthony Albanese says the SA poll is similar to the Batman by-election in Melbourne being held on the same day. "In one (Batman), the Liberals aren't running at all," he told the Nine Network on Friday. "In the other, they're not really running, which is why Nick Xenophon has emerged as an alternative opposition leader, because the South Australian Libs under Steven Marshall are so hopeless." Mr Turnbull and Labor's Bill Shorten have been rarely seen in South Australia during the campaign. Mr Shorten has stuck with campaigning in Batman, which he is hoping to defend from the Greens. The prime minister has been putting out spot fires with the Nationals and making sure US President Donald Trump's steel tariffs don't cost Australian jobs. But Mr Turnbull witnessed a strong Liberal vote in Tasmania recently, opening up the possibility of the coalition winning some lower house seats there at the next federal election. Labor holds six of the 11 lower house seats in South Australia, and Mr Xenophon one. A strong Liberal vote might not just remove a thorn in the prime minister's side, it could also give him hope of retaining power in 2019. Indonesia has thanked Australia for "respecting" its maritime rights when negotiating a new treaty with East Timor. Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi on Friday congratulated the two parties on signing the deal last week, ending a long-running maritime boundary dispute. She said a preliminary study of the treaty by technical officials shows that "none of the lines encroach Indonesia's maritime rights". "Therefore we appreciate the effort of both negotiators and commissions for paying respect to Indonesia's interests," Ms Marsudi told reporters in Sydney, following a meeting with Foreign Minister Julie Bishop and defence counterparts on the sidelines of the ASEAN special summit. "We look forward to cooperating on related boundary issues in the future." She acknowledged the agreement did raise the question about the future of the 1997 Perth treaty, which finalised the maritime boundary between Australia and Indonesia. The treaty, however, has not been ratified and so is not in force. That's primarily because the independence of East Timor meant some amendments were needed, but are yet to agreed upon. "At this point, talks at the technical level (are) required to deal with the future of the Perth treaty," Ms Marsudi said. Convincing cross bench senators to back corporate tax cuts will be the priority for the Turnbull government when the Senate sits next week. With House of Representatives members not returning until March 26, only senators will head to Canberra to deal with a raft of government bills, including reducing the corporate tax rate for all-sized businesses from 30 per cent to 25 per cent by 2025. On Friday, the Business Council sent a video message to every senator appealing for them to back the tax cut. "We have a plan on the table, right here, right now, that will grow the economy and increase investment. It will help make our country more successful and give businesses a chance to compete. We just need the Senate to act," council president Jennifer Westacott said. She said the $65 billion cost of the tax relief would result in a $180 billion economic gain over a decade, and be especially beneficial for rural and regional business. While Labor and the Greens remain adamant the money could be spent better, on health and education as well as tax cuts for low and middle-income earners, the government hopes to woo One Nation and other crossbenchers who back the initial small business tax cuts. Also on the agenda will be laws to crack down on social security cheats, but won't include a controversial plan to drug test welfare recipients. Monday's sitting will kick off with the swearing-in of former Nick Xenophon Team member Tim Storer, who is expected to sit as an independent. Mr Storer, an Adelaide-based business consultant, took over Sky Kakoschke-Moore's South Australian seat after the High Court found her to be disqualified due to her dual citizenship. She argued Mr Storer should not be allowed to take the seat as he was no longer a member of the NXT party, but the court disagreed and declared him elected. On Thursday another new senator is expected to be sworn in. The Queensland Liberal National Party's Amanda Stoker will replace former attorney-general George Brandis, who has been appointed high commissioner to the UK. New Tasmanian senator Steve Martin, another independent, will give his first speech on Wednesday. The Senate will receive reports on proposed new laws to set up a redress scheme for victims of institutional child sexual abuse, as well as corporate whistleblower protections, university funding and the impact of climate change on national security. The Greens will seek support for a new inquiry into mental health services in rural and remote Australia. The idea that it might be possible to be overweight or obese but not at increased risk of heart disease, otherwise known as the 'obesity paradox', has been challenged by a study of nearly 300,000 people. Published in in the European Heart Journal on Friday, the research showed that the risk of heart heart attacks, strokes and high blood pressure, increased as weight increases beyond a body mass index (BMI) of 22. BMI is used to determine whether you are in a healthy weight range for your height. The risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) increased more steadily the more fat a person carries around the waist, according to the research, although it's generally believed carrying excess weight increases a person's risk of CVD as well as other diseases such as cancer. There have also been studies that have suggested that, particularly in the elderly, being overweight or even obese might not have any effect on deaths from CVD or other causes, and may even be protective, especially if people maintain a reasonable level of fitness. This is known as 'obesity paradox'. But a large study conducted by a team of researchers at the University of Glasgow provided evidence against this theory. "Any public misconception of a potential 'protective' effect of fat on heart and stroke risks should be challenged," said lead author Dr Stamatina Iliodromiti, a clinical lecturer in obstetrics and gynaecology. It was possible, however, that the story may be different for those with pre-existing disease, such as cancer patients, noted Dr Iliodromiti. Researchers analysed the health of 296,535 adults of European descent recruited for the UK Biobank study between 2006 to 2010. Analysis of follow-up data collected in 2015 found that people with a BMI between 22-23 had the lowest risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). As BMI increased above 22, the risk of CVD increased by 13 per cent for every 5.2 kg/m2 increase in women and 4.3 kg/m2 in men. Similar increases in CVD risk were seen when the researchers looked at waist-to-hip and waist-to-height ratios and percentage of body fat. "By maintaining a healthy BMI of around 22-23 kg/m2, healthy people can minimise their risk of developing or dying from heart disease," said Dr Illiodromiti. The national Heart Foundation said carrying excess body fat around the middle of the body is more of a health risk than on the hips and thighs. Farmers, residents, businesses and travellers in NSW are being urged to plan ahead as crews prepare for possible bushfires during a hot and windy weekend. Temperatures up to 40C are expected to combine with strong winds to create dangerous conditions, with the NSW Rural Fire Service and emergency workers on standby to tackle any blazes. RFS Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons expects very high to severe fire danger across central and eastern NSW on Sunday. "I urge landholders, homeowners, businesses and travellers to consider how they will be impacted and start preparing now," Mr Fitzsimmons said in a statement on Friday. Winds ranging between 30 to 60 km/h are expected to blow the heat across the state with total fire bans likely to be declared in some areas. A cool change is not expected until Sunday night, according to the Bureau of Meteorology. "I dare say that it will be quite a relief for a few people," meteorologist Gabrielle Woodhouse told AAP on Friday. A jealous Christopher Josevski thought he could assault his girlfriend as he pleased when he knocked her down and kidnapped her, by dragging her from a Melbourne service station by her hair in a "disgraceful" attack. The violent episode in the Derrimut Coles Express, witnessed by shocked onlookers and captured on CCTV, was "extraordinary and callous", bringing to an end days of offending against the woman, who feared she would be killed, County Court Judge Michael Tinney said. "This was dreadful offending targeting a young woman," he told Josevski on Friday, as he jailed him for four years, with a non-parole period of two-and-a-half years. Josevski chased his partner and knocked her to the ground after she fled inside the service station on February 23 last year. As she struggled, he punched her, grabbed her by the hair and dragged her through the doors to his car, taking her back to a caravan in Gordon, near Ballarat. She was later found by police and taken to hospital, where she was treated for injuries, including a broken nose. Judge Tinney said Josevski, who also smashed his girlfriend's phone, was jealous and suspicious, and held a sense of power and entitlement, believing he could control her. "You believed you could assault your partner at will," he said. "Get it into your head. You don't possess, you don't control others." The court heard Josevski lied to police, said the woman wanted to be with him and was free to go at any time. He also claimed she was pregnant, but she said she wasn't. Josevski, who pleaded guilty to 12 offences including intentionally causing serious injury, common assault, kidnapping and making threats to kill, has already served 380 days behind bars. He was also fined a total of $3000 over a gun, ammunition and cannabis found at his property. Josevski, a painter and carpenter, had abused illegal drugs for a number of years, the court heard, but he wasn't affected at the time. Judge Tinney said his rehabilitation prospects were "quite good", given his age and family support. National domestic violence helpline: 1800 737 732 or 1800RESPECT. In an emergency call triple-zero. The blue-ribbon seat of Cottesloe relinquished by former WA premier Colin Barnett is expected to easily remain in Liberal hands. Mr Barnett held the seat in Perth's salubrious western suburbs for over 27 years. The 67-year-old officially retired last month, almost a year after Labor's landslide state election win saw him step down as party leader and retreat to the backbench. Liberal candidate David Honey, an Alcoa manager and president of the Kwinana Industries Council, is expected to comfortably win the safe conservative seat on Saturday. Dr Honey, who has a chemistry doctorate, is a former WA Liberal president and won support from the Cottesloe selection committee over five other people, including mining executive and lawyer Emma Roberts. Ms Roberts, 40, had the backing of deputy leader Liza Harvey and other senior members of the party who believed a young, talented woman was suitable. Having said the criteria for the candidate should be based on ability, youth and gender diversity, leader Mike Nahan had to admit 59-year-old Dr Honey only met one. But he described Dr Honey last month as an "extremely polished and capable" person. Labor previously announced it would not contest the by-election, conceding they could not win the seat, which has been held by the Liberal party since its creation in 1950. Three independents and candidates from the Greens, Micro Business Party and Western Australia Party have thrown their hats into the ring. THE CONTENDERS: * Labor Premier Jay Weatherill is bidding to win a record fifth straight term for the ALP. * Liberal Leader Steven Marshall is seeking redemption after losing the 2014 poll, one the Liberals were expected to win. * SA-BEST leader Nick Xenophon is seeking to seize the balance of power and set up a new political agenda in SA. THE ISSUES: * Rising power prices and energy security after the statewide blackout in September 2016. * The need to create new jobs to replace those lost from business closures, including the demise of car producer Holden last year. * The question of who can be trusted to prevent scandals, such as the abuse at the state-run Oakden nursing home under Labor's watch. NOTABLE PROMISES: * Labor would create a $2 billion infrastructure fund to build new roads, extend the city's tram lines and support a deep-water port in the Spencer Gulf. They would also set a new renewable energy target of 75 per cent. * The Liberals would complete the North-South road corridor through metropolitan Adelaide, establish a GlobeLink freight airport and road corridor near Murray Bridge and deregulate shopping hours. * SA-BEST would advocate for new laws to protect vulnerable South Australians from neglect as well as psychological, physical and sexual abuse. They would also redevelop the disused Port Stanvac oil refinery site into a housing and commercial precinct and bid to be home of a Qantas pilot training academy. POSSIBLE OUTCOMES: * Either Labor or the Liberals could form a majority government. * If the major parties fail to secure a majority, they could potentially enter a coalition with SA-BEST. Leader Nick Xenophon has not ruled out doing a deal with anyone. Neither has Premier Jay Weatherill. * A deal between SA-BEST and the Liberals won't be done under the leadership of Steven Marshall, who has vowed to secure a majority or stand down. A PROFILE OF THE WEST AUSTRALIAN SAFE LIBERAL SEAT OF COTTESLOE: * Created in 1950 and has always been held by the Liberal party * Has more than 27,400 voters in an area of 35 sq km * Located in Perth's leafy western suburbs including Cottesloe, City Beach (south), Claremont, Mount Claremont, Mosman Park, North Fremantle, Peppermint Grove and Swanbourne * The by-election was triggered by the retirement of two-term premier Colin Barnett, 67, who quit politics after 27 years in parliament. He spent one year on the backbench after the Liberal's 2017 election loss * Liberal candidate David Honey, a former party president and Alcoa manager, will almost certainly win * Labor has not even bothered to field a candidate. A marine conservationist is again calling for drones to replace shark nets at NSW beaches after a vulnerable species was found dead in a mesh net on the north coast. The shark net trial deployed across five north coast beaches in February captured 26 marine animals including one "target" bull shark and two great hammerhead sharks - which are listed as vulnerable species by the NSW government Dean Jefferys is furious the government is acting against its own laws which protect the great hammerhead. "Shark nets don't work and instead continue to kill non-targeted, listed and vulnerable species," Mr Jefferys told AAP in a statement. "Shark nets do not offer the safety from sharks they profess and actually may make a shark encounter more likely as they give a false sense of security." The conservationist wants the government to consider alternative technologies, including drones, which would provide real-time observations and warnings. Data released by the NSW government as part of its second shark net trial shows that of the 26 animals caught in February, 10 were dead - including a bottlenose dolphin - while the remaining 16 were released alive. The second trial used a different net design to try and reduce by-catch after the first trial - which ran from early December 2016 to late May 2017 - caught 275 animals, nine of which were target sharks, according to the Department of Primary Industries. Primary Industries Minister Niall Blair said the government would not be terminating the trial because it was committed to testing and trialling a range of technologies. "To terminate the trial at this stage will prevent informed decisions about the use of mesh nets for mitigating the risks of shark-human interactions," Mr Blair told AAP in a statement on Friday. Humane Society International marine scientist Jessica Morris backed calls for non-lethal alternatives to nets including drones. Pensioner Robert Regan thought a $50,000 bank loan he took out would help a British woman bring her gold to Australia. But instead he ended up getting scammed and was left with loan repayments so big he's relying on food parcels to survive. The 72-year-old used a mortgage broker to take out an ANZ loan last year, using his home as security. He told the banking royal commission on Friday that income and expenditure figures used by his broker to get the loan approved were wrong. Mr Regan admitted he signed a document acknowledging the figures used by the broker were correct before the loan was approved, but said he and the broker could easily see on his bank statements that the numbers were wrong. As a result he ended up with a mortgage not due to be paid off until he's 102, payments he can't afford, and the knowledge he was scammed. The ANZ bank manager who signed off on his loan helped Mr Regan transfer around $35,000 to the scammers in the UK, not knowing what the transfer was for. Mr Regan used the rest of the money to fly to the UK and meet the scammers directly. Days before he left Australia he noticed something was wrong when the address they gave was empty. When he arrived in London customs agents contacted police, who staked out the meeting place and arrested those responsible. Mr Regan said while the fraudsters were now in jail, ended up with food and vouchers from charities. When he contacted ANZ they said he could "continue to pay without any trouble", he said. Lawyers secured a three-month moratorium. And senior counsel assisting the commission Rowena Orr said ANZ had on Thursday offered to reverse fees and interest, stop increases in fees and interest, apply a goodwill credit of $1500 and reduce payments to $150 a month until the loan is paid. "I'd like to know how old I'll be when I'm paying $150 a month," said Mr Regan, who plans to rejected that offer. It also carried the condition that if Mr Regan sold his home the money would be used to pay off the loan, but he has withdrawn it from the market. ANZ will have the opportunity to respond to Mr Regan's case study when the royal commission resumes on Monday. The Gold Coast is literally rolling out a welcome mat at some of the city's most popular beaches before the Commonwealth Games. From Saturday, beach access equipment for disabled beachgoers including beach matting and wheelchairs will be available at 10 Gold Coast beaches. The equipment has been trialled successfully at Burleigh Beach and will now be available across the city. Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate said the $341,000 program was an timely boost for the city. "With only a few weeks to go until the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games, there has never been a more important time to ensure our city is accessible for people of all ages and abilities," Mr Tate said. As well as beachside locations, the free equipment will be located at the Southport Broadwater Parklands and for city-wide use from Gold Coast Recreation and Sport in Southport. "Our relationship with the Surf Life Saving Clubs and community groups is really important as they play a big role in helping us deliver the program," Mr Tate said. "Club volunteers roll out the mats on weekends during patrol season." The Queensland government is making a last-ditch effort to keep the filming of Dora the Explorer in the sunshine state. Federal Treasurer Scott Morrison on Friday afternoon refused a request to increase Paramount movie studio's tax break so it could produce the live-action children's movie in Australia. The film's producers needed to know by Friday so they could meet their filming schedule. Mr Morrison said Queensland was "well placed to provide the necessary top-up grant" from $20 million it had committed in 2017 to attract the production of more movies. But Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the federal government's refusal to help out was a slap in the face and would cost Gold Coast jobs. "I've urgently written to Paramount to give us an extra 48 hours to try and save Dora," she said. "How come Canberra can give billions of dollars to Victoria and NSW, and Queensland jobs on the Gold Coast are going to miss out thanks to Scott Morrison and Malcolm Turnbull?" South Australians are heading to the polls in an election widely regarded as the most unpredictable in the state's history, with a record number of early votes meaning a result may not be clear until next week. The South Australian Electoral Commission says it is expecting more than 300,000 declaration votes, where ballots are cast at pre-poll centres, as absent votes or by post. This represents about a quarter of the total votes in the state, where just over 1.2 million people are registered for Saturday's election. Labor Premier Jay Weatherill is bidding to win a record fifth term in a row for the ALP while Opposition Leader Steven Marshall is hoping to seize power after falling just short in 2014. The man in the middle is SA-BEST leader Nick Xenophon, who is seeking to win a seat in parliament's lower house after quitting the Senate. He also hopes to have enough of his colleagues elected to hold the balance of power in the SA parliament. Power prices, energy security and jobs have been the key issues while Labor is battling the 'it's time" factor after 16 years in office. The government has also been hit by fallout from the Oakden nursing home scandal and problems over the protection of vulnerable children in state care. The election may ultimately be decided by what happens with Mr Xenophon's challenge, and with several independents who could strike deals with the major parties to form a minority administration. The Greens will be hoping to make it a dark night for Labor as the parties battle it out for the Melbourne seat of Batman. However, senior Labor figures remain confident former ACTU boss Ged Kearney can hold the seat, vacated by David Feeney over his dual citizenship. With the Liberal Party not fielding a candidate, the by-election will be a test of whether the Greens' march into inner-metropolitan seats continues apace or Labor is showing signs of appealing to a young "hipster" demographic. A win would give the Greens two seats in the House of Representatives. Labor frontbencher Anthony Albanese is confident his party will retain Batman, which is held by a margin of one per cent. He says it's a choice between having someone who could be a voice in a Labor government or an MP who waits for decisions to be made and then protests against them. Greens leader Richard Di Natale, who has appeared regularly with candidate Alex Bhathal, has sought to make the campaign about fighting the Adani coal mine in Queensland and being fairer to refugees. He says the community has "outgrown the Labor party". Ten candidates are running in the seat, which is named after the early settler and explorer John Batman. The hunt for two gangland hit men is continuing as confronting footage, showing the daylight execution in Sydney of former bikie boss Mahmoud "Mick" Hawi, comes to light. The video, captured on February 15, shows Hawi getting into his 4WD parked outside Fitness First in Rockdale, before a gunman, dressed in black, runs towards the driver's side of the car. The gunman - an arm's length from the car - appears to fire multiple shots at Hawi sitting in the driver's seat. The attacker then leans into the car and continues firing at the ex-leader of the Comancheros before running from the car park. Hawi, 37, died a few hours later in St George Hospital. Police said they were aware of the footage. The strike force, set up to investigate the hit, is continuing to probe Hawi's extensive links with the criminal underworld in the search for his killers. Victoria has escaped a long, hot summer without a major bushfire and authorities are hoping that holds for one blazing autumn weekend. Since September, Victoria has had about 4000 bush and grass fires, and 28 severe and four extreme fire danger days. But with no significant rainfall since late January, Country Fire Authority deputy chief officer Alen Slijepcevic says the worst isn't necessarily over. A blast of hot March weather on Saturday risks stoking two fires in Gippsland, where the danger season has dragged on for six months. "It's quite unusual because normally the fire season in Gippsland coincides ... with summer months and this year it started early, in the second part of September, and it hasn't stopped yet," Mr Slijepcevic told AAP. The entire state has dried out, making this weekend's forecast of strong winds and temperatures into the 30s particularly dangerous. A total fire ban has been declared for the Mallee, Wimmera, Northern Country, North Cental, South West and Central regions for Saturday. The fire danger is expected to continue into Sunday for parts of Victoria, with strong, cold and damaging winds of up to 100km/h expected to sweep east across the state. So far, Victoria has escaped a major fire thanks to solid planning and a reduction in the number of "really hot days with really strong winds". The biggest, in far east Gippsland, burnt through about 7500 hectares in September. "It's been a very long and protracted season," Mr Slijepcevic said. "I know people think 'autumn is here' but until we get rainfall of at least one inch, 25mm, we are not out of the woods yet." Australia is launching an ambitious bid to help Southeast Asian countries fix some of their urban planning nightmares, slums and traffic-gridlocked roads. Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull will announce a $30 million investment to support "smart cities" on Saturday as he hosts leaders from the 10-country Association of Southeast Asian Nations for a special summit in Sydney. The initiative will set up a knowledge bank of sustainable urban planning ideas to be shared between ASEAN countries and Australia. The Economist ranked Melbourne the world's most liveable city seven years in a row last year, while Perth and Adelaide also ranked in the top ten. In comparison, megacities in Southeast Asia like Jakarta, Manila and Bangkok are well down the list. Mr Turnbull says modern cities are embracing technology like sensors and wiring up electronic-commerce and electronic cash and there was scope to have compatible systems across different countries. He considers Singapore as an outstanding example of urban planning. The prime minister will make the announcement during a keynote address at a forum of chief executive officers alongside Indonesian President Joko Widodo. The pair will discuss progress on free trade negotiations during their bilateral talks and they dined at Mr Turnbull's Harbourside home on Friday night. Indonesia and Australia had hope to sign a free trade deal on the sidelines of the summit after failing to meet a deadline late last year. But negotiations are ongoing and there is no timeframe on sealing the pact. Mr Widodo has said it was a good idea for Australia to join ASEAN but Mr Turnbull has expressed reluctance to do that. The prime minister is also expected to hold official talks with leaders from Laos, Malaysia, Thailand, the Philippines and Brunei. Henrik Stenson has maintained his place atop the leaderboard midway through the second round at the Arnold Palmer Invitational in Florida. The 2016 British Open winner Stenson back up his sizzling opening round of eight-under-par 64 at Orlando's famed Bay Hill course with a 69 on day two, moving to 11 under the card. Bryson DeChambeau (through 17 holes) is currently outright second at 10 under, while unheralded American Talor Gooch (13 holes) is two shots back in third. Meanwhile, defending champion Marc Leishman is the leading the Australian contingent at four under nearing completion of his round. Countryman Adam Scott (70) clawed back up the leaderboard to one under, while Stuart Appleby also posted a 70 but at four over is likely to miss the projected cut of one over. Jason Day headlines the Australians off in the afternoon wave and 2016 Bay Hill winner Day (one over) will continue his marquee grouping alongside Tiger Woods (four under) and Hideki Matsuyama (two under). Also out the in the afternoon groups is Perth youngster Curtis Luck (one under) and world No.50 Cameron Smith (three over). The air and sea search for a helicopter pilot missing off the Pilbara coast will be coordinated by Western Australia police. Preparations are in train for an underwater search for the helicopter, says Aviator Group, the owner of Mackay Helicopters which operates the aircraft. The chopper went down two days ago about 30 kilometres off Port Hedland just before midnight on Wednesday. A 44-year-old pilot, who was reportedly flying the helicopter, remains missing on Saturday despite a search of more than 1000 square kilometres. A second pilot, believed to be aged 64, was rescued from a life raft shortly after the crash. The aircraft was carrying no passengers at the time and crashed as it approached the China-bound bulk carrier MV Squireship to pick up a marine pilot. The Australian Transport Safety Bureau is investigating the incident, Aviator Group confirmed in a statement on Saturday. Senior executives from the company have travelled to Port Hedland to support the rescued pilot and its employees in the town. It's also in contact with the family of the missing pilot. Actress Sacha Horler was called upon to step into one of the ABC's top comedy roles at the last minute. Horler will play Australia's discount furniture queen Victoria 'Sando' Sandringham in new comedy, Sando, after Genevieve Morris, seen recently in No Activity, had to step down due to health reasons. "I didn't have time for any thinking. Normally I'm a research girl and I like to have time to let it seep through me, and talk to costume and make-up and the director, but I was cast on a Thursday, cut my hair off that afternoon and dyed it red, and I was shooting on the Monday," Horler said. Horler, who many will recognise for playing Yvonne Tisdale in The Moodys, instead relied heavily on the script which she says was, thankfully, very clever. In her matriarchal role, Horler presides over a family of misfits in the six-part series. "It's about an Aussie battler family and a kind of 80s/90s nostalgia for a time that was simpler, that was all about sitting down in front of your telly on a Sunday night having a takeaway and watching David Attenborough's Blue Planet first edition," she said. "It's kind of the nostalgia and the joy of dysfunctional families. We're all flawed and we can all relate to it. It's about how families are complex and they're hilarious and hopeless." Sando is quite impressive in a lot of ways, she runs her own furniture empire after all, but she does hit a few road bumps along the way. "Well, it's all out there, she slept with her daughter's fiance," Horler said. "It wasn't ideal, these things happen in a family, and she's still surprised ten years later that her daughter is still upset about it. That's what I love about Sando, especially at the beginning of the series, she has no self-awareness. None." Sando, who's best described as a combination of Harvey Norman's Geoff Harvey and Joyce Mayne according to Horler, isn't ready to admit her mistake but at the same time spends the series trying to get back into her family's good books. "In terms of the storyline, it's about seeing if the family will forgive her, seeing if the family will accept her, and when we meet her she has no ability to look at herself or even understand what she did wrong," she said. But she's one character Horler won't easily forget. "It was an enormous amount of fun to do because I get to do a lot of very silly things, because Sando is charmingly outrageous, she is the one who will buy the last drink." * Sando airs on ABC and iview on Wednesday March 21 at 9pm (AEDT). An Adelaide man has been rescued from a storm drain, only to be arrested on an outstanding warrant. The 52-year-old was climbing down the side of the five-metre deep drain in a reserve in Oaklands Park about 4.30am on Saturday when he slipped and fell, landing on his back. The Northfield man called for help and emergency crews arrived, hoisting him out on a stretcher. But his rescue tipped off authorities to an outstanding warrant, and he was later arrested. The man is recovering at Flinders Medical Centre with non-life-threatening injuries. Harper Lee, who died in February 2016 aged 89, agreed in 2015 to give producer Scott Rudin the rights to the theatrical production of "To Kill a Mockingbird" Screenwriter Aaron Sorkin's Broadway adaptation of Harper Lee's "To Kill a Mockingbird" is facing a legal challenge by the late author's estate over claims it dramatically rewrites the main character, Atticus Finch. Lee, who died in February 2016 aged 89, agreed in 2015 to give producer Scott Rudin the rights to the theatrical production of the novel, one of the most popular works of American fiction. Published in 1960, the book has sold more than 40 million copies, been translated in more than 40 languages and continues to sell about a million copies a year, according to a legal filing entered Tuesday before an Alabama court and seen by AFP Thursday. "To Kill A Mockingbird" was previously adapted for the big screen in 1962, winning three Oscars, and was first produced for the stage by Christopher Sergel in 1970. Lee's heirs grew worried by interviews given by Sorkin, an acclaimed screenwriter in his own right best known for "The West Wing" and "The Social Network," and sought a draft of the script. Their main concern was over the portrayal of the novel's beloved main character, the crusading lawyer Atticus Finch. Rudin attempted to reassure the estate, according to the court filing, that the production remained faithful to the book. But after reading another draft in February, Tonja Carter, a lawyer for Lee's estate, said nothing had been done to alleviate their concerns. After further tense exchanges, a lawyer representing Rudin indicated that his company, Rudinplay, had the final say over the production and that the estate's input was advisory only -- leading to the lawsuit. The play is due to open on Broadway on December 13 with its first preview on November 1. No caption Sex. Money laundering. Espionage. The investigation of Washington special prosecutor Robert Mueller is bursting its seams, going far beyond Russian meddling in the 2016 presidential election. After indicting 19 people so far, Mueller's team has put on edge many people in President Donald Trump's orbit, not least Trump himself. But the investigators appear to still have a long way to go before wrapping up their probe. Here are the various directions of Mueller's investigation: - Collusion: dirt on Clinton - The investigation's main focus is possible Trump campaign collusion with Russia. Moscow allegedly offered the campaign compromising materials on Trump rival Hillary Clinton several times -- some of which was published by WikiLeaks. According to reports and court filings, separate offers were made to campaign advisors George Papadopoulos and Carter Page. Another was allegedly made to top campaign officials, including Donald Trump Jr, Jared Kushner, and Paul Manafort, in a June 2016 Trump Tower meeting with a Russian lawyer. A key question: What did Trump know about that offer? Mueller is also reportedly eyeing Republican political consultant Roger Stone over his contacts with WikiLeaks during the campaign. - Back-channels to Moscow - There was a spider-web of contacts between campaign officials and Russians, but it is unclear what they add up to. Page, formerly a Moscow-based investment banker, visited Russia during the campaign, and was already the target of an FBI espionage investigation. Papadopoulos admitted to numerous contacts with Russians in England, as he sought to arrange a trip by Trump to Moscow. Kushner has admitted discussing a private communications channel with the Russians after the election, for unclear purposes. At that time Trump's national security aide Michael Flynn was also having secretive conversations with Russia's ambassador. Campaign chair Paul Manafort, according to The Washington Post, offered to share campaign information with Oleg Deripaska, a Russian tycoon with Kremlin links. The Post also reported that Mueller is probing a meeting that an associate of Trump, Erik Prince, held with a senior Russian in the Seychelles in January 2017 as another "back channel" effort. - Russian hacking/disinformation - Surprisingly, the Mueller probe has also dug deeply into the Russian meddling itself, and not only to fill out the picture of what happened in 2016. In February Mueller indicted 13 Russians linked to the Internet Research Agency for their efforts to manipulate US public opinion. That group included Yevgeny Prigozhin, a close ally of President Vladimir Putin. Mueller is also expected to indict people involved in the hacking theft of Clinton materials. - Follow the money - Mueller has already charged former campaign chairman Paul Manafort and campaign deputy Rick Gates over laundering $75 million tied to work they did for pro-Moscow Ukrainian leader Viktor Yanukovych. On Thursday The New York Times reported that Mueller has subpoenaed records from the billionaire president's umbrella company, the Trump Organization, related to Russia and other matters under investigation. That could cut a broad swath: Russians figured large as customers in the business, with many buying condominiums in his New York and Florida projects. The New York headquarters of the Trump Organization: special counsel Robert Mueller's has subpoaenaed financial records from President Trump's business, according to a report In 2013 Trump partnered with a Moscow developer with Putin links to hold his Miss Universe contest in Moscow. Trump's 2008 sale of a Palm Beach mansion to Russian oligarch Dmitry Ryobolev for $95 million, which Trump paid only $41 million for, has also raised eyebrows. There are also questions about Kushner's seeking international financing for a heavily indebted New York property owned by his family business, and how that may have intersected with the Trump campaign. - Sex - Mueller could also be looking into the possible existence of a lurid videotape in Russian hands involving Trump and prostitutes dating back to the Miss Universe. That was reported in the dossier on links between the campaign and Russia produced by British ex-spy Christopher Steele. Steele, much of whose report has proven to be accurate, was interviewed by Mueller's team last year. Steele's sources said the video could provide the Kremlin with leverage over Trump. - Obstruction - The weightiest charge Mueller is exploring is Trump's possible obstruction of his investigation. Trump's firing of FBI director James Comey, his constant comments on the investigation, possibly covering up the June 2016 Trump tower meeting, and other actions could support the charge. But Mueller will need powerful evidence to prove it, as it could set up a hearing on impeaching the president in Congress. Vanessa Trump is reportedly filing for divorce from her husband Donald Jr, the US president's eldest son The wife of Donald Trump Jr, the US president's eldest son, filed for divorce on Thursday in New York, according to several American media reports. Vanessa Trump, nee Haydon, married Donald Jr in November 2005. The couple, both 40, have five children between the ages of three and 10. According to multiple media reports, the former model filed for an uncontested divorce, meaning proceedings will not include a dispute over custody and assets. Queried by AFP for confirmation, the Trump Organization did not immediately respond. Several weeks ago, The New York Post tabloid had reported the couple had marital woes, citing Donald Jr's frequent travel and, like his father, a penchant for social media site Twitter. In mid-February, his wife, who normally shies from media attention, found herself in the headlines after she opened a letter sent to her husband that contained a mysterious white powder. The powder was harmless but Vanessa Trump was hospitalized as a preventative measure, along with her mother, who was there when she opened the envelope. On March 1, a 24-year-old Massachusetts man was arrested and charged with sending a threatening message and powder. US Secretary of Defense James Mattis, shown visiting Bagram Airfield in Afghanistan as part of a Middle East tour, said he heard "loud and clear" about Iran's "destabilizing" efforts in the regoin US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis lambasted Iran on Thursday for "mucking around" in Iraq's upcoming elections in a bid to sway votes towards pro-Tehran candidates. Speaking to reporters as he returned from a trip to Oman, Afghanistan and Bahrain, Mattis said officials he met with had expressed frequent concerns about Iranian behavior. "One thing that came through loud and clear is the suspicion of Iran and the evidence of Iranian destabilizing efforts," said Mattis, a longtime Iran hawk. "I heard it when I was up in Afghanistan. You know what's going on in terms of Iran's support to Assad. Now Iran is following Russia's example (and) mucking around in Iraq's elections," Mattis said, referring to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. "It was just brought home to me again that they are not changing their behavior, they are continuing to be a destabilizing influence," Mattis added. The Pentagon chief said he would not speculate as to whether Iran's efforts were having any impact on the Iraqi electorate ahead of the May parliamentary and provincial assembly elections. "Iran is trying to influence using money the Iraqi elections. That money is being used to sway candidates, to sway votes," he said. "Iran should leave the Iraqis to determining their own future," said Mattis. Despite increased rhetoric from Washington about Iran's activities in the region and US President Donald Trump's continual railing against the Iran nuclear deal, Mattis noted that Iranian naval vessels in the Gulf have become less provocative toward US ships. He said ships from both the regular Iranian navy and the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps have curtailed the sorts of incidents that had become almost routine over the past few years, and are now staying away from American vessels. "In the Gulf itself, they are not coming in as close to our ships, the provocative actions in the Gulf seem to have relented somewhat," Mattis said. "They are not doing as many bellicose confrontations and that sort of thing." - 'Testing' off Yemen - Commander Bill Urban, spokesman for the Navy's Bahrain-based Fifth Fleet, said there had been no "unsafe or unprofessional" interactions with the Iranians at sea since August 14, 2017 when an Iranian drone with no lights on flew close to US aircraft operating in the Gulf. Urban told reporters that "a substantial period time" has passed since then, "something that we think is great." He said there has been "an across-the-board change in behavior." Last year and in 2016, the US Navy frequently complained about the behavior of Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps vessels, which would often shadow and steer toward American ships. In at least one incident, US sailors had to fire flares and warning shots before the Iranians turned away. Urban said that since then, the Iranians have stopped approaching so closely. Mattis said that off the Yemen coast around the Bab-al-Mandab strait, the Islamic Republic is testing a number of offensive capabilities. "It's where you find (Iran's) radars, their ballistic missiles, anti-ship cruise missiles," Mattis said. "We've found their mines, their explosive boats all being tested, increased capability being demonstrated down there." Fifth Fleet and its associated task forces continually patrol the Gulf and inspect some of the ships passing through the region. In 2016, sailors seized weapons apparently headed from Iran to Yemen, including machine guns and rocket launchers. Urban said task forces this year have confiscated record amounts of heroin, much of which may have been grown in Afghanistan to fund the Taliban. The Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps is a paramilitary force that answers directly to the Islamic republic's supreme leader. In January 2016, the Iranians briefly captured the crew of two small US patrol boats that strayed into Iranian waters. The 10 US sailors were released 24 hours later. Australia has been a dialogue partner of ASEAN, which groups Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam, since 1974 Indonesian President Joko Widodo wants Australia to become a full member of ASEAN, signalling Friday he is keen on Canberra playing a bigger regional role in defence, trade and security matters. His comments come with Australia hosting a special summit of Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) leaders in Sydney, as China increasingly flexes its muscle and the threat of violent extremism grows. "I think it's a good idea," Widodo told the Sydney Morning Herald, referring to Australia joining ASEAN -- the first time an Indonesian president has endorsed the concept. "Because our region will be better, (for) stability, economic stability, and also political stability. Sure, it will be better." Australia has been a dialogue partner of ASEAN, which groups Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam, since 1974. They began biennial leaders' summits in 2016, with the first in Vientiane. In a report last month, the Australian Strategic Policy Institute argued that Canberra should aim for ASEAN membership by 2024 -- its 50th anniversary of being a partner -- and use the Sydney summit as a launch pad. Indonesian President Joko Widodo wants Australia to become a full member of ASEAN, signalling he is keen on Canberra playing a bigger regional role in defence, trade and security matters "As the geo-strategic and geo-economic pressures build in Asia, ASEAN, as a middle-power grouping, needs the extra middle-power heft offered by Australia and New Zealand," it said. "The Sydney summit is the moment to launch the long conversation about Australia joining ASEAN." Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said he was "very warmed" by Widodo's comments, but stressed "ASEAN matters are matters for ASEAN". "We have the greatest respect for ASEAN, the way it reaches its own conclusions," he said ahead of a bilateral meeting with Cambodian leader Hun Sen. "We are a dialogue partner with ASEAN and we respect that centrality of ASEAN and its significance and fundamental importance, central importance, in our region." Speaking at a press conference alongside Turnbull, Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said he was keen to "deepen ties between Australia and Southeast Asia more broadly". "Australia believes its future lies in Asia, took steps to become ASEAN's first dialogue partner in 1974, and Singapore has taken steps to help keep the region open," said Lee, the 2018 ASEAN host. "As ASEAN chair, Singapore will continue to encourage Australia's engagement with ASEAN, and we will discuss taking the partnership forward." Widodo, who will reportedly have a private dinner with Turnbull at his harbourside home on Saturday, singled out close co-operation with Canberra on counter-terrorism. He said he regularly spoke on the phone with Turnbull to resolve issues such as the threat posed by Islamic extremists who last year seized the Philippines' city of Marawi. "We have good co-operation on Marawi, not only with Australia but also with Malaysia, with the Philippines, with Brunei," he said. "You know that no country is invulnerable from terrorism or extremism." Countering the threat of violent extremism and ways to choke terrorist financing are key themes of the Sydney summit. The warming of ties between Indonesia and Australia follows a period of rocky relations due to Jakarta's execution of Australian drug smugglers and Canberra's policy of turning migrant boats back to Indonesia. British billionaire businessman Sanjeev Gupta will built the world's biggest battery in South Australia, overtaking US star entrepreneur Elon Musk's project in the same state last year British billionaire businessman Sanjeev Gupta will built the world's biggest battery in South Australia, officials said Friday, overtaking US star entrepreneur Elon Musk's project in the same state last year. The 120MW/140MWh battery storage facility will support a new solar farm at the Whyalla Steelworks, which was taken over by Gupta's GFG Alliance when it bought Australia's cash-strapped steelmaking giant Arrium last year. The push towards more renewable energy projects in South Australia followed an "unprecedented" storm that hit in 2016, causing a state-wide blackout. "Today's announcement is another example of how South Australia ... is leading the world in renewable energy," state Premier Jay Weatherill said in a statement. "As well as being the most powerful battery in the world, SIMEC ZEN Energy's storage facility will help underpin the long-term viability of the Whyalla steelworks, as well as provide additional benefits to the South Australian grid." The announcement came a day before the Labor state government goes to the polls in a tight election race that has seen energy policy at the heart of the final days of campaigning. The state's main opposition party, the Liberals, has sought to distinguish its energy policy from Labor by supporting the development of an additional connection to the power grid instead. The new battery storage project -- at Port Augusta some 300 kilometres (186 miles) north of Adelaide -- will be supported by a Aus$10 million (US$7.8 million) grant from Weatherill's government. Musk, the maverick billionaire and founder of Tesla, had pledged on Twitter last year to built a battery farm with a self-imposed deadline of having it ready in 100 days. The 100 MW/129 MWh battery, located in the rural town of Jamestown north of Adelaide, was switched on in late 2017 and connected to a wind farm operated by French energy firm Neoen. It is meant to help tackle power shortages, reduce intermittencies and address demands in summer, when most of the country experiences its highest energy usage. Musk is also working with the state government on a landmark plan to give 50,000 homes solar panels and Tesla batteries. The network of solar panels linked to rechargeable batteries will be financed by the sale of excess electricity generated by the network, Weatherill said last month. From the safety of suburban Australia, Bou Rachna recalls the hours before her husband Kem Ley, a prominent Cambodian political analyst, was shot dead at a Phnom Penh gas station in a 2016 killing that rattled the nation From the safety of suburban Australia, Bou Rachna recalls the hours before her husband Kem Ley, a prominent Cambodian political analyst, was shot dead at a Phnom Penh gas station in a 2016 killing that rattled the nation. They had just finished breakfast together when he left to meet some students for a chat over coffee. She received a call soon after, informing her that he had been gunned down in broad daylight. "He never did anything for himself," Bou Rachna told AFP of her late husband. "He did everything for Cambodia, so that it could have freedom, real democracy, independent courts and respect for human rights." She and her five children arrived in Australia last month where they were granted asylum after hiding for more than a year in Thailand. But reminders of the violence that felled Kem Ley have followed them, with death threats mailed to the family ahead of a visit to Sydney by Cambodia's strongman leader Hun Sen for a special Australia-ASEAN summit this week. Australia's hosting of the summit, which will focus on economic ties and counter-terrorism cooperation, is not without controversy. While Australia granted asylum to Kem Ley's family, it also struck a controversial deal with Hun Sen's government to take in a small number of refugees refused Australian asylum in exchange for $55 million in aid Critics say Canberra has a patchy record on rights in Southeast Asia with Human Rights Watch warning that the government should not "dance with dictators". While Australia granted asylum to Kem Ley's family, it also struck a controversial deal with Hun Sen's government to take in a small number of refugees refused Australian asylum in exchange for $55 million in aid. Despite the death threats, Bou Rachna is determined to speak out from her new home, and believes her husband was silenced for his criticism of the Cambodian regime. Little-known outside Cambodia, Kem Ley was a popular analyst and critic at home, who focused on corruption and land-grabbing that continues to plague the country. He criticised politicians of all shades, often speaking to rural and urban Cambodians on Khmer-language radio. - Crackdown intensifies - His brazen killing shocked the country, with tens of thousands attending funeral ceremonies and marching through the capital. Unemployed former soldier Oeuth Ang admitted to the murder and was sentenced to life in prison last year, saying Kem Ley owed him US$3,000. But many observers are sceptical, arguing the killing was politically motivated -- a throwback to the 1990s and early 2000s when political assassinations in Cambodia were commonplace. "I didn't accuse them, but the people in Cambodia know who the killer is behind Chuob Samlab," Rachna said, referring to a moniker given to Oeuth Ang during his years as a soldier, which in Khmer means "meet to kill". Cambodian-Australian Victoria state parliamentarian Hong Lim Lim has long been critical of Hun Sen's regime and has been threatened with violence if he returns to Cambodia Hun Sen's government has long denied involvement, but for many Cambodians Ley has become the face of resistance against mounting oppression in the country. The Cambodian strongman, one of the world's longest serving leaders, has recently intensified a crackdown on the press, civil society and the only credible opposition, which was disbanded following a court ruling last November after its leader was arrested on treason charges. In response, the United States and some European countries reduced aid commitments and put travel restrictions on senior officials and Hun Sen's family, although China is increasingly filling that void. "All Hun Sen does is he gets up and he is looking for ways to crush somebody," Cambodian-Australian Victoria state parliamentarian Hong Lim told AFP. Lim has long been critical of the regime and has been threatened with violence if he returns to Cambodia. Hun Sen, a Khmer Rouge defector who has ruled the country for 33 years, is due to meet Turnbull during his visit. Lim believes Canberra has not done enough to condemn rights abuses in Cambodia, claiming it compromised its values when it agreed to the refugee deal. "We don't seem to get the message that we have stooped so low, working with this hideous regime and then trying to secure people to go to that country," he said. "We Australians are better than that." - Threat to beat protesters - Hun Sen is expected to be confronted by hundreds of protesters in Sydney, where there is a sizeable population of Cambodian refugees who fled the Khmer Rouge in the 1970s. Ahead of the regional summit, he sparked a storm by reportedly threatening to "beat" any demonstrators and warned he would "shame" Australia and block the release of a joint communique if he was embarrassed in any way. Hun Sen is expected to be confronted by hundreds of protesters in Sydney, where there is a sizeable population of Cambodian refugees who fled the Khmer Rouge in the 1970s Australia's department of foreign affairs said it had made clear to its Cambodian counterparts "that Australia supports freedom of expression and the right to protest, and that threats of violence on Australian soil are not acceptable". They said Turnbull will raise rights abuses during the summit. Phnom Penh said Canberra had taken Hun Sen's comments out of context. Rachna plans to join the protests, but holds out little hope that justice will prevail for her husband, and fears she may never be able to return to Cambodia. "We cannot return at this time unless there is a change in our Cambodia," she said. Japan's Finance Minister Taro Aso (R) will skip a G20 meeting next week to address parliament as pressure mounts over a cronyism scandal and alleged cover-up dogging Prime Minister Shinzo Abe (C) Japan's finance minister will skip a G20 meeting next week, officials said Friday, to address parliament as pressure mounts over a cronyism scandal and alleged cover-up dogging the prime minister. Taro Aso "will concentrate on" dealing with parliament, and will be represented at the meeting by his deputy Minoru Kihara, a ministry official told AFP. The decision comes as a new poll showed support for Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's government down 9.4 percentage points from last month to 39.3 percent, the lowest since his resounding reelection in October. The Jiji Press poll published Friday, which comes after two other media surveys this week showing drops in support for Abe, put the premier's disapproval rating at 40.4 percent. Ruling and opposition lawmakers have agreed to hold a hearing Monday on the growing scandal over the cut-price sale of government land to a supporter of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, and the alteration of finance ministry documents related to the deal. Aso and Abe will attend the parliamentary session, according to opposition Democratic Party officials. Both have been on the ropes in recent days as the cronyism and cover-up scandal balloons. Aso is under intense scrutiny after he admitted this week that official papers related to the favouritism scandal had been altered. He has repeatedly apologised, but rejected calls from the opposition to step down over the row, saying his job is "to find out truth". The scandal centres on the 2016 sale of state-owned land to one of Abe's supporters at a price well below market value. It first emerged early last year, but resurfaced after the revelation that official documents related to the sale had been changed. Versions of the original and doctored documents made public by opposition lawmakers appeared to show passing references to Abe had been scrubbed, along with several references to his wife Akie, and to Aso. Aso has blamed the alterations on "some staff members" at the ministry, and says he had only learned about them on Sunday. However, top government spokesman Yoshihide Suga said Thursday that he and Abe learned about the possibility that documents had been altered days earlier. Opposition parties want to summon Nobuhisa Sagawa, formerly the head of the finance ministry department that oversaw the land deal, to testify in parliament. Sagawa was promoted last year to tax agency chief but stepped down last week over the scandal. Abe's party is expected to approve the request for Sagawa to appear with the testimony coming as early as next week. Adding to the row, a ministry official at the heart of the land deal was found dead last week in a suspected suicide. Japanese media reported Friday that files found on his computer say he was "forced to alter documents" by a superior, without naming the person. Koe Tan Kauk is a 'model' village for ethnic Rakhine migrants shuttled north to repopulate an area once dominated by Rohingya Muslims Buddhist flags hang limply from bamboo poles at the entrance to Koe Tan Kauk, a "model" village for ethnic Rakhine migrants shuttled north to repopulate an area once dominated by Rohingya Muslims. The new arrivals are moving to parts of Rakhine state mostly "cleared" of its Rohingya residents, whose villages were bulldozed and reduced to muddy stains on a landscape of lush farmland. The Rakhine migrants, who come from the poor but relatively stable south, are -- for now -- few in number. But they carry great expectations as the pioneers of a donor-led "Rakhinisation" plan to upend the demography of the once majority-Muslim area. Re-shaping Myanmar's Rakhine "We were really afraid of those Kalars and didn't plan to come here," Chit San Eain, a 28-year-old who has moved with her husband and toddler into a basic hut in Koe Tan Kauk tells AFP, using a pejorative term for Muslims. "But now that they are no longer here, we have the chance to meet again with our relatives who live up here," she added, the ruins of a Rohingya settlement lying a few kilometres away. Nearly 700,000 Rohingya have been driven from northern Rakhine into Bangladesh since August 25 last year by a Myanmar army offensive against Muslim militants. Another 300,000 Rohingya were pushed out from the south and centre of Rakhine by army campaigns stretching back to the late 1970s. The UN has branded last year's military crackdown ethnic cleansing, with a top official saying it carried all the "hallmarks of genocide." Myanmar vigorously denies the allegations and says refugees are welcome to return. The Rakhine migrants come from the poor but relatively stable south, although are so far few in number But so far it has agreed to allow back only 374 of 8,000 refugees whose names have been put forward for the initial phase of repatriation. Many traumatised Rohingya in Cox's Bazar camps are also refusing to be repatriated to Rakhine -- where holding camps and hostile neighbours await them. In their absence a blizzard of development projects, government and army-sponsored or privately funded, are transforming northern Rakhine. Taking space vacated by fleeing Rohingya is an old game in a state seen as the frontline of a Buddhist nation's fight against encroaching Islam. "The military has been engineering the social landscape of northern Rakhine State so as to dilute the Rohingya population since the early 1990s," says Francis Wade, author of "Myanmar's Enemy Within: Buddhist Violence and the Making of the Muslim 'Other'". The new arrivals are moving to parts of Rakhine state mostly "cleared" of its Rohingya residents, whose villages were bulldozed and reduced to muddy stains on a landscape of lush farmland The Muslim minority are denied citizenship and labelled "Bengalis", outsiders who -- the logic runs -- have successfully been pushed back to their country of origin. In a pattern with echoes of "the Israeli settler project in the West Bank" Buddhist communities then move in, altering the "facts on the ground" gradually rubbing out Muslim rights to the land, he added. "I'd expect to see more Buddhists settle there over the coming years. And then we'll forget what the area once was, and that process of erasure will be complete." - Rohingya out, Rakhine in - Chit San Ean is the beneficiary of the Ancillary Committee for the Reconstruction of Rakhine National Territory in the Western Frontier (CRR), a private scheme established shortly after the refugee crisis began. In a zone under a strict army lockdown the resettlement plan could not fly without military consent. Funded by ethnic Rakhine donors, the CRR's ambition is to establish a "Muslim-dry" buffer zone running the nearly 100 kilometres from state capital Sittwe to Maungdaw town, according to Oo Hla Saw, a Rakhine MP who advises the committee. So far only around 64 households -- some 250 people -- have been moved by Reconstruction of Rakhine National Territory in the Western Frontier (CRR), a private scheme established shortly after the refugee crisis began "All of this area was under the influence of Muslims. After the military operations, they had to flee... so we have to establish this area with the Rakhine population," he told AFP. The CRR will fund jobs and homes "so this little population can grow and grow," he added. It's a trickle so far, with around 64 households -- some 250 people -- moved by the CRR, with 200 more families on a waiting list. They are among the poorest of the poor, mostly daily wage labourers from Thandwe around 600 kilometres to the south or squatters from Sittwe. Two village tracts, Koe Tan Kuak near Rathedaung and Inn Din near Maungdaw, have been designated for the scheme so far. The army concedes the second site was the scene of extrajudicial killings of Rohingya captives as violence engulfed the region last August. Koe Tan Kauk was a similarly mixed settlement of Buddhist and Muslim homes. New arrivals are among the poorest of the poor, mostly daily wage labourers from Thandwe around 600 kilometres to the south or squatters from Sittwe The CRR-sponsored hamlet promises a rudimentary existence. There is little work, no electricity or running water but donors have gifted each family a $450 shack on stilts, made from plywood and metal sheeting. New residents hope to eventually own land, a prospect previously beyond their reach in Myanmar's second-poorest state. Rakhine nationalists say the CRR is a bulwark against Islam and a means to ensure their ethnic group has a say in development projects driven by the Burmese-dominated central state, who they distrust deeply. "Who should be given priority other than Rakhines in Rakhine State?" explained Than Tun, General Secretary of the CRR. - Cronies and soldiers - For its part, Myanmar's government has enlisted powerful businessmen to rebuild the infrastructure of the battered state. The army is running other projects including beefing up its security apparatus -- in what appears to be a multi-pronged effort to keep out the Rohingya. There is little work, no electricity or running water but donors have gifted each family a $450 shack on stilts, made from plywood and metal sheeting An Amnesty International report this week detailed how roads, helipads and security installations are being built, often on top of razed Rohingya settlements. They labelled the activity a massive "land grab" that threatens to erase evidence of alleged atrocities, including at Inn Din. Across northern Rakhine, abandoned land and rice fields have been commandeered by the army in an area with access tightly controlled to media, investigators and most aid groups. The Rohingya lost their legal status in 1982, under a junta-era Citizenship Law. Now their ancestral lands are being stripped away. That makes return impossible, according to lawmaker Oo Hla Saw. "These people want to be recognised as 'Rohingya' ethnicity... to enjoy citizenship, to resettle in their native grounds," he says. "Their demands are unreasonable." Despite their dangerous new neighbourhood, the arrivals at Koe Tan Kauk say they are there to stay. "I will end my life here," said a 69-year-old woman called Osar. "I'm not going anywhere." burs-rs/apj/amu/sls Protests over illegal immigration gripping the French island of Mayotte off Africa's coast have an unexpected epicentre: a maternity ward packed to bursting point Protests over illegal immigration gripping the French island of Mayotte off Africa's coast have an unexpected epicentre: a maternity ward packed to bursting point. The main hospital in Mayotte, wedged between Madagascar and the southeast African mainland, is now home to the busiest maternity ward in France -- mostly serving migrant mothers. So great is the influx of mothers from the neighbouring Comoros islands -- which are much poorer and not part of France -- that the government is now considering the drastic step of declaring the hospital as non-French territory. Hadidja, one of the few Comoran mothers willing to speak to journalists, admitted with some embarrassment that she is here because she wants her children "to be French". Like thousands of others, she arrived on the island of 250,000 people last year after enduring a 17-hour crossing in a traditional kwassa-kwassa fishing boat from the Comoros island of Anjouan, 70 kilometres (43 miles) away. She has just given birth to a boy, Hassan, in the bulging maternity ward in Mayotte's main town of Mamoudzou after a difficult birth for her first child. "It went badly, I suffered a lot of pain," she said in hesitant French, sitting up in bed. "I came here because it's a good hospital." The flow of migration from the Comoros -- which unlike its neighbour voted for independence from France in 1974 -- has been going on for years and is difficult to measure. But the 19,000 deportations from Mayotte in 2015 -- barely less than the 20,000 from all of mainland France -- give an indication of the scale of the influx. Some 9,600 babies were delivered in the Mayotte maternity wing last year, a record for any hospital in France. In a phenomenon echoing complaints of foreign mothers travelling to the US to give birth to children with US citizenship, some 70 percent of the mothers were undocumented immigrants, according to French national statistics agency INSEE. Protests over illegal immigration gripping the French island of Mayotte off Africa's coast have an unexpected epicentre: a maternity ward packed to bursting point "There are too many births, too many babies, too much work," said trainee nurse Moina Baco. "I've got a baby that doesn't even have a crib anymore. There aren't any left." Chief midwife Moendandze Zadibo said the hospital was so short on space that women are being transferred to other facilities just hours after giving birth if they are were doing well, to free up their beds for more arrivals. And the thinly-stretched staff are having to deal with more complex births due to the poverty of the women arriving. "We have more emergency caesareans, more women who arrive without ever having seen a doctor during their pregnancy," she said. - Resentment boils over - The dire situation at the maternity ward, along with growing lawlessness that locals blame on the migrants, has fed the roadblocks, strikes and protests that have paralysed Mayotte for a month. Local mother Mariama, 33, gave birth the day before to a little girl. She is set to be kicked out of the hospital because she has social security, which means she has access to a private-sector midwife. "We'll have to sort ourselves out, while those who don't have social security will stay," she said. "I feel like I'm second class -- when I pay my contributions, I pay my taxes." The issue comes up frequently among the protesters who have been manning the street barricades in a bid to get the government 8,000 kilometres away in Paris to do something. Protesters gathered in Mamoutzou, on the French Indian Ocean island of Mayotte, March 13, 2018, against insecurity and immigration. The French government is trying to end weeks of unrest with promises of action against the influx from neighbouring African islands that has strained public services Midwives have a difficult time getting past the barricades "because we are treated like traitors for helping foreign children give birth here", one of them told AFP. But medical professionals say they have a duty of care to anyone who turns up. "We are a public hospital and we look after mums. We don't ask where they're from," said the hospital's director Catherine Barbezieux. Medics oppose the idea of declaring the hospital to be a no man's land, saying it would not stop mothers from coming to Mayotte. "The medical community can only express the strongest reservations" about the idea, said Philippe Durasnel, vice-president of the hospital's medical commission. "Given that women are coming so that their children can have French nationality, they will simply give birth at home or in the bush. We'd be opening the door to potential tragedies." According to police, 74 farmers were murdered between 2016 and 2017 in South Africa, which has one of the world's highest crime rates Australia insisted its humanitarian program was non-discriminatory Friday after South Africa reacted furiously to suggestions "persecuted" white farmers could be fast-tracked into the country, as the minister involved was called a racist. Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton sparked controversy by singling out the farmers' need to flee "horrific circumstances" for a "civilised country". According to police, 74 farmers were murdered between 2016 and 2017 in South Africa, which has one of the world's highest crime rates. Dutton's decision to examine whether they deserve "special attention" for acceptance on refugee or humanitarian grounds led to South Africa hauling in Australia's envoy to Pretoria for a ticking off. Foreign ministry spokesman Ndivhuwo Mabaya demanded in a statement that he retract the comments, saying the government was offended. Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull stopped short of defending his minister when pressed Friday, insisting Australia had a non-discriminatory humanitarian program. "We have migrants to Australia from every part of the world... and we have a refugee program that is non-discriminatory," he said. "We have a very large South African community of Australians of South African ancestry, from every background, and they make a phenomenal contribution to our very successful multicultural society." Foreign Minister Julie Bishop denied there was a double standard in Dutton speaking up for white South African farmers but not Palestinian farmers persecuted by Israel, as noted by some commentators. "I reject that. What we do in our humanitarian visa program is assess visas on their merits and that's what Peter Dutton as home affairs minister does every day," she told ABC radio. She added that the message from Canberra to Pretoria was "that they seek to ensure the security of all their citizens". "We certainly urge the South African government to ensure that any changes to land ownership are not disruptive to the economy or lead to violence." South Africa has vowed to enact land "expropriation without compensation" to redress land confiscations of the colonial and apartheid era. Dutton, who has drawn criticism in the past for cracking down on asylum-seekers from Asia and the Middle East, was called "an out-and-out racist" by Greens leader Richard di Natale. He suggested the stance on South African farmers signalled a return to the "White Australia" policy, referring to laws in place for seven decades from 1901 that prevented non-white immigrants settling Down Under. "There's no debate as far as I'm concerned, the bloke is an out-and-out racist," he told reporters. "According to Peter Dutton, if you're a white South African farmer you are going to make a great contribution, you're not going to bludge on welfare. But if you're not white, you won't do any of those things." Up to 500,000 white South Africans have left the country in the past 30 years, according to official statistics, with Australia ranking as the top destination. Citing a military source, the South's Yonhap news agency said the Foal Eagle exercise will start early April but be halved in length from two months to one South Korea and the United States will scale down and shorten annual joint military exercises in light of a diplomatic thaw with Pyongyang, a report said Friday. The Key Resolve and Foal Eagle drills held every spring regularly infuriate the nuclear-armed North, which usually condemns them as preparations for invasion and responds with provocations of its own, ratcheting tensions higher. But the two Koreas and the US are in the throes of an Olympics-led rapprochement, with South Korea announcing plans for a summit between Seoul and Pyongyang next month, and US President Donald Trump said to be meeting the North's leader Kim Jong Un by the end of May. The joint exercises were delayed to avoid clashing with the Pyeongchang Winter Games in the South last month. But according to a senior official in Seoul's presidential office, Kim told a visiting South Korean envoy last week that he would "understand" if the drills went ahead. Citing a military source, the South's Yonhap news agency said Foal Eagle, a field exercise involving tens of thousands of troops, will start in early April but be halved in length from two months to one. US strategic weapons such as B-1B bombers and aircraft carrier strike groups -- which have been often deployed to and near the Korean peninsula in times of high tension -- will not take part this time, Yonhap said. Key Resolve, a command post exercise using computer-based simulations, will kick off in the coming week, the news agency added. Earlier, US Lieutenant-General Kenneth McKenzie, director of the joint chiefs of staff, told a briefing that the US conducts a "robust series of exercises" with South Korea every year. "I don't think this year will be any different than those that have occurred in the past," he added. A spokesman at the US-South Korea Combined Forces Command said the date, duration and other details of the annual Key Resolve and Foal Eagle exercises will be announced next week. North Korea has made no official comment on Kim's proposed face-to-face meetings with Trump and South Korean President Moon Jae-in. The chairman of a South Korean government committee preparing for the Moon-Kim summit said Friday it was likely to last just one day. The committee will seek high-level talks with the North later this month to pave the way for the leaders' face-to-face meeting, to be held in the Demilitarized Zone that divides the Koreas. Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte Duterte has announced Manila would quit the ICC over its preliminary inquiry launched last month into allegations his crackdown on narcotics amounts to crimes against humanity The Philippines has given official notice to the United Nations that it will exit the treaty underpinning the International Criminal Court, which is looking into President Rodrigo Duterte's deadly drug war, the government said Friday. The move comes two days after Duterte announced his nation would quit the court over its preliminary inquiry launched last month into allegations his bloody crackdown on narcotics amounts to crimes against humanity. Philippine police say they have killed roughly 4,000 suspects who fought back during arrest, but rights groups allege the actual number is three times higher and accuse the authorities of murder. On Thursday the Philippines said in a letter to the UN, which oversaw negotiations to found the court, that it was pulling out of the Rome Statute. "The decision to withdraw is the Philippines' principled stand against those who would politicise and weaponise human rights," the letter said. Foreign Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano, speaking from Manila, said the Philippines was quitting due to "the well-orchestrated campaign to mislead the international community, to crucify President Duterte... by distorting the human rights situation in the country". Officially quitting the court requires a year's notice and experts say pulling out does not preclude an investigation of the killings, which have drawn international concern. - 'Impunity for atrocity crimes' - "A withdrawal would have no impact on ongoing proceedings or any matter which was already under consideration by the court prior to the date on which the withdrawal became effective," the ICC said Friday, its first comment since Duterte's announcement. "The court encourages the Philippines to not follow through with the reported/stated intention to withdraw, as it is... an integral part of the international criminal justice system," it added. Should the Philippines fully withdraw from the court it would not be the first to do so, as Burundi became the first ever nation to leave in October 2017. The Philippines said in its letter that it "affirms its commitment to fight against impunity for atrocity crimes", despite its withdrawal. Opened in 2002, the ICC is the world's only permanent war crimes court and aims to prosecute the worst abuses when national courts are unable or unwilling. The Philippines, under previous President Benigno Aquino, ratified in 2011 the Rome Statute which underpins the ICC, giving the tribunal authority to investigate crimes on its soil. Duterte, who is buoyed by high popularity ratings at home, has fiercely defended the drug war as a battle to bring safety to the nation's 100 million people. He has frequently urged authorities to kill drug suspects while promising to protect police from legal sanction. Civilians seek safer ground inside the Kurdish city of Afrin as Turkish troops and their Syrian Arab rebel allies close in on March 15, 2018 Turkish artillery fire on the Kurdish-majority enclave of Afrin in northern Syria killed at least 18 civilians on Friday, a monitor said. "Since midnight (2200 GMT Thursday), 18 civilians, including five children, were killed by Turkish artillery fire on the city of Afrin," the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said. "There is fighting on the northern edge of the city," the Britain-based monitoring organisation said. On January 20, Turkey and Syrian Arab rebel proxies launched an air and ground offensive on the Afrin region, which is controlled by the US-backed Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG). Ankara has consistently denied targeting civilian infrastructure but the Observatory said at least 245 civilians, including 41 children, have been killed in less than two months. Turkish-led forces have nearly fully encircled the city of Afrin, with only one road left open for civilians to flee to areas controlled by the Syrian regime or the YPG. The Observatory said on Thursday that more than 30,000 civilians had fled Afrin in 24 hours. North Korean Foreign Minister Ri Yong Ho Ri Yong Ho arrived in the Swedish capital on Thursday evening North Korea's foreign minister held talks in Stockholm with Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Lofven on Friday amid reports Sweden could play a role in setting up a proposed summit between Donald Trump and Kim Jong Un. "They had a meeting. We will not disclose what they talked about," Lofven's spokesman Jonatan Holst told AFP. Ri Yong Ho arrived in the Swedish capital on Thursday evening with Choe Kang Il, deputy director general of the foreign ministry's North America section. Ri held talks late Thursday and early Friday with his Swedish counterpart Margot Wallstrom, discussions which according to Swedish officials were to focus on the denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula and a possible Trump-Kim summit. No public statement from Ri or Wallstrom was expected after the conclusion of the talks on Friday evening, but the foreign ministry said it would publish a statement. Some Swedish and foreign media have said Ri will stay in the Scandinavian country until Sunday for other talks, though Swedish officials would not confirm those reports. Sweden has longstanding ties with North Korea. Its diplomatic mission in Pyongyang, which opened in 1975, was the first Western embassy established in the country. The embassy also represents US, Canadian and Australian diplomatic interests in North Korea, with Sweden playing a key role in liaising diplomatic talks. - 'Ready to play a role' - International media have speculated that Sweden could either help set up a proposed summit, or be a potential location if a tete-a-tete were to be confirmed. Sweden's foreign ministry has refused to comment on that possibility, saying only that the talks would "focus on Sweden's consular responsibilities as a protecting power for the United States, Canada and Australia." "They will also address the security situation on the Korean peninsula, which is high on the (UN) Security Council agenda," a ministry statement said. Sweden is currently a non-permanent member of the Security Council. "The aim of the visit is to contribute to the effective implementation of the resolutions" voted by the Security Council against Pyongyang over its nuclear programme, as well as those calling "for intensified diplomatic efforts to find a peaceful solution to the conflict". After months of tension and warmongering over Pyongyang's nuclear programme, Trump has agreed to a summit proposal relayed by South Korean envoys who met Kim Jong Un in Pyongyang. But no specific time or venue has been set and North Korea has yet to confirm it even made the offer to meet. Lofven on Thursday said Sweden was "ready to" play a role if asked. Ronald Haeberle (C- with sunglasses) said he came back to My Lai to repent for the horrors of the Vietnam War's deadliest massacre Fifty years after taking photos of an American massacre of Vietnamese villagers, a former US army photographer said he is sorry for the "carnage" his countrymen unleashed in one the war's worst atrocities. Ronald Haeberle told AFP he started snapping instinctively, capturing the chilling photos that would later expose the full extent of the My Lai massacre: 504 Vietnamese dead in a single day, mostly unarmed women, children and older men. "I wanted to remember what was happening there, I wanted to capture a moment in time, and I did," he told AFP while touring the My Lai massacre museum in the village on Friday, the 50th anniversary of the killings. His images, some of which were published in Life magazine in 1969, would eventually help to blow the lid on the cover-up of the massacre, as controversy over the killings cascaded up military ranks and eventually embroiled then-US President Richard Nixon. The gruesome pictures, some depicting bare-bottomed babies face down in a ditch alongside piles of corpses, added fuel to a mounting anti-war movement in the United States and eventually led to several charges against military officers. Haeberle was in My Lai, known as Son My by Vietnamese, with US troops on that day in 1968 for what he was told was an ambush to clear Viet Cong rebels from the rice-growing hamlet in central Vietnam, which was believed to be a hotbed of communist resistance. But as he toured the village with another reporter, he realised most of the dead weren't armed enemies. Haeberle's photos would eventually help to blow the lid on the cover-up of the My Lai massacre "It was complete carnage what we witnessed inside the village, but it happened," he said after a sombre ceremony Friday attended by hundreds of mourners, including massacre survivors, officials and American veterans of the Vietnam War. "It was a tragedy, something happened that should not have happened. There was no combatants, they were all civilians," he said. Only one man was ever convicted for the murders -- former lieutenant William Calley -- who said he was following orders from his superiors on the "search and destroy" mission. Calley publicly apologised for the killings in 2009. Haeberle said he was brushed off by some of those military officers on March 16, 1968, when he pressed them on what happened. He recalled how a Vietnamese interpreter pleaded with the American army captain in charge of the battalion that carried out the murders. "He kept saying 'Why are they shooting my people? Why? These are civilians'. He was visibly upset," Haeberle recounted. Like hundreds of US war veterans who have returned to Vietnam since the war ended in 1975, Haeberle -- who has previously visited My Lai -- came back to Son My to repent for the horrors of the war's deadliest massacre. "I'm able to pay my condolences to the survivors and the ones that were deceased... hopefully they accept my apology for what happened on March 16," he said. North Korean Foreign Minister Ri Yong Ho (L) leaves the Swedish goverment building Rosenbad in central Stockholm, where he was to remain for further talks with Swedish leaders aiming for a US-North Korea summit Senior officials staged a flurry of calls and top-level meetings on Friday as they scrambled to make a proposed nuclear summit between US President Donald Trump and North Korea's Kim Jong Un a reality. There was no immediate breakthrough, but North Korea's foreign minister was to remain in Stockholm into Saturday for further talks with Swedish leaders, as the Scandinavian intermediary strives to pave the way for talks that could end a threat of nuclear war. From Washington, Trump called his South Korean counterpart Moon Jae-in, whose government last week passed an apparent summit invitation to Trump from Kim. Trump accepted on the spot and triggered a race to set a credible agenda for what could be a historic breakthrough. - Rampant skepticism - At the same time, foreign ministers Kang Kyung-wha of South Korea and Taro Kono of Japan were in Washington for talks at an under-staffed US State Department, left in turmoil by Trump's abrupt and brutal Twitter-sacking of former secretary of state Rex Tillerson. "I think we're cautiously optimistic that the talks will happen and that this will be a breakthrough for a peaceful resolution of the North Korean nuclear issue," Kang told the PBS NewsHour. The abrupt decision to accept the summit has triggered much skepticism from Korea observers but, after his call with Moon, Trump's White House remained cautiously optimistic that his strategy of making military threats backed by crippling real-world sanctions had forced Kim's hand. Trump and Moon "agreed that concrete actions, not words, will be the key to achieving permanent denuclearization of the Korean peninsula, and President Trump reiterated his intention to meet with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un by the end of May," the White House said. "The two leaders expressed cautious optimism over recent developments and emphasized that a brighter future is available for North Korea, if it chooses the correct path." Before a date or a venue for the summit can be set, North Korea will have to publicly confirm that it sent the invitation and intends to honor it, by attending a meeting to discuss giving up its nuclear arsenal. There had been speculation that Pyongyang might do so Friday, when Ri Yong Ho met Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Lofven and Foreign Minister Margot Wallstrom, but afterwards Swedish officials said the talks would be extended into Saturday. Sweden has longstanding ties with North Korea. Its diplomatic mission in Pyongyang, which opened in 1975, was the first Western embassy established in the isolationist country and now represents US, Canadian and Australian diplomatic interests, with Sweden playing a key liaison role. Ri and Wallstrom dined at the foreign ministry on Thursday evening, then met again on Friday at Villa Bonnier, a lavish building near the US embassy used by the government for official functions. "It was a good and constructive atmosphere. We'll see what happens next," Wallstrom told reporters after Friday's talks. Ri made no comment as he left. - Nuclear standoff - "If we can use our contacts in the best way, we will do so," Wallstrom said, noting the situation on the Korean peninsula was "of interest to us all." Ri's delegation included Choe Kang Il, deputy director general of the foreign ministry's North America section. Some media have reported that Ri, who was stationed at North Korea's embassy in Stockholm from 1985 to 1988, will stay in the Scandinavian country until Sunday, though Swedish officials would not confirm this. A senior US administration official told AFP: "No US government staff are meeting with the North Koreans in Sweden." - 'Serve as facilitator' - International media have speculated that Sweden could either help set up a summit or be a potential location if a tete-a-tete were to be confirmed. The foreign ministry has refused to comment Speaking in Berlin on Friday, Lofven said that if Sweden "can serve as a facilitator to bring about results, then we will of course do that." US Deputy Secretary of State John Sullivan speaks to the press with South Korean Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha prior to talks at the State Department Japanese broadcaster TBS said Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Moon discussed North Korea in a telephone call on Friday. TBS said Abe told Moon he wanted North Korea to not only suspend nuclear and missile testing, but also accept International Atomic Energy Inspectors on its soil. Kono asked Vice-President Mike Pence to ensure that the decades-old issue of Japanese nationals abducted by North Korea would be raised -- along with the nuclear and missile issue -- in any summit between Trump and Kim, Kyodo news agency reported. Some reports have suggested that Japan is less optimistic than its allies in Seoul and Washington that the talks are a good idea, but US officials said talks with both Kono and Kang at the State Department had gone well. "Both sides agreed that the announcement of a meeting between President Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is an historic opportunity and that the global maximum pressure campaign is working and must remain in effect," spokeswoman Heather Nauert said. Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa "noted recent remarks made to the media" by Mugabe who spoke to foreign journalists at a location in Harare on Thursday Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa said Friday that the country "has moved on" in response to claims by former president Robert Mugabe that he was ousted in an illegal "coup d'etat". Mnangagwa added in a short statement that he "noted recent remarks made to the media" by Mugabe who spoke to foreign journalists at a location in Harare on Thursday. It was Mugabe's first public statement since his resignation in November which was triggered by a brief military takeover and the threat of a no-confidence motion tabled in parliament by his own ZANU-PF party. "I say it was a coup d'etat -- some people have refused to call it a coup d'etat," Mugabe, 94, told South Africa's SABC broadcaster, referring to the brief army takeover which led to Mnangagwa assuming power after Mugabe's resignation. "We must undo this disgrace which we have imposed on ourselves, we don't deserve it... Zimbabwe doesn't deserve it." Mnangagwa's brief response, posted on his official Twitter account and bearing the seal of the presidency, added that Mugabe "is entitled to express himself freely, as is the case for any private citizen". "The nation has moved on. Our focus at this time shall remain on preparing for free, fair and credible elections in 2018." Nearly four months after he resigned, Robert Mugabe has stirred controversy by saying he was ousted in a 'coup' (file picture) Mnangagwa, 75, stressed that "the Zimbabwe government continues to honour all its obligations towards the former President's welfare and benefits, as provided for under the Constitution of Zimbabwe". - 'Betrayed the whole nation' - Mugabe's golden parachute reportedly includes a pension of several thousand dollars a month, a retinue of staff, a fleet of luxury cars and a round-the-clock protection detail. Jonathan Moyo, a key ally of Mugabe's, lashed out at Mnangagwa on Twitter, calling him "self-serving". "President Mugabe did not freely and voluntarily resign but did so under military force. That was illegal and unconstitutional!" wrote the former higher education minister. Mugabe told his interviewers he did not hate his successor, but alleged that the latter had "betrayed the whole nation". The ousted leader insisted he would not work with Mnangagwa and suggested that his presidency was "illegal" and "unconstitutional". "People must be chosen in government in a proper way. I'm willing to discuss, willing to assist in that process -- but I must be invited," he said. Gideon Chitanga, an analyst at the Johannesburg-based Political Economy Southern Africa think-tank, said that Mugabe's intervention was significant "coming at a time of elections". Presidential polls are due by the end of August in which Mnangagwa will face his first major electoral test. Mugabe's media appearance was apparently organised by the new National Patriotic Front (NPF) party which hopes to unseat Mnangagwa's government in polls expected by August. Mugabe sent shockwaves through the ZANU-PF ruling party when he recently met with the NPF's leader, retired general Ambrose Mutinhiri. In response to a widely-shared image of the two, ZANU-PF Youth League supporters chanted "down with Mugabe" at a rally, a rare outburst from the normally disciplined party that Mugabe led for nearly four decades. The military moved against Mugabe after he sacked his then-deputy and heir-apparent Mnangagwa, seemingly fearing the nonagenarian was grooming Grace to succeed him as president. Cambodian leader Hun Sen had reportedly threatened to 'beat' anyone in Australia who protested his visit Hundreds of Cambodian-Australians gathered in Sydney Friday to protest the visit of Cambodian leader Hun Sen who is accused of overseeing widespread human rights violations in the Southeast Asian nation. The strongman ruler -- who is in Sydney for a special Australia-ASEAN summit -- is travelling at time when his government has intensified an anti-democratic crackdown on the press, civil society and its opponents. The opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) was disbanded following a court ruling last November not long after its leader was arrested on treason charges. "We want the whole world to know that things are not what they seem in Cambodia," Cambodian-Australian Victoria state parliamentarian Hong Lim told AFP. "We want the world to stand by us and help send this powerful message to Hun Sen that you cannot get away with murder, you cannot carry on like this, the whole world is watching." Hun Sen had reportedly threatened to "beat" protestors and warned he would "shame" Australia and block the release of a joint communique if he was embarrassed in any way. Demonstrators held banners calling for an end to the rein of one of Asia's longest serving leaders. "Hun Sen Must step down. Hun Sen is a disgrace," the banners read. It is believed that Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull confronted Hun Sen about mounting oppression in Cambodia in a bilateral meeting with the leader on Friday. Rights groups have been pressuring Canberra to do more at the summit, with Human Rights Watch warning that the government should not "dance with dictators". "Basically, Hun Sen is engaging in this crackdown because of the absence of a coordinated international response," Elaine Pearson from Human Rights Watch told AFP. "There needs to be targeted financial sanctions against senior members of the leadership," she added. Hong Kong has come under increased pressure from Beijing since mass pro-democracy rallies in 2014 brought parts of the city to a standstill Beijing hit back Friday at Britain over a report condemning jailings of democracy activists and the disqualification of rebel lawmakers in Hong Kong. "There is no room or right for the UK to intervene," foreign ministry spokesman Lu Kang told a regular briefing. "The attempt to show the UK's influence on Hong Kong affairs is in vain and can only lead to Chinese people's antipathy," he added, referring to Britain's former role as the city's colonial ruler. The six-monthly parliamentary report on Hong Kong came days after the Chinese Communist Party decided to give President Xi Jinping a mandate to rule for life, intensifying fears that Hong Kong's freedoms will come under increasing threat. Last Monday, the city's democracy camp failed to claw back all their lost seats in controversial by-elections as the city's pro-Beijing establishment further cements its grip. Since being handed back to China by Britain in 1997, semi-autonomous Hong Kong has enjoyed rights unseen on the mainland, such as freedom of speech and an independent judiciary. But there are increasing concerns those liberties are under threat. Britain's foreign secretary Boris Johnson said Thursday the denial of entry to Hong Kong in October of British human rights activist Benedict Rogers had fuelled the UK's concern. "Beijing's involvement in this case has strengthened our view that Hong Kong's high degree of autonomy is under increasing pressure," Johnson said in the report. He also emphasised the importance of a free and fair judiciary after the jailings of leading pro-democracy activists on protest-related charges and the ousting from the legislature of four rebel lawmakers after an intervention from Beijing. Johnson said that while the judiciary "remains in high esteem", it was vital the government was "seen to use the system fairly in all cases". Hong Kong has come under increased pressure from Beijing since mass pro-democracy rallies in 2014 brought parts of the city to a standstill. The rallies failed to win political reform and since then activists have emerged calling for self-determination or full independence from China, infuriating Beijing. Eeek! Akoto's pupils had never seen a computer before and had no idea that a mouse could be anything other than an animal until he drew them an example on his chalkboard A Ghanaian schoolteacher who used chalkboard drawings to teach computer science because his farming village had no laptops found himself the star of a global conference in Singapore. Richard Appiah Akoto, who drew coloured chalk diagrams to teach impoverished rural pupils how a PC works, rubbed shoulders with Silicon Valley hotshots in the glitzy Asian tech hub. Akoto, who had never been outside of Ghana before, said he was invited to the Microsoft-sponsored meet after video of his jury-rigged lessons went viral. Facebook users delighted in his intricately detailed computer screen -- replete with toolbar icons -- and his precisely decorated keyboard and mouse, which he drew for children who had never seen a computer before. "Then I will just draw the mouse with the cord and I would say this is the mouse, this is the body and this is the tail of the mouse," he said. As a teacher of information and communication technology (ICT) at a junior high school in the impoverished Sekyedomase farming village in Ghana, Akoto said he had to improvise because the school had no computer and his own laptop had broken down. After pictures of the class were uploaded, the global response was immediate, with pledges of donations pouring in. "People started calling me... I said what trouble have I created for myself. But it's all good. At the end of the day, something good has come out from it," he said. One donor from Britain donated a laptop, and a Ghanaian IT firm gave five desktops to the school and another laptop for Akoto. When the students saw the computers for the first time, they were excited but they already knew the parts from his drawings, Akoto said. After a three-day conference in Singapore, at which he was given a standing ovation, the 33-year-old said the donations meant he would never have to resort to a chalkboard again. "I hope to get more computers so that every student will be behind one," he said Friday. "I also hope that the other surrounding schools who are also lacking like my school, we hope to get more so that we also give them (computers) to help in their teaching of ICT." The James Bond-style TV ad for mouth freshner showed a bearded Brosnan fighting villains and flirting with beautiful women before revealing a can of Pan Bahar Former 007 star Pierce Brosnan has told Indian authorities he was "cheated" by a company that employed him to promote its mouth freshener brand, officials said Friday. Brosnan first appeared in the adverts on TV channels, newspapers and billboards in 2016 for Pan Bahar, a mixture of spices and areca nut -- a known carcinogen linked to oral cancer. The James Bond-style TV ad, which sparked ridicule on social media, showed a bearded Brosnan fighting villains and flirting with beautiful women before revealing a can of Pan Bahar. The ad also prompted health authorities in Delhi to send a notice to the 64-year-old Irish actor, asking him to explain his appearance in the commercial. In his reply, Brosnan said his contract with the company was over and he would not endorse "any harmful product" in future, senior health department official S.K Arora told AFP on Friday. "Mr Brosnan has said that he has been cheated by the company as they had not disclosed the hazardous nature of the product," Arora said. The makers of Pan Bahar insist their product does not contain nicotine, but many other pan masala mixtures in India contain tobacco along with pastes, areca nut and spices. In India, alcohol and tobacco brands are not allowed to advertise, so marketing firms often use surrogate products for promotion. "The advertisement also violates Indian laws on surrogate advertisement," said Arora, adding that the areca nuts used in Pan Bahar were scientifically proven to cause cancer. An official of Ashok and Company, which manufactures Pan Bahar as well as tobacco products, refused to comment immediately. Arora said Brosnan had promised to assist Indian authorities "to stop such kind of campaigns for hazardous products". Authorities said they would review Brosnan's reply before deciding on what action, if any, to take. A tycoon's alleged poaching of a black leopard at a wildlife sanctuary sparked outrage among environmental and political activists in Thailand Bangkok graffiti artists painted a mural on Friday of panthers seated at a "Last Supper" table, the latest subversive depiction of an animal that has come to symbolise injustice after a tycoon was accused of poaching the wild cat. Construction magnate Premchai Karnasuta, one of Thailand's wealthiest moguls, was arrested in a wildlife sanctuary in February with guns and animal carcasses, including that of a black leopard. The brazen violation of park rules unleashed a wave of anguish from environmental and political activists fed-up with the impunity enjoyed by the kingdom's elites. With public protests still banned under a junta that grabbed power in 2014, the anger has taken the form of sly street art focused around the image of the panther. But the movement has turned into a cat-and-mouse game with authorities suspected of quickly painting over the panther art cropping up in public spaces around the nation. An animal rights group recently stepped in to pair street artists with private businesses willing to offer up their walls. That's how ten graffitists found themselves free to decorate the side of a Bangkok veterinary clinic on Friday. The group spent the afternoon spraying large black cats seated behind a table in a nod to Leonardo da Vinci's "The Last Supper", which depicts Jesus' final meal with his apostles before his crucifixion. A veterinary clinic in Bangkok offered its building to graffiti artists for the mural "There are (panthers) from each artist at the same table having dinner for the last time," explained a 28-year-old graffiti artist who goes by "Panda Dew". Phureerut Ratanavanich, who co-owns the veterinarian clinic, told AFP he hoped the mural would keep the panther story from falling off the front pages. "This is our silent statement to the world," he said. "(The artists) want to show their feelings but they don't have a platform. We have the platform but we don't know how to represent it in such an effective way," he added. The accused tycoon Premchai, who is CEO of Italian-Thai Development, has been charged with a slew of offences for alleged poaching in the protected Thai forest. This week he was read additional charges of attempted bribery of an official and illegal possession of ivory and guns found during a search of his home. He has denied wrongdoing and been granted bail while the case proceeds. A Rohingya girl in Bangladesh, where nearly nearly one million Rohingya Muslims have fled from Myanmar since August The United Nations on Friday launched an appeal for nearly $1 billion to care for Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh, while underscoring that efforts must remain focused on securing the safe return to Myanmar of those displaced. UN agencies asked for $951 million (774 million euros) through the rest of the year to provide basic needs for the nearly one million Rohingya Muslims in Bangladesh, including the almost 700,000 who have crossed the border since August. The head of the UN refugee agency, Filippo Grandi, told reporters that the immediate concern was mobilising life-saving aid for refugees, especially with monsoon season approaching and tens of thousands of people living in areas prone to landslides and floods. Grandi again acknowledged that it "may take a very long time" before any Rohingya can return to their home in Myanmar's Rakhine state, in the absence of any evidence that they will be safe if they go back. The Rohingya fled after Myanmar launched a brutal crackdown on insurgents six months ago that the UN has called "ethnic cleansing" -- a claim the country vehemently denies. But Grandi insisted that despite those circumstances, he would not stop fighting for the repatriation of those who wish to return home. "I think it is very important to talk about the right of the Rohingya to return," he said, adding that he "cannot entertain the notion" where their displacement is deemed permanent. Bangladesh and Myanmar agreed in November to begin repatriating Rohingya who volunteered to return to Rakhine state, where the persecuted Muslim minority has lived for generations. Grandi conceded that the conditions for safe return are not in place and that discussions with Myanmar on repatriation "have been pretty basic, not very frequent (and) not very advanced". But, he added, those talks "have continued". "We have to take this thing one step at a time," he said, reiterating the need for humanitarian assistance while repatriation negotiations play out. The new route was announced by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi last July India's state-run carrier Air India said Friday it will fly over Saudi airspace to Tel Aviv, a move that ends a decades-long Saudi ban on the use of its airspace for flights to Israel. The decision comes at a time of growing ties between India and several Middle Eastern countries, and after Israel's leader Benjamin Netanyahu hinted at a diplomatic realignment in the region earlier this month. "The Air India flights to Israel will start from March 22. The flights will take around seven hours and five minutes, and fly over... Saudi airspace," airline spokesman Praveen Bhatnagar told AFP. The new route was announced by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi last July, with Netanyahu first suggesting in January the route could pass over Saudi Arabia. Riyadh has no official ties with Tel Aviv, with Israel's national carrier El Al currently taking a detour over the Red Sea on its India service to avoid Saudi and Iranian airspace. Netanyahu told reporters in Washington earlier this month that Air India had reached an agreement with Saudi Arabia for the route. The airline's spokesman at the time confirmed the launch schedule for a thrice-a-week service from New Delhi to Tel Aviv but couldn't confirm the exact route. - 'Common challenges' - Flying over Saudi Arabia significantly shortens the flight time over the proposed route. Riyadh has maintained public silence about suggestions the kingdom has covert relations with Israel, but Netanyahu said earlier this month in Washington that Israel and the Arab states have "never been closer". "Most of the states in our region know -- they know very well, believe me -- that Israel is not their enemy, but their indispensible ally in confronting our common challenges and seizing our common opportunities," Netanyahu also said at a public event in the US capital. Modi became the first Indian Prime Minister to visit Israel last year, and has pushed for investment, technology cooperation and closer defence ties between the two countries. Saudi Arabia and its immediate neighbourhood is also strategically important for India as the major source of the country's energy imports. The wider region also hosts millions of Indian migrant workers who send billions of dollars in remittances each year. South Africa's National Director of Public Prosecutions Shaun Abrahams said there were 'reasonable prospects of a successful prosecution of Mr Zuma' Here is a timeline of major events in the corruption charges against disgraced South African former president Jacob Zuma: October 1995 - The South African air force decides to replace some of its jets. March 1997 - The government approves a plan to replace defence hardware. October 1997 - Deputy president Thabo Mbeki opens a tender for the supply of arms estimated to cost around 12 billion rand. November 1998 - The cabinet approves the arms deal at a price tag of 30 billion rand. On the same day Zuma, then a provincial minister, meets with his personal financial advisor Schabir Shaik and an official from French arms dealer Thomson-CSF. The auditor-general raises red flag over the deal as "high-risk". June 1999 - Thabo Mbeki is elected president of South Africa with Jacob Zuma as his deputy. September 1999 - An opposition lawmaker Patricia de Lille alerts parliament that the arms deal could be fishy and calls for an inquiry. December 1999 - Finance Minister Trevor Manuel seals off the deal at 29.9 billion rand. February 2000 - The serious economic crimes offences police unit known as the Scorpions launch investigations. November 2002 - Local media reports that Zuma, who is not yet president, is under investigation. October 2004 - Trial of Zuma's adviser Shaik opens. June 2005 - Shaik is convicted and jailed for 15 years for fraud and corruption. Four years later he is released on medical parole in 2009, the year Zuma becomes president. - Zuma is charged with having had a "generally corrupt" relationship with Shaik. Mbeki fires him as deputy president - Zuma is formally indicted on two graft charges. December 2007 - Zuma is elected president of the ruling African National Congress party, unseating Mbeki. Ten days later Zuma is slapped with fraud, corruption, money laundering and racketeering charges for allegedly getting kickbacks from one of the bidders. September 2008 - A judge rules that the corruption charges against Zuma are invalid. April 2009 - Acting chief prosecutor Mokotedi Mpshe withdraws charges against Zuma based on the phone conversation of the so-called "spy tapes" that suggest the charges were politically motivated. May 2009 - Zuma is sworn in as South Africa's president. October 2011 - Zuma appoints a judiciary panel into the arms deal. April 2016 - The panel clears all government officials of corruption over the arms deal. Days later the High Court in Pretoria rules that the 2009 decision to drop the charges was "irrational" and that charges must be reinstated. October 2017 - The Supreme Court of Appeal rules that Zuma is liable for prosecution. February 2018 - Zuma is forced to resign as South African president by his party in the wake of mounting corruption scandals around him. March 2018 - Prosecutors decide he should face 12 counts of fraud, two of corruption, one of racketeering and one of money laundering. Israeli soldiers check the ID of a Palestinian driver at a checkpoint in the West Bank on January 11, 2018 A car hit a crowd of people including Israeli soldiers in the occupied West Bank on Friday, injuring several people, the Israeli army said. Israeli media reported two people were killed and three injured in what they described as a suspected car ramming near the Palestinian city of Jenin in the northern West Bank. Israeli army spokesman Jonathan Conricus confirmed that a number of people had been hit but told AFP the authorities were still investigating whether the incident was an attack or an accident. There have been a number of previous attacks by Palestinians using cars to ram into groups of Israeli soldiers or civilians. Jacob Zuma and his fourth wife Bongi Ngema cutting a cake during their traditional wedding ceremony in 2012 South Africa's former president Jacob Zuma will stand trial on 16 fraud, corruption and racketeering charges, prosecutors announced Friday, a month after he was forced to resign from office. The charges had been shelved in 2009, the year Zuma, 75, became president. On February 14 he reluctantly stepped down under pressure from his ANC party in the face of mounting allegations, the latest revolving around his business friends, the Guptas who allegedly had undue influence on his adminstration. Here are five of his biggest scandals: - Arms deal - After protracted back-and-forth court cases, the National Prosecuting Authority in March 2018 decided Zuma was liable to face prosecution on corruption, fraud, racketeering and money laundering charges involving almost 800 counts relating to a 1990s arms deal. The accusations relate to a multi-billion-dollar arms deal signed in 1999, when Zuma was deputy president. He and other oficials allegedly accepted bribes from five European arms manufacturers to influence the choice of weaponry. Zuma's advisor, Schabir Shaik, was jailed for 15 years in 2005. He was released on medical parole in 2009, the year Zuma became president. The former president faces jail for the criminal charges over the hundreds of payments valued at $345,000 (280,000 euros), he allegedly received. - Nkandla costs - Zuma was found by the country's graft watchdog in 2014 to have "benefited unduly" from so-called security upgrades to his rural Nkandla residence in KwaZulu-Natal province. It said he should refund some of the money. The work, paid for with taxpayers' money, cost $24 million and included a swimming pool, which was described as a fire-fighting facility, a cattle enclosure, an amphitheatre and a visitors' centre. For two years, Zuma fought the order to repay part of the money. The scandal came to dominate his presidency -- with opposition lawmakers chanting "Pay back the money!" every time he appeared in parliament. In March 2016 he was ordered by the Constitutional Court to pay back the cash and suffered a stinging rebuke from the justices who accused him of failing to respect and uphold the constitution. - Guptagate - As the Nkandla debacle built to a climax, its place in the headlines was overtaken by a new scandal, known as Guptagate. It involved the president's allegedly corrupt relationship with a wealthy family of Indian immigrants headed by three brothers -- Ajay, Atul and Rajesh Gupta -- who built a business empire in mining, media, technology and engineering. Smouldering rumours of the family's undue influence on the president burst into flames in 2016 when evidence emerged they allegedly offered key government jobs to those who might help their business interests. Ousted deputy finance minister Mcebisi Jonas revealed that the Guptas had offered him a promotion shortly before Zuma sacked respected finance minister Nhlanhla Nene in December 2015. The opposition Democratic Alliance (DA) laid corruption charges against the Guptas and Zuma's son Duduzane. - Rape charges and HIV - Before taking office, Zuma was put on trial in 2006 for rape, in a case that dismayed many South Africans. Zuma said the sex with the 31-year-old family friend was consensual and he was acquitted. But he told the court he had showered to avoid contracting HIV after having unprotected sex with his HIV-positive accuser -- a common but dangerous myth. Zuma was head of the South African National AIDS Council at the time, and was pilloried for his ignorance. He is still mocked in newspaper cartoons, which often depict him with a shower nozzle sprouting from his bald head. Nearly a fifth of South Africans aged between 15 and 49 are HIV-positive. - Omar al-Bashir - In March 2016 the South African Supreme Court of Appeal upheld a judgement that the failure by Zuma's government to arrest Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir was illegal. Despite an arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court on charges of war crimes in the conflict in Darfur, Bashir was allowed to attend a meeting of the African Union in Johannesburg in 2015. The government said the fact that he was attending the summit as a head of state meant he had immunity, but the court disagreed. Zuma escaped an impeachment attempt over the issue in parliament in September 2016, when ANC lawmakers voted overwhelmingly against it. A Con Edison power plant across from Manhattan: Washington says Russian government hackers have gained access to the controls of critical US infrastructure The Russian government is behind a sustained hacking effort to take over the control systems of critical US infrastructure like nuclear power plants and water distribution, according to US cyber security investigators. A technical report released by the Department of Homeland Security on Thursday singled out Moscow as directing the ongoing effort that could give the hackers the ability to sabotage or shut down energy and other utility plants around the country. It was the first time Washington named the Russian government as behind the attacks which have been taking place for nearly three years. The allegation added to a series of accusations of political meddling and hacking against Russia that led to Washington announcing fresh sanctions against the country this week. "Since at least March 2016, Russian government cyber actors ... targeted government entities and multiple US critical infrastructure sectors, including the energy, nuclear, commercial facilities, water, aviation, and critical manufacturing sectors," the report from the DHS Computer Emergency Readiness Team said. DHS, together with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, said the Russian hackers targeted two groups -- the infrastructure operators themselves, and also peripheral "staging targets" which could be used as stepping stone into the intended targets. Staging targets included third party firms supplying services and support to the main targets but may have less secure networks. The hackers had a deep toolbox of methods to enter target systems, they said. The hacking effort paralleled Russia's alleged operation to interfere with the 2016 US presidential election and continue with online media manipulation throughout 2017. DHS did not identify specific targets which the Russians broke into. But it said they were able to monitor the behavior of control systems, install their own software, collect the credentials of authorized users, monitor communications, and create administrator accounts to run the systems. - Sustained attack - The government has been issuing warnings to operators of US infrastructure -- power producers and distributors, water systems, and others -- about foreign hacking since 2016. In January a White House report said cyberattacks cost the United States between $57 billion and $109 billion in 2016, and warned that the broader economy could be hurt if the situation worsens. It pointed the finger mainly at attackers from Russia, China, Iran, and North Korea. Last September the private security firm Symantec outlined hacking efforts focused against US and European energy systems by a high-skilled group it dubbed Dragonfly 2.0. "The Dragonfly group appears to be interested in both learning how energy facilities operate and also gaining access to operational systems themselves, to the extent that the group now potentially has the ability to sabotage or gain control of these systems should it decide to do so." Symantec did not name the origin of the group, but the DHS report included Symantec's Dragonfly analysis in its allegations against Russia. On Thursday the government announced sanctions against Russia's top spy agencies and more than a dozen individuals, citing both the election meddling and cyberattacks. "We will continue to call out malicious behavior, impose costs, and build expectations for responsible actions in cyberspace," said Rob Joyce, the cybersecurity coordinator on the White House's National Security Council. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addresses American-Jewish leaders in Jerusalem on February 21, 2018 A senior Israeli minister has said Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu would have to resign if indicted on corruption charges or face being dropped by his coalition government. Finance Minister Moshe Kahlon's remarks suggest Netanyahu's right wing coalition remains fragile despite this week surviving a crisis that nearly brought it down. Police in February recommended Netanyahu be indicted on two cases of alleged corruption, while a third investigation regarding supposed favours sought from the head of the country's largest telecommunications firms is ongoing. The Israeli attorney general is due to rule in the coming months on whether to pursue the indictment. Netanyahu, 68, has been in power nearly 12 years in total and denies all charges. Under Israeli law he does not have to step down even if indicted but Kahlon, leader of the centre right Kulanu party, said his position would become untenable. "If a trial begins against the prime minister, he will no longer be able to fulfil his duties," he told Israel's second channel in an interview to be published later Friday, excerpts of which were released earlier. "He will get up and leave or the other parties will go away." Netanyahu's government narrowly survived a crisis over military service for ultra-Orthodox Jews this week when a compromise was reached between different members of the coalition that allowed the budget to be passed. Critics accused Netanyahu of supporting the crisis that nearly led to early legislative elections, with his Likud party still strongest in the polls. An electoral victory would have reinforced his position and lent weight to his argument he is the subject of a media and police witch-hunt. Netanyahu has insisted his government, made up of six centre and rightwing parties, is stable. Israeli security forces and forensics experts inspect the destroyed vehicle that was used the army said a Palestinian assailant rammed into a group of Israeli soldiers in the occupied West Bank on March 16, 2018 Two Israelis soldiers were killed and two others injured when a Palestinian rammed a car into a group of troops in the occupied West Bank on Friday, the Israeli army said. The four were struck when the car ploughed into their group close to the settlement of Mevo Dotan near Jenin in the northern West Bank. The army said the two killed were an officer and a soldier, without naming them. One of the two injured was in severe condition, the army statement added, saying their families had been informed. The attacker was arrested and taken to hospital, the army said. He was named as Alaa Kabha, born in 1991, with the army saying it had immediately rescinded the permits of 67 of his family members to work in Israel. Israeli security forces stand at the site where the army said a Palestinian assailant rammed a car into a group of soldiers in the north of the occupied West Bank on March 16, 2018 Tensions were high on Friday after Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas called for a day of rage to commemorate 100 days since US President Donald Trump's controversial recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital. Palestinians also see the city as their capital and Trump's recognition broke with decades of US policy that the status of the city would be negotiated between the parties. At least 31 Palestinians and four Israelis have been killed since Trump's announcement, which set off major protests. Hamas praised the attack but did not claim responsibility for it. "This revolution against the Trump decision and the occupation is not a wave of anger but an ongoing action until our people are totally free," said Hamas, which is considered a terrorist organisation by Israel, the United States and others. Palestinian attacks are often attributed to frustration with Israel's 50-year occupation. Israel accuses Palestinian officials of encouraging such attacks through incitement and refusing to accept Israel's existence. The events come ahead of what could be a tense few months, with a number of significant dates that may spark tension. Uppermost among them is the inauguration of the new American embassy in Jerusalem on May 14, coinciding with the 70th anniversary of Israel's founding. Israeli security forces at the site where the army said a Palestinian assailant rammed a car into a group of soldiers in the north of the occupied West Bank on March 16, 2018 President Trump has said he will attend if he can. On May 15 Palestinians recognise the Nakba, or catastrophe, commemorating the fleeing of hundreds of thousands of people in the 1948 war that led to the creation of Israel. Around 400,000 Israelis live in West Bank settlements that are considered illegal by the United Nations. Around 2.6 million Palestinians live in the same area. A nurse prepares a vaccine against yellow fever at an outpatient clinic in Sao Paulo, Brazil in January; since early 2017, the virus has been spreading in several of the country's eastern states A deadly and growing yellow fever outbreak in Brazil has killed at least four international visitors, and US health officials on Friday warned travelers to get vaccinated or stay away. Yellow fever is a mosquito-borne disease that often causes no symptoms. Some people may experience fever and nausea, and in about 15 percent of cases the infection can turn severe and lead to jaundice and multiple organ failure. Since early 2017, the virus has been spreading in several of Brazil's eastern states, "including areas where yellow fever was not traditionally considered to be a risk," said the report by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Affected areas include the states of Rio de Janeiro, Minas Gerais and Sao Paulo, including areas close to the city of Sao Paulo. "Be protected or don't go," said Marty Cetron, director of the CDC division of global migration and quarantine. He warned that the intensity of transmission was "highly unusual" and the risk to travelers is "somewhat unprecedented." He urged potential travelers to be vigilant, even if they run into difficulties obtaining a vaccine due to low availability. "Because of the challenge of getting the vaccine we don't want them to hesitate and think, 'Oh I will just go without it. It can't hurt, my friends have gone before and nothing has happened,'" he told reporters on a conference call. The vaccine should be given 10 days before travel. A total of 10 international visitors from Europe and South America who were not vaccinated prior to traveling to Brazil have been infected with yellow fever already this year. Officials warned of a specific hotspot on Ilha Grande, a forested island off the coast of Rio de Janeiro, where eight international visitors have contracted yellow fever. Four of them died -- a Swiss national, a German and two travelers from Chile. "This suggests Ilha Grande is an exceptionally hot spot for yellow fever virus transmission," said Cetron. Brazil's health officials have confirmed 920 cases of yellow fever, including more than 300 deaths since July 2017 far higher than the previous year which saw 196 deaths. North Korea has yet to confirm that it issued an invitation for Trump to meet Kim for nuclear disarmament talks, as South Korean officials reported to Trump during a White House meeting last week The United States and South Korea expressed "cautious optimism" Friday that North Korea could enjoy a "brighter future" after a planned summit between President Donald Trump and Kim Jong Un before the end of May. Trump and South Korean President Moon Jae-in, who spoke by telephone, said the North must follow "the correct path" and that they would maintain "maximum pressure" on Kim before the possible talks. "The two leaders expressed cautious optimism over recent developments and emphasized that a brighter future is available for North Korea, if it chooses the correct path," the White House said of the call. Trump and Moon were speaking as US officials met the South Korean and Japanese foreign ministers in Washington, and North Korea's Foreign Minister Ri Yong Ho met the Swedish prime minister in Stockholm. North Korea has yet to confirm that it issued an invitation for Trump to meet Kim for nuclear disarmament talks, as South Korean officials reported to Trump during a White House meeting last week. But Sweden has long acted as an intermediary between Pyongyang and Washington, and Trump appears determined to push ahead with talks he believes are possible because of the success of his campaign to isolate the North militarily and economically. Senior State Department official Brian Hook said after talks in Berlin and Vienna that Trump wants to reach a "supplemental" deal with the European signatories to the agreement by then The US and European powers have had "very good" discussions towards agreeing a "supplemental" accord beyond the Iran nuclear deal by May 12, a senior US official said Friday. President Donald Trump said in January that the 2015 deal between Iran and major powers must be "fixed" by May 12 or the United States will walk away. Senior State Department official Brian Hook said on Friday after talks in Berlin and Vienna that Trump wants to reach a "supplemental" deal with the European signatories to the agreement by then. This would cover Iran's ballistic missile programme, its regional activities, the expiration of parts of the nuclear deal in the mid-2020s and tighter UN inspections, Hook said. "We are taking things one week at a time, we are having very good discussions in London, Paris and Berlin," Hook, recently ousted Secretary of State Rex Tillerson's chief of strategy, told reporters. "There is a lot we agree on and where we disagree we are working to bridge our differences," Hook said. He declined to indicate what would happen if and when such an agreement is reached, saying: "We are not under instructions from the president to go beyond seeking an agreement with our European allies." The 2015 accord between Iran and the US, Russia, China, France, Britain and Germany curtailed Iran's nuclear activities in exchange for sanctions relief. Iran, which according to the UN atomic watchdog has been abiding by the deal since it came into force in January 2016, has ruled out any changes to the agreement. The talks in Vienna on Friday, a regular review of the accord, involved Iran and the six other signatories. Trump's decision this week to replace Tillerson with Mike Pompeo as secretary of state has been widely seen as another bad omen for the agreement. Tillerson and his erstwhile cabinet ally Defence Secretary Jim Mattis had urged Trump to listen to the Europeans to preserve the agreement. Pompeo, head of the Central Intelligence Agency, is seen as taking a harder line on Iran. Syrian civilians, evacuated from one-time opposition bastion of Eastern Ghouta gather at a school in the regime-controlled Hosh Nasri, on the northeastern outskirts of the capital Damascus on March 16, 2018 Syrian soldier Ayman al-Khatib scoured the crowds streaming out of Eastern Ghouta until he spotted his parents. Falling to his knees, he embraced them for the first time in seven years. A year after the young fighter left his hometown in 2011 for compulsory military service, Ghouta fell to rebels -- putting Khatib and his parents on opposite sides of one of Syria's most ferocious battlefronts. "We were separated for too long. Today, I got my soul back by seeing him again," said Khatib's 51-year-old father Zakariya, after the emotional reunion. Zakariya and the rest of the Khatib family were among around 2,000 people who fled Ghouta on Friday through a "safe corridor" leading into government-held territory. The towns, villages and lush agricultural fields that make up Eastern Ghouta were home to around 400,000 residents but had been sealed off from the nearby Syrian capital Damascus since 2013 Tens of thousands are estimated to have fled Ghouta, using two access routes carved out by the Syrian army as part of its assault on the one-time opposition bastion on the outskirts of the capital. "My joy today is two-fold -- the first is that I saw my son after long years of yearning," said Zakariya, clutching Khatib's face with both hands and checking it for any scars or wounds from fighting. "The second joy is that I left oppression, injustice, and hunger." The towns, villages, and lush agricultural fields that make up Eastern Ghouta were home to around 400,000 residents, but had been sealed off from nearby Damascus since 2013. With all roads closed, Khatib was not able to attend the funeral of his brother, killed two years ago in the violence ravaging the suburb. - Loved ones still inside - Thousands of people have fled Eastern Ghouta through "safe corridors" leading into a Syrian government-held territory, escaping a devastating regime air and ground assault Since February 18, the government's air and ground assault has recaptured 70 percent of Ghouta, and Khatib was battling alongside the troops as they pressed into his own hometown. "I was flustered, there was a pit in my heart. On the one hand, I was scared for my parents. On the other, I wanted to do my duty," he said. On Thursday, he managed to contact his family, who said they would try to flee their battered neighbourhood the following day. "I looked for them in the massive crowds until I found them. I was like a thirsty man in the desert who finally found water," Khatib said. Setting aside his rifle and grinning, he picked up three of his youngest relatives, born in Zabdin after he left and whom he had never met. Similar reunions were taking place all along the dusty roadside, where displaced families were awaiting buses to take them to temporary shelters in Damascus. Waving away food and bread, 60-year-old Zahraa Nasser sobbed uncontrollably on her nephew's shoulders, also an army fighter. Syrian soldier Aref Awad (L) greets his aunt at a school in regime-controlled Hosh Nasri after she was evacuated from former rebel bastion Eastern Ghouta on March 16, 2018 "He recognised me before I knew him -- his face has changed so much," said Nasser. Just like Khatib, Aref Awad had left his hometown in Ghouta to serve out his compulsory military service in 2011, just as Syria's war was breaking out. "Today, I'm getting a sense of the value of my participation in the battles," Awad told AFP. "My aunt was freed, but I still have loved ones inside," he said. - 'We lost seven years' - Syria's ambassador to the United Nations, Bashar al-Jaafari, said 40,000 people had escaped on Thursday alone. The influx has overwhelmed the temporary shelters set up on the edges of Damascus by Syrian authorities, who were bracing themselves Friday for new numbers. "There will be a lot of new people arriving today. We're trying to get new places to shelter them and bring them basic services," said Ratib Adas, deputy governor of Damascus province. Syrian civilians evacuated from Eastern Ghouta await their relocation at a school-turned-shelter in the regime-controlled Adra district on March 16, 2018 In Adra, a government-held quarter north of Ghouta, some 3,000 displaced people were being hosted in a school-turned-shelter. Some water and food had been distributed, but many had spent the night sleeping on the floor and long lines formed at the public bathrooms. "We spent 27 days living in terror, fear, under bombing," said Yassin, a 35-year-old man who fled Hammuriyeh. The recapture of his hometown this week by Syrian troops had allowed authorities to open up their second and much larger "corridor" for residents to flee. Yassin was relieved to leave the bombing behind, but feared an uncertain future for him and his four children. "I want to work to feed my family. I don't need someone to feed me," he told AFP. "We lost seven years of our lives. We want to start afresh. But can we? No." A general view shows a destroyed street in the rebel-held town of Arbin in Eastern Ghouta on March 16, 2018, as Syrian pro-government troops advance though the rebel enclave outside Damascus The rebel groups left in Syria's Eastern Ghouta said on Friday they would be willing to negotiate with regime backer Russia on a ceasefire for their one-time stronghold outside Damascus. In a joint statement, Islamist factions Jaish al-Islam, Faylaq al-Rahman, and Ahrar al-Sham said the United Nations should host such talks in Geneva. "We are totally ready to hold direct negotiations in Geneva with Russia, sponsored by the United Nations," the statement said. Such talks would aim to implement UN Security Council resolution 2401, in which world powers last month demanded a 30-day ceasefire. Syrian government troops have been pressing a ferocious air and ground assault on Ghouta since February 18 that has seen them retake 70% of the former rebel bastion. Regime forces have broken up the remaining territory into three pockets, each one held by a separate rebel group. Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, a jihadist group made mostly of ex-members of a former Al-Qaeda affiliate, also has a presence in Eastern Ghouta but is not a signatory to the statement. Jaish al-Islam, Faylaq al-Rahman, and Ahrar al-Sham said their statement on Friday was in response to comments by the UN's envoy for Syria, Staffan de Mistura. De Mistura had hours earlier briefed the UN Security Council on one negotiations track his team was already facilitating between Jaish al-Islam and Russia. Those talks had already resulted in six days of calm for Ghouta's largest town of Douma, he said. "We hope it will continue, notwithstanding engagements between government forces and Jaish al-Islam in other areas, outside of Douma," he said, however warning that even in Douma, the truce is "fragile." "It need not be this way. Negotiations in Douma do show that there is a way to create the conditions that can advance the implementation of your resolution 2401," he told the council. The savannah elephant population is down to about 352,000 from 1.3 million in 1979 Botswana's President Ian Khama on Friday accused the US government of encouraging elephant poaching following its recent decision to reverse a ban on imports of sport-hunted trophies. Khama was speaking at an African elephant conservation conference in Botswana. "I want to take this moment to condemn in the strongest possible terms, the decision taken by... the (Donald) Trump administration who on the 1st of March this year... issued a memorandum that with immediate effect, the US government would consider issuing permits for certain elephant trophies from six African countries," said Khama. "I think that this administration is undermining our efforts and also encouraging poaching in the process because they are well aware of our laws that prohibit hunting in Botswana," he added. The decision by the US Department of the Interior would allow the import of tusks and skins of elephants killed in Botswana, Namibia, South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe, on a case-by-case basis. In 2012, an image of Trump's son Donald Junior holding a knife and an elephant tail next to a buffalo carcass while on a hunting trip in Zimbabwe caused widespread outrage. According to global advocacy group Avaaz, the European Union is the world's biggest exporter of legal ivory, which is thought to fuel poaching. "What we see is that Europe has become both a destination and transit hub for illegal ivory," Avaaz campaign director Bert Wander said. "It's crucial that this trade is shut down if we're going to protect these magnificent animals". Wander said EU officials had told the campaign organisers that "they couldn't ban ivory because not enough African leaders wanted them to". "The rest of the world is turning its back on ivory trade. Why not Europe?" Presidents Yoweri Museveni of Uganda, Ali Bongo of Gabon and host Khama signed a petition along with representatives of 29 other countries calling on the "EU to close its ivory market". - 'Do the right thing' - There is a huge demand for ivory in Asia, notably in China. Botswana's environment minister, Tshekedi Khama, said "the reason the EU must close the trade is because China has closed that avenue". "If the EU as a bloc... would do the right thing by doing the same, then we have two avenues out of Africa closed. If we can close the main exit areas then we are going to be a lot more succesful than we are," he said. Britain accounts for the most ivory exported from the EU, according to Avaaz. "I can't say more than say to the UK... just do the right thing, close the ivory trade," said Khama. According to the first ever pan-African survey of savanna elephants in 2016, the present population is about 352,000, down from 1.3 million in 1979. International rules still allow countries to legally export ivory when it is certified as having been "worked" or "carved" before 1976. Antique ivory products manufactured before 1947 -- such as billard balls, piano keys and chess pieces -- are also legal and do not need a certificate, providing their age can be established. But activists say this creates a loophole allowing for "blood ivory" to enter the legal market. "The economic problem... is also the basis for the migration phenomenon," Niger Interior Minister Mohamed Bazoum said Thirteen African and European countries and the EU agreed Friday that efforts to crack down on migrant trafficking to Europe should also focus on economic woes that prompt poor Africans to seek a better life in Europe. In ministerial-level talks, they agreed to "attack underlying causes of irregular migration," according to a joint statement. "The economic problem... is also the basis for the migration phenomenon," Niger Interior Minister Mohamed Bazoum said. The countries also vowed to strengthen national laws to prosecute traffickers and improve coordination among police and judiciary in fighting human smuggling. The one-day "conference on coordination of the struggle against traffickers of migrants" took place against a backdrop of renewed concern in Europe over illicit migration, three years after a massive human influx led to a rise in xenophobia and far-right populism in several EU states. It was attended by ministers from Burkina Faso, Chad, Guinea, Ivory Coast, Libya, Mali, Mauritania, Niger and Senegal, with representatives from France, Germany, Italy and Spain, the European Union and United Nations. The communique called for "developing the conditions for an economy to emerge that is an alternative to the underground economy of illicit trafficking of migrants." To achieve this requires "an overall approach, with solidarity," it said. Reflecting the issue's priority, France sent two senior ministers -- Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian and Interior Minister Gerard Collomb, who urged participants to take action "as close as possible to the countries of origin." Niger, one of the large nations lying south of the Sahara in West Africa, has become one of the main routes for African migrants heading north to the Mediterranean coast in the hope of crossing to Europe. Collomb said because of a series of preventive measures taken by Niger, the number of Europe-bound migrants passing through the country had "dropped drastically" from 330,000 in 2016 to 70,000 last year. "If all the countries put such measures in place we can reduce the number of arrivals in Europe," he said. Two Africa-EU summits in 2017 put the focus on training police and paramilitary gendarmerie forces, help with conducting border checks and the creation of identity databases. Europe's part in taking on irregular migration in Africa gained force with "migratory pacts" signed in 2015 in Valetta, capital of Malta, which built on previous accords to reach a global approach dating back to 2006. One of the challenges, in the eyes of French delegates, is to persuade African countries to agree more readily to provide documents enabling the return of their nationals who lack the required papers. The French parliament is due in coming months to debate a government bill on immigration, which has already made waves among some supporters of the government who consider the new measure too severe. A pedestrian walks by the latest work by elusive British street artist Bansky: a mural showing support for an imprisoned Turkish-Kurdish artist and journalist After taking a stand in support of Palestinians and migrants, British street artist Banksy is now showing solidarity with imprisoned Turkish-Kurdish artist and journalist Zehra Dogan with a giant mural in Manhattan. The famed graffiti artist's 20-meter (yard) work features a series of tally marks such as those prisoners use to keep track of the time they have been confined, one of which doubles as the bars of Dogan's cell. "Free Zehra Dogan" appears in the bottom right corner of the mural, located at the crossroads of Houston Street and Bowery. Dogan was jailed for a painting picturing the Kurdish-majority town of Nusaybin in southeastern Turkey, which suffered heavy damage during a Turkish military operation. "Sentenced to nearly three years in jail for painting a single picture. #FREEzehradogan," Banksy wrote in an Instagram post accompanying the mural. The "Bowery Mural Wall" on the edge of the East Village has hosted some of the biggest names in graffiti since the late 1970s. Banksy's work was preceded by one by artist Lakwena. Banksy is behind another work in recent days in Manhattan: picturing a rat -- one of the artist's signature motifs -- running inside the face of a clock on a building slated for demolition, at the intersection of Sixth Avenue and 14th Street. The identity of Banksy, whose politically provocative graffiti appears suddenly on walls around the world, remains a mystery despite frequent attempts to pierce the secrecy. John Bailey, president of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, is under investigation for sexual harassment, Variety reports The president of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, the body which hands out the Oscars, is being investigated for sexual harassment, US media reported on Friday. The trade publication Variety and CBS News said the Academy immediately opened an investigation after receiving three harassment claims against John Bailey on Wednesday. In response, the Academy issued a statement saying that it "treats any complaints confidentially to protect all parties." The group's membership committee "reviews all complaints brought against Academy members according to our Standards of Conduct process, and after completing reviews, reports to the Board of Governors." It added: "We will not comment further on such matters until the full review is completed." In December, the Academy adopted a code of conduct for its members. Bailey, 75, a cinematographer whose credits include "Groundhog Day" and "The Big Chill," was elected to a four-year term as head of the Academy in August. He followed Cheryl Boone Isaacs, an African-American woman who had led the charge to increase racial diversity in the Academy. Her tenure included dealing with the social media-driven #OscarsSoWhite campaign and accusations of racism within the Academy. Bailey's brief tenure has been marked by the birth of the #MeToo movement started by actress Alyssa Milano and which went global, highlighting accusations of sexual abuse. Harvey Weinstein, whose studio Miramax was behind hits such as "Shakespeare In Love" and "Pulp Fiction," was expelled from the Academy in October following accusations of sexual harassment and abuse by dozens of women. At a February lunch for this year's Oscar nominees, Bailey promised the Academy would adopt a "greater awareness and responsibility in balancing gender, race, ethnicity, and religion." "The fossilized bedrock of many of Hollywood's worst abuses are being jackhammered into oblivion," he said. China sees Taiwan as a renegade province and has long stated its desire for reunification President Donald Trump signed off Friday on new rules allowing top level US officials to travel to Taiwan to meet their Taipei counterparts, a move that will anger Beijing. The White House said Trump had signed the "Taiwan Travel Act," which "encourages visits between officials of the United States and Taiwan at all levels." US representatives can already travel to democratic Taiwan and Taiwanese officials occasionally visit the White House, but meetings are usually low profile to avoid offending China. Washington cut formal diplomatic ties with Taiwan in 1979 in favor of Beijing. But it maintains trade relations with the island and sells it weapons, angering China. China sees Taiwan as a renegade province and has long stated its desire for reunification. The new law describes Taiwan as "a beacon of democracy" in Asia, and states that "Taiwan's democratic achievements inspire many countries and people in the region." Senator Jim Inhofe welcomed the move, saying high-level meetings "remain extremely valuable, especially as China continues their unprecedented reclamation in the South China Sea." He described the legislation as "an important tool as we continue to ensure Taiwan has the ability to defend itself and remains a committed US partner in the region." Trump's signature, announced late on Friday -- when the White House usually tries to bury news -- comes amid increasing tensions between the mainland and the self-ruled island. Beijing has cut off official communications with Taipei because President Tsai Ing-wen refuses to acknowledge the democratic island as part of "one China". The US opioid epidemic is accelerating, with hospital emergency room visits for overdoses from drugs like heroin, fentanyl and prescription painkillers up 30 percent from 2016 to 2017, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Five Manhattan doctors have been indicted for accepting hundreds of thousands of dollars in bribes from a pharmaceutical company in exchange for prescribing a powerful synthetic opioid, a prosecutor said Friday. The indictments come as the United States grapples with an opioid abuse epidemic that kills scores of people every day, and has been declared a national health emergency by President Donald Trump. Two employees of Arizona-based drug maker Insys pleaded guilty and participated in the investigation that led to the arrest of the doctors. The doctors "engaged in a malignant scheme to prescribe fentanyl, a dangerous and potentially fatal narcotic 50 to 100 times more potent than morphine, in exchange for bribes in the form of speaker fees," US Attorney Geoffrey Berman said in a statement. "This scheme to use their patients as an instrument for profit has resulted in the indictment of five physicians," he said. The doctors were paid "fees" for allegedly conducting educational programs about a fentanyl-based pain relief spray, the statement said. But "in reality, many of the speaker programs led by the defendants were predominantly social affairs where no educational presentation about the fentanyl spray occurred," it said. In exchange for the payments, the doctors prescribed "millions of dollars' worth" of the spray. Charges against the doctors include honest services fraud conspiracy, which carries a maximum of 20 years in prison. Insys agreed last year to pay a $4.5 million fine after being accused of deceptive marketing to promote its "Subsys" fentanyl spray. In 2016, more than 63,500 people died of drug overdoses in the United States, nearly two thirds of them involving prescription opioids. FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) - A 2015 memo from the former chief of staff of the Kentucky House Republican Caucus says a GOP lawmaker was accused of making "unwanted verbal advances" on a female courier. The memo from Brad Metcalf says the woman filed a formal complaint against Rep. Jim Stewart with the Legislative Research Commission, the state agency that assists lawmakers with researching and writing legislation. The woman accused Stewart of making inappropriate comments to her calling her after work hours on her personal cell phone in 2015. "The intensity of the inappropriate remarks has carried over into various public settings, and has led to a great deal of embarrassment on the part of the courier," Metcalf wrote in the memo. According to the memo, the commission's human resources director and general counsel met with Stewart in February 2015 and told him a complaint had been filed against him. Stewart then agreed to avoid contacting the woman, who as a courier would deliver correspondence to offices throughout the state Capitol campus. But Stewart now says the complaint does not exist, telling reporters "If somebody filed a complaint they would have told me, wouldn't they?" "It surprised me when I saw it. It surprised me. Then your family sees it in the paper. I don't know when it was or who it was. I mean, I don't know who he is talking about." Stewart said. "I've never settled (a complaint), never paid, never been before (the) Legislative Ethics (Commission)." The Legislative Research Commission denied a request by The Associated Press and other media outlets for any records related to the complaint. Greg Woosley, the commission's general counsel, did not confirm the records existed. But he said disclosure of such records, if they exist, would constitute "a clearly unwarranted invasion of personal privacy" subject to attorney-client privilege. Stewart, who represents a district in eastern Kentucky, would be at least the sixth Kentucky lawmaker accused of sexually harassing behavior in the past year. Last summer, Senate Democrats removed Sen. Julian Carroll from the leadership team after allegations surfaced of him groping a man in 2005. Carroll has declined to comment about the report and has refused to resign. And in October, four Republican lawmakers signed a secret sexual harassment settlement involving a woman who once worked in the House Republican Caucus. Three of those lawmakers were stripped of their committee chairmanships. And the fourth, Rep. Jeff Hoover, resigned as House Speaker in January. Acting House Speaker David Osborne said he had someone ask the Legislative Research Commission about the incident and was told "they did not have a record of it." He said he did not know about a complaint filed against Stewart. "From what I was just told about the memo, it sounds like it was resolved to everyone's satisfaction so I guess it was handled appropriately," he said. Metcalf is the former chief of staff for the House Republican Caucus. He became the House Clerk in 2017, but the was fired Jan. 1. Last week, Metcalf sued the Legislative Research Commission, saying he was fired in retaliation for him reporting the inappropriate behavior of multiple lawmakers. The allegations against Stewart first appeared in the lawsuit. AP and other media outlets the obtained the 2015 memo written by Metcalf. Shane Sidebottom, Metcalf's attorney, confirmed it was authentic. The Legislative Research Commission denied a request from AP last year for copies of all records relating to sexual harassment complaints and settlements involving elected officials. The Legislative Ethics Commission has scheduled a hearing next month to determine if the four lawmakers violated any ethics laws. The commission could fine them, or recommend they be removed from office. Since the #metoo movement began last year, two state lawmakers have been removed from office after facing sexual harassment allegations: Democrat Steve Lebsock in Colorado and Republican Don Shooter in Arizona. ROCHESTER, Minn. (AP) - Prosecutors allege an Iraqi immigrant was fatally shot on a sidewalk in Rochester, Minnesota, after he tried to record a dispute following a minor traffic crash. Twenty-four-year-old Sao Yim Jr. was charged with second-degree murder Thursday in the death of 40-year-old Ahmed Muafaq Abdulhu Al Naddf. Prosecutors charged 25-year-old Eric Lee with aiding Yim. The Star Tribune reports Lee also is accused of taking Al Naddf's cellphone after he was shot Monday, something Lee denies. Two other men, also from Rochester, were arrested in the shooting but released from jail. According to the criminal complaints, Al Naddf was confronted after his car struck Yim's parked car. Yim displayed a handgun, and Al Naddf was shot after taking out his cellphone. Al Naddf fled Iraq several years ago to escape violence. ___ Information from: Star Tribune, http://www.startribune.com WASHINGTON (AP) - President Donald Trump is again declaring the U.S. has a trade deficit with Canada despite information from agencies of his government showing a surplus. The discordant note is easily explained: Trump only counts trade in goods, ignoring trade in services. He's done so persistently when surveying the global trade landscape, making U.S. trade deficits look worse than they are. It's more than a semantic point. If his proposed tariffs and other tough measures touch off a trade war, services where U.S. companies outcompete their international rivals could be exposed to retaliatory measures as much as the American factories and farms that depend on foreign buyers for their goods. President Donald Trump talks with reporters during a meeting with Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar in the Oval Office of the White House, Thursday, March 15, 2018, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) TRUMP: "We do have a Trade Deficit with Canada, as we do with almost all countries (some of them massive). P.M. Justin Trudeau of Canada, a very good guy, doesn't like saying that Canada has a Surplus vs. the U.S.(negotiating), but they do...they almost all do...and that's how I know!" - tweet Thursday. SARAH HUCKABEE SANDERS, White House press secretary: "In 2017 we had a $17.58 B trade deficit. In January 2018 we had a$3.63 B trade deficit. Both reflect trade in goods. Which is exactly what @POTUS referenced. https://www.census.gov/ " - tweet Thursday. THE FACTS: Trump's insistence on leaving out part of the equation means his portrayal of Canada-U.S. trade is skewed. The U.S. actually ran a trade surplus with Canada last year of $2.8 billion, according to the Census Bureau, the same agency that reported the deficit in goods cited by Sanders. The goods deficit was offset by a surplus in the multitude of services that produce cross-border transactions, like transportation, financial and travel services, software and other intellectual property. Trump's tweet followed his comments at a Missouri fundraiser Wednesday evening about a meeting he said he had on trade with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. He said he confronted Trudeau with the accusation that the U.S. was running a trade deficit with Canada even though he did not know that to be the case. ___ Census Bureau on U.S.-Canada trade: https://www.census.gov/foreign-trade/Press-Release/current_press_release/exh20.pdf ___ Find AP Fact Checks at http://apne.ws/2kbx8bd Follow @APFactCheck on Twitter: https://twitter.com/APFactCheck ___ Information from: The Washington Post, http://www.washingtonpost.com MADRID (AP) - Street clashes erupted Thursday night in central Madrid over the death of a 35-year-old African vendor who witnesses said died trying to escape from police cracking down on illegal street sales. Hundreds of protesters burned plastic trash bins, blocking narrow streets in the Lavapies neighborhood of the Spanish capital. An Associated Press reporter saw protesters throw stones at dozens of riot police officers. Rioters also set fire to the facade of a bank branch and broke glass partitions at a bus stop. Madrid's emergency service said 16 police officers and four civilians were treated for minor injuries. Spanish anti riot police officers in full gear walk past a burned motorcycle as they patrol at the Lavapies neighborhood in Madrid, early Friday, March 16, 2018. Street clashes erupted Thursday night in central Madrid over the death of a 35-year-old African vendor who witnesses said died trying to escape from police cracking down on illegal street sales.(AP Photo/Francisco Seco) The Spanish news agency Europa Press quoted police as saying the vendor died of cardiorespiratory arrest while running from officers. "I regret very much the death of a citizen in Lavapies," Madrid Mayor Manuela Carmena tweeted, adding that the municipal government would "investigate thoroughly what happened and act accordingly." Doudou Diouf, who described himself as a friend of the dead man, said the vendor had lived in Spain for 12 years and had applied unsuccessfully three times for legal residency. "He was a good guy. He doesn't deserve this," Diouf said. One resident, who gave his name only as Marcos, told AP that earlier in the day he saw police on foot and on motorbikes pursuing a group of African street vendors. He said the chase began in Madrid's central Puerta del Sol square and headed toward the Lavapies neighborhood. COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) - The Latest on the arrest of Dylann Roof's sister (all times local): 8:55 p.m. A neighbor of Dylann Roof's family says Roof's sister who was arrested earlier this week never showed any unusual behavior. This booking photo provided by Richland County, S.C. Public Information Office shows Morgan Roof. Roof, 18, was arrested Wednesday, March 14, 2018 at A.C. Flora High School after a school administrator contacted the school resource officer, and charged with two counts of carrying a weapon on school grounds and one count of simple possession of marijuana. She is the sister of Dylann Roof, who was sentenced to die for killing nine people at a South Carolina church in 20 (Richland County, S.C. Public Information Office via AP) Chris Slick says he was saddened to hear that deputies in South Carolina say 18-year-old Morgan Roof brought marijuana, pepper spray and a knife to her Columbia high school on Wednesday. Slick told The Associated Press that she was shy and kind and never showed any signs of racism. Richland County deputies charged Roof with marijuana possession and two counts of carrying weapons on school grounds. She was ordered to stay away from her school, A.C. Flora High School, as a condition of her $5,000 bond. Her brother, Dylann Roof, was convicted of fatally shooting nine African-American parishioners at a Charleston church in 2015. ___ 5:05 a.m. Deputies say the sister of church shooter Dylann Roof has been arrested for bringing drugs, pepper spray and a knife to her South Carolina school. The Richland County Sheriff's Department tells WIS-TV 18-year-old Morgan Roof was arrested Wednesday after an administrator at A.C. Flora High School had contacted a school resource officer. Roof is charged with marijuana possession and two counts of carrying weapons on school grounds. A judge set her bond at $5,000. She was screened for a public defender. She is not allowed to return to the school. Investigators say Roof also posted a Snapchat that alarmed fellow students, but was not arrested for it. School principal Susan Childs posted a letter to parents on the school's Twitter page explaining what occurred while students walked out to remember the 17 killed in the Parkland, Florida, Valentine's Day school shooting. Dylann Roof was convicted of fatally shooting nine African-American parishioners at a Charleston church in 2015. ___ Information from: WIS-TV, http://www.wistv.com SALEM, Ore. (AP) - A movement to ban assault rifles in Oregon was launched in a Portland church Thursday, with clerics saying youths - many of whom have been protesting for gun control - will drive the campaign. Interfaith religious leaders in Portland said they aim to get enough signatures on petitions to put a ban on assault weapons before voters, in the November election, in a statewide ballot. There has been some movement in just a few other states in the wake of the Feb. 14 shooting at a Florida high school that killed 17 people, including: FILE - In this Wednesday, March 14, 2018, file photo, Gen Schaack, dean of students at Wellsprings Friends School in Eugene, Ore., joins students from the alternative high school in front of nearby Churchill High School for a moment of silence in protest of gun violence. Religious leaders in Oregon intend to harness the youthful campaign for gun control to gather enough signatures to put a ban on assault rifles on the statewide ballot in November. (Brian Davies/The Register-Guard via AP, File) - In Delaware, Gov. John Carney on Feb. 23 called for state lawmakers to ban the sale of assault-style rifles, saying military-style weapons like the rifle used in Florida have no place in the hands of civilians. Legislation is now being drafted. - In California, legislation is proposed that would expand the definition of an assault weapon to include most semi-automatic rifles bigger than a .22. But that would require them to be licensed like assault weapons, not banned. In Oregon, the campaigners must gather over 88,000 signatures by July 6, and they're counting on youths who have demonstrated for gun control to help. "Young people in this country are crying out. This is the moment in time where we need to step alongside them as adults and do our part with them," said Pastor Mark Knutson of the Augustana Lutheran Church in Portland. While a person must be at least 18 to vote, even a 14-year-old can go out and seek signatures, Knutson told The Associated Press over the phone. "This is going to be a youth campaign," said Knutson, who will be one of the three chief petitioners of the ballot measure. Rev. Alcena Boozer, a former high school principal and pastor emeritus of St. Philip the Deacon Episcopal Church; and Rabbi Michael Cahana, of Congregation Beth Israel, are the other two chief petitioners. The treasurer is Imam Muhammad Najieb, director of the Muslim Community Center of Portland and a Marine veteran. The anti-assault-rifle campaign was launched with a news conference at the Augustana Lutheran Church, which Knutson said is fitting. He recalled the civil rights campaigns of the 1950s and '60s, and how churches played a role, including one in Alabama where the Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. preached. "The civil rights movement started out at Dexter Avenue Baptist church in Montgomery," Knutson said. "Good things come out of unexpected places." ___ Follow Andrew Selsky on Twitter at https://twitter.com/andrewselsky FILE - In the March 14, 2018, file photo, more than 200 students walk out of Lebanon High School in support of stricter gun control legislation in Lebanon, Ore. Religious leaders in Oregon intend to harness the youthful campaign for gun control to gather enough signatures to put a ban on assault rifles on the statewide ballot in November. (Amanda Loman/Albany Democrat-Herald via AP) Congress reacted Thursday to an Associated Press investigation into sexual assault among children on U.S. military bases by demanding the Defense and Justice departments explain how they will solve the problem. The House of Representatives Armed Services Committee, meanwhile, said it had begun its own examination of the issue. And a top Democrat on the committee said she would call a hearing within six months. Four senators, including the veteran head of the Senate Armed Services Committee and two others who've made sexual assault a keynote issue, sent letters to the Pentagon and Justice Department with questions about sex assault among the military's children. AP's investigation revealed that reports of sexual violence among kids on U.S. military bases at home and abroad often die on the desks of prosecutors, even when an attacker confesses. Other cases are shelved by criminal investigators despite requirements they be pursued. Many cases get lost in a dead zone of justice, AP found, with neither victim nor offender receiving help. "The report reveals an inscrutable system that fails these children at every level," wrote Sen. Patty Murray, a Washington Democrat. In a letter to U.S. Defense Secretary James Mattis, Sen. John McCain of Arizona and Sen. Jack Reed of Rhode Island, leaders of the Senate Armed Services Committee, asked that the Pentagon's inspector general begin a "comprehensive assessment" of department policies related to sexual assault among military children in schools and elsewhere on base. "It disturbs us to learn that the department's policies and procedures may prevent efforts to help child victims of misconduct ... and to rehabilitate and hold child offenders accountable," they wrote. Separately, Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, a New York Democrat, wrote the Justice Department's inspector general requesting a "comprehensive investigation" into how many child sex assault cases have been prosecuted and why the majority have been declined. Inspector general offices are independent entities within federal departments charged with investigating potential problems within agencies. They do not have to accept requests for action from Capitol Hill. A Pentagon spokesman would not comment on the day's developments. "Alleged conversations between Secretary Mattis and other officials are private and will remain as such," Maj. Dave Eastburn said in an email. The Pentagon and Justice Department's inspectors general also did not comment, nor did a spokesman for the Justice Department. Rep. Jackie Speier, a California Democrat, called AP's finding of nearly 600 reports of sexual assaults among children on bases since 2007 "a national disgrace and a military scandal." The top Democrat on a House Armed Services subcommittee that deals with military personnel said she was demanding information from the Pentagon in anticipation of holding a public hearing within six months. "You cannot have an environment in which children aren't protected, regardless of whether they're on a base or in a public school classroom. So we've got to change the law," Speier said in an interview. A spokesman for Republicans on the House Armed Services Committee said staff had already begun "an independent examination of cooperation between" the departments of Defense and Justice and how they handle military child-on-child sexual assault. Issues they would examine include support for victims and the Pentagon's data. Records the military initially released omitted a third of the cases AP later identified through interviews with prosecutors, military investigators, family members and whistleblowers as well as data that officials later provided. "This is clearly a serious matter," spokesman Claude Chafin said of AP's findings. The tens of thousands of kids who live on U.S. bases are not covered by military law. The Justice Department, which handles civilian crimes on many bases, isn't equipped or inclined to take on juvenile cases, AP found. This legal and bureaucratic netherworld also extends to the Pentagon's worldwide network of schools, which afford students fewer protections than public schools if they are sexually attacked by a classmate on campus. The federal law that offers help to victims of student-on-student sexual assault, known as Title IX, does not apply to federal education programs, such as those run by the military. In a separate letter to Mattis on Thursday, Murray, the top Democrat on the Senate education committee, demanded answers by early April to a long list of questions about how the Department of Defense Education Activity handles assaults on its campuses. The military school system that educates some 71,000 children has no specific policy to respond to student-on-student sexual violence and doesn't accurately track the incidents, AP found. More than 150 cases weren't disclosed by schools in reports that are meant to alert headquarters to serious incidents. "As a mother and grandmother, I cannot tolerate the thought that our military children are not receiving the protection and support they deserve," Murray wrote. "I trust you share my outrage." Responding to AP's findings prior to publication, the Pentagon said it "takes seriously any incident impacting the well-being of our service members and their families" and promised "appropriate actions" to help juveniles involved in sex assaults. The Office of the Secretary of Defense also told AP it considered child-on-child sexual assault to be "an emerging issue" - a characterization that prompted an angry response from Murray. "What is 'emerging' about 600 sexual assault cases in 10 years?" Murray said in her letter to Mattis, who was traveling back from the Middle East on Thursday. "We owe our military families - the children of the personnel who are fighting our wars - safety and support." ___ Pritchard reported from Los Angeles and Dunklin from Dallas. ___ If you have a tip, comment or story to share about child-on-child sexual assault on U.S. military bases, please email: schoolhousesexassault@ap.org. See AP's entire package of stories here: https://www.apnews.com/tag/HiddenVictims ___ Contact the reporters on Twitter at https://twitter.com/lalanewsman or https://twitter.com/ReeseDunklin CANBERRA, Australia (AP) - Southeast Asian leaders started gathering Friday for their first summit in Australia as the regional neighbors look for closer economic and security links and the host prime minister warned against trade protectionism. The leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, or ASEAN, rarely meet outside their 10 member nations and the weekend summit in Sydney has caught the attention of protesters angered by human rights abuses in Southeast Asia. Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has been criticized for welcoming some of the leaders to his hometown, including Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, who have been singled out by protesters. But Turnbull is looking at ASEAN for its potential to drive free trade in the Indo-Pacific region in a way that the major economies, the United States and China, cannot without creating suspicion and division. The dual themes of the Sydney summit are security and prosperity, with the threat to both posed by North Korea high on the agenda. "Open markets, together with democracy, have been two of the most powerful forces in human history and they've led to worldwide growth and prosperity," Turnbull told a business forum in Sydney on Friday. "We must face the world, not turn from it; embrace free trade, not retreat from it," he added. U.S. President Donald Trump sparked fears of a global trade war with his recent move to slap tariffs on imported steel and aluminum. Earlier this month, Turnbull said Trump had agreed to exempt Australian steel and aluminum from the new tariffs. Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, the chairman of ASEAN this year, said he feared U.S. moves to protect domestic industries put countries "under pressure to retaliate." "If trust is broken and tit-for-tat trade wars break out, all countries, big or small, will suffer," Lee told The Straits Times newspaper. Trump has frustrated Australia's free trade ambitions by withdrawing the United States from the Trans-Pacific Partnership. Turnbull used a visit to Washington in February to urge the United States to rejoin the trade pact and to speak against a growing sentiment of isolation in America. Four ASEAN countries - Brunei, Malaysia, Singapore and Vietnam - are among the 11 who have signed up to the Trans-Pacific Partnership. ASEAN also offers Australia a different route to the goal of an Indo-Pacific free trade agreement through the proposed Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership. The partnership would group ASEAN with six countries with which it already has free trade deals: Australia, China, India, Japan, South Korea and New Zealand. Lee told reporters he had agreed in talks with Turnbull on Friday that the partnership should be negotiated by this year. Australia's enhanced engagement with ASEAN is part of a strategy to look beyond the United States to seek frameworks to bolster security, stability and prosperity in the region, said John Blaxland, director of the Australian National University Southeast Asia Institute. Such moves give "due deference to the United States, but it implicitly recognizes that the United States isn't as big a player and reliable player as perhaps it once was," Blaxland said. Stronger ties with ASEAN come with their own pitfalls, however, including the need to strike a balance between seeking greater economic cooperation and pushing for social reforms in a region rife with authoritarian governments. Human Rights Watch said most ASEAN governments deny their citizens basic liberties and fundamental freedoms. The New York-based rights group wants human rights on the agenda in Sydney. "Australia's failure to publicly raise human rights concerns at the summit would not only provide a propaganda coup to ASEAN's most abusive leaders, it would embolden all the region's leaders contemplating major crackdowns, jailing journalists, or dismantling democratic institutions," Human Rights Watch Australian director Elaine Pearson said in a statement. Yet criticism is something Southeast Asian leaders bristle at, and ASEAN itself works on the core principle that member nation's won't interfere in one another's internal affairs. Hun Sen, Cambodia's long-serving leader who had a court dissolve the main opposition party last year, has threatened to hunt down and beat anyone who demonstrates against him in Sydney. While Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte, who has angered rights advocates with a crackdown on illegal drugs that has left thousands of mostly poor suspects dead since he took power in 2016, is expected to skip the summit altogether. Suu Kyi, a Nobel Peace Prize laureate who has been heavily criticized for failing to take a stand against military abuses against the Rohingya Muslim minority, is expected stay on after the summit to visit the capital next week for an official state visit. Amnesty International has accused ASEAN of being "shamefully silent" on Myanmar's campaign to drive out Rohingyas. Turnbull told reporters he would discuss the Rohingya with Suu Kyi when they meet. Australia had a "frank engagement" with ASEAN countries that covered a range of issues including human rights, Turnbull said. ___ This story has been updated to correct the theme of the summit. SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) - The San Francisco 49ers have signed free agent defensive lineman Jeremiah Attaochu to a one-year deal. The 49ers added the pass rusher to their defense on Thursday. Attaochu was originally drafted by the Chargers in the second round of the 2014 draft. He played 38 games the past four seasons with 92 tackles and 10 sacks, including six in 2015. He struggled the past two seasons and played only four games in 2017 for the Chargers. General manager John Lynch called Attaochu a disruptive player who can contribute on defense and special teams. ___ More AP NFL: https://pro32.ap.org and https://twitter.com/AP_NFL MANCHESTER, N.H. (AP) - Jeff Flake has a direct message for the Republicans of New Hampshire: Someone needs to stop Donald Trump. And Flake, a Republican senator from Arizona, may stand up against the Republican president in 2020 - either as a Republican or an independent - if no one else does. "It has not been in my plans to run for president, but I have not ruled it out," the 55-year-old Flake said Friday in his first solo political appearance in New Hampshire. The state is expected to host the nation's first presidential primary election in less than two years. "I hope that that someone does run in the Republican primary, somebody to challenge the president," Flake said. "I think that the Republicans want to be reminded what it means to be a traditional, decent Republican." Sen. Jeff Flake, R-Ariz., smiles while speaking at the New Hampshire Institute of Politics at Saint Anselm College in Manchester, N.H. Friday, March 16, 2018. (AP Photo/Winslow Townson) After attacking Trump in a speech that spanned nearly 20 minutes, Flake earned a standing ovation from the packed room that gathered for the esteemed "Politics and Eggs" speaker series at Saint Anselm College. Flake is among a very small group of Republican elected officials speaking out against the Trump presidency with increasing alarm. He has already written a book that slams Trump. He condemned Trump on the Senate floor and charged in a speech on Thursday at the National Press Club that his party "might not deserve to lead" because of its blind loyalty to Trump. By visiting New Hampshire, Flake is now declaring the possibility of another tactic: a 2020 primary challenge. On the ground in the Granite State, a full year before presidential candidates typically begin courting local voters, there is already an expectation among top Republicans that Trump will face a challenge from within his own party in the next presidential contest. Yet few think Trump could be defeated, even under the worst circumstances. Steve Duprey, who represents New Hampshire at the Republican National Committee, said: "It's virtually impossible to beat an incumbent for the nomination. But that doesn't prevent people from trying with various degrees of seriousness." "I think there will be some primary," he added. "Whether it's a serious contender or a protest candidate that the president's team would have to take seriously, it's too early to tell." Despite Flake's fiery pronouncements, he would start out as an underwhelming presidential contender on paper. He is not well-known, he has little money of his own and a disdain for fundraising, and because he is retiring from the Senate at year's end, he has no political organization to help fuel his ambitions. Flake has powerful friends who could help, however, including the outspoken anti-Trump billionaire Mark Cuban. "I'm a Jeff Flake fan," Cuban told The Associated Press. The billionaire, who is considering a presidential bid of his own, acknowledged that he doesn't know much about Flake's political ambitions. "But as a citizen of this great country, the more candidates for the office of president the better," Cuban said. In an interview with the AP on the eve of his Friday speech, Flake acknowledged Trump was probably too popular among the Republican base to lose a primary in the current political climate. "Not today, but two years from now, possibly. Things can unravel pretty fast," Flake said, suggesting that a disastrous midterm election season for the GOP could realign voter loyalty. "As soon as he's viewed as one who loses majorities in the House and the Senate, and there's no chance that someone in the 30s can win re-election, people might move on." And if Trump's standing with the base doesn't fade, Flake would consider a presidential bid as an independent. As Ralph Nader and Ross Perot have shown, a third-party candidate can profoundly affect a presidential contest, even by drawing only a fraction of the general election vote in a few key states. "I'm not ruling that out, either," Flake said. "There are going to be a lot of other people in the party looking for something else." He continued, "If you end up with Trump on one side, (Bernie) Sanders or (Elizabeth) Warren on the other, there's a huge swath of voters in the middle that make an independent run by somebody a lot more realistic." Trump has a special relationship with New Hampshire. The state gave him his first victory of the 2016 Republican primary season. His political future was very much in question when he dominated the competition with 35 percent of the vote. Second-place finisher, Ohio Gov. John Kasich, who is also weighing a 2020 run, earned just 15 percent. On Monday, just three days after Flake's visit, Trump is expected to make his first appearance in the state since winning the 2016 election. The visit was arranged after Flake's speech was scheduled. And Vice President Mike Pence is set to appear in New Hampshire later in the week as well. Republican National Committee spokeswoman Cassie Smedile dismissed Flake's potential challenge. "President Trump won because of his vision to make America great again, and we're confident that as he continues to deliver on the promises he made, voters will re-elect him in 2020," Smedile said. Sen. Jeff Flake, R-Ariz., stands with his wife Cheryl and son Dallin before speaking at the New Hampshire Institute of Politics at Saint Anselm College in Manchester, N.H. Friday, March 16, 2018. (AP Photo/Winslow Townson) Sen. Jeff Flake, R-Ariz., speaks at the eggs & politics breakfast at the New Hampshire Institute of Politics at Saint Anselm College in Manchester, N.H. Friday, March 16, 2018. (AP Photo/Winslow Townson) Sen. Jeff Flake, R-Ariz., speaks at the New Hampshire Institute of Politics at Saint Anselm College in Manchester, N.H. Friday, March 16, 2018. (AP Photo/Winslow Townson) Sen. Jeff Flake, R-Ariz., speaks at the New Hampshire Institute of Politics at Saint Anselm College in Manchester, N.H. Friday, March 16, 2018. (AP Photo/Winslow Townson) TAUNGOO, Myanmar (AP) - From the age of 5, when she entered a government school in Myanmar, Stella Naw learned about the triumphs of Burman kings and heroes, recited Burman poems and performed Burman dances at school ceremonies. Without realizing it, she was being torn from her ethnic roots and assimilated into the Southeast Asian country's dominant majority. "What was missing from my childhood was a chance to learn the culture and history of my own people, the Kachin," says the political analyst and writer. "I was ashamed to speak my own language. I didn't like the sound of my own name." FILE - In this Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2018, file photo, the moon rises behind the Uppatasanti Pagoda in Naypyitaw, Myanmar. Despite hopes that Aung San Suu Kyi's civilian government would bring change, Myanmar continues to force Burman culture on its ethnic minorities through education, religious proselytization and often coercion. Despite close to 90 percent adherence to Christianity in the northern outlying regions, state-sanctioned Buddhist pagodas dominate the landscape. (AP Photo/Aung Shine Oo, File) Naw's experience is shared by many of Myanmar's ethnic minorities, a multitude of more than 130 different groups with their own cultures, histories and languages who make up some 40 percent of the country's population. For decades the Karen, Shan, Mon, Chin and other minority groups have been put through a process they call Burmanization - an informal system in which education, repressive laws, religious proselytization, economic exploitation and often brutal force are used to wash away their own identity. The recent violent expulsion from the country of nearly 700,000 Muslim Rohingya can be seen as an extreme example of the drive by central authorities to expunge any perceived threat to their dominance and stamp a Burman imprint on vast areas where minorities live. The United Nations calls it a "textbook example of ethnic cleansing." This Burmanization dashes hopes that the end of direct military rule and election of Myanmar's first civilian government, headed by Aung San Suu Kyi, would usher in a new era of relations with minority groups. On taking power in early 2016, Suu Kyi declared that national reconciliation and a federal constitution would be high priorities. Instead, the transition to democratic rule and its greater freedoms has come with a rise in nationalism and radical Buddhism. Suu Kyi has not condemned continuing military atrocities against the Kachin and others, and her stock with ethnic minorities has plummeted. Many say she is first and foremost a Burman. The military - which is constitutionally shielded from civilian oversight of all security matters - has long portrayed itself as Myanmar's savior, the only institution that could keep together a nation at risk of splitting into numerous parts. It continues to battle the Kachin and groups in northern Shan State, working off the same playbook it has since independence from Britain in 1948 of violently suppressing ethnic insurgencies demanding greater autonomy. Those conflicts have been marked by human rights violations, the displacement of hundreds of thousands of rural people and the entrenchment of the military within ethnic communities. Less obvious are what ethnic minorities insist are calculated efforts at Burmanization that focus on religion, language, heritage and other aspects of self-identity. The government denies that it is pursuing such a policy. Ko Ko Naing, a deputy director in the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Culture, says the government allows ethnic minorities to study their languages outside public schools even though it is not legally obligated to do so. "That's why I don't see that the majority is Burmanizing the ethnic minority groups," he tells The Associated Press. It was also the duty of the government, the official says, to promote Buddhism and build Buddhist pagodas everywhere in the country lest "our religion and country disappear." In Chin State, where 90 percent of Chin adhere to Christianity, crosses have been destroyed, pastors are intimidated and there is state-sponsored pressure to convert to Buddhism. Kachin State, where more than 90 percent of the Kachin people adhere to Christianity, has among the highest concentrations of pagodas in the country. The government continues to pursue "a forced assimilation and indoctrination program" through boarding schools run by the military-controlled Ministry of Border Affairs, said Salai Za Uk Ling of the U.S.-based Chin Human Rights Organization. Education is offered free and is of a higher standard than in normal government schools, but activists say school authorities try to coerce students into converting to Buddhism. Even the predominantly Buddhist Shan, the country's largest ethnic minority, are highly critical of pagodas built in a Burman rather than distinctive Shan style. A local saying sums it up: "When the Chinese conquer they build moats. When the Burmans conquer, they build pagodas." Still seared in the collective memory is the 1991 demolition of the Kengtung Palace, the grandest among those built by the former rulers of Shan State. In what Shan activists term a case of "cultural sabotage," rubble from the palace was scattered on roads around a military base. Under the previous military-backed government of President Thein Sein, the regime eased earlier restrictions on teaching non-Burman languages but only allowed it after regular school hours, a policy that continues. Saw True Blood, a member of the Karen Development Network, says that about half of the 2,000 children living in his area of Taungoo in Karen State do not attend the after-school language classes because they are too tired, want to play or take extra tuition in other subjects. Most Karen children, he says, can speak but not read or write their language. "When I hear my nieces and grandchildren speaking Burmese while they are playing, I tell them to speak Karen and ask, 'Are you Karen or Burman?" The community leader says authorities tell the Karen that if they want to preserve their culture and identity they have to do it on their own, but at the same time place barriers to achieving this. He quotes a regional military commander as lecturing locals to "forget your ethnic identity, your territory. Just think about the Union." "This is Burmanization," Saw True Blood says. In recent years, the central government has Burmanized place names across the country, often making them unrecognizable to local people. Last year, the naming of a new bridge across the Salween River in Mon State sparked demonstrations by the Mon. The bridge was named after General Aung San, the Burman hero of the independence struggle and Suu Kyi's father. Mon activists say the name bears no relevance to their region, some likening it to a younger sibling being bullied by an older one. "The change of name made people feel a lot of pain in their heart. In spirit it means that the Burmans occupy the Mon," Min Soe Lin, a Mon member of parliament, told Australian researcher Cecile Medall late last year. There has been some success in recent years at reaching cease-fire deals with ethnic rebel groups, including the Karen, who under the Karen National Union banner fought the world's longest running insurgency until 2012. But even the Karen leaders who signed the pact, which allowed them to keep their arms, have made it clear they have little trust in the truce, and clashes have broken out in recent weeks. In the hills outside Taungoo, senior leaders of the KNU agree the only way ethnic minorities will gain an equal voice in Myanmar is through a constitution that fully enshrines their rights under a genuine federal system. The current charter is highly centralized and was enacted by the military. "Our grandfathers, fathers had to use military means to defend our culture and identity," says Padoh Eh Wah, a member of KNU Central Standing Committee. "Now we have to fight to have these guaranteed through political means." Before World War II Myanmar's outer regions were largely left alone as they were not regarded as valuable, a sharp contrast to the ongoing scramble to exploit their forests, minerals and hydro-power by the military and its cronies, says political scientist James C. Scott, author of "The Art of Not Being Governed." Scott says a lack of opportunities in ethnic enclaves has sparked an exodus of minorities seeking a better chance elsewhere, leaving a vacuum that Burmans are filling. "Is there an impulse to Burmanization? Absolutely," he says. "But I am doubtful how centralized and coordinated it is. I would be surprised if it is closely coordinated across ministries, since nothing much else is." Ethnic leaders disagree. Naw, the Kachin political analyst, believes that "an organized, systematic, structural campaign by central institutions to Burmanize the country" is being carried out. Saw True Blood, the Karen community leader, says beyond the threat of armed resistance, there is little stopping Burmans from taking all of his people's land. "The Burmans have the power, government support, money, education," he says. "So they can get what they want." FILE - In this Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2017, file photo, a large boat carrying Buddha images during the annual pagoda festival tours across the Inlay Lake, southern Shan State, Myanmar. Despite hopes that Aung San Suu Kyi's civilian government would bring change, Myanmar continues to force Burman culture on its ethnic minorities through education, religious proselytization and often coercion. Despite close to 90 percent adherence to Christianity in the northern outlying regions, state-sanctioned Buddhist pagodas dominate the landscape. (AP Photo/Thein Zaw, File) In this Nov. 8, 2017, photo, ethnic Karen school girls attend class at the headquarters of the 2nd Brigade of the Karen insurgents in the Taungoo area at Hto Lwe Wah, in Bago Region, Myanmar. The school includes a dormitory for over 200 students including these Karen young women where education is in Karen, English and Burmese languages. For decades the Karen, Shan, Mon, Chin and other minority groups have been put through a process they call Burmanization _ an informal system in which education, repressive laws, religious proselytization, economic exploitation and often brutal force are used to wash away their own identity. (AP Photo/Denis Grey) FILE - In this Dec. 18, 2013, file photo, ethnic Chin man Htang Ling Kaw, foreground, leaves the house of neighbor Laing Awi, background, at the Kyar Do village, Chin State, Myanmar. For decades the Karen, Shan, Mon, Chin and other minority groups have been put through a process they call Burmanization _ an informal system in which education, repressive laws, religious proselytization, economic exploitation and often brutal force are used to wash away their own identity. (AP Photo/Gemunu Amarasinghe, File) FILE - In this Dec. 18, 2013, file photo, ethnic Chin women of Muun sub-tribe, one with a traditional tattooed face and others with thanaka, a distinctive cosmetic face-paste widely used by Burmese women for a smoother skin, gather in Kyar Do village in Chin State, Myanmar. For decades the Karen, Shan, Mon, Chin and other minority groups have been put through a process they call Burmanization _ an informal system in which education, repressive laws, religious proselytization, economic exploitation and often brutal force are used to wash away their own identity. (AP Photo/Gemunu Amarasinghe, File) MY LAI, Vietnam (AP) - More a thousand people in Vietnam marked Friday's 50th anniversary of the My Lai massacre, the most notorious episode in modern U.S. military history, with talk of peace and cooperation instead of hatred. On March 16, 1968, the American soldiers of Charlie Company were sent on what they were told was a mission to confront a crack outfit of their Vietcong enemies, but met no resistance and over three to four hours killed 504 unarmed civilians, mostly women, children and elderly men in My Lai and a neighboring community. Speaking at Friday's commemoration, provincial official Dang Ngoc Dung said My Lai was a typical case of "cruel crimes committed by aggressive and hostile forces" during the war. He did not mention the United States by name. Young dancers participate in a performance during a ceremony to remember victims of My Lai massacre in My Lai, Vietnam Friday, March 16, 2018. More than a thousand people attend the commemoration marking the 50th anniversary of the My Lai massacre in which 504 unarmed civilians, most of them women, children and the elderly. (AP Photo/ Hau Dinh) But Dung said Vietnam wants to set aside the past and befriend other countries to build a better future in which peace and happiness can thrive. The commemoration comes at a time when bilateral relations between the U.S. and Vietnam are the strongest they've been since their normalization of relations in 1995. The United States is now one of Vietnam's top trading partners and investors, and relations have also expanded to security and defense. Do Ba was 9 when American soldiers came to his house and rounded up his mother, three siblings and himself and took them to a drainage ditch. His mother and sibling were among the 170 people killed there. Ba was wounded, covered in blood and buried under bodies. He played dead out of fear the soldiers would come back to kill him. He was finally rescued by a U.S Army helicopter crew that landed amid the massacre and intervened to stop the killing. "Twenty years ago, I still harbored hatred against the American soldiers who killed my mother, brothers and sister," he said "But now after 50 years as Vietnam and the United States together developed their relations, people set aside their pain and suffering to build a better society." At Friday's event, several dozen girls wearing traditional Ao Dai outfits and dove headgear, performed dances in tribute for the victims and to promote peace. Participants including government leaders, villagers and a group of American veterans laid flowers to pay tribute to the victims. The My Lai Peace Foundation, a local non-governmental organization, was launched at the event. "Vietnam had suffered numerous pains of wars," Truong Ngoc Thuy, president of the foundation, said at the launch. "We therefore more than anyone else understand the price of peace, we desire for peace." Historian Duong Trung Quoc noted that as the event was organized a U.S. aircraft carrier was making a friendly visit to a nearby port, the first since the war. "The war has ended and both nations have learned from its lessons," Quoc said. "The greatest outcome of the lessons is for two nations to come close together in friendship and shared responsibilities, for the benefit of the people in both countries." Americans who visit My Lai seem as often motivated by guilt as by wishes for a better world. It is a sort of pilgrimage for many and several have established projects, such as school and medical facilities, to contribute to the development of My Lai. Mike Hastie, a 73-year old retired nurse from Portland, Oregon, who served as a U.S. Army medic from September 1970 to September 1971 in Vietnam's Central Highlands, was a visitor this week. He thinks many veterans do not come because they are too ashamed to face the Vietnamese people. "It's just important that the My Lai massacre never be forgotten, because I think the greatest sin that we could commit would be to forget the 504 Vietnamese people who were murdered at My Lai. That's why the history has to be kept alive, not only for them but their relatives and for the country of Vietnam," he said. In this Thursday, March 15, 2018 photo, U.S. army photographer Ron Haeberle, left, speaks to Do Thi Chi, a survivor of My Lai massacre in My Lai, Vietnam. More than a thousand people are marking 50th anniversary of the My Lai massacre, using the event to talk of peace and cooperation instead of hatred. (AP Photo/Hau Dinh) My Lai massacre survivors lay flowers during a ceremony to remember victims of the massacre in My Lai, Vietnam Friday, March 16, 2018. More than a thousand people attend the commemoration marking the 50th anniversary of the My Lai massacre in which 504 unarmed civilians, most of them women, children and the elderly. (AP Photo/Hau Dinh) Vietnam War veteran Billy Kelly, right, lays flowers during a ceremony to remember victims of of the My Lai massacre in My Lai, Vietnam Friday, March 16, 2018. More than a thousand people attend the commemoration marking the 50th anniversary of the My Lai massacre in which 504 unarmed civilians, most of them women, children and the elderly.(AP Photo/Hau Dinh) Local residents and American veterans arrive at the My Lai massacre memorial site in My Lai, Vietnam Friday, March 16, 2018. More than a thousand people attend the commemoration marking the 50th anniversary of the My Lai massacre in which 504 unarmed civilians, most of them women, children and the elderly. (AP Photo/Hau Dinh) A security officer guards outside the My Lai massacre memorial in My Lai, Vietnam Friday, March 16, 2018. More than a thousand people attend the commemoration marking the 50th anniversary of the My Lai massacre in which 504 unarmed civilians, most of them women, children and the elderly. (AP Photo/Hau Dinh) In this Thursday, March 15, 2018 photo, U.S. army photographer Ron Haeberle, left, speaks to Do Thi Chi, a survivor of My Lai massacre in My Lai, Vietnam. More than a thousand people are marking 50th anniversary of the My Lai massacre, using the event to talk of peace and cooperation instead of hatred. (AP Photo/Hau Dinh) In this Thursday, March 15, 2018 photo, U.S. army photographer Ron Haeberle, left, speaks to a Vietnamese TV host about the photos of My Lai massacre he took in My Lai, Vietnam. More than a thousand people are marking 50th anniversary of the My Lai massacre, using the event to talk of peace and cooperation instead of hatred. (AP Photo/Hau Dinh) Accounts from two women who visited crisis pregnancy centers , with differing views of the experience: LAUREN GRAY Lauren Gray became pregnant when she was in college in western North Carolina. Estranged from her mother, somewhat ashamed and very confused, "I did not know where to turn," she said. In this March 15, 2018, photo, Lauren Gray poses for a photo in Bridgeport, Ct., with her rescued Pit Bull named Georgia. A California law regulating anti-abortion pregnancy centers has led to a Supreme Court clash at the intersection of abortion and free speech. The centers say a law requiring them to tell pregnant clients the state has family planning and abortion care available at little or no cost violates the centers' free speech rights. Gray became pregnant when she was in college in western North Carolina. Estranged from her mother, somewhat ashamed and very confused, "I did not know where to turn," she said. When she showed up for her appointment, Gray said the center seemed like a typical medical office. Gray said, "She clearly stated that we are a pro-life center. We will talk about options for keeping the baby or giving it up for adoption. I said I was very confused and that I wanted to talk about all the options," Gray said. She grew upset and soon left end did have an abo With the nearest Planned Parenthood clinic a three-hour round-trip away, Gray did a Google search for local help with pregnancy and was pleased that the first place that came up was located just off campus in Cullowee, North Carolina. When she showed up for her appointment, Gray said the center seemed like a typical medical office. But after she took a pregnancy test, she told the woman helping her she was nervous and scared. "I said I would like to have an abortion but I don't know exactly what that looks like," Gray recalled recently in a telephone call from Bridgeport, Connecticut, where she now lives. "She clearly stated that we are a pro-life center. We will talk about options for keeping the baby or giving it up for adoption. I said I was very confused and that I wanted to talk about all the options," Gray said. She grew upset and soon left. She had an abortion. Gray said she felt misled because "I thought I was going to a medical facility that would give me honest and accurate information that I, as a woman, felt I needed and deserved." She decided to talk about her experience so that other women might get the help they need. "I don't want more women deceived by these fake women's health centers," Gray said. ANGELA JOZWICKI Angela Jozwicki was in her early 30s and already had had an abortion when she used a store-bought test to confirm she was pregnant again in October 2015. She made an appointment for another abortion, because she was using drugs. But when the baby's father didn't show up to take her to the clinic for her appointment, Jozwicki changed her mind. "I decided I would keep that baby," she said in a Supreme Court brief filed by The Catholic Association Foundation. Jozwicki eventually found Soundview Pregnancy Services in Centereach, New York. She saw the baby on an ultrasound and returned weekly to meet with a staff member and watch videos about pregnancy and childcare. When it came time to have the baby, Jozwicki invited the staff member to be with her at the hospital. "I did not think she would come, but she was there," she said. The center has continued to work with her since her son, Cameryn, was born. With help, she was able to enroll in the Women, Infant and Children nutrition program and apply for financial aid. Counselors at the center also have helped bridge the divide that had opened between Jozwicki and her mother. Jozwicki and Cameryn are now living with her mother. Jozwicki said the center also provides support "so that I don't turn back to drugs." Angela Jozwicki, of Centereach, N.Y., and her nearly two year-old son Cameryn pose for a portrait, Wednesday, March 14, 2018, in Holtsville, N.Y. Jozwicki was in her early 30's and had already had an abortion when she used a store-bought test to confirm she was pregnant again in October 2015. She made an appointment for another abortion, because she was using drugs. But when the baby's father didn't show up to take her to the clinic for her appointment, Jozwicki changed her mind. "I decided I would keep that baby," she said in a Supreme Court brief filed by The Catholic Association Foundation. Jozwicki eventually found Soundview Pregnancy Services in Centereach, who sent a staff member to the hospital when she delivered Cameryn and have continued to support Jozwicki so she doesn't turn back to drugs. With help from the pregnancy center, Jozwicki and her mother have reconciled and she and son Cameryn now live with her mother. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens) Angela Jozwicki, of Centereach, N.Y., and her nearly two year-old son Cameryn pose for a portrait, Wednesday, March 14, 2018, in Holtsville, N.Y. Jozwicki was in her early 30's and had already had an abortion when she used a store-bought test to confirm she was pregnant again in October 2015. She made an appointment for another abortion, because she was using drugs. But when the baby's father didn't show up to take her to the clinic for her appointment, Jozwicki changed her mind. "I decided I would keep that baby," she said in a Supreme Court brief filed by The Catholic Association Foundation. Jozwicki eventually found Soundview Pregnancy Services in Centereach, who sent a staff member to the hospital when she delivered Cameryn and have continued to support Jozwicki so she doesn't turn back to drugs. With help from the pregnancy center, Jozwicki and her mother have reconciled and she and son Cameryn now live with her mother. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens) KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) - The children of Kabul love the blue bus - they rush toward it every time it pulls into their street, eager to come onboard, their young eyes brimming with excitement. But it's no ordinary bus. Its name is Charmaghz, the Dari word for Walnut, and it's a library on wheels - the first such enterprise in Afghanistan's war-battered capital. Inside the bus are rows of neatly stacked books for children, hundreds of them in both Dari and Pashto, the two main languages in Afghanistan. And small tables and stools for the kids to sit on as they discover the joys of reading. In this Saturday, March 10, 2018, photo, Afghan children read books in a library on wheels, in Kabul, Afghanistan. From sunrise to sunset, the bus drives around Kabul's neighborhoods, stopping in each place for a couple of hours at a time. The mobile library was the initiative of 25-year-old Freshta Karim who wanted to give Kabul's children something badly missing in her own childhood -- the chance to widen one's horizons, free of the shadow of war and poverty. (AP Photo/Rahmat Gul) From sunrise to sunset, the bus drives around Kabul's neighborhoods, stopping in each place for a couple of hours at a time. The library was the initiative of Freshta Karim; a 25-year-old who recently got her master's degree in public policy from the University of Oxford, England. She wanted to give Kabul's children something badly missing in her own childhood - the chance to widen one's horizons, free of the shadow of war and poverty. The idea came to her two years ago, Karim said, when she was hosting a small reading club for children at her home. She thought about ways to expand the project and bring reading opportunities to more children in the city. "I don't know how many of us can really forget the pain that the war has given us. Maybe children are too young to think about it, but I still feel that they realize it," she said. "I hope a program like this can give them an opportunity to forget those things." Two weeks into the project, she is thrilled by the kids' fondness for the bus. "We were not expecting so much love from the people and such acceptance, I am so amazed," she said. Karim says few people her age remember going to libraries as kids, the war had deprived them of so much. According to Save the Children, nearly a third of all Afghan children are unable to attend school, leaving them at increased risk of child labor, recruitment by armed groups, early marriage and other forms of exploitation. "Many schools even don't have buildings," Karim said. "Talking about a library is a luxury." On a recent day in her western Kabul neighborhood of Kart-e-Char, 11-year-old Marwa could hardly wait for the bus to turn the corner of the road so she could see it, run and jump in, and start reading. "The first day I came on the bus, I was so happy that I didn't want to leave and go home," Marwa said, smiling. She wants to know more about everything, her homeland and the world, she says. Karim and her team believe it's important for the children to choose the books that appeal to them freely and keep reading. It's the best way to develop critical thinking, she says - and hopefully also a step toward combatting Afghanistan's 62 percent illiteracy rate. The blue bus, decorated with colorful paintings to appeal to the young ones, was provided by the transportation ministry. All the books have been donated by different organizations or individuals. The donations also pay for the fuel that keeps the wheels turning day-to-day. University student Siyam Barakati, 21, is one of the five-member team on the bus. He is the story-teller and his job is to read to the smaller children who cannot yet read. "It is really enjoyable for me to be with kids, for a short time I forget everything else," he said. "It's a good feeling." For 10-year-old Sameer, books are his new friends - and a source of knowledge to pass on. "I read a book here, and learn something from it," he said. "Then I go home and tell the story to my sisters, and I get to learn more." In this Saturday, March 10, 2018, photo, Afghan children board a library on wheels, in Kabul, Afghanistan. From sunrise to sunset, the bus drives around Kabul's neighborhoods, stopping in each place for a couple of hours at a time. The mobile library was the initiative of 25-year-old Freshta Karim who wanted to give Kabul's children something badly missing in her own childhood -- the chance to widen one's horizons, free of the shadow of war and poverty. (AP Photo/Rahmat Gul) In this Saturday, March 10, 2018 photo, Freshta Karim, 25, owner of a bus library speaks during an interview with The Associated Press inside the bus, in Kabul, Afghanistan. From sunrise to sunset, the bus drives around Kabul's neighborhoods, stopping in each place for a couple of hours at a time. Karim wanted to give Kabul's children something badly missing in her own childhood -- the chance to widen one's horizons, free of the shadow of war and poverty. (AP Photo/Rahmat Gul) In this Saturday, March 10, 2018 photo, Afghan children read books inside a bus library, in Kabul, Afghanistan. From sunrise to sunset, the bus drives around Kabul's neighborhoods, stopping in each place for a couple of hours at a time. The mobile library was the initiative of 25-year-old Freshta Karim who wanted to give Kabul's children something badly missing in her own childhood -- the chance to widen one's horizons, free of the shadow of war and poverty. (AP Photo/Rahmat Gul) In this Saturday, March 10, 2018 photo, Marwa, 11, looks at a book inside a bus library in Kabul, Afghanistan. From sunrise to sunset, the bus drives around Kabul's neighborhoods, stopping in each place for a couple of hours at a time. The mobile library was the initiative of 25-year-old Freshta Karim who wanted to give Kabul's children something badly missing in her own childhood -- the chance to widen one's horizons, free of the shadow of war and poverty. (AP Photo/Rahmat Gul) In this Saturday, March 10, 2018, photo, An Afghan child holds a book out of the window of a bus library, in Kabul, Afghanistan. From sunrise to sunset, the bus drives around Kabul's neighborhoods, stopping in each place for a couple of hours at a time. The mobile library was the initiative of 25-year-old Freshta Karim who wanted to give Kabul's children something badly missing in her own childhood -- the chance to widen one's horizons, free of the shadow of war and poverty. (AP Photo/Rahmat Gul) In this Saturday, March 10, 2018, photo, Qaderia, 10, reads a book inside a bus library in Kabul, Afghanistan. From sunrise to sunset, the bus drives around Kabul's neighborhoods, stopping in each place for a couple of hours at a time. The mobile library was the initiative of 25-year-old Freshta Karim who wanted to give Kabul's children something badly missing in her own childhood -- the chance to widen one's horizons, free of the shadow of war and poverty. (AP Photo/Rahmat Gul) In this Saturday, March 10, 2018 photo, Siyam Barakati, 21, reads a story for children inside a bus library, in Kabul, Afghanistan. From sunrise to sunset, the bus drives around Kabul's neighborhoods, stopping in each place for a couple of hours at a time. The mobile library was the initiative of 25-year-old Freshta Karim who wanted to give Kabul's children something badly missing in her own childhood -- the chance to widen one's horizons, free of the shadow of war and poverty. (AP Photo/Rahmat Gul) In this Saturday, March 10, 2018 photo, a bus library is parked on a street in Kabul, Afghanistan. From sunrise to sunset, the bus drives around Kabul's neighborhoods, stopping in each place for a couple of hours at a time. The mobile library was the initiative of 25-year-old Freshta Karim who wanted to give Kabul's children something badly missing in her own childhood -- the chance to widen one's horizons, free of the shadow of war and poverty. (AP Photo/Rahmat Gul) In this Saturday, March 10, 2018 photo, Zainab, 9, reads inside a bus library, in Kabul, Afghanistan. From sunrise to sunset, the bus drives around Kabul's neighborhoods, stopping in each place for a couple of hours at a time. The mobile library was the initiative of 25-year-old Freshta Karim who wanted to give Kabul's children something badly missing in her own childhood -- the chance to widen one's horizons, free of the shadow of war and poverty. (AP Photo/Rahmat Gul) QUETTA, Pakistan (AP) - A Taliban-linked Pakistani cleric and six of his family members were killed in a powerful explosion at the cleric's home in a remote southwestern town near the border with Afghanistan, police and a government official said Friday. According to deputy commissioner Shafqat Shahwali, more than 10 people, including women and children, were also wounded in the Thursday night blast in the town of Qillah Saifullah in Baluchistan province. The explosion apparently occurred when a bomb or an explosive device was being loaded in a vehicle, said Mohammad Yousaf, the police chief in the town. Yousaf said some of the wounded were in critical condition in hospital. He identified the slain cleric as Habibullah Khan, who was known for public support of the Afghan Taliban. However, Khan's cousin, Khair Mohammad, said the cleric was a member of Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan - the Pakistani Taliban. He said the blast also damaged nearby homes. Mohammad Aslam, a police officer, told reporters that the blast was so strong that rescue workers were pulling body parts from the debris of the house, which had completely collapsed. Quetta is the capital of Baluchistan, which has long been the scene of a low-level insurgency by Baluch separatist groups that demand a greater share of the province's resources. The province is also believed to be a hiding place for the Afghan Taliban and Pakistani militant groups. KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) - The body of a U.N. driver who was abducted together with a female U.N. employee and her child was found in Kabul on Friday, in the same location where the three Afghans were abducted two months ago, the city's police chief said. According to the police chief, Dawood Amin, the body was found early in the morning and has been sent for an autopsy. There was no information on the whereabouts or condition of the Afghan woman and her child, he added. The United Nations in Kabul did not immediately reply to email requests for information. No militant group claimed the abduction and the police have had no information as to who might have carried it out. Taliban spokesman, Zabiullah Mujahid, has told The Associated Press that the insurgents were not involved in this "criminal act." In other developments, a rocket hit in a civilian house on Friday in southern Helmand province, killing one person and wounding 10 children. Omar Zwak, spokesman for the provincial governor, said the attack took place in Nad Ali district and that the house that was hit was near to a police checkpoint. He blamed the Taliban for the attack, saying the insurgents had likely targeted the checkpoint but hit the civilian house instead. No group claimed responsibility for the attack. BEIRUT (AP) - Airstrikes in Syria killed more than 100 people on Friday as civilians, weary and many wounded, fled besieged areas for the second straight day. Syrian government forces stepped up their offensive in the rebel-held eastern suburbs of the capital, Damascus, capturing a major town and closing in on another under the cover of Russia's air power. The majority of the deaths occurred in eastern Ghouta, where government forces have been on a crushing offensive for three weeks, capturing 70 percent of the besieged area. The weekslong violence has left more than 1,300 civilians dead, 5,000 wounded and forced thousands to flee to government-controlled areas. This photo released by the Syrian official news agency SANA, shows Syrian civilians with their belongings as they flee from fighting between the Syrian government forces and rebels, near Hamouria in eastern Ghouta, a suburb of Damascus, Syria, Friday, March. 16, 2018. The government offensive has pushed further into eastern Ghouta, chipping away at one of the largest and most significant opposition bastions since the early days of the rebellion, communities where some 400,000 people are estimated to be holed up. (SANA via AP) Friday's staggering death toll came a day after Syria passed the seven-year mark in its relentless civil war that has killed some 450,000 people and displaced half the country's population. The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said bombing and shelling by government and Russian forces killed a total of 76 people in eastern Ghouta, including 64 killed in Kafr Batna and another 12 in Saqba. Government forces also captured the nearby town of Jisreen, it said. "If the world does not move, Ghouta will be exterminated," said Siraj Mahmoud, a member of the opposition's Syrian Civil Defense search-and-rescue group. The Observatory said another 36 people were killed in the Kurdish-held town of Afrin in northern Syria, where Turkish troops and Turkey-backed Syrian opposition fighters have been on the offensive since Jan. 20. The dead included nine killed in airstrikes that hit the town's general hospital. Friday's government attack on Kafr Batna was with cluster bombs, napalm-like incendiary weapons, and conventional explosives, the Observatory said. Photos and videos released from the area showed charred bodies covered with sheets lined up near what appeared to be shops. A medical charity supporting hospitals in eastern Ghouta, the Syrian American Medical Society, said doctors in Kafr Batna were treating patients for severe burn wounds. Oways al-Shami, a spokesman for the Syrian Civil Defense, said the airstrikes targeted a market and a nearby residential area where scores of people had gathered to buy bread and vegetables during a daily truce called by Russia. "The medical situation is catastrophic. We can't stay in this situation for long," said Dr. Zouhair Kahaleh in the nearby town of Arbeen. Roads were closed, he said, and "we can't treat some of the cases here. It's a major challenge to reach the wounded because of the intensity of the airstrikes." Exhausted and shell-shocked civilians streamed out of the rebel enclave Friday, a day after tens of thousands evacuated the area in the biggest single-day exodus of the war. Syria's U.N. Ambassador Bashar Ja'afari told the U.N. Security Council that more than 40,000 civilians left eastern Ghouta on Thursday through a new security corridor opened by the government in the recently retaken town of Hamouria. An additional 30,000 people fled the Turkish military offensive on Afrin, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. A man interviewed in Hamouria Friday on state-affiliated al-Ikhbariya TV said he had gone two days without food. Others said rebels hoarded food and humiliated civilians, even shooting people trying to leave. The United Nations has warned of a malnutrition crisis in eastern Ghouta, which human rights groups have blamed on the government's strangling blockade. Staffan de Mistura, the U.N. envoy for Syria, told the Security Council that although a six-day cease-fire was largely holding in Douma, the largest city in eastern Ghouta, fighting has escalated elsewhere in the rebel-held region where 400,000 people are estimated to be holed up, as well as in Afrin and across many other parts of Syria. In Afrin, the Turkish military urged civilians to leave and Syrian Kurdish militiamen to surrender to the besieging Turkish forces. The media office for the Syrian Democratic Forces, a Kurdish-led and U.S.-backed force that operates in the Kurdish autonomous region, said at least 30 people were wounded in Friday's attacks. Video posted by the Observatory showed victims lying dead in the streets in pools of blood. Since their January offensive began, Turkish forces have nearly encircled Afrin as they press their campaign to drive the Syrian Kurdish fighters from the town and surrounding region, where tens of thousands of civilians are still believed trapped. On Friday, Turkish aircraft dropped flyers in Arabic and Kurdish on Afrin, asking residents to stay away from "terrorist positions" - a reference to the Syrian Kurdish fighters - and to not let themselves be used as "human shields." The leaflets claimed that civilians seeking to flee Afrin would be guaranteed safety by the Turkish military and urged Syrian Kurdish fighters to "trust the hand we extend to you." "Come surrender! A calm and peaceful future awaits you in Afrin," the leaflets read. Meanwhile, the U.N. Security Council again demanded a cease-fire throughout Syria and backed a U.N.-endorsed roadmap for a peaceful transition and elections. Members reaffirmed that U.N.-led talks in Geneva "remain the central process to find a political solution." Mistura, the U.N. envoy for Syria, told the council that he hasn't been able to form a committee to draft a new constitution because President Bashar Assad's government hasn't engaged and "we need to have comprehensive participation of all Syrian parties." Ministers from Russia, Turkey and Iran also underscored the need for a political solution in a joint statement after a meeting in Astana, Kazakhstan, on Friday and urged international support for de Mistura's efforts to form a constitutional committee. ___ Associated Press writers Suzan Fraser in Ankara, Turkey; Nataliya Vasilyeva in Moscow and Edith M. Lederer at the United Nations contributed to this report. This photo released by the Syrian official news agency SANA, shows Syrian troops stand guard as civilians stand with their belongings after fleeing from fighting between the Syrian government forces and rebels, near Hamouria in eastern Ghouta, a suburb of Damascus, Syria, Friday, March. 16, 2018. The government offensive has pushed further into eastern Ghouta, chipping away at one of the largest and most significant opposition bastions since the early days of the rebellion _ communities where some 400,000 people are estimated to be holed up. (SANA via AP) This photo released by the Syrian official news agency SANA, shows Syrian troops stand guard near buses carrying Syrian citizens who were fleeing from fighting between the Syrian government forces and rebels, near Hamouria in eastern Ghouta, a suburb of Damascus, Syria, Friday, March. 16, 2018. The government offensive has pushed further into eastern Ghouta, chipping away at one of the largest and most significant opposition bastions since the early days of the rebellion, communities where some 400,000 people are estimated to be holed up. (SANA via AP) JAYAPURA, Indonesia (AP) - An Indonesian court has found a Papuan activist guilty of treason and sentenced him to 10 months in prison for promoting a petition calling for a referendum on independence for the region. Yanto Awerkion was arrested last May in Timika near the U.S.-owned Grasberg gold and copper mine that's a lightning rod for Papuan grievances. He will be released within weeks because of time served. Awerkion, the deputy chairman of the Timika chapter of the West Papua National Committee, was sentenced on Monday at the Timika District Court. The 28-year-old was arrested after speaking at a meeting where he announced the petition had been signed by hundreds of thousands of Papuans. His imprisonment was the subject of international criticism after rights advocates reported his heath had deteriorated due to inadequate food and poor jail conditions. Papua, a mineral-rich former Dutch colony on the western part of New Guinea, was annexed by Indonesia in 1962, sparking a simmering insurgency. The region's mineral resources have been exploited for decades by U.S. mining company Freeport, but indigenous Papuans have benefited little and are poorer, sicker and more likely to die young than people elsewhere in Indonesia. Organizers of the petition said it was submitted to the U.N. decolonization committee in September. But the head of the committee at that time, Rafael Ramirez, denied receiving any petition and said Papua was not part of the committee's mandate. DILI, East Timor (AP) - Three political parties that brought down East Timor's minority government say they will campaign under one umbrella for new elections due in May. The parties in the grouping, which calls itself the Alliance for Change and Progress, on Friday announced their official lists of candidates. East Timor's parliament was dissolved in January after a minority government formed last year was unable to get its policy program and budget through parliament. The alliance includes the National Congress for Timorese Reconstruction party, led by former prime minister and independence hero Xanana Gusmao, and two smaller parties that won seats for the first time last year. Fretilin and the Democrats, which made up the minority government, said they will campaign separately but could renew their coalition if they win enough votes. Gusmao said the political developments of the past year showed that parties and leaders needed to work together to serve East Timor, one of the world's youngest nations and among the poorest in Asia. "Together we can serve our society better," he said. Gusmao is set to benefit politically from his role in negotiations that earlier this month settled the sea border between East Timor and Australia and provisionally set formulas for splitting oil and gas riches under the seabed. He returned to East Timor to a hero's welcome last weekend with thousands of East Timorese lining roads to the country's international airport. Your daily look at late-breaking news, upcoming events and the stories that will be talked about today: 1. WHO IS READY TO MAKE CHANGES IN THE WHITE HOUSE President Donald Trump is ready to remake his administration, privately weighing more changes, expressing frustration with certain advisers and sifting through possible replacements. House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., arrives for a news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington, Thursday, March 15, 2018. Pelosi called the Pennsylvania special election this week an "upset" win and hopes that Democrat Conor Lamb will be sworn-in soon. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) 2. DEMOCRATS FACING CONUNDRUM IN MIDTERM CAMPAIGNS The party tries to decide whether liberals, moderates or some combination are best to take on Republicans in GOP territory where President Donald Trump was victorious in 2016. 3. ABORTION, FREE SPEECH COLLIDE IN COURT DISPUTE A California law regulating anti-abortion pregnancy centers has led to a Supreme Court clash at the intersection of abortion and free speech. 4. CONGRESS DEMANDS PROBE INTO CHILD SEX ASSAULT Reacting to an Associated Press investigation into sexual assault among children on U.S. military bases, Congress demanded the Defense and Justice departments to explain how they will solve the problem. 5. WHY PUERTO RICO IS STILL PLEADING FOR HELP As the six-month anniversary of Hurricane Maria approaches, only a fraction of the $23 billion appropriated by Congress for storm relief has actually been spent in Puerto Rico. 6. HOW A BUS BRINGS JOY TO AFGHAN CHILDREN The Kabul blue bus is a library on wheels where children in Afghanistan's war-battered capital discover the joys of reading. 7. MAN KNOWN AS THE 'STOCKING STRANGLER' PUT TO DEATH Carlton Gary, 67, was executed for the rape-slayings of three older women in attacks that terrorized a Georgia city four decades ago. 8. VIETNAM COMMEMORATES ANNIVERSARY OF MY LAI MASSACRE More than a thousand people in Vietnam marked the 50th anniversary of the My Lai massacre, the most notorious episode in modern U.S. military history, with talk of peace and cooperation instead of hatred. 9. SNOWFLAKES MAY UNLOCK SECRETS TO CLIMATE CHANGE Researchers say the data from the tiny crystals could be used to provide clues to the changing climate and validate the satellite models used for weather predictions. 10. UNIVERSITY GETS LIFT FROM NUN IN NCAA TOURNAMENT Sister Jean Dolores Schmidt is Loyola-Chicago's biggest fan who prays with the players before games and gives them scouting reports the next day. President Donald Trump greets people during a St. Patrick's Day reception in the East Room of the White House in Washington, Thursday, March 15, 2018. Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar presented Trump with a traditional gift of a bowl of shamrocks. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh) BEIRUT (AP) - The Latest on developments in Syria's seven-year civil war (all times local): 7:55 p.m. The U.N. Security Council is again demanding a cease-fire throughout Syria and backing a U.N.-endorsed roadmap for a peaceful transition and elections in the conflict-torn country. This photo released by the Syrian official news agency SANA, shows Syrian civilians with their belongings as they fleeing from fighting between the Syrian government forces and rebels, in Hamouria in eastern Ghouta, a suburb of Damascus, Syria, Thursday, March. 15, 2018. Thousands of civilians streamed out of Syria's besieged, opposition-held enclave of eastern Ghouta on Thursday, crossing on foot and in pick-up trucks and tractors to government-held territory near the capital, Damascus, according to footage on state-run Syrian television. (SANA via AP) The council reaffirmed in a statement following a briefing Friday by the U.N. envoy for Syria, Staffan de Mistura, that U.N.-led talks in Geneva "remain the central process to find a political solution." Council members reiterated their "full support" for de Mistura's mandate to establish a committee to draft a new constitution for Syria "without delay." The council expressed its "deepest concerns" and joined de Mistura in condemning the perpetrators of violence in Damascus and the rebel-held suburbs of eastern Ghouta in violation of the Feb. 24 cease-fire resolution. Members also "reiterated their call for unconditional, unimpeded and sustained humanitarian access and urged all parties to the conflict to strictly adhere to their obligations under international humanitarian law to protect civilians." ___ 7:30 p.m. U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is urging the often divided Security Council "to stand united and take concrete steps to urgently end this tragedy." He called for swift action to protect civilians, prevent further instability across Syria and forge "a durable political solution" to the seven-year conflict. The U.N. chief said he "profoundly" regrets that the council resolution adopted Feb. 24 demanding a cease-fire throughout Syria without delay to deliver humanitarian aid and evacuate the wounded and critically ill "has not been implemented." He expressed deep concern in a statement Friday at "the desperation shown by the people fleeing in a massive exodus from eastern Ghouta and Afrin." Guterres stressed that any evacuation of civilians must be safe and voluntary. He said the U.N. and its partners "are fully mobilized to bring immediate life-saving relief to all those in need." U.N. deputy spokesman Farhan Haq told reporters the U.N. visited three of the collective shelters in the Damascus area where people who left eastern Ghouta have arrived Friday and is delivering emergency items including food, mattresses, blankets and hygiene kits. ___ 6:50 p.m. The U.N. envoy for Syria says despite a six-day cease-fire holding in the city of Douma, violence has escalated elsewhere in the eastern Ghouta suburbs of Damascus and across many other parts of Syria "where there is no cease-fire to speak of." Staffan de Mistura said Turkish government forces and their allies "continue to take ground rapidly" in the Kurdish enclave of Afrin, and that there are reports of shelling on opposition-besieged Foua and Kefrya, airstrikes in Idlib and a new opposition offensive in Hama, as well as clashes and airstrikes in Daraa in southern Syria. Borrowing Secretary-General Antonio Guterres' words, he reiterated that in eastern Ghouta "people are still living in a hell on earth." De Mistura told the U.N. Security Council in a video briefing Friday that there are also "fresh allegations of use of incendiary weapons against civilians in urban areas as well as fresh and disturbing allegations of chlorine use in these areas." He said the U.N. cannot confirm the reports "but we cannot and should not ignore them." De Mistura urged faster movement "with more impact" to implement the council's demand for a cease-fire throughout Syria and to establish a committee to draft a new constitution for Syria, saying the Syrian government must engage and be part of the process. "De-escalation needs to replace what we are watching at the moment - a clear tendency for escalation," he said. ___ 6:25 p.m. The Syrian army says the armed forces have captured and cleared dozens of villages, towns and farms east of the capital Damascus consisting of about 70 percent of the area known as eastern Ghouta. Syrian troops have been on the offensive in the area for three weeks, a campaign that has killed 1,300 civilians. A statement read Friday by Brig. Gen. Ali Mayhoub said military operations were "swift and decisive." It added that the Syrian armed forces opened two safe corridors and managed to secure the evacuation of thousands of civilians, who were held "by terrorist groups as human shields." It called upon all residents of eastern Ghouta to leave the area and come to government-controlled parts of the country. ___ 6:05 p.m. Syria's U.N. ambassador says more than 40,000 civilians left the rebel-held Damascus suburbs of eastern Ghouta in a single day through a new security corridor opened by the government in the city of Hamouria. Bashar Ja'afari told the U.N. Security Council on Friday that following the government takeover of Hamouria from "terrorists" on Thursday the government was assisting the evacuation of civilians "who were taken as human shields by terrorist groups." He said the government and Syrian Red Crescent were coordinating to facilitate the safe transport of people from eastern Ghouta "to temporary shelters that are equipped with all the necessary equipment." Ja'afari said the government will allow convoys with medical supplies and other aid into the area "if the security circumstances allow." He accused the U.N. and other governments of doing nothing to alleviate the suffering "of tens of thousands of people who have tried to flee terrorism." __ 5:45 p.m. A Syrian monitoring group says more than 100 civilians have been killed in government, Russian, and Turkish airstrikes and shelling on towns inside Syria. The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights says government and Russian forces have been bombing rebel-towns areas outside Damascus throughout Friday, killing 64 people in Kafr Batna and another 12 in Saqba. The Syrian Civil Defense search-and-rescue group reported 61 fatalities in Kafr Batna. The Syrian government is determined to seize Kafr Batna, Saqba, and the rest of the besieged eastern Ghouta region from rebels, after 7 years of war. The Observatory says Turkish shelling and airstrikes have killed another 27 people in the Kurdish-held town of Afrin, in north Syria. Turkey is waging a war on a Syrian Kurdish militia that controls Afrin and the surrounding region. ___ 5:30 p.m. Syrian state media is reporting that government forces have captured a town on the southern edge of rebel-held eastern suburbs of the capital Damascus. The government-controlled Syrian Central Military Media said troops captured Jisreen on Friday after battles with opposition gunmen. The capture of Jisreen brings government forces closer to the rebel strongholds of Saqba and Kafr Batna where dozens of people were killed in airstrikes earlier Friday. Syrian government forces have captured more than half of the area known as eastern Ghouta and have cut it into three parts over the past three weeks. ___ 3:15 p.m. A U.N. spokeswoman says the world body is receiving "deeply alarming" reports from the Kurdish enclave of Afrin about civilian deaths and injuries due to airstrikes and ground-based strikes. Ravina Shamdasani, spokeswoman for the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights, added in a statement Friday it is also getting reports that civilians are being prevented from leaving the area by Kurdish fighters. Shamdasani said hundreds of thousands of civilians are at risk, including those recently displaced from other areas captured by Turkish-led forces. She said that the humanitarian situation is reportedly worsening, "with tremendous pressure on Afrin hospital - the only medical facility equipped for major operations." She said parties to the conflict should must allow civilians to leave and take precautions to avoid loss of civilian lives. ___ 1:50 p.m. A Syrian war monitoring group says Russian and Syrian government airstrikes on a town in the besieged eastern Ghouta enclave, just outside of Damascus, have killed 46 people. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights says the town of Kafr Batna was hit with cluster munitions, napalm-like incendiary weapons, and conventional explosives on Friday. Government forces are advancing on towns inside the rebel-held enclave, prompting a massive exodus of civilians. A medical charity supporting hospitals in the Ghouta region, the Syrian American Medical Society, says doctors in Kafr Batna are treating patients for severe burn wounds. The charity says it recorded 40 casualties on Friday. The Syrian Civil Defense search-and-rescue group says it has identified 42 bodies so far. It says the streets are strewn with body parts and that it expects the death toll to rise. ___ 12:30 p.m. Syrian Kurdish forces say that Turkish shelling and airstrikes in the northern Syrian town of Afrin have killed at least 20 civilians. Redur Khalil, a spokesman for the Syrian Democratic Forces, also says 30 people have been wounded as Turkish forces shelled the Ashrafieh neighborhood of the town on Friday. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights monitors put the death toll at 18. It released a video showing four lifeless bodies lying on the streets of Afrin. Turkish forces have nearly encircled Afrin in an effort to drive out Kurdish fighters from the town and the surrounding region. Residents say they are facing bread, water, and electricity shortages. Hundreds of civilians were seen leaving the town to neighboring villages on Thursday looking for relief. Tens of thousands of civilians are believed to still be inside. ___ 11:40 a.m. Turkey's military says it's dropped flyers in Arabic and Kurdish on the northern Syrian town of Afrin, asking residents to stay away from "terrorist positions" and urging Syrian Kurdish militiamen to surrender. The fliers were dropped on Friday as Turkish troops and allied Syrian opposition fighters press Ankara's seven-week offensive to drive Syrian Kurdish forces from the enclave of Afrin and its main town of the same name. The leaflets say Afrin civilians wanting to leave would be "under the guarantee" of the Turkish military. They also call on locals not to allow themselves to be used as "human shields." The leaflets urge Syrian Kurdish fighters to "trust the hand we extend to you." They say: "Come surrender! A calm and peaceful future awaits you in Afrin." ___ 10:05 a.m. Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov says the Russian military and the Syrian government are extending a cease-fire in Damascus' rebel-held suburbs as long as it takes to allow all the civilians to leave the area. Lavrov spoke in Kazakhstan on Friday, saying the cease-fire will be extended "until all (civilians) leave" the enclave known as eastern Ghouta. The Russian Defense Ministry said that 2,000 people had exited the rebel-held suburbs by early morning. Thursday saw the largest single-day exodus of civilians in Syria's civil war. Tens of thousands emerged from Hamouria and other opposition towns to escape the onslaught. The civilians were fleeing as Syrian government troops, backed by Russian aircraft, pushed further into eastern Ghouta. Elsehwere, Turkish forces are pushing their way into the northern Kurdish-held town of Afrin. IRBIL, Iraq (AP) - Iraq's Kurdish region on Friday commemorated the 30th anniversary of Saddam Hussein's 1988 gas attack in the northeastern Kurdish town of Halabja that killed 5,000 people. Kurdish officials delivered speeches to a crowd of hundreds gathered for the ceremony at a stadium in the town. At a cemetery where many of those killed in the attack are buried, relatives of victims, survivors of the attack and officials laid flowers beside rows of headstones. FILE - In this Sunday, March 16, 2008 file photo, Kurds look at images of the victims of Halabja massacre in Halabja, Iraq. Iraq's Kurdish region has commemorated the 30th anniversary of Saddam Hussein's 1988 gas attack in the northeastern Kurdish town of Halabja that killed 5,000 people. (AP Photo/Yahya Ahmed, File) From Baghdad, Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi described the attack as a "crime that shook the conscience of the world," according to a written statement released by his office. As the country commemorates the Halabja attack "we affirm our pride in the unity of our people," he said in the statement. Tensions between Iraq's Kurds and the central government have spiked recently following a controversial vote on independence held by the autonomous Kurdish region in September. In Halabja, residents described decades of government neglect. "We are still carrying the same suffering that we suffered in the past. Until now, those injured in the chemical attack have not received proper treatment," said Hikmat Faiq Arif, a 45-year old resident, adding that much of the city also remains damaged. "Iraq must be obligated to pay compensation for the destroyed city of Halabja, because it is a part of Iraq," he said. The 1988 attack was ordered by Saddam's government as part of a scorched-earth campaign to crush a Kurdish rebellion in the north and came to symbolize the brutality of his rule. The vast majority of those killed in the nerve and mustard gas attacks were Kurds. Many survivors still suffer from the after-effects. FILE - In this Dec. 7, 2006 file photo, men stand at a graveyard where the dead of 1988 gas attack on Halabja, Iraq, Iraq's Kurdish region has commemorated the 30th anniversary of Saddam Hussein's 1988 gas attack in the northeastern Kurdish town of Halabja that killed 5,000 people. (AP Photo/Yahya Ahmed, File) NYON, Switzerland (AP) - In a rematch of last season's Champions League final, title holder Real Madrid was paired with Juventus in the quarterfinals draw on Friday. Madrid will travel to Turin for the first leg on April 3 against the Italian champion it beat 4-1 in the 2017 final at Cardiff. Liverpool was drawn to host Manchester City first on April 4 in an all-English clash. After all five English clubs advanced from the group stage to the round of 16, only one will now be in the semifinals. Former Ukrainian soccer player Andriy Shevchenko, and ambassador for the Champions League final in Kiev, shows a ticket with Spain's soccer team "Real Madrid CF" during the quarterfinal draw of the Champions League 2017/18, at the UEFA Headquarters, in Nyon, Switzerland, Friday, March 16, 2018. (Jean-Christophe Bott/Keystone via AP) "It's always common in a draw that you'll get your neighbor, more or less, but to be honest I don't mind," Liverpool coach Juergen Klopp said in comments to the club's website. Also Friday, five-time champions Barcelona and Bayern Munich were paired with teams who have never won the tournament. Barcelona is at home first against Roma on April 4, and Bayern faces Sevilla in the first leg in Spain on April 3. All return games are played the following week. Madrid will likely start favorite against Juventus in pursuit of a record-extending 13th European title and a first hat trick since Bayern won its third title in a row in 1976. Cristiano Ronaldo's 12 goals in the competition this season is more than the entire Juventus team, which has scored just 11 times in eight games. Still, Juventus did in the round of 16 what Madrid could not do in the group stage - beat Tottenham. It advanced with an impressive 2-1 second-leg win at Wembley Stadium. "It says a lot about the winning mentality (of Juventus), and their personality and experience to play these kind of matches," Madrid director Emilio Butragueno said. The draw set up both English clubs for an intense week, with city derbies in the Premier League sandwiched between the quarterfinal games. On the Saturday between the two legs against five-time champion Liverpool, City hosts rival Manchester United and could seal the league title that day. On the Sunday, Liverpool plays at Everton barely 48 hours before the second-leg game in Manchester. Man City travels for the first leg to Anfield where it has won only once in its last 30 visits. Pep Guardiola's team lost 4-3 at Liverpool two months ago for its only league loss this season, though it won 5-0 at home in September. Barcelona will be expected to advance from its 11th straight appearance in the quarterfinals, with Lionel Messi in attack and the competition's best defensive record of just two goals conceded. The final is on May 26 at the Olympic Stadium in Kiev, Ukraine. Each finalist will receive 17,000 tickets for its fans with the stadium capacity set at 63,000 for the showpiece game, UEFA said Friday. A further 6,700 tickets went on sale Friday to fans worldwide, priced from 70 euros ($86) to 450 euros ($550). The Europa League quarterfinals draw was also made Friday, and set up a politically charged game between English and Russian clubs. Arsenal was paired with CSKA Moscow, two days after the British government said it would not send officials to the World Cup in Russia to protest the poisoning of a Russian former spy in England this month. In other pairings, it was: Atletico Madrid vs. Sporting Lisbon; Leipzig vs. Marseille; and Lazio vs. Salzburg. First-leg games are April 5, and return games on April 12. The final is May 16 in Lyon, France. Barcelona's Lionel Messi celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the Champions League round of sixteen second leg soccer match between FC Barcelona and Chelsea at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona, Spain, Wednesday, March 14, 2018. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez) The match fixtures are shown on an electronic panel following the quarterfinal draw of the Champions League 2017/18, at the UEFA Headquarters, in Nyon, Switzerland, Friday, March 16, 2018. (Jean-Christophe Bott/Keystone via AP) Sevilla's Wissam Ben Yedder, center, celebrates scoring his side's first goal of the game during the Champions League round of 16 second leg soccer match between Manchester United and Sevilla, at Old Trafford in Manchester, England, Tuesday, March 13, 2018. Sevilla won the game 2-1 and go through to the quarterfinals. (Martin Rickett/PA via AP) WICHITA, Kan. (AP) - A dog that United Airlines mistakenly flew to Japan is back with its family in Kansas. The 10-year-old German shepherd named Irgo arrived at a Wichita airport Thursday night after a flight on a private plane that United chartered from Japan. Kara Swindle and her two children took a United flight Tuesday from Oregon to Kansas City, Missouri, during a move to Wichita, Kansas. When they went to pick up Irgo, they were shown a Great Dane that was supposed to go to Japan. United said that the dogs were put on the wrong planes when being moved from connecting flights in Denver. The airline declined to say how much it spent on Irgo's charter flight. "We chose the fastest option to reunite the dog with his family," said United spokesman Jonathan Guerin. Irgo's misadventure began a day after a French bulldog puppy died aboard a United flight after a flight attendant required a passenger to put her pet carrier in the overhead bin. Meanwhile, the airline said it diverted a flight to Akron, Ohio, Thursday after a dog was mistakenly loaded on the Newark, New Jersey, to St. Louis flight. The pet was delivered safely to its owners and all passengers on the flight were compensated, United said. HOBOKEN, N.J. (AP) - A baby Jesus statue stolen nearly 90 years ago from a New Jersey church has been returned. The Rev. Alex Santora says a suspicious package was delivered Wednesday to Our Lady of Grace Church in Hoboken with no return address. The Jersey Journal reports the pastor called police, who responded to inspect the package. The package was determined to be safe, and was opened - revealing the baby Jesus and a note detailing how the sender's grandfather received it in the 1930s. The anonymous sender says they felt the statue should be returned to the rightful owner. Santora says the statue will likely be used in the church's nativity set this Christmas, adding it's encouraging to see people do what's right even after decades. ___ Information from: The Jersey Journal , http://www.nj.com/jjournal PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) - A Rhode Island lawmaker who introduced a bill that would ban outhouses in the state says he is withdrawing the legislation. Republican Rep. Justin Price said Wednesday he is pulling the measure ahead of a scheduled State house hearing. Price says the issue should be addressed by local municipalities, not the state. The bill would have required any outhouse existing as of Jan. 1, 2019, to be "abandoned, filled up and destroyed" within one year. Price previously said the bill was inspired by a dispute between Warwick residents and their former neighbor who lived within sniffing distance of the family's outhouse. Those who refused to comply could have faced up to a $1,000 fine. MADRID (AP) - Spain's capital is grappling with the aftermath of violent unrest following the death of an African street vendor who had been running away from police officers. The death, and the clashes between riot police and protesters that followed late Thursday in a central Madrid neighborhood, cast a spotlight on the precarious situation of a large community of undocumented migrants. Madrid Mayor Manuela Carmena on Friday announced a "thorough investigation" into the death of the man. According to city officials, he was treated for a cardiorespiratory arrest that took place an unspecified time after he escaped a police crackdown on informal street sales on Thursday. Senegalese people gather to protest after the death of a countryman at the Lavapies neighborhood in Madrid, Friday, March 16, 2018. Spain's capital is grappling with the aftermath of violent street clashes following the death of an African street vendor who witnesses said he had been running away from police officers. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco) Subsequent protests by hundreds of African migrants and Spanish residents degenerated into rioting. Demonstrators burned plastic trash cans, blocking narrow streets and setting fire to a bank branch. An Associated Press reporter saw protesters throw stones at dozens of riot police officers. Police said six people were arrested. According to the Madrid region's emergency services, 20 people were treated for minor injuries, including 16 police officers. Migrants' associations have identified the dead man as 35 year-old Mbame Ndiaye, a Senegalese who had lived in Spain for 14 years and hadn't been granted residency. They accused police of playing a role in his death, but local police unions said it had nothing to do with the crackdown on street vendors. Atu Baye, a fellow Senegalese migrant and neighbor of the dead man, told The Associated Press that Ndiaye often joined groups to sell wallets, bags or other products. "There were extremist groups infiltrated who burnt things. The Senegalese are not breaking things or stealing, they are not hurting anyone," said Cheikh Ndiaye, the president of AISE, an association of Senegalese migrants in Spain, who referred to the death of Ndiaye as "a racist attack" and a "violent criminal act of the state." A police union representative said officers patrolling the area tried to help the man while medical help arrived. "Contrary to what is being said, the agents were trying to revive him," said Emiliano Herrero, secretary general in the Madrid police for CCOO, one of the main national labor unions. Herrero said the mayor's announcement of an investigation seemed to "cast a doubt over the work of a professional police body." He said the judiciary should investigate such matters. "Street sales by a collective of people who are not given the chance to work are a social and political problem that needs to be solved by politicians and legislators," Herrero said. "It's very easy to put the blame on the weakest link." But Malick Gueye, a representative of the Madrid Hawkers and Tinkers Union, said that the vendors face increasing police abuse. Because most of them lack regular papers, they find it difficult to take matters to court, he said. "People sell goods in the street because Spain's migration law says that people are not allowed to work and integrate in this country," Gueye added. "Migration laws condemn us to a clandestine life." On Friday, riot police intervened again in Madrid's Lavapies neighborhood to protect Senegalese diplomats who were being threatened by angry fellow countrymen gathered to mourn the death of Ndiaye. Even as it sees increasing gentrification, the neighborhood is home to large numbers of migrants from sub-Saharan Africa who are denied permission to work. Nearly 29,000 migrants crossed into Spain last year, taking a perilous trip by boat or crossing barbed-wired fences into two Spanish territories in northern Africa. That was more than double the previous year's figure. So far this year, 3,976 people have reached Spanish soil or been rescued in waters separating Africa and Europe. __ Video journalist David Montero contributed to this story. Senegalese people gather to protest after the death of a countryman at the Lavapies neighborhood in Madrid, Friday, March 16, 2018. Spain's capital is grappling with the aftermath of violent street clashes following the death of an African street vendor who witnesses said he had been running away from police officers. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco) A protester throws rubbish at a burning barricade in Lavapies, a neighbourhood of Madrid, Spain, Thursday, March 15, 2018. Street clashes erupted Thursday night in central Madrid over the death of a 35-year-old African vendor who witnesses said died trying to escape from police cracking down on illegal street sales. (AP Photo/Alejandro Martinez Velez) A protester throws a rubbish bin at a burning barricade in Lavapies, a neighbourhood of Madrid, Spain, Thursday, March 15, 2018. Street clashes erupted Thursday night in central Madrid over the death of a 35-year-old African vendor who witnesses said died trying to escape from police cracking down on illegal street sales. (AP Photo/Alejandro Martinez Velez) A man injured lies on the ground during the clashes with Spanish National Police in Lavapies, a neighbourhood of Madrid, Spain, Thursday, March 15, 2018. Street clashes erupted Thursday night in central Madrid over the death of a 35-year-old African vendor who witnesses said died trying to escape from police cracking down on illegal street sales. (AP Photo/Alejandro Martinez Velez) Spanish anti riot police officers in full gear and security men stand next to destroyed ATM and doors of a branch of Spanish BBVA bank during clashes at the Lavapies neighborhood in Madrid, early Friday, March 16, 2018. Street clashes erupted Thursday night in central Madrid over the death of a 35-year-old African vendor who witnesses said died trying to escape from police cracking down on illegal street sales. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco) PIKEVILLE, Ky. (AP) - Police have charged a man in the fatal shooting of a Kentucky police officer. Kentucky State Police spokesman Jody Sims says 55-year-old John Russell Hall of Pikeville was charged Thursday with murder of a police officer and possession of a handgun by a convicted felon after being taken into custody that morning. Hall is charged with killing Pikeville Police Officer Scotty Hamilton. The officer was gunned down Tuesday night while patrolling the Hurricane Creek area with a state trooper. Police said they came upon a suspicious vehicle, spoke with occupants, and then began canvassing the area for other possible suspects when gunfire erupted. The trooper later found the officer with a fatal gunshot wound. News outlets report Hamilton had been with the police department for 12 years and is survived by a wife and daughter. NICOSIA, Cyprus (AP) - A senior U.S. State Department official has repeated Washington's support for Cyprus' right to carry out an offshore search for oil and gas. Assistant Secretary of State Wess Mitchell told reporters after talks with Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades on Friday that the U.S. also wants to see a resumption of talks to reunify the ethnically divided island nation. Mitchell's remarks come amid Turkey's strong opposition to what it calls a "unilateral" Greek Cypriot search for hydrocarbons that doesn't directly involve breakaway Turkish Cypriots. US Assistant Secretary of State Wess Mitchell, second right, talks with Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades and US ambassador in Cyprus Kathleen Doherty, right, during their meeting at the presidential palace in capital Nicosia, Cyprus, Friday, March 16, 2018. Mitchell visit Cyprus for talks with the Cypriot President and the leader of the breakaway Turkish Cypriots. Mitchell's visit comes as ExxonMobil gears up for a gas search off Cyprus later this year that Turkey opposes. (AP Photo/Petros Karadjias) Last month, Turkish warships prevented a rig from reaching an area southeast of Cyprus where Italian company Eni planned to carry out exploratory drilling. ExxonMobil and partners Qatar Petroleum are scheduled to start drilling southwest of the island this year. France's Total is also licensed to drill. US Assistant Secretary of State Wess Mitchell, right, talks with Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades during a meeting at the presidential palace in capital Nicosia, Cyprus, Friday, March 16, 2018. Mitchell visits Cyprus for talks with the Cypriot President and the leader of the breakaway Turkish Cypriots. Mitchell's visit comes as ExxonMobil gears up for a gas search off Cyprus later this year that Turkey opposes. (AP Photo/Petros Karadjias) US Assistant Secretary of State Wess Mitchell talks with Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades as the US ambassador in Cyprus Kathleen Doherty, rear, smiles, during a meeting at the presidential palace in capital Nicosia, Cyprus, Friday, March 16, 2018. Mitchell visits Cyprus for talks with the Cypriot President and the leader of the breakaway Turkish Cypriots. Mitchell's visit comes as ExxonMobil gears up for a gas search off Cyprus later this year that Turkey opposes. (AP Photo/Petros Karadjias) US Assistant Secretary of State Wess Mitchell arrives at the presidential palace for talks with the Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades, in capital Nicosia, Cyprus, Friday, March 16, 2018. Mitchell visits Cyprus for talks with the Cypriot President and the leader of the breakaway Turkish Cypriots. Mitchell's visit comes as ExxonMobil gears up for a gas search off Cyprus later this year that Turkey opposes. (AP Photo/Petros Karadjias) MADRID (AP) - The head of the Organization of American States wants tougher international sanctions placed on Venezuela. OAS Secretary-General Luis Almagro says "broader and more general sanctions" should be targeted at the functioning of President Nicolas Maduro's government. He did not elaborate. Sanctions imposed by the United States and the European Union, among others, are aimed at breaking Maduro's grip on power amid a deepening political and economic crisis in Venezuela. Spanish news agency Europa Press says Almagro, speaking Friday at a conference in Madrid, also expressed support for the International Criminal Court's probe into alleged crimes by Venezuelan security forces. He described Maduro's rule as "a dictatorship." Maduro has withdrawn Venezuela from the 34-nation OAS over its criticism of his administration. He is seeking a second term in a May election. CAIRO (AP) - Thousands of Egyptian expatriates around the world are heading to polling stations to cast their ballots in the presidential election. Lasheen Ibrahim, head of the election commission, said the turnout Friday appears to be "good," without elaborating. Overseas voting started Friday and ends Sunday. Voting in Egypt takes place March 26-28. Ibrahim told reporters the commission received no complaints from any polling stations and the voting process went smoothly. In this photo released by the Egyptian Presidency, Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi, center, attends a conference commemorating the country's martyrs, in Cairo, Egypt, Thursday, March 15, 2018. Up for re-election in less than two weeks, Egypt's president on Thursday took center stage at a televised ceremony declaring his readiness to personally join the battle against militants and decorating soldiers and families of fallen ones. (Sherif Abdel Meniom/Egyptian Presidency via AP) Egypt's army chief-turned-President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi is virtually certain to win re-election after a string of potential contenders withdrew from the race under pressure or were arrested. That left an obscure sole candidate, Moussa Mustafa Moussa, as the only rival. And he's a supporter of el-Sissi's government. CAIRO (AP) - The death of an Egyptian teenager in the UK has sparked outrage across Egypt, where officials have described the incident as "barbaric." Mariam Mustafa, an 18-year-old engineering student, was allegedly attacked on the street by a group in Nottingham on Feb. 20 before she died of her wounds on Wednesday. The Egyptian Foreign Ministry described Mustafa's death on Friday as "barbaric" and urged British authorities to bring those responsible to justice. Her family said her death could have been prevented if police had taken action after an earlier warning. They also accuse the hospital where she was treated of negligence. Nottinghamshire Police said there are no indications that Mustafa's killing was a hate crime but said that they are "keeping an open mind." JOHANNESBURG (AP) - Former South African president Jacob Zuma will face old charges of fraud, racketeering and money laundering, prosecutors announced Friday, deepening the legal woes of a leader whose tenure was marked by scandals. Shaun Abrahams, head of the National Prosecuting Authority, noted the "long history" of the reinstated charges against Zuma, which were thrown out by prosecutors nearly a decade ago in a contentious decision that opened the way for him to become president. The charges relate to an arms deal in the 1990s, when Zuma was deputy president. "After consideration of the matter, I am of the view that there are reasonable prospects of a successful prosecution of Mr. Zuma on the charges listed in the indictment," Abrahams said. FILE - In this Monday, Dec. 18, 2017, file photo, President Jacob Zuma, looks on at the African National Congress (ANC) elective conference in Johannesburg. The director of South Africa's National Prosecuting Authority says that former president Jacob Zuma will be prosecuted on 16 charges of corruption. Shaun Abrahams announced Friday, March 16, 2018 that Zuma will be face charges including fraud, corruption, racketeering and money laundering. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe, File) The chief prosecutor said there were 16 counts against Zuma, and that the former president had said he was a victim of misconduct by prosecutors as well as leaks to the media. "Mr. Zuma in addition disputes all the allegations against him and records that he lacked the requisite intention to commit any of the crimes listed in the indictment," said Abrahams, who himself faced calls to resign for allegedly declining to move against Zuma when he was in office. Zuma, 75, resigned as president last month after he was ordered to do so by his party, the African National Congress. He was replaced by his deputy, Cyril Ramaphosa, who has promised a robust campaign against corruption and also faces the tough task of rebuilding the popularity of a ruling party whose moral stature has diminished since it took power at the end of white minority rule in 1994. The ANC responded to the reinstated charges against Zuma, saying it has confidence in the South African criminal justice system and is committed to the idea of "equality of all before the law." The ruling party urged South Africans to allow prosecutors to do their work and cautioned that Zuma has the right to be "presumed innocent until and if proven guilty." In a separate case, South African authorities are seeking to arrest members of the Gupta business family, which allegedly used its connections to Zuma to influence Cabinet appointments and win state contracts. Additionally, a judicial panel is preparing to view allegations of corruption at high levels of the South African government during Zuma's years in office. In another scandal, South Africa's top court ruled in 2016 that Zuma violated the constitution following an investigation of multi-million-dollar upgrades to his private home using state funds. He paid back some of the money. South Africa's main opposition party, which fought for years in court to get charges reinstated against Zuma, welcomed Abrahams' decision. "Now there must be no further delay in starting the trial," said Mmusi Maimane, leader of the opposition Democratic Alliance. "The witnesses are ready, the evidence is strong, and Jacob Zuma must finally have his day in court." ___ Follow Christopher Torchia on Twitter at www.twitter.com/torchiachris FILE - In this Wednesday, Feb. 14, 2018, file photo, South African President Jacob Zuma gestures after announcing to the nation his resignation as president with immediate effect at the Union Buildings in Pretoria, South Africa. The director of South Africa's National Prosecuting Authority says that former president Jacob Zuma will be prosecuted on 16 charges of corruption. Shaun Abrahams announced Friday, March 16, 2018 that Zuma will be face charges including fraud, corruption, racketeering and money laundering. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe, File) LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) - A Kentucky prosecutor says police were justified in fatally shooting a homeless man they found in a vacant, boarded-up home last year. The Courier Journal reported Friday that Jefferson County Commonwealth's Attorney Tom Wine said the Louisville officers will not faces any charges in the death of 32-year-old William Young Jr. Wine said footage from the officers' body cameras show Young attacked them with a weapon as soon as they found him. He said Young did not respond to Louisville Metro Police officers, who were searching the building after a report of a burglary. "It is clear from the video recordings and statements from the LMPD officers and civilians that the intruder, William Young, was given ample opportunity to surrender himself to the officers or at least announce his presence," Wine wrote in a letter to the police department. At the time of the shooting, police said Young advanced toward an officer with a skewer-like item before he was shot. In Wine's review of the case, he said the officer who shot Young was poked with a 12-inch (30-centimeter) pointed metal pole near his collarbone. Young's autopsy report showed he was shot 10 times and tested positive for methamphetamine. Young's mother filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the city. Her attorney, Gregory Belzley, said even if criminal charges aren't warranted, he believes the confrontation with the "frightened, mentally-ill homeless man" was unnecessary and could have been avoided. ___ Information from: The Courier-Journal, http://www.courier-journal.com AUSTIN, Texas (AP) - Republican Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has ordered two more school districts to stop "unlawful electioneering activities," accusing them of using state funds to endorse a political candidate. Paxton's office said Friday that it had issued cease-and-desist letters to school districts in Elgin and Galena Park. Last month, similar letters were sent to three other school districts. At issue this time are a tweet from Elgin's superintendent and a letter from a Galena Park principal. Both applauded a Republican challenger to Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick in Texas' March 6 primary. Patrick is a top advocate for school vouchers that would give public funding to private schools. He won the primary handily. Education advocates say supporting pro-classroom candidates doesn't violate state education code. The Texas Democratic Party has likened Paxton's efforts to voter suppression. BERLIN (AP) - Germany's economy minister is flying to Washington on Sunday to discuss the looming trade war between Europe and the United States. Public broadcaster ARD reported Friday that Peter Altmaier planned to meet with high-ranking U.S. officials through Tuesday. The German government has expressed concern about U.S. President Donald Trump's decision to raise tariffs on foreign-made steel and aluminum. Trump has repeatedly singled out Germany and its auto exports for possible future duty increases. German Chancellor Angela Merkel said Friday that the planned U.S. tariffs breach World Trade Organization rules, but she hopes to resolve the issue through talks. LAS VEGAS (AP) - President Donald Trump cleared a primary election path for one of the most vulnerable Senate Republicans running for re-election this year by persuading U.S. Sen. Dean Heller's Republican opponent to drop out of the race and instead run for a House seat. Republican Danny Tarkanian of Las Vegas, who has frequently criticized Heller for failing to be a strong supporter of Trump's agenda, announced Friday morning that at the president's request, he decided to leave the Senate race against Heller. Instead, he filed to run Friday for Nevada's 3rd Congressional District, an office he unsuccessfully sought in 2016. "I've switched because the president asked me, because he felt it would be the best opportunity to push forth his agenda," Tarkanian told The Associated Press as he filed campaign paperwork Friday in Las Vegas. Republican congressional candidate Danny Tarkanian talks with a reporter Friday, March 16, 2018, at the Clark County Government Center in Las Vegas about President Donald Trump asking him to switch from running for U.S. Senate to running for a Congress seat in Nevada. Tarkanian said Trump was "adamant," and said that he plans as a Congressman to be a steadfast supporter of Trump and his policies. (AP Photo/Ken Ritter) Tarkanian said he hadn't spoken directly to the president, having missed a call from Trump several days ago. Instead, Tarkanian said he spoke with Trump's 2020 re-election campaign manager, Brad Parscale. "He said the president would like to see me step out of the Senate race, run in a congressional race," Tarkanian said. "He would like to see unity within the Nevada party, thought it would be in the best interest of getting his agenda passed and was very adamant that I do this." Tarkanian's announcement came shortly after Trump tweeted Friday that, "It would be great for the Republican Party of Nevada, and it's unity if good guy Danny Tarkanian would run for Congress and Dean Heller, who is doing a really good job, could run for Senate unopposed!" In a statement Friday, Heller said he appreciated Trump's support and kind words and said he is focused on winning his re-election. His statement did not mention Tarkanian. Heller, the only Republican senator seeking re-election in a state Democrat Hillary Clinton carried in the 2016 presidential election, sharply criticized Trump when he was a presidential candidate and at times kept a careful distance from him as president. Trump publicly scolded him last year but in recent months, their relationship has warmed. The first-term senator has become an ally to the president by working to get legislation to Trump's desk, including working to help write the Republican tax overhaul. Though Tarkanian's exit from the race creates an easy path for Heller to win his party's nomination this summer past a handful of lesser-known candidates. In November, he's expected to face Democratic Congresswoman Jacky Rosen in an election that could help swing control of the Senate. Rosen mocked Tarkanian's move as a "backroom deal" made to reward Heller "for caving to the White House's pressure on health care." "This campaign has always been about running to repeal and replace Dean Heller, and we're going to flip this seat in November," she said in a statement. Tarkanian, who has run unsuccessfully for several offices in Nevada over the past decade, is a former professional basketball player and the son of the late Jerry Tarkanian, a former University of Nevada Las Vegas men's basketball coach. He will become one the most recognizable candidates in the race for Nevada's 3rd Congressional District, a seat Rosen currently holds. When asked if he would endorse Heller, Tarkanian said, "I haven't been asked. I haven't even thought about it." He added, "I support Sen. Heller completely with his race against Jacky Rosen." ___ Price reported from Salt Lake City. FILE - In this April 2, 2014, file photo, Sen. Dean Heller, R-Nev. speaks on Capitol Hill in Washington. President Donald Trump has cleared a primary election path for one of the most vulnerable Senate Republicans running for re-election this year, persuading Heller's GOP opponent to drop out of the race and instead run for a House seat. Republican Danny Tarkanian of Las Vegas, who has frequently criticized Heller for failing to be a strong supporter of Trump, announced Friday, March 16, 2018, that at the president's request, he decided to leave the Senate race and instead run for Nevada's 3rd Congressional District. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais, File) Businessman Danny Tarkanian, seated with 8-year-old son Jerry on his lap and his wife, Amy Tarkanian to his right, begins filing paperwork Friday, March 16, 2018, at the Clark County clerk's office in Las Vegas to run as a Republican for the U.S. House of Representatives from Nevada's 4th Congressional District. Tarkanian said he switched from running for U.S. Senate to the House race at the request of President Donald Trump. (AP Photo/Ken Ritter) YORK, S.C. (AP) - The Latest on a man who prosecutors say shot four police officers in South Carolina in January (all times local): 12:55 p.m. The family of a man who authorities say killed a police officer in South Carolina and wounded three others says they don't know why he may have attacked them. Christian McCall's family issued a statement shortly after he was released from a North Carolina hospital Thursday after being wounded in the Jan. 16 shooting in York County. The family statement says the 47-year-old had a successful career in the banking industry. A 2014 bankruptcy filing reviewed by The Associated Press showed McCall had spent 16 years with Wells Fargo and was a technical team leader making almost $86,000 a year. Military records obtained by the AP show McCall spent eight years in the Army, leaving in 1999 leaving with the rank of specialist. Prosecutors say McCall shot the deputies after running from his home following a domestic violence call and he will face murder and other charges when he returns to South Carolina. ___ 7:35 a.m. A defense attorney for a man who is suspected of killing a deputy and wounding three other law enforcement officers in South Carolina says the man has been jailed in North Carolina. Montrio Belton, a lawyer for 47-year-old Christian Thomas McCall, tells The Herald that McCall was released Thursday morning from a hospital and jailed in Mecklenburg County without bond on a fugitive warrant. Belton says McCall appears in court Friday for an extradition hearing to South Carolina. McCall was wounded in the Jan. 16 shootout and authorities have not released the names of officers who shot him. 16th Circuit Solicitor Kevin Brackett says warrants including murder for the death of York County Sheriff's Detective Mike Doty cannot be served on McCall until he is in South Carolina. CONWAY, S.C. (AP) - Two men involved in the torture of a man who was later killed in a fire in South Carolina have been sentenced to prison. News outlets reported 23-year-old Mitchel Douglas Cheatham of Council, North Carolina, was sentenced to 30 years in prison Thursday. Twenty-five-year-old Douglas Deshawn Thomas of Elgin was sentenced to 20 years in prison. Prosecutors say the men tortured and eventually set a fire in in 2014 that killed 68-year-old Charles Bryant Smith at his home in Aynor. The men pleaded guilty to murder and burglary charges. Twenty-four-year-old Tommy Lee Benton of Chadbourn, North Carolina, was convicted in December of murder, burglary and arson and was sentenced to life in prison without parole. The men were reportedly looking for $100,000 Smith was rumored to have hidden somewhere. KEY BISCAYNE, Fla. (AP) - Five-time Grand Slam champion Maria Sharapova has withdrawn from the Miami Open that begins next week because of a left forearm injury. Sharapova announced the decision on Friday. She'll be replaced in the main draw by American Jennifer Brady. Sharapova lost in the first round at Indian Wells last week and in the third round of the Australian Open in January. She returned to the tour last year after a 15-month doping ban. FILE - In this Jan. 20, 2018, file photo, Russia's Maria Sharapova hits a backhand return to Germany's Angelique Kerber during their third round match at the Australian Open tennis championships, in Melbourne, Australia. Five-time Grand Slam champion Maria Sharapova has withdrawn from the Miami Open that begins next week because of a left forearm injury. Sharapova announced the decision on Friday, March 16, 2018. (AP Photo/Vincent Thian, File) The women's field includes eight-time Key Biscayne champion Serena Williams and No. 1-ranked Simona Halep. The men's field includes defending champion Roger Federer and six-time Key Biscayne champ Novak Djokovic. LOS ANGELES (AP) - Two former lawyers for Marion "Suge" Knight have pleaded not guilty to charges that they conspired to pay off witnesses for false testimony in the rap mogul's murder trial. Matthew Fletcher and Thaddeus Culpepper entered the pleas Friday in Los Angeles County Superior Court to counts including conspiracy to commit bribery and conspiracy to obstruct justice. Fletcher's attorney Mark Geragos said outside court that the men's indictment is a "full frontal assault on those who practice criminal defense." Culpepper, who was kicked off Knight's case by a judge last week, emphatically denied that he tried to get witnesses to lie. Knight is awaiting trial for murder and attempted murder after hitting two men with his truck outside a Compton burger stand in 2015. He has pleaded not guilty. A roundup of some of the most popular but completely untrue headlines of the week. None of these stories is legit, even though they were shared widely on social media. The Associated Press checked these out; here are the real facts: ___ NOT REAL: BREAKING: Federal Judge Nullifies PA Election Results For 'Wide-Scale Voter Fraud' FILE - In this early Wednesday, March 14, 2018 file photo, Conor Lamb, the Democratic candidate for the March 13 special election in Pennsylvania's 18th Congressional District, celebrates with his supporters at his election night party in Canonsburg, Pa. On Friday, March 16, 2018, The Associated Press has found that stories circulating on the internet that voters illegally in the U.S. were brought into the state to cast votes in Tuesday's special election are untrue. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar) THE FACTS: A judge cited in one of many false reports that followed Tuesday's special congressional election doesn't exist. Neither does the court cited in the Daily World Update story - the 45th Federal Appeals Court of Westmoreland County. Wanda Murren, a spokeswoman for Pennsylvania's Department of State, says there have been no "legitimate claims" or evidence that voters illegally in the U.S. were brought into the state to cast votes, the subject of another piece following the election to fill the 18th District seat. Democrat Conor Lamb holds a lead of more than 600 votes over Republican Rick Saccone, with a few hundred provisional ballots left to be counted. ___ NOT REAL: California Governor Signs Order To Use ARABIC Numerals In Public Schools THE FACTS: There is no state law requiring students to learn Arabic numerals, although California students - and others across the world - already use the Hindu-Arabic numeral system. Brian Ferguson, deputy press secretary for California Gov. Jerry Brown, said the post by the Last Line of Defense site serves to "stoke fear and misinformation." He said California encourages young people to study Hindu-Arabic numerals - "or as we call them, 'numbers.''" The photo the conservative site shared of Brown speaking at a bill-signing ceremony was from a July event in San Francisco about climate change. ___ NOT REAL: Trump Says He Was The First Person Prince Harry Invited To Wedding, But He Politely Declined The Invitation THE FACTS: A satire site published the latest false accounts of public statements on invitations to the next royal wedding. Nova magazine falsely attributed quotes to the U.S. president that he had talked to Prince Harry about his upcoming marriage to Meghan Markle, and told Harry that he would be too busy to attend. Buckingham Palace has not released a guest list for the May 19 wedding at Windsor Castle, although speculation has to who will be invited and attend has run rampant. Another false story in recent months suggested Queen Elizabeth II had asked that former President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama be left off the guest list. ___ NOT REAL: Coca Cola, Nestle seek to privatize world's second-largest aquifer THE FACTS: Both companies say they are not negotiating for water rights at the Guarani aquifer in Brazil, which is shared by the governments of four countries. Several blogs ran with the report out of Brazil recently, saying the companies wanted to privatize for the next century the reservoir supplying water to Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay. ___ NOT REAL: Tornado carries mobile home 130 miles, family inside unharmed THE FACTS: This tale of a home flying through the air from Tulsa, Oklahoma, to a field in Kansas has been traveling for three years and recently popped up again. The World News Daily Report, which has shared hoaxes before, ran the piece about a five-member family that included a woman named Dorothy and unrelated photos of storm damage. A county spokeswoman near Wichita, Kansas, says a flying home never landed there. ___ This is part of The Associated Press' ongoing effort to fact-check misinformation that is shared widely online, including work with Facebook to identify and reduce the circulation of false stories on the platform. ___ Find all AP Fact Checks here: https://www.apnews.com/tag/APFactCheck ___ Follow @APFactCheck on Twitter: https://twitter.com/APFactCheck FILE - In this Monday, March 12, 2018 file photo, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle meet with religious leaders after the Commonwealth Service at Westminster Abbey, London. On Friday, March 16, 2018, The Associated Press has found that stories circulating on the internet that U.S. President Donald Trump said he was the first person Prince Harry invited to the wedding, but that he declined the invitiation, are untrue. (Jack Hill/Pool Photo via AP) LAS VEGAS (AP) - The Latest on a Senate race in Nevada (all times local): 12:25 p.m. Nevada Sen. Dean Heller says he appreciates that President Donald Trump is supporting his re-election bid. FILE - In this April 26, 2016 file photo, Danny Tarkanian participates in a Republican debate for Nevada's 3rd Congressional District in Henderson, Nev. President Donald Trump has cleared a primary election path for one of the most vulnerable Senate Republicans running for re-election this year, persuading Sen. Dean Heller's GOP opponent to drop out of the race and instead run for a House seat. Tarkanian of Las Vegas, who has frequently criticized Heller for failing to be a strong supporter of Trump, announced Friday, March 16, 2018, that at the president's request, he decided to leave the Senate race and instead run for Nevada's 3rd Congressional District. (AP Photo/John Locher, File) Heller released a statement Friday acknowledging Trump's praise offered on Twitter, but it included no mention of Heller's primary election opponent making an abrupt decision to drop out at the president's request. Trump brokered a deal for Las Vegas Republican Danny Tarkanian to leave the race and instead seek a House seat. Trump said on Twitter Friday that Heller "is doing a really good job" and should run for Senate unopposed. Democratic Congresswoman Jacky Rosen, who is challenging Heller, called the move a "backroom deal" made to reward Heller "for caving to the White House's pressure on health care." Heller at one point held up the GOP's long-promised effort to repeal President Barack Obama's health care law but later helped with an unsuccessful effort to dismantle it. ___ 10:50 a.m. Nevada Republican Danny Tarkanian says he's agreed to drop out of a U.S. Senate race and instead seek a House seat at President Donald Trump's request. Tarkanian said in a statement Friday that Trump and his advisers reached out to him late Wednesday and asked him to instead run for a House seat he lost in 2016. Tarkanian says he is confident he would have won the Senate race against incumbent Republican Dean Heller, but said the president feels Republicans need a united ticket in Nevada. He says he plans to instead run in the state's 3rd Congressional District. That seat is being vacated by Democrat Jacky Rosen, who is running against Heller. Tarkanian had frequently criticized Heller for failing to strongly support the president's agenda. Heller has criticized the president in the past, but more recently became an ally. ___ 10:15 a.m. President Donald Trump is advocating for Nevada Sen. Dean Heller, suggesting an expected primary opponent should step aside. Trump says on Twitter Friday: "It would be great for the Republican Party of Nevada, and it's unity if good guy Danny Tarkanian would run for Congress and Dean Heller, who is doing a really good job, could run for Senate unopposed!" Heller is considered one of the most vulnerable Republicans running for re-election in the Senate this year. Las Vegas Republican Danny Tarkanian plans to challenge Heller in the GOP primary in June. It appears Trump is suggesting Tarkanian should run for a seat in the House of Representatives. First-term Democratic U.S. Rep. Jacky Rosen has also filed to run for the seat. MONTPELIER, Vt. (AP) - Vermont officials are urging people not to transport any firewood that might be infested with an invasive pest that has killed hundreds of millions of ash trees in North America. The emerald ash borer was discovered in Vermont for the first time last month in the town of Orange. On Thursday, officials met with people in Barre to discuss ways to combat the problem. They say containing the insect might be impossible, but they can at least try to slow its spread. The bug's larvae kill ash trees by tunneling under the bark. Since the pest was first discovered in North America in 2002, it has decimated ash populations in more than 30 states. WASHINGTON (AP) - With whispers of a staffing purge permeating the West Wing, the White House pushed back Friday and insisted that reports of tumult and imminent departures are overblown. Chief of staff John Kelly, himself the subject of rumors that his days on the job are numbered, assured a group of staffers their jobs were safe, at least for now. "The chief of staff actually spoke to a number of staff this morning reassuring them that there were no immediate personnel changes at this time and that people shouldn't be concerned," said press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders. "We should do exactly what we do every day, and that's come to work and do the very best job that we can, and that's exactly what we're doing. That's exactly what we're focused on." President Donald Trump talks with reporters during a meeting with Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar in the Oval Office of the White House, Thursday, March 15, 2018, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) But days after President Donald Trump's secretary of state was ousted, many close to the president think more upheaval is coming soon. Trump is moving toward replacing national security adviser H.R. McMaster but has not settled on exact timing or a successor, according to four people with knowledge of White House deliberations. Kelly has also worn on the president, confidants of the president said. And Veterans Affairs Secretary David Shulkin, under fire for ethics violations, appears to be grasping to keep his job. With speculation about McMaster's future intense, Sanders on Friday gave a vote of confidence to the national security adviser, saying that she had spoken to the president the night before and that no changes were coming. But the air of stability the White House tried to project felt more like a pause than a permanent shift. An increasingly confident Trump is privately weighing still more changes, expressing frustration with some aides and sifting through possible replacements. Reports of tumult in the administration were at such a feverish pitch - even on Trump's beloved Fox News - that the president on Thursday reflected on the latest staff departures during an Oval Office conversation with Kelly and Vice President Mike Pence. With a laugh, Trump said: "Who's next?" It's the very question that has the whole White House on edge. Kelly has told confidants that he believes he can weather the current storm and that he does not plan to quit. But he has grown increasingly frustrated with the constant turmoil in the West Wing, believing at times that Trump intentionally fuels the chaos to keep his staff on its toes and his name in media headlines, according to a person familiar with the chief of staff's thinking. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because they weren't authorized to speak publicly about private conversations. This account of the tensions in the White House is based on conversations with 10 officials inside the White House and familiar with West Wing deliberations, all of whom spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss internal matters. After more than 14 months in office, Trump is reshaping his administration, seeking people more likely to fall in line with his policies and tolerate his moods. The factionalism that defined the early days of his tenure has faded, and he has lost some of the close aides who could manage his volatile impulses. To some, the White House is increasingly taking on the feel of a squad of cheerleaders more than a team of rivals. Trump's administration has set records for turnover among senior administration aides. Top economic adviser Gary Cohn and communications director Hope Hicks are leaving the White House in coming weeks. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson was just unceremoniously ousted. And junior-level aides were particularly troubled by the abrupt exit this week of Trump personal assistant John McEntee, who was removed from his job and escorted off White House grounds - then quickly handed a job on Trump's re-election campaign. In private conversations in recent weeks with aides and friends, Trump has reflected on his desire to reshape the administration. Though the drumbeat of the ongoing Russia probe has only grown louder, the president believes that his recent decisions on tariffs and North Korea have breathed new life into his administration, and he is eager to take more bold steps that make his own mark. He has told confidants he wants to rid himself of staffers who hold him back. Trump chafes at McMaster's demeanor, complaining that his aide lectures him, according to three current and former administration officials. Officials said McMaster has been sidelined in some internal discussions, with Kelly taking on a more active role in foreign policy decisions, because of the personal tensions. The president and McMaster have disagreed on a number of issues - including the Iran deal and the U.S. approach to North Korea - and the national security adviser has also clashed with Kelly and Defense Secretary James Mattis, according to the officials. During an earlier round of Trump discontent with his national security adviser, there was White House talk of providing McMaster, a three-star general, with a soft landing by giving him a fourth star along with a command in a priority area such as Afghanistan or Korea, according to a former senior administration official. Kelly and Mattis both have said they want the national security adviser to have a graceful exit when he departs. While they have had their disagreements with McMaster, they feel that his record of service demands respect and they want to broadcast that soft landings are possible from the Trump administration. Kelly has been credited with imposing order on the chaotic West Wing, but his relationship with Trump has come under strain, as well. ___ Lemire contributed from New York. Associated Press writers Zeke Miller and Ken Thomas contributed to this report. JERSEY CITY, N.J. (AP) - Brendan Byrne always had a soft spot for New Jersey's Hudson County, and now the late governor's ashes are residing at a saloon there - temporarily. Admirers of Byrne, who died in January at age 93, congregated Friday in Jersey City for a ceremony led by another former governor, Jim McGreevey. Byrne's widow, Ruthi, and son Tom also attended. Byrne used to joke that he wanted his ashes placed in Hudson County, known for its history of political shenanigans, so he could stay active in politics. FILE - In this April 22, 2014, file photo, former New Jersey Gov. Brendan Byrne waves as the audience sings him "Happy Birthday" and his wife Ruthi Zinn Byrne applauds, to mark his 90th birthday during the annual "Congressional Dinner" of the New Jersey State Chamber of Commerce in Washington, D.C. A ceremony at Healy's Tavern in Jersey City on Friday, March 16, 2018, will honor Byrne, who died in January at age 93. Byrne used to joke he wanted his ashes placed in Hudson County, known for its history of political shenanigans, so he could stay active in politics. (AP Photo/Cliff Owen, File) "He always had a lot of affection for Hudson County," Tom Byrne said. "This is a great way to celebrate his life and his sense of humor." Byrne's ashes will stay at Healy's Tavern through St. Patrick's Day, McGreevey and others said. Their final resting place is still undecided. Tom Byrne has said the family was considering locations including a state forest that bears Byrne's name, or Liberty State Park, part of the improvement of the Hudson County waterfront that he championed in the 1970s. Byrne, a Democrat, was elected in 1973 and served two terms. He oversaw the advent of casino gambling in Atlantic City and instituted the state's first income tax. The income tax made him unpopular with many residents, but he still managed to win a second term convincingly. MIAMI (AP) - A Texas gold refinery has agreed to be fined $15 million after three former employees were convicted in a $3.6 billion money-laundering case involving South American gold. Dallas-based Elemetal LLC pleaded guilty in Miami federal court Friday to one count of failure to maintain an adequate anti-money-laundering program. A judge must still approve the plea agreement. Samer Barrage, Renato Rodriguez and Juan Granda pleaded guilty last year to importing illegally mined gold from Peru and other South American countries into the United States. Court documents show the men smuggled tainted gold between January 2013 and March 2017 for an Elemetal subsidiary, NTR Metals, in Miami. Prosecutors say the men circumvented Elemetal's anti-money-laundering compliance program by buying gold from a drug trafficker, bribing Peruvian officials and falsifying paperwork. CIUDAD VICTORIA, Mexico (AP) - Mexican authorities have informed the former governor of a state bordering Texas that they have accepted a U.S. request to extradite him to the United States to face money laundering charges. The Foreign Relations ministry says it informed Eugenio Hernandez of the decision Friday. Hernandez served as governor of Tamaulipas until 2010 and was arrested last October on Mexican charges of misuse of public funds. He faces U.S. charges of conspiracy to launder money in South Texas. Defense lawyer Juan Jorge Olvera Reyes said Friday that he will seek a court order blocking the extradition. Hernandez was a member of the ruling Institutional Revolutionary Party led by Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto. Hernandez's predecessor as Tamaulipas governor, Tomas Yarrington, was arrested in Italy last year and awaits extradition to Mexico. SAO PAULO (AP) - Poultry exports from a major Brazilian food processer destined for the European Union were suspended Friday by the government amid questions about the presence of salmonella. The Agriculture Ministry said in a statement that 10 of BRF's production sites are affected by the measure, which it called "preventative." The move came after the EU asked Brazil for more information about traces of salmonella in some BRF plants, an official at the Agriculture Ministry said. The official was not authorized to release the information and agreed to do so only if granted anonymity. BRF is under investigation amid suspicions it was involved in a scheme to evade safety checks. The ministry has noted in the past that Brazil's food safety regulations allow for the presence of salmonella, which is killed when poultry is cooked, but other countries' rules do not. "A technical mission will go to the EU, as the next step, to offer all the necessary clarifications," the ministry's statement said. "Soon after, once all the questions have been answered, (we) will restart" exports. BRF had earlier announced that the meeting would take place in Brussels next week. It has said that it is cooperating with the investigation and that it follows all Brazilian and international regulations. The company said any products sent to the EU before Friday could be sold without restriction. Friends, family and fans of Sir Ken Dodd will be invited to celebrate his life at a funeral at Liverpool Cathedral, it has been announced. The much-loved comedian, aged 90, died at his home in Knotty Ash, Liverpool, on Sunday night. His funeral will be held at Liverpool Cathedral on March 28 at 1pm. We are honoured to help the city of Liverpool say goodbye to our much-loved friend Sir Ken Dodd by hosting his funeral on March 28th at 1 pm. https://t.co/NHgozTIFBF pic.twitter.com/4BhkbOSKgO Liverpool Cathedral (@LivCathedral) March 15, 2018 Canon Myles Davies, acting dean at the cathedral, said Sir Ken was a well-known presence in our cathedral, regularly attending worship with us. His character and humour affected us all and we are honoured to be able to help family and friends say their farewells. The service will be followed by a private interment. Full details on the funeral arrangements are expected to be announced next week. Floral tributes grow outside the home of Liverpool comedian Sir Ken Dodd in Knotty Ash, Liverpool (Peter Byrne/PA) Sir Paul McCartney, Dawn French, David Walliams and Ant and Dec were among the stars who paid tribute to the comic following his death, with ex-Beatle Sir Paul saying he had tears of sadness. His widow, Lady Anne Dodd, who the funnyman married two days before he died, described him as a most life-enhancing, brilliant, creative comedian. The recovery and clean-up operation as part of the investigation into the nerve agent poisoning of a Russian ex-spy has turned its focus to the home of the police detective who was exposed. Detective Sergeant Nick Bailey is recovering in hospital after the attack in Salisbury. Police cordoned off streets around DS Baileys home on Thursday morning. Police cordon in Alderholt (Andrew Matthews/PA) Large military vehicles and men in regular Army uniforms joined Metropolitan Police officers inside the cordon in Alderholt, some 11 miles from Salisbury. The military was called in earlier this week by counter-terrorism police to remove vehicles and objects potentially contaminated with the Novichok nerve agent used against Sergei and Yulia Skripal. Two police officers had to escort a group of children through the area as they made their way home from school. Army personnel in Alderholt (Andrew Matthews/PA) Lydia Wade, 34, lives in the street opposite and said police had covered a hatchback car with a silver sheet and loaded it on to an Army vehicle. She said: Theyve got the two large army vehicles and theyve got tents up in the area opposite. And theyve got a car wrapped up on top of one of the Army vehicles. I know that the policewoman said yesterday that there were two vehicles that they are disposing of. She said the second car remained at the scene. Large military vehicles and men in regular Army uniforms joined Metropolitan Police officers inside the cordon (Andrew Matthews/PA) I was yesterday shocked and surprised because you dont expect this to be on your doorstep, Mrs Wade added. But at the same time the policewoman assured me there was no health risk. What can you do because its already happened I cant not get out my house and if it is what they think it is, its not going to disappear overnight. I think they are doing their job well. Tim Clews, 57, who lives next to the cordon, said officers in vans began arriving at around 9.30am. He said: I presume the police have to treat everything as though it was contaminated. Asked if the Army presence was concerning he said: Its very reassuring. A US Government bid to extradite a British cannabis seed dealer has been blocked by the High Court. Gypsy Nirvana, of London, whose trade in the seeds is legal in the UK, has been fighting extradition to the US since 2013. US authorities, who describe him as a marijuana activist and advocate, accused him of conspiring to manufacture, distribute, import and export marijuana seeds and wanted him to face charges in the state of Maine. Gypsy Nirvana (Sian Harrison/PA) But the 57-year-old declared himself a free man on Thursday after two leading judges ruled against the US. Mr Justice Leggatt and Mr Justice Holgate upheld an earlier ruling that Mr Nirvana should not be extradited because his seed-dealing operation was not illegal under UK law. Speaking outside court after the hearing, Mr Nirvana said: A great weight has been taken off my head. So far as Im concerned Im just a cannabis seed dealer. Im not involved in producing those seeds, I just buy them and then I sell them. I am a peaceful, loving man and Im not interested in all this police activity. He said he will now concentrate his efforts on being reunited with his wife Leah and their two children, who live in the Philippines. Mr Nirvana added: Now Im a free man, Im going to work on getting to see my family again. His lawyers told the court that, while his business is legal in the UK, trading cannabis seeds is expressly criminalised under US law. Ben Cooper of Doughty Street Chambers, representing Mr Nirvana, said: The exceptional fact of this case is that my client was solely concerned with the distribution of cannabis seeds, which is lawful under English law. A district judge ruled in August last year that, because selling and buying the seeds is not an offence in the UK, Mr Nirvana should not be extradited. The judge said Mr Nirvana was not offering guidance on how to grow cannabis plants and had no interest in the plants or its leaves only the seeds. Mr Nirvana was arrested at his then home in the Philippines in August 2013 after US authorities issued an international arrest warrant. He spent 30 months in a Manila prison, where he said he was kept in poor conditions alongside real criminals, before being deported to the UK in March 2016. His lawyers told the court an earlier attempt to deport him was made in September 2013, but he successfully resisted his removal when he found out the plane he was due to travel on had a scheduled stop in the US before continuing to the UK. Wildlife officials in Africa are to be trained by UK scientists in crime scene investigation and DNA forensic analysis to tackle elephant and rhino poaching. Officials in Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe will receive specialist training to hep carry out forensic investigations on the crime scenes created by carcasses of animals slaughtered for their tusks or horns, conservation experts said. Staff from wildlife crime and trade organisations Edinburgh-based Trace and Cambridge-based Traffic will provide the training, with the support of 400,000 over two years from the Peoples Postcode Lottery. Black rhino are targeted by poachers for their horns (Richard Edwards WWF-UK/PA) The funding will also provide specialist tools including field forensic kits and DNA sequencing equipment. As many as 20,000 elephants are poached each year in Africa for their ivory tusks, which organised criminal networks smuggle to Asia where they are turned into ornaments and jewellery, the organisations said. African rhinos are also targeted for their horns which, although they are made of keratin the same material as fingernails, fetch high prices for their prestige value, or cures for everything from hangovers to cancer in parts of Asia. But wildlife officials in parts of Africa where the animals are being killed often lack specialist equipment, skills and training to collect and analyse evidence that can be used to take the poachers to court and convict them. Animal products can be successfully tested for DNA (Trace/PA) Rob Ogden, co-director of Trace, said: All too often, the criminals poaching Africas wildlife are walking free because it is proving impossible to bring them to book successfully. But now, thanks to the fantastic support from players of Peoples Postcode Lottery, wildlife officers in the region will have the means to gather the evidence that will help put these criminals where they belong behind bars. Clara Govier, head of charities at Peoples Postcode Lottery, said: We are pleased that funding from players of Peoples Postcode Lottery will be helping end the activities of criminals decimating Africas wildlife. This is a really worthwhile endeavour and we hope players support will have a big impact on the ground. Despite a fall in elephant poaching in Africa from record highs a few years ago, some 55 elephants a day are being illegally killed, the main cause of a 20% fall in populations in a decade, wildlife charity WWF says. The new project builds on earlier work to create an African Wildlife Forensics Network, the first phase of which was funded by the UKs Environment Department (Defra) through the Illegal Wildlife Trade Challenge Fund. Letters from leading artistic figures including William Morris and Auguste Rodin have been discovered in an art schools archives. The papers, unseen in public for more than 70 years, were discovered in a box of the papers of Francis Newbery who was Director of The Glasgow School of Art from 1885 to 1918. During that time the art school gained an international reputation, while Newbery was also responsible for commissioning a young Charles Rennie Mackintosh to design the Mackintosh building, which is being restored following a devastating fire in May 2014. The discovery was made by archivist Rachael Jones who is currently working on papers relating to Directors of the GSA, during digitisation and cataloguing of the archives. A letter from William Morris to Francis Newbery in 1889 (Glasgow School of Art Archives and Collections/PA) She said: I knew that some of the most exciting of the Directors Papers were those of Francis Newbery, Head of the Art School during an incredibly dynamic period in the Schools history. So I was thrilled to find that a box of material relating to him that had not yet been catalogued, and to discover some real gems in it. Among the papers is a pack of four letters written by designer and social reformer William Morris, a leading figure in the Arts & Crafts movement, discussing an invitation to give some lectures in Scotland in the spring of 1889. In the earliest of the letters, dated January 14, 1889, Morris says I dont like to say no, although I have memories of early spring in Glasgow from last year which rather terrify one. However in the next letter (dated January 21) he agrees to give a lecture under the auspices of the Socialist League of Glasgow (on Sunday February 10) and one to the students at The Glasgow School of Art (on Monday February 11). By January 24 he has agreed the subject for The Glasgow School of Art lecture should be Arts and Crafts. Experts said it is very likely Charles Rennie Mackintosh would have had the opportunity to attend that lecture as he was a student at the GSA at the time. GSA Lecturer and specialist in British art and design history, Dr Helen McCormack, said: It is generally agreed among scholars that Mackintoshs work, not least the building at GSA which bears his name, conveys some stylistic and architectural details determined by Arts & Crafts ideals, and here in these letters we learn about an event at which the young designer would almost certainly have learned about these principles from one of the leaders of the Arts & Crafts movement, William Morris. A letter from Auguste Rodin to Francis Newbery, dated 1901 (Glasgow School of Art Archives and Collections/PA) Also discovered among the papers were two letters from one of the worlds greatest sculptors: Auguste Rodin. In the earlier of the two letters, sent from Paris on April 29, 1901, Rodin writes to Newbery asking about the public reaction to plasters of two of his sculptures St Jean and Les Bourgeois de Calais that had been sent to The Glasgow International Exhibition, the major event that marked the opening of Kelvingrove Museum and Art Gallery. The papers also include a letter from War of the Worlds author HG Wells, and a letter from one of the original Glasgow Boys, the artist Sir John Lavery. The letters have now now digitised and can be seen in the GSAs online archives. Four people have been found dead in the rubble of a collapsed pedestrian bridge in south Florida as a frantic search for any survivors continued, officials said. Miami-Dade County fire chief Dave Downey said that his crew is using high-tech listening devices, trained sniffing dogs and search cameras in a race to find anyone still alive in the rubble. The 14.2 million US dollar (10.19 million) pedestrian bridge was supposed to open in 2019 as a safe way for students to cross the busy road. It linked the community of Sweetwater with the campus of Florida International University (FIU). (Pedro Portal/Miami Herald via AP) We have to remove some of this piece by piece. Its very unstable. Aerial footage at the site showed a trained dog running atop fallen concrete and sniffing in the crevices for any victims, he said. But Miami-Dade Police director Juan Perez acknowledged the likelihood of finding more victims under the rubble is slim. We know that theres going to be a negative outcome at the end of the day, Mr Perez said. (Michael Laughlin/South Florida Sun-Sentinel via AP) Four people were found dead and at least nine others were injured and taken to local hospitals; officials at one point said 10 were injured. Governor Rick Scott also spoke to reporters, saying everybody is working hard to make sure we rescue anyone who can be rescued. The Florida governor added that an exhaustive investigation now beginning will get to the bottom of why this happened and what happened and vowed that anyone who did anything wrong would be held accountable. Miami-Dade police director Juan Perez praised the actions of first responders during a news conference but acknowledged the likelihood of finding more victims under the rubble was growing more difficult with the passage of time. We know that theres going to be a negative outcome at the end of the day, Mr Perez said. Four people were found dead and at least nine others were injured and taken to local hospitals; officials at one point said 10 were injured. I have directed the Florida Highway Patrol to offer resources to aid local law enforcements response in Miami. They will be offering additional troopers to aid in search and rescue as well as traffic control. @FLHSMV Rick Scott (@SenRickScott) March 16, 2018 Florida governor Rick Scott and US Senator Marco Rubio attended the evening briefing. Mr Rubio said the public and the families of the dead and injured deserve to know what went wrong. Mr Scott added that an investigation will get to the bottom of why this happened and what happened. He said that if anyone did anything wrong, we will hold them accountable. National Transportation Safety Board chairman Robert Sumwalt III said a team of specialists was heading to Miami on Thursday night with plans to begin its investigation Friday morning. The project was a collaboration between MCM Construction, a Miami-based contractor, and Figg Bridge Design, based in Tallahassee. Figg is responsible for the iconic Sunshine Skyway Bridge across Tampa Bay. Figg issued a statement on Thursday saying the company was stunned by the collapse and promising to cooperate with investigations. In our 40-year history, nothing like this has ever happened before, the companys statement said. Our entire team mourns the loss of life and injuries associated with this devastating tragedy, and our prayers go out to all involved. MCM Construction Management, which is building the bridge, posted a message to the companys Facebook page promising a full investigation to determine exactly what went wrong. A message from President Rosenberg regarding the collapse of the pedestrian bridge on 8th Street. #FIUBridge pic.twitter.com/c7javtzi4N FIU (@FIU) March 16, 2018 FIU president Mark Rosenberg said during a news conference that tests were being done on Thursday. Authorities said two construction workers were on the bridge when it collapsed; it is unclear what the tests were or if they contributed to the failure. This bridge was about goodness, not sadness, Mr Rosenberg said. Now were feeling immense sadness, uncontrollable sadness. And our hearts go out to all those affected, their friends and their families. Were committed to assist in all efforts necessary, and our hope is that this sadness can galvanise the entire community to stay the course, a course of goodness, of hope, of opportunity. A prominent Labour backbencher has called for a fundamental debate within the party about its worldview, amid continuing controversy over Jeremy Corbyns response to the Salisbury poisoning. Mr Corbyn used an article in The Guardian to warn against a rush to judgment over the nerve agent attack on Sergei and Yulia Skripal, urging the Government to take a calm, measured approach and avoid a drift towards a new Cold War with Russia. The Labour leader made clear he condemned the horrific March 4 poisoning and backed Theresa Mays expulsion of 23 Russian diplomats, but suggested that Moscows culpability had not been proved, insisting that the involvement of Russian mafia gangs could not be excluded. Mr Corbyn, who opposed the 2003 invasion of Iraq, added: In my years in Parliament I have seen clear thinking in an international crisis overwhelmed by emotion and hasty judgments too many times. Flawed intelligence and dodgy dossiers led to the calamity of the Iraq invasion. Mr Corbyn came under fire on Wednesday after failing to offer explicit support for the Prime Ministers approach in the House of Commons. The use of nerve agents on our streets is barbaric and beyond reckless. The Russian authorities must be held to account. And the Government must do more to tackle the oligarchs and their ill-gotten cash.https://t.co/zp2a4u62FE Jeremy Corbyn (@jeremycorbyn) March 15, 2018 Later statements from shadow cabinet members Emily Thornberry, Sir Keir Starmer and Nia Griffith pointed the finger of blame more firmly at the regime of President Vladimir Putin. Backbench MP Stephen Kinnock a long-time Corbyn critic said that the leaders Guardian article hasnt helped to clarify the situation. This has to be a time where we stand together with the Government, shoulder to shoulder, and with our Nato allies, sending a very clear message to Russia, Mr Kinnock told BBC Radio 4s Today programme. He rejected Mr Corbyns comparison with the run-up to the Iraq War, saying that sort of drift to conflict is not on the agenda at all. Stephen Kinnock has called for a `fundamental debate on Labours worldview (Chris McAndrew/UK Parliament) I think we have got a fundamental need for a debate in our party about about our worldview, said Mr Kinnock. There are those of us who clearly feel that Nato and the EU and standing shoulder to shoulder with our allies are fundamentally a force for good and those alliances are the fundamental piece of architecture that we have to be a part of, and there are others in our party who take another view. I think Jeremy has never made any secret of his views on the role of Nato in the world and on the EU, to a large extent, as well. Kudos @jeremycorbyn for clarifying & confirming his view that Russian gov *is* responsible for attempted murders in Salisbury Vital to draw line under confusion of last 24hrs RE @UKLabour stance. Our country's been attacked by Russian state. Must stand firm & united in response Stephen Kinnock (@SKinnock) March 15, 2018 In his Guardian article, Mr Corbyn warned against a McCarthyite intolerance of dissent over relations with Russia. Confirming Labours support for Mrs Mays actions, Mr Corbyn said: We agree with the Governments action in relation to Russian diplomats. But he added: Measures to tackle the oligarchs and their loot would have a far greater impact on Russias elite than limited tit-for-tat expulsions. Mr Corbyn said that Mrs May was right on Monday to identify two possibilities for the source of the nerve agent either Russia authorised the attack or had lost control of the Novichok substance. If the latter, a connection to Russian mafia-like groups that have been allowed to gain a toehold in Britain cannot be excluded, he said. Despite Mrs Mays statement on Wednesday that there is no alternative conclusion other than that the Russian state was culpable, Mr Corbyn insisted that the PM had still ruled out neither option. His comments appeared to contradict shadow defence secretary Ms Griffiths assertion on Thursday that Labour very much accepts Mrs Mays assessment that Russia is responsible for this attack. Shadow foreign secretary Ms Thornberry has insisted Russia has a prima facie case to answer, to which it had offered no defence. And Sir Keir Starmer gave his unqualified support to Mrs Mays approach, telling BBC1s Question Time: I think it is very important that we support the action the Prime Minister laid out on Wednesday as a response to this unprovoked attack. This is not the first time, it needs to be called out no ifs and no buts and we need strong action as set out by the Prime Minister on Wednesday. Labour backbencher Lloyd Russell-Moyle backed Mr Corbyns stance, telling the Today programme: Its very clear in Jeremys article that this substance has come from Russia and Russia needs to take a role in this. The people whove been identified to send back are intelligence agents and spies, so its quite right to send them back, and Jeremy was clear about that in his article. The Brighton Kemptown MP said the Russian state was clearly involved in the incident, but added: At what level? We have to remember the Russian mafia is very inter-linked with the state. We need to be forensic in identifying who ordered this, where it came from, was it organised via the embassy, was it organised via other cells or mafia-linked groups? We need to identify that and then we need to punish them. Mr Russell-Moyle apologised for using his Twitter feed to accuse Labour critics of Mr Corbyns approach as right-wing sods who want to beat the drum of war, saying the message was sent in a fit of rage directed at an individual councillor. Scottish Transport Secretary Humza Yousaf is calling on a Labour councillor to resign after he made an Islamophobic comment about the MSP. Dumfries and Galloway councillor Jim Dempster has been suspended from the party pending an investigation after making the remark about Mr Yousaf. Mr Dempster reportedly said that if Mr Yousaf had visited the region, he may have been at Springholm but no-one would have seen him under his burka. He made the comments in a meeting with Transport Scotland officials. Transport Secretary Humza Yousaf (Jane Barlow/PA) Mr Yousaf said he felt insulted and deeply shocked at the remark and is now calling for Mr Dempster to resign. He told BBC Good Morning Scotland: For this kind of slur which is so brazen, not something which simply slips off the tongue, to make that kind of Islamophobic slur from a senior elected councillor in front of my transport officials, so knowing that it would easily come back to me, and in front of members of the public I should say as well, just goes to show how far weve got to go and just how emboldened some feel about making Islamophobic remarks. Councillor Dempster, who I understand now admits making these remarks, has no option but to resign. Mr Yousaf said he had received an apology from Mr Dempster but does not accept it. He said: If it is completely inexcusable then the only logical conclusion for him is to of course resign, theres no excuse for it. He added: You dont need diversity training to know not to say to a Muslim you are hiding under a burka. A Scottish Labour spokesman said: James Dempster has been suspended pending an investigation by the Scottish Labour Party. The party has a zero tolerance policy towards racism. Scottish Labour leader Richard Leonard (Jane Barlow/PA) Mr Yousaf said that Labour leader Richard Leonard has contacted him to say that Mr Dempster has been suspended. He said: The only logical conclusion for Richard Leonard would be to expel Councillor Dempster and Councillor Dempster to do the honourable thing and just resign. Solidarity with @HumzaYousaf. This comment was crass, stupid, offensive & unacceptable. Right to call this out & challenge it, no matter who or where it is from. Everyday racism and Islamophobia is real. Our society & institutions are not immune to it. Lots of work to do. https://t.co/if1h0Z4aFA Anas Sarwar (@AnasSarwar) March 16, 2018 Labour MSP Anas Sarwar has tweeted his support to Mr Yousaf, saying: Solidarity with @HumzaYousaf. This comment was crass, stupid, offensive & unacceptable. Right to call this out & challenge it, no matter who or where it is from. Everyday racism and Islamophobia is real. Our society & institutions are not immune to it. Lots of work to do. It is the latest racism incident to hit the Scottish Labour Party. Last month Labour MP Hugh Gaffney apologised for using deeply offensive language during a Burns Supper speech. Mr Gaffney, who represents Coatbridge, Chryston and Bellshill, has been reprimanded by the party and is to attend equality and diversity training after making comments about the Chinese and LGBT communities. And Davie McLachlan, former leader of the Labour group on South Lanarkshire Council, was suspended by the party in January pending an investigation after allegedly making a racist remark about Mr Sarwar, which he denies. Mr Sarwar drew up an eight-point plan on how the party can tackle everyday racism and Islamophobia after speaking out on the abuse he received during the Scottish leadership campaign. Street clashes have erupted in central Madrid over the death of a 35-year-old African vendor who witnesses said died trying to escape from police cracking down on illegal street sales. Hundreds of protesters burned plastic waste bins, blocking narrow streets in the Lavapies neighbourhood of the Spanish capital on Thursday night. Migrants associations identified the man as Mbame Ndiaye, a Senegalese who had lived in Spain for 14 years and had not been granted residency. A protester throws a rubbish bin at a burning barricade (AP/Alejandro Martinez Velez) An Associated Press reporter saw protesters throw stones at dozens of riot police officers. They also set fire to the facade of a bank and broke glass partitions at a bus stop. Madrids emergency services said 16 police officers and four civilians were treated for minor injuries. Spanish news agency Europa Press quoted police as saying the vendor died of cardio-respiratory arrest while running from officers. I regret very much the death of a citizen in Lavapies, Madrid mayor Manuela Carmena tweeted, adding that the municipal government would investigate thoroughly what happened and act accordingly. A man lies injured during the clashes (AP/Alejandro Martinez Velez) Doudou Diouf, who described himself as a friend of the dead man, said the vendor had applied unsuccessfully three times for legal residency. He was a good guy. He doesnt deserve this, Mr Diouf said. One resident, who gave his name only as Marcos, told AP that earlier in the day he saw police on foot and on motorbikes pursuing a group of African street vendors. He said the chase began in Madrids central Puerta del Sol square and headed towards Lavapies. Line Of Duty stars Vicky McClure and Daniel Mays will both appear in a new factual drama about the events and aftermath of the Warrington bombing in March 1993, the BBC has announced. Mothers Day, which has started filming in Belfast, will also star Anna Maxwell Martin and David Wilmot and has been written by Murdered For Being Different screenwriter Nick Leather. Anna Maxwell Martin (Yui Mok/PA) The one-off 90-minute drama will focus on two ordinary women living either side of the Irish Sea who are brought together in the wake of the tragedy. Martin will play Wendy Parry, the mother of Tim Parry, 12, who was one of two boys killed in the IRA attack on March 20. Mays will play his father Colin. Daniel Mays (Jonathan Brady/PA) Martin said: I know that many will recall the bravery and dignity shown by the families affected by the Warrington bombings. Its a real honour to be telling their story. McClure will play Susan McHugh, the Dublin mother of two so outraged by the loss of young life that she organised one of the largest peace rallies in Irish history, leading thousands through the streets in protest at the continued violence of the Troubles. Wilmot will play her husband Arthur McHugh. McClure said: Susan McHughs actions back in 1993 remain just as inspirational today as they were 25 years ago. I feel truly privileged to play her in this incredibly moving new film. Leather added: As someone who grew up in Warrington and was on my way into town on the day of the bombing, bringing this astonishing story to the screen has been a career-long mission. Over the last year, Ive been fortunate to work with a wonderfully supportive team at the BBC, including the director Fergus OBrien, and have found the Parry and McHugh families to be even more inspiring than I did as a kid. I hope people are as moved and affected by this drama as we have been making it. Russias foreign minister has suggested Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson lacks education. The war of words escalated after Mr Williamson suggested Russia should go away and shut up. Moscows foreign minister, Sergei Lavrov, dismissed the bombastic remarks amid heightened tensions between the UK and Russia over the nerve agent attack in Salisbury. Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov has hit back at Gavin Williamson (Pavel Golovkin/AP) Prime Minister Theresa May has said it was highly likely that Russia was responsible for the attack on ex-spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia, which has also left Detective Sergeant Nick Bailey in hospital after exposure to the Novichok substance. Responding to Mr Williamson, Mr Lavrov said: I guess he wants to go down in history with some bombastic statements. In comments reported by Russian news agency Tass, Mr Lavrov added: Theresa Mays highly likely is the main argument supporting the Russia blame game and his would be Russia should go away and shut up. Maybe he lacks education, I dont know. Russias ambassador in London, Alexander Yakovenko, said Mr Williamsons comments were part of a shocking political culture. He told RT television: I have some reservations about the political culture, in the way discussion is going on and the way the minister of defence is putting his views. It is quite surprising for us, but this is the new reality in the new political culture in the United Kingdom. For the Russian ear, and the ear of any diplomat in the world, it is a little bit shocking. But when you live here in London for a while, you can get used to this. Asked how Russia would respond to the current diplomatic crisis, Mr Yakovenko said: Our policy will be quite balanced, we have strategic patience. But we will never allow (anyone) to talk to us in such language as you just heard from the minister of defence. This is not our language. A coroner has berated a murderer father after he accused an inquest into his daughters death of being corrupt. Ben Butler, who beat six-year-old Ellie Butler to death at their family home in Sutton, south London, threatened to walk out of the hearing during an outburst on Friday. Retired high court judge Dame Linda Dobbs, sitting as coroner in the inquest, warned him: Im going to get extremely annoyed, and said she would mute his microphone if he continued. Ellie Butler was beaten to death by her father in 2013 (Met Police/PA) Butler is currently serving life with a minimum term of 23 years for Ellies murder and has been listening to the hearing via video link from prison. He said: This is corrupt, I probably wont bother coming back this afternoon. Dame Linda replied: Thats entirely up to you if you dont want to take part in these proceedings. Butler continued: Youve been brought in just to do the job and not allowed anyone any leeway ever. Dame Linda responded: Mr Butler, you have had the most incredible amount of leeway and I have been as patient as I can. If you are discontent with that, so be it if you carry on much longer I will turn you off, if you want to walk out thats up to you. Butlers tirade came after he was stopped from putting irrelevant questions to a witness at South London Coroners Court in Croydon. Ellie was murdered in October 2013, just 11 months after she was returned to the care of him and her mother. Her grandfather Neal Gray sat in the front of the hearing and remained silent during the exchange. The girl had been placed in the care of her grandparents as a baby after Butler was accused of shaking her. Ellie was returned to her birth parents after a ruling by Mrs Justice Hogg in the family division of the High Court. The inquest will examine whether there were failures on the part of the authorities with regard to Ellies murder, including the sharing of information, co-operation and communication between organisations. Ellies mother, Jennie Gray, who was given a 42-month term for child cruelty and perverting the course of justice, followed the hearing from another prison. It is expected to conclude at the end of next week. A devious teenager is facing years in jail for planting a bomb on the Tube which exploded in a massive fireball, injuring 51 passengers at Parsons Green. Iraqi asylum seeker Ahmed Hassan, 18, plotted to cause carnage in central London while pretending to engage with the anti-terrorism Prevent scheme. He made his device with 400g of volatile Mother of Satan explosives packed in a bucket with 2.2kg of screwdrivers, knives, nuts and bolts. (PA Graphics) The Old Bailey heard he wanted to cause maximum carnage to avenge the death of his father, who was blown up in Iraq more than 10 years before. Hassan denied it, saying he only wanted to make a fire to fulfil a fugitive fantasy to be chased by Interpol which was inspired by action films. Commuters were reading and sipping coffee as a fireball ripped through the carriage at Parsons Green (Metropolitan Police/PA) But judge Mr Justice Haddon-Cave told him: Ahmed Hassan, you have been found guilty by this jury at the Old Bailey of attempted murder on overwhelming evidence. I am now going to discuss with counsel the arrangements and timings for sentencing you. Hassan sat with head bowed and gave no reaction to his conviction. Commander Dean Haydon, head of Scotland Yards Counter Terrorism Command, said Hassan kept his plans a secret from Prevent workers in Surrey. The officer said: I describe Hassan as an intelligent and articulate individual that is devious and cunning in equal measures. On the one hand he was appearing to engage with the (Prevent) programme but he kept secret what he was planning and plotting. We describe him as a lone actor. (PA Graphics) On the bombs potential, he said: It was only through good fortune that it only partially exploded. If it had, without a doubt we would have been dealing with many fatalities. The senior officer said a review into Surrey Prevent was underway with a view to implementing any necessary recommendations. The court had heard Hassan told Home Office officials he was trained by Islamic State to kill after he arrived in Britain in the back of a lorry in 2015. He was taken in by foster parents Penny and Ron Jones MBE, and studied media and photography at Brooklands College in Weybridge. But the shy and polite young man harboured anger at Britain for bombing Iraq even as he pursued his ambition to be the new Sir David Attenborough. His college mentor referred him to anti-terror programme Prevent after he said it was his duty to hate Britain on receiving a WhatsApp message about an IS donation. Katie Cables concerns were raised again just two months before the bombing when he texted her: But your country continues to bomb my people. And in early September he told her: Its almost better to be back in Iraq. Its better to die because you have heaven. While his elderly foster parents were on holiday in Blackpool, Hassan assembled the ingredients for homemade explosives in his bedroom in Sunbury, Surrey. Hassans foster parents Penny, pictured, and Ron Jones were awarded an MBE by the Queen in 2010 (Lewis Whyld/PA) He used his student of the year award of a 20 Amazon voucher to buy one of the key chemicals online. Hassan claimed he tested a sample on the kitchen table to check it would not explode, although no scorch marks were found. On the morning of September 15 last year, he left his home and caught a train to Wimbledon carrying his bomb inside a Lidl bag. Ahmed Hassan was captured on CCTV carrying a bomb inside a Lidl bag at Wimbledon station (Metropolitan Police/PA) He was captured on CCTV going into the station toilets, where he set the bomb to blow in 15 minutes, before boarding the District line. He got off the train one stop before the bomb partially exploded on the floor of the carriage at Parsons Green. Moments before, 93 commuters were reading newspapers and sipping cups of coffee. They ducked for cover and scrambled to escape when a ball of fire rolled down the carriage. Twenty-three passengers suffered burns, with some describing their hair catching fire and their clothes melting in the blast. An injured woman is assisted by a police officer close to Parsons Green station (PA) And 28 more suffered cracked ribs and other crush injuries in the stampede to get out of the platform via a narrow stairway. Ann Stuart told jurors: What I saw was this flash and whoosh that came up from my side. My hair was smoking. I patted myself out and got off the train and this man picked me up and held me. I just said to him, Get me off this platform. He shouted to everybody to get out of the way and they just parted. I heard someone say, Oh my God. Meanwhile, Hassan destroyed his phone and changed into a Chelsea shirt as he fled London with more than 2,000 in cash but was picked up by police at the Port of Dover the next day. Giving evidence, he claimed he only wanted to cause a fire because he was bored and stressed. He said: It became kind of a fantasy in my head. I was thinking about it. Yes, that was it. I was watching documentaries as well, about fugitives and just the idea of being a fugitive got into my head. Hassan caught a train to Brighton en route to Dover in a bid to flee the country after the Parsons Green bombing (Metropolitan Police/PA) Hassan told jurors he lied about having contact with IS to get asylum in Britain and have the chance of a better life. He regretted the harm he caused because I myself have mental scars and I know how hard it is. But he denied acting out of anger and guilt at being given a safe haven by the very country he held responsible for his fathers death. Ahmed Hassan described himself to jurors as a shy, studious teenager who smuggled himself across Europe in search of a better life, with dreams of becoming the next Sir David Attenborough. The budding wildlife photographer said he was no terrorist, but that a long, boring summer in Britain last year had led him to develop a fantasy of becoming a fugitive. The device he admitted researching, making and leaving on a Tube train was really a cry for attention and was never meant to cause harm, he told the Old Bailey. But the prosecution said the death of his father in his native Iraq 12 years earlier left him feeling vengeful against Britain, and wracked with guilt that he had found a safe haven here. Ahmed Hassan gained a student of the year award at Brooklands College (Metropolitan Police/PA) Speaking in a quiet voice with a bowed head, Hassan, small and slight in frame, said he was born in Iraqs capital Baghdad in June 1999. He was too young to remember his mother, but had been told his father was killed in an explosion. Hassan told the court he did not harbour anger against the West, but his trial heard from a charity worker who said he blamed American bombings, and his college mentor who said he held Britain responsible for his parents deaths. He had moved to a wealthy, safe area in Kurdistan, northern Iraq, with his older brother and uncle when he was aged 12, he said. After a journey from Iraq to Turkey, through Italy and Frances Calais Jungle migrant camp, Hassan arrived in Britain on the back of a lorry in 2015, the trial heard. Fears that he would not be granted asylum in the UK caused him to make up a story for Home Office officials about being trained to kill by the Islamic State group, he said. But his insistence to the court that he had no association with the violent group conflicted with earlier evidence from a college lecturer who alerted the anti-terror Prevent team after seeing a message on his phone saying IS has accepted your donation in 2016. Hassans bedroom door had the word `bored scrawled over it (Metropolitan Police/PA) Another lecturer said Hassans placement with foster parents Ron and Penny Jones that year had invigorated a boy she thought seemed traumatised when he first arrived at Brooklands College in Weybridge, Surrey. The Jones, of Sunbury, who were made MBEs by the Queen at Buckingham Palace in 2010 for services to children and families, did not give evidence at the trial. Hassan described himself as religious, praying five times a day, and very clever. His student of the year award at college in Britain followed six years in a row as a top pupil back in his home country, he said, adding that he is continuing his studies in prison. But the court heard that the teenager was secretive, had self-harmed and contemplated suicide. One of the Jones former foster children said Hassan did not really speak about his friends but was constantly on the phone to them. He added: It was impossible for anybody to know about his life because he was so private. He had once gone to Wales to visit a friend but told no-one where he was going. Hassan explained the huge volume of calls he took daily were down to his sideline business selling phones on Gumtree, earning him around 100 a week. The period leading up to the September 15 attack last year had been full of boredom, Hassan said, telling how he felt stressed and confused. He spent hours watching action movies and documentaries on fugitives, fuelling a fantasy idea that became appealing to him. While he said he did not have a plan, he headed for Dover after leaving the device on the Tube, and said he ultimately wanted to end up back in Iraq. He denied being disappointed when he checked the headlines during his attempted getaway and saw that the bomb had not fully exploded. Standing in the witness box at the Old Bailey as the jury looked on, he spoke of his regret at his actions, saying he wished he could turn back time. Russian and Syrian government air strikes on a town in the besieged enclave of eastern Ghouta have killed 46 people, monitoring groups said, despite a Russian-ordered ceasefire. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the town of Kafr Batna, outside Damascus, was hit with cluster munitions, napalm-like incendiary weapons, and conventional explosives on Friday. Government forces are advancing on towns inside the rebel-held enclave, prompting a massive exodus of civilians. The Syrian Red Crescent treats civilians at an army checkpoint (Sana/AP) A medical charity supporting hospitals in the Ghouta region, the Syrian American Medical Society, said doctors in Kafr Batna are treating patients for severe burn wounds. The charity says it recorded 40 casualties on Friday. The Syrian Civil Defence search-and-rescue group said it has identified 42 bodies so far, and it expects the death toll to rise. The assault came after the Russian military and the Syrian government extended a ceasefire in rebel-held suburbs of Damascus for as long as it takes to allow all civilians to leave the area, according to Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov. Mr Lavrov said the ceasefire would be extended until all (civilians) leave eastern Ghouta. The Russian defence ministry said 2,000 people had left by early morning on Friday. Thursday saw the largest single-day exodus of civilians in Syrias civil war. Tens of thousands emerged from Hamouria and other opposition towns to escape the onslaught. It is overwhelmingly likely that Russian president Vladimir Putin ordered the use of a nerve agent in the attack on ex-spy Sergei Skripal in Britain, Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson has said. Mr Johnsons decision to place blame for the attack in Salisbury on Mr Putin personally came as Britain awaited Moscows response to the expulsion of 23 of its diplomats. The Foreign Secretarys comments earned a scathing rebuke from Mr Putins spokesman Dmitry Peskov, who said: We have said on different levels and occasions that Russia has nothing to do with this story. Any reference or mentioning of our president is nothing else but shocking and unpardonable diplomatic misconduct. The Kremlin is also considering its response to the United States after Donald Trumps administration imposed sanctions on Russians allegedly involved in interfering with the 2016 US elections and cyber-attacks. Speaking at an event in Moscow on Thursday night, Vladimir Putin said Russia is a proud nation and will be in the future, too. Asked on Friday whether Moscow would expel UK diplomats, his foreign minister Sergei Lavrov said: Of course we will. Visiting the Battle of Britain Bunker museum in Uxbridge with his Polish counterpart, Mr Johnson singled out Mr Putin personally for blame. Boris Johnson pointed the finger of blame at Putin during a visit to the Polish war cemetery (PA) Our quarrel is with Putins Kremlin, and with his decision and we think it overwhelmingly likely that it was his decision to direct the use of a nerve agent on the streets of the UK, on the streets of Europe, for the first time since the Second World War, said the Foreign Secretary. That is why we are at odds with Russia. Polish foreign minister Jacek Czaputowicz said: We are sure that it is the Russian state which is involved in this attempt. It is certain. The attack on former Russian spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia in Salisbury was highlighted by the US Treasury as one of the justifications for the tougher line against Moscow. The US treasury department said the use of a military-grade nerve agent in the Salisbury incident further demonstrates the reckless and irresponsible conduct of its (Russias) government. The sanctions prompted a swift threat of retaliation from the Russian government, which said a response was already being prepared. Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson told Russia to `go away and shut up (Sgt P.J.George/MoD/Crown copyright) Russia also gave a dismissive response to Defence Secretary Gavin Williamsons call for it to go away and shut up. Mr Lavrov said: I guess he wants to go down in history with some bombastic statements Maybe he lacks education, I dont know. A Downing Street spokesman would not be drawn on whether Theresa May endorsed Mr Williamsons comments, saying only: The Prime Minister sent her own very clear message to Russia over the course of the week. The Daily Telegraph reported that the nerve agent used in the attack could have been planted in Yulia Skripals suitcase during a recent trip to Moscow. The newspaper said senior intelligence sources believe an item of clothing, cosmetics or a gift could have been laced with the Novichok toxin. Police teams bag up swabs from railings outside The Maltings shopping centre (Ben Birchall/PA) Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, whose response to the attack has led to criticism from some on his backbenches, said the evidence points towards Russia being responsible but the possibility of gangsters being behind the attack rather than the Kremlin could not be excluded. He warned Mrs May not to rush way ahead of the evidence highlighting the way international crises such as the Iraq War had seen clear thinking overwhelmed by emotion and hasty judgments. Writing in the Guardian he warned against a new Cold War of escalating arms spending, proxy conflicts across the globe and a McCarthyite intolerance of dissent. Confirming Labours support for Mrs Mays actions, Mr Corbyn said: We agree with the Governments action in relation to Russian diplomats. But he added: Measures to tackle the oligarchs and their loot would have a far greater impact on Russias elite than limited tit-for-tat expulsions. The attack in Salisbury was an appalling act of violence, which we condemn in the strongest terms. The Russian authorities must be held to account on the basis of the evidence and our response must be both decisive and proportionate.https://t.co/yaI3fXbAAu Jeremy Corbyn (@jeremycorbyn) March 14, 2018 Mr Corbyn said that Mrs May was right on Monday to identify two possibilities for the source of the nerve agent either Russia authorised the attack or had lost control of the Novichok substance. If the latter, a connection to Russian mafia-like groups that have been allowed to gain a toehold in Britain cannot be excluded, he said. The Labour leader, who opposed the 2003 invasion of Iraq, added: In my years in Parliament I have seen clear thinking in an international crisis overwhelmed by emotion and hasty judgments too many times. Flawed intelligence and dodgy dossiers led to the calamity of the Iraq invasion. But senior shadow cabinet member Sir Keir Starmer gave his unqualified support to Mrs Mays approach, telling BBC1s Question Time: I think it is very important that we support the action the Prime Minister laid out on Wednesday as a response to this unprovoked attack. This is not the first time, it needs to be called out no ifs and no buts and we need strong action as set out by the Prime Minister on Wednesday. Scotland Yard Assistant Commissioner Neil Basu, who heads up the national counter-terror police network which is leading the Salisbury investigation, appealed for anyone with information about the despicable and appalling attack to come forward. A Good Samaritan Bill aiming to help reunite refugee families in the UK has cleared its first Commons test, amid Tory pleas for action. MPs cheered and there was applause in the Commons chamber after the Refugees (Family Reunion) (No 2) Bill was given an unopposed second reading, with actress and campaigner Juliet Stevenson giving them two thumbs up from the gallery. The decision followed a successful move by the SNP to secure enough support to avoid the Bill being talked out and therefore blocked in the face of Government opposition. SNP MP Angus MacNeil introduces his Bill to the Commons (PA) SNP MP Angus MacNeils Bill aims to allow child refugees to sponsor their close family members to join them in the UK. Mr MacNeil said it reflected current Home Office guidelines, similar legislation existed across Europe and he believes the measures will help about 800 to 1,000 people. He also accused the Government of Orwellian doublespeak of the worst kind after it outlined its opposition to his proposal by claiming it could put people in danger. Blue-on-blue disagreements emerged during the debate with former minister Anna Soubry encouraging party colleagues to allow the Bill to progress as, among other reasons, it would send out a very strong signal about the sort of type of Conservatives were all proud to call ourselves. Ms Soubry told the Commons: Its very easy to take a group of people and attach to them a label which actually really then disassociates yourself from seeing each and every person in that group as what they are a human being with a story to tell. Congratulations to @AngusMacNeilSNP , common sense and decency. His private members bill to allow child refugees to be reunited with their families moves to the next stage. #FamiliesTogether Drew Hendry MP #ScotlandsChoice (@drewhendrySNP) March 16, 2018 Tory MP Huw Merriman (Bexhill and Battle) raised concerns over potential pull factors created by the Bill while Michelle Donelan, Tory MP for Chippenham, said: I completely agree that family reunification is in the interests of health, wellbeing and humanity. However, is it not the impetus it could give to criminal gangs and human traffickers that is the concern here today, a genuine concern? Ms Soubry replied: We are talking about people who are already here, whose status has been determined as genuine refugees. The idea that there are gangs of people smugglers in Syria going through this desperate warzone with all the destruction, looking for families to somehow entice them to put their children into their hands is just stuff of fantasy. It really is the stuff of fantasy, it really truly is. Ms Soubry said such debates should be conducted on the basis of facts and evidence and at times emotion and added: These arent people who come here to take, these are people who come here to give. Opening the debate, Mr MacNeil who had previously referred to his proposal as a Good Samaritan Bill told MPs: Youd have to have a very hard heart or really an empathy bypass not to ensure these very limited measures I ask for today do not become law. Before the debate, Home Office minister Caroline Nokes urged MPs not to support the Bill and defended the Governments response to the humanitarian crisis created by the Syrian civil war. She said the UK is halfway towards its commitment to resettle 20,000 people through the vulnerable persons resettlement scheme. And there is a commitment to resettle up to 3,000 vulnerable children through another scheme. Ms Nokes wrote: Those who with all good intention try to promote and encourage alternative pathways to the UK could be putting the very people they are trying to help in danger. SUCCESS! 129 vs 42 on the Refugee Families Reunion Bill. Huge congratulations to all our partners, supporters and MPs for helping to bring refugee #FamiliesTogether! pic.twitter.com/MCAWlQwOx2 Oxfam GB Campaigns (@oxfamcampaigns) March 16, 2018 Labours Yvette Cooper, chairwoman of the Home Affairs Select Committee, said concerns over children being able to reunite with their family has resulted in unused places under an existing resettlement scheme. She said: This issue is being cited in some areas as being the reason why Italy and Greece are not placing children and child refugees as part of the Dubs amendment because they are concerned that in any other country in Europe they will be able to be reunited with family, but in the UK they will not. However, there are 240 places offered by local authorities that are empty as a result, and were not filling those Dubs places because there is such a gap between the UKs position and the rest of Europes on this. Shadow Home Office minister Afzal Khan offered Labours support for the Bill. A closure motion to end debate early and move to a decision on second reading was approved by 129 to 42, majority 87. Ms Soubry, former ministers Bob Neill and Sir Peter Bottomley and Crawley MP Henry Smith, were the four Conservatives to support the closure motion. The Bill will undergo further scrutiny at a later stage but has several parliamentary hurdles to clear before becoming law. Former president Jacob Zuma will be prosecuted on 16 charges of corruption, the director of South Africas National Prosecuting Authority said. Shaun Abrahams announced that Zuma will face charges including fraud, corruption, racketeering and money laundering. Zuma, 75, resigned as president last month after he was ordered to do so by his party, the African National Congress. The charges stem from a 2.5 billion dollar government arms purchase in the 1999, when Zuma was deputy president. He was elected president in 2009. Zuma resigned as president last month (Themba Hadebe/AP) After consideration of the matter, I am of the view that there are reasonable prospects of a successful prosecution of Mr Zuma on the charges listed in the indictment, Mr Abrahams said. He said there were 16 counts against Zuma, and the former president had said he was a victim of misconduct by prosecutors as well as leaks to the media. Mr Zuma, in addition, disputes all the allegations against him and records that he lacked the requisite intention to commit any of the crimes listed in the indictment, said Mr Abrahams, who faced calls to resign for allegedly declining to move against Zuma when he was in office. Cyril Ramaphosa, left, is trying to rebuild the reputation of the ANC (Paul Faith/PA) Zuma was replaced by his deputy, Cyril Ramaphosa, who has promised a robust campaign against corruption and also faces the tough task of rebuilding the popularity of a ruling party whose moral stature has diminished since it took power at the end of white minority rule in 1994. The ANC responded to the reinstated charges, saying it has confidence in the criminal justice system and is committed to the idea of equality of all before the law. The ruling party urged South Africans to allow prosecutors to do their work and cautioned that Zuma has the right to be presumed innocent until and if proven guilty. STATEMENT OF THE ANC ON THE REINSTATEMENT OF CHARGES AGAINST COMRADE JACOB ZUMA #ZUMACHARGES pic.twitter.com/tElpSRBWhy #VoteANC (@MYANC) March 16, 2018 In a separate case, South African authorities are seeking to arrest members of the Gupta business family, which allegedly used its connections to Zuma to influence cabinet appointments and win state contracts. Additionally, a judicial panel is preparing to view allegations of corruption at high levels of the South African government during Zumas years in office. In another scandal, South Africas top court ruled in 2016 that Zuma violated the constitution following an investigation of multimillion-dollar upgrades to his private home using state funds. He paid back some of the money. This is a great day for @Our_DA. We have pursued this case and now Justice shall be served on Mr Zuma. He will have what he has always wanted. His day in court. Accountability may take a while but should not escape any individual. Mmusi Maimane (@MmusiMaimane) March 16, 2018 South Africas main opposition party, which fought for years in court to get charges reinstated against Zuma, welcomed the news. Now there must be no further delay in starting the trial, said Mmusi Maimane, leader of the opposition Democratic Alliance. The witnesses are ready, the evidence is strong, and Jacob Zuma must finally have his day in court. Murdered Ellie Butler was so scared of being returned to her abusive parents that she hid under a table every time the doorbell rang, an inquest has heard. Ben Butler beat his six-year-old daughter to death at their family home in Sutton, south London, 11 months after she was returned to him and her mother. She had become upset and anxious after being told that she would go back to live with her birth parents, South London Coroners Court in Croydon was told. Ellie Butler was battered to death by her father in 2013 (Met Police/PA) Ellies guardian at the time, Carol Vicarage, received an email from a colleague about Ellies behaviour, saying: Every time the doorbell rings she hides under a table. Ms Vicarage told the inquest on Friday that she was on extended sick leave at the time and that her cases were meant to have been reallocated. I was off sick, signed off sick by a doctor I was not supposed to be working, she added. My cases were not allocated and continued not to be allocated, I tried talking to my manager and asked why things werent being dealt with and it was being ignored. I just did the best I could. Richard Morris, assistant director at Cafcass (Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service), said it was unacceptable that Ms Vicarages cases were not reassigned and that the companys safeguarding measures have since been improved. Ellie was returned to the care of her birth parents in November 2012 after a ruling by Mrs Justice Hogg in the family division of the High Court. She had been placed in the care of her grandparents as a baby after Butler was accused of shaking her. Butler is currently serving life with a minimum term of 23 years for Ellies murder and has been listening to the hearing via video link from prison. Ellies mother, Jennie Gray, was convicted of child cruelty and perverting the course of justice and sentenced to 42 months imprisonment. Butler threatened to walk out of the hearing on Friday morning in a heated exchange with the coroner, saying: This is corrupt, I probably wont bother coming back this afternoon. Retired high court judge Dame Linda Dobbs, sitting as coroner in the inquest, warned him that she would mute his microphone if he continued interrupting. She added: Mr Butler, you have had the most incredible amount of leeway and I have been as patient as I can. If you are discontent with that, so be it if you carry on much longer I will turn you off, if you want to walk out thats up to you. The inquest will examine whether there were failures on the part of the authorities with regard to Ellies murder, including the sharing of information, co-operation and communication between organisations. It will resume on Monday and is expected to conclude at the end of next week. Swedens foreign minister has held what she called good and constructive talks with her North Korean counterpart amid growing speculation about a possible meeting between Donald Trump and Kim Jong Un. Margot Wallstrom refused to comment on whether she and North Koreas Ri Yong Ho discussed a Trump-Kim meeting in brief comments as she left the Stockholm villa where the meeting took place. The building is close to the embassies of South Korea and the US. Well see what happens next, Ms Wallstrom said. Ms Wallstrom said Sweden is hoping to `use our role and also our contacts (Soren Andersson/TT/AP) Mr Ri has not made any public comment during a visit to Stockholm that started late on Thursday. He also held a brief meeting earlier on Friday with Swedish prime minister Stefan Lofven. Ms Wallstrom earlier said Sweden is hoping to use our role and also our contacts, but stressed that it is up to the countries concerned to decide which way we are going. She said that we value this opportunity to arrange a meeting, although she did not specify what she meant. Mr Lofven, speaking at a press conference with German Chancellor Angela Merkel in Berlin, did not answer directly whether his country had US support to organise talks with North Korea. We have always said we want to be a mediator that facilitates this process, he said. Donald Trump with Stefan Lofven in Washington (Evan Vucci/AP) The US president has agreed to meet the North Korean leader by May. So far, Pyongyang has yet to comment publicly on what it hopes to gain from the talks. Sweden has been rumoured as a possible site for the summit, although a truce village on the South Korean side of the Demilitarised Zone between the Koreas is seen as more likely. Mr Ris visit to Stockholm, where he once served as a diplomat at the North Korean embassy, has been shrouded in secrecy. The Swedish foreign ministry said ahead of his visit that talks would focus on Swedens consular responsibilities as a protecting power for the United States, Canada and Australia, but would also address the security situation on the Korean peninsula. Sweden has had diplomatic relations with North Korea since 1973 and is one of few Western countries with an embassy in Pyongyang. It provides consular services for the US in North Korea. The trip by Mr Ri is being closely watched because a huge amount of preparation needs to be done before the summit. Senior South Korean officials who travelled to Pyongyang this month and met Mr Kim say he is willing to discuss the Norths nuclear weapons programme. That could suggest a potential breakthrough, or a fallback to the Norths long-standing position that it is willing to get rid of its nuclear weapons if the US guarantees its safety. In the past, that has meant Washington would have to withdraw all of its troops from South Korea, a condition no US president has been willing to consider. Prince Harry returned to the Army Aviation Centre in Hampshire where he graduated almost 10 years ago to present the newest military flyers with their wings. A graduate receives the Army Air Corps sky blue beret (Daily Telegraph/PA) A flypast at the training centre in Middle Wallop (Daily Telegraph/PA) A graduate with his wings (Daily Telegraph/PA) Harry himself received helicopter training at the centre (Daily Telegraph/PA) A group photograph in front of an Apache helicopter (Steve Parsons/PA) Prince Harry visited the centre ahead of his marriage to Meghan Markle on May 19 (Steve Parsons/PA) The distinctive blue berets of the Army Air Corps (Steve Parsons/PA) Prince Harry leaves the Army Aviation Centre (Steve Parsons/PA) The councillor behind a campaign about the dangers of young women drinking has hit back at claims it is thunderingly offensive and that it takes Britain back 60 years. Sunderland City Council has been accused of victim blaming over an advertising campaign showing a young teenage girl holding a baby. Liberal Democrat campaigner John Leech, who led the Ask for Angela campaign in Manchester to help women stay safe on dates, said the wording was staggering. The posters read: Talk to your daughter about alcohol now, before it starts making decisions for her. In a couple of years time, your daughter could go to a party, drink too much alcohol and be pressured into having unsafe sex. Talk about it with her now and help her make the right choice. Why let drink decide? The posters appear on buses, at Metro stations and on bus stops. Former Liberal Democrat MP John Leech pictured in 2015 (Jonathan Brady/PA) Mr Leech, a former MP, said: Whilst its not advisable to drink to excess, it is never, ever, an excuse for someone to take advantage of a young girl or anyone for that matter. This kind of thunderingly offensive and inane victim blaming takes Britain back about 60 years and is unimaginably counter-productive to tackling the real causes of sexual assault. He called for the posters to be removed. But Labour Councillor John Kelly, Sunderland City Council portfolio holder for public health, said they were not victim blaming and the aim of the posters was to get parents to talk to their children both boys and girls about the dangers of drinking. He said: We are not casting aspersions on peoples characters, accidents happen, mistakes happen, when you drink to the point you cannot control yourself or those around you. Coun Kelly said the aim was to reduce the astronomical number of young people in the city who need hospital treatment after drinking. Last year a 10-year-old needed hospital treatment for the effects of alcohol. The councils campaign has another strand aimed at boys (Sunderland City Council/PA) Sunderland has the countrys sixth highest rate of teenage conceptions and the third highest for under-16s. Coun Kelly said he was disgusted with the Liberal Democrats politicisation of the campaign, and accused them of stupidity. He added: I make no apology whatsoever for trying to safeguard young people in the city of Sunderland. Coun Kelly said the Liberal Democrats had not commented on another strand of the campaign aimed at encouraging parents to talk to teenage boys about the dangers of drink leading to violence. Police are growing increasingly concerned for the welfare of two teenage girls who are believed to have disappeared together. Charmaine Charlesworth and Mercy Russell, both 15, who are from Cullompton in Devon, are believed to be together. Devon and Cornwall Police said the teenagers have links to areas including Torbay, Bovey Tracey and Newton Abbot. Police are appealing to the public for help to locate the girls (David Cheskin/PA) They are also thought to have contacts in the Ealing area of West London. Both girls were reported missing at around 9pm on March 8, a police spokesman said. Police are appealing to the public for help to locate them. Charmaine is described as 5ft 4ins tall with long, straight black hair. She was last seen wearing a grey coat, black Adidas jacket, blue jeans and purple shoes. Mercy is described as 5ft 8ins tall with shoulder-length brown hair, which is shaved at the side. She was last seen wearing a grey and black tracksuit and carrying a small Adidas bag. A serving British soldier accused of being a banned neo-Nazi group member had spray-painted black body armour and an arsenal of weaponry at home, a court heard. Also found at another of Lance Corporal Mikko Vehvilainens properties was an illustrated colour picture of white nationalist Anders Breivik machine-gunning a crowd of people, including members of ethnic minorities, and a host of Nazi memorabilia. In the back of an upstairs bedroom wardrobe at the Armys Sennybridge Camp, Powys, Vehvilainen also had, pinned-up inside, a Swastika flag. Birmingham Crown Court heard on Friday that when he opened the wardrobe doors in front of the arresting police officers, he told them: Thats what this is all about, isnt it? Army trainer Vehvilainen, 33, and fellow Royal Anglian Regiment soldier Private Mark Barrett, 25, of Dhekalia station, Cyprus, but formerly of Kendrew Barracks, Cottesmore, Rutland, are both charged with being members of banned group National Action. A 23-year-old male, who cannot be named for legal reasons, also stands accused of the same charge. Giving evidence, Sergeant Major Scott Thomas, of the Royal Anglians, described what he found when checking Vehvilainens Sennybridge home for any leftover Army equipment. Karen Robinson, prosecuting, asked if he discovered some Osprey Army-issue body armour which had been adapted in colour from its normal camouflage pattern. Sgt Maj Thomas said it had been sprayed black, along with a piece of equipment called a ballistic nappy. Vehvilainen also had a lighter-weight plate carrier body armour harness, which Sgt Maj Thomas said was not equipment ordinary soldiers were issued. He said: Plate carriers are like a light-weight version of body armour really only issued to special forces, these wouldnt be issued to normal line infantry. Daren Samat, Vehvilainens barrister, asked if the Osprey armour had been issued by the Army until as recently as 2014. But Sgt Maj Thomas replied that while Osprey was still used by some units, it was not employed by his base colleagues. He told the court: There would be no reason for Cpl Vehvilainen to have this in his possession at that time. Jurors heard that counter terrorism officers from North Wales and Dyfed Powys also searched a house Vehvilainen was renovating in Llansilin, Powys, on September 5, 2017. Ms Robinson said police found a box of gel-fuel blocks, two lock knives, National Action flyers, Nazi badges and flags, an SS ceremonial dagger, Swastika bunting and Adolf Hitler stickers. In another room, in a locked cabinet, he also had a licensed pump action shotgun and 13 shells, and an air rifle, the court heard. An image from the Anders Breivik manifesto, depicting the white nationalist. He also kept a scrapbook with newspapers cuttings, flyers and far-right leaflets that referred to race traitors and wiggas, while in another bedroom was found the Breivik illustration. Vehvilainen is also accused of two counts of stirring up racial hatred and possessing a document containing terrorist information, known as the Anders Breivik manifesto. Jurors have already been told that Vehvilainen had admitted possession of a CS gas canister also found at Llansilin. The other male, who cannot be named, is also charged with three counts of having a document likely to be of use to terrorists, and another of distributing a publication contrary to terror laws. The trial, expected to last another three weeks, continues. Prince Harry has been praised by a former head of the Royal Navy for speaking out about cuts to military spending as he presented wings to Army flyers. Harry highlighted how budgets are being shrunk when he visited the home of Army aviation where he learnt to fly Apache helicopters to take part in the graduation ceremony. Former First Sea Lord, Lord West told the Press Association: Any royal stands into danger when he makes comments that directly relate to political issues. I am delighted he is saying it because it is true. Prince Harry poses for a photograph in front of an Apache helicopter (Steve Parsons/PA) In recent months there has been widespread speculation about possible cuts to personnel and equipment owing to major pressure on the defence budget. Speaking at the Middle Wallop military base in Hampshire, Harry told the 12 wings recipients, their families and senior military figures from the site: Youre now going to end up flying some of the best aircraft that we have to offer. In certain areas budgets are being shrunk, but essentially you guys are the assets, the aircraft is the asset and just dont forget who youre serving and who youre supporting. In July last year the Government launched a National Security Capability Review but there were concerns it would prioritise measures to counter cyber attacks and terrorism rather than major defence projects. There were reports that parts of the military faced cuts including the Royal Marines, regular troop numbers and amphibious assault ships. Prince Harry spoke about the importance of the military (Heathcliff OMalley/Daily Telegraph/PA) Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson has ordered defence to be removed from the review and looked at under a new initiative, the Modernising Defence Programme. This was widely seen as the rumoured cuts being put on hold while the future defence capability of the nation was looked at in detail. Lord West added: The Modernising Defence Programme instigated by Gavin Williamson will have to come up with more funding for defence. Harry, a former Army officer for 10 years, also alluded to the issue of reduced resources for the military during a London conference on veterans mental health on Thursday. Speaking at Kings College London, Harry told delegates: In an ever-shrinking defence community where every man and woman counts, we must consider that mental health issues are the second highest cause of absence after muscular-skeletal injury. During his visit to Middle Wallop, Harry, who trained to fly helicopters at the base before learning to pilot Apache helicopters, posed for pictures with the wings recipients and watched a display by an Apache. Liberal Democrat defence spokesman Lord Campbell said in response to Harrys comments: It may not quite be a royal command but its as close as you can get. Servicemen and women at every level in the forces are well aware of the serious under-funding of the defence budget. The Defence Secretary is on record as seeking an increase in his budget but the test of his influence over the Chancellor will be just how much he manages to get. Outlining his case for a modern defence, Mr Williamson said in a major speech on Thursday: So our Modernising Defence Programme will give us a more productive, more lethal, harder-hitting Joint Force able to counter conventional threats and deal with the new challenges of asymmetric conflict. Building on our existing plans for the future of our Armed Forces. It will balance routine every day capabilities vital to fulfilling day-to-day tasks with highly sophisticated new equipment, using technology and different approaches to counter the full range of threats to our security and to be able to operate freely in all five domains, land, sea, air, space and cyber. MPs have demanded Whirlpool must explain steps taken to address a supposed safety risk affecting up to one million faulty tumble dryers in the UK. In January the Governments Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Committee said the firm needed to take urgent action to address problems that have led to at least 750 fires since 2004. This includes the death of two men killed in a fire in Llanwrst, North Wales, which a coroners report ruled was caused by a faulty door mechanism on a Whirlpool tumble dryer. The firm pledged to resolve issues with the defective machines within one week of the initial January report. Rachel Reeves said Whirlpools response to the problem had been `woeful (Danny Lawson/PA) Rachel Reeves MP, chairwoman of the Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Committee, said: Whirlpools initial response to the discovery of defects in their tumble dryers was woeful. Following our report, Whirlpool pledged to resolve the risk from faulty machines within a week of being contacted. Whirlpool must spell out how many cases they have resolved since this pledge and show that real progress is being made to address these serious safety concerns. In a letter to Whirlpools brand and communications director, Ian Moverley, Ms Reeves asks how many faulty machines have been resolved within the target period and what steps are being taken to contact affected customers. The letter also asks for information on any problems identified with modified tumble dryers. The firm which has set up an online checker tool for affected models previously told the BEIS Committee they would share their response to certain fatal incidents, which the committee is now calling for them to disclose as soon as possible. Ms Reeves added: We would encourage anyone who is still worried about their tumble dryer to get in touch with Whirlpool so they can make them safe and put an end to the unacceptable situation where machines are acting as potential fire hazards in peoples homes. We are concerned to hear of safety problems with modified tumble dryers. We would like to know the extent of this problem and what steps Whirlpool are taking to address it. Whirlpool should also set out how they will deal with a separate fault, involving the door mechanisms of some of their tumble dryers, which has been linked to a tragic case in Llanwrst. Matt LeBlanc will test the worlds fastest-accelerating car with a little help from Nasa in the latest Top Gear episode. In a preview clip LeBlanc takes on the Dodge Demon and is seen speeding down a landing strip as he tails a Nasa ER-2 high-altitude aircraft and attempts to help it land at Armstrong Flight Research Centre in California. He will also pen a heartfelt love letter to the Citroen 2CV alongside fellow presenter Chris Harris while Rory Reid travels to South Korea to sample some new exciting cars. Comedians Dara O Briain and Ed Byrne join the presenters in the studio to take on the reasonably fast car challenge. Matt LeBlanc with pilot Dean Neeley (Clint Davies/BBC) Top Gear airs on Sunday on BBC2 at 8pm. Radio 1 DJ Greg James has completed his bike and mountain Sport Relief challenge two weeks after he had to abandon it due to dangerous weather. The broadcaster had to postpone the final leg of his pedal to the peaks fundraiser climbing Ben Nevis because of atrocious conditions earlier this month. He completed the challenge on Friday afternoon and passed his 1m target after restarting this week from Moffat, in Dumfries and Galloway, where he had to call a halt to the journey. Greg James climbs Ben Nevis (Comic Sans) James, 32, was aiming to climb the UKs three highest mountains and cycle between the distances. Crossing the finish line with his arms in the air, he told Radio 1: It has just been the most atrocious day it has been absolutely horrible. On the way up I genuinely thought that I was going to tumble to my death, it was like a disaster film. I just thought I shouldnt be in this, I dont know how to do this but I was surrounded by amazing people. I dont think I have ever been so scared in my entire life but weve done it. He also received a special message from Sir Elton John, who told him: Having been oblivious to your heroic deeds, I was so impressed and inspired by what youve done so far. You are an epic man, to attempt this let alone pull it off. I applaud and salute your whole team. Since setting off again on Wednesday, Greg has cycled 150 miles and scaled the 1,345 metres to the top of Ben Nevis, with temperatures plummeting and gusting 80mph winds. James final fundraising total which aims to help support people across the UK and the world will be announced during Sport Relief on Friday March 23. Graffiti artist Banksy has created a New York mural protesting against the imprisonment of a Turkish artist and journalist. Zehra Dogan, an ethnic Kurd, was jailed after painting the Turkish flag flying over the rubble of a destroyed town. According to human rights advocacy group PEN International, Dogan was convicted in March 2017 of propagandising for a terrorist organisation. The mural is a protest against the imprisonment of Turkish artist Zehra Dogan (Mary Altaffer/AP) It said Dogan argued at her trial that painting a real-life event based upon a photo taken and disseminated by the Turkish military was part of her work as a journalist. Banksys 70ft mural consists of black tally marks representing Dogans days in a Turkish prison. Dogan is shown jailed behind one set of marks, grasping one that is transformed into a large pencil. A lower corner of the mural bears the slogan Free Zehra Dogan. The work is installed on the Houston Bowery Wall, made famous by Keith Haring in the late 1970s. One year ago Zehra Dogan was jailed for painting this watercolour of a photograph she saw in the newspaper. Protest against this injustice Banksy said on Instagram. Sentenced to nearly three years in jail for painting a single picture. #FREEzehradogan. The mural was created in collaboration with Borf, an artist who has served jail time for his graffiti, according to Banksys publicist. Airstrikes in Syria killed more than 100 people on Friday as civilians, weary and many wounded, fled besieged areas for the second straight day. Syrian government forces stepped up their offensive in the rebel-held eastern suburbs of the capital, Damascus, capturing a major town and closing in on another under the cover of Russias air power. The majority of the deaths happened in eastern Ghouta, where government forces have been on a crushing offensive for three weeks, capturing 70% of the besieged area. The violence has left more than 1,300 civilians dead, 5,000 wounded and forced thousands to flee to government-controlled areas. #SOHR At least 76 casualties join the convoy of #civilian casualties of the #Ghouta, raising its victims to about 1350 civilians; more than 60% of them were killed after #SecurityCouncil resolution https://t.co/mkmOrVWMho (@syriahr) March 16, 2018 Fridays staggering death toll came a day after Syria passed the seven-year mark in its relentless civil war that has killed some 450,000 people and displaced half the countrys population. The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said bombing and shelling by government and Russian forces killed a total of 76 people in eastern Ghouta, including 64 killed in Kafr Batna and another 12 in Saqba. Government forces also captured the nearby town of Jisreen, it said. If the world does not move, Ghouta will be exterminated, said Siraj Mahmoud, a member of the oppositions Syrian Civil Defence search-and-rescue group. The Observatory said another 36 people were killed in the Kurdish-held town of Afrin in northern Syria, where Turkish troops and Turkey-backed Syrian opposition fighters have been on the offensive since January 20. #Syria #Afrin: We are deeply concerned about the high risk of civilians who are effectively trapped being killed, injured, besieged, used as human shields or displaced as a result of the fighting. https://t.co/kfkvwZPdrH pic.twitter.com/HYoWBv5dCM UN Human Rights (@UNHumanRights) March 16, 2018 The dead included nine killed in airstrikes that hit the towns general hospital. Fridays government attack on Kafr Batna was with cluster bombs, napalm-like incendiary weapons, and conventional explosives, the Observatory said. Photos and videos released from the area showed charred bodies covered with sheets lined up near what appeared to be shops. A medical charity supporting hospitals in eastern Ghouta, the Syrian American Medical Society, said doctors in Kafr Batna were treating patients for severe burn wounds. Oways al-Shami, a spokesman for the Syrian Civil Defence, said the airstrikes targeted a market and a nearby residential area where scores of people had gathered to buy bread and vegetables during a daily truce called by Russia. The medical situation is catastrophic. We cant stay in this situation for long, said Dr Zouhair Kahaleh in the nearby town of Arbeen. Roads were closed, he said, and we cant treat some of the cases here. Its a major challenge to reach the wounded because of the intensity of the airstrikes. Syrian civilians flee from fighting between the Syrian government forces and rebels, in eastern Ghouta (SANA via AP)) Exhausted and shell-shocked civilians streamed out of the rebel enclave Friday, a day after tens of thousands evacuated the area in the biggest single-day exodus of the war. Syrias UN ambassador Bashar Jaafari told the UN Security Council that more than 40,000 civilians left eastern Ghouta on Thursday through a new security corridor opened by the government in the recently retaken town of Hamouria. An additional 30,000 people fled the Turkish military offensive on Afrin, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. A man interviewed in Hamouria Friday on state-affiliated al-Ikhbariya TV said he had gone two days without food. Others said rebels hoarded food and humiliated civilians, even shooting people trying to leave. The United Nations has warned of a malnutrition crisis in eastern Ghouta, which human rights groups have blamed on the governments strangling blockade. Staffan de Mistura, the UN envoy for Syria, told the Security Council that although a six-day ceasefire was largely holding in Douma, the largest city in eastern Ghouta, fighting has escalated elsewhere in the rebel-held region where 400,000 people are estimated to be holed up, as well as in Afrin and across many other parts of Syria. In Afrin, the Turkish military urged civilians to leave and Syrian Kurdish militiamen to surrender to the besieging Turkish forces. The media office for the Syrian Democratic Forces, a Kurdish-led and US-backed force that operates in the Kurdish autonomous region, said at least 30 people were wounded in Fridays attacks. Video posted by the Observatory showed victims lying dead in the streets in pools of blood. Since their January offensive began, Turkish forces have nearly encircled Afrin as they press their campaign to drive the Syrian Kurdish fighters from the town and surrounding region, where tens of thousands of civilians are still believed trapped. On Friday, Turkish aircraft dropped flyers in Arabic and Kurdish on Afrin, asking residents to stay away from terrorist positions a reference to the Syrian Kurdish fighters and to not let themselves be used as human shields. The leaflets claimed that civilians seeking to flee Afrin would be guaranteed safety by the Turkish military and urged Syrian Kurdish fighters to trust the hand we extend to you. Come surrender! A calm and peaceful future awaits you in Afrin, the leaflets read. Meanwhile, the UN Security Council again demanded a ceasefire throughout Syria and backed a UN-endorsed roadmap for a peaceful transition and elections. Members reaffirmed that UN-led talks in Geneva remain the central process to find a political solution. Staffan de Mistura told the council that he has not been able to form a committee to draft a new constitution because President Bashar Assads government has not engaged and we need to have comprehensive participation of all Syrian parties. Ministers from Russia, Turkey and Iran also underscored the need for a political solution in a joint statement after a meeting in Astana, Kazakhstan, on Friday and urged international support for de Misturas efforts to form a constitutional committee. More than 70 flights to or from Heathrow Airport on Saturday were cancelled ahead of the expected blast of snow and ice hitting the UK. Most of the cancellations were on short-haul routes, although British Airways services to New York and Chicago were among those affected. A spokesman for the carrier said: Poor weather conditions are forecast across parts of the UK across the weekend, so we have merged a small number of flights travelling to or from Heathrow Airport. More than 70 flights to or from Heathrow on Saturday have been cancelled (Daniel Leal-Olivas/PA) During cold weather conditions aircraft have to be de-iced prior to departure to ensure that they are safe and additional measures are taken to ensure the safety of our operation is maintained at all times. BA passengers due to fly to or from Heathrow, Gatwick or London City this weekend are able to re-book on any flight up to Wednesday free of charge. Lufthansa, Aer Lingus, TAP Air Portugal and KLM were among the other airlines with Heathrow flights cancelled. A spokeswoman for the airport said: While this weekends weather may result in minor delays and some airlines consolidating flights, significant disruption at Heathrow is not currently expected. We are working closely with our on-site Met Office to monitor the further snowfall expected throughout the weekend. As always, we advise passengers to check their flight status with their airline before coming to the airport. Drivers are being urged to be prepared before setting out on journeys this weekend. Highways England, which manages motorways and major A-roads in England, advised motorists to avoid trans-Pennine roads if possible. These include the M62 (junctions 21 to 25), A628 and A66. It also called on drivers to stay off the M1 between junctions 35 (Rotherham) and 47 (Garforth), the M606 near Bradford and the M621 near Leeds. Many motorists were stranded on roads when freezing conditions hit much of the country earlier this month. Highways Englands head of road safety, Richard Leonard, said: Our gritter drivers will be out treating our roads around the clock but it is still important to drive to the conditions when snow is forecast. Make sure you keep your distance and reduce your speed if you need to travel because, even in conditions that seem normal and when the snow is not settling, it can be slippery if ice patches have formed or where fresh salt has not been worked into the carriageway. Drivers should plan their journeys, monitor weather reports and pack a snow kit of blankets, food, water and a shovel if they really need to travel. Network Rail, which is responsible for Britains rail tracks, is running empty trains to help keep the network clear of snow. It is also carrying out checks on heating systems designed to avoid sections of track from freezing. Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has discussed equality and LGBT rights issues with US vice president Mike Pence during his St Patricks Day trip to Washington DC. Mr Varadkar said he raised rights issues with Mr Pence, who has been criticised for his stance on the matter, when he met the Pence family at the vice presidents residence on Friday morning. I did privately manage to speak to them about equality and my support for equal rights for women and the LGBT community here in America and also in Ireland, the Taoiseach said. Leo Varadkar is greeted by US vice president Mike Pence and wife Karen (Niall Carson/PA) They were very well briefed. They knew about my personal story, they knew that my partner was living in Chicago, and they said that both Matt and I would both be welcome to visit their home in future, so I thought that was a very nice gesture. At the meeting, the vice president invited Mr Varadkars partner Matt to join him for next years St Patricks Day event. There are so many ifs and maybes, first of all I have to survive another year in my current office and secondly, Matt is not terribly keen to attend official functions but you never know, the Taoiseach said. Mr Pence also confirmed he would accept Mr Varadkars invite to visit Ireland. The men met behind closed doors at the vice presidents Naval Observatory residence in the US capital. In a break with protocol, Mr Pences officials barred media from the traditional St Patricks event. The move came after Mr Varadkar, Irelands first openly gay leader, stated he was going to raise the issue of LGBT rights with the socially conservative vice president. Media were only permitted to capture the arrival of the Taoiseach. As the politicians exchanged greetings, Mr Pence ignored questions from reporters as to why the engagement was private. On Thursday, Mr Varadkar expressed disappointment at the media ban. He said he would have preferred if the cameras were allowed in to document their comments, but the Taoiseach added: It allows us maybe to have a frank conversation thats easier to have without the media present. After Fridays meeting, the Taoiseach said he had a really nice engagement with the Pence family where he met Mr Pences mother, who has Irish heritage. His mother really knows Ireland very well, Mr Varadkar said. Her father was born in Ireland. He added she was even able to tell the Humpty Dumpty nursery rhyme in the Irish language. RuPaul has been celebrated for getting a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on Friday. The honours organisers, the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, said the 57-year-old became the first drag artist to get the honour. This is absolutely the most important moment in my professional career, the host of RuPauls Drag Race told fans at the ceremony. Jane Fonda and RuPaul (Chris Pizzello/AP) In turn, RuPauls famous fans have praised him for being presented with the Hollywood Boulevard honour by Jane Fonda. Among those to celebrate were comedian Kathy Griffin, drag queen Coco Montrese, who was crowned Miss Gay America in 2010, and Parks And Recreation actor Billy Eichner. Congratulations @RuPaul on your star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. 25 years ago you told us "you better work..." and look how all your hard work paid off! xoxo KG pic.twitter.com/aPGBUJpecf Kathy Griffin (@kathygriffin) March 16, 2018 Los Angeles mayor Eric Garcetti used RuPauls condragulations catchphrase to celebrate the achievement. Condragulations @RuPaul on adding your to the Hollywood Walk of Fame, where it will remind everyone who sees it to love themselves and work! pic.twitter.com/h3SsVMBEqI MayorOfLA (@MayorOfLA) March 16, 2018 LAHORE AFP March14, 2018 -At least seven people were killed and 20 wounded late Wednesday in a motorcycle bomb attack on a police check-post near Pakistans eastern city of Lahore, officials said. The blast took place in the suburb of Raiwind in Lahore, the main town of central Punjab province, near a mosque hosting a religious congregation. At least seven people including some police officials have been killed, the bomb was planted in a motorbike, Jam Sajjad, a spokesman for emergency services, told AFP. Shahid Waheed, a senior government official in Lahore confirmed the attack and said the police check-post was the target. More than 20 people have been wounded and taken to hospitals, Waheed added. No group has yet claimed responsibility for Saudi Arabia the attack. UK, (Daily Mail), 15 March 2018 - Russia faces a wall of condemnation from Britain, the US, France and Germany today over the Salisbury nerve agent outrage. A joint statement from Theresa May, Donald Trump, Angela Merkel and Emmanuel Macron says there is no plausible alternative explanation to Moscow being involved in the attempted murder of a former spy on UK soil. Speaking in Salisbury after the declaration was published, Mrs May said: This happened in the UK, but it could have happened anywhere and we are taking a united stance against it. The leaders brand the incident an assault on UK sovereignty and a clear violation of laws on chemical weapons use. The statement said: The United Kingdom briefed thoroughly its allies that it was highly likely that Russia was responsible for the attack. Sri Lanka needs unity beyond sympathy and solidarity Strong platform with Sinhala, Tamil and Muslim presence to condemn and challenge extremism need of the hour The GMOA could have easily addressed and provided a guarantee that there is no such drug or chemical that can make a person permanently barren What then is their strength? It is their very loud and threatening presence in mainstream media, more than in social media. In Sinhala Buddhist dominant rural districts, Buddhist monks came a cropper Post-war Sri Lanka has by now gone through five violent anti-Muslim orgies, orchestrated by extremist Sinhala Buddhist groups-from Aluthgama-Beruwala riots in June 2014, through Mahiyangana, Gintota, Ampara and the still smouldering Digana-Theldeniya savagery in the Kandy District. These are no conflicts between Sinhala and Muslim communities. There would not have been human stories of Sinhala Buddhist citizens in conflict areas immediately and voluntarily stepping in to provide safety and security to Muslim families and property, if this conflict were between communities . Sinhala people have not been part of these savage attacks led by few stray Buddhist monks and other extremist thugs. Distance the people keep with Sinhala Buddhist extremism is evident even in electoral politics. The JHU (Then led by the trio Champika, Ven. Rathana Thera and Gammanpila) expected to sweep the board at the 2004 Parliamentary Elections by fielding Buddhist monks. The results were disastrous. Just seven Buddhist monks were elected from four districts with an all island vote percentage of 5.9% that gave two more from the National List. The JHU (Then led by the trio Champika, Ven. Rathana Thera and Gammanpila) expected to sweep the board at the 2004 Parliamentary Elections by fielding Buddhist monks. The results were disastrous. In Sinhala Buddhist dominant districts, the JHU polled only 22,826 votes in Galle (94.1% Buddhists), 16,229 in Matara (94.1% Buddhists), 1,538 in Hambantota (96.9% Buddhists), 2,675 in Moneragala (94.4% Buddhists) and 37,459 in Kurunegala (89.1% Buddhists). Where they gained from were all Sinhala Buddhist trader dominated urban districts; in Colombo (70%) JHU polled 18%, in Gampaha (71.7%) polled 19.4%, in Kalutara (82.9%) polled 10.1% and in Kandy (73.3%) polled 6.7%. Politically what it says is, in Sinhala Buddhist dominant rural districts, Buddhist monks came a cropper, while in Sinhala Buddhist trader dominant urban districts they fared marginally better. The JHU thereafter did not contest any election on its own. Nor did it remain intact to contest, splitting into three factions, Champika Ranawaka ending with the UNP. Buddhist monk Ven. Galagodaaththe Gnanasara Thera, the Sinhala Buddhist volcanic figure that dominates Sinhala Buddhist extremism fared even worse. He contested the 2015 August Parliamentary Elections from Kalutara District one year after he led the Muslim riots in Aluthgama-Beruwala, expecting the Sinhala Buddhists to rally round him. With a population of 70.4% Sinhala Buddhists, their all island total was only just 20,377 votes, while their leader Ven. Gnanasara Thera polled a Preference Vote of only 5,727 in the Kalutara District. Clearly, there is no peoples support for these Sinhala Buddhist extremist groups. It is an insignificant 0.18% endorsement they had from mainly Sinhala Buddhist dominated 16 districts. What then is their strength? It is their very loud and threatening presence in mainstream media, more than in social media. As an aggressive anti Muslim urban emergence, they have an attraction with the urban middle-class. They are assured financial and logistical support from big time urban trader community for their very openly hostile anti-Muslim campaigns. Their anti-Halal campaign and this time too with Muslim business and property being targeted, it was more than evident these Sinhala Buddhist extremist violence is an anti-Muslim market war. It is this market war against Muslims that provide them with urban middle-class professional and academic attraction and support too. GMOA, as the voice of medical professionals, had the social responsibility of countering this false anti-Muslim propaganda with facts on sterility..it could have easily addressed the media and provided a guarantee... In this very competitive free market that has always been facilitated by a Sinhala Unitary State, competition is being reduced to ethno-religious divisions. With Sinhala Buddhist dominance, the political strategy is to eliminate the competitor instead of competing on quality, service and efficiency. Thus their support base extends from the Sinhala Buddhist trader community to the Sinhala Buddhist middle-class academics and professionals. One serious negligence of professional responsibility is in the medical profession- its vociferous Trade Union the Government Medical Officers Association (GMOA). For some time now, the Sinhala Buddhist extremism has been accusing Muslim traders and businessmen of using contraceptive medicine when serving Sinhalese that lead to permanent sterility. They alleged such chemicals are even spread on garments and intimate wear sold to Sinhala customers. This was campaigned vigorously through social media and by word of mouth quoting unheard of sources as proof. On February 26, a restaurant in Ampara was stormed by a Sinhala mob and an employee was forced to accept that they mixed such drugs when serving food for Sinhalese. That video went viral on social media. The GMOA as the voice of medical professionals had the social responsibility of countering this false anti-Muslim propaganda with factual evidence on sterility. The GMOA could have easily addressed the media and provided a guarantee to society that there is no such drug or chemical available that can make a person permanently barren. Though the GMOA have been vociferous against the ETCA (Economic and Technological Cooperation Agreement) that is hardly about health and medicine, and was against SAITM, they have not thought it their duty to step into educate people and avoid an unnecessary, unwanted violence in society. They instead remain silent supporters of this anti Muslim campaign. So are academics. They have not engaged in serious intellectual discourses on politics of racial violence, of majoritarian extremism, that in Sri Lanka is not just racism, but structural racism. It is academics, who should raise issues with national education being a facilitator of structural racism beyond Sinhala language and its use in State administration. Allegations over Police inaction and STF collusion in Digana, serious concerns about Police inquiries and investigations in Ampara and about pro-Sinhala bias in the legal profession and in the Judiciary- all reflect the depth of structural racism in the country. These are issues that the academia should have been discussing with due intellectual honesty. The University teachers trade union federation the FUTA could have been the collective platform for such intellectual discourses within the academia and for the undergrad population. The FUTA never stood up to that social responsibility to date. It was also meek and weak in condemning racial attacks against minority communities. The Sinhala FUTA leadership did not even introduce the Muslim academic representatives who were seated in the head table during the media briefing they held on 12 March, to condemn recent communal violence as they termed it. The FUTA leadership thus played out a pathetic role in addressing the media avoiding their academic and intellectual responsibility in challenging the school curricula and syllabi. Backed by urban Sinhala Buddhist trader community, such silent and willing compromise by professionals and academics is one major reason that allows space for these small groups to make big noise and create mayhem. It is their synergic effect that allows continued Sinhala Buddhist violence to keep coming back, more violent every time they emerge. Mainstream media and political leaderships then give them undue publicity and prominences, making them look much larger and dynamic than they are in real life. Any Government with a decent and a civilised approach to politics that has authority over the State, can easily lock them up using law of the land and in the name of peace, unity and stability. ICCPR Act provides necessary provisions if the Government can find a strong backbone to implement the law. Continued emergence of these violent Sinhala Buddhist groups is proof that the Government is unable to command authority. This was what President Sirisena recently told a Sinhala newspaper, where he found fault with the Human Rights Commission (HRCSL). He needs to compromise with security forces and the Police and thus cannot allow HR as in Europe, was what he said. He forgets as signatory to almost all international conventions and Charters, we are obliged to honour human and civil rights of citizens without bias or prejudice to any ethnicity, religion, caste, gender or employment/livelihood. The President needs to know the HRCSL is not commenting on European standards, but on civilised human standards, he is held responsible for. It is also evident this unity government of President Sirisena and PM Wickremesinghe is not going to challenge Sinhala Buddhist extremism. They are now more concerned about social media and worried about paying compensation to victims. That is made possible and easy for the Sirisena-Wickremesinghe Government with urban middle-class demands for unrestricted social media access than eradicating Sinhala Buddhist extremism. Therefore it becomes necessary for more concerned and politically aware citizenry groups to forge a tri-ethnic national platform to challenge this Sinhala Buddhist extremism, politically and stand for reason and justice to all citizens. Muslim leaders need to understand that they cannot continue their frictions with and animosities against Tamil people with continued efforts to win the confidence of dominant Sinhala Buddhist politics. On the flip side, Tamil leaders need to know it is this same Sinhala Buddhist extremism that denies them their share of power in a united, single country. Thus they should also understand that they stand to gain, if they can unite with Muslim people in standing strong against Sinhala Buddhist extremism. Therefore it is now an unavoidable unity the country requires in a tri-ethnic national platform against this Sinhala Buddhist extremism, a violent menace that wrecks havoc on humanity. A strong national platform with Sinhala, Tamil and Muslim presence is required to condemn and challenge Sinhala Buddhist extremism, while demanding the Government they walk their talk. The Government has decided to stop looking for a foreign partner for the national carrier SriLankan Airlines, informed sources said. Accordingly, sources said the new plan is to hand SriLankan over to a local public-private venture. This decision had been reached after listening to the views expressed by trade unions and employees of SriLankan and government advisors. Newly appointed Minister of State Enterprise Development Lakshman Kiriella is expected to monitor the affairs of the national carrier. (Yohan Perera) HNB recorded 9% loan growth for FY17 while its peers posted over 20% growth Being a challenging year, we had to be careful- HNB MD Jonathan Alles Says HNB will be more aggressive this year having strong capital buffers Hatton National Bank PLC (HNB), Sri Lankas second largest private lender by assets, is hoping to be more aggressive in 2018, after a challenging environment for the key agriculture, tourism and construction sectors held back higher lending, the top management said this week. There were a lot of challenges in the agriculture, tourism and construction sectors, HNB Deputy General Manager SME and Midmarket Jude Fernando said at HNB Investor Forum 2018. HNBs loan book grew by just 9 percent year-on-year (YoY) in 2017, compared to the largest private bank, Commercial Bank of Ceylon PLC, the loan book of which grew at just under 20 percent YoY, while the third largest, Sampath Bank PLC, managed to expand its loan book by 23 percent YoY. The industry private credit growth in comparison was 14.7 percent in 2017, falling compared to the previous year, due to tight monetary policy and the limitations the government placed on vehicle leasing, according to the Central Bank. However, in HNBs case, the tight monetary conditions and the drought, which disrupted agriculture for four seasons, saw the bank becoming a bit more conservative in growing its loan book, as it even had to account for Rs.3 billion in impairments for loans given to the agriculture sector and a couple of big corporate clients, compared to an impairment of just Rs.237.2 million YoY. HNB Managing Director Jonathan Alles said that HNB is not willing to compromise on the quality of credit to drive growth, which was why the bank didnt expand its loan book aggressively in 2017. Being a challenging year, we had to be careful. We had to relook at our portfolio and there was a conscious effort to make sure that we were going ahead with all the initiatives we had put in place to improve portfolio quality, he said, while noting that the bank is trying its best to recover the Rs.3 billion. He did not express much worry over not expanding the loan book, since HNB was able to post a 16 percent growth of its bottom line last year without deteriorating the quality of loans given. Not growing the loan book had also given HNB the space not to go to its shareholders often to seek permission to raise more capital to meet the regulatory requirements, Alles said. HNB opted for a rights issue in 2017 to raise Rs.14.5 billion, while some other banks had to resort to multiple capital raising exercises. Alles said that with the bank now comfortably capitalized, it is expecting to become more aggressive in the coming year. We foresee that we are now nicely positioned to go out and become a little more aggressive, he said. He said that the industry credit growth is expected to be below 15 percent this year if the agriculture sector doesnt post a strong recovery and that HNB is expected to grow its loan book by just above the industry average in such circumstances. Alles added that the bank would focus on agriculture, small and medium enterprises, microfinance and select corporate lending activities during 2018. Further, he said the bank would also aggressively attempt to expand its deposit base. We will be more aggressive on deposit mobilization but we are not necessarily keen on raising our rates, he said. (CW) As one of the biggest beneficiaries of peace returning to the country in 2009, the President of the Tourist Hotels Association of Sri Lanka, Sanath Ukwatte stressed the importance of unity among all communities for Sri Lanka to move forward. The Tourist Hotels Association vehemently condemns any kind of violence in the country and urges the government to tighten laws and take stern action against the perpetrators immediately. Multiculturalism and understanding each others cultures are essential elements to our industry and we value the contributions made by all ethnic groups in the country for the success of our industry in terms of investment and dedicated service. Exposure to cultural exchanges among hospitality workers and guests offers increased opportunities to develop a vibrant tourism industry. After the end of the 30-year conflict in 2009, Sri Lanka has seen a phenomenal growth in tourist arrivals and the destination has been identified as one of the top 10 Must Visit holiday destinations in the world. The return from increasing visitor numbers saw new regional and global hotel chains entering the country, and the development of a number of small and medium scale accommodation providers in terms of home stays. It is much to be regretted that because of the sad incidents that took place in Kandy over the last weekend, the hotel industry has lost a large number of bookings and, above all, the incidents have done irreparable damage to the credibility of the destination. The contribution from tourism to the economy increased from a mere US$ 350 million in 2009 to US$ 3.5 billion as at end of 2017. This is a huge increase according to any standards and even the smallest internal disturbance in an island of our size is bound to have a negative impact on tourism and will jeopardize the growth trend. Today we are the 2nd largest net foreign exchange earner, and the industry undoubtedly has the potential to become the number 1 foreign exchange earner in the next few years. Tourism is one of the most sensitive industries globally. A slight disturbance in the country can have a very significant impact on visitor arrivals. We have experienced this in the past and will not encourage any acts which will take us back to the dark era in our history, said Ukwatte. We want the industry to grow further and reap its full potential, which will benefit the entire country, as it is now spread across all regions of the country. From the standpoint of tourism, the richness and diversity of our cultural traditions - a most valued aspect of our heritage- is no less an attraction than the scenic beauty of the island, the warmth and spontaneity of our people and the quality of social relationships. It is, therefore, the sacred duty of all of us to preserve this legacy and to protect it from any form of erosion. We, for our part, are eager, in partnership with the government, to do all we can to achieve this objective in the interest of tourism and the national economy. The Tourist Hotels Association of Sri Lanka strongly believes that we need to live in harmony in a multi ethnic, multi-racial and multi religious nation, and condemns any acts which will run counter to this belief. AFP: Indonesian President Joko Widodo wants Australia to become a full member of ASEAN, signalling yesterday he is keen on Canberra playing a bigger regional role in trade and defence matters. His comments come with Australia hosting a special summit of Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) leaders in Sydney, as China increasingly flexes its muscle and the threat of violent extremism grows. I think its a good idea, Widodo told the Sydney Morning Herald, referring to Australia joining ASEAN the first time an Indonesian president has endorsed the concept. Because our region will be better, (for) stability, economic stability, and also political stability. Sure, it will be better. Australia has been a dialogue partner of ASEAN, which groups Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam, since 1974. They began biennial leaders summits in 2016, with the first in Vientiane. In a report last month, the Australian Strategic Policy Institute argued that Canberra should aim for ASEAN membership by 2024 - its 50th anniversary of being a partner and use the Sydney summit as a launch pad. As the geo-strategic and geo-economic pressures build in Asia, ASEAN, as a middle-power grouping, needs the extra middle-power heft offered by Australia and New Zealand, it said. The Sydney summit is the moment to launch the long conversation about Australia joining ASEAN. Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said he was very warmed by Widodos comments, but stressed ASEAN matters are matters for ASEAN. We have the greatest respect for ASEAN, the way it reaches its own conclusions, he said ahead of a bilateral meeting with Cambodian leader Hun Sen. We are a dialogue partner with ASEAN and we respect that centrality of ASEAN and its significance and fundamental importance, central importance, in our region. Speaking at a press conference alongside Turnbull, Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said he was keen to deepen ties between Australia and Southeast Asia more broadly. Australia believes its future lies in Asia, took steps to become ASEANs first dialogue partner in 1974, and Singapore has taken steps to help keep the region open, said Lee, the 2018 ASEAN host. As ASEAN chair, Singapore will continue to encourage Australias engagement with ASEAN, and we will discuss taking the partnership forward. AFP: Shocked by Brexit, the European Union has made reform a top priority, spurred on by the energetic French President Emmanuel Macron who wants big changes especially for the euro, the blocs single currency. But so far the effort has failed to get off the ground, mainly due to six months with no government in Germany after a narrow victory by Angela Merkel in the German elections last September. Making matters worse, earlier this month, eight northern EU countries the Netherlands, Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia, Finland, Ireland, Denmark and Sweden jointly warned against French-inspired reforms they deemed too ambitious. Here is a list of key reforms being mulled in European capitals as Merkel heads to France yesterday for talks with Macron. Macron proposed a finance minister for the 19-country eurozone with centralised powers over its economy, but the French leader remained vague about how the new position would work. Jean-Claude Junckers European Commission then proposed to create a finance minister for the whole 28-nation EU by merging the vice-presidency of the commission and the presidency of the Eurogroup the informal group that brings together the 19 finance ministers of the eurozone. But wary of handing more power to Brussels, the Eurogroup ministers quickly rejected the idea last December by choosing to elect one of their own, Portugals Mario Centeno, for a two-and-a-half-year term. National governments have for months been haggling over creating some sort of budget capacity for the single currency bloc which could be used in case of crises or economic shocks. Germany is open to something modest and controlled by the member states, not the EUs institutions that could also be used to help implement tough reforms. Others are bitterly opposed on principle. The Commission, wary of a two-speed union split between the eurozone and the remaining countries, believes the budget should not be separate from that of the EU in general but is open to the idea. The issue will be discussed yesterday by the EU heads of state at a summit in Brussels. We will never fully agree, a senior European official said on condition of anonymity. But at some point something will make it to the table, and well improve it over time. It was one of Macrons most ambitious ideas: A parliament specific to the euro area, responsible for controlling its decisions. But it already seems buried. The French president watered down his already vague idea and the Germans and European Commission Jean-Claude Juncker never took him up on it. Macrons even less ambitious idea to create transnational MEPs by using seats currently held by Britain has also run aground. The EU considers this issue as one of the easiest to solve and aims for concrete progress this June. The central challenge is to set up a European-wide deposit insurance scheme, that has until now been bitterly opposed by Berlin in the belief that Germany would be on the hook to save fragile banks in countries such as Italy. But the formation of a new government in Germany should bring progress, as advancing on these issues is a condition set by the social democrats in order to join Merkels coalition. Objective of politicians is not finding solutions, but gaining mileage out of anything Until leaders develop political will the country would have to undergo state of emergency and curfews JO argues that UNP orchestrated the riots to prevent the No-Confidence Motion and the anti-Wickremesinghe rebellion in UNP Muslims seem to be more inclined to believe the UNP theory Earlier Muslims complained that SLPP supporters harassed Muslims in Kandy and Kalutara Districts for not supporting them. The very blame-game among the politicians, especially between the United National Party (UNP) and the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) on the recent attacks against Muslims is an indication that Sri Lankan politicians are not serious about any kind of ethnic strife, leave alone finding solutions to them. Their objective is not finding solutions, but to gain political mileage out of anything. Almost all political parties, especially the two main political parties in the country, the UNP and the SLPP claim that the attacks against few Muslim owned shops and mosques in Ampara and hundreds of houses, businesses and mosques in various areas in the Kandy District were orchestrated. But by whom? All political parties seem to attempt to use the recent rampage to prove their political credentials or the detriment of the politics of their adversaries. The UNP argues that the SLPP or the loyalists of the former President Mahinda Rajapaksa were behind the attacks, while the SLPP attempts to contend that the Government premeditated the anti- Muslim pogrom. Interestingly, both groups have their own reasons to put the blame for the crimes on the other. Muslims had continued to support the UNP at last months Local Government elections, despite more than 1.5 million voters, who supported the party at the last Parliamentary Elections, rejecting it this time. The SLPP that won the majority of councils had managed to get only 45 percent (or 40 percent according to Minister Champika Ranawaka) of total valid votes and this showed that they could not win the next Presidential Election. Therefore they as a strategy to pit the Muslims against the UNP had calculated the anti-Muslim attacks, according to the UNP theory. Expanding the same theory, the senior Tamil columnist D.B.S. Jeyaraj claims that conspirators had set in motion a plan, where the Government would hesitate to take action against the attackers for fear of losing the Sinhalese votes and it would also lose the Muslim votes as well due to its inaction against the rioters. Whether the attacks were premeditated or not, whether this was really the strategy, this was what really happened. The belief among the Muslims that no untoward incidents would happen against them under a UNP regime was shattered by the incredible inaction of the law enforcement authorities during the Kandy attacks which lasted for not hours, but days On the other hand, the unrest started at a time when a No-Confidence Motion against Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe was to be handed over to the Speaker of Parliament, Karu Jayasuriya and several UNP local leaders had started to challenge the leadership of Mr Wickremesinghe in the party. The Joint Opposition, the Parliamentary group loyal to former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, argues that UNP orchestrated the riots to prevent the No-Confidence Motion and the anti-Wickremesinghe rebellion within the UNP. However, the victims of the week- long mob attack, the Muslims seem to be more inclined to believe the UNP theory, in spite of the fact they have lost confidence in the UNP as well due to its inordinate lethargy in quelling the attacks on them. The Muslim Council of Sri Lanka (MCSL), on the wake of the SLPP sweeping the majority of Local Councils at the February 10 elections wrote to that party complaining about SLPP supporters having harassed Muslims in two places in Kandy and Kalutara Districts for not supporting them. While Mr Basil Rajapaksa had promised the MCSL to look into the matter, party Chairman Professor G.L. Peiris and General Secretary Sagara Kariyawasam had flatly denied the allegation. Despite the MCSL having not gone public with the allegations the SLPP did so with its denials. Against this backdrop it is natural that the Muslims suspect SLPPs hand in the Ampara and Kandy mayhem. However, the belief among the Muslims that no untoward incidents would happen against them under a UNP regime was shattered by the incredible inaction of the law enforcement authorities during the Kandy attacks which lasted for not hours, but days. The frustration is still being compounded with the Governments aversion to probe into the allegations that the police and the STF colluded with the marauding rioters and to take action against the personnel responsible. President Maithripala Sirisenas announcement that a Presidential Commission of Inquiry (PCoI) would be appointed to look into the incidents in Kandy, including the lapses on the part of the authorities has not made any impact. The fact that the Government is not prepared to probe the role played by the Police and the STF is perplexing in the light of several leaders of the very Government including Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, Ministers Champika Ranawaka, Rauff Hakeem, Abdul Haleem and Lakshman Kiriella having complained that the delay in Police actions had contributed to the spread of the attacks. Even the Army Commander did not deny the allegations against the Police when he referred to them while talking to media in Kandy. This has prompted Executive Director of Campaign for Free and Fair Elections (CaFFE) Rajith Keerthi Thennakoon to lodge a complaint on Police inaction with the National Police Commission (NPC). The Government is said to be going to take action jointly with the Facebook Inc. Officials to filter hate-mongering posts in the social media. One has to be skeptical about the outcome as the Sinhalese society has already been fed with enough malice, hate and unfounded fear of extinction by the Facebook and WhatsApp users since 2012, the year in which Bodu Bala Sena started its anti-Muslim campaign. Despite the Government having attempted to enact a law to prevent hate-speech, which was later withdrawn on the grounds that it would curtail freedom of speech, it is ironic that it never thought of filtering social media, which has been far more harmful and sinister than the mainstream media. The Governments inaction in containing unrest at its initial stages as accepted by the Prime Minister and many Ministers and its aversion to probe that inaction would lead to those elements that unleashed the attacks gaining moral high ground and justifying their acts, hiding behind flimsy arguments such as wanda pethi or Muslim extremism and fundamentalism. With the entire Sinhalese society, including the Mahanayake Theras, political parties and intellectuals condemning the attacks and the unfounded allegations of sterilization of Sinhalese, those elements are now on the defensive, at least overtly. However, they have already been given a solace, though unwittingly, by several politicians such as Bimal Ratnayake of the JVP, Co-existence Minister Mano Ganesan and Deputy Minister Harsha de Silva, by dragging the irrelevant Muslim womens attire into the debate. Majority of Muslim women who wear the Abaya or the face veil worn with it are an innocent lot, who do not know any politics or at least anything happening around them. The Arabian dress came to Sri Lanka as a result of women going to the Middle East countries in search of employment. That is it. Had there been any radical or so-called fundamentalist Muslim groups in Sri Lanka they would have responded to the anti-Muslim attacks that had been going on since 2012. However, it goes without saying that the continuous unrest against Muslims in Sri Lanka has the potential of attracting the attention of dreaded terrorist organizations operating in the Middle East in future while developing a breeding ground for them among the possibly frustrated Muslim youth in Sri Lanka. The simple truth that has been rejected or overlooked by the authorities is that the main culprit of the hate crimes is the continuation of a culture of impunity. This time too, there are no assurances that even the so-called leader of the Mahason Balakaya, Amith Weerasinghe whom the authorities describe as the mastermind of the Kandy unrest, would be penalized, despite him being detained. Until the leaders developed political will within them, at least to accept this fact, the country would occasionally have to undergo declarations of state of emergency and curfews. Yet, most probably everything would be forgotten in a few weeks as what happened to the war and the recent natural disasters, until the next wave of hate, has a field day. The Colombo Fort Magistrate today issued an open arrest warrant on former Sri Lankan Ambassador to Russia, Udayanga Weeratunga. The INTERPOL issued a Red Warrant' on Mr Weeratunga last month, naming him as a fugitive wanted by the Sri Lankan authorities. He was wanted in connection with certain discrepancies that had taken place in the acquisition of four MiG-27 fighter jets from the Ukrainian arms company 'Ukrinmash' in 2006 and financial misappropriation said to be taken place in overhauling four MiG fighter jets owned by the Air Force. President Maithripala Sirisena yesterday visited the Hiroshima Museum after paying his respects at the Hiroshima war memorial. He also observed the historic site, where all the structural elements of the building remain in the same state as immediately after the bombing, and are well preserved. (Presidents media) Although Astrology (Jyotish Shastra), Palmistry (Hasta Rekha Shastra) and Numerology have developed as separate subjects or sciences in recent times, the latter two sciences had developed as part or branches of Astrology in ancient times. In fact, Numerology had developed as `Swara Shastra which suggests that the ancient sages in India in particular had laid more emphasis on the vibrational or phonetic aspect of the science than on the numerical aspect. Palmistry and Numerology Offshoots from Astrology Both Palmistry and Numerology the modern day `Swara Shastra, concede the influence of planets on man. For example, in Palmistry the Mounts and Lines on the hand are named after planets. And the characteristics of different planets are taken into account in reading the significations of the Lines, Mounts and signs on them. In Numerology too in interpreting the values of numbers, colours, gemstones, etc. planetary influence is taken into account. Therefore, nomenclature or terminology occurring Astrology is widely used in Palmistry and Numerology as well. The same Yogas giving same results Certain favourable and unfavourable planetary combinations are termed as Yogas in Astrology. Astrology also speaks of favourable Yogas like Amala, Anapha, Adhi and Vesi and unfavourable ones like Daridra and Papakartari. Some of our readers might be surprised to learn that Yogas by the same names giving results similar to those described in Astrology occur in Palmistry as well. We hope to discuss some of such favourable and unfavourable Yogas occurring in Palmistry. Amala Yoga: A person who has a developed Mount of Moon and also elevated Mounts of Sun and Venus with the Moon line (See the figure 1) proceeding towards the Mount of Mercury is blessed with this Yoga. Result: The subject is wise, clever and famous. He is wealthy and enjoys all comforts in life. If the Mount of Venus is free of obstructing lines, he is much attracted to sensual pleasures. Adhi Yoga: A person who has a well-developed Moon line with a branch off it reaching the Mount of Saturn is a beneficiary of Adhi Yoga. (See figure 2) Result: The subject is humble, clever and foresighted. He works according to a set agenda for time management. He does not lack anything necessary for a comfortable living. Anapha Yoga: This Yoga is produced when there is a favourable Mount of Venus, with the Sun line originating from a well-developed Fate line. (See figure 3) Result: The subject has a magnetic personality and is capable of influencing others. He is highly respected in society. He is wise, virtuous and altruistic. Bhaskar Yoga: This Yoga is formed when the Sun line meets with the Moon line and the Mercury line and there is a long and prominent Jupiter line. (See figure 4) Result: The subject has means of acquiring all needs for a comfortable living. He has several sources of income. He is versatile and persevering. He has an impressive personality. He makes friends easily. Enemies fear him. He is a lover of arts, music and literature. He extends his patronage to artistes. He enjoys the company of a wide circle of friends. (Daily Mail), 15 March 2018 - Saudi Arabia will rapidly acquire a nuclear weapon if arch-rival Iran develops one, the countrys Crown Prince has warned. Mohammed bin Salman said the Saudis do not want nukes but would be forced to develop them should their Shia counterparts acquire them first. Saudi Arabia does not want to acquire any nuclear bomb, but without a doubt if Iran developed a nuclear bomb, we will follow suit as soon as possible, Salman told CBS in an interview that will air on Sunday. The comment came after he was asked about remarks in which he described Khamenei as the new Hitler of the Middle East. Salman said he stood by the remark, adding: [Khamenei] wants to expand. Saudi Arabia is already stepping up plans to develop nuclear energy as part of reforms being led by Salman that aim to end the regions dependence on oil. Says submitted the lowest bid for upcoming 300MW LNG plant Says has capability to assist govt. to avoid costly emergency power purchases By Yohan Perera LTL Holdings, which claimed to have submitted the lowest bid of US $ 160 million for the construction of 300MW liquefied natural gas (LNG) power plant in Kerawalapitiya, this week urged the authorities to think of the national interest when going ahead with the tender procedures. The company therefore called for depoliticisation of the tender procedures. We always quote the lowest or the second lowest when bidding for the construction of power plants, LTL Chief Operating Officer Dhammika Nanayakkara told a ceremony held on Wednesday to mark the 35th anniversary of LTL. We have been able to surpass the proposals made by a Japanese company and another company from China. Some, including one intellectual, who claimed to be an expert, had stated that a complex cycle power station cannot be operated using oil fire. However, as of now, we have been able to save Rs.50 billion for the country using this technology, he said. He added that the company has the technology to change into LNG, if the need arises. We have the capability of assisting the government to save more funds through avoiding emergency power purchases, which is a costly affair, he also said. However, the company welcomed the offshore LNG import facility, which the government is planning to set with Japanese and Indian assistance. LTL Holdings was established in 1980 by two young engineersChanna Amerasinghe and U.D. Jayawardenawho were at the time working at the transformer repair unit of the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB). At the time, only about 10 percent of Sri Lankan population had electricity, largely due to the substandard transformers, which were imported to the country. Amerasinghe and Jayawardena, with the help of the CEB and several other young engineers, were able to open a factory to make transformers locally and supply them to the CEB, to replace the defective transformers, which required frequent maintenance; they were bought by the electricity utility through tenders. The CEB buys LTL transformers and galvanising services at a formula-based price, without calling for tenders. As a result, Sri Lanka became the first country in South Asia to have maintenance-free transformers by the early 90s. However, the major turning point for the company was the decision it made to enter the power generation business in mid-90s. In 1996, the government made a decision to invite private investors to enter the power and energy industry, which enabled LTL to expand its operations and invest its expertise towards the development of power stations. This marked the origin of a new company subsidiary called Lakdhanavi (Pvt.) Ltd. The inception of Lakdhanavi marked a crucial juncture in the Sri Lankan power industry. The first power station in Sri Lanka was established in 1895 by a British-owned company. Thereafter, all power stations in Sri Lanka were established by foreign companies. Lakdhanavi was the first locally-owned power station to be established in the country after 100 years. LTL entered the power generation industry by establishing Belihuloya Power Station, which was capable of producing 2.2 MW of power. The company made further advances forward by establishing Sapugaskanda Lakdhanavi Power Station, which was capable of producing 25 MW of power. As of now, Lakdhanavi is considered to be the largest independent power producer in Sri Lanka. LTL said that other than the capital investment of Rs.105 million made by the CEB in 1996, the state power utility has never made any investment in LTL. But the total value of the dividends paid by LTL, based on the CEBs capital investment, exceeds Rs.13 billion and the value of the assets developed on the initial investment exceeds Rs.12 billion. According to the price formula developed by the CEB, LTL earns a total amount of Rs.200 million by producing transformers for the CEB. According to LTL, this amounts to only a 7 percent of the companys income and 5 percent of the profit. The remaining 95 percent of profit and 93 percent of income is earned through foreign and local projects that the company has undertaken after tender processes. As an overall percentage, LTL earns only 15 percent of its profits through the transactions conducted with the CEB. The remaining 85 percent is earned through local and foreign projects carried out after competitive tender procedures. LTL has built power plants in Bangladesh, Oman and the Maldives and was involved in power transmission projects in countries like Uganda, Tanzania and Kenya. LTL said these foreign ventures earned over Rs.24 billion in foreign exchange to the country. As of today, after fulfilling the local requirement, LTL exports 60 percent of its transformers for utilization in foreign countries. The company said as a brand name, the reputation of LTL Holdings is only second to Ceylon Tea in the Asian and African countries. LTL has currently undertaken the construction of six more power plants in Bangladesh. The current value of LTL Holdings, according to the company officials, is Rs.18 billion. A lawsuit compiled by a team of legal experts with the input of Sir Geoffrey Nice QC would be submitted to the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) on Monday challenging the procedure adopted by the UNHRC itself to pass the resolution on Sri Lanka, the Global Sri Lankan Forum (GSLF) today said. The petitioners of the lawsuit, which is the first ever lawsuit against the UNHRC, are retired Rear Admiral Sarath Weerasekara and Federation of National Organisations Convener Dr Gunadasa Amarasekara. On behalf of the two petitioners, the GSLF, the Federation of National Organisation and the Professionals for Better Future will hand over the petition to the Communication wing of the UN on Monday (19). Addressing a news briefing, Professionals for Better Future Director and Secretary Darshani Lahandapura said the UNHRC was not immune to charges. The procedure which was adopted by the UNHRC with regard to the resolution Sri Lanka is a breach of UN clauses and illegal. We are challenging this procedure and demand an order preventing Sri Lanka from implementing the recommendations of the resolution, she said. Meanwhile, Sri Lankas Representative of the GSLF Nuwan Bellanthudawa said according to the article 2 (7) of the UN Charter, the UN has no power to intervene in matters which are essentially within the domestic jurisdiction of any state. Ven. Bengamuwe Nalaka Thera said the attempt of the GSLF to file the lawsuit was a challenge at a time when the Tamil Diaspora and other NGOs speaking against the country at international platforms. Dr Gunadasa Amarasekara, one of the two petitioners, said the US and the UN were attempting to destabilise the country by threatening the Governments. They simply want to divide the country, he said. (Lahiru Pothmulla) Posted Friday, March 16, 2018 8:00 am Eleonor Anna Hoosack, 96, of Warrensburg, formerly of Knob Noster, passed away Thursday, March 15, 2018, at Ridge Crest Nursing Center in Warrensburg. Eleonor was born Feb. 20, 1922, at Helmetta, New Jersey, the daughter of Michael Martin Hoosack and Susan (Smith) Hoosack. At the age of 6, her family moved from Brooklyn, New York, to Norfolk, Virginia. Upon graduation from high school, she enrolled at Kees Business College in Norfolk for one year. She was a secretary for U.S. Corp of Engineers in Norfolk for a time. At 25, Eleonor entered Daughters of Wisdom Convent in Brooklyn, New York. She graduated from St. Johns University in Brooklyn with a teaching degree. Next, she served as a recreation director at Ft. Ritchie at Cascade, Maryland, as well as at the Catholic U.S.O. at Belleville, Illinois. She moved to Maine and was in personnel at Loring AFB before serving as recreation director for the U.S. Military Academy in New York. After five years at the military academy, Eleonor moved to Missouri to become recreation director at Whiteman Air Force Base. She also attended UCM where she took creative writing classes. She was employed at the university as assistant to the Director of Assessment. She received her B.S. in English and B.A. in French, both at UCM. Eleonor also did a lot of volunteer work through the years, such as tutoring at Martin Warren Elementary. She was a devout Catholic, having been an active member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Warrensburg. She also tutored at Martin Warren Elementary for several years. She had written more than 2,000 poems, and she has been published. Eleonor was fluent in six languages. Survivors include several nieces and nephews in the Eastern United States. She was preceded in death by two brothers, Edward Michael Hoosack and Eugene Joseph Hoosack. Funeral Mass will be 10:30 a.m. Monday, March 19, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Warrensburg, with Father Joe Bathke, C.P.P.S. officiating. Burial will follow at the Knob Noster Cemetery. There will be a Vigil Service 6 p.m. Sunday at the church, immediately followed by visitation from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Memorial: Contributions may be left to Masses in Eleonors name. Arrangements entrusted to Williams Funeral Chapel in Warrensburg. Online condolences may be left at www.williamsfuneralchapel.net. (Paid Obituary) Thanks to the agreement, Peru's Transport and Communications Ministry (MTC) will receive greater support from Japan's Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communication (MIC) , which will help the Inca country develop a digital economy system. "We have collaborated in many ways with Peru, especially in Digital Terrestrial Television and ICTs," Takagi pointed out. "Yet, we are entering the Internet of Things era [functioning of smart devices thanks to the Internet ], and that is why we will increase our collaboration," he added. 15:46 | Vilnius (Lithuania), Mar. 16. European nation. Such credentials recognize the appointment of Roca-Rey Deladrier as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Peru to saidnation. On the occasion, the hosting country's President and the diplomat addressed the relations uniting both nations, which date back to June 1997. Affairs included negotiations on bilateral agreements, perspectives on economic cooperation, the region's situation, cultural and scientific exchanges, plus other matters of common interest. For her part, the Lithuanian President stressed the importance of exploring new possibilities for economic cooperation, the appointment of an Honorary Consul to the European nation, as well as the visit of an Inca business mission scheduled for May. The latter will contribute to strengthening economic ties binding both nations. Afterwards , the envoy held a working meeting with Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister Albinas Zananavicius . During said gathering, they discussed the development of bilateral relations and economic cooperation, among other topics. It must be noted Thierry Roca-Rey Deladrier is Peru's seventh Ambassador to Lithuania. The envoy concurrently serves as Ambassador to Estonia and Latvia, and he is currently based in Helsinki (Finland). Cuna Mas establece protocolo de accion frente a heladas y friaje. Kochi: Muthoot Finance Ltd, the flagship company of Muthoot Group has tied up with Global IME Bank to expand its money remittance services between Indo Nepal Corridor. Muthoot Finance is the only NBFC to extend the money transfer services from India to Nepal. In FY16, Muthoot Finance had collaborated with Nepal based Prabhu Bank for money transfer business wherein the company completed 2.2 lakh transactions worth Rs. 469 crore. With Global IME Bank, this is the companys second tie-up in the region. Global IME Bank through its 193 branches and more than 7000 pay out centers in Nepal will facilitate the smooth process of money transfer instantly. With a very minimal amount of Rs 200, a Nepali migrant can now transfer money instantly from any of the 4600 branches of Muthoot Finance to their families in Nepal without opening any bank account in India. RBL Bank, India and Global IME Bank Ltd., Nepal are the banking partners to facilitate Indo-Nepal remittance service. In 2017, approximately Rs.7000 crore was remitted by the migrants to their families back home from India. This facility is expected to benefit 5 million migrants, which are prominent in business cities of India like Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and Bangalore and also in the states of Punjab and Uttar Pradesh. The remittance launch program was held in Kochi and attended by Mr. George Alexander Muthoot, Managing Director, Muthoot Finance, Mr. K.R. Bijimon, Chief General Manager, Muthoot Finance, Mr. Goutam Naithani, In-Country Business Consultant, IME Ltd, Mr. Subash Tamang, Head-Business Development, IME Ltd, Mr. Jayadeep Menon, Senior Manager, Muthoot Finance and other senior officials from both the companies. Speaking at the occasion, Mr. George Alexander Muthoot, Managing Director, Muthoot Finance Ltd said, We are very excited to expand our reach in providing need based services to the people. Our both partnerships will open vast network of more than 12,000 payout outlets in Nepal, thereby providing utmost ease and comfort to friends and family in receiving the money. Mr. Subash Tamang, Head-Business Development, IME Ltd said, Joining hands with Muthoot Finance will certainly add another milestone in Indo-Nepal remittance services where customers can benefit from wide spread network of both the companies. The partnership will provide reliable and secured platform for transferring their hard earned money back home to families in Nepal. Chennai: Post-GST implementation the state is witnessing a revenue growth and the gross state domestic product in 2017-18 is estimated at 8.03 per cent at constant prices and for 2018-19 economic growth is pegged at nine per cent, state finance secretary K Shanmugham said on Thursday. Pointing about the challenges faced by the state finance department he said that the implementation of 7th Pay Commission had caused series stress on the state exchequer resulting in higher-than-projected revenue deficit for the year 2017-18. Closure of Tasmac shops along highways and reduction in stamp duty had also affected the revenue to a tune of Rs 1,000 crore, he said. The revenues are expected to grow at 14 per cent and the expenditure is also growing and the growth of salary expenditure is around 8 to 9 per cent, he said adding that the pay scale revision will an incur an additional expense of `14,719 crore per annum. Despite the financial burden, the budget has projected the fiscal deficit to GDP ratio at 2.79 per cent for 2018-19, which will be below three per cent fiscal norm. This is after projecting a revenue deficit of `17,491 crore, he said. According to the budget the state governments revenue is pegged at Rs 1.81 lakh crore with an all time expenditure of Rs 2.04 lakh crore making the budget a huge deficit. Total debt at the end of 2018-19 is pegged to be around Rs 3.55 lakh crore and every year Rs 40,000-50,000 crore is getting accumulated to the overall debt. The regulator, through an interim order in December 2011, has barred Atherstone from taking up any new assignment as merchant banker till further directions. New Delhi: Markets regulator Sebi on Thursday imposed a fine of Rs 12 lakh on merchant banker Atherstone Capital Markets for mis-statement and non-disclosures of material developments in the IPO papers of Onelife Capital Advisors. The regulator, through an interim order in December 2011, has barred Atherstone from taking up any new assignment as merchant banker till further directions. These directions were confirmed by Sebi in January 2013 and continued to be in force till July 2016. "For the purpose of imposing penalty, I have considered the prohibition already undergone by noticee (Atherstone) for period of four-and-a-half years as a mitigating factor," Sebi Adjudicating Officer B J Dilip said in an order passed on Thursday. Onelife Capital Advisors came out with its initial public offer (IPO) in September 2011 to raise Rs 36.85 crore. According to the regulator, there were non-disclosures or mis-statements in the red herring prospectus (RHP) filed by Atherstone. "I also conclude that there were certain material developments that took place subsequent to the filing of RHP which were neither updated in the prospectus nor informed to the investors through advertisements," he noted. The regulator said that Atherstone as a Sebi- registered intermediary failed to conduct its duties as merchant banker which resulted mis-statement and non-disclosures in the prospectus relating to main objects of IPO. "Such gross failure on the part of noticee affects the trust and confidence of investors on Sebi registered intermediary and therefore the conduct of noticee cannot be viewed leniently. I consider it a fit case for imposition of penalty that meets the ends of justice,"the adjudicating officer noted. Accordingly, the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) has levied a fine of Rs 12 lakh on Artherstone for violating ICDR (Issue of Capital & Disclosure) regulations as well as code of conduct for merchant bankers. The party is also set to move a no-confidence motion against the central government. (Photo: PTI/File) Amaravati: The Telugu Desam Party after breaking alliance with NDA on Friday accused the Bharatiya Janata Party of not keeping its promises and added that BJP stands for 'Break Janta Promise.' Telugu Desam Party (TDP) led by Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Friday snapped ties with the BJP and exited the alliance with NDA. The party is also set to move a no-confidence motion against the central government. Following TDP's decision, party ministers staged protest in front of Mahatma Gandhi statue in Parliament and raise slogans of 'We want justice, NDA talaq, talaq, talaq.' #WATCH TDP MPs stage protest in front of Mahatma Gandhi statue in Parliament, raise slogans of 'We want justice, NDA talaq, talaq, talaq.' pic.twitter.com/qOWDBOqO9q ANI (@ANI) March 16, 2018 The TDP had been at loggerheads with the Centre over the demand for special status for Andhra Pradesh. Also Read: TDP snaps ties with NDA, to move no-confidence motion against Modi govt "BJP has cheated Telugu people, this time also they have succeeded in doing so, we will be moving a no-confidence motion in the Parliament," Andhra Pradesh minister KS Jawahar said. TDP lawmaker Thota Narsimhan also said that the party will give a serious no confidence motion in Parliament with at least 50 signatures as is mandated. Terming the move as unfortunate, TDP's YS Chowdary who earlier quit from the Union Cabinet, said, "We tried our best to be together but the present government ignored the sentiments and emotions of people of Andhra Pradesh". Andhra Pradesh Congress Committee President N Raghuveera Reddy said that the Congress will support no-confidence motion against the Centre by TDP and YSR Congress Party. Along with the Congress, CPI(M) and All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) have also extended support to TDP's no-confidence motion against the Centre. West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee also welcomed the TDP's decision to quit the NDA and urged all opposition parties to work closely together against "atrocities, economic calamities and political instability". "I welcome the TDP's decision to leave the NDA. The current situation warrants such action to save the country from disaster," Mamata Banerjee said in a tweet. "I appeal to all political parties in the Opposition to work closely together against atrocities, economic calamity and political instability," she added. Earlier on Thursday, Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu had said that Prime Minister Modi is trying to repeat in Andhra Pradesh what he has done in Tamil Nadu where BJP supported OPS faction against EPS in the AIADMK. (With PTI inputs) A Twitter user named Chetan Joshi tweeted, It is so irritating when someone forgets to put noun #ItsTeluguNotTelegu. Similarly its not Kannad, its Kannada. Its not Karnatak, its Karnataka. It is not Tamil Nad, Its Tamil Nadu, Its not Keral, its kerala, [sic]. Hyderabad: Natives of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana have taken it upon themselves to teach Netizens the correct spellings of Telangana and Telugu. Several people have been expressing their opinions regarding developments in the Telugu-speaking states of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, however, not all of them have been spelling Telugu right. Many of them have been writing Telegu instead. Annoyed by this, natives of the Telugu states have launched a hashtag campaign, using the hashtags #ItsTeluguNotTelegu and #ItsTelanganaNotTelengana on Facebook and Twitter, to educate people. A Twitter user named Chetan Joshi tweeted, It is so irritating when someone forgets to put noun #ItsTeluguNotTelegu. Similarly its not Kannad, its Kannada. Its not Karnatak, its Karnataka. It is not Tamil Nad, Its Tamil Nadu, Its not Keral, its kerala,[sic]. Some users have even gone on to explain that according to a rule of Telugu, all native words end in vowels, which is why the language is called Italian of the east. An expert pointed out, People are not aware of how to spell Telugu. Hindi speakers tend to pronounce Telugu incorrectly because the letter e is the front vowel while the letter u is the back vowel. There are some rules in languages like Hindi, which make the word Telugu sound very unusual. However, experts believe that if taught, Hindi speakers can also pronounce the word correctly. In the past, there have been instances of the Prime Ministers Office spelling the words Telangana and Telugu incorrectly in tweets. Lahore: Mumbai attack mastermind and Jamaat-ud-Dawah chief Hafiz Saeed on Thursday filed a petition in the Lahore High Court, challenging a notification of the interior ministry of Pakistan to ban his social welfare activities. Saeed filed the petition through his counsel advocate AK Dogar. He submitted to the LHC that the interior ministry on February 10 issued a notification with regard to freezing bank accounts and taking over assets associated with the Jamaat-ud-Dawah and Falah-i-Insaaniyat Foundation under the Anti-Terrorism (amendment) Ordinance 2018. The government of Pakistan acted under the pressure of foreign powers, including UN and India, he said and contended that Pakistan is a sovereign independent state and makes its own laws to govern its citizens. If there is a conflict between the laws of the land and any provision of United Nations Security Counsel Act, 1948, the law of the land shall prevail, he said. The founder of Lashkara-e-Taiba further said the FIF owns 369 ambulances, helped 72,000 persons to charity hospitals and treated 600,000 patients only in 2017. JuD dug out 2000 wells for supplying water in Tharparkar, Baluchistan and Balochistan. He pleaded the court to declare the impugned notification of the interior ministry null and void with regard to taking over the assets of the organisations. Separately, Saeed last week challenged the presidential ordinance under which his group has been banned for being on the watch-list of the United Nations in the Islamabad High Court. President Mamnoon Hussain last month promulgated an ordinance amending the Anti-Terrorism Act, 1997 with regards to proscription of terrorist individuals and organisations to include entities listed by the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) -- in a move to declare Hafiz Saeed-linked JuD and Falah-i-Insaniyat Foundation (FIF) as proscribed groups. Saeed, who is accused of having masterminded the November 2008 Mumbai attack, was placed on the terrorism black list by the United Nations in December 2008. The banned Jamaat-ud-Dawah (JuD) head was released from the house arrest in November last year after the Pakistan government decided against detaining him further in any other case. He was under house arrest since January last year. At least two militants have been killed in an encounter with security forces which broke out after a failed bid to snatch the weapon of the personal security guard (PSO) of a BJP leader. The terrorists yesterday tried to snatch the service rifle of constable Bilal Ahmad, who is the PSO of BJP leader Anwar Khan, at Balhama in Pulwama district. The police personnel accompanying Khan foiled the attempt, during which Ahmad received a bullet injury. "Bodies of two militants have been recovered so far. Their identities are being ascertained," a police spokesman said. "Incriminating materials, which include weapon and ammunition, have been recovered as well," he said. Searches are going on at the encounter site as there were reports of a third militant as well at the time of weapon snatching attempt. En el 2015 se incremento el numero de turistas que visito el valle del Colca, en Arequipa: Cortesia: Camila Chavez Mazzei The Supreme Court on Friday dismissed a plea by Bimal Gurung, president of Gorkha Janmukti Morcha, seeking direction for probe by an independent agency into criminal cases lodged against him and others by the West Bengal government following their agitation for a separate Gorkhaland. The top court relied upon material indicating that the situation in Darjeeling and Kalimpong districts had deteriorated and insurgency and violent agitations continued unabated causing severe damage to live and property. "The protest is no longer peaceful and democratic (since May 2017). The offences with regard to which various FIRs have been lodged cannot be rejected as false and concocted," a bench of Justices A K Sikri and Ashok Bhushan said. The bench said it cannot be a case of individual's persecution by the state authority. It cannot exercise jurisdiction to transfer the cases en masse to an independent agency, the court said. Gurung claimed false cases were lodged against him to quell peaceful demonstrations held as part of his fundamental right. He claimed police firing claimed lives of several party workers, while the FIRs related to killing of his own party colleagues were unbelievable. "The cases lodged in the FIR submitted at the instance of the police or other complainants cannot be discarded on the specious pleas that they have been lodged due to bias of the state," the bench added. Upholds police action The court said it was an obligation of the police officers to register an FIR and they are neither required to await any instructions from any authority or state nor do they have to abdicate their obligation under the Criminal Procedure Code. Gurung, who spearheaded the agitation for a separate land, was named in 31 cases for various offences of murder, attempt to murder, rioting and others, along with other people. The state government provided details indicating that in 56 cases the petitioner was accused and there were a total 371 cases, registered after May 2017 for various subversive activities. Worried about lack of student's interest in science, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday asked every scientist to spend 100 hours in a year with 100 students to open up the doors of the scientific world to the young minds. "I call upon scientists to develop an appropriate mechanism for interaction with school-going children. I also urge them, to spend 100 hours every year, with 100 students of class 10,11 and 12 discussing various aspects of science and technology. Hundred hours and 100 students, imagine how many scientists we can nurture this way!" Modi said inaugurating the 105 session of the Indian Science Congress here. The Prime Minister's appeal is the latest in a series of initiatives that the government is undertaking to bring bright students back to science research. "We have to throw open our national institutions and laboratories to our children. This will help inculcate scientific temper among the youth. It will also excite and attract our young minds to a career in science," he said. Asking the scientists to work on solving the socio-economic problems facing the country, Modi said R&D should be redefined as research for the development of the nation. "It is time to reclaim our rightful place among the front-line nations in this field," Modi said, asking the scientists to take the research out of the laboratories to the field. However, the Prime Minister cut short his visit at the university and skipped two regular events a prize distribution to award-winning scientists and a tea party with Indian Science Congress Association executive council members and the award winners a as he left for a political rally on the completion of one year of the BJP government in Manipur. The Union government on Friday told the Supreme Court that it would not damage the mythological 'Ram Sethu' for constructing the Sethusamudram ship channel project in "the interest of the nation". "The Government of India intends to explore an alternative to the earlier alignment of Sethusamudram ship channel project without affecting/damaging the Adam's Bridge/Ram Sethu in the interest of the nation," the Ministry of Shipping said in a one-page affidavit. The stand taken by the NDA government is contrary to affidavits filed by the UPA government in 2013 on February 22 and September 11. The former government had said that, given the advantages, the government intended to pursue the implementation of the project, wherein the channel between Tamil Nadu and Sri Lanka was to be dredged. The incumbent government is of the opinion that "considering the socio-economic disadvantages, the Government of India does not want to implement the said alignment." The government also urged a bench of Chief Justice Dipak Misra and justices A M Khanwilkar and D Y Chandrachud that the matter should now be disposed of. BJP leader Subramanian Swamy Swamy had filed a PIL against the ship channel project and had sought direction to the Centre that the mythological Ram Sethu be not touched. He mentioned the matter before the court, saying an affidavit was to be filed by the Union government in the matter. Additional Solicitor General Pinky Anand said the affidavit would be filed during the course of the day. Two militants believed to be members of 'Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind' were killed while a paramilitary trooper was injured in an overnight encounter between security forces and ultras in Khonmoh area on the outskirts of Srinagar, police said on Friday. The encounter erupted Thursday late afternoon at Khonmoh after militants attacked policemen guarding a state BJP leader. The policemen repulsed the attack during which one of them was wounded. Immediately after the attack contingents of army, paramilitary CRPF and police cordoned off the area. Reports said, militants while trying to escape from the area were holed up inside a residential locality. "The exchange of fire started after militants refused the offer of security forces to lay down arms," police said. "Several residential houses were damaged in the stand-off and the holed up militants were neutralised in the morning. A CRPF paramilitary trooper was also wounded while fighting these militants." The slain militants have been identified as Owais Ahmad and Shabir Ahmad, both locals. A top police official said that the bodies were identified by their families and added they belonged to 'Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind', Al Qaeda cell in Kashmir, which has been in headlines since its formation in July last year. Earlier this week, a militant from Hyderabad city of Telangana, identified by police as Muhammad Taufeeq, was killed along with his two Kashmir associates in south Kashmir's Anantnag district. The Ansar claimed that Taufeeq had started his jihadi journey in 2017 after migration from Hyderabad city to the mountains of Kashmir and was among the first in the ranks of the outfit led by Zakir Musa. Although Toufeeq was not the first one to come down to Kashmir to join militancy, his being associated with an international terror outfit has caused alarm bells within the security establishment in Kashmir who hope it shouldn't become a trend for others to follow. "JK police hopes that Taufeeq is the first and last militant (from any Indian State) to join Ansar Gazwat-ul-Hind in Kashmir. ISIS is not in the interest of Kashmir and I am hopeful it ends with him," state police chief Shesh Pal Vaid told reporters. Ten years back, two militants from Kerala associated with Lashkar-e-Taiba had died fighting security forces in Kupwara. And then there was Sandeep Kumar, a militant from Uttar Pradesh, who was captured by the police in the south Kashmir last year. He was also a member of Lashkar. "We are looking into the developments very closely. We can't say whether he (Taufeeq) was the first or last militant from any Indian state to join IS and to operate in Kashmir," inspector general of police (IGP) Kashmir, Swayam Prakash Pani said. A number of militants from various terror outfits, including indigenous Hizbul Mujahideen, have joined the Ansar in recent months, thus swelling its ranks. YSR Congress president Y S Jaganmohan Reddy today said the TDP had "woken up" to the needs of Andhra Pradesh by moving a no-confidence motion against the Narendra Modi government over special status to the state. His remark came after the TDP this morning quit the NDA following the Centre's refusal to give the state Special Category Status (SCS). The no-confidence motion was moved by TDP leader Thota Narasimham in the Lok Sabha. Terming the TDP's decision a "win for democracy", Reddy asserted his party would continue to fight for Special Category Status (SCS) for Andhra Pradesh. "After 4 years of relentless struggle and fight by YSRCP with people's support for Special Category Status; finally the nation, including @ncbn's TDP wakes up!" Jagan said in a tweet. He said that even if guided by political compulsion, the TDP had to yet again follow the YSRCP's lead of moving a no-confidence motion against the Centre for not granting SCS to the state. "Win for democracy & people of AP. YSRCP will continue to fight for SCS, the rights of the people of AP," Reddy, who is also the Leader of Opposition in Andhra Pradesh, said in another tweet. The YSRC had yesterday issued a notice to the Lok Sabha Secretary-General for moving a no-confidence motion against the NDA government. It said that this was for failing to implement the AP Reorganisation Act, 2014, and also the promises made in Rajya Sabha by the then prime minister Manmohan Singh, including grant of special status. Initially, the main opposition party in Andhra Pradesh wanted to move the motion on March 21, but with indications that the Lok Sabha may be adjourned sine die ahead of schedule, it decided to move the motion today. The TDP, which last evening announced support for the no-confidence motion, today decided to move a motion on its own. "Supporting a no-confidence motion moved by a thieves' party (YSRC) will send wrong signals to the people. Hence, we should move a motion on our own," TDP president and Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu told his party leaders via a tele-conference. "YSRC's notice (for a no-trust motion) will have only five signatures whereas we have 16. It will be easy for us to muster support of 51 MPs (required for the motion to be taken up)," Chandrababu said. He alleged that the BJP was enacting a "drama" through Jagan and Jana Sena chief Pawan Kalyan. "You move a no-confidence motion and make your MPs resign. We will grant SCS and make believe it happened only because of you. That's the BJP drama through Jagan," the chief minister alleged. The TDP chief said that the BJP was enacting "another drama" through Kalyan by asking him to launch a fast-unto-death. "People are watching all this and they will teach a fitting lesson," he said. The leader of Canada's third party in parliament, who will challenge Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in elections next year, faced a backlash over his affiliations with Sikh separatists. Jagmeet Singh, leader of the New Democratic Party, was a keynote speaker at a rally in San Francisco in 2015 for an independent Sikh homeland to be carved out of India, known as Khalistan, Canadian media reported. Behind him on stage was a large poster of Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, the leader of an armed extremist group who died in a shootout with Indian forces. In his speech, translated from Punjabi for the daily Globe and Mail, Singh accused India of "genocide" against Sikhs in the Golden Temple assault. The National Post also reported on Singh's attendance at another event in 2016 organized by the British-based National Sikh Youth Federation, which advocates for an independent Khalistan. Singh has said he does not condone terrorism or acts of violence. "Terrorism can never be seen as a way to advance the cause of any one group. It only leads to suffering, pain and death," he said in a statement. In February, Singh defended Sikh Liberal government ministers who were photographed with a Canadian man convicted of attempting to assassinate a visiting Indian official in 1986 in retaliation for the Golden Temple assault. "I reject the baseless attacks against Canadian cabinet ministers, and we should be wary of any international interference in our political affairs especially when it's targeted at minorities such as members of the Sikh community," he said. "The Indian government has a troubling record of conflating human rights advocacy with extremism for their own political benefit." The photo taken at a Mumbai mixer and an invitation to dinner in New Delhi with Trudeau, which was rescinded, caused embarrassment for Trudeau during his recent trip to India -- which was already dogged by suspicions that Canada was soft on Sikh separatists. Canadian Sikhs number nearly 500,000 and account for roughly 1.4 per cent of Canada's population, according to a 2016 census, and hold sway in some key electoral districts. Days after Stephen Hawking's death, Union Science Minister Harsh Vardhan claimed the celebrated British physicist on record stated that Vedas might be having theories superior to Einstein's famous mass-energy conversion formula. "Hawking on record said that Vedas might have a theory superior to E equals to MC Square (E=MC2) formula," Vardhan said at the inauguration of the 105th session of the Indian Science Congress attended by nearly 5000 researchers at the Manipur University campus here on Friday. In a subsequent media interaction, Vardhan stuck to the astounding claims he made at the inaugural function. Asked to disclose his source of information, the minister said, "You do your own research, and if you fail you come to me in Delhi. But Hawking said that on record." While no such reference is known in Hawking's academic publications and popular titles, a search on Google leads one to the website of Institute of Scientific Research on Vedas (I-SERVE), which on its home page has an article with the heading Stephen Hawking's Opinion on the Science in Vedas. A sub-headline of the article reads Vedas might have a theory superior to Einstein's law E=MC*2. At the end of the articles, two emails were given a a Nov 2013 request by I-SERVE chairman K V Krishnamurthy to Hawking to comment on an article titled The World Beyond Fermions (Vedic Model) presented in the 2nd International Conference on Advanced Materials at Jaingsu University, Jaingsu, China and subsequently published in Avagadro Journal of Chemistry. Hawking didn't make any comment on the request. An email from Jonathan Wood, Hawking's technical assistant reads: "As you can imagine, Prof. Hawking receives many such (emails) every day. He very much regrets that due to the severe limitations he works under, and the enormous number of requests he receives, he is unable to compose a reply to every message, and we do not have the resources to deal with many of the specific scientific inquiries and theories we receive." "Its a pathetic and futile exercise to find out references of ancient Indian wisdom in modern science which began 300 years ago with Galileo. It's a useless and defensive exercise and shows a deep sense of inadequacy," astrophysicist Rajesh Kochhar who worked at the Indian Institute of Astrophysics, Bengaluru and extensively researched on the Vedas told DH. This is not the first time unsubstantiated scientific claims on India's ancient wisdom was made at the Indian Science Congress. In the 2015 Science Congress in Mumbai, an outlandish claim was made on the ancient knowledge of building and flying an aircraft hundreds of years before the first airplane was made by the Wright Brothers. The I-SERVE article also carries a Facebook post, with the same article. On its website, I-SERVE claims it is a scientific research institute dedicated to dig out the technical details of Vedic sciences from ancient Indian literature. It is registered as a charitable non-profit trust and recognised as a scientific and industrial research organization by the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, Ministry of Science and Technology. The All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) has readied a plan to support the participation of "meritorious" students of the country's technical institutes in international contests organised abroad. The executive committee of the technical education regulator has recently approved rolling out of scheme with an estimated outlay of Rs 2.5 crore per annum. The move is aimed at promoting the spirit of innovation and research among the budding technocrats. The council has formulated the scheme in view of "a massive response" from students of country's technical institutes to a nationwide contest, titled 'Hackathon,' organised under the aegis of the AICTE to promote innovation and research since 2016. "The executive committee has cleared the launch of the scheme to support students for participating in competitions abroad," official sources told DH. AICTE chairman Anil Sahasrabudhe chaired the meeting of the regulator's executive council. "For the implementation of the scheme, the executive committee also approved an annual budget proposal of Rs 2.5 crore," sources said. Under the scheme, there would not be any limit on the number of teams to be sent abroad to participate in international competitions "as long as the teams have won the national level contest," they said. The scheme will be rolled out once it gets the nod from the Human Resource Development (HRD) ministry, they added. LIMA- PERU- 21 DICIEMBRE. Se niega la vacancia al Presidente de la Republica Pedro Pablo Kuczynski en el pleno del Congreso. Foto: ANDINA/Eddy Ramos. Former Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav on Friday quoted an English daily to argue how he and his father had been "implicated" in the land-for-hotel scam despite CBI saying that "there was no evidence against Lalu Prasad." Targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi as well as Bihar's Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi for being vindictive towards Lalu (and spreading canard about his family), Tejashwi quoted the newspaper report to buttress his point. "The newspaper report says that when the CBI's Economic Offences Division pressed for lodging of an FIR against Lalu Prasad in June last year (in land-for-hotel scam), the probe agency's legal wing (also known as Directorate of Prosecution) opposed it, saying that there was no evidence to show Prasad had influenced officials or that the land transfer was a quid pro quo," said Tejashwi. In June 2017, Lalu was charged with handing over the running of IRCTC hotels in Ranchi and Puri to Sujata Hotels Pvt Ltd after allegedly receiving prime land in Patna through benami company when he was railway minister in UPA-I. "Lalu ji has always maintained that he had no role in this episode. Today, the newspaper report has vindicated our stand," said Tejashwi, the Leader of the Opposition in the Bihar Assembly. "The fact is that all these legal cases were used by Nitish Kumar as an excuse to sever ties with the RJD-Congress, and join hands with the BJP-led NDA. Had we too compromised with our ideology and succumbed to BJP's pressure tactics, chances are I would have been the Chief Minister of Bihar today," said Tejashwi lashing out at his opponents. Meanwhile, reacting to a video which went viral in Araria where some youths are seen chanting slogans in favour of Pakistan after the RJD victory, Tejashwi said, "Let there be an investigation by the Forensic Lab whether it's a doctored video or not. Because the BJP has been hell-bent upon disturbing the communal harmony in the area. There is every possibility that the video could be a handiwork of anti-social elements who want to disturb the amity in Araria." The Supreme Court on Friday reserved its judgement on a plea for an independent probe into death of Mumbai judge B H Loya on December 1, 2014, as the Maharashtra government contended that the petitioners intended to target a political person by whipping up a frenzy on the facade of protecting judiciary and rule of law. A bench of Chief Justice Dipak Misra and Justices A M Khanwilkar and D Y Chandrachud concluded the hearing into the petitions filed by Congress sympathiser Tehseen Poonawalla, Maharashtra-based journalist B S Lone, and Bombay Lawyers Association, among others. Giving his rejoinder arguments, senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, appearing for the state government, submitted the petitioners wanted to keep the pot boiling to convey a message that everybody including, judges, police, doctors were compromised. He said that this pernicious practice has to be stopped at the threshold. The judge, who was then hearing the Sohrabuddin Sheikh encounter case, had died in Nagpur where he had gone to attend marriage function of a colleague's daughter. BJP president Amit Shah, one of the accused, was subsequently discharged. Rohatgi said the CJI as pater familias (head of a family) has got a duty to protect judges and to ensure that the rule of law flourished. "If this pernicious tendency is allowed, the judiciary will not remain the same as the judges from district courts and Bombay High Courts have been targetted for giving statements in Maharashtra Intelligence chief's inquiry and finding nothing amiss," he said. The matter relating to the death of judge Loya lay dead for them for three years until 'Caravan' magazine published "completely false" reports in November, last. "See the extent to which the petitioners have gone. There is a limit to absurdity. One of them says all four judges, who were with Loya, are suspect. Another says he wants to cross-examine those judges and another one wants the court to initiate contempt proceedings against an administrative committee of the Bombay High Court," Rohatgi submitted. "They asked why the discreet inquiry into death was concluded in three days instead of 30. Questions were asked why he was taken to a particular hospital and why he was taken in an auto-rickshaw, though he was taken in judges' car," he contended. "Even a small child will say Narendra Modi has done injustice to Andhra Pradesh" said Telugu Desam Party President and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu on Friday hours after pulling out of the NDA. Launching the attack on Modi from the state legislative council in Amaravati, where he introduced a resolution condemning the injustice meted out to the state, Naidu accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of deliberately ignoring the state. This is the first time that Naidu ever took Modi's name and criticized. When a BJP member tried to object on taking Modi's name, Naidu said, "If a person in the state does not get pension, they will criticise the chief minister. Same is the case with a prime minister". Naidu said that a vengeful centre will hound him but he is not afraid of anybody. "My state and its development are my only concerns. I can face any challenge in my journey towards this direction", he declared. Naidu wondered how the Prime Minister is entertaining those accused in serious economic frauds. "What signals are you sending, by entertaining YS Jaganmohan Reddy and his party MP Vijay Sai Reddy who were accused in serious economic fraud cases. "Vijay Sai Reddy rushes to Bihar and releases his pictures with president nominee Ramnath Kovind. Does this not send signals to ED (Enforcement Directorate) and investigating agencies to be careful? "Naidu questioned Modi and BJP leadership. He saw a pattern in Jaganmohan Reddy getting relief in cases one after other. The Chief Minister wondered why the PM could not spare an hour to talk on the issues concerning Andhra Pradesh, when MPs from the friendly party were agitating in the Parliament. Earlier during an informal chat with the reporters Naidu reportedly commented that if Nirav Modi was able to leave India happily, Jagan could also come out of cases. Grofers, the Gurugram based grocery delivery firm, on Friday, raised Rs 400 crore (around $62 million) in a Series E round led by existing investor Japanese Internet conglomerate SoftBank. In a statement, Grofers also said the funding round also saw other investors including Tiger Global and Apoletto Asia. Total funds raised by the leading e-grocer thus stand at $226.5 million. With this new Series E round, Grofers will continue to invest in building private labels and supply chain improvements. A significant amount of investment will go towards building infrastructure and technology and efficient supply chain management to achieve deeper penetration in existing Grofers cities. Commenting on the development, Grofers Co-Founder and CEO Albinder Dhindsa said the fresh round by our existing investors is a vote of confidence and trust in the turnaround at Grofers. "We took some hard decisions to fix parts of the business that were not scaling well. Our efforts have clearly contributed in making sure we have a clear path to profitability as well as the largest market share in the online grocery segment; having grown four-fold in the last one year for monthly sales in excess of Rs 100 crore," said Dhinsa. Grofers, founded by Saurabh Kumar and Albinder Dhindsa in 2013, currently clocks an average of 25,000 orders a day with an order value of Rs 1400. The company has previously raised $166.5 million from investors like SoftBank, Sequoia Capital and Tiger Global. Grofers also raised fund from Russian entrepreneur Yuri Milner among others. The company currently has 25 warehouses consisting of 1.1 million square feet space. The online grocer recently launched its loyalty programme called Grofers Smart Bachat Club, which has already crossed 100,000 subscribers in 2 months. Market analysts observe that overall online grocery market in India is expected to move up the curve and touch $1 billion by this year compared to $600 million in 2016. Questions may be asked about the ability of Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led BJP to manage its allies- like the Shiv Sena and now the Telugu Desam Party (TDP)- under the NDA since the 2014 mandate. But what has come clear to many BJP leaders is that more than the dexterity of the top leaders, it's their unwillingness to deal with the "pressure tactics" of recalcitrant allies that has set their relationship's tenure. Behind the final parting of ways between the TDP and the BJP lies Modi's decision of not giving into Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu's "pressure tactics" to force the Centre to part with more money- without questions on fiscal displine and probity, they say. As the crisis brewed, Modi, who held strategy sessions with key central ministers in the run-up to the TDP's move, decided that no political point would be served by engaging Naidu on his "ever growing" financial demands. His politics was compelling him to go on a belligerent course as the TDP expected him to come with more money before tangible results could be got from the already spent funds. Though his publicly stated grievance is that New Delhi went back on its promise on granting special category status to Andhra Pradesh, senior BJP ministers insist that the "real issue" is that Naidu is no more willing to let the Centre exercise supervision amid criticism on the money spent by the state government so far. The Centre has been at the receiving end of many complaints including from the state governor and its own monitoring agencies, which have highlighted instances of irregularities and non-receipt of "utilisation certificates" of allocations already made over the last three years. In what the BJP leaders saw a replay of the 2014 campaign when Naidu made the Congress the principal villain for bifurcating the state into Andhra Pradesh and Telganana, Naidu wanted to approach his voters in 2019 with the plank that the BJP played spoilsport in his mission to "develop" the state. "This was the only way he felt he could thwart serious challenge posed by rival Y S R Congress led by Jagmohan Reddy" said another senior BJP minister. Four years ago, the TDP-BJP alliance won the Andhra Pradesh Assembly elections and 17 of the 25 Lok Sabha seats from the state. Officially, the BJP has called the TDP's latest move as an "inevitable" one, saying it offers a "timely opportunity for the BJP" to grow in Andhra Pradesh. But challenges lies ahead for the BJP in the state. From 1996 to 2004, Naidu exuded powera first as the convener of the United Front and thereafter as the support provider to the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government from outside. But since 2014 mandate to Modi, Naidu has had difficult innings, TDP leaders say. The number of divorced and separated women in the country has increased by over nine lakh from 2001 to 2011, with Maharashtra leading the tally with 11,9554 such women, the parliament was informed today. In a written reply in Rajya Sabha, Minister of State for Women and Child Development Ministry Virendra Kumar said while the number of divorced and separated women was more than 23 lakh in 2001, it rose to 32 lakh in 2011. "The ministry of women and child development is implementing the Swadhar Greh scheme for women victims who are in need of institutional support for rehabilitation so that they can lead their life with dignity...A new home for widows with a capacity of 1,000 inmates has also been constructed at Vrindavan in Uttar Pradesh," the minister said. The most number of divorced and separated women are in Maharashtra (11,9554) followed by Andhra Pradesh (11,0212), Tamil Nadu (92,483) and Karnataka (74,313), Kumar said. The least number of divorced and separated women are in Lakshadweep (35) followed by Daman Diu (96) and 363 in Andaman and Nicobar Island. The data, the minister said, had been culled from the census of 2001 and 2011. Private sector lender YES Bank has sold 2.17% stake in Fortis Healthcare, out of over 17% stake it acquired last month. In a regulatory filing, YES Bank said it had sold 1.12 crore shares representing 2.17% stake of Fortis Healthcare in the open market between February 23 and March 15, 2018. YES Bank had acquired 17.31% stake in Fortis Healthcare following invocation of nearly nine crore pledged shares last month. "YES Bank has acquired 8,97,81,906 equity shares having nominal value of Rs 10 per share of the company pursuant to invocation of pledge on the said equity shares subsequent to default by promoter group companies in the credit facility provided by the bank," Fortis Healthcare had said. The shares were acquired by YES Bank on February 16, consequent upon invocation of pledge on these shares, it added. On February 15, the Supreme Court lifted its stay on sale of shares of Fortis Healthcare pledged with banks by the promoters Singh brothers (Malvinder Mohan Singh and Shivinder Mohan Singh) before August 31, allowing financial institutions, including Axis Bank and Yes Bank, to sell the pledged shares. Subsequently, the stake of promoter firm Fortis Healthcare Holdings along with promoters (Singh brothers) and other family entities have come down to 5.87% from 34.43% earlier. Steve Lehman's Selebeyone continued Lehman studied with two of the most cerebral jazz musician-professors, Anthony Braxton at Wesleyan and George Lewis at Columbia University, but also learned from the great bop saxophonist-turned-teacher Jackie McLean and from various contemporary classical composers. With doctorate in hand, he went to France on a Fulbright scholarship, won prestigious awards, and became a professor at the California Institute of the Arts. He has written scholarly articles on musical composition, pedagogy, and history; lectured at universities and music laboratories in the U.S. and Europe; and is recognized in jazz as well as contemporary classical circles as a busy musician. His latest adventure, only three years old, is seemingly unexpected from a refined academic: a rapping ensemble named Selebeyone. Selebeyone ("intersection") is described as "a collaborative project that draws from Senegalese Rap, French Spectral Music, Modern Jazz, Underground Hip-Hop, Interactive Electronics, and beyond." This is an ambitious program, to be sure. In the past, some rappers have added jazz solos or sampled various recordings as part of their eclectic bag of tricks, while others have been more involved with the jazz scene. Lehman and his companions go beyond this, heeding the call of earlier pioneers in the blending of jazz and modern African American popular music such as Miles Davis and Ornette Coleman, who did not simply borrow elements to enhance their chosen music but sought to create a new synthesis of forms. The front line of Selebeyone consists of two saxophonists, Lehman and his French onetime student Maciek Lasserre, working in tandem with two rappers, Gaston Bandimic (in the Senegalese Wolof language) and Hprizm (in English). Maverick lawyer and RJD's Rajya Sabha member Ram Jethmalani has now thrown his weight behind Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee, whom he described as his "selected heroine as the ruler of Indian democracy". His declaration comes in a letter after three rebel BJP leaders - Yashwant Sinha, Arun Shourie and Shatrughnan Sinha - reached out to Jethmalani in their fight against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the saffron party. In a letter to the trio, 94-year-old Jethmalani said they had demanded his cooperation in taking the place of Modi and his colleagues. He was elected to the Rajya Sabha from Bihar on an RJD ticket for the sixth time in 2016. "I am sorry I have thrown my lot and talent at the total disposal of Mamata Banerjee and she has responded beautifully to my gesture and spoken out bravely hat she would destroy the present BJP regime...I write this to make the lady of Bengal who is my selected heroine as the ruler of Indian democracy," Jethmalani, who was expelled from the BJP in 2013, said. The letter has come as a surprise to Sinha and others. "We had been talking to Ram but no one had requested him to take the lead given his age. We had been meeting and discussing issues with him. Neither did we contradict him when he expressed support for Mamata Banerjee. So we are surprised why he wrote the letter," Sinha said. Off late, Mamata has been positioning herself as possible face of the Opposition in the run-up to the next Lok Sabha elections. The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) allies LJP and Akali Dal on Friday cautioned the BJP, saying the 2019 Lok Sabha elections could take a difficult turn. Chirag Paswan, an Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) MP and son of Union minister Ramvilas Paswan, said that allies were upset and if it is not addressed, the Lok Sabha polls could be a difficult game. He said Uttar Pradesh bypoll results, especially Gorakhpur being home turf of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath is a cause of worry. "The NDA, specifically BJP, needs to re-work strategy, more so when you have a huge majority both in UP and the Centre," he told reporters in Parliament House. Later he tweeted, "the essence of wisdom is timely preparation. Perhaps an assessment of why despite noble intentions and a leadership like that of PM Modi, we have slipped slightly in the Hindi Heartland. Concerned as our commitment to NDA ideals remain unwavering." His comments came against the backdrop of TDP pulling out of the NDA and the Shiv Sena making ground for leaving the alliance. Jiten Ram Manjhi's Hindustani Awam Morcha had recently walked out of the NDA. Akali Dal senior MP Naresh Gujral said, "the government can still get the TDP back if the BJP leadership considers the demands of Chandrababu Naidu. Regional parties had played a crucial role in the BJP's victory in 2014, but now they are being ignored." However, he said the Akali Dal will continue its alliance with the BJP in Punjab as it is not only on a political alliance but also a social alliance. "We do not want any complication in the Hindu-Sikh brotherhood and for that, this alliance is very important," he added. A 70-year-old was reportedly beheaded by a group of 40 armed men in Darbhanga on Friday. The attack, as per the complaint of victim Ram Chandra Yadav's son Tej Narayan, took place following an altercation over naming of a town square after Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The police, however, termed the incident as a case of personal enmity and cited the murder of Yadav's son two years ago to buttress their point. According to Tej Narayan, his father, a die-hard Modi supporter, was explaining to the locals the rationale behind naming the roundabout 'Narendra Modi chowk'. "In the meantime, around 40 men, armed with sticks and swords, reached the spot. Following an altercation, the armed youth, mostly RJD supporters, beheaded my father," Tej told police. "When my elder brother Kamal Dev tried to intervene, he was also brutally assaulted," Tej said. Kamal Dev is recuperating at Darbhanga Medical College. The district police, led by DSP Dilnawaz Ahmad, rushed to the incident site. "We are probing the matter from all angles," said the DSP. He said the history of personal enmity, particularly the case related to a land dispute, will also be looked into. BJP supporters blocked the road following Yadav's killing. The blockade was lifted after police arrested some of the named accused. Emboldened by the dent in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's aura of invincibility, Congress is keen to return to coalition politics but the eagerness may not reflect in the AICC Plenary starting Saturday to set the party's agenda for the next five years. Top Congress leaders went into a huddle on Friday evening to finalise the agenda for the Plenary the first after Rahul Gandhi became the party president that is expected to highlight the failures of the Modi government and show the way forward. After Congress' humiliating loss in the 2014 ,Lok Sabha polls and subsequent electoral reversals, Gandhi is expected to share his vision on how to recoup from its weaknesses, add to its strengths and demonstrate that it can "hold hands and walk together" despite divergent views on issues. UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi has already initiated the process of getting leaders of Opposition parties on board to form an anti-BJP coalition for the Lok Sabha elections next year. But a greater challenge awaits the Congress to rebuild itself across the country, particularly in big states such as Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal and Odisha where it has been reduced to being a marginal player. "The political resolution will provide a mirror to the current political situation and will focus on adding to the strengths of the Congress as well as recouping from the weaknesses," a senior party leader said. The Subjects Committee meeting comprising about 70 leaders, including chief ministers from Congress-ruled states, state unit chiefs, members of the working committee finalised the four resolutions that would be adopted at the Plenary over the next two days. The meeting was chaired by Rahul Gandhi and attended by his predecessor Sonia Gandhi, former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Chief Ministers Siddaramaiah and Amarinder Singh, among others. Three-part resolutions The resolutions are likely to be divided into three parts failures of the NDA; comparison of the Modi government with the Congress-led UPA on key policies; and the broad outlook for the future. "There was no talk of alliances at the meeting of the Subjects Committee," a senior leader told DH. However, there will be a mention on coalition in a subtle manner without indicating any eagerness to stitch alliances, the leader said. The Congress is also expected to make a pitch for linking agriculture to the government's flagship rural jobs scheme MGNREGA as a solution to address agrarian distress. Co-operation between India and France promises to scale new heights in the wake of agreements signed during French President Emmanuel Macron's visit to India. Fourteen agreements spanning the seas and space were signed during the visit. Foremost among them is one under which India and France will provide each other's militaries "logistical support" at their naval bases. This will provide a huge shot in the arm to India's naval reach in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. France retains control over the Reunion and Mayotte Islands in the Indian Ocean and New Caledonia and French Polynesia in the South Pacific. It also has a permanent military presence in Djibouti in the Horn of Africa and in the United Arab Emirates. The recent agreement will enable Indian vessels access to facilities here. Indian naval vessels are already visiting the southern Indian Ocean. Access to French bases would enable our navy to deploy there for longer periods. It is evident that Delhi and Paris have firmed up the arrangement with China in mind. With submarines and warships of the People's Liberation Army Navy increasingly venturing into the Indian Ocean, the threat to India's national security and economic interests is growing. The maritime deal with France will enhance our capacity to counter challenges that may arise in waters far away from our own shores as well as protect sea lanes through which India's oil imports traverse. The maritime deal with France is similar to the one India signed with the United States in 2016. What makes the French deal more valuable to India is that France has stood by India far more resolutely than the Americans, whose support tends to weaken in situations where they need Pakistan's support. Indeed, Indian analysts are comparing France to the Soviet Union, whose support to India, especially on Kashmir in the UN Security Council and in the 1971 war with Pakistan, was invaluable. Russia's growing outreach to Pakistan in recent years has forced India to look for new partners. France, which maintains both an independent foreign policy while being loosely part of the larger Western alliance and a large defence-industrial base, could well fit the bill. India will need to tread carefully, however, with Indian Ocean island-nations. France, which is a dialogue partner of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) is keen to become a full member and will be looking to India to help it gain entry. But IORA is limited to Indian Ocean littoral states only, which France claims to be, thanks to the territories it continues to control here. Will India support France's claims against the wishes of our friends, Seychelles and Mauritius? Access to French bases in the Indian and Pacific Oceans will no doubt strengthen India's strategic ambitions. But it would come at a cost. It would silence India's voice against colonial exploitation. The Mallya Hospital administration has launched a probe into the controversial discharge summary of Vidwath L, after the doctor who treated him was criticised by the High Court of Karnataka. The hospital's plastic surgeon, Dr Anand, had signed the discharge summary of Vidwath, who was brutally thrashed by Mohammed Nalapad Haris - son of Shantinagar MLA N A Haris - and his associates in a brawl at Farzi Cafe in UB City. Hospital CEO Commodore Indru Wadhwani told DH that its ethics committee had met and will investigate the matter. "Dr Anand is very much part of the panel of doctors at the hospital. He's not being terminated as mentioned in some media reports. There's a procedure in investigating such matters and the hospital is just following it," Wadhwani said. Rejecting Nalapad's bail plea on Wednesday, high court Justice Sreenivas Harish Kumar had made some observations about the controversial discharge sheet in his order. "In my opinion, the doctor who has issued the discharge summary appears to have exceeded his limits," Justice Kumar had said. "It is very pertinent to mention here that the very same doctor goes to the extent of giving a statement about the fitness of Vidwath. He has also given a statement that Vidwath has been tutored to delay in giving a statement before the police. "If these statements of the doctor are taken into consideration, obliviously a question arises as to what is the interest that he has in giving these statements? Is he expected to give such statements? "The discharge summary shows that at least three to four doctors attended to the patient. When those doctors kept quiet, why did Dr Anand show interest in giving statements and writing something in his discharge summary, which is not expected to find a place in it? "Whether this Dr Anand was authorised to give the discharge summary is also disputed by the special public prosecutor. All these events only show that the doctor might have been under the influence of the petitioner (Nalapad) or his men. This is one way of tampering with evidence," the judge said, adding that the explanations by Nalapad's council on the discharge summary will be of no avail. Dr Anand's discharge summary was available with Haris before Vidwath could access it. The MLA promptly posted it on his Facebook page. The special public prosecutor argued over the MLA accessing the discharge summary in the court, claiming that Dr Anand is the brother of one of Haris' close associates. A gang of three men stabbed a 23-year-old nursing student and robbed his mobile phone in Soladevanahalli on Thursday night. David Robertson was walking towards his room when the incident happened, the police said. He is pursuing a diploma in nursing at a private college in the city, they said. According to the police, the incident happened around 10.30 pm. Was returning to hostel Robertson, a native of Kerala, was returning to his hostel after buying food from a nearby hotel. On the way, three men followed him and threatened him at knife point. As he resisted them, they attacked and stabbed him twice on his thigh. The victim started screaming and the suspect fled the spot after snatching his mobile phone. Robertson ran towards his hostel and told his roommates about the incident. He was rushed to a private hospital on Hesaraghatta main road, where he is undergoing treatment. The Soladevanahalli police have registered a case and are investigating. A meeting between the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) management and its employees' union conducted by the regional labour commissioner on Friday failed to reconcile their differences. Another meeting will be held on Monday to avoid the proposed strike called by the BMRCL employees. In the Friday's meeting at the labour commissioner's office, the BMRCL was represented by the officials from human resources, finance and legal departments while union leaders from the association also took part. The employees demanded that the BMRCL recognise their union and solve the wage issues and other grievances. "There was no positive outcome in the meeting, hence we have decided to go ahead with the strike on March 22," said Suryanarayana Murthy, vice president of the employees' union. However, he expressed hope that the BMRCL will agree to their demands in the Monday meeting. "The officers who make the decision are not coming to the meeting. Hence this meeting is not turning out to solve our grievances. We expect the senior officers to attend the Monday's meeting. If not, we will go ahead with the strike," he added. A BMRCL senior official said: "We are hoping the Monday's meeting with the employees will be successful." Security during strike The BMRCL is planning to write to the city police seeking protection to Metro stations on March 22, the day of the strike. Letters will be written to all local stations wherever the Metro stations are located. The request may be made by the assistant security officer of the Metro stations to deploy police for protection, sources told DH. Steve Lehman's Selebeyone At the intersection of jazz and rap by Piotr Michalowski From the March, 2018 issue Jazz studies have come far in the century that separates young Louis Armstrong picking up the cornet at the New Orleans "waif's home" from today's graduate music programs at major universities. What was once a folk music has become the subject of academic research and pedagogy, with classrooms taking the place of long apprenticeships, strings of one-nighters in clubs around the country, and all-night jam sessions. Alto saxophonist and composer Steve Lehman is one such savvy, university-trained musician. Lehman studied with two of the most cerebral jazz musician-professors, Anthony Braxton at Wesleyan and George Lewis at Columbia University, but also learned from the great bop saxophonist-turned-teacher Jackie McLean and from various contemporary classical composers. With doctorate in hand, he went to France on a Fulbright scholarship, won prestigious awards, and became a professor at the California Institute of the Arts. He has written scholarly articles on musical composition, pedagogy, and history; lectured at universities and music laboratories in the U.S. and Europe; and is recognized in jazz as well as contemporary classical circles as a busy musician. His latest adventure, only three years old, is seemingly unexpected from a refined academic: a rapping ensemble named Selebeyone. Selebeyone ("intersection") is described as "a collaborative project that draws from Senegalese Rap, French Spectral Music, Modern Jazz, Underground Hip-Hop, Interactive Electronics, and beyond." This is an ambitious program, to be sure. In the past, some rappers have added jazz solos or sampled various recordings as part of their eclectic bag of tricks, while others have been more involved with the jazz scene. Lehman and his companions go beyond this, heeding the call of earlier pioneers in the blending of jazz and modern African American popular music such as Miles Davis and Ornette Coleman, who did not simply borrow elements to enhance their chosen music but sought to create a new synthesis of forms. The front line of Selebeyone consists of two saxophonists, Lehman and his French onetime student Maciek Lasserre, working ...continued below... in tandem with two rappers, Gaston Bandimic (in the Senegalese Wolof language) and Hprizm (in English).This is not a scatological, preening, macho parody of rap, but a sophisticated poetic expression, charged with deep political, psychological, and emotional statements. The intercontinental dialog between the American Hprizm, aka High Priest of the Antipop Consortium, and Bandimic, a Senegalese artist who adheres to the mystical and contemplative Sufi form of Islam, is surrounded by ever-changing beats, some in complex meters, and by the swirling sounds of acoustic and electronic instruments. Lehman's harmonically and melodically complex saxophone patterns ride on the rhythms, their tonal edge retaining the memory of Jackie McLean's edgy bluesy timbre.Selebeyone will be presented by UMS at 9 p.m. on March 17 at El Club in Detroit. [Originally published in March, 2018.] A 28-year-old software engineer landed in jail for hurling an expletive at a policeman in Southeast Bengaluru's Parappana Agrahara. Sushil Kumar Jha, a senior IT support engineer at Infosys, was booked for obstructing a public servant from discharging his duties under IPC Section 353 and was remanded in judicial custody until late last week. He, however, managed to get bail and has since vacated his paying guest accommodation. Krishna Murthy (35), a head constable attached to the Parappana Agrahara police station, was patrolling the streets on a Hoysala car on February 28. The police control room suddenly flashed an alert, asking him to handle a crowd that had gathered in front of Balaji PG near Rajeshwari Temple, Narayana Reddy Layout. When Murthy reached the spot around 10.15 pm, there was a crowd of 50. Thirumala Reddy, the owner of the paying guest accommodation, was having a heated argument with Jha, one of his tenants, over vacating the digs. Jha, a native of Jamshedpur, Jharkhand, was adamant on staying for another day and said he would vacate the room only on March 1, but the owner would not listen. Jha then stormed into his room located on the fourth floor and refused to leave. Murthy intervened and asked Jha to vacate the room. Jha reportedly used an expletive to abuse him. The policeman informed his bosses and hauled Jha to the station. Former MP and retired IPS officer H T Sangliana has kicked up a controversy with his remarks on Asha Devi, the mother of the 2012 Delhi rape victim Nirbhaya. At a function to honour women on March 9, the former top cop-turned-politician was heard saying: "When I look at Asha Devi, her physique is nice. How beautiful Nirbhaya could have been...the story of Nirbhaya, who attracted the attention of miscreants who killed her after raping her, is indeed sorrowful. All of us have to get together to fight against such wrong behaviour of men." When contacted, Sangliana, however said he stood by his statement about Asha Devi. Clarifying on his statement, Sangliana said he only complimented her and to draw the attention of the people about how vulnerable women are. "I only wanted to compliment Nirbhaya's mother and nothing else. But women have become very sensitive. I myself have four daughters, the statement I made was not to belittle any lady, it was purely to compliment God's gift," he added. At the function, Sangaliana also suggested that women facing sexual assaults should first focus on saving their lives. "If the woman saves her life, she can be a strong evidence against her attackers where she can help the police nail the culprit. If she loses her life, then it would become very difficult to prove such cases. Many a time, cases have fallen apart due to lack of evidence," Sangliana added. IGP D Roopa, who was also present at the event, said that she did not hear him saying anything as she was busy giving instructions on the phone. "If Sangliana has made such a statement, it is condemnable and very insensitive," she added. Refused permission by her parents to attend a birthday party, a second-year PU student hanged herself in South Bengaluru's Kempegowda Nagar near Chamarajpet on Thursday. Arpitha was a student at a private college in the city and wanted to attend the birthday party of her classmate on March 15. However, her parents refused permission and had instead asked her to prepare for the upcoming examinations. Around 2 pm, Arpitha went to her room on the top floor of their house. Her mother, a tuition teacher, went up to Arpitha's room and called out for her. When there was no response, she peeped through the window and was stunned to see her daughter hanging from the ceiling fan with a dupatta. The jurisdictional Kempegowda Nagar police have registered a case of unnatural death and are probing the incident. If you are a resident of Malleswaram Constituency and are troubled by civic issues like bad roads, irregular supply of water, poor maintenance of parks and playgrounds and similar problems, here is an opportunity to voice them out. Deccan Herald and Prajavani are organising 'Janaspandana-Citizens for Change', on March 17, Saturday for the Malleswaram constituency at Krishnadevaraya Kalamandira. It is to help the citizens to bring the issues to the government's notice and to solve them at the earliest. MLA C N Ashwathnarayan, corporators of all wards with officials from BBMP, BESCOM, BWSSB and City Police will be present at the event. Citizens can discuss the problems related to street lights, waste management, safety, maintenance of public spaces, power supply and similar issues and seek solutions from the authorities. The programme starts from 10 am onwards. BJP workers gheraoed Union Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment Thawar Chand Gehlot in Kolar Gold Fields (KGF) on Friday and demanded that the party should not field former MLA Y Sampangi or any member of his family from the KGF Assembly constituency in the forthcoming polls. The KGF (SC Reserve) seat, which was held by Sampangi from 2008-13, is now represented by his mother Y Ramakka. BJP workers stopped Gehlot's car at Robertsonpet when he was on his way to attend a booth-level meeting. Sampangi and the BJP Kolar district president B P Venkatamuniyappa were with the minister in his car when the incident occurred. The party workers said that Sampangi was an outsider to the constituency and had migrated from Bengaluru Urban district. He never visited KGF after he was elected MLA in 2008, they charged. The party should not field Sampangi or any member of his family in the upcoming polls. The ticket should be given to any local leader from KGF, they demanded. The BJP workers lost their cool when they saw Sampangi in Ghelot's car and raised slogans against the former legislator. Gehlot got down from the car and tried to pacify the protesters. He said that he would inform the party central leaders about their demand. "The party leadership will surely discuss the issue of selecting the candidate with local leaders," he assured them. With the protesters not in a mood to relent, the police rushed to the spot and dispersed them to make way for Gehlot to continue his travel. A few months after he was elected an MLA, Sampangi was trapped by the Lokayukta police in January 2009 for 'accepting' a bribe of Rs 5 lakh from businessman H M Farooq at the Legislators' Home in Bengaluru. Subsequently, the Lokayukta police arrestred him and he was remanded in judicial custody. As a result of this, the BJP denied him the ticket for the 2013 Assembly polls and, instead fielded his mother Ramakka, who emerged victorious. It is said that now Sampangi is keen to contest the elections on the BJP ticket from KGF. A team of central BJP leaders and functionaries have started the process of fine-tuning the party's micro-management strategy for the Assembly polls by embarking on an multi-pronged input gathering exercise at the grassroots level. Last weekend, the first batch of leaders including Union minister Smirti Irani and former minister Rajiv Pratap Rudy fanned out to several pockets across the state to assess the political scenario, credibility of probable candidates, their contribution to the party among others. According to sources, this information is being compiled and presented to the central leadership and directly monitored by party president Amit Shah. Accordingly, remedial measures are being put in place, wherever necessary. What has made ticket aspirants jittery is that the evaluation focuses on their sincerity in implementing the pre-poll tasks set by Shah. Each functionary in a team has been allotted four Assembly segments to monitor. Those trying to stonewall Shah's tasks and trying to propagate their own clout are being flagged. It is no secret that the BJP central leadership has virtually taken over the state unit. The state unit has not much of a say in the party organisation or the selection of candidates. The central leaders striking down the names of former MP Vijay Sankeshwar and former MLC N Shankarappa, forwarded by state president B S Yeddyurappa in favour of two-time MP Rajeev Chandrashekar for the Rajya Sabha nominations, is a case in point. At present, Union Ministers Thawar Chand Gehlot, Mahesh Sharma, Pon Radhakrishnan along with several central party functionaries are touring various parts of the state. The teams are assessing the party's poll campaigns, formation of the booth committees, functioning of various morchas, organisational machinery, among others. More teams soon The sources said RSS functionaries from across the country are already starting placing themselves Assembly segment-wise across the state. The results of a SWOT analysis (Strength, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Treats) being carried out by the central leadership in New Delhi will be conveyed to the functionaries for remedial measures. They will be an in-charge overseeing the formation of "page pramukhs", a worker incharge of a particular page in the voters' list at the booth-level and "street pramukhs," a person incharge of a particular street. The sources said they will also launch a "whispering campaign" to brighten up chances of the BJP candidate. Under the campaign, the activists have been asked to go door- to-door and engage voters in conversation. The workers should visit each household in their jurisdiction at least five times ahead of the polls. This strategy yield rich dividends for the party in the Himachal Pradesh Assembly polls, the sources added. Cab services in Bengaluru will not be impacted on Monday, as Bengaluru's Uber and Ola drivers have decided not take part in the strike. Drivers of cab aggregators Uber and Ola in major cities have threatened to go on an indefinite strike from the midnight of March 18 protesting against the aggregators' policies. "We will not take part in the strike since earnings are more important for the drivers," Tanveer Pasha, president, Ola, TaxiForSure and Uber Drivers' and Owners' Association told DH. PTI reports from Mumbai that the strike is expected to be observed in key cities like Mumbai, New Delhi, Bengaluru, Hyderabad and Pune. However, according to Pasha, who has spearheaded earlier campaigns for drivers, said he doesn't feel this strike would yield anything. "We went on indefinite strikes earlier as well. However, they didn't yield us any benefit," he said. The drivers are protesting against the slump in their businesses, which they believe is the fallout of the policies adopted by these companies. According to reports, due to the slump in business, there has been a fall of 20% in the number of cabs running on these platforms in Mumbai. Out of 14.15 lakh four-wheelers plying on Bengaluru's roads, around 85,000 are estimated to be attached to Ola and Uber. Both companies declined to comment on the issue when contacted. BJP state president B S Yeddyurappa's much-hyped "Breaking News at 5 pm" announcement on his Twitter handle on Thursday turned out to be a huge disappointment as he ended up criticising the ruling Congress in a five-minute video. Yeddyurappa's "Breaking News" tweet had generated a lot of excitement with followers getting into a guessing game that ranged from exposing a big scam to an announcement of a top leader from the Congress/JD(S) joining the BJP. The video was uploaded at around 5.50 pm on Friday and the delay prompted the Congress to launch an all-out media war against the BJP. "Yeddyurappa's 'Breaking News' range from ditching the BJP to being jailed. Expect more Nuisance than News! #BJP420," Congress social media cell tweeted. The Congress also uploaded a minute-long video on the "contradictory statements" made by Yeddyurappa opposing the BJP's stand on various issues, when he headed the erstwhile KJP. There was disappointment among those who had expected "something big" from Yeddyurappa with some even comparing it to his previous debacle when the BJP leader announced that his party had succeeded in getting the Mahadayi River water dispute resolved. A few party workers even thronged Yeddyurappa's Shivamogga residence, where he was present, wondering about the delay in the "big announcement". Yeddyurappa's video, which was also uploaded to his Facebook page, begins with the caption "Breaking News". The camera then focuses on Yeddyurappa who charges the Congress government led by Siddaramaiah of betraying the people of Karnataka. "The 10% government has cheated the people of Karnataka and has put a brake on the growth, development story of the state," he states. He then speaks on the mounting debt burden, lack of progress in agriculture, industrial and service sectors, prominence not being given to education and health, fall in state income and per capital income under the Congress regime. Info-graphics with a comparison of these sectors during the Congress and the BJP regimes are shown on the screen to substantiate Yeddyurappa's claim. Yeddyurappa's charges, being a repeat of what he has been stating all along, led to a hosts of posts on the social media which stated that Congress leader M Veerappa Moily - with his tweet charging "nexus" between Public Works Minister H C Mahadevappa and road contractors - had given a bigger breaking news than Yeddyurappa. IEDs are known to represent a major threat to both vehicles and individuals, not only in Afghanistan, Iraq and Syria. Many of them are planted near the border between Israel and the Gaza Strip. A mounted laser system has been successfully used to safely and remotely detonate one. Thor, Israel's anti-explosives laser system (Picture source : Defence Update) As reported by yNet News.com, the IDF chose to make relatively rare use of a vehicle mounted Directed Energy Warfare (DEW) system called THOR (developed by the Israeli Rafael Advanced Defense Systems) to destroy a large explosive device that was discovered on the border of the Gaza Strip last December, planted by two terrorists. The radius and fragments from its explosion led the army to conclude that, would it have been triggered near IDF troops, the results would have been fatal. THOR is a vehicle mounted Directed Energy Warfare (DEW) system for stand-off neutralization of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), Un-Exploded Ordnance (UXO), mines and other explosive threats, exposed or located above ground and detected by other means. It comprises an advanced fire control sub-system which executes an automatic computation of the correction angles required in order to hit the target accurately with the machine gun (depending on the range) and also automatic computation of the focusing required for the laser beam in order to achieve the optimal energy concentration at the exact range at which the target is located. The combination of the advanced fire control capability with the user-friendly Man Machine Interface achieves the optimal performance of the system at all its operational ranges, without exposing the crew to un-necessary dangers ensuing from the activation of the IEDs or UXOs being neutralized. The laser system has been in use for a number of years by IDF forces, mainly in the security sectors on the northern and Gaza borders, and aims to remotely and safely neutralize threats such as improvised explosive devices (IEDs), unexploded ordnance, mines and other explosive threats. Use of lasers in warfare is carried out sparingly, and often surreptitiously, due to legal restrictions enshrined in international conventions that prohibit its use, for fear of mortally injuring humans and causing fatal burns. The soldier who operates the mounted system inside the vehicle's interior has two choices in neutralizing devices: either firing a bullet from a mounted .50 heavy machine gun at the bomb in order to blow it up, or project a laser beam at the cargo, which causes its rapid heating and detonation without the effect of the blast and noise, within a few seconds. Both options are controlled by a joystick and a display with a clear separation between them. The sights of the system can be operated both in daylight and at night time. They can be used to probe the charge remotely, from a distance of several hundred meters. Defence Web reports a prediction according to which, in the next few years, the use of laser systems will be increased to tackle other threats, such as drones, which have already been used by organizations such as Hezbollah and Hamas. In recent years, UAVs have indeed been used by terror organizations in Lebanon and the Gaza strip to penetrate Israeli airspace. All these attempts were encountered by air-to-air and surface-to-air weapons systems. But now a new threat is emerging: fast attacks by swarms of armed UAVs. The threat was exposed when the Russian Ministry of Defense claimed its forces in Syria were attacked by a swarm of home-made UAVs. It was the first time such a coordinated assault has been reported in a military action. According to the Ministry of Defense, Russian, forces at the Khmeimim air base and Tartus naval facility foiled the attack. Russias official spokesman added that at nightfall, Russia air defences detected 13 unidentified small targets approaching the Russian military bases: "Ten assault drones were approaching the Khmeimim air base, and another three the base in Tartus." According to the Russian statement, six of the UAVs were intercepted by Russian electronic warfare units, with three being brought to land outside the base and the remaining three exploding on contact with the ground. Another seven were "eliminated" by Pantsir-S anti-aircraft missiles fired by the Russians, with the bases reporting no casualties or damage, the statement explained. While the UAVs look primitive, the Russians said they were armed with explosives and launched from a site more than 50 km away. The Ministry said a technical examination indicates the UAVs would have an effective attacking range of about 100 km. It's still not known who launched the swarm, but the Russians believe that the technology used was too advanced for local militants. Many countries in the region are developing armed UAVs. The most recent one to be exposed is the Iranian Muhajer-6 equipped with a new home-made smart bomb dubbed Ghaem, It is the first UAV of the Mohajer series that is armed with a guided weapon. The Iranian effort to develop new armed UAVs and is worrying Israel. In recent years the Israeli Air Force (IAI) has foiled attempts by Hezbollah in Lebanon and Hamas in Gaza to penetrate Israeli airspace, probably for intelligence purposes. The growing threat has gotten Israeli companies to develop countermeasures. Last year, IAI unveiled the Drone Guard system for UAV detection, identification and flight disruption. The ELTA division of IAI has developed a special system that integrates a 3-Dimensional (3D) radar and Electro-Optical (EO) sensors for detection and identification, as well as dedicated Electronic Attack (EA) jamming systems for disrupting UAV flight. To detect low signature, low-level and low-speed airborne targets, ELTA has adapted to this specific mission its 3D radars, which include the ELM-2026D, ELM-2026Band ELM-2026BF for short (10km), medium (15km) and long (20 km) ranges, respectively, with special UAV detection and tracking algorithms, as well as adapting them with EO sensors for visual identification of the target. In order to disrupt the hostile UAV, ELTA has developed advanced adaptive jamming systems which can be used in concert with its detection and identification sensors, or as a continuously operated stand-alone system. The jamming disrupts the UAV's flight and can either cause it to return to its point-of-origin (Return Home function) or to shut down and make a crash landing. The armed UAV threat is considered to be very serious by other countries. Last year IAI, through ELTA North America, was awarded a $15 553 483 firm-fixed-price contract to supply anti-UAV systems to the U.S Air Force. According to the agreement ELTA North America will provide the procurement, delivery, and training of 21 Man Portable Aerial Defense System kits. Rafael has also developed an anti-UAV system. Its Drone Dome has 360 coverage and is designed to detect, track, and neutralize UAVs classified as threats flying in no-fly zones. First, the threat is detected and identified by radar and EO/IR sensors. The data is combined and correlated and alerts the operator to the hostile UAV. The system initiates either an automatic interference operation, as per pre-defined rules in the command and control engine, or manual operation by the operator. When the threat reaches the neutralization area, the hostile UAV is neutralized by activation of the directional global navigation and radio frequency inhibitor/jammer system. IMI Systems has also developed a system against UAVs. In late October 2017, the Red Sky 2 Drone Defender System of IMI Systems protected thousands of participants during the royal funeral ceremony of the former King of Thailand Bhumibol Adulyadej (Rama IX). Four mobile Red Sky 2 Drone Defender Systems were purchased by the Thai Air Force in September. The state government has deferred the MPs' meeting that was scheduled to be held here on Friday to discuss the Supreme Court verdict of sharing the Cauvery river water and creating a 'scheme' for the same. The meeting was scheduled to be held in the evening at the Karnataka Bhavan . All the MPs from the state were invited for the meeting convened by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. It was deferred to March 22 following requests from MPs, sources in the Chief Minister's Office (CMO) said. Since Parliament was adjourned early in the day on Friday, the MPs said they wanted to go to their constituencies and requested the CMO to postpone it to a convenient day. Now, the meeting has been scheduled for March 22 at Bengaluru, said an official from the CMO. However, Mysore-Kodagu MP Pratap Simha said the meeting was deferred by Siddaramaiah to avoid embarrassment caused by former chief minister M Veerappa Moily's controversial tweet. "Cauvery meeting postponed coz of this tweet! To avoid the embarrassment," Simha , the bBJP lawmaker tweeted. Save my User ID and Password Some subscribers prefer to save their log-in information so they do not have to enter their User ID and Password each time they visit the site. To activate this function, check the 'Save my User ID and Password' box in the log-in section. This will save the password on the computer you're using to access the site. Note: If you choose to use the log-out feature, you will lose your saved information. This means you will be required to log-in the next time you visit our site. Subscriber content preview OLYMPIA (AP) The head of Washington state's Employment Security Department has resigned following an outside investigation found several employees complained about him putting his arms around them or looking at their bodies in ways that made them uncomfortable. Dale Peinecke sent his resignation letter Monday to Gov. Jay Inslee, who announced Thursday he had accepted it. The resignation isn't effective until June 30, so Peinecke's last day is July 1. . . . Malcolm Turnbull & Peter O'Neill - a handshake & two smirks not enough to prevent a mean & self-interested foreign policy sell-out EDITORIAL | The Saturday Paper | Extract MELBOURNE - Here is a headline from November 2015: Australian tax dollars funding PNG corruption, AFP whistleblower says. And from the same month: Turnbull government accused of ignoring PNG human rights abuses to preserve Manus Island detention centre deal. Here is a headline from June 2015: Bishop calls for calm after PNG deaths. And again: Australia offers PNG government help to prevent unrest after police shooting of student protesters. Here is Australias crude foreign policy, by turns cheap and buccaneering. Julie Bishops response to police violence in Port Moresby ignored the systemic corruption in Papua New Guinea. It continued a blindness that stumbles, grasping and inept, back to the detention centre on Manus Island. It is the perfect expression of Australias stunted place in the region. How the September 11 terrorist attacks shaped society and affected peoples thinking has been critically analysed by a De Montfort University Leicester (DMU) academic. Dr Jenifer Chao from the Leicester Media School has explored the cultural legacies of 9/11 in her first book, which is now on sale. The Journalism Lecturer examines how the New York terrorist attacks had a widespread but often under-analysed global impact on contemporary culture and politics. The book Cultural Resistance, 9/11 and the War on Terror looks at the influence of the terrorist attacks in all kinds of unexpected places. Dr Chao, a Chinese-American, was drawn to the alternative analysis of 9/11 as at the time of the attacks in 2001 she was living in the Netherlands. She calls it a decisive moment that she no longer felt a sense of belonging and identity as an American. She said: The attacks led to a surge of American nationalism and patriotism, but I felt very estranged from my own country. I felt drawn to 9/11 for different reasons; I was more drawn to the narratives, objects and images that told alternative stories about 9/11. The book is based on four case studies, which make up the four chapters - a television situation comedy, a hip-hop album, a novel, and a collection of studio photographs. Dr Chao looks at how they engaged with issues such as War on Terror policies, American national identity and representations of Muslim/Islam. She said researching the book had pushed her beyond her own intellectual limitations. Dr Chao said: The topic transgressed all kinds of disciplinary and media boundaries. I had to broaden my horizons as the very nature of the catastrophe is its all-encompassing and influential nature. I wanted to tell a different story about 9/11 beyond the normal impact of politics and nationalism. Dr Chaos career started as a journalist. She worked for six years as a foreign correspondent for the international press agency The Associated Press, based in Amsterdam. She studied for an MA in English Literature and Culture at the University of Amsterdam, and then gained a PhD in Cultural Analysis. Her PhD thesis on 9/11 took five years to complete, then after a further three years of research and rewriting, her book was published. Dr Chao said: As a journalist I had to cover 9/11 and had written a few articles but I was not well informed about its global impact. I hadnt had any further involvement and had not fully immersed in any academic debates. I probably had quite a narrow vision of what politics was, but I had to quickly learn how what is political can extend to all of culture, including media, music, art and literature. The cultural politics of the attacks was a completely new concept to me, and I became engrossed in the topic. RELATED NEWS Find out more about DMU at our next Open Day New generation of investigative journalists graduate Students visit 9/11 museum as part of #DMUglobal trip to New York Dr Chaos research included her reviewing and analysing everything with any kind of 9/11 connection or reference, for example, art, photography and poetry. She said: I had to learn so many different ways to analyse popular culture as I was trying to understand the complexities. I was looking at these alternative narratives as new ways to understand global terrorism. Ill never look at terrorism in the same way again. Dr Chao recently launched the book at a conference organised by Leicester Media Schools Media Discourse Group saying it was a big relief to have closure. She celebrated with a family dinner and is now incorporating her research into her teaching at DMU. Dr Chao said: I hope my book will be discussed. I want it to get people talking, to start conversations and I want to inspire my students to do further research. She has also already started work on her new research project, which assesses the visual and cultural politics of reinventing China as a nation brand. Cultural Resistance, 9/11 and the War on Terror is available from Routledge as a hardback or eBook. For further information, visit the Routledge website. Morobe Governor Ginson Saonu - "I will not tolerate violence" (Scott Waide) SCOTT WAIDE | My Land, My Country / Pacific Media Watch LAE - One month after the incident, Morobe Governor Ginson Saonu has apologised for an assault on Lae-based Post-Courier journalist Frankiy Kapin. Governor Saonu told the media that the staff member who assaulted Mr Kapin has been sacked and new staff have been appointed. The governor received strong criticism after he delayed making a public statement to condemn the assault by staff member while the matter was in court. This led to a month-long standoff between journalists and the governors office during which all media events by the Morobe provincial government were turned down. The staff member concerned has been terminated from his job as an administration officer as a result of the incident and for bringing the office of the Governor into disrepute, he said. I am setting this precedent as a warning to all of my staff as well as staff within the Department of Morobe that I will not tolerate violence of any sort. Members of both major political parties are mourning the loss of U.S. Rep. Louise Slaughter, who died Friday at a Washington hospital. She was 88. Slaughter, a Rochester-area Democrat, is being remembered as a passionate advocate for her district. She served in the House of Representatives for more than three decades and at the time of her death, she was the dean of the New York congressional delegation. Here is what several New York leaders had to say about Slaughter's passing: Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer Congresswoman Louise Slaughter was a giant. She had deep convictions -- on both issues important to the people of Rochester, and for the integrity and honesty of the political system. Throughout her entire career, Louise worked with people from so many different philosophies and backgrounds, because she was such a genuine human spirit. The ferocity of her advocacy was matched only by the depth of her compassion and humanity. Her passing will leave a gaping hole in our hearts and our nation. My sincere condolences go out to her daughters and grandchildren and to the legions of people who loved and admired her." U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand He can't vote for Gov. Andrew Cuomo, but Sir Elton John is showing his support anyway. The music legend and his husband, David Furnish, released a statement Friday in support of Cuomo's re-election campaign. The couple praised the two-term New York governor's progressive agenda, including his focus on affordable public housing, education and women's rights. They also praised Cuomo for his support of gay rights. In 2011, Cuomo successfully advocated for passage of marriage equality in New York. The main issue highlighted by John and Furnish is Cuomo's plan to end AIDS in New York by 2020. Cuomo unveiled the plan in late 2016 and set the goal for ending the AIDS epidemic. The plan also included expanding HIV services young people and a goal of ending HIV transmission through injection drug use. "His bold plan serves as a model for other states to emulate, and we are so thankful for him for his tremendous leadership," John and Furnish wrote. Cuomo spoke at the Elton John AIDS Foundation's 25th anniversary gala last fall. Photos show he also attended a benefit hosted by the foundation in 2014. "The more I thought about the kind of candidate who could beat him and do good for the people of New York, the more I realized I was the best candidate to prosecute that case," he said in an interview last week. Not only is Trichter familiar with DiNapoli, but he has experience with statewide campaigns. In 2010, he assisted Harry Wilson with his campaign for state comptroller. Wilson lost to DiNapoli by four points in that election. Trichter is a registered Democrat, but he's had conversations with Republican and Conservative party leaders about the race. They have been receptive to his potential candidacy. Because he is a Democrat, both parties would need to authorize him to run on their ballot lines. Trichter's formal announcement is expected in the next several weeks. "I am uniquely familiar and inspired by the potential for the office of the state comptroller to do so much good for New Yorkers," he said. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 US$ 50 million to Fransabank The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is supporting for the first time the expansion of international trade in Lebanon with a US$ 50 million trade finance line to Fransabank. Fransabank, the countrys third-largest lender, will become the first issuing bank in Lebanon under the EBRDs Trade Facilitation Programme (TFP). The EBRDs TFP promotes foreign trade to, from and within the economies where the Bank invests, including Lebanon. Through the trade facility to Fransabank, the EBRD will support international and intra-regional trade in Lebanon by providing guarantees and cash advances for the import, export, and local distribution of imported goods. EBRD President Suma Chakrabarti said: We greatly value our partnership with Fransabank, a market leader in trade finance in Lebanon. This trade line will further foster trade integration in the region and will contribute to the resilience of the Lebanese financial system, thus promoting the countrys overall economic growth. Fransabank Chairman Adnan Kassar said: This trade finance credit line from the EBRD constitutes the first cooperation between our two institutions since Lebanon joined the EBRD and became a recipient of investment, and it will certainly be followed by other ways of collaboration. We are glad to be the first Lebanese bank to join the EBRDs TFP. This line will allow us to further expand our customer base and support our clients trade finance activity. The EBRDs TFP has been running since 1999 and currently includes over 100 partner banks in 26 countries where the EBRD invests, and more than 800 confirming banks worldwide. Lebanon became a recipient of EBRD investment in September 2017, joining Egypt , Jordan , Morocco and Tunisia as part of the Banks southern and eastern Mediterranean (SEMED) region, where the EBRD has been investing and engaged in policy since 2012. In May 2017 the West Bank and Gaza also became recipients of EBRD investment. To date the Bank has invested over 6.5 billion in 170 projects across the SEMED region. Police Chief Shawn Butler said it is "imperative" the structure gets fixed because water sometimes gets into the cupola and leaks through the third-floor ceiling, where the department stores evidence and records and has a lab. "It's more historic, it's more decorative than anything," Butler said. "It no longer really serves a purpose other that it's very iconic. However, it's part of our structure." In other news Councilors authorized a $2.25 million bond to upgrade the disinfection process of its wastewater treatment plant and to map the city's sewer system, which would be paid off over the next 20 to 30 years. Upgrades to wastewater treatment system could cost Auburn $2.25 million AUBURN After failing to get state support, the city of Auburn may bond for $2,250,000 to u During a presentation to the council last week, Director of Municipal Utilities Seth Jensen said most of the money will go toward upgrading the 24-year-old UV system, which is the last part of the water treatment process. The rest of the money, about $250,000, is allocated for mapping the sewer and storm system and labeling manholes, which would allow staff to keep track of infrastructure conditions. The city accepted a $50,000 grant from the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority as part of its Clean Energy Communities initiative. chinadaily.com.cn Updated: 2018-03-15 Overseas tourists from Europe and the United States disembark the Viking Sun to visit Haikou. [Photo by Zhang Mao/Hainan Daily] The Viking Sun, a passenger liner, berthed at Xiuying Port in Haikou on March 14 for a short visit by 869 tourists from Europe and the United States. The cruise began in Miami on Dec 15 last year. On its first journey around the world, the Viking Sun will travel 141 days to end its voyage in London after passing through 35 countries in five continents and berthing at 64 harbors. Built in 2017, the luxury liner with an aggregate 47,800 tonnage can accommodate 930 tourists in 465 passenger cabins. The Viking Sun arrives in Haikou on March 14. [Photo by Xiong Li/WeChat account: Haikou Tourism] Haikou in Hainan province is its third stop in China after Shanghai and Hong Kong. Passengers were impressed by the local natural scenery and cultural customs at scenic spots such as Qilou Old Street, the Hainan Museum, Baisha Gate Park, Volcano Park and Guanlan Lake Resort. Haikou pays a lot of attention to developing the cruise industry. It has released several support policies, upgraded service facilities and improved staff reception skills to encourage more cruise companies to seek cooperation. Two new cruises from Haikou to Vietnam and the Philippines had put to sea 34 times as of March 13, carrying 17,633 travelers. Two overseas tourists of the Viking Sun take a selfie at the Qilou Old Street in Haikou. [Photo by Xiong Li/WeChat account: Haikou Tourism] 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. EUR 1.5 billion support for business investment in Europe and North Africa EUR 1 billion financing for Oosterweel Antwerp bypass completion Financing for Europes highest windfarm approved Meeting in Luxembourg earlier today the Board of the European Investment Bank (EIB) approved a total of EUR 8 billion of new financing for 34 projects in the European Union, Africa, Asia and Latin America. Following the approval the EIB expects to finalise financing for new investment in education, energy telecommunications, transport, urban development projects and business lending programmes. This includes EUR 1 billion for the completion of the Antwerp by-pass and EUR 1.2 billion for new research and innovation investment in Spain. In spite of the improving business confidence in Europe, significant investment gaps remain. To address these, the EU Bank has today backed exciting new projects that will enable companies to expand, tackle transport bottlenecks, harness clean energy sources and cut energy bills for European citizens. This as well as a massive investment program for research and innovation in Spain will contribute to increasing the competitiveness of the EU economy, said Werner Hoyer, President of the European Investment Bank. Investment Plan for Europe Financing totalling EUR 2.3 billion for 13 projects approved by the EIB board will be backed by the Investment Plan for Europe and support overall investment totalling EUR 10.2 billion. Todays approvals included the financing of education investment in France, as well as support for smaller companies in Italy, Spain and Portugal and renewable energy projects in Austria and Greece. Enhancing access to finance by companies Private sector investment will be profit from EUR 1.5 billion of new financing approved for lending to local businesses by financial partners in France, Italy, Spain, Portugal and Morocco. This includes dedicated initiatives to support investment by innovative firms and companies active in bioeconomy and agriculture and lending programs to enhance access to long-term credit facilities. Backing transformational road, rail and maritime transport investment The EIB Board approved EUR 1.46 billion of new transport investment that will cut time lost in traffic jams and congested ports as well as improve sustainable local transport. The Board agreed to EUR 1 billion support for the construction of the Oosterweel link that will complete the citys ringroad and significantly reduce traffic congestion. The EIB also approved financing to expand capacity at two container facilities in Portugal, at Leixoes close to Porto and Alcantara near Lisbon, and at East Africas principal port in Mombassa. Support for a new tramway project in the Normandy city of Caen and next-generation rolling stock for use on Luxembourg railways was also confirmed. Support for renewable energy and energy efficiency around the world The EIB Board approved support for investment in two new wind farms in northern Greece and Austria that will generate more than 74 MW of clean energy once operational. Tauernwind is located at an altitude of 1900 metres and is the highest wind farm in Europe. Repowering of the project will increase generation capacity by more than 50%. The first new EIB investment in China approved in 2018 will reduce carbon emissions and pollution from outdated coal-fired boilers in the Chinese city of Baotou through EUR 100 million of new EIB financing for urban energy infrastructure. Financing for construction of three new solar photovoltaic plants in Mexico was also agreed. Approval of EUR 932 million EIB financing for Trans-Anatolian Pipeline Following detailed assessment the EIB Board approved EUR 932 million of financing for the 1850km Trans-Anatolian Pipeline (TANAP) to bring natural gas from Azerbaijans Shah Deniz-2 gas field to Europe. Financing for construction of the TANAP pipeline has already been confirmed by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), the World Bank and Asian Infrastructure and Investment Bank (AIIB). The project is key component of the Southern Gas Corridor, an initiative identified by the Council of Ministers, the European Commission, and the European Parliament as strategically important for the EUs energy policy. Strengthening world class research and education The EIB Board approved EUR 1.2 billion of new financing to improve innovation and competitiveness in Spain through support for research institutions and public research bodies. This will back investment across the country managed by the Secretary of State of Research, Development and Innovation. The Board supported financing proposals for new education investment in France. This includes support for the redevelopment of the Fontainebleau campus of INSEAD business school to improve research facilities and reduce energy use as well as investment to expand and renovate 17 secondary schools in southern France. Improving internet and mobile communications The EIB is expected to provide EUR 140 million for investment by Vodafone to roll out next generation mobile networks in Ireland and expand 4G coverage in rural and remote areas of the country. The EIB Board also approved EUR 400 million of support for expansion of ultra-high speed broadband networks across Belgium by Proximus to enable an estimated 38% of companies to benefit fom improved Fibre-to-the-Business communications. New equity engagement to unlock small-scale energy and infrastructure investment Reflecting the EIBs increased support for equity investment new participation totalling EUR 375 million was agreed. This will support investment in four specialist funds to support greenfield renewable energy schemes, transport, telecom and venture capital activity. Backing construction of Near Zero Energy Buildings to halve carbon emissions EUR 100 million of EIB financing was approved to support new construction of near zero energy buildings in Germany. This will significantly reduce both heating costs and cut related carbon emissions by 50%. 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Chief of staff John Kelly, himself the subject of rumors that his days on the job are numbered, assured a group of staffers their jobs were safe, at least for now. "The chief of staff actually spoke to a number of staff this morning reassuring them that there were no immediate personnel changes at this time and that people shouldn't be concerned," said press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders. "We should do exactly what we do every day, and that's come to work and do the very best job that we can, and that's exactly what we're doing. That's exactly what we're focused on." But days after President Donald Trump's secretary of state was ousted, many close to the president think more upheaval is coming soon. Trump is moving toward replacing national security adviser H.R. McMaster but has not settled on exact timing or a successor, according to four people with knowledge of White House deliberations. Kelly has also worn on the president, confidants of the president said. And Veterans Affairs Secretary David Shulkin, under fire for ethics violations, appears to be grasping to keep his job. These candidates for municipal office in the Cayuga County area have submitted information about themselves and their campaign platforms for t Didi Research President He Xiaofei leaves to reportedly build self-driving truck company Shanghai (Gasgoo)- He Xiaofei, Didi Research president of China's ride-hailing giant Didi Chuxing (Didi), has left the company. Reportedly, he has built his own self-driving truck venture after the resignation. The self-driving truck dubbed feibu developed by the startup has entered road test stage, according to local media. According to public information, He Xiaofei graduated from the University of Chicago in December 2005 with a Ph.D. degree in computer science. After that, he served at Yahoo! Research Labs as a research scientist. In 2007, he became a professor at Zhejiang University where he made progresses in such academic realms like artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning and computer vision. In 2015, He Xiaofei joined Didi Chuxing as the leader of Didi Chuxing's core transaction engine. Meanwhile, he researched projects such as car-pooling, dynamic price adjustment, order allocation, transport capacity dispatching, heat map, predicting supply, intelligent subsidiary and route planning. Besides, He Xiaofei was also an important contributor of the Didi Research's establishment. Founded in April 2016, Didi Research (formerly known as Didi Machine Learning Research) named He Xiaofei as its first president who took charge of DiDi's big data business and reported to Didi Chuxing's CTO Zhang Bo. In addition, He Xiaofei devoted to promoting the direct cooperation between Didi Chuxing and colleges. The company launched a plan that gives preferential helps to those masters and doctors with brilliant AI algorithm understandings and trainings. Self-driving truck is a hot area into which many tech companies flock. For instance, Tesla had already unveiled an unmanned semi-trailer truck last year with a maximum range of 800 kilometers and a load capacity up to 36 ton which is expected to hit the market in 2019. Besides, the China's e-commerce giant JD.com announced the R&D progress of its unmanned truck in September last year. In cooperation with SAIC Maxus and Dongfeng Auto, the co-developed unmanned truck had been tested on roads. Five more accusers will take the stand to testify against Bill Cosby at his retrial for alleged sexual assault involving former Temple employee Andrea Constand next month. Further Testimonies Judge Steven O'Neill ruled to have the other five women testify during Thursday's hearing in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. The order allows District Attorney Kevin Steele to pick among the eight women who made the most recent allegations. Steele, who has been pursuing Cosby for over two years, must carefully choose those whose allegations date back to 1982 and not those whose claims of sexual assault happened before that year. "The Commonwealth shall be permitted to present evidence regarding five prior bad acts of its choosing," reads Judge O'Neill's two-page ruling. The prosecutors must let the court and Cosby's defense team know the names of the additional five accusers by March 19. "We're reviewing the Judge's order and will be making some determinations," Kate Delano, spokeswoman for the district attorney, said in an email sent to USA Today. Steele and his team initially wanted to bring 19 possible witnesses to testify against Cosby. Citing the legal concept known as the "doctrine of chances," the District Attorney pushed for 19 out of the five-dozen women, who have accused Cosby of sexual assault since October 2014, to take the stand. The doctrine essentially provides further support to rule the accused as guilty by counting the frequency the alleged misconduct happened. The more often that person is accused of the same crime with the same set of circumstances, the less likely that the person is innocent. Steele noted that Cosby's alleged sexual misconduct followed a "common plan, scheme, and design." Prosecutor Adrienne Jappe said in a hearing earlier this month that Cosby "systematically engaged in a signature pattern" of drugging and sexually assaulting women. However, Judge O'Neill denied the prosecutors' request. "The balance of the Commonwealth's motion is DENIED," reads the court order. The Case The court's ruling comes after Constand accused Cosby, 80, of drugging and sexually assaulting her at his Philadelphia home in 2004. She did not report the incident until a year later and there was no physical evidence, so the case came down to she-said-he-said. The former "America's Dad" also claimed that their encounter was consensual. Steele asked the court to bring the five other accusers to testify to bolster Constand's case against Cosby. The former TV host's retrial is set to begin with jury selection on March 29 and testimony on April 2. Queen Elizabeth has issued a declaration on Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding, but many are wondering if the 91-year-old threw shade at her soon-to-be granddaughter-in-law. Just two months before Prince Harry and Hollywood actress Markle will tie the knot on May 19 at the Windsor Castle, the Queen finally gave her seal of approval via an official declaration on March 14, Wednesday, during a meeting at the Buckingham Palace. "My Lords, I declare My Consent to a Contract of Matrimony between My Most Dearly Beloved Grandson Prince Henry Charles Albert David of Wales and Rachel Meghan Markle, which Consent I am causing to be signified under the Great Seal and to be entered in the Books of the Privy Council," Queen Elizabeth said. Hint Of Disapproval? However, many fans noted that the declaration seemed to emit a subtle hint of disapproval for Markle. They pointed out that Queen Elizabeth was not at all warm in welcoming the former Suits actress to the royal family. How? Well, Queen Elizabeth's declaration to Prince Harry and Markle's wedding were compared and contrasted with her older grandchild's wedding, Prince William and Kate Middleton. "Our Most Dearly Beloved Grandson Prince William Arthur Philip Louis of Wales, K.G. and Our Trusty and Well-beloved Catherine Elizabeth Middleton," were the exact words used by the Royal Highness. See what Queen Elizabeth did there? Interestingly, she did not fall short on positive adjectives to place before the Duchess of Cambridge's name back then, as opposed to Markle's straight-to-the-name mention. Obviously, as the wedding is drawing near, it has also gotten the attention of people. This is why a mere lack of flowery words beside Markle's name was considered a shade. To put it simply, many are following the development on the wedding and was precisely the reason it was easy to note this. So probably the better question is, is Queen Elizabeth the OG of subtle shades? According to a knowledgeable HuffPost source, the words were lifted from another statement and not from the official declaration that would come just a week before the actual exchange of vows. Queen Elizabeth could send out another statement, probably to clarify the Markle issue, as the wedding is still months from happening. Maybe in her future declarations, she would be careful not to omit, or neglect, to put adjectives that would exude warmness so eagle-eyed fans won't have to create any issue. Whether Queen Elizabeth shaded Markle through her statement is far from evident in a recent get-together. The two celebrated Mother's Day on March 11 in what was dubbed as an "intimate lunch." Dax Shepard is hopping onboard Netflix's multi-cam comedy series The Ranch, months after actor Danny Masterson was fired from the sitcom. Deadline reported Shepard will be a recurring guest star on The Ranch. However, the outlet explained the comedian is not a replacement for Masterson. After all, Shepard had just landed a lead role on Fox's pilot Bless This Mess. In The Ranch, he will play Luke Matthews on the half of the 10 episodes left of the third season of the show. His former soldier character would be coming to Garrison and then be friends with Colt, played by Ashton Kutcher, and his dad, played by Sam Elliott. Even as he was projected as a guest star, Shepard would be essential in filling up the void left by Masterson's departure from The Ranch. The latter played the role of Rooster, Colt's brother. Interestingly though, this is not the first time Shepard and Kutcher get to work on a project together. So is the case with the 40-year-old husband of Mila Kunis and Masterson who were costars in That '70s Show. Shepard and Kutcher previously teamed up on Punk'd, aired on MTV, where they get to pull pranks on people. The No Strings Attached actor took to his social media account to share the great news that they would again be working together. "Reunited with an old buddy. #punkd #theranchnetflix," Kutcher said. Masterson's Exit As for Masterson, his name had always been the talk of the town when it comes to sexual assault as it was heard on the grapevine that he raped four women years ago. But just last year, when a wave of women launched their tirades against film mogul Harvey Weinstein, Masterson had to be released by Netflix and the people behind The Ranch. "I am obviously very disappointed in Netflix's decision to write my character off of The Ranch," Masterson said, and insisted he was not convicted of anything. Obviously, the accused did not take this breakup lightly. However, he will still appear in some episodes which were already filmed prior his firing in December. Masterson vehemently denied the allegations thrown at him. Netflix's move against Masterson was probably an answer to the public outcry, which was to outright remove the actor from the show, citing the horrid allegations against him. This was fairly not a new item, when one considers the company's actions against House of Cards star Kevin Spacey. VW Touareg shamed by CCTV China consumer rights show for defective engine issue Shanghai (Gasgoo)- The German automaker Volkswagen (VW) was named and shamed at the China consumer rights show (also known as 315 Gala) run by China Central Television (CCTV) for its defective engine drain valves in its Touareg sport utility vehicle on March 15. According to the video exposed at the show, a consumer Ms Huang, from Fujian Province, spent RMB 620 thousand on a VW Touareg. However, after six months, she found out that the vehicle stalled with unknown reasons. The staff of 4S shop explained that the engine flameout was caused by being watered. The other consumer Mr Luo, from Guangdong Province, suffered a similar problem as well. When he passed a traffic light intersection, the Touareg 2017 he drove suddenly lost power with the steering wheel stuck and the brake retarded. VW (China) Sales Company (VW China) issued a statement soon afterwards that the company apologized again for any inconvenience and concern this issue may have brought toits customers. Besides, it added that VW China had already registered a recall plan to China's General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine (AQSIQ) which will be officially implemented from April 30 this year. On March 7, 2018, the official website of the AQSIQ showed that from April 30, 2018, VW China plans to recall a part of imported Touareg SUVs 2015-2018 produced during the period from December 21, 2014 to November 12, 2017, involving 33,142 units. Although the automaker had filed the recall plan in advance to China's authorities, it still cannot avoid the fate of being named and shamed at the show. This is not the first time that VW was exposed for the product quality issued. As early as 2013, VW had already been targeted by CCTV's 315 Gala for its DSG transmission security issues. Then, the automaker submitted a recall plan to the AQSIQ to recall a total of 384,181 defective vehicles from April 2, 2013. Although the automaker had filed the recall plan in advance to China's authorities, it still cannot avoid the fate of being named and shamed at the show. This is not the first time that VW was exposed for the product quality issued. As early as 2013, VW had already been targeted by CCTVs 315 Gala for its DSG transmission security issues. Then, the automaker submitted a recall plan to the AQSIQ to recall a total of 384,181 defective vehicles from April 2, 2013. After getting engaged to Prince Harry, Meghan Markle has made nine public appearances with her future husband and spent more than $28,000 on her wardrobe. Although she's not yet an official member of the royal family, the American actress has been wearing designer outfits that aren't easy on the pockets. The ensemble she wore for Christmas service cost $10,000 and her Ralph & Russo engagement gown was priced upwards of $75,000. This of begs the question that many want answers to: who is paying for Markle's gorgeous outfits? Who's Paying For The Outfits? According to People, Markle and Harry are paying for the clothes out of their own pocket because Royals do not accept designer outfits for free. The publication pointed out that assistants of the royal members, like Natasha Archer, who serves as a personal assistant and stylist of the Duchess of Cambridge, Kate Middleton, order a number of options from various designers, and after an outfit is chosen, the remaining ones are then returned and the one that is picked is paid for. After she ties the knot with Harry at the St. George's Chapel at Windsor Castle on May 19, Meghan's outfits for official royal outings will be funded by the money Prince William, Kate, and Harry receive from Prince William's Duchy of Cornwall income of approximately $28 million. Last year, the three royal members withdrew money required for their public lives, including staff salaries and office expenses from a fund of $4.8 million. How Can They Afford It? According to Money, the former Suits actress hauled in an estimated $50,000 per episode during her seven-year stint on the legal drama. Her annual salary, as well as some additional income from film roles, totals up to about $450,000 a year. On the other hand, Harry's net worth is estimated to be approximately $25 million at the very least. After the death of Princess Diana in 1997, both Harry and William inherited around $28 million fortune from their mother. The money was then put in a trust, which they could not access until they were 30. Some sources claim Harry received a larger inheritance than William from their great-grandmother, who passed away in 2002. The Queen Mother apparently made her decision based on the fact that Harry would not inherit the Duchy of Cornwall once Prince Charles takes the throne as the eldest son of the reigning British monarch inherits possession of the duchy. Angela Bassett is no stranger to the big screen. The veteran actress has been seen in many hit films such as Waiting To Exhale, How Stella Got Her Groove Back, Green Lantern, and London Has Fallen. Most recently, the actress starred in the box-office smash hit, Marvel's Black Panther, that has bagged $1 billion dollars at the box-office. While many have dubbed Basset a silver screen "Queen" for her many accolades, there has been a debate that the actress was never properly acknowledged for her most iconic role. Bassett addressed the film and if she agreed with the masses during an interview with Andy Cohen and the actress gave a very surprising response. How Angela Got Her Groove Back During the Q&A segment on Watch What Happens Live, Cohen read a comment from a fan that stated Angela Bassett should have won an Oscar for her famous role as Tina Turner in the biopic, What's Love Got To Do With It?. The host asked Bassett if she agreed with this statement to which she replied, "Yeah, me too". The topic then changed to the success of the Black film and if there will be a sequel in the works. "I hope they're writing it right now, you know. I hope they're prepared for it but no, I haven't heard anything," Bassett replied. The actress portrayed, Ramonda, Queen Mother of Wakanda and mother of the Black Panther, T'Challa. The film takes place after the events of Captain America: Civil War, where T'Challa must return to Wakanda to rightfully claim the throne after his father's death. T'Challa, however, is challenged by a past secret that could ultimately destroy Wakanda's way of life. Bassett will reprise her role as Ramonda in Avengers: Infinity Wars Part 1. The 'Black Panther' Effect The 59-year-old actress also touched to the epidemic Black Panther has created amongst young adults, particularly African-Americans. "We would tell our kids you're of kings and of queens. We try to instill a sense of pride, and this is that moment where we can look on that screen and see all of that history that we've read - that if we've been privileged to go back to the motherland to experience - to see it manifested onscreen for the first time," the actress commented. Bassett is set to star in the next Mission Impossible film, Fallout, which will hit theaters on July 27, 2018. Kim Kardashian just welcomed baby number three with Kanye West, and the reality star wouldn't mind having another child, but there's a catch. The world might have to wait a while to meet the fourth baby of the Kardashian West clan. Waiting For Baby Number Four According to Hollywood Life, Kim is on board for North, Saint, and Chicago to have another sibling. Nevertheless, there is one obstacle in making this idea a reality. "Kim would consider having another baby via surrogate on one condition and that is as long as it isn't anytime soon," said a source close to the Kardashian West family to Hollywood Life. The insider told the media outlet that she wants to focus on supporting Kanye as he tries to rebuild his music empire. Kim also wants to wait until North, Saint, and Chicago are older before they get a fourth sibling. The Keeping Up with the Kardashians star stated that she wants only four children. In an interview with Elle Magazine, she added that the Kardashian West home is full of love. Kim also credited Kanye for boosting each other in their relationship. "He's taught me to have more of an opinion. I've taught him to be a bit more calm or cautious. We're a good balance," said Kim to Elle Magazine. A Kim Update Kim's statement on having more children comes after she visited Kanye in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. The "Jesus Walks" rapper has been at a ski resort creating new music for an upcoming album. The catch-up with Kanye session happened after Kim attended sister Khloe's baby shower. The extravagant event featured a plethora of guests that ranged from momager Kris Jenner and sisters Kourtney, Kylie, and Kendall to Maria Menounos and Real Housewives of Atlanta star Kim Zolciak-Biermann. Catching Up With Chicago It has been two months since Chicago West came into the world. Kim and Kanye's second daughter already has a luxurious nursery that any newborn and mother would envy. Inside Chicago's fantasy nursery, the couple's youngest child sleeps in a $4,900 Vetro Crib, a $1,495 Como Glider, and a $585 Gliding Ottoman. In true Kardashian fashion, Kim taught her newborn daughter the art of taking a selfie. On Monday, Feb. 26, Kim shared an adorable photo of her daughter, Chicago, and herself to her 109 million Instagram followers. Kim introduced baby Chicago to the public via social media on Feb. 1. Days before her youngest daughter had her debut, the beauty entrepreneur and fashion mogul took baby Chicago to a pediatrician's office in Los Angeles. From her continuous posts on social media, Kylie Jenner has made it clear that she is in love with her baby girl, Stormi Webster. But it seems that she has kept mum about her feelings towards her baby daddy, Travis Scott. Well, on Thursday, March 15, the Life of Kylie star made fans wonder if there was some trouble in paradise for the new parents. Ever since she confirmed Stormi's birth on Feb. 1, the lip kit maven has gone back to her old ways and returned to social media. This time, Jenner posted a photo of herself in a black tank top as her dark brown hair drapes over her shoulders. The first time mom opted for light makeup and completed the look with a subtle pink lipstick shade called "Boy Bye" from her Kylie Cosmetics Velvet lip kit collection. Though Jenner could have simply been plugging the shade, fans also thought it was a subliminal message towards her rapper beau, Travis Scott. "Boy Bye," the reality star captioned the photo. Boy Bye @kyliecosmetics A post shared by Kylie (@kyliejenner) on Mar 15, 2018 at 3:13pm PDT Travis And Kylie's Relationship If Jenner and Scott are currently facing some problems, this wouldn't be the first time their relationship is on the rocks. In January, the two were reportedly spending a lot of time apart due to Scott's ongoing performances. Despite Scott's appearance at Kris Jenner's annual Christmas party, the pair allegedly didn't bring in the New Year together. However, they have managed to make things work as they were recently spotted in Miami, Florida together earlier this month. The duo was caught cuddling as they arrived at Seaspice in Miami on hospitality guru David Grutman's SS Groot boat. Though things may be "good" between the two, that doesn't mean that Jenner's mother and momager, Kris Jenner, isn't making sure all is well. Recently, a new report revealed that Kris was keeping a close eye on the rapper and was impressed with how he has taken to fatherhood. Kylie Is A Overprotective Mom Although the Keeping Up With the Kardashians star is only 20-years-old, her maternal instincts kicked in quickly a source stated that Jenner has some serious rules and regulations when it comes to her daughter that even her friends must follow. The cosmetics mogul does anything she can to keep 1-month old Stormi safe and healthy. "You have to go to her house to visit. She's being very careful about keeping the baby healthy and indoors," the source explained. Kourtney Kardashian is heading out of town with her man and according to a new report, her former boyfriend, Scott Disick, isn't going to be happy about their destination. As the 38-year-old Keeping Up With the Kardashians star prepares to enjoy her upcoming couples getaway with 24-year-old boyfriend Younes Bendjima, an insider claims that they are heading to the home of Girls Gone Wild creator Joe Francis. Kourtney and Younes are planning a romantic vacation for just the two of them now that things are back on track," a source told Hollywood Life on March 15. Kourtney And Younes's Recent Fight As the outlet explained, Kardashian and Bendjima recently went through a rocky patch in their relationship and want to celebrate the fact that they are now in a much better place. In fact, the insider claimed Kardashian and Bendjima's relationship is actually hotter than ever and because of that, the couple want to enjoy an adults-only vacation to themselves. Unfortunately for Disick, the father of Kardashian's three children, Kardashian has chosen to celebrate her rekindled romance with Bendjima at a place they used to frequent together. Although the source said that Kardashian and Bendjima haven't nailed down any specific plans regarding when they will visit the home of Francis, the location is their first choice because it's close and easy. That said, going there is sure to set off Disick, who appears to be facing hard times in his own relationship with Sofia Richie. Kourtney's Concern For Scott "Kourtney is worried about that, she really does not want to push [Scott's] buttons so thats holding it all back," the source explained. As for Bendjima's thoughts on their upcoming vacation, the insider said he is bothered that Kardashian still cares about how her former boyfriend will react to what they are doing. The source even said that Kardashian's concern for Disick has been an ongoing issue for them. Kourtney And Younes In Mexico in January Earlier this year, Kardashian and Bendjima enjoyed some private time with one another in Punta Mita, Mexico, and afterwards, a source told E! News that Kardashian chose to stay at the Imanta Resort instead of another resort nearby, where she's been known to stay frequently in recent years. Kardashian and Bendjima were first photographed together in late 2016 but didn't confirm the nature of their relationship until the following year. Since then, the couple has been frequently seen in Paris, France and in Los Angeles. Amber Portwood and her boyfriend, Andrew Glennon, are keeping their finances "completely separate" from one another -- and for good reason. After Portwood was seen slamming her former fiance, Matt Baier, on Teen Mom OG for allegedly stealing thousands from her during their years-long relationship, the pregnant reality star is speaking out about the dynamic between herself and Glennon. With Matt, we had joint accounts, businesses together, things like that, and Ive learned my lesson," she explained to Us Weekly magazine on March 15. "My money is my money, and when were together, we can help each other and be there for each other and take care of this child." How Did They Meet? Portwood and Glennon began dating after meeting each other last summer as she and Baier filmed the currently airing season of Marriage Boot Camp: Reality Stars Family Edition. As fans may have heard, Glennon was working on the show as a lighting techinician and quickly fell in love with the Teen Mom OG star. In August of last year, just after wrapping production, Portwood showcased her romance for the first time on Instagram and days after that, she and Glennon debuted their romance on the MTV Video Music Awards' red carpet. The following month, during a visit to Hawaii, Portwood learned she was expecting. While Glennon is certainly capable of caring for Portwood and their baby boy, who is due in just a couple of months, he appreciates that Portwood is financially stable in her own right. Amber Portwood Is Genuinely Hhappy Continuing on to Us Weekly magazine, Portwood said she was quite happy that after years of back and forth with Baier, she finally has a "calm" and "chill life." She also noted that she's genuinely happy for the very first time. What Does The Future Hold for 'Teen Mom OG'? As Portwood and Glennon prepare to welcome their first child together, the second for the reality star who also shares 9-year-old Leah with Gary Shirley, the future of Teen Mom OG appears to be up in the air. As fans likely saw, Farrah Abraham was released from her contract with the network on Monday's new episode and now, rumors are swirling the web suggesting that Teen Mom 3 star Mackenzie Standifer may be preparing to replace her. To see more of Amber Portwood, tune in to Teen Mom OG season 7 on Monday nights at 9 p.m. on MTV, and don't miss Marriage Boot Camp: Reality Stars Family Edition on Fridays at 9 p.m. on WEtv. The Archbishop of Canterbury gushed about Meghan Markle's baptism into the Church of England held on March 6 and also spared details about the secret ceremony. Meghan Markle's 'Beautiful' Baptism It was very special, said the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby. It was beautiful and sincere and very moving. IT was a great privilege. The private ceremony took place inside Chapel Royal at St. Jamess Palace in London. Markles future husband, Prince Harry, attended as well. The former Suits star's baptism into the Church of England showed respect for Prince Harrys mother, Queen Elizabeth, who is the leader of the church. The ceremony is the latest of a series of events that will lead up to Markle and Prince Harrys wedding day on May 19. Archbishop Welby is slated to officiate the ceremony. He opened up about the future husband and wife. At the heart of it is two people who have fallen in love with each other, who are committing their lives to each other with the most beautiful words and profound thoughts, who do it in the presence of God, through Jesus Christ, said Welby. He also joked that he hopes he doesnt make any mistakes in the ceremony such as drop the ring or say the vows incorrectly. He admitted hes done that before at a rehearsal for one of his children. Meghan Markle Is In With The Royals Thankfully for Markle, she also has the support of her future in-laws. The Duchess of Cambridge Kate Middleton and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, have reportedly been an encouragement to Markle. The entire royal family is said to have taken Markle under their wing as she prepares to be a part of the prestigious family. Markle has made a seamless transition from a Hollywood actress in USAs Suits to royal status. While she hasnt followed all of the rules and protocol of the royal family, they seem to be just fine with making Markle an exception. She even got ahead of schedule of going to an event with Queen Elizabeth II earlier this week. Historically, this wouldnt have happened until she and Prince Harry were married. One thing that could have impressed the queen is Markle knowing the words to the British national anthem. Markles style since Prince Harry proposed has also gotten her lots of positive attention. Her simple yet classy style has certainly been a win for her. Be sure to keep up with Enstars for the latest news and updates on your favorite celebrities. Selena Gomez turned up in Malibu, California earlier this week and did so on the heels of recent rumors regarding her alleged "break" from Justin Bieber. While several outlets have reported on the fact that Gomez was visiting celebrity hotspot Nobu restaurant with a friend and a Bible in hand, it isn't the Bible that makes the story relevant to her relationship with Bieber. Instead, it is the restaurant. As some may know, Nobu is just steps away from the home where Bieber currently lives. Although Bieber wasn't spotted at Nobu when Gomez was present, he could have potentially seen his on-again, off-again girlfriend by simply looking out of one of his windows. As to whether or not Bieber was home at the time of Gomez's Nobu visit, he certainly could have been. After all, he turned up at a premiere in Los Angeles later that same night. Selena And Justin Are On A 'Break'? Earlier this month, with rumors swirling in regard to their reported "break," Gomez left Los Angeles and Bieber and headed back home to Texas. However, just days later, she returned to the West Coast and got back to her regular routine of attending church and Bible studies in the area. Gomez and Bieber began spending time with one another last October and appeared to be doing well up until earlier this month when several outlets began reporting on a supposed "break" between them. As for why they would allegedly be taking time apart, one particular source claimed to E! News that the couple's "break" was prompted by a feud over Bieber's birthday celebration earlier this month. A Birthday Dispute May Have Led To Their 'Break' "She wanted to have a quiet birthday celebration with Justin and he wanted to go big and involve all of his church friends," the source explained. In the end, Bieber was seen hanging out with his male friends on his birthday and Gomez was nowhere to be seen. They May Not Actually Be On A 'Break' As rumors swirl about a "break," another report by Hollywood Life claimed Gomez and Bieber weren't on a break but instead had returned to their former ways of keeping their relationship low-key and meeting up in secretive ways. While they were very public for a short time, the attention became too straining on their relationship," the insider said. "As soon as Selena returned to L.A. from Texas this week, Justin made plans to meet up with her at the safest place for both of them church. Letters Community paramedicine may be what is needed to save lives The impact of the closure of the hospital in Oakland is already being felt across the area, with patients in emergency situations facing longer wait times before getting to a hospital and receiving Community paramedicine may be what is needed to save lives The impact of the closure of the hospital in Oakland is already being felt across the area, with patients in emergency situations facing longer wait times before getting to a hospital and receiving Letter to the editor Upon reading the article concerning the junior high football programs at Lyons Decatur Northeast (LDNE) and Oakland-Craig (O-C) I was inspired to write a short note. It gives one a Peterson Hospital The Balanced Budget Act passed in 1997 included provisions for rural hospitals to become Critical Access Facilities. It was recognized by our Federal lawmakers that rural hospitals were crucial to Doctor suggest community regain ownership of hospital It is now old news that Mercy One Medical Center in Sioux City, Iowa, affiliated with Trinity Catholic Corporations of Novi, Michigan, has made a final decision to close out Oakland acute care Read more letters Chongqing issues regulations on autonomous vehicle road testing Shanghai (Gasgoo)- On March 14, Chongqing issued the Chongqing Regulations on Autonomous Vehicle Road Testing (Trial) (Chongqing Regulations), and became the third city in China to issue road testing regulations for autonomous vehicles following Beijing and Shanghai. This is another important movement that injects momentum to China's autonomous driving industry. The Chongqing Regulations defines the qualification of the regulatory body and the testing applicants. It requires the applicant to be an independent legal entity registered in China with the capability of R&D and manufacturing related to autonomous driving technologies and products. Besides, the testing applicant is required to present a concrete vehicle testing plan in terms of the testing requirements and submit an application form to the regulatory body 10 workdays prior to the vehicle test. The Chongqing Regulations also requires that the tested autonomous vehicle must have a driver in the driver's seat. The testing driver must be an individual authorized by the applicant and authorities to take emergencies as required. To ensure human safety, the testing driver is required to take a half hour break every 2 hours and the aggregate testing time per driver cannot exceed 6 hours per day. Under the Chongqing Regulations, the testing driver and the testing applicant should be liable for any violation of traffic laws and any traffic accidents caused. Generally, the Chongqing Regulation is quite similar to the Beijing Regulation that was released in December last year. Some industrial insiders analyze that the tests in real driving environment will collect more valuable data than that of in closed field which will boost the upgrading of autonomous driving algorithms. Terrorism committed by states and their agents has been responsible for millions of deaths worldwide in the last two centuries. Yet the mainstream literature seems to be obsessed with terrorism perpetrated by non-state actors, and state terrorism remains an under-theorised and under-studied concept as compared to its non-state avatar. It is important, therefore, to critically look at the dominant discourse on terrorism; and the politics behind labelling someone as a terrorist needs to be interrogated thoroughly. It was an ancien regime supported by the most powerful modern liberal democratic state of the world. The Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) CPN(M)was leading a spectacular resistance of the people against a medieval regime. The Nepali Maoists were declared terrorists, and their brutal suppression by the monarchs Royal Nepali Army (RNA) became a part of the global war on terror, initiated by the United States (US) after the 9/11 attacks. To support the war on terror, was the most convenient way for the unpopular dictators in the Global South to gather legitimacy and support for their actions from the global hegemon, the US. It was the year 2005. One day, the RNA surrounded our home, vandalised whatever furniture and utensils we had, and took away our family albums. My father was arrested a few months later and my mother moved in with my relatives. I was in the Peoples Liberation Army and my brothers and sisters were pursuing higher education in the city. The only member of our family staying in the village home was my grandmother. However, the RNA did not spare even an old woman. They beat her mercilessly with the butts of their assault rifles, kicked her and left her unconscious. After the army left, the villagers took her to a hospital in Pokhra, a nearby city. Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico and his cabinet resigned on Thursday (15 March) in an attempt to ease the political crisis that ensued the murder of the investigative journalist Jan Kuciak and his fiancee. President Andrej Kiska accepted the resignation and asked Peter Pellegrini, Mr. Ficos deputy prime minister, to form a new government. The move is seen as a way out of the political crisis and an attempt to keep the current three-party coalition in power as well as to avoid early elections. The next regular parliamentary elections are due in 2020 and the current coalition has a majority in the 150-seat parliament. Im sure that a decision to create a new government is the right step, Mr. Fico said and added that early elections would not bring any stability. The resignation came in a response to the pressure on Mr. Ficos cabinet over allegations of his inner circles ties to the Italian mafia and misuse of EU funds as well as the numerous anti-government protests demanding both governments resignation and a thorough investigation of the killings of Jan Kuciak and Martina Kusnirova. In his last article that was published posthumously, Mr. Kuciak was writing about the alleged misuse of EU funds in Slovakia and potential links between organized crime groups and people close to Prime Minister Fico. In his earlier stories, Mr. Kuciak wrote about corruption scandals linked to Mr. Ficos party Smer. The European Parliament responded to the shooting of the journalist by urging EU investigation and further actions to protect journalists. MEPs called for an independent international investigation that would bring perpetrators to justice. The Parliament also insists on better rules at both national and EU level to ensure the safety of journalists and bloggers. MEPs also urged the EU Commission to again start publishing the annual EU anti-corruption report. ezhejiang.gov.cn Li Yong (right), director of Zhejiang Administration of Foreign Experts Affairs, delivers the confirmation letter for R visas to a foreign expert on March 12. [Photo/zjol.com.cn] The first group of 16 overseas high-end talents received confirmation letters for R visas from Zhejiang Administration of Foreign Experts Affairs in Hangzhou on March 12. The new regulations on issuing R visas for overseas talents took effect on March 1 in Zhejiang. The visas allow top overseas talents to stay in China for up to 180 days at a time with multiple border entries valid from five to 10 years. It makes it possible for foreign experts to get to know the country before having to apply for a work permit. Zhejiang Administration of Foreign Experts Affairs assumed the responsibility of reviewing applicants' qualifications and issuing confirmation letters to those who submit materials in the province. The first group of professionals includes faculty members from universities and top scientists from high-tech companies and institutions. Zhejiang is undergoing rapid economic and social development. Its capital city is endeavoring to build itself into an international metropolis. High-end research institutions such as Zhejiang Lab and high-tech zones are seeking talents with great eagerness. Li Yong, director of Zhejiang Administration of Foreign Experts Affairs said that in the past five years, Zhejiang has introduced 200,000 overseas professionals. "They play an irreplaceable role in the province's development and in the future, we will figure out more policies to retain them," Li added. The Fauquier Times is honored to serve as your community companion. To say thank you, we are excited to offer 4 weeks FREE Digital & Print access to all subscribers new and returning alike. We are dedicated to continuing providing reliable, high quality journalism. This is possible with the trust and support of our subscribers in the community we are proud to serve. 2020 was a year marked by hardships and challenges, but the Fauquier community has proven resilient. The Fauquier Times is honored to serve as your community companion. To say thank you for your continued support, wed like to offer all our subscribers -- new or returning -- 4 WEEKS FREE DIGITAL AND PRINT ACCESS. We understand the importance of working to keep our community strong and connected. As we move forward together into 2021, it will take commitment, communication, creativity, and a strong connection with those who are most affected by the stories we cover. We are dedicated to providing the reliable, local journalism you have come to expect. We are committed to serving you with renewed energy and growing resources. Let the Fauquier Times be your community companion throughout 2021, and for many years to come. A former Siemens AG executive pleaded guilty Thursday to conspiring to pay tens of millions of dollars in bribes to Argentine government officials for a $1 billion contract to create national identity cards. Eberhard Reichert, 78, appeared in federal court in Manhattan. He pleaded guilty to one count of conspiring to violate the FCPA anti-bribery, internal controls and books and records provisions, and to commit wire fraud. He was one of eight people charged in 2011 with FCPA offenses for the Argentina bribery scheme. Reichert, a German citizen, worked for Siemens from 1964 to 2001 as an executive of Siemens Business Services. He was arrested last year in Croatia and agreed to be extradited to the United States. When he appeared in federal court in December, he pleaded not guilty and was released on bond of $500,000. His trial was set to begin in July this year. One of his co-defendants, Andres Truppel, a former chief financial officer of Siemens Argentina, pleaded guilty in U.S. federal court in 2015. Truppel, a dual citizen of Germany and Argentina, admitted that he and others paid nearly $1 million to a former official in Argentinas Ministry of Justice. As part of his plea, Truppel agreed to cooperate with authorities. He hasnt been sentenced. In 2008, Siemens AG pleaded guilty to violating the FCPA in at least ten countries, including Argentina. It settled with the DOJ and SEC for $800 million. The DOJs John Cronan said in a statement Thursday: Far too often, companies pay bribes as part of their business plan, upsetting what should be a level playing field and harming companies that play by the rules. In his plea, Reichert admitted to a decade-long scheme to pay tens of millions of dollars in bribes for the national ID card contract, worth more $1 billion to Siemens. The judge Thursday didnt set a sentencing date. Reichert admitted using shell companies controlled by intermediaries to disguise and launder the funds for the Argentina bribes. So far, he and Truppel are the only defendants from the so-called Siemens-8 to appear in U.S. court to face criminal charges. All were non-U.S. citizens living outside the United States. Reicherts March 15, 2018 plea agreement with the DOJ is here. ____ Richard L. Cassin is the publisher and editor of the FCPA Blog. ICONIQ to build manufacturing base in Zhaoqing with total investment of RMB 16 billion Shanghai (Gasgoo)- Tianjin ICONIQ NEV Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as ICONIQ Motors), a Chinese electric vehicle startup, signed an agreement with Zhaoqing New Area on Mar. 14 about investing and building a manufacturing base in Zhaoqing, Guangdong Province. The new base project will be constructed in two phases. Each phase is designed to have a production capacity of 200,000 units. In order to meet the planned production capacity, ICONIQ Motors will invest RMB 16 billion cumulatively in five years. Specifically, the company will invest RMB 8 billion in the first phase, of which RMB 3 billion will be utilized in the construction of its global headquarters and R&D center, while the rest RMB 5 billion will be spent on the vehicle development and plant construction. What's more, the investment of RMB 8 billion will be for the upgrading of vehicle and technologies. Apart from production, the Zhaoqing base will also have the capabilities of technological R&D and vehicle development. In the future, the full lineup of ICONIQ models will be put into production in Zhaoqing base. The first ICONIQ model is likely to be the ICONIQ SEVEN. ICONIQ Motors announced its collaboration with Microsoft and AKKA Technologies to develop its first L5-featured autonomous driving vehicle, which will debut at the Expo Dubai 2020 and will achieve mass production by the end of 2022. Alan Wu, president of ICONIQ stated that ICONIQ will finish testing for its L5-featured autonomous driving vehicles in China and Abu Dhabi's Masdar Smart City before the debut in 2020, to accumulate important preliminary data and take initial foray into relevant environment-protection field. ICONIQ Motors was founded in 2016. The R&D of the first ICONIQ model has undergone four years. The model was designed by Lebanon-based W Motors. The engineer and core technology solutions as well as sample vehicle manufacturing were provided by Magna. Currently, ICONIQ has signed an order of the ICONIQ SEVEN for nearly 10,000 units with Abu Dhabi police and CITIC Group. Gal Gadot has become the new face of Reebok. Gal Gadot The 'Wonder Woman' actress has been named the sportswear brand's global ambassador - landing an endorsement deal reportedly worth $10 million - and the brunette beauty is thrilled to have partnered with Reebok because fitness has always been a huge part of her life since she was a child because her mother Irit was a PE teacher. In a statement on the Reebok website, the 32-year-old actress said: "Especially with having a mother who was a PE teacher, I was exposed to an active lifestyle from an early age, through fitness, I have found that I gain strength, endurance and confidence, and I couldn't imagine a better partner than Reebok to join me on this journey." Gal follows in the footsteps of strong female stars who have worked with the brand on previous campaigns including Ariana Grande, Gigi Hadid, and Victoria Beckham. In a statement confirming the company's collaboration with Gadot, Todd Krinsky - the general manager of the performance business unit at Reebok - said: "We look to partner with women who instill confidence in all generations to take risks and to keep pushing, all while making a positive difference in the world. "Her relentless spirit and natural leadership have already captivated and inspired millions and we believe that this is just the starting point. Through fitness, we know that we have the power to change lives and we are elated to have such a powerhouse in our corner to tell this story." Gadot - who was also announced as the Global Brand Ambassador for Revlon in January - was no stranger to the spotlight even before landing the role of Wonder Woman as the screen star won the Miss Israel pageant in 2004 at the age of 18. Reebok have also created phone wallpapers for customers to download from their website which were "inspired by some of her most powerful quotes" and Gal believes the way to improving yourself is to put others first. She said: "The things that make us better are when we're pushing ourselves, or when we're more worried about others than we are about ourselves." Directed by Baltasar Kormakur and starring the brilliant Shailene Woodley and Sam Claflin comes new movie Adrift, based on a thrilling true story of two adventurers whose chance encounter leads them to falling in love, before fighting for survival. This week, a brilliant new trailer for the film has dropped showcasing some of the action well see on the big screen when it comes to cinemas, and you can now check out the teaser below: Setting off across the Pacific Ocean, adventurers Tami Oldham (Woodley) and Richard Sharp (Claflin) sail directly into one of the most threatening and catastrophic storms in recorded history. Despite the chaos, they manage to survive, with Tami awakening to find Richard badly injured and their boat completely destroyed. Their chances of rescue are slim to none, so Tami must find the power within herself to save not only her life, but that of the one man shes ever loved. Written by Aaron & Jordan Kandell, alongside David Branson Smith, Adrift will make its US debut on June 1, 2018 from STXfilms. Also starring Jeffrey Thomas and Elizabeth Hawthorne, the release promises to be one of the most thrilling adventures seen on the big screen. Miles Teller was originally the man to step into the role of Richard Sharp, but was replaced by Claflin when scheduling conflicts forced Teller to exit. Filming took place in Fiji and was completed in July 2017. Adrift is expected to come to cinemas across the UK later this year. by Daniel Falconer for www.femalefirst.co.uk find me on and follow me on 'Coronation Street' boss Kate Oates has defended the soap's recent violent plotlines. Pat Phelan (Connor McIntyre) and Anna Windass (Debbie Rush) The ITV programme's producer has admitted that she is "driven nuts" by the constant negative comments about intense scenes, which have included vicar Billy Mayhew (Daniel Brocklebank) desperately turning to drugs and mass murdered Pat Phelan (Connor McIntyre) killing off his enemies. However, she's reassured her critics that she isn't going to retire from her job because ratings have improved vastly since she joined. Kate told the Daily Star newspaper: "I am not going anywhere. "The shows in a good place, the figures are up year on year. "I've become more resilient to criticism. It drives me a little nuts but goes with the territory." It comes after Martina Cole criticised 'Corrie' for its recent trend of darker, more drawn out storylines, and urged writers to bring back the fun. The successful crime writer - who has penned 22 books, including the likes of 'The Know' and 'Dangerous Woman' - hit out at the soap for its pacing and called for a return to the more light-hearted plots featuring comedic characters like Jack and Vera Duckworth. Life-long fan Martina, 58, said: "The storylines go on too long, ie Phelan and Billy's drugs drama. Too many episodes and not enough storylines ... For me the wonder days of Ken and Deirdre and Baldwin need to be revisited. Those storylines could have done 20 episodes a week and I'd have happily watched, fabulous acting! The same goes for Hilda and Stan, Vera and Jack." The author insists she isn't at the stage where she would tune out and is sure the plots will turn to things she enjoys soon enough. Even Sue Cleaver - who plays Eileen Phelan, the wife of evil Pat, in the show - has admitted she's really struggling with the gripping plot twists she's having to shoot for the programme at the moment because they're becoming so "complicated", but she's hoping bosses will give her some breathing space this year so she can go travelling. Sue - who has appeared on the show for 24 years - explained: "It's all getting very dark. It's just too complicated at the moment. I'm so knackered. I'd love a break. I want to travel to China and Japan." Category Select Category Apparel/Garments Textiles Fashion Technical Textiles Information Technology E-commerce Retail Corporate Association Press Release SubCategory Select Sub-Category WIESBADEN, Germany, March 16, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- More than 1,800 works seized by German authorities in 2013, amid investigations into forgery rings operating throughout Europe, have been confirmed as genuine, following an extensive five-year investigation into their authenticity. The collection, including works by Kasimir Malevich, El Lissitzky, Vladimir Tatlin and Natalia Goncharova, have now been returned to renowned collector Itzhak Zarug after a thorough examination by the German police and more than 10 expert witnesses. The investigation declared that all allegations of forgery were unsubstantiated, lifting a damaging taint on the value and prestige of the Zarug collection. German state prosecutors leading the investigation first withdrew the central indictments on 7th February 2018, a U-turn which was reaffirmed in today's judgement. Mr Zarug was arrested in June 2013 following raids on his apartments and galleries amid investigations into an alleged international art forgery ring. All allegations have now been dismissed in the face of overwhelming evidence which both exonerates Mr Zarug, accepts his collection as genuine, and rejects the existence of an international art forgery ring. During the trial, the German courts heard incontrovertible scientific evidence following extensive scientific and art-historical analysis. The German authorities also requested assistance from authorities and experts in Israel, France Spain, Switzerland and the UK, with each country undertaking their own investigation in the Zarug collection and finding no fault. This included verification from leading independent art authenticators, following careful analysis and chemical testing. Two of the experts involved in this case were Dr Erhard Jagers, a leading chemist, specialising in the analysis of works of art and a director of the Microanalytical Laboratory in Borheim, Germany, as well as distinguished Russian avant-garde scholar and President of the International Chamber of Russian Modernism, Dr Patricia Railing. Speaking today, Mr Zarug said: "Reason and justice have prevailed, and my pictures can at last be enjoyed without suspicion or concern. I am pleased that the allegations against me and against my pictures have been proven to be unfounded. We wish to thank the German authorities for the diligence, objectivity and intensity of their investigation into my collection. The degree of thorough scientific and historical analysis can leave no doubt that these paintings are true and genuine masterpieces of the Russian avant-garde." HONG KONG, Mar 15, 2018 - (ACN Newswire) - Emperor Watch & Jewellery Ltd (HKG:887), a leading retailer of European-made watches and fine jewellery, announced its annual results for the fiscal year ended 31 Dec, 2017.Driven by strong recovery in consumption sentiment, the Group's total revenue increased by 11.9% to HK$4,075.1 million. Watch segment revenue increased by 13.4% to HK$3,238.6 million and remained a key revenue contributor, accounting for 79.5% of the total revenue. Revenue from the jewellery segment increased by 6.5% to HK$836.5 million. 74.8% of the Group's total revenue was contributed by the Hong Kong market. Revenue from Singapore market soared 43.3% to HK$374.0 million and accounted for 9.2% of the Group's revenue.Gross profit grew by 19.8% to HK$1,089.2 million. The gross profit margin was lifted by 1.7 percentage points to 26.7%, which was mainly attributable to stronger market demand for luxury watches.Due to an improvement in sales momentum, enhanced gross profit margin and rental savings, the Group recorded a net profit of HK$159.7 million (2016: net loss HK$64.8 million). Basic earnings per share was HK2.32 cents (2016: basic loss per share HK0.9 cent). The Group recommended the payment of a final dividend of HK0.58 cent (2016: Nil) per share. Together with the interim dividend of HK0.17 cent (2016: Nil) per share, the total dividends for the Year are HK0.75 cent (2016: Nil) per share.As at 31 December 2017, the Group had 80 stores (31 December 2016: 97) in Hong Kong, Macau, mainland China and Singapore.During the Year, the Group continued to optimise its retail chain of "Emperor Jewellery" stores in mainland China, to seize the opportunities arising from the rapid growth of the jewellery market. Meanwhile, the Group further expanded the coverage of jewellery stores in domestic areas of Hong Kong, which helped with promoting brand exposure and seizing market opportunities of emerging shoppers.In commemoration of its 75 years of distinguished history and craft, the Group was proud to present the "L'Atelier Cindy Yeung High Jewellery" collection. The design of this collection is inspired by Ms. Cindy Yeung, Chairperson and Chief Executive Officer of the Group. It was ceremoniously launched during the jewellery show in November 2017, to showcase the glittering gemstone pieces, revealing the brand's unique jewellery aesthetics.Ms. Cindy Yeung said, "After years of struggling against macro challenges, we are pleased to deliver a solid full-year results with double-digit topline growth. The progress of the business was not only built on positive momentum in the retail market, but also reflected our strong operational performance on every front including sales growth, cost control and inventory management."Ms. Yeung continued, "With the growing wealth among Chinese consumers, who remain our major customer group, the overall consumption sentiment is expected to be buoyant. Taking into account the strong fundamentals, coupled with ongoing urbanisation, expansion of the middle-class and rising income, we are optimistic regarding the market demand for luxury items in Greater China. To unleash the full potential in the market, we are planning to expand our presence in both watch and jewellery businesses as well as exploring new opportunities."About Emperor Watch & Jewellery LimitedWith long establishment history of over 70 years in Hong Kong since 1942, Emperor W&J (887.HK) is a leading retailer engaged in the sale of European-made watches and fine jewellery products under its own "Emperor Jewellery" brand. With premiere watch dealerships, marketing campaigns and retail networks in Hong Kong, Macau, mainland China and Singapore, Emperor has a strong brand image with middle to high income groups worldwide.In recognition of its efforts in investor relations, Emperor was granted a "3 Years IR Awards Winning Company" in 2018 by the HKIRA. It also received a "Certificate of Excellence in Investor Relations" in the IR Magazine Awards - Greater China 2016. For more information, please visit www.emperorwatchjewellery.com.Investor/Media EnquiriesMs. Winnie Kwong,Group Investor Relations ManagerEmperor GroupTel: +852 2835 6791Email: winniekwong@emperorgroup.comMs. Anna Luk,Group Investor Relations DirectorEmperor GroupTel: +852 2835 6783Email: annaluk@emperorgroup.comSource: Emperor Watch & Jewellery LimitedCopyright 2018 ACN Newswire . All rights reserved. WASHINGTON COUNTY (dpa-AFX) - Nike Inc. (NKE) said it received complaints about inappropriate workplace behavior and that its No. 2 executive has resigned. The company said Trevor Edwards, Nike brand president and a potential successor to Chief Executive Mark Parker, will leave his position immediately and retire from the company in August. In an internal memo to staff announcing the departure, Mr. Parker disclosed that the company in recent weeks had received reports of 'behavior occurring within our organization that do not reflect our core values of inclusivity, respect and empowerment...We've heard from strong and courageous employees.' Parker didn't specify the nature of the complaints or whether they involved Mr. Edwards or other executives. Nike said that current Chief Executive Officer Mark Parker will stay in the job beyond 2020, delaying a potential succession contest. Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann. Corporate Communications Division Mazda Motor Corporation, Japan +81-3-3508-5056 [Tokyo] +81-82-282-5253 [Hiroshima] mailto: media@mazda.co.jp TOKYO, Mar 16, 2018 - (JCN Newswire) - Mazda Motor Corporation, ELIIY Power Co., Ltd. and Ube Industries, Ltd. have agreed to jointly develop lithium-ion batteries for use in automobiles. The three companies will work together to develop durable, heat- and impact-resistant 12-Volt lithium-ion batteries as a viable replacement for lead-acid starter batteries in motor vehicles by 2021.Lithium-ion batteries offer a promising alternative to conventional lead-acid car batteries, as environmental regulations in some regions restrict the use of lead and engineers aim to reduce vehicle weight for improved fuel economy. But their application in motor vehicles so far has been limited due to the need for car batteries to withstand the high temperatures of the engine room and the potential impact forces of a collision. With this new project, Mazda, ELIIY Power and Ube Industries will combine their technical strengths to overcome such issues.Making use of the industry-leading computer-aided model-based development techniques it honed while developing SKYACTIV Technology, Mazda will conduct model-based research of the chemical reactions that occur inside batteries, develop technologies to manage high-performance batteries from a vehicle-total perspective and develop a general purpose model for their use.ELIIY Power makes high-quality stationary batteries and starter batteries for motorcycles. The safety and performance of its lithium-ion starter batteries for motorcycles is widely recognized, and the company started supplying them to a major Japanese motorcycle manufacturer in 2016. ELIIY Power will leverage its experience in developing safe, water-proof, impact-resistant battery technologies with excellent cold-weather performance to lead design and development of the basic battery unit.As a leader in the development of key components such as electrolytes and separators, Ube Industries has made significant contributions to improving the performance of lithium-ion batteries and expanding their range of applications. Its functional electrolytes have brought improvements in battery safety and longevity, and enabled higher capacity for higher voltage batteries. The company will use its accumulated expertise and engineering prowess to develop an electrolyte with a higher flash point and better heat resistance.In light of global trends in environmental regulations, the joint development project aims to make a next-generation battery for widespread use in place of conventional lead-acid starter batteries and contribute to the realization of a safe and stress-free motorized society. In addition, the three companies will assess prospects for further collaboration in a range of fields, including using the technologies that result from this project as base for other low-voltage lithium-ion batteries applicable to vehicle electrification technologies other than starter batteries.About MazdaMazda Motor Corporation (TSE: 7261) started manufacturing tools in 1929 and soon branched out into production of trucks for commercial use. In the early 1960s, Mazda launched its first passenger car models and began developing rotary engines. Still headquartered in Hiroshima in western Japan, Mazda today ranks as one of Japan's leading automakers, and exports cars to the United States and Europe for over 30 years. For more information, please visit www.mazda.comSource: MazdaContact:Copyright 2018 JCN Newswire . All rights reserved. MANCHESTER, England, March 16, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Sleep expert calls for the nation to reassess its relationship with sleep this World Sleep Day A leading sleep expert is calling for Brits to reassess their relationship with sleep this World Sleep Day (Friday 16th March) as shocking research reveals nearly 50 per cent of us are sleeping on second hand mattresses. (Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/655073/Dr_Nerina_Ramlakhan.jpg ) Silentnight's sleep expert Dr Nerina Ramlakhan believes the worrying findings could be contributing to chronic sleep deprivation, with 25 per cent of people in the UK getting less than five hours sleep a night. The research from bed maker Silentnight revealed that 22 per cent of people keep their old or secondhand mattresses for two decades - causing major sleep deprivation due to sagging, not to mention bed bug infestation. This is despite industry guidelines saying we should replace mattresses every seven years. The average person sheds one pound or nearly half a kilogram of skin and hair every year onto their mattresses and the research warns failure to replace them regularly can lead to the spread of dangerous infections like staphylococcus, norovirus and even MRSA. Dr Nerina Ramlakhan said: "I see so many people who have a strained relationship with their sleep and as a nation it's something we need to address. "I think we really need to assess how high up on our priorities list sleep is. We spend a third of our lives sleeping yet so many of us aren't getting enough, and when we do sleep we're doing it on uncomfortable second hand mattresses. A good environment is an essential part of getting deep, restorative sleep and this means everything from the right light and temperature in your bedroom to the right comfort of mattress. Everyone is different and has different sleep needs." The research said half of Britons sleep on a secondhand mattress with 37 per cent sleeping on a mattress that's more than 10 years old. Twelve per cent of people believe mattresses last for life. Liverpudlians were revealed as the worst offenders in the UK, with 68 per cent sleeping on a bed bought for someone else and 72 per cent not thinking to change their mattress until it's at least 15 years old. Angela Moran of Silentnight said: "It's clear that people find the mattress buying process confusing and often get stuck in a rut sleeping on the same old mattress for many years. But it is so important to change your mattress regularly, not least because of the unpleasant build up of skin and hair cells. Mattress fillings will also settle over time providing less push back, which can lead to feeling stiff and achy in the morning. Likewise mattresses with open coil springs will also start to sag causing even more aches and pains. We understand from our rigorous testing and research that everyone is different and has different sleep needs. It's so important to really invest time into choosing the right bed for you. It's definitely not a one size fits all approach." To find out more about the research see here Notes to Editors National Bed Month begins on the 1st March 2018 and is a month dedicated to helping the nation get a better night's sleep. Findings from research commissioned by Silentnight in February 2018, of 2,000 UK resident adults aged between 18-80, with equal gender split and geographical spread. Silentnight and Rest Assured are part of Silentnight Group, the UK's largest manufacturer of branded beds for the home that also owns Layezee, Sealy and the Pocket Spring Bed. Visit http://www.rest-assured.co.uk or http://www.silentnight.co.uk for more information. Dotmatics Ltd, a leading provider of scientific informatics solutions and services, today announced that it has appointed Gordon McCall, CA, as chief financial officer. McCall had been serving as interim CFO while in his previous position as an associate director of Craig Corporate Ltd., a specialist financial consultancy firm based in Glasgow. "Gordon has already proven that he is a valuable member of the Dotmatics executive team, and we welcome him to this appointment," said Alastair Hill, Dotmatics' director and chief technical officer. "Gordon's broad background in accounting and business consulting will benefit Dotmatics as we expand our product portfolio and grow the company across geographies." Prior to Craig Corporate, Gordon served as a finance business partner at Texas Instruments' manufacturing plant in Greenock, where he was a member of the U.K. finance team responsible for facilities improvement, financial modeling, accounting and taxation. He also worked as a decision support manager at Royal Bank of Scotland. McCall is a chartered accountant and holds a 1st class, accountancy degree from the University of Glasgow. "In my time with Craig Corporate, I worked with some fantastic companies, and I have not seen any company better poised for success than Dotmatics," McCall said. "I'm excited about the company's future and contributing to the growth of the business." Scottish Equity Partners (SEP) recently completed a significant investment in the company, which will enable Dotmatics to continue its investment into product innovation and customer success, as well as to strengthen operations in each of its key geographies. About Dotmatics Dotmatics is a leading global scientific informatics software and services provider, delivering solutions tailored to the modern, highly collaborative and mobile scientific environments. The company provides solutions to several vertical markets, including the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, academia, food and beverage, oil and gas, and agrochemical industries. Dotmatics' enterprise solutions are flexible, scalable and configurable, providing effective scientific information management across entire organizations, from discovery research to development and early manufacturing. Dotmatics has significant expertise in scientific informatics, including database management for chemistry and biologics, electronic laboratory notebooks, chemical and biological registration, screening data management, SAR analysis, reporting, and visualization. Dotmatics solutions are available for local or cloud deployment and supported on Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X and Linux. For more information visit www.dotmatics.com. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180316005148/en/ Contacts: Media: Dotmatics Marla Kertzman, 209-852-9027 pr@dotmatics.com PRESTON, England, March 16, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- A solid collaboration between Britain's largest premium vaping brand, I VG Premium E-Liquids and Midwest Distribution, one of the biggest E-Liquids distribution companies in the USA, will now allow all USA Vapers access to premium award winning flavours from the U.K. Midwest Distribution and I VG Premium E-Liquids have signed a deal for the distribution of their E-Liquid products in the United States. Vapers in the USA will join vapers from over 60 countries and 6 continents that vape premium British flavours from I VG Premium E-Liquids. (Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/655051/Ahsan_Bawa.jpg ) Since the inception in 2016, I VG Premium E-Liquids have grown into world market leaders within the vaping industry. "I'm delighted that vapers in the USA will now have access to our premium British E-Liquids." said Ahsan Bawa, CEO at I VG "I am looking forward to a long and healthy relationship with Midwest Distribution." "Being one of the best-selling E-liquid lines in the UK, we are honoured that I VG Premium E-Liquids chose Midwest Distribution to distribute their range of e-liquids for the USA Market." said the CEO of Midwest Distribution "We know it will be a successful venture and we are really look forward to watching it fly off our shelves! Working with members of the I VG team has already proven to us how much they really care about their brand and consumers" Midwest Distribution will be introducing five amazing juices from I VG Premium E Liquids' into the USA vaping industry by the end of March 2018. Accolades including Best Fruit Flavour and Best Dessert Flavour received in New York played a key role in the USA company taking the products on board. I VG Premium E-Liquids are also releasing five new flavours of e-liquids on the 16th March. These flavours include Strawberry Million, Purple Slush, Blackcurrant Million, and Jam Roly Poly amongst others. Their Bubblegum Millions E-liquid has been a massive success with vapers around the world and is one of the biggest sellers. I VG Premium E-Liquids established themselves as a global brand within the vaping industry by exhibiting their products at some of the biggest vaping exhibitions across the globe during 2017 in cities such as Moscow, New York, Berlin, Barcelona, Paris, and London. Upcoming events for I VG include Vape Expo - 24th- 26th March, France and Vaping Convention Circuit - 5th and 6th April, Chicago, USA. About I VG Premium E-Liquids - http://www.ivgeliquids.co.uk Media Contact: Deepika Patel, deepika.patel@acmevape.co.uk, +44(0)1772-217000 MILAN, March 16, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Eleven National Winners from Italy were named at an exclusive event held at Borsa Italiana, Milan last night in the European Business Awards, Europe's largest business competition, sponsored by RSM. (Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/654841/European_Business_Awards_2018.jpg ) The celebrated companies were chosen by a panel of independent judges including senior business leaders, politicians and academics as the best in the Awards' 11 categories, and they will now go on to represent their country in the final stage of the competition. At the event, business leaders came together to celebrate and network with their peers after being successfully named as 'Ones to Watch' in a list of business excellence published in December, all hoping to be named National Winners. National Winners for Italy Company Name National Winner Category Bio-on S.p.A. The RSM Entrepreneur of the Year Award SMI S.p.A. The Award for Innovation Coproget S.r.l. The Business of the Year Award with Turnover of EUR0-25m Copan Italia spa The Business of the Year Award with Turnover of EUR26-150m Ecolab Srl The Business of the Year Award with Turnover of EUR150m or higher Biesse S.p.A. The Digital Technology Award Afinna One Srl The ELITE Award for Growth Strategy of the Year Vetrya S.p.A. The Germany Trade & Invest Award for International Expansion Menz & Gasser Spa The Social Responsibility and Environmental Awareness Award Markas The Workplace and People Development Award NTC S.r.l. The Customer and Market Engagement Award RSM firms provide audit, tax and consulting services to clients across the globe. Within Europe, RSM firms have experts in 43 countries who work as an integrated team, sharing skills, insight and resources, as well as a client-centric approach that's based on a deep understanding of clients' businesses. Francesco Gerla,Managing Partner, RSM Studio Palea Lauri Gerla said: "RSM is pleased to be the lead sponsor of the European Business Awards and to contribute to recognizing the value and quality of Italian enterprises. As a champion of middle market businesses we work with many Italian businesses to support their growth ambitions, at home and abroad. We congratulate all the National Winners for Italy and wish them all the best as they progress further in the competition." Luca Peyrano, CEO, ELITEsaid: "We are delighted to support the 11thedition of European Business Awards. I would like to congratulate with each truly excellent Italian company that has been selected as National Winner for this year. The future of Italyis closely linked to the ability to appreciate its best companies' value and ELITE has a crucial role in this process: more than a third of ELITE companies have raised money through a wide range of financial transactions, for a total value of 5.2 billion. ELITE supports Italian and international companies in achieving their goals, allowing them to become part of a vibrant community of excellence and business opportunities." "It's no surprise that Italy has a solid foundation of innovative companies. We are honored to present the award for International Expansion and look forward to supporting these businesses as they grow and expand into new markets," saidJurgen Friedrich,CEO of Germany Trade & Invest (GTAI). GTAI is the foreign trade and inward investment agency of the Federal Republic of Germany. In this capacity it informs and advises international companies setting up business in Germany. These National Winners will face further judging in their chosen category, and the final category winners will be announced at the European Business Awards Gala Final in Warsaw, Poland in May 2018. Separately companies in the competition are also competing in a public vote to be named 'European Public Champion' at the Gala Final. This opened on 31stJanuary, and engages with people from across the globe.Last year the public vote generated almost 250,000 votes. To view the videos and vote for your favourite company please go to:http://www.businessawardseurope.com The European Business Awards is now in its 11thyear and its primary purpose is to support the development of a stronger and more successful business community throughout Europe. Last year it engaged with over 33,000 businesses from 34 countries. Sponsors and partners include RSM, ELITE, Germany Trade & Invest and PR Newswire. About the European Business Awards: The European Business Awards' primary purpose is to support the development of a stronger and more successful business community throughout Europe. The European Business Awards programme serves the European business community in three ways: It celebrates and endorses individuals' and organisations' success It provides and promotes examples of excellence for the business community to aspire to It engages with the European business community to create debate on key issues The European Business Awards is now in its 11thyear. Last year it engaged with over 33,000 businesses from 34 countries. Sponsors and partners include RSM, ELITE, Germany Trade & Invest, PR Newswire, Bureau Van Dijk, SDL Managed Translation.http://www.businessawardseurope.com. Twitter:@rsmEBA Facebook:http://www.facebook.com/businessawardseurope LinkedIn:the company page "The European Business Awards" About RSM: RSM is the sixth largest network of independent audit, tax and consulting firms, encompassing over 120 countries, 800 offices and more than 43,000 people internationally. The network's total fee income is US$5.1 billion. As an integrated team, we share skills, insight and resources, as well as a client-centric approach that's based on a deep understanding of our clients' businesses. This is how we empower them to move forward with confidence and realise their full potential. RSM is a member of the Forum of Firms, with the shared objective to promote consistent and high quality standards of financial and auditing practices worldwide. RSM is the brand used by a network of independent accounting and advisory firms each of which practices in its own right. RSM International Limited does not itself provide any accounting and advisory services. Member firms are driven by a common vision of providing high quality professional services, both in their domestic markets and in serving the international professional service needs of their client base.http://www.rsm.global About ELITE: ELITE is a full-service programme designed to share best practice and increase growth opportunities for fast growing companies, with a focus on understanding the capital markets. ELITE is an innovative programme based on exclusive training and a tutorship model, supported by access to the business and financial community. Its aim is to prepare companies for their next stage of growth and investment. For further information on the programme, companies and the full list of partners, please go to:http://www.elite-growth.com About PR Newswire: PR Newswire is the leading global provider of PR and corporate communications tools that enable clients to distribute news and rich content. We distribute our client's content across traditional, digital and social media channels in real time with fully actionable reporting and monitoring. Combining the world's largest multi-channel, multi-cultural content distribution and optimisation network with comprehensive workflow tools and platforms, PR Newswire enables the world's enterprises to engage opportunity everywhere it exists. PR Newswire serves tens of thousands of clients from offices in Europe, Middle East, Africa, the Americas and the Asia-Pacific region. For more information on PR Newswire please visithttp://www.prnewswire.co.uk About Germany Trade & Invest: Germany Trade & Invest is the economic development agency of the Federal Republic of Germany. The company helps create and secure extra employment opportunities, strengthening Germany as a business location. With more than 50 offices in Germany and abroad, and its network of partners throughout the world, Germany Trade & Invest supports German companies setting up in foreign markets, promotes Germany as a business location and assists foreign companies setting up in Germany. Other partners and sponsors: Bureau Van Dijk: Bureau Van Dijk is a Moody's Analytics company which captures and treats private company information for better decision-making and increased efficiency. With information on over 275 million companies in all countries worldwide it istheresource for private company data. Certainty is a highly-prized commodity in business and BVD provides its customers with the best quality data available. Register for a free trial athttp://www.bvdinfo.com SDL Managed Translation: SDL is the global innovator in language translation technology, services and content management. For the past 25 years, SDL has created transformative business results through nuanced digital experiences with customers around the world. For more information about language services and technology, or with help going global quickly and efficiently, please emailmantra@sdl.comor visithttp://www.sdl.com/managed-translation Founder Patrons: The four Founder Patrons are AirX, Megazyme, Alpha Trains Group and Remedica; all members of the European Business Awards community. These successful businesses are gleaming examples of the Awards' core values: Success, Innovation and Ethics. Through patronage, they help to foster and create more successful companies and business communities in Europe. For more information about the founder patrons please visithttps://www.businessawardseurope.com/patrons DUBLIN, March 16, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- - Cross reference: Picture is available via epa european pressphoto agency (http://www.epa.eu ) - With its innovative online platform Total One enables small and medium-sized enterprises to set up and manage personalized ready-to-use Microsoft based IT solutions fast and easily. Within a few minutes companies can select and configure Microsoft IT products and services. In a few hours Total One fully automatically delivers them to on-premise and cloud platforms. Total One makes the most money- and time-consuming IT processes user-friendly and efficient. It includes automatic deployment and management of users, computers, software licensing, servers, datacenters and Clouds. "Total One completely transforms customer experience. Weeks-long projects, dependencies on external specialists are a thing of the past. By using our platform customers save up to 40% of their IT infrastructure budget," explains Doris Haenggi-Tauber, Vice President for Alliances and Partner Management at Total One. Immediate use of latest technologies Total One customers can choose from the 100 most popular Microsoft business products and services - such as Microsoft 365, Office 365, Windows 10, Windows Server 2016, Active Directory, Citrix, WiFi, VPN, Exchange Server, Skype for Business, certificate services and Azure - with which they set up and operate an individual Cloud. Customers decide for themselves whether the IT solution is automatically provisioned to Microsoft Azure, on-premise, hybrid or hosted. Haenggi-Tauber: "We give the customer maximum flexibility and transparency with our pay-per-use model. This eliminates costly investments for the customer." Use cases for Total One Total One helps SME customers to accelerate their IT infrastructure projects in technology refresh and lifecycle, modern workplace, integration of new technologies as well as migration, consolidation and business growth. Launch of Love IT, the Total One social media campaign In addition to the classic sales channels, Total One informs customers and all those interested in the latest IT solutions through various social media channels - such as LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter - introducing the slogan "Love IT". Soon, YouTube videos will demonstrate how fast and convenient IT becomes when using Total One. About Total One Total One was founded in 2017 as a private company in Cork, Ireland. The responsible management team has more than 20 years of international experience in the fields of IT infrastructure, service management, process management, IT automation, corporate consulting and partner business. Printable images for editorial publication are available at https://www.total.one/en/press/ Press contact Doris Haenggi-Tauber Vice President for Alliances and Partner Management E-mail: d.haenggi@total.one Tel.: +353-21-206-62-18 Cell: +41-79-529-14-72 https://www.linkedin.com/in/doris-haenggi/ http://www.total.one KIEV, Ukraine, March 16, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- On March 29, Kyiv will host the largest exhibition and conference in Ukraine on blockchain technology, cryptocurrencies and ICO: Blockchain & Bitcoin Conference Kyiv. This is the fifth annual event, which gathers businesspeople from Ukraine and abroad, developers of decentralized solutions, investors and organizers of tokensales. (Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/654907/BB_Conference_Kyiv.jpg ) The conference will bring together more than three dozen speakers, and the exhibition area will feature more than 70 brands, representing software and services for the crypto industry. The conference will be divided into specialized streams dedicated to finance, developments and ICO. Special guest: Minister of infrastructure Representatives of Ukrainian Ministries and Departments will speak at the conference, including Volodymyr Omelyan, Minister of infrastructure. He will tell the audience what blockchain projects related to the transport industry can be implemented in Ukraine. Oleksandr Ryzhenko, Head at State Agency for e-Governance of Ukraine, will dedicate his presentation to the role of decentralized technologies in the eGovernment reform. His advisor, Konstantin Yarmolenko, will be involved in the panel discussion on the integration of a regulatory sandbox in the country. Besides Konstantin Yarmolenko, the discussion will also engage Oleksii Mushak, MP at Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine. Politicians will talk about the opportunity to establish a separate zone in Ukraine to deal with digital asset laws. David Kiziria, an advisor to the Presidential Administration of Ukraine, will explain how to integrate cyber physical systems in the country's economy and reveal the advantages of its tokenization. CEOs and business founders International business experts will make their presentations as well. So, the conference will involve US speaker Edan Yago, CEO at Epiphyte. A special guest will arrive from the UK: Adam Vaziri, Director at Diacle that delivers legal services to blockchain companies. Switzerland will be represented by Dominik Zynis, a business expert and a co-founder of the well-known Wings platform. His presentation will be dedicated to the usefulness of economy tokenization; the speaker will provide case studies. Yuliya Sporysh, the head of CoinIndex agency, will explain the importance of indices. She will support her presentation by a review of financial data providers. Alina Belkovskaya, a co-founder of the VANDAL BlackPapers analytical project, will talk about the importance of information for ICO projects. Artem Afian, a co-founder of Juscutum law company, will speak on the ICO regulation in Ukraine and worldwide. Marketing and management experts Aleks Bozhinov, CMO at Crowdholding, will tell the audience how to promote an ICO project. His colleague from Bitfury, George Givishvili, will reveal blockchain opportunities in commercial business and government. Serhii Bondarenko, Senior Consulting Manager at word-renowned Deloitte, will make a presentation on challenges and opportunities of cryptocurrencies in the banking sector. Exhibition area The exhibition will present cryptocurrency exchanges, services for traders, electronic wallets, equipment and software for mining, platforms for trading and creating digital ecosystems, decentralized management systems, as well as services of companies for project promotion and legal support. The organizer of Blockchain & Bitcoin Conference is Smile-Expo; its network of bitcoin conferences covers more than 20 countries. Venue: Parkovy Convention & Exhibition Centre, 16a Parkova road, Kyiv, 01601, Ukraine. Get more information and register on the website of Blockchain & Bitcoin Conference Kyiv. About Smile-Expo Smile-Expo is an international company, organizer of large business events. Smile-Expo keeps its finger on the pulse of global innovations, analyzes markets, predicts promising drives, shares information with friends and associates, and launches projects throughout new segments, which have no equivalents in Russia, or on the whole CIS territory. We can safely say that Smile-Expo is a flagship of innovation in the field of exhibition and conference service. The company was the first to draw attention to such promising, but not yet sufficiently developed in the CIS fields as affiliate marketing, robotics, 3D technology, cryptocurrency, wearable devices and augmented reality, Internet of Things, mHealth, "Connected car" and many more. Smile-Expo has started its way with interest in advanced developments in various sectors of the economy and desire to create projects that allow companies to keep up with the times. The result is12years of successful workin the market that inspire professionals of Smile-Expo for organization of large-scale exhibitions, conferences, congresses, forums, workshops and webinars. Media Contact: Alisa Isaeva a.isaeva@smileexpo.ru +7-495-212-11-28 LONDON, March 16, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Flashbay, the world leader in customised Promotional Technology products has big plans for 2018. The company started out in 2003 as a USB Flash Drive manufacturer in London, and has since expanded into a global operation with 5 international offices, 800 staff, thousands of customers and over 80 products spread across 6 technology categories. Flashbay has launched over 30 new products over the last 12 months, and the company has seen promising growth in the market. 2017 saw the launch of the Flashbay Audio category comprising of BluetoothHeadphones and Speakers and an expansion of the Power category, welcoming a range of Inductive Chargers into their portfolio. In addition to this, a Gadget and Gift Set category was developed, offering customers something even more unique and personal for their marketing efforts. "Developing new products is Flashbay's primary focus for this year, with the objective of accelerating growth and driving innovation across the markets we operate in," says CEO, Steve Webster. Flashbay is passionate about design, it's why they develop and manufacture almost all of their products in-house. The company own over 600 design registrations, which means that you won't see a Flashbay-designed product from any other supplier. Flashbay are constantly trying to find ways to reinvent what's possible. "Marketing techniques and innovations move incredibly quickly, and we want our clients to be completely satisfied with the products we design, and for there to be no comparison out there in the market, especially when it comes to quality," says Chris Mizon, Global Marketing Manager. In order for Flashbay to continue with its rapid expansion plans and maintain its position in the market, they are on a recruitment drive to find the best talent. The company has seen a substantial increase in great personnel joining the Flashbay Group across corporate functions, from Product Design, to Graphics and Engineering. Flashbay is in the process of hiring native speaker sales staff in multiple offices across the globe, from Mountain View, California to London and Sydney, to focus on sales in the core markets that they operate in; Europe, the USA, Australasia, Japan and South Africa. "We are placing recruitment at the top of Flashbay's growth agenda," says Marie McLaughlin, HR Manager. "It is important that we hire talent that support Flashbay's core values, rather than just hiring on skill set alone. Flashbay employees are high performers by default, but what we truly value is honesty, perseverance and putting the customer first." With 15 years of experience and over 100,000,000 products sold, Flashbay's customers are relying on them to continue providing the reliable products and services they are renowned for, and this cannot be achieved without its dedicated and hard-working staff. For a list of Flashbay's current career vacancies please visit: www.flashbay.com/careers About Flashbay Flashbay is the World's No.1 business-to-business (B2B) supplier of logo branded Promotional Technology products. From the smallest schools to the largest multinationals, we offer an attractive range of designs within our Memory, Power and Audio categories, offering unbeatable prices coupled with fast and efficient service. Our product lines include Flash Drives, Power Banks, Speakers, Headphones and a host of related technology products and accessories which allow our customers the unparalleled ability to promote their brands with confidence on the global stage. www.flashbay.com Contact: Natalie Murray Email: n.murray@flashbay.com TALLINN, Estonia, March 16, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- On March 22, 2018, Estonia will host Blockchain & Bitcoin Conference Tallinn dedicated to blockchain, cryptocurrencies, and ICOs. Estonian crypto experts and invited foreign specialists will talk about the future and the new prospects of blockchain industry. (Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/654910/BB_Conference_Tallinn.jpg ) Why Tallinn? Estonia goes among those countries that show loyalty to cryptocurrencies and blockchain. It is a place where a large-scale digitalization project E-residency has been functioning for a long time. What is more, the authors of the e-residency program offered public ICO and Estcoin launching. In case of success, Estonia would become the first country across the globe running public ICO. The packed audience at Blockchain & Bitcoin Conference Tallinn in 2017 proves that the crypto community of Estonia is interested in such events. Participants and topics Vladislav Sapozhnikov, Co-Founder and CEO of Deex.Exchange (a platform for cryptocurrency exchange and trading). The speaker will discuss the blockchain future. He will examine decentralized ecosystems based on the BitShares financial blockchain platform. Lukas Kairys, CTO at Cryptodus, a company that develops blockchain business solutions using smart contracts. He will share his view of the future of smart contracts. He will talk about new opportunities, technological tasks, and related risks. Aleks Bozhinov, CMO at Crowdholding that has developed a blockchain platform for entrepreneurs and their advisors. As an experienced marketing specialist, he will explain how one should cooperate with the audience properly when preparing a startup for ICO launch. Thierry Vallat, a lawyer, the founder of Cabinet Thierry Vallat law firm, a former member of Board of Directors, and a treasurer at 'France-Estonia' Association. The speaker will tell the audience what the blockchain industry and cryptocurrencies will face in Europe in the context of government regulation. Edgar Bers, Partner Relations Manager at HashCoins OU, a company developing crypto equipment and creating blockchain services. He will explain how blockchain can serve as a trusted entity. Venue The event will be held at the fashionable hotel Hilton Tallinn Park in the city center. Follow the news about the event and the program upgrades on the official website: Blockchain & Bitcoin Conference Tallinn: https://goo.gl/xwHCRg About Smile-Expo Smile-Expo is an international company, organizer of large business events. Smile-Expo keeps its finger on the pulse of global innovations, analyzes markets, predicts promising drives, shares information with friends and associates, and launches projects throughout new segments, which have no equivalents in Russia, or on the whole CIS territory. We can safely say that Smile-Expo is a flagship of innovation in the field of exhibition and conference service. The company was the first to draw attention to such promising, but not yet sufficiently developed in the CIS fields as affiliate marketing, robotics, 3D technology, cryptocurrency, wearable devices and augmented reality, Internet of Things, mHealth, "Connected car" and many more. Smile-Expo has started its way with interest in advanced developments in various sectors of the economy and desire to create projects that allow companies to keep up with the times. The result is12years of successful workin the market that inspire professionals of Smile-Expo for organization of large-scale exhibitions, conferences, congresses, forums, workshops and webinars. Media Contact: Alisa Isaeva a.isaeva@smileexpo.ru +7-495-212-11-28 Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann. NEW TAIPEI CITY, Taiwan, March 16, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Infortrend, a leading provider of enterprise data storage solutions, announced today that Vietnam's leading personal care and hygiene products manufacturer, Diana Unicharm JSC, has consolidated their virtual and physical servers running web, database, and digital media applications to EonStor DS 3000 hybrid storage systems, while allowing better productivity and website visitor experience. Diana Unicharm JSC has earned a reputation for relentlessly focusing on new and innovative ways to deliver more value and high quality products, and its official website is one of the key platforms to communicate with customers, providing a great amount of information including product introduction, promotion activities, TV advertisements, and news. However, the outdated IT infrastructure was too slow and costly to manage, as such Diana Unicharm JSC was looking for reliable back-end storage solutions to secure and run applications while providing outstanding performance, rich data services, and future-ready scalability at a cost-effective price. After several weeks of testing, Diana Unicharm JSC decided to adopt DS 3016RT as the production storage and DS 3012G as the backup storage. Configured with hybrid storage and Automated Storage Tiering to maximize SSD performance and HDD capacity utilization, the production storage DS 3016RT with dual active controllers and turbo performance stores all critical data and performs daily and weekly backup to the cost-effective DS 3012G model. The purpose of this design is to offer a complete solution in terms of speed, security, flexibility, and ease of use. "Over the years of using Infortrend SAN storage - DS 3000 series (DS 3012RE, DS 3016RT2, DS 3012GE), we are satisfied with its performance and reliability. Infortrend solutions fulfill all requirements of Diana Unicharm JSC, are well integrated with VMware, feature robust hardware performance, come with a variety of software options (Automated Storage Tiering, Thin Provisioning, Remote Replication), can be easily configured, and are simple and inexpensive storage solutions," said Mr. Lai Thien Tri - IT/ERP manager, Head Office, Diana Unicharm JSC. Thomas Kao, Senior Director of Product Planning at Infortrend commented: "We are delighted to play an important part in Diana Unicharm JSC's success, and Infortrend will keep focusing on solving our customers' pain points and improving the speed of their IT operations." For more details about this success story, clickhere. About Infortrend Infortrend (TWSE: 2495) has been developing and manufacturing storage solutions since 1993. With a strong emphasis on in-house design, testing, and manufacturing, Infortrend storage delivers performance and scalability with the latest standards, user friendly data services, personal after-sales support, and unrivaled value. For more Information, please visit www.infortrend.com Infortrendand EonStorare trademarks or registered trademarks of Infortrend Technology, Inc., other trademarks property of their respective owners. BRUSSELS (dpa-AFX) - Eurostat releases Eurozone CPI for February at 6:00 am ET Friday. Ahead of the data, the euro traded mixed against its major rivals. While the euro held steady against the franc and the yen, it rose against the greenback. Against the pound, it dropped. The euro was worth 1.2328 against the greenback, 130.33 against the yen, 1.1701 against the franc and 0.8825 against the pound as of 5:55 am ET. Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann. NEW BRUNSWICK, New Jersey, March 16, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Johnson & Johnson (NYSE: JNJ) today announced that it has received a binding offer from Platinum Equity, a leading private investment firm, to acquire its LifeScan business for approximately $2.1 billion, subject to customary adjustments. LifeScan, Inc. is a leader in blood glucose monitoring products with 2017 net revenue of approximately $1.5 billion. "LifeScan's OneTouchblood glucose monitoring products play an important role in the lives of millions of patients living with diabetes, and following a thorough review of all strategic options, we feel confident that the business would have a promising future with Platinum Equity," said Ashley McEvoy, Company Group Chairman, Consumer Medical Devices, Johnson & Johnson. "This initiative is part of our ongoing, disciplined approach to portfolio management to focus on our most promising opportunities to help patients and drive growth." The Johnson & Johnson Family of Companies will continue to serve those impacted by diabetes through innovative products, services and solutions from its Medical Device, Pharmaceuticals, and Consumer businesses. These include important leadership and innovation in areas such as bariatric surgery and through medicines such as INVOKANA(canagliflozin) and INVOKAMET(canagliflozin/metformin HCl). The acceptance period for the offer will end on June 15, 2018, unless extended, and during that time, consultations with relevant works councils are planned. If the offer is accepted, the transaction would be expected to close by the end of 2018, subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions. This transaction was contemplated in the Company's guidance provided on January 23, 2018. About LifeScan, Inc. LifeScan, Inc. is a world leader in blood glucose monitoring. In the US, LifeScan, Inc. is the leading maker of blood glucose monitoring systems and its OneTouchbrand products are recommended by more endocrinologists and primary care physicians than any other brand1. Globally, more than20 million people depend on OneTouchbrand products for simple testing and accurate results to help them manage their diabetes. For more information visit: www.OneTouch.com. About Johnson & Johnson At Johnson & Johnson, we believe good health is the foundation of vibrant lives, thriving communities and forward progress. That's why for more than 130 years, we have aimed to keep people well at every age and every stage of life. Today, as the world's largest and most broadly-based health care company, we are committed to using our reach and size for good. We strive to improve access and affordability, create healthier communities, and put a healthy mind, body and environment within reach of everyone, everywhere. We are blending our heart, science and ingenuity to profoundly change the trajectory of health for humanity. Note to Investors Concerning Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains "forward-looking statements" as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 related to the divestiture of the LifeScan business. The reader is cautioned not to rely on these forward-looking statements. These statements are based on current expectations of future events. If underlying assumptions prove inaccurate or known or unknown risks or uncertainties materialize, actual results could vary materially from the expectations and projections of Johnson & Johnson. Risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: the possibility that the transaction will not be completed, or if completed, not completed in the expected timeframe, and the potential that the expected strategic benefits or opportunities from any divestiture may not be realized, or may take longer to realize than expected. A further list and descriptions of these risks, uncertainties and other factors can be found in Johnson & Johnson's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017, including in the sections captioned "Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements" and "Item 1A. Risk Factors," and in the company's subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Copies of these filings are available online at www.sec.gov, www.jnj.com or on request from Johnson & Johnson. Any forward-looking statement made in this release speaks only as of the date of this release. Johnson & Johnson does not undertake to update any forward-looking statement as a result of new information or future events or developments. 1 Global Brand Equity Insights Study, February 2015 NEW BRUNSWICK (dpa-AFX) - Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) said Friday that it has received a binding offer from Platinum Equity, a private investment firm, to buy its LifeScan business for about $2.1 billion, subject to customary adjustments. LifeScan, Inc. is a leader in blood glucose monitoring products with 2017 net revenue of approximately $1.5 billion. The acceptance period for the offer will end on June 15, 2018, unless extended, and during that time, consultations with relevant works councils are planned. If the offer is accepted, the transaction would be expected to close by the end of 2018, subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions. Johnson & Johnson noted that the transaction was contemplated in the Company's guidance provided on January 23, 2018. Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann. Despite Brexit uncertainties and political turmoil in South Africa, wealth manager Investec on Friday said full year operating profit was expected to be in line with 2016. The company warned that impairments in South Africa and the ongoing UK business were expected to rise although the credit loss ratio remained at the lower end of the group's long term range at approximately 0.30%. Investec said group revenue was expected to be ahead of the previous year, with recurring income set to make up ... Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann. ALBANY, New York, March 16, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Transparency Market Research has released a new market report titled"Greenhouse Film Market (By Thickness - <100 microns, 101 - 150 microns, >150 microns; Resin Type - LDPE, EVA/EBA, LLDPE, PVC, Others; Application - Vegetables, Flowers & Ornamental, Fruits; Region - North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, Middle East & Africa) - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends, and Forecast, 2017-2025".According to the report, theglobal greenhouse film marketis projected to be worth US$ 6,900 Mn by 2025, expanding at a CAGR of 8.1% from 2017 to 2025. Greenhouse film covers the frame of a greenhouse where crops are cultivated. It defends the crops from extreme temperatures, diseases and pests, and provides them with suitable growing conditions. Increase in adoption of greenhouse cultivation for high yield of crops is boosting the demand for greenhouse films Temperature plays a crucial role in greenhouse cultivation. Climatic conditions such as fluctuating temperatures, humidity, wind, rain, and snow affect the yield of crops. Excess or lack in any of these conditions can have a negative impact on crops. Greenhouse films covering greenhouse structures help in cultivation of crops at a time of the year when they cannot be grown outdoors. However, greenhouse cultivation involves additional investment such as heating system in greenhouses during winter, labor cost, etc. Additional resources required for greenhouse cultivation include heating and ventilating systems for balancing temperatures, pollination, electricity, and water. Government of various countries are encouraging farmers to adopt greenhouse farming, thereby boosting the demand for greenhouse films. Governments of India, Canada, Poland, etc. are providing subsidies to farmers for greenhouse farming, electricity, heating system in greenhouses, etc. Get PDF Brochure for more Professional & Technical industry insights: https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=17306 The global greenhouse film market can be segmented based on resin type, thickness, and applications. On the basis of resin type, the greenhouse film market can be divided into low-density polyethylene (LDPE), ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) or ethylene butyl acrylate (EBA), linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), and others. Other resins include polycarbonate and high-density polyethylene (HDPE). The LDPE resin segment constituted the dominant share of the greenhouse film market, in terms of volume and revenue, in 2016. In terms of thickness, the global greenhouse film market can be classified into greenhouse films <100 microns, 101 microns - 150 microns, and >150 microns. Greenhouse films with thickness more than 150 microns accounted for a major share of the greenhouse film market in 2016. The trend is expected to continue during the forecast period. Applications of greenhouse films include vegetables, flowers & ornamental, and fruits cultivation. Greenhouse films were primarily used for vegetable cultivation in 2016. The trend is anticipated to continue during the forecast period. View in-depth table of contents for this report @ https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/report-toc/17306 Asia Pacific anticipated to dominate the greenhouse film market by 2025 In terms of revenue, Asia Pacific led the greenhouse film market in 2016 and is expected to continue its dominance during the forecast period. The region is expected to witness a healthy growth in greenhouse cultivation. China accounted for a major share of the greenhouse film in Asia Pacific owing to the increase in adoption of greenhouse farming. Asia Pacific was followed by Europe which has a mature greenhouse film market. Spain, Italy, and Poland were the major consumers of greenhouse film in Europe in 2016. Other key consumers of greenhouse film in Europe are the Netherlands, Greece, and France. The U.S. dominated the greenhouse film market in North America in 2016 with nearly equal consumption of greenhouse film for cultivation of vegetables and flowers. The U.S. was followed by Canada in terms of demand for greenhouse films in 2016. The trend is expected to continue during the forecast period. In Latin America, Mexico and Brazil were the major markets for greenhouse film in 2016. These countries are expected to retain their position in the market during the forecast period. Request A Sample Of Greenhouse Film Market: https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=S&rep_id=17306 Middle East & Africa is considered a lucrative market for greenhouse films owing to the rise in adoption of greenhouse cultivation and increase in awareness about greenhouse technology in Israel, Turkey, and Iran. The greenhouse film market in the region is expected to expand at a significant CAGR during the forecast period. Turkey accounted for a major share of the greenhouse film market in Middle East & Africa in 2016 and is anticipated to retain its dominance during the forecast period. Greenhouse film industry heading toward consolidation through mergers & acquisitions In 2017, Berry Global Group signed a purchase agreement to acquire all outstanding shares of Clopay Plastic Products Company, Inc. for approximately US$ 475 Mn. POLIFILM acquired Folag Vietnam in 2016. POLIFILM also acquired WMS-Folien GmbH, a Germany-based manufacturer of packaging films, in 2016. A merger of equals deal was signed between the Dow Chemical Company and DuPont in 2017. These mergers and acquisitions are expected consolidate the fragmented greenhouse film market. Plastika Kritis S.A. increased its capacity by investing US$ 13.2 Mn in creating a new production unit withseven-layer technology that started operations in 2015. Key companies operating in the global greenhouse film market include Berry Global Group, Inc., BASF SE, RPC BPI Group, Barbier Group, RKW Hyplast NV, and Plastika Kritis S.A. Ask for Discount on Premium Research Report (US$ 5795) With Complete TOC: https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=D&rep_id=17306 Greenhouse Film Market: By Thickness (Volume Kilo Tons, Revenue US$ Mn, 2016-2025) <100 microns 101 - 150 microns >150 microns Greenhouse Film Market: By Resin Type (Volume Kilo Tons, Revenue US$ Mn, 2016-2025) LDPE EVA/EBA LLDPE PVC Others Greenhouse Film Market: By Application (Volume Kilo Tons, Revenue US$ Mn, 2016-2025) Vegetables Flowers & Ornamental Fruits Popular Research Reports by TMR: Nanocellulose Technology Market: https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/nanocellulose-technology-market.html TPU Films Market: https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/tpu-films-market.html About Us 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. TMR's 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, TMR's syndicated reports strive to provide clients to serve their overall research requirement. Contact Transparency Market Research State Tower, 90 State Street, Suite 700, Albany NY- 12207 United States Tel: +1-518-618-1030 USA- Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453 Email:sales@transparencymarketresearch.com Website:http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com ResearchBlog:http://www.editiontruth.com/ LONDON (dpa-AFX) - The Bank of England cautioned about 'material risks' to the financial system from 'Brexit'. The Financial Policy Committee of BoE reviewed the outlook for UK financial stability, risks to UK financial stability from Brexit and risks from crypto-assets, at its meeting on March 12. 'Since November, in the United Kingdom, progress has been made towards mitigating risks of disruption to the availability of financial services,' the FPC said. 'Nonetheless, material risks remain, particularly in areas where actions would be needed by both the UK and EU authorities.' Further, the Committee recognized the potential benefits of the technologies underlying crypto-assets and of their potential to create a more distributed and diverse payments system. The committee also judged that existing crypto assets do not currently pose a material risk to UK financial stability. Also, the FPC kept the countercyclical capital buffer rate at 1 percent, unchanged from November. The committee is set to reconsider the adequacy of this 1 percent rate next June. The stress test scenario in 2018 will be the same as that used in 2017 and the hurdle rates for the test will evolve from those used in earlier years. Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann. Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - March 16, 2018) - Secova Metals Corp. (TSXV: SEK) (FSE: N4UN) (OTC: SEKZF) ("Secova" or the "Company") and Tres-Or Resources Ltd. (TSXV: TRS) (OTCPK: TRSFF) ("Tres-Or"); are pleased to report results from surface grab sample gold assays taken at the Grenadier Gold showing and the final drill results from the Lake Obalski exploration targets from the Duvay-Chenier Gold Project (the "Property"), located 15 km northeast of Amos, Quebec. Grenadier Gold showing The Grenadier Gold showing is located 2 kms southeast of the Duvay Zone Principal. Grenadier was originally discovered in the 1930s and mapped in 1938. As mapped, the showing was characterized by high-grade hand samples of gold-bearing quartz veins. The major quartz veins extend dominantly in a west-northwest direction, with cross cutting vertical northeast veins also mapped. Trench and grab samples (including some collected from trenches over short distances) were reported from 1938 with values up to 177.60 g/t Au, as described in a later 1981 assessment report GM 61123. The historic Grenadier showing area was stripped, mapped and photographed using drone technology in 2017. Surface grab samples of quartz veins from this previously trenched area returned values of up to 7.29 g/t Au. A total of twenty-one samples were collected, and four of those samples returned between 2.06 and 7.29 g/t Au. The highest value sample is sulfide rich (16.9 % sulfur). None of the other samples have more than 1.0 % sulfur. Ten of the samples were split into two to four sub-samples before delivery to the lab. Two of those samples yielded high gold values (3.86 g/t Au and 4.85 g/t Au respectively) from one of the two sub-samples, but only very low values (0.090 g/t Au and 0.014 g/t Au) from the second sub-sample, indicative of a nuggety (coarse) gold occurrence at Grenadier. Table 1: Historical results from 1938 map (left) and 2017 results from this news release (right). Note: historical results converted from ounces per short ton to grams per tonne. Silver (Ag) samples below detection limit of 0.3 g/t Ag not reported. To view an enhanced version of Table 1, please visit: https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/4999/33549_a1521171076582_60.jpg Due to the promising results, Secova and Tres-Or will now plan a follow-up exploration program to further define the Grenadier Gold showing. This will involve a more comprehensive channel sampling within trenches to chase the most encouraging results and determine where the gold mineralization could be located. Lake Obalski The Lake Obalski area exploration targets were selected from magnetic and electromagnetic anomalies with interpreted crossing shear and fault structures. Five targets were tested with 6 drill holes totalling 1182 m. Several of the targets demonstrated fluid flow through the stratigraphic column with the best gold mineralization being elevated levels associated with semi- to massive sulfide intervals (> 20% sulfur) returning 0.3 g/t gold (Au) over 1.0 m between 63.5 and 64.5 m depth (drill hole DUV17-19), and another interval lacking sulfide (0.32 % S) of 0.3 g/t Au over 3.0 m in drill hole DUV17-18. The Lake Obalski targets are located 2.5 kms northwest of the Duvay Zone Principal along the northwest trending Duvay Main shear and a magnetically-defined northeast fault (see news release March 5, 2018 for Duvay Zone Principal drill results). "The results from the gold-rich grab samples at Grenadier are very encouraging. Tres-Or and Secova will develop an exploration plan for this summer to better define the results with a focus of trying to tie these results to the very strong historic findings," explained Brad Kitchen, C.E.O. of Secova. "Although the anomalies used to define the drill targets indicated strong possibility of mineralization at the Lake Obalski, this six-drill hole program outside of our main target areas did not intersect encouraging gold mineralization. We should note that on the 7,766 hectares of the Duvay/Chenier project there are 15 known mineralized gold showings to explore. We are eager to continue exploring and advancing these zones in the very near future." Figure 1: Duvay/Chenier Project with Location of 15 Mineralized Zones To view an enhanced version of Figure 1, please visit: [ https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/4999/33549_a1521171076973_61.jpg 2017 Drill and Grenadier Sampling Protocols Samples from both the drilling of Lake Obalski targets and the surface samples at Grenadier were sealed in bags at the secured Duvay building site, and delivered to Techni-Lab Abitibi Inc. in Ste. Germaine de Boule, Quebec (ISO/IEC 17025; a division of Actlabs, Ancaster, Ontario). For drill core, a one half split was sampled, and the remainder stored for reference. For the Grenadier samples, 10 of the samples of sufficient size were split into 2 to 4 sub-samples and processed separately. At Techni-Lab, samples are analyzed for gold by traditional fire assay with atomic absorption finish, with those samples returning >1 g/t gold repeated using a 50g aliquot and gravimetric finish. One sample was identified by the lab during analysis as suitable for metallics sieve analysis for coarse gold, which yielded the 4.85 g/t Au result mentioned in the text above. Samples were also analyzed for multi-elements including sulfur, silver, cobalt, copper and zinc by total digestion ICP at the Actlabs facility in Anacaster Ontario. Techni-Lab holds a certificate of accreditation conforming to ISO 17025:2005 for the processes used in this analysis. Harrison Cookenboo, Ph.D., P.Geo., OGQ is the qualified persons as defined in National Instrument 43-101 who has reviewed and is responsible for the technical information presented in this news release. About Secova Metals Corp. Secova Metals Corp. is a Canadian exploration company focused on building a strong asset base through exploration of undervalued projects in Canada. Management has demonstrated expertise in advancing gold exploration projects into acquisition targets, most notably in the province of Quebec. Secova has the exclusive right and option to acquire from Tres-Or Resources Inc. ("Tres-Or"), an undivided 65% right, title and interest in the contiguous Duvay/Chenier Gold Projects. Secova can earn up to 90% of the property (an additional 25% ownership) by funding a pre-feasibility study after the initial exploration expenditures to bring the property towards production. The Company has a total contiguous land package of 174 claims covering over 7,766 hectares (17,458 acres) of land. Duvay/Chenier is located in the Abitibi gold belt, one of Quebec's premier mining jurisdictions. The Company has plans to advance the development of Duvay/Chenier as well as seek other avenues of growth through acquisition and mergers. The Company also has 100% ownership of the Eagle River project which is adjacent to and on-trend to several gold projects in the Windfall Lake district of Urban Barry in Quebec. In addition, the Company has made a strategic investment by acquiring 100% of a portfolio of four cobalt projects consisting of 76 claims or approximately 4,182 hectares in Quebec. Secova will use its expertise in early stage exploration to create shareholder value by attempting to prove out the potential resource in these assets. About Tres-Or Resources Ltd.: Tres-Or Resources Ltd. (TSXV: TRS) (OTC: TRSFF) is a Canadian resource company focused on exploring for gold, base metals and diamond resources in the Abitibi-Temiscamingue regions in northwestern Quebec. Additional information related to the Company is available at: www.tres-or.com . For more information on Secova Metals Corp. please contact info@secovametals.com, Tel: +1 604-558-5397 or visit the website at www.secovametals.com for past news releases, media interviews and opinion-editorial pieces by CEO and Chairman Brad Kitchen. On Behalf of the Board of Directors, SECOVA METALS CORP. "Brad Kitchen" Chairman, CEO and Director Tel: +1 604-558-5397 info@secovametals.com On Behalf of the Board of Directors, TRES-OR RESOURCES LTD. "Laura Lee Duffett" President and CEO Tel: +1 604-688-8700 info@tres-or.com Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - Crude oil futures were slightly higher Friday morning amid doubts over OPEC's supply quota plan with Russia. Russia could back out of the OPEC oil production cut deal before the end of 2018, Iran's Energy Minister Bijan Zanganeh said. The Kremlin Russia 'has no commitment to stay with it by the end of the year and OPEC may choose to alter the plan which I think would be unlikely,' Zanganeh said. OPEC and Russia may choose to match booming U.S. production instead of keeping with the supply constraints. WTI light sweet oil was up 15 cents to $61.35 a barrel. Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann. YOKNEAM, Israel, March 16, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Lumenis Ltd., the world's largest energy-based medical device company for surgical, aesthetic and ophthalmic applications, announces the release of significant new clinical evidence in lithotripsy as well as initial clinical benefits in benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) treatments using the MOSES' Technology at the 33rd annual European Association of Urology Congress (EAU18), taking place in Copenhagen, March 16-19, 2018. MOSES is a revolutionary, patent-protected technology for holmium laser treatments in both urinary stones and BPH. The technology utilizes a proprietary combination of holmium lasers and fibers that optimize holmium energy transmission using a unique pulse modulation. Significant clinical evidence highlighting the benefits of MOSES in lithotripsy has already been released in several abstracts and peer-reviewed papers, namely MOSES' reduced retropulsion and improved fragmentation rate. Lumenis is continuously collaborating with thought leaders globally to further evaluate MOSES' clinical advantages. One of the major milestones of this collaboration is the randomized clinical trial conducted by Dr. Sero Andonian and the late Prof. Mostafa Elhilali of McGill University's Department of Urology in Montreal, Canada. The trial's results, which will be presented as part of the EAU18 congress podium sessions, demonstrate that procedures conducted with the MOSES technology result in 20% reduction in procedure time, 25% reduction in fragmentation time and 60% reduction in retropulsion. McGill University's poster was highlighted by the EAU Scientific Congress Office as one of the congress' best posters. "We are excited to share the results of the first-ever double-blinded, randomized clinical trial evaluating the effectiveness of the MOSES Technology in 66 patients undergoing ureteroscopic laser lithotripsy," said Dr. Sero Andonian, Associate Professor of Urology at McGill University, Montreal, Canada. "When compared with regular holmium laser, MOSES Technology resulted in significantly shorter fragmentation and procedural times due to significantly less retropulsion during laser lithotripsy." In addition to the substantial new clinical evidence in MOSES lithotripsy, Lumenis also will share the results of initial clinical evaluations of MOSES Technology for BPH treatments. Prof. Ivano Vavassori of Azienda Ospedaliera Ospedale in Treviglio, Caravaggio, Italy will share his initial experience, which suggests advantages in prostate enucleation. "The MOSES technology has great potential in improving the efficiency of enucleation procedures and also enabling a faster learning curve. In my initial clinical experience, I found that there was a smoother cutting effect, excellent hemostasis and improved visibility. Additionally, the enhanced MOSES vapor bubble significantly assists in separating the adenoma from the capsule, resulting in better orientation in the plane." Dr. Fernando Gomez Sancha of Clinica Cenrto in Madrid, Spain has also started experimenting with the use of MOSES for holmium vaporization, and noted, "I see great potential in the use of MOSES technology for vaporization, and I am looking forward to further exploring the benefits of the technology in BPH treatments." "It has been a year since we launched the MOSES technology and I am very excited by the tremendous impact it already has on laser lithotripsy," said Tzipi Ozer-Armon, CEO of Lumenis. "The results of the McGill randomized trial, and specifically the significant reduction in procedure time, are a true embodiment of the change in paradigm we envisioned. We are continuously working to demonstrate the benefits of MOSES in other domains and are proud to share the initial clinical benefits of MOSES for treatment of BPH." During EAU18, Lumenis will participate in a wide range of scientific discussions, enabling participants to get first-hand experience of the new technology: MOSES Podium Presentation - Dr. Sero Andonian ( Canada ) - Double-blinded prospective randomized clinical trial comparing regular and MOSES modes of holmium laser lithotripsy: Preliminary results. Monday, March 19 th , 14:00 - 15:30 (Green Area: Room 15 - Level 0) - Dr. ( ) - Double-blinded prospective randomized clinical trial comparing regular and MOSES modes of holmium laser lithotripsy: Preliminary results. , 14:00 - 15:30 (Green Area: Room 15 - Level 0) MOSES Launch Cocktail Reception - Join us as we celebrate how MOSES is changing the world of urology over a glass of prosecco and canapes. Saturday, March 17 th , 16:00 - 17:00 (Lumenis booth G16) - Join us as we celebrate how MOSES is changing the world of urology over a glass of prosecco and canapes. , 16:00 - 17:00 (Lumenis booth G16) Live surgery - Dr. Khurshid Ghani (US) - MOSES Technology for ureteroscopic lithotripsy. Saturday, March 17 th , 14:00 - 14:15 (eURO Auditorium - Level 0) Dr. (US) - MOSES Technology for ureteroscopic lithotripsy. , 14:00 - 14:15 (eURO Auditorium - Level 0) From HoLEP to MoLEP - Prof. Ivano Vavassori ( Italy ) - AEEP (Anatomical Endoscopic Enucleation of the Prostate) with MOSES technology. Sunday, March 18 th, 13:00 - 13:30 (Lumenis booth G16) For the full Lumenis EAU 2018 activities please click here. About Lumenis www.lumenis.com Lumenis is the world's largest energy-based medical device company for surgical, aesthetic and ophthalmic applications in the area of minimally invasive clinical solutions. Regarded as a world-renowned expert in developing and commercializing innovative energy-based technologies, including Laser, Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) and Radio-Frequency (RF). For nearly 50 years, Lumenis' ground-breaking products have redefined medical treatments and have set numerous technological and clinical gold-standards. Lumenis has successfully created solutions for previously untreatable conditions, as well as designed advanced technologies that have revolutionized existing treatment methods. MEDIA CONTACT: Genevieve Pierce +1.512.774.0735 (c) genevieve@pascalecommunications.com MUNICH and NAALDWIJK, Netherlands, March 16, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Funds managed by Equistone Partners Europe ("Equistone"), one of Europe's leading mid-market private equity investors, have invested in BOAL Group ("BOAL" or "the Group"), a leading designer and manufacturer of high-performance aluminium greenhouse roof and side-wall systems for glass and poly greenhouses. Equistone will acquire a majority stake in BOAL Group from its current CEO Ronald Boers and the founder of the business, Marinus Boers, both of whom will retain a minority shareholding. BOAL's management team will also acquire a minority stake in the business. The financial terms of the deal are undisclosed and the acquisition remains subject to clearance from anti-trust authorities. Headquartered in Naaldwijk, the Netherlands, BOAL Group has 48 years of experience in designing and manufacturing aluminium roofing and sidewall systems for greenhouses and holds a market leading position in the horticultural greenhouse industry. It also supplies the construction, engineering, and transport sectors with aluminium extrusions. The production of its high-performance products is underpinned by its in-house experience, know-how, innovation and aluminium extrusion capabilities across its sites in the Netherlands ('s-Gravenzande, Maasdijk, De Lier) and the UK (Shepshed). BOAL Group currently employs c.370 people and generated revenues of c.155m in 2017. Together with Equistone, BOAL plans to further develop its market-leading position in the horticultural greenhouse industry through continued product innovation, geographic growth and further expansion into the poly-greenhouse roofing systems market. It will do this whilst remaining a reliable partner to its existing customers for greenhouse systems as well as aluminium extrusions. Marc Arens, Partner at Equistone, said: "BOAL Group already has an impressive market position which provides an outstanding foundation for the next phase of growth. Together with its exceptional management team, Equistone will build on BOAL's strengths and continue its growth strategy. Our key priorities will be geographic expansion, product innovation and an extension of the Group's existing product portfolio." Ronald Boers, CEO of BOAL Group, commented: "The greenhouse industry is growing rapidly, a development from which BOAL Group is set to benefit enormously. Equistone is the perfect partner for our ambitions and together we will continue to drive the company's growth plans forward. We can rely on our long-term strategic partnerships with our customers and our long-standing experience and core competence in the extrusion of high-quality aluminium profiles for the greenhouse industry and other markets." Marc Arens, Roman Emanuel Hegglin and Moritz Treude led the transaction for Equistone. Equistone was advised by h&z (commercial), Deloitte (financial), Allen & Overy (legal), PwC (tax), ERM (environmental), GCA Altium (debt advisory), Shearman & Sterling and Stek Advocaten (financing, legal). BOAL was advised by William Blair (M&A), Roland Berger (commercial), Deloitte (financial/tax), Houthoff (legal), Tauw (environmental), Oaklins (financial), VanDoorne (legal), Yeald (management). The completion of the transaction is expected to take place in April 2018. Notes to editors: About Equistone Partners Europe Equistone is an independent investment firm wholly-owned and managed by its executives. The company is one of Europe's leading investors in mid-market buyouts with a strong, consistent track record spanning over 30 years, with more than 400 transactions completed in this period. Equistone has a strong focus on change of ownership deals and aims to invest between 25m and 125m of equity in businesses with enterprise values of between 50m and 500m. The company has a team of over 35 investment professionals operating across France, Germany, Switzerland and the UK, investing as a strategic partner alongside management teams. Equistone is currently investing its sixth buyout fund, which held a final closing at its 2.8bn hard cap in March 2018. Equistone is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Further information can be found at http://www.equistonepe.com. For more information please contact: IRA WULFING KOMMUNIKATION GmbH Dr. Reinhard Saller +49-89-2000-30-30 equistone@wuelfing-kommunikation.de http://www.wuelfing-kommunikation.de An advice mode immediately helps trade customers use the full potential of upcoming seasonal business. Large selection of current summer and all-season tyres of all brands and models available in the online shop. Each year, summer trade means great challenges for car garages and tyre dealers. As a result and at just the right time, Yourtyres.co.uk, the online trade customer shop by Europe's leading online tyre dealer Delticom, is introducing a new feature intended to make the daily work of the shop's customers easier: An advice mode is available from now on at Yourtyres.co.uk. When changing from the purchasing to the sales view, the individual end customer prices are displayed instead of the actual purchase prices. In order to use this feature, users of Yourtyres.co.uk simply have to insert their individual markups for the different item groups. From the markup and the purchase price, the online shop automatically calculates the personal end customer price. The usual purchasing view is also still available. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180316005448/en/ An advice mode immediately helps trade customers use the full potential of upcoming seasonal business (Graphic: Business Wire) "As a partner of our business customers, we want to make the use of our online shop as easy and as convenient as possible for them. In addition to our low prices and fast delivery times, our new shop feature will also offer them support in the future for customer and sales talks," explains Andreas Faulstich, Head of B2B at Yourtyres.co.uk. Of course, as well as the new shop function, the tried and trusted features will also still be there at Yourtyres.co.uk: There are no minimum order quantities or delivery fees, but many payment and return options. To enable the greatest possible flexibility for trade customers, the online shop also has a comprehensive range of tyres of various different makes and models from high-performance premium products to low-cost quality tyres. The new products in our range include, among others, the Falken Ziex 310 and Michelin Primacy 4 summer car tyres, and the new Michelin Road 5 and Bridgestone T31 motorcycle tyres. There is also something new to the range for price-conscious customers: Yourtyres.co.uk offers current CST summer tyres in more than 60 dimensions, including the Marquis MR61, Medallion MD-A1 and Adreno Sport AD-R8, meaning that we have the right product for all individual requirements. As well as the new, practical shop function and the various purchasing advantages, Yourtyres.co.uk also offers trade customers lots of potential to gain new clients. For example, collaboration as a fitting partner enables your own business to be supplemented with customers who order their tyres from one of the Delticom B2C shops (Mytyres.co.uk, Tirendo.co.uk, Moto-tyres.co.uk). This creates an effective connection between online and offline trading. About Yourtyres.co.uk Yourtyres.co.uk is the exclusive online store from Delticom AG for workshops, retailers, wholesalers, tyre fitters/service stations and car accessories. With over 15 years' expertise in the online tyre business, the Yourtyres.co.uk specialist B2B team offers its clients a spectacular range of car and motorbike tyres of all brands and dimensions for all types of vehicles, tyres for light trucks, trucks and buses, custom tyres, complete wheel sets, car spare parts and accessories, engine oil and batteries. In addition to favourable purchasing conditions, retail clients benefit from the online shop's time-saving tyre search function, high availability, reliable delivery thanks to in-house warehouses, as well as a simple registration process with no hidden costs from the very first tyre. Information about the company: www.delti.com Tyre tests: www.tyretest.com View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180316005448/en/ Contacts: insignis Agentur fur Kommunikation GmbH (GPRA) Henning Jahns Tel: +49-511-132214-14 Fax: +49-511-132214-99 delticom@insignis.de or Delticom AG Anne Lena Peters Tel: +49-511-93634-8909 Fax: +49-511-93634-8301 anne.lena.peters@delti.com InvestHK and Brazil signed an MOU (3/16) enhancing co-operation generating more direct investment between the countries. InvestHK and Brazil signed an MOU (3/16) enhancing co-operation generating more direct investment between the countries. HONG KONG, Mar 16, 2018 - (ACN Newswire) - Invest Hong Kong (InvestHK) and Brazil today (March 16) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) aimed at enhancing mutual co-operation in generating more direct investment between the two regions.The signing of the MOU in Sao Paulo, Brazil, marked the end of a five-day visit by the InvestHK Director-General of Investment Promotion, Mr Stephen Phillips, who also visited Auckland in New Zealand and Santiago in Chile, to promote Hong Kong's new business opportunities arising from Mainland China's Belt and Road Initiative and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government's latest HK$50 billion innovation push.The memorandum was signed by Mr Phillips, and the President of Apex-Brasil, the Government of the Federative Republic of Brazil, Mr Roberto Jaguaribe. It provides a framework to enhance the close relationship of the HKSAR and Brazil by further promoting both inward and outward investment in the two jurisdictions. In Sao Paulo, Mr Phillips also met with mayor, Mr Joao Doria, and a wide range of Brazilian business leaders in various quarters, including the WTC Business Club.Earlier, in Auckland, Mr Phillips met with business leaders and was one of the key speakers at a business seminar jointly organised by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, Sydney, and the Auckland Chamber of Commerce, at which he updated around 100 business executives on the latest business developments in Hong Kong. While in Santiago, he met with heads of leading banks, the Chile China Business Council and the Chilean National Fruit Exporters Association, as well as with leaders of key industries such as aviation, innovation and technology and business services.Concluding the visit, Mr Phillips said, "I have explained to the local business communities in these countries Hong Kong's unique position in the Belt and Road Initiative. In this connection, Hong Kong as an international financial and business centre plays an active role in terms of fundraising and professional services, as will be required by many Belt and Road projects."I've also provided an update on the latest financial boost from our government for innovation and technology development in Hong Kong, as set out by the Financial Secretary in his Budget speech. I believe the latest financial measures will help InvestHK lure more foreign investors to set up in Hong Kong in the arena of innovation and technology to add to the diversity of our economy."Media contacts:For Auckland-Luca De LeonardisHead, Investment PromotionTel: +61 2 9283 3222Luca_De_Leonardis@hketosydney.gov.hkFor Santiago-Veronica MedinaPrincipal Consultant (Santiago)Tel: +56 2 2530 3600VMedina@investhk.com.hkFor Sao Paulo-Thiago Cruz SilveiraPrincipal Consultant (Rio de Janeiro)Tel: +55 21 98862 2629TSilveira@investhk.com.hkFor Hong Kong-Antoine SoHead of Public RelationsTel: +852 3107 1035ASo@investhk.gov.hkEva ChanManager of Public RelationsTel: +852 3107 1071EChan@investhk.gov.hkSource: InvestHKCopyright 2018 ACN Newswire . All rights reserved. Syngenta announced today completion of the sale of a portfolio of Syngenta AG ("Syngenta") and Adama Agricultural Solutions Ltd ("Adama") crop protection products to Nufarm Limited ("Nufarm"). The transaction, with a value of USD 490 million, was first announced on 24 October 2017 and has since been progressing through the required regulatory approvals. The transaction was carried out in accordance with the commitments given to the European Commission relating to ChemChina's acquisition of Syngenta, which was completed in May 2017. The combined portfolio of products divested includes off-patent crop protection formulations in the herbicides, fungicides, insecticides and other categories in the EEA as well as inventory. About Syngenta Syngenta is a leading agriculture company helping to improve global food security by enabling millions of farmers to make better use of available resources. Through world class science and innovative crop solutions, our 28,000 people in over 90 countries are working to transform how crops are grown. We are committed to rescuing land from degradation, enhancing biodiversity and revitalizing rural communities. To learn more visit www.syngenta.com and www.goodgrowthplan.com. Follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/Syngenta. Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This document contains forward-looking statements, which can be identified by terminology such as 'expect', 'would', 'will', 'potential', 'plans', 'prospects', 'estimated', 'aiming', 'on track' and similar expressions. Such statements may be subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause the actual results to differ materially from these statements. For Syngenta, such risks and uncertainties include risks relating to legal proceedings, regulatory approvals, new product development, increasing competition, customer credit risk, general economic and market conditions, compliance and remediation, intellectual property rights, implementation of organizational changes, impairment of intangible assets, consumer perceptions of genetically modified crops and organisms or crop protection chemicals, climatic variations, fluctuations in exchange rates and/or commodity prices, single source supply arrangements, political uncertainty, natural disasters, and breaches of data security or other disruptions of information technology. Syngenta assumes no obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect actual results, changed assumptions or other factors. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180316005541/en/ Contacts: Syngenta International AG Media Office Tel: +41 61 323 2323 Fax: +41 61 323 2424 www.syngenta.com or Media contacts: Andrew McConville Switzerland +41 61 323 0618 or Paul Minehart USA +1 202 737 8913 or Analyst/Investor contacts: Andrew McConville Switzerland +41 61 323 0618 +41 79 760 3777 MONTREAL, QUEBEC -- (Marketwired) -- 03/16/18 -- Maya Gold & Silver Inc. ("Maya" or the "Corporation") (TSX VENTURE: MYA) is pleased to report the filling on SEDAR of an amended Preliminary Economic Assessment ("PEA") Technical Report dated March 16th, 2018, in compliance with National Instrument 43-101 (NI 43-101). The Amended Technical Report has been prepared to correct deficiencies, identified by the Autorite des Marches Financiers ("AMF") on March 2nd, 2018, in the technical report dated February 22nd, 2018 in relation to paragraph 2.3.3)c) of the National Instrument 43-101. The Amended Technical Report completes the information relative to the existing reserves versus the mineral resources of the PEA. The key facts are: -- The mineral resources of the PEA include the mineral resources base of the 2014 Pre-Feasibility Study ("PFS") reserves. -- The remaining mineral reserves of the 2014 PFS are still valid. A pre-feasibility study with 200 t/d processing rate was prepared in 2014 and the results were announced in the press release of May 22nd 2014. The PFS highlighted 573,000 tonnes Proven & Probable reserves at 317.3 g/t Ag for 5,845,000 ounces of silver and was expected to last 6 years. Out of the mineral reserves identified in 2014, 76,154 tonnes at 381 g/t Ag for 932,902 ounces of silver in the measured and indicated resources have been taken out. The remaining proven & probable reserves are: 493 582 tonnes at 311 g/t for 4,936,797 ounces of silver (resources: 462,589 tonnes at 337g/t for 5,015,118 ounces of silver) and current mineral reserves could sustain 4.8 years at 200 t/d or could sustain 2 years at a milling rate of 500 t/d. These mineral reserves are included in the mineral resources statement within this PEA 2018 report and the Press Release of February 5th and 22nd 2018, i.e. they are included in the PEA 2018 resources and do not add to it, they are inclusive. The additional silver mined out up to December 2017 is from historical stopes broken and mineralized materials, which were not taken into account in the mineral resources and reserves of 2014. The company has planned an updated PFS by the end of 2018. It is important to note that 1.23 Million Ounces of silver was extracted from other sources of the mine and only 43% of the mill feed from 2014-2017 was from the mineral reserves identified in 2014. Modifications in the technical report are found in the Executive Summary of Chapter 1 and Chapter 15 with the remaining reserve statement and the details of additional information in Chapter 24. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Remaining Reserves 2018 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Proven Probable Proven & Probable ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Tonnes Ag g/t Ounces Tonnes Ag g/t Ounces Tonnes Ag g/t Ounces ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 102 032 256.5 841 586 391 551 325.3 4 095 211 493 582 311 4 936 797 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Cautionary Statements The PEA is preliminary in nature and includes the use of 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. Thus, there is no certainty that the results stated in the PEA will be realized. Actual results may vary, perhaps materially. Mineral resources that are not mineral reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability. Additional exploration work is required to increase the quality of the mineral resources. Qualified Persons The technical content of this news release has been prepared and reviewed by Claude Duplessis Eng., Gilbert Rousseau Eng. and Dr. Merouane Rachidi P. Geo., from GoldMinds Geoservices Inc. independent Qualified Persons under NI 43-101 standards. Forward-looking statements This news release contains statements about our future business and planned activities. These are "forward-looking" because we have used what we know and expect today to make a statement about the future. Forward-looking statements including but are not limited to comments regarding the timing and content of upcoming work and analyses. Forward-looking statements usually include words such as may, intend, plan, expect, anticipate, and believe or other similar words. We believe the expectations reflected in these forward-looking statements are reasonable. However, actual events and results could be substantially different because of the risks and uncertainties associated with our business or events that happen after the date of this news release. You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. As a general policy, we do not update forward-looking statements except as required by securities laws and regulations. Contacts: Maya Gold & Silver Inc. Noureddine Mokaddem President and CEO +1 514-978-6111/+212 661-196-111 nmokaddem@mayagoldsilver.com Maya Gold & Silver Inc. Sophy Cesar Investor Relations 514-866-2008 scesar@mayagoldsilver.com www.mayagoldsilver.com Regulatory News: ADOCIA (Paris:ADOC) (Euronext Paris: FR0011184241 ADOC the "Company") confirms its eligibility for the "PEA PME" stock savings tax regime, which decree has been published in the French Journal Officiel on March 4, 2014 (Decree n 2014-283), and which entered into force on March 6, 2014. To be eligible for the "PEA PME", the shares must have been issued by a company whose market capitalization is below one billion euros, of which no legal person holds more than 25% of its capital, which has less than 5,000 employees, and an annual turnover not exceeding 1.5 billion euros or a total balance sheet less than 2 billion euros. Adocia meets all of these conditions. About ADOCIA Adocia is a clinical-stage biotechnology company that specializes in the development of innovative formulations of already-approved therapeutic proteins and peptides. Adocia's portfolio of injectable treatments for diabetes, featuring five clinical-stage products and three preclinical products, is among the largest and most differentiated of the industry. Adocia expanded its portfolio to develop treatments for obesity and short bowel syndrome. The proprietary BioChaperone technological platform is designed to enhance the effectiveness and/or safety of therapeutic proteins while making them easier for patients to use. Adocia customizes BioChaperone to each protein for a given application to address specific patient needs. Adocia's clinical pipeline includes four novel insulin formulations for the treatment of diabetes: two ultra-rapid formulations of insulin analog lispro (BioChaperone Lispro U100 and U200), a rapid-acting formulation of human insulin (HinsBet U100) and a combination of basal insulin glargine and rapid-acting insulin lispro (BioChaperone Combo). An aqueous formulation of human glucagon (BioChaperone Human Glucagon) successfully completed a Phase 1 trial. Adocia also develops a prandial combination of human insulin with amylin analog pramlintide (BioChaperone Pramlintide hIns), two combinations of insulin glargine with GLP-1 receptor agonists (BioChaperone Glargine Dulaglutide and BioChaperone Glargine Liraglutide), a ready-to-use aqueous formulation of teduglutide (BioChaperone Teduglutide) and a ready-to-use combination of glucagon and exenatide (BioChaperone Glucagon Exenatide), all of which are in preclinical development. Adocia aims to deliver "Innovative medicine for everyone, everywhere." To learn more about Adocia, please visit us at www.adocia.com View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180316005487/en/ Contacts: Adocia Gerard Soula Chairman and CEO contactinvestisseurs@adocia.com Ph. +33 4 72 610 610 or Adocia Press Relations Europe MC Services AG Raimund Gabriel adocia@mc-services.eu Ph. +49 89 210 228 0 or Adocia Investor Relations USA The Ruth Group Tram Bui tbui@theruthgroup.com Ph.: +1 646 536 7035 CHICAGO, March 16, 2018 /PRNewswire/ --On March 16, the Al Baqee Organization will officially register a Universal Periodic Review (UPR) at the United Nations, under the auspices of the Human Rights Council, to denounce Saudi Arabia's violence, and demand that protection be granted to pilgrims during the Hajj - whichever their religious inclination might be. "Religious freedom is a basic human right that should suffer no limitation. While Mecca happens to be under the territorialjurisdiction of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, we believe that the holy nature of Mecca and the Hajj pilgrimageshould not be ceded to a clergy whose understanding of the Scriptures is rooted in violence, sectarianism, and fanaticism," says the Al Baqee Organization. The Al Baqee Organization is a non-governmental organization committed to raising awareness of atrocities and attacks on Muslims and Islamic heritage sites. The organization strives to preserve existing heritage sites and restore destroyed ones, by coordinating with cultural, religious, educational and historical societies around the world. For decades pilgrims have been physically assaulted, verbally harassed - men, women, and children have been brutalised, tortured and intimidated on account of their school of thought differing from that of the Saudi regime. The UPR reads in its introduction: "Systematic persecution of religious minorities by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA, "Saudi Arabia" or "the Kingdom") is a fact that is well-documented by credible sources. This submission focuses on an often overlooked aspect of religious intolerance which infringes on the human rights of individuals not only in Saudi Arabia, but around the world. Saudi Arabia's past, current, and planned destruction of cemeteries, shrines, and other historic sites threatens to eradicate Islamic heritage sites of significance to millions of Muslims around the world. In addition, the Kingdom denies Muslim pilgrims who visit Mecca and Medina the opportunity to visit these sites, and systematically abuses pilgrims who attempt to pay respects there." On March 16, the Al Baqee Organization will launch a broad campaign to raise awareness to Saudi Arabia's state-run religious persecution, and systematic attacks on the world religious heritage. VANCOUVER, BC--(Marketwired - March 16, 2018) - Newrange Gold Corp. ("Newrange" or the "Company") (TSX VENTURE: NRG) (OTC PINK: NRGOF) (FRANKFURT: X6C) is pleased to announce the closing of the first tranche of a private placement by issuing 2,120,028 units (the "Units") at a price of CAD $0.28 per Unit (the "Private Placement"), for gross proceeds of CAD $593,608, subject to TSX Venture Exchange ("TSXV") approval. Each Unit consists of one common share and one-half share purchase warrant (the "Warrants"). Each whole Warrant entitles the holder to purchase one additional common share for a two (2) year period at a price of $0.45 per share. The Warrants may be accelerated under certain terms if the closing price of the Company's common shares on the TSXV exceeds $0.75 for any 20 consecutive trading days. The proceeds of the Private Placement will be used to advance the Company's high-grade Pamlico gold project in Nevada where drilling is underway. A finder's fee or commission equal to 7% cash and 7% brokers warrants will be payable upon $266,000 in respect to this financing. An Insider of the Company has subscribed for 50,000 Units under the Private Placement and no new insiders and no control persons were created in connection with the Private Placement. All securities issued will be subject to a four-month hold period and subject to TSXV approval. Further, the Company is pleased to announce it has engaged the services of Renmark Financial Communications ("Renmark") of Toronto and Montreal to act as investor relations. Renmark has been engaged on a six (6) month term with a monthly fee of $5,000.00. Renmark currently has no direct or indirect interest in the securities of Newrange, or any right or intent to acquire such an interest. The appointment of Renmark as an investor relations consultant to Newrange remains subject to regulatory acceptance of applicable filings with the TSXV. About Newrange Gold Corp. Newrange is an aggressive exploration and development company focused on near to intermediate term production opportunities in favorable jurisdictions, including Nevada and Colombia. Focused on developing shareholder value through exploration and development of key projects, the Company is committed to building sustainable value for all stakeholders. Further information can be found on our website at www.newrangegold.com. Signed: "Robert G. Carrington" President & CEO Website: www.newrangegold.com Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Forward-Looking Statement: Some of the statements in this news release contain forward-looking information that involves inherent risk and uncertainty affecting the business of Newrange Gold Corp. Actual results may differ materially from those currently anticipated in such statements. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Fidel Thomas Corporate Communications Phone: 604-669-0868 or 778-228-5735 Email: info@newrangegold.com BizVibe, a smart B2B networking platform for global B2B buyers and suppliers, announced today the next generation of its B2B networking platform for the top rubber manufacturers in Thailand. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180316005677/en/ Rubber Manufacturers in Thailand BizVibe Announces a New B2B Networking Platform for the Rubber Industry in Thailand (Graphic: Business Wire) With the update, businesses can establish a faster and more efficient path from company discovery to getting better quotes and building long-lasting profitable business partnerships with the leading rubber manufacturers in Thailand. Natural rubber is one of the most in-demand raw materials for both domestic and industrial applications, owing to its notable advantages including low costs, large stretch ratio, high resilience, and waterproof status. Thailand has been leading the global market in production and exports of natural rubber over the recent years, thanks to its abundance of natural resources, improving production infrastructure and a massive regional rubber consumption base. BizVibe's latest update connects businesses to the top rubber producers, suppliers, and exporters in Thailand and helps users discover thousands of opportunities daily. BizVibe has innovated the modern networking platform to make your sourcing process faster, smarter and hassle-free. Connect and network with Thailand's leading rubber companies on BizVibe now, and help your business grow to another level! View more about this market: How BizVibe is helping buyers connect with leading rubber producers, suppliers, and exporters in Thailand Why Connect with Companies from Thailand's Rubber Industry? The global rubber market continues to expand in 2018, as studies suggest that the global natural rubber output increased 1.1% year on year to 12.4 million tons in 2016, while rubber consumption rose by 3.8% year on year to 12.6 million tons in the same year globally indicating a gap of 200,000 tons between rubber demand and supply. The growth of the global market has been mainly driven by a significant increase in rubber output in Thailand over the recent years. Thailand is now the world's largest rubber-producing country, with a total rubber output of 4.5 million tons in 2016, representing around 36.3% of the global production. Thailand remains the world's largest rubber exporter. In 2016, Thailand exported US$ 4.4 billion worth or equivalent of 3.6 billion tons of natural rubber to the global market. Since global rubber demand especially demand from China continues to surge, Thailand's production and export of rubbers are expected to grow further over the next few years, and so do the business opportunities in Thailand's rubber market. Looking for more information on this market? Check BizVibe's detailed breakdown of the rubber industry in Thailand. Not only does BizVibe's networking platform introduce businesses to verified rubber manufacturers in Thailand, the intelligent B2B networking platform also connects global trade professionals with over 7 million prospecting and sourcing candidates in over 700+ industries. BizVibe cuts research time, allowing you to go after the real opportunities. Network with Top Rubber Manufacturers in Thailand BizVibe connects like-minded buyers and suppliers to help companies keep up with the market demand. Join for free today to find your next big opportunity in a community of leading rubber manufacturers in Thailand. BizVibe's New Networking Platform Helps You Find Top rubber manufacturers in Thailand Valuable product quotes that convert Relevant business chatter in Thailand's rubber market Thailand's Top Rubber Manufacturers on BizVibe Rondex Thailand Co Bangkok Synthetics Co., Ltd IR Bangkok Thailand Co Increase your company's exposure. Add your company to the BizVibe network and instantly match with the top exporters, suppliers, and buyers around the world. Browse News Related to the Rubber Industry in Thailand Tire Industry in the USA Expects Steady Growth Everything You Need to Know about Plastics Industry in the US Indian Plastics Industry Overview Connecting on BizVibe BizVibe has been specifically designed to help industry professionals connect with like-minded businesses, providing them with a seamless, efficient, and easy-to-use platform. Using cutting-edge technology and advanced match-making algorithms, BizVibe has launched the smartest networking platform on the planet, something that can truly help companies find the right matches. With extensive feedback from communities across multiple industries, BizVibe was able to identify the core problems and uncertainties when finding potential trade partners. Using this feedback, BizVibe developed an efficient networking platform dedicated to buyers, sellers, importers, exporters, manufacturers, and suppliers, helping thousands of users to connect, engage, and make business deals daily. About BizVibe The single-minded focus of BizVibe's platform is to make networking easier. Over the years, we've searched far and wide to figure out how businesses connect and enable trade. That first interaction is usually fraught with the uncertainty of finding a potential partner vs. a potential nightmare. With this in mind, we've designed a robust set of tools to help companies generate leads, shortlist prospects, network with businesses from around the world and trade seamlessly. BizVibe is headquartered in Toronto and has offices in London, Bangalore, and Beijing. For more information on the BizVibe network, please contact us View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180316005677/en/ Contacts: Sony Gomes BizVibe Media Marketing Executive media@bizvibe.com NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / March 16, 2018 / Pomerantz LLP announces that a class action lawsuit has been filed against Wells Fargo & Company ("Wells Fargo" or the "Company") (NYSE: WFC) and certain of its officers. The class action, filed in United States District Court, for the Southern District of New York, and docketed under 18-cv-01318, is on behalf of a class consisting of investors who purchased or otherwise acquired Wells Fargo securities, seeking to recover compensable damages caused by defendants' violations of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. If you are a shareholder who purchased Wells Fargo securities between January 13, 2017, and July 27, 2017, both dates inclusive, you have until April 16, 2018, to ask the Court to appoint you as Lead Plaintiff for the class. A copy of the Complaint can be obtained at www.pomerantzlaw.com. To discuss this action, contact Robert S. Willoughby at rswilloughby@pomlaw.com or 888.476.6529 (or 888.4-POMLAW), toll-free, Ext. 9980. Those who inquire by e-mail are encouraged to include their mailing address, telephone number, and the number of shares purchased. [Click here to join this class action] Wells Fargo is a diversified financial services company providing banking, insurance, investments, mortgage, leasing, credit cards, and consumer finance. The Company operates through physical stores, the internet, and other distribution channels worldwide. On September 8, 2016, the U.S. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau published a Consent Order with a Stipulation to its entry signed by Mary Mack, Executive Vice President of Wells Fargo Bank, detailing fraudulent practices at the Company, which were centered on a corporate culture intent on growing its cross-selling opportunities and unlawfully and without its customers' consent opening millions of unauthorized deposit and credit card accounts, and imposing a fine of more than $185 million. The Complaint alleges that, throughout the Class Period, Defendants made materially false and misleading statements regarding the Company's business, operational and compliance policies. Specifically, Defendants made false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (i) Wells Fargo had charged more than 800,000 customers for unneeded auto insurance, the expense of which pushed approximately 274,000 Wells Fargo customers into delinquency and resulted in almost 25,000 vehicle repossessions; (ii) the foregoing conduct, when it came to light, would foreseeably subject Wells Fargo to heightened regulatory scrutiny and/or enforcement actions; and (iii) as a result, Wells Fargo's public statements were materially false and misleading at all relevant times. On July 27, 2017, post-market, The New York Times published an article entitled "Wells Fargo Forced Unwanted Auto Insurance on Borrowers." Citing an internal report prepared for Wells Fargo's executives, the article reported that "[m]ore than 800,000 people who took out car loans from Wells Fargo were charged for auto insurance they did not need," that "[t]he expense of the unneeded insurance . . . pushed roughly 274,000 Wells Fargo customers into delinquency and resulted in almost 25,000 wrongful vehicle repossessions," and "that the bank owed $73 million to wronged customers." Following publication of this article, Wells Fargo's share price fell $1.41, or 2.58%, to close at $53.30 on July 28, 2017. The Pomerantz Firm, with offices in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, and Paris, is acknowledged as one of the premier firms in the areas of corporate, securities, and antitrust class litigation. Founded by the late Abraham L. Pomerantz, known as the dean of the class action bar, the Pomerantz Firm pioneered the field of securities class actions. Today, more than 80 years later, the Pomerantz Firm continues in the tradition he established, fighting for the rights of the victims of securities fraud, breaches of fiduciary duty, and corporate misconduct. The Firm has recovered numerous multimillion-dollar damages awards on behalf of class members. See www.pomerantzlaw.com. SOURCE: Pomerantz LLP BioLumic, a Palmerston North, New Zealand based creator of an ultraviolet (UV) crop yield enhancement system, closed a $5m Series A financing. The round was led by Finistere Ventures and Radicle Growth acceleration fund, with Rabobanks recently launched Food & Agri Innovation Fund and existing investors from New Zealand also joining it. In conjunction with the funding, Arama Kukutai, co-founder and partner, Finistere Ventures, and Kirk Haney, CEO and managing partner, Radicle Growth will join the BioLumic Board. The company intends to use the funds to accelerate research and commercialization of its seed-focused technology, expanding into row crop and vegetable seeds in years ahead as well, grow the team in both New Zealand and its new U.S. office in California, and to intensify the global deployment of its UV technologies. Founded by Dr. Jason Wargent as a spin out of AgTech research from Massey University in New Zealand and led by CEO Warren Bebb, BioLumic has developed technology rooted in research into UV photomorphogenesis, a process whereby a precise UV treatment induces plant root and leaf development and activates its secondary metabolism, and is now translating Wargents scientific discoveries into commercial products that innovate crop-growing operations around the world. Its patented technology initially focused on lettuce, broccoli, strawberry and tomato seedlings precisely applies UV light treatments that deliver long-term crop benefitsincluding improved crop consistency, increased yield and disease resistance. Already in commercial use for high-value produce crops around the globe, BioLumic has worked with large-scale produce growers and processors in California and Mexico with yield gains of up to 22 percent, and commercial trials are taking place in Spain and the United Kingdom. FinSMEs 16/03/2018 High risk investing is the label that is often stuck on the front of a venture capital file and with good reason. The sum of the 10 worst flameouts run up a tab of $1.7 billion and with a combination of banks and venture capitalists backing names such as Jawbone and Yik Yak, throwing money at a startup wont guarantee its success. But there are those startups that just have what it takes to make it, and funding through the traditional routes is just not guaranteed. One of the biggest red flags is when those behind the company are in the red in their personal capacity. Heres how to separate good business sense from a bad personal record. $100 Million In Loans For The Uncreditworthy Before chalking up a bad or non-existent credit record as a flaming red flag, its important to apply a more accurate algorithm to determine the possibility of repayments. Tala, a loan firm started purely as a means to test out a new credit algorithm, has gained traction in Kenya and is rewriting what financial institutions think they know about a credit score. A92% success rate in terms of repaymentsis the reason. Venture capitalists who wish to invest in a startup but are hindered by poor credit should do further investigation to satisfy their due diligence as to just accepting it at face value. Be Open To Alternative Solutions Entrepreneurs who show resilience and the ability to run a good venture may just have experienced a tough financial break. If there is a willingness to repair their personal credit, a venture capitalist might just have found the ideal partner. It is also important that owners, despite their credit history, are willing to take on some of the risks of the venture. Putting their own funds into the concern is an important first step, and one way to do this is by approaching firms that specialize in loans for those with adverse credit records. Investing in a business is about more than just the money and ensuring that the owner is committed to the cause is half a venture capitalists job done. Minimize The Risk By Sharing When the risk factor of a new venture seems high, which is the case with poor credit ratings, but the potential for return seems great, it might be time to share a piece of the pie. By sharing the risk with other venture capitalists, it also allows for a second set of eyes to scrutinize both the venture and the opportunity for gain. It also provides the entrepreneur with fresh motivation to resolve their credit record issue as another investor will want to know the details. Investing in startups is only for those who are willing to lose their investments and cut their losses, as these are high-risk investments. The potential for gain could also be great, but investors will need to exercise patience to allow the business cycle to run its course. Understanding the potential risks in each business will provide investors with the opportunity to mitigate it before they invest a single dollar. Streetbees, a London, UK-based global intelligence platform, raised $12m in Series A funding. The round was led by Atomico with participation from existing investors LocalGlobe, Octopus and BGF Ventures. The company will use the funds to further advance its core machine learning technology, to expand its data science team, develop its community networks across the world, and grow in the US, where it opened an office in January 2018. Led by Tugce Bulut, CEO, Streetbees provides a machine learning technology platform which transforms the real-time data provided by its global community of users into actionable insights for brands. Over 1 million users or bees across 150 countries worldwide use the chat-style Streetbees app to share moments from their daily lives via videos, photos and text, giving as much or as little information as they like. By applying advanced natural language processing technology to the results, the platform uncovers not just what they do, but also why they do it, and what drives them and predicts what they may do next. The new platform, called Always On, allows customers including Unilever, PepsiCo, BBC World Service, Vodafone and LOreal, and nine out of the worlds ten largest fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) companies, to have ongoing access to insights from real-life stories, instead of relying on one-shot multiple-choice surveys to try and understand communities and markets. Streetbees currently employs 75 people at its London headquarters and in Lisbon. FinSMEs 16/03/2018 Expect a fare rise as an immediate offshoot of the cancelled flights and grounded aircraft of IndiGo and GoAir, say industry experts You could expect airfares to rise further, all thanks to the fact that aviation regulator DGCA has ordered IndiGo and GoAir to ground aircraft powered by defective engines, said industry experts. Airlines are likely to cash-in on the demand for flights, they added. The DGCA's decision to ground the Airbus A320neo aircraft operated by IndiGo and GoAir, and the consequent cancellation of flights, has resulted in a fairly significant impact on airfares, particularly for immediate travel on some key routes, said Sharat Dhall, COO (B2C) of Yatra.com, an online travel portal. During the initial days, we saw fares as high as Rs 15,000 for a one-way ticket to Delhi. The maximum amount of cancellations [were] on key routes such as the Delhi-Mumbai, Delhi-Chennai and Delhi-Hyderabad. With current load factors at over 90 percent, this reduction in capacity is likely to have a five to 10 percent impact on fares on key routes in the short to medium-term. In order to cause minimum inconvenience to passengers, airlines are giving them an option to choose another flight at no additional cost, and are providing a full refund on any cancellations, Dhall added. Airfares have already gone up some 10-15 percent post the cancellation of flights by the two low-cost carriers, said John Nair, Head, Business Travel, Cox & Kings. Sectors that have witnessed a price hike are the metro routes like Delhi-Mumbai, Delhi-Bangalore and Delhi-Chennai, as these were long-routes where the Airbus A320neos were deployed, because they are fuel-efficient jets. If the situation is rectified by the end of the month, fares will normalise, Nair added. Around one lakh passengers have been impacted by the grounding of 18 IndiGo and three GoAir aircraft, due to faulty Pratt & Whitney (P&W) engines. IndiGo has announced the cancellation of 488 flights for the 15 March to 31 March period, while rivl GoAir has cancelled 138 flights for the 15 March to 24 March period, according to the airlines websites, bringing the total number of cancellations to 626 flights. However, passengers flying both airlines do have the option to either seek a full refund or board alternative flights with the carriers. To contain the panic situation among passengers, IndiGo, in a statement released on Friday, assured passengers that operations will normalise soon. The no-frills carrier said that between 96 percent and 98 percent of its flights are operating as usual. On any given day we cancel less than 4 percent of our flights. We are also actively engaged with our engine and aircraft manufacturers to find a long-term solution at the earliest. We would like to assure our passengers that the operations will be normalised soon. IndiGo is working to accommodate all affected passengers on alternate flights on its network, the statement added. GoAir said that with three aircraft grounded, affected passengers could be accommodated on 29 other aircraft, if they choose to fly. The Wadia group-promoted GoAir hasnt been impacted as the airline tweaked its operations so that passengers can board alternate flights, a spokesperson told Firspost. The faulty P&W engines should be rectified by the end of June, the GoAir spokesperson said, and the aircraft will be pressed into service post the DGCA's approval. Meanwhile, state-run Air India (AI) said it could accommodate passengers, if need be, under an interline agreement, but only after IndiGo and GoAir place a request. Both IndiGo and GoAir spokespersons declined comment, when asked if they would seek the assistance of other airlines. The balance sheets of the affected airlines will not be impacted, said an analyst, as American engine-maker P&W will compensate both carriers. Earlier, InterGlobe Aviation-run IndiGo reported a massive spike in its September-quarter net profit, at Rs 551.5 crore, boosted by a one-time payment towards engine issues, delayed aircraft deliveries and higher margins, PTI reported. "Profitability was favourably impacted by better revenue management and credit received from manufacturers related to aircraft grounding and delivery delays," the airline said in an exchange filing without disclosing the quantum of payments received from P&W and from Airbus, for delayed deliveries of A320neos. The government on Friday categorically said there was no proposal to discontinue Rs 2,000 currency note, which was introduced post demonetisation in November 2016 New Delhi: The government on Friday categorically said there was no proposal to discontinue Rs 2,000 currency note, which was introduced post demonetisation in November 2016. The government also informed the Lok Sabha that it had decided to conduct field trials of plastic currency notes of Rs 10 in five cites. "There is no proposal under consideration of the government to stop Rs 2,000 note," Minister of State for Finance P Radhakrishnan said in a written reply in the Lok Sabha to a question whether the finance ministry has any plan to stop the note in near future. The sizes of new Rs 500 and Rs 2,000 denomination in the Mahatma Gandhi (New) series is 66mm X 150 mm and 66 mm and 166 mm, respectively. The difference between the two currency notes is 10 mm for easy identification, he said in reply to another question. The government had scrapped old Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes on 9 November with an aim to check black money and push digital economy. As regards plastic notes, the minister said: "It has been decided to conduct field trial of plastic banknotes in denominations of Rs 10 at five locations". The trial would be conducted in Kochi, Mysore, Jaipur, Shimla and Bhubaneshwar, he said, adding that the note will be printed in Indian presses on imported substrate. He, however, did not specified any timeline. Mukund Rajan has been with with Tata Group for two-decades after starting his career as a Tata Administrative Service (TAS) Officer. New Delhi: Tata Sons said its Chief Ethics Officer Mukund Rajan will leave the group to evaluate entrepreneurial pursuits in the coming months. "Dr Rajan and Tata Sons have mutually agreed that Dr Rajan will leave the services of Tata Sons on March 31, 2018," the company said in a statement. On the reasons for his departure, the company said Rajan (49) has "conveyed personal reasons for his decision to leave Tata Sons and has indicated he will be evaluating certain entrepreneurial pursuits in the coming months". Rajan, who was former managing director of Tata Teleservices (Maharashtra) Ltd, was appointed as the group spokesperson and brand custodian in February 2013. His was the first major appointment after Cyrus Mistry, took over as the chairman of the group after Ratan Tata retired on December 28, 2012. He was also a part of the Group Executive Council (GEC) set up by Mistry. The GEC, headed by Mistry, was set up in April 2013 with the objective providing strategic and operational support to him. It included NS Rajan from Ernst & Young, Tata brand custodian Mukund Rajan, ex-BSE chief Madhu Kannan, strategist Nirmalya Kumar and Tata veteran Harish Bhat. However, after Mistry's ouster the GEC was disbanded and Rajan was moved to his new role. He has been with with Tata Group for two-decades after starting his career as a Tata Administrative Service (TAS) Officer. "Tata Sons thanks him for his distinguished services in various leadership roles including in the telecommunication sector, private equity space and branding strategy, as a Tata Administrative Service (TAS) Officer in the Tata Group, over a period of 23 years," the statement said. Numetal and ArcelorMittal are the only two bidders for the 10-million tonne Essar Steel assets at Hazira, which owe the banks more than Rs 45,000 crore. Mumbai: Numetal, an SPV floated by the PE arm of Russian lender VTB Bank and Rewant Ruia, a Ruia family member, has claimed that its bid for Essar Steel has "solid legal backing" and if need be, "the other shareholders will buy out Rewant's" 25 percent stake in the company. The shareholders of Mauritius-based Numetal, a special purpose vehicle that focuses on steel and infra space along with manufacturing, are VTB Capital, the private equity arm of the VTB Bank; Russian steel and engineering major TPE. Other promoters are Indo International, a Dubai-based steel trading firm promoted by an NRI, and the Aurora Trust in which Rewant Ruia, the son of one of the Essar Group promoters Ravi Ruia, is a beneficiary and owns 25 percent in Numetal. VTB Capital owns majority in the SPV. Numetal and ArcelorMittal are the only two bidders for the 10-million tonne Essar Steel assets at Hazira, which owe the banks more than Rs 45,000 crore. These companies, who have put up their bids on 12 February, are battling with each other for the steel asset and are faced with questions on the eligibility of their bids. Bids of both the companies are being evaluated by the resolution professional, risk and financial advisory Grant Thornton and law firm Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas. "If public perception is a challenge because of Rewant Ruia's minority stake in Numetal, we're ready to change that," Antoine Chemali, a senior advisor at Numetal Mauritius, told PTI on Thursday evening. "We've already spoken to him (Rewant Ruia) and are ready to do whatever it takes us to win the Essar Steel bid. We, the rest of the shareholders, are ready to buy out his minority stake from Numetal," he added. But Chemali was quick to point out that Rewant does not have any say in the management of Numetal or enjoys a board representation. "He is just a minority shareholder," he said without quantifying his stake. An Essar Group official told PTI that Rewant Ruia had resigned from the board of Essar Steel way back in 2012, and thus in no way is related to Essar Steel promoters. It can be noted that both bidders have threatened to challenge National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) and resolution professional at higher courts if their bids were rejected. This forced government to recently hint that it's amenable to make more changes to Section 29 of the IBC to redefine "connected/related parties" to exclude only original promoters who are defaulters from bidding for an asset that has gone to the bankruptcy courts. While Numetal has claimed that ArcellorMittal is not eligible to bid as their India joint venture Uttam Galva is a defaulter and is in NCLT now, the world's largest steel major made the same allegation against Numetal because of Rewant's investment in the SPV company. Chemali further claimed their bid for Essar Steel has solid legal backing, saying there is nothing in the law that can make their bid ineligible. "From the point of view of law, we are fully eligible to bid for Essar Steel and there is legally nothing that can disqualify us from bidding. That's what our lawyers have told us. We've a strong legal backing for our bid and we are fully compliant with all the laws and we will not do anything that's against the laws of the land," said Chemali. He also said they have submitted a very good revival proposal that has three parts-streamline and maximise the production at the 9.7-million tonne plant which is running at around 60 percent now. "So, our bid involves an upfront cash payout which is the bid amount, and an offer to pump in as much working capital as needed to run the plant for our first priority is to optimise the capacity level in the shortest possible time. "The second part is the equity that we will offer to the lenders and the third part of our offer is to invest more for expansion because we are very optimistic about the growth story of the steel sector in the country," explained the head of Numetal India Chandra Shekar Verma, who retired as the chairman of state-run steel major SAIL. "Shareholders of Numetal are well-versed in the steel sector apart from the infra and other key manufacturing areas and we are very serious that we get to own Essar Steel when the resolution process gets over by April 29," Chemali said. Comments assume importance as there are reports that government is looking at further amending IBC to distinguish between promoters of defaulting firms that don't have a managerial role, from those who also manage stressed assets. As per media reports, the corporate affairs ministry is believed to be considering two amendments to change the definition of "connected people" as per the IBC. As of now, a promoter or investor in a defaulting company is not eligible to participate in the auction of stressed assets referred to the NCLT. According to IBC, bids should be presented to the committee of creditors at least a month before the deadline which in the case of Essar Steel is 29 April. And Chemali said they have not met the creditors but expressed the hope that they will be able to meet the deadline. On 13 March, RBI decided to discontinue the LOUs in the wake of the Rs 12,600 crore fraud at the state-run Punjab National Bank (PNB) New Delhi: The RBI's decision to discontinue the Letters of Undertaking (LoUs) or Letters of Comfort (LoC) might increase the credit cost for imports as it will lead to a shift towards "other off-balance sheet" products, said a State Bank of India (SBI) report on Friday. According to SBI Ecowrap report, the shift to "other off-balance sheet" products will be "administratively time consuming" and in the short-term might impact export funding as well. On 13 March, RBI decided to discontinue the system in the wake of the Rs 12,600 crore fraud at the state-run Punjab National Bank (PNB). "Banning LoUs/LoCs might lead to shifting to other off balance sheet products -- LCs, Bank Guarantees, other fund based facilities or on to balance sheet," the SBI Ecowrap report said. "We, however, believe the shift to other off balance sheet products if occurs, will be administratively time consuming. However capital charge may vary for different products leading to changes in capital requirements in either direction depending on the product used and associated risk." Earlier, banks were permitted to issue guarantee/LoU/LoC in favour of overseas supplier, bank or financial institution up to $20 million per import transaction under the automatic route for a maximum period up to one year in case of import of non-capital goods. As per the latest available RBI data, guarantees given on behalf of constituents outside India stood at Rs 1.95 lakh crore as on 31 March, 2017. Exports have been on a positive trajectory since August 2016 to February 2018 except for a temporary setback in October 2017, the Commerce Ministry said New Delhi: Exports grew by 4.5 percent in February, the lowest expansion in the last four months, to $25.8 billion as shipments of engineering, textiles and gems and jewellery declined while trade deficit narrowed to a five-month low of $12 billion. The trade deficit -- the difference between imports and exports -- stood at $9.52 billion in February 2017, as per the data released by the Commerce Ministry. Exports growth rate has been steadily declining since November 2017 when it touched a high of 30.5 percent. The trade gap in September 2017 stood at $8.98 billion. "Exports have been on a positive trajectory since August 2016 to February 2018 except for a temporary setback in October 2017," the ministry said in a statement. The country's merchandise exports are showing continuous positive growth, Commerce Secretary Rita Teaotia told reporters on Thursday. Imports too rose by 10.4 percent to $37.8 billion during the last month. Cumulative value of exports for April-February 2017-18 period grew by 11 percent to $273.7 billion, while imports grew by 21 percent to $416.87 billion. The trade deficit was $143.13 billion. Commerce Minister Suresh Prabhu in a series of tweets said, "Exports data continue with their upsurge! Merchandise exports during February have exhibited positive growth of 4.48 percent in dollar terms". Exports data continue with their upsurge! Merchandise Exports during February 2018 have exhibited positive growth of 4.48 per cent in dollar terms vis- a-vis February 2017 Suresh Prabhu (@sureshpprabhu) March 15, 2018 Oil imports during February rose by 32 percent to $10.19 billion, while non-oil import increased by 4.11 percent to $27.61 billion. Oil imports during April-February 2017-18 were valued at $98 billion which was 26.92 per cent higher than $77.21 billion in the corresponding period last year. Major commodity groups show positive growth in Feb'18 over the corresponding month of last year: Petroleum Products (27.44%), Organic & Inorganic Chemicals (30.41%), Drugs & Pharmaceuticals (13.92%), Rice (21.29%) & Electronic Goods (29.71%) Suresh Prabhu (@sureshpprabhu) March 15, 2018 Exports of chemicals and petroleum products grew by 30.41 percent and 27.44 percent respectively in February. However, engineering goods shipments dipped by 1.88 percent. Gold imports declined by 17 percent to $2.89 billion in February as against $3.48 billion in the same month last year. Prabhu said that services exports also continued to grow with total exports in January valued at $16.33 billion registering a growth of 2.07 percent. Imports during the month were valued at $9.847 billion, registering a negative growth of 0.12 percent Federation of Indian Export Organisations said that the exports data are not encouraging as engineering, apparels, gems and jewellery, cotton textile and carpets are showing negative growth. "Leaving petroleum exports , the overall growth comes to 1 percent in February. We are worried about gems and jewellery exports as sector is facing huge liquidity issue as banks are tightening their norms," FIEO Director General Ajay Sahai said. While Ola declined to comment, an Uber spokesperson said termed the strike call as a speculative Mumbai: Drivers of cab aggregators Uber and Ola have threatened to go on an indefinite strike from the midnight of 18 March. The strike is expected to be observed in key cities like Mumbai, New Delhi, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Pune among other cities. "Ola and Uber had given big assurances to the drivers, but today they are unable to cover their costs. They have invested Rs 5-7 lakh, and were expecting to make Rs 1.5 lakh a month but are unable to even make half of this, owing to the mismanagement by these companies," Sanjay Naik of Maharashtra Navnirman Vahatuk Sena, who is organising the strike, told PTI today. Naik further alleged that these taxi-hailing companies are giving first priority to company-owned cars rather than driver-owned vehicles, causing a slump in their business. While taxi-hailing companies offered loan-guarantee letters to drivers through the Mudra scheme and that too without any verification, they are defaulting on repayment now as their costs are not covered, he claimed. In Mumbai alone there are over 45,000 cabs on these aggrgators but due to the slump in business there has been a fall of 20 percent in the number of cabs running on these platforms in the city. "If our demands are not met, we will go on an indefinite strike," he said, adding the drivers had approached MNS leader Raj Thackeray to intervene in the matter. Other unions of Ola and Uber are also in support of the strike, Naik said. "The transport department should take strict action as these taxi-hailing companies are violating permit conditions, and also encroaching on the taxi-rickshaw business. It is good they are going on strike," Al Quadros, general secretary, Mumbai Taximen's Union said. While Ola declined to comment, an Uber spokesperson said termed the strike call as a speculative. Urjit Patel should remember that the RBIs duty doesnt end with framing guidelines but also in ensuring that rules are followed to the letter and spirit Reserve Bank of India (RBI) governor Urjit Patel's recent defensive on the Rs 13,600 crore Punjab National Bank (PNB) fraud, passing the blame to regulatory constraints and non-compliance of banks, was weak from the word go and, hence, was bound to get a counter from the government. It has come already, apparently. According to a report in The Economic Times, the government has brushed aside Patel's recent tirade about the RBI's lack of regulatory powers over public sector banks (PSBs), in comparison with private banks, as one of the reasons for the central bank's inability to take strong action on erring banks. The report quotes an unnamed government official as saying that the RBI indeed has powers in the Banking Regulation Act to regulate PSBs and has reportedly pointed out as many as 13 clauses to prove this point. These include a clause that empowers the regulator to appoint its officers to banks, direct changes in management, inspect any bank and their books and accounts, direct special audits and examine a director or officer under oath, said the report quoting the official. The points highlighted by the official are true. Barring certain aspects such as cancelling licences or liquidating banks, which only the government can do, the central bank indeed enjoys important powers to keep a check on state-run banks' daily operations. Here are at least 10 clauses in the RBI act that gives power to the central bank to control PSBs: Section 10BB: Power of Reserve Bank to appoint Chairman of the Board of Directors Section 21: Power of Reserve Bank to control advances by banking companies Section 30: The many sub-clauses refer to audit such as the balance-sheet and profit and loss account to be audited by a qualified person under any law for the time being in force to be an auditor of companies, among others Section 35A: Power of the Reserve Bank to give directions Section 36: It has many sub clauses that refer to further powers and functions of the RBI to exercise caution or prohibit banking companies or any banking company in particular against entering into any particular transaction or class of transactions, and generally give advice to any banking company Section 36AA: Power of Reserve Bank to remove managerial and other persons from office Section 36AB: Power of Reserve Bank to appoint additional directors Section 45: Power of Reserve Bank to apply to Central Government for suspension of business by a banking company and to prepare scheme of reconstitution or amalgamation Section 45P: Power of Reserve Bank to tender advice in winding up proceedings Section 47A: Power of Reserve Bank to impose penalty Urjit Patel passes the buck In his speech, Patel passed the blame to the PNB for not playing by rules, which ultimately led to one of Indias biggest banking frauds, and said it is simply infeasible for a banking regulator to be in every nook and corner of banking activity to rule out frauds. But, as this writer pointed out in an earlier column, this is a weak excuse to defend the RBIs inability to identify and prevent a systemic issue that has been on for a long time. The fact is that the staff at PNB who aided Nirav Modi to defraud the bank used a systemic flaw -- the disconnect between SWIFT entries and the core banking network -- for too long a period and the regulator, with all its might, couldnt even come close to identifying it. The risk management tools designed by the central bank didnt function at all. Patel said the RBI had issued precise instructions via three circulars in 2016 to enable banks to eliminate the hazard to avert PNB-like frauds which the bank did not follow. But Patel should remember that the RBIs duty doesnt end with framing guidelines but also in ensuring that rules are followed to the letter and spirit. It is quite possible that similar frauds happened in other banks as well, and like in the PNB case, the central bank simply didnt know about it. Patel cant wash his hands off the PNB episode. This is exactly what the government official quoted in the abovementioned ET report too points out when he says, "if RBI warned against certain practices, why did it not take up the issue with the government when there was no action by banks." Nothing prevented the RBI from taking stringent action against those banks that refused to comply with its guidelines. The fact is that the RBI miserably failed in its duty to identify a serious systemic flaw and it doesn't augur well for Patel to begin a blame game. In fact, RBI's failure to keep the banking system under control particularly with respect to recurring frauds is what has given life to debates for a super regulator. In the context of the PNB scam, probably the idea of a super regulator makes sense building on the structure proposed by the Srikrishna panel. That is if the RBI cannot discharge it's duty to ensure rules are followed by banks. The RBI can still focus on its core functions---financial stability at a macro level and monetary policy. Perhaps the super regulator can take away certain functions such as risk management and monitoring of accounts from the central bank and other regulators to have a coordinated system? A section of bankers and sector-experts have been advocating this possibility for a while now. In the current context, there may be a case given the increasing interconnectedness of financial institutions and the complexity of transactions across segments. A super regulator can perhaps be given the risk management function across verticals while specific regulations pertaining to operations can still be left to those individual institutions. Instead of passing the buck to the government and other agencies or citing non-compliance, it is time for the RBI to get it's act together. Period. The clock has started ticking for Indias export promotion schemes and the government has to now bite the bullet on these The United States challenge to Indias export subsidy programmes is not really surprising for two reasons. One, the worlds largest economy has been playing hardball on trade ever since Donald Trump took charge. Two, this challenge would have come sooner rather than later, if not from the United States then from some other country. At stake is the future of special economic zones (SEZ), the Export Promotion Capital Goods (EPCG), the Export Oriented Units Scheme and sector specific schemes like the Electronics Hardware Technology Parks. A bit of background. The grounds for the United States Trade Representatives (USTR) 14 March move seeking consultations lies in the World Trade Organisations (WTO) Agreement on Subsidies and Countervailing Measures. That said developing countries with a per capita gross national income (GNI) above $1,000 would get eight years to phaseout export subsidies. Under Annex VII of this agreement, 20 countries could continue with their promotional schemes as long as their per capita GNP was below $1,000. But they would lose this protection if the per capita GNI was above $1,000 for three consecutive years. India was among these 20. According to a July 2017 document of the WTOs committee on subsidies and countervailing measures, India crossed this threshold in 2015 (its per capita income had remained above $1,000 in 2013, 2014 and 2015). That gave the green flag for the USTR action. But the move raises two questions: Is this sabre-rattling by the United States to get other concessions? Has India been caught napping? The answer to the first question is an unequivocal yes. The American move has to be seen in the light of Trumps vocal opposition to the 50 percent duty on Harley Davidson bikes levied by India, the United States increasing the anti-dumping duty levied on Indian shrimp exports and the criticism of India hiking import duties on 50 items in the Union Budget (though commerce ministry officials have pointed out that even after the increase, these duties are within Indias bound rates). The answer to the second is a bit more nuanced. India may not exactly have been napping but it certainly has been a tad complacent. Now it can be no ones case that India came to know it had crossed the threshold only after the WTO certified the fact in 2017. Remember the Trade Policy 2015-2020 (the first FTP of this government) unveiled in April 2015 had spoken about the need to move beyond sops and subsidies to fundamental, systemic measures to improve the competitiveness of Indian exports by addressing infrastructure deficits and reducing procedural hurdles. But, yet it introduced the MEIS, which is now being challenged by the USTR. And months later, it was back to offering fiscal sops when exports declined for nine months. The FTP Review unveiled in November 2017 frankly admitted that the logistics cost in India is close to double that of what it is in developed countries which shows precious little has been done on that front. And it went back to announcing more sops Rs 8,450 crore worth of them. In a media briefing, commerce secretary Rita Teotia said in 2011, India had sought a clarification from the WTO on the time period to phase out subsidies would countries that were below the threshold when the agreement was signed get eight years from the time they crossed the threshold or would they have to withdraw export promotion schemes immediately? Teotia said India had been constantly seeking clarification on this point. So India knew that these schemes would have to go sooner rather than later, but still it has done precious little to address issues that would improve the overall competitiveness of Indian exports. This `lets see how long well get away with it attitude is what has brought India to this pass. Now it can do little more than seek time for phase out do the sops have to end immediately or will it get eight years, and will the eight years start from 2015 (when India crossed the threshold) or from 2017 (when the WTO certified that it had). Teotia indicated that the consultations process would revolve around this. Not that it has done very much in cases when it was clear that concessions would end. Take the case of textile exports. Under WTO rules , countries with a per capita income of less than $1,000 could provide export subsidies for particular sectors only until their share of exports is below 3.25 percent of global trade. Once a countrys exports crossed this threshold and remained above it for two consecutive years, subsidies for that particular sector would have to be phased out over eight years, even if the per capita GNI of the country was below the $ 1,000 threshold. Indias textile exports crossed this 3.25 percent threshold in 2010 and export subsidies will have to end this year. But the textile sector is hardly ready for a life without such schemes. It has lost the wage arbitrage advantage to countries like Bangladesh, Vietnam, Myanmar and Laos. When asked about this, all that Teotia would say was that the textile ministry was working on this in consultation with the commerce ministry. So what of the current dispute? India has 60 days time to respond to the USTR move. Then bilateral consultations will kick in and these will determine whether or not the issue will go to the WTO dispute settlement body. Will India be able to secure a long-enough phase-out period? What price will the United States extract in return? If talks break down and the matter does reach the WTO dispute settlement mechanism, India will get a breather of just about a year or so, according to Abhijit Das, head of the Centre for WTO Studies in the Indian Institute of Foreign Trade. Disputes relating to exports subsidies, he points out are resolved through a fast-track mechanism. Withdrawing export subsidies will be politically difficult for the government in an election year and considering the fact that the exports sector as a whole is going through a difficult time. But one thing is clear: India will have to drastically change the way it helps its exporters. Teotia admitted that India had been reviewing many schemes to check if they were WTO compliant. These can be replaced by production subsidies, but, as she pointed out, these require far larger budgetary commitments. Trade policy watchers say the ministry had enough information on how to tweak/phase out schemes but had stopped short of going ahead or even preparing industry for the inevitable. All this will have to end. The clock has started ticking for Indias export promotion schemes and the government has to now bite the bullet on these. At the same time, it has to work seriously on other issues affecting export competitiveness. There is now no time to waste. Industry, too, has to get ready to adjust. No industry wants to prepare for an eventual phase out. The attitude is let us continue as long as it is possible, laments an official of an export promotion body. This has to change. (The writer is a senior journalist and tweets at @soorpanakha) The issues raised included that the entire Aadhaar project is beyond the Acts objectives, the excessive data collection under KYR+ and State Resident Data Hubs (SRDHs), On Day 18 of the Aadhaar hearings, senior counsels KV Vishwanath, Arvind Grover and Meenakshi Arora presented their arguments on behalf of the petitioners. The issues raised included that the entire Aadhaar project is beyond the Acts objectives, the excessive data collection under KYR+ and State Resident Data Hubs (SRDHs), and the absolute failure of security in the Aadhaar system. Lastly, the chilling effect of an apprehension of surveillance and its ability to undermine a democracy were argued on. ABBA resolves identity fraud only Senior counsel KV Vishwanath continued his arguments, discussing the constitutionality of Aadhaar based biometric authentication (ABBA). It was argued that frauds related to the PDS scheme were of three types eligibility fraud involving ineligible persons registering for benefits, quantity fraud involving eligible persons receiving less than their entitlement, and identity fraud involving claiming an eligible persons entitlements through duplicate or ghost profiles. ABBA, it was argued, resolves only the third type of fraud. The State needs to justify the serious infringement of rights via Aadhaar The government, further, assumed that identity fraud was the only cause of leakages. In addition, old reports pre-dating the Aadhaar scheme had been used to make assessments on leakage. As a result, the State could not show that the increased benefits and saving due to Aadhaar were of a magnitude to justify the serious infringement of rights. Further, the State had to prove that Aadhaar was necessary and proportionate and that there were no less intrusive alternatives available to achieve its objectives. This, it was argued, could not be proved since the State had failed to consider alternative methods like smart cards, social audits and food coupons to resolve leakages. This shows that the State has failed to discharge its burden with regard to infringement of Article 21. Request for extension of Section 7 deadlines These issues, in turn, show that privacy or balancing of interests had not been taken into account while drafting the Aadhaar Act. Lastly, the validity of the mandatory eKYC issued by the Department of Telecom was raised. The petitioners also requested an extension of the deadline for the Section 7 notifications as well. Entire Aadhaar project goes beyond the Acts objectives Thereafter, senior counsel Anand Grover commenced his arguments. It was argued that the entire Aadhaar project was being operated by the state as a vehicle of myriad objectives, going way beyond the stated objectives of the Act. The divergence in the two led to Aadhaar project often being used for purposes that were unregulated or prohibited by the Act. Excessive data collection under KYR+ To prove this, the issue of excessive and unauthorized data collection under Know Your Resident (KYR+) was raised. Only demographic and identity information could be legally collected under the Aadhaar Act. Under KYR+, additionally, data like PAN, driving license and bank account numbers, education and home ownership details, religion and caste details, etc. were also being collected. Illegal sharing with SRDH Further, there was illegal sharing of this data, such as sharing with the SRDHs. The very collection and storage of this data, it was argued, is a misuse of the Aadhaar enrolment process. The UIDAI itself, it was argued, developed the SRDH systems, and set up the mechanisms for the transfer of Aadhaar identity information to it. Such transfer is impermissible under the Aadhaar Act and a misuse of the Aadhaar enrolment processes. In addition, even though the central identities data repository (CIDR) itself is protected, the data stored in such additional locations, like the SRDHS, enrolling agencies, requesting entities, etc., was not. No evidence of destruction of SRDH data The petitioners further argued that there was no evidence to prove governmental claims of erasing the biometric data with third parties like the SRDHs and registrars. For this, the complexities of data destruction, such as the need for physical destruction of servers, hard disks, etc. was pointed to. Use of biometrics violates Article 21 The next argument was on the use of uncertain and unproven biometric technology as a violation of Articles 14 and 21. It was argued that a person does not necessarily have a unique identity via biometrics. The thumbprint and iris scan together narrow the identity down, but this is still not unique. In addition, such biometrics, including iris scans, are changeable. They argued that for matching of biometric details, there was a deduplication ratio of 1:121, which was far too high. Section 5 of the Aadhaar Act, which provides for special measures for senior citizens, persons with disabilities, unskilled workers, etc., is also an admission of the limitations of ABBA. Biometrics, thus, lead to exclusion, which is violative of Article 21. L1 Contracts make Aadhaar insecure ab initio Next, the issue of the contracts of UIDAI with foreign agencies for multi-modal biometric systems, the L1 contracts was raised. These agencies had complete access to the Aadhaar data, along with continuing control over the Aadhaar technology. The Aadhaar Act, it was argued, states that this data should not be with anyone else, but these agencies had access to all this data. This factor, it was argued, made Aadhaar insecure ab initio. Complete failure to maintain data security Further, there was a complete failure to ensure the safety of the data which is required under the law. The inherently personal nature of the data, it was argued, meant that the State must ensure its protection. If it cannot, then it cannot take the data. To show the lack of security, the numerous risks at the enrolment and authentication level, including errors and violations by the agencies were listed. Additionally, it was argued that the Aadhaar enrolment process had been hacked at every level, but the UIDAI failed to address these issues. The ability to duplicate biometrics and the continuing acceptance of authentication even from unregistered devices were also cited. Security measures taken, it was argued, were only ad hoc in nature. Violation of interim orders of the SC Lastly, the violation of the interim orders of the Supreme Court through the issuance of notifications under Section 7 was raised. The settled law, it was argued, is that once the Court has passed orders, it is the duty of all those who are bound by it to abide by it so long as it stands. The notifications mandating the use of Aadhaar were thus an impermissible executive exercise and must be set aside. The chilling effect of an apprehension of surveillance Senior counsel Meenakshi Arora then commenced her arguments. The first argument was on surveillance. The Kharak Singh ruling dealt with surveillance that was individual and targeted, a form of surveillance that is now a thing of the past. In S and Marper v. UK, the European Court of Human Rights recognised that not just actual surveillance, but even a reasonable apprehension of surveillance can cause a chilling effect. Secret surveillance can undermine a democracy Next, the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) judgment in Szabo v. Hungary was discussed. It was argued that while in this case, national security was used to justify secret surveillance, in the case of Aadhaar, a similar argument was being made for justifying bank linking, telephone linking and so on. In the Szabo case, it was held that the very existence of a law which permits secret surveillance, without adequate safeguards, was a violation of privacy. Aadhaar, it was argued, has been introduced by the state as a preventive measure, and this very justification has been rejected by the Court in Szabo. Additionally, the lack of recourse for individuals had been considered to be one of the grounds of violation by the ECHR. A similar lack of recourse can be seen in the case of Aadhaar. Lastly, the ruling in the Szabo case was cited that a system of secret surveillance set up on the grounds of defending democracy, entails a risk of undermining or even destroying democracy. The hearings will continue on Tuesday, 20 March. The petitioners are scheduled to complete their arguments in Tuesdays morning session. Sources of arguments include livetweeting of the case by SFLC.in, Prasanna S and Gautam Bhatia, and Written Submissions of the counsels (KV Vishwanath and Anand Grover). The author is a lawyer and author specialising in technology laws. She is also a certified information privacy professional. Read our past coverage of the on-going Aadhaar Supreme court hearing: Why SC needs to look into technical evidence of Aadhaars surveillance capabilities Lack of governmental ownership of CIDRs source code can have serious consequences Will State give citizens rights only if they agree to be tracked forever, asks lawyer Shyam Divan Coalition for Aadhaar: A collective of private companies wants to ensure that Aadhaar ID and related services continue to be offered Petitioners argue on centralisation of data and challenge Aadhaars claims on savings Petitioners argue for a voluntary ID card system that does not collect user data Petitioners argue that receipt of govt benefits cannot be at the cost of compromising fundamental rights Aadhaar is architecturally unconstitutional, argue the petitioners Petitioners argue that Aadhaar violates dignity by objectifying and depersonalizing an individual Petitioners seek compensation for starvation deaths and extension of March 31st deadline Section 7 exception in Supreme Courts interim order greatly affects peoples constitutional rights Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis announced sanctioning of Rs 86 crore on Thursday to solve the garbage problem of Aurangabad city Mumbai: Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis announced sanctioning of Rs 86 crore on Thursday to solve the garbage problem of Aurangabad city. Replying to a debate over the issue in the legislative council, the chief minister said a detailed project report (DPR) would be prepared with the objective of solving the garbage disposal problem in three stages within one year. Rs 86.21 crore have been sanctioned for this, he said. Of this amount, Rs 30 crore will be given by the Centre, while the rest will be provided by the state government. Rs 36 crore, which is the Aurangabad Municipal Corporation's (AMC) share, too will come from the state's coffers, he said. "Aurangabad produces 430 metric tonnes of garbage a day. I sent the principal secretary, urban development to Aurangabad and gave a five-point plan to resolve this issue. Of the 5,420 metric tonnes of garbage (which has accumulated in the city since the start of this month), 76 percent has been collected and the remaining 24 percent will be collected by Saturday," Fadnavis said, appealing people for cooperation. "The state will make Rs 86.21 crore available for the project, while not putting any burden on the AMC. A DPR for solid waste management project for Nanded will also be approved in two months," the chief minister said. In future, the state government will not approve allotment of land for garbage dumping. Land will be alloted only for segregation and processing of garbage, he said. "In Maharashtra, 236 cities are scientifically segregating and processing the waste. Of them, 36 are contributing to the 'MahaCompost' brand," he said. The government markets compost manure prepared by municipal bodies through scientific treatment of biodegradable waste under its brand MahaCompost. Aurangabad's development plan was prepared in 1975 and revised in 2002, however, no provisions were made for solid waste management, Fadnavis said. Solid waste management projects for 152 cities worth Rs 1,856 crore have been approved, and projects for another 48 cities would be approved before 31 March, he said. Shiv Sena MLC Anil Parab said Aurangabad police commissioner Yashaswi Yadav, who was sent on compulsory leave for alleged high-handedness while dealing with protests over the garbage issue, told reporters that he wanted to do a lot of work, but was forced to go on leave. "How can an administrative official decide where does he want to work? Action should be taken against him for making such statements," Parab said. Fadnavis said an inquiry would be conducted into Yadav's comments. The AMC has been struggling since last month to dispose of the waste after the villagers at Naregaon, where the garbage was dumped for the last many years, said they would not allow the dumping there any longer. A day after Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha saw continued protests over Andhra Pradesh special category status, YSRCP chief Jagan Mohan Reddy gave notice for moving a no-confidence motion on Thursday. Auto refresh feeds Amid the outrage over the Nirav Modi scam and Karti Chidambaram's arrest in the INX Media case, the NDA government is possibly staring at a stormy second half of Budget Session which begins from Monday. The first part of the budget session was held from 29 January to 9 February, while second half of the session will come to a close on 9 April. The Congress is also likely to denounce the government over the arrest of former Union finance minister P Chidambaram's son Karti by the CBI in the INX Media alleged bribery case. The Congress has termed the CBI action "political vendetta". The Opposition is also likely to corner the government over the tussle between Prasar Bharti and the Information and Broadcasting ministry. It is likely to raise issues concerning farmers, the Rafale deal, Staff Selection Commission "job scam", loss of life and property due to ceasefire violations on the LoC and increase in cost of petroleum products. Meanwhile, YSRCP MPs from Andhra Pradesh are likely to hold a dharna against the Centre in the Parliament premises. The party is also expected to initiate a no-confidence motion in Lok Sabha on 21 March, reported Livemint. BJP MP Vinay Sahasrabuddhe calls for suspension of today's session under rule 267 of the Parliament in order to discuss allegations of corruption indulged by family members of former ministers under the tacit protection of ministers. D Raja of the CPI too has issued an adjournment notice in the Rajya Sabha in order to discuss the Punjab National Bank scam. This is the third adjournment motion on the issue. CNN-News18 is reporting that the BJP president will be meeting a delegation from the TDP to discuss the issue of special status to the state of Andhra Pradesh. According to the report, TDP is currently adamant on the 19 demands for the state. On the other hand, the YSRCP is also pressurizing the government over the same issue. The bill to target economic offenders was approved by the government following the escape of diamond merchant Nirav Modi and other accused in the over Rs 12,700-crore Punjab National Bank scam. The passage of the Fugitive Economic Offenders Bill, which seeks confiscation of assets of absconding fraudsters and loan defaulters, and the triple talaq bill will be high on the government's agenda. The Payment of Gratuity (Amendment) Bill 2017 and The Specific Relief (Amendment) Bill 2017 will be tabled in the Lower House of the Parliament, reported PTI. TDP MPs prtoest outside the Parliament over the issue of special status for Andhra Pradesh Today has been the day of adjournment motions. A notice for an adjournment motion can be issued under rule 267 of the Parliament. It is generally utilised by an MP to discuss a matter of public importance. Three of the adjournment motions have been issued to discuss the Nirav Modi scam, while Pappu Yadav has issued an adjournment motion to discuss the alleged scam in the SSC exams. On the other hand, BJP MP Vinay Sahasrabuddhe has issued an adjournment notice to discuss the allegations of corruption by relatives of former ministers. While the Opposition is expected to target the government over financial scams in the recent past, the BJP is likely to pin the blame on the Congress-led UPA regime. The BJP has already claimed that the PNB scam had begun when the UPA was in power and its government has acted with alacrity after the fraud came out in the open. The party, energised by the win in Tripura and impressive performance in Nagaland and Meghalaya elections, is likely to be aggressive in Parliament and rake up scams that happened on the Congress watch to pin it down, party sources said. BJP may take the attack to the Opposition However, Opposition created a ruckus in the House as soon as the session began. Chairman of the Rajya Sabha Venkaiah Naidu is saying that everyone who issued an adjournment notices under rule 267 will get a chance once he holds a discussion with Arun Jaitley, the Leader of Rajya Sabha. He added that many of the members have to look at some other rule in the Parliament rule book to talk in the Parliament. On the issue of Cauvery water, Naidu said that the adjournment notice issued by AIADMK MP Navneethakrishnan will be discussed in Zero Hour. According to Financial Express, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley and BJP president Amit Shah are scheduled to meet a TDP delegation, and more importantly the Andhra Pradesh finance minister, over the issue of granting Andhra Pradesh with special category status. "Don't create hungama," said Venkaiah Naidu as Opposition continued to create ruckus over PNB scam, 'Special Category Status' to Andhra Pradesh and other issues. This forced Naidu to adjourn the Upper House of the Parliament till 2 pm. However, the Opposition continues to create ruckus. The Opposition has also walked into the Well of the House to protest against the government. The resignation of Neiphiu Rio, who was elected to the Nagaland Assembly unopposed, and who is likely to be the next Chief Minister of Nagaland, has been accepted by Speaker Sumitra Mahajan. The Rajya Sabha has resumed operations, with PJ Kurien seated at the Chair. However, MP's continued there agitation even as the Speaker took his seat. Slogans of "Nirav Modi vapas lao" raged in the Parliament while Kurien urged the MPs to maintain decorum of the House. PJ Kuries, in an attempt to calm down the agitated members, acknowledged that the issues raised by them were important and agreed to allow discussion on them one by one. For today, he granted permission to conduct a debate on the frauds in public sector banks. However, Opposition MPs refused to vacate the Well and continued raising slogans. There demand was that the prime minister must explain why he could not keep his promise to bring back Nirav Modi and other people alleged scamsters. In the Rajya Sabha, ministers are laying the papers on the table Members of the Opposition come to the Well of the House to protest against Nirav Modi. Slogans of "Nirav Modi ko wapas lao" are being heard. Meanwhile, Venkaiah Naidu has adjourned Rajya Sabha till 11.30 am. People will give befitting reply to deaths of our cadre, says BJP Times Now is reporting that Lok Sabha will be holding a marathon four-hour-long discussion on the issue, starting at noon. The Union Cabinet on Thursday approved the much talked about Fugitive Economic Offenders (FEO) Bill, 2018 which will be tabled in the remaining Budget session in Parliament. Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on Thursday said that the government has also decided to set up an independent body NFRA (National Financial Reporting Authority) to crackdown on big scams and avoid Nirav Modi-like situation in future. For the purpose the government will amend Companies Act. Economic Offenders Bill to be tabled in the Parliament today, say reports While the ministers have tabled their papers, the Opposition continue raise slogans against the government. The Opposition is raising slogans like "Chota Modi, bada Modi Murdabad". "The second half of the Budget Session is important for passing financial bills. I request the Congress, TDP, TRS and other parties to calm down and let the Hosue continue its work," Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananth Kumar said. While speaking in the Parliament, Union Minister Ananth Kumar said that Arun Jaitley will be making a statement on the issue. However, he also took the opportunity to target the Congress and the previous UPA government. "No one involved in the Congress-led UPA era corruption scandals will be spared," he said. According to News18, MPs from four parties storming the Well to protest for different demands. While the Congress and the Trinamool Congress want debate on the PNB scam, the AIADMK is protesting over the Cauvery issue. The TRS wants the Constitution amended to skirt the 50% ceiling for reservation in jobs and education, while the TDP wants special status for Andhra Pradesh. "We have to look at the importance of passing the women's reservation bill," Kanimozhi said. "Families want to abort and kill the girl child. There are so many dowry deaths. Domestic violence is on the rise. When is all this going to stop?" she further said. "Men are celebrating us today as mothers, sisters, daughter. I think it's time for women to say, 'enough of that'. We don't want to be celebrated for our sacrifices. We want to be celebrated for our identity," Kanimozhi said in the Rajya Sabha. Women don't want to be celebrated for their sacrifices, they want to be celebrated for their identities: Kanimozhi "I find it strange that we celebrate Women's Day. But men don't celebrate any particular day. I am not in favour of this tokenism. I request all the men to stop throwing crumbs at us and treat us with respect throughout the year," Anu Aga said in the Rajya Sabha. Anu Aga says celebration of Women's Day is strange, calls for men to reject tokenism "Earlier, people used to say, 'behing every successful man, there is a woman'. But now, the saying has become 'behind every successful man, there is a nationalised bank," said Derek O'Brien in the Rajya Sabha, clearly taking a dig at the Modi government over the PNB scam. "Everyone should promise that the restrictions imposed on women by men will be abolished. On Valentine's Day, girls and couples should not be beaten up. In the name of anti-Romeo squad, women were beaten up in UP," AAP's Sanjay Singh said in the Rajya Sabha. Girls should not be beaten up on Valentine's Day: AAP's Sanjay Singh "On other hand, there are crimes against women which bring about shame to us. Which is why this day is one on which we should take a pledge to end such crimes," Swaraj said. "This should be a movement," she added. "India is a country where a woman became president, prime minister, twice became the Speaker of a House," she said. "Today, women are doing combat duty in the army, flying planes in the air force," she added. "International Women's Day gives us an opportunity to look at the requirements for gender equality," Sushma Swaraj said in the Rajya Sabha. "Women's reservation bill is important. But there are achievements by women even without reservation," she said. We should take a pledge this day to end crimes against women: Sushma Swaraj The Opposition parties protested against the passage of the budget without debate, as the session is slated to continue till 6 April. The Finance Bill as well as the Appropriation Bill were passed in a matter of 25 minutes during which Opposition parties and ruling NDA ally TDP shouted slogans and created a din. The Lower House was adjourned for the day immediately thereafter. The Lok Sabha on Wednesday passed the crucial Finance Bill 2018 and a Rs 89.25 lakh crore spending plan for the next fiscal year without discussion amid ruckus, which led to the adjournment of both the Houses of Parliament for the eighth day. The Rajya Sabha began Thursday's session with an obituary of former MP Hamida Habibullah. The members observed a minute of silence for the same. Rajya Sabha is in session now; Chair begins with obituary to ex-MP Hamida Habibullah Lok Sabha MPs could be heard protesting in the background even as Speaker Sumitra Mahajan tries to conduct the Thursday's session. Congress and other Opposition party members stormed the Well. Ministers speaking can hardly be heard over the din. Even as Opposition party members stormed the Well in the Lok Sabha, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananth Kumar said the Centre is willing to discuss the Cauvery issue and special package to Andhra Pradesh but it cannot be done so with protests in the Well. Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan was forced to adjourn the Lower House till 12 pm on Thursday within less than 10 minutes of the session's beginning. Former Union minister and TDP MP YS Chowdary speaks on why he resigned from the BJP-led Centre in Rajya Sabha Speaking in the Rajya Sabha, former Union MoS for Science and Technology YS Chowdary said that the Andhra Pradesh bifurcation was done unjustly and unscientifically. "The division could have been done after taking care of employment potential, development in both states. Both states must have been developed equally for 10 years by the government in power at the time," he said. Following his opening remarks, other members of the House began to clamour and protest, creating a din. Rajya Sabha Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu was forced to adjourn the House due to loud protests over former Union minister and TDP MP YS Chowdary's remarks on why he resigned from the Council of Ministers of the Narendra Modi-led NDA government. Opposition MPs continued to storm the Well of the House even as Speaker Sumitra Mahajan resumed the session. The Rajya Sabha was earlier adjourned till 2 pm on Thursday amid sharp exchanges between former Union minister from the TDP, YS Chowdary, and the Congress members over the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh in 2014 under the UPA government. If accepted, it will be the first no-confidence motion moved against the Modi-government. The motion can be accepted only if it has the support of at least 50 members in the House. YSR Congress has nine MPs in the Lok Sabha. The YSR Congress's MP YV Subba Reddy gave the notice to the Lok Sabha secretariat for including the motion in Friday's list of business, his office said. The YSR Congress on Thursday gave a notice for moving a no-confidence motion against the BJP-led NDA government following the Centre's refusal to grant special category status to Andhra Pradesh and found unlikely support from its arch-rival Telugu Desam Party (TDP). YSR Congress Party MP YV Subba Reddy submitted a notice to the Lok Sabha Secretary-General Snehalata Shrivastava for moving a motion on 'No-Confidence in the Council of Ministers' in the house. The Telugu Desam Party (TDP) has become the first BJP ally to break away from the National Democratic Alliance (NDA). Follow LIVE updates on the same here. After announcing the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) pulls out of the NDA, party MP Thota Narasimhan told ANI that the TDP will be moving a no-confidence motion on Friday. "We have decided... we are out of the NDA," he added. "TDP withdrew support from the NDA, which did injustice to Andhra Pradesh. TDP president Chandrababu Naidu took this decision in an emergency teleconference with party politburo members and MPs, which was unanimously supported. TDP to also introduce no-confidence motion against NDA government," ANI quoted the Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister's Office as saying. "TDP's decision to quit was inevitable after its mischievous propaganda against Centre. People of Andhra Pradesh have now realised that TDP is resorting to lies to cover up its inert governance. TDP's exit is a timely opportunity for the BJP to grow in Andhra Pradesh," BJP national spokesperson GVL Narasimha Rao tweeted. Speaking to ANI , BJP MP Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi commented on the TDP-NDA break up saying that every year before actual elections, there is always a rehearsal in Parliament. "We will see what happens in Parliament, which party chooses to go which way. In a way it is election year, and every state has demands and issues. It is not right for us to comment on it. It is a custom, before actual elections there is always a rehearsal in Parliament," he said. 'Before actual elections, there is always rehearsal in Parliament' Sarfaraz Alam (Araria, Bihar), Nagendra Pratap Singh Patel (Phulpur, Uttar Pradesh), Pravin Kumar Nishad (Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh), who won the recent bypolls held in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, took their oath as Lok Sabha MPs on Friday. Supporting the no-confidence motion against the NDA government, CPM general secretary Sitaram Yechury tweeted: "Its (BJP's) betrayal of the promise of special status for Andhra Pradesh is inexcuseable. Its all-round failure and evasion of parliamentary accountability needs to be highlighted." After the obituary references were read out, Opposition parties' MPs created a ruckus over the no-confidence motion against the NDA government. Speaker Sumitra Mahajan adjourned the House till 12 pm. All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen chief Asaduddin Owaisi said his party will support the no-confidence motion against the NDA government in the Lok Sabha. "MIM party will support the no confidence motion in Lok Sabha, not only for failure of Modi government to implement State Reorganisation Act but their failure to fulfill their promise to provide employment to youth ans for injustice to Muslim women and minorities," CNN-News18 quoted him as saying. "We have no confidence in their no-confidence motion, so we have decided to go on our own," he said. - PTI TDP MP CM Ramesh added that YSR Congress MP Vijaysai Reddy was seen making attempts to meet the prime minister and this hinted at a nexus between both parties. Andhra Pradesh's ruling party had on Thursday offered to back the YSR Congress' no-confidence motion but has now said it withdraws the support as it smells a nexus between it and the BJP. TDP decided to move its own no-confidence motion after suspecting nexus between YSRCP and BJP Speaking to ANI , BJP national spokesperson GVL Narasimha Rao claimed that the Andhra Pradesh government and TDP are wary of the BJP's rise in the state. "The state government and TDP are feeling the pinch of the public opinion going against them and BJP will use this as an opportunity to grow as a political party and emerge as a dominant political force in Andhra Pradesh. For us it will prove to be the next Tripura," Rao said. Even as Opposition MPs continued to chant slogans in the House, with TRS, TDP MPs storming the Well of the House, Speaker Sumitra Mahajan began with business for the day. She also said that she is duty-bound to introduce the two no-confidence motions but asked protesting MPs to sit in their places. As she said this, Opposition protests began to get louder. The Lok Sabha was adjourned for the day after Telagana Rashra Samithi (TRS) MPs stormed the Well. Speaker Sumitra Mahajan said she cannot introduce the two no confidence motions by YSRCP and TDP if House members continued to disrupt proceedings as she needed to check if there are 50 members to support each motion. Protesting MPs created more ruckus in response, forcing her to adjourn Lok Sabha till Monday. The NDA had stormed to power with 336 seats in 2014, of which the BJP alone claimed 282 seats. However, a series of bypolls that went against the saffron party meant that its tally in the Lok Sabha currently stands at 273 seats. When one adds the allies the BJP does have by its side Shiv Sena, JD(U), Apna Dal, LJP, SAD, RLSP, PDP the tally rises to 312. If the TDP can be persuaded to come around once again, this could rise to 328, a comfortable majority. The TDP has 16 MPs, and it said it would move a no-confidence motion against the Central government. In doing so, it would be following in the footsteps of rival Andhra Pradesh party, the YSR Congress, which has also said it would be moving a no-confidence motion against the Centre. The two Andhra parties have been miffed with the BJP following the latter's inability to grant special status for the state. As some other Congress members were on their feet trying to join the issue simultaneously, Naidu adjourned the House till 2.30 PM. "Do you want this sort of a thing to continue? ... Is that your suggestion. This is your party view," he said. To this, Naidu asked if somebody committed a mistake in the past, does it mean that he should also do the same. As he was making the appeal, Congress member Satyabrat Chaturvedi stood up and said he agreed with the Chair, but sought to know whether it was for the first time that he is witnessing such a scenario in Parliament. "I am very much pained that the Upper House of Parliament is not able to transact its business for last two weeks. Dont't test my patience...We are meeting, greeting and not doing anything and adjourning," the Chairman said. Before adjourning the House till 2.30 PM, Naidu said there were larger issues like banking scam, Cauvery river water sharing, demand for a special package to Andhra Pradesh and sealing in the national capital, which were agitating the minds of people and needed to be discussed. After tabling of the listed papers, Naidu expressed his anguish saying the House has not functioned ever since it resumed on March 5 after recess during the Budget session. The Rajya Sabha today witnessed an abrupt adjournment following a brief argument between Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu and some Congress members soon after the House assembled for the day. Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha told Chowsary to resume his speech from yesterday, which was interrupted due to the disruption of the House. He, however, added that Chowdary must stick to the speech approved by the Chairman and resist making any allegations. Chowdary said that the former prime minister Manmohan Singh has promised that Centre's hand-holing to Andhra. He then added that both the national parties were responsible for the secession of Andhra Pradesh and a certain help was promised to us at the time. Chowdary further said that the new constitutional restriction being cited by the Centre should not be applicable retrospectively to what was promised to Andhra. The deputy chairman, however, expunged those remarks as he said the Chairman had seen and vetted the speech but Chowdary had deviated from the approved version. In the course of his speech, Chowdary quoted the Opposition MP Venkaiah Naidu requesting special status for Andhra for at least 10 years. This elicited an objection from Railway Minister Piyush Goyal who said that Chowdary was trying to cast aspersions on the Chair (Venkaiah Naidu). This was met with sharp opposition from the Congress members who requested the quotes to be repeated. It is expected to be a stormy day in the Parliament on Monday, especially for the Lok Sabha where the two no-confidence motions against the Narendra Modi-led NDA government by the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and YSR Congress Party are likely to be taken up. However, equations with the existing allies aren't particularly rosy. In particular with Shiv Sena, the largest non-BJP constituent of the NDA. If the Sena follows TDP by backing out, the figure of 314 will go down to 296, just 23 more than the magic figure of 273, and the BJP can no longer be certain of its future. The NDA had stormed to power with 336 seats in 2014, of which the BJP alone claimed 282 seats. However, a series of bypolls that went against the saffron party meant that its tally in the Lok Sabha currently stands at 274 seats. When one adds the 11 allies the BJP still has by its side Shiv Sena, JD(U), Apna Dal, LJP, SAD, RLSP, PDP, PMK, SWP, NPP and AINR Congress the tally rises to 314 . If the TDP can be persuaded to come around once again, this could rise to 330, a comfortable majority. RECAP: With TDP quitting NDA, Centre's strength comes down to 314 from 336 in Lok Sabha RJD's JP Yadav gave an adjournment motion notice in Lok Sabha on Monday over the recent "communal incidents of violence in Araria, Bhagalpur and Darbhanga", reported ANI . Speaking to ANI, Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut said the party will "wait and watch" what happens in the Parliament on Monday. He said: "We will also have to see if the Speaker allows the no confidence motion or rejects it. TDP has its own state issues and we welcome them. As of now we have not decided yet on no confidence motion. Uddhav ji (Thackeray) will take a call." The Parliament secretariat received three separate notices for a no-confidence motion against the BJP government on Monday, two of which were from TDP and one from the YSR Congress, reported ANI . Lok Sabha Sumitra Mahajan is likely to take up the notices after Question Hour if the House is in order. CPI leader Duraisamy Raja said that the Left parties will be supporting the no-confidence motion in the Parliament on Monday. "People have started expressing their no confidence in the Modi government, it is time the Parliament does it too," ANI quoted him as saying. He had earlier also said the BJP enjoys support "inside and outside" the Parliament, according to Business Standard . "I want to tell the Congress and other Opposition members that there is confidence inside and outside the House. That's why the BJP is ready to face the no-confidence motion," said Kumar. Ahead of Monday's Parliament session, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananth Kumar said that the saffron party was ready to face the no-confidence motion as it is sure it has the necessary support. In less than two minutes of being in session, the Lok Sabha was adjourned till 12 pm. As soon as Speaker Sumitra Mahajan entered the House, loud protests and sloganeering dominated the scene, making it impossible for any business to be conducted amid the din. Slogans of "We want justice" could be heard as Chairman Venkaiah Naidu said, "This is not in the interest of the country, and Parliament. I am willing to allow also these discussions. How long should we continue like this?" The Upper House of the Parliament was adjourned till tomorrow after TDP and AIADMK MPs began protesting in the Rajya Sabha. He also said that the TDP also increased the state's budget by Rs 1100 crores. "We will strive to do the same in future. We are moving to work to move forward in skill development to help the people of Andhra Pradesh," he said. He also claimed that the YSR Congress Party is only 'playing politics' and has no interest in the state's welfare. Trying to assuage people's sentiments, Naidu said that the "TDP government is undertaking multiple irrigation projects to ensure the state's development is not stalled amid all this." Andhra Pradesh chief minister and TDP president N Chandrababu Naidu on Monday said that the state is being cheated by the Central government. "We are being cheated by the government. The BJP is making false allegations against me," he said. 'We are being cheated by the government': Chandrababu Naidu Shiv Sena MP Arvind Sawant told ANI that the party will abstain from the no-confidence motion. "We will neither support the government nor the Opposition. We will abstain," he said. As soon as Speaker Sumitra Mahajan took up the Question Hour, members from these parties trooped into the Well holding placards. While members from the TDP, YSR Congress, TRS and AIADMK were in the Well raising slogans and holding placards, MPs from the TMC and Congress were seen standing at their seats. This forced the House to be adjourned till 12 pm. The Lok Sabha proceedings were disrupted for the 11th day on Monday as the TDP, YSR Congress, TRS and AIADMK continued their noisy protests over various issues, including the banking scam and special status for Andhra Pradesh. Even as the Lower House resumed its proceedings, sloganeering dominated the scene as TDP, AIADMK MPs could be heard shouting "We want justice". However, Speaker Sumitra Mahajan began with day's business, asking ministers to lay their papers on the table. Home Minister Rajnath Singh said: "We want discussion on the no-confidence motion. I request all MPs to maintain decorum so that we can discuss it. We are ready to discuss any issue with any member." Following continuous uproar in the Lok Sabha, Speaker Sumitra Mahajan adjourned the House till Tuesday. TSR, YSRCP MPs trooped into the Well, while chanting slogans such as "We want justice". Mahajan tried to introduce the no-confidence motion notices but requested all MPs to sit at their designated spots so that a quorum could be established. Opposition members and other parties' MPs continued to create a ruckus, forcing the House to be adjourned for the day. 'Will do whatever the Opposition does': Farooq Abdullah The Samajwadi Party on Monday accused the government of egging AIADMK to stage protests in the Lok Sabha to avoid a no-confidence motion even as Tamil Nadu's ruling party warned that it would not allow business in both the Houses of Parliament till the Centre gives an assurance on the constitution of the Cauvery River Management Board. The 39 Indians who were kidnapped in Iraq are dead, Sushma Swaraj tells Rajya Sabha. MoS Parliamentary Affairs Vijay Goel said the government is ready discuss all issues. However protests cause Vice-President Venkaiah Naidu to adjourn the Rajya Sabha till 21 March. Sushma Swaraj starts speaking about the Indians in Mosul. She had spoken about the issue in the Rajya Sabha earlier. The Bills have already been passed in the Lok Sabha Finance Minister Arun Jaitley to move Fugitive Economic Offenders Bill in Lok Sabha on Wednesday. The Bill gives the government power to confiscate the assets of such defaulters. Bill to deal with economic offenders who leave the country in Lok Sabha today "Let us all protest and, if required, sit on hunger strike at every place, sport black badges during working hours in offices. Let us awaken the people," party chief N Chandrababu Naidu said at a meeting of women self-help groups. Telugu Desam Party (TDP) held protests in Vijayawada on Thursday about the Andhra Pradesh special status row, reported CNN-News18. The TDP had decided to extend support to the National Highways blockade programme called by the Opposition parties in Andhra Pradesh seeking special category status to the state. As the deadlock in both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha continued on Wednesday, here is a look at how both the Houses spent their time while in session ( as per PRS ): What has the Parliament been spending its time on? Protests and sloganeering marked the day's proceedings in the Lok Sabha as it began on Thursday. Opposition MPs could be heard chanting "We want justice" in the background, even as Speaker Sumitra Mahajan tried to conduct the day's business. As the protests grew louder, she said, "Nobody wants to listen, nobody wants to run the House." She then adjourned the Lok Sabha till 12 pm. "At the time of passing the AP Reorganisation Act, they (government) gave some provisions under it. People are suffering in Andhra Pradesh," said TDP's CM Ramesh. Chairman Venkaiah Naidu said that several leaders had approached him personally and let the the amendment Bill be passed. MoS Parliamentary Affairs Vijay Goel said, "The government wants to discuss everyone's issues. I request we discuss and pass other Bills." Just as the House passed the Gratuity Bill, AIADMK and TDP MPs trooped into the Well of the House holding placards and created ruckus. To this, Chairman Venkaiah Naidu said " People want to know why the Chairman is adjourning the House? I would like to tell the people that I don't want these ugly scenes to be seen by them. Each day, some or the other party troops into the Well." Nearly 20 MPs stood in the Well surrounding Naidu, and chanting loud slogans. As the Opposition refused to back down, Chairman Venkaiah Naidu adjourned Rajya Sabha for the day. "I would like to request all the MPs to go back to their places and let the House function. We are ready to talk about all issues, including the no-confidence motion notices that are being brought to the House," said Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananth Kumar in the Lok Sabha on Thursday, even as AIADMK and TDP MPs continued their sloganeering near the Well of the House. Speaker Sumitra Mahajan said she cannot act upon the no-confidence motion notices until there is order in the House. "I can't see anybody. I need to count heads (to establish a quorum of 50 members)," she said. After 14 days of low productivity in the second edition of the Budget Session of the Parliament, the Centre is likely to make a fresh push to pass pending bills even as the Opposition remain vehement to corner the government over issues like the Punjab National Bank scam, the murder of 39 Indians in Iraq by Islamic State among others. The Congress has issued a three-line whip to all its MPs in the Rajya Sabha asking them to be present in the House at 11 am in full strength on Friday and support the party's stand, PTI reported. The Parliament is lagging behind in terms of finishing scheduled tasks with productivity level really low. The Budget Session of Parliament, which reconvened after a brief break on 5 March, has been marred with protests, with the daily functioning in both Lok Sabha and Rajya well below 0.1 hours (six minutes), according to PRS data. Daily functioning of Parliament during Question Hours less than six minutes, shows PRS data With TDP's no-confidence motion notice still pending before the Lok Sabha, Chandrababu Naidu's party, which recently exited the NDA alliance, has appealed to Speaker Sumitra Mahajan to hold an all-party meeting on special status to Andhra Pradesh as well, reports said. "I request the leaders of the parties to come to the chamber of the chairman," Naidu also said. "This is totally undemocratic, totally unbecoming of Members of Parliament. You are weaking your cause. Please, you are all members. You must uphold the dignity of the House," Rajya Sabha Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu said before adjourning the House for 15 minutes. "Madame Speaker, you have always asked the House to be conducted in order. The government is ready for a discussion...Congress has become a marginal party," said Union minister Ananth Kumar in response. "There are more than 50 members here who want to move a no-confidence motion," said Leader of Congress in Lok Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge. As the ruckus in the Lower House continued, Speaker Sumitra Mahajan adjourned the House for the day. According to News18, irate Opposition MPs are demanding discussion on the no-confidence motion. Narendra Modi to retiring Rajya Sabha MPs: I am sorry Parliament failed you in this last session Modi also said that the doors of Parliament and his Prime Minister's Office (PMO) will always remain open to them, and they are welcome to visit him whenever they like. While bidding the departing MPs goodbye, Modi also took a sarcastic jibe at protesting Opposition MPs, saying they nearly ensured this Session didn't take place and nearly denied this vote of thanks. Opposition ensured this Sesssion didn't take place and nearly denied this vote of thanks: Narendra Modi Narendra Modi also added that it was unfortunate that they didn't get a chance to pass important legislations in their final session, but may look back at their tenure gladly given the passing of landmark bills like the Triple Talaq bill. Unfortunate that you didn't get chance to pass important legislations in their final session: Narendra Modi "People have been agitating for special status, for their water, for their poor farmers and labourers. The MPs have been fighting on their behalf. If the people get what is rightfully theirs, it's not their parliamentarians who will stand to benefit," Azad said. He added that it's unfair to say MPs have been fighting and disrupting Parliament, because they are sent to Parliament to represent the needs of the people. Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad, meanwhile, said the Central Hall of Parliament is full of former MPs and he looks forward to seeing many of the retiring MPs at the same place in the future. Unfair to say MPs have been disrupting Parliament, because they are sent to Parliament to represent needs of the people: Ghulam Nabi Azad The second part of this session has 22 sittings, and is scheduled to conclude on 6 April. Five more sittings are slated. This is the final week that the Houses are functioning in the Budget Session Members from the Congress, the Left, the TDP and some other parties stood up holding the blue placards, apparently to show her that there were 80 members supporting the no-confidence motion After a brief discussion on scams in public-sector banks, Bills such as the Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Bill and the Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Bill to be tabled in Rajya Sabha today Arun Jaitley to move Fugitive Economic Offenders Bill in the Lok Sabha today, which is a Bill to deal with economic offenders who leave the country "Most MPs are already seated. If everyone stops shouting and goes back to their seat, I can see how many support for the no-confidence motion. the House must be in order," Sumitra Mahajan said. Day 19 of Parliament's Budget Session is likely to get underway shortly, but MPs from various Opposition parties have already begun protesting inside Parliament premises, drawing attention to various causes. Punjab Congress MPs demand financial help for families of Indians killed in Mosul With Opposition parties slamming the central government over atrocities being committed on Dalits, Union minister Ananth Kumar has said the government is "committed" towards protecting the rights of Dalits. "Whenever Congress is in power, they are responsible for inciting people and spreading violence," Ananth Kumar said. Lok Sabha was adjourned till noon within six minutes of starting proceedings, with Tamil Nadu MPs launching their demand the formation of a Cauvery Management Board. Congress MPs from Punjab have climbed on to the roof of Parliament Political leaders elected as Rajya Sabha MPs last month, including Union minister Ravi Shankar Prasad, have taken oath of office. When Lok Sabha reconvenes at noon, Home Minister Rajnath Singh is likely to address the House. Rajnath is expected to talk about the violence that singed large parts of the country of Monday. As Opposition MPs kept up noisy protests, Home Minister Rajnath Singh addresses Lok Sabha over violence that singed large parts of the country on Monday. "The government has not diluted the provisions of the SC/ST Atrocities Act. In fact, we have strengthened the act. We have introduced provisions for the protection of victims, who are already suffered enough. Moreover, if officials are found lacking in their response to a complaint filed by anybody, we want action initiated against them as well," Rajnath Singh said. Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan tried to address Lok Sabha on Tuesday, but noisy protests kept her from speaking. She was responding to Home Minister Rajnath Singh's speech earlier in the day. Faced with unrelenting Opposition protests, Mahajan adjourned Lok Sabha for the day. Within minutes of proceedings beginning, Lok Sabha was adjourned till 12 pm after MPs raised slogans of 'We want justice, we want Cauvery board' Amid loud protests, Deputy Chairman PJ Kurien adjourned the Rajya Sabha for 30 minutes, after having pleaded with protesting MPs to go back to their seats. New members who took oath on Wednesday, have not been given division: Anand Sharma It is unfortunate that Rajya Sabha failed to carry out daily business: Deputy Chairman PJ Kurien Announcing the decision, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananth Kumar said it has been decided that the NDA MPs would be giving up their salary and other allowances for 23 days "for which parliament was not allowed to function by the Congress". BJP and NDA party MPs announced on Wednesday night that they will take a pay cut for the 23 days wasted in the second phase of the Budget Session as they accused the Congress party of playing negative politics. Congress issues three-line whip to its Rajya Sabha MPs asking them to be present in Upper House, reports ANI Over a dozen Opposition parties had appealed to Lok Sabha speaker Sumitra Mahajan and Rajya Sabha chairman M Venkaiah Naidu on Wednesday for holding discussion on key matters like the SC/ST Act, PNB bank fraud, CBSE paper leak and Cauvery issue. Opposition leaders, including from the Congress, BSP, SP, DMK, NCP, TMC and the Left parties, had met in Parliament to discuss the lack of debate. Leaders of several Opposition parties are holding a demonstration inside the Parliament premises over various issues. Congress had said on Wednesday that it would not mind if Parliament session was extended by a day or two, but a debate on key issues should take place. "We want to hold discussions on key issues of national importance and we also want to pass legislation. The government should take the lead in doing so. We are not averse even if the session is extended by a day or two," Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad had told reporters. Congress president Rahul Gandhi and UPA chief Sonia Gandhi have joined the Opposition protest in New Delhi against the Centre. Asserting that he attended the House proceedings daily, Subramanian Swamy said that it isn't his fault if the Parliament didn't function. "Anyhow, I'm the president's representative. Until he says so, how can I say I'll not take my salary?" ANI quoted him as saying. Both the Houses of the Parliament were adjourned within minutes of reconvening on Thursday amid protests by the Opposition parties. Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge urged Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan to take up the no-confidence motion as the AIADMK continued protesting in the Lower House. Kurien went on to read the rules of the Rajya Sabha. "You are all eligible for suspension," he said. Deputy Chairman PJ Kurien said that he has an alternative to deal with the protests in the Upper House. "As per rule. I will see that a motion is moved to expel all protesting members. Thereby, you will lose all your voting right," he told the protesting MPs. PJ Kurien says he can move motion to expel members protesting in Rajya Sabha LS Speaker reminded the MPs that today was the last day of the second leg of the Budget Session, even though the MPs continued shouting. "This Sabha is for a platform the raise issues for the welfare of the people. I understand that MPs have several issues they want to raise but they should keep in mind that the country has a variety of issues which need to be focused on," said Speaker Sumitra Mahajan. "I make an appeal to all of you to appear here next time to do what we were given to do at the time of Independence," said Rajya Sabha Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu. BJP works for connecting people, Congress works for dividing people. Congress indulges in divisive, negative politics. It didn't let the House function. We'll sit in protest against the negative attitude of Congress during last 23 days: Ananth Kumar,Parliamentary Affairs Minister pic.twitter.com/T710ENwveX BJP MPs to observe fast on 12 April to protest the impasse in Parliament caused by Congress: Union minister Ananth Kumar | PTI "Congress has become a marginal party, even in the Parliament," he said. "They don't have their own parliamentary strategy for both the Houses. They don't have parliamentary logic," he added. "From 5 March to 27 March, why did the Congress not allow business to happen?" said Union minister Ananth Kumar. "On 15 and 16 March, the YSRCP and TDP motions of no-confidence were brought up. Congress brought it up on 27 March? Why did they bring it up so late?" he added. Why did Congress not allow business to happen? asks Ananth Kumar Budget Session of Parliament updates: Shortly after resuming session at 2.30 pm, Rajya Sabha was adjourned for the day as TDP MP YS Chowdary's speech was interrupted. Meanwhile, the Lower House too had been adjourned for the day and the Motions of no confidence against the NDA government by YSRCP and TDP could not be taken up as a result. After both Houses were adjourned, TDP MPs held protests inside the Parliament complex, shouting slogans such as "We want justice, NDA, talaq, talaq, talaq" in front of the Gandhi statue. The Lok Sabha is set to resume session again at 12 pm. Barely 15 minutes into Friday's session, both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha were adjourned till 12 pm and 2.30 pm respectively following protests and ruckus in both Houses by Opposition parties' MPs over the no-confidence motion against the NDA government. Biju Janata Dal, AIMIM, Trinamool Congress and Left parties also joined the Congress to back Telugu Desam Party's (TDP) no-confidence motion in the Lok Sabha against the Narendra Modi-led NDA government on Friday. Both Houses are in session currently. After the TDP also decided to move a no-confidence motion against the Narendra Modi-led NDA government, the Congress has announced it will support TDP and YSRCP's no-confidence motion in the Parliament. The YSR Congress on Thursday gave a notice for moving a no-confidence motion against the BJP-led NDA government following the Centre's refusal to grant special category status to Andhra Pradesh and found unlikely support from its arch-rival Telugu Desam Party (TDP). The move came after both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha were repeatedly adjourned on Thursday owing to loud protests by Opposition MPs over the PNB sam, Andhra Pradesh special status etc. The YSR Congress's MP YV Subba Reddy gave the notice to the Lok Sabha secretariat for including the motion in Friday's list of business, his office said. The motion can be accepted only if it has the support of at least 50 members in the House. YSR Congress has nine MPs in the Lok Sabha. If accepted, it will be the first no-confidence motion moved against the Modi-government. YSR Congress chief Jagan Mohan Reddy has written to leaders of various parties seeking their support for the motion. In the letter, he has asserted that if the Centre remains reluctant to grant the special category status to the state then all MPs of his party will resign on 6 April. While Subba Reddy's office said the notice was given for including the motion in Friday's list of business, YSR Congress chief said his party will move the motion on 21 March. On Friday, Parliament's agenda for the next week will be decided. In a sign of cross-party support the issue of special category status has in the state, TDP MP Thota Narasimham told PTI that his party will also support the motion. The YSR Congress is the main challenger to the TDP in the state. Later, Andhra Pradesh chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu also said the TDP would support a no-confidence motion against the BJP-led government at the Centre in the interest of Andhra Pradesh. "We will support a no-confidence motion, whoever moves it. We will be ready for that and our 16-17 MPs will fully support that. We will cooperate with whoever fights for the state's rights," Naidu told the state Assembly. With the BJP alone having 274 members in the 536-member Lok Sabha and enjoying support of allies, the no-confidence motion, if accepted, is certain to be defeated but has the potential to put the saffron party in a tight corner in a state like Andhra Pradesh. The TDP has withdrawn its ministers from the government after the Centre made it clear that it cannot grant the status to the state and the regional party, which is in power in the state, is now mulling to quit the NDA. Even if TDP's 16 members support the no-confidence motion, the government will still has a big numerical advantage in the House. The motion can hand over a political plank to Jagan Reddy in the state in which Assembly polls are due to be held along with the Lok Sabha elections next year. Reddy, in his letter, recalled that former prime minister Manmohan Singh had given an assurance in the Rajya Sabha while participating in a debate on the bill bifurcating the state that the special category status will be granted to it. Venkaiah Naidu, then a senior BJP leader who is now the vice president, had demanded in the House that the status should be given to the state for a minimum of 10 years, Reddy said. Finance Minister Arun Jaitley has cited the 14th Finance Commission report to claim that the provision of special category status is no longer workable for Andhra Pradesh, but asserted that the Centre is willing to grant the state all benefits due under this status. The BJP has accused regional parties in Andhra Pradesh of playing "politics of victimhood" and claimed that the central government had already given a lot of benefits to the state and was willing to do more. Trinamool Congress accuses Modi government of 'murdering' Parliament The Trinamool Congress on Thursday accused the Narendra Modi government of "murdering" Parliament by way of avoiding and bypassing parliamentary scrutiny of government legislations. "The BJP is murdering Parliament. In this BJP regime, only nine out of 74 bills passed have been scrutinized by a Parliamentary committee. In contrast, from 2009 to 2014, 66 out of 116 bills passed were scrutinised by Parliamentary committees," Trinamool legislative party leader in Lok Sabha Sudip Bandyopadhyay and Rajya Sabha leader Derek O'Brien said in a statement. On Wednesday, the Modi government got the Finance Bill passed in the Lok Sabha without any discussion. On Thursday, in the Rajya Sabha, Deputy Chairman PJ Kurien asked the agitating members to give him "five minutes to dispose of the business", which included the Finance Bill and two Appropriation Bills that were listed in the day's business for discussion and returning to the Lok Sabha. However, Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad objected to the Chair's remarks saying no Bill should be passed in five minutes without a discussion on it. The Rajya Sabha however has no powers to move or amend any money bill on its own and it is the Lok Sabha's prerogative to accept or reject any amendments moved by the upper House on any money bill. With inputs from agencies The Centre on Friday told the Supreme Court that it is not going to touch 'Ram Sethu' for its Sethusamudram project in an affidavit and that the government will help protect it. The Centre told the Supreme Court in an affidavit on Friday that it's not going to touch the 'Ram Sethu' for its Sethusamudram project, according to reports. The affidavit was filed in connection with a plea by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Subramanian Swamy. The Union Ministry of Shipping, in its affidavit, told a bench headed by Chief Justice Dipak Misra that the PIL filed by Swamy against the Sethusamudram project can now be disposed off by taking note of its stand. "That the government of India intends to explore an alternative to the earlier alignment of Sethusamudram Ship Channel project without affecting/damaging the Adam's Bridge/Ram Sethu in the interest of the nation," the affidavit filed by the ministry said. Additional Solicitor General Pinky Anand, appearing for the Centre, said that the Centre has filed the response in pursuance of the earlier directions and the PIL can now be disposed. The Centre told the apex court that considering the socio-economic disadvantages of the proposed alignment, the Government of India does not want to implement the said alignment, a report on Outlook said. The Ram Sethu, also known as the Adam's Bridge, is a chain of limestone shoals between Pamban or Rameswaram Island off the south-eastern coast of Tamil Nadu, and Mannar Island on the north-western coast of Sri Lanka. Under the Sethusamudram project, an 83 kilometre-long deep water channel was to be created, linking Mannar with Palk Strait, by extensive dredging and removal of the limestone shoals. The project was mooted by the Government of India and a feasibility study was ordered in the 1990s, according to News18. In 1997, the government decided to go ahead with the project, but only finalised it in 2005. It calculated that successful completion of the project would cut travelling and save 10 to 30 hours of sailing time, the report added. Swamy moved the apex court challenging the project on the basis of religious belief and sought a national heritage status for it. The Supreme Court had in November given six weeks to the Centre to clarify its stand on Ram Sethu and file its reply on Swamy's plea. The BJP leader, during earlier hearings, had submitted that the Centre has made a statement on the floor of Parliament that it has no intention whatsoever to tamper with the 'bridge'. With inputs from PTI Andhra Pradesh chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu said he was fighting a 'dharma yuddh' to secure the state's 'legitimate' rights. Amaravati: Andhra Pradesh chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Friday said he was fighting a "dharma yuddh" to secure the state's 'legitimate' rights and parties at national level were backing TDP's no-confidence motion against the NDA government due to his party's credibility. Speaking to reporters hours after the TDP quit the BJP-led NDA and moved the notice for the motion in Lok Sabha, Naidu said he would now go ahead and bring various parties at the national level together. The TDP supremo said he had not contacted any party yet but given the "TDPs credibility" they were supporting the no-trust motion. "We are fighting a dharma yuddham against the Centre to secure our states legitimate rights. TDP has a credibility at the national level, so many parties are coming forward to support us. I will soon speak to those who are ready to support us," he said. Naidu said he was now free to talk with any party which he could not do while being a partner of the ruling alliance at the Centre. "I now have no obligations and I will go ahead by bringing various parties at the national level together," he added. The TDP, which had recently pulled out its ministers from the Modi government, on Friday morning decided to quit the NDA. The party later moved a no-confidence motion in the Lok Sabha against the Modi government demanding that the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2014 be implemented completely and also the promises made by the then prime minister Manmohan Singh in Rajya Sabha be honoured. We came out of the NDA because of moral values. Only then we moved a no-confidence motion. Those who dont have any moral values were making rounds of the Prime Ministers Office, Chandrababu said, in an obvious reference to the YSR Congress that also moved a no-trust motion. The TDP decided to move the motion on its own rather than support the one moved by a party that "did not have any moral values", he said. Earlier, speaking in the state Legislative Council on a short discussion on implementation of the AP Reorganisation Act, the chief minister explained the reasons for the TDP exiting the NDA. "We joined the NDA in the first place only to protect our states interests in the aftermath of bifurcation. We waited for four years with the hope that the Centre will honour all the promises but it only meted out injustice to us, Naidu said. However, the BJP never cared about TDP, he charged adding that while in the Opposition, it promised to take care of the state and its needs but once in power, "it completely ignored us." Coming down on the prime minister, he said Modi did not even bother to invite the TDP MPs for a discussion when they were agitating in Parliament for the states rights. He said Modi showed a lot of concern for Andhra Pradesh on the eve of 2014 elections and promised many things, including building the states new capital better than New Delhi. The chief minister wanted to know what happened to all those promises. "Why was the Centre not co-operating in building Amaravati?" he asked. The TDP supremo charged both YSR Congress and the Jana Sena, the main rivals for TDP in the state, with colluding with the BJP. Whose interests are they seeking to protect, he questioned angrily and found fault with the prime minister for trying to enact "a Tamil Nadu-type drama in Andhra as well." "O Pannerselvam himself said he agreed to accept the deputy chief minister post at the behest of Narendra Modi. The Council later adopted a resolution demanding that the Centre implement all provisions of the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act and also the promises made in Rajya Sabha. A former Karnataka senior cop has found himself surrounded by fresh controversy for his alleged remarks over the physical appearance of Asha Devi, mother of 2012 Delhi gangrape victim Jyoti Singh A former Karnataka senior cop has found himself surrounded by fresh controversy for his alleged remarks over the physical appearance of the mother of 2012 gangrape victim Jyoti Singh. Met Nirbhaya's mother today. She spoke how the society stigmatises rape victims rather than stigmatising the culprits. It's for citizens to play active role in checking crimes against women. Ex MP, retd IPS Sangliana was present I received "Nirbhaya Award" on the occasion. pic.twitter.com/ifjeaBpnf1 D Roopa IPS (@D_Roopa_IPS) March 9, 2018 Speaking at a ceremony organised to honour women last week, former Karnataka DGP HT Sangliana had allegedly said that he can "imagine how beautiful the gangrape victim would have been" by seeing the "good physique" of her mother Asha Devi. That, however, was not the only controversial statement that the former Karnataka DGP made at the event. Sangliana reportedly also said, "If you are overpowered, you should surrender, and follow up the case later. That way we can be safe, save life, prevent being killed." The former Karnataka top cop's insensitive comments have come as a shock to many especially since Sangliana is known as an officer to have always fought against corruption and dishonesty. Following Sangliana's comment, some the guests at the event left in protest, Bangalore Mirror reported. A 23-year-old medical student, Singh was gruesomely beaten, gang-raped and tortured in a moving bus by six attackers including a juvenile on 16 December, 2012 when she was travelling with a friend in New Delhi. The attackers had brutalised Singh with an iron rod and her intestines were pulled out. She succumbed to her injuries 13 days later at a Singapore hospital. Sangalina's comment, however, is not the only insensitive remark in the six-year-old gangrape incident. Earlier this year, a Kendriya Vidyalaya teacher had blamed Singh for the incident, stating she wouldn't have been gangraped had she not ventured out late in the night. In 2014, finance minister Arun Jaitley had called the gangrape a "small incident" which cost India "millions of dollars in terms of lower tourism". Jaitley later expressed regret that his statement was construed "as insensitive" but that was never his intention. A report has said that a second suspect identified could be a person from Maharashtra against whom Interpol issued a red-corner notice. A week after investigators arrested KT Naveen Kumar and named him as the first accused in the Gauri Lankesh murder case, a report has said that a second suspect identified could be a person from Maharashtra against whom Interpol issued a red-corner notice for links to a bomb blast in Goa nine years ago. A report in The Indian Express said that official sources told the newspaper that the suspect, identified as 34-year-old Praveen Limkar from Kolhapur and an activist of Sanatan Sanstha, was accused by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) of playing a major role in a blast in Madgaon on 19 October, 2009. The police are currently seeking permission to conduct a lie detector test on Kumar. He was taken into custody on 3 March for illegal possession of bullets and is reportedly connected to radical Hindutva outfit called the Hindu Yuva Sena. "KT Naveen Kumar was taken into custody by a Special Investigation Team (SIT) of the Karnataka Police for questioning," SIT Investigating Officer MN Anucheth had told IANS in Bengaluru. Kumar hails from Birur town in Chikkamagaluru district, about 250 km west from Bengaluru, Anucheth had said. He has also been linked to members of the Sanatan Sanstha and its affiliate Hindu Janajagruti Samiti. He was found in possession of more than 15 rounds of the cartridges of the .32 calibre, which are the same as the 7.65 mm cartridges. Lankesh, 55, the editor of Lankesh Patrike, was shot dead outside her residence in the city's southwestern suburb by unidentified assailants on 5 September last year. The state government had set up the SIT to probe the journalist-activist's killing. With inputs from IANS IMD also forecast light rain and drizzle to occur in the next 48 hours with minimum temperatures likely to dip to 23 degrees Celsius. Mumbai residents were in for a surprise on Thursday as the city received unexpected showers in the evening in some parts of the city, owing to low pressure in the Arabian Sea. The sky was clouded for most of the day with temperatures dropping below 30 degrees Celsius, according to the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD). It also forecast light rain and drizzle to occur in the next 48 hours with minimum temperature likely to dip to 23 degrees Celsius. Speaking to Firstpost, IMD scientist in Mumbai, Ajay Kumar said that while rains at this time of the year is not normal, it is not unusual either. "Rains in March is not normal but it does take place sometimes, it is not abnormal. In 2015 and 2016, rainfall hit the city during March," he said adding that the skies in Mumbai will clear by Saturday. IMD attributed a low pressure depression in the Arabian Sea near Lakshadweep and surrounding areas as the reason behind the showers. Kumar said that since the depression is weakening, there is no immediate warning for fishermen at sea. "The depression is positioned very far from Mumbai and is in its weakening stage. It won't affect fishermen close to the coast here," he said. The IMD had earlier predicted light rain across Maharashtra, South Konkan, including the Marathwada and Vidarbha regions over the next three days. "We are expecting isolated rainfall, and thunderstorms in the next 24 hours in south Konkan, Madhya Maharshtra, Marathawada and Vidharba too," Mumbai Mirror quoted KS Hosalikar, deputy director general, western region, IMD as saying. According to Skymet Weather, the low pressure system has been moving in north-northwest direction parallel to the coast, albeit at a fair distance from the coast itself. The Delhi High Court on Friday reserved order on the bail plea of senior Congress leader P Chidambaram's son Karti Chidambaram in the INX Media New Delhi: The Delhi High Court on Friday reserved order on the bail plea of senior Congress leader P Chidambaram's son Karti Chidambaram in the INX Media corruption case. Justice SP Garg reserved order on the bail plea after hearing arguments from prosecution as well as defence counsel. Karti Chidambaram's counsel told the court that his client has been co-operative during the investigation. Countering his claim, the Central Bureau of Investigation contended that he did not co-operate and has tried to influence witnesses in the case. However, the agency did not disclose the name of witnesses. The CBI said that if the junior Chidambaram is released on bail, then he might try to hamper investigation in the case. The special court on Monday sent Karti Chidambaram to judicial custody till 24 March. Karti Chidambaram was arrested in February for allegedly taking money to facilitate Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) clearance to INX Media in 2007 when his father was the Finance Minister in the United Progressive Alliance government. The Supreme Court has reserved its verdict on a batch of pleas seeking an independent probe into the alleged mysterious death of special CBI judge BH Loya. The Supreme Court on Friday reserved its verdict on a batch of pleas seeking an independent probe into the alleged mysterious death of special CBI judge BH Loya, who was hearing the high-profile Sohrabuddin Sheikh fake encounter case, when he allegedly died of a cardiac arrest in Nagpur on 1 December, 2014. Loya was in Nagpur to attend the wedding of a colleague's daughter. However, an article in the Caravan magazine raised suspicions over his death, and pointed to inconsistencies in accounts about his death, and the condition of the body when it was handed over to the family. A bench comprising Chief Justice Dipak Misra and justices AM Khanwilkar and DY Chandrachud reserved their verdict after an elaborate hearing. The petitions seeking a probe into Loya's death were opposed by the Maharashtra government. The Nagpur police has stated that Loya died due to a heart attack, and there was no cause for suspicion. Earlier, advocate Prashant Bhushan, appearing for the Centre for Public Interest Litigation (CPIL), an intervenor in the case, said that medical reports were shown to doctors and forensic experts, who were of the opinion that there was no sign of a heart attack. "If there was no sign that Loya suffered a heart attack, what made the judges who were accompanying him believe that he had one?" Bhushan asked. He said the two judges of the Bombay High Court, in their statement, had said that Loya complained of chest pain in the wee hours of 1 December, 2014. "Does this not mean that he may have died due to poisoning? Because in poisoning also, there are similar symptoms of chest congestion and blood flow stops to the heart," he said. Bhushan said that two sitting judges of the high court also gave their statements regarding the death and this indicates that they are witness to the case. The Supreme Court on 19 February said it was treating the case regarding Loya's death with "utmost seriousness" and considered it as a "cause", irrespective of what was said outside the courtroom. With inputs from PTI The prime minister also referred to the Brahmaputra Cracker and Polymer Limited (BCPL), popularly known as Assam Gas Cracker Project in the state's Dibrugarh district, which he had dedicated to the nation on 5 February, 2016. Delivering the keynote address at the News18 Rising India Summit on Friday in New Delhi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that 'Act East, Act Fast' is the mantra to take eastern India out of the cycle of backwardness. "There has been a massive infrastructure push in road and rail sector in east India. 12 new airports are coming up in east India, out of which North East will have six new airport. A commercial flight has landed in Sikkim for the first time. When I say east, it also includes Bengal, Odisha and other parts of eastern India. This region has been bereft of development for too long. It has been left behind in the race for development," Modi said. Driving home the point that North East India is no longer the neglected part of the country, he said, "Today I was in Manipur. As PM, this was my 28th or 29th visit to the North East. Those who think that we act east for votes have cut themselves from peoples hearts." "When the North East goes from isolation to integration, it will truly lead to a Rising India," Modi said. Poor or no power connection has always been a problem for the rural part of the country, particularly in the eastern part of India since Independence. "After Independence, there were 18,000 villages where there was no electricity. Now, Rs 16,000 crore is being spent on electrification projects," he said. The prime minister said that out of all the villages that got electrified, 5,000 were from North East India. The prime minister also referred to the Brahmaputra Cracker and Polymer Limited (BCPL), popularly known as Assam Gas Cracker Project in the state's Dibrugarh district, which he had dedicated to the nation on 5 February, 2016. "In Assam, the gas cracker project was pending for 31 years, we started that project," Modi said while speaking about the petrochemical plant. Narendra Modi spoke on a range of issues including the government's focus on the eastern region on the country, major social welfare schemes and electrification. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, speaking at News18's Rising India Summit on Friday, spoke on a range of issues including the government's focus on the eastern region on the country, major social welfare schemes and electrification. "For me, rising India means the rise of 1.25 billion Indians," Modi said at the beginning of his address. He further said, "Under the new dispensation, the common people lead and the government follows." "Our government has been able to take big decisions because of the support of the people," he said. Government schemes Modi cited the Swachh Bharat Mission and digital payments as examples where citizens led positive change. "The Swachh Bharat Mission has become a popular movement and the media also became a partner in this. In the fight against black money and corruption, Indians have made digital payments a weapon." The prime minister also laid much emphasis on the Ujjwala scheme, under which gas connections are given to people in rural areas. "The Ujjwala scheme is not just changing kitchens, but also the situation of crores of families." Modi also made a reference to blackouts experienced in large parts of the country in 2012. "Earlier, the new and renewable energy department did not know what the power ministry roadmap was. This created silos. Today, we are moving towards becoming energy surplus. We are also moving towards our dream of One Nation, One Grid," he said. The prime minister also touched upon the issue of nutrition and said that the government has launched the National Nutrition Mission on International Women's Day. 'Act East, Act Fast' While speaking about according priority to the eastern region of the country, Modi took a veiled dig at previous government. "Earlier, hundreds of projects in the eastern region either did not start, or remained stuck. He cited the Brahmaputra Cracker and Polymer Limited (BCPL), popularly known as Assam Gas Cracker Project in the state's Dibrugarh district, which he had dedicated to the nation on 5 February, 2016. "In Assam, the gas cracker project was pending for 31 years, we started that project," he said. "There has been a major infrastructure push in the road and rail sector in east India. Twelve new airports are coming up in east India, out of which North East will have six new airports. For the first time, a commercial flight landed in Sikkim," Modi said In the past, the prime minister has frequently referred to the imbalance between the western region and the eastern region, and the need for the latter to catch with respect to development even in political rallies as well. Modi's address was marked by numerous short presentations, featuring videos and graphics. He showed a map depicting electrification of villages, which showed that the overwhelming number of villages which were electrified were in the east and North East. Modi further noted, "When I say east, it also includes Bengal, Odisha and other parts of eastern India. This region has been bereft of development for too long. It has been left behind in the race for development." Foreign relations High-profile visits of international leaders to India have frequently been the subject of headlines in the recent past and Modi touched upon this subject as well. "Compared to the five years under the previous government, the number of state leaders coming to India has now increased two-fold. This should be a matter of pride for every Indian." Referring to his oft-repeated slogan, the prime minister said, "When I speak about sabka saath, sabka vikas, it is not limited only to India. It extends to the entire world. Stating that India's prestige has increased on the world stage, he said, "When anyone talks about India, it is a positive story. It is among the top two emerging economies, and is one of the most popular destinations for FDI." Modi also touched upon efforts undertaken by India in situations of international crises. "When there is a crisis in Yemen, India evacuates its people. The world also asks India for help. We evacuated citizens of 48 countries." Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke about scientific social responsibility through science and technology. On 16 March, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the 105th Indian Science Congress which will take place till 20 March 2018 at Imphal in Manipur. Themed Reaching the Unreached Through Science and Technology, the conference will see social sciences and science coming together. In his inaugural speech, Modi spoke about "scientific social responsibility" through science and technology. He urged an R&D-based approach to solve problems at institutional, corporate or school level. Organised by the Manipur University, 5,000 delegates from all over the country and 2,000 scientists along with four Nobel Laureates will grace the event.Modi urged people to encourage scientific temper in the youth where every scientist must dedicate 100 hours every year with 100 students. Reiterating that India needs to be future-ready, he said that technology will play a vital role in the services such as healthcare, education, and banking. Machine learning, artificial intelligence, e-mobility, 5G telecommunication, data analytics will aid in creating a smart city and industries, said Modi. Speaking of 5G, he said that the government intends to bring 5G penetration by 2020. The prime minister encouraged the Indian scientists to work towards affordable healthcare and diseases such as sickle cell anaemia, malaria, Japanese Encephalitis etc. He urged scientists to work towards achieving their goal of increase in non-fossil fuel capacity share in the electricity mix by 40 percent in 2030 and installation of 100 GW of solar power modules by 2022. He further added, Our government has already given the go-ahead to establish the third LIGO detector in the country. It will expand our knowledge in basic sciences in the areas of lasers, light waves and computing. I am told that our scientists are working tirelessly to make it a reality. In a boost to research in science and technology, Modi also said that the Prime Ministers Research Fellows scheme has been approved. We have approved a 'Prime Ministers Research Fellows' scheme. Under this, bright minds from the best Institutions in the country, like IISc,IIT,NIT, IISER & IIIT will be offered direct admission in Ph.D in IIT & IISc. This will help address brain-drain from our country: PM PMO India (@PMOIndia) March 16, 2018 Students selected from IISc, IIT, NIT, IISER and IIIT will be offered direct admission in PhD in IIT and IISc. Modi was welcomed by Manipur Governor Najma Heptulla and chief minister N Biren Singh in Imphal. He will also lay the foundation stone for Luwangpokpa Multi-Sports Complex in Luwangsangbam, Rani Gaidinliu Park, and other development projects such as Anganwadi Centres, residential complexes for teachers, doctors and nurses, etc. A large part of the prime minister's speech was focused on the development work that his government has carried out in the country's eastern part with a special focus on North East. Narendra Modi brought the professionalism and attention-to-detail mindset of a CEO while delivering the keynote address at the News18 Rising India Summit in New Delhi on Friday. It is not unusual for the prime minister to give an account of his achievements while addressing an audience. He has done so on many occasions at different venues in India and around the world. What differentiated earlier instances from Friday's speech at the News18 thought leadership initiative was Modi's usage of slideshows and video clips to get his point across and buttress his achievements with facts, instead of a rambling exercise in rhetoric. He liberally borrowed concepts from the corporate sector to highlight the 'result-oriented approach' adopted by his government. For instance, while talking about the transformative change in healthcare that the NDA government is pushing for, the prime minister made a reference to an old management adage: "You can't manage what you don't measure." The idea, he said, was to break down healthcare service in India into four parts: "preventive healthcare, affordable healthcare, supply-side intervention and mission-mode intervention." Modi then proceeded to elaborate on all four concepts, frequently taking recourse to slides to show how his government has achieved in four years the double of what has been achieved since Independence. In the sector of rural sanitation, Modi's flagship Swachh Bharat scheme has resulted in building of toilets in 6.5 crore households in four years against the same number in 67 years. Sanitation coverage, claimed the prime minister, is now up from 39 percent in 2014 to 78 percent (present) while a six-fold rise in immunisation coverage has been recorded within that same time frame. He also highlighted the efforts to increase seats in PG and UG courses to address the acute shortage of doctors, reduction in prices of stents and knee implants, his government's focus on improving the health of mother and kids. If these changes bring a transformation in the sector, then the benefits would be made accessible through the prime minister's flagship National Health Protection scheme, which has recently been applauded by the World Health Organisation. Modi claimed Ayushman Bharat Yojana will bring 10 crore families under healthcare cover and address one of the biggest challenges faced by the poor. The prime minister's ability to "think big" and look for 'out-of-the-box' solutions was evident in the way he approaches a problem. In his words, these ambitious targets have been set and achievements made possible because his government has put an end to the lack of coordination in different departments so that they may function as a unit under the motto: "No Silos, Only Solutions." As an example, Modi cited the transformations in healthcare which have been made possible due to the tight integration of Union healthcare ministry with the Ministry of Women and Childcare Development, Ministry of Chemical and Fertilizers, Ayush, drinking water and sanitation and consumer affairs. Each of these points were buttressed with slides and graphs to stress on the bigger picture. Stressing on a direct correlation between the breaking of silos and improve delivery of government service, Modi highlighted how greater coordination between Ministry of Renewable Energy, Ministry of Power and the coal ministry has resulted in the rapid electrification of villages. From a power shortage nation, India is now a power surplus nation and from "network failure" it is progressing towards "net exporter" of power. A sleek video clip on rural electrification was followed by the prime minister's statement that 13,000 villages in east India (among which 5,000 are in the northeastern region alone) have so far been electrified under the Saubhagya Scheme. Through an outlay of over Rs 16,000 crore, the government seeks to end the isolation and integrate India's remotest villages with the Rising India story, he said. A large part of the prime minister's speech was focused on the development work that his government has carried out in the country's eastern part with a special focus on North East. "I just came here from Manipur," said Modi while addressing the audience. "This was my 29th trip to north-eastern states since becoming the PM," he said, stressing that his government's 'Act East, Act Fast' policy is bridging the distance between New Delhi and North-East so that India may reap the harvest of the demographic dividend. Pointing to a slide showing "Magic Development in India's East" (a pictorial representation of electrified villages), the prime minister gave an account of the projects that were either undertaken or kick-started by his government in the states of Assam, eastern Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal and Odisha. The idea, he said, was to remove the development divide so that eastern part of India become a net contributor to the Rising India story. If there was an inherent political message in Modi's 'east outreach', the reference to India's rising global profile was meant at triggering a sense of pride among Indians. No longer the laggards in world economy, India is now setting the trend and bringing world together through initiatives like the International Solar Alliance where more than 60 countries have agreed to implement the Delhi 'solar agenda', including French president Emmanuel Macron who had recently visited Indian shores and announced an uptick in monetary contribution towards the clean energy initiative. Modi's speech ended with a reference to the greater economic contribution that India is now making in the global economy, and how from macroeconomic stability to better ratings from global rating agencies, the picture of 'Rising India' was becoming clear. He was, however, careful to stress on the 'holistic approach' that his government has taken to make everyone, including the poorest, a part of this journey. Even as a CEO of New India, the eye never wavered off the ball. Haryana chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar, speaking at News18's Rising India Summit, said that the state government has made major progress in terms of ease doing business. Haryana chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar, speaking at News18's Rising India Summit, said that the state government has made major progress in terms of ease doing business, improving its rank from 14 in 2014 to 2 now. "If there is ease of doing business, then business will definitely come to a state," Khattar said. Khattar also spoke about his government's efforts to boost the agriculture sector, saying that it has now created a Kisan Kalyan Authority for this purpose. The Haryana chief minister also touched upon the issue of reservations. The state has seen vociferous agitations from the influential Jat community seeking quotas. Khattar said, "There are some sections of society that needed to be uplifted by reservation. But over time, reservation became a trend and lead to vote bank politics. Therefore, reservation is an issue that needs debate and discussion." Madhya Pradesh chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, too, spoke on the agrarian situation in the state, in a context where the state has been large-scale farmer protests. Chouhan claimed that 40 lakh hectares of land are under irrigation at present. Chouhan further said, "It is not only agriculture that is important. The Skill Development Mission is a major target set by the prime minister." He has claimed that Madhya Pradesh is creating 7.5 lakh new jobs every year. Jai Ram Thakur, the chief minister of Himachal Pradesh, speaking at the summit said, "From the perspective of tourism, Himachal Pradesh has huge potential." While Thakur admitted that connectivity is an issue in the hill state, he said, "I must thank the prime minister and (Union minister for highways) Nitin Gadkari for the National Highway Project, which will improve the situation." Follow live updates here. Piyush Goyal said on Friday that sentiment and politics is behind the Telugu Desam Party (TDP)'s claims that the Centre has ignored the aspirations of Andhra Pradesh. Union railways minister Piyush Goyal said on Friday that sentiment and politics are behind the Telugu Desam Party (TDP)'s claims that the Centre has ignored the aspirations of Andhra Pradesh. Goyal was speaking as part of a discussion during News18's Rising India Summit on Friday. His comments have come shortly after the TDP exited the NDA which is ruling at the Centre. Goyal hit out at the state's chief minister Chandrababu Naidu, saying, "He failed to do anything. We gave them funds, but if you go to Amaravati, you will find that nothing has happened on the ground. Now, he is blaming us. They only asked for money but failed to implement anything." Union minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari also commented on TDP leaders' claims about Andhra Pradesh's claims of the state being neglected and said, "I do not wish to comment on the political aspects of the issue. However, the fact is that Andhra Pradesh has got twice the number of roads as compared to the previous regime." Gadkari further said, "If we give special status to Andhra Pradesh, then other states will also demand it. This is not a feasible idea." However, Goyal, to a question on whether there was a possibility of the TDP returning to the NDA fold, said, "Politics is all about possibilities." The railway minister was also asked about what he felt was lacking in the previous regime. To this, he said, "Earlier, there was no vision and no big picture ideas. The leadership was not willing to take bold decisions. Also, now, as we have a corruption-free regime, we do not face problems of funds." Speaking to the gathering, Union transport minister Nitin Gadkari also announced that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate a 14-lane road connecting Delhi and Dasna on 10 April. "By next year, we will build roads at the speed of 40 kilometres per year," Gadkari said. Goyal, speaking about the priorities of the Railways, said, "This government's first focus is on poor passengers. The Indian Railways remains primarily a public utility service." Follow live updates here. India takes nuclear non-proliferation very seriously and unlike some of its neighbours, it does not believe in 'dirty bombs', Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said on Thursday, in an oblique reference to Pakistan New Delhi: India takes nuclear non-proliferation very seriously and unlike some of its neighbours, it does not believe in "dirty bombs", Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said on Thursday, in an oblique reference to Pakistan. Sitharaman, while speaking at a book release function in New Delhi, said India is complying with nuclear non-proliferation regulations despite not being a signatory to the non-proliferation treaty (NPT). "We are signing nuclear treaties as a commitment to non-proliferation and are not supportive of illegal spread, she said. "Unlike some of our neighbours, India does not believe in dirty bombs, we take non-proliferation very seriously," she said. Sitharaman also said infiltration bids from across the border with Pakistan have not come down. "We are remaining alert. We will not entertain infiltration," she said. On the issue of rising militancy-related incidents in Kashmir, the minister said the government is working with the state government to deal with the issue. Efforts are going on and government is engaged, she said, referring to the visits of the Centre's interlocutor Dineshwar Sharma who has been engaging with different sections of people in the state. She said India does not want an escalation in tensions, but it is for Pakistan to prove that their territory is not being used for terrorism. Over 40 students were hospitalised in Uttar Pradesh's Etah due to food poisoning after consuming mid-day meal. Over 40 students were hospitalised in Uttar Pradesh's Etah district on Friday due to food poisoning after consuming mid-day meals. ANI reported that the incident occurred at the Kasturba Gandhi School. Etah district magistrate Amit Kishore has ordered a magisterial inquiry into the incident. Etah: More than 40 students of Kasturba Gandhi School admitted to hospital due to food poisoning after consuming mid-day meal. pic.twitter.com/q513AvDwPt ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) March 16, 2018 The incident comes over a year after the North Delhi Municipal Corporation (NDMC) had stepped up efforts to monitor and improve the quality of mid-day meals at all city schools. The civic body's move had come following a shocking incident in a government school in New Delhi's Deoli area in February last year, where nine students took ill after consuming a mid-day meal, which was found to have a rat in it. That incident had prompted deputy chief minister of Delhi, Manish Sisodia, to direct the chief secretary to monitor cooking of mid-day meals served in Delhi schools. An official had said that during inspection, both quantity as well as quality of the meal is tested at school-level by a committee which includes the principal, a school teacher and parents of three students. The meal is distributed to the students after 15 minutes of this testing, the official had said. With inputs from agencies The court order came during a petition filed by Jamaat-ud-Dawah (JuD) chief Saeed on Thursday, challenging a notification of the interior ministry of Pakistan to ban his social welfare activities. Lahore: The Lahore High Court on Friday gave a deadline of 15 days to the Pakistan government to explain why Mumbai attack mastermind Hafiz Saeed's outfit JuD and its charity wing had been banned and their accounts frozen. The court order came during a petition filed by Jamaat-ud-Dawah (JuD) chief Saeed on Thursday, challenging a notification of the interior ministry of Pakistan to ban his social welfare activities. Saeed filed the petition through his counsel Advocate AK Dogar. He submitted to the Lahore High Court (LHC) that the interior ministry on 10 February had issued the notification related to freezing bank accounts and taking over assets associated with the JuD and Falah-i-Insaaniyat Foundation (FIF) under the Anti-Terrorism (amendment) Ordinance 2018. The LHC on Friday ordered the federal government to submit its reply in court by March 29 on why the organisation and its charity wing had been banned and their accounts frozen, Dawn News reported. The petitioner alleged that the government of Pakistan had acted under the pressure of foreign powers, including the US and India, the report said. He contended that Pakistan is a sovereign independent state and makes its own laws to govern its citizens. He added that if there was a conflict between the laws of the land and any provision of the United Nations Security Council Act, 1948, the law of the land shall prevail, it added. The FIF owns 369 ambulances, helped 72,000 persons to charity hospitals and treated 600,000 patients only in 2017, Saeed said. He pleaded the court to declare the impugned notification of the interior ministry null and void with regard to taking over the assets of the organisations. Separately, Saeed last week challenged the presidential ordinance under which his group has been banned for being on the watch-list of the United Nations in the Islamabad High Court. President Mamnoon Hussain last month promulgated an ordinance amending the Anti-Terrorism Act, 1997 with regards to proscription of terrorist individuals and organisations to include entities listed by the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) - in a move to declare Hafiz Saeed-linked JuD and FIF as proscribed groups. Saeed, who in November last year was set free from a 300-day-long house arrest, has been repeatedly accused by the US and India of masterminding the 2008 Mumbai attacks that killed 166 people. Saeed was declared a global terrorist by the US and UN over his alleged role in the Mumbai attacks. JuD is considered by the US and India to be a front for LeT, the militant group blamed for the attacks. For the tenth consecutive day, both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha were repeatedly adjourned within minutes of being in session due to loud disruption of proceedings by TDP, TRS, Congress and other Opposition parties' MPs For the tenth consecutive day, both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha were repeatedly adjourned within minutes of being convened due to disruption of proceedings by the TDP, TRS, Congress and other Opposition parties' MPs. The MPs were sloganeering over the Punjab National Bank scam, demand for Andhra Pradesh special status, and formation of Cauvery Management Board. The Lok Sabha was adjourned till Monday, whereas the Rajya Sabha Chairperson said that the Upper House will reconvene at 2.30 pm on Friday. Lok Sabha adjourned for the day, no-confidence motions not taken up The Lower House proceedings were washed out for the tenth consecutive day following incessant protests and sloganeering by various parties, including TDP, YSR Congress, AIADMK and RJD over multiple issues, including special status for Andhra Pradesh and the Punjab National Bank (PNB) scam. Before the day's session began at 11 am, the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) announced its decision to break away from the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and gave a notice in the Lok Sabha to move a no-confidence motion against the Narendra Modi-led government. In the nearly four-year rule of the BJP-led NDA alliance, this is the first time that a no-confidence motion notice have been moved against the government. TDP MP Thota Narasimhan wrote a letter to the Lok Sabha secretary general Snehalata Shrivastava, requesting it be included in Friday's list of business. Letter of TDP MP Thota Narasimhan to Lok Sabha Secretary-General for moving motion on 'No-Confidence in the Council of Ministers' in the House. pic.twitter.com/Zwg5qge3Sw ANI (@ANI) March 16, 2018 On Thursday, the YSR Congress had also given a notice for moving a no-confidence motion against the BJP-led NDA government following the Centre's refusal to grant special category status to Andhra Pradesh. Other parties such as the Congress, TMC, Biju Janata Dal, and CPM also said they would support TDP's no-confidence motion in the Parliament. As the Lower House's session began, the Lok Sabha was disrupted once again as members from different parties trooped near Speaker Sumitra Mahajan's podium, raising slogans and showing placards. The newly elected members Rashtriya Janata Dal's (RJD) Sarfaraz Alam, who won from Araria, Bihar; Samajwadi Party's Nagendra Patel and Praveen Nishad, who won from Phulpur and Gorakhpur constituencies of Uttar Pradesh respectively first took oath in the House amid cheering from the Opposition benches. Speaker Sumitra Mahajan then condoled the death of three former members, physicist Stephen Hawking, and the nine CRPF personnel killed in the Naxal attack in Sukma, Chhattisgarh on 13 March. As soon as the obituary references ended, members from different parties once again trooped near the Speaker's podium raising slogans on a host of issues, creating a ruckus. Amid the din, Lok Sabha was adjourned till 12 pm. When the House met again, Opposition MPs continued to chant slogans with TDP and Telganana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) MPs storming the Well of the House holding placards, even as Mahajan tried to conduct business as usual. On the issue of the no-confidence motions, she said that she was duty-bound to introduce the two notices but asked protesting MPs to sit in their places first. As she said this, Opposition protests began to get louder. Soon after papers and reports were laid during the Zero Hour, Mahajan said, "I am duty-bound to bring it (no-confidence motion notices)... provided the House is in order," amid the din. "I request all of you to go back to your seats," Mahajan told the members protesting in the Well. Mahajan said the two notices cannot be taken up as there was no order in the House and adjourned the proceedings for the day amid vociferous protests. The Lok Sabha also extended the time for the Joint Committee on the Financial Resolution and Deposit Insurance Bill, 2017 to submit its report. Congress MPs clash with Venkaiah Naidu in Rajya Sabha The Rajya Sabha on Friday witnessed an abrupt adjournment following a brief argument between Chairperson M Venkaiah Naidu and some Congress members soon after the House assembled for the day. After tabling of the listed papers, Naidu expressed his anguish saying the House has not functioned ever since it resumed on 5 March after recess during the Budget session. Before adjourning the House, Naidu said there were larger issues like banking scam, Cauvery river water sharing, demand for a special package to Andhra Pradesh and sealing in the national capital, which were agitating the minds of people and needed to be discussed. He said notices have been given by members on these issues and he has agreed for a discussion on them, but the House was not taking up the debate. Naidu hoped that the House would function normally from next week and have a constructive debate. "I am very much pained that the Upper House of Parliament has not been able to transact its business for the last two weeks. Don't test my patience...We are meeting, greeting and not doing anything," the Chairperson said. "You can't dictate something and say that it will be either my way or the highway," he said, adding that the Chair would not allow such a thing. As he was making the appeal, Congress member Satyabrat Chaturvedi stood up and said he agreed with the Chair, but sought to know whether it was for the first time that he is witnessing such a scenario in Parliament. To this, Naidu asked whether if somebody committed a mistake in the past, such a practice should be repeated. "Do you want this sort of a thing to continue? ... Is that your suggestion. This is your party view," he said. As some other Congress members were on their feet trying to join the issue simultaneously, Naidu adjourned the House. Since Parliament reconvened on 5 March, the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha have been witnessing disruptions on a daily basis. On Wednesday amid chaos, the Lower House had passed the Finance Bill and appropriation bills without any discussion. Caps, stoles add colour to proceedings Protesting members from various parties also sported stoles of multiple colours during the proceedings. While members from TRS wore pink ones, those from TDP were seen with yellow stoles. Many AIADMK members sported stoles carrying black, white and red stripes. Members of the Samajwadi Party, which wrested two Lok Sabha seats in Uttar Pradesh from ruling BJP, were wearing their red-coloured party caps. Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav too was sporting the cap. With inputs from agencies The Westminster's magistrate court in London will resume hearing the extradition case against Vijay Mallya on Friday The Westminster's magistrate court in London will resume hearing the extradition case against Vijay Mallya on Friday. Mallya is wanted in a Rs 9,000 crore fraud and money laundering case in India. According to reports, India is set to argue that statements recorded by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) under Section 161 of Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) against the businessman are admissible. According to a The Times of India report, "Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) lawyer Mark Summers, who is representing CBI and the Enforcement Directorate in the Westminsters Magistrate Court, is also likely to inform the court that the businessman committed the crime under the UK Fraud Act, 2006." Summers is also likely to allege that "Mallya lied to the public sector banks and provided wrong information while availing loans". Citing government sources, the report said that the admissibility of evidence will be heard by the court over the next few days, following which the judgment in the case is likely to be reserved for June end. During the last hearing in January, Mallya's lawyer Clare Montgomery had argued that evidence presented by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) as a "blueprint of dishonesty" was, in fact, a privileged conversation between Mallya and his lawyer regarding "legal advice in clear contemplation of litigation" and hence should be inadmissible. Discussing a separate category of evidence presented by the Indian government, Montgomery had questioned whether the investigating officers in the case were reliable. She pointed to over 150 pages of "near identical material" purporting to be statements of witnesses taken under Section 161 of the Indian CrPC. Dismissing the nature and source of these witness statements, Mallyas defence had argued that they do not meet "obligations" under the India-UK extradition treaty to provide "proper" statements. The Indian authorities have, however, stressed that they are confident that the evidence meets all the requirements under the treaty. Mallya was arrested by Scotland Yard on an extradition warrant in April 2017 and has been out on bail on a bond worth 650,000 pounds. Recently, on Wednesday, the government had informed the Parliament that 31 business people, including diamond traders Nirav Modi, Mehul Choksi and Mallya, facing a CBI investigation, were fugitives abroad. With inputs from PTI Following Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal's apology to former Punjab minister Bikram Singh Majithia, comedian-turned-politician Bhagwant Mann, president of the Aam Aadmi Party's Punjab unit has resigned from the party. A day after Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal apologised to former Punjab minister Bikram Singh Majithia, comedian-turned-politician Bhagwant Mann has resigned as president of the Aam Aadmi Party's (AAP) Punjab unit. Mann announced his decision on Friday and added that he will continue to fight against the drug mafia and corruption in Punjab as an "aam aadmi". #BREAKING - I am resigning as a president of @AamAadmiParty , Punjab. But my fight against drug mafia and corruption in Punjab will continue as an Aam Aadmi: Bhagwant Mann, AAP pic.twitter.com/M7kuqB6HtC News18 (@CNNnews18) March 16, 2018 Mann had replaced another comedian-turned-politician Gurpreet Singh Waraich 'Ghuggi' as chief of the party's Punjab unit in May 2017. A report on Hindustan Times said the decision to appoint Mann was taken following one-on-one meetings with MLAs, wherein Kejriwal had claimed a majority favoured of Mann. "The majority of whom I spoke wanted (Bhagwant) Mann to lead the state," Kejriwal had announced, according to the report. Mann's resignation comes a day after Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal had issued a public apology to former Punjab minister and senior Akali Dal leader, Bikram Majithia, for levelling accusations against the latter over his alleged involvement in the drug trade. Kejriwal had attacked the SAD-BJP government in the run-up to the Assembly elections in Punjab in 2017, in particular picking on Majithia and saying he was hand-in-glove with the drug mafia in the state, according to News18. The AAP leader had also accused him of patronising drug trade in Punjab and called him a "drug lord". In the letter, according to India Today, Kejriwal wrote, "In the recent past, I made certain statements and allegations against you regarding your alleged involvement in drug trade. These statements became a political issue. Now, I have learnt that allegations are unfounded. Hence, there should be no politics on such issues." "I hereby withdraw all my statements and allegations made against you and apologise for the same," Kejriwal said. The BJP on Friday said the exit of TDP from the NDA was 'inevitable after its mischievous propaganda against the Centre'. New Delhi: The BJP on Friday said the exit of TDP from the NDA was "inevitable after its mischievous propaganda against the Centre" and asserted that the latter's exit is "a timely opportunity" for the saffron party to grow in Andhra Pradesh. "TDP's decision to quit was inevitable after its mischievous propaganda against the Centre," BJP spokesperson GVL Narasimha Rao said in a tweet. "People of Andhra Pradesh have now realised that the Telugu Desam Party is resorting to lies to cover up its inept and inert governance. Far from being a threat, TDP's exit is a timely opportunity for the BJP to grow in Andhra Pradesh," Rao said. TDP's decision to quit was inevitable after its mischievous propaganda against Centre. People of AP have now realised that the TDP is resorting to lies to cover up its inept & inert governance.Far from being a threat, TDP's exit is a timely opportunity for the BJP to grow in AP. GVL Narasimha Rao (@GVLNRAO) March 16, 2018 The BJP leader's remarks came soon after the TDP announced its exit from the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) over the Centre's refusal to award special status category to Andhra pradesh. The TDP on Friday also moved a no-confidence motion against the Centre in Lok Sabha. Follow LIVE updates on TDP quitting NDA Results of at least three elections suggest the urban base of the party that provided BJP the ballast in every election since 2013 could be turning away. Is the urban legend of the BJPs invincibility dying? Results of at least three elections Gorakhpur, Ajmer and Alwar suggest the urban base of the party that provided BJP the ballast in every election since 2013 could either be turning away or getting disinterested in voting. Combined with visible symptoms of dissatisfaction with the government in rural areas, the urban apathy is a warning sign for the BJP. In by-elections for Gorakhpur and Phulpur, the BJP was expected to race away to big leads in the urban segments of the constituency. But the voter turnout in urban Assembly segments like Allahabad North (21.65 percent) and Allahabad West (31 percent) of Phulpur, and Gorakhpur City (33 percent) was much lower than in rural segments. This ensured that the BJP could never make up for the losses in rural segments of these constituencies, where it trailed by huge margins. In Gorakhpur city alone, the BJP was hoping that it would establish an unassailable lead of a lakh plus votes, something that had happened in the previous elections. So, the party poured in most of its resources to ensure a big turnout of voters in the city. But this didnt happen. In Alwar and Ajmer, where the BJP was trounced in bypolls held in February 2017, the party trailed by big margins in Ajmers two urban segments and Alwar town. In both these constituencies, it had opened up huge leads in the urban segments in 2014. The BJPs victory in Gujarat had shown that it can win an election solely by holding on to its urban base. In the 2017 elections, the BJP had swept Surat, Ahmedabad, Baroda and Rajkot. Out of the 55 urban seats, it won 44 in 2017. Though the Congress won 68 of the 127 rural and semi-urban seats, its gains were neutralised by the BJPs strong performance in the big cities. The old model, where the urban voter neutralised any anti-BJP bias of the rural segments, gave the BJP a cushion. It gave it the confidence of entering a poll with the urban seats in its back pocket. But the new trend shows the BJP can no longer start with a guaranteed urban bonus. Many factors contributed to the BJPs ascendancy in cities. Communal polarisation works more in urban areas than in villages, where caste is the deciding factor. Also, the BJPs core voters upper castes, youth, traders and government employees live in cities. If the BJP is now trailing even in cities, obviously the core voter is unhappy. It is either voting for the BJPs rivals or staying home on polling day, like in Phulpur and Gorakhpur. Many factors could have contributed to this apathy and opposition. Businesses in cities were hit by demonetisation and problems during the early months of GST. This may have affected the trader and the workforce in the unorganised sector. Youth may have turned away because of the governments inability to generate jobs. And communal polarisation may no longer be paying electoral dividend. The problem for the BJP is that there is already growing discontent in rural areas. This was evident in Gujarat, where the Congress made huge gains in villages. The trend was underlined again in bypolls in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan where the BJP trailed in all the 14 Assembly rural segments where bypolls were held. Apart from the election results, the recent protests by farmers in Maharashtra and Rajasthan show that there is anger brewing in the Indian heartland. The BJP should be worried its voter in the city is no longer willing to go against the mood of his rural counterpart. The urban-rural divide might be falling on the BJPs prospects in 2019. The Lok Sabha quietly amended a law to protect political parties from any kind of scrutiny with respect to the foreign funds they may have received from 1976. This was only one among the 218 amendments Lok Sabha cleared without even a debate On Tuesday, Lok Sabha quietly amended a law to protect political parties from any kind of scrutiny with respect to the foreign funds they may have received from 1976. This was only one among the 218 amendments Lok Sabha cleared without even a debate. The law, the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 2010, that prohibited foreign funding for Indian political parties, has now been amended to exempt parties from any scrutiny. In effect, no questions will be asked and no answers given on such funding, including possible illegal transactions. It doesn't quite sound like an ideal way in which political parties are supposed to function in a democracy and only adds to the opaque nature of election funding here, something that goes against the promise of the Narendra Modi government. That brings us to the question: Why are politicians so secretive and protective about their income, and why do they keep finding ways to circumvent the law? Be it BJP, Congress or any other political party they all seemed to be enthused about the amendments to the Finance Bill. The reason is simple: They all drink from the same pot and it tastes sweet. It is really surprising why the government has made foreign funding for political parties exempt from scrutiny? But if no questions can be asked on foreign political funding, it may even lead to external influence in India's election process. That's a possibility one cannot rule out. It is important to see the Finance Bill amendment in the context of political parties being dragged to courtrooms for accepting foreign funds. As this NDTV report points out, in 2014, both Congress and BJP were found guilty by the Delhi High Court of accepting foreign funds following a petition by the Association of Democratic Reforms. The report cites that between 2004 and 2012, Vedanta Resources Plc, then a London-based group, had allegedly donated Rs 879 lakh to Congress and Rs 790 lakh to the BJP through its Indian subsidiaries. The latest amendment effectively frees both parties from this verdict. And this isn't the first instance where political parties have tried to build layers of secrecy when these units receive fat corporate donations. It happened last year too. Interestingly, that too came in a Finance Bill, in 2017. The Narendra Modi government effectively made corporate funding of political parties more opaque, contrary to its promise of bringing in more transparency. It did so with two key changes in the law: First, it has scrapped a ceiling that earlier restricted a corporate entity from donating more than 7.5 percent of its average net profit in the 3 immediate preceding fiscal years to a political party. And second, the government proposed to cancel an existing rule that required corporate entities to disclose, in the profit and loss account, the name of the political party to which the funding is made. Both made it easier for political parties to make their election funding more opaque. It is interesting to revisit the comments of an unnamed bureaucrat on this development. A report in The Telegraph quoted a senior officer at the CAG office as saying: "This means, for example, that an infrastructure firm could theoretically pay up to 50 percent of its net profits to a single party as donation without anyone getting wiser as to which party has been paid... this throws open the possibility that an order to build a highway or a railway bridge could be given to a firm and that firm could pay the donation to the party in power which placed the order with it. The beauty is that if this happens, it will be legitimate and no questions can be asked by any ethics committee of Parliament or by any CAG audit." So what do we have here? A situation, where the manner in which corporate donations, both from India and abroad, reach political parties getting more and more opaque, thus effectively helping the infamous corporate-political nexus. A company can secretly offer donations to a political party in power and expect favours in return. With the latest amendment even foreign parties can safely join the nexus. To get a perspective, see these numbers. According to association for Democratic Reforms (ADR), BJP got 89 percent of corporate donations in 2016-17. It got Rs 290 crore out of the Rs 325.27 crore received by 10 political parties through electoral trusts in 2016-17. Other major parties shared the remaining chunk. This undoubtedly proves that corporations tend to be liberal with the party in power for obvious reasons. The irony here is that this government has moved to protect political parties from any scrutiny over political funding at a time when there is greater scrutiny on foreign funds received by NGOs and other organisations. Political parties haven't just found a way around the scrutiny but they are now above the law with respect to even foreign funding. Remember, when the Narendra Modi government came to power, one of its biggest promises was to make political funding transparent. Unfortunately, that isn't quite the case so far. Andhra Pradesh's ruling Telugu Desam Party (TDP) on Friday pulled out of the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance and was set to move a no-confidence motion against the government over its refusal to grant special category status to the state New Delhi/Amaravati: Andhra Pradesh's ruling Telugu Desam Party (TDP) on Friday pulled out of the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and was set to move a no-confidence motion against the government over its refusal to grant special category status to the state, party leaders said. TDP Rajya Sabha MP YS Chowdary told IANS: "Yes our party (TDP) has pulled out of the alliance with the NDA." Chief Minister and TDP President N Chandrababu Naidu took these decisions during a teleconference with politburo members, senior party leaders and MPs on Friday. Immediately after the decision, TDP, which has 16 members in the Lok Sabha, submitted a notice to the Speaker to move the no-confidence motion. Party MP Thota Narasimham told reporters that they were collecting signatures of 54 MPs, which is required to move the no-trust motion. On 8 March, the TDP had pulled its two Ministers Ashok Gajapathi Raju and YS Chowdary out of the Narendra Modi government but had stopped short of walking out of the alliance. Raju held the Civil Aviation Ministry while Chowdary was the Minister of State for Science and Technology. The TDP is the first party to leave the coalition since it came to power at the Centre in 2014. Naidu decided to write a letter to Bharatiya Janata Party national President Amit Shah, informing him of the circumstances which forced TDP to exit the NDA. The TDP President told the politburo members that he would also write to other constituents of the NDA to explain why he joined the front four years ago and what made the party to pull out. Naidu had said on Thursday that the TDP was ready to support a no-confidence motion moved by any party. However, during the teleconference on Friday Naidu said that the party should move a motion on its own instead of supporting the one being moved by their rival YSR Congress Party. The TDP chief said if TDP backs the no-confidence motion moved by a party whose leader is facing serious charges this would send a wrong signal to the people. Naidu told politburo members that TDP would seek the support of other parties for the no-confidence motion. The TDP leaders alleged that YSR Congress was not sincere in the no-confidence motion as its notice had signatures of only five MPs. During the teleconference, Naidu lashed out at BJP and accused it of using YSR Congress leader YS Jaganmohan Reddy and Jana Sena party President Pawan Kalyan to weaken TDP. He said both Jagan and Pawan had a secret understanding with BJP. He said while Jagan entered into the secret deal to save himself in several corruption cases, Pawan was targeting TDP instead of pulling up BJP and Narendra Modi for not fulfilling the commitments made to Andhra Pradesh. TDP had been expressing its unhappiness with BJP over the last few weeks for not fulfilling the commitments made by the Centre to Andhra Pradesh after Telangana was carved out of it in 2014. Its main demand was special status which would have ensured a large infusion of central funds to help the state tide over the revenue deficit and facilitate the development of new state capital Amaravati. Click here to follow live updates Emboldened by the spectacular successes in the recent by-elections in Uttar Pradesh, the anti-BJP forces do not wish to lose any opportunity to embarrass the Modi regime. Andhra Pradesh, which was instrumental in dislodging the first NDA government headed by Atal Bihari Vajpayee by contributing the maximum to UPA kitty in 2004, is yet again triggering anti-Narendra Modi consolidation. Though the no-confidence motion moved separately by TDP and the YSR Congress will not in any way upset the NDA government as it enjoys comfortable majority, its significance in terms of perception and political optics cannot be simply dismissed. The special status issue has certainly turned the political heat on the Modi-led second NDA government. Emboldened by the spectacular successes in the recent by-elections in Uttar Pradesh, the anti-BJP forces do not wish to lose any opportunity to embarrass the Modi regime. The Andhra issue especially the exit of key ally TDP from NDA came in handy for the opposition. Many of these parties responded enthusiastically to the no-confidence motion moved by Andhra parties for their own reasons. Yet, it strengthens the cause of Andhra Pradesh. However, the BJP is not ready to take it lying down. The party has already begun the firefighting exercise by reaching out to the disgruntled allies like Shiv Sena. On the other hand, the party began a blistering attack on Chandrababu Naidu calling his moves as political opportunism. But, such comments may cut no ice with the people of Andhra Pradesh as Naidu is on the right side of public sentiment and the not just the TDP, the entire Andhra Pradesh political spectrum is up in arms against perceived injustice to the state under the Modi dispensation. Left with no option, after the formal exit of TDP from the ruling NDA, the BJP tried to put up a brave face. Reacting to TDP's decision, the BJP spokesperson, GVL Narasimha Rao said that it is a great opportunity for the party to grow on its own in Andhra Pradesh. Attacking its former ally, the BJP spokesperson further claimed that the TDP has decided to quit NDA to divert people's attention from the failures of Naidu government. But, the assertion from the BJP's national spokesperson is at complete variance with the pronouncements of BJP ministers in Naidu cabinet. Speaking in the state Legislative Assembly on his resignation from the Naidu cabinet, the minister belonging to BJP, Kamineni Srinivas had all praise for the TDP rule. Thus, the BJP is a clearly divided house when it comes to disowning the government headed by the TDP-BJP coalition in the state. However, in a bid to stage a united fight against its former ally, the BJP has reportedly called for the meeting of Andhra Pradesh party leaders on Saturday. Thus, more scathing attack from the BJP is yet to come. This may further raise the political temperature in the state. But, it will not in any way liberate the BJP from the self-imposed isolation in the state politics. Thanks to the treatment meted out by the BJP-led Central government, the ruling TDP and the opposition YSR Congress had to converge at least on this point. What made the rival Andhra Parties unite to express no-confidence in the Modi government? The special status was presented as the only hope of rebuilding the truncated state. As the 'special' sentiment flows thick and fast through the Krishna-Godavari rivers, the warring political parties of Andhra Pradesh have no option except to unite. Both the Central and state BJP failed to sell its version of the 'special' narrative making the entire Andhra political spectra to turn hostile to saffron party. The doomsday political narrative built around bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh in the run-up to 2014 and later especially for political reasons created a strong sentiment for special category status to the beleaguered state. As such doomsday narrative still pervades Andhra political discourse the special status promise remains politically sensitive. Hence, the regional parties are constrained to co-operate against the political arrogance displayed by so-called national parties. In a bid to tide over the Andhra people's anger due to its complicity in arbitrary bifurcation resulting in a strong perception of injustice, the BJP itself authored special status and made the then UPA regime to accept its demand. During the 2014 campaign, Modi's Unique Selling Proposition (USP) during the Andhra Pradesh campaign was that BJP authored special status and shall implement it for 15 years as the UPA promised for five years only. The BJP spokespersons participating in live debates across different channels were quick to say that Naidu was never a trusted ally. But, such a criticism cannot be applied only to Naidu or TDP. Most of the regional parties display such vacillation. The party that took pride in embracing Nitish Kumar subverting people's mandate for anti-BJP coalition in Bihar cannot be justified in making such a tirade on Naidu. However, this invective on TDP supremo is a deliberate ploy to divert the attention from the denial of things due for Andhra Pradesh. Andhra political developments cannot be seen in isolation to understand their national implication. The BJP started facing political and electoral reverses. That the BJP allies are sulking is evident from Nitish joining the special status bandwagon demanding Centre to accord a similar status to Bihar. Anti-BJP forces are converging and consolidating for reasons of their own. All this may not be so lethal for Modi at this point in time, but they do not augur well for BJP at a time the party has to hit rather unfavourable political terrain in next round of Assembly elections later this year leading to the 2019 grand gala show. Uttar Pradesh by-elections in two crucial Lok Sabha constituencies where SP, backed by BSP, delivered a severe blow to the rising fortunes of the BJP. In the recent Uttar Pradesh by-elections in two crucial Lok Sabha constituencies Gorakhpur and Phulpur Samajwadi Party (SP), backed by Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), delivered a severe blow to the rising fortunes of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Andhra Pradesh chief minister Chandrababu Naidu added to the woes of the saffron party as he decided to pull out of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) at the Centre, becoming the first major party to quit the ruling alliance. The BJP lost the Gorakhpur seat to the SP by a margin of 21,961 votes. In the Phulpur constituency, which was once represented by Prime Minister Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, SP candidate Nagendra Pratap Singh Patel defeated BJP candidate Kaushalendra Singh by a margin of 59,613 votes. The winner pulled 3,42,796 votes while BJP candidate got 2,83,183 votes. The victory has done more than just boosting the morale of the non-BJP parties in Uttar Pradesh they have set the tone for the 2019 General Election. The BJP's vulnerability when elections are fought on the regional level is evident. There is no doubt that the SP-BSP combine presents a formidable social coalition if it continues to pose a stiff challenge to the BJP in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. Why were Gorakhpur and Phulpur results so crucial? The results were significant as they came almost a year after the BJP's unprecedented victory in the Uttar Pradesh Assembly election. The two Lok Sabha seats were held by current Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath (Gorakhpur), and his deputy Keshav Prasad Maurya (Phulpur). The BJP, in 2014, had won the two seats by margins of over three lakh votes. The failure to retain the two seats has again shown the BJP's vulnerability in a contest against a combined and determined Opposition. Mamata Banerjee, the chief of Trinamool Congress in West Bengal, called the bypoll results, and the victory for a regional party in another seat in neighbouring Bihar, the "beginning of the end" for the BJP. Great victory. Congratulations to Mayawati Ji and @yadavakhilesh Ji for #UPByPolls The beginning of the end has started Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) March 14, 2018 In 2015 Bihar Assembly election, the BJP had been defeated by the Mahagathbandhan (Grand Alliance) which was formed by Nitish Kumar's Janata Dal (United), Lalu Prasad Yadav's Rashtriya Janata Dal and Congress despite aggressive campaigning by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. If the Congress like the BSP had not put up its candidates in Phulpur and Gorakhpur and instead decided to support the SP nominees, the victory margin of the winning candidates would have been bigger. Any alliance between the three parties in Uttar Pradesh for the 2019 Lok Sabha elections will make the going extremely difficult for the BJP, experts said and added that it could impair the saffron party's chances of returning to power at the Centre. Uttar Pradesh has 80 Lok Sabha seats and the BJP had won 71 of these on its own in 2014, with its ally bagging another two. The poll verdict in Phulpur and Gorakhpur also showed a remarkable transfer of votes at a relatively short notice and has a lesson for the Opposition parties. By-election results in 2018 also signalled to the idea that regional parties of India could be a possible recourse to break the Narendra Modi juggernaut in the upcoming General Elections, except in Gujarat and a few states in the Hindi heartland, where there will be a direct fight between BJP and Congress. Sonia Gandhi's dinner party The day SP-BSP registered the win in Gorakhpur and Phulpur, former Congress chief Sonia Gandhi hosted a dinner party for several Opposition parties. Projecting herself as the anchor, Sonia's attempt was to cobble together a cohesive Opposition that could possibly be the force capable of taking on the somewhat irrepressible Modi wave ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha Election. Senior politicians from 20 parties like Trinamool Congress Mamata Banerjee, Nationalist Congress Party's Sharad Pawar, SP's Ram Gopal Yadav, RJD's Tejasvi Yadav and Misa Bharti, D Raja of CPI, National Conference's Omar Abdullah, JMM's Hemant Soren, RLD's Ajit Singh, DMK's Kanimozhi and several others, dined together. Parties like, the JD(S), which will be fighting against the Congress in the coming Karnataka Assembly elections; the BSP, which stayed away from a couple of Opposition gatherings in the recent past; and the CPM, which is opposed to any electoral understanding with the Congress, were all present. Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala had said that at a time when the government was not allowing Parliament to function, it was obvious that leaders of various parties, who wanted to raise issues in the national interest, would get together to discuss the current political situation. The meeting was held to come up with an option for a Third Front which was non-BJP and non-Congress. The Indian Express quoted CPI's S Sudhakar Reddy who said, "It is more of a mobilisation that so many people are ready to be in the fight against the BJP. There was some talk of a Third Front. The purpose, I think, was also to clarify. Maybe, that one of the reasons whether they are in this front, or in the so-called non-Congress, non-BJP front Maybe there will be some discussions and meetings in the later stages." The dinner hosted by Sonia was reminiscent of the lunch she had hosted for Opposition leaders on 5 February, 2004, after the Atal Bihari Vajpayee-led government had cut short the duration of that Lok Sabha. Opposition cobbling up a viable alternative to Modi's BJP The electoral wins and losses in the past four years clearly signal that coalitions are more important for poll outcomes now than in 2014. The bypoll results also hint towards the alliances that the Opposition should concentrate on building. NCP's Sharad Pawar, who is emerging as a key interlocutor among Opposition parties, said a coalition of "like-minded" parties could challenge BJP and Modi in 2019. Pawar said that the current mood in the country, particularly of farmers and middle class, and even youth was "against" Modi who has "failed to provide jobs to the youth." In an interview with The Wire, Pawar said that the need to bring together a coalition of "like-minded" parties arose when BJP Union minister Anant Kumar Hegde declared that there was a need to make substantial changes in the Constitution. "It was decided that we should meet at the national level too, and I informally called a meeting here in Delhi where the Congress and other parties also joined in." Confident that a secular front will take the mantle in 2019, Pawar gave the example of what had happened in 2004. "Vajpayee was the most popular prime minister at the time, though he was not happy with the way things were going But who would have believed Manmohan Singh would become prime minister? I believe if like-minded forces come together and work, I will not be surprised if we collectively form the government." Pawar, reportedly, also spent almost 90 minutes discussing the political scenario after BJP's shock defeats in Phulpur and Gorakhpur in Uttar Pradesh and its inability to wrest Araria seat in Bihar from the RJD with Congress president Rahul Gandhi. "As of today, Modi has a comfortable position in Parliament, his party is in power in many states. But the situation emerging is there is a big change in the mood of the farming community, the middle class, minorities, even youth," Pawar said. Sonia has been holding meetings of like-minded Opposition parties to discuss ways to take on the Modi government. Some senior leaders, including Pawar and Mamata, are also expected to make renewed efforts to emerge as the pivot of Opposition unity. While BJP's estranged ally Shiv Sena said that the bypoll results will give a boost to the Opposition, the NCP said it showed that a united opposition can defeat the BJP-led regime. The NCP termed the BJP's defeat as a "shape of things to come". "The results of the by-elections in UP and Bihar will give a boost to the Opposition", an editorial in the Sena mouthpiece 'Saamana' said, adding that people are now out of their "illusionary world". Enthused by his party's strong showing in the Gorakhpur and Phulpur bypolls, Akhilesh Yadav declined to respond to a volley of questions on SP's future course of action on stitching any pre-poll alliance. "No one can say anything about the future," Yadav said when asked about the possibility of the bitter rivals the SP and the BSP coming together again. The CPI said fielding a common Opposition candidate against the BJP would be the best strategy to defeat the lead party of the ruling NDA in the next Lok Sabha elections. CPI's Reddy said it is possible to adopt such an approach in most of the states. However, Mamata's TMC also is of the view a broad platform against Modi-led BJP could be self-defeating, as it would offer him an opportunity to "paint all Opposition with the same brush of their leaders being involved in corruption, and they coming together to defeat him since he provided an honest government." CPM's Sitaram Yechury, however, feels any broad platform of Opposition parties should first agree on a policy agenda. He says mere arithmetic of 'index of opposition unity' may not work. However, to turn this moral victory into material success, the Opposition has a mammoth journey ahead of them. Like this article in The Indian Express argues, "but the real groundwork awaits the non-BJP parties at the state level in three respects: Actual hard political work of mobilising the people locally (like what the Kisan Morcha did in Maharashtra), then arriving at mutually agreeable seat-sharing and finally convincing their core voters to transfer their votes to alliance partners. Not many parties have the patience or the ability for this." The Supreme Court has dismissed GJM leader Bimal Gurungs petitions seeking protection from arrest. The ruling could alter the local political calculus. In a ruling welcomed by the West Bengal government, the Supreme Court on Friday dismissed Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) leader Bimal Gurungs petitions seeking protection from arrest in connection with several cases against him by the state police and also seeking an independent probe into the alleged killings of Gorkhaland supporters. We welcome the court verdict, chief minister Mamata Banerjee said a few hours later in Siliguri in north Bengal, but declined to comment on whether the ruling would now facilitate Gurungs arrest. Gurung had in November 2017 moved the apex court invoking its extraordinary jurisdiction under Article 32 of the Constitution. His petition sought protection from arrest in the wake of a series of charges against him by the state police in connection with the violence during the June-September 2017 shutdown in the hill districts of Darjeeling and Kalimpong. He was the chief architect of the 104-day long agitation to press for the demand for a separate Gorkhaland state. Charges under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act had been slapped against the GJM leader and a lookout notice was also issued against him. Gurung had been on the run from the police in the hills since the charges were lodged against him. Subsequently, the fugitive leader appeared in New Delhi to move the Supreme Court, following which an order was issued on 20 November, returnable in two weeks, restraining the West Bengal police from resorting to any coercive action against him. The GJM leader had claimed that he was being politically persecuted by the state government. Fridays ruling comes as a major boost to the states efforts to restore its grip on the hills after months of turbulence last year. It could also further alter the local political calculus, and to an extent allay anxieties over the regions political future. The verdict will also bolster the state-propped ruling dispensations ongoing efforts to consolidate its control in the hills and marginalise its political detractors. Yet, despite the chief ministers claims that her government has no intention to interfere and that she has not come to seek votes, it could be difficult to erase the deeply embedded popular perception that it is she who is calling the shots with the elusive Gurung. The GJM leader, on the run since charges were brought against him, has now for all appearances, been relegated to the political margins. The hills are anxious about the fallout of the apex court ruling one that most certainly will have a crucial effect on Gurungs political future. There is little doubt that his political fortunes have been on the decline ever since he fled the region in the face of charges slapped against him. Now that the Supreme Courts ruling has gone against him, there is a likelihood that there could well be a desperate move to revive the statehood demand which was foremost on Gurungs political agenda. However, whether there is any immediate appetite among the people for a fresh statehood movement now is the question. How would his playing victim to the states machinations against him go down with his constituency? With his plea for protection from being apprehended turned down, the concern on the ground is the potential for further trouble in the event of Gurungs arrest. Recent revelations by the police which indicate that he was planning an insurgency in the region further stack the odds against him. Yet, no assurance from the ruling dispensation that the days of trouble are over can wish away the volatility in the political environment, the apparent present calm notwithstanding. Not till the next elections to the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) will the situation become clearer. There is little sign of the state government being in any hurry to call for the over-due polls; it would rather continue with the present ad hoc arrangement, buying time for the anti-Gurung forces to consolidate their hold on the public by providing them with the required administrative leeway, laced with assurances of development funds. On the Supreme Court ruling, Binay Tamang said that it now legally invests the state government with the authority to arrest Gurung. But even though he welcomed the verdict, it should be remembered that in the absence of any public mandate, it is now incumbent on Tamang and his associates to prove the legitimacy of the ruling caucus they represent. He also needs to successfully dismantle the vestiges of what once was Gurungs hegemonic control over hill politics. Needless to say Tamang and his associates continue to enjoy the confidence of Banerjee who appears content to leave the political bear-pit to the hill parties, setting aside for now the aspirations of her own Trinamool Congress. The Tamil Nadu Assembly unanimously passed a resolution urging the Centre to adhere to SC order pertaining to the setting up of a Cauvery Management Board. Chennai: On Thursday, the Tamil Nadu Assembly unanimously passed a resolution urging the Centre to adhere to the month-old Supreme Court order pertaining to the setting up of a Cauvery Management Board (CMB) within six weeks to monitor and manage distribution of the river's water among four states Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Puducherry. Earlier in the day, Opposition legislators led by DMK working president MK Stalin walked out of the Assembly, boycotting the state budget for 2018-19 presented by Deputy Chief Minister O Panneerselvam, who handles the finance portfolio. DMK MLAs wore black shirts to protest the delay on the Centre's part in setting up of the Cauvery Management Board. The Centre held consultations with chief secretaries and water resources secretaries of the four states on 9 March to review the Supreme Court order that directs putting in place "a scheme under Section 6A of Inter-State Water Dispute Act" to oversee water distribution among states. While the Centre has said the overseeing body would involve representatives from all four states, Karnataka has traditionally opposed setting up of a CMB, as proposed by the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal in 2013, because it fears losing control over the water. Karnataka's aversion to having a board govern the distribution of Cauvery water seems to have fuelled the anxiety in the Tamil Nadu Assembly. On 8 March, a day before Central Water Resources Secretary UP Singh had called the representatives of four states to talk about CMB, Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah headed an all-party meet in Bengaluru to establish Karnatakas stand on the issue. The meeting decided that based on consultations with the legal team, led by jurist Fali S Nariman, Karnataka will take a call on whether to seek a review of the SC verdict and will finalise its stand on the nature of the dispute resolution forum. Chief Secretary Ratna Prabha had on 9 March informed the Centre that Karnataka is against the formation of CMB, but open to other mechanisms for implementing the SC verdict. Prabha sought time till Monday to submit a report on Karnataka governments views on the mechanisms that can be put in place to implement the order. According to MS Mohan, under secretary (Cauvery Unit) at water resources department in Karnataka, the state has not yet sent any report on the mechanisms to the Centre. "One is under preparation, but we can't reveal its contents as it involves high-level deliberations," Mohan said. Stalin's ire Addressing the media in Chennai, Stalin said the state and central governments have not taken any steps to form the Cauvery Management Board over the years. He said that even the prime minister is not willing to meet all party leaders for a joint discussion on the Cauvery dispute. "We boycotted the budget session to draw the state government's attention on this," Stalin said, adding that the prime minister is "not willing to meet all party leaders on the issue" and "the situation is very delicate". "Without delaying the process further, Centre should intervene to start the Cauvery Management Board in strict adherence to SC verdict," Stalin said. During the session, Tamil Nadu chief minister Edappady K Palaniswamy said that as per the SC order that upholds the recommendations of Cauvery Tribunal, the Cauvery Management Board should be formed within six weeks by the central government. While coaxing the Opposition members to accede to proceedings initiated by the chief minister, Stalin remarked that all Opposition party members must resign from their portfolios if the Centre fails in setting up CMB within the stipulated six week period, of which four weeks have passed. "We hope this (setting up of the CMB) will not lead to misunderstandings between state governments," he added. Congress leader KR Ramasami and Indian Muslim League's Md Abubaker extended their support to the leader of the Opposition expressing solidarity with DMK's stand on CMB. RK Nagar legislator TTV Dinakaran, who recently launched his party, Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam, did not attend the special session on Thursday afternoon. Palaniswamy said that the Tamil Nadu government has been pressing the issue with the Centre continuously and that Prime Minister Narendra Modi was apprised of the united stand of state's parties on CMB when he was in Chennai recently. 'Centre not bound by Tamil Nadu resolution' President of the coordination committee of All Tamil Nadu Farmers Association, PR Pandian, believes the rumble in the Assembly over setting up of CMB is only a tactic to calm the public. "Centre is not bound to adhere to this request immediately, because the resolution has been passed in Tamil Nadu Assembly, after deliberation of legislators over legal procedures with regard to the SC judgment," he said. "Also, there is no meaning in Stalin's statement that all (Opposition) MLAs will resign," Pandian retorted. "If the prime minister does not want to meet all party leaders, they should sit on a dharna in front of the prime minister's house to draw his attention to this sensitive issue. We should involve other stakeholder states (Kerala and Puducherry) as well for amicable discussions on this issue." CPM state secretary K Balakrishnan also welcomed the resolution saying that the Centre should not delay setting up of the CMB. His party would start rail roko protest from 5 April to press the Centre to resolve this issue, Balakrishnan said. The point of contention now is that the SC verdict says a "scheme" should be put into place to resolve the issue as per Section 6A of Inter-State Water Disputes Act, which all parties assume to mean the CMB, except for Karnataka, which controls Cauvery water at present. The author is a Chennai-based freelance writer and a member of 101reporters.com, a pan-India network of grassroots reporters Hours after Chandrababu Naidu announced that the TDP was exiting the NDA, the party moved a no-confidence motion against the central government in the Lok Sabha. Hours after Andhra Pradesh chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu announced in Amaravati that the TDP was exiting the NDA, the party moved a no-confidence motion against the central government in the Lok Sabha. However, as protests marred the proceedings, the Speaker said she cannot take it up and adjourned the Lower House for the day. The government exuded confidence that it has the numbers to ride out of the crisis with BJP terming the decision by Andhra Pradesh's ruling party to quit the NDA "inevitable". The BJP, which claimed this provided an opportunity for it to grow in the state, faces the prospect of going it alone in the elections in Andhra Pradesh in 2019 with the two main regional parties TDP and YSR Congress against it. The TDP, which is in power in the state, had on Thursday offered to back the YSR Congress' no-confidence motion but said it withdrew the support as it suspected a nexus between it and the BJP. The YSR Congress' motion is pending. "We go according to principles. Our leader felt being part of NDA and moving a no-confidence motion would not be ethical. So we withdrew from the NDA and I have issued a letter on no-confidence motion to the Speaker at 9.30 am," Thota Narasimham, the TDP's floor leader in the Lok Sabha, told reporters. He said that letters would go out to BJP leaders about the party's decision to exit the alliance. His party colleague Ramesh claimed that YSR Congress MP Vijaysai Reddy was seen making attempts to meet Modi and this, he said, hinted at a nexus between both parties. "We have no confidence in their no-confidence motion, so we have decided to go on our own," he said. "If it is not taken due to lack of time on Friday, on Monday we will get signatures from 54 MPs from various other parties and push for a no-confidence motion vigorously," Ramesh said. The motion can be accepted only if it has the support of at least 50 members in the House. While the TDP has 16 MPs in the Lok Sabha, the YSR Congress has nine. Later, Naidu informed the Andhra Pradesh Assembly about TDP's decision to pull out of NDA. "I took the decision, not for selfish reasons, but for the interests of Andhra Pradesh. For four years, I took all the efforts, went to Delhi 29 times. This was the NDA government's last budget, but there was no mention of Andhra Pradesh. We had to pull our ministers out of the Cabinet," the TDP chief said. He criticised Finance Minister Arun Jaitley's stand that "sentiments cannot increase quantum of funds" given to a state. Bifurcation promises are not yet fulfilled. Had special status been included in the Act in then Lok Sabha then, this situation would have not arisen: Andhra Pradesh CM N Chandrababu Naidu in state assembly pic.twitter.com/ITMyrRushW ANI (@ANI) March 16, 2018 Opposition parties show support Congress and Left leaders said they would support the motion against the government. "When the Andhra parties bring a no confidence motion in the Lok Sabha, we will support it," Mohammad Salim of the CPM said. Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge said that the party would also support the motion but asked the two regional parties to not play politics over the matter. Asserting that every state has its own problems, West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee said that TDP's move to quit NDA was "correct" since it was in the interest of "a better cause". "Initially TDP was with the NDA and now they have left the alliance for a better cause. Whatever TDP has decided is correct," said Banerjee. The Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS) ruled out its support for the no-confidence motion against the NDA government, describing the move in the Lok Sabha as a "political gimmick". TRS parliamentary party leader K Keshava Rao, however, said his outfit supports the demand for SCS. Meanwhile, Tamil Nadu's AIADMK set conditions for its support to the no-trust vote. Former MP and AIADMK spokesperson KC Palanisamy said, "If the Centre refuses to set up the Cauvery Management Board and the Cauvery Water Regulatory Committee (CWRC) as the Supreme Court ordered, the AIADMK may support the no-trust motion." As the Opposition counted its numbers, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananth Kumar said the whole country has full confidence in Modi as does the House. "The government has the numbers... We are ready to take up everything," he said. Union minister Piyush Goyal said that there is no government more sensitive to the demands and the needs of the people of Andhra Pradesh than the current one led by Narendra Modi. BJP spokesperson GVL Narasimha Rao accused the TDP of resorting to "lies to cover up its inept and inert governance". TDP's decision to quit was inevitable after its mischievous propaganda against Centre. People of AP have now realised that the TDP is resorting to lies to cover up its inept & inert governance.Far from being a threat, TDP's exit is a timely opportunity for the BJP to grow in AP. GVL Narasimha Rao (@GVLNRAO) March 16, 2018 ANI reported that Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray is expected to hold a meeting with party MPs and senior leaders soon to decide a stand on the no-confidence motion. Shiv Sena is the largest non-BJP constituent of the NDA. In 2017, it had expressed that it would part ways with the BJP, but later, the party reversed its call. With the BJP alone having 274 members in the 536-member Lok Sabha, the no-confidence motion, if accepted, is likely to be defeated but it has the potential to put the saffron party in a tight corner in the state. With inputs from IANS Equations within the NDA aren't particularly rosy. While TDP has announced its exit, Shiv Sena did so earlier last year, while PDP's ties with the government are also on shaky grounds. RLSP is also in talks with the Opposition The Telugu Desam Party (TDP) on Friday decided to call off its four-year alliance with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and pulled out of the Central government. In doing so, it became the first major party (in terms of seats) to exit the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) that had stormed to power with a huge majority following the 2014 Lok Sabha elections. The TDP has 16 MPs, and it said it would move a no-confidence motion against the Central government. In doing so, it would be following in the footsteps of rival Andhra Pradesh party, the YSR Congress, which has also said it would be moving a no-confidence motion against the Centre. The two Andhra parties have been miffed with the BJP following the latter's inability to grant special status for the state. The NDA had stormed to power with 336 seats in 2014, of which the BJP alone claimed 282 seats. However, a series of bypolls that went against the saffron party meant that its tally in the Lok Sabha currently stands at 274 seats. When one adds the 11 allies the BJP still has by its side Shiv Sena, JD(U), Apna Dal, LJP, SAD, RLSP, PDP, PMK, SWP, NPP and AINR Congress the tally rises to 314. If the TDP can be persuaded to come around once again, this could rise to 330, a comfortable majority. However, equations with the existing allies aren't particularly rosy. In particular with Shiv Sena, the largest non-BJP constituent of the NDA. If the Sena follows TDP by backing out, the figure of 314 will go down to 296, just 23 more than the magic figure of 273, and the BJP can no longer be certain of its future. The Shiv Sena did announce its decision to part ways earlier last year, before reversing this call. The PDP's ties with the ruling government are also on shaky grounds, while the RLSP is already in talks to join the Opposition in Bihar. All of which mean the BJP's comfortable lead could be in a spot of bother. Here's a brief analysis of the relations between the saffron party and its various allies: PDP: The PDP has two MPs in Parliament. This is one alliance that is on shaky ground, especially after Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Mehbooba Mufti sacked former finance minister Haseeb Drabu, once considered the architect of stitching together the alliance with the BJP in the state. Shiv Sena: The Shiv Sena is the BJP's strongest ally, having 18 MPs to its name. The Sena and BJP are also allies in the Maharashtra state government where BJP's Devendra Fadnavis has endured a tumultuous run as chief minister. However, the two parties contested municipal elections separately last year. Earlier this year, however, the Sena announced its decision to part ways and go it alone in both Lok Sabha and Assembly elections in 2019. But while it reserved its decision, choosing to stay in the government for now, things are always unpredictable with the Sena-BJP alliance. SAD: The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) is another long-time ally of the BJP and is the one ally that has consistently stayed by the saffron party's side. The SAD has four MPs in Parliament, but things aren't looking too bright for the SAD-BJP alliance either. In Assembly elections to Punjab last year, the Congress stormed to power, winning 77 out of 117 seats in the Assembly. JD(U): At the time the Lok Sabha elections were contested in 2014, the JD(U) was in the Opposition. But following RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav's conviction in the fodder scam, Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar defected to the NDA fold. The party brings with it two MPs. However, the special status row might come back to haunt the NDA in a second state now, with Nitish too demanding special status for Bihar, even saying he hopes this will be taken seriously following the TDP's exit. Furthermore, a separate faction of the JD(U), led by Sharad Yadav, has moved away from the party. It remains to be seen how a vertical split in the JD(U) affects the party's chances of staying in the alliance. RLSP: The little-known Rashtriya Lok Samata Party contested three seats from Bihar in 2014 and was successful in all three, riding on the back of the massive Narendra Modi wave sweeping through the country. However, with the churn in Indian politics being felt most keenly in Bihar, this is another party that's likely to defect away from BJP. On Thursday, after the RJD won two bypolls in Bihar, it said the RLSP would quit the NDA to join an RJD-led 'grand alliance', along the lines of the Mahagathbandhan that swept Bihar elections in 2015. The TDP has reportedly pulled out of the NDA, a week after party chief N Chandrababu Naidu announced his decision to exit the Centre over the issue of special status The Telugu Desam Party (TDP) has reportedly pulled out of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), a week after party chief and Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh N Chandrababu Naidu announced his decision to exit the central government over the issue of special status for Andhra Pradesh. Following Chandrababu Naidu's tele-conference with party members, TDP pulls out of NDA. ANI (@ANI) March 16, 2018 The TDP has 16 MPs in the central government, and the news agency ANI said the TDP may also pass a no-confidence motion against the Centre. By doing so, it would be lending support to the no-confidence motion against the NDA moved by rival Andhra Pradesh party, the YSR Congress. Last week, the TDP decided to call the Centre's bluff over the issue of special status and said it was pulling its ministers out of the NDA government. P Ashok Gajapati Raju and YS Chowdary, two TDP ministers quit the NDA last week over the special status issue. They reportedly submitted their resignation to Prime Minister Narendra Modi citing "unavoidable circumstances". Later, Naidu told the media that he has exited the government but he will give more time to the Modi government to reconsider its decision on the special status for the state. But the passing of the Finance Bill on Tuesday meant the issue was decisively settled, and when YSR Congress moved its no-confidence motion, the TDP was left with no option but to support this. A report on News18 said that Naidu had been speaking to Mulayam Singh Yadav of Samajwadi Party and BSP supremo Mayawati in a bid to forge new alliances. The SP-BSP combine had successfully come together to defeat the BJP in by-elections to Gorakhpur and Phulpur constituencies of Uttar Pradesh on Wednesday. To follow live updates, click here Senior Congress leader and former Union minister M Veerappa Moily left his party red-faced on Friday as he put out a tweet slamming the state PWD minister. Senior Congress leader and former Union minister M Veerappa Moily left his party red-faced on Friday as he put out a tweet slamming the state PWD minister. The Congress leader said that the party cannot afford to have 'road contractors and their nexus with the state PWD minister determine how candidates are selected for the upcoming Assembly elections.' Moily, who had tagged the Congress' official pages and his son Harsha Moily in the tweet, deleted his post later. The News Minute reports that Harsha Moily too had posted the tweet, and deleted it later. The BJP, however, was quick to latch on to the statement and alleged that the senior leader's statement was aimed at promoting his son. Let's be very clear. Moily's tweet is not aimed at whistle blowing malpractices in Cong. It's addressed to a son, to secure a seat for his own son; of course at the expense of PWD Minister's son! Cong, you see, just can't keep a 'son' out of the equation!#MoilyExposesCongpic.twitter.com/uDtUPMmehd BJP Karnataka (@BJP4Karnataka) March 16, 2018 BJP leader and former Karnataka chief minister BS Yeddyurappa said that Moily's statement validates the BJP's charge that contractors are filling the 'PWD minister's deep pockets.' At last someones conscience in @INCKarnataka prodded him to speak up! @moilyv ji is right. We have been saying that @siddaramaiah is #10PercentCM. With contractors filling PWD min's deep pockets, state's coffers & roads are in tatters. Congress veterans view validates our point https://t.co/OpaWh1ZwPG B.S. Yeddyurappa (@BSYBJP) March 16, 2018 The News Minute has quoted sources as saying that both the present PWD minister HC Mahadevappa and Veerappa Moily want their sons to get tickets to contest upcoming polls in Karnataka. The sources are said to have stated that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah backs HC Mahadevappa. With inputs from PTI Reuters Broadcom Ltd on 15 March said that it was likely to pursue smaller acquisitions of chipmakers after its failed hostile takeover bid to acquire rival Qualcomm Inc and said that its smartphone chip business would see a drop in demand this quarter from a North American customer and an increase from South Korea. Most analysts believe that the North American customer is Apple Inc, which made up a fifth of Broadcom revenue 2017, and the Korean customer is Samsung Electronics Co Ltd, which is ramping up production of its recently announced Galaxy S9 smart phone. Broadcom results beat expectations days after US President Donald Trump blocked its $117 billion hostile bid for Qualcomm on national security concerns. The company scrapped the offer on 14 March. Singapore-based Broadcom, however, said it would continue with its plans to redomicile to the United States, fuelling expectations that the company would likely scout for smaller targets. Qualcomm was clearly a unique and very large acquisition opportunity, Chief Financial Officer Tom Krause told investors on a conference call. Given the maturity of the industry, the consolidation it is seeing and our relative size now, our future acquisitions are much more likely to be funded with cash available on our balance sheet and without the need to flex the balance sheet. Broadcoms shares were down 1.2 percent at $264.50 in extended trading on 15 March. Typically, Broadcom has to make acquisitions to drive the earnings, said Summit Insight Group analyst Kinngai Chan. If the company is able to make two or three medium-size acquisitions, then I think the stock will move up again. But Broadcom officials were still publicly smarting over the loss of the Qualcomm deal. Krause said he was touched by an Institutional Shareholder Services report 14 March encouraging Qualcomm shareholders to cast protest ballots for Broadcoms director nominees. Krause said Broadcom believes that based on the vote tally as of today, the 11 Qualcomm nominees are only garnering between 15 percent to 16 percent of the outstanding shares, not necessarily something to celebrate on San Diego. Qualcomm declined to comment on Krauses comments. Broadcom, whose WiFi chips are found in Apple Incs iPhone and most Android phones, was eyeing Qualcomms core baseband chips and license business that would significantly benefit from the rollout of 5G wireless technology. Broadcom said first-quarter smart phone results were driven by an increase in orders from a North American smartphone customer, which most analysts believe is Apple Inc, which released its flagship iPhone X later than normal 2017, pushing production into the early part of 2018. CEO Hock Tan said that customers business was expected to trend down sharply in the second quarter, partially offset at Broadcom by more business for a next-generation flagship [phone] from a large Korean smartphone customer. Net income attributable to ordinary shares surged to $6.23 billion, or $14.62 per share, in the first quarter ended on 4 February, from $239 million, or 57 cents per share, a year earlier. The company, which announced a quarterly interim dividend of $1.75 per share, said it recorded a gain of $5.79 billion due to the recently enacted U.S. tax law. Excluding items, the company earned $5.12 per share. Net revenue rose to $5.33 billion from $4.14 billion. Analysts on average had expected earnings of $5.05 per share and revenue of $5.32 billion. tech2 News Staff On 16 March, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the 105th Indian Science Congress which will take place till 20 March 2018 at Imphal in Manipur. Themed Reaching the Unreached Through Science and Technology, the conference will see social sciences and science coming together. In his inaugural speech, Modi spoke about "scientific social responsibility" through science and technology. He urged an R&D-based approach to solve problems at institutional, corporate or school level. Organised by the Manipur University, 5,000 delegates from all over the country and 2,000 scientists along with four Nobel Laureates will grace the event.Modi urged people to encourage scientific temper in the youth where every scientist must dedicate 100 hours every year with 100 students. Reiterating that India needs to be future-ready, he said that technology will play a vital role in the services such as healthcare, education, and banking. Machine learning, artificial intelligence, e-mobility, 5G telecommunication, data analytics will aid in creating a smart city and industries, said Modi. Speaking of 5G, he said that the government intends to bring 5G penetration by 2020. The prime minister encouraged the Indian scientists to work towards affordable healthcare and diseases such as sickle cell anaemia, malaria, Japanese Encephalitis etc. He urged scientists to work towards achieving their goal of increase in non-fossil fuel capacity share in the electricity mix by 40 percent in 2030 and installation of 100 GW of solar power modules by 2022. He further added, Our government has already given the go-ahead to establish the third LIGO detector in the country. It will expand our knowledge in basic sciences in the areas of lasers, light waves and computing. I am told that our scientists are working tirelessly to make it a reality. In a boost to research in science and technology, Modi also said that the Prime Ministers Research Fellows scheme has been approved. We have approved a 'Prime Ministers Research Fellows' scheme. Under this, bright minds from the best Institutions in the country, like IISc,IIT,NIT, IISER & IIIT will be offered direct admission in Ph.D in IIT & IISc. This will help address brain-drain from our country: PM PMO India (@PMOIndia) March 16, 2018 Students selected from IISc, IIT, NIT, IISER and IIIT will be offered direct admission in PhD in IIT and IISc. Modi was welcomed by Manipur Governor Najma Heptulla and chief minister N Biren Singh in Imphal. He will also lay the foundation stone for Luwangpokpa Multi-Sports Complex in Luwangsangbam, Rani Gaidinliu Park, and other development projects such as Anganwadi Centres, residential complexes for teachers, doctors and nurses, etc. tech2 News Staff After Samsung announced higher speeds on the Galaxy S9 at the Indian launch on Jio and Airtel networks, Reliance Digital has now announced that the 256 GB variant of the Samsung Galaxy S9 Plus will now be exclusively sold at their retail stores across India. A new buyback offer for customers was also announced at the store launch which took place at a mall in Mumbai. Reliance Industries-owned Reliance Digital already offers Rs 6,000 cashback at its retail stores on both the Galaxy S9 and the S9 Plus so the additional buyback offer on the high-end variant of the S9 Plus only sweetens the deal. Reliance Retail offers a 70 percent future buyback specifically for the 256 GB variant of the Samsung Galaxy S9 Plus. The future buyback offer assures customers a fixed buyback price when they return to the store to upgrade their smartphones in the future. The top of the line Galaxy S9 Plus will be available for purchase in all Reliance Digital and Jio Stores across the country and online at jio.com. Interested customers will have to own a Jio connection and perform a minimum cumulative recharge of Rs 2,500 within 12 months from any of the available Jio plans. Also available is another exclusive Jio offer on the Galaxy S9 and the Galaxy S9 Plus where users with Jio connection get a 1 terabyte of high speed 4G data along with unlimited voice and SMS for a whole year at Rs 4,999. Jio claims that offer is worth Rs 15,000. Those who take up the plan will also be entitled to a complimentary Jio Prime membership. Reliance Digital currently also offers the Samsung Galaxy S9 Plus (256 GB) to customers on a 12 month EMI. Disclaimer: Reliance Industries Ltd. is the sole beneficiary of Independent Media Trust which controls Network18 Media & Investments Ltd. Reuters Sri Lankan officials said on Thursday they had lifted a ban on Facebook after discussions with the social network, a week after blocking access on the grounds it was being used to fuel communal violence. At least two people were killed in clashes last week when Sinhalese Buddhists, angered by the killing of a Buddhist driver by Muslims, attacked mosques and Muslim-owned properties in the central Kandy district. Some of the violence was instigated by postings on Facebook threatening, according to the government, which on 7 March cut access to Facebook, Viber, and WhatsApp. It initially said the ban would last for three days but extended the block without informing the public, users said. On my instructions, my secretary has discussed with officials of Facebook, who have agreed that its platform will not be used for spreading hate speech and inciting violence, President Maithripala Sirisena said in his Twitter feed. He said he had instructed the telecommunication regulator to remove the temporary ban with immediate effect. Government officials have said Facebooks action against those who spread hate speech has been too slow. Facebook officials agreed to speed up the response time, telecommunication minister Harin Fernando, who participated in the discussion with Facebook officials, told Reuters. We have discussed how we can create new windows to make sure easy removal of these hate speech items, he said without elaborating. Facebook officials were not immediately available for comment. The government had lifted the ban on Viber and WhatsApp earlier this week. Communal tensions have grown over the past year with some hardline Buddhist groups accusing Muslims of forcing people to convert to Islam and vandalizing Buddhist archaeological sites. Muslim groups deny the allegations. Fernando said on Tuesday the government could not control hate speech and fake messages on Facebook by extreme Buddhists and Muslims and it had become a menace to national security. Police are investigating whether 10 suspected ringleaders of the wave of attacks on Muslims had outside funding or foreign help. Sri Lankas Muslims makeup about 9 percent of its 21 million people and mostly live in the east and center of the island. Buddhist Sinhalese account for about 70 percent and ethnic Tamils, most of whom are Hindus, about 13 percent. Dinesh C Sharma The 105th session of the Indian Science Congress began in the capital of Manipur with prime minister Narendra Modi calling upon scientists to work for solving societal problems. Time has come, he said, to redefine Research and Development (R&D) as research for development. The time is ripe to redefine R&D as research for the development of the nation that is R&D in the real sense. Science is after all, but a means to a far greater end of making a difference in the lives of others, of furthering human progress and welfare, Narendra Modi said while inaugurating the congress being hosted by the Manipur University. He said science and technology could help facilitate 'ease of living' for the people. Referring to the focal theme of this years congress Reaching the Unreached through Science and Technology, he said scientific knowledge should be applied to solve day to day problems in various sectors such as housing, malnutrition, clean energy and elimination of diseases. Innovative ideas can bring about change. For instance, he said, Rajagopalan Vasudevan, a professor from Madurai has developed a method to reuse plastic waste in construction of roads and has given it for free to the government. This technology has already been used to lay over 5000 kilometers of roads across 11 states. In the same way, scientist Arvind Gupta is inspiring students to learn science through toys made out of waste. Chintakindi Mallesham has developed a machine that significantly reduces time and labour required to weave sarees. The prime minister said the countrys scientific achievements need to be actively communicated to people, in order to help inculcate scientific temper among the youth as well as to attract them to careers in science. We have to throw open our national institutions and laboratories to our children. I call upon scientists to develop an appropriate mechanism for interaction with school-going children. I also urge them, to spend 100 hours every year, with 100 students of classes 10,11 and 12 discussing various aspects of science and technology, he added. At the same time, India is moving ahead in high science. Chandrayan-2, to be launched soon, will include landing and travel on the surface of the moon by a rover. Indian scientists have also played a key role in the international Laser Interferometer Gravitational Wave Observatory (LIGO) Collaboration. The third LIGO detector is coming up India. It will expand our knowledge in basic sciences in areas of lasers, light waves and computing, Narendra Modi said. There should be greater coordination within the S&T sector. For example, he said, ISRO uses one of the best battery systems to run its satellites in space. The same technology can be used by other institutions to develop cost effective and efficient battery systems for mobile phones and electric cars. India should become a major player in developing technologies, devices, standards and manufacturing for 5G broadband networks by 2020. He said the government would like to develop Clusters of Excellence in Science in Cities, around important scientific institutions. These clusters will bring together science and technology partners from academia, research institutes, industry and startups to help promote new discoveries, and create globally competitive research hubs. The Indian economy is on a high growth trajectory. But we rank low in Human Development Indicators. One of the important reasons for this inconsistency is major inter-state and intra-state disparity, said the prime minister. In order to address this, he said, the government had launched a programme to improve the performance of over 100 aspirational districts with focus health and nutrition, education, agriculture and water resources, financial inclusion, skill development and infrastructure. He wanted scientific institutions to catalyse creation and diffusion of appropriate technologies in these districts. About 5000 Indian and foreign delegates are participating in the five-day annual event, which was earlier scheduled to take place in Hyderabad in January. (India Science Wire) Reuters Lawmakers pushing legislation aimed at preventing China from acquiring sensitive U.S. technology have proposed relaxing elements of the measure after lobbying by high-tech firms but will tighten another portion, according to a draft revision seen by Reuters. The bill in the Senate and a companion measure in the U.S. House of Representatives would broaden the reach of the inter-agency Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) in hopes of halting Chinese efforts to acquire sophisticated U.S. technology. The bipartisan legislation has the support of President Donald Trumps administration. Tech companies criticised the original legislation amid concerns it could limit or slow their exports, which in 2016 totalled $153 billion, according to World Bank data. Among the companies lobbying for the changes were Google parent Alphabet Inc Facebook Inc, IBM Corp, Intel Corp, Qualcomm Inc and a long list of other hardware and software companies. CFIUS has gone from virtually unknown several years ago to front-page news this month as one of its probes resulted in Trump forbidding chipmaker Broadcom, which is in the process of moving back to the United States, from buying rival Qualcomm. A technology industry group said the original bill broadened CFIUS reach so much that companies that sell sensitive technology could potentially be forced to go before the panel to have any sale reviewed, even the most uncontroversial. They also argued that some technology transfers were already reviewed by other U.S. agencies. Josh Kallmer, senior vice president for global policy for the Information Technology Industry Council, said the changes were positive. We see this as a huge step in the right direction both atmospherically and substantively, he said. Florida officials said on Thursday that four people have been found dead in the rubble of a collapsed South Florida pedestrian bridge where the frantic search for any survivors continued past nightfall. Miami: Florida officials said on Thursday that four people have been found dead in the rubble of a collapsed South Florida pedestrian bridge where the frantic search for any survivors continued past nightfall. Fire chief Dave Downey said at an evening news briefing that four deceased people were found amid the chaotic scene of concrete rubble and crumpled vehicles. He said nine victims were removed "early on" and taken to hospitals but didn't elaborate on their conditions. He said the "search and rescue mode" deploying trained canines, search cameras and sensitive listening devices was continuing into the night. Governor Rick Scott also spoke to reporters, saying "everybody is working hard to make sure we rescue anyone who can be rescued." The Florida governor added that an exhaustive investigation now beginning will get to the bottom of "why this happened and what happened" and vowed that anyone who did anything wrong would be held accountable. Miami-Dade police director Juan Perez praised the actions of first responders during a news conference but acknowledged the likelihood of finding more victims under the rubble was growing more difficult with the passage of time. "We know that there's going to be a negative outcome at the end of the day," Perez said. The bridge was under construction and collapsed onto a busy Miami highway Thursday, crushing at least eight vehicles under massive slabs of concrete and steel. One side of the bridge led to Florida International University, a school west of the city's downtown. Search-and-rescue crews drilled holes into the debris and used their highly trained dogs to look for survivors. They had to work carefully because part of the structure was still unsafe. At least 10 people were taken to hospitals. The number of fatalities was not immediately known. The 950-ton (860-metric ton) bridge had been assembled by the side of the highway and moved into place Saturday to great fanfare. The span stretched almost 200 feet (60 meters) to connect Florida International University with the city of Sweetwater. It was expected to open to foot traffic next year. "This bridge was about goodness, not sadness," said FIU president Mark Rosenberg. "Now we're feeling immense sadness, uncontrollable sadness. And our hearts go out to all those affected, their friends and their families. We're committed to assist in all efforts necessary, and our hope is that this sadness can galvanize the entire community to stay the course, a course of goodness, of hope, of opportunity." Jacob Miller, a senior at FIU, was visiting a friend in a dorm when he heard sirens and horns honking. He went to a balcony and could see rubble coming down. "I saw there were multiple cars crushed under the bridge. It was just terrible. I saw some people stopping their cars, trying to get out, trying to assess the situation to see if there is anything they could do to help," he said. National Transportation Safety Board chairman Robert Sumwalt III said a team of specialists was heading to Miami on Thursday night with plans to begin its investigation Friday morning. Miami-Dade police director Juan Perez said his department's homicide team would take over the investigation after rescue efforts are complete. The exact death toll was unclear. Florida highway patrol Lieutenant Alejandro Camacho told CBS News that there were "several fatalities." Carlie Waibel, a spokeswoman for Senator Bill Nelson, said local officials told Nelson that people had died, but a final number had not been confirmed. An accelerated construction method was supposed to reduce risks to workers and pedestrians and minimize traffic disruption, the university said. Renderings showed a tall, off-center tower with cables attached to the walkway to support it. When the bridge collapsed, the main tower had not yet been installed, and it was unclear what the builders were using as temporary supports. Robert Bea, a professor of engineering and construction management at the University of California, Berkeley, said it was too early to know exactly what happened, but the decision to use what the bridge builders called an "innovative installation" was risky, especially because the bridge spanned a heavily traveled thoroughfare. "Innovations take a design firm into an area where they don't have applicable experience, and then we have another unexpected failure on our hands," Bea said after reviewing the bridge's design and photos of the collapse. Sweetwater police Detective Juan Llera was in a nearby meeting when the bridge collapsed. "I heard a 'boom' like a bomb had exploded," he said. "At first I thought it was a terrorist attack." He said he saw three construction workers who had been injured. One had a head injury and was passing in and out of consciousness, another one had a leg injury leg and the third was lying on the street unconscious. He started performing CPR on him. "We were able to keep him alive to send him to the hospital," Llera said. Kendall Regional Medical Center received 10 injured people. Of those, two were in "extremely critical" condition and the other eight were stable with injuries such as broken bones, bruises and abrasions, said Dr Mark McKenney, the hospital's director of general surgery. Of the two more serious cases, one arrived in cardiac arrest but was revived. The other had a serious brain injury, McKenney said. The main companies behind the $14.2 million construction project have faced questions about their past work, and one was fined in 2012 when a 90-ton (80-metric ton) section of a bridge collapsed in Virginia. Munilla Construction Management, or MCM, the Miami-based construction management firm that won the bridge contract, had a news release on its website touting the project with FIGG Bridge Engineers, a Tallahassee firm. It said initial reports that it had taken its website down were incorrect and that the site had become temporarily unavailable due to increased web traffic. "It has since been restored," the company said in a statement. MCM said on Twitter that it was "a family business and we are all devastated and doing everything we can to assist. We will conduct a full investigation to determine exactly what went wrong and will cooperate with investigators on scene in every way." FIGG said in a statement, "In our 40-year history, nothing like this has ever happened before." But FIGG was fined in 2012 after a 90-ton (80-metric ton) section of a bridge it was building in Virginia crashed onto railroad tracks below, causing minor injuries to several workers. The citation from the Virginia Department of Labor and Industry said FIGG did not properly inspect a girder and had not obtained written consent from its manufacturer before modifying it, according to a story in The Virginian-Pilot. Court documents show that MCM was accused of substandard work in a lawsuit filed earlier this month. The suit said a worker at Fort Lauderdale International Airport, where the company is working on an expansion, was injured when a makeshift MCM-built bridge collapsed under his weight. The suit accused the company of employing "incompetent, inexperienced, unskilled or careless employees" at the job site. A review of Occupational Safety Health Administration records shows that MCM has been fined for 11 safety violations in the past five years. The fines totaling more than $50,000 arose from complaints about unsafe trenches, cement dust and other problems at its Florida work sites. Florida International University is the second largest university in the state, with 55,000 students, most of whom live off-campus. The bridge was supposed to be a safe way to cross a busy highway. A university student was killed in August while crossing the road that the bridge was supposed to span. Iran, on Thursday, lashed out at Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, calling him 'simple-mind' after the powerful young royal likened Iran's supreme leader to Adolf Hitler Tehran: Iran, on Thursday, lashed out at Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, calling him a "simple-mind" after the powerful young royal likened Iran's supreme leader to Adolf Hitler. "These words are worthless ... because they come from a simple-mind full of illusions who speaks only bitterness and lies," said Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Bahram Ghasemi. In an interview with CBS television, parts of which were released on Thursday, Prince Mohammed also said that if Tehran develops a nuclear weapon, Riyadh will follow. "Saudi Arabia does not want to acquire any nuclear bomb, but without a doubt, if Iran developed a nuclear bomb, we will follow suit as soon as possible," the crown prince had said. Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei "wants to create his own project in the Middle East, very much like Hitler who wanted to expand at the time," said the 32-year-old heir to the throne. Shiite Iran and Sunni-ruled Saudi Arabia are arch-rivals who back opposing sides in regional conflicts from Yemen to Syria. Prince Mohammed's remarks were aired just days before he is due to visit Washington for talks with US President Donald Trump. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis defended US military support to Saudi Arabian-led coalition forces in Yemen on Thursday as he explained a personal appeal to lawmakers who are considering whether to end Washingtons involvement in the devastating conflict Washington: Defense Secretary Jim Mattis defended US military support to Saudi Arabian-led coalition forces in Yemen on Thursday as he explained a personal appeal to lawmakers who are considering whether to end Washingtons involvement in the devastating conflict. The Trump administration has been warning Saudi Arabia since last year that concern in Congress over the humanitarian situation in Yemen, including civil casualties in the war, could constrain US assistance. Since it began in 2015, the conflict has killed more than 10,000 people, displaced more than 2 million and driven Yemenalready the poorest country on the Arabian Peninsula to the verge of widespread famine. Mattis said the US assistance, which includes limited intelligence support and refueling of coalition jets, was ultimately aimed at bringing the war toward a negotiated, UN-brokered resolution. We need to get this to a negotiated settlement, and we believe our policy right now is correct for doing this, Mattis told reporters, as he flew back to Washington from the West Asia. A bipartisan group of senators, Republican Mike Lee, independent Bernie Sanders and Democrat Chris Murphy, are attempting to take advantage of a provision in the 1973 war powers act that allows any senator to introduce a resolution on whether to withdraw US armed forces from a conflict not authorised by Congress. Their resolution would force Trump to remove United States Armed Forces from hostilities in or affecting the Republic of Yemen, except operations against Al-Qaeda or associated forces. Those are authorised under a 2001 congressional authorization. Their action is the latest salvo in an ongoing battle between the US Congress and the White House over control of military conflicts. In a 14 March letter to Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell, and copied to other lawmakers, Mattis described the US assistance as non-combat support focused on helping reduce the risk of civilian casualties. New restrictions on this limited US military support could increase civilian casualties, jeopardize cooperation with our partners on counter-terrorism and reduce our influence with the Saudis - all of which would further exacerbate the situation and humanitarian crisis, Mattis wrote. Mattis also warned that a withdrawal would embolden the Iran-aligned Houthi rebels, who have fired missiles at Saudi Arabia and targeted commercial and military vessels off Yemens coast. Lawmakers have argued for years that Congress has ceded too much authority over the military to the White House. Under the Constitution, Congressnot the presidenthas the authority to declare war. But, divisions over how much control they should exert over the president have stymied efforts to pass new war authorizations. In an all out attack aimed at Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP, NDA ally and Andhra Pradesh chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu accused them of 'instigating other people' against him and TDP Amaravati (Andhra Pradesh): In an all out attack aimed at Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP, NDA ally and Andhra Pradesh chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Thursday accused them of "instigating other people" against him and his Telugu Desam Party (TDP). The outburst by Naidu capped a day of strong comments by him targeting BJP and the prime minister allegedly for being behind the corruption charges levelled by Jana Sena president Pawan Kalyan against him and his son. "Since it could not do anything to us on its own, the BJP is instigating others and try to interfere in Andhra politics like it did in Tamil Nadu. Should I get scared like a coward if Narendra Modi or NDA government instigate others against us?" Naidu said at a public meeting in Amaravati on Thursday night. In a related development, TDP also indicated that it was toying with the idea of pulling out of the NDA. An emergency meeting of the Telugu Desam Party politburo has been convened in Amaravati on Friday evening to take a call on the issue, party sources said. At the public meeting, the Telugu Desam Party supremo said: "It has become a habit for them to weaken the leadership in each state and play according to their wishes. Those facing (criminal) cases may dance to their tunes but not me. I cannot be intimidated by anyone. I have no fear of anything in my life." Stating that truth is fire, he said five crore people of Andhra would not remain silent spectators to the "injustice" being meted out by the Centre. People who should actually be questioning the Centre for "doing injustice" to the state were instead targeting him, Naidu said taking a dig at Kalyan. The actor had on Thursday night targeted Naidu and his son alleging that "Andhra Pradesh post-bifurcation has become the number one state in corruption." The chief minister said he wondered why the actor could not see the 'corruption' in the last four years. "You remained silent for four years but now you are talking about corruption in the state. Instead of questioning Narendra Modi for the states rights, what does the state gain if you weaken or criticise me? This is atrocious and absurd," Naidu said. Earlier in the day, Naidu termed as "baseless" the allegations of corruption levelled against him by Kalyan and said it was part of a "grand conspiracy" to weaken the TDP. In an oblique reference to the BJP central leadership, the chief minister warned that "Tamil Nadu-type dramas" could not be played in Andhra Pradesh. He was apparently referring to allegations by opposition parties in Tamil Nadu that BJP was controlling the AIADMK government in the state. Naidu said that "some bigwigs" were enacting drama with the YSR Congress leaders till Thursday. "Once they realised the drama failed, they started a new one," he added. TDP leaders lashed out at Kalyan, a film star, saying he was reading out the "New Delhi script" and alleged that the BJP was behind him. Whats clear is this: Whether its an overload of paperwork or an elegant way to justify slow walking the already backlogged Green Card process right till the end, delays are imminent and Indians on the waitlist are pricing this in with a straight face. A new report from the policing and audit agency that keeps tabs on US Homeland Security operations says Green Card applications are taking more than double the amount of time to process because of the complexity involved in the process and unrealistic time goals from the US government side. As of May 2017, the FY 2017 average actual completion time was 282 days or just over 9 months more than double the goal set by USCIS, says the report. The Office of the Inspector General (OIG) which conducts independent audits and investigations of DHS programs has put out this report (linked earlier) which includes responses to specific questions from USCIS chief Francis Cissna. In Trumpworld, more Green Card applications are requiring interviews and the complexity involved in Trumpism-related due diligence is rising. The latest OIG report recommends that the USCIS revise its timeline for Green Card processing upwards from the present "unrealistic" 120 day mark. This timeline is not to be confused with the 10-15 year long wait times to even get to this stage, commonly called 'adjustment of status'. The OIG report is only referring to the final stage of paperwork and vetting that happens after more than a decade of waiting - which is the case for more than 1.5 million Indians in the US who have filed in the 'employment-based' category. Even within the report, partisan swipes abound. What a Democratic Senator calls innefficiency, the report puts down to excess workload: For example, on September 22, 2016, the USCIS website showed the Reno, Nevada field office (Reno) as having slow processing times, which Senator McCaskill interpreted as inefficiency. In actuality, Reno was completing applications more quickly than the national average. Because of this, USCIS shifted applications from other field offices to Reno, causing Renos published website processing time to spike. Even though Reno continued to complete applications quickly, the USCIS website showed a sharp increase in expected wait times starting in FY 2015. For example, in FY 2016, even though Reno actually completed applications requiring interviews in 184 days on average, the USCIS website showed Reno taking 518 days to complete applications. Whether its an overload of paperwork or an elegant way to justify slow-walking the already backlogged Green Card process right till the cliff edge, delays are imminent and Indians on the waitlist are pricing this in with a straight face. A hundred and twenty days? That's a joke! I'm guessing the wait will be anywhere from 8-9 months or a year. Ive waited 9 years, so this is something Im programmed to expect. Not a big deal, says Sivakumar, a Queens based techie who works on Wall Street and has filed in the second preference employment based category for a Green Card in late 2009. Interview waivers are given in some cases but what were hearing is that the takeaways from the interview have only confirmed the USCIS views that face to face meetings at this crucial stage are a good way to winnow the field down to the most deserving candidates. Here too, the now dreaded Request for Evidence (RFE) can throw all calculations out the window. RFEs have risen sharply across all stages of the H1B-H4 life cycle over the last year or so.USCIS cannot control how long an applicant takes to provide information, and an applicant is allowed 87 to 98 days to respond to an RFE. Therefore, if an applicant takes the allowed time to respond, adding just one RFE to the 90-day timeline would mean missing the 120-day goal by about 60 days. Without any RFEs or other delays, this step takes the adjudication timeframe right up to 120 days, says the report. Any applicant reading this knows that the utopia without RFEs or delays is long gone for the average Joe on an H1B in America. Pakistan's intelligence agency ISI continues to covertly support the Taliban in the border region, a US media report claimed on Friday. Washington: Pakistan's intelligence agency ISI continues to covertly support the Taliban in the border region, a US media report claimed on Friday. The Washington Times' investigate story also provided specific mohallas and neighbourhoods on the Pakistani side that are being used as safe havens by Taliban terrorists. The report alleged that Taliban terrorists from Afghanistan travel freely to a Pakistani army garrison in Quetta where they meet with military and Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) officials. "We believe top Taliban leadership are operating from Pashtunabad, Gulistan and surrounding areas," an unnamed intelligence source was quoted as saying by the daily. Killa Abdullah, a small border district about 44 miles from Quetta, is another area where the Taliban is working with the ISI. Within that district, an area known as Chaman that borders Afghanistan is a Taliban hub, where terrorists operate openly and are known to local residents as Talibs, it said. Taliban fighters have been spotted here along the road from and to Kuchlak "with automatic weapons either in motorbikes, or in four-by-four vehicles along with two to five companions," the source said. The Washington Times said that the ISI also conducts security patrols in facilitating Taliban transit along the main highway to Kuchlak, using a Toyota SUV that is owned by the ISI. Claiming that the ISI security is an open secret in the region, the daily said local police are not permitted to stop the Taliban from travelling from Afghanistan to Pakistan and the fighters refuse requests at checkpoints for identification by simply stating they are Talibs. "These people freely travel in Quetta, Chaman and all surrounding areas. Civilian [police] forces cannot intervene because they work under ISI and military apparatus. The police are also powerless and are afraid for their own security," American intelligence sources told the US daily. Guldara Baghicha, near Chaman city, which houses a Pakistani paramilitary garrison is said to be a major residence for families of the Taliban. The ISI has banned the local police and Pakistan's Frontier Corps from entering or patrolling that area. Kili Jahangir, in its neighbourhood, includes restricted zones because Taliban families live nearby, the daily said. The intelligence source further described Jungle Piralizia, south of Chaman, as a Taliban "resting place after their campaigns in Afghanistan against Western forces". "The region has been scene of clashes between local police and Taliban fighters, who are known to retaliate against local police who try to arrest them, in one case blowing up a police vehicle and killing several policemen," the daily said. "In such cases, the Taliban are arrested by local police, then the ISI intervenes immediately and promptly releases them," the daily said. Meanwhile, the Pentagon on Thursday said the US wants Pakistan to take more steps against terrorism in the region. "The (Defense) Secretary has said there is more that Pakistan can do. And we look forward to them taking more steps to combat terrorism in the region," chief Pentagon spokeswoman Dana White told reporters at her weekly news conference. Former Zimbabwean president Robert Mugabe described his departure from office in November as a 'coup d'etat' that 'we must undo' in his first televised interview since the departure Harare: Former Zimbabwean president Robert Mugabe described his departure from office in November as a 'coup d'etat' that "we must undo" in his first televised interview since the departure. Mugabe, 94, spoke slowly but clearly to South Africa's SABC broadcaster from an office in Harare, dressed in a grey suit, sitting in front of a portrait of himself and his wife Grace. "I say it was a coup d'etat some people have refused to call it a coup d'etat," said Mugabe, referring to the brief army takeover which led to Emmerson Mnangagwa assuming power after Mugabe's resignation. "We must undo this disgrace which we have imposed on ourselves, we don't deserve it... Zimbabwe doesn't deserve it," he said. In another similarly vehement interview, with Britain's ITV News, the elderly former leader said he had no desire to return to power. "I don't want to be president, no of course," he said. "I'm now 94." Mugabe told both interviewers he did not hate his successor President Mnangagwa, but alleged that the 75-year-old had "betrayed the whole nation". The ousted leader insisted he would not work with Mnangagwa and suggested that his presidency was "illegal" and "unconstitutional". "People must be chosen in government in a proper way. I'm willing to discuss, willing to assist in that process but I must be invited," he said. Gideon Chitanga, an analyst at the Johannesburg-based Political Economy Southern Africa think-tank, said that Mugabe's intervention was significant "coming at a time of elections". Presidential polls are due by the end of August in which Mnangagwa will face his first major electoral test. "In the back of his mind, (Mugabe) still sees himself as part of the problem and part of the solution," said Chitanga. Mugabe's media appearance was apparently organised by the new National Patriotic Front (NPF) party which hopes to unseat Mnangagwa's government in polls expected by August. Mugabe sent shockwaves through the ZANU-PF ruling party when he recently met with the NPF leader, retired general Ambrose Mutinhiri. In response to a widely-shared image of the two, ZANU-PF Youth League supporters chanted 'Down with Mugabe' at a rally, a rare outburst from the normally disciplined party that Mugabe led for nearly four decades. Mugabe was forced to quit the political scene he had dominated since independence from Britain in 1980 when the military stepped in and ZANU-PF lawmakers launched impeachment proceedings against their once beloved leader. Since his dramatic reversal of fortune, he has largely stayed out of public life, until breaking his silence on Thursday. Despite widespread jubilation following the army's seizure of power, many Zimbabweans are now disenchanted by what they see as a mere changing of the guard at the top of Zimbabwe's authoritarian system. "It was a coup with a script to turn this into a military State. The people wanted a change of the entire ZANU-PF system, not just one individual," businessman Munyaradzi Chihota, 40, told AFP as he travelled home. "The situation has not changed since they removed Mugabe. If anything, we are worse. (Mugabe) is 100 percent right that this was a military coup, that this country has been turned into a military state, and that this has to be undone," Chihota said. The military moved against Mugabe after he sacked his then-deputy and heir-apparent Mnangagwa, seemingly fearing the nonagenarian was grooming Grace to succeed him as president. The former first lady had cultivated her own factional support base within ZANU-PF known as 'G-40' that was seen as hostile to the security establishment, Mnangagwa in particular. "I never thought... he would be the man who turned against me," said Mugabe. "It was truly a military takeover, there was no movement visible unless that movement was checked and allowed by the army." Evan Mawarire, a pastor who became the face of anti-Mugabe demonstrations last year, tweeted that Mugabe "destroyed our lives". "Today he appears on foreign media which he banned and claims he must be invited to a transitional process for Zimbabwe," he tweeted, using the hashtag #RetireInPeaceBob. Reflecting on his decades in power, which were marked by catastrophic economic policies, Mugabe remained adamant it had been a success story and any errors "weren't that bad". "If anything, in comparison to other countries in Africa, we have had greater prosperity here and people have their land," he told ITV News. However, when questioned about well-documented human rights abuses throughout his tenure, Mugabe appeared more acknowledging of reality. "We have been accused of that and on that side, yes some errors were done," he said. The foreign ministers of Iran, Russia, and Turkey were locked in talks on Syria in Kazakhstan Friday, almost a month after the Moscow and Tehran-backed regime began pounding an opposition enclave just outside of Damascus Astana: The foreign ministers of Iran, Russia, and Turkey were locked in talks on Syria in Kazakhstan Friday, almost a month after the Moscow and Tehran-backed regime began pounding an opposition enclave just outside of Damascus. The dire humanitarian situation in Eastern Ghouta, a suburb of the Syrian capital, is likely to be on the agenda as Mohammad Javad Zarif of Iran, Sergei Lavrov of Russia and Mevlut Cavusoglu of Turkey convened in the Kazakh capital Astana Friday. Speaking at the outset of the talks Friday Lavrov said that "millions of Syrians are looking in the direction of Astana" as the three power brokers work towards an end to the conflict. The meeting is expected to lay the ground for a summit involving the presidents of the three countries in Istanbul on 4 April. More than 340,000 people have been killed since Syria's brutal civil war started in 2011. It has since spiralled into a complex conflict involving multiple world powers. In recent weeks focus has been on Eastern Ghouta. Nearly 1,260 civilians have been killed there, a fifth of them children, since the Syrian regime's bombardment of the rebel enclave began on 18 February. UN chief Antonio Guterres has described the former rebel stronghold facing stark shortages of food and other basic goods as "hell on Earth". Forces loyal to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad are now believed to control over 70 percent of the enclave that saw nearly 20,000 civilians flee on Thursday alone according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. Rebel-backer Turkey has called for an end to the siege in Eastern Ghouta but remains embroiled in its own offensive on the northern Syrian town of Afrin that is inhabited mostly by ethnic Kurds. The United Nations Syria envoy Staffan de Mistura is missing the Astana talks through illness, his office said Thursday, adding that deputy Ramzi Ramzi would take his place. Kazakhstan has hosted multiple rounds of talks on Syria since January 2017 backed by the three power brokers, most of which involved delegations from the Syrian government and opposition. A deal for four "de-escalation zones" thrashed out in Astana last year was credited with reducing government-rebel hostilities but was branded a failure by the United States in the wake of the assault on Eastern Ghouta. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis, on Thursday, accused Iran of funneling money into Iraq to sway the outcome of its elections, calling it part of a broader pattern of destabilising Iranian actions across West Asia Washington: US defense secretary Jim Mattis, on Thursday, accused Iran of funneling money into Iraq to sway the outcome of its elections, calling it part of a broader pattern of destabilising Iranian actions across West Asia. Mattis declined to say what outcome Iran is aiming for by allegedly interfering in Iraq, but he said Tehran is sending "not an insignificant amount of money" there to sway votes. He mentioned no dollar amounts. Iran is widely seen as gaining more influence in Iraq during its period of instability following the takeover of much of northern and western Iraq by Islamic State militants in 2014. The IS militants have since been largely defeated, but Iraqi political stability still hangs in the balance. "We have worrisome evidence that Iran is trying to influence using money the Iraqi elections," Mattis told reporters flying with him to Washington from the Persian Gulf island state of Bahrain, where he discussed Iran and other issues with senior government officials. "That money is being used," he said, "to sway candidates, to sway votes not an insignificant amount of money, we believe, and it's highly unhelpful." "We know that they are doing what they can to impact the elections, and we don't like it," he added. Iran's political influence in Iraq has grown since the US invaded to remove President Saddam Hussein in 2003, marking the start of a prolonged period of sectarian division, extremist violence and political strife. The US still has more than 5,000 troops in Iraq supporting its fight against remaining pockets of IS resistance. Iranian-backed Shiite militia groups also have fought IS, sometimes in coordination with Baghdad and sometimes not. Mattis sharply criticised what he termed Iranian meddling elsewhere in West Asia. He said Tehran is providing ammunition and explosives to fighters in Syria, and supporting rebels in Yemen. He said the strait between the Red Sea and the Arabian Sea, off the coast of southern Yemen, is being used as a "proving ground" for advanced Iranian weaponry. This includes anti-ship missiles, radars, mines, ballistic missiles and explosive boats, he said. On the other hand, Iran has stopped conducting what the US calls provocative and dangerous maneuvers against US Navy ships in the Persian Gulf, Mattis said. "It's like an outlier, and I don't know why," he said. "They don't seem to be engaging in the same provocative behavior" in the Gulf as they were prior to last summer. Navy Cmdr. William Urban said earlier on Thursday that there have been no "unsafe and unprofessional" actions by Iranian naval forces in the Gulf since August 2017. Urban is a spokesman for US Naval Forces Central Command in Manama, Bahrain. Prior to that, Iranian vessels had periodically made high-speed approaches to US ships that were considered dangerous provocations. "It seems like they've absolutely made a conscious decision to give us more space," Urban said. "That is definitely a change in their behaviour." The last tense encounter between the US Navy and Iranian forces in the Persian Gulf was recorded on 14 August, 2017, when an unarmed Iranian drone shadowed the USS Nimitz aircraft carrier at night and came close enough to F-18 fighter jets to put the lives of American pilots at risk, the Navy said at the time. The drone did not respond to repeated radio calls and came within 1,000 feet (300 meters) of US fighters. In a similar encounter, the Navy said an Iranian drone came within 100 feet (30 meters) of an F-18 preparing to land on the Nimitz. For the first eight months of 2017, the Navy recorded 14 instances of what it describes as "unsafe and/or unprofessional" interactions with Iranian forces. It recorded 35 in 2016 and 23 in 2015. The incidents at sea almost always involved the Revolutionary Guard, a paramilitary force that reports only to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Some analysts believe the incidents are meant in part to squeeze moderate President Hassan Rouhani's administration after the 2015 nuclear deal. Of the incidents at sea last year, the worst involved Iranian forces capturing and holding overnight 10 US sailors who strayed into the Islamic Republic's territorial waters. Iranian forces in turn accuse the US Navy of unprofessional behavior, especially in the Strait of Hormuz, the mouth of the Persian Gulf, through which a third of all oil traded by sea passes. . 451 , 13 19 2021 . e - ... Google today released 4th annual Android security year in review, and announced that its Play Protection technology has successfully taken down over 39 million from Play Store in 2017. Play protect was announced back in May 2017 at the I/O event. Play protect feature meant to shield users from Potentially Harmful Apps, and the company says that it automatically reviews more than 50 billion apps, other potential sources of PHAs, and devices themselves and takes action when it finds any. Around 60.3% of all the potentially Harmful Apps were detected via machine learning. This automatic review process removed over 39 million harmful apps last year. Google also updated the Play Protect technology to detect harmful apps that were installed when a device was offline or had lost network connectivity. Over 35% of new PHA installations happened in such scenarios. Offline scanning feature was enabled in October 2017 and have prevented over 10 million more harmful app installations. It also It reviewed 65% more apps that were newly submitted to the Play Store compared to 2016. Google also claims that app installations outside of Google Play dropped by more than 60%. Not just that, Google also worked with OEMs to provide monthly security patches and 30% more devices received security patches than in 2016. Though there were instances where Google was a hit or a miss with Malware detection method, app protection was a spot on. Google has paid a total of $1.28 million to researchers in the Android Security Rewards program. With Android 8.0 Oreo, Google has updated the overlay API so that apps can no longer block the entire screen and prevent you from dismissing them, a common tactic employed by ransomware.With 2017 being such a good year for Google regarding Android security, we expect 2018 to be much sweeter. Source Facebook has released the Express Wi-Fi app for locally operated hotspots for Android. The app lets users buy data packs and find nearby hotspots as part of Facebooks distributed Wi-Fi network. Facebooks Express Wi-Fi program is live in five developing countries where users can buy and access high-speed data connectivity via local telecoms. Prior to the launch of Facebooks Express Wi-Fi, users had to go through the process on a mobile website, or directly download an app from a telecom requiring you to set up phones settings. Also, there wasnt any way to see where the hotspots were exactly present. The new Express Wi-Fi is available for Android and is live in Indonesia with bandwidth from telecom partner D-Net, and in Kenya through Surf. The app will tell if the Wi-Fi is turned on or not and it also lets you file reports to Facebook about connectivity or retailer issues. Express Wi-Fi offers an unrestricted version of the web for a price and bandwidth services approved by Facebook. This really gives Facebook a chance to bring people without internet connectivity to online without having to worry about net neutrality. You can download the Facebook Express Wi-Fi app directly from Play Store. Facebook in a statement has said: Facebook is releasing the Express Wi-Fi app in the Google Play store to give people another simple and secure way to access fast, affordable internet through their local Express Wi-Fi hotspots. Source The Coast Guard has suspended the search for a missing 63-year-old man in the Gulf of Mexico after a fishing boat sank 70 miles south west of Fort Myers Beach. The search for Dennis Grim, 63, was suspended at 1:30 p.m. Friday after the Coast Guard and partner agencies conducted 19 searches covering approximately 2,582 square miles over 39 hours. Anytime we have to suspend a search, especially when we couldnt bring everyone home safe, it is the most difficult decision I have to make, said Cmdr. Randall Brown, Sector St. Petersburgs deputy commander in a prepared statement. Our thoughts go out to all those that knew Mr. Grim. The search began after the Coast Guard rescued three of Grims crewmembers following a Thursday distress call. Sector St. Petersburg watchstanders received the distress call at 3:59 a.m. via VHF-FM marine band radio channel 16 from James Beeman, captain aboard the 37-foot commercial fishing boat, J.U.M.A., out of Seminole. Beeman reported the boat was taking on water and he needed emergency assistance. At the same time, Coast Guard Seventh District watchstanders received an emergency position-indicating radio beacon alert correlating to the J.U.M.A.s position. An MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew from Air Station Clearwater was launched, arrived on scene and rescued Beeman, Anthony Bertolino, and Darren Whalen clinging to life jackets and debris. The boaters reported Grim missing. The helicopter crew transported the three boaters to Lee Memorial Hospital in Fort Myers for symptoms of hypothermia. Crews involved in the search included: An HC-144 Casa fixed-wing aircrew from Coast Guard Air Station Miami Coast Guard Cutter Diamondback, homeported in Fort Myers Beach Coast Guard Station Fort Myers Beach 45-foot Response Boat-Medium boatcrew MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew and HC-130 Hercules fixed-wing aircrew from Coast Guard Air Station Clearwater Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission aircrew Source: U.S. Coast Guard 7th District PA Detachment Tampa Bay Search suspended for missing boater By Staff | Mar 16, 2018 The Coast Guard has suspended the search for a missing 63-year-old man in the Gulf of Mexico after a fishing boat sank 70 miles south west of Fort Myers Beach. The search for Dennis Grim, 63, was suspended at 1:30 p.m. Friday after the Coast Guard and partner agencies conducted 19 searches covering approximately 2,582 square miles over 39 hours. Anytime we have to suspend a search, especially when we couldnt bring everyone home safe, it is the most difficult decision I have to make, said Cmdr. Randall Brown, Sector St. Petersburgs deputy commander in a prepared statement. Our thoughts go out to all those that knew Mr. Grim. The search began after the Coast Guard rescued three of Grims crewmembers following a Thursday distress call. Sector St. Petersburg watchstanders received the distress call at 3:59 a.m. via VHF-FM marine band radio channel 16 from James Beeman, captain aboard the 37-foot commercial fishing boat, J.U.M.A., out of Seminole. Beeman reported the boat was taking on water and he needed emergency assistance. At the same time, Coast Guard Seventh District watchstanders received an emergency position-indicating radio beacon alert correlating to the J.U.M.A.s position. An MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew from Air Station Clearwater was launched, arrived on scene and rescued Beeman, Anthony Bertolino, and Darren Whalen clinging to life jackets and debris. The boaters reported Grim missing. The helicopter crew transported the three boaters to Lee Memorial Hospital in Fort Myers for symptoms of hypothermia. Crews involved in the search included: An HC-144 Casa fixed-wing aircrew from Coast Guard Air Station Miami Coast Guard Cutter Diamondback, homeported in Fort Myers Beach Coast Guard Station Fort Myers Beach 45-foot Response Boat-Medium boatcrew MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew and HC-130 Hercules fixed-wing aircrew from Coast Guard Air Station Clearwater Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission aircrew Source: U.S. Coast Guard 7th District PA Detachment Tampa Bay News from around the region Fort Myers man attacked by alligator at Wa-Ke Hatchee Park Rep. Donalds holds roundtable on Lake Okeechobee The water quality issue surrounding Lake Okeechobee and its connecting rivers is like a 1,000-piece jigsaw puzzle: ... National Night Out at Hammond Stadium Tuesday National Night Out will be celebrated Tuesday, Aug. 3 at Hammond Stadium in Fort Myers with a night of free hot ... American auto racing legend A.J. Foyt was hospitalized this week after he was attacked by a swarm of Africanized killer bees on his Texas ranch. The four-time Indianapolis 500 champion was working with a bulldozer when he disturbed the bees hives and instigated the response. It was the second time the 83-year-old Foyt caused the same type of incident, the first coming in 2005 when he was stung 200 times in his head. A fact his racing team made light of on its website, noting A.J. Foyt VS Killer Bees: Foyt 2 - Bees 0. A.J. Foyt Racing said in a statement that Foyt was released from a Texas hospital once he was stabilized. The team said this second bee attack was more serious than the first because the first encounter made Foyt more sensitive to bee stings. MORE RACING NEWS FROM FOX NEWS AUTOS Foyt will miss this weekend's Twelve Hours of Sebring. He was scheduled to be inducted into Sebring's Hall of Fame on Friday night and was the scheduled grand marshal for Saturday's race. Said Foyt: "I look like I had a fight with Mike Tyson and lost. Right now I'm on so much medication that I'm not feeling that great, so I'll take the doctors' advice to rest for the next couple days." Foyt also pulled out of grand marshal duties for the 50th anniversary of the Rolex 24 in 2012 because he was battling a staph infection. With AP CNN's Anderson Cooper confirmed he and longtime boyfriend Benjamin Maisani split some time ago, reports said Thursday. The couple went public with their relationship in 2015, but it was unclear exactly when they broke up, the New York Daily News reported. We are still family to each other, and love each other very much, Cooper told People in a statement. We remain the best of friends and will continue to share much of our lives together. Cooper, 50, also did not elaborate on the reason behind their separation, but told the magazine in 2017 that his partner complained about how much time he spent traveling. I think hes annoyed that I travel so much but he also knows how much I like it. Hes kind of used to it, he said of his former partner, a native of France. Hes pretty understanding that the job requires travel, and hes cool with that. Cooper still appears to be living with Maisani, reported the Daily Mail, which broke the news. Cooper also appears to have a new beau, having taken at least five trips to Dallas to spend time with Victor Lopez, a 33-year-old doctor, including one on the weekend after his New Years Eve show on CNN, the report said. Justin Welby, the Archbishop of Canterbury, is preparing for his special role in Prince Harry and Meghan Markles wedding. The 62-year-old, who also presided over the baptisms of Prince George and Princess Charlotte, spoke with ITV News about officiating the couples May 19 nuptials, admitting to having some nerves ahead of the highly anticipated day. Meghan Markle Receiving Expert Royal Fashion Advice from Kate Middleton Unlike recent weddings, I must not drop the ring, he said with a laugh. I must not forget to get the vows in the right order as I did at the rehearsal for one of my childrens weddings. Welby, who has been meeting with the couple ahead of their ceremony, gave viewers insight into the couple and their impending vows. Prince Harry Reveals He Took Meghan Markle on a Secret Charity Visit: It Shocked Us to Our Core At the heart of it is two people who have fallen in love with each other, who are committing their lives to each other with the most beautiful words and profound thoughts, who do it in the presence of god through Jesus Christ, he said. You pray for them to have the strength to fulfill their vows and you seek to do it in a way that respects their integrity and honors their commitment. In addition to the upcoming royal wedding, Welby also recently presided over the baptism of Meghan into the Church of England. Though he noted he was allowed to say almost nothing at all about the private ceremony, Welby did reflect on the event. It was very special, he said. It was beautiful, sincere and very moving. It was a great privilege. The Queen Formally Gives 'Dearly Beloved Grandson' Prince Harry Consent to Marry Meghan Markle A source previous told ET that Prince Harry and Meghan's future father-in-law, Prince Charles, were in attendance at the event. It is unclear if the former "Suits" star's parents also attended. The service took place at Chapel Royal at St. James' Palace in London. The controversial, far-left Southern Poverty Law Center was forced to retract and apologize for an article that falsely asserted several reporters were enabling white supremacists and Russia while labeling them as fascists and racists. The SPLC on March 9 published the misleading article by Alexander Reid Ross headlined, "The multipolar spin: how fascists operationalize left-wing resentment." The story attempted to frame progressive journalists as pawns being used by the alt-right and made dangerous accusations in an attempt to fit its narrative. The convoluted 2,500-plus word article was removed the following day after journalist Max Blumenthal, who was named in the article, expressed concern that he was falsely portrayed as some sort of Russian surrogate in what he called a lie-filled piece of innuendo. Some believe the article was just badly written and sourced, factually incorrect, and perhaps, not vetted or edited, BuzzFeeds Talal Ansari wrote. The article attempted to explain how the rise of conspiracy theories surrounding conflicts like Syria have turned traditional leftists to do the bidding of fascist agendas. The SPLC published a lengthy explanation and apology because the group received complaints from other journalists mentioned in the article that it falsely described as white supremacists, fascists, and/or anti-Semites, and falsely accused them of engaging in a conspiracy with the Putin regime to promote such views. The apology stated that the intent of the misleading article was to show only that individuals on the left share some policy views with respect to multipolarism that are also held by the far right, but the article did not make that point as clearly as it could or should have. Attorney Bill Moran represents Blumenthal and several others journalists who say they were defamed in the article. I couldn't have come up with a conspiracy that kooky if I took the next week off from sleeping and dedicated that time solely to freebasing paint." Attorney Bill Moran I couldn't have come up with a conspiracy that kooky if I took the next week off from sleeping and dedicated that time solely to freebasing paint, Moran told Fox News in a statement. The Intercepts Glenn Greenwald called the article scummy" accused it of purposely conflating the anti-war left with imposters in an attempt to smear everyone who dissents from the NATO/neocon view of Syria as bigots & tools of Nazis. The article painted Blumenthal and other left-leaning journalists as being part of a nefarious plot by Kremlin-backed white supremacists to advance a fascist agenda. Several of the named reporters were minorities well-known for activism on the antiwar and antiracism fronts. We extend a sincere apology to those who believe they have been falsely described in it, including Max Blumenthal, Ben Norton, Tim Pool, Rania Khalek, and Brian Becker, and disclaim, as clearly as we can, any intention to suggest that any of them are white supremacists, fascists, and/or anti-Semites, that they hold such views, or that they are engaged in a conspiracy with the Russian government to promote such views or otherwise, the SPLC wrote. I appreciate their full retraction of his smear piece and their thoughtful apology, Blumenthal tweeted, but not everyone is happy with the outcome. It is a remarkable failure of their editorial process that such an article ever made it to publication, journalist Walker Bragman tweeted. The now-retracted, misleading piece also attempted to use Blumenthals past appearances on Fox News Tucker Carlson Tonight to insinuate that he is tied to alt-right collusion by claiming that his appearances were praised by white nationalists. A source close to Blumenthal mocked the article, pointing out that it attempts to portray an appearance on Carlsons show as a negative, despite the fact that its among the most popular cable programs in the country. Its a disgusting, backhanded McCarthyite smear against Fox News, the source said. Ross, the author of the de-bunked article, who is a Portland State University lecturer, isn't backing down despite the SPLC's retraction. "While I stand by my piece, I support the SPLCs efforts to defend itself against threats and intimidation from both far right and hard left, Ross told BuzzFeed. The far-left Southern Poverty Law Center is no stranger to controversy and bills itself as a civil rights organization that is dedicated to fighting hate and bigotry. However, it was accused by Politico in 2017 of overstepping its bounds. The SPLCs site proudly declares that it has toppled institutional racism and stamped out remnants of Jim Crow segregation; destroyed some of the nations most violent white supremacist groups; and protected the civil rights of children, women, the disabled, immigrants and migrant workers, the LGBT community, prisoners, and many others who faced discrimination, abuse or exploitation. But Politico asked if SPLC is overplaying its hand by becoming more of a partisan progressive hit operation than a civil rights watchdog during the Trump administration. Critics say the group abuses its position as an arbiter of hatred by labeling legitimate players hate groups and extremists to keep the attention of its liberal donors and grind a political ax, Politicos Ben Schreckinger wrote. The controversial group recently made headlines when The Daily Caller reported that it was enlisted by YouTube to assist with policing content. The SPLCs close involvement in policing content on YouTube is likely to cause consternation among conservatives who worry that they may not be treated fairly, Daily Caller associated editor Peter Hasson wrote. Julie Andrews became an international star when she took on the role of the worlds famous nanny in 1964s Mary Poppins and now, the screen icon cant wait to see another British actress take on the character. Emily Blunt will be starring as Mary Poppins in the upcoming version, titled Mary Poppins Returns, which will fly into theaters Christmas Day 2018. Mary Poppins tells the story of a magical nanny who offers music and adventure to two neglected children in hopes of bringing them closer to their father. I admire her enormously, the 82-year-old told Closer Weekly Thursday of Blunt. Andrews clarified that the modern take on the storyline wont interfere with the classic. Its a brand new film based on all of the other stories Walt Disney had in his trunk based on the P.L. Travers Poppins character, she explained. Its wonderful Emily is the new Poppins. Andrews is still surprised by is the lasting impact Mary Poppins has had over the years. It was 50 years ago, and that boggles my mind! she said. Andrews, who starred in the film opposite Dick Van Dyke, said shes still grateful for the film, which helped launched her career in Hollywood, along with 1965s The Sound of Music. It was amazing, she explained. Singing is very, very close to my heart. The giving of that sound over the years you begin to realize how fabulous [it is that] you can make somebody forget [their troubles]. Van Dyke was so delighted about the reboot that the 91-year-old actor told ET in December 2016 that he would make a cameo appearance. He famously starred as the chimney sweep/one-man-band Bert and bearded bank manager Mr. Dawes. I get to do a little song and dance number, Van Dyke told the celebrity news site. I gotta be a part of it This time theres no four hours in the makeup chair, I grew into the part! I dont have to wear makeup at all! In addition to Blunt, 35, the new Mary Poppins will include Emily Mortimer, Meryl Streep, Colin Firth, Ben Whishaw and Lin-Manuel Miranda of Hamilton fame. Water, water everywhere and not a drop to drink. A study by Orb Media and State University of New York at Fredonia made headlines this week for reporting that, of 250 water bottles sourced from 11 brands in nine different countries, 93 percent of the samples were contaminated with microplastics. Testing bottles of Aqua, Aquafina, Bisleri, Dasani, Epura, Evian, Gerolsteiner, Minalba, Nestle Pure Life, San Pellegrino and Wahaha water from India, Indonesia, Kenya, Mexico and the United States, researchers identified 325 particles per liter of water, Fox 28 reported. However, some bottles tested featured concentrations up to 10,000 plastic pieces per liter. 5 FOODS YOU SHOULD NEVER REHEAT IN A MICROWAVE Nevertheless, Fox 28 pointed out that the joint study has not been subjected to scientific peer review and has not been published in a journal. Speaking out against the findings, International Bottled Water Association President and CEO Joe Doss said that "non-peer reviewed study" aims to do nothing more than unnecessarily scare consumers, USA Today reported. STARBUCKS RESERVE ROASTERY LAUNCHES GIN BARREL-AGED COLD BREW Meanwhile, the World Health Organization confirmed to BBC that it will be launching a new investigation to review the potential risks of plastic in drinking water. "It's not about pointing fingers at particular brands; it's really showing that this is everywhere, that plastic has become such a pervasive material in our society, and its pervading water - all of these products that we consume at a very basic level, said Sherri Mason, a professor of chemistry at SUNY Fredonia who contributed to the study, told BBC. FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK FOR MORE FOX LIFESTYLE NEWS Though there is no evidence to date that ingesting microplastics is harmful to the human body, the researchers believe that the implications need to be better understood. "It's not catastrophic, the numbers that we're seeing, but it is concerning, Mason said. The World Health Organization did not immediately return Fox News request for comment. If you head to a certain city in the South for St. Patricks Day, chances are youll return with a handful of cabbage. Thats right: cabbage. While Chicago dyes the Chicago River green and people dance and march in St. Patricks Day parades around the world, New Orleans parade rolls to the beat of a different drum. From Mardi Gras to crawfish boils, the Crescent City is known for its abundance of reverie, tradition and bustling culinary scene. It only makes sense that the city known for its unique parades and love of food would combine those forces during its St. Patricks Day parade. The Irish Channel St. Patricks Day Committee named after the neighborhood in New Orleans began the parade in 1947. The committee later turned into a club with dues in 1975. Irish Channel St. Patricks Day Club Vice President Ronnie Burke spoke with Travel + Leisure about the organizations traditions and protocol, including cabbage tossing. Burke said that 1,200 men dressed in tuxedos and coattails march in the St. Patricks Day Parade and that there are around 30 floats with 50 people on each. All float riders receive three bags of cabbage, with about 25-30 heads of the vegetable in every one. Do the math...thats quite a lot of leafy greens. According to Burke, cabbage has always been a part of the Irish culture in New Orleans. The corned beef and cabbage culinary tradition may not be original to Louisiana, but that doesnt stop the parade from paying homage to the meal. Club President Dick Burke, Ronnies brother, told WGNO that during the Irish famine, cabbage was the next biggest staple after the potato. According to Burke, Irish immigrants couldnt afford bacon when they arrived in the U.S., so they used corned beef, and that's how we got the corned beef and cabbage tradition. Parade-goers need not stress about catching a cabbage, unlike at some Mardi Gras parades where catching particular objects, such as a shoe or coconut, can be a rarity. Burke said getting cabbage is absolutely a big reason people attend the parade. There is one rule the Irish Channel St. Patricks Day Club stresses when it comes to gifting parade-goers with cabbage: Toss, dont throw. This is the key to a safer parade and successful retrieval of the vegetable. The Irish Channel St. Patricks Day Parade will be held on March 17, 2018 and festivities begin at 12 p.m. This article originally appeared on Travel + Leisure. A 60-year-old snowmobiler is happy to be alive after surviving four freezing nights in the Utah wilderness without food, water or supplies. David Hales, of North Salt Lake, set out at dusk on March 9 to take a short ride to test a snowmobile he had repaired for a neighbor near his cabin in the Timberlakes area of the remote Wasatch County, the Deseret News reported. Hales didn't take food or water for the quick trip and left his cell phone behind as theres no cell coverage in the area. All went well until he made a wrong turn. "I thought I knew the way but "I turned exactly the wrong way, he told the outlet. 68-YEAR-OLD WOMAN CATCHES 130-POUND MONSTER FISH ON CASUAL TRIP On the first night, Hales used the snowmobiles start fluid to make a fire, but awoke to his boots and pants ablaze. Rolling in the snow to stop the fire, the flames burned a hole into his boot. Forced to continue on though his legs were constantly cramping up, Hales said he stopped every 10 steps and meditated. After two days, he began walking through waist-high snow to find help, eating so much snow his mouth went numb. Through the ordeal, he hit a low point when he saw a rescue helicopter fly overhead one night. "That was my chance. I missed it," he recalls thinking. By March 13, he thought he may not survive another day as he trekked what he believes was seven miles on his hands and knees, through a stream and up a steep slope toward U.S. 40. Morale was low, but he found the strength to continue. RETAILER FORCED TO PULL HUNTING-THEMED CHILDREN'S COSTUME FROM SHELVES AFTER BACKLASH FROM PARENTS I wanted to lay down and just give up. You can't," he said. He was shocked to be found by Wasatch County Search and Rescue crews later that morning. "I put my hands up and just thought, 'I'm going to live, thanks to them,' Hales remembers. He was anxious to return to his family, which includes a puppy. Weathering overnight temperatures in the single digits each night, Hales was treated for hypothermia and minor injuries at the Heber City hospital and is expected to be fine. Hales cares for his mother, whom he called as soon as he was rescued. FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK FOR MORE FOX LIFESTYLE NEWS "She'll want me to promise never to do that again," he said. Moving forward after the experience, he hopes to focus on caring for his family, training rescue dogs and simply enjoying life, according to the Desert News. After from retiring from his job two years ago, Hales took up snowmobiling for fun. Having gone on joy rides as a kid with family in Montana's West Yellowstone, he said learned never to go alone, at night or unprepared. Today, hes certainly learned his lesson. Too excited to sleep at the hospital after his rescue, Hales requested a sleeping pill to doze off. He said he dreamed of hot chocolate and hot tubs when he finally fell asleep. -With AP NEW You can now listen to Fox News articles! WASHINGTON -- With the nomination and likely confirmation of Mike Pompeo as secretary of state, President Trump will soon have a trusted adviser who can prepare him for his upcoming summit with North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un. Pompeo's first job is to make sure Trump understands one thing going into those talks: North Korea has no plans to give up its nuclear weapons at the negotiating table. Kim knows what happened to Libyan dictator Moammar Gaddafi when, after the capture of Saddam Hussein in Iraq, he handed the entire Libyan nuclear weapons program -- the uranium, the centrifuges, the designs to build bombs -- over to the United States for secure storage. Seven years later, the Obama administration launched a military intervention in Libya during which Gaddafi was killed by rebel forces. Don't think Kim has not seen the video of Gaddafi's gruesome death, or concluded that it would never have happened had Gaddafi kept his weapons. Kim is also fully aware of what happened to Ukraine after it gave up the nearly 2,000 nuclear weapons it possessed after the collapse of the Soviet Union. In December 1994, in exchange for denuclearization, Russia signed the Budapest Memorandum of Security Assurances promising to "refrain from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of Ukraine." In 2014, Russia invaded a denuclearized Ukraine and annexed Crimea. The idea that Kim is going to look at this history and decide "Third time's a charm!" is absurd. Any promise for complete denuclearization he gives Trump will be a lie -- just as his father lied in 1994 when he agreed to abandon his nuclear program. Kim is coming to the table to extort money and get the United States to withdraw forces from the Korean Peninsula so that he can pursue his ultimate goal of unconditional Korean unification under Pyongyang's rule. So why should Trump even bother to meet with Kim? Because a direct meeting may be the only way to convince the North Korean leader that Trump is serious about taking military action if Kim does not abandon his quest to threaten American cities with nuclear missiles. In January, I asked Pompeo in a conversation at the American Enterprise Institute whether Kim actually believes that Trump would pull the trigger on a military strike. "We're concerned that he may not be getting really good, accurate information," the CIA director replied. "It is not a healthy thing to be a senior leader and bring bad news to Kim Jong Un." A face-to-face meeting is a chance for Trump to look Kim in the eye and tell him: You will not be allowed to deploy missiles that can reach U.S. cites. I am not like my predecessors. If you continue on this path, America will have no choice but take military action to destroy your missile and nuclear capabilities. Such strikes will be limited -- unless you retaliate, in which case your regime will end. I would prefer it not come to that, but the decision is in your hands. If Kim walks away unconvinced, and continues to pursue nuclear ICBMs, Trump can back up his message with limited actions. These could be undertaken covertly in order to avoid publicly shaming the North Korean leader. For example, Richard Ellings of the National Bureau of Asian Research recently suggested that North Korean submarines could suddenly start silently disappearing beneath the sea. No one would know except the North Korean leadership. This, along with even more painful sanctions, would send an unmistakable signal to Kim that Trump was serious. If, despite all this, Kim continues to push forward, then the United States must be prepared to take out Kim's nuclear and missile facilities, as well as the artillery pointed at Seoul. But preventing the need for military action -- which risks escalating into all-out war if Kim miscalculates -- is why it is important for Trump to meet the North Korean leader. It may be that only a threat delivered in person can finally convince Kim that Trump means it when he says all options are on the table. If Trump succeeds, the result would still be suboptimal: a halt to ballistic missile development, rather than full denuclearization. But this is far better than letting Kim hold American cities hostage, or giving him massive concessions for a denuclearization agreement that he has no intention of fulfilling. NEW You can now listen to Fox News articles! Its been nearly 14 months since President Trump took office, but the media and Washington establishment still dont understand our nations 45th president. They continue to criticize, distort, discredit and ignore his actions and accomplishments while making little to no effort to actually understand what hes doing and the way he operates. This has been the elites pattern since Donald Trump first announced his bid for the White House. Its what prompted me last year to write my No. 1 New York Times bestselling book Understanding Trump, which was released in paperback this week. When President Trump withdrew the U.S. from the Trans-Pacific Partnership and the Paris Climate Agreement, the elites could not see how breaking with these bad agreements could possibly be good for Americans. After all, some of the Washington elites had helped draft these deals which in the minds of the liberal media meant these deals must be good. When President Trump imposed direct trade measures on some foreign products including solar panels, steel, and aluminum to protect U.S. industries that were being undercut, the elites reflexively questioned his political-trade-foreign relations acumen. Seemingly none of them stopped to consider that President Trumps decades of success in international business may provide him with an informed opinion and worldview counter to their own. As we have seen President Trump make changes to his Cabinet and personal staff, the elites in Washington and the national media have insisted that these decisions are a sign of dangerous instability in the White House. Never mind that the best business leaders and managers routinely make tough staffing decisions to improve their organizations long-run initiatives or mission. It seems the elites simply refuse to think about the Trump presidency through any lens other than that of traditional Washington despite the fact that President Trump has never been a part of (and represents a departure from) the traditional establishment. This confused, square peg-round hole analytical approach is made worse by the fact that the elites then try to use Washington jargon to define and attack the president. In the minds of the elite, President Trump doesnt fit the post-World War II international mold that regards the United States as the worlds only real superpower that can afford to prop up all its allies and even some of its enemies. For that, the elites claim President Trump is an isolationist. The president doesnt fit the traditional Republican free-trader mold because he demands that Americans must benefit from trade agreements. Therefore, according to the elites, he must be a protectionist. President Trump didnt enter office with a team of politicos and policy wonks who had been with him through a decades-long political career, so to the elites insist the Trump administration is inexperienced. Finally, the president is not afraid to take decisive action when hes made up his mind about something, so the elites claim he is unstable. However, many Americans hear these Washington words (isolationist, protectionist, inexperienced, unstable) and see no relationship to their president or his administration. Many Americans who for years watched factories close and American prosperity dwindle as a result of bad multinational agreements and unfair trade deals regard President Trumps decision to get out of the Trans-Pacific Partnership and the Paris Climate Agreement as necessary and long overdue. To them, the president has been working to break away from deals that help other countries at the expense of U.S. success just as any good business executive would. Similarly, millions of Americans see the president taking actions to stop foreign countries that are cheating at trade as a sign that he is defending the interests of our country abroad. Thats also what good business leaders do. When President Trump replaces one of his team members with someone more in-tune with his vision, most Americans see him acting as a typical, goal-oriented executive. In Understanding Trump, I point out that our president defeated the media and Washington elite largely because they simply refused to understand him as a candidate. Further, they were profoundly wrong about the 2016 election because they couldnt comprehend that the American people wanted something other than the traditional Washington elites idea of a president. It seems the elites didnt read my book or they didnt take its lessons to heart because they havent changed a bit. They still dont understand Trump. NEW You can now listen to Fox News articles! This week marks the start of the eighth year of the Syrian War. On March 15, 2011 a peaceful uprising turned into a vial, bloody battle between the brutal regime of dictator Bashar Assad and the freedom-seeking Syrian people. Over these past seven years, the world has watched as hundreds of thousands of Syrians were murdered by Assad and his cronies. Today the international community sits idly by as airstrikes from the Syrian regime and its Russian and Iranian backers rain down and destroy the country and its people, and further sow chaos across the region. More than 500,000 people including over 50,000 children have been killed in the war since it began in 2011. So far this year, in just 10 weeks time, over 1,000 children have been killed or severely injured across Syria. These statistics are hard to grasp, and the images and videos of the devastation are hard to stomach. The atrocities by Bashar Assad on the people of Syria are horrific, appalling and inhumane. As a member on the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, Ive had the privilege of meeting with Syrian defectors like Caesar, victims of Assads brutality like Mazen al Hummadi, and aid groups like the Syrian American Medical Society (SAMS) and the White Helmets (Syrian Civil Defense) that work to help Syrian civilians. Some of the stories of these people left our members near tears, while many stories left us physically sickened, horrified by what Syrians have seen and endured. With Russia and Iran supporting him, Assad has used every weapon in his arsenal and has no fear of repercussions. Early on in the war, President Obama failed to adhere to his red line against the use of chemical weapons in Syria. And even though he said the use of such weapons was a game-changer, nothing changed. Assad ignored calls for his resignation when he was urged to step aside for the sake of the Syrian people. He instead continued to use whatever means necessary to gain control over his people, or else eliminate them. In 2013, the Ghouta chemical attack left innocent children gasping for their last breath, and took the lives of over 1,500 Syrians. The Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons has confirmed over 30 chemical weapons attacks have taken place in Syria since the start of the war. Assad has used these chemical weapons in clear violation of international law, and in violation of countless resolutions by the United Nations Security Council. Airstrikes, targeted raids, and cluster bomb attacks continue to occur almost daily, courtesy of the Assad regime, Russian planes, Iranian militias, and ISIS fighters killing civilians across the country and the Middle East. The situation in Syria today is devastating, with no signs of immediate improvement. The proposed ceasefires are weak and have failed repeatedly in the past. As the conditions worsen, and as the West fails to act, the people of Syria are left to believe no one cares about their suffering and that nothing will be done to stop the brutality of the Assad regime. Without hope or opportunity, and without education or a chance to live in peace, the children of Syria will continue to be a prime source for terrorist recruitment. Failing to act in Syria is opening ourselves and our allies to significant dangers to our own national security, and endangers our future generations in the years to come. Its time for the United States to exert leadership in Syria. I am co-chair of the Friends of a Free, Stable and Democratic Syria Caucus, a bipartisan group that has urged the removal of Assad from power and for greater humanitarian aid to be allowed into the region. We have sponsored legislation that condemns the Assad regime, and well be voting on legislation this week to ensure that the security of the Syrian people will be central to reconstruction and stabilization efforts in Syria. Our bipartisan bill, H.R. 4681, is called the No Assistance for Assad Act. It would condition American support for reconstruction efforts in Assad-controlled territories on Syrian commitments to human rights; a political transition: and the safe, unfettered and voluntary return of Syrian refugees and internally displaced people. According to the United Nations, over 12 million Syrians have either fled to neighboring countries or are internally displaced within Syria. The international community must step in to help, and much of this starts with putting a stop to Assads murderous rampage. We can strengthen sanctions and put greater pressure on the Assad regime from other global leaders. We can employ safe zones or no-fly zones, and send more humanitarian aid into the country. But above all else, we cannot turn a blind eye to the genocide before us. The death toll in Syria continues to climb, four out of five Syrians now live in poverty, humanitarian access remains constrained by conflict, and the economy there has contracted by an estimated 40 percent since the start of the war. The destruction and devastation can hardly be grasped in numbers alone, but watch the coverage and look at the images coming out of the besieged areas like Eastern Ghouta and Idlib. The brutality of the Assad regime is everywhere in Syria, and the effects will most certainly ripple outside those borders, creating even more chaos in the Middle East for us and our allies. If we fail to act and if we fail to lead, we are failing humanity. Because failing to act in Syria is a failure on us all. We must learn from history, learn from past mistakes, and take action as a global leader for freedom and hope. Allowing Assad to wreak such havoc on his own people sends a terribly wrong message to other human rights abusers around the world. Whats happening in Syria right now may very well be the worst humanitarian crisis of our time, and unless we put a stop to Assad, it will be a tragic, neglectful stain on the legacy of our great nation, too. We can and must do better. NEW You can now listen to Fox News articles! Western analysts are publishing a host of commentaries in anticipation of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salmans upcoming visit to the United States in the week ahead, including a meeting with President Trump on Tuesday. Unfortunately, many of these analyses mischaracterize a lot of what the crown prince is doing in Saudi Arabia, while depicting him as a profligate individual who is ruthless at home and reckless abroad. This approach misses the forest for the trees. The key factor to look at is that for the first time in 40 years, a bold leader has emerged in Saudi Arabia, determined to face all the challenges previous leaders have been kicking down the road for decades. The most important of these challenges for bin Salman commonly referred to as MBS is his determination to free Saudi Arabia from the grasp of reactionary forces and to spearhead a socioeconomic transformation. If successful, this transformation could set off a seismic shift within the kingdom, with important implications for fighting extremism in the world of Islam. The crown prince is the first leader in half a century who has had the guts to take on religious conservatives, some of whom provided the ideological fuel for the jihadist fire. He has publicly, loudly and unequivocally denounced extremism... Until now, Western reporting on MBS has disproportionately focused on what is ultimately extraneous gossip about yachts and paintings. Journalists have misread his anti-corruption campaign as a shakedown, and have drawn superficial conclusions about the Yemen war. Western reports have also routinely understated the extraordinary domestic and foreign policy challenges facing the crown prince, most especially Saudi anxiety over unchecked Iranian expansionism and the existential threat it poses to the kingdom. But if one looks beyond these headlines, the rationale for MBSs actions and the extent of his accomplishments come into focus. There is no precedent for the crown princes decision to immediately plunge headfirst into the treacherous waters of reform, after taking control of an opaque and ultraconservative oil monarchy that many blame for exporting Wahhabism (a conservative form of Islam). MBS is determined to upend 50 years of incremental, quietist and often reactionary policymaking. As a result, the 32-year-old crown prince has launched a relentless quest to offset decades of lethargy and inaction by his elders so he can drag his country into the 21st century. MBS has performed bold economic surgery by reducing state subsidies, privatizing key state assets and introducing direct payments to help the poor. And he has struck a heavy blow to the system of elite privileges, which have been draining the kingdoms coffers, by arresting prominent grandees for corruption. While it is fair to bemoan the lack of due process and the absence of transparency surrounding the detentions the government ordered in November of over 200 princes, government officials and business executives accused of corruption, it is also reasonable to ask whether formal legal proceedings would have been a viable alternative. Pursuing court cases against hundreds of elites in a drawn-out public process would have brought the country to a virtual standstill by monopolizing peoples attention for years on end. Think of hundreds of O.J. Simpson trials on steroids. While the anti-corruption crackdown has shaken business confidence and frozen investment, history tells us that this pause will be temporary. Countries that have weathered comparable shocks and even defaults (which are far more severe), have seen investors return as soon as the economy begins trending positive. MBSs domestic reforms go hand in hand with his head-on fight against Islamic extremism. The crown prince is the first leader in half a century who has had the guts to take on religious conservatives, some of whom provided the ideological fuel for the jihadist fire. He has publicly, loudly and unequivocally denounced extremism, jailed many regressive clerics and intimidated the rest into silence. By allowing Saudi women to drive a move reactionaries virulently opposed as a wedge issue that would allow liberalism to take over the country MBS broke a huge legal and psychological barrier to womens empowerment. Should the crown prince succeed in his campaign against extremism, the implications for the kingdom and the Islamic world will be far-reaching. Idealists who chastise Saudi Arabia for restricting political freedoms should remember that, from China to South Korea, no developing nation has successfully implemented such wrenching and rapid reform within a free democratic pluralistic environment. Saudi Arabia lacks virtually all of the building blocks required to exercise such political freedoms, and there is an unbridgeable ideological gap between the nations Islamic reactionary right and its Western liberal left. Consequently, only a benevolent autocracy can impose sweeping and urgent change. Regionally, MBS realizes that Saudi fears about the unfolding Iranian threat can no longer be addressed by calling on Uncle Sam to send in the cavalry. The crown princes determination to transform the kingdom into a military actor willing to carry its own water (to paraphrase long-standing American criticism of Saudi overreliance on U.S. protection) led to the Yemen war. As far as Saudis are concerned, this is a war of necessity. Certainly, the human suffering in this war, or any war, is tragic. But what does a country do when it feels imperiled by an enemy emerging on its border who, if ignored, could ultimately pose an existential threat? Rather than reflexively dismissing Saudi anxieties about the Iran-Houthi menace, critics should imagine what the United States would have done had the Soviet Union developed an alliance with a heavily armed, highly trained and well-funded Mexican militia at the height of the Cold War. Those who have a vested interest in the stability and prosperity of Saudi Arabia (and the region) should give due consideration to the depth and breadth of the challenges currently confronting the crown prince. They should, realize how essential it is that he succeed not only for his country, but also for the world of Islam. Instead of delivering instinctive criticism, they should provide the crown prince with more substantive and realistic critiques. Taking such a constructive approach would, at the very least, be helpful in guiding Saudi leaders down what is a potentially treacherous but most urgent and necessary path. Vanessa Trump filed for divorce from her husband, President Trumps eldest son, Donald Trump Jr., on Thursday in New York City. As first reported by the New York Post Page Six on Thursday and confirmed by Fox News, the presidents daughter-in-law filed in an uncontested proceeding in Manhattan Supreme Court, meaning she does not expect a legal battle over custody of their five children or assets. "After 12 years of marriage, we have decided to go our separate ways. We will always have tremendous respect for each other and our families. We have five beautiful children together and they remain our top priority. We ask for your privacy during this time. Donald Jr. and Vanessa Trump In a statement obtained Thursday night, the couple said: "After 12 years of marriage, we have decided to go our separate ways. We will always have tremendous respect for each other and our families. We have five beautiful children together and they remain our top priority. We ask for your privacy during this time. Vanessa and Trump Jr. were married in 2005. Page Six reported earlier this week that the couple has been struggling through marital problems. The White House declined to comment to Fox News. Last month, Vanessa was taken to the hospital after receiving a letter containing white powder that was later deemed to be non-hazardous, New York City police told Fox News. The presidents daughter-in-law opened the letter addressed to Donald Jr. in the couples Manhattan apartment. It is still unclear what the white powder was. He tweeted at that time that he was thankful that Vanessa & my children are safe and unharmed after the incredibly scary situation that occurred this morning. Truly disgusting that certain individuals choose to express their opposing views with such disturbing behavior. Trump Jr. ditched his Secret Service detail for a period of time in September, reportedly because he wanted more privacy. Sources told Page Six that Vanessa is a private person. But his detail was reactivated about a week later. The National Endowment for the Arts is pouring tens of thousands of dollars into left-wing art projects including plays about transgenderism and even one award to Rosie ODonnells theater group -- after the celebrity repeatedly slammed the president. The NEAs first $25 million of grants, first reported by The Washington Free Beacon, includes big bucks to a range of liberal projects. The Mixed Blood Theatre Company in Minneapolis gets $40,000 to support a play series of new trans theater works. The plays featured on its website include Mermaid Hour: Remixed about exploring the gender continuum through the prism of a pre-pubescent transgender biracial girl." 'Judging by the latest welfare beneficiaries, those elites' tastes remain as degraded as ever, eschewing the good, the beautiful and the true--and anything timeless and transcendent--in favor of soul-killing PC claptrap.' Sohrab Ahmari Working class parents Pilar and Bird face the cracks in their marriage, their opposing parenting styles, and their fears as they negotiate their daughters gender transition. Meanwhile, she navigates puberty, her first crush, and the possibility that YouTube holds all the answers, the blurb for the play says. The Gay Mens Chorus of Los Angeles picked up a $10,000 grant for a national tour of a new work to deliver a message of acceptance for young people. Meanwhile Feminist Press in New York, got a $30,000 grant to support the publication and promotion of fiction books. Feminist Press recently published and promoted a volume on Radical Reproductive Justice as well as Johnny Would You Love Me if My D--k Were Bigger. Hes a slut. He's a nerd. Hes a waiter, bored at work. This is his diary, the promo for the book says. Additionally, Rosies Theater Kids, founded by ODonnell, was granted $30,000 to back a summer and after-school musical theater training program for young people. ODonnell and President Trump have publicly feuded for years and ODonnell has recently started selling T-Shirts calling Trump a "Rapist, Cheat, Liar, Racist, Con Man, A--hole." InterAct Inc., meanwhile, received a grant for $10,000 to promote the play Sensitive Guys, which the Free Beacon reports involves female and gender-non-conforming actors [playing] men who like to sit around and discuss male privilege. It notes that it also benefits from the Minneapolis trans theater works grant. The theater describes the play as a "social satire" on "complicity" and "what it really takes to face the patriarchy." The New York Theatre Workshop was given a $40,000 grant to support the production of An Ordinary Muslim. This play focuses on a Muslim couple in London and says we will all be forced to confront pressing questions about the nature of belonging and our own internal prejudices about that which is other. "These NEA-supported projects are good examples of how the arts build stronger and more vibrant communities, improve well-being, prepare our children to succeed, and increase the quality of our lives," said NEA chairman Jane Chu announcing the grants. "At the National Endowment for the Arts, we believe that all people should have access to the joy, opportunities, and connections the arts bring." But some conservative critics werent impressed by the identity-politics theme of some of the grants. "NEA grants are a form of welfare for cultural elites, as a Heritage Foundation report famously put it two decades ago," said Sohrab Ahmari, a senior writer at Commentary magazine and the author of the 2016 book "The New Philistines: How Identity Politics Disfigure the Arts." "Judging by the latest welfare beneficiaries, those elites' tastes remain as degraded as ever, eschewing the good, the beautiful and the true--and anything timeless and transcendent--in favor of soul-killing PC claptrap," he said. The online news site ProPublica said Thursday night that it had retracted part of an article alleging Gina Haspel, President Trump's new choice to head the CIA, oversaw the waterboarding of an Al Qaeda suspect at a so-called agency "black site" in Thailand. "We at ProPublica hold government officials responsible for their missteps, and we must be equally accountable," editor-in-chief Stephen Engelberg said in a statement. "This error was particularly unfortunate because it muddied an important national debate about Haspel and the CIAs recent history. "To her, and to our readers, we can only apologize, correct the record and make certain that we do better in the future," Engelberg added. Trump announced Tuesday that he had chosen Haspel to succeed Mike Pompeo, who is the president's pick to replace ousted Secretary of State Rex Tillerson. Several senators, including some Republicans, have said that Haspel must give a full account of her involvement in the CIA's interrogation program in the early days of the War on Terror. "Current U.S. law is clear in banning enhanced interrogation techniques," said U.S. Sen. McCain, R-Ariz., who was beaten as a prisoner during the Vietnam War. "Any nominee for director of the CIA must pledge without reservation to uphold this prohibition." The original ProPublica article, published Feb. 22, 2017, alleged that Haspel was chief of base at the Thailand site where accused terrorist Abu Zubaydah was interrogated in 2002. Engelberg said that after the original article was published, at least two of Haspel's former colleagues told them that she did not take up that position "until late in 2002, after the waterboarding of Zubaydah had ended." The original ProPublica article, citing a book written by former interrogator James Mitchell, claimed Haspel went to Zubaydah's cell and "congratulated him on the fine quality of his acting." "Good job! I like the way youre drooling; it adds realism," the article quoted Haspel as saying. "Im almost buying it. You wouldnt think a grown man would do that." However, Mitchell told Fox Business Network on Wednesday that Haspel was not the chief of base who made those comments to Zubaydah, saying she was "not the [chief of base] I was talking about" in his book. In his statement, Engelberg noted that Mitchell's book had identified the Thailand chief of base as "both 'he' and she.'" "We erroneously assumed that this was an effort by Mitchell or the agency to conceal the gender of the single official involved," he wrote. "[I]t is now clear that Mitchell was referring to two different people." The New York Times, which published a similar story to the ProPublica article on Feb. 2, 2017, reported Tuesday that Haspel was chief of base when another Al Qaeda suspect, Abd al-Rahim al-Nashiri, was waterboarded three times during interrogations. The Thailand prison closed in December 2002 and Haspel returned to Washington. Three years later, she reportedly pushed her supervisors to destroy tapes of Zubaydah's interrogations. Engelberg, the ProPublica editor-in-chief, said that his publication "did accurately report" on Haspel's role during the al-Nashiri interrogation and in the destruction of the Zubaydah tapes. Former CIA Director John Brennan has declined to say what Haspel's exact role was in the interrogation program, but he told NBC News on Tuesday that she has a "lot of integrity" and has tried to carry out her agency duties "when asked to do difficult things in challenging times." In the same interview, Brennan predicted Haspel would be confirmed. "Gina is a very competent professional who I think deserves the chance to take the seat," he said. The Associated Press contributed to this report. A U.S. Senate candidate in Michigan has proposed a plan to arm homeless people with shotguns in a bid to reduce crime. Brian Ellison, a Libertarian candidate who is expected to be the partys candidate in the upcoming midterm elections, said homeless people are often at risk of becoming victims of violent crime and one way to prevent that is by providing them with firearms. He would be challenging Democratic incumbent Debbie Stabenow for the U.S. Senate seat in November, if he wins the Libertarian Partys candidate. Ellison told the Guardian that although he thinks pistols for homeless people would be ideal, due to stringent gun laws, shotguns are the only alternative for them. Frankly, I think the ideal weapon would be a pistol, he said, but due to the licensing requirements in the state were going to have a hard enough time getting homeless people shotguns as it is. Getting them pistols is probably next to impossible. The pistols need to be registered, people have to have addresses. Open-carrying a long gun is completely legal, Ellison said, whereas carrying a concealed pistol is illegal without a permit. So we thought that pump-action shotguns were a suitable alternative to a pistol. Ellison is running on a platform of civil rights, abolishing a number of federal agencies such as the Transportation Security Administration and Drug Enforcement Administration, and curbing U.S. military actions abroad. He is a former soldier who served in Iraq. Speaking about his shotguns-for-the-homeless plan, he told the paper that he and his team would try to pre-qualify homeless people to determine whether they are suitable for owning a lethal weapon. Those homeless people who do not wish to have a shotgun would not be forced to carry one, the candidate said. The first thing that were gonna do is ask them if they think this is something that would benefit them," he said. "Were certainly not trying to force anything on anybody. Under the proposal, the new shotgun owners would also receive ammunition, but as long as they use it to defend themselves rather than shooting cans in somebodys private property. Ellison dismissed any criticism that giving shotguns to people at risk might be dangerous. Well, are you worried about the police being armed with military weapons?, he asked. I am. The world we live in is a scary world, where the police who used to dress in short-sleeved shirts and carry a revolver now have long rifles with scopes and bulletproof vests and armored vehicles. And quite frankly that scares me much more than a homeless person trying to defend themselves with a shotgun. MANCHESTER, N.H. Retiring Sen. Jeff Flake blasted President Trump as an erratic leader in a closely-watched speech in New Hampshire on Friday, fueling more speculation that the Arizona Republican may challenge the president in a 2020 GOP primary. Asked during a Politics and Eggs appearance at the New Hampshire Institute of Politics if he will challenge Trump in 2020, Flake said it has not been in my plans to run for president, but I have not ruled it out. But he emphasized his belief that someone from his party will take on Trump in the GOP presidential primaries. "I dont know who it will be. I think the odds that I will are long, he said. Flake is one of the most vocal Republican critics of the president. The speaking series is a must stop for White House hopefuls visiting the first-in-the-nation primary state. The conservative senator, whos retiring at the end of this year rather than face the prospect of losing a primary challenge if he ran for re-election, described himself Friday as Americanus Nevertrumpus and said "somebody needs to stand up for traditional Republicanism. Flake also warned that we must turn away from this brand of poisonous politics. The kind of poison that has the president swinging insults like a bad comic at a cheap roast. Flake lamented the shape of his party under Trump. As a political movement, weve been out of minds lately, Flake said. Its like invasion of the body snatchers. What have we done with all the conservatives? But the senator promised we will get through this and when we do, there will be much work to repair the damage. There will have to be an accounting of how we got here so that we may never find ourselves here again. There will have to be an American restoration. Accusing Trump of coziness with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Flake said the United States should not nod and wink at dictators. Nor will we congratulate them for the good job they're doing in their programs of extra-judicial killings. Nor will we host them in the Oval Office. Nor will we hesitate to punish them for attacking our elections. Flake described the president as someone who exudes chaos and dotes on authoritarians. He also accused him of replacing the State Department with Twitter and said Trump lives in a golden palace when hes not in the White House. Flake received a polite standing ovation at the conclusion of his speech. Flake served 12 years in the U.S. House before winning election to the Senate in 2012. He would have faced a challenging battle to win re-nomination if he ran for re-election this year. But Flake told Fox News after his speech that the strong possibility of a primary defeat this year in Arizona didnt negate his chances of taking on the President in the 2020 primaries. Winning a primary in one state doesnt determine what you can do nationwide, he said. Flake admitted that a primary challenge against Trump would be a longshot, but that things could change down the road. Its certainly tough to see today. But if we continue to have elections like we saw in Pennsylvania, a plus-20 Trump district lost to a Democrat. If the midterms turn out on a similar path, then things change rapidly and I dont think you can take for granted anything about next year and the year following. Its a long way, he told reporters. It has not been in my plans to run for president, but I have not ruled it out. Arizona Republican Sen. Jeff Flake The White House announced this week that Trump will visit New Hampshire on Monday to make a major policy announcement on the opioid epidemic. It will be the presidents first trip to the Granite State since the eve of the 2016 general election. Asked by Fox News if it was coincidence that the president was showing up in New Hampshire three days after his visit, Flake answered I doubt that it has anything to do with this visit. Trumps convincing win in the February 2016 New Hampshire GOP presidential primary gave him his first victory toward winning the nomination and eventually the White House. But two recent polls of New Hampshire Republicans indicated that there may be a growing appetite for a primary challenge. Former New Hampshire GOP vice chair Matt Mayberry said that we welcome all primary challengers. No one gets a coronation. Its not a done deal. But conservative state representative David Bates of Windham said he didnt think there was much of an appetite for a primary challenge, but acknowledged that a lot can change. Were awful early in the process. Bates said that Flake's whole message here was nothing but criticism of Trump essentially and its hard to understand how hes proposing to rebuild the Republican Party by doing nothing more than launching criticism at the effective leader of the party right now. A Connecticut gubernatorial candidate collapsed during a campaign event Thursday night but a fellow candidate leapt to his rescue and applied CPR until he revived. Mayor Mark Boughton, a Republican from Danbury, fell ill from an apparent seizure during a meet-and-greet in Avon, requiring instant CPR from another candidate and two other doctors who were in the room at the time. It was one of the scariest moments of my life because we were not in a hospital setting, Prasad Srinivasan, a physician and state representative who is also running for governor, told the Hartford Courant. He looked paler than pale until the pulse came back. This was not a fainting spell. He was in tough shape. He added: Hes a lucky man. Hes lucky to be alive. Srinivasan, who is an allergist, told the newspaper that 54-year-old Boughtons pulse was very, very weak while he administered CPR. He was in some form of cardiac arrest because he had a very, very feeble pulse, he added. Brian Ladouceur Jr., chairman of the Avon Republican Town Committee, told the CT Post that Boughton was conscious and his color had returned as he was put on a stretcher before being taken to the hospital. Boughtons campaign manager, Marc Dillion, told reporters he was taken to UConn Health Center in Farmington, where he spent the night. According to local media, Boughton was released Friday morning. Shelton Mayor Mark Lauretti, who is also in the governors race, said it was tough to see Boughton collapse in front of him. It gives you pause when you see someone youve known for years like that, he told the CT Post. Last summer, Boughton underwent brain surgery to remove a noncancerous tumor from behind his ear. His story was featured in a Super Bowl commercial by the Pittsburgh Medical Center, which performed his surgery. Political allies and adversaries from across the state sent their prayers and thoughts to Boughton. We may not always agree, but our thoughts are with @MayorMark tonight, Connecticut Democrats tweeted. Tim Herbst, a fellow Republican candidate, said on Facebook that he has known Boughton for two decades and hopes everyone in Connecticut joins me in putting politics aside tonight to pray for him and his family and for a full and speedy recovery. No further details were immediately available. Jose Garcia-Zarate, the illegal immigrant who was acquitted in the death of 32-year-old Kate Steinle in December, is accusing the federal government of vindictive prosecution and collusion in its decision to pursue further charges against him. Garcia-Zarate was acquitted in November of first and second degree murder and involuntary manslaughter in the July 2015 shooting death of Steinle at the San Francisco pier. The case became a political lightning rod in the national debate over sanctuary city laws and illegal immigration. Zarate had been released from a San Francisco jail a few months before the shooting, despite a request by immigration authorities to detain him for deportation leading to scrutiny and criticism of the city's "sanctuary city" laws. Steinle was walking with her father on Pier 14 in San Francisco in July 2015 when she was shot. Garcia-Zarate's legal team argued that he found the stolen weapon on the pier, and it fired accidentally. The bullet bounced off the pier before hitting Steinle. Garcia-Zarate was found guilty of possessing a firearm by a felon. Days after the verdict, a federal grand jury indicted Garcia-Zarate on charges of being a felon in possession of a firearm and being an alien illegally and unlawfully in the United States in possession of a firearm. Garcia filed a motion requesting documents related to the federal case on Tuesday in the U.S. District Court in the Northern District of California, the Courthouse News reported. The motion claims that the case is accusing him of the same allegations he was already convicted for in state court a violation of double jeopardy laws and that he is being vindictively prosecuted by the federal government. KATE STEINLE'S ACCUSED KILLER FOUND NOT GUILTY OF MURDER, TO BE DEPORTED "The true federal interest in pursuing this prosecution is to punish and make an example out of Mr. Garcia-Zarate for his high-profile acquittal in state court," the motion reads. "This prosecution seeks to demonstrate to any high-profile defendant, especially one that is an undocumented immigrant, that their successful exercise of due process rights will not be respected and will result in the heavy hammer of a federal prosecution." The motion points to the national publicity surrounding the case and how then-candidate Donald Trump used the case as a symbol of the dangers of illegal immigration, calling Garcia-Zarate an animal. As president, Trump branded the verdict disgraceful and a travesty of justice. The motion also points to comments made by Attorney General Jeff Sessions in which he blamed San Franciscos sanctuary city policy after the verdict, noting that he would not have been on the streets if the city simply honored a detainer by Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The motion claims that with that backdrop, the federal government was critically involved in Garcia-Zarates initial prosecution, including producing video, the weapon, and also the production of witnesses for questioning in the case. Mr. Garcia-Zarate contends that this prosecution against him is vindictive, in violation of the Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment and violates Double Jeopardy clause of the Fifth Amendment because of ongoing collusion between the State of California and the federal government, the motion reads. Through counsel, Mr. Garcia-Zarate intends to bring motions to dismiss this prosecution on those grounds. Garcia-Zarate's motion seeks discovery of all documents and correspondence between the federal government and local authorities related to the case. New York Rep. Louise Slaughter, the top Democrat on the powerful House Rules Committee and the only microbiologist in the Congress, died Friday at a Washington hospital just days after being injured in a fall at home, her congressional office said. She was 88. Known as one of the most liberal members of Congress, Slaughter played an integral part of the Violence Against Women Act, the Genetic Information Non-Discrimination Act, the Preservation of Antibiotics for Medical Treatment Act and writing President Barack Obamas health care law. To have met Louise Slaughter is to have known a force of nature, her chief of staff, Liam Fitzsimmons, said Friday. Originally from Lynch, Kentucky, Slaughter brought her dedication to public health and her southern drawl all the way to Washington in 1986. Slaughter quickly earned a reputation. As a freshman Slaughter said her colleagues would just smile and say, 'Oh, you're the one from New York who doesn't sound like it. Slaughter was first elected to Congress in 1986 after four years in the New York State Assembly. With a masters degree in Public Health from the University of Kentucky, Slaughter focused on public health issues. In 1993, Slaughter funneled $500 million to the National Institute of Health for breast cancer research. In 1994, she ensured that all research be done on minorities and women, as opposed to just men, as it had been in the past. Slaughter co-authored the Violence Against Women Act in 1994. The measure helps the investigations and prosecutions of crimes against women. During the laws reauthorization in 2013, Slaughter said Todays signing of the Violence Against Women Act Reauthorization into law gives women and all victims of domestic violence across America the peace of mind that their government will not abandon them in their time of need. Slaughters younger sister, Virginia, caught double pneumonia and died. Her sisters death persuaded Slaughter to focus on health policy while in Congress. That we have children coming into this world already polluted, at the same time we don't know what the effects of that pollution will be on their mental and physical development, is both bad policy and immorally wrong, Slaughter said. Until the end, Slaughter blamed the coal-infused air of Harlan County, KY for her sisters demise. Slaughter was the first female elected to Congress from western New York. Slaughter also served as the first chairwoman of the House Rules Committee from. She had been the top Democrat on the panel in recent years. Slaughter was the daughter of a blacksmith. House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., noted that Slaughter never forgot that in her work on Capitol Hill. Slaughter was born Louise McIntosh and was a distant relative of American folk life hero Daniel Boone. The mother of three daughters, Slaughter once quipped Our girls have learned that sweat is sexy, brawn is beautiful and a little dirt never hurt anyone. She married Bob Slaughter in 1957. They were married for 57 years until his death in 2014. Her husband used to drive the Congresswoman back and forth from the district in upstate New York to Washington until he passed away. Bob Slaughter would often sit in on meetings of the House Rules Committee. In, 2014, Slaughter eked out a victory in the closest race of her political career. She defeated Republican Mark Assini by a margin of 869 votes. She planned to run for reelection this year. Slaughter authored the STOCK Act (Stop Trading on Congressional Knowledge), which barred insider trading in Congress by lawmakers, staff and other officials including the president. The measure became law on April 4, 2012. Ethics watchdogs regard the law of the most-significant pieces of ethics legislation in years. During her career on the Rules Committee, Slaughter famously tangled with Republicans. During one Rules Committee hearing in 2012 to fund transportation projects, Slaughter argued that the GOP plan to split the 1,000-plus page bill into three pieces demonstrated a lack of transparency. She traded barbs with then-Rules Committee Chairman David Dreier, R-Calif. If the bill was a mistake, then why didnt we do it in three parts in the first place? I didnt say it was a mistake, Dreier responded. Its now an opportunity for members to amend the legislation. Nice try, Slaughter said. Thank you, Dreier replied sarcastically. In 1991, Slaughter joined six of her fellow women in the House to protest the Senate confirmation vote for the nomination of Clarence Thomas to the Supreme Court. They led the push to allow law professor Anita Hill to testify before Congress about her sexual harassment allegations against Thomas. The posse of female lawmakers tried to walk into the weekly Senate Democratic caucus luncheon off the chamber floor. But they were barred from entering despite multiple knocks at the door. We were told that nobody ever gets in there, Slaughter told The New York Times. Certainly not women from the House. After their protest caused a stir, then-Senate Majority Leader George Mitchell (D-ME) eventually met with the women following the luncheon. A talented vocalist, Slaughter sang with Tinker Baggerly and his orchestra when they performed gigs at semi-formals and dances around Lexington during her time at the University of Kentucky I could make a turnip cry, Slaughter said of her crooning talent. In 2013, Congress hurtled toward a government shutdown. Slaughter relied on her musical training to criticize Republican dithering as the funding deadline approached. Old sheet music back in the 1930s and 1940s used to have a notation printed across the top, said Slaughter. It would say vamp til ready. In the big band and swing eras, a vamp was a series of repetitive, symmetrical bars of notes. Theyre often the recognizable hook of a number. Vamps were commonplace back when names like Benny Goodman and Tommy Dorsey led big bands. The musicians would simply play the same music over and over again waiting for the vocalist to jump in as they chatted with the crowd. Once the vocalist was ready, the musicians would dive in with the rest of the tune. Hence the term vamp til ready. Slaughter frequently accused Republicans of wasting time, simply vamping til ready as precious days slipped off the calendar. Slaughter was a key player in the Democrats push to approve the Affordable Care Act in 2009 and 2010. Slaughter was a fierce proponent of reproductive rights. In November, 2009, New York Democrat refused to chair the Rules Committee hearing prepping Obamacare for the floor after learning that then-Speaker Pelosi demanded the panel make a sole, substantive amendment in order. The amendment was the Stupak amendment, named after then-Rep. Bart Stupak, D-Mich. The Stupak amendment enhanced a firewall prohibiting the use of federal dollars to pay for abortions. Pelosis decision to include the Stupak amendment proved key to the passage of Obamacare. The amendment courted the votes of conservative and pro-life Democrats. The Senate found itself in a quandary after the House approved the initial health care package in late 2009. House Democrats fumed as Senate Democrats wrestled with arcane procedure to find a path to approve Obamacare. I think the Red Queen wrote those rules over there, declared Slaughter of the Senate. Republicans heaped grief on Slaughter in March, 2010 during the final steps toward approving Obamacare. Democrats tinkered with House custom in order to get the final version of Obamacare on the floor and through the Rules Committee. Since Slaughter chaired the Rules Committee, Republicans christened the parliamentary chicanery the Slaughter Solution, pirating the Congresswomans married surname. After a public firestorm Democrats abandoned the parliamentary sleight-of-hand and handled the bill the bill in the committee the old-fashioned way. House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis., on Friday ordered the flags at the Capitol complex to be flown at half-staff in her honor. It's one of the most honest headlines Ive seen in quite a while: "In Trumpworld, nobody knows anything." Axios slapped that line on a piece by round-the-clock reporter Jonathan Swan, who was dealing with the tidal wave of speculation about who the president will evict next from the administration. This, in my view, was a refreshing contrast to all the pundits saying we hear that H.R. McMaster or John Kelly or David Shulkin or Ryan Zinke could be out by the end of the day. It's not that those aren't fair journalistic pursuitsand not that I haven't done similar stories like that in my careerbut in this White House, it's like nailing Jell-O to the wall. Here's what Swan wrote: "We can tell you that Trump has been putting on a heck of an act privately in the past two days, if he really does have all these elaborate plans that are being attributed to him. "Here's all we really know: Trump is in the mood for change, and there's a long list of people he's been fed up with for a while." "That's it. As far as when they might go, and who might replace them, serious people are in the dark. Trump floats ideas all the time, and often nothing comes of them." In an interview, Swan told me the Trump operation is incredibly difficult to cover because he speaks to "the top level of the White House, people in the president's inner circle, and they don't know whats going on. "Whether it's tariffs, the surprise on North Korea or staffing, it's very hard to confirm anything or definitively shoot anything down. They know they could be embarrassed in the next two hours because their boss is so mercurial." Swan says he tries to be "hyper-cautious" and, as a scoop artist himself, "I don't pretend I'm some bastion of glory. But there's only so many times you can write that H.R. McMaster is leaving the White House; at some point the story will be correct. I'd have to get it from Donald J. Trump himself. "People have read that story 15 times. What's the reader to think when he reads it for the 16th time?" That, of course, doesn't stop journalists from trying. Its easy to dismiss all this as palace intrigue, and there is a media fixation on who's up and who's down. But in a very short time, Hope Hicks and Gary Cohn quit the White House, Trump fired Rex Tillerson and nominated Mike Pompeo as his successor, and tapped CNBCs Larry Kudlow to replace Cohn as chief economic adviser. And while it's true that the press sometimes gives short shrift to policy, that is inextricably bound up with whos giving the president advice and speaking on his behalf. Tillerson was ousted in part because of disagreements on Iran, Korea, Russia and Jerusalem, and Cohn resigned in part because of disagreements on steel and aluminum tariffs. With so much chatter, journalists are scrambling on several fronts. The Washington Post reported flatly last night that Trump "has decided to remove H.R. McMaster," according to "five people with knowledge of his plans." CBS's Major Garrett reported yesterday that "a purge is coming" and that chief of staff Kelly "may also be on the way out," along with "up to three Cabinet secretaries." Fox's chief White House correspondent John Roberts reported, starting Wednesday night: "We don't know if these are going to happen, but we are told there could be a bloodbath" by Thursday or Friday. That, he said would include: "H.R. McMaster, the national security adviser, to be replaced by Ambassador John Bolton. "Another potential change coming up, VA Secretary David Shulkin out, to be replaced by Energy Secretary Rick Perry. "Another possible departure, it's rumored, this one may be further off, John Kelly, to potentially be replaced by OMB Director Mick Mulvaney." But Sarah Huckabee Sanders threw cold water on the McMaster reports by tweeting last night that there will be "no changes at the NSC." At a photo op yesterday, the president was asked about upcoming staff changes. "Well, the story was very false," Trump said. "I mean, they wrote a story about staff changes today that was very false." He did not specify which story he had in mind. But if it's true that "in Trumpworld, nobody knows anything," all shakeup stories should be taken with many teaspoons of salt. Thats especially true since the president, who once called the Tillerson-is-leaving stories fake news, may simply not have made up his mind. Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf, who sparked national outrage when she undermined a federal immigration raid last month, worked with illegal-immigration activists before she warned the public about the raid-- a move that ICE said led to hundreds of illegals evading detention. Schaaf took to Twitter to warn the public about the raid, and has stood by her decision despite a number of hardened criminals being caught -- and ICE officials warning that potentially hundreds of other criminals escaped as a consequence of the tipoff. "It is Oaklands legal right to be a sanctuary city and we have not broken any laws," Schaaf said in a statement last month. "We believe our community is safer when families stay together." ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS WITH SEX, ROBBERY CONVICTIONS AMONG THOSE WHO EVADED CAPTURE AFTER DEM MAYOR'S WARNING Her move sparked anger not just from ICE officials, but also the Trump administration. The Justice Department is currently conducting a review of Schaaf's actions. What happened in Oakland was a disgrace to our nation, President Donald Trump said in California on Tuesday. KPIX5 reports that Schaaf was in touch with Centro Legal de la Raza just hours before the announcement, giving her information on what employers should do in the case of an ICE raid. That group, which did not respond to a request for comment from Fox News, is a nonprofit with a focus on providing legal services to those in the country illegally. It also appears to act as an advocacy group for illegal immigrants -- printing an ICE Activity Hotline on its website. 'ANGEL FAMILIES' WANT TO SEE OAKLAND MAYOR PROSECUTED FOR THWARTING ICE RAIDS "Centro Legal has been at the forefront of efforts to curtail unlawful collaboration between local law enforcement agencies and federal immigration authorities in order to prevent unjust deportations and keep immigrant families together," the group's website says. It does not appear to be affiliated with UnidosUS -- formerly the National Council of La Raza. According to KPIX5, Schaaf also spoke with a Catholic priest at St. Jarlaths Church and Emma Paulino at Oakland Community Organizations. Paulino appeared with Schaaf at a press conference warning of the raid. "It is important for us to understand that sometimes what ICE is doing with these tactics is to try and paralyze our communities," she said. Paulino told Fox News Friday that the conversations were about assessing whether or not to share the information with the community in the first place, and then how to do so in a way that did not create panic. "It was about if we should share what we know and how to share that information in a responsible way so to not create panic in the community," she said. "People live in fear already." KPIX5 reports that the emails also show that the Oakland Indie Alliance, a group of independent businesses, received a message saying, Important Alert! Credible information ICE Raids in Oakland Sunday 2/25 and Monday 2/26 and, This information comes directly from the Mayor. A spokesman for Schaaf told Fox News that she consulted with several leaders and groups representing our immigrant community before she made her public comments. She mentioned it in her initial press release and in numerous public statements after; its well known that she conferred with several people before making her decision, he said. He also said that she did not warn businesses, although added that it appears those who she consulted with may have shared the information with business owners in an attempt to make sure the owners knew their obligations and responsibilities under state law. Families of victims of illegal immigrant crime have expressed their anger at Schaafs actions, calling for her to be prosecuted, as have groups which lobby for less migration into the U.S. As far as Libby Schaaf is concerned, what she did is nothing short of obstruction of justice, said Ira Mehlman, of the Federation for American Immigration Reform. She is not compelled to assist ICE in doing its job, but she certainly has no right to interfere with ICE carrying out its lawful duties," he said. "In our view, the U.S. Department of Justice should look into the matter and prosecute her for obstruction if the circumstances warrant legal action. But amid the national controversty, Paulino told Fox News that Schaaf's stance was getting a very positive reception in Oakland. "People are really supportive of her because she took a stand," she said. "She is serving the people who elected her." As Special Counsel Robert Mueller's investigation into Russian influence in the 2016 election continues, two former members of his team are under scrutiny for text messages they exchanged about President Trump and the probe. In the messages, Peter Strzok and Lisa Page, who were romantically involved, bashed Trump and discussed concerns about being too tough on Hillary Clinton during an investigation into the use of her private email server. Overall, the pair exchanged some 50,000 text messages throughout the presidential election and first year of the Trump administration, many of them with anti-Trump sentiments. In one particular message, when Page asked if Trump would ever become president, Strzok reportedly replied, No. No he won't. We'll stop it. Other text messages showed an allegiance for fired FBI Director James Comey. The messages have not gone unnoticed by GOP lawmakers or Trump. Republicans have argued that their messages color the outcome of the Clinton email investigation and undercut the FBIs ongoing investigation into Russian election interference. The president has often tweeted personal attacks at Page and Strzok and called the texts hate filled and biased. The Justice Department's inspector general has criticized Strzok and Page for creating the appearance of impropriety through the texts. But the report said it found no evidence of political bias in the FBI's decision to not pursue criminal charges against Clinton. Heres a look at who exchanged the text messages and who would eventually leave the FBI. Peter Strzok A veteran counterintelligence agent, Peter Strzok was assigned to both the investigation into Clintons personal email server and the special counsels probe into potential collusion between Trump officials and Russia during the election. Strzok was removed from the Russia investigation after it was revealed that he exchanged anti-Trump text messages with Page, then a senior FBI lawyer. Months later, in August 2018, Strzok was fired from the FBI, his attorney said. According to the text messages, Strzok was hesitant to join Muellers investigation because of his gut sense that there was no big there there. MUELLER PROBE ONE YEAR LATER: HOW THE RUSSIA INVESTIGATION BECAME DCS BIGGEST POLITICAL FOOTBALL Strzok previously worked on investigations pertaining to Chinese and Russian espionage, according to The New York Times. ABC first reported that Strzok left the probe and was reassigned to the human resources division in August 2017. After he was fired, Trump said "finally" and again criticized the legitimacy of the Russia investigation. Lisa Page A lawyer for the FBI, Lisa Page was only temporarily on Muellers team, but she discussed the investigation with Strzok. Page warned Strzok via text about the FBIs investigation into Clintons use of a private email server during her tenure as secretary of state, saying in February 2016 that she might be our next president. The last thing you need [is] going in there loaded for bear, Page continued. You think shes going to remember or care that it was more [DOJ] than [FBI]? Page, who has "deep experience [in] money laundering and organized crime cases," was removed from the investigation in September 2017. She left the FBI in May. House lawmakers subpoenaed her to appear for a private interview in July. They said she was "cooperative" and "credible" in her closed-door interview that lasted for hours. Andrew McCabe A controversial figure at the FBI, deputy director Andrew McCabe was seemingly referenced by Page and Strzok in their text messages. I want to believe the path you threw out for consideration in Andys office - that theres no way he gets elected - but Im afraid we cant take that risk, Strzok texted in August 2016. Its like an insurance policy in the unlikely event you die before youre 40. US MARSHALS SERVED SUBPOENA ON FBI LAWYER LISA PAGE, LAWMAKER SAYS Some lawmakers believed Andy to be a reference to McCabe. In another text that same month, Strzok told Page that McCabe was concerned with information control about the investigation into Trumps campaign. McCabe, whose wife ran as a Democrat for a Virginia Senate seat with financial assistance from a group tied to Clinton, repeatedly faced criticism from Trump. How can FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe, the man in charge, along with leakin' James Comey, of the Phony Hillary Clinton investigation (including her 33,000 illegally deleted emails) be given $700,000 for wife's campaign by Clinton Puppets during investigation? Trump asked in a December 2017 tweet. In January, McCabe was removed from his post, taking terminal leave until his planned retirement in March. However, he was ultimately fired before he was set to leave his post. Robert Mueller Special Counsel Robert Mueller was tasked with overseeing the investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election after Attorney General Jeff Sessions recused himself. A LOOK AT TRUMPS LAWYERS WHO ARE INVOLVED IN THE RUSSIA INVESTIGATION Mueller led the FBI through the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks and served under presidential administrations of both parties. His Russia probe has led to charges for four former Trump campaign officials, although none of the charges directly stem from misconduct during the election. Fox News Brooke Singman and The Associated Press contributed to this report. President Trump nudged GOP challenger Danny Tarkanian out of Nevadas Senate race on Friday, convincing him to drop his primary bid against incumbent Sen. Dean Heller in return for a Trump endorsement in a House race instead. Tarkanian, a conservative businessman in Nevada and son of legendary UNLV basketball coach Jerry Tarkanian, had been challenging Heller in this years Republican primary for the U.S. Senate. But on Friday, Trump tweeted: It would be great for the Republican Party of Nevada, and its unity if good guy Danny Tarkanian would run for Congress and Dean Heller, who is doing a really good job, could run for Senate unopposed! Shortly after that tweet, Tarkanian, who has previously unsuccessfully sought public office before, released a statement saying he planned to drop out of the Senate race and run in the third congressional district. He said Trump and his political team reached out to him on Wednesday and asked me to consider supporting the America First agenda as a congressional candidate in the third district. Tarkanian lost to Democratic Rep. Jacky Rosen by just one point in 2016. Rosen is now running as a Democrat for the Senate. Trump won the district by around one point in 2016. With President Trump's full support and endorsement, I am filing to run again in CD3 with the firm belief that we will finish what we started in 2016 and win in 2018, Tarkanian said. Tarkanians wife thanked Trump for his endorsement in a tweet on Friday. Thank you Mr. President for supporting my husband @DannyTarkanian & the Nevada Republican Party overall. He would've made an excellent Senator, but will also make a tremendous member of Congress...looking fwd to continuing the fight in helping implement America first policies! Amy Tarkanian tweeted. Heller is considered one of the most vulnerable Republicans running for re-election in the Senate this year. His seat is the only one up for grabs in a state carried by Democrat Hillary Clinton when Trump won in 2016. Fox News Mike Emanuel, Chad Pergram, Ben Florance, Jason Donner and The Associated Press contributed to this report. Alex Azar officially became the new secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) in January. Azar, who was confirmed by the Senate in a 55-43 vote that was largely along party lines and sworn in on Jan. 29, replaced Tom Price, the department's former secretary. Price resigned in September 2017 after he was criticized for using private charter planes for official travel. President Trump later tapped Azar to take over the role. Heres what you need to know about Azar. Who is Alex Azar? Azar, 50, Azar is married with two children. Prior to becoming the Health Department's new secretary, he lived in Indiana with his family for about a decade, according to his Health and Human Services Department biography. The Yale-educated lawyer also attended Dartmouth College, where he received a bachelor's degree in economics. He also graduated summa cum laude from Dartmouth, according to the same biography. Azar, who once clerked for the late Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, has spent a large chunk of his career in the healthcare industry -- an industry he entered "largely by accident," he once wrote. For a decade, Azar served as a senior executive of drugmaker Eli Lilly, which has been criticized for raising the price of insulin and other widely used medications. Though he resigned from the Indianapolis-based company last year, he built a financial portfolio thats now worth between $9.5 million and $20.6 million, according to disclosure records filed with the Office of Government Ethics, as reported by The Associated Press. Azar also served as General Counsel of HHS and later as deputy secretary of HHS under former President George W. Bush. During his time as deputy secretary, Azar "was involved in improving the departments operations; advancing its emergency preparedness and response capabilities as well as its global health affairs activities; and helping oversee the rollout of the Medicare Part D prescription drug program," according to his Health and Human Services Department biography. As HHS secretary, Azar says he has four main priorities: to help curb the high cost of prescription drugs, make health insurance more affordable and available, continue bipartisan efforts to focus Medicare payments on quality and confront the growing opioid addiction epidemic. Why did Tom Price resign? Price, Trumps former HHS secretary, resigned in September after he was widely criticized for using private charter planes for official travel. Price reportedly flew to community health centers in New Hampshire and Pennsylvania in a costly private charter aircraft. In August, he also reportedly took a government-funded private plane to St. Simons Island. Price owns land on the island, which is just off the Georgia coast. He reportedly flew there before attending a medical conference. And during official trips to Africa, Europe and beyond, Price took a military aircraft -- a move that cost taxpayers more than $500,000, according to reports. After Price resigned, President Trump tapped Don J. Wright as acting secretary. Wright worked as the deputy assistant secretary for health and director of the Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion before he became the department's acting secretary. What does the Department of Health and Human Services do? The department is responsible for health insurance programs covering more than 130 million people, drug and food safety, disease detection and prevention and advanced medical research. The trillion-dollar department also plays a major role in the economy and accounts for about one-fourth of the federal budget. Fox News Alex Pappas and The Associated Press contributed to this report. Daniel Coats is one of President Trumps cabinet members, serving as the fifth director of national intelligence. He was sworn in on March 16, 2017. As Director of National Intelligence, the 74-year-old leads the United States Intelligence Community (IC) and serves as the principal intelligence advisor to the President, according to his White House biography. Here are three things to know about Coats. He was once the U.S. ambassador to Germany Coats is a former diplomat, serving during former President George W. Bushs presidency as the U.S. ambassador to Germany from 2001 to 2005. Coats arrived in Germany just days before the September 11 attacks, according to his biography. Ambassador Coats found himself thrown into a role he couldnt have foreseen a day earlier, a role in which he would excel but one that would forever change him, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., once said of Coats. As ambassador, Coats played a critical role in establishing robust relations and in the construction of a new United States Embassy in the heart of Berlin, according to his biography. Coats is a two-time senator from Indiana Coats is a two-time Republican senator from Indiana. He succeeded former Indiana Sen. Dan Quayle after he became vice president to George H.W. Bush in 1988. Coats, who served in the Senate until 1999, also served on the Senate Armed Services Committee and Select Committee on Intelligence, according to his White House biography. After a number of years away from the Senate, he returned in 2011 until his retirement in 2017. Prior to to becoming a senator, Coats was a member of the U.S. House of Representatives, serving Indianas 4th district from 1981 to 1989. He's worked a lot with Big Brothers Big Sisters Coats has worked extensively with the organization Big Brothers Big Sisters, first volunteering with the youth mentoring program when he was 29 years old. In 1978, he joined the organizations Northeast Indiana board of directors. In 1993, he was elected to the national Big Brothers Big Sisters board. Coats received the organizations highest national honor in 2012 for his work with the nonprofit. Gen. Herbert Raymond H.R. McMaster can now add former national security adviser to a long list of positions he's held over the years. President Trump confirmed in a March 22 tweet that McMaster will be replaced by former U.N. ambassador John Bolton. Trump congratulated McMaster on an "outstanding job," adding that he will "always remain [a] friend." Bolton will officially replace McMaster on April 9. "There will be an official contact handover [at that time]," Trump added. McMaster thanked the president for giving him the opportunity to hold the position and said he was especially proud to have served with National Security Council staff. "I am grateful for the friendship and support of the members of the National Security Council who worked together to provide the President with the best options to protect and advance our national interests," McMaster said in a statement. I know that these patriots will continue to serve our President and our nation with distinction." McMaster was appointed national security adviser on February 20, 2017. He replaced Michael Flynn, who resigned over revelations he misled the administration about his communications with a Russian official. Flynn is one of several individuals charged in Special Counsel Robert Muellers Russia investigation. General McMaster has served with distinction in the United States Army for over three decades and will now bring that tremendous experience to his new post as my National Security Advisor, Trump said in a statement at the time. My first duty as President is to keep the American people safe. General McMaster has the knowledge and foresight necessary to provide me with expert advice as we work to protect Americas interests at home and abroad. Earlier this month, reports swirled that Trump was going to remove McMaster from his post a move the White House denied at the time. "Just spoke to [Trump] and Gen. H.R. McMaster - contrary to reports they have a good working relationship and there are no changes at the NSC," White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders tweeted on March 15. Here are three things to know about McMaster. McMaster is a highly decorated military officer McMaster, 55, served in the U.S. Army for more than three decades, earning numerous medals and honors, including a Purple Heart and the Silver Star for his heroism during the Gulf War particularly during the Battle of 73 Easting. It was during that incident a Desert Storm tank fight in 1991 that then-Captain McMasters group of only nine tanks took on and destroyed more than 80 Iraqi tanks and a variety of other vehicles, according to Times profile of McMaster when he was named one of the magazines 100 Most Influential People. His troop did not lose one tank. In a 2016 essay about the battle, McMaster described the furious action that lasted 23 minutes. He said his troop stopped when there was nothing left to shoot. Although future battles will likely be fought against more capable enemies and under more challenging and complex conditions, there are lessons from battlefield victories twenty-five years ago that remain relevant to combat readiness today and in the future, McMaster wrote. Well-trained, confident platoons and companies provide the foundation for our Armys and Joint Forces ability to fight. Aside from serving as captain in the Gulf War, McMaster also had pivotal roles in Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom, the White House noted. His college thesis was turned into a book McMasters Dereliction of Duty, published in 1998, was based on research he used for his doctoral dissertation when he studied military history at the University of North Carolina, the Raleigh News & Observer reported. The book is a stunning analysis of how and why the United States became involved in an all-out and disastrous war in Vietnam, publisher HarperCollins described. McMaster studied, in particular, the role the Joint Chiefs of Staff played in the war. United Press International war correspondent Joseph Galloway told Politico Magazine McMaster had consulted him on turning the dissertation into a book. Galloway said he was concerned about the impact the book along with its critiques of the leadership during the war would have on McMasters military career. So he writes the book while teaching a full load at West Point, staying up until 2 a.m. every night writing, and the book turned out perfect, Galloway said. Known for his vehement outspokenness, its McMasters own penchant for candidness that could have thrown a wrench into his career. McMaster was passed over for a promotion to a one-star brigadier general twice, according to Politico Magazine. He was finally promoted by a panel led by retired Gen. David Petraeus someone who the Washington Post noted was one of his advocates. He was the subject of a Tom Clancy book McMasters insight was included in Tom Clancys non-fiction book, The Armored Cav. The book gave a penetrating look inside an armored cavalry regiment the technology, the strategies, and the people, according to publisher Penguin Random House. In his book, McMaster detailed to Clancy the Battle of 73 Easting. He also revealed that he met his wife, Kathleen Trotter McMaster, when he played for West Points rugby team. Just in time for Saint Patricks Day two construction workers in Holland have discovered a real-life pot o gold. The workers from water company Oasen made the stunning find when they were laying pipes in the new town of Hoef and Haag, in the province of Utrecht, LiveScience reports. During the construction work, they dug up a medieval cooking pot that contained 12 gold and 462 silver coins. The coins have been dated to the 15th century. TEENAGER'S DISCOVERY OF ROMAN TREASURE TROVE DELIGHTS EXPERTS After finding the pot, "it literally and figuratively rained coins," the company explained in a press release translated via Google Translate. The coins, which were stuck together, had turned green. When the utility workers called in their boss, he reported the discovery to the archaeology hotline for Landschap Erfgoed Utrecht (Landscape Heritage Utrecht). RTV Utrecht reports that experts immediately visited the site and used a metal detector to recover all the coins. Some of the coins were found with textiles, which had apparently been used as a sort of protective roll. HISTORY'S DUMPING GROUND: 400 BYZANTINE COINS, GOLD JEWELRY FOUND DISCARDED IN REFUSE PIT The coins were transferred to the Omgevingsdienst regio Utrecht (Regional Environment Agency Utrecht) for analysis by archaeologist Peter de Boer, according to RTV Utrecht. Most of the coins date back to the 1470s and 1480s. Notable artifacts among the hoard include a rare Salut dor gold coin of King Henry VI of England and France that was struck in Paris in the early 15th century. Coins from David of Burgundy, a 15th century bishop of Utrecht, and Pope Paul II, were also found. Details of the discovery, which was made in August 2017, was revealed in a press event in the Dutch city of Vianen earlier this month. ROMAN COINS DISCOVERED IN RUINS OF JAPANESE CASTLE In its statement, Oasen said that a number of the coins will be cleaned during the coming weeks. They will then be analyzed by experts at De Nederlandsche Bank, Hollands central bank. A spokesman for Oasen told Fox News that legal ownership of the coins is divided between four parties: the two construction workers, the owner of the land and the real estate developer. "The coins will most likely be lend out to a local museum, this will be decided in the next months," he added. Coins offer a fascinating glimpse into history and can shed new light onto the economic, cultural and political life of previous eras. Last year, for example, archaeologists in the U.K. announced the discovery of a rare Roman coin that was discovered on a remote Scottish island, 200 miles beyond the northern edge of the Roman Empire. In 2016, archaeologists were stunned to discover Roman coins in the ruins of a Japanese castle, prompting speculation that the coins were brought to Japan via trade routes linking the West to Asia. In 2013, hundreds of ancient coins were discovered in a Byzantine-era refuse pit in Israel. Follow James Rogers on Twitter @jamesjrogers Microsoft responded to its handling of sexual harassment and gender discrimination complaints Thursday, saying it fired about 20 employees last year after investigations revealed unacceptable workplace behavior. Kathleen Hogan, Microsofts Chief People Officer, wrote in an email to employees that the company takes employees concerns seriously and investigates them thoroughly. We aspire to ensure all voices are heard, the email read. We strive to create an environment where everyone is respected, safe and able to do their best work. Hogan wrote that of the companies more than 65,000 U.S. employees, 83 made sexual harassment complaints last fiscal year. Nearly half the complaints were found to be supported in part or in full after investigations. The offending employee was fired in more than half of the supported complaints. Microsoft also had 84 complaints of gender discrimination that same year. It found 10 percent to be supported in part or in full and took appropriate action. The tech company has dealt with an ongoing lawsuit since 2015, in which three current and former female employees have alleged gender discrimination. We strive to create an environment where everyone is respected, safe and able to do their best work. Kathleen Hogan, Microsofts Chief People Officer The Seattle Times cited court records made public Monday that alleged female engineering employees had filed 238 complaints of gender discrimination, sexual harassment and sexual assault between 2010 and 2016. The information also showed that only one of 118 gender discrimination complaints made by women at Microsoft during that same period was found to have merit. The company has called the reported data inaccurate and misleading. The lawsuit against Microsoft has claimed more than 8,600 women collectively lost out on $238 million in pay and 500 promotions because of discrimination in the company's performance review process. A request for class-action status will be determined by U.S. District Judge James Robart in Seattle in the next several months. Microsoft's case was one of several against giant companies in the technology industry, with Google being sued by women who claim they are underpaid compared to men at the company. The Associated Press contributed to this report. This is a rush transcript from "The Story," March 14, 2018. This copy may not be in its final form and may be updated. MARTHA MACCALLUM, FOX NEWS CHANNEL HOST: Good evening, Bret, thank you so much. Good to see you. So, tonight, on THE STORY, we will take you to Austin, Texas, where our investigation into the tragic and bizarre package bombs has a stunning new development. Good evening, everybody, I'm Martha MacCallum. But, up first tonight, a new book reveals that the coordination between the Clinton campaign and Fusion GPS to dig up dirt on the Trump campaign got its origins back in 2012 when the Obama campaign funneled payments to fusion through the law firm Perkins Coie to dig up dirt back on Mitt Romney in those days. This is a quote from the book: 'In 2012, Fusion GPS, was hired to do opposition research on Mitt Romney for Barack Obama's re-election campaign that had become standard practice in the shadowy world of oppo research. The Obama campaign's payment to Fusion were never publicly disclosed.' That and other revelations on President Trump, James Comey, and Vladimir Putin are all in the new book. It is called: 'Russian Roulette: The Inside Story of Putin's War on America and Donald Trump's Election,' by Michael Isikoff and David Corn. Michael Isikoff joins me now. Michael, thank you for being here tonight. MICHAEL ISIKOFF, CHIEF INVESTIGATIVE CORRESPONDENT, YAHOO! NEWS: Good to be with you. MACCALLUM: You know, what's interesting to look back at that sort of circle of payment that existed in the Obama campaign to dig up stuff on Mitt Romney. So, it looks like it was pretty much the same circle that they re-visited when it came time for the Clinton campaign to get involved. ISIKOFF: Yes. Well, look, I think as the quote on the book makes clear, this is kind of standard practice in American politics. You have both parties who you -- have an army of oppo researchers, who dig up dirt on the other side. And it's been a longstanding practice and one that a lot of people have criticized that the payments to those oppo research firms are disguised usually as payments to law firms or other outside consultants. So, you know, we shed a little light on it in the case of Fusion GPS here, but they're not unusual. Let's make that clear: both sides do this, both sides are not forthcoming about the money they pay for this activity. MACCALLUM: Let me ask you this then in light of that, when Glenn Simpson approached you and said, you know, to speak to Christopher Steele, did you say to him, well, who's paying Christopher Steele for this research? ISIKOFF: Glenn and I are old friends. And I know he's a long-standing, he's a great investigative reporter for the Wall Street Journal, I knew the business he was in. And I did ask him questions about that, but it was pretty clear that he was not going to be fully transparent about that, oppo researchers are not. What I was interested in was hearing what Christopher Steele had to say. I knew there was a political dimension to this. That was clear from the beginning. MACCALLUM: But would it be helpful to know who the client is? ISIKOFF: Of course. Of course, but I was equally interested, because I get pitched as I'm sure you do as well by oppo people all the time. And what you want to know is, OK, I know where you're coming from, I want to know what you got. What do you have -- MACCALLUM: We're you aware -- let me ask you this: were you aware, you know, was there ever -- did you -- were aware of the role of Perkins Coie in terms of paying. ISIKOFF: I knew that Perkins Coie was the law firm for the Clinton campaign as it had been for the law firm. MACCALLUM: Did you know that they were paying Fusion? ISIKOFF: No, I didn't know that. MACCALLUM: So, never had any meeting with Perkins Coie. Nothing -- you never sat down with the three of them -- Steele? None of those guys? ISIKOFF: Nope. MACCALLUM: So, when you started, you know, divulging that there was an investigation into the Trump campaign, and that Carter Page was the person being investigated. You got that information? ISIKOFF: Yes. MACCALLUM: What did you do to figure out if that information about page that Steele had dug up was accurate? ISIKOFF: Well, what was of interest to me first and foremost, and why this was historic was not been because of anything Glenn Simpson or Christopher Steele had to say. I had sources in the U.S. government and the U.S. Intelligence Community, who told me they were investigating these matters. And you know what, that was absolutely the case, as we have subsequently learned. Now, these were allegations... MACCALLUM: You know, there's a suggestion in the dossier -- you know this dossier, which we're all aware -- is that there was sort of circular information tornado that was all sort of feeding -- you've got the dossier, which even Christopher Steele said he couldn't really verify that it was true. So, you're getting information on Carter Page from that where there have these huge suggestions that Carter Page was offered this big chunk of gross net, that, you know, which has turned out to be not true. So, you have information from the dossier and you're saying that you verified that by checking it with the FBI? ISIKOFF: No, no, no. What I said was I verified that the FBI was taking this seriously. MACCALLUM: Right. ISIKOFF: They knew about Christopher Steele; they had a track record with Christopher Steele. He had been a trusted source for them on other matters. As he had been for the State Department on other matters. He was a serious guy. This is not a political guy. This was -- MACCALLUM: Absolutely. And I think even Christopher Steele at this point is dismayed that his information, which he said he couldn't really verify was used by the Clinton campaign to, you know, present it as substantial information that was truthful. He's saying, I did all this, I dug all this stuff, I gave it to you guys. ISIKOFF: He got up, he had heard reports that were disturbing to him not just about Carter Page but a lot of aspects of the connections between the Trump campaign and the Kremlin. A lot of which have now been confirmed by Robert Mueller as the special counsel. He's brought criminal cases against Mr. Papadopoulos, a member of the foreign policy advisory team against Michael Flynn, against Paul Manafort and others. So -- MACCALLUM: None of which directly tie the campaign to collusion, though. Are you arguing in this book that that link was found? ISIKOFF: Well, I think you should take a look at what the book said. MACCALLUM: I have. I read as much as I could, I just got it today. ISIKOFF: Because it's a book of reportage. MACCALLUM: Right. ISIKOFF: And we've read it out. What I think is -- MACCALLUM: Not to give away the ending, but do you make a compelling argument in this book that you put those pieces together? Because we all know what Papadopoulos is charged with -- lying to the FBI. ISIKOFF: About his contacts with Russia. MACCALLUM: Manafort is dealing with a lot of tax implications and financial deals that happened before the campaign. ISIKOFF: That grew out of his business, working for the Russian political party in the Ukraine, yes. MACCALLUM: So, what I'm asking you, you're saying is you're connecting all the dots in this book. So, when you connected those dots, did you find that smoking gun of collusion? ISIKOFF: No, no, there is no smoking gun here. There is no grand conspiracy, but what you do see when you connect all these dots, and we have a lot of new dots that you haven't heard about before is you see there really was a concerted effort by the Kremlin, not just to meddle in the election, not just to hack e-mails and them dump them to sow discord and create chaos in American electorate, but to penetrate the Trump campaign. You have these repeated efforts. How does Carter Page end up in Moscow? He gets invited by the Kremlin after to give a speech, after he's named to Trump's foreign policy advisory board. MACCALLUM: They don't even question Carter Page. Carter Page didn't turn out to be a big nothing. ISIKOFF: Well, I think the jury is out on a lot of this because. MACCALLUM: He's not even being investigated. They haven't called him to hearing at this point. ISIKOFF: They had a FISA warrant on him. MACCALLUM: They did. And they listened three times, right? ISIKOFF: It was renewed three times and, you know, the full story has yet to be told. You read the Democratic memo, right? MACCALLUM: Right. Absolutely. ISIKOFF: In which they said that they developed information in that FISA that corroborated -- some of which was in the Steele dossier. You're going to ask, well, which part? Good question. You know, I'd like to know that too. We do know that Carter Page did had contacts with Kremlin officials. MACCALLUM: A lot of people have contacts with people in Russia. If you're going to do business with anyone in Russia, that person has going to have a contact with the Kremlin. ISIKOFF: Yes. MACCALLUM: That's all the business folks do now. Everybody knows that. ISIKOFF: Right, but his contacts came about because he had just been named to the Trump -- MACCALLUM: Yes. No, I mean, it's been clear that they were hoping that he was going to be -- (CROSSTALK) ISIKOFF: As was the case -- as was the case with Papadopoulos. How does Papadopoulos suddenly have all of these contacts in London who are trying to set up a meeting between Trump and Putin? Who introduced him to a woman who they describe as Putin's -- MACCALLUM: He was the young guy who was drunk in a bar in Australia, you know, his mouthed off about (INAUDIBLE). ISIKOFF: Right, right, right. But he was -- MACCALLUM: Maybe somebody felt this might be a fertile ground for us as well. ISIKOFF: So, you agree that they were trying to cultivate members of the Trump campaign? MACCALLUM: They're always -- I assume they're always trying to cultivate members of any political people that they can get in touch with. ISIKOFF: Right, right, right. MACCALLUM: Whether or not that actually happened is not the only question. ISIKOFF: Wait, what do you mean what actually happened? We know that the cultivation happened. MACCALLUM: Whether or not there was a connection to. ISIKOFF: We know that, right? MACCALLUM: I would assume that's happening all the time with multiple campaigns. I'm assuming that happens. ISIKOFF: But you can see. You can see, Martha, if you're the FBI counterintelligence division, and you see all of this activity going on. You see these efforts by the Kremlin to get their hooks in with the Trump campaign, you're going to be concerned about that. You're going to want to understand what's going on, you're going to want to understand these connections, right? And that really explains how we got where we are today. MACCALLUM: So, let me ask you about this, because, you know, Jim Jordan was on earlier today, he claims that the James Clapper leaked information about the dossier to CNN. So, you talk in the book about when James Comey, you know, has his private moment with President Trump on January 6th. And he says, look, we got a two-page thing. Pretty rough stuff, I want you to be aware of it; he shows it to him. And the way that part is written in the book, President Trump afterwards was very angry, right? Describe what -- ISIKOFF: He called it a shakedown. He called it a shakedown. He thought he was being blackmailed by Comey, the FBI Director. That Comey was trying -- and the FBI was trying to send him a message: they had something on him. Now, from Comey's perspective, what he's testified to, he wanted to give Trump a head's up to let him know what was circulating out there because members of the media. MACCALLUM: OK. So, when James Clapper the head, the Director of National Intelligence, is leaking the dossier to CNN, was President Trump, maybe a little bit right on that point? ISIKOFF: How do you know James Clapper leaked the dossier to CNN? MACCALLUM: Well, I'm only conveying to you that Jim Jordan said that the House Intel. ISIKOFF: Well, I think Jim Jordan has said a lot of stuff that hasn't necessarily checked out. But, you know, well, let's see -- let's see the evidence. You just made a very serious allegation of actually a potentially criminal act by the former director of DNI. You don't have any actual evidence of it. MACCALLUM: I'm report to you what Jim Jordan -- and I could play the soundbite but we don't need to. Jim Jordan said it to me. ISIKOFF: Well, Jim, just like Adam Schiff, says a lot of things. MACCALLUM: OK. He may be wrong, but that's what he is saying. ISIKOFF: Right. MACCALLUM: And I'm asking you if that your -- ISIKOFF: No, I have no evidence. MACCALLUM: All right. So, we'll keep thinking on that one. You know, in terms of your role, did you ever feel like you were, you were kind of used by the Clinton campaign to push this stuff out? ISIKOFF: No. MACCALLUM: When you were meeting with Christopher Steele and Glenn Simpson and they were saying, gee, we really want you to report this, Michael. You never once said to them: who's paying for all of this investigation? ISIKOFF: No, I knew that this was coming a political motivation. MACCALLUM: Who else could be it? ISIKOFF: It could be wealthy Democratic donors who wanted to expose Donald Trump's ties to the Kremlin or it could wealth Republican never-Trumpers, who actually first hired Fusion GPS. Remember, it starts with a Republican organization or a conservative organization. MACCALLUM: That's right. But the dossier came after the Clinton -- ISIKOFF: The dossier absolutely came after Clinton campaign. MACCALLUM: And they never said they would compensate you in any way or incentivize you in any way? ISIKOFF: Compensate me? Are you kidding? Is that a serious question? MACCALLUM: In any way incentivize you to push this information? ISIKOFF: No, I don't need incentive to do stories that I think are of the public interest. And no, of course, not, that's nonsense. But look, as I -- I can't emphasize this enough: it wasn't what they had to say that caused me to write the first story about a U.S. intelligence investigation into a member of the Trump advisory team. It was sources in the U.S. government who told me, accurately, that they were doing such an investigation. And that's what made me this story -- MACCALLUM: And Carter Page said specifically what that was about? ISIKOFF: Relating to Carter Page, yes. MACCALLUM: Which turned out, ultimately, to -- ISIKOFF: The jury is still out about the full picture. MACCALLUM: He's a free man. He's not -- you know, Manafort has ankle bracelets on both ankles. Carter Page is, like, you know, coming around and talking to everybody. He says -- ISIKOFF: Yes, yes. He's always told contradictory stories as you know, and, you know, he first denied any contacts with people relating, and he sent emails after his meetings about the insights he had got from senior Kremlin officials. Emails to the top officials of the Trump campaign telling them he wants to alert them to what the Russians are telling him. So, that's, you know, something that the kind of thing. MACCALLUM: He wanted to appear useful at the very least? ISIKOFF: That's the kind of thing that would get the FBI interested. MACCALLUM: All right. Fascinating. Thank you very much. ISIKOFF: OK. Thank you. And please read the rest of the book. MACCALLUM: I absolutely will. Thanks, Michael. ISIKOFF: OK. Sure enough. MACCALLUM: Good to see you tonight. ISIKOFF: Thanks. MACCALLUM: So, joining me now: Karl Rove, Former Deputy Chief of Staff to President George W. Bush and a Fox News Contributor; and Michael Blake, Vice Chairman of the DNC. Gentlemen, welcome. Good to see both of you here tonight. A lot to get to in the political arena this evening. But first, you know, your thoughts so far Karl Rove on what you've hearing from Michael Isikoff tonight? KARL ROVE, FOX NEWS CONTRIBUTOR AND FORMER DEPUTY CHIEF OF STAFF TO PRESIDENT GEORGE W. BUSH: Well, what's interesting to me is that, remember, we're talking about Russians and they're trying to meddle in the American elections. Do you think that a British -- former British intelligence agent who reaches out to his contacts in Moscow, to get dirt that they might know about on Donald Trump is somehow not seen by the Russian intelligence services? I would suspect that a lot of what's in the dossier is fed to Steele by people who are suspect, if not, clearly under the control of the Russian FSB. So, the Russians were meddling here. They were trying to get Papadopoulos and Page inside the Trump campaign. But they had a direct line into Steele who was hired by Fusion GPS who was in turn paid for by the DNC and the Clinton Campaign. Nobody's going to walk away from this without having their fingerprints all over something that's Russian. MACCALLUM: Michael Blake, what do you think about the take away from the book tonight? MICHAEL BLAKE, VICE CHAIRMAN, DNC: Well, first and foremost, before we keep going now, we want to make sure we keep positive prayers for the F-18 pilots that went down off the key west of Florida. Now, as it relates to -- the question at hand, we want others to be mindful of this: all intelligence agencies are conveying that clearly meddling happened. It is clear for whatever reason that the House Republicans and so many Republican allies want to ignore what is actually happening, and the truth of the matter that Putin and the Russians were clearly trying to benefit President Trump. And for anyone who has any confusion about this, Trey Gowdy himself conveyed, very clearly, there's enough evidence to demonstrate that Putin and the Russians are trying to help Trump win this election. So, we think about what's happening, we will continue, obviously, to let Bob Mueller move forward with the case. But we can't ignore the reality what's happening -- they were trying to benefit Trump, plain and simple. MACCALLUM: All right. Let's take a look at another big story tonight that the president may be facing a battle to get the new CIA Director confirmed. He tweeted today about his overall frustration with the very slow pace of the confirmation that they've been able to put through, saying: 'Hundreds of good people, including very important ambassadors and judges are being blocked or slow walked by the Democrats in the Senate. Many important positions in government are unfilled because of this obstruction. Worst in U.S. history.' And it seems that the president may have a point. Of his 639 nominations, nearly half of them are still waiting for confirmation more than a year later. So, Michael, you know, to the extent that there is responsibility on the Democrats side, how do you respond to that? BLAKE: It's pretty ridiculous that President Trump is trying to make this argument. Let's look at other agencies that have had repeated delays such as the secretary of state, the State Department itself, the multiple undersecretaries, and secretary vacancies that are existing there. So, for him to make the argument that the reason why we're not moving forward despite having the Senate despite the having the House is because of Democrats. It's just a smoke screen and it's not all showing efficiency or responsibility in government. We think about what happened last night with the Conor Lamb election is another reminder that people are not listening or believing what Trump is saying about his leadership, and the non-existing leadership that he's possessing right now. MACCALLUM: Let me give, Karl, a chance to weigh in both on what's called slow walking by the Democrats and it's a procedural method that's, you know, sort of, gumming up the works here and also the Conor Lamb decision which came out just a while ago? ROVE: Part of the problem is that the administration moved slowly on making appointment, but you put your finger on what's really important. Of the six -- nearly 700 that they have sent forward, half of them have not been moved after a year and a half. The Democrats are slow walking these using every procedural trick in the book in order to keep the government from coming together, and shame on them for doing so. Let me mention one other thing. I want to make one point about the Russians. Mr. Blake said, everybody knew that the Russians were meddling in the election on behalf of Trump. Well, if everybody knew, then it makes it even more problematic that President Obama did nothing when our intelligence agencies knew that the Russians were trying to meddle in our elections -- BLAKE: You mean the sanctions that he put forth, Karl? You mean the sanctions that the president forward on that. ROVE: After the election! (CROSSTALK) ROVE: Those sanctions are still in place. Mr. Blake, those sanctions are still in place. And what the president did was -- (CROSSTALK) ROVE: Let me finish, Mr. Blake. I didn't interrupt you. No need to interrupt me. I know you don't want to speak the truth. So, I'm going to speak it anyway. President Obama did nothing -- BLAKE: That's fine. MACCALLUM: Michael, hold on a bit -- one second. ROVE: Except it speaks sharply to Putin at a meeting, the sanctions were done after the election and they're still in place today. The government of the United States whether it's Republican or Democrat ought to move everything it can do to stop the Russians from meddling in our elections whether it's Trump now in the 2018 elections or Obama in the 2016 elections. BLAKE: Yes, which is why it's even more ridiculous that the House Republicans are deciding to shut down their investigation on this despite the unanimous findings of the intelligence agencies and specifically a House Republican Trey Gowdy conveying that meddling is occurring. So, yes, Karl, everyone should be focused on. MACCALLUM: I think everyone has agreed that there were efforts to meddle. There's no doubt about that. That collusion question is the question that puts them in on this investigation. (CROSSTALK) ROVE: I'd recommend to Mr. Blake too that he read the Republican report, because their point was that they disagreed with some of the intelligence community's finding on how specific and how clear it was that they were trying to interfere in the election on behalf of President Trump. For example, they spent more money, the Russians did, after the elections when Trump won than they did before the election. So, then, you know, they're trying to make a mess of the whole thing. MACCALLUM: True. All right. Guys, I got to leave it there, gentlemen. BLAKE: Thank you, Karl. I've been reading it before. I came prepared. But I appreciate it, Karl. MACCALLUM: Thank you both. ROVE: Well, then next time, next time, reflect it. MACCALLUM: Karl Rove, thank you very much. All right. So, there is some breaking news tonight that we're going to tell you about. We've covered this story very closely in Austin. The deadly Austin package bombings. And sources are now telling Fox News on the ground there that the 17-year-old and the 39-year-old victims may have been specifically targeted. James Fitzgerald, the FBI agent, that caught the Unabomber, on what it is going to take to catch this suspect. (COMMERCIAL BREAK) MACCALLUM: Breaking tonight, the two victims in the Austin package bombings may have been specifically targeted. There are new reports tonight that one of the survivors may have picked up an explosives package that was addressed to someone else. We know that the two people who were killed in these bombings: a 17-year-old, Dreland Mason; and 39-year-old, Anthony House, do have a connection through their families. And the local NAACP branch says this is not a coincidence. Joining me now is Nelson Linder, the President of the Austin NAACP. Mr. Linder, thank you very much for being here and our sympathies to your community because I know that you are grieving tonight over the loss of these two individuals. What is the family connection between them, sir? NELSON LINDER, PRESIDENT, AUSTIN NAACP: Well, actually, the first victim, Anthony House, his stepfather is Dr. Freddie Dickerson. And the second family, the doctor, Dr. Mason, he and him, Freddie Dickerson, were friends. So, the families know each other way back -- from the business standpoint and a civil right standpoint in this community. They were very prominent people. So, Dreland Mason, the kid who was killed, those families know each other very well and that's a primary connection -- they know each other, they live in East Austin, they worked in East Austin. So, they're very important people in our community. MACCALLUM: And belonged to the same historic church there, I believe, which has been there for generation? LINDER: Exactly. Wesley United Methodist Church, exactly. MACCALLUM: So, tell me why you believe that the package that blew up at Esperanza Herrera's home was not intended for her. You think it was intended for another member of this family? LINDER: Well, let me just say this, the first two bombings -- I mean, in my opinion -- they targeted African-Americans, we're very sure about that, who had a connection. And these terrorist, whatever they are, these bombers seem to have a lot of information about the family connections. The third bombing, a Hispanic female, it seems like that was not part of their pattern. And we've heard a lot of statements that I can't confirm publicly, sources who called us, who seem to think there somehow that this bomb was misplaced and therefore had unintended consequences. And there are things out there that I think that indicate that might be the case. MACCALLUM: Is there another member of the house, or Mason family who lives right near that woman? LINDER: That has not been confirmed yet. We've addressed the address, but we can't confirm that another member lives there. That has not been confirmed yet, and I can't really say that. But I'm saying, there are questions there that will be resolved later because it seemed to be too suspicious at this point based on what people are saying. MACCALLUM: Before I let you go, sir, can you think of any reason why anybody would want to hurt the members of these family? LINDER: You know, we don't know the motive. And that's why I think the ATF and the FBI are very important. There are, right now, possible motivations. My point is that as a community, we have to be more aware of these situations. Had we known about the first bombing, we could tell our community don't pick up any mail packages, that would've been helpful, we didn't know that. So, I think now we've learned, somewhat, how to protect ourselves. But until we know the motive, and the motivations, we can't fully protect ourselves. We do know that these bombers are very sophisticated, obviously, very well-trained, and that was very angry, and they targeted select victims. That's what we believe is happening in Austin, Texas. MACCALLUM: Mr. Linder, thank you very much for being here tonight. We appreciate it. LINDER: Thank you. Thanks for the time, OK. MACCALLUM: So, many experts say that there are parallels as you were just hearing, between this and potentially the Unabomber case, Ted Kaczynski's bombs killed three and injured 23 others over a span of nearly of 20 years. He was finally caught in 1996 by my next guest. James Fitzgerald, Retired FBI Profiler and Forensic Linguist who is the subject of Discovery Channel series 'Manhunt Unabomber.' In addition to the Unabomber case, he worked on the job in the Ramsey case as well. So, you have a ton of experience with this sort of thing, sir. This person is apparently pretty adept at what they're doing. They did it in a short period of time. They've already killed two people and injured two others. JAMES FITZGERALD, RETIRED FBI PROFILER AND FORENSIC LINGUIST: Bombers who aren't adept, Martha, they blow themselves up before-hand. So, this guy, obviously, has done some practicing. He's done some -- he's went out into the field and into the woods, somewhere, and he's worked on these devices before. This didn't happen overnight when he got mad. You know, two weeks ago, and made a couple of bombs, and he's done with. This took a while to put these things together. The anger and frustration was there for a while. And I know that's what the investigators are looking after right now. MACCALLUM: How would you work to solve this case, Jim? FITZGERALD: The first thing I would do is look at the victimology. Obviously, the crime scene is important. They have to go over every single piece of evidence found there. Then, they have to look at the victims, and that's what your previous guest was just saying. Every aspect of them -- you need to get a Venn Diagram, computerized scheme of some sort, or every aspect of these person's personal, professional and business lives is brought about -- e-mails connections, Facebook types of post. Everything has to be looked at. Then, perhaps, there's somebody in there that will come to the surface. But also, with the Unabomber, he never bombed people he knew, they were representational targets, they were people that bothered him because of their existence or what company or what ideology they represented. MACCALLUM: You know, usually in these kind of situations, there's writing, some sort of manifesto, correct? FITZGERAL: Well, not a manifesto. At least a letter or two claiming responsibility, saying why the person did it. And that's unusual in this case so far. Bombers, you may not like them for killing people or whatever, but they can be proud people and they have messages they want to get across. And I'm not condoning at all what he did, just I like I did with Ted Kaczynski. But you think at some point a letter would be written saying here's why I did it, maybe it's philosophical or illogical reason. Maybe it is personal. But if the person puts that out there, they'll certainly get any message he's trying to tell across to the public and, maybe, it will make some sense. Although, the taking of life never, of course, makes sense. MARTHA MACCALLUM, THE STORY HOST: Yeah. In terms of what you would tell the police and the investigators at this point, anything that you're, sort of, taking away here? FITZGERALD: Well, it was a team effort that caught the Unabomber. It's going to be a team effort that catches this guy. There're obviously some patterns developing. It's sort of an I-35 Carter, when the east side of the interstate there it's going from north to south, and there's all kinds of, you know, potential geographic issues in there. Interesting, serial bombers tend to usually be white males, and murders are usually committed intra-racially. So we have some sort of conflicting statistics here which may, you know, make this case a little more difficult to resolve. MACCALLUM: You'll come back, Jim. FITZGERALD: OK, Martha. MACCALLUM: And try to solve this case. Thank you very much. Good to have you here tonight. FITZGERALD: Thank you. MACCALLUM: So still ahead this evening, there are fears tonight about how Russia will respond to British Prime Minister Theresa May's dramatic decision to sever ties with the Kremlin. And as congress took an important step toward keeping students in America safe, tens of thousands walked out of their schools in protest for the Parkland shooting. What about the teens who believe in the second amendment? Ben Shapiro has a message for them, next. (BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) UNINDENTIFIED FEMALE: I don't want my teacher to have a gun. I don't want to have guns in my school. I go to school to learn. I don't go to school to fight for my life. (END VIDEO CLIP) (COMMERCIAL BREAK) MACCALLUM: So exactly one month after the Parkland shooting, today, the House passed a bill to fund more security at schools and provide more training resources, as students across the country walked out of their schools calling for action with a largely singular message. (BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) UNINDENTIFIED FEMALE: If you can speak, speak. If you can march, march. UNINDENTIFIED FEMALE: I asked our Republican lawmakers, is the right to have a gun more important than our right to life? UNINDENTIFIED MALE: We will not sit in classrooms with armed teachers. Together, we will get gun reform, because it is the right thing to do. (END VIDEO CLIP) MACCALLUM: But not all students are on board with that message. One high school writing a message to conservative commentator Ben Shapiro, today, quote, I am in favor of walking to honor the victims, but not in favor of promoting gun reform. I feel like I have to choose between going against my political values or looking like a bad person. I need help. Here now, Ben Shapiro, editor-in-chief of dailywire.com. Ben, good to see you tonight. You've received several messages like that, right? What did you tell them? BEN SHAPIRO, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF DAILYWIRE.COM: I've been getting legitimately dozens scores messages, probably a hundred since yesterday of students who are disappointed at the way they feel that they've been bullied into joining the school walk out. What I suggested is walk out with your friends and hold up signs that say things like, standing with children, standing with second amendment, or protect our lives, armed law-abiding people. I mean, the media has put forward this message and they've been doing this for years, but it's really -- I think accelerated in the last few months and, particularly, in the last few weeks. In putting forward this message that if you disagree with them on gun control, then this means you don't care enough about the kids. And now they're activating these kids and putting them out on the frontlines and putting them on photo-op, so they can -- essentially use them as political human shields. Now, listen, the kids can say whatever they want, that's their prerogative, obviously. MACCALLUM: Yeah. SHAPIRO: But it is the media that are choosing to elevate these kids' moral authorities, even though tragedy and age don't confirm any sort of expertise on a given issue. MACCALLUM: Yeah. You know, we spoke to a gun store owner last night in Florida, who refused to sell a gun to the Parkland shooter. He said I don't sell guns -- he was a former Israeli -- in the military in Israel. He said I don't sell guns to people under 21. That's my practice. That's what I do. Is there any room for some of these measures that some of these kids would be in favor of? SHAPIRO: Well, you know, it depends on the measure. And the question is, what's the level of public support? Whenever they take a poll and say there are tons and tons of people who are in favor of gun control. That's a really big statement. It's like poll that shows that Americans are in favor of cutting the side of government. Well, that sounds great until you get down to the brass tax and say what do you want to cut? When people say they're in favor of gun control, usually they think that means do you think we should take measures to prevent mass shootings? And the answer, of course, is yes. But that doesn't necessarily boil down into law that anybody likes. So there's still some pretty significant controversy, for example, over raising the age limit for buying rifles. I mean, if you can serve in the military at 18, and you can vote at 18, then what is the problem, exactly, with buying guns. And at the same time, there's a certain weird, kind of, argument that's being made that kids who are 17 shouldn't be making all of the public policies, but kids who are 17 are also not capable of buying a weapon. So what is exactly the age of adulthood? And these are arguments that we can have, and I'm perfectly happy to have them. But what I'm not happy to do, and what I think a lot of these students who are writing me are not happy about is this attitude that if you disagree with people on politics, that this means that you can't even be part of the conversation. The only people we will talk to are people we agree with on gun control measures. That's actually a form of nastiness. It's a form of political cajoling, not that I think is really counterproductive. MACCALLUM: It pervades so many schools and so many universities. There's only one way of thinking that's acceptable in protests. And that clearly has been demonstrated today. There've got to be room for people to have district voices in the country, and exercise their free speech, and for people to respect the argument on both sides. I want to shook up a completely different topic, because the discussion that Hillary Clinton had in India, earlier this week, has gotten a lot of attention. She is still explaining the reasons for why she lost, and she enumerates it this way. Let's listen. (END VIDEO CLIP) HILLARY CLINTON, FORMER PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: His whole campaign, make America great again, was looking backwards. You know, you didn't like black people getting rights. You don't like women, you know, getting jobs. You don't want it. You know, see that Indian-Americans succeeding more than you are. (END VIDEO CLIP) MACCALLUM: Remarkable. SHAPIRO: And she's a delight. I mean, she's absolutely delighted. I mean, the wonderful thing about Hillary Clinton that she is, number one, the worst candidate in American history, bar none, and she demonstrates that every day. She's blaming everybody but herself for an election loss that was entirely her fault. I mean, this is the most winnable election for all time for Democrats, and somehow they blow it because Hillary Clinton is doing exactly this, where she's blaming half of the American population suggesting they're -- who have to still go to bathrooms in the outhouse, and that they hate brown people. By the way, there're only two states in the United States that had Indian-American governors, and both of those states are red states that voted for Donald Trump. MACCALLUM: A great point. SHAPIRO: Sacramento and Louisiana, right? Nikki Haley is sitting in the U.N. right now as ambassador from the United States, an Indian-American woman in the Trump administration. So, I'm waiting to hear her actual argument, again, as oppose to everybody who voted for me -- voted against me is terrible, and everybody who voted for me is therefore virtuous. By the way, that was in Moore's argument, she made the worst argument she made is that white women whose married voted against her because their husbands were going to bully them or bring home the whooping stick and tell -- that you better get out there and vote for Trump. (LAUGHTER) SHAPIRO: That was the most ridiculous argument. MACCALLUM: That was a Doocy. In fact, you know, I want to show one -- you've been getting a lot of messages. I'm been getting a lot of messages about that one because we've played that last night. Jennifer Curst tweeted this, I've voted for him because I believe in him. I knew he was our country last best hope. I have three children and I knew we were headed in the wrong direction. My husband lost faith in him before the election and didn't believe he could win. I'm the one who said watch, and I was right. I have, you know, probably, 50 messages like that in my Twitter account. SHAPIRO: Again, for all of the feminists out there who say that women are fully capable of making autonomous decision, I ask you, why are you not condemning Hillary Clinton today for suggesting that married women are not capable of making those autonomous decisions? By the way, statically speaking, none of these makes sense. The reality is -- the reason why married people tend to vote Republican more often than non-married people is because married people are a self-selective group who tend to be more conservative and tend to be more religious, number one. And number two, marriage does change you because now you have to start thinking about kids. You have to start thinking about how much money you want to save on taxes. You have to start thinking about where you send your kids to school. And it is true, that marriage changes voting for both sexes. In fact, in 2016 election cycle, what you see is that unmarried men voted by plurality for Hillary Clinton. It was married men who voted overwhelmingly for Donald Trump. And the same thing is true for unmarried women, they voted overwhelmingly for Hillary Clinton. And married women, not just white married women, married women, overall, voted much more close to parity in terms of Trump and Hillary. They've got a 14 point shift on marriage, you know, between Democrat and Republican for women, and about an 11 point shift after marriage for men. MACCALLUM: Fascinating. SHAPIRO: So it holds true for both sexist. MACCALLUM: Ben, thank you, always good to see you. Ben Shapiro, thanks for being here. SHAPIRO: Thanks a lot. MACCALLUM: So coming up next, fears of retaliation tonight, after -- from Moscow, after Britain takes dramatic action against Russia for the poisoning of a former spy and his daughter. Bill Browder knows first-hand how dangerous the Kremlin can be. He's been personally targeted by them. His unique take after the break. (COMMERCIAL BREAK) (BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) THERESA MAY, UNITED KINGDOM PRIME MINISTER: The United Kingdom will now expel 23 Russian diplomats who have been identified as undeclared intelligence officers. They have just one week to leave. (END VIDEO CLIP) MACCALLUM: That was British Prime Minister Theresa May taking harsh action against Russia following a nerve agent attack, military grade nerve action attack, in a park after these two people left a restaurant. An ex-spy and his daughter are now in -- hanging on for their lives in a hospital in London. The U.S. is standing by our allies in this. Here is U.S. ambassador to the U.N., Nikki Haley, with some very strong discussion just a short time ago. Watch this. (BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) NIKKI HALEY, U.S. AMBASSADOR TO THE U.N.: The Russian complained recently that we criticize them too much. If the Russian government stopped using chemical weapons to assassinate its enemies, we would stop taking about them. If we don't take immediate concrete measures to address this now, Salisbury will not be the last place we see chemical weapons used. They could be used here in New York, or in cities of any country that sits on this council. (END VIDEO CLIP) MACCALLUM: Joining me now, Bill Browder, who knows personally how dangerous the Kremlin can be. He has been a target for many years. He's a fierce critic of Putin. He's also the CEO of Hermitage Capital Management. Bill, good to see you tonight. Just to remind people, your attorney and friend, Mr. Magnitsky, was tortured and killed in a Russian prison. And your efforts to punish Russia, I guess, for that, turned into sanctions that were put against them. A large effort has been launched to try to lift those sanctions by Glenn Simpson and others. So now, what do you make of this nerve agent attack in London? BILL BROWDER, HERMITAGE CAPITAL MANAGEMENT CEO: I think it's the most shocking thing imaginable. Here you have a state sponsored terrorist attacks using military grade chemical weapons in the heart of England, organized by Vladimir Putin. I mean, it can't get any more serious than that. That is absolutely. MACCALLUM: This is outrage, he said we -- there's no evidence that we had anything to do with this. BROWDER: And Putin said there was no evidence that they went into Crimea. He said there's no evidence that they shot down MH-17. They said there's no evidence that they killed Sergei Magnitsky. Basically, Putin lies at every step of the way. He, for sure, did it, and he's got to bear responsibility, and we have to create consequences for him. MACCALLUM: And this is just a long list of these people. You have (INAUDIBLE) several years ago. You have -- just this week, Nikolai Glushkov, who was killed -- short time before that, Boris Berezovski, all people who had left the Soviet Union, living in London, who they, obviously, still have a bone with to pick with. BROWDER: And there's one other big problem is that the British government doesn't investigate most of these things as murders. On the Litvinenko case they concluded that that radioactive material had been used to kill him in the heart of London, and the British government did nothing. These other cases, they didn't investigate as murders. There's another guy name, Perepilichny, who helped us with the Magnitsky, he died at the age of 44, jogging in front of his house outside of London, no investigation. MACCALLUM: What do you think Theresa May should do? Because you, clearly, don't think she's doing enough. BROWDER: Well, so she laid out -- she said we're going to kick out 23 Russian diplomats, and then she laid out a whole list of things they're gonna do. And so, they're gonna do stuff is what matters. And some of those things are like freezing assets and going after spies and other things. If they freeze assets of Vladimir Putin, that would get his attention. But just kicking out spies, they've got thousands of spies. MACCALLUM: They're going, basically, no diplomatic dialogue at this point. BROWDER: No diplomatic dialogue is not a response to a chemical weapons attack on your soil. MACCALLUM: Bill Browder, You know, I mean, where do you think this is going? Are they just keeps doing this? Or you must feel like you're in danger. BROWDER: Well, they're going to keep doing it until there's a firm boundary put around them. Putin understands boundaries very well, and he pokes around to see where there's weakness. And he spots weakness here in this situation. MACCALLUM: Is the Trump response strong enough? BROWDER: Well, Nikki Haley's response was absolutely strong enough. Rex Tillerson's response was strong enough. MACCALLUM: Thank you. Good to see you tonight, Bill. Bill Browder, we'll see you next time. So President Trump is reportedly pushing to take a dramatically harder stance against China. He's had this in mind for quite some time. This may be where the next big conversation is happening with trade. Andy Puzder is here with his take, next. (COMMERCIAL BREAK) MACCALLUM: So President Trump is reportedly looking to take a harder stance against China, hitting them with some stiff tariffs. His new economic advisor, as of today, Larry Kudlow, is already on board with that plan. Listen. (BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) LARRY KUDLOW, PRESIDENT TRUMP ECONOMIC ADVISOR: I must say, as someone who doesn't like tariffs, I think China has earned a tough response, not only from the United States. I mean, I thought that I have is if the United States could lead a coalition of large trading partners and allies against China, or to let China know that they are breaking the rules left and right. (END VIDEO CLIP) MACCALLUM: We're going to hear what's coming. Andy Puzder is policy advisor for America First Policy. Good to see you, again, Andy. ANDY PUZDER, AMERICA FIRST POLICY: Great to be here, Martha. MACCALLUM: You said, you know, that this idea -- because the president asked his trade representative, Mr. Lighthizer, for a package of tariffs against China. They came back with a $30 billion package. He said, no, that's not enough. I want a bigger package, and he wants to cut the trade deficit by $100 billion with China. He's had this mind, I think, for about 25 years. PUZDER: Well, he has. Look, the Chinese are finally talking to us, we've got a decade of America's trading partners beating up on us by subsidizing companies to put our companies out of business, using trade and nontrade barriers, stealing our intellectual property. Now you've got a president -- he's got to come back with something strong. Other presidents have said you shouldn't take our intellectual property, you shouldn't subsidize. MACCALLUM: Yes. PUZDER: Nothing happened. This guy came in with a hammer -- not only is China negotiating with us, but in the green room while I'm watching across the bottom of the TV, watching your show, it's a Merkel, Chancellor Merkel has now said the E.U. should negotiate with the United States about these affairs before it takes retaliatory action. Well, of course, they should. (CROSSTALK) PUZDER: We're the world's largest customer. Who do you not want to offend? You're largest customer. MACCALLUM: He said this is the kind of thing that scares the hell out of academia and politicians, but business people go, yeah, this is a good opening -- opening salvo, right? PUZDER: Look, if you were in a negotiation with Donald Trump, you expect something like this at the beginning. I think it scares people that they grew up in politics, and write great articles about economics, I think it scares them. But, look, if you're a business person, you know what this guy is doing. And he's going to come out -- look, even NAFTA, when we've given exception to Canada and Mexico, while we renegotiate NAFTA. Now, do you think that puts us in a better position as negotiator or worse? MACCALLUM: Absolutely PUZDER: Obviously, better. This is all very smart. MACCALLUM: All right. So what do you think about the selection of Larry Kudlow who has -- you know, obviously, was in the Reagan administration, been around a long time. He was not on board with the tariffs question. He seems to be on board with what the president wants to do in China now. Is there going to be, sort of, a good give-and-take and tensions on economic policy between President Trump and Larry Kudlow? PUZDER: Larry Kudlow is a great guy, first of all. He's just a really, really good guy. And I think the president wants people who will do what he directs them to do, but before he gives the direction, he wants to hear both sides. And I think Larry is going to speak up. I think Larry will do his job, but he won't hold back from telling the president what he thinks. I was involved early in the campaign, Steve Moore, and Larry Kudlow, Art Laffer, were all helping the president with tax policy, which turn out great. And I think that's why -- maybe why he went to Larry. That was such a successful program for Republicans and for the president. MACCALLUM: Yeah. Well, some of the discussion is that he's trying to surround himself with yes-men. PUZDER: Larry Kudlow is not a yes-man. You know, even a week ago, he was saying, you know, I like trade, I don't like tariffs. Now, obviously, he had discussions with the president, maybe now he has a better understanding of what the president intends to do. MACCALLUM: It served a business and negotiation tactic. PUZDER: Yes. And even -- it's only a tactic if the other side knows you'll do it. So I think Trump will do it if he's pushed, but they don't want to push that. We have half a trillion dollar trade deficit with -- we're the last country anybody wants to offend, particularly, Germany or China. They're not going to do that. MACCALLUM: A piece today in Bloomberg, talking about how Amazon bottomless appetite became corporate America's nightmare, that it is flat-out the most terrifying company in the world with the breadth of what they are involved in now. Are you terrified of Amazon? PUZDER: Not at all. I think Amazon is great. I love what they're doing to other companies. They're really forcing them to innovate. You can compete with Amazon to innovate and create. Look what they're doing to Walmart. Walmart has much greater retail, but Walmart is changing the way it does business because of Amazon. If the government comes in and tries to regulate Amazon, it will restrict that innovation, that creativity. You're not going to have the same kind of drive in the market. They do need to be careful about trust laws, particularly, vertical. They're talking about replacing FedEx and UPS. They've got to be careful. MACCALLUM: Andy Puzder, always good to see you. PUZDER: Great to see you. MACCALLUM: Good to see you tonight. So that is our story for tonight. We will be back here tomorrow night at seven. Let's go to D.C. where our good friend Tucker Carlson in standing by. Copy: Content and Programming Copyright 2018 Fox News Network, LLC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Copyright 2018 ASC Services II Media, LLC. 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 ASC Services II Media, LLC. You may not alter or remove any trademark, copyright or other notice from copies of the content. The Guardian Mariam Moustafa, 18, was placed in a coma following attack but died on Wednesday The Egyptian government is pressing UK authorities to act swiftly in their investigations into the death of an 18-year-old Egyptian student who was the victim of a street assault in Nottingham. Mariam Moustafa, who was left in a coma after the incident on 20 February, was pronounced dead on Wednesday. The teenager, an engineering student based in the city, was allegedly punched several times during a confrontation with a group of women in Parliament Street, Nottingham. While detectives investigating the death have said there is no information to suggest the attack was motivated by hate, the students family have reportedly been critical of the British authorities response. On the night of the incident, Moustafa got on a bus at the scene near the Victoria Centre shopping precinct and was followed by the group, who it is claimed were then threatening and abusive towards her. She was taken to a medical centre in Nottingham after the attack. She was then released, according to a report by Middle East Eye, but later suffered a brain haemorrhage and was placed in a medically induced coma. The newspaper quoted her father, Hatem Abdel Salam, as saying that the family had received no support from the British authorities or police. Its been nearly 20 days and the girls who were involved in the assault havent been arrested, it quoted him as saying. The British police havent given me any details about what happened nor has the hospital provided us a single report. The Egyptian embassy in London said in a statement that its counsel general and medical counsel, as well as other representatives from the embassy, were immediately dispatched to offer support to the family following the attack and were briefed by the familys lawyer. The government of Egypt and embassy have been closely following the circumstances of this vicious attack with the relevant British authorities and express the need for those responsible be be brought to justice swiftly, it added. The deep concern of the Egyptian public is evident and the embassy remains focused in its efforts to to support and assist Mariams grieving family whose life has been shattered by the traumatic loss. Nottinghamshire police said it was aware of social media posts and discussions with regard to the recent tragic death of Mariam Moustafa. The content of these posts and discussions suggest that the incident is motivated by hate, it added in a statement. At this time, from our investigation, there is no information to suggest that the assault was motivated by hate but we continue to keep an open mind. We would like to reassure the community that we are treating this incident very seriously and we are working hard to establish the circumstances. We are also giving support to Mariams family at this very difficult time. A 17-year-old girl arrested on suspicion of assault occasioning grievous bodily harm was bailed pending further investigation following the incident. The friendly skies are starting to sound downright dangerous. In March alone, stories of rape, fistfights and dead beloved pets have dominated national headlines. And it seems no airline is immune. United, Southwest, American and Alaska Airlines are just a few of the carriers scrambling to explain the behavior of crew members. And tales of passengers gone wild can often be even more harrowing. Both pets and humans have been mistreated by airlines for years. With the advent of smartphones and more and more passengers aware of taking them out and hitting record, theres been a microscope on airlines and how these incidents are handled. Especially following the Dr. Dao incident last year, passengers are better equipped to document anything that happens when traveling - especially on United, Brian Kelly, CEO and founder of The Points Guy told Fox News. In a recent survey of airplane crew members, 67 percent of respondents said they have witnessed passengers behaving aggressively or violently toward each other, and 10 percent have experienced firsthand passenger-initiated violence. But it's not just the flyers acting out. Things have gotten so bad with their employees, United just rolled out a compassion training program aimed at teaching employees how to be caring, safe, dependable and efficient. This new system will require around 30,000 customer-facing crew members to attend a four-hour training session to ensure all safety standards are met with a smile. Despite recent headlines, however, complaints against the airline were down in 2017 from 2016. According to the Department of Transportation, only 2,030 complaints were made, compared to 2,277 the previous year. But you wouldn't know that from the headlines over the past few weeks. Here is a quick summary. A mix-up with United Airlines resulted in a familys dog being sent to Japan instead of Kansas. Irgo the German shepherd ended up in the foreign country when his owner, Kara Swindle, was moving with her family and pet from Oregon to Kansas. Swindle was traveling to Wichita with her two small children on one flight and 10-year-old Irgo was being flown out separately the same day. Since Irgo is a large breed, he had to be transported by kennel in the cargo hold of the plane. When Swindle went to pick up her dog from the cargo facility, she discovered Irgo was missing and there was a Great Dane waiting, instead. United confirmed the mix-up took place in Denver during a layover and the two pets were sent to the wrong destinations. A day later, Irgo was put on a private charter to be returned home to Kansas. A man and his young daughter got kicked off a Southwest Airlines flight after the child allegedly wouldnt sit in her own seat. According to a witness, who recorded a viral video of the incident, the little girl was afraid and acting upset in preparation for takeoff. When the father asked for a minute to deal with his daughter, estimated to be around two years old, the attendant reportedly walked away and called for someone to remove them from the flight. Southwest confirmed the family was removed from the flight after the conversation escalated between the passengers and crew. They were later booked on a different flight to their destination. A black man is calling out United Airlines for racial bias after he says a white woman was offered a $1,000 voucher to remove her feet from the tray table. However, the airline says it was all a misunderstanding. Frederick Joseph was traveling from Austin, Texas to Newark, New Jersey when the passenger next to him took off her shoes and placed her feet on the tray table. When he asked her to remove them, she reportedly refused and told a flight attendant he was disrupting her flight. In order to pacify the customer, Joseph claims she was offered a $1,000 voucher. While he later explained the airline assured him the woman received no such compensation, he still said he doesnt feel as though he was treated with equal respect because of his skin color. United denied Josephs accusations. A French bulldog died on a United Airlines flight after the owners were forced by an attendant to store him in the overhead bin while traveling from Texas to New York. The pets owners paid $125 to have the dog on board and carried him on in a TSA-compliant carrier, which shouldve been kept underneath her seat in compliance with the airlines pet policy. However, a flight attendant told the family he had to be put in the overhead bin. Despite the dogs barking, the family was unable to check on their beloved pet until they reached their destination, at which time they discovered Kokito had died. Cause of death is assumed to be a lack of oxygen. United claimed full responsibility for the tragic accident and offered the family compensation. An unruly passenger on a Lion Air flight was removed by aviation officials for wearing a life vest on board and instructing other passengers to do the same. Despite crew members removing the vest and stowing the item, the passenger took it out and put it back on six more times throughout the duration of the flight, claiming he could see and feel danger. The plane landed at its destination in Padang, Indonesia, but the passenger was apprehended and handed over to airport authorities. A male American Airlines captain was arrested right before takeoff on a flight scheduled to fly out of Sao Paulo, Brazil after engaging in a heated argument with a female ground agent. The dispute was reportedly over the alignment of a jet bridge. When the agent accidentally stepped on the pilots foot, he became angry, pushing her and grabbing her by the neck, according to witnesses. An airport maintenance worker had to intervene and the flight was cancelled, leaving passengers stranded at the airport. The pilot was arrested and his passport withheld. Two male passengers engaged in a violent fistfight onboard a Southwest Airlines flight in Dallas preparing to depart for Los Angeles. Witnesses claim one of the passengers was asked to leave the plane after arguing with a flight attendant regarding the overhead bins. When he refused, the pilot asked all passengers to exit the aircraft. Trying to prevent the situation, the other male passenger stepped in and asked the man to get off, sparking the altercation. According to the airline, both passengers involved were deplaned and turned over to local law enforcement. A mother traveling alone with her 6-month-old son was removed from a Spirit Airlines flight to Boston because a flight attendant told crew the baby was sick. The woman said her baby had been spitting up before the flight, so she requested an aisle seat to make it easier to care for the child. Thats when the flight attendant told her she needed to exit the aircraft because her baby was too sick to fly. When she got back to the ticket counter, she discovered her luggage hadnt been removed and was on its way to Boston without her. Spirit Airlines said the decision to remove the woman from the flight was based on the safety of other passengers. A woman behaving bizarrely on a United Express flight from San Francisco to Boise, Idaho had an emotional outburst and tried to open the emergency exit door halfway through the trip. The agitated passenger was reportedly yelling things like I want to die! Get me off this plane! She then started screaming I am God, I am God, I am God, I am God! as she tried to open the cabin door. Other passengers restrained her with zip ties until the plane landed. A spokesperson for Skywest, which was operating the flight, said that once all passengers were safely deplaned, the unruly customer was held for questioning by law enforcement, said Layne Watson, a spokesperson from SkyWest. A passenger was arrested after stripping naked and watching porn on his computer before attacking an airline crew member on a Malindo Air flight from Kuala Lampur, Malaysia, to Dhaka, Bangladesh. Authorities arrested the 20-year-old for his disturbing behavior. After a flight attendant requested he put his clothes back on, the man complied but then later began assaulting the female crew members. Unable to calm him down, with the help of passengers, the crew members retrained the man by tying his hands with a piece of cloth until he could be detained upon landing. The airline said the disruptive passenger was sent to jail by the Bangladesh authorities. A Siberian Airlines passenger was arrested after punching and strangling men, women and children on a flight from St. Petersburg to Novosibirsk, Russia. The unruly man was pacing the aisles, spouting obscenities and disturbing other passengers, ignoring crew members requests to take his seat. He got physical with other people on board, grabbing one womans hair and calling another passengers baby a slut. Once the plane landed, police took the man to the airport holding cell, where he continued behaving aggressively, removing his shirt and banging on the walls. Thirty-four passengers on a Nextjet flight were sent to the wrong city 600 miles away from their intended destination after a mix-up with airline scheduling. The passengers were previously informed their flight to Gothenburg, Sweden had been delayed due to weather. A few hours later, a plane arrived and the group of people boarded. However, instead of being flown to Gothenburg, which is on the west coast of Sweden, the passengers ended up in Lulea, in the far north of the country. The mix-up apparently occurred when the airline was forced to cancel the original flight, but failed to notify passengers waiting at the airport. Fox News' Janine Puhak, Alexandra Deabler and Michael Bartiromo contributed to this report. Three tourists were kicked out of Machu Picchu on Tuesday after taking pictures of their bare buttocks in front of the Incan ruins. The three tourists dropped their pants to show their buttocks and took photos, police official Martin Flores told AFP, adding that it is not allowed. In accordance with internal rules in place there, the three tourists were expelled, but they were not detained. The tourists were a 21-year-old from Germany, a 24-year-old from Switzerland, and a 26-year-old from the Netherlands. Naked tourism to the 15th-century Peruvian monument has become such a common problem that, in 2014, Perus Ministry of Culture declared the exposures disrespectful and unfortunate events that threaten cultural heritage. Park rules are now printed on the back of admission tickets and the rules clearly ban nudity onsite. While there arent any estimates as to how many tourists per year attempt to bare all at the Peruvian citadel, in 2015 alone, at least 10 tourists were caught taking naked pictures. Its estimated that more than 1.2 million tourists visit Machu Picchu every year. However, the tourism sites own popularity could actually harm it in the long run. In July, officials implemented a new policy of timed tickets to help spread out the flow of visitors. Visitors now must also stay on one of three approved paths instead of exploring trails independently. This article originally appeared on Travel + Leisure. A Colorado woman who claims she was raped last summer during an American Airlines flight is suing the carrier after it offered her $5,000 to settle. On June 16, 2017, Aubrey Lane boarded the red-eye American Airlines Flight 1280 at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport en route to New York's JFK International Airport to see her family, The Dallas Morning News reports. When she got up to use the restroom several hours into the flight, the 31-year-old real estate professional claims she was followed and soon trapped in the lavatory and assaulted by an intoxicated male passenger who had been sitting next to her. ALASKA AIRLINES PILOT ACCUSED OF RAPE GROUNDED AS SHOCKING DETAILS EMERGE, OUTCRY GROWS I was feeling overwhelmed ... all of a sudden, I was thrown in a middle seat, bawling. On top of being sad and hurt and scared, I was also embarrassed, Lane told the outlet of the traumatic experience. After informing cabin crew of the attack, the Colorado Springs resident says she was moved to the back of the plane for the duration of the flight. Police officers met her at JFK and she was treated at a local hospital. She said the alleged rapist was not detained. Lane now intends to sue American Airlines, as she is not satisfied with the $5,000 the airline offered when her lawyers contacted the airline in December 2017, the New York Post reports. I would like to see some sort of human response. I would like them to acknowledge this is a problem, Lane said. WOMAN FILES COMPLAINT AGAINST UNIVERSAL ORLANDO RESORT SAYING SHE WAS FAT-SHAMED BY STAFF The Post reports that FBI officials are investigating Lanes allegations, but did not return their request for comment. Lanes attorneys say that she had offered to meet with representatives for the airline to discuss the incident, but American Airlines declined the offer in part due to the FBI investigation. The Dallas Morning News adds that Lane was interviewed by FBI investigators at the hospital after the incident, but the man who reportedly raped her was not stopped at the gate after deplaning. Americans ultimate responsibility is the safety of their passengers, said Lanes attorney, James McDonough, to The Dallas Morning News. Based on the actions of American Airlines flight crew, the safety of Aubrey was not their No. 1 priority. On March 16, American Airlines spokesman Ross Feinstein confirmed to Fox News via phone interview that they are deeply troubled by the alleged incident, adding that it is still an ongoing investigation and that no one has yet been charged with any crime. We want all of our customers to have a safe, positive travel experience with us and we are deeply troubled by any allegation of misconduct onboard our aircraft or at any of our facilities. Our crew contacted law enforcement, who met the aircraft upon arrival at New Yorks John F. Kennedy International Airport. As this is still an ongoing investigation, you will have to contact the FBI or the U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of New York for any additional details on their investigation, Feinstein said. Our corporate security team will always provide any investigative assistance we can to federal, state and/or local law enforcement, as we want those who commit crimes on our aircraft to be held accountable for their actions. FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK FOR MORE FOX LIFESTYLE NEWS However, he did say that airline officials failed to contact Lane when she reached out with her claim, and they should have, given the severity of her allegations. We should have followed up immediately afterward with Ms. Lane to assure her how seriously we were taking her claims. It is important to note that the way we work with our customers after an incident like Ms. Lanes has changed over the past few months, he said. If this incident happened today, Ms. Lane would have received a call from our customer relations team making sure that we were providing her with the best possible care during this difficult time. Were continually focused on improving our customers experience and this is a positive change we have made in the last few months, he added. The FBI did not respond to an email for comment. Commercial carriers have been in the headlines a lot recently, including stories about a two-year-old girl being kicked off of a Southwest flight, a French bulldog's tragic death in a United overhead bin, and an Alaska Airlines first officer's allegations of rape against a senior pilot during an overnight work trip. An Alabama inmate on death row died Thursday night after receiving a lethal injection at a state prison. Michael Wayne Eggers, 50, died at 7:29 p.m. He was convicted in the 2000 strangulation death of Bennie Francis Murray, his former employer, who had hired Eggers to work with a traveling carnival. 'STOCKING STRANGLER' CARLTON GARY TO BE EXECUTED THURSDAY IN GEORGIA He declined to give any last words, but briefly gave a thumbs-up signal to friends and family as the execution began. Eggers was pronounced dead about 35 minutes after the death warrant was read. Prosecutors said Eggers admitted to strangling Murray during an argument. Her body was later found in Walker County, northwest of Birmingham. In 2016, following disagreements with his attorneys, the convicted murderer dropped his appeals and asked the state of Alabama to quickly schedule his execution. "Michael Eggers is severely mentally ill," his former attorneys wrote in a petition filed with the U.S. Supreme Court. They argued Eggers believed he was the subject of a government conspiracy and "would rather die than be represented by lawyers who do not support his delusional view of his case." OKLAHOMA OFFICIALS PLAN TO USE NITROGEN FOR EXECUTIONS The state attorney general's office had asked the court to let the execution proceed, and the state argued that Eggers made a rational decision to drop his appeals. Lawyers for the state noted that the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in 2017 upheld a district court's ruling that Eggers was competent. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Six people were confirmed dead after a newly installed pedestrian bridge at Florida International University collapsed Thursday, leaving at least eight vehicles trapped under the sprawling wreckage. Miami-Dade Fire Chief Dave Downey told reporters at a news conference that six people were killed after the structure, touted as an "Instant Bridge," collapsed around 1:30 p.m. at the Miami-area university. Dr. Mark McKenney, of the Kendall Regional Medical Center in Tamiami, said during a news conference that the hospital had taken in 10 patients two of them in "extremely critical" condition. One person arrived at the hospital in cardiac arrest but survived, and a second has a serious brain injury. The other eight are in stable condition with "bruises and abrasions to broken bones." A search and rescue operation is underway; authorities are using dogs to search for anyone who may be trapped beneath the rubble. The Sweetwater Police Department told Fox News, "We're just trying to save lives." Sweetwater Mayor Orlando Lopez called the collapse a "national tragedy." "Continuing to monitor the heartbreaking bridge collapse at FIU - so tragic," President Trump tweeted. "Many brave First Responders rushed in to save lives. Thank you for your courage. Praying this evening for all who are affected." Vice President Pence said he was "saddened by the news," adding that he and Trump will "continue to monitor developments closely." Florida Gov. Rick Scott tweeted he was en route to the university "to be briefed by local law enforcement and university officials," and said he would be "in constant communication with law enforcement throughout the day." And Florida Sen. Bill Nelson tweeted that his "heart goes out to the victims and the families affected by this tragic bridge collapse @FIU." The bridge, projected to be finished in early 2019, was set to link the universitys Modesto A. Maidique Campus to the town of Sweetwater, where an estimated 4,000 students live, The Miami Herald reported. A $14.2 million project, the structure was installed on Saturday, with many celebrating the new construction. The university called it a one-of-its-kind pedestrian bridge that swings into place. FIU is about building bridges and student safety. This project accomplishes our mission beautifully, President Mark B. Rosenberg said, according to a tweet by FIU. Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, in a press release requesting the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) address the "bridge's design, construction, and ultimate failure," stated the bridge was installed on Saturday in just six hours. DOT said in a statement that Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao has been in contact with congressional officials and has "offered the full assistance and support of the department for both the immediate and long-term needs the community will have." The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is sending a team to investigate the collapse. Munilla Construction, the company that built the bridge, tweeted earlier Thursday that "the local community gathered" on Saturday to watch the crossing move into place. In a followup tweet, the company called the bridge collapse a "terrible tragedy" and said the family business was "devastated and doing everything we can to assist." The construction company added it would be cooperating with investigators "in every way." FIGG Engineering, the company that designed the bridge, said that in their "40-year history, nothing like this has ever happened before." FIGG added the company would "fully cooperate with every appropriate authority in reviewing what happened and why." Construction workers at the scene told WPLG that the bridge was undergoing a "stress test" when it collapsed, but officials have not confirmed that detail. Fox News' Shira Bush, Chad Pergram and Matt Richardson, along with The Associated Press, contributed to this report. A movement to ban assault rifles in Oregon was launched in a Portland church Thursday, with clerics saying youths many of whom have been protesting for gun control will drive the campaign. Interfaith religious leaders in Portland said they aim to get enough signatures on petitions to put a ban on assault weapons before voters, in the November election, in a statewide ballot. There has been some movement in just a few other states in the wake of the Feb. 14 shooting at a Florida high school that killed 17 people, including: In Delaware, Gov. John Carney on Feb. 23 called for state lawmakers to ban the sale of assault-style rifles, saying military-style weapons like the rifle used in Florida have no place in the hands of civilians. Legislation is now being drafted. In California, legislation is proposed that would expand the definition of an assault weapon to include most semi-automatic rifles bigger than a .22. But that would require them to be licensed like assault weapons, not banned. In Oregon, the campaigners must gather over 88,000 signatures by July 6, and they're counting on youths who have demonstrated for gun control to help. "Young people in this country are crying out. This is the moment in time where we need to step alongside them as adults and do our part with them," said Pastor Mark Knutson of the Augustana Lutheran Church in Portland. While a person must be at least 18 to vote, even a 14-year-old can go out and seek signatures, Knutson told The Associated Press over the phone. "This is going to be a youth campaign," said Knutson, who will be one of the three chief petitioners of the ballot measure. Rev. Alcena Boozer, a former high school principal and pastor emeritus of St. Philip the Deacon Episcopal Church; and Rabbi Michael Cahana, of Congregation Beth Israel, are the other two chief petitioners. The treasurer is Imam Muhammad Najieb, director of the Muslim Community Center of Portland and a Marine veteran. The anti-assault-rifle campaign was launched with a news conference at the Augustana Lutheran Church, which Knutson said is fitting. He recalled the civil rights campaigns of the 1950s and '60s, and how churches played a role, including one in Alabama where the Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. preached. "The civil rights movement started out at Dexter Avenue Baptist church in Montgomery," Knutson said. "Good things come out of unexpected places." ___ Associated Press writers Donald Thompson in Sacramento, California, and Randall Chase in Dover, Delaware, contributed to this report. ___ Follow Andrew Selsky on Twitter at https://twitter.com/andrewselsky A Georgia man convicted of raping and killing several older women, and who was known as the "stocking strangler," was executed shortly after 10:30 p.m. EDT Thursday. The office of Georgia Attorney General Chris Car said 67-year-old Carlton Gary was executed at the state prison in Jackson. He was the first inmate executed by Georgia this year. Earlier, the U.S. Supreme Court declined to block the scheduled execution, but offered no explanation for rejecting the request. Gary was initially scheduled to be put to death at 7 p.m. EDT. But that time passed as his case was before the nation's highest court. Police said Gary was arrested in May 1984 when a gun stolen during a 1977 burglary in an upscale neighbor of Columbus -- where all but one of his victims lived -- was traced back to him. Prosecutors said Gary attacked nine elderly women from September 1977 to April 1978. Seven of them died. However, he was only charged and convicted for three counts each of malice, murder, rape and burglary for the deaths of 89-year-old Florence Scheible, 69-year-old Martha Thurmond and 74-year-old Kathleen Woodruff. The victims were all older white women who lived alone and were sexually assaulted and choked -- usually with stockings, prosecutors said during his trial. All but one of the Georgia victims lived in the Wynnton neighborhood, and all lived near Gary's home at the time of the crimes. Gary's lawyers have argued in a clemency petition and in filings before state and federal courts that evidence that wasn't available to his trial attorney proves he's not the "stocking strangler." Perhaps most compelling, they have argued, is that DNA from sperm found on clothing taken from one of the victims' homes was later found to belong to someone other than Gary. This is especially significant, they contend, because the woman survived the attack and dramatically identified him at trial. Bodily fluid testing on semen found on Thurmond's body and on stains on Scheible's sheets also likely exclude Gary, his lawyers argue, adding DNA testing that could have confirmed that could not be done because the samples were contaminated at the Georgia Bureau of Investigation crime lab. Additionally, they say, bite mark and fingerprint evidence relied upon by the prosecution was problematic and a shoeprint found at one of the crime scenes doesn't match with Gary. But the parole board, the only authority in Georgia with the power to commute a death sentence, on Wednesday declined to spare his life after holding a closed-door hearing to listen to arguments for and against clemency. Appeals filed by Gary's attorneys were still pending Thursday morning before the Georgia Supreme Court, the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals and the U.S. Supreme Court. The state has argued in court filings that the evidence Gary's lawyers present as new has already been considered by the courts and that his convictions and sentence have repeatedly been upheld by state and federal courts over the past three decades. Gary filed a handwritten motion Thursday in federal court asking a judge to postpone his execution and appoint a new attorney for him. Gary wrote that he has met with an attorney only once since his motion for new trial was denied in September and hasn't seen his attorneys since his execution date was set about three weeks ago. His attorneys haven't consulted with him on legal strategy and that he "should have had knowledge of and input into all motions and presentations involving him in these matters," he wrote. Gary's attorneys did not immediately respond to phone and email messages seeking comment. The state has filed a motion asking the judge to dismiss the request. The Associated Press contributed to this report. A former neurologist has been indicted on 15 counts of sexual assault charges that accuse him of abusing seven female patients in New Jersey. The Mercer County Prosecutors Office charged Ricardo Cruciani, 63, with eight counts of second-degree sexual assault and seven counts of fourth-degree criminal sexual contact for assaulting women over a two-year span while he was a chief neuroscientist at a health facility in Hopewell Township, NJ.com reported. Cruciani previously faced charges in New York and Pennsylvania. All told, at least 17 women across the three states have accused Cruciani of sexual misconduct dating back at least a dozen years. In late 2017, Cruciani plead guilty to groping women at a Philadelphia clinic, the report said. Some of the women involved in the New Jersey case were also involved in the New York and Pennsylvania cases, the Mercer County Prosecutor's Office said. The statement said Capital Health's Institute of Neurosciences, in Hopewell, found no evidence of complaints of sexual misconduct against Cruciani, and was "committed to investigating all complaints brought forth by patients or our staff." "We are deeply disturbed by these allegations and began investigating them as soon as we became aware of them through media reports," a Capital Health spokesperson said in an email to NJ.com. Women who alleged being sexually abused by Cruciani said they felt they had no alternative but to continue seeing the Ivy League-trained neurologist, who specializes in rare, complicated syndromes that produce debilitating pain. Trapped in bodies that didn't work, the women said, they viewed Cruciani as their only hope of getting better -- and alleged that he knew it, and took advantage of their desperation. NJ.com could not immediately reach Cruciani's lawyer for comment. The Associated Press contributed to this report. A Berkeley, Calif., activist who expressed support for Antifa and was charged last summer with vandalizing peoples property with hateful graffiti has raised more than $85,000 after media reports about his tough living conditions. Ismael Chamu, 21, a fourth-year student at the University of Callifornia at Berkeley, started a crowdfunding campaign to help him pay for housing, food and school supplies. His family has struggled in recent months to make ends meet. He currently helps support his two sisters, younger brother, mom and dad. He has to leave his current housing on the 13th. Money will be used to buy food, secure housing, and school supplies, the campaigns page states. Chamu has raised the money since Monday, thanks to a puffy article in the Los Angeles Times, describing his grand aspirations and problems of barely making ends meet. Ismael constantly scrambles to find shelter and enough food for himself and his siblings while working a campus job, leading a student club and trying to earn a bachelors degree in sociology, the article read. But Chamu is a well-known progressive activist in the Berkeley area who does not shy away from violent rhetoric and actions a fact the Times article initially omitted. On June 27, 2017, he was arrested and later charged with felony vandalism and possession of tools to commit vandalism or graffiti in an incident involving painting private property with hateful and racist graffiti. Some of the messages included F--- White People," "F--- the police," "F--- Frat Boys," "Kill Cops" and "Kill Yuppies," "Eat the Rich," "Class War" and "Black Lives Matter. Berkeley police Sgt. Peter Hong said Chamus Facebook account included posts consistent with the graffiti messages. Those messages include f--- the police, rebellion, Black Lives Matter, God Bless Antifa, White Nationalism and supremacy, tech development and its negative impact on Black and Brown bodies," KTVU reported. He also reportedly expressed support of Antifa in Berkeley after protests in Berkeley last year, where peaceful free speech activists clashed with the anarchists. He said the police that protected the right-wing activists were hand in hand with Nazis, Berkleyside reported. Chamu denied his involvement in the crime and pleaded not guilty. He said the police racially profiled him because he is Mexican. I was kidnapped by armed agents. I was humiliated. I have been traumatized, Chamu wrote on Facebook last year. The Police racially profiled me for being Mexican. For looking like a Burglar for appearing Dangerous. I will never forget this. His arrest sparked support from the student leaders at UC Berkeley and radical Berkeley Jesse Arreguin, who called the incident unacceptable. Chamu was not convicted for the crime after outpouring opposition to the local police. The Berkeley activist also reportedly wrote a blog post supporting violent anarchists and burning down private property. Private property must be destroyed, bars and hipster shops need to be removed, Google satellite offices must be burned and Google buses need to be slashed, he wrote in a now-deleted article. He criticized Liberal Hillary supporters and White techies for squirm[ing] the moment a barricade smashed into the Amazon student store; they twist and cry the moment someone praises Antifa. The two firms responsible for building Florida International Universitys "instant bridge," which suddenly collapsed Thursday and left six people dead, are coming under increased scrutiny as details emerge of past engineering failures and inspection fines -- including a recent accusation that one hired unskilled and careless workers. The $14.2-million pedestrian bridge was supposed to open next year to help students cross a busy road adjacent to the campus. It was an accelerated, joint construction effort by two Florida companies: MCM Construction, a Miami-based contractor, and Figg Bridge Design, based in Tallahassee, who both have worked on dozens of projects nationwide, ranging from military facilities to schools. "Innovations take a design firm into an area where they don't have applicable experience, and then we have another unexpected failure on our hands," Robert Bea, a professor of engineering and construction management at the University of California, Berkeley, told the Associated Press after reviewing the bridges design -- and the pile of rubble it was reduced to on Thursday afternoon. As state and federal investigators worked Friday to determine how and why the five-day-old span failed, one factor may have been the stress test Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Gimenez said crews were conducting on the span. Two workers were on the 950-ton bridge when it pancaked on top of vehicles waiting at a stoplight. Renderings of the project before it went up showed a tall, off-center tower with supporting cables attached to the walkway, the Associated Press reported. When the bridge collapsed, the main tower had not yet been installed, and it was unclear what builders were using as temporary supports. But the collapse is not the first incident involving either company. The Virginia Department of Labor cited Figg for four violations in 2012 after a 90-ton slab of concrete fell from a bridge it was building near Norfolk, according to the Miami Herald. Figg was hit with a $28,000 fine and the Department of Labor said the company modified a girder without properly inspecting it or getting written consent from its manufacturer, The Virginian-Pilot reported. The girder ultimately failed and was responsible for the collapse, which ended up delaying the bridges opening for three months and leaving four workers with minor injuries. Despite this collapse, the company said Thursday that "in our 40-year history, nothing like this has ever happened before." MCM Construction, meanwhile, in a lawsuit filed earlier this month, was accused of hiring incompetent, inexperienced, unskilled or careless employees." The company is building an expansion to Fort Lauderdale International Airport and a worker there was injured when a makeshift bridge collapsed under his weight, the lawsuit says. The Associated Press, citing Occupational Safety Health Administration records, also said MCM has been slapped with fines totaling more than $50,000 during the past five years for 11 safety violations, which included complaints about cement dust and unsafe trenches at construction sites. At one point, a subcontractor that walked off a job site won a $143,000 judgment against MCM after citing safety issues with a bridge project on Red Road in the Miami area, the Miami Herald reported. MCM is a family business and we are all devastated and doing everything we can to assist, the company said in a statement on its website Thursday. We will conduct a full investigation to determine exactly what went wrong and will cooperate with investigators on scene in every way. The building projects tab of the companys website shows it has worked on jobs at PortMiami and has built schools, police buildings and adult living facilities. The Miami Herald, which called MCM one of the most influential contractors in Miami-Dade, reported that its name also appears on $130 million in construction jobs from the Department of the Defense and a $63 million school at the Naval Base at Guantanamo Bay. The accelerated construction method was supposed to reduce risks to workers and pedestrians and minimize traffic disruption, the university had said. The school has long been interested in this kind of bridge design; in 2010, it opened an Accelerated Bridge Construction Center to "provide the transportation industry with the tools needed to effectively and economically utilize the principles of ABC to enhance mobility and safety, and produce safe, environmentally friendly, long-lasting bridges. FIU is about building bridges and student safety. This project accomplishes our mission beautifully, school president Mark B. Rosenberg said in a statement Saturday that now appears to have been taken off the universitys website. We are filled with pride and satisfaction at seeing this engineering feat come to life and connect our campus to the surrounding community where thousands of our students live, he added. The FIU community, along with Sweetwater and county officials, even held a "bridge watch party" March 10. That's when the span was lifted from its temporary supports, rotated 90 degrees across an eight-lane thoroughfare and lowered into its permanent position over the busy road. Rosenberg said Thursday after the bridges collapse that the community is feeling immense sadness, uncontrollable sadness. We're committed to assist in all efforts necessary, and our hope is that this sadness can galvanize the entire community to stay the course, a course of goodness, of hope, of opportunity," Rosenberg said. The identities of the victims have not yet been released and responders were still looking into the rubble Friday for more people who may be trapped. The Associated Press contributed to this report. A dog and 11 puppies were found dead in a kitchen freezer -- individually wrapped in plastic bags -- and 60 other dogs were rescued this week from what SPCA of Texas officials alleged was a puppy mill. The animals were found Wednesday in a home in Canton, Texas, about 60 miles east of Dallas, the Dallas Morning News reported. Dogs roamed the urine-soaked, feces-filled house with little to no access to food or water, the SCPA said in a news release. In one room, nursing mothers and their litters were found in small, plastic and wire cages in a closet, the statement said. The animals also were suffering from fur loss, long nails, matted fur, eye and ear issues and other health problems, KHOU-TV reported. The seizure followed an investigation into the alleged puppy mill after the SCPA of Texas Animal Cruelty division received a March 1 complaint, the report said. The animals owner told authorities the animals were being sold for profit, the SPCA told the newspaper. It is unclear whether the owner had a commercial breeding license, but all large-scale animal breeders in Texas are required by law to be licensed and have their sites regularly inspected, the station reported. The dogs were taken to the SPCAs Dallas facility for medical care. A hearing to determine their custody was set for March 23 at the Van Zandt County courthouse. A dog who was mistakenly flown to Japan is back with his family in Kansas. The German Shepherd, named Irgo, arrived at a Wichita airport Thursday night after a flight on a private plane from Japan. Kara Swindle and her two children were flying on United Airlines from Oregon to Kansas City, Missouri, on Tuesday during a move to Wichita, Kansas. When they went to pick up Irgo, they instead were given a Great Dane. United said in a statement that the dogs were somehow put on the wrong flights during a connecting flight in Denver. Irgo's misadventure began a day after a French bulldog puppy died aboard a United flight after a flight attendant required a passenger to put her pet carrier in the overhead bin. The first victim identified in the catastrophic Florida bridge collapse that killed six people on Thursday was an 18-year-old Florida International University (FIU) student deemed an awesome person by friends. Alexa Duran was driving her Toyota SUV under the structure when it collapsed on her vehicle, according to the Miami Herald. Duran reportedly became entrapped in the rubble. "This is going to be the longest and saddest trip of my life. I dont want to return. Alexa Duran's father, Orlando, traveling in London when the news of the bridge collapse broke. My little girl was trapped in the car and couldnt get out. She died when the bridge collapsed on top of her car, Orlando Duran said to el Nuevo Herald from London, where he was traveling when he received the news of his daughters death. This is going to be the longest and saddest trip of my life. I dont want to return, he said. Duran was reportedly driving past FIU when the bridge collapsed. A friend in the passenger seat managed to escape but was unable to get Duran out of the vehicle. The way the bridge fell, it fell on the drivers side, FIU student Manny Perez told the Herald. Perez and Lynnet Gomez, another student at the university, spoke to the outlet near the FIU family reunification center Thursday as they awaited information on Durans location. She is the funniest person I know, Gomez said of her friend, who was a political science major in her freshman year at the school. Duran and Gomez were both in the same sorority. Duran, Perez said, was one of those people who lights up any room, any circumstance, situation. She always makes her presence known. In addition to the six killed after the Instant Bridge collapsed on Thursday, at least 10 others were injured. The $14.2-million pedestrian bridge was supposed to open next year to help students cross a busy road adjacent to the campus. But the accelerated construction was completed early and the bridge was installed last weekend instead. In the wake of the collapse, relatives and friends of people still missing gathered Friday in South Florida, longing and praying for miracles as authorities searched the smashed concrete. While the families waited, investigators sought to understand why the 950-ton bridge gave way during construction. The cables supporting the span were being tightened following a "stress test" when it collapsed, authorities said. Fox News Greg Norman and The Associated Press contributed to this report. The outspoken Broward County Sheriff battling calls to resign in the wake of the Florida high school shooting is described by former colleagues and associates in a new report as being a hothead who never talked in detail about crime and appeared more concerned with putting his picture on the side of trucks. The claims about Sheriff Scott Israel published in the New Yorker on Friday come a day after the Broward County Sheriffs Office released a 27-minute video of a former deputy standing outside Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School on Feb. 14 as the mass shooting unfolded. Hed say, Im the most visible sheriff ever, former commander Sam Frusterio told the magazine when recalling his decades-long tenure at the South Florida police department. Id be visible, too, if I never came in the office. The guy didnt spend twenty hours a week there. Israel was elected to the position in 2012 after a failed bid four years earlier. He previously was the chief of police for North Bay Village in Miami-Dade County -- and a Republican. But in order to run in Broward, a Democratic stronghold, Israel switched parties. Yet he still had a lot of work to do to get in election shape, according to a former campaign manager who led the first bid. He wasnt a brain guy, Judith Stern told the New Yorker. He was a cop who was generally liked by other cops. So we made sure to surround him with real law-enforcement pros, to educate him. Israels public information officer told the magazine the claims brought forward by Frusterio, Stern and others are shameful, baseless, and patently false. Frusterio, who also served as campaign treasurer, said as the initial effort to elect Israel went on I realized this guy was power-hungry and didnt care who he stepped on or what he did to get there. He claimed Israel as sheriff of the county would never talk in detail about crime. We had monthly crime meetings with the district folks, but Israel never sat in and talked to us about it -- not a burglary, not a robbery -- never, Frusterio told the New Yorker. He wanted to make sure we had all the parades and block parties covered. Even during hurricane season, the guy never sat us down and said, Okay, where are we with the hurricane plan? A current Broward deputy told the magazine he also couldnt recall ever hearing Israel talk in detail about crime and Frusterio says he was more interested in branding." Other people who worked in the office said Israel was a hothead who would like to shout. We all felt like we were walking on eggshells with Israel, because you never knew what mood you were going to get, Phyllis Massey Lind, a former Broward executive assistant under Israel, told the New Yorker. The Florida House of Representatives has approved a probe into how Israel and the Broward Sheriffs Office handled the events before and after the shooting, which left 17 dead. Prosecutors this week filed a notice of intent to seek the death penalty for shooter Nikolas Cruz. The amount of moisture received across the United States' southern high plains since October has been ridiculously low, and forecasters warned Friday that the intensifying drought has resulted in critical fire danger and some winter wheat crops being reduced to stubble across several states. Texas State Climatologist John Nielsen-Gammon said during a national briefing that some areas in the region have received less than one-tenth of an inch of rain in the past five months and that's perhaps the longest period of time these areas have been without rain since record-keeping began decades ago. The lack of rain combined with above-normal temperatures across parts of New Mexico, Colorado, Texas, Oklahoma and Kansas have left livestock watering tanks dry, agricultural fields wind-blown and rangeland charred. "Of course, you can never predict something this severe several months in advance but we did know going in it was going to be a challenging cold season for the southern plains," Nielsen-Gammon said. He showed satellite images of smoke and dust plumes moving across the region and warned that the warm and dry weather is expected to continue through the spring. That could mean continued crop damage, dwindling irrigation supplies and more fires. "Any precipitation that does fall over the next three months is likely to evaporate relatively quickly at the same time that crops and forage are requiring more water because of the high temperatures," he said. "That means if and when the rains do return, drought recovery ... will proceed slower than expected." Due to the dry conditions, the National Weather Service issued fire warnings Friday for most of Oklahoma, the Texas Panhandle, southern Kansas, northeastern New Mexico, southeastern Colorado and southeastern Missouri. Oklahoma Forestry Services has already requested and received firefighters and equipment from Alabama, Kentucky and Louisiana because of the fire threat. Additional firefighters and equipment from Georgia and Mississippi are on the way. Oklahoma Forestry Commission spokeswoman Michelle Finch-Walker said early to mid-afternoon is the time many fires begin. "We call that the witching hour. It's getting warmer, the humidity is dropping and wind gusts are picking up," she said. For Oklahoma, this marks the first time exceptional drought the worst category of drought has made an appearance since May 2015. Several counties in the northwest and the panhandle have gone 155 days or more with less than one-quarter of an inch of rain, marking just a fraction of average precipitation for this time of year. The latest map shows swaths of red indicating extreme to exceptional drought covering the southern high plains and the Four Corners region where the borders of New Mexico, Colorado, Arizona and Utah meet. In New Mexico, the lack of water and an unseasonably warm winter have already resulted in a high demand for hay, and some livestock owners have been forced to trim their herds. The last time this much of the state was grappling with extreme drought was July 2014. Winter wheat crops in Texas are also struggling. Officials there say almost one-third of the crop is rated as poor. Wildfires in Kansas have already burned thousands of acres and agricultural officials were prepared to move hay to ranchers who need it most or work with the federal government to access additional grazing land. Kansas Gov. Jeff Colyer declared a drought emergency this week, citing the persistent dry conditions and growing fire hazards. That state's average precipitation over the past six months was only two-thirds of the normal rate and in January and February the statewide average precipitation was even less, at less than half of normal. ___ Associated Press writer Ken Miller contributed from Oklahoma City. Welcome to Fox News First. Not signed up yet? Click here. Developing now, Friday, March 16, 2018 Investigators seek answers after a new pedestrian bridge collapses in Miami, killing at least six and injuring others White House sources deny reports that President Trump is about to replace National Security Adviser H.R. McMaster Attorney General Jeff Sessions could fire FBI official Andrew McCabe on Friday - a move that would strip McCabe of his government pension Donald Trump Jr.'s wife files for divorce and the couple asks for privacy Hillary Clinton reportedly fractures her wrist in a bathroom spill during her trip to India THE LEAD STORY - A 'TERRIBLE SCENE' IN MIAMI: State and federal authorities are working to find out why a newly installed pedestrian bridge at Florida International University collapsed Thursday, killing at least six and injuring at least 10 others ... National Transportation Safety Board chairman Robert Sumwalt III said a team of specialists was heading to Miami on Thursday night with plans to begin investigating Friday morning. Authorities are preparing for the possibility that the body count will rise, as crews use high-tech listening devices, sniffing dogs and search cameras in a race to find survivors. The $14.2 million pedestrian bridge was supposed to open in 2019 as a safe way for students to cross the busy road. It linked the community of Sweetwater with the campus of Florida International University. Witnesses recounted a harrowing scene where cars were crushed like "sardine cans." MCMASTER STAYING PUT, WHITE HOUSE SAYS: The White House has denied reports that President Trump is about to remove H.R. McMaster as national security adviser ... "Just spoke to @POTUS and Gen. H.R. McMaster - contrary to reports they have a good working relationship and there are no changes at the NSC," White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders tweeted Thursday night. The reports of a McMaster departure surfaced amid buzz that Trump was mulling more changes to his Cabinet in the wake of Secretary of State Rex Tillerson's firing. WILL MCCABE GET THE AX?: Attorney General Jeff Sessions will be closely watched Friday to see if he fires embattled, retiring FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe, depriving him of pension benefits ... Sources said if McCabe is terminated by close of business this Friday, that would mean he would not receive a government pension. According to the New York Times, the Justice Departments inspector general concluded in an upcoming report that McCabe has not been forthcoming with its investigation to how the FBI handled its probe into Hillary Clinton's email server. The inspector generals finding sparked an FBI disciplinary process that recommended his firing, something Sessions can accept or reverse, the paper said. In January, McCabe was "removed" from his post as deputy director, setting in a motion a plan to leave the bureau after months of conflict-of-interest complaints from Republicans including President Trump. A source at the time told Fox News that McCabe is taking terminal leave effectively taking vacation until he reaches his planned retirement. 'WE HAVE DECIDED TO GO OUR SEPARATE WAYS': Vanessa Trump filed for divorce from her husband, President Trumps eldest son, Donald Trump Jr., on Thursday in New York City ... The presidents daughter-in-law filed in an uncontested proceeding in Manhattan Supreme Court, meaning she does not expect a legal battle over custody of their five children or assets. "After 12 years of marriage, we have decided to go our separate ways," the couple said in a statement. "We will always have tremendous respect for each other and our families. We have five beautiful children together and they remain our top priority. We ask for your privacy during this time. HILLARY'S BAD WEEK IN INDIA: Hillary Clinton's visit to India suffered another setback this week as the former secretary of state fractured her wrist after slipping in the bathtub at the five-star resort where she was staying, according to a report by DNA India ... The website reported that Clinton was taken to a hospital in the city of Jodphur at around 5 a.m. local time Wednesday. Clinton underwent an X-ray and a CT scan that confirmed a hairline fracture of her right wrist. The Times of India reported that Clinton had been given a plaster bandage and advised to go for another checkup in three days. The injury does not affect Clinton's ability to travel. Clinton sparked controversy earlier in her visit to India when she suggested that racism and misogyny were explanations for her loss in the 2016 presidential election. AS SEEN ON FOX NEWS PROTESTING GUNS WHILE BEING PROTECTED ... BY GUNS: "You can't surround yourself with an armed retinue and then tell the rest of us we don't have a right to defend ourselves. That's worse than flying your private jet to accept a climate change award." Tucker Carlson on "Tucker Carlson Tonight," pointing out that many left-wing politicians, including New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo and Sen. Bernie Sanders, took part in Wednesday's coordinated demonstrations by students to protest gun violence while accompanied by armed guards. WATCH RUSSIA NARRATIVE, DEBUNKED: "It doesn't exactly fit in the narrative that Democrats and members of the destroy-Trump media have been pushing for months. Now, the Trump administration, they're cracking down on Russia in a massive way." Sean Hannity, in his opening monologue on "Hannity," sounding off on the Trump administration's decision to sanction 19 Russian individuals and five Russian entities for allegedly interfering in the 2016 election and engaging in cyberattacks. WATCH THE SWAMP Second special counsel needed to study FBI and DOJ actions on Russia probe before Mueller: GOP senators. Trump administration sanctions Russians for interfering in 2016 elections. NEA gives thousands in federal grants to transgender plays, Rosie O'Donnell's theater group. ACROSS THE NATION Broward Deputy Scot Peterson seen standing outside during Florida school shooting in new video. Navy identifies two aviators killed in F/A-18 jet crash off Key West. Federal judge bars L.A. from enforcing gang injunctions that authorities credited with reducing crime. Six Flags Batman roller coaster glitch leaves riders dangling 'virtually upside down' atop 12-story drop. MINDING YOUR BUSINESS Maria Bartiromo Interview: Billionaire investor Peter Thiel says Amazon the most 'ferocious' company in U.S. Nike's No. 2 executive resigns, company reviews workplace complaints. Warren Buffett reveals his JPMorgan Chase 'mistake.' Walmart sued by former executive alleging cheating to compete with rival Amazon. Ex-ESPN boss John Skipper said cocaine dealer's extortion attempt behind his abrupt exit. FOX NEWS OPINION Newt Gingrich: Trump, Republicans must wake up or Pelosi and Democrats will soon control the House. Marc Thiessen:The one big thing Trump needs to be clear about when he meets with North Korea's Kim. Rep. Marsha Blackburn: A concrete step in the fight against the opioid epidemic. HOLLYWOOD SQUARED Jimmy Kimmel to file federal complaint against Trump family store for abroad-made items. Matt Damon denies report he's moving his family to Australia because of Trump. Jennifer Lopez shares her #MeToo story: 'Nah, we're not having it.' DID YOU HEAR ABOUT THIS? Astronaut Scott Kelly is no longer an identical twin: How a year in space altered his DNA. SXSW: Microsoft project helps ALS community make music using eyes. Virginia man fights for ownership of vanished North Carolina 'island.' STAY TUNED On Fox News: Fox & Friends, 6 a.m. ET: Jamiel Shaw Sr. on the Oakland mayor's recent decision to thwart ICE raids. Plus, why does it seem OK to attack conservative women but not Democrats? "Problematic Women" podcast host Kelsey Harkness weighs in. Bob Massi on many veterans being convinced not to use their VA loan benefits; and a conversation with country music legend Dolly Parton. Tucker Carlson Tonight, 8 p.m. ET: Former "Dirty Jobs host Mike Rowe gives his take on how unemployment impacts America's men. Fox News @ Night, 11 p.m. ET: Outrage grows over the parole of a convicted cop killer. Former NYPD Commissioner Bernard Kerik sounds off. On Fox Business: Mornings with Maria, 6 a.m. ET: More of Maria Bartiromo's exclusive interview with billionaire investor/activist Peter Thiel. CLICK HERE for a preview! On Fox News Radio: The Fox News Rundown podcast: Is President Trump's nominee for CIA director, Gina Haspel , a good fit for the job? Former State Department Deputy Spokeswoman Marie Harf and James Mitchell, a key architect in the program, give insight. Toys "R" Us announced it is closing all its U.S. stores after 70 years in business. Fox Business' Jeff Flock explains the reasons behind the fall of the major retailer. Plus, commentary from Fox News Sunday host Chris Wallace. Want the Fox News Rundown sent straight to your mobile device? Subscribe through Apple Podcasts, Google Play, and Stitcher. The Brian Kilmeade Show, 9 a.m. ET: Geraldo Rivera gives his take on Secretary of State Rex Tillerson's firing and other rumored Trump administration shakeups; Joe Kelley and Rep. Vicky Hartzler take on the school safety debate and Wednesday's national walkout staged nationwide by students. Steve Hayes takes on Friday's leading headlines and Carley Shimkus on what's trending online. Fox News Weekend: Fox & Friends Weekend, Saturday, 6 a.m. ET: We'll have an Immigration Panel where all sides of the immigration debate will come together to see if they can come to a deal that has eluded lawmakers on Capitol Hill. Amb. John Bolton on the Trump administration's handling of Russia and more; Saturday is St. Patricks Day and well be celebrating all morning long. Plus, other scheduled guests include: "Bar Rescues Jon Taffer, "Political Tribes" author "Tiger Mom" Amy Chua, David Bossie, Alan Dershowitz, Philippe Reines, Diamond & Silk and more! Cavuto Live, Saturday, 10 a.m. ET: House Intel Committee Member, Rep Brad Wenstrup, R-Ohio, on the calls to fire FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe; Finance Committee Member Sen. Ben Cardin, D-Md., on some Democrats claiming tax cuts are failing in wake of the Pennsylvania special election; DNC Finance Chair Henry Munoz on some Republicans calling for democratic candidates bashing House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi to return all funds received from Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee; Chicago GOP Chairman Chris Cleveland on claims that students walking out of school this week were being used as pawns in gun control debate. Sunday Morning Futures with Maria Bartiromo, Sunday, 10 a.m. ET: Sen. Rand Paul sits down with Maria. Fox News Sunday , Sundays at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. ET: An exclusive interview with House Oversight Committee Chair Trey Gowdy; Senate Minority Whip Dick Durbin. Life, Liberty & Levin, Sunday, 10 p.m. ET: Mark Levin sits down with Hillsdale College President Dr. Larry Arnn to discuss the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, Winston Churchill and the founding of our nation. #OnThisDay 1994: Tonya Harding pleads guilty to conspiracy to hinder prosecution for covering up an attack on rival Nancy Kerrigan, avoiding jail, but drawing a $100,000 fine. 1968: The My Lai massacre takes place during the Vietnam War as U.S. Army soldiers hunting for Viet Cong fighters and sympathizers kill unarmed villagers in two hamlets of Son My village. 1802: President Thomas Jefferson signs a measure authorizing the establishment of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, N.Y. Fox News First is compiled by Fox News' Bryan Robinson. Thank you for joining us! Enjoy your Friday and weekend! We'll see you in your inbox first thing Monday morning. A South Carolina high school custodian allegedly stole $180 in cash from the backpacks of students who left class to promote gun control as part of the National School Walkout on Wednesday morning. The Richland County Sheriffs Department said Aisha Evans, a 32-year-old custodian at Richland Northeast High School, has been charged with three counts of petty larceny. Police said Evans rummaged through the bags of three students who left their belongings behind in the classroom. She was busted after school administrators and an officer conducted an investigation. Evans currently is being held in the Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center. The school district's spokeswoman told WIS on Thursday that Evans has been fired and "cannot come" on school property. Students across America walked out of their schools Wednesday to call for tighter gun control laws in the wake of last month's Florida school shooting. A New Jersey church was in disbelief after a baby Jesus statue stolen nearly 90 years ago from the place of worship was returned Wednesday. The Rev. Alex Santora said a suspicious package was delivered to Our Lady of Grace Church in Hoboken, with no return address. He called the shipping company to see where it came from but only found it was sent from Crystal Springs, Fla., NJ.com reported. The reverend then called the police to inspect the mysterious parcel. NOREASTER UNCOVERS GHOST TRACKS ON NEW JERSEY BEACH After police determined the package was safe, it was opened, revealing the baby Jesus statue and a note dated Jan. 2, 2018 that detailed how the senders grandfather received it in the 1930s. The sender wrote the Jesus statue was stolen from the churchs outdoor nativity display in the early 1930s. THIRD STATE INDICTS EX-NEUROLOGIST ON SEXUAL ASSAULT CHARGES "It came into [my mother's] father's possession somehow, and I don't know why he didn't return it," the sender wrote. "Instead, he gave it to my mother after she was married and she too kept it until her passing when it came to me. Knowing the story, I felt it should be returned to the rightful owner and you will find it enclosed." Santora said he was never told of the statue but said it would likely be used in the churchs nativity set this Christmas, adding it is encouraging to see people do what is right even after decades. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Jose Ines Garcia Zarate, an illegal immigrant who was found not guilty of murder in November for the fatal shooting of Kate Steinle in 2015, pleaded not guilty on Feb. 13 to U.S. gun charges. Federal prosecutors charged Garcia Zarate with two counts of illegal gun possession in the fall after jurors in California court found him not guilty of killing Steinle. The charges are similar to a conviction that the jury did return being a felon in possession of a gun leading to a three-year jail sentence. Tony Serra and Maria Belyi, Garcia Zarate's attorneys, argue that the federal charges are politically motivated and are asking for the case to be thrown out. Short of dismissal, they say the two federal charges should be combined into one. Garcia Zarate was sentenced to time served in January for being a felon in possession of a firearm -- the sole conviction resulting from his November trial. Garcia Zarate was acquitted of first- and second-degree murder and involuntary manslaughter. He was also acquitted of assault with a deadly weapon. In March, Garcia Zarate's lawyers accused the federal government of "vindictive prosecution and collusion" against his client, according to a motion they reportedly filed in U.S. District Court in the Northern District of California. The lawyers wrote that the new charges brought against Garcia Zarate by the federal government are in "violation of the Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment and violates Double Jeopardy clause of the Fifth Amendment because of ongoing collusion between the State of California and the federal government, according to the motion. Steinle was shot by Garcia Zarate when she was walking with her father and a family friend on Pier 14 in San Francisco. The case sparked a national debate about illegal immigration and so-called sanctuary cities. Garcia Zarates defense argued that the murder was an accident, explaining that the gun unexpectedly went off when he found it wrapped in a cloth underneath a bench. Heres what you need to know about Steinle and the case. Who was Kate Steinle? Steinle, 32, was from Pleasanton, Calif. After graduating from Amador Valley High School, she received a communications degree from California Polytechnic State University. Known for her adventurous spirit, Steinle traveled the world after graduating college. Prior to her death, she was employed by the medical technology company Medtronic. Her funeral was held at a winery in Pleasanton in July of 2015. Steinle is survived by her mother, Liz Sullivan, father, Jim Steinle, and brother, Brad Steinle. Who is Jose Ines Garcia Zarate? Garcia Zarate is an illegal immigrant from Mexico. He had been deported five times and was wanted for a sixth deportation when Steinle was fatally shot in the back while walking with her father on the pier. Before the shooting, Garcia Zarate had completed a federal prison sentence for illegal re-entry into the United States and had been transferred to San Francisco's jail in March 2015 to face a 20-year-old charge for selling marijuana. SANCTUARY CITIES: WHAT ARE THEY? The sheriff's department released him a few days later after prosecutors dropped the marijuana charge, despite a request from federal immigration officials to detain him for deportation. What are the details of the case? In a jailhouse interview in 2015, Garcia Zarate claimed he found the gun that killed Steinle, which was later determined to be stolen from the SUV of a U.S. Bureau of Land Management ranger that was parked in San Francisco. Garcia Zarate fired one shot from the gun, which hit Steinle in the back and pierced her aorta. She collapsed into her fathers arms, who was with her and a family friend as they walked along the pier. Steinle died at a hospital shortly after she was shot. Garcia Zarate was arrested about one hour after the shooting. San Francisco Deputy District Attorney Diana Garcia said during the trial that she didn't know why Garcia Zarate fired the weapon, but that he created a risk of death by bringing the firearm to the pier and twirling around on a chair for at least 20 minutes before he fired. "He did kill someone. He took the life of a young, vibrant, beautiful, cherished woman by the name of Kate Steinle," she said. Defense attorney Matt Gonzalez said in his closing argument that he knew it was difficult to believe Garcia Zarate found an object that turned out to be a weapon, which fired when he picked it up. But he told jurors that Garcia Zarate had no motivation to kill Steinle and that as awful as her death was, "nothing you do is going to fix that." Ballistic experts testified that the bullet ricocheted about 15 feet from where Garcia Zarate was sitting and then traveled another 80 feet before striking Steinle in the back and piercing her heart. His attorneys argued that even an expert marksman would have difficulty pulling off such a "skip shot." Garcia Zarate was ultimately found not guilty and was acquitted of first-and second-degree murder and involuntary manslaughter. Following the verdict, U.S. immigration officials announced that he would be deported. But the Department of Justice later unsealed an arrest warrant for Garcia Zarate. The arrest warrant was originally drafted in 2015 and later amended to include violations related to the charges of a felon in possession of a firearm, involuntary manslaughter and assault with a deadly weapon, all of which were filed after the defendant's initial arrest, according to the warrant. As a result of Steinles death, the House of Representatives passed new legislation called Kates law in June of last year. The law increases penalties for deported aliens who are caught trying to return to the U.S. What has President Trump said about the case? Trump has been anything but silent on Steinles case. In November of last year, Trump tweeted that the verdict was disgraceful. A day later, he reiterated his campaign promise to build a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border. In 2015, prior to Kates law being passed by the U.S. House of Representatives, Trump tweeted that he supported the law. In another tweet, he criticized former President Barack Obama's reaction to the shooting. During his speech at the Republican National Convention as the GOP presidential nominee, Trump mentioned Steinle in his speech. "But where was the sanctuary for Kate Steinle? Where was sanctuary for the children of Mary Ann, Sabine and Jamiel Where was sanctuary for all the other- ah it's so sad to even be talking about it cause we can solve this problem so quickly," he said during the speech, referencing sanctuary cities. "I don't pay too much attention to it, you know, they're going to say what they're going to say. I really have no say in what's going to be put out there," Brad Steinle said in response to Trump's comments, according to a 2016 interview with ABC 7. What was the Steinle familys reaction to the verdict? Jim Steinle told the San Francisco Chronicle the family was saddened and shocked by the verdict. "There's no other way you can coin it. Justice was rendered, but it was not served, he said. Fox News' Claudia Cowan and The Associated Press contributed to this report. A man charged with raping a woman and kidnapping her 4-year-old daughter in South Carolina has pleaded not guilty. Thomas Evans appeared in federal court Friday. News outlets report he said little other than answering Magistrate Judge Bristow Marchant's questions as the judge accepted his not guilty plea. Evans was indicted in federal court this week on charges of kidnapping, child sexual abuse and transporting a child to engage in sexual activity. He faces up to a life sentence if convicted. Evans faces seven charges in state court after prosecutors said he beat and raped the girl's mother in their Charleston home on Feb. 13. The child was found safely in Alabama a day later, and Evans was arrested shortly after in Mississippi. A missing Pennsylvania teenager and a 45-year-old man who signed her out of school are believed to be in Mexico after disappearing more than a week ago. Mexican authorities issued an Amber Alert on Twitter on Thursday night saying police believe 16-year-old Amy Yu and Kevin Esterly are in the country, and the teen may be in danger. The two went missing on March 5, shortly after authorities were notified they may have been involved in a romantic relationship. She was last seen at a bus stop in Allentown, Pa. According to police, Esterly signed out Yu from Lehigh Valley Academy at least 10 times between Nov. 12 and Feb. 9 without permission from her parents. He was able to do this because the girl had altered her records to list Esterly as her stepfather. The day of her disappearance, the teens mother, Mul Luu, told authorities she had returned home to discover her daughters passport was missing, along with cash. Esterlys wife told authorities that he had withdrawn $4,000 from her bank account and taken personal documents. Yus family has said the two met at church years ago, and the girl is friends with one of Esterlys daughters. Authorities have said it doesnt appear the teenager was taken against her will, but there is a warrant out for Esterlys arrest. A missing girl is believed to have willingly left the country with a 45-year-old Pennsylvania man, authorities said at press conference on Friday. Capt. Bill Lake of the Allentown Police Departments Criminal Investigation division told reporters the authorities suspect that 16-year-old Amy Yu willingly flew, with one way tickets, from Philadelphia International Airport to Dallas, and then to Cancun, Mexico, with Kevin Esterly. Lake also said despite believing initially that Yu boarded her bus to Lee High Valley Academy Regional Charter School on the morning of March 5, that was not the case: Through investigation, it was subsequently learned that Amy had never boarded her bus that morning. Police said that at about 6:35 p.m., Amys mother reported her as a runway when she failed to return home from school. Police say that they believe Yu and Esterly were already on their way to Cancun. That following Wednesday, Esterly was also reported missing by a family member. That same day, police issued an arrest warrant for him after he was charged with interference with the custody of children, a third-degree felony. All information received thus far leads investigators to believe that Amy Yu left Allentown willingly with Kevin Esterly, Lake said. Mexican authorities issued an Amber alert Thursday night; they said they did not do so sooner because they believed the two were closely monitoring media reports. It is believed that Yu and Esterly had a romantic relationship and, according to Yus family, the two met through church years ago. Yu was also reportedly friends with one of Esterlys daughters. Esterlys wife told authorities that he had withdrawn $4,000 from her bank account and taken personal documents. Lake asked the media to spread a message so that it might reach the missing girl. We are asking the media to relay a message to Amy that her mom and brother are very worried about her, they miss her, their very concerned and they want her to come home. He also offered Yu advice: Amy, if you are uncertain now how to come home, or who to go to, we would encourage you to go to a law enforcement officer in Mexico, perhaps a resort staff member, or perhaps you could email, text or contact your mother somehow through social media and we will do everything we can to get you reunited with your family as quickly as possible. Fox News Lucia I. Suarez Sang contributed to this report. A mudslide earlier this week prompted the closure a nearly four-mile stretch of Topanga Canyon Boulevard in Southern California. Authorities said the road between the Pacific Coast Highway and Grand View Drive would remain blocked until at least Sunday night, City News Service reported. The mudslide occurred around 2:30 a.m. Wednesday and was in the same general area as a mud flow that happened during rains last week, the report said. After last weeks slide, Caltrans installed several hundred feet of K-rail with fence on top for a total height of eight feet to catch mud and rocks, officials with the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) told the news service. This mornings slide occurred over a gully just outside the parameters of the K-rail in three separate locations within a span of approximately 1,000 feet. K-rail refers to concrete traffic barriers that are also known as Jersey barriers. With more rain expected during the weekend, Caltrans is closing the road to clear roadblocks and implement any necessary slide control for the publics safety, the report said. CALIFORNIA MUDSLIDES: WHERE AND WHY THEY HAPPEN Caltrans told Fox 11 Los Angeles that this mudslide was also dramatically heavier. "You can see from looking at it, it's kinda soupy ... but at the same time it has a lot more rocks in it, it has ash in it, it has all the debris," Caltrans Marc Bischoff said. Wednesdays mudslide was the third one on Topanga Canyon Boulevard since a January fire in the area, Caltrans said. The thick mud trapped five cars early Thursday morning, Fox 11 reported. We had to call 911 to help us out cause no one was doing anything, we just got stuck, Jennifer Cruz, who was trapped in a vehicle, told the station. PHOTOS: SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA MUDSLIDES Crews used chains and bulldozers to pull cars out, while skip loaders, backhoes, dump trucks and sweepers were used to clear the roadway, the report said. Caltrans also sent a geological engineer to inspect the area. A New York Police Department officer was arrested Tuesday for allegedly helping her boyfriend run a heroin trafficking ring that spanned from Mexico to New York. Prosecutors say a months-long investigation led them to Yessenia Jimenez, 31, and her boyfriend, Luis Soto, 33. The defendants own apartment was being used as a stash house," Manhattan Assistant U.S. Attorney Thane Rehn said. The defendants own apartment was being used as a stash house." Assistant U.S. Attorney Thane Rehn A Drug Enforcement Agency official said an agent arrested Jimenez with $25,000 and her NYPD service weapon stuffed in her purse, and another $25,000 in another bag, the New York Post reported, citing federal authorities. Jimenez was charged with drug trafficking and weapons possession. The officer, who joined the NYPD in 2015, has been suspended without pay. NYPD Commissioner James ONeill said in a statement that the arrest and allegations were troubling. Mark Gombiner, Jimenezs attorney, has challenged the weapons-possession charges against her. This is her service weapon, Gombiner said. Given that shes a police officer shes kind of mandated (to have) her service weapon with her. Jimenez was being held on $75,000 bond. Soto has agreed to be held without bail. Jimenez declined to comment. The Associated Press contributed to this report. At one point, it was the deadliest mass shooting in modern U.S. history. Two years after 49 people were massacred inside a crowded nightclub in Orlando, the wife of the gunman responsible was put on trial -- with families of the victims looking for justice. Omar Mateen opened fire with a Sig Saur semi-automatic rifle on June 12, 2016, killing dozens of people before he was fatally shot hours later by police. The trial of his widow, Noor Salman, was the only criminal prosecution for the incident. Testimony began on March 14. After deliberating for three days, the jury announced on March 30 that Salman was found not guilty of obstruction and providing material support to a terrorist organization. In light of the verdict, here's what you need to know. What was she being accused of? Salman pleaded not guilty to charges of aiding and abetting Mateen's allegiance to the Islamic State. She was also charged with obstruction of justice, as FBI agents say she lied to them during questioning hours after the attack. Assistant U.S. Attorney James Mandolfo said Salman gave conflicting statements to FBI agents. In one conversation with authorities, before they informed her of any details of the attack, she said, "My husband is safe with guns." "No one ever told her about guns," Mandolfo said. FBI agents interviewed Salman three times after the attack. They said she was aware Mateen was planning to do something and that texts to her husband prove it. "She knew he was going to conduct the attack," federal prosecutor Roger Handberg told a judge during a hearing in Oakland on Jan. 17, 2017. One text recovered from Salmans phone reads, If ur mom calls say nimo invited you out and noor wants to stay home. Another reads, She asked where you were xoxo. Love you. Nimo, or Nemo, is the name of one of Mateens friends, whom defense attorneys said Mateen often used to cover his tracks when he went out to cheat on his wife. She shopped with her husband at Walmart the night before the attack when he bought five containers of ammunition, a source close to the investigation previously told Fox News. A law enforcement source also told Fox she had driven her husband to Pulse nightclub at least once before the deadly shooting. What was her defense? The family and Salmans lawyers denied she had anything to do with Mateens plot. In a November 2016 interview with The New York Times, Salman apologized for her husband's act and claimed she was unaware of his plan. "I don't condone what he has done," she told the newspaper. "I am very sorry for what has happened. He has hurt a lot of people." Defense attorneys described Salman as a simple woman with a low IQ, who was abused by her husband and was in constant fear for her life. Her attorneys also claimed she wasn't given proper Miranda warnings, which tell suspects they have a right to remain silent and have an attorney present, before she made statements. I knew when he left the house he was going to Orlando to attack the Pulse Night Club, Salman confirmed in a signed statement written by an FBI agent, according to documents obtained by the Orlando Sentinel. Defense attorney Linda Moreno argued that this confession was coerced and, therefore, should not be admissible in court. "Noor Salman denied any knowledge of Omar Mateen's plans for hours," Moreno said, claiming agents told Salman that she could go to jail and not see her child. What about her family? FBI agents arrested Salman in January 2017 inside her California home, where she had been living with her young son, whom she shared with Mateen. The now 5-year-old boy, who lives with his maternal grandmother in California, has since learned about his father's act and hasn't had any contact with Mateen's side of the family, Susan Clary, spokeswoman for Salmans family, told the Orlando Sentinel. Salman reportedly calls the boy daily. "They talk about what he learned in his kindergarten class that day and what his favorite toys are," according to the Florida newspaper. What were the highlights of her trial? U.S. District Judge Paul G. Byron, federal prosecutors and defense attorneys picked 12 jury members and six alternates on March 12. Opening statements started in federal court on March 14 in downtown Orlando. On the first day of the trial, jurors listened to a witness who hid under a dead body for three hours as shots were fired and an Orlando police detective who choked up on the stand. They also watched a video taken during the shooting by a survivor inside the club. Jurors watched graphic videos of the massacre the next day. Salman shielded her face as the videos and images were displayed on screen, the Orlando Sentinel reports. One video showed Mateen opening fire shooting people already lying motionless on the dance floor. He then walked toward the restroom where he began targeting people hiding in the bathroom stalls. On March 18, Salman's defense team filed a motion, asking the judge to ban the prosecution from using any damning statements the widow may have made to an FBI agent about Mateen's plan, according to the Orlando Sentinel. The next day, FBI Special Agent Ricardo Enriquez took the stand to reveal the statement Salman had given him the night he questioned her about the mass shooting. I am sorry for what happened, Enriquez read Salman's note, according to the Orlando Sentinel. I wish Id go back and tell his family and the police what he was going to do. Salman's defense attorneys argued those statements weren't accurate. On March 20, the mother of Mateen's friend, known only by the nickname "Nemo," testified in court. She discussed the pair's relationship, and told the court her son was working that night in Washington, D.C., and had not been with Mateen. Jurors got a deeper look into Mateen's past on March 21 as they searched through his browser history, which included ISIS propaganda and beheading videos. They also flipped through photos taken inside his Florida home. Final text messages between the couple were then read aloud in court. Salman texted Mateen twice during his hours-long standoff with police, asking, "Where are you?" Mateen responded, "You heard what happened." "????" Salman replied. "What happened?!" Salman texted. "I love you babe," Mateen wrote in his last text message at 4:29 a.m. "Habibi what happened?!" Salman wrote, using an Arabic term of endearment. "Your mom said that she said to come over and you never did." On March 22, jurors watched security footage of Salman standing by her husband's side -- with their young son close by -- as Mateen bought ammunition at Walmart. "I knew Omar was preparing for Jihad when he bought the rifle, was going to the range to shoot, was spending a lot of money and bought the ammunition, Salman said, according to a transcribed statement jurors were given earlier, the Orlando Sentinel reported. I saw these things as a green light for Omar to do an act of violence." On March 24, lawyers revealed that Mateen's dad was a secret FBI informant for more than a decade -- a revelation that led to immediate calls by the defense for a mistrial. "Seddique Mateen was a FBI confidential human source at various points in time between January 2005 and June 2016, the defense lawyers, in a court document, quoted United States Attorney Sara Sweeney as saying in a letter. Salmans lawyers, who denied she had anything to do with the attack, added: Moreover, the defenses questioning of the Governments witnesses has also been hindered by the Governments actions. During the cross-examination of Shahla Mateenshe denied any knowledge of a relationship between Seddique Mateen and the FBI. This was either false and the Government knew it since Seddique Mateen had been working with the FBI for eleven years or Seddique Mateen had kept this information from his wife a situation ripe for cross-examination. U.S. District Judge Paul Byron rejected the defense's motion for a mistrial on March 26, saying it had little bearing on the trial. "This trial is not about Seddique Mateen. It's about Noor Salman," Byron said. Sweeney told the 12 jurors on March 28 that Mateen's initial target was not Pulse, but Disney Springs. The target of that terrorist attack was not the Pulse nightclub. ... The target of his attack was Disney, Sweeney argued during closing arguments, showing the jury photos of a baby stroller and doll she believed Mateen planned to use to hide his weapons and get into Disney, according to the Orlando Sentinel. Salman's defense lawyers said Sweeney's information didn't make the incident "any less tragic" and argued that it had nothing to do with his wife's knowledge of an attack. "It's a horrible, random, senseless killing by a monster. But it wasn't pre-planned," defense attorney Charles Swift said. "And if he didn't know, she couldn't know." Deliberations began following the closing arguments around 2 p.m. on March 28. On March 30, after deliberating for three days and 12 hours, the jury in Salman's case reached a not guilty verdict on all counts. The widow was found not guilty of obstruction and providing material support to a terrorist organization. Fox News' Phil Keating and The Associated Press contributed to this report. A Texas same-sex couple is accusing a newspaper of discrimination after it removed a name from a family members obituary. Barry Giles and John Gambill, who have been together for 31 years, said a local newspaper in Olton, Texas, removed Gambills name from his late mother-in-laws obituary citing religious and ethical reasons. Were human beings like anyone else, Giles told Fox 4 News. We have feelings. We have relationships, whether he agrees with them or not. According to the couple, Giles mother, Brenda Light, died in February after a fall and the two included both their names and relationship in the obituary they sent to the Olton Enterprise. In the obituary, they wrote: Those left to cherish her memory include her son, Barry Giles and his husband, John Gambill of Dallas. However, when it went to print a few days later, Gambills name wasnt there. It wiped John completely off the picture like he didnt exist, Giles said. The couple called the newspapers publisher, Phillip Hamilton, to find out what happened. I said: Why was my name left out? And he said: Because I wanted to. And that's all there was to the conversation, Gambill said. Of course, I had a few choice words to say to him. Hamilton, who told Fox 4 News that he is a bi-vocational Baptist pastor, stood by his decision in a statement sent to the news station. It is my religious conviction that a male cannot have a husband. It is also my belief that to publish anything contrary to Gods Word on this issue would be to publish something in the newspaper that is not true, the statement said. He went on to say it would be unethical to publish a news item that is known by the editor to be false. Based on the truth found in the Word of God, I could not in good conscience identify Mr. Gambill as the husband of Mr. Giles, Hamilton said. The newspapers Facebook page was bombarded with negative messages, with one person saying it was incomprehensible that the obit was edited. The newspaper is not a religious publication. A personal obituary is a tribute to their life and to the people they loved and cherished, the person wrote. These people were family and Hamilton took it upon himself to delete that part and person out because he felt his personal opinion came before the memory of another person and their family. Very unprofessional. The couple said the obituary was printed in full in other local newspapers. A Minnesota high school student was booted off campus by the schools principal, reportedly over a pro-Second Amendment sign that he brought to a school walkout against gun violence on Wednesday. The New Prague High School student brought a sign reading Guns dont kill people, people kill people, that prompted his principal, Lonnie Seifert, to escort him off school grounds, the Jordan Independent reported. Approximately 100 students from the school participated in the National School Walkout calling for stronger gun control. Another student at the Minnesota walkout, Kenny MacDonald, shared a video on social media showing the incident involving his fellow student, which had been viewed over 4 million times by Thursday evening. In the footage, the principal is seen approaching the student with the sign and escorting him from the protest. The principal reportedly threatened to put the student in a police car. MacDonald claims other students with pro-gun signs such as Arm our teachers were allowed to remain during the walkout. The school district released a statement following the controversy, saying the student was not disciplined. It added that any signs featured at the protest had to be approved by the school administration at least 24 hours in advance. According to the district, the student did not follow the procedures to get the sign approved and therefore it had to be moved to non-school grounds in compliance with the districts policy to protect the exercise of students' and employees' free speech rights, [while] taking into consideration the educational objectives and responsibilities of the School District. The statement added the school fully respects and recognizes that students have free speech rights, but noted that it has an obligation to enforce the policy, which is known as a time, place, and manner restriction. Thousands of students across the nation walked out of classrooms on Wednesday the one-month anniversary of the Parkland, Fla., school shooting that left 17 dead to protest gun violence and urge lawmakers to pass new gun control measures. A student at a Minneapolis high school was assaulted by a mob of students after he carried a pro-Trump flag during the National School Walkout on Wednesday, police said. The attack took place while students at Southwest High School were supposed to be observing a moment of silence to commemorate the 17 students and teachers who died in the Parkland, Fla. shooting last month, WCCO reported. Police said the student was waving a flag in support of President Trump when he was ambushed by at least eight classmates. The mob forcefully took the Trump flag from the student and damaged a camera he was carrying. While it was previously reported he sustained minor injuries, a family friend told Fox News he was taken to urgent care because his arm was broken in two places. Police report that a school resource officer was able to stop the attack. The family friend disputes that, saying it was a student council leader who stopped the fight. There have been no arrests against any of the students involved as police continue to investigate what happened. Minneapolis Public Schools officials told Fox News in a lengthy statement that, due to state law, they are prohibited from sharing details of the brief fight that occurred on March 14 across the street and off school property. Last week, MPS Superintendent Ed Graff sent a letter to families about creating a space for students during the walkout, emphasizing they should not leave school property. Graff wrote its not possible to ensure student safety if students leave school grounds, adding the school will not discipline students for the act of protesting as long as the protest remains peaceful. Because the assault took place across the street from the school and technically off campus, it remains unclear what action the school will take, but MPS spokesman Dirk Tedmon said the district will follow their behavior standards policy for discipline. MPS does not condone fighting or disrespectful behavior, said MPS spokesman Dirk Tedmon. When it happens, we follow the same behavior and safety guidelines for all students involved. Tedmon said students have a right to express their opinions even when not everyone agrees with it. COERCED STUDENT WALKOUT IN CHICAGO IS POLITICAL INDOCTRINATION: GOP CHAIR MPSs diversity is one of its greatest strengths and helps students grow into well-rounded, global citizens, he said. It is important to maintain a safe, positive learning environment for each Minneapolis Public Schools student in every one the districts schools, and we are committed to doing that. President Donald Trump and South Korean President Moon Jae-in, who are both planning to meet North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un this spring, pledged Friday to maintain "maximum pressure" on his authoritarian regime and seek action on giving up his nukes, the White House said. In a phone call with Moon, Trump reiterated his intention to meet Kim by the end of May. According to a White House statement, the allied leaders "agreed that concrete actions, not words, will be the key to achieving permanent denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula." They also agreed that a "brighter future is available for North Korea, if it chooses the right path," the White House stated. Moon is due to meet Kim in April, a prelude to what would be first U.S.-North Korean summit during seven decades of hostility since the 1950-53 Korean War. Preparations for the Trump-Kim summit, which was announced out of the blue last week, were always going to be tricky. Now, they have been thrown an early curve ball with Secretary of State Rex Tillerson's abrupt firing by Trump on Tuesday. North Korea has yet to publicly confirm the summit plans, and the venue for the meeting remains up in the air, although a rare visit by the North's top diplomat to Sweden on Friday fueled speculation the Scandinavian nation might play host. On Friday, the U.S. official left in charge of the State Department after Tillerson's departure faced a delicate diplomatic task: to keep America's key Asian allies on the same page over the outreach to Kim. Deputy Secretary John Sullivan met separately with Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha of South Korea, the nation which teed up the Trump-Kim summit, and Foreign Minister Taro Kono of Japan, whose nation is less enthusiastic and more skeptical about the sudden spirit of rapprochement. Both nations host tens of thousands of U.S. forces and face a direct threat from North Korea's weaponry. But South Korea and Japan also have tetchy relations and different perspectives on the problem. Their foreign ministers will hold talks in Washington on Saturday. Moon is a long-standing advocate of engagement with the North. He used the Winter Olympics his nation hosted last month to reach out to Pyongyang. Subsequently, South Korean officials met Kim last week and relayed to Washington that the North Korean dictator was committed to "denuclearization" and willing to halt nuclear and missile tests, which tempted Trump to agree to talk. Kang followed up Thursday with a lunch with Ivanka Trump, the president's daughter and adviser. They also had met during the Olympics closing ceremony. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe now appears the odd one out. He's forged close ties with Trump and been a staunch supporter of his campaign of "maximum pressure" on North Korea, primarily through economic sanctions. While he says he welcomes the dialogue with North Korea, he's adamant the pariah nation must take real steps toward giving up its nukes. He's due to meet Trump in Washington next month. James Schoff, a former Pentagon adviser on East Asia, said Japanese officials are unnerved by Trump's unpredictability and fear that the U.S. could reach a deal with Kim on long-range North Korean missiles that threaten the U.S. without addressing the shorter-range weapons that threaten Japan. Although Schoff said there's no reason to think that such a divisive move is in the cards, the Japanese want to be informed and consulted on the summit plans. "They want to keep up maximum pressure and make sure we don't cut their interests out in any deal," he said. Alongside Foreign Minister Kono on Friday, Sullivan told reporters the U.S. and Japan would discuss their "many common interests" and build on the allies' "unbreakable bonds." Kono, who also met with Defense Secretary Jim Mattis, called for resolution not just of the nuclear and missile issues, but the cases of Japanese citizens abducted by North Korea in the 1970s and 1980s. ____ Associated Press writer Catherine Lucey contributed to this report. next Image 1 of 2 prev Image 2 of 2 A Greek prosecutor has urged a court to reject a third Turkish request for the extradition of eight Turkish servicemen who fled to Greece in July 2016 after a failed military coup. An Athens appeals court is hearing the case of the servicemen, which has increased tension between regional neighbors Greece and Turkey. Prosecutor Evgenia Kyvelou argued that Greece's supreme court has already ruled examining the first extradition bid that the men wouldn't get a fair trial in Turkey and would face inhumane treatment there. She said new Turkish charges that the men belonged to an armed terrorist group and were involved in attempted murders have no solid grounding. The court is expected to issue its ruling later Friday. Both earlier extradition requests have been rejected. A group of mostly migrant protesters clashed with police in Madrid Thursday and Friday, with demonstrators setting fire to trash bins and parked vehicles after the death of an African migrant who witnesses claim was trying to flee from cops cracking down on illegal street sales. At least six people were arrested including a minor while 19 others were injured after protesters hurled rocks and blunt objects at police. Bus shelters, police vehicles and bank branches also sustained extensive damage, El Pais reported. A police spokesman told the newspaper 10 officers sustained minor injuries. The unrest was sparked after Mmame Mbaye, a 35-year-old street vendor from Senegal, died Thursday after going into cardiac arrest, police said. Several witnesses reported seeing Mbaye collapsing after being chased by police officers on motorcycles. First responders arrived to the scene and attempted to revive him. Protesters, the majority of them migrants, told AFP that Mbaye had arrived to Spain 12 years ago via boat and worked as an illegal street vendor, sending some of what he earned back to his family. "Municipal police arrived and chased him from Sol to Lavapies with a motorbike," Modou, a 25-year-old vendor from Senegal told AFP. In the end, he died here. Madrid Mayor Manuela Carmena said there will be an investigation into the incident. I deeply regret the death of a citizen in #Lavapies. From City Hall we will investigate thoroughly what happened and act accordingly, she wrote on Twitter. All my solidarity with [his] friends and family. next Image 1 of 2 prev Image 2 of 2 The mayor of Russia's fourth-largest city cuts an odd figure in the country since most governors and mayors are either Kremlin nominees or hail from Kremlin-friendly parties. Yekaterinburg mayor Yevgeny Roizman, on the other hand, openly criticizes President Vladimir Putin. He has also called for a boycott of Sunday's presidential vote, a move advocated by Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, who is banned from running. Yet Roizman still epitomizes the helplessness of Russia's opposition in the face of Putin's well-oiled government machine. Roizman is an outlier in Putin's system of government, where every official explicitly answers to and serves the Russian president. While millions of public workers are busy rooting for Putin and urging residents to vote, Roizman has dismissed the presidential vote as sham. The Vatican said Friday it had convicted the suspended Guam archbishop, who was accused of sexually abusing minors, financial mismanagement and other charges, but didn't say exactly what crimes he had committed. A statement said only that Archbishop Anthony Apuron had been convicted of some of the accusations against him, and had been removed from office and forbidden from living on the U.S. Pacific territory. The Vatican spokesman declined to comment further. Pope Francis named a temporary administrator for Guam in 2016 after Apuron was accused by former altar boys of sexually abusing them when he was a priest. Dozens of cases involving other priests on the island have since come to light. Apuron strongly denied the charges and said he was a victim of a "calumny" campaign. He wasn't criminally charged. The statute of limitations had expired. The Vatican statement said the conviction and sentence imposed by the tribunal at the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith could be appealed. If Apuron appeals, the penalties are suspended until the case is resolved. Normally, when an elderly or infirm priest is convicted by the Vatican of sexually abusing minors, he is sentenced to a lifetime of "penance and prayer." Younger priests convicted of abuse have been defrocked, removed from ministry or forbidden from presenting themselves as priests. The Catholic community on Guam has been convulsed by the Apuron scandal, which also involved accusations of grave financial problems in the archdiocese and the purchase of a valuable property by Apuron for a diocesan seminary that he actually turned over to a controversial Catholic movement to run. A lay group that agitated for Apuron's removal, "Concerned Catholics of Guam," was decisive in pushing for an investigation into the archdiocesan seminary, which Apuron opened in 1999 and moved to an 18-acre (seven-hectare) property thanks to a $2 million anonymous donation. A Vatican-backed inquiry into the seminary found that the property's control had effectively been transferred to the Neochatechumenal Way administrators without Vatican approval. The seminary controversy came to a head when the Carmelite order of religious sisters revealed it had provided the $2 million donation, but said the money had been intended for an archdiocesan seminary to train diocesan priests, not a Neocatechumenal Way seminary to train missionaries. In a remarkable 2016 news conference to denounce the transfer, Carmelite Mother Superior Dawn Marie came out of her cloister and announced that her small community of nuns had left the island after a 50-year presence because of the "toxic environment" created by the controversy. More than a thousand people are marking 50th anniversary of the My Lai massacre, using the event to talk of peace and cooperation instead of hatred. In 1968, American soldiers killed 504 unarmed civilians in My Lai and a neighboring community, most of them women, children and the elderly. Speaking at Friday's commemoration, provincial official Dang Ngoc Dung says My Lai was a typical case of "cruel crimes committed by aggressive and hostile forces" during the war. He did not mention the United States by name. Dung says Vietnam wants to set aside the past and befriend other countries to build a better future in which peace and happiness can thrive. Vietnam and the U.S. have in recent years strengthened their bilateral relations. 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 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. Council member seeks car noise limit A city council member is moving to put the brakes on excessive car noise. Gaffney City Councilwoman Steph Smith said shes asked to appear before todays Police Committee meeting at... NEWSPAPER FUN To continue reading this article, log in or click here to subscribe. Username Password Remember Me Forgot Password Auton named new communications manager Spartanburg County has added a new member to their team, and you may recognize her name. Scottie Kay Auton, originally from Cherokee County, is now working just across the street... County diners could pay higher bills Diners in unincorporated parts of Cherokee County will very soon pay a little more when they go out for dinner if, as expected, Cherokee County Council passes final reading... Galveston, TX (77553) Today Scattered thunderstorms during the evening. Mostly cloudy with gusty winds after midnight. Low 73F. NNW winds at 10 to 15 mph, increasing to 20 to 30 mph. Chance of rain 60%.. Tonight Scattered thunderstorms during the evening. Mostly cloudy with gusty winds after midnight. Low 73F. NNW winds at 10 to 15 mph, increasing to 20 to 30 mph. Chance of rain 60%. The city is now collecting photographs from friends and family of those who lost their lives for a digital memorial. Welcome to my genealogy blog. Genea-Musings features genealogy research tips and techniques, genealogy news items and commentary, genealogy humor, San Diego genealogy society news, family history research and some family history stories from the keyboard of Randy Seaver (of Chula Vista CA), who thinks that Genealogy Research Is really FUN! Copyright (c) Randall J. Seaver, 2006-2021. felicilin at 16-03-2018 11:00 AM (3 years ago) (f) Our attention have been drawn to a heart breaking video of the inhuman and animalistic treatment of an official of the state created Public Works Volunteers (PUWOV) by an officer of Nigeria Prison Services in Edo State. Our attention have been drawn to a heart breaking video of the inhuman and animalistic treatment of an official of the state created Public Works Volunteers (PUWOV) by an officer of Nigeria Prison Services in Edo State. The information available was that the PUWOV official contravened the Prison Warden who was picking passengers beside WEMA bank on Airport road, Benin City where parking and picking of passengers is prohibited. He was apprehended and to be taken to the office to answer to the offence, while he was expected to follow the instruction of the PUWOV official, he drove to the premises of the NPS at Sapele road where his colleagues and an army officer dealt with him mercilessly, compelling him to roll himself on the ground filled with mud water among other dehumanizing treatments. Governor Obaseki should ensure that the perpetuators of this dastardly act are brought to book to serve as deterrent to others who may want to tow same direction. EDOCSO is very much interested in this matter and will at all times resist any form of lawlessness from any quarter. Members of PUWOV are young men and women who are working tirelessly to bring sanity to our environment. We wont allow anyone to denigrate them. Comrade Osazee Edigin Public Relations Officer Edo Civil Society Organisations The information available was that the PUWOV official contravened the Prison Warden who was picking passengers beside WEMA bank on Airport road, Benin City where parking and picking of passengers is prohibited.He was apprehended and to be taken to the office to answer to the offence, while he was expected to follow the instruction of the PUWOV official, he drove to the premises of the NPS at Sapele road where his colleagues and an army officer dealt with him mercilessly, compelling him to roll himself on the ground filled with mud water among other dehumanizing treatments.Governor Obaseki should ensure that the perpetuators of this dastardly act are brought to book to serve as deterrent to others who may want to tow same direction. EDOCSO is very much interested in this matter and will at all times resist any form of lawlessness from any quarter.Members of PUWOV are young men and women who are working tirelessly to bring sanity to our environment. We wont allow anyone to denigrate them.Comrade Osazee EdiginPublic Relations OfficerEdo Civil Society Organisations Post Reply Posted: at 16-03-2018 11:00 AM (3 years ago) | Hero clarajancita at 16-03-2018 01:20 PM (3 years ago) (f) A vehicle fully loaded with Gas Cylinders exploded yesterday on its ways to Niger Delta University, Amassoma, Yanagoa Bayelsa state, Killing a lady who was inside the car.. A vehicle fully loaded with Gas Cylinders exploded yesterday on its ways to Niger Delta University, Amassoma, Yanagoa Bayelsa state, Killing a lady who was inside the car.. According to News Breaker Binatari Egbe who shared the photos on his page the incident happened after Police started chasing thinking that they were illegal bunkers, Driving with overspeed the car exploded and got burnt beyond repairs.. The driver barely survived but has been rushed to Okolobiri Hospital Emergency Room. See more photos below!........ According to News Breaker Binatari Egbe who shared the photos on his page the incident happened after Police started chasing thinking that they were illegal bunkers, Driving with overspeed the car exploded and got burnt beyond repairs..The driver barely survived but has been rushed to Okolobiri Hospital Emergency Room.See more photos below!........ Post Reply I am a metro reporter on Gistmania, I have been publishing news materials for over 5 years Posted: at 16-03-2018 01:20 PM (3 years ago) | Hero More Men in Low-Paying Jobs Diversity and High Income What Now? CHAMBLEE, Ga. This Atlanta suburb is a lot like other metropolitan suburbs around the country. A manufacturing economy is giving way to new apartments and tech enterprises built around a quick commute to Atlanta.And as in other communities, theres a measurable pay gap between its working men and women. But theres something different about Chamblee: Here its the women who earn the higher wages, typically $1.37 for every dollar brought home by a man.Thats astonishing in a country where nearly universally and in nearly all of the 2,700 locations reviewed by Stateline men earn more than women. Nationally, the pay gap is wide: Women still earn less than 80 cents for every dollar men take home.Of the 2,700 locations in the United States with more than 10,000 workers, Stateline found, there are just six municipalities and one county that flip the script in a statistically significant way.A Stateline review of census data on earnings across the country found that women also make more in Lake Worth, Florida; the cities of Plainfield and Trenton in New Jersey; Inglewood, California; the village of Hempstead on Long Island, New York; and the Washington, D.C., suburb of Prince Georges County, Maryland.Most are diverse suburbs in large metro areas. All are majority-minority, and many have low-income neighborhoods as well as the economic benefits of proximity to vibrant cities.The reasons for the pay differences are complex and uncertain: Pay may be relatively higher for young millennial women who have landed jobs in big cities and found affordable housing in commuter suburbs such as these. And the communities high numbers of single male laborers, many of whom are immigrants working without documentation, can also hold down male income, which makes female income relatively higher.But there are also some hopeful signs for all women in these places: Women in Chamblee, for instance, earn more than women in the Atlanta area as a whole, and out-earn men in some lucrative, male-dominated fields, such as computers and engineering, with the help of female business entrepreneurs sensitive to the need for flexibility to attend to family responsibilities.In Chamblee, one of those women is Lindsey Cambardella, an attorney who grew up in the area and yearned to run a business. She applied last year for her dream job, running a national language interpretation and translation firm. She was married, in her 30s, with no kids and worried about that impression.I was very up front, Cambardella recalled recently. I said, Im planning to have children and soon. I dont want you to have any surprises.Fortunately, the business owner was also a woman, one who had built the firm up by herself over 20 years after a career in sales and state government, while also raising a son.She immediately shot back: That doesnt scare me at all, Cambardella, 34, recalled. I think I was lucky in that she was open-minded and not worried about it.Cambardella now makes more than her husband, an urban landscape architect who took a step down in pay recently to take a job with the city of Atlanta.Claudia Goldin, a Harvard University economist, argued in a 2015 paper that more flexible hours would go a long way toward solving the gender pay gap, which she said is often caused in part by women working fewer hours and stopping work at times, often to raise children.Thats one reason Shear Structural, an engineering firm started by three women in Chamblee, prioritizes flexibility, said co-founder Malory Atkinson.They say a lot more women study STEM fields than actually end up working in it, she said, so were very cognizant of that, and we do whatever it takes to be accommodating.The gender pay gap is especially wide for women with children and women who are married (because employers suspect they will have children). Men, by contrast, tend to get paid more after marriage based on the assumption it will make them more ambitious.Marriage adds a premium to a mans income, and its a drag on womens income, said Ariane Hegewisch, study director for the Institute for Womens Policy Research in Washington.But the reason women make more than men in the seven places on Statelines list is not entirely a reflection of their own success. Many of the places on the list have low-wage male workers, often unauthorized immigrants, and that alone can bring down the median male wage to a point where it is lower than that of women.All low-paying jobs have similar pay for all, Goldin said. If everyone got the minimum wage, then the gaps would disappear.In Chamblee, a city shared by professionals commuting to Atlanta and immigrants working locally, women make more than the typical Atlanta metro worker, but men make far less.Yet even in this town, the gender pay gap that exists between people working in the same professions still tends to favor men.A majority of Chamblees female employees work in management, science and arts jobs, where their typical pay is about $57,000 less than men working in the same fields. Women make more than men in the city as a whole, across professions, because immigrant men working in low-paying service or labor jobs bring down the median pay for men.Chamblee has long been a destination for immigrants. The city has a dense housing district called the Triangle where Chinese and other Asian immigrants once lived and worked in nearby factories. Asian institutions and restaurants remain, and the name Chinatown is still on many facades but most of the factories have closed, and the citys immigrants are now mostly men from Latin America.Most men in Chamblee work in service jobs, construction, factories or moving and shipping jobs, where they typically earn $20,000 to $25,000 a year, the equivalent of $10 to $12 an hour.Census data shows that Chamblees immigrants are mostly from Mexico and Guatemala, and those who are not citizens are predominantly men, by a nearly 2-1 ratio.Those men typically arrive alone in their 20s, work for three to five years, and go back home to enjoy the money theyve saved, said Julio Penaranda, who manages Plaza Fiesta, a Hispanic-themed shopping center in Chamblee.Their earning potential is very limited, he said, because these workers are unskilled and undocumented.Another reason women might earn more than men in some predominantly black suburbs, like Prince Georges County along with Trenton, New Jersey, and Inglewood, California is that black women tend to be better educated than black men, said Nicole Smith, chief economist at the Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce and co-author of the centers 2018 report on the pay gap.Prince Georges County has only a modest boost for womens pay at 103.5 percent of mens earnings. But its the only county on the list and by far the most populous area, with about 900,000 residents.Tonia Wellons, 46, lives comfortably there, in a 3,200-square-foot home in Upper Marlboro. Wellons is a vice president at the Greater Washington Community Foundation, and has held high-ranking positions in the Peace Corps and at the World Bank.She makes a little more than her husband, Lyndon Joseph, an electrician with his own home improvement business. They have four children, including one in college.Wellons said many of her neighbors moved there from neighboring Washington, D.C., in search of a more serene setting to raise children. The county is known for its prosperous black community it has by far the highest household income, about $76,000, of any majority-black county. The second is DeKalb County, Georgia, where Chamblee is located.Some of the factors that stand out in Prince Georges County: a large minority population and a lot of people who work for the federal government, which has civil service rules that discourage discrimination in hiring and promotions.Nationally the pay gap between black and Hispanic women and men of the same group is smaller than that between white women and white men, according to census data. White women earn 77 cents for every dollar earned by white men, and a gender gap exists across all racial groups.Prince Georges has the third-most full-time federal workers about 65,000 of any county in the nation, more than half of whom are women. Another 32,000 residents work for nonprofits, and two-thirds of them are women too, including Wellons.The importance of federal and other government employment is clear, said several experts on pay inequity.The fact that all seven places are majority-minority is harder to explain.Race alone is not enough to explain why women make more in some majority-minority communities, Hegewisch of the Institute for Womens Policy Research said.The few places with no gap or reverse gap do tend to be urban and majority-minority, said Kevin Miller, senior researcher at American Association of University Women. Whats happening there is that white men, the group with the most disproportionately high salaries, are more absent from those areas.Wellons has a theory about why racially diverse areas may see more equity in pay by gender.Theres more [racial] equity here. There really is. I can feel it, she said. Maybe racial equity encourages other kind of equity too.Working to reduce the pay gap is an ongoing issue for women, even in those communities where overall they make more compared with men.Wellons got her first lesson in pay discrimination in one of her first jobs out of graduate school 20 years ago. She learned that a male colleague with the same job and qualifications was making $7,000 a year more.Back then, that was significant. I was making $27,000 and he was making $34,000. So it was a lot, Wellons said. She approached her bosses, who argued with her and threatened to invite others to apply for her job as a test of its market value, but she prevailed and got the raise.In her career, she said, shes also been surprised at the difference between male and female attitudes toward pay. At the World Bank, she spent years negotiating pay for new hires.Men always wanted to negotiate, she said. The women would just say, Thank you. They were so happy to be offered fair pay.Women dont negotiate for their own pay as aggressively as men, said Hegewisch, but thats partly because theyre judged more harshly than men for doing so.When women do negotiate as assertively as men, she said, they do not get the same results.In Chamblee, Cambardella said she was surprised that a male family friend with a good job negotiated when he was offered a raise a few weeks ago.I would have just said Thank you! she said. He said, Oh I have a different figure in mind.Cherlee Rohling, a 28-year-old Chamblee resident who is engaged to be married, said she thinks the pay gap sometimes favors young women because theyve had to work hard for the success they get. An operations manager for a manufacturer, she makes more than her fiance.Women have had to start working 10 times harder than men, and we dont give up, Rohling said. Im sure I make more than some men, but not because of youth because Im a hard worker. The Senate Rules Committee on Wednesday appointed the first undocumented resident to a statewide post, according to Senate President pro Tem Kevin de Leon's office.Lizbeth Mateo, a 33-year-old attorney and immigrant rights activist, will serve on the California Student Opportunity and Access Program Project Grant Advisory Committee. The committee advises the California Student Aid Commission on efforts to increase college access for California students from low-income or underserved communities."While Donald Trump fixates on walls, California will continue to concentrate on opportunities," de Leon said in a news release. "Ms. Mateo is a courageous, determined and intelligent young woman who at great personal risk has dedicated herself to fight for those seeking their rightful place in this country."In a statement, Mateo said she welcomed the opportunity. "While undocumented students have become more visible in our state, they remain underrepresented in places where decisions that affect them are being made," she said.According to de Leon's office, Mateo graduated from Santa Clara University law School in 2016 and passed the California bar last year.She was born in Oaxaca, Mexico and came to the United States with her parents when she was 14, according to de Leon's office. A Response to Columbine Not a Magic Solution After a teenage gunman killed 17 people at a Parkland, Florida, high school last month, schools across the country were hit by a wave of copycat threats.In Colorado, at least two high school students were arrested based on information sent to the state anonymous tip line and mobile app, known as Safe2Tell. They had a list, they had weapons, they knew exactly what they wanted to do, said Colorado Attorney General Cynthia Coffman, whose office administers the program.States across the country are responding to high-profile school shootings and rising teen suicide rates by creating tip lines modeled on Colorados. The programs aim to prevent young people from behaving dangerously, whether that means bullying, using drugs or killing someone.Coffman said that Safe2Tell has saved lives in Colorado, and that such a system could have prevented the Parkland shooting. Nikolas Cruz, the expelled student who has admitted to shooting his former classmates at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, had a long record of disturbing behavior but it didnt provoke a sufficient response from local authorities. A tipsters warning to an FBI hotline was never communicated to local law enforcement.Tips that are sent to Safe2Tell, in contrast, are required to be passed on to school districts and often police departments, and local officials are required to investigate. That might mean setting up a meeting between a student and a school counselor, or it might mean sending a police car straight to a students home.Something like Safe2Tell would have led to an intervention, Coffman said of the shooting in Florida. I feel very confident saying that.Tip lines, which are relatively inexpensive and dont affect gun control laws, are one of the few policy responses to mass shootings that Republicans and Democrats can agree on.Colorado launched Safe2Tell after Columbine in 1999. Since 2014, Michigan, Nevada, Oregon, Utah and Wyoming have launched similar programs, prompted in part by the Sandy Hook massacre in 2012.In the wake of the Parkland massacre, the Colorado Safe2Tell office has fielded calls from the Trump administration and interested state and local officials nationwide. Were getting calls from all over the country now, its crazy, said Susan Payne, the director of Safe2Tell.The Colorado Attorney Generals Office is working with its Florida counterpart to potentially set up a tip line there. In Arizona, a bill setting up a similar program is making its way through House and Senate committees. And this week the U.S. House passed legislation that would authorize grants for such programs along with other school safety initiatives.Solutions on the state level including in my home state of Utah can help show us the way forward, Republican Sen. Orrin Hatch said in a speech last month announcing the school safety legislation. Utahs anonymous tip line has investigated 86 credible school attack threats since it launched in 2016, according to University of Utah Health, the health care system that manages the program.Payne came up with the idea for Safe2Tell in the 1990s when she was working as a police detective in Colorado Springs. At the time, youth violence was rising locally, and she found that young people often had valuable information about what was going to happen and needed trusted adults to tell and a reliable way to do it.She envisioned a system that would teach children that speaking up was their civic responsibility and doing so didnt make them a tattletale. Unlike the national tip line Crime Stoppers, there would be no cash reward for providing information. Safe2Tell expanded statewide in Colorado in 2004, initially as a nonprofit.Today, Colorado state patrol officers respond to tips that reach Safe2Tell by phone, mobile app or website 24/7, and ask tipsters detailed questions to gather information about a potential problem. Alerts are sent out to local officials soon after the interview ends.John McDonald, head of security for Jefferson County Public Schools, said hes been woken in the wee hours by his phone buzzing with an incoming alert. Often, he said, young people submit their reports when theyre up late worrying about something.He has responded to tips about everything from suicidal thoughts to underage keg parties. Sometimes, tips lead to dramatic rescues. He and Coffman both shared the story of a middle-school-aged boy who tried to hang himself in a park. The boys teenage brother found him and saved his life after a principal received a tip and called the family in alarm.Payne says that non-emergency reports are important, too. For instance, a report that a child has been cruel to animals can help a school district intervene and address his violent tendencies early on.Last school year, more than 9,000 tips were submitted statewide. The most common tip involved a suicide threat. Other common tips involved bullying, drug use, cutting and depression, and about 300 involved planned school attacks. Anyone can use the service, including parents, teachers, college students and other community members.Social media has made it easier than ever for users to spot and share safety threats. Sometimes tipsters will share pictures students have posted online of themselves wearing body armor and posing with a gun.To make sure the program is being used, Safe2Tell officials team up with schools and nonprofits to educate students about it. Just a tip line, by itself, I dont think is the answer, Payne said.Yet some acts of violence have slipped through the cracks. In 2013, a student entered a Denver-area high school armed with a shotgun, a hunting knife and three Molotov cocktails. He shot a classmate in the head and then shot himself. Both teenagers died.Although several students had had concerns about the students violent tendencies, nobody called the state tip line. If just one student or teacher had called Safe2Tell, this tragedy might have been averted, a report from researchers at the University of Colorado at Boulder and the University of Northern Colorado said about the shooting.The researchers found that, among other mistakes, the high school never properly taught students and staff about Safe2Tell. The program was advertised on posters in the hallways, and stickers on the back of student identification badges, but students had not been trained to use it.School districts need a system for keeping track of and addressing worrisome behavior way before a student reaches a crisis point, said William Woodward, one of the report authors and director of training and technical assistance at the Center for the Study and Prevention of Violence at the University of Colorado. The center is working with Colorado schools to improve intervention.And schools also need the resources to follow up. Nevada, for instance, hired more school social workers before it launched a tip line this year. We didnt want tips to come in, and nobody ready to respond, said Christina McGill, director of the office for a safe and respectful learning environment at the Nevada Department of Education.I will kid you not: It is labor intensive, McDonald said of the Safe2Tell program. Tips can come in at any time of day and might involve a coordinated response from school administration and the police. Youre waking up a lot of people, he said.Coffman said that policymakers and school officials in other states have told her that theyre worried some schools may not have the capacity to adequately respond to a high volume of tips.The number of tips submitted in Colorado have increased dramatically over the past decade, which Coffman attributes partly to rising awareness of the program and partly to rising incidence of mental illness among young people in Colorado and nationwide. I think that is an undercurrent through all these statistics, she said.States that want to set up a program similar to Safe2Tell should start with legislation that guarantees anonymity for tipsters, Payne said, and they can reach out to Colorado for advice. Safe2Tell cost less than $600,000 to run last year, she estimated.Payne said she has encouraged the White House to establish a national umbrella to oversee all the state programs, as tips can come in to Colorados system that affect other states, and vice versa.Although the White House has not commented on the umbrella organization idea, President Donald Trump supports school safety legislation passed by the House this week, according to spokeswoman Sarah Huckabee Sanders. Kansas lawmakers rejected a series of gun control measures one by one on Thursday, the day after students nationwide walked out of class to protest school shootings.The sprawling debate demonstrated the Legislature remains solidly in favor of gun rights.A shooting in Parkland, Fla., killed 17 people last month. That led to walkouts Wednesday across the country and in Kansas, including at the Kansas Capitol.Thursday, senators voted against more than half a dozen measures, including:-- Prohibiting rifle purchases for people under 21-- Imposing a three-day waiting period on some gun purchases-- Allowing public colleges to decide whether to allow concealed weaponsSenators did unanimously pass a bill making it a state crime for people convicted within the past five years of a misdemeanor domestic violence offense to have a firearm.They also passed a bill requiring Kansas to recognize conceal-carry permits from other states, 25-15.The defeated gun control measures came in the form of amendments to that bill.Kansas has among the least-restrictive gun laws in the country. The state doesn't require permits to carry concealed weapons. Public colleges and universities can't prohibit concealed weapons, and guns are allowed in the Capitol itself."It's not a question of if Kansas is going to get its own Parkland or Columbine or Sandy Hook, it's a matter of when," said Sen. Tom Holland, D-Baldwin City.Sen. Ty Masterson, R-Andover, said the facts are on the side of gun rights. Over the past few decades, mass shootings often come in so-called gun free zones, he said."I don't think there's anybody in this room that doesn't agree that those are significant tragedies and things need to be done," Masterson said. "The issue comes in, what is the solution? And with the human condition, in the end there is no real solution."An effort to allow public universities to decide whether to allow concealed weapons failed. Public colleges and universities have been required to allow concealed weapons since last summer.Sen. Tom Hawk, D-Manhattan, said he brought forward the amendment in case anyone's minds had changed over the past year. But senators supportive of allowing concealed weapons on campus pointed to a falling crime rate at the University of Kansas.One amendment that would have prohibited rifle purchases by people under 21 provoked a split over the rights and privileges of young adults. Holland noted 18- and 19-year-olds aren't allowed to drink.The right to bear arms is protected by the U.S. Constitution, while drinking is not, said Sen. Richard Hilderbrand, R-Galena.Another amendment would have required a three-day wait to purchase some firearms and required background checks."This is only a delay in purchasing a firearm. Not saying you can't, just a delay to make sure you don't have that mental issue or previous conviction of domestic violence," said Sen. Oletha Faust-Goudeau, D-Wichita.Sen. Steve Fitzgerald, a Leavenworth Republican who is running for Congress, said at times safety measures can be counterproductive. Driving home his point, he said that in the case of a helicopter that crashed in New York earlier this week, passengers died after they were unable to break free of their safety harnesses.He called a proposal for a three-day waiting period after gun sales "over the top.""It sounds like it's a wise thing, but for the young single mother whose enraged boyfriend is on his way over -- now -- she needs something more than to be able to dial the police. She needs something more than a protection order. She needs something more than a lock on the door. But she'll have to wait three days," Fitzgerald said.When the bill passed the House, it allowed 18-year-olds to have concealed weapons with a permit. A Senate committee stripped out that provision before sending it to the floor.Under current law, people 21 and up can carry concealed weapons. The Governors Official Program is comprised of a wide range of constitutional and legal duties and ceremonial and community engagements. Each year, the Governor hosts thousands of visitors to Government House to take part in investiture and award ceremonies, Open Days, receptions and meetings, and travels widely throughout Queensland to support the activities of Patron groups. View a chronological record of the Governors daily program below. In the morning, at Icon Tower, Ipswich, His Excellency the Honourable Paul de Jersey AC presided over a meeting of the Executive Council. In the evening, at the Queensland Art Gallery, South Bank, the Governor attended the Thynne + Macartney 125 Year Anniversary Cocktail Function, and addressed guests. Description GIS 16 March 2018: SME Mauritius Ltd and the Association of Mauritian Manufacturers (AMM) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) yesterday at the seat of Chelvan Furniture Ltd in Curepipe, in the context of the Made in Moris label. The Minister of Business, Enterprise and Cooperatives, Mr. Soomilduth Bholah, and other personalities were present on that occasion. The MoU aims at facilitating the implementation of a budgetary measure for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), whereby Government contributes Rs 5,000 towards the costs of membership in the Made in Moris label. Signatories were Mr Raj Puddoo for SME Mauritius Ltd and Mr Sylvan Oxenham for the AMM. In his address, Minister Bholah highlighted that the budgetary measure reflects both Governments ambition of making SMEs the backbone of the countrys economy, and the commendable work by Made in Moris under the aegis of the AMM. He recalled that Governments vision is to provide the necessary guidance and support to SMEs so as to strengthen their competitiveness and the quality of their products and help them meet the challenges of local and international markets. The Minister underscored that, as at date, over 70 companies, including 20 SMEs, have adhered to the Made in Moris concept, which encompass more than 250 brands. He pointed out that the Made in Moris label offers numerous advantages to SMEs. The Made in Moris initiative helps SMEs to establish the authenticity of the product offered for sale and thus raise the confidence of potential buyers; adopt production techniques that meet established standards; and highlight the Mauritian brands and increase their visibility across different platforms. Mr. Bholah underlined that the National Productivity and Competitiveness Council (NPCC) will also help SMEs abide by the highest manufacturing norms while assisting them in uplifting their operations through the NPCCs Enterprise Transformation Programme, in order to obtain the Made in Moris label. Under this initiative, the NPCC works with the company to improve the performance of its staff and processes. It also assesses the business needs and assists the company in aligning the staff and processes so that in turn the business delivers results and secures significant gains. A symbolic handing over of cheques to a first batch of SMEs benefiting from the one-off financial contribution of Rs 5,000 for membership in the Made in Moris label was held on that occasion. GIS 16 March 2018: The third edition of the Mauritius Criminal Law Review was launched yesterday by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecution at Rajsoomer Lallah Lecture Theatre in Port-Louis, in presence of the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), Mr. Satyajit Boolell, and other eminent personalities from the judiciary and legal profession. In his address, the DPP pointed out that the book is being launched at the most opportune time when Mauritius is celebrating its 50 years as an independent country. Over the years, Mauritius has witnessed an evolutionary journey as regards its Constitution and judicial system, he said. He shed light on the constitutional journey of Mauritius and recalled that it is time to take stock and evaluate all that has been achieved so far. We have come a long way in consolidating democracy in the Mauritian society but we should review the system from time to time, he added. The DPP also underpinned that despite the high rate of unemployment and dire socio-political upheavals prevailing at the time of Independence, Mauritius has managed to emerge as a democratic country upholding the rule of law, safeguarding the rights and freedom of the individual and commanding domestic and international confidence. Referring to the book, Mr. Boolell pointed out that it encompasses the latest developments in criminal matters, commentaries on cases as well as observations on judgments that have had significant impact on criminal law. The book also discusses themes such as the right to privacy, freedom of expression, juvenile justice and childrens rights, modern maritime piracy prosecutions and the common law in Mauritius. On the same occasion, the Office of the DPP paid tribute to two highly regarded and experienced figures of the legal profession, namely Sir Hamid Moollan and Raymond d'Unienville for their valuable contributions to the legal field. Description GIS 16 March 2018: A two-day workshop on the Childrens Bill and Adoption Bill opened yesterday at the Gold Crest Hotel in Quatre Bornes in the presence of the Minister of Gender Equality Child Development and Family Welfare, Mrs. Roubina Jadoo-Jaunbocus. The aim is to finalise the draft Childrens Bill and Adoption Bill. Participants from the public sector as well as Non-Governmental Organisations are using this forum to deliberate on the provisions towards finalising the draft Bills. Other issues to be addressed during the two days are: institutional mechanism for a better child protection service; age of marriage and age of consent; age of criminal responsibility; child abuse and neglect; among others. In her address, Minister Jadoo-Jaunbocus, expressed her determination to finalise the Bills which she stressed are of utmost priority to her, as these legislations will ensure the protection and care of the children, who are the most vulnerable components of society. She called for a concerted effort from one and all to contribute to this endeavor, as according to her, it is imperative to take urgent actions to curtail and eliminate both sexual and physical abuse. It is critical to establish solid partnerships in order to tackle the high number of cases prevailing as regards child abuse for which a roadmap has been defined to reach the set goals, she added. An average of 6000 cases of children victims of violence including abuse, neglect and abandonment are reported on an annual basis at the level of the Ministry of Gender Equality, Child Development and Family Welfare. From January to December 2017, 5086 cases were attended to by the Ministry. The number of children victims of different forms of abuse and violence in 2017 are: 2232 boys and 2854 girls registered by the Child Development Unit, whereby children suffered from abandonment; physical abuse, neglect, and other forms of abuse such as mendicity, commercial sexual exploitation and sexual abuse. After Hurricane Katrina, evacuating students from Loyola University in New Orleans could be seen carrying their belongings in pillowcases.That image inspired an American Red Cross project where kids living in makeshift communities could discuss community preparedness.That project eventually grew into a full-blown pilot when Disney came onboard in 2014 and is now a national program that has reached more than 900,000 schoolchildren, mostly third- through fifth-graders.The Pillowcase Project started in four regions Louisiana, California, Mississippi, and Kentucky and grew to 20 and then expanded to the entire country. It partners with local fire departments, tribal communities and the like to deliver its preparedness program, to the 8- to 11-year-olds. The programs goals are to increase awareness and understanding of natural hazards and convey safety, coping skills and personal preparedness.We are heading into our sixth year of implementation, its been tested in all kids of communities, expanded nationwide and is now the signature youth program for the Red Cross, said Hilary Palotay, youth preparedness program manager for the Red Cross. We actually expanded in our third year to offer it to military stations abroad through our Service to Armed Forces.A big goal of the program is that the youngsters, always eager to share what theyve learned, go home and share with parents or others. The framework is Learn, Practice, Share, Palotay said. The students get excited about what they learn and take it home to share.The program is usually a 40-to-60-minute classroom presentation but can go longer if teachers allow. Some of the content is such that communities can use the 10 different modules to adapt the scenario to what might be likely to occur in that region.Palotay said the third through fifth grades are ideal for this curriculum, and those students are eager to learn and share what theyve learned. In the first few years, we tested younger and older students but found [third through fifth] were the best grades to teach, she said. We do provide flexibility to give program managers the options to teach to other grades.Students learn what types of hazards may affect the community, how to stay safe when it happens; how to use coping skills during a disaster and in everyday situations; and how to be advocates and educate family and friends about emergency preparedness.The rest of the content is standardized and includes having the children assemble their own supply kits by packing a pillowcase with important items and decorating that pillowcase.The program also leaves teachers with flyers, surveys and preparedness activities for use throughout the school year. All lessons are compatible with Common Core teaching standards.Part of the program is instruction on how to stay safe during a house fire. House fires are the most common emergency and the most preventable, Palotay said. Kids are recognized if they were part of a family that escaped a fire because of something the child learned through Red Cross.Disney has supported the export of the curriculum to six other countries, and the program has reached more than 100,000 students in those countries. (TNS) California's seismic construction requirements are designed to protect the lives of those inside. But even with the most modern codes, building to the state's minimum requirements would leave even new buildings severely damaged in a major earthquake to the point of being a complete loss.Earthquake experts have become increasingly concerned about this, noting that a massive temblor would leave many without homes and offices for months if not years.When a magnitude 6.3 earthquake directly hit Christchurch, New Zealand's third largest city, in 2011, 70% of the buildings in the central business district were damaged, but all were completely closed because it was too dangerous to be anywhere downtown.Now, a Los Angeles lawmaker is proposing two bills that would toughen rules on how strong new buildings should be and require cities to identify existing buildings at risk of collapse.Assemblyman Adrin Nazarian (D-North Hollywood) said the bills are important for keeping California functioning after a major earthquake."If new buildings need to be demolished and rebuilt, you can imagine that, in a place like downtown L.A., what a standstill the economy will come to, and how many years it will take to rebuild and how daunting and taxing it will be," Nazarian said.The proposals are expected to spark a familiar debate in earthquake country over the cost and effectiveness of boosting seismic regulations. Some in the construction industry defend the current minimum building standard as appropriate.The first bill, AB 1857, would instruct the California Building Standards Commission to increase minimum mandatory standards for most types of buildings in the state, such as apartments, office buildings and commercial spaces, but would exempt single-family houses and duplexes.The goal is to keep new buildings usable after a major earthquake. Even if people are forced to temporarily move out, the aim is to keep damage limited so repairs can be made within days or weeks, rather than a year or more.Nazarian said he wants the new building regulations to become effective in 2023 as part of a scheduled update of the California Building Standards Code.Seismologist Lucy Jones, formerly a science advisor for risk reduction with the U.S. Geological Survey, has been a big advocate of increasing California's minimum building standards. Construction costs would only rise 1% to 2%, Jones said, citing an estimate from Keith Porter, a University of Colorado Boulder research professor.Under existing building rules, a large earthquake could render unusable so many housing units that it would trigger a mass exodus much like New Orleans suffered after Hurricane Katrina, Porter wrote in a report "We want a resilient society. But we can't have that if our buildings are not operational after an earthquake," Porter said in an interview. "If you can't go back into your building after an earthquake, it's a disposable building."The state's building codes allow for as much as a 10% chance that a new building will collapse in the maximum credible earthquake, Jones said."When you look at the economic disruption...it means tenants can't go to work, it means neighbors who can't use their buildings, it potentially means people don't have a home, and it leaves businesses who don't have workers," Jones said. "The financial consequences land on all of society."Representatives of the California Building Industry Assn., which represents construction companies, cast doubt on whether tougher mandatory minimum building rules were needed for the entire state."Although making residential buildings more earthquake resilient is a noble endeavor, it has to be balanced with addressing the challenge of making new housing and apartments as affordable as possible," Dan Dunmoyer, president of the California Building Industry Assn., said by email. "We are in active discussions with the author in hopes of finding that needed balance."The group's senior engineer, Bob Raymer, said he did not think the state's minimum building codes are too weak. Raymer suggested having an expert committee write standards for tougher building codes would allow individual cities and counties the choice of adopting more stringent rules."I think there is very good merit to having a more stringent standard available for use on a voluntary basis," Raymer said. "A one-size-fits-all [approach] is probably not appropriate for California."The Building Owners and Managers Assn.'s Greater Los Angeles chapter has not taken a formal position on the bill, but its vice president for public policy, Martha Cox-Nitikman, said it's worth discussing. "We as a society place a value on having construction stay standing longer," she said.The board of the Structural Engineers Assn. of California unanimously voted in January to favor stronger minimum building standards."Historically, we have had 'life safety' as the code minimum [in which] people would be able to exit and people shouldn't die in new buildings," said Janah Risha, president of the association. "But if we look at economic survivability, it is not enough. What happens to our whole regional economy when residential buildings cannot be reoccupied, when people cannot go into offices for an extended period of time?"Nazarian's second bill, AB 2681, would require cities and counties to create an inventory of potentially vulnerable buildings.Potentially vulnerable buildings include those approved by building officials under the 1976 code or earlier, as well as newer buildings built up to the 1995 code that may still be vulnerable, such as steel-frame buildings, and structures with a flimsy ground floor. Single-family houses, duplexes, triplexes and fourplexes would be exempt.The bill calls on building departments to create an inventory by 2020 and notify owners. Owners would then need to hire an engineer to evaluate the building to determine if the structure is actually vulnerable in an earthquake.Cities and counties would then be required to send their building inventory to the state Governor's Office of Emergency Services; the office would be instructed to keep that information available as a searchable database on its web site.One important open question remains: how this bill would be funded."We're trying to work through that. We've had some conversations with some state agencies to see if they can help with this effort, see if there's federal funding for this program," Nazarian said.Cities have launched their own inventories of seismically hazardous buildings before. A 1986 state law required local governments in California's most seismically active zone to create an inventory of old brick buildings that can be deadly in earthquakes.More recently, some cities in California have expanded inventories to other types of buildings. San Francisco has an inventory of wood-frame apartments with flimsy ground floors, known as soft-story buildings; Los Angeles has gone further and also has an inventory of brittle concrete buildings; Santa Monica's list also includes steel-frame buildings.Raymer of the California Building Industry Assn. said Nazarian's second bill should first go to a committee of experts. "Let's come up with a pilot program and come up with a model ordinance that we input into our code, and local jurisdictions can grab into it."David Khorram, Long Beach's superintendent of Building & Safety who is also president of the California Building Officials organization, said he personally supports both bills. The second bill, he said, would help local elected officials understand where their vulnerable buildings are located, and leave it up to them to figure out what to do."One saves buildings, the other one will actually save lives," Khorram said of the bills. "As a building official, I'm in support of both." Cities may soon have a new tool in their efforts to contain the opioid epidemic: residents' own urine.Biobot Analytics, the winning startup in a pitch competition judged by mayors this weekend at the South by Southwest conference in Austin, measures the concentration of opioids in sewage to estimate levels of drug use in different neighborhoods.Everybody pees, every day, said Newsha Ghaeli, co-founder of Biobot , during her pitch to the mayors on Sunday. And this rich source of human health information aggregates in our public sewers -- an infrastructure that you own, you maintain and you manage.Too often, public officials rely on information about opioids and opiates that is reactive, such as overdoses and deaths, Ghaeli says. With wastewater, cities can collect samples and analyze the data every two weeks, allowing them to pinpoint where residents are abusing drugs and whether consumption declines after policy interventions.Since launching as a company six months ago, Biobot has already started operating in Cambridge, Mass., and will soon go live in Cary, N.C. as well. (Last month, Bloomberg Philanthropies named Cary one of 35 Champion Cities for its proposal to test Biobots opioid detection technology.)Its a very creative way to use a source of untapped data. Who thinks about measuring wastewater? said Fort Worth, Texas, Mayor Betsy Price, who was one of three mayors on a panel of judges. This is another way to use city assets that we dont think about to hit a problem like opioids or public health in general.interviewed Ghaeli before the pitch session on Sunday to learn more about her backstory and how Biobot came to focus on the opioid crisis:As the winner of the competition, Biobot receives $10,000 and the opportunity to present in front of 600 mayors at the U.S. Conference of Mayors Annual Meeting next summer. ( Watch Biobot's pitch here .)What we were most excited about, beyond the money, was the opportunity to go to the U.S. Conference of Mayors, and have even a bigger platform to talk about the work that were doing, Ghaeli said after the session.The five other good-government startups that participated in the pitch competition sought to address a wide range of problems, from simplifying the citizen naturalization process to getting better data on how citizens feel about their government.Citymart, which helps governments procure products and services that are already proven to work, won $5,000 for finishing in second place. ( Watch Citymart's pitch here .) Elucd , which uses surveys and smart phone data to measure citizen sentiment, won $2,500 for finishing third. ( Watch Elucd's pitch here .)Even teams that did not win had the benefit of exposure and may leave with influential backers. Boundless , the startup focused on streamlining the immigration process, caught the eye of Stockton Mayor Michael Tubbs, another judge at the competition. ( Watch Boundless' pitch here .)"Stockton is 35 percent foreign-born, so immigration and legalization is a huge issue, especially everything thats happening with the federal government and California, Tubbs said after the session, referring to a recent lawsuit filed by the U.S. Department of Justice against the states sanctuary laws that limit government officials ability to cooperate with federal immigration officials.Weve literally been thinking about whats the best thing we can do to help not just show support but do things that are actionable for our immigrant community, Tubbs says. Bringing in Boundless would allow us to do that.spoke with Xiao Wang of Boundless about his familys experience with the cumbersome and pricey naturalization process and how hes trying to reduce those burdens for future generations of immigrants: Influential board Working the bill A nod (TNS) Buhler businessman Daniel Friesen created a not-for-profit Tuesday, and on Thursday, the Kansas Senate Commerce Committee agreed that the new entity should be able to appoint a voting member to the proposed Statewide Broadband Task Force.Would that appointee be Friesen? Yes, he told The News.House Bill 2701 has more hurdles to clear before it reaches the Governor's desk, but Senate Commerce's action gave Friesen a chance to achieve his objective of getting a seat on the task force.House Bill 2701 proposes creating the Statewide Broadband Task Force to get input this year to present recommendations to the 2019 Legislature. Lawmakers, in turn, likely will consider funding and a strategy for broadband expansion in 2019. The idea of the task force is widely supported. The debate is over who should sit on the task force.The pending bill does not identify task force members by name but rather specifies, for example, that the Kansas Rural Independent Coalition will appoint one voting member and the Kansas Cable Telecommunications Association will appoint another voting member.On March 9, Friesen, the chief innovation officer and managing member of IdeaTek Telcom, and Mike Bosch, the Baldwin City founder and chief executive officer of RG Fiber, testified before the Senate Commerce Committee, urging that innovators and entrepreneurs be allocated a seat on the task force.Senate Commerce "worked" the bill Thursday morning, with members offering amendments before sending House Bill 2701 out of committee."I have an amendment," said Sen. Dinah Sykes, R-Lenexa, following another Senator who had offered amendments. "I think mine is very simple," she said.Sykes requested adding a voting position on the task force for an appointee of the Kansas Independent Fiber Association.Just a question, said State Sen. Tom Holland, D-Baldwin City. Who is the Kansas Independent Fiber Association? Holland asked.Sykes said she did not know the answer. She said she was carrying the amendment for a fellow Senator who was not in the room. She did not identify the Senator.State Sen. Ed Berger, R-Hutchinson, does not serve on Senate Commerce, but he sits beside Sykes in the Senate chamber, and Friesen is a constituent in Berger's Senate District. Berger told The News he requested the amendment that Sykes proposed.As the discussion continued in Senate Commerce, Holland asked if both men, Bosch and Friesen, were members of the Kansas Independent Fiber Association."I do not know," Sykes said. But Friesen was in the audience and nodding his head, which Committee Chairman Julia Lynn, R-Olathe, noted."We're both members," Friesen told The News later. But the intent is that Friesen, resident agent for the Buhler-based not-for-profit, would be the appointee. Documents filed with the Kansas Secretary of State's office list Friesen and Bosch as the two directors for the Kansas Independent Fiber Association. The names of two Hutchinson attorneys, John Swearer and John Caton, also appear on the incorporation records."It seemed like there was broad support," Friesen said of Senate Commerce's response to the March 9 testimony, for adding a representative from independent fiber providers to the task force.Other trade groups - such as cable television - have associations, and Friesen said the fiber providers thought it would be better to have their own association. The incorporation records say the purpose of the new entity is to advocate "for policy that speeds up the deployment of fiber optic infrastructure and supports competition; educates the public on the purpose and need for fast, long-term fiber broadband solutions, and creates broadband solutions that are financially sustainable and deliver" services to remote, rural and unserved areas in Kansas."There's a little bit of work to be done," Friesen said Thursday, sounding cautious because the broadband task force bill is still in process. It is expected to be discussed next week in the Senate Utilities Committee. Hackers could break into statewide, online voter registration databases to either steal personal information or change names, addresses or party affiliation to create confusion and discourage participation on Election Day. Hackers could attack a county website, taking it offline so that people could not see results after polls close. Hackers could take over social media accounts to broadcast false results from official sources, or announce falsely that polls are closing earlier or later than normal. How Local Officials Respond Where is the Support? The weakest link in any local voting system is that one county clerk whos been on the job for three days and opens up an email file that could take down the whole system.The head of every U.S. intelligence agency says Russia attempted to penetrate elections systems nationwide during the 2016 presidential election, and will try again during this years midterm elections.In a decentralized election system with more than 10,000 separate jurisdictions, the onus for security is on local officials.That keeps me awake at night, said Nancy Blankenship, the clerk for Deschutes County, Oregon.Blankenship, like thousands of other county clerks, is the chief elections official for her area. Its not so much the threat of foreign hackers changing votes that concerns Blankenship Oregon is not only a vote-by-mail state, but also does its ballot counting without an internet connection its the possibility that hacking could undermine public confidence in the system.There are three major local cybersecurity threats during elections, said Maurice Turner, a senior technologist at the nonprofit Center for Democracy and Technology in Washington, D.C.:As election officials conduct primaries and prepare for the midterms in November, they must understand and meet security challenges so voters are confident in the election process, Turner said.We know we have an adversary that has a known interest and capability to make that threat a reality.All it takes is one clerk clicking on a link in one apparently legitimate email for a hacker to penetrate a county or state system. So-called phishing attempts where hackers might gain passwords, usernames or personal information through unwitting officials are becoming more and more sophisticated, Turner said. Its a race between local information technology departments and hackers.Most people respond to phishing very well, Turner said. But there will always be a small number of people who will click on the links regardless of their training. And once an intruder breaks into the system, they may linger for several days or months.Despite the threat, many local officials are confident in their ability to keep a voting system safe from hackers.Sara May-Silfee, the director of elections for Monroe County, a community of 170,000 in eastern Pennsylvania, said she knows her county is secure, even if her state was one of 21 states targeted by Russian hackers in 2016.I cant even begin to tell you how theyd hack us, she said. Nothing is hooked up to anything. How could anybody hack us? Im not worried about anything. Sometimes it seems like a lot of hullabaloo.A potential breach by hackers has never been brought up in Election Day training for Monroe County, said Andi McClanahan, who has served as a judge of elections for her ward for the last six years.The issue has never been spoken about, she said, which now Im thinking is problematic with the current issues we are facing.While hacking attempts failed in Pennsylvania, they were successful in Illinois, as hackers in 2016 accessed registration data for as many as 90,000 voters. Officials, though, say the hackers did not erase or modify any records.Adam Weiner, who served as a poll worker in his South Loop neighborhood in Chicago during the 2014 midterm elections, said if a voter roll had been compromised by hackers, it would have ground everything to a halt.It was just not questioned that the data there was accurate, Weiner said. If we cant trust the list, how can people vote?David Bjerke, the director of elections and general registrar of voters for Falls Church, Virginia, a Washington suburb, said if registration information is changed, voters should still cast provisional ballots, because officials can verify the eligibility of voters by going back to check paper registration records. Voters, he said, should check their registration status well before Election Day. And if the option is available, they should vote by mail or vote early so they can discover a potential problem with time to spare.According to U.S. officials, Russian hackers have not changed ballot counts. And as more systems move toward paper ballots and away from digital voting machines, the risk of hackers manipulating vote counts decreases.At no time was the voting process from a tabulation or count perspective in jeopardy, said Chris Chambless, the supervisor of elections for Clay County, Florida. People hear there was an attempt to change the results of the election. And that was never in play.But Chambless, whose county outside of Jacksonville has sophisticated network security, is still concerned about zero-day malware, viruses so new that security systems cannot detect them. Florida also was targeted by hackers in 2016.For more than a year now, after designating election infrastructure as critical, the federal government has begun working with states to assess the security of their voting systems. But officials say they need more resources to get cybersecurity experts in offices, to increase audits and to update equipment.A bipartisan bill in the U.S. Senate, which would provide $386 million in federal grants to state election security, has stalled. The bills author, Sen. Amy Klobuchar, a Minnesota Democrat, said in February that more than 40 states rely on a voting system that is at least a decade old.The U.S. State Department has not spent a dime of the $120 million it was allocated after 2016 to fight Russian election meddling. And for his part, President Donald Trump has not told intelligence agencies to stop Russian attempts to target U.S. election systems.So, many local and state leaders are tackling security alone. Travis County, Texas, which surrounds Austin, brought in academics to develop a system that encrypts votes and stores them in a secure database. The system would allow for efficient auditing. Similar programs are in place in Los Angeles and San Francisco, and California is looking to replace its aging equipment Local election officials now need to be cybersecurity officials. But they have always had to be wary of misinformation campaigns.In Bend, Oregon, Blankenship never thought she would have to fend off Russian hackers. But she has been concerned about misinformation for the last 15 years.It doesnt necessarily need to come from another country, she said. It could come from another candidate to a voter who doesnt have the time to see whether the information is valid or not.Thats not new, thats politics. In recent decades, public labor strikes have become rarer, especially those that unite workers statewide, but experts say this may now be changing, fueled by economic conditions and the use of social media as both a convening tool and an amplifier for stories of struggle.One prominent example of this is the recently-settled teachers strike in West Virginia, according to David Madland, a senior fellow at the Center for American Progress. During the strike, every teacher in the state spent nine consecutive days out of classrooms before the union eventually received all that it asked for, including 5 percent pay raises.Teachers walked off the job because of rising health-care costs and low pay, with many telling stories of working second jobs at fast food restaurants just to get by. The teachers, who dont have a labor contract with the state, had not had an across-the-board pay raise in four years.What happened in West Virginia is notable for a couple reasons. First, teachers in the state were among the lowest-paid in the nation, ranking 48 out of 50 states and Washington, D.C., according to Madland. Second, the size of the strike was unusual. It included every public school in West Virginia.Labor organizers had to connect two unions spread throughout 55 counties of West Virginian terrain, which, with its valleys and mountain roads, made organizing difficult. To overcome this problem, the teachers unions spread stories of the dire economic situations they faced with the social media hashtag #55strong.By crowdsourcing what was a grass-roots effort using social media, teachers were able to sustain the strike and win the pay raise they demanded, according to The New York Times The big thing was they had a shared grievance that the economic conditions were really bad, Madland said. The political system wasnt responsive to them in any other way, and so they felt backed into a corner and had to take dramatic action. Once they got to that point of feeling that way, social media helped them reach out to others, understand others were feeling the same way and then help organize their efforts.Now, that model is spreading to other states where teachers pay has been squeezed by reductions in education budgets, creating the same economic conditions faced by teachers in West Virginia. Teachers in Oklahoma, where schools are the most poorly-funded in the country, have set a strike date for April 2 , and are also using social media as a tool to build a movement and post informational videos.Teachers in Arizona have also turned to social media to build momentum around labor grievances. On Wednesday March 7, thousands of teachers wore red clothing to school in a show of solidarity (teachers in West Virginia also wore red during their strike), said Joe Thomas, head of the Arizona Education Association. Thomas said this was largely organized on social media via the hashtag #RedForEd.Throughout the day, teachers, aids and students posted pictures of themselves wearing red, and later in the week many of them returned to social media to post videos and stories of the dire economic conditions they face, which Thomas said were comparable to West Virginias.Its reaffirming to know that youre not the only one thinking or feeling what your experience is, Thomas said. You can see there are other people across the state struggling to meet their bills, or who have class sizes where they cant meet the needs of all their students.The personal stories and legitimate grievances of the public employees are a foundation upon which social media tools can be used to build a house of collective effort and support. Madland said theres been a sharp decline in strikes across the country in the past 60 years, and this might be a signal of a resurgence in strikes.Underlying conditions have been bad for quite some time, and it does take a little spark, Madland said. I think West Virginia helped provide some of that spark to other states. HARNESSING COMPUTATIONAL POWER TO HELP JOB SEEKERS FIND TRAINING AND EMPLOYMENT DATA-DRIVEN PLATFORMS THAT MATCH JOB SEEKERS AND EMPLOYERS MORE EFFICIENTLY Washington LONGITUDINAL DATA SYSTEMS TO TRACK WHAT WORKS CONCLUSION The U.S. currently has an unemployment rate of 4.1 percent. While the lowest since 2000 , this number is by no means a floor: with creative tech and policy solutions, there are a number of opportunities to help more individuals find employment.Bringing unemployment down requires confronting a number of challenges. First, jobs require increasingly modern skillsets. According to the University of Chicago, "despite persistent unemployment in the United States, millions of jobs are hard to fill due to a lack of qualified applicants." Second, the process of job placement is complicated and opaque, often requiring job seekers to jump through hoops to match with an employer. Finally, a wealth of job placement programs exists, but it is difficult to assess which ones are most effective in the long-term and to scale those programs, or course-correct within programs that are less effective.Governments can deployand, in many cases, already are deployingdata to address all three of these challenges. By leveraging computational power to close the skills gap, data-driven platforms to match job seekers and employers, and longitudinal data systems to better assess what is working well and where there are areas for improvement, governments can put more qualified applicants in well-suited jobs.To help job seekers overcome the challenge of developing increasingly modern skills, the University of Chicago and Argonne National Laboratory created the National Center for Opportunity Engineering & Analysis at the Computation Institute. Launched in late 2016, the Center uses computational and data science tools to help close the skills gap and reduce economic inequality by offering new ways to search for and identify training and career opportunities. The Center focuses on gathering and distributing data related to job experience, education and training, and employment and labor. One aim of the Center is to provide job search sites with data that can help them to better match job seekers with relevant positions and trainings aligned with the evolving job market. With this information, these sites can develop 'dating service'-like matching algorithms that pair qualified applicants with relevant positions.This work builds on the Skills Cooperative Research Database, for which developers amassed troves of employment data via the Open Skills Project . Cities can leverage resources such as the National Center for Opportunity Engineering & Analysis and Open Skills Project's joint " Data at Work " platform to determine how best to prepare residents for the next generation of jobs. By analyzing such data, cities can more effectively develop trainings that are targeted to skills needed in today's job market. For example, one such training is New York City's Tech Talent Pipeline , which "aims to connect participants with 21-century skills and the employers in search of those skills" through trainings in a variety of tech-related topics, including information technology (IT), quality assurance (QA), and data.A number of governments provide digital platforms connecting job seekers to employers. At the state level, Mississippi andoffer compelling examples of easy-to-use, data-driven employment services platforms. Launched in February 2014, Mississippi Works ("MS Works") is an interactive website and mobile app that pairs employers and job seekers in Mississippi through a real-time, web-based system. According to the states Department of Employment Security, the site and app each serve as a "one-stop shop, allowing job seekers to search for openings based on job type, location or academic degree required and allowing employers to post openings at no cost and make connections with qualified candidates." If the job seeker is looking for further in-person services, the site and platform also contain data on the nearest WIN Job Centers. MS Works offers direct access to the unemployment system via single sign-on as well. That unemployment system is a part of ReEmploy USA , the country's first multi-tenant cloud-based unemployment insurance system, launched in August 2017 by Mississippi, Rhode Island, Maine, and Connecticut.Released in 2016, WorkSource Washington is a job match website developed by Washington State in conjunction with the job search website Monster Worldwide Inc. It offers job seekers a personalized platform that stores their preferences, alerts them to relevant listings, and connects them with WorkSource specialists who can support them in their search, and can access their past job search activity and skills profile via a case management platform. On the employer end, the platform provides real-time, ranked matches with candidates for each role, making the hiring process faster and easier. The platform has been touted as scalable for other jurisdictions.While these examples are focused on states, which traditionally are the jurisdictions that administer unemployment insurance and, as a result, much of the employment support, cities could also leverage this model to link their residents to job opportunities in a data-driven, centralized way. In helping city job seekers make decisions more effectively in their job search process, governments could also create (or embed) tools such as Redfin's Opportunity Score , a preliminary tool that helps people find housing that is easily accessible to the types of jobs for which they are looking.Longitudinal data systems, which track beneficiaries and their related outcomes over multiple years and programs, can help answer important questions about the impact of workforce training programs in job placement, the most effective types of training, and, as a result, how best to invest taxpayer money in this space. Illinois has set up such data systems across different levels of government, and in partnership with research institutions such as Chapin Hall, a research and policy center at the University of Chicago. The Illinois Department of Children and Family services and other human service agencies worked with Chapin Hall to produce the Integrated Database on Child and Family Programs in Illinois. The Integrated Database combines data from different agencies and information systems for analysis. Researchers use the database to assess the use and impact of multiple social service programs on families in Illinois.Bringing their analytical resources to the City of Chicago, in 2009 Chapin Hall launched CWICstats for the Chicago Workforce Investment Council (CWIC). The purpose of this tool was to better monitor public investment in workforce training, and better serve employer needs. CWICstats produced a quarterly 'dashboard report' for the Council, providing information including labor force trends and industry sector changes and captured data on training participants before, during, and after the publicly-funded trainings. Insights from this data showed that the city needed a better system for customer intake and program management, so, building on CWICstats, the city set up Career Connect as a new intake and information system for workforce customers (including both job seekers and employers).Florida also developed a longitudinal data system to support more evidence-based workforce training. The Florida Education and Training Placement Information Program (FETPIP) collects follow-up data on workforce training participants' employment and education experiences as well as military enlistment, incarceration, or use of public assistance. According to Mike Switzer, a Vice President with Enterprise Florida's Jobs and Education Partnership, such data collection allows the state to regularly iterate on its workforce training efforts, rather than solely depending on traditional academic evaluations that, while valuable, can take many years to complete. For example, based on preliminary FETPIP data that identified "epicenters of difficulty" in relation to employment , the State Legislature enacted a $25 million job-creation fund, created business expansion incentives and upped support for residents who move to Orlando, Sarasota and other areas with an abundance of jobs.As cities implement job training services, it is important that they collect and analyze the relevant longitudinal data to evaluate the success of such services. This will enable the cities to take a more outcome-focused approach to their workforce training and job placement programs, and to identify both what is working and where there are areas for improvement.Data can empower jurisdictions to more effectively confront the challenges of determining what kinds of training job seekers need, matching job seekers and employers in an efficient way, and monitoring and evaluating the effectiveness of workforce training programs. Data can equip jurisdictions to use computational power to help job seekers find training relevant to highly demanded skills, build efficient platforms to match job seekers and employers, and track outcomes related to job training and placement. Implemented together, these interventions can create a comprehensive workforce training and placement program, guiding residents from their initial search for skills training to their ultimate job placement more effectively and with a greater eye toward the needs of a modern workforce. In this way, putting data to work can help cities and other jurisdictions better support their residents in their search for employment opportunities. This blog is dedicated to the understanding of the current Greek (but also European) economic, political and institutional crisis. It was created by Prof. Aristides Hatzis of the University of Athens , after many requests by his students who seek a source of reliable analysis on the Greek current affairs. Its aim is to post commentary and reports published mainly in the major U.S. and European media and to encourage a rigorous discussion. Ford launched Ford Co-Pilot360, a suite of standard advanced driver-assist technologies that includes automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, blind spot information system, lane keeping system, rear backup camera and auto high beam lighting. >Ford Co-Pilot360 will roll out across Fords new passenger cars, SUVs and trucks up to F-150 in North America, starting on the new 2019 Ford Edge and Edge ST this fall. Ford Co-Pilot360 starts with standard automatic emergency brakingcalled pre-collision assist with pedestrian detectionthat can help drivers avoid collisions with other vehicles or pedestrians who might accidentally cross in front of the vehicles path. If a potential collision is detected, a warning flashes and an alert sounds, and if the drivers response is not sufficient, the system can automatically apply the brakes to help minimize a frontal collision. The technology addresses Ford research showing a growing trend of people worrying about hitting pedestrians and will be standard on 91% of Ford vehicles in North America by 2020. Blind spot information system, or BLIS, uses radar to identify a vehicle entering the blind spot and alerts the driver with an indicator light in the side-view mirror. Cross-traffic alert can warn drivers of traffic behind when slowly backing out of a parking spot or driveway. Lane keeping system has three functions: The first can notify drivers through steering wheel vibration that they need to correct course when the system detects the vehicle drifting close to lane markings. The second provides steering torque to steer back toward the center of the lane. Third, a driver alert system, continuously monitors driving pattern using a forward-looking camera and provides visual and audio warnings when the system estimates the drivers vigilance level to be less than that of an attentive driver. Commercial customers can also benefit from Fords expansion of driver-assist technologies. By 2020, E-Series, F-650 and F-750 and even our F59 chassis will come with available automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, driver alert system and more. A National Transportation Safety Board study shows having technologies such as AEB can help prevent and mitigate rear-end crashes, which can help customers lower their cost of ownership. Ford will continue to introduce new driver-assist technologies. Next year, it plans to debut in North America and Asia Pacific automatic emergency braking for when drivers are in reverse. The company also is investing $500 million the next five years to continue developing new driver-assist and safety technologies. Key areas of focus will be simplifying the technologies so they work as people expectespecially as driving controls become more automated. Researchers test the user experience with many new technologies at Fords VIRTTEX driving simulator in Dearborn and run new systems through a battery simulations built from more than hundreds of thousands of miles of testing across the country. For example, engineers tested a recent suite of radar and camera technologies for more than 660,000 miles across the globe. This work also will help people become more comfortable with the idea of autonomous vehicles, Ford suggests. Bordeaux pulls away from entry level as exports rise By Andrew Catchpole 2017 saw an increase in exports for Bordeaux to key markets such as UK, Germany and Belgium, with the US and China also on an upward trajectory, delivering significant growth in higher priced wines. Speaking to Harpers, Allan Sichel, president of Bordeaux governing body CIVB, said: This is a real turning point for major European destinations [of Bordeaux wines], with growth also continuing in China and the US, so it is a very strong trend. Exports to key European markets had been declining, but in 2017 they increased to our key European markets, with the UK volume up 8% and value up 29%, and Germany and Belgium also on the rise While a significant chunk of that value rise in the UK was attributed to the shipping of 2015 en primeur wines, Sichel said that there had been a shift in value of the make up of shipments, not just en primeur, with a larger proportion of wines such as Medoc and St Emillion showing growth in higher price points, with the generally good 2015 and 2016 wines coming onto the shelves, which has helped. A combination of reduced supply and subsequent sales at entry level prices, coupled with a recent turnaround in higher value multiple grocer sales of Bordeaux, is driving an uplift of Bordeaux in what the CIVB described as the middle segment of 7 to 20 wines. This reflects general consumer movement towards drinking less but better, what the consumer is looking for at the moment, and prepared to pay a little more for it, said Sichel. The CIVBs ongoing marketing, underpinned by its new Bordeaux, Ambitions 2025 strategic plan (to be finalised at the body's AGM in April), has increasingly focused on a mix of digital online and social media, including a Bordeaux wine app, primarily targeting young professionals, looking to reposition Bordeaux in consumer minds with a greater focus on the diversity of the region. This includes the whites, roses and sparkling Cremant wines, all of which are in growth and seen as having the potential to broaden sales from the region. We are putting across the message that rather than Bordeaux being one big industry, we want to show a collection of smaller growers, connecting with the artisan side, and more generally being very diverse as a region. The body is also keen to relay the message that Bordeaux reds, helped along by climate change, are today fresher, fruitier, with less heavy tannin and oak, with lower intervention winemaking, all delivering more accessible wines in line with the global trend. Asked if there would be enough wine to satisfy the global market on the back of very low volumes from the 2017 harvest (down 40%, at 3.5 million hl, compared with 5.6 million hl in 2016), Sichel said that he was not worried as there are currently enough stocks to meet demand, although admitted that the Bordelais are currently planning ahead to help mitigate the effects if there is another shortfall in 2018. There are certain tensions, but no worries of continuing to supply [our] major markets, we have enough stocks, although a reduction of stocks until the 2018 vintage replenishes reserves, said Sichel. The frost of 2017, with the harvest very badly hit, means Bordeaux is accelerating its exit from the basic segment, with scarce availability of entry level wines this segment was always supplied by default, but when a grower is supplying entry level it doesnt make any financial sense, so a strategic decision to move out of entry level coupled with short availabilty for 2017 has accelerated that movement, he added. Sichel admitted, though, that another shortfall like 2017 couldnt be easily sustained, and would put strains on supply and further increase upward pressures on price. Picking up on the theme, the CIVBs marketing director Francois Jumeau outlined another side to Bordeaux, Ambitions 2025, which in addition to looking outward at how to improve visibility and understanding of Bordeaux, will also be examining how to drive the whole industry in Bordeaux, the internal mechanics looking at ways of building up reserves without impacting on availability. As with many producing regions hit by the dramatic vintage shortfalls in 2017, Bordeaux will be hoping for a generous 2018 harvest to redress the balance and underpin future supply. The Benevolent Ball brings in a record sum By Jo Gilbert Trade charity The Benevolent is celebrating this morning after raising a record amount at its annual charity ball. The fundraiser, which is hosted annually for the trade by the trade, raised the roof with a record breaking 57,000, which will help to support those in need who are either currently working, or have worked, in the UK drinks industry. Joe Fattorini worked the room as the evenings Master of Ceremonies and also helped to raise 8,200 from the room in less than 10 mins as part of the fundraisers Power Pledge initiative. The Benevolents chairman Tom Yusef also took to the stage to present his Chairmans Challenge. Yusef will traverse several English Wineries over seven days during the harvest season, helping to pick the new vintage by filling a pannier at each location, will the aim of raising 15,000. The Benevolent Ball is the annual gala and fundraiser for The Benevolent, the trades primary charitable organisation which supports colleagues with a variety of difficult circumstances, including serious illness, disability, mental health difficulties, issues with debt and family crisis. The Benevolents chief executive Chris Porter thanked the support of the trade throughout the year, and for the record sum raised last night. He said: I am delighted that the emotional engagement in the room mirrored the incredible support of the industry to its trade charity. Above all, I am delighted that with the increased funds generated we will be able to deliver a greater level of welfare support to an even greater number of people in heed of help within our own drinks industry community. I cannot think of a better example than tonights event to demonstrate how this wonderful industry really does look after its own. Maui Event: Will Trump tax trounce Hawaii? From Grassroot Institute of Hawaii This is the first year of paying taxes under the new federal tax code pushed through Congress by President Donald Trump, and many of us have questions about how we will be affected, both as individuals and as a state. For some answers to those questions, please join the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii on Maui, Thursday, Mar. 29, for a lively discussion on How the Trump Tax affects Hawaii. The luncheon event at the Maui Country Club in Paia will run from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. and feature guest speaker Tom Yamachika, president of the Tax Foundation of Hawaii, along with Kelii Akina, Ph.D., president of the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii, as moderator. Yamachika has said that Hawaiis Legislature could make things easier or harder on Hawaii taxpayers, depending on how it reacts to the federal tax changes. Hell review some of the changes in the new federal tax code, and some of the state tax changes that our legislators now are considering. Akina will talk about how lower Hawaii taxes could help make our islands more competitive economically, and perhaps inspire local families to move back to the islands. Please join us for this important discussion. The admission is $10 and includes light pupus and sandwiches. For more information, please call (808) 591-9193. E Hana Kakou! Buy Tickets >>> HERE DATE AND TIME Thu, March 29, 2018 11:30 AM 1:00 PM HST Add to Calendar LOCATION Maui Country Club, 48 Nonohe Place, Paia, HI 96779 (Bloomberg) Chinas $814 billion sovereign wealth fund plans to expand investments in areas such as real estate, hedge funds, infrastructure and private equity for more stable returns, as it reduces exposure to volatile public markets. China Investment Corp., which recently sold its shares of Blackstone Group LP, is seeking to boost alternative and direct investments to 45 percent or more of its overseas portfolio in the next three years, from about 38 percent at the end of last year, President Tu Guangshao said in an interview in Beijing. To read this article: UP to 66 jobs are at risk and courses could be scrapped at The Henley College. Principal Satwant Deol has warned that redundancies may be necessary to reverse a 1.5 million budget deficit. A statutory consultation period will finish next Friday and notices of dismissal could be issued from next month onwards. Mrs Deol broke the news to staff in a letter which has been seen by the Henley Standard. It says the college is the subject of an early intervention strategy by the Governments Education and Skills Funding Agency. This comes into effect when the agency believes there is a risk of financial failure based on a colleges current standing or forecast performance. It will then help to identify ways of reversing the situation. The college says 48 out of 131 teaching posts and 14 out of 30 support posts are at risk, representing the equivalent of 40.7 full-time jobs. These include 16 programme leaders, all three assistant programme leaders and all three lead tutors, although the college proposes creating eight new curriculum leader posts which would initially be offered to existing programme leaders and lead tutors. Twenty-four out of 105 teachers could also go, meaning a number of courses may no longer be offered. These include German, which could lose its teaching support assistant. No other courses are named. Four teaching staff who work at the college through an agency could also go. There are also plans to reduce the fee remission scheme in which certain students, such as those on part-time courses, may claim back a percentage of their tuition costs based on their age group. Two new senior tutor posts and six regular tutor posts could be created and these would be available to teachers. Meanwhile, two out of six library assistants could go, which could affect Wednesday evening opening times. Two out of four receptionists jobs are at risk, as are one of two marketing support roles and two of three database analysts. The college could also lose three of its security officers as their role is covered by its estates technicians, of whom one more could be hired. Four out of 12 trainers or assessors in its Henley Training Company division could go, reducing coverage on the childcare and hairdressing courses. Most of those affected would finish by the end of August. The college would offer voluntary redundancy and says it would seek to offer suitable alternative employment where possible. If compulsory lay-offs are needed, the college will consult on whether selection should be by interview or objective criteria. Mrs Deol, who was appointed in late 2016, said the agency expected the college to eliminate its deficit within a reasonable timeframe and it had set a target of two years. She said failing to do so could result in a formal notice of intervention in which its further education commissioner would conduct a formal assessment of the colleges capacity to improve. The commissioner could replace members of the leadership team, impose conditions or restrictions on funding, appoint observers to the board of directors or even order closure. Mrs Deol said the college was falling back on its reserves due to a reduction in government funding for students aged 16 to 18 over the past five years. It had also suffered a loss of income from the Henley Training Company due to the loss of significant sub-contracting business and a failure to hit growth targets. It had also seen an increase in staff costs due to harmonisation of employment terms as well as increases to the amount employers must pay towards pensions and National Insurance. Last year the college tried to tackle the problem by restructuring its senior and middle management and reducing other costs such as transport. Mrs Deol wrote: We look forward to your constructive engagement in the consultation process in order to secure ways of moving forward that ensure the long-term sustainability of the college. A scollege spokeswoman said the college had seen a funding cut of around 12 per cent per head since 2010 so it was supporting the national campaign to increase funding for education nationwide. She said: The impact of the funding changes has been mitigated to an extent by additional financial support during a transition period together with the recent increase in student numbers at The Henley College against a falling 16 to 18 demographic. However, we cannot sustain a situation where costs continue to rise while funding remains either the same or decreases, so we are working closely with the Education and Skills Funding Agency to make the changes needed to balance our budget while maintaining the high quality of our provision and ensuring it meets the needs of our students and the wider community. Our proposals are designed to ensure financial stability without undermining the broad course offer that we provide and the quality of our programmes, including our varied and wide-ranging enrichment offers. Inevitably, there are fluctuations in demand for some courses and our proposals reflect that. There will be changes in the structure of the college as we position ourselves to deliver new government initiatives, such as T-levels alongside our A-level and vocational programmes. A fresh approach to tutorials will allow us to strengthen individual support and soft skills development for students as well as providing exciting job roles in our support team. In December, the college announced plans to build a 3 million science, technology, engineering and mathematics centre. It would initially be part of the existing Deanfield campus but the college ultimately wants a new, purpose-built centre and could sell land to fund the development. It has employed Peter Marsh Consulting, of Winchester, to carry out a review of its assets and plans to consult the public. The project could be funded from existing resources or through partnerships with outside bodies. Henley MP John Howell, who attended a meeting at the college on Friday to discuss its future, said: Its plans for expansion are particularly adventurous and show that the college is reaching out to secure a proper future for itself. I looked at the proposals and spoke to one of the people running the apprenticeship scheme and Im very happy to help promote them. I was looking at ways I can help put the college in touch with companies that can help them develop so I do not believe these redundancies are unmitigated bad news. There is a lot to be positive about. In 2011, the college announced it would have to cut an estimated 1 million from its budget because of a reduction in government funding. Throughout its history, the American economy has transitioned from agrarian to industrial to information-driven. In turn, work with the hands has become less and less common, replaced by widespread automation and a host of intangible services. Meanwhile, a quiet resurgence in craftsmanship has begun, whether one looks to the massive online marketplaces for handmade goods or the diverse range of specialized artisans who continue to find niches in a globalized economy. Take Jack Martin, owner of Hockaday Handmade Brooms, who still prides himself on making one broom at a time, each made from home-grown broomcorn on his land in McNairy County, Tennessee. For Martin, making brooms isnt just about a return to quality or offering a localist alternative to the mass-produced broom at the nearest big-box store. Its about something a bit more mystical and sacred. In a profile of Martin and his business, writer Shawn Pitts detected a palpable reverence for the broom itself, labeling Martin a broom prophet of sorts, whose personality is akin to John the Immerser and whose product falls within a long tradition of southern folklore and superstition. In the hands of Jack Martina broom is an objet dart, born of the earth and handcrafted with elegant simplicity into a talisman worthy of veneration. Whether displayed for its exceptional beauty and quality or used to sweep out the garage an encounter with one of Martins brooms often sparks something like enchantment. Its hard to reckon with such feelings primal echoes from the past, perhaps. The object itself proclaims its agricultural heritage. The bristles are made of natural broomcorn, cultivated in sight of the shop where Martin crafts his brooms, while handles are often cut from young timber nearby living sacrifices to a down-home Demeter, the good goddess of Southern field and forest. And then, there is the mystery of the thing itself, how its intended function to clean seems to breathe symbolic life into each broom. Its easy to see how our forebears concluded there was something more than sweeping afoot. As the result of a family business that began over a century ago, Martins brooms have been widely recognized for their artistry, a fact that might lead some to dismiss them as mere museum pieces. For Martin, however, the meaning comes alive in their function and use. The glory and beauty of the broom is found, ultimately, in the labor. Every step of the process, from selecting and planting the seeds, to harvesting and combing the broomcorn, to wiring it onto the handle and sewing it into the familiar fan shape, is lovingly done by hand, with function in mind, Pitts explains. After all that, it seems a shame to hang it on the wall. A broom is sanctified in the sweeping. After presenting Martin with a range of southern superstitions about brooms and sweeping, Pitts asks about the source of it all. Why all the spirituality and superstition surrounding brooms? Why do we project such power on them? [Martins] answer was profound and painfully obvious, Pitts writes. The mythology emerges from human intimacy with this ubiquitous object. Like the holy places on the earth, where divine life invades human space, objects are imbued with meaning from our experience of them. The details may be lost to antiquity, but the broom earned its place in our imagination, and we do well to pay it the honor it is due. For Martin, the material and the spiritual are deeply connected. The sacred emerges not only from the act of sweeping itself, but through the relationship between human and tool, labor and application, creativity and service. There are no great riches in store for the slow-and-steady broom craftsman, and Martin seems satisfied nevertheless. As Pitts observes, There is something satisfying about walking in the old paths, something solemn and sacred in the work of the hands. In beholding Martins comfort with his calling, one cant help but be reminded of the famous line about street sweepers from Martin Luther King, Jr.s speech, What Is Your Lifes Blueprint? In the speech, King notes the importance of our work, no matter how mundane, encouraging us to set out to do it as if God Almighty called you at this particular moment in history to do it, and to set out to do such a good job that the living, the dead or the unborn couldnt do it any better. If it falls your lot to be a street sweeper, sweep streets like Michelangelo painted pictures, sweep streets like Beethoven composed music, sweep streets like Leontyne Price sings before the Metropolitan Opera, King says. Sweep streets like Shakespeare wrote poetry. Sweep streets so well that all the hosts of heaven and earth will have to pause and say: Here lived a great street sweeper who swept his job well. If you cant be a pine at the top of the hill, be a shrub in the valley. Be be the best little shrub on the side of the hill. Working with ones hands may make some of these realities easier to see and swallow, but the same lessons apply to the rest of us. No matter how intangible or fuzzy the value we create may seem or feel, wed do well to recognize and embrace it. No matter how fast our companies, products, and industries may move, there is likely more value than we think, if only wed see it. Image: caligula1995 (CC BY 2.0) Every photo tells a story, and what you see here is no different. The photo shows two women, smiling and happy. On the right is Rebbetzin Rivkie Lipskier, Chabad at UCF co-executive director, wife, and mother of five young children. I stand on the left, professor of political science at UCF, wife, stepmother to two adult children, and old enough to be Rivkie's mother. Rivkie and I met about 11 years ago when she moved to Central Florida with her husband, Rabbi Chaim Lipskier, who, like Rivkie, serves as co-executive director of Chabad at UCF. Make no mistake though. Despite Rivkie and I both being Jewish women living in Central Florida, we are very different. Rivkie and I are standing beneath a bridge. Can you see it? It is a bridge that cannot be seen with the naked eye but is unmistakably there. That bridge represents the long-term synergy and friendship that Rivkie and I share. Synergy is the idea that two very different elements, such as people, combine forces to create something greater than each element alone. Synergy cannot occur without different elements because without those differences something far greater than the sum of each person's individual contribution would be difficult, if not impossible, to achieve. After all, if we are too much alike then we would bring the same strengths to the partnership and, consequently, the same deficits. The photograph was taken at the UCF Student Union on Friday, Feb. 23, 2018, about 45 minutes before sundown. Interesting. Two Jewish women in the secular UCF Student Union awaiting the start of Shabbat. We were not in synagogue or a Chabad center where one might expect to find a Chabad rebbetzin and certainly, as infrequently as I go to the UCF Student Union, it is never on a Friday night, with one exception. Once a year Rivkie and I find ourselves in the UCF Student Union for the Chabad at UCF "Mega Shabbat" where hundreds of Jewish students, their parents, Jewish faculty and their families, alumni, community members and special guests, join together for a spiritual, delicious and festive Shabbat dinner. Guests change from year to year, of course, as students graduate and faculty new to the university join in. For example, two years ago, one of those special guests was Rabbi Levik Dubov. Rabbi Dubov brought with him members of his own young adult congregation, including several UCF alumni who had celebrated "Mega Shabbat" in that same Student Union ballroom as UCF students. Rabbi Dubov didn't make it to "Mega Shabbat 2017," though, and for very good reason. He was in Paris celebrating Shabbat a few days before his wedding to the lovely Slava Edelman. Rabbi Levik and Rebbetzin Slava Dubov now make their home in downtown Orlando as co-executive directors of Chabad of O'Town. Many of the young adults experiencing Yiddishkeit with the Dubovs spent their college years with the Lipskiers at UCF. In many respects the UCF Student Union represents the invisible bridge in the photograph that we know is there. The Student Union sits at the center of campus, and my role as Chabad at UCF's faculty adviser is to handle so much of the secular necessities that any student group requires. These duties include signing forms for events and budget requests, reviewing Student Government Association program bills, and handling concerns that arise when students have difficulty securing accommodation when their religious observance conflicts with class requirements. Rivkie, on the other hand, and along with her husband, serves as a critical center for Jewish life on campus by bringing Yiddishkeit to the very same secular space. They use meeting space in the Student Union for "pasta and parsha" classes every week while Rivkie offers classes just for women. Together they spend time staffing a table on the front patio of the Student Union every Wednesday, sharing smiles and kosher brownies. For holidays the Lipskiers, along with student volunteers and sometimes their children, bring Yiddishkeit to students and other passersby with a "Sukkah on Wheels" and, more recently, a megillah reading for Purim (in costume, of course) on that same patio. Do you see the bridge now? It is the unique and special bridge made possible by friendship and synergy. Terri Susan Fine, Ph.D., is a professor of political science, UCF and faculty adviser, Chabad at UCF. At front, from left: Philanthropist Barbara Dobkin; Deborah Meyer, the founder and CEO of Moving Traditions; Rabbi Joanna Samuels, executive of the Manny Cantor Center; and Rabbi Mira Beth Wasserman, director of Center for Jewish Ethics at the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College speaking at a town hall meeting in New York on sexual harassment in the Jewish community, Jan. 25, 2018. NEW YORK (JTA)-She was young, Jewish and the founder of a nonprofit organization that aids deprived children in Southeast Asia. He was a potential funder more than twice her age, promising donations and introductions to influential people. "He dangled a lot of carrots," she said in retrospect. But the fundraiser, who spoke on condition she not be named for fear of jeopardizing future professional prospects, received no donations from the man who promised so much. Instead he stroked her thigh, propositioned her, belittled her and at their first and only meeting gave her gifts, like a bracelet, more appropriate for a mistress. More than two years later he continues to leave suitor-like messages from ever-changing phone numbers. They had initially connected through a Jewish group that matches donors and causes. When the founder reported the incident to a leader there, it was brushed off, she said. Today she has had many more experiences like that working in the Jewish nonprofit world and frequently declines private meetings with male potential funders-"leaving money on the table," she told JTA. She said it has significantly diminished the number of children her organization can help. Similar experiences at a prominent Israel-related nonprofit left her disillusioned with the way sexual harassment is handled, and recently she decided to step back from working in the Jewish nonprofit world altogether. From in-person town hall-style gatherings to online testimonials, female fundraisers working in the Jewish world are sharing similar stories of harassment. A closed Facebook group urging women to share their experiences is called #GamAni, the Hebrew translation of #MeToo. It currently has 590 members. To be sure, the issue is not limited to the Jewish or nonprofit spheres-the #MeToo moment started in October with Harvey Weinstein's outing as an alleged serial sexual harasser and abuser in Hollywood, which quickly led to a cascade of allegations against men in the media, politics and other for-profit and nonprofit organizations. In many cases they resulted in the resignation or firing of the men. The issue affects women at every level in every industry, experts say, but especially those who are vulnerable because they are seeking career help, as in Hollywood; access, as in political lobbying; and donations, as in the nonprofit community. Several people interviewed noted that unlike the Hollywood and media scandals, the accusers in the nonprofit world have neither the fame nor the professional security to put their names forward. Firm numbers about the prevalence of sexual harassment in nonprofit organizations do not yet exist, said Stacy Palmer, editor of the Chronicle of Philanthropy, which has commissioned a poll on the issue. Results are expected next month. So there is no way to know how the Jewish community compares to other faith-based or ethnic philanthropies. But in the nonprofit field, "there are a lot of women in fundraising compared with men," Palmer told JTA. Studies "suggest as many of 75 percent of fundraisers are women, though at the top levels many men hold the top jobs. Among rank-and-file fundraisers it's a very female job," she said. There is also a key difference between nonprofit and other fields: At the end of the day, in the nonprofit world, donors hold nearly all the power. Most big-money donors are male. So are most CEOs. Women constitute less than 17 percent of chief executives in the Jewish nonprofit world, according to the Forward. Those are reasons cited by women who say they will discuss their allegations privately but are not willing to go public with the name of the perpetrator or even their own names. The risks both personal and professional are too great, they say, even if they currently hold a senior position. Earlier this month, The Jewish Week of New York reported on a list in circulation naming men involved in Jewish communal life accused over the years of sexual harassment or abuse. Similar to the "Shitty Media Men" list that also gathered anonymous allegations, the Jewish list, which was seen by dozens of men and women who spoke with JTA, was briefly public but quickly disappeared from public view. None of those interviewed say they know who created it. Elana Sztokman, author of three books relating to gender dynamics and a student at the Reform movement's rabbinical school in Jerusalem, wrote on her blog of a male colleague who demanded that she protect a man on the secret list who had been accused by multiple women of being abusive. Sztokman wrote that the colleague, a rabbi who holds a "position of power in the Jewish world," asked if she could use her connections to quash the list and protect the other highly visible man, one who is frequently invited to keynote conferences and colloquia. Sztokman, who said she did not create the list but shared it at one point, declined. "Does he understand how women who make accusations are cast as mentally unstable, as problematic, as not-team players, as angry, as having a chip on their shoulder, as having an agenda, as unemployable?" she wrote of the man who pressured her. "He was so willing and eager to take all this time to help his friend keep his reputation. But when did he or anyone like him ever do that for women who experienced sexual abuse? Never." Rather than "out" accused sexual abusers, a growing number of female professional leaders and funders are taking a different tack: directing time and money to changing organizational culture. A preliminary group of 30 funders, organization heads and abuse experts met in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 29. Lisa Eisen, vice president of the Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Foundation, organized the group. More people are now being invited into the effort, Eisen told JTA, and working groups are being formed. "There's a great deal of interest in the funding community and Jewish community to make change," Eisen said. "We want to develop a communal pledge together with standards, a clearinghouse of resources, a focus on policies, procedures and training, awareness efforts, and reporting and investigation mechanisms." There will also be money for organizations to tap for work on sexual harassment and abuse. "Short-, medium- and long-term change needs to happen," Eisen said. "Our aim is to put a fund or funds together." Money is already being poured into other somewhat scattershot efforts: Webinars and in-person seminars are being run by groups ranging from the Jewish Orthodox Feminist Alliance to the Reform movement's Women's Rabbinic Network. Training about handling and preventing sexual harassment is being held at some local Jewish federations and through Hillel International, among others. Naomi Eisenberger, founding executive director of The Good People Fund, which funnels grant money to small, grassroots nonprofits, organized a training for the heads of small- and medium-sized Jewish nonprofits in New York. Fran Sepler, an expert on workplace harassment who developed programs used by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, runs the training. She gave a workshop to leaders of a dozen Jewish groups in December. Registration has opened for a second, larger group for a workshop starting in late April. Though the $1,000 cost per organization is no small expense for small organizations, coordinators say there is still more demand than they can meet. Eisenberger became aware of the prevalence of sexual harassment even before the Weinstein scandal broke: A young woman whose organization gets money through the Good People Fund had turned to her for advice about how she could respond to the sexual harassment she had faced. When Eisenberger approached larger, more-established Jewish organizations to see how they dealt with it, "I met a brick wall," she said. She circulated a survey in late 2016 to see how much of an issue it was. She hoped for 100 responses. When 180 quickly arrived, she realized it was a bigger issue than she had realized. One group is working to address the issue solely on the donor side of the equation: the Jewish Funders Network. JFN has some 1,800 grant-making members. JFN has been aware of the power disparity between funders and grantees for some time, and the abuses that too often arise from the donors' sense of entitlement, president and CEO Andres Spokoiny said in an interview. But discussion within JFN's board of directors ramped up when #MeToo began. "Funders don't have a code of ethics. It doesn't exist," Spoikony told JTA. "JFN understands situations of abuse, harassment and even assault within the context of power imbalances between funders and grantees." In addition to holding several member webinars, JFN recently added a chapter to its ethics guidelines on sexual harassment and abuse. And for the first time, JFN included language specific to the issue in a note to members before its annual conference, which will be held March 11-15 in Tel Aviv. "We did it because we felt funders were not being sensitive" to the power imbalance between them and those who seek their donations, Spoikony told JTA. While there is no way to know if these guidelines will bring about change, women are demonstrating a growing demand for space to air grievances and see that change happens. At a Jan. 25 town hall organized by the Jewish Women's Foundation of New York, guest readers shared dozens of experiences submitted by women working in the Jewish community. Some 275 people filled the meeting room and more were on a waiting list, said Jamie Allen Black, the foundation's executive director. "My supervisor expressed empathy, helped intervene and supported me through addressing issues with peers, but any instances with donors was shrugged off or defended," read one testimony. "As an intern, I told my boss what had occurred and she laughed and said, 'Well, he gave $25,000 today, so you must have done something right," read another According to a third: "One donor flat out told me donations were contingent on dating him." How Rhonda Abrams dealt with being sexually harassed has been the exception. Immediately after a donor made sexual advances, the 27-year-old director of the Hillel in Portland, Oregon, reported the incident to the chair of her board and to Hillel International. Reaction came fast and strong. Her Hillel chapter board sent the donor, a man prominent in Portland's small Jewish community, a strongly worded letter saying his money was no longer wanted and warning him to stay away from Abrams. The CEO of Hillel International, Eric Fingerhut, immediately called her. Within days the head of Hillel's human resources department had flown in so they could both meet with leaders of Portland's Jewish federation. The federation quickly gathered leaders of local Jewish groups to think about ways to address sexual harassment, and assigned three staffers to develop policies and protocols. A week after she was harassed, Abrams published a powerful essay in JTA about her experience. Abrams' coming forward also accelerated work on sexual harassment policies at Hillel International, said Mimi Kravetz, its chief talent officer. Hillel has a network of 180 chapters serving 550 North American college campuses. The organization updated its employee handbook and distributed it to Hillel's 1,200 staff members worldwide-many are recent college graduates. It also sent out information on how staffers should protect themselves and others from sexual harassment, and how to report it. The organization ran an online town hall in which staffers shared their experiences, and by next month will have run three training sessions. Abrams said she received individual phone calls and emails from "every single senior woman" working at Hillel International "offering support and praise for the way I handled it." "Locally and beyond, the community has been so supportive," she said. "I want people to know how positive the reaction has been, and that you don't have to keep silent. If I can publicly say what happened to me and not be afraid, my hope is that other women will do the same." Not everyone is confident that there will be a notable change in how sexual harassment and abuse are handled by Jewish nonprofits, no matter how many trainings and programs are run for fundraisers and donors. "At the end of the day organizations want the money from donors, and staff people are obviously less important than the money," said Rachel Canar, an American-born, Tel Aviv-based development consultant who in the past worked for a wide range of liberal Jewish groups. In the ecology of the Jewish community, fundraisers "are more expendable" than donors, she said in an interview. No matter how much effort goes into addressing sexual harassment and abuse, "I can't picture that changing." (The Nosher via JTA)-There is no substitute for eating a dish in its place of origin, preferably made in a home kitchen by hands that hold the muscle memory of thousands of meals. For me, a close second is stumbling across a recipe, trying it out, and feeling transported to a new place by its flavors. The vastness of the Jewish Diaspora has gifted us with a wealth of interesting types of culinary mergers, and I particularly love exploring the Jewish food of India, where Jewish communities date back thousands of years. There are three distinctive Jewish Indian groups that happened to be largely isolated from each other: the Cochin Jews of Kerala in South India, the Bene Israel Jews of India's West Coast and Mumbai, and the Jews of Kolkata in East India (formerly known as Calcutta). In The Book of Jewish Food, Claudia Roden recounts how Shalom Cohen from Aleppo was the first known Jew to settle in Kolkata in 1798 Soon after, Syrian and Iraqi Jews followed and developed a strong community there, where they worked as merchants and traders and lived in harmony with their neighbors. Things changed in 1947 when India gained independence, and again in 1948 with the creation of the State of Israel; anti-Semitism grew as the Jews became associated with the colonial British power. During that time, most of the Jews from Kolkata immigrated to Israel, the U.S., England and Australia. This once vibrant Jewish Indian community is now all but gone from Kolkata. While only a handful of Jews still live in Kolkata, the food from this community has traveled with its people. Their style of cooking involves a combination of ingredients and preparations from the Middle East, with the spices and techniques of Indian cuisine. There are several cookbooks and articles devoted to Sephardic foods and Indian Jewish cookery that have documented some of the dishes of the Jews from Kolkata. I was first struck by a recipe I found in both Copeland Marks' book, Sephardic Cooking, as well as in Indian Jewish Cooking, by Mavis Hyman. Mukmura (or Mahmoora) is a dish of chicken and almonds in a slightly sweetened tangy lemon sauce. I like any recipe that looks like it is simple to prepare but still offers big flavors, and this clearly fit that description. This chicken dish calls for easy-to-find and bold ingredients such as ginger, garlic, ground turmeric, lemon juice and fresh mint. The chicken is braised, which means the meat won't get dry, and it can easily be made in advance for entertaining, Shabbat and holidays. By slowly simmering all of the ingredients together, you develop a slightly sweet and sour sauce with all those warm spices and aromatics. This dish is simultaneously comforting and exciting. Ingredients: 4-5 lb. chicken, cut into 8-10 serving pieces 1 tsp kosher salt, or to taste 2-3 Tbsp oil 1 medium white or yellow onion, chopped fine (about 1 cups) 2 large garlic cloves, minced fine 1 Tbsp freshly grated ginger 1-1/2 tsp ground turmeric 1 cup water 1/4 cup raisins, rinsed 1/4 cup sliced or slivered unsalted almonds, without skin 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice, about 2 lemons 1-1/2 Tbsp agave syrup (nectar) or 2 tsp sugar 2 Tbsp chopped fresh mint, or to taste lemon wedges, for garnish Directions: 1. Cut the chicken into 8-10 pieces; reserve the backbone for chicken broth if desired. You can also find a pre-cut whole chicken, or you can use 4-5 lbs. of your preferred bone-in skin-on chicken parts. 2. Season the chicken pieces with a teaspoon of kosher salt. 3. On medium high heat, heat a large Dutch oven or deep skillet with a lid. Add a drizzle of oil to the pot and then brown the chicken pieces on each side, about 2-3 minutes per side or until golden brown. Brown the chicken in batches if needed so as not to overcrowd the pot. Remove the browned chicken and reserve. 4. Over medium heat, add the diced onions to the same pot so the browned bits that remain on the bottom can absorb some onion flavor. Add an additional drizzle of oil if there is not enough remaining chicken drippings. Saute the onion until softened and beginning to turn golden but not browned, about 5-6 minutes. 5. Add the minced garlic, grated ginger, and turmeric to the onion mixture. Saute for another 1-2 minutes, or until fragrant. 6. Add the reserved browned chicken back to the pot in a single layer. Pour the water over the chicken. 7. Bring the liquid up to a simmer and then lower the heat and cover the pot. Simmer for 20 minutes. 8. Add the raisins, almonds, lemon juice, and agave syrup to the pot. If your water has significantly reduced, add a little more water so there's liquid in the pot. Cover the lid again and simmer an additional 15-20 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through with an internal temperature of at least 165F. Taste and season with more salt if necessary. 9. Transfer the chicken to a serving dish, pour the sauce over the chicken, and top everything with freshly chopped mint and a few lemon wedges. Serve with rice or your favorite side. Note: Chicken can be made a day in advance and reheats well. Sonya Sanford is a chef, food stylist, and writer based out of Los Angeles. The Nosher food blog offers a dazzling array of new and classic Jewish recipes and food news, from Europe to Yemen, from challah to shakshuka and beyond. Check it out at www.TheNosher.com. (JTA)The heads of 139 Jewish day schools have signed an open letter urging action following last months deadly shooting at a Florida high school. The letter released Tuesday expresses support for the student movement calling for gun reform and seeks political change. Prizmah, a group representing over 300 Jewish day schools, organized the letter. The schools that signed on are from the United States and Canada, and represent various denominations and affiliations. They include those with students from early childhood through high school. As leaders in our communities, as Jews of conscience, and most of all, as those who have taken on the sacred task of educating and protecting our children, we feel compelled to join our nations youth to demand action that will increase safety in all of our schools, the letter reads. It calls upon President Donald Trump, federal and state lawmakers and citizens to enact common sense legislation that addresses all factors contributing to a safe and secure educational community, including restrictions and safeguards related to guns. Schools approached Prizmah with the idea to write a letter, the groups CEO, Paul Bernstein, told JTA. The letter was written by a group of heads of schools led by Adam Shapiro of Golda Och Academy in West Orange, New Jersey. Its clear that as a day school community we needed to make a statement as well that represented all of us, much like many of our independent school associations have done over this last week or so, Shapiro told JTA. We felt it really important that the Jewish day schools stepped forward as well. The letter is not taking a position on whether schools should support student walkouts planned nationwide for later this month and in April, according to Bernstein. Some schools will get behind the walkout, some schools will look the other way to express what they think is important, but at the end of the day everyone is standing for the same thing, which is we need to protect our students and the professionals that work in schools, Bernstein said. Bernstein said the issue of school safety has a special resonance in the Jewish community. I think that school safety is something we are all acutely aware of in the Jewish community anyway, he said, and people feel that its important we say that we name this and we say it with our Jewish voice as well as our voice in our [larger] community. Edna Woolman Chase, a former editor-in-chief of Vogue magazine who is often credited as creator of the world's first fashion show, once said, "Fashion can be bought. Style one must possess." With this quote in mind, the creation of a memoriam to honor Elayne Burke Wershil seems most fitting at this year's Jewish Pavilion spring fashion show, to be held Thursday, April 12, at the Mall of Millenia. For while fashion was her love, it was her style that makes her most memorable. Wershil, an active volunteer with the Jewish Pavilion and former co-president of the sisterhood at Congregation of Reform Judaism, passed away last April. A woman who pursued many passions that included cooking, entertaining, travel, fashion and volunteerism, Wershil accomplished much in her 90 years of life. She was absolutely adored by her husband, Jeffrey, and their four children. And was loved deeply by her five grandchildren: Gillian, Jeremy, Josh, Hannah and Emma. So when Nancy Ludin, CEO of the Jewish Pavilion, approached the family to inquire about a memorial, Wershil's daughters saw the selection of the organization's annual fashion show as an ideal way to honor their mom's extraordinary life. Wershil was the mother of three daughters (Billie, Bonnie, and Bettsie) and one son (Adam). "Our mother was very into fashion. She was very fashion-forward," said Bettsie, the youngest daughter. Classifying her mother's fashion choices as "adventurous," Bettsie added, "She was always ahead of the crowd in terms of what she wore." In fact, the sisters like to say that their mom was the first mom in Miami to wear bellbottoms back when they first debuted. "Weren't they denim?" asked Bonnie, the middle of three daughters. "Yeah, and nobody was doing that at the time," said Bettsie. "She was the talk of the town. Yeah, that was mom." While Jeffrey worked in the wholesale liquor business, Wershil worked on the business of raising the family, with particular focus needed on Adam, who suffered an illness at 7 months that resulted in special needs. The family resided in Miami for a while. A brief job transfer to Jacksonville resulted in a quick move back to Miami. And yet, even with all the hectic schedules that can come with the raising of a family, Wershil managed to find the time to go back to evening classes at the University of Miami, completing her college degree in education. "That was a big part of what was so inspiring about her and what made her who she was," said Bettsie of the accomplishment. Eventually, the oldest sister, Billie, would settle in Maitland with her husband, Larry Parker, working as a teacher at Maitland Middle School for 30 years while helping to care for her brother Adam. Middle daughter, Bonnie, and her husband, Thom Marsteller, settled in Dallas, and the youngest daughter, Bettsie, ended up in St. Davids, Pa., with husband, Dr. Steven Greenbaum. In the 1980s, Elayne and Jeffrey made the choice to move to Longwood in order to be closer to both Billie and Adam. Billie got to enjoy the benefits of having her mother live so close. "She and I were shopping buddies. We loved to go shopping," said Billie. "We would walk into Macy's or Bloomingdales or wherever we went and all the people in there knew us." Elayne and Jeffrey got to travel the world and enjoyed entertaining friends throughout their 55 years of marriage before Jeffrey passed away in 2002. Their son Adam passed away this past November. Each of the sisters have individual memories of their mom that they love to share. "She was a fabulous cook," said Billie, sharing the memory of her mom making a huge pot of spaghetti sauce, where all the kids would get to be taste testers. Bonnie recollects her mom's creation of a cookbook that was meant to raise funds for Adam's school, the Vanguard School, back in Miami. Bettsie remembers her mom teaching a class on how to cook noodle kugel as part of Jewish Pavilion programming at Village on the Green. "She took one of her talents and transferred it into something she could share," admired Bettsie. The sisters also cite their mom's active work in the community beyond just the Jewish Pavilion. Wershil was a community clergy for her temple and would visit Jewish patients at Florida Hospital as part of that role. Most of all she simply loved people. And it was that love of people that led to her involvement with the Jewish Pavilion. "She loved to talk. Oh, did she love to talk," said Billie. "And she loved to visit." "She valued what [the Jewish Pavilion] did," said Bettsie. "She valued that they went into nursing homes and did different things. That they went into venues and brought Judaism to people who ordinarily wouldn't have had the opportunity. The fact that they brought in Shabbat always resonated with her in a positive way." Circling back to the family's decision to honor their mom at this year's fashion show, the sisters reflect on Wershil's dedicated love of fashion. Bettsie, describing her mom's closet, declares it was "very colorful." "Everything was color coordinated. All shirts that were beige were hung together. All the shirts that were red were hung together. She was very into the palettes." "When we went to clean out her closet it was like, 'Oh my gosh. She had so many clothes'," said Billie, adding that her mom "loved purses and loved shoes." There was even a mink stole that Wershil would complain she never got to wear. So she would every so often make the choice to wear it to the grocery store. Her legendary look of black pants, black shirt and a colorful jacket was her hallmark. In her later years, when use of a walker became a necessity, Mardi Gras beads added a touch of pizzazz to her walker. When asked how it feels to have the fashion show named in their mother's honor, Bettsie said, "It's amazing that we are able to have something that is so appropriate to her personality." "It's very special to have someone remember her in such a grand way," continued Bettsie. "We all think of her every day because she was such a grand person. But it's nice to have other people remember her in such a special, meaningful way." The Elayne Burke Wershil Memorial Fashion Show takes place Thursday, April 12, at 10:45 a.m. The event will be held at the Mall of Millenia, inside Bloomingdale's on Level 2. Ticket prices range from $25-500 and can be purchased online at JewishPavilion.org. Chancellor Sebastian Kurz, right, of the Austrian People's Party and Vice Chancellor Heinz-Christian Strache of the Freedom Party give a news conference in Vienna after their first Cabinet meeting, Dec. 19, 2017. VIENNA (JTA)-Until December, Milli Segal's main challenge as a producer of Jewish-themed events in Austria was balancing her duties at work with her hands-on approach to being a Jewish grandmother of four. As an organizer of prestigious Holocaust commemoration projects, Segal, 63, is on a first-name basis with some of the country's most senior politicians, and draws on 20 years of experience to prevent or solve most any complication. Last year alone, she headed the communications efforts around the unveiling of memorial monuments at the Aspangbanhof train station and the Herminengasse subway station. That's while she was negotiating the relocation of a museum that Segal had established recently in this capital city for child survivors of the Holocaust. But Segal has new dilemmas since the far-right Freedom Party entered the Austrian government in December. She and a community that has boycotted a party established by former Nazis in the 1950s must now work with ministries and officials who are either under the party's control or working closely with it in government. "It's not as simple as before, you need to use a lot of diplomacy" now that the Freedom Party is in the government, Segal said. Her latest challenge ended last week with the conclusion of a five-day conference on anti-Semitism where Segal handled media for the European Jewish Congress and three other co-organizers. The prestigious event at the University of Vienna featured government ministers and some of the world's best-known scholars on anti-Semitism. It came off despite her organization's initial discomfort at holding a summit against anti-Semitism under the auspices of the only government in Europe with a far-right party in its ruling coalition. The Austrian government is led by the center-right Austrian People's Party of Chancellor Sebastian Kurz. The Freedom Party, which clinched 25 percent of the popular vote in October's parliamentary election, is its only coalition partner. With the Freedom Party entering the government, the event's co-organizers wondered whether Austria was an appropriate host for what was to be one of the largest academic events of its kind in Europe in recent years. "We tore the hairs off our heads," said Dina Porat, chief historian at the Yad Vashem Holocaust museum in Jerusalem. "Of course we had our doubts." Porat decided to remain as a co-organizer to make a stance against the Freedom Party. Besides, she said, changing the venue on short notice would have meant the event's cancellation. Last month, officials representing the Jewish community of Austria boycotted the parliament's annual Holocaust commemoration event over the participation of government officials from the Freedom Party, which the community was not able to block. Segal said there are other complications impeding commemoration efforts in Austria a country that only accepted its culpability in the Holocaust decades after its partner in crime, Germany. "I am organizing a commemoration exhibition with a large company," she said. "I told an official from that company we don't want at the event any officials from the Freedom Party." That's tricky because the party heads a government ministry that works closely with the company. The Austrian Jewish community and its representatives try to avoid events where Freedom Party officials will bee present. But when that proves impossible, Segal said, "we certainly will not shake hands with a Freedom Party official." No Freedom Party officials were at the conference on anti-Semitism. But their shadow was strongly felt. Israel's president, Reuven Rivlin, who is an unusually blunt and outspoken critic of the party, declined an invitation to attend the conference, which had the French philosopher Bernard-Henri Levy as its keynote speaker. The Israeli Foreign Ministry's representatives were embassy staff-an unusually low-level delegation for an event that featured addresses by a government minister and the head of the opposition in Austria, as well as prominent members of academia. During a speech by one of those officials, Education Minister Heinz Fassmann, Jewish students unfurled a banner reading "Mr. Kurz! Your government is not kosher!" before being escorted out of the university hall. Conference organizers anticipated such scenes, Porat said. "Besides, we did feel this is the right time and place to have such a conference exactly because of the problematic aspects of the Freedom Party," she added. Nearly 20 years ago, at least one large Jewish group did decide to cancel an event in Austria over the Freedom Party. The Conference of European Rabbis was supposed to meet in Vienna in 2000, when the Freedom Party entered the coalition governing coalition for the first time. "As an act of protest, we moved the summit to Bratislava in Slovakia," Rabbi Pinchas Goldschmidt, the organization's president, recalled. The Freedom Party was founded in 1949 by a former SS soldier, Anton Reinthaller, and changed its name to the Freedom Party in 1956. Before it styled itself as a party focused on blocking the spread of Islam into Austria, anti-Semitic rhetoric was the party's calling card and political currency In recent years, the Freedom Party under Heinz-Christian Strache has kicked out several members who engaged in anti-Semitic rhetoric, which he said has no place in his movement. Strache, who has visited Israel, and other party officials have spoken favorably about the Jewish state. He said in December that he would have liked to see the Austrian Embassy move to Jerusalem-against the European Union's stance. But Austrian Jews, and consequently the State of Israel, are not convinced of the makeover. On Tuesday, Oskar Deutsch, president of the Jewish community in Vienna, called the Freedom Party an entity "that still tolerates anti-Semitism to an alarming extent." He cited a slew of incidents, including a 2016 article in a Freedom Party-affiliated newspaper alleging that the survivors of the Nazis' Mauthausen concentration camp were "mass murderers." In November, Freedom Party lawmakers declined to stand in parliament during a moment of silence for Holocaust victims. Earlier this month, a former regional minister from the party resigned following the revelation that his university fraternity published anti-Semitic songs in its publications. The songs prompted Strache to announce an internal review of his party. To Segal, this "ability of the Freedom Party to speak with two tongues is perhaps the most worrisome development," she told JTA. The Freedom Party that entered the government nearly 20 years ago "was far less dangerous than the one that's in it now," she added. Once dismissed as the political home of the impressionable, its penetration of universities has made it a party of ideologues with "an advanced academic degree," Segal said. Choices, the Jewish Federation of Greater Orlandos annual womens philanthropy event, is a little more than a week awaythe evening of March 26 at The Roth Family Jewish Community Center in Maitland. Choices gives women in the local Jewish community an opportunity to socialize, catch up with old friends and make new ones, all while supporting the local Jewish community. In addition to the gifts they make to the Federations 2018 Annual Campaign, women at Choices also support the Federation through the very popular Choices Raffle. The raffle is made up entirely of items generously donated by local businesses and individuals. Last years raffle netted more than $6,600 for the Federation. This years raffle prizes are still coming in. So far, the prizes include everything from jewelry to wine to dining packages and more. Visit http://www.jfgo.org/choices for a full list of prizes. A few standout items: Free weekend rental of a Mercedes sedan from Mercedes-Benz of Orlando The I Love Park Avenue package, which features items and gift certificates from Winter Park merchants, plus jewelry and sunglasses Weekend stays and dining at area hotels and resorts 3-month membership to RDV Sportsplex 4 tickets to an Orlando Magic regular-season game in 2018 One of the most popular raffle items each year is the reserved parking space on the Maitland Jewish Community Campus. The winner gets exclusive use of her/his own private space for a year. For 2018, the Federation has upped the ante, offering a reserved space at the Rosen JCC campus in South Orlando as well. Women who attend Choices have the opportunity to purchase raffle tickets for $25 each (or 5 tickets for $100). Tickets in hand, the women get to select which item(s) they would like to win and deposit their ticket in the appropriate ticket jar during the event. Drawings will be held throughout the latter part of the evening. Raffle tickets can be purchased in advance on the Choices web page or in person at Choices 2018 on March 26. If you havent yet registered for Choices, you can do so online at http://www.jfgo.org/choices or by calling the Federation office at 407-645-5933, ext. 236. The Federation is able to bring Choices to life thanks to the generosity of its sponsors. The Presenting Sponsor for Choices 2018 is Harrietts Charitable Trust. The Diamond Sponsor is AVMedia, which will be handling the lighting and production. Orlando Health is a Ruby Sponsor. Milos Zeman, recently elected to his second five-year term as president of the Czech Republic, would like to speed up the process of moving his countrys embassy to Jerusalem, the Lidove noviny newspaper reported. The Americans announced in February that as an initial step they would be turning their consulate in Jerusalem into an embassy on May 14, coinciding with Israels 70th anniversary. Daniel Meron, Israels ambassador to Prague, tweeted that according to the Czech paper, Zeman would like his country to join US President Donald Trumps initiative in that regard. While Meron tweeted US: 1, Czech Republic: 2? he was corrected by responders who reminded him that Guatemala would be the second, as President Jimmy Morales announced on Sunday that his country would move its embassy a mere two days after the United States. When Trump declared Americas formal recognition of Jerusalem as Israels capital last December, Prague was quick to follow, although the foreign ministry limited the countrys statement by saying that it recognizes Jerusalem to be in fact the capital of Israel in the borders of the demarcation line from 1967, i.e. only western Jerusalem. At the time, Zeman was warm in his praise of the idea, adding that the Czech Republic could have led the way on the issue early in his first term. It makes me truly happy because, as I said during my visit to Israel four years ago, I would like to transfer the Czech Embassy to Jerusalem, and had it happened, we would have been the first to do so, he noted. Now we may sooner or later follow the United States. In any case, it is still better than nothing. Now it seems that the president would like it to be a case of sooner rather than later, as the report stated that he considers the move a top priority. Zemans words follow a meeting held in Israel in late February with a Czech interministerial working group to discuss the transfer. The report also stated, however, that after consulting its EU colleagues, the Czech foreign ministry objects to moving the embassy at this time and does not even own property in Jerusalem. A view of the border between Lebanon, left, and Israel near the village of Kfar Kila, Feb. WASHINGTON (JTA)-Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had a simple, straightforward message this week when he toured Israel's border with Syria and Lebanon with top security officials. "Our face is turned toward peace, we are ready for any eventuality, and I don't suggest anyone test us," he said Tuesday in a video message he posted on Twitter, the sound of helicopter blades whirring in the background. The mixed message signaled Israel's ambivalence about taking on the terrorist group Hezbollah 12 years after Lebanon and Israel were left gutted by a summer war. The 2006 war was costly for both sides: Hezbollah, the preeminent militia in Lebanon, lost political capital for inviting a devastating response to its provocations along Israel's border. Israel's military and political class at the time paid a price for not decisively winning a war that precipitated a mass internal movement of civilians southward. Yet the sides are making increasingly belligerent noises. Here are five factors contributing to increasing tensions along the border. Syria may be winding down, and Iran is winding up. The Assad regime, along with its allies Russia, Iran and Hezbollah, Iran's proxy in the region, have the opposition in Syria's civil war on the run. Iran and Hezbollah are striking while the iron is hot, establishing preeminence in the region. Iranian brass recently toured southern Lebanon and Tehran, according to Israeli reports, and Iran is financing a military factory in Lebanon. Israeli officials reject a permanent Iranian presence on its border-a message that Netanyahu delivered to Russian President Vladimir Putin when they met last month in Moscow. "I told him that Israel views two developments with utmost gravity: First is Iran's efforts to establish a military presence in Syria, and second is Iran's attempt to manufacture in Lebanon precision weapons against the State of Israel," he said after the meeting. "I made it clear to him that we will not agree to either one of these developments and will act according to need." The mixed message signaled Israel's ambivalence about taking on the terrorist group Hezbollah 12 years after Lebanon and Israel were left gutted by a summer war. The 2006 war was costly for both sides: Hezbollah, the preeminent militia in Lebanon, lost political capital for inviting a devastating response to its provocations along Israel's border. Israel's military and political class at the time paid a price for not decisively winning a war that precipitated a mass internal movement of civilians southward. Yet the sides are making increasingly belligerent noises. Here are five factors contributing to increasing tensions along the border. A U.S. leadership vacuum is creating anxiety. President Donald Trump ordered a missile strike on a Syrian missile base last year after it was revealed that Syria used chemical weapons against civilians, but otherwise the U.S. engagement with shaping the outcome of Syria's civil war has been desultory. Russia is filling the vacuum, which is stoking Israeli anxieties. Despite generally good relations between the Netanyahu and Putin governments, Israel cannot rely on Russia to advance Israeli interests in the same way it has with the United States. "As the shape of the Syrian war changes, Israel may find its working relations with Russia undermined by Moscow's desire to exercise influence in Syria generally from afar, and by its shifting relations with Iran," Shoshana Bryen, the senior director at the Jewish Policy Center, wrote this week in The Algemeiner. Absent focused U.S. leadership, Israel may strike out on its own to prevent Hezbollah from becoming the preeminent force in the nations to its north. There are signs that the Trump administration, albeit belatedly, is noticing what its absence has wrought: Last month, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said 2,000 U.S. troops currently in Syria to assist pro-Western rebels would remain stationed there to mitigate against a permanent Iranian presence in Syria. New fences make restive neighbors. Israel is building a wall on its northern border along a line demarcated by the United Nations in 2000, when Israel ended its 18-year occupation of southern Lebanon. Israel is building the wall in order to prevent the deadly Hezbollah incursions that spurred the 2006 war, which claimed 1,200 Lebanese lives and more than 60 Israeli lives. But neither Lebanon nor Hezbollah accepted the demarcation as a permanent outcome, citing disputes over small patches of land that extended back to the 1949 armistice, and the Lebanese government and Hezbollah have threatened action. Mahmoud Zayyat/AFP/Getty Images Members of the Hezbollah movement in the southern Lebanese city of Nabatieh, Nov. 8, 2017. Oil and gas Lebanon last month approved a joint bid by Italian, French and Russian oil companies to explore seas off its coast. Israel claims a portion of the waters. Israeli leaders have called for a diplomatic solution to the dispute, but the competing claims are aggravating tensions between the countries. Hezbollah, intermittently, has also threatened to attack Israeli platforms in the Mediterranean extracting natural gas. Gaza The Gaza Strip also is restive, with an increase in rocket attacks from Hamas and Israeli retaliatory strikes after Trump in December recognized Jerusalem as Israel's capital. An Israel distracted by an engagement with Hamas and other terrorist groups in the south could be seen by Hezbollah as an opening to strike in the north. ISRAEL21c-Ten days after the shooting at Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, experts from the Israel Trauma Coalition arrived at the community to guide teachers, clinicians, law enforcers, first responders, social workers, parents and clergy through a "day after" strategy for helping people face the future with resilience. The community, which had never dealt with a shooting on this scale, was in shock. "It was devastating," said Nancy Teitelbaum, senior director of marketing and communications at Goodman Jewish Family Services of Broward County. "Everyone in our small community in Parkland is affected." Teitelbaum has a son in 11th grade at Stoneman Douglas, and he was at the school on the day of the shooting. Her older son graduated from the same school just a year ago. "Most counselors, teachers and clinicians have never dealt with a mass shooting," she told ISRAEL21c. "They have no frame of reference." That's exactly what the Israeli team came to provide. ITC members Yotam Dagan from Natal Israel Center for Trauma and Resilience, and Alan Cohen from the Community Stress Prevention Center, led sessions for about 600 community leaders in the Parkland area. Returning to normalcy "We got there the first day teachers went back to school and the day before students went back to school, so we were very relevant in teaching them how to handle that period with some kind of normalcy," Dagan, a seasoned clinical psychologist, told ISRAEL21c. "The psychological shockwaves of the event have been tremendous. Almost everyone had a connection with someone on the scene. We met as many community members as we could, enabled them to talk about their trauma and then shared Israeli best practices for the day after." "What was really apparent was that the experts from Israel really knew what they were talking about," said Teitelbaum. "They have deep experience and long-term insight from what they've seen at home and from crises they've helped deal with all over the world." Dagan felt that most of the professionals and lay people are now better equipped to understand what they went through and to intervene using practical tools developed in Israel. But there is more to be done. "The situation in the Parkland area didn't end when we left," said Dagan. "There is still work to do and we will go again soon. As we did in the Philippines four years ago, in Florida we hope to select a smaller group to be trainers, leaving our model in place when we go back home." Currently, ITC is actively assisting communities in Houston in the wake of Hurricane Harvey last August; in Mexico after a deadly September earthquake; in Las Vegas following a mass shooting in October; and now in Florida. "So many disasters are happening in the world and we always try to see if we can help," said ITC Director Talia Levanon, a clinical social worker who has flown to several countries-in addition to overseeing ITC's work in Israel-to train leaders in community-based healing and resilience. Helping the helpers The ITC was created in 2002, a year of unrelenting terror attacks in Israel, to harness the collective knowledge, expertise and experience of Israel's governmental and non-governmental trauma management organizations. Originally focused on direct care, the umbrella organization expanded to professional training for community resilience and national emergency preparedness in Israel and elsewhere. Thus far, ITC has sent 17 delegations abroad-usually two or three professionals from ITC partner organizations who speak the local language. "Outside of Israel, 95 percent of the time we do not provide direct care," Levanon explained. "It's the local professionals who know the community and the culture. Our purpose is to train them in wellbeing, resilience and coping skills and provide tools to take care of themselves and others. "Wherever we go, we always focus on the strengths of the people and how they cope as individuals or as part of the community. When someone from the outside comes to help they bring a fresh perspective and can see your pain and your strengths." ITC's sessions in Florida were coordinated by the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs with the Consulate General of Israel in Miami, Behavioral Health Associates of Broward-Counseling Centers of Goodman JFS and the Jewish Federation of Broward County. Ongoing ITC trainings in Houston, with three more scheduled for this year, are funded by the UJA-Federation of New York. ITC's work in Las Vegas, funded by Jewish Nevada, is getting started with a "mapping mission" to identify local partners, needs and resources. In Mexico, local Jewish federations are supporting ITC training through the Joint Distribution Committee (JDC). Michael Balaban, president and chief executive officer of the Jewish Federation of Broward County, said, "We know that the need for these kinds of resources is, unfortunately, going to be long lasting, and we know that we have a partnership with the ITC that allows us to lean on them for that expertise over the long haul." (JTA)-A prestigious think tank on tolerance comprising former European leaders honored Prince Albert II of Monaco for his apology for his country's treatment of Jews during the Holocaust, among other actions. The European Council on Tolerance and Reconciliation on Tuesday bestowed its European Medal of Tolerance on the head of state of the principality sandwiched between France and Italy, who in 2015 acknowledged his country's rounding up and deportation of 66 Jews in 1942."You have found the courage and political wisdom to openly address painful history and difficult memories," said Moshe Kantor, the head of the European Jewish Congress and the president of the council, whose chair is former British Prime Minister Tony Blair. The council's approximately dozen members include the former prme ministers of Spain and Sweden, Jose Maria Aznar and Goran Persson, respectively, and the previous president of Poland, Aleksander Kwasniewski. Monaco's asking for forgiveness for the role of its police in the murder of Jews during the Holocaust was a belated gesture, coming two decades after similar apologies by heads of state in France, Belgium, Italy and Austria. But because of the principality's size and the small number of victims from its territory, Monaco's political establishment was not under the external and internal pressure and scrutiny that preceded the apologies in those larger countries and others. In a speech during the ceremony to award the medal at a conference hall at Monaco's famed Casino Monte Carlo, Prince Albert II on Tuesday described his apology as a gesture rooted in the need to remain faithful to historical record on the Holocaust. "Those words, asking forgiveness, were extremely difficult and an obvious sentiment for me to express at the time," Prince Albert II said during the ceremony. "It was not only to commemorate the victims in the most dignified manner but also because for me, I have too much respect for history and for people. It was not only an act of faith on my part but it is an obvious gesture that I felt the time was right for, to express." The prince vowed to continue to work for the commemoration of the Holocaust "not only as head of state but simply as human being." (JNS)-On the margins of the AIPAC policy conference in Washington, D.C., more than 300 conference attendees gathered at the prestigious Sixth & I Historic Synagogue on Monday to express support for the nearly 500,000 residents of Judea and Samaria, also known as the West Bank. AIPAC leaders did not permit the session on one of Israel's most controversial topics to be included within the conference's vast schedule. Yet the high-profile event was co-sponsored by Israel's Ministry of Strategic Affairs. The off-campus session was addressed by several of Israel's highest-profile government ministers. Congressman Joe Wilson (R-S.C.), also addressed the event. The session linked Israeli settlements to multiple topics of strategic importance to Israel, including America's recognition of Jerusalem, the possibility of a new round of negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians, and efforts to delegitimize the Jewish state. While each of those topics was addressed at length in the policy conference, YESHA Council's Chief Foreign Envoy Oded Revivi asked the group: "Why wasn't the establishment of Judea and Samaria invited to address the general assembly?" Regarding Jerusalem, Israeli Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked thanked U.S. President Donald Trump for "thinking outside of the box," noting that America's official recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel was the "application of American law" and has "legal implications." Yet she also said that while the move is a bipartisan issue of "consensus between Democrats and Republicans who believe the embassy should be in Jerusalem, until Trump, no one did it." While many of AIPAC's sessions focus squarely on Israel's security threats and the tactics used to keep Israelis safe, Shaked stated that "settlers defend the entire state of Israel." Minister of Energy Resources Yuval Steinitz, a member of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's ruling Likud Party, agreed, stating that "it is impossible from a strategic point of view to defend Tel Aviv, Jerusalem and the coastal plain if Judea and Samaria are in the hands of our enemies. This is a geographical reality." Steinitz also pointed out that opponents to settlements who attempt to publicly delegitimize Israel for its presence in the disputed territories called out the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement, stating that "those who want to throw us from Judea and Samaria want to throw us also from Tel Aviv, Haifa, Beersheva and all over." "If the BDS movement would succeed, this will be just the beginning," he said. "The BDS movement is not just about Judea and Samaria. It is about the entire Jewish state." Israel's Consul General to New York Dani Dayan acknowledged the sensitivity of settlements for many Jewish supporters of Israel, expressing his view that "the political argument [of Israel's settlement enterprise] is legitimate," yet suggested that efforts to avoid or boycott Israel or parts of Israel because of political disagreement are "un-Jewish" and represent a form of "bigotry." "If we are foreigners to Judea and Samaria, then of course we are foreigners to Tel Aviv," he said. For his part, Wilson showered praise on Israel at the pro-settler event, stating, "I'm just so proud of your success. I'm glad to do anything I can do to support the U.S.-Israel relationship." 'Apply Israeli law' Israeli Minister of Education Naftali Bennett suggested that the international community will never recognize the legitimacy of Israeli settlements until changes take place in Israeli law. Speaking about Israel's annexation of Jerusalem following the Six-Day War, he said "in 1967, we acted first and applied Israeli law in Jerusalem. Had we not done that, nobody would have recognized Jerusalem today." Alex Traiman Israeli Education Minister and Jewish Home Party Naftali Bennett at an event at the Sixth & I Historic Syna Regarding the Golan (also captured by Israel during the Six-Day War) along Israel's border with Syria, Bennett stated that in 1981, Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin "brought a bill to recognize Israeli law in the Golan. And today, the Golan is ours. Forty years later, the Golan is still ours." He called on America to follow the recent recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital and "recognize that the Golan is ours." "The world does not respect a nation that is willing to give up its homeland. We need to apply Israeli law in Judea and Samaria," stated Bennett. But the words of Revivi, who also serves as mayor of Efrat, may have summed up the entire discussion: "Jewish communities are not obstacles to peace, but an integral part of the solution for peace in the region." WASHINGTON (JTA)Vice President Mike Pence said that unless the Iran nuclear deal is fixed in the coming months, the United States would withdraw from it. Pence made the promise, to cheers, during his address Monday night to the annual conference of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee in Washington, D.C. The deal, which was signed in 2015 by Iran, the United States and a group of other world powers, curbs Irans nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief. President Donald Trump opposes the agreement. In October, he declined to certify that Iran was complying with it, but he has yet to fully withdraw the United States from the accord, instead asking Congress to pass legislation altering the pact. Pence told AIPAC that Trump waived the sanctions to give U.S. lawmakers and Americas allies time to act. But make no mistake about it, this is their last chance, the vice president said. Unless the Iran nuclear deal is fixed in the coming months, the United States of America will withdraw from the Iran nuclear deal. Pence, like several of the other speakers Monday, praised Trump for recognizing Jerusalem as Israels capital and vowing to move the United States embassy there in May. Pence also praised the administration for weakening ISIS, supporting Israel in international forums and giving Israel a large security aid package. He called Trump the most pro-Israel president in American history, but not before slipping up and accidentally calling him the most pro-life president. Pence also ended his speech by quoting the Shehechiyanu blessing, which Jews recite on special occasions. Thanks to the presidents leadership, the alliance between America and Israel has never been stronger, he said. America stands with Israel today, tomorrow and always. Also speaking Monday night was U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley, a crowd favorite who sprinkled her speech with one-liners that drew 12 standing ovations. She repeated the promise that the United States would tie foreign aid to countries voting records in the U.N, though she added that would be one of several considerations. That should be one of the factors, and we are determined to start making that connection between foreign aid and U.N. votes, Haley said. Some people accuse us of showing favoritism toward Israel. Theres nothing wrong with showing favoritism toward an ally. Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., also hit key crowd-pleasing notes in his speech, which the Senate minority leader peppered with Hebrew words. Other speakers included Reps. Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., the majority leader in the U.S. House of Representatives; Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., its minority leader; and Steny Hoyer, D-Md., the minority whip. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will address the conference on Tuesday. (JNS)In a bid to end the contentious debate surrounding Polands controversial Holocaust law, the Simon Wiesenthal Center released a declassified report on Thursday highlighting Polish complicity in persecuting Jews during the Holocaust. The U.S. State Department report from May 15, 1946released by the Simon Wiesenthal Center on the same day that the Polish Holocaust law went into effectfound evidence that Poles persecuted the Jews as vigorously as did the Germans. The report, declassified in 1983, found that native Poles took part in anti-Jewish actions conducted by the Germans, and called anti-Semitism a traditional feature of Polish political and economic life. The report also documents anti-Semitism in Poland prior to the Holocaust, such as the countrys anti-Semitic policies following World War I, including a ban on ritual animal slaughter, discriminatory tax laws and a limit on the number of Jews given admittance to universities. At the same time, the report also documents attacks against Jews following the Holocaust, including reports that more than 350 Jews were killed in Polish towns. The Polish legislation enacted on March 1 makes it illegal to attribute crimes committed during the Holocaust to Poland. The law has sparked outrage in Israel and among Holocaust survivors, and has also been condemned by the United States, a key ally of Poland. President Donald Trump says he may visit Israel in May for the opening of a new US Embassy in Jerusalem. Trump commented during an Oval Office meeting Monday with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The new embassy is set to open in May, and Trump says hell head to Israel for the dedication ceremony if I can. A ribbon-cutting for an interim facility is being planned to coincide with the 70th anniversary of Israels independence. Trump also said his embassy decision was appreciated in a big part of the world. Netanyahu arrived at the White House on Monday for meetings with Trump. The two are holding talks and sitting down to a working lunch before Netanyahu speaks later in the week at the annual conference of the pro-Israel group, AIPAC. The visit comes as Israelis and Palestinians await Trumps Mideast peace plan, which has yet to arrive. WASHINGTON (JTA)The U.S. ambassador to Israel, David Friedman, decried the phrase pro-Israel, pro-peacea motto closely associated with J Streetas blasphemous. Pro-Israel and pro-peace sounds like a completely reasonable position, Friedman said Tuesday addressing the annual policy conference of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee. My friends, it is not. Using that praise plainly implies that there are people who are pro-Israel and anti-peace. Friedman, formerly a lawyer for President Donald Trump, came under fire during his nomination process for having attacked liberal Jews, including his claim that J Street, the liberal Jewish Middle East lobby, was worse than kapos. He apologized during his testimony, although he ignored J Street requests for a personal apology. If you support Israel, then you must by definition support peace with its neighbors, Friedman said. It is no less than blasphemous to suggest that any Jew or any Christian is against peace. If a state of war persists, Friedman said, I strongly suggest that we blame someone other than Israel for this predicament. J Streets president, Jeremy Ben-Ami, said in response that commitments to peace involved taking action. Contra David Friedman, its not blasphemous to suggest that the settlement movement and its allies in the Netanyahu and Trump governments are not committed to peace. They have spent years helping to expand and entrench the occupationundermining the two-state solution and endangering Israels future, Ben-Ami said. If Ambassador Friedman wants to defend settlements, demonize Palestinians, oppose the two state-solution and still claim to support peace, thats his right, he said. Meanwhile, the pro-Israel, pro-peace movement will oppose his policies and continue to work to actually promote peace and secure Israels future. The bulk of Friedmans speech was devoted to attacking those who use the phrase, which was notable considering how substantially Trump has moved U.S. policy to be more aligned with the policies of the government of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Friedman spoke of those changes, particularly Trumps recognition of Jerusalem as Israels capital and his decision to move the embassy to Jerusalem from Tel Aviv in May. Trumps actions represent a fundamental shift, a sea change, if you will, in the way America relates to its closest ally in the Middle East, Friedman said. American Jews owe Trump a debt of gratitude, he said. Friedman otherwise noted the diversity of support for Israel among Americans, and in both major parties, Republican and Democratic. He said American support for Israel had paid divine dividends. We cant help but be convinced that Americas steadfast support for Israel has had a profound effect on its good fortune, the envoy said. Trump administration ready to make Mideast peace plan public (JTA)The Trump administration is finishing up its Middle East peace plan and intends to make it public soon, The New York Times reported. The White House must now figure out how to present the plan so that it is not immediately rejected by the Palestinians, the newspaper reported, citing three unnamed senior administration officials. An unnamed senior aide to President Donald Trump compared the plan to Waze, the Israeli-developed traffic navigation software. According to the report, the officials said the plan does not have a set of guiding principles. Also, they said, the plan also does not prescribe whether the outcome should be one state or two states, nor does it call a fair and just solution for Palestinian refugees, though it will offer suggestions on both points. The aides told The Times that the document proposes solutions to all the key disputes: borders, security, refugees and the status of Jerusalem. The Palestinians have said they will not consider a U.S.-proposed peace plan due to their anger over Trumps announcement recognizing Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and his intent to move the U.S. Embassy there from Tel Aviv in May. Netanyahu is less likely to be willing to make compromises, as he faces early elections due to coalition disputes and fears fallout from possible corruption charges. The plan also comes as Trump has begun the process of dealing with North Korea. The report points out that no one outside of the Trump administration has seen the plan document, and that the people who wrote itJared Kushner, Jason Greenblatt and David Friedman had no previous experience in diplomacy. But the three men reportedly met last week with Netanyahu for several hours while he was in Washington, D.C., to address the annual AIPAC policy conference and meet with Trump. The report comes a day before the White House convenes a meeting to address a crisis in Gaza. Solving the situation in Gaza is vital for humanitarian reasons, important for the security of Egypt and Israel and is a necessary step toward reaching a comprehensive peace agreement between Israelis and Palestinians, including Palestinians in both Gaza and the West Bank, Jason Greenblatt, the White Houses top Middle East negotiator said in a statement. The Palestinian Authority has refused to attend the session because it is still smarting from Trumps recognition of Jerusalem as Israels capital. UNRWA, the U.N. relief agency charged with delivering aid to Palestinian refugees and their descendants, and which is the preeminent relief provider in Gaza, was not invited. Gaza is controlled by Hamas, a terrorist group. U.S. officials participating include Kushner, Greenblatt and staff from the National Security Council and the State Department. A White House official said the names of non-U.S. participants would be published on Tuesday. We are pleased with the committed list of attendees which includes many of the relevant parties and anticipate a robust dialogue, Greenblatt said in his statement. The challenge will be determining which ideas can be realistically implemented in light of the fact that the Palestinians of Gaza continue to suffer under the authoritarian rule of Hamas. Honduras and Paraguay ready in principle to move embassies to Jerusalem RIO DE JANEIRO (JTA)Honduras and Paraguay reportedly may join Guatemala in relocating their embassies soon to Jerusalem. The two Latin American nations said they are both ready in principle to proceed with the move on the condition that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu makes an official visit to each of their countries, Israels Army Radio reported, citing a senior Israeli diplomatic source. Last week, Guatemalan President Jimmy Morales announced during the annual conference of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee in Washington, D.C., that his countrys embassy would move to Jerusalem from Tel Aviv on May 16, two days after the United States moves its own. In December, about two weeks after President Donald Trump recognized Jerusalem as Israels capital and said he instructed the State Department to begin planning the embassy move, Morales said he would follow suit. The United Nations General Assembly overwhelmingly voted to condemn the U.S. recognition, but Honduras and Guatemala were among the eight countries to side with the United States. Although Paraguay has expressed pro-Israeli sentiment on a number of occasions, it abstained from the U.N. vote In September, Netanyahu made the first visit to Latin America by a sitting Israeli prime minister, but he did not stop in Paraguay or Honduras. In Argentina, he met Paraguays former president, Horacio Cartes, who in 2016 had been the first Paraguayan head of state to visit Israel. Paraguay has distinguished itself among South American countries by supporting Israel in the United Nations and other international forums. Albert Einsteins violin sells for over $500,000 (JTA)The quirky Jewish physicist would have been proud. A violin once owned by Albert Einstein sold for $516,500 at the New York-based Bonhams auction house on Friday. The instrument, which eportedly was gifted to the scientist in 1933 by Oscar Steger, a member of the Harrisburg Symphony Orchestra, went for over three times its estimated price. Steger made the violin himself and inscribed it with the words Made for the Worlds[sic] Greatest Scientist Profesior[sic] Albert Einstein By Oscar H. Steger, Feb 1933 / Harrisburg, PA. Later, while working at Princeton University, Einstein gave the instrument to the son of Sylas Hibbs, who worked as a janitor at the school. It had remained in Hibbs family ever since. Bookkeeper of Auschwitz Oskar Groening dies while prison sentence under appeal (JTA)Oskar Groening, the former Auschwitz guard convicted in his 90s for his role in the murder of 300,000 Hungarian Jews at the concentration camp, has died in Germany. Reports of his death surfaced on Monday, though the German publication der Spiegel reported that he died Friday and authorities had not yet received his death certificate. He was 96. Groening, who was sentenced to four years in prison for his crimes, died without spending a day serving his term. The man known as the Bookkeeper of Auschwitz was convicted in July 2015. He had been expected to enter prison at the end of January, but the continued wrangling over the state of his health kept him from beginning to serve his sentence. The death of Oskar Groening just before he was scheduled to begin to serve his sentence in a German jail following his conviction three years ago for accessory to murder is quite unfortunate, at least on a symbolic level, Efraim Zuroff, director of the Israel office of the Simon Wiesenthal Center and an expert in Nazi war criminals, said in a statement issued Monday. Zuroff pointed out that two other Nazi war criminalsJohn Demjanjuk, who was convicted in 2011, and Reinhold Hanning, who was convicted in 2016also died while awaiting decisions on their appeals. As fate would have it, [Groening] too has now escaped justice, casting a shadow of sorts on the judicial processes, he said. Without at least symbolic justice these trials, as important as they are, lose an important part of their significance. Their victims never had any appeals, nor did their tormentors have any mercy, consequently these perpetrators dont deserve either. A clemency plea filed by Groenings attorney with German prosecutors was rejected in January, and earlier this month he asked the justice minister of Lower Saxony, the northern German state where his 2015 trial took place, to pardon him so that he did not have to go to prison. A federal appeals court had rejected his appeal a year ago. Groening had admitted to being tasked with gathering the money and valuables found in the baggage of murdered Jews and handing it over to his superiors for transfer to Berlin. He said he had guarded luggage on the Auschwitz arrival and selection ramp two or three times in the summer of 1944. During the trial, Groening asked for forgiveness while acknowledging that only the courts could decide when it came to criminal guilt. Same-sex Jewish wedding takes the spotlight in Brazil RIO DE JANEIRO (JTA)A same-sex Jewish wedding ceremony held in the iconic Brazilian hotel frequented by kings and queens has made headlines in Latin Americas largest nation. It is the first Jewish same-sex wedding to go so public and is believed to be the first Jewish ceremony between two women in Brazil. Some 200 guests attended the lavish nuptials held Saturday at the luxurious Copacabana Palace Hotel, where pharmacist Roberta Gradel and economist Priscila Raab were married under a huppah. Gradel is Jewish and Raab is not. And they said I do read the headline of the Monday edition of Rios most influential newspaper, O Globo, next to a large photo of the brides kissing under the canopy. Social media in the country were flooded with photos and videos of the couple during the ceremony. I am very happy to be able to participate in the overthrow of the wall of prejudice and false moralism that prevented same-sex unions, party planner Ricardo Stambowsky, who was organizing his first gay wedding ceremony, told the local media. It was the first time in 95 years that a same-sex wedding took place at the Copacabana Palacethe first choice for kings and queens visiting Rio. Its an iconic art deco masterpiece standing opposite the white sandy Copacabana beach. Same-sex marriage has been legal in Brazil since 2013 following a National Justice Council decision, which orders notaries of every Brazilian state to perform same-sex marriages. In four years, 15,000 same-sex couples have officially registered to be married, according to the agency. Same-sex unions had already been legally recognized since 2004. Gradel and Raab followed strict Jewish wedding traditions, including not seeing each other during the week prior to the wedding and walking in seven circles around one another as a symbol of each one becoming the epicenter of the others life. Both women also broke a glass under the huppah. David Alhadeff, a longtime cantor at Orthodox, Conservative and Reform synagogues, performed the ceremony. It was not a Jewish marriage because one of the brides is not Jewish, it was a spiritual marriage with a Jewish symbology, he told JTA. It is very important to welcome the union of two people who love each other, regardless of faith, gender or anything else. I feel very happy and honored to be able to bless a union where love, which should have no boundaries or limits, is sovereign. Alhadeff is not employed by any synagogue and therefore declared himself to be free to perform any type of wedding, including interfaith and same-sex marriages. I follow my perception of what I consider to be the needs of Judaism these days, he said. The Jewish bride is very tied to the traditions and asked me to reproduce the symbolism of a Jewish marriage because of the importance it had for her. The first Jewish same-sex wedding ceremony in Latin America was celebrated at a Buenos Aires synagogue, where some 300 guests watched Victoria Escobar and Romina Charur exchange rings at a rite conducted by Rabbi Karina Finkielstein. Hundreds of prospective immigrants to Israel learn what it takes to make the move (JTA)Nearly 1,500 prospective immigrants to Israel attended a mega-event to learn about what it takes to make aliyah. The Mega Aliyah Fair held in New York City at John Jay College drew singles, families and retirees looking to prepare themselves for such a big move. The event, which grew out of much smaller aliyah fairs originated by the Nefesh BNefesh organization, provided information and workshops on subjects such as financial planning and budgeting, choosing a community, building a strategic job search plan, navigating the Israeli health care system, and buying or renting a home in Israel. There also was programming for children, visits by Israeli vendors and service providers, and an Israeli-style market. Some attendees were in the beginning stages of planning their moves, while others were gathering information to help them decide whether to make the move. Additional aliyah fairs are planned this month in Los Angeles, Montreal and Toronto. Nefesh BNefesh, Israels Ministry of Aliyah and Integration, The Jewish Agency for Israel, Keren Kayemeth LeIsrael and JNF-USA co-hosted the event. What will the future of medicine look like? Haifa and Stanford hospitals will explore together. JERUSALEM (JTA)The Rambam Health Care Campus in Haifa and Stanford Medicine established a cooperation agreement to work together on the future of medicine. The institutions announced Friday that they will cooperate in areas including medical innovation; research in collaboration with Big Data and Machine Learning; cutting-edge drug development; and trauma and emergency preparedness. The announcement came in California during the Stanford Medicine-Rambam Symposium on Planning for the Next Generation, an event where the two institutions explored ways to share resources and collaborate. Rambam is a regional hospital with 1,000 beds and 130,000 visits to the emergency room annually, and an annual budget of $400 million. Stanford is a 600-bed hospital with 60,000 visits to its emergency room annually and a budget of $7 billion a year. During the conference we discussed precise, personalized health issues and the issue of health in Israel, including the complex relations in Israel between its local diverse population and with its neighbors, Rafi Beyar, the director of Rambam, said in a statement. Argentinas Jewish community honors countrys first female submarine officer, who remains missing at sea BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (JTA)The first female submarine officer in Argentina, who remains missing in the Atlantic Ocean, was honored by the countrys Jewish community on International Womens Day. Eliana Maria Krawczyk, 35, who is Jewish, is one of 44 crew members of the Argentine submarine ARA San Juan, which remains missing in the Atlantic four months after it fell off the radar with a one week supply of oxygen on board. Some 500 guests attended the event Friday honoring Krawczyk at a Buenos Aires hotel to hear the stories of struggle and success by Argentine women in politics and business. The Argentine Jewish political umbrella organization, DAIA, organized the tribute. Any womans value is far more valuable than the best gemstones. Eliana Krawczyk is our gemstone from the sea, Rabbi Alejandro Avruj told the crowd as a friend of Krawczyk accepted the tribute from DAIA President Ariel Cohen Sabban. Krawczyk was born in the northeastern province of Misiones and joined the Navy in 2004,after responding to an advertisement online. In 2012 she graduated from dive and submarine school as the first female submarine officer not only in Argentina but, at that time, also in South America. With a grade of lieutenant, she was the third in command of the lost submarine. Argentinas Navy lost contact with the ARA San Juan on Nov. 15, shortly after its captain reported a failure in the electric system. The search began the next day, following the last contact. The vessel was on a mission to combat illegal fishing near Patagonia, in the southern part of the country. Governments from around the world and from NATO sent ships, airplanes and submarines to provide logistical support and information exchange during the search. One week after the Navy reported the submarine lost, Jewish institutions held a prayer service for the return of its crew. Government officials and others also spoke at the DAIA tribute. WASHINGTON (JTA)On the second floor of the downtown convention center here, hundreds attending the annual policy conference of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee packed a standing-room-only hall. A bouncer stood outside to control the overflow crowd. It wasnt a session on boycotts, Iran or the peace process. It was mincha, the Jewish afternoon prayer service. Outside, smaller groups of Orthodox men gathered to form their own prayer quorums. High school students in kippahs and long skirts sat against the walls chatting. Meir Raskas knows it hasnt always been this way. When he began attending the policy conference 10 years ago, Orthodox prayer services would draw about 20 people. Its definitely enlarged, said Raskas, an investor and AIPAC volunteer from Baltimore. All the people on the correct side of the argument are all here rallying around the cause. AIPAC does not divide its 18,000 attendees by religious denomination, but delegates to the conference say the Orthodox contingent is growing. While the Orthodox dont make up a majority of conference participants this year, Orthodox Jewish leaders and laypeople say their rising numbers at the event are a sign that they are translating long-held sentiments into political power. AIPACs newly installed president, Morton Fridman, belongs to a Modern Orthodox synagogue in Teaneck, New Jersey. The Orthodox segment of the community is most connected to and passionate about Israel, said Nathan Diament, executive director of the Orthodox Union Advocacy Center, citing survey data. AIPAC is a central vehicle for Israel advocacy, so more and more Orthodox people want to be involved in that. Non-Orthodox attendees, meanwhile, did not seem worried that a growing Orthodox contingent would eclipse their concerns. But some did worry about a growing divide on Israel policy between Orthodox and non-Orthodox Jews. The Orthodox presence at AIPAC is visible everywhere. Teenagers, students and adults in kippahs, if not black hats, freckle the hallways. Dozens of members of NCSY, the Modern Orthodox youth group, clustered in a semicircle in an alcove Sunday as their leader told them a story about a plummeting plane sparking the passengers faith in God. For some Orthodox participants, the question isnt why their numbers are growing but why it took so long. Many Orthodox Jews see Israel as a fulfillment of biblical prophecy, and Modern Orthodox Israelis largely identify with the nationalist wing of Israeli politics. References to Israel and Jerusalem infuse the prayers that Orthodox Jews say daily, and their children are more likely to spend extended periods of time there studying in yeshivas. My background, like so many of the people in that room, had Zionism as part of their education, said Rabbi Dovid Asher of the Orthodox Knesseth Beth Israel in Richmond, Virginia, though he eschews denominational labels. Its only a fraction of American Jewry that is so-called Orthodox and its critical that we have wide representation. But the growing numbers are also the result of a concerted effort by AIPAC to draw religious Jews of all denominations into its ranks. The lobbys Synagogue Initiative, launched in 2005, recruits rabbis to bring congregants to the conference, along with giving them pro-Israel material to insert into weekly sermons. And all food served at AIPAC events has been kosher, as a policy, for more than a decade. AIPAC has become not only more and more welcoming but has actively recruited in the Orthodox community, Diament said. That and other things have prompted a two-sided equation in which the Orthodox community is becoming more and more engaged, and AIPAC has been very welcoming. Non-Orthodox rabbis were worried about widening political divides between Orthodox and non-Orthodox Jews. A poll last year, for example, found that most non-Orthodox Jews disapproved of President Donald Trump, while most Orthodox Jews approved of him. The Orthodox tend to be much more supportive of the settler movement than non-Orthodox Jews; Trumps ambassador to Israel, David Friedman, is an Orthodox Jew who as a private citizen raised money for a West Bank settlement. The denominations respective leaderships also disagree on how much American Jews should influence religious controversies in Israel, such as the debate over prayer arrangements at the Western Wall. The non-Orthodox movements have made pluralism in Israel a priority. Orthodox groups tend to support the status quo represented by Israels Orthodox Chief Rabbinate. Trump still enjoys wide support among Orthodox Jews in America, less so among non-Orthodox Jews, said Rabbi Jonathan Blake of Westchester Reform Temple in New York. The result has become so divisive, its actively dividing between Orthodox and non-Orthodox Jews. I am concerned that Reform Jews and Orthodox Jews are not on the same page. We have been brought into friction. But they also stressed that AIPAC has been able to avoid those divisions by sticking to advocating for security issues. AIPACs legislative agenda seldom strays far from the preferences of the sitting Israeli government; the current organizational consensus is well in line with the right-wing policies of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and most Orthodox pro-Israel activists. No other organization has tapped into the Orthodox community except those that are solely Orthodox, said Rabbi David-Seth Kirshner of the Conservative Temple Emanu-El, in Closter, New Jersey. We have liberals and conservatives, but were not divided in our desire for a safe and secure Israel. Non-Orthodox rabbis say they dont feel threatened by a larger Orthodox presence. A few told JTA they appreciated that the AIPAC conference, which seldom touches on religion, is a place where leaders of all movements can gather. Rabbi Denise Eger of the Reform Congregation Kol Ami in West Hollywood, California, said she was heartened by how well she got along with Orthodox and Conservative colleagues on a recent AIPAC trip to Israel. And her synagogue delegation is growing, too. Last year, one congregant joined her at the conference. This year she brought seven. At the heart of it, we can have different ideas about what Zionism is, and what Israels policies ought to be, Eger said. But this is one of the few places in Jewish life where were all in the same room. The organizers of the Women's March, from left to right: Bob Bland, Linda Sarsour, Carmen Perez and Tamika Mallory at BET's Social Awards in Atlanta, Feb. 11, 2018. NEW YORK (JTA)-Organizers of the Women's March renounced the anti-Semitic views of Louis Farrakhan, but they stood behind one of its co-presidents who attended a speech last month by the Nation of Islam leader and seemed unperturbed by his attacks on Jews. Tamika Mallory, co-president of the Women's March, sparked an outcry when she posted a photo of herself and Farrakhan on Instagram following his Saviours' Day speech in Chicago on Feb. 25. In that speech, Farrakhan declared that "powerful Jews are my enemy" and that he had "pulled the cover off the eyes of the Satanic Jew." Farrakhan, as he has done repeatedly in the past, also accused Jews of controlling the FBI and Hollywood, and plotting to synthesize marijuana in order to "feminize" black men. Mallory subsequently deleted her post, but not before critics demanded to know why the leader of a broad-based civil rights movement would boast of her connections to Farrakhan. In its statement, Women's March leaders attempted to strike a balance between distancing themselves from Farrakhan's anti-Semitism and supporting Mallory. "Minister Farrakhan's statements about Jewish, queer, and trans people are not aligned with the Women's March Unity Principles, which were created by women of color leaders and are grounded in Kingian Nonviolence," read the statement issued Monday, more than a week after Mallory first posted about being "super-excited" to hear Farrakhan's message. "Women's March is holding conversations with queer, trans, Jewish and Black members of both our team and larger movement to create space for understanding and healing." The statement goes on to say, "We love and value our sister and co-President Tamika Mallory, who has played a key role in shaping these conversations. Neither we nor she shy away from the fact that intersectional movement building is difficult and often painful." They went on to explain their delay while social media exploded in protests against Mallory's support for Farrakhan. "Our external silence has been because we are holding these conversations and are trying to intentionally break the cycles that pit our communities against each other," the organizers wrote. For her part, Mallory tweeted a statement on Sunday that addressed the criticism without mentioning Farrakhan. "It seems I am not being clear," she wrote. "I am and always have been against all forms of racism. I am committed to ending anti-black racism, antisemitism, homophobia & transphobia. This is why I helped create an intersectional movement to bring groups together." CNN anchor Jake Tapper was among the first to point out Mallory's support of Farrakhan's speech. She was then vociferously criticized by Women's March participants and others for not condemning Farrakhan's anti-Semitic, anti-gay and transphobic statements, which he has repeated for decades. Some critics called for her to step down as Women's March co-chair. Rabbi Sharon Brous, who spoke on the dais at the January 2017 Women's March, was critical of Mallory's support for Farrakhan. "There is no room in a multi-faith, multi-ethnic coalitional movement for anti-semitism, homophobia or transphobia. Full stop," Brous, rabbi of Ikar in Los Angeles, wrote on Facebook. "You can't fight racism but excuse anti-Semitism, just as you cannot fight anti-Semitism while excusing and justifying racism or Islamophobia." Brous told JTA that she wished that both the Women's March leadership and Mallory had responded more quickly and pointedly. "I wish Tamika had walked out [of Farrakhan's speech] when he started saying those things or immediately posted 'I made a mistake, he is deeply flawed in his anti-Semitism and homophobia,'" the rabbi said. Brous also said of the Women's March statement, "I would have liked if they had said 'there's no place in this movement for statements attacking Jews or queers.' I would have liked stronger language of condemnation. However I believe they're trying to make an effort to learn from this. They're legitimately trying to learn from this and hold together a coalition that doesn't always naturally fit." The Women's March brought 500,000 protesters to Washington, D.C., the day after President Donald Trump was inaugurated in January 2017, with millions more gathering at sister marches around the world. Linda Sarsour, a Palestinian American and frequent critic of Israel, is another of the Women's March organizers and co-chairs. She also defended Mallory in a tweet. "Don't hold people to standards you refuse to hold yourself to," she wrote. Women's March organizers did not respond to requests for an interview. Neither did its communications director, Sophie Ellman-Golan, who is the daughter of a rabbi. She did tweet on Monday, "to my queer, trans and Jewish siblings: I love you. I see you. I am so sorry. We deserve more than this." Many said Mallory's support for Farrakhan was of a piece with other progressive movements that have downplayed or tolerated anti-Semitism or harsh anti-Israel rhetoric among their allies. "Despite all the talk about intersectionality, many of these people think it's perfectly acceptable to leave out Judaism, often for reasons that have nothing to do with faith itself or the reasons why Jews have been brutalized for centuries," wrote Lily Herman, a Jewish columnist for the young women's website Refinery29. Brous told JTA, "It is absolutely true that the left has an anti-Semitism problem and has to reckon with that. I feel that this moment is an opportunity, this intersectional coalitional moment and feminist moment is an opportunity to put forward a different type of leadership. We don't have to hold our breath when elder statespeople [like Farrakhan] say noxious things. Instead we need to really cleanse that language of hate out of the leadership." Brous said she will not step away from her relationship with Sarsour and other Women's March organizers. "It's essential that we stay in dialogue," she said. "When you're getting screamed at and insulted on social media, it doesn't open the heart to want to engage more deeply in the Jewish people's suffering. It's only the people willing to still be in conversation and say 'it hurt me' that this changes. There's a steep learning curve here." Rebecca Einstein Schorr, a Reform rabbi and writer in Pennsylvania, is a Women's March supporter who says she feels increasingly alienated by anti-Semitism. She loved participating in the January 2017 Women's March and was proud to hold a sign identifying herself as a rabbi. But now, she wrote under the Brous Facebook post, "How do we support a movement that continues to be led by those who support an anti-Semite? I feel really marginalized and that there is no place for me at the Women's March." After the march organizers issued their statement, Einstein Schorr told JTA, "I'm really happy they at least addressed it. It's a great first step. It is necessary for them to acknowledge the pain we're feeling by a member of their leadership being aligned with such a complicated personality." But, said Einstein Schorr, she is hoping for more because even she is beginning to feel sidelined within the progressive feminist community represented by the Women's March. "Whenever the Jewish community tries to be a part of these movements, we end up getting shunted aside," she said. Einstein Schorr said she hopes that Mallory will sit down with leaders of the Jewish community. "It's important for us to hear why is it that Farrakhan and others like him continue to be so appealing, and for her to understand why we feel so vulnerable," she said. "And why we feel we have no place at the table." TEL AVIV (JTA)The latest episode of Iran flexing its regional hegemonic muscles in the Middle East came with a direct and unprecedented military challenge to Israel. Last week, Iran used a technologically advanced dronereverse-engineered from a U.S. drone captured in 2011to penetrate Israels airspace. Israel took the drone down, and proceeded to strike Iranian and Syrian military targets deep in Syria. While Israel lost an F-16 in the exchange, the message to Iran and Syria regarding Israels willingness to respond quickly and decisively was clear, and the episode was over within a few hours. Different lessons can be drawn from this military clash, but the core issue is Irans ongoing presence in Syria: Its goal is to assert itself there, and to call the shots, including vis-a-vis Israel. Iran strives to establish permanent Shiite militias in Syria that will fulfill its hegemonic designs for the Middle East, similar to the role played by its proxy, Hezbollah, in Lebanon. Israel made a conscious decision to remain on the sidelines of the civil war in Syria, intervening there and in Lebanon over the past years only in order to address direct security threats. It has carried out targeted strikes on convoys transferring advanced missiles from Iran to Hezbollah, and lately has made efforts to sabotage Irans plans to construct missile factories in both countries. For Israel these are unacceptable game changers in any future war that might erupt with Hezbollah. Israel will continue to act to ensure its security interests, while coordinating with Russia. Yet, the tension in Iranian-Israeli relations will continue to percolate in Syria. Down the line, many predict that the next flare-up is virtually inevitable, possibly seeing Iran firing missiles into Israel, which could escalate to major warfare. But while the risks of escalation are real, they cannot be assessed in isolation from the wider context in Syria. Military moves by Iran in Syria that go beyond the bounds of the civil war will draw in other actorswhether those directly involved on the ground, or on the sidelines. Russia and the U.S. in particular have a strong interest in denying Iran such freedom of action, and they are the main parties that should be working to ensure Iranian restraint, and its ultimate departure from Syria. It is vitally important that the U.S. remain a key player in this region. While the administration has yet to carve out a comprehensive strategy regarding the Middle East, the Iran policy unveiled by Trump in mid-October clarified that all aspects of Irans behavior are linked, and that U.S. policy will relate to the nuclear deal alongside the other issues: Irans missile tests, its support for terror and its regional aggressions. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson clarified last month that the U.S. will keep troops in Syria to among other things push back against Iranian influence. The U.S. response to the weekend clashemphasizing Israels right to defend itselfwas strong and was welcomed by Israel, but more will be needed from the U.S. in order to contain the situation over the long term. It will require diplomatic efforts vis-a-vis Russia and the Europeans, and there might soon be a need for targeted military action against the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps in Syria. Trump is currently facing criticism that while he talks tough on Iran, he has yet to act. The first thing to note is that rhetoric is important; its not just talk. Policy statements can change things in the real world, as seen with Trumps declaration that Jerusalem is Israels capital, but also with regard to his approach to Iran. Moreover, Trump has taken action. He sanctioned Iran immediately for its missile tests last year, merely 10 days into his administration. He did not tear up the nuclear deal immediately, as he had promised on the campaign trail, but no one really expected him to do so. In addition, his administration did carve out a new approach to the Iran deal that involves both words and deeds. His current threat to leave the deal is the only thing pushing the Europeans to finally begin discussions on how to address the deals blatant flaws. Since Trump was elected, significant portions of the U.S. foreign policy community refuse to take anything he says or does seriously. The cacophony of protestations makes it hard to debate policy options in an informed, nonpartisan manner, but such debate is sorely needed. A good starting point is to recognize that while the U.S. needs to do more to contain Iran in Syria, the administration is moving in the right direction on Iranregarding the nuclear deal, and in its response to other aspects of Iranian behavior. Opposing the repressive and aggressive Iranian regime should be about the dangerous implications of Irans actions, not whether one supports or opposes the president. Emily Landau is a senior research fellow at The Institute for National Security Studies at Tel Aviv University and head of its Arms Control and Regional Security Program. (JNS)Its a very good thing that Poland took a step backwards against a decision that not only absolved it of guilt, but also made it a liar. It gave in to common sentiment, which populism tends to do. Wisely, the government decided not to implement a law that could lead to a fine and up to three years in prison for anyone who refers to Nazi extermination camps on its territory during World War II as Polish death camps or accuses Polish citizens of being complicit in the extermination of the Jews. Polands President Andrzej Duda signed the bill into law earlier this month after it was passed in the Senate. What followed was a rhetorical escalation of petty nationalism, and on the other side, of accusations of anti-Semitism. Probably things changed after Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki, clearly rigidly playing his role, publicly declared that while there were some Polish perpetrators, there were also Jewish perpetrators responsible for the Holocaust. Here, the crisis erupted over how incongruous the Polish law was: How could anyone compare what happened to the Jewsthe desperate and persecuted victimsto that of the persecutors and their accomplices? Then Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu wisely, notwithstanding the requests of breaking all relations with Poland and calling back the ambassador, spoke at length with Morawiecki with the idea, which his shocked critics opposed, that Israel should find a way to talk with Poland. And the road has been found. The Polish Foreign Ministry announced that it will put the law on hold in order to amend its wording, and a Polish delegation will arrive in Israel on Wednesday to find an acceptable solution together. Technically, its true that the Nazis, and certainly not the Poles, undertook the extermination of the Jews. There were Poles who fought the Nazis with courage, but its also true that the Poles havent fully come to terms with their own terrible history of anti-Semitism, which was expressed both during the Shoah and after the war. And yet the Polish law cant be attributed to new anti-Semitism since it is evident that the law itself highlights its current repulsion with respect to the persecution of the Jews. And its very important for the Jewish state to be able to ascertain, especially at a time in which genocidal anti-Semitism by extreme Islam and its supporters threaten Israel and its people, whether those countries that have elected governments that arent on the left should be suspected or accused of anti-Semitism. The answer is that among populism and nationalism, anti-Semitism can rise its ugly head, but its a phenomena that doesnt necessarily involve the state where this happens. Therefore, the best choice is not to send everybody, including the institutions, to hell, but to ask them to fight anti-Semitism and prove that they really do. This will probably be asked of the Polish leaders involved. Now Israelalthough very attentive to displays of Holocaust negationismrealizes that its enemies are the fascists, the Nazis, and not the moderate governments of Eastern Europe. This is very important, especially when confronted by a hostile European Union headed by Federica Mogherini, which has taken a pro-Iranian stance. So much so that the international governmental body never once uttered a single word about Irans genocidal intentions vis-a-vis the Jews. Isnt this anti-Semitismreal anti-Semitism? The wave of controversy against Poland thus seems unwarranted for now. There was a lie, but not anti-Semitism. Israel must monitor the neo-Nazis in order to ensure that they never again propagate hate, but the Poles dont seem to belong in the same category, and Israel did well to reserve judgment because of that. Journalist Fiamma Nirenstein was a member of the Italian Parliament (2008-13), where she served as vice president of the Committee on Foreign Affairs in the Chamber of Deputies, served in the Council of Europe in Strasbourg, and established and chaired the Committee for the Inquiry Into Anti-Semitism. A founding member of the international Friends of Israel Initiative, she has written 13 books, including Israel Is Us (2009). Currently, she is a fellow at the Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs. Translation by Amy Rosenthal. (JTA)In the aftermath of the fatal mass shooting in Parkland, Florida, the Jewish community should take note: Teenagers are not just the future of the Jewish people; they are the dynamic force driving social change today. Today we are witnessing history unfold as the American teenage populace is mobilizing. This moment will be recorded as one in which adolescents were the catalysts for societal changeand they will keep fighting because they know that they are on the right side of history. The irony should not be lost here. Generation Z (teens born post-2000) are often described as the most narcissistic, materialistic generation that the world has ever known. They are referred to as the iGeneration and the Selfie Generation. Their addiction to electronic devices has been well documented, and with it the social deficits that this addiction brings. Those of us who study and work with todays youth know all too well that despite the alleged self-indulgence of this generation, its members have repeatedly demonstrated that they are committed to social and political change. And now the spotlight is firmly on themand its their time to shine. Those who mistrust the influence of technology fail to truly understand these youth. For todays youth, technology is not what they do; it is who they are. The smartphone and its apps are an extension of their lives. And social media, in all of its variations, enhances their social life and amplifies their engagement with the world. After the tragedies of Parkland, and Sandy Hook, and Columbine, and too many others to name, it is time to allow todays youth to fix what we could not. Our role as adults must be to empower our young to take control of the conversation and ensure that policymakers hear their voices loud and clear. On a recent webinar sponsored by The Jewish Education Project and 12 major Jewish organizations serving youth, 450 educators tuned in live as Saralyn Lerner, a Jewish high school senior from Boca Raton who helped organize a sit-out at her school in the days following the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, issued the following call to action: The best thing you can do is instead of simply just empowering your teens and allowing them to do the things they have been askinglike these marches and these sit-outs and these walkouts and these protests[is to] actually take part in them. You, as Jewish educators, you are the ones who taught us how to fight for what we believed in, whether youre our teachers, whether youre our rabbis, whether youre our cantor at our synagogueswe looked up to you. Its your generation that put these ideas in our heads of how we can use our own voices and were doing exactly that. But we need your help because a generation of teenagers, as much as Id like to hope that we could, were not taking over the world. Were starting a movement, and every movement has its leaders, every movement has its followers. And on this movement, the Jewish educators... also are the leaders of this. Youre telling us since we were kids, that we need to speak for ourselves, that we need to protect, that we need to respond to one another, you showed us that way, and the only way that these peaceful protests and that change is going to happen is if you keep showing us those right ways. Over the next weeks and months, The Jewish Education Project will be offering guides and resources for organizations that want to elevate the voices of teenagers within their communities. With encouragement from rabbis, education directors and other Jewish professionals, we will encourage teens to raise their voices in congregations and communities across the country, particularly on Shabbat HaGadol (The Great Shabbat), March 24, the Shabbat before Passover that for centuries has been set aside as a day for communal rabbis to deliver major sermons. This year, Shabbat HaGadol coincides with the March For Our Lives gun control demonstrations throughout the U.S. led by American teens. Through an initiative called Generation Now Voices, The Jewish Education Project will invite, collect and disseminate teen sermons that speak to the issues of our time, spark debate and inspire change. On a personal level, as a recently naturalized American citizen, I urge every adult to offer teenagers the resources and transportation, and if need be to act as chaperones, so that they can show up to demonstrate. I would also urge every nonprofit organization to consider including teenagers on their boards as active voices and decision-makers, particularly if their voices can provide important or missing perspectives. I encourage every gathering, conference and demonstration, no matter what the issue, to find an impassioned teen to speak to that issue. In the weeks leading up to March 24 and beyond, I urge all clergy to yield their pulpit to a teenager in their congregation. These steps are not lip service. They are recognition that todays teenagers have something fiercely real to say; that they are here and that they have a voice worth hearing. These steps also reflect our recognition that we adults might not have all the answers, and that sometimes we might be best served in actively withdrawing to offer those better suited to fill that space. David Bryfman, PhD. is the chief innovation officer of The Jewish Education Project. View The Jewish Educations Projects resources for Responding to Parkland: Supporting our Students from Grief to Activism. (JNS)-Queen Elizabeth II is marking her 66th year of reign in 2018, which by any standards is an extraordinarily long time for a single individual to be a head of state. (By comparison, King David is said to have reigned for 40 years, and Queen Victoria-comfortably overtaken now by Elizabeth-managed 64.) Off the top of my head, I can't think of any current ruler who has remained in place throughout the Cold War and beyond. In that sense, historians will have a grand second Elizabethan era to pour through, one so lengthy that those things that were features of the first half of her reign-ration books, royal family struggles with the Church of England, a snarling punk ditty by the Sex Pistols that rhymed "queen" with "fascist regime"-were misty memories by the time it came to its close in the age of social media. But for all the momentous historic changes that Elizabeth witnessed from her vantage points at Buckingham Palace, Windsor and Balmoral-changes that were often blessed with royal visits, high honors, state banquets and so forth-one country went stubbornly unacknowledged: Israel. Now that Elizabeth's grandson, Prince William, has announced a first-ever visit by a British royal to Israel, in addition to Jordan and the "Occupied Palestinian Territories," it is perhaps time to reflect on the relationship, or absence of one, between the House of Windsor and the Jewish nation. Part of the delight around William's impending visit stems from the fact that few people see the royal family as a political entity anymore; getting a visit from a Windsor, the son of the iconic Princess Diana no less, is a moment for one's national pride to swell in the glow of royal approval. When Elizabeth visited post-Communist Lithuania in 2006, the BBC reported on the cheering crowds in the capital, Vilnius, waving their own flag alongside the Union Jack. One might imagine that Israelis, having emerged from a similar history of turbulence, would have appreciated a similar opportunity. The point, however, is not simply that the Queen made Lithuanians feel good about themselves. In a speech to the Lithuanian parliament, she saluted all the Baltic nations in explicitly political terms. "You have emerged from the shadow of the Soviet Union and blossomed as sovereign states, taking up your rightful places in the international community and as respected members of the European Union and NATO," she remarked. "It is a transformation-political, economic and social-for which there are few parallels in the history of Europe." Words like these could have been heard in the Knesset in Jerusalem. They should have been. But as far as the Queen and her close relatives were concerned-including her husband, the Duke of Edinburgh, whose mother, Princess Alice of Battenberg, saved Greek Jews from the Nazis and is interred on Jerusalem's Mount of Olives-Israel may as well have not existed. To entirely pin the blame for this unsettling indifference toward Israel on the Arabists at the British Foreign Office, who have been in a state of penance ever since the Balfour Declaration of 1917, would do Elizabeth a great disservice. True, unlike her forebears, her divine right to rule has been severely tempered by the more modern rule of law. But that manifestly does not mean she is a plaything of the British government, blissfully unaware of the soft power and international legitimacy that a royal visit grants. The bald fact remains, then, that a monarch who was crowned when the wounds of the Holocaust were still fresh, who witnessed at least three attempts by Arab states to eliminate the Jewish state and who always maintained a cordial relationship with Britain's Jewish community, never asserted the importance of a visit to the land where Christianity was born. Yet she made her way to Germany in 1965, at a time when most Britons could still remember the Luftwaffe's decimation of cities like Manchester, Coventry and London. Most of the Middle East's autocracies-Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Qatar, Iran under the Shah, Turkey-received a visit, too. There are few major democracies or Western allies that have not received one. It beggars belief that the shrewd Elizabeth has not herself recognized this anomaly, and for whatever reason, has willingly complied with a stance of pretending that Israel doesn't exist. Even if one could make a realist case that a visit to Israel during the mid-1970s would have been unwise in the face of the Arab oil weapon, what held the royals back in the comparatively more peaceful times of the late 1990s? When Arab leaders and the leaders of Israel's former Communist enemies can and have made the trip, why has Elizabeth not done so? Perhaps we shall discover the reason in a diary fragment that emerges in future years. Or perhaps it will always remain an odd secret that will be largely forgotten a decade from now. Because at that point, if all goes to plan and barring a scientific miracle, the Queen will have been replaced by King Charles III. Prince Charles, you see, and not William, is Elizabeth's direct heir, and coincidentally, has never paid an official visit to Israel either. William will, I am sure, say most of what needs to be said when he arrives in Israel in May. But as you listen to him, do remember that his grandmother should have said exactly the same a long time ago. (JNS)A Palestinian state in Israels backyard, international control over Jerusalems Old City and the mass expulsion of tens of thousands of Jews from Judea and Samaria: Is this the price that President Donald Trump recently hinted Israel would have to pay? According to Arab diplomats cited by the London newspaper Asharq al-Awsat, the Trump plan for the Middle East, soon to be unveiled, includes U.S. recognition of a Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital; the imposition of international protection over Jerusalems Old City; and the expulsion of many Jews from the territories. Plus, the Palestinian Authority would be given another $40 billion in aid. The Palestinian state would not be precisely along the 1967 lines, but it would be close enoughmuch too close for comfort. Palestinian terrorists would be within easy striking range of Ben-Gurion Airport and downtown Jerusalem. Israel would be dangerously narrow at its midsection. Jewish residents of the territories near the old 1967 lines would be allowed to stay, according to the plan. But tens of thousands of others would be forcibly expelled. Apparently, its a given that the State of Palestine could not bear to have any Jews on its soil. There would be no Palestinian right of return under Trumps plan. But thats not some big concession to Israel; obviously, the Israelis never would have accepted the idea of millions of Arabs flooding into the Jewish state. Giving up on something you never would have gotten anyway is not giving up on anything. The Trump administration has not yet publicly confirmed that the Asharq al-Awsat report is accurate. But the reported details of the plan do seem to dovetail with recent statements by the president and his spokespeople. First, there was Trumps statement at his Feb. 15, 2017 press conference with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, saying I would like you to hold back on settlements for a little bitas if Jews living in their historical homeland are somehow an obstacle to peace. Then came the presidents statement in his Feb. 9, 2017 interview with Israel Hayom: The settlements are something that very much complicates and always have complicated making peace, so I think Israel has to be very careful with the settlements. Another troubling sign was the presidents Jan. 2, 2018 tweet: We have taken Jerusalem, the toughest part of the negotiation, off the table, but Israel, for that, would have had to pay more. Similarly, he told reporters in Davos on Jan. 25: I helped it because by taking it off the tablethat was the toughest issueand Israel will pay for that. You won one point, and youll give up some points later on in negotiations, if it ever takes place. The Trump administration has also started using the kind of reprehensible both sides rhetoric that was typical of the Obama administration. In his Israel Hayom interview, President Trump said: I think that both sides will have to make significant compromises in order for achieving a peace deal to be possible... Right now, I would say the Palestinians are not looking to make peace; they are not looking to make peace. And I am not necessarily sure that Israel is looking to make peace. Then The Jerusalem Post reported, on Feb. 20, that Trump advisers Jared Kushner and Jason Greenblatt said of the forthcoming Trump plan that both sides are going to love some of it and hate some of it. Nikki Haley, the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, used almost identical language at a Feb. 22 speech in Chicago: The plan wont be loved by either side. And it wont be hated by either side. The United States should not be treating Israel and the Palestinian Authority as if they are morally equivalent. Israel is Americas democratic ally. The P.A. is a terror-sponsoring, America-hating totalitarian regime. Israel has spent 70 years surrendering territory, tearing down Jewish communities, releasing dangerous terrorists and stopping military operations prematurely. It should not be expected to make any more concessions. And what ever happened to all those statements by President Trump and other administration spokesmen that the United States will support whatever solution the Israelis and the P.A. both want? Why should America now present a plan of its own? The only conceivable purpose of such a plan would be to embarrass Israel into accepting it. Thats no way to treat an ally. Its remarkable that the administration would consider proposing a plan that even remotely resembles what has been reported since the Palestinians have consistently rejected much more generous offers many times in the past. Whether it was the 1947 plan that would have internationalized Jerusalem and given the Arabs large parts of what is Israel today (including much of the Negev and the Galilee), to the reported offers by prime ministers Ehud Olmert and Ehud Barak to give them a Palestinian state close to the 1967 lines, the Palestinians have always responded with no. Be that as it may, there is good reason to fear that the Trump administration intends to forge ahead. Friends of Israel need to act now, before the plan is publicly announced and set in stone. American Jewish leaders need to make it clear to the Trump administration that any international control over any part of Jerusalem is unacceptable; that the mass expulsion of Jews from their homes is immoral; and that the creation of a Palestinian state in Israels backyard would pose a mortal threat to the Jewish state. Stephen M. Flatow, a vice president of the Religious Zionists of America, is an attorney in New Jersey and the father of Alisa Flatow, who was murdered in an Iranian-sponsored Palestinian terrorist attack in 1995. (JNS)After beating ISIS, the administration cant stand by idly as the chaos in Syria leads to war between Israel and Irans Hezbollah auxiliaries. Donald Trump was elected president of the United States promising an America First foreign policy. That was an ominous echo of Americas pre-World War II isolationists, and as troubling as that sounded to anyone with a sense of history, it seemed to match his belief that the United States had spent too much blood and treasure on wars in the Middle East. Though he promised to defeat the terrorists of ISIS, Trump also seemed to assure a pullback from the region. And while he criticized his predecessor for the success of Islamist terrorists, his approach to the Middle East now oddly enough resembles the continuation of President Barack Obamas decision both to abandon Iraq and leave the people of Syria to their fate. The irony is that while Trump has been attacked for his desire for better relations with Russia, which his critics link to accusations of collusion during the 2016 election, this point of view would be an extension of an Obama policy that acquiesced to Russian intervention in Syria, which for all intents and purposes made it the pre-eminent foreign power in the region. The impact of this surrender after Obamas 2013 red line threats against Russias client, Syrian dictator Bashar Assad, also fit with Americas appeasement of Iran, a country that also backed the Damascus government. The combined brutality of Russia, along with an Iran that had been empowered and enriched by the nuclear deal and Tehrans Hezbollah auxiliaries, guaranteed that Assad would remain in power. Their success has led to a human-rights catastrophe in Syria. But the aftermath of a war that is winding down in more bloodshed has set the stage for yet another conflict: a possible war between Israel and Hezbollah. With Iran building weapons and missile factories in Hezbollah-dominated Lebanon, coupled with a devastated Syria, Israel is rightly worried that Tehran is setting the stage for another war that would make the 2006 Second Lebanon War seem like a picnic. Since that conflict, most Israelis assumed that Hezbollah understood the price of another war would be too high to pay. But the fear now is that Irans missile factories have changed the equation to the extent that Israels strength may not be enough to deter another conflagration. That has left the government of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu scrambling to get Russia to ensure that the balance of terror between the potential antagonists isnt overturned. Israelis hope that Russian President Vladimir Putin shares their desire to preserve the peace and prevent more bloodshed, though their leverage over him is limited. Thats why its time for Trump to prove that the 2018 version of America First doesnt mean that the United States will stand by helplessly as the mistakes of former President George W. Bush, whose Iraq war had the unintended consequence of strengthening Iran, and Obama lead to a new war involving Israel. As it happens, Trump did keep his word on ISIS. The war against the Islamic State had been stalemated for two years under Obama. But by changing the rules of engagement and how U.S. forces fought the terrorists, Trump was in no small measure responsible for helping to turn the tide of battle as ISIS was routed in 2017. When running for president, Trump promised that the United States wouldnt stay to clean up the mess left after the terrorists were defeated. To his creditand contrary to the spirit of America Firstthat isnt what hes now doing. The administration has announced that U.S. troops will stay in Syria after ISIS is wiped out to make sure that the terrorists dont come back under another titleexactly the sort of policy he denounced as nation-building prior to taking office. Its also something that has annoyed the Russians, who have been hoping for exactly the kind of isolationism that Trumps critics feared would define U.S. foreign policy. All that leaves Trump facing the basic contradiction that has always been at the heart of his Middle East policy pronouncements. While he has been quite open about his desire for a rapprochement with Russia, he has been equally vocal about confronting Iran, both in terms of renegotiating or dumping a weak nuclear deal and in restraining Tehrans adventurism. It has always been clear to everyone, except perhaps the president, that he was going to have to choose between those two goals since there was no way to make nice with Moscow while getting tough with Putins Iranian allies. Much as he would like to put off that choice, the possibility of Iran and Hezbollah picking a fight with Israel means the United States must make it clear that this is not an outcome Washington will tolerate. Does the administration have the tenacity or diplomatic skill to compel or persuade Russia to force its allies to behave? Theres good reason for pessimism on this score. But if Trump is serious about wanting to strengthen Israel and the moderate Arab states that rightly fear Iranian adventurism, now is the time for him to tell Putin rather bluntly that whatever he gained from the slaughter in Syria will be potentially lost, along with any hope that America will regard him favorably if the region erupts. Since the goals of Russian foreign policy under Putin have been to reassemble the Soviet empireand annoy the United States as much as possibletheres no way of knowing if Putin thinks more chaos will help or harm him. Trump cant undo the mistakes of the past that led to this mess. But if he cares as much about Israel as his recent stands on Jerusalem and holding the Palestinians accountable for subsidizing terror would lead us to believe, he cant leave Netanyahu on his own to deal with Putin, Hezbollah and Iran. Standing by idly as the situation unravels is not an option. Jonathan S. Tobin is editor in chief of JNS. Follow him on Twitter at: @jonathans_tobin. Oftentimes in the history of human conflict just the mention of a battlegroundThermopylae, Waterloo, Normandycarries a weight beyond the written word. Guernica is one such name in modern military history. The 193639 Spanish Civil War took a brutal turn with the April 26, 1937, bombing of that Republican-held medieval Basque town by German and Italian planes with the permission of Nationalist Generalissimo Francisco Franco. Some sources claim the town was packed with farmers and shoppers whod gravitated from the surrounding area for the traditional Monday market day. Some were present, though the Basque government had earlier called a halt to market days to limit wartime traffic on surrounding roads. Incendiary bombs, which burst into flames on impact, caused much of the damage. Survivors spoke of aircraft strafing the roads with machine-gun fire in the aftermath of the bomb runs. Though casualties in Guernicain comparison to those sustained in similar bombings during both world warswere relatively light (fewer than 300 killed is the estimate accepted by most historians), most of those killed were reportedly civilians. That fact alone boosted its propaganda value, and just over a year later Spanish cubist artist Pablo Picasso, who supported the Republican cause, gave the world his take on the tragedya stark gray, black and white melee of fire, smoke, screaming figures and dismembered limbs. A tapestry copy of his 25-by-11-foot oil Guernica hangs symbolically outside the Security Council room at the United Nations headquarters in New York. The Spanish Civil War was fought between Republicans, loyal to the left-wing coalition government that came to power in a February 1936 general election, and rebel right-wing Nationalists, led by Franco. It was also a proxy war between rival nations allied with Spains various ideological factions. Flouting a nonintervention agreement brokered by the lame-duck League of Nations, fascist Germany and Italy supported the Nationalists, while the communist Soviet Union aided the Republicans. (Still other nations chipped in covert aid in the form of money and materiel.) It would be wrong, however, to suppose that the fiercely independent Spanish were mere puppets of the dictators. The Soviet Union sent the Republican government weaponsmore than 600 aircraft, a few hundred tanks, upward of 1,000 artillery pieces and some half-million riflesas well as several thousand military advisers, including pilots and tank commanders. The Soviets also directed the Communist International to rally paramilitary International Brigades to the Republican side, including the noted Abraham Lincoln Brigade from the United States. While the League of Nations maintained its noninterventionist stance, late in the war it did agree to help move treasured artworks recovered from Spains national Museo del Prado in Madrid (to which the Republican government had named Picasso director in absentia) to the sanctuary of Geneva, Switzerland. Adolf Hitlers involvement may not have been simply blatant opportunism, but born from fear of encirclement, given the left-wing governments in both Spain and France and the specter of Soviet Russia to his east. Hitler seized on Western democracies desire to avoid war, which left him an almost free hand to assist Franco, as well as a heaven-sent opportunity for his Luftwaffe to experiment with new tactics and planes (the single-engine Junkers Ju 87 Stuka among them). At the outset of World War II in 1939 German pilots rolled over all comers, having had plentiful combat experience. The Soviets also exploited Spain as a training ground, Red Army pilots and tankers gaining vital experience as they field-tested their respective weapons, an exercise they would repeat in China. As the ideological clash in Spain flared into violence, the war began on July 17, 1936, with an uprising of Spanish army generals led by Jose Sanjurjo, who died in a plane crash three days later, leaving Franco in command of Nationalist forces. Under the generalissimo the rebels advanced from strongholds in southern and western Spain. By the spring of 1937 a determined army of 100,000 Nationalists, joined by a corps of 60,000 Italian volunteers, was marching on the Basque region of northern Spain. The Basques have long prized their autonomy, from their distant origins as the oldest of Europeans with their own language to the more recent separatist activities of the revolutionary socialist ETA. The iconic symbol of their independent spirit is the lauburu, or Basque cross, which ironically resembles a Nazi swastika, bearing four comma-shaped arms. Under the Republicans the Basques, though conservative and strongly Catholic, enjoyed a measure of self-determination, their reward for tacitly supporting the government. Bilbao, the economic heart of Basque country and the greatest industrial prize in the north, had come under air attack by late August 1936. The Nationalists supported their push to Spains northern coast with a blockade of all Basque ports. Although the odd cargo ship managed to sneak through, official British policy adhered to the League of Nations protocol of nonintervention. Conservative statesman and future Prime Minister Winston Churchill mandated an absolutely rigid neutrality, with the strongest protest against any breach of it. Recognition of either side as a belligerent would subject British ships to being stopped and searched en route to Spain. A rather unsatisfactory standoff left its merchant vessels holed up in Saint-Jean-de-Luz in the Basque country of France. That situation lasted until April 20, when the British merchantman Seven Seas Spray ignored its own government and headed into Bilbao. Other ships followed. Bilbao would not be starved into submission. That same day the Nationalists resumed their offensive, smashing into the Republicans and prompting demoralized troops to fall back en masse in search of a safe haven. On the 25th they began flooding into Guernica, some 6 miles behind the front line. For the Basques, Guernicas significance went far beyond its strategic import as the last town between the marauding Nationalists and Bilbao. Symbolically and historically, it was the ancestral home of their centuries-old democracy. That wouldnt save it from the whirlwind headed its way. German and Italian aircraft had bombed Durango on March 31. Guernica was next in line. As the northern bastion of Republican resistance and epicenter of Basque culture, Guernicas value as a Nationalist target was all too clear. Franco himself had little airpower to devote to such an operation, but the Germans were all too willing to step in. The Condor Legion, an adjunct of the Luftwaffe commanded by Colonel Wolfram von Richthofena cousin of Manfred von Richthofen, the Red Baron of World War I famewould give the world another foretaste of how Germanys blitzkrieg tactics would operate during the early phases of World War II. The inhabitants of Guernica were to be the unwitting guinea pigs as the fascists determined what it would take to bomb a city into oblivion. No one should have been surprised. Two years earlier retired German General Erich Ludendorff, the victor of Tannenberg in 1914, had published Der totale Krieg (The Total War), in which he argued that in such a conflict the distinction between combatants and noncombatants was indistinguishable, and that civilian resources and infrastructure were legitimate military targets. It was said Richthofen selected Guernica, perhaps because it had been untouched by the war to that point, so the results of the bombing would be all the more apparent. On the afternoon of April 26 the Nazi inferno swept down on Guernica. At 4:30 p.m. the bell in the Church of Santa Maria rang to warn of an air attack. Although Basque authorities had turned away many traders on the outskirts, some had made it into town for the market, complete with livestock. On hearing the alarm, townsfolk, itinerants and shell-shocked Republican soldiers headed for the designated basement refugios. It fell to a single Condor Legion Heinkel He 111 bomber to drop the first load, then depart. Survivors of the attack survey the ruins of their city. (Ullstein Bild/Getty Images) People ventured out to help the stricken, only to be hit 15 minutes later by the full squadron, dropping various sizes and types of bombs. Panic ensued, as people considered whether the cellars or surrounding fields presented the safest option. As the hapless scattered, the strafing and grenading began, courtesy of Heinkel He 51C fighters. The lives of soldiers and civilians alikemen, women, childrenwere extinguished in a flash, no greater value put on them than farm animals that perished in the same indiscriminate onslaught (Picassos rendering prominently features a bull and a horse). But the worst was yet to descend. Three-quarters of an hour after the initial assault the drone of engines announced the approach of Junkers Ju 52/3m transports turned medium bombers. Over the next two and a half hours, in 20-minute relays, three squadrons flying out of the Nationalist base at Burgos carpet-bombed Guernica. To the Germans it was merely the practical application of a military innovation of the Spanish Civil War. It is hard to describe Armageddon. The planes rained missiles of all sizes, including 500-pound general-purpose bombs, anti-personnel 20-pounders and incendiaries in aluminum tubes that tumbled down like confetti at a wedding. There is something inherently callous about mans ingenuity in wartime. Entire families were buried in rubble, animals incinerated and buildings smashed; only the church tower and Basque Parliament buildings remained undamaged amid the utter devastation. Guernicas population at the time was around 5,000, though retreating Republican troops and the market crowds had swelled the number of people in town to perhaps twice that. Total casualties are hard to pin down, though most historians have settled on a death toll of between 150 and 300 people, with hundreds more injured. The planes had also laid waste to a broad swath of the town center. In his memoirs of World War II Churchill described Guernica as a defenseless little township and the German actions as experimental horrors. Propaganda always plays a part in war, and Republicans and Nationalists alike rushed to control the narrative. One Nationalist take posited that Guernicas own defenders had fired the town as they withdrewthe kind of scorched-earth policy of which Soviet dictator Joseph Stalin would approve. Franco specifically blamed Red hordes in the criminal service of [Jose Antonio] Aguirre, president of the Provisional Government of the Basque Country. The Catholic Church, which sided with the Nationalists, backed the falsehood, going so far as to proclaim there was not a single German soldier on Spanish soil. The Germans added their own slice to the misinformation cake. Condor Legion veterans later claimed theyd been trying to take out the Renteria Bridge, just outside Guernica, rather than the town itself, but that strong winds had blown their payloads onto the unfortunate citizens. Well, the bridge was undamaged, the winds absent, and anti-personnel bombs and machine-gun bullets are interesting weapons to deploy against a stone bridge. Another clearly fatuous claim suggested fog had grounded the planes, and that no attack had taken place. In the end, the evidence pointed to the bombing of Guernica as a planned attack against human beingsan act of terror and a grim foretaste of what was to come in World War II. Almost immediately it became the symbolic act that defined the greater atrocitya calculated attack on a town or city crowded with civilians. It wasnt just the act, however, but the reporting of it that made such a splash across international headlines. London Times correspondent George Steer was in nearby Bilbao with fellow reporters when Guernica was bombed. Late that evening they drove east to the beleaguered town to record the devastation. Their visit gave us the words to describe the blazing ruins, nine in 10 houses beyond repair, squares filled with wounded lying atop tables and mattresses, dazed and horror-struck people. Amid the rubble lay incendiary canisters bearing the names of German manufacturers. Steer returned the following morning for a second look before filing his copy. Four days after the attack a rally at Londons Royal Albert Hall organized by the pacifist League of Nations Union roundly condemned what had occurred. Within weeks British cinemas were screening newsreel footage of the bombing aftermath. Completed in June 1937, Picassos original mural-sized oil painting hangs in a Madrid museum. (Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofia) for the London Daily Express. Alerted to the bombing by a 10 miles from town. On reaching Guernica, though nauseated by the smell of burning human flesh, he helped collect charred bodies and looked on as buildings collapsed bing survivors, rocking to and fro amid the wall of flames. Australian reporter Noel Monks was covering the wargovernment official, he drove toward Guernica that evening, noting flames reflected in the sky while still a goodin on themselves. In the town plaza he encountered sob After the horror of Guernica the Republicans could only fall back on Bilbao and its Iron Ring network of fortifications, comprising concentric rings of tunnels, bunkers and trenches in a 50-mile perimeter around the city. But the defenses were incomplete, and Basque informants eager to end the bloodshed had reportedly betrayed its plans to the Nationalists. Bilbao fell on June 19. Guernica inspired widespread revulsion abroad. In fact, for Republicans the bombing represented their greatest propaganda coup, with any number of ready-made martyrs. It made little difference. Ultimately the spoils of war went to the Nationalists, and Franco embarked on a lengthy dictatorship that ended with his death on Nov. 20, 1975but not before he restored the monarchy, naming Juan Carlos I his successor. The international scrutiny garnered by Guernica coverage may have limited the scope of reprisals against Republicans after the war. But Francos regime found ways of hitting back at the Basques, making every effort to crush their independent spirit. It outlawed the Basque flag and suppressed the use of the Basque language. If you are Spanish, speak Spanish, went the new mantra. The Spanish Civil War, meanwhile, took on greater significance for many people, particularly those on the left, who claimed it was the opening salvo of World War II, a war in which carpet-bombing by both sides claimed many more Guernicas and was a significant contributor to the wars death toll of more than 60 million. Others considered the Second Sino-Japanese War, which broke out in July 1937, the opening shot. The same writers, photographers and filmmakers turned up in both war zones. Among the best-known correspondents in Spain was Ernest Hemingway, who while the civil war still raged wrote The Fifth Column, his only full-length play, which accurately reflected the paranoia that gripped communities post-Guernica. The phrase, used to describe the spies and saboteurs who would betray cities to the enemy, has been attributed to Nationalist General Emilio Mola, Francos colleague, who in October 1936 boldly claimed he had four columns waiting to march on Madrid, with a fifth inside the city, ready and poised to rise up. (Like rebel leader Jose Sanjurjo, Mola also didnt survive the war, having died in a plane crash on June 3, 1937, scarcely a month after the bombing of Guernica.) Another consequence of Allied inactivity over Spain was that it left Hitler and Italian dictator Benito Mussolini with the false impression they had a free hand, as democracies seemingly lacked the will to call their bluff. While the conflict left many in the West divided, there was no such soul-searching in Germany. Appeasement overlapped with the civil war, and another, far greater catastrophe lay on the horizon. While British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain negotiated with Hitler, keen to avoid a British Guernica, the RAF steeled itself for war, its modernization given fresh impetus by the telltale events in Spain. On Oct. 23, 1940, Hitler ventured to a railway station on the French-Spanish border to discuss strategy with Franco. The Fuhrer, considering World War II already effectively won, wanted Spain to join the Axis in its fight against Britain, which stubbornly wouldnt surrender. While Franco praised the German support hed received, he was big on promises and small on commitment. Spain was worn out, impoverished even, after the civil war and would remain largely neutral during World War II. Hitler, of course, was wrong about the outcome of World War IIone among many who had misread the significance of Guernica (and Nanjing, Warsaw and Rotterdam). The aerial destruction of Guernica did not intrinsically mean the bombing of civilians guaranteed capitulation and victory. On June 4, 1940, in anticipation of the coming Blitz, when London would suffer under its own rain of German bombs, Churchill delivered a pivotal speech to Parliament, articulating a mood of national defiance that resonated. Britain would never surrender. Picassos Guernica endures. The artist completed the mural-sized oil in June 1937 for the International Exposition in Paris, where it was displayed in the Spanish pavilion to mixed reviews. The painting arrived in London on Sept. 30, 1938the very day Chamberlain signed the Munich Agreement, hollowly promising peace for our time. Crowds grew larger as word of the painting spread, and when it appeared in East Londons White- chapel Art Gallery for two weeks in January 1939, some 15,000 visitors came to see it. The price of admission? A pair of usable boots for a Republican soldier then defending what was left of the front. On January 26 Barcelona fell to the Nationalists, and two months later, on March 28, Madrid itself capitulated. The Allies had failed to stop the juggernaut of fascism in Spain. Just three days after Madrids collapse Chamberlain issued a formal guarantee of Polands borders and said he expected Hitler to moderate his demands. Britain and France would soon have to fight. Today Guernica is housed in Madrids Museo Reina Sofia, where each day more than 10,000 souls take in its screaming, surrealist figures. All these decades after Spains soul-rending conflict it retains that amount of cachet. Stephen Roberts is a U.K.based freelance writer and author. For further reading he recommends The Battle for Spain, by Antony Beevor; The Origins of the Second World War, by A.J.P. Taylor; and All Hell Let Loose, by Max Hastings. Edmund Ruffin, the fire-eating Southern secessionist, practiced what he preached. When the moment of decision came in Charleston Harbor in April 1861, he actually fired one of the wars first shots. Unlike some of his fellow political agitators for breaking up the Union, before the war Ruffin had given some thought to what might happen if the South seceded and war ensued. Ruffin decided to address the challenge of advocating war when the odds were against the South by writing a novel in 1860 called Anticipations of the Future: To Serve as Lessons for the Present Time. The action takes place in an imagined mid-1860s, after secession and during the ensuing war. Ruffin focuses on the career of a guerrilla officer identified only as J.M., who came from Wheeling, in western Virginia. Ruffin believed that the answer to the problem of going to war against a superior power lay in guerrilla warfare led by mountaineers. In the book, the South gains its independence by ambushes in which Southern forces of small size use cunning and marksmanship to inflict colossal slaughter on Northern armies of great size. Ruffin was not the only Southern secessionist to recognize the promise of guerrilla warfare to the South. Many white Southerners thought the mountains and swamps of the region, the peoples superior knowledge of the countryside, and Southern outdoorsmens skills would make up for their want of population and industry. The Confederacy would imitate the successes of the American Revolution, especially of partisan fighters like the Swamp Fox, Francis Marion. The odds were long against the patriots, but the war ended in independence; the odds were long again in 1861, but they believed the result might be the same with the adoption of irregular warfare. But after Ruffin fired that shot at Fort Sumter, the Confederacy actually met the large Northern armies with great armies of their ownon battlefields of now storied reputation. The Confederacy conspicuously did not often practice what Ruffin had preached, and fought a largely conventional war with organized armies, mostly on manageable terrain with artillery and infantry. When enemy soldiers surrendered, they were taken prisoner. Flags of truce were utilized and usually honored so the dead could be buried after great battles. Those who had believed in the Swamp Fox tradition watched the war unfold in ways that defied their predictions of easy victory against great odds. There were moments when the war might have turned into a guerrilla conflict. But it did so only occasionally and mostly on the margins. Confederate leaders generally counseled the Southern people not to embark in guerrilla warfare. Take, for example, the fall of New Orleans in 1862. The New Or leans Bee made fiery calls for resistance by guerrilla warfare should the Yankees extend their lines into the Confederate interior, but changed its tune when Union forces occupied the city in April. Following is a portion of the Bee editorial of March 26, 1862: If among the means of effective injury a partisan and guerrilla warfare offers apparent advantages, let us adopt it, and practice it with indomitable vigor and ceaseless resolution. But as Federal naval vessels neared New Orleans and prepared to bombard the protecting forts, the Bee did not call for individual resistance by civilians and instead quoted a Richmond newspaper advising Confederates in areas being occupied by Federal forces to submit and to remain at home and not encumber the Confederate armies by fleeing. Confederate citizens in occupied areas took such advice to heart. That was so much the case that die -hard Rebel newspapers wrote off the Souths cities as they fell to Union conquest as unnecessary to the fight. The reluctance of Confederates to engage in guerrilla resistance frustrated some Southerners to the very end of the war. After the burning of Columbia, S.C., William Gilmore Simms, another ardent Confederate who had hoped to see Southerners imitate the feats of Francis Marion, lamented the easy sweep of Shermans armies through the state. David Aikens edition of Simms bitter tract, written in March 1865, A City Laid Waste: The Capture, Sack, and Destruction of the City of Columbia, which might be expected to reveal dogged guerrilla resistance, in fact gives testimony to the opposite phenomenon. Simms complained: [T]he enemy were allowed to travel one hundred and fifty miles of our State, through a region of swamp and thicket, in no portion of which could a field be found adequate to the display of ten thousand men, and where, under good partisan leaders, the invaders might have been cut off in separate bodies, their supplies stopped, their march constantly embarrassed by hard fighting, and where, a bloody toll exacted at every defile, they must have found a Thermopylae at every five miles of their march. We had no partisan fighting, as in the days of old. The notably unbloody results of such occupations of Southern territory caused historian Kenneth M. Stampp to focus on the lack of guerrilla resistance as a cause of Confederate defeat in a famous essay titled The Southern Road to Appomattox. Commenting on the behavior of Confederate civilians in areas occupied by Union military forces, Stampp saw no analogy to the problems that plagued the German Nazis in the countries they occupied during the Second World War. Everywhere they met resistance from an organized underground that made life precarious for collaborators and German military personnel. By contrast, Stampp noted accurately, in the Confederate South, apart from border-state bushwhacking, there was only one example of underground resistance even remotely comparable to that demonstrated in Nazi-occupied Eu rope or French-occupied Algeria. That was East Tennessee, where Southern Unionists made life miserable for the occupying Confederate soldiers. For Confederates who continued to hope for massive guerrilla resistance to Union invasion, the behavior of their people continually disappointed them. The fierce editor of the Richmond Examiner commented after mid-May 1862, Up to this time all resistance and trouble has ceased with the entrance of Yankee troops into Confederate towns and territoriesthe people have done nothing. The only example the disappointed Richmond newspaperman could find in all of the Confederacy so far in the contest was John Hunt Morgan. Morgan is yet unique, he lamented. And such leaders remained rare in the Confederacy. When a genuine partisan hero arrived on the scene in Virginia in 1863, it was John Singleton Mosby, who prided himself not only on his unconventional cavalry tactics and the abandonment of the useless cavalry saber, but also on observing the laws and customs of war, especially in regard to POWs. Historian Robert R. Mackey, in The Uncivil War: Irregular Warfare in the Upper South, 1861-1865, notes that one of the reasons for Mosbys relative success was his fair treatment of surrendered Federals, which encouraged others to capitulate, andlimited, but did not eliminate, reprisals. The famous exception to Mosbys record on that score might be said to prove the rule. He dealt with the incident openly in his memoirs. On September 22, 1864, enraged Union cavalrymen executed six of Mosbys men, in retaliation, said the Union soldiers, for the killing of a Union officer after he had surrendered. Mosby retaliated on November 6, waiting, he said, until he engaged the Union units responsible for the executions. He ordered seven soldiers killed, and then promised, in a letter written to Philip H. Sheridan, Hereafter, any prisoners falling into my hands will be treated with the kindness due to their condition, unless some new act of barbarity shall compel me, reluctantly to adopt a line of policy repugnant to humanity. Soldiers such as Mosbymost Civil War soldiers, in factgenerally attempted to avoid adopting a line of policy repugnant to humanity. Stampps brilliant observation on the lack of guerrilla or partisan warfare has not been refuted to this day. Where is the lore of the uprising of some New Orleans Ghetto in the Civil War? Why does our memory of the conflict not include chilling references to Mo lo tov cocktails and improvised ex plosive devices, the legacies of other partisan conflicts? Perhaps Stampps idea of guerrilla warfare and the ideas of historians who came after him are not the same. But if that is so, then what we need is more careful definition of what constitutes guerrilla conflict. What is at issue is the representativeness of guerrilla warfare as the standard of combat. The revolting practices of guerrillas in Missouri and other places were horrifying. But what was their degree of prevalence in the 11 states of the Confederacy (Missouri was a border state) or in major battles? How big a role did they play in winning or losing? Careful military students of the subject, like Robert R. Mackey, concluded essentially that the Confederates found the strategy of guerrilla and partisan warfare wanting, and such strategy remained marginal. The Confederate Congress even rescinded the Partisan Ranger Act, authorizing irregular units, in April 1864. The gloomy motivations for killing depicted in Michael Fellmans Inside War dwell largely at the bottom of human motivations: revenge, blood sport and other monstrous psychological urges divorced from political purpose. If we let the visions of such combat take over our understanding of the war, then we lose sight of other motivations, Union and liberty and defense of home and hearth and the slavery system. The disagreement is fundamental and would change the entire meaning and significance of the Civil War. I am pleased to see vigorous debate on this subject in this magazine. But I am writing another book now, Lincoln and the American Nation, which considers the degree to which Confederate hopes for nationhood were bound up in a vision of imitating the feats of the Swamp Fox and winning at great odds, and what I have said here offers a glimpse of what is to come. It is time to move on. Originally published in the April 2009 issue of Civil War Times. To subscribe, click here. The generals own words plainly state his view of the Peculiar Institution. As a biographer I am often asked which part of my subjects story has been most difficult to explore. All historic figures have troubling aspects, of course, and the two with which I am most familiar, Clara Barton and Robert E. Lee, are no exception. In Lees case it is easily his lifelong interaction with slavery. The peculiar institutionas slavery was known in the Southis itself a distressing topic. Its ugly details challenge us. So does the painful paradox of a nation rooted in liberty, yet exercising daily oppression. If you add Lee to this mix, more conflicting emotions are awakened. He is a controversial figure, seen by some as a shameless traitor and by others as a beloved hero. His association with slavery has been characterized with similar partisanship, sometimes painting an image that is more fabled than factual. Some people may ask why we should delve into this difficult topic. There are several reasons we ought to be interested. First, as students of history, our job is to try to establish as clearly as possible what happened in the past and how those events and attitudes affected our national development. This is particularly important when we are talking about figures such as Lee, whose image has largely been shaped by oral tradition. Since we are historians rather than folklorists, part of our task is to separate reality from legend. Lees views on slavery are also central to his story because they influenced decisions that would have profound consequences for the United States. Slavery shaped his resolution to fight for the South. Lees opinions also served as a beacon for generations of Southerners as they struggled to comprehend the tragedy of the war. Without an understanding of Lees racial attitudes, it is impossible to make sense of either his own actions or his strong impact on Southern society. Finally there is the fact that Lee has been presented as more than a significant military leader. He has often been portrayed as a man of great personal virtuea man to be emulated. When we set up a model like this, it not only invites us to examine his character, it virtually requires us to do so. Any com munity that claims to be based on ideals must know who and what it reveres. If we are going to embrace heroes, it is important that we accept their human frailty as well as admire their achievements. If we do not, we create empty icons, whose hollowness undermines any ability to inspire. The first thing we can say about Robert E. Lees interaction with the institution of slavery is that it is extremely well documented. This may surprise some people. One biographer, Douglas Southall Freeman, claimed that Lee said nothing of any consequence about slavery. Statements like this have left many people with the impression that Lee was somehow outside the messiness of human bondage. Actually, he wrote hundreds of letters that show he fully participated in the institution and held strong opinions about it. Interestingly, this rich cache of information was in plain sight and had been available for decades. I was privileged to read a large number of recently discovered Lee family documents, but the most illuminating materials were already in well-known archives and courthouses, easily accessible to anyone. Because of this abundance of information no one has to interpret Lees attitudes or actions. He is very open in telling us about them himself. To understand Lees viewpoint we have first to appreciate his day-to-day interaction with slavery. His earliest knowledge of the institution was gleaned on his fathers plantation. Light-Horse Harry Lee had been a bold Revolutionary War heroand an equally bold financial speculator. By the time Robert was 14 months old, Harry Lee had lost most of his property and was thrown into debtors prison. Slaves were included on his schedule of debt payments alongside horses, dogs and hogs. Sometimes servants were snatched in the night by creditors trying to recover their losses. Others were hired away to bring in income, apparently with little attention to maintaining their family connections. Among the first lessons young Robert learned about slavery, therefore, was that when all was said and done, African Americans were simply property. This view was reinforced when his family moved to Alexandria, Va., an important center of the slave trade. The Lees lived only a few blocks from some of the countrys major dealers in human flesh, and coffles of manacled slaves were a daily sight. Though some were sickened by these scenes, most people became inured to them and simply acquiesced. And that was what Robert E. Lee did: He acquiesced. Lees other significant experience with slavery was at Arlington, his parents-in-laws estate. George Washington Parke Custis, Lees father-in-law, had inherited hundreds of slaves from his grandmother, Martha Custis Washington. Custis had pretty standard ideas about slavery: He denounced the institution as a vulture that was preying on the society, but did nothing to overturn it. He was not really interested in managing his large labor force and left it to a series of uneven overseers. Some of these men oversaw reprehensible operations, and Custis was accused of cruel, inhuman and barbarous treatment of slaves, including at least one murder. But Mary Fitzhugh Molly Custis, Lees mother-in-law, held different views. She liberated the slaves she inherited and ultimately persuaded her husband to free his own in his will. While working for slaverys demise, she tried to soften conditions at Arlington as much as possible. She taught the bondsmen to read and write, and provided religious meetingsmuch of which was illegal. She took a personal interest in the slave families, which were never broken up during her lifetime. Molly Custis also supported the American Colonization Society, which proposed emancipating slaves and returning them to Africa. Today this is sometimes seen as a halfway measure that only substituted one tyranny deportationfor another. But Mrs. Custis considered it a practical step to get around the stringent laws of Virginia, which prohibited freedmen from staying in the state, and as a result discouraged manumission. The Colonization Society also opened the first real de bate about the future of slavery in America. Amazingly, Molly Custis had an active voice in that debate, advocating the elimination of slavery more than a decade before the abolitionists began to organize. Molly Custis was by all accounts a superior woman, and she had great influence on her son-in-law. He considered her a surrogate mother and adopted her religious principles and many of her social precepts. But on the issue of slavery he failed to follow her lead. Indeed when Lee ran the Arlington estate, after the death of his parents-in-law, his style as a master was in striking contrast to the traditions Mrs. Custis had established. And what about Lees own slaves? He inherited 10 or 12 from his mother, but it is difficult to determine whether he freed any of them. Before the Mexican War he wrote a will that would have liberated one family; however, since he was not killed, those provisions never went into effect. There is no evidence of Lees slaves being emancipatedno courthouse records, no mention of it in his massive letter books. One of his sons later said that he had freed all his slaves before the war, but had taken no legal action so they would not have to move out of Virginia. That seems questionable, however. A freed African American really could not exist in Virginia without papers; the law would put him right back into slavery. In fact, we have an example of a freed couple without documents being thrown into jail in 1853 by Lees father-in-law, a justice of the peace. We also know that Lee was aware of the need to provide free papers, since he went to considerable trouble to get proper documents for the Custis slaves who were freed during the Civil War. In any case, his own papers show that he owned slaves well into the 1850s and considered buying another in 1860. He also used his wifes slaves as personal servants throughout the Civil War. Lees letters tell us much about his racial attitudes. He seemed to dislike the bondsmens presence and generally avoided dealing with them. (Do not trouble yourself about them, as they are not worth it, he counseled his wife.) He had a low opinion of blacks as workers and complained continually about their habits. (It would be accidental to fall in with a good one, he ultimately concluded.) He found the constant need to provide for the slaves burdensome, and as a result frequently rented them out. As late as 1865 he was still asserting that the relation of master and slaveis the best that can exist between the white & black races. He had equally dismissive views of other groups who threatened white aspirations, including Mexicans and American Indians, whom he several times described as hideous and whom he believed to be culturally inferior. It is important to note that these are not random comments, written on a bad day, but a constant pattern in Lees writing. Of course, Lee was not the only person to hold these views in his day. This kind of thinking led not only to the justification of slavery, but also to the Mexican War and aggressive actions against American Indians. Indeed, most Americans, North and South, were unable to envision a multiracial society based on equality. Even those opposed to slavery had trouble doing so. Abraham Lincoln, for example, never considered African Americans his equal and only reluctantly relinquished his plans to deport freed blacks to Central America or Haiti. What is striking about Lees writings is the consistency of his disdain for black people. We see no attempt at all by Lee to wrestle with the morality of these views. Washington, Jefferson, George Mason and Henry Clayjust to name a fewall struggled with the ethical consequences of their racial beliefs. Many never took action to free their slaves or to right legal wrongs, but they did agonize over the contradictions they perceived. So did several of Lees Army friends, who sympathized with the Indians and ultimately opposed slavery. By contrast Lee never seems to have suffered any spiritual pain over the inequitable society surrounding him. In 1856 Lee summarized his beliefs in a telling letter to his wife. In this enlightened age, he wrote, there are few, I believe, but will acknowledge that slavery as an institution is a moral and political evil in any country. It is useless to expiate on its disadvantages. I think it, however, a greater evil to the white than to the black race, and while my feelings are strongly interested inthe latter, my sympathies are stronger for the former. The blacks are immeasurably better off here than in Africa, morally, socially, and physically. The painful discipline they are undergoing is necessary for their instruction as a race, and, I hope will prepare and lead them to better things. How long their subjugation may be necessary is known and ordered by a wise and merciful Providence. On first reading, this letter seems confusing and contradictory. Lee acknowledges that slavery is evil, but then says the evil is greater for whites than for blacks, without giving an explanation of how this could possibly be. He says he assumes that the institution will fade away, but offers no prescription for hastening that day. Instead he takes a complicated middle ground in which he regrets the existence of slavery but claims it is necessary, and then sidesteps any responsibility for the slaves condition by saying that that is up to God, not man. In fact, what seems like a convoluted assessment is actually an unusually clear statement of the proslavery views of Lees era. Apologists admitted that slavery was regrettable but concocted elaborate justifications for its continuation. The belief that slaves were better off than blacks living in Africa; that their character needed somehow to be elevated by whites; that it was necessary to prolong slavery into an unpredictable futureeven a Divine Sanction for it allwere themes of sermons, pamphlets and newspaper articles. Proslavery advocates such as James Henry Hammond, George Fitzhugh and Thomas Dew underscored that they were not responsibleGod had created the institution, and some sort of providential action would make it disappear. Amazingly, this letter has sometimes been used to point to Lee as an abolitionist. This view is particularly hard to understand because in the same letter Lee slams those who opposed slavery. The abolitionists, he wrote, have neither the right nor the power to interfere in what he has no concern. Still I fear he will persevere in his evil course. So the question arises: How could anyone turn this letter into proof of Lees antislavery views? Is this wishful thinking, or possibly part of the Lost Cause propaganda? To demonstrate how facts can become veiled by popular tradition, lets look at a story that is often told to illustrate Lees kindness to slaves. Soon after the end of the war, one of his friends wrote: You must remember Nat, who was Aunt Lees dining-room servant: after her death his health became very bad; [Robert] took him to the South, had the best medical advice, comfortable room, and everything that could be done to restore him and attended to him himself. This story was repeatedsometimes with embellishmentsby many historians over the years. One has Lee nursing Nat with the tenderness of a son and personally laying him in his grave; another says he cared for the slave tenderly and faithfully until death delivered the poor fellow. The story as Lee himself tells it, however, is quite different. It is true that Nat joined Lee on his first Army assignment, near Savannah, Ga., and that he died of consumption there within a few months. Lee was concerned about Nats health but confided that I know not what to do with him. He got the old man a room, consulted a doctor, and asked a boatman to look in on him occasionally, but did not personally follow Nats progress closely. Indeed, Lee admitted that his posting, 15 miles away, often kept him away from Nat for weeks. When the slave died, far from attending to his burial, Robert was astonished to be told the news. I had not the least idea he was so low.I was perfectly shocked to hear of his death when I had been flattering myself that he was recovering, he told his fiancee. Actually the mother of one of his friends had taken responsibility for Nat. Mrs. Mackay in some of her visits of Benevolence had found him out, Lee wrote, and unbeknowing to me, visited him regularly & sent him all the delicacies from her own table. Now, this is not a terrible story. It is not a story of brutality or crass neglect. But neither is it the saga of nursing Nat with the tenderness of a son that Lees admirers liked to tell. If anything it is a story of a distracted young man who was more or less oblivious to his old servants condition. If the tale has a ministering angel, it is Eliza Mackay, not Robert E. Lee. But it is an excellent illustration of the way historical incidents become bloated when they start to be used as parables. Those who believed the prettier versions of this tale repeated it until it became a kind of common knowledge about Lees concern for his slaves. Some writers then took real liberties with the storys meaning. Freeman cited it as proof that Lee could not possibly have fought to uphold the system of slavery! Another writer saw it as an example of Lees solicitude for his servants, concluding that none had a kinder or more faithful master. Which leads us to ask another question: Would his own servants have been likely to agree with the statement that Lee was a kind master? Our best information about the slaves thinking comes from the time when Lee was executor of his father-in-laws estate. George Washington Parke Custis died in 1857, leaving a messy will. To sort out matters, Lee got temporary leave from the Army. As executor he had legal authority over the slaves, as well as day-to-day responsibilities for their supervision. And what did the slaves say about Robert E. Lee? One called him the meanest man I ever saw. He was a hard taskmaster, confided another. He tried to keep us slaves, when we was as free as he, was another comment. In addition, the slaves showed their feelings by their actions. During the time Lee was master at Arlington he had a chronic problem with runaways. They also frequently refused to recognize his authority, ignoring his orders or trying to undermine his plans. On one occasion they even physically threatened Lee. Only the merciful hand of Kind Providence and their own ineptness prevented a general outbreak, wrote Lees wife. A slave rebellion at Arlington? How did such chaos come about? As previously mentioned, Lees father-in-law had written a complicated will. He freed all his slaves, but with the vague provision that it should be done sometime within five years. He also bequeathed extravagant legacies to his granddaughters that proved difficult to pay from the estates earnings. As executor, Lee interpreted this to mean that he could keep the African Americans enslaved until he had paid the legacies. Actually the will stipulated that he should sell land to pay the bequests, but Lee did not want to do this, even though the Custis estates contained thousands of acres. The slaves, however, who had excellent lines of communication, believed they had been freed. Despite Lees efforts to make their lives more comfortable (repairing long-neglected houses, for example), they were angry at being kept in bondage and increasingly tested their new master. Reuben Parks & Edward, in the beginning of the previous week, rebelled against my authorityrefused to obey my orders, & said they were as free as I was, &c, &c, Lee told a son. I succeeded in capturing them however, tied them and lodged them in jail. To increase the estates earnings, Lee relied on his old habit of hiring out the slaves to other masters. Many of them were sent hundreds of miles away and were extremely unhappy. The slaves who were hired out had no idea where they were going or whenif everthey might return; no way of contacting their relations, and no guarantee of a sympathetic master. In addition, by hiring all the strong males away, Lee broke up every family at Arlington, something the Washingtons and Custises had taken great pains not to do. When Lee realized he could not pay the legacies by the end of five years, things took a turn for the worse. Rather than sell land, he petitioned the local court to keep the slaves in bondage as long as needed to fulfill his daughters inheritance. He also sued for permission to send the slaves out of the state, which was not common practice. The local magistrate recognized this and ruled against Lee, who responded by appealing the case to a higher court. The slaves, as usual, caught the drift of events and became actively alarmed. They may have thought that Lee would never give them their freedom. They must have feared that once sent out of the state, they would never again see their families. I should add that these two measuressending the slaves south and breaking up their familieswere against the socially accepted practices of Lees neighbors and relatives. It is this set of actions, which were considered harsh in his own time, and which jeopardized the future of people who had been legally liberated, that most clearly put Lee on the darker side of slavery. This was when the slaves began to protest openlyverbally, as we have seen, as well as by running away, and even through physical violence. The situation at Arlington became so bad that several newspapers seized on the story. One of the things they reported was that after recapturing three of the runawaysone of whom was a womanLee had them brutally whipped. That story is corroborated by five eyewitness accounts, all of which agree in substantial detail. Those accounts state that Lee was infuriated and wanted to set an example for other slaves who were rebelling against him. One newspaper maintained that Lee viciously whipped the woman himself, but the more sober witnesses state that he called in the county sheriff, Dick Williams, to serve out her punishment. Lees own account books show him paying an extraordinary sum of money to that very man for capturing, &c, the fugitives. At the time Lee told his son, The New York Tribune has attacked me for my treatment of your grandfathers slaves, but I shall not reply. Many years later he maintained that there was not a word of truth in the story. But there was more than a word of truth in itall of the details can be verified by Lees own writings. Not only do Lees papers uphold the story, there is nothing improbable or out of character about this incident. We know there was a whipping post at Arlington and that Lee had a strong temper. Moreover, Lee was not only within his rights to lash the fugitives, it was actually the penalty prescribed by law. Sheriffs were routinely called in to do just that kind of demeaning work. As one Virginia constable de scribed it: It was part of my business to arrest all fugitive slaves.Next day they are examined and punished. The punishment is flogging. I am one of the men who flog them. In addition, we know Lee had little objection to this kind of chastisement. In one letter, for example, he argued with his wife about a slave who had been mistreated by a neighbor. Mary Lee thought they should buy the man to rescue him from his unkind owner. But Lee protested, asking: Is everything to be yielded to the servant and nothing left to the master? He then declared that buying the slave would set a bad precedent, undermining the instruction and example that was intended for the others. One of the men who was later punished for running away recalled that Lee said the whipping was meant to teach us a lesson we would never forget. Interestingly, using punishment to set an example was a disciplinary measure Lee also used while superintendent of West Point. The lawsuit dragged on until 1862. While the court deliberated, Lee told his son he might ignore the five-year deadline for freeing the slaves and just leave them as they are. Ultimately the appeals court ruled against Lee, directing him to liberate the slaves by January 1, 1863. Only then did he free the bondsmen as his father-in-law had desired. In the end he sold propertyjust as the will had proposed to pay the legacies to his daughters. Remarkably, some biographers have labeled Lee an emancipator despite the clear record of his actions and beliefs. How can this be? I think the answer is rooted in the longing people have for their idols to be great in every way, rather than ordinary or imperfect. As heroes become iconic figures, people also want to attach their aspirations to them, in a process sociologists call transference. In their zeal, they hope their leaders will represent not only what they are as a society, but what they would like to be. It is fascinating and telling that what Southerners have wanted Lee to representthe better self they want him to beis an antislavery leader. Lees experiences at Arlington and his role in capturing abolitionist John Brown in 1859 radicalized his feelings on slavery. He feared the increasingly powerful Northern majority, which he had been complaining about since the 1830s. It enraged him to feel defenseless in the face of what he saw as mounting Yankee humiliations. As the nation lurched toward crisis, his carefully crafted middle ground on slavery began to give way. He backed the Crittenden Compromise, which would have prohibited slavery from ever being abolished in the United States, saying that it deserves the support of every patriot. Though he denounced secession, and his own kin were sharply divided (a nephew and many close cousins fought for the Union), in 1861 Lee decided to defend the Souths way of life, of which slavery was the distinguishing feature. After the war, Lee continued to hold attitudes about class and race that were chained to the old order. A few weeks after Appomattox he expounded to a newspaperman on the need to dispose of the freedmen. He not only advocated the deportation of African Americans, he backed a plan to replace them with destitute whites from Ireland, who would form a new servant class. He also signed a petition that proposed a political system precluding all blacks, and many poor whites, from voting. His public pronouncements were sometimes at odds with his private actions. Despite the fact that Lee told the Joint Committee on Reconstruction that everyone wished the former slaves well, for example, the records of the Freedmans Bureau show that students under Lees direction at Washington College were heavily involved in their harassment. The situation turned serious on several occasions. Some of General Lees boys shot an African American for not stepping into the gutter when they passed. Incidents of rape were common. It appears that an organization similar to the Ku Klux Klan was founded by the students during Lees presidency. Lee sent out some orders forbidding participation in any public antiblack rallies, but Washington College documents show that he did not strictly enforce that policy. Certainly he never used the near imperial control he had at the college to stop those activities. For a biographer who comes to have a close, admiring relation- ship with the person being studied, finding such information is painful. I can recall sitting in the Alexandria courthouse, holding the legal documents Lee had filed, shaking my head and thinking: Oh, I hope this is not going where I think it is! Many readers will undoubtedly also find this aspect of Lee distressing. And I think that we are right to be troubled by it. That is the appropriate response, whether out of sorrow for the callousness in our past, or simple disappointment that someone we revere held attitudes that even in his day were on the sorry end of humanitys scale. But where then does this leave us? Should we conclude that Robert E. Lee was an immoral man, unworthy of historical interest? Throw him on the trash heap of history? Or should we apologize for him, and portray him as merely representative of his era? In my judgment, we should take care not to go too far in either direction. We do have to recognize the intellectual and cultural norms of Lees time. We also have to recognize that as much as we might like to have principles that never vary, this is actually not the way societies behave. Values change over time, and human beings are often slow to catch up. We have to understand Lee within the context of his standards, not our own. That being said, we cannot use this as a reason to absolve Lee from responsibility for his own attitudes. While we might be able to say, Well, he wasnt any worse than anybody else, by the same token we also have to say that he wasnt any better than anyone else. And there is the rub, because generations have been led to believe that Robert E. Lee was better than everybody elseeven on this difficult issue of slavery. Yet all of the evidence shows he lacked the vision or the humanity that would have allowed him to transcend the petty opinions of his day. Nor did his racial attitudes ever grow or evolve as, for example, did Washingtons. While we can understand the reasons for that, we cannot award him the greatness that comes from being able to see beyond the commonplace and take actions that would raise him above the ordinary. What I would propose is that all of us who admire Lee embrace him for the complex, contradictory, fabulous but flawed person that he was. If we try to make him more, we actually insult him. Every time someone maintains that he never used the word enemy, or that he never lost a battle (he just ran out of ammunition), or that he was opposed to slaveryany time we make these mistaken assertions, we are implying that the person he really was, is not good enough. I would say simply: If you want to do Robert E. Lee justice, embrace the fine qualities that he truly has to offer us and they are considerablebut also recognize his limitations and the injustices perpetrated at his hands. Then lend him your respect. It is the greatest compliment you can give him. Elizabeth Brown Pryors book Reading the Man: A Portrait of Robert E. Lee Through His Private Letters won both the Lincoln Prize and the Jefferson Davis Award. Her list of sources for this article is in Resources, on P. 71. Originally published in the February 2009 issue of Civil War Times. To subscribe, click here. Like Appomattox, the events at the Bennett farm were an American epitome. ON A SPRING DAY IN 1865, AN UNSCHEDULED TRAIN CHUFFED INTO THE DEPOT AT GREENSBORO, North Carolina. The peaceful town of 2,000, all but ignored during four years of civil war, found itself a reluctant host to what remained of the government of the Confederacy. Aboard the train, which had left Danville, Virginia, 12 hours before, were President Jefferson Davis and most of his Cabinet. A second train carried a considerable cargo of Confederate gold. Richmond had fallen on April 3. With Confederate currency now all but worthless, the ladies of the former capital were reduced to selling pastry to the Yankees in order to secure bread for their own tables. Six days later, on April 9, Robert E. Lees Army of Northern Virginia had surrendered at Appomatox. Lee told a group of his soldiers, I have done my best for you. My heart is too full to say more. In the South as in the North, the fall of Richmond and the surrender by Lee were seen as signaling an end to a war that had killed more than 600,000 people and entailed total casualties of more than 1 million. Suggestions that the war might not be over were unpopular, and the reception accorded the Davis party at Greensboro was cool. One young Confederate soldier, eyeing the decrepit train that had brought Davis south from Richmond, characterized the president and his retinue as a government on wheels . . . the marvelous and incongruous debris of the wreck of the Confederate capital. Spring had come to North Carolina, but there was war-weariness everywhere. In Greensboro there was also fearfear of economic collapse, fear of the embittered parolees from Lees army who were filtering into the town, and, most of all, fear of Sherman. Shermans Yankee army was approaching, and nothing the South could do seemed even to slow his advance. One person for whom the war was not over was Jefferson Davis. Four years of war had left the Confederate president pale and wan, afflicted with insomnia and a variety of other ailments. But the 56-year-old Mississippian was no less convinced of the justice of his cause in 1865 than he had been four years before. From Danville he had issued yet another call to arms. We have now entered upon a new phase of the struggle, he proclaimed. Relieved from the necessity of guarding particular points, our army will be free to move from point to point to strike the enemy. . . . Let us not despond then, my countrymen; but, relying on God, meet the foe with fresh defiance and . . . unconquerable hearts. Defiance was in short supply in the Confederacy, but had Davis chosen to do so, be might have cited some numbers. Joseph E. Johnston, commanding the only Confederate force of any size in the East, still had some 30,000 men. In Mississippi and Alabama, General Richard Taylor had perhaps 20,000 more. And across the Mississippi lay Daviss main hope, a scattered force of 40,000, mostly in Texas, commanded by General Edmund Kirby Smith. Any wishful thinking based on these numbers, however, overlooked several pertinent facts. One was that Federal forces included a million men under arms with whom to confront the remaining Confederates. Another was that Shermans army, totaling about 80,000 effectives, was close by, threatening to end all meaningful resistance east of the Mississippi. No other name struck such fear into Southern hearts as that of William Tecumseh Sherman. The wiry, red-bearded Ohioan had begun the war in obscurity. Whereas prominent Confederates like Robert E. Lee and Joseph E. Johnston had risen to senior ranks in the Old Army, Sherman was the ex-superintendent of a littleknown military academy in Louisiana. In 1861 something resembling a nervous breakdown had almost ended his Civil War career before it began. But Sherman was then assigned to serve under General Ulysses S. Grant in Kentucky. Teamed with Grant, he contributed to the series of Federal triumphs along the Mississippi that cut the Confederacy in two. Sherman eventually was given an independent command, the Army of the Tennessee. After his augmented force had captured Atlanta in November 1864, he asked for and received permission to cut loose from his supply lines and march to the sea. In devastating Georgias economy en route to Savannah, Sherman set the pattern for total war. Cump Sherman was an American original. He made a virtue of simple dress and simple life in the field. His men affectionately called him Uncle Billy; he in turn would sometimes stop and talk to groups of soldiers, bantering with them in his gruff, staccato manner. Like Davis, Sherman was something of an insomniac. He could be found in the small hours of the morning pacing his camp, poking a dying fire, visiting pickets. Sherman hated war but liked soldiers and soldiering. Even though his brother John was a senator from Ohio, Shermans greatest ire was reserved for politicians and newspaper reporters. He had no strong views on slavery, but had given a great deal of thought to how the war should be prosecuted. He saw the destruction of the Confederate economy as a means of hastening the end of the war, and he had no apology for the devastation his army wreaked. His march to the sea contributed only indirectly to the defeat of Lees army, but it sapped the morale of the entire Confederacy. Sherman had done little to control looting while his army was in South Carolina, for he shared his soldiers animosity toward the state that had for so long been identified with secession. Discipline was tightened somewhat as the army crossed into North Carolina, and personal property was spared in some instances. Nonetheless, army foragersor bummers, as they were calledcontinued to roam the countryside in advance of the regular troops, requisitioning supplies. And entire pine forests, tapped for turpentine, were burned by soldiers for sport. The conflagrations were tremendous. Sherman, at his headquarters near Smithfield, knew that organized Confederate resistance was near an end. But he was eager to see a formal surrender, lest Johnstons army disperse into guerrilla bands that might prolong the fighting indefinitely. In late March, Sherman had attended a conference aboard the gunboat River Queena meeting that had included President Abraham Lincoln, Grant, and Rear Admiral David Dixon Porterat which Lincoln had stated his desire to get the rebel armies back to their homes, at work on their farms and in their shops. Sherman thought he knew the kind of peace that the president had in mind. From Raleigh he wired Secretary of War Edwin Stanton, I will accept the same terms as General Grant gave General Lee, and be careful not to complicate any points of civil policy. SHERMANS OUTNUMBERED OPPONENT WAS THE MAKESHIFT CONFEDERATE ARMY of General Joseph E. Johnston. Although Johnston had been unable to obstruct Shermans march through the Carolinas, he had kept an army in the field and had fought tenacious delaying actions where circumstances permitted. On March 19 at Bentonville, North Carolina, he had thrown his little army against one wing of Shermans command and had managed to come within an ace of victory. Joe Johnston was one of the enigmas of the Civil War. The dapper, courtly Virginian made no attempt to mingle with his soldiers, as Sherman did, yet he was perhaps as respected by his men as Robert E. Lee had been by the Army of Northern Virginia. His superiors, however, had difficulties with Johnston. At the outset of the war, Davis had named three other generals, Lee among them, senior to Johnston, despite the fact that Johnston had outranked them in the Old Army. Johnston protested the slight and never forgave Jefferson Davis. It was Johnston who had confronted Sherman in the campaign for Atlanta, and although the Virginian directed a skillful delaying action, Davis had relieved him in July 1864 for failing to halt the Yankee advance. When Johnstons successors had even worse luck against the rampaging Sherman, the wily Johnstonalways formidable in defensewas restored to command. From the time of Lees surrender, however, Johnston believed that his duty lay in making a decent peace. At Greensboro, Davis was met by General P.G.T. Beauregard, another senior officer with whom Davis had crossed swords. Beauregard, now second in command to Johnston, had opened the war with the capture of Fort Sumter and a subsequent victory at the First Battle of Manassas. Since then his reputation had been in eclipse. At Greensboro, however, Beauregard greeted Davis cordially. He advised Davis that Johnston would be arriving the following day, April 12, and moved his headquarters, located in a baggage car, to a railroad siding within sight of Daviss train. At the Cabinet meeting on April 12, Davis proposed re-forming the Army of Virginia, apparently ignoring the fact that the paroles granted to Lees soldiers were conditioned on their not bearing arms against the Union. Johnston heard the president out in disdainful silence, and when he spoke it was in a tone of rebuke. In Johnstons view, the South now lacked both money and munitions, and to protract the war would be a crime. The effect of our keeping to the field, he said, would be, not to harm the enemy, but to complete the devastation of our country and the ruin of its people. Johnston counterproposed that peace negotiations be initiated with Sherman at once. He was supported in this idea by all the Cabinet members in attendance except for Secretary of State Judah P. Benjamin. But Johnston reckoned without Jefferson Davis. Writing his memoirs two decades later, Davis recalled, I had reason to believe that the spirit of the army in North Carolina was unbroken, for, though surrounded by circumstances well calculated to depress and discourage them, I had learned that they earnestly protested to their officers against . . . surrender. That afternoon, Confederate secretary of war John C. Breckinridge arrived at Greensboro. Breckinridge had been vice president of the United States under James Buchanan, and an opponent of secession until nearly three months after First Manassas. He had served the Confederacy as a major general and enjoyed a wide measure of respect among Confederate leaders. After meeting with Johnston and Beauregard, Breckinridge agreed that further resistance was useless. He joined Daviss Cabinet meeting on April 13. Around a table in the drab railroad car, Davis once again expressed confidence in victory, and then asked Johnston for his views. Johnston reiterated his pessimistic assessment of the previous dayMy small force is melting away like snow before the sunand stated flatly that the South was tired of war. Of those present, only Benjamin again supported Davis in his view that the war should continue. Reluctantly, Davis authorized Johnston to open negotiations with Sherman. Johnston could offer to disband Confederate troops and to recognize Federal authority, but only on condition that state governments in the South would be preserved and that Southerners would not be penalized for their rebellion. The status of former slaves was not even mentioned. While Davis and his colleagues drafted a letter for Johnston to send to Sherman, their world continued to collapse about them. Pillaging soldiers roamed the streets of Greensboro, undeterred by the presence of the Confederate Cabinet and much of the army high command. Navy captain John Taylor Wood, who was a member of Daviss party, wrote, Troops greatly demoralized, breaking into and destroying the public stores. Because Johnstons letter was delayed in reaching Shermanwho had just established headquarters at Raleightheir first meeting was set for April 17, eight days after Lees surrender. Sherman had boarded the train that would take him to the rendezvous when a telegrapher ran up to say that an important telegram, in cipher, had just arrived. Sherman delayed his departure, and 30 minutes later was reading a message from Stanton that told of the assassination of Lincoln and the assault on Secretary of State William H. Seaward. Swearing the telegrapher to secrecy, Sherman folded the telegram into his pocket and told the engineer to proceed. At about 10:00 a.m. Shermans train reached Durham, where a squadron of Union cavalry was waiting. Sherman and his entourage, under a white flag, rode for five miles along the Hillsboro road, where they met Johnston and his party. In Shermans words: We shook hands, and introduced our respective attendants. I asked if there was a place convenient where we could be private, and General Johnston said he had passed a small farmhouse a short distance back. . . . We rode back to it together side by side, our staff officers and escorts following. Sherman and Johnston had never met, but in the course of the previous months they had developed a healthy professional respect for one another. Alone in the parlor of a farmer named James Bennitt, Sherman passed Johnston the telegram from Stanton and watched his antagonist closely. The perspiration came out in large drops on his forehead, and he did not attempt to conceal his distress. He denounced the act as a disgrace to the age and hoped I did not charge it to the Confederate Government. I told him I could not believe that he or General Lee, or the officers of the Confederate army, could possibly be privy to acts of assassination; but I would not say as much for Jeff. Davis. The two soldiers quickly agreed that there should be no more fighting. But Sherman was bound by the terms that Grant had accorded Lee, and Johnston in theory was bound by the instructions that Davis had given him. The Virginian, prompted by his contempt for Jefferson Davis, had an idea: Why not make one job of it and settle the fate of all Confederates still under arms? Sherman was tempted, but he was also realistic. Could Johnston in fact deliver all armies to the Rio Grande? Johnston pointed out that Secretary of War Breckinridge was close at hand, and that Breckinridges orders would be obeyed anywhere. It was sunset when the two generals parted, to meet the following day. Shermans immediate task, on returning to his headquarters, was to break the news of Lincolns assassination. He first ordered all soldiers to camp, then issued a bulletin announcing the death of the president but exonerating the Confederate army from complicity in the assassination. Sherman and his generals watched their men closely. Many wept, and some demanded a final battle to avenge Lincoln, but Shermans handling of the announcement prevented any serious breakdown in discipline. On the morning of April 18, Sherman set off to meet with Johnston again, determined, in Shermans own words, to manifest real respect for Lincolns memory by following after his death that policy which, if living, I felt certain he would have approved. At the Bennitt farmhouse, the two men resumed their talks. Johnston asked Sherman about the status of whites in the South. Were they the slaves of the people of the North? Nonsense, Sherman replied; Southerners would be equal to us in all respects once they had submitted to Federal authority. Johnston was leading his conqueror into uncharted waters, but Sherman seemed oblivious to the danger. When Johnston suggested that they bring Breckinridge into their talks, Sherman at first refused, but when Johnston pointed out that Breckinridge might participate in his capacity as a Confederate general, Sherman assented. Johnston and Breckinridge attempted to outline terms for Daviss personal surrender, but Sherman refused to deal on the basis of individuals. Then a courier arrived with surrender terms drafted by Confederate postmaster general John Reagan in Greensboro. Sherman looked them over but set them aside as too general and verbose. He took pen in hand himself and began to write. At one point he rose, walked to his saddlebag, took out a bottle, and poured himself a long drink of whiskey. After sipping his drink at the window, he returned to his drafting. Shortly he passed a paper to Johnston with the remark Thats the best I can do. Shermans terms were sweeping. They called for all Confederate armies now in existence to be disbanded and all soldiers paroled. Existing state governments would continue, once their personnel had sworn allegiance to the Union. The inhabitants of all the Southern states were guaranteed their political rights, as defined by the Constitution. There was no mention of slavery, or of the status of former slaves. Shermans only hedge was in the final paragraph, where the signatories pledged to obtain the necessary authority . . . to carry out the above program. Sherman and Johnston signed the document and parted on warm terms. As Johnston and Breckinridge rode away, Johnston asked what Breckinridge thought of their antagonist. Oh, hes bright enough and a man of force, but Sherman is a hog, the Kentuckian responded. Did you see him take that drink by himself? asked Breckinridgewho was himself well known for his hard drinking. Johnston replied that Sherman had only been absentminded, but Breckinridge was unforgiving No Kentucky gentleman would ever have taken that bottle away. He knew how much we needed it. President Andrew Johnson was meeting with his Cabinet when Grant, who was there by special invitation, outlined the terms agreed to by Sherman and Johnston. The Cabinet was shocked: The terms went far beyond those of Appomattox and constituted a virtual peace treaty. Particularly galling was the section that recognized the legality of the state governments of the Confederacy. When it became clear that the administration would not accept Shermans agreement, Grant offered to go in person to Sherman and explain why his terms had been disapproved. The new president agreed to this suggestion and told Grant to order Sherman to annul the April 18 agreement and to draft new terms applicable only to Johnstons army. Meanwhile, Sherman and Johnston awaited word from their respective superiors. Grant sent Sherman a telegram, then departed by oceangoing steamer to Beaufort, South Carolina. There he would have to find a train to take him north. He kept his mission a secret because he wanted to avoid publicly embarrassing Sherman. The Confederate Cabinet agreed to Shermans terms on April 23, after Attorney General George Davis had noted cheerfully, Taken as a whole the convention amounts to this: that the states of the Confederacy shall reenter the old Union upon the same footing on which they stood before seceding from it. Sherman received Grants telegram that same day and took the rejection of his terms calmly. In the five days since the signing of the treaty, he may well have come to regret its scope, if not its spirit. He wrote Stanton on April 25 that I admit my folly in embracing in a military convention any civil matters, but added that he had understood from Stanton that the financial state of the country demanded military success and would warrant a little bending as to policy. I still believe that the General Government of the United States has made a mistake but that is none of my business. Sherman called for a third meeting, and on April 26, 17 days after Appomattox, he met Johnston again at Bennitts farm; Grant, who had by then arrived in Raleigh, remained discreetly behind. Sherman explained the need for new terms of surrender, and he and Johnston quickly signed a five-point convention. It surrendered Johnstons army but took no account of other Confederate forces and avoided all political matters. As with Lees army, officers and men were permitted to return to their homes. By establishing a rapport with Johnston, Sherman had effectively prevented any resort to guerrilla warfare on the part of Johnstons forcesthe result that he had feared most. Johnston, who may have anticipated a disavowal of Shermans April 18 terms, issued a brief statement to his soldiers: Lees surrender and the disintegration of the Confederacys industrial base had destroyed all hope of successful war. He had therefore surrendered, to spare the blood of this gallant little army, and to prevent further sufferings. So the war wound to a close. On May 4, at Mobile, Alabama, Confederate general Richard Taylor surrendered his AlabamaMississippi command in accordance with the terms granted Lee and Johnston. Three weeks later, on May 26, the trans-Mississippi forces of General E. Kirby Smiththe last Confederate army of any sizestacked their arms. President Davis and his entourage had been captured in Georgia on May 10; the Confederate president would be incarcerated for two years before being released in 1867. Two important figures, however, broke off from the Davis group and set out on their own: Breckinridge and Benjamin eventually made it to Cuba. Breckinridge later returned with a presidential pardon; Benjamin lived out a prosperous life in England. AS THE CONFEDERACY COLLAPSED, SHERMAN BECAME FURTHER INVOLVED in the surrender imbroglio. The way in which the administration repudiated his original terms soured relations between Sherman and Stanton, the acerbic secretary of war. In the course of informing the press of the terms that Sherman had offered Johnston, Stanton had suppressed a letter in which Grant had characterized Sherman as believing that he was acting in accordance with Lincolns wishes. Rather, Stanton announced that Sherman had deliberately ignored Lincolns instructions, as reiterated by President Johnson. Not content with these allegations of insubordination, Stan-ton charged Sherman with having made troop dispositions that would facilitate Daviss escape with his supposed hoard of Confederate gold, and virtually accused Sherman of disloyalty. The New York. Herald declared that Shermans splendid military career is ended; he will retire under a cloud. . . . With a few unlucky strokes of his pen, he has blurred all the triumphs of his sword. Sherman had not protested the overruling of his terms, but word of Stantons charges infuriated him. He wrote to Grant, saying that he had never in his life disobeyed an order, though many and many a time I have risked my life, health and reputation in obeying orders. Toward the end of May, Sherman appeared before the Committee on the Conduct of the War; he said that his April 18 terms, although not specifically authorized by Lincoln, would have been authorized by him had he lived. In Washington, Sherman took his revenge in the most public way possible. The capital celebrated the end of the war with a two-day military review. Shermans army paraded on the second day, May 24, and after passing President Johnson in the reviewing stand set up in front of the White House, Sherman dismounted and joined the reviewing party. He saluted the president and shook hands. But when Stanton, standing next to the president, started to extend his hand, Sherman, flushing deeply, ignored him; instead, the general shook hands with Grant and turned to watch the parade. Such was Shermans prestige that his discourtesy went without rebuke. Sherman never forgave Stanton. In contrast, the negotiations at Bennitts farmhouse began a lasting friendship between Sherman and Johnston. The Ohioan went on to become commanding general of the army, while Johnston served a term in Congress and was later appointed commissioner of railroads by President Grover Cleveland. When Sherman died in 1891reviled in the South but widely admired in the Northone of the honorary pallbearers was Joseph E. Johnston. The day of the funeral was cold and rainy, and Johnston was by then eighty-two. General, please put on your hat, a member of the party admonished. You might get sick. Johnston replied, If I were in his place, and he were standing here in mine, he would not put on his hat. In ten days, Johnston, too, was dead. MHQ JOHN M. TAYLOR has written extensively on historical subjects. His latest book, William Henry Seward: Lincolns Right Hand, was published in 1996 by Harper/Collins. This article originally appeared in the Spring 1991 issue (Vol. 3, No. 3) of MHQThe Quarterly Journal of Military History with the headline: The Second Surrender Want to have the lavishly illustrated, premium-quality print edition of MHQ delivered directly to you four times a year? Subscribe now at special savings! PASCAGOULA, Miss. -- The 29th annual Jackson County Industrial Trade Show is set for Tuesday in Pascagoula. The show is set to take place at the B.E. "Mac" McGinty Civic Center in Pascagoula from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The annual ribbon cutting will be held at 9:00 a.m. that in the Fair Hall next to the Civic Center. The show allows businesses of all sizes and many classifications to promote their products and services to other local businesses in one location. The trade show provides the environment of face to face interaction where attendees learn about new and existing products and opportunities. The chairwoman of this year's show is Melanie Landsiedel of Chevron -- keynote speaker will be Brian Cuccias, vice president of Huntington Ingalls Industries and president of Ingalls Shipbuilding. Cuccias began his shipbuilding career in 1979, with Litton Data Systems, where he served as a financial analyst on several Navy programs, including amphibious assault ships and Spruance- and Kidd-class destroyers. Since then, he has held several positions of increasing responsibility, including: assistant to the group vice president of Avondale Industries; sector vice president, material, for Northrop Grumman Ship Systems; program manager and vice president for Northrop Grumman's DDG 1000 program; and vice president, surface combatants, for Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding, which included Arleigh Burke-class (DDG 51) and Zumwalt-class (DDG 1000) destroyers and Coast Guard programs. Cuccias earned a bachelor's degree in accounting from the University of South Alabama and has attended executive education programs at Harvard Business School and the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School. He serves on the Mississippi Economic Council Board of Governors and on the board of directors for the Mississippi Partnership for Economic Development, the Jackson County Economic Development Foundation and the Salvation Army of Mobile. The show is one of many examples of economic and community support in the area throughout the year. Additionally, the Jackson County Industrial Suppliers Association (ISA) meets every other month at the Jackson County Chamber of Commerce. Sponsors for this year's show include: 2018 Gold Sponsors Chancellor, Inc. Chevron Hargrove Engineers + Constructors Ingalls Shipbuilding Mississippi Power Orion Engineering, Inc./Sirius Technical Services 2018 Silver Sponsors BrandSafway, LLC Brock Services, LLC Compton Engineering, Inc. Floore Industrial Contractors, Inc. IBEW Local Union 733 M & D Construction Company, Inc. Performance Contractors United Rentals VT Halter Marine, Inc. 2018 Reception Sponsor Zachry Industrial Hospitality Room Sponsor Merchants & Marine Bank Cable One Project Management Solutions Group, LLC (PMSG) Those interested in additional information regarding the trade show can contact the Jackson County Chamber of Commerce for information on attending or being featured at an ISA meeting or for general Chamber membership information. The Jackson County Chamber of Commerce is located at 720 Krebs Avenue in Pascagoula. More information can be found online at www.jcchamber.com. Fianna Fail Spokesperson on Arts & Heritage Niamh Smyth has written to the Clerk of the Public Accounts Committee apparently seeking to invite officials from the Creative Ireland programme to appear before members to explain programme costs. Deputy Niamh Smyth of Fianna Fail has issued a statement expressing concerns over the structures within Creative Ireland and is seeking clarification on a number of issues. Were only days away from one of this countrys biggest cultural celebrations and once again we have Creative Ireland in the news as a result of its huge spend on marketing," she said. The fact that almost one third of the programmes budget was spent on citizen engagement or marketing raises serious questions about the way in which it is being managed, the Fianna Fail TD claims. Over the past three months we have seen glossy inserts and newspaper supplements featuring the Taoiseach and government Ministers in both the national and regional press. "Almost 1m of taxpayers money was spent on these advertorials, videos and radio campaigns. Another 490,000 was allocated to promote the Creative Ireland programme at specific festivals. Creative Ireland was established last year but there is still no board and there appears to be a very laissez fair approach to spending. Advertisement "There is no centralised application system for festivals or arts projects to apply for funding, with the programme apparently allocating money as it sees fit. This surely poses serious transparency issues? The huge spends on marketing and promotion are astounding and raise questions about the programmes focus on publicity rather than on the arts itself. "Money allocated to Creative Ireland should be used for specific arts initiatives, not on publicising government Ministers, as appears to have been the case to date. "The issues around the allocation of funding to what appear to be cherry-picked festivals which were not subject to any application process also raise red flags. She concluded: I am hoping that these issues can be addressed fully by officials from Creative Ireland and I have asked that representatives from the programme be invited to appear before the Public Accounts Committee to explain how these budgeting decisions were arrived at." Brothers Harry and Alfie are about to take the world by storm as they get set to release their brand new EP 'Feel it Again,' but first, they've gifted us with 'Old Soul.' The boys are only just back from their 13 date US tour with Gabrielle Aplin and they're straight into work with a string of Irish tour dates coming up over the next few weeks to promote the release of their new EP 'Feel it Again.' The EP comes off the back of a sold-out headline UK and European tour, including a night at London's Scala, and will coincide with their Irish tour in March that will see the band play a sold out show at Dublin's Olympia Theatre on March 28th. The duo have accumulated a massive following over the years and now their Spotify fan base is at an all time high with over 550 thousand monthly listeners, as well as their 'Run With Me' single having over 1.2 million streams. The boys have also just announced that they will be playing at this years Bulmers Live at Leopardstown on June 21st. OCEAN SPRINGS, Mississippi -- For more than a year, motorists on U.S. 90 in eastern Ocean Springs would see the sign: "Gulf Coast Grill" with the words "Coming Soon" on the marquee. But "soon" wasn't exactly what happened. "Everyone who comes in here says 'What took so long?'" says owner Clint Taylor. Taylor explained that when the sign went up, he wasn't far from being ready to open the restaurant, located in the large building near Lakeview subdivision which was originally Salvetti Brothers restaurant and has housed several businesses since. But then a chef Taylor had worked with for many years, Jeremy Noffke, became available. "When I was able to get Jeremy here, I knew we could do so much more with the menu, so we went back to square one," Taylor said. "I believe he's the best chef in the state and I wanted to take advantage of that." And do more they did. With a nod to the various influences on Gulf Coast cuisine over the centuries, Gulf Coast Grill offers an eclectic menu unlike any other local restaurant. From appetizers such as the House Cevicche and Coast Trash (fries covered in beef debris gravy queso, green onions, chili ranch sauce and "angry" ketchup) to Oysters Laplace (roasted with smoked andouille and panko crust) to Old Bilocci fish -- the Gulf Coast Grill menu is a veritable history of coast cuisine. Which is just what Taylor intended. "There's a regional cuisine here that's like no other in the world," says Taylor, who had owned and operated restaurants in the Hattiesburg area for 27 years. "It involves 200 years of Spanish rule, 100 years of French rule, a Caribbean and African influence that came into the ports, then the Croatian influence and the Vietnamese influence -- all off this makes this a true melting pot for regional cuisine. "It's like nowhere else and it's great. People along the coast love this cuisine because it's theirs," he continued. "So instead of coming down here with the attitude of 'We're going to show them how it's done,' what we wanted to do was come down here with great respect for the 300 years of rich food history in the area. "We want it to be everything that's good about the Gulf Coast. We want people to be able to come in here and get a slice of that." Since Salvetti's closed at that location in the late 2000's, there have been several restaurants which have come and gone, most recently a La Fiesta Brava. Taylor said he's aware of the location's somewhat checkered past, but believes the time is right for a business to be successful there. "I've done a lot of research on this building and this area," he said, "and it's my belief that this is a good piece of real estate, a well-designed building that's big enough to do what you want to with it, but I believe it was built 15 years ahead of its time." Taylor notes that Ocean Springs continues to grow to the east, which is why he approached the La Fiesta Brava owner about taking over the location. He had been doing some consulting work for La Fiesta Brava and commuting down from Hattiesburg. "I'd been coming down for more than a year and the more time I spent in this area and the more I interacted with the people here, I just fell in love with Ocean Springs and this eastern part of the Gulf Coast," he said. Gulf Coast Grill, finally, opened its doors on Feb. 12 -- doing so with little fanfare. "We quietly opened the doors and let people trickled in while we mastered what we were doing," Taylor said. "But then I got scared, because after two weeks the flood gates didn't exactly open. I was sitting around in a half-empty restaurant, worried I had made a grave mistake." But thanks to word of mouth and good food reviews from customers, things have begun to pick up. Among those singing the praises of Gulf Coast Grill are Ocean Springs alderman Rob Blackman and police chief Mark Dunston, both of whom made a point to contact The Mississippi Press to offer their endorsement. "It's all because I've got the right chef," Taylor says of Noffke. "He's the best I've ever worked with. I'm lucky to have him." In addition to the menu items already mentioned, there are many other eye-catching offerings, including an extensive fresh fish menu, which allows diners to choose from a variety of preparation styles. "I really wanted to focus on this great bounty of great seafood that comes out of the Gulf that I can get fresh seven days a week," Taylor said. "Not enough restaurants take advantage of that." Steaks are another area of emphasis for Gulf Coast Grill. Offerings include a 13-ounce Angus New York Strip and a 14-ounce Angus ribeye. Also listed in the steak section is "The Vancleaver" -- a 14-ounce chopped hamburger steak with pepper gravy, grilled onions and mushrooms. Steaks are served with Brabant potatoes and roasted asparagus. There are also a few of what Taylor calls "weird, funky" items on the menu, including fried chicken livers and a Vietnamese pork belly Bahn Mi sandwich. "Why? For no other reason than to give it a try," Taylor explained. "The Vietnamese Bahn Mi sticks out like a sore thumb on the menu, because it's the only Vietnamese item. But it's a tribute to the Vietnamese culture on the Gulf Coast. It's a part of this Gulf Coast tapestry of food we have here. "By the way, we're selling a lot of chicken livers." There are also daily dinner specials, frequently featuring fresh seafood, listed on large chalkboards inside the main entrance. Currently, Gulf Coast Grill is open only for dinner, starting at 4 p.m. seven days a week. Taylor said he hopes business will dictate opening for lunch at some point in the future, but for now he prefers to focus on making the dinner experience the best it can be. There is a well-appointed bar area, including patio area where food is also served. Cocktails are made the old-fashioned way, with fresh-squeezed juices and homemade syrups and bitters. There are several local craft beers on tap, as well. "We try to keep the bar and patio open until midnight, but the bar crowd really hasn't found us yet," Taylor said. Gulf Coast Grill is located at 4505 Bienville Blvd. in Ocean Springs. A full menu can be found at the restaurant website. The Tivoli has spoiled us with some great metal gigs in the months past, and tonights show is no different. Featuring three support acts that are at the forefront of their respective genres, its to no surprise that the venue is sold out with elated fans. In support of their latest album Machine Messiah, Sepultura once again play on Irish soil to a frenzied and unified audience. Unusually for a tour such as this, each supporting act are as impressively diverse as the next, each meriting their own headline slot. Opening the nights proceedings are deathcore outfit Fit for an Autopsy. Performing their first Irish show, the band kick off the evening with a pulverising blow. Commanding every bit of the stage, using it as a podium to preach their brand of musical brutality. FFAA are the heaviest band on the card, with their latest album being hailed as one of the most inspiring heavy albums of the decade. Finishing with the politically charged Black Mammoth, the New Jersey band are a hard act to follow. In step Goatwhore, with a somewhat incapacitated Louis Benjamin Falgoust, having to perch himself on an equipment case due to a leg injury. This however, does not stop him completely taking charge of both the stage and the audience. Leading the crowd into a charge with Chaos Arcane, aided by Zach Simmons powerhouse drumming. German death metal outfit Obscura are well loved for their unfathomable ability and technical talent on their instruments. Playing their guitars at incredible speeds while looking effortless is something in itself worth witnessing. Enjoying every second on stage, Obscura had a surprising amount of smiles on their faces - somewhat of a rarity for a death metal act! The sense of anticipation for our headliners to take the stage is almost tangible. Bursting onto the stage with new song I am the Enemy, vocalist Derrek Green towers over the audience - who lose their collective minds at the sight of the four Brazilians. Playing live for 30+ years, Sepultura still possess the relentless energy and passion that brought them to their legendary status. Demanding that same energy from the audience, the crowd in the Tivoli respond with frenzied appreciation. While performing chugging anthem Resistant Parasites, a crowd-surfer emerges from the audience brandishing his smartphone - on fire. Its quite a sight, much to the delight of some onlookers. Axe man Andreas Kisser announces that this year marks the 20 year anniversary of Derrick Green in Sepultura, followed by a brutal rendition of Against. Most songs improve with regular performances, and so its a common frustration with many bands that they only realise exactly how their album should have sounded once theyve finished touring it. Veteran Irish rockers The Stunning always an excellent live proposition released their hit sophomore album, Once Around The World, way back in 1992 (the follow-up to their 1990 classic Paradise In The Picturehouse). Although it topped the charts here, the band themselves were never fully happy with the recording. The album also features two new songs Brighten Up My Life and recent single Always You. The latter track, in particular, is an absolute gem that benefits hugely from the superb female backing vocals on its infectiously catchy chorus: For you, yes its you, always you/If you fall Ill be the one youll fall into. This is an absolute no-brainer for Stunning fans. If you loved the first one, then youll certainly appreciate this second spin. Twice could also earn the band many new admirers. Senator Ivana Bacik has welcomed the success of the campaign being organised by the students to oppose the proposed imposition of a new fee for supplemental examinations within the College. Trinity College Dublin is planning to introduce a 450 flat-fee for those who re-sit examinations. The Labour Senator for Dublin University was speaking yesterday in the Front Square of Trinity College Dublin by invitation of the TCD Students Union at the conclusion of the students occupation of Trinity. Senator Bacik said: As a Senator for Dublin University, I welcome the students action in opposing this proposed new fee, which is also being opposed by academic and non-academic staff alike as well as students within Trinity." Advertisement @ivanabacik @labour congratulating the Trinity student body on a historic victory against the corpotatisation of third level education #TakeBackTrinity pic.twitter.com/791P9Vk312 Adam Hurley (@ATMH1994) March 15, 2018 She added: "This new fee proposal may be seen as representing an ongoing process of commodification of education, a process which is of concern to many of us and which is being opposed under the inclusive slogan #TakeBackTrinity. "It is good to see the students taking a stand on this, and I will continue to support them in calling on the Trinity College Board to reconsider their decision and withdraw this new fee. Earlier in the week, Both Labour Party Education spokesperson, Senator Aodhan O Riordain and Fianna Fail Spokesperson on Education Thomas Byrne TD spoke out against the proposed introduction of new fees for supplemental repeat examinations at Trinity College Dublin. I was delighted to show my support for all @tcddublin students protesting today #TakeBackTrinity https://t.co/O4tdXW2L1d Ivana Bacik (@ivanabacik) March 15, 2018 Advertisement Thomas Byrne pointed out: "This means that students who fail just one examination will be forced to shell out an exorbitant amount of money to allow them progress with their degree. "This approach differs to other universities which have a more modest fee per repeat examination." Labour Party Education spokesperson, Senator Aodhan O Riordain, has called on Trinity College Dublin to reverse the decision to introduce a fee of 450 to repeat exams. Senator O Riordain said: The outrageous decision by Trinity College Dublin to introduce a high fee of 450 to repeat exams will price many students out of college. The idea that students, who often need to repeat exams due to personal circumstances, will now have to pay a fee that is fifteen per cent of the annual college fees is ridiculous and may see many students drop out of college courses in TCD as a consequence" Advertisement He added: Trinity College need to clarify immediately what the process was in place for making this decision, and what engagement took place with the student representatives. Was the Department of Education aware that this movement was afoot? From an institution that is capable of purchasing a 1.95 million apartment for their Provost who couldnt handle noise during the Luas Cross City works, it is scandalous that students in a vulnerable position will now see these types of charges imposed on them. I fully support the students who are protesting today and the Minister for Education needs to engage with the college authorities and demand the reversal of this decision. Fianna Fail Spokesperson on Education Thomas Byrne TD said that Minister Bruton "needs to set out his view on this matter". He added: I have concerns that the approach taken by TCD could be testing the waters for other universities to follow-suit. "Its not acceptable that students who fail just one exam are being hit with punitive repeat fees." Great to see students pic.twitter.com/e0Bkv9nNK7 Ivana Bacik (@ivanabacik) March 15, 2018 Futures: at least a 10 minute delay. Information is provided 'as is' and solely for informational purposes, not for trading purposes or advice. To see all exchange delays and terms of use, please see disclaimer As an existing print subscriber it is easy to get FREE access to all our online content. When you click get started below it will walk you through creating an online account to attach your print subscription number to. After your account is created it will ask you to either add a subscription for online access or click on the print subscriber button. Click the print subscriber button header and it will open a dropdown, now click on get started. The page will reload and you will be prompted to enter an account number and a zip code. IT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO USE THE NUMBER OFF OF THE MOST RECENT ISSUE OR ANYTHING AFTER JANUARY 28, 2019 TO GAIN ACCESS! OLD ACCOUNT NUMBERS WILL NOT WORK The account number and zip code are easily available on your most recent issue of the High Plains Journal or Midwest Ag Journal in the address fields as is shown here. Sometimes the account number has extra zero's in front of it, just ignore those. Subscribing to our services is a three step process. First you have to create an account and then you have to pick if you want to subscribe to digital and or print. Some people only want to be a digital subscriber to get access online and others want to also receive the print edition. If you are already a print subscriber and want online access, it is free, you simply have to create an online account and then attach your print subscription account number to the online account you create. University of Waterloo students say they want more mental health support on campus, and faster. After a 22-year-old student died by suicide on campus this Monday, the asks for sufficient resources are increasing. "If you don't state that basically you're suicidal, then you're not going to get help for a while," Lee Mousa told CBC News. She has been studying at the university for five years and uses counselling services regularly. From intake to getting that first appointment with a counsellor can take weeks to months, and follow-up appointments with psychiatrists for medication can take two months, she said. Compared to the number of students and the number of people who require support, she said "there are just so few counsellors." "Just making appointments with them, they are completely booked every day of the week their entire work hours, because that's just how busy they are," Mousa said. Seeing a counsellor or psychologist off campus is also out of the budget for many students, she added. There will be a report released next week about student mental health on campus and recommendations for making improvements. Staffing and support Currently, there are 22 full-time equivalent counselling services staff and 2 full-time equivalent psychiatrists serving 31,380 undergraduate students and 5,290 graduate students. Last year, there have been a number of psychologists that left the university. Walter Mittelstaedt, director of campus wellness, said contract workers have been hired to support counselling services as the university works to fill all permanent positions. Aside from counselling services, there are 24/7 hotlines offered by the university and mental health workshops on campus. However, Mousa said they don't always work for her. "I have a lot of anxiety around talking on the phone and things like that. When I'm feeling really down or upset, it's just not something I feel like I have the energy to do," she said. Due to urgency, she had to visit Grand River Hospital because she simply couldn't wait until her next appointment. She also knows someone who was hospitalized because they were unable to get help in time, "a consequence" of not having enough staff in counselling services. "It leads people to desperate places that otherwise they might not have reached, because they would have gotten the support they needed," she said. While the school tries its best to get rapid attention for students needing urgent help, those who are struggling but are not deemed as critical, might feel like they are being turned away. "And to me that just seems a little ridiculous, because it kind of puts the idea into people's heads that if you are not at that extreme state, then your feelings and your issues, they don't matter," Mousa said. Student mental health report Mittelstaedt said on March 14, there will be a report coming out from President's Advisory Committee on Student Mental Health, which will talk about what is happening on campus and what the recommendations are, moving forward. The report will not only address some of the mental health staffing issues, but also look at the culture that exists on campus and how it might affect students. "There's some built-in stress, there's some built-in isolation, when people leave home. We just can't let that happen," said Mittelstaedt. "Naturally, I think there are things we can do to assist students when they're feeling that way." Sarah Welton, who is organizing an event to ask administration for better mental health resources, said the school can be "rather alienating and toxic," and it needs to change. "There are a lot of students that do end up feeling really isolated, and then we end up having these things happening." Franz Alt: After the terrorist attack in Paris, you said, There are days when I think it would be better if there were no religions! What did you mean? Dalai Lama: The knowledge and the practice of religion has of course been helpful, but today this is no longer enough, as examples from all over the world show more and more clearly. This is true of all religions, including Christianity and Buddhism. Wars have been waged in the name of religion, holy wars even. Religions have been and still are frequently intolerant. This is why I say that in the 21st century we need a new ethic that transcends all religions. Far more crucial than religion is our elementary human spirituality. Its a predisposition owards love, kindness and affection that we all have within us, whatever religion we belong to. In my view, people can do without religion, but they cannot do without inner values, without ethics. FA: What gave you the idea that we need more spirituality than the traditional religions have to offer? DL: Ive been in Indian exile for 56 years. Its a society that lives by a secular ethic. Mahatma Gandhi was profoundly religious, but he was also a secular spirit. He was a great admirer of Jesus and his pacifism of the Sermon on the Mount. Hes my role model because he embodied religious tolerance. This tolerance is a deeply rooted force in India. With very few exceptions, we find not only Hindus, Sikhs, Muslims and Christians living there in peace, but also Jainists, Buddhists, Jews, agnostics and atheists. FA: Among the six billion believers in the world, there are many who do not take their own religion seriously. DL: Among those six billion there are unfortunately many corrupt people who only pursue their own interests. But there will only be more external peace on Earth when theres more internal peace. This is true of all the conflicts going on nowUkraine, the Middle East, Afghanistan, Nigeria. Almost everywhere, religious fundamentalism is one of the causes for war. We know very well that it would be tantamount to collective suicide if we were to risk nuclear war. This alone shows how dependent we are on one another. Modern neurobiological research suggests very strongly that altruistic behaviour is more rewarding than egoism. People dont have to be selfish; they can just as easily be altruistic and gear their activities to the welfare of others. Altruism makes us happier! Happiness isnt just a coincidence; its a capacity that every individual has at their disposal. Step by step we can transform the factors that militate against happiness. This is true of individuals and the whole of society. The aim of secular ethic is to free us of long-term suffering and to develop the ability to support others in the pursuit of happiness. One aspect of compassion is the spontaneous willingness to act for the welfare of others. FA: You attach great importance to modern brain research. Why? DL: Our brain is a learning organ. Neuropsychology tells us that we can train our brains like we train our muscles. In this way we can be consciously recipient to the fine and the good, we can influence our brains positively and overcome whats negative. With the aid of mind and spirit we can change our brains for the better. This is revolutionary progress. Thanks to this progress were now more certain of the fact that ethics, compassion and social behaviour are things were born with, while religion is something instilled into us. The conclusion from that is that ethics runs deeper and is more natural than religion. FA: What questions must we ask ourselves to further develop our capacity for compassion? DL: Are we open-minded or narrow-minded? Have we considered the whole situation or are we only concerned with partial aspects? Are we thinking and acting holistically? Do we genuinely look at things in a long-term perspective or only in the short term? Are our actions truly motivated by sincere compassion? Is our compassion limited to family and friends because were largely able to identify with them? We must reflect, reflect, reflect. And we need research, research and more research. Ethics has mainly to do with our spiritual condition and not with the formal membership in a religious community. We must overcome our self-imposed restrictions and learn to understand the views of others. In the present conflict in Ukraine, this means that eastern Europe needs western Europe and western Europe needs eastern Europe. So talk to each other! Realise that we are living in an age of globalisation. The new motto must be, Your interests are our interests. Fundamentalism is always harmful. Yesterdays ideas will get us nowhere. Especially for children, tomorrows adults, ethics is more important than religion. Egoism, natinonalism and violence are the wrong course. The most important question for a better world is: How can we serve each other? FA: Every day we wipe out 150 animal and plant species, blow 150 million tons of greenhouse gases into the air. What can a secular ethic do to stop this? DL: Mindfulness, education, respect, tolerance, caring and non-violence. In the last century we made huge progress in material terms. All in all, this was a good thing. But this progress has also led to the crippling damage were doing to the environment. In the 21st century we must learn, cultivate and apply inner values at all levels. There are two ways of looking at human nature. One of them says that by nature human beings are violent, ruthless and aggressive. The other view is that were naturally attuned to kindness, harmony and living in peace. This second view is my own. Accordingly, I dont consider ethics to be a collection of commandments and prohibitions for us to observe and adhere to, but a natural, inner drive that can inspire us to seek happiness and satisfaction for ourselves and others. The very simple wish that inspires me is to contribute to the greater good of humanity and the living world. Ethical instruction from about the age of 14 is more important than religion. Education changes everything. People are capable of learning. In Germany we can see this from the fall of the Berlin Wall. Witnessing that was an unforgettable experience for me. FA: What can each and every one of us do to make the world a more peaceful and a better place? DL: If we want to make this world a better place, then we have to become better ourselves. We have to see our enemies as human beings. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus calls this loving your enemy. In our own best interests, we should do everything in our power to ensure that all living beings can thrive. For that we need spiritual schooling and education of the heart. The real enemy is the enemy within, not the external one. External enmities never last, and the enmity between China and Tibet is no exception. If we respect our enemies, there is hope that some day they can become our friends. This is why my allegiance to non-violence is unswerving. Thats an intelligent form of love of enemies. Intense meditation tells us that enemies can become our best friends. In this way we can achieve greater serenity, greater compassion and greater acumen. Then we have a real chance of making the 21st century a century of peace, a century of dialogue, and a century of caring, responsible and compassionate humanity. IATH NEWS Data-Driven Approaches to Identifying a Gerrymander March 16, 2018 The University of Virginia's Quantitative Collaborative (QC) will host Moon Duchin of Tufts University to speak on Wednesday, March 21st, 12-1:30pm in the Cocke Hall Library, on "Data-Driven Approaches to Identifying a Gerrymander." The event is co-sponsored by the Mathematics and Politics Departments. Abstract: The courts have struggled for decades to decide when a districting plan is excessively skewed. New technical methodscomparing a plan to an ensemble drawn from the space of all possible mapsmight provide the needed breakthrough, and have had an excellent track record in courts in the last year. I'll survey the recent developments and turn an eye on Wisconsin, North Carolina, and Pennsylvania. Prof. Duchin is an associate professor of Mathematics, a senior fellow in the Jonathan M. Tisch College of Civic Life, and the director of the Program in Science, Technology, and Society at Tufts University. Her pure math work is in geometry, topology, groups, and dynamics. Her work in applied pure math is focused on redistricting: she is currently collaborating with civil rights organizers, coders, political scientists, lawyers, geographers, and philosophers on a large-scale project to detect and address gerrymandering. In 2016, she founded the Metric Geometry and Gerrymandering Group, a Boston-based team of mathematicians studying applications of geometry and computing to U.S. redistricting. She recently served as a consulting expert for Governor Tom Wolf of Pennsylvania in the court-ordered scramble to remake PA's congressional map. QC provides an organizational umbrella that supports faculty and graduate students who employ quantitative methods to analyze social behavior. it aims to encourage nascent partnerships across the quantitative social sciences in the exploration of new avenues of research, and in tackling key issues. It looks to build informal, interdisciplinary networks and disseminate the most recent advances in the field to faculty, graduate students, and undergraduates. School administrators presented the plan to the School Committee on Wednesday night. Pittsfield Schools Look To Revamp Therapeutic Program PITTSFIELD, Mass. School administrators are looking to revamp the therapeutic program. The district is expecting to see a $1.1 million increase in state support for education and Superintendent Jason McCandless wants to use a portion of that to bolster the program for those with the most social, emotional, and academic needs at the elementary school level. "We feel our students in this program are not making the academic gains as they should," Deputy Superintendent Joseph Curtis said. The district now wants to allocate an additional $385,000 to the program, which will ultimately hire for six new positions. The elementary school program will then be shifted under one roof at Crosby Elementary. Curtis said there will five classrooms to serve about 50 students. Those classrooms will be clustered together in the area currently for the preschool program. Each of those classrooms will have a licensed elementary content teacher, licensed special education teacher, and an experienced paraprofessional. That level of staffing helps keep the content teaching moving whereas now it is often interrupted by students having a crisis. "Currently the model is that there is one licensed special education teacher in each classroom," Curtis said. The district would also look to hire a full-time director to oversee that particular program. Curtis said even when he was a principal at Morningside, where two classrooms are currently located, he couldn't give enough attention to those students. The new director would have his full attention on that program and be readily available for the parents of those children. The program will also have a full-time school adjustment counselor and full time registered behavior technician dedicated to it. Curtis said the district will provide a significant amount of professional support to the co-teachers who will co-create and co-teach the lesson plans. The district is also working with Hillcrest Educational to bring in outside expertise to help implement the newly revamped program. The district is also looking to include a late start on Wednesday to provide time for the teachers and paraprofessionals to game plan but that has to be agreed to by the parents so isn't finalized yet. "It is not simply we put two adults in the same space. They will need a lot of professional support," Curtis said. The ultimate hope is that the students get back into regular classrooms, though the administrators acknowledge that isn't always possible. "We are holding a high standard for this and we want to increase our inclusion rates," Curtis said. Currently, the therapeutic classrooms from kindergarten to third grade are at Crosby and fourth and fifth are at Morningside. The upper levels have different special education programs for the students. Moving the entire program to Crosby provides easier management of the program and eliminates the transitions a student makes. For example, if in second grade a student at Allendale is determined to need a therapeutic program, then he has to switch schools to Crosby. And then later switch to Morningside. By having them all under one roof, there is a more cohesive structure. Additionally, Curtis said there is a rear entrance to the space for community service providers such as the Brien Center to use if a student is in a crisis. "This is an interesting solution to a very complicated problem. I'm so impressed with this concept because these are the kids who need the most," Mayor Linda Tyer said of the plan. In total, the project would use the existing staff but add the five elementary school content teachers and a director. McCandless told the story of a student who went through the elementary school therapeutic programs, went back to the classroom, and later graduated as one of the top two students in the high school. "There can be great things that happen with those students," McCandless said. McCandless said "there is an absolute crisis level need to subvert the school to prison pipeline" and the best way is to work with the students as early as possible. "It is really what we feel ethically and educationally obligated to do," McCandless said. The $385,000 to revamp that program is coupled with $600,000 to keep the entire district even in terms of staffing and programming and restore kindergarten paraprofessionals to create a total increase of $985,000 to next year's budget. That would be offset by the state's $1.1 million increase. Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito checks out the Ashuwillticook Rail Trail and Berkshire Scenic Railway with the railway's Pam Green, right, and Selectwoman Christine Hoyt. Polito visiting in Cheshire. Getting updated on projects in Adams. PreviousNext Polito Gets Updates on State-Funded Projects in Adams, Cheshire Polito meets with Cheshire Selectmen Edmund St. John IV and Carol Francesconi, with state Rep. John Barrett III. ADAMS, Mass. Lt. Governor Karyn Polito made the rounds through Berkshire County on Thursday and made stops in both Adams and Cheshire to discuss current and future projects. She swung by the Adams Visitors Center to get an update on the Berkshire Scenic Rail project for which the state, in 2016, awarded $2.6 million in MassWorks funds to finish the last stretch of the rail and to fund the installation of a passenger platform. "This was an important project for us," Polito said. "You have private investment in this project and have created a partnership with the business community. It does allow you to brand your community as a destination. All this is evident here and that is why we used MassWorks funds for this project." The purchase and development of the rail line between North Adams and Adams by the state allowed the nonprofit Berkshire Scenic Railway Museum to begin offering scenic rides that officials in both communities are hoping will draw tourists and spark development. The railway's Jay Green went over different functions held on the historic Budd Car as well as marketing initiatives. He added that businesses and hotels in Northern Berkshire county have noticed an uptick in business when the train runs and said the next challenge is to connect the train to Western Gateway Heritage State Park in North Adams and take advantage of proposed development in that area. "The North Adams end has just as much potential as it does down here, if not a little more because the investments already made into Heritage State Park," he said. "So the hard part is the physical infrastructure because the track that we operate on does not really connect to the park." Riders would have to cross several active tracks to reach the park; on the Adams end, a new welcome station and platform will be right across the street from the Visitors Center on Hoosac Street. Polito said she was excited to come back for a ride when the platform has been built and the Hoosac Station is in full working order. Interim Town Administrator Donna Cesan said the Hoosac Street area is a focus of the town that will act as both a gateway to the train and the eventual Greylock Glen. "We feel between the train and Greylock Glen, that is going to be transformative for the town of Adams," she said. "It is going to make us a player in Berkshire County tourism. We have never been that before and it will make a significant difference in our local economy." Selectman Joseph Nowak thanked Polito for paying the town a visit and reiterated how important the glen project was to the town. "Id like to thank you for coming and I see that you are always all over the state," he said. "This is just a piece of the puzzle as we are getting more into the tourism game. I just hope you can give us a hand because this project is needed if we are going to move our community forward." Polito agreed and said it is on the administration's radar. She urged the town to continue to work with its state representatives. "We are looking at this and I appreciate seeing all of the other assets you have that link into the project. It is very helpful," she said. "We appreciate all that you do to help grow the economy here." Before heading north to Adams, Polito had been to several smaller towns to sign Community Compacts and was in North Adams to cut the ribbon on the new North Berkshire Academy. She also stopped in Cheshire for a roundtable discussion with the Board of Selectmen. Chief among the topics was education and funding challenges the Adams-Cheshire Regional School District faces. "I know that there are educational challenges especially with declining enrollment that is a serious issue," she said. "We want to be able to address that and begin to grow enrollment. That is the key: getting families to live here, start their families here and be the next generation that moves this county forward." Selectman Edmund St. John IV got Polito up to speed with the consolidation of the district and the closing of Cheshire Elementary School. He said the charter school reimbursement formula continues to be a problem. Polito said she has heard similar stories throughout the region and that the state has invested in studies to survey opportunities for consolidation. St. John added that although Chapter 70 and 71 funds have not decreased, the community could always use more. Polito said Gov. Charlie Baker's administration has made an effort to grow local aid by the same rate of growth as state revenues. She anticipated local aid would only increase as it goes through the budget process. "I don't see, given the rate of growth in our economy, that these numbers will go down," she said. State Rep. John Barrett III, who was present at the meeting, had a more specific concern with how the funding formula affects smaller school districts. "We somehow have to create a funding formula that is going to work because it is not working here and when I look at the condition of some of our school buildings, if we don't do something we are going to be in trouble at our funding level," he said. "We have great teachers and students but if we continue to base funding on a number it is going to kill us." Polito said the administration will continue to work with the community on this matter. She went on to ask how the town has utilized its Community Compact funds and St. John explained that the funds went toward the development of a Master Plan that was completed last year. Polito said she was happy the funds were able to help solidify the town's vision. "That is what is great about the compact program because first of all it is voluntary, and it is funded and it is your choice of what you want to work on," she said. "And with this, you held listening sessions and there was community engagement and you started talking about the future and redefining your vision of what comes next and what you want to work on." St. John said the plan also outlined ways in which the town can capitalize on its natural resources and the Ashuwillticook Rail Trail. Polito said a recent "Rail and Trail" initiative could be a benefit to the town. "We want to enhance and expand the trails networks in our commonwealth," she said. "If we can provide you some assistance with your planning efforts to connect to other public spaces and making these trails more connected throughout the county. "It is unbelievable how much the communities really appreciate having the amenities the resource and the quality of life that comes from it but also the economic value that it brings to an area." Town Administrator Mark Webber added the trail ties into the town's pending Complete Streets application that looks to overhaul Depot and Railroad streets, which align with the trail that runs along a former railroad line. "That makes the neighborhood more accessible ... and with people coming to use the trail, you need appropriate places to park and access the trail," Polito said. "That is great." Polito also was happy to hear that Cheshire may join the Green Communities program and try to replace its streetlights with LED lights. "We can help you plan, then we can help you pay for it," she said. "It helps our state meet our energy efficiency goals. We are No. 1 in the country and we would like to stay that way but we cannot do that alone." Instructors in online courses demonstrate gender and racial bias in their interactions with students, a new study finds. White men are more likely than all other racial and gender groups to receive teacher responses to questions and comments they posted on course message boards, according to a working paper from the Stanford Center for Education Policy Analysis. The study only included college-level courses, but the results have broader relevance, the studys authors writeonline courses are gaining in popularity at all levels of education, including in K-12. It isnt clear exactly how many K-12 students are taking supplemental online courses currently, but best estimates suggest that the number is around 2.7 million . Researchers conducted the study in 124 college-level massive open online courses, or MOOCsvirtual classes accessible to anyone on the internet, regardless of university affiliation. Of the courses included in the study, 56.5 percent were STEM-focused, and 58 percent had a white male instructor. They then posted comments in the discussion sections of these courses, registered under student profiles with names commonly associated with women and men of different racial and ethnic identities: white, black, Indian, and Chinese. Overall, instructors responded to seven percent of all comments posted as part of the study. But they responded to more than 12 percent of all messages posted by white menalmost double the share of messages they responded to for other racial and gender groups. Other students in the MOOCs are also able to respond to student-generated posts on discussion boardsresearchers found that white women are significantly more likely to respond to posts by other white women. Taking a closer look at teacher bias, the instructors identity was especially significant: White men are even more likely to get a response when the teacher is also a white man. White men also see a greater advantage when posting questions and comments with a social focusfor example, a post asking about where people in the class were from. Questions with a purely academic focusabout due dates, or how to complete an assignmentarent addressed by professors at statistically different rates across race and gender. This finding suggests that implicit bias may be motivating instructors behavior, the researchers write. Professors may be more likely to see addressing an academic question as a contractually obligated duty, while engaging in social conversation as a choice. They may be subconsciously more comfortable and willing to forge that connection with a person from their in-group. These results show that some of the patterns of bias teachers demonstrate in physical classrooms can be reproduced in virtual learning spaces, the authors say. A long line of research demonstrates that teachers show racial and gender bias in interactions with students in brick-and-mortar schools. Some examples the study cites: White teachers are more likely to rate black students behavior as negative than similar behavior from white students, and teachers give more attention to, and interact more with, boys than girls in elementary school classrooms. An online classroom is still a social space, the researchers write, and students identities still matter. Teacher expectations about student character and academic potential can have serious consequences, affecting students future achievement, as Education Week has covered . So how can schools and educators address bias in online courses? Instead of erasing students identitiesfor instance, making all students anonymousthe researchers recommend that architects of these virtual learning environments can use technology to intentionally create a more equitable learning space. Developers can include design features that make instructors more aware of who they favor in course interactions, and guide them to devote equitable attention to all of their students. See more: Israels Netanyahu Slams Iran Nuclear Deal The Fellowship | March 15, 2018 Israel's Netanyahu Slams Iran Nuclear Deal In an interview with Fox News during his recent visit to the U.S., Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the Iranian nuclear deal has paved the way for Iran to fund aggression and terrorist activity. He said Iran must be stopped from continuing these malevolent acts. Also this week in Israel in the News: The Jerusalem Post reports that a top intelligence official in the Trump administration has warned of a real potential of war between Israel and Hezbollah that could bring Iran into the conflict. Earlier this week, Palestinian Authority Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah survived an apparent assassination attempt in northern Gaza when a bomb exploded in his motorcade. According to reports from the Reuters News Agency, the Israeli special defense forces hosted U.S. Marines this week for an urban combat drill. The maneuvers took place in response to growing U.S. concerns about the missile arsenal of the Iranian-backed Hezbollah terrorists in Lebanon. Security officials from Israel, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, Oman, and the United Arab Emirates met at the White House to discuss ideas on how to address the humanitarian challenges in Gaza. The Associated Press reports that around one-third of all Jewish immigrants to Israel get support from evangelical Christians. The Fellowship founder and President Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein called the work of Christians helping Jews an amazing thing. This weeks Israel in the News Perspective features The Fellowships Executive Vice President Yael Eckstein on the modern State of Israel. Finance & Development, March 2018, Vol. 55, No. 1 PDF version Digital Crusaders Technology offers weapons for the battle against corruption Chris Wellisz Oleksii Sobolev was a fund manager by day and a pro-democracy protester by night. After work, he would leave his office at Dragon Asset Management in Kiev to join the crowds camped out in Independence Square demanding the resignation of a president they viewed as corrupt. Sobolev handed out food and helped clean up the square. When police started firing at the so-called Maidan protesters, he brought tires that were burned to create a protective curtain of smoke. The saying was, Fires save lives, Sobolev recalls. Ukraines president ended up in exile, and Sobolev gave up managing money to take an unpaid advisory post helping to restructure state-owned enterprises. Four years later, he has put his business skills to work fighting corruption, a problem that continues to bedevil the eastern European country of 44 million people. Ukraine ranked 131st among 176 countries on Transparency Internationals Corruption Perceptions Index 2016. Sobolevs team of activists created an electronic auction system that brought transparency to notoriously murky sales of public assets ranging from bank loans to scrap metal. In its first 13 months, the system, ProZorro.Sale, handled $210 million, almost as much as the money raised from conventional privatization sales in the past five years, says Max Nefyodov, Ukraines first deputy economy minister. Thats a significant boost for the cash-strapped Ukrainian government. Sobolev belongs to a new breed of idealistic young people who are using digital technologies to promote transparency and integrity. Just as smartphones and social media helped empower popular uprisings from Ukraine to Tunisia, 21st century technologies such as blockchain and big data offer powerful new weapons against corruption, a phenomenon that dates back at least as far as the first century BC, when Julius Caesar secured the office of Pontifex Maximus by greasing voters palms. Corruption's toll Worldwide, bribery alone is estimated to cost as much as $2 trillion a year, about equal to the GDP of Italy and many times the $142 billion in global development aid. But corruption takes a much bigger toll, according to a 2016 IMF study Corruption: Costs and Mitigating Strategies. It discourages private investment, curbing economic growth. Corrupt officials channel public funds to wasteful projects that generate bribes, depleting funds that could be spent on health, education, and other services that benefit the poor. And young people have little incentive to acquire new skills in societies where who they know is more important than what they know. Countries that are less corrupt have higher growth rates, have higher levels of GDP, and have higher levels on the Human Development Index of the United Nations, which measures things like life expectancy and years of schooling, says Susan Rose-Ackerman, a Yale University law professor who studies the political economy of corruption. That explains why international financial institutions, such as the IMF and World Bank, are helping governments fight corruption through improved transparency, accountability, and institution building. The anti-corruption drive is providing opportunities for private technology companies like the Bitfury Group, which signed a contract with the Republic of Georgia to register land titles using blockchain technology. Blockchain serves simultaneously as a means of exchangeof money or informationand a database that automatically registers transactions. Records are encrypted and stored across a network of computers, rather than in a central location, so they cannot be altered or stolen. Some start-ups are offering their services to charitable organizations as well as governments. Among them is Dublin-based AID:Tech, which created a platform that ensures the integrity of charitable contributions and social welfare payments. I know a lot of people who would love to give money but dont because they dont know where it goes, says AID:Techs CEO and cofounder, Joseph Thompson. AID:Tech was inspired by a charity event in 2009. Thompson ran 152 miles across the Sahara Desert to raise money for children who needed reconstructive surgery. When he asked for evidence that the aid had been delivered to the intended recipients, the charity couldnt provide it. Thompson, who has masters degrees in business, digital currencies, and computer science, set out to find a way to make sure that charitable donations dont go astray. He found it in blockchain, also known as distributed ledger technology. Originally developed to store and exchange Bitcoin, a cryptocurrency, it has since been adapted for a variety of uses. If you can get an end-beneficiary on the blockchain, thats their bank account, Thompson says. Donations go straight to the beneficiary, without intermediaries; the company provides the technology but doesnt handle any money. Theres no more fraud, no more people claiming benefits for dead parents or brothers and sisters who have emigrated. The Irish Red Cross agreed to test Thompsons solution with a program to distribute aid to Syrian refugees in Lebanon. Each recipient was given a small plastic card stamped with a QR codea type of machine-readable optical label. Money was deducted when the cards were scanned at supermarket checkout counters. Five hundred electronic vouchers worth $20 apiece were redeemed in Lebanon, and not a penny went astray. The results were fantastic, says Daniel Curran, head of fundraising for the Irish Red Cross. Using a dashboard Thompson set up, he tracked spending by recipients in real time, gleaning valuable insights into their needs. (He was surprised to learn that refugees bound for resettlement in Ireland bought dental products rather than winter clothes.) The technology also allows charities to appeal to a younger class of smartphone-wielding donors, and it reduces their reliance on expensive direct-marketing campaigns. That means more money will flow to the people who need it. This is a cheaper, more transparent, faster, and efficient way of not just obtaining the donation, but actually getting the donation to the beneficiary in the end, Curran says. Doing well by doing good AID:Tech is expanding rapidly, with contracts to provide software for the delivery of remittances to Serbia, social welfare payments in Jordan, and aid to homeless women in Ireland. It is raising between $3 million and $5 million from investors and plans to open offices in Singapore and Dubai. The goal is to have at least 100,000 people on the platform by June. Thompson doesnt hesitate to say he aims to do well by doing good. We are a for-profit, but were using technology to solve some of the worlds biggest problems, he says. The platform, he says, can be used by governments and social welfare agencies around the globe, with a potential customer base in the billions. Another promising use for blockchain: secure digital storage of documents. Blockchain is so powerful because it gives us something we didnt have in the digital world, says Gonzalo Blousson, cofounder and CEO of Signatura, a platform that can be used to sign and notarize documents among multiple people. Digital information is easy to modify. Blockchain gives us immutability. Blousson is working with Argentinas second-largest city, Cordoba, which recently passed a law requiring public officials to file financial disclosure forms. Blockchain ensures that the forms are both visible to the public and cannot be altered. Blousson and his team also used the technology to build a procurement platform, called Teneris, which companies and governments can use to solicit bids from suppliers of goods and services, a process that is often rife with opportunities for bribery and bid rigging. Still, blockchain has its limitations, says Beth Noveck, a New York University (NYU) professor who specializes in the use of technology to bring transparency to government. Corruption also occurs after bids are awardedwhen a building contractor uses shoddy materials to cut corners, for example. Thats where big data offers a promising investigatory tool, Noveck says. The technology makes it possible to aggregate data on government spending and contracting and to analyze it for signs of waste, fraud, and corruption. As Noveck puts it, You can spot the patterns of whose brother-in-law got too many contracts. Mobilizing citizen involvement also makes a difference, says Noveck, a lawyer by training who heads NYUs Governance Lab. People like Diego Mendiburu are doing just that. A former journalist and technology buff, he put together a team of programmers to develop a mobile app that allows Mexicans to report substandard public services. Users with smartphones can capture and share short videos of potholes that go unfilled or trees that are cut down illegally as a way of shaming public officials and pressuring them to act. The app, Supercivicos, uses GPS technology to pinpoint the date and location of the videos, then builds a database of reports that can be used by civic groups and government agencies to identify problem services and find solutions. Mendiburu wants users to become engaged citizen-journalists. Its not only about pointing out whats wrong, its about telling stories, he says. We believe that this project can be exported to other countries in Latin America. In Ukraine, there are similar ambitions for ProZorro.Sale (the name combines the Ukrainian word for transparency with Zorro, the fictional Mexican who defended the poor against corrupt officials). As of December, Transparency International Ukraine was in talks with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development to adapt the system for use elsewhere in Europe. Of course, digital technology, while effective, can be stymied by governments, whose support is needed in the fight against official corruption. Late last year, the IMF and World Bank criticized Ukraine for undermining its recently established National Anti-Corruption Bureau and for failing to make good on promises to create an independent anti-corruption court. E-tools are important, but institutions are far more important, says Viktor Nestulia, director of the Innovation Projects Program at Transparency International Ukraine. ART: ISTOCK.COM / MASTAKA, AF ARCHIVE / ALAMY STOCK PHOTO; PHOTO COURTESY OF OLEKSII SOBOLE Opinions expressed in articles and other materials are those of the authors; they do not necessarily reflect IMF policy. Imperial Valley News Center Florida International University President Rosenberg addresses the community after bridge collapse Miami, Florida - Florida International University President Mark B. Rosenberg addresses the community after bridge collapse: We are shocked and saddened about the tragic events unfolding at the FIU-Sweetwater pedestrian bridge. At this time we are still involved in rescue efforts and gathering information. We are working closely with authorities and first responders on the scene. We will share updates as we have them. Update Dear FIU family, I am heartbroken at the news of the collapse of the pedestrian bridge on 8th Street and the resulting devastation. We send our deepest condolences to the victims and their families. We are working with the appropriate agencies to assist in rescue efforts. As soon as we have further information, we will share it with you. Please keep the victims and their families in your thoughts and prayers. Sincerely, Mark B. Rosenberg President How to complete the annual cannabis cultivation license application Sacramento, California - The California Department of Food and Agricultures CalCannabis Cultivation Licensing Division will host seven public workshops throughout California starting on March 27. CDFA will provide guidance on how to complete the annual cannabis cultivation license application, including information on business-entity structure documentation, bond forms, criminal history, fees, local-authorization documents, and diagram requirements. The workshops will be in an open-house format to allow participants the opportunity to ask questions about their individual applications. CalCannabis will be joined by staff from the State Water Resources Control Board and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. All workshops are scheduled from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., except the Weaverville location, which is from noon to 3 p.m. The workshops are free and pre-registration is not required. The dates and locations include: 1) Tuesday, March 27Riverside County University of California, Riverside, Palm Desert Center 75080 Frank Sinatra Drive, Palm Desert 92211 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. 2) Wednesday, March 28Santa Barbara County Santa Barbara Veterans' Memorial Building 112 West Cabrillo Boulevard, Santa Barbara 93101 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. 3) Thursday, March 29Monterey County California State University, Monterey Bay, at Salinas City Center 1 Main Street, Salinas 93901 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. 4) Monday, April 2Yolo County West Sacramento Galleria 1110 West Capitol Avenue, West Sacramento 95691 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. 5) Wednesday April 4Mendocino County Ukiah Valley Conference Center 200 South School Street, Ukiah 95482 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. 6) Thursday, April 5Humboldt County River Lodge Conference Center 1800 Riverwalk Drive, Fortuna 95540 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. 7) Friday, April 6Trinity County Veterans Memorial Hall 103 Memorial Drive, Weaverville 96093 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. For more information on CDFAs CalCannabis Cultivation Licensing Division, or to sign up for email alerts for updates as they become available, please visit the CalCannabis website at Https://calcannabis.cdfa.ca.gov . Brian Whiston, Michigans state superintendent, announced this week he will temporarily step down from overseeing the states public schools after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. He told local media that his prognosis isnt good. The board soon is expected to announce an interim director. Under sick leave, which Whiston said he will take some time within the next 30 to 60 days, Whiston can step back into the role at any time. Whiston was hired by the board in 2015. Under Whistons watch, the states department of education put together its accountability plan under the Every Student Succeeds Act. Officials in the department said there were close to 300 people involved in the process. It takes time to get the vision, and then it takes time to implement the vision, and I think were just coming to that point where youre going to see these things, he said to mlive.com in an interview earlier this week. Im deeply disappointed Im not going to be here for that part of the process. Whiston has also overseen bringing the states School Reform Office, which was previously operated by the state, under the states watch. Dont miss another State EdWatch post. Sign up here to get news alerts in your email inbox. And make sure to follow @StateEdWatch on Twitter for the latest news from state K-12 policy and politics. SECDEF Speaks with Sailors and Marines at NSA Bahrain Manama, Bahrain - U.S. Secretary of Defense (SECDEF) James N. Mattis held an all-hands call on board Naval Support Activity Bahrain, March 15. During the all-hands call, he thanked service members for their hard work and dedication while reminding them of the important role they play in the 5th Fleet area of operations. "My fine young shipmates, I'm coming out here for one reason and that is to pay my respect for your service. I want you to know that I know you do all the work," said Mattis. Mattis delivered this message to a standing-room only audience of more than 800 service members in the base gymnasium, and many of them arrived an hour early to ensure a seat. "I think it's great for morale when our leaders take the time to speak to the troops and show an appreciation and respect for what it is we do on a daily basis," said Chief Hospital Corpsman Erik Abalos, assigned to Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command. "And I think the impact is even more significant when the leader is someone like the SECDEF, who has actually worn the uniform and served side-by-side with service members." The SECDEF spoke to service members for approximately 30 minutes before taking questions, and he made it a point to conclude his speech with a message to not only those in attendance, but to a global audience as well. "There is one part of America that no one has any doubt about in the world, and that is the U.S. military. You need to make certain in this imperfect world that there is never any doubt on the part of our allies that you're with them, and the part of our adversaries that they really don't want to mess with us," said Mattis. "They want to talk with our diplomats, because they don't want to deal with the Department of Defense." The Secretary of Defense is the principal defense policy adviser to the President and is responsible for the formulation of general defense policy and policy related to all matters of direct concern to the Department of Defense, and for the execution of approved policy. Under the direction of the President, the Secretary exercises authority, direction and control over the Department of Defense. The Secretary of Defense is a member of the President's Cabinet and of the National Security Council. U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations encompasses about 2.5 million square miles of water area and includes the Arabian Gulf, Gulf of Oman, Red Sea and parts of the Indian Ocean. The expanse is comprised of 20 countries and includes three critical choke points at the Strait of Hormuz, the Suez Canal and the Strait of Bab al Mandeb at the southern tip of Yemen. Goldman Sachs has become the latest bank to publish a yawning gender pay gap, underscoring just how male dominated the world of finance still is especially at the most senior level. The company, which employs around 6,000 people in the UK, on Friday reported a mean gender pay gap in Britain for its international business of 55.5 per cent and a mean bonus gap for the unit of 72.2 per cent. Earlier this week, rival HSBC admitted to having a mean gender pay gap of 59 per cent the largest yet for a British financial firm, though some are yet to report ahead of an early April government deadline for all firms employing at least 250 people to divulge their figures. The national average is around 18 per cent. Recommended HSBC to reveal largest gender pay gap of any UK financial firm Like other companies, Goldman used its report to commit to doing more to close the gap. As a global firm, the advancement of women in the workplace is top of mind for us. We have made progress over the years, it said, yet we have significant work to do. Also in common with other financial institutions, it attributed the gap to men vastly outnumbering women in the highest pay brackets. Data on the companys website shows that women account for 62.4 per cent of jobs in the lowest quartile when broken down by pay, but just 17 per cent of all the jobs in the highest quartile. In our last global partner class, we had our highest ever proportion of women promotes, but it is not enough, the firm said, referring to the top seniority level of the workforce. We hold ourselves accountable for creating a working environment in which all individuals can achieve their full potential and progress to the most senior levels of the firm, it added. Banks across the City and on Wall Street have for some time been trying to shake their reputation of having a deeply-entrenched gender bias. On Thursday, Goldman in an internal memo posted on its website said that it had set a target for women to account for half of its new analysts or entry level jobs by 2021. Chief executive Lloyd Blankfein and president and co-chief operating officer David Solomon jointly wrote in the memo that they want to achieve greater diversity across the firm more broadly both in terms of gender and ethnicity. Back in January, Mr Solomon, who is widely tipped to succeed Mr Blankfein as CEO, said that despite some progress in recent years, Goldman, which is the fifth largest US bank, had not raised the proportion of women in its workforce to an adequate level, particularly across senior management. Birmingham has demanded more clarity from Uber on its business model before deciding whether to renew the ride-hailing giants licence to operate permanently. Ubers one-year licence to operate in the UKs second largest city expired last month. It has been granted a temporary licence but a failure to get a permanent extension would deal a blow to the group as it already battles for a permit to keep operating in London one of its most important markets. Officers in our licensing team have temporarily extended Ubers private hire operator licence in Birmingham, whilst they seek clarity from Uber around its operating model, the councils acting director of regulation and enforcement, Chris Neville, said. Uber has been subject to fierce scrutiny for its treatment of drivers and the safety of passengers in recent months, and especially since a shock decision in September by Transport for London not to automatically extend the companys licence to operate in the capital. Since then, the group has made a series of changes in an attempt to pacify regulators. Its introduced a 24/7 support helpline and has vowed to be more proactive when it comes to reporting serious incidents to police. In February, it also announced that it was launching a driver feedback programme across the UK, responding to calls for greater rights and protections for workers in the gig economy. On Friday, in response to the comments from Birmingham City Council, a London-based spokesperson for the California-based company said that its application for the city was still being processed. The spokesperson added that Uber had been granted operating licences by a number of UK cities in recent months, including Sheffield, Cambridge, Nottingham and Leicester. Ubers licence is reportedly due to expire in Edinburgh next week. Additional reporting by agencies Heroic NHS staff weathered the worst winter on record as official figures reveal patient waiting times, bed shortages and ambulance queues hit unprecedented levels. The statistics fly in the face of Prime Minister Theresa Mays claim that the NHS was better prepared for winter than ever before and experts say last-minute funding injections can no longer keep services running in the face of years of austerity. The final winter analysis, compiled by Labour and verified by the House of Commons Library, takes in every year of available weekly data published by NHS England back to 2011-2012. It reveals patient care suffered on an unprecedented scale and comes in the same week that academics called for a review after a shocking jump in the death rates this winter, with 10,000 additional deaths in the first seven weeks of 2018. Hundreds of thousands of patients were forced to wait in corridors and ambulances while hospitals scrambled to find space for patients. Between December 2017 and February 2018 a record 163,298 patients waited more than half an hour to be handed over to A&E departments. This is three times higher than in 2013-14, when 54,463 patients were kept waiting. Hospitals had just 97,897 beds open, on average, at any point over this winter the lowest number on record and 2,500 fewer than in 2015. Critics said bed shortages make a winter crisis almost an inevitability, as it denies hospitals of reserve capacity when patients cant be discharged at weekends and overnight. UK news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 UK news in pictures 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 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 Dr Chris Moulton, a consultant at the Royal Bolton Hospital and vice-president of the Royal College of Emergency Medicine, told The Independent: You need beds to give you flexibility, and reduce your infection rate, and to give you a bit of holding time. Weve got the least beds in the developed world, we need more, as well as more staff and funding for social care. There is no easy way round that. Labour is calling for an urgent enquiry into how preparations this year fell so far short, and for an apology for chronic underfunding that has harmed patients and heaped pressure on staff. Our new analysis today confirms the Government has let down patients on a record scale, despite the heroic efforts of our brilliant NHS staff battling through wind and snow to provide the best possible care, said Shadow Health Secretary Jonathan Ashworth. The public deserves nothing less than a government guarantee that patients will never have to suffer on this same scale ever again. Theresa May has already apologised once this winter, for the disruption suffered by thousands of patients who had planned operations and non-urgent appointments cancelled en masse on the advice of health service officials. This, another never before seen planning measure, was intended to free up space on the front line when it was announced at the start of January, but its long-term effect is to push pressure down the road. Other planning measures included a 1bn investment for social care in the Spring Statement to allow patients to be sent home swiftly when theyre fit and new rules for ambulances to prevent queues at A&E, neither of which appear to have worked sufficiently. The queues of ambulances outside hospitals didnt only impact the care of their patient passengers, but mean the ambulance and its crew are off the road. Over Christmas, The Independent revealed these delays had resulted in nurses being drafted in as first responders after a shortage of paramedics meant pensioners waiting hours on the floor with broken bones. A whistleblower in the East of England Ambulance Service Trust said there had been 20 deaths and at least the same number seriously injured as a result of ambulance delays over Christmas. This included the allegation of a patient freezing to death on 27 December after a 16-hour ambulance wait. The trust is currently reviewing winter performance. But the delays are down to a lack of bed space in hospitals, and this in turn can be traced to inadequate funding for social care, meaning there is no where patients can be sent safely. Theresa May apologises for NHS delays and cancellations amid Winter Crisis The figures are of no surprise at all to us on the front line, Dr Nick Scriven, a consultant in acute medicine in Halifax Hospital and president of the Society for Acute Medicine, told The Independent. With the constant reduction in acute beds, every winter has been getting progressively worse in the NHS and this year the flu surge brought it to its knees. This is without a doubt worse than last winter. There is no let up at all and nothing will realistically change until after the Easter bank holiday. The Department of Health said its investment in social care had meant just 45,000 patients were delayed in hospital when they were fit to be sent home in January. Thats less than one-third of the previous year, and while performance against targets had continued to decline this was down to spiralling patient demand. A spokesperson added: This analysis presents an incomplete picture whilst the NHS has been extremely busy this winter, compared to last year our hardworking staff still managed to see 1,800 more patients a day within the four-hour A&E target and reduce the number of people stuck in hospital unnecessarily. We know there is more to do, which is why the Government gave the NHS top priority in the recent Budget with an extra 2.8bn allocated over the next two years. The health service needs an extra 4bn next year to maintain services, but it will receive less than half of that and health service leaders say the Government is establishing a pattern of offering too little, too late. The 335m to address winter pressures in last years Budget was provided too late in the day and proved a short-term sticking plaster that failed to meet the demands of the NHSs most challenging season, Dr Chaand Nagpaul, chair of the British Medical Association, told The Independent. Recommended The NHS is about to ration its services due to lack of funding The appalling scenes witnessed in hospitals throughout the country in the past few months as well as heightened pressure on GP services have become an annual event, stretching further and further into the year each time." The full cost is unknown. An editorial in the BMJ this week said the Government must review why deaths in the first seven weeks of 2018 were 12.4 per cent higher than the average from the last five years 93,990 deaths compared to 83,615. Meanwhile, thousands of patients have had joint replacements and other operations pushed back for months leaving them in pain and worrying about their health. But experts say it is more worrying to think of the near miss they represent if less drastic measures had been taken. It needs to be looked into, Professor Danny Dorling of Oxford University told The Independent. Because if its true that failing to cancel appointments would have meant more deaths, then its even more serious. When numerous things in society are going wrong, you reach a crunch point in winter, regardless of temperature or flu, in the NHS. We rarely portray Neanderthals, our close relatives, as telegenic. Museum exhibits give them wild tangles of hair and Hollywood reduces them to grunting unsophisticates. Their skulls suggest broad faces, tiny chins and jutting brows. But to mock Neanderthals is to mock ourselves: Homo sapiens had lots of sex with Homo neanderthalensis. Neanderthal genes supply between 1 per cent and 4 per cent of the genome in people from homelands on several continents, from Britain to Japan to Colombia. DNA from another humanlike primate, the Denisovans, lurks in modern genomes, too. A molar and a chip of pinkie bone found in a Siberian cave provide what little information we have about this species. DNA extracted from the fragments previously revealed cross-species breeding. Yet a new study in the journal Cell shows that the ancient hanky-panky did not stop in Siberia: humans who travelled across South Asia mated with a separate group of Denisovans as well. This is a breakthrough paper, said David Reich, who studies ancient DNA at Harvard University and was not involved with the study. Its a definite third interbreeding event, one that adds to the previously known Denisovan and Neanderthal mixtures. Recommended Discovery of cave paintings reveals Neanderthals were artists Humans and Neanderthals divided into separate groups as far back as 765,000 years ago. Denisovans and Neanderthals were closer cousins who split more recently and then vanished perhaps because we absorbed their lineages. A team of scientists, led by University of Washington biostatistician Sharon Browning, took an approach that Mr Reich called a technical tour de force. In the new study, Browning and her colleagues examined more than 5,500 genomes of modern humans from Europe, Asia and Oceania, looking for any possible archaic DNA. Were looking for segments of DNA in an individual that look quite different from the rest of the variation in the population, Ms Browning said. After the team fished out the DNA variations, the researchers matched the segments to Denisovan and Neanderthal sequences, known from samples in Siberias Altai Mountains. All groups studied, from British and Bengali people to Peruvians and Puerto Ricans, had a dense cluster that closely matched the Altai Neanderthals. Some populations also had a cluster that matched the Altai Denisovans, which was particularly pronounced in East Asians. The surprise was a third cluster not like the Neanderthal DNA and only partially resembling the Altai Denisovans. This, the authors concluded, was a second and separate pulse of Denisovan genes into the DNA blender. The geography is quite suggestive, Ms Browning said. The authors hypothesise that, as ancestral humans migrated eastward, they came across two different Denisovan populations. One pulse, to the north, shows up in people from China, Japan and Vietnam. The other Denisovan pulse appears to the south. Maybe it was down in the southeast corner of Asia, Ms Browning said. It could possibly have been on an island en route to Papua New Guinea, but we clearly dont know. Mr Reich said he would not be surprised if methods similar to this one revealed additional mixtures. I am sure there are others, he said, considering the wide range of archaic groups across Eurasia. 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 Ms Browning plans to continue to hunt for additional mixtures, including among people of African descent who were excluded from this study because the warm continental climate makes finding archaic DNA a challenge. Were interested in other populations around the world, especially Africa, she said. The Washington Post Egypt has called for swift justice after an 18-year-old student died after she was attacked at a bus stop in Nottingham Mariam Moustafa was left in a coma after the assault on 20 February. She was pronounced dead almost a month later. Police have said they are keeping an open mind about whether the attack on the Egyptian national was racially motivated. The teenager was punched repeatedly during a confrontation with a group of women. She died earlier this week in Nottingham City Hospital. A Home Office post-mortem examination is due to take place. The Egyptian embassy in London said the Moustafa was well-loved and regarded by all who knew her. The Consul General of Egypt and the medical counsellor, as well as a representative from the embassy, were immediately dispatched to offer support and assistance to the family at this devastating time," it said in a statement. "They were briefed by the familys lawyer on the latest medical and legal developments. The government of Egypt and the embassy have been closely following the circumstances of this vicious attack with the relevant British authorities and expressed the need for those responsible to be brought to justice swiftly. UK news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 UK news in pictures 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 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 It added: The deep concern of the Egyptian public is evident and the embassy remains focused in its efforts to support and assist Mariams grieving family whose life has been shattered by their traumatic loss. Yultan Mellor, a vice principal at Nottingham College, where Moustafa was a student, said she was well-liked and able and had strong aspirations. Mariam was an aspiring engineering student who was well loved and regarded by her friends, peers and all those who knew her. Police said a 17-year-old girl was arrested on suspicion of assault occasioning grievous bodily harm and was bailed pending further investigation following the incident. An exiled Russian businessman associated with a leading critic of Vladimir Putin was murdered at his London home just over a week after a nerve agent attack on a former spy, police have revealed. Investigators believe Nikolai Glushkov was strangled with a dog lead, a source told The Independent. Officials say there is no evidence to suggest the Mr Glushkov's death and the attempted assassination of Sergei Skripal are linked, but the timing is likely to heighten tensions with the Kremlin just two days before presidential elections. Mr Glushkov was found dead at his home in New Malden, south-west London, on Monday evening. Scotland Yard initially treated the 68-year-olds death as unexplained but a post-mortem examination gave the cause of death as compression to the neck. The Met Polices Counter Terrorism Command, which has led the investigation from the outset, is now treating Mr Glushkovs death as murder, a spokesperson said. As a precaution, the command is retaining primacy for the investigation because of the associations Mr Glushkov is believed to have had. He was a close friend of exiled Russian oligarch Boris Berezovsky, who was himself a friend of murdered spy Alexander Litvinenko. Mr Berezovsky was found hanged in the bathroom of his Berkshire home in 2013. Police said a post-mortem showed no sign of a violent struggle, and an inquest recorded an open verdict after hearing conflicting evidence. At the time, Mr Glushkov said he believed his friend had been murdered, telling The Guardian: I dont believe Boris died of natural causes. Too many deaths [of Russian exiles] have been happening. Russian Foreign Minister responds to Gavin Williamson: Russia has 'stopped paying attention' Mr Berezovskys death is among up to 14 being reviewed by police and MI5 in light of the nerve agent attack on Mr Skripal and his daughter in Salisbury. Mr Glushkov worked for Mr Berezovskys LogoVaz car company in Russia, before becoming the first deputy general director for Russias flag carrier Aeroflot in the late 1990s. He served a five-year term for money laundering and fraud in Russia, then fled the country after being handed a two-year suspended sentence for fraud in 2006. Last year, he was sentenced to eight years imprisonment and a 1 million ruble fine in absentia for allegedly defrauding Aeroflot a case that continued at the time of his death. Recommended Police to investigate potential Russian involvement in 14 UK deaths Mr Glushkov, who has two children, was due to attend a commercial court hearing on Monday morning but did not arrive, sparking concerns among friends who later confirmed his death. His LinkedIn page listed him as a private consultant in financial services since 2011. Police described Mr Glushkov as a retired financial director and said he had lived in the home in Clarence Avenue for two years. At this stage there is nothing to suggest any link to the attempted murders in Salisbury, nor any evidence that he was poisoned, a spokesperson said. Detectives are retaining an open mind and are appealing for any information that will assist the investigation into Mr Glushkovs murder to contact them in confidence on 0800 789 321. In particular they are appealing for anyone who may have seen or heard anything suspicious at or near his home in Clarence Avenue, New Malden, between Sunday 11 March and Monday 12 March to contact them. Skripal attack aftermath in pictures Show all 15 1 /15 Skripal attack aftermath in pictures Skripal attack aftermath in pictures Scene of attack Members of the emergency services in hazard suits fix the tent over the bench where Sergei and Yulia Skripal were found unconscious on a park bench in Salisbury in March 2018. Getty Skripal attack aftermath in pictures Victim - Sergei Skripal The retired Russian colonel and former double agent for MI6 was in a critical condition in hospital for more than two months after being exposed to novichok in Salisbury. He was given refuge in the UK after being jailed in Moscow for treason. Mr Skripal came to Britain as part of a high-profile spy swap in 2010 in which four men were exchanged for ten Russian "sleeper agents" in the US. In this image he is speaking to his lawyer from behind bars in Moscow in 2006. AP Skripal attack aftermath in pictures Victim - Yulia Skripal Yulia Skripal was struck down by a novichok poison alongside her father Sergei. Facebook Skripal attack aftermath in pictures Scene of attack A police officer stands guard outside a branch of the Italian chain restaurant Zizzi where the pair dined at before falling ill. It was boarded off whilst investigators worked on the building and later found traces of the chemical weapon within it. AFP/Getty Skripal attack aftermath in pictures Scene of attack Large areas of central Salisbury were cordoned off by police following the discovery of the Skripals. Traces of nerve agent were also found in The Mill pub. PA Skripal attack aftermath in pictures Victim - Nick Bailey Detective Sergeant Nick Bailey, rushed to the aid of the Russian ex-spy and his daughter who were targeted with a nerve agent. He was hospitalized after aiding them and didn't leave until three weeks after the attack. Wiltshire Police/Rex Skripal attack aftermath in pictures Police investigation - Skripals home Police believe they were poisoned at home, and detectives found the highest concentration of novichok on the front door of Mr Skripals house. Getty Skripal attack aftermath in pictures Theresa May visits scene of attack Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May spokes with Wiltshire Police's Chief Constable Kier Pritchard near where the Skripal's were found. Britain expelled 23 Russian diplomats over the nerve agent poisoning and suspended high-level contacts, including for the World Cup on March 14. Theresa May told parliament that Russia had failed to respond to her demand for an explanation on how a Soviet-designed chemical, Novichok, was used in Salisbury. AFP/Getty Skripal attack aftermath in pictures Skripal days before attack Sergei Skripal days before he was exposed to Novichok, that has left him fighting for life. ITV News Skripal attack aftermath in pictures Police investigation - military involvement British soldiers were deployed soon after the attack to help a counter-terrorism investigation into the nerve agent attack. One of the places they were asked to help out with was Skripal's home and it's surrounding. They were asked to remove a vehicle connected to the agent attack in Salisbury, from a residential street in Gillingham. AFP/Getty Skripal attack aftermath in pictures Police investigation Personnel in protective coveralls and breathing equipment cover an ambulance with a tarpaulin at the Salisbury District Hospital. AFP/Getty Skripal attack aftermath in pictures Police investigation The investigation extended to the grave of Sergei Skripal's son Alexander in London Road cemetery. Getty Skripal attack aftermath in pictures Police investigation The Counter Terrorism Policing Network requested assistance from the military to remove a number of vehicles and objects from Salisbury. EPA Skripal attack aftermath in pictures Home Secretary visits scene of attack Home Secretary Amber Rudd visited the scene of the nerve agent attack at the Maltings shopping centre on 9 March. Getty Skripal attack aftermath in pictures Yulia Skripal speaks for the first time Yulia Skripal, speaking for the first time, said she felt lucky to have survived the nerve agent attack in Salisbury which left her fighting for life. Ms Skripal said her life had been turned upside down by the assassination attempt. But the Russian national added she hoped to return to her homeland one day, despite the Kremlin being blamed for the attack. Reuters There are no wider public health concerns in relation to this investigation. Russias official Investigations Committee has launched its own criminal investigations into the attempted murder of the Skripals and Mr Glushkovs death. The Tass news agency quoted spokesperson Svetlana Petrenko as saying that the investigations will be conducted in accordance with the Russian legislation and international law, adding the committee was ready to cooperate with British law enforcement. One of Mr Glushkovs neighbours, Patricia Egan, said police had questioned local residents about what they had seen and heard of the businessman or his dog. Im just in shock this nice neighbour, he was a lovely fellow, she added, recalling visits from his adult daughter. [Mr Glushkov] told me she had gone to a Swiss finishing school, he said he was trying to force her to learn Russian. He also had a son but he lived in Moscow I think. Ms Egan said Mr Glushkov was intelligent, educated, and well-mannered, generous and friendly, noting that he spoke very good English. She also revealed he had an operation a few months ago on one of his legs for arthritis, adding: He didnt go out much because of his illnesses, he had something wrong with his heart and had a few strokes. Ms Egan said her neighbours birthday was on Christmas Eve and that they had popped in for a glass of wine to celebrate, adding that he used to have a lot of people over. It was a Russian house, all brown furniture, Ms Egan added. He told me he was from Georgia and always said how beautiful it was. Additional reporting by PA An Iraqi asylum seeker has been convicted of attempted murder over the bombing of a Tube train in London. Ahmed Hassans device failed to fully explode in a carriage packed with commuters at Parsons Green Tube station, bursting into a fireball that injured several people and caused a stampede. He denied intending to cause harm, telling the Old Bailey he had been bored in the summer holidays and fantasised about becoming a fugitive after watching action films. But a jury convicted him of attempted murder after hearing overwhelming evidence of his guilt. Mr Justice Haddon-Cave said: Ahmed Hassan, you have been found guilty by this jury at the Old Bailey of attempted murder on overwhelming evidence. Hassan will be sentenced next week using counter-terror laws that allow judges to increase jail terms for crimes with a terrorist connection. Witnesses had told the jury of their terror when the device exploded during the morning rush hour on 15 September. They described sustaining horrific burns and other injuries in a stampede to escape the District Line train stopped at Parsons Green station, with more than 50 people wounded in total. Hassan admitted making an explosive device, which he was caught on CCTV carrying on to the train in a Lidl bag. But he claimed he was certain it would not explode and would only burn after testing a sample in his foster parents kitchen in Surrey. Prosecutors, however, told the court Hassan was moved by anger and hatred when he planted the 400g of explosives, surrounded by shrapnel intended to inflict death and destruction. The trial heard the student told a college mentor that it was his duty to hate Britain, and others that he blamed the UK and America for the death of his father in Iraq. Hassan told immigration officials he had been forced to become an Isis child soldier after arriving in Britain in the back of a lorry via the Channel Tunnel in October 2015. The teenager claimed he had been trained to kill by the terrorist group and indoctrinated in what Allah believed was right. But while giving evidence to the Old Bailey, he said he had lied because he wanted to claim asylum and had no contact with Isis. Because I came from a wealthy, safe area in northern Iraq in Kurdistan and if I told the truth my only reason to leave the country was to further my studies I felt I had to make up something strong, Hassan told the court. Terror attack at Parson's Green in pictures Show all 23 1 /23 Terror attack at Parson's Green in pictures Terror attack at Parson's Green in pictures Parsons Green explosion A bucket with flames and wires coming out of it was photographed in the carriage after the explosion apparently the source of the blast AFP Terror attack at Parson's Green in pictures Parsons Green explosion An explosion on a packed Tube train has injured a number of people in west London AFP/Getty Terror attack at Parson's Green in pictures Parsons Green explosion The blast triggered a stampede as commuters panicked AFP/Getty Terror attack at Parson's Green in pictures Parsons Green explosion Click through for more pictures from the scene Reuters Terror attack at Parson's Green in pictures Parsons Green explosioN Reuters Terror attack at Parson's Green in pictures Parsons Green explosion PA Terror attack at Parson's Green in pictures Parsons Green explosion Reuters Terror attack at Parson's Green in pictures Parsons Green explosion Reuters Terror attack at Parson's Green in pictures Parsons Green explosion AFP/Getty Terror attack at Parson's Green in pictures Parsons Green explosion Reuters Terror attack at Parson's Green in pictures Parsons Green explosion AFP/Getty Terror attack at Parson's Green in pictures Parsons Green explosion AFP/Getty Terror attack at Parson's Green in pictures Parsons Green explosion Reuters Terror attack at Parson's Green in pictures Parsons Green explosion Reuters Terror attack at Parson's Green in pictures Getty Terror attack at Parson's Green in pictures Getty Terror attack at Parson's Green in pictures Getty Terror attack at Parson's Green in pictures Getty Terror attack at Parson's Green in pictures AFP/Getty Terror attack at Parson's Green in pictures Getty Terror attack at Parson's Green in pictures AFP/Getty Terror attack at Parson's Green in pictures AFP/Getty Terror attack at Parson's Green in pictures AFP/Getty In the Jungle in Calais people used to talk about these things and make up stories. I never came across a refugee who said he would tell the truth when he arrived in the country. Hassan had been a model student at Brooklands College in Surrey, but used a 20 Amazon voucher awarded for being named student of the year to buy the necessary chemicals for the bomb. While his foster parents, who were made MBEs for their decades of service to children, were away on holiday, he researched explosives, ordered the ingredients online and collected them from a friends home. Katie Cable, Hassans former tutor, said he had mood swings and needed hospital treatment for suicidal thoughts. He told her it was his duty to hate Britain, expressing anger over the Iraq War and Tony Blair. I believe Ahmed said his father was blown up and his mother had been shot, Ms Cable told the Old Bailey. I believe the anger was very clear. He referred to being angry several times. Hassan told her the British were responsible for his parents deaths and Ms Cable contacted Prevent after seeing a WhatsApp message on his phone stating that IS has accepted your donation from August 2016. Counter-terror officers tracked the bomber down using CCTV from public transport (Metropolitan Police) But the tutor believed that Hassan was possibly being scammed and did not believe he was an Isis supporter, but had depression that worsened during the isolation of the summer holidays. Prosecutor Alison Morgan described Hassan as troubled but said the bombing was a deliberate act of anger and hatred designed to cause death and destruction of property. The teenager left nothing to chance in the preparation of this attack, she told the court, adding: It is a matter of luck that there was not a full explosion that day, not because of any deliberate intention on the part of the defendant to cause just a fire. Hassan had told the jury he wanted to go to university and become a wildlife photographer like David Attenborough. I was very bored, very stressed, very confused and I watched lots of movies, action movies during that time... the idea of being a fugitive got into my head, he said. The idea of killing another human being never crossed my mind at all, never in my life. The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said Hassan had never admitted a clear motive for the attack and that, perhaps due to his destruction of a phone and laptop, there was no evidence of him being inspired by Isis. The terrorist group claimed responsibility for the bombing just hours after it was carried out via its Amaq News Agency, but the statement contained no details suggesting prior knowledge or contact with Hassan. Prosecutors told the court Hassad had covered the bomb with shrapnel to inflict death and destruction (Metropolitan Police) Sue Hemming, of the CPS, said: It was only a matter of luck that the device did not work as he intended or it could easily have led to the loss of innocent lives. The Metropolitan Police called Hassan devious and cunning, praising the work of counter-terror officers who tracked the bomber down by using CCTV from public transport. Investigators suggested that the bomb may not have fully exploded because it was disturbed as Hassan carried it to the Tube. Temporary Deputy Assistant Commissioner Dean Haydon said: I hope that todays outcome will help those who were injured and on the tube that day to start to put this terrible ordeal behind them. Ben Wallace, the security minister, said there are lessons to be learned from the case but praised authorities for their work. I welcome the conviction of Hassan who sought to spread terror in this country and murder innocent people, he added. This case is a bleak reminder of the devastating consequences of radicalisation. Mr Wallace said the police and local council had conducted an internal review into the case and the Home Office will review the findings to identify improvements. However we should not allow this to undermine all the good work taking place across the country to stop terrorism and our work to help those who are legitimately in need, the minister added. Ultimately, no one should be in doubt that those who bear responsibility for the atrocious attacks we have seen in the past year are the terrorists themselves. Additional reporting by PA Youre sitting reading your book, its Friday morning, youre going to work, youre thinking about the glass of wine youre going to have this afternoon and bang. Chris Wildish was among hundreds of people packed on a rush-hour Tube train when a homemade bomb partly exploded at 8.19am, sending a fireball rocketing into commuters. More than 50 people were injured by the flames and ensuing stampede to flee Parsons Green station on 15 September. I saw the flash of flame and I heard a thumping sound, there was this pause and then the stampede, Mr Wildish told The Independent after bomber Ahmed Hassan was convicted. I thought people were running away from being hit by another train behind but then there were people going, Theres a knife, theres a gun. People on the platform were climbing over the railings, they were jumping onto the tracks. Victims broke down as they gave evidence to the Old Bailey at Hassans trial, telling how they suffered horrific burns and broken ribs. Fearing injury in the crush to escape up a single staircase, Mr Wildish stayed on the platform with a small number of passengers unaware that a bomb was just metres away. We were standing looking into the train at the device for a couple of minutes going, What the hell has just happened here, he recalled. Recommended Commuters in tears as they tell how fireball tore through packed Tube I stupidly got back on the train twice, once to help a young girl looking for her phone, and again to get a mothers baby buggy. It was only when Mr Wildish detected a strong chemical smell and noticed the wires hanging out of the burning bucket that he started to realise the magnitude of what he escaped. Within minutes police arrived and moved members of the public to safety, later interviewing Mr Wildish and offering him counselling and other support. But the advertising executive said the traumatic scenes still play back, particularly his memory of seeing young children in the carriage. Mr Wildish said he started to feel shaky when he arrived home and saw his 12-year-old daughter for the first time after the attack, and has since undergone counselling. I was on a train the other day and there was a big bag on the floor and I moved carriage, he said. Im not going to take the risk. Terror attack at Parson's Green in pictures Show all 23 1 /23 Terror attack at Parson's Green in pictures Terror attack at Parson's Green in pictures Parsons Green explosion A bucket with flames and wires coming out of it was photographed in the carriage after the explosion apparently the source of the blast AFP Terror attack at Parson's Green in pictures Parsons Green explosion An explosion on a packed Tube train has injured a number of people in west London AFP/Getty Terror attack at Parson's Green in pictures Parsons Green explosion The blast triggered a stampede as commuters panicked AFP/Getty Terror attack at Parson's Green in pictures Parsons Green explosion Click through for more pictures from the scene Reuters Terror attack at Parson's Green in pictures Parsons Green explosioN Reuters Terror attack at Parson's Green in pictures Parsons Green explosion PA Terror attack at Parson's Green in pictures Parsons Green explosion Reuters Terror attack at Parson's Green in pictures Parsons Green explosion Reuters Terror attack at Parson's Green in pictures Parsons Green explosion AFP/Getty Terror attack at Parson's Green in pictures Parsons Green explosion Reuters Terror attack at Parson's Green in pictures Parsons Green explosion AFP/Getty Terror attack at Parson's Green in pictures Parsons Green explosion AFP/Getty Terror attack at Parson's Green in pictures Parsons Green explosion Reuters Terror attack at Parson's Green in pictures Parsons Green explosion Reuters Terror attack at Parson's Green in pictures Getty Terror attack at Parson's Green in pictures Getty Terror attack at Parson's Green in pictures Getty Terror attack at Parson's Green in pictures Getty Terror attack at Parson's Green in pictures AFP/Getty Terror attack at Parson's Green in pictures Getty Terror attack at Parson's Green in pictures AFP/Getty Terror attack at Parson's Green in pictures AFP/Getty Terror attack at Parson's Green in pictures AFP/Getty The 46-year-old South African hopes Hassan gets what he deserves, fearing many more people could have been injured if the bomb detonated fully or when the District Line train was in a tunnel. Anybody who puts a bomb on a train with innocent people on their way to work and kids on their way to school deserves to go to jail, he added. Hes an 18-year-old kid and his life is over. Mr Wildish had been following the teenagers trial, seeing him depict himself as an intelligent student who built the bomb because he was bored in the summer holidays. Hassan, an Iraqi asylum seeker, faces life imprisonment when he is sentenced next Friday. Recommended Teenager accused of Parsons Green attack blames action film fantasies The trial heard that he had been reported to the Governments Prevent counter-extremism programme by social services and teachers who saw him receive a message about a donation to IS and listening to jihadi songs. Police claimed Hassan was devious and suggested he fooled specialist officers by appearing to engage with the initiative while secretly planning his attack. The Home Office announced an internal review by police and Surrey County Council, which has vowed to learn lessons from any missed opportunities. Mr Wildish said the Government had been fantastic in the wake of the bombing and he was unsure what more they could do to prevent future atrocities. This is just an average guy who did a ridiculously stupid thing how do you monitor everyone? You think to yourself that Amazon should flag that somebodys buying big bottles of peroxide but youve got to be realistic, its impossible to track every single person all the time. But [if] there were big massive gaps, somebody did something wrong and he fell through it, then the Government should absolutely do more. What are the other theories? Some critics have cast doubt on the findings of British intelligence agencies by citing the false conclusions that Saddam Hussain had undeclared weapons of mass destruction, which sparked the Iraq War. Jeremy Corbyn suggested that the nerve agent attack could have been carried out by Russian-linked gangsters rather than ordered by Moscow. To rush way ahead of the evidence being gathered by the police, in a fevered parliamentary atmosphere, serves neither justice nor our national security, he wrote in The Guardian. In my years in parliament I have seen clear thinking in an international crisis overwhelmed by emotion and hasty judgments too many times. Flawed intelligence and dodgy dossiers led to the calamity of the Iraq invasion. Several alternative theories and conspiracies have been raised, although few provide a credible means and motive for another actor attacking Mr Skripal a former Russian double agent who was given refuge in the UK after selling secrets to MI6. Some have accused Britain itself of launching the attack as a false flag to smear Russia, damage Mr Putin ahead of elections or even to distract from a grooming scandal in Telford. Mr Nebenzia told the UN Security Council that the most probable source of the Novichok was countries that had been carrying out research on nerve agents since the 1990s, including the UK. Russian media reports have also suggested that the US stole samples of Novichoks while decontaminating a former Soviet Union testing plant in Uzbekistan from 1999 onwards. Proponents of the theory claim that the US may have launched the attack itself, either through the deep state or because of Mr Skripals potential links to the private security firm that compiled a dossier of allegations against Donald Trump. Or, they say, Americans passed the nerve agent or details on how to manufacture it to British allies, with many citing the proximity of Porton Down to the location of the attack. Ukraine has been raised as another potential culprit, in the belief that it would seek to discredit Russia to gain international backing against pro-Russian separatists fighting an ongoing war against government forces. Other conspiracy theorists have blamed wide-ranging targets including the EU or pro-Remain elements in Britain. I believe this is all to derail Brexit, said one caller to LBC radio. It's to make us look isolated and vulnerable against Russia so that we stay in the EU. Ben Nimmo, of the Atlantic Councils Digital Forensic Research Lab, said many Russian news articles furthering the theories were based on interviews with former security chiefs and weird commentators with no expertise or credibility. He told The Independent a mounting disinformation campaign was using the same techniques as those seen after incidents including the downing of Malaysia Airlines flight 17 using a missile from Russia. You can think of them as dismiss, distort, distract and dismay, Mr Nimmo said. You insult the critic, then distort by falsifying the evidence. Distract is the whole if they accuse you, you accuse them method, and then theres the conspiracy theorists. Dismay comes when they threaten horrible things will happen if you do this. Mr Putins spokesperson said Russia wont take long to respond to the UKs expulsion of diplomats, while a foreign ministry representative suggested British journalists could be kicked out of the country. Three surveys in the last weekby Gallup, the National Education Association, and Teach Plusall came to the same conclusion: Most teachers do not want to be armed. According to an online Gallup Panel survey of about 500 U.S. teachers, for example, about 70 percent of respondents do not think they or other school staff members should have guns in school, with nearly 60 percent saying that guns would make schools less safe. Gallup is the only nationally representative survey of the three polls released this week. President Donald Trump has called for arming a fifth of the nations teachers, including those who are military veterans or otherwise trained with firearms, as well as giving bonuses to educators who agree to carry. If teachers are armed, Trump said, they could stop a school shooting before students are killed. While there is no evidence to suggest that 20 percent of teachersup to 760,000 peopleare veterans or have gun training, Gallup did find that 18 percent of teachers said they would apply for special training to wield a gun at school. Of those, two-thirds are very confident they would be able to effectively handle a gun in a live shooting situation. One-quarter of surveyed teachers said they currently own a gun. That group was four times more likely to be willing to be trained to carry a gun in school, Gallup found. Still, as the latest surveys reflect, the idea has garnered widespread skepticism among educators. See also: Even Teachers Who Have Firearms Training Are Wary of Trumps Proposal The Gallup survey found that 73 percent of teachers do not want special training to be armed in school, compared to 42 percent of Americans who do favor special training to arm teachers and school staff. Almost 30 percent of teachers think that arming teachers would be very or somewhat effective in limiting the number of victims in a school shooting. These findings were echoed in two other surveys this week. Teach Plus, a national advocacy group for teacher leadership, polled 1,233 teachers from 38 states and the District of Columbia. Nearly 80 percent said they strongly oppose Trumps proposal to arm teachers in school. About 13 percent said they strongly or somewhat support the idea. We are not trained officers, we are not military members, one respondent said. We are teachers, mentors, and caregivers. Most school shootings are carried out by students. Please do not ask a teacher to shoot and kill a student. Instead, the vast majority of teachers polled by Teach Plus said they believe that background checks for purchasing weapons should be strengthened, with slightly fewer (80 percent) saying assault rifles should be banned. Teachers also said they wanted Congress to enact new policies or provide additional funding to ensure school safety. This week, the House of Representatives passed the STOP School Violence Act , which would train teachers and other school staff in violence prevention and authorize $50 million annually for the program. The bill does not allow any of the grant funds to be used to train or provide school staff with firearms. The National Education Association also surveyed 1,000 of its members , finding that 82 percent of respondents said they would not carry a gun to school even if they had firearms training and were allowed to do so. Our teachers need more books, art and music programs, nurses and school counselors; they do not need more guns in their classrooms, said NEA President Lily Eskelsen Garcia in a statement. See also: Through #ArmMeWith Movement, Teachers Share Vision for Curbing School Violence An inquest into the death of a prisoner who took his own life, has found that failings at the facility where he was being held contributed to his death. Joe Bartlett from Essex, described as a "much-loved son" by his family, died on 5 April last year after he was found hanged in his cell at HMP Norwich. A jury concluded that prison staff failed to adequately follow procedures to reduce the risks of self-harm and suicide, and that there was insufficient information gathering. They also noted a failure to recognise the seriousness of the bullying to which the 36-year-old was subjected and to respond accordingly. His death came less than a year after the prisons watchdog found that the number of assaults taking place in HMP Norwich was increasing and criticised the jails investigations of these incidents. Mr Bartletts mother, Michelle Ford, who attended the inquest, said after the verdict that he was "a much loved son, brother and father." She said: "We have had to hear very harrowing evidence relating to Joe's final days. It has been almost impossible to understand the total disregard by the prison and healthcare staff in managing Joe and the high and very real risks posed to Joe. We sincerely hope that lessons have been learnt by the prison to prevent further tragic deaths. We believe abundant opportunities were missed and we hope no other family will have to endure the same tragedy. Recommended Prison crisis laid bare as Government issued unprecedented warning The findings come six weeks after a separate inquest found that prison staff failings contributed to the death of Emily Hartley, a 21-year-old woman who took her own life in jail. It took prison staff two-and-a-half hours to notice that she had gone missing and to find her body, despite the fact that she should have been checked every 30 minutes because she was considered at-risk, the jury heard. There have been 14 self-inflicted deaths in prisons so far this year, according to figures gathered by charity Inquest. These included the death of Anthony Paine, 35, in HMP Liverpool last month and Darren Capewell, 37, who died in HMP Nottingham. The lawyer representing Mr Bartlett's family, Claire Brigham of London law firm Hodge Jones & Allen, said: Joe's death followed a finding by HM Inspectorate of Prisons in its September 2016 inspection of HMP Norwich that the number of assaults was increasing. The Inspectorate criticised the prison's investigations of these incidents. It is imperative that the proper procedures are now put in place to prevent further deaths. 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 A Prison Service spokesperson said: Our deepest sympathies are with the family and friends of Joe Bartlett at this difficult time. Every death in custody is a tragedy, and we have significantly increased support for vulnerable offenders, especially during the first 24 hours in custody. Over 14,300 staff have already received new suicide and self-harm reduction training, and HMP Norwich are reviewing their violence reduction strategy to enable them to better manage perpetrators and support the victims of bullying. We have noted the inquest findings and the recommendations from the PPO, and will make sure we learn all possible lessons from this case. Oxfam has appointed a former United Nations official to head an independent commission on sexual abuse and exploitation in the wake of a scandal over misconduct by its staff. Zainab Bangura, a former under-secretary general of the UN and representative on sexual violence in conflict, will co-chair the body alongside former World Bank vice-president Katherine Sierra. They are charged with reviewing Oxfams culture and the safeguarding systems in place to protect beneficiaries and staff. Government funding for new Oxfam projects has been suspended and donors stopped more than 7,000 direct debits to the charity following revelations that staff used prostitutes in crisis-hit countries including Haiti and Chad. In 2011, the Charity Commission received a report from Oxfam detailing an internal investigation into staff misconduct, but it claimed that beneficiaries were not abused. A 2008 Save the Children report had also warned of aid workers from numerous agencies raping children and coercing them into sex in Haiti. Mark Goldring, the embattled chief executive of Oxfam GB, said the new commission would help it prevent sexual abuse. Todays announcement is about turning words into actions and delivering on our commitment to protect staff, volunteers and the people we help around the world from those who do not share our values, he added. Any employee found guilty of gross misconduct will find it much harder to hold a similar position in the future. The additional resources and external whistleblowing line will make it easier for allegations to be reported and acted upon swiftly. Oxfam is introducing new standards for references to prevent former employees found guilty of gross misconduct from finding work elsewhere in the aid sector as was the case with disgraced Chad country director Roland van Hauwermeiren. UK news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 UK news in pictures UK news in pictures 21 September 2021 Gabriella Diment prepares a monumental bronze patinated fibreglass wall sculpture depicting household cavalry soldiers on horseback which is expected to be sold for 12,000-18,000 when it goes up for auction at Summers Place Auctions in Billinghurst, Kent PA UK news in pictures 20 September 2021 Florist Judith Blacklock puts the finishing touches to a floral carousel installation in Halkin Arcade, which she has designed with Neill Strain for the Belgravia in Bloom festival, running from September 20-26, in London PA 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. 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 It is creating a global hub for references from accredited staff to avoid falsified recommendations or ones drawn up by friends without central oversight, meaning any misconduct will be spelt out. Oxfam GB has also launched an independent whistleblowing hotline and standardised the way safeguarding cases are recorded globally, while recruiting additional staff and tripling the annual budget for the area to 720,000. Its new commission will include international experts from business, government and civil society, who will draw up findings to be made public within the coming year. Ms Sierra said it was essential to understand what went wrong in the past, whether or not actions taken by Oxfam since 2011 have been effective in reducing the risk of such incidents, and what more they can do now to minimise the chance of such things happening again. Ms Bangura added: We will ensure that we put the survivors and victims of abuse at the heart of our enquiries as we work to understand how the aid sector can become a safer place for all. The scandal sparked reverberations throughout the aid industry, causing high-level resignations and action from the UK Government and Charity Commission. Recommended Oxfam report reveals workers used physical threats against witnesses The watchdog has received new reports of 80 serious incidents involving safeguarding, including allegations of child sexual abuse, from British charities that were ordered to provide assurances that their policies were up to scratch. At a summit held by the Department for International Development (DfId) earlier this month, major charities agreed measures including an independent body on safeguarding, new standards for vetting and referencing, ensuring whistleblowers and survivors of exploitation and abuse receive support and addressing an organisational culture of power imbalances and poor reporting to ensure concerns are acted on. DfId is implementing new standards for organisations receiving British funding, including new codes of conduct, rules and management practices. It is also forming a taskforce that could be sent to investigate alleged abuses in foreign countries, with information passed to the National Crime Agency. Oxfam has already been temporarily barred from requesting further money and the department said other charities should not bid unless they meet new standards. The father-in-law of the police officer left seriously ill after the nerve agent attack in Salisbury has criticised Jeremy Corbyn for his refusal to blame Russia. William Pomeroy, 65, said the Labour leader had been "very weak" and "mealy-mouthed" in his response to the poisoning of former Russian spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia with a nerve agent. He told The Daily Telegraph that he was "very disappointed" in Mr Corbyn, who has suggested that "mafia-like groups" could be behind the use of Novichok on British soil. Mr Pomeroy, whose daughter Sarah is married to detective sergeant Nick Bailey, added: "Hes said almost nothing about this and has come across as very weak on it. "He seems to have been a bit mealy-mouthed about Russias involvement. Its disappointing because he should be representing ordinary people like me. DS Bailey remains in a stable condition in hospital after being exposed to the poison while responding to the incident in Salisbury city centre on 5 March. Yesterday, the officer was visited by Prime Minister Theresa May and both he and his wife were described as having "really appreciated this time with her". He is not out of the woods yet. He has been feeling very poorly, but he can talk to Sarah and the children, whove been visiting him regularly," said Mr Pomeroy. "Shes really been through the mill since this happened. Hes got such a sense of duty that I think its almost as if he feels hes let people down. "I dont know why because thats not true. He went to help those people without hesitating. Mr Corbyn is facing pressure from within his own party to "unequivocally" support the Prime Minister's decision to point the finger at Russia. UK news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 UK news in pictures UK news in pictures 21 September 2021 Gabriella Diment prepares a monumental bronze patinated fibreglass wall sculpture depicting household cavalry soldiers on horseback which is expected to be sold for 12,000-18,000 when it goes up for auction at Summers Place Auctions in Billinghurst, Kent PA UK news in pictures 20 September 2021 Florist Judith Blacklock puts the finishing touches to a floral carousel installation in Halkin Arcade, which she has designed with Neill Strain for the Belgravia in Bloom festival, running from September 20-26, in London PA 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. 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 He used an article in The Guardian yesterday to warn against "a McCarthyite intolerance of dissent" and a "new Cold War". "In my years in parliament I have seen clear thinking in an international crisis overwhelmed by emotion and hasty judgments too many times," he wrote. "Flawed intelligence and dodgy dossiers led to the calamity of the Iraq invasion." Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has hit back at Theresa May and Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson over allegations the country poisoned an ex-spy with a powerful nerve agent on British soil, saying the Kremlin has "stopped paying attention". The attack on Sergei Skripal, 66, in an Italian restaurant in Salisbury and the PM's subsequent decision to expel Russian diplomats from the UK, backed by Western powers, has greatly angered Moscow ahead of the country's forthcoming presidential election this Sunday. Speaking at a summit on the Syria crisis in Kazakhstan, Mr Lavrov was asked by reporters whether President Vladimir Putin's government intended to dismiss British diplomats in retaliation. "Of course we will", he replied, but declined to give further details other than to say it would happen "soon". He also said he considered Ms May's response a violation of international agreements, according to Reuters. He also turned his fire on Mr Williamson, who yesterday suggested that Russia should "go away and shut up" by speculating, "Maybe he lacks education." Back in Moscow, Williamson was the subject of even more severe criticism from defence ministry spokesman Major-General Igor Konashenkov, who likened him to a "market wench" and said he suffered from "extreme intellectual impotency", according to The Daily Mail. Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson: 'Frankly, Russia should go away, and should shut up' Skripal and his daughter Yulia, 33, remain gravely ill in hospital after coming into contact with a Russian-made toxin, Novichok, while enjoying Sunday lunch in a branch of Zizzi in the quiet Wiltshire cathedral town two weeks ago. The US, France and Germany have presented a united front in support of Ms May's handling of the controversy, which has reminded many of the climate of intrigue that abided at the height of the Cold War. A statement released by US President Donald Trump, French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Angela Merkel yesterday read: Theresa May orders biggest expulsion of Russian spies in 30 years in response to Salisbury poisoning "The United Kingdom briefed thoroughly its allies that it was highly likely that Russia was responsible for the attack. We share the UK assessment that there is no plausible alternative explanation, and note that Russias failure to address the legitimate request by the UK Government further underlines its responsibility. We call on Russia to address all questions related to the attack in Salisbury. Russia should in particular provide full and complete disclosure of the Novichok programme to the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons. For its part, Russia's response to the allegations against it has been indignant. Russia's ambassador to the UK, Alexander Vladimirovich Yakovenko, yesterday described Ms May's expulsion of diplomats as "absolutely unacceptable" and "a provocation" and urged her to "follow international law". Moscow's envoy to the UN, Vasily Nebenzya, responded to Britain giving his country a 24-hour deadline to answer the poisoning accusations earlier this week by saying Russia "does not speak the language of ultimatums" and protesting that it had been asked to confess without being given the opportunity to carry out its own investigations. Salisbury attack: Timeline of events Theresa May continued the war of words by telling Parliament: "Their response demonstrated complete disdain for the gravity of these events. "They have treated the use of a military-grade nerve agent in Europe with sarcasm, contempt and defiance." Skripal attack aftermath in pictures Show all 15 1 /15 Skripal attack aftermath in pictures Skripal attack aftermath in pictures Scene of attack Members of the emergency services in hazard suits fix the tent over the bench where Sergei and Yulia Skripal were found unconscious on a park bench in Salisbury in March 2018. Getty Skripal attack aftermath in pictures Victim - Sergei Skripal The retired Russian colonel and former double agent for MI6 was in a critical condition in hospital for more than two months after being exposed to novichok in Salisbury. He was given refuge in the UK after being jailed in Moscow for treason. Mr Skripal came to Britain as part of a high-profile spy swap in 2010 in which four men were exchanged for ten Russian "sleeper agents" in the US. In this image he is speaking to his lawyer from behind bars in Moscow in 2006. AP Skripal attack aftermath in pictures Victim - Yulia Skripal Yulia Skripal was struck down by a novichok poison alongside her father Sergei. Facebook Skripal attack aftermath in pictures Scene of attack A police officer stands guard outside a branch of the Italian chain restaurant Zizzi where the pair dined at before falling ill. It was boarded off whilst investigators worked on the building and later found traces of the chemical weapon within it. AFP/Getty Skripal attack aftermath in pictures Scene of attack Large areas of central Salisbury were cordoned off by police following the discovery of the Skripals. Traces of nerve agent were also found in The Mill pub. PA Skripal attack aftermath in pictures Victim - Nick Bailey Detective Sergeant Nick Bailey, rushed to the aid of the Russian ex-spy and his daughter who were targeted with a nerve agent. He was hospitalized after aiding them and didn't leave until three weeks after the attack. Wiltshire Police/Rex Skripal attack aftermath in pictures Police investigation - Skripals home Police believe they were poisoned at home, and detectives found the highest concentration of novichok on the front door of Mr Skripals house. Getty Skripal attack aftermath in pictures Theresa May visits scene of attack Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May spokes with Wiltshire Police's Chief Constable Kier Pritchard near where the Skripal's were found. Britain expelled 23 Russian diplomats over the nerve agent poisoning and suspended high-level contacts, including for the World Cup on March 14. Theresa May told parliament that Russia had failed to respond to her demand for an explanation on how a Soviet-designed chemical, Novichok, was used in Salisbury. AFP/Getty Skripal attack aftermath in pictures Skripal days before attack Sergei Skripal days before he was exposed to Novichok, that has left him fighting for life. ITV News Skripal attack aftermath in pictures Police investigation - military involvement British soldiers were deployed soon after the attack to help a counter-terrorism investigation into the nerve agent attack. One of the places they were asked to help out with was Skripal's home and it's surrounding. They were asked to remove a vehicle connected to the agent attack in Salisbury, from a residential street in Gillingham. AFP/Getty Skripal attack aftermath in pictures Police investigation Personnel in protective coveralls and breathing equipment cover an ambulance with a tarpaulin at the Salisbury District Hospital. AFP/Getty Skripal attack aftermath in pictures Police investigation The investigation extended to the grave of Sergei Skripal's son Alexander in London Road cemetery. Getty Skripal attack aftermath in pictures Police investigation The Counter Terrorism Policing Network requested assistance from the military to remove a number of vehicles and objects from Salisbury. EPA Skripal attack aftermath in pictures Home Secretary visits scene of attack Home Secretary Amber Rudd visited the scene of the nerve agent attack at the Maltings shopping centre on 9 March. Getty Skripal attack aftermath in pictures Yulia Skripal speaks for the first time Yulia Skripal, speaking for the first time, said she felt lucky to have survived the nerve agent attack in Salisbury which left her fighting for life. Ms Skripal said her life had been turned upside down by the assassination attempt. But the Russian national added she hoped to return to her homeland one day, despite the Kremlin being blamed for the attack. Reuters Ms May visited Salisbury yesterday to meet with emergency services personnel and forensic investigators pursuing the Skripal affair. The old city has been described as a "ghost town" following its dramatic turn in the international spotlight, with local shops, pubs and restaurants forced to advertise that they remain open for business despite fears over the spread of chemical contaminants as a result of the incident. A Syrian couple who have resettled in the UK said they cant eat or sleep until they are reunited with their vulnerable daughter and grandson. Abo Mohammad and Ghazwa Aljassem fear for the safety of 23-year-old Duaa, who suffers from mental health problems. Along with her seven-year-old son Hamsa, she is currently homeless and living in Lebanon where she is helped by her two older brothers. The couple had hoped that the pair would be able to join them in Wales, where they were resettled in 2016, but they were unable to do so. They spoke out as MPs prepared to debate a bill that would make it easier for refugee parents to be reunited with children over the age of 18. Supporters of the legislation argue allowing young adults who were still dependent on their parents to come to the UK will help integrate refugee families into British society. The bill, from the Scottish National Partys Angus MacNeil, also aims to broaden refugees access to legal aid, which can be an obstacle to family reunification. The legislation was supported by the Families Together campaign, which is run by a coalition of organisations including Amnesty International, British Red Cross, UNHCR, Refugee Council and Oxfam. Mr Mohammad, who asked for his name to be changed, fled his home in Homs and travelled to Lebanon along with his wife and family at the start of the civil war in 2011. Abo Mohammad with Duaa and Hamsa just before they were separated (Oxfam) Five years later, they were resettled in Abergavenny, in Monmouthshire, Wales, with their sons, aged 15 and 21. They said they have felt welcome in the community and have received enough support, although they added: Wherever you live, without your family, without your children, you will not be happy. Every night, Duaa and Hamsa have to find a new place to stay in Lebanon, said the couple, who speak to them regularly via WhatsApp. They said Duaa was distressed after recently learning that her husband, who went missing in 2011, was dead. She was depressed, they said, adding they were worried she might try to kill herself. Ms Aljassem said she struggled to function because she was concerned about her daughters condition. At one point I couldnt get out of bed for two weeks, she said. I could not get up. I shut down. Then the doctor put me on antidepressants. We cant sleep, because we think of her with nowhere to sleep. We cant eat, because we think of her with nothing to eat. Chair of the all party parliamentary group on refugees, Thangam Debbonaire, said: Sadly, I hear too many stories like this. Even if refugees are safe, they cannot be happy or get on with their lives if their families are still torn apart, with close relatives still in danger. Changing this is the main aim of the Refugee Family Reunion Bill. When people can live with their loved ones they are much better able to integrate. Refugees coming to the UK are grateful to the country giving them sanctuary and really want to contribute. This is so much easier to do if they arent worrying about relatives still stuck in the war zone. 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 Bristol MP said the bill would affect relatively few people, since the UK has only taken around 10,500 since 2014. But for these victims of war, torture and persecution who are granted legal status, the benefits would be enormous, especially in the case of children and teenagers, she added. To find out more visitwww.refugeestogether.uk Topman has pulled a red T-shirt with the number 96 emblazoned on it from sale and apologised following a backlash from Liverpool fans who said the top looked as though it was referring to the Hillsborough disaster. The Arcadia group retailer said sorry and took the 20 garment, which had the words what goes around comes back around and KARMA emblazoned on it, off the shelves while insisting the design referred to a Bob Marley track re-released in 1996. However, many who saw it interpreted it as a reference to the 1989 tragedy during a match held at Sheffield Wednesday's stadium in which a horrific crush in an overcrowded stand saw 96 people lose their lives. At the time, police and sections of the media blamed the fans for the disaster, which led to a decades-long campaign on Merseyside that eventually resulted in criminal prosecutions being brought. Over the years, fans could be seen at games and tributes expressing support by wearing replica red Liverpool home shirts with the number '96' on the back in place of a player's squad number. Supporters who saw the Topman T-shirt took to social media to express their incredulity and disgust. Recommended Five police officers will not be charged over Hillsborough disaster @NatalieAL24 tweeted: ASIF this got through to the shopfloor and not one person said woah wait, maybe this isnt a great idea. @VirgHelVanDijk said: That topman shirt is absolutely vile. They should be ashamed. Alison McGovern, the Labour MP for Wirral South, tweeted: No idea what is behind this, but it is very unfortunate. Hope you can discontinue the tshirt asap please. A Topman spokeswoman said: Topman apologises unreservedly for any offence caused by this t-shirt. The design was inspired by a Bob Marley track with the number referring to the year of re-release. The garment has been removed from sale online and in stores. UK news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 UK news in pictures 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 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 Several commenters suggested the reference was deliberate but met with a large number of sceptical responses. Dont think for a second its intentional but its horrendously insensitive and ignorant, said @ryan3levis. You see what you choose to see, another user added. @SunnygladeClose added: Im sure that Bob Marley was who @Topman intended to reference, but its almost unbelievable that nobody there noticed how else the shirt could be interpreted. Boris Johnson has suggested Vladimir Putin was directly responsible for ordering a nerve agent attack on a former Russian spy on UK soil. The Foreign Secretary said the UK Government believes it is "overwhelmingly likely" that the Russian president personally ordered the assassination attempt on Sergei Skripal, which left both him and his daughter Yulia in a critical condition in hospital. Mr Johnson said: "Our quarrel is with Putin's Kremlin, and with his decision - and we think it overwhelmingly likely that it was his decision - to direct the use of a nerve agent on the streets of the UK, on the streets of Europe, for the first time since the Second World War. "That is why we are at odds with Russia." The Foreign Secretary was speaking during a visit to the Battle of Britain Bunker museum in Uxbridge with his Polish counterpart, Jacek Czaputowicz. The UK Government has said it is "highly likely" that Russia was behind the attack but until now has not directly suggested Mr Putin was personally responsible for ordering the poisoning, which used the "military grade" nerve agent Novichok. The Kremlin responded to Mr Johnson's claims almost immediately, saying they were "shocking and unforgivable". Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov had earlier said Moscow had "stopped paying attention" to British claims about the poisoning. He also criticised Gavin Williamson after the Defence Secretary said on Thursday that Russia should "go away and shut up". "Maybe he lacks education," Mr Lavrov said. Skripal attack aftermath in pictures Show all 15 1 /15 Skripal attack aftermath in pictures Skripal attack aftermath in pictures Scene of attack Members of the emergency services in hazard suits fix the tent over the bench where Sergei and Yulia Skripal were found unconscious on a park bench in Salisbury in March 2018. Getty Skripal attack aftermath in pictures Victim - Sergei Skripal The retired Russian colonel and former double agent for MI6 was in a critical condition in hospital for more than two months after being exposed to novichok in Salisbury. He was given refuge in the UK after being jailed in Moscow for treason. Mr Skripal came to Britain as part of a high-profile spy swap in 2010 in which four men were exchanged for ten Russian "sleeper agents" in the US. In this image he is speaking to his lawyer from behind bars in Moscow in 2006. AP Skripal attack aftermath in pictures Victim - Yulia Skripal Yulia Skripal was struck down by a novichok poison alongside her father Sergei. Facebook Skripal attack aftermath in pictures Scene of attack A police officer stands guard outside a branch of the Italian chain restaurant Zizzi where the pair dined at before falling ill. It was boarded off whilst investigators worked on the building and later found traces of the chemical weapon within it. AFP/Getty Skripal attack aftermath in pictures Scene of attack Large areas of central Salisbury were cordoned off by police following the discovery of the Skripals. Traces of nerve agent were also found in The Mill pub. PA Skripal attack aftermath in pictures Victim - Nick Bailey Detective Sergeant Nick Bailey, rushed to the aid of the Russian ex-spy and his daughter who were targeted with a nerve agent. He was hospitalized after aiding them and didn't leave until three weeks after the attack. Wiltshire Police/Rex Skripal attack aftermath in pictures Police investigation - Skripals home Police believe they were poisoned at home, and detectives found the highest concentration of novichok on the front door of Mr Skripals house. Getty Skripal attack aftermath in pictures Theresa May visits scene of attack Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May spokes with Wiltshire Police's Chief Constable Kier Pritchard near where the Skripal's were found. Britain expelled 23 Russian diplomats over the nerve agent poisoning and suspended high-level contacts, including for the World Cup on March 14. Theresa May told parliament that Russia had failed to respond to her demand for an explanation on how a Soviet-designed chemical, Novichok, was used in Salisbury. AFP/Getty Skripal attack aftermath in pictures Skripal days before attack Sergei Skripal days before he was exposed to Novichok, that has left him fighting for life. ITV News Skripal attack aftermath in pictures Police investigation - military involvement British soldiers were deployed soon after the attack to help a counter-terrorism investigation into the nerve agent attack. One of the places they were asked to help out with was Skripal's home and it's surrounding. They were asked to remove a vehicle connected to the agent attack in Salisbury, from a residential street in Gillingham. AFP/Getty Skripal attack aftermath in pictures Police investigation Personnel in protective coveralls and breathing equipment cover an ambulance with a tarpaulin at the Salisbury District Hospital. AFP/Getty Skripal attack aftermath in pictures Police investigation The investigation extended to the grave of Sergei Skripal's son Alexander in London Road cemetery. Getty Skripal attack aftermath in pictures Police investigation The Counter Terrorism Policing Network requested assistance from the military to remove a number of vehicles and objects from Salisbury. EPA Skripal attack aftermath in pictures Home Secretary visits scene of attack Home Secretary Amber Rudd visited the scene of the nerve agent attack at the Maltings shopping centre on 9 March. Getty Skripal attack aftermath in pictures Yulia Skripal speaks for the first time Yulia Skripal, speaking for the first time, said she felt lucky to have survived the nerve agent attack in Salisbury which left her fighting for life. Ms Skripal said her life had been turned upside down by the assassination attempt. But the Russian national added she hoped to return to her homeland one day, despite the Kremlin being blamed for the attack. Reuters UK ministers have been careful to make clear that the British response to the attack is targetted at the Russian government, not Russia as a whole. Theresa May announced on Wednesday that 23 Russian diplomats will be expelled from the UK and a range of other measures taken against Moscow, including detaining suspected spies at the UK border, increasing checks on private flights and freezing some Russian state assets. Theresa May is warned today that her pledge of no hard border in Ireland after Brexit can only be achieved if the UK remains aligned with EU rules for the foreseeable future, in a hard-hitting report by MPs. There is no evidence of a technical solution to allow Northern Ireland to break free from the customs union and single market without the return of border posts and checks, their report concludes. The Governments existing proposals are dismissed as blue sky thinking which would be impossible to implement before Brexit day, now just one year away. Recommended Plan to register in advance to cross Irish border studied by No 10 Crucially, the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee also rejects a customs border down the Irish Sea requiring the entire UK to stay aligned with the EU. The UK may need to remain in, or parallel to, the customs union and single market for the duration of the implementation period, its report states. That transition period is intended to conclude at the end of the decade but the EU is insisting on continued alignment with Northern Ireland, unless a different solution can be found by then. Significantly, Conservative and Democratic Unionist MPs on the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee have put their names to the reports conclusions. Dr Andrew Murrison, its Tory chairman, said: Brexits success or otherwise hinges on the UK-Ireland border. Everyone agrees that the border after Brexit must look and feel as it does today. However, we have heard no evidence to suggest that there is currently a technical solution that would avoid infrastructure at the border. And he added: It is equally clear that regulatory and tariff alignment will be required during transition to avoid any hardening of the border before a definitive low-friction solution can be determined. The Prime Minister is also urged to recognise that the success or failure of Brexit hinges on the UK-Ireland border, by setting out clearly workable plans for the crossing without further delay. 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 The report is a stark challenge to Ms May, after she condemned the EUs proposals for a common regulatory area across Ireland, to loud cheers from Tory MPs in the Commons. She vowed to make her staunch opposition to a draft legal agreement crystal clear to EU leaders, saying: No UK prime minister could ever agree to it. However, the EU has insisted it will not agree a Brexit deal this autumn unless a legal guarantee has been given to the Irish government. The Prime Minister has repeatedly insisted there will be no physical infrastructure at the border after Brexit, but has failed to say whether cameras would be allowed. The Independent revealed she had asked officials to study an EU plan that would involve CCTV and number-plate cameras and pre-registration of travellers praising its very good proposals. In December, Ms May agreed to full alignment of regulations across the entire UK if necessary to avoid a hard border but has since backed away from that agreement, putting her faith in technology to avoid checks. The Northern Ireland committees report recommends an impact assessment for the border each time it is proposed that there should be regulatory or tariff divergence from the EU. When the Northern Ireland Assembly is restored at Stormont, it should be asked to give consent for regulatory derogations. The committee did not address concerns that the return of border posts would be a magnet for terrorists, but it did hear evidence that even military checks failed to seal the border during the Troubles. A professor at Dublin City University said there were 33,000 soldiers in Northern Ireland, adding: I do not think you will find a single officer who thought the border was sealed for one hour during that period. All the evidence is that it was not. A Conservative MP has told of the appalling state of the Rohingya people, who she says have suffered mass murder, rape and seeing their children literally thrown on to fires. Writing for The Independent Pauline Latham warned that tens of thousands more people will die if the international community does not act now over the ever-deepening crisis. She also hits out at erstwhile democracy campaigner Aung San Suu Kyi for refusing to help and kowtowing to Myanmars military. Recommended Harrowing stories from pregnant Rohingya refugees revealed by midwives Ms Latham sits on the House of Commons International Development Committee which was last month refused access to Myanmar, raising concerns that the country is trying to censor what is happening. The MP for Mid Derbyshire describes life for the Rohingya refugees, many who have now fled to Bangladesh, as heartbreakingly cheap. She said: And even if they survive the monsoons and cyclones, women, whose husbands have already been slaughtered, will be preparing to give birth to children conceived by the rape of the Burmese military. The plight of the Rohingya is like nothing on earth. They are a people who have been de-humanised they have seen their children literally thrown on to fires. Harrowing tales told at Women Friendly Space for pregnant women fleeing violence in Myanmar More than 700,000 people have fled Myanmar for Bangladesh since August, with those having escaped accusing the military and vigilantes of murder, rape and arson. The United Nations says the people were escaping a "campaign of terror and forced starvation", but Myanmar's military claims it is fighting militants and denies targeting civilians in Rakhine state. The plight of the Rohingya is like nothing on earth. They are a people who have been de-humanised they have seen their children literally thrown on to fires. Pauline Latham MP Ms Latham said that Bangladesh as a country does not have the infrastructure to cope with the influx of refugees, demanding quick action to prevent thousands more from dying. Turning her fire on Ms Suu Kyi, she said: Aung San Suu Kyi, held up as one of the greatest fighters for democracy in recent decades, would not even allow our committee representatives to visit her country. Thats right. The woman who had spoken out so passionately for democracy and humanitarianism in her fight against Myanmars military is either kowtowing to them by looking away from the ethnic cleansing of the Rohingya in Rakhine State or has taken a deliberate stance of refusing to help. The UK Government has spent 59m since August helping Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh. Natos Secretary General has warned Moscow it has underestimated the Wests determination to oppose Russia, as he set out how the alliance has tripled its European reserve forces. Jens Stoltenberg spoke after Natos top political council received a briefing from the British Government on the on-going investigation into the Salisbury nerve agent attack. The incident which left ex-spy Sergei Skripal, his daughter and a British police officer in a serious condition has galvanised the West to confront Russia over the incident and what they called a pattern of unacceptable behaviour. The Kremlin is expected to set out retaliatory measures after the UK announced it would expel 23 Russian diplomats earlier this week, freeze assets and seek new powers to deal with hostile activity. Speaking to BBC Radio 4, Mr Stoltenberg said: Im absolutely certain that Russia has underestimated the resolve and the unity of Nato allies. On Thursday the leaders of France, Germany the US and UK took the unprecedented step of issuing a joint statement blaming Russia for the 4 March Salisbury attack involving a Russian-made Novichok nerve agent. But they went further saying, the attack was only the latest element of a series of unacceptable incidents taking in Russias invasion of Crimea and destabilizing eastern Ukraine. Donald Trump: It 'looks like' Russia responsible for nerve agent attack Discussing defences in Eastern Europe, Mr Stoltenberg went on: We have now reached the level of four battle groups we dont have any immediate plans to increase the deployment. But what we are doing is increasing the ability to reinforce, to send in more troops quickly if needed. So we have tripled the size of what we call the Nato Response Force, we also established a high readiness brigade that can be deployed in a matter of days. Natos four multinational battlegroups, including a British-led one in Estonia, and others in Latvia, Lithuania and Poland, totalling 4,500 troops, became fully operational in 2017. Three years earlier, the alliance set about increasing the size of the Nato Response Force to 40,000, with the high-readiness Spearhead Force at its core. Mr Stoltenberg added: Its important Russia gets a clears signal that it has consequences, costs, to behave the way they behave. Vladimir Putin's Photo ops Russia's Man of Steel? Show all 20 1 /20 Vladimir Putin's Photo ops Russia's Man of Steel? Vladimir Putin's Photo ops Russia's Man of Steel? Vladimir Putin is pictured with a horse during his vacation outside the town of Kyzyl in Southern Siberia on August 3, 2009. Getty Vladimir Putin's Photo ops Russia's Man of Steel? Vladimir Putin aims at a whale with an arbalest to take a piece of its skin for analysis on the Olga Bay, some 240 kilometres north-east of Nakhodka on August 25, 2010. Getty Vladimir Putin's Photo ops Russia's Man of Steel? Vladimir Putin plunges into the icy waters of lake Seliger during the celebration of the Epiphany holiday in Russia's Tver region AFP/Getty Vladimir Putin's Photo ops Russia's Man of Steel? Vladimir Putin (top) takes part in a judo training session at the "Moscow" sports complex in St. Petersburg, on December 22, 2010. Getty Vladimir Putin's Photo ops Russia's Man of Steel? Vladimir Putin works out at a gym at the Bocharov Ruchei state residence in Sochi on August 30, 2015. Getty Vladimir Putin's Photo ops Russia's Man of Steel? Vladimir Putin fishes in the remote Tuva region in southern Siberia. The picture taken between August 1 and 3, 2017. Getty Vladimir Putin's Photo ops Russia's Man of Steel? Vladimir Putin (L) and the leader of the Night Wolves biker group, Alexander Zaldostanov (R), also known as the Surgeon, ride motorcycles on August 29, 2011 at a bikers' festival in the Black Sea port of Novorossiysk, Russia. Putin described leather-clad bikers as brothers and boasted of the "indivisible Russian nation" after roaring into a biking rally on a Harley Davidson. Getty Vladimir Putin's Photo ops Russia's Man of Steel? Vladimir Putin wears glasses as he visits the Technology Park of the Novosibirsk Academic Town in Novosibirsk on February 17, 2012. Getty Vladimir Putin's Photo ops Russia's Man of Steel? Vladimir Putin rides a horse during his vacation outside the town of Kyzyl in Southern Siberia on August 3, 2009. Getty Vladimir Putin's Photo ops Russia's Man of Steel? Vladimir Putin holds a pistol during his visit to a newly-built headquarters of the Russian General Staff's Main Intelligence Department (GRU) in Moscow, 08 November 2006. ?Some countries are seeking to untie their hands in order to take weapons to outer space, including nuclear weapons,? Putin said at the Chief Military Intelligence Department on Wednesday. Getty Vladimir Putin's Photo ops Russia's Man of Steel? Vladimir Putin sits inside a T-90AM tank during a visit to an arms exhibition in the Urals town of Nizhny Tagil on September 9, 2011 Getty Vladimir Putin's Photo ops Russia's Man of Steel? Vladimir Putin wears a helmet and the uniform of the Renault Formula One team before driving a F1 race car on a special track in Leningrad region outside St. Petersburg on November 7, 2010. Getty Vladimir Putin's Photo ops Russia's Man of Steel? Vladimir Putin guides a boat during his vacation in the remote Tuva region in southern Siberia. The picture taken between August 1 and 3, 2017. Getty Vladimir Putin's Photo ops Russia's Man of Steel? Vladimir Putin hunts fish underwater in the remote Tuva region in southern Siberia. The picture taken between August 1 and 3, 2017. Getty Vladimir Putin's Photo ops Russia's Man of Steel? Vladimir Putin is seen at the Russian boxing team training club after casting his vote for the Russian Presidential election, 14 March 2004 in Moscow. Putin coasted to a landslide victory with 69.0 percent of the vote in Sunday's election, according to the first exit poll aired on Russian television moments after voting ended across the country's 11 time zones. AFP/Getty Images Vladimir Putin's Photo ops Russia's Man of Steel? Russian President Vladimir Putin poses for a picture inside the Tupolev-160 strategic bomber jet at the Moscow's Chkalovsky military airport, 16 August 2005. President Vladimir Putin took off from Moscow for a supersonic flight in a cruise-missile carrying Tupolev-160 bomber jet, the latest in the Russian leader's action-packed public appearances. After a health check, Putin donned a flight suit and took the commander's position in the strategic bomber, which was piloted by Major General Anatoly Zhikharev, with a colonel and a lieutenant colonel in charge of navigation, Russian media reported. Getty Vladimir Putin's Photo ops Russia's Man of Steel? A picture released on March 6, 2010 shows Vladimir Putin look through binoculars in the Karatash area, near the town of Abakan, during his working trip to Khakassia, on February 25, 2010. Getty Vladimir Putin's Photo ops Russia's Man of Steel? Vladimir Putin measuring a polar bear on the island Alexandra Land, part of the Franz Josef Land archipalego in the Arctic Ocean. Putin, better known in the West for his tough-guy image, expressed concern for the fate of Arctic polar bears threatened by climate change. "The polar bear is under threat. Their population is currently only 25,000 individuals," Putin was quoted by Russian news agencies as saying Getty Vladimir Putin's Photo ops Russia's Man of Steel? Vladimir Putin carries a hunting rifle during his trip in Ubsunur Hollow Biosphere Reserve in Tuva Republic in this undated picture released on October 30, 2010 by RIA Novosti news agency. Getty Vladimir Putin's Photo ops Russia's Man of Steel? Russian President Vladimir Putin pilots a motorized hang glider while flying with cranes as he takes part in a scientific experiment as part of the "Flight of Hope", which aims to preserve a rare species of - cranes on September 5, 2012. At the helm of a motorized hang glider that the birds have taken as their leader, Putin made three flights - the first to get familiar with the process, and two others with the birds. AFP/Getty All Nato allies express a strong political support for the UK, the United Kingdom is not alone. Russia's Ambassador to the UK, Alexander Yakovenko, yesterday described Ms May's expulsion of diplomats as "absolutely unacceptable" and "a provocation" and urged her to "follow international law". Moscow's envoy to the UN, Vasily Nebenzya, responded to Britain giving his country a 24-hour deadline to answer the poisoning accusations earlier this week by saying Russia "does not speak the language of ultimatums" and protesting that it had been asked to confess without being given the opportunity to carry out its own investigations. Cabinet minister Sajid Javid has become the latest MP to receive a threatening Punish a Muslim letter to his parliamentary office, as police mount an investigation into Islamophobic hate mail. The Housing Secretary is the fifth politician to be targeted with menacing letters in the last week, which offer rewards for those who attack and abuse Muslims on a single day of coordinated nationwide violence. It comes as police cordoned off part of the parliamentary estate on Thursday following reports of a suspicious package containing an unnamed substance, and two people were taken to hospital as a precautionary measure. Mr Javid posted a picture of the letter on Twitter using the hashtag fanmail, and when asked whether he had been sent the letter by scumbags, he replied, yes. It is unclear whether he also received a package with a suspicious substance. Threatening letters were sent to the Westminster offices of four Muslim Labour MPs this week, as well as packages containing a suspicious substance that prompted a police response and several staffers needing to be taken to hospital to be assessed. A parliamentary staffer to Rupa Huq, Ealing Central and Acton MP, was taken to hospital after opening a package containing an irritant substance on Tuesday, while the parliamentary office of Manchester Gortons MP, Afzhal Khan, was also evacuated. Two people were also taken to hospital after a package was sent to the office of Mohammad Yasin, MP for Bedford and Kempston, on Monday. Recommended Four Muslim Labour MPs sent suspect packages and threatening letters Rushanara Ali, MP for Bethnal Green and Bow, also revealed that she had opened a threatening letter on Monday. Several police forces are investigating instances of Punish a Muslim letters across the country, which were also condemned by Theresa May and Jeremy Corbyn in Parliament this week. The Prime Minister said: I am sure that the whole House will join me in condemning this unacceptable and abhorrent behaviour, which has no place in our society. An investigation is under way and steps are being taken to bring the perpetrators to justice. The Labour leader hit out at the disgusting hate-filled letters sent to Muslim fellow citizens and colleagues in Parliament, describing the missives as utterly contemptible. UK news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 UK news in pictures 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 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 A parliamentary spokesperson said: Yesterday a suspicious item of mail in the Palace of Westminster was investigated by the Met Police and was found not to be harmful. The immediate area was evacuated as a precaution but access to the building was otherwise unaffected. Two people attended hospital as a precaution. We cannot provide any further details while the Met Police investigation is ongoing. A police spokesperson said specialist officers were sent to assess the package in Parliament but the substance contained in it was deemed not to be hazardous. Jacob Zuma will face charges of fraud, racketeering and money laundering, prosecutors announced. The former South African president has had historic charges, which were thrown out by prosecutors nearly a decade ago, reinstated. The charges relate to an arms deal in the 1990s, when Mr Zuma was deputy president. After consideration of the matter, I am of the view that there are reasonable prospects of a successful prosecution of Mr Zuma on the charges listed in the indictment, Shaun Abrahams, head of the National Prosecuting Authority, said. There are 16 counts against Mr Zuma who has claimed he is a victim of misconduct by prosecutors as well as leaks to the media. Mr Zuma in addition disputes all the allegations against him and records that he lacked the requisite intention to commit any of the crimes listed in the indictment, Mr Abrahams said. Mr Abrahams himself has faced calls to resign for allegedly declining to move against Mr Zuma when he was in office. 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 Zuma resigned as president last month on the orders of his party, the African National Congress. In another scandal, South Africas top court ruled in 2016 that Mr Zuma violated the constitution following an investigation of multi-million-dollar upgrades to his private home using state funds. He paid back some of the money. Agencies contributed to this report More than 30 countries across Africa have called on the European Union (EU) to close down its ivory market, saying it needs to do more to prevent elephants being driven to extinction. The 27 nation bloc banned the export of raw ivory last year, but the trade between member states continues. Under current rules, antique ivory can still be exported and campaigners say dealers are using the exception to smuggle newer ivory to Asian markets. Up to 30,000 African elephants are killed by poachers every year, with the practice particularly rife in the centre of the continent. At the Giants Club summit - a forum of leaders devoted to tackling elephant poaching - the presidents of Botswana, Uganda and Gabon, signed a petition organised by the Avaaz activist group which demands that the EU shut down the domestic market, end all ivory exports, and support efforts to ban the global ivory trade. They joined 29 other African nations, that were among 1,000,000 signatories from across the world. Europe has led the fight against illegal poaching, but these efforts are being undermined by the continued legal trade in ivory in EU countries, the petition says. In the context of China announcing its ban on ivory, Europe must now do all it can to prevent elephants being driven to extinction. Bert Wander, campaigns director at Avaaz said: European officials told us they couldnt ban ivory because not enough African leaders wanted them to. Now were going back to them with signatures from more than 30 countries where most of Africas elephants live to ask if they have any other excuses. 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 truth is there are none -- the rest of the world is turning its back on the ivory trade. Why not Europe? Max Graham, chief executive of Space for Giants said: Weve long argued that all ivory markets should be closed because any vagueness in can you buy it or cant you buy it drives confusion, and criminal networks make billions of euros a year exploiting that confusion. Its simple: the EU must follow the US and especially China, and say no ivory is for sale, full stop. Five more women will be allowed to testify at the sexual assault retrial of former entertainer Bill Cosby, potentially helping prosecutors bolster their case against Mr Cosby by depicting a pattern of misconduct. Judge Steven O'Neill said prosecutors could choose the witnesses from a list of eight whose allegations date to 1982. Prosecutors had wanted to have as many as 19 women give evidence about alleged assaults over a five-decade span. Cosby is accused of drugging and sexually assaulting Andrea Constand in 2004. He has pleaded not guilty to the charges. Among the women who could enter the witness box is model Janice Dickinson, who suspects the comedian drugged and raped her while she was unconscious during a 1982 trip to Nevada's Lake Tahoe. "We are reviewing the judge's order and will be making some determinations," district attorney Kevin Steele said. Cosby's attorney did not comment on the ruling, but last week the star's lawyers tried to block additional accusers from giving evidence. 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 Arguing jurors should only hear evidence about the alleged 2004 assault, they said "ancient allegations" would confuse, distract and prejudice the jury against the 80-year-old. After Judge O'Neill's ruling, a Cosby spokesman Andrew Wyatt said: "It just shows how desperate they are and that this is a very weak case." He reiterated that Cosby was "innocent of these charges." Bill Cosby: Mistrial declared After jurors were deadlocked in the case based on Constand's allegations, a mistrial was declared last year. While Mr Cosby has maintained his innocence and has not been convicted of sexual misconduct, multiple accusers have filed defamation lawsuits after he denied their allegations. As Judge ONeills declared his decision, the California Supreme Court declined to review Mr Cosbys appeal against a defamation suit brought by model Janice Dickinson, allowing the case to proceed. For years, skygazers in Canada have been training their camera lenses on a wispy strand of purple light running across the country from east to west, sometimes flanked by neon green fingers that appear to wave. It looks like a piece of the aurora borealis, or northern lights: blushes of pink or green that illuminate the night sky at high latitudes, caused by solar particles interacting with the Earths magnetic field. But this strip of light is different. It has always appeared further south, beyond the bounds of normal aurora sightings. Amateur aurora watchers have taken hundreds of photographs of this adjacent phenomenon, often drawing out its fluorescent colours with long exposures or photo editing. They called it Steve, as a sort of placeholder until a more formal name could be found. Now a research paper has shed light on what Steve actually is and scientists have proposed a moniker: Strong Thermal Emission Velocity Enhancement. So, its still Steve. But as a bacronym a retroactive acronym. The paper was published Wednesday in Science Advances, a peer-reviewed journal from the American Association for the Advancement of Science. It suggests that Steve has a lot in common with a phenomenon called a sub-auroral ion drift or SAID, in which ions flow very quickly from east to west, closer to the equator than the aurora borealis. Like the northern lights, SAID results from interactions between charged solar particles and the Earths magnetosphere. Its something that we know thats actually been studied for 40 years, said Elizabeth A MacDonald, a space physicist at Nasas Goddard Space Flight Center who led the papers research team. But they have never been seen to have this optical component. In other words, SAID usually looks nothing like Steve, with its long purplish streak and green fingers. That leaves many questions unanswered and scientists are still working on those. In 2014, Ms MacDonald founded a platform called Aurorasaurus to share images of the northern lights and, more recently, Steve. She works with contributors who are not formally trained scientists, like Hannahbella Nel, a British photographer who travelled to Canada and captured a stunning display of Steve in May. Last month, Aurorasurus put out a call for photographs of Steve for a research paper. I was happy to submit mine, Ms Nel said in an email on Wednesday. I found it exciting, as I wanted to know more about this beautiful ribbon of light I had captured with my photographs. Ms Nel is also a member of a Facebook group called the Alberta Aurora Chasers. For years, its members have gathered on Canadian prairies, far from the city lights, to catch glimpses of the aurora. On those trips, they began to notice Steve and Chris Ratzlaff, the groups administrator, gave the strip of light its name. He was inspired by a scene from the 2006 animated movie Over the Hedge, in which a group of animals encounter a tall hedge and not knowing what it is, decide to call it Steve. When Ms MacDonald visited the University of Calgary to give a talk in 2016, Mr Ratzlaff and other members of his Facebook group attended. She met them at a pub, along with Eric Donovan, a professor of physics and astronomy at the university. As they pored over photographs of Steve, collaboration began to take shape. 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 Ms MacDonald and Mr Donovan worked with data from Swarm, a constellation of satellites run by the European Space Agency and learned that Steve is a strip of ionised gas as hot as the Earths core and moving through the air at about 4 miles per second. Further research revealed that Steve was similar to a sub-auroral ion drift something Mr Ratzlaff, who was named as a co-author on the Wednesday report, said he was not familiar with until this project began. SAIDs dont really have any visual features, so the relationship between them and something as visually stunning as Steve is super fascinating, he said, adding that his group will keep working with Ms MacDonald, Mr Donovan and others to understand the relationship between the two phenomena. That collaboration between formally trained scientists and dedicated enthusiasts is what makes this project unique, Ms MacDonald said. I think of it as a disruptive innovation, she added. Something unexpected that changes the way you look at things. The New York Times A grandmother has urged people not to use forward-facing car seats after her two-year-old granddaughter was "internally decapitated" in a car crash. Aniyah Bennetts skull detached from her spine after the vehicle she was travelling in with her mother Kimberly Bennett, 28, struck a brick pillar and overturned. While her mother escaped with scratches, Aniyah was airlifted to hospital where doctors determined that the impact of the smash had "internally decapitated" her. Internal decapitation or atlanto-occipital dislocation, is an injury fatal in 70 per cent of cases where the spinal column detaches from the skull base. Surgeons successfully managed to reattach the childs spine, but she also suffered a complete tear of her C5 nerve in the accident and lost movement in her right arm. The child, now four, was also forced to wear a halo on her head for five months to hold her bones in place and had to relearn to walk. She remains partially paralysed. Her grandmother and guardian Tanya Bender, 48, said that had she been in a rear-facing car seat instead of a forward-facing one, she would have not been hurt. Rear-facing seats protect a childs head, neck and back during frontal crashes, however Aniyah was in a front-facing seat so her head and neck jolted forward upon impact. Property manager Ms Bender, of Central Point, Oregon, US, said: It was so frightening to be on that plane with her when she was being airlifted. She was in such a serious life-threatening position and she was really scared. When we got to the hospital there was about 30 surgeons waiting for her it was overwhelming. There the massive team explained to me that her spine had completely disconnected from her head and it was a miracle that her spinal cord was not damaged. Now she has limited feeling in her lower left arm and ribcage. Other than that she has no movement or feeling in her arm. Normal four-year-olds can get up and dress themselves but Aniyah cant. 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 Ms Bender added that Aniyah was "really limited in what she does because she has to be so careful with her neck." She said that she would "never jump on a trampoline or play on a team sport or be a cheerleader." She added: It makes me so sad that shell never be able to ride horses or do things other children can. She cant even climb up the ladder to go down the slide at the park, it breaks my heart. I truly believe that Aniyah wouldnt have suffered this injury had she been facing backward. The child spent two weeks at Doernbecher Childrens Hospital in Portland, Washington, recovering from the crash in May 2016. Ms Bender, who cares for her granddaughter with her husband, truck driver Ed Bender, 52, added that she had to relearn how to walk and is still undergoing physiotherapy. She said that she believed Aniyah would not have suffered the injuries she did had she been in a rear-facing car seat at the time of the accident. The instructions on Aniyahs car seat recommended that children who weighed between 23lbs and 40lbs could sit in a forward-facing car seat. Laws on car seats vary by state. In many places, the rules state that children aged under one and weighing less than 20lbs must be restrained in rear-facing seats. In Oregon, the law applies to children under the age of two. Although Aniyah, who weighed 32lbs at the time of the accident, met the minimum requirements, Ms Bender says children should sit in rear-facing seats until they weigh 50lbs. Ive been trying to spread the word by talking about Aniyahs accident, because I think she would have been saved so much pain if we had done that, she said. But despite everything, shes such a happy child. Except for times when she was in intense pain, she never complained. Were so happy shes still here. SWNS A black man who was beaten at a white supremacist rally this summer and later charged with assault has been acquitted on all charges. DeAndre Harris made national headlines when he was attacked in a parking garage following the Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville, Virginia in August. Supporters were shocked when one of his alleged assailants white supremacist Harold Ray Crews responded by filing his own assault charges against Mr Harris. More than 100 of Mr Harris's supporters turned out to hear Charlottesville General District Court Judge Robert Downer read out his verdict on Friday, according to NBC. The judge found the 20-year-old not guilty, sparing him up to 12 months in prison and a $2,500 fine. Rhonda Quagliana, a defence attorney for Mr Harris, said she was happy and relieved at the outcome. DeAndre is a 20-year-old young person and the things that happened to him on that day, and the difficulties that hes endured after the last several months, have been nothing short of overwhelming for someone his age, she told The Independent. Violence on the streets of Charlottesville Show all 9 1 /9 Violence on the streets of Charlottesville Violence on the streets of Charlottesville Protesters clash and several are injured White nationalist demonstrators clash with counter demonstrators at the entrance to Lee Park in Charlottesville, Virginia. A state of emergency is declared, August 12 2017 Violence on the streets of Charlottesville Trump supporters at the protest A white nationalist demonstrator walks into Lee Park in Charlottesville, Va., Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017. Hundreds of people chanted, threw punches, hurled water bottles and unleashed chemical sprays on each other Saturday after violence erupted at a white nationalist rally in Virginia. AP Photo Violence on the streets of Charlottesville State police stand ready in riot gear Virginia State Police cordon off an area around the site where a car ran into a group of protesters after a white nationalist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia AP Photo Violence on the streets of Charlottesville Militia armed with assault rifles White nationalists, neo-Nazis and members of the 'alt-right' with body armor and combat weapons evacuate comrades who were pepper sprayed after the 'Unite the Right' rally was declared a unlawful gathering by Virginia State Police. Militia members marched through the city earlier in the day, armed with assault rifles. Getty Images Violence on the streets of Charlottesville Statue of Confederate General Robert E Lee The statue of Confederate General Robert E. Lee stands behind a crowd of hundreds of white nationalists, neo-Nazis and members of the 'alt-right' during the 'Unite the Right' rally 12 August 2017 in Charlottesville, Virginia. They are protesting the removal of the statue from Emancipation Park in the city. Getty Images Violence on the streets of Charlottesville Racial tensions sparked the violence White nationalists, neo-Nazis and members of the 'alt-right' exchange insults with counter-protesters as they attempt to guard the entrance to Lee Park during the 'Unite the Right' rally Getty Violence on the streets of Charlottesville A car plows through protesters A vehicle drives into a group of protesters demonstrating against a white nationalist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia. The incident resulted in multiple injuries, some life-threatening, and one death. AP Photo Violence on the streets of Charlottesville Rescue personnel help injured people after a car ran into a large group of protesters after an white nationalist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia AP Photo Violence on the streets of Charlottesville President Donald Trump speaks about the ongoing situation in Charlottesville, Virginia from his golf club in Bedminster, New Jersey. He spoke about "loyalty" and "healing wounds" left by decades of racism. Mr Harris and several friends travelled to Charlottesville last summer to counter-protest the right-wing rally, which was billed as the largest white supremacist gathering in decades. Mr Harris, Mr Crews and several other people engaged in a scuffle after the event, in which the counter-protester struck the white supremacist with a flashlight. A group of people then followed Mr Harris into a nearby parking garage and attacked him, leaving him with a spinal injury and head lacerations that required 10 stitches. Video of the assault circulated online, adding to national outrage about the rally, where protesters carried confederate flags and chanted Jews will not replace us. Another counter-protester, 32-year-old Heather Heyer, was killed at the rally when she was struck by a car one allegedly driven by white supremacist James Fields. In a Charlottesville courtroom on Friday, Mr Downer told anxious observers that Mr Harris was not guilty of assault because he did not mean to strike Mr Crews. Instead, the judge said, he was attempting to protect his friend, whom he thought Mr Crews was attacking. Nazi shouts "Hey n****" and fires gunshot at counter-protester in Charlottesville Ms Quagliana, who took the case pro-bono, called Mr Harriss defence a group effort. Students from the University of Virginia, where the rally took place, volunteered their time to work on the case, she said. A court reporter also volunteered her services during the trial. Three men accused of assaulting Mr Harris after the rally will stand trial in late April and early May. A fourth mans trial has yet to be set. Donald Trump has decided to sack National Security Advisor H R McMaster after complaining that his intelligence briefings are too long, according to reports. The US President, who fired Secretary of State Rex Tillerson on Tuesday, is already said to be considering replacements for the three-star Army general. The move was reported by the Washington Post just hours after General McMaster blamed Russia for the nerve agent attack in Salisbury and accused them of complicity in Syrian atrocities. General McMaster was appointed in February last year following the resignation of Michael Flynn, who has since pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI about his contacts with the Russian government. According to the Post, Mr Trump has 'never personally gelled' with Gen McMaster but wants to take time before announcing his departure. He has "complained that McMaster is too rigid and that his briefings go on too long and seem irrelevant", it said. On Thursday, Gen McMaster pointed the finger at Russia for "the abhorrent nerve agent attack" on former spy Sergei Skripal in Salisbury. "We believe that Russia was responsible for this attack and we call on the Russian government to answer all questions related to this incident," he said. He also suggested Russia was complicit in atrocities by Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's regime and called for "serious economic and political consequences". Mr Trump is said to be considering replacing the general with the former ambassador to the UN, John Bolton, or Keith Kellogg, chief of staff of the National Security Council. White House Chief of Staff John Kelly - who has himself been the subject of departure rumours - is said to be "eager to see McMaster go". The report was rejected by White House press secretary Sarah Huckabbee Sanders, who said Mr Trump and General McMaster 'have a good working relationship'. General McMaster's departure would be the latest in a string of high-profile sackings and resignations since the start of the year, including the President's economic adviser Gary Cohn and communications director Hope Hicks. The President reportedly feels "emboldened" after his decisions to agree to meet with Korean leader Kim Jong-un and to impose tariffs on steel and aluminium. After sacking Mr Tillerson on Tuesday, he told reporters: "I'm really at a point where we're getting very close to having the Cabinet and other things that I want." Mr Trump is expected to make CIA director Mike Pompeo his new Secretary of State and has announced that conservative TV pundit Larry Kudlow will be the next head of the White House National Economic Council. The President has indicated that the revolving door at the White House will keep on turning, telling reporters: 'There will always be change.' It has been speculated that his end game is to get rid of Attorney General Jeff Sessions so he can fire Robert Mueller, the former FBI director investigating Russian links to Trump's campaign. A Pennsylvania high school has said it will discipline students who walked out of class to protest gun violence in the wake of the school shooting in Parkland, Florida last month. Pennridge High School said it would give a day of detention to the more than 200 students who walked out of class as part of the nationwide protest on Wednesday, according to local news outlets. The walkout was organised after the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, where a lone gunman shot and killed 17 students and staff members on Valentines Day. Tens of thousands of students participated in the nationwide walkout on the one-month anniversary of the shooting including approximately 225 students from Pennridge. Recommended Florida shooting inspires walkouts across US The school organised an assembly for the same day, where students were to sit in silence for 17 minutes and watch a slide show honouring the victims. Approximately 800 students attended that assembly, according to Pennridge school district superintendent Jacqueline Rattigan. We are proud of the way our students conducted themselves during todays silent Remembrance Assembly, Ms Rattigan said in a statement. ...It was a moving experience for those who participated. Florida shooting in pictures Show all 10 1 /10 Florida shooting in pictures Florida shooting in pictures Police arrest a suspect in connection with the shooting at the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida Reuters Florida shooting in pictures Parents wait for news after reports of a shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida AP Florida shooting in pictures Anxious family members wait for news of students AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee Florida shooting in pictures Students being evacuated from the school AP Florida shooting in pictures Students being evacuated from the school Getty Florida shooting in pictures People gather waiting for word from students AP Florida shooting in pictures Parents waiting for news on their children AP Florida shooting in pictures People gather at a hotel where students were taken after the shooting Getty Florida shooting in pictures Florida Governor Rick Scott speaks to the media as he visits Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School following the shooting AFP/Getty Florida shooting in pictures Dr. Igor Nichiporenko, Medical Director Trauma, left, and Dr. Evan Boyer, Medical Director, Emergency Services, speak about treating victims and the suspect at a press conference outside Broward Health North hospital AP The superintendent added that students who walked out of the school during the assembly would face consequences, which she said were outlined in advance. District public relations coordinator Joe Ferry told the Allentown Morning Call that the consequences would be one Saturday detention for a first offence and two for a second offence. Five students who went to Dunkin Donuts during the walkout will face an additional detention. Parkland shooting: Brooklyn students in school walkout explain why they're taking part The protest grew out of the student uprising after the Parkland shooting, when students from the Florida high school and others began lobbying their lawmakers to strengthen gun control laws. Parkland students have met with Florida state lawmakers, participated in a town hall with US senators, and attended a listening session with President Donald Trump. They have also helped organise another walkout in April, and a March for Our Lives later this month. Some schools gave students a free pass to leave the building for the protest on Wednesday. Others, like Pennridge, were not as lenient. Approximately 150 students who participated in the protest at Park Hill High school in Missouri were given detention or ordered to attend an administrative conference, according to local news outlets. Lindenhurst High School in New York suspended more than two dozen students who participated, but later decreased the punishment to detention. This weeks Google Doodle honours George Peabody, known as the the father of modern philanthropy and his rags-to-riches story. Today marks the anniversary of Mr Peabodys Congressional Gold Medal in 1867 for the bankers generous contributions to education initiatives. What is remarkable is one of seven children born into a poor Massachusetts family in 1795 and actually stopped attending school at the age of 11 to work in a general store. After being an apprentice for four years he set out into the world, becoming a store manager by 17 and just three years later become a partner in a wholesale dry goods business. He was worth $40,000 by the time he was 22. Over the next 20 years he spent much of his time in Baltimore and expanded the business to trade internationally. Eventually, he settled in London and amassed the majority of his wealth as a banker in the financial capital of the world at the time. He helped the young US country establish credit internationally and founded a company that would later include the business giant known as JP Morgan. During the course of his life, Mr Peabody gave away an estimated $9m of his $16m fortune. The Congressional medal honored his $2m in contributions specifically to education initiatives, which amounts to approximately $30m today. 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 1866, he gave $150,000 to help establish the Peabody Museum of Natural History at Yale University, where the never-married millionaires nephew was a student. That same year he donated the same amount to Harvard to found the Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology. The Peabody Trust remains one of the largest housing organisations in the UK to this day. The causes he supported spanned both countries and Mr Peabody received the rare honour of a temporary burial in Westminster Abbey upon his death before being taken home to Massachusetts. Just before his death in 1869, he was also honoured by his hometown of South Danvers, which changed its name to Peabody. According to Google, today's Doodle art is the result of a Doodle team volunteer mural project at George Peabody Elementary School in San Francisco, California. The mural currently resides in the student cafeteria. A California city has settled for $2.5 million (1.8 million) with a couple who sued after officials called their account of a kidnapping a hoax. Denise Huskins and Aaron Quinn filed a defamation lawsuit against the city of Vallejo after officials there dismissed Mr Quinns description of a home intruder kidnapping and raping Ms Huskins as a fabrication that had wasted police resources. Vindicating the couple, a man named Matthew Muller was later convicted of kidnapping Ms Quinn and sentenced to 40 years in prison after he was arrested and had his home searched during an unrelated investigation. Prosecutors said they found video of Muller sexually assaulting Ms Huskins while she was blindfolded. Their lawsuit accused Vallejo police officers of a vicious and shocking attack that unfairly destroyed their reputations through an outrageous and wholly unfounded campaign of disparagement. It alleges police officers reacted to Mr Quinn reporting the crime by treating him as if he had already been convicted of murdering Ms Huskins. The case attracted ample media coverage and was referred to by some outlets Gone Girl case, referencing a film in which a character fakes her own kidnapping. 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 lawsuit accuses the Vallejo Police Department of stoking that salacious and absurd narrative, turning a local disappearance into a worldwide media frenzy proliferating the departments public smearing. US family held hostage by Taliban describe rape and assault during kidnapping ordeal A district court judge last year denied Vallejos motion to dismiss the lawsuit. A representative of Vallejo did not respond to the Independents request for comment. The head of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is reportedly under investigation for sexual harassment. The academy, which oversees the Oscars, is responding to multiple allegations against president John Bailey, according to reports in the Hollywood Reporter and Variety. In a statement, the Academy said it treats any complaints confidentially to protect all parties. We will not comment further on such matters until the full review is completed, the statement said. A cinematographer, Mr Bailey was named the academys director last year. The allegations extend a reckoning for Hollywood, which has seen a series of powerful figures toppled by sexual misconduct allegations. Harvey Weinstein: his accusers Show all 42 1 /42 Harvey Weinstein: his accusers Harvey Weinstein: his accusers Harvey Weinstein Harry Weinsteins reputation as one of Hollywoods leading executives was long cemented in stone. The acclaimed movie mogul, who produced Oscar-winning films Shakespeare in Love, The English Patient, and The Artist, clocked up box office successes and accolades aplenty. But this has quickly changed since a chorus of women have come forward to accuse the Hollywood producer of sexual harassment and assault. Since the New York Times bombshell report disclosed sexual harassment and rape allegations against the film mogul dating back decades, Weinstein has been fired from his namesake company, expelled from the Oscars and has had his wife leave him. Weinstein has apologised for having caused a lot of pain but has denied all allegations of nonconsensual sex. Getty Harvey Weinstein: his accusers Annabella Sciorra The Sopranos actor alleged Weinstein raped her after shooting The Night We Never Met, a 1993 movie that Weinstein produced. Similar to the stories told by other women, Weinstein drove the actor home, only to reportedly burst into Sciorra's apartment and start unbuttoning his shirt. He shoved me onto the bed, and he got on top of me, Sciorra said. I kicked and I yelled. Weinstein then allegedly locked her arms and forced sexual intercourse on her. After the incident, Sciorra found it increasingly hard to get work, many filmmakers saying 'We heard you were difficult', something the actor claims was because of the 'Weinstein-machine'. Getty Harvey Weinstein: his accusers Natassia Malthe The model and actress, who has appeared in around 50 films, said she met Weinstein at a BAFTA after party in 2008 while she was working as a spokeswoman for LG. She told a press conference in New York that she felt pressured into telling Weinstein she was staying at the Sanderson Hotel after being put on the spot. Malthe, now 43, said after her shift on February 10 she went back to her room and went to sleep, but was awoken by "repeated pounding" on her door, from someone yelling: "Open the door Natassia Malthe, it's Harvey Weinstein." Feeling humiliated, she said she opened the door. She alleged Weinstein began implying sex would get her a role in an upcoming film while semi-undressed and then he began to masturbate. "I was sitting on the bed talking to Harvey when he pushed me back and forced himself onto me. It was not consensual. He did not use a condom," she said. AP Harvey Weinstein: his accusers Sean Young The actor, best known for her role in Ridley Scott's Blade Runner, said that Weinstein exposed himself to her in the early 1990s, when she was starring in the Miramax-produced Love Crimes - a production company that Weinstein headed at the time. "I personally experienced him pulling his you-know-what out of his pants to shock me," she said. "My basic response was, 'You know, Harvey, I really dont think you should be pulling that thing out, its not very pretty.'" Young never worked with Weinstein again after the incident. Harvey Weinstein: his accusers Mimi Haleyi Mimi Haleyi said she was assaulted by Weinstein in what appeared to be a child's bedroom in his New York City apartment in 2006 when she was in her 20s. She said she was aspiring to work in television and film production when she was first introduced to him at the London premiere of The Aviator around two years earlier and he helped her get experience on the set of a TV show being produced by The Weinstein Company. But, she added, he repeatedly hassled her and even tried to force himself through her front door in an effort to get her to join him on a trip to Paris. At one point he allegedly forcibly performed oral sex on an aspiring production assistant while she was on her period. Getty Harvey Weinstein: his accusers Lupita Nyong'o In an op-ed for The New York Times, the Oscar-winning actor said she was invited to Weinsteins family home in Connecticut on the premise of watching a film shortly after they met in 2011. But she said shortly after it started he "insisted" in front of his children that she follow him and she was led to his bedroom. The Kenyan-Mexican actress, now 34, said she felt pressured into giving him a massage after he offered her one. "Before long he said he wanted to take off his pants," she wrote."I told him not to do that and informed him that it would make me extremely uncomfortable. He got up anyway to do so and I headed for the door, saying that I was not at all comfortable with that." Over the years that followed, he continued to get in touch, Nyong'o said, and when she declined another proposition she felt her career was threatened. Getty Harvey Weinstein: his accusers Lena Headey Writing on social media, the Game of Thrones actor claims she first met Weinstein at the Venice Film Festival in 2005 where, after taking her for a walk by the water, he made some suggestive comment and gesture. Headey claims she bumped into Weinstein years later where he kept asking her questions about her love life. She alleges that, when Weinstein invited her to his hotel room to show her a script, the "energy shifted. The actor notes how, after saying she was not interesting in anything but the work, Weinstein was furious, apparently marching her back to a lift, "grabbing and holding tightly to the back of [her] arm." She claims that, after paying for her car, he whispered in her ear: "Don't tell anyone about this, not your manager, not your agent. Headey finished the post, writing: I got in the car and I cried. Getty Images Harvey Weinstein: his accusers Lucia Evans The actor told The New Yorker that after a meeting to discuss casting her in various projects, Weinstein forced her to perform oral sex on him. I said, over and over, I dont want to do this, stop, dont. She added: Hes a big guy. He overpowered me. I just sort of gave up. Thats the most horrible part of it, and thats why hes been able to do this for so long to so many women: people give up, and then they feel like its their fault. Getty Harvey Weinstein: his accusers Laura Madden Madden, a production assistant who worked at Miramax for a decade, told the Times that Weinstein allegedly prodded her for massages at hotels, a common theme among the sources the Timess reporters spoke with. On one occasion, she claims she locked herself in his hotel bathroom, sobbing Harvey Weinstein: his accusers Ashley Judd Judd recounted for the Times how Weinstein allegedly harassed her while she was filming Kiss the Girls in 1996, inviting her to his hotel room and asking her for a massage, then inviting her to watch him shower. Judd first went public with the allegations in a 2015 interview with Variety during which she discussed the experience without naming the producer involved. She described Weinsteins alleged behaviour as coercive bargaining; I said no, a lot of ways, a lot of times, and he always came back at me with some new ask, she told the Times AFP/Getty Harvey Weinstein: his accusers Rose McGowan McGowan reportedly reached a previously undisclosed $100,000 settlement with Weinstein in 1997, over an incident that occurred in a hotel room Getty Harvey Weinstein: his accusers Mimi Haleyi Mimi Haleyi said she was assaulted by Weinstein in what appeared to be a child's bedroom in his New York City apartment in 2006 when she was in her 20s. She said she was aspiring to work in television and film production when she was first introduced to him at the London premiere of The Aviator around two years earlier and he helped her get experience on the set of a TV show being produced by The Weinstein Company. But, she added, he repeatedly hassled her and even tried to force himself through her front door in an effort to get her to join him on a trip to Paris. At one point he allegedly forcibly performed oral sex on an aspiring production assistant while she was on her period. Getty Harvey Weinstein: his accusers Emily Nestor Nestor had been temping at the Weinstein Company for only one day in 2014 when Weinstein allegedly offered to boost her career in return for sexual favours, according to the Times. She declined and reportedly complained of his behaviour to colleagues, who later passed the information on to senior executives. An internal Weinstein Company document cited by the Times describes Nestors encounter with Weinstein as follows: She said he was very persistent and focused though she kept saying no for over an hour Getty Harvey Weinstein: his accusers Ambra Battilana In March 2015, Battilana, an aspiring model and actress, was reportedly summoned to Weinsteins office on a Friday night to discuss her career. According to a police report cited by the Times, Battilana claimed she was assaulted by Weinstein, who grabbed her breasts after asking if they were real and put his hands up her skirt. Weinstein later claimed that Battilana had set him up, according to colleagues of his who were interviewed by the Times. The Manhattan District Attorney, Cyrus Vance, later declined to press charges, and according to the Times, made a payment to Battilana. On 5 October, the International Business Times reported that after Vance dropped the charges, he received $10,000 from Weinsteins lawyer Harvey Weinstein: his accusers Lauren OConnor Lauren OConnor, an employee of the Weinstein Company, penned a memo to executives alleging a toxic environment for women at the company. The memo cited numerous incidents of Weinstein harassing or coercing women who worked for him. She expressed fear that Weinstein was using her and other female employees to facilitate liaisons with vulnerable women who hope he will get them work. That same year, Weinstein allegedly reached a settlement with OConnor Getty Harvey Weinstein: his accusers Kate Beckinsale The actor, who starred in the Weinstein Company films Serendipity and The Aviator, alleges that she was invited to Weinsteins hotel room at the age of just 17. When she approached the door, the producer reportedly greeted her dressed in just a dressing gown. I was incredibly naive and young and it did not cross my mind that this older, unattractive man would expect me to have any sexual interest in him, she wrote on Instagram. After declining alcohol and announcing that I had school in the morning I left, uneasy but unscathed. Theo Wargo/Getty Images Harvey Weinstein: his accusers Gwyneth Paltrow The actor alleges that after he cast her in the title role of the film Emma when she was 22, he took her to his hotel room, placed his hands on her and suggested massages. I was a kid, I was signed up, I was petrified, Paltrow told the New York Times. Rex Features Harvey Weinstein: his accusers Asia Argento Italian actress Asia Argento has alleged that in 1997 Weinstein forcibly performed oral sex on her as she repeatedly told him to stop. When I see him, it makes me feel little and stupid and weak, Argento told The New Yorker. After the rape, he won. Rex Features Harvey Weinstein: his accusers Cara Delevigne The British model and actress penning an Instagram post claiming that Weinstein had ordered her to kiss another woman in his hotel room, and tried to kiss her on the lips. AFP/Getty Harvey Weinstein: his accusers Ashley Judd Ashley Judd said she rebuffed Harvey Weinsteins unwanted sexual advances by offering to consent only after she had won an Oscar. When she was initially invited to a meeting with Weinstein, Judd said, she was surprised to learn the producer was in his hotel room - a tactic that recurs in other womens accounts. Echoing the accounts of other women, Judd said Weinstein suggested she give him a massage and then invited her to watch him shower. After a volley of nos she said she would only after she wins an Oscar, fleeing after making the comments. Reuters/Mike Segar Harvey Weinstein: his accusers Judith Godreche French actress Judith Godreche said when she was 24 Weinstein invited her to his hotel room and asked to give her a massage. The next thing I know, hes pressing against me and pulling off my sweater, she told the New York Times. Rex Features Harvey Weinstein: his accusers Mira Sorvino The Oscar-winning actor said she found herself in a hotel room with Weinstein in 1995 where he started massaging my shoulders, which made me very uncomfortable, and then tried to get more physical, sort of chasing me around. According to an interview in The New Yorker Weinstein subsequently arrived at her apartment late at night and she had to call a friend to come over to pose as her boyfriend in order to get Weinstein out of the house. Rex Features Harvey Weinstein: his accusers Katherine Kendall The actress said Weinstein undressed and chased her around a living room when she was just 23. She subsequently felt that telling others meant Ill never work again and no one is going to care or believe me, she told the New York Times. WireImage Harvey Weinstein: his accusers Tomi-Anne Roberts As an aspiring actress and working in a restaurant in New York, Tomi-Ann Roberts encountered Weinstein who encouraged her to audition for one of his films back in 1984. She subsequently went to meet him and found him naked in the bath and invited her to get naked and get into the bath with him, she told the New York Times. She said she left feeling manipulated. Harvey Weinstein: his accusers Myleen Klass It has also been alleged that the disgraced film producer propositioned Myleene Klass with a sex contract at Cannes Film Festival in 2010. One of the singer and television personalitys friends reportedly told The Sun, Klass had told Weinstein to f*** off. Getty Images Harvey Weinstein: his accusers Sophie Dix Sophie Dix, best known for her role as Captain Sadie Williams in Soldier Soldier, described her encounter with Weinstein when she was 23 as the single most damaging thing thats happened in my life. She told The Guardian Weinstein had pushed her to her bed and was tugging at her clothes. She rushed to the bathroom to escape, but when she came out she found him standing there masturbating. I quickly closed the door again and locked it, she said. Then when I heard room service come to the door I just ran. Rex Harvey Weinstein: his accusers Lea Seydoux The actor and director claims she had to fight off Weinstein after he brought her to his hotel room during what she remembers to be 2012. He suddenly jumped on me and tried to kiss me. I had to defend myself. Hes big and fat, so I had to be forceful to resist him. I left his room, thoroughly disgusted, she wrote in The Guardian. AFP/Getty Images Harvey Weinstein: his accusers Claire Forlani British actress Claire Forlani wrote on Twitter that she had evaded Weinsteins advances on five occasions at the age of 25. At meetings with the Hollywood a-lister, she says massage was suggested, and that Weinstein had boasted of all the women hed had sex with. Mark Douet Harvey Weinstein: his accusers Florence Darel French actress Florence Darel claimed Weinstein relentlessly pursued her in the mid 1990's and propositioned her while Eve Chilton, his wife at the time, was in the hotel room next door. I was astonished, she told People magazine. When you have someone so physically disgusting in front of you, continuing and continuing as though this was all perfectly normal What happened to me may not be illegal but it was inappropriate. Very inappropriate. Getty Harvey Weinstein: his accusers Lysette Anthony Lysette Anthony, who starred as Marnie Nightingale in Hollyoaks, has claimed Weinstein raped her in the late 1980's after turning up to her London home in the late 1980s. She described the disgraced film producers alleged attack as pathetic and revolting and said it left her feeling disgusted and embarrassed. Getty Harvey Weinstein: his accusers Dawn Dunning Dunning said she met Weinstein in 2003 when she was 24-years-old and the disgraced film producer suggested she have a threesome with him and someone else. She told the New York Times Weinstein got angry when she refused. Youll never make it in this business, she said he told her as she left. Rex Features Harvey Weinstein: his accusers Rosanna Arquette Rosanna Arquette was already well known for her role in Desperately Seeking Susan, when she said she met Weinstein at his hotel to pick up a script in the early nineties. Weinstein was dressed only in a dressing gown, and tried to put her hand on his erect penis. Speaking to the New York Times, Arquette said as she left she told him: I will never be that girl. Rex Features Harvey Weinstein: his accusers Emma de Caunes Caunes, a French actor, claimed Weinstein took her to his hotel room in 2010 supposedly to retrieve a book he was making into a film, but once there he went into the bathroom. De Caunes said he then emerged naked, with an erection and told her to lie on the bed. She fled the room. Rex Features Harvey Weinstein: his accusers Zoe Brock Model Zoe claimed that she had to lock herself in a bathroom at Weinsteins hotel in 1997, after the mogul had sent all of the assistants out of the room, and then appeared naked. I was alone with Weinstein, she told ITVs This Morning programme. He very quickly left the room and came back naked. He chased me naked. Harvey Weinstein: his accusers Jessica Barth Actress Jessica Barth described an encounter with Weinstein in 2011 in an interview with The New Yorker in which she said Weinstein veered between offering her roles in films and demanding a naked massage. She alleges the producer said to her: So, what would happen if, say, were having some champagne and I take my clothes off and you give me a massage? When she tried to leave, he then promised to give her the number of a female executive at the company. He gave me her number, and I walked out and I started bawling, Barth said. Rex Features Harvey Weinstein: his accusers Romola Garai The actress told The Guardian she felt violated after she went to a meeting with Weinstein at the age of 18 and he met her in his hotel room wearing nothing but a dressing gown. Getty Harvey Weinstein: his accusers Heather Graham Graham claimed that during a casting opportunity in the early 2000's Weinstein had told her he had an open relationship with his wife. He could sleep with whomever he wanted when he was out of town. I walked out of the meeting feeling uneasy, Graham told Variety. There was no explicit mention that to star in one of those films I had to sleep with him, but the subtext was there. Graham was never hired to work in a Weinstein film. Rex Features Harvey Weinstein: his accusers Jessica Hynes Spaced and W1A star Jessica Hynes tweeted about an encounter with Weinstein earlier this week, but subsequently deleted the tweet. Rex Features Harvey Weinstein: his accusers Lucia Evans The actor told The New Yorker that after a meeting to discuss casting her in various projects, Weinstein forced her to perform oral sex on him. I said, over and over, I dont want to do this, stop, dont. She added: Hes a big guy. He overpowered me. I just sort of gave up. Thats the most horrible part of it, and thats why hes been able to do this for so long to so many women: people give up, and then they feel like its their fault. Getty Harvey Weinstein: his accusers Louisette Geiss The former actress said she met Weinstein to pitch a film script she was working on. During the meeting, Weinstein allegedly went out and reappeared naked and got into a jacuzzi where he masturbated in front of her and said he would make the script into a film if she stayed and watched. Getty Harvey Weinstein: his accusers Liza Campbell Liza Campbell, a British writer and artist, alleged that Olympically ugly Weinstein asked her to join him in the bath and began getting undressed at a hotel. In a piece for The Times, Campbell claimed she was forced to sprint to the door to escape. Rex Features Harvey Weinstein: his accusers Louise Godbold Writing in a blog post, Louise Godbold, a non-profit director in Los Angeles, said her encounter with Weinstein took the form of an office tour that became an occasion to trap me in an empty meeting room. She said then Weinstein was begging for a massage, his hands on my shoulders as I attempted to beat a retreat. The #MeToo movement was a recurring theme underlying the Oscars ceremony last month, with multiple speakers lauding women who had come forward and urging the industry to do a better job allowing women to advance. Oscars 2018: Frances McDormand uses acceptance speech to demand inclusion rider from Hollywood Earlier this year, the academy released new guidelines for reporting misconduct. If claims are substantiated by clear evidence of behaviour violating the organisations code of conduct, a review committee can then decide to take no action or notify the accused within 10 business days. There is no place in the Academy for people who abuse their status, power or influence in a manner that violates recognized standards of decency, a document laying out the guidelines says. One of Brazils most promising, charismatic and beloved political figures was brutally murdered on Wednesday night in downtown Rio de Janeiro, in what officials have concluded was a targeted political assassination. City Councilwoman Marielle Franco, 38, was killed instantly when her car was pummelled by drive-by shooters with nine bullets, four of which entered her skull. Her driver, Anderson Pedro Gomes, 39, was also killed. Franco was killed at roughly 9:30pm, after leaving an event entitled Young Black Women Who Are Changing Power Structures. Police believe that she was monitored by her killers from the time she left the building, which is how they knew exactly where she was sitting in the car ensconced by tinted windows. Francos killing has shaken Brazil to its core at a time when the country is reeling from a massive corruption scandal, a seemingly endless political crisis, a years-long economic recession, and now an epidemic of spiralling violence. From left, David Miranda, Marielle Franco, and right, Glenn Greenwald (Erick Dau/The Intercept Brasil) The brazen assassination took place on the streets of Rio de Janeiro just one month after Brazils President, Michel Temer, ordered the military to occupy the city in order to stabilise security, the first time since the end of Brazils 21-year-long military dictatorship in 1985 that its military has intervened in a major city. Franco vehemently denounced the military intervention and was just appointed to lead a commission investigating its possible fiscal abuses. But what is most notable, and most devastating, about Francos murder is how improbable and unique her trajectory was to the public stage. A black LGBT+ woman in a country notoriously dominated by racism, sexism and traditional religious dogma, she was raised in one of Rios largest, poorest and most violent slums, the Mare complex. She became a single mother at the age of 19, but graduated college, obtained a masters in sociology, and then became one of the citys most effective human rights activists, leading often dangerous campaigns against pervasive police violence, corruption and extra-judicial murders that targeted the citys poor, black residents with whom she grew up. As she became increasingly political, Franco joined Brazils new left-wing party, the Party of Socialism and Liberty (PSOL), and quickly became one of its stars. In 2016, she ran for public office for the first time as a candidate for Rios city council and was elected with a massive vote. The results stunned the citys political class: as a first-time candidate, a black woman from Mare became the fifth most-voted candidate in the city (out of more than 1,500 candidates, 51 of them were elected). That success solidified Francos status not only as a new political force to be reckoned with, but as a repository of hope for Brazils traditionally voiceless and excluded groups: its favela residents, its black and poor people, and women. Marielle Franco was leading critic of police violence against black people (Facebook/Marielle Franco) Upon assuming office Franco immediately used her new platform to focus on what had become her lifes work: investigating, denouncing, and organising against police violence inflicted on the citys poor, black residents. Days before her assassination, she went to Acari, a sprawling Rio slum, to protest recent murders by one of the citys most notoriously violent and lawless police battalions. What makes it difficult to determine exactly who killed Franco was precisely her bravery: she was a threat to so many violent, corrupt, and powerful factions that the list of possible suspects, with motives to want her dead, is a long one. Francos killing is a horrific loss for Brazil and for Rio, but it is also devastating for my family. My husband, David Miranda (famously detained by UK authorities at Heathrow Airport in 2013 under Schedule 7), was elected to the Rio city council at the same time as Franco was, as part of the same party. Their backgrounds are extremely similar: like Franco, David grew up in one of Rios worst slums, though did so as an orphan, and was the first openly gay person elected to the city council. They spoke often of recruiting more candidates like themselves to PSOL, which, like many left-wing parties in the West, has had difficulty reaching beyond the wealthy and intellectual leftist enclaves to touch the poor people, the workers, the minorities on whose behalf they claim to speak, in part because so few of the partys representatives actually come from those places. Marielle and Davids chairs in the city council chamber were next to each others and they became not only comrades, working on the same projects, but best friends. As she did for so many people across Rio, Marielle became a critical inspiration to our recently adopted children: powerful proof for them that even in a country in which racism, economic inequality, and prejudices of all sorts remain a toxic force, all unjust walls can be breached. Protests held across Brazil after Rio councillor shot dead Show all 14 1 /14 Protests held across Brazil after Rio councillor shot dead Protests held across Brazil after Rio councillor shot dead People hold a sign during a protest for the Rio de Janeiro's city councillor Marielle Franco, who was shot dead, outside the city council chamber in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 15 March 2018. The sign reads: "No to the military intervention." Reuters Protests held across Brazil after Rio councillor shot dead People take part in a rally against the murder of Brazilian councilwoman and activist Marielle Franco, in Sao Paulo Brazil on 15 March 2018. AFP Protests held across Brazil after Rio councillor shot dead Brazilians in Sao Paulo mourn for the Rio de Janeiro councilwoman and outspoken critic of police brutality who was shot in the city center in an assassination-style killing on the eve. Getty Protests held across Brazil after Rio councillor shot dead A man writes a sign reading "They will never keep us quiet" during a rally against the murder of Brazilian councilwoman and activist Marielle Franco, in Sao Paulo Brazil on 15 March 2018. AFP Protests held across Brazil after Rio councillor shot dead People take part in a rally against the murder of Brazilian councilwoman and activist Marielle Franco, in Sao Paulo Brazil on 15 March 2018. Getty Protests held across Brazil after Rio councillor shot dead A crowd says goodbye to Marielle Franco, the council woman and human rights activist on in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on 15 March 2018. Marielle Franco, a well-known human rights activist who had become a harsh critic of the Army's intervention in the security of Rio de Janeiro, was shot and killed while traveling in her vehicle after a political event on 14 March. EPA Protests held across Brazil after Rio councillor shot dead A woman with text written on her chest in Portuguese that reads "Marielle present," takes part in a protest after the death of councilwoman Marielle Franco, who was gunned down the night before by two unidentified attackers in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Thursday, 15 March 2018. Police said the 38-year-old councilor, who was known for her social work in slums, was killed by perpetrators who knew exactly where she was sitting in a car that had blackout windows. AP Protests held across Brazil after Rio councillor shot dead Aerial view from the demonstration against the murder of Brazilian councilwoman and activist Marielle Franco in front of Rio's Municipal Chamber, downtown Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on 15 March 2018. AFP Protests held across Brazil after Rio councillor shot dead Hundreds accompany the arrival of the coffin of the Brazilian councilor Marielle Franco at the gates of the Municipal Chamber of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 15 March 2018. Marielle Franco, a well-known human rights activist who had become a harsh critic of the Army's intervention in the security of Rio de Janeiro, was shot and killed while traveling in her vehicle after a political event. EPA Protests held across Brazil after Rio councillor shot dead A crowd says goodbye to Marielle Franco, the council woman and human rights activist on in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on 15 March 2018. Marielle Franco, a well-known human rights activist who had become a harsh critic of the Army's intervention in the security of Rio de Janeiro, was shot and killed while traveling in her vehicle after a political event on 14 March. EPA Protests held across Brazil after Rio councillor shot dead Relatives grieve during the burial of councilwoman Marielle Franco, who was gunned down the night before by two unidentified attackers in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Thursday, 15 March 2018. Police said the 38-year-old councilor, who was known for her social work in slums, was killed by perpetrators who knew exactly where she was sitting in a car that had blackout windows. AP Protests held across Brazil after Rio councillor shot dead People take part in a rally against the murder of Brazilian councilwoman Marielle Franco, in Sao Paulo, Brazil 15 March 2018 Reuters Protests held across Brazil after Rio councillor shot dead A crowd says goodbye to Marielle Franco, the council woman and human rights activist on in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on 15 March 2018. Marielle Franco, a well-known human rights activist who had become a harsh critic of the Army's intervention in the security of Rio de Janeiro, was shot and killed while traveling in her vehicle after a political event on 14 March. EPA Protests held across Brazil after Rio councillor shot dead A woman holds a sign during a protest for the Rio de Janeiro's city councillor Marielle Franco, who was shot dead, outside the city council chamber in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 15 March 2018. The sign reads: "Enough of killing our youth." Reuters As is true of anyone who has met Marielle, you knew the first time you spoke with her that she was truly special, a certainty that was only reinforced the more time you spent with her. Yesterday, not just in Rio de Janeiro but in virtually every city across Brazil, tens of thousands of people gathered to mourn the loss of such a virtuous symbol of hope. But they also assembled to register their disgust and outrage over the real culprits responsible for her death: the Brazilian elite political and economic class that has gorged itself on corruption and the rotted fruits of massive inequality while the rest of the country is left to fend for itself in a climate of violence, rampant lawlessness, police abuse, and soul-destroying poverty. Most tragic of all is that Franco was exactly what Brazil needs most, yet so woefully lacks: people who understand the plight of the vast majority of Brazilians and who are devoted to improving rather than exploiting it. Franco is survived by her loving partner, Monica; her 19-year-old daughter Luyara Santos, who wrote yesterday: They killed not only my mother but also her 46,000 voters; her mother and various other grieving relatives. She is also survived by a country and city that she loved, one which now struggles to make sense of how this could happen. Most of all, the country is left to try to find a way to ensure that this does not become yet another episode that reinforces the long-standing truth that violent factions are free to murder anyone with impunity. Their challenge is to ensure, instead, that Francos death is not in vain, by using it to galvanise thousands and tens of thousands of new Marielles, inspired by her singularly potent example. Marielle Franco, born 27 July 1979, died 14 March 2018 A man who claimed he dug up and cremated the body of missing teenager Natalee Holloway to help his murder suspect friend has himself been killed while attempting to kidnap a woman, police have revealed. The violent death of John Ludwick is the latest strange development in the hunt for Natalee, who was last seen getting into a car after leaving a nightclub at 1.30am on May 30 2005, the day she was due to fly home from a high school graduation trip to the Caribbean island of Aruba. Dutchman Joran van der Sloot remains the prime suspect in the case, but has never been charged with Natalees murder or disappearance. He is, however, a convicted murderer, after being jailed for killing 21-year-old Stephany Flores Ramirez in Lima, Peru, on May 30 2010, the fifth anniversary of Natalees disappearance. Ludwick, 32, appeared to offer a new lead in the case last year when he was shown on a TV documentary claiming that in 2010 he had helped his friend van der Sloot dig up and then dispose of Natalees body. Ludwick was shown confessing that after van der Sloot offered him $1,500, he crushed up Natalees bones and took them, mixed with dog remains, to a crematorium where he paid a worker $200 in cash to let him cremate what he said was his pet. John Ludwick (Oxygen/NBC Universal) In an extraordinary twist last month, however, the veracity of Ludwicks claims were effectively questioned by a lawsuit launched by Natalees mother who accused the documentary makers of producing a pre-scripted pre-planned farce whose broadcast was "outrageous". Beth Holloway said the series had been acted out by a number of paid participants, including Ludwick. His death will now make it even harder to establish whether his claims as aired in the documentary were true. Police in North Port, Florida, said that just before 7am on Wednesday morning Ludwick went to the home of a woman who had once been his roommate and who had spurned his attempts to start a romantic relationship. North Port Police spokesman Josh Taylor told WFLA: As shes getting out of the car, there he is. He wanted the keys to her car. What he had plans for after that is yet to be determined but it was certainly a very scary situation." Mr Taylor, however, revealed that the woman fought back, grabbing Ludwicks knife and stabbing him several times. Ludwick ran off, bleeding heavily, but was found a few blocks away and later died. Mr Taylor said the woman would face no charges. "From every ounce of evidence we have so far, said Mr Taylor, She was a victim in this case. "This gentleman had some ill intentions, she wasn't going quietly, and it ended very bad for him. Mr Taylor could not say if any connection exists between Ludwicks apparent failed attack and Natalee's disappearance, but he added: When you look at this particular case, attempted kidnapping of a young girl, you go whoa, it seems eerily similar. It is understood that local detectives have contacted the FBI. 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 August 2017 Ludwick featured in The Disappearance of Natalee Holloway, a documentary mini-series which followed Natalees father Dave Holloway and his private investigator as they followed up new clues about what might have happened to the teenager. In the series broadcast on Oxygen TV, Ludwick was shown explaining that he had crushed up Natalees unearthed bones so they werent recognisable as human, burning the skull to get rid of hair fibres. He was filmed saying that after dog remains were added to the mix, he went to the crematorium and claimed his pet had died. Ludwick was shown on the documentary saying that he and van der Sloot had then borrowed a fishermans boat and scattered the ashes at sea. In the documentary series, his evidence was depicted as leading to the discovery of four bone fragments, which were tested to see if they came from Natalee, who lived in Mountain Brook, Alabama. The credibility of what Ludwick said in the documentary was, however, cast into doubt by the lawsuit filed by Natalees mother Beth, who is divorced from Dave Holloway. In her lawsuit, Ms Holloway accused Oxygen Media and production company Graden Media of pretending to report on the progress of an investigation as it was happening, when in fact everything had been pre-scripted, making the series a pre-planned farce, whose broadcast was outrageous. In her lawsuit Beth Holloway claimed that at a point when the series portrayed Ludwick as being covertly recorded, he had already signed a non-disclosure agreement [and] was a paid participant in the series and aware at all times that he was being taped for publication. The claims in the lawsuit have, however, been denied, with Oxygen issuing a statement defending the documentary and saying: We were disappointed to learn of the complaint and its inaccurate depiction of how the series was produced, and we want to reiterate our deep compassion and sympathy for all members of the Holloway family. The documentary series was developed by a production company in close collaboration with Dave Holloway and his long-time private investigator. The show followed his continued search to find answers about his daughter Natalee from a lead he had received. We had hoped, along with Mr Holloway, that the information was going to provide closure. In October 2017 Oxygen revealed that only one of the four bone fragments had been found to be human and its DNA did not match that of Natalee. Joran van der Sloot initially claimed that he left Natalee drunk and sleeping on a beach, but has since made and then retracted a series of claims, including that he got a friend to dump her dead or unconscious body in the sea and even that he sold the teenager into sex slavery. A Missouri woman has discovered a package with a racial epithet on it and a black Barbie doll inside at the home she shares with her 7-year-old, biracial granddaughter. I flipped it over, and the first thing I saw was n*****, Linda Gibbs, of Independence, Missouri, told Fox 4 News of the package. Ms Gibbs, a 62-year-old Kansas City native, said she usually asks her granddaughter to pick up the mail because of her knee pain. But on Tuesday, something told her to check the mailbox herself. "I'm still thinking it could have been my grandbaby," she told the Kansas City Star. "That's what tore me up inside. She could have gotten that out there." Ms Gibbs and her granddaughter moved to the Independence in February, when a deacon at her church offered her the home as a rental in which to raise the child. Ms Gibbs said she did not know anyone in the area. World news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 World news in pictures World news in pictures 30 September 2020 Pope Francis prays with priests at the end of a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 29 September 2020 A girl's silhouette is seen from behind a fabric in a tent along a beach by Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 September 2020 A Chinese woman takes a photo of herself in front of a flower display dedicated to frontline health care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic in Beijing, China. China will celebrate national day marking the founding of the People's Republic of China on October 1st Getty World news in pictures 27 September 2020 The Glass Mountain Inn burns as the Glass Fire moves through the area in St. Helena, California. The fast moving Glass fire has burned over 1,000 acres and has destroyed homes Getty World news in pictures 26 September 2020 A villager along with a child offers prayers next to a carcass of a wild elephant that officials say was electrocuted in Rani Reserve Forest on the outskirts of Guwahati, India AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 September 2020 The casket of late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is seen in Statuary Hall in the US Capitol to lie in state in Washington, DC AFP via Getty World news in pictures 24 September 2020 An anti-government protester holds up an image of a pro-democracy commemorative plaque at a rally outside Thailand's parliament in Bangkok, as activists gathered to demand a new constitution AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 September 2020 A whale stranded on a beach in Macquarie Harbour on the rugged west coast of Tasmania, as hundreds of pilot whales have died in a mass stranding in southern Australia despite efforts to save them, with rescuers racing to free a few dozen survivors The Mercury/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 22 September 2020 State civil employee candidates wearing face masks and shields take a test in Surabaya AFP via Getty World news in pictures 21 September 2020 A man sweeps at the Taj Mahal monument on the day of its reopening after being closed for more than six months due to the coronavirus pandemic AP World news in pictures 20 September 2020 A deer looks for food in a burnt area, caused by the Bobcat fire, in Pearblossom, California EPA World news in pictures 19 September 2020 Anti-government protesters hold their mobile phones aloft as they take part in a pro-democracy rally in Bangkok. Tens of thousands of pro-democracy protesters massed close to Thailand's royal palace, in a huge rally calling for PM Prayut Chan-O-Cha to step down and demanding reforms to the monarchy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 September 2020 Supporters of Iraqi Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr maintain social distancing as they attend Friday prayers after the coronavirus disease restrictions were eased, in Kufa mosque, near Najaf, Iraq Reuters World news in pictures 17 September 2020 A protester climbs on The Triumph of the Republic at 'the Place de la Nation' as thousands of protesters take part in a demonstration during a national day strike called by labor unions asking for better salary and against jobs cut in Paris, France EPA World news in pictures 16 September 2020 A fire raging near the Lazzaretto of Ancona in Italy. The huge blaze broke out overnight at the port of Ancona. Firefighters have brought the fire under control but they expected to keep working through the day EPA World news in pictures 15 September 2020 Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny posing for a selfie with his family at Berlin's Charite hospital. In an Instagram post he said he could now breathe independently following his suspected poisoning last month Alexei Navalny/Instagram/AFP World news in pictures 14 September 2020 Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga, former Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba and former Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida celebrate after Suga was elected as new head of the ruling party at the Liberal Democratic Party's leadership election in Tokyo Reuters World news in pictures 13 September 2020 A man stands behind a burning barricade during the fifth straight day of protests against police brutality in Bogota AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 September 2020 Police officers block and detain protesters during an opposition rally to protest the official presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus. Daily protests calling for the authoritarian president's resignation are now in their second month AP World news in pictures 11 September 2020 Members of 'Omnium Cultural' celebrate the 20th 'Festa per la llibertat' ('Fiesta for the freedom') to mark the Day of Catalonia in Barcelona. Omnion Cultural fights for the independence of Catalonia EPA World news in pictures 10 September 2020 The Moria refugee camp, two days after Greece's biggest migrant camp, was destroyed by fire. Thousands of asylum seekers on the island of Lesbos are now homeless AFP via Getty World news in pictures 9 September 2020 Pope Francis takes off his face mask as he arrives by car to hold a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 8 September 2020 A home is engulfed in flames during the "Creek Fire" in the Tollhouse area of California AFP via Getty World news in pictures 7 September 2020 A couple take photos along a sea wall of the waves brought by Typhoon Haishen in the eastern port city of Sokcho AFP via Getty World news in pictures 6 September 2020 Novak Djokovic and a tournament official tends to a linesperson who was struck with a ball by Djokovic during his match against Pablo Carreno Busta at the US Open USA Today Sports/Reuters World news in pictures 5 September 2020 Protesters confront police at the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne, Australia, during an anti-lockdown rally AFP via Getty World news in pictures 4 September 2020 A woman looks on from a rooftop as rescue workers dig through the rubble of a damaged building in Beirut. A search began for possible survivors after a scanner detected a pulse one month after the mega-blast at the adjacent port AFP via Getty World news in pictures 3 September 2020 A full moon next to the Virgen del Panecillo statue in Quito, Ecuador EPA World news in pictures 2 September 2020 A Palestinian woman reacts as Israeli forces demolish her animal shed near Hebron in the Israeli-occupied West Bank Reuters World news in pictures 1 September 2020 Students protest against presidential elections results in Minsk TUT.BY/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 31 August 2020 The pack rides during the 3rd stage of the Tour de France between Nice and Sisteron AFP via Getty World news in pictures 30 August 2020 Law enforcement officers block a street during a rally of opposition supporters protesting against presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus Reuters World news in pictures 29 August 2020 A woman holding a placard reading "Stop Censorship - Yes to the Freedom of Expression" shouts in a megaphone during a protest against the mandatory wearing of face masks in Paris. Masks, which were already compulsory on public transport, in enclosed public spaces, and outdoors in Paris in certain high-congestion areas around tourist sites, were made mandatory outdoors citywide on August 28 to fight the rising coronavirus infections AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 August 2020 Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe bows to the national flag at the start of a press conference at the prime minister official residence in Tokyo. Abe announced he will resign over health problems, in a bombshell development that kicks off a leadership contest in the world's third-largest economy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 27 August 2020 Residents take cover behind a tree trunk from rubber bullets fired by South African Police Service (SAPS) in Eldorado Park, near Johannesburg, during a protest by community members after a 16-year old boy was reported dead AFP via Getty World news in pictures 26 August 2020 People scatter rose petals on a statue of Mother Teresa marking her 110th birth anniversary in Ahmedabad AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 August 2020 An aerial view shows beach-goers standing on salt formations in the Dead Sea near Ein Bokeq, Israel Reuters World news in pictures 24 August 2020 Health workers use a fingertip pulse oximeter and check the body temperature of a fisherwoman inside the Dharavi slum during a door-to-door Covid-19 coronavirus screening in Mumbai AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 August 2020 People carry an idol of the Hindu god Ganesh, the deity of prosperity, to immerse it off the coast of the Arabian sea during the Ganesh Chaturthi festival in Mumbai, India Reuters World news in pictures 22 August 2020 Firefighters watch as flames from the LNU Lightning Complex fires approach a home in Napa County, California AP World news in pictures 21 August 2020 Members of the Israeli security forces arrest a Palestinian demonstrator during a rally to protest against Israel's plan to annex parts of the occupied West Bank AFP via Getty World news in pictures 20 August 2020 A man pushes his bicycle through a deserted road after prohibitory orders were imposed by district officials for a week to contain the spread of the Covid-19 in Kathmandu AFP via Getty World news in pictures 19 August 2020 A car burns while parked at a residence in Vacaville, California. Dozens of fires are burning out of control throughout Northern California as fire resources are spread thin AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 August 2020 Students use their mobile phones as flashlights at an anti-government rally at Mahidol University in Nakhon Pathom. Thailand has seen near-daily protests in recent weeks by students demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha AFP via Getty World news in pictures 17 August 2020 Members of the Kayapo tribe block the BR163 highway during a protest outside Novo Progresso in Para state, Brazil. Indigenous protesters blocked a major transamazonian highway to protest against the lack of governmental support during the COVID-19 novel coronavirus pandemic and illegal deforestation in and around their territories AFP via Getty World news in pictures 16 August 2020 Lightning forks over the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge as a storm passes over Oakland AP World news in pictures 15 August 2020 Belarus opposition supporters gather near the Pushkinskaya metro station where Alexander Taraikovsky, a 34-year-old protester died on August 10, during their protest rally in central Minsk AFP via Getty World news in pictures 14 August 2020 AlphaTauri's driver Daniil Kvyat takes part in the second practice session at the Circuit de Catalunya in Montmelo near Barcelona ahead of the Spanish F1 Grand Prix AFP via Getty World news in pictures 13 August 2020 Soldiers of the Brazilian Armed Forces during a disinfection of the Christ The Redeemer statue at the Corcovado mountain prior to the opening of the touristic attraction in Rio AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 August 2020 Young elephant bulls tussle playfully on World Elephant Day at the Amboseli National Park in Kenya AFP via Getty Police and FBI officials responded to the scene with a bomb squad, according to local news station KSHB. Authorities used a robot to retrieve the package and scan its contents for explosives. They eventually determined it was not a threat. The package came wrapped in red and white Christmas wrapping paper, with derogatory notes taped to the outside. Authorities said the package contained a black Barbie doll, according to Ms Gibbs. Police suspected the perpetrator of staking out her home beforehand, Ms Gibbs added. She said they believe it was a hate crime perpetrated by an adult. The Independence Police referred all questions on the incident to the FBI. Erin Curtis, a spokesperson for the bureau, told The Independent that the FBI had opened a civil rights investigation into the matter, but declined to comment further. Man accused of hate crime breaks down in tears outside court The incident comes after a series of package bombs were delivered to families around Austin, Texas. Two of the three victims were black, and one was Latino. Police have not determined whether the bombings were hate crimes, but have warned residents to report any suspicious packages they receive. Ms Gibbs said her granddaughter, whose mother is black and father is white, was too young to understand the significance of the package. But she has discussed the issue of race with her granddaughter multiple times. I told her sometime people are ignorant," Ms Gibbs told the Star. "But you look around, it's diverse. Lots of caramel people like you. No need to be ashamed of your skin color." A Republican politician argued teachers should not be armed in the wake of the Florida high school shooting - because most of them are women. Alabama state representative Harry Shiver claimed that women "are scared of guns" and don't want to learn how to shoot. Mr Shiver told AL.com he would probably abstain from voting on a bill that would allow trained teachers to carry guns on school campuses. "I'm not saying all [teachers are women], but in most schools, women are (the majority) of the teachers," he said. "Some of them just don't want to (be trained to possess firearms). If they want to, then that's good. But most of them don't want to learn how to shoot like that and carry a gun. "Most women wouldn't like to be put in that position. I know from South Alabama, they wouldn't." Mr Shiver added: "I want to protect our ladies and I think the best way to protect them is to go against this bill." Three quarters of public school teachers in America are women. It is estimated that 22 per cent of American women own guns. The US President said he was considering proposals to arm teachers after 14 students and three members of staff were shot dead at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. Survivors of the massacre oppose any plan to give teachers guns and have called for stricter firearm controls. Florida Governor Rick Scott has signed a bill allowing some teachers to carry guns and raising the minimum age for rifle purchases from 18 to 21. Florida shooting in pictures Show all 10 1 /10 Florida shooting in pictures Florida shooting in pictures Police arrest a suspect in connection with the shooting at the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida Reuters Florida shooting in pictures Parents wait for news after reports of a shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida AP Florida shooting in pictures Anxious family members wait for news of students AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee Florida shooting in pictures Students being evacuated from the school AP Florida shooting in pictures Students being evacuated from the school Getty Florida shooting in pictures People gather waiting for word from students AP Florida shooting in pictures Parents waiting for news on their children AP Florida shooting in pictures People gather at a hotel where students were taken after the shooting Getty Florida shooting in pictures Florida Governor Rick Scott speaks to the media as he visits Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School following the shooting AFP/Getty Florida shooting in pictures Dr. Igor Nichiporenko, Medical Director Trauma, left, and Dr. Evan Boyer, Medical Director, Emergency Services, speak about treating victims and the suspect at a press conference outside Broward Health North hospital AP Earlier this week it was reported that a teacher accidentally fired a semi-automatic weapon at the ceiling, injuring three children. Fallout from the death of a French bulldog named Kokito continued for United Airlines on Thursday, as the airline explained how the dog had come to die in an overhead compartment and a US senator introduced a bill to stop such a thing from ever happening again. United Airlines admission followed an uproar over the Monday death of Kokito, who was placed in the overhead bin shortly before a flight left Houston for New York. Maggie Schmerin, a spokeswoman for United Airlines, said the company had spoken to the family, the flight crew and passengers who had been seated nearby. The flight attendant who placed the carrier in the overhead bin said she had not heard the owner tell her that the dog was in the carrier, Ms Schmerin said. A witness and the owner said the dog had been barking before takeoff. As we stated, we take full responsibility and are deeply sorry for this tragic accident, Ms Schmerin said. We remain in contact with the family to express our condolences and offer support. Senator John Kennedy and senator Catherine Cortez Masto, introduced a bill on Thursday to prohibit airlines from storing animals in overhead compartments. The bill is called Welfare of Our Furry Friends Act or WOOFF. Meanwhile, the Harris County district attorneys office, in Texas, told a local news outlet that its animal cruelty task force would conduct an investigation into the death. If there was one cause that Americans could unite behind, it was justice for Kokito. Putting animals in the overhead compartment was already against United Airlines policies. But the airline said that in April it would start issuing brightly coloured bag tags to customers travelling with in-cabin pets, in order to prevent animal deaths in the future. In an interview with Telemundo on Tuesday, the dogs owner, Catalina Robledo, said that she had warned airline employees the dog would be in danger in the overhead bin, but that they insisted on putting the carrier there. I asked them, how am I going to put my puppy in the overhead? she said. Hes going to suffocate. She found his body when the flight was over. I put him on the floor and I was hitting him, asking him to wake up, but he was already completely dead, she said, adding that the crying flight attendant had said she did not know the dog was in the bag. He was barking, how could she not have known? Ms Robledo said World news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 World news in pictures World news in pictures 30 September 2020 Pope Francis prays with priests at the end of a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 29 September 2020 A girl's silhouette is seen from behind a fabric in a tent along a beach by Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 September 2020 A Chinese woman takes a photo of herself in front of a flower display dedicated to frontline health care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic in Beijing, China. China will celebrate national day marking the founding of the People's Republic of China on October 1st Getty World news in pictures 27 September 2020 The Glass Mountain Inn burns as the Glass Fire moves through the area in St. Helena, California. The fast moving Glass fire has burned over 1,000 acres and has destroyed homes Getty World news in pictures 26 September 2020 A villager along with a child offers prayers next to a carcass of a wild elephant that officials say was electrocuted in Rani Reserve Forest on the outskirts of Guwahati, India AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 September 2020 The casket of late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is seen in Statuary Hall in the US Capitol to lie in state in Washington, DC AFP via Getty World news in pictures 24 September 2020 An anti-government protester holds up an image of a pro-democracy commemorative plaque at a rally outside Thailand's parliament in Bangkok, as activists gathered to demand a new constitution AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 September 2020 A whale stranded on a beach in Macquarie Harbour on the rugged west coast of Tasmania, as hundreds of pilot whales have died in a mass stranding in southern Australia despite efforts to save them, with rescuers racing to free a few dozen survivors The Mercury/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 22 September 2020 State civil employee candidates wearing face masks and shields take a test in Surabaya AFP via Getty World news in pictures 21 September 2020 A man sweeps at the Taj Mahal monument on the day of its reopening after being closed for more than six months due to the coronavirus pandemic AP World news in pictures 20 September 2020 A deer looks for food in a burnt area, caused by the Bobcat fire, in Pearblossom, California EPA World news in pictures 19 September 2020 Anti-government protesters hold their mobile phones aloft as they take part in a pro-democracy rally in Bangkok. Tens of thousands of pro-democracy protesters massed close to Thailand's royal palace, in a huge rally calling for PM Prayut Chan-O-Cha to step down and demanding reforms to the monarchy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 September 2020 Supporters of Iraqi Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr maintain social distancing as they attend Friday prayers after the coronavirus disease restrictions were eased, in Kufa mosque, near Najaf, Iraq Reuters World news in pictures 17 September 2020 A protester climbs on The Triumph of the Republic at 'the Place de la Nation' as thousands of protesters take part in a demonstration during a national day strike called by labor unions asking for better salary and against jobs cut in Paris, France EPA World news in pictures 16 September 2020 A fire raging near the Lazzaretto of Ancona in Italy. The huge blaze broke out overnight at the port of Ancona. Firefighters have brought the fire under control but they expected to keep working through the day EPA World news in pictures 15 September 2020 Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny posing for a selfie with his family at Berlin's Charite hospital. In an Instagram post he said he could now breathe independently following his suspected poisoning last month Alexei Navalny/Instagram/AFP World news in pictures 14 September 2020 Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga, former Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba and former Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida celebrate after Suga was elected as new head of the ruling party at the Liberal Democratic Party's leadership election in Tokyo Reuters World news in pictures 13 September 2020 A man stands behind a burning barricade during the fifth straight day of protests against police brutality in Bogota AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 September 2020 Police officers block and detain protesters during an opposition rally to protest the official presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus. Daily protests calling for the authoritarian president's resignation are now in their second month AP World news in pictures 11 September 2020 Members of 'Omnium Cultural' celebrate the 20th 'Festa per la llibertat' ('Fiesta for the freedom') to mark the Day of Catalonia in Barcelona. Omnion Cultural fights for the independence of Catalonia EPA World news in pictures 10 September 2020 The Moria refugee camp, two days after Greece's biggest migrant camp, was destroyed by fire. Thousands of asylum seekers on the island of Lesbos are now homeless AFP via Getty World news in pictures 9 September 2020 Pope Francis takes off his face mask as he arrives by car to hold a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 8 September 2020 A home is engulfed in flames during the "Creek Fire" in the Tollhouse area of California AFP via Getty World news in pictures 7 September 2020 A couple take photos along a sea wall of the waves brought by Typhoon Haishen in the eastern port city of Sokcho AFP via Getty World news in pictures 6 September 2020 Novak Djokovic and a tournament official tends to a linesperson who was struck with a ball by Djokovic during his match against Pablo Carreno Busta at the US Open USA Today Sports/Reuters World news in pictures 5 September 2020 Protesters confront police at the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne, Australia, during an anti-lockdown rally AFP via Getty World news in pictures 4 September 2020 A woman looks on from a rooftop as rescue workers dig through the rubble of a damaged building in Beirut. A search began for possible survivors after a scanner detected a pulse one month after the mega-blast at the adjacent port AFP via Getty World news in pictures 3 September 2020 A full moon next to the Virgen del Panecillo statue in Quito, Ecuador EPA World news in pictures 2 September 2020 A Palestinian woman reacts as Israeli forces demolish her animal shed near Hebron in the Israeli-occupied West Bank Reuters World news in pictures 1 September 2020 Students protest against presidential elections results in Minsk TUT.BY/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 31 August 2020 The pack rides during the 3rd stage of the Tour de France between Nice and Sisteron AFP via Getty World news in pictures 30 August 2020 Law enforcement officers block a street during a rally of opposition supporters protesting against presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus Reuters World news in pictures 29 August 2020 A woman holding a placard reading "Stop Censorship - Yes to the Freedom of Expression" shouts in a megaphone during a protest against the mandatory wearing of face masks in Paris. Masks, which were already compulsory on public transport, in enclosed public spaces, and outdoors in Paris in certain high-congestion areas around tourist sites, were made mandatory outdoors citywide on August 28 to fight the rising coronavirus infections AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 August 2020 Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe bows to the national flag at the start of a press conference at the prime minister official residence in Tokyo. Abe announced he will resign over health problems, in a bombshell development that kicks off a leadership contest in the world's third-largest economy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 27 August 2020 Residents take cover behind a tree trunk from rubber bullets fired by South African Police Service (SAPS) in Eldorado Park, near Johannesburg, during a protest by community members after a 16-year old boy was reported dead AFP via Getty World news in pictures 26 August 2020 People scatter rose petals on a statue of Mother Teresa marking her 110th birth anniversary in Ahmedabad AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 August 2020 An aerial view shows beach-goers standing on salt formations in the Dead Sea near Ein Bokeq, Israel Reuters World news in pictures 24 August 2020 Health workers use a fingertip pulse oximeter and check the body temperature of a fisherwoman inside the Dharavi slum during a door-to-door Covid-19 coronavirus screening in Mumbai AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 August 2020 People carry an idol of the Hindu god Ganesh, the deity of prosperity, to immerse it off the coast of the Arabian sea during the Ganesh Chaturthi festival in Mumbai, India Reuters World news in pictures 22 August 2020 Firefighters watch as flames from the LNU Lightning Complex fires approach a home in Napa County, California AP World news in pictures 21 August 2020 Members of the Israeli security forces arrest a Palestinian demonstrator during a rally to protest against Israel's plan to annex parts of the occupied West Bank AFP via Getty World news in pictures 20 August 2020 A man pushes his bicycle through a deserted road after prohibitory orders were imposed by district officials for a week to contain the spread of the Covid-19 in Kathmandu AFP via Getty World news in pictures 19 August 2020 A car burns while parked at a residence in Vacaville, California. Dozens of fires are burning out of control throughout Northern California as fire resources are spread thin AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 August 2020 Students use their mobile phones as flashlights at an anti-government rally at Mahidol University in Nakhon Pathom. Thailand has seen near-daily protests in recent weeks by students demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha AFP via Getty World news in pictures 17 August 2020 Members of the Kayapo tribe block the BR163 highway during a protest outside Novo Progresso in Para state, Brazil. Indigenous protesters blocked a major transamazonian highway to protest against the lack of governmental support during the COVID-19 novel coronavirus pandemic and illegal deforestation in and around their territories AFP via Getty World news in pictures 16 August 2020 Lightning forks over the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge as a storm passes over Oakland AP World news in pictures 15 August 2020 Belarus opposition supporters gather near the Pushkinskaya metro station where Alexander Taraikovsky, a 34-year-old protester died on August 10, during their protest rally in central Minsk AFP via Getty World news in pictures 14 August 2020 AlphaTauri's driver Daniil Kvyat takes part in the second practice session at the Circuit de Catalunya in Montmelo near Barcelona ahead of the Spanish F1 Grand Prix AFP via Getty World news in pictures 13 August 2020 Soldiers of the Brazilian Armed Forces during a disinfection of the Christ The Redeemer statue at the Corcovado mountain prior to the opening of the touristic attraction in Rio AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 August 2020 Young elephant bulls tussle playfully on World Elephant Day at the Amboseli National Park in Kenya AFP via Getty French bulldogs, an in demand breed for many dog owners in the last decade, often develop respiratory problems, partly because of the way their faces are shaped and are prone to heart defects and other diseases. United Airlines has suffered a string of bad press since last year, when a passenger was dragged off an overbooked flight at a Chicago airport. More recently, its treatment of pets has come under scrutiny. Just this week, it apologised for having mistakenly sent a German shepherd to Japan. The New York Times Ousted FBI director James Comey is to reveal previously undisclosed information about investigating Donald Trumps campaign and respond to lies about the FBI, when he embarks on a nationwide tour to promote a new book. The man fired by Mr Trump last May, a move that resulted in the appointment of special prosecutor Robert Mueller to carry out a wide-ranging investigation, will visit 11 cities, from Portland to Kansas City, Missouri, to publicise and discuss the book, A Higher Loyalty: Truth, Lies and Leadership. He will also give three high-profile television interviews. The first appearance will be in New York on 18 April. Mr Comey will share never-before-told experiences from some of the highest-stakes situations of his career from prosecuting the Mafia and Martha Stewart to overseeing the Hillary Clinton email investigation as well as ties between the Trump campaign and Russia. The books press release, adds: In A Higher Loyalty, Comey explores what good, ethical leadership looks like, and how it drives sound decisions. Mr Comey, who was fired after Mr Trump admitted to becoming frustrated with the probe into Russia alleged interference in the 2016 election and possible links between his campaign and Moscow, has publicly remained largely silent since his firing. Mr Mueller has since launched his own probe into possible links between the Trump campaign and Moscow. Four former campaign staff have been indicted with various offences. Axios reported Mr Comey intended to respond to a lot of lies and misstatements about the FBI that he intends to correct. He didnt want to be in this position, but is embracing it, it added, saying Mr Comey would compare and contrast two of the presidents he has worked for, George W Bush and Barack Obama, with Mr Trump. Many books in Washington are greeted with what frequently amounts to near hysteria by the capitals political class. One example was Michael Wolffs recent best-seller Fire and Fury: Inside the Trump White House, which collated often anonymous sources from inside the West Wing to portray an environment of chaos and a President who was frequently clueless about how to respond to issues. While Mr Wolff has stood by his account, the White House has dismissed it as lies and some reporters have questioned whether the picture it presented is 100 per cent accurate. Mr Comeys account is being similarly hotly anticipated, but for different reasons. He is an account of someone at the heart of the federal law enforcement world who apparently clashed with the President because of his refusal to swear personal loyalty to him. Last summer, Mr Comey testified the President had asked him to let go of the ongoing investigation into sacked national security adviser Michael Flynn. Steve Bannon says the firing of James Comey was the biggest mistake in modern political history Appearing before the Senate Intelligence Committee, Mr Comey said the President had lied when he claimed to the American public that the FBI was in disarray and that agents had lost confidence in him. Those were lies, plain and simple, he said. He said that he started taking notes about his meeting with the President as he could not be sure Mr Trump might lie about what was said between them. He admitted he shared those memos with close friends, some of whom then passed on some of that information to the media. 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 Among the people Mr Comey shared his worries about Mr Trump with was Benjamin Wittes, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution and editor in chief of the widely-read Lawfare blog. Asked by The Independent why Mr Comey felt he needed to write the book, Mr Wittes replied: The book will speak for itself, and to the extent it requires commentary, Jim will be speaking on it himself. US website Politico said intense security was being deployed by publisher Flatiron Books to prevent leaks ahead of publication. It said rather than circulating print drafts among the editors and agents working on the book, it had implemented a password-protected electronic system so that only those involved in the project have access to it. It added: The project is stored under a code name so that staffers who are not involved in the project wouldnt know where to find it if they tried. At warehouses that will ship out copies of the book, workers are being asked to sign nondisclosure agreements, according to people familiar with the procedures. It said that among the episodes that the book will cover will be a one-on-one dinner between the two men and the so-called Trump dossier produced by former British spy Christopher Steele. Democrats have slammed Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke for a insensitive remark he made in response to a congresswomans story about her grandfathers detention in Japanese internment camps during the Second World War. During a congressional hearing with Mr Zinke, Representative Colleen Hanabusa discussed her grandfathers incarceration by the US government to explain why the secretary should restore about $2m in funding for organisations dedicated to preserving the memory of that ugly chapter in American history. The Democrat said one of her grandfathers, who was in essence US citizen by birth, didnt speak about his painful experience. I believe that it is essential that we as a nation recognise our darkest moments so that we dont have them repeat again, Ms Hanabusa told the interior secretary. After listening to her concerns, Mr Zinke responded with a cheery konnichiwa, the Japanese word for good day or good afternoon. A person sitting in the hearing appeared to gasp at the remark. Ms Hanabusa responded by saying, I think its still ohayo gozaimasu [good morning], but thats OK. Mr Zinke said he would look into issue of the grant funding, saying its elimination was likely an oversight. I understand the importance of it to American history, he said. But multiple Democratic members of Congress still took to Twitter to condemn Mr Zinkes konnichiwa remark. 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 Hawaii Senator Mazie Hirono, who spent part of her childhood in Japan, said the internment of nearly 120,000 Japanese Americans is no laughing matter. What you thought was a clever response to @RepHanabusa was flippant & juvenile, she wrote to Mr Zinke on Twitter. Democratic Senator Tammy Duckworth tweeted a link to an article about the exchange with the statement, Nope. Racism is not ok. Meanwhile, Democratic Representative Grace Meng called the remark blatantly insensitive. This blatantly insensitive remark by @secretaryzinke is uncalled for and is not behavior that a cabinet secretary should exhibit, she tweeted. Ms Hanabusa had been asking about the Japanese American Confinement Sites Grant Program, which Congress established to preserve sites where Japanese-Americans were detained during the Second World War, a time of rampant anti-Japanese sentiment. As Ms Hanabusa noted, Mr Trumps 2019 budget proposal, released in February, would eliminate the programme a move widely criticised by Japanese-American activists. The JACS grant program is an important component of our countrys recognition of the egregious wrong that was done, and the need to remember and preserve that history so that it not be repeated, the Japanese American Citizens League wrote in a statement. On the seventh anniversary of the Syrian conflict, National Security Adviser HR McMaster said Russia is complicit in the violence in Syria and should be held responsible for providing political cover for the atrocities of President Bashar al-Assads regime. Speaking at the Holocaust Museum in Washington DC, Mr McMasters fiery address also held Iran accountable for its role in the bloody conflict that has resulted in over 400,000 people dead and up to 13 million Syrians displaced within and outside of the country. His comments about Russia come during a tense time when rumours have swirled about his possible sacking by President Donald Trump and a new round of sanctions placed on Russian nationals for suspected meddling in the 2016 US election. He also noted that Moscow has carried out a hundred bombing missions in the besieged eastern Ghouta area near the capital of Damascus. He also cited the recent poisoning of former Russian Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia in Salisbury as a sign of an increasingly aggressive Kremlin. If Iran and Russia do not stop enabling the regimes atrocities and adhere to [United Nations] Security Council resolutions, all nations must respond more forcibly than simply issuing strong statements, he said. Mr McMaster called for serious political and economic consequences on both countries. He noted that Mr Assad should not have impunity for his crimes, and neither should his sponsors. He invoked the venue as a plea for action to end the conflict in Syria and also listed the ways the US has helped Syrian refugees, but left out Mr Trumps travel ban. UN Security Council unanimously backs ceasefire in Syria We know that these horrors can happen again..but remembrance is only the first step. We cannot stop at remembrance alone. If we are to fulfill our promise Never again we must also act to protect victims and hold all responsible parties accountable. Unfortunately, today, in Syria, we are confronted once more with some of the worst atrocities known to man, he said. However, whether Mr McMaster has any sway in the administration remains to be seen as another member of the Cabinet who had been at odds with the President over a number of issues, Rex Tillerson, was recently fired via Twitter. The latest issue was Russias involvement in the poisoning of the former spy in the UK. While UK Prime Minister Theresa May was quick to blame the Russians for the incident, calling it a "brazen" act, expelling 23 Russian diplomats, and cutting high-level contact with Moscow for the attack on UK soil - Mr Trump was more cautious initially. Turkish attack on Afrin, northern Syria in pictures Show all 9 1 /9 Turkish attack on Afrin, northern Syria in pictures Turkish attack on Afrin, northern Syria in pictures Smoke billows following a Turkish airstrike on a village in the Afrin district, on 28 January, 2018. Turkey launched operation "Olive Branch" on January 20 against the Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG) militia in Afrin, supporting Syrian opposition fighters with ground troops and air strikes AFP Turkish attack on Afrin, northern Syria in pictures Smoke billows from surrounding villages during the Turkish military operation against the Kurdish enclave on 28 January, 2018 AFP/Getty Turkish attack on Afrin, northern Syria in pictures Twenty-year old Kifah al-Moussa, a Syrian Arab woman living among the Kurds of Afrin province, was working on a chicken farm in the village of Maryameen when a Turkish aircraft bombed the building at midday on 21 January, wounding her in the chest. When she recovered consciousness, she found eight people from one family lying dead around her Yara Ismail Turkish attack on Afrin, northern Syria in pictures Mohamed Hussein, a 58-year-old Kurdish farmer, lies in the Afrin hospital, wounded in the head and eye after his home was bombed by Turkish aircraft on the second night of the attack Yara Ismail Turkish attack on Afrin, northern Syria in pictures Syrian Kurds sit on benches overlooking a street in Afrin, on 28 January, 2018. Above is a memorial to martyrs who died in the fight against Isis AFP/Getty Turkish attack on Afrin, northern Syria in pictures Smoke is seen rising on the Syrian side of the border, at Hassa, near Hatay, southern Turkey as Turkish jet fighters hit People's Protection Unit (YPG) positions, on 28 January, 2018 AFP/Getty Turkish attack on Afrin, northern Syria in pictures A Turkish made T-155 Firtina (Storm) howitzer is dispatched to the border at Hassa near Hatay, southern Turkey, on 28 January, 2018 AFP/Getty Turkish attack on Afrin, northern Syria in pictures A Turkish soldier waves a flag on Mount Barsaya, northeast of Afrin, on 28 January, 2018 Reuters Turkish attack on Afrin, northern Syria in pictures Turkey-backed Free Syrian Army fighters are seen in Barsaya mountain, northeast of Afrin, on 28 January, 2018 Reuters He said on Tuesday that "as soon as we get the facts straight, if we agree with them, we will condemn Russia or whoever it may be". However, Mr Tillerson joined in supporting the US ally and called the poisoning a really egregious act that appears to have clearly come from Russia. He had called President Vladimir Putin's country "an irresponsible force of instability in the world, acting with open disregard for the sovereignty of other states and the life of their citizens". It was not until after US Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley said during a Security Council meeting that the US "stands in absolute solidarity" with the UK, that the White House issued a statement echoing the sentiment. Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said in the late Wednesday evening statement that "Russia is responsible for the reckless nerve agent attack". The statement read: "the latest action by Russia fits into a pattern of behaviour in which Russia disregards the international rules-based order, undermines the sovereignty and security of countries worldwide, and attempts to subvert and discredit Western democratic institutions and processes. The US is working together with our allies and partners to ensure that this kind of abhorrent attack does not happen again". It may not come as much of a surprise for anyone who paid attention to the 2016 presidential election in the United States, but wherever Donald Trump went that year, violence soon followed. And now theres statistical proof. Thats according to a new study conducted by researchers at the University of Pennsylvania, which found that cities that hosted Trump rallies experienced an average of 2.3 more assaults when the future president . The results suggest that media coverage during the election which frequently showed violence at Trump rallies, sometimes encouraged by Mr Trump himself was accurate in its portrayal of the unusual level of violence at political events. Things got vicious, no matter how much Mr Trump liked to claim his events were love fests. Recommended North Korea holds talks with Sweden ahead of potential Trump meeting The language our leaders use matters. The language the leaders use can affect the mood of the nation, and may have a measurable and meaningful impact on peoples behaviour, Christopher Morrison, the studys lead author, told The Independent of the correlation he and his fellow researchers found. In this case [it is] assault and violence. While Mr Morrison said that his study does not address whether Mr Trump himself was the actual cause of the increase in assaults, the Republicans 2016 rallies were notable for the violence caught on camera during the events, and for the candidates response to the energy in the room. Throughout the year, as American political discourse simmered with rage, videos showing Trump supporters socking protesters were posted online, sparking concerned reactions that the United States and reached a cultural breaking point where civility no longer mattered. Mr Trump, for his part, relished in the energy at the rallies, and even offered to pay the legal bills for someone during an event where he suggested his followers attack someone. Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Show all 30 1 /30 Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Threatening to shut down Twitter after being fact-checked After the president tweeted that voting by post would be "substantially fraudulent", Twitter attached a warning label to his tweet and referred readers to a site which explained how the claim was "unsubstantiated". Trump then said Twitter was "stifling free speech" and that he may have to shut it down, something which he would not have the power to do AFP/Getty Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Flippantly dismissing a serious allegation of sexual assault When author E Jean Carroll accused Trump of raping her, the president responded: Number one, shes not my type. Number two, it never happened. It never happened, OK?" AFP/Getty Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Insulting the Mayor of London as he landed in London Just before touching down at Stansted Airport for his state visit, Trump took time out to @ the London mayor Sadiq Khan on twitter. He said that Khan has done a "terrible job"as mayor and that he is a "stone cold loser" Reuters Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Taking plenty of "Executive Time" The president's official schedule sets aside the hours from 8 to 11am daily for "Executive Time". Further intermittent periods of "Executive Time" are scheduled throughout any given day, ranging from 15 minutes to 3 hours. His duties in these hours have not been officially disclosed, though Axios reports that he spends them watching TV, reading the newspapers and tweeting Getty Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Shutdown the government for over a month in an effort to secure funding for his wall With Mexico declining to pay for the wall, the president has faced difficulty in raising the required $5bn at home. Due to his demand that the money for the wall be included in the budget, and Congress's refusal, the government partially shut down on 22 December 2018. It remained shut for over a month, the longest period in history Getty Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Joking about the Nazi occupation of France to President Macron In this tweet from 13 November 2018, the president mocks Emmanuel Macron's suggestion of a "true, European army" by invoking the conflict between France and Germany in the world wars Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Railing against the Mueller investigation The president has repeatedly claimed that the Mueller investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election, is a "rigged witch hunt" Reuters Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Contradicting a US intelligence report on Russian meddling in the presence of Vladimir Putin In the press conference that followed his landmark meeting with Russian president Vladimir Putin, Trump stated that he saw no reason why Russia would have meddled in the 2016 US election. This contradicted a 2017 report by the US Office of the Director of National Intelligence that found evidence of Russian interference in favour of Trump Getty Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Contradicting his contradiction of a US intelligence report on Russian meddling Following furious backlash in the US, the president claimed that he meant to say that he saw no reason why it would not have been Russia who meddled in the 2016 US election. As to why he would have intended to use such bizarre phrasing, he did not comment Reuters Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Colouring in the US flag wrong The president coloured in the US flag wrongly during a visit to a children's hospital in Columbus, Ohio. He added a blue stripe where in tradition, and statute, there have been only white and red stripes AFP/Getty Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Firing a Secretary of State over Twitter The president announced on Twitter that he was appointing Mike Pompeo as Secretary of State, much to the surprise of then Secretary of State Rex Tillerson Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Quoting a catchphrase from a reality TV show when discussing police brutality While addressing the issue of black athletes not standing for the national anthem in protest of police brutality, the president made reference to his catchphrase from reality TV show "The Apprentice": you're fired! Reuters Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Calling African nations "S***hole Countries" Ever one for diplomacy, the president reportedly referred to African nations as "s***hole countries". Asked to confirm this when meeting with Nigeria's President Buhari, Trump stated that there are "some countries that are in very bad shape". Reuters Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Defending Russian President Vladimir Putin Trump appeared to equate US foreign actions to those of Russian president Vladimir Putin, saying: There are a lot of killers. You think our countrys so innocent? Reuters Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Asking for people to 'pray' for Arnold Schwarzenegger At the National Prayer Breakfast, Trump couldnt help but to ask for prayers for the ratings on Arnold Schwarzeneggers show to be good. Schwarzenegger took over as host of The Apprentice which buoyed Trumps celebrity status years ago Getty Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Hanging up on Australian PM Malcolm Turnbull Early in his presidency, Trump reportedly hung up the phone on Australian prime minister Malcolm Turnbull after the foreign leader angered him over refugee plans. Mr Trump later said that it was the worst call he had had so far Getty Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... The 'Muslim ban' Perhaps one of his most controversial policies while acting as president, Trumps travel ban targeting predominantly Muslim countries has bought him a lot of criticism. The bans were immediately protested, and judges initially blocked their implementation. The Supreme Court later sided with the administrations argument that the ban was developed out of concern for US security Getty Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Praising crowd size while touring Hurricane Harvey damage After Hurricane Harvey ravaged southeastern Texas, Trump paid the area a visit. While his response to the disaster in Houston was generally applauded, the president picked up some flack when he gave a speech outside Houston (he reportedly did not visit disaster zones), and praised the size of the crowds there AP Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... 'Little Rocket Man' During his first-ever speech to the United Nations General Assembly, Trump tried out a new nickname for North Korea leader Kim Jong-un: Rocket Man. He later tweaked it to be little Rocket Man as the two feuded, and threatened each other with nuclear war. During that speech, he also threatened to totally annihilate North Korea Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Attacking Sadiq Khan following London Bridge terror attack After the attack on the London Bridge, Trump lashed out at London Mayor Sadiq Khan, criticising Khan for saying there was no reason to be alarmed after the attack. Trump was taking the comments out of context, as Khan was simply saying that the police had everything under control Getty Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Claiming presenter Mika Brezinkski was 'bleeding from the face' Never one not to mock his enemies, Trump mocked MSNBCs Morning Joe co-host Mika Brzezinski, saying that she and co-host Joe Scarborough had approached him before his inauguration asking to join him. He noted that she was bleeding badly from a face-lift at the time, and that he said no MSNBC Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Claiming the blame for Charlottesville was on 'both sides' Trump refused to condemn far-right extremists involved in violence at 'the march for the right' protests in Charlottesville, even after the murder of counter protester Heather Heyer AP Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Retweeting cartoon of CNN being hit by a 'Trump train' Trump retweeted a cartoon showing a Trump-branded train running over a person whose body and head were replaced by a CNN avatar. He later deleted the retweet Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Tweeting about 'slamming' CNN Trump caught some flack when he tweeted a video showing him wrestling down an individual whose head had been replaced by a CNN avatar. Trump has singled CNN out in particular with his chants of fake news Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Firing head of the FBI, James Comey Trumps firing of former FBI Director James Comey landed him with a federal investigation into Russias meddling in the 2016 election that has caused many a headache for the White House. The White House initially said that the decision was made after consultation from the Justice Department. Then Mr Trump himself said that he had decided to fire him in part because he wanted the Russia investigation Mr Comey was conducting to stop Getty Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Not realising being president would be 'hard' Just three months into his presidency, Trump admitted that being president is harder than he thought it would be. Though Trump insisted on the 2016 campaign trail that doing the job would be easy for him, he admitted in an interview that living in the White House is harder than running a business empire Reuters Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Accusing Obama of wiretapping him Trump accused former president Barack Obama of wire tapping him on twitter. The Justice Department later clarified: Obama had not, in fact, done so Reuters Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Claiming there had been 3 million 'illegal votes' Trump was never very happy about losing the popular vote to Hillary Clinton by 2.8 million ballots. So, he and White House voter-fraud commissioner Kris Kobach have claimed that anywhere between three and five million people voted illegally during the 2016 election. Conveniently, he says that all of those illegal votes went to Clinton. (There is no evidence to support that level of widespread voter fraud.) Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Leaving Jews out of the Holocaust memorial statement Just days after taking office, Trumps White House issued a statement on International Holocaust Remembrance Day, but didnt mention jews or even the word jewish in the written statement Getty Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Anger over Inauguration crowd size Trumps inauguration crowd was visibly, and noticeably, smaller than that of his predecessor, Barack Obama. But, he really wanted to have had the largest crowd on record. So, he praised it as the biggest crowd ever. Relatedly, Trump also claimed that it stopped raining in Washington at the moment he was inaugurated. It didnt, the day was very dreary Reuters In North Carolina, for instance, a man was caught on camera at a Trump rally punching and choking a protester who had infiltrated the event. At a separate North Carolina event during the campaign, a separate video showed a man in a cowboy hat walk up to an African American protester who was leaving and punch him from the side. In Chicago, things got so bad that police were forced to shut down a campaign rally fearing that things would get out of hand. Mr Morrison said that they did not find a similar up-tick in violence in cities where Mr Trumps rival, Hillary Clinton, held rallies. But, researchers also noted that, in addition to the attitude propagated by Mr Trump himself at the rallies, there my be many other potential explanations in the violent spike. Mr Trumps contentious candidacy required a heavy police presence, for instance, so it is possible more reports were filed simply because more cops were around. A regional assembly in Pakistan has voted to ban dance parties at schools and universities. It would stop vulgarity and the promotion of Western culture, an official said after politicians Punjab passed the resolution. It means government and private educational institutions in the province will no longer be able to hire DJs or hold dances on their premises. Students and activists vowed to oppose the measure. They said dancing was not the business of politicians. Recommended Trump administration freezes security aid to Pakistan But Sheikh Ijaz of Punjab's ruling Pakistan Muslim League party, who proposed the ban said: This resolution was passed to stop vulgarity and the promotion of Western culture among youths." He added that the legislation faced no opposition from secular, moderate or Islamic parties in the Punjab Assembly. He tabled the motion after hearing complaints from parents that schools were organising mixed-gender events, which are prohibited in Islam, he said. Mahwash Ajaz, a Pakistani psychologist, opposed the motion, saying it amounted to a violation of civil liberties. It is up to parents to decide what their underage children can and cannot do in schools. It is not the business of politicians or state to interfere in such matters, she said. Dont we have more pressing concerns to consider such as physical abuse of children, sexual abuse and quality of education, rather than kids having some function or dancing once or twice a year? 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 similar attempt to ban dancing in schools was made was made in the southern Sindh province in 2016, but was rejected at a vote. An editorial in one of Pakistans biggest English-language newspaper's, The Dawn, opposed the ban in Punjab. Over the decades, similar attempts to narrowly redefine our identity have been made," it said. "None have fully succeeded because, inevitably, we show our true stripes: diverse, tolerant and defiantly joyous. This is reflected in our shared kinetic energy, whether through the boisterous bhangra, the elegant Kathak or the transcendental Sufi raqs. Associated Press contributed to this report The Kremlin has issued a furious response to Boris Johnson's claim that Vladimir Putin ordered the nerve agent attack on a former Russian spy in Salisbury, labelling it a "unforgivable breach of diplomatic etiquette". Britain's Foreign Secretary had asserted it was overwhelmingly likely that it was the Russian President's decision to have Sergei Skripal poisoned. And Moscow wasted little time in rejecting the latest "shocking" statement from a senior member of the UK Government, which itself marked an escalation in the hostile rhetoric being exchanged by the two countries. Presidential press-secretary Dmitry Peskov told the state-run Tass news agency: We have already said on many levels that Russia has nothing to do with this story whatsoever. "Any reference or mention of our president in this connection is nothing but a shocking and unforgivable violation of the diplomatic rules of propriety." Speaking during a visit to the Battle of Britain Bunker museum in Uxbridge, with his Polish counterpart, Jacek Czaputowicz, Mr Johnson had said: "Our quarrel is with Putin's Kremlin, and with his decision - and we think it overwhelmingly likely that it was his decision - to direct the use of a nerve agent on the streets of the UK, on the streets of Europe, for the first time since the Second World War. "That is why we are at odds with Russia." Skripal attack aftermath in pictures Show all 15 1 /15 Skripal attack aftermath in pictures Skripal attack aftermath in pictures Scene of attack Members of the emergency services in hazard suits fix the tent over the bench where Sergei and Yulia Skripal were found unconscious on a park bench in Salisbury in March 2018. Getty Skripal attack aftermath in pictures Victim - Sergei Skripal The retired Russian colonel and former double agent for MI6 was in a critical condition in hospital for more than two months after being exposed to novichok in Salisbury. He was given refuge in the UK after being jailed in Moscow for treason. Mr Skripal came to Britain as part of a high-profile spy swap in 2010 in which four men were exchanged for ten Russian "sleeper agents" in the US. In this image he is speaking to his lawyer from behind bars in Moscow in 2006. AP Skripal attack aftermath in pictures Victim - Yulia Skripal Yulia Skripal was struck down by a novichok poison alongside her father Sergei. Facebook Skripal attack aftermath in pictures Scene of attack A police officer stands guard outside a branch of the Italian chain restaurant Zizzi where the pair dined at before falling ill. It was boarded off whilst investigators worked on the building and later found traces of the chemical weapon within it. AFP/Getty Skripal attack aftermath in pictures Scene of attack Large areas of central Salisbury were cordoned off by police following the discovery of the Skripals. Traces of nerve agent were also found in The Mill pub. PA Skripal attack aftermath in pictures Victim - Nick Bailey Detective Sergeant Nick Bailey, rushed to the aid of the Russian ex-spy and his daughter who were targeted with a nerve agent. He was hospitalized after aiding them and didn't leave until three weeks after the attack. Wiltshire Police/Rex Skripal attack aftermath in pictures Police investigation - Skripals home Police believe they were poisoned at home, and detectives found the highest concentration of novichok on the front door of Mr Skripals house. Getty Skripal attack aftermath in pictures Theresa May visits scene of attack Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May spokes with Wiltshire Police's Chief Constable Kier Pritchard near where the Skripal's were found. Britain expelled 23 Russian diplomats over the nerve agent poisoning and suspended high-level contacts, including for the World Cup on March 14. Theresa May told parliament that Russia had failed to respond to her demand for an explanation on how a Soviet-designed chemical, Novichok, was used in Salisbury. AFP/Getty Skripal attack aftermath in pictures Skripal days before attack Sergei Skripal days before he was exposed to Novichok, that has left him fighting for life. ITV News Skripal attack aftermath in pictures Police investigation - military involvement British soldiers were deployed soon after the attack to help a counter-terrorism investigation into the nerve agent attack. One of the places they were asked to help out with was Skripal's home and it's surrounding. They were asked to remove a vehicle connected to the agent attack in Salisbury, from a residential street in Gillingham. AFP/Getty Skripal attack aftermath in pictures Police investigation Personnel in protective coveralls and breathing equipment cover an ambulance with a tarpaulin at the Salisbury District Hospital. AFP/Getty Skripal attack aftermath in pictures Police investigation The investigation extended to the grave of Sergei Skripal's son Alexander in London Road cemetery. Getty Skripal attack aftermath in pictures Police investigation The Counter Terrorism Policing Network requested assistance from the military to remove a number of vehicles and objects from Salisbury. EPA Skripal attack aftermath in pictures Home Secretary visits scene of attack Home Secretary Amber Rudd visited the scene of the nerve agent attack at the Maltings shopping centre on 9 March. Getty Skripal attack aftermath in pictures Yulia Skripal speaks for the first time Yulia Skripal, speaking for the first time, said she felt lucky to have survived the nerve agent attack in Salisbury which left her fighting for life. Ms Skripal said her life had been turned upside down by the assassination attempt. But the Russian national added she hoped to return to her homeland one day, despite the Kremlin being blamed for the attack. Reuters Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov had previously insisted Moscow had "stopped paying attention" to British statements about the poisoning. He also criticised Gavin Williamson after the Defence Secretary suggestion on Thursday that Russia should "go away and shut up". "Maybe he lacks education," Mr Lavrov said. Theresa May announced a series of measures targeting Russia on Wednesday. A total of 23 Russian diplomats will be expelled from the UK, while suspected spies will be detained at the country's border, checks on private flights will be increased and some Russian state assets will be frozen. The assassination attempt on Mr Skripal on 4 March left the 66-year-old and his daughter, Yulia, in a critical condition in hospital. Britain's accusations against Russia over the poisoning of a spy in Salisbury are "against international law and common sense" and the UK can expect Moscow's retaliation to come "at any moment", Vladimir Putin's spokesman has said. The Kremlin is taking its time to develop a considered response to British sanctions, the presidential press-secretary Dmitry Peskov said on Friday. The Russian reaction would be made in line with its national interests, he said, and will be announced very soon. Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has already signalled that 23 British diplomats will be asked to leave the country, mirroring the British move against Russias London embassy. But there has as yet been no other signal as to how Moscow will deal with the rest of the package announced by Theresa May on Wednesday. This included the promise to step up sanctions, a threat to freeze hostile Russian state assets, and a wider intention to work against suspicious Russian money in the UK. Ms May said on Wednesday that the UK considered Russia responsible for the poisoning of the former spy Sergei Skripal, 66, and his daughter Yulia, 33, using a Soviet-era nerve agent in the cathedral town of Salisbury. In addition to ejecting 23 Russian diplomats who she accused of spying in Britain, she also cut bilateral ties and threatened further action against rich Russians in the UK. Mr Peskov said that the Kremlin had been surprised by the British governments actions. We havent seen this type of behaviour on a state level before, he told journalists. Delivering serious accusations against [] Russia, on a highly likely basis, is both against international law and common sense. The presidents spokesman played down the reality of an apocalyptic cold war developing between Russia and the West. He said Russia remained open for friendly relations with any country prepared to cooperate with Moscow. But it will not be long before the Russians published their counter-measures against the United Kingdom, he said: You can expect them at any moment. Britain, the US, Germany and France jointly called on Russia on Thursday to explain the attack. Donald Trump said it looked as though the Russians were behind it. Russia has refused to explain how Novichok, a nerve agent developed by the Soviet military, was used to strike down the Skripals on 4 March. They were found unconscious on a bench and remain critically ill in hospital. A British policeman, Detective Sergeant Nick Bailey, was also poisoned as he went to assist the pair. He is described as being in a serious but stable condition. Authorities have warned that dozens of other British citizens were put at risk by the attack, and more than 30 received medical checks and attention, though all were promptly discharged. Recommended Defiance from UK allies against Russia may yet dissolve into inaction Thursday saw an exchange of openly insulting language between British and Russian ministers. UK Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson was criticised at home and abroad for saying that Russia "should go away, it should shut up". Sergei Lavrov, the Russian Foreign Minister, said the comments suggested Mr Williamson "lacked education". "Well he's a nice man, I'm told, maybe he wants to claim a place in history by making some bold statements," Mr Lavrov said. "Theresa May's main argument about Russia's guilt is 'highly probable', while for him it's 'Russia should go and shut up'. Maybe he lacks education, I don't know." Russia's Defence Ministry said he was an "intellectual impotent". Mr Williamson studied social science at the University of Bradford. Turkish shelling of the Syrian town of Afrin overnight has killed at least 18 civilians, Kurdish forces and a war monitor have said. The Turkish army and allied Syrian militias have encircled the Kurdish-controlled town and are attempting to storm it from the north, YPG militia spokesperson Brusk Hasakah said on Friday. Hundreds of families have fled the town for Syrian government controlled areas, the UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said, as the YPG and its female affiliate the YPJ prepare for a battle to control of the town. Explosions as Turkey confirms airstrikes on Afrin, Syria At least 12 people were killed on Thursday. Our staff are doing their best, but our rooms are filled with wailing wounded and people in pain, as we lack some medical supplies, Dr Joan Shitika, head of Afrin hospital, told the German news agency DPA. Turkeys two-month-old Operation Olive Branch is aimed at driving Kurdish forces away from the border region between the two countries. Turkey views the Syrian Kurdish fighters as an extension of its own separatist PKK, a group designated as a terrorist organisation by Ankara as well as the EU and US. Turkish attack on Afrin, northern Syria in pictures Show all 9 1 /9 Turkish attack on Afrin, northern Syria in pictures Turkish attack on Afrin, northern Syria in pictures Smoke billows following a Turkish airstrike on a village in the Afrin district, on 28 January, 2018. Turkey launched operation "Olive Branch" on January 20 against the Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG) militia in Afrin, supporting Syrian opposition fighters with ground troops and air strikes AFP Turkish attack on Afrin, northern Syria in pictures Smoke billows from surrounding villages during the Turkish military operation against the Kurdish enclave on 28 January, 2018 AFP/Getty Turkish attack on Afrin, northern Syria in pictures Twenty-year old Kifah al-Moussa, a Syrian Arab woman living among the Kurds of Afrin province, was working on a chicken farm in the village of Maryameen when a Turkish aircraft bombed the building at midday on 21 January, wounding her in the chest. When she recovered consciousness, she found eight people from one family lying dead around her Yara Ismail Turkish attack on Afrin, northern Syria in pictures Mohamed Hussein, a 58-year-old Kurdish farmer, lies in the Afrin hospital, wounded in the head and eye after his home was bombed by Turkish aircraft on the second night of the attack Yara Ismail Turkish attack on Afrin, northern Syria in pictures Syrian Kurds sit on benches overlooking a street in Afrin, on 28 January, 2018. Above is a memorial to martyrs who died in the fight against Isis AFP/Getty Turkish attack on Afrin, northern Syria in pictures Smoke is seen rising on the Syrian side of the border, at Hassa, near Hatay, southern Turkey as Turkish jet fighters hit People's Protection Unit (YPG) positions, on 28 January, 2018 AFP/Getty Turkish attack on Afrin, northern Syria in pictures A Turkish made T-155 Firtina (Storm) howitzer is dispatched to the border at Hassa near Hatay, southern Turkey, on 28 January, 2018 AFP/Getty Turkish attack on Afrin, northern Syria in pictures A Turkish soldier waves a flag on Mount Barsaya, northeast of Afrin, on 28 January, 2018 Reuters Turkish attack on Afrin, northern Syria in pictures Turkey-backed Free Syrian Army fighters are seen in Barsaya mountain, northeast of Afrin, on 28 January, 2018 Reuters The air and ground offensive launched in January opened a new front in Syrias complicated conflict which has already killed at least 200 civilians in air strikes, shelling and sniper fire. Some 30,000 people have been displaced by the fighting. Rights groups have condemned the Turkish operation as causing unlawful civilian deaths by failing to take necessary precautions before carrying out air strikes. The Turkish Defence Minister, Nurettin Canikli, has previously dismissed reports of harmed civilians as false. The YPG and broader Arab-Kurdish coalition Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) are supported by the West as the most effective ground force against Isis. In January the US pledged continued support for the YPG and SDF to ensure the jihadi militants do not form a resurgent movement a strategy which enraged Turkey and contributed to the decision to launch the Afrin offensive. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has threatened his troops could reach Manbij in the northeast, a move which could potentially put the US and Turkey, Nato allies, on opposites sides of the front lines. The Syrian government has sided with the YPG against Turkey. Ankara has said it has no intention of handing over control of Afrin to the regime once it has driven out Kurdish forces. While the UN demanded a nationwide 30 day ceasefire on 25 February to calm the fighting between the government and rebels, Mr Erdogan has repeatedly said the resolution does not apply to his anti-terror operation. A draft resolution from the EU on Thursday demanded Turkey halt the assault on Afrin. "The European Parliament is apparently going to ask for the Afrin operation to be stopped," Mr Erdogan told supporters in Ankara. "There is a lady [EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini] there who is responsible for [EU] enlargement. She is said to make such a request. Don't get your hopes up, we will not leave there until the job is done. You should know this." An arrest warrant for Princess Hassa bint Salman of the House of Saud has been issued in France over allegedly ordering her bodyguard to assault a man in her employment at her Paris apartment. Sources close to the case confirmed to AFP on Thursday that a warrant had been issued for the princess, daughter of Saudi Arabias King Salman and half-sister of powerful Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman. The case was initially reported in Le Point magazine. Women in Saudi Arabia are learning to kick-box, in this underground gym in Jeddah The plaintiff, who has not been named, alleges he was carrying out refurbishment and decoration work at Princess Hassas luxury apartment on Avenue Foch in September 2016. He says he took a photograph of the room he was working on, which led the princess to accuse him of taking pictures with the intent to sell them to media. He alleges she then ordered a bodyguard to assault him, saying he was punched in the face, his hands were tied and he was then forced to kiss the princesss feet. He left the apartment several hours later without his tools, which were confiscated by the pair. Saudi Arabia opens its first women-only hotel Show all 4 1 /4 Saudi Arabia opens its first women-only hotel Saudi Arabia opens its first women-only hotel 20597.bin HASSAN AMMAR/AFP/Getty Images Saudi Arabia opens its first women-only hotel 20596.bin HASSAN AMMAR/AFP/Getty Images Saudi Arabia opens its first women-only hotel 20598.bin HASSAN AMMAR/AFP/Getty Images Saudi Arabia opens its first women-only hotel 20601.bin HASSAN AMMAR/AFP/Getty Images Princess Hassas bodyguard was charged in October 2016 with armed violence, theft, issuing death threats and holding someone against their will. The royals warrant was issued in December 2017. The 43-year-old princess is believed to have left France shortly after the incident, according to The Sun. North Koreas foreign minister attended talks in Stockholm with Swedens prime minister, the isolated countrys latest move in a diplomatic chess match that could produce an unprecedented meeting with Donald Trump. The Sweden Foreign Ministry said the talks would focus on Swedens role as a diplomatic representative of the US and other countries and on the security situation on the Korean Peninsula. But the meeting was charged with extra significance after last weeks stunning announcement that Mr Trump would meet with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. After months of ballistic missile tests and pugilistic rhetoric from Pyongyang put the world on edge, spurring rounds of United Nations sanctions and dire warnings of potential military conflict on the Korean Peninsula, North Korea has pivoted to inviting negotiations. An effort that began with meetings between North Korea and South Korea amid the Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang culminated in last weeks stunning announcement that Mr Kim had invited Mr Trump to meet. If the meeting proceeds, it would be a first for an American President. Unlike the United States, Sweden has maintained ties to North Korea and has an embassy in Pyongyang. Prime Minister Stefan Lofven told Swedish news agency television that his country could help mediate the unfolding diplomatic involving the main actors. We are a country that is militarily non-aligned and have a longstanding presence in North Korea, and with the trust we enjoy we think we can play a role, Mr Lofven said. North Korea Military Parade Show all 6 1 /6 North Korea Military Parade North Korea Military Parade AP North Korea Military Parade AFP/Getty Images North Korea Military Parade AP North Korea Military Parade AP North Korea Military Parade AP North Korea Military Parade AFP/Getty Images The Sweden Foreign Ministry released a statement aligning the country with the global push to punish North Koreas aggression, saying Sweden fully supports UN Security Council resolutions demanding the complete, verifiable and irrevocable elimination of North Koreas nuclear weapons and missile programmes. State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert told reporters that the US was not sending officials to Sweden and did not see the meeting as a prelude to North Korea and the US talking. We dont have any indication that that meeting is about what we anticipate to be a meeting between the United States, other parties and North Korea, Ms Nauert said. Donald Trump says he 'believes' North Korea leader Kim Jong Un about peace talks South Korea also said it planned to organise high-level talks with North Korea as a prelude to talks between Mr Kim and South Korean President Moon Jae-in, Mr Moon's chief of staff told reporters. In offering to meet with Mr Trump, Mr Kim pledged to suspend weapons testing and said he was committed to denuclearisation, according to a top South Korean official, a goal long sought by America and its allies. Mr Trump expressed a desire to meet by May. While some experts have questioned the sincerity of North Koreas outreach and expressed doubt the summit will materialise, Mr Trump has projected confidence. I think North Korea is going to go very well, Mr Trump told reporters this week. I think we will have tremendous success. The administration fully expects the meeting will take place, White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders told reporters this week, provided Pyongyang does not waver from the conditions it attached to talks. We hope that they would stick to those promises and, if so, the meeting will go on as planned, Ms Sanders said. Vilnius is a city best known for its historical charm, particularly its Unesco-listed Old Town. Yet there are few European capitals modernising quite so rapidly. Today, for every preserved baroque church theres an achingly hip cafe; for every old cobbled street, a modernist work of art. This fascinating contrast of the time-honoured and the on-trend make Lithuanias capital a refreshing and rewarding weekend break. Here are 10 of the best things to see and do during a visit. Enjoy the view A sea of red-tiled roofs and lush green parkland, punctuated by dozens of church spires: Vilnius looks spectacular from on high. The loveliest panorama in the city particularly at sunset is from the Three Crosses, a monument set atop the cheerily-named Bleak Hill, but its a steep walk. Gediminas Tower offers an almost-equally striking view, and is easily reached by funicular, or else take a lift up to the stylish rooftop Skybar (radissonblu.com) to gaze out over the city with a cocktail in hand. Soak in the views (Getty Images/iStockphoto) Tour a breakaway republic Uzupis, which means the other side of the river, is a neighbourhood that sits apart from the rest of Vilnius both physically and politically. In 1997, Uzupis declared itself an independent republic, with its own flag, anthem and president, and two decades on it retains its distinctive vibe. This bohemian district has some great riverside pubs and cafes, alternative artists workshops and a prominent, wall-mounted constitution featuring idiosyncratic articles such as People have the right to have no rights. Try a local delicacy Two dishes dominate dining here: cepelinai and kibinai. The first are filling, zeppelin-shaped dumplings of grated potato, stuffed with mince or curd, slathered in sour cream and served on huge plates. The latter are traditional pastries not dissimilar to Cornish pasties typically filled with mutton and onion and sold in every Vilnius bakery (though the best ones are in Trakai, a great day trip from the capital). Try traditional dumplings slathered in sour cream (Getty Images/iStockphoto) See the citys street art Vilnius has many fine contemporary art galleries, but to really see how artists here express themselves, simply step outside. There are quirky al fresco works of art across Vilnius, from a bronze bust of Frank Zappa to a street lined with hundreds of tiny paintings, prints and ceramics, but its the colourful, often political street corner graffiti that really stands out, including a mural of Trump and Putin locking lips. Make a wish In August 1989, an extraordinary thing happened: two million people formed a human chain stretching 420 miles from Tallinn to Vilnius, in protest of Soviet occupation. Within seven months, Lithuania was independent. To commemorate this event, a stone tile marked stebuklas (miracle) was laid in Vilnius main Cathedral Square. Today, its a lucky charm, so stand on the tile, spin clockwise and make a wish. Vilnius' political street art is worth exploring (Petras Malukas/AFP/Getty Images) Step back in time Not just under the radar, but out of sight, theres a concealed corner of Vilnius that belongs to another era. Situated in the up-and-coming Snipiskes district, its a 19th century community of pretty, wooden homes with wood-burning stoves, outhouses and communal water pumps, all linked by unpaved streets. It is under constant threat from developers, with many houses burning down in suspicious circumstances, but you can see what remains on the Alternative Tour from Vilnius Free Tour (vilniusfreetour.lt). Sip a craft beer Vilnius has a proud farmhouse brewing tradition, and has fully embraced the craft beer boom. Popular brewpubs include Alaus Namai (alausnamai.lt), home of Sirvenos ale brewed using peas and Snekutis (facebook.com/BaraiSnekutis), known for its cloudy amber Jovaru Alus. Many pubs also serve surprisingly tasty non-alcoholic wheat beers and stouts brewed by Svyturys (svyturys.lt). Dig into Lithuanias history Lithuania has a long and tumultuous history, from the wealth and prosperity of the Middle Ages to the devastating occupations of the 20th century. You can uncover it all with visits to the Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania (valdovurumai.lt) and the Museum of Genocide Victims (genocid.lt). Explore the bohemian Uzupis district (Antonio Campoy/Flickr) Stroll along the river Vilnius is a great strolling city, but forego the cobbled streets and winding alleys for one day in favour of the riverbank. A walk alongside the river Vilnele offers a mix of thriving nature and major city sights, like the atmospheric Bernardine Cemetery, the trumpeting Angel of Uzupis and the leafy Kalnai Park. Shop for traditional food Foodies shouldnt miss the covered Hales Market (halesturgaviete.lt). This beautiful historic building, opened in 1906, has stallholders selling everything you could possibly desire, from smoked meat, fresh fish and organic vegetables to clothes, flowers and gifts. Theres also a lovely bakery-cafe. Break the loss-making cycle and transform the airline into a viable and sustainable entity: how many times has that sentiment been expressed in aviation? Dozens, and thats just Alitalia. The carrier making all the right noises this week: South African Airways (SAA). The board has developed and approved a clear strategy and five-year plan to turn the airline around, said SAAs chief executive, Vuyani Jarana. We need a clean break with the past and a new approach to the future, and that is precisely what we are doing. We are acting with urgency to ensure the viability and sustainability of this crucial national asset. A measure I find useful is: how much profit or loss per passenger does an airline make? This year, for example, Ryanair is expected to make an average of 10 for every passenger it flies. Virgin Atlantic has just announced it lost about a fiver per person, due partly to hurricane disruption in the Caribbean and Florida. But SAA lost one-third of a billion pounds last year, and expects the same result again in 2018. Thats almost 50 for each of seven million passengers. SAAs cunning new plan is to shrink into profitability, a strategy that has met with mixed results over the years. From next weekend, the double-daily Heathrow-Johannesburg link becomes a single flight (in response, Virgin Atlantic has already announced an extra service on the route from October). One certainty about airline awards used to be that SAA would win Best African Airline. Not any more. If you want to fly on the continents best airline, with the worlds most modern aircraft, then it has to be Ethiopian. During traumas from famine to revolution, the airline has managed to deliver those two elusive qualities: customer service and profit (last year, which was a lean one, it made about 9 per passenger). From June, Ethiopian steps up services from Heathrow with three extra round trips each week to its Addis Ababa hub. Hitherto, the airline has flown to Heathrow overnight from Ethiopia, then parked an aircraft at an expensive airport for 14 hours before the return night flight back to Addis Ababa. Ethiopian has had these slots since the dawn of time. When I first flew with the carrier it had some elderly Boeing 757 jets which presumably were fully amortised paid for and so the only significant cost was the parking fee. Today, Ethiopian deploys a brand-new Airbus A350, an expensive asset to be sitting in the drizzle all day at Heathrow. Now some slots have been found at Heathrow to give the airline a degree of flexibility, at least on Saturdays, Sundays and Wednesdays. On those days the inbound morning plane will turn around in three hours, and fly back to Addis Ababa during the day. The Ethiopian capital is exactly the same distance from Heathrow as Washington DC, and takes about seven hours in the air. A daytime flight will appeal to plenty of people keen on the aesthetic treat of savouring the views of eastern France, the Swiss Alps, the spine of Italy and most of Egypt and Sudan on the way to East Africa, where you arrive just in time for dinner in one of the continents more agreeable capitals. Michael Yohannes, Ethiopians country manager in the UK, said: We are always conscious of what the customers want. We dont put too much capacity in one place. We make mistakes but we learn from our mistakes and we move forward. From October, at least one more UK airport is likely to have a non-stop link to Addis Ababa. Many of the passengers will connect to destinations in southern Africa which used to be the preserve of SAA. With South Africa imposing draconian documentation rules on passengers under the age of 18, even in transit, Johannesburgs role as Africas key hub is being eroded and SAAs slogan,Bringing the world to Africa and taking Africa to the world, looks as though it is applied to the wrong airline. So far, so good for Theresa May. She has won verbal backing from the United States, Germany and France, who have blamed Russia for the horrific nerve agent attack in Salisbury. But there is always a but and this is it: the Prime Minister will find it much harder to translate such pledges of support into action such as tougher economic sanctions against Moscow. Warm words may not be enough in a new cold war. The timing could hardly be worse for May which, perhaps, is one reason why Vladimir Putin might have sanctioned the attack on British soil. The UK has been in the vanguard of EU moves to impose sanctions on Russia since it annexed Crimea, while France and Germany have been more equivocal. They rely on Russian gas, and do not want to break ties with Moscow, however badly it behaves. Propping up the Assad regime as it kills its own people in Syria, shooting down a passenger plane over Ukraine, cyber attacks and alleged interference in the US election, have not persuaded the EU to tighten the sanctions. Having attended EU summits where sanctions were discussed, I suspect that, alongside a recognition that the Salisbury poisoning could have happened in Paris or Berlin, there will be a tinge of schadenfreude because of the Russian zillions that have flowed into London. Theresa May: 'We do hold Russia culpable for this brazen, brazen act and despicable act' I doubt May will persuade the EU to opt for tougher sanctions when its leaders meet in Brussels next week. Extending the existing programme, perhaps for a year instead of six months, might be as good as it gets. Well never know for sure, but Brexit probably makes it less likely that the EU27 will go the extra mile for the UK over Russia. Why would they when were about to walk out the door? Thats realpolitik. Nor can the UK rely on the unequivocal support of the US, as we could have done with a different occupant in the White House. Donald Trump came on side this week, eventually. But who can guess his next move? Not even his closest allies. The limitations of the post-Brexit global Britain strategy are now exposed. The cross-party Foreign Affairs Select Committee rightly warned this week that it could be viewed as a superficial branding exercise which risks undermining UK interests by damaging our reputation overseas and eroding support for a global outlook here at home. The threadbare strategy is based on old friends and new allies. The Salisbury affair may reveal that the UK cannot rely on old friends to turn supportive rhetoric into tough action, and that we have not yet found new allies. Welcome to the UKs new world not so splendid isolation. To date, May has handled the crisis well and displayed the strong leadership the country expects. The same cannot be said for Jeremy Corbyn. At one level, one can admire him for sticking to his guns and the moral compass that has guided him on foreign policy for the past 40 years. He knew he would face flak from Labour MPs if he failed to blame Russia when May announced the expulsion of 23 diplomats on Wednesday; his backbenchers had served notice by criticising his approach during a Commons statement on Salisbury on Monday. Corbyn is no apologist for the Putin regime, but his equivocation allows his enemies to portray him as such. Its not about bitter Blairites seeking revenge, as the Corbynistas see it. Loyalist shadow cabinet members like Emily Thornberry and Sir Keir Starmer agree with his backbench critics. In his article in The Guardian today, which has dismayed many Labour MPs who sensed he was shifting to a more sensible position yesterday, Corbyn warns of a drift to conflict. But no one is talking about military action. The Labour leader has pressed the Iraq button but this time it doesnt work. Russias chemical weapons exist. They have been used on British soil. The right parallel is not Iraq in 2003 but Argentinas invasion of the Falkland Islands in 1982. A left-wing opposition Leader, Michael Foot, a founder member of CND who described himself as an inveterate peace-monger, backed the Falklands War. Corbyn did not, like his mentor Tony Benn. Foot was right. Sometimes even a peace-monger must talk tough if they aspire to lead the country, and maintain a united front with their political enemy in the national interest. True, public attitudes to foreign invasions have changed since Iraq. But I doubt they have changed much about what to do when we are under attack. Corbyns stance on Russia may please old friends in his loyal fanbase, but it will harm his attempt to win the new allies among voters he will need to win power. Theresa May was, we now learn, not quite offering the public the whole picture on last winters NHS crisis when she declared that the service was better prepared for winter than ever before. That might have been strictly true, but it can only have meant that previous preparations were even more inadequate than the slightly panicky measures that minsters took to prevent a worse collapse in healthcare. It seems, in fact, that even postponing many thousands of elective procedures (presumably the preparation the Prime Minister referred to), wasnt sufficient to prevent a record number of patients being forced to wait in corridors and ambulances. In some cases there were serious, possibly lethal, results. NHS hospitals had never been closer to, and beyond, capacity before. That was in part a product of high demand, but also an inevitable consequence of the squeeze on bed numbers. No amount of emergency preparation could overcome those fundamentals. The Governments answer to all of this repeated again in his Spring Statement by the Chancellor is that they have devoted huge sums to the NHS; that an extra 20bn has been committed to it since the 2015 general election; that more will be forthcoming in due course; and that the Labour Party has made a mess of the NHS in Wales. Leaving aside the last, rather tired, debating point (it may be true, but it doesnt make the English NHS OK), it is certainly true that the health service consumes huge quantities of public money, and increasing amounts. Historically, however, the real-terms increases in health funding are running at extremely modest levels; even under Margaret Thatcher, who chose not to use the NHS herself, health spending rose more quickly than since 2010. Past Conservative and Labour governments have been right to look to increasing efficiency, and to selective and careful outsourcing of non-core tasks to make the NHS more effective. For generations, too, patients and minsters alike have relied on the goodwill of hard-pressed health professionals to carry the NHS under exceptional conditions. Theresa May and the Health and Social Care Secretary Jeremy Hunt are usually generous in their thanks to the staff, and no doubt sincerely. What they do not say much about is how they propose permanently to take the NHS out of its periodic crises and into a model of stability and financial sustainability. Relying on contracting-out services and the goodwill of the workforce is not enough. The challenges are daunting, and the financial demands immense. The demographic demands on the NHS are well known, and the costs of lifesaving and life-enhancing new medicines and treatments can sometimes be extremely high, even in relation to the great human benefit that they bestow. Every new breakthrough in fertility treatment, for example, creates its own demand. Sometimes, as with the latest rapid tests for prostate cancer, scientific progress can save money, but usually it is the other way round. Brexit, an issue that intrudes into virtually any public debate, can only worsen the situation, by depriving the NHS of a supply of trained staff, and by depressing trade, economic growth and the funds available to the Treasury. Resources, then, are a crucial issue, and striking the right balance between them and the publics demands for quality care has never been properly debated. Yes, arguments about the NHS provoke fierce passions and heated debate, and that is the best way for an Opposition, including Labours spokesman Jonathan Ashworth, to hold ministers to account. It is wrong to conclude that the NHS can be taken out of politics or even that that would be a good thing, and it is unrealistic in any case when the Labour Party makes so much capital out of it. What is required is that the terms of the debate need to be better drawn and understood by the public and parties alike. Our politicians could be better at that. There are, as there always have been, trade-offs between types of care, between types of patient, geographical areas, and class. We can vary the weights given to public health, cancer care, social care, mental health or NHS dentistry, to name but a few topical cases. We can increase taxes on sugar, salt and fat. It is a long list of issues, and they go way beyond the simple question of higher taxes or lower spending, or NHS privatisation. Yet all are debated in isolation and usually in conditions of panic. NICE has performed an outstanding job in the practical business of rationing new treatments, and its work is, in fact, supported on a cross-party basis. Yet it too works under a set of priorities that are not settled. They could be brought closer to clarity by informed public debate, if such a calm deliberation was allowed to proceed. Trouble is, too many arguments about the NHS are seized by crises, as we witnessed all too much last winter and no doubt will again next winter. They have escaped genocide but now they face being swept away by floods for the tens of thousands of Rohingya refugees, life is heartbreakingly cheap. And even if they survive the monsoons and cyclones, women, whose husbands have already been slaughtered, will be preparing to give birth to children conceived by the rape of the Burmese military. The plight of the Rohingya is like nothing on Earth. They are a people who have been dehumanised they have seen their children literally thrown on to fires. Already traumatised by having to flee Burma, or Myanmar as it is known now, into neighbouring Bangladesh, their desperate existence is set to become even more atrocious as annual rains hit their makeshift camps. The ground on which their rickety structures have been erected is prone to landslides. So, even if their makeshift homes remain standing, poorly built latrines are bound to be washed away, meaning the inevitable spread of disease. As a member of the House of Commons International Development Committee, I visited a refugee camp in Bangladesh and was shattered by what I saw. It is estimated that, since August last year, more than 700,000 Rohingya Muslims have fled to Bangladesh to escape a military crackdown in neighbouring Myanmar. The refugees arrived in Bangladesh with very few possessions, having spent most of their savings on transportation, and their shelters consist of little more than bamboo and thin plastic. Traumatised by having seen friends and family killed in torched villages, they are entirely reliant on humanitarian agencies for food and basic needs but, of course, the strain on those trying to help them is enormous. UK news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 UK news in pictures 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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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 Meanwhile, the land at Coxs Bazaar, which was originally forest and has been cut down to accommodate the refugees, is unstable and prone to landslides when the heavy rains fall. The truth is that Bangladesh is trying its very best to handle the crisis but being a poor country means that it simply does not have the infrastructure to cope. Bangladeshi disaster management officials are working with the United Nations to relocate 133,000 people living in areas at the highest risk of flooding and is also launching a Rohingya language radio station that will act as a natural disaster warning system when the storms come. But, despite its best efforts, Bangladesh is struggling to handle the enormous numbers of refugees that have flocked over its borders. In addition, Bangladesh is at the mercy of extreme climatic events that have claimed millions of lives over recent decades and destroyed past development. A severe cyclone strikes the country every three years, on average, and although Bangladesh has invested heavily to improve its disaster readiness and response, with the UK and other development partners support, the impacts of global warming and climate change still have the potential to challenge the countrys development efforts, human security and the future. Aid agencies are doing their best to dig what drainage channels they can and to shore up at least some structures in the camps but they are running out of time. The scale of the problem facing Bangladesh and the Rohingya is mind-boggling but so is the attitude of Myanmar, which has washed its hands of its own people. Aung San Suu Kyi, held up as one of the greatest fighters for democracy in recent decades, would not even allow our committee representatives to visit her country. Thats right the woman who has spoken out so passionately for democracy and humanitarianism in her fight against Myanmars military in the past is either kowtowing to them, looking away from the ethnic cleansing of the Rohingya in Rakhine State, or has taken a deliberate stance of refusing to help. The crisis needs a positive reaction from Myanmar and the international community so that the Rohingya can return to their homeland as full and equal citizens. If immediate action is not taken, tens of thousands more Rohingya will certainly die. Pauline Latham is MP for Mid Derbyshire and serves on the House of Commons International Development Committee. Boris Johnson declares that there is something in the smug, sarcastic response that weve heard from the Russians that indicate their fundamental guilt. Gavin Williamsons considered response to the crisis is that Russia should go away and shut up. There is, of course, more than Boriss cunning deductions from Kremlin sarcasm and Williamsons marching order to Vladimir Putin surely one of the most unintentionally comic turns in modern political times behind Theresa Mays assertion that Moscow has carried out an attack with a nerve agent for the first time in Europe since the Second World War. By this afternoon, the Foreign Secretary was holding that it was overwhelmingly likely that the Russian President had personally ordered the attempted murder. The British Government came to the conclusion of Kremlin culpability very early after the poisoning of former MI6 agent Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia on 4 March. There had been criticism of the slowness of the police investigation into the attack on Alexander Litvinenko, who was contaminated with polonium also allegedly by the Russians, and on this occasion the inquiry has moved at remarkable pace. There has been scepticism about the intelligence services, with much publicity in the case of Seumas Milne, Jeremy Corbyns spokesman, who likened its conclusions about Russian collusion to the false claims about Saddam Husseins Weapons of Mass Destruction used to justify the invasion of Iraq. Obviously the Government has access to information and intelligence on this matter which others dont, said Milne. However, also, theres a history in relation to weapons of mass destruction and intelligence which is problematic, to put it mildly. There are points of issue here. The same intelligence assessment on which the Government and the National Security Council made their decision to blame Russia was shown to Corbyn as a privy councillor, we are told by Whitehall officials. He, presumably, was not convinced by what he saw. Secondly, there is an obvious difference between the alleged WMD in Iraq and the Salisbury attack. WMD did not exist in Iraq at the time of the invasion, whereas we know that a nerve agent was used on the Skripals unless Milne holds that was concocted. Intelligence was manipulated, sexed up, on Iraq to provide George W Bush and Tony Blair the justification for a war they had already decided on waging. It is unclear who exactly wants to restart the Cold War in the West. It is hardly likely to be Donald Trump, under investigation for being the alleged Muscovite candidate in the US election. Theres no clear reason why Germany, France or the UK would want to do so either. There is, however, a common factor between what happened in Iraq and the current crisis: a tendency to attack those who question the official version of events, with accusations of being unpatriotic, a traitor, even something Jeremy Corbyn is facing. The Leader of the Opposition may well have misjudged the mood of the House on Wednesday, but the questions he raised had validity. It is impossible to judge the intelligence performance on the Salisbury attack at this time because we simply do not know the details of why the services are convinced that the Russian state was behind the attack. There was more scope to examine the Iraq intelligence even before the extent of the secrets and lies came out in the various public inquiries which followed. I was among a small number of journalists in Iraq before the invasion accompanying the UN teams searching for the supposed arsenal of chemical, biological and nuclear weapons. On visits back to England and the US, it was apparent that the inspections, meant to be the key to resolving the crisis, were just a sideshow. While paying lip service to the UN, the Bush and Blair administrations were preparing for war. In September 2002, a few colleagues and I downloaded from the internet, at the Al Rashid Hotel in Baghdad, the Downing Street dossier on the imminent threat posed by Iraqs WMD. We had arranged with Tariq Aziz, Iraqs deputy prime minister and Saddam confidant, to visit some of the sites named in the dossier as producing chemical and biological weapons. We chose the sites al-Qaqa, a military complex 30 miles from Baghdad and the Amariyah Sera vaccine plant at Abu Ghraib and were taken there by the Iraqi authorities within two hours of the dossier being produced. We were allowed to go anywhere we wanted at the sites and to take soil samples. But we were scrupulously careful in the stories we filed to stress that we were not scientists or weapons experts and so could not make judgments about the facilities we had visited. The reaction of the Downing Street spin doctors was ludicrously over-the-top. The accusations against us ranged from being naive dupes to propagandists for the Saddam regime. After liberation, the two sites we had been to and every other named in the dossier were inspected by UN teams and the Iraq Survey Group set by the US and UK. No WMD, of course, were found. Details of what led the intelligence services to conclude that the Kremlin carried out the Salisbury attack will emerge, no doubt, over time. The reason why it is surprising has been well rehearsed. Litvinenko had been an active campaigner against the Kremlin and Putin in his London exile and this may have raised their ire. There is no evidence of this with Skripal. Skripal attack aftermath in pictures Show all 15 1 /15 Skripal attack aftermath in pictures Skripal attack aftermath in pictures Scene of attack Members of the emergency services in hazard suits fix the tent over the bench where Sergei and Yulia Skripal were found unconscious on a park bench in Salisbury in March 2018. Getty Skripal attack aftermath in pictures Victim - Sergei Skripal The retired Russian colonel and former double agent for MI6 was in a critical condition in hospital for more than two months after being exposed to novichok in Salisbury. He was given refuge in the UK after being jailed in Moscow for treason. Mr Skripal came to Britain as part of a high-profile spy swap in 2010 in which four men were exchanged for ten Russian "sleeper agents" in the US. In this image he is speaking to his lawyer from behind bars in Moscow in 2006. AP Skripal attack aftermath in pictures Victim - Yulia Skripal Yulia Skripal was struck down by a novichok poison alongside her father Sergei. Facebook Skripal attack aftermath in pictures Scene of attack A police officer stands guard outside a branch of the Italian chain restaurant Zizzi where the pair dined at before falling ill. It was boarded off whilst investigators worked on the building and later found traces of the chemical weapon within it. AFP/Getty Skripal attack aftermath in pictures Scene of attack Large areas of central Salisbury were cordoned off by police following the discovery of the Skripals. Traces of nerve agent were also found in The Mill pub. PA Skripal attack aftermath in pictures Victim - Nick Bailey Detective Sergeant Nick Bailey, rushed to the aid of the Russian ex-spy and his daughter who were targeted with a nerve agent. He was hospitalized after aiding them and didn't leave until three weeks after the attack. Wiltshire Police/Rex Skripal attack aftermath in pictures Police investigation - Skripals home Police believe they were poisoned at home, and detectives found the highest concentration of novichok on the front door of Mr Skripals house. Getty Skripal attack aftermath in pictures Theresa May visits scene of attack Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May spokes with Wiltshire Police's Chief Constable Kier Pritchard near where the Skripal's were found. Britain expelled 23 Russian diplomats over the nerve agent poisoning and suspended high-level contacts, including for the World Cup on March 14. Theresa May told parliament that Russia had failed to respond to her demand for an explanation on how a Soviet-designed chemical, Novichok, was used in Salisbury. AFP/Getty Skripal attack aftermath in pictures Skripal days before attack Sergei Skripal days before he was exposed to Novichok, that has left him fighting for life. ITV News Skripal attack aftermath in pictures Police investigation - military involvement British soldiers were deployed soon after the attack to help a counter-terrorism investigation into the nerve agent attack. One of the places they were asked to help out with was Skripal's home and it's surrounding. They were asked to remove a vehicle connected to the agent attack in Salisbury, from a residential street in Gillingham. AFP/Getty Skripal attack aftermath in pictures Police investigation Personnel in protective coveralls and breathing equipment cover an ambulance with a tarpaulin at the Salisbury District Hospital. AFP/Getty Skripal attack aftermath in pictures Police investigation The investigation extended to the grave of Sergei Skripal's son Alexander in London Road cemetery. Getty Skripal attack aftermath in pictures Police investigation The Counter Terrorism Policing Network requested assistance from the military to remove a number of vehicles and objects from Salisbury. EPA Skripal attack aftermath in pictures Home Secretary visits scene of attack Home Secretary Amber Rudd visited the scene of the nerve agent attack at the Maltings shopping centre on 9 March. Getty Skripal attack aftermath in pictures Yulia Skripal speaks for the first time Yulia Skripal, speaking for the first time, said she felt lucky to have survived the nerve agent attack in Salisbury which left her fighting for life. Ms Skripal said her life had been turned upside down by the assassination attempt. But the Russian national added she hoped to return to her homeland one day, despite the Kremlin being blamed for the attack. Reuters The former Russian military intelligence colonel had been in prison in Russia for more than a dozen years; he could have been bumped off any time if they really wanted to take retribution on traitors. Skripal had come to Britain in a spy-swap and was no longer active. The fact that he lived under his own name, and had not been given a false identity, was clear indication that he was not deemed to be in danger. There has also been a wide range of theories, some masquerading as facts, in the media about what supposedly happened that Skripal was working on the Trump dossier; that his daughter was the real target of the attack because of her love life; that the nerve agent had been administered through the door handle of his car; or in his food; or that it had been slipped in through a present his daughter had brought from Moscow. There was also a claim that he remained a MI6 agent and had been meeting his handler in Salisbury. The two men did not bother with things like security precautions, it seems, but met in the same restaurant every month and spoke loudly in Russian. Waitress Dagmara Wieczorak told a tabloid that she was sure that she was shown a picture of an Englishman in a tweed suit that used to meet Sergei every month. Asked about this, a security official responded tiredly, Yes, being MI6, not only was he wearing a tweed suit, but he also carried a pipe, wore a carnation and they greeted each other with the code It gets very cold in Vladivostok. But real facts are sparse on the ground. A crime as elaborately planned as this surely needs a motive, so what was it? If Russia lost control of the nerve agent, the alternative charge by Theresa May to the attempted assassination, when could this have happened? Why did the director general of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OCPW) categorically state last November that all chemical weapons in Russias stockpile have been destroyed? The Kremlin may well be responsible for the Salisbury attack as Mays Government insists. But questions need to be asked, including by politicians, and answers should be provided rather than hysterical accusations of treachery. Will the war in Syria ever end? After seven years of conflict, the same question is being asked by politicians, diplomats, fighters in the front line, and families cowering in unlit basements to escape devastating bombardments from Ghouta to Afrin. When I asked Aldar Khalil, a top Syrian Kurdish leader whose forces control a quarter of Syria, about the chances of peace in an interview in north-east Syria, he grimly but confidently predicted that the war would go on for another four years, until a new balance of forces becomes clear. We must speak of multiple armed conflicts in Syria rather than a single war so that when one military confrontation gets close to its final chapter, it is swiftly replaced by another. Isis, the greatest threat of 2014 to 2017, is largely eliminated, but the new focus of violence is the escalating struggle between Turkey and the two or three million Syrian Kurds. The Syrian Army is advancing into Eastern Ghouta and the likelihood is that President Bashar al-Assad will soon have almost complete control of the capital for the first time since 2012. One outcome could be for the rebel fighters to leave with light weapons for opposition or Turkish-held territory in southern and northern Syria, while the bulk of the civilian population would be amnestied and stay where they are. But the Syrian war is littered with compromise solutions which never quite came about because there were too many players to agree on a common course of action. World news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 World news in pictures World news in pictures 30 September 2020 Pope Francis prays with priests at the end of a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 29 September 2020 A girl's silhouette is seen from behind a fabric in a tent along a beach by Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 September 2020 A Chinese woman takes a photo of herself in front of a flower display dedicated to frontline health care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic in Beijing, China. China will celebrate national day marking the founding of the People's Republic of China on October 1st Getty World news in pictures 27 September 2020 The Glass Mountain Inn burns as the Glass Fire moves through the area in St. Helena, California. The fast moving Glass fire has burned over 1,000 acres and has destroyed homes Getty World news in pictures 26 September 2020 A villager along with a child offers prayers next to a carcass of a wild elephant that officials say was electrocuted in Rani Reserve Forest on the outskirts of Guwahati, India AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 September 2020 The casket of late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is seen in Statuary Hall in the US Capitol to lie in state in Washington, DC AFP via Getty World news in pictures 24 September 2020 An anti-government protester holds up an image of a pro-democracy commemorative plaque at a rally outside Thailand's parliament in Bangkok, as activists gathered to demand a new constitution AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 September 2020 A whale stranded on a beach in Macquarie Harbour on the rugged west coast of Tasmania, as hundreds of pilot whales have died in a mass stranding in southern Australia despite efforts to save them, with rescuers racing to free a few dozen survivors The Mercury/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 22 September 2020 State civil employee candidates wearing face masks and shields take a test in Surabaya AFP via Getty World news in pictures 21 September 2020 A man sweeps at the Taj Mahal monument on the day of its reopening after being closed for more than six months due to the coronavirus pandemic AP World news in pictures 20 September 2020 A deer looks for food in a burnt area, caused by the Bobcat fire, in Pearblossom, California EPA World news in pictures 19 September 2020 Anti-government protesters hold their mobile phones aloft as they take part in a pro-democracy rally in Bangkok. Tens of thousands of pro-democracy protesters massed close to Thailand's royal palace, in a huge rally calling for PM Prayut Chan-O-Cha to step down and demanding reforms to the monarchy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 September 2020 Supporters of Iraqi Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr maintain social distancing as they attend Friday prayers after the coronavirus disease restrictions were eased, in Kufa mosque, near Najaf, Iraq Reuters World news in pictures 17 September 2020 A protester climbs on The Triumph of the Republic at 'the Place de la Nation' as thousands of protesters take part in a demonstration during a national day strike called by labor unions asking for better salary and against jobs cut in Paris, France EPA World news in pictures 16 September 2020 A fire raging near the Lazzaretto of Ancona in Italy. The huge blaze broke out overnight at the port of Ancona. Firefighters have brought the fire under control but they expected to keep working through the day EPA World news in pictures 15 September 2020 Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny posing for a selfie with his family at Berlin's Charite hospital. In an Instagram post he said he could now breathe independently following his suspected poisoning last month Alexei Navalny/Instagram/AFP World news in pictures 14 September 2020 Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga, former Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba and former Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida celebrate after Suga was elected as new head of the ruling party at the Liberal Democratic Party's leadership election in Tokyo Reuters World news in pictures 13 September 2020 A man stands behind a burning barricade during the fifth straight day of protests against police brutality in Bogota AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 September 2020 Police officers block and detain protesters during an opposition rally to protest the official presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus. Daily protests calling for the authoritarian president's resignation are now in their second month AP World news in pictures 11 September 2020 Members of 'Omnium Cultural' celebrate the 20th 'Festa per la llibertat' ('Fiesta for the freedom') to mark the Day of Catalonia in Barcelona. Omnion Cultural fights for the independence of Catalonia EPA World news in pictures 10 September 2020 The Moria refugee camp, two days after Greece's biggest migrant camp, was destroyed by fire. Thousands of asylum seekers on the island of Lesbos are now homeless AFP via Getty World news in pictures 9 September 2020 Pope Francis takes off his face mask as he arrives by car to hold a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 8 September 2020 A home is engulfed in flames during the "Creek Fire" in the Tollhouse area of California AFP via Getty World news in pictures 7 September 2020 A couple take photos along a sea wall of the waves brought by Typhoon Haishen in the eastern port city of Sokcho AFP via Getty World news in pictures 6 September 2020 Novak Djokovic and a tournament official tends to a linesperson who was struck with a ball by Djokovic during his match against Pablo Carreno Busta at the US Open USA Today Sports/Reuters World news in pictures 5 September 2020 Protesters confront police at the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne, Australia, during an anti-lockdown rally AFP via Getty World news in pictures 4 September 2020 A woman looks on from a rooftop as rescue workers dig through the rubble of a damaged building in Beirut. A search began for possible survivors after a scanner detected a pulse one month after the mega-blast at the adjacent port AFP via Getty World news in pictures 3 September 2020 A full moon next to the Virgen del Panecillo statue in Quito, Ecuador EPA World news in pictures 2 September 2020 A Palestinian woman reacts as Israeli forces demolish her animal shed near Hebron in the Israeli-occupied West Bank Reuters World news in pictures 1 September 2020 Students protest against presidential elections results in Minsk TUT.BY/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 31 August 2020 The pack rides during the 3rd stage of the Tour de France between Nice and Sisteron AFP via Getty World news in pictures 30 August 2020 Law enforcement officers block a street during a rally of opposition supporters protesting against presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus Reuters World news in pictures 29 August 2020 A woman holding a placard reading "Stop Censorship - Yes to the Freedom of Expression" shouts in a megaphone during a protest against the mandatory wearing of face masks in Paris. Masks, which were already compulsory on public transport, in enclosed public spaces, and outdoors in Paris in certain high-congestion areas around tourist sites, were made mandatory outdoors citywide on August 28 to fight the rising coronavirus infections AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 August 2020 Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe bows to the national flag at the start of a press conference at the prime minister official residence in Tokyo. Abe announced he will resign over health problems, in a bombshell development that kicks off a leadership contest in the world's third-largest economy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 27 August 2020 Residents take cover behind a tree trunk from rubber bullets fired by South African Police Service (SAPS) in Eldorado Park, near Johannesburg, during a protest by community members after a 16-year old boy was reported dead AFP via Getty World news in pictures 26 August 2020 People scatter rose petals on a statue of Mother Teresa marking her 110th birth anniversary in Ahmedabad AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 August 2020 An aerial view shows beach-goers standing on salt formations in the Dead Sea near Ein Bokeq, Israel Reuters World news in pictures 24 August 2020 Health workers use a fingertip pulse oximeter and check the body temperature of a fisherwoman inside the Dharavi slum during a door-to-door Covid-19 coronavirus screening in Mumbai AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 August 2020 People carry an idol of the Hindu god Ganesh, the deity of prosperity, to immerse it off the coast of the Arabian sea during the Ganesh Chaturthi festival in Mumbai, India Reuters World news in pictures 22 August 2020 Firefighters watch as flames from the LNU Lightning Complex fires approach a home in Napa County, California AP World news in pictures 21 August 2020 Members of the Israeli security forces arrest a Palestinian demonstrator during a rally to protest against Israel's plan to annex parts of the occupied West Bank AFP via Getty World news in pictures 20 August 2020 A man pushes his bicycle through a deserted road after prohibitory orders were imposed by district officials for a week to contain the spread of the Covid-19 in Kathmandu AFP via Getty World news in pictures 19 August 2020 A car burns while parked at a residence in Vacaville, California. Dozens of fires are burning out of control throughout Northern California as fire resources are spread thin AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 August 2020 Students use their mobile phones as flashlights at an anti-government rally at Mahidol University in Nakhon Pathom. Thailand has seen near-daily protests in recent weeks by students demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha AFP via Getty World news in pictures 17 August 2020 Members of the Kayapo tribe block the BR163 highway during a protest outside Novo Progresso in Para state, Brazil. Indigenous protesters blocked a major transamazonian highway to protest against the lack of governmental support during the COVID-19 novel coronavirus pandemic and illegal deforestation in and around their territories AFP via Getty World news in pictures 16 August 2020 Lightning forks over the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge as a storm passes over Oakland AP World news in pictures 15 August 2020 Belarus opposition supporters gather near the Pushkinskaya metro station where Alexander Taraikovsky, a 34-year-old protester died on August 10, during their protest rally in central Minsk AFP via Getty World news in pictures 14 August 2020 AlphaTauri's driver Daniil Kvyat takes part in the second practice session at the Circuit de Catalunya in Montmelo near Barcelona ahead of the Spanish F1 Grand Prix AFP via Getty World news in pictures 13 August 2020 Soldiers of the Brazilian Armed Forces during a disinfection of the Christ The Redeemer statue at the Corcovado mountain prior to the opening of the touristic attraction in Rio AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 August 2020 Young elephant bulls tussle playfully on World Elephant Day at the Amboseli National Park in Kenya AFP via Getty One siege may be ending in Eastern Ghouta, but another is beginning 200 miles to the north in the Kurdish enclave of Afrin. The Turkish army and its Arab auxiliaries describing themselves as the Free Syrian Army, but, going by their own videos much closer to Isis and al-Qaeda, say they have surrounded the city. It will ultimately fall but it is unclear if the 10,000 Kurdish fighters there will fight to the death. If they do make a last stand, then Afrin will join the many other Syrian cities which have been reduced to rubble. In the sieges of East Aleppo and Eastern Ghouta, there was a propaganda advantage to the opposition in holding out for as long as they could because of the international outcry against the Syrian army and government. But foreign states and the international media are largely ignoring atrocities in Afrin that would get wall-to-wall coverage if were happening in Eastern Ghouta. For the Kurds, there are no good options in Afrin, though it might be better from their point of view not to resist to the bitter end in the hope that this would avoid the city being pounded to pieces, as has happened so often elsewhere. In Afrin, the Kurds have no foreign allies to come to their rescue as occurred during the famous siege of Kobane by Isis in 2014-2015. The US said that it never had an interest in the enclave and the Russians, whose planes and anti-aircraft missiles control the skies over north-west Syria, have evidently agreed that Turkey should take Afrin. The reasons behind this decision illustrate how great power rivalries are fuelling the war in Syria and stop it coming to an end. Recommended What I saw in Bangladesh should make Aung San Suu Kyi ashamed Advantages for the Russians include bringing Turkey into permanent conflict with the US, which is allied to the Kurds in the great swathe of territory they control thanks to US backing east of the Euphrates River. The Russians may also want to teach the Kurds a lesson for putting all their eggs in the American basket, not that the Kurds have much choice. They cannot hope to defend the open plains of north east Syria without the threat of a devastating air strike by the US. The Kurds have a well-developed sense of victimhood and live in fear of once more being betrayed by their great power allies. But, for good self-interested reasons that have little to do with US gratitude to the Kurds for their role in the defeat of Isis, Washington is unlikely to run away from its alliance with the Kurds, at least for the moment. The US needs them as a force on the ground to back up its air power if it is to remain a player in Syria. The alternative is to accept a Russian victory in the country. As the last seven years have shown, the only possible force capable of fulfilling this role is the Kurdish YPG. The Russians, for their part, know that it was their military intervention in Syria which in a single stroke restored their status as a superpower or something like it, a position they had lost when the Soviet Union disintegrated in 1991. When the Syrian crisis first exploded in 2011, a senior Iraqi official asked an American general what was so different between the situation in Libya, where Gaddafi had just been ousted and killed, and that in Syria. The general replied in a short succinct sentence, saying that in Syria Russia is back. The rivalry of great and regional powers is fuelling the Syrian wars and preventing them coming to an end. But, paradoxically, the US and Russia also present the best chance of bringing these savage conflicts to an end. They alone are the heavy hitters with enough political and military muscle to push the regional and local players towards a compromise peace. But we have not reached that stage yet when everybody feels there is nothing left to fight for and clear winners and losers have emerged on the battlefield. It is true that some issues have been decided: President Bashar al-Assad will stay in power and he already controls about 12 million of the 16 million Syrians still in the country. After recapturing Eastern Ghouta, he will control all of Damascus and Aleppo as well as almost all the other cities. He may well feel that he is on his way to achieving his ambition to retake the whole of Syria, however long it may take. But control of the great powers is not absolute: commentators often mistakenly imagine that local proxies in Syria and Iraq are more obedient to their sponsors than they really are. This can be true when the proxies are under intense political or military pressure, but otherwise they resent too close compliance to the orders of their outside backers whose interests frequently diverge from their own. To adapt the American definition of statesman a statesman is a politician who stays bought no party in Syria and Iraq stays bought, if they can possibly avoid it. It is easy to describe the wars in Syria in terms realpolitik, but it is wrong to believe that the ongoing turmoil can be controlled by anybody. The players and wildcards are too many for this to happen. Syria is often described as a quagmire, but it is more useful to picture it as a great poisonous stew in which the ingredients are contending sects, ethnicities and foreign powers that continually produce new and lethal combinations. In these circumstances, Aldar Khalils forecast of another four years of war begins to sound almost optimistic. 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: Could not establish database connection. DB: bostonimc and SQL: --> The administrator has been notified and will resolve the problem ASAP. In the movie "Shaadi Mein Zaroor Aana," actress Kriti Kharbandas character was against the concept of arranged marriage, and in real life too, the actress is all for love. (IANS photo) Suren Patel, an Indian American former council member in Red Bluff, Calif., has been sentenced to a nearly six years suspended prison sentence and five years of probation for fraud and other charges. (Suren Patel mug shot photo) The Securities and Exchange Commission has filed a complaint against Theranos founder Elizabeth Holmes (pictured) and the companys ex-president, Indian American Ramesh Sunny Balwani, accusing them of a massive fraud perpetuated on investors. Holmes is shown here at the 2015 IIT Global Leadership Conference, at which the 31-year old Stanford dropout, valued then at $4.5 billion, received a standing ovation before and after her keynote speech. (Sunita Sohrabji/India-West file photo) Commerce Secretary Rita Teaotia has said the government is looking at a 6.5 percent export growth over the coming fiscal. Indias trade deficit dropped to $12 billion, down from $16 billion. (IANS photo) PDAC 2018: Energy technology optimism buoys mood at convention The protectionism of US President Donald Trump or the uncertainty of Brexit may overshadow the global minerals industry but optimism was evident at a recent mining and development conference in Canada. As we landed in Mauritius, a pearly drop in the Indian Ocean, striped flags fluttered gaily in the untamed tropical breeze. In vast fields that stretched from mountain to sea, sugarcane stalks swayed in celebration as we joined 1.3 million Mauritians commemorate 50 years of Independence since British rule, earlier this March 12. Immigration officer JL Juste reminisced, I was four when we got Independence. Back then, there were only sugarcane fields. Now theres tourism, resorts, industries The British were not the first to colonise the island. Until the early 1500s, nobody knew of its existence besides African sailors and Arab traders. The Portuguese were the first humans to set foot on it in 1505. The Dutch colonised it in 1598 and named it Mauritius after Prince Maurice Van Nassau. They introduced wild boar, tobacco, slaves from Africa and sugarcane from Java by mid-17th century. The French, who had occupied nearby Reunion, came to Mauritius in 1715 and laid the foundation of the sugar industry. The British took over in 1810 and made Mauritius their stronghold for the next 150 years. A cultural cauldron How a virtually uninhabited, unknown speck of 790 sq miles became the global leader in sugar production by the 1800s under colonial rule is a bittersweet story of ambition, grit and hardship. After the abolishment of slavery in 1834, plantations were deserted as slaves fled to nearby towns and empty lands. The British had to bring indentured labour from their populous faraway colonies, as some Indian spice and Chinese flavour was stirred into the cultural cauldron thats Mauritius. In capital Port Louis, we stood by the footprints that marked the first landing site of indentured immigrants at Aapravasi Ghat, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Led by officer Ramavtar Vedanand, we walked up the old basalt steps to the bathing area, Immigration Depot and other historic relics. What began as an experiment of using free labour instead of slaves, created one of the biggest migrations in history. Immigrating in waves and tracing their ancestry to Odisha, Bihar and Tamil Nadu, the Indian influence is palpable. Despite its Creole culture and Franco-Mauritian and Afro-Mauritian population that converses in French or Creole, you notice the Indianness everywhere in food, clothing, faces and names (though more elaborately spelt)! English may be the administrative language but locals think in French, hum tunes in Bhojpuri and celebrate Thaipusam, Ougadi and Shivratree. The Mauritian personality presents the best of everything, said Roselyne Hauchler of Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority, with a chuckle. We have the tolerance of the Indians and their patience guided by the principles of Mahatma Gandhi, the English way of life and pragmatism, and the welcoming warmth, hospitality and love for fine things from the French and Dutch! Thats why we get along with everyone! All in a day In an exclusive interview, Tourism Minister Anil Kumarsingh Gayan said, Our association with India goes back a long time, and today, we see the blossoming of those ties. Mauritius is a beautiful country with temperate climate. When its monsoon in India, we have winter here with 15-16 degrees. Despite its small size, it is very multi-cultural, like a miniature United Nations! Only in Mauritius can you catch the sunrise and swim with dolphins at 8 am, have lunch and walk with lions and see the famed Mauritian sunset with a sundowner and Sega dance on a beach all in a day. On the eve of Independence Day, we witnessed the gala street parade with dodo tableaus at the Mahebourg waterfront. The narrow winding roads were packed with people heading for the regatta to enjoy a day out, shopping and feasting on fried noodles and dholpuri (improvised Bihari dal paratha) at street food stalls around Pointes des Regates. The regat is a unique boat race of traditional rowboats or sailboats, a Mauritian sporting tradition that originated in 1874 as contests between fishermen. Sailboats did a ballet on waters that were bluer than a bluejays wing with the lofty Lion Mountain providing a dramatic backdrop. Hand in hand It was a bright sunny day and the mood was electric. Local musicians performed on stage as Sega dancers twirled their frilly skirts and moved sensuously to the beat followed by a Koli (fisherman) dance and other traditional dances from India. Despite its roots in Africa, the Sega evolved over the years with fusion from other cultures, including some inputs from Bhojpuri! (The Bhojpuri Boys is a popular music band here.) Young men belted Creole songs to the beat of the traditional ravanne (large tambourine like a dafli). On the big day, the stalls were jam packed in capital Port Louis at the legendary Champs de Mars, the second oldest racecourse in the world to witness the flag hoisting ceremony and 21-gun salute. The Republic of Mauritius flag was raised for the first time right here in 1968. The 50th year of Independence saw gravity-defying manoeuvres by Sarang, the team of Indian Air Force helicopters and a phenomenal rifle drill by the IAFs Air Warrior Team. There were dog marches, a horse parade courtesy the Mauritius Turf Club, a drill by the Mauritius Police Force, vibrant cultural performances and a fireworks display that provided a befitting finale. It was a proud day for us, as the President of India, Ram Nath Kovind, presided over the celebrations as chief guest. Mauritian PM Pravind Kumar Jugnauth explained how the two countries enjoyed a special bond that went deep, going beyond government interactions to the very hearts of people who take pride in the shared heritage and ancestry. As the Indian tri-colour flew alongside the Mauritian Les Quatre Bandes, the motto lame dan lame (hand in hand) rang true... Things to see & do Visit the Aventure leSucre (sugar factory), Mahebourg Museum, Grand Bassin, Black River Gorges, Casela wildlife park, and La Vanille Crocodile park. Take part in undersea walks, sea karting, snorkelling & scuba, nature hikes, rum tastings, and check out the multi-coloured earth, Curious Corner, and the islands highest waterfall at Chamarel. Upcoming events The food fest, Festival Culinaire Bernard Loiseau (March 25-April 2) A village carnival in Riviere Noire District, Chamarel en fete (April 8) Mauritius Tour Beachcomber Mountain Bike Race (May 17-19) Runs on the Dodo Trail (July 8) Mauritius Marathon (July 15) The Creole jamboree, Festival International Kreol (November 17-26) Porlwi Festival of Contemporary Culture, Port Louis (December) March 15, 2018 " Information Clearing House " - The British government claims that 'Novichok' poisons, developed 30 years ago in the Soviet Union, affected a British double agent. But such substances may not exist at all. The British government further says that the Russian government is responsible for the incident and has announced penalties against the country. A comparable incidents happened in 2001 in the United States. Envelopes with Anthrax spores were sent to various politicians. Some people died. The White House told the FBI to blame al-Qaeda but the Anthrax turned out to be from a U.S. chemical-biological weapon laboratory. The case is still unsolved. The 'whistle-blower' Vil Mirzanyanov who 'revealed' the 'Novichok' program and its poisons published chemical formulas that should enable any decent laboratory to reproduce them. But neither the existence of the claimed program nor the existence of the alleged substances were ever accepted by the scientific community. The Russian government says it does not know the program nor the alleged poisons. Never Miss Another Story Get Your FREE Daily Newsletter The highly constructed drama around the alleged poisoning of a British double agent Skripal and his daughter has thus turned into a surreal play. The British government has so far given no evidence that the Skripal's were poisoned at all, or that they were poisoned by someone else. No detailed medical bulletin was published. The British accusations against Russia lets one assume that a suicide attempt has been excluded. Why? There is no independent evaluation of the alleged poison. The British government claims that its own chemical weapon laboratory at Porton Down, only a few miles from where the incident happened, has identified the poison as one of the 'Novichok' chemicals. But in 2016 a leading chemist at Porton Down had doubts that such chemicals exist. ( and the former British Ambassador Craig Murray point this out): As recently as 2016 Dr Robin Black, Head of the Detection Laboratory at the UKs only chemical weapons facility at Porton Down, a former colleague of Dr David Kelly, published in an extremely prestigious scientific journal that the evidence for the existence of Novichoks was scant and their composition unknown. In recent years, there has been much speculation that a fourth generation of nerve agents, Novichoks (newcomer), was developed in Russia, beginning in the 1970s as part of the Foliant programme, with the aim of finding agents that would compromise defensive countermeasures. Information on these compounds has been sparse in the public domain, mostly originating from a dissident Russian military chemist, Vil Mirzayanov. No independent confirmation of the structures or the properties of such compounds has been published. (Black, 2016) Robin Black. (2016) Development, Historical Use and Properties of Chemical Warfare Agents. Royal Society of Chemistry The Scientific Advisory Board of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) has not recognized Novichoks as chemical weapons because it found scant evidence that they exist at all. The U.S. and the UK are both part of the organization and both agreed with this evaluation: [The SAB] emphasised that the definition of toxic chemicals in the Convention would cover all potential candidate chemicals that might be utilised as chemical weapons. Regarding new toxic chemicals not listed in the Annex on Chemicals but which may nevertheless pose a risk to the Convention, the SAB makes reference to Novichoks. The name Novichok is used in a publication of a former Soviet scientist who reported investigating a new class of nerve agents suitable for use as binary chemical weapons. The SAB states that it has insufficient information to comment on the existence or properties of Novichoks. (OPCW, 2013) The former Soviet scientist, Vil Mirzanyanov, who 'blew the whistle' and wrote about the 'Novichoks', now lives in a $1 million home in the United States. The AFP news agency just interviewed him about the recent incident: Mirzayanov, speaking at his home in Princeton, New Jersey, said he is convinced Russia carried it out as a way of intimidating opponents of President Vladimir Putin. "Only the Russians" developed this class of nerve agents, said the chemist. "They kept it and are still keeping it in secrecy." The only other possibility, he said, would be that someone used the formulas in his book to make such a weapon. "Russia did it", says Mirzanyanov, "OR SOMEONE WHO READ MY BOOK". The book was published in 2008 and is available as hardcover, paperback or for $8.16 as an electronic file. It includes a number of formulas which, Mirzanyanov says, could be used to produce those chemical agents. But neither Porton Down nor the OPCW seem convinced that this is possible. They may believe that Mirzanyanov is just full of it. One customer reviewing Mirzanyanov's book remarked: [Needs] an editor to throttle back his epic "i'm an epic awesome martyr" stuff and stick to the science. Another reviewer wrote: State secrets is by far the most long winded and painfully slow novel on chemical weapons written by a disgruntled defected scientist from Russia I have ever read! If you want to hear an employ with delusions of grandeur moan about every person he ever worked with then this is the book for you, otherwise don't waste your sweet time. Seriously! Nothing happens except Vil somethingkov helps make things that kill people for 30 years, gets a (sort of) conscience, defects, and constantly whinges about.....everything. Vil Mirzanyanov promoted his book in a 2009 video. Shortly after he published his book he blogged an explanation why he included formulas in it: While I was writing my book State Secrets: An Insiders Chronicle of the Russian Chemical Weapons Program, some people from Washington persistently advised me not to include the formulas of the chemical agents of the Novichok series in my book. ... I asked why it would be a bad idea to publish this information, since it would be for the safety of all people. Then the governments would work to have those chemical agents and their precursors included into the Control List. They responded, Terrorists could use them for their criminal actions. This kind of reasoning is used all the time now to scare people and prevent any discussion. We are already used to ignoring a lot of real problems thanks to that. Mirzanyanov further points out that experienced personal in well equipped laboratories would be able to use his formulas. State actors have such laboratories, like the British Porton Down, but terrorists do not have such capabilities. Mirzanyanov urged to included the substances he described into the OPCW list of controlled material. But the OPCW, as seen above, rejected that. Neither its scientific board nor the head of the Porton Down detection laboratory were convinced that these substances or the Soviet program Mirzanyanov described existed at all. The Soviet chemical weapon laboratory in which Mirzanyanov had worked was in Uzbekistan, not in Russia as Theresa May falsely claims. The laboratory was dismantled with the active help of the United States. Theresa's May claims that the Skripals were poisoned with 'Novichok' agents is highly questionable. Her claim that only Russia could be responsible for the Skripal incident is obviously bollocks. The existence of the substances as described by Vil Mirzanyanov is in serious doubt. But if he is right then any state or company with a decent laboratory and competent personal can produce these substances from the formulas and descriptions he provides in his book. That is at least what Mirzanyanov himself says. But most disturbing about the case are not the false claims Theresa May makes. She is in deep political trouble over the Brexit negotiations and other issues and needs any political diversion that she can get. Blaming Russia for 'something' is en vogue and might help her for a while. No, the most troubling issue is the behavior of the media who fail to point out that May's claims are bluster and that there is no evidence at all that supports her claims. The only paper that is somewhat skeptical is the Irish Times which finds it highly unlikely that the Russian government is behind the poisoning. May demanded and got a NATO meeting on the case. But the statement NATO issued afterwards was extremely weak. It only offered support in conducting the British investigation and it asked Russia to respond to the British questions. Neither did it support the claims May made, nor did it take any measures against Russia. A French spokesperson said "We dont do fantasy politics" and demanded 'definite conclusions' on the case before deciding anything. No support was given to May by the Trump administration (Update: U.S. ambassador to the UN Nick Haley has now jumped to May's aid.) The story May wants to tell has way too much holes to be sustainable. The involvement of the British double agent Skripal in the fake Steele dossier about Trump is likely the real story behind the incident. No international support is coming for May. The British opposition leader Corbyn was right today when he demanded that she produces evidence for her claims. A few more pushes and her house of cards will surely come down. This article was originally published by " March 15, 2018 " Information Clearing House " - Assuming mankind finds a way not to destroy itself in the near future and assuming that there will still be historians in the 22nd or 23rd centuries, I bet you that they will look at the AngloZionist Empire and see the four following characteristics as some of its core features: lies, willful ignorance, hypocrisy, and hysterics. To illustrate my point I will use the recent Skripal nerve-gas assassination story as it really encompasses all of these characteristics. I wont even bother debunking the official nonsense here as others have done a very good job of pointing out the idiocy of the official narrative. If you are truly capable of believing that Putin (that is the current collective designator for the Evil Empire of Mordor currently threatening all of western civilization) would order the murder of a man whom a Russian military court sentenced to only 13 years in jail (as opposed to life or death) and who was subsequently released as part of a swap with the USA, you can stop reading right now and go back to watching TV. I personally have neither the energy nor the inclination to even discuss such a self-evidently absurd theory. No, what I do want to do is use this story as a perfect illustration of the kind of society we now all live in looked at from a moral point of view. I realize that we live in a largely value-free society where moral norms have been replaced by ideological orthodoxy, but that is just one more reason for me to write about what is taking place precisely focusing on the moral dimensions of current events. Never Miss Another Story Get Your FREE Daily Newsletter Lies and the unapologetic denial of reality: In a 2015 article entitled A society of sexually frustrated Pinocchios I wrote the following: I see a direct cause and effect relationship between the denial of moral reality and the denial of physical reality. I cant prove that, of course, but here is my thesis: Almost from day one, the early western civilization began by, shall we say, taking liberties with the truth, which it could bend, adapt, massage and repackage to serve the ideological agenda of the day. It was not quite the full-blown and unapologetic relativism of the 19th century yet, but it was an important first step. With principles such as the end justifies the means and the wholesale violation of the Ten Commandants all for the greater glory of God the western civilization got cozy with the idea that there was no real, objective truth, only the subjective perception or even representation each person might have thereof. Fast forward another 10 centuries or so and we end up with the modern Gayropa (as Europe is now often referred to in Russia): not only has God been declared dead and all notions of right and wrong dismissed as cultural, but even objective reality has now been rendered contingent upon political expediency and ideological imperatives. I went on to quote George Orwell by reminding how he defined doublethink in his book 1984: To know and not to know, to be conscious of complete truthfulness while telling carefully constructed lies, to hold simultaneously two opinions which canceled out, knowing them to be contradictory and believing in both of them, to use logic against logic, to repudiate morality while laying claim to it () To tell deliberate lies while genuinely believing in them, to forget any fact that has become inconvenient, and then, when it becomes necessary again, to draw it back from oblivion for just as long as it is needed, to deny the existence of objective reality and I concluded by saying that The necessary corollary from this state of mind is that only appearances matter, not reality. This is exactly what we are observing; not only in the silly Skripal nerve-gas assassination story but also in all the rest of the Russophobic nonsense produced by the AngloZionist propaganda machine including the Litvinenko polonium murder and the Yushchenko dioxin poisoning. The fact that neither nerve-gas, nor polonium nor dioxin are in any way effective murder weapons does not matter in the least: a simple drive-by shooting, street-stabbing or, better, any accident is both easier to arrange and impossible to trace. Fancy assassination methods are used when access to the target is very hard or impossible (as was the case with Ibn al-Khattab, whose assassination the Russians were more than happy to take credit for; this might also have been the case with the death of Yasser Arafat). But the best way of murdering somebody is to simply make the body disappear, making any subsequent investigation almost impossible. Finally, you can always subcontract the assassination to somebody else like, for example, when the CIA tried and failed, to murder Grand Ayatollah Mohammad Hussain Fadlallah by subcontracting his bombing to its local Christian allies, killing over 80 innocent people in the process. There is plenty of common crime in the UK and to get somebody to rob and stab Skripal would have probably been the easiest version. Thats assuming that the Russians had any reason to want him dead, which they self-evidently didnt. But here is the important thing: every single criminal or intelligence specialist in the West understands all of the above. But that does not stop the Ziomedia from publishing articles like this one A Brief History of Attempted Russian Assassinations by Poison which also lists people poisoned by Russians: Skripal by nerve gas Litvinenko by polonium Kara-Murza poisoned not once, but TWICE, by an unknown poison , he survived! , he survived! Markov poisoned by ricin and the Bulgarians with speculated KGB assistance and the Bulgarians with speculated KGB assistance Khattab by sarin or a sarin-derivative Yushchenko by dioxin Perepilichny by a rare, toxic flower , gelsemium (I kid you not, check the article!) , gelsemium (I kid you not, check the article!) Moskalenko by mercury Politkovskaya who was shot, but who once felt ill after drinking some tea that she believed contained poison The only possible conclusion from this list is this: there is some kind of secret lab in Russia where completely incompetent chemists try every poison known to man, not on rats or on mice, but on high profile AngloZionist-supported political activists, preferably before an important political event. Right. By the way, the gas allegedly used in the attack, Novichok, was manufactured in Uzbekistan and the cleanup of the factory producing it was made by, you guessed it, a US company. Just saying In any halfway honest and halfway educated society, those kind of articles should result in the idiot writing it being summarily fired for gross incompetence and the paper/journal posting it being discredited forever. But in our world, the clown who wrote that nonsense (Elias Groll, a Harvard graduate and listen to this a specialist of cyberspace and its conflicts and controversies (sic)) is a staff writer of the award-winning Foreign Policy magazine. So what does it tell us, and future historians, when this kind of crap is written by a staff writer of an award winning media outlet? Does it not show that our society has now reached a stage in its decay (I cant call that development) where lies become the norm? Not only are even grotesque and prima facie absurd lies accepted, they are expected (if only because they reinforce the current ideological Zeitgeist. The result? Our society is now packed with first, zombified ideological drones who actually believe any type of officially proclaimed of nonsense and, second, by cowards who lack the basic courage to denounce even that which they themselves know to be false. Lies, however ridiculous and self-evidently stupid, have become the main ingredient of the modern political discourse. Everybody knows this and nobody cares. When challenged on this, the typical defense used is always the same: you are the only person saying this I sure ever heard this before!. Willful ignorance as a universal cop-out We all know the type. You tell somebody that his/her theory makes absolutely no sense or is not supported by facts and the reply you get is some vaguely worded refusal to engage in an disputation. Initially, you might be tempted to believe that, indeed, your interlocutor is not too bright and not too well read, but eventually you realize that there is something very different happening: the modern man actually makes a very determined effort not to be capable of logical thought and not to be informed of the basic facts of the case. And what is true for specific individuals is even more true of our society as a whole. Lets take one simple example: Operation Gladio: Gladio is really an open secret by now. Excellent books and videos have been written about this and even the BBC has made a two and a half hour long video about it. There is even an entire website dedicated to the story of this huge, continent-wide, terrorist organization specializing in false flag operations. Thats right: a NATO-run terrorist network in western Europe involved in false flag massacres like the infamous Bologna train station bombing. No, not the Soviet KGB backing the Baader-Meinhof Red Army Faction or the Red Brigades in Italy. No, the USA and West European governments organizing, funding and operating a terrorist network directed at the people of Western, not Eastern, Europe. Yes, at their own people! In theory, everybody should know about this, the information is available everywhere, even on the hyper-politically correct Wikipedia. But, again, nobody cares. The end of the Cold War was marked by a seemingly endless series of events which all provided a pretext for AngloZionist interventions (from the Markale massacres in Bosnia, to the Srebrenica genocide, to the Racak massacre Kosovo, to the best and biggest one of them all, 9/11 of course). Yet almost nobody wondered if the same people or, at least, the same kind of people who committed all the Gladio crimes might be involved. Quite the opposite: each one of these events was accompanied by a huge propaganda campaign mindlessly endorsing and even promoting the official narrative, even when it self-evidently made no sense whatsoever (like 2 aircraft burning down 3 steel towers). As for Gladio, it was conveniently forgotten. There is a simple principle in psychology, including, and especially in criminal psychology which I would like to prominently restate here: The best predictor of future behavior is past behavior Every criminalist knows that and this is why criminal investigators place so much importance on the modus operandi, i.e. the particular way or method a suspect or a criminal chooses in the course of the execution of his/her crimes. That is also something which everybody knows. So lets summarize this in a simple thesis: Western regimes have a long and well-established track record of regularly executing bloody false-flag operations in pursuit of political objectives, especially those providing them with a pretext to justify an illegal military aggression. Frankly, I submit that the thesis above is really established not only by a preponderance of evidence but beyond a reasonable doubt. Right? Maybe. But that is also completely irrelevant because nobody gives a damn! Not the reporters who lie for a living nor, even less so, the brainwashed zombies who read their nonsense and take it seriously. The CIA tried to kill Fidel Castro over 600 times who cares?! All we know is that the good folks at Langley would never, ever, kill a Russian in the UK, out of respect for international law, probably That willful ignorance easily defeats history, facts or logic. Here is a simple question a journalist could ask: would the type of people who had no problems blowing up an large train station, or bringing down three buildings in downtown New York, have any hesitation in using a goofy method to try kill a useless Russian ex-spy if that could justify further hostile actions against a country which they desperately need to demonize to justify and preserve the current AngloZionist world order?. The answer I think is self-evident. The question shall therefore not be asked. Instead, soy-boys from Foreign Policy mag will tell us about how the Russians use exotic flowers to kill high visibility opponents whose death would serve no conceivable political goal. Hypocrisy as a core attribute of the modern man Willful ignorance is important, of course, but it is not enough. For one thing, being ignorant, while useful to dismiss a fact-based and/or logical argument, is not something useful to establish your moral superiority or the legality of your actions. Empire requires much more than just obedience from its subject: what is also absolutely indispensable is a very strong sense of superiority which can be relied upon when committing a hostile action against the other guy. And nothing is as solid a foundation for a sense of superiority than the unapologetic reliance on brazen hypocrisy. Lets take a fresh example: the latest US threats to attack Syria (again). Irrespective of the fact that the USA themselves have certified Syria free of chemical weapons and irrespective of the fact that US officials are still saying that they have no evidence that the Syrian government was involved in any chemical attack on Khan Shaykhun, the USA is now preparing to strike Syria again in response to future chemical attacks! Yes, you read that right. The AngloZionists are now announcing their false flags in advance! In fact, by the time this analysis is published the attack will probably already have occurred. The best part of this all is that Nikki Haley has now announced to the UN Security Council that the US will act without any UN Security Council approval. What the USA is declaring is this: we reserve the right to violate international law at any time and for any reason we deem sufficient. In the very same statement, Nikki Haley also called the Syrian government an outlaw regime. This is not a joke, check it out for yourself. The reaction in democratic Europe: declaring that *Russia* (not the US) is a rogue state. QED. This entire circus is only made possible by the fact that the western elites have all turned into great supine protoplasmic invertebrate jellies (to use the wonderful words of Boris Johnson) and that absolutely nobody has the courage, or decency, to call all this what it really is: an obscene display of total hypocrisy and wholesale violation of all norms of international law. The French philosopher Alain Soral is quite right when he says that modern journalists are either unemployed or prostitutes (he spoke about the French media un journaliste francais cest soit une pute soit un chomeur but this fully applies to all the western media). Except that I would extend it to the entire Western Establishment. I would further argue that foreign aggression and hypocrisy have become the two essential pillars for the survival of the AngloZionist empire: the first one being an economic and political imperative, the 2nd one being the prerequisite for the public justification of the first one. But sometimes even that is not enough, especially when the lies are self-evidently absurd. Then the final, quasi-miraculous element is always brought in: hysterics. Hysteria as the highest form of (pseudo-)liberalism I dont particularly care for the distinction usually made between liberals and conservatives, at least not unless the context and these terms is carefully and accurately defined. I certainly dont place myself on that continuum nor do find it analytically helpful. The theoretical meaning of these concepts is, however, quite different from what is mostly understood under these labels, especially when people use them to identify themselves. That is to say that while I am not at all sure that those who think of themselves as, say, liberals are in any way truly liberal, I do think that people who would identify themselves as liberals often (mostly?) share a number of characteristics, the foremost of which is a very strong propensity to function at, and engage in, an hysterical mode of discourse and action. The Google definition of hysteria is exaggerated or uncontrollable emotion or excitement, especially among a group of people () whose symptoms include conversion of psychological stress into physical symptoms (somatization), selective amnesia, shallow volatile emotions, and overdramatic or attention-seeking behavior. Is that not a perfect description of US politicians, especially the (putatively) liberal ones? Just think of the way US Democrats have capitalized on such (non-)issues as Russian interference (externally) or gun control (internally) and you will see that the so-called liberals never get off a high-emotional pitch. The best example of all, really, is their reaction to the election of Donald Trump instead of their cult-leader Hillary: it has been over a year since Trump has been elected and yet the liberal ziomedia and its consumers are still in full-blown hysteria mode (with pussyhats, sky-screams and all). In a conversation you can literally drown such a liberal with facts, statistics, expert testimonies, etc. and achieve absolutely no result whatsoever because the liberal lives in an ideological comfort zone which he/she is categorically unwilling and, in fact, unable, to abandon, even temporarily. This is what makes liberals such a *perfect* audience for false-flag operations: they simply wont process the narrative presented to them in a logical manner but will immediately react to it in a strongly emotional manner, usually with the urge to immediately do something. That do something is usually expressed in the application of violence (externally) and the imposition of bans/restrictions/regulations (internally). You can try to explain to that liberal that the very last thing the Russians would ever want to do is to use a stupid method to try to kill a person who is of absolutely no interest to them, or to explain to that liberal that the very last thing the Syrian government would ever do in the course of its successful liberation of its national territory from good terrorists would be to use chemical weapons of any kind but you would never achieve anything: Trump must be impeached, the Russians sanctioned and the Syrians bombed, end of argument. I am quite aware that there are a lot of self-described conservatives who have fully joined this chorus of hysterical liberals in all their demands, but these conservatives are not only acting out of character, they are simply caving in to the social pressure of the day, being the great supine protoplasmic invertebrate jellies mentioned above. Again, I am not discussing real liberals or real conservatives here (regardless of what these terms really mean), I am talking about those who, for whatever reason, chose to place that label upon themselves even if they personally have only a very vague idea of what this label is supposed to mean. So there we have it: an Empire built (and maintained) on lies, accepted on the basis ignorance, justified by hypocrisy and energized by hysterics. This is what the Western world stands for nowadays. And while there is definitely a vocal minority of resisters (from the Left and the Right also two categories I dont find analytically helpful and from many other schools of political thought), the sad reality is that the vast majority of people around us accept this and see no reason to denounce it, nevermind doing something about it. That is why they got away with 9/11 and why they will continue to get away with future false-flags because the people lied to, realize, at least on some level, that they are being lied to and yet they simply dont care. Truly, the Orwellian slogans of 1984 war is peace, freedom is slavery, ignorance is strength perfectly fit our world. However, when dealing with the proverbial Russian bear, there is one lesson of history which western leaders really should never forget and which they should also turn into a slogan: when dealing with a bear, hubris is suicidal. Two final year students of the Kwara State Polytechnic died in an auto crash, yesterday, while heading home after the days exam. According to reports, the accident which also claimed the lives of the driver and a corps member, occurred along the Unilorin Teaching hospital, Oke-Ose, Ilorin, after the cab driver was said to have lost control of the car. See photos of the accident victims and the scene below; Few days ago, a female corps member was knocked down by a moving train in Ikeja, Lagos State. The accident left her body seriously mangled. According to an eye witness account, the train was not moving at a high speed. People tried to call her attention to the incoming train but she didnt yield to the call as she continued pressing her mobile phone. He also further stated that: I was looking at her from where I stood and saw her with an earpiece plugged into her ears which made her unable to hear the sound of the incoming train. Many passers-by tried to pull her out of the rail line but she ran towards the moving train which crushed parts of her body. She was later rushed to the hospital for medical attention by some people. According to unconfirmed reports, she later died. A suspected mentally ill man, Lekan Adebisi, who hacked two pupils to death, has declared that he is ready to face the consequences of his action. The horror attack occurred on Monday at St. Johns Anglican Primary School, Agodo, Ogun Waterside Local Government Area, Ogun State. Mr Adebisi stormed the school with a machete and hacked two pupils, Mubarak Kalesowo, and Sunday Obituyi, to death. He was later arrested by police on Wednesday following a manhunt by police backed by youth and hunters. The suspect told journalists on Thursday that he took the action because he was frustrated in life. He was interviewed at the Eleweran Police Headquarters in Abeokuta, Ogun State Capital. Nollywood actress Sharon Ooja who is fast rising in the industry has gotten into the wrong books of a fellow colleague Funke Akindele popularly known as Jenifa. Sharon has just been included in the television series Jenifas diary will be stealing the heart of the man Funke Akindele loves. Sharon will be playing the part of a lover of Jenifas man Sege. Sege is played by Falz. If you are a fan of the popular TV series you will be familiar with the story of Falz and Jenifa who were lovers for awhile but Jenifa had to let him go cause he couldnt speak good English. Sege played by Falz has now been rebranded, looking rich with his accent improved and Jenifa was all full of regret. Well it seems Sharon will be taking the role of Seges girlfriend which makes them love rivals. Funke was seen giving Sharon dagger looks in behind the scene shots. Sharon shared the photo on instagram and she wrote; Presently filming with aunty Funke and its been amazing so far!! Watch out for my character Rosemary on Jenifas diary peep the eye she is giving me for holding sege! thank you aunty @funkejenifaakindele she said. A Nigerian woman identified as Gloria Ernest Samuel on Facebook, took to the platform to celebrate her housemaid who recently gained admission into Alvan Ikoku Federal College of Education. According to Gloria Ernest Samuel, she is so proud of her maid. Read her post below; Quote I am proud of us On 17th February, 2005, my husband brought her home as my house help. She was smaller than l wanted. I needed a much bigger girl, but the mum could only allow her as the elder sister was elsewhere. The only option was to manage her, but managing meant that l had to nurse her as she was too small to even wash her own clothes, the breakable kitchenwares etc. It wasnt also easy to raise a child with certain orientations. But l tried. When the task became too tedious, I packaged her home, but the father gave us a mind boggling question: if she is your daughter, will you throw her away? Please, train her as yours. I want her different. As stunning as that question sounded, l thank God that l took that challenge seriously and to my heart. I teach, I scream, I plead, l appeal and l advice To make sure she turns out better than she would. Sometimes, she makes me furious, laugh, cry, and proud, just like now. From Primary 2, she had gone through to secondary, made her papers, have trained on computer literacy before going for skill acquisition. Today, she has moved to a higher level. She is matriculating at Alvan Ikoku Federal College of Education, and l am so happy that our 13years together is not a waste after all. She has long ceased to be a maid in my home. She is now Auntys Auntie, my little sister, my childrens Auntie. And no one knows she is not my sibling. Uchechi, today is the beginning of a new life for you. We are happy for you. Sky is your jumping pad. We pray that you graduate with flying colours. And we continue to pray for financial breakthrough so that you do not suffer any stress concerning your education. Congratulations, dear. We are super proud of you. The mother of a seven-month-old baby, who believed her baby was possessed by demons, allegedly beat the child continously for two days, in a bid to perform exorcism. According to a report by IOL, some shocking details of how the baby was murdered were revealed in a South-African Magistrates Court on Wednesday during the bail application of the mother, Evelyn Jacobs. Jacobs is accused of killing her baby after she and her co-accused, Emmanuel Welcome, apparently tried to perform an exorcism on the child. The court heard that the infant allegedly suffered ongoing abuse for about two and a half days in the hands of Jacobs and Welcome. According to the testimony of the investigating officer, Detective Constable Kgositsile Taolo, the incident occurred after Welcome told the mother that her child was possessed by demons. According to the testimony of a witness who wishes to remain anonymous, on October 12, 2016, the accused (Jacobs) and a friend, Veronica, went to Welcomes shanty on October 12 last year. Jacobs had her seven-month-old baby with her at the time, Taolo told the court. When they arrived at the shack, Welcome said the child was possessed by evil spirits. The mother concurred and the two accused then beat the child with open hands across her body and head. Welcome also took a Bible and started hitting the child with the Bible on her stomach. Later that night, the child could not sleep as she was in pain, said Taolo. He added that the assault on the child continued the next day. The witness said the next morning, she was woken up by the babys cries. When she looked at where the child and the mother, as well as Welcome, were sleeping, she saw them hitting the child with their open hands. She asked the two accused to stop, as they were hurting the child and could end up killing the baby. They, however, continued and she (the witness) took the child. As she was about to leave with the child, Welcome grabbed the infant by the feet. A tug over the infant then ensued. The mother came and assisted Welcome and the two successfully managed to get the child away (from the witness). The mother then placed the child on the bed and handed Welcome a rope, which she instructed him to hit the child with. Jacobs took off her slippers and hit the child with the shoes. The child was crying and the witness again tried to take the child, but was unsuccessful. According to Taolo, Jacobs took a sjambok (leather whip) and used it on the child. The witness could no longer witness the abuse and went out of the shanty and cried. The mother followed her and told her not to worry about the child as they saw that the child was not human but a snake. Taolo said the mother returned to the shack and the abuse continued. The witness went back into the shack and saw the child lying on the floor. She again asked the accused to leave the child alone. She told the mother that they had to feed the child and tried to give it milk. As she was feeding the child, the mother took the bottle and poured the milk out. She then mixed some salt and water and gave it to the infant. The child refused to drink the salt mixture. The mother again beat the child and Welcome took the jug containing the salt water mixture and poured it onto the childs face. The child then stretched out her hands and kicked as the water was poured onto her face. The mother said that it was a sign of evil spirits and that she was sticking out her tongue like a snake. The mother told the witness to step away from the child, warning her that she would suck her blood. She then took the child by the feet and placed her on the stoep (a veranda in front of a house), close to a dog which was on a chain. The witness again took the child, fearing that the dog might bite the child. However, the mother grabbed the child and hit her over the head, he said. The witness, who could not stand the ongoing abuse, left both the accused with the child. Taolo said the witness later went to check on the child and found that her right foot was bleeding. When she asked the mother about the injury, the mother responded by saying that the child belonged to her. According to the witness, the situation got even worse after the child started crying again the next morning. The mother took a bucket with water and put salt, as well as cleaning agents, into the water. She mixed all the ingredients together and bathed the baby in it. When she took the baby from the bucket, the childs body was stiff and foam was coming from her mouth. The police and an ambulance were then called, he said. Taolo told the court that the child died in a gruesome manner and opposed the granting of bail to the mother of the child. The accused has no previous record or pending cases. However, the manner in which this innocent, defenceless child died, was gruesome. This is a small child who has been robbed of her future, he said. He said the family of the accused were also against her being granted bail. The accused has two other children, a six-year-old boy, and a one-year-old daughter. The children are staying with family in Pampierstad. The accused has no contact with the children and the family want it to remain that way. They fear for the safety of the children should the accused be released, he said. Jacobs legal representative, Meghan Kleinsmith, pointed out that the accused had already been in custody for a year and almost six months and argued that this was grounds for her to get bail. The State, represented by Advocate Shareen Links, however, said that Jacobs had, during an earlier appearance, opted to abandon her bail awaiting the outcome of her psychiatric report. The results of the psychiatric report indicated that she was fit to stand trial. Magistrate Cornelia Voster denied Jacobs bail application. The matter was postponed to later this month, awaiting a decision from the Director of Public Prosecutions on whether the matter will be transferred to a higher Court. This content is from: Portfolio The risk of future natural disasters increases the equity risk premium in the short term but those risks will only increase over the long run, researchers argue. VANCOUVER, British Columbia - March 16, 2018 (Investorideas.com Newswire) Cannabis Wheaton Income Corp. (TSX.V:CBW) ("Cannabis Wheaton" or the "Company") is pleased to provide an update on the initial development of its project with streaming partner FV Pharma Inc. ("FV Pharma"). The FV Pharma facility (the "Facility") is located in Cobourg, Ontario and hosts an existing 620,000 square feet of building space. Since signing a definitive agreement (the "Agreement") the Company and FV Pharma have been eagerly advancing the design, construction budget and timeline for the development of the Facility. Pursuant to the Agreement, the Company will develop and finance all aspects of FV Pharma's Facility in mutually agreed phases of construction and arrange for the build-out, commissioning and operations. The Company will receive a 49.9% stream of all cannabis (or cannabis-derived products including any immature cannabis plants and any cannabis trim) produced at the Facility, under partnership with Cannabis Wheaton, in perpetuity. The Company has determined that the first phase development of the Facility will be a retrofit of the existing building to construct approximately 100,000 square feet of cultivation and ancillary space ("Phase I"). The Company and FV Pharma are actively working to finalize the funding and timing associated with the development of Phase I which is estimated to cost approximately $35,000,000. It is anticipated that Phase I will be fully completed and licensed within 18 months. Based on the design, construction budget and timeline of Phase I, the Company and FV Pharma will continue to develop the phased-in construction approach for the existing Facility. The second phase and third phase developments of the existing Facility will be a further retrofit of the existing building and will be an aggregate of approximately 200,000 additional square feet of cultivation and ancillary space ("Phases II and III"). The Company expects to construct Phases II and III concurrently with Phase I and anticipates that construction will be completed on an expedited basis subject to the Company's and FV Pharma's determination of construction efficiency, Facility operation, regulatory approvals, market demand and availability of financing. The concurrent construction of Phase I and Phases II and III will allow the Company to significantly reduce the costs of construction for Phases II and III by, among other things, efficiently managing the design, labour and construction material costs for such phases. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD "Chuck Rifici" Chairman & CEO About Cannabis Wheaton (TSX.V: CBW) Cannabis Wheaton is a collective of entrepreneurs with a passion for the cannabis industry past, present and future. Our mandate is to facilitate growth for our partners by providing them with financial support and sharing our collective industry experience. Our partners all have different visions, voices and brand values, and all share a common goalto build a world-class industry based on ethics, diversity, quality and innovation. Investor Relations: For more information about investing in Cannabis Wheaton, please visit: http://www.wheatonincome.com or contact our Investor Relations Team: Email: IR@wheatonincome.com Phone: 1-833-695-2414 Stay Connected: Follow up on Twitter @WheatonIncome. Media Enquiries (only): For media enquiries or to set up an interview please contact: Sarah Bain, VP External Affairs Email: sarah@cannabiswheaton.com Phone: 613.230.5869> About FV Pharma. FV Pharma's management mission is to make the former Kraft plant in Cobourg, Ontario the largest hydroponic cannabis indoor facility in the world. FV Pharma intends to target all aspects of the cannabis industry including cultivation, processing, manufacturing, R&D, medical products, concentrates, beverages and edibles when and only when it is legal to do so. The facility is only a one hour drive east of Toronto on the 401 highway. FV Pharma has an ACMPR License from Health Canada. FV Pharma is currently a private company. Stay Connected: For further information about FV Pharma Inc. and our management team, please visit: http://www.fvpharma.com or contact Thomas Fairfull ((905) 686-7079 or Thomas.fairfull@fvpharma.com) or Anthony Durkacz ((416) 720-4360 or anthony@firstrepubliccapital.com). Notice Regarding Forward Looking Information: This news release contains certain "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities law. Forward-looking information is frequently characterized by words such as "plan", "continue", "expect", "project", "intend", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate", "may", "will", "potential", "proposed" and other similar words, or information that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" occur. This information is only a prediction. Various assumptions were used in drawing the conclusions or making the projections contained in the forward-looking information throughout this news release. Forward-looking information includes, but is not limited to: expectations of future growing capacity at the Facility and the projected costs associated with each expansion phase of the Facility; the completion of the planned build-out and expansion phases; the funding requirements for each expansion phase; the projected revenue achievable by the Facility; and the proposed licensing of the Facility and the expected timing to obtain all necessary licenses required for the proposed operation of the Facility. By identifying such information and statements in this manner, the Company is alerting the reader that such information and statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of the Company or the Facility to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such information and statements. A number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from a conclusion, forecast or projection contained in the forward-looking information in this release including, but not limited to, whether: sufficient funding can be obtained to complete each phased expansion of the Facility in the manner proposed or at all; the Company and FV Pharma can satisfy the conditions associated with the Facility's cultivation license; a sales authorization can be obtained for the license and the related timing considerations; the Company and FV Pharma can obtain all necessary governmental and regulatory permits and approvals for the Facility, including in relation to the construction of each proposed expansion phase, and whether such permits and approvals can be obtained in a timely manner; FV Pharma complies with its obligations under the Agreement; the Facility can be operated as intended; current and future management will abide by the investment objectives and investment strategies of the Company; the Company will supplement its board of directors and management, or otherwise engage consultants and advisors, having knowledge of the industries in which the Company invests; streaming partners will be able to generate cash flow; general economic, financial market, regulatory and political conditions in which the Company operates will remain the same; the Company will be able to compete in the industry; the Company will be able to manage anticipated and unanticipated costs; the Company will be able to enter into additional streaming agreements; the Company will be able to maintain internal controls over financial reporting and disclosure, controls and procedures; streaming partners will be able to meet the requirements necessary to obtain and / or maintain their status as licensed entities; and streaming partners will be able to successfully complete initial construction and / or expansion construction of their respective facilities pursuant to the terms and conditions of their respective streaming agreements. Additional risk factors are disclosed in the revised annual information form of the Company for the financial year ended December 31, 2016 dated May 23, 2017. New factors emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for management to predict all of those factors or to assess in advance the impact of each such factor on the Company's business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking information. The forward-looking information in this release is based on information currently available and what management believes are reasonable assumptions. Forward-looking information speaks only to such assumptions as of the date of this release. In addition, this release may contain forward-looking information attributed to third party industry sources, the accuracy of which has not been verified by the Company. The purpose of forward-looking information is to provide the reader with a description of management's expectations, and such forward-looking information may not be appropriate for any other purpose. Readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information contained in this release. The forward-looking information contained in this release is expressly qualified by the foregoing cautionary statements and is made as of the date of this release. Except as may be required by applicable securities laws, the Company does not undertake any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking information to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this release or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events, whether as a result of new information, future events or results, or otherwise. Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. 819-639-5498 More Info: This news is published on the Investorideas.com Newswire - a global digital news source for investors and business leaders Disclaimer/Disclosure: Investorideas.com is a digital publisher of third party sourced news, articles and equity research as well as creates original content, including video, interviews and articles. Original content created by investorideas is protected by copyright laws other than syndication rights. Our site does not make recommendations for purchases or sale of stocks, services or products. Nothing on our sites should be construed as an offer or solicitation to buy or sell products or securities. All investing involves risk and possible losses. This site is currently compensated for news publication and distribution, social media and marketing, content creation and more. Disclosure is posted for each compensated news release, content published /created if required but otherwise the news was not compensated for and was published for the sole interest of our readers and followers. Contact management and IR of each company directly regarding specific questions. More disclaimer info: https://www.investorideas.com/About/Disclaimer.asp Learn more about publishing your news release and our other news services on the Investorideas.com newswire https://www.investorideas.com/News-Upload/ and tickertagstocknews.com Global investors must adhere to regulations of each country. Please read Investorideas.com privacy policy: https://www.investorideas.com/About/Private_Policy.asp CALGARY, Alberta - March 16, 2018 (Investorideas.com Newswire) Maple Leaf Green World Inc. ("Maple Leaf" or the "Company") (TSXV:MGW) (OTCQB:MGWFF) is pleased to announce that it has engaged Cannabis Compliance Inc. ("CCI") to apply to the Office of Controlled Substances within Health Canada for a Dealer's License pursuant to the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act. A Dealer's Licence would allow the Company to import and export fresh and dried marijuana, cannabis oils, and concentrates; formulate research and development of cannabis products in various dosage forms; and conduct analytical testing. The Dealer's Licence would also compliment Maple Leaf's application for an Access to Cannabis for Medical Purposes Regulations ("ACMPR") licence. The Company's application to Health Canada for the ACMPR licence has progressed to the review stage which coincides with the Company's facility located in Telkwa, British Columbia currently under construction. With both a Dealer's Licence and ACMPR licence, the Company will be able to cultivate, extract, test, import, export, and produce medical cannabis products, including concentrated oil and resin products, internationally. According to CCI, the application process to obtain a Dealer's Licence from the Office of Controlled Substances will take approximately 6 to 9 months. For further information regarding the Company, please visit www.mlgreenworld.com. About Maple Leaf Green World Inc. Maple Leaf is a public Canadian company that focuses on the cannabis industry in North America. The Company currently operates cannabis projects in British Columbia and Nevada. With over ten years of extensive greenhouse management experience, the Company applies its eco-agriculture knowledge and cultivation technology to produce contaminant-free organic cannabis products. Maple Leaf's long-term objective is to produce cannabis oil and to export its products to approved countries. The Company's common shares are listed for trading on the TSXV under the symbol "MGW" and on the OTCQB market under the symbol "MGWFF". Cautionary Statements Certain statements in this press release are "forward-looking" statements within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included herein are forward-looking information. Forward-looking statements in this press release include, but are not limited to, the proposed time of obtaining the Dealer's Licence and the ACMPR licence and the future strategies of the Company. Forward-looking statements are generally, but not always, identified by the words "expects", "plans", "anticipates", "in the event", "if", "believes", "assets", "position", "intends", "envisages", "assumes", "recommends", "estimates", "approximate", "projects", "potential", "indicate" and similar expressions, or that events or conditions "will", "would", "may", "could", or "should" occur. Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon the current belief, opinions, and expectations of management that, while considered reasonable by the Company, are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive, political, and social uncertainties, and other contingencies. Many factors could cause the Company's actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements. These factors include, among others, delays in obtaining the Dealer's Licence and the ACMPR licence and factors that would delay or change the Company's strategies including the receipt of regulatory approvals and changes in legislation. Although management of the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements or forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be anticipated, estimated, or intended. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated, estimated, or intended. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and forward-looking information. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements or forward-looking information that are incorporated by reference herein, except in accordance with applicable securities laws. Investors are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements due to the inherent uncertainty therein. Although, the Company believes that expectations and assumptions reflected in the forward-looking information are reasonable, there can be no assurance that any forward-looking information will prove accurate, and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this press release and the Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking information contained in this press release or that is incorporated by reference herein, whether as a result of new information, future events, or results, or otherwise, except in accordance with applicable securities laws. Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. For further information, please contact: Maple Leaf Green World Inc. Raymond Lai, Chairman, President & CEO +1(403) 452-4552 rlai@mlgreenworld.com; www.mlgreenworld.com Big Reach Media, Inc. (Investor Relations) Dale Shirley Phone: (780) 632-6963; Mobile: (780) 964-4732 dale@bigreachmedia.com; http://www.bigreachmedia.com More Info: This news is published on the Investorideas.com Newswire - a global digital news source for investors and business leaders Disclaimer/Disclosure: Investorideas.com is a digital publisher of third party sourced news, articles and equity research as well as creates original content, including video, interviews and articles. Original content created by investorideas is protected by copyright laws other than syndication rights. Our site does not make recommendations for purchases or sale of stocks, services or products. Nothing on our sites should be construed as an offer or solicitation to buy or sell products or securities. All investing involves risk and possible losses. This site is currently compensated for news publication and distribution, social media and marketing, content creation and more. Disclosure is posted for each compensated news release, content published /created if required but otherwise the news was not compensated for and was published for the sole interest of our readers and followers. Contact management and IR of each company directly regarding specific questions. More disclaimer info: https://www.investorideas.com/About/Disclaimer.asp Learn more about publishing your news release and our other news services on the Investorideas.com newswire https://www.investorideas.com/News-Upload/ and tickertagstocknews.com Global investors must adhere to regulations of each country. Please read Investorideas.com privacy policy: https://www.investorideas.com/About/Private_Policy.asp As a general rule, the most successful man in life is the man who has the best information March 16, 2018 (Investorideas.com Newswire) Nationalism. Populism. Nativism. All of these words have been used to describe the reason for Donald Trump's unlikely rise to power, and while each is defined a bit differently, they all share the same over-arching principle: that Trump tapped into an undercurrent of dissatisfaction with status quo politics, of excessive liberalism, of pandering to minorities, of Washington insiders doing the bidding of high-paid lobbyists, and most importantly, a sense that Americans were losing their country to elites who no longer represented the majority. In early February, 13 Russians and three Russian companies were charged with interfering in the 2016 presidential election, adding fodder to the theory, often espoused by the left, that Russian intelligence agencies conspired to change the outcome of the election because they favored Trump over Hillary Clinton. The indictment said that Russians created bogus Internet postings, posed as American political activists, and bought advertisements, all with the intent to "sow discord in the US political system." Personally I believe that the Russians did help Trump (after all we are talking about a country that specializes in information warfare and created the KGB) but this whole business of Russian meddling is a red herring. The Russians only put $1.25 million a month towards interference efforts, a paltry sum compared to the $617 million Trump spent on his campaign and $1.2 billion Clinton spent on hers. For this and other reasons, Nate Silver, editor of political website Five Thirty Eight, concludes that Russian interference likely had a minimal effect on the outcome of the election. I agree. From Forbes, "Depending on who you believe, Donald Trump won the election because of Russian hackers, last-minute FBI announcements, fake news, or because Hillary Clinton was a bad candidate. A new study from the Harvard Kennedy School pins the blame on the news mediaspecifically the "overwhelmingly negative" tone of news coverage and the "extremely light" coverage of policy issues." The real reason for Trump's election has nothing to do with Russian trolls and everything to do with Americans' anger with a federal government out of touch with average blue and white collar workers who see threats to their country both from outside (terrorism, war) and within (immigrants). Economic malaise in some parts of the country, particularly the Rust Belt and depressed coal-producing regions, of course played a part too, along with the usual tendency of US voters to vote along party lines regardless of the candidate ("my father and his grandfather voted Republican and there's no damn way I'm gonna vote for some Democrat"). This article will argue that nationalism, or its more politically correct cousin, populism, was the real bullet in the barrel fired on election night that resulted in reality TV star, uber-capitalist, and nationalist Donald Trump becoming the 45th President. Trump and nationalism So what was it? The media concluded that Trump's victory was all down to a bunch of angry white men who bought into Trump's anti-Muslim, anti-Mexican rhetoric, and also his "strong man" view that he could fix all that was wrong with the American economy - ideas particularly appealing to the middle-aged unemployed and under-employed. But the election statistics paint a much different picture. A lot more than under-educated, rural white men voted for Trump, including many educated women, minorities, suburbanites and those with white collar jobs living in suburbs. Business Insider broke down the election results based on exit polls. Donald Trump, running on a populist/nationalist platform, convinced 61 million Americans - 53% of white women, 63% of white male college graduates, 47% of white Americans between the ages of 18 and 29, almost 1 of 3 Hispanics, and 48% of white college graduates - to vote for him to be the next U.S. President. The vast majority of Trump's base supporters are much more moderate than CNN's constant barrage of talking heads and relentless video of Nazis, skinheads and klukkers suggests. The average Trump voter was well educated, working and not living in a rural area; many were middle-class, well-off suburban whites - rural voters only make up 17% of the electorate. The below graph is particularly illuminating as it shows the importance of race in the election: 70% of the turnout was white and 57% of them voted for Trump. While just 8% of blacks voted for Trump, 29% of Hispanics and Asians cast a ballot for him, despite Trump's inflammatory remarks on Mexico and China. Also surprising was the number of women who voted for Trump despite the dozen women who accused him during the campaign of sexual assualt, and his pledge to roll back women's ability to control their own fertility. Pundits have pointed to an ugly racist undercurrent that many voters agreed with Trump on, as the reason that propelled him into power against a seemingly experienced and capable, though highly mistrusted opponent. While this is hard to prove, there is evidence to support the success of this strategy to exploit racial intolerance. Newsweek quoted an exit poll that showed the biggest issue for Trump voters was immigration, not foreign policy, the economy or terrorism, with 84% saying the government should deport undocumented migrants. Analysts say Trump's success among white voters is partly attributable to his tapping into concerns about immigration and a feeling among many voters that the U.S. should be a white, Christian country. - Newsweek White nationalism is intimately tied with religion. The Newsweek article quotes a poll of 4,000 Americans which found that "43 percent of respondents thought that the abundant natural resources in the U.S. were a sign that God wanted America to lead the rest of the world. Sixty percent of those surveyed believed that the U.S. holds a special place in God's plan." Other concepts that Trump espoused which resonated with white Americans included the idea that Muslims and illegal immigrants were a threat ("They're bringing drugs. They're bringing crime. They're rapists") and a growing frustration among some people of having a black president for two terms, who emboldened African-Americans through the rise of "Black Lives Matter", for example. "There is a feeling in the U.S. that there has been an excess of liberalism," Newsweek quoted an associate professor of political science at the University of California, Irvine. "People want to take back what was rightfully theirs and for some that includes taking back the color of the presidency." Populism. What is it? Of course, the rise of Trump has been paralleled elsewhere in the world and is frequently held up as the most powerful example of "populism", which refers to the idea that society is divided between common people and the elites. Trump's campaign promise to "drain the swamp" in Washington was certainly a populist notion, and it's nothing new. Often the populist leader is seen as representing the will of the people and is commanding the charge against a broken political system or a corrupt liberal elite. Venezuela's Hugo Chavez was a populist on the left side of the political spectrum, but the term has most recently been used to describe right-leaning leaders including Trump, France's Marine LePen, Viktor Orban from Hungary, Nigel Farage from the UK Independence Party, and Norbert Hofer, leader of Austria's far-right Freedom Party. The BBC drew a good map of the way far-right parties are changing the European political landscape. In Europe much of the discontentment, and fuel for the right, is directed towards migrants, mostly from war-torn Syria but also Iraq, Afghanistan, Lebanon and African countries. Europeans feel their countries are being changed, and their national identities diluted by global forces beyond their control, without their consent, and they don't like it. The latest manifestation of populism occurred in Italy, where the far-right Five Star Movement won about a third of the votes cast, and is likely to become the king-maker in a coalition government. Its leader, Matteo Salvini, has called for the expulsion of migrants. Even Canada, normally a bastion of progressive, multicultural thinking, has found itself faced with a new leader at odds with such ideas. Doug Ford, brother of the late Toronto Mayor Rob Ford, last Saturday was named leader of the Ontario Progressive Conservative Party. According to Deutsche Bank's populism index, which measures the prevalence of populism since 1900, the percentage of votes for populist parties, weighted by population, is now around 32% - the highest it's been since World War II. Zero Hedge put together a chart: As mentioned, dissatisfaction with government policies is common to populism, and becomes a potent cauldron when populations find themselves swamped by outsiders, when jobs are scarce, and there is growing income inequality. In the United States and Europe, the perceived threat at the top of the list is migration, where concerns about cultural identity, economic opportunity, and terrorism intersect. Encouraged by populists, an expanding segment of the public sees rights as protecting only these "other" people, not themselves, and thus as dispensable. If the majority wants to limit the rights of refugees, migrants, or minorities, the populists suggest, it should be free to do so. That international treaties and institutions stand in the way only intensifies this antipathy toward rights in a world where nativism is often prized over globalism. - Kenneth Roth, The Dangerous Rise of Populism "The highest rewards in a globalized world going to the highly educated and the well-connected, while working and middle classes are now fragmented, losing bargaining power and sometimes regarded with scorn for their "incorrect" views," wrote John Lloyd, who co-founded the Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism at the University of Oxford. Lloyd mentions Hillary Clinton's speech in which she described Trump supporters as "deplorables" as an example of progressive snobbery. "It may have cost her more votes than Russian fake news." Ironic isn't it that the FBI who the Dems hated so passionately for resurfacing Clinton's email scandal are now the Democrat champions in the collusion with Russia investigation against Trump. In May 2017, new data sets from the economists Piketty, Saez, and Gabriel Zucman of University of California, Berkeley demonstrate that inequality runs much deeper than previous data indicated. The share of incomes for those in the bottom half of the U.S. population stagnated and declined during the years 1980 to 2014 from 20% in 1980 to 12% in 2014. By contrast, the top 1% share of income grew from 12% in 1980 to 20% in 2014. The top 1% now makes on average 81 times more than the bottom 50% of adults, where as in 1981 they made 27 times more. Pretax incomes for the top 0.001% surged 636% during the years 1980 to 2014. The economists also note that the growth of inequality during the 1970s to the 1990s can be attributed to wage growth among top earners, but the ever-widening gap has been "a capital-driven phenomenon since the late 1990s." Wikipedia Then there is the theme that several countries in Europe, as well as the United States, are fed up with globalism and want to return to the idea of the "nation-state" where the right to national self-determination is fundamental. Trump's contempt for the UN and other multilateral bodies is an example of this, as was the pro-Brexit movement in the UK which argued that remaining in the European Union was not in Britain's best interest. What we are seeing is the rise of the nation-state against the will of multinational organizations and agreements. There are serious questions about membership in the EU, NATO and trade agreements, and equally about the right to control borders We are seeing a return to nationalism in Europe and the United States because it is not clear to many that internationalism, as followed since World War II, benefits them any longer." George Friedman, Nationalism is Rising not Fascism To this it should be noted that nationalism particularly in Europe has for decades been seen as a dirty word, since it was "national socialism" in Italy and Germany that gave rise to Hitler and Mussolini. The birth of the European Economic Community through the Treaty of Rome in 1957 was primarily to bury the idea of nationalism in Europe. Its earlier incarnation, the Treaty of Paris of 1951, created the European Coal and Steel Community, whose aim was to pool French and German steel production in order to strengthen Franco-German cooperation and banish the possibility of war. As the European Community evolved into the European Union, European elites stood by a common vision of "the European" whose characteristics included a preference for free trade, open borders, and so-called progressive ideas like same-sex marriage. Now that is all being questioned. For more than a generation, the Western elites settled into a consensus on most major issuesfrom the benefits of free trade and immigration to the need for marriage equality. Their uniformity on these basic questions consigned dissenters to the political fringefurther aggravating the sense of grievance that now threatens the mainstream. That is what helped Farage, Le Pen and other European populists find an audience in 2016. They wanted Europe to be a mosaic of states instead of an integrated commonwealth with a shared currency and open borders. They wanted, in short, for Europe to look more like it did before the E.U.'s grand experiment, never mind that this experiment was designed to prevent the nations of Europe from engaging in an endless cycle of wars. - Simon Shuster, Time Magazine Globalists vs populists Key to understanding what's behind populism is that it is fervently anti-globalist. Globalism, or globalization, could be traced as far back as the 13th century with Marco Polo's adventures on the Silk Road and the establishment of early trade routes through China, the Middle East and far Eastern Europe (the Silk Road terminated in Istanbul). European exploration that led to the discovery of the New World in the 1600s was another early manifestation of globalism, where thoughts, goods and people (yes, it included slavery) were shipped across oceans. The more modern idea of globalization took shape in 19th-century Britain, where one of its first disciples, Richard Cobden, sowed the seeds of our current economic framework with a speech at the Free Trade Hall in Manchester in 1846: "I look farther; I see in the Free Trade principle that which shall act on the moral world as the principle of gravitation in the universe - drawing men together, thrusting aside the antagonisms of race, and creed, and language, and uniting us in the bonds of eternal peace." In the same year the British parliament repealed the Corn Laws, which had placed tariffs on imported grain and other foods coming into Britain from its colonies. The tariffs were meant to protect domestic producers and also the profits of landowners. But they also kept domestic food prices high, which led to a movement, the Anti-Corn League, to do away with them. The Irish famine forced a resolution to the problem because of an urgent need for food supplies, and the Corn Laws were repealed despite opposition from most members of the Conservative government led by Prime Minister Robert Peel. Economic historians see this development as a major shift toward free trade in Britain. The post-World War II framework for globalization was first laid out at the Bretton Woods Conference where countries planned to increase global economic growth by lowering trade barriers - formalized through GATT (the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade) which morphed into the World Trade Organization. Modern-day globalization is seen as the inter-dependence of national economies through cross-border movement of goods, services, technology, capital and workers. Examples of such trade blocs are the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and the European Union which is underpinned by a common currency. Concrete manifestations of globalization include the development of international standards, containerization which made the transport of ocean-going freight easier and cost-effective, and the outsourcing of services like call centers in India and the Philippines. But 172 years of globalization have not resulted in its promised rewards. Income equality in the UK and the US particularly has never been higher, companies have left their home countries to set up factories where labor is cheaper, and the ideal of the free movement of labor leading to economic growth has been lost amongst the wave of migrants turning up on European shores, hoping for better lives but also competing with locals for scarce jobs and dependent, at least initially, on government handouts. Trump and other populists have finally said enough of globalism, it's time to go back to the original idea of the nation-state where local workers and industries are protected and, most of the rest of the world is walled off. The surge in US trade deficits since the end of the Cold War has also been an important factor in nationalism upending globalism. The Bank of America summarized the anti-globalization shifts in the Trump presidency, just over a year after taking office. They include the imposition of travel restrictions on certain Muslim states; withdrawing from the Paris Agreement on climate change; backing out of the Trans-Pacific Partnership; threatening to tear up NAFTA; imposing tariffs on Canadian paper, washing machines and solar panels; and the latest, tariffs on imported steel and aluminum from most exporters except Canada and Mexico. Trump and his supporters want to go back to a time when the US put the nation first, and potential trade partners second. Ironically, this was the original thinking of the founders of the Constitution. In the Tariff Act of 1789, President George Washington said in his first address to Congress: "A free people should promote such manufactures as tend to make them independent on others for essential, particularly military supplies," conservative commentator Pat Buchanan references in a column on his website. Two years later, Alexander Hamilton wrote "Every nation ought to endeavor to possess within itself all the essentials of national supply. These comprise the means of subsistence, habitat, clothing and defence." We'll go further into this idea of America needing its own resources for defense and the building of a powerful military in a later piece because it has direct and very powerful implications for the Canadian resource sector, but for now, it should be apparent that the dynamic that has been set in motion by Trump is a conflict of visions between globalists and nationalists. Steve Bannon, always good for a quote, summed this up not so eloquently at the World Government Summit in Dubai last summer, where he said "The globalists gutted the American working class and created a middle class in Asia. The issue now is about Americans looking to not get over." Mealy-mouthed apologies came from the elites gathered at the summit, including Christine Lagarde, managing director of the International Monetary Fund. "We've been saying internationalization is great, global trade is great," Lagarde was quoted in Politico. "But we haven't been so focused on sharing the benefits." No kidding. Another expression of regret came from U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres: "Globalization has brought increasing wealth and improved welfare in general, but it also had its losses," he said. "Many people feel that they have been left behind, and that the political establishments of their countries have not taken care of them." Role of the media With most of the newsrooms of the "mainstream" media (ie. not Fox News or Breitbart) staffed with left-leaning editors and journalists who have spent their whole working lives believing and espousing the globalist world view, it is unsurprising that Trump, the nationalist, would come into conflict with the fourth estate. A study run by Pew Research Center's Journalism Project said that in his first 60 days in office, two-thirds of news stories were negative on Trump, over twice the number of negative articles run from the first two months of Bill Clinton, George W. Bush and Barack Obama's presidencies. According to Pew only 5% of the stories were positive on Trump compared to 42% for Obama. So is there a media bias against Trump and his nationalist, anti-globalist agenda? Most certainly. The numbers prove it. Indeed American media seems more intent on attacking Trump personally, focusing on inaccurate statements and unconventional approaches to the presidency, than examining the real motives behind his pro-US agenda. In a new book, veteran media reporter and Fox News host Howard Kurtz portrays the media as being "excessively negative in its treatment of President Donald Trump and essentially serving as opposition to the White House," Politico reported in January. During the campaign the media was accused of paying much more attention to Trump and his mistakes than Hillary's. The Independent noted that about a third of Americans support the President's belief that the media is an "enemy of the American people" and back restrictions on the press, according to a 2017 survey. Part of this is being driven by Trump, who has refused to give interviews to the "fake news" (New York Times, CNN, Washington Post, etc) preferring to talk to right-leaning Fox News. In an article on the subject Vanity Fair writes that communications efforts are geared at the 38% of Trump supporters - as of November he had given 20 interviews to Fox News, with the New York Times, NBC, CBS and CNN interviewing him a total of 8 times. "The mainstream press, ever pious, very much cares about this. The plurality of Americans who support Trump and might get him re-elected don't give a shit," Vanity Fair concludes. Conclusion Without being overly paranoid, there seems to be a giant cover up going on amongst the media and other elites who either are intent on hiding Trump's obvious shift away from globalism toward a nationalism that is completely in line with the Founding Fathers, or they are just unaware of what's going on - preferring to focus on sensational stories such as Stormy Daniels and the revolving staffer door at the Whitehouse. As AOTH's deeper analysis has shown, President Trump's rise to power is very much tied into a global movement away from globalism and towards nationalism or its more sterile meme, populism. While nationalism, and especially white nationalism, is often tied to racism by the mainstream media outlets, it doesn't have to be a negative phenomenon if we recognize that the nation-state is the fundamental element of all political systems. How each nation decides to interact with other nations is a matter for politicians, who represent the people, to decide. In other words, globalism is not a system to which we have bought into that we cannot escape. Trump and others are not suggesting a return to cross-the-board protectionism which has obvious negative repercussions, but rather a picking and choosing of global elements that serve the national interest, and rejecting those that don't. I'm got this globalist-nationalist dynamic, and what it means for US economic policy going forward, particularly as it relates to tariffs, commodities and junior resource stocks on my radar screen. Do you? If not, perhaps you should. Richard (Rick) Mills aheadoftheherd.com Just read, or participate in if you wish, our free Investors forums. Ahead of the Herd is now on Twitter. Newsletter Archives. Legal Notice / Disclaimer This document is not and should not be construed as an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to purchase or subscribe for any investment. More Info: This news is published on the Investorideas.com Newswire - a global digital news source for investors and business leaders Disclaimer/Disclosure: Investorideas.com is a digital publisher of third party sourced news, articles and equity research as well as creates original content, including video, interviews and articles. 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More disclaimer info: https://www.investorideas.com/About/Disclaimer.asp Learn more about publishing your news release and our other news services on the Investorideas.com newswire https://www.investorideas.com/News-Upload/ and tickertagstocknews.com Global investors must adhere to regulations of each country. Please read Investorideas.com privacy policy: https://www.investorideas.com/About/Private_Policy.asp Apple has sent out an invite to the media for an event on March 27. The event is being held at Lane Tech College Prep High School in Chicago. The image accompanying the invite carries the tagline Lets take a field trip with Apple inviting everyone to hear creative new ideas for teachers and students. https://twitter.com/reckless/status/974640632697368576?s=19 Given the venue and the tagline accompanying the invite, the event seems to be focused towards the educational market. And the iPad sits right in the center of Apples educational push. The company has been pushing the tablet as a PC replacement for kids and college going students. Thus, its possible that we will see Apple unveil new iPads at the event. A possible refresh of the inexpensive 9.7-inch iPad should be on the cards along with an update to the iPad Pro lineup geared towards creative students. We can also possibly see an update for the Apple Pencil 2 being announced at the event. One thing is for clear though: the chances of Apple unveiling the iPhone SE 2 at the event are pretty much nil given that the event is an educational one. A new camera phone champion hits the market (the Samsung Galaxy S9), and its time for another super-detailed comparison. All the photos here (bar one) are deliberately shown in low light. My aim here was to push the optics and image processing of the three smartphone cameras to the limit every phone camera takes a good snap in bright sunlight, but they all struggle once light gets low. Or do they? Why push phone cameras to the limit? Because if you can find one that takes good snaps in terrible light then youve got a margin for error in real life shots, i.e. you can take photos in bars and clubs and living rooms, and at night, with more confidence that things will work out well. iPhone X, main camera, f/1.8 Galaxy S9, main camera f/1.5 (or f/2.4 if stopped down in bright light) Pixel 2 camera, f/1.8 aperture Notes: Im not going to be testing the small aperture zoom lens of the iPhone X this only works well in bright light anyway, plus theres scope for a proper zoom test against the Samsung Galaxy S9+ when I get that in for review too. In the same vein, any testing of portrait mode will need another feature too, since the standard Galaxy S9 doesnt have this computational effect. All photos were taken handheld (though I do have steady hands!) and in full auto mode (apart from controlling whether the flash fires), as the average user would do. Each of these phone cameras either have pro modes or (in the iPhones case) alternative camera software that can do more with the camera hardware, but then comparing results is somewhat meaningless. All test photos were taken from the same spot in each case, so framing differences are due to the different field of view of the phone cameras concerned. In each case, where there was a choice of focus points, I made sure to tap in the centre, or on the intended subject, so that focussing should be identical in each case (though the Pixel 2 made a mess of one of the shots, as youll see). I look at 1:1 crops in each case, since only then do we see the actual image quality produced. In normal use youd only see pixel detail on (e.g.) a 4K TV, but as soon as you start cropping a photo later then youll be glad of high quality pixels! Testing was done on the Pixel 2 front with the XL model, since that was to hand, but the cameras are identical, so for the purposes of this comparison the images are 100% appropriate to the smaller Pixel 2. Behind the scenes, the phones take several exposures and then combine them (out of the users control) for best results. With modern chipsets and OIS in hardware, all of this is hidden the output is just the one JPG, which is what Im looking at here. And please dont talk about RAW output in the comments below such processing is absolutely only for pros who want to mess around with their photos later. Here Im looking at what the typical buyer sees. All the test photos here can be downloaded for your interest and further analysis here on Dropbox. The test scenes here are arranged in approximate order of light levels, i.e. you wont start to see any real differences in photo detail and fidelity until we get halfway down the page! Test 1: Hazy sun Yes, yes, this is a bright light shot, but included here just for reference, to prove my point that phone images in good light are virtual indistinguishable. Heres the overall scene, shot in hazy (and somewhat elusive) winter sun here in the UK: And here are 1:1 central crops from, in turn, the iPhone X, the Galaxy S9, and the Pixel 2: Clear results all round, but the iPhone Xs image processing clearly has less edge enhancement applied to it look at the greenery, look at the bricks in the wall and so Im giving this the nod by a point here. Apple iPhone X: 10 pts; Samsung Galaxy S9: 9 pts; Google Pixel 2: 9 pts Test 2: Gloomy plane With winter gloom set in and light pretty awful, heres one of my favourite test subjects plenty of details to inspect at around 50m distance. Heres the overall scene:: And here are 1:1 central crops from, in turn, the iPhone X, the Galaxy S9, and the Pixel 2: Similar results (and scores) to test 1 all three photos are excellent, considering the lighting, but the iPhone X has the edge (pun intended) because of its lack of edge enhancement details look more natural, more lifelike, while the S9 and Pixel manage to make too much of tiny details and texture. In my humble opinion. Apple iPhone X: 10 pts; Samsung Galaxy S9: 9 pts; Google Pixel 2: 9 pts Test 3: Bright details in the gloom Same poor light conditions, last one before I head indoors this time with the delicate and bright reflective clock face on the clock tower another excellent test subject. Heres the overall scene: And here are 1:1 central crops from, in turn, the iPhone X, the Galaxy S9, and the Pixel 2: Youre going to start accusing me of bias at this point, because Im going to give this one to the iPhone X too, by a single point the Pixel 2s shot is too artificial in terms of contrast, while the Galaxy S9 make the scene lighter than it was (which might be a good thing, in this case!) but it also doesnt handle the fine number detail on the clock face as well. Apple iPhone X: 10 pts; Samsung Galaxy S9: 9 pts; Google Pixel 2: 9 pts Test 4: Low light church interior Inside the church, light levels were low and I was shooting details at a good 30m, in this case focussing on the lectern area, with some writing to examine and with finely detailed railings. Heres the overall scene, made to look lighter than it really was by the OIS:equipped phones: And here are 1:1 central crops from, in turn, the iPhone X, the Galaxy S9, and the Pixel 2: For the fourth time in a row, the iPhone takes it, Im afraid, with better control of noise and detail you can just about read the (10 commandments) text on the stone slab, while the words fade into enhanced noise on the S9 and Pixel 2. Plus the gold eagle looks more natural and less artificial. Apple iPhone X: 9 pts; Samsung Galaxy S9: 7 pts; Google Pixel 2: 8 pts Test 5: Low living room light Things are starting to get seriously tricky for the phone cameras now With just an atmospheric LED light, a shot at about a metre of a painting in a living room. Ive learned not to examine pixel details in the painting itself, though, since you then start to hit brush strokes and their own uncertainties! Heres the overall scene: And here are 1:1 crops from, in turn, the iPhone X, the Galaxy S9, and the Pixel 2: The Google Pixel 2s HDR+ processing and intelligence is starting to pay off here, with far better dynamic range (thanks to combining loads of shorter shots), and only the LEDs blown out. It even gets the colours right. The iPhone X is in second place, some way behind in terms of handling the brightest parts of the frame, with the new S9 in last place and less dynamic range than Id have expected. Apple iPhone X: 7 pts; Samsung Galaxy S9: 6 pts; Google Pixel 2: 9 pts Test 6: Darker detail The same test scene as above, but this time I wanted to crop in on a darker frame corner, to look at handling of noise in really dark parts of the shot: Here are 1:1 central crops from, in turn, the iPhone X, the Galaxy S9, and the Pixel 2: Noise levels are around the same in each case (remember that the wall is a solid colour), with perhaps the Galaxy S9 having a slight edge, as you might expect with its f/1.5 aperture. It also gets the colour of the wall just right, though exact coloration will be different than in daylight due to the unusual lighting, of course. A narrow S9 win. Apple iPhone X: 8 pts; Samsung Galaxy S9: 9 pts; Google Pixel 2: 8 pts Test 7: Extreme low light A bookcase, shot about 0.5m in light so low than I had difficulty seeing the book titles with my own light-adjusted eyes. Heres the overall scene, again made to look a lot lighter than it was because of the great camera specs and processing: And here are 1:1 central crops from, in turn, the iPhone X, the Galaxy S9, and the Pixel 2: Pushing things this far has at last caused the iPhone X to drop behind. Where its showing clear artefacts down at the pixel level, the Google Pixel 2s HDR+ software produces something thats much cleaner and clearer. But its the Galaxy S9s photo that is astonishingly clear probably too artificially so the combination of multi-shot and larger aperture show Samsung up well here. Apple iPhone X: 6 pts; Samsung Galaxy S9: 9 pts; Google Pixel 2: 8 pts Test 8: Party time My standard moving person, low light, party mock-up shot, with flash forced on. If a phone can handle this then its good for an evening out. Heres the overall scene: And here are 1:1 central crops from, in turn, the iPhone X, the Galaxy S9, and the Pixel 2: None of these photos really pass muster compared to what a standalone camera with a real Xenon flash would have produced. Of the three shots here, the Pixel 2s seems most useable, in terms of freezing motion (kind of), thanks to it being able to discard some of its low light multiple shots and align the rest, plus it auto-adjusts for the flash and thus makes the scene natural. while the S9 gets the scene light enough and freezes motion thanks to its large aperture, but it all looks very two dimensional and not very natural. The iPhone Xs shot is simply too blurry and noisy, even when viewed as-is and not cropped in. Apple iPhone X: 5 pts; Samsung Galaxy S9: 7 pts; Google Pixel 2: 8 pts Verdict Adding up all the points (this is the fun bit!) gives: Google Pixel 2: 68 pts iPhone X: 65 pts Samsung Galaxy S9: 65 pts So a narrow victory overall for the Pixel 2, mainly thanks to cleverer software than any physics advantage. Though I have to give three huge caveats here. Firstly, the margin of victory is relatively small overall and a different set of test subjects might have elicited slightly different results. Secondly, and along the same lines, I wasnt testing zooming here the iPhone X has a second 2x zoom lens, of course, and this would skew things back towards it as I hope to do in a future article against the Samsung Galaxy S9+, which also has the zoom lens. Finally, I cant emphasise enough that a large amount of imaging performance in modern phone cameras is down to software. Which can be changed. Which means that continued OS and application updates to all three contenders here will keep their output continuously improving through 2018. Calendar of Events Want to know whats happening on campus? Youve come to the right place! From musical performances and thought-provoking lectures to signature events and the Privateers next big game, this new visual calendar gives you an overview of events at the University of New Orleans. Supreme Court of Delaware. LUIS ANTONIO AGUILAR MARQUINEZ et al., Plaintiffs Below, Appellant, v. THE DOW CHEMICAL COMPANY et al., Defendants Below, Appellee. No. 231, 2017 Decided: March 15, 2018 Before STRINE, Chief Justice; VALIHURA, VAUGHN, SEITZ, and TRAYNOR, Justices. Barbara H. Stratton, Esquire, Wilmington, Delaware, Jonathan S. Massey, Esquire, (argued), Washington, D.C., and Scott M. Hendler, Esquire, Austin, Texas, for Appellants. Donald E. Reid, Esquire, Wilmington, Delaware, Michael L. Brem, Houston, Texas, (argued), James W. Semple, Esquire, Wilmington, Delaware, Boaz S. Morag, Esquire, New York, New York, Timothy Jay Houseal, Esquire, Wilmington, Delaware, D. Ferguson McNeil, Esquire, Houston, Texas, Lisa C. McLaughlin, Esquire, Wilmington, Delaware, Adam V. Orlacchio, Esquire, Wilmington, Delaware, and Kelly E. Farnan, Esquire, Wilmington, Delaware, for Appellees. The United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit certified the following question of law to this Court in accordance with the Delaware Constitution, Article IV, 11(8)(a) and Delaware Supreme Court Rule 41: Does class action tolling end when a federal district court dismisses a matter for forum non conveniens and, consequently, denies as moot all pending motions, which include the motion for class certification, even where the dismissal incorporated a return jurisdiction clause stating that the court will resume jurisdiction over the action as if the case had never been dismissed for f.n.c., Delgado v. Shell Oil Co., 890 F. Supp. 1324, 1375 (S.D. Tex. 1995)? If it did not end at that time, when did it end based on the procedural history set forth above? By order dated June 16, 2017, this Court accepted the certified question. For the reasons that follow, we answer the certified question as follows: No, the federal district court dismissal in 1995 on grounds of forum non conveniens and consequent denial as moot of all pending motions, including the motion for class certification, did not end class action tolling. Class action tolling ended when class action certification was denied in Texas state court on June 3, 2010. FACTS AND PROCEDURAL HISTORY 1 The plaintiff-appellants (the plaintiffs) worked on banana plantations in Costa Rica, Ecuador and Panama at various times in the 1970s and 1980s. The defendants-appellees (the defendants) include United States corporations that manufactured and distributed a pesticide called dibromochloropropane (DBCP), and other United States corporations that owned and operated the banana plantations. The plaintiffs allege that they suffered adverse health consequences from exposure to DBCP while working on the banana plantations. In 1993, a putative class action lawsuit was filed in state court in Texas as Jorge Carcamo v. Shell Oil Co., No. 93-C-2290 (Brazoria County, Texas). The plaintiffs here were members of the putative class. The putative class included [a]ll persons exposed to DBCP or DBCP containing products, designed, manufactured, marketed, distributed or used by [defendants] between 1965 and 1990 in 25 countries (including Costa Rica, Ecuador and Panama). Before a decision was made on class certification, defendants impleaded a company partially owned by the State of Israel, and used its joinder as a basis to remove the case to federal court under the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act (FSIA), 28 U.S.C. 1330. The FSIA was the only basis for federal jurisdiction. After removal, Carcamo was consolidated with other DBCP-related class actions in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas. The cases were consolidated as Delgado v. Shell Oil Co., Civil Action No. H-94-1337. Defendants moved to dismiss the consolidated cases for forum non conveniens. On July 11, 1995, the Texas District Court granted defendants' motion and dismissed the putative class action for forum non conveniens (Delgado I). The opinion and order included a return jurisdiction clause: Notwithstanding the dismissals that may result from this Memorandum and Order, in the event that the highest court of any foreign country finally affirms the dismissal for lack of jurisdiction of any action commenced by a plaintiff in these actions in his home country or the country in which he was injured, that plaintiff may return to this court and, upon proper motion, the court will resume jurisdiction over the action as if the case had never been dismissed for f.n.c.3 The opinion and order also denied other motions, which arguably included plaintiffs' request for class certification: In addition to defendants' motion to dismiss for f.n.c. a number of other motions are pending. [A]ll pending motions not otherwise expressly addressed in this Memorandum and Order are DENIED as MOOT.4 The Delgado I court entered a final judgment on October 27, 1995, which included an injunction enjoining plaintiffs and anyone acting in concert with them from commencing new DBCP-related litigation in any court in the United States (Delgado I Final Judgment). The plaintiffs appealed the Delgado I Final Judgment, challenging only the court's subject matter jurisdiction under the FSIA. On October 19, 2000, the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit held that the Texas District Court properly exercised subject matter jurisdiction over the consolidated cases. The United States Supreme Court denied plaintiffs' petition for writ of certiorari on April 16, 2001. On February 24, 2003, the United States Supreme Court denied plaintiffs' motion for leave to file a petition for rehearing. After they were unable to prosecute their claims in other countries, several of the original plaintiffs in Delgado moved for reinstatement in the Texas District Court pursuant to the return jurisdiction clause of Delgado I. While that motion was pending, the United States Supreme Court held in Dole Food Co. v. Patrickson, another DBCP action, that the FSIA does not create exclusive federal jurisdiction over a case involving a foreign corporate defendant unless the foreign state itself owns a majority of the corporation's shares. The Court's decision in Patrickson meant that the jurisdictional basis on which Carcamo had been removed to the Texas District Court was invalid. Following Patrickson, the Texas District Court remanded the cases to Texas state court to consider the plaintiffs' rights under the return jurisdiction provision of the Delgado I dismissal. Back in Texas state court, defendants petitioned the Court of Appeals of Texas for a writ of mandamus to terminate the litigation, claiming the plaintiffs failed to comply with the return clause. The petition was denied because, according to the Texas Court of Appeals, the Delgado I court's order dismissing the case for forum non conveniens was void for lack of subject matter jurisdiction. Following that decision, a subset of the original plaintiffs again moved in Texas state court for class certification under Texas law. The defendants again removed the matter to the Texas District Court, arguing that the motion for class certification in state court commences a new action and was therefore subject to the Class Action Fairness Act of 2005 (CAFA). The Texas District Court remanded the matter to Texas state court, holding that the matter was not subject to CAFA because the class action commenced with the filing of the state-court petition in 1993 and ha[d] been pending in one forum or another since 1993. On June 3, 2010, class certification was denied in Texas state court. Following denial of class certification in Texas state court, three different lawsuits, including this case, were filed in Delaware. On July 21, 2011, Jose Rufino Canales Blanco filed suit on behalf only of himself in the Superior Court of Delaware. The further procedural history of that case is discussed below. On June 1, 2012 Tobias Bermudez Chavez and others filed a lawsuit in the United States District Court for the District of Delaware. A year before filing that suit, however, the same plaintiffs had filed a nearly identical suit in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana. As a result, the Delaware District Court dismissed the case under the first-filed rule, which defers jurisdiction of a case filed in two different district courts to the forum where the case was first filed. Although a panel of the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit affirmed the dismissal, that decision was reversed by the full Court. The Third Circuit held that the Delaware District Court abused its discretion under the first-filed rule by dismissing the[ ] cases with prejudice. On May 31, 2012, Luis Antonio Aguilar Marquinez and others filed a lawsuit in the United States District Court for the District of Delaware. Fourteen of the plaintiffs had previously filed identical lawsuits in either the Eastern District of Louisiana or in Louisiana state court. As in Chavez, the Delaware District Court dismissed the plaintiffs' claims under the first-filed rule. The District Court later granted summary judgment to defendants as against the remaining plaintiffs, holding that class action tolling stopped in July 1995 when the Delgado I court dismissed the case for forum non conveniens. Plaintiffs appealed to the Third Circuit. In the appeal in the Third Circuit, the plaintiffs (one of the fourteen dismissed on first-filed grounds and 56 of the other plaintiffs) argue that the Delaware District Court erred by holding that the July 1995 Delgado I opinion and order ended class action tolling. In the alternative, defendants argue that, at the very latest, class action tolling ended with the October 1995 Delgado I Final Judgment. It is with this procedural background that we turn to the certified question. PARTIES' CONTENTIONS The plaintiffs contend that this Court should answer the certified question by holding that, under Delaware law, the tolling period initiated by the filing of a putative class action concludes only with a clear, specific, and unambiguous order ending the class claims. Under this standard, they contend class action tolling in this case was not terminated by the Texas District Court's July 1995 opinion and order or the October 1995 Delgado I Final Judgment. Instead, class action tolling terminated on June 3, 2010 when the Texas state court denied class certification. The 1995 Delgado I opinion and order and the Delgado I Final Judgment, they contend, did not specifically rule on a motion for class certification. The return jurisdiction clause in the Delgado I opinion and order provided that if a foreign forum did not prove adequate, the action would be reinstated as if the case had never been dismissed. The Texas District Court, they contend, thus created a procedure for the plaintiffs' claims to return to the Texas District Court in the form in which they existed prior to being dismissed (i.e. as a putative class) in the event the foreign forums proved inadequate. The defendants contend that this Court should answer the certified question in the affirmative by holding that the tolling period initiated by the filing of a class action complaint ends once it is no longer objectively reasonable for absent class members to rely on the putative action to protect their individual rights. They contend that under that legal standard, the tolling provided by the Texas class action terminated at the latest in 1995 with the Delgado I Final Judgment dismissing the consolidated action in favor of litigation in plaintiffs' home countries. They reason that after entry of Delgado I Final Judgment, no putative class member could reasonably have believed his or her interests were still being protected by the putative class representatives. They further contend that the rights established by the return jurisdiction clause were limited to the individually-named plaintiffs in Delgado, and relief under the return jurisdiction clause did not revive class claims. Moreover, according to the defendants, the clause anticipated a mere possibility that a reinstatement could occur at some unspecified date in the future. DISCUSSION In Dow Chemical Corp. v. Blanco, this Court held that Delaware recognizes the concept of cross-jurisdictional tolling. The plaintiff in that case was Jose Rufino Canales Blanco, who, like the plaintiffs here, had been a member of the putative class in Jorge Carcamo v. Shell Oil Co. in Texas. Dow Chemical came to this Court as a certified question of law in an interlocutory appeal from the Superior Court. The certified question was a narrow one, asking only whether Delaware recognizes the concept of cross-jurisdictional tolling. Relying on the United States Supreme Court's rationale in American Pipe & Construction Co. v. Utah, this Court reasoned that Delaware law favors broad tolling principles in order to promote judicial economy and forestall the preemptive filing of individual lawsuits: Reading American Pipe too narrowly would defeat an important purpose of a class action, which is to promote judicial economy. Allowing cross-jurisdictional tolling recognizes and gives effect to the proposition that the policy considerations underlying our statute of limitations are met by the filling of a class action. Cross-jurisdictional tolling also discourages duplicative litigation of cases within the jurisdiction of our courts. If members of a putative class cannot rely on the class action tolling exception to toll the statute of limitations, they will be forced to file placeholder lawsuits to preserve their claims. This would result in wasteful and duplicative litigation.21 The Court also drew upon its earlier case of Reid v. Spazio, which recognized tolling under Delaware's Savings Statute during a period when a discretionary appeal was pending in an action filed in another state. It quoted with approval the following passage from Reid v. Spazio: [A]llowing a plaintiff to bring his case to a full resolution in one forum before starting the clock on his time to file in this State will discourage placeholder suits, thereby furthering judicial economy. Prosecuting separate, concurrent lawsuits in two jurisdictions is wasteful and inefficient. [And,] the prejudice to defendants is slight because in most cases, a defendant will be on notice that the plaintiff intends to press his claims.23 Responding to a defense contention that cross-jurisdictional tolling would open the floodgates to suits brought by opportunistic plaintiffs, the Court returned to the subject of placeholder suits: But the potential for litigation in Delaware exists whether or not cross-jurisdictional tolling is recognized. If we do not recognize cross-jurisdictional tolling, putative class members will still be incentivized to file placeholder actions in Delaware to protect their interests in the event that the putative class is not certified.24 Since Dow Chemical involved only a narrow certified question of law, our Court did not consider whether the statute of limitations was or was not tolled on the facts of that case, or articulate a rule for determining when class action tolling ends. The Superior Court had, however, ruled on the issue: Defendants' first claim is that the 1995 dismissal ended any tolling of the statute of limitations, which, therefore, would have expired well before this present action was filed. This argument fails on three independent grounds. First, Judge Lake's dismissal was based entirely on forum non conveniens, which is emphatically not a decision on the merits in the Fifth Circuit. Second, the dismissal included a return jurisdiction clause as mandated by Fifth Circuit precedent. A dismissal conditioned on a right of return is logically equivalent to a stay of the action. Under Delaware law where a stay is entered here on the grounds of forum non conveniens, but jurisdiction is retained, it necessarily operates to toll a statute of limitations. Third, the dismissal on the grounds of forum non conveniens rendered moot the pending request for class certification.25 The plaintiffs urge us to adopt a rule that class action tolling terminates only where there is a clear, specific, and unambiguous order ending the class claims. The defendants urge us to adopt a rule that tolling ends once it is no longer objectively reasonable for absent class members to rely on the putative class action to protect their individual rights. Under this rule, the defendants argue, the members of the putative class, including the plaintiffs, had no objectively reasonable basis to assume that their rights were still being protected by the Texas proceeding after the district court entered final judgment dismissing the case on October 27, 1995. We embrace the parties' crystallization of the issue before us, and view ourselves asked to decide which of these rules Delaware law would embrace to address the underlying cases. We agree with both parties that a clear and unambiguous rule avoids uncertainty over the starting and ending dates for statutes of limitation in cross-jurisdictional class action tolling cases. Thus, we adopt a rule that furthers the certainty interestcross-jurisdictional class action tolling ends only when a sister trial court has clearly, unambiguously, and finally denied class action status. Such an approach is consistent with Dow Chemical's rationale of avoiding wasteful and duplicative litigation. A member of a putative class should not have to deal with ambiguity in deciding whether class action tolling has ended, and the consequent waste of judicial resources by filing a protective action to avoid risking later dismissal on statute of limitations grounds. Under our formulation of the rule, class action tolling in the instant case did not end until the Texas state court denied class certification on June 3, 2010. In its July 1995 opinion, the District Court expressly provided that if a named plaintiff in the class action filed suit in his home country or the country in which he was injured, and the highest court in that country affirmed a dismissal for lack of jurisdiction, the court will resume jurisdiction over the action as if the case had never been dismissed for f.n.c. A resumption of jurisdiction over the action as if the case had never been dismissed, it seems to us, includes resumption of jurisdiction over the putative class action. The rationale for the return jurisdiction clause was discussed in the body of the opinion. One of the conditions of the Texas District Court's dismissal in Delgado I was that the defendants waive any jurisdictional defenses to suit in the plaintiffs' home countries. In opposing dismissal on the grounds of forum non conveniens, the plaintiffs argued, however, that consent by defendants may not be sufficient because the courts in several of their home countries will decline to exercise jurisdiction over consenting defendants because plaintiffs initiated the action elsewhere. The Texas District Court established a safeguard against this concern, using the following language: To ensure availability of an alternative forum in the event that defendants' motion is ultimately successful the court will condition dismissal not only on the defendants' and third-party defendants' stipulation to waive all jurisdictional and limitations defenses but also upon acceptance of jurisdiction by the foreign courts involved in these cases.31 The Delgado I Final Judgment was entered after the defendants had satisfied certain conditions of dismissal. It stated that it was being entered in accordance with the Texas District Court's opinion and order of July 11, 1995, and did not alter the return jurisdiction clause. On April 1, 1996, less than six months after the October 1995 dismissal, the Costa Rican plaintiffs sought reinstatement of the case in the Texas District Court on the grounds that claims they filed in Costa Rica had been dismissed for want of jurisdiction by the highest court of Costa Rica. Because the appellate process in Delgado was ongoing, the Texas District Court did not rule upon the motion on the merits when it was filed in 1996. After the appeals process had finally run its course in 2003, and after it was determined in Dole v. Patrickson that same year that the Texas District Court lacked jurisdiction over the case, the Costa Rican plaintiffs' filed a Motion to Remand for Ruling on Request for Return Jurisdiction. The Texas District Court ruled on the motion in a June 21, 2004 opinion and discussed the effect of its 1995 opinion and orders. The 2004 opinion and remand order was issued by the same judge who issued the 1995 opinion and orders dismissing the case on the grounds of forum non conveniens. He discussed how and why the case came back to him: Alleging that their claims have been dismissed for want of jurisdiction by the highest court of Costa Rica, Costa Rican plaintiffs seek to have their claims reinstated in an American court pursuant to the return jurisdiction clause contained in the court's Memorandum and Order of July 11, 1995 Costa Rican plaintiffs filed their Motion for Reinstatement of Claims by Plaintiffs from Costa Rica on April 1, 1996 On February 20, 1997, the court entered an Order denying plaintiffs' motion to reinstate without prejudice to being reinstated as fully briefed upon the issuance of a mandate from the Fifth Circuit affirming the court's final judgment.33 He described the dismissal as conditional, stating [t]he court conditionally granted defendants' motion to dismiss under the doctrine of forum non conveniens. He further described the 1995 dismissal and the effect of the return clause: Because the return jurisdiction clause expressly provides that plaintiffs are to seek return via motion filed in this court, the court concludes that plaintiffs' filing (or reassertion) of their motion to reinstate is a direct continuation of the prior proceedings over which the court expressly stated its intent to retain jurisdiction.35 He further stated that the f.n.c. dismissal entered in this case was final only for purposes of appealing the court's f.n.c. decision. The judge's 2004 discussion of the nature and effect of his 1995 opinion and orders is one reasonable way of reading the language of the July 1995 opinion. It confirms that the court retained jurisdiction to reinstate the case if the foreign courts did not accept jurisdiction and that a motion to reinstate would be a continuation of the casepoints which can be considered as plausibly grounded in the 1995 opinion and orders themselves. The Texas District Court did not address the class action on the merits in its earlier opinion and orders. There were known doubts about whether the foreign courts would exercise jurisdiction over the plaintiffs' claims, doubts which proved true. Under these circumstances, we conclude that the 1995 dismissal did not clearly and unambiguously end the class action as a final matter. Therefore, class-action tolling did not end in 1995. Two appellate decisions have been brought to our attention which address the effect of the July 1995 Delgado I opinion and order and the Delgado I Final Judgment. One is a Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals case, Chaverri v. Dole Food Co. Inc., which affirmed a decision of the District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana. Applying principles of Louisiana state law, the District Court found that the denial of the motion for class certification as moot in the July 1995 Delgado I opinion and order ended class tolling. It also found that entry of Delgado I Final Judgment in October 1995 absolutely stopped the pendency of the case and restarted the prescriptive period. According to the District Court, the Louisiana courts do not make a distinction based upon the type or manner of denial, nor [do] they require that the denial be on the merits. The other case is from the Supreme Court of Hawai'i. In that case the plaintiffs' complaint was filed on October 3, 1997. The statute of limitations was two years. The trial court granted partial summary judgment against the plaintiffs on statute of limitations grounds. The Intermediate Court of Appeals affirmed the trial court. Two questions were presented to the Hawai'i Supreme Court on certiorari: Whether an order entered on July 11, 1995purportedly dismissing the prior class actionthat explicitly did not take effect until October [27], 1995 operates to bar Petitioners' October 3, 1997 lawsuit on limitations grounds. Whether an administrative housekeeping order included in a forum non conveniens order denying all pending motions as mootwithout specifying those pending motionsput putative class members on notice that class action tolling had ended.43 The defendants argued that class action tolling ended on July 11, 1995, when the Texas District Court denied all other pending motions as moot. The plaintiffs argued that the July 11, 1995 order denying all pending motions as moot did not take effect until when final judgment was entered on October 27, 1995. The Hawai'i Supreme Court held that the pendency of a class action in another jurisdiction operates to toll our state's applicable statute(s) of limitations until the court in our sister jurisdiction issues an order expressly denying a motion for class certification (or expressly denying the last such motion, if there is more than one motion). For the same reasons we have found here, the Hawai'i Supreme Court agreed with the plaintiffs that the July 11, 1995 order did not terminate class tolling in a sufficiently clear and unambiguous' way in order to put putative members of the class on notice that the Hawai'i state statute of limitations had begun to run against them. But, according to the Court, the Texas district court's October 27, 1995 final judgment dismissing Carcamo/Delgado for f.n.c. clearly denied class certification and triggered the resumption of our state statute of limitations. We respectfully disagree with the Fifth Circuit's and the Hawai'i Supreme Court's application of class action tolling to the unique circumstances of this case. Those courts gave no effect to the conditional nature of the dismissal resulting from the return jurisdiction clause in the Texas District Court's Delgado I opinion and order. The return jurisdiction clause allowed the Texas District Court to resume jurisdiction upon motion of the plaintiffs, which included resumption of its consideration of plaintiffs' class action certification request. Under our view of class action tolling, a conditional dismissal does not finally decide a pending request for class certification. Thus, neither the 1995 Delgado I opinion and order nor the 1995 Delgado I Final Judgment finally dismissed the request for class action certification. CONCLUSION We answer the certified question in the negative. The Texas District Court's Delgado I opinion and order and the Delgado I Final Judgment did not stop class action tolling. Class action tolling ended when the Texas state court denied class certification on June 3, 2010. The Clerk of the Court is directed to transmit this opinion to the Third Circuit. FOOTNOTES . The facts and procedural history are recited for the most part verbatim from the Third Circuit's certification request. Marquinez v. Dole Food Co., Inc., No. 14-4245 (3d Cir. June 2, 2017). . Delgado v. Shell Oil Co., 890 F. Supp. 1324, 137273 (S.D. Tex. 1995). . Id. at 1375. . Id. Although no motion for class certification had been filed in the district court, a class certification motion was filed in the state court before removal. The district court noted in its dismissal opinion that plaintiffs have sought class certification in several of the pending actions. Id. at 1368. . Delgado v. Shell Oil Co. (Delgado II), 231 F.3d 165, 169 (5th Cir. 2000). . 532 U.S. 972 (2001). . 537 U.S. 1229 (2003). . 538 U.S. 468, 477 (2003). . Delgado v. Shell Oil Co. (Delgado III), 322 F. Supp. 2d 798, 817 (S.D. Tex. 2004). . In re Standard Fruit Co., 2005 WL 22304246, at *1 (Tex. App. Sept. 13, 2005). . Id. . Carcamo v. Shell Oil Co., No. G-09-258, at 4 (S.D. Tex. Dec. 18, 2009). . Id. at 5. . Chavez v. Dole Food Co., 2012 WL 3600307, at *1 (D. Del. Aug. 21, 2012). . Chavez v. Dole Food Co., 796 F.3d 261 (3d Cir. 2015). . Chavez v. Dole Food Co., 836 F.3d 205 (3d Cir. 2016) (en banc). . Id. at 222. . Marquinez v. Dole Food Co., 45 F. Supp. 3d 420, 423 (D. Del. 2014). . 67 A.3d 392 (Del. 2013). . 414 U.S. 538 (1974). . Dow Chemical, 67 A.3d at 395. . 10 Del. C. 8118. . Reid v. Spazio, 970 A.2d 176, 18182 (Del. 2009). . Dow Chemical, 67 A.3d at 397. . Blanco v. AMVAC Chem. Corp., 2012 WL 3194412, at *12. (Del. Super. Aug. 12, 2012) (footnotes omitted). . See Bridges v. Dep't of Md. State Police, 441 F.3d 197 (4th Cir. 2006). . As can be seen, we have reframed the question before us to be a pure question of law. Under this Court's rule governing the process of answering certified questions, Rule 41, we are not empowered to engage in fact findings when we answer a certified question like this. Del. Sup. Ct. R. 41(b) (A certification will not be accepted if facts material to the issue certified are in dispute.). To be candid, there was considerable concern among us about whether we could answer this question because of the parties' sharply different interpretations of various court orders and other facts. It is clear from the parties' briefs, their referral of us to the stipulated record in another court, and the apt description of the factual background of this case as baroque by one of our federal colleagues, that determining whether the plaintiffs in this case could have reasonably relied on the Texas proceeding to protect their interests would have required this Court to make findings of fact. Oral Argument at 10:0110:07, 47:3647:50, Marquinez v. Dow Chemical (No. 231, 2017), available at https://livestream.com/accounts/5969852/events/8016608/videos/168702557/player (parties referring this Court to the stipulated procedural history in Chavez); Chavez v. Occidental Chem. Corp., 2018 WL 352810, at *2 (S.D.N.Y. Jan. 10, 2018). Because we all agree that there was nothing clear about what took place between when the Texas District Court dismissed Delgado I in 1995 and when that court revived and remanded two of Delgado I's consolidated cases to Texas state court in 2004, we have reformulated the question before us, so as to be helpful to our federal colleagues. In the future, we would hope that the parties would agree upon the stipulated facts and frame a specific question of law based upon them, as Rule 41 contemplates. . Dow Chemical, 67 A.3d at 395. . Delgado I, 890 F. Supp. at 1375 (emphasis added). . Id. at 1356. . Id. at 1357. . Delgado III, 322 F. Supp. 2d 798 (S.D. Tex. 2004). . Id. at 80102 (citations omitted). . Id. at 801. . Id. at 813. . Id. at 816. . Many Latin American countries apply the doctrine of preemptive jurisdiction. Under that doctrine, the filing of suit in one forum extinguishes the jurisdiction of any other forum. At oral argument, counsel for the plaintiffs confirmed that the Costa Rican courts refused to accept jurisdiction under the doctrine of preemptive jurisdiction. See generally, Rajeev Muttreja, How to Fix the Inconsistent Application of Forum Non Conveniens to Latin American Jurisdiction And Why Consistency May Not Be Enough, 83 N.Y.U. L. REV. 1607 (2008). . Chaverri v. Dole Food Co., Inc., 546 F. App'x 409 (5th Cir. 2013) (per curiam). . Chaverri v. Dole Food Co., Inc., 896 F. Supp. 2d 556, 568 (E.D. La. 2012). . Id. at 569. . Id. . Patrickson v. Dole Food Co., Inc., 368 P.3d 959 (Haw. 2015). . Id. at 96667. . Id. at 97071. . Id. at 971. VAUGHN, Justice: Supreme Court of Florida. JEFFREY GLENN HUTCHINSON, Appellant, v. STATE OF FLORIDA, Appellee. No. SC17-1229 Decided: March 15, 2018 Billy H. Nolas, Chief, Capital Habeas Unit, Office of the Federal Public Defender, Northern District of Florida, Tallahassee, Florida; and Clyde M. Taylor, Jr. of Taylor & Taylor, LLC, St. Augustine, Florida, for Appellant Pamela Jo Bondi, Attorney General, and Charmaine M. Millsaps, Senior Assistant Attorney General, Tallahassee, Florida, for Appellee Jeffrey Glenn Hutchinson appeals an order of the circuit court summarily denying a motion to vacate a judgment of conviction of first-degree murder and a sentence of death under Florida Rule of Criminal Procedure 3.851. We have jurisdiction. See art. V, 3(b)(1), Fla. Const. We affirm the circuit court's summary denial of Hutchinson's postconviction claim in light of our decisions in Brant v. State, 197 So. 3d 1051, 1079 (Fla. 2016), and Mullens v. State, 197 So. 3d 16, 38-40 (Fla. 2016). Hutchinson murdered Renee Flaherty and her three children, Logan, Amanda, and Geoffrey. Hutchinson v. State, 882 So. 2d 943, 948-49 (Fla. 2004). A jury convicted him of four counts of first-degree murder with a firearm. Id. at 948. Hutchinson waived his right to a penalty phase jury and presented mitigation to the trial judge. Id. On January 21, 2001, the trial court conducted a colloquy, found his waiver voluntary, and excused the jury. Id. at 949. Hutchinson was sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of Renee Flaherty and to a death sentence for each child's murder. Id. at 948. The trial court found two aggravators for the murders of Logan and Amanda: (1) previously convicted of another capital felony for the murders of the other children; and (2) victim under 12 years of age. The trial court found three aggravators for Geoffrey's murder: (1) previously convicted of another capital felony for the murders of the other children; (2) victim under 12 years of age; and (3) heinous, atrocious, or cruel (HAC). Hutchinson raised ten issues in his direct appeal, and this Court affirmed the four convictions and three death sentences. Id. at 961. In 2005, Hutchinson filed his initial postconviction motion and an amended motion following the withdrawal of counsel and appointment of new counsel. Hutchinson v. State, 17 So. 3d 696, 699 (Fla. 2009). The circuit court denied the motion following an evidentiary hearing on some of the claims. Hutchinson raised three issues in his appeal of the circuit court's denial. Id. at 700. This Court affirmed the denial of relief. Id. at 704. Hutchinson filed a federal habeas petition pro se on July 24, 2009, and Hutchinson's habeas counsel filed an amended habeas petition on November 23, 2009. The district court dismissed the amended petition as untimely. Hutchinson v. Florida, No. 5:09-CV-261-R5, 2010 WL 3833921 (N.D. Fla. Sept. 28, 2010). The Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed. Hutchinson v. Florida, 677 F.3d 1097 (11th Cir.), cert. denied, 568 U.S. 947 (2012). Hutchinson filed a rule 60(b) motion to reopen his federal habeas case pro se. The federal district court assigned the capital habeas unit (CHU) as federal habeas counsel of record. This motion remains pending in federal court and is stayed pending the outcome of this appeal. On January 11, 2017, Hutchinson's CHU counsel filed a successive postconviction motion in state court seeking relief under Hurst v. Florida, 136 S. Ct. 616 (2016), and Hurst v. State, 202 So. 3d 40 (Fla. 2016), cert. denied, 137 S. Ct. 2161 (2017). The State filed its answer on January 27, 2017, asserting that the motion should be summarily denied because Hutchinson waived any right to Hurst relief when he waived his penalty phase jury. Hutchinson filed a reply on March 29, 2017. The circuit court summarily denied Hutchinson's motion on May 30, 2017. This appeal followed. A circuit court's decision on whether to grant an evidentiary hearing on a postconviction motion is a pure question of law, reviewed de novo. Mann v. State, 112 So. 3d 1158, 1162 (Fla. 2013). When determining whether an evidentiary hearing is required on a successive rule 3.851 motion, this Court considers the entire record. If the motion, files, and records in the case conclusively show that the movant is entitled to no relief, the motion may be denied without an evidentiary hearing. Fla. R. Crim. P. 3.851(f)(5)(B). Although evidentiary hearings on factually based claims raised in successive rule 3.851 motions are not automatically required, courts are encouraged to liberally allow such hearings on timely raised claims. See Amends. to Fla. Rules of Crim. Pro. 3.851, 797 So. 2d 1213, 1219-20 (Fla. 2001). To the extent that Hutchinson asserts that his penalty phase jury waiver was invalid because counsel was ineffective, the circuit court properly found that Hutchinson is not entitled to relief. This Court has determined that in order to succeed on a claim for ineffective assistance of counsel under Strickland v. Washington, 466 U.S. 668 (1984), the claimant must identify counsel's deficient performance and demonstrate that counsel's deficiency so affected the proceeding that it undermined confidence in the outcome. Occhicone v. State, 768 So. 2d 1037, 1045 (Fla. 2000). In Occhicone, this Court held that strategic decisions do not constitute ineffective assistance of counsel if alternative courses have been considered and rejected and counsel's decision was reasonable under the norms of professional conduct. Id. at 1048. Counsel's properly advising Hutchinson of the law at the time and recommending jury waiver was not deficient performance. Hutchinson is not entitled to relief on an ineffective assistance claim. While Hurst is retroactive to defendants whose sentences became final after Ring was decided, Hurst relief is not available for defendants who have waived a penalty phase jury. See Brant v. State, 197 So. 3d 1051, 1079 (Fla. 2016); Mullens v. State, 197 So. 3d 16, 38-40 (Fla. 2016). In consideration of a penalty phase jury waiver in the context of a guilty plea on direct appeal, this Court opined: If a defendant remains free to waive his or her right to a jury trial, even if such a waiver under the previous law of a different jurisdiction automatically imposed judicial factfinding and sentencing, we fail to see how [the defendant], who was entitled to present mitigating evidence to a jury as a matter of Florida law even after he pleaded guilty and validly waived that right, can claim error. As our sister courts have recognized, accepting such an argument would encourage capital defendants to abuse the judicial process by waiving the right to jury sentencing and claiming reversible error upon a judicial sentence of death. [State v.]Piper, 709 N.W.2d [783,] 808 [ (S.D. 2006) ] (citing People v. Rhoades, 753 N.E.2d 537, 544 (2001)). This we refuse to permit. Mullens v. State, 197 So. 3d 16, 39-40 (Fla. 2016). This Court has also held that [a] similar claim in postconviction proceedings is necessarily precluded. Brant, 197 So. 3d at 1079. Although Mullens is distinguishable from this case because the defendant in that case pled guilty, this Court's determination that his jury waiver precluded Hurst relief is applicable to this case. Here, the circuit court properly found that Hutchinson's colloquy supported the conclusion that his waiver was knowing, intelligent, and voluntary. Hutchinson maintains that his waiver became invalid as a result of the change in the law after Hurst. Hutchinson contends that his case is distinguishable from Mullens and Brant because he challenges the validity of his waiver. Contrary to Hutchinson's assertion, the defendant in Brant also challenged the validity of his waiver, arguing that counsel was ineffective in light of the change in Hurst just as Hutchinson argues in this case. In both Mullens and Brant, this Court found that the defendants' waivers were knowingly, intelligently, and voluntarily made based on their colloquies, even though those waivers were made with the advice of counsel based on pre-Hurst law. See Brant, 197 So. 3d at 1066; Mullens, 197 So. 3d at 39-40. Hutchinson's waiver is no different. Hutchinson also argues that he is entitled to an evidentiary hearing on this claim because this Court granted evidentiary hearings in Meeks v. Dugger, 576 So. 2d 713, 716 (Fla. 1991), and Hall v. State, 541 So. 2d 1125, 1128 (Fla. 1989), to determine the effect of constitutional error on defense counsel. Following the United States Supreme Court's decision in Hitchcock v. Dugger, 481 U.S. 393 (1987), providing that jurors must be instructed on and the defendant allowed to present nonstatutory mitigation, this Court considered Meeks' Hitchcock claim. The affidavits in Meeks' case demonstrated that counsel did not seek to develop nonstatutory mitigation because of the then-prevailing statutory construction which only provided for mitigation enumerated in the statute. Meeks, 576 So. 2d at 716. This Court granted an evidentiary hearing. Id. In Hall, this Court granted an evidentiary hearing on the defendant's Hitchcock claim based on the affidavits of numerous mental health experts regarding nonstatutory mitigation which would have been available had counsel believed nonstatutory mitigation was available under the law. Hall, 541 So. 2d at 1127. A defendant's ability to waive a penalty phase jury did not change after Hurst. Unlike Hutchinson, the defendants in Meeks and Hall did not waive any rights. Had they waived their rights to present evidence during the penalty phase, they would not have been eligible for relief on their Hitchcock claims. See Tafero v. Dugger, 520 So. 2d 287, 289 (Fla. 1988) (denying relief on a Hitchcock claim where the defendant validly waived his right to present evidence at his penalty phase). Similarly, Hutchinson is not entitled to relief on this Hurst claim where he waived his right to a jury trial. Unlike the change of law in Hitchcock, the change of law under Hurst does not have any bearing on the evidence that a lawyer might choose to develop or that expert witnesses may present. Hurst relief is not available to individuals who waived their right to a penalty phase jury. Hutchinson also contends that under Halbert v. Michigan, 545 U.S. 605, 623 (2005), he could not have waived a post-Hurst right to a unanimous jury recommendation before the imposition of death because the courts did not recognize the right at the time. The United States Supreme Court held in Halbert that the Due Process and Equal Protection Clauses require appointment of first-tier postconviction counsel for indigent defendants and that the defendant's plea of nolo contendere did not preclude the court from granting him relief. Hutchinson contends that this Court should follow Halbert in finding that Hurst created a new right to a jury trial distinct from the pre-Hurst right, and further find that his jury waiver does not preclude Hurst relief. The United States Supreme Court rejected an argument similar to Hutchinson's in McMann v. Richardson, 397 U.S. 759, 773-74 (1970), holding that a change in the law regarding coerced confessions did not liberate a defendant from a plea entered under the old law. Unlike the right to first-tier postconviction counsel in Halbert, the right to a jury trial was well recognized before Hurst. Although Hutchinson contends that Halbert affected postconviction proceedings and therefore should be followed here, Halbert did not establish any rights related to successive postconviction proceedings like this one. As previously stated, this Court has explicitly rejected Hutchinson's argument, opining that accepting such an argument would encourage capital defendants to abuse the judicial process by waiving the right to jury sentencing and claiming reversible error upon a judicial sentence of death. This we refuse to permit. Mullens, 197 So. 3d at 40 (citations omitted). Based on the foregoing, we affirm the decision of the circuit court and deny relief on Hutchinson's claim. It is so ordered. FOOTNOTES . Hutchinson raised the following issues:(1) whether the trial court improperly instructed the jury; (2) whether the trial court erred in admitting certain testimony as an excited utterance; (3) whether the trial court erred in repeatedly overruling objections to the State's closing argument; (4) whether the trial court erred in denying Hutchinson's motion for mistrial; (5) whether the trial court erred in denying Hutchinson's motion for judgment of acquittal; (6) whether the trial court erred in denying Hutchinson's motion for a new trial; (7) whether the trial court erred in considering section 921.141(5)(1), Florida Statutes (2000), as an aggravating circumstance; (8) whether the trial court erred in finding that Hutchinson committed the murder of the children during the course of an act of aggravated child abuse; (9) whether the trial court erred in finding heinous, atrocious, or cruel (HAC) as an aggravating circumstance in the murder of Geoffrey Flaherty; and (10) whether death is a proportional sentence.Hutchinson, 882 So. 2d at 949-50. . Hutchinson raised the following claims before this Court on appeal:(1) trial counsel rendered ineffective assistance during the guilt phase by failing to present evidence that Hutchinson's voice was not on the 911 audio tape; (2) trial counsel rendered ineffective assistance during the guilt phase by failing to introduce into evidence the nylon stocking found at the crime scene; and (3) the trial court erred in summarily denying Hutchinson's claims of actual innocence and conflict of interest.Hutchinson, 17 So. 3d at 700. . Ring v. Arizona, 536 U.S. 584 (2002). PER CURIAM. LABARGA, C.J., and PARIENTE, LEWIS, QUINCE, and LAWSON, JJ., concur. CANADY and POLSTON, JJ., concur in result. National School Of Public Policy NSPP Lahore Jobs 2018 Latest National School of Public Policy NSPP Security Posts Lahore 2021 National School Of Public Policy NSPP Lahore, Government of the Pakistan required applications from experienced candidates for the posts of Watchman (Admin Wing, NSPP). How to Apply on National School of Public Policy NSPP 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. Company Address: NSPP C/O National Management College Shahrah-e-Quaid-e-Azam, Mall Road, Lahore. Telephone: 042-99202902 Official Website: www.nspp.gov.pk 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. EPB, along with Chattanooga Mayor Andy Berke and Hamilton County Mayor Jim Coppinger, honored eight Hamilton County students who won top recognition in the companys 14th Annual Black History Month Poetry Contest by submitting original poetry celebrating the historic contributions made by African Americans who lived and worked in the Chattanooga area. Students in the 1st through 12th grades submitted hundreds of entries. For 2018, EPB produced five videos featuring interviews with UTC professor Dr. Clark White about the achievements of Chattanooga African Americans during the Jim Crow era. Students were invited to choose a video and write a poem, or for the younger children draw a picture, about what inspired them about the people and events covered in the video they chose. Our judges had the difficult task of selecting eight award-winning entries from hundreds of submissions, said EPB President and CEO David Wade. These and many outstanding entries demonstrate the passion and insight many students gain from studying local history. EPB honored the eight recipients during an awards event on Thursday evening. In addition to the recognition, both the students and their teachers received an award of $100. Here are the winning entries: 1-3 Grades Naeil'ah Powers, Orchard Knob Elementary/Teacher-Rosalyn Tiller Bayleigh Evans, East Brainerd Elementary/Teacher-Mrs. Pirtle 4-5 Grades Ella Nottis, Allen Elementary/Teacher-Ms. Sharp Brynn Beckstrand, Snow Hill Elementary/Teacher-Ms. Meredith Ziegenmier 6-8 Grades Ma'lisha Cook, Washington Alternative Learning Center/Teacher- Ms. Goines Gracie Williams, Home School/Teacher-Ms. Rhonda Williams 9-12 Grades Fatima Ibarra, Hixson High School/Teacher-Ms. Smith Claire Pouncey, CSAS/Teacher-Mr. Zach Dragoo Tenesha Irvin, community leader, sales professional and radio personality, delivered the keynote address, Continuing the Legacy. The EPB Black History Month contest began as an essay competition, but changed four years ago because of the power of poetry to express human emotion through a careful selection of words. Kelvin Boyd, EPBs Professor Gig-A-Watt schools ambassador, coordinates the annual Black History Month Poetry Contest with Hamilton County public, private and home schools, along with parents and judges. Each year I am amazed by our students ability to celebrate the contributions of African Americans in heartwarming ways that reflect our shared history, Mr. Boyd said. Security Guards Job in Vital Security Company Latest Vital Security Company Security Posts Quetta 2021 Security Guards are required in Vital Security Company in Quetta. Candidate should be Retired from Pakistan Army, FC, Police, Pakistan Rangers and Civilian. How to Apply on Vital Security Company 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. Mikes Hole in the Wall, 535 Cherokee Blvd., is moving to a new, remodeled location across the street from its original location after 10 years. It was described by John McClellan as a neighborhood bar and restaurant. A new beer license was needed from the city beer board because of the new address and because a third partner, David Debroskey, has been added. Virgola will be opening in a couple of weeks at 608 Georgia Ave. This is a franchise of an oyster and Italian wine bar, but will also have a small selection of beer available. Owner Cheri Guerdon told the board that it is a tapas type bar with a heat-free kitchen. Food will include charcuterie meats and oysters. Seafood platters will be $50, $75 and $100, so she does not expect to have underage customers. Eve Williams was given a beer permit for a fourth location of Mojo Burrito, a Tex-Mex restaurant, at 9447 Bradmore Lane. The beer license will also allow the business to sell carry-out growlers of craft beer. She said food is the focus at the restaurants with beer being only three percent of total sales. Weather Alert ...FLASH FLOOD WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT THROUGH WEDNESDAY MORNING... The Flash Flood Watch continues for * Portions of North Carolina and Virginia, including the following areas, in North Carolina, Alleghany NC, Ashe, Surry, Watauga and Wilkes. In Virginia, Alleghany VA, Amherst, Bath, Bedford, Bland, Botetourt, Carroll, Craig, Floyd, Franklin, Giles, Grayson, Henry, Montgomery, Patrick, Pulaski, Roanoke, Rockbridge, Smyth and Wythe. * Through Wednesday morning. * Deep tropical moisture will continue to move across the central Appalachains tonight, supporting the potential for prolonged periods of moderate to heavy rain. Rainfall amounts will be highest along the crest of the Blue Ridge into the eastern foothills, where the terrain will enhance rainfall intensity and amounts. * Where high rainfall rates occur, or where bands of rain occur repeatedly over the same locations, rapid rises on smaller creeks and streams are expected. Some of these waterways may flood over their banks, and flow across roads and into low-lying areas. Depending on where the heaviest rain occurs, minor flooding of the larger main-stem rivers may be possible. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... You should monitor later forecasts and be prepared to take action should Flash Flood Warnings be issued. && The Georgia Department of Labor is hosting a job fair for Prime Care Nursing Services in LaFayette. The event is from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. on March 28 at the GDOL LaFayette Career Center, 200 W. Villanow St.in LaFayette. Prime Care is hiring for personal care aides for the LaFayette, Rock Spring and Chickamauga areas. There are about 30 openings. Applicants must be 18 years or older, have a high school diploma or GED, have at least one year experience in caring for the elderly, have a regular driver's license and be able to pass a criminal background check. Job seekers interested in attending the event may visit employgeorgia.com to create an account so they can prepare and submit a resume. Having an Employ Georgia account expedites the interview process.Applicants are encouraged to bring their resumes, drivers licenses and dress business casual to improve their chances to be hired. The Kyoto District Court ruled Thursday that the Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) [official website], which operated the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant, was liable to voluntary evacuees in the sum of USD $1 million for failing to take adequate measures to protect the plant from the tsunami. Presiding Judge Nobuyoshi Asami noted [Asahi report] a 2002 government long-term assessment, which outlined the possibility of a powerful earthquake and tsunami striking the plant. The judgment was the fifth in a series of lawsuits [JURIST report] over Fukushima that acknowledges TEPCOs responsibility. It was also the third to recognize the Japanese governments responsibility. The plaintiffs sought compensation for two years of harm and psychological suffering due to abandoning their homes. All but one of the 174 plaintiffs in the case evacuated the area voluntarily. The ruling only awarded compensation to 64 of the plaintiffs. In 2012, Japans Parliament issued a damning report [report, PDF] calling Fukushima a man-made disaster. Furthermore, the report concluded that the disaster was the result of the government and TEPCOs collusion that failed to correctly develop the basic safety requirements such as assessing the probability of damage, preparing for containing collateral damage from such a disaster, and developing evacuation plans for the public in the case of a serious radiation release. South Africas former president Jacob Zuma is facing trial over 16 charges related to corruption, South Africas National Prosecuting Authority [official website] boss Shaun Abrahams announced on Friday. The charges include one count of racketeering, two counts of corruption, one count of money laundering and 12 charges of fraud relating to a 30 billion rand (USD $2.5 billion) government arms deal made in the late 1990s. The charges were first brought against Zuma in 2007. The prosecution was cancelled in 2009 when charges were dropped by the National Prosecuting Authority. In 2016 the High Court reinstated the charges and the Supreme Court of Appeal determined that the withdrawal of the charges were irrational in October 2017. The current announcement by Abrahams states that the issues should be decided by the court. Abrahams also stated that there were reasonable prospects of a successful prosecution of Mr. Zuma on the charges listed. An application for a permanent stay of prosecution of Mr. Zuma was filed in the Cape High Court. Abrahams announced that the state attorney was instructed to oppose the application. Zuma was urged [JURIST report] to resign in February by the African National Congress over corruption charges and social and economic issues. A South African court had denied [JURIST report] Zumas appeal in June 2016 regarding the corruption charges. The Tennessee Fish and Wildlife Commission will meet March 20-21 at the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agencys Ray Bell Building. Committee meetings will begin at 1 p.m. on March 20. The formal meeting starts at 9 a.m. March 21 and the public is invited to attend both days. The meeting will be the first with new chairman Jeff Cook, MD of Franklin presiding. Other officers include Kurt Holbert (Decaturville) who moves from secretary to vice chairman and Brian McLerran (Moss) who was elected secretary. Past chair Jamie Woodson (Lebanon) will continue to serve on the commission. Brad Miller, TWRAs Elk Program leader, will make a presentation on the TWRA Strategic Elk Plan for 2018-28. The plan has been available for public viewing on the Agencys website for the past few months. Dr. David Buehler from the University of Tennessee will give an update on a turkey research project. The TWRA and UT are partnering to conduct a 6-year project that began in late 2016 to look at turkey survival, reproduction and other factors having an impact on population trends in Middle Tennessee. Mark Thurman, from TWRA Region III Fisheries, will give a report on the removal last year of the Roaring River Dam in Jackson County. The structure was the largest dam to be removed in Tennessee for river and stream restoration. Assistant Director Bobby Wilson will give an update on the two-year season setting process. TWRA recommends starting next year, the process would happen every two years by proclamation, beginning with wildlife and then fisheries the next season setting. At the TFWCs January meeting, the commission asked the TWRA Law Enforcement Division to research the cost of equipment in regard to help with law enforcement issues surrounding chronic wasting disease (CWD). Lt. Col. Cape Taylor, who presented preliminary costs of freezers and incinerators at last months meeting, will give an update in regard to the cost and location of the freezers. Information on the incinerators will be presented by the Wildlife Division at the April TFWC meeting. A presentation on a new live elk cam that will be available to the public on the TWRA website will be given by the Communication Divisions Doug Markham and Jason Harmon. The cam is located at the Hatfield Knob viewing area on North Cumberland Wildlife Management Area in Campbell County. The Boating and Law Enforcement Division will present the 2017 Boating Officers of the Year. The division annually gives an award for full-time and part-time officers. Cleveland State Community College and the Tennessee Chapter of the Trail of Tears Association will be hosting a Trail of Tears Educational symposium on Friday, April 13 in the George R. Johnson Cultural Heritage Center to commemorate the 180th anniversary of the Trail of Tears and the 50th anniversary of the National Park Service National Historic Trails System. The doors will open at 9 a.m. and there will be sessions running from 10 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Informational displays will be provided at the symposium, and guest speakers will include: Brett Riggs, Sequoyah distinguished professor in Cherokee Studies at Western Carolina University; Joe Guy, McMinn County Tennessee sheriff and county historian; and Troy Wayne Poteete, executive director, Trail of Tears Association. It is very exciting to have the symposium held in the community where the final removal took place, stated Debbie Moore, president of the Trail of Tears Association. It is a dark chapter in American history, but through activities such as this, the removal will not be forgotten. The Trail of Tears Educational Symposium is free and open to the public. For more information, contact Moore at bradleyfolks@aol.com. Blood Assurance will host the fourth annual Tighten Up and Donate blood drive Friday, March 23 in honor of the late J.D. Wooten, who lost his battle with acute myeloid leukemia in March 2014. Signal Mountain resident Cindy Pare created the annual blood drive event in honor of her father, a resident of Raleigh, NC. Mr. Wooten was a lifelong blood donor before becoming a blood and platelet recipient during his 29-month battle with leukemia. The community is invited to donate blood or platelets in honor of Mr. Wooten at the drive, scheduled for Blood Assurances downtown Chattanooga donor center from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. on March 23. Ms. Pare will be on hand to thank donors for honoring her father and helping meet the needs of leukemia patients who are fighting in the community today. The phrase tighten up was one of Mr. Wootens favorite sayings, using it as a reminder to stay focused, be faithful and keep persevering, despite suffering and pain. Blood donors prolonged my fathers life and gave our family extra precious time with him, Ms. Pare said. I hope to continue to remind donors that behind every donation is a face and family, whose hearts are filled with thankfulness for their gift of life. Ms. Pare continues her fathers donor legacy, serving as a long-time O negative donor with Blood Assurance. To schedule an appointment to donate at the Tighten Up blood drive on March 23, call 423-756-0966. Walk-ins are also welcome. Blood Assurances downtown Chattanooga donor center is located at 705 East 4th Street, across from the UTC McKenzie Arena. Blood Assurance believes in the power of honor drives for a victim who required blood donations due to a trauma situation or ongoing illness, as well as those who have passed away. The host may choose to invite relatives, friends, co-workers and community members who are willing to make a blood donation in their honor. The blood drive may be held at any Blood Assurance donor center or on the organizations bloodmobile at a location agreed upon by the host and location owner. To be eligible to donate blood, donors must be at least 18 years old (17 and 16 years old with parental consent), weigh 110 pounds or more and be in good health. Donors are asked to drink plenty of fluids - avoiding caffeine - and eat a meal that is rich in iron prior to donating. For more information on Blood Assurance, donating blood or hosting a blood drive, visit www.bloodassurance.org. Police officers and firefighters are invited to have their taxes prepared for free next week through the Urban League of Greater Chattanoogas VITA program. Urban League and the IRS are designating one day to do free tax preparation and e-filing services for all Chattanooga and Hamilton County police officers and firefighters. The VITA program is co-sponsored by the city of Chattanooga, Chattanooga 311, IRS, Suntrust, United Way 211 and UT Extension. The service will be provided Monday from 9 a.m.-7 p.m. at Highland Center, (formerly 21st Century Academy), 104 N. Tuxedo Ave. What's the job market like for chemists? Dude -- it's always bad.* How bad is it? How the heck should I know? Quantifying the chemistry job market is what this blog is about. That, and helping chemists find jobs. E-mail chemjobber with helpful tips, career questions or angry comments at chemjobber -at- gmail dotcom. All correspondence is kept confidential. (Didn't get an e-mail back? It's okay to try again.) Voicemail/SMS: (302) 313-6257 Twitter: @chemjobber RSS feed here (The Blogger spam filter gets hungry sometimes, and likes to eat comments. You can e-mail me, and sometimes I can get it to cough up your comment. I am always happy to try.) (*For the literal-minded, this is a joke. Mostly.) Voice of the People I can drive on the left lane of Ind. 49 and not have to deal with the truck traffic any more. I dont think I know you Jim Ton but apparently youre the one that made this happen. My life is a little better now.... 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... The tail of a WestJet plane is seen dwarfing the Calgary skyline before the airline's annual meeting in Calgary on May 3, 2016. A WestJet flight attendant says rules that effectively pay starting workers less than minimum wage because they're compensated only for time in the air is helping a union drive at Canada's second-largest airline.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh The Vero app, centre, is displayed on an iPhone in New York, Thursday, March 1, 2018. It seems like just yesterday that the Internet was overtaken with viral hype over Vero, a new social network that promised to right all the frustrating wrongs of the well-entrenched leaders like Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP/Richard Drew Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of International Development and La Francophonie talks to reporters in the foyer of the House of Commons on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Thursday, Sept. 21, 2017. Canada is sending just over $8 million to agencies helping Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh as they prepare for monsoon storms. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick A key body helping the Liberals figure whether and how to impose marijuana testing for workers finds itself at a rare impasse, ensuring no new federal rules on workplace impairment before cannabis is legalized. A marijuana plant is seen before harvesting at a rural area near Corvallis, Ore. in this Sept. 30, 2016 file photo. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP/Andrew Selsky Federal Agriculture Minister Lawrence MacAulay speaks during a news conference in Vancouver, B.C., on Tuesday August 15, 2017. The Quebec and federal governments announced Friday the implementation of a new partnership to provide funding for the agriculture and agri-food sector.MacAulay and his provincial counterpart, Laurent Lessard, launched the Quebec arm of the Canadian Agricultural Partnership in Montreal. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh speaks at an availability following caucus meetings in Ottawa on Thursday, Jan. 25, 2018. Singh says Canada should declare as a genocide the anti-Sikh violence that took place in India more than three decades ago. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang Ontario PC Leadership candidate Patrick Brown leaves the Ontario PC Party Head Offices in Toronto on February 20, 2018. Ontario's Progressive Conservatives say former leader Patrick Brown will not be eligible to run in the riding he was nominated in for the province's spring election.The party's provincial nominations committee says in a statement that Brown will not be allowed to run in Barrie-Springwater-Oro-Medonte. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris Young Mackenzie Cooper, 14, left and Cailynn Denoon hand over flowers in Ajax, Ont., on Thursday, March 15, 2018, to a police officer in a show of sympathy for the victims of a triple slaying. Canadians across the country should remember that they have a role to play in preventing tragedies like the recent domestic-related slaying of an Ontario mother and two of her teenage children, gender-based violence experts said Friday.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Colin Perkel A national political adviser has suggested establishing aerial traffic police teams to help regulate the boom in drone flights. "In the same way that traffic police look for traffic violations, aerial traffic police are needed to discover flight violations and enforce the law accordingly," said Wu Renbiao, a member of the 13th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference and vice-president of Civil Aviation University of China in Tianjin. A drone delivers food in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, February 26, 2018. [Photo: VCG] Managing unmanned flying drones is a worldwide challenge, Wu said. To address the problem, local governments, backed by investment from central authorities, could build systems for monitoring drone flights, he said. "The management of unmanned drones involves many ministries," Wu said. "The Air Force now monitors illegal drone flights, but without local jurisdiction it's hard to enforce the law. By the time the Air Force has told local police, the drones have already flown away." The development of unmanned flying craft has boomed since 2014. China produced nearly 450,000 drones in 2016 and was expected to reach 500,000 in 2017. "There are around 3 million drones worldwide, 75 percent of which were made in China," Wu said. Cooperation between ministries should be promoted but, more practically, local governments should shoulder the responsibility, Wu said. Drones with high-resolution cameras are becoming more affordablea popular model costs about 3,000 to 4,000 yuan ($450 to $650)and can be purchased online. The Civil Aviation Administration of China reported 19 illegal drone flights at Chinese airports in May last year that affected 326 commercial airline flights. Eleven of those incidents took place at Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport, delaying the flights of more than 10,000 passengers. Since June, incidents of drones interrupting civil aviation have prompted the introduction of regulations requiring drone manufacturers to incorporate geofencingglobal positioning or radio frequency identification to define a geographic boundaryin their products, along with real-name registration of drones that weigh more than 250 grams. The administration has developed two cloud computing systems, U-cloud and U-care, for unmanned aerial vehicle flight registration and monitoring. According to Xinhua News Agency, there are around 20,000 unregistered unmanned aerial vehicles in China. A draft regulation on the management of drones was published by the CAAC in February. The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology of China released a guideline in December to encourage and regulate drones. A local environmental group is giving local students the chance to get money for college, while also finding ways to better our environment. The Rio Grande International Study Center is hosting a special essay contest to help students get scholarships for college. Winners of the contest will receive a scholarship from the RGISC Luis Zapata Scholarship Fund to be used toward college tuition. The first place winner will receive a $1,000 scholarship from the nonprofit. Director Tricia Cortez encourages all graduating high school students to apply for the scholarship. Students will need to write an essay on ways to protect the Rio Grande as it serves as our only source of drinking water. To learn more on how you can sign up, contact the RGISC at 718-1063. For more information click files.constantcontact.com/13b1fdc6201/15befb90-eed3-46ab-91fc-8ad00c7a0be5.pdf">here . MASON CITY, Iowa Many people will have to make alternative plans Thursday night due to Community Kitchen in North Iowa being closed. According to Community Kitchen, a leak was discovered at 7 a.m. and covered the floor in about a half inch of water after a pipe broke. They say around 300 gallons of water spilled, prompting the building to be closed Thursday. Joe Coile of Mason City says he doesn't rely on the community kitchen, but uses it as more of a social time. "I don't plan my meals around it, I don't depend on it that much, it is just nice to have," he said. "I go here a lot for social." Community Kitchen plans to reopen Friday. CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa Two Winneshiek County brothers are going to federal prison on gun and drug charges. 24-year-old Cole Breitsprecher and 22-year-old Kaleb Breitsprecher, both from Ossian, were arrested in July 2017 after a multi-agency investigation involving local, state, and federal law enforcement. The brothers were accused of selling drugs to undercover agents in April and May of 2017. When they were arrested, the Breitsprechers were found in possession of Bushmaster rifles with multiple high-capacity magazines. Cole Breitsprecher Cole Breitsprecher Cole Breitsprecher pleaded guilty to distribution of furanyl fentanyl and possession of a firearm as an unlawful drug user. Kaleb Breitsprecher entered a guilty plea to distribution of heroin and possession of a firearm as an unlawful drug user. The Breitsprechers endangered the entire community by unlawfully possessing guns while using drugs, said United States Attorney Peter E. Deegan, Jr. They also sold heroin and furanyl fentanyl, presenting a grave risk to everyone who bought these incredibly dangerous opioids. Each brother has been sentenced to three years and 10 months behind bars, with a $5,000 fine, and three years of supervised release. FOREST CITY, Iowa Eight criminal charges have been filed against a North Iowa man. Police say it due to an incident on March 6. 46-year-old Kurt Neil Gabrielson of Forest City is accused of entering someone elses home in the 700 block of N 9th Street in Forest City. Police say he demanded the resident give him her car keys. She refused. Gabrielson then allegedly went to another home and threatened the womans son that he would kill him if he didnt give Gabrielson all his money. Gabrielson did reportedly steal the sons cell phone before leaving the home. Police say Gabrielson was then walking east on O Street and came upon a woman sitting in her car and talking on her cell phone. Gabrielson reportedly told the woman to give him her phone or he would shoot her. The woman refused and told officers that Gabrielson yelled at her call the police because I am going to shoot them as well. A police officer says he then saw Gabrielson walking down the road and he stopped in front of the squad car. The officer says Gabrielson punched the hood of the car and when told to put his hands behind his back, the officer says Gabrielson put his hands in his pockets and acted like he was grabbing a weapon. Police eventually tackled Gabrielson and put him in handcuffs. Forest City police say when given a breath test at the Winnebago County Jail, Gabrielson showed a blood alcohol content of .185. That is more than twice the legal limit. Gabrielson is charged with 2nd degree burglary, two counts of extortion, assault on a peace officer, 4th degree theft, 5th degree criminal mischief, interference with official acts, and public intoxication. DES MOINES, Iowa- A bill many people that many people, including lawmakers, thought was not going to be brought up for conversation in the House this legislative session passed a subcommittee on Thursday. The fetal heartbeat bill, which stops an individual from getting an abortion after a heartbeat has been detected, was said not to be brought up for discussion as of Tuesday according to lawmakers. That bill was then attached to the fetal tissue bill, which limits the amount of fetal tissue that can be used for testing. Sara Strickler of Greene says she agrees that the bill needs to be passed, but doesnt like that it was attached to another bill. I feel like they are trying to put it in a loophole so they can continue to keep going with getting their way with more bills, she said. The bills still needs to pass the House and the Senate before heading to the Governors desk to become law. ROCHESTER, Minn. One person is in jail after a car chase Thursday night. 32-year-old Ryan Matthew Vangness of Canton is facing charges of fleeing in a motor vehicle, DWI, 5th degree possession of a controlled substance, and criminal damage to property. The Minnesota State Patrol says Vangness had been involved in a chase with Rochester police and the Olmsted County Sheriffs Office earlier on Thursday, then was spotted by a state trooper on U.S. Highway 52 around 9 pm. The Trooper says he tried to pull over Vangness, who sped away. The State Patrol says Vangness eventually drove over stop sticks put out by Rochester police and a trooper was then able to use a pursuit intervention technique to disable his car. The chase ended near the interchange of U.S. Highway 52 and Civic Center Drive in Rochester. The State Patrol says a female passenger in Vangness car is not facing charges. UPDATE: The doors at Ruby Tuesday in Mason City are closed for good. Staff tell KIMT they ran out of food Friday night and do not plan to re-open. Staff say their final night was a busy one with people coming in for one last meal. MASON CITY, Iowa - Staff at Ruby Tuesday in Mason City tell KIMT they will be closing their doors for good. Shift lead manager, Jessie McCready, says staff learned about the closure abruptly on Thursday afternoon. McCready, who has worked at the restaurant for 6 years, says they were shocked and saddened by the news. She says their goal is to stay open through Saturday but fear they will run out of food before then. McCready tells KIMT the previous owner sold the building to the owners of Las Palmas, a Mexican restaurant in Mason City. She says Ruby Tuesday opened in Mason City on December 20, 2010. ROCHESTER, Minn. Charges have been filed against two of the men arrested for a fatal shooting. 24-year-old Sao Yim Jr. of Rochester is charged with 2nd degree murder and possession of a firearm after being found guilty of a crime of violence. 25-year-old Eric Tyler Lee of Rochester is facing one count of aiding an offender to avoid arrest. Traequan Bamlounghong Traequan Bamlounghong Deante Stanifer Deante Stanifer They, along with 23-year-old Traequan Sayla Bamlounghong and 24-year-old Deante Jewel Stanifer, were arrested after Mondays killing of 40-year-old Ahmed Muafaq Abdulhu Al Naddf. According to the criminal complaint, the men were smoking marijuana at an apartment at 2802 Charles Court Northwest. Yim reportedly told the others he saw his car get hit by another vehicle on the street below. After the minor collision, police say the four men left the apartment and confronted Al Naddf. During the argument, Yim is accused of pulling out a black, semi-automatic handgun and putting it down to his side to try and frighten Al Naddf. Police say Al Naddf pulled out his cell phone like he was going to record the incident. Thats when Bamlounghong and Stanifer walked away from the confrontation. Police say Yim and Lee started to move away but Yim fired his handgun and killed Al Naddf. Yim and Lee reportedly started to leave but then returned and presumably took Al Naddfs phone. The Rochester Police Department says there is surveillance video of the shooting as it happened. Bamlounghong, Lee, and Yim were arrested together on Monday. Stanifer was picked up the next morning at a different location. Police say a search of the apartment complex found a .22 caliber handgun believed to be the murder weapon hidden in an upstairs bedroom heating vent. Officers say they also found Al Naddfs cell phone. While being interrogated by police, Yim reportedly denied any involvement in the shooting while Lee allegedly admitted being at the scene but said he didnt see who fired the shot and denied taking Al Naddfs phone. Online court records do not show any official charges against Bamlounghong or Stanifer but the Olmsted County Adult Detention Center website lists them as still in custody for 2nd degree murder. Yim is being held on $500,000 bond. Lee is being held on $75,000 bond. The Olmsted County Public Defenders Office has issued a statement that the complaints filed against Yim and Lee do not constitute evidence. They are accusations, and accusations alone. ALMA, Wisconsin A southeastern Minnesota man is going to prison for sexual abuse. 33-year-old Jacob Daniel Vogel of Winona pleaded guilty to 1st degree child sex assault and child enticement in Buffalo County, Wisconsin. Authorities say he abused a child under the age of 13 sometime in March 2016. He was arrested after an investigation by the FBI, the Buffalo County Sheriffs Office, and the Holmen Police Department. Vogel has been sentenced to 15 years in prison and 20 years of extended supervision. He must also register as a sex offender for the rest of his life. March 15 (Reuters) - Mines run by Glencore, Randgold Resources and three other international companies have quit the Democratic Republic of Congos chamber of commerce, saying the industry body does not adequately represent their interests after the introduction of a new mining law. The miners said in a joint statement that a team representing the companies had arrived in Kinshasa and would begin detailed talks soon with the government on implementation of the new rules signed into law last Friday by DRC President Joseph Kabila. The law, passed by parliament in late January, replaces an earlier code from 2002. It raises royalties on minerals across the board and removes a clause that protected miners from changes to the fiscal and customs regime for 10 years. International mining companies including Glencore, Randgold, Ivanhoe Mines, MMG and China Molybdenum have vigorously opposed the new law. Kabila has pledged to work with them while implementing it in Africas biggest copper producer. At least five mines - which churn out more than 85 percent of Congos copper, cobalt and gold production - resigned from the industry body, the joint statement said. (Reporting by Rahul B in Bengaluru; Editing by Maju Samuel) NEW YORK (Reuters) - A U.S. judge on Thursday dismissed a lawsuit against 16 big banks by retail foreign currency investors who claimed they were indirectly harmed by a conspiracy to rig prices. U.S. District Judge Lorna Schofield in Manhattan said the investors failed to show they had legal standing to pursue antitrust claims, or that the banks alleged conspiracy in the $5.1-trillion-a-day currency market was the proximate cause of their losses. The plaintiffs claimed they were injured by having bought currencies from dealers that did not rig prices, but which passed on the costs of the conspiracy. They said the conspiracy included the defendants alleged use of chat rooms with such names as The Cartel and The Mafia. A lawyer for the plaintiffs did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Fifteen of the 16 banks have settled similar litigation by other investors for $2.31 billion, with Credit Suisse Group AG (CSGN.S) being the holdout, court papers show. Bank of America Corp (BAC.N), Barclays Plc (BARC.L), Citigroup Inc (C.N), Goldman Sachs Group Inc (GS.N), JPMorgan Chase & Co (JPM.N), Royal Bank of Canada (RY.TO) and Royal Bank of Scotland Group Plc (RBS.L) are among the settling banks. All were defendants in the lawsuit dismissed by Schofield. Reporting by Jonathan Stempel in New York; Editing by Tom Brown (This March 14 story corrects paragraph 15 to add dropped words not and whether to show Pennsylvania has not provided funding) By Dustin Volz WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Pennsylvanias tight congressional special election underscores the need for states to replace aging voting machines and use paper ballots as backups to ensure the integrity of vote counts ahead of pivotal November U.S. midterm elections, election security advocates said on Wednesday. Democrat Conor Lamb led Republican Rick Saccone by only a few hundred votes out of nearly 230,000 cast in the closely watched U.S. House of Representatives election on Tuesday in western Pennsylvania. With many states using antiquated voting machines and with concerns about potential interference in U.S. elections by Russia or other actors, there is rising concern among experts about the need to safeguard American balloting. At the end of the day, the winners need be assured that they won and the losers need to know that they lost, said former Pennsylvania election official Marian Schneider, president of Verified Voting, a group that advocates for auditable elections. While there have been no issues raised about the integrity of the Pennsylvania race, election security experts said the razor-thin margin highlighted the importance of protecting voting machines from tampering, failure or human error. Whenever you are talking about computers, there are risks of tampering or programming error, Schneider said. In the face of federal inaction on election security, nearly every state has taken steps since the 2016 election to purchase more secure equipment, expand the use of paper ballots, improve cyber training or seek federal assistance, according to groups that track election security. Voting systems that do not produce a paper backup of a ballot, which election officials can use to check electronic tabulations, are more difficult to audit for signs of tampering or error, according to experts. The four counties where voters cast ballots on Tuesday are among the 50 Pennsylvania counties, out of a total of 67, that use voting machines without an auditable paper trail, according to Verified Voting. With paper, you can recount or audit that paper and carefully check the performance of the voting system, ensuring that the electronic result would match what a full hand count would show, said Joseph Lorenzo Hall, an election security expert with the Center for Democracy & Technology. Without a paper audit trail, any recount is just like hitting enter on the keyboard over and over again: You get the same answer and you have no clue if that answer is correct, Hall added. PROBING BY RUSSIA The Department of Homeland Security said last year that 21 of the 50 states had experienced initial probing of their election systems from Russian hackers and that a small number of networks were compromised, but that there remains no evidence any votes were actually altered. U.S. intelligence agencies previously concluded that Russia interfered in the 2016 election through a campaign of propaganda and hacking to help Trump win. Russia has denied this. Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf, a Democrat, last month issued a directive requiring new voting machines in the state to have paper records of votes cast. Pennsylvania has not provided funding for counties to buy new equipment, making it unclear whether existing systems will be replaced before the November elections. President Donald Trump, who in the past has raised questions about the integrity of American elections, endorsed the paper backups in elections as useful to protect against Russian meddling. Trump said at a news conference last Thursday that its old-fashioned, but its always good to have a paper back-up system of voting. But Congress, controlled by his fellow Republicans, has not provided funding to states to upgrade voting machines. Democrats have introduced election security legislation and called for congressional hearings. Congressional Republicans have not acted on warnings from senior U.S. intelligence officials who said Russia is likely to target Novembers midterm races in which Democrats are trying to seize control of the House of Representatives and Senate. Some experts have warned that voter confidence could be undermined if states do not install newer machines that can be audited with a paper trail. New Jersey, Delaware, Georgia, Louisiana and South Carolina have no verifiable paper ballot backup across their states, though some are looking to purchase systems that provide such audits. Eight other states, including Pennsylvania, have some electoral districts without paper backups. Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. Help pick the 10 plants that changed Tennessee By Patricia McDaniels, pmcdaniels@tennessee.edu To the vegetable geek, it is not actually late winter or early spring, it is quite simply seed starting season. So, as the heat mats and grow lights come out, and the peat moss starts flying, you might want to consider growing some beautiful small-fruited Valentine and Midnight Snack All American Selection (AAS) award winning tomatoes this year. University of Tennessee plant scientists are working on a project to list the ten plants that have most influenced Tennessee. The list will form the basis of K-5 curricula that span across several subjects including biology and history. Want to participate? Submit your plant nomination at tenplants.tennessee.edu. Photo composite courtesy UTIA. KNOXVILLE - Do you have an opinion about the beauty or utility of the states greenery? Researchers with the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture are accepting nominations to help determine a list of the 10 plants that have had the greatest impact on Tennessee. Imagine Florida without oranges or Georgia without peaches. The researchers are looking for nominations of the plants that most represent Tennessee. Members of the public are invited to submit nominations for the Top 10 Plants that Changed Tennessee. Participants may submit the name of a single plant that fits into one of 6 categories: food, economy, health, history, landscape, and spiritual or cultural. Plants will be judged by their impact either positive or negative across the states history. Your contributions will be more than just a fun exercise. Nominations will be evaluated by a panel of experts who will ultimately decide upon an official list of the 10 individual plants that have had the broadest impact on Tennessee. This information will then be used to create educational curricula for Tennessees elementary schools on a variety of subjects including biology and history. Natalie Bumgarner and Andy Pulte, faculty members with the UT Department of Plant Sciences, are heading up the project. Plants influence almost every aspect of our lives, said Bumgarner. We eat them, wear products made by them, and sometimes even choose where we live because of them, she said. Pulte said the project already includes a lesson plan for state teachers to get students in grades K-5 thinking about the importance of plants throughout the states history, including their importance to todays economy. The researchers sent a letter to teachers in mid February outlining class activities and asking teachers and students to submit nominations by the end of the school year. Nominations from the general public are open through July 31. We hope to have a definitive list for future curricula by the beginning of the next school year, he said. Jennifer Richards, a UT Extension 4-H curriculum specialist in the Department of Food Science, is also involved in the effort. The researchers ask everyone to take some time to ponder some plants, then go to the website tenplants.tennessee.edu and submit a nomination. The submission process is quick and easy, and participants may choose to receive follow-up information on the project by email. The University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture celebrates 50 years of excellence in providing Real. Life. Solutions. through teaching, discovery and service. Published March 16, 2018 Volunteers Needed for Ijams River Rescue April 7 KNOXVILLE - Sign up to volunteer for the 29th Ijams River Rescue and youll have some good clean fun on Saturday, April 7, from 10am to 2pm. Family volunteers to help clean up in the Ijams River Rescue. Image courtesy of Ijams Eolane Tallinn to Open New Manufacturing Site Published: 16 March 2018 by Chelsey Drysdale by Chelsey Drysdale TALLINN, ESTONIA Eolanes Estonia operations is moving into a new building here, where approximately 300 new jobs are expected to be created during the next few years, according to published reports. The new plant will increase floor space of the companys manufacturing to 11,000 sq. m. in three stages, with the first stage of 6,700 sq. m. to be commissioned in the fall. Operations and the companys 500 Estonia staff plan to move to the new location by the end of the year. The new site will manufacture communications equipment, LED lights for the automotive industry, and other electronics. "The new electronics plant was born out of the practical need to keep up with the pace of orders from the auto and telecom industries," Eolane Tallinn manager Antoine Yon said. "During the past three years, our revenue more than doubled. We need a bigger plant and more people to be able to grow. Eolane Tallinns revenue was 68 million last year, accounting for one-fifth of total group revenue. No financial terms of the move were disclosed. A frantic search and rescue operation is underway off the coast of Port Hedland in Western Australia's Pilbara region, after a helicopter pilot was forced to ditch the aircraft into the ocean. He suffered minor injuries and is being treated at South Hedland Hospital. Authorities have located some debris from the helicopter - a Eurocopter EC-135 twin-engine model - and urged any members of the public who find debris to immediately contact police. The other pilot's family have been told he is missing. Two pilots were on board the aircraft, operated by Aviator Group subsidiary Mackay Helicopters, when it ditched into the water 35 kilometres north of Port Hedland on Wednesday just before midnight. Camera IconMV Squireship, which was the destination of the helicopter. He notified harbour control, which advised AMSA. Four flares were seen in the search area shortly after the crash before a pilot vessel rescued one of the helicopter's crew members around 1am on Thursday. AMSA also detected a distress beacon from one of the helicopter's crew members. Seven aircraft, including AMSA's Perth Challenger jet, and seven vessels including four tug boats are involved in the search for the missing helicopter pilot today. The Australian Transport Safety Bureau says the two-engine EC135 helicopter had been dropping a marine pilot off on a vessel shortly before the crash. Pilbara Ports Authority said the helicopter was believed to have crashed near the end of the Port Hedland shipping channel. FMG chief executive Elizabeth Gaines said the company was "deeply concerned" one pilot was still missing after the crash. Top actor So Ji-sub stars in the new movie "To Be With You." He will also return to the small screen with a drama. / Courtesy of FiftyOne.K By Kim Ji-soo Heartthrob actor So Ji-sub, 39, has worked consistently throughout his career, but he often needs a "refresh period" between filming movies or dramas, which has kept his fans wondering what this top actor has been up to these days. So returns with "Be With You," a romance film co-starring the heroine Son Ye-jin. Directed by Lee Jang-hoon, the movie's opening on March 14 was timely as it coincided with "White Day" which in Korea is considered a day for men to gift women candy as a token of their affection. "It feels good to star in a romance film that has a good, warm-hearted feeling," So said in an interview held last Friday. In a way, it evoked memories of his first love, which was in his first year in high school, he said. "Be With You" is a remake of the 2004 Japanese film based on the namesake novel by Takuji Ichikawa. It's about Woo-jin, played by So, and his wife, played by Son. The wife returns a year after her death when the summer rain starts to fall. The two fall in love again, but she leaves again when the rainy spells end. Naturally rain its sound, sometimes soft, sometimes ominously belligerent is an effective tool for this story about love, destiny, family and death. So said he was cautious to compare the Korean film with the Japanese source material. Nevertheless, he said the Korean film has more humor, and the focus leans toward family. As for humor, there was plenty as veteran supporting actor Ko Chang-seok plays So's lifelong friend. Indeed the audience laughed along throughout the film. So said he had been most worried about his role in the film as a father, appearing together with a son. However, those concerns have been relegated to the past. Child actor Kim Ji-whan carried off a superb balance among all the adult characters. "I hope the viewers will say So looks comfortable in that father role, appearing together with the young son," he said. "Be With You" faces direct competition with another domestic film "Cheese in the Trap" starring top actors Park Hae-jin and Oh Yeon-seo. Asked how he wants to fare in the competition, So said he hopes that both works would do well at the theaters. "When movies do well at theaters, it means that we are able to make further works," So said. So far, "Be With You" is rallying at the top, followed by film "The Vanished." Having reached close to 40, So hopes to marry someday but doesn't know when that will be. "I am not what you would call an avowed single." While filming the movie, there weren't that many blooper scenes, prompting the reporters to ask him if the chemistry between the actors was that good. On his co-star Son, So said it was the first time for the two to reunite through a creative work in 17 years. "That played a role. But also, I do not like to go for repeated takes, just one rehearsal and then the take. My thinking is that too many takes can feel contrived," So said. He took the same line of thought in particular for the swimming scenes. So's character is a former swimmer who suffered an injury; coincidentally the actor was a professional swimmer for 11 years before he turned to modeling and acting. There is indeed a speedy pace in his swimming scenes the audience will appreciate. Asked what roles fit him best, So said he did not want to typecast himself. "It's up to the audience to determine what role I shine in but also I don't want to do only what I can do well," he said. He returns to the small screen in the second half of the year in a drama tentatively titled "Terius Behind Me." It will be his first television drama since 2015's "Oh My Venus." Having started out as a model, So's breakthrough work came first through the small screen in 2004, when he starred in "What Happened in Bali" and "I'm Sorry, I Love you" with his soulful -eyed characters. He also got his movie break in 2008 with "Rough Cut." Asked if in real life, just like in the movies, he might have a chance to be reunited with a deceased love one, So said. "It's not going to happen in real life. But I think ... we would have a cup of soju together." By Yoon Ja-young While the government is expected to discuss raising property taxes at a special committee, it won't be easy to reach a consensus as resistance by taxpayers is will be inevitable. Strategy and Finance Minister Kim Dong-yeon recently said that a special committee on fiscal reform will be launched soon to examine overall tax policies of the Moon Jae-in administration. Based on a tax reform plan, the committee will also set up long-term guidelines for fiscal policies. The liberal administration is likely to increase fiscal spending especially to tackle the country's low birthrate and expand overall social welfare spending. The committee is especially getting the spotlight as it is expected to discuss raising property taxes. Those who support the property tax hike say that the tax is small here compared with other Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) member countries. The ratio of real estate property tax to gross domestic product (GDP) stands at 0.8 percent in Korea, which is lower than the 1.1 percent OECD member average. President Moon Jae-in also mentioned this in his book, arguing that it should be raised to the average OECD level. Experts generally agree that the property tax burden is lighter in Korea compared with other developed countries. According to Lee Sun-hwa, a researcher at the Korea Institute of Local Finance, the effective property holding tax rate of Korea stood at 0.156 percent, which is only one third of the average 0.435 percent of 13 OECD member countries compared in the report. The effective holding tax rate measures the ratio of property tax to the total market capitalization of real estate properties possessed by the private sector. Voices supporting property tax hike got louder following steep hike of apartment prices, especially in upscale southern districts of Seoul. According to Real Estate 114, a real estate market information provider, apartment prices in Gangnam-gu averaged 43.26 million won per 3.3 square meters as of February, jumping 12.5 percent from last July when it averaged 38.44 million won. An analysis on housing market trend data by KB Kookmin Bank showed that apartment prices of 11 southern districts rose 42 percent during the past four years. However, the administration is cautious as any tax hike could discourage voters. The former Roh Moo-hyun administration, whose ideology has been inherited by the current administration, had raised the tax steeply by introducing a "comprehensive real estate tax," but it faced criticism that it was throwing "tax bombs" at home owners. Market watchers say that the government should raise the "official" value of real estate first. The government uses these officially appraised values for taxation, but they reflect only part of the market price. "The official value of apartments in Seoul used by the government stood at only 66.5 percent of their real prices. They are seriously compromising justice in taxation," said Prof. Jeong Se-eun at Chungnam National University. While Korea's property holding tax is low compared with other countries, experts say the government should consider lowering the real estate transaction tax. According to Lee, the effective real estate transaction tax rate was 0.21 percent, nearly double the average 0.113 percent of nine OECD member countries whose data was available. Fundamentally, there won't be real estate speculation if there are better investment tools. "The government should make efforts to get excess liquidity in the real estate market to flow into more productive sectors," said Kim Cheon-gu, a senior researcher at the Hyundai Research Institute. By Yoon Ja-young The National Pension Service (NPS) will hand over much of its voting rights to a private committee, to prevent them from being abused by the government or politicians. The Ministry of Health and Welfare said Friday it had revised guidelines on how the NPS should exercise its voting rights in businesses where it holds a stake. The NPS has an investment committee, but there has been criticism that it lacks independence since it is composed of members of the NPS. It thus plans to empower a special committee on voting rights, which comprises experts from the private sector. The eight members, recommended by the government, National Pension subscribers and academia, will make decisions on the over 600 trillion won fund. A previous special committee handled voting rights issues only when requested by the NPS. Following the revision, however, the investment committee will hand over their voting rights to the special committee if the latter requests it. The special committee will thus decide how the NPS should exercise its voting rights on major issues at general shareholders' meetings, such as appointment of directors or mergers. "During the merger between Samsung C&T Corp. and Cheil Industries, a controversy arose as the investment committee within NPS decided on the issue without handing it over to the special committee. It was the same with KB Finance's outside director appointment," Health and Welfare Minister Park Neung-hoo said. The two affiliates of Samsung Group decided the merger in 2015, despite opposition by some shareholders that the deal aimed at easing transfer of the group's control within the owner family. There has been suspicion that the NPS, which was the single largest shareholder of Samsung C&T, voted in favor of the deal after pressure from Cheong Wa Dae and then Health and Welfare Minister Moon Hyung-pyo. The decision was made at the investment committee within the NPS, instead of the special committee on voting rights. This became part of the corruption scandal involving former President Park Geun-hye and her confidant Choi Soon-sil. The minister said the government does not want to intervene in the NPS. "It is of the utmost priority to have transparency and independence in the NPS' decision-making process so that we can gain the trust of people." He added that the NPS is considering adopting a Stewardship Code. This is a set of guidelines for shareholders to exercise their voting rights, which encourages institutional investors to participate in management decisions of the companies they have invested in. He said a determination will be made in July. The minister said that the NPS aims at regaining trust. "We should have productive discussions on topics such as long-term financial targets and pension plans. There should be a social consensus so that we can improve the sustainability of the pension fund," he added. Cover of the book "Korean Food 102" / Courtesy of Baramgil American author unveils 'Korean Food 102' By Kwon Mee-yoo Adrian Mascho Food is an important part of a culture and Korea is no exception. Korea has a lot of unique food and there is a tradition of having steamed rice with side dishes as a daily meal. A new book "Korean Food 102" gives an introduction to the food culture of Korea from the perspective of an American who lived in Korea for 11 years, complete with colorful and detailed illustrations. Adrianne Mascho, who majored in cello in the States, arrived in Korea in spring 2007, originally just for a year to teach English. "My life in the States was boring, so I came to Korea looking for an adventure. Then I never went back," Mascho said in an interview with The Korea Times, Tuesday. "I've always tried to explain Korean food to my family and friends in America and now is my chance to explain how unique Korean food is in detail." She already had some Korean friends from university and visited Korea during a mission trip to Indonesia in 2005, so she was not totally new to the country. Her memories from the first visit to Korea include a "jjimjilbang" (Korean dry sauna) visit, "hoejib" (Korean raw fish restaurant), squat toilets and indoor theme park Lotte World. "I was a bit traumatized, but not in a bad way," Mascho recalled. The idea of making a book about ordinary Korean food in English was initiated by publisher Baramgil's editor Park Soo-hyun. Park, who is acquainted with Mascho, asked her to write short English descriptions of the food. When Mascho received the list of 102 Korean foods from Park, she had already tried them all. Among the list, Mascho started with writing about mandu (dumpling) and continued on to various items from "bungeobbang" (fish-shaped pastries with red bean filling) and "gimbap" (seaweed-wrapped rice roll) to "gopchang" (intestines of cows or pigs) and "dosirak" (packed lunch) from convenience stores. Some of the descriptions are pretty straight forward, while others reflect Mascho's wild imagination. For "banana uyu" (banana milk), she wrote about the geometry of the bottle's shape. She wrote a short novel on gopchang, inspired by her first experience tasting the chewy intestines, which she named "the fourth meat." Mascho allotted a hefty two pages to "tongdak" (fried chicken) accompanied with beer. "Korean fried chicken is so good, it will make you want to consider abandoning your family and moving to Korea," she writes. For "beondegitang" (silkworm pupae stew), Mascho wrote a poem -- "Other guys eat fish and fries, but you've surpassed those other guys. From dangerous things you've never shied." A page from "Korean Food 102" introducing "baekban" (home-style meal with side dishes) / Courtesy of Baramgil By Robert Neff In May 1899, superstition and modernization clashed in the streets of Seoul. The country was suffering from a severe drought and some Korean leaders, who objected to modernization, used the superstitions of the common people to blame the American-owned Seoul Electric Railway for the lack of rain. They insisted the electrical wires interfered with the spirits governing the rain while others argued the electrical plant's power house had desecrated the hallowed ground upon which it was built and no rain would fall until it was removed. Others, probably after the streetcars began their test runs, claimed "the streetcars sucked away all the clouds, so the weather was dry." A visiting Englishwoman wrote: "the people of Seoul believe that underneath the city sleeps a great dragon, its patron and guardian. While I was in the country there was a great drought, and the people decided among themselves that the dragon was annoyed because the tram-lines recently laid down were pressing upon his tail, and so disturbing his sleep." Further exacerbating the tense atmosphere, the streetcars' motormen were all Japanese who were viewed with a great deal of superstitious suspicion. A drought in 1882 had been blamed on the Japanese legation in Seoul: the flag's sun symbol and the Japanese music "had effectually dispersed the wind and driven away the rain." That drought had ended after the Japanese were driven out of the city during the Imo Incident of July 1882. The streetcars began operating on May 17 _ Buddha's birthday _ and were fairly successful and without accidents, despite the large crowds of curious spectators. However, tragedy struck on the morning of May 26 when a streetcar, carrying the company's president and some of his guests, was involved in a fatal accident. "A car was running along at the usual slow rate of speed. A child, between probably eight and 10 years of age, ran across the track some distance ahead of the car. He got safely over and the car continued to move on. The father on the other side of the track called the child to come back to him. The child became frightened, ran into the car, was caught under the wheels and killed almost instantly." The grief-stricken father showed "the horridly mangled body" to the people and aroused in them a "wild, unrestrained fury and the howling mass of white clad humanity fell upon the cars, destroyed and burned some of them and drove off the Japanese employees with broken heads." The company insisted it was its "first serious accident" _ one that could not "be attributed to lack of carefulness, for had the father not called the child, he would not have ventured to cross and the accident would not have happened." The Japanese motormen were too afraid to work and returned to Japan. Streetcar operations were suspended for a few months until a group of American engineers and guards could be brought from the United States. Westerners _ especially women _ were encouraged to stay off the streets until the mob's fury abated. They didn't have long to wait; on May 31, it began to rain. Robert Neff is a historian and columnist for The Korea Times. He can be reached at robertneff103@gmail.com. North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un / Yonhap By Oh Young-jin If there could be lasting peace on the Korean Peninsula after two summits by the end of May, all three protagonists President Moon Jae-in, U.S. President Donald Trump and, yes, North Korea's young dictator Kim Jong-un would deserve a piece of this year's Nobel Peace Prize. True, we would have moral reservations about giving them the award. Receiving the greatest objections would be Kim, the grandson of the North's founder, Kim Il-sung, who led a southern invasion at the start of the 1950-53 Korean War. The third-generation dictator in the anachronistic dynasty has demonstrated his disdain for human rights, with gulags, cold-blooded purges and mass killings. Nobel Prize medallion / Nobelprize.org The thirty-something allegedly ordered his agents smear a deadly chemical on the face of his elder brother-in-exile at a busy international airport. He also had his uncle mowed down by fire from anti-aircraft guns. His father, Kim Jong-il, masterminded numerous terrorist acts, including blowing up a South Korean airliner. Under his watch, and toward the end of his life, the North staged a torpedo attack on the frigate Cheonan, killing 46 South Korean sailors. In Trump's case, the list of reasons for his disqualification is long, pointing to him being an elected dictator. These include allegedly getting help from an enemy state, Russia, in the election, suppressing freedom of expression, and going back on key international agreements such as the Paris climate accord and the Iran nuclear deal. And he is openly looking down on and antagonizing Muslims at the risk of triggering a clash. He treats women like sexual playthings. Why he is not on the #MeToo list is a mystery, although it is not entirely inexplicable. Giving him the Nobel Peace Prize is like endorsing Trump's misogyny and misanthropy. President Moon Jae-in / Yonhap For Moon, he has his share of detractors, although by comparison he is better qualified than the other two. He worked as a human rights lawyer, lacks any moral flaws to speak of and is playing a key role as an honest broker in bringing the leaders of the two archrivals to the negotiating table. But his attempt to reconcile with the North raises objections from the nation that saw millions killed, its infrastructure destroyed during the conflict 65 years ago and has been kept in a semi state of war since. But we have a lesson to learn from the first South-North summit in 2000. As a result of it and reconciliatory moves that followed, President Kim Dae-jung, the champion of the "sunshine policy," was given the Nobel Peace Prize in Oslo, Norway, that year. Then there were rumors that Kim Jong-il, Kim Dae-jung's northern counterpart, was upset and felt betrayed by the southern leader. Kim Dae-jung's policy faltered after U.S. President George W. Bush turned hard line but it remains debatable what would have happened if the North's Kim had been Nobel-recognized. The northern dictator might have stepped out of his cocoon and reached out to the world. By now the North could have turned into a normally functioning member of the international community or collapsed while opening up and merged with the South. Either way, the North's nuclear and missile programs would not have been much of a threat. U.S. President Donald Trump / Reuters Ri Yong-ho / Yonhap North Korea's foreign minister has left for Sweden to meet with his Swedish counterpart to discuss bilateral ties and issues of mutual concerns, the country's state media reported Friday. Ri Yong-ho's trip, confirmed by the North's state news agency, comes amid speculation that the North and the United States may meet in Sweden ahead of a proposed summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. The Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said in a short dispatch that Ri, who left Pyongyang on Thursday, will meet with Swedish Foreign Minister Margot Elisabeth Wallstrom to exchange views on ties and matters of mutual interests. Sweden's foreign ministry said, "The talks will focus on Sweden's consular responsibilities as a protecting power for the United States, Canada and Australia. "They will also address the security situation on the Korean Peninsula, which is high on the Security Council agenda," it said in a statement posted on its website. Ri, who arrived in Stockholm on Thursday, kicked off his two-day trip, which was also joined by Choe Kang-il, a senior North Korean official in charge of American affairs. Ri is said to have met with Sweden's foreign minister for dinner and talks. Trump has agreed to an invitation by Kim Jong-un to meet after a year of heightened tensions over North Korea's nuclear and ballistic missile tests. The summit, which Trump said would take place by May, would be the first between a sitting U.S. president and a North Korean leader. Sweden, which has an embassy in Pyongyang, has been frequently used as a communication channel between the U.S. and the North. Sweden is being cited as one of the possible venues for the U.S.-North Korean summit. There is speculation that the North and Sweden may have discussed the issue of the release of three Americans detained in North Korea -- Kim Dong-chul, Tony Kim and Kim Hak-song. Otto Warmbier, a U.S. college student, died last year shortly after being sent home from Pyongyang in a coma following a 17-month detention in the North. (Yonhap) By Jung Min-ho In an effort to maintain a peaceful atmosphere on the Korean Peninsula, South Korea will send a team of taekwondo athletes to North Korea next month. A high-ranking official at World Taekwondo (WT), which is helping the government organize the event, told The Korea Times Friday that the team would go to Pyongyang as early as the middle of April ahead of a South-North summit later that month. "A departure date and how long the team will stay there have not been determined yet," the official said. "We will make an official announcement soon." The preparation came after North Korea's young leader Kim Jong-un asked for such an event when he met South Korea's special envoys in Pyongyang last week. A South Korean art troupe will also visit North Korea's capital, but it is unclear whether the troupe will go at the same time as the taekwondo team. Because of WT President Choue Chung-won's tight schedule, it is possible and more likely that the art troupe will visit and perform first. Kang Sue-jin, a world-renowned former ballerina and director of the Korean National Ballet, might take charge of the art team after Kim Yong-nam, North Korea's nominal head of state, suggested at a luncheon organized by Prime Minister Lee Nak-yon last month that Kang should do so. Meanwhile, WT said it would continue to help bring South and North Korea closer through many taekwondo events overseas. President Moon Jae-in and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe agreed on the need to strengthen cooperation for denuclearization of North Korea, during their phone call, Friday. / Yonhap By Kim Bo-eun Seoul, Tokyo and Washington need to strengthen cooperation so that North Korea's statements on denuclearization will develop into concrete action, South Korean President Moon Jae-in and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe agreed in a telephone conversation, Friday. They had the phone talk ahead of inter-Korean and Washington-Pyongyang summits over denuclearization of the North, slated for April and May, respectively. Japan has apparently raised concern that it may be sidelined over the North Korea nuclear issue. "Moon told Abe that peace on the Korean Peninsula will not be achieved only through a summit between the two Koreas," presidential spokesman Kim Eui-kyeom said. "He said North Korea needs to improve relations not only with the U.S. but also Japan, for progress in inter-Korean relations." Abe delivered the expectation of a possible summit between him and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, as an extension of Pyongyang's talks with Seoul and Washington, according to the spokesman. "The two leaders agreed on cooperation to resolve issues surrounding North Korea and Japan, including Japanese nationals abducted by North Korea." Moon and Abe also agreed to hold a trilateral summit with China as soon as possible, and to seek separate South Korea-Japan bilateral talks as well with Moon visiting Tokyo. Cheong Wa Dae said it has not been decided whether the trilateral summit or the bilateral talks will be held first. This was the 10th phone conversation between the two leaders since Moon's inauguration in May. They had their last bilateral talks Feb. 9 when Abe came to the South for the opening ceremony of the PyeongChang Winter Olympics. Gov't gearing up for inter-Korean summit Presidential chief of staff Im Jong-seok, left, presides over an inter-Korean summit preparation committee's first meeting at Cheong Wa Dae, Friday. The committee, launched a day earlier, is set to make contact with Pyongyang as early as next week about the summit, which is slated for late April. / Yonhap By Lee Min-hyung U.S. President Donald Trump Voters approved the project in a referendum in September, but the Supreme Court found that the government's fierce backing of the plan had breached campaign rules in ways that might have influenced the result of the election. "I made this decision because it is necessary to know what is right and what is not". Miro Cerar said he sent his resignation to parliament and will formally notify the president Thursday. "Cerar promised he would see to it that the government takes care of the day-to-day business and pressing matters and to preserve peace and stability in Slovenia until a new government is elected", the government said in a short statement. The move means that Slovenia's parliamentary elections, which were due in early June, will be held a few weeks earlier. The government planned to build a 27-kilometer (16.8-mile) railway line between the Italian border city of Divaca and the state-owned Adriatic seaport Luka Koper. The project was the biggest in the centre-left government's investment programme, and opponents were concerned about the 1bn cost. But some were concerned the billion-euro price tag on the project was too high and that the government had given itself a leg-up in the campaign. In its ruling on Wednesday, the Constitutional Court annulled the result of the referendum said it had annulled the referendum's ruling because the government had not acted impartially when it spent public money to back a "yes" vote for the scheme. Many schools in Slovenia were closed Wednesday as teachers went on strike for the second time in a month. It ordered a new referendum. You can sign up to receive it directly here. By Kim Rahn South Korean President Moon Jae-in and U.S. President Donald Trump have pledged close cooperation in every stage toward North Korea's nuclear disarmament, Cheong Wa Dae said, Friday. Moon said he would make efforts to dismiss concerns over repeating past failure in dealing with North Korea's nuclear issue. The two leaders talked about the Korean Peninsula issue over the phone, ahead of an inter-Korean summit slated for late April and a Washington-Pyongyang summit in May. Moon and Trump agreed to cooperate closely in every stage toward denuclearization to encourage North Korea to take actions for the goal. By Oh Young-jin Jung-gu District in central Seoul will spend 830 million won (about $780,000) this year to provide native English-speaking teachers at all its primary and secondary schools in the district. The budget also includes the purchase of books written in English. English immersion tours will be given to six graders in addition to third, fourth and fifth graders. The district has 17 primary and secondary schools, but 10 of them do not have an education office-supported program to provide native English teachers. The district office will pay for the 10 to have native teachers as well. Only six local governments help provide native-speaking assistant teachers in schools. The schools will be subsidized to purchase English children books. Students will be able to read them, write reviews or engage in debates to improve their English proficiency. By Kim Jae-heun An Air Busan flight from Gimhae International Airport to Japan returned from the runway before takeoff Thursday after a 35-year-old man assaulted a crew member for accidently scratching his hand. The plane returned to the departure gate and the assailant, surnamed Kim, was handed over to waiting police officers. Due to the incident, it departed 50 minutes behind schedule, with 180 passengers on board. The Air Busan flight, which was supposed to leave for Osaka at 4:45 p.m., was on its way to the runway when the pilot was informed of the incident and turned the aircraft around. According to Air Busan and Gimhae International Airport, Kim asked a flight attendant to put his travel bag and coat in an overhead locker. While taking the coat, the crewmember allegedly scratched Kim's hand and he got upset. The flight attendant apologized right away and left, but when she returned to explain about safety procedures, Kim punched her left arm twice and began choking her. Police revealed that Kim was an ethnic Korean from Japan, and while having a Korean passport he does not speak Korean. Kim is currently undergoing questioning through an interpreter. Airport Police said Kim can be charged with assault and interfering in the cabin crew's duty, which carries a maximum prison sentence of 10 years. "Our flight attendant apologized profusely after she accidently scratched the man's hand, but he seemed like he did not understand," an Air Busan official said. "I guess there was a miscommunication between the two, however, it was inappropriate for the man to assault our crew member. We handed him over to police right away." After questioning, Kim was handed over to the Busan Gangseo Police Station. By Gwynne Dyer Rex Tillerson did not suffer fools gladly. He called Donald Trump a "moron" in a private conversation after one meeting at the Pentagon, and did not take the opportunity to deny it when a journalist asked him in public. In meetings with the president, he would "roll his eyes and slouch" whenever Trump said something he thought was particularly stupid. It's amazing that he lasted as long as he did. He wasn't a very good secretary of state either. He gutted the State Department in the name of efficiency, and large numbers of experienced diplomats quit in despair as he "downsized" the organization. His only real achievement in his 14 months in office was to restrain Trump from doing some truly dangerous things like starting a major confrontation with Iran. But we'll miss him now that he's gone. Donald Trump used to enjoy dismissing people with a brutal "You're fired!" when he was doing reality television, but he seems to have problems doing it face-to-face. Tweets addressed to the world at large are more his style, with his actual victims left to find out from the media. But he is getting rid of the people who question his judgment at an impressive rate: 35 senior people have been fired or quit in little more than a year. The net effect of all this "turmoil" in the White House, unsurprisingly, has been to remove most of the people whose ideas, values, or experience and knowledge of the world led them to disagree with Trump's obsessions, his policies (to the extent that he has any), or just his whims of the moment. What's left, for the most part, are the yes-men and women. The most notable remaining exceptions are the three generals who hold high positions in the Trump administration: his chief of staff, John Kelly, the defense secretary, James Mattis, and the national security adviser, H.R. McMaster. But McMaster is widely rumored to be next for the chopping block, and even Kelly's willingness to continue shouldering the role of senior grown-up indefinitely is to be doubted. The era of adult supervision in the White House is coming to an end, and Donald Trump is more and more "free to be Donald." As he said on Tuesday, "I'm really at a point where we're getting very close to having the Cabinet and other things that I want." The Cabinet he wants is one that is entirely free from the constraints that were initially imposed on him by the Republican Party's establishment. He is a populist who cherry-picks ideas from anywhere, and no more a Republican than he is a Democrat. In fact, he once was a Democrat, and even considered trying to hijack the Democratic Party's presidential nomination before the 2008 election. In the end he hijacked the Republican Party instead, but it did try to rein him in by putting orthodox Republicans in key positions in his administration. His struggle to be free began with the dismissal last July of the Republican Party's choice as his chief of staff, Reince Priebus. It has ended in total victory in the past two weeks with the resignation of his chief economic adviser, Gary Cohn, and the firing of Rex Tillerson. Cohn resigned last week because of Trump's decision to impose steep tariffs on U.S. imports of steel and aluminum. The Republican Party has been a staunch supporter of free trade for the past half-century, and Cohn feared that the new tariffs were likely to cause an international trade war that would impoverish everybody. Trump doesn't care about that. "Trade wars are good," he said. "And easy to win." New Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is a hard-liner who shares Trump's obsession with breaking the international deal that stops Iran from developing nuclear weapons for the next 10 years. "When you look at the Iran deal, I think it's terrible. I guess (Tillerson) thought it was OK," he said. "With Mike Pompeo, we have a very similar thought process. I think it's going to go very well." So stand by for Trump to alienate all of America's main allies by sabotaging a treaty they worked very hard to achieve. Since he has swallowed Saudi Arabia's argument that Iran is an "expansionist" power that must be stopped, even direct military clashes between the U.S. and Iran, especially in Syria, become a lot more likely. And what about the unprecedented meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un that Trump agreed to last week (without consulting Tillerson)? In theory it's a good idea, because nuclear war on the Korean Peninsula is a very bad idea. But there are few people left around Trump who can steer him away from disastrous decisions. They can't even make him read his briefing papers. Gwynne Dyer (gwynne763121476@aol.com) has worked as a freelance journalist, columnist, broadcaster and lecturer on international affairs for more than 20 years. He is the author of "Climate Wars: The Fight for Survival as the World Overheats." By Albert R. Hunt Republican anxiety about the midterm congressional elections has been building throughout President Donald Trump's first year in the White House. Now it's about to explode. A Democrat was clinging to a 641-vote lead after all the votes were counted in a special congressional election in western Pennsylvania on Tuesday. In a heavily Republican district that Trump carried by almost 20 percentage points in 2016, that's a big problem for Republicans even in the unlikely event that a recount changes the result. The margin was slim, but the impact is likely to be outsized, showing national Democrats that political momentum is with them and creating heightened tension between congressional Republicans and Trump. The Democrat, Conor Lamb, is a 33-year-old former prosecutor and Marine who ran as a moderate unbeholden to Washington Democrats and without saying much about Trump. He led state legislator Rick Saccone, a devout conservative and Trump enthusiast. Trump twice campaigned for Saccone, including a visit on Saturday, and Republican-supporting groups poured in more than $10 million to try to save what they once considered a safe seat. Their apparent failure heightens their nervousness about the November congressional elections and suggests that Trump's popularity could be waning even among his hardcore base. As in previous recent upsets of heavily favored Republicans, notably a December special election that awarded an Alabama senate seat to a Democrat for the first time since 1992, Trump's support meant little. This may cause more House Republican departures on top of the three dozen who have already announced that they are leaving. It's also likely to tempt some GOP candidates to put more distance between themselves and Trump in an effort to appeal to independents and suburbanites, even at the risk of alienating conservative stalwarts who put Trump in the White House. Lamb's showing is certain to convince Democrats that they can win back the House in November. A victory would provide more than a psychological boost, generating money and encouraging new candidates in places where Democrats haven't yet fielded competitive challengers. The enthusiasm in Pennsylvania was with Lamb. He ran strongly in the Pittsburgh suburbs and cut into the usual Republican margins in small towns and rural parts of the district. It was a story much like the ones that have unfolded in dozens of elections since Trump's presidential victory, in statewide contests in Virginia, New Jersey and Alabama and in local races across the country where Democrats outperformed their previous showings and sometimes took over Republican-held seats. "The dynamics of the 2018 election continue to favor Democrats in a way that it hasn't for a long time," said Geoff Garin a leading pollster who conducts surveys for the Senate Democratic leadership. Smart Republican politicians like Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker have openly worried this is correct. The Pennsylvania race was an early test of the political impact of Trump's new tariffs on steel and aluminum. The imposition of the tariffs, quickly announced last week to the surprise even of some top White House officials, probably was accelerated to help Saccone in a manufacturing area with some jobs in steel. Trump has boasted that the tariffs will be a political winner in the Rust Belt, and both Lamb and Saccone supported them. But it didn't seem to have helped Saccone, and Garin said he has just completed polls in some trade-sensitive states that show no bump in Trump's popularity. "Voters views on Trump are pretty well fixed," Garin said. The outcome also may undercut Republican hopes that tax cuts passed by the Republican Congress in December will resonate with voters. In the final week of the Pennsylvania campaign, the poll-tested Republican advertising campaign downplayed taxes and stressed social issues like immigration and crime. Lamb opposed the Republican tax plan, charging that it gave too much to corporations and the wealthy at the expense of middle- and working-class voters. Lamb's profile fit well with a district with many culturally conservative union households and seniors. He tacked to the middle on social issues, said he would vote against Nancy Pelosi for party leader, and focused little on Trump. He embraced labor unions, vowed to oppose cuts in Medicaid, Medicare and Social Security, and called for more resources for education. The Ivy League-educated ex-Marine has deep roots in the community where his family held various political offices for years. The special election was called when the incumbent Republican, Tim Murphy, was forced to resign last fall after he urged a lover to have an abortion. The district is so reliably Republican that Murphy had run unopposed in the previous two elections. Mitt Romney carried it in 2012 by almost as much as Trump did four years later. Pending a confirmed result in the special election, Democrats need to pick up 24 seats to win a majority in the House; they are counting on at least three or four of the gains occurring in Pennsylvania. One won't be this district, which will cease to exist in its current form. The Pennsylvania Supreme Court drew new district lines to correct what it ruled was partisan Republican gerrymandering of the state's congressional districts. The newly redrawn district will be contested starting with party primaries in May primaries. Lamb is likely to run in an adjacent district against Republican incumbent Keith Rothkus in what will be a very competitive venue. Albert R. Hunt is a Bloomberg View columnist. He was the executive editor of Bloomberg News, before which he was a reporter, bureau chief and executive Washington editor at the Wall Street Journal. The above article was distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. US may use alliance with Korea as leverage Few South Koreans believe the United States will withdraw its troops from the southern half of the peninsula. This is because the U.S. military presence here is for its own strategic interests rather than the security of its Asian ally. Therefore, many think Washington would keep troops even if the two Koreas are unified. Despite such a belief, U.S. President Donald Trump made remarks hinting at a troop pullout from the South, although not without a condition. He implied that the pullout may come if Seoul failed to address Washington's trade deficit. The Washington Post quoted Trump as saying at a private fundraiser in Missouri, Wednesday, "We have a very big trade deficit with them, and we protect them." He continued, "So we lose money on trade, and we lose money on the military. We have right now 32,000 soldiers on the border between North and South Korea. Let's see what happens." (The correct number of U.S. troops stationed in the South is 28,000.) The remarks unnerved Koreans, although the White House immediately clarified that the president "did not suggest removing American forces from South Korea." The presidential office reaffirmed that the Trump administration remained committed to improving the U.S.-Korea trade relationship for the benefit of American workers. The clarification, however, seems to fall short of denying Trump's suggestion that he may link the U.S. military presence to the outcome of trade negotiations with the South. This indicates Washington will use the troop presence as leverage to extract as many concessions as possible by revising the Korea-U.S. Free Trade Agreement (KORUS FTA). In this context, Trump's allusion to the troop removal is nothing new. During and after his election campaign, he often described South Korea as a "free rider" in the defense alliance with the U.S. He has claimed that Seoul has paid only peanuts for maintaining U.S. forces here. He has also called the bilateral FTA a "job killing" deal. As far as South Korea is concerned, Trump's top priority is apparently not a security alliance. It is a trade deficit of $23 billion. He wants Seoul to do more to reduce the imbalance and help create jobs in the U.S. That is why he has decided to impose 25 percent and 10 percent tariffs, respectively, on steel and aluminum imports. He is targeting Korea because it is the third-biggest steel supplier to the U.S. He has already levied steep safeguard tariffs on Korean-made washing machines and solar cells and modules. Trump's trade protectionism based on his "America first" policy is cause for concern for the Seoul government. The policy increases fears that he might try to cash in on a U.S.-North Korea summit scheduled for May to maximize U.S. interests. What if Trump tells the Moon Jae-in administration to foot the bill for the outcome of the denuclearization summit? Former presidential spokesman Park Soo-hyun leaves the Democratic Party of Korea headquarters, Wednesday, after explaining his affair allegation to the party leadership. / Yonhap By Choi Ha-young KT&G CEO Baek Bok-in By Park Jae-hyuk The incumbent chief of KT&G has been re-elected to serve another three-year term as head of the nation's leading tobacco producer, despite strong opposition from the company's second-largest shareholder, the Industrial Bank of Korea (IBK). KT&G said Friday its shareholders approved the reappointment of CEO Baek Bok-in, during a regular meeting held at its headquarters in Daejeon. The 53-year-old has led KT&G since October 2015. The chief executive has built up his career at the company since 1993, having been in charge of business strategies, marketing, overseas businesses, manufacturing and R&D. He has been known for his aggressive overseas expansion into growing markets. Under his leadership, KT&G posted 1 trillion won ($935 million) in overseas sales last year, despite unfavorable export conditions due to the global economic slowdown and a strong won. He also pushed ahead with the launch of the company's heat-not-burn e-cigarette, lil, entering into fierce competition on the domestic market with Philip Morris' smokeless cigarette device, IQOS. In addition to the tobacco business, KT&G's red ginseng business had over 1 trillion won in sales in 2016. "With aggressive overseas expansion, KT&G will consolidate its position as a global enterprise. I will also maximize value for shareholders and contribute to the growth of the national economy, by establishing a balanced business portfolio with red ginseng, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics and real estate," he said. Observers attributed Baek's reappointment to foreign investors holding 53.16 percent of KT&G shares. When Baek was named the only candidate last month, people expected he would serve another term without difficulties. However, the IBK holding 6.93 percent of KT&G shares decided to vote against the reappointment, citing his alleged double bookkeeping activities and an unfair nomination process. The state-run bank also urged KT&G to appoint two more outside directors to check the existing executives. Given that the largest shareholder National Pension Service with a 9.09 percent stake claimed to be neutral and the Institutional Shareholder Services has backed the reappointment, however, 76.26 percent voted in favor of Baek during the shareholders' meeting. The IBK's request to increase the number of outside executives was rejected as well. After the election, the IBK said it will cooperate with KT&G for the company's global expansion. Manila (CNN Philippines Life) Its a good thing the sun adapted to our workshop, Reimon Gutierrez announces, commenting on the weather. Otherwise, our outer forms would have been sweating, and as for our inner forms, well He trails off, regarding his class of 20 students at the outdoor pavilion of Vargas Museum in the University of the Philippines Diliman. Hes just concluded his workshop on the philosophy of architect Rudolf Steiner, what he calls a non-verbal lecture that involves instructions on the molding of clay. He decides not to comment on the inner form. At the recent Artkitektura Exhibit Encounters workshop, students were instructed to take their mound of wet clay, provided by the workshop, and mold it by hand into a ball. Doesnt have to be perfect, Gutierrez tells the class, just as spherical as you can manage. They start to work at their stations, wooden tables covered in plastic vinyl, with three or four students to a table. A basin of water sits in the center. After, the students put down their clay spheres and view them from a distance, first their own, and then those of others. Someone whispers, Hers is good. Has she done this before? Gutierrez himself never asks this question, or suggests interest in the artistic or academic background of his students. Whether they are good with clay, or have ostensibly done this before, is beside the point. Gutierrez belongs to a school of thought attributed to Steiner, an Austrian philosopher and architect. This school of thought is called anthroposophy, developed by Steiner at the beginning of the 20 century. "When you design, the one thing that you always end up doing is compromise. I know that a lot of architects have the right ideas and all this, but it also takes a whole society to create good architecture," says Reimon Gutierrez, the architect and anthroposophist who led the clay workshop. Photo from ARTKITEKTURA/FACEBOOK Steiner described anthroposophy in 1924 as a path of knowledge, to guide the Spiritual in the human being to the Spiritual in the universe. Capitalization is Steiners. Time along this path is occupied by activities like the clay workshop, which functions as art therapy for ill and isolated individuals, writes Phoebe Alexander at Anthromed. The workshop takes place after a guided tour of the museums first floor, which has on display significant work by architects from around the world. They are achievements in living architecture, dynamic spaces designed to consider their guests and adapt to their needs. Randel Urbano of the Vargas Museum highlights Le Corbusiers Notre Dame Du Haut in France, the concrete and limestone Sagrada Familia by Antoni Gaudi in Barcelona, recreational spaces cast in bamboo by Jean-Marie Tjibaou in Noumea, and the U.K.s Gherkin. Scale models accompany the displays. There is a display on Rudolf Steiners Goetheanum in Switzerland that calls it a description of the spiritual world. The pilgrimage chapel Notre Dame du Haut by Le Corbusier in Ronchamp, France. It is an example of a living architecture, as its dynamic spaces were designed to consider their guests and adapt to their needs. Photo courtesy of ARTKITEKTURA FESTIVAL Spaces should be malleable in their purpose at a particular time, Urbano tells guests during the tour, echoing the ideals of living architecture. The exhibit argues that the places where we sleep, eat, and work must reflect their purpose, interact with the environment, pulse with life itself. Steiner himself was a proponent of this belief. According to Gutierrez, his clay workshop is this philosophys scale model. CNN Philippines Life spoke to architect, educator, and anthroposophist Reimon Gutierrez to discuss the Steiner philosophy, and how this relates to Philippine architecture. Below are edited excerpts from the interview. Youre an architect and you studied architecture in the Philippines. When were you first exposed to the Steiner philosophy? How old were you then? I was 33, I think. 34. I had a sudden attack of wanting for meaning. And so, I was searching for Whats the next step for architecture, after doing retail establishments and all of this. I said, there must be something else. Then one of the questions that really kept bugging me was how space would heal. I saw so many things happening in those days, the 90s. [There were] social ills and physical ills. But I also grew up in the era of martial law, and then you see examples of architecture of that time and how they were trying to create something that wasnt there. Very similar to whats presented in our exercise an inner and outer force. So this [exercise] simplifies that whole gesture. The Wild Reindeer Pavilion by Snhetta in Norway is another example of living architecture. The structure mirrors the curves of the surrounding Dovre Mountains. Photo courtesy of ARTKITEKTURA FESTIVAL Its scaled down. It scales it down to something you can touch and you can say, okay, now I know what they were talking about. What do local architects have to learn from the philosophy of Steiner? Whats something they can take away and use as practical advice to improve the state of architecture here in the Philippines? Thats a very loaded question, because when you design, the one thing that you always end up doing is compromise. I know that a lot of architects have the right ideas and all this, but it also takes a whole society to create good architecture. Please dont blame the architects for being so bad. Some of them really try, but some of them dont. Its a real inner-outer, and you always try to find the balance. So I guess for architecture to thrive, it really needs to find its own space in society, to thrive in this type of dynamic and be relevant. You seem like a very staunch critic of what goes on in society, and in politics too. Maybe not a staunch critic, but observer would be good. When you observe, you also become objective. I dont speak of it in terms of this is bad or good, but this is whats happening. Its journalistic, almost. Okay, yeah. Thats whats needed from us. We need to start seeing it as it is, rather than listening to what everyone says. Like in journalism. With fake news and all this, theres also fake architecture. Tell me about fake architecture. I guess when it loses its relevance. Like I said, you need to see what society really needs, and say, I want to contribute to that. "There must be examples of architecture thats true to all, like the sphere. You knew what the sphere was even before we started. I didnt need to explain what it was," says Gutierrez. "And if you looked at the class, everyone started doing it. The other [exercises], they really had to go deep within. They needed to, like, define it." Photo from ARTKITEKTURA/FACEBOOK Brutalist structures, like the Cultural Center of the Philippines or the Vargas Museum, are so clearly influenced by Western ideas that some would argue dont address the needs of locals. Is that something you refer to when you talk about fake architecture? Things like those are historical bookmarks. If you were reading the biography of humanity, these things would be important, in the same vein that the pyramids are important. Otherwise, youd keep doing the same thing. I would say that whatever happened to us on a national scale is also just as important for us as human beings. There must be examples of architecture thats true to all, like the sphere. You knew what the sphere was even before we started. I didnt need to explain what it was. And if you looked at the class, everyone started doing it. The other [exercises], they really had to go deep within. They needed to, like, define it. On an individual scale, how do you feel Filipinos can be appreciative of architecture, or become in tune with the spaces that we surround ourselves with? And is that even important? I think so. I think we really need to start learning how to share space ... Having said that, sharing is also in the protecting, not in the destruction of a place. Like trying to own something that should really be shared, for example. Like informal settlers. But also in the same vein, government and businesses do the same thing. We need more spaces where people could really collaborate and be in harmony, whether its for an hour or a day. Those meeting places are disappearing, especially where people are, like in cities. Kendallville, IN (46755) Today Periods of rain. Potential for heavy rainfall. Low 51F. Winds N at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 100%. Rainfall near a half an inch.. Tonight Periods of rain. Potential for heavy rainfall. Low 51F. Winds N at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 100%. Rainfall near a half an inch. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 16) The newly rehabilitated Boracay will have sprawling open spaces, greener structures, and a possible rail system if the government pushes through with the initial masterplan for its rehabilitation. Speaking to CNN Philippines, renowned urban planner Jun Palafox shared his vision for the island paradise -- including photos and videos of their "working concepts." The government has tapped Palafox and his team to help rehabilitate Boracay and fix environment woes in the world-famous tourist destination. So far, they have 33 recommendations to address issues including the island's transportation, sewerage, infrastructure, and waste management problem. Palafox said based on their initial plan, Boracay's land area will be 70 percent open space, and only 30 percent for establishments. Buildings must also be 50 meters away from the high-water level-- almost double the 25 meter easement currently enforced in Boracay. They should not be higher than coconut trees, and will not be allowed to have habitable space on the ground floor. The new and improved Boracay could also have a new railway, based on photos of the firm's "working concept" that showed photos of a monorail along their proposed transit corridors. Boracay will also have wider roads, railways, trolleys, and bike-friendly spaces. It will feature a three-meter wide access road to beach for public every four hundred meters. The team recommended a limit on the number of vehicles in the island and inventory of vehicles. For transportation, only battery-operated trikes, buses, monorails and cable cars must be allowed, Palafox said. It also revived proposals to connect Boracay to mainland Malay, Aklan via bridge or cable cars. To solve congestion issues, Palafox hinted a tourist cap may be in place. He said the volume of people and number of establishments on the island should be limited. The police, he added, should not allow tourists to enter if Boracay is getting overcrowded on peak seasons. Meanwhile, all big establishments and hotels will be required to have their own sewage treatment plants. Only 50 to 60 percent of Boracay establishments are compliant with the country's Clean Water Act. Palafox said the rehabilitation will be modeled from island country paradise Maldives. The Tourism Department will likely adopt and expand Palafox's masterplan, although it will still be subject to change. The masterplan comes as the government works to beat President Rodrigo Duterte's six-month deadline to clean up the island destination. An interagency task force composed of the Interior, Environment, and Tourism Department has studied proposals to temporary close the island and declare a state of calamity to rehabilitate it. Boracay has consistently been named one of the best islands in the world. It generated nearly P56 billion in revenues in 2017 alone. Last year, more than two million tourists visited the island, according to Malay Municipal Tourism office records. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 16) President Rodrigo Duterte was so mad that he punched a wall, Philippine National Police Director General Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa said as he recalled the day the President found out about the dismissal of drug charges against alleged drug lords. Dela Rosa on Friday said the incident happened at the Bahay Pagbabago, before their command conference with Duterte in Malacanang on Tuesday. Sabi niya sa akin... 'Bantay kayo kung makalaya yan.' Galit na galit siya. 'Bantay kayo kung makalabas yan,' Dela Rosa recalled. President's fingers on his right hand, during his visit in Cagayan province on Wednesday, were visibly swollen. The Palace has yet to confirm Dela Rosa's claim. But for the PNP Chief, that act by Duterte shows how serious the President is when it comes to running after alleged drug lords Kerwin Espinosa, Peter Lim, Peter Co, and others. Duterte will also look into the dismissal of charges, the president's spokesperson said. Fake drug war? The police chief hit back at Senator Antonio Trillanes IV for saying the dropping of cases against Kerwin and the others proves the administration's war on drugs is fake. The Senator added affluent drug lords are given due process and even exonerated while the poor who are suspected drug suspects are killed immediately. Dela Rosa said, "Sabihan mo si Senator Trillanes, 118 na pulis ko ang namatay, fake pa rin ang drug war na yan? 4,000 na ang namatay na drug offenders, fake pa rin ang drug war na ito? Ano ba ang standards niya ng katotohanan?" Dela Rosa also took a swipe at the members of the prosecution panel who junked the case against the alleged drug lords. The PNP chief said the panel could have warned the PNP Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) that they need to strengthen their case against Kerwin and other accused before dismissing the case. "Pwede nila sabihin na hindi sila duty-bound na mag-advise sa CIDG na mahina ang kaso ninyo. Pero dapat konsensya naman. Alam niyo naman na ito ay malaking drug lord," he said. The DOJ has formed a new panel to look into the PNP's motion for reconsideration and ordered the National Bureau of Investigation to look into possible irregularities the prosecutors may have committed when they junked the case. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 16) Pork barrel scam principal suspect Janet Lim Napoles has been provisionally placed under the Justice Department's witness protection program, Justice Undersecretary Erickson Balmes said Friday. She is under the Witness Protection Security and Benefit Program provisionally, pending an evaluation of her new affidavit, the contents of which have yet to be disclosed. The Witness Protection Program (WPP) seeks to encourage a person who has witnessed or has knowledge of the commission of a crime to testify before a court or an investigating authority, by protecting the person from revenge and from economic dislocation. Napoles' lawyers filed an urgent motion before the Sandiganbayan Friday morning to transfer her from her detention cell in Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig to the custody of the Justice Department. Stephen David, one of Napoles' lawyers, told CNN Philippines they expect the anti-graft court's decision within next week. He said Napoles has been placed under WPP since February 27. He also revealed Napoles filed new affidavits on what she knows about the controversial Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) or pork barrel which the Supreme Court declared unconstitutional in 2013. Napoles in May 2017 said she has been receiving death threats from former and current high-ranking officials, so she asked for protection. Her lawyer said this was also the reason why Napoles refused to tell all during the Senate hearings. "We have to understand the situation at that time she was in great danger, and she did not know what will happen to her so she just said 'hindi ko po alam (I don't know)'" David said. Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II earlier said he explored the possibility of turning Napoles into a state witness to shed light in the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) or pork barrel scam. Napoles' lawyers said she will only reveal big names involved in the pork scam if she turns state witness. But Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales said she will block any move to turn Napoles into a state witness, adding that its the Ombudsman -- not the Justice Department -- who will decide who becomes state witness in corruption and graft cases filed at the Sandiganbayan. Related: Ombudsman to block Napoles from becoming state witness Morales on Friday said Napoles' placement under the witness protection "has no effect on the cases under trial in court." Napoles faces several plunder and graft charges before Sandiganbayan divisions for alleged involvement in a 10-billion pork barrel scam. Napoles allegedly conspired with about 12 former lawmakers to divert public funds to her fake nongovernmental organizations. Apart from Estrada, former senators Juan Ponce Enrile and Bong Revilla were also tagged in the scam. Meanwhile, Napoles was acquitted also in May for the crime of serious illegal detention of her second cousin, whistleblower Benhur Luy. 'Crazy development' Some senators agree Secretary Aguirre failed to uphold justice with Napoles' inclusion in the witness protection program. Senator Bam Aquino noted the absurd instances the Department of Justice was involved in this week. He said DOJ's mandate is to enact justice and not protect criminal masterminds and drug lords. "Sa loob ng isang linggo, napalaya ng Department of Justice ang mga drug lord at naipasok ang reyna ng pork barrel scam sa witness protection program. Nasaan ang hustisya para sa mga biktima ng War on Drugs at para sa taumbayang nanakawan ng pinaghirapang yaman?" he said in a statement. [Translation: Within a week, the Department of Justice released drug lords and placed the pork barrel scam queen in the witness protection program. Where is justice for victims of war on drugs and the Prosecutors of the Department of Justice (DOJ) have dropped charges against alleged drug lords Kerwin Espinosa, Peter Lim, and others. The DOJ resolution was made public on Monday. Senate President Koko Pimentel said what happened was an unbelievably "crazy development." "Do some people in the DOJ really believe that Janet Lim Napoles is qualified to be a state witness in the PDAF scam which she herself invented organized and perpetuated???" he said in a statement. Magdalo Representative Gary Alejano and Aquino called for the resignation of Aguirre for his blunders. "I call on Secretary Aguirre to resign and spare the whole DOJ from further destruction and embarrassment. His failure to perform his duties with utmost competence and fairness has been a huge disappointment," Alejano said. Napoles' lawyer, meanwhile, said those who accuse that Napoles is the "pork barrel scam queen" should welcome this development instead since their allegation would mean she knows the people and transactions involved in the mess. "Are they not interested to know the real story behind pork barrel scam?" David said. He said Napoles may have knowledge of the scam but reiterated she is not the mastermind. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 16) The Philippines and Kuwait have finally approved the draft of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on the protection of Filipino workers in the Gulf state. Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello said labor officials of both countries agreed to sign the document in two weeks. He said the two-day long bilateral talks in Manila ended with the parties agreeing on contentious issues involving passports and employment contracts. On Friday night, Bello told CNN Philippines the countries failed to reach an agreement because of difficulty in agreeing on these issues. But in a later interview, Bello said: "Contentious issues were resolved, no more deadlock." He said the signing will most likely happen in Kuwait. This is the latest development in the government's fight for better protection of overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) in Kuwait. The signing of the deal was one of the conditions President Rodrigo Duterte had set to lift the deployment ban to Kuwait. The ban had been enforced following the death of worker Joanna Demafelis, whose body was found in a freezer last February. Bello said there is no guarantee the ban will be lifted once the MOU is signed because Duterte previously said he also wants justice for Demafelis before sending new hires to Kuwait. The officials agreed to allow OFWs to keep their own passports, or give them to the Philippine Embassy for safekeeping, to prevent employers from withholding the document. The workers will also get to keep their cellphones. Employers will not be allowed to transfer OFWs from one worker to another without the workers' consent. Both parties also agreed to provide a $400 net per month salary. The employer will open a bank account where salary will be deposited, as proof the OFW is being paid. Prior to the ban, Kuwait was a top destination for Filipino workers, with around 240,000 working there in 2016. The latest Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas data show remittances from Kuwait from January to November 2017 amounted to $735 million (P37.5 billion). CNN Philippines' Triciah Terada contributed to this story. Rome, March 15 - Expectations about non-performing loans should be discussed on a case-by-case basis, the European Central Bank said Thursday. The ECB expects banks to take from two to seven years to cover their NPLs, it said in an addendum to a report. Bank of Ireland Deputy Governor Sharon Donnery said there remained a problem with NPls and banks should be "realistic". photo: ECB chief Mario Draghi Rome, March 16 - President Sergio Mattarella on Friday led a ceremony to mark the 40th anniversary of the kidnapping of former premier Aldo Moro and the murder of five members of his security detail by the Red Brigades. Moro, a senior member of the once-dominant Christian Democrat party, was subsequently slain by the leftwing terrorist group after 55 days in captivity. Mattarella laid a wreath and uncovered a plaque in Rome's Via Fani, where the attack in which the bodyguards were killed and Moro was captured took place. Police chief Franco Gabrielli, Rome Mayor Virginia Raggi, Lazio Governor Nicola Zingaretti and outgoing Lower House Speaker Laura Boldrini also took part in the ceremony. Rome, March 16 - Premier Paolo Gentiloni will call British Prime Minister Theresa May on the crisis between the UK and Russia on Friday, sources at the premier's office said Thursday. Contacts have been continuous, they said, between Palazzo Chigi and Downing Street in a case which has shown the Italian government's "strong solidarity" with the British government and people. Foreign Minister Angelino Alfano voiced those sentiments to British counterpart Boris Johnson earlier Thursday. Palermo, March 16 - Italian finance police on Friday seized over 151,000 euros in assets from high-profile former magistrate Antonio Ingroia in relation to a probe into alleged misappropriation, sources said. The investigation regards the role the former chief prosecutor of Palermo had for Sicilia e Servizi, an agency providing IT services for the region of Sicily. Ingroia, who also had a brief and unsuccessful political career, was a liquidator for the agency and them became its administrator for a spell. The assets seized are equivalent to a 117,000-euro payment for Ingroia's duties as liquidator and around 34,000 in travel and expense reimbursements - money that Ingroia was allegedly not due, the sources said. A auditor for the agency is also under investigation, according to the sources. Milan, March 16 - A man got 12 years in jail Friday for raping two women in Milan last September and seven years ago. Salvadorean national Jose Balmore Argueta Iraheta, 28, linked to the South American MS18 gang, was found guilty of raping a 30-year-old Canadian tourist after pretending to be a taxi driver on September 17. He was also gound guilty of raping a woman on board a train travelling from Milan to Vignate on November 14, 2010. Rome, March 16 - Three Libyan ISIS militants were arrested in Libya Friday for kidnapping four workers from the Bonatti engineering firm, two of whom later died in a fire-fight. The three have reportedly confessed, sources said. Fausto Piano, Salvatore Failla, Filippo Calcagno and Gino Pollicardo were kidnapped in Sabratha on July 19 2015. Piano and Failla died on March 3 2016 during a firefight while they were being moved by their captors. Calcagno and Pollicardo were freed. The three are accused of kidnapping with a terrorist aim aggravated by the deaths of two hostages. The three are already in jail in Tripoli on other charges. They are Youssef Aldauody, the driver of the vehicle carrying the Italians when they were abducted, and Ahmed Dhawadi and Ahmad Elsharo. They have reportedly confessed the four were taken hostage to get a ransom to fund the terror group. photo: Failla (L) and Piano, the two killed Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 16) The Philippines has formally sent a letter of withdrawal from the Rome Statute, the treaty that governs the International Criminal Court (ICC). Philippine Permanent Representative to the United Nations (UN) Teddy Boy Locsin posted the letter on his Twitter account, which he delivered to UN Chef de Cabinet Maria Luiza Viotti Thursday evening. "The decision to withdraw is the Philippines' principled stand against those who politicize and weaponize human rights, even as its independent and well-functioning organs and agencies continue to exercise jurisdiction over complaints, issues, problems and concerns arising from its efforts to protect its people," the letter read. The letter also stated the country is committee "to fight against impunity for atrocity crimes." "The Philippines assures the community of nations that the Philippine Government continues to be guided by the rule of law embodied in its Constitution, which also enshrines the country's long-standing tradition of upholding human rights," it stated. Locsin added on his Twitter post: "It is my duty to give you this. A sad day but a day sure to come because human rights has been politicized. We resisted US pressure not to join until we finally signed on only to have it weaponized against our democracy fighting an existential threat from the drug trade." President Rodrigo Duterte announced the country's withdrawal "effective immediately" on Wednesday, March 14. He slammed the preliminary examination of ICC prosecutor Fatou Besouda against the country's war on drugs, and the "international bias" of UN Special Rapporteur Agnes Callamard and UN High Commissioner on Human Rights Zed Ra'ad al-Hussein against the human rights situation in the country. Earlier, the ICC clarified that their preliminary investigation, which was announced in February, was only a process of determining whether there is sufficient basis to continue with an actual investigation. ICC conducted the probe in response to a communication filed by Atty. Jude Sabio in April 2017. Sabio accused Duterte of "repeatedly, unchangingly, and continuously" committing mass murder. He said 1,400 individuals were killed by the so-called Davao Death Squad under the leadership of then Mayor Duterte, and 7,000 individuals were killed in the war on drugs since Duterte took office. Rome, March 16 - Three Libyan ISIS militants were arrested in Libya Friday for kidnapping four workers from the Bonatti oil infrastructure engineering firm, two of whom later died in a fire-fight. The three have reportedly confessed, sources said. Fausto Piano, Salvatore Failla, Filippo Calcagno and Gino Pollicardo were kidnapped in Sabratha on July 19 2015. Piano and Failla died on March 3 2016 during a firefight while they were being moved by their captors. Calcagno and Pollicardo were freed. "I knew we were in the hands of ISIS," said Pollicardo on Friday. "The network (of kidnappers) is probably wider," he said. The three are accused of kidnapping with a terrorist aim aggravated by the deaths of two hostages. The three are already in jail in Tripoli on other charges. They are Youssef Aldauody, the driver of the vehicle carrying the Italians when they were abducted, and Ahmed Dhawadi and Ahmad Elsharo. They have reportedly confessed the four were taken hostage to get a ransom to fund the terror group. The trio have reportedly confirmed that no ransom was paid for the Italians. Another 10 people allegedly took part in the abductions, all of whom died in the firefight. Bonatti are an oil and gas international general contractor with 70 years of experience in the service of the oil and gas and power industries, according to their website. Four members of the Bonatti board will appear before a preliminary hearings judge on March 27 on suspicion of culpable complicity in a culpable crime. Libya chief Dennis Morson got an OK from prosecutors to plea bargain a one year, 10 month term. photo: Failla (L) and Piano, the two killed Rome, March 16 - President Sergio Mattarella on Friday led a ceremony to mark the 40th anniversary of the kidnapping of former premier Aldo Moro and the murder of five members of his security detail by the Red Brigades. Moro, a senior member of the once-dominant Christian Democrat party, was subsequently slain by the leftwing terrorist group after 55 days in captivity. Mattarella laid a wreath and uncovered a plaque in Rome's Via Fani, where the attack in which the bodyguards were killed and Moro was captured took place. Police chief Franco Gabrielli, Rome Mayor Virginia Raggi, Lazio Governor Nicola Zingaretti and outgoing Lower House Speaker Laura Boldrini also took part in the ceremony. In his speech, Gabrielli lashed out at the 'rehabilitation' of the Red Brigades terrorist group on television. "Bringing them back into the spotlight today in aseptic television studios as if they were debating about the truth is, I believe, an insult to all of us and especially to those who have given their lives for this country," he said, speaking about members of the Red Brigades. He added that this is a sort of "perverse turnaround" in which "the roles and positions are mixed up. We must remember who was on one side and who was on the other". The head of the parliamentary commission tasked with investigating Moro's kidnapping and assassination, Giuseppe Fioroni, said in an televised interview on Friday that "Moro was killed with the terrorists looking straight at him in anger, with the first shots fired at pointblank range with him in a standing position" and that "it is unlikely that this happened in that garage as they claimed it had". A stand for a Rome plaque commemorating Moro was defaced in late February with the slogan "death to the police" and two swastikas on the outskirts of the Italian capital. Italy has seen an upsurge in neo-Fascist and racist incidents lately. In commenting on Gabrielli's words, Justice Minister Andrea Orlando noted in a statement that the anniversary of Moro's assassination was a chance to remember the man and "the reasons for his sacrifice, as important now as ever. Strengthening democracy, broadening the base and including pressures that emerge from society is a very topical issue and this was for Moro an ever-present reason behind his civil and political commitment." Rome, March 16 - Anti-establishment 5-Star Movement (M5S) leader Luigi Di Maio reiterated Friday that the populist Euroskeptic group was insisting on getting the Speakership of the Lower House after Italy's hung parliament sits on March 23. Meanwhile anti-migrant, Euroskeptic League leader Matteo Salvini denied reports of a rift with three-time former premier and media magnate Silvio Berlusconi, saying the centre right was "united" ahead of a call from President Sergio Mattarella, the arbiter of the government-formation process. Di Maio said the House Speakership going to the M5S was "essential" to "pave the way" for the abolition of 'vitalizi' parliamentary pensions. The M5S has long been waging a campaign to abolish these pensions, which can be accrued after a very short time in parliament. They are thus seen as the epitome of the waste and corruption that the M5S has always said it stands against, regarding other parties as inherently crooked. Di Maio said that the choice of the two Speakers - the other being in the Senate - was "crucial". This, he said, was because the officials are "the arbiters" of the parliamentary process. Di Maio spoke earlier this week to League leader Salvini, the other big winner of the March 4 general election, and observers think the rightwing populist League is likely to get the Speakership in the Upper House. The League scored an unexpectedly high 17.4% in the general election in a centre-right coalition that collectively got 37%, not enough for a parliamentary majority. Salvini's group overtook Silvio Berlusconi's Forza Italia (FI) party, which got just over 14%, and thus Salvini earned the right to be the coalition's premier candidate. The M5S got 32% of the vote, becoming Italy's top party by far and eclipsing the centre-left Democratic Party (PD), which slumped to its worst-ever result at just over 19% and prompted leader and ex-premier Matteo Renzi to resign. Salvini, for his part, said Friday that there were no rifts within the centre-right coalition ahead of consultations with President Mattarella on the formation of a new government. "There is total agreement with (Berlusconi's) Forza Italia and harmony on programme and intentions," Salvini said in a statement. Earlier this week Salvini suggested he was open to talking to the M5S on forming a new government but Berlusconi poured cold water on the idea. "As the leader of the centre right I speak and act in the name of all the allies," Salvini said. "We are working with them on a government team and programme, while I see that elsewhere it is not the same. "The PD argue among themselves and the M5S don't know what they want to do. "We continue on our road. We want to make parliament operative as soon as possible. "We await Mattarella's call". Rome, March 15 - League leader Matteo Salvini and 5-Star Movement (M5S) head Luigi Di Maio look to be moving towards an agreement on the Speakers of the new parliament after the former called the latter to discuss this issue on Wednesday evening. Salvini has said the Speakers should come from the "winners" of this month's general election, which produced a hung parliament. The anti-establishment M5S is the biggest single party after getting over 32% of the vote while the League is the lead party in the centre-right coalition - the bloc the got most votes combined with around 37%. "We agreed on the need to discuss the Speakers of the two houses while respecting the vote of the Italian people," Salvini said, adding that he had also called Maurizio Martina, the caretaker leader of the centre-left Democratic Party (PD), and former Senate Speaker Pietro Grasso, the head of the leftwing Equal and Free (LeU) group. Di Maio said the Lower House Speaker should be a M5S lawmaker. Electing new Speakers will be the first job of the new parliament. KITCHEN SHRINK: On the heels of St. Patricks Day, an old Jewish girlfriend from Canada called me excitedly, and hinted at her news with a melodic greeting: The top of the morning to you! After receiving the results from one of those DNA ancestry tests she just discovered that she was part Irish. Along with her newfound heritage thats shared by close to 80 million folks around the globe, my lassie now wanted a repertoire of Irish recipes to help pay tribute to her patron saint on March 17 and throughout the year. So, for my Irish friend and the rest of the worlds hibernophiles, heres a primer with 17 savory dishes, sweet treats along with hot and cold sips inspired from the Emerald Isle. Slainte agut! 1. Wake up to a hearty Irish breakfast of Guinness griddle cakes, an omelet with plenty of green vegetables including asparagus, arugula, peppers and broccoli, a rasher of back bacon, and a thick slice of brown buttermilk bread slathered with pure Irish butter. 2. Corned beef and cabbage is the iconic celebratory dish. Comfort food with a kick, you can prepare the beef brisket from scratch, curing for three days in a brine of spring water, pink salt, and sugar, then boiling in a slow cooker with a medley of pickling spices, such as, allspice berries, coriander and mustard seeds, red pepper flakes, ginger, and cardamom pods until fork tender. Add cabbage chunks during the last hour of cooking. Cut corned beef against the grain and serve family-style with roasted roots, rye bread and spicy mustard. 3. Colcannon, a traditional vegetarian dish has many regional variations, but is basically mashed potatoes blended with chopped kale or cabbage, scallions, milk, butter and seasonings. 4. An Irish stew whether prepared vegan-style with russet potatoes, carrots, turnips, and rutabagas; or with beef or lamb, and potato dumplings in a rich Guinness sauce is sure to please the palate of the most discriminating lad or lassie. 5. Shepherds pie a homey baked casserole of minced lamb, carrots and onions topped with a thick blanket of mashed potatoes is similar to cottage pie made with minced beef. The shepherdless pie is the vegetarian version with lentils and sweet potatoes. 6. Crispy, cheesy, chivey potato pancakes or boxty (the Irish version of Chanukahs latkes) are nicely fried to a golden brown in either butter or bacon fat. 7. Bangers and mash are grilled sausages over mounds of mashed potatoes and gravy. 8. Golden fish and chips (fries) with firm white fish like cod or halibut coated in a light and crispy Guinness batter, sprinkled with malt vinegar and served with a heap of green slaw is a nice change-up for pescavores. Other creative comfort foods with an Irish twist might include: 9. Grilled cheese rarebit slathered in Guinness gravy 10. Steak and stout pie 11. Wild mushroom risotto with Dubliner cheese 12. Dark chocolate and Guinness chili 13. Wild-caught salmon or seafood, like black mussels or deep-sea scallops in a citrusy Guinness broth. 14. Indulge in popular desserts like orange custard with rhubarb compote, chocolate potato cake, caramelized burnt oranges, Irish whiskey cake, shortbread biscuits, and Baileys cheesecake. 15. Irish Soda bread is in a class by itself. 16. Now, wet your whistle with some heady libations like a pint of Guinness, the Emerald Isles beloved brew, ruby red with delicate bubbles, a creamy foam, and a tangy, toasty flavor. Chug down a green-tinted stein, or use this iconic stout as the base for a pomegranate punch, margaritas, or Bloody Marys. 17. Or warm the cockles of your heart with a glass of authentic Irish coffee. In 1942 a flight bound for New York City returned to Foyne airport near Shannon, Ireland due to severe storms. Chef Joe Sheridan at the terminal restaurant offered weary passengers his enlivening concoction of hot coffee with Irish whiskey that he dubbed Irish coffee. A decade later this coffee percolated its way to the United States via restaurateur Jack Koeppler, owner of the famed Buena Vista Cafe in San Francisco. See the original recipe for Joes joe! Recipe: Irish Coffee One spoon of brown sugar, as sweet as the voice of an Irish tenor; One cup of coffee, as strong as an Irish brogue; One jigger of Irish whiskey, as smooth as a colleens complexion; One dollop of fresh whipped cream, as rich as a pot o gold at the end of the rainbow; Pour whiskey into a goblet. Add brown sugar and fill one inch below the rim with coffee. Stir to dissolve, and top with cream. May you live as long as you want, and never want as long as you live. Erin go bragh! Catharine Kaufman can be reached at kitchenshrink@san.rr.com Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 16) The first tranche of a loan for the Metro Manila subway project is in. Philippine and Japanese officials inked on Friday the 51.37-billion (104.53-billion Japanese Yen) loan agreement, meant to kickstart construction for the estimated P355.6-billion project. It is expected to be repaid within 40 years with a 12-year grace period. The 25-kilometer underground railway, initially pegged at 227 billion, is expected to benefit 370,000 passengers a day. The Department of Transportation (DOTr) reported a five-kilometer extension was also planned. According to DOTr, the subway will have 14 stations from Mindanao Avenue in Quezon City to Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Pasay City, including two additional stations connected to the Light Rail Transit (LRT)-1. The Philippines was represented by Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez, Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno, and Transportation Undersecretary for Railways TJ Batan. Japan International Cooperation Agency Chief Representative Yoshio Wada, outgoing Chief Representative Susumo Ito, and Japan Embassy representative Noboru Kageyama signed for Japan. Groundbreaking for the subway is set for the end of 2018. Target completion is by 2025, but Transport Secretary Arthur Tugade previously told The Source that he hopes to have three stations operational in the next two years. The subway is part of President Rodrigo Duterte's "Build, Build, Build" program. The infrastructure plan is one of the administration's efforts against notorious traffic in the Philippines, which has been reported to cost the country 3.5 billion a day. However, some administration critics fear that the excessive costs will leave the Philippines in debt particularly to China, which committed over 382 billion in loans and grants in November 2017. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 16) The House Committee on Justice wants to impeach Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno for violations in her Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALN) on top of six other grounds. The panel's chairperson, Oriental Mindoro Rep. Reynaldo Umali, on Friday revealed to CNN Philippines some of the articles of impeachment in the committee's draft report. He said some were not part of the original complaint filed by lawyer Larry Gadon. Umali said the report, drafted by the panel's vice chairpersons, is almost done and the committee will vote on it on March 19. The panel deferred the vote last week because the document was not yet ready. Quoting the draft resolution setting forth the articles of impeachment, Umali said Sereno must be impeached for violating the Constitution, betraying public trust, and committing other high crimes when she "deliberately failed" to file her SALNs 17 times. READ: SC justices: Sereno's failure to submit SALN should have disqualified her application as CJ The panel said Sereno had no SALNs for the years 1987 to 1997, 1999 to 2001, and 2003 to 2006, when she was still teaching at the University of the Philippines. It also noted that Sereno excluded from her SALN two properties she owned in Bataan and Davao City. Umali said issues in her SALN were the strongest charges against Sereno, noting that Sereno's predecessor, the late Renato Corona, was impeached for omissions in his SALNs. Umali, who served as prosecutor in the Corona trial, earlier said Sereno's violations were even worse than those of Corona's. "This is a sequel of the previous impeachment... there were two properties undisclosed but more than that, there were 17 SALNs not filed. This is even worse," Umali said. READ: Umali: Sereno's violations worse than Corona's In a phone interview with CNN Philippines, Jojo Lacanilao, a spokesperson for Sereno,said the alleged non-filing of SALN was not relevant to the impeachment case since it was allegedly committed when Sereno was just a UP professor and not an impeachable official. He also denied that Sereno had undeclared properties. The Solicitor General had filed a quo warranto petition asking the Supreme Court to void Sereno's appointment for failing to file her SALN, a requirement of the Judicial and Bar Council for those applying for the post. JBC Executive Director Annaliza Ty-Capacite in a February 12 hearing told lawmakers the body considered as "substantial compliance" Sereno's submission of three SALNs, covering 2009, 2010, and 2011. In an exclusive interview with CNN Philippines on March 8, the day the justice panel found probable cause to impeach Sereno, the embattled chief justice said, "many wrong things were said about my SALN." She said she would answer these once her case reaches the Senate for trial, as she did not want to preempt her defense. If at least one-third of the members of the House of Representatives vote to impeach Sereno, the complaint would go to trial at the Senate. A conviction in just one article is enough to oust Sereno. Abuse of power Umali said another article of impeachment involved several instances of abuse of power by Sereno as ex-officio JBC Chairperson. These include her alleged hand in excluding Court of Appeals (CA) Associate Justice Fernanda Lampas-Peralta from the shortlist of nominees for the position of CA presiding justice. Peralta's husband, Supreme Court Associate Justice Diosdado Peralta, revealed this in one of the hearings. Lacanilao denied the accusation, saying the JBC only implemented its rules. "Under the Sereno chairmanship, hinigpitan na nila yung mga rules kasi dati very lax sila (They were stricter with the rules because they were very lax before)," he said. Undermining Congress In another article, the justice panel accused Sereno of undermining and disregarding the separation of powers among the three branches of government on several occasions, Umali said. The panel said Sereno interfered when she advised CA justices on the handling of their standoff with lawmakers over the detention of six Ilocos Norte government employees, or the "Ilocos 6," who were accused of misusing tobacco funds. CA justice: Sereno intervention in 'Ilocos 6' case shows 'lack of delicadeza' The panel also noted that Sereno disrespected impeachment proceedings which she refused to attend. But Lacanilao said it was the lawmakers who rejected Sereno's request to allow her lawyers to examine witnesses on her behalf. All in all, Sereno is accused of violating the Constitution, corruption, betrayal of public trust, and other high crimes - grounds for impeachable officials to be removed under the Constitution. She repeatedly denied the allegations and asked for the complaint to be junked. CNN Philippines' Joyce Ilas contributed to this report. Roy and four other boys, all of them twelve or thirteen years old, were standing in front of Papa Enzos Pizza Parlor talking and smoking cigarettes, just hanging out even though the temperature outside was well below freezing. A foot of snow had fallen the day before, most of it had hardened and iced over, but the boys, wearing parkas or peacoats, did not mind the cold, they were used to the Chicago winters; only when a fearsome wind was tearing in from the lake did they not gather on the street, especially on weekend nights such as this one. They could hear Buddy Hollys new record Maybe Baby, coming from the jukebox inside Enzos. It was almost ten oclock when Jimmy Boyle noticed Logo Leberko lurking next to the doorway of Papa Enzos restaurant. Hey, guys, look theres that creep Leberko standin by the entrance. I thought he was still locked up at St. Charles. Nah, said Tommy Cunningham, Bobby Dorp told me yesterday they couldnt keep him in the reformatory after he turned eighteen. They either had to release him or transfer him to Joliet. Advertisement He and another guy robbed Koszinskis Bakery, didnt they? Roy asked. Tried to, said Boyle. It was so stupid. Leberkos mother works there and when he and Dion Bandino stuck up the joint Logos old lady was behind the counter. Accordin to the article about it in the Trib, Leberko said, Ma, I thought you werent workin today, and she said she was fillin in for someone who was out sick, so she identified him for the cops. Thats crazy, said Roy. They really went through with the robbery even though his mother was there? Thats the best part of the story, said Richie Gates. They had guns, my brother told me. He used to deliver cakes for Koszinskis, so he heard all about it. Both Leberko and Bandino had em in their hands when they went in. Did Bandino get sent to St. Charles, too? asked Roy. Yeah, said Cunningham, but he got out sooner cause he was only fifteen. Leberkos a moron, Jimmy said. Remember how he was always shakin down younger kids for their milk money at Clinton? Hed take their change then stomp on the kids lunchboxes and slap em around even though theyd already come across. He got me once, said Richie. After that I took off if I saw him in the schoolyard. He didnt get past fourth grade, then they had to let him out when he turned sixteen. Advertisement His old man was murdered in prison, said Tommy Cunningham. Other inmates set him on fire in his cell. No shit, Jimmy Boyle said. Yeah. My father thinks he was snitchin for the guards. The door of Papa Enzos opened and two people came out, one of whom was Dion Bandino. Leberko came up quickly behind him and with an eight-inch switchblade cut Bandinos throat clear across. Blood exploded out of Bandinos neck like flames being tossed out of a bucket, turning the snow at his feet into a sea of vermilion. For what seemed to Roy a long time, though it was only a few seconds, nobody moved except Leberko, who disappeared. Dion Bandino was dead and didnt know it as his body accordioned down and knelt with his chin resting on his chest. Advertisement Roy and Jimmy Boyle took off in one direction and Richie Gates and Tommy Cunningham in another without looking back. After theyd run as fast as they could for a few blocks, Jimmy and Roy stopped to catch their breath, and Jimmy said, I thought Bandino would fall forward. He just dropped and didnt topple over. I never saw anybody get their throat slit before. We cant say nothin about it, Roy. Dont tell nobody we were there. We dont want the cops to make us be witnesses against Leberko. If somehow he beat the rap hed come after us like he done Bandino. Advertisement Why do you think he did it? Bandino mustve caved, maybe said the stick-up was Logos idea, that hed been forced into it by an older guy. Roy was still gasping for air; even in the darkness he could see his breath. Im goin home, he said. Advertisement Me, too, said Jimmy. Remember, dont tell anyone we were there. When he got home, Roys mother was sitting alone at the kitchen table. Her eyes were red and her face was swollen. Hi, Ma, whyre you cryin? Are you all right? Not really, no, Roy, but its nothing you have to worry about. Did you have a good time with the boys? Advertisement Its too cold to be outside. Im going to make a pot of tea. Do you want some? No, thanks. Im pretty tired. Im going to lie down in my room. Are you sure youre okay? Yes, Roy. Its just that Dan and I have decided to not see each other any more. Its for the best, I know, were really not a good match, but I feel like my dog just died. Advertisement Weve never had a dog. Oh, you must know what I mean. Its not the end of the world, but its a kind of death, nevertheless. There are all kinds of deaths. Some stay with you more than others, youll see. Four days later the police found Logo Leberko hiding in the boiler room of an apartment building a few blocks away from Papa Enzos Pizza Parlor; scraps of food hed scavenged from garbage cans were scattered on the floor and he was covered with rat bites. Roy and his friends were not questioned about the incident; other witnesses, including Dion Bandinos companion that night, Arvid Gustafsson, whose mother also worked at Koszinskis Bakery and was the person Leberkos mother was substituting for the day of the robbery, fingered Logo as the killer. Advertisement On their way to school one day the next week Richie Gates told Roy that his brother was delivering cakes again for Koszinskis. Is Leberkos mother still working there? Yeah. Floyd heard her tellin a customer that Logoll get the chair unless he gets whacked in stir first, like his father. She says her son is already dead to her and its like he never even existed. Think she means it or shes just sayin that to make herself not feel bad? Both, maybe, said Roy. Advertisement Im sure if somethin happened to me, Richie said, my mother wouldnt try to convince herself Id never been alive. What about yours? Giffords collection The Cuban Club, will be released in paperback this fall with two new stories; this is one of them. Women swept the National Book Critics Circle awards, announced Thursday night in Manhattan. Women prevailed in all of the six competitive categories. Joan Silber took the fiction prize for her novel Improvement, published by independent press Counterpoint. The story of a single mother in Harlem who becomes involved in criminal schemes with her ex-boyfriend, Improvement is about human connection and how we are changed over time. The nonfiction prize went to Frances FitzGerald for her book The Evangelicals: The Struggle to Shape America, a sweeping history of the Evangelical movement from the Puritan era to the 2016 presidential election. Layli Long Soldier won the poetry prize for her acclaimed collection Whereas. Advertisement The autobiography prize went to Xiaolu Guo for her book Nine Continents: A Memoir In and Out of China. The prize in criticism went to Carina Chocano for her essay collection You Play the Girl: On Playboy Bunnies, Stepford Wives, Train Wrecks, & Other Mixed Messages. The prize in biography went to Caroline Fraser for her book Prairie Fires: The American Dreams of Laura Ingalls Wilder, which tapped archival research to draw a fuller portrait of the author of the Little House on the Prairie books. As a former member of the board of the National Book Critics Circle, I follow these awards with great interest. But I wasnt able to attend instead, like many others, I kept up with the proceedings on social media. Congratulations to all the finalists and winners. 5:25 p.m. This story was updated with the biography and nonfiction prizewinners. carolyn.kellogg@latimes.com Advertisement @paperhaus Aggressive, audacious, bristling with risk. That describes Tesla Chief Executive Elon Musk. It also describes the pay plan Teslas board of directors wants to grant him. In a special meeting to be held Wednesday, shareholders will decide in a binding vote whether theyll go along. Even by the Olympian standards of executive pay, the Musk plan is a jaw dropper. The deal could allow Musk to take in more than $55 billion over its 10-year duration. Other outsized pay plans such as Apple Chief Executive Tim Cooks 10-year, nearly $400-million stock option plan, or Disney Chief Executive Robert Igers $100-million deal last December pale by comparison. Advertisement The Musk plan is unusual in other ways. Its a pure performance package: no salary, no bonus, no stock grants based on showing up for work. Only stock options will be offered, pegged to Musks ability to elevate Teslas total market value far above its current $56 billion while boosting revenue and, eventually, profit. Musks existing pay plan, formulated in 2012, likewise is based mainly on stock options linked to performance. But the focus has been on making sure products get out to market, and less on financial metrics. Options accounted for much of the 22% share of the company he now owns. Under the new plan, he will no longer be offered a salary, which amounted to just $49,720 in 2017. For maximum payout, the new plan requires Musk to multiply Teslas market value twelvefold, to $650 billion. The plan is contingent on Musk remaining at the company, though not necessarily as CEO, and meeting a series of milestones based on either revenue or profit. If he cant hit any of them because, say, Tesla proves unable to fix serious production problems hampering sales of its new Model 3 electric sedan and revenue falls short he gets nothing. The plan pays out stock options in increments, every time Teslas market value rises by $50 billion and a revenue or profit milestone is achieved. Still, two major firms paid to advise institutional shareholders on such matters are recommending that they vote no. There is a lot to be said for Elon Musks star power, but at the end of the day, this is a publicly held company, said Julian Hamud, compensation research director at Glass Lewis in San Francisco. Granting up to 20.3 million shares to Musk would dilute the shares of existing shareholders and skim their potential upside, Glass Lewis said. Advertisement Plus, Glass Lewis and the other major firm, Institutional Shareholder Services, question why such a plan is necessary at all. As laid out in Teslas official 14A proxy filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Tesla board of directors seeks to motivate and incentivize Musk to lead the company to greater financial glory. Musks current Tesla holdings, worth about $12 billion, will increase by billions more if the companys market value continues to grow. A maximum payout under the new plan would put Musks total ownership at about 28% with a market value around $182 billion. Musks financial interests are already strongly aligned with Tesla, ISS said in a prepared statement. It is questionable whether an additional grant is necessary or appropriate to further align his interests when he already owns a 22% stake in the company. Musks compensation will provide especially meaningful resources for someone like Elon who has a number of well-known endeavors to push humanity forward. Tesla spokesperson Advertisement Compensation consultants and academics who study executive pay have joined the chorus of critics. Even fans of Musks vision of a sustainable-energy economy wonder, as Robin A. Ferracone, chief executive of compensation consultant Farient Advisors put it, How much is enough? This is a guy whos promising to send people to Mars. He thinks big. Its worked for him. Hes a billionaire, said Steven Balsam, a compensation specialist and professor at Temple Universitys Fox School of Business. But I do question why he needs it to begin with. Its not like hes using it to motivate his employees or other managers. Michael Dorff, a professor at Southwestern Law School in Los Angeles and author of a book about executive pay, Indispensable and Other Myths, said Musk is one of few company leaders to whom that myth might not apply. I do believe a motivated Elon Musk matters, he said. But he doesnt see Musk going anywhere, rich pay plan or not. Advertisement He lives for these projects, he lives to make them succeed. He wants to save the world. I say this with admiration. But its hard to see how money (at this point) motivates Musk at all, Dorff said. Musk might disagree. Perhaps he aims to rank as the worlds richest person while he carries out his social mission. (That title currently belongs to Amazon.com founder Jeff Bezos, at $132 billion; Musk ranks 44th with a net worth of $20.7 billion, according to Bloomberg.) Maybe he wants to publicly emphasize his great ambitions as Tesla issues new stock to keep the cash-burning company afloat. Or, he has other reasons why the pay plan is necessary. Musk and members of the Tesla compensation team were invited to discuss the matter with The Times, but declined. A Tesla representative said Musks 22% stake constitutes a baseline incentive and the new pay plan aims to maximize the incentives for him to lead Tesla over the long term and ensure maximum shareholder alignment and value creation. As to motivation, the representative said that if milestones are met, the resulting compensation will provide especially meaningful resources for someone like Elon who has a number of well-known endeavors to push humanity forward. As just one example, he has a well-known ambition to see human life on Mars. Advertisement Some big shareholders figure theyll score rich returns if market growth booms even if Musks pay skims a bit from their total gains. A Tesla representative likened the situation to a travel agent able to take you where you want to go, for a small fee: no agent, no trip. Investment firm Baillie Gifford & Co., which owns 7.6% of Tesla stock, and mutual fund giant T. Rowe Price, which owns 6.4%, each said theyre voting yes. The plan is well aligned with shareholders long-term interests, T. Rowe Price said in a prepared statement. A Baillie Gifford executive told Bloomberg that Elon Musk his drive and his vision has been a really important part of getting us to this point. Tesla still needs that drive and that vision to push the business. Supporters also like the fact that, as Teslas proxy filing states, Musks only compensation will be a 100% at-risk performance award, which ensures that he will be compensated only if Tesla and all of our stockholders do extraordinarily well. Advertisement Still, Musk will need to emerge from what hes called production hell at Teslas factories. A CNBC report on Thursday quoted a Tesla engineer saying that 40% of the parts made or received at the companys Fremont factory require rework, causing production delays. (Tesla disputes the CNBC story, and notes that rework on parts is common in manufacturing.) Meanwhile, the pay plan would allow Musk to hit eight revenue milestones without ever having to register a profit. (The 14-year-old company has reported annual losses every year since it went public in 2010.) Tesla said that the plan focuses on growth and that an overemphasis on immediate profit could hamper that ambition. All the criticism is frustrating to some of Musks supporters. There are those who say the pay plan is being viewed through an old-fashioned lens. Tesla, which also makes solar panels and storage batteries, should be considered a technology company, not an automaker, with all the tremendous potential growth that implies, said Dan Walter, chief executive at compensation consultant Performensation. The auto industry is under radical transformation, he said, and Tesla is poised to take advantage by turning its cars into computers of the highway and spreading artificial intelligence through its manufacturing plants. Advertisement From an auto industry perspective, a $650-billion market value looks patently ridiculous, Walter said. But, he added: Musk understands that the value of companies is not necessarily driven by the number of cars produced or the number of people you employ. Its a bigger, more emotional thing than that. russ.mitchell@latimes.com Twitter: @russ1mitchell Qualcomm Inc. said director Paul Jacobs, the San Diego chipmakers former chief executive and son of its founder, is leaving its board after he decided to explore an acquisition of the company. The board reached that decision following his notification to the board that he has decided to explore the possibility of making a proposal to acquire Qualcomm, the company said in a statement Friday. Jacobs, 55, was stripped of his executive chairman title last week as Qualcomm sought to fend off a $117-billion hostile takeover bid from Broadcom Ltd. The board largely agreed with Jacobs that Broadcoms bid was too low. However, early counts in a board vote tied to the Broadcom bid showed that many Qualcomm shareholders had voted to replace several Qualcomm directors, including Jacobs and CEO Steve Mollenkopf. President Trump blocked Broadcoms bid for Qualcomm this week. Advertisement Even as Qualcomm managed to remain independent, Jacobs began reaching out to several investors to get support for a management buyout, according to the Financial Times. The idea has been largely dismissed by analysts because it would be expensive and could be blocked by the U.S. government the way Broadcoms bid was. Trying to take the mobile-phone chipmaker private may be a last-ditch effort to preserve the Jacobs familys influence over the company they founded. Jacobs was chairman of Qualcomm from 2009 until this month, and he served as CEO from 2009 until 2014. Jacobs owns less than 0.5% of Qualcomm, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. For an individual, raising the money needed to complete a leveraged buyout of more than $100 billion would be challenging, to say the least, particularly if funding sources are restricted to the U.S. due to regulatory scrutiny on overseas chip deals. Theres at least one example of a tech founder using a buyout to keep control of their company: In 2013, Michael Dell took the eponymous computer maker private in a $24.9-billion deal. Dell is now considering taking the company public again. Qualcomms board nominees are on course to get only 16% of the votes cast at its forthcoming shareholder meeting, even though theyre now unopposed, Broadcom Chief Financial Officer Tom Krause said this week. Jacobs has approached companies including Japans SoftBank Group to invest in a buyout, according to the Financial Times. A buyout of Qualcomm, which has a market capitalization of $89.7 billion, would be one of the largest in history. SoftBank is unlikely to back a Jacobs bid, according to a person familiar with the matter, because among other things, it would risk undermining SoftBanks own chip designer Arm Holdings and burden the Japanese companys balance sheet. And although the chipmakers stock has declined, Jacobs is still likely to have to surpass Broadcoms offer. Advertisement Finally, were Jacobs to pursue such a deal, the board would be under fiduciary responsibility to consider other acquirers, essentially putting the company back on the block right after escaping Broadcom. Still, taking the company private may help mitigate one of the biggest issues the current management team has faced. Qualcomm is unique in the chip industry in getting the majority of its profit from technology licensing. That gold mine which had sales of more than $6 billion last year has been under siege from regulatory actions and fines. Apple Inc. also sued and stopped paying license fees, knocking about $2 billion off annual sales. Qualcomms management has argued it will win in court, reverse the fines and get the iPhone maker paying again. It hasnt been able to say when that would happen, though. That has hurt it in conversations with investors who are frustrated with a share price that has lagged behind the market. Their displeasure was brought to the surface by Broadcoms approach. Qualcomms share price, down 6.4% this year, makes it a target. But raising cash to go private may be a struggle if, as the Financial Times suggests, Jacobs is courting overseas investors. Even though Broadcom is run by U.S. citizens, has the majority of its employees in the U.S. and was created by a merger of U.S. companies, its Singapore registration which its about to give up was enough for the Committee on Foreign Investment in the U.S. to urge Trump to block the deal. Advertisement Before the boards announcement Friday, Qualcomm shares rose 1.2% to close at $60.62. They rose 1.9% to $61.75 in extended trading. UPDATES: 3:45 p.m.: This article was updated with Paul Jacobs leaving Qualcomms board. 2:35 p.m.: This article was updated with Qualcomms stock movement. Advertisement This article was originally published at 9 a.m. (CNN) Tensions between London and Moscow over the attempted murder of a former Russian spy ratcheted up another level Thursday after Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov warned that a move to expel British diplomats from Russia would "absolutely" be going ahead. Speaking at a question-and-answer forum in Moscow, Lavrov did not provide a time frame but said the expulsions would take place "soon," state media reported. The move follows Britain's decision Wednesday to kick 23 Russian diplomats out of the country after concluding that Russia was responsible for a nerve agent attack on former Russian double agent Sergei Skripal and his daughter in England earlier this month. It will be the single biggest expulsion of Russian diplomats from Britain in more than 30 years, Prime Minister Theresa May announced Wednesday, as she set out a raft of measures intended to target Russian assets and strengthen UK defenses. On Thursday, Lavrov accused May of grandstanding in her response to the incident, and said the Kremlin response would "come very soon." "You understand that as polite people, we will first inform our British colleagues of the response. Unlike them, grabbing the microphone in order to accuse Russia of everything," Lavrov said. A spokesman for Vladimir Putin described the UK's accusations as "unfounded" and said "it won't be long until" the Russian President makes a decision on retaliatory measures. "The offers will be considered by the Foreign Ministry, other institutions, but the main decision will be made by the President," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters Thursday. "There is no doubt he will choose the option that corresponds the most with the Russian national interests." 'Russia should shut up and go away' On Thursday, British Defense Secretary Gavin Williamson said Moscow had made a "deliberate political decision" to poison Skripal. He accused Russia of "ripping up the international rulebook" and "attempting to "subvert, undermine and influence" countries around the world. "Russia should shut up and go away," Williamson said. "It's often described as a cool war that we are entering I would say it is feeling exceptionally chilly at the moment." The two governments have been locked in a war of words since Skripal, 66, and his daughter Yulia, 33, were found slumped on a park bench in the English city of Salisbury on March 4. The pair are critically ill in the hospital after being exposed to a nerve agent known as Novichok that was developed in Russia, UK officials believe. May had given Moscow until midnight Tuesday to explain whether the attack was directed by Russian authorities or whether the government had lost control of the nerve agent. But the Kremlin, which has steadfastly denied the accusations, ignored the deadline and said Britain had not given it enough time to respond to May's request Britain's allies call out Russia On Thursday, the UK, U.S., Germany and France issued a joint statement insisting Russia was responsible for the attack and that "there is no plausible alternative explanation." The four urged Russia to "live up to its responsibilities as a member of the UN Security Council to uphold international peace and security." "We call on Russia to address all questions related to the attack in Salisbury. Russia should in particular provide full and complete disclosure of the Novichok program to the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW)," the statement read. U.S. President Donald Trump also weighed in Thursday, telling reporters: "It certainly looks like the Russians were behind it. Something that should never, ever happen, and we are taking it very seriously, as I think are many others." "I spoke with the Prime Minister and we are in deep discussions," he added. "A very sad situation." Trump's comments followed those made by U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley on Wednesday, who blasted Russia and said the Trump administration stood in "absolute solidarity with Great Britain," in the strongest US statement yet on the incident. "If we don't take immediate concrete measures to address this now, Salisbury will not be the last place we see chemical weapons used," she said. On Thursday, May paid a visit to Salisbury to "speak to people who responded to this terrible incident that took place," she said, and thank those who were "continuing to work hard to investigate, to get to the bottom of those who are responsible, but also to ensure that the public are reassured." Rocky relations Skripal was sentenced to 13 years in prison in 2006 for spying for Britain, according to Russian state media accounts of the closed hearing. Russian court officials at the time said he'd received at least $100,000 for his work for MI6, the British intelligence service. He was granted refuge in the UK after a high-profile spy exchange between the United States and Russia in 2010. His daughter Yulia is thought to be one of the few members of his immediate family still alive after his wife and son died in recent years. She was visiting him from Russia at the time of the incident. The poisoning of the pair has put further strain on UK-Russia relations that have been fractious ever since the assassination of another former Russian spy, Alexander Litvinenko, in 2006. A UK inquiry found that two Russian agents poisoned Litvinenko at a London hotel bar in 2006 by spiking his tea with highly radioactive polonium-210, and that Putin "probably approved" Litvinenko's killing. The Kremlin has always denied the accusation. Both countries have acknowledged the deterioration in sentiment, with Lavrov admitting in December it was "not a secret" that the Russia-UK relationship was at a "very low point." Earlier Thursday, British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson accused Russia of having a "smug, sarcastic response" to the UK's calls for an explanation. Johnson also confirmed that the UK would submit a sample of the nerve agent to the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons for it to carry out its own tests. This story was first published on CNN.com, "Russia to retaliate 'soon' against UK with its own diplomat expulsions." Usually, the front of a painting is the part that counts most. Its the field where a composition lives, color blooms, subject matter figurative or abstract unfolds, brushstrokes are elided or emphasized. The front is where the action is. Tony DeLap has been making highly unusual paintings since about 1974. A current show handily demonstrates that the front of a DeLap painting, contrary to expectations, is almost never the main event. The welcome retrospective exhibition at the Laguna Art Museum features 60 paintings and sculptures, plus more than 80 works on paper, by the widely admired Orange County artist, who turned 90 in November. In fact, more often than not, the front of a DeLap painting is mostly blank. It might be a flatly painted jolt of intense, monochrome color crimson, say, or especially cobalt blue. A sizable number are a neutral gray or black or else a near-neutral a dusty gray-green, for instance, like a leaf of lambs ear or desert sage. And good luck finding a brushstroke. DeLaps paintings are mostly monochrome, but not gesturally so. Each one looks as if it is an uninflected chunk of industrially manufactured color, like powder-coating that has been electrostatically applied. Since 1974, Tony DeLap has been sculpting paintings and painting sculptures. Christopher Knight / Los Angeles Times The edges of DeLap's paintings don't always correspond to expectations. Christopher Knight / Los Angeles Times Tony DeLap, "Lompoc," 1963, mixed media Laguna Art Museum Mostly, though, the surface plane is a keenly wrought mechanism to get you to look to see whats going on along the sides. There, beyond the paintings edges, the possibilities are several. The side might twist like a section of Moebius strip, its wood ribbon starting off as a framing edge but torqueing into a smooth sculptural form. The side might bend into itself and disappear altogether, leaving the surface plane to hang free a few inches from the wall. Or it might be a canvas-covered curve, arcing away from an edge thats as straight as an arrow. Eccentric shadows on the wall dont always correspond to a viewers expectations, based on the shape of the painting as seen from the front. Shadow play is a cue that something is up, something that disrupts convention. By the late 1960s, when artists were intensely scrutinizing every aspect of painting, the rectangle used in conventional canvases had come under concentrated inspection. Ellsworth Kelly, Ron Davis, Frank Stella and many others experimented with canvases in eccentric shapes. DeLap began slicing up the traditional rectangle as well as the less common (but equally traditional) circular tondo into various irregular geometries. A square and a circle might intersect, creating a virtually indescribably shape. A hexagon internally cut up into pie sections could visually flip into an illusionistic projection of a cube, like something by Larry Bell, its internal ridges rippling outward like a pebble dropped in a pond. Unorthodox contours emphasized the painting as a physical object a thing occupying space, a place where illusion and reality collide. Some works, such as Maga from 1974 and Spirit Extras from 1979, are even assembled from multiple shaped canvases. Maga looks like a schematic rendering of a theatrical stage. The top is curved, like a proscenium. The bottom is notched at each side, like steps. Three canvases are cobbled together, the schematic lines that appear to be drawn on the paintings surface actually made from each canvas abutting the others. The polished wooden frame around the proscenium twists in toward the wall as it approaches the summit. DeLap is putting on quite a show. Spirit Extras is a leisurely curve nearly 7 feet long but less than 4 inches wide. On closer inspection, that already modest width turns out to be more modest still, made from not one but two joined canvases. Lines do not exist in nature, so the curved line in the center of the painting is formed by the physical abutment of two canvases. Just for good measure, DeLap has also torqued the two outer edges of the curve. One bends away from the front, the other bends toward it. Spirit Extras is itself a line, assembled from a surplus of linear edges. Tony DeLap's cast fiberglass "Fawkes" (1964) visually flips between a flat hexagon and an illusionistic projection of a cube. Laguna Art Museum In Tony DeLap's "Thauma II," a circle and a square intersect to create an indescribable shape. Laguna Art Museum / Edges are a thing with DeLap. He wants to push you over them. Edges are a thing with DeLap. He wants to push you over them. The most profound edge, metaphorically speaking, is the one that separates life from death. Appropriately, his paintings titles often come from the great beyond: Spirit art is a type of picture said to be guided from the afterlife, while Maga is a Hindu priestly caste. One pleasure of the show is the abundance of his early works, dated between 1961 and 1974, when DeLaps well-known shaped hybrids of painting and sculpture began to emerge. The earliest are not often seen. Guest curator Peter Frank, who is also responsible for the indispensable catalog, lays out the evolution. The artist was born in Oakland in 1927, and his work began to mature in the Bay Area just prior to his move to Southern California. (DeLap was a founding faculty member at the then-new UC Irvine in 1965; he taught at the school for the next 26 years.) Eccentric barely begins to describe those early works. Double-sided tabletop boxes are fronted in glass. Inside are layered planes of thin, painted chipboard stepping down toward the center, often mysteriously suspended in space. The design is like an aerial view of an amphitheater. At their center, peepholes or narrow slits allow you to look through the object although typically, the focused view is blocked by a dot or line that DeLap has painted on the glass. Sometimes, the works title is spelled out in letters tucked into the four corners on either side of the box Mona Lisa, Ping Pong, Flip Flop, Hard Edge. These works are like an abstract cross between a Joseph Cornell shadow box and William Hogarths Satire on False Perspective, a famous 18th century engraving in which the artist deliberately confuses illusionistic effects of linear perspective. (Whoever makes a design without the knowledge of perspective will be liable to such absurdities, Hogarth wrote across the bottom of the print.) Frank, the curator, provocatively connects DeLaps geometric design to the slitted, cast-concrete blocks with which Frank Lloyd Wright built Pasadenas great Millard House a DeLap favorite. Tony DeLap, "Mona Lisa (recto)," 1962, mixed media Laguna Art Museum Tony DeLap, "Mona Lisa (verso)," 1962, mixed media Laguna Art Museum "Tony DeLap: A Retrospective" comprises more than 80 drawings. Christopher Knight / Los Angeles Times The maquette for Tony DeLap's "Floating Lady," permanently installed at the entrance to the Orange County Museum of Art, is in the Laguna show. Christopher Knight / Los Angeles Times To that I would add the growing prominence of Marcel Duchamp. The Dada imps word games and visual pranks were busily bumping off Picasso as the primary influence on the 60s American avant-garde. DeLaps eccentric boxes, which focus vision while blocking it, are related to impossible objects a type of optical illusion. M.C. Eschers endless, interlocking stairways are the genres most popular example, but its 20th century origins in art are traced to Duchamp. In Duchamps 1916-17 Apolinere Enameled, a commercial advertisement for paint showing a little girl painting a bed white is cleverly altered to confuse the perspective lines. The bed impossibly collapses in on itself, while a mirror reflection of the little girl is skewed. Duchamp underscored the deliberateness of his visual trickery by removing a piece of the pictures frame telling, perhaps, for the oddball framing devices DeLap was soon making. The show also includes freestanding painted sculptures mostly flat, layered, linear forms that unfurl and undulate on the floor or pedestal. These are hybrids of painting and sculpture, like the shaped canvases, but they are less engaging than their wall-bound cousins. DeLap is at his best when approaching hybridization from the painting side rather than the sculpture side. He comes across as a painter at heart. The exception to the rule is Floating Lady, 1974-78, which stands in front of the Orange County Museum of Art a few miles from Laguna Beach. (The maquette for the sculpture is in the show.) A 46-foot wooden beam whose ends balance precariously on two concrete cubes slowly transforms from being square at one end to triangular at the other. The sculpture is too long for a viewer to take in its slow metamorphosis all at once. It demands close-up scrutiny and attentive inspection to know whats happening right before your eyes. In the process, a forced perspective both shortens and lengthens the beams appearance, depending on where you stand. Floating Lady is its own impossible object. I suspect Hogarth and Duchamp would both approve. So would Harry Houdini. DeLap has been famously obsessed with magic and magicians throughout his life his 90th birthday was celebrated at Hollywoods Magic Castle, where hes been a member for 50 years and the results of that fascination are in abundant evidence in the retrospective. Its a show where the hand of the artist might better be described as often marvelous sleight of hand. Tony DeLap: A Retrospective Where: Laguna Art Museum, 307 Cliff Drive, Laguna Beach When: Through May 28; closed Wednesdays Trailer for Dale Schierholt's film on Artist Tony DeLap, part of the California Masters series christopher.knight@latimes.com Twitter: @KnightLAT ALSO MOCA fires its chief curator At the Broad, exploring Jasper John's connection to music Taylor Mac on gay history, 'Hamilton' and his 24-hour extravaganza When Greg Berlanti first read the script for Love, Simon he found the teenage coming-of-age dramedy at once heartfelt and smart and funny. The story of a high school teen struggling with coming out as gay to his community was something Berlanti was familiar with. It was an experience he once lived. I connected a lot with the lead character and the switch just went off, he said during a visit to the films Atlanta set early last year. A: I have to be really a part of this. And B: even if I dont end up getting the job, I have to let them know what I think so they can make the best version of this movie possible. Berlanti didnt have a movie that aimed to capture that experience when he was younger: I felt like I had to make it my priority and be a part of something that hasnt been done before. Advertisement In assuming the directors chair, Berlanti was able to influence the material adapted by This Is Us writers Elizabeth Berger and Isaac Aptaker from the novel Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli in ways subtle yet important for the film, which is playing in wide release as the first of its kind from a major studio. In addition to making lines of dialogue more genuine, Berlanti added in a number of on-screen moments authentic to the experience of being a closeted teen. And because he had lived a version of the main characters life, he had a direct corollary [with which] to speak to actors and the producers and the studio regarding the decisions he was making. Im Native American and a transgender woman and there are little things from each of those backgrounds that I bring to a project. Sydney Freeland Such an approach, and the resulting film, is a manifestation of the unique vantage point Berlanti brings to projects as a gay man. As Hollywood continues conversations about inclusion and diversity, the distinctive outlooks LGBTQ filmmakers bring have become a calling card. Call it the queer gaze. The male gaze, a term coined in 1975 by film theorist Laura Mulvey, describes how film and art of all sorts is created through the lens of a heterosexual man. Such a gaze has manifested itself in stereotypical roles for women and minorities, including the busty dumb blond and the sassy black woman. Over the last couple of years, awareness has risen for an unofficial retort, the female gaze, as women have taken and been given more opportunities to write and direct their own narratives with female characters at the center. Look no further than the boom of women behind the scenes in television from the all-female directing teams of Queen Sugar and Jessica Jones to the writers rooms of Crazy Ex-Girlfriend and Jane the Virgin for representations of women toppling patriarchal conventions. The queer gaze, meanwhile, remains less known and discussed as a creative perspective. A direct response to the oft unspoken of yet ever-present straight gaze, the queer gaze recognizes how lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer people create and view art. Moreover, it challenges binary notions of existence and storytelling employed in many male gaze versus female gaze conversations where the context is nearly always heterosexual. Directors Sydney Freeland and Greg Berlanti. (Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times / Getty Images ) Advertisement A queer gaze can help decenter what we prioritize in storytelling, decentering where stories usually happen and finding them in places we dont usually look, said Karen Tongson, an associate professor of English, gender studies and American studies and ethnicity at USC. Its a vantage point, she said, that plays out in both tangible and intangible ways, perhaps most notably in instances of desire on screen. The male gaze and straight gaze have a particular way of understanding what sex and intimacy looks like, she continued. What a queer gaze makes possible is a different rhythm to how we might play out and choreograph that intimacy, a different style of looking that sometimes moves beyond the configuration of bodies in intimacy and focuses on the connection and intimacy itself. Writer-director Andrew Haigh, who is gay, noted that his approach to physically intimate scenes in projects including 2011s critically acclaimed British indie Weekend and the HBO series Looking was about capturing what feels truthful to me about connection and feeling the comfort of someone else. I always want to approach it on a character level rather than a sex level, said Haigh whose latest film Lean on Pete comes out in April. My sex scenes have never been about titillation, but about whats going on under the surface. I think thats related to me growing up and having to analyze my sexuality and sexual attraction. Advertisement Angela Robinson, helmer of last years Professor Marston and the Wonder Women, about the creator of Wonder Woman and his polyamorous relationship with two women, described how her queer and female gazes intersected in creating the films more intimate scenes. Being able to discern a queer gaze on film may not even be about what is being visually rendered or language. Karen Tongson I wasnt concerned about what sex act was happening, she said about filming a threesome between the titular characters, played by Rebecca Hall, Bella Heathcote and Luke Evans. I was concerned about dramatizing and relaying [the characters] emotional connection and their experience of forming a new kind of transcendent-level of communication. I was obsessed with the notion of consent and agency for the female characters and so the camera is on their faces as they exchange consent, the lesbian writer-director said. Usually its about the act and the male [but I wanted] to have the camera not on their body parts, but to show that [a woman] was in charge of each step in the escalation of the sexual relationship. Advertisement Robinson also asserts that the queer gaze can be subtextual as much as, if not more than, physical. Its all in looks and not necessarily the words, she said. Take the Professor Marston scene where her two female leads are at a picnic, sitting on a blanket away from their male partners. Their actual conversation is procedural, about their hetero relationships, but the unspoken subtleties communicated through each womans eyes present a more complicated scene of a distinctly queer feeling of trying to figure out if something is friendship or attraction and the potential ramifications of that, Robinson said. As Tongson put it: Theres a certain ephemerality and innuendo to [the queer experience] because for so long queer people have not had a public culture accepting of queer desire. Directors Angela Robinson and Andrew Haigh. (Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times / Gary Friedman/Los Angeles Times ) Advertisement As such, being able to discern a queer gaze on film may not even be about what is being visually rendered or language, she continued. Thats why [the queer gaze might] feel elusive and evasive. In part it had to be elusive and evasive in order to survive and not be subjected to violence. Widespread recognition of the queer gaze has been slow to materialize. Whats resulted, in response to historical biases and lack of representation, is queer people inserting themselves into other peoples stories because we havent been rendered, Tongson said. We have had to insinuate and project ourselves onto other stories about alienation or loneliness or the search for love amidst incredible pain and secrecy, she said, noting how 2014s Australian horror film The Babadook was reclaimed as an LGBTQ icon and picture last year despite it having no clear queer representation. The queer gaze then is in part about empathy, Haigh said. Advertisement What resonates with me is difference and characters that are struggling with difference, in whatever way that is, he began. Because at the heart of the queer experience is feeling alone and disconnected from the world around you but desperately looking, in the things around you, for love, belonging and sex. Berlanti added: Very often the things that you feel isolate you, everyone has their own version of it. Yours may be that you grew up LGBTQ, but for someone else it might be their heritage or their accent or any number of things that can make someone feel isolated. And while the existence of the queer gaze is important to excavate, its necessary to highlight that the perspective, as Robinson described, interacts with whatever other identities the filmmaker may carry. So Robinson is a black lesbian filmmaker all at once. It doesnt matter what world Im in, Im always seeing the story from that point of view, she said. Trans filmmaker Sydney Freeland has a similar confluence of identities. Advertisement Everyone is a product of their background, said the Her Story and Drunktowns Finest director. For me, Im Native American and a transgender woman and there are little things from each of those backgrounds that I bring to a project. The influences may be super minute but the fingerprints are there. Those fingerprints, Berlanti added, allow an audience to suss out authentic storytelling, no matter who has the pen or is in the directors chair. Audiences want something that feels different, he said. Theyre tired of things done by people for the same people. Reason enough why Hollywood should open the closet door and let the queer gaze out. Uninhibited. Advertisement Get your life! Follow me on Twitter (@TrevellAnderson) or email me: trevell.anderson@latimes.com. Coming up short on tension and long on talky exposition, Josie emerges as a Southern-fried dramatic thriller that fails to deliver the pulpy goods despite a nicely rooted Dylan McDermott lead performance. Veteran McDermott (The Practice) plays the soft-spoken Hank, a Texas transplant holed up alone at the Pink Motel, who, when not parked in his pickup near the local high school on the lookout for delinquents, finds companionship in the company of his tortoises, Neville and Francine. That is until the arrival of Josie (Sophie Turner), a teen Lolita in cut-offs and fishnets who has moved into the unit next to him (theres a vague explanation offered about her parents joining her at a later date) and systematically proceeds to attract his undivided attention. Hes Damaged Goods. Shes Trouble with a Tattooed T. What could possibly go wrong? Advertisement As directed by Eric England and written by Anthony Ragnone II, the answer to that question is revealed in a signaled, would-be shocker ending diminished by stiff dialogue and a plodding pace that appears to have taken its lead from Hanks tortoises. Although McDermott inhabits Hank with the haunted demeanor of a man forever tormented by his past transgressions, Turner (Sansa Stark on Game of Thrones) battles unsuccessfully to inject some dimension into someone who comes across more as a device than a living, breathing character. ------------- Josie Not rated Running time: 1 hour, 27 minutes Playing: Laemmle Monica Film Center, Santa Monica See the most-read stories in Entertainment this hour Movie Trailers Advertisement calendar@latimes.com Have you been to Echo Park Lake? You wanna go down there? Nick Robinson asks. Hes finished his cortado, a frothy espresso drink that became his go-to coffee order after a trip to Spain a few years ago, and says its nice outside not too cold. So we leave the Woodcat Coffee Bar, and I throw my bag into my car before we head to the lake. The actor checks out the stuff in the back seat, observing bulk-size quantities of Special K and Lysol wipes. Did you just go to Costco? he says. I love Costco. I just find it very calming, for some reason. The best time to go is, like, a Wednesday at 2 oclock. You have the whole place to yourself. You dont have to wait for the free samples. And you can buy a bunch of [crap] you dont need, but youre like, Wow, this is a great deal. His favorite things to buy at Costco, he says, are Suntory Japanese whiskey and flashlights. He recently started renting a house in the neighborhood, and hes building a workshop with a toolbox -- hence the flashlights. I like to have stuff to be prepared, he says. Not for doomsday. I just find it really Zen to be like, I have all of these things if I ever needed them. Advertisement At 22, Robinson is in that phase of life where performing mundane adulthood tasks still feels thrilling. Hes finding his footing as a twentysomething Angeleno just as hes coming into his own in the movie business too. This weekend, Robinson is carrying his first major studio film: Love, Simon, in which he stars as a high schooler struggling to come out as gay to his friends and family. Hes been in big films before the blockbuster reboot Jurassic World, the teen romance Everything, Everything, the sci-fi action film The 5th Wave but he played supporting roles in those. Love, Simon is a larger role, better-reviewed and in his opinion, riskier. As a straight dude, Robinson admits that it made him personally nervous to play a gay character. He didnt feel like it was his place he didnt want to be pretending to know an experience he was unfamiliar with. But I was also just nervous to play a gay character, period, he acknowledges. There were still some tremors from past times where that was frowned upon. I think thats kind of unfounded, and that audiences are accepting enough now to understand that either way you go, its a character. Thats partially why when Greg Berlanti, the director of the film, called Robinson to offer him the lead the young star sounded less than enthused. When I told him he got the job, I could tell he seemed a little nervous, recalls the filmmaker, who is best known in the television space for his work on teen series like Dawsons Creek, Everwood and The Flash. And then I got a little nervous and worried that he was not as interested in the role. Berlanti says Robinson wasnt explicit about his concerns maybe he was nervous because Im a gay person, the director says with a laugh. He kept saying the tone wanting to make sure it felt grounded and wasnt shticky. And he was nervous about being the center of a movie; he was a bit daunted by the size and scope of the film. Berlanti was able to assuage Robinsons concerns, but the actors anxiety still took a while to dissipate. Advertisement There were moments when we were making it when I would wake up some mornings and be like, I dont know if I can do this, says Robinson, talking about his experience on the Atlanta set. But Greg was always there to remind not just me, but everyone, why what we were making was different and, dare I say, important. There are also certain stereotypes that this film works to break down but its complicated, because you can be playing into the heteronormative, cisgender thing. So its a tightrope. Watching Nick in this movie reminded me of when I first saw Tom Cruise in Risky Business. Elizabeth Gabler on Love, Simon Advertisement At Campbell Hall, the prestigious Studio City high school Robinson attended, his gay classmates were never shoved into lockers by bullies or treated as poorly as some of the LGBQT students are in Love, Simon. But I went to a fairly liberal school, and in Los Angeles and California even on the West Coast were in a little bit of a bubble. There are huge swaths of the country where this is still a big deal, and if you come out in high school, you might be a pariah. Seeing a gay teenager as the lead character in a romantic comedy from a major studio something that has never happened before could make a difference. Robinsons own sense of otherness during high school came from being a professional actor. After working the theater scene in Seattle as a kid, he and his family he has six siblings moved to L.A. when he was 15 and booked a role on ABC Familys Melissa & Joey, a sitcom starring Melissa Joan Hart and Joey Lawrence. Advertisement There were a couple of other kids at Campbell Hall who also did acting, but his job always felt like a bit of the elephant in the room a feeling that continued when he went to college at NYU. After two gap years, he enrolled in the universitys Gallatin School of Individualized Study, taking classes in everything from art history to psychology. You can kind of do whatever you want there, as long as youre able to back it up. There were rumors that people had graduated with majors in Madonna, says Robinson, who was at Gallatin at the same time as 22-year-old Oscar nominee Timothee Chalamet. It was great, but then I booked a job and left. I wish it wasnt as expensive as it is. I would like to go back, but there were times when it was also pretty strange. I definitely I feel like Ive passed a point I have passed a point where I could go and have the quote unquote normal college experience. Indeed, it would probably be even more difficult for Robinson to blend in after the release of Love, Simon. Elizabeth Gabler, the president of Fox 2000 Pictures which is releasing the movie says shes felt Robinson has been on the cusp of major fame for years. She almost cast him in Ansel Elgorts part in The Fault in Our Stars, but passed because he looked too young. Watching Nick in this movie reminded me of when I first saw Tom Cruise in Risky Business, says Gabler. I think its that kind of a role. There are so many moments where you see this kid who is just so winning and emotional and funny and accessible. Advertisement Bryce Dallas Howard, left, Chris Pratt, Nick Robinson and Ty Simpkins in a scene from 2015s Jurassic World. (Universal Pictures ) Robinson already has a couple of other films in the can a comedy directed by William H. Macy called Krystal and the pregnancy thriller Strange But True, co-starring fellow rising star Margaret Qualley. I dont want to say Ive stopped being strategic, but I guess Ive learned that its really pretty hard to plan anything in this business, Robinson says, walking around the lake, which he calls his version of Central Park. Trying to be strategic has actually gotten me in trouble. So now Im more just trying to find stuff that I just like or want to do. I dont really have any agenda with it. And just kind of hope for the best. Because it really is a crapshoot. He has more specific plans for his off-screen life. The last time he was home in Seattle, he went to Pike Place Market and saw a guy selling tree stumps hed sanded the top down so it was really, really smooth, and he cut inserts in the top and put in little river stones where you could strike matches. Hes planning on making his own version of the project in his new workshop. Advertisement I could make a killing if I came down here and sold those during a festival or something, he says, pausing to watch a man feeding geese. Thats me years from now, after Im done selling my tree stumps. Ill just be a bird man. 22-year-old actor Nick Robinson plays a closeted gay teen struggling to come out during his senior year of high school in the new movie Love, Simon. (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times ) amy.kaufman@latimes.com Follow me on Twitter @AmyKinLA The gripping political thriller 7 Days in Entebbe based on true events and directed by Brazilian filmmaker Jose Padilha opens surprisingly with a modern dance performance. Its a captivating choice that serves as an unlikely thematic throughline of the film about a high-stakes high-wire act of negotiation and military maneuvers between Israelis and Palestinians in the 1970s. Performed by the Batsheva Dance Company, choreographed by Ohad Naharin, the dancers flail and stumble out of chairs, dressed in suits, and rip their clothes off in a rhythmic, repetitive ritual. The dance has a place in the narrative, as one of the dancers (Zina Zinchenko) is the girlfriend of an Israeli special forces soldier (Ben Schnetzer), but it has a larger place in the film emotionally and symbolically. It represents a sense of anxiety and chaos, a mob mentality. As dancers wrestle with chairs and clothes in unison, one dancer falls, again and again. She cant or wont get in formation with the group. Written by Geoffrey Burke, 7 Days in Entebbe recounts the tale of a real plane hijacking that looms large in the history of Israel. In June 1976, two German and two Palestinian revolutionaries the nomenclature varies from freedom fighter to terrorist depending on which side youre on hijacked an Air France flight from Tel Aviv to Paris and directed it to Entebbe, Uganda, to demand the release of 52 political prisoners. The smart script weaves together the happenings at the terminal in Uganda, emceed by an ebullient Idi Amin (Nonso Anozie), just happy for the media exposure, as well as the political distress in Jerusalem as Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin (Lior Ashkenazi) struggles for power with Defense Minister Shimon Peres (Eddie Marsan). But much of the story focuses on the morally complex situation of the two Germans, Brigitte Kuhlmann (Rosamund Pike) and Wilfried Bose (Daniel Bruhl). Advertisement For these young European revolutionaries, the event is where the rubber meets the road where rhetoric becomes action, which is often grimy, complicated and disturbing. Racked by guilt, Bose proclaims, Im not a Nazi! but then again, hes a German, hijacking Jews. His counterpart, Brigitte, is much tougher, chomping speed pills and unafraid to use violence to make her hostages fall in line. Pike is haunting in her performance, her Brigitte both faraway and ferocious. A climactic moment intercuts a special forces military operation led by Yonatan Netanyahu (Angel Bonanni), older brother of future prime minister Benjamin, with the pulse-pounding dance of the opening. With so many moving parts and unpredictable forces, the entire hostage crisis is a dance, with all the pieces needing to come together perfectly for anyone to prevail. Its a delicate balance of choreography and chaos, of ideas and action. The story is larger than life. Padilha brings a frenetic, authentic style and flair to this depiction and never loses sight of its larger messages and themes. As Rabin, Ashkenazi drives home the point that without negotiation, there will always be war. Its poignant and powerful to consider the ways in which negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians reverberated throughout the lives and careers of Rabin and Peres, along with the centuries of conflict in the Middle East. The film never lets us forget that legacy. ------------- 7 Days in Entebbe Rating: PG-13, for violence, some thematic material, drug use, smoking and brief strong language Running time: 1 hour, 46 minutes. Playing: In general release See the most-read stories in Entertainment this hour Advertisement Movie Trailers calendar@latimes.com Tastemakers, bloggers, YouTube stars and beauty heavyweights packed into Poppy nightclub on La Cienega Boulevard this week to celebrate Diors latest beauty must-have, Dior Addict Lacquer Plump, the French houses first plumping long-wear lip color. Dior Makeup Creative and Image Director Peter Philips was also in attendance at the soiree for the new product range inspired by the very city in which it was being introduced. Bambi Northwood-Blyth, from left, Winnie Harlow and Selah Marley at Diors L.A. party this week. (Billy Farrell / John Salangsang / BFA.com ) When I think of L.A., it gives me a sense of calm, he said. Its such a chilled-out vibe. My beauty philosophy is that makeup shouldnt be complicated. I want to create products that make a womans life easy. L.A. exudes that effortless vibe. Advertisement In line with the collections inspiration, the face of Addict Lacquer Plump is none other than L.A. native and supermodel Bella Hadid, who mingled among guests at the event; so did Camilla Belle, Paris Jackson, Atlanta de Cadenet, Winnie Harlow and Selah Marley. Peyton List, left, with Dior Makeup Creative and Image Director Peter Philips at Diors soiree at Poppy nightclub in Los Angeles this week. (Billy Farrell / John Salangsang / BFA.com ) The sprawling party offered an Instagram opportunity in every room, from trays of drinks (the words Dior Addict Los Angeles appeared to magically float in the martini glasses) to a large pink glitter wall. Also, there was a silver tinsel curtain, allowing guests to pose and play for their Instagram shots. One room revealed a massive Dior Addict Lacquer Plump bar, where makeup artists were available to help guests try the 16 new shades across three categories Neons, Classics and Glitters. Yuka Mizuhara and Kiko Mizuhara are some of the guests at the Dior Addict Lacquer Plump party in Los Angeles this week. (Billy Farrell / John Salangsang / BFA.com ) You can play with makeup that draws attention bold textures and bright colors, said Philips of his new lip range. L.A. is about fame and being in the spotlight. Both of these elements can be found in the Dior Addict Lacquer Plump collection. In the main room at Poppy, DJ Chase B provided the tunes, and booths packed with guests surrounded the dance floor. In over-the-top fashion, a woman dressed in sequins swayed back and forth on a wooden swing above the bar and party guests. One corner revealed a spot for guests to get temporary glitter tattoos, perhaps to ensure memories from the evening would remain vivid into the following day. Advertisement The theme of the campaign is a fun, free-spirited party girl, Philips said. Its always nice to come to L.A. and have a bit of a party. Paris Jackson at Diors L.A. party this week. (Billy Farrell / John Salangsang / BFA.com ) image@latimes.com Advertisement For fashion news, follow us at @latimesimage on Twitter. Katie Gurvin plunges her aqua-gloved arms into the bowl of hot tahini-sugar-fluff mixture and begins to work her magic. Hints of vanilla, caramel and sesame waft up as the young halvah maker repeatedly twirls her hands through the tawny batter. As spaghetti-like strands form, she lifts, stretches and lets them drop, her movements somewhere between pulling Chinese noodles and taffy. When the stuff resembles a bread sponge, Gurvin shifts to powerful kneading until finally the metamorphosis is complete the once soupy mixture is now a pale 35-pound mass of sesame halvah, one of the worlds most ancient confections. If youre already familiar with the dense tahini-based sweet found in ethnic markets and delis, you may have wondered how the stuff is made. If youre like many Americans, you may know tahini but halvah? Not so much. The best halvah is tahini-forward and shot with spun sugar, each bite yielding a delicate shatter before dissolving in a creamy, nutty finish. Since June, Gurvin and her Israeli American husband, Scott Hebel, have been handcrafting organic, vegan, Levant-style sesame halvah at Hebel & Co. in Los Angeles. The duo works in a Crafted Kitchen incubator space in the Industrial Arts section of downtown Los Angeles, where they manufacture 220 to 500 pounds of halvah per week in four flavors vanilla, pistachio, chocolate-hazelnut, and hot cocoa that they sell to retailers and restaurants, at the Hollywood farmers market and online. (Theyll be scaling up when they move into their own kitchen in April.) Recipe: Black tie halvah Advertisement Halvah the name comes from the Arabic word for sweetmeat has been around since at least 7th century Persia, where it was then likely made from semolina. Versions made from grains, vegetables and nuts are popular in South Asia, Ukraine and parts of the Levant, but the most famous is sesame halvah from the Middle East, Turkey and Greece. Its traditionally enjoyed with afternoon coffee or tea, for dessert; or, in Iran, as an earthy-sweet counterpoint to an appetizer platter of herbs, radishes, feta cheese and flatbread. Thanks to chefs such as Yotam Ottolenghi, Michael Solomonov and Alon Shaya, Israeli and Middle Eastern cuisines are catching on with chefs whose cooking has no connection to the Eastern Mediterranean. This month, Forbes named tahini, halvahs main ingredient, a breakout growing food trend. Scott Hebel, left, and Katie Gurvin of Hebel & Co. smooth out halvah and top with pistachios at Crafted Kitchen. (Christina House / Los Angeles Times ) For Hebel, it all began with a simple desire to re-create his Bukharan-Polish-Austrian-Israeli familys weekend tradition. Every Saturday morning when I was a kid, my dad bought bagels and halvah, says the New Jersey native. It was our version of weekend waffles. As he developed a passion for food, Hebel wanted a better version of his childhood treat than the industrially produced stuff I mostly ate growing up. Hebel has spent his adult life seeking out great halvah, from Chicago, where he worked in the tech industry, and Los Angeles to Israel, Egypt and Greece hes even sampled nonsesame halvah in India. But he couldnt find the caliber he wanted locally. Good halvah depends on the quality of ingredients, a tahini-sugar ratio (at least 50% tahini) and how well the finished product is cared for heat and moisture are the enemy of sugar work. Tartines a la Perse (Persian toasts) halvah on toast with herbs. (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times ) Recipe: Tartines a la perse (Persian toasts) Advertisement Hebel says he thought, Its basically three ingredients tahini, sugar and an emulsifier how hard could it be to make? Well, every recipe out there is wrong, he adds. Egg whites arent used to bind tahinis fat with caramelized sugars in traditional halvah-making. The most authentic recipes use an aromatic plant-based extract as a foaming agent (think aquafaba), which gives classic halvah its light color, airy texture and hint of bitterness. Hebel and Gurvin call this the fluff. The couple use Philadelphia-based Israeli Soom tahini (soomsoom is Hebrew for sesame) and a proprietary blend of manufacturing sugars, but no invert sugars whose intense sweetness overpowers tahinis delicate flavor. According to Hebel, the ancient art has mostly been handed down orally through the generations. It took seven years, beginning in 2010, of translating medieval Arabic texts, studying chemistry and sugar work, and experimenting to get the formula just right. Gurvin, a former director of sales and marketing at the restaurant and marketplace Farmshop in Brentwood, brought her love of bread baking, her PR skills and a fresh eye to the endeavor. Shes from a Midwestern Catholic family and had zero halvah knowledge before she met Hebel. Halvah, banana, and date syrup panini (sort of a dessert sandwich.) (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times ) Advertisement Recipe: Halvah, banana and date syrup panini All the while, Hebel continued his search for U.S. halvah makers. After 20 years developing software, the 41-year-old was fortunate to have enough to capitalize the dream of a halvah start-up, with the help of friends and family. Hebel and Gurvin nudge the slab of halvah into shape. Its a well-choreographed division of labor he does the chemistry bits, she takes the lead where her bakers skills are required. The basic steps are the same, but every batch, every day, is different, they say. As with breadmaking or sugar work, halvah production is as much about feel as science. Things can go south pretty quickly, Gurvin says. You dont want to end up with fudge, marzipan or anything dry and crumbly. Says Hebel: The magic of halvah is not breaking those strands. Their commitment is not lost on the restaurant industry. In rotation on the Farmshop menu are chicken liver mousse with bitter-lemon marmalade, labneh panna cotta with grapefruit marmalade and a mocha-almond tart with pistachio gelato, all embellished with halvah. On weekends, Roxana Jullapat bakes halvah croissants at Friends & Family in Los Angeles, and Alex Phaneuf and Or Amsalam of Lodge Bread in Culver City offer babka stuffed with chocolate and halvah. Dahlia Narvaez serves tahini, halvah and nut milk sorbet at Osteria Mozza because, she says, you see a lot of sesame in Italian cooking, so its a natural bridge to include [halvah] desserts on our menu. Advertisement You dont need to go to such effort at home. Besides eating it straight up or on bagels, Gurvin suggests crumbling it over yogurt-granola parfaits or ice cream, or adding it to a cheese plate. Husband and wife team, Scott Hebel, right, and Katie Gurvin of Hebel & Co. (Christina House / Los Angeles Times ) Other ideas include crisp-and-gooey halvah panini, or melting chocolate over blocks of halvah for a simple, showy dessert paired with fruit and nuts. Or make Persian-style springtime tartines, a great dish for celebrations such as Nowruz, Easter and with matzo for Passover (depending on your level of observance). Gurvin shaves off the top of the still-warm batch, exposing an airy stack of shaggy halvah tiles. With each bite, one hears the crunch of sugar threads, as with the crystals in well-aged cheese. The couple set aside the batch to cool overnight and move on to cutting and wrapping the previous days giant sheet cakes of halvah for delivery. We didnt start out to become a business, they say. It was simply a labor of love. Advertisement Hebel & Co. halvah is available at the Sunday Hollywood farmers market, Farmshop, Lincoln, Little Flower, Monsieur Marcel and online at hebelco.com. $12 for 6.3-ounce block. food@latimes.com @latimesfood Fearing he would die if he stayed, Mohamed fled the civil war in his home country of Syria, heading to Saudi Arabia where he spent six years working as a physician. While there, Mohamed worked toward his goal of coming to the United States to train. He aced the U.S. exams required of all physicians and scored an interview with a New York hospital. Officials there were so impressed that they offered Mohamed a spot in their residency program that day. But when President Trump instituted an executive order barring Syrians from coming to the United States, Mohameds chances of working in New York diminished. I did everything required to get the license in a formal way, and in a legal way, so I can start my training like any international physician who wants to complete his certification in the United States, said Mohamed, who asked not to use his last name for fear of affecting his visa application. Advertisement For the second consecutive year, the number of noncitizen international medical graduates who applied to study in U.S. residency programs has declined. A total of 7,067 foreign physicians submitted their choices for U.S. residency programs for 2018, down 217 from last year and 393 from 2016, according to data released Friday. Thats almost 20% of the 37,103 total active applicants. The number of foreign physicians seeking graduate medical education in the United States has fluctuated in years past. But the timing of the most recent decline raises concerns among medical professionals, who say the U.S. healthcare system is increasingly reliant on skilled immigrants. The share of U.S. doctors and surgeons who are immigrants grew from 20% in 1990 to 28% in 2016, according to the Migration Policy Institute think tank in Washington. The number of immigrants in those positions more than doubled in that time. Its obviously concerning to us that this decline started at the same time that the administration began discussing implementing a travel ban or restrictions on foreign nationals entering this country, said Mona Signer, president and chief executive of the National Resident Matching Program, a private, nonprofit organization that uses an algorithm to match medical students to residency programs. Can I tell you for certain thats the cause? No, I cant tell you its cause and effect, but its certainly concerning to us. Mohamed is among those who applied for a residency, hoping to start July 1. But for physicians from the travel ban-affected countries currently Chad, Iran, Libya, North Korea, Somalia, Syria, Venezuela and Yemen the process remains convoluted. Students from each country face different requirements, and for Mohamed, his only hope is receiving a rare special exception. Los Angeles has more than 500 physicians from Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen the countries included in the second version of the travel ban providing more than 1 million appointments to patients each year, according to the Immigrant Doctors Project, an analysis of online physician data by Harvard and MIT doctoral students. Los Angeles is one of five cities with the largest share of physicians from those countries. (The other cities are Detroit and Toledo, Cleveland and Dayton, Ohio.) Southern California in particular has benefited from a large number of immigrating Iranian physicians, said Dr. Bahman Bandari, president of the SoCal Persian American Medical Assn. But as immigrant physicians feel less welcome by the Trump administrations policies, they might seek out education elsewhere, he said. Advertisement They will go to other countries because of the fear of the way they will be treated here, and that could deteriorate the quality of the professionals who come to the United States compared to the past, Bandari said. Trumps policies are exacerbating a problem that existed before he took office, some immigration researchers say. The U.S. which used to be the primary and preferred destination for highly skilled immigrants more broadly, and healthcare professionals in particular is losing its competitive edge because others have done much more to attract highly skilled immigrants in healthcare, said Jeanne Batalova, a senior policy analyst at the Migration Policy Institute. Thats a problem for a healthcare system heavily dependent on immigrants. Advertisement Nationwide, an estimated 260,600 physicians and surgeons are immigrants, according to an analysis by the Migration Policy Institute. Of those, 5% are from travel ban-affected countries. Other countries including Canada, Australia and some European nations are streamlining the immigration process to ensure that foreign physicians can more easily train and stay there, Batalova said. Meanwhile, it remains costly and time-consuming for foreign physicians to train in the United States. In Southeast Asia, an effort is underway to pass laws that allow physicians to easily train in one country such as Vietnam and work in another, like the Philippines. Leaders want to keep doctors closer to home in a region from which an estimated 26,500 foreign physicians in the United States hail. Immigrants help address some of the imbalance in the U.S. healthcare system, Batalova said, because they are often more willing to work as primary care physicians family medicine doctors and pediatricians than doctors born in the U.S. Advertisement Thats partly because of how the U.S. visa system for international medical graduates works. Most foreign physicians who do their residency in the U.S. come through the J-1 visa program, which generally requires them to return to their home country for two years once theyve completed their training before they can apply to stay in the United States for longer or permanently. Foreign physicians on a J-1 visa can avoid going home, though, by receiving a waiver after agreeing to work in a medically underserved area, either in rural America or an urban area with a high need for physicians, for at least three years. In Los Angeles County, qualifying areas include parts of Compton, Chinatown, El Monte, Long Beach and Westlake. Dr. Clarence Braddock, vice dean for education at the UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine, said in a statement that although the Trump administrations immigration policies have not yet had a significant, direct impact on UCLAs residency programs, he and other faculty are concerned about the long-term implications for the broader healthcare community and for patients. Advertisement We need more physicians to meet the countrys growing healthcare needs, and the anxiety and confusion caused by the proposed travel ban and end of DACA present a barrier for foreign-born or undocumented physicians seeking to practice medicine in the United States, Braddock said, referring to the imperiled Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program that shields from deportation young immigrants brought to the U.S. illegally as children. The medical community and patients benefit from a diversity of practicing physicians, he said. Medical students navigate a long and difficult road to become physicians it takes an average of three years for a foreign physician pursuing a residency in the U.S. to be vetted, take the required tests and be approved and the challenges are undeniably magnified for those who are foreign-born or undocumented. Its a disservice to patients to discourage qualified doctors from practicing medicine in this country. Some maintain, though, that the reliance on imported medical professionals is not good for the U.S. or other countries. Mark Krikorian, executive director of the D.C.-based Center for Immigration Studies, which pushes for lower legal and illegal immigration, said the United States is strip mining other nations for their physicians, leaving countries that have fewer resources with weakened healthcare systems. Instead, federal and state leaders should ensure that medical school is affordable and accessible to American citizens, increasing funding to programs that allow U.S. physicians to pay off their student loans by working in medically underserved areas, he said. Advertisement A country of a third of a billion people that spans an entire continent should be able to generate enough physicians for its needs, Krikorian said. And if there arent enough American doctors, for instance, who want to work in some small town in Oklahoma, the solution is not to import foreign doctors and indenture them to work in a small town. Its to create opportunities for Americans who otherwise couldnt afford medical school. Foreign physicians should only be allowed to enter the United States on work visas when they possess a rare skill, such as being one of the only people in the world able to perform a certain type of surgery, he said. You can make a good case that would serve the interest of the American people, but a [physician from Syria] who wants to come here because our medical training is better how does that benefit America in the long run? Krikorian said, referencing Mohameds case. It doesnt. For now, Mohamed anxiously waits in Saudi Arabia, his only shot at acceptance being a decision by a U.S. consular officer to approve a travel-ban waiver. Advertisement Waiver applicants must demonstrate that denying them entry would cause undue hardship, that their entry would not pose a threat to national security or public safety and that their entry would be in the national interest. Approval is on a case-by-case basis. Since December, when the most recent version of the travel ban went into effect, about 250 waivers have been approved from more than 8,400 applicants from the eight countries listed in the current travel ban, Reuters reported, citing State Department data. Mohamed said he has spent thousands of dollars to get to the point where he can legally enter the United States as a physician. The chances arent very good, he said, but theres still hope, and Im not losing hope. I will try. Advertisement jaclyn.cosgrove@latimes.com @jaclyncosgrove UPDATES: 3:40 p.m.: This article has been updated with comment from the president of the SoCal Persian American Medical Assn. Advertisement 11 a.m.: This article has been updated with data about the share of doctors and surgeons who are immigrants. This article was originally published at 10:50 a.m. (CNN) The Trump administration announced Thursday it is enacting new sanctions on Russia, including individuals indicted last month by special counsel Robert Mueller, in a sweeping new effort to punish Moscow for its attempts to interfere in the 2016 US election. In enacting the sanctions, the administration is finally meeting a congressional mandate to impose measures punishing Moscow for its cyber intrusion. The delay had led to questions over President Donald Trump's willingness to punish Moscow. The new measures, however delayed, amount to the most stringent punishment yet by Trump for Russia's election interference. In announcing the measures, the administration also disclosed a Russian attempt to penetrate the U.S. energy grid, and said the new sanctions would punish actors for their participation in other major cyberattacks. The new punishments include sanctions on the Internet Research Agency, a Russian troll farm that produced divisive political posts on American social media platforms during the 2016 presidential election. Yevgeniy Viktorovich Prigozhin, a financial backer to the Internet Research Agency with deep ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin, is also included. Known as "Putin's chef," Prigozhin was indicted by special counsel Robert Mueller earlier this year for his involvement with the Russian troll farm. Sanctions were also applied on 13 other individuals who were indicted by Mueller for their participation in the election meddling efforts. In addition to those included in Mueller's indictments, sanctions were slapped on two Russian intelligence agencies, the Federal Security Service and the Main Intelligence Directorate, as well as some of their employees. The administration also accused Moscow of attempting to hack the U.S. energy grid, a previously undisclosed claim that officials said was orchestrated by Russian intelligence. "The administration is confronting and countering malign Russian cyber activity, including their attempted interference in U.S. elections, destructive cyber-attacks, and intrusions targeting critical infrastructure," said Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin in a statement. In total, the administration applied new sanctions on five entities and 19 individuals on Thursday, including Russians who posed as Americans and posted content online as part of the IRA's attempts to sow discord ahead of the presidential contest. They came as the U.S. joined European allies in blaming Russia for a nerve agent attack in Britain, deeming the action a "clear violation" of international law. During a meeting in the Oval Office on Thursday with the Irish Taoiseach, Trump told reporters that "it certainly looks like" the Russians were behind the nerve agent attack in the United Kingdom. "It looks like it," Trump said. "I spoke with the Prime Minister and we are in deep discussions. A very sad situation." "Something that should never ever happen, and we are taking it very seriously, as I think are many others," Trump said. The new sanctions would bar the individuals from traveling to the United States, and freeze whatever assets they may have in the country. The sanctions were applied through executive power as well as through the Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act, which Congress initially passed this summer hoping to pressure Trump into punishing Russia for its election interference. Trump signed the bill reluctantly in August, claiming it impinged upon his executive powers and could dampen his attempts to improve ties with Moscow. The measure imposed an October deadline on the administration to produce lists of individuals and entities that could be subject to potential sanctions and a January deadline to impose them. The law required the administration to identify entities that conduct significant business with the Russian defense and intelligence sectors. The administration missed both by several weeks, claiming necessary work was underway at the State and Treasury Departments to complete the lists. The delay was seen as sign of Trump's unwillingness to punish Russia for its meddling, which he has downplayed in the past. Members of Congress expressed frustration that their law, which passed almost unanimously, wasn't being enacted. The White House said on Thursday that Russia had a decision to make as it moves forward. "They are going to have to decide whether or not they want to be a good actor or a bad actor," press secretary Sarah Sanders said. "I think you can see from the actions we have taken up until this point we are going to be tough on Russia until they start to change their behavior." On Thursday, administration officials insisted the new measures weren't the end of their efforts to punish Russia. "By no means will this constitute the end to our ongoing campaign to instruct Mr. Putin to change his behavior," a senior administration official told reporters. This story was first published on CNN.com, "Trump administration finally announces Russia sanctions over election meddling." The Monterey County high school teacher who accidentally fired a gun during a lecture on public safety awareness has publicly apologized for the classroom incident that injured three students. Dennis Alexander, who also serves as mayor pro tem of Seaside, made an impromptu speech Thursday at a regularly scheduled City Council meeting filled with hundreds of supporters. I want to apologize from the bottom of my heart, Alexander said in footage by local news outlet KSBW. I cant find the words to say how sorry I am. Since the Tuesday afternoon event, the community has rallied around the teacher and Sand City reserve police officer. Advertisement We are his family, and we are here to protect what is ours, said one student at the public comment session that, according to Seaside city clerk Lesley Milton-Rerig, lasted for two hours. There was such an outpouring of support, Milton-Rerig said. The council chamber was filled with students and signs, inside and outside. There was nothing on the agenda that would have related to that in any way, but [Alexander] asked the mayor if he could comment. Alexander, who has served on the council for eight years, thanked those who have stayed in his corner throughout the ordeal. It helps a lot. It gets me through the day, he said. The Seaside High School website lists Anderson as an educator in the career and technical department responsible for introductory classes on fire and police, as well as public safety. KSBW reported that Alexander fired his service revolver, a Glock 21 semi-automatic .45-caliber pistol. When the gun went off, Anderson was attempting to ensure a weapon was safe and free of any bullets when he pointed it toward the ceiling and inadvertently fired a round, Seaside Police Chief Abdul Pridgen said Wednesday. Officers were called to Seaside High School about 1:20 p.m. Advertisement Three students, 16 and 17 years old, sustained minor injuries cuts and scrapes after they were struck by bullet fragments or ceiling debris, Pridgen said. Seaside police said in a news release that no one was seriously injured. One student had a cut near his eye, while another had a cut on his neck. A third students arm had some inflammation. In at least one case, the students parents took the teen to a hospital. School resumed after the incident. Alexander, who Pridgen said has taught this safety class in the past, did not respond to a request for comment. Advertisement Its unclear whether he will face charges in the incident. Pridgen said detectives will present the results of their investigation to the Monterey County district attorneys office, which will decide whether charges are appropriate. The incident came a day before tens of thousands of students across the country staged a historic national walkout to push political leaders to take action to prevent gun violence on and off campuses. The walkout was in response to the massacre at a Parkland, Fla., school where a gunman killed 17 people. corina.knoll@latimes.com @corinaknoll Advertisement alene.tchekmedyian@latimes.com @alenetchek Valentina DAlessandro was at a party with a few girlfriends in 2013 when one of them got sick. They accepted another teenagers offer to drive the girls home in his red Mustang. In a commercial area of Wilmington, at the intersection of two four-lane boulevards, a car pulled up alongside the Mustang. The race began. Minutes later, Valentina, 16, was dead, her body wedged in a passenger side window following a crash. Police found her high school identification card at the scene. Advertisement She was one of at least 179 people who have died in Los Angeles County since 2000 in crashes where street racing was suspected, according to a Los Angeles Times analysis of coroners records, police reports and media accounts from 2000 to 2017. Southern California has long been an epicenter of high-speed car culture. Wild police pursuits dominate television newscasts. The Fast & Furious film franchise, which many cops blame for hyping street racing, was set in Los Angeles. Police say incidents of street racing are on the rise, driven by popular culture and the use of social media to draw contestants and evade authorities. In what racers call takeovers, participants use their cars to block off streets or intersections to stage races. In recent years, car clubs from neighboring areas, including Orange County and the Inland Empire, have begun traveling to Los Angeles to compete against local racing crews, increasing the number of dangerous drivers in the county, investigators say. We have the locations. We have lots of flat street. We have industrial parks. And the Hollywood connection, said Chief Chris OQuinn, who leads the California Highway Patrols Southern Division in L.A. County. This is the place to be. The deadliest year on record was 2007, with 18 fatal crashes. After a period with relatively few recorded deaths, the count grew in recent years, with 15 fatalities in 2015, 11 in 2016 and 12 deaths in 2017, the Times analysis shows. The dead were overwhelmingly male and young: More than half were 21 or younger, including two children, ages 4 and 8, killed along with their mother. Slightly less than half of the victims 47% were behind the wheel. The rest were either passengers in the speeding vehicles, spectators or people simply walking on a sidewalk or driving home. Deaths have occurred across Los Angeles County, but some places Long Beach, Santa Clarita, industrial zones Southeast of downtown and the wide boulevards that stretch across South L.A. and the San Fernando Valley have been trouble spots. Advertisement One of the few law enforcement agencies tracking street racing incidents is the CHP, and it has only been doing so since 2016. From July 2016 to July 2017, the CHP has recorded nearly 700 racing incidents in L.A. County. Those races involved roughly 17,000 vehicles and 22,000 people, according to the CHP data. The data did not include fatalities. The Times examined street racing deaths since 2000. Its tally of 179 killed is a conservative estimate, because few law enforcement agencies track street racing fatalities and the incidents themselves are difficult to classify. *** Authorities say many of the races that lead to fatalities are, like the crash that killed Valentina, spontaneous. Advertisement Valentinas mother, Lili Trujillo DAlessandro, didnt know what street racing was before her daughters 2013 crash. When she dropped Valentina off at a friends house that day, she remembered, she looked amazingly adorable. I cant even explain the love I felt in that moment. Her daughter was wearing combat boots and mismatched socks, her brown hair tucked under a beanie. Maybe something inside of me told me I was never going to see her again, Trujillo DAlessandro, 53, said. According to coroners records, the two cars were surging down the road at an unsafe speed when the Mustang slammed into a third car. Advertisement The driver of the Mustang survived. He was 17. Less than a month later, Trujillo DAlessandro went to an anti-drug assembly at her daughters high school, carrying a poster of a smiling Valentina. Soon after, she formed the advocacy group Street Racing Kills. I want the kids to see reality and hit them with reality, Trujillo DAlessandro said. I want them to see that this can happen. *** Advertisement Eric Siguenza, 26, and Wilson Thomas Wong, 50, were killed in February 2015 in an area of Chatsworth known as the Canoga Speedway while watching a street race with more than 60 others. Nine months later, three people, including a 15-year-old, were killed in the City of Commerce after a Dodge doing doughnuts in the street collided with a Ford, striking spectators. Sheriffs deputies said more than 100 vehicles may have been in the area at the time. Those deaths occurred during takeovers. The potential for danger, authorities said, is high, reinforced by drugs, large amounts of cash and other criminal activity. When you look at a takeover, you have a very large concentration of people, out of their vehicles, in a small area, and again youve got that 3,000-pound machine that is semi in control at best, said Sgt. Jesse Garcia, one of the Los Angeles Police Departments top street racing investigators. You have the potential of a much higher number of victims should that vehicle lose control. Advertisement Racers at takeover scenes have grown more aggressive toward police in recent years as well, according to OQuinn, the CHP chief. Officers once were able to scatter racers with a flash of their cruisers lights. Now, some in the car scene fight back, either blocking a roadway to allow friends to escape or, at times, physically confronting officers. A fire engine and ambulance responding to a medical emergency near downtown last year came across a takeover and were surrounded by a large group in the hundreds, possibly more, said Peter Sanders, a spokesman for the Los Angeles Fire Department. The crew put out a distress call after some racers leaped into the emergency vehicle, Sanders said. No one was injured, but another ambulance needed to be dispatched to help the subject of the original emergency call, who was struggling to breathe. That activity placed somebodys life in danger, said Capt. Al Lopez, of the LAPDs Central Traffic bureau, whose investigators are searching for suspects in that incident. Advertisement The takeover scene, police say, has grown stronger in recent years, bolstered by a young population hungry for attention on social media. Events can be organized within hours, and locations can be changed on the fly. Instagram likes on viral videos of stunts people performing doughnuts or bouncing lowriders are the new street cred, Garcia said. As much as $20,000 is bet on some illegal drag races. *** Tracking the number of street races is difficult. Street racing is not listed as a possible cause on state forms that record traffic collisions, so many agencies dont keep detailed records. Others dont agree on how to define a street race or speed contest. The penal codes definition is broad and includes races against a clock or timing device. Advertisement The image of two cars rocketing down a stretch of asphalt is commonly associated with street racing, but some agencies, including the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department, also include single-car crashes that involve racing against the clock. Following a 2016 crash in Commerce, the LAPD and CHP formed a task force to tackle the problem of illicit racing. In the past three years, seven people have died in the city of about 13,000 traversed by the 5 and 710 freeways. Three of those deaths occurred in the fiery 2016 collision. A suspected street racer doing 100 mph lost control of his Dodge Charger on the 5 Freeway and slammed into a UPS truck, which went airborne, landed on the center divider and collided with two other vehicles before exploding. Two passengers in one of the cars Brian Lewandowski, 18, and Michelle Littlefield, 19 were killed, along with the driver of the UPS truck, Scott Treadway, 52. Four others were injured. My every day, my every move with my wife, was about my daughter, said Willy Littlefield, Michelles father. When we wake up, we have to remind ourselves that our daughter is not here, that this is the new reality. Advertisement Dealio Lockhart, 37, was charged with three counts of murder in connection with the incident. He is still awaiting trial. A second driver remains at large. A few law enforcement agencies have assigned officers to the task force. But some agencies say they lack manpower. The CHP has assigned two-full-time detectives, OQuinn said. At least a dozen officers in the LAPDs Central Bureau investigate street racing, focusing on organized meet-ups since spontaneous racing is nearly impossible to deter. Efforts to place a similar unit in the Valley, another racing hot zone, were abandoned for lack of staff, a street racing investigator said. Los Angeles City Councilman Mitchell Englander, whose district includes a stretch of the San Fernando Valley that is infamous for racing, is an outspoken critic of the scenes culture and the departments response. Three years ago, the city council approved an ordinance he authored that requires the LAPD to incorporate a wide array of data regarding street racing into the departments crime tracking system. After a fiery racing-related crash claimed the lives of four young people in Northridge last October, LAPD officials admitted during a public hearing that they still werent doing so. Advertisement You cant solve a problem that you dont measure, Englander said. Late last year, the LAPD began tracking fatalities, injuries, crashes and the number of citations related to races, according to Josh Rubenstein, a department spokesman. The information was added to the departments crime tracking system in January, he said. The Times analysis found that at least 60 people died in crashes related to street racing in the city of Los Angeles between 2000 and 2017. Only two other cities in the county Long Beach and Commerce saw more than 10 deaths during that period. Neither the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department nor the Long Beach Police Department, two of the largest agencies in the region, have officers assigned to the county task force. Advertisement County deputies are being trained to recognize vehicles that have been modified for racing, but, Det. Christine Ostrander said, our deputies are just overworked, understaffed. *** When Benny Golbin, 36, didnt show up to play saxophone for a Steely Dan cover band in Seal Beach on a Friday night in January 2016, his family knew something was wrong. Hours later, they got the news: Golbin, a musician and teacher, was dead. That afternoon, as he was heading between jobs, a silver Chevrolet Cobalt flew over a median on Crenshaw Boulevard in Hawthorne and landed on his Honda CR-V. He was killed instantly. Advertisement Police said at the time that the Cobalt was racing a red Camaro. The driver of the Cobalt wasnt seriously injured. The driver of the Camaro fled and was later arrested. For Golbins family, the loss is only made worse by the outcome of the criminal prosecution in his death. The drivers of the Cobalt, Alfredo Perez Davila, and the Camaro, Anthony Leon Holley, were initially charged with murder but ultimately accepted plea deals. Davila pleaded guilty to gross vehicular manslaughter and was sentenced to four years in prison. Holley pleaded guilty to felony hit-and-run and was sentenced to three years probation after an emotional and contentious court hearing last July. The prosecutor declined to comment. Benny Golbins wife pleaded with the judge for a stiffer sentence, saying that she would not call the incident a car accident. It is a murder, said Anchesa Bunyasai. Advertisement When Golbins mother, Sheri Kessel, hears a saxophone playing on the radio, she turns it off. This isnt just going out and driving fast and having fun with your friends, she said. People get killed. This is life and death. Times Staff Writers Ben Welsh and Maloy Moore contributed to this report. james.queally@latimes.com Advertisement nicole.santacruz@latimes.com For more crime news, follow @JamesQueallyLAT and @nicolesantacruz on Twitter. USC names retired aerospace executive Wanda Austin as acting president, announces Nikias departure By Harriet Ryan USC appointed a retired aerospace executive as interim president and laid out a detailed plan for selecting a permanent leader Tuesday, ending speculation about whether outgoing President C.L. Max Nikias might remain in the post. Nikias, embattled over his administrations handling of a campus gynecologist accused of sexually abusing patients, relinquished his duties after a meeting of USCs board. The trustees tapped one of their own, Wanda Austin, an alumna and former president of the Aerospace Corp., to temporarily run the university. The trustees also approved the formation of a search committee and the hiring of firm Isaacson, Miller to coordinate the selection of a successor. A second search company, Heidrick & Struggles, will also advise trustees. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Ex-student sues elite Brentwood School after teacher is charged with sexually abusing him By Richard Winton A former student sued the elite Brentwood School on Monday in the wake of a female teacher being charged with repeatedly having sex with the minor, alleging that other faculty members encouraged the unlawful behavior and failed to report it to authorities. The lawsuit accuses the private school, whose students include the children of many of Hollywoods elite and L.A.s powerful, of acting negligently and allowing Aimee Palmitessa to abuse and batter the teenager sexually. The suit alleges that the student was abused in summer 2017 after one of the schools counselors offered words of encouragement to the then-17-year-old, identified in the suit as only John Doe, to engage in an illegal relationship with the teacher. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Civil jury vindicates fired Montebello school executives in whistleblower case By Howard Blume The Montebello school district is in dire straits at risk of insolvency and under apparent criminal investigation. An outside audit in July found some teachers earning more than $200,000 a year, as well as improper raises, excess paid vacation time and inappropriate overtime, sick leave and car allowances. Fixing the district and pinpointing blame could take time. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print L.A. schools fall short on safety measures, new report warns By Howard Blume After the mass shooting at Floridas Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in February, Los Angeles school officials reassured parents that much had been done to keep local schools safe. California had tougher gun laws, after all, and the school district paid close attention to students mental health. But a new report issued Monday by a panel convened to take a close look offers some cause for concern, flagging inconsistent campus safety measures, thinly spread mental health staff and inadequate coordination between the school district and other public agencies. With the stakes this high, we must strive to do better, said L.A. City Atty. Mike Feuer, who assembled the panel. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement L.A. school district says more are graduating, but rate may not show it By Howard Blume The L.A. Unified School District has hopes of continuing its winning streak this year with another record graduation rate, but the official numbers may not show it. A senior district administrator warned the board Tuesday that graduation rates were likely to decline 2% to 3% across the state, even though L.A. Unified is likely doing better than ever in producing graduates, he said. The issue is that the state will now count high school students who transfer to adult school as dropouts, said Oscar Lafarga, who heads the districts office of data and accountability. Previously, schools treated these students as though they had simply enrolled in another high school, he said. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Betsy DeVos to California: Not so fast on that federal education plan By Joy Resmovits Education Secretary Betsy DeVos (Erik Lesser / European Pressphoto Agency) In April, Californias top education officials breathed a sigh of relief. After months of debate and back-and-forth with Betsy DeVos staff, they had finalized a plan to satisfy a major education law that aims to make sure all students get a decent education. The state focused on aligning its plan to fulfill the requirements of the federal Every Student Succeeds Act with Californias Local Control Funding Formula, which gives extra money to districts to help students who come from low-income families, are in the foster system or are English learners. But this week, DeVos team said not so fast. Jason Botel, the U.S. Department of Educations principal deputy assistant secretary, sent California education officials a letter asking for more information in such areas as measuring student progress, graduation rates and English learners. In an unsigned statement, the California Department of Education declared itself surprised and disappointed because officials thought after a meeting with federal officials in Washington that they were on the right track to get approval. Now the Every Student Succeeds Act plan will be up for discussion once again at the July meeting of the State Board of Education. The U.S. Department of Education has already approved most state plans. Every Student Succeeds is the Obama administrations 2015 replacement for the No Child Left Behind Act. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print L.A. school board sets a new goal: prepare every grad to be eligible to apply for Cal State or UC By Sonali Kohli Last month, Los Angeles school board president proposed a spate of highly ambitious mandates aimed at ensuring that every district graduate be eligible to apply to one of the states public four-year universities by 2023. By the time the L.A. Unified school board unanimously approved the resolution Tuesday, the original language had been watered down. The goal is no longer that in five years 100% of students meet the long list of benchmarks, which include not just college eligibility for graduates but first-grade reading proficiency and English fluency by sixth grade for all students who enter the district in kindergarten or first grade speaking another language. The original college-readiness goal, for example, called for 100% of all high school students to be eligible to apply to one of the states four-year universities. Now the goal seems to offer more wiggle room: Prepare all high school graduates to be eligible to apply to a California four-year university. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement We have been hurt. More women say they were mistreated by USC gynecologist By Richard Winton USC student Anika Narayanan says she vividly recalls her first appointment with Dr. George Tyndall at the campus health center, alleging that he made several explicit comments during an examination she felt was inappropriate and invasive. When she came back for a second visit in 2016 after a nonconsensual sexual encounter, he allegedly chastised her, she said in a civil lawsuit and at a press conference Tuesday. He asked me if I had forgotten to use a condom again, said Narayanan, 21. At one point, she said, Tyndall asked if I did a lot of doggy style, she said. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print L.A. Unified gives inspector general brief contract extension By Howard Blume The Los Angeles school board on Tuesday extended the contract of Ken Bramlett, its inspector general, by three months, though his job is far from secure and questions remain about the future direction of his watchdog office. Board members also unanimously promoted Vivian Ekchian, who had been the runner-up for the superintendents job, to deputy superintendent the districts No. 2 position. Both moves had elements of peacemaking between different factions on the board. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print USCs handling of complaints about campus gynecologist is being investigated by federal government By Harriet Ryan The U.S. Department of Education announced Monday that it has launched an investigation into how the University of Southern California handled misconduct complaints against a campus gynecologist, the latest fallout in a scandal that has prompted the resignation of USCs president, two law enforcement investigations and dozens of lawsuits. In revealing the inquiry by the departments Office of Civil Rights, officials rebuked USC for what they alleged was improper withholding of information about Dr. George Tyndall during a previous federal investigation. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos, who has been criticized for taking a less vigorous approach to examining sexual misconduct than predecessors, called for a systemic examination of USC and urged administrators to fully cooperate. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Judge to sentence woman and her boyfriend for the murder of an 8-year-old that led to L.A. child welfare reforms By Marisa Gerber A woman and her boyfriend are expected to be sentenced Thursday for the torture and murder of an 8-year-old boy whose killing in 2013 provoked public outrage, prompted sweeping reform of Los Angeles Countys child welfare system, and led to unprecedented criminal charges against social workers who handled the childs case. Pearl Sinthia Fernandez, 34, faces life in prison without the possibility of parole for her role in the death of her son, Gabriel. A jury decided last year that her boyfriend, Isauro Aguirre, 37, should be executed. When paramedics arrived at the boys Palmdale home in May 2013, Gabriel had slipped out of consciousness. He had a fractured skull, broken ribs, burned skin, missing teeth and BB pellets embedded in his groin. A paramedic would later testify that every inch of the boys small body had been abused. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print L.A. Unifieds spending out of step with similar school systems, task force says By Howard Blume The Los Angeles school district is out of step with similar school systems, spending more on teachers pay and health benefits and less on activities that could enhance student learning, according to a new report by an outside task force. The L.A. Unified School District Advisory Task Force did not make specific recommendations, but instead posed a series of questions it said the district needs to answer to make sure its funding is aimed at providing a full opportunity for all students to succeed. What were trying to say is: Lets put the data on the table. Lets look at the truth. Lets be transparent and here are the numbers, said task force member Renata Simril. This is not to say that we should cut teachers salaries. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Top USC medical school official feared dean was doing drugs and alerted administration, he testifies By Paul Pringle A former vice dean of USCs Keck School of Medicine testified Tuesday that he feared the schools then-dean, Dr. Carmen A. Puliafito, could be doing drugs and expressed concerns about his general well-being to the universitys No. 2 administrator before Puliafito abruptly left his job in 2016. Dr. Henri Fords testimony at a hearing of the state Medical Board marks the first suggestion that any USC administrator had suspicions about Puliafitos possible drug use before he stepped down. A Times investigation in 2017 found Puliafito led a secret second life of using illegal drugs with a circle of young criminals and addicts. Puliafito testified about his behavior at the hearing Tuesday, saying he took drugs with one young woman on a weekly basis. Ford said that he decided to alert USC Provost Michael Quick after receiving reports in early 2016 that Puliafito was partying in hotels with people of questionable reputation, and that he came to worry about his mental stability. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Why L.A. Unified may face financial crisis even with a giant surplus this year By Jessica Calefati With more than half a billion dollars socked away for next school year, the Los Angeles Unified School District hardly seems just two years from financial ruin. Its a scenario that is especially tough to swallow if youre a low-wage worker seeking a raise or a teacher who wants smaller classes. But budget documents show that todays $548-million surplus cannot be sustained and that even basic services face steep, seemingly unavoidable cuts because of massive problems barreling the districts way. Theres a disconnect between the rosy short-term picture and what we know is coming, said board member Kelly Gonez. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print We have failed: Top USC officials try to reassure students amid gynecologist scandal By Joy Resmovits Top administrators at USC are reaching out to students in the wake of misconduct allegations against the universitys longtime gynecologist, acknowledging failings and vowing reforms as they try to address growing outrage over the revelations. Several USC deans have sent out messages trying to reassure students and faculty that the university is committed to changing. We have failed, wrote Jack H. Knott, dean of USCs Sol Price School of Public Policy, in a May 24 letter. What happened is antithetical to everything we know is right. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Rick Caruso is named chair of USCs trustees, vows swift investigation of gynecologist scandal By Thomas Curwen The University of Southern Californias board of trustees has elected mall magnate Rick Caruso to be the new chair of the board, giving fresh leadership as the university navigates a widening scandal involving a longtime campus gynecologist. The move marks the latest effort by USC to address the case, which has sparked a criminal investigation by the Los Angeles Police Department and dozens of civil lawsuits. More than 400 people have contacted a hotline that the university established for patients to make reports about their experience with Dr. George Tyndall. In his first act as chairman, Caruso announced that the white-shoe L.A. law firm OMelveny & Myers would conduct a thorough and independent investigation into the gynecologists conduct and reporting failures at the clinic. He set an ambitious timeline for the review, pledging it would conclude before students return for the fall semester. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print UC Berkeley students persistence helps win more liberal rules for in-state tuition By Teresa Watanabe Ifechukwu Okeke thought shed be a shoo-in for in-state tuition when she was admitted to UC Berkeley for fall 2016. She had moved to the United States from Nigeria in 2012 to go to Chaffey College in Rancho Cucamonga. By the time she got her acceptance to transfer to UC to study molecular and cell biology, she had lived in California four years. She had a California drivers license, bank account and rental records as proof. UC Berkeley, however, ruled she was a nonresident which meant she would have to pay nearly $27,000 more. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement State medical board calls former County-USC doctor a sexual predator, suspends his license By Matt Hamilton A UCLA cardiologist has been temporarily stripped of his medical license after state regulators described him as a sexual predator who assaulted three female colleagues when he was working and training at L.A. County-USC Medical Center. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Global California 2030' aims to get more students learning more languages By Joy Resmovits Tom Torlakson (Andrew Seng / Associated Press) Outgoing state Supt. of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson on Wednesday announced a new statewide effort to encourage students to learn more languages. Called Global California 2030, its goal is to help more students become fluent in multiple tongues. Torlakson said that by 2030, he wants half of the states 6.2 million K-12 students to participate in classes or programs that lead to proficiency in two or more languages. By 2040, he wants three out of four students to be proficient enough to earn the State Seal of Biliteracy. Torlakson announced the initiative at Cahuenga Elementary School, which offers a dual-language immersion program in English and Korean. Californias public school students speak more than 60 languages at home, and 40% come to school with knowledge of a language other than English. Torlakson called his plan a call to action that invites parents, legislators, educators and community members to pool resources to expand language offerings in schools and get more bilingual teachers trained. He said the state already is working with Mexico and Spain to expand a teacher-exchange program. Fluency, the plan argues, can help students succeed economically and language acquisition can help their overall critical thinking. The initiative builds on Proposition 58, a ballot initiative passed in 2016 that undid an earlier requirement that English learners be taught in English-immersion classes unless their parents signed waivers. Torlakson recently visited Mexico and met with that countrys education secretary. They later signed a pact to increase collaboration, particularly in language education. This [Global California 2030] is great follow-through on Toms part and very important, Patricia Gandara, a UCLA education professor who hosted the Mexico meeting, said in an email. It hands over a plan to move forward in an area in which California has a unique advantage, but must seize the opportunity. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Jury convicts man of murder in 2015 slaying of UCLA student found inside her burning apartment By Marisa Gerber A jury on Tuesday convicted a man in the 2015 slaying of a UCLA student found dead inside her burning apartment a gruesome stabbing case that led to a fierce rebuke of the police response amid concerns that the killing could have been prevented. The panel deliberated for about six hours before finding Alberto Medina, 24, guilty of murder, arson, burglary and animal cruelty. On Sept. 21, 2015, firefighters found the charred body of Andrea DelVesco inside her apartment after responding to the complex a block from campus. The 21-year-old student an Austin, Texas, native known to her sorority sisters as a fearless giver who befriended others with ease was stabbed at least 19 times, authorities said. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print LAPD begins sweeping criminal probe of former USC gynecologist while urging patients to come forward By Adam Elmahrek The Los Angeles Police Department said Tuesday it is investigating 52 complaints of misconduct filed by former patients of USCs longtime campus gynecologist as detectives launch a sweeping criminal probe into the scandal that has rocked the university. LAPD detectives also made an appeal for other patients who feel mistreated to come forward, noting that thousands of students were examined by Dr. George Tyndall during his nearly 30-year career at USC. More than 410 people have contacted a university hotline about the physician since The Times revealed the allegations this month. Tyndalls behavior and practices appear to go beyond the norms of the medical profession and gynecological examinations, said Asst. Chief Beatrice Girmala. We sincerely realize that victims may have difficulty recounting such details to investigators. We are empathetic and ready to listen. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print At L.A.'s only school for the deaf, parents want leaders who speak the same language By Anna M. Phillips Ever since her son was 6 months old, Juliet Hidalgo has been bringing him to the Marlton School, a low-slung building in Baldwin Hills that for generations has been a second home for deaf and hard-of-hearing students in Los Angeles. Marlton staff taught Hidalgos brother and sister, both of whom are deaf. The school was where her deaf son learned to make the signs for milk and food. Hidalgo had planned to enroll her daughter, taking advantage of a popular program that allows hearing children to learn American Sign Language alongside their deaf siblings. But after more than a decade of involvement, she and other family members are considering withdrawing their children. They are not alone. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Fueled by unlimited donations, independent groups play their biggest role yet in a California primary for governor By Ryan Menezes An unprecedented amount of money from wealthy donors, unions and corporations is flowing into the California governors race, giving independent groups unrestricted by contribution limits a greater say in picking the states chief executive than ever before. The groups have already spent more than $26 million through Thursday, the most ever spent by noncandidate committees in a gubernatorial primary, according to a Times analysis of campaign finance reports. California elections have always been expensive, and the future is even more expensive, said Jack Pitney, a political science professor at Claremont McKenna College and a former state Republican leader. The stakes are very real. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement 2 hurt in Indiana middle school shooting; suspect in custody, authorities say By Associated Press Authorities say two victims in a shooting at a suburban Indianapolis school are being taken to a hospital and the lone suspect is in custody. Bryant Orem, a spokesman for the Hamilton County Sheriffs Office, said in a news release that the victims in Friday mornings attack at Noblesville West Middle School are being taken to Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis and their families have been notified. He says no other information is available about the victims. Orem said the suspect is believed to have acted alone and was taken into custody. No additional information about the suspect was made public. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print For new L.A. schools chief Austin Beutner, some key unions are giving no honeymoon period By Howard Blume In the less than two weeks since Austin Beutner took charge of Los Angeles schools, unions representing teachers and administrators have staged a job action and a protest. Theyve made it clear that they will not give the new superintendent the traditional honeymoon period, and they are bashing him for his wealth and lack of experience running either a school or a school district. Beutner is a billionaire investment banker with zero qualifications, local teachers union President Alex Caputo-Pearl told members in a phone alert urging them to participate in a Thursday afternoon rally in Grand Park. The board is saying that billionaires who made their money blowing institutions up and making money off it know best not the education professionals who have dedicated our careers to working with students. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Pressure grows on Board of Trustees amid USC gynecologist scandal By Paul Pringle USCs large and powerful Board of Trustees is coming under growing pressure to provide a stronger hand as the university faces a crisis over misconduct allegations against the campus longtime gynecologist that has prompted calls for President C.L. Max Nikias to step down. Allegations that Dr. George Tyndall mistreated students during his nearly 30 years at USC have roiled the campus, with about 300 people coming forward to make reports to the university and the Los Angeles Police Department launching a criminal investigation. USC is already beginning to face what is expected to be costly litigation by women who say they were victimized by the physician. So far, the trustees to whom Nikias reports have expressed sympathy for the women who have come forward and launched an independent investigation while also publicly backing the president. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print UC regents approve leaner budget for Janet Napolitano By Teresa Watanabe University of California regents on Thursday unanimously approved a leaner, more transparent budget for President Janet Napolitano, moving to address political criticism over the systems central office operations. The $876.4-million budget for 2018-19 reflects spending cuts of 2%, including reductions in staffing, travel and such systemwide programs as public service law fellowships, carbon neutrality and food security. Napolitano shifted $30 million to campuses for housing needs and $10 million to UC Riverside to support its five-year-old medical school. She also permanently redirected $8.5 million annually to help enroll more California students, as required by the state. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print USCs Academic Senate calls on university president to resign after a series of scandals By Matt Hamilton The body that represents USCs faculty called on President C.L. Max Nikias to resign Wednesday in the wake of relevations that the universitys longtime gynecologist faced years of accusations of misconduct by students and colleagues at the campus health clinic. The Academic Senate took the vote late Wednesday afternoon after a fiery town hall meeting attended by more than 100 faculty members, many of whom voiced outrage over Nikias and the Board of Trustees leadership. The vote came a day after the trustees executive committee stood firmly behind Nikias, saying it has full confidence in his leadership, ethics and values. At the town hall meeting, Senate President Paul Rosenbloom said he did not think Nikias or Provost Michael Quick committed wrongdoing but that the university president deserved criticism for a lack of transparency. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Californias public universities on the way to getting a big longed-for boost in funding By Teresa Watanabe The University of California and California State University systems are poised to get major funding boosts that will help them enroll thousands of additional state students and eliminate the need for tuition increases in the coming school year. A key Assembly budget panel on Wednesday approved $117.5 million in new funds for the UC. A Senate panel approved a similar sum last week. The same committees recently approved even more funding for the Cal State system. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement UC regents to scrutinize Janet Napolitanos office budget in a step toward stronger oversight By Teresa Watanabe University of California regents this week plan to scrutinize the budget of President Janet Napolitano, whose office came under political fire last year for questionable spending and murky accounting. Regents will vote on the proposed $876.4-million budget for 2018-19 during their two-day meeting, which starts Wednesday, at UC San Francisco. They also will discuss state funding, financial aid, online education and transfer student policies. Board Chairman George Kieffer said regents are stepping up to exert stronger oversight of the presidents office after a blistering state audit last year found financial problems including an unreported $175 million budget reserve. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print State legislative panels approve major funding boost for Cal State By Teresa Watanabe Cal State students protest against a tuition increase outside the chancellors office (Irfan Khan) After months of intensive lobbying, Cal State University has convinced two key legislative panels to approve funding to enroll nearly 11,000 more students, hire more faculty and expand housing aid to those without shelter this fall. An Assembly budget panel on Tuesday approved $215.7 million more for Cal State, adding to Gov. Jerry Browns proposed $92.1 million general fund increase. A Senate budget panel approved a similar increase last week. The extra funding which went beyond Cal States own request to the Legislature of $171 million is still subject to final budget negotiations with Brown. But the actions by the Senate and Assembly panels amount to a demand from Democrats that the governor hike higher education spending. Cal State University is the workhorse undergraduate university serving hundreds of thousands of Californians, said Assemblyman Kevin McCarty (D-Sacramento), who heads the Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Education Finance. We need more graduates for the California workforce and higher education is the ticket to the middle class. Cal State Chancellor Timothy P. White hailed the actions, but said it was too soon to celebrate. The CSU has a singular focus on helping students earn high-quality degrees sooner, and the entire university community has rallied to reinforce that message to our states lawmakers, he said in a statement. The actions taken thus far by the Assembly and Senate are promising and show that our message is being received, but there is still work to be done. Funding for the University of California was not taken up Tuesday as originally scheduled. McCarty would not comment on sticking points but said he was confident that a resolution would be reached this week. Were looking to provide resources above whats in the governors budget, but negotiations are ongoing, he said in an interview. State per-student funding is not what it once was, leaving both Cal State and the UC in a tough financial squeeze. Both systems raised tuition last year after a six-year freeze on higher costs. For this year, Cal State had asked for funding to enroll an additional 3,621 students, but both the Senate and Assembly panels approved three times that amount. Cal State, the largest public university system in the nation, turned away 32,000 eligible students last year because its campuses werent able to accommodate them. The panels asked that at least $50 million of the extra funding be used to hire more tenure-track faculty to help boost graduation rates. The Assembly panel also approved one-time funding of $5 million to ease hunger on campuses and $14 million for rapid rehousing pilot projects at three campuses, offering needy students rental support and short-term case management. Other items approved include $5 million to support the CSU Long Beach Shark Labs research on sharks and beach safety and $2 million for equal employment opportunity practices. This post has been updated to include comments from Assemblyman Kevin McCarty and Cal State Chancellor Timothy P. White. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Faculty members call for USC president to step down: He has lost the moral authority to lead By Matt Hamilton Two hundred USC professors on Tuesday demanded the resignation of university President C. L. Max Nikias, saying he had lost the moral authority to lead in the wake of revelations that a campus gynecologist was kept on staff for decades despite repeated complaints of misconduct. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Gun battle, negotiations lasted 15 minutes before Texas school shooter was apprehended, sheriff says By Molly Hennessy-Fiske Minutes after a school shooter opened fire in an art class last week, killing 10 people and wounding 13, including a local police officer, fellow officers returned fire in a protracted gun battle before isolating the suspect, the local sheriff said Monday. Galveston County Sheriff Henry Trochesset praised first responders as well as Santa Fe Police Officer John Barnes, who was working as a resource officer at the school the day of the shooting. Their actions, he said, prevented the attack from spreading to other classrooms and potentially claiming additional victims. As officials continue to probe last Fridays shooting at Santa Fe High School, students are worried about returning to the scene of the attack when classes resume next week. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 6 women sue USC, alleging they were victimized by campus gynecologist By Richard Winton Six women filed civil lawsuits Monday alleging that a longtime gynecologist at the University of Southern California sexually victimized them under the pretext of medical care and that USC failed to address complaints from clinic staff about the doctors behavior. One woman alleged Dr. George Tyndall forced his entire ungloved hand into her vagina during an appointment in 2003 while making vulgar remarks about her genitalia, according to one of the lawsuits. Another woman alleged that Tyndall groped her breasts in a 2008 visit and that later he falsely told her she likely had AIDS. A third woman accused the doctor of grazing his ungloved fingers over her nude body and leering at her during a purported skin exam, the lawsuit states. The wave of litigation comes as USC continues to grapple with the scandal, which legal experts said could prove costly to the university as scores of former patients come forward about their experiences with the gynecologist. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Fatalities reported in Texas high school shooting; suspect arrested, officials say By Associated Press Houston-area media citing unnamed law enforcement officials are reporting that there are fatalities following a shooting at a local high school Friday morning. Television station KHOU and the Houston Chronicle are citing unnamed federal, county and police officials following the shooting at Santa Fe High School, which went on lockdown around 8 a.m. The Associated Press has not been able to confirm the reports. The school district has confirmed an unspecified number of injuries but said it wouldnt immediately release further details. Assistant Principal Cris Richardson said a suspect has been arrested and secured. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print This student followed the new L.A. schools chief on his first-day tour L.A. schools Supt. Austin Beutner is greeted by Van Nuys High School principal Yolanda Gardea. (Melissa Barales-Lopez) Melissa Barales-Lopez, a senior at Garfield High School followed Supt. Austin Beutner on his first day on the job, as he toured a variety of programs around the Los Angeles Unified School District. Heres what she took from the experience. LAUSD students and staff alike are looking for a personal champion, someone who will address and improve the difficulties afflicting their education. What LAUSD students need is someone whos willing to listen and learn, someone who can understand the current issues affecting their schools and act to efficiently amend them, someone who can unlock the full potential of LAUSD students and enable them to reach their goals. During the entirety of his first day, superintendent Austin Beutner did indeed demonstrate a willingness to learn. Posing questions to teachers and students, Beutner engaged with the student communities he encountered to gain a better comprehension of the minutiae and nuances that distinguish each school inside an overwhelmingly large district. From inquiries about Grand View Boulevard Elementary Schools dual language program to questions regarding the services of LAUSDs after-school program, Beyond the Bell, Beutner revealed he has a lot to learn about the system. But, Beutner also showcased a willingness to tackle challenges head-on on his first day. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print USC let a gynecologist continue treating students despite years of misconduct allegations By Matt Hamilton For nearly 30 years, the University of Southern Californias student health clinic had one full-time gynecologist: Dr. George Tyndall. Tall and garrulous with distinctive jet black hair, he treated tens of thousands of female students, many of them teenagers seeing a gynecologist for the first time. Few who lay down on Tyndalls exam table at the Engemann Student Health Center knew that he had been accused repeatedly of misconduct toward young patients. The complaints began in the 1990s, when co-workers alleged he was improperly photographing students genitals. In the years that followed, patients and nursing staff accused him again and again of creepy behavior, including touching women inappropriately during pelvic exams and making sexually suggestive remarks about their bodies. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Cal State trustees to discuss Browns latest budget proposal, which they say still falls $171 million short By Joy Resmovits Just how much money does California State University need to serve its students? In recent years, this question has been front and center for the nations largest public university system. Cal States leaders say that to keep their campuses quality from slipping, they need much more money than the state is giving them. This year, theyre also at odds with Gov. Jerry Brown on the question of whether any extra money should come in one-time bursts or be ongoing. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print On his first day as L.A. schools chief, Beutner plans a day of visits across the district By Howard Blume L.A. Unifieds new superintendent, Austin Beutner, will kick off his first day of work on Tuesday with a choreographed tour of the nations second-largest school district, from the San Fernando Valley to Carson. His day is scheduled to begin at 5:15 a.m. at a school bus depot and end more than 12 hours later at a parent meeting at Garfield High School. Along the way, Beutner is expected to be joined by school district administrators, L.A. Unified board members and the vice president of the union that represents school bus drivers. Though he will be covering a lot of ground, Beutners tour has him skipping Tuesdays school board meeting, when board members are expected to discuss labor negotiations in closed session. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Cal State trustees to discuss Browns latest budget proposal, which they say still falls $171 million short By Joy Resmovits Just how much money does California State University need to serve its students? In recent years, this question has been front and center for the nations largest public university system. Cal States leaders say that to keep their campuses quality from slipping, they need much more money than the state is giving them. This year, theyre also at odds with Gov. Jerry Brown on the question of whether any extra money should come in one-time bursts or be ongoing. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Why a handful of rich charter school supporters are spending millions to elect Antonio Villaraigosa as governor By Ryan Menezes California voters have seen a barrage of sunny television ads in recent weeks touting former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosas record on finances, crime and education, aired by Families & Teachers for Antonio Villaraigosa for Governor 2018. But the group is, in fact, largely funded by a handful of wealthy charter-school supporters. Together they have spent more than $13 million in less than a month to boost Villaraigosas chances in the June 5 primary at a time when his fundraising and poll numbers are lagging. Reed Hastings, the founder of Netflix, jump-started the group with a $7-million check, by far the largest donation to support any candidate in the election. Their efforts are part of a broader proxy war among Democrats between teachers unions longtime stalwarts of the party and those who argue that the groups have failed low-income and minority schoolchildren. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Talking schools with L.A. Unifieds new superintendent By Anna M. Phillips Al Seib / Los Angeles Times ( Incoming L.A. schools Supt. Austin Beutner talks to students at Belmont High School.) Austin Beutner, who officially starts Tuesday as the new superintendent of the Los Angeles Unified School District, is taking on a famously difficult job at a particularly difficult time. The school board is divided and did not back him unanimously. The nations second-largest school district has deep-seated problems, including declining enrollment, lagging academic achievement and rising pension and healthcare costs that eat away at its budget. The 58-year-old former investment banker and former L.A. Times publisher has years of experience in the financial world but none as an educator. Earlier this week, he sat down with the Times education team to discuss the challenges facing the district, which has about 60,000 employees and 500,000 students in traditional public schools. He did not talk about his plans saying repeatedly, stay tuned but he spoke in broad terms about his mindset in approaching the tough decisions ahead. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Suspect detained, authorities search campus after reports of armed man at Palmdale high school By James Queally One person has been detained after a report of an armed man at a Palmdale high school sparked a massive law enforcement response Friday morning. The suspect was spotted at 7:05 a.m. on the campus of Highland High School in Palmdale, according to Sheriffs Department spokeswoman Nicole Nishida. The person was detained in a nearby parking lot, according to Nishida, who did not know whether that person was an adult or juvenile. Deputies at the scene are clearing the school methodically, and students will be transported home via school buses once the campus is deemed safe, Nishida said. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement The education of Bertha Perez: How a UC Merced custodians disenchantment led to a political awakening By Robin Abcarian Its the third day of a three-day strike, and UC Merced custodian Bertha Perez is taking a break from a picket line at the universitys unremarkable entrance, an intersection with stop lights. Photos from other UC campuses this week have shown big crowds of striking service workers members of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees marching and chanting pro-labor slogans as they try to force the University of California back to the negotiating table. But here, at UC Merced, whose handful of big buildings rise from a flat expanse of farmland, the picket line is tiny, maybe two dozen workers and a few students. Its not a big-city-style show of force. Then again, a union sympathizer is banging relentlessly on a snare drum, so its noisier than youd expect. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Ref Rodriguez resigns from teacher credentialing commission By Howard Blume Ref Rodriguez appears during a court appearance. (Al Seib/Los Angeles Times) Los Angeles school board member Ref Rodriguez has resigned from the states Commission on Teacher Credentialing, which oversees the integrity and quality of Californias teachers. Rodriguez faces felony and misdemeanor charges for political money laundering. Separately, his former employer, a charter school organization, has accused him of improperly authorizing checks to a nonprofit under his control. Rodriguez has denied wrongdoing. Rodriguezs resignation from the state body was effective May 4, days after he cast a crucial vote as part of a narrow majority that voted to authorize contract negotiations with Austin Beutner to become superintendent of the L.A. Unified School District. Beutners first official day on the job is Tuesday. Rodriguez remains in his $125,000-a-year position on the Los Angeles Board of Education. The mission of the state body is to ensure integrity, relevance, and high quality in the preparation, certification, and discipline of Californias teachers. Critics had questioned Rodriguezs continued service on the commission, given that teachers can be suspended from work if they face criminal charges. They also can lose their jobs for lapses in personal behavior, such as excessive drinking, with the potential to affect their performance. Police in Pasadena arrested Rodriguez on a Friday afternoon in March for public drunkenness. He was not charged in the incident and has apologized. The state commission reviews teacher discipline cases and can take action to remove a teachers credential to work in a California classroom. The commission has 15 members. Rodriguezs departure was disclosed in a one-sentence announcement on the agencys website. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print School board members request for restraining order against blogger is rejected By Priscella Vega An Orange County Superior Court judge on Wednesday denied a school board members petition for a permanent restraining order against a Huntington Beach blogger. Attorney Jeffrey W. Shields filed the petition on behalf of Ocean View School District trustee Gina Clayton-Tarvin, 46, who alleged in court documents that Charles Keeler Johnson, 56, has threatened her on social media and at school board meetings, causing her to fear for my own safety and for that of my immediate family members. Johnson, who goes by Chuck and publishes HBSledgehammer.com, said the trustee tried to stifle his freedom of speech. He also contended that Clayton-Tarvin took his blog posts and Facebook comments too seriously and out of context, saying anyone who is afraid of metaphors has serious issues. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Deal with workers averts one-day strike that could have shut down L.A. schools By Howard Blume Los Angeles school district and union officials announced a contract agreement Tuesday night that averted a one-day strike planned for next week. The pact, which runs through June 2020, removes one labor problem from the desk of incoming Supt. Austin Beutner whose first day on the job would have coincided with the strike. Plenty of other challenges remain. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print UC labor strike expands with show of support from more unions By Teresa Watanabe Fong Chuu is a registered nurse who has assisted with countless liver transplants, kidney surgeries and gastric bypasses during 34 years at UCLA. Working with her are scrub technicians who sterilize equipment, hand medical instruments to the surgeon and dress patient wounds. They are a team, Chuu says, which is why she walked off her job Tuesday in support of those technicians and other members of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Local 3299. The 25,000 member AFSCME local, the University of Californias largest employee union, launched a three-day strike Monday. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print We are humans too: Voices of UCLAs striking custodians, hospital aides and imaging technicians By Joy Resmovits Demonstrators parade in front of Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times) This week, thousands of UC employees are staging a three-day strike for better pay and working conditions. On Monday, more than 20,000 custodians, cooks, lab technicians, nurse aides and other members of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Local 3299 walked off their jobs. By Tuesday, two more unions joined in sympathy strikes. The union and UC reached a bargaining impasse last year. The university has said it wont meet the workers demands. The strikers said they wanted better pay, more equity in the allocation of work, stable healthcare premiums and an end to the universitys use of contract workers. These are their stories. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Massive UC workers strike disrupts dining, classes and medical services By Joy Resmovits A massive labor strike across the University of California on Monday forced medical centers to reschedule more than 12,000 surgeries, cancer treatments and appointments, and campuses to cancel some classes and limit dining services. More than 20,000 members of UCs largest employee union, the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Local 3299, walked off their jobs on the first day of a three-day strike. They include custodians, gardeners, cooks, truck drivers, lab technicians and nurse aides. Two altercations involving protesters and people driving near the rallies were reported at UCLA and UC Santa Cruz. At UCLA, police took a man into custody Monday after he drove his vehicle into a crowd, hitting three staff members. They were treated for minor injuries at the scene and released, said Lt. Kevin Kilgore of the UCLA Police Department. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Sen. Kamala Harris to skip UC Berkeley commencement in support of striking workers By Teresa Watanabe Sen. Kamala Harris (Chris Dekmas) California Sen. Kamala Harris has canceled plans to deliver UC Berkeleys commencement address this weekend in support of UC workers who are on strike over wages and health benefits. Due to the ongoing labor dispute, Sen. Harris regretfully cannot attend and speak at this years commencement ceremony at UC Berkeley, said a statement from Harris office issued Monday. She wishes the graduates and their families a joyous commencement weekend and success for the future. They are bright young leaders and our country is counting on them. UCs largest employee union, the 25,000-member American Federation of County, State and Municipal Employees Local 3299, launched a three-day strike Monday and had earlier called for a speakers boycott. The union and university reached a bargaining impasse last year and subsequent mediation efforts have failed to produce an agreement. The union is asking for a multiyear contract with a 6% annual pay increase while the university is offering 3% annual increases over four years. UC Berkeley Chancellor Carol Christ will deliver the keynote address instead, the university announced. About 5,800 students are expected to participate in the ceremony Saturday. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement School mural depicting Trumps bloody, severed head sparks controversy By Gary Warth A Chula Vista school mural that depicts the bloody, severed head of President Trump on a spear sparked a controversy that prompted officials to cover it and issue a response distancing themselves from the work. The statement also said the artist will alter the painting. We understand that there was a mural painted at the event this past weekend that does not align with our schools philosophy of non-violence, read the statement from MAAC Community Charter School director Tommy Ramirez. We have been in communication with the artist who has agreed to modify the artwork to better align with the schools philosophy. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print New blackface incident at Cal Poly prompts calls for state investigation By Kim Christensen Cal Poly San Luis Obispo officials have asked the state attorney generals office to investigate after a new photo of a white student in blackface surfaced on a fraternity groups private Snapchat. I am outraged, Cal Poly President Jeffrey D. Armstrong said in a video address Friday to the campus. These vile and absolutely unacceptable acts cannot continue. We must not allow these acts to define us as an institution. Armstrong said the latest photo was intended to imitate an incident last month in which a white member of the Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity was photographed at a party wearing blackface. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print More than 50,000 UC workers set to strike this week but campuses will remain open By Teresa Watanabe More than 50,000 workers across the University of California are set to strike this week, causing potential disruptions to surgery schedules, food preparation and campus maintenance. The systems 10 campuses and five medical centers are to remain open, with classes scheduled as planned. UCs largest employee union, the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Local 3299, plans to begin a three-day strike Monday involving 25,000 workers, including custodians, gardeners, cooks, truck drivers, lab technicians and nurse aides. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement New L.A. schools chief Beutner pledges to listen, learn and take action By Howard Blume New Los Angeles schools Supt. Austin Beutner proved Wednesday that hes a quick learner even without an education background. Like countless public officials before him, he appeared at an important event his first speech and news conference with a photogenic background of students. His message that he would put those students first seemed heartfelt if hardly original. Nor was it a huge surprise that he pledged to push cooperatively but unflinchingly to improve the districts academic performance and stabilize its finances. As an introduction, Beutner, a former investment banker who made a fortune on Wall Street, offered little flash, but that was partly the point. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print In a school lockdown, one student takes stock of the stressful scene (Phalaen Chang) At the beginning of lunch one day late last month, Duarte High School, Northview Middle School, and California School of the Arts-San Gabriel Valley were advised by the Los Angeles Sheriffs Department to go into lockdown mode due to police activity in the immediate area. Phalaen Chang, a junior at the California School of the Arts, wrote a series of notes on her iPhone while she sat in a room with her classmates. By the time the lockdown ended an hour later, she wrote, she knew which of her friends would hold open the door for others, be the ones calming others down, be the ones barricading the doors. She knew that all of them have the potential to be such strong people. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Tale as old as time: L.A. Unified superintendent pick follows a historical pattern of outside-the-box choices By Joy Resmovits Navy Vice Adm. David L. Brewer III, superintendent from 2006-2008. (L.A. Times file photo) L.A. Unified has long gone back and forth between picking insiders and outsiders to run the nations second largest school district. The choice of Austin Beutner, announced Tuesday, places the district squarely back in the outsider camp months after a consummate insider, Supt. Michelle King, announced that she had cancer and would not return to the job. Check out this timeline of former L.A. superintendents to see how the school board members have changed their minds, sometimes favoring leaders who come from the world of education and sometimes executives from elsewhere, recruited to shock the system into change. At one point, the district hired someone from the military retired Navy Vice Adm. David L. Brewer III, who served as superintendent from 2006-2008. In hiring Brewer, board members had opted for a non-educator largely because they sought a fresh thinker, unwedded to the bureaucracy, unafraid to make bold, even unorthodox moves, reads a 2008 Times story. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Austin Beutner named superintendent of Los Angeles schools By Howard Blume Austin Beutner, a philanthropist and former investment banker, on Tuesday was named superintendent of the Los Angeles Unified School District, the nations second-largest school system. His selection was the biggest move yet by a Los Angeles school board majority elected with major support from charter school advocates. The decision came after lengthy public testimony, most of it in support of the other remaining finalist, interim Supt. Vivian Ekchian, who is well known within the school system. Beutner, 58, has no background leading a school or school district. Less than 2 years ago, a school board with a very different balance of power named Michelle King, a former teacher who rose through the district throughout her career, to L.A. Unifieds top job. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Hearing delay gives both sides more time in Ref Rodriguezs potential trial By Howard Blume Ref Rodriguez and his attorneys will have more time to prepare their defense against charges of political money laundering, a judge ruled Monday. The preliminary hearing in the case had been scheduled to begin May 9, but that date will now be pushed back to July 23 per the ruling from L.A. Superior Court Judge Deborah S. Brazil. Rodriguez, 46, faces three felony charges of conspiracy, perjury and procuring and offering a false or forged instrument, as well as 25 misdemeanor counts related to the alleged campaign money laundering. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement L.A. school board poised to name Beutner as superintendent By Howard Blume The Los Angeles Board of Education is poised to select philanthropist and former investment banker Austin Beutner to be the next superintendent of the nations second-largest school system. Barring a last-minute development, the only mystery is whether Beutner emerges with four or five votes from the boards seven members. Terms of his contract already have been under discussion, according to sources close to the process who requested anonymity because they are not authorized to speak. The selection of Beutner, 58, who has no experience managing a school or a school district, would be a signal that the board majority that took control nearly a year ago wants to rely on business management skills instead of insider educational expertise. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Teacher walkouts in Arizona and Colorado continue national debate on money for schools By Michael Livingston Following the lead of teachers who walked off the job in other states in recent weeks, thousands of teachers and their supporters took to the streets in Arizona and Colorado for the second day in a row to demand better pay and more funding for education. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Three decades before the #MeToo movement, UC San Diego led the way against sexual assault By Teresa Watanabe When Nancy Wahlig first started her fight against sexual assault, one company was marketing a capsule for women to stash in their bras and then smash to release a vile odor. Because of the very nature of society, the only person who can prevent rape is the woman herself, read a 1981 advertisement for the Repulse rape deterrent. Ideas about how to prevent sexual violence have come a long way since then, and Wahlig has helped lead that evolution on college campuses. In 1988, she started UC San Diegos Sexual Assault Resource Center (SARC), the first stand-alone program at the University of California. Today, she remains the systems most senior specialist. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Andres Alonso withdraws from consideration for L.A. schools job By Howard Blume Andres Alonso, believed to be one of three remaining finalists to lead the Los Angeles school system, has withdrawn from consideration. The remaining known candidates in the confidential search are former investment banker Austin Beutner and interim Supt. Vivian Ekchian. Alonso, 60, announced his decision on Twitter on Thursday night, saying he had notified the L.A. Unified School District on Monday. The exit of Alonso, the former Baltimore schools chief, seems to solidify the front-runner status of Beutner, who also was a former L.A. Times publisher and a Los Angeles deputy mayor. He held each of those positions for about a year. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Heres why the apparent increase in autism spectrum disorders may be good for U.S. children By Karen Kaplan The prevalence of autism spectrum disorder among American children continues to rise, new government data suggest. And that may be a good thing. Among 11 sites across the U.S. where records of 8-year-olds are scrutinized in detail, 1 in 59 kids was deemed to have ASD in 2014. Thats up from 1 in 68 in 2012. Normally, health officials would prefer to see less of a disease, not more of it. But in this case, the higher number is probably a sign that more children of color who are on the autism spectrum are being recognized as such and getting services to help them, according to a report published Thursday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print UC shelves tuition increase for now, in hopes of getting more state funding By Teresa Watanabe University of California regents will not vote on a tuition increase next month, shelving the plan for now in hopes that state lawmakers will come through with more funding. Raising tuition is always a last resort and one we take very seriously, UC President Janet Napolitano said Thursday in a statement. We will continue to advocate with our students who are doing a tremendous job of educating legislators about the necessity of adequately funding the university to ensure UC remains a world-class institution and engine of economic growth for our state. Last week, Cal State Chancellor Timothy P. White said the 23-campus system no longer would consider a plan to raise tuition for the 2018-19 academic year. But unlike Cal State, UC officials have not taken a tuition increase off the table entirely. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement A chemical spill, unchecked eyewash stations, poor training: Audit details Cal States lax lab safety By Joy Resmovits In May 2016, two bottles tumbled off a poorly supported shelf and broke, leading to a chemical spill in a Sacramento State University lab. The liquid got onto one students legs and soaked anothers feet. Five employees cleaned up the mess, even though no one knew for sure what it was and whether it was dangerous. They called fellow employee Kim Harrington, their union representative, to let her know what happened. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print After blackface incident, minority students at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo say they dont feel welcome By Hailey Branson-Potts Aaliyah Ramos was walking through the Cal Poly San Luis Obispo campus last year when a prospective student approached her. Ramos was the only black person, the young woman said, that she and her mother had seen that day. They asked about the quality of education and the diversity of the student body. Ramos, a mechanical engineering student, didnt want to sugarcoat the truth: Cal Poly long has been predominantly white. But she told the young woman who also was black that she didnt want to discourage her from applying, because that wouldnt help with diversity at a school where only 0.7% of students are African American the lowest percentage of any university in the California State system. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement El Camino Real Charter High School in Woodland Hills wins the 2018 U.S. Academic Decathlon By Carlos Lozano El Camino Real Charter High School in Woodland Hills has won the 2018 U.S. Academic Decathlon, officials said. The winner was announced early Saturday at a ceremony in Frisco, Texas. More than 600 students from the U.S., Canada, China and the United Kingdom gathered there over the last three days to compete in the 37th annual U.S. Academic Decathlon. Congratulations to El Camino Real Charter High School for another impressive victory, said Vivian Ekchian, interim superintendent of the Los Angeles Unified School District. Your academic stamina and competitive spirit to win is remarkable. The entire L.A. Unified family is so proud of you. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Anticipation mounts as L.A. school board meets over superintendent selection By Howard Blume L.A. schools superintendent candidate Andres Alonso got an endorsement Friday, but Austin Beutner and Vivian Ekchian also have supporters. (Elizabeth Malby) The Los Angeles Board of Education is reconvening in closed session Friday at noon as anticipation mounts about the choice of the next leader of the nations second-largest school system. The presumed front-runner is former investment banker and philanthropist Austin Beutner, but interim Supt. Vivian Ekchian and former Baltimore Supt. Andres Alonso also are in the running. Most district insiders appear to be rooting for Ekchian, who has spent her entire career in education within the school system. After her 10 years as a teacher, her roles have included head of human resources, chief labor negotiator and regional administrator for campuses in the west San Fernando Valley. Shes managed the district since September, when then-Supt. Michelle King went on medical leave and chose Ekchian to fill in for her. King, who is battling cancer, never returned and announced her retirement in January. Numerous influential civic leaders have urged and pressured the board to select Beutner. Also lending their weight have been advocates for charter schools, which are independently operated, growing in number and competing for students with district-operated campuses. Four of the seven board members enough to control the outcome were elected with major financial support from charter supporters. Beutner has two ongoing connections with the L.A. Unified School District. The first is his leadership of an outside task force that is making recommendations on how to improve the school system. The second is his charity, Vision to Learn, which supplies glasses to low-income students. The charity and the school system are in a dispute at the moment over who is responsible for delays in providing services to students as part of a $6 million contract, half of which is paid for by L.A. Unified. Unlike Ekchian and Buetner, Alonso, who currently teaches at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, has no deep-seated local constituency, but the prospect of his selection has generated some excitement. While in Baltimore, Alonso was recognized for pushing for progress at low-performing schools, and for being willing to take strong action. While in Baltimore, he also weathered a test-score cheating scandal and occasionally rocky relations with the teachers union. But by the time he resigned, after six years, he and union leaders seemed to be working together without rancor. Leaders of some community groups have split from the pro-Beutner camp. They worry that Beutners approach to confronting the districts financial problems could shut out their voices or involve severe economic cutbacks that would undermine programs that are helping students. Some prefer Ekchian; some Alonso. Theyve been reluctant to speak out publicly because theyll have to work with whoever is selected, but they have tried to get the ear of board members. On Friday morning, one leader of a community group decided to come out in favor of Alonso. L.A. Unified has the opportunity to bring in an instructional leader of color with a history of success, said Alberto Retana, president and chief executive of Community Coalition, which works on behalf of low-income students and families in South Los Angeles. If we have a shot at that, we should go for it because its in the best interests of our kids and of our community. Retana said his statement was not meant to criticize Beutner or Ekchian but to alert board members that there also is community support for Alonso. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Cal State leader shelves proposed tuition hike: Its the right thing to do, but its not without risk By Joy Resmovits Cal State, the nations largest public university system, will no longer consider a plan to raise tuition for the 2018-19 academic year, Chancellor Timothy P. White announced Friday. The decision is a bet that Sacramento will come through in the end. If Cal State loses that bet, it could mean cuts to campus programs. White said in an interview that Californias economy is strong enough that families should not be shouldering the burden of higher college costs. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print L.A. students to participate in national walkout activities on Friday By Joy Resmovits (Los Angeles Times) Students are taking to the streets again Friday to protest gun violence on the 19th anniversary of the Columbine school shooting. Starting at 10 a.m., students at many schools will spend 13 seconds honoring the 13 people 12 students and one teacher killed on that day in Littleton, Colo. After that, theyll participate in a host of different activities. Within L.A. Unified, one school is having an open-mic event for students to talk about school violence, and lawmakers are visiting campuses to hear students thoughts. According to a central hub for organizing the protests written by the students of Ridgefield High School in Connecticut the walkouts are intended to drive the political change necessary to curb school violence. The day is also a time for students to interact on an elevated platform they have never had before, the site states. It is a day of discourse and thoughtful sharing. Bringing together communities and students to get a national discussion rolling. Organizers have suggested using the event to convey the importance of curbing gun violence to legislators. They are encouraging students to push legislation that would ban assault weapons and tighten up rules around who can buy guns and how. Over 2,500 schools nationwide are expected to participate. In L.A., some students at campuses including Eagle Rock High School, the Ramon C. Cortines School of Visual and Performing Arts and Bravo Medical Magnet plan to walk out. Students from various schools expect to join area marches, including those in Santa Monica and Huntington Park. Other schools are hosting career days and voter registration drives. At 1 p.m., students plan to start a rally in front of L.A. Unified headquarters. For the record: An earlier version of this article stated that 12 teachers and one student were killed in the Columbine shooting. The opposite is true: twelve students and one teacher died. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Stabbing of popular student devastates South El Monte High School; teen friend suspected in slaying By Sonali Kohli When administrators at South El Monte High School called Jeremy Sanchezs parents to say he never showed up for class Wednesday, his father began to worry. It was unusual for the 17-year-old junior to miss school, so his father filed a missing persons report and assembled two of Jeremys close friends to look for the popular student-athlete. Their search took them to a scenic stretch of the San Gabriel River Trail, where one of the friends a 16-year-old boy made a tragic discovery. Among the bushes in the riverbed near Thienes Avenue and Parkway Drive was Jeremys body, punctured with stab wounds, according to Lt. John Corina of the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Racist fliers spark outrage at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo By Alene Tchekmedyian Soon after Neal MacDougall arrived on the Cal Poly San Luis Obispo campus Tuesday, the professor noticed university police standing outside a restroom near his office. A racial slur against African Americans had been scrawled in red marker on a stall wall. Later, he discovered a series of racist fliers pinned up next to his door. Someone had also slashed posters hed hung outside his office supporting students in the country illegally. The discovery was the latest controversy on the prestigious campus which the president said is less than 55% white that MacDougall said demonstrates a culture of racism at the university. Last week, photographs emerged of white fraternity members, including one in blackface, flashing gang signs. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement The superintendent waiting game, paying for L.A.'s College Promise, Princetons slave history: Whats new in education By Joy Resmovits Acting LAUSD superintendent Vivian Ekchian is a finalist for the permanent job. (Gary Coronado / Los Angeles Times) In and around Los Angeles: The L.A. Unified school board spent 10 hours interviewing and discussing candidates for superintendent. When they adjourned after 10 p.m., they said they would reconvene on Friday. Who is paying for Mayor Eric Garcettis much-touted College Promise, a program that promises two years of community college for LAUSD grads? In California: The Legislature is considering a proposal that would boost K-12 education funding for black students. When the cost of living is taken into account, California has the highest rate of child poverty. Nationwide: The families of two children killed at Sandy Hook Elementary School are suing Alex Jones and Infowars for saying the school massacre never occurred. Princeton will name two spaces an arch and a garden after slaves who lived or worked on the campus. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print L.A. school board meets privately with finalists and debates choice for school district leader By Howard Blume The Los Angeles Board of Education adjourned late Tuesday after spending more than 10 hours interviewing candidates and trying to reach a decision on who would be the next leader of the nations second-largest school system. When the meeting finally recessed at 10:11 p.m., a spokesman announced only that the school board would reconvene Friday at noon. Going into the days meetings, there were apparently four finalists, according to sources who could not be named because they were unauthorized to speak. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Two Sandy Hook families sue Alex Jones and Infowars for saying the school massacre never happened By David Altimari Families of two children killed at Sandy Hook Elementary School have filed lawsuits in Texas against controversial radio host Alex Jones for continually claiming the massacre never happened. Neil Heslin, the father of Jesse Lewis, and Leonard Pozner and Veronique De La Rosa, whose son Noah Pozner died in the massacre, filed separate lawsuits late Monday in Travis County, Texas. The lawsuits allege that Jones defamed the parents by constantly calling them crisis actors and insisting the shooting was a false flag operation; they also claim Jones accusations have led to death threats against the Sandy Hook families by Jones followers. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Beutner emerges as a top pick for L.A. schools superintendent amid last-minute jockeying By Howard Blume Austin Beutner has emerged as a leading contender to run the Los Angeles school district, with backers saying he is smart enough and tough enough to confront its financial and academic struggles. Though he does not have a background in education, the former investment banker has in the last year examined some of the districts intractable problems, serving as co-chair of an outside task force with the support of then-Supt. Michelle King. Sources inside and outside the school district said Beutner appears to have more support on the seven-member board than other finalists, and his name could come up for a vote as early as Tuesday. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Challenge at Chicago school construction site: Watch for 38,000 unmarked graves By Nereida Moreno A 15-year effort to build a school in Chicagos Dunning neighborhood is underway with an unusual complication: Construction workers are taking careful steps to avoid disturbing human remains that may lie beneath the soil. The $70-million school is to be built on the grounds of a former Cook County Poor House, where an estimated 38,000 people were buried in unmarked graves. Among the dead are residents who were too poor to afford funeral costs, unclaimed bodies and patients from the countys insane asylum. There can be and there have been bodies found all over the place, said Barry Fleig, a genealogist and cemetery researcher who began investigating the site in 1989. Its a spooky, scary place. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Oklahoma teacher walkout winds down despite lawmakers failure to meet demands By Washington Post Oklahomas largest teachers union has announced an end to a walkout that has drawn thousands of educators out of classrooms and to the state Capitol demanding greater investment in the states schools, which have endured the nations steepest funding cuts. The announcement Thursday from the Oklahoma Education Assn. does not necessarily end the protests at the Capitol, as teachers not affiliated with the union vowed to stay longer. Instead of a walkout, the union and school districts across the state have said they plan to send delegations of teachers to Oklahoma City to keep the pressure on lawmakers. Teachers and their supporters have also promised to push education issues to the forefront of November elections, when the state chooses a new governor. As school districts begin to reopen, the protests may lose steam. The Legislature is not in session Friday, and observers are waiting to see what happens Monday, when lawmakers return. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Most Californians are worried about school shooting threats and oppose arming teachers, survey finds By Joy Resmovits Hamilton High School student Aiyana Dabriel holds a sign during a March 14 walkout in support of the Parkland shooting victims. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times) Most Californians are worried that a school shooting like the one that occurred in Parkland, Fla., in February could shed blood closer to home, a new survey found. Some 73% percent of adults and 82% of public school parents said they were very concerned or somewhat concerned about school shootings. The Public Policy Institute of California surveyed 1,704 adults in the state by phone just after the March for Our Lives protest against gun violence. Latino and black respondents were significantly more likely to be concerned about school violence than white or Asian respondents, the institute found. Two-thirds of adults and public school parents said they opposed letting more educators carry weapons in school. The response differed across party lines, with 86% of Democrats and 69% of independents voicing their opposition, while 60% percent of Republicans said they would support a measure to arm educators. The poll, which had a margin of error of 3.2% in either direction, also asked Californians about school funding, educational issues in the governors race and the impact of immigration enforcement on students. You can find the full results here. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Californias largest virtual charter school network agrees to contract with its teachers By Anna M. Phillips Nearly four years after teachers at Californias largest online charter school voted to unionize, they have reached a deal to increase pay and create job protections, according to a spokesman for the California Teachers Assn. The contract, which is still tentative and subject to ratification, is a victory for the teachers union. Although charter schools are publicly funded, most are privately managed and their employees arent protected by labor contracts. Under the terms of the contract the result of years of negotiation and legal wrangling approximately 500 teachers working for California Virtual Academies will no longer be at-will employees who can be dismissed for almost any reason. Their average salary will rise to just over $45,000, according to union estimates, a figure that remains far below the norm for traditional public school teachers. Still, it is an improvement over the previous average of $38,000. The accord also places a limit on the number of students each teacher is responsible for monitoring in online homeroom classes. Were very satisfied with the gains we made, said teacher Brianna Carroll, president of California Virtual Educators United. I think were going to see some extraordinary changes in our schools. According to Carroll, teachers at California Virtual Academies better known as CAVA had grown frustrated with the organizations foot-dragging and were making preparations to go on strike when CAVAs leadership agreed to the deal. CAVA and K12, the Virginia-based for-profit company linked to its schools, did not immediately respond to an email Tuesday asking for comment. The network currently operates nine virtual charter schools across California. In 2016, the charter network agreed to pay $8.5 million to settle claims of false advertising, misleading parents and inadequate instruction. The state attorney generals office had also accused K12 of controlling the charters for its own financial benefit. Neither CAVA nor K12 admitted to wrongdoing in the settlement. A year later, the state imposed a $2-million fine on CAVA after an audit found that it had misspent public funds. The network disputed the findings. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement School board approves a new formula for funding high-need schools By Sonali Kohli L.A. schools will soon get more money if they are located in neighborhoods with such problems as high levels of gun violence and asthma. The Los Angeles Unified school board voted unanimously Tuesday to adopt a new formula to determine how to dole out some funding to schools, based not only on the characteristics of the student populations but on the traumas that affect the communities around campuses. The new formula will be applied to $25 million in funding next fiscal year and about $263 million annually in future years a small part of the districts $7.5 billion annual budget. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Protesters demand Ref Rodriguez resignation outside school board meeting By Sonali Kohli Students, parents, teachers and UTLA marching outside the board meeting chanting "Ref resign" pic.twitter.com/W0LRWZSIXY Sonali Kohli (@Sonali_Kohli) April 10, 2018 A few dozen parents, students and teachers marched outside the Los Angeles Unified School Board meeting Tuesday, some calling for board member Ref Rodriguez to resign the week after news broke that he was taken into custody on suspicion of being drunk in public at a Pasadena bar and restaurant. Rodriguez was not cited or charged in that incident, but was held for more than five and a half hours before being released. The school board member faces felony and misdemeanor charges for political money laundering. He is accused of getting more than two dozen people people to donate to his campaign for his school board seat with the understanding that he would reimburse them. He stepped down from his post as school board president after he was charged last fall, but he did not give up his seat on the board. He has pleaded not guilty to three felony counts of conspiracy, perjury, and procuring and offering a false or forged instrument, as well as 25 misdemeanor counts related to the alleged campaign money laundering. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for May. He cant give his full focus to our students, said Rebecca LaFond, a Highland Park parent whose three children marched with her as she chanted, Ref resign. One daughter marched in front of her, using a drum stick to hit the bottom of a gallon-size empty water jug. Our kids deserve someone who has the utmost ethical standards representing them, LaFond said. The protests continued into the board meeting, where some addressed Rodriguez directly, calling on him to step down during public comment portions of the meeting. Rodriguez, through his chief of staff, declined to comment. Some parents outside the board meeting did not know about the charges against Rodriguez but came out to protest the possibility of sharing their school campuses with charter schools. Protesters also oppose colocation not all of the parents are here to ask Ref Rodriguez to step down pic.twitter.com/1Co8zQ9zSi Sonali Kohli (@Sonali_Kohli) April 10, 2018 Cynthia Martinez said her son, who goes to Christopher Dena Elementary School in Boyle Heights, has been bullied in the past by students from a charter school sharing the campus. She said she didnt know who Rodriguez was. Some parents and teachers are worried about losing computer labs, robotics rooms and fitness centers if they are required to share their campus with charter schools, said Ilse Escobar, a parent community organizer for United Teachers Los Angeles. The issues of Rodriguez and colocation are related, Escobar said. Rodriguez is part of a majority on the school board elected with financial backing from charter school supporters, and many parents, she said, feel that the school board is compromised if he is a part of it. Staff reporter Howard Blume contributed to this post. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Delaine Eastin tries to gain momentum in the California governors race, one voter at a time By Seema Mehta Delaine Eastin was a sophomore in high school when a drama teacher urged her to try out for a part in The Man Who Came to Dinner. She hesitated until he told her: This is a metaphor for your whole life. If you never try out, you will never get the part. Eastin auditioned and won the role. Decades later, the advice sticks with the former state schools chief, this time in her unlikely run for governor. Despite calls for more women in leadership roles in state politics following sexual misconduct allegations in Sacramento, Eastin has been largely overlooked in the race, lagging far behind her Democratic rivals in fundraising and the polls. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Arizona high court rejects in-state tuition for DACA recipients By Associated Press Young immigrants granted deferred deportation status under a program started by President Obama are not eligible for lower in-state college tuition, the Arizona Supreme Court ruled Monday. The unanimous ruling will affect at least 2,000 students attending the states largest community college district and hundreds more at other colleges and the states three public universities. The Maricopa County Community Colleges District and state universities said they would begin raising tuition immediately for the coming school year. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print New York high school students injured when bus strikes overpass By Associated Press A charter bus carrying teenagers returning from a spring break trip Sunday night struck a bridge overpass on Long Island, seriously injuring six passengers and mangling the entire length of the top of the bus. The crash happened shortly after 9 p.m. Sunday on the Southern State Parkway in Lakeview, according to New York State Police. One of the six injured passengers had very serious injuries, said State Police Maj. David Candelaria. Thirty-seven other passengers suffered minor injuries. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Some good news for California in national student test scores By Joy Resmovits National test scores for fourth- and eighth-graders were generally flat from 2015, but eighth-grade reading scores showed some improvement. Every two years, the nations fourth- and eighth-graders are tested in math and reading and newly released results from last years tests give California at least a little reason to be pleased. The 2017 results out Monday night were mostly flat nationwide compared with 2015, though the average score in eighth-grade reading went up. But while that improvement largely came from the increased scores of the highest-performing students, California eighth-graders showed some reading progress from the lowest levels to the highest. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Under state control, Inglewood school districts financial picture worsened By Anna M. Phillips When Eugenio Villa agreed to return to the Inglewood schools for a second tour last summer, he knew the district remained one of Californias most troubled. Inglewood Unified had been nearly insolvent when it was taken over by the state Department of Education in 2012. Six years later, its enrollment was still declining. Its school buildings were tired some edging into decrepitude. Its test scores and graduation rates were still below the state average. And the public was out of patience. Still, Villa, who had signed back on as the districts chief business official, was shocked at what he found when he arrived in June 2017. Two years earlier, he had left the school system on what he thought was firm ground. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Charter school group drops two lawsuits against L.A. Unified By Howard Blume A charter schools advocacy group last week announced that it would end two long-running lawsuits in which it was seeking more classroom space and construction money from the Los Angeles school district. The decision, the California Charter Schools Assn. said, reflects better relations between charter schools and the L.A. Unified School District. But the move also suggests that the litigation, which already contributed to significant gains for area charters, was unlikely to produce much more. It takes time, money and effort to litigate, said Ricardo Soto, general counsel for the charter group. Maybe its better to see if we can find the time and opportunity for collaboration. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print L.A. school board member Ref Rodriguez is arrested on suspicion of public intoxication By Richard Winton Los Angeles school board member Ref Rodriguez was arrested recently on suspicion of being drunk in public at a Pasadena restaurant, the latest trouble for an elected official who faces political money-laundering charges. Pasadena police took Rodriguez into custody on March 16, according to city spokeswoman Lisa Derderian. Officers arrested Rodriguez at about 4:30 p.m. at the Yard House restaurant and bar at the Paseo Mall and held him in jail for more than five-and-a-half hours. Rodriguez was ultimately released without being cited or charged, Derderian told The Times. Other details about the arrest were not available, she The question of what happened to Jahi Turner, a toddler who disappeared from San Diego in 2002, remains unresolved after a jury on Friday declared they were unable to reach a verdict. The nine men and four women had spent the week trying to determine whether the boys stepfather, Tieray Jones, had killed him. San Diego Superior Court Judge Joan Weber declared a mistrial when the jurors said they would not be able to agree unanimously to convict or acquit Jones. They revealed in court that after two days of deliberations, they were divided 10-2 in favor of finding Jones not guilty on a charge of murder. They also could not agree on a lesser charge of manslaughter, splitting 10-2 in favor of acquittal. Although the 2-year-olds body was never found despite massive search efforts, prosecutors built a circumstantial case against Jones, now 39. Advertisement Investigators found a small amount of Jahis blood on his pajamas and on a blanket. They also found neighbors who saw Jones take large trash bags to a dumpster at his Beech Street apartment complex around the time Jahi disappeared. Jones testified that Jahi vanished when he took the boy to a Golden Hill neighborhood playground and walked away for about 15 minutes on April 25, 2002. Jones said when he called 911 about 2:30 p.m. to report the boy missing, he had been lying to a dispatcher because Jahis disappearance actually had occurred about three hours earlier. Jones said he lied because he was ashamed of having failed the child, and because he didnt want contact with police, who might arrest him for a Maryland misdemeanor marijuana warrant. When San Diego police talked to people who had been at the park around the time of the 911 call, no one recalled seeing Jones and Jahi. The boys mother and Jones then-wife, Tameka Jones, 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. Prosecutors alleged 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. pauline.repard@sduniontribune Advertisement Repard writes for the San Diego Union-Tribune Compton officials overpaid themselves, charged questionable trips on city-issued credit cards and failed to safeguard taxpayer money, resulting in a staffer stealing millions of dollars over years, according to a state audit. The city of Comptons weak financial oversight and rampant overspending turned a general fund surplus of $22.4 million a decade ago into a deficit of $42.7 million just three years later. Even after officials adopted a plan to repay the debt in 2014, the deficit increased by $6.4 million the next year. The California state controller review, released Thursday, found that the city received failing marks in 71 out of the 79 measures assessing internal accounting and administrative controls, a score that ranks Comptons accountability as nonexistent, state Controller Betty Yee said. The City Councils brazen overspending contributed to the citys financial hardship, Yee said. Clearly, the City Council needs to right the ship. Advertisement In a statement from the city managers office, Compton officials said they took measures to increase financial oversight and adhere to the debt elimination plan long before the state audit was released. It cannot be overstated that Compton is fiscally solvent and is at no risk of a financial breakdown or bankruptcy, city officials said. Fiscal mismanagement is not a new problem in Compton, where former Mayor Omar Bradley was convicted last year of misappropriating public funds. Current Mayor Aja Brown took office in 2013 on a good governance platform and vowed to bring financial stability to a municipality that had run through city managers. Though the audit did not single out any officials by name, its publication just days after Brown announced her ambition to run for Congress suggests Comptons problems are not entirely behind the city. Brown said in a statement that fixing nearly three decades of problems is a process that requires stable leadership, new policies, adequate organizational capacity and time. Compton is on a firm and definitive path to recovery, which includes a new solid source of annual tax revenue, new economic development, new fiscal policies, stable senior management and full city council support which all occurred under my administration, she said. In a response to the audit, City Manager Cecil Rhambo offered a list of new safeguards implemented after a deputy city treasurer was arrested on suspicion of stealing money from the treasurers office last year. The employee, Salvador Galvan, was sentenced in November to six and a half years in federal prison for embezzling $3.72 million from 2010 to 2016. Among the reforms was a move two years ago to ensure the salaries of council members and the mayor do not exceed $600 a month, as mandated by the city charter. For years, they had boosted their salaries by paying themselves for sitting on boards and commissions a long-standing practice the district attorneys office said was illegal. That action brought total salaries of the four council members and the mayor from an annual average of $207,000 to about $26,500, according to the audit. Advertisement Still, officials upped their pay with monthly car and phone allowances, as well as other unspecified payments, which increased their total compensation to more than the amount allowed by the city charter, according to the audit. The state review, which examined city finances from July 1, 2013, through June 30, 2016, found that Compton has a budget 300% higher than the average budget of cities of similar size and population. City officials overspent on events and failed to send public works projects out for bids. The report found that $51,695 in expenses charged to city-issued credit cards were questionable because officials did not provide required documentation and justification for the purchases. Some of those charges include unexplained trips to Connecticut, Miami, New York, Las Vegas, and Washington, D.C. The charges also include $1,975 in for unspecified supplies and $1,274 for a camera. The city failed to conduct meaningful oversight, allowing, in one instance, a single employee to count cash, prepare daily deposit slips and perform end-of-day reconciliations duties that should be conducted by different people to prevent theft, the report found. For three years, the city did not compare its bookkeeping records with those of its bank, an effective tool to detect mistakes, errors and embezzlement. And Compton officials frequently missed financial report deadlines, leaving one accounting document past due by 35 months, the audit found. It was the tardiness of financial reports that triggered the state audit. Advertisement Jessica Levinson, an L.A. city ethics commissioner and Loyola Law School professor, said the level of financial mismanagement in Compton does not rise to the level of Bell, a small Southern California city that became a poster child for graft after city leaders were caught paying themselves outsized salaries. But she said she sees a lot of similarities: failure to adhere to common accounting practices, lack of oversight and excess pay. All of this is harming constituents and the people who live in Compton, she said. Bell is a really high threshold to hit and I dont think were quite there, but if they dont do anything the city is going to get closed. In 2012, Compton was on the brink of bankruptcy and the citys general fund had a $40-million deficit because for years officials used the citys water, sewer and retirement funds when the general fund ran short on cash. Two years later, a think-tank study named Compton the most financially distressed city in the state. Compton officials disputed the claim, saying the firm that compiled information for the study used outdated reports and secondhand sources. More recently, Compton has been on the upswing. Crime is down, property values are on the rise, and the city has been able to attract new development. Brown touted these accomplishments as proof that voters should support her congressional bid. Advertisement Our city is making a strong comeback and Im proud to have served as a catalyst for real change that my community can see and feel, Brown said in a statement last week after she launched her campaign to run for the 44th Congressional District, which represents Carson, Compton, Lynwood and several other cities in south Los Angeles County. But the report found that the city might find itself in real financial trouble if it does not rein in spending and follow the budget approved by the City Council. We hope this is a wake-up call to the residents and businesses of Compton to please pay attention to what your City Council is doing with your public funds, Yee told The Times. angel.jennings@latimes.com Guadalupe Gutierrez was driving under a freeway overpass in Pasadena when a 35-pound boulder smashed through her windshield and struck her husband in the passenger seat. She rushed him to the nearest hospital in Glendale, where he died. Now authorities are searching for the person they believe purposefully threw the large rock off the overpass. This was an intentional act, said Lt. Chuck Geletko with the California Highway Patrol. We need help from the public to find the person who committed this atrocious act. The incident occurred just before 9 p.m. Tuesday on the westbound 134 Freeway at Orange Grove Boulevard. Gutierrez was driving home with her husband, Christopher Lopez, as well as her mother and 4-year-old daughter. Advertisement This was an innocent family driving home, Geletko said. Because of a careless person or persons, their lives will forever be changed. Through tears, Gutierrez asked witnesses to come forward with information. She said she and her husband decided five months ago to expand their family. About two weeks ago, she found out she was pregnant. He was so excited. My daughter was so excited to be a big sister, she said. Now hes gone. Were asking for your help if anybody saw anything, please help us find whoever did this. Anyone with information on the incident is asked to call the CHP at (626) 296-8100. Press conference regarding fatal incident March 13, 2018 at approximately 8:55pm in 134 be at orange grove Blvd https://t.co/Xh9ZObAEs7 CHP PIO - LA County (@CHPsouthern) March 15, 2018 alene.tchekmedyian@latimes.com Twitter: @AleneTchek Nearly three years after Vallejo police wrongly labeled a womans kidnapping a hoax, she and her fiance have reached a settlement in a defamation lawsuit against the city and its police department. The city agreed to pay $2.5 million to Denise Huskins and Aaron Quinn after the Vallejo Police Department accused the couple of faking Huskins kidnapping, according to the couples attorney. What happened to us should not happen to anyone, the couple said in a statement. Victims should be protected in their time of need, not humiliated on a public stage. We hope that this settlement brings inspiration to others like us to speak up and keep fighting. Huskins and Quinn filed the federal complaint in March 2016, nearly a year after the Vallejo Police Department referred to the case as a wild goose chase and a waste of police resources. Advertisement The Police Department and city did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Matthew Muller kidnapped Huskins on March 23, 2015, from Quinns home, held her for ransom and sexually assaulted her. While Huskins was being held captive, authorities in the Northern California city interrogated Quinn for hours, theorizing that he might have had something to do with his girlfriends disappearance. Quinn was never arrested and two days after her kidnapping, on March 25, Muller dropped Huskins off more than 400 miles away from Vallejo in Huntington Beach. As relief spread over her family, Vallejo police again grew suspicious, this time questioning Huskins release and the fact that she reappeared carrying an overnight bag and wearing sunglasses. Huskins did not act like a kidnapping victim, retired Vallejo Police Capt. James OConnell later said in a sworn statement. Police offered leniency to both Huskins and Quinn to give the other up, their families said. Less than 24 hours after Huskins reappeared, Vallejo police labeled the kidnapping a hoax. Today, there is no evidence to support the claims that this was a stranger abduction or an abduction at all, Vallejo Police Lt. Kenny Park said in a statement at the time. Given the facts that have been presented thus far, this event appears to be an orchestrated event and not a crime. Vallejo police posted the statement to their Facebook page, and dozens of people criticized Quinn and Huskins. News outlets likened Huskins to the lead character in the novel Gone Girl. Advertisement However, less than three months later, evidence gathered from a June 5, 2015, home-invasion robbery helped authorities link Muller to the kidnapping. Muller was sentenced last year to 40 years in prison. In their lawsuit, the couple claimed that because of the police departments allegations that Huskins kidnapping was untrue, their reputations were tarnished and they were forced to move out of the town, where they had worked as physical therapists. This is a great result that would not be possible but for the strength and resolve of Denise and Aaron, the couples attorney, James M. Wagstaffe, said in a statement. We are dismayed that Denise and Aaron were treated like this but are grateful that Vallejo has decided to do the right thing to compensate our clients for what happened. Mike Huskins, Denises father, said he was relieved that a conclusion was reached in the lawsuit and expressed doubt that the police department would issue a statement regarding the case. Advertisement I would be surprised if they say anything more. They just want to walk away and let it go away, Mike Huskins said. I feel like they should give her a public apology since they went out and publicly accused her of being a fraud. But if this doesnt come, its not the end of the world. Were happy that this part has concluded, and we can go on with other things in life. Huskins and Quinn got engaged last year and plan to wed in September. brittny.mejia@latimes.com Twitter: @Brittny_Mejia Advertisement UPDATES: 12:30 p.m.: This article was updated with a statement from the couple and their attorney. This article was originally published at 9:45 a.m. Two attorneys who formerly represented Marion Suge Knight pleaded not guilty Friday to charges they conspired to bribe witnesses for helpful testimony in the rap moguls murder case. Thaddeus Culpepper and Matthew Fletcher entered the pleas in a downtown Los Angeles courtroom, the latest proceedings in a much-publicized case that has featured a rotating cast of attorneys, disputes over surreptitious jailhouse recordings and repeated hospitalizations of Knight over health issues. Both attorneys were indicted in January on charges of conspiracy to commit bribery, conspiracy to commit subornation of perjury, conspiracy to commit obstruction of justice and serving as accessories after the fact to the 2015 murder Knight is accused of. Culpepper was also indicted on two additional conspiracy counts, and Fletcher faces an additional charge of perjury. Advertisement Prosecutors accused both men of conspiring with Knight, his fiancee and others to pay witnesses to say they saw men with guns at Tams Burgers, where Knight rammed his truck into two men in the parking lot after a dispute on the set of the N.W.A biopic Straight Outta Compton. Terry Carter, 55, was killed. Another man, Cle Bone Sloan, was seriously injured. Knight has pleaded not guilty and claimed he was acting in self-defense because armed men at the Compton eatery were trying to kill him. Knight has been jailed for more than three years. In 2016, investigators with the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department obtained information that Knight was attempting to tamper with witnesses, according to court records. A judge then granted a series of court orders that allowed detectives to listen to Knights jailhouse conversations with Fletcher, who was the attorney of record in the case at the time. According to the indictment, which was unsealed this month, Fletcher told Knight he found a man who would say there were guns at the crime scene, but the witness would need to be paid. In the same conversation, according to prosecutors, Fletcher told Knight that $25,000 was a fair investment to secure his freedom. According to a separate court filing, an informant for the Sheriffs Department later contacted Culpepper and asked him for money in exchange for testimony. According to the court filing, Culpepper agreed to pay the man, who had previously told the attorney he was not at the crime scene on the day of Carters death. Culpepper had represented Knight in the murder case and an unrelated robbery case. But in a hearing this week, Knight removed Culpepper from both cases in the wake of the indictment. Fletcher was removed from the case two years ago. Mark Geragos, who is representing Fletcher, told reporters outside the courtroom Friday that the partial transcripts of conversations showing Culpepper and Fletcher discussing witnesses and money are out of context. Advertisement What has been put out there into the public sphere, I think, would be substantially undercut by the new evidence that we will present, he said. He described the decision to arrest the lawyers as a full-frontal assault on those who practice criminal defense. In past interviews with The Times, both attorneys have denied wrongdoing. Culpepper has said any discussions he had about money involved paying for witness expenses and nothing more. The lawyers are scheduled to appear in court again April 13. If convicted on all counts, both men face up to three years and eight months in prison. Advertisement Knights murder trial is set to begin April 19. Times staff writer Marisa Gerber contributed to this report. james.queally@latimes.com Twitter: @JamesQueallyLAT Advertisement UPDATES: 6:10 p.m.: This article was updated with additional information from the indictment and other court records. This article was originally published at 11:55 a.m. President Trumps nomination of Mike Pompeo as secretary of State probably augurs the end of the 2015 accord that has blocked Iran from building nuclear weapons, an agreement praised by world powers but detested by Trump and by Pompeo, a notable hawk on the Islamic Republic. Trump has set a May 12 deadline to withdraw from the Iran nuclear accord unless European allies fix it, a prospect that appears unlikely. The president also has agreed to meet in May with Kim Jong Un to try to persuade the North Korean leader to surrender his already large nuclear arsenal, which seems even more remote. Juggling two powerful adversaries in torturous nuclear diplomacy would stress any White House, but Trump will grapple with Iran and North Korea with a newly reshuffled foreign policy and national security team and a thin bench of experts in a hollowed-out State Department. In Pompeo, the president will get a bellicose secretary of State who, while serving in Congress in 2014, called for breaking off talks with Tehran and launching hundreds of airstrikes instead against its nuclear facilities not unlike Trumps vow last year to unleash fire and fury against North Korea. Advertisement Several diplomats say Trump will have a hard time coaxing North Korea to conclude a nuclear deal if he has just abandoned one with Iran that was unanimously approved by the United Nations Security Council and is closely monitored by U.N. nuclear inspectors who have found no Iranian violations. Like the president, Pompeo long has complained that the Obama administration signed a deeply flawed agreement, one Trump calls the worst deal ever. In the critics view, the U.S. should not have agreed to any time limits, known as sunset clauses, in the deal. Most importantly, some nuclear restrictions will expire in 2030, and the opponents say Iran can then again push for a bomb. Critics also say the exhaustive negotiations which sought to prevent Iran from designing, building or acquiring nuclear weapons should have included other Iranian threats, including its ballistic missile program and its support for militant groups in the Middle East. But Trump will face sharp opposition from U.S. allies and other members of the U.N. Security Council if he unilaterally quits the accord. It could put the U.S. in violation of a U.N. resolution and create global friction if Washington imposes new sanctions on Iran. In a bid to make Trumps case, the State Department director for policy planning, Brian Hook, will lead a U.S. delegation to the International Atomic Energy Agency in Vienna for meetings Friday with the five other world powers who signed the deal, plus Iran. The IAEA is the U.N.s nuclear watchdog agency. Hook may meet separately with Irans deputy foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, who is leading the Iranian side. On Wednesday, Araghchi told a parliamentary committee in Tehran that Iran would quit the deal if Trump does, raising fears that Iran would then try to restart its nuclear program. With the May deadline fast approaching, advocates for keeping the deal have dialed up their warnings. Advertisement If we walk away, we walk away alone, said William Burns, former deputy secretary of State who led 2013-14 back-channel meetings with Iran that helped pave the way for talks in Vienna that ultimately sealed the deal in July 2015. Iran would feel unconstrained over time to rebuild its nuclear infrastructure, said Burns, who now heads the nonpartisan Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. That door would be open to them, and it would be hard to re-create the diplomatic effort that brought world powers together to forge the deal. The Iran deal has been a great success in terms of global security, and we should defend it, agreed Simon Gass, Britains lead negotiator in the nuclear talks and a former ambassador to Iran. If the U.S. walks away, those who would be the happiest are sitting in the Kremlin, Gass said, because it would drive a wedge between Washington and its allies in Europe. Advertisement Trump fired Secretary of State Rex Tillerson on Tuesday, announcing his ouster on Twitter, and said he would nominate Pompeo, the CIA director, to replace him. Trump and Tillerson had clashed for months over Trumps pledge to scrap the Iran deal and add new sanctions on Tehran. During heated Oval Office debates last summer, Pompeo advocated killing the deal, arguing that it had given an economic boost to Tehran that had allowed it to intervene more forcefully with armed proxies in Yemen, Syria and elsewhere. When you look at the Iran deal, I think its terrible, Trump told reporters Tuesday. Tillerson, he said, felt it was OK. Pompeo, in contrast, has expressed views more hawkish than Trumps. As a Republican tea party member of Congress from Kansas from 2011 to 2017, he called for the ouster of the theocracy that has ruled Iran for nearly four decades. Advertisement In 2014, as the Iran negotiations moved into their final months, Pompeo joined critics who demanded that the Obama administration break off the talks. A former Army officer, Pompeo also called for launching airstrikes, saying fewer than 2,000 bombing sorties could take out Irans nuclear capabilities. This is not an insurmountable task for the coalition forces, he said at the time. The following summer, when the accord was finalized, Pompeo bluntly mischaracterized its provisions. This deal allows Iran to continue its nuclear program thats not foreign policy, its surrender, he said. Last summer, as CIA director, Pompeo told the Aspen Security Forum that the nuclear deal could stop a few centrifuges from spinning, referring to the devices used to enrich uranium for nuclear fuel. But, he added, the challenge of the agreement is that it is short term. It covers only a narrow piece of the Iranian risk profile. Advertisement He dismissed Irans compliance with the deal as grudging, minimalist, temporary. Under the accord, Iran was required to destroy or dismantle its nuclear infrastructure, ship out enriched uranium and allow strict monitoring and inspections by IAEA inspectors to make sure it does not cheat. The IAEA has issued nine reports so far and none have found violations. U.S. intelligence agencies have agreed that Tehran is meeting its obligations, and that its ability to race for a bomb has been pushed far back. In exchange, a web of U.N. economic sanctions were steadily lifted from Iran and the country was allowed to reenter the global market and banking systems. Advertisement As a candidate, Trump vowed to rip up the deal, and he has bitterly complained that a U.S. law requires him to periodically waive nuclear-related sanctions to confirm to Congress that Iran is in compliance. When he last did so, on Jan. 12, Trump vowed to not do it again and gave European allies four months to find a way to meet his concerns or he would pull out of the deal. The process would be relatively simple because the nuclear accord is not a formal treaty. The U.S. signed it as part of an executive order by President Obama, so Trump would need take no formal steps beyond reimposing sanctions and announcing his decision. Its possible other signatories to the deal could keep it alive without U.S. participation. It would require a soft exit to limit the effect of new sanctions so European companies and others could continue trading with and investing in Iran without fear of being shut out of U.S. markets. It also would require Iranian buy-in. Advertisement In theory, that could leave the door open for a future U.S. administration to rejoin the agreement. Several British, French and German diplomats who visited Washington in recent weeks to meet with Trump administration officials expressed frustration with the presidents ultimatum partly because its not entirely clear what, if anything, would keep him in the deal. They have proposed supplemental agreements to address key concerns especially the sunset clauses and say follow-on measures could be enacted without scuttling the existing deal. But several diplomats left Washington convinced that the proposals would not satisfy Trump, who, they said, seems to have already made up his mind. Advertisement The Europeans are starting to question [U.S.] predictability, said Angela Kane, a German diplomat who served as U.N. high representative for disarmament affairs during the Iran negotiations. This is becoming a very difficult thing for Europeans to stomach. Allies seeking to preserve the Iran deal say a U.S. withdrawal would benefit Iranian hard-liners who opposed negotiating with the West in the first place and wanted to preserve the nuclear program. Reinstating U.S. sanctions would give Tehran an excuse to blame the countrys economic problems on America, analysts said. But Trump is unlikely to get pushback from Pompeo, a kindred spirit when it comes to Iran. Pompeo has a long track record on Iran and has been quite hostile towards the Islamic Republic, said Reuel Marc Gerecht, a former CIA expert on Iran now at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, a conservative think tank that opposed the nuclear deal. Advertisement Pompeos passion has only been heightened, not diminished, by his access at the CIA, Gerecht added. I expect he will aggressively fulfill the presidents desire to have the deal renegotiated or scrapped. tracy.wilkinson@latimes.com For more on international affairs, follow @TracyKWilkinson on Twitter Two days before a pedestrian bridge collapsed onto a busy roadway at Florida International University, an engineer working on the project called the Florida Department of Transportation to say he had observed cracking on the span, the department said late Friday. It was not immediately clear whether cracking contributed to the collapse, which killed at least six people and injured nine others. The call came in to a landline phone at the department and went unanswered because the employee assigned to the phone had been out of the office on assignment, the department said. It released a transcript of a voicemail the engineer had left. Hey Tom, this is Denney Pate with FIGG bridge engineers, the voicemail said. Calling to, uh, share with you some information about the FIU pedestrian bridge and some cracking thats been observed on the north end of the span, the pylon end of that span we moved this weekend. Um, so, uh, weve taken a look at it and, uh, obviously some repairs or whatever will have to be done but from a safety perspective we dont see that theres any issue there so were not concerned about it from that perspective although obviously the cracking is not good and somethings going to have to be, you know, done to repair that. At a news conference Friday night, officials from the National Transportation Safety Board said they could not yet say whether cracking contributed to the collapse, the Associated Press reported. They also said workers were trying to strengthen a diagonal member on the bridge when it collapsed. Advertisement (Los Angeles Times ) Both the NTSB and the Miami-Dade Police Department have launched investigations into the tragedy. Right now, we just want to find out what occurred, what caused this collapse to occur, said Miami-Dade Police Department director Juan J. Perez at a news conference earlier Friday. Were gonna have to start from the beginning, from contract, all the way to the end, when the incident happened. Miami-Dade County Deputy Mayor Maurice Kemp added that no survivors were thought to remain in the rubble, which crushed at least eight vehicles like soda cans, and that emergency efforts had switched to recovering the remaining victims bodies. We want to ensure that this type of accident doesnt happen again locally or anywhere in this country, Kemp said. The tragedy focused attention on a relatively new and novel form of bridge construction. In 2010, a group of bridge engineering experts met at Florida International University in Miami to push an idea: Infrastructure around America was crumbling, and the nation needed new bridges. A lot of them. But bridges often took a long time to build, leading to clogged traffic, irritated commuters and more workers working in dangerous areas where they could get hit by cars. Advertisement So the experts created an academic center to advance a technique called Accelerated Bridge C onstruction, in which bridges are built off-site and, when ready, moved to their final locations in one piece, with disruption lasting days or less. That seemingly marvelous process unfolded at FIU this month, as officials installed the 174-foot, 950-ton pedestrian bridge over a weekend. On Thursday afternoon, the bridge, which had not yet been opened, collapsed onto passing traffic below. More than 100 bridges around the U.S. have been installed using the new construction technique, according to FIUs Accelerated Bridge Construction University Transportation Center, which the engineers founded in 2010. One of the most recent projects to use Accelerated Bridge Construction was the new Sacramento Wash Crossing on historic Route 66, along Arizonas western border, about 270 miles east of Los Angeles. Advertisement The road was closed for three and a half days to install the bridge last year. Officials estimated that traditional techniques would have lasted three months. Saiid Saiidi, a professor of civil and environmental engineering at the University of Nevada-Reno, said that there was nothing wrong inherently with bridges built using Accelerated Bridge Construction techniques and that the chances of collapse are no greater compared with traditional methods. (Los Angeles Times ) The internal connections and the way you put them together are the same, Saiidi said, though he said the new methods can be more challenging. You have to build them right, you have to design them right, so if anything, ABC bridges require a lot more care and the work is more carefully done. Advertisement The $14.2 million bridge at FIU was designed by FIGG Bridge Engineers Inc., and built by MCM Construction with help from funding from a U.S. Department of Transportation TIGER grant, or Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery grant. This is an unprecedented event, FIGG said in a statement. No other bridge designed by FIGG Bridge Engineers has ever experienced such a collapse. FIGG was chosen to design the new Interstate 35W bridge in Minneapolis after the previous bridge, which had been built in the 1970s, collapsed in 2007, killing 13 people. In a statement, MCM, the contractor, said it was fully cooperating with the NTSBs investigation and that it was just heartbroken for the victims. We have been in business for more than 35 years, and safety has always been our number one priority, the company said. Advertisement The FIU-Sweetwater UniversityCity Bridge was initially built alongside Southwest 8th Street, an eight-lane thoroughfare, starting in spring 2017. Then, on March 10 a Saturday the bridge was lifted from its supports, rotated 90 degrees, and then placed over 8th Street. University officials initially hailed the process in a statement, saying the method of construction reduces potential risks to workers, commuters and pedestrians and minimizes traffic interruptions. FIU is about building bridges and student safety. This project accomplishes our mission beautifully, FIU President Mark B. Rosenberg said in a statement. We are filled with pride and satisfaction at seeing this engineering feat come to life and connect our campus to the surrounding community where thousands of our students live. The bridge was expected to open in early 2019 after further modifications. Advertisement After the collapse, Rosenberg filmed a video response promising a thorough investigation into the tragic accident, saying, Its exactly the opposite of what we had intended, and we want to express our deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of those who have been affected. (Los Angeles Times ) Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) tweeted that the cables that suspend the #Miami bridge had loosened & the engineering firm ordered that they be tightened. They were being tightened when it collapsed today. Rubio did not offer further details, and neither FIGG nor MCM firms immediately responded to queries about the senators claim. The director of FIUs Accelerated Bridge Construction University Transportation Center, Atorod Azizinamini, who was quoted in the universitys news release initially praising the bridge, did not response to a request for an interview. Advertisement An FIU spokeswoman instead responded and directed The Times to an outside expert, declining to comment further. matt.pearce@latimes.com Matt Pearce is a national reporter for The Times. Follow him on Twitter at @mattdpearce. More national headlines Advertisement UPDATES: 7:10 p.m.: This article was updated with a report of a phone call about cracking on the bridge. This article was originally posted at 4:10 p.m. Just five days after it was installed, but not yet open to the public, a 950-ton pedestrian bridge at Miamis Florida International University collapsed onto a busy highway Thursday afternoon, killing at least four people, fire officials said. Eight vehicles were trapped beneath the fallen concrete and nine victims were pulled from the debris, fire officials said. The victims conditions were not released by authorities. Search-and-rescue teams raced to hunt for survivors who might be buried in the rubble, drilling into the debris and using search dogs and special microphones. A doctor reported that his hospital treated 10 people injured in the collapse, two with critical injuries. The main focus is to rescue people, said Miami-Dade Police Director Juan Perez. Advertisement Miami-Dade Fire Rescue Division Chief Paul Estopinan said at a news conference Thursday afternoon that officials could not say how many people might be trapped in the debris. I can assure you that our teams are still in rescue-and-search mode to try to locate any viable patients. Estopinan said more than 100 technicians would work overnight to move aside concrete in their search. Cranes, bulldozers and other heavy equipment were moved to the scene. The National Transportation Safety Board said it would send investigators to inspect the failed bridge. Were working our way into the pile to create holes so we can physically see, Estopinan said. Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Gimenez said on Twitter that he was actively monitoring this tragic situation while abroad on business. Our thoughts and prayers are with the people affected by this tragedy and with the first responders who are on the scene, Gimenez said. Florida International University has a student body of about 54,000, according to the schools website. Students are on spring break this week. The school set up a center on campus for family and friends of the victims. The 950-ton, 174-foot pedestrian bridge was assembled by the side of the highway and moved into place Saturday to great fanfare. The $14.2-million span connected the university campus and the city of Sweetwater. Though it stands above a busy eight-lane highway, it was not yet open to foot traffic. We have a national tragedy on our hands with the collapse of this bridge, Sweetwater Mayor Orlando Lopez said at a news conference. Advertisement In a statement, the university said, We are shocked and saddened about the tragic events unfolding at the FIU-Sweetwater pedestrian bridge. I have spoken with Miami-Dade County Police Chief Juan Perez about the pedestrian bridge collapse at FIU. I will be in constant communication with law enforcement throughout the day. Rick Scott (@SenRickScott) March 15, 2018 The span, formally known as the FIU-Sweetwater UniversityCity Bridge, was built by MCM and designed by FIGG Bridge Engineers, according to the university. Advertisement It was built as a rapid span installation, in which the bridge was prefabricated, then swung into place before its central support tower was built. On Thursday, all that remained standing were the pillars on the south side of the bridge. FIGG Bridge Engineers said in a news release Thursday that it was stunned by todays tragic collapse and that our deepest sympathies are with all those affected by this accident. The firm said that in its 40-year history, nothing like this has ever happened before. Our entire team mourns the loss of life and injuries associated with this devastating tragedy, and our prayers go out to all involved. MCM, also known as Munilla Construction Management, said in a tweet: Our familys thoughts and prayers go out to everyone affected by this terrible tragedy. Advertisement U.S. Rep. Carlos Curbelo, a Republican who represents the area, called the university the heart of the entire South Florida community. Curbelo said he was extremely disconcerted by the collapse. As soon as the immediate needs have been met, we need to get to the bottom of what happened today and ensure that it never happens again. Florida Gov. Rick Scott and Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) were on their way to the scene. Rubio, who says he has taught at the university for the last decade as an adjunct professor, tweeted that he was praying for victims and the first responders working to save them. The road under the collapsed bridge is heavily used by so many people in Miami, the senator tweeted. This is such a horrifying tragedy. Advertisement Trischitta writes for the Sun Sentinel. Times staff writer Michael Livingston and the Associated Press contributed to this report. UPDATES: 6:25 p.m.: This article was updated to report that at least four people were killed in the bridge collapse. 3:12 p.m.: This article was updated throughout with staff reporting. Advertisement 12:50 p.m.: This article was updated with the number of vehicles crushed in the collapse.and additional details. 12:12 p.m.: This article was updated with reports of multiple injuries. This article was originally published at 11:35 a.m. A black man who was severely beaten the day of a violent white nationalist rally in Charlottesville, Va., and then charged with misdemeanor assault in the same incident was found not guilty Friday. A Charlottesville judge acquitted 20-year-old DeAndre Harris, saying it was clear Harris didnt intend to harm the leader of a Southern nationalist group who made a complaint against him. Photos and videos of the Aug. 12 attack on Harris by a group of men in a parking garage were widely shared online. Harris was left with serious injuries. I dont see that Mr. Harris did anything wrong that day, Judge Robert Downer said, according to the Daily Progress. Its all on tape for me to see. Advertisement Harold Crews, North Carolina chairman of the League of the South which advocates for Southern states to again secede from the union sought the charge against Harris. Harris turned himself in after a warrant was issued in October. Harris took the stand Friday and testified that he thought Crews was attacking a friend of his with a flag pole and went over to defend him. Then he said someone sprayed him with mace and everything was a blur after that, the newspaper reported. Joseph Platania, the Charlottesville commonwealths attorney, said in a statement Friday that his office appreciates the Courts careful review and consideration of the evidence in this case and respects the decision made by Judge Downer. Four men have been charged in connection with the attack on Harris: Alex Michael Ramos of Georgia; Daniel Borden of Ohio; Jacob Scott Goodwin of Arkansas; and Tyler Watkins Davis of Florida. The white nationalist rally was planned in part to protest the citys decision to remove a statue of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee. It drew hundreds of people, and hundreds more came to protest them. Violence erupted before the event could get underway. Clashes unfolded until authorities forced the group to disband. It was afterward that the attack on Harris took place and a car drove into a crowd of counterprotesters, killing one woman and injuring dozens more. Weedmaps may have positioned itself as Yelp for pot shoppers, but state regulators say there is a crucial difference: The bulk of the businesses in Weedmaps directory are illegal, even under state law. Thats undermining one of the primary goals of Proposition 64, which was to extinguish the black market in favor of a state-authorized, highly regulated cannabis marketplace. Last month, the states Bureau of Cannabis Control sent Weedmaps a cease-and-desist letter, threatening fines and criminal penalties if the company did not remove the listings for unlicensed marijuana businesses. The Weedmaps site and app let users search through listings submitted by marijuana dispensaries and delivery services, then offer their own reviews. The bureau said the Irvine-based company is violating a state law that bars websites from publishing a cannabis business advertisement if it does not display a license number. The warning letter was part of a broader crackdown launched after licensed retailers complained that they were being undercut by unlicensed ones that didnt pay the states hefty fees and taxes. The bureau sent 900 warning letters to marijuana shops suspected of operating without state licenses since Jan. 1. Many of those illegal shops, ironically, were found on Weedmaps, state officials said. California should be making it as easy as possible for legitimate operators to get licensed. Advertisement Weedmaps responded this week with a letter to Lori Ajax, the bureaus chief. The company argues that its an interactive computer service that cannot be held liable for the behavior of its users under Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act. This federal law has been vital to the development of online start-ups that rely on user-generated content, such as the ones that grew up to become Twitter, Craigslist and Facebook. And it may very well shield Weedmaps and its competitors from state rules on advertisements. Just because the state may not be able to compel Weedmaps to take down illegal listings, however, that doesnt mean the company shouldnt do it, as a good corporate citizen and supporter of Proposition 64. In fact, Weedmaps executives have said they will banish unlicensed pot shops from the site eventually. Sorry, Weedmaps, eventually doesnt cut it. The dilemma here is that California is experiencing the growing pains of transitioning its marijuana businesses from a largely uncontrolled, unchecked and underground industry into a highly regulated, taxpaying marketplace (although it remains illegal under federal law). This was never going to be an easy process. Los Angeles alone had hundreds perhaps well over a thousand medical marijuana dispensaries, the vast majority of them unauthorized, plus growers, manufacturers and other cannabis businesses that were operating prior to the passage of Proposition 64 in November 2016 legalizing recreational use. The ballot measure gave cities and the state roughly a year to develop regulations and a licensing regime before commercial recreational cannabis sales could officially begin on Jan. 1. Weedmaps contends that its too soon to begin cracking down on unlicensed pot shops, many of which have been operating legitimately or not as medical marijuana dispensaries for years. These businesses often want to join the legal market for recreational pot, but they are located in cities that are still developing regulations or have delayed licensing. Others are based in cities that continue to ban recreational sales, which local governments are allowed to do under Proposition 64. Heres where Weedmaps is right: California should be making it as easy as possible for legitimate operators to get licensed. Simply forcing Weedmaps to remove listings of unlicensed operators wont magically diminish the black market if the legal market isnt big enough to meet demand. Advertisement But at the same time, Weedmaps is helping to extend the life of unlawful operators and hurting the businesses that have gone through the expense of getting licensed. That ultimately impedes the effort to clean up the industry. Thats why one of Weedmaps competitors, Leafly, announced last month that it was removing listings for unlicensed businesses from its pot-shop-finding website. Weedmaps and others in the cannabis business have to recognize that they have a vital role in helping California tame the Wild West marijuana market into the regulated industry envisioned by Proposition 64. The sooner they do, the better. Follow the Opinion section on Twitter @latimesopinion and Facebook The police and FBI are searching for a bomber who left three packages that exploded at homes in Austin, Texas, this month, killing two and injuring two others. Their work wont be easy. Violent crimes inflicted on strangers are known to be the hardest to solve. If the Austin case fits the pattern of previous serial bombers, agents will find no conventional motives leading to the culprit no money quarrels or lovers jealousy. Bombers, like other serial offenders, have their own logic about what theyre doing and why. In most cases like this, the FBI will rely on its criminal profilers, called the Behavioral Analysis Unit, to decode the bombers opaque grievance. What strange sort of person is this and what wounding life experience led to this deadly pursuit? Sixty years after its origination, profiling is a crucial law enforcement tool precisely for its ability to address these questions. Profiling has nonetheless struggled to shed its reputation as junk science, a dubious combination of psychiatry and presentiment. Criminal Minds and other television shows have muddled matters by presenting profilers as genius-scientists with an almost supernatural ability to identify wrongdoers. Profiling was developed by Dr. James Brussel, a little-known psychiatrist of eccentric habits. In 1956, the New York City police came to him in desperation: For sixteen years detectives had searched for a serial bomber who had planted 32 homemade explosives in the citys most crowded public spaces, injuring 15. Advertisement Brussel had theorized that he could help identify the bomber by applying common psychiatric principals in reverse. Psychiatrists normally evaluate patients and consider how they might react to lifes difficulties conflict with a boss, sexual frustrations, the loss of a parent. He proposed to start with the bombers behavior and anticipate what sort of person he might be his sexuality, work history and appearance. Profiling has struggled to shed its reputation as junk science, a dubious combination of psychiatry and presentiment. On a December afternoon the head of the bomb squad emptied satchels of evidence onto Brussels desk. He examined the material for two hours, then gave police a description of the bomber: a friendless, unemployed middle-aged Slav living in a northern suburb of the city with an older female relative. When you catch him, Brussel said, and I have no doubt you will, hell be wearing a double-breasted suit. And it will be buttoned. A month later detectives arrested George Metesky at his home in Waterbury, Conn. He fit the description down to the jacket. Within an hour he confessed. Brussel relied on a combination of Freudian theory, Sherlock Holmes-like deductive reasoning and a heavy dose of intuition. When you think about an unknown criminal long enough, when youve assembled all the known facts about him and poked at them and stirred them about in your mind, you begin to see the man, he later wrote. Brussel successfully applied his reverse psychiatry, later called profiling, to the Boston Strangler and other prominent cases. In the early 1970s the FBI adopted his idea, but shifted the emphasis away from intuition and toward data collection. Still, just in case it proved to be an embarrassment, the FBI at first confined this semi-secret experiment to a windowless room at the FBI Academy in Quantico, Va. By the 1980s, however, the Behavioral Analysis Unit had established itself as a national clearinghouse for crime data, translating autopsies, crime-scene photos and other forensics into profiles of great accuracy. Police precincts could request urgent help 365 days a year. And they did so with growing frequency as deviant killers such as Ted Bundy, John Wayne Gacy and Ted Kaczynski made headlines. Advertisement Still, doubts about profilings legitimacy persisted. In a 2007 article in the New Yorker, Malcolm Gladwell argued that profiling, like fortunetelling, is written in such broad language that it can validate almost any conclusion one cares to draw from it. Brussel did not really understand the mind of the Mad Bomber, Gladwell wrote of the 1956 New York case. He seems to have understood only that, if you make a great number of predictions, the ones that were wrong will soon be forgotten, and the ones that turn out to be true will make you famous. Gladwells comments understandably infuriate profilers to this day. A prominent case such as the one unfolding in Austin can bring out skeptics, but profilers know from thousands of cases amassed in FBI files that, although their work doesnt do miracles like on TV, it reliably steers investigators toward quirks of appearance, medical histories and other defining qualities. Most importantly, it helps narrow the search window by weeding out unlikely suspects. At this moment in Austin, profilers are likely waiting for a communication from the bomber if one hasnt already surfaced in hopes that it may contain telling cadences of speech, grammatical lapses, or regional word choices. Meanwhile, the bomb parts may reveal a military background, either in the U.S. or other regions. Of course these deductions are fallible, but assembled like pixels they start to resolve into a coherent picture of a killer. Michael Cannell is the author of Incendiary: the Psychiatrist, the Mad Bomber and the Invention of Criminal Profiling. Advertisement Follow the Opinion section on Twitter @latimesopinionand Facebook Just below the surface of the roiling debates about how and why our country got into its current predicament, a radical movement is afoot. Sometimes called the intellectual dark web, it lives largely on the internet, but it isnt a site or a channel, its a collection of thinkers (and its not the dark web of anonymous cybercrooks youve probably heard of). I actually see it not so much as a web but a nest containing rare birds that turn out to be more common than you might think. Some in this movement are liberal, and some are conservative. They come from a range of backgrounds, professions, generations and identity groups. They differ on details, but they are united by a common set of frustrations and corresponding goals. To put it simply, they wish to foster a new discourse that can allow innovative thinkers to wrestle with the worlds problems without having to tiptoe around subjects or questions deemed culturally or politically off-limits. (Quick example: Intellectual dark webbers would love to see the gender wage gap closed. But they know it can happen only if we talk about the career effects of biological sex differences as well as paternalistic conditioning and systemic discrimination. And that would be blasphemy in a lot of academic quarters.) The essence of the movement is having the courage to stand up to groupthink, even if it means losing friends or having your positions willfully misconstrued. The nest of free thinkers includes, to name just a few, Claire Lehmann, founder and editor of the online magazine Quillette, the bioethicist and author Alice Dreger, and Bret Weinstein and Heather Heying. The latter two are husband-and-wife biology professors who were driven out of Evergreen State College last year amid an utterly nonsensical controversy in which leftist student protesters decided to paint Weinstein, a lifelong political progressive and anti-racism activist, as a white supremacist. Advertisement Defectors from academia are generously represented here, but the concerns of the intellectual dark web go far beyond performative wokeness on college campuses or Twitter pile-ons in the name of social justice. The essence of the movement, as I see it, is having the courage to stand up to groupthink, even if it means losing friends or having your positions willfully misconstrued because they dont fit neatly in a particular ideological box. Its not about liberals beating up on liberals but, rather, understanding that the same tribalism and regressive thinking that is damaging the Republican Party, perhaps beyond repair, is also wreaking havoc on Democrats and their allies. Its about smart people asking other smart people to stop acting so stupid. Eric Weinstein, a mathematician and economist who coined the term intellectual dark web (hes also Brets brother), puts it this way: Theres a gated institutional narrative (delivered by mainstream media, government-funded research and university faculties) that elevates some conversations and tamps down others, like the one referenced above: honest discussion about biological sex differences. Dark webbers think, as Heying has said, that we cannot change what may be true on a societal level inequality unless we understand why things are true. Hard to argue with that, right? Well, you might be inclined to, if all you knew of the intellectual dark web came from its current star, Jordan B. Peterson. Peterson, a Canadian professor and clinical psychologist, has skyrocketed from YouTube-hero status to real-world fame (his new book, 12 Rules for Life: An Antidote to Chaos, became an instant bestseller). A few years ago, he publicly opposed a Canadian anti-discrimination law that he claimed would punish those who refused to refer to transgender people by their preferred pronouns. It was a strange hill to die on: Many analysts said his take on the law was all wrong, and Peterson made it clear he was personally willing to call people by whatever pronoun they preferred, he just didnt want to be required to by law. Since then, Petersons abrasive advice and abstruse theorizing in the realms of psychology, evolution, ethics, religion and myth have attracted huge swaths of followers. His constant railing against political correctness has made him a particular favorite of disaffected young men who might otherwise gravitate toward (or already are dabbling in) the alt-right. If you listen to Peterson for more than five minutes, youll see that he hates right-wing identity politics as much as the left-wing variety. But his demeanor can make him come across as a blunter instrument than he actually is, and he seems to enjoy the limelight too much to refine his message or change his tone. For my money, the right approach to Peterson is to pay him more careful attention and also less attention. His ideas warrant honest engagement, but he shouldnt be the only one with a microphone. And if you are inclined to dip into the intellectual dark web, keep this in mind: Although its denizens cant seem to stop talking about Peterson (hes hard to avoid), the cult of personality around the guy is exactly the opposite of what they and their movement need. This movement isnt perfect. The vibe gets a little paranoid at times, and believe me, there are some people flapping around the edges who I wish werent included at all. But I still think the intellectual dark web represents our best hope against the scourge of regressive, doctrinaire thinking on the left and the right. For that hope to be realized, we have to remember that there are lots of birds in the nest, not just one crowing rooster. A new name might help too. Advertisement Meghan Daum is a contributing writer to Opinion. mdaum@latimescolumnists.com Follow the Opinion section on Twitter @latimesopinionand Facebook To the editor: Dianne Feinstein and Kamala Harris, Californias two Democratic U.S. senators, should support the rule of law by rejecting the nomination of President Trumps pick to head the Central Intelligence Agency, Gina Haspel, who presided over the torturing of detainees at a black site in Thailand and then destroyed videotape evidence of these acts. (Gina Haspels appointment to run the CIA revives Americas dark history of torture, editorial, March 15) Haspel cannot hide behind the Nazi-era defense, I was just following orders. In the wake of the Nuremberg trials, the United Nations International Law Commission confirmed that the fact that a person acted pursuant to order of his government or of a superior does not relieve him from responsibility under international law, provided a moral choice was in fact possible to him. The U.N. Convention Against Torture, in effect at the time of Haspels conduct, made clear that No exceptional circumstances whatsoever, whether a state of war or a threat of war, internal political instability or any other public emergency, may be invoked as a justification of torture. Feinstein and Harris should uphold U.S. and international law by voting against the nomination of a person who can credibly be accused of having committed war crimes. Advertisement Stephen F. Rohde, Los Angeles The writer is a constitutional lawyer. Follow the Opinion section on Twitter @latimesopinion and Facebook Gavin Newsom releases ad that highlights his push to allow same-sex couples to marry By Phil Willon A new ad from Democratic gubernatorial candidate Gavin Newsom features Phyllis Lyon, who with her partner, Del Martin, received the first marriage license after Newsom vowed to allow same-sex couples to marry when he was mayor of San Francisco in 2004. The current lieutenant governors push for marriage equality thrust him into the national spotlight and he has emphasized that effort to portray himself as a bold, progressive leader. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Failed California housing bill was not a bad idea, Gov. Jerry Brown says By Liam Dillon Gov. Jerry Brown (Rich Pedroncelli / Associated Press) Earlier this month, high-profile housing legislation that would have allowed for four- to five-story apartments and condominiums near transit stops failed to advance in the state Legislature. But had it reached his desk, would Gov. Jerry Brown have signed it? Maybe. I think that was not a bad idea, Brown said of Senate Bill 827 at a meeting with business leaders from the Bay Area Council on Monday afternoon. The bill, written by Sen. Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco), attracted national attention and a maelstrom of opposition in part because it would have eliminated single-family zoning near transit stops in favor of apartments or condominiums. Brown said that a relative of his who lives in West Portal, a low-density neighborhood in San Francisco, told the governor he was horrified by the bill. Brown also lamented dramatically rising housing costs. He said he bought his first house in Los Angeles in 1973 for $75,000 at a time when his salary as secretary of state was $35,000. Now, he said, buying a house for a little over twice ones annual salary is virtually impossible anywhere in the state. FOR THE RECORD May 1, 9:32 a.m.: This post originally misstated the year Brown purchased his house as 1970. It was 1973. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print John Cox begins California barnstorm with the delivery of gas tax repeal signatures By Javier Panzar Gubernatorial candidate John Cox, left, and Assembly candidate Bill Essayli load boxes of signatures for the gas tax repeal initiative. (Francine Orr) GOP gubernatorial candidate John Cox strolled up to the stack of 12 boxes in front of the Los Angeles County registrar-recorders offices in Norwalk on Monday and placed his hands on top of his partys hope for success in 2018. The boxes, stacked four across and three high, contained 211,000 signatures for an initiative to repeal recent increases in Californias gas tax and vehicle fees. Cox says the effort has gathered more than 940,000 signatures from registered voters to put the measure on the ballot far more than the 585,407 signatures that are required. The aim: to bring out the partys base to the polls this November and help candidates in tough congressional and legislative races down the ticket. A USC Dornsife/Los Angeles Times poll in November found 54.2% of registered voters surveyed said they would repeal the tax and fee hike, but a survey a month earlier by another group said a majority would vote to keep the higher taxes. Cox was flanked by Bill Essayli, a former federal prosecutor who is challenging Democratic Assemblywoman Sabrina Cervantes of Riverside in the June primary. Cervantes voted for the gas tax and Essayli plans to use that vote against her. He even launched his campaign at a 76 gas station in Norco. This is a central issue in my campaign, he said. Cox also submitted signatures in San Diego on Monday and is headed to Bakersfield, Fresno and Sacramento, as well as Shasta and Butte counties in coming days. We are going all across the state, Cox said. The whole state is paying this tax and the whole state wants it gone. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print All Californians would be able to serve on state boards even people in the U.S. illegally under new bill By Jazmine Ulloa Sen. Ricardo Lara (D-Bell Gardens) (Rich Pedroncelli / Associated Press) State lawmakers on Monday introduced legislation that would allow all Californians to serve on state boards and commissions regardless of immigration status. Senate Bill 174, by Sen. Ricardo Lara (D-Bell Gardens) and Assemblywoman Wendy Carrillo (D-Los Angeles), comes as the state is locked in a broader legal battle with the Trump administration over state immigration laws and his call for mass deportations. Lawmakers point to what they say is the states own discriminatory history as their basis for introducing the legislation. The proposal would amend an 1872 provision that was first adopted to exclude Chinese immigrants and other transient aliens from holding appointed civil positions. At the time, antipathy toward the Chinese had been building in California, though, Chinese immigrants opened hundreds of businesses across the state and would play a critical role in building the transcontinental railroad. The Senate bill would delete the phrase transient aliens from the government code and make clear that any person, regardless of citizenship or immigration status, can hold an appointed civil office if they are at least 18 years old and a resident of the state. That would allow any Californian to serve on hundreds of boards and commissions that advice in an array of policy areas, including farm labor, history and employment development. Californias two million undocumented immigrants are a source of energy for our state, Lara said in a statement. It is shocking to read the words of fear and exclusion that are still in California law but belong in historys trash can. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Tony Mendozas fundraising dries up after resignation amid harassment inquiry By Patrick McGreevy Former state Sen. Tony Mendoza (D-Artesia). (Steve Yeater / Associated Press) Political contributions to Tony Mendoza, who resigned from the state Senate under pressure amid sexual harassment allegations, have nearly dried up. New documents he filed with the state in his bid to reclaim the seat he once held show that his support has eroded. As a result, five other candidates for the 32nd District senate seat in the June 5 election have raised more than Mendoza so far this year. With the June 5 election approaching, Mendoza has reported raising just $7,750 in cash from six supporters during the nearly four-month period from Jan. 1 to April 21. Mendoza, a Democrat from Artesia, went on a leave of absence from the Senate Jan. 3 and resigned a month later under the threat of expulsion from colleagues. An investigation ordered by the Senate found a pattern of unwanted flirtatious or sexually suggestive behavior based on testimony from six women. Mendoza has denied wrongdoing. Last year, Mendozas reelection campaign raised $412,600, or an average of about $34,000 per month, from more than 350 supporters. Most of Mendozas 2018 total was contributed by the political arm of the Southern California Pipe Trades District Council 16 on Jan. 22, a month before Mendoza resigned. Mendoza also reported that his campaign loaned $125,000 this year to his legal defense fund. That left him with $446,600 in his campaign account at the end of April. Mendoza is running against eight Democrats and two Republicans. Democrat Bob J. Archuleta, a Pico Rivera city councilman, raised the most, $210,000, during the period. On Monday, Mendoza suffered another setback when the State Legislative Womens Caucus endorsed Democrat Vicky Santana, a member of the Rio Hondo College Board. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Newsom and Villaraigosa affairs coming to TV ads in California By Phil Willon An independent political committee backing Republican John Cox for governor released an ad blasting both Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom and former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa for their past sexual affairs. The California Deserves Better ad, which was first reported by Politico, criticizes Newsom for having an affair with a woman on his staff in 2005 while he served as mayor of San Francisco. It also goes after Villaraigosa for having an extramarital affair with a television reporter in 2007 while he was mayor of Los Angeles. The ad, which begins airing on Fox stations in the states top media markets Monday, links Newsom and Villaraigosa to the men accused of sexual impropriety in the #MeToo movement, including movie mogul Harvey Weinstein and disgraced Today show veteran Matt Lauer. Powerful men are finally being held to account, punished for inappropriate sexual conduct with women over whom they exercise power, the ad begins. Newsom and Villaraigosa think the rules shouldnt apply to them. The independent campaign committee, called Restore Our Values, already has raised more than $100,000, said Leigh Teece of Emeryville in Northern California, co-founder of the group. Teece, the CEO of a nonprofit that helps line up students with professional mentors, said the campaign will actively support Cox. She called him a true conservative and noted that he supports cutting taxes and opposes Californias sanctuary state policy. John is a business person who has demonstrated integrity, Teece said. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Was that Cisneros in the voicemail? Dispute is latest espisode of Democratic infighting in crowded primary races By Christine Mai-Duc Gil Cisneros speaks during a forum at Fullerton College in January. (Kent Nishimura / Los Angeles Times) With less than five weeks to go before Californias primary, insults and accusations are flying with abandon in the most crowded races Democrats hope to ultimately win. The latest example of this is in the 39th Congressional District, where a half dozen Democrats are vying for a chance to replace Rep. Ed Royce, whos retiring. Its one of several California contests where Democratic leaders are already worried that divisions could ultimately split votes and shut Democrats out of key pickup opportunities. In that race, millionaires Gil Cisneros and Andy Thorburn are going negative about going negative. Cisneros was recently elevated to the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committees Red to Blue program in hopes it would serve as a signal to Democratic activists and donors that his campaign was the most viable. But both Cisneros and Thorburn have poured millions into the race, which promises to be a knock down, drag out fight through June 5. At the center of the latest controversy is a voicemail, allegedly left by Cisneros on Thorburns home answering machine earlier this month. The recording, which the Thorburn campaign turned over to media outlet The Intercept, lasts less than 10 seconds. Hi Andy, its Gil Cisneros. Im gonna go negative on you, a mans voice is heard saying. Cisneros campaign manager Orrin Evans denied the candidate made the call, posting a cease and desist letter to The Intercept on Twitter. The letter, sent by a Cisneros campaign attorney, called the voicemail fabricated and demanded that the story be taken down, calling it defamatory. It gave the publication until 3 p.m. Friday to take down the story before they pursue all legal rights and remedies. An attorney for The Intercept, in a letter to Cisneros, said the publication confirmed with multiple sources familiar with Mr. Cisneros that his voice was on the recording, and that it stands by its reporting. Thorburns camp says it flatly rejects Cisneros denial, and that the timing of a negative website filled with unflattering background on Thorburn, released three days later, suggests it was him. Track the California races that could flip the House According to The Intercepts report, Cisneros campaign manager did not respond to initial inquiries about the voicemail, calling its questions ridiculous. In a follow-up statement Friday, Evans said called the episode a dirty, desperate trick by the Thorburn campaign and said they are readying to pursue legal action for defamation and false light against both him and the publication. It sounded like him to me! said Thorburns wife, Karen, in a statement released by the campaign. She was the one who first heard the voicemail, they said. Thorburn campaign manager Nancy Leeds called Cisneros threats Trump-like tactics and accused the candidate of trying to harass and intimidate anyone who stands in his way. Its not the first time candidates from the same party have clashed in the lead-up to the June 5 primary, and its all but certain to not be the last. Cisneros sued two of his opponents, Thorburn and Sam Jammal, over their ballot descriptions until they had to change them. Earlier this month, Democrat Bryan Caforio asked his opponent, Katie Hill, to sign a pledge rejecting the use of independent expenditure committees, entities that neither of them can legally coordinate with, in the race to unseat Rep. Steve Knight (R-Lancaster). Hill refused and called the attempt hollow and likened it to political theater, while Caforio accused her of empty campaign promises. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print California Politics Podcast: The money raised in the race for governor hints at a race thats now red hot By John Myers With less than six weeks before election day, the cash raised in the California governors race mirrors the overall dynamics: one major front-runner and a heated race for second place. This weeks podcast episode offers a glimpse into those cash reports and how the Republican field seems more settled in a new statewide poll than the battle between Democrats. We also examine the reasons why a nationally talked-about housing bill in Sacramento was killed by the Democratic authors own allies. Im joined by Times staff writers Melanie Mason and Liam Dillon. You can subscribe to the podcast on iTunes, SoundCloud and Stitcher. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement L.A. County politician sexually assaulted woman when she was 16, lawsuit claims By Dakota Smith A woman sued an unnamed politician in Los Angeles County on Friday, alleging the man sexually assaulted her when she was a teenager after he gave her an unusual-tasting drink. The politician, identified as John Doe, was in his early 40s and a public figure at the time of the 2007 assault, according to the lawsuit filed in Los Angeles Superior Court. The man is an elected official today and lives in Los Angeles, said attorney Lisa Bloom, who is representing the woman identified in the lawsuit as Jane Doe. Bloom declined to say what branch of government the man represents. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Villaraigosa touts his working-class upbringing, accomplishments as mayor in first TV ad By Phil Willon Democrat Antonio Villaraigosa released his first TV ad in the governors race Friday, touting his record and accomplishments as mayor of Los Angeles when up against the economic downturn during the recession. The 30-second television spot opens with a sweeping shot of Los Angeles and cuts to Villaraigosa sitting on a bus. In kindergarten, my sister and I took three buses to get to school. As mayor, I remembered that, Villaraigosa says into the camera. And despite the recession, we built more new schools and rail lines than any city in America, added 200,000 living wage jobs, built 20,000 units of affordable housing and nearly doubled graduation rates. Campaign spokesman Luis Vizcaino said the ad will air statewide over the next week at a cost of approximately $1 million. The commercial will being airing Saturday. Two Democratic rivals in Californias race for governor, Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom and state Treasurer John Chiang, also launched ads this week, signaling the biggest ramp-up of the campaign as the June 5 primary approaches. Newsom is the front-runner, while Villaraigosa is battling for second place with Republican John Cox. One recent poll has Villaraigosa trailing both Cox and Republican Assemblyman Travis Allen of Huntington Beach. Chiang has been stuck in the single digits in almost all polling in the race. Last week, an independent expenditure group called Families and Teachers for Antonio Villaraigosa for Governor, funded largely by a trio of wealthy charter school backers, launched a spot in support of the former mayor of Los Angeles. That ad campaign is focused on increasing Villaraigosas chances of coming in second in the June 5 primary and moving on to the general election. Villaraigosas ad, titled Three Buses, emphasizes the struggles he faced growing up in East Los Angeles and addresses one of his central campaign themes that hes the candidate best suited to help working-class Californians. I know how far a bus can take you, Villaraigosa says in the ad. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Sen. Dianne Feinstein wont participate in pre-primary debate By Sarah D. Wire (Tom Williams / CQ Roll Call) California Sen. Dianne Feinstein will not participate in a proposed pre-primary debate because there are too many candidates in the race, her campaign spokesman said Thursday. Political activists with the group Indivisible Los Angeles said they had a venue and date May 5 reserved for a debate with four of the Senate candidates. But they said if Feinstein does not participate, it will be canceled. Feinstein faces 31 primary opponents in her bid for a fifth full term representing California in the Senate. Feinstein staffers initially said she had a prior commitment on May 5 in San Francisco. When organizers offered to let her campaign pick another date, her campaign said it wasnt fair for the group to invite only some of the candidates when there is such a big field, said Tudor Popescu, volunteer community organizer with Indivisible Los Angeles. The invited candidates, all Democrats, were Feinstein, state Sen. Kevin de Leon, political action committee director Alison Hartson and lawyer Pat Harris. They were selected based on fundraising and poll numbers. There are 11 Republicans, 10 Democrats, nine independents and 2 third-party candidates running for Senate on the June ballot. Indivisible Los Angeles is still hoping Feinstein will pick another date, Popescu said. Feinstein spokesman Jeff Millman pointed to a San Francisco Chronicle endorsement of Feinstein, which indicates that she told the editorial board she would be willing to have a debate ahead of Novembers general election. Senator Feinstein looks forward to debating her opponent in the general election, Millman said in an email. Feinstein holds a substantial lead in both fundraising and in the polls. Front-runners in statewide races have routinely declined to debate their challengers, knowing that its free publicity for candidates who dont have the cash to increase their name recognition on their own. De Leon spokesman Jonathan Underland said the state senator has done candidate forums before, but planned to attend the May 5 debate only if Feinstein did. We basically said well clear his calendar 100%, well clear his calendar if Feinstein shows up, Underland said. Wed love to make it happen, but we want her to be there. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement NRA, Olympic shooter sue California over its restrictions on ammunition sales By Patrick McGreevy Olympian Kim Rhode is a plaintiff in a lawsuit filed by the NRA and its state affiliate against California. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times) The National Rifle Assn. and its state affiliate have filed a fourth lawsuit against California over its gun control laws, this time challenging new restrictions on the sale and transfer of ammunition. The NRA and the California Rifle and Pistol Assn. filed a challenge in federal court to a requirement that ammunition sales and transfers be conducted face to face with California firearms dealers or licensed vendors, ending purchases made directly from out-of-state sellers on the internet. The lawsuit in the United States District Court for the Southern District of California also challenged a requirement starting next year for background checks for people buying ammunition. The lawsuit was filed in the name of Kim Rhode, a six-time Olympic medal-winning shooter, and others. It challenges Californias new ammunition sales restrictions as a violation of the 2nd Amendment and the commerce clause of the United States Constitution. Restrictions on ammunition purchases were included in Proposition 63, approved by voters in 2016, and in bills approved by the Legislature. As a result of these laws, millions of constitutionally protected ammunition transfers are banned in California, Chris W. Cox, executive director of the NRAs Institute for Legislative Action, said in a statement. Californias law-abiding gun owners are sick of being treated like criminals and the NRA is proud to assist in this fight. Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom, who is running for governor, defended his initiative and vowed to fight the NRA lawsuit. We wrote Proposition 63 on solid legal ground and principle: If youre a felon banned from possessing guns in California, then you should not be able to purchase the ammunition that makes a firearm deadly, Newsom said in a statement. California voters said loudly and clearly that guns and ammunition do not belong in the hands of dangerous individuals but once again, the NRA has prioritized gun industry profits over the lives of law-abiding Californians. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Republicans hope to ride a gas-tax repeal to victory By Patrick McGreevy In a Central Valley barn decked out in red, white and blue, dairyman and state Senate candidate Johnny Tacherra drew cheers from a crowd of fellow farmers when he said he opposes the California Legislatures hike on gas taxes and vehicle fees. I would not have voted for that. It is not the time to be voting on (raising) the gas tax, said Tacherra, a Republican running against Democratic Assemblywoman Anna Caballero, who voted for the tax increase last year. Three hundred miles away the same week, a campaign mailer arrived at homes in Orange County from an Assembly candidate with a message blaring from the cover in bold type: Republican Greg Haskin tough enough to stand up to Jerry Brown and repeal the gas tax. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Treasurer John Chiang launches ad in governors race touting his record as a fiscal steward By Seema Mehta In his first television ad in the governors race, state Treasurer John Chiang touts his record on fiscal issues as California faced the recession. Some thought we were done, Chiang says in a voiceover in the 30-second spot he released Thursday, with images of him standing seriously at a lectern and complimentary headlines about his work as controller and treasurer. But I knew better. I made the tough calls. And brought California back from the brink of financial disaster because you trusted me to manage our economy. Chiangs campaign is spending about $500,000 to air the ad in Los Angeles and San Diego in coming days. That buy is dwarfed by seven-figure purchases for ads supporting Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom and former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa. Newsom is the front-runner, while Villaraigosa is battling for second place with Republican businessman John Cox. Chiang has been mired in the single digits in almost all polling in the race. His ad, called Quiet Storm, tries to portray Chiang as a progressive who is effective and can move policy in Sacramento. Chiang points to his work challenging Wells Fargo before arguing that he could accomplish what doubters say is impossible to improve the states healthcare, housing and schools. I say, we got this, Chiang concludes. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Been ignoring the race for California governor? Thats OK, in some ways its just starting By Mark Z. Barabak On a recent trip to Iowa, Eric Garcetti the mayor of Los Angeles and a possible 2020 White House contestant raised eyebrows with a bit of exuberant outreach. Los Angeles and Iowa, Garcetti insisted, have a ton in common, and he didnt simply mean both are inhabited by carbon-based life forms needing oxygen to survive. Urban or rural, farmer or fashion plate, all of us harbor the same hopes and dreams, the mayor suggested, and if it wasnt a terribly original thought it also wasnt the most egregious sort of political pandering like, say, ordering that every home in Los Angeles be powered by Iowa-produced ethanol. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print California voters should expect to decide on an $8.9-billion water bond in November By Liam Dillon (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times) A proposal to borrow $8.9 billion for improvements to Californias water quality systems and watersheds and protection of natural habitats is eligible for the statewide ballot in November, Secretary of State Alex Padilla announced in a press release Wednesday. Padilla said the measure, which is backed by agricultural interests, had exceeded the 365,800 valid signatures it needed to qualify for the general election ballot. The bond measure will appear on the ballot unless proponents withdraw it by June 28, the release said. The bond is one of many voters could decide on in 2018. A $4-billion bond for parks and water infrastructure improvements will appear on the June 5 ballot. State lawmakers approved it last year. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print They came for Darrell Issa. They stayed with their inflatable chicken, blue wall and signs for political therapy By Christine Mai-Duc (John Gibbins / San Diego Union-Tribune) A mother of two turned ringleader of the resistance and more than a hundred of her faithful followers gathered on Tuesday morning outside Rep. Darrell Issas office in a northern San Diego County suburb. Across the street was her foil, a wedding DJ in a red Make American Great Again cap, setting up hefty speakers for an upcoming war of words. For about 65 weeks the deep divide in America played out along this 100-yard stretch of road in Vista. Here, at 10 a.m. every Tuesday, passersby found signs, chants, songs and, if they were lucky, sometimes a 20-foot-tall inflatable chicken with a Trump-esque coif. Theyd also glimpse the state of the body politic in 2018, a time when shock has turned to anger and post-2016 calls for reconciliation have morphed into grudging acceptance that each side might be better off in their respective corners. Or in this case, their sides of the street. On Tuesday, the anti-Issa, anti-Trump contingent fought this particular battle for the last time, declaring it their final protest at the congressmans office. They said they planned to use their energy to knock on doors and get out the vote, with an occasional protest on the side. Their pro-Trump rivals vowed to show up wherever they do. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Efforts to regulate bail companies have some unlikely allies: bail agents By Jazmine Ulloa Jane Un, chief executive and founder of Abba Bail Bonds, works with a client. ( Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times) In recent years, the seriousness and number of official complaints related to the bail industry in California have significantly increased while bail agents and bounty hunters face limited oversight, putting vulnerable communities at risk of fraud, embezzlement and other forms of victimization. This year, as Gov. Jerry Brown has pledged to work with lawmakers in a push to overhaul how courts assign defendants bail and to better regulate bail agencies, even some who profit from the court practice admit its time for regulation. These bail and bail-recovery agents could become unlikely allies, saying they advocate for change because theyve seen the system abuse the poor. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement California voters: Get ready for an onslaught of television ads By Seema Mehta After a sleepy campaign, California voters are now being bombarded with television advertisements in the governors race, an onslaught that is expected to ramp up in coming weeks. The ads most frequently seen on television are those promoting Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom, the front-runner in the race, and former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, who is trying to secure the second spot in the June primary. Newsoms campaign and an outside group backing Villaraigosa are spending seven figures weekly on these efforts, according to filings with the California secretary of states office and a media buyer who asked not to be identified in order to freely discuss the ads. Other gubernatorial candidates are expected to hit the airwaves soon, the media buyer said. State Treasurer John Chiang has reserved a half-million dollars in the coming days in the Los Angeles and San Diego markets, and Villaraigosas campaign has requested availability in at least five of the states biggest TV markets. The GOP candidates in the race, who will be seeking the state Republican Partys endorsement at its convention next weekend, have been much less active. Businessman John Cox in recent weeks has been spending about $90,000 per week, but doubled that this week in Los Angeles and added small buys on KFI-AM radio and cable in markets including Fresno, Bakersfield and Salinas. State Assemblyman Travis Allen of Huntington Beach, who has been scooping up Republican Party endorsements across the state, has yet to make a notable television or radio buy, though he and Cox have received some attention as commentators on Fox News. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Republicans ready to turn in signatures for ballot measure to repeal California gas-tax increase By Patrick McGreevy A Chevron gas station in Sacramento shows prices last year. (Rich Pedroncelli / Associated Press) Republican activists said Tuesday that they have collected at least 830,000 signatures for an initiative to repeal recent increases in Californias gas tax and vehicle fees, more than enough to qualify the measure for the November ballot. The activists need 585,407 signatures of registered voters to qualify the ballot measure. Because signatures are still being processed and counted by the campaign, backers hope to have 900,000 by the time they begin turning them in to the counties on Friday, according to Carl DeMaio, a former San Diego City Council member and organizer of the drive. The breadth and depth of voter anger over the car and gas tax hikes is just amazing, said DeMaio, who hosts a radio talk show. We are seeing Democrats, independents and Republicans sign the petition and volunteering to carry the petition, people from all walks of life. The initiative targets a law approved in April 2017 by the Legislature and Gov. Jerry Brown that is expected to raise $5.4 billion annually for road and bridge repairs and improvements to mass transit. The money comes from a recent 12-cents-per-gallon increase in the gas tax, a 20-cent increase in the diesel fuel excise tax and a new annual vehicle fee ranging from $25 for cars valued at under $5,000, to $175 for cars worth $60,000 or more. The petition drive raised more than $2 million with significant contributions from the California Republican Party and Republican members of Congress from California, including House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy of Bakersfield and Reps. Ken Calvert of Corona and Mimi Walters of Irvine. Republicans hope the issue will help their candidates for office in this years election and hurt Democrats who support the higher taxes. I think this is going to put Democrats in real bad spot, DeMaio said. A spokesman for Brown declined to comment until the signatures are filed. DeMaio said there were approximately 20,000 volunteer petition circulators who brought in more than 250,000 signatures, with the rest collected by paid circulators who received $1 to $2.50 per signature. Its a pretty comfortable margin [of signatures] that we have been able to hit here, DeMaio said. Opposition will grow, he said, as more Californians get their annual vehicle registration notice. The repeal campaign hopes to raise $5 million for the campaign to pass the constitutional amendment, which would not only repeal the increase in the gas tax and vehicle fees but require future increases to be submitted to voters. We know that Gov. Brown and his cohorts are going to spend an amazing amount of money to mislead voters, DeMaio said. But I feel pretty confident that we will repeal the gas tax. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Rep. Duncan Hunter sets up trust to raise money for legal expenses amid ongoing criminal investigation By Morgan Cook Rep. Duncan Hunter, R-Alpine, has filed paperwork to establish a legal expense fund amid an ongoing federal criminal investigation into misused campaign cash. Hunter filed the required paperwork March 27, seeking a rarely granted Legal Expense Fund through which members of Congress under investigation or being sued in connection with doing their jobs or running for office can raise money for their legal expenses. Such funds are administered by an independent trustee and allow donors to give above the maximum amount they can contribute a candidates campaign. Hunter has spent more than $600,000 of campaign money on lawyers. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Kamala Harris says she wont take corporate donations anymore By Sarah D. Wire (Jose Luis Magana / Associated Press) California Sen. Kamala Harris says she will no longer accept money from corporate political action committees. In an interview with WWPM-FMs The Breakfast Club, in New York that aired Monday, the senator said she wasnt expecting a question at a town hall this month about whether she would accept money for corporations or corporate lobbyists. At the time, Harris said it depends, but she said on Monday that she had reflected on the matter and changed her mind. Money has had such an outside influence on politics, and especially with the Supreme Court determining Citizens United, which basically means that big corporations can spend unlimited amounts of money influencing a campaign, right? Harris said. Were all supposed to have an equal vote, but money has now really tipped the balance between an individual having equal power in an election to a corporation. So Ive actually made a decision since I had that conversation that Im not going to accept corporate PAC checks. I just Im not. You can watch the video of the interview here. (Harris corporate money comments come about 30 minutes in.) Harris wouldnt be on the ballot for a second Senate term until 2022, though its widely believed that she is planning a presidential bid in 2020. Other potential 2020 presidential candidates, including Sens. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.) and Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), have also ruled out taking corporate PAC money. Soon after Mondays show aired, Harris campaign sent out a fundraising request noting her new stance. As corporate PACs continue to corrupt our politics and twist Congress priorities at your expense, were going to focus on raising money from small-dollar, individual donors like you, the email says. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement With money tied up in court, California lawmakers try again with new plan to spend $2 billion on homeless housing By Liam Dillon A man sleeps on the sidewalk in front of the Union Rescue Mission in the skid row neighborhood of Los Angeles. (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times) A measure to spend $2 billion on housing homeless Californians could be on the November statewide ballot. State Sen. Kevin de Leon (D-Los Angeles) is pushing the idea to deal with what he said was a burgeoning humanitarian crisis whose epicenter is here in California. De Leons new measure is a do-over for a 2016 plan passed by the Legislature to redirect $2 billion toward building homeless housing from a voter-approved 1% income tax surcharge on millionaires that funds mental health services. A Sacramento attorney sued over that decision, arguing that the move violated constitutional rules on approving loans without a public vote and that lawmakers shouldnt take money away from mental health treatment. The case remains active in Sacramento Superior Court and its unclear when, or if, the state will be able to spend the $2 billion. De Leons Senate Bill 1206 would put the $2-billion loan on the ballot in November, freeing up the money if voters approve the measure. De Leon said had he been able to predict the 2016 plan would end up in court, he would have sought a ballot measure at the time. We thought this was like apple pie and baseball and puppies, De Leon said. Who would oppose the idea of repurposing the dollars to build immediate housing as a permanent solution for homelessness? Obviously with a crystal ball, had I anticipated the litigation, I would have worked to place it on the ballot. De Leon noted that the 2016 plan had bipartisan supermajority support in the Legislature, something his new bill also will need to get on the ballot. Sen. John Moorlach (R-Costa Mesa) is a coauthor of the plan. SB 1206 is scheduled for its first hearing in the Legislature on Wednesday. Should De Leons measure be approved, it will join a crowded list of housing issues before voters in November. Californians will decide on a separate $4-billion bond to help finance new low-income housing and home loans for veterans. De Leon said hes not worried those two measures will compete against each other because voters are aware of the scale of the states housing problems and the proposed homeless housing bond redirects existing dollars instead of raising taxes. Once [voters] know that the impact on their pocketbook is not existent, Im confident that theyll join me and my colleague John Moorlach in support of this measure, De Leon said. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print California lawmakers say too many former felons are being denied professional licenses By John Myers Assemblyman David Chiu (D-San Francisco) along with supporters of bills to allow more former felons to receive professional licenses. (John Myers/Los Angeles Times) A trio of California Assembly members urged colleagues on Monday to pass legislation that would prohibit state commissions and agencies from rejecting a professional license for those who were once convicted of less serious crimes. We cant say we want to rehabilitate people, and then block them from getting the jobs that they need when theyre released, said Assemblyman David Chiu (D-San Francisco). That leads to more recidivism and to more crime. The bills, scheduled to be heard in Assembly committees Tuesday, would ban the use of arrest or conviction records as the reason for denying a professional license. The bill would not apply to Californians who served time for any of the offenses on the states list of violent crimes. The authors, all Democrats, said that a government-issued professional license is required for some 30% of all jobs in the state. Their bills would change the licensing process at the California departments of Consumer Affairs and Social Services and agencies that certify emergency medical technicians. The bills would block prior convictions from leading to the delay or denial of a license unless that crime is directly related to the profession the person intends to pursue. Two of the bills also specifically say convictions less than 5 years old could continue to play a role in licensing decisions. Last year, Gov. Jerry Brown signed a law that keeps private sector employers from inquiring about a job applicants conviction history prior to an offer of employment. Advocates joined the lawmakers at a press conference in Sacramento to point out that limits on awarding licenses should focus only on those whose prior criminal activity could pose a threat to consumers. Continuing to hold people back for crimes that are 6, 7, 8, 10, 20 years old does not actually make sense if youre looking at public safety, said Jael Myrick of the East Bay Community Law Center. One of the proposals, Assembly Bill 2293, seeks to make it easier for ex-felons to get a license allowing a job with the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection the same agency that often uses prison inmates to battle blazes around the state. If a person is good enough to risk their life fighting fires for the state of California as an inmate, said Assemblywoman Eloise Gomez Reyes (D-Grand Terrace), their previous actions should not prevent from having a job utilizing the skill set that they learned. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Assembly speaker rebukes building trades union after it targets Assemblywoman Cristina Garcia By John Myers ( (Rich Pedroncelli / Associated Press)) The decision by a politically powerful labor group to openly campaign against an embattled Los Angeles-area lawmaker drew a sharp rebuke on Friday from Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon. The Lakewood Democrat lashed out hours after the State Building and Construction Trades Council of California filed paperwork for a political action committee to defeat Assemblywoman Cristina Garcia (D-Bell Gardens). Garcia, whos seeking her fourth term, took an unpaid leave of absence in February following allegations of sexual misconduct. She has denied the reports and an Assembly investigation remains underway. Rendon didnt criticize the labor group by name, insisting instead that the decision was driven by oil and gas industry interests. This is a thinly veiled attempt by Big Oil and polluters to intimidate me and my members. It is an affront to my speakership, Rendon said in a statement. We are proud of the work that the Assembly has done to increase jobs and wages while defending our environment. We will vigorously defend the members of our caucus from any ill-advised political attack. A statement from the labor group, which sparred with Garcia last year on her effort to link new climate change policies with a crackdown on air pollution, said it had decided to reverse past support for her. The Trades have thousands of hard working members in Garcias district, and we look forward to lifting up another Democrat in the 58th Assembly to better represent them and their families, said the statement. The political action committees campaign finance filing on Friday listed nonmonetary in kind contributions from Erin Lehane, a public affairs consultant aligned with the building labor group. Lehane said she had begun researching Garcia in November. In January, a former legislative staffer accused her of groping him in 2014. Lehane, who identified herself as a spokesperson for the labor groups political action committee, said on Friday that she believed Garcias hypocrisy threatened a movement that will dictate how much harassment and abuse my daughter will face in her work life. Garcia, who has been an outspoken advocate for women in the #MeToo movement, has complained that her political opponents helped fan the flames of the accusations. Through a campaign consultant, she declined to comment on Friday. Rendons critique came on the heels of a full-page ad in The Times on Friday, partly paid for by the Trades Council, that criticized well-funded ivory tower elites who push proposals that hurt the oil and gas industry. We are the real jobs that fuel the real California economy, read the advertisement. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Legal tiff breaks out over independent committees ad backing Antonio Villaraigosa for governor By Phil Willon An attorney representing Gavin Newsoms campaign for governor is demanding that California television stations cease airing an ad by an independent political committee supporting his Democratic rival Antonio Villaraigosa. Attorney Thomas A. Willis, in a letter to the stations, said the ad is false and misleading and violates California law because it uses snippets of video footage from Villaraigosas own campaign ads. Willis called that illegal coordination between the campaign and PAC. Under California law, advertisements made by entities other than a candidate are presumed to be coordinated and thus not independent expenditures when the advertisement replicates, reproduces or disseminates substantial parts of a communication, including video footage, created and paid for by the candidate, the letter states. A representative for the independent expenditure committee Families & Teachers for Antonio Villaraigosa for Governor fired back. Attorney Brian T. Hildreth says those allegations have no merit and accused the Newsom campaign of being misleading. Hildreth sent a letter to the television stations in response, urging them to ignore the Newsom campaigns accusations. He said the Newsom camp appears to intentionally misrepresent the law and that the video use was permissible. He said only six seconds of video from Villaraigosas campaign ads was used, which is well within the legal limits. The independent committee is sponsored by the group California Charter Schools Assn. Advocates, according to the California secretary of states office. The ad is airing on broadcast and cable stations statewide. The committees ad is focused on Villaraigosas record as Assembly speaker and as mayor of Los Angeles when there was a drop in crime. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Governors race snapshot: Californians are generally upbeat but not focused on the campaign By Mark Z. Barabak Armand Werden, a 29-year-old community college student who works the taps at Dust Bowl Brewery in Turlock, said the state is on the upswing. (Phil Willon / Los Angeles Times) As California chooses a new governor one of just a handful in the last 40 years not named Jerry Brown the state seems to be enjoying something unusual in these tumultuous political times: a feeling of relative contentment. Not to say things are perfect. Still, more than 100 random interviews conducted over the length and breadth of the state from Redding in the north to Santee in the south, from the Pacific coastline to the edge of the Sierra Nevada found most saying things are looking up, at least so far as Californias direction is concerned. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Sierra Club backs Gavin Newsom for California governor By Phil Willon Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom speaks with members of the public following a debate at USC in January. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) The Sierra Club endorsed Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom in the race for California governor, with officials in the established environmental group praising the Democrats record on climate change and clean energy. He has a proven record for leading on environmental protection, public health and clean energy, Kathryn Phillips, director of Sierra Club California, said in a statement released by the Newsom campaign. He understands that we are feeling the effects of climate change and that California must reduce carbon emissions and reach 100% renewable energy to achieve our climate goals. Phillips said the Sierra Clubs extensive network of volunteers will campaign for Newsom as the June 5 primary approaches. Sierra Club executive director Michael Brune also praised the Democrat, saying he will protect California from Donald Trumps attacks on our clean air and water. The Sierra Club joins a series of other influential groups in California that have backed Newsom. The California Medical Assn., the powerful state doctors lobby, announced its endorsement of Newsom on Thursday. The California Nurses Assn. and the Service Employees International Union, one of the most powerful labor unions in the state, also support Newsom. Newsom is the races front-runner in polls and fundraising. A poll released earlier this month by the nonpartisan Public Policy Institute of California found that 26% of likely voters backed Newsom. John Cox, a Republican from Rancho Santa Fe, was favored by 15% of likely voters and former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, a Democrat, by 13%. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Californias GOP House members are taking their challengers more seriously and the numbers show it By Christine Mai-Duc For much of last year, consultants and campaign managers for some of Californias most vulnerable Republican incumbents maintained a bullish tone on the prospect that the GOP would hold the House in this years midterms. The National Republican Congressional Committee insisted that longtime Republican incumbents in California had built up reputations as effective champions of local issues that would help them weather a flood of Democratic enthusiasm. Since then Rep. Ed Royce (R-Fullerton) and Rep. Darrell Issa (R-Vista) have decided not to seek reelection and the NRCC has opened a West Coast headquarters in Orange County. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print California officials say Pentagon has confirmed National Guard funding despite Trump threat By John Myers (Evan Vucci / Associated Press) The awkward dance between Gov. Jerry Brown and the federal government over the National Guard jerked back toward discord on Thursday, when Trump said he would refuse to pay for a new deployment of troops just hours after his administration said otherwise. And a few hours later, California officials said they had received written confirmation from the Pentagon that the mission would indeed be funded. Trump had earlier called Browns decision to approve 400 troops for a mission focused on combating transnational crime and drug smuggling a charade in a tweet. We need border security and action, not words! the president wrote. Governor Jerry Brown announced he will deploy up to 400 National Guard Troops to do nothing. The crime rate in California is high enough, and the Federal Government will not be paying for Governor Browns charade. We need border security and action, not words! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 19, 2018 A spokesman for Brown pointed to a tweet written Wednesday night by Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen, thanking the California governor for his efforts. Trump was meeting on Thursday with Nielsen at his Mar-a-Lago estate not long after his tweet was posted. A tweet later posted by the California National Guard said that almost three hours after Trumps comment, the state received written confirmation from the Pentagon to fund the mission as outlined by Brown the day before. In short, nothing has changed today, said a subsequent Guard tweet. Just spoke w @JerryBrownGov about deploying the @USNationalGuard in California. Final details are being worked out but we are looking forward to the support. Thank you Gov Brown! Secretary Kirstjen M. Nielsen (@SecNielsen) April 19, 2018 Brown was the last of the nations border governors to respond to Trumps insistence earlier this month that National Guard troops were needed to assist with immigration-related duties at the U.S.-Mexico border. And he has consistently refused to allow California troops to engage in any mission related to federal immigration law. This will not be a mission to build a new wall, Brown wrote last week to Nielsen and Defense Secretary James N. Mattis. It will not be a mission to round up women and children or detain people escaping violence and seeking a better life. Exactly what the California operations will cost remains unclear, as state officials have said it will depend on decisions made once the mission begins. The funds would not be transferred to the state, but instead would be paid directly by the Department of Defense. Trump has critiqued California several times over the past few days, often writing tweets that embrace the actions by some cities and counties to join his administrations lawsuit against the states sanctuary immigration law. He made similar comments to reporters on Thursday afternoon. If you look at whats happening in California with sanctuary cities people are really going the opposite way, Trump said. They dont want sanctuary cities. Theres a little bit of a revolution going on in California. 2:26 p.m.:This article was updated with additional information from the California National Guard and with remarks from Trump. This article was originally published at 9:51 a.m. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Gay conversion therapy services would be banned under measure advancing in California By John Myers (Rich Pedroncelli / Associated Press) The California Assembly voted Thursday to add gay conversion therapy to the states list of deceptive business practices, following a debate that focused on the personal experiences of several lawmakers and hinted at potential lawsuits to come. It is harmful and it is unnecessary, Assemblyman Evan Low (D-Campbell), the bills author and one of the Legislatures most vocal LGBTQ members, said of the practice. Low, who told Assembly members that he explored conversion therapy as a teenager and suffered depression over his sexual orientation, insisted that the bill would be limited to efforts that involve the exchange of money. Theres nothing wrong with me, he said in an emotional speech on the Assembly floor. Theres nothing that needs to be changed. The bill, which now heads to the Senate, has become the focal point of intense debate on social media. Some religious groups have said that such a law would be a violation of their constitutional rights, while advocates insist the provisions are narrow and theres no credible evidence that the services work. One key part of the debate centers on whether Assembly Bill 2943 would stretch beyond businesses that charge for these programs and extend to printed documents, even Bibles. An analysis by the Assembly Judiciary Committee says the bill would apply only to services that purport to change a persons sexual orientation and offered on a commercial basis, as well as the advertising and offering of such services. Lawmakers who spoke in support of AB 2943 also made clear that they believe those kinds of services have been discredited. This is fraudulent, it should not be occurring, said Assemblywoman Susan Eggman (D-Stockton). But you can still try to pray the gay away, if you like. Assemblyman James Gallagher (R-Yuba City), who said the bill addresses a difficult issue, nonetheless said that its important to ensure laws dont tamper with religious freedom. We have to think about the legitimate experience of people who have gone through conversion therapy and said this was a good thing for them, Gallagher told his colleagues. California law already bans the use of conversion therapy by mental health professionals on those under age 18. Lows bill would expand the states efforts beyond minors. It would join a list of commercial activities deemed unfair or deceptive acts or practices and therefore banned under state law. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Gavin Newsom gets backing from doctors group, despite differences over single-payer healthcare By Melanie Mason Gavin Newsom speaks at the California Democrats State Convention in San Diego on Feb. 24. (Kent Nishimura) Californias doctors are siding with Gavin Newsom in the governors race, even though they dont see eye-to-eye on a defining issue of the campaign: single-payer healthcare. The California Medical Assn., the state doctors lobby and a political heavyweight, announced its endorsement of the lieutenant governor on Thursday. Gavin is a lifelong champion for health care in California, and we know he will continue to fight for pragmatic solutions to our most crucial health care challenges, including working to achieve universal access and tackling our states physician shortage, CMA President Theodore M. Mazer said in a statement. Newsom has made his support for state-financed healthcare a centerpiece of his campaign, and he earned the early backing of the most ardent single-payer supporters, the state nurses union. The doctors, meanwhile, oppose the nurses bill, SB 562, which emerged as a flashpoint in the healthcare debate last year. The CMA said the bill would dismantle the healthcare marketplace and destabilize Californias economy. Newsom has said SB 562 should advance in the Legislature, but also said it has open-ended issues that still need to be addressed. The doctors group is also battling with another prominent Newsom endorser, the Service Employees International Union, over a new measure that would impose price caps on an array of medical services paid for by commercial health insurers in the state. The SEIU is a leading sponsor of the proposal; the doctors fiercely oppose it. Newsom and the physicians group have a history of political alignment. Newsom was the first statewide official to support Proposition 56, a 2016 tobacco tax pushed by the CMA that raised revenue in part to increase money for doctors who saw Medi-Cal patients. That year, the association also endorsed two initiatives championed by Newsom: Proposition 63, which imposed new gun control measures, and Proposition 64, which legalized recreational marijuana. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Independent committee backing Antonio Villaraigosa for governor hits the airwaves with first ad By Phil Willon Antonio Villaraigosa speaks at the 2018 California Democratic Party Convention in San Diego in February.. (Denis Poroy / Associated Press) A well-financed independent committee backing Antonio Villaraigosas bid to be Californias next governor released its first television ad Thursday, praising his record for working with Republicans and as a candidate for all of California. The ad, which is to air statewide on broadcast and cable stations, is focused on Villaraigosas record as Assembly speaker and mayor of Los Angeles, including on education and a drop in crime while he was at City Hall. To move California forward, we need to help more Californians get ahead, the ad says. Thats why Antonio Villaraigosa brought both parties together to balance the state budget with record investments in public schools and new career training programs. The independent expenditure committee behind the ad campaign, Families & Teachers for Antonio Villaraigosa for Governor 2018, is sponsored by the California Charter Schools Assn. Advocates, according to the California secretary of states office. The committee is spending seven figures per week on the ad buy, said Josh Pulliam, a political consultant for the committee. As mayor of Los Angeles, Villaraigosa clashed with teachers unions, starting with his failed attempt to take political control of the Los Angeles Unified School District. His fight with those unions continued after he left office in 2013. Money has poured into the committee this month from wealthy charter schools supporters: Reed Hastings, chief executive of Netflix, donated $7 million, and Los Angeles billionaire and philanthropist Eli Broad donated $1.5 million. On Wednesday, former Los Angeles Mayor Richard Riordan donated $1 million. The independent expenditure committee is expected to provide a boost to Villaraigosas campaign. Democratic front-runner Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom has a major advantage in fundraising over all other candidates in the race and has received the backing of the California Teachers Assn. and other education unions. A recent Public Policy Institute of California poll also showed Villaraigosa lagging in third place in the race, trailing Newsom and Republican businessman John Cox. The candidates who finish in the top two in the June 5 primary will advance to the November general election, regardless of their party affiliation. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Gov. Jerry Brown says Trump administration will fund his National Guard mission without immigration duties By John Myers (Alex Wong / Getty Images) Gov. Jerry Brown formally mobilized 400 California National Guard members Wednesday for transnational crime-fighting duties, thus preventing any effort by President Trump to have the troops focus on immigration enforcement on the Mexican border. The governor announced that federal officials have agreed to fund the plan he announced last week a mission to combat criminal gangs, human traffickers and illegal firearm and drug smugglers in locations around California, including near the border. The order Brown signed makes clear that the troops will not be allowed to perform a broader set of duties as envisioned by Trumps recent comments. California National Guard service members shall not engage in any direct law enforcement role nor enforce immigration laws, arrest people for immigration law violations, guard people taken into custody for alleged immigration violations, or support immigration law enforcement activities, the order read. The cost of the mission, a spokesman for Brown said, will be paid directly by the federal government. No initial estimate has been made, as the exact amount will depend on exactly how the troops will be used. Though the duties of California Guard members were outlined last week, the state had been waiting for an agreement by federal officials to pay for the operations. Since that time, the president has taken Brown and the state to task over its decision to avoid any immigration-related duties at the border. On Wednesday morning, Trump tweeted, Jerry Brown is trying to back out of the National Guard at the Border, but the people of the State are not happy. Want Security & Safety NOW! There is a Revolution going on in California. Soooo many Sanctuary areas want OUT of this ridiculous, crime infested & breeding concept. Jerry Brown is trying to back out of the National Guard at the Border, but the people of the State are not happy. Want Security & Safety NOW! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 18, 2018 Looks like Jerry Brown and California are not looking for safety and security along their very porous Border. He cannot come to terms for the National Guard to patrol and protect the Border, Trump tweeted Tuesday. There was no immediate reaction from the White House to Browns announcement. On Tuesday, Brown told reporters in Washington that his plan was consistent with a safer border. That sounds to me like fighting crime, the governor said. Trying to catch some desperate mothers and children, or unaccompanied minors coming from Central America, that sounds like something else. The order Brown issued Wednesday after returning from a brief trip to talk climate change in Toronto and to speak to a national trade union and visit with reporters in Washington is set to expire at the end of September. It specifically says no Guard service member may participate in a mission that would exceed the mission scope and limitations related to transnational crime activity. It also says troops cannot help build any new border barrier. 5:27 p.m.: This article was updated with information related to the cost of the Guard mission and Browns trip to Washington. This article was originally published at 5:13 p.m. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement California bill aims to end practice that keeps workplace misconduct cases out of court By Melanie Mason A California bill would prohibit employers from requiring workers to use private arbitration to settle disputes, a practice that critics say shields improper workplace conduct from public view. The bill by Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez Fletcher (D-San Diego) would bar businesses from making employees, when they are hired, waive their future rights to take any harassment, discrimination or other claims to court. Arbitration can be a highly effective dispute resolution method when both parties can choose it freely, when both parties are equal, Gonzalez Fletcher said at a news conference on Wednesday. It is far less successful when the more powerful party forces the other to accept those terms, especially as a condition of employment. Forced arbitration has come under increasing scrutiny since the #MeToo movement, with high-profile figures such as former Fox News anchor Gretchen Carlson pointing to the practice as shielding workplace abusers from public disclosure because arbitration resolutions often include nondisclosure agreements. Last year, a bipartisan bill was introduced in Congress to end mandatory arbitration in employment agreements. Gonzalez Fletcher said she was pursuing an unusual tool to draw attention to the issue a subpoena issued by the Legislature to compel testimony from a worker bound by a nondisclosure agreement as a result of arbitration. The Legislature has subpoena power but it is rarely used. The bills sponsors believe lawmakers last issued a subpoena in 2001 while investigating price manipulation by Enron. Gonzalez Fletcher said she has requested Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon (D-Lakewood) to issue the subpoena to require Tara Zoumer, who sued the company WeWork in 2016 for overtime pay, to testify before the Assembly Judiciary Committee next week. Zoumers suit was moved to arbitration and resolved. She is now subject to a nondisclosure agreement and could face a financial penalty for speaking publicly about her case. A spokesman for Rendon said the subpoena request is under consideration. Business groups oppose the bill, AB 3080. The California Chamber of Commerce has dubbed it a job biller, claiming it would dramatically increase legal costs for businesses. Banning such agreements benefits the trial attorneys, not the employer or employee, the group said. The bill must first advance from the Assembly Labor Committee on Wednesday. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print At least 240 House lawmakers want a vote on immigration. California supporters say they arent ready to force one By Sarah D. Wire Rep. Jeff Denham (R-Turlock), flanked by Rep. Pete Aguilar (D-Redlands) and Rep. Will Hurd (R-Texas) speak about DACA legislation (Bill Clark / CQ Roll Call) Rep. Jeff Denham says at least 240 of the 430 current House members have signed onto his resolution to hold votes on four immigration bills, and he hopes House Speaker Paul D. Ryan (R-Wis.) and President Trump are paying attention to the show of support. But, the Republican from Turlock and his allies said Wednesday that they are not yet willing to commit to forcing Ryans hand through a little-used procedural move called a discharge petition; they acknowledged theres no guarantee that all of 47 Republicans and 193 Democrats House co-signers will back them up if they try to force the issue. Im sure that it is something that will be discussed in the coming weeks. You should not need a discharge petition. When you can show the overwhelming majority of the House, the support of it, you should not need a discharge petition, but it is something we would talk about in the future, Denham said. It is far too early to talk about next steps. Ryan said last week that he opposes Denhams effort, saying its a waste of time for the House to vote on bills the president might veto. Denhams resolution would prompt debate and votes on four very different immigration bills: one favored by the Trump administration, one preferred by Democrats, one bipartisan proposal and another immigration bill of Ryans choice. Whichever got the most votes would move forward to the Senate. All four bills would help Dreamers to differing degrees and include varying levels of border security or immigration enforcement. For example, the Trump-backed bill would also dramatically reduce legal immigration, while the Democrats would only deal with legal status for Dreamers. Democrats say they dont expect the show of support will sway Ryan. Congressional Hispanic Caucus Chairwoman Rep. Michelle Lujan Grisham (D-N.M.) said Tuesday night she expects Ryan will have to be forced into allowing a vote. It doesnt matter how many signatures we get. We could have every signature, technically, except his, on the floor of the House and... if he doesnt want to, it doesnt happen, Lujan Grisham (D-N.M.) said. Rep. Pete Aguilar (D-Redlands), who gathered the Democratic co-sponsors for Denham, also wouldnt give a deadline for House leaders to act, but said the co-sponsors are only willing to wait weeks not months. We do want to give them an opportunity to bring up the rule and to use whatever process they want, Aguilar said. They do have options, but I think they need to understand that we have options too. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Billionaire Democratic activist Tom Steyer endorses Kevin de Leon in his insurgent bid against Sen. Dianne Feinstein By Seema Mehta Tom Steyer, left, and California state Sen. Kevin de Leon (D-Los Angeles). (Getty Images; Los Angeles Times) Billionaire Democratic activist Tom Steyer is endorsing state Sen. Kevin de Leon in his insurgent challenge to Sen. Dianne Feinstein, and did not rule out funding an outside effort to boost De Leons chances. I think hes the kind of young progressive that reflects California and would be a very strong advocate for our state nationally, Steyer said in an interview on Tuesday, pointing to De Leons efforts on issues such as immigration, climate change and gun control while he was the state Senate leader. I know him well and hes a friend. We share a lot of values. Steyer, who flirted with running for the Senate seat, did not criticize Feinstein as he has in the past. Sen. Feinstein has been an outstanding public servant who has dedicated the bulk of her adult life to the service of our state and the country, he said. These are two strong, very good Democrats. I just believe Kevin is the true progressive and he reflects something we need representing California going forward. I have nothing bad to say about Dianne Feinstein. I have a lot of good to say about Kevin de Leon. De Leon faces enormous odds as he tries to oust Feinstein, who has served in the Senate for a quarter-century, is well known to the states voters and has daunting leads in polls and fundraising. But De Leon has gained notable endorsements, most recently from the 2.1-million-member California Labor Federation last week. Campaign finance reports released this week show that Feinstein has more than $10 million in the bank, while De Leon has just more than $670,000. Feinstein, a multimillionaire and one of the wealthiest members of the Senate, has already lent her campaign $5 million and could easily write another check. But Steyer, a billionaire former hedge fund manager, could write a larger one. He is among the largest Democratic donors in the nation and has already committed more than $50 million to push for the impeachment of President Trump and to register young voters. He was noncommittal when asked if he would fund an independent expenditure group on behalf of De Leon. I dont have any concrete plans for that, he said. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Californias largest pension fund sends next years invoice to state government: $6.3 billion By John Myers The California Public Employees Retirement System building (Max Whittaker / Getty Images) As part of a shift toward less optimistic expectations for investment returns to pay for government worker pensions, board members of the California Public Employees Retirement System voted Tuesday to require an almost $6.3-billion payment from the state budget in the fiscal year that begins on July 1. The action, which could receive final approval on Wednesday, reflects a gradually higher annual contribution to public employee pensions by the state and from local governments across California. In 2016, CalPERS approved a half-percentage point decrease in its official estimate of the long-term investment return on its $353.3-billion portfolio. That shift was designed to happen over several years, in hopes it would lessen the financial shock of shifting more of the costs onto government employers. The highest costs are also, in part, a reflection of increases in the size of the states payroll. The states CalPERS payment will be about $450 million more than the total paid in the current fiscal year and more than double what it was only a decade ago. CalPERS board members voted on Tuesdays staff proposal with little discussion, save for a question about the increase in contributions also required from workers hired after a pension overhaul that took effect in June. It seems like it will be a ding on peoples salaries, said Theresa Taylor, the chairwoman of CalPERS finance committee and a member of SEIU Local 1000, the union that represents some 96,000 state employees. The $6.299-billion payment required from Californias state government must now be factored into the budget crafted by the Legislature and signed into law by Gov. Jerry Brown in late June. Brown had already assumed a similarly sized payment in his budget proposal unveiled in January. In February, a coalition representing city governments warned about the effects of rising pension costs under the expectations of less money from Wall Street investments. The report issued by the League of California Cities projected an average increase of more than 50% in annual pension payments made by the states largest cities over the next seven years. A CalPERS staff report notes that the net return on all of the funds investments for the fiscal year that ended in July was 11.2%. But expectations on profits over the next 30 years remain significantly more modest, and theres long been a robust debate about how to properly set those future expectations. The lower the rate of projected investment return, the larger the share of pension costs that must be covered by taxpayers and some employees. Overall, CalPERS officials believe the system has assets to cover 71% of its long-term obligations. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print California warns legal pot sellers not to participate in unlicensed 4/20 events By Patrick McGreevy Marijuana on display at a dispensary in Los Angeles. ( (Frederic J. Brown / AFP/Getty Images)) The state issued a warning Tuesday that businesses holding licenses to sell marijuana could face penalties if they participate in unlicensed temporary events away from their stores, including on Friday, April 20, which has become an annual celebration for counterculture groups. The warning was issued ahead of 4/20 by the state Bureau of Cannabis Control. Since Jan. 1, the bureau has issued more than 700 state licenses to sell marijuana for medical or recreational use. The bureau has issued 47 temporary event licenses to groups that are limited to holding the marijuana celebrations on county fairgrounds that have authorized such events with city approval. Any bureau licensee participating in an unlicensed cannabis event may be subject to disciplinary action, the warning said, adding that lawful participation by bureau licensees in any temporary cannabis event that allows sales and/or consumption is dependent upon issuance of the appropriate licenses from the bureau. While many Californians have been issued medical approval to sell or use marijuana, the law does not allow them to participate in unlicensed events, also referred to as Proposition 215 events after the ballot measure that legalized medical pot two decades ago in the state. Participation in such events may lead to civil penalties for unlicensed commercial cannabis activity, the warning said. Meanwhile, a survey of some 1,000 marijuana users that was released Tuesday by the firm LendEDU found that the average 4/20 participant plans to spend $71 on marijuana to celebrate the unofficial holiday, and about 35% of respondents are planning to take off work Friday. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print California police groups shift position on officer discipline records, now consider support for making some of them public By Liam Dillon Los Angeles Police Department recruits at a graduation ceremony in April (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) Some major law enforcement groups signaled Tuesday they are willing to support making part of police officer disciplinary records public, a dramatic departure from their past positions. Local and national attention on police shootings and misconduct has led law enforcement organizations to reconsider their blanket opposition to proposals that would give public access to some internal disciplinary investigations of officers. Were going to be open to supporting efforts that would allow for some records to be released, said Ryan Sherman, a lobbyist with the Riverside Sheriffs Assn. Debate over secrecy provisions in officer disciplinary files came during a legislative hearing on Senate Bill 1421 from Sen. Nancy Skinner (D-Berkeley). Skinners bill, which advanced out of the Senate Public Safety Committee on Tuesday, would require public disclosure of all internal officer shooting investigations and confirmed cases of sexual assault and lying while on duty. Currently, all police discipline information is confidential outside of a courtroom in California, which has some of the nations strictest standards against public disclosure. Unfortunately, the fact that we have such strict restrictions on any access to public records has affected certain communities trust towards our law enforcement, Skinner said during the hearing. Prior to Skinners effort, other have tried to loosen these rules, some of which date back 40 years. Most recently in 2016, a bid by then-Sen. Mark Leno (D-San Francisco) failed in a Senate committee. In debate two years ago, no major law enforcement groups indicated they would accept changes to state laws that would make individual internal investigations public, saying they were essential to protect officer privacy and safety. But Tuesday, Sherman and other lobbyists including those representing the states largest police labor organization, signaled they might be willing to entertain changes. They said they were negotiating with Skinner on the bills details. Law enforcement groups still have major concerns about SB 1421 as written. Ed Fishman, an attorney for the Police Officers Research Assn., told legislators that the bill would wrongfully expose police officers who acted within departmental policy to invasions of their privacy. It has unintended consequences that are extreme and will hurt the public, Fishman said. Tuesdays hearing featured testimony from many who have had relatives killed by police officers in recent years advocating for the bill. Senators on the Public Safety Committee also gave public rebukes to law enforcement lobbyists, criticizing them for a lack of diversity and insensitivity to concerns raised by communities of color. I think that you are completely and utterly out of touch with the realities of how those you are representing are perceived by major segments of California, said Sen. Holly Mitchell (D-Los Angeles). You are not going to be able to continue to lobby your way out of it. The bill faces at least one more committee hearing in the Senate before reaching the floor. It will have to pass both houses of the Legislature by the end of August. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Newest member of the California Assembly arrives ready to work on criminal justice issues By John Myers Assemblywoman Sydney Kamlager-Dove prepares for the oath of office from Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon with her husband, Austin Dove. (California Assembly Democrats) Two weeks after winning a Los Angeles special election, the newest member of the California Assembly says she hopes to focus on reforms to the states criminal justice system during her time in Sacramento. Assemblywoman Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D-Los Angeles) took the oath of office on Monday, filling one of three vacant seats representing Los Angeles County in the lower house. The Democrat, a former community college trustee and legislative staffer, thanked her mentors in remarks from the Assembly rostrum. So many women, and in my life so many black women, have paid in giving me the kind of morals and integrity and grit that is required to fight on behalf of people that you know, and people that you dont know, she said. Kamlager-Dove won handily on April 3, receiving 70% of the votes cast in the 54th Assembly District which encompasses communities west of downtown Los Angeles, from Crenshaw to Culver City and as far north as Westwood. She will serve the remaining eight months of the term of former Assemblyman Sebastian Ridley-Thomas, who resigned last year citing health concerns. She has said she hopes to focus her attention on poverty issues and on reform of the states criminal justice system. I think we have an opportunity to really push the needle in terms of how we look at rehabilitation, how we look at incarceration, and how we look at changing the lives oftentimes of poor men and women of color, Kamalager-Dove said on Monday in a video released by Assembly Democrats. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Survivors of violent crime raise their voices in California to call for a new approach to criminal justice By Jazmine Ulloa Aaliyah Smith marches with her cousins. (Jazmine Ulloa / Los Angeles Times) Her father, uncle, a cousin and two older brothers. Those are some of the family members 16-year-old Aaliyah Smith has lost to gun violence. Then there are her friends. Jermaine Jackson Jr., 27, was shot and killed in 2016 while he painted over graffiti in San Francisco. Toriano Tito Adger, 18, was shot there a year later at a bus stop. He called Smith, who was nearby, and warned her to run. She made it inside a library moments before the crack of gunfire. Last week, Smith was among hundreds who gathered in Sacramento for annual National Crime Victims Rights Week events, where calls were issued for a new approach to criminal justice and public safety in California, one that puts survivors at the center of policy. But a debate is brewing over what that entails. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print California expects $14 billion in tax payments this month By John Myers State workers handle income tax returns at the California Franchise Tax Board offices. (Laura Morton / For The Times) Gov. Jerry Browns proposed state budget is built on what taxpayers might find an audacious assumption: almost $14 billion in tax payments in the month of April, an average of $83 million collected per hour on every business day of the month. Most of that money will come from the taxes Californians pay in advance of Tuesday nights filing deadline for income tax returns. If history is any guide, the rate of payment could quadruple by weeks end. While tax rules have shifted some of the payment schedules to other months, April remains a vitally important month to the fiscal health of state government. The state controllers office reports more than 15% of all personal income tax revenues in 2017 were collected in April. In the recession years of a decade ago, tax revenue predictions were frequently off the mark by hundreds of millions of dollars. The last two state budgets have seen significant windfalls of personal income tax revenue, thanks in part both to an improving economy and to the continuation of a temporary surcharge on the wealthiest taxpayers extended by voters in 2016. In the budget plan he sent to lawmakers in January, Brown projected a $6.1-billion windfall and proposed using a sizable amount to top off Californias rainy-day fund ahead of schedule. The independent Legislative Analysts Office reports that through the end of last week, the months income tax tally stood at $3 billion, slightly ahead of projections. By the end of the current week, a single days total could be almost that large. Lawmakers began reviewing the governors $190.3-billion spending plan during the winter, but few decisions are made until they get a look at Aprils tax revenues. The governor will release a revised plan based on the new data next month; lawmakers are required to send him a completed budget no later than June 15. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Feinstein war chest tops $10 million while Kevin de Leon struggles to keep pace By Sarah D. Wire Sen. Dianne Feinstein widened her already-massive fundraising advantage in the run-up to Junes primary, raising twice as much in the first quarter than her strongest Senate challenger has sitting in the bank. Feinstein raised $1.3 million between January and March, bringing her war chest to just over $10 million as Californias U.S. Senate race begins in earnest, according Federal Election Commission reports. Former state Senate leader Kevin De Leon, the best known of the more than 30 people who will appear with Feinstein on the June primary ballot, raised just $575,991 in that same period, bringing his cash on hand to $672,331, according to his quarterly FEC report. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Trump has met his match, says Gov. Jerry Brown in promoting climate action on a quick trip to Canada By John Myers (Rich Pedroncelli/Associated Press) Gov. Jerry Brown told a Canadian audience Monday that he believes President Trumps efforts to reverse course on climate change policy are a momentary deviation as others in the United States seek limits on greenhouse gas emissions. Thats very temporary, I can assure you, Brown said at a joint event in Toronto with Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne. The governors quick international trip, announced only late last week, comes as Wynnes Liberal Party faces a stiff challenge in Junes election from the Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario and its leader, Doug Ford. Critics of Wynnes party have called for Ontario to pull out of the Western Climate Initiative, a cooperative agreement between three Canadian provinces and California on efforts to limit greenhouse gases. Brown sought to link the efforts of Canadian conservatives with Republicans in the United States who oppose existing climate change programs. In contrast, he told the audience, several GOP lawmakers voted last summer to renew Californias cap-and-trade program. I would say to the conservatives of Canada, wake up and see what your friends in California are doing, he said. The Democrat took particular notice of Trumps efforts to shift away from climate change policies from the administration of former President Obama, as well as a push by the Environmental Protection Agency to cancel Californias strict limits on automobile emissions. If Trump tries to change that, well have litigation well beyond his term in office, Brown said while also noting Chinese government efforts to produce more low-emissions vehicles. Between California and China, Trump has met his match. What hes saying is not going to happen. Many of the governors remarks, though, were aimed at the tough political situation in which Wynne finds herself with seven weeks to go before Ontarios parliamentary elections. Dangers abound, but success is right in our hands, Brown said. So dont blow it! Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print California voters are getting to know the states attorney general through his aggressive stance challenging Trump By Patrick McGreevy Less than two months from his first statewide election, California Atty. Gen. Xavier Becerra has become adept not only at challenging President Trump but at using the bully pulpit of his office to raise his profile with voters. The aggressive effort may help boost the former Los Angeles congressmans chances at winning a full term in office this fall, almost two years after he was appointed to replace Sen. Kamala Harris in 2017. Appointed by Gov. Jerry Brown, Becerra took office as attorney general four days after Trumps inauguration. Thats afforded him an opportunity to get in front of Californians and potential voters on an array of issues including immigration, healthcare and the environment. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Gov. Jerry Brown forms commission for 2020 census outreach By Melanie Mason In an effort to make sure California has a strong showing in the next national census, Gov. Jerry Brown on Friday established a state commission to prepare outreach for the decennial count. It is vitally important for California to do everything it can to ensure that every Californian is counted in the upcoming census, Brown said in a prepared statement. The commissions formation comes on the heels of a Trump administration plan to ask about citizenship status as a part of the census. State officials fear that such a question, which has not been asked in a census since 1950, could chill participation among California residents. That could result in the state losing billions of dollars in federal funds and a seat in Congress. The 23-member panel, appointed largely by Brown as well as picks by legislative leaders, comes from private- and public-sector backgrounds, including civil rights groups, religious institutions and educational institutions. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Garcetti kicks off Iowa visit with 2020 on his mind and a hardhat on his head LA Mayor - and 2020 prospect - Eric Garcetti makes his Iowa debut at the Carpenters Union Training Center. Fearlessly flaunts the never be photographed in head gear/safety glasses rule. pic.twitter.com/14bUOPXMvF Mark Z. Barabak (@markzbarabak) April 13, 2018 Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Asm. Rocky Chavez takes the lead in race to replace Issa, while Doug Applegate slips By Joshua Stewart A new poll shows that Republican Assemblyman Rocky Chavez has taken a clear lead over 15 other candidates running to replace Rep. Darrell Issa in Congress and has overtaken Democrat Doug Applegate, the previous frontrunner. In a SurveyUSA poll by 10News and The San Diego Union-Tribune, Chavez, R-Oceanside, has support of 16 percent of likely voters, putting him ahead of Applegate, a lawyer, who was favored by 12 percent of voters and is in second place. The top two vote-getters in June, regardless of party, will proceed to a November runoff election. Competing with Applegate for the No. 2 spot is Democrat Mike Levin, also a lawyer, with support of 9 percent of voters. Several other candidates were right at his heels. Democratic Businessman Paul Kerr and Board of Equalization Member Diane Harkey, R-Dana Point, were tied for fourth at 8 percent each. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Pro-Kevin de Leon group launches ad castigating Dianne Feinstein By Seema Mehta A group that is supporting Kevin de Leons bid for the U.S. Senate launched a blistering ad against Sen. Dianne Feinstein on Thursday, questioning her progressive principles and tying her to President Trump. The ad buy from A Progressive California is minuscule $10,000 to air it in Los Angeles for one day on CNN and MSNBC during programming such as The Rachel Maddow Show, Hardball with Chris Matthews and Anderson Cooper 360. The minute-long ad features news clips about Feinstein not getting the California Democratic Party endorsement earlier this year, as well as footage of Feinstein saying that Trump can be a good president and appearing to share a laugh with Trump. That moment actually came during a White House meeting in the aftermath of the Parkland, Fla., school shooting when the president suggested an assault weapons ban should be included in a bipartisan bill to expand gun background checks. It also features extensive clips of de Leons speech at the state partys convention. De Leon, who just ended his final term as leader of the state Senate, announced last year he would run against fellow Democrat Feinstein as she seeks her fifth full term. Feinsteins longtime political advisor dismissed the ad, noting the size of the buy. Its not really a buy, said Bill Carrick. Ten thousand dollars in cable in L.A. Poof, its gone. Still, he said he planned to have the campaigns lawyers review the ad to see if it violates campaign law that limits what outside groups like A Progressive California can do. Such groups cannot coordinate with campaigns or candidates, and are limited in how much their messages can support a candidate. Ann Ravel, the former chair of the Federal Election Commission and the California Fair Political Practices Commission, said if the ad was in a state race, she is certain that the state commission would open an investigation into potential coordination with de Leons campaign because of the messaging and the types of footage in the ad. But the bipartisan federal commission cant agree on how to enforce the federal regulations, she said. The problem is [outside groups] understand that given the lack of very strong enforcement at the federal level, theres the ability to stretch the law, she said. A spokeswoman for the FEC declined to comment. Dave Jacobson, a spokesman for A Progressive California, disputed the suggestion that the ad violated campaign law. This frivolous allegation shows that Sen. Feinstein is afraid of the public seeing an ad which showcases her own words, that Donald Trump can be a good president, he said. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Dispute over money emerges in campaign to repeal Californias gas tax increase By Patrick McGreevy A motorist prepares to gas up her vehicle in San Rafael, Calif., in 2015. (Justin Sullivan / Getty Images) A proposed initiative to repeal hikes to Californias gas tax has been caught in the middle of a dispute involving Republican rivals in the governors race. Assemblyman Travis Allen, a Republican candidate for governor, decided in January to drop plans for his own initiative and said he would urge supporters to sign a separate petition being supported by several Republican members of Congress. Then last week, the committee Allen formed to finance his ballot measure reported a $300,000 contribution from PISF Inc., a Novato, Calif., real estate firm. Now, an organizer of the still active Give Voters a Voice committee is urging the Allen committee to immediately donate their funds in support of the ongoing signature gathering efforts. There is only one gas tax repeal measure currently in circulation and that is the measure sponsored by the Give Voters a Voice Committee, said Dave Gilliard, a consultant to the group. PISF Inc., he said, gave to repeal taxes a Allies balk at Trump administration bid to block Chinese firm from cutting-edge telecom markets By David S. Cloud Britain and Germany are balking at the Trump administrations call for a ban on equipment from Chinese telecommunications giant Huawei, threatening a global U.S. campaign to thwart Chinas involvement in future mobile networks. Both countries are expected to limit Huawei and other Chinese companies from providing core components including routers. But other types of Chinese equipment for next-generation, high-speed communications could still be installed on British and German networks, officials and analysts say. The U.S. push to ban Huawei has provoked a global dispute in recent weeks, with senior U.S. officials, including Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo, publicly urging NATO allies in Europe to exclude the company and warning that the United States might limit its military presence in countries that did not do so. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Confucius Institutes: Do they improve U.S.-China ties or harbor spies? By Don Lee Hanging red lanterns welcome visitors to the University of Marylands Confucius Institute, the oldest of about 100 Chinese language and cultural centers that have popped up over the last 15 years on American campuses, subsidized by millions of dollars from Chinas central government. But last fall, when four U.S. Senate investigators walked into the Confucius offices in Maryland and spent hours questioning staff, they werent looking for an educational exchange. The committee has been seeking detailed information from the university about the program, including contracts, email exchanges and financial arrangements that school administrators have kept under wraps since it started in 2004. American colleges once viewed these jointly funded institutes as an economical way to expand their language offerings one that could also bring warmer ties with China and, importantly, an influx of Chinese international students paying full tuition. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Watch Live: White House holds surprise news briefing amid government shutdown Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement U.S. policy toward China shifts from engagement to confrontation By David S. Cloud For decades, China had no closer American friend than Dianne Feinstein. As San Francisco mayor in the 1970s, she forged a sister-city relationship with Shanghai, the first between American and Chinese communities. As U.S. senator, she dined with Chinese leaders at Mao Tse-tungs old Beijing residence. And in the 1990s, she championed a trade policy change that opened a floodgate of Western investment into China. Today the Democratic senator sees China as a growing threat, joining a broad array of Trump administration officials, national security strategists and business executives who once favored engagement with Beijing and now advocate a confrontational approach instead. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Mnuchins attempt to calm markets backfires as Trump takes another shot at the Federal Reserve By Jim Puzzanghera An attempt by Treasury Secretary Steven T. Mnuchin to calm plunging financial markets backfired Monday, further rattling investors with new fears about whether major U.S. banks have enough cash on top of worries about interest rates, political instability in Washington and a slowing global economy. Adding to the volatile mix was a fresh attack on the Federal Reserve by President Trump, who declared that the central bank was the U.S. economys only problem and that it didnt have a feel for the market. The Fed is like a powerful golfer who cant score because he has no touch -- he cant putt! Trump said on Twitter. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print He speaks to Democratic hearts. But is Beto ORourke a serious White House contender? By Mark Z. Barabak Hes a failed U.S. Senate candidate with an undistinguished congressional record who, for the moment, is a blazing-hot 2020 presidential prospect despite the fact that he may not run and faces long odds if he does. Beto ORourke suggests the will-he-or-wont-he speculation is something he himself cant quite fathom. I think thats a great question, he responded in a Dallas Morning News interview when asked whether his unsuccessful November Senate bid merited a promotion to the White House. I ask that question myself. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Russian disinformation teams targeted Robert S. Mueller III, says report prepared for Senate By Craig Timberg, Tony Romm, Elizabeth Dwoskin Special counsel Robert S. Mueller III. (Associated Press) Months after President Trump took office, Russias disinformation teams trained their sites on a new target: special counsel Robert S. Mueller III. Having worked to help get Trump into the White House, they now worked to neutralize the biggest threat to his staying there. The Russian operatives unloaded on Mueller through fake accounts on Facebook, Twitter and beyond, falsely claiming that the former FBI director was corrupt and that the allegations of Russian interference in the 2016 election were crackpot conspiracies. One post on Instagram which emerged as an especially potent weapon in the Russian social media arsenal claimed that Mueller had worked in the past with radical Islamic groups. Such tactics exemplified how Russian teams ranged nimbly across social media platforms in a shrewd online influence operation aimed squarely at American voters. The effort started earlier than commonly understood and lasted longer while relying on the strengths of different sites to manipulate distinct slices of the electorate, according to a pair of comprehensive new reports prepared for the Senate Intelligence Committee and released Monday. Read more Timberg, Romm and Dwoskin report for the Washington Post. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement President Trump announces Mick Mulvaney as acting White House chief of staff By Associated Press President Trump says budget director Mick Mulvaney will serve as acting chief of staff, replacing John F. Kelly in the new year. I am pleased to announce that Mick Mulvaney, Director of the Office of Management & Budget, will be named Acting White House Chief of Staff, replacing General John Kelly, who has served our Country with distinction. Mick has done an outstanding job while in the Administration.... Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 14, 2018 Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print It aint over when its over: In Michigan, Wisconsin and elsewhere, losers seek to undermine election results By Mark Z. Barabak Democrat Gavin Newsom has yet to become California governor, but already a candidate for state Republican Party chairman is promoting a recall effort. In Michigan and Wisconsin, GOP lawmakers have rushed through legislation to thwart their incoming Democratic governors and hamper others in the opposing party from doing the jobs voters chose them to do. In Congress, GOP leaders have echoed President Trump and sought to undermine the legitimacy of Democrats strong midterm performance, raising unsubstantiated allegations of fraud and political malfeasance. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print New CFPB Director Kathy Kraninger says she wont be a puppet of Mick Mulvaney By Jim Puzzanghera On her first full day leading the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, Kathy Kraninger said she wont be a puppet of Mick Mulvaney, the controversial acting director whom she replaced in the powerful regulatory position. To underscore that point, the former White House aide said she would even reconsider a Mulvaney action that critics saw as a gratuitous jab at Democrats who championed the agencys creation: changing its name to the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection. Kraningers declaration during a meeting with reporters Tuesday addressed one of the main criticisms of her selection. She is considered a protege of Mulvaney, her boss at the White House Office of Management and Budget who has executed a dramatic, industry-friendly shift at the watchdog agency. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Trumps pick for chief of staff, Nick Ayers, out of running By Associated Press Nick Ayers, right, with Supreme Court Justice Neil Gorsuch, at the funeral service for George H.W. Bush on Dec. 3. (Jabin Botsford/The Washington Post via Associated Press) President Trumps top pick to replace John F. Kelly as chief of staff, Nick Ayers, is no longer expected to fill that role. Thats according to a White House official who is not authorized to discuss the personnel issue by name and spoke on condition of anonymity. Ayers is Vice President Mike Pences chief of staff. The official says that Trump and Ayers could not agree on Ayers length of service. The father of young children, Ayers had agreed to serve in an interim capacity though the spring, but Trump wanted a two-year commitment. The official says that Ayers will instead assist the president from outside the administration. Trump announced Saturday that Kelly would be departing the White House around the end of the year. Thank you @realDonaldTrump, @VP, and my great colleagues for the honor to serve our Nation at The White House. I will be departing at the end of the year but will work with the #MAGA team to advance the cause. #Georgia Nick Ayers (@nick_ayers) December 9, 2018 Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement U.S. hiring slows to 155,000 jobs, unemployment rate holds at 3.7% By Jim Puzzanghera Job growth slowed significantly in November but still was solid, indicating the economy remains in good shape but not expanding so quickly that it will lead to sharply higher interest rates. U.S. employers added 155,000 jobs last month, well below analyst expectations and a steep decline from Octobers strong 237,000 figure, the Labor Department reported Friday. Still, monthly job gains are averaging 206,000 this year, the best since 2015. Even the slower pace of 170,000 over the last three months is close to last years average of 182,000 and well above the amount needed to keep up with population growth. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Trump is expected to pick State Department spokeswoman for U.N. ambassador By Associated Press Heather Nauert at a briefing at the State Department on Aug. 9, 2017. (Alex Brandon / Associated Press) President Trump is expected to nominate State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert to be the next U.S. ambassador to the United Nations. Two administration officials confirmed Trumps plans. A Republican congressional aide said the president was expected to announce his decision by tweet on Friday morning. The officials were not authorized to speak publicly before Trumps announcement. Trump has previously said Nauert was under serious consideration to replace Nikki Haley, who announced in October that she would step down at the end of this year. Trump has been known to change course on staffing decisions in the past. Nauert was a reporter for Fox News Channel before she became State Department spokeswoman under former Secretary Rex Tillerson. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Senate confirms new consumer financial protection chief: Kathy Kraninger, protege of industry-friendly Mick Mulvaney By Jim Puzzanghera The Senate, in a party-line vote Thursday, confirmed White House aide Kathy Kraninger to head the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and experts predicted a continuation of the industry-friendly shift it has taken since President Trump installed an acting director last year. Kraninger is a protege of acting director and White House budget chief Mick Mulvaney, an outspoken critic of the agency that was created in the aftermath of the 2008 financial crisis to prevent predatory lending and other abuses that led to it. Democrats and consumer advocates have denounced him for sharply departing from the aggressive watchdog role the bureau had pursued under its first director, Obama-appointee Richard Cordray, including scaling back enforcement and moving to reassess tough new rules on payday loans and narrow the definition of abusive practices by banks and other firms. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Shutdown postponed by two weeks under plan approved by Congress By Erik Wasson Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.), shown at the Capitol on Tuesday, says President Trumps border wall is a waste of money. (J. Scott Applewhite / Associated Press) Congress passed a two-week stopgap spending bill that will delay the chance of a partial government shutdown until Dec. 22 as lawmakers and President Donald Trump negotiate over his demands to pay for a wall on the southern border. The House and Senate passed the measure Thursday without dissent, and Trump has indicated hell sign the bill before the current shutdown deadline of midnight Friday. Negotiations were delayed by memorial services this week for former President George H.W. Bush. The temporary measure gives Democrats and Republicans more time to find a resolution to their biggest hurdle: funding a wall on the U.S. Mexico border wall. Trump says he wants $5 billion for parts of a concrete wall on the southern border and is willing to shut down the government if he doesnt get it. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York has said Democrats will provide no more than $1.6 billion for border security, because the wall is a waste of money. The presidents demands for wall funding from Congress come after he said during the campaign that Mexico would pay for it. This week he said on Twitter that a $25 billion border wall would pay for itself in two months, without providing evidence. Most of the U.S. governments $1.2 trillion discretionary budget has been appropriated already by Congress for the fiscal year that began on Oct. 1. Departments at a risk of a partial shutdown late this month include the departments of State, Interior, Agriculture, Commerce, Justice, Treasury and Homeland Security. Talks to resolve the differences have been on hold since a meeting among Trump, Schumer and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi of California originally slated for Dec. 4 was postponed due to Bush memorial events. The three are scheduled to meet on Tuesday, according to a person familiar with the matter. Senate Appropriations Chairman Richard Shelby of Alabama told reporters the rest of the seven-bill spending package being negotiated is basically done. Shelby in recent weeks had tried to broker a compromise in which Trumps $5 billion request would be split over two years, but Schumer has rejected that. Some Democrats have been willing to trade border wall funding for deportation protections for young undocumented immigrants. Pelosi ruled out such a deal in remarks to reporters Thursday. The stopgap government funding measure also would extend the National Flood Insurance Program, which provides subsidized coverage for homes in flood-prone areas, to Dec. 21. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Bipartisan Senate group wants to formally blame Saudi crown prince for journalists killing By Karoun Demirjian Saudi Arabias Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman at the G-20 summit in Buenos Aires. (Associated Press) A bipartisan group of senators filed a resolution Wednesday condemning Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman as responsible for the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, directly challenging President Trump to do the same. This resolution -- without equivocation -- definitively states that the crown prince of Saudi Arabia was complicit in the murder of Mr. [Jamal] Khashoggi and has been a wrecking ball to the region jeopardizing our national security interests on multiple fronts, Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) said in a statement accompanying the release of the resolution. It will be up to Saudi Arabia as to how to deal with this matter. But it is up to the United States to firmly stand for who we are and what we believe. The resolution put forward by Graham and Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), who are expected to lead the Judiciary Committee together next year, comes just one day after CIA Director Gina Haspel briefed leading senators about the details of the agencys assessment that Mohammed ordered and monitored the killing and dismemberment of Khashoggi in the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul, Turkey. Senators emerged from that closed-door briefing furious not only with Saudi Arabia, but Trump as well for dismissing the heft of the CIAs findings. You have to be willfully blind not to come to the conclusion that this was orchestrated and organized by people under the command of MBS and that he was intricately involved in the demise of Mr. Khashoggi, Graham said following the briefing, referring to Mohammed by his initials. He added that Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo and Defense Secretary James N. Mattis, who briefed senators last week, were at best being good soldiers and at worst were in the pocket of Saudi Arabia for presenting the evidence of Mohammeds involvement as inconclusive. The release of the resolution condemning Mohammed also comes as the Senate is preparing to move ahead with debate on a resolution to curtail U.S. support for the Saudi-led military campaign in Yemen. Though the Yemen resolution does not directly address Khashoggis murder, its popularity is a sign of how strained the United States patience with Saudi Arabia is on multiple fronts, including its role in worsening the civilian cost of the war in Yemen, cited by the United Nations as the worlds worst humanitarian crisis. Last week, the Senate voted 63 to 37 to advance the Yemen resolution past an opening procedural hurdle. But Graham and Feinsteins resolution on the crown prince has the potential of drawing broader support, especially from Republicans, who are deeply divided about how fiercely to punish Saudi Arabia over Khashoggis killing. Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), who has been an outspoken advocate for human rights and is seen as one of the more influential foreign policy voices in the GOP, did not vote for the Yemen resolution last week or sign on to a bipartisan measure last month to sanction Saudi officials and cease weapons transfers to the kingdom. But he is an original co-sponsor of the resolution condemning Mohammed over Khashoggis death. So is Sen. Todd Young (R-Ind.), who represents the other end of the GOP spectrum in terms of recent Saudi-related votes and endorsements. Young was an initial co-sponsor of the bill Graham wrote with Sen. Robert Menendez (D-N.J.) to sanction Saudi officials deemed responsible for Khashoggis killing and stop the sale of anything but exclusively defensive weapons to the kingdom until it ceased hostilities in Yemen. Young also voted to advance the Yemen resolution something Graham did as well, though Graham has signaled he will not be lending any similar support to the measure, fearing it may establish a precedent of invoking the War Powers Act too broadly. Sens. Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) and Chris Coons (D-Del.) are listed as original co-sponsors of the resolution condemning Mohammed, which also urges Saudi Arabia to negotiate with Houthi rebels to end the Yemen war, work out a political solution to its standoff with Qatar and release political prisoners. But how much sway the resolution has probably comes down to how forcefully the administration decides to heed it -- and thus far, Trump has not shown any interest in condemning the crown prince the way the senators hope he will. Demirjian reports for the Washington Post. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Los Angeles County offices and U.S. Postal Service closed Wednesday in honor of George H.W. Bush By Brian Park The Honor Guard carries the casket of former U.S. President George H. W. Bush following his funeral on Dec. 5 in Washington, DC. (Doug Mills - Pool/Getty Images) The U.S. Postal Service will suspend regular mail delivery Wednesday, which President Trump has declared a national day of mourning in honor of former President George H.W. Bush. All retail postal outlets will be closed, and package delivery will be limited. In Los Angeles, all nonessential county departments, offices and libraries will be closed for the day, L.A. County officials said. The Los Angeles County Library said no overdue fines will be assessed for books, and due dates will be moved forward one week. Los Angeles County Department of Public Health offices also are closed Wednesday. The Sheriffs Department, Fire Department, clinics and hospitals will continue to operate, the county said. The Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health clinics are being operated with reduced staffing, and the department asked patients to confirm or reschedule any appointments. All county courts and the disaster recovery centers for the Woolsey fire in Malibu and Agoura Hills will remain open. Larger federal government operations will be closed Wednesday. To honor the life and legacy of President Bush, the Postal Service will observe the National Day of Mourning. Learn how Postal operations will be affected. https://t.co/Mffch7bPCh pic.twitter.com/vG46BsIOpm U.S. Postal Service (@USPS) December 4, 2018 L.A. County offices and libraries will be closed tomorrow (Dec 5) in observance of the #NationalDayOfMourning for President George H. W. Bush. The Countys Disaster Recovery Centers in Malibu & Agoura Hills will remain open from 10 a.m. - 8 p.m. pic.twitter.com/Sv1J7GoJ7T Los Angeles County (@CountyofLA) December 4, 2018 @LAPublicHealth offices will be closed tomorrow December 5 in observance of the national Day of Mourning for President George H. W. Bush. Essential Services including clinics and other services will remain open: https://t.co/tZGoGGHRlg pic.twitter.com/ypXsV6vlYY LA Public Health (@lapublichealth) December 4, 2018 Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Former Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick to skip 2020 White House race, sources say By Associated Press Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick speaks during an interview in Boston on Dec. 15, 2014. (Elise Amendola / Associated Press) Former Gov. Deval Patrick of Massachusetts will soon announce he wont launch a 2020 presidential campaign, according to three sources familiar with his plans. They did not say why the Democrat decided against a run. A formal announcement was delayed as the country observed a day of mourning for President George H.W. Bush, one source said. News of Patricks plans was first reported by Politico. Patrick, 62, served two terms as governor, from 2007 to 2015, was assistant attorney general for civil rights in the Clinton administration and since leaving the governors office has been a managing director for Bain Capital. Patrick traveled the country in support of Democratic candidates in the recent midterm election. Earlier this year, some of Patricks supporters and close advisors started the Reason to Believe political action committee, a grassroots organization dedicated to advancing a positive, progressive vision for our nation in 2018 and 2020. Reason to Believe PAC had been holding meetups across the country, including in early presidential primary states. While Patrick is opting against a 2020 run, dozens of Democrats are considering jumping in, including nearly a half-dozen members of the Senate, several House members, and other Massachusetts politicians. On Tuesday, Michael Avenatti, the attorney for adult film star Stormy Daniels and a vocal critic of President Trump, said in a statement that he would run. Patrick had previously expressed some concerns about breaking through if he sought the nomination, telling David Axelrod, a former advisor to President Obama, that he wasnt sure he could stand out in such a large field. Its hard to see how you even get noticed in such a big, broad field without being shrill, sensational or a celebrity, and Im none of those things and Im never going to be any of those things, Patrick said in a September interview with Axelrod. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Former Trump adviser Roger Stone invokes 5th Amendment right and wont testify before Senate Judiciary Committee By Associated Press Roger Stone in 2017. (Joe Raedle / Getty Images) Roger Stone, an associate of President Trump, says he wont provide testimony or documents to the Senate Judiciary Committee. An attorney for Stone said in a letter to Sen. Dianne Feinstein, the committees top Democrat, that Stone was invoking his 5th Amendment right against self-incrimination in refusing to produce documents or appear for an interview. Stone has been entangled in investigations by Congress and special counsel Robert S. Mueller III about whether Trump aides had advance knowledge of Democratic emails published by WikiLeaks during the 2016 election. Stone has not been charged and has said he had no knowledge of the timing or specifics of WikiLeaks plans. In the letter to Feinstein, Stone said the committees requests were far too overbroad, far too overreaching and far too wide-ranging. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Watch live: Vice President Pence and lawmakers honor George H.W. Bush at the U.S. Capitol before he lies in state Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Rebuilding crumbling infrastructure has bipartisan support. But who gets to pay for it? By Jim Puzzanghera The grades for major U.S. infrastructure would give any parent indigestion if they were on a childs report card. Roads: D; bridges: C+; dams: D; ports: C+: railways: B; airports: D; schools: D+; public transit: D-. The nations overall grade: D+, which translates to being in fair to poor condition and mostly below standards with significant deterioration and a strong risk of failure, according to an evaluation last year by the American Society of Civil Engineers. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Trump calls former lawyer Michael Cohen a weak person who is lying By Associated Press President Trump says his former lawyer Michael Cohen is lying to get a reduced sentence. The president is reacting to Cohens guilty plea Thursday to lying to Congress about work he did on a Trump real estate project in Russia. During a surprise court hearing, Cohen admitted to lying in testimony to the Senate Intelligence Committee about a plan to build a Trump Tower in Moscow. Cohen in his guilty plea said he made the false statements to be consistent with Trumps political message. Cohens lawyer says he continues to cooperate with special counsel Robert S. Mueller IIIs investigation into Russian election interference and possible coordination with Trump associates. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print As California Republicans confront a congressional wipeout, GOP leader Kevin McCarthy faces a reckoning By Mark Z. Barabak When the House voted to repeal the Affordable Care Act, Kevin McCarthy trooped with other Republican lawmakers to a splashy Rose Garden celebration, smiling alongside President Trump as they celebrated the moment. As majority leader, McCarthy had helped round up the votes to narrowly pass the hard-fought legislation, convincing 13 other California Republicans to go along, even though several faced tough reelection fights. Fewer than half will be returning in January. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print As California Republicans confront a congressional wipeout, GOP leader Kevin McCarthy faces a reckoning By Sarah D. Wire When the House voted to repeal the Affordable Care Act, Kevin McCarthy trooped with other Republican lawmakers to a splashy Rose Garden celebration, smiling alongside President Trump as they celebrated the moment. As majority leader, McCarthy had helped round up the votes to narrowly pass the hard-fought legislation, convincing 13 other California Republicans to go along, even though several faced tough reelection fights. Fewer than half will be returning in January. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Michael Cohen, President Trumps ex-lawyer, pleads guilty to lying to Congress about Trump real estate project in Russia By Associated Press Michael Cohen, President Trumps former personal lawyer, pursued a Russian real estate project on candidate Trumps behalf well into the 2016 campaign, he said Thursday while pleading guilty to lying to Congress. Cohen had previously said that the project was abandoned in January 2016, but he now admits he continued to pursue a deal and says he updated Trump and members of his family about the negotiations, according to a new court document. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement James Comey says acting Atty. Gen. Whitaker may not be the sharpest knife in our drawer By John Wagner Acting Atty. Gen. Matthew Whitaker speaks at the Justice Department in Washington on Nov. 14. (Pablo Martinez Monsivais / Associated Press) Former FBI Director James B. Comey apparently isnt too impressed with the mental prowess of President Trumps acting attorney general. Matthew Whitaker may not be the sharpest knife in our drawer, Comey said during a radio interview on Monday night in which he sized up the man Trump installed this month to replace ousted Atty. Gen. Jeff Sessions. Comey was asked by WGBH News in Boston if he thinks Whitaker could derail the investigation of special counsel Robert S. Mueller III into Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election. Whitaker has spoken critically of the probe, and Trump as recently as Tuesday continues to call it a witch hunt. I think its a worry, but to my mind not a serious worry, Comey said. The institution is too strong, and [Whitaker], frankly, is not strong enough to have that kind of impact. He may not be the sharpest knife in our drawer, but he can see his future and knows that if he acted in an extralegal way, he would go down in history for the wrong reasons, and Im sure he doesnt want that, added Comey, who was fired by Trump last year and later wrote a book that portrays the president as an ego-driven congenital liar. Whitaker, a former U.S. attorney in Iowa, was Sessions chief of staff before being picked by Trump to lead the Justice Department. Trump has called Whitaker a very smart man. Earlier this year, Trump called Comey an untruthful slime ball. Wagner writes for the Washington Post. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Interior Department watchdog clears Zinke in investigation of Utah national monument By Juliet Eilperin Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke, third from the left, and Gov. Jerry Brown tour fire damage in Paradise, Calif., on Nov. 14. (Rich Pedroncelli / Associated Press) The Interior Departments Office of Inspector General has cleared Secretary Ryan Zinke in a probe of whether he redrew boundaries of a national monument in Utah to aid the financial interests of a Republican state lawmaker and stalwart supporter of President Trump. In a Nov. 21 letter to Zinkes deputy, David Bernhardt, Deputy Inspector General Mary Kendall wrote that her office found no evidence that the secretary or his aides changed the boundaries of Utahs Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument in an effort to help former Utah state representative Mike Noel, who serves as executive director of the Kane County Water Conservancy District. Last December, Trump shrank the monument, first established by President Clinton in 1996, by 46% based on Zinkes recommendation. Noel owns 40 acres that had been surrounded by the monument, but now lies outside its boundaries. The new boundaries also would make it easier to construct the proposed Lake Powell Pipeline, which would deliver water to sites in Kane County that include Noels property. Earlier this year, the Interior Department had proposed selling off 120 acres of federal land from the former monument that lay adjacent to some of Noels land holdings, but later reversed the plan. We found no evidence that Noel influenced the DOIs proposed revisions to the [monuments] boundaries, that Zinke or other DOI staff involved in the project were aware of Noels financial interest in the revised boundaries, or that they gave Noel any preferential treatment in the resulting proposed boundaries, Kendall wrote. Neither the Interior Department nor the inspector generals office would release the actual investigative report. In the letter, Kendall writes that her office will provide the report to Congress no sooner than 31 days from Nov. 21, when it is provided it to Zinkes office. The Associated Press first reported the inspector generals conclusions Monday night, but did not provide details from the report itself. Noel emailed Zinke about the effort to alter Grand Staircase-Escalante, according to emails released by Interior under the Freedom of Informational Act. But those emails do not make references to Noels land holdings. Noel also pushed to rename a Utah highway in honor of Trump, but abandoned that effort in March after some of his fellow Republicans objected to the idea. Noel did not respond to requests for comment Tuesday. The inspector generals office still has at least two ongoing probes of the secretary, including one focused on his real estate dealings in Whitefish, Mont., and another regarding his decision to deny a permit to two Connecticut tribes who were hoping to jointly run a casino after MGM Resorts International lobbied against it. Interior Department spokeswoman Heather Swift welcomed the watchdogs conclusions. The report shows exactly what the secretarys office has known all along that the monument boundaries were adjusted in accordance with all rules, regulations and laws, she said in an email. This report is also the latest example of opponents and special interest groups ginning up fake and misleading stories, only to be proven false after expensive and time consuming inquiries by the IGs office. But Kendalls spokeswoman, Nancy DiPaolo, defended the inquiry, even though she said the report has not been publicly released and we will not be speaking specifically about the matter at this time. The OIG opens investigations based on credible allegations and reports our findings objectively and independently, DiPaolo added. Any time or resources spent investigating conduct or activity that may be a violation of law, regulation or policy is a service to the public, Congress and the Department. Rep. Raul Grijalva of Arizona, the top Democrat on the House Natural Resources Committee, said in a statement that he still intended to investigate the way Zinke and his colleague redrew the boundaries for Grand Staircase-Escalante and another Utah national monument, Bears Ears, next year. I have great respect for the inspector general, and I accept these findings, but Secretary Zinke should have known the people he listened to while destroying our national monuments had disqualifying conflicts of interest, he said. Should I chair the Natural Resources Committee in the next Congress, the process he and President Trump used to destroy Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante will be front and center in our oversight and investigations efforts. We need to know why they ignored overwhelming public expressions of support for both Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante, why they ignored Native American tribes throughout their decision-making, and why they removed protections on parcels of land with known mineral deposits. Eilperin and Rein report for the Washington Post. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Trump advisor Larry Kudlow says China must do more to end trade war By Jim Puzzanghera Larry Kudlow, President Trumps top economic advisor, said Tuesday that Chinas response to U.S. efforts to rework the two economic superpowers trade relationship has been extremely disappointing but the planned meeting this weekend between the nations leaders is an opportunity for a breakthrough. They have to do more. They must do more, Larry Kudlow, director of the White House National Economic Council, told reporters ahead of a Saturday dinner between Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Group of 20 Summit in Argentina. I think the president is exactly right to show strong backbone when prior administrations did not, to break through these Chinese walls, Kudlow said. Theyre so resistant to change. We have to protect the country. We have to protect our technology, our inventiveness, our innovation. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Watch live: White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders holds a media briefing amid tensions at the border By Los Angeles Times Staff Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Democrat TJ Cox grabs lead over Republican David Valadao in nations last remaining undecided House race By Maya Sweedler Democrat TJ Cox slipped past Republican incumbent David Valadao on Monday to take the lead in the countrys sole remaining undecided congressional race, positioning Democrats to pick up their seventh House seat in California and 40th nationwide. Cox, who trailed by nearly 4,400 votes on election night, has steadily gained as ballot counting continues nearly three weeks after the Nov. 6 election, a pattern consistent with the states recent voting history. On Monday, he pulled ahead by 438 votes after Kern County updated its results. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Former CIA director Michael Hayden hospitalized after suffering a stroke By Deanna Paul Then-CIA Director Michael Hayden testifies before a Senate committee in 2008. (Saul Loeb / Getty Images) Former CIA Director and retired Air Force Gen. Michael Hayden has been hospitalized after suffering a stroke, his family said Friday. He is receiving expert medical care for which the family is grateful, according to a statement issued by his namesake organization. The General and his family greatly appreciate the warm wishes and prayers of his friends, colleagues, and supporters. Hayden, 73, served as director of the CIA and National Security Agency during the George W. Bush and Obama administrations. He retired from the CIA in 2009. Hayden has been a vocal critic of Donald Trumps campaign and presidency. Earlier this year, after Trump decided to revoke the security clearance of former CIA director John Brennan, Hayden was one of several former intelligence leaders who signed a statement in opposition. Criticizing the president for crossing a line, he quickly became one of the individuals whose security clearance Trump threatened to review. Deanna Paul writes for the Washington Post. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Trump tells troops hes thankful for what hes done for the U.S. and rails against courts and migrants By Associated Press President Trump talks with troops via teleconference from his estate in Palm Beach, Fla., on Thanksgiving. (Susan Walsh / Associated Press) President Trump used his Thanksgiving Day call to troops deployed overseas to pat himself on the back and air grievances about the courts, trade and migrants heading to the U.S.-Mexico border. Trumps call, made from his opulent private Mar-a-Lago club in Palm Beach, Fla., struck an unusually political tone as he spoke with members of all five branches of the military to wish them happy holidays. Its a disgrace, Trump said of judges who have blocked his attempts to overhaul U.S. immigration law, as he linked his efforts to secure the border with military missions overseas. Trump later threatened to close the U.S. border with Mexico for an undisclosed period of time if his administration determines Mexico has lost control on its side. The call was a uniquely Trump blend of boasting, peppered questions and off-the-cuff observations as his comments veered from venting about slights to praising troops You really are our heroes, he said as club waiters worked to set Thanksgiving dinner tables on the outdoor terrace behind him. It was yet another show of how Trump has dramatically transformed the presidency, erasing the traditional divisions between domestic policy and military matters and efforts to keep the troops clear of politics. You probably see over the news whats happening on our southern border, Trump told one Air Force brigadier general stationed at Bagram Airfield in Afghanistan, adding: I dont have to even ask you. I know what you want to do, you want to make sure that you know who were letting in. Later, Trump asked a U.S. Coast Guard commander about trade, which he noted was a very big subject for him personally. Weve been taken advantage of for many, many years by bad trade deals, Trump told the commander, who sheepishly replied, Mr. President, from our perspective on the water we dont see any issues in terms of trade right now. And throughout, Trump congratulated himself, telling the officers that the country is doing exceptionally well on his watch. I hope that youll take solace in knowing that all of the American families you hold so close to your heart are all doing well, he said. The nations doing well economically, better than anybody in the world. He later told reporters, Nobodys done more for the military than me. Indeed, asked what he was thankful for this Thanksgiving, Trump cited his great family as well as himself. I made a tremendous difference in this country, he said. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Trump contradicts CIA assessment that Saudi crown prince ordered Jamal Khashoggi killing By Josh Dawsey | Washington Post (Susan Walsh / Associated Press) President Trump on Thursday contradicted the CIAs assessment that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman had ordered the killing of Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi, insisting that the agency had feelings but did not firmly place blame for the death. Trump, in defiant remarks to reporters from his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida, defended his continued support for Mohammed in the face of a CIA assessment that the crown prince had ordered the killing. He denies it vehemently, Trump said. He said his own conclusion was that maybe he did, maybe he didnt. I hate the crime .... I hate the cover-up. I will tell you this: The crown prince hates it more than I do, Trump said. Asked who should be held accountable for the death of Khashoggi, who was killed at the Saudi Consulate in Turkey, Trump refused to place blame. Maybe the world should be held accountable because the world is a very, very vicious place, the president said. He also seemed to suggest that all U.S. allies were guilty of the same behavior, declaring that if the others were held to the standard that critics have held Saudi Arabia to in recent days, we wouldnt be able to have anyone for an ally. Trumps remarks came after he held a conference call with U.S. military officers overseas, during which he repeatedly praised his administration and sought to draw the officers into discussions of domestic policy. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Former FBI Director James Comey gets subpoena from House Republicans By Bloomberg Former FBI Director James B. Comey said he has received a subpoena from House Republicans, according to a Twitter post on Thursday. Bloomberg News reported last week that Comey would be receiving a subpoena alongside former Atty. Gen. Loretta Lynch as part of continuing probes into their handling of investigations into Hillary Clinton and Russian election meddling, according to a top House Democrat. Happy Thanksgiving. Got a subpoena from House Republicans. Im still happy to sit in the light and answer all questions. But I will resist a closed door thing because Ive seen enough of their selective leaking and distortion. Lets have a hearing and invite everyone to see. James Comey (@Comey) November 22, 2018 Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Republican David Valadaos lead slips to 447 votes over Democrat TJ Cox in still-undecided Central Valley House race By Mark Z. Barabak Rep. David Valadao (R-Hanford), right, finds himself in an increasingly harrowing cliffhanger against Democrat TJ Cox. (Bill Clark / CQ Roll Call) On election night, it looked like Rep. David Valadao had survived a close shave and was destined to return to Washington for his fourth term. But on Wednesday, when Fresno County announced its latest vote totals, the Hanford Republican found himself in an increasingly harrowing cliffhanger against Democrat TJ Cox, with his lead in the Central Valley district shrunken to 447 votes. Thousands remain to be counted. Valadao, a repeated Democratic target, finished election night with a lead of nearly 4,440 votes. Cox, an engineer and a business owner who unsuccessfully ran for Congress in 2006, has steadily gained ground in the 21st Congressional District ever since. The trend is consistent with historic patterns showing Republicans in California tend to vote early and Democrats later, meaning their mail ballots continue to stream in past election day. Under California law, ballots postmarked up to midnight on Nov. 6 will be counted. Democrats have already picked up six House seats in California. They ousted Reps. Dana Rohrabacher, Mimi Walters, Steve Knight and Jeff Denham and won the seats of retiring Reps. Ed Royce and Darrell Issa. All six represented districts that backed Hillary Clinton over Donald Trump in 2016. Valadao was the seventh California Republican in a district Clinton won, though his previous successes he last won reelection by a 14-point margin suggested his ouster was a longer shot for Democrats. If Cox prevails, it would give Democrats a 40-seat gain nationwide, far more than the 23 seats needed to take control when Congress reconvenes in January. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Trump says no new punishments against Saudi Arabia in Jamal Khashoggi murder By Eli Stokols In this Oct. 25 photo, candles are lit in front of a photo of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi. (Lefteris Pitarakis) President Trump made it clear on Tuesday that he does not intend to punish Saudi Arabia or Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for the murder of dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi, an American resident killed by Saudi officials in Turkey in October. In a remarkable statement replete with exclamation points, Trump cast doubt on the CIAs reported conclusions that it has a high degree of confidence that the crown prince ordered Khashoggis murder and sent his closest allies to Saudi Arabias consulate in Istanbul to carry it out. Read MoreThis article has been updated with staff. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Sixteen House Democrats vow to oppose Nancy Pelosi as next speaker By Mike DeBonis | Washington Post House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (J. Scott Applewhite / Associated Press) Sixteen House Democrats said Monday that they will vote to deny Rep. Nancy Pelosi another stint as House speaker, a show of defiance that puts her opponents on the cusp of forcing a seismic leadership shake-up as their party prepares to take the majority. Their pledge to oppose Pelosi (D-San Francisco), both in an internal caucus election and a Jan. 3 floor vote, delivered in a letter sent to Democratic colleagues, comes as Pelosi has marshaled a legion of supporters on and off Capitol Hill to make her case. But her opponents said Monday they are convinced it is time to select a new leader. We are thankful to Leader Pelosi for her years of service to our Country and to our Caucus, they wrote. However, we also recognize that in this recent election, Democrats ran on and won on a message of change. Pelosi has expressed complete confidence that she will retake the speakers gavel in January eight years after she lost it following massive Republican gains in the 2010 midterms and 16 years after she was first elevated to the top Democratic leadership post in the House. Come on in, the waters fine, she said Friday about a potential leadership challenge. The signers might not be able to force Pelosi out themselves. The size of the Democratic majority remains in flux, but Democrats have already won 232 seats, according to the Associated Press, with five races still undecided. All those races have Republican incumbents, but the Democratic challenger is ahead in only one of them. If the leads hold in the uncalled races, Democrats would have won 233 seats, a 16-seat majority. That means Pelosi could lose as many as 15 Democratic votes when she stands for election as speaker on Jan. 3. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Democratic senators sue over Whitakers appointment as acting attorney general By Associated Press Acting U.S. Atty. Gen. Matthew Whitaker (Nicholas Kamm / AFP/Getty Images) Three Senate Democrats filed a lawsuit Monday arguing that Acting Atty. Gen. Matthew Whitakers appointment is unconstitutional and asking a federal judge to remove him. The suit, filed by Sens. Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut, Mazie Hirono of Hawaii and Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island, argues that Whitakers appointment violates the Constitution because he has not been confirmed by the Senate. Whitaker was chief of staff to Atty. Gen. Jeff Sessions and was elevated to the top job after Sessions was ousted by President Trump on Nov. 7. The Constitutions Appointments Clause requires that the Senate confirm all principal officials before they can serve in their office. The Justice Department released a legal opinion last week that said Whitakers appointment would not violate the clause because he is serving in an acting capacity. The opinion concluded that Whitaker, even without Senate confirmation, may serve in an acting capacity because he has been at the department for more than a year at a sufficiently senior pay level. President Trump is denying senators our constitutional obligation and opportunity to do our job: scrutinizing the nomination of our nations top law enforcement official, Blumenthal said in a statement. The reason is simple: Whitaker would never pass the advice and consent test. In selecting a so-called constitutional nobody and thwarting every senators constitutional duty, Trump leaves us no choice but to seek recourse through the courts. The lawsuit comes days after a Washington lawyer challenged Whitakers appointment in a pending Supreme Court case dealing with gun rights. The attorney, Thomas Goldstein, asked the high court to find that Whitakers appointment is unconstitutional and replace him with Deputy Atty. Gen. Rod Rosenstein. Rosenstein, the second-ranking Justice Department official, has been confirmed by the Senate and had been overseeing special counsel Robert Muellers Russia investigation. Whitaker is now overseeing the investigation. The Justice Department issued a statement Monday defending Whitakers appointment as lawful and said it comports with the Appointments Clause, the Federal Vacancies Reform Act and legal precedent. There are over 160 instances in American history in which non-Senate confirmed persons performed, on a temporary basis, the duties of a Senate-confirmed position, Justice Department spokeswoman Kerri Kupec said. To suggest otherwise is to ignore centuries of practice and precedent. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Gov. Rick Scott says Sen. Bill Nelson concedes Florida Senate race By Associated Press Republican Senate candidate Rick Scott speaks with his wife, Ann, by his side at an election watch party in Naples, Fla., on Nov. 7. (Wilfredo Lee / Associated Press) Floridas Republican Gov. Rick Scott says incumbent Democratic Sen. Bill Nelson called him to concede defeat in their extremely tight race. Scott issued a statement Sunday saying Nelson graciously conceded their Senate race shortly after the states recount ended. The final results show Scott defeated Nelson by just over 10,000 votes out of 8 million cast. Nelson is scheduled to release a videotaped statement later Sunday. The defeat ends Nelsons lengthy political career. The three-term incumbent was first elected to the U.S. Senate in 2000. Before that he served six terms in the U.S. House and as state treasurer and insurance commissioner for six years. Scott spent more than $60 million of his own money on ads that portrayed Nelson as out-of-touch and ineffective. Nelson responded by questioning Scotts ethics and saying he would be under the sway of President Trump. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Orange County goes blue, as Democrats complete historic sweep of its seven congressional seats By Michael Finnegan Gil Cisneros defeated Republican Young Kim on Saturday in the last of Orange Countys undecided House races, giving Democrats a clean sweep of the states six most fiercely fought congressional contests and marking an epochal shift in a region long synonymous with political conservatism. With Cisneros victory, Democrats will constitute the entirety of Orange Countys seven-member congressional delegation, the first time since the 1930s that the birthplace of Richard Nixon, home of John Wayne and spiritual center of the Republican Party will have no GOP representative in the House. Sitting back in the 1960s, I would never have believed this would happen, said Stuart K. Spencer, a party strategist who spent more than half a century ushering Republicans, including President Reagan, into office. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Going, going ... with midterm wipeout, California Republican Party drifts closer to irrelevance By Michael Finnegan For a party in freefall the last two decades, California Republicans learned that its possible to plunge even further. The GOP not only lost every statewide office in the midterm election again, in blowout fashion but Democrats reestablished their supermajority in Sacramento, allowing them to legislate however they see fit After major defeats in Orange County and the Central Valley, two longtime strongholds, Republicans will have a significantly smaller footprint on Capitol Hill. (Democrats hold both Senate seats.) When the vote-counting is finished, the GOP may not even have enough lawmakers in Californias 53-member House delegation to field a nine-person softball team. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Congresswoman-elect Katie Porter says she will support Rep. Nancy Pelosi for speaker By Maya Sweedler Democratic Rep.-elect Katie Porter is congratulated by volunteers at her campaign headquarters in Irvine. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) Congresswoman-elect Katie Porter said she plans to support Rep. Nancy Pelosis bid for speaker of the House and will make campaign finance reform her top priority when she enters the chamber in January. Im going to continue to have conversations, but so far I feel like Leader Pelosi is definitely making the things that were a priority to the families that elected me her priorities, including announcing her support for campaign finance reform and anti-corruption as HR1, Porter said in her first public appearance since being declared the winner in Californias 45th Congressional District on Thursday evening. It means a lot to me that she is a Californian. She understands our state, Porter added. When we talk about environmental protections, this is a person who understands as a Californian how fragile our environment is and whats at risk in things like drilling off our coasts. Porter, a law professor at UC Irvine, defeated two-term Republican Rep. Mimi Walters. The 45th District, covering inland Orange County, has never been represented by a Democrat. Porter became the third Democrat to claim a Republican-held seat in Orange County, following the victories of Harley Rouda in the 48th District and Mike Levin in the 49th. A fourth, Gil Cisneros, is running slightly ahead of his Republican opponent in the race for the open seat in the 39th District, which extends into Los Angeles and San Bernardino counties. Porter attributed the massive political shift in the county, for decades a conservative stronghold, to increased levels of political engagement. Folks here care about education, they care about the environment, they believe climate change is real, they want healthcare that protects preexisting conditions, they want a tax system that doesnt punish California, they want our schools and places of worship to be safe from gun violence, she said. Those are the issues we campaigned on, and to the extent that Donald Trump and Mimi Walters were on the wrong side of those issues, the voters have made clear what direction they want us to go. Porter was flying back from the East Coast when her race was called, she said. She turned on her phone to find 167 text messages from friends and supporters. Among them was Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), who was one of Porters teachers in law school and with whom she has remained close. The pair spoke via FaceTime this morning, she said. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Bitter battle for Senate seat in Florida goes to hand recount By Associated Press Employees look through damaged ballots during a recount Thursday in West Palm Beach, Fla. (Wilfredo Lee / Associated Press) Floridas acrimonious battle for the U.S. Senate headed Thursday to a legally required hand recount after an initial review by ballot-counting machines showed Republican Gov. Rick Scott and Democratic Sen. Bill Nelson separated by less than 13,000 votes. But the highly watched contest for governor between Republican Ron DeSantis and Democrat Andrew Gillum appeared to be over, with a machine recount showing DeSantis with a large enough advantage over Gillum to avoid a hand recount in that race. Gillum, who conceded the contest on election night only to retract his concession later, said in a statement that it is not over until every legally casted vote is counted. The recount so far has been fraught with problems. One large Democratic stronghold in South Florida was unable to finish its machine recount by the Thursday deadline due to machines breaking down. A federal judge rejected a request to extend the recount deadline. We gave a heroic effort, said Palm Beach County Supervisor of Elections Susan Bucher. If the county had three or four more hours, it would have made the deadline to recount ballots in the Senate race, she said. Meanwhile, election officials in another urban county in the Tampa Bay area decided against turning in the results of their machine recount, which came up with 846 fewer votes than originally counted. Media in South Florida reported that Broward County finished its machine recount but missed the deadline by a few minutes. Counties were ordered last weekend to do a machine recount of three statewide races because the margins were so tight. The next stage is a manual review of ballots that were not counted by machines to see whether there is a way to figure out voter intent. Scott called on Nelson to end the recount battle. Its time for Nelson to respect the will of the voters and graciously bring this process to an end rather than proceed with yet another count of the votes which will yield the same result and bring more embarrassment to the state that we both love and have served, the governor said in a statement. The recount has triggered multiple lawsuits, many of them filed by Nelson and Democrats. The legal battles drew the ire of U.S. District Judge Mark E. Walker, who slammed the state for repeatedly failing to anticipate election problems. He also said the state law on recounts appears to violate the U.S. Supreme Court ruling that decided the presidency in 2000. We have been the laughingstock of the world, election after election, and we chose not to fix this, Walker said during a morning hearing. Walker vented his anger at state lawmakers and Palm Beach County officials, saying they should have made sure they had enough equipment in place to handle this kind of a recount. But he said he could not extend the recount deadline because he did not know when Palm Beach County would finish its work. This court must be able to craft a remedy with knowledge that it will not prove futile, Walker wrote in his ruling turning down the request from Democrats. It cannot do so on this record. This court does not and will not fashion a remedy in the dark. The overarching problem was created by the Florida Legislature, which Walker said passed a recount law that appears to run afoul of the 2000 Bush vs. Gore decision by locking in procedures that do not allow for potential problems. A total of six election-related lawsuits are pending in federal court in Tallahassee as well at least one lawsuit filed in state court. Walker also ordered that voters be given until 5 p.m. Saturday to show a valid identification and fix their ballots if they have not been counted due to mismatched signatures. Republicans appealed the ruling, but an appeals court turned down the request. State officials testified that nearly 4,000 mailed-in ballots were set aside because local officials decided the signatures on the envelopes did not match the signatures on file. If those voters can prove their identity, their votes will be counted and included in final official returns due from each county by noon Sunday. Walker was asked by Democrats to require local officials to provide a list of people whose ballots were rejected. But the judge appointed by President Obama refused the request, calling it inappropriate. Under state law, a hand review is required with races that have a margin of 0.25 percentage points or less. A state website put the unofficial results showing Scott ahead of Nelson by 0.15 percentage points. The margin between DeSantis and Gillum was at 0.41 points. The margin between Scott and Nelson had not changed much in the last few days, conceded Marc Elias, an attorney working for Nelsons campaign. But he said that he expected the vote tally to shrink due to the hand recount and the ruling on signatures. The developments fueled frustrations among Democrats and Republicans alike. Democrats want state officials to do whatever it takes to make sure every eligible vote is counted. Republicans, including President Trump, have argued without evidence that voter fraud threatens to steal races from the GOP. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Democrat Gil Cisneros pulls ahead of Republican Young Kim as more votes are tallied in Orange and San Bernardino counties By Michael Finnegan Congressional candidate Gil Cisneros (Kent Nishimura / Los Angeles Times) Democrat Gil Cisneros pulled ahead of Republican Young Kim in one of Californias undecided congressional races Thursday, an ominous sign for a GOP already reeling from its loss of four House seats in the state. In updated vote counts released by the registrars for Orange and San Bernardino counties, Kim fell 941 votes behind Cisneros in the contest to succeed Republican Rep. Ed Royce in Californias 39th Congressional District. The 39th straddles Los Angeles, San Bernardino and Orange counties. In another unresolved House race, Democrat Katie Porter pulled further ahead of Republican incumbent Mimi Walters in the 45th District, which includes Mission Viejo, Tustin, Irvine, Rancho Santa Margarita and Laguna Hills. Porter, a consumer attorney and UC Irvine law professor, is now 6,203 votes ahead. The Nov. 6 midterm election has been devastating to Republicans in California. If Cisneros and Porter win, the party will have lost six of its 14 House seats in the state, essentially a wipeout in every contest that both parties spent heavily to win. The three Republicans already bounced from Congress are Reps. Dana Rohrabacher of Costa Mesa, Steve Knight of Palmdale and Jeff Denham of Turlock in the San Joaquin Valley. Democrat Mike Levin won the seat of retiring GOP Rep. Darrell Issa of Vista in the fourth district flipped so far. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Florida Senate race likely headed to second recount By Associated Press A Palm Beach County Sheriffs deputy walks past boxes of ballots before a recount on Nov. 15 in West Palm Beach, Fla. (Wilfredo Lee) Unofficial Florida election results show that the governors race seems to be settled after a machine recount but the U.S. Senate race is likely headed to a hand recount. Republican Ron DeSantis is virtually assured of winning the nationally watched governors race over Democrat Andrew Gillum. Florida finished a machine recount Thursday that showed Gillum without enough votes to force a manual recount. Unofficial results posted on a state website show the margin between U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson and Gov. Rick Scott is still thin enough to trigger a second review. State law requires a hand recount of races with a margin of 0.25 percentage point or less. Counties have until Sunday to inspect the ballots that did not record a vote when put through the machines. Those ballots are re-examined to see whether the voter skipped the race or marked the ballot in a way that the machines cannot read but can be deciphered. The election will be certified Tuesday. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Pelosi says she has the votes to become the next House speaker By John Wagner Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi speaks during a news conference in Washington on Nov. 14. (Susan Walsh) House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi insisted Thursday that she has the votes to become the chambers speaker despite solid opposition from more than a dozen Democrats who want fresh leadership when the party takes control next year. I have overwhelming support in my caucus to be speaker of the House, the San Francisco lawmaker told reporters. I happen to think at this point, Im the best person for that. A vote within the Democratic caucus is scheduled for Nov. 28. The full House votes on Jan. 3 to elect a new speaker. During her remarks, Pelosi touted the size of the Democratic victory in the midterms, which she called almost a tsunami. With a few races still to be decided, Democrats are poised to pick up close to 40 seats in the chamber. Pelosi called that the biggest victory for the Democrats since 1974, when the Watergate babies came in. Pelosis comments come as she faces solid opposition from at least 17 Democrats, setting the stage for a battle over who will ascend to one of the most powerful positions in Washington. After a campaign in which some Democrats prevailed in competitive districts by promising to oppose her, a coalition of incumbents and newly elected members has denied her a smooth path to the speakership. The defections, if they stand, would leave Pelosi, who has led the Democrats for more than 15 years, several votes short of the 218 she would need when the full House votes for speaker Jan. 3. However, no Democrat has stepped forward to run against her for a job she held from 2007 through 2010. Rep. Marcia Fudge (D-Ohio) told reporters Wednesday that shes being encouraged to stand for speaker if Pelosi doesnt have the votes. In an interview with the Washington Post on Thursday, she said she has been overwhelmed by the support from many of her colleagues for her possible entry into the race for House speaker. Over the last 12 hours, Ive been overwhelmed by the amount of support Ive received, Fudge said, adding that there are probably closer to 30" Democrats who have privately signaled that they are willing to oppose Pelosi. Things could change rapidly, Fudge said. Fudge, 66, a former chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, said she is building a diverse coalition as she mulls a speaker run, talking with allies in the caucus, moderate Democrats and newly elected members. To this point, Pelosi has enjoyed the strong backing of the Congressional Black Caucus. On Thursday, Rep. Bobby Rush (D-Ill.), one of its members, wrote a letter to colleagues praising her insight, fortitude and strategic thinking and urging support for her speakership bid. Former Atty. Gen. Eric H. Holder Jr., an African American who is contemplating a 2020 presidential bid, also voiced support for Pelosi, praising her in a tweet as an architect of the recent midterm success. Rep. Seth Moulton (D-Mass.), a leader of the resistance to Pelosi, said during an interview on CNN on Thursday that Fudge is the kind of new leader that we need in this party. Shes in touch with middle America. She understands what the American people want. Shes a next-generation leader that people will look to and say, Thats the future of our party, thats the future of our country, and thats exactly the kind of leader that I want to see as our next speaker. Wagner reports for the Washington Post. The Posts Robert Costa, Erica Werner, Mike DeBonis, Paul Kane and Elise Viebeck contributed to this report. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement GOP Rep. Jeff Denham concedes to Democrat Josh Harder in Central Valley race By Maya Sweedler Rep. Jeff Denham (Bill Clark / CQ Roll Call) Republican Rep. Jeff Denham has conceded to Democrat Josh Harder in the race to represent Californias 10th Congressional District in the San Joaquin Valley. It has been an absolute honor to serve our community and represent the Central Valley in Congress over the past eight years, the 51-year-old congressman said. The enormity of the responsibility was never lost on me. My wife Sonia and I look forward to starting the next chapter of our lives. Harder said he had spoken with Denham and the two were committed to a productive transition. Denham, an Air Force veteran, previously represented the region in the state Senate for eight years and founded a company specializing in plastic packaging used in agriculture. While a member of Congress, he sat on the Transportation and Infrastructure, Veterans Affairs and Agriculture committees. First-time candidate Harder was born and raised in the district. After graduating from Stanford University, he served as vice president of a Silicon Valley venture capital firm. Since moving back, he has been teaching at Modesto Junior College. Denhams House seat is one of four in California that Republicans lost in the Nov. 6 election, with two contests in Orange County still undecided as of Thursday morning. Jeff Denham called me this morning and we had a very productive conversation. I'm honored that I've been chosen to serve our community in Congress, and we're both looking forward to a productive transition that best serves the people of District 10. Josh Harder (@JoshHarder) November 14, 2018 Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Democrat Katie Porter now nearly 3,800 votes ahead of GOP Rep. Mimi Walters By Maya Sweedler Rep. Mimi Walters thanks all of her supporters as she watches election results in Irvine on Nov. 7, 2018. (Alex Gallardo / Associated Press) Democrat Katie Porter opened a 3,797-vote lead Wednesday over Republican Rep. Mimi Walters in Orange Countys 45th Congressional District. In the neighboring 39th, Democrat Gil Cisneros has nearly tied the race against Republican Young Kim. Cisneros now trails Kim by a razor-thin margin of 122 votes. The 39th District straddles Los Angeles, Orange and San Bernardino counties; Wednesdays updated ballot counts came from the latter two. There are more than 202,000 ballots left to count in Orange County, which includes parts of seven congressional districts. The 45th is entirely in inland Orange County. In California, the ballots counted first tend to lean Republican and those tallied later skew Democratic. In the Central Valleys 21st Congressional District, Democratic challenger TJ Cox has pulled within 2 percentage points of Rep. David Valadao, who is serving his third term. The Associated Press had projected a win for Valadao on election night, but his 4,839-vote advantage has shrunk to 2,090. Back in CA-21, Valadao (R) wins a batch of ballots from his stronghold in Kings Co., but by a considerably smaller margin (14 points) than his previous ~30-point margin in the county. We're moving to Lean R from Likely R; today a bit scary for Valadao.https://t.co/WqJVUVkqGW Nate Silver (@NateSilver538) November 15, 2018 A spokesman for Valadao told the Fresno Bee that the changes were expected and that [s]tatistically, David Valadao has won this race. Democrats in California have already flipped four House seats, defeating three Republican incumbents and claiming an open seat previously held by the GOP. Reps. Steve Knight of Palmdale, Dana Rohrabacher of Costa Mesa and Jeff Denham of Turlock have already lost their races, and retiring Rep. Darrell Issas San Diego County seat was claimed by Democrat Mike Levin. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Trump aide departs West Wing after rebuke from Melania Trump By Associated Press First Lady Melania Trump. (Alain Jocard / AFP-Getty Images) Deputy national security advisor Mira Ricardel is leaving the White House, one day after First Lady Melania Trumps office issued an extraordinary statement calling for her dismissal. No replacement was named. Aides said Ricardel clashed with the first ladys staff over her visit to Africa last month. Yet it is highly unusual for a first lady or her office to weigh in on personnel matters, especially the presidents national security staff. White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said Ricardel would have a new role in the administration. On Tuesday, Stephanie Grisham, the first ladys spokeswoman, released a statement saying, It is the position of the Office of the First Lady that she no longer deserves the honor of serving in this White House. President Trumps White House has set records for administration turnover. Ricardel was the third person to hold the post under Trump. An ally of national security advisor John Bolton, Ricardel began her service in the Trump administration as associate director in the White House Office of Presidential Personnel, then moved to the Commerce Department last year. Bolton brought her into the West Wing shortly after taking the job in April. He is traveling in Asia this week alongside Vice President Mike Pence. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Race for House Minority Leader is Kevin McCarthys to lose By Associated Press (Bill Clark / CQ Roll Call) House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy is running to take over next years shrunken caucus in closed-door elections that will set the tone for the new Congress. The race for minority leader is McCarthys to lose Wednesday. But the California Republican, who is an ally of President Trump, must fend off a challenge from conservative Jim Jordan of Ohio. Jordan is a leader of the House Freedom Caucus. The two encountered questions and finger-pointing during a private meeting with lawmakers Tuesday night as the GOP sorted through the midterm defeat that put Democrats in the majority next year. Elections Wednesday will also determine party leadership in the Senate. Voting for the biggest race, Nancy Pelosis bid to return as the Democrats nominee for speaker, is later this month. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Melania Trump calls for the firing of deputy national security advisor By Justin Sink First Lady Melania Trump arrives at the Chateau de Versailles outside Paris on Nov. 11. (Alain Jocard / AFP/Getty Images ) First Lady Melania Trumps office said she wants Mira Ricardel, the deputy national security advisor, ousted from the White House. It is the position of the Office of the First Lady that she no longer deserves the honor of serving in this White House, Trumps spokeswoman, Stephanie Grisham, said in a statement in response to a question about reports the first lady had sought Ricardels removal. Ricardel is the top deputy to national security advisor John Bolton. She drew the first ladys wrath after threatening to withhold National Security Council resources during Melania Trumps trip to Africa last month unless Ricardel was included in her entourage, one person familiar with the matter said. Grishams statement comes as several media outlets have reported that President Trump is considering a broader shakeup of his administration, including ousting Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen. Sink and Jacobs report for Bloomberg. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print CNN sues Trump over the suspension of Jim Acostas White House press credentials By Jim Puzzanghera CNN said Tuesday that it is suing President Trump and other administration officials over the decision to suspend the White House press credentials of correspondent Jim Acosta after a conflict at a news conference last week. The suit, to be filed in U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, escalates an ongoing battle between Trump and the cable news outlet that he frequently accuses of disseminating fake news for its aggressive coverage of him and his administration. The wrongful revocation of these credentials violates CNN and Acostas 1st Amendment rights of freedom of the press, and their 5th Amendment rights to due process, CNN said in a written statement. If left unchallenged, the actions of the White House would create a dangerous chilling effect for any journalist who covers our elected officials. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Maxine Waters to take aim at Wells Fargo and Deutsche Bank as new head of House Financial Services Committee By Jim Puzzanghera Rep. Maxine Waters plans to zero in on two big banks Wells Fargo & Co. and Deutsche Bank when she becomes head of the powerful House Financial Services Committee. The Los Angeles congresswoman, now the committees top Democrat, is widely expected to gain the gavel after her party won control of the House in last weeks elections. While Waters has outlined a wide-ranging agenda, she said her focus on bank oversight will target two large institutions she has been tangling with for a while including one, Deutsche Bank, that spills into her bitter feud with President Trump. With Trump in the White House, I know that our fight for Americas consumers and investors will continue to be challenging. But I am more than up to that fight, Waters wrote in a letter last week to her Democratic colleagues on the committee that was obtained by The Times. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Heres how a controversial voting system will decide a congressional race in Maine By Kurtis Lee For the first time in U.S. history, a controversial voting system known as ranked choice is being used to decide a federal election. Its happening in Maine, which adopted the system in 2016. Rather than marking a single candidate, each voter ranks them all, assigning a first-place vote, a second-place vote and so on down the ballot. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print ACLU files suit to stop Trumps new asylum limits By Associated Press A group of Central American migrants march to the office of the U.N.'s humans rights body in Mexico City on Nov. 8. (Rebecca Blackwell / Associated Press) The American Civil Liberties Union has filed a legal challenge to President Trumps order denying asylum to migrants if they cross the U.S.-Mexico border illegally. The lawsuit was filed Friday in federal court in San Francisco and argues the new rules are against the law. Attorney Lee Gelernt said the regulations will put families in danger. The suit seeks to declare the regulations invalid and wants a judge to stop the rules from going into effect while the litigation is pending. The new rules were spurred in part by caravans of Central American migrants slowly moving north on foot, but officials say they will apply to anyone caught crossing illegally. Officials say about 70,000 people who enter the country illegally claim asylum. The order invoked the same national security powers Trump used to push through his travel ban. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Trump on new acting AG: I dont know Matt Whitaker By Associated Press President Trump talks with reporters before departing for France on the South Lawn of the White House on Nov. 9. (Evan Vucci / Associated Press) President Trump is moving to distance himself from Matthew Whitaker as he faces criticism over his choice for acting attorney general. Trump told reporters Friday that I dont know Matt Whitaker and said he didnt speak with Whitaker about special counsel Robert Muellers Russia investigation. Whitaker has made public comments critical of Muellers investigation, and critics have called on Whitaker to recuse himself from oversight of the inquiry. Under former Atty. Gen. Jeff Sessions, the investigation was overseen by Deputy Atty. Gen. Rod Rosenstein. Of the scrutiny Whitaker is facing, Trump said: Its a shame that no matter who I put in they go after. He also called Whitaker a very highly respected man. Whitaker was Sessions chief of staff before Trump made him Sessions interim replacement. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg out of hospital after fall By Associated Press The Supreme Court says 85-year-old Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is home after being released from the hospital. She had been admitted for treatment and observation after fracturing three ribs in a fall. The court said Ginsburg was released Friday. Supreme Court spokeswoman Kathy Arberg says she is doing well and working from home. The court had previously said the justice fell in her office at the court on Wednesday evening and went to George Washington University Hospital in Washington early Thursday after experiencing discomfort overnight. Ginsburg broke two ribs in a fall in 2012. She had two prior bouts with cancer and had a stent implanted to open a blocked artery in 2014. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Gun-control activist Lucy McBath defeats GOP Rep. Karen Handel in Georgia By Associated Press Lucy McBath speaks during a rally for Democratic gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams on Nov. 2 at Morehouse College in Atlanta. (Alyssa Pointer / Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP) Democratic gun-control activist Lucy McBath has defeated Republican Rep. Karen Handel of Georgia in a suburban congressional district long considered safe for the GOP. Handel had to seek reelection after winning her seat last year in a close special election race against Democrat Jon Ossoff. McBath became an advocate for stricter gun laws after her son, Jordan Davis, was fatally shot at a Florida gas station in 2012 by a man angry over loud music the teenager and his friends were playing in a car. McBaths margin of victory was narrow enough for Handel to have requested a recount. The Associated Press declared McBath the winner Thursday after Handel conceded. Handel conceded in a statement Thursday morning, stating that after reviewing all of the election data, its clear she came up a bit short in Tuesdays vote. Handel congratulated McBath, offering good thoughts and much prayer for the journey that lies ahead for her. McBath, who is African American, declared victory Wednesday. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg hospitalized after fracturing 3 ribs in fall By Associated Press Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg (Jacquelyn Martin / Associated Press) The Supreme Court says 85-year-old Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg fractured three ribs in a fall in her office at the court and is in the hospital. The court says the justice went to George Washington University Hospital in Washington early Thursday after experiencing discomfort overnight. The court says the fall occurred Wednesday evening. Ginsburg was admitted to the hospital for treatment and observation after tests showed she fractured three ribs. Ginsburg broke two ribs in a fall in 2012. She has had two prior bouts with cancer and had a stent implanted to open a blocked artery in 2014. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print White House suspends press pass of CNNs Jim Acosta after heated exchange with Trump By Associated Press The White House on Wednesday suspended the press pass of CNN correspondent Jim Acosta after he and President Trump had a heated confrontation during a news conference. They began sparring after Acosta asked Trump about the caravan of migrants heading from Latin America to the southern U.S. border. When Acosta tried to follow up with another question, Trump said, Thats enough! and a female White House aide unsuccessfully tried to grab the microphone from Acosta. White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders released a statement accusing Acosta of placing his hands on a young woman just trying to do her job as a White House intern, calling it absolutely unacceptable. The interaction between Acosta and the intern was brief, and Acosta appeared to brush her arm as she reached for the microphone and he tried to hold onto it. Pardon me, maam, he told her. Acosta tweeted that Sanders statement that he put his hands on the aide was a lie. CNN said in a statement that the White House revoked Acostas press pass in retaliation for his challenging questions Wednesday, and the network accused Sanders of lying about Acostas actions. This conduct is absolutely unacceptable. It is also completely disrespectful to the reporters colleagues not to allow them an opportunity to ask a question. President Trump has given the press more access than any President in history. Stephanie Grisham (@PressSec) November 8, 2018 Contrary to CNNs assertions there is no greater demonstration of the Presidents support for a free press than the event he held today. Only they would attack the President for not supporting a free press in the midst of him taking 68 questions from 35 different reporters... Stephanie Grisham (@PressSec) November 8, 2018 As a result of todays incident, the White House is suspending the hard pass of the reporter involved until further notice. Stephanie Grisham (@PressSec) November 8, 2018 Sanders provided fraudulent accusations and cited an incident that never happened. This unprecedented decision is a threat to our democracy and the country deserves better, CNN said. Jim Acosta has our full support. Journalists assigned to cover the White House apply for passes that allow them daily access to press areas in the West Wing. White House staffers decide whether journalists are eligible, though the Secret Service determines whether their applications are approved. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Trump spars with reporters at post-election news briefing, ordering several to sit down By Associated Press President Trump assails CNNs Jim Acosta at a White House news conference. President Trump sparred with reporters at his post-election news conference, ordering several to sit down and telling another hes a rude, terrible person. He told another reporter hes not a fan of yours, either. The presidents mood turned sour Wednesday after reporters pressed him on why he referred to a migrant caravan making its way to the U.S. on foot through Mexico as an invasion. Trump ramped up his anti-immigrant rhetoric against the caravan in the final days of the midterm elections. Trump was also pressed on why his campaign aired an ad featuring a Mexican immigrant convicted of killing American police officers and linking the mans actions to the caravan. Several television networks pulled the ad after airing it or declined to air it at all. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Im living one hour at a time at this point By Christine Mai-Duc Republican congressional candidate Young Kim and gubernatorial candidate John Cox campaign in Rowland Heights. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times) Republican congressional candidate Young Kim greeted gubernatorial candidate John Coxs giant campaign bus, the words HELP IS ON THE WAY emblazoned across it, as it rolled into the parking lot outside her Rowland Heights field office. Standing beside Cox on Saturday, Kim predicted that a string of GOP victories Tuesday would start with voters repealing the gas tax hike. Can you imagine Gavin Newsom being our governor? Can you imagine Gil Cisneros being your representative? Kim asked the crowd, to loud boos and cries of Nooo! The former state assemblywoman who worked for retiring Rep. Ed Royce (R-Fullerton) is vying for his seat with Democrat Gil Cisneros. She led the crowd in chants of Enough is enough! and, though short-lived, Drain the swamp! Ive served you in Sacramento and Ive seen dysfunction personally, Kim continued. We cannot continue that route. She urged her supporters to stay and help make phone calls or walk neighborhoods. Lets get out there the 72 hours is really critical. Its all going to come down to a few votes, it could be your vote, she said pointing to her left, then pivoting right, it could be your vote. So dont sit back and do nothing. Every night I go to sleep thinking, OK, how many more votes can I get or how many more people can I call tomorrow? Kim said. It can be physically exhausting but Im mentally, emotionally very energized. She listed off her events so far that day and the next one she was heading to. Thats just what I can remember, she said. Im living one hour at a time at this point. Kims campaign invited press to two of her events on Saturday. After she was whisked away to her next event a high tea fundraiser in Walnut, a couple dozen volunteers remained. John Freeman, a statewide field manager for the state Republican Party, tried to pump them up. This is the Super Bowl. Were not in an NFL stadium, were not getting paid millions of dollars, but you know what? Freeman said. Were walking on the field right now. This is that high-stakes-level game. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Its going to be tough out there Democratic candidate Katie Porter speaks to volunteers in Mission Viejo. Jon Bauman, Bowzer from the band Sha Na Na, is in the background. (Victoria Kim / Los Angeles Times ) Judging from the cheers in the crowd, about half those assembled at Katie Porters campaign headquarters in Mission Viejo Sunday morning were old enough to remember 70s rock n roll star Bowzer from the band Sha Na Na. Jon Bauman, as Bowzer is known off stage, said it was her position on senior issues including retirement and social security that has him out supporting Porter over her opponent, incumbent Rep. Mimi Walters. I want you to make sure every phone is called and every door is knocked, he told the crowd of about 80 volunteers. There has never been a more important election. Both Bauman and his nephew, California Democratic Party Chairman Eric Bauman, were interrupted by yells from Trump supporters coming from an adjoining hillside. We love Trump, the voice cried out. We love him too, he makes great fodder, the younger Bauman retorted, before introducing Porter. Porter, a UC Irvine law professor and first-time candidate, acknowledged the uphill battle some of her canvassers might face in this more conservative end of the long-red Orange County district. I know its going to be tough out there, she said, motioning to the hillside. But she said the attacks meant the other side viewed her campaign as a significant threat. This election is going to be close, she said. If we dont fight all the way to the finish line, until 8 oclock on Tuesday, this could slip away. Bowzer then took to a keyboard piano to lead the crowd in a reworded rendition of the song Good Night Sweetheart: Good night, Mimi Walters, he crooned. A woman in a black tank top, jeans and flip flops holding a cup of coffee later joined the crowd with her two sons, 17 and 14, the younger one wearing a Trump 2016 T-shirt. She declined to give her name, saying she was concerned about being attacked, but said she lived up the hill and said she had been the one yelling. She said she was encouraging her sons to talk to people on both sides and make up their own minds. We need to have a government that runs the way government teachers are telling kids its supposed to be run, said the woman, a retired registered dental assistant who voted early for Mimi Walters. Referring to Democrats, she said: Theyve had control over all these years and Californias gone to crap. Among those canvassing was Stacie Campbell, 37, who was at the launch with her husband Jerome and three children, the youngest of whom was 2 months old. Campbell, a Mission Viejo resident who runs a business, had never canvassed or volunteered for campaigns before, and her husband is a French citizen and unable to vote. She said they had been talking to their children the older ones are 5 and 2 about the presidency and the government since Trumps election. Together, they worked on homemade Katie Porter lawn signs and put them up around town. This is the first time its felt like a big deal and there isnt a president up for election, she said. Because her city is a mix of conservatives and liberals her next-door neighbor is an NRA-supporting Republican she the race felt m Hard on the heels of firing his secretary of State, President Trump is preparing another shake-up, moving toward replacing his national security advisor, H.R. McMaster. The three-star Army general has been widely seen as a calming force in a chaotic West Wing, but never clicked with the commander in chief. A decision to replace him has long been rumored, and now seems increasingly imminent. How long McMaster might stay at the White House remains unclear. Two White House officials said Trump might want to keep McMaster in the job until after a meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, which is planned for May. McMaster has told aides he would not return to the military, even if offered a fourth star. He plans to stay in the job as long as the president wants him serve, he has said. Advertisement White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders sent a message on Twitter Thursday evening, as reports spread that Trump was preparing to replace McMaster, insisting that the two have a good working relationship. There are no changes at the NSC, Sanders wrote a statement that conspicuously did not rule out the possibility that change could come soon. Just spoke to @POTUS and Gen. H.R. McMaster - contrary to reports they have a good working relationship and there are no changes at the NSC. Sarah Sanders (@PressSec) March 16, 2018 A move to replace McMaster would come as the Trump administration faces weighty decisions on a range of global issues, including whether to abandon the multinational nuclear deal with Iran and how to confront North Korea over its nuclear missile program. While Trump liked to boast about my generals a group that included White House Chief of Staff John F. Kelly, Defense Secretary James N. Mattis and McMaster the president did not develop a rapport with the national security advisor, by many insiders accounts. In Oval Office meetings, McMaster was said to bore and irritate Trump by meticulously laying out the pros and cons on major policy questions. Over time, however, Trump also developed a grudging respect for McMaster, seeing him as an honest broker between warring factions in the Cabinet, and one of the few advisors willing to tell him things he didnt want to hear, according to two White House officials who described the relationship on grounds of anonymity. Yet that candor, and McMasters occasional slow-walking of Trump orders that the national security team thought ill-advised, made for some tense moments that provoked Trump to explode at McMaster. The advisor was within the blast radius of the presidents not infrequent anger, a senior national security official said, because McMaster saw Trump nearly every day. Advertisement Mattis similarly has bucked or demurred on some of the presidents policy orders, yet relative to McMaster he has been protected from Trumps direct ire by the distance between the West Wing and the Pentagon and their less-frequent meetings. McMaster also has seemed to be a casualty of a shoot-the-messenger tendency on Trumps part, caught in the middle between the president and the machinations of the other main players on the national security team Mattis and, until this week, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson as they sought to keep a lid on actions they didnt want Trump to take, according to White House officials. That put McMaster in the crossfire in dealing with Trumps demands for bold but fraught policy actions like exiting the Iran deal, punishing Pakistan for not more aggressively going after militant groups and moving the U.S. Embassy in Israel to Jerusalem. McMaster came to the White House to head the National Security Council just over a year ago, in February 2017, replacing Michael Flynn, the former military intelligence officer who had been Trumps national security aide during the campaign. Advertisement Flynn was fired within weeks of Trumps inauguration, ostensibly for lying to Vice President Mike Pence about conversations that Flynn had with Russias ambassador to the U.S., Sergey Kislyak, during the transition. The conversations included discussions about Obama administration sanctions on Russia for meddling in the 2016 campaign, something Flynn had denied. Flynns short tenure in the White House had been seen as disruptive and disorganized. When McMaster arrived, he studied how previous national security advisors had operated and how President Eisenhower had envisioned the role of the director when he created the White House National Security Council. That scholarly approach was typical of a man who in 1997 published a widely read book, Dereliction of Duty, based on his doctoral thesis and critical of American strategy and military leadership during the Vietnam War. Coming after Flynn, McMaster saw his role less as advocating for certain positions and more as serving as an honest broker for other advisors and agencies, bringing options to the president and explaining what might happen depending on which course Trump chose. Advertisement In recent weeks, McMaster played a central role in responding to messages from South Korea about North Koreas willingness to meet with the U.S. officials. He had developed a working relationship with his South Korean counterpart, Chung Eui-yong, and the two met frequently over the last year on the edges of international forums in Germany, Vietnam and New York, along with Japanese officials also concerned by Kims nuclear weapons program. Twitter: @ByBrianBennett brian.bennett@latimes.com UPDATES: Advertisement 7:35 p.m.: The article was updated with a statement from White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders. The article was originally published at 6:55 p.m. In theory, Democrats hoping to win back congressional control have two of their best shots in California, where two Republicans are retiring from racially diverse districts that have been trending against the GOP. Its actually a lot more complicated. There are 13 Democrats running to replace Reps. Ed Royce (R-Fullerton) and Darrell Issa (R-Vista) in the 39th and 49th congressional districts, and Democrats are panicked the top-two primary could prevent them from even making the November ballot. When Royce and Issa said they would head to the exits, that invited new candidacies from multiple Republicans, many with more experience than the Democratic contenders. In a year when Democrats must flip 24 Republican House seats to reclaim the majority, every race counts. The California contests in Orange County and northern San Diego should be low-hanging fruit, since both districts chose Hillary Clinton for president in 2016. The crowded races and the top-two primary back the results far less certain. Heres a quick look at the candidates who have filed to run in the June 5 primary in the 39th and 49th congressional districts and the descriptions that will appear after their names on the ballot, along with brief biographies of each compiled by The Times. The California Secretary of States office must certify the candidates before they can appear on the ballot. Advertisement Track the California races that could flip the House 39th Congressional District Nine Democrats, seven Republicans, two independents and two members of the American Independent Party have filed to run to replace Royce, a 13-term congressman who is chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee. The district is mostly in northeast Orange County but also straddles east Los Angeles County and San Bernardino and includes the cities of Fullerton, Diamond Bar and Yorba Linda. Phil Janowicz and Jay Chen, two Democrats who had previously announced campaigns, cited the concerns about the top-two system as they ended their candidacies. The ballot: Ted M. Alemayhu, American Independent Party, Social Entrepreneur Alemayhu lists his occupation as founder of U.S. Doctors for Africa, a Los Angeles-based nonprofit whose mission is to increase access to medical care there. An immigrant from Ethiopia, Alemayhu lives in Los Angeles. Sophia Alexander, American Independent Party, (ballot designation pending) Alexander says she is a lifelong Democrat but is running under the American Independent Party to troll the ultra-conservative organization. Born in Denver and raised in Wichita, Kansas, Alexander is a Navy veteran and is transgender. Gil Cisneros, Democrat, Veterans Education Advocate Advertisement Cisneros is a Navy veteran and worked as a shipping manager at Frito-Lay until he and his wife won a $266 million jackpot in 2010. The couple have been heavily involved in philanthropy, particularly in the areas of education and Latino youth. Steve Cox, No Party Preference, (ballot designation pending) A freelance photojournalist, Cox lives in Chino, just outside the district. A former Republican, Cox has been an independent for about 15 years and is a self-described Berniecrat. John J. Cullum, Republican, Business Owner/Accountant Advertisement Cullum is an accountant and longtime resident of Placentia. He ran twice against former Rep. Loretta Sanchez (D-Orange), never advancing past the primary. Where were California GOP candidates Tuesday? Not with Trump Bob Huff, Republican, Small Business Owner A former state legislator, Huff served as the state Senate Republican leader from 2012-2015. He narrowly lost in the primary for a seat on the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors in 2016 and is now a policy consultant. Advertisement Sam Jammal, Democrat, Civil Rights Attorney Jammal is a former congressional staffer and appointee in then-President Obamas Commerce Department who most recently worked as legal counsel for Tesla. He also previously worked at the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund after graduating from law school in 2007. Young Kim, Republican, Small Business Owner Kim, an immigrant from South Korea, is a former state assemblywoman who was ousted from her swing district by a Democrat in 2016. Kim dropped her bid for Orange County supervisor to run for Congress and has been endorsed by Royce (her former boss) to replace him. Advertisement Herbert H. Lee, Democrat, Physician/Associate Professor Lee is a gastroenterologist and former UC Irvine Medical School professor. Born and raised in Taiwan, Lee now lives in Rowland Heights. Suzi Park Leggett, Democrat, (ballot designation pending) Leggett is the widow of Robert Leggett, a former Northern California congressman who retired in scandal in the 1970s. She owned and ran a deli in Costa Mesa until 2005. Advertisement Phil Liberatore, Republican, Taxpayer Advocate/Businessman Liberatore is a certified public accountant who lives in Whittier, part of Rep. Linda Sanchezs district. He ran for Congress in 2010 and 2012, never making it past the primary. Camilla Kuo Liou, Democrat, Businesswoman Liou is a former financial advisor who lives in Walnut. She has a bachelors degree in political science from UCLA and an MBA from the University of Chicago. Advertisement Shawn Nelson, Republican, Orange County Supervisor An attorney by trade, Nelson is an Orange County supervisor and former mayor of Fullerton. About half of Nelsons current district lies within the 39th District and he has the backing of neighboring GOP Rep. Dana Rohrabacher, locked in his own competitive race. Ted Rusk, Democrat, Business Owner Rusk owns a commercial construction company and lives in Cerritos. Born and raised in Indiana, he moved to California in 2001. Advertisement Andrew Sarega, Republican, La Mirada City Councilman Sarega is a La Mirada City Councilman and a former Newport Beach police officer. He lives outside the 39th District and holds a bachelors degree in criminal justice from CSU Fullerton. Karen Lee Schatzle, No party preference, Deputy District Attorney Schatzle is a prosecutor in Orange County and lives in Orange, outside the 39th. She ran and lost against an Orange County Superior Court judge in 2016, and later filed a $5 million claim against the county, saying she was denied promotions as retaliation. Advertisement Cybil Steed, Democrat, (ballot designation pending) Steed is running under a pseudonym due to privacy concerns. Her legal name is Camille Hart and shes a Los Angeles-based writer and wife of musician Mark Hart of Crowded House fame. Andy Thorburn, Democrat, Healthcare Educator/Entrepreneur Thorburn is a health insurance executive who lives in Villa Park, just outside the 39th District. Born in Brooklyn, Thorburn was a classroom teacher in the 1970s before entering the private sector. Advertisement Mai Khanh Tran, Democrat, Doctor/Mother/Teacher Tran is a pediatrician with a private practice in Orange County. A Vietnamese refugee who came to the country as a young child, Tran lives in Yorba Linda and has the backing of Emilys List. Steven C. Vargas, Republican, Councilman/Safety Specialist Vargas is a Brea city councilman and safety specialist at the El Segundo Refinery. A Navy veteran who is now an officer in the Navy Reserves, Vargas served a one-year deployment in Iraq. Advertisement On the Democrats side, Tran, Thorburn, Jammal and Cisneros have raised the most money while Republicans Huff, Kim and Nelson as current and former elected officials are well-known to local voters. Here are two sentences about every candidate running against incumbent Republicans in Southern California 49th Congressional District Four Democrats, eight Republicans, a Libertarian, an independent, a Peace & Freedom Party member and a Green Party member have filed to run in the district, which runs along the coast from Dana Point in Orange County to Solana Beach and Del Mar in San Diego County. Issa, who served nine terms, was barely reelected in 2016. His victory was the closest margin in the country. Doug Applegate, Democrat, Attorney/Father/Business-owner Advertisement Applegate is an attorney and retired Marine Corps colonel. An early Bernie Sanders supporter in the 2016 election, he came just 1,621 votes short of defeating Issa in 2016. Rocky Chavez, Republican, Retired Marine Colonel Chavez was elected to the state Assembly in 2012 and represents more than 60% of voters in the 49th District. A retired Marine Corps colonel, Chavez is considered a moderate Republican and has been endorsed by former Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger. Kristin Gaspar, Republican, Supervisor/Small Businessowner Advertisement Gaspar is a first-term Orange County supervisor and former Encinitas city councilwoman. She is the former CFO of a physical therapy practice that her husband owns and operates and has been endorsed by Royce. Joshua L. Hancock, Libertarian, (ballot designation pending) Hancock lives in Oceanside and works in nuclear security at the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station. Born and raised in Washington state, Hancock is a Marine Corps veteran and served with the Military Police at Camp Pendleton. California Democrats agree they have too many candidates for Congress. What to do about them is the problem Advertisement Diane L. Harkey, Republican, Taxpayer Representative/Businesswoman Harkey is chair of the state Board of Equalization, an elected position that covers all of the constituents in the 49th District. A former state legislator, Harkey has Issas endorsement. Sara Jacobs, Democrat, Education Nonprofit Director Jacobs, 29, was most recently CEO of a nonprofit focused on global internet connectivity and was an unpaid staff policy advisor for the Hillary Clinton presidential campaign in 2016. The granddaughter of Qualcomm founder Irwin Jacobs, she would be the youngest-ever female member of Congress if elected. Advertisement Paul Kerr, Democrat, Small Business Owner Kerr is a real estate investor and U.S. Navy veteran from Rancho Santa Fe. Born in Baltimore, he has a degree in economics from San Diego State University. Mike Levin, Democrat, Clean Energy Advocate Levin most recently managed government affairs for a fuel cell company and was founder of a nonprofit focused on bringing clean technology to Orange County. Levin is also an attorney and served on the national finance committee for the Clinton presidential campaign in 2016. Advertisement Brian Maryott, Republican, Mayor Pro Tem Maryott is a certified financial planner and a San Juan Capistrano city councilman. He is a former regional executive for Wells Fargo. David Medway, Republican, Physician/Business Owner Medway is a physician and weight-loss consultant from Carlsbad. He has a bachelors degree in psychology from UCLA and graduated from medical school at George Washington University. Advertisement Jordan P. Mills, Peace & Freedom, Professor Mills is a professor in communications and social science at Southwestern University in Chula Vista. A self-proclaimed socialist, he lives in Carlsbad. Craig Nordal, Republican, Real Estate Businessman Nordal owns a real estate appraisal firm and lives in Encinitas. A supporter of President Trump, he says he would seek to be part of the congressional tea party and Freedom Caucus if elected. Advertisement Robert Pendleton, No Party Preference, Surgeon/Biochemist/Businessman Pendleton is an ophthalmologist with a private practice in Oceanside. He is currently attempting to qualify the K9 Party, which he bills as an alternative moderate political party for the California ballot in 2020. Mike Schmitt, Republican, Neuroaudiologist/Small Businessman Schmitt is a healthcare provider who helps treat auditory nervous system disorders. Born and raised in the San Gabriel Valley, Schmitt recently moved to Dana Point. Advertisement Joshua Schoonover, Republican, Patent Attorney Schoonover is a patent attorney with a practice in Carlsbad. Born in Long Beach and raised in Riverside County, Schoonover has been in the San Diego area since college. Danielle St. John, Green, Mother/Activist/Advocate St. John is a stay-at-home mom and activist. A lifelong Democrat, she was a Bernie Sanders supporter who switched to the Green Party because of her anger over the 2016 presidential primary. Advertisement Many of the candidates have joined the race in the last two months, but Jacobs, Levin and Kerr have raised the most money to date, while Applegate enjoys high name recognition from his run in 2016. As elected officials, Chavez and Harkey are well-known to voters in the area. christine.maiduc@latimes.com For more on California politics, follow @cmaiduc. ALSO Advertisement Updates on California politics Can limiting the amount of nicotine in cigarettes keep people from getting addicted to smoking? The FDA thinks it just might. This week, Commissioner Scott Gottlieb announced that the agency is taking steps to cap the amount of nicotine in combustible tobacco products. Its the first time in its history that the FDA has attempted to regulate what can or cannot be in a cigarette. Research suggests the strategy could work. Gottlieb cited an FDA study in the New England Journal of Medicine that found new regulations could prompt millions of Americans to quit smoking and drive the smoking rate down from 15% today to as low as 1.4%. Former California Congressman Henry Waxman, who famously grilled tobacco company CEOs during congressional hearings in the 1990s, applauded the announcement. It is clear nicotine is what keeps people smoking, said Waxman, a former smoker. Its a drug that is delivered when cigarettes are inhaled and the reason why so many people find it impossible or difficult to give them up. Waxman spoke with the Los Angeles Times about the significance of the proposed regulations, how they might improve public health, and why hes not in favor of banning nicotine altogether. Is limiting the amount of nicotine in cigarettes a good strategy? I think if this could be implemented, it could be a tremendous boon for public health. Many people would like to give up smoking, and this may be one of the ways to do it. Are there any downsides? What I fear is that some people think that we should make cigarettes so unattractive that smokers will turn to other substances like vaping products in order to get their nicotine input. I have real questions about trying to get people to quit one habit to take up another, even if in theory it is less dangerous. Legislation you helped craft said the FDA is not allowed to ban nicotine entirely. Why? We did not want to support the prohibition of nicotine. Prohibition of alcohol failed, and banning nicotine from cigarettes, which is the product smokers enjoy, would have amounted to a prohibition as well. We wanted the FDA to look at whether cigarette smoking could still be enjoyable with less nicotine. That was our thinking on it. Has the FDA ever regulated ingredients in cigarettes before? No. It has only had the power to regulate cigarettes since 2009 because Republicans blocked legislation to give the FDA that legal authority for years. Obama was willing to sign legislation to give the FDA regulatory power over cigarettes. But they have never used it to designate the amount of any ingredients in cigarettes. Is it hard to reduce the amount of nicotine in cigarettes? In our investigations in Congress, we found out that cigarette companies were manipulating the nicotine levels in cigarettes to make them more addictive to people. If they can change nicotine levels to make them higher, they can certainly do it to make them lower. How hard is it going to be for the FDA to implement these new rules, if they go into place? This action could be taken by the FDA without further legislation or approval by Congress. But a regulation can always be reviewed to see if the scientific record backs it up. Still, this is a big step, and I want to congratulate Dr. Gottlieb for taking it. It means he is taking this matter seriously. This interview has been edited for length and clarity. 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. deborah.netburn@latimes.com Do you love science? I do! Follow me @DeborahNetburn and "like" Los Angeles Times Science & Health on Facebook. MORE IN SCIENCE In a first, the FDA announces its intention to reduce the amount of nicotine allowed in cigarettes Evolve or die: Why our human ancestors learned to be social more than 320,000 years ago By vibrating the muscles, engineers produce a better prosthetic hand In the days since Stephen Hawkings death, obituaries have described him as being confined or chained to a wheelchair, as someone who overcame his disability and succeeded in spite of it. None of those things are true. Stephen Hawking had a disability, and Stephen Hawking used a wheelchair. His work was possible because of those things, not in spite of them. In fact, Hawking a tireless advocate for disability rights when he wasnt busy unlocking the secrets of the universe viewed those things as a positive. My disabilities have not been a significant handicap in my field, which is theoretical physics, he wrote in Science Digest in 1984. Indeed, they have helped me in a way by shielding me from lecturing and administrative work that I would otherwise have been involved in. Advertisement From the time he was 20 until his death Wednesday at the age of 76, Hawking suffered from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. More commonly known as Lou Gehrigs disease, it is a progressive neurological disorder that prevents the brain from controlling the voluntary muscles throughout the body. People with disabilities and advocates for disability rights have been particularly chagrined by one image making the rounds on social media: an upright man silhouetted against a backdrop of stars, with an empty wheelchair in the foreground. It has been frequently accompanied by references to Hawking finally being able to walk among the stars or being free of his wheelchair. The image makes it seem like every disabled person dreams of shedding their disability, said Virginia Knowlton Marcus, the director of legal advocacy for Disability Rights California. I think that able-bodied people often see the technology disabled people use as a burden, she said. His wheelchair was his tool. He wheeled all over Cambridge. It wasnt a burden. Andrew Gurza, a disability rights awareness consultant and freelance writer in Toronto, said he was disturbed to see Hawkings disability a major part of his life and who he was functionally erased in the drawing. In a piece for Mens Health, Gurza, who hosts a podcast about sex and disability called Disability After Dark, explained why he was bothered by the image. As a fellow wheelchair user, these kinds of depictions, while perhaps well-intentioned, sting, he wrote. I wouldnt want someone to erase my identity as a disabled person in my death, as it is a huge intrinsic part of who I am and how I see the world around me. It is unfair that in order for us to celebrate his life, we feel it necessary to remove a part of who Stephen Hawking was: a disabled man. Advertisement In an interview with The Times, Gurza said using a wheelchair gives you a unique perspective on the world, and that its possible Hawking wouldnt have come up with the theories he did if he hadnt had a disability. His disability probably lent itself to him becoming such a great mind, probably more than most people, Gurza said. Maybe [Hawking] wouldnt have written this book, maybe he wouldnt have thought about all these things if he werent disabled. Showing Hawking leaving his wheelchair behind implies that being in a wheelchair is something to escape. But Hawkings wheelchair didnt confine him. With a sophisticated onboard computer, it enabled him to work, to travel, to write and to lecture. Gretchen Schreiber is a professional reader for a production company in Los Angeles, and she has a disability (though not one that limits her mobility). She wrote on Facebook about the troubling implications of sentiments like Hawking being free of his chair, describing them as passive ableism. Advertisement Wheelchairs are modes of transport and allow people to be part of the community and part of the world, and essentially be free, Schreiber told The Times. So to turn it on its head as if it were some sort of prison, confinement when its actually the opposite is really sad and a misunderstanding of what the disabled community can do and add to the world. Disability is about the failure of the environment to be adapted to people with disabilities. USC professor Alison Dundes Renteln In the foreword to a 2011 World Health Organization report on the global state of disability rights, Hawking wrote about a shared moral duty to remove barriers to participation for disabled people. He addressed the United Nations in support of a treaty called the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. (It was adopted by the U.N. in 2006, but fell six votes short of being ratified by the U.S. Senate in 2012.) He knew that he was a symbol, not only for the pursuit of knowledge about science but for people with disabilities, said Alison Dundes Renteln, a political science professor at USC who helped with the drafting and implementation of the treaty. She said Hawking wanted everyone to know that people with disabilities could live full lives, just like he had, if they had the right tools and support. Advertisement Disability is about the failure of the environment to be adapted to people with disabilities, Renteln said: If a person who uses a wheelchair cant access a scientific laboratory or a library because there arent ramps or the aisles arent wide enough, thats the fault of the lab or library, not the wheelchair user. Hawking spent his last months speaking out against potential cuts to Britains National Health Service and working on a lawsuit against Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt. Everybody assumes that a disability is a negative or somehow undesirable, said Knowlton Marcus of Disability Rights California. Disability is part of the normal, natural human diversity, and if we all could just accept that simple fact, it would be a giant step toward paving the way to more inclusion of people with disabilities. We live in an ableist society that really marginalizes so much human potential. A few years ago, Intel gave Stephen Hawking a fully upgraded communication system. He turned down one change: the option to have a less robotic-sounding voice. Advertisement Hawking said the synthesized voice hed used since the 1980s was his voice, and he saw no reason to change it. jessica.roy@latimes.com Follow me on Twitter @jessica_roy and like Los Angeles Times Science & Health on Facebook. MORE IN SCIENCE Advertisement By vibrating the muscles, engineers produce a better prosthetic hand Evolve or die: Why our human ancestors learned to be social more than 320,000 years ago Move over, Neanderthals: Our ancestors mated with Denisovans not once but twice, scientists say Finding solutions to the housing shortfall in Burbank has been a difficult task for its City Council and has proven to be a challenging topic for a group of high school students. The John Burroughs High School chapter of Junior States of America gathered inside the council chamber at Burbank City Hall Wednesday afternoon to hold a mock council meeting. On their agenda was a discussion of the lack of affordable housing in their city. Sophomore Jaden Gerard was the mayor for the meeting and senior Oliver Eccleston served as vice mayor. Junior Gabija Petrulis and seniors Kody Fields and Nickolas Markou played the remaining three council members. The pseudo council members duked it out with sophomores Ari Kretz and Rawan Markarem, who were portraying two city staff members. Ari and Rawan had a few suggestions they thought could help address the housing issue in the city. They suggested more housing in the Downtown and Media districts as well as in the proposed Golden State Specific Plan area just east of Hollywood Burbank Airport. The teens serving as mock council members voted unanimously to support this plan and added that parking in these areas should be studied as well. Their staff members suggested the city should look into home sharing, in which seniors living in single-family homes would be given the incentive to sell their house and live with other seniors in another house or a retirement home. The idea was to free up these houses so they could be put back into the market, but the council members thought it was not feasible. There are senior living residences all across Burbank and other adjoining cities, Gabija said. I see the validity of [this proposal], but I dont think that we should make it a priority. Sitting in the gallery that afternoon were some of Burbanks elected council members: Mayor Will Rogers, Vice Mayor Emily Gabel-Luddy and Councilwoman Sharon Springer. They were joined by City Manager Ron Davis and Assistant City Manager Justin Hess. The group of city officials listened intently to what the students had to say, and they chuckled every once in a while when the mock city council fumbled the procedures. Its fascinating to see that they go through very much the same thought process and steps as we do, Rogers said. They come up with something that sounds like a great idea, but they poke it a few times and figure out that it wont work and end up picking something more practical. The mayor added that seeing the students take an interest in local politics reassures himself about the future of the city. It just makes you proud theyre from Burbank and that you hope they stay, Rogers said. Jaden said after the meeting that she was excited to see her local council members attend the mock meeting and thought she and her classmates had a great discussion about affordable housing. She said she is ready even at her sophomore grade level to be more active now within the community and local politics to make Burbank a better place for residents like herself and those who come to visit. Change needs to start at a local level, she said. The main issues that people talk about every day should be answered with local legislation here in Burbank, or let our representatives know about how much we care about it so they can take it to the higher-ups. Eccleston, who is the president of the John Burroughs Junior State of America chapter, said he aspires to be involved with local government in any way he can, whether as a city planner or council member. Affordable housing, Eccleston said, was not too big of a topic for a group of high schoolers to tackle, explaining that it will be his generation that endures whatever decisions policy makers choose. If we start now, we can maybe work toward a better, cheaper and more equal future, he said. Were going to be the ones buying houses, renting and possibly owning property one day, so it would be nice to have a voice in my future in Burbank. anthonyclark.carpio@latimes.com Twitter: @acocarpio Two men were arrested Tuesday morning on suspicion of committing a series of vehicle burglaries in Burbank, according to authorities. Police were called to the 700 block of Priscilla Lane around 2:30 a.m. after residents in the neighborhood noticed two men with flashlights were peering into parked vehicles. Sgt. Derek Green, a spokesman with the Burbank Police Department, said the two men were soon detained by officers and were found to be in possession of personal items belonging to other people including IDs and credit cards. In addition to the items, Green said the men also had tools that were more than likely used in committing the car break-ins. He added that additional thefts occurred in the 800 block of North Rose Street, the 600 block of Priscilla Lane and the 500 block of Toluca Park Drive. NEWS RELEASE: Duo Arrested Following String of Thefts from Motor Vehicles - Read about it here: https://t.co/xBakmHDAZn pic.twitter.com/EbmNW7qO2M Burbank Police (@BurbankPD) March 16, 2018 The two were later identified as 19-year-old Niryn Mitchell of Los Angeles and 20-year-old Timothy Montgomery from Panorama City. They have been each charged with three counts of possessing personal information of another person with the intent to defraud, two counts of receiving stolen property, two counts of possessing another persons credit card without their consent and one count of possessing burglary tools. Mitchell and Montgomery are currently out on bail and are scheduled to reappear in court on March 29. andy.nguyen@latimes.com Twitter: @Andy_Truc Keys on Main, a new dueling piano bar at the Triangle in Costa Mesa, is offering a mix of music, levity and an interactive audience experience. The club, which debuted March 9, was filled to near capacity for its grand opening in the ground-level space at the Triangle commercial complex at Harbor and Newport boulevards. We do it better than anyone else has ever done it and we pride ourselves on just that, sad Bradley Scott, Keys on Main general manager. Its dueling pianos elevated as like never before. It works this way: Two pianos are positioned center stage, facing each other, for the all-request show. Lets say you want to hear some Billy Joel. You write a request and hand it to one of the keyboardists along with, perhaps, a $10 bill. The musicians start playing Piano Man, but then another audience member delivers a note requesting the duet stops playing Piano Man with $15. Say goodbye to Piano Man. A patron dances on the stage as George Hasenohrl, center, and Aaron Buckner play during the opening of Keys on Main in Costa Mesa on March 9. (Scott Smeltzer / Staff Photographer ) People love choice, said Katerina Malacova, 38, of Costa Mesa, who attended the Keys on Main opening with some friends. I think that is the main point here. Finally, we get to say what we want to hear. Interaction is pivotal. Keys on Main owner, founder and lifelong musician George Hasenohrl, 38, was one of four keyboardists who manned a piano for the clubs opening night. Having four pianists allows them to take breaks without music ever stopping. Were having fun and its still early, said Russell Long, an architect from Huntington Beach, who was celebrating his birthday at the grand opening along with friends. Its exceeded our expectations. These two guys by their mannerisms and facial expressions when they sing they care about what they do. Josh Skillman, 30, is friends with the keyboardists and flew down from Seattle, Wash., to attend the opening. Skillman plunked a $100 bill down on the piano so the duet would stop playing Madonnas Like a Virgin. I just dont like the song, he said. Patrons seem to be enjoying the opening of Keys on Main, Orange Countys only dueling piano bar, on March 9. (Scott Smeltzer / Staff Photographer ) Hasenohrl, who goes by the stage name George Kelly, is a native of Salt Lake City, Utah. At 18, he and some friends sneaked into the Bar at Times Square, a dueling piano bar in the New York, New York Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas. After seeing that show, I thought, wow, playing and singing that is the cool thing, Hasenohrl said. At 22, Hasenohrl took a gig at a new dueling Piano Bar in Salt Lake City, where he spent the next five years mastering the role as a both a player and entertainer. It was a small, dive bar place and I thought we could really do this with more of a nightclub feel, Hasenohrl said. We could make it classier, a little bigger and give people some more elbow room. Hasenohrl opened the first Keys on Main in Salt Lake City almost 10 years ago. It was a raging success, he said. He purchased piano bars in Seattle and Tacoma, Wash., and patterned them after the Salt Lake City location. About two years ago, Hasenohrl was looking to open a fourth Keys on Main when he discovered the available Triangle space recently occupied by a shuttered Gap store. The 21-and-older Keys on Main features light fare and a full bar with craft beers, wine options and menu of cocktails with musically-inspired names, including Bohemian Rhapsody and Lady Gaga, among others. Keys on Main is at the Triangle, 1870 Harbor Blvd., Costa Mesa. For more information, call (714) 619-9850 or visit keysonmain.com. George Hasenohrl, left, and Aaron Buckner play off each other during the opening of Keys on Main on March 9. (Scott Smeltzer / Staff Photographer ) Lou Ponsi is a contributor to Times Community News. One of Los Angeles quintessential rock bands is visiting Chapman Universitys Musco Center for the Arts for a less amplified, more stripped down performance. Los Lobos the veteran quintet from East L.A. that mixes rock, blues, Tex Mex, folk, country, R & B and traditional Spanish and Mexican music will perform at 4 p.m. Sunday at the 2-year-old concert hall, which was designed specifically to highlight its nimble, sensitive acoustics. The group, founded in 1973, will perform selections from its most recent record, Gates of Gold (2015), as well as songs from its 2013 album, Los Lobos: Disconnected in New York City. That record is acoustic, not electric, said Steve Berlin, saxophone player for Los Lobos and occasional producer for the band, about the latter live collection. Its not quite unplugged, but its certainly not electric. Theres more texture to the songs. You get to hear the quality of the songwriting its certainly different when theres a three-electric guitar onslaught. The lyrics sometimes get obscured beneath all the volume. Los Lobos will take a similar disconnected approach during its concert at Musco, a student-focused venue that hasnt really hosted any straight-ahead rock bands up to this point. Australian blues, funk and soul band the Teskey Brothers will open Sundays show. Berlin joined Los Lobos at the invitation of producer T-Bone Burnett in 1983, and has been a core member ever since. In addition to playing saxophone, keyboards and harmonica, Berlin produced the outfits 1984 breakthrough, How Will the Wolf Survive?, and still crosses the country for 100-130 gigs per year with the band. He used to live in Venice, but now makes his home in Portland, Ore. Frankly we like the music we make, Berlin, 62, said about Los Lobos longevity. Even when were pissed off at each other, which happens, by the end of a show, were like, What was that all about? The guys were adults when we started. They have families and children. They werent callow youths. They had responsibilities. They had to be a little bit more businesslike when most bands start out and go crazy. The members of Los Lobos David Hidalgo, Louie Perez, Cesar Rosas, Conrad Lozano and Berlin believe in loyalty. Theyre still on their first marriages for the most part, Berlin said. Its not like were shopping for a better deal, like some people. Gates of Gold is a topical album, dealing with many issues of the day, including immigration. Were a Mexican American band, and no word describes America like immigrant, Perez, the groups primary wordsmith, said at the time of the albums release. Most of us are children of immigrants, so its perhaps natural that the songs we create celebrate America in this way. Richard Bryant, executive director of the Musco Center, said he booked Los Lobos, knowing that they werent aiming to rock the house and leave patrons with their ears ringing. Los Lobos are out there right now, deconstructing some of their great stuff, slowing it down and letting you get into it, Bryant said. We thought that was pretty exciting. Bryant recalls Los Lobos during the mid-1980s, when their No. 1 single La Bamba was ruling the charts. They were in my top 100 a Chicano East L.A. band, too. We adored them, and we all followed them, Bryant said. Coming out of Los Angeles, they were paradigm shifters. We paid a lot of attention to that stuff. Bryant said the Musco Center specializes in acoustic music but can handle amplified sounds with absorptive pennants on the side walls. He added that its important for the institution to reflect whats going on in surrounding communities. We live in a Mexican American town, and next door to a Vietnamese American town, he said. Its an attractive way to engage more fully. Out of this fusion of Mexican tradition and Mexican American tradition comes Los Lobos. They sound like Los Angeles, and thereby America, and thereby the world. The opening act, the Teskey Brothers, also embody a down-to-earth, DIY aesthetic similar to Los Lobos, according to Wesley Pinkham, audience development manager at the Musco Center. Theyve hitched their wagon to that Stax record sound raw Americana, with that mid-century Memphis flavor, Pinkham said. Its an analog, needle-on-vinyl feel. If You Go What: Los Lobos Disconnected When: 4 p.m. March 18 Where: Musco Center for the Arts, Chapman University, 415 N. Glassell St., Orange Cost: $30-$75 Information: (844) 626-8726 or muscocenter.org. Richard Chang is a contributor to Times Community News. While it was popular during its time, and has been revived through the ages with stage and film adaptations and reinterpretations, The Taming of the Shrew is practically unpresentable in its original form onstage today. William Shakespeares late 16th century comedy details the courtship, or taming, of an opinionated, headstrong woman, or shrew, and her transformation into an obedient, docile bride. For contemporary audiences, the abuse and sexism within the text are considered far too patriarchal and misogynistic for those up to speed with the #MeToo or #TimesUp movements, or even those who value common decency. Thats why playwright Amy Freed has flipped the classic on its head. Starting with previews March 24 through 29 at South Coast Repertory, and continuing March 31 through April 21, Freeds world premiere of Shrew! re-imagines the Bards play and explores main characters Katherine and Petruchios histories. The Kate in this version has a resonance, with not just another character but also with contemporary women in a much more recognizable way, said Freed, an award-winning playwright who has worked with SCR at least six times before. Her last play at the Costa Mesa theater was 2017s The Monster Builder, directed by Art Manke, whos also directing Shrew! Freed says shes really interested in theaters long, complicated history, even when it proves to be problematic. The question is, How do we engage with our classics (when theyre flawed)? Do we just throw them overboard? We cant just present them and not acknowledge the pain that some of them have caused. How do we go forward artistically, without obliterating our history? Freeds solution is the creative rewrite. In Shrew!, Katherine, or Kate, doubles as a writer whos reworking a text she finds disagreeable. Shes also negotiating her way through the constraints of 16th century European society and trying to find equal standing with men. Petruchio is still a bit rough around the edges, but in this play hes a man with some more depth of feeling and sensitivity, and less braggadocio. This version really fulfills what Shakespeare was indicating with Petruchio, said Freed, a San Francisco resident and an artist-in-residence at Stanford University. He was a man so unconventional in his own day, looking for a woman unconventional in her day. For director Manke, Shrew! is another collaboration with longtime friend and colleague Freed. The two met years ago when they were graduate students in acting at the American Conservatory Theatre in San Francisco. Amy really makes it a love story for our times, but retains the Elizabethan setting and era, Manke said. Amy has substituted plot points for those points of abuse and misogyny, and flopped it 180 degrees. Kate is really a modern woman, trapped in a Renaissance world. Shrew! is also serving as an anchor production of SCRs 2018 Pacific Playwrights Festival, which will enjoy its 21st anniversary this spring. For Freed, working with SCR over the years has meant a great deal in my career. To have an ongoing relationship with a major theater its extremely unusual, said the Pulitzer Prize finalist for her play Freedomland, which premiered at SCR in 1997. She also received the Joseph Kesselring Award and the Helen Hayes/Charles MacArthur Award for outstanding new play for The Psychic Life of Savages (1995). I feel very, very fortunate. Its a matter of chance and luck that you make that kind of artistic connection with a theater, she said. Theres a wonderful acting community at SCR, in addition to other kinds of support. Its extremely valuable for developing not just getting productions done but it develops how you think, discovering the tools of a particular theater and what a community can offer. If You Go What: Shrew! When: Previews run March 24 though 29, regular performances run March 31 through April 21 Where: South Coast Repertory, 655 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa Cost: Tickets start at $23 Information: (714) 708-5555 or scr.org. Richard Chang is a contributor to Times Community News. Standing in front of a crowd of about 180 people in the Avenue of the Arts hotel, Costa Mesa Mayor Sandy Genis donned a pair of literal rose-colored glasses. After all, she said, Thursdays gathering was to discuss the state of the city, which is always an occasion to look on the bright side. As far as she and City Manager Tom Hatch were concerned, there were plenty of good things to talk about. Costa Mesa, Hatch said, is a blessed community in many different ways. What Ive seen over the last many years is that Costa Mesa has relished in that identity: Being eclectic, being thoughtful, being a little interesting and creative and artistic, and being a great place to do business, as well, he said during the luncheon, which was put on by the Costa Mesa Chamber of Commerce. Thats who we are. Weve embraced that vibe. Hatch walked the crowd through ongoing projects and efforts in the community and discussed top City Council priorities, such as the in-progress redevelopment of Lions Park, which includes building a new library, addressing issues related to sober-living homes, being fiscally responsible, improving public safety and tackling homelessness. He particularly praised Costa Mesas Network for Homeless Solutions a collaborative effort among city staff, local churches, nonprofits, private organizations and volunteers to identify and provide resources to the homeless and pointed out that the city devotes more than $1 million each year to take on homelessness issues. This city is doing more to help homeless than any city in Orange County, bar none, he said, prompting a round of applause from the audience. Other focuses include investing in local infrastructure and ensuring the city provides quality services for residents, according to Hatch. We need to keep getting better and better, he said. While Thursdays event struck a decidedly optimistic note, both Genis and Hatch acknowledged that Costa Mesa faces challenges. Genis pointed to recent financial projections that show Costa Mesa could face mounting budget deficits in coming years. Were going to have to do some belt-tightening, she said. During the luncheon, Genis assisted Chamber President Tom Johnson in honoring several businesses and organizations. The Innovative Small Business award went to Mario Marovic: a restaurateur whose holdings include the Wild Goose Tavern and The Country Club on 17th Street. Vans the iconic action sportswear brand that opened its new corporate headquarters in Costa Mesa last summer received the Costa Mesa Cool award, while the OC Fair & Event Center was named the Pillar of Costa Mesa. The Los Angeles Chargers, who chose Costa Mesa as the home of their headquarters and practice facility after relocating from San Diego last year, received the Community Partner award. luke.money@latimes.com Twitter @LukeMMoney 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. Hundreds of protest letters have been sent to Huntington Beach City Hall in advance of a City Council hearing Monday about possibly raising water rates and instituting a new capital improvement fee to help replace aging water infrastructure. If approved, the new fee could begin July 1 and is expected to bring in at least $3.7 million for two years. The fee, first discussed in November, is proposed at $3 per month for most single-family residences and could rise to $4 by 2022. Combined with proposed rate increases, single-family households could see their water bills increase by about $5 a month. The higher rates need five affirmative votes from the seven-member council. In November, city officials said major aspects of Huntington Beachs massive water infrastructure, which has an estimated value of $1.4 billion, were built in the 1950s and 60s and are reaching the end of their usefulness. Most of the protest letters sent to City Hall were on pre-made forms filled out by tenants and owners. Others were handwritten. Many opponents said they are senior citizens on fixed incomes. Others noted that the Orange County Sanitation District is working on its own rate increase, which means Huntington Beach residents could be hit with fee increases twice. Residents Charles and Carina DeMarti called the proposed local increase offensive considering that ratepayers were encouraged and even mandated to save and ration water. And now [we] feel like we are being penalized for doing so. Mondays regular council meeting begins at 6 p.m. at City Hall, 2000 Main St. A study session will be held at 4 p.m. with a presentation from the citys Homeless Task Force. bradley.zint@latimes.com Twitter: @BradleyZint Newport Beach is considering more signage, newly defined pickup and drop-off zones, more crossing guards and educational campaigns in an effort to improve childrens safety in the congested areas around three schools in the Newport Heights neighborhood. The city has been studying traffic, parking and driver and student behavior in the neighborhood just north of Mariners Mile. Newport Heights Elementary, Ensign Intermediate and Newport Harbor High schools are all within a 1-mile radius and have about 4,300 students among them. Traffic in Newport Heights, and how children can be affected by it, has weighed heavily on local residents minds since 8-year-old Brock McCann was struck and killed by a garbage truck as he rode his bike home from Newport Heights Elementary School in 2016. Cars stop in travel lanes, blocking traffic, to pick up and drop off passengers, city traffic engineer Tony Brine told the audience at a forum held Wednesday to check in on preliminary findings of the study, which is still underway. Children of all ages, and sometimes their parents, often jaywalk, he said. Cars form long lines on 15th Street in the mornings at the elementary and high schools. The gate to the bike corral at Ensign opens directly onto Irvine Avenue, spilling a stream of children into the intersection at Coral Place, Brine said. Hed like to move the exit onto Coral, a smaller street. Newport Heights Elementary Principal Somer Harding said principals talk about student safety all the time and that she doesnt breathe very well from 2:45 to 3:30 p.m., immediately after school lets out. She said everybody needs to contribute to keeping the routes to school safe, because no school, police or city representative can be everywhere at all times. I think everybody has to do their part to communicate to every other parent that they have to pay attention to what the rules are and not let their children out (midstreet) and not jaywalk, Harding said. Brine offered several possible remedies: Crossing guards at Santa Ana Avenue and 15th Street for the elementary school students and at Coral Place and Irvine Avenue for the middle-schoolers Signs to mark a pickup and drop-off area for Newport Heights Elementary on the north side of 15th Street near the school driveway, and on Coral Place and the north side of Cliff Drive for Ensign A new stop sign at Broad Street and Catalina Drive Several signs, including Pedestrian crossing by the high school parking lot, No pedestrian crossing on the median near Newport Heights Elementarys driveway and No stopping on the north side of 15th east of Irvine Avenue Fresh high-visibility striping for the crosswalks around the elementary school and a new painted crosswalk by the high school parking lot Brine added that the city has been talking with the Newport-Mesa Unified School District about rebuilding the elementary school parking lot and the high school lot on 15th to try to improve circulation. He suggested switching the lemon-yellow school crossing signs to fluorescent yellow-green and working with the school district and Police Department to draw up a Safe Routes to School program that can be taught in classrooms or at assemblies. He also proposed removing parking on both sides of Clay Street between Santa Ana and Irvine avenues to make room for bike lanes. A draft report of the complete study is expected to be available for public comment in late April before it goes before the City Council in May. hillary.davis@latimes.com Twitter: @Daily_PilotHD The future of hundreds of homeless people recently removed from the Santa Ana River trail and temporarily housed in motels will be the focus of a federal judges hearing Saturday in Santa Ana. More than 700 homeless people were moved last month to various motels in Orange County, including some in Costa Mesa, as officials pushed to clear a massive encampment along the river. However, the 30-day motel stays will end in the next week, according to county officials, and homeless advocates contend the county doesnt have enough shelter space to accommodate everyone in need. In light of those concerns, U.S. District Judge David Carter decided Wednesday to move up a status conference among attorneys, county officials and city representatives to determine whether appropriate resources are being provided and to hammer out the next steps. The hearing, originally scheduled for early April, will instead be held at 9 a.m. Saturday at the Santa Ana City Council chamber, 22 Civic Center Plaza. Carter invited mayors and city managers from all of Orange Countys 34 cities to weigh in at the hearing. Without appropriate resources, unsheltered individuals returning to the streets, sidewalks, plazas and parks in the cities of Orange County could be at risk, simply because of their homeless status, of being criminalized under anti-camping and anti-loitering laws, Carter wrote. Newport Beach City Manager Dave Kiff said Thursday that he plans to attend. Costa Mesa City Manager Tom Hatch and Mayor Sandy Genis will attend as well, according to city spokesman Tony Dodero. Huntington Beach is sending a city staff member, and Laguna Beach plans to send its city attorney and at least one City Council member. The city of Fountain Valley did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Attorney Brooke Weitzman, who represents seven homeless people and their advocates who filed a civil-rights lawsuit against the county in January over the clearing of the river encampment, argued in a court filing that the only shelter options available are the same ones that existed before. Those include Bridges at Kraemer Place in Anaheim, the Courtyard in Santa Ana and beds at unspecified private shelters. This leaves well more than 500 individuals relocated from the riverbed without shelter and competing with the additional 2,300 unhoused persons in Orange County for the limited resources that exist, Weitzman wrote. U.S. District Judge David Carter, center, greets Shane Allen during a February visit to a homeless encampment along the Santa Ana River. (Gary Coronado / Los Angeles Times ) In the past month, county staff members have conducted clinical assessments on most people staying in the motels in an effort to match them with appropriate housing and resources, officials said. Officials assert they have enough beds for everyone who completed an assessment. These beds include shelter, recuperative care, Full Service Partnership mental health treatment and substance-use disorder treatment beds, county attorneys wrote in a court filing. In the event more beds are needed, the Board of Supervisors has authorized the county executive officer to contract for additional beds. The plan to temporarily move homeless people into motels was part of a package agreed to by county officials and the attorneys who filed the civil-rights lawsuit. The suit also sought to prevent the cities of Costa Mesa, Anaheim and Orange from enforcing laws against camping, trespassing and loitering. During a series of unorthodox hearings last month, Carter pushed officials to come up with a long-term housing solution for the countys homeless population. He said he didnt want homeless people who left the river trail to be cited by cities, put in jail for a day and then sent back to the streets, only to be cited again. Im tired of the paperwork and the We cant get it done nonsense, Carter said at the time. Im looking for solutions now. hannah.fry@latimes.com Twitter: @HannahFryTCN When Toll Middle School teacher Maria Capdevilla had to take an extended leave from her classroom, her students began to chatter: Had she been deported? Would she ever return? What could they do to help? Middle school can be like a bad game of telephone, said Thomas Crowther, principal of Toll, where Capdevilla has been teaching in its dual-immersion Spanish program the past six years. Catching wind of the gossip, Crowther clarified some of the rumors Capdevilla, a Spain-born legal resident, had not been deported. She was taking an indefinite absence while she awaited the renewal of her work permit, he told them. Some students teared up at the news that it wasnt clear when their teacher would return. Wanting to help out, Capdevillas students decided to write a petition to federal government officials, asking them to expedite approval of her permit. A few days later, the students had a typed cover letter and pages of signatures that far outnumbered the 130 students she personally teaches. I think it was the most positive thing that came out of all of this that the kids saw a reason to get involved, Capdevilla said. It was certainly very touching and special for me. Born in the medieval town of Toledo, Capdevilla studied English and taught in her native country before she was recruited by the Glendale Unified School District through an exchange program co-run by the Spanish Ministry of Education and the California Department of Education. I was told to come here, she said. By the time the student petition was circulating in mid-January, Capdevillas permit had been languishing in the approval process for around four months longer than the expected processing time outlined by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. She said she was told it would take three months when she filed for the renewal. The federal agency does not allow applications for employment authorization documents like the one Capdevilla was renewing to be submitted more than 180 days in advance, according to Irvine-based immigration attorney Mitch Wexler. Almost in every case people fall out of status, Wexler said. Its a gaping hole. Processing times have been steadily increasing since 2012, as application and petition requests continue to rise and outpace the capacity of the agency, according to USCIS Los Angeles-based agency spokesperson Claire Nicholson. Wexler said the delays spiked significantly about six months ago and havent abated. According to Capdevilla, the two other times she renewed her permit, it took about a month for approval. Eric Sustad, an immigration attorney based in Washington D.C., agreed that three to four weeks for Capdevillas case was more typical. He also noted that application processing times have slowed down in the past year or so. USCIS hasnt issued any policy statements or any clarification of what the reason for these lengthy times is, but its consistent with a lot of chaos and understaffing, Sustad said. Immigration officials are claiming theyre under-resourced and overworked, and that things are crazy at USCIS, Wexler said. Were working really hard at moving resources around and reviewing how we can better utilize our resources to make sure were getting those backlogs and processing times in check, said Nicholson. She added that the agency is looking into implementing new technology and moving cases to different offices to increase efficiency. Once an employees work permit expires, employers have to send them home, let them go or risk facing sanctions, Wexler said. To keep them on would violate federal immigration law. When the government falls outside its expected application processing time guidelines, theres no consequence, according to Wexler. The only recourse he could think of for someone who lost a job or wages as a result of processing delays would be to sue the government, which neither Wexler nor Sustad have never done. When Capdevillas permit expired on Dec. 5, she had to leave her classroom but not her position. She was put on leave while Toll sought a substitute. Because Capdevilla teaches a high-level Spanish biliteracy course as part of the schools dual-immersion program, it was difficult to find a long-term replacement, Crowther said. At the time, there were only three single-subject Spanish credential holders in the substitute pool, and none of them could necessarily commit to open-ended but potentially long-term availability, he said. Eventually, a substitute was brought on, and Capdevilla served as an adviser. Meanwhile, officials at Toll and district officials wrote letters to USCIS explaining that Capdevillas absence from the classroom was affecting her students and their families, as well as her own family, and asked for a case reevaluation. When she received the student-created petition, she sent it along to the agency as well. Agency officials acknowledged that her case was intriguing but not grounds for expedition, Crowther said. Then, with no explanation for the delay, Capdevilla received notice on Feb. 5 that her work permit was approved. Working out to a processing time of 137 days, the application was within the 180-day maximum time outlined by the government, but outside the projected three months. Sustad called the over four-month timeframe ridiculous. Following the news, a class party was held and Capdevilla picked up her six daily classes where they left off. Its good to be back, she said, but shes had to come up with a catch-up plan to ensure her eighth-grade students are prepared for an upcoming annual standardized test designed to gauge Spanish-language proficiency. With her two children, Pedro and Candela, attending Mark Keppel Elementary School, which is next to Toll, Capdevilla said she and her family plan to stay in Glendale for at least a few more years. We are very happy here, she said. While politics are not discussed in the classroom, Capdevilla said students are independently aware of the intensified national conversation concerning legal and illegal immigration. As a result, they made their own connections, erroneous or not, with her recent predicament. Crowther said as one of the leaders of a public school, hes cautious about making his politics known. Without assigning blame to a particular political party, he said he was mostly frustrated that 130 kids were held hostage by this process. The delay has an impact on a lot of people, not just that one person waiting for the paperwork to process, he said. Lila Seidman is a contributor to Times Community News. Hundreds of students at Rosemont Middle School joined the National School Walkout Wednesday by organizing a Die-In demonstration, during which about 200 students lay down on the ground as if they were dead to show their concerns over school safety and easy access to high-capacity weapons in the United States. Looking on were an equal number of students who watched as the demonstrators, clad in orange, held handmade signs with remarks such as no more silence, end gun violence, one child > guns and one child is worth more than all the guns on earth. Empower, the youth activism arm of the Womens March, provided guidance for campus walkouts across the country, including the recommendation to wear orange, a color hunters with guns wear to protect themselves from one another. Lisa Avery, English department chair at Rosemont, facilitated student leadership behind the demonstration. She said the effort happened very organically about a week after the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting in Parkland, Fla. After the Parkland shooting, a number of students who were concerned started coming together and went to administration and teachers saying they wanted to do something about it, Avery said. Roan Thibault, a 13-year-old eighth-grader at Rosemont, was one of the primary organizers of the student-led demonstration. He said he was motivated primarily by the lack of meaningful action from legislators. Ive just been very angry about this whole gun violence issue, he said. I feel like everyones just gotten complacent and Im not really happy about that. During the demonstration, which occurred during the 20 minutes of snack time designated between second and third period, a few Rosemont students read the names and stories of those who were killed during the Parkland shooting, such as Carmen Schentrup, Luke Hoyer and Peter Wang. Thibault stood by other students who, through a public address system, read from their handwritten notes torn from a college-ruled notebook. These kids were not that much older than us, some being the same age they were no different. They went to school, hung out with friends, laughed, loved and cried, one student said. One thing they didnt do was worry about dangerous people with dangerous weapons trying to harm them and not knowing if they would be able to go back home. Enough is enough, the student added. Lucy Rickey, another 13-year-old eighth-grader at Rosemont and demonstration organizer, said that hundreds of orange buttons showing support for the Die-In were handed out. While humbled by the support, she added that organizers dont plan on stopping and will continue with an event on April 20 to correspond with other walkout events. Theres not enough action with our government, and you cant wait for other people to do what needs to be changed, Rickey said. jeff.landa@latimes.com Twitter: @JeffLanda Not long ago, South Africas Jacob Zuma seemed untouchable, but the corruption case he escaped on the eve of the 2009 parliamentary election resurfaced Friday as prosecutors reinstated charges against the former president and gave new life to a case that has haunted him for years. Zumas party, the African National Congress, went on to win the 2009 elections and voted him in as president, ushering in nearly nine years of chaotic governance and corruption. For the record: A previous version of this article said a statement by the Democratic Alliance was issued by the district attorney. He was ousted by his party last month as president, and state prosecutors on Friday announced that charges against Zuma, relating to a $2.5-billion arms deal in the late 1990s, would be reinstated. National prosecutions chief Shaun Abrahams said the charges against Zuma had a reasonable chance of succeeding. The former leader faces 16 criminal counts related to 783 payments that have been challenged as corrupt. Abrahams said Zuma denies wrongdoing. Advertisement Fridays announcement follows more than a decade of controversy over the arms deal and many twists along the way including a court case brought by the opposition Democratic Alliance contesting the 2009 decision by state prosecutors to drop the charges. Some saw the ANCs decision to elect Zuma as its party president in 2007 despite swirling allegations of corruption against him as a misstep that led to years of poor governance, political patronage and deepening corruption. As president, Zuma was criticized for allowing a powerful business family, the Guptas, to land government deals and contracts benefiting their businesses. The Guptas boasted they had the power the hire and fire ministers, according to ANC lawmakers who said they were offered posts and bribes in return for favoring Gupta business interests. The Gupta brothers, Ajay, Atul and Rajesh, now wanted by South African authorities for questioning, have fled the country. Local media report that arrest warrants have been issued for all three. The Guptas, business associates of Zumas son Duduzane, have denied any wrongdoing. The Hawks, a special South African police unit that investigates high-priority cases such as fraud and corruption, are investigating 30 cases involving national government departments and 360 cases involving provincial government officials, Parliaments Public Accounts Committee said this week. The charges against Zuma have a long and twisted history. He was deputy president in 1999 when the arms deal was made. Zuma was fired as deputy president in 2005 after his financial advisor, Schabir Shaik, was found guilty of fraud and corruption, related to the arms deal and his relationship with Zuma. He was charged in the corruption case in 2007, two years after Shaiks conviction, a development that seemed to close out his chances of becoming South Africas president. Advertisement But just weeks before the 2009 parliamentary election, the charges against Zuma were abruptly dropped. Later that year, the opposition Democratic Alliance asked that the decision to drop the charges be reviewed by the courts. In 2016, the High Court found that the decision to drop the charges was irrational and ordered that they be reinstated. Last year, the Supreme Court of Appeal upheld that ruling. The Democratic Alliance welcomed the decision to reinstate the case. It is a fight that we have been waging in the Courts for almost nine years and todays decision is a vindication of the decision to challenge the dropping of the charges. Now there must be no further delay in starting the trial. The witnesses are ready, the evidence is strong, and Jacob Zuma must finally have his day in court, the opposition party said in a statement. Advertisement Zuma, who has maintained his innocence, has been fighting allegations of corruption related to the arms deal since around 2004, when Shaiks case went to trial. The claims against Shaik zeroed in on payments made to Zuma that prosecutors said were bribes relating to the arms deal. Shaik argued that he made the payments as a friend. He ultimately was convicted and sentenced to 15 years in jail. Zuma has mounted repeated court actions and appeals, designed to stave off the charges, and South African taxpayers have spent $1.26 million on Zumas legal fees, according to comments made by President Cyril Ramaphosa. Under the deal, Zuma would be responsible only for his legal costs if he were acting in a personal capacity or in his own interests. Advertisement The prosecutors office said Friday it would fight to make sure that taxpayers would not have to carry Zumas legal costs in a forthcoming trial. Shaik served only two years of his 15-year term before he was freed on medical parole. He told South African media last year he would be willing to testify should Zuma go to trial. Zumas fortunes faltered when he and his supporters lost their bid to have his former wife, Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, elected as Zumas successor at the ANCs national conference in December. Instead, Ramaphosa was narrowly elected party leader, and last month, Zuma was forced to resign after being recalled by the ANCs national executive committee. Zuma resisted the efforts to force him from office, accusing Ramaphosa and his supporters of acting unfairly. Advertisement robyn.dixon@latimes.com Twitter: @RobynDixon_LAT The European Union on Friday published a list of U.S. products it plans to introduce duties on if the 28-nation bloc is not exempted from President Trumps steel and aluminum tariffs. The list contains dozens of products, including breakfast foods, kitchenware, clothing and footwear, washing machines, textiles, whiskey, motorcycles, boats and batteries. They are worth around $3.4 billion in trade annually, but the list could grow to the equivalent of 6.4 billion euros once the full extent of the impact of U.S. tariffs is known. The EUs executive Commission, which negotiates trade matters on behalf of member countries, gave European industry stakeholders 10 days to object if they fear that any products targeted for rebalancing tariffs would hurt their business. Advertisement Trump announced last week that he was imposing tariffs of 25% on imported steel and 10% on aluminum. He temporarily exempted big steel producers Canada and Mexico provided they agree to renegotiate a North American trade deal to his satisfaction. He said other countries could be spared as well if they can convince Washington that their exports dont threaten American industry. The tariffs are set to enter force next week. The EU believes it too should be exempted and rejects Trumps assertion that the tariffs are needed for national security and are simply protectionist measures. Most EU countries are U.S. allies in the worlds biggest security organization, NATO. EU Trade Commissioner Cecilia Malmstrom will hold talks next week with U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross. U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer, left, and European Commissioner for Trade Cecilia Malmstrom confer before a meeting at EU headquarters in Brussels on March 10. (Stephanie Lecocq / Associated Press ) Malmstrom met in Brussels on March 10 with U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer to discuss the tariffs and the exemption procedures. She said she got no immediate clarity on the exact U.S. procedure. That weekend, Trump argued that the United States has been abused economically by the EU, saying they were wonderful countries who treat the U.S. very badly on trade. The EU insists that it is committed to open, global trade, and that Trumps tariffs are a protective measure to prop up U.S. industry that could undermine the global trading system. The bloc says a glut on steel markets is to blame. By Matthew Dieterich www.MDieterichPhoto.com Instagram: @mattdieterichphotography Click on the links in the text for extra images and larger versions of those shown here. I have been passionate about astronomy and night sky photography since 2006. Over those 12 years, I became fascinated with the most advanced telescopes in the world. During that time I found education and outreach to be an excellent medium for me to share my passion for astrophotography with the general public. Far from cities where the night sky is pristine for studying the universe, the allure of visiting a professional observatory has been a common theme in my daydreams. I knew I had to find a way to visit one of these jaw-dropping locations for astrophotography. To this end, for three years I applied to an astronomy education program that traveled to world-renowned observatories in Chile. In 2017, my goal of joining the Astronomy in Chile Educator Ambassadors Program (ACEAP) was finally reached. As an ACEAP Ambassador, I would join a team of 8 astronomy educators from the U.S. to visit the most powerful telescopes on Earth. Chile is the astronomy capital of the world and the U.S. has invested a lot into reaching that milestone. Our goal as ACEAP Ambassadors is to educate our communities about the science underway at these astronomical research facilities. Educating the U.S. public about the benefit of such an investment is important for increasing our nations science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields. Over the coming decade, additional groundbreaking facilities will be constructed in Chile and their discoveries will further advance our STEM capabilities as a society. Our nine-day expedition began in Santiago, where we were briefed on how to maximize our presentations and outreach impact. With this knowledge in hand, we first visited Observatorio Astronomico Andino, which is a public observatory outside Santiago. That evening was my first experience seeing the Southern Milky Way, a view I had only in my dreams until that night (Fig. 1). To capture the view, I setup my Nikon D750 on a tripod and tossed on a 24mm lens. I set my aperture to F/1.4, shutter speed to 15 seconds, and ISO to 3200 to soak in the light of my first Southern Milky Way exposure. Needless to say, I was overwhelmed by the Southern Milky Ways beauty after viewing the Northern Hemispheres counterpart for decades. Fig. 6: Milky Way over CTIO. Fig. 7: Panorama of sunset over the Andes from CTIO. After a few days in Santiago, we flew north to the coastal town of La Serena. We enjoyed presentations from knowledgeable astronomers, engineers, and educators at the Gemini Observatory Headquarters. Later that evening our team headed to another stunning public observatory, Cerro Mayu Observatory. We had time to soak in the stars and I managed to capture a panoramic view of the Milky Way (Fig. 2) over a statue on the observatory grounds. I used my Nikon D750 and 24mm F/1.4 lens to manually capture 16 images for the panorama using 15-second exposures at ISO 5000. The following day, we headed into the mountains to visit the 4.1-meter Southern Astrophysical Research (SOAR) Telescope (Fig. 3) and 8-meter Gemini Observatory (Fig. 4). Watching both of these massive instruments move as the telescope operator slewed them around the observatory was incredible! Located on the neighboring mountain from Gemini, Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory (CTIO) was our home for the next three nights. We were fortunate enough visit with professional astronomers while they conducted their research with the 4-meter Blanco telescope (Fig 5). Afterwards, I wanted to capture a panorama of the Milky Way over CTIO (Fig. 6). The 30 mph (50 kph) winds on the mountain forced the observatory to close, but I managed to keep my tripod stable long enough to capture a 20-image panorama. I setup my Nikon D810a with a 24mm F1.4 lens and collected 15-second exposures at ISO 5000. The thrill of viewing the RAW files on the camera with the Milky Way arching over the observatory was amazing! I knew this was going to be a memorable image. The old adage of the best camera is the one thats with you rang true when I didnt have my DSLR with me at dinner and sunset erupted into a beautiful magenta filled sky. The only camera I had on me was a small Sony RX100, but the resulting images blew me away! I hand-held shot a panorama as the magenta light hit the snowcapped Andes (Fig. 7) and then quickly ran over to capture an image of the observatories backlit by the sunsets glow (Fig. 8). Thankfully, I was glad I had this small point-and-shoot camera from Sony in my pocket to capture the best sunset I have ever seen. When I thought the trip couldnt get any better, we headed to our final location in the Atacama Desert. Unlike the previous observatories where we visited optical telescopes, we were about to tour telescopes that captured radio waves to study the universe. The Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) is the most powerful radio telescope in the world and is located in an incredibly harsh environment for a reason (Fig. 9). The benefit of building ALMA in one of the most arid deserts in the world and at an elevation of over 16,000 ft (5,000 m) means that the radio telescopes have less interference from the Earths atmosphere. Equally as impressive as the radio telescopes at 16,000 ft, the night sky in the Atacama was the best I have witnessed. I have never seen the Milky Way core brighter than during our three nights in San Pedro de Atacama. Merely a few miles outside San Pedro, I used my Nikon D750 and 24mm F/1.4 lens to capture a short 8-second photo at ISO 10,000 of the Milky Way (Fig. 10). That same evening, I captured a panorama of myself under the Milky Way (Fig. 11). I captured 8 photos with a Nikon D810a and 24mm lens using 15 second exposures at ISO 5000 to create the panoramic view. Fig. 9: Myself standing in front of a few radio antennas at the ALMA site. Being able to visit many of the worlds most powerful telescopes in person was nothing short of a dream come true. A fitting end to my time in Chile concluded with a photo I wanted to capture for years, the Milky Way from a plane (Fig. 12). I had the row of seats to myself, so I setup my Nikon D750 and 14mm F/2.8 lens on a tripod. To minimize movement of the planes speed, I had to shoot fast 5-second photos at max ISO, 51,200. The resulting photo of the Milky Way from 40,000 ft over Chile was an excellent way to finalize my trip. In closing, I hope that my outreach as an ACEAP Ambassador will inspire members of the next generation to follow career paths in STEM, just as similar images of space inspired me. UPDATE: Man who flew one-way to Mexico with teen was like 'father figure,' report says Citing "credible information," authorities said Friday a 16-year-old girl missing from Allentown flew March 7 to Cancun, Mexico, with a 45-year-old Lehigh County man. Amy Yu had been reported as a runaway two days prior, after she failed to return home from Lehigh Valley Academy Regional Charter School in Hanover Township, Northampton County. Investigators later learned she never got on her bus the morning of March 5. Kevin Esterly, of Lowhill Township, was reported missing/endangered by a family member March 7. Investigators believe Yu left Allentown willingly with Esterly and flew to Mexico out of Philadelphia International Airport, with a stopover in Dallas/Fort Worth. The two are not related. Allentown police investigators and Lehigh County District Attorney Jim Martin issued a plea for Yu's return at a Friday afternoon news conference in city council chambers. "We are asking that the media relay a message to Amy that her mom and brother miss her very much, as do her classmates and friends," police Capt. Bill Lake said. "Everyone is worried about you, Amy, and everyone wants you to return home safely. "Amy, if you are uncertain how to come home or who to contact for help, you may simply reach out to a law enforcement official, a resort staff member or contact your mom via text message, email or social media, and we will work to reunite you with your family right away." Allentown police provide an update on Amy Yu, a 16-year-old city resident missing and believed to be with 45-year-old Kevin Esterly. Yu is a student at Lehigh Valley Academy Regional Charter School outside Bethlehem. Posted by lehighvalleylive.com on Friday, March 16, 2018 Esterly is charged with interference of custody of children, a third-degree felony because she is under age 18, Martin said. If police develop evidence she did not go with Esterly of her own accord, that charge could be upgraded to a more serious first-degree felony, he said. Police did not take any questions during the news conference. Colonial Regional police are also involved in the investigation, in addition to the Lehigh County District Attorney's Office, U.S. Marshals Service and U.S. Homeland Security Investigations. An Amber Alert went out Friday in Spanish, as part of attempts to get Yu home safely. Lake acknowledged numerous tips received by police. "We very much appreciate the assistance provided by the public and ask that the public remain engaged as law enforcement continues to search for Amy Yu and Kevin Esterly," Lake said, adding an apology that police have been unable to respond to each tip. "We have focused our resources on those tips and possible sightings related to Mexico," Lake added. Kurt Bresswein may be reached at kbresswein@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @KurtBresswein. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook. Computer & Technology Women head each section of the Top 100 E-learning Movers and Shakers list Laura Overton. 16.03.2018 11:54:40 - This years annual list of the Top 100 most influential people in the worlds corporate e-learning sector sees women occupying the top spot for the first time - in each of the Lists four sections: The Elite, Premier Platinum, Gold Standard and Silver. (live-PR.com) - This years annual list of the Top 100 most influential people in the worlds corporate e-learning sector sees women occupying the top spot for the first time - in each of the Lists four sections: The Elite, Premier Platinum, Gold Standard and Silver. The Top 100 Movers and Shakers List represents the views of a number of key people about - This years annual list of the Top 100 most influential people in the worlds corporate e-learning sector sees women occupying the top spot for the first time - in each of the Lists four sections: The Elite, Premier Platinum, Gold Standard and Silver.The Top 100 Movers and Shakers List represents the views of a number of key people about the personalities who lead the corporate online learning world. This years List shows some significant movement in individual placings compared with last years List with 15 New Entries, the highest of which is at number 59, commented the judges chairman, Bob Little. Maybe this illustrates the vibrancy and volatility of this still relatively youthful industry sector. He added, Naturally, Im deeply grateful to all the judges for generously providing their time and expertise and to eLearning Industry for its continued encouragement and support in this project which, hopefully, offers some recognition to the industrys leading exponents, thinkers and promoters. Selected highlights from the 2018 Movers and Shakers List in Corporate E-Learning are: NB Figures in brackets show last years position, if appropriate The Elite 1. Laura Overton an international speaker and Managing Director of Towards Maturity (3) 2. Elliott Masie - head of The MASIE Center, a New York think tank focused on how organizations can support learning and knowledge within the workforce. (1) 3. Harold Jarche - the Canada-based thought catalyst, writer and blogger and champion of learning how to learn. (5) 4. Clark Quinn principal of the Internet Time Alliance and executive director of Quinnovation, specialising in helping organizations get value from their technology investments to support learning, performance, and development. (21) 5. Patti Shank - founder of Learning Peaks, and an internationally recognized expert on, and advocate for, the pragmatics of the design of information and instruction to help people do what they need to do. (12) 6. Jane Hart - a workplace learning and collaboration advisor, writer and international speaker whos active on social media. Founder of C4LPT. (7) 7. Colin Steed founder of Learning Now TV, co-founder and former CEO of the Learning and Performance Institute. (18) 8. Sunder Ramachandran Mumbai-based General Manager, Training at GSK Pharmaceuticals India, and writer, speaker and blogger. (9) 9. Ian Smout with Mark Penton, a Director at Principal Media Ltd and an organizer of the annual Learning Technologies brand around the world; owner of E-Learning Age and the E-Learning Age Awards. (16) 10. Rebecca Stromeyer - owner of ICWE, which runs E-Learning Africa, bringing best thinking together. (2) Premier Platinum 26. Helen Blunden - director of social learning at Activate Learning Solutions, in Melbourne, Australia, founder of Third Place, a co-working and networking community for learning professionals across six Australian cities and a correspondent on Learning Now TV. (31) Gold Standard 51. Genny Dixon head of research at the industry benchmarking specialist, Towards Maturity. (76) Silver 76. Susan Derkach - head of global learning, group HR at adidas group. (84) 100. Ai Addyson-Zhang A Chinese national, currently living in South Korea, who hosts a Facebook live show, Classroom Without Walls: Using Technology to Reimagine Education. Bubbling under Bronze Heading the list of those who just missed out on making this years list included: Maha Bali - Associate Professor of Practice, at Center for Learning and Teaching, American University in Cairo, Egypt. The full list is available at End About Bob Little Press & PR Bob Little Press & PR provides business-to-business public relations (PR) services, telling the truth as you would want it told. Over the years, it has drawn many of its clients from the learning technologies sector, especially corporate e-learning. Currently, it has clients from around the world in this sector and the firms senior partner, Bob Little, is well known internationally as a writer, author and commentator on online learning. Further information: Bob Little, Bob Little Press & PR, +44 (0)1727 860405, the personalities who lead the corporate online learning world.This years List shows some significant movement in individual placings compared with last years List with 15 New Entries, the highest of which is at number 59, commented the judges chairman, Bob Little. Maybe this illustrates the vibrancy and volatility of this still relatively youthful industry sector.He added, Naturally, Im deeply grateful to all the judges for generously providing their time and expertise and to eLearning Industry for its continued encouragement and support in this project which, hopefully, offers some recognition to the industrys leading exponents, thinkers and promoters.Selected highlights from the 2018 Movers and Shakers List in Corporate E-Learning are:NB Figures in brackets show last years position, if appropriateThe Elite1. Laura Overton an international speaker and Managing Director of Towards Maturity (3)2. Elliott Masie - head of The MASIE Center, a New York think tank focused on how organizations can support learning and knowledge within the workforce. (1)3. Harold Jarche - the Canada-based thought catalyst, writer and blogger and champion of learning how to learn. (5)4. Clark Quinn principal of the Internet Time Alliance and executive director of Quinnovation, specialising in helping organizations get value from their technology investments to support learning, performance, and development. (21)5. Patti Shank - founder of Learning Peaks, and an internationally recognized expert on, and advocate for, the pragmatics of the design of information and instruction to help people do what they need to do. (12)6. Jane Hart - a workplace learning and collaboration advisor, writer and international speaker whos active on social media. Founder of C4LPT. (7)7. Colin Steed founder of Learning Now TV, co-founder and former CEO of the Learning and Performance Institute. (18)8. Sunder Ramachandran Mumbai-based General Manager, Training at GSK Pharmaceuticals India, and writer, speaker and blogger. (9)9. Ian Smout with Mark Penton, a Director at Principal Media Ltd and an organizer of the annual Learning Technologies brand around the world; owner of E-Learning Age and the E-Learning Age Awards. (16)10. Rebecca Stromeyer - owner of ICWE, which runs E-Learning Africa, bringing best thinking together. (2)Premier Platinum26. Helen Blunden - director of social learning at Activate Learning Solutions, inMelbourne, Australia, founder of Third Place, a co-working and networkingcommunity for learning professionals across six Australian cities and a correspondent on Learning Now TV. (31)Gold Standard51. Genny Dixon head of research at the industry benchmarking specialist,Towards Maturity. (76)Silver76. Susan Derkach - head of global learning, group HR at adidas group. (84)100. Ai Addyson-Zhang A Chinese national, currently living in South Korea, who hosts a Facebook live show, Classroom Without Walls: Using Technology to Reimagine Education.Bubbling under BronzeHeading the list of those who just missed out on making this years list included: Maha Bali - Associate Professor of Practice, at Center for Learning and Teaching, American University in Cairo, Egypt.The full list is available at elearningindustry.com/press-releases/corporate-elearning-movers-and-shakers-list-2018 , and boblittlepr.com/women-head-each-section-of-the-top-100-e-learning-movers-and-shakers-list/ EndAbout Bob Little Press & PRBob Little Press & PR provides business-to-business public relations (PR) services, telling the truth as you would want it told. Over the years, it has drawn many of its clients from the learning technologies sector, especially corporate e-learning. Currently, it has clients from around the world in this sector and the firms senior partner, Bob Little, is well known internationally as a writer, author and commentator on online learning.Further information:Bob Little, Bob Little Press & PR, +44 (0)1727 860405, bob.little@boblittlepr.com Contact information: Bob Little Press & PR 23 Sherwood Avenue, St Albans, AL4 9QJ, UK Contact Person: Bob Little Senior Partner Phone: 01727860405 eMail: eMail Web: http://boblittlepr.com/ Author: Bob Little e-mail Web: http://www.boblittlepr.com Phone: 00 44 (0) 1727 860405 16.03.2018 11:54:40 - Disclaimer: If you have any questions regarding information in this article please contact the author. Please do not contact Live-PR.com. We are not able to assist you. Live-PR.com disclaims content contained in this article. Live-PR.com is not authorized to give any information about content and not responsible for content posted by third party. Stock Market News FTSE 250 movers: Builders feel Berkeley ripples; NEX soars on bid approach 16-03-2018 14:04 Stock News headlines are gathered from financial news sources around the web. Views and opinions on each item are from their respective authors and website. They are not opinions of LiveCharts.co.uk Stock Market News Gibraltar will retaliate against EU citizens if Spain uses Brexit veto 16-03-2018 08:29 Stock News headlines are gathered from financial news sources around the web. Views and opinions on each item are from their respective authors and website. They are not opinions of LiveCharts.co.uk Stock Market News NEX rockets after CME Group makes takeover approach 16-03-2018 13:22 Stock News headlines are gathered from financial news sources around the web. Views and opinions on each item are from their respective authors and website. They are not opinions of LiveCharts.co.uk Stock Market News Old Mutual sells LatAm business for undisclosed sum 16-03-2018 07:05 Stock News headlines are gathered from financial news sources around the web. Views and opinions on each item are from their respective authors and website. They are not opinions of LiveCharts.co.uk Stock Market News Wetherspoon earnings rise as Tim Martin goes on another anti-EU tirade 16-03-2018 07:23 Stock News headlines are gathered from financial news sources around the web. Views and opinions on each item are from their respective authors and website. They are not opinions of LiveCharts.co.uk 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 Danville, WV (25053) Today Rain early...then remaining cloudy with showers in the afternoon. High 73F. Winds SE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 80%.. Tonight Considerable cloudiness with occasional rain showers. Low 67F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 50%. New Delhi : The proceedings of the Lok Sabha were disrupted for the 10th consecutive day today as TDP, YSR Congress, AIADMK and RJD continued their noisy protests over various issues, including the banking scam and special status for Andhra Pradesh. As soon as Speaker Sumitra Mahajan took up the Question Hour, members from these parties trooped into the Well holding placards. While members from the TDP, YSR Congress, TRS, AIADMK and RJD were in the Well raising slogans and holding placards, MPs from the Samajwadi Party and Left were seen standing at their seats and shouting slogans. As the protests continued, the House was adjourned till noon. Earlier, three newly elected MPs - RJD's Sarfaraz Alam (Araria-Bihar) and SP members Nagendra Pratap Singh Patel (Phulpur-UP) and Praveen Kumar Nishad (Gorakhpur-UP) - took oath. The House also paid respect to three departed former members and noted physicist and cosmologist Stephen Hawking, who passed away recently. Tributes were also paid to nine CRPF personnel, who were killed in a IED blast in Chhattisgarh, on March 13. Since March 5, when Parliament had reassembled for the budget session after recess, the Lok Sabha has seen disruptions on a daily basis. PTI Documents obtained by The Canary under the Freedom of Information Act reveal the existence of a secretive Venezuela Reconstruction Office at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. The existence of this office has not been acknowledged publicly and therefore is being kept beyond parliamentary scrutiny. SPRINGFIELD -- Kenneth O'Connor, longtime owner of Ken's Parking at Dwight and Taylor streets in the city's downtown, has died. He was 80. O'Connor, known for his charitable works and support of the city's gay community, owned Ken's Oil in Chicopee before buying the parking lot near Union Station 36 years ago. A Life Celebration Service for O'Connor will be held on April 13 at the Byron Keenan Funeral Home and Cremation Tribute Center on 1858 Allen St. O'Connor spent part of his childhood at Brightside, an orphanage run by the Sisters of Providence, in West Springfield, according to George Nemphos, who first met O'Connor while working in downtown bars back in the 1970s. O'Connor was known for his quiet charitable works, Nemphos said. "He was one of those background people who would go to a fundraiser, buy $1,000 in raffle tickets, win all the prizes and then go to another fundraiser and donate all the prizes," Nemphos said. Meg Sullivan who got to know O'Connor when she worked reading meters in the neighborhood for the Springfield Parking Authority, agreed. "He liked to do things without people knowing who was behind it," she said. William Sears, who worked for Ken's Parking for 30 years, rattled off the charities O'Connor supported: March of Dimes, Coats for Kids, innumerable drawings and drives for police or anyone with a sick kid or family member. "He probably raised $10,000 a year for seven years for the AIDS Foundation of Western Massachusetts," Sears said. "He was always helping put on events." O'Connor also worked for 15 years on behalf of f Moose Charities and the Children at Mooseheart, a child city and school in Illinois. Retired Springfield police officer Michael Carney said that for cops on the beat, Ken's Parking Lot had all the comforts of home. If an officer needed to wash up, use the restroom, warm up some food of just check in and find out what was going on in the neighborhood, Ken's was the place to go. "Ken's Parking lot was an undesignated substation for us," Carney said. O'Connor and his partner in life, Wayne Davis, lived downtown as well. "He had a vested interest in downtown Springfield," Carney said. "He would go out of his way to make sure the neighborhood and the downtown community, whether it be gay or straight, would be included in anything that went on. He did a phenomenal job." O'Connor kept his parking lot cleaned, lined and well maintained. He looked out for surrounding properties and for the people who visited. "He was more than a parking lot guy, "Carney said. "He was an individual with a big heart and deep pockets. There was a lot of love that came out of that parking lot and a lot of humanity." John Bailey, president of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, is under investigation for allegations of sexual harassment. The Academy received three harassment claims on Wednesday and immediately opened a probe, Variety reported. Bailey was elected AMPAS president in August. He succeeded Springfield native Cheryl Boone Isaacs after she completed the maximum three one-year terms. She was the first African-American and only the third woman to hold that post. Bailey's tenure has been marked by a historic shift in the Academy's approach to misconduct by its members. In October, the Academy voted to expel Harvey Weinstein less than 10 days after the New York Times first reported on his history of sexual harassment. Bailey is a veteran cinematographer, who shot such films as "The Big Chill" and "Groundhog Day." If Bailey were forced to step down, he would be temporarily replaced by Lois Burwell, a veteran makeup artist who is the Academy's vice president, until the next election in July. Shepard Smith has signed a new multiyear deal with Fox News, extending his more than two-decade tenure with the network. Smith, one of Fox News' original hires in 1996, serves as chief news anchor and managing editor of breaking news "Shepard Smith is an exemplary journalist whose skill in anchoring breaking news is unrivaled. His powerful storytelling on both television and digital platforms has elevated our entire news gathering process,' said 21st Century Fox and Fox News Executive Chairman Rupert Murdoch in a statement. Terms of the deal were not made public. Smith has anchored numerous breaking news stories in his current position, including: Hurricane Irma and the Las Vegas massacre in 2017; the 2016 terrorist attacks in Nice, France and Belgium; the coordinated terrorist attacks in Paris in 2015, the 2014 riots following the shooting of civilian Michael Brown by a police officer in Ferguson, MO; and the search for missing Malaysia Airlines Flight 370. "I am incredibly proud to be part of a group of journalists who helped build the FOX news division from scratch 22 years ago and extremely thankful for the opportunity to continue to lead our breaking news coverage for years to come," Smith said. "Our team's commitment to delivering facts to our loyal viewers in context and with perspective, without fear or favor, is unwavering. The investment that Mr. Murdoch has infused into our already strong news division affords us endless opportunities. I am excited for the future and honored to continue to call Fox News my home." A series of high profile restaurant closures over the last several months, culiminating with the news that both the Hu Ke Lau in Chicopee and the Hofbrauhaus in West Springfield will be shutting their doors in a few weeks, suggest that independent full service restaurants in the Springfield area are facing unprecedented challenges. Privately, owners I've talked to all agree that business, especially on weeknights, never recovered from the 2009 recession. Weekends might once again be busy, but the respectable levels of Wednesday and Thursday night business that traditionally sustained their bottom lines failed to return. The gradual disappearance of local restaurants mirrors national trends, with the number of independently owned eateries declining by a couple of percentage points yearly. The causes of this change in the business are many. Though some have had troubles of their own, most major restaurant chains continue to expand, capitalizing on their economies of scale and the power of their brand identity. In doing so they of course take business from independents. Younger patrons like the Millennials also seem to prefer brand name eateries over locally owned, which has left the latter in the uncomfortable position of having their customer base increasingly "age out." In the Springfield area there's another factor that may be playing into this slow decline - the opening, later this year, of MGM Springfield's resort casino. With a portfolio of prestige restaurant brands and the deep pockets to promote them, MGM Springfield will be a competitive threat to even the best run locally owned restaurant. Side Dishes: Max Burger in Longmeadow will be hosting a Craft Beer Dinner on Monday, March 26 in collaboration with Back East Brewing Company of Bloomfield, CT at 6 p.m. The five-course menu will begin with deviled eggs, bacon mousse, and crisp celery strings; fried rock shrimp with a spicy Moroccan dipping sauce will follow. "Grilled Ham & Cheese" is to be the third course, a dish the menu describes as featuring ham, swiss cheese, spinach, sweet onion jam, and a "tomato soup" drizzle. A New York strip steak is to be the "main" and will be served with potatoes Romanoff and a red wine-mushroom sauce. For dessert Max Burger will be assembling an ice cream sandwich from raisin oatmeal cookies, vanilla ice cream, house-made caramel sauce, and Bourbon whipped cream. Tony Karlowicz, the owner of Back East Brewery, will be providing commentary on the beers served. Cost to attend is $65, not including tax or gratuity. Contact Max Burger at (413) 798-0101 for reservations or additional details on the event. Bowls, the practice of combining multiple meal components and flavors into a single dish, is becoming a common practice on menus across the restaurant industry. Making its own contribution to the "bowl trend," Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, the Lebanon, TN-based chain of casual dining operations, has introduced "Southern Bowls" to its menu as a seasonal offering. Combining the down-home flavors that are a Cracker Barrel specialty, the bowls are being offering in three variations. A Fried Chicken Benedict Bowl includes fried chicken, over easy eggs, and pimento cheese sauce served over a split biscuit. Sweet pepper and red skin potato hash completes the presentation. Maple pepper bacon and country ham are the meaty focus of the Ham 'n' Maple Bacon Bowl. Tossed with onion jam and paired with scrambled eggs, the meats are also accompanied by potato hash. The third bowl, a Sausage, Grits Cakes, 'n' Green Tomato Gravy Bowl, includes grits patties, sausage, pepper and potato hash, scrambled eggs, and grated cheese, all topped with green tomato gravy. The new bowls are available at Cracker Barrel locations until May 6 and carry a suggested menu price of $8.99 each. There's a Cracker Barrel Old Country Store on Whiting Farms Road in Holyoke; other Cracker Barrels can be found in Sturbridge and East Windsor, Conn. Nora's Restaurant and Lounge of Southwick will be doing a "pop-up kitchen" at Brignole Vineyards in East Granby, Connecticut on March 25. Nora's staff will be maintaining a pasta station while Brignole Vineyards offers tastings of locally produced wines. The event is scheduled to last from 2 p.m. until 5 p.m. Brignole Vineyards answers at (860) 653-9463. Their web address is brignolevineyards.com As part of the chain's shift in focus to new beverage offerings, Dunkin Brands, in partnership with the Girl Scouts of the USA, has created three new coffee flavors based on popular Girl Scout Cookie varieties. "Thin Mints," "Coconut Caramel," and "Peanut Butter Cookie" will all be available as hot or iced coffee drinks, as flavorings for espresso, and in several other Dunkin' products. These limited time only flavors will be available at Dunkin' locations through May 2018. Taco Bell, a serial new product innovator in the quick service space, has rolled out a Naked Egg Taco. Fashioned from a folded, omelet-style fried egg, the taco is stuffed with potatoes, melted cheese, cheese sauce, and a customer's choice of bacon or sausage. The Naked Egg Taco is a limited time offer available at participating Taco Bell locations. Those with a passion for cheese, fine food, and wine might be interested to know that Cheese Journeys, a group of cheese experts that facilitate tours of cheese producing regions across North American and Europe, will be hosting a cheese tour of Vermont this summer. "A Summer of Love: Food Tripping in Vermont" will run from August 4 through August 13, visiting food, craft beer, and cheese making destinations across the Green Mountain State. A highlight of the tour will be the Vermont Cheesemakers Festival, which is held each August in Shelburne, VT. For more information about this tour and others that Cheese Journeys sponsors, go to their website, cheesejourneys.com or call (305) 401-8184. The Post-it Brand of repositionable note sheets has introduced new Post-it Extreme Notes. The Extreme Notes are being promoting as a new labeling and communications tool in the professional (and home) kitchen. Water resistant and durable, Post-it Extreme Notes stick (and cleanly release) from all sorts of surfaces just as the original Post-it Notes do. Their "extreme" adhesive power withstands freezing, hot temperatures, and moisture when the notes are stuck to surfaces such as wood, stainless steel, tile, and more. Blue painter's masking tape has been the chef's labeling tool of choice. It's reasonably cheap, sticks and releases easily, and can be written on. However, "blue tape" adheres poorly when a surface is wet or cold, so it will be interesting to see if these new "Extreme Notes" can supplant the tape as a kitchen staple. Hugh Robert is a faculty member in Holyoke Community College's hospitality and culinary arts program and has over 40 years of restaurant and educational experience. Please send items of interest to Off the Menu at the Republican, P.O. Box 1329, Springfield, MA 01101; Robert can also be reached at OffTheMenuGuy@aol.com Amazon.com Inc., the e-commerce giant that has a market capitalization of more than $766 billion, on Thursday was approved to receive up to $10 million in property-tax breaks to expand in Boston's Seaport District. The Seaport expansion, which could employ up to 4,000 people, is separate from the ongoing search for Amazon's second headquarters. The company will receive a $5 million reduction in property taxes over a 15-year term for a 430,000-square-foot office it anticipates leasing in Boston's Seaport Square development area, which would house 2,000 workers by 2025. Amazon could also receive an additional $5 million in property-tax reductions if it chooses to lease an adjacent building, which would also house 2,000 Amazon employees. If Amazon were to lease both Seaport buildings, it would be required to create and retain a combined 4,000 new jobs "in or within 25 miles of the city area, but all within the commonwealth of Massachusetts," the agreement states. Jonathan Greeley, director of development review for the city of Boston, said the tax agreement was written with the intention of adding new jobs to Boston and Massachusetts and "not to pull employees from, say, Kendall Square" or the nearby 253 Summer St. office. Amazon anticipates employing 900 workers at the 150,000-square-foot Summer Street office, which is slated to open this spring. BPDA board member Carol Downs said it was important to communicate the benefits of an Amazon expansion in the Seaport. "When the public hears about the tax break, all they hear is the tax break," Downs said. "A lot of people would say, 'Well, Amazon can afford it.' Just trying to bring in the public viewpoint on these kinds of things, like: 'why does Amazon get a break? Why can't they just pay what they should pay?'" Greeley said that Amazon's future Seaport offices would add tax revenue to the city, despite the property-tax break, and would be "a net positive" to both Boston and the commonwealth. Greeley said Amazon has pledged to commit its linkage funds -- a certain fee developers pay toward affordable housing and job training in the city -- toward technology education. "We're really excited that we're training the next generation of people who will be working at Amazon and other technology firms," Greeley said. "We want to make sure Boston has a tech-ready workforce." A Winchester woman was sentenced to serve 18 months in federal prison Wednesday after she earlier pleaded guilty to stealing nearly $1 million from a person who took her in, believing she suffered from cancer. Sager Kopchak, also known as Sager Dallai, 34, in September entered guilty pleas to four counts of bank fraud, admitting she stole a checkbook from the victim and used the checks to steal hundreds of thousands of dollars. Prosecutors told the court that Kopchak had convinced the victim that she was suffering from cancer and asked for a place to stay while she underwent chemotherapy. The victim allowed Kopchak to stay in their home for nearly a year without rent or other payment. In fact, Kopchak did not have cancer, and during her stay was able to steal the victim's checkbook, forge checks and use the routing information to make charges against the account. Prosecutors detailed nearly $1 million in high ticket purchases traced to the theft, including diamond earrings and other jewelry, numerous fur coats, and a trip to the Bahamas. A Suffolk Superior Court jury on Friday found James Paige, 51, guilty of first-degree murder in the 1987 killing of Dora Jean Brimage. His sentencing is set for Tuesday, when he faces life in prison without parole. More than 30 years ago, Brimage had been found inside a storefront in Boston's Roxbury neighborhood, beaten and strangled. Discovered by construction workers, the 19-year-old Brimage had also been sexually assaulted, according to prosecutors. Detectives with Boston Police's cold case squad went back to witnesses and asked for new testing of DNA collected from the scene. The DNA profile put together in the Boston Police Department's crime lab, when entered into a federal database, matched Paige, who had submitted his DNA after a felony conviction. Paige, who was living in Manchester, New Hampshire, was indicted in 2016. Suffolk County prosecutors said during trial that Brimage was at a birthday party for a relative of Paige the night of Sept. 6, 1987. In announcing his indictment in 2016, Suffolk District Attorney Dan Conley said investigators, after taking another look at the case, believed Brimage left the party with Paige two miles away from the Warren Street storefront she was found in. "For more than 30 years, Dora's loved ones have waited to see justice done," Conley said Friday. "Today, at long last, they can take some comfort in knowing the truth and satisfaction in seeing her killer held accountable," he added in a statement. "Two generations of prosecutors and police detectives combined shoe-leather detective work with DNA science to investigate, solve, and prove this vicious murder. Like all homicide investigators, they did it for a victim they could never know, and I want to thank each and every one of them." This post was updated with DA Conley's statement. MIAMI (AP) -- Florida officials said Thursday that four people have been found dead in the rubble of a collapsed South Florida pedestrian bridge where the frantic search for any survivors continued past nightfall. Fire Chief Dave Downey said at an evening news briefing that four deceased people were found amid the chaotic scene of concrete rubble and crumpled vehicles. He said nine victims were removed "early on" and taken to hospitals but didn't elaborate on their conditions. He said the "search and rescue mode" -- deploying trained canines, search cameras and sensitive listening devices -- was continuing into the night. Gov. Rick Scott also spoke to reporters, saying "everybody is working hard to make sure we rescue anyone who can be rescued." The Florida governor added that an exhaustive investigation now beginning will get to the bottom of "why this happened and what happened" and vowed that anyone who did anything wrong would be held accountable. Miami-Dade police director Juan Perez praised the actions of first responders during a news conference but acknowledged the likelihood of finding more victims under the rubble was growing more difficult with the passage of time. "We know that there's going to be a negative outcome at the end of the day," Perez said. The bridge was under construction and collapsed onto a busy Miami highway Thursday, crushing at least eight vehicles under massive slabs of concrete and steel. One side of the bridge led to Florida International University, a school west of the city's downtown. Search-and-rescue crews drilled holes into the debris and used their highly trained dogs to look for survivors. They had to work carefully because part of the structure was still unsafe. At least 10 people were taken to hospitals. The number of fatalities was not immediately known. The 950-ton (860-metric ton) bridge had been assembled by the side of the highway and moved into place Saturday to great fanfare. The span stretched almost 200 feet (60 meters) to connect Florida International University with the city of Sweetwater. It was expected to open to foot traffic next year. "This bridge was about goodness, not sadness," said FIU President Mark Rosenberg. "Now we're feeling immense sadness, uncontrollable sadness. And our hearts go out to all those affected, their friends and their families. We're committed to assist in all efforts necessary, and our hope is that this sadness can galvanize the entire community to stay the course, a course of goodness, of hope, of opportunity." First-of-its-kind pedestrian bridge swings into place. FIU is about building bridges and student safety. This project accomplishes our mission beautifully, -President Mark B. Rosenberg. https://t.co/x8gPM9A4DG #worldsahead pic.twitter.com/mPEMeh2zmw FIU (@FIU) March 10, 2018 Jacob Miller, a senior at FIU, was visiting a friend in a dorm when he heard sirens and horns honking. He went to a balcony and could see rubble coming down. "I saw there were multiple cars crushed under the bridge. It was just terrible. I saw some people stopping their cars, trying to get out, trying to assess the situation to see if there is anything they could do to help," he said. National Transportation Safety Board chairman Robert Sumwalt III said a team of specialists was heading to Miami on Thursday night with plans to begin its investigation Friday morning. Miami-Dade Police Director Juan Perez said his department's homicide team would take over the investigation after rescue efforts are complete. The exact death toll was unclear. Florida Highway Patrol Lt. Alejandro Camacho told CBS News that there were "several fatalities." Carlie Waibel, a spokeswoman for Sen. Bill Nelson, said local officials told Nelson that people had died, but a final number had not been confirmed. An accelerated construction method was supposed to reduce risks to workers and pedestrians and minimize traffic disruption, the university said. Renderings showed a tall, off-center tower with cables attached to the walkway to support it. When the bridge collapsed, the main tower had not yet been installed, and it was unclear what the builders were using as temporary supports. Robert Bea, a professor of engineering and construction management at the University of California, Berkeley, said it was too early to know exactly what happened, but the decision to use what the bridge builders called an "innovative installation" was risky, especially because the bridge spanned a heavily traveled thoroughfare. "Innovations take a design firm into an area where they don't have applicable experience, and then we have another unexpected failure on our hands," Bea said after reviewing the bridge's design and photos of the collapse. Sweetwater police Detective Juan Llera was in a nearby meeting when the bridge collapsed. "I heard a 'boom' like a bomb had exploded," he said. "At first I thought it was a terrorist attack." He said he saw three construction workers who had been injured. One had a head injury and was passing in and out of consciousness, another one had a leg injury leg and the third was lying on the street unconscious. He started performing CPR on him. "We were able to keep him alive to send him to the hospital," Llera said. Kendall Regional Medical Center received 10 injured people. Of those, two were in "extremely critical" condition and the other eight were stable with injuries such as broken bones, bruises and abrasions, said Dr. Mark McKenney, the hospital's director of general surgery. Of the two more serious cases, one arrived in cardiac arrest but was revived. The other had a serious brain injury, McKenney said. The main companies behind the $14.2 million construction project have faced questions about their past work, and one was fined in 2012 when a 90-ton (80-metric ton) section of a bridge collapsed in Virginia. Munilla Construction Management, or MCM, the Miami-based construction management firm that won the bridge contract, had a news release on its website touting the project with FIGG Bridge Engineers, a Tallahassee firm. It said initial reports that it had taken its website down were incorrect and that the site had become temporarily unavailable due to increased web traffic. "It has since been restored," the company said in a statement. MCM said on Twitter that it was "a family business and we are all devastated and doing everything we can to assist. We will conduct a full investigation to determine exactly what went wrong and will cooperate with investigators on scene in every way." FIGG said in a statement, "In our 40-year history, nothing like this has ever happened before." But FIGG was fined in 2012 after a 90-ton (80-metric ton) section of a bridge it was building in Virginia crashed onto railroad tracks below, causing minor injuries to several workers. The citation from the Virginia Department of Labor and Industry said FIGG did not properly inspect a girder and had not obtained written consent from its manufacturer before modifying it, according to a story in The Virginian-Pilot. Court documents show that MCM was accused of substandard work in a lawsuit filed earlier this month. The suit said a worker at Fort Lauderdale International Airport, where the company is working on an expansion, was injured when a makeshift MCM-built bridge collapsed under his weight. The suit accused the company of employing "incompetent, inexperienced, unskilled or careless employees" at the job site. A review of Occupational Safety Health Administration records shows that MCM has been fined for 11 safety violations in the past five years. The fines totaling more than $50,000 arose from complaints about unsafe trenches, cement dust and other problems at its Florida work sites. Florida International University is the second largest university in the state, with 55,000 students, most of whom live off-campus. The bridge was supposed to be a safe way to cross a busy highway. A university student was killed in August while crossing the road that the bridge was supposed to span. Written by Adriana Gomez Licon. Associated Press writers Kelli Kennedy in Fort Lauderdale, Curt Anderson in Miami and Tamara Lush in St. Petersburg contributed to this report. A day after taking fire from two Massachusetts lawmakers over the use of non-disclosure and non-disparagement agreements, House Speaker Robert DeLeo said the practice is "just part of doing business." DeLeo, D-Winthrop, made the remarks after a speech to the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce and said none of the agreements were used to handle sexual harassment complaints, according to the Boston Globe and the State House News Service. The issue of non-disclosure and non-disparagement agreements surfaced on Thursday when a state representative took to the House floor and decried their use, calling them "silencing tactics." Rep. Diana DiZoglio of Methuen said she was breaking the agreement she signed years ago when she was a State House aide and faced harassment. She said she signed it "under duress" when told she would not receive severance pay unless she put her signature on the document. She received support from Rep. Angelo Scaccia, a fellow Democrat who quoted the lyrics of the Simon and Garfunkel song "Sound of Silence" and taunted DeLeo, telling the speaker to come out of his office just off the House floor. The two lawmakers' comments - in riveting speeches on the House floor -- were a sharp rebuke of DeLeo. Above them in the gallery, State House aides leaned forward in their seats to watch a rare instance of dissent play out. DeLeo issued a four-page statement saying he was "deeply troubled" by DiZoglio's statements and was not aware she experienced harassment or was pressured to sign an agreement. "No member, officer or employee of the House of Representatives should be subjected to the sort of treatment described by Representative DiZoglio," his statement said. DeLeo's office said Thursday that since January 2010, there were 33 individuals who were offered a "small severance payment in exchange for executive a written agreement." "None of these agreements were to settle complaints of sexual harassment, but rather a formalized process for providing terminated employees with a modest severance benefit. Since Speaker DeLeo was elected Speaker, the House of Representatives has not paid any money to settle a complaint of sexual harassment/misconduct brought against or by any member, officer, employee or third party," DeLeo's office said. But in his floor remarks, Scaccia said Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey should look into the use of the agreements. Healey's office declined to comment on Thursday night. DeLeo's office released a statement after DiZoglio and Scaccia spoke, saying their allegations that the House attempted to cover up wrong-doing were based on "irresponsible speculation." DeLeo's office added that House lawmakers enacted a rule that waives any non-disclosure or non-disparagement provision of any existing agreement with House lawmakers, officers or employees before Thursday. "The House along with outside legal counsel conducted a through independent review of our entire human resources function," his office said. "The review revealed deficiencies in our current function and those deficiencies were rectified with today's vote." House counsel met with Healey's office as part of the review. According to DeLeo's office, "The review did not identify any reason to notify the Attorney General, much less require the Attorney General to conduct a review, nor did anyone raise a reason to do so today." The Massachusetts Republican Party seized on the allegations and dissent, and noted it came a year after lawmakers voted to give themselves pay raises. "Yesterday proved that Democrats are incapable of running the Legislature in an orderly and civil way," Kristen Hughes, Mass. GOP chairman, said in a statement. "Given this chaotic state of affairs, it's not surprising to see the House descend into disorder, with a senior Democrat calling on the Democrat AG to investigate their Party's own House Speaker," she said. "The people of Massachusetts deserve better than this." NORTHAMPTON - A Holyoke man who escaped serious injuries when his car collided early Friday with a freight train at a Route 5 crossing will be charged with driving while intoxicated, police said. The man, 46-year-old Alpha Kaba, was taken to the hospital for treatment of minor injuries. His vehicle, a Mazda SUV, sustained extensive damage to the passenger side, windshield and roof. Capt. John Cartledge said Kaba will be summonsed into court on charges of operating under the influence of alcohol, negligent operation of a motor vehicle and a railroad crossing violation. He said Kaba would have been placed under arrest at the scene but he had to go to the hospital for treatment. Police were called to the scene in front of the Packaging Corporation of America plant on Mount Tom Road just before 12:30 a.m. for a reported accident. The first officers on scene found Kaba standing outside of his wrecked vehicle, Cartledge said. "It could have been worse," he said. He told police he was driving south on Route 5 toward Holyoke when his vehicle was struck on the passenger side. He said he never saw the train coming, nor any warning signals before he felt the contact. The crossing does not have crossing arms to stop traffic but it has warning lights to signal when a train is approaching, and they were functioning, Cartledge said. The lighted signal was installed in 2017 in response to 2015 collision with a car that injured two. The crossing is for a railroad siding that leads from the Connecticut River main rail line to the Packaging Corporation of America. A siding is a railroad term for a slow-speed connecting track running off a main line. The speed limit on a siding for a freight train is 10 mph Massachusetts State Police Trooper Thomas Clardy had a command of the English language, one that would show up in his arrest reports. It sometimes made his superior, Lt. Michael Smith, feel like he needed a dictionary, Smith recalled Friday, as he offered a few lines of one of Clardy's verbose reports. "...He uttered a phrase in a voice coarsened by alcohol and the words were spoke in such savage haste, as he ran them together in an unintelligible growl that scarcely resembled human speech. The obnoxious and repulsive odor that had earlier besieged me grew in potency as its repugnant pong forced me to hold my nose in utter disgust." A crowd of State Police troopers, Massachusetts officials and Clardy's family shared a heartfelt laugh as Smith read the lines. But more than Clardy's elaborate police reports will live on. The group was gathered at the State Police barracks in Charlton on Friday afternoon to unveil a memorial stone in the fallen trooper's memory, announcing that a bridge on the Massachusetts Turnpike and a stretch of roadway will be named in Clardy's honor. Clardy was conducting a traffic stop on March 16, 2016, on the westbound side of the Massachusetts Turnpike in Charlton when another car suddenly slammed into his cruiser. Clardy suffered serious injuries and was later pronounced dead. The 44-year-old was the father of seven children. He was an 11-year veteran of the State Police and a member of the 77th RTT (2005) assigned to Troop E. It was a bittersweet day, the two-year anniversary of Clardy's death, as State Police honored his memory. "The biggest thing that sticks out with Tom for me was his compassion, it's one of the things I learned from him," Smith said. "Whether he had somebody under arrest or they were broken down roadside or on the phone, he treated everybody with respect and compassion." On the memorial stone, Clardy is pictured with a friendly smile, something Smith said he will always remember the trooper for. "He was a big strong man, but he was a very gentle soul," Smith said. Gov. Charlie Baker said that in the weeks after Clardy's death, he heard one phrase repeatedly. "Tom Clardy was a great guy," is what everyone said, Baker recalled. "Over and over again that was the message." Baker said he hopes that as the years go by, and one day when repairs are made to the bridge and roadway, people will see the Clardy name and want to know more about who the trooper was. Reisa Clardy and her children looked on quietly as Smith shared his heartfelt memories of Clardy, and as Baker and State Police Col. Kerry Gilpin unveiled the memorial stone. "Truthfully, it's hard for me to know what else we can say to Reisa and her family," Baker said. David Njuguna, the man accused of driving into Clardy's cruiser while high on marijuana, is awaiting trial in Worcester Superior Court. In late 2016, a judge ruled that there is "more than sufficient evidence" to establish probable cause that Njuguna was operating under the influence of marijuana during the crash. Njuguna, 30, of Webster, is being charged with manslaughter, manslaughter by motor vehicle homicide, motor vehicle homicide while driving under the influence of marijuana and other motor vehicle charges. SPRINGFIELD -- A prison beating caught on video stopped a city man from walking away from prison free and clear on Thursday. Jonathan Martinez, 30, has been behind bars since his arrest on heroin distribution charges in 2014. With a long criminal history, Martinez would have been classified as a career offender, which sends prison sentences skyward in the federal court system. However, four previous convictions for drug dealing were vacated after being tainted by disgraced drug chemist Sonja Farak. Martinez was one such beneficiary, according to Assistant U.S. Attorney Todd E. Newhouse. Martinez previously pleaded guilty to selling 150 bags of heroin for $650. After his prior convictions connected to Farak were vacated, his sentencing guidelines plummeted from 15 years in prison to around 30 months. He plausibly could have been released right after his sentencing hearing in U.S. District Court but for video of a prison melee that erupted three weeks before the hearing. For that, U.S. District Judge Mark Mastroianni added more than a year to Martinez's sentence -- 44 months behind bars. Newhouse on Thursday played video of the fight from several camera angles at Wyatt Detention Center in Rhode Island, where Martinez was held awaiting sentencing. "Isn't that the defendant?" Newhouse asked a prison guard on the witness stand as the video was playing. "Pretty tough uppercut to the face." In short, the video shows two inmates the guard labeled as MS-13 gang members being transferred from a segregation unit to the general population. As they shuffle from one unit to the next, pushing a cart full of their mattresses and belongings, other inmates suddenly attack them, the video shows. Newhouse said Martinez was among the group of rival La Familia gang members who pounced. Defense attorney Kevin Murphy did not dispute his client was among the assailants, but said it was an ongoing dispute in the Darwinian world many prisons are. After a flurry of fists, legs and chairs flying, the video concludes with one of the alleged MS-13 members splayed on his back, his face bathed in blood and his prison drabs spattered. Wyatt court officer Corey Beaudoin characterized the attack as an ambush, and said one of the targets spent days in the hospital. Martinez addressed Mastroianni before the judge handed down his sentence. "I won't stand here and lie and say I'm a changed man. But I can tell you I'm a changing man," he said, adding that he had been sucked into heroin addiction as a teen. Not changed enough, Mastroianni responded, citing the fight that was one of many jailhouse brawls plus the heroin sales. "I'm looking forward to the day that the community does not need protection from you," the judge said. The woman accused of fatally hitting a tow truck driver at the scene of a crash has pleaded not guilty to the charges. Shiina Dionne was arraigned in her hospital bed at Tufts Medical Center Friday afternoon. She was ordered held on $2,500 cash bail. Dionne, a 28-year-old woman from Lawrence, is charged with operating under the influence, negligent operation of a motor vehicle, motor vehicle homicide while operating under the influence, speeding, failure to wear a seatbelt and obstructing a stationary emergency vehicle. Shiina Dionne hospital arraignment on OUI charges in the death of tow truck driver Dan Coady, after her car hit him as he responded to crash Wednesday night on 495 in #Andover #TuftsMedicalCenter #wbz pic.twitter.com/qV8ayIRuN0 Christina Hager (@HagerWBZ) March 16, 2018 Daniel Coady, 41, of North Andover was struck while responding to a crash in the southbound lanes of Interstate 495 in Andover Wednesday night. In that initial crash, two vehicles collided and no one was injured, Massachusetts State Police said. He was struck by a Pontiac driven by Dionne while loading a vehicle onto the flatbed of his tow truck, police say. Coady was rushed to a nearby hospital where he was declared deceased. Dionne was taken to Tufts Medical Center for treatment of serious injuries and another driver at the scene was treated for minor injuries. Coady worked for his family's company, Coady's Garage & Towing Service, which has locations in Boston, Cambridge and Lawrence. He leaves behind a wife and children. AMHERST - Rex Tillerson was a terrible secretary of state, but the country will come to regret his firing. That's the opinion of Paul Musgrave, an assistant political science professor in the Commonwealth Honors College at the University of Massachusetts. He studies U.S. foreign policy, international relations theory and how oil revenues change political institutions. He is frequently asked to comment for international publications. President Donald Trump fired Tillerson Tuesday and replaced him with CIA Director Mike Pompeo, subject to Senate confirmation. The diplomatic shakeup comes as Trump prepares for a high-stakes meeting with the leader of North Korea. "I think we'll live to regret seeing Tillerson be fired. He was a terrible secretary of state -- probably the worst in the past century and a candidate for the worst in U.S. history. He was a terrible manager who has done immense harm to the State Department by driving away many experienced career officials," Musgrave wrote in an email. "Yet his instincts in many diplomatic instances were sound. He sought to soothe tensions among American allies in the Middle East. He had grown to appreciate the complexity of U.S.-China relations," Musgrave said. "He was taking a thorough look at the Russian Federation. And his trip to Africa was a step toward countering Chinese influence there while also making amends for the president's reported slurs against African countries." "By contrast, (Pompeo) looks like he could be a good manager with the confidence of the president but terrible policy positions," Musgrave said. "He is hawkish and a true-believing America Firster with little experience in diplomacy and little time to learn on the job. I suspect that he will view his job as delivering what the president wants on big issues while filling the department with competent but strongly conservative personnel akin to senior House Republican staffers." In terms of an alternative, Musgrave said, "There are very few people in the Republican foreign policy establishment who would be acceptable to the president, since most of them (and nearly all the senior ones) opposed the president's foreign policy. So the usual suspects, like Richard Haass, are probably out." "The United States now requires someone who has a good idea about how to staff the department, manage a complex policy portfolio, and maintain the trust of the president while doing so," Musgrave said. "That's a tall order, but I have an outside-of-the-box candidate who does seem to have maintained the president's favor despite policy differences: James Mattis, the current secretary of defense, who is not himself a diplomat but has undertaken plenty of military tasks with diplomatic flavors and has a better idea of how Washington works than many others." Earlier this month, before the Tillerson firing, Trump agreed to meet with North Korean leader Kim Jung Un by May to negotiate an end to Pyongyang's nuclear weapons program, a move that has been praised by some but prompted concerns from others. Some are unsure if the meeting will even happen. Musgrave thinks there's a 50-50 chance it will. He said both sides seem to want to make it happen. "Kim wants the recognition of meeting as equals with the leader of the global superpower and Trump consistently believes that he has superhuman abilities to make deals," he said. Anything that "reduces the chance of a second Korean War would be a good thing," Musgrave said. "The upside is that this could be a sign that the Trump administration embraces a more diplomatic approach," he said. "The downside is that the Trump White House might be walking in with unrealistic expectations, including the idea that the negotiations will be fast and easy. Both of those are unlikely. And a disappointed Trump might be a president who turns away from traditional diplomacy even more." "The best feasible outcome would be for the United States and North Korea to find a way to live with each other's red lines," he said. America's options are finding "a way to deal with Pyongyang as a nuclear power, or swallowing hard and making real concessions in exchange for denuclearization. For North Korea, the goal will be to find a path that preserves its security without endangering the regime." "That could include security guarantees from the United States, as well as lifting of U.S.-led sanctions and possibly even normalization of ties," Musgrave said. "One big question concerns the status of permanent U.S. troops in South Korea, and the possibility of a major change to the status of those forces can't be ruled out." WESTFIELD - The City Council on Thursday night squashed a $13 million bond request for the water department that included both temporary and permanent filtration systems for contaminated city wells. With a vote of 8-4, the request was one vote short of moving forward. Nine favorable votes were needed. "It's dead now," said Council President John J. Beltrandi III after the meeting. "They are playing a dangerous game with public safety," said Councilor Brent B. Bean II of those who did not advance the bond request. Councilors Beltrandi, Bean, Ralph J. Figy, Cindy Harris, Nicholas J. Morganelli Jr., William Onyski, Mary Ann Babinski and Michael C. Burns voted to move the bond forward while councilors Dave Flaherty, Andrew K. Surprise, Daniel Allie and Matthew Emmershy voted against it. Robert A. Paul Sr. was absent. Flaherty immediately asked for reconsideration, but Beltrandi said it could not be reconsidered. The bond included funds for several projects. One of the projects is the completion of work at wells seven and eight, the source of recent high levels of contamination from firefighting foam used at Barnes Air National Guard base. A second project will be to build an identical facility for wells one and two - located in the Dry Bridge/Holyoke road area, which includes a carbon filtration system with a lifespan of 30-50 years. Wells five and six, located in the Shaker Road area, are already equipped with this system. Well Two was taken offline this week due to possible contamination concerns. Another project would include a pipeline to the Springfield Water Works - located in Westfield on Granville Road - as an emergency water source. After the meeting Thursday Flaherty said he had hoped to have another two weeks to gather more information. The request required a second reading at the next meeting if it advanced last night. During the Legislative and Ordinance Committee meeting prior to the council meeting, Flaherty said the Finance Committee was not given enough information, could not do its job effectively and needed more time. The committee voted 2-1 last week not to recommend bond approval. "It's disrespectful to the committee," said Flaherty of the timeframe and what committee members said was a lack of information. "I'm trusting the finance committee and they're recommending a no vote, so that's what I'm going to do." Babinski argued that there was plenty of time to ask questions. "You have had time," she said. "There have been a lot of conversations." In addition to the lack of information cited by members of the committee, they also were concerned that a $5 million bond was already approved for water department improvements, including a temporary filtration system at wells seven and eight. Emmershy said there is still just over $4 million of those funds available. Wells seven and eight are the closest to the air base and were taken offline in 2015 when they were found to have exceeded federal advisory levels for chemicals found in the firefighting foam. The foam consisted of chemicals -- fluorinated surfacants PFOS and PFOA -- that have been identified by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as a health hazard. The city is pursuing legal action against three manufacturers of the foam. Emmershy said after the meeting that he repeatedly requested information from the Department of Public Works but did not receive any materials. Finance Committee members received three pages of information from the DPW and Mayor Brian P. Sullivan the day of its meeting, consisting of a short letter from Sullivan, a short letter from DPW Superintendent David Billips and an excel spreadsheet with five lines. "The Finance Committee has never been given a breakdown of what a filtration plant will cost," said Emmershy. "It's hard for the Finance Committee to justify any of these items when we don't have a breakdown of costs." All councilors vocalized the need to have clean water and said the safety of residents is a priority. However, some councilors were concerned about the cost and said if the city moved forward without a commitment of reimbursement from the Air Force and Air National Guard, it may never recoup the money. The 104th Fighter Wing at Barnes Air National Guard issued a press release Thursday citing the results of a recent ground water and soil site investigation at the base. The report is available on the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection's website. The soil and ground water testing is a step in the inspection process to determine potential migration pathways of PFOS/PFOA compounds. "We want the public to know the process is moving ahead," said Col. Peter Green. "Our goal from day one has been to partner with the city to protect human health and to be transparent with information." The Air National Guard is proactive in conducting inspections at suspected sites where firefighting foam has been suspected to be used in the past stated the release. "Our Airmen are part of the fabric of this community," said Green. "They live off base and share the rewards and risks with their civilian neighbors. We have the same long-term interest in ensuring clean water is available to our community." Firefighting foam will only be used in case of an emergency when responding to public fire safety at Barnes and the city's airport. The 104th release stated that in those situations, immediate action will be taken to ensure containment. The release did not offer any information about reimbursement discussions. Babinski said reimbursement is irrelevant when it comes to the safety of residents. "We may get reimbursed, or we may not," she said. "I have faith that somewhere down the line we will get reimbursed." Burns agreed. "We need to do this and we need to do it right for the safety of the citizens of Westfield," said Burns. Emmershy said he hopes the city will use existing funds from the $5 million bond to immediately begin a temporary filtration at wells seven and eight and get them back online in a matter of months. He also said his research found that the city could sink two new wells on the north side of the city with filtration systems for under $2 million in less time than it would take to get wells seven and eight running. As downtown Worcester has evolved over the last few years, with an influx of new businesses and residents moving into apartment buildings that overlook the Common, the city's police chief saw an opportunity. With the city's ongoing renaissance of dining and development, there was a chance to bring even more officers to downtown, enhancing safety in the area and building relationships with the business community. The vision has come to life with a brand new precinct inside Worcester's Union Station, which Police Chief Steven Sargent and city officials unveiled Friday. "We get a lot of calls here, we spend a lot of time here, we spend a lot of time on the Common, it just made sense to actually have a precinct here," Sargent said. "It's a great opportunity to do some old school policing in a new school environment." The Union Station precinct will be open 24/7, Sargent said, and officers started working out of the station last week. They will focus on the security of the historic Union Station building, with officers on the platform as commuter rail trains arrive, but also will have boots on the ground at the Common, the Worcester Public Library, City Hall and the Union Station parking garage. "We go through crime analysis every single week, all our commanders, we send resources to this area on a weekly basis because we do see that there's overdoses, there's a lot of calls for service, so again, it only made sense for us to be here 24/7 to clean up those problems," Sargent said. "We want to make sure that these old, systemic problems are taken care of and that's what we're doing here," he added. In 2017, Worcester saw five homicide victims, the lowest number since 2000, officials said. And, for possibly the first time in the department's modern history, none of the homicide victims were killed by shootings. The number of shootings, stabbings, robberies and aggravated assaults also went down from 2016 to 2017, according to recently released crime statistics. "While these numbers are hard to top, our work is far from complete," Sargent said. "Our policing strategies need to be longterm and continuous." Keeping that trend going and enhancing public safety is one of the goals of this new precinct. From Union Station, officers will utilize resources like the mounted unit, the motorcycle unit and K-9s. Sargent said he is not yet sure how many officers will be working out of the precinct for each shift. But, the station will serve more as a place for officers to check in and hang their hats. The real work will be out on the downtown streets. "We know that a partnership between the department and the community is essential to achieving our goals, the concept that we are focusing on is crime prevention and delivering top-notch police services," Sargent said. When asked how much it cost the city to get the precinct up and running, neither Sargent nor City Manager Edward Augustus Jr. had an estimate of the cost. The new precinct is another major step toward a revitalized downtown, remarked Augustus, who recalled the days when Union Station was crumbling. "This building was restored and turned into this magnificent structure that is is" "It did exactly what it was intended to do, it became a catalyst for development. So if you look across the street you see a brand new hotel, what's going on behind us in the Canal District, Shrewsbury Street, or downtown." In fact, the scaffolding currently around the top of Union Station is work in which the city is investing another $8 million in building to maintain it," Augustus said. The city manager and police chief agreed that the most important tool for police is officers' relationship with the community. By Richard E. Neal Last Tuesday night at the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C., I hosted a forum to recognize the 20th Anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement. This groundbreaking political settlement not only brought peace and stability to the island of Ireland, it remains one of the most significant American foreign policy accomplishments in recent memory. After years of direct rule from London, power was devolved to democratic institutions in Belfast, and local officials elected on a cross-community basis were now required to make decisions about their future. A society in conflict had been transformed, and the course of modern Irish history changed forever. Two decades later, I wanted to bring some of the key architects of that international accord together to talk about the hard won truce, and how the process needs to be sustained and nurtured going forward. President Bill Clinton began the event with a brief video statement and said "the day the Good Friday Agreement was signed was one of the happiest days of my presidency." Those comments set the tone for what was a remarkable discussion about courage and taking risks for peace. Joining me on stage was former Senator George Mitchell and Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams. Both men played critical roles in the all-party negotiations that took place at Stormont Castle during the 1990's. The new Prime Minister (Taoiseach) Leo Varadkar, who as a teenager voted for the agreement, represented the Irish government. Ambassador Sir Kim Darroch, who worked for Prime Minister Tony Blair, spoke on behalf of the British government. Both governments are co-guarantors of the agreement. Party leaders from the Social Democratic and Labor Party and the Ulster Unionist Party also participated. The common narrative from every side and party was that the agreement is working, violence is a thing of the past, the way to solve dispute is through the crucible of politics, and the process of reconciliation takes time. There is no Plan B. We also agreed that the island of Ireland is a far different and more prosperous place than it was just a generation ago. Senator Mitchell said, the political settlement in 1998 did not guarantee peace or stability, but it made them possible. It is our job to see it through. The most immediate threat to the integrity of the Good Friday Agreement is Brexit, and its implications on the Irish border. My position on this issues has been clear, consistent and emphatic: there can be no return to a hard border on the island of Ireland under any circumstances. I made this clear during my conversations with the British government last week. We are not going back to the days of checkpoints, roadblocks and customs patrols. As talks between the United Kingdom and the European Union continue, there can be no backsliding on this crucial point. With the recent breakdown of the cross-party talks in Belfast aimed at restoring the power-sharing institutions, I am urging the White House to name a new Special Envoy to Northern Ireland at the earliest possible opportunity. Since January 2017, devolved government at Stormont has been suspended and many important decisions about the future of the jurisdiction have been put on hold. While I remain hopeful that an accommodation between the parties can be reached, the appointment of a Special Envoy would help promote stability and send a strong message around the world that the United States remains fully engaged in the region. As we celebrate the 20th Anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement, the United States must continue to play a meaningful role on the island of Ireland in order to ensure that all aspects of the landmark settlement are implemented in full. We need to build and strengthen the trans-Atlantic relationship that exists between our great countries. We should never forget the hard work and effort that made this historic achievement possible. And we are reminded that the journey towards genuine peace and reconciliation is long. In other words, there is still more important work left to do. I'm prepared to play my part. Happy St. Patrick's Day! Congressman Richard E. Neal is the Co-Chairman of the Congressional Friends of Ireland Caucus and has worked for more than three decades to bring lasting peace and reconciliation to the island of Ireland. We have the power to end drug overdose deaths now. We can pull the rug out from under the traffickers and pushers by legalizing all drugs. Taking away the profits will end the business. Trump says we can't learn from other countries. Maybe he can't learn but other Americans can. We had 64,000 overdose deaths last year while Portugal had 3 and Romania had 2 (per one million residents). If prison time is off the table, addicts will come forward for treatment. With the savings from law enforcement and incarceration, there is money for the long term (about 4 years) treatment that actually works. There is money for education too. If drugs are legal, quality control can be implemented. That means no synthetic Fentanyl or other harmful additives which kill so many users. We can also insure the correct dosage. In Nations that have legalized all drugs, usage continues to go down with the passage of time and overdose deaths drop off dramatically. The Mexican cartels would be out of business without the US market. The War on Drugs has been going on since the sixties with Nixon. It hasn't worked. As long as the profits are good, the drug runners and gangs will be full steam ahead. Let's ask Portugal how they solved their very bad drug problem. Malita Brown, Wilbraham HOLYOKE -- Hampden County District Attorney Anthony Gulluni and Hampden County Sheriff Nick Cocchi are co-hosting a Holyoke St. Patrick's Parade after-party on Sunday at the Holyoke Boys & Girls Club, 70 Nick Cosmos Way. The gathering is open to the public and runs from 2-4 p.m. The event will feature refreshments and live Irish music and dancers. For many years, U.S. Rep. Richard E. Neal, D-Springfield, and former Hampden County Sheriff Michael J. Ashe, a Democrat from Longmeadow, had co-hosted the post-parade party. Now, however, the torch has been passed to fellow Democrats Cocchi and Gulluni, who say they're "proud to continue the tradition." The parade after-party has become part of the fabric of Saint Patrick's Day weekend in Holyoke, which gets underway with the city's famous road race on Saturday and culminates with the even more famous parade on Sunday. The reception at the Boys & Girls Club typically attracts local dignitaries and politicians, including current and prospective elected officials. "Carrying on the tradition of welcoming families, marchers, members of the public safety community, and other elected officials means a great deal to me," Gulluni said. "It is a great coming together of community and a continuation of the day's celebration here in Holyoke." Drawing statewide politicians and candidates to Western Massachusetts is a great way to showcase the region and "highlight the work we do here in Hampden County every day," Cocchi said. "Just as I have done with the annual summer picnic, this continues a great tradition of gathering all our friends and families in Holyoke to celebrate right after the parade," the sheriff said. "I look forward to seeing our community members come together, share some refreshments, and enjoy the day." If you're looking for something to do after work today, Gulluni will be hosting his third annual St. Patrick's Day Party from 5-8 p.m. at Springfield's John Boyle O'Reilly Club, 33 Progress Ave. There will be refreshments, corned beef sandwiches, live Irish music and a special greeting from Congressman Neal. Tickets are $20 at the front door of the Boyle, as the Springfield Irish club is commonly known. "The proud Irish tradition is one that centers on family and friends," Gulluni said. "Our now annual event encourages everyone to come together for a good time and celebrate the contributions made by Hampden County's large Irish-American population." BOSTON -- A major Massachusetts health care bill will be named for the late Rep. Peter Kocot. House Speaker Robert DeLeo, D-Winthrop, in a speech before the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce on Friday, revealed some details about the House's forthcoming "Peter V. Kocot healthcare bill." "In the coming months, we will take up the Peter V. Kocot healthcare bill to enhance access to high-quality, affordable healthcare while maximizing the impact of our existing infrastructure," DeLeo said, according to a copy of his prepared remarks. Kocot, of Northampton, was House chairman of the Committee on Health Care Financing until his death in February, after an illness. Kocot had been working on the House version of a bill to contain health care costs. "From the moment he became Chair of Health Care Financing, and throughout his illness, Chairman Kocot worked diligently on the House's healthcare bill," DeLeo said. "He was selfless - bringing conviction, enthusiasm and intellect to his work. He was thinking big." The Senate already passed its own version of a health care cost bill. The Senate bill includes a huge range of proposed policies, from increasing the use of telemedicine to requiring more transparency in drug pricing to increasing the insurance reimbursement rates for the lowest-paid hospitals. DeLeo said the House version of the legislation will "increase transparency, empower small businesses and lay the groundwork for MassHealth reforms." It would standardize how insurance plans are presented so employers and customers can better understand their options. The insurers would have to explain plan design and cost-sharing requirements for each tier, or level, of insurance coverage. The bill will include new consumer protections related to out-of-network billing. It would require a top MassHealth official to testify publicly each year at the state Health Policy Commission's annual hearing on cost trends. The pharmaceutical industry would also be required to testify. The bill would require MassHealth to report on the transition to a new framework for providing care. The bill will have to pass the House, then a final version will need to be negotiated with the Senate. Massachusetts Treasurer Deborah Goldberg is backing a new bill that would require the state pension fund to divest from companies that sell or manufacture guns. The bill was filed after a school shooting in Florida galvanized a nationwide movement for stricter gun control laws. "In the aftermath of the horrific shooting in Parkland, Florida, I watched as those brave students from Stoneman Douglas High School stood in the balcony watching while the Florida Legislature did nothing," Goldberg said in a statement. "It is clear that traditional approaches have not worked. Divesting our public pension funds from gun and ammunition manufacturers sends a clear message that we stand with the victims and survivors of gun violence everywhere." Today, the Massachusetts pension fund contains $72 billion. Just over $5 million is invested in six companies that would be included in the divestment bill. These are companies that derive more than 15 percent of their revenue from the sale or manufacture of ammunition, firearms, or firearm accessories used for civilian purposes. A clause in the bill would stop the provision from going into effect if divestment will cost the pension fund more than 0.5 percent, or $350 million. The bill is sponsored by State Rep. Lori Ehrlich, D-Marblehead, and State Sen. Cynthia Creem, D-Newton. "As gun violence tears at the fabric of our nation and Congress is unable to act even in the face of overwhelming support, it is time for state stewards to ensure our retirement savings and pension funds are not profiting from that violence," Ehrlich said. Previously, the Legislature approved divesting from tobacco companies and companies doing business with Sudan, Northern Ireland, Iran and South Africa. There is an ongoing effort to convince the state to divest from fossil fuel companies. The California Legislature has already divested its pension fund from companies that manufacture guns that are illegal in California. Lawmakers in New Jersey, Florida and Connecticut are considering gun divestment bills. Goldberg argues that the move makes financial sense. The Springfield-based American Outdoor Brands Corp., the parent company of Smith and Wesson, has seen its stock drop 30 percent since November 2016. Remington Outdoor Company is expected to file for bankruptcy. According to a Goldberg spokeswoman, the state pension retirement fund has a small investment in American Outdoor Brands, but because it is a passive investment, it would not be impacted by the divestment bill. The bill must go through the legislative process, with votes in the House and Senate, in order to become law. MANCHESTER, N.H. -- President Donald Trump will return to New Hampshire for the first time since his 2016 campaign Monday to reportedly speak on the opioid epidemic. White House officials told the Concord Monitor that Trump will announce a new policy aimed at combatting the opioid crisis during an afternoon event at Manchester Community College. The president will then visit Manchester Central Fire Station, which has a Safe Station program to help connect those with addictions to treatment. Trump last visited the Granite State the night before his 2016 presidential election win, when he held a large rally at SNHU Arena in Manchester. Vice President Mike Pence, meanwhile, is scheduled to attended a Manchester fundraiser next week for Gov. Chris Sununu's re-election bid, the Concord Monitor reported. Trump, who pledged to address opioid abuse during his 2016 campaign, launched the President's Commission on Combating Drug Addiction and the Opioid Crisis last March to examine steps lawmakers can take to tackle the issue. The panel, which included Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker, issued its final list of recommendations in November and urged Congress to immediately appropriate funding to implement its proposals. The commission, among many things, recommended that federal officials: create an expansive, national multimedia campaign to highlight the dangers of opioid abuse, remove stigma as a barrier to treatment and cast addiction as a "chronic brain disease;" provide better addiction prevention education to students; and get federal funding support more quickly and effectively to state governments. It also urged the Trump administration and Congress to "block grant federal funding for opioid-related and (substance use disorder)-related activities to the states." It is unclear whether any of the commission's recommendations will be included in the policy that Trump is expected to announce in Manchester. Various news outlets, however, have recently reported that the Trump administration is considering allowing prosecutors to seek the death penalty for drug dealers, in addition to studying other tough, non-capital penalties for dealers. BOSTON -- A state representative said she experienced sexual harassment in the Massachusetts House of Representatives and was required to sign a nondisclosure agreement barring her from talking about the incident. Rep. Diana DiZoglio, D-Methuen, says she is one of 33 House employees who signed nondisclosure agreements when they were fired from jobs at the Statehouse. "These silencing tactics have no place in this House," said Rep. Diana DiZoglio, D-Methuen, speaking on the House floor Thursday. "They cover up misdeeds by politicians and others and allow perpetrators to move from one victim to the next." As a result of DiZoglio's accusations, longtime Boston lawmaker Rep. Angelo Scaccia, a Democrat, called on the state attorney general to investigate the use of nondisclosure agreements by House Speaker Robert DeLeo, D-Winthrop. DeLeo said this was the first he heard that DiZoglio experienced harassment. "The comments of the two representatives that agreements were used by the House to cover up wrongdoing are based on irresponsible speculation," DeLeo said in a statement. The impassioned debate about nondisclosure agreements came as the House debated and unanimously passed new rules adopting a policy for addressing sexual harassment. "I think it's important that we now have very clearly defined ways of addressing the issue of sexual harassment," said Rep. Marjorie Decker, D-Cambridge, who spoke on behalf of the bill on the House floor. In her speech, DiZoglio told the story of how, as a 26-year-old legislative aide for former Rep. Paul Adams, R-Andover, she attended a late-night party in DeLeo's office. At one point, she and Rep. Mark Cusack, D-Braintree, went into the empty House chamber. A House investigation confirmed that nothing inappropriate happened between them. But DiZoglio said the investigation led to gossip and rumors. "People were constantly talking about me and not in a good way," DiZoglio said. DiZoglio said she requested unsuccessfully that the speaker transfer her to another job. Her boss asked her to leave. She said she received a severance package on condition that she sign an agreement that she not disparage the House. "With my money running out quickly, I didn't feel like I had another option, so I signed under duress," DiZoglio said. After leaving her Statehouse job, DiZoglio ran and won a House seat in 2012. DiZoglio said she was breaking the nondisclosure agreement, telling her story to a Boston Globe columnist and then speaking on the floor of the House, because, "I just want this awful practice to stop. " DiZoglio asked House members to ban the practice of nondisclosure or nondisparagement agreements. DeLeo said this is the first time he or his staff heard about the harassment DiZoglio experienced, and she did not mention harassment when his office investigated the late-night incident in 2011. DeLeo said DiZoglio's supervisor unilaterally terminated her, even after the investigation cleared her, "not consistent with House procedures." DiZoglio's attorney, who negotiated the severance agreement, did not mention the harassment, and DeLeo said he believed DiZoglio agreed with the terms of the agreement. "This matter appears to be an instance where - unfortunately, but understandably - a victim has only recently become comfortable reporting the harassment that she experienced," DeLeo said in a lengthy statement. DeLeo said there was nothing preventing DiZoglio from speaking to the press. DeLeo said of 150 House employees who have been terminated, or left in a way other than voluntary resignation, since 2010, 33 have signed agreements in exchange for severance pay. None of the settlements involved sexual harassment. After DiZoglio told her story, Scaccia ripped DeLeo for the repeated use of nondisclosure agreements, noting that public money was spent to ensure employees' "silence." "You've been getting away for too long in this House with the sound of silence," Scaccia said. He urged Attorney General Maura Healey to investigate. DeLeo said the new House rules were the result of a review by legal counsel, which did not find any reason to notify the attorney general. The House, by a 21-131 vote, rejected DiZoglio's amendment, which would have banned the use of nondisclosures in any separation agreement, regardless of whether it related to sexual harassment. Lawmakers instead unanimously passed an amendment setting clear guidelines on the use of settlements in cases of sexual harassment or retaliation. Under the change, a nondisclosure or nondisparagement clause can only be in place for a finite time agreed to by the parties. By request, House counsel will waive any nondisclosure agreement signed before the new rules passed. Any settlement will have to be initiated by and reviewed by the person with the legal claim. Decker said after the vote that the House chose to focus only on sexual harassment, and wanted to ensure that nondisclosure agreements are available when a complainant wants one. Asked about DiZoglio's desire for a broader amendment, Decker said DiZoglio raised important points, even if her amendment was not adopted. "What you saw in that room was her pain and determination to try to redress what she thinks has gone wrong," Decker said. The new internal rules require the hiring of an equal employment opportunity officer, who will be in charge of investigating complaints and providing additional training for members and staff. The human resources office will be expanded, and there will be a new director of employee engagement. The rules establish a process that offers public and private methods for disciplining a House member, depending on the situation, with provisions assuring confidentiality and banning retaliation. They recommend instituting mandatory annual training for members, staff and interns and commissioning a multi-year survey on sexual harassment. After the vote, House Minority Leader Brad Jones, R-Reading, said the House took a "monumental step" in addressing sexual harassment. He said he had raised the problem of vulnerable interns who are only in the building for a short time. Jones defended the use of nondisclosure agreements, which he said can be signed when someone is fired for poor job performance or other issues that may be disputed. The new rules were the result of a review by House counsel and outside attorneys, including former Attorney General Martha Coakley, into House sexual harassment policies. Amid a national movement where sexual harassment is getting significant attention, a Boston Globe story reported that numerous women had experienced harassment on Beacon Hill. MassLive.com reporter Gintautas Dumcius contributed to this story. BOSTON - A decade ago, Bruce Howell, who is blind, was depressed and financially dependent on Social Security disability insurance and family members. He did not have a plan for his life. Then the Massachusetts Commission for the Blind sent him to the Carroll Center for the Blind in Newton. He received training to reenter the workforce, and is now a homeowner and taxpayer. He chairs the Massachusetts Commission for the Blind's Rehabilitation Council and also works on developing web accessibility for businesses. Howell was one of several people who testified Friday in support of a request to increase funding by $1.55 million for the Massachusetts Commission for the Blind, up from the $30.8 million that Gov. Charlie Baker is proposing. People with disabilities turned out en masse on Friday at the Ways and Means Committee's final public budget hearing at the Statehouse to urge lawmakers to fund the services that they consider priorities. Advocates for poor people also turned out in large numbers to promote a campaign to lift the "family cap" on welfare benefits, which denies benefits for a child conceived once a family is on welfare. Baker proposed his version of the state's $40 billion fiscal 2019 budget in January. After a series of public hearings around the state, the House will release its version of the budget by May 9, followed by the Senate. The next fiscal year begins July 1. The final hearing, held at the Statehouse, provided a forum for members of the public to talk about issues and programs that are important to them. One panel of people who are deaf-blind asked for money to expand the number of service providers available for the Deaf-Blind Contact Center. Marie Doyle said, through an interpreter, that a service provider picks her up in Plymouth, brings her to social events in Boston and takes her home. Because she is deaf and blind, she cannot take public transportation. "I need access as a deaf blind person," Doyle said. "I need to get out, go shopping, I need a person with me to be able to navigate my community." Greg Donnelly, president of the Carroll Center for the Blind, spoke in favor of a $1.55 million increase for the Massachusetts Commission for the Blind, which works with the Carroll Center. Donnelly said the Carroll Center is facing major deficits. "The long term sustainability of the center is at risk," Donnelly said. Several people who have received services from the center said the center taught them the skills they needed and helped them get equipment so they can hold jobs, raise children and buy homes. Dave Power, president of Perkins School for the Blind, added that federal funding that the blind community used to count on is no longer available. Ashley Starr, community transition coordinator for the Metrowest Center for Independent Living, asked for a $1 million increase for the 11 independent living centers, which help people with disabilities live on their own. She said her center has a waitlist of 30 people, and the centers actually save the state money by helping people move out of nursing homes back into the community. In addition to people with disabilities, numerous advocates representing the "lift the cap on kids" campaign showed up at the hearing wearing identical blue hats. The amount of welfare assistance a family is eligible for is based on family size. But under a provision of Massachusetts' 1995 welfare reform law, babies born while the family is on welfare -- or after the family has been on welfare -- are not eligible for the additional money. So if a poor mother who qualifies for welfare has two children, she can get up to $578 a month in government assistance. But if one of those children was born while she was on assistance, she can only get up to $478. There are 17 states with similar caps in place. "Enacted as a theoretical method to deter women from having more children, thousands of otherwise eligible children have suffered," said Rebekah Gewirtz and Sophie Hansen, executive director and political director of the National Association of Social Workers' Massachusetts chapter, in prepared testimony. Lifting the cap would cost the state approximately $13 million and help an estimated 8,700 children. Naomi Meyer, a senior attorney in the welfare law unit at Greater Boston Legal Services, said these families are struggling to make ends meet. "That $100 difference means the difference between whether a mom can afford enough diapers to keep her baby clean and healthy, and the difference between whether she can afford bus fare to go to the supermarket and buy what her kids need," Meyer said. The group also lobbied at the public budget hearing last year, without success. Meyer said last year, advocates were just starting to call attention to the issue. Now, a bill to lift the cap had a public a hearing in May and was reported favorably out of a legislative committee. "We've had another year to educate folks about the issue and let it make its way through the legislative process, and so we think this year's the year," Meyer said. Prospera Business Network is the lead non-profit organization advancing and supporting community-centered economic development in southwest Montana. Our focus is helping people start and grow their business in turn strengthening our regions economy and communities. Three finalists for the position of dean of the Jake Jabs College of Business and Entrepreneurship at Montana State University will interview on campus March 26, March 27 and March 29. As part of their campus interview, each finalist will hold a public forum. The finalists and the dates of their open forums are: http://www.montana.edu/news/17521 With a market capitalization of close to $9 billion and more than 170 equity listings, the Stock Exchange of Mauritius (SEM) is one of the most vibrant in Africa. It is also where many of Mauritius ultra-high net-worth individuals store significant portions of their fortunes through equity stakes in their own and other companies, which they typically hold via both direct and indirect investments. Based on figures derived from investment agencies, the latest annual reports and confirmations from capital market registrars, these are the 15 richest people who own stocks listed on the Stock Exchange of Mauritius. Billionaires.Africa lists individuals rather than multigenerational families who share large fortunes, but in cases where ownership breakdown among siblings and couples arent clear, we attribute the fortune to the most visible-prominent member of the family. The value of their shares is based on prices at the end of trading on Aug. 20, and valuations are converted to U.S. dollars at current exchange rates #1 Arnaud Lagesse & family Net worth on SEM: $130.4 million Holdings: Ireland Blyth Limited (IBL) Arnaud Lagesse is the CEO of Ireland Blyth Limited (IBL Group), a family-controlled business that has been in existence for close to two centuries. IBL is Mauritius largest conglomerate with more than $900 million in annual revenues. Through its subsidiaries, it engages in the agro and energy, building and engineering, commercial and distribution, financial, hospitality, life and technologies, logistics, seafood, and properties businesses. Lagesse and his brothers Benoit, Hugues, Jean-Pierre, Thierry and Stephane own a joint ownership stake of 16.81 percent of the groups total issued ordinary shares. The stake is worth $130.4 million. #2 Desmond de Beer Net worth on SEM: $80.04 million Holdings: Lighthouse Capital Property tycoon Desmond de Beer was a founder of Resilient REIT Limited, a South African Real Estate Investment Trust, where he has served as CEO since listing in 2002. He was also a founder of New Europe Property Investments Plc and its successor NEPI Rockcastle Plc. He is the largest individual shareholder of Lighthouse Capital Limited, a company that invests globally in direct property in developed and developing markets, as well as listed real estate and infrastructure securities. He owns a 13.71-percent stake in Lighthouse Capital a stake that is worth $80,044,840 #3 Barry Stuhler Net worth on SEM: $36.7 million Holdings: Lighthouse Capital South African-born Barry Stuhler is a chartered accountant who a 6.29-percent stake in Lighthouse Capital worth $36,726,456. He is the managing director at Capital Property Fund in South Africa. #4 Norbert Dentressangle Net worth on SEM: $24,227,818 Holdings: CIEL, Sun Mauritius French billionaire Norbert Dentressangle, who built his fortune in transport and logistics, owns a 5.11-percent stake in CIEL worth $11.983 million as well as a 17.32-percent stake in Sun Mauritius worth $12.24 million. #5 Chian Ah Teck Net worth on SEM: $23,678,632 Holdings: Gamma Civic, Lottotech Chian Tat Ah Teck is the executive chairman of Gamma Civic. He was previously managing director of the company from 1987 to January 2011. Gamma Civic is an investment holding. It operates in the following sectors: building materials, contracting, investments, lottery and corporate services. Chian Ah Teck owns a 6.93-percent stake in Gamma Civic worth $9,253,664.45 and also owns a 19.6-percent stake in Lottotech worth $14,424,968. #6 Dominic Galea Net worth on SEM: $22,827,748 Holdings: Mauritius Union Assurance Company, United Docks Dominique Galea is chairman at Mauritius Union Assurance Company where he owns a 15.75-percent stake worth $21.1 million. He also owns 6.6 percent of United Docks, a leading real estate developer that owns around 100,000 square meters of prime freehold land in Port-Louis. #7 Louis Boulle Net worth on SEM: $18.4 million Holdings: Ireland Blyth Limited (IBL Group) Louis Gaetan-Jan-Fredrik Boulle is a prominent boardroom guru who serves on dozens of corporate boards in Mauritius. He is the chairman of Ireland Blyth Limited (IBL Group), where he owns a 2.33-percent stake worth $18.33 million. He also owns 0.05 percent in Lux Island resorts worth $58,925.53 #8 P. Arnaud Dalais Net worth on SEM: $18.6 million Holdings: Ciel Group The Mauritian businessman is non-executive chairman of Ciel Group, one of the island nations largest business conglomerates. He owns an 8.02-percent stake in CIEL. #9 Jean-Pierre Dalais Net worth on SEM: $11.9 million Holdings: Ciel Group A member of the Dalais family, the controlling shareholders of the Ciel Group, Jean-Pierre Dalais owns a 5.46-percent stake in the company worth $11.9 million. #10 Pierre De Speville Net worth on SEM: $14,927,013 Holdings: Pierre De Speville holds a 12.83-percent stake in Medine, a Mauritian conglomerate with interests in agro, leisure, property, and education. #11 Pierre-Emile Latour Net worth on SEM: $14,594,674 Holdings: Pierre-Emile Latour holds a 10.89-percent shareholding in Mauritius Union Assurance Company, worth $14,594,674.03 #12 Timothy Taylor Net worth on SEM: $12,164,585 Holdings: Timothy Taylor holds a 9.27-percent stake in Cim Financial Services, a non-banking deposit-taking institution that avails individual consumers, SMEs and large corporates with financial services such as consumer finance, credit cards, forex, leasing and factoring. #13 Vincent Ah-Chuen Net worth on SEM: $6,698,653 Holdings: Vincent Ah-Chuen holds a 16.41-percent stake in ABC Motors, a Mauritian company that markets, distributes and repairs automobiles; a 1.13-percent stake in Mauritius Union Assurance Company and a 25.04-percent stake in P.O.L.I.C.Y Limited, an investment company in Mauritius. #14 Cyril How Kin Sang Net worth on SEM: $9,284,305 Holdings: Cyril How Kin Sang holds a 6.94-percent stake in Gamma Civic, an investment holding company. #15 Pierre-Guy Noel Net worth on SEM: $9,062,745 Holdings: Pierre-Guy Noel is the CEO of MCB, one of Mauritius largest banking groups. He owns a 0.55-percent stake in the company. Partager et informez vous aussi...... 0 shares Share Tweet LinkedIn Les membres du gouvernement lous de leur reunion hebdomadaire ont pris note que le Finance Bill sera presente au Parlement, que la Consumer Protection (Maximum Price of Essential Goods) Regulations 2021 a ete promulge le 12 juillet 2021, quun service de bus de 15 palces sera mis en place dans la region de Quatre Bornes/Belle Rose au prix de Rs 15 a 25, de la situation en Afrique du Sud, que le pays va recevoir 76,050 doses de Pfizer-BioNtech dans le cadre de COVAX entre autres. 1. Cabinet has agreed to the introduction of the Finance (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2021 into the National Assembly. The object of the Bill is to provide for the implementation of measures announced in the Budget Speech 2021-2022 and for matters connected, consequential and incidental thereto. 2. Cabinet has taken note of the resumption of activities by the licensed tourist accommodations, i.e., hotels, guesthouses, domaines and tourist residences (villas, apartments and bungalows) as from 23 July 2021, in line with the established sanitary protocol. The resumption of their activities would have the following added advantages: (a) a pool of tourist accommodations would be available to the incoming travellers wishing to stay for more than the minimum of 14 days in Resort Hotels or quarantine facilities; (b) Mauritian residents would have the opportunity to book these tourist accommodations and therefore, boost domestic tourism; and (c) a multiplier effect on the other sectors of the economy. The Tourism Authority would carry out regular monitoring at these tourist accommodations to ensure that the sanitary protocol was duly complied with. 3. Cabinet has taken note that the Consumer Protection (Maximum Price of Essential Goods) Regulations 2021 have been promulgated to come into effect on 12 July 2021 to fix the prices of edible oil, pulses, canned tomatoes, milk powder, margarine, cheese and canned fish (sardines and pilchards). New Regulations would be made to align the prices of essential commodities in Rodrigues with the new prices which are applicable in Mauritius. The Regulations would take effect as from 19 July 2021. 4. Cabinet has agreed to the Ministry of Land Transport and Light Rail, the National Land Transport Authority and Metro Express Ltd signing a Memorandum of Understanding to proceed with the licensing of 15-seater shuttle vehicles with a view to enhancing connectivity of passengers to and from the light rail stations. The shuttle services would be launched on a pilot basis and operate only within regions at Quatre Bornes and Belle Rose for the time being. The five shuttle routes being proposed for implementation would operate within the following areas: (a) Sodnac Quatre Bornes Central Station; (b) Candos Quatre Bornes Central Station ; (c) Vieux Quatre Bornes/Ollier Belle Rose Station ; (d) Palma Belle Rose Station; and (e) Bassin Quatre Bornes Central Station. A flat fare of Rs15 to Rs25 would be charged to passengers depending on the length of the route. Amendments would be made to the Road Traffic (Construction and Use of Vehicles) Regulations 2010 in order to cater for microbuses, that is, 15-seater vehicles. The Road Traffic (Conductors and Drivers of Public Service Vehicle) Regulations 1954 would be amended to provide for one-man operation with regard to the vehicles licensed under a Road Service Licence. 5. Cabinet has taken note of the ongoing unrest and violence in certain provinces of South Africa. The Mauritius High Commission in Pretoria has called upon the Mauritian Diaspora in South Africa to exercise extreme caution and avoid areas where violent incidents were taking place. The High Commission was closely monitoring the evolving precarious situation in the affected areas and its trickling effects on the livelihood of the Mauritian Diaspora in South Africa. The High Commission has strongly recommended Mauritians in South Africa to keep safe within the premises of their homes and observe all local Laws and Regulations, as advised by the Government of South Africa. 6. Cabinet has taken note of the projects being implemented by the Ministry of Industrial Development, SMEs and Cooperatives in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). The UNDP Country Office, Mauritius and Seychelles has approached the Ministry to seek technical support and collaboration in respect of the National Level Consultations on the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Protocol on Women in Trade. The Ministry would act as lead partner and dedicate a team to facilitate and support the consultations. The following collaboration is being proposed by UNDP: (a) Informal sector diagnostic: to support the undertaking of a comprehensive analysis at the informal sector in Mauritius, the purpose being to enable the informal sector to effectively engage in the AfCFTA; (b) Establishment of an integrated data information system for inclusive business: to support the conceptualisation and design of a national integrated SME database; (c) Video Conferencing Facility: to purchase and install video conferencing facility at the level of the Ministry of Industrial Development, SMEs and Cooperatives; and (d) Corporate Consultations on AfCFTA: to collaborate within the corporate framework of the UNDP and AfCFTA Secretariat in relation to AfCFTA Webinar and the National Level Consultations on the AfCFTA Protocol on Women in Trade. The AfCFTA Webinar relates to the organisation of a technical session by UNDP and the AfCFTA Secretariat to discuss on regional opportunities for Mauritian SMEs and existing support infrastructure for Mauritian Business. 7. Cabinet has agreed to the submission of the updated and reformatted Progress Report on the Implementation of the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) Programme of Action in Mauritius, prepared by the APRM National Governing Committee, to the APRM Secretariat. The APRM is a mutually agreed instrument acceded by African Union Member States, on a voluntary basis, as a governance self-monitoring mechanism. A first APRM Country Progress Report was prepared by the National Governing Committee in January 2019 and transmitted to the APRM Secretariat. Pursuant to the recommendations of the APRM Secretariat, the first APRM Country Progress Report was updated and reformatted by the National Governing Committee. 8. Cabinet has agreed to the proposed accreditation of the Permanent Representative of Mauritius to the United Nations in New York, Ambassador J.D. Koonjul, GCSK, as the Representative of Mauritius to the International Civil Aviation Organization. 9. Cabinet has agreed to the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Environment, Solid Waste Management and Climate Change and the Mauritius Museums Council on the Extension of the Existing Nursery at National Museum of Mahebourg. The Living Environment Unit of the Ministry of Environment, Solid Waste Management and Climate Change undertakes, inter alia, the cleaning and embellishment on a daily basis of various public sites across the island. It proposes to green and embellish the motorways M1 and M2 and main roads in towns and major villages, which would also include the planting of appropriate trees and plants. The existing nursery of 2,450 m2, located within the compound of the National History Museum of Mahebourg, would be extended by 1,400 m2 for propagation of the required additional plants. 10. Cabinet has agreed to the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Agro-Industry and Food Security and the United Nations Resident Coordinators Office in Mauritius, for the organisation of the National Food Systems Dialogues in Mauritius and the preparation of a Country Report. The UN Secretary-General has convened a World Food Systems Summit to be held in September 2021, to raise global awareness, global commitments and actions for the transformation of food systems to not only resolve hunger, but also reduce diseases associated with malnutrition and heal the planet. Member States have been urged to organise multi-stakeholder Food System Dialogues to develop national pathways towards sustainable food systems that shall be presented at the UN Food Systems Summit. Four National Dialogues in the northern, eastern, central and southern regions of the island would be held on different themes, namely crop, agro-processing, livestock including fisheries, and value chain. The other activities include radio and television programmes and the preparation of a Country Report, among others. 11. Cabinet has taken note of the situation of the COVID-19 pandemic prevailing across the world. Some 189.6 million cases have been reported globally, of which 173.1 million persons have been successfully treated. With regard to Mauritius, as from March 2020 to 16 July 2021, 2,535 cases (including imported cases) of COVID-19 had been registered. There were 579 active cases of COVID-19 in Mauritius, out of which 568 were local cases and 11 imported cases. Contact tracing exercises and random testing are being carried out in accordance with the established protocol. Cabinet has also taken note that following detection of several positive cases of COVID-19 at Bois Cheri, the locality was declared as a Red Zone on 14 July 2021 up to 04 August 2021 at 6 a.m. Cabinet has further taken note of the proposed measures for Qurbani in Red Zones for Eid-Ul-Adha. An Order would be made to regulate activities related to Qurbani, in order to prevent any spread of the virus within the community. 12. Cabinet has taken note of progress in the implementation of the national COVID-19 vaccination programme. More than 600,000 persons have received a first dose of vaccine and more than 430,000 a second dose of vaccine. Cabinet has also taken note that the COVAX Facility has informed that Mauritius would be allocated 76,050 doses of Pfizer-BioNtech vaccine in Quarter 3 of 2021, that is during the period July to September 2021. Cabinet has further taken note that the African Union would start the distribution of the COVID-19 vaccines donated by the US Government. The distribution concerns five million doses of Johnson and Johnson vaccines and ten million doses of Pfizer/BioNtech vaccines. The African Union would be responsible for the distribution of five million doses of Johnson and Johnson vaccines whereas the allocation of the Pfizer vaccines would be through the COVAX Facility. 13. Cabinet has taken note that the status of projects being implemented by the National Housing Development Co. (NHDC) Ltd, as well as forthcoming projects that are expected to be completed by 2024. The NHDC Ltd has, for the period November 2019 to June 2021, delivered 951 housing units. In addition, 99 housing units at Chebel would be delivered shortly. For the period July 2021 to June 2024, some 3,409 housing units were expected to be completed and delivered as follows: (a) July 2021 June 2022 1,384 housing units (b) July 2022 June 2023 463 housing units (c) July 2023 June 2024 1,562 housing units Government has provided for the full funding of housing projects at Baie du Tombeau, La Valette and Agalega. The construction of 656 social housing units at Dagotiere and 300 social housing units at Mare Tabac financed by the Government of India was expected to be completed in October 2021. The construction of 1,050 housing units was also being funded from a Line of Credit from the Saudi Fund for Development and the housing projects were being implemented at Petit Bel Air, Cascavelle, Bassin and Mon Gout and were expected to be completed in fiscal year 2023-2024. The NHDC Ltd also carries out maintenance, rehabilitation and upgrading works to NHDC housing estates and these projects are fully funded by Government. For period November 2019 to April 2021, Rs118 million have been spent for rehabilitation of existing wastewater network and ancillary works on five housing estates. As regards the roof slab grant scheme, an amount of Rs55.5 million has, since November 2019 to June 2020, been disbursed to 738 families. For fiscal year 2020/2021, 1,105 families have benefited from the scheme and an amount of Rs76.3 million has been disbursed. 14. Cabinet has taken note that the Instrument of Ratification of the ILO Violence and Harassment Convention, 2019 (No. 190) and its accompanying Violence and Harassment Recommendation, 2019 (No 206) have been deposited by Mauritius on 1 July 2021. The ILO Convention No.190 is the first international treaty to address violence and harassment in the world of work adopted by the International Labour Conference in June 2019. The Convention and its Recommendation (No 206) provide for a common framework of action and a unique opportunity to shape the future of work based on dignity and respect. It also underlines the right of every worker to a world of work free from violence and harassment. It is the first international labour instrument which defines violence and harassment in the world of work, including gender-based violence. Member States having ratified the Convention are required to adopt, in consultation with representatives of employers and workers organisations, an inclusive, integrated and gender-responsive approach with a view to preventing and eliminating violence and harassment, through prevention, protection and enforcement measures and remedies, as well as guidance, training and awareness-raising. Mauritius became the first country in the Indian Ocean, the third in Africa and the seventh country in the world to ratify the ILOs Violence and Harassment Convention, 2019 (No. 190). 15. Cabinet has taken note of the enlargement of the scope of the existing Enhancement of Work Environment Programme to also cater for projects relating to greening of the Public Sector. The Ministry of Public Service, Administrative and Institutional Reforms would also consider financing projects from Ministries and Departments relating, amongst others, to: (a) solar water heaters; (b) solar panels for electricity generation; (c) rainwater harvesting; (d) recycling processes and tools; (e) sensors to control lights in office; and (f) energy saving bulbs. The financial support in respect of green projects would be up to a ceiling of Rs100,000 per project. The Ministry would support projects in relation to protection of public officers against COVID-19 infections including wall-mounted infrared thermometers and infrared sensing hand sanitizers. 16. Cabinet has taken note that the Ministry of Land Transport and Light Rail would hold an Award Ceremony for National Drawing Competition on Road Safety for primary school students on 17 July 2021 at the Municipal City Council of Port Louis, under strict sanitary measures. The drawing competition on Road Safety for primary school students on the theme Streets for Life in the context of a Road Safety campaign was launched during the 6th United National Global Road Safety Week held from 17 to 23 May 2021. 17. Cabinet has taken note of the recent UN advocacy for the introduction of 30km per hour speed limit in zones within towns and villages which are being used by pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists. In this connection, the Ministry of Land Transport and Light Rail was carrying out detailed survey and analysis with a view to introducing that measure in Mauritius. 18. Cabinet has taken note that Japan P & I has not effected any payment/re-imbursement for the past three weeks in connection with the MV Wakashio Oil Spill. Cabinet has also taken note that following consultations held, Japan P & I would resume payment within the shortest possible delay with priority given to Government expenses. 19. Cabinet has taken note of of the outcome of the online bilateral meeting that the Minister of Youth Empowerment, Sports and Recreation had with Messrs Witold Banka and Rodney Swigelaar, President of the World Anti Doping Agency (WADA) and Director of WADA Africa Office, respectively. The WADA is an organisation set up to monitor and promote the fight against drugs in sports and develop capacities for doping-free sport and is a worldwide harmonised system with 700 co-signatories. Discussions focused on the ongoing actions undertaken by Mauritius to promote clean sport and its adherence to the zero-tolerance policy on doping in accordance with the World Anti-Doping Code. The Minister informed WADA about the setting up, in June 2021, of the new National Anti-Doping Organisation, which would be actively implementing WADA educational programmes, conducting anti-doping tests and dealing with other anti-doping matters related to WADA. The representatives of WADA informed that governance reforms and innovation in education have been initiated to further strengthen its functioning and coverage. The President of WADA congratulated the Republic of Mauritius for winning the 2019 Indian Ocean Islands Games and for its successful organisation. Partager et informez vous aussi...... 0 shares Share Tweet LinkedIn Le ministre des Services Financiers a participe a la ceremonie de lancement du Mauritius Finance Training Initiatives qui a eu lieu en fin de journee du 9 septembre 2021 au Hennessy Park Hotel. I thank you for inviting me to be part of your distinguished assembly this afternoon to speak on a subject which I have held very much at heart ever since I took the helm of this Ministry. Indeed, Ladies and Gentlemen, raising the competency bar and instilling a culture of continuous learning in the Financial Services Sector has been a matter of earnest for me. We are here this afternoon because we are all well conscious that Mauritius can successfully compete as an International Financial Centre of repute if our people are ever ready and future ready to serve our clients and markets. Ladies and Gentlemen, Our greatest national asset in Mauritius is our People. Raising the quality and capacity of our human capital drives the policy initiatives of this Government. For instance, making tertiary education free for our people speaks volumes on the commitment of this Government to bring greater prosperity to its people. Wider access to quality education holds the promise of respectable livelihoods to the youth of the country. As a member of this Government, I am honoured to be here among you this afternoon to talk about capacity building. Distinguished Members Earlier this year, in February, we came together for the launch of Mauritius Finance and I had said that this new institution holds the promise of bringing tremendous value to its membership, to employees of the sector and their families, to the Mauritius International Financial Centre and to economic development of the country. Only a few months on, I can say that under the capable stewardship of Mr Mahesh Doorgakant and leadership of Mr Samade Jhummun, you have been making much headway on various fronts with a broadened membership and thus, a greater voice. I am happy and proud to say that the relationship between the public and private sector has been going from strength to strength and has never been so compellingly strong. I take the opportunity to express my profound gratitude for your unflinching support to Government during recent unsettling times from the sanitary crisis to the placing of Mauritius by the Financial Action Task Force on the list of countries on increased monitoring. Ladies and Gentlemen On the subject of the FATF, I have to admit that the matter is very intense for us to say the least. We have a taxing week ahead in expectation of the visit of FATF assessors to Mauritius. I have said it before and I wish to reiterate here that I have every hope that we shall pass the effectiveness and enforcement tests and that we shall be exiting the list before time. And we are bound to succeed for many reasons. The most important, in my view, is the commitment and political will at highest level including the Honourable Prime Minister, Pravind Kumar Jugnauth, himself. This commitment, Ladies and Gentlemen, will make the difference and allow us to make the grade. Our regulatory bodies, and I have a very special word here for the Financial Services Commission and the Financial Intelligence Unit, have been working round the clock to place us in a state of preparedness to welcome the FATF delegation. Our officers are working tirelessly in a focussed and collaborative manner which I must add, I have rarely seen before. Our various government agencies, in particular law enforcement agencies, talk to each other, share and collaborate like never before. On the upside, this new culture is here to stay. I have felt a deep sense of patriotism and responsibility among our people working on the ground. I am confident that all these committed efforts will bring extraordinary results for Mauritius. I trust that we shall be recognised for having achieved the highest levels of compliance at par with international standards. We are today in a space of value added and continuous improvement. I am sure, Ladies and Gentlemen, you would have sensed these very positive undercurrents as much as I do. Ladies and Gentlemen In just a few months, we reached out to sectors, professionals and people like we never thought possible. As part of capacity building on AML/CFT matters, our greatest challenge was to bring certain professions up to scratch, particularly those within the group of Designated Non-Financial Business and Professionals, so that they may better understand what is expected from them and share the importance of strengthening compliance and enhancing effectiveness. Here, I would like to extend my sincere appreciation to the leadership of Mauritius Finance, Samade Jhummun in particular, for joining hands with the Financial Services Institute Ltd which falls within my portfolio to skill and upskill sector professionals. I am happy to say that close to 1,000 professionals have been upskilled under this partnership through various intensive training programmes including specialised MLRO masterclasses. It may be a good opportunity for me to mention that since July last year, the FSI with the support of my Ministry, the FIU, the FRC and the FSC, has become the countrys leading training body on Financial Crime matters and has trained well over 4,000 professionals. We have made significant progress on the Capacity Building agenda and will demonstrate same to the FATF. And, we are conscious that this was not a one-off training just to pass a test. Developments in AML/CFT systems are continuous to combat transformations in the risk environment for money laundering and terrorist financing and digitialisation will bring even greater transformations on the horizon. Continuous learning is an imperative and no longer a choice. Ladies and Gentlemen, Our capacity building initiatives in financial crime compliance will turn our human capital into something that becomes a commodity for the region. We are set to lead the way in Africa and beyond. Already, our professionals are highly-prized resources for the more established jurisdictions from London to Luxembourg. I can see our professionals being more and more sought-after and poached internationally. Our compatriots are in demand for their innate disposition for continuous learning inspired by the belief that their best is yet to come. Ladies and Gentlemen, We have heard Mr Mahesh Doorgakant speak on the various partnerships which Mauritius Finance has established with international training bodies. I take the opportunity to commend you for these initiatives. As indicated in the Financial Sector Blueprint, there is need to provide training in areas such as Wealth and Asset management, International Trade Finance as well as Fund and Pension Administration. I would here like to praise efforts of industry players to bring foreign expertise to Mauritius to transfer knowledge to our youth. On-the-job-training has the advantage of sharing specialist skills in a work environment. The recent announcements in the Budget, such as the extension of the validity period of occupation permits, will help improve the range of incentives for professionals opting to work in Mauritius in areas where we have shortage of skills. The returning diaspora scheme introduced by Government is also another key measure aimed at attracting and retaining talent as well as transferring of knowledge. Distinguished Members I cannot address you this afternoon and not recognise the importance you hold as Employers for the youth of our country. You sustain and create a wide range of jobs offering many pathways to our people along with good wages so that they can Work, Learn and Live in a dignified manner. You readily embrace Government initiatives from the Youth Employment Programme to the SME Graduate Scheme and the Dual Training Programme. Your present involvement in the National Training and Reskilling Scheme will bring many more to the place of work and help generate decent livelihoods to our countrymen. As employers, you have a vital role to play as Institutes of Continuous Learning. Her Excellency, Britain has been an important partner in our economic and social development and the British Council has played a very important role. If we were to do justice to the influence of the British Government to skills development and higher education and its contribution to nation building, we would be here for a long time. Allow me the opportunity, Her Excellency, to express our deep gratitude for believing in the capacity of our people, for extending constant support in shaping the education landscape of Mauritius and for playing such an important role in the development of professional skills. Ladies and Gentlemen, Our Financial Services Sector is one of the key pillars of the Mauritian economy accounting for around 13 % of GDP. It has demonstrated a growth of 1.0 % in 2020 and has a forecast of 3.8 % for 2021. The Sector employs about 15,000 people and it creates good jobs. The median wage for jobs in the sector is probably higher than the national median. Our Financial Services Sector will become even more important in the future economy and I look forward to your continued partnership and your steadfast collaboration with my Ministry and our institutions to ensure the Sector remains resilient and open to the opportunities of the next decade. And in our pursuit of financial sector resilience, we need to have the best of talent on our side. The name of the game in todays competitive arena is Education. My best wishes are with you on this Enduring Skills Journey. I thank you for your attention. Videos Sorry, there are no recent results for popular videos. Health Minister Kalmet (3rd from right) and Australian High Commissioner, Jenny Da Rin (3rd from left), with Dr Andrew Turley (first right) from Australias Monash University during World Mosquito Program in yesterdays launching Jonas Cullwick, a former General Manager of VBTC is now a Senior Journalist with the Daily Post. Contact: [email protected]. Cell # 678 5460922 Political prisoner, activist, journalist, hymn-writer, emerging think tanker, aspiring novelist, hanger on of academia, parliamentary candidate for North West Durham, Shadow Leader of the Opposition, Speedboat, proudly banned from Twitter so officially more dangerous than the Taliban, eagerly awaiting the second (or possibly third) attempt to murder me. A horrifying story broke earlier this week, over a thousand young women were raped, drugged, sold and killed over the course of 40 years in Britain and though the media and police knew about it for years the story is just gaining steam. goober said: Assholes get their ass kicked from time to time. Especially attention seeking douchebags.... Click to expand... Well, don't we have the right of assembly and free speech? Someone wearing or flying a flag of something that people find strongly objectionable does not give that person the right to assault them. If someone calls your mother a fat slut with a dick, still doesn't give you the right to hit him. Can call the law and get him arrested for disorderly conduct. But that sort of begs the question, when is it disorderly conduct?The Westboro Baptist Church won their case for their right to do their thing in front of the US Supreme Court. Police guard them at their "pickets", so people cannot harm them. You can say, get rid of the cops and let Westboro take their chances, but what kind of society would we be, if we legally commit violence over a view we don't like? ANN ARBOR, MI - It was 36 years ago, on March 15, that Zingerman's founders Paul Saginaw and Ari Weinzweig opened up a small delicatessen with a short menu of sandwiches. Zingerman's Deli is now an Ann Arbor institution, with visitors flocking to the historic building at 422 Detroit St. over the years for meats and cheeses from across the globe and customer service that made a fan of former President Barack Obama during his visit in April 2014. It's also an official nominee for a James Beard award. The award is named for famed cookbook author, teacher and TV personality James Beard, and the honor is often referred to as the Academy Award of the culinary world. James Beard awards recognize the best new restaurants, outstanding bakers and food journalists, this year with a theme of "Rise." Zingerman's has been nominated in the Outstanding Service category, defined as "a restaurant in operation five or more years that demonstrates high standards of hospitality and service." Saginaw said it has been a big week for the Ann Arbor business, celebrating its 36th anniversary and being notified of the James Beard nomination. Typically, people think of restaurants featuring white tablecloths when it comes to service, Saginaw said, but the deli has now proved its point that no-tip establishments can not only succeed, but thrive. "It shows and negates the myth that if we get away from tipping, you won't have a high level of service," Saginaw said. "It's really great, because we're trying to change the culture around that and move to one fair wage." While the deli's nomination is a thrilling acknowledgement, Saginaw said the real credit goes to the three partners who have taken over daily operations and the team of employees who take orders and answer questions from thousands of customers a year. "All the credit goes to them," Saginaw said about Zingerman's Delicatessen partners Grace Singleton, Rick Strutz and Rodger Bowser. "It's working. The delicatessen has been the engine and nucleus that has enabled us to expand the business." There are now 10 Zingerman's businesses and 23 partners, 12 men and 11 women, with more than 750 employees operating in Ann Arbor Saginaw was in New York for a seminar at the James Beard House. The topic? The evolving roles of men in the restaurant industry, he said, something brought about by the #MeToo movement. Having an equal balance of women and men in leadership roles has meant a huge difference in the Zingerman's culture, Saginaw said. "Because of that, we have a very good culture in regards to harassment and promoting women and equal pay and treating everyone with respect and dignity," Saginaw said. The culture means a better environment for employees and customers, many of whom have been returning to Zingerman's decade after decade for the customer service now recognized by the James Beard award program. "What stands out are the great customers that you develop over the years. I feel like we've created a community," Saginaw said. "To be able to continue to grow and provide meaningful work, and a sense of community to the people we work with, without having to franchise or go wide, has been very, very satisfying." Other nominees in the category include Boka in Chicago; Saison in San Francisco; Zahav in Philadelphia; and Zuni Cafe in San Francisco. Several Michigan chefs and restaurants were nominated as semifinalists, but did not make the final cut ahead of the 2018 James Beard Awards Gala on May 7 in Chicago. Saginaw plans to be in attendance, along with several deli employees and partners, and said it won't matter if Zingerman's doesn't take home the award. "I don't mind losing to them all," he said. "We're in excellent company." Weinzweig was awarded the James Beard award for Who's Who of Food and Beverage in 2006, and former Zingerman's Roadhouse partner Alex Young was recognized as Best Chef in the Great Lakes Region in 2011. GRAND RAPIDS, MI -- Two former school building were approved for redevelopment as apartment complexes by the Grand Rapids City Planning Commission. Commissioners approved the request by the Inner City Christian Federation (ICCF) to convert the former Eastern Avenue Elementary School at 815 Malta Avenue NE into 50 apartment units for low and medium income families. The commission also approved a request by Cherry Street Capital to convert the former United Methodist Conference Center, 11 Fuller Avenue SE, into a 14-unit apartment building. The three-story brick building was originally built as a parochial school. Ryan Schmidt, vice president of ICCF, said the non-profit housing developer still needs to complete financing for the project before it can begin converting the building into apartments for low-income and middle-income tenants. Schmidt said the apartments would meet the need for affordable housing in the area. Residents of the apartments would fit in with the neighborhood's current income levels, he said. The-four-story building would be converted into eight studio apartments, 31 one-bedroom apartments, 10 two-bedroom apartments and one three-bedroom unit, according to plans submitted by ICCF. The building also would house an office for ICCF in the former gymnasium and include 58 parking spaces for residents and ICCF employees. Planning commissioners approved ICCF's plans unanimously after a public hearing in which the project received mixed reviews. Some neighbors said they were worried the project would create added noise and traffic on streets that are in bad condition and used heavily by a fleet of school buses that are stored and dispatched nearby. Located in the Highland Park neighborhood, the Eastern Avenue School building has been vacant for the past 10 years, when Grand Rapids Public School consolidated four of its neighborhood elementary schools. It was sold in 2012 to a developer who promised housing but flipped it to a charter school, who left it undeveloped until ICCF bought the property for $500,000 in 2016. The school's playground was given to the city's Parks and Recreation Department. Built in the late 1920s, the building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2013. It is considered architecturally note-worthy because of its intricate brickwork facade and glazed terra cotta exterior. The 45-year-old ICCF 44-year-old ICCF has built and redeveloped more than 500 units of owner-occupied housing in West Michigan and manages 168 affordable rental units. Last year, ICCF signed a purchase agreement to buy a portfolio of 177 homes in the Grand Rapids and Lansing area from a Chicago hedge fund. The project by Cherry Street Capital would convert the former United Methodist Conference Center into a mixed-use development with up to 14 market rate apartments. The ground level space may be used as offices, according to the development application. The building has been vacant since last December, when the church moved out after using is as an office building since the late 1960s. The property was originally developed in 1905 as the Coade Avenue Christian School and later renamed Baldwin Christian School. It closed in the mid-1950s. The developer said they would add greenspace to the property, which is currently surrounded by an asphalt parking lot. The Lions cut Eric Ebron and let Darren Fells go. They're down to Michael Roberts and Hakeem Valles at the position. They need a tight end. And so they met with Brent Celek on Thursday. The former member of the Super Bowl champion Eagles was in town one day after Detroit cut Ebron loose from his fifth-year option. Celek, 33, was cut loose by Philadelphia this week, but his ability to block, add a few catches and somehow play every single game so far of his 11-year career will appeal to a Lions team that lost its top blocking option in Fells. What Celek would not answer is the 'F' tight end role that Ebron filled in Detroit, where he would run seam routes to stretch the defense and try to take advantage of slower linebackers. Celek lacks speed at his age and hasn't reached 400 receiving yards in a season since 2013. The market does have a few who fit the profile, but it's starting to shrink. On Thursday, Austin Seferian-Jenkins signed with the Jaguars and Tyler Eifert re-upped with the Bengals. The market still includes Martellus Bennett, he of two Patriots stints; Julius Thomas, who played tight end while Jim Bob Cooter was on the offensive staff in Denver; and Luke Willson, the former Seahawk who grew up nearby in Windsor, Ontario. Detroit just hasn't had any known meetings scheduled with them yet. Wilson has been out visiting teams. Lots of squads have needs for more production at tight end, so they likely won't last forever. Detroit has yet to make a splash signing since releasing Ebron, so what the $8.25 million savings was designed for is still not entirely clear. They did try to get into the mix for Philadelphia's other tight end, H-back type Trey Burton, before they moved on from Ebron, but Burton's market rose quickly before he signed a four-year, $32 million deal with the Bears. It's been a slower start to free agency so far for the Lions after spending up for top targets in each of Bob Quinn's first two years as general manager. They signed linebackers Devon Kennard and Christian Jones and added cornerback DeShawn Shead, but the signings have been mostly quiet since the release of Ebron. They do have a few different visits in addition to Celek's that are either completed or scheduled: ANN ARBOR, MI - Since being released from military prison in May 2017, Chelsea Manning expressed that it has been difficult to transition back into society at a time of turmoil for the transgender community and marginalized communities. Manning, an advocate of queer and transgender rights and government transparency who spent seven years in military prison for leaking classified documents, spoke about life after prison, artificial intelligence and machine learning, free speech and her interpretations of art in a wide-ranging discussion Thursday, March 15, at the Michigan Theater as part of the Penny Stamps Speaker Series. In her conversation with bio-political artist and educator Heather Dewey-Hagborg, Manning said she has struggled coming to terms with the new reality of the United States at a time of polarizing political ideals and social unrest. Life outside of prison, Manning said, has been lonely and traumatic when having a chance to deal with her new reality. "I haven't really adapted to the outside world," she said. "I had a sense of what was going on the outside, but I hadn't really felt it until I actually got out here," she said, referring to the country's political climate. "Five years ago I was in prison, and I look at what's happening around me and I just see more prison," she added. During her time as an intelligence analyst for the U.S. Department of Defense, Manning publicly disclosed classified documents that she felt revealed human rights abuses and corruption connected to the U.S. wars in Iraq and Afghanistan during her deployment in Iraq in 2009. The transgender woman, known as Bradley Manning when she was convicted in 2013 of leaking more than 700,000 classified documents, was released from military prison in May after serving seven years of her sentence, according to the Associated Press. President Barack Obama commuted her sentence to time served plus 120 days in the final days of his administration. Much debate has taken place about the ethics of Manning's actions, with some labeling her a traitor, while others believe her actions as a whistle blower were heroic. While those actions weren't a topic of discussion on Thursday - Manning insisited she couldn't speak extensively about it - she has kept busy, advocating for transgender rights while filing to run for the Senate in Maryland in the Democratic primary. Fighting for transgender rights, Manning said it is important that advocates not have tunnel vision in setting their sights on one goal. "We need people to recognize that visibility is not the same as equality," she said. "...We were invisible for a while. I couldn't even imagine being trans as a teenager, it just wasn't possible. "A movement needs to be inclusive, it needs to be based on solidarity and it needs to have a vision and a goal that goes beyond the systems and institutions of the current world that we live in," she added. Manning also was outspoken about her disdain for white nationalist Richard Spencer in discussing the topic of free speech and First Amendment rights. She was critical of providing a platform for people like Spencer, who recently spoke at Michigan State University, who openly called for a "peaceful ethnic cleansing" in the United States. She also held universities responsible for providing speakers like Spencer with a platform, claiming that they are using the controversial visits as a means of creating publicity and a means for justifying their security budgets. "Schools aren't dealing with it very well, I can tell you that," she said. "These aren't controversial people, they're just bad people." ANN ARBOR, MI - More than 100 Michigan Medicine "house officers" have added their names to a list of those opposing a new concierge care program within the University of Michigan Health System. A group of 107 house officers, which includes resident physicians and fellows completing final training, sent an open letter to Michigan Medicine Executive Vice President for Medical Affairs Marschall Runge, expressing concern about the new Victors Care concierge medicine program. The program is a direct primary care program that charges an annual membership fee in exchange for enhanced access and time with primary care physicians. House officers are concerned the program could cause inequities in access to the health system and provide preferential care based on financial means, rather than need. "Concierge medicine veers away from our foundation of triaging and directing resources based on need. Victors Care offers patients a chance to buy preferential health system access," the letter states. "Programs like Victors Care cater to the privileged and threaten to widen the health disparities gap that so many of us entered into medicine to help narrow," the letter continues. Physicians in concierge medicine practices limit the number of patients they accept to 20 percent of the number accepted in a traditional primary care practice, according to Michigan Medicine, making it possible to devote more time and attention to each patient. Michigan Medicine is offering founding memberships in the Victors Care program for $2,700 per year - or $225 a month - for anyone who becomes a member on or before June 30. After that, memberships will increase to $3,600 per year - $300 a month - with all founding membership discounts expiring on July 1, 2019. Some faculty raised concerns last week in a letter that the "quality care" label provided through Victors Care implies that regular primary care physicians do not give quality care, also noting the program may "cherry-pick" patients who are more likely to be in good health. The letter also claimed the program could be used to "jump the line" and contribute to discrimination against the underserved. Runge addressed the idea of "jumping the line" during a recent faculty ethics panel forum on Feb. 28, noting that Victors Care is about creating more opportunities for access to healthcare. "What we're trying to create is a system that provides a way to access our healthcare, not bump anybody out of the way," Runge said. House officers also addressed the notion that the Victors Care program will inspire future donors by "providing wealthy individuals with extraordinary care." "We already inspire donors by providing exceptional care for all patients regardless of socioeconomic status," the letter states. "Doing so is consistent with our mission as a public, nonprofit institution. We suspect that the ill-will that Victors Care has engendered amongst faculty, staff, trainees, and the public will likely translate into an erosion of trust, respect, and financial support that will outlast any philanthropy garnered from wealthy patrons." Concierge care is not a new concept. Michigan Medicine Spokesperson Mary Masson said the Victors Care pilot was developed after requests from patients for a service similar to what exists at institutions across the country, including Massachusetts General Hospital and the Mayo Clinic's Medallion Program. "We're committed to ethical, accessible care for all our patients and whatever programs we put in place should not diminish that in any way," Masson said in a statement on Thursday, March 16. "Victors Care will not adversely affect the access of other patients to our outstanding health care system. "Some faculty and staff have raised concerns," Masson added. "We've listened to them and are working together to come up with solutions that are mutually satisfactory for the benefit of our patients." According to Michigan Medicine, patients in the Victors Care program are provided with their private doctor's cellphone number and email address and can schedule same or next day appointments without waiting. The membership fee covers all primary care services provided by Victors Care. There are no copays or deductibles charged for these primary care services. The primary care physician in a concierge medicine practice does not bill insurance for services rendered. The patient, however, still carries insurance for medical care outside the scope of primary care. Users are required to pay the Victors Care annual fee even if they do not use their services throughout the year, according to Michigan Medicine. According to Crain's Detroit Business, the Victors Care program is expected to serve about 1,500 patients. ANN ARBOR, MI - A group of high school students in Washtenaw County say they won't stop talking about gun control until something changes. The day after thousands of middle and high school students across the country walked out of school to protest gun violence on Wednesday, March 15, a group of Washtenaw County high schoolers held a town hall meeting Thursday to speak more at length about their stance on gun control. About 45 people - including Ann Arbor Public Schools staff, parents and students - attended the two-hour meeting, held at Ann Arbor's Pioneer High School. The student panelists included Pioneer senior Henry Taylor, Lincoln High School senior Max McNally, Pioneer junior Clara Nunez-Regueiro, Pioneer senior Marquaun Kane, Skyline High School senior Liam Keating, Pioneer senior Jon Flynn and Pioneer junior Sarah Lewis. "I really believe that if anyone can make a difference, it is our students, and I promise that they will have my unfailing support throughout this battle, which likely will not be easy," said Ann Arbor Public Schools Superintendent Jeanice Swift. "We understand that and yet, I see them coming clear-eyed, focused and determined to prompt change. And that inspires us all at very deep levels." Several of the panelists are part of Washtenaw Youth Initiative, which is made up of students from a dozen Washtenaw County high schools, that has outlined a six-point platform for gun control. Their requests include: Ban guns in schools, in all circumstances. Raise the legal minimum age for purchasing a gun to 21. Ban the sale of assault weapons or high capacity ammunition magazines to the general public. Require a gun safety class and certification before the purchase of a gun. Require implicit bias training and psychological certification for police officers before they can carry guns. The top two priorities from list are banning assault-style weapons and raising the minimum age to purchase guns, Keating said. He feels there is a disconnect between public support for gun control measures and elected officials' willingness to pass policies that reflect the majority's will. He cited a Pew Research Center survey conducted in 2017 that found 84 percent of Americans in favor of background checks for prospective gun owners purchasing weapons at gun shows and through private sales. The survey also found 83 percent of Americans would support barring gun purchases for people on no-fly lists or watch lists, 71 percent favor a federal database to track gun sales and 68 percent support banning assault-style weapons. On the other hand, Keating noted, only 45 percent of Americans agreed with the idea of allowing teachers and school officials to carry guns in K-12 schools, according to the Pew Research survey. "We're only supporting policies that a majority of Americans support. ... I do want us to understand that this is a pretty moderate issue," he said. "We're not trying to push our country to where it doesn't want to go." Keating and some of the other panelists believe the National Rifle Association's lobbying has skewed some politicians' priorities to disregard public opinion. "These leaders who have taken these bribes from the NRA, big oil, big pharma, etc. - we have put them in office. I mean, not us, we're not old enough to vote yet. But they have been put in office. They have been elected by our community members, and they have violated our moral code," Kane said. "So my intention is to bring the community together in unison so we can shed light on this issue and other social issues and come together and bring about change. Get new leaders into office who actually reflect our morals and ethics." Students clarified that their group is not interested in repealing the Second Amendment or taking everyone's guns. Lewis responded to critics of the school walkout, saying those type of demonstrations are an essential part of democracy. She said the Feb. 14 school shooting in Parkland, Florida, could have happened just as easily in Ann Arbor. "Out of great tragedy, I've also seen great leadership emerge," Lewis said. "Just as easily as the victims could have been from Ann Arbor, the amazing outspoken champions who are fighting on all fronts of this battle are here, too. I see it in our community. Our students are passionate and driven and will not rest until this issue is fixed." The panelists said they are focused on sustaining the engagement they saw Wednesday, when students at Ann Arbor Public Schools' high schools and some middle schools, Lincoln High School, Milan High School, Saline High School, Manchester Community Schools, Dexter Community Schools, Washtenaw International High School and Ypsilanti Community Schools joined the walkout. Following the walkout, a few hundred Washtenaw County students gathered for a rally on gun control at Riverside Park in Ypsilanti, and Ann Arbor students previously planned a "die-in" demonstration on March 3 and held a brief school walkout on Feb. 21 to protest gun violence. Their goal now is to continue encouraging people to register to vote and contact their elected representatives and to foster more discussion on the issue - especially with people with opposing views. "We want to start a dialogue, not just with people who all have the same opinion," Taylor said. "We want to engage in meaningful, thoughtful, fact-based discussion with people who don't think like us. Because in the end change is created through both compromise and facts." The student panelists also discussed the psychological toll it takes to practice lockdown drills at school to prepare for an active shooter situation. Flynn said the drills get him thinking about what he would do if there was ever an active shooter in his school, and Nunez-Regueiro recalled how fearful she was when her elementary school went into a lockdown due to a nearby bank robbery. The panelists said arming teachers would make school an even more fearful environment. ANN ARBOR, MI - Ann Arbor Area Transportation Authority officials say they're still digesting a newly released four-county regional transit plan for southeast Michigan. "Until it was unveiled today, we weren't privy to it," AAATA CEO Matt Carpenter told AAATA board members Thursday night, March 15. Wayne County Executive Warren Evans presented a new plan for regional bus and commuter rail services at the Southeast Michigan Regional Transit Authority's meeting on Thursday, and there's talk now of whether it should go on the November ballot. Wayne and Washtenaw leaders are still considering the possibility they may have to go it alone and try for a two-county transit plan linking the Ann Arbor and Detroit areas if there isn't support in Oakland and Macomb counties. Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson already said on Thursday he doesn't support the new plan. Washtenaw County Board Chairman Andy LaBarre, D-Ann Arbor, has been representing Washtenaw County in RTA negotiations. He's hopeful the RTA board will have a chance to take a fair vote on the new plan, but he said that would require the Oakland and Macomb county executives allowing their board members to exercise autonomy, and he's not sure that will happen. "That means it's all the more important for Washtenaw to continue to pursue the potential of a Washtenaw-Wayne agreement that includes Detroit," he said. "At the end of the day, the people of our region need coordinated and commonsense regional transit. We're more than a generation behind on this because we've let outdated leadership continually fail us. It's time to move forward." Map of the proposed the 2018 "Connect Southeast Michigan" four-county transit plan that Wayne County presented to the Regional Transit Authority of Southeast Michigan on Thursday, March 15, 2018. (Courtesy image) On Thursday night, Carpenter gave an update on the latest RTA talks to the AAATA's governing board. "I have already reached out to the RTA and they have been more than happy to agree to schedule some time with me and the staff," he said of plans to meet to discuss what's in the new plan for Washtenaw. "I understand they have begun what they are calling an informal comment period and they are asking the public to have a look at the plan and send them informal comments between now and their board meeting in April," Carpenter said. "Beginning at that board meeting in April, they will begin a formal comment period." Carpenter said the AAATA will be providing feedback as soon as it has had a chance to look at the new four-county plan. He said the process is "a little irregular," but these are irregular times. "They intend to digest that information and bring back a revised plan for the board of the RTA to consider in May or June," Carpenter said. "Hopefully, I believe, the intent is to seek the RTA board's approval of that plan, so this would be an update to their 2016 plan. And then I believe the intent is to place it on the November ballot." Two years ago, the RTA put forward a 1.2-mill tax proposal in Wayne, Oakland, Macomb and Washtenaw counties that would have funded a 20-year, $4.6-billion regional transit plan. It was narrowly defeated when it went to voters in November 2016, getting 56 percent support in Washtenaw, 53 percent support in Wayne and 50 percent support in Oakland, but only 40 percent support in Macomb. Macomb's lack of support was enough to sink it. The newly unveiled proposal calls for a 1.5-mill tax that would fund a 20-year, $5.4-billion regional transit plan. For the average homeowner in the RTA region with a home worth $157,504, it would mean an additional $118 per year in property taxes, officials said. In terms of what's in the plan for Washtenaw, a major component, as proposed before in 2016, is the introduction of commuter rail service on an existing rail line between Ann Arbor and Detroit, something that's been talked about by local leaders for many years. It would run eight trips per day, with stops in Ann Arbor, Ypsilanti, Wayne, Dearborn and Detroit. There would be new complementary "feeder bus" service to get people to and from rail stations in Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti. The new plan also includes funding for express bus services between Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti and Detroit Metro Airport; between Ann Arbor and Canton; between Ann Arbor and 8 Mile/Whitmore Lake along U.S. 23; and between Ann Arbor and Plymouth/Livonia. It also includes designated funds for "hometown service" in 60 communities, including various municipalities in western and southern Washtenaw County outside of Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti. Those communities outside the proposed fixed-route service area would have the opportunity to design and implement local services that best meet the specific mobility needs of their residents, according to the plan, which indicates services could include dial-a-ride expansion, rapid corridor connections, homebound service support, ride-sharing partnerships, medical campus connections, office park circulation, downtown connections and technology deployments. AAATA officials said it's been a little difficult to keep track of things with the RTA because they keep changing. They noted there were discussions just last week of a two-county plan for Wayne and Washtenaw, but now there's a completely different plan. Since June 2017, Carpenter said, leaders from the four counties and Detroit have been meeting to try to "pick up the pieces" following the November 2016 defeat of the previous proposal. He said the Kresge Foundation, a nonprofit based in Troy, gave them some money to update the plan, taking into consideration public feedback. "One of the criticisms that had been made of the RTA's 2016 plan was that it hadn't had a substantial amount of input from the most senior elected leaders in these respective jurisdictions, so that was also seen as a priority apparently," Carpenter said. "So that process continued over the last nine months and the elected leaders of those jurisdiction asked Wayne County Executive Warren Evans to spearhead that," he said, noting the plan Evans presented on Thursday was a culmination of nine months of discussions. "We're still digesting it ourselves, and I confess we were largely not aware of the details of that plan, nor was our input really sought," Carpenter told AAATA board members. Carpenter said elected representatives in Oakland and Macomb counties have made some "pretty strong statements" in recent months about their position with regard to the RTA and its plans, so he's not sure where that leaves things in terms of trying for a four-county plan again, nor is he sure where things stand with the idea of a two-county plan now that there's a different proposal on the table. "The new plan is something to be discussed. It's quite heavy on operations," he said. "Dedicated lanes are no longer being discussed, and I imagine if that's not there, I'm not sure how stations or off-board fare collection would be possible. And rather, they have shifted the resources into operations to provide as much service to as much of the footprint of the region as possible, and I think there's perhaps a lot of logic to that." Carpenter said the plan suggests there are capital needs later on that are not met by the new proposal. In addition to his verbal report, Carpenter submitted a written report to the board Thursday night that stated Washtenaw and Wayne counties are exploring the potential to jointly plan new transit services and the Washtenaw County administrator is working to assemble information for the Board of Commissioners to consider and has asked Carpenter to help provide the AAATA's perspective. Carpenter's report indicates he has agreed and is waiting to hear from the administrator regarding next steps. The AAATA board took action Thursday night to approve wording for its own transit tax proposal going on the August ballot -- a 0.7-mill renewal to continue funding expanded services in Ann Arbor, Ypsilanti and Ypsilanti Township that voters first approved in 2014. During his update to the board Thursday night, Carpenter also reported it's "been a rough winter" at the AAATA operations center at 2700 South Industrial Highway. "We've been springing leaks," he said, explaining how the roof has had numerous leaks during the winter's snow falls and melts, and the building's boilers also went down at one point. "I think it was about 20 degrees outside, so that was a chilly day," he said, adding the staff "toughed it out." Despite "valiant efforts" from the staff and contractors, he said the agency is starting to gradually realize the building may need a new roof. He said when water started dripping from the ceiling in his office, he had to use a trash can to catch it. "And mine was hardly the only office," he said. "So we're starting that discussion." HARTLAND TOWNSHIP, MI - A 20-year-old woman is accused of making a false terrorism threat involving a Hartland Township elementary school nearly three weeks ago. Karen Lockwood of Richmond was arraigned on Friday, March 16 in Livingston County's 53rd District Court on a charge of making a false terrorism threat, according to a news release from the Livingston County Sheriff's Office. The charge carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. Lockwood is accused of making social media threats that involved students at Village Elementary School in Hartland Township, police said. The initial report revealed a suspect was threatening a family through Facebook messenger and text messages. The threats included "shooting up the school" and burning the family's house down, police said. After investigating, the detective bureau learned Lockwood had established numerous fake social media accounts, email accounts and internet-based phone numbers to communicate the threats and hide her identity, police say. The sheriff's office determined that although the threats were specific in nature, the suspect had no means to carry out such attacks, police say. In addition to the terrorism threat charge, Lockwood faces charges of using a computer to commit a felony, malicious use of a telephone and unlawful posting of messages through an electronic medium. She was held at the Livingston County Jail on $100,000 bond. Jenifer Acosta BAY CITY, MI -- Jenifer Acosta successfully brought a century-old newspaper building back to life and she's currently in the middle of revitalizing a 125-year-old bank building in downtown Bay City. Pending environmental approvals from the state, the developer now has plans for new construction on historic Center Avenue. Acosta is proposing a three-story, six-unit apartment building at 1113 Center Ave., which is currently occupied by a large slab of concrete that has been described as an eye-sore on the historic street. Four of the units would feature one bedroom, one bathroom and a den; two smaller units would have a bed and a bath. She said rent prices would be comparable to nicer home rentals in those neighborhoods and less than downtown rents. Acosta is designing the building with her husband Anthony Acosta, who owns the company, Distressed Designs. She estimates the investment at more than $750,000. "The design is a combination of my tastes for classic and timeless, along with Distressed Design's handcrafted industrial elements," she said. On Wednesday, March 14, the Historic District Commission, on a 4-0 vote approved the project with a provision that Acosta submits a list of materials she's using for the exterior of the building, like types of windows and shingles. She now needs approvals from the Bay City Planning Commission and Bay City Zoning Board of Appeals, and then the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality. The property has a long history with the DEQ. The former site of a Fletcher Oil Co. gas station, it has remained vacant since the late 1980s. In 2000, the DEQ placed a lien on the property, hindering any new development. Environmental reports from 1989 and 1991 showed that storage tanks underneath the property had leaked gasoline, possibly contaminating the surrounding soil. Bay City attorney Joseph Favazza Jr., who bought the property in 2002, proposed building a drive-thru coffee shop at the site in 2006, but never got DEQ approval. Acosta says her talks with the DEQ have been encouraging. She has applied for grants to pay for the cleanup at the site and has formally requested the DEQ to lift the lien off the property. Acosta said the small-scale infill project at the intersection of Center Avenue and Sherman Street "is a great way to build value and quality" outside of downtown Bay City and fits in with the city's housing study, which said any new construction should be done at market value. She highlighted the location's proximity to downtown businesses. "A 10 minute walk into downtown makes for a great location," she said. If the project moves forward, Acosta said Cobblestone Homes would build it. BAY CITY, MI -- The company that designed the pedestrian bridge that collapsed in Miami on Thursday, killing six, is part of the same company proposing to build a new Independence Bridge in Bay City, sparking additional concern over the decision to privatize the infrastructure. FIGG Bridge Design, headquartered in Tallahassee, Florida, is a partner with United Bridge Partners, the firm proposing to buy Independence and Liberty bridges in Bay City for $1 million. They would then build a new Independence Bridge and make critical repairs to Liberty Bridge. To see a return on their investment, which is estimated at more than $200 million, they would charge a toll to motorists who cross the spans. In a statement issued Thursday, company officials from FIGG said they were "stunned" to learn of the collapse in Florida and promised to cooperate with all investigations. "In our 40-year history, nothing like this has ever happened before. Our entire team mourns the loss of life and injuries associated with this devastating tragedy, and our prayers go out to all involved." According to media reports, FIGG partnered with Munilla Construction Management (MCM) on the construction of the new pedestrian bridge that collapsed near Florida International University. Multiple cars were pinned under 950 tons of metal and concrete after the bridge collapsed. The bridge had not been opened to pedestrians at the time of the incident. FIGG Bridge Design was founded in 1978 by Eugene Figg. After he died in 2002, his daughter, Linda Figg, took over as CEO of the company. Linda Figg, along with Ed Diffendal, CEO of United Bridge Partners, have been in talks with Bay City since the fall of 2016, pitching the city on the idea of privatizing its two drawbridges. Pointing to bridge inspection reports and the age of the two Bay City bridges, safety is a top selling point in their proposal. "Our interest is seeing the commission move quickly to somehow address the bridges for the sake of safety," Linda Figg said in an interview with MLive in January. Bay City Commission President Andrew Niedzinski, 3rd Ward, called Thursday's news concerning. "When we hire contractors, keeping workers and the public safe is a top priority of mine," he said. "This news further shows the need for the commission to take our time and make sure we pursue all options when coming to a final determination on the bridge issue." The other part of United Bridge Partners' pitch to the commission includes the construction of the South Norfolk Jordan Bridge in Virginia. It was the first bridge project to open to traffic by United Bridge Partners, providing faster connections and increased capacity over the Elizabeth River from Portsmouth to Chesapeake, Virginia. Construction wasn't completed without issue, however. In 2012, while the bridge was under construction, a 90-ton concrete portion of the structure fell 40 feet onto railroad tracks below, according to the Virginian-Pilot. Four workers sustained minor injuries in that incident and FIGG was fined $28,000 by the Virginia Department of Labor and Industry after the agency found the company violated safety rules, the newspaper reported. In Bay City, United Bridge Partners is proposing to build a fixed-span Independence Bridge that would be 125 feet high, as opposed to a moveable bridge. The structure would stretch from Woodside Avenue to Wilder Road. It would feature four, 12-foot lanes (the existing bridge has 10-foot lanes), in addition to 10-foot shoulders and a 10-foot shared-use path with overlooks. The existing Independence Bridge has a 6-foot unprotected sidewalk. Messages were left with Linda Figg, but MLive was unable to reach her for comment Friday morning. Bay City Manager Dana Muscott declined to comment, saying it's premature at this point. "We will wait and see how the investigation comes out," she said. MIDLAND, MI -- A GoFundMe page has been set up seeking donations for the family of a 16-year-old recently killed in a shootout with police. The fundraiser for the family of Jaden Marsh was created March 14 by Sarah Vogel, a family friend. Donations are to go toward funeral costs and counseling for Jaden's family -- father Todd Marsh, stepmother Elissa Olsen, and stepsister Zoe. As of noon on March 16, the effort has raised $275 of its $4,000 goal. View the fundraiser here. Meanwhile, the investigation into Jaden's death is ongoing. Midland police at 1:39 a.m. on March 12 responded to a 911 call of two young males trying to break into a parked vehicle in the 2000 block of East Ashman Street. Two officers spotted the youths, one of whom was Jaden. As one officer spoke with the compliant teen, Jaden took off running, pursued by the second officer. Police have said Jaden fired several rounds from a handgun, which led to the officer returning fire with at least one of his bullets striking Jaden. The officer was uninjured. Responding medical personnel pronounced Jaden dead at the scene. The officer who killed Jaden was placed on paid administrative leave, as is standard for police-involved shootings. Michigan State Police detectives are heading the investigation. Police have not released the name of the officer, a 19-year veteran of the department. In a March 13 interview with The Bay City Times-MLive, Jaden's father said his son suffered from mental health issues including ADHD and depression. He had previously attempted suicide numerous times and was off-and-on medication. Todd Marsh added Jaden had left his house a few weeks prior, disappearing with some of his dad's cash and his vehicle with him. An hour or so before the shooting, Jaden had sent a Snapchat message to a brother in California indicating he had a gun and was going to end his life. Before the brothers' conversation ended, though, Jaden expressed that he was just tired and was going to bed. Special 1st Lt. David Kaiser said on March 16 that detectives have not yet sent their reports to the Midland County Prosecutor's Office for review. Police have said the gun Jaden used had been reported stolen from an unlocked vehicle parked in the parking lot of the Holiday Inn Express, 810 Cinema Drive in Midland, on March 11. More than eight weeks after Albania-native Ded Rranxburgaj took refuge in a Detroit church, he remains inside, fearful of deportation if he were to step outside the sanctuary that has protected him from federal immigration agents. Supporters on Friday began delivering 700 letters from people across the nation to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), asking for Rranxburgaj to be allowed to remain in the U.S. "The hope is that the ICE officials will actually take the time to read these letters and that they'll start to think ... what do they have to lose from keeping Ded here? They have nothing to lose. It can't hurt anybody to keep him here," said Caitlin Homrich-Knieling, an organizer for the activist group Michigan United, at a Friday morning rally outside the offices of Detroit ICE. "Everyday they wonder: 'Are they doing to force us to get split up?'" Homrich-Knieling said. As organizers hung hundreds of letters on a fence outside a federal building that houses ICE, supporters gathered around to sing a message to the agency: Rranxburgaj's wife Flora suffers from a debilitating case of multiple sclerosis. For more than 20 years, he's cared for his wife by feeding, bathing, dressing her and moving her from one place to another. That responsibility would have been passed to the couple's two children had Rranxburgaj been deported as scheduled in January. Instead, he was taken in by Detroit's Central United Methodist Church. Places of worship are on the federal government's list of sensitive locations where ICE will not generally conduct enforcement activity. The agency stated in January that they have "no intentions of entering the church." But life inside the church is "very, very hard," Flora Rranxburgaj said Friday. "I'm happy... to stay in the church... to stay together," Flora said. "(But) it's sad. He's not happy. To stay just inside... It's so sad." "I don't know what to say." Church members recently had to call 911 for an ambulance when Flora Rranxburgaj suffered a serious health scare. It was the first time her husband could not join her in the hospital. "Ded had to stay at the church," Homrich-Knieling said. A Metro Detroit teen is charged with making a false or terrorist threat after expressing dislike for "popular kids" and threatening to "kill everyone" in his classroom, the Macomb County Sheriff's Office says. Shane J. Robinson, a 17-year-old L'Anse Creuse High School student, faces up to 20 years in prison if convicted. Macomb County sheriff's deputies interviewed Robinson and searched his Harrison Township home, where no weapons were found. Robinson, while being questioned, referred to himself as "demonic," "expressed his dislike for the 'popular kids' in his sixth hour class and admitted to making threats to sew one of the student's mouth shut," the sheriff's office said. " He also admitted to telling a student he was going to stab them." Macomb County Sheriff Anthony Wickersham says his deputies have investigated 26 threats of violence at area schools since 17 people were killed in the mass school shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida on Feb. 14. Robinson has been arraigned and is jailed on a $150,000 cash bond. A federal judge is asking Gov. Rick Snyder to explain why a special election to fill the seat held by U.S. Rep. John Conyers Jr. can't be held sooner. Embroiled in a sexual harassment scandal, Conyers, a Detroit Democrat who represented Michigan's 13th Congressional District, announced his resignation on Dec. 17, 2017. Snyder, who has discretionary power regarding special election scheduling, decided the seat would remain empty for nearly 11 months, until the November 2018 general election. In the meantime, five residents from the 13th Congressional District, an area that encompasses a large portion of Detroit and western suburbs including Dearborn, Westland, Wayne and Romulus, are asking U.S. District Judge Mark Goldsmith to order the the election be conducted "as soon as possible." A motion was filed on behalf of the residents by Detroit-based attorney Michael A. Gilmore, who happens to be vying for Conyers' vacated seat. Gilmore argues that Snyder's decision to delay the special election is discriminatory -- implying race, political affiliation and demographics played a role -- and violates the Constitution's Equal Protection Clause. The 13th Congressional District is home to 658,383 residents, of whom 55 percent are black and predominantly Democrats with a median income of $33,995, according to the lawsuit. "This district elected its most recent recent member of Congress, a Democrat, by more than 77 percent," the lawsuit says. In contrast, the lawsuit points out that Snyder ordered a swift special election to replace Republican U.S. Rep. Thaddeus McCotter, who resigned amid an election scandal in July 2012. McCotter represented the 11th Congressional District, which is comprised of 82 percent white residents, most of whom were Republican voters with a $79,805 median income. In that situation, Snyder ordered a special primary be held in September 2012, so that McCotter's replacement could appear on that year's regular Nov. 6 general election ballot. State Lt. Gov. Brian Calley said the special primary election, which cost the district nearly $650,000, was unavoidable, in order to comply with state law and the U.S. Constitution. Snyder "does not (because he cannot) dispute that the delay in the 13th District imposes disproportionate burdens on African-American citizens when compared to the prompt filing of the vacancy in the majority-white 11th Congressional District," the lawsuit argues. Snyder "has an unfortunate history of racial discrimination in denying democracy and human rights to urban areas, and that same denial is present in this case," the lawsuit claims. Goldsmith heard arguments from both sides in Detroit's federal court Thursday, March 15, and ordered state attorneys to submit a brief "explaining the burden that Plaintiffs' newly proposed special election schedule would cause" by March 19. A response to Synder's attorneys from Gilmore is due by March 21. Motion for earlier special election: DAVISON, MI - A Michigan family is struggling to pick up the pieces after a 3-year-old girl and her 27-year-old father were killed Wednesday morning in a multi-vehicle highway crash. Early on Wednesday, March 14, Cody and Brittany Thomas were driving home from Bishop International Airport, westbound on Interstate 69 with their 3-year-old daughter, Aria, when the Davison family was rear-ended by a tractor-trailer near the West Bristol Road exit, rolling over into a nearby ditch. Brittany, 27, survived with non-life-threatening injuries. Cody and Aria did not. "It's such a tragedy and nothing you'd ever think would happen ... everyone's still grieving and heartbroken and really shocked," said Matthew Thomas, Brittany's cousin. "Two funerals at once is going to be really hard for everyone." Thomas has set up a YouCaring crowdfunding page to help Brittany pay for the funerals of her young daughter and husband. As of Thursday evening, the page had raised nearly $14,000. Aria, Thomas said, was a "happy, normal child" who had just celebrated her third birthday. Her parents had been together since the seventh grade at Millington Middle School and were two weeks away from celebrating their fourteenth anniversary. "[Cody] and Brittany were together all the time, it's going to be hard for Brittany, for everyone, to adjust," Thomas said. Cody, Thomas said, was a "funny, humorous and family-oriented guy" who worked for State Farm and loved to spend time with his family, shoot guns and play video games. Police were called to the scene on westbound I-69 between I-75 and West Bristol Road around 11:40 a.m. on March 14 for a personal injury crash and soon learned four vehicles were involved in the incident. At the scene, police discovered that a tractor-trailer driven by a 34-year-old man from Wylie, Texas, was heading west on I-69 and approaching the West Bristol Road exit when it rear-ended a four-door sedan driven by a 28-year-old Clio man with the Thomas family inside, according to a release from Flint Township Police. Seated in the car's back seat, Cody was pronounced dead at the scene, while three-year-old Aria was hospitalized and later pronounced dead, police said. The driver of the vehicle sustained serious injuries, while Brittany, riding in the front passenger seat, sustained non-life-threatening injuries, police said. A 34-year-old Dallas, Texas, man riding as a passenger in the tractor-trailer was not injured. The driver of the third vehicle involved in the crash also remained unscathed, and the driver of the fourth vehicle sought treatment at a local hospital for minor injuries, police said. Alcohol is not believed to be a factor in the crash, which remains under investigation. The driver of the tractor-trailer was lodged in the Genesee County Jail, and the case will be forwarded to the Genesee County Prosecutor's Office for review, police said. Flint Township police have asked anyone who witnessed this crash or has information regarding the crash to contact Detective Alex Minto at 810-600-3250. FLINT, MI - The bottled water distribution site at the West Court Street Church of God in Flint will be closed on Saturday, March 17, for a church commitment. However, the three other Flint bottled water and filter distribution sites will be open for regularly scheduled hours from noon-6 p.m on Saturday, the city says. Records from the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality show the state spends more than $22,000 each day on bottled water in Flint. State results show lead levels in unfiltered tap water have improved, registering below the federal action level for the past 18 months in sampling around the city, but a survey conducted by the Flint Action Coordination Team shows that many residents have yet to trust the tap. A survey conducted by FACT in December said respondents still use an average of 14.7 cases of bottled water each week. "Not knowing the level of lead in their own water, residents may err on the side of caution, choosing to trust bottled water more than filtered tap water," the report says. Mayor Karen Weaver is among those who want the state to continue funding for the program until all lead and galvanized service lines have been replaced in the city -- something that might not happen until 2020. GAINES TWP., MI -- Residents want a judge to nullify a mosquito control assessment approved by voters in 2016 and return the money they have paid into the program they claim was improperly implemented. However, the township says the judge doesn't have the authority to end the program, instead arguing the state Tax Tribunal should weigh in on the measure. A group of 30 residents has filed a lawsuit against Gaines Township accusing officials of improperly putting a mosquito control assessment before voters in 2016. The township filed a motion in February asking the judge to dismiss the case. Gaines Township officials asked voters to approve a mosquito control program and implement a tax on all real property to fund it. The measure was approved by 56 percent of township voters in 2016, according to county records. The township will collect $50 per parcel per year for five years for the program. Mark J. Newman is the attorney of for the residents and said they believe Gaines Township doesn't have the authority to do mosquito abatement. "We have not got into the merits of the case at all yet," Newman said. "We're in the very early stages." The lawsuit argues the township board of trustees did not first get the required approval by petition of at least 50 percent of the residents in 2016 before putting the measure before the citizens for a vote. Numerous individuals, including some of the residents who filed the lawsuit, voiced their objections to the tax in writing and at public meetings, according to the lawsuit. The residents who filed the lawsuit said the township violated its legal authority when it assessed residents before asking permission to put the question to voters. Attorneys for Gaines Township asked Genesee Circuit Judge Geoffrey L. Neithercut to dismiss the case because the residents' argument about the validity of the assessment should be taken up with the Michigan Tax Tribunal -- which it argues has exclusive jurisdiction over special assessment claims. Gaines Township also argued that none of the plaintiffs challenged the special assessment at a board of review meeting or filed petitions with the Michigan Tax Tribunal in its motion for summary disposition. However, the residents who filed the lawsuit want Neithercut to make an exception to the general rule that the Michigan Tax Tribunal should hear their arguments because of other constitutional issues involved in the case. Both sides were in court before Neithercut on Monday, March 12, but the arguments were continued to April 30 because Neithercut wanted more information, according to Gaines Township Attorney Michael J. Gildner. Gildner expects Neithercut will make a decision then but declined further comment to MLive-The Flint Journal. Residents who filed the lawsuit believe the court should Gaines Township to terminate the mosquito assessment and refund the tax within 60 days, along with interest, court costs and attorney fees. But I dont want to go among mad people," Alice remarked. "Oh, you cant help that," said the Cat: "were all mad here. Im mad. Youre mad." "How do you know Im mad?" said Alice. "You must be," said the Cat, "or you wouldnt have come here. Lewis Carroll, Alice in Wonderland With freedom comes responsibility. Eleanor Roosevelt GRAND RAPIDS, MI - A Grand Rapids Catholic school, state legislators and parents are suing the state over $2.5 million in disputed state funding for health and safety mandates. The group wants to invalidate the so-called "Blaine Amendment" of the Michigan Constitution in order to uphold a $2.5 million appropriation for non-public schools to comply with state-required health and safety rules. The funding would not go toward instruction. It would cover state mandates including criminal background checks, fire and tornado drills, concussion education and asbestos regulation, Grand Rapids attorney Brian Lennon said. "The mandates simply represent the Legislature's common-sense and responsible decision to protect the health, safety and welfare of all children, including those attending nonpublic schools, as well as the employees who work in those schools. In other words, the mandates are consummate public-health regulations that ... the Michigan Constitution authorizes." Now, the state is being sued by both those who favor and oppose the funding. Opponents of such funding have a case pending in the Court of Claims. Lennon's clients earlier tried to join the related lawsuit - as intervening defendants - but were denied permission. The Court of Claims has jurisdiction over lawsuits involving the state, and the proposed interveners are not state entities. The state Court of Appeals upheld that ruling. It also denied a state request to appeal Court of Claims Judge Cynthia Stephens' order that put a temporary hold on distribution of the funds. The freeze is in effect until the case is resolved. Lennon said in the latest lawsuit he plans to argue that the Blaine Amendment not only violates the state Constitution but the U.S. Constitution. The Michigan Association of School Boards, the American Civil Liberties Union of Michigan and 11 other groups filed suit after state legislators included the $2.5 million appropriation in the 2016 budget. They say that providing public funds for private schools is prohibited under the Blaine Amendment and state Constitution. Lennon said the Blaine Amendment should be deemed unconstitutional, as a violation of the Free Exercise Clause of the U.S. Constitution, "because it is the direct result of pervasive religious animus and discrimination." The Blaine Amendment is in effect in many states. Lennon contends that at its roots, it is "a largely anti-Catholic response to the request by Catholics for public funding." He said the amendment is "targeted at religious conduct" and "forces a religious school to choose between remaining a religious school or become entitled to a public benefit." Lennon is representing Immaculate Heart of Mary in Grand Rapids, state Rep. Tim Kelly, R-Saginaw Township, Rep. Kim LaSata, R-Berrien County, Sen. Phil Pavlov, R-St. Clair, Sen. Patrick Colbeck, R-Canton, and Stephen and Jennifer Sanford who have children in private, religious schools. They are suing Gov. Rick Snyder, the state Department of Education, and state Superintendent, Brian Whiston, who recently announced he was taking medical leave to fight pancreatic cancer. Legislators in 2016 allocated $2.5 million for nonpublic schools to seek reimbursement for costs related to mandates imposed by the state. The ACLU of Michigan and the other groups filed suit against the state's appropriation. "Not only is this attempt to divert tax dollars to parochial and private schools a violation of the Constitution, it diverts tax dollars from the public schools they're intended to fund at precisely the time when our public schools need resources the most," Dan Korobkin, deputy legal director for ACLU of Michigan, said in a statement. "Moreover, this marks a slippery slope that weakens the bedrock principle of separation of church and state and opens the door for misguided funding schemes such as vouchers--which voters have already rejected." He said the state Constitution clearly prohibits using public funds for private schools. A motion for summary disposition is set for April 16 in Detroit. Other plaintiffs in that lawsuit are 482Forward, Michigan Parents for Schools, Michigan Association of School Administrators, Michigan Association of School Boards, Michigan School Business Officials, Michigan Association of Intermediate School Administrators, Michigan Elementary and Middle School Principals Association, Michigan Association of Secondary School Principals, Middle Cites Education Association, Kalamazoo Public Schools, and the Council of Organizations and Others for Education About Parochiaid. KENT COUNTY, MI -- A new class action lawsuit filed against Wolverine World Wide includes residents of Russell Ridge, a neighborhood near Cedar Springs. The plaintiffs are represented by the same group of law firms that filed suit last month on behalf of six families in the Wellington Ridge subdivision. Those Algoma Township residents have some of the highest levels of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, called PFAS or PFCs, found in north Kent county. But that isn't the case with the Russell Ridge neighborhood, where the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality has not been able to link what it describes as "low levels" of PFAS to water contamination tied to Wolverine's dumping of tannery waste decades ago. Nonetheless, "our clients have lost the ability to enjoy their homes and live with daily reminders that they and their families have been consuming water laced with toxic chemicals," said Esther Berezofsky of the Berezofsky Law Group in a statement. Her firm also represents Flint residents harmed by lead-contaminated drinking water and residents of Hoosick Falls and Petersburgh in New York, which are also experiencing PFAS drinking water problems. The New Jersey-based Berezofsky Law is partnering on the case with Detroit area firm Sommers Schwartz and the South Carolina firm Motley Rice. The firms didn't return messages for comment on Friday, March 16. The suit filed March 6 in Kent County Circuit Court is seeking damages for economic loss and future health conditions. Exposure to PFOS and PFOA has been linked to various forms of cancer, thyroid problems and other diseases. Four of the plaintiffs live in Belmont, which sits squarely in the testing zones that encompass about 20 contiguous square miles of northern Kent County. Two plaintiffs own homes in the Russell Ridge neighborhood. The Algoma Township development is located in Cedar Rock -- the nickname for an area between Cedar Springs and Rockford. The 3-year-old development includes about 60 homes off Russell Road north of M-57. The White Pine Trail runs nearby. More houses are going up in the area. The neighborhood is about three miles northwest of the established zones where the DEQ has been finding high levels of PFAS in groundwater. The chemicals were in 3M Scotchgard, which Wolverine used to waterproof shoes at former Rockford tannery. The suit contends the contamination exists in the aquifer where the residents are drawing their well water, but it doesn't specify where the contamination originated, or the levels they are finding. "Once in the aquifers, the PFAS became subject to hydrogeographical forces and migration throughout the area inevitably resulted. The migration involved an ever-expanding contamination of area water suppliers, including class members' private wells," suit said. DEQ spokesperson Scott Dean said there's no evidence that's accurate. Kim Conner moved into the neighborhood in 2016. Her water tested positive for PFAS. She said she's joined the class action case. Conner, her husband and 8-year-old daughter are drinking bottled water after their well water tested at 7.9 parts per trillion (ppt) for PFOS and PFOA. It's below the Environmental Protection Agency's health advisory level of 70-ppt. Some of Conner's neighbors have told her their water tested higher. She said about 30 Russell Ridge homeowners have PFAS in their water. "Everyone is doing (the testing) out of their own pockets," said Conner, who had the family's well tested in the fall. "We decided to test because the homes are built on an old gravel pit and farmland." Tannery waste was primarily disposed at local dumps, but the sludge was also spread on Algoma Township farmland in as fertilizer. Neighborhood residents met in January with Algoma Township, EPA and DEQ officials. "They said 'we are an anomaly'," Conner said of comments made by DEQ staff. "They don't understand why we are having any readings." While the DEQ hasn't found a link between the low levels of PFAS in the Russell Ridge homes' wells, the agency's investigation remains opens, Dean said. As part of the investigation, the DEQ has studied aerial photos and historic data. Residents are encouraged to stay in touch with the agency, he added. The Wolverine PFAS investigation began last year with discovery of contaminated wells near the company's old sludge waste dump at 1855 House St. NE in Plainfield. It has since spread to Algoma Township and the city of Rockford. The Rogue River and Plainfield Township municipal drinking water have also tested positive for PFAS. In January, the EPA ordered Wolverine to conduct more investigations at the House Street dump and the company's former tannery grounds in Rockford, which are both highly contaminated with PFAS. Not counting Plainfield's municipal system, an area search for Wolverine dump sites has turned up more than 550 wells with detectable PFAS levels so far. More than 100 are above the EPA's health advisory level. The chemicals have been linked to a host of health care issues, including cancer and thyroid problems. Wolverine has been providing bottled water and whole-house PFAS filtration units to most homes in DEQ-established testing areas. Plainfield Township spent months trying to negotiate a deal with Wolverine to cover the project costs in hopes of starting main extensions this year, but the company walked away from the table last month. The decision delays work township hoped to complete this year. This week, Plainfield and Algoma townships officially joined the state's lawsuit in order to formalize their seats at the table when it comes time for a judge to decide what the company needs to do to address the pollution. In addition to the latest legal action, the Rockford company is now facing one federal class action suit and more than 100 individual cases in Kent County Circuit Court. In a statement to MLive, Wolverine reiterated its commitment to working with local, state and federal regulators to develop a long-term solution to the contamination issue. "While we intend to remain a good partner and corporate citizen and address issues facing our community, we will simultaneously protect and vigorously defend our company against ongoing litigation," part of the statement read. Wolverine expects to spend $40 million this year addressing the contamination, which includes what's believed to be record PFAS levels in drinking water. GRAND RAPIDS, MI -- A man driving a stolen vehicle at high speed crashed into another vehicle on Division Avenue, then asked officers to shoot him, police said. The man appeared visibly intoxicated during the ordeal about 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 14, Grand Rapids police said. Police said an officer initially tried to stop a Toyota at Monroe Center Avenue NW and Division Avenue, but the driver went south on Division Avenue at high speed. The officer did not pursue the vehicle. Police soon learned the Toyota was stolen from the 900 block of Davis Avenue NW. The car continued southbound on Division Avenue -- police did not pursue -- until it crashed into another vehicle near Stewart Street north of Burton Street. After the crash, the driver did not cooperate as police asked him to exit the vehicle. He asked officers to shoot him, police said. Police continued to negotiate with the man until he agreed to exit the vehicle. He was then taken into custody. He is to be charged with operating while intoxicated, auto theft, resisting and obstructing police and fleeing and eluding police. GRAND RAPIDS, MI - Ex-state Rep. Cindy Gamrat's lawsuit against the state House of Representatives, legislators and staff - alleging breach of contract, malicious prosecution, stalking and wiretapping - has been dismissed. She earlier agreed to dismiss defamation claims. U.S. District Judge Gordon Quist dismissed all claims against government officials, including former colleagues who voted Gamrat out after she and former state Rep. Todd Courser, who resigned, tried to cover up their affair. Gamrat, R-Plainwell, and Courser, R-Lapeer, were Tea Party candidates when elected in November 2014. They soon agreed to share offices and staff. At some point, Gamrat and Courser, both married, began an affair. Aides Keith Allard and Benjamin Graham reported suspected misconduct by Gamrat and Courser to House leadership. But after Gamrat complained about them to House Business Office Director Tim Bowlin, they were the ones who were fired. Allard and Graham told Bowlin they had been making reports about Gamrat and Courser to House officials. They went to the Detroit News when House leadership did not investigate. Courser's bizarre attempt at a cover up soon made headlines. "One such report included an incident in which Courser asked Graham to send a 'false flag' email that would serve as a 'controlled burn' to 'inoculate the herd' - in other words, serve as cover for the affair," Quist wrote. "The email that Courser or someone on his behalf had authored contained a number of outlandish, untrue and salacious allegations about Courser. Courser hoped that the email would create such a stir that any facts that came out about the affair would be ignored as an exaggeration or seen as a smear campaign. Graham refused to send the email, but Courser found someone else to send it." Allard and Graham each received $170,000 in settlements with the House of Representatives, with the state covering attorney fees to defend lawsuits by Gamrat as well as Courser, who then dropped his case. Courser, however, still faces criminal proceedings for alleged perjury in Ingham County and misconduct in Lapeer County. In a breach-of-contract, or fraud, claim, Gamrat also said she was promised she would only be censured, not expelled, if she provided a joint statement and an apology to the House. "Gamrat's claim fails because no reasonable person with even a rudimentary understanding of the political system could believe the one or two individuals - the Speaker and/or the Majority Counsel - could guarantee votes, particularly on an issue as sensitive as censuring or ejecting a member," Quist wrote. "As the Court indicated at oral argument, such a notion is beyond comprehension." The judge said Gamrat also fell far short of showing that Allard and Graham caused her any distress. "The Court has scoured the amended complaint in vain for an allegation that either Allard or Graham had even one unconsented contact with Gamrat that actually caused her emotional distress, Quist said. The judge said that the two former staffers could not be liable for a stalking claim based on "extortion texts" sent to Gamrat. "The problem for Gamrat, however, is that she admits in her amended complaint that the Michigan State Police report concluded that (husband) Joe Gamrat and/or Defendant (David Horr), not Allard or Graham, sent those texts." The judge said claims would continue against Joe Gamrat and Horr. GRAND RAPIDS, MI -- Though still awaiting the necessary federal funding, state officials next week will seek community feedback on plans for a new veteran home in Grand Rapids. Plans approved by the Grand Rapids City Commission on March 6 call a $49 million facility to the south of the current campus along Monroe Avenue. The new facility is designed for up to 128 residents, spread across four housing buildings or "neighborhoods" connected to a central community center. Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency officials are planning a community engagement forum on the project next week. Time: 8:30 - 9:30 a.m. Date: Tuesday, March 20 Place: The chapel at the Grand Rapids Home for Veterans Address: 3000 N. Monroe Ave. Grand Rapids, MI 49505 The purpose of the forum is to "solicit public feedback and address questions regarding the proposed construction of a new state veterans home in Grand Rapids," according to a flyer distributed by the Michigan Veterans Affairs agency. Representatives from the agency and architects and engineers from Tower Pinkster will be on hand to answer questions. State officials are still awaiting news on whether the necessary federal grant funds will be allocated. Federal dollars are expected to cover about 60 percent of the project cost, and the state has already allocated funds for the remaining 40 percent. If federal funding is allocated this year, construction could start in the late summer or early fall of 2018. The new facility would then open in fall 2020. The Grand Rapids project is part of a much bigger plan by the Michigan Veterans to build seven new, smaller veterans homes across the state. Ultimately, that network will replace the large, aging homes in Grand Rapids and Marquette. The new Grand Rapids veterans home will be significantly smaller than the existing facility, which currently houses about 355 residents. Though the old home won't immediately close, the expectation is the new facility will ultimately replace it. State officials say no veteran will be displaced in the transition from one facility to the next, as the number of current residents will naturally decline over the next two and a half years -- both due to their health and with the future development of a new veterans home in southeast Michigan. In addition to allowing veterans home residents to be closer to family, the shift from larger to smaller facilities is also an effort to match best practices employed by retirement and assisted living facilities in the private sector. Designed in 16-unit clusters, the "neighborhoods" feature units that are 375 to 415 square feet in size, each with its own bathroom -- a significant change from the dormitory-style rooms in the current home. The one-story buildings in the new facility will all be connected, with two neighborhood centers and a two-story community center. The neighborhood centers are informal and flexible living room spaces, while the community center houses the bulk of the veterans home operations. The community center will include the main lobby and kitchen, a bistro, clinic, physical therapy space, multi purpose room, offices and a meditation chapel. The main entrance will be off of Monroe Avenue and will lead to an interior drive into the campus. Staff will park at the existing parking lots at the veterans home, while the 137 new parking spaces built around the homes will be for guests and residents. Residents with a home on 3 Mile Road voiced concerns at a recent city commission meeting about how close the entrance will be to their property. City commissioners approved a needed zoning change, but made their approval of the site plan conditional on architects addressing the residents' concerns to provide adequate buffering between the two properties. In the meantime, newly appointed Grand Rapids Home for Veterans Director Tracey Nelson has plans to improve care at the existing facility as plans for the new one continue to move forward. Nelson takes over at the facility in the wake of scathing audits from 2013 to 2015 that showed problems with staffing and treatment of veterans. Nelson has started committees made of veterans, their families and staff to weigh in on what changes need to be made at the building. The first committee has been tasked with evaluating how to improve the continuity of care of residents at the home. Along with the new facility comes an important designation: the veterans home in Grand Rapids would be certified by Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services for the first time. HOLLAND, MI -- An employee of Holland's Macatawa Area Express is being investigated for a possible embezzlement, police said. Holland Department of Public Safety officers on Friday, March 16 said they have "developed evidence of an ongoing embezzlement" after looking at MAX financial records for the last five years. Officials with the MAX Authority Board also have opened an internal investigation into the employee. WEXFORD COUNTY, MI -- Police are looking for a 15-year-old girl who was reported missing late Thursday, March 15 in Wexford County. Wexford County sheriff's deputies are asking for the public's help to find Leah Jo Scanlon. In a Facebook post, a family member said she was last seen about noon on Leeson Avenue in the Cadillac area and was wearing wearing a gray North Face Jacket and black Nike high tops. Police with the sheriff's department, state police and Cadillac police are working to find any information on her whereabouts. Anyone with information is asked to call Wexford County Central Dispatch at 231-779-9211 or the state police Gaylord Area Regional Dispatch at 1-800-824-7053. Maybe it's the Larry Nassar case. Maybe it's the #MeToo movement. Or maybe it's a combination of factors. For whatever reason, the Ingham County Prosecutor's Office says it's seen a 40 percent increase in criminal sexual conduct cases over the past two years, and they're adding a new assistant prosecutor to help handle the workload. The new position was approved this week by the Ingham County Board of Commissioners. "While reported crimes do fluctuate from year to year, we believe that more victims have been moved to come forward and report sexual assault," Ingham Prosecutor Carol Siemon said in a press release. Lisa McCormick, Ingham's chief assistant prosecutor, said the office issued warrants in 99 CSC cases in 2017 and 98 in 2016. "It's so hard to say why" the numbers have increased from earlier years, "but certainly there's more awareness about this very important topic," McCormick said. That awareness has led to more women going to law enforcement with complaints, she said. It also has led to local police agencies being more likely to forward those complaints to the prosecutor's office. In the Nassar case, which involved a Michigan State University doctor accused of molesting patients, Meridian Township officials recently issued a public apology for not forwarding a 2004 complaint about Nassar to the prosecutor's office. That meant the prosecutor's office didn't know about the 2004 case when they reviewed another complaint in 2014 and decided not to issue charges. "I stand by the difficult decision this office made in the 2014 case," McCormick said, but "one lesson learned" in the Nassar controversy is the importance of pooling information and maintaining a database so that officials have more complete information when sexual assault complaints are made. Another issue, McCormick said, is that DNA tests may be pushed aside in CSC cases where the alleged victim and perpetrator know each other, but testing and recording that DNA may prove important in another case where a woman is assaulted by a stranger, McCormick said. "Local law enforcement have told us they're going to bring more cases," McCormick said. "For instance, you get victims who don't want to prosecute but they want to make a report. Police weren't necessarily forwarding those cases, but they say they will now." And that's likely to lead to more prosecutions if investigators connect the dots and realize an individual is the subject of multiple complaints, McCormick said. "It's very normal for a victim to say, 'It's just me' but often there's another case and it's not 'just me.' " Ingham County already has three assistant prosecutors dedicated to sexual abuse cases involving children, McCormick said. The new hire will be tasked with overseeing CSC cases involving adult victims, which is where the surge of new complaints is occurring. The new position has been posted, and McCormick said she expects the hire to be made fairly soon. MARSHALL, MI - A Marshall Public Schools teacher is facing four felony sexual assault charges for allegedly having a sexual relationship with one of his students, a 16-year-old girl. Jason Todd Bushong was arraigned Thursday, March 15, on one felony count of first-degree criminal sexual conduct and three counts of third-degree criminal sexual conduct. Calhoun County prosecutors allege Bushong, 33, began the sexual relationship with the girl when she was 15. One of the teen's parents suspected something was going on between the girl and Bushong and took her to the Marshall Police Department where she denied anything was going on, Calhoun County Sheriff Matthew Saxton said. The teen's mother later caught her daughter with Bushong and she admitted she had sex with him, spawning a joint investigation between the Marshall Police Department and the Calhoun County Sheriff's Office, Saxton said. Police questioned Bushong at his Bedford Township home, seized several electronic devices and arrested him March 14 on suspicion of criminal sexual conduct with the teen, Saxton said. Detectives discovered Bushong had at least one other recent sexual encounter with the girl at a home in Marshall, Saxton said. Police are still working to determine if there are any other students involved, he said. Though the age of consent in Michigan is 16, state law prohibits a person in a position of authority over another person from having a sexual relationship with that person. Marshall Public Schools Superintendent Randy Davis didn't respond to a request for comment regarding Bushong's current employment status. Davis previously issued a statement that the district "is acting decisively to address the teacher's employment status with the Marshall Public Schools." Bushong's name has disappeared from the Marshall Public Schools staff directory online. Bond was set at $100,000. First-degree criminal sexual conduct is punishable by up to life in prison. ST. JOSEPH, MI - Two South American men with apparent ties to thefts all over the United States were arrested here Thursday after they allegedly used an illegal method to try to get money from an automated teller machine. The St. Joseph Charter Township Police Department reported that officers were dispatched at 2:34 a.m. Thursday, March 15, to the United Federal Credit Union training center at 2580 S. Cleveland Ave. in reference to an incident involving an ATM. "Upon arrival officers located and apprehended two suspects who had unsuccessfully attempted to fraudulently receive funds from the ATM," officers reported in a press release. They did not say whether the men were using stolen bank cards, whether they were using a device to manipulate the machine, or how they otherwise may have been trying to bilk the machine. "The investigation showed that the male suspects, both from Venezuela, were involved in these types of incidents nationwide," officers reported. "The suspects are currently lodged at the Berrien County Jail under numerous state charges." Information provided by Lt. Randy Leng indicates that St. Joseph Township police are continuing their investigation. They were assisted Thursday by the road patrol of the Berrien County Sheriff's Department, the Lincoln Township Police, the St. Joseph Department of Public Safety and the St. Joseph office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The names, ages and other information about the suspects were not released. BENTON TOWNSHIP, MI -- A handwritten threat found in a men's bathroom at Countryside Academy in Berrien County closed the school's closure Thursday, March 15. Benton Township police said officers responded to the school, 4800 Meadowbrook Road, about 1:15 p.m. Wednesday to investigate the threat. Police said the threat was about "shooting up the school as well as racial overtones." School leaders cancelled classes on Thursday because of the threat. Benton Township police continue to investigate the incident and ask any with information about the threat to call them at 269-925-1135 or Crime Stoppers at 574-288-STOP. Sen. Tonya Schuitmaker, R-Lawton. ALLEGAN, MI -- Students say they are saddened by the response of a state senator who said she was disappointed related to student walkouts meant to draw attention to gun reform. "I am greatly disappointed in the adults who are encouraging these demonstrations which are nothing more than a statement which solves nothing," Sen. Tonya Schuitmaker said, in part, according to the Senate Majority Communications Office. The comment was in response to school walkouts in Michigan and across the country March 14, one month after a shooting killed 17 people at a high school in Florida. A news release, bearing the names of 13 students from Allegan High School and the Allegan Tech Center, within Schuitmaker's district, criticizes the remark. "Senator Schuitmaker's statement is the epitome of a broken system," the news release states. "At first, we were shocked by the Senator's remarks. That shock wore off when we visited her website to learn she is a proud life member of the National Rifle Association and consistently receives an 'A-rating' on their annual report card," the release states. Schuitmaker, R-Lawton, represents Michigan's 26th State Senate District that includes all of Allegan and Van Buren Counties, and Gaines Township and Kentwood in Kent County. Schuitmaker's office did not immediately respond to a request for additional comment on March 15. The students said "attacking a peaceful protest" gets nothing done. "Senator Schuitmaker's membership to the NRA is very concerning. We believe she should be ashamed to call herself a member. Today, we demand that Senator Schuitmaker cut all ties with the NRA and publicly apologize for her statements," the news release states. "Lawmakers like Tonya Schuitmaker are not listening to us and they are 'greatly disappointed' that we spoke up. Our response to the negatively charged comments is simple: We mean what we say, and we will take it to the polls in November," it says. The Senate Majority Communications Office provided the senator's full statement: "I am greatly disappointed in the adults who are encouraging these demonstrations which are nothing more than a statement which solves nothing. We need to follow the advice of Ryan Petty, father of one of the students killed in the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School last month. 'Walk up' rather than walk out. He said, 'Walk up to the kid who sits alone at lunch and invite him to sit with your group; walk up to the kid who sits quietly in the corner of the room and sit next to her.' "I call upon adults to do better and encourage students to interact with one another, care for their fellow classmates, and demonstrate compassion. Let's focus on real solutions to real problems." The students are asking others to call Schuitmaker to express disappointment over the comment. KALAMAZOO, MI -- When Cody Overmyer opened the highly anticipated yellow envelope to learn where he would spend his medical residency, he thought also of his beginnings at Loy Norrix High School. The 29-year-old is part of the first graduating class of the Western Michigan University Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine, and Friday was a day that determined the next four years of his life. As a clock counted down to zero, WMed's Class of 2018 stood anxiously with parents, spouses and children waiting to learn where they will complete their three to five-year medical residency. "Nervous, excited, anxious, all of the feelings simultaneously," Overmyer said about Match Day. The former Loy Norrix student went to Grand Valley State University through The Kalamazoo Promise. Today, he learned he will spend the next fours years at Emory University in Atlanta, studying psychiatry. "It took away boundaries," he said of the promise. Overmyer said his parents couldn't afford to help him pay for school so taking on the cost of medical school was less daunting when his undergraduate was nearly paid for. "It was much easier to go after my educational goals," he said. When the clock struck zero in the North Ballroom of Western Michigan University's Bernhard Center, envelopes were opened alongside cheers, hugs and tears. Overmyer was one of the 48 students who matched, Dr. Hal B. Jenson, founding dean of WMed, said. Graduation of its first class shows that the school "completed a full cycle," and is a "good sign" that it's growing up, he said. The 100 percent match rate spanning across 23 states is representative of the "above average" academic abilities of the students, he said. WMed is "developing a reputation" and the residencies give the students opportunities to be the "best advertising we have for the quality of the school," Jenson said. Students took photos with family and hugged professors while some even announced their residency matches from a microphone on the stage. Nick Beam, 26, smiled widely as he explained that he was matched with his first choice. The alumnus of Kalamazoo College will spend three years studying pediatrics at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. "It was more anxiety inducing than expected," Beam, of Paw Paw, said about Match Day. He said he hopes to spend his career teaching medical students in Southwest Michigan. In 2012, WMed was granted preliminary accreditation, which allowed for the acceptance of student applications for the class of 2018. The medical school was granted full accreditation in February. The seven-year journey to where it is today began in 2011 when WMed first began preparing for the Liaison Committee on Medical Education accreditation. NEWAYGO COUNTY, MI - A former Fremont High School assistant principal and a Jenison teacher will not be charged for inappropriate behavior with students due to the statute of limitations, according to the prosecutor. Newaygo County Prosecutor Worth Stay made the announcement in a news release issued Friday afternoon. "Unfortunately, due to Michigan law, criminal charges cannot be brought," Stay said. The Ottawa County Sheriff's Office investigated claims against Jenison teacher John Veldt and Jeff Moon, said sheriff Capt. Mark Bennett. Moon last month resigned his position as assistant principal of Fremont High School. Veldt has been on paid administrative leave at Jenison. Allegations involved inappropriate contact with students in the early- to mid-1990s when Veldt and Moon worked for Fremont Public Schools. "I applaud the victims for their courage in coming forward to talk about these very difficult subjects," Stay said in the news release. Statute of limitations can be frustrating to prosecutors, he said. "But the fact is, if the police are not able to present the required probable cause evidence to the prosecutor within the timeframe listed in the statute of limitations, then the prosecutor may not authorize charges under the law," Stay said. NORTH MUSKEGON, MI - A major push to clean up Zephyr oil contamination of the Muskegon Lake watershed will begin this spring. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality are hoping to complete a significant portion of the clean-up project at the former Zephyr Oil Refinery this year, officials said during a public meeting in Muskegon Township Thursday. The remediation effort aims to remove 44,000 cubic yards of contaminated soil and sediments from the site and surrounding wetlands starting this spring until December of this year, said Sara Pearson, unit supervisor for the DEQ's remediation and redevelopment division. The old Zephyr Inc./Naph-Sol Refining site at 1222 Holton Rd. in Muskegon Township, near the North Muskegon line, is on the north bank of the Muskegon River. Muskegon Lake is listed as an EPA "area of concern," one of 43 toxic hotspots designated by the United States and Canada along the Great Lakes basin. Lead and petroleum deposits left over from the refinery have contaminated sediment and soil along Muskegon Lake. Not only is the site toxic, but it reeks of diesel fuel, especially near the 15 acres of wetlands located along the shoreline. "Our beautiful beach sand is black, it smells awful and is full of petroleum, so we needed to get it out," Pearson said. Pearson and several representatives from the EPA discussed the ongoing cleanup effort and the project's next steps on Thursday during a meeting hosted by the Muskegon Lake Watershed Partnership. Members of the West Michigan Shoreline Regional Development Commission also were in attendance. Contamination below the old Zephyr site is considered the petroleum plume's source, or "the head of the dragon," as Pearson described it. Zephyr Inc. used the property to refine crude oil from 1931 and 1968. It was then used for petroleum storage until the company went bankrupt and vacated the property in the early 1990s. Pearson said the EPA and DEQ estimate that 150,000 gallons of petroleum percolated 25 feet below ground and spread beyond the 70-acre site once it hit the water table. "The ground water helped it move," Pearson said. "It was most unfortunate then that the refinery has a groundwater divide underneath. That made the problem spread to about 100 acres." Well water was largely unaffected because of the strong current of the Muskegon River pulling contaminants away from drinking wells, Pearson added. Most of the heavy work will take place just below the old refinery by injecting a liquid chemical agent into the soil. The persulfate oxidizer compound is expected to break down the harmful petroleum deposits underground. It also will make the remaining soil slippery like soap. Left over chemicals and un-oxidized soil will then be sucked up by a hydraulic vacuum truck pumping at a nearby location. Crews plan to do this across the middle portion of the Zephyr site first, working outward in strategic grids to prevent the solution from spreading. Afterward, the EPA and DEQ will continue to monitor the site for several years to track down rogue deposits that might have escaped their grasp, officials said. "We know where the heavy spots are and where to target," Pearson said. "We're working in one grid at a time, and we have other wells out there that we can monitor and see how much we're influencing. If we haven't influenced enough or got enough out, we will 'wash, rinse and repeat.'" By working outward, Pearson said they can shorten the amount of time DEQ planned to pump toxic groundwater. Meanwhile, Sevenson Environmental Services, an EPA contractor, is expected to excavate the nearby wetlands and transport contaminated soil offsite to a drying pad located near Wood Street east of the site. There it will be dewatered, dried, bound and hauled to an approved landfill. Clean fill will be placed in some of the areas where contaminated sediments are removed. Afterward, native plants will be returned to the area, restoring the wetland in full. Work at the Zephyr site began in June 2017, allowing crews to build the infrastructure needed to begin remediation, said Pat Faessler, project manager with Sevenson Environmental Services. That inlcudes building truck access roads, cofferdams and process pads. Starting this month, Sevenson plans to install dewater and water treatment areas and ditch shoring. Excavation work will begin from there. Faessler warned that this phase of the project could be loud - and funky. "We'll do our best to be good neighbors, and we're going to try and get the worst smelling stuff first," he said. MIDLAND, MI - Sarah Schulz has announced her candidacy for the 98th district seat in the Michigan House of Representatives. Schulz, 41, a Democrat, is focusing her campaign on listening and working on real solutions, according to her press release. The 98th District seat is currently held by Republican Gary Glenn. Schulz said some of the main issues she plans to focus on are strong schools, green industry, complete care, working families and building 21st century infrastructure. The candidate said the green industry will be a focus, such as delivering renewable energy and moving away from fossil fuels. Complete care will focus on caring for the elderly and kids, and closing the gaps for people who don't have adequate health insurance, Schultz said. The Midland resident has over 17 years of experience in human resource and non-profit management experience. Schulz is the Vice President of People Services at City Year Inc., an education-focused nonprofit organization with 28 locations and over 4,000 employees and corps members. Schulz holds a master's degree in human resources and labor relations from Michigan State University. Schulz will officially announce her candidacy on Saturday, March 17, at Creative 360, 1517 Bayliss St. in Midland from 4-6 p.m. The event will commence with a live band and speakers from the community. The 98th District includes the city of Midland and six townships in Midland County and the cities of Pinconning and Auburn and seven townships in western and northern Bay County. Vanessa Trump on Thursday filed paperwork in the state Supreme Court in Manhattan seeking an uncontested divorce from Donald Trump Jr. The former Wilhelmina model met the president's eldest son at a party in 2003. They were married in 2005, and have five children. The couple, both 40, issued a joint statement hours after the filing, the Associated Press said. They said they "will always have tremendous respect for each other" and taking care of their children will remain their priority. Because she filed for an uncontested divorce, it's likely the couple will seek to work out details of child custody, financial support, and division of property outside of court. This could make the divorce move through the court more quickly. Both Vanessa and Donald Jr. have been in solo headlines recently. Trump Jr. remains a focus of the special counsel's investigation into the Trump family's ties to Russia, the AP said. In February, Vanessa Trump was briefly hospitalized after she opened a letter addressed to her husband that contained a white powder. It was later determined to be cornstarch, and a Massachusetts man was charged with sending the threatening note. Wisconsin-based Johnsonville has recalled 109,603 pounds of pork sausage that were shipped to stores nationwide due to the risk it's contaminated with "extraneous materials." #Recall: Johnsonville, LLC Recalls Smoked Pork Sausage Products due to Possible Foreign Matter Contamination - Johnsonville, LLC, a Sheboygan Falls, Wis. establishment, is recalling approximately 109,603 pounds of smoked pork sausage products that may... https://t.co/ERRvkRZCQR USDA Food Safety (@USDAFoodSafety) March 15, 2018 The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service announced the nationwide recall in a Thursday, March 15 news release. The affected cooked pork sausage was manufactured on Jan. 4, 2018 according to the release. Affected products have the establishment number of "EST. 34224" printed on its proof of inspection. The recall includes 14-oz. six-piece package of Jalapeno Cheddar Smoked Sausage with a best by date of April 4, 2018. These products also have a listed Batch ID of 1001124486 or 1001124487. The USDA reports in the release that the issue was discovered after the company was notified that three customers had complained of finding "pieces of hard, green plastic" in the sausage. There are no known reports of injuries or adverse reaction, according to the U.S. government entity. Those who purchased the affected product are asked to call 1-888-556-2728. The USDA lists this recall as a Class I one, which means there is "a health hazard situation where there is a reasonable probability that the use of the product will cause serious, adverse health consequences or death." Vladimir Putin announced that Russia has plans to launch a mission to Mars in March 2019, which would put the country ahead of NASA's current timeline of missions to the Red Planet. The Russian President also alluded that his country's space agency, Roscosmos, would also take aim at the moon's poles in the search for water. Putin made the statements in an interview as part of a documentary by Andrey Kondrashov. "We are planning unmanned and later manned launches into deep space, as part of a lunar program and for Mars exploration," he said, according to RT. "The closest mission is very soon, we are planning to launch a mission to Mars in 2019. "Our specialists will try landing near (the moon's) poles because there are reasons to expect water there. There is research to be done there, and from that, research of other planets and outer space can be undertaken." Right before Russia's #elections and days after @elonmusk announced similar plans, Putin pledges a 2019 mission to Mars https://t.co/AO0fZkWRwq pic.twitter.com/80lqAJTjXS The Moscow Times (@MoscowTimes) March 16, 2018 RT reports Russia's plans include a landing test at the moon's' southern pole next year, testing tech to create a permanent station on the moon by 2023, and a soil retrieval mission for 2025. Back at the International Astronautical Congress in September 2017, NASA and Roscosmos announced a partnership to build the first-ever space station on the moon. Work is expected to begin on the lunar-based space station in the mid-2020s, according to both agencies. The U.S.-Russia partnership comes as part of NASA's long-term vision to send a manned mission to Mars called the Deep Space Gateway. NASA says both agencies, and other International Space Station partners, view the Deep Space Gateway as a key segment in human space exploration that needs further work. Since President Donald Trump and his administration took office, Mars and missions back to the moon have served as a main goal and talking point. Trump's 2019 budget for the U.S. space agency includes $10.5 billion set aside to help kick off a mission that will return humans to the Moon for long-term exploration and eventually push missions on to Mars. The president signed the Space Policy Directive 1 in late 2017, which highlighted that the White House would work with other countries and private companies in achieving these goals and utilize the tech needed for manned missions to Mars and throughout the solar system. The U.S. space agency reports it aims to conduct an unmanned Space Launch System/Orion flight in 2020, with the goal to launch humans to the moon in 2023. In its 2018 to-do list, NASA said it would continue to prepare the Space Launch System and Orion Spacecraft ahead of the hopeful unmanned launch. Exploration Mission-1 is the first in a "broad series" of exploration missions aimed at taking humans deeper into space, and "eventually to Mars." The mission aims to fly thousands of miles beyond the moon in a three-week journey remains in place. The mission will feature "the most powerful rocket in the world and fly farther than any spacecraft built for humans has ever flown." The Space Launch System has been delayed more than once, so 2018 will serve as a crucial year in its progression. Acting NASA administrator Robert Lightfoot said in November 2017 that a review of the mission points to a June 2020 launch, but that they remain focused on still trying to make December 2019 work. As it stands, Exploration Mission-2 will aim to send astronauts beyond the moon. The second mission, with astronauts aboard, is now scheduled for 2023 as it remains to be seen if the possible delays will cause any launch date changes. At the second meeting of the National Space Council, Vice President Mike Pence highlighted the need for more commercial NASA missions. The vice president said that "convoluted maze of bureaucratic obstacles" and "outdated regulatory processes" were holding the space industry and our technological capabilities back. On March 15, commencing at 6:20 p.m. for approximately 20 minutes, Mr. Shinzo Abe, Prime Minister of Japan, held a telephone talk with H.E. Dr. Angela Merkel, Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany. The overview of the telephone talk is as follows. 1. At the outset, Prime Minister Abe extended his congratulations on the inauguration of a new government, and said that he is looking forward to continuing to work with Chancellor Merkel. In response, Chancellor Merkel expressed her gratitude to Prime Minister Abe for his congratulatory words. 2. The two leaders affirmed their continued close cooperation on various issues facing the international community, including North Korea. (1) Prime Minister Abe conveyed his congratulations on the 70th anniversary of the independence of Sri Lanka, noting that towards the realization of free and open Indo-Pacific based on the rule of law. He seeks to further strengthen cooperation with Sri Lanka, particularly in efforts to enhance connectivity in the area of maritime cooperation. (2) In response, President Sirisena noted that this was his first visit to Japan since the G7 Ise-Shima Summit in 2016 and that he hoped that his visit would help to further strengthen cooperation between Japan and Sri Lanka. The chronicle of a life split between urban Manhattan and rural Montana. Welcome to Morningstar.co.uk! You have been redirected here from Hemscott.com as we are merging our websites to provide you with a one-stop shop for all your investment research needs.To search for a security, type the name or ticker in the search box at the top of the page and select from the dropdown results.Registered Hemscott users can log in to Morningstar using the same login details. Similarly, if you are a Hemscott Premium user, you now have a Morningstar Premium account which you can access using the same login details. In Focus with Allison Walker is a 30-minute public affairs program, featuring a roundtable of newsmakers representing a range of perspectives, including local officials and expert analysts as they tackle topical issues of importance to Floridians. In Focus airs Sundays at 11:30 a.m. and 8:30 p.m., right after Political Connections. Florida Gov. Rick Scott signed into a law a new state budget despite criticism that it shortchanges the state's public schools. Budget was sent to Gov. Scott this week Superintendents critical of school safety bill cost Budget is set for nearly $89 billion RELATED: See what's in the budget (.pdf) | See the veto list (.pdf) The nearly $89 billion budget was sent by state legislators to Scott earlier this week. Before he signed the bill, Scott vetoed $64 million that he said included projects that weren't needed or circumvented the budget process. Scott signed the budget amid an outcry from school superintendents. While lawmakers boosted overall school funding, most of the money is tied to a school safety bill signed into law by Scott. That bill includes money for mental health programs and hiring additional school resource officers. Pasco Superintendent Kurt Browning said it was wrong to increase money for school safety at the expense of educating students. Orange County Public Schools released a statement in response to the state budget, which they noted how little funding is allocated toward other needs besides security and mental health: "We appreciate funding for security and mental health, but are disappointed that so little is available for other important needs," wrote the district. "We believe our children deserve more than 47 cents per student to support high-quality academics and our hard-working teachers deserve raises." The Associated Press contributed to this story. Jeremy Wade searches for answers in the most remarkable rivers, lakes and seas on the planet to reveal the secrets of these extraordinary places. Tuesdays from 9pm AEST. The votes are in! Get a recap of the 2021 Election. The votes are in! Get a recap of the 2021 Election. Subscribe now> Foreign Minister of Armenia Ararat Mirzoyan will pay a working visit to New York Governments preventing publication of Haykakan Zhamanak newspaper during state of emergency UCOM prolongs the unlimited internet offer for the level up 4700 and level up 5500 subscribers Ucom employees received recognition for their services to the homeland Karen Vardanyan has allocated 105 million AMD to rescue the Yerevan Botanical Garden. "The Power of One Dram" to overcome childhood cancer Generation A 13 your chance to be the change President of the Artsakh Republic Arayik Harutyunyan met with Russian Co-Chair of the OSCE Minsk Group Igor Khovayev "uDays" special offer at Ucom: discounts for all smartphones and accessories for 2 days only For more than 3 hours, 50 or more Azerbaijani servicemen have blocked the interstate road Call on the international community for an adequate response against azerbaijani aggresssion Transformation and trust are important for success in modern banking. Artak Hanesyan UCOMS LEVEL UP 1700 REGIONAL TARIFF PLAN USERS TO RECEIVE MORE THAN THOSE IN YEREVAN Joint statement Statement by the Co-Chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group Covid-19: 163 new cases in Armenia Google Ad Armenia: Remarks by Commissioner Oliver Varhelyi at the press point with Acting Deputy Prime Minister Mher Grigoryan The United States Welcomes Azerbaijans Release of Armenian Detainees and Armenias Actions to Facilitate Demining The Coronavirus-Related Situation in Armenia International aviation: Council greenlights signing of major agreements with four countries With UCOMs level up tariff plans subscribers have unlimited access to Netflix, Duolingo and Zoom Armenia: Statement by the Spokesperson on the early parliamentary elections Armenias Parliamentary Elections PRESS STATEMENT COVID19:77 new cases Armenias early parliamentary elections were competitive and well run, but polarized and marred by aggressive rhetoric, international observers say International election observers to Armenias early parliamentary elections held press conference Drop Charges Against Rights Defender Sashik Sultanyan The Coronavirus-Related Situation in Armenia The European Union in Armenia calls all parties to contribute to a peaceful Election Day to celebrate democracy Yervand Bozoyan: Azerbaijan is getting stronger, and Armenia is getting weaker After the Presidential elections in Russia serious changes will take place, Political scientist Yervand Bozoyan told reporters today. "Today is a struggle not for who will become the President, but everyone is struggling to form the power during Putin's third election." Yervand Bozoyan noticed that Armenia's dependence on Russia was very high and Armenia appeared in poor condition. "Azerbaijan is getting stronger, and Armenia is getting weaker. Azerbaijan hopes to capitalize on the Karabakh front. The only minus that Azerbaijan has is Russia. Russia, being a strategic ally of Armenia, has some influence, prevents Turkey from playing an active role in the region. They try to do everything to prove that Azerbaijan is a better ally than Armenia." According to Yervand Bozoyan, in that situation, Armenia pursued a passive policy and did not have a strategy. "There are active Armenians in Russia who compensate it. They play a positive role, but this is not an element of strategy. " "The situation in Armenia was quite dangerous," said the political scientist. "If people think that it can continue this way for many years, they are mistakenly mistaken." Speaking about the Artsakh issue, he stressed that the Artsakh issue was the only one on which the West did not have a certain position. "There is no territorial uncertainty on the issue of Karabakh. There is a benevolent equilibrium here. We must struggle for Artsakh not to become a zone of geopolitical conflict. In that case we will lose. " By Online Desk In what comes as a major blow to the BJP government at the Centre, the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) on Friday decided to quit the NDA, days after two of its ministers resigned from the Modi government following the Centre's refusal to grant Special Category Status to Andhra Pradesh. The TDP moved a no-confidence motion against the Modi government which was received by the Lok Sabha speaker, Sumitra Mahajan, however, she said the motion cannot be brought to the House if it is not in order and adjourned the House till Monday. Here are the latest developments: Centre endlessly waiting for Andhra Pradesh to revert on special package: Arun Jaitley Jaitley says the modalities of giving the special package were agreed way back in September 2016 but the state government only in January this year suggested a change in route of receiving funds, to which the Centre agreed but has not heard from it ever since. "A solution has been put on the table. It is for Andhra Pradesh to decide whether they want the resources or they want to make an issue (out of it)," he told PTI. AIADMK's spokesperson expelled after offering conditional support to TDP's no-trust motion; says EPS, OPS afraid of BJP Hours after saying that AIADMK MPs will support the TDP and YSRC's no-confidence motion against BJP-led NDA government if Centre fails to form the Cauvery Management Board, party spokesperson, KC Palanisamy has been expelled. AIADMK coordinator O Panneerselvam and Joint coordinator Edappadi K Palaniswami made the decision to expel Palanisamy. Shiv Sena non-committal on TDP's no-confidence motion in Lok Sabha Maintaining suspense, the Shiv Sena - a NDA constituent and oldest ally of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) - remained non-committal on the Telugu Desam Party's (TDP) proposed no-confidence motion against the Narendra Modi government in the Lok Sabha. CPI to support TDP's no-confidence motion The CPI will support the no-confidence motion moved by Andhra Pradesh parties against the NDA government, the party General Secretary S Sudhakar Reddy said. The no-confidence motion is a logical conclusion as the NDA government has not honoured the promise made by the then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to accord Special Status to Andhra Pradesh (post formation of Telangana), he said. AIADMK offers conditional support to TDP's no-trust motion Tamil Nadu's AIADMK set conditions for its support to the no-trust vote. Former MP and AIADMK spokesperson KC Palanisamy told IANS, "If the Centre refuses to set up the CMB and the Cauvery Water Regulatory Committee (CWRC) as the Supreme Court ordered, the AIADMK may support the no-trust motion." With the third largest number of members (37) in the Lok Sabha after the BJP and Congress, the AIADMK was undecided whether to support or oppose the motion, said a senior party leader. BJP says TDP's exit is an opportunity for the party to grow in Andhra Pradesh BJP leader GVL Narasimha Rao expressed confidence over sweeping the 2019 assembly election in Andhra Pradesh, like Tripura. We believe TDP is going tough in Andhra Pradesh. They are seeing a defeat for themselves in 2019 and they want to use this as an alibi to really retrieve their lost political ground, Rao told ANI. Rao said that the state government and the TDP are feeling the pinch of the public opinion going against them and added that the BJP will use the opportunity to grow as a political party. Chandrababu Naidu explains exit from NDA Chandrababu Naidu speaking in the Andhra Pradesh assembly said the decision to quit NDA was not for selfish reasons but for the interest of the state. "For four years, I made all efforts, went to Delhi 29 times, asked many times. This was centre's last budget and there was no mention of Andhra Pradesh. We had to pull our ministers out of cabinet," the TDP chief said. Lok Sabha adjourned No-confidence motion received, but it cannot be brought to the House if it is not in order, says Speaker Sumitra Mahajan and adjourns Lok Sabha till Monday without over opposition protests. TDP's no-trust motion Letter of TDP MP Thota Narasimhan to Lok Sabha Secretary-General for moving motion on 'No-Confidence in the Council of Ministers' in the House. pic.twitter.com/Zwg5qge3Sw ANI (@ANI) March 16, 2018 TDP leaders' address in Delhi Addressing the media in Delhi after exiting NDA, TDP leaders CM Ramesh, Thota Narsimhan, Ravindra Babu and others said, "BJP means 'Break Janta Promise'. We will be moving a no-confidence motion on Monday. Earlier in the day, Andhra Pradesh minister K S Jawahar told ANI, "BJP has cheated Telugu people, this time also they have succeeded in doing so, we will be moving a no-confidence motion." READ: TDP moves no-confidence motion in Parliament after Chandrababu Naidu exits NDA TDP MP Sivaprasad (in red) dressed as a fisherman during their protest demanding special status for the state of AP during the budget session of Parliament in New Delhi. (Shekhar Yadav | EPS) TDP has woken up, says Jagan YSR Congress president Y S Jaganmohan Reddy today said the TDP had "woken up" to the needs of Andhra Pradesh by moving a no-confidence motion against the Narendra Modi government over special status to the state. His remark came after the TDP this morning quit the NDA following the Centre's refusal to give the state Special Category Status. After 4 years of relentless struggle and fight by YSRCP with peoples support for Special Category Status; finally the nation, including @ncbns TDP wakes up! (1/2) YS Jagan Mohan Reddy (@ysjagan) March 16, 2018 For YSRCP, interest of AP & its people is paramount, & above any political upmanship. Even if YSRCP moved the No Confidence Motion first, it's immaterial whose No Confidence Motion is taken.What matters is that the rights of the people of AP is ensured and the state gets the SCS! YS Jagan Mohan Reddy (@ysjagan) March 16, 2018 Congress to support TDP's no-trust motion Andhra Pradesh Congress Committee president N Raghuveera Reddy has extended his support to the no-confidence motion against the Centre by Telugu Desam Party and YSR Congress Party, reported ANI. "We have been supporting Special Category Status for AP since the beginning. We want that people of AP to get justice. When no-confidence motion is moved you have to talk about government's failures, we contacting a lot of people," senior Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge. "Our commitment to people of AP continues and this government has no business to take away that right of ours. It is only right that we fight collectively, it is the principle we are fighting on. Centre has exposed itself and that it does not stand by any ally," said Congress leader Renuka Chowdhury. 'TDP exit is a timely opportunity for BJP to grow in AP' Reacting to the exiting, former cabinet minister Y S Chowdary told ANI, "It is unfortunate. We tried our best to be together but the present government ignored the sentiments & emotions of people of Andhra Pradesh, Emergency politburo was conducted in which TDP president N Chandrababu Naidu took decision to withdraw from NDA." TDP's decision to quit was inevitable after its mischievous propaganda against Centre. People of AP have now realised that the TDP is resorting to lies to cover up its inept & inert governance.Far from being a threat, TDP's exit is a timely opportunity for the BJP to grow in AP. GVL Narasimha Rao (@GVLNRAO) March 16, 2018 AIADMK undecided With the third largest number of members (37) in the Lok Sabha after the BJP and Congress, the AIADMK was undecided whether to support or oppose the motion, said a senior party leader. "The party will take a decision on the issue and one cannot comment on that now," the AIADMK leader told IANS preferring anonymity. Asad's MIM extends support MIM party will support the No Confidence motion in Lok Sabha today not only for failure on part of Modi Govt to implement State Reorganisation Act but failure to fulfill their promise to provide employment to youth & for injustice to Muslim Women and Minorities: Asaduddin Owaisi Didi, CPI(M) welcome TDP's decision West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee while welcoming TDP's decision said, "The current situation warrants such action to save the country from disaster. I appeal to all political parties in the Opposition to work closely together against atrocities, economic calamity and political instability." CPI(M) supports the no-confidence motion being brought against the BJP government. Its betrayal of the promise of special status for Andhra Pradesh is inexcuseable. Its all-round failure and evasion of parliamentary accountability needs to be highlighted. Sitaram Yechury (@SitaramYechury) March 16, 2018 YSR Congress' notice for no-trust motion The YSR Congress yesterday gave a notice for moving a no-confidence motion against the BJP-led NDA government following the Centre's refusal to grant special category status to Andhra Pradesh and found unlikely support from its arch-rival Telugu Desam Party. Letter of YSR Congress Party MP YV Subba Reddy to Lok Sabha Secretary-General for moving motion on 'No-Confidence in the Council of Ministers' in the house. pic.twitter.com/FADQCKVOig ANI (@ANI) March 16, 2018 TDP backs Jagan Later, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu also said the TDP would support a no-confidence motion against the BJP-led government at the Centre in the interest of Andhra Pradesh. "We will support a no-confidence motion, whoever moves it. We will be ready for that and our 16-17 MPs will fully support that. We will cooperate with whoever fights for the state's rights," Naidu told the state Assembly. Chandrababu slams PM Modi On Wednesday, the Andhra Pradesh CM accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP of "instigating other people" against him and his party TDP. Naidu's outburst capped a day of strong comments by him targeting BJP and the Prime Minister allegedly for being behind the corruption charges levelled by Jana Sena president Pawan Kalyan against him and his son. "Since it could not do anything to us on its own, the BJP is instigating others and try to interfere in Andhra politics like it did in Tamil Nadu. Should I get scared like a coward if Narendra Modi or NDA government instigate others against us?" Naidu said at a public meeting. TDP lashes out at Pawan Kalyan However, the TDP ministers on Thursday made an all-out attack against Pawan Kalyan alleging that the actor-turned-politician was targeting the TDP at the behest of the BJP. Arun Jaitley rejects special status to AP The partys initial strategy was to wait for the BJP to make a move so that it could then cite it as a reason and break ties. It pulled out of the NDA government within hours after Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitleys press conference wherein he had made it amply clear that the Andhra Pradesh governments demands for a special status were unreasonable. TDP pulls out its central ministers Last week the TDP pulled its two ministers out of the central government but had stopped short of walking out of the alliance. P Ashok Gajapathi Raju and YS Chowdary in the Modi cabinet resigned a day after Naidu had announced his party's decision to walk out of the NDA. Following the resignation, BJP ministers Kamineni Srinivas and P Manikyala Rao also quit from the state cabinet on Thursday morning. (With ENS and agency inputs) Foreign Minister of Armenia Ararat Mirzoyan will pay a working visit to New York Governments preventing publication of Haykakan Zhamanak newspaper during state of emergency UCOM prolongs the unlimited internet offer for the level up 4700 and level up 5500 subscribers Ucom employees received recognition for their services to the homeland Google Ad Karen Vardanyan has allocated 105 million AMD to rescue the Yerevan Botanical Garden. "The Power of One Dram" to overcome childhood cancer Generation A 13 your chance to be the change President of the Artsakh Republic Arayik Harutyunyan met with Russian Co-Chair of the OSCE Minsk Group Igor Khovayev "uDays" special offer at Ucom: discounts for all smartphones and accessories for 2 days only For more than 3 hours, 50 or more Azerbaijani servicemen have blocked the interstate road Call on the international community for an adequate response against azerbaijani aggresssion Transformation and trust are important for success in modern banking. Artak Hanesyan UCOMS LEVEL UP 1700 REGIONAL TARIFF PLAN USERS TO RECEIVE MORE THAN THOSE IN YEREVAN Joint statement Statement by the Co-Chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group Covid-19: 163 new cases in Armenia Google Ad Armenia: Remarks by Commissioner Oliver Varhelyi at the press point with Acting Deputy Prime Minister Mher Grigoryan The United States Welcomes Azerbaijans Release of Armenian Detainees and Armenias Actions to Facilitate Demining The Coronavirus-Related Situation in Armenia International aviation: Council greenlights signing of major agreements with four countries With UCOMs level up tariff plans subscribers have unlimited access to Netflix, Duolingo and Zoom Armenia: Statement by the Spokesperson on the early parliamentary elections Armenias Parliamentary Elections PRESS STATEMENT COVID19:77 new cases Armenias early parliamentary elections were competitive and well run, but polarized and marred by aggressive rhetoric, international observers say International election observers to Armenias early parliamentary elections held press conference Drop Charges Against Rights Defender Sashik Sultanyan The Coronavirus-Related Situation in Armenia The European Union in Armenia calls all parties to contribute to a peaceful Election Day to celebrate democracy The church of the Holy Innocents In New York City will have a Lenten Parish Mission from Monday March 19 to Wednesday, March 21, during the 6 pm Latin Mass, to be preached by Fr Joseph Tuscan, OFM Cap. There will be the opportunity, for all those who attend each evening of the Mission, to gain a Plenary Indulgence. Confessions will be heard after Holy Mass.The theme of the Mission will be: Saints of the Church; models and methods for overcoming sin & division.1) Monday Blessed Solanus Casey; overcoming patterns of personal sin and healing of division.2) Tuesday Saint Padre Pio; forgiveness and healing in families and the sacrament of reconciliation.3) Wednesday The Blessed Virgin Mary and the Holy Eucharist (with special blessing to impart the plenary indulgence).Fr. Joseph entered Borromeo College Seminary in 1986 where he earned his Bachelors degree in Behavioral Sciences in 1989. In 1990, he professed his first vows as a Capuchin friar, and perpetual vows in 1993, going on to earn his Masters degree in Theology at the Washington Theological Union in 1995; he was ordained to the priesthood in 1997. His first assignment after ordination was on the Pacific island of Papua New Guinea, where he served for four years. Since returning to the US in 2001, he has served in various capacities as parochial vicar, military and hospital chaplain, and Pastor. Most recently, he worked with the friars in the Custody of Puerto Rico and currently serves as a full-time Minister of the Word and Evangelization, offering retreats and reflection days for parishes, religious and priests.A mission is an opportunity for a parish to experience in a heightened and intense way spiritual services, sermons, and Sacraments focusing on the major themes of our Faith. We all know of parishes where we can find people who habitually neglect Mass on Sunday and on feasts of obligation, even though they could go without any difficulty. Such people, if they go to their annual confession, manifest some kind of sorrow when questioned about this point, and promise to amend. Yet, after having attended Mass twice or three times, miss it again the same as before. Next year they make the same promises, and the same relapses follow.In these cases, only the plain (but forcible) exposition of the evil of sin and its terrible consequences on the one hand, and the reflection on the mercy and goodness of God on the other, made by experienced missionaries who have experience in dealing with such cases, can make an irresistible impression upon their perverted hearts. Only a good parish mission may be able to bring these souls back to God.The benefits that grow from parish missions in Christs vineyard cannot easily be overestimated. Parish missions are times of extraordinary grace in which the kingdom of God is re-established in the hearts of the faithful, sinners are restored to Gods friendship, tepid souls are re-animated to a life of fervor, and the righteous are encouraged in their efforts to aim at still greater perfection. In a word, a mission well-made destroys the kingdom of Satan, purifies and renovates the parish, and glorifies the Church of God.With good parish missions, the better portion of the parishioners are strengthened in their faith; they learn to appreciate their religion in greater measure and to practice it more cheerfully; and they are put on their guard against dangers that threaten them at the present, or may rise up against them in the future. The weaker portion of the congregation is animated to greater fervor; the wayward are brought back; the erring are enlightened; the ignorant are instructed; and all classes of sinners are brought to repentance and to true reconciliation with God and His Church. Gaudet bathroom damaged in connection with TikTok challenge "If the damage continues, we will be looking to schedule bathroom breaks for classes," Principal William Niemeyer said in a message. Champaign, IL (61820) Today A steady rain this evening. Showers continuing overnight. Low 54F. Winds N at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 100%.. Tonight A steady rain this evening. Showers continuing overnight. Low 54F. Winds N at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 100%. Reporter/Columnist Julie Wurth is a reporter covering the University of Illinois at The News-Gazette. Her email is jwurth@news-gazette.com, and you can follow her on Twitter (@jawurth). Columnist Tom Kacich is a columnist and the author of Tom's Mailbag at The News-Gazette. His column appears Sundays. His email is tkacich@news-gazette.com, and you can follow him on Twitter (@tkacich). Champaign, IL (61820) Today Steady light rain this evening. Showers continuing overnight. Low 54F. Winds N at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 90%.. Tonight Steady light rain this evening. Showers continuing overnight. Low 54F. Winds N at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 90%. Honorable Secretary General of the United Nations Honorable Prime Minister of Italy, Honorable Prime Minister of Lebanon, Ladies and Gentlemen,Lebanon is the quintessence of the Middle East with its multicultural, multiethnic and multi-religious structure that is the reflection of almost the whole region within the boundaries of one state. It is a challenge, since everything happening in the region can resonate in this country, at the same time it is an asset in terms of benefits born of the diversity.For these very reasons Lebanon may have an impact on the regional situation either exacerbating its wounds, or at the current turbulent times act as an island of peace, representing an example of coexistence for others. All these add to the significance of this state for the regional security and stability and in helping this country to effectively address the challenges. We anticipate that this conference will make a tangible contribution in this regard and will be followed by not less meaningful steps.The importance of the situation in Lebanon for Armenia goes beyond its regional significance. For centuries the Armenian nation has constituted part of the Lebanese and in general the Middle East mosaic. Today this country hosts the largest Armenian community in the region, and continue to be one of the cultural and spiritual centers of our people. Traditionally Armenians have been active in all spheres of the social life in Lebanon, including the politics. Today they are represented both in the Government and in the Parliament. The Armenians shared the whole difficulties that befell on the people of Lebanon and look forward to make their contribution to the safe and secure future of the state. The Republic of Armenia stands by the people of Lebanon in reaching these aspirations.On numerous occasions Armenia has expressed its support to the friendly people of Lebanon. It has been once again reiterated during the February official visit of the President of Lebanon to Armenia, as well as during the Armenian Prime Minister's official visit to Lebanon three days ago.Ladies and Gentlemen,Starting from November 2014 the Armenian platoon composed of 32 peacekeepers has been serving under the Italian command in the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL). It is with great sense of responsibility that Armenia has engaged in this mission seeking to contribute to the efficient activities of the UNIFIL aimed at ensuring peace in friendly Lebanon.UNIFIL is not the only peacebuilding operation that Armenia has joined. The United Nations Assistant Secretary General for Peacekeeping Operations stated in this regard that Armenias support is important not only for its contribution but also for the Armenian history and the challenges overcome during it. Indeed, history teaches us that security is a common endeavor.Ladies and Gentlemen,We are looking forward to more effective cooperation between Armenia and Lebanon in defence and security fields based on the precise proposals that are already on the table, as well as the new ideas.The role of Lebanon in the region is not limited to its strategic importance, but indeed, the traditional ethno-confessional colorfulness and the richness of historical-cultural heritage that it represents. These are universal values that require global protection.Thank You. Updates by The Chronicle 17:07 As we prepare for elections please vote for the people you want, please no imposition, you all have the right to chose your own leaders. 17:05 Now turning to elections which will be held in July the time has come to show everyone that Zanu-PF is ours, we have to vote for our party so we continue ruling as we have been doing. Zanu-PF is the only party with a history of bringing our independence hence let us vote to ensure that we protect our independence. 17:02 We must be a listening leadership, I am a listening President because our strength comes from the people not ourselves. After informing our chiefs we then called our Christian leaders so that we get the blessings of our Lord. We then moved to our captains of industry as we know they are the very people who run our economy. Now we will meet the youths and war vets and we will have finished. 17:00 When we started our new government we called our traditional leaders to tell them that we now have a new government 16:58 We have now moved on, we have a new government taking over. Even our former President Mugabe ran away when he saw what had happened was not right. But now the past is behind us we have to move forward and learn from the past. The most significant lesson is that our party has stood the test of time. We have managed to take back our land. We have managed to unite our people. We must however continue consolidating the spirit of unity. Of course as we go forward we will have sellouts that will fall by the wayside, like the G40 has fallen by the wayside. The true Zanu-PF will remain and go forward. 16:52 President Mnangagwa now addressing the crowd Dr Mpofu has related to you what happened to lead to the activities on 24 November 2017. We all saw the interface rallies, we all saw some big wigs being poisoned and we all saw some even becoming border jumpers. 16:51 Today we have a real man, a man with no pride who is loving to all. He has time for everyone, Dr Mpofu ends his speech. 16:45 After independence he worked for the government where he worked in various Ministerial positions and held a number of positions within the party. He rose through the ranks until he became the countrys President. He worked hard but as we all know in everything that is beautiful there is something bad which crops up. There came the so-called interfaces, we were being called names, being told off by a woman. Our President was called all sorts of names but he never raised a finger, he instead smiled and clapped. President Mnangagwa was eventually fired from power. This is when people like General Chiwenga came in and even some of us rose and worked at reviving our party. We eventually called back our President and fired the very people who were causing havoc in our party. 16:42 Some might see this gentleman as someone without, guts but trust me he is one with guts. He is a man who was given a death penalty during the liberation struggle, he spent ten years in solitary confinement but he was only saved from the death penalty because he was under age. When he was released he went back to the liberation struggle where he trained as a lawyer. It is his experience as a lawyer which has made him well informed in terms of the law of the land which is why everything he does he ensures it is above the law Dr Mpofu on ED. 16:38 Dr Mpofu now introducing President Mnangagwa The man we are here about is a loving man, a man of the people, a man who knows no race or tribe, a man who loves every Zimbabwean, a man who wants only to be identified as a Zimbabwean. 16:35 Next to be introduced is VP Chiwenga This man is a man of principle, a man when he saw that things were not moving within Zanu-PF, stood up and made sure that he ushered the joy which we are experiencing today, Dr Mpofu says as he introduces VP Chiwenga 16:30 People from Matabeleland North you have surely made us proud, you have shown your love for President Mnangagwa. To the President I am promising you that in this area you already have two constituencies in the bag, here we do not play, we mean business, Dr Mpofu says. 16:28 Cde Moyo now invites Zanu-PF Secretary of administration Dr Mpofu to welcome the President and introduce those who accompanied the President Mnangagwa to the rally. 16:25 President ED please do not be stressed by social media and TV interviews because as the people of Zimbabwe we are yours President as you see for yourself we are here in our numbers, we mean business, come election time we promise a resounding victory so much that those people who are busy making noise on twitter will be silenced Cde Moyo 16:22 Zanu-PF provincial chairperson Cde Richard Moyo now chairing the rally. Lortondale Primary School where he is expected to address a rally. Proceedings start with Inyathi High School students leading in the singing of the national anthem. 16:19 President Mnangagwa and his delegation now atLortondale Primary School where he is expected to address a rally. Proceedings start with Inyathi High School students leading in the singing of the national anthem. We are here in Matabeleland North to understand what is happening, your problems and how we can solve them. At the end of the day we are all Zanu-PF. We are preaching unity, unity and unity. There is no going back we are moving forward as a united force. I have always said Zimbabwe is open for business and my administration and myself are serious about this. Zimbabwe has been under sanctions for the past 18 years because among other things the land reform but this is now behind us. We have to move forward and ensure we develop our nation. From the past we are taking only that is good, this issue of interfaces we are leaving. In July we are having elections and this is to cement our rule as Zanu-PF. 15: 45 Dr Mpofu now greeting delegates and apologises for the late commencement of the programme, saying that President Mnangagwa had to tour the Gwayi-Shangani dam site and meet chiefs before coming here. The President is here to view key projects and appreciate progress on the ground. 15:50 Minister Mpofu now inviting President ED to greet delegates and give a short speech at the dam site. President Mnangagwa has arrived at the bridge site. 15:43 -President Mnangagwa has arrived at the bridge site. 15: 40 Vice President Chiwenga has arrived at Ingwingwizi Bridge. President Mnangagwa is expected to arrive shortly. Also present is Speaker of the House of Assembly Cde Jacob Mudenda. SOUTH African President Cde Cyril Ramaphosa is expected in the country tomorrow to discuss issues of mutual concern with his counterpart, President Emmerson Mnangagwa. President Ramaphosa, who is also the chairperson of the Southern African Development Community (Sadc), will also visit Mozambique on the same day. In a statement, the South African presidency said President Ramaphosas visit forms part of a long standing tradition in the Sadc region where newly elected Heads of State pay courtesy calls on neighbouring countries. During the visit, President Ramaphosa and his counterparts will discuss bilateral co-operation as well as regional, continental and global issues of mutual concern. It is expected that the Sadc Heads of State will pay a particular focus on the latest political and security developments in the Region including the regional economic integration agenda in the Southern African Development Community, reads the statement. President Ramaphosa will be accompanied by the Minister of International Relations and Co-operation, Ms Lindiwe Sisulu and the Minister of State Security, Ms Dipuo Letsatsi-Duba. The ANC leader was inaugurated as South African Head of State last month following the resignation of Cde Jacob Zuma. Last November, President Mnangagwa also paid a courtesy call on the then President of South Africa, Cde Zuma, following the resignation of ex-President Robert Mugabe. After meeting Cde Zuma, President Mnangagwa addressed a high profile business conference in the neighbouring country in line with the Zimbabwe is open for business mantra. Herald iPhones of the Future May Keep Tabs on Your Mental Health (Newser) A couple in the country illegally were fleeing US immigration officials in a rural California farm town when they lost control of their car and crashed into a power pole, killing the husband and wife with six children, police said. The deaths Tuesday come as immigrant advocates say US immigration agents are using unmarked cars to pull over farmworkers in the state's agricultural heartland as part of a Trump administration crackdown in California, the AP reports. Agents with the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement put on their car's emergency lights to pull over the couple's SUV, according to a statement from the Delano Police Department and the federal agency. Neither the police department nor ICE would address whether the agents were in an unmarked car. story continues below The SUV sped away when the agents got out of their vehicle and then veered onto a dirt shoulder, overturned, and crashed into a power pole, killing Santos Garcia, 35, and Marcelina Garcia, 33, the statement said. They were farmworkers living in Delano and were looking for work when immigration agents tried to stop them, said Diana Tellefson, executive director of the United Farm Workers Foundation. The husband and wife, originally from the southern Mexican state of Guerrero, mainly spoke Mixtec, an indigenous language. "The fact that they could not speak English or Spanish likely added to the fear they felt when they realized it was ICE stopping them," Tellefson said. The couple left behind six children, ages 8 to 18, and a 1-year-old granddaughter. An ICE spokesperson says Garcia matched the description of a man they were targeting but wasn't him. (Read more Immigration and Customs Enforcement stories.) (Newser) A US military helicopter has crashed in western Iraq with seven service members on board, US officials said Thursday. The officials said that so far there is no indication that the Pave Hawk helicopter was shot down. The helicopter is used by the Air Force for combat search and rescue, and was in transit from one location to another when it went down Thursday afternoon near the town of Qaim in Anbar Province, the AP reports. Officials said that rescuers were responding to the location, but other details were not yet available. It's not clear if there were any survivors. story continues below In a short statement, US Central Command said that "rescue teams are responding to the scene of the downed aircraft at this time," adding that an investigation will be started to determine the cause of the incident. The US-led coalition battling Islamic State insurgents in Iraq and Syria have an outpost in Qaim, which is located near the Syrian border. The anti-IS campaign accelerated through much of last year, as coalition and Iraq forces battled to take back a string of cities and towns. (Read more helicopter crash stories.) (Newser) He's 14 years old, he saw his father murdered last summer, his mother has now been charged with the crimeand the FBI wants to know where he is. Jacob Caldwell and his two siblings saw father Robert Caldwell shot to death in a parking lot in Riverside, Ohio, in August of last year, People reports. Authorities say that six days later, on Aug. 21, the teen's grandmother went to check on him at night and discovered he was missing. The FBI, which is offering a $15,000 reward for information on the teen, believes he may now be out of Ohio and living under a new identity, the Dayton Daily News reports. story continues below The FBI's plea for information came as Jacob's mother and five other people were indicted in connection with the murder, reports the Journal-News. Mother Tawnney Caldwell, 33, Caldwell's ex-wife, has been charged with murder, as has 34-year-old Sterling Roberts, who is accused of cyberstalking Robert Caldwell in the days before the murder. Prosecutors say both are eligible for the death penalty. Four others named in the indictment are accused of crimes including conspiring to intimidate witnesses and aiding and abetting illegal gun possession. Police say Tawnney Caldwell has not cooperated in the search for her son and they believe somebody is helping to hide him. (Read more FBI stories.) (Newser) Is France unfairly punishing hardworking business owners? Or protecting people from overwork? Opinions are split in the case of Cedric Vaivre, the baker who wouldn't take a break. Vaivre, who runs the only bakery in the northern French town of Lusigny-sur-Barse, population 2,000, has been fined $3,700 for violating a law that says bakeries have to close once a week, Vice reports. The law allows exemptions, which Vaivre's Boulangerie du Lac received in previous years, but authorities failed to grant one in 2017 and he was fined for opening seven days a week at the height of the summer tourist season. story continues below The town's mayorand thousands of supporters who've signed a petitionsay Vaivre shouldn't be fined for working too hard. "In a tourist area, it seems essential that a business can open every day during the summer," Mayor Christian Branle told the L'Est Eclair newspaper. But othersincluding other bakery ownerssupport the law, saying it's in place to protect workers in a profession where people are known for working extremely long hours. "These people need to have a rest day each week," says a retail union spokesman, per the Local. "We can't just allow them to work nonstop. It's absolutely necessary that both bosses and employees have a day of rest." (Read more France stories.) (Newser) A man known as the "Stocking Strangler" was executed Thursday for the rape-slayings of three older women in attacks that terrorized a Georgia city four decades ago. Carlton Gary, 67, was put to death by lethal injection at the state prison in Jackson. He was the first inmate executed by Georgia this year. Strapped to a gurney with his eyes closed, Gary didn't respond when the warden asked if he wished to make a final statement or have a prayer recited, the AP reports. Gary was convicted in 1986 on three counts each of malice murder, rape, and burglary for the 1977 deaths of 89-year-old Florence Scheible, 69-year-old Martha Thurmond, and 74-year-old Kathleen Woodruff. story continues below Though charged only in those deaths, prosecutors say Gary attacked nine elderly women in the west Georgia city of Columbus from September 1977 to April 1978. Most were choked with stockings, and seven of them died. Police arrested Gary six years after the last killing, in May 1984. He became a suspect when a gun stolen during a 1977 burglary in the upscale neighborhood where all but one of the victims lived was traced to him. Prosecutors also presented evidence that they said connected Gary to similar crimes in New York state. The State Board of Pardons and Paroles declined Wednesday to spare his life after holding a closed-door hearing. (Read more execution stories.) (Newser) More a thousand people in Vietnam marked Friday's 50th anniversary of the My Lai massacre, the most notorious episode in modern US military history, with talk of peace and cooperation instead of hatred. On March 16, 1968, the American soldiers of Charlie Company were sent on what they were told was a mission to confront a crack outfit of their Vietcong enemies, but met no resistance and over three to four hours killed 504 unarmed civilians, mostly women, children, and elderly men in My Lai and a neighboring community. Speaking at Friday's commemoration, provincial official Dang Ngoc Dung said My Lai was a typical case of "cruel crimes committed by aggressive and hostile forces" during the war. He did not mention the United States by name. story continues below But Dung said Vietnam wants to set aside the past and befriend other countries to build a better future in which peace and happiness can thrive. The commemoration comes at a time when bilateral relations between the US and Vietnam are the strongest they've been since their normalization of relations in 1995. Do Ba was 9 when US soldiers came to his house and rounded up his mother, three siblings, and himself and took them to a drainage ditch. His mother and siblings were among the 170 people killed there. Ba, wounded and buried under bodies, played dead. He was finally rescued by a US Army helicopter crew that landed amid the massacre and intervened to stop the killing. "Twenty years ago, I still harbored hatred against the American soldiers who killed my mother, brothers, and sister," he tells the AP. "But now after 50 years as Vietnam and the United States together developed their relations, people set aside their pain and suffering to build a better society." Historian Duong Trung Quoc notes that as the event was organized a US aircraft carrier was making a friendly visit to a nearby port, the first since the war. "The war has ended and both nations have learned from its lessons," Quoc says. "The greatest outcome of the lessons is for two nations to come close together in friendship and shared responsibilities, for the benefit of the people in both countries." Mike Hastie, a 73-year old retired nurse from Portland, Oregon, who served as a US Army medic in Vietnam's Central Highlands, was a visitor this week. He thinks many veterans do not come because they are ashamed to face the Vietnamese people. "It's just important that the My Lai massacre never be forgotten, because I think the greatest sin that we could commit would be to forget the 504 Vietnamese people who were murdered at My Lai," he says. (Read more My Lai Massacre stories.) (Newser) Hours after the Trump administration announced sanctions against 19 individuals and five entities in response to Russian meddling in the 2016 election, Russia vowed to respond in kind. Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov on Friday said Russia would be adding more Americans to its own sanctions list. "From the very beginning, we use the principle of parity on the number of people included in sanction lists. So we will expand our 'black list' with another group of Americans," Ryabkov said, per Reuters. The Wall Street Journal adds this quote: "Other steps are possible on our part, which we will calibrate, according to our own interests." Ryabkov added Russia is not looking to end its dialogue with the US, per Euro News. story continues below Also Friday, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Moscow would expel British diplomats in response to the eviction of 23 Russian diplomats, announced Wednesday, reports the Washington Post. London's move came after the poisoning of former Russian spy Sergei Skripal, 66, and his daughter on British soil. Formally backed by the US, France, and Germany, British Prime Minister Theresa May has blamed Russia for the attack, which used a Russian-made nerve agent, though Russia has issued only denials. In one case, a Russian lawmaker suggested the US may have stolen the nerve agent from the facility where it was made in the 1990s. (Read more Russia stories.) (Newser) Perhaps Ryan Zinke wanted to show off his foreign language skills at a hearing Thursday, but it ended with reprimands in very plain English. Politico and HuffPost report the Interior secretary attended a gathering of the House Natural Resources Committee and was asked about a commitment to $2 million in grants to preserve WWII's Japanese-American internment camps; President Trump's proposed budget for next year doesn't include that funding. Pressing Zinke for a pledge was Rep. Colleen Hanabusa of Hawaii, whose grandfathers were among those detained in the camps during the war. One of her grandfathers, a US citizen kept in Oahu's "Hell's Valley" camp, couldn't even talk about his experience there until he was much older. After relaying that background, Hanabusa asked Zinke: "Will we see [the grants] funded again in 2018?" story continues below To which a smiling Zinke replied, "Oh, konnichiwa," which Politico notes is a Japanese greeting used midday; the hearing was taking place in the AM. After a pause, Hanabusa filled Zinke in on the correct terminology, answering, "I think it's still 'ohayo gozaimasu,' but that's OK." Hawaii Sen. Mazie Hirono, herself born in Japan, slammed Zinke later on Twitter, posting: "The internment of nearly 120,000 Japanese Americans is no laughing matter, @SecretaryZinke. What you thought was a clever response to @RepHanabusa was flippant & juvenile." Illinois Sen. Tammy Duckworth, born in Thailand, was more direct, tweeting, "Nope. Racism is not ok." No word from Zinke on the kerfuffle, but he said at the hearing he'd work with Hanabusa on the funding "because I think it is important." (He's still facing questions about a $139K door.) (Newser) A Romanian court has rejected a man's claim that he's alive, after he was officially registered as deceased. A court spokeswoman said Friday that 63-year-old Constantin Reliu lost his case in the northeast city of Vaslui because he appealed too late. The ruling is final, the AP reports. This all started when Reliu went to Turkey in 1992 for work and lost contact with his Romanian family. Hearing no news from her husband, his wife managed to get a death certificate for him in 2016. Turkish authorities located Reliu this year with expired papers and deported him. When he arrived in Romania, he discovered he'd been declared dead. And it looks like he's in a bit of a bind. "I am officially dead, although I'm alive," he says. "I have no income, and because I am listed dead, I can't do anything." (This American vet can relate.) (Newser) A dog who was mistakenly flown to Japan is back with his family in Kansas. The 10-year-old German shepherd, named Irgo, arrived at a Wichita airport Thursday night after a flight on a private plane from Japan, the AP reports. Kara Swindle and her two children were flying on United Airlines from Oregon to Kansas City, Mo., earlier this week during a move to Wichita, Kan. When they went to pick up Irgo, however, they instead were given a Great Dane. "They had no idea where [Irgo] was," Swindle tells CNN. "I burst into tears instantly." Swindle says Irgo had no sustenance or anything to drink during his 16-hour journey; he also had to go without the medication he was taking for an ear infection during his worldwide travels. story continues below He was checked out in Japan, though, and deemed healthy enough to fly back home. United said in a statement that the dogs were somehow put on the wrong flights during a connecting flight in Denver. "We apologize for this mistake and are following up with the vendor kennel where they were kept overnight to understand what happened," the airline said in a statement. Irgo was reunited with Swindle and her family Thursday at the airport (video of the happy reunion can be see at Digg). Swindle wouldn't say whether she's considering legal action, per the AP. But she was pleased with United's efforts to return Irgo. She said the dog seemed healthy and happy to be home. (Read more dogs stories.) (Newser) An aide to Rep. Louise Slaughter says the 88-year-old Democratic congresswoman from upstate New York has died. Slaughter was serving her 16th term in Congress and was the top Democrat on the House Rules Committee, per the AP. She was the first woman to chair that committee when she led it from 2007 through 2010. Liam Fitzsimmons, Slaughter's chief of staff, said in a statement she died early Friday at George Washington University Hospital after injuring herself in a fall in her area home. Fitzsimmons said on Wednesday that she'd sustained a concussion but no broken bones, and her office had expressed hope for her recuperation. "The congresswoman is tough as nails and she will bring that same spirit to this recovery," he said at the time, per the Democrat & Chronicle. story continues below Slaughter was originally from Kentucky and had a bachelor's degree in microbiology, as well as a master's degree in public health. She was repeatedly re-elected, sometimes narrowly, and was the longest-serving member of Congress from New York. Per the Democrat & Chronicle, she'd just announced last month she was planning on a 17th term. CNN notes she was also known for her efforts in fortifying military body armor after an Iraq War report cited all of the casualties linked to inadequate equipment. Both sides of the aisle offered their condolences upon hearing of her death. "Congresswoman Slaughter embodied the very best of the American spirit and ideals," House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi said, while the head of the House Rules Committee, the GOP's Pete Sessions, called Slaughter "a fearless leader, deeply committed to her constituents, and a dear friend." (Read more obituary stories.) (Newser) How likely is it that Vladimir Putin was behind the poisoning of an ex-Russian spy in England? "Overwhelmingly likely" in the eyes of UK Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson. He made his claim Friday just two days after Prime Minister Theresa May kicked 23 Russians out of the country in response to the attack on Sergei Skripal and his adult daughter, per the Washington Post. "Our quarrel is with Putin's Kremlin, and with his decisionand we think it overwhelmingly likely that it was his decisionto direct the use of a nerve agent on the streets of the UK, on the streets of Europe for the first time since the Second World War," Johnson said. Russia said Friday it would return the favor by forcing out British diplomats from its own borders and taking other measures, though it hasn't yet offered specifics. story continues below Kremlin rep Dmitry Peskov took umbrage at Johnson's remarks, saying that invoking Putin's name in all of this was "shocking and unforgivable in terms of diplomatic behavior." Meanwhile, Scotland Yard is now looking into the death of Russian businessman Nikolai Glushkov, found dead in his London home on Monday, per the Guardian. A pathology report says the 68-year-old Glushkov died of compression to the neck, which spurred the investigation. Glushkov believed he was on a Russian government hit list, per Business Insider. However, police haven't found any links to Skripal's death, nor proof that Glushkov may have been poisoned, though investigators say they're keeping "an open mind." The Guardian details Glushkov's sketchy life in Russia, which included charges of fraud and money laundering. (Read more Boris Johnson stories.) (Newser) A young Georgia boy whose struggles following a freak accident five years ago were followed by hundreds of thousands of people online died Thursday, CBS News reports. Tripp Halstead was just 2 when he was hit by a falling tree branch while playing outside his day care during Superstorm Sandy in 2012. According to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, the branch injured both sides of Tripp's brain. He suffered brain damage, was in a coma for weeks, and was only allowed to leave the hospital after nearly 10 months. Tripp has had at least 16 surgeries since the accident. story continues below Tripp's mother, Stacy Halstead, says she found her now-7-year-old son struggling to breathe when she went to wake him up for school Thursday. Halstead announced Tripp's death following an infection in a Facebook post that evening. "There are no words to express how Bill and I are feeling at this moment. We are beyond devastated," she writes. "This winter was brutal for him. Im just so thankful he had the best summer ever. Jet skis, Disney World, the list is endless and thats when we got those amazing huge smiles." Halstead thanked the over 1 million people following Tripp's post-accident life on Facebook. "You let us into your lives and you were there when we needed you most," she writes. (Read more Georgia stories.) (Newser) A black man beaten up by a gang of white supremacists last August in Charlottesville only to later be charged himself with assault was found not guilty Friday, the Washington Post reports. According to Al Jazeera, 20-year-old DeAndre Harris was attacked by at least six white nationalists in a parking garage during the Unite the Right rally. Harris was left with a spine injury and 10 stitches to his head; the video of the assault went viral. Two months later, a warrant was issued for Harris' arrest after Harold Crews, a member of the white nationalist group League of the South, accused him of assault. Video showed Harris swinging a flashlight at Crews, who was holding a flagpole, prior to the assault in a parking garage. story continues below Harris argued self-defense in the altercation with Crews. His attorney told the court Harris thought Crews was using the flagpole as a weapon against another protester, WVIR reports. Harris himself said he was trying to break the flagpole with the flashlight. On Friday, Judge Robert Downer Jr. acquitted Harris of misdemeanor assault and batteryit had been reduced from a felony chargebecause it couldn't be proven Harris meant to hit Crews with the flashlight and he was trying to protect a friend. Over 100 people gathered at the courtroom Friday in support of Harris. "People are carrying real hate in their hearts for the Black Community, Harris has previously written. "And I refuse to just let it happen. Four white supremacists charged in the assault on Harris are awaiting trial. (Read more Charlottesville, Va. stories.) Sorry! This content is not available in your region Let us know what you're seeing and hearing around the community. Submit here The Daily News-Miner encourages residents to make themselves heard through the Opinion pages. Readers' letters and columns also appear online at newsminer.com. Contact the editor with questions at letters@newsminer.com or call 459-7574. Community Perspective Send Community Perspective submissions by mail (P.O. Box 70710, Fairbanks AK 99707) or via email (letters@newsminer.com). Submissions must be 500 to 750 words. Columns are welcome on a wide range of issues and should be well-written and well-researched with attribution of sources. Include a full name, email address, daytime telephone number and headshot photograph suitable for publication (email jpg or tiff files at 150 dpi.) You may also schedule a photo to be taken at the News-Miner office. The News-Miner reserves the right to edit submissions or to reject those of poor quality or taste without consulting the writer. Letters to the editor Send letters to the editor by mail (P.O. Box 70710, Fairbanks AK 99707), by fax (907-452-7917) or via email (letters@newsminer.com). Writers are limited to one letter every two weeks (14 days.) All letters must contain no more than 350 words and include a full name (no abbreviation), daytime and evening phone numbers and physical address. (If no phone, then provide a mailing address or email address.) The Daily News-Miner reserves the right to edit or reject letters without consulting the writer. New Delhi: Dalmia Bharat on Thursday said the committee of creditors of debt-ridden Binani Cement Ltd has approved the resolution plan submitted by its group entity Rajputana Properties Private Ltd. The Committee of Creditors of Binani Cement Limited (BCL) constituted in accordance with the provisions of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code 2016 has approved the resolution plan for the revival of BCL submitted by Rajputana Properties Private Limited, a Dalmia Bharat Group entity, Dalmia Bharat Ltd said in a BSE filing. The Resolution Professional of BCL will now file the plan to the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) for its requisite approval. The Competition Commission of India has already granted its approval to the proposed acquisition of the stressed asset in the fastest and record time. "Our Resolution Plan has taken care of all stakeholders including employees, workmen 81 small traders. The Resolution Plan envisages a disciplined investment criteria by Dalmia Bharat, proposed to be achieved through Rajputana becoming a joint venture (50:50) with India Resurgence Fund (backed by Piramal & Bain). Also Read: Royal Dutch Shell to sell New Zealand assets to OMV for USD 578 million "This is the first ever transaction where a foreign PE investor invested in the undertaking referred under the Code." The BCL's acquisition is the first billion-dollar transaction achieving the fastest resolution in a record period of 233 days since its reference to NCLT in late July 2017. BCL along with its subsidiaries is having a global cement capacity of 11.25 million tonnes (MT) with capacity in Rajasthan, India at 6.25 MT and overseas operations include a grinding unit in Dubai of 2 MT & clinker facility of 3 MT along with a 0.5 MT of grinding unit in China. Also Read: US challenges Indian export subsidy schemes at WTO, says programmes detrimental to interest of American workers, create 'uneven' playing field This is the third cement company under the IBC code where Dalmia Bharat Group has received approval of Resolution Plan, following Kalyanpur Cements Limited in January 2018 and Murli Industries Limited in December 2017. For all the Latest Business News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: Sidharth Malhotra, who has been quite reserved about his personal life, has finally confirmed his break up with Alia Bhatt. The actor has stated that he has no 'special' person in his love life. "I am very much single!" Sidharth Malhotra told Hindustan Times during his recent interview. Interestingly, the Ek Villain actor also said that he is trying to understand what true love is. "That's a subject I wish I could articulate. I'd be lying if I said any line [to define it]; it will be a fake line. I'm still learning the process of understanding what love is. There are so many permutations and combinations; whoever articulates it is just making it up. Nobody knows!" Sidharth was quoted as saying. If this was not all, the actor further went on to say that he has understood the fact that there is no such thing as perfect girl. "It's a mirage, it's a cheat! There is no such thing as a perfect girl. It's not how someone is, it's how they make you feel. That's more important. That feeling is a sense of positivity and warmth, and you know that there is something real to it," Sid added. Interestingly, Sidharth and Alia, who made their Bollywood debut together with Karan Johar's Student Of The Year, were said to be dating each other since then. However, the reports of their split surfaced after it was reported that Sidharth was increasing his proximity with his A Gentleman co-star Jacqueline Fernandez. But the Aiyaary actor has now cleared the reports of speculations over his love life. On a related note, post break up with Sid, Alia is rumoured to be dating Ranbir Kapoor with whom she will be sharing the screen space in Ayan Mukerji's Brahmastra. For all the Latest Entertainment News, Bollywood News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: Bollywood actor Irrfan Khan shocked his fans and the industry when he disclosed that he is suffering from a rare disease on Twitter. The Hindi Medium actor had promised to inform the fans about his health and urged them not to speculate any further. The National award-winning actor released a statement on Friday stating that he has been diagnosed with neuroendocrine tumour. The 51-year-old revealed that he will move out abroad for the medical treatment. Irrfan requested the fans to keep sending their warm wishes and promised to return back with more stories. Quoting Margaret Mitchell, he wrote, Life is under no obligation to give us what we expect. The Piku actor added, ''The unexpected makes us grow, which is what the past few days have been about. Learning that I have been diagnosed with NeuroEndocrine Tumour as of now has admittedly been difficult, but the love and strength of those around me and that I found within me has brought me to a place of hope. The journey of this is taking me out of the country, and I request everyone to continue sending their wishes. The Madari actor clarified that Neuro is not always about brain and thanked those fans who waited for his words and didnt speculate. ''As for the rumours that were floated NEURO is not always about the brain and googling is the easiest way to do research ;-) To those who waited for my words, I hope to be back with more stories to tell. On the work front, Irrfan is gearing up for the release of Abhinav Deo directorial Blackmail. The black comedy drama film will hit the silver screens on April 6. News Nation wishes the talented actor a speedy recovery. Read- Irrfan Khans wife Sutapa Sikdar pens down Facebook post to URGE fans to NOT speculate on 'Blackmail' actor's health For all the Latest Entertainment News, Bollywood News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Mumbai : Salman Khan is all set to collaborate with director Ali Abbas Zafar for the third time with Bharat which is anticipated to be a little different than the past films. The movie is said to be a remake of the 2014 South Korean drama film Ode To My Father which will hit the floors in June this year and is scheduled to release on Eid 2019. The 37-year director told to PTI, It is a very different film from Tiger and Sultan. We are trying to do something new with it. Its too early to talk about it. "With 'Tiger Zinda Hai' and 'Sultan' behind me, I'm more nervous for my next one because I know the expectations and anticipations will be really, really high, he added further. Apart from Bharat, Salman Khan also has Race 3 and Dabangg 3 in his kitty which will be action thriller flicks. Director Ali Abbas also believes that working with Salman Khan has helped him gaining a lot of maturity in his work. He also said that the kind of text he writes compliments Salman and he as a mature actor takes it to the whole another level. The story of the movie will be set over a period of sixty years which will depict major historical events taken in the country. For all the Latest Entertainment News, Bollywood News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. London: Veteran actress and talk show host Simi Garewal has been felicitated with a "UK Golden Flame Award" for her contribution to Indian cinema. The 70-year-old actress received the award on Thursday at the opening ceremony of the annual Tongues of Fire UK Asian Film Festival here. This is like a homecoming because I went to Mumbai from London to try my luck in films for one year. That one year became a lifetime, said Garewal, best known for her roles in films like 'Mera Naam Joker' and 'Karz' and as the host of Bollywood talk show 'Rendezvous with Simi Garewal'. She is also set to pay tribute to her late co-star Shashi Kapoor at a special festival screening of their 1973 classic film 'Siddhartha' over the weekend. Garewal was joined at the opening of the film festival by Pakistani star Mahira Khan, whose latest film 'Verna' will be screened at the festival. Khan, who received the Flame Award for film and activism, lamented the politicisation of art by a "handful of people" that has led to a ban on Pakistani actors in India. We need to rise beyond politics and come together and enjoy films together, she said. Marking 100 years of women winning the right to vote in the UK, the theme of the 2018 film festival has been classified as "F-Rated" a special rating assigned to films that have been recognised for their progressive representation of women, or those with women behind the camera. In our 20th anniversary, Tongues on Fire UK Asian Film Festival are proudly going back to our roots of a female driven festival with a F-rated perspective to our films and events," said Dr Pushpinder Chowdhry, the founding-director of the festival. "While curating films this year, I was aware that there is a lack of female directors in the industry. Through this festival, we endeavour to proactively reach out to, support, and inspire new filmmakers, giving them a chance to showcase their work, she said. This year the London-centric festival, running from March 15-25, will also travel around other UK cities of Leicester, Manchester and Edinburgh. We are pleased to support the 20th anniversary of the festival, enabling it to expand to reach more people across the UK and to engage audiences with a broad range of South Asian cinema, said Ben Luxford, Head of UK Audiences at the British Film Institute (BFI). The line-up of the festival marks a mix of films from South Asia, including British-Pakistani co-production Cake which became the first Pakistani film to receive a red-carpet world premiere in Londons Leicester Square earlier this week. For all the Latest Entertainment News, Bollywood News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: Punjab Congress leader Navjot Singh Sidhu on Friday said that the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief Arvind Kejriwal had murdered his party in the state by apologising to Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader Bikram Singh Majithia. The Delhi chief minister on Thursday morning had apologised to Majithia for accusing him of being party of the drug syndicate in Punjab. AAP has been murdered in Punjab by Kejriwal. Kejriwals seeking apology from Majithia has finished the existence of AAP in Punjab, Sidhu said. He betrayed the people of Punjab. Kejriwal used to say that he will get Majithia arrested Now, how will AAP leaders speak against drugs when their leader has surrendered, the Congress leader added. Also read: After Majithia, Arvind Kejriwal to apologise to Arun Jaitley for corruption allegations Further attacking the Delhi chief minister, Sidhu said, Man like coward Kejriwal dies everyday for 50 times. The Congress leader further said that Kejriwal earlier use to run the party in (Punjab) from Delhi through remote control. Today, he is a helpless gambler, Sighu added. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: In yet another horrific incident, a 15-year old CBSE class 10 board examinee tried to commit suicide by hanging herself at her house in Jharkhand's Jamshedpur city on Thursday. As per reports, the incident took place at Sitaramdera's Chhayanagar slum near MGM Medical College Hospital at about 1 PM on March 15. The girl, who was saved by one of her family members, has sustained neck injuries and was rushed to the local hospital. The person first spotted her in a dupatta noose tied to a ceiling fan and immediately loosened the knot brining her down. Doctors on the local hospital emergency later referred her to Tata Main Hospital in Bistupur. The student is yet to come to sense and police officials are waiting for her statement. According to Dilip Kumar Yadav, Assistant sub-inspector at Tata Main Hospital camp police station, the mystery behind the girl's death wish is yet to be resolved and they will record her statement as soon as she will come to her sense. "The girl is still unconscious. We will wait for her statement," Yadav stated. Also Read | Gorakhpur: Class 5 student commits suicide after being harassed by teacher Sitaramdera police station OC, Rameswar Oraon said, "The girl was first taken to MGM Medical College Hospital in serious condition, and later she was referred to Tata Main Hospital. We will register any case only after getting a complaint." The CBSE candidate was appearing for her Class 10 board examination since March 5 and took such a dreadful step by leaving everyone stunned. "She is an average student, but it is unlikely for her to kill herself over exams. She had no paper on Thursday," according to a neighbour. There are also reports that the teenager attempted suicide after having a fight with her mother on the same day. Also Read: 4th-year student of IIT Kharagpur found hanging in his hostel room In recent days the cases of student suicides have been increasing at an alarming rate in India and such cases are not finding its way to stop in any way. The country has one of the worlds highest suicide rates for students. According to researchers, failure in examinations, and absence of adequate family support or solace are the reasons behind such disasters. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Imphal: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said that the Northeastern states will be the new engine to drive India towards development and the country's growth story will remain incomplete "till the east comes at par with the west." Modi, addressing the inauguration function of the 105th edition of Indian Science Congress in Manipur University, laid stress on the development projects initiated in the region by the BJP-led government. "The northeast can be the new engine of India's growth. To bring east at par with the west we declared 460 kms length of roads as national highways and seven out of the eight states are connected with rail networks and projects are underway to connect remaining state capitals to broad gauge network, Modi said. The prime minister also spoke on various topics, including science and technology, research, girls' education and women empowerment. He asserted that the BJP-led state government is doing tremendous work to reduce problems faced by the girls in hills and tribal areas for their education. I am happy that the state government is working to reduce the problems faced by girls in hills and tribals areas for their education, Modi said. He also called upon scientists to develop a module where students can interact with them. I requests the scientists to give 100 hours per annum with 100 students of classes 9-12 to discuss science and technology, he said. Modi then exhorted the scientists to extend their research works from labs to the lands for the benefit of the people. He urged them from the Science Congress platform to help the government overcome problems like malnutrition and diseases, including malaria and Japanese encephalitis whioch are common in the region. Also read: LIVE | TDP quits NDA coalition: I did it for Andhra Pradesh, says Chandrababu Naidu The 105th edition is the second Science Congress in the northeastern region in the last 100 years. Modi encouraged the scientists by saying that the country has a rich tradition and a long history of both discovery and usage of science in day to day life. The time has come to reclaim our rightful place among the front-line nations in the field, he added. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi on Friday claimed that Narendra Modi-led NDA government was paying Rs 1,100 crore more for purchasing each Rafale jet than the previous UPA government even as the Army "begs" for money. Rahul Gandhi in a tweet said the French company Dassault Aviation, makers of the Rafale fighter jets, has exposed the aliea of Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman by releasing the prices of the deal. aDassault called RM's lie and released prices paid per RAFALE plane in report: A Qatar = 1319 Cr, MODI = 1670 Cr, MMS (Manmohan Singh) =A A 570 Cr. 1100 Cr per plane or 36,000 Cr i.e 10 % of our Defence budget, in the pocket,a Rahul tweeted and shared screen shots of Dassault Aviationas Annual Report 2016. Dassault called RM's lie and released prices paid per RAFALE plane in report: Qatar = 1319 Cr MODI = 1670 Cr MMS = 570 Cr 1100 Cr per plane or 36,000 Cr i.e 10 % of our Defence budget, in the pocket. Meanwhile, our Army begs our Govt. for money. pic.twitter.com/fE5tj4IaeN a Office of RG (@OfficeOfRG) March 16, 2018 The Congress has been campaigning against the National Democratic Alliance government over the Rs 58,000 crore deal to buy 36 fighter jets from France. The party claims that Modi government is purchasing Rafale aircraft at much higher rates than what was decided under the previous UPA government. Earlier, Rahul Gandhi had alleged a scam in the procurement of the jets and asked the Modi government to reveal the price break up of each Rafale aircraft. However, the government refused to reveal the prices citing confidentiality provisions of a 2008 Indo-France pact. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: The Telugu Desam Party (TDP) on Friday parted ways with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led NDA government over the Centre's refusal to grant Special Category Status (SCS) to Andhra Pradesh. And within hours of the announcement of its exit by party president and Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, the TDP moved a no-confidence motion against the Narendra Modi government in the Lok Sabha. Following it, the YSR Congress also moved a confidence motion. The no-confidence notices were moved by TDP's Thota Narasimham and YSR Congress member Y V Subba Reddy. However, the motion notices were not taken up as Speaker Sumitra Mahajan said there was no order in the House and adjourned the proceedings for the day amid vociferous protests over various issues. The TDP politburo unanimously took the decision to end the alliance with the NDA during a tele-conference with Naidu on Friday morning. Earlier on March 8, union ministers, P Ashok Gajapati Raju and YS Chowdary, resigned over the issue. The motion can be accepted only if the TDP has the support of at least 50 members in the House. While the TDP has 16 MPs in the Lok Sabha, the YSR Congress has nine. Congress and Left leaders said they would support the motion against the government. "When the Andhra parties bring a no confidence motion in the Lok Sabha, we will support it," Mohammad Salim of the CPI-M said. Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge said that the party would also support the motion but asked the two regional parties to not play politics over the matter. With the TDP exit and the YSR Congress against it, the BJP now faces the prospect of going it alone in the 2019 elections in Andhra Pradesh However, the union government expressed confidence that it has the numbers to thwart the crisis, terming the TDP's decision to quit the NDA "inevitable". The BJP claimed that the TDP exit opened an opportunity for it to grow in the state. BJP spokesperson GVL Narasimha Rao said the TDP's decision to quit, he said, was inevitable after its "mischievous propaganda" against the Centre. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananth Kumar said the country has full confidence in the prime minister as does the House. "The government has the numbers... We are ready to take up everything," he said. With the BJP alone having 274 members in the 536-member Lok Sabha and enjoying support of allies, the no-confidence motion, if accepted, is likely to be defeated but it has the potential to put the BJP in a tight spot in the state. Meanwhile, lending support to the TDP, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee welcomed the party's decision to quit the NDA and urged all opposition parties to work closely together against "atrocities, economic calamities and political instability". The Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS) led by K Chandrasekhar Rao, however, ruled out its support for the no-confidence motion against the NDA government, describing the move as a "political gimmick". The TRS has 11 MPs in the Lok Sabha. (With inputs from agencies) For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: Andhra Pradesh's Telugu Desam Party (TDP) on Friday pulled out of its alliance with the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance at the Centre over the Centre's refusal to grant Special Category Status to the state. The TDP's decision to quit the NDA alliance comes a week after two of its ministers, P Ashok Gajapati Raju and YS Chowdary tendered their resignation on March 8. The Chandrababu Naidu-led TDP and other local parties had been expressing their discontent over the Narendra Modi-led Union government not giving special status to Andhra Pradesh.A The party had been demanding special category status to the state which was promised by the Congress government during the bifurcation of the state in the 2014 election campaign. Strongly voicing the demand, public protests were held across the state since January 26, 2017. The TDP would write to BJP president Amit Shah and other constituents of the NDA its decision to exit from the alliance and the reasons for it, the communique stated. Following its decision to withdraw support from the BJP-led NDA this morning, the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) was to move a no-confidence motion in the House. However, it was not taken up as the house was adjourned till Monday. The Rajya Sabha, meanwhile, has been adjourned till 2.30 pm. LIVE UPDATES # 2:39 pm: Jana Sena Party chief Pawan Kalyan says, aIt is not about pulling down government. Our intention is to discuss in Parliament the injustice meted to Andhra Pradesh.a # 2:36 pm: aI wrote many letters to the Centre. Recently I gave a letter to PM Modi but nothing materialised,a says CM Chandrababu Naidu. # 2:30 pm: CM Chandrababu Naidu: Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said sentiment cannot increase quantum of funds. Telangana came into existence all because of sentiment. It is very powerful. # 2:25 pm: CM Chandrababu Naidu: Bifurcation promises are not yet fulfilled. # 2:10 pm: CMaChandrababu Naidu: made the decision to quit the NDAato protect the interests of the state. # 2:09 pm: I took the decision, not for selfish reasons, but for interests of Andhra Pradesh. I went to Delhi 29 times in the last four years, requested many times but nothing happened. # 2:39 pm: Jana Sena Party chief Pawan Kalyan says, aIt is not about pulling down government. Our intention is to discuss in Parliament the injustice meted to Andhra Pradesh.a # 2:36 pm: aI wrote many letters to the Centre. Recently I gave a letter to PM Modi but nothing materialised,a says CM Chandrababu Naidu. # 2:30 pm: CM Chandrababu Naidu: Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said sentiment cannot increase quantum of funds. Telangana came into existence all because of sentiment. It is very powerful. # 2:25 pm: CM Chandrababu Naidu: Bifurcation promises are not yet fulfilled. # 2:10 pm: CMaChandrababu Naidu: made the decision to quit the NDAato protect the interests of the state. # 2:09 pm: I took the decision, not for selfish reasons, but for interests of Andhra Pradesh. I went to Delhi 29 times in the last four years, requested many times but nothing happened. #1:45 pm BJP's tally may drop by 110 seats, says Shiv Sena #1:45 pm The Shiv Sena has taunted the BJP, saying the party's voteshare in the next Lok Sabha elections may drop by 100-110 seats going by current trends and bypoll results, and the party needs to look inwards rather than foreign countries.A #1:40 pmA Amid protests by opposition MPs, Lok Sabha adjourned for the day; Rajya Sabha adjourned till 3 pm #1:30 pmA When a no-confidence motion is moved 50 MPs should stand in its support & 50 MPs stood, but Speaker said it cannot be considered as House is not in order. #1:15 pmA So, I want to ask what does govt fear? They have huge majority in Lok Sabha: Congress' Shashi Tharoor on today's proceedings #1:15 pmA A CPI(M) supports no-confidence motion being brought against BJP govt. Its betrayal of the promise of special status for Andhra Pradesh is inexcusable.A #1:10 pmA A Its all-round failure & evasion of parliamentary accountability needs to be highlighted, tweets CPI(M)'s Sitaram Yechury(File Pic) #We believe TDP is finding the going tough in AP, they are seeing a defeat for themselves in 2019 & they want to use this as an alibi to really retrieve lost political ground. # Ques being asked in AP as to why AP CM took 4 yrs to realise that this is not working: GVL Narasimha Rao,BJP #CPI(M) supports no-confidence motion being brought against BJP govt. Its betrayal of the promise of special status for Andhra Pradesh is inexcusable.A #Its all-round failure & evasion of parliamentary accountability needs to be highlighted, tweets CPI(M)'s Sitaram Yechury(File Pic) Letter of TDP MP Thota Narasimhan to Lok Sabha Secretary-General for moving motion on 'No-Confidence in the Council of Ministers' in the House. pic.twitter.com/Zwg5qge3Sw a ANI (@ANI) March 16, 2018 # Congress to support no-confidence motion against the Centre by Telugu Desam Party & YSR Congress Party: Andhra Pradesh Congress Committee President N Raghuveera Reddy # TDP leaders CM Ramesh, Thota Narsimhan, Ravindra Babu and others address the media in DelhiA after exiting NDA, say, 'BJP means 'Break Janta Promise,' also add that they will be moving a no-confidence motion on Monday. It is unfortunate. We tried our best to be together but the present government ignored the sentiments & emotions of people of Andhra Pradesh, Emergency politburo was conducted in which TDP president N Chandrababu Naidu took decision to withdraw from NDA: YS Chowdary, TDP in Delhi pic.twitter.com/Vf8cKuVuQ2 a ANI (@ANI) March 16, 2018 # TDP withdrew support from NDA, which did injustice to AP, TDP President Chandrababu Naidu took this decision in an emergency teleconference with party politburo members and MPs, which was unanimously supported. # TDP to also introduce no-confidence motion against NDA govt: AP CMO # BJP has cheated Telugu people, this time also they have succeeded in doing so, we will be moving a no-confidence motion (in the Parliament): KS Jawahar, Andhra Pradesh Minister Our party will be moving no-confidence motion today (in Parliament). We have decided... we are out of the NDA: Thota Narsimhan, TDP MP pic.twitter.com/73StNsOjtF a ANI (@ANI) March 16, 2018 For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: The Centre on Friday told the Supreme Court that there cannot be a "parallel inquiry" and "parallel monitoring" by the court in investigations while opposing a suggestion given by the apex court to the CBI to file in a sealed cover the status of the probe in the over Rs 11,000 crore the Punjab National Bank fraud case. A bench headed by Chief Justice Dipak Misra was told by Attorney General K K Venugopal that even before the investigating agencies start probing the matter, people come to courts with public interest litigations. "Is there any justification for anyone to come to this court by filing a PIL and say that the court should be informed about the status of the investigation There can't be a parallel inquiry and parallel monitoring by the courts," Venugopal told the bench also comprising Justices A M Khanwilkar and D Y Chandrachud. "In principle, what is the justification for any court, not only this court, to call upon the government and seek such reports as if a parallel inquiry is going on," he said. The attorney general (AG) also contended that why such petitions should be entertained by the courts unless there was something wrong shown by the petitioner. Terming this issue as serious, Venugopal told the bench that such a matter would bring down the morale of the investigating agencies. The AG opposed the plea filed by lawyer Vineet Dhanda, who has sought an independent probe in the PNB case and also a direction to the government to get diamond merchant Nirav Modi deported. Also Read: TDP quits NDA coalition: BJP calls emergency meet of Andhra MPs after Naidu snaps ties The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has already registered two FIRs -- one on January 31 and another in February -- against billionaire Nirav Modi, his relative Mehul Choksi of Gitanjali Gems and others for allegedly defrauding the PNB of about Rs 11,400 crore. During the hearing, the bench took exception to the submissions advanced by the petitioner that the AG had not read the prayers sought by him in the plea. "The attorney general holds a constitutional post. Why should we ask him whether he has read it or not. Language in this court has to decorous and absolutely appropriate," the chief justice said. The court said that such statements were unacceptable and posted the matter for hearing on April 9. The PIL has made PNB, the Reserve Bank of India and the ministries of finance and law and justice as parties. It has sought a direction for initiation of deportation proceedings against Nirav Modi and others allegedly involved in the banking fraud, preferably within two months. A It has asked for a special investigation team (SIT) to probe the case, allegedly involving Nirav Modi and Choksi and also sought a probe into the role of the top management of PNB. The plea has sought a direction to the finance ministry to frame guidelines on the grant and disbursal of loans involving big amounts, besides ensuring safety and recovery of such loans. It has also sought the setting up of a body of experts to deal with cases of bad banking debts in the country. The petition has asked for framing of rules for the recovery of loans from the defaulters within a stipulated period, even by attaching their properties and auctioning them in the open market. In his PIL, Dhanda has also sought a direction to fasten liabilities on the employees of a bank for sanctioning loans on the basis of deficient documents and said loans should also be recovered by attaching the properties of such bank officials even after their retirement. A For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Srinagar: At least two militants have been killed in an encounter with security forces which broke out after a failed bid to snatch the weapon of the personal security guard (PSO) of a BJP leader. The terrorists on Thursday tried to snatch the service rifle of constable Bilal Ahmad, who is the PSO of BJP leader Anwar Khan, at Balhama in Pulwama district. The police personnel accompanying Khan foiled the attempt, during which Ahmad received a bullet injury. Bodies of two militants have been recovered so far. Their identities are being ascertained, a police spokesman said. Incriminating materials, which include weapon and ammunition, have been recovered as well, he said. Searches are going on at the encounter site as there were reports of the third militant as well at the time of weapon snatching attempt. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: Business tycoon Vijay Mallyas extradition trial over fraud and money laundering is set for one of its final stages at Westminster Magistrates Court on Friday. Mallya, who is on trial at the UK court, will get to know whether he can be deported to India to face numerous charges of fraud and money laundering amounting to around Rs.9,000 crore. The bench is headed by Judge Emma Arbuthnot and she is expected to set a fixed timeframe for the final verdict. The 62-year-old, however, is on bail until April 2 and hence, not compelled to attend the hearing on Friday. Earlier, Mallyas team had questioned the investigating officers in the case by counting pages over 150, that were near identical material claiming to be statements by the witnesses taken under Section 161 of the Indian Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC). The Queens counsel Claire Montgomery, who is arguing on behalf of Mallya said that the documents were identically reproduced with same words and same typing errors, which is surprising and shocking. The judge also asked about the availability of natural light and medical assistance at Barrack 12 of Mumbai Central Prison on Arthur Road, where Mallya will be placed if he is deported from Britain. The trial opened at London court on December 4, against Vijay Mallya who has been based in the UK since he fled from India in March 2016. It also seeks clarification on whether Mallya would be given fair trial in India over his obsolete Kingfisher Airlines alleged loans of over Rs 9,000 crore from a group of Indian banks. The CPS, who are representing the Indian Government, are confident about the evidence which they had presented proves dishonesty on Mallyas part. Mallyas defense team, however, claims that the businessman had no fraudulent intentions and is unlikely to get an unbiased trial in India. In April 2017, Mallya was arrested by the Scotland Yard on an extradition warrant, but has been out on bail worth 6,50,000 pounds. The Chief Magistrate is likely to announce her verdict by May 2018. The UK home secretary will have two months to clear Mallyas deportation orders if the Chief Magistrate gives the decision in favour of the Indian Government. However, any of the sides can appeal to higher courts in the UK against Arbuthnots ruling. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Washington: President Donald Trump has decided to fire his National Security Advisor Lt. Gen HR McMaster and is scouting to find a replacement before the planned high-profile North Korea meetings, according to US media reports. The Washington Post reported that Trump is 'now comfortable' with ousting McMaster with whom he never personally gelled but is willing to take time executing the move because he wants to ensure both that the three-star Army General is not humiliated and that there is a strong successor lined up. White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders, however, dismissed the reports and said that there were no changes at the National Security Council (NSC). Citing five sources with knowledge of the president's plans, the daily said, "The turbulence is part of a broader potential shake-up under consideration by Trump that is likely to include senior officials at the White House, where staffers are gripped by fear and uncertainty as they await the next move from an impulsive president who enjoys stoking conflict." Rejecting the report, Sanders said, "Just spoke to the president and McMaster. Contrary to reports they have a good working relationship and there are no changes at the NSC." McMaster is Trump's second national security adviser after Michael Flynn was dismissed last year for misleading Vice President Mike Pence about his contacts with the Russian ambassador to the US. The NSC is one of the most powerful wings of the White House that drives the administration's national security agenda. The daily reported that Trump has complained that McMaster is too rigid and that his briefings go on too long and seem irrelevant. Trump last week announced that he is ready to meet North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un by May to negotiate an end to Pyongyang's provocative nuclear weapons programme. Reports of McMaster's removal from the NSC have been gaining ground especially after Trump rebuked him last month on his statement that Moscow's interference in the 2016 election was "incontrovertible", following more than a dozen indictments from special counsel Robert Mueller's office. Also Read: Donald Trump's daughter-in-law files for divorce from husband Trump had lashed out at McMaster in a late-night Twitter post last month. Several sources told CNN that the push for a replacement comes after months of personal tension between McMaster and Trump. Trump has privately expressed irritation with McMaster stemming from differences in "personality and style," it quoted a senior Republican source as saying. The Post report of the possible shake-up at the NSC comes as Trump signalled this week that he is prepared to dismiss aides with whom he has clashed as he works to surround himself with advisers more aligned with his populist agenda and freewheeling style. On Tuesday, Trump fired Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and told reporters at the White House he was near having his ideal team. "I'm really at a point where we're getting very close to having the Cabinet and other things that I want," Trump said, moments after announcing Tillerson's firing as well as his plan to install his close ally, CIA Director Mike Pompeo, in the job. Meanwhile, several candidates have emerged as possible McMaster replacements, including John Bolton, a former US ambassador to the United Nations, and Keith Kellogg, the chief of staff of the National Security Council, the Post said. The daily quoting a senior White House official said, "The president is enjoying the process of assessing his team and making changes, tightening his inner circle to those he considers survivors and who respect his unconventional style. Also Read: Trump administration imposes new sanctions on Russia for meddling in 2016 US Presidential elections, involvement in cyber attacks If McMaster is ousted, he would be the latest in a string of high-profile White House departures since President Trump took office in January 2017. On Wednesday, Trump named conservative TV analyst Larry Kudlow to replace his top economic adviser, Gary Cohn, who quit over trade disagreements with the president. For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: Pakistan has failed to take decisive actions against terror groups as sought by the Trump administration, the White House said on Friday, and warned Islamabad that the US is prepared to take actions on its own to safeguard its personnel in Afghanistan. US President Donald Trump had announced his South Asia Policy in August 2017, criticising Pakistan for providing safe havens to terror groups carrying out attacks in Afghanistan. Six months after the announcement of the South Asia Policy by President Donald Trump, Pakistan has failed to take the kind of decisive actions that the US is seeking, a senior administration official told reporters. Expressing the White Houses displeasure on the alleged continued reluctance on the part of Pakistan to take action against terrorists, the official said, We are still seeking actions from Pakistan that we have not seen. We are continuing to look for real actions and not word on the Taliban and the Haqqani sanctuaries. Noting that the US want to see actions against terrorist, the official said, the Trump administration was prepared to take steps which we feel are necessary to safeguard our personal in Afghanistan. Also Read | Hillary Clinton fractures her hand after slipping in bathtub during India trip The official, speaking to reporters on condition of anonymity, insisted that there is an urgency on the part of Pakistan to take action. Citing some of the recent high-profile attacks in Kabul by terrorists from across the border, the official said, Its Pakistan choice on which direction it wants to take the future of the relationship and added that the US was still engaging Pakistani leaders. The US is interested in addressing some of the Pakistani concerns, but the ball lies in Islamabads court, the official said. Responding to a series of questions, the official, however, did not give any indication on the kind of actions the US was contemplating against Pakistan, given its frustration for them not taking action against terrorist groups. The Trump Administration, for the first time, has really restored clarity to the US-Pakistan relationship. We are truly holding Pakistan accountable for its actions, the official said, adding the President has made it clear that he is not satisfied with the action taken by Islamabad. We have communicated clear to Pakistan to what we mean by decisive action, the official said, without giving details about the kind of action the US wants to see from Islamabad except for saying that it wants complete elimination of terrorist safe havens from within its territory. Pakistanis have wanted to be responsive to the US request, but they have done bare minimum, the senior administration official said. The US continues to send specific request for actions against terrorist groups, the official added. When provided very specific information, they (Pakistanis) have responded. But we have not seen them taking pro-active actions against terrorist groups. (we believe that) They are very capable (in taking those steps), the official said. On questions about the deadline, the official said the US is in discussion with Pakistan. We do not talk in terms of deadlines. However, Pakistan understand that the way the America appropriations are set up and there are deadlines with regard to assistance. These Congressional deadlines will sometime kick in, the official added. We need to sustain the pressure. Any sense that pressure is being relieved, we definitely would not see the objective that we want to see. We intend to continue the pressure and at the same time indicate that there is a way forward. It is good for Pakistan to cooperate with the US on Afghanistan, the official said. Trending: Centre always willing to give special package to Andhra Pradesh, says Arun Jaitley The US also wants Pakistan to take action against Pakistan-based terrorist groups that target India like Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM). We believe that the release of Hafeez Saeed in November was a step in the wrong direction, the officials said ruing that Pakistan has not taken sufficient steps with regard to curbing finances of terrorism. The official also said Pakistan has been taking bare minimum actions against terrorists on the US request. We expected that this would be difficult for Pakistan. We expected that it would take some time for Pakistan to break those relationship between intelligence services and the militants. So far, we have seen them taking bare minimum steps that we are requesting, the official pointed out in response to another question. For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: A US media report published on Thursday claimed that Pakistan's intelligence agency ISI continues to covertly support the Taliban in the border region. The Washington Times' investigate story also provided specific mohallas and neighbourhoods on the Pakistani side that are being used as safe havens by Taliban terrorists. The report alleged that Taliban terrorists from Afghanistan travel freely to a Pakistani army garrison in Quetta where they meet with military and Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) officials. "We believe top Taliban leadership are operating from Pashtunabad, Gulistan and surrounding areas," an unnamed intelligence source was quoted as saying by the daily. Killa Abdullah, a small border district about 44 miles from Quetta, is another area where the Taliban is working with the ISI. Within that district, an area known as Chaman that borders Afghanistan is a Taliban hub, where terrorists operate openly and are known to local residents as Talibs, it said. Taliban fighters have been spotted here along the road from and to Kuchlak "with automatic weapons either in motorbikes, or in four-by-four vehicles along with two to five companions," the source said. The Washington Times said that the ISI also conducts security patrols in facilitating Taliban transit along the main highway to Kuchlak, using a Toyota SUV that is owned by the ISI. Claiming that the ISI security is an open secret in the region, the daily said local police are not permitted to stop the Taliban from travelling from Afghanistan to Pakistan and the fighters refuse requests at checkpoints for identification by simply stating they are Talibs. "These people freely travel in Quetta, Chaman and all surrounding areas. Civilian [police] forces cannot intervene because they work under ISI and military apparatus. The police are also powerless and are afraid for their own security," American intelligence sources told the US daily. Guldara Baghicha, near Chaman city, which houses a Pakistani paramilitary garrison is said to be a major residence for families of the Taliban. The ISI has banned the local police and Pakistan's Frontier Corps from entering or patrolling that area. Kili Jahangir, in its neighborhood, includes restricted zones because Taliban families live nearby, the daily said. The intelligence source further described Jungle Piralizia, south of Chaman, as a Taliban "resting place after their campaigns in Afghanistan against Western forces". "The region has been scene of clashes between local police and Taliban fighters, who are known to retaliate against local police who try to arrest them, in one case blowing up a police vehicle and killing several policemen," the daily said. "In such cases, the Taliban are arrested by local police, then the ISI intervenes immediately and promptly releases them," the daily said. Meanwhile, the Pentagon yesterday said the US wants Pakistan to take more steps against terrorism in the region. "The (Defense) Secretary has said there is more that Pakistan can do. And we look forward to them taking more steps to combat terrorism in the region," chief Pentagon spokeswoman Dana White told reporters at her weekly news conference. For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Police in Japan received a record-high number of inquiries and reports about stalking and domestic violence last year. The National Police Agency says the 23,079 inquiries and reports about stalking is the most since record-keeping began in 2000. Police identified suspects and took action in 2,625 cases, down 63 cases from the year before. 94 cases concerned the act of incessantly sending messages via social networking services. Another 53 cases involved loitering around victims' homes. These acts are banned under a revised anti-stalking law that went into effect last year. The agency also says there were over 72,455 inquiries and reports about domestic violence, a record high. Police identified suspects in over 8,422 of them, also the highest figure on record. The agency is taking measures to prevent stalkers from repeating similar offenses. One step is to refer them to psychiatrists or counseling services. It's also redoubling its efforts to safeguard victims in stalking and domestic violence cases. - NHK Japan's Supreme Court ruled Thursday that it is illegal to refuse an order to return a child under the Hague treaty to settle cross-border custody disputes, unless under exceptional circumstances. The top court overturned a ruling by Nagoya High Court's Kanazawa branch, which dismissed a petition by a Japanese husband living in the United States requesting that his Japanese wife, a Japanese resident, return their U.S.-born second son living in the Asian country to the United States. Making a judgment on such a refusal for the first time, the top court sent back the case to the high court. The Japanese couple used to live in the United States together. As their relationship deteriorated, the wife returned to Japan in 2016 with the son, now 13. Based on the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction, the husband sought the return of the son. But the wife refused a Tokyo Family Court order to hand over the son to the husband. Japan will begin allowing commercial drones to deliver packages in remote areas this summer with a view to urban operation in a few years as labor-strapped companies look to take advantage of the technology. The government will revise screening standards under the aviation law to let drones fly beyond the operator's line of sight on distant islands and mountainous regions to speed commercial use. Under the plan, businesses and individuals will be required to limit their flight areas and operate the aircraft at a safe position, speed and altitude. Operators will not be allowed to fly over people's heads and will have to avoid other aircraft and trees. The government also plans to require launch centers to load and unload packages and create rules to prevent cargo from dropping and drones from being overloaded. From fiscal 2018, the transport ministry will begin a debate on allowing drones in cities, with plans to allow flights as early as 2020. Given the need to navigate city streets lined with utility poles and tall buildings, the government will consider a new system to certify eligible drones and issue pilot licenses. Privacy and land rights will also be discussed. Japan drew up rules on flying drones in 2015 after one laced with radioactive material was found on the roof of the prime minister's office. Under the current rules, with government permission that lasts up to a year, drones can be flown within the operator's line of sight. - Nikkei Prosecutors have sought the death penalty for a 25-year-old man who allegedly stabbed a man to death with a dagger and injured his three children at their home in Osaka Prefecture in 2016. During the trial at the Osaka District Court on Thursday, the prosecutors said Yuma Kobayashi aimed to kill the entire family, with whom he was unacquainted, while they slept. Defense lawyers have argued he is mentally incompetent and cannot be held criminally responsible for the attack. According to the indictment, Kobayashi broke into the house of carpenter Yukinobu Kawakami, 43, in the city of Kadoma on Oct. 19, 2016, killing him with a dagger and injuring his 20-year-old and 19-year-old daughters as well as his 17-year-old son. Kobayashi, who had a history of schizophrenia, has denied the allegations, saying there are many things he does not recall doing. The defense team told the first court hearing earlier this month that Kobayashi "brought the dagger upon receiving orders from three unidentified men through brainwaves and found Kawakami in a pool of blood." Calling his acts "extremely cruel," the prosecutors said Kobayashi "flagrantly made light of lives" and that the death penalty cannot be avoided. - Japan Times A survey of 36 major Kyoto city hotels showed that foreigners accounted for 40.5 percent of their total guests in 2017, the highest figure recorded since the survey began in 2014. Visitors from mainland China to the hotels accounted for the largest share, 23.9 percent, of total foreign guests. They were followed by guests from Taiwan (18 percent of the total), the United States (12.5 percent), South Korea (5 percent) and Hong Kong (4.7 percent). Total occupancy rate for the hotels in 2017 was 88.8 percent. The busiest months were the cherry blossom viewing season in April, when the occupancy rate reached 94.6 percent, and the latter half of November, at 94.1 percent when the autumn colors were at their peak. The slowest period of the year was early January, when the occupancy rate dropped to 71.4 percent. The percentage of mainland Chinese visitors peaked in August. The percentage of Taiwanese and South Korean guests peaked in February, while the percentage of Hong Kong visitors peaked in July. For Americans, June was the peak month. With the exception of January, February, December, the second half of June and the second half of July, the monthly occupancy rate was 90 percent or above. The survey did not include many recently opened smaller boutique hotels or minpaku (private lodging) facilities. The 40.5 percent figure for foreign guests is a 3.2 percentage point rise over the comparable figure for 2016. Kyoto city attributes it to an increase in the number of budget airline flights between Kansai airport and other cities, especially in Asia. - Japan Times About 36 per cent of Nigerian girls from ages 15 to 19 have at least one baby. The British Deputy High Commissioner in Lagos, Laure Beaufils, disclosed this yesterday.She spoke at the formal launch of Educating Nigerian Girls In New Enterprises (ENGINE II).Beaufils expressed British governments commitment to tackling the numerous challenges confronting the girl child in Nigeria, particularly in Lagos State, due to the influx of visitors to the place.ENGINE II is a UK aid initiative to be jointly implemented by the Lagos State Ministry of Education, Office of the Special Adviser on Education, Agency for Mass Education.This would be done in collaboration with Mercy Corps Nigeria and Action Health Incorporated to help marginalised girls from 16 to 19.The aim is to support them to improve their learning outcomes and economic status.Represented by the Regional Coordinator of DFID in the South West, David Ukagwu, she said girls are the most vulnerable in the society.She stressed that if their welfare were neglected, the society would be deeply and negatively affected.The envoy said the British government is committed to taking girls out of the streets and ensuring that they acquire literacy, numeracy and entrepreneurial skills.According to her, findings show that the education of the affected girls would suffer.She said close to 12 per cent of underage girls are already married, a situation she describedas worrisome.Beaufils urged all affected stakeholders to create an enabling environment that would empower the girl child.Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Education, Mr. Obafela Bank-Olemoh, said the DFID- supported programme would scale up the ongoing activities in the state.He added that it would help in training up to 7,000 marginalised girls in Lagos, by empowering them with the much-needed literacy and numeracy skills.These knowledge will unlock the potentials of these girls who before now, had little or no education.It would also grant them access to new opportunities that could improve their lives and the society at large, he said. The nurse abducted by Boko Haram in Rann, KalaBalge local government of Borno a fortnight ago has sent a message to her WhatsApp contacts.... The nurse abducted by Boko Haram in Rann, KalaBalge local government of Borno a fortnight ago has sent a message to her WhatsApp contacts. In the message, written in Hausa, the 24-year old girl, Hauwa Muhammad Liman called on the recipients who are in her WhatsApp contact list to return to the path of God. She also called on them to denounce the ways of the infidels, else they will become the lostones. Ya Ku en duniya, kuji tsoron Allah, Ku daina bin taghootu.Idan kuma ba haka, Allah zai daura mu Akan ku, kuma za Kukasance tababbu, the message read. Translation: O you people of this world, fear God, denounce infidelity.And if you dont, Allah will give us victory over you and you will be among the misguided. The message was sent in the night at about 9:00 PM of March 15. The 24-year old girl had sent an audio message via the same platform when the attack was going on two weeks ago to one of her WhatsApp contacts. Suspected Boko Haram terrorists, yesterday, blocked a bus plying Igboho-Igbeti Road and reportedly abducted eight passengers from the bus. Suspected Boko Haram terrorists, yesterday, blocked a bus plying Igboho-Igbeti Road and reportedly abducted eight passengers from the bus.According to a source, the armed men were said to have emerged from a bush at Old Oyo National Park, blocked the bus, ordered the passengers to alight and board another vehicle they parked by the roadside.Before forcing the victims into the waiting bus, the armed bandits reportedly held them hostage in the bush for some minutes before they drove away with them. The source said the occupants of the bus were Igboho and Ogbooro indigenes. Contacted, Oyo State Public Relations Officer, Adekunle Ajisebutu, confirmed it but differed on the number of kidnapped victims.He said the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Abiodun Odude, had deployed his men to the area to search for the kidnapped victims. A source, who pleaded anonymity, told newsmen: People in the area are now living in fear as there has been an influx of strange people. President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday assured Nigerians that his government will continue to focus on the improvement of security and critical infrastructure, like roads, construction of rails and power generation across the country as a vital pre-requisite to economic progress as he commissioned a N50 billion Sunti Golden Sugar Estate, expected to give direct jobs to over 10,000 in Niger State.He also said that his economic diversification policy of his administration was receiving tremendous support as well as yielding positive results.He said, The Sunti Golden Sugar Estate, as I am told, was built at a cost of over fifty billion naira making it one of the largest Agro-allied investments in Nigeria today, with a capacity to produce 100,000 metric tons of sugar annually.I am informed the Estate will engage up to 10,000 people directly including a network of over 3,000 small-scale out growers of Sugar cane.This to my mind is central to our administrations determination to have an inclusive economy. The socio-economic impact of such a massive investment, in rural area of Nigeria, cannot be quantified.This project is timely as Nigeria makes her journey out of recession and the economy continues to show considerable progress.We are reminded of one of the cardinal objectives of this administration which is to look inwards as we focus on our natural endowments in agriculture, and other non-oil sectors for inclusive growth and development.The level of work and magnitude of investment that we are witnessing here today is a clear demonstration that our policies on economic diversification are attracting the right kind of support and engagement.On that note, I must congratulate the entire members of the board, management and staff of Flour Mills for such a major step in expanding the business and creating more jobs for our people.Since the establishment of Flour Mills in 1960, the company has repeatedly shown commitment to Nigeria, through good times and bad.He said that with the establishment of the factory, lives will change for thousands in the localities, adding that the impact on the national economy will be significant.He said, The location of the Sunti Sugar Estate on the banks of the River Niger is as notable as it is commendable. The enormous economic possibilities inherent here have perhaps been overlooked for far too long. It is on record that the Niger River Basin has played an essential role in the lives of the people who have had to depend on the basin for their subsistence.And when we take into cognizance the tributaries of the river and the proximity to the Kainji dam and the ecosystem, it is time we explore how this massive body of resources can be converted to a hub for industry and commerce. To that end, I call on other investors to take a cue from what we are witnessing today and come and invest heavily in this area.President Buhari assured Nigerians that his administration was fully committed to the transformation and diversification of the economy and that he will continue to support businesses by creating enabling business environment.He said, I wish to assure Nigerians that this government will continue to focus on the improvement of security and critical infrastructure, like roads, construction of rails and power generation across the country as a vital pre-requisite to economic progress.We all know that Government cannot do everything alone. We will need to partner with the private sector. Therefore, we expect that the company would seize this opportunity to further develop the Sunti-Mokwa Road through its corporate social responsibility programs.This will complement the flour mills ongoing rebuilding of the critical Apapa-Wharf Road in conjunction with other private and public-sector stakeholders.The world over, Sugar has been identified as a key commodity that is critical to national food security. Other than the development of local content, an investment of this size in the sugar value chain will not only help to stem the tide of importation of sugar and save foreign exchange, but also enhance rural industrialization and create wealth amidst rural poverty. For this, I must commend the Flour Mills of Nigeria. Welcome to the London Nigerianeye's live coverage of the Champions League quarter-final draw.Liverpool and Manchester City are the Premier Leagues last remaining representatives, as we get to the business end of Europes premier club competition.Theres no seeding at this stage anyone can anyone so we could see an all-English quarter-final.AS Roma , Barcelona , Bayern Munich, Juventus , Real Madrid and Sevilla make up the rest of the teams in the draw.Proceedings are due to get under way from 11am this morning in Nyon, before our attention turns to Arsenal and the Europa League quarter-final draw.-------------------------------------------------------------------- The Champions League quarter-final draw has been made and there are, as you'd expect, some interesting match-ups.The final pairing saw Liverpool drawn with Man City, meaning that there is an all-Premier League clash to look forward to. Jurgen Klopp's side are the top scorers in the competition so far with 28 goals and City are no slouches either. Indeed, if their previous meetings this year are anything to go by, this will be a goal-fest.Holders Real Madrid have been drawn against Juventus in a repeat of last season's final, while Barcelona have been handed an assignment against Roma. Sevilla, who are taking part in the quarter-final of the Champions League for the first time must travel to Germany to face Jupp Heynkes' Bayern Munich.- So, there you have the draw.- Liverpool vs Manchester City- Juventus vs Real Madrid- Sevilla vs Bayern Munich- Barcelona vs Roma- We've got a small introduction from Mr. Pedro Pinto before a montage of the eight quarter-finalists before the draw itself gets under way.- Here we go...Things have got going at Uefa headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland.- Roma sporting director Monchi, renowned from his time at Sevilla, believes Pep Guardiola's Manchester City are the strongest team in Europe, but concedes it will be a tall order regardless of the draw for a club through to its first quarter-final in 10 years. "It's tough to say whos the best," Monchi said. "They're all difficult. "(Barcelona) have a player (Messi) who's not normal in their team. "Then there's Real Madrid, a club that's accustomed to winning everything; Juventus are on a successful run; Manchester City are the best of the lot in my opinion; Bayern Munich faced a good side in Besiktas, with top players, and won 5-0."- The first legs will be on Tuesday 3 and Wednesday 4 April, with the returns on 10 and 11 April. The exact schedule will be confirmed in the afternoon of the draw.Quarter-finals: 3/4 & 10/11 AprilSemi-final draw: 13 AprilSemi-finals: 24/25 April & 1/2 MayFinal: Saturday 26 May, NSC Olimpiyskyi stadium, Kyiv Robert Mugabe, ousted Zimbabwe President, says he never expected Emmerson Mnangagwa, his successor, to turn against him. Robert Mugabe, ousted Zimbabwe President, says he never expected Emmerson Mnangagwa, his successor, to turn against him. The former president, who ruled Zimbabwe from 1980 to 2017, said this on Thursday in an interview with South African state broadcaster SABC. Mugabe, 94, stepped down under pressure from Mnangagwas allies in the army in November. He quit as parliament began a process to impeach him, triggering wild celebrations in the streets. I never thought he whom I had nurtured and brought into government and whose life I worked so hard in prison to save as he was threatened with hanging, that one day he would be the man who would turn against me, Mugabe said. Mnangagwa was convicted of sabotage under white minority rule and sentenced to death. But he was spared the noose because it was deemed that he was a minor when he committed the crime. Mugabe said he was ousted in a military takeover and that Mnangagwa had assumed the presidency illegally. I dont hate Emmerson; I brought him into government. But he must be proper. He is improper where he is Illegal. We must undo this disgrace, which we have imposed on ourselves. We dont deserve it, he said. Mugabe has resided in his Harare mansion with wife, Grace, since his fall from power. He was granted immunity from prosecution and assured that his safety will be protected in his home country under a deal that resulted in his resignation. While some view Mugabe as a liberation hero, others remember him for turning a promising country into an economic basket case and international pariah. Dreaded Port Harcourt kidnap kingpin and pirate, Prosper David, popularly known as Militant General, has died from injuries sustained du... Dreaded Port Harcourt kidnap kingpin and pirate, Prosper David, popularly known as Militant General, has died from injuries sustained during a gun battle with operatives of the Inspector-General of Police Intelligence Response Team, IRT, in his hideout in Bayelsa StateDavid, as gathered, was a former militant who initially embraced the Federal Governments amnesty programme, but later formed a kidnapping gang. He was also alleged to have commandeered a water way in Port Harcourt, where he collected between N1.5 million and N2 million from vessels passing through Nember creeks to the high seas. The deceased and members of his gang, all indigenes of Southern Ijaw, Bayelsa State, as gathered, usually carried out their kidnap escapades in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.Kidnap Among their victims was a dealer in fabrics, Mrs Tina Bob-Manuel, on November 22, 2017. The deceased and members of his gang as gathered, stormed Mrs Bob-Manuels shop located at 107 Nvuigwe Road, Woji, Port Harcourt at about 10.45a.m. in Police uniforms. They took her in their ash-coloured Honda Pilot car, then a waiting speed boat and into the creeks, from where they demanded N50 million ransom for her release. Her family made an initial payment of N2 million and $1,000 on December 1, 2017. Yet her captors refused to release her.Another N4 million was reportedly paid on December 14, 2017, totally N6.361 million. Yet, the gang demanded for more. Mrs Bob-Manuel was later dumped somewhere around Obua Local Government Area of Rivers State on February 21, after spending three months with her captors. Police sources hinted that IRT operatives have been on his trail for a long time after the kidnap of Mrs Bob-Manuel and several other kidnappings.The suspect went underground after collecting the ransom in two installments and when he sensed that the Police were closing in on him, he dropped his contact number known to his personal driver that was earlier arrested by the Police and relocated his family from Victory Estate Azikoro, Yenagoa, in December 2017, to the creek.The source continued: After about 90 days of painstaking intelligence gathering with technical support from TIU, the suspect was tracked to Asiri area of Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, to his new rented apartment. On sighting the operatives, he ran into his apartment ceiling from where he engaged the operatives. But he was neutralised and fatally injured. Three other suspects Johnson Denis, his driver; Benjamin Johnson and Anthony Joshua according to Police sources, were also arrested.Recovered from them were one AK-47 rifle, which late David was alleged to have engaged the ITR operatives with, one magazine, 26 rounds of live ammunition, four expended ammunition and a phone belonging to Mrs Bob-Manuel. The suspects, sources hinted, were arrested between February 22 and March 14, adding that Police were still on the trail of other suspected members of the gang.The late kidnap lords driver, Johnson Dennis, denied having knowledge of his late boss business. He stated rather that he usually brought his boss from Bayelsa to Port Harcourt, after which he will return to Bayelsa with the vehicle, a Highlander SUV. We are drinking plastic particles! That is the shocking conclusion of the research of the worlds leading brands of bottled water in n... We are drinking plastic particles! That is the shocking conclusion of the research of the worlds leading brands of bottled water in nine countries.The research found that the bottles are contaminated with tiny plastic particles that are likely seeping in during the packaging process.Even more shocking was the recommendation of the researchers: tap water is much safer than bottled water. Tap water, by and large, is much safer than bottled water, said Sherri Mason, a micro-plastic researcher at State University of New York and leader of the team.Widespread contamination with plastic was found in the study, according to a summary released by Orb Media, a US-based non-profit media collective.Researchers tested 250 bottles of water in Brazil, China, India, Indonesia, Kenya, Lebanon, Mexico, Thailand, and the United States.Plastic was identified in 93 percent of the samples, which included major name brands such as Aqua, Aquafina, Dasani, Evian, Nestle Pure Life and San Pellegrino. Some of the brands are also available in Nigeria.waterThe plastic debris included polypropylene, nylon, and polyethylene terephthalate (PET), which is used to make bottle caps.In this study, 65 percent of the particles we found were actually fragments and not fibers, Mason told AFP.I think it is coming through the process of bottling the water. I think that most of the plastic that we are seeing is coming from the bottle itself, it is coming from the cap, it is coming from the industrial process of bottling the water.Particle concentration ranged from zero to more than 10,000 likely plastic particles in a single bottle, said the report.On average, plastic particles in the 100 micron (0.10 millimeter) size range considered microplastics, were found at an average rate of 10.4 plastic particles per litre.Even smaller particles were more common averaging about 325 per litre.Other brands that were found to contain plastic contaminated included Bisleri, Epura, Gerolsteiner, Minalba and Wahaha.Experts cautioned that the extent of the risk to human health posed by such contamination remains unclear.There are connections to increases in certain kinds of cancer to lower sperm count to increases in conditions like ADHD and autism, said Mason.We know that they are connected to these synthetic chemicals in the environment and we know that plastics are providing kind of a means to get those chemicals into our bodies.The three-month study used a technique developed by the University of East Anglias School of Chemistry to see microplastic particles by staining them using fluorescent Nile Red dye, which makes plastic fluorescent when irradiated with blue light.We have been involved with independently reviewing the findings and methodology to ensure the study is robust and credible, said lead researcher Andrew Mayes, from UEAs School of Chemistry.The results stack up.Jacqueline Savitz, chief policy officer for North America at Oceana, a marine advocacy group that was not involved in the research, said the study provides more evidence that society must abandon the ubiquitous use of plastic water bottles.We know plastics are building-up in marine animals, and this means we too are being exposed, some of us, every day, she said.Its more urgent now than ever before to make plastic water bottles a thing of the past. Borno State Governor, Kashim Shettima, has approved the setting up a high-powered committee to conduct a thorough and meticulous exercise... Borno State Governor, Kashim Shettima, has approved the setting up a high-powered committee to conduct a thorough and meticulous exercise on NGOs operating in the state. Governor Shettima who stated this at an expanded meeting of the State Security Council at the Government House in Maiduguri, yesterday, said the decision followed the concerns raised by the Theatre Commander of Operation LAFIYA DOLE and many prominent personalities in the state, regarding the operations of these NGOs. The governor charged the committee to, among other things, look into the sources of their funding, profile of their staff, and to determine whether or not they are duly registered by the relevant federal and state authorities. To address the concerns expressed by the Theatre Commander and indeed many prominent personalities regarding such an aspect of the operations of the NGOs, I have approved the setting up of a high-powered committee to conduct a thorough and meticulous exercise on the NGOs with specific reference to their areas of operations, sources of fundings, profile of their staff, and whether or not they are duly registered by the relevant federal and state authorities. In addition, the committee will also determine the relevance and quality of the NGOs, vis-a-vis, the needs and requirements of those they serve or those they purportedly claiming to be serving, especially the IDPs. Furthermore, the committee will look into their modus operandi with a view to finding out whether they are in the state to exploit the security situation and derive benefits from the misery of our people or they are genuinely interested in alleviating the sufferings of our people, Governor Shettima said. The governor also said concerted efforts have been made to ensure the return of internally Displaced Persons, IDPs, from Bama, Dikwa and Gwoza to their original homes. On the issue of the relocation of IDPs to their original houses, especially those from Bama, Dikwa and Gwoza, we have made considerable progress in our determined efforts to ensure that all of them are safely returned. he said. Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has offered his posh Potomac, Maryland, United States luxury mansion for sale. Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has offered his posh Potomac, Maryland, United States luxury mansion for sale.The seven-bedroom cream-coloured single family brick house on 9731 Sorrel Ave, Potomac, Maryland, which he co-owns with one of his wives, Jennifer Douglas, is listed for $3.25 million on real estate websites, but currently on offer for $2.95 million, according to online newspaper Premium Times.The newspaper quoted Atikus media adviser Paul Ibe as saying the decision to sell it was voluntary and an investment decision.Atiku Abubakar is a successful businessman, who has a long history of real estate investments, Ibe said in response to an enquiry by this newspaper.The U.S. home was simply one of such numerous investments. The home was no longer serving the purpose for which it was bought. Consequently, it has to be put up for sale via open auction, a growing and preferred method of selling high end properties. The proceeds thereof will be deployed in business aimed at creating jobs.The property gained international notoriety in 2005 after it was searched by the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) in connection with a bribery scandal involving disgraced former U.S. Congressman, William Jefferson.A pending offer means a buyer and seller of the property have reached a deal. However, a buyer can still pull out from the deal (which is very unlikely) if they cannot resolve issues like cost of repairs or they cannot get a bank to approve a loan for the purchase of the property.Atiku and his wife bought the 7,131 square feet house in December 1999 for $1.75 million.Built in 1988, the house was described on Zillow as one of the finest in the tony neighbourhood of Falconhurst, Potomac, where houses are valued between $2 million and $10 million.The Atikus mansion is a colonial-style building that sits in the middle of a 2.3 acres premises of lush green trees. The mansion has a total of 21 rooms, multiple terraces which are said to be ideal for outdoor parties, a pool sauna, a gazebo, a gourmet kitchen and an outdoor swimming pool.Sources with knowledge of the state of the mansion, but who requested not to be named because they did not want to be publicly associated with this story, said the Atikus had not lived in the mansion since the politician left office as vice-president in 2007.It was that after 2007, house service staff lived in the mansion for some years, but the place was later locked up, and had remained unoccupied. A 27-year-old South Jersey man has been charged with murder and attempted murder nearly six months after a shooting at an Atlantic County condominium complex which left one dead and three hurt. Matthew Gonzalez (Atlantic County Prosecutor's Office) Matthew Gonzalez, of the Mays Landing section of Hamilton, is also charged two counts of aggravated assault and weapons offense, the Atlantic County Prosecutor's Office said in a statement Thursday. Gonzalez opened fire during a fight at the Brandywood complex around 5:30 p.m. on Sept. 24, officials said. The shooting killed Taufeeq Mitchell, 31, of Mays Landing. The other three people who were shot survived, though one was critically injured, officials said at the time. The weapons offenses include possession of a firearm without a permit and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose. Gonzalez is being held at the Atlantic County jail. Authorities have never disclosed a motive for the shooting. Jeff Goldman may be reached at jeff_goldman@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JeffSGoldman. Find NJ.com on Facebook. The 26-year-old parent of a student assaulted a 55-year-old teacher in the office of an elementary school in Atlantic City on Thursday, authorities said. Gabrielle DeWolfe, of Atlantic City, was arrested after striking the female teacher at Pennsylvania Avenue School around just after 10 a.m, police said in a statement. The teacher, who lives in Absecon, was taken to AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center in the city, where she was treated for minor injuries. DeWolfe was given a summons and released. Jeff Goldman may be reached at jeff_goldman@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JeffSGoldman. Find NJ.com on Facebook. Police have asked the public to help find a 27-year-old woman missing since Wednesday after she left her home in Bergen County. Paige Lattimore Paige Lattimore, of Paramus, was last seen about 8 a.m. and there's "a concern for her personal welfare," police said. She is 5-feet, 7-inches tall, 160 to 180 pounds and drives a 2016 white Acura RDX with New Jersey plates N84FPE, police said. Lattimore works for a school in New York and has never been missing before, said her cousin, Joseph Fricker of Lincoln Park. "Obviously we're all upset here," Fricker said Friday. "We're all nervous about why she's missing." Fricker said his cousin lives with her mother, Abbe, on a quiet street in Paramus. The two have lived together since Lattimore's father, Richard, died in September 2014. "It is our belief that she is by herself. No other persons involved at this time," Paramus police Chief Kenneth Ehrenberg said Friday, adding that detectives "are following up on some leads." Anyone with information is asked to call police at 201-262-3400. Anthony G. Attrino may be reached at tattrino@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @TonyAttrino. Find NJ.com on Facebook. Gov. Phil Murphy's first state budget would boost funding for 546 school districts, with more than half of them seeing at least a 5 percent increase in state aid, according to new state data. The Democratic governor this week called for a $283 million increase in direct aid to schools, bringing total state funding for districts to more than $9.6 billion. Exactly what would that mean for districts? It could be millions more or nothing at all, depending on a district's demographics and enrollment -- core aspects of the state's school funding formula. Newark Public Schools would get the largest increase, $37.5 million more -- a 5 percent increase that would bring state aid to nearly $790 million. Haworth Public Schools is set up for the largest percentage increase, 16.5 percent. But for a district that receives little state aid, that's only $37,306 more, not even enough to hire a full-time teacher. Thirty one districts would receive flat funding, but Murphy may have done them a favor anyway. If strictly followed, the school funding formula calls for decreased funding to districts with declining enrollment or certain demographic changes. Even with the increases, though, most districts are receiving less than they should under the funding formula. Murphy said he wants to close that gap over the next four years. Check out the tool below to see what Murphy's budget means for each district. Loading... Carla Astudillo may be reached at castudillo@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @carla_astudi. Find her on Facebook. Adam Clark may be reached at adam_clark@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on twitter at @realAdamClark. Find NJ.com on Facebook An Irvington man convicted of a 2014 carjacking and robbery spree through Essex County was sentenced to 65 years in prison Thursday by a Superior Court judge who said he wanted to deter others from the man's unorthodox legal tactics. George Gaymon. (Essex County Prosecutor's Office) George Gaymon, 30, was convicted by a jury in January on a 20-count indictment that included two carjackings and an armed robbery, despite his proclamation of being a "sovereign citizen" over whom the court had no authority. Superior Court Judge Martin G. Cronin previously had ordered Gaymon removed from the courtroom during jury selection for his trial in Newark after Gaymon made inappropriate comments in front of potential jurors "that basically tainted the entire jury panel," Cronin said Thursday. Assistant Prosecutor William Neafsey, who tried the case with Assistant Prosecutor Joseph Perez, said Gaymon and his-conspirator, Mario McClain, "terrorized Essex County" in a series of carjackings and a robbery in March 2014. Investigators said the pair would use one stolen car to bump and carjack another, ultimately stealing two cars and carjacking two more in Orange, Newark and Irvington. They also robbed a gas station, authorities said, and were arrested after they used credit cards stolen in a carjacking at a deli where they were caught on video. McClain ultimately cooperated with prosecutors as part of a plea agreement, and was offered a lesser sentence. Last March, attorneys said, Gaymon began ignoring his lawyer and started filing his own legal correspondence with the court as part of his "sovereign citizen" defense -- a theory popularized by anti-government extremist groups that has since spread to prison populations. While Cronin denied prosecutors' request he impose extended sentences on Gaymon, he granted their motion to make each sentence run consecutively. Among other reasons, Cronin cited the need to deter other defendants from pursuing sovereign citizen legal strategies, which he said have no basis in the law. "It virtually assures conviction," he said. Gaymon must serve 51 years before he's eligible for parole. Thomas Moriarty may be reached at tmoriarty@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter at @ThomasDMoriarty. Find NJ.com on Facebook. Have a tip? Tell us. nj.com/tips Three hospitals suing Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey will get their day in court to try to prove the insurance company "breached its duty to act in good faith" when it relegated them to a less desirable tier in a line of discounted health plans. In a ruling issued late Thursday, State Superior Court Judge Robert Contillo in Bergen County also delivered Horizon some good news. Holy Name Medical Center in Teaneck, Valley Hospital in Ridgewood and CentraState Medical Center in Freehold cannot pursue claims that Horizon violated their contracts when it assigned them to the "second tier" of OMNIA insurance plans. Since 2016, Policy owners save more money by using the nearly 40 hospitals "tier 1" hospitals, as chosen by Horizon, and pay larger co-pays and other out-of-pocket expenses to use tier 2 hospitals. Contillo also dismissed the hospitals' claim that Horizon defamed them by assigning them to OMNIA's second tier. The status implies the hospitals excluded from tier 1 status supplied second-rate care, according to the lawsuit filed in December 2015. "The statements made by Horizon reflect Horizon's own opinions as to which hospitals were best suited for the OMNIA Tier 1 component of the OMNIA initiative. Those statements are non-actionable opinions," according to the judge's decision. Attorney Michael K. Furey, who represents Valley, CentraState and Holy Name, heralded as "a clear indication that the Hospitals have a strong case against Horizon and its ill-conceived OMNIA plan." "We are gratified the Court has recognized there is substantial evidence supporting our claim that Horizon breached its duty to act in good faith in the way that it selected its...partners, excluded the Hospitals from Tier 1 status, and steered (people) away from (the) Plaintiffs and other Tier 2 hospitals in favor of the largest systems," Furey said. The judge's decision allows the hospitals to make the case that Horizon had "pre-selected the alliance partners, adopted a selection process that favored Horizon's pre-selections, and abandoned or de-emphasized the cost of care in the selection process," Furey said. Last summer, the state Supreme Court ruled Horizon must turn over a consultant's report that guided the company's choices on how it created the two tiers. There were 238,000 people enrolled OMNIA, according to statistics Horizon shared last spring. Horizon has said the strong interest in the OMNIA plans show consumers are looking to save money while not skimping on coverage. Horizon reduced the average premium cost by 15 percent compared to its other products by requiring tier 1 hospitals to accept smaller reimbursements -- losses these hospitals expected to recoup in greater patient volume. Horizon spokesman Kevin McArdle said the ruling "is a win for Horizon's members. It casts serious doubt over the hospitals' ultimate ability to succeed on this claim at trial. Horizon will continue its fight to offer affordable health coverage options to consumers." "What started over two years ago as a case brought by seven hospitals with six claims has been reduced to three hospitals with one claim," he added. Susan K. Livio may be reached at slivio@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @SusanKLivio. Find NJ.com Politics on Facebook. Amazon plans to layoff 36 employees at its Jersey City office, while transferring another 41 workers to Newark and New York city effective May 31. The company plans to work with the employees whose roles were eliminated to find other jobs within Amazon, according to a company spokesperson. "Amazon is made up of many different initiatives. A small number of these are shrinking while most are growing very rapidly. We've made small headcount reductions in a couple of places, while continuing to aggressively hire in others," the company said in a statement. The company filed required Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) on Thursday. "We have a dedicated HR and recruiting team that helps many employees find new roles on the many teams that are hiring," an Amazon spokesperson said. This restructuring move comes as Amazon continues to search for a location for its second headquarters. Newark is on the list of 20 finalists. The Seattle-based company has promised to bring 50,000 jobs and construction spending of over $5 billion to its second home. Amazon currently has over 350 corporate jobs open in the New York metro, according to a spokesperson. With its distribution centers in New Jersey, Amazon has become one of the largest non-governmental employers in the state with more than 14,000 workers. Alexis Johnson may be reached at ajohnson@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @alexisjreports. Find her on Facebook. JERSEY CITY Mayor Steve Fulop said he's largely staying out of the contract dispute that has led to today's Jersey City teacher strike, despite pleas by the teachers union to help broker a deal. Fulop, speaking at a City Hall press conference, said he's both sympathetic to teachers, who are seeking lower health care costs, and the school district, which says it is facing a $65 million deficit in the 2018-19 school year. The mayor, whose rise to political power coincided with his efforts to elect education reformers to the nine-member school board, today defended his hands-off approach with the teachers contract. "Over the years where I have gotten involved in board of education elections, both sides have criticized me," Fulop said. "So when people say that I should engage now on this front at the 11th hour I'll certainly be reaching out to both sides later today, but I still view that as something they need to navigate." The districts roughly 3,100 teachers, plus secretaries, nurses and other school employees, walked off the job today for the first time in 20 years after a deal for a new teachers contract fell through late last night. The Jersey City Education Association, which represents 4,000 teachers and other school workers, is meeting now with school officials to review the school boards most recent offer. There are few details about what each side is asking. Teachers have made clear they want the district to pay more of its employees health care costs. Workers now pay 20 percent of the district's $98.9 million annual cost for health benefits. Fulop today said he believes the school boards offer, approved by a 4-2 vote last night, consists of a 7 percent pay hike over the course of two years. He called that a very, very generous offer by state of New Jersey standards. The JCEA issued a statement in response: The JCEA is negotiating with the Jersey City Board of Education. We dont negotiate in public as it hinders the process. Any speculation otherwise is irresponsible. We are looking forward to a quick resolution so we can get back into our classrooms and serve the students of Jersey City. Fulop said he has heard from residents who have issued strong statements in support of teachers and want him to do the same. JCEA President Ron Greco has mocked Fulop, a Democrat, for cozying up to labor unions and touting labor-friendly city laws while signaling opposition to local teachers' demands. Today Fulop said he considers blanket support for either side irresponsible." "Nobody knows what's being offered by either side in any sort of detail, he said. So if you take that to the most extreme and I said, hey, if what was being requested by one side would result in a 25 percent tax increase on every resident, would you still have a blanket endorsement on what's being proposed? The obvious answer would be no." Terrence T. McDonald may be reached at tmcdonald@jjournal.com. Follow him on Twitter @terrencemcd. Find The Jersey Journal on Facebook. JERSEY CITY Strike! Jersey City's public-school teachers walked off the job for the first time in 20 years today, leading to confusion and some chaos across the 29,000-student district as teachers led boisterous protests outside city schools. Students all over Jersey City skipped class to join their teachers on the picket line. A loudspeaker outside School 20 blasted Aretha Franklin's "Respect." Teachers at McNair Academic High School yelling "scab" tried to block substitute teachers from entering the school. The work stoppage comes after months of failed negotiations between the Jersey City Education Association -- the 4,000-member union representing the teachers and other school employees -- and the Jersey City Board of Education. A late-night effort to come to a deal failed at last night's school board meeting. Teachers here have worked under an expired contract since Sept. 1 and are demanding lower health care costs. They say Chapter 78, New Jersey's 2011 law that revamped how public employees pay for their health benefits, has sharply curtailed their take-home pay. "I've been in the system for 20 years and I'm finally making a decent salary and now I'm paying $1,400 a month for premiums," a 53-year-old physical education teacher at McNair told The Jersey Journal this morning. A win for the teachers in this dispute could have statewide implications, as unions across New Jersey could cite Jersey City in their efforts to achieve lower health care costs. "Quality, affordable health care is a fundamental right for everyone," JCEA President Ron Greco said in statement announcing the strike. "My members are prepared to step up and take on this fight for everyone, knowing full well that it will be a long, difficult process." The district spent $98.9 million in 2017-18 on health benefits. The employee share of that was $19.9 million. The district's total budget is $682 million. Teachers are joined on the picket line today by school nurses, paraprofessionals, secretaries, child study teams, guidance counselors and non-certified administrators. Security guards are not striking. The nine-member school board has met three times this week in an effort to come to a deal, most recently on Thursday, when it convened until 12:30 a.m. Friday. It voted 4-2 to approve a contract offer three board members cannot vote because they were endorsed by the teachers union in November's elections but by that time teachers had already been told the strike was on. "We are no doubt disappointed with the JCEA leadership's reckless and irresponsible decision to strike work," Board of Education President Sudhan Thomas said in an email. "The JCEA leadership's actions will cause immense hardship to the 30,000 students we serve, the parents, the citizens of Jersey City and create additional pressure on the district while we are combating a $ 70 million short fall for our budget 2018-2019." Negotiations resumed today at 9 a.m. "We greatly hope that we can resolve issues around the contract quickly," school district spokeswoman Maryann Dickar said. In a robocalls to parents sent last night and this morning, the district laid out the half-day schedule and said the Morning Stars, Casper and afterschool programs have all been canceled, but that breakfast and lunch will be served. The district is also maintaining a strike update page on its website. "The school board has been working hard to negotiate an agreement with the teachers' union and we are disappointed that the union has decided to take this disruptive step," the message said. The school board approved a plan last night to seek an injunction compelling teachers to return to work. It's not clear if a hearing has been scheduled yet. Rebecca Kolins Givan is an associate professor in the Rutgers School of Management and Labor Relations who studies labor relations in public education. She said today's action is part of a "strike wave" that started with West Virginia's statewide teacher strike, which ended March 6 after nine days. Teachers in Oklahoma, Arizona and Kentucky may also walk off the job. "Teachers have realized that business as usual is not getting them what they need," Givan told The Jersey Journal. The Jersey Journal's Caitlin Mota contributed to this report. UPDATE: After year-long fight, city releases settlement agreement The Jersey Journal is seeking to have the city of Bayonne held in contempt of court after it refused to release a settlement agreement it reached with a family that sued over a case of police brutality. In the latest developments of the newspaper's year-long quest for the agreement which is a public record -- an appellate court and the state Supreme Court refused to hear a Bayonne motion for a stay of a lower court ruling that forces the city to release the settlement. The legal tussle stems from a federal lawsuit filed by Brandon Walsh and his family related to incidents on Dec. 27, 2013, when Walsh was beaten and his family pepper-sprayed during Walsh's arrest. Two police officers were charged in the incident, with one of them pleading guilty and a second facing a possible retrial. Mayor Jimmy Davis said the city wants to release the agreement, but it is Bayonne's insurance carrier, the New Jersey Intergovernmental Insurance Fund (NJIIF) -- which paid the settlement who is holding up its release. "That's their decision," Davis said of the NJIIF. "We have nothing to hide." Davis noted that the police brutality incident occurred before he became mayor and said if the city's law department had come to him, he would have ordered the settlement released. If the state superior court judge rules that Bayonne is in contempt of court, it could send a Bayonne official to jail, but the judge would more likely impose daily fines until the settlement is released to the newspaper. Bayonne's attorneys contend the settlement, which was reached in January 2017, was sealed by federal court Judge Cathy Waldor, and refused to release the document when The Jersey Journal filed an Open Public Records Act last March. The city initially denied the request on grounds that the settlement included minors and then rejected the newspaper's offer to allow the redaction of the minors' names. Bayonne then stated that Waldor had approved the sealing of the settlement after the city and the attorney for the Walsh family filed a joint motion. By state law, settlements reached by public entities can only be sealed or shielded from the public under extraordinary circumstances. In May, The Jersey Journal filed a complaint in state court, asking the court to force Bayonne to release the agreement. Over the next nine months, the state and federal courts soundly rejected the argument by Bayonne and the Walshes' attorney, Joel Silberman, that the release of the settlement would put members of the Walsh family in danger. In November, The Jersey Journal and its attorneys, Robinson Miller LLC, appeared in federal court, where Waldor agreed with the newspaper's position that the settlement was never sealed which it seemed would have put an end to the dispute. Bayonne, however, continued to appeal both the state and federal decisions. The city, which has appealed Waldor's November ruling to the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit in Philadelphia, last night filed an emergent motion for a stay of the state court's ruling that Bayonne must hand over the Walsh settlement. UPDATE: Jersey City teachers officially go on strike Jersey City's 3,100 public-school teachers appear ready to walk off the job Friday morning after no deal was reached Thursday night to end an eight-month contract dispute. The nine-member school board adjourned its meeting at 12:30 a.m. on Friday without coming to an agreement with the Jersey City Education Association on a new contract. Ron Greco, the union president, said Wednesday that if a contract was not approved tonight then "game over." Teachers received notice at about 10:30 p.m. Thursday saying to prepare to strike Friday morning, sources told The Jersey Journal. About an hour later, school officials sent an automated call to parents saying there will be a half-day on Friday because teachers will strike. Teachers have worked under an expired contract since Sept. 1 and are demanding lower health care costs. The JCEA has made no public statements confirming there are plans to strike on Friday. Jersey City has not seen a teachers' strike since 1998. Chaos ensued on the first day of that five-day strike in the high schools, which were closed by the afternoon. A school spokeswoman said last month that schools would remain open during any work stoppage. The district has told substitute teachers it would pay them double to work during a strike. A strike would not lead to teachers walking off the job alone. School nurses are also members of the JCEA. Teachers have said the 2011 New Jersey law that forced school employees to pay a portion of their health premiums has led to lower take-home pay and they want the district to pay more. Neither side has revealed the details of their contract proposals, though Schools Superintendent Marcia V. Lyles at a Monday board meeting noted that the district is paying almost as much in health care costs as it takes in from local school taxes, about $100 million. Terrence T. McDonald may be reached at tmcdonald@jjournal.com. Follow him on Twitter @terrencemcd. Find The Jersey Journal on Facebook. JERSEY CITY Parents have mixed feelings about the teachers' strike that has crippled the 29,000-student public-school district this morning. Lizzie Skurnick told The Jersey Journal as she dropped her preschooler off at School 5 in Downtown Jersey City today that she supports the teachers' efforts. "A strike is disruptive, but that's the point," Skurnick said. Others expressed frustration. "What can I tell you, it's honestly annoying," one woman said outside School 11. "There's no teachers inside and I can't drop her off because I don't know who's here." The district's 3,000 teachers, plus school nurses, secretaries and other school employees, walked off the job today for the first time in 20 years after contract negotiations broke down last night. Schools are open on a half-day schedule. Substitutes are teaching class, but not nearly enough have been hired. Heather Wilson described confusion at School 26 when her husband dropped off their daughter for school this morning. A crossing guard there told parents that school was closed, while the principal said she had just three substitute teachers for the school's roughly 350 students. "Completely in support of the teachers, but this is so unorganized for parents and students," Wilson said. Teachers have worked under an expired contract since Sept. 1 and are demanding lower health care costs. Norma Ayala, whose kindergarten daughter joined the picket line with her teacher at School 11, supports the strike. "The fact that they are teachers and have to fight for better health premiums, I think it's absolutely ridiculous," she said. "They do a very notable job." She brought her child to school today because she didn't want her to miss a day. Ayala said she plans to go inside the building to see how many substitutes are on site before leaving her daughter. One young boy who arrived early left nearly in tears as he translated news of the strike to his Spanish-speaking father. The Jersey Journal's Caitlin Mota contributed to this report. Terrence T. McDonald may be reached at tmcdonald@jjournal.com. Follow him on Twitter @terrencemcd. Find The Jersey Journal on Facebook. JERSEY CITY -- Two men who are already incarcerated were each sentenced to 10 years in prison today for killing a 20-year-old Jersey City man who was gunned down in the street in 2015. Maurice Newton, 31, and Michael Reaves, 28, both of Jersey City, were initially charged with murdering Rondell Fairley, 21, who was shot in front of his Orient Avenue home on Nov. 17, 2015, officials said. On Dec. 7, both defendants pleaded guilty to aggravated manslaughter before Hudson County Superior Court Judge Nesle Rodriguez. Both men chose to stay in their prison cells today, waiving their appearances at the sentencing. Hudson County Assistant Prosecutor Karyn Darish said that Newton told officials the shooting "was so stupid" and was over "a little beef." She noted that the little beef has left a mother without a son. Newton has 17 prior arrests, a multi-state criminal record and six felony convictions, including a violation of probation and bail jumping, Hudson County Assistant Prosecutor Leo Hernandez said when the defendant made his first court appearance on the homicide charge. Reaves has two robbery convictions and a conviction for a drug offense, an official said. According to an online profile, Fairley had a young daughter, worked at UPS and graduated from Snyder High School in 2014. In sentencing the pair, Rodriguez said she would imprison them according to the plea agreement because of the pair's criminal records, the risk they would commit additional offenses and the strong need to deter them and others. They were sentenced in the Hudson County Administration Building in Jersey City. On a rainy morning last November, the emergency department waiting room at Penn Medicine Princeton Medical Center in Plainsboro was quiet. Eight people waited to be seen by a physician or physician assistant, while two nurses at the registration desk prepared to triage new arrivals. Near the registration desk, large double doors swing open onto a short hallway that connects the waiting room to the emergency department's 35-bed treatment area.That morning, clinical staff addressed the needs of individuals seated on beds in the private examination cubicles that line the walls. Much about the day-to-day operations of an emergency room can be managed efficiently because it is predictable, based on data from emergency rooms across the country, says department chairman Craig Gronczewski. "We have a lot of data," says Gronczewski, whose emergency department treats about 50,000 people each year. "It helps us make decisions about shifts and staffing assignments." For example, Monday is typically the busiest day of the week and, on any day, activity in the ER gradually begins to increase after 11 a.m. until it peaks in the middle of the night and then ebbs again into the morning hours. But when disaster strikes, like it did in February at Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla., where 17 people were killed during a mass shooting, all the data in the world cannot tame chaos or manage an onslaught of critically injured patients. Responding to a mass emergency takes planning and execution, a lesson New Jersey's 73 acute-care hospitals learned during the 2001 attacks on the World Trade Center in New York, during which nearly 3,000 died. "An emergency department can be a stressful place on a normal day," says Gronczewski. "But it is more so since 9/11. There is now more awareness of what can happen, more understanding of the need to be prepared for a catastrophe." To be sure, hospitals have always been ready to treat people who are critically ill or suffering from trauma. However, hospitals have recognized that a single institution, or even an entire hospital system, can never by itself prepare for a mass shooting, a pandemic, a hurricane or other types of emergencies and disasters. To be truly prepared, hospitals must be able to respond, coordinate and communicate quickly with a range of local, state and national entities, all of them involved in emergency preparation and response. This type of training is now part of every medical center's operation. "By their very nature, hospitals have to be prepared to take an influx of patients into the emergency room," says Diane Anderson, director of emergency preparedness at the New Jersey Hospital Association, who notes that she spends much of her time sharing information and best practices from across the country with the state's hospitals. "That's what they do." But the events of 9/11, says Anderson, "showed by a magnitude" things hospitals had never envisioned. "When hospitals saw the complex nature of that response, cutting across so many sectors, modern emergency planning was born," she says. "Before 9/11, hospitals would meet locally, and there were some basic relationships. After 9/11, there was a recognition that everyone needs everyone else, and that you can't do the kind of planning and develop the relationships you need on the morning of an event. Those platforms have to already be in place." Today, the local emergency room can be viewed as the front door to a complex, collaborative and interactive preparedness system, say emergency planners. The arrangement includes familiar entities, such as local police and fire departments and ambulance squads, but also local and state offices of emergency management, and federal agencies, such as the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Department of Homeland Security. The Joint Commission, the nonprofit organization that accredits hospitals nationally, also is important because it sets standards hospitals must meet for emergency preparedness planning and response. Since 9/11, new types of regional coalitions have been created, which include hospitals, law enforcement and emergency planning organizations. "There was some activity like this before 9/11," says Mike Feravolo, emergency management coordinator at University Hospital in Newark. "But when you look at 9/11 and even Hurricane Katrina, there were issues around coordination and lack of communication between local, state and federal authorities. These (coalitions) try to bridge that gap." Within this complex network, every hospital is responsible for making sure it is prepared for emergencies, ranging from a major weather event, such as a hurricane, to a pandemic, to a mass casualty or terrorist event, says Brendan McCluskey, director of emergency preparedness and operations at the New Jersey Department of Health. All hospitals have someone who oversees this work as part of their job, and most hospitals have someone who does it full time. Emergency preparation is important work, regardless of the size or location of a hospital, says McCluskey. He notes that even the 10 New Jersey hospitals designated as trauma centers, because of their ability to treat very seriously injured individuals, do not normally receive large numbers of such patients all at once. "There's no guarantee that a mass casualty event will happen in Newark," says McCluskey, whose office helps coordinate and support the hospitals' efforts. "We may have a large event in Salem County, or in Warren County, where all of a sudden a hospital has an influx of 20 or 30 people all at once, and it is the only hospital for miles around. The expectation at the state is that all hospitals are getting ready and will be prepared to handle patients." Emergency preparedness is a never-ending endeavor that involves planning, training and exercises. Of these, exercises are the most important, says Louis Sasso, corporate director of emergency management at RWJBarnabas Health. "We have to drill and exercise on a regular basis based on our plans," he says. "You could have the most perfect plan on paper, but invariably once we start an exercise based on these plans, things start to come out. We are always learning." Once a year, says Sasso, RWJBarnabas Health involves its entire system, which counts two trauma centers and the state's only designated burn center among its 11 acute care hospitals, in an exercise. Last year, the health care system tested a scenario in which a large number of patients arrived at a hospital with a similar respiratory complaint. The year before, the system simulated its response to a large-scale trauma event. "In each of these exercises, we learned a tremendous amount," says Sasso. "Afterward, we do the follow-up, make changes, and then in future exercises see if the changes worked or if we need to continue to tweak it. That is the cycle of what we do. It's our constant mode, all focused on having trained staff in place and who knows what to do whether it is rain, snow or flooding, or man-made events that generate patients. Our facilities are on the frontline, whatever may happen." Hospitals also learn from events that occur elsewhere in the country, both informally by reaching out to colleagues at hospitals that were involved or through conferences, coalition meetings and other events where information is shared. At times, they also learn from their own real-life experiences, such as the response to Hurricane Sandy in 2012. "Sandy was a huge event for all our hospitals," says Errol Brudner, who heads protection and security services/emergency management for Atlantic Health System. The system includes six hospitals, ranging from Morristown Medical Center, a Level 2 trauma center with just under 700 beds, to the much smaller Hackettstown and Newton medical centers, which serve more rural areas in the northwestern part of the state. Good communication was key to managing the response, says Brudner. He made use of a communication system that was already in place, including an alert system that allows him to reach all 16,000 of the system's employees. "We were able to reach our staff and direct them to resources, like where they could find an open gas station," he says. "That led us to open a website for our staff so that if they could get an internet connection, we could share information on places like pharmacies and hotels that were also open." Brudner says he believes it is important to have a culture at each hospital in which employees understand that emergency response is a shared responsibility. "If there's an emergency, we don't just close our doors," he says. "If one service line is not taking patients that day, staff can take another role. Everyone has an emergency position that they can fill and a role they can play." Emergency managers also speak with pride of the way everyone works together. "After 9/11, a decision was made within our coalitions that while there may be competition in other parts of the health care system, there would not be competition in this area," says Dann Dingle, director of security and emergency management for Penn Medicine Princeton Health, which includes Penn Medicine Princeton Medical Center in Plainsboro. "We tore those barriers down because in an emergency, you are going to need each other." As a result, says RWJBarnabas' Sasso, while the work done by hospitals, first responders, emergency managers and others in the community may be complicated, it is also very simple. "We deal in relationships with both our internal and external partners," he says. "We are in a constant cycle of preparedness that never ends." MORE FROM INSIDE JERSEY MAGAZINE Follow Inside Jersey on Twitter. Find Inside Jersey on Facebook and Google+ A judge will decide today if the Jersey City teacher charged with molesting four boys in a classroom will remain incarcerated through the course of his prosecution. The detention hearing for Sean Lora, 42, of Bayonne, will be held at 1:30 p.m. before Hudson County Superior Court Judge Paul DePascale in the Hudson County Administration Building in Jersey City. The School 7 teacher was arrested March 7 and charged with criminal sexual contact and endangering the welfare of two 11-year-olds, a 12-year-old and a 13-year-old for allegedly touching their genitals through their clothing, officials said. Lora, who taught English as a second language at the Heights school, is also charged with a second count of endangering the welfare of the 13-year-old boy for allegedly showing him pornography, officials said. At today's hearing, DePascale can order Lora to remain behind bars if he determines the defendant is either a risk for failing to appear for future hearings, is a danger to the community, or is risk of obstructing his prosecution with regard to witnesses. Alternatively, the judge can opt to release him with conditions of supervision pending trial. On March 6, the principal of School 7 called the Hudson County Prosecutor's Office Special Victim's Unit after the 12-year-old and one of the 11-year-olds told a teacher that Lora had shown the 13-year-old pornography while touching the boy at the teacher's desk earlier that day, the complaint said. The principal told SVU detectives there were seven students in the classroom at the time and all were still at the school. When investigators spoke to the students, the three other alleged victims said Lora had done similar things to them, officials said. Lora was arrested the next day. When he made his first appearance on the charges, the state moved to detain him. The Jersey City school board on Tuesday voted at its caucus to suspend Lora with pay. A school district attorney said Lora cannot be suspended without pay because his case has not been resolved. All of the charges against Lora are second-degree offenses, which carry a possible prison term of five to 10 years upon conviction. He is represented by Anthony Carbone. Journal staff writer Terrence McDonald contributed to this report. One utility company is offering reimbursements for people who were without power for an extended amount of time during the two nor'easters in March and lost items such as food and medicine. Two recent storms left some customers without power throughout the state. Heavy snow and high winds were responsible for homes and businesses being left in the dark for a number of days, resulting in situations where people had to go to warming centers and food in restaurants going bad. Orange and Rockland, a utility company that supplies electric and gas to customers in northern New Jersey and western New York, announced Thursday it would be reimbursing customers whose food and medicine spoiled as a result of the power outage. Orange and Rockland spokesman Michael Donovan said close to 140,000 of the estimated 305,000 electric customers lost power at some point during the two Nor'easters. Orange and Rockford said residents who were without power for three consecutive days or more could be reimbursed up to $225 for their losses and up to $515 if the residential customer can produce receipts. Businesses can receive up to $10,200 if they can provide receipts for the food lost due to spoilage. "While recognizing the efforts of hundreds of employees and mutual aid workers to restore power safely to over 140,000 customers, the company acknowledges that it was unable to provide reliable restoration times for some customers," the company said in the statement. The policies of the state's three other electric companies vary when it comes to reimbursements due to the powerful storms. PSE&G, the state's largest electricity provider, also saw a number of power outages. PSE&G spokeswoman Lauren Ugorji said more than 204,000 customers were affected in the March 2 storm and 337,000 during the March 7 storm. Ugorji added that although the company has a section on its website to file claims for damage, the utility company does not reimburse for storms like the ones that came through earlier this month. On the company's website, PSE&G says it does not pay claims based on "Acts of God like weather-related conditions (ice, wind, lightning) and animal contacts." Jersey Central Power and Light has a policy similar to PSE&G regarding the recent storms. "JCP&L understands the hardships severe weather events can bring," said Jersey Central Power and Light spokesman Ron Morano said. "The storms that affected the area are acts of nature. They are not eligible for reimbursement. The company will review any customer claim on a case by case basis." The storms affected some customers in South Jersey. Atlantic City Electric spokesman Frank Tedesco Winter Storm Riley, the March 2 storm saw approximately 79,000 total customers affected by the storm while Winter Storm Quinn affected 42,000 customers. "Atlantic City Electric works with customers on a case by case basis regarding any storm-related customer claims or inquiries," Tedesco said. The best course of action customers can take if they have any questions is to contact their electric company. Chris Franklin can be reached at cfranklin@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @cfranklinnews. Find NJ.com on Facebook. Have a tip? Tell us. nj.com/tips A 28-year-old man who was part of a scheme that stole credit card information from thousands of Michaels customers in New Jersey and across the country was sentenced Thursday to three years in prison. Angel Angulo, of Riverside, California, will also be subject to five years of supervised released and must pay restitution of $480,300, the U.S. Attorney's Office said in a statement Thursday. Augolo was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Joseph H. Rodriguez in federal court in Camden. Angulo had faced up to 32 years in prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit bank fraud and aggravated identity theft in June. Angulo, California woman Crystal Banuelos, and others carried out a nationwide scheme, installing skimming devices on 88 point-of-sale terminals at 80 Michaels' stores in 19 states. The devices allowed the group to steal bank account information and personal identification numbers, which they then used to obtain counterfeit bank cards and withdraw money from compromised bank accounts, authorities said. All together, officials say the group stole about 94,000 debit and credit card account numbers. By May 14, 2011, Angulo and Banuelos had 179 counterfeit cards from New Jersey, officials said. Michaels is the country's largest American arts and crafts retail chain. It has 1,371 stores in 49 states and Canada, including 32 in New Jersey. Jeff Goldman may be reached at jeff_goldman@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JeffSGoldman. Find NJ.com on Facebook. UPDATE: N.J. district facing backlash over gun photo suspensions changes policy A New Jersey school district that allegedly suspended two high school students this week over a gun photo taken during a family visit to a private shooting range is facing community backlash and the threat of a lawsuit over district policies. The photo of four rifles, magazines and a gun duffel bag was shared by one of the students on the social media app Snapchat with the caption "fun day at the range," according to Lacey Township resident Amanda Buron, a family friend of one of the students. A screen capture of the image made the rounds among other students and later brought to the attention of Lacey Township High School officials. Buron said the students received a five-day in-school suspension for violating the school's policy on weapons possession. News of the suspension soon circulated on social media groups for Lacey and quickly drew hundreds of responses harshly criticizing the district's action and its policy on weapons, which many called overly broad. Lacey schools Superintendent Craig Wigley said in an email to NJ Advance Media on Thursday that "information posted on social media is incorrect" and that private matters involving students cannot be discussed. He declined to say what aspect of the accounts posted on social media is inaccurate. "We are not at will to contradict public opinion on the internet," Wigley wrote. He declined to be interviewed by phone. Many have called for a huge turnout at the school board's next scheduled meeting on Monday at the high school to protest the decision. A few people noted that the image was ill-timed after the school shooting in Parkland, Florida that killed 17. Thousands of students around New Jersey staged walkouts and held in-school programs on Wednesday in response to the shooting in Parkland. The controversy at Lacey's high school has drawn the attention of a New Jersey gun advocacy group, which sent a cease and desist letter to the district threatening a lawsuit if its policy remained unchanged and the suspension of the students was not overturned. The Association of New Jersey Rifle & Pistol Clubs letter cited the rule stating students could be suspended for up to a year if they are "reported to be in possession of a weapon of any type for any reason or purpose on or off school grounds." Multiple attempts by NJ Advance Media to reach the students and their families were unsuccessful. Buron said both families are upset at how the incident was handled. Both teens fell behind in Advance Placement courses due to the in-school suspensions, she said. ANJRPC, the gun group, said the bigger issue is with the policy itself. "The policy is clearly wrong and violates the Second Amendment," ANJRPC executive director Scott Bach said. "We hope that they're reasonable people and they will fix it. If they don't, we're prepared to take legal action." The ANJRPC also demanded Lacey school officials apologize to the two boys and clear their records. "Schools do not have the authority to chill the rights of their students off of school grounds, and this blatant infringement of constitutional rights will not be tolerated," Bach said. "I don't care if no students were disciplined. The policy has got to go." Ed Cardinal, whose son attends the high school but was not one of the students involved in the gun range photo, said the district has overstepped in other ways. District officials demanded that his son remove a window sticker depicting a gun from his pickup truck that he drives to school. "He was kind of heated about it and so was I," Ed Cardinal said, adding that they removed the sticker after administrators threatened to punish the teenager. Cardinal also criticized school officials for a policy that allows them to punish a student for having anything they consider a weapon -- even a dinner fork -- as the Lacey resident noted. "By law and by morality, the school shouldn't have the right to do anything about something that happens off school grounds," Cardinal said. "The boys were lawfully handling a gun at a shooting range." A spokeswoman for the Coalition of New Jersey Firearm Owners pointed out that a 10-year-old can legally hunt in New Jersey. "The policy is wrong," Theresa Inacker said. "They need to change their language and make this right." Jeff Goldman may be reached at jeff_goldman@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JeffSGoldman. Find NJ.com on Facebook. By Scott A. Coffina On April 12, 2017, Sung Han was found dead of a heroin overdose in his bedroom in Burlington Township. Sung, 35, immigrated to the United States with his family from South Korea and, along with his brother, served his adopted country in the armed forces. In January, a jury convicted Jose Laporte Jr. of first-degree homicide for selling Sung that fatal dose. He faces 10 to 20 years in state prison when sentenced on March 29. Sung Han's tragic loss is one of 141 overdose deaths in Burlington County that occurred in 2017, a 70 percent increase over the 83 in 2016. Even more alarming, Burlington County law enforcement and emergency responders deployed the opioid reversal medication naloxone over 900 times in 2017, saving nearly that many people who had overdosed. Without these lifesaving naloxone deployments, we could have approached 1,000 overdose deaths in our county last year, a horrifying prospect. In the past, people who fatally overdosed on illicit drugs generally ingested too much; now, more often, they are just running into a bad batch. Fentanyl (50 times stronger than heroin), in particular, alone or mixed with other drugs, has been a deadly game changer. Drug users can't be certain of what they are taking, and dealers whose "brand" is perversely enhanced on the street after their product causes overdoses just don't care, making every dose a game of Russian Roulette. This level of human carnage demands a vigorous response by law enforcement, and New Jersey's Drug Induced Death (DID) statute provides a powerful tool to fight this scourge. The law, under which Jose Laporte was charged and convicted, establishes a strict liability, first degree homicide offense for a dealer whose customer dies from the drugs that he sells him. In other words, rather than facing a simple distribution charge, which typically carries a sentence of three to five years, the dealer faces 10 to 20 years in state prison. And this is without regard to whether the dealer intended for the victim to die; he can be held accountable simply for selling the fatal dose. Critics of the DID law argue that the penalty is too harsh when considering the dealer had no intent to kill the victim, and that the victim bears some responsibility for taking the drugs that resulted in death. The legislature obviously felt differently when it passed this law in 1987, recognizing that the threat posed by dangerous drugs is significant enough to justify holding dealers strictly accountable if the ultimate consequence befalls their customer. That rationale resonates even louder today, given the toxic mixtures that drug dealers are recklessly peddling on the street, and the callous way that they prey upon those struggling with addiction. Our Office has charged five drug dealers for a drug-induced-death, including Laporte, in the past 18 months, and we will continue to utilize the DID law whenever warranted. But prosecuting these cases aggressively does not mean that we will do so indiscriminately. Focused on dealers, not users, the DID statute excludes individuals who were merely using drugs with the victim - as opposed to selling the victim the fatal dose - from exposure to the homicide charge. Moreover, New Jersey's Overdose Prevention Act has a "Good Samaritan" provision that insulates from drug possession charges those who call 911 to get help for someone who is overdosing. While the Good Samaritan provision does not immunize one from distribution or DID charges, the premium we must place on saving lives is such that we will give consideration to anyone - even the drug dealer - who calls for help for someone experiencing an overdose. We cannot arrest our way out of this epidemic, and we will continue to work closely with our partners in the schools, the courts, and the recovery community to educate the public and help those - including nonviolent offenders - struggling with addiction to find their way to treatment. But law enforcement also must vigorously enforce the law to disrupt the distribution of these lethal substances, increase the risk and cost of doing business in the drug trade and, most importantly, prevent as many deaths as possible. Prosecuting dealers under the Drug Induced Death homicide statute will remain an important component of that effort. Scott A. Coffina is the Burlington County prosecutor. Bookmark NJ.com/Opinion. Follow on Twitter @NJ_Opinion and find NJ.com Opinion on Facebook. President Donald Trump admitted he didn't have all the facts when he met Canada Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. So he did what any man of virtue would do - he made them up based on a hunch. And then he bragged about it to a group at a fundraising event. According to the Washington Post, the president told the crowd Trudeau said the United States had a trade surplus - not deficit - with Canada. That's when Trump told the prime minister, "Wrong, Justin, you do." He then admitted to those assembled: "I didn't even know. ... I had no idea. I just said, 'You're wrong.' You know why? Because we're so stupid. ... And I thought they were smart. I said, 'You're wrong, Justin.'" It turns out the president was wrong. The Office of the United States Trade Representative says the U.S. exported more than $12.5 billion in services and goods than it imported from its northern neighbor. Undeterred, and probably unarmed with statistics, Trump plunged on. "I sent one of our guys out, his guy, my guy, they went out, I said, 'Check, because I can't believe it.' 'Well, sir, you're actually right. We have no deficit, but that doesn't include energy and timber. ... And when you do, we lose $17 billion a year.' It's incredible." Chalk it up to alternative facts: The U.S. Trade Representative versus the President of the United States. Regardless of whose facts you believe, though, we found it remarkable the president would admit to making things up to win an argument. He's been known to create his own truths, like claiming that he witnessed thousands and thousands of Muslims dancing in the streets of Jersey City after 9/11, that he had proof President Obama wasn't born in Hawaii, that a U.S.-born judge hearing one of his cases was Mexican, that jobs are pouring back into this country like never before, that he won the election in a massive landslide. Well, the list goes on and on. Yet never has he said he's been less than fully honest. So, do you believe his claim that he makes things up? 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. By Krista Jenkins and Bruce Peabody Since opening last month, Black Panther has grossed almost a billion dollars worldwide. The film seems poised to break into the top 10 most successful superhero movies in U.S. history. And critics are in love. So what explains the film's runaway success? (Warning: spoilers ahead.) One obvious reason is that it's fresh and familiar at the same time. Black Panther is a superhero movie in which the hero, and his extraordinary supporting cast, are African. On the one hand, the audience expects and receives some of the usual hero fare: an origins backstory, and a narrative arc that includes a super-powered villain, as well as the inevitable rise, fall, and return of the film's protagonist, T'Challa. On the other hand, this is a hero, and a world, that Hollywood has never showcased before. While Marvel and DC have increasingly produced films and comics featuring heroes of color, women, and gay and transgendered characters, the core of the hero universe is still mostly white, male, and straight. Black superheroes, in particular, are usually afterthoughts and sidekicks, like Falcon (Avengers) and "Rhodey" (Iron Man). But Black Panther mercilessly upends the comic book status quo. T'Challa is the heart of the film, and while he has superhuman strength and other enhanced senses, he is also a diplomat, a king, and a man unafraid to rely upon the wisdom and power of others, especially black women. T'Challa represents bravery and leadership, but his half-sister Shuri is the film's inventor and genius, and the warrior-bodyguard Okoye embodies military prowess, honor, and fierceness. The centrality of these independent, confident and physically and morally strong black women is reinforced by the film's plot. T'Challa disappears halfway through the film and is presumed dead, leaving his fellow Wakandans, especially the all-female presidential guard, to protect the realm. To put all this differently, Black Panther's appeal to an especially large and diverse audience can be partly explained by the movie's reliance on a collection of heroes and themes that are both transgressive and safe. Generation after generation of audiences have come to equate heroes as a group of white, mostly male saviors. But Black Panther gives us characters who look and speak differently. All of the Wakandans have African-inflected accents, and costumes and garb that celebrate a homegrown and distinctive culture. Indeed, the entire world of Black Panther is colorful, kinetic, and technologically and organizationally superior to our own. Wakanda, the fictional city in the film, features hologram communications, a magnetic levitation rail system, and advanced medical techniques that enable Shuri to save the life of Everett Ross, the movie's white sidekick. Black Panther offers us the alternate world Africans might have experienced in the absence of colonization, war, slavery and Western culture. Even the film's charismatic and sympathetic villain, Erik Killmonger, is transgressive. His dangerous difference would pass as conventional in other creative works. Killmonger is the only black character in the film who is also American. And his excellence in combat and lethal nature comes from what would normally be a traditional hero's biography: he's a decorated and talented U.S. Special Forces soldier, who fought campaigns in Iraq and Afghanistan. But Black Panther tempers these genre-disrupting ideas. After all, Killmonger, who aims to achieve racial justice by arming black citizens and fomenting revolution, is defeated. And while T'Challa and Okoye can not be mistaken for, say, Batman and Robin, their ultimate promise to end Wakanda's isolation and aid the poor and needy across the globe is a pretty standard superhero aspiration. Black Panther appears at a curious time in the United States. Having recently experienced eight years of the nation's first black president, the United States is sometimes described as entering a post-racial period, where multiculturalism and difference are uncontroversially embraced. At the same time, the rise of Donald Trump has ushered in a resurgence in white nationalism and outright white supremacy. And, of course, our stubborn racial disparities in economic opportunity, political representation, and incarceration predate Trump's populist nativism. Black Panther enters this uncertain and fractured era with a utopian promise that is both disruptive and restorative. The superheroes will save us and bring us together, on terms that are largely familiar. As T'Challa puts it, "more connects us than separates us" and we must "look after one another, as if we were one single tribe." But this unification and renewal occurs through an iconoclastic and genuinely original set of heroes, who beat back both their enemies and the hollow stereotypes of shiftless, alienated, and lawless people of color. Krista Jenkins and Bruce Peabody are professors of political science at Fairleigh Dickinson University and the authors of Where Have All the Heroes Gone? The Changing Nature of American Valor. WASHINGTON -- As congressional negotiators write legislation to fund the federal government through Sept. 30, two New Jersey lawmakers sought to ensure that money for Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst wasn't left out. Reps. Donald Norcross, D-1st Dist., and Tom MacArthur, R-3rd Dist., urged members of the House Appropriations Committee Tuesday to make sure that funding for the new KC-46 tankers were included in the spending bill. "This new mission will support the over 42,000 New Jersey residents who are employed at the base and those who will now have the opportunity to build new careers here in South Jersey," the lawmakers wrote. "In order to maintain the Air Force's continued air mobility superiority the Department of Defense must have the resources to invest in aerial refueling and strategic military transportation aircraft like the KC-46," they wrote. President Donald Trump's proposed budget included $30 billion to buy 15 of the tankers, which the House Appropriations Committee previously supported. Rep. Rodney Frelinghuysen, R-11th Dist., chairs the committee. The $692 billion National Defense Authorization Act, which sets Congress' defense priorities, recommended purchasing 17 planes, plus $146.5 million for new construction at the Joint Base, primarily for hangars needed to house the new tankers. They would replace the existing KC-10s. The Air Force announced in January 2017 that the joint base's 305th Air Mobility Wing eventually would house 24 of the new KC-46A tankers by 2021. Norcross sits on the House Armed Services Committee and MacArthur, a former member of the panel, represents the Joint Base. Jonathan D. Salant may be reached at jsalant@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JDSalant or on Facebook. Find NJ.com Politics on Facebook. One of New Jersey's top property tax relief programs for hundreds of thousands of senior, disabled and low-income homeowners is underfunded by about $150 million in the state budget proposal that Gov. Phil Murphy unveiled earlier this week. The new governor, a Democrat, budgeted just $143.5 million for the Homestead credit program, for which full funding is closer to $290 million. Murphy's administration wouldn't say whether full credits would be paid out to homeowners this year, though a top Democratic lawmaker says the state Legislature will ensure they are. "I have to believe that this was an honest oversight. But, the Legislature will act to ensure that the missing funds for the program are put back into the budget," state Sen. Paul Sarlo, D-Bergen. "We understand that this is a new administration that is new to the practices of governing and the work needed to enact an effective budget." It was the Legislature, however, that first reduced funding for the program in the current year's budget, an accounting trick borrowed from the Christie administration. Faced with a $527 million budget shortfall last spring, Gov. Chris Christie, a Republican, floated the possibility of pushing the $300 million Homestead credit bill from one fiscal year, the 2017 fiscal year, into the next, 2018, but backed off because it conflicted with accounting rules. But in the messy budget negotiations that followed -- and ultimately led to a government shutdown, the Legislature slashed the payment for this fiscal year, 2018, from $291.9 million to $147.3 million (It's since been boosted to $156 million). Lawmakers expected the state, under a new governor, to pony up the rest of the money in the next fiscal year. But now that bill comes due, and Murphy's budget for the fiscal year that begins July 1 doesn't include enough cash to pay the full credit in 2018 and 2019. A spokeswoman for the state Treasury Department, Jennifer Sciortino, said Murphy wasn't the one who sliced funding for the program. "The $156 million included in this year's budget is the appropriation that was approved by the Legislature in June 2017 and property taxpayers should start receiving that benefit around May 1," she said. "The governor's proposed budget for FY '19 proposes a continuation of that program unaltered with a slight change to reflect forecasted costs (i.e. program cost savings)." The benefit is open to senior and disabled homeowners earning less than $150,000 and all other homeowners with income below $75,000. When fully funded a few years ago, the benefit averaged $515 for seniors and disabled homeowners and $401 for all other eligible homeowners. It was about half that when the program was half-funded. It's unclear how these accounting maneuvers will trickle down to taxpayers because of the mismatch between the state's June to July fiscal year and the calendar year for property taxes. Christie's administration played shell games with the funding for the program, delaying payments to help manage budget shortfalls. Homeowners waited 11 months for their 2011 benefit and 17 months for their 2012 benefits, which they received in May 2015. Gov. Brendan Byrne instituted the first iteration of the Homestead rebate in 1977. During the Great Recession and under Gov. Jon Corzine, higher-earning households were cut out, reducing the number of property owners eligible and the program's outlay. Funding for the program continues to decline, the result of tight eligibility requirements and a shrinking pool of participants. The state paid out more than $1.8 billion in fiscal year 2008, $1.5 billion in 2009, $1 billion in 2010, $266 million in 2011 and $408 million in 2012. While underfunding the Homestead benefit, Murphy's first budget raises the state's gross income tax deduction for property tax payments from $10,000 to $15,000. This follows federal tax reform that limited the deduction for state and local taxes to $10,000. New Jersey's average tax bill was $8,690 last year. Samantha Marcus may be reached at smarcus@njadvancemedia.com . Follow her on Twitter @samanthamarcus. The New Orleans Police Department arrested Mya Warren, 18, in connection with an armed robbery February 28 in the 8000 block of Downman Road near the New Orleans Lakefront Airport, according to a news release. Detectives believe Warren and a male accomplice robbed a man at gunpoint as he was trying to enter his car. The man surrendered his belongings and the two fled the scene, police said. NOPD arrested Warren at her residence Thursday. Anyone with additional information on this incident or the whereabouts of the unknown male suspect is asked to contact 7th District detectives at 504-658-6070. A 56-year-old man was arrested Thursday (March 15) and booked with hate crimes and other charges after New Orleans police say he used a racial slur in the Desire neighborhood while threatening a group of people with a BB gun. Richard Gallegos faces three counts of a hate crime and three counts of aggravated assault, court records show. A warrant for his arrest, sworn by NOPD officers, states Gallegos is accused of pointing a BB gun at three people and telling them, "I'm gonna kill all you n---as." The warrant does not specify the races of the three people. The warrant states the NOPD officers who responded recovered a BB gun from Gallegos' right jacket pocket described as a "replica of a Walther handgun." The warrant states the people who were threatened believed the gun was a real firearm, "and were afraid." Officers also recovered a knife in a holster on Gallegos' right side, the officers wrote. According to the warrant, the people who were threatened told a Housing Authority of New Orleans officer about the encounter, which occurred in the 4600 block of Chef Menteur Highway. The HANO officer then told NOPD. Gallegos, whose address is listed in the 3000 block of Gentilly Boulevard, was convicted last year of aggravated assault, the same offense he was accused of Thursday. He pleaded guilty in August 2017 to aggravated assault and possession of marijuana and was sentenced to six months at the Orleans Justice Center jail, court records show. Orleans Criminal District Judge Robin Pittman deferred the sentence, pending certain conditions be met, including having no contact with the victim for six months. Orleans Magistrate Judge Harry Cantrell found probable cause to hold Gallegos on all the charges at his first appearance hearing on Friday (March 16), and set his bond at a total of $45,000. The Orleans Public Defender's office was appointed to represent him. Louisiana's hate crime statute defines the crime as selecting a victim based on a number of factors, including race, for a number of offenses, including aggravated assault. The maximum penalty for that crime is five years in prison and a $5,000 fine, to run on top of the sentence for the underlying offense. Ryan Scott, a 39-year-old Kenner resident accused of setting three different fires because he was angry at his ex-girlfriend, pleaded guilty to federal arson and weapons violations Thursday (March 15), according to a news release. According to the federal indictment, Scott committed arson at an apartment building in LaPlace on Aug. 13, 2017 and possessed a destructive device on the same date. During the week of May 13, 2017, Scott feuded with his ex-girlfriend, rattling off texts which warned: "I'm going to show you real soon. You will not be in that house long. I'm going to make sure of that b----. It's all good I got you sweetie Saturday," court documents show. That following Sunday, the ex-girlfriend's car on Woodland Drive in LaPlace had been set on fire just after 2 a.m. The gas tank was open and leaking flaming fluid. Telephone records revealed that Scott called his ex-girlfriend nearly 50 times before the incident, the documents continued. Months later, on Aug. 12, Scott's vendetta escalated. He arrived at his ex-girlfriend's Woodland Drive apartment and attempted to kick in the back door before dawn. That night, the St. John Fire Department responded to a reported fire at the Woodland Drive complex just after midnight. When firefighters arrived, a "smoldering fire" was found at the bottom of the door of the ex-girlfriend's apartment and the vinyl siding in the entryway had melted. Neighbors had used a fire extinguisher to knock down the fire, court documents said. The ex-girlfriend was not home, but a neighbor told deputies that a man had lit a flammable liquid and fled in a dark minivan. Deputies reported a strong odor of gasoline, the documents said. Top stories in New Orleans in your inbox Twice daily we'll send you the day's biggest headlines. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up Surveillance footage captured a black minivan, matching the appearance of Scott's mother's Honda Oydssey, driving away from the Woodland Drive property around 12:22 a.m. Aug. 13, just after firefighters were called to the scene, court records show. Two hours later, another fire was reported on Webster Street in Kenner. Both the car of the ex's stepfather and a neighboring vehicle were fully engulfed in flames. Security footage captured a man clad in a gray sweatshirt lighting an object and throwing it at the stepfather's car, court documents explained. Police arrived at Scott's residence, observing a gasoline can, but Scott was not there. When Scott eventually arrived home, his roommate informed him that the police were looking for him. Scott packed a bag and left on foot, according to the court documents. Scott was booked in the Kenner fire on September 26. Scott confessed to starting each fire because "he was upset with [the girlfriend] because he believed that she was cheating on him and using him," records show. Scott's sentencing date has been set for June 14, 2018, according to a news release from the office of the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Louisiana, Duane Evans. Scott faces up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine for the arson and up to 10 years in prison and a $10,000 fine for possession of a destructive device. A man charged with being an accessory to second-degree murder in a 2015 shooting pleaded guilty and was sentenced to serve two years in state prison, court records show. William London, 20, was charged in 17-year-old Kimante Washington's death. Washington was 17-years-old and a student at George Washington Carver High School when he was killed in the 1900 block of Port Street in the St. Claude neighborhood on Feb. 12, 2015. Albert Myles, who also was charged in the murder, went to trial last month, and was convicted by a jury of manslaughter and of being a felon in possession of a firearm. Court records show he will be sentenced on March 28. London pleaded guilty to the accessory charge on March 9, court records show. He also pleaded guilty in a separate case to battery on a correctional facility employee and was sentenced to one year in prison on that charge, according to court records. Criminal District Judge Karen Herman ordered those sentences to be served concurrently. London faces several other charges, including aggravated arson, inciting a riot, inciting a felony and simple escape, court records show. He is among four Orleans parish inmates accused of participating in a disturbance last year at the Orleans Justice Center jail. The inmates are accused of setting fires to the recreation yard and unlocking the cell doors of two other inmates so they could beat them up. A 58-year-old man was jailed Wednesday (March 14) after New Orleans police say he stabbed his own daughter in the chest at her home in the St. Roch neighborhood, according to the man's arrest warrant. Isiah Solomon faces a charge of attempted second-degree murder in the March 9 stabbing in the 2200 block of Almonaster Avenue. Police responded to the stabbing shortly after 10 p.m. that night. The 39-year-old daughter's roommate told NOPD Detective Michael Haynes that Solomon followed them when they walked inside their home. The woman said she quickly went into her bedroom because she thought her roommate and the roommate's father were fighting, but came out the bedroom when she heard her roommate screaming. After coming out of her bedroom, according to the warrant, the woman saw her roommate "being held in a chokehold by her father... then saw a knife in his hand and that he was stabbing her." Haynes wrote in the warrant that the wounded woman was stabbed once in the chest. A doctor at the hospital where she was treated told the NOPD the woman's lung had collapsed as a result of the stabbing. The woman was riding in the ambulance when she identified her father by name as her attacker, the warrant states. Solomon, who booking records show lives in the 4700 block of Stephen Girard Avenue in the Gentilly Woods neighborhood, was arrested Wednesday. He was initially mistakenly booked on a charge of conspiracy to commit second-degree murder, but Orleans Parish Magistrate Judge Harry Cantrell found probable cause to hold him instead on a charge of attempted second-degree murder. The Orleans Public Defender's Office was appointed to represent Solomon at his hearing Thursday morning. Cantrell set his bond at $50,000. NOPD arrested a 17-year-old man in connection with two carjackings that occurred within two hours on Sunday (March 11). Brian Fortner was booked Wednesday with armed robbery and being a principal to armed robbery, as well as possession of a stolen automobile. The first robbery was reported at about 3:13 p.m. Sunday. The driver of a 2012 Gray Honda Accord got out of the car to fill up at the Exxon Gas Station at 13245 Chef Menteur Highway in Michoud. A man jumped into the driver seat, pointed a handgun at the passenger and demanded she exit the vehicle. The 19-year-old woman got out of the Honda. The man then fled in the Honda with a white Chevy Traverse trailing closely behind, court documents show. Then around 4:30 p.m., a 22-year-old woman was carjacked in the 7900 block of Devine Avenue in Little Woods, police said. A man exited a white SUV and approached the woman in her Mustang. He demanded the car while brandishing a gun, Fortner's arrest documents say. The woman exited the car and the man fled in the Mustang while the white SUV followed, police said. Three days later, detectives issued an arrest warrant for Fortner after surveillance footage showed him driving the stolen Honda. Police arrested him at his Little Woods home, the documents continued. While under questioning, the 17-year-old admitted to stealing the Honda Accord "because his mom's car was having vehicle problems," the report said. He denied using a firearm, instead saying he used a hairbrush to make it appear he had a weapon. He wrote an apology letter to the victim he robbed of the Accord, police said. The 17-year-old also admitted he was driving the white SUV in the second carjacking, when the passenger exited the car and stole the Mustang, NOPD reported. In Fortner's initial court appearance Thursday, records show the court found no probable cause for being a principal to armed robbery and instead found probable cause for the charge of principal to first-degree robbery. Authorities in Canton, Ohio, appear to have discovered a local high school teacher's alleged sexual encounters with several of her students after one of them began blackmailing her, according to The Canton Repository Newspaper. Tiffany Eichler, 36, was suspended March 9 from her job as a physical education and health teacher at McKinley High School after police began investigating the allegations. She has not yet been arrested on any criminal charges. In a statement to investigators, Eichler admitted sexual contact with "multiple students." She described driving one student to the park for sex, the newspaper said. She also admitted having sex twice with another student, including in his basement. The student reached out to Eichler on Feb. 26, told her he needed $180 for antibiotics and instructed her to leave the money in a bag near his home, according to the newspaper. Eichler left $100 for the student, but the student wanted more money for himself and a sibling who had discovered the encounters. Here are some resources for victims of sexual assault and their families: Local The New Orleans Family Justice Center offers a 24-hour crisis line for sexual assault victims at 504.866.9554. The daytime line during business hours is 504.592.4005. The center also provides free counseling, legal and advocacy services on site. In addition to calling 911, survivors can go directly to the Family Justice Center at 701 Loyola Avenue, Suite 200, to report a sexual assault. More information is available on their website at NOFJC.org. --- Victims 15 years old or older can go to the Emergency Department at University Medical Center at 2000 Canal Street in New Orleans for medical assistance and evidence collection. --- Metro Centers for Community Advocacy offers free individual and group counseling to adults and children addressing domestic violence and sexual assault. Vietnamese speaking counselors available. Find out more at www.mccagno.org. --- More resources are also available online at www.nolasart.org, the website for the New Orleans Sexual Assault Response Team. Survivors can also find a Survivor's Guide through the following link: www.nolasart.org/survivors-guide.html. --- Or visit LaFASA at lafasa.org. The non-profit coalition is comprised of 13 sexual assault crisis centers across Louisiana and offers support to advocates, victims and survivors of sexual assault. For victims in Orleans Parish, LaFASA recommends the New Orleans Family Justice Center. For victims in surrounding parishes, LaFASA recommends Metro Centers for Community Advocacy. --- Top stories in New Orleans in your inbox Twice daily we'll send you the day's biggest headlines. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up Sexual Trauma Awareness & Response (STAR) hosts free services for survivors of sexual violence of all ages, as well as secondary survivors. They offer advocacy, legal assistance, counseling and prevention programming, well as 24/7 hospital accompaniment at UMC for surviors recieving a forensic medial exam. Their New Orleans branch is located at 123 N. Genois Street. Visit their site at www.star.ngo or call their 24/7 crisis hotline at 1-855-435-STAR (7827). Children Children under 18 who have been abused within the past 72 hours are encouraged to go to the Children's Hospital Emergency Room at 200 Henry Clay Ave. --- If the incident took place more than 72 hours ago, call the Children's Advocacy Center at 1101 Calhoun Street at 504.896.9237. The New Orleans Child Advocacy Center (NOCAC) provides access to a multi-agency approach to the investigation, intervention and treatment to children, who are victims of sexual or physical abuse. Check out their website at nocac.net. --- The New Orleans Family Justice Center also offers a Child Helphotline at 1-800-4-A-CHILD (1-800-422-4453) for children who need to talk or report an incident. Marginalized Groups Women with a Vision is a community-based non-profit that specializes in healing services for marginalized groups including women of color, LGBTQ and sex workers. More information is available at http://wwav-no.org. National RAINN offers nationwide resources at www.rainn.org. They offer a 24/7 crisis line at 800-656-HOPE(4673) and a online chat hotline at ohl.rainn.org/online. Pandora's Project is a nonprofit invites anyone who has been a victim of rape, sexual assault, or sexual abuse to join their online support group. A woman who fatally shot her boyfriend while the two were playing with a gun inside an Algiers apartment in 2016 was sentenced Friday (March 16) to 2 1/2 years in prison, court records show. Ebony Harmon, 30, was arrested on a negligent homicide charge after the March 30, 2016, shooting. She told police at the time that she pulled the trigger after her boyfriend, Gerald Smith Jr., jokingly told her to shoot him. Harmon said she believed the gun was not loaded. Court records show she pleaded guilty on Dec. 5, 2016, to negligent homicide. She faced up to five years in prison. Harmon's defense attorney, Branden Villavaso, said, "This has been a very trying time for Ms. Harmon, as well as for her family and for her children. She's happy that there has been a resolution and that she now can move forward in life." Harmon will receive credit for time served. It all started with a snowstorm. Three years and many, many meetings later, the result is a new Italian restaurant in the Warehouse District called Sofia. It will be run by Denver's Culinary Creative Group and New Orleans' Billy Blatty, who owns Barcadia and Ohm Lounge. Blatty was in Telluride, Colo., training for an expedition to Alaska's Mount Denali. A snowstorm hit, so he drove to Denver for dinner. He wanted pizza, he Googled reviews and ended up at Bar Dough, run by Culinary Creative. "There is nothing like this in New Orleans," Blatty said. Next year, there will be. Sofia, based closely on Bar Dough, will open in early January at 516 Julia St., next to the new Auction House Market food hall. Or maybe it will be called "Sophia." The spelling of the name is still up for debate. "We don't tie ourselves to Italian cuisine, but we respect it," said Max Mackissock of Culinary Creative, which also runs Senor Bear and Highland in Denver. The new restaurant, housed in a warehouse space with 25-foot ceilings, will have wood-fired pizzas, pasta and roasted meats. "I don't mess with flavor profiles," Mackissock said. "People invented this a long time ago and realized these things taste good together. From there, we just extrapolate and have fun." Mackissock, after years of cooking in a landlocked state, is also looking forward to using local seafood in New Orleans. "People come here on vacation to eat," Mackissock said about New Orleans. "I don't know if there is anywhere else in the United States where you can say that. To me, that's so exciting." Food and restaurant news in your inbox Every Thursday we give you the scoop on NOLA dining. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up The restaurant will also launch the Sofia Foundation, which will give an annual grant of $30,000 to a promising student from a New Orleans public school who plans to study music in college. "Our school system is always ranked among the lowest performing in the nation," Blatty said. "At the same time, we want to give back to the city of New Orleans and its heritage by supporting music." Mackissock has created similar foundations at his Denver restaurants to support specific causes. Sofia likely won't be the last collaboration between Blatty and Mackissock. They're already talking about other restaurants in New Orleans, and taking Louisiana's flavors to Denver. "We hope this is a first step for us," Blatty said. "We're not trying to be better than anyone else. We just want to play with the big boys." Sofia: 516 Julia St., New Orleans (opens early 2019) *** Got a tip? Know some restaurant news? Email Todd A. Price at TPrice@NOLA.com or call 504.826.3445. Follow him on Twitter (@TPrice504) or join the conversation at www.facebook.com/groups/wherenolaeats. More than a decade after Hurricane Katrina, the federal Education Department has fully forgiven three historically black universities in New Orleans for about $335 million in hurricane relief debt owed to the government, according to federal officials. Xavier University at Louisiana, Southern University at New Orleans, and Dillard University are three of four Gulf Coast HBCUs that received money in 2007 to rebuild after suffering millions of dollars in water and wind damage in 2005. Tougaloo College, an HBCU north of Jackson, Miss., was also forgiven for $28 million in federal loans. The Education Department Wednesday (March 14) stated the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018 made funds available to fully forgive the loans for the universities under the HBCU Hurricane Supplemental Loan program. That program is a subset of the HBCU Capital Financing Program, which has provided more than $2 billion to 45 HBCUs to finance or refinance capital projects. The Education Department's announcement comes after Congress last month decided to include a provision in the bill to forgive the post-Katrina debts of HBCUs, which are institutions that were originally built to educate black students who were shut out of white schools, even though HBCUs also enrolled non-black students. University presidents from Xavier and Dillard expressed gratitude to lawmakers in released statements Wednesday for their leadership in absolving the schools of the debt. Dillard President Walter Kimbrough stated the school "was the most physically devastated institution of higher education" after Katrina. Dillard had six feet of standing water inside of its buildings. "Their campuses were destroyed, and (receiving federal loans is) what it took to rebuild campuses," said U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-La, by phone Feb. 13. "Let's keep in mind that in New Orleans, they were destroyed because of failure of federally built and theoretically-maintained levees, and this is what it took to get them back into shape," Cassidy added. Leaders from all four schools worked closely with Cassidy and other members of Congress to reach an agreement on loan forgiveness, Cassidy said. Cassidy, and Rep. Cedric Richmond, D-La., both stressed they have spent years pushing for lawmakers to agree to resolve the loan forgiveness issue for the universities. Top stories in New Orleans in your inbox Twice daily we'll send you the day's biggest headlines. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up Cassidy said those loans have put pressure on the schools who are striving to "fulfill their academic mission." That pressure includes having less money for financial aid, charging higher tuition to students, and even making it so that schools had less money to pay professors and maintain certain programs. With their loans forgiven, Cassidy said he is "confident" students at these HBCUs will be able to positively contribute to the country's future. "I am old enough to know that our future depends upon the success of the next generation, be it in business, military service, or government," Cassidy said. Louisiana's six HBCUs also continue to impact the state and the country: Xavier this year continues to be the No. 1 institution for sending more black undergraduates on to become doctors than any other college nationwide. Last November, a study commissioned by United Negro College Fund's Frederick D. Patterson Research Institute found the state's HBCUs collectively generated $923 million for Louisiana's economy, based on data from 2014. The report, titled "HBCUs Make America Strong: The Positive Economic Impact of Historically Black Colleges and Universities," based its estimate on direct spending by HBCUs on faculty, employees, academic programs and by students attending the institutions. Louisiana's HBCUs also generated 8,454 jobs in total for their local and regional economies. Of that total, 3,578 are on-campus jobs, and 4,876 are off-campus jobs. . . . . . . . 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. A federal court of appeals on Thursday (March 15) put construction of the controversial Bayou Bridge oil pipeline back on track. By a two-to-one vote, judges in the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeal in New Orleans struck down a ruling by a federal judge in Baton Rouge that had halted the pipeline's construction through the environmentally-sensitive Atchafalaya Basin. In Thursday's appeals court decision, Judge Edith Brown Clement wrote that the district court "abused its discretion in granting a preliminary injunction" halting the pipeline's construction. The district court should have allowed the case to proceed with the Army Corps of Engineers providing its reasons for permitting the pipeline, she wrote. Environmental groups opposed to the pipeline say they'll appeal Thursday's decision. "The Bayou Bridge Pipeline would pose an unacceptable risk to the wetlands, water, and communities along its route, and should never be built," Julie Rosenzweig, director of the Sierra Club Delta Chapter, said in a statement. An attorney for the pipeline's owner, Energy Transfer Partners, said the construction delay is costing the company nearly a half million dollars per day. Environmental news in your inbox Stay up-to-date on the latest on Louisiana's coast and the environment. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up In her decision last month halting construction, U.S. District Judge Shelly Dick wrote that the Army Corps had not adequately considered the environmental impacts of building the pipeline through the basin's fragile cypress swamps and crawfish harvest areas. Dick also took issue with the Corps' decision to require Energy Transfer to offset ecological damage by preserving a wooded area nearly 60 miles from the basin. One of the three appeals court judges filed a dissenting opinion. Judge W. Eugene Davis agreed with Dick that the Corps had not explained how the company's mitigation plan would reduce the pipeline's impacts. The Corps "must explain how the out-of-kind mitigation measures replace the 'lost functions and services' of the bald-cypress/tupelo swamp," Davis wrote. The pipeline would stretch across 162 acres, from St. James Parish to Lake Charles. Construction began in January in areas outside the basin. Tristan Baurick covers Louisiana's coastal environment for NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune. Email: tbaurick@nola.com * Twitter: @tristanbaurick * Facebook: Tristan Baurick and Louisiana Coastal Watch. Earl Long in exile: Or, how Covington became the state capital for one bizarre summer Ochsner Health System announced Thursday (March 15) that it has completed part of its $360 million expansion with the opening of its West Campus at 2614 Jefferson Highway. The new campus includes a skilled nursing facility, an extended care hospital and an in-patient physical rehabilitation hospital in a new five-story building that is set to open at the end of March. The 130,000 square foot building is part of a three-year, $360 million expansion project which was announced in 2016. The project aimed to return to commerce eight acres of the former Jefferson Plaza Shopping Center, which had been mostly vacant since 2008. The rehabilitation hospital is located on the 4th and 5th floors and is part of a partnership with Select Medical, a specialized hospital, rehabilitative and outpatient care provider. The space has 56 inpatient rehabilitation beds, including eight beds dedicated to brain injury patients. It will employ approximately 185 therapists, nurses and other patients. The unit also includes two spacious gyms for physical therapy and a smaller space that simulates a living environment where patients will be able to practice daily chores like doing laundry, getting into and out of bed, and setting up a meal. The cafeteria on the first floor will be open to staff and patients and a small outdoor space by the dining area can also be used for physical therapy. The third floor of the facility is dedicated to the skilled nursing unit and will have 30 beds and employ 34 healthcare professionals and support staff. On the second floor of the facility, Ochsner has opened an extended care hospital in partnership with LHC Group, Inc. designed to care for the most critically ill patients. It includes 32 beds and five high observation beds similar to Intensive Care Unit beds. Ochsner's new nursing campus with Chamberlain University College of Nursing campus is also located on the West Campus and is currently accepting applications for admission to the spring semester. Chamberlain University is a global education provider that offers a three-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing as well as a Master of Science in Nursing and Doctor of Nursing Practice degree program. Dr. Jennifer Couvillon, who served as assistant vice president of system nursing professional development at Ochsner Health System, will serve as president of the Chamberlain campus at Ochsner. As part of the nursing training the school includes several classrooms that mimic hospital rooms with life-size medical mannequin simulators that simulate the vital signs of a real patient. Couvillon expects that the school will create a pipeline for nurses across all specialties to get linked to jobs after graduation. The demand for nurses is outpacing the supply. According to Bureau of Labor Statistics projections, by 2022 there will be more than 1 million jobs available for registered nurses in the U.S. One of the major contributing factors for the deficit is an aging population that will need more care. The population of seniors is expected to grow to 69 million between 2010 and 2030. The deficit of nursing professionals is expected in Louisiana, with shortages of registered nurses likely in New Orleans, Baton Rouge and Lafayette by 2020 according to the Louisiana Center for Nursing. Ochsner's $360 million expansion also includes the construction of a new imaging center that will offer comprehensive CT Scans, Mammography, and three MRI machines on Ochsner's "North Campus" across the street from the West Campus. The "South Campus" expansion at the main hospital will increase capacity to offer more specialty care services including cancer care, organ transplants, neurologic, pediatric and cardiac care. The targeted completion dates are set for 2019. Maria Clark covers healthcare and immigration for NOLA.com | The Times Picayune and NOLA Mundo. Reach her at mclark@nola.com or 504.258.5306. Going in to the historical drama "7 Days in Entebbe," I'll admit to having only the vaguest notion of the events that inspired the film. I knew that a passenger plane, after taking off from Israel at some time in the 1970s, had been hijacked and diverted to the Ugandan city in the film's title. My knowledge of the case pretty much ended there. If director Jose Padilha's "7 Days in Entebbe" does nothing else, it nicely fills in the gaps, meticulously laying out the facts of the Entebbe hijacking -- which, for the record, was carried out by two German and two Palestinian extremists in the hopes of earning the release of dozens of Palestinian prisoners being held at the time by Israel -- and the subsequent Israeli rescue mission. Padilha's film also does a nice job of placing it all in historical context and connecting the dots to the still-hot Mideast conflict. But while there's plenty of drama there to be mined, and a reasonable amount of tension in Gregory Burke's script, "7 Days in Entebbe" falters when it comes to zeroing in on an emotional component to set it apart from all the other kidnapping dramas we've seen before. ("Munich" is the one that will most likely spring to mind, if only because of the subject matter.) That's not to say audiences won't feel for the kidnapped passengers aboard 1976's Air France Flight 139. You'd have to be heartless not to, especially when the hijackers and their Palestinian cohorts separate the Jewish passengers and Israeli citizens -- men, women and children alike -- from the rest of those on-board. It is only amplified when they decide to release all the non-Jews and then threated to kill everyone else (starting with the children) if their demands aren't met. Regardless of one's view of the ongoing Mideast conflict, most people would agree that threatening to slaughter innocent civilians probably isn't the most productive way to forge a lasting peace. The real problem with "Entebbe," though, is that there is no single audience surrogate to serve as an emotional core for the movie -- and as a relatable, sympathetic tour guide for moviegoers. That's not the fault of lead actors Daniel Bruhl and Rosamund Pike, who do yeoman's work as the German kidnappers. Both are excellent, especially when they begin to realize -- a bit too late -- that the whole hijacking thing might not have been such a great idea. Regardless, it's hard to feel particularly sorry for them. They are, after all, criminals who are willing to murder dozens of innocents to make a political point. What does it say about their plan that the only world leader willing to let them to land was Ugandan military strongman Idi Amin, a man for whom the word "erratic" is far too polite an adjective? The historical background only makes the optics worse: Bruhl and Pike's characters are both Germans who are kidnapping and holding more than 80 Jews (at least one of whom still bears a concentration camp tattoo from World War II). It's kind of hard to craft a sympathetic character of that. To Bruhl and Pike's credit, there are moments when we get flashes of humanity from both of them. But it's not enough. Woven throughout their story are peeks inside the discussions going on inside the Israeli government and military about how to respond to the hijacking. (Most of those discussions play out in smoky, tensioned-filled rooms lined with brown paneling, lest you forget this is 1976.) While those behind-the-scenes moments might not be as exciting as the hijacking itself, they provide the film with a pointed dose of modern context, even if the film's ultimate argument -- that if both sides don't sit down to negotiate they'll never have peace -- isn't exactly a profound or unique thought. None of that is to say that "7 Days in Entebbe" is a bad movie, mind you; you won't feel like a hostage watching it. But don't be surprised if you feel a little as if you're doing homework. ________________ 7 DAYS IN ENTEBBE 2 stars, out of 5 Snapshot: A ripped-from-the-headlines drama about the hijacking of a 1976 Air France flight from Tel Aviv to Paris, and the subsequent plan to rescue those on-board. What works: The movie does a nice job of relating the basic facts of the case, and actors Daniel Bruhl and Rosamund Pike do a nice job as the two main hijackers. What doesn't: The film lacks an effective audience surrogate, which keeps it from achieving adequate emotional resonance. Cast: Bruhl, Pike, Eddie Marsan, Ben Schnetzer. Director: Jose Padilha. MPAA rating: PG-13, for violence, some thematic material, drug use, smoking and brief strong language. Running time: 1 hour 46 minutes. Where: Elmwood Palace and Canal Place. Find New Orleans showtimes. The Ian Somerhalder Foundation has received the green light from the St. Tammany Parish Planning Commission to create a gap in a 100-foot deep tree buffer so it can access property near Lacombe that Somerhalder wants to preserve and use for animal and youth programs. Ironically, developers agreed to establish the buffer several years ago at the insistence of Somerhalder's father, who lives south of the site. Robert Somerhalder voiced concerns in 2014 when a developer sought approvals to build a subdivision on the west side of Louisiana 434, just north of private Cappel Road near Lacombe. At Somerhalder's urging, the developer agreed to leave standing the tree buffer along the southern boundary of the property, and the buffer was included in the formal plans parish government approved for the subdivision, which was never built. On Tuesday night (March 13) an attorney representing the Somerhalder Foundation asked for permission to make a 60-foot wide cut through the buffer Robert Somerhalder had fought for. The elder Somerhalder did not oppose the request. "His father wasn't too happy with the subdivision" when it came up for approval years ago, attorney Jeff Schoen told the commission. "Small world that it is, his son now owns (the land)." The commission, with little discussion, approved the request. Somerhalder starred in the television series "The Vampire Diaries" and "Lost." His foundation bought the 97-acre, L-shaped tract that runs along Bayou Lacombe below Interstate 12 in late 2014. St. Tammany top stories in your inbox A weekly guide to the biggest news in St. Tammany. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up The Covington-area native and ardent animal lover and environmentalist grew up playing on the property. He has said his foundation plans to preserve about 70 acres running along the bayou and use the remaining acreage to support projects that serve the needs of animals, youth and the community at large. The commission's approval to create an opening through the buffer was "an important first step" that will allow the foundation to gain access to the land in the most cost-effective way, said Denise Gutnisky of the Covington area, speaking on behalf of the foundation. Gutnisky is the founder of the annual Mardi Paws dog parade in Mandeville, whose proceeds benefit Somerhalder's foundation. The foundation opted not to create an entrance to the property from Louisiana 434 because parish regulations would have required the organization to build an expensive concrete boulevard, Gutnisky said. "The goal is to get a road into the property as soon as possible so that Ian and ISF can begin developing their vision," she said. Gutnisky said owners of Cappel Road will allow the foundation to use the road. The foundation lists, in part, as its purpose to "advance science; promote the conservation of natural resources, such as forests, lands, and wildlife, for the benefit of the entire community." ISF Sanctuary from Ian Somerhalder Foundation on Vimeo. The Winn-Dixie in Mandeville is one of 94 stores in the Southeast that will close as the regional grocery chains' parent company prepares to file for bankruptcy. The store at 619 N. Causeway Blvd. is the only Winn-Dixie store in Louisiana being closed, according to Joe Caldwell, corporate communications manager for Southeastern Grocers, the chain's parent company. The Mandeville store, which was classified as "underperforming," will close on or before April 30, Caldwell said. Southeastern Grocers announced on Thursday (March 15) it would "voluntarily implement a court-supervised, prepackaged restructuring agreement," the Business Insider reported. The company plans to file for bankruptcy by the end of March. The restructuring plan calls for the parent company to close 94 grocery stores, leaving 582 locations in operations. In addition to Winn-Dixie closings, a number of Harveys and BI-LO locations -- which are also owned by Southeastern Grocers -- are closing. Among the closures will be one store in Mississippi - at 2384 Pass Road in Biloxi - 10 stores in Alabama and 36 stores in Florida. St. Tammany top stories in your inbox A weekly guide to the biggest news in St. Tammany. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up Winn-Dixie recently announced that four of its stores in Jefferson Parish were in the process being closed, but would reopen under the Shoppers Value brand, a grocer based in Baton Rouge. Caldwell said Friday that while those stores were part of a sale, the Mandeville store is simply being shut down. The Mandeville Winn-Dixie, which has been in operation for more than 25 years, faces competition from a Rouses Supermarket directly next door and a Neighborhood Walmart a few blocks away. The closure of the Mandeville Winn-Dixie marks the second major retailer in the city to announce its closing within the past few months. On Jan. 4, the Kmart store was identified as one of 64 in the national chain closing in the first part of 2018. Winn-Dixie also has St. Tammany Parish stores on Louisiana 59, just north of Mandeville; on North Collins Boulevard in Covington; on South Tyler Street near Interstate 12, and two stores in the Slidell area, on Pontchartrain Drive and Gause Boulevard. Two more juveniles have been arrested in connection with threats to St. Tammany Parish public schools, authorities said Thursday (March 15). The juveniles -- a 13-year-old former student at Fontainebleau Junior High and an 11-year-old at Abita Springs Middle -- are accused of sending messages on social media that the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office said contained threats to their respective schools. Both students were booked with terrorizing. The former Fontainebleau student, who was already expelled from the school on an unrelated incident, is accused of sending a message to other school students Thursday morning saying he was going to "shoot up'' the school on Friday, the Sheriff's Office. The Abita Springs Middle School student is accused of sending a message via a social media account belonging to his parents that said he planned to "blow the top off'' the school Friday. St. Tammany top stories in your inbox A weekly guide to the biggest news in St. Tammany. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up Both students were booked into the Florida Parish Juvenile Detention Center in Robert, authorities said. Across the region, school and law enforcement officials have been pressed to track down threats, often on social media, made by students in the wake of the Feb. 14 mass shooting at a Florida high school that claimed the lives of 17 people. In a news release this week, the FBI said Louisiana law enforcement officers have investigated 106 reports of violence being threatened in or near schools. The FBI said 62 people have been arrested across the state in the past four weeks in connection with school threats. In St. Tammany, at least nine students have been arrested in connection with school threats, including the two arrested on Thursday. The school district recently created a video urging students and parents to report any threats or suspicious activity to school or law enforcement officials -- and not spread the threats on social media. The video also makes clear to students that any threats, even made in jest, will result in arrests. 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. Free-agent linebacker Jonathan Freeny is scheduled on Friday (March 16) to visit the Detroit Lions. The New Orleans Saints, however, remain a possibility for Freeny's return, according to a source familiar with the situation. The 6-foot-2, 255-pound Freeny joined the Saints in mid-December 2017 after being claimed off waivers from the New England Patriots. Freeny, a versatile linebacker, provided the Saints depth for the remainder of the regular season. He quickly became involved in the linebacker rotation during the Saints' postseason run, where he totaled five tackles and a sack in two postseason games. Freeny entered the league in 2011 as an undrafted free agent out of Rutgers with the Miami Dolphins, where he spent four seasons (2011-14). He joined the Patriots in 2015 and was a member of New England's Super Bowl-winning team in 2016. On his career, Freeny has appeared in 68 career regular-season games with 11 starts, totaling 99 tackles, two sacks, a pass defensed and two fumble recoveries. New Orleanians remembered native son Tom Benson in the most New Orleans way possible, with a raucous second-line from Treme to his statue at the Superdome as people from all over the metro area paid tribute to and shared memories of the Saints and Pelicans owner who died on Thursday. A fire at a home in Old Jefferson Thursday night (March 15) destroyed the rear of the residence and melted the siding off of a neighboring home. Karl Hery, 63, and his roommate were not injured in the blaze, which was reported about 8 p.m. in the 100 block of Jefferson Heights Avenue at Bradley Drive. Hery's roommate was heading out to the store when he spotted flames near the back of the house. When Hery looked around back, he said, "It was already too far gone." The fire consumed the back porch, a deck and covered patio and a garage on the home, which had belonged to Hery's father. Inside the residence, there's smoke and some water damage. At one point, the flames flashed over, licking the side of the neighboring home located beside the garage. The heat melted away that home's siding. The East Bank Consolidated Fire Department was on scene until about 6 a.m. making sure there were no hot spots, Hery said. The department is expected to comment about the fire Friday afternoon. The blaze began at an electrical socket where an old refrigerator was plugged in near the garage, according to Hery. The Red Cross has been in contact with them and provided aid. Stay with NOLA.com for more on this story. Mar 16, 2018 KRR Actor Prithvirajs new production venture, Prithviraj Productions, has joined hands with Sony Pictures International Productions for producing films in Malayalam. Prithviraj, in a tweet on Friday, informed the news about the partnership with Sony Pictures, the international studio behind several iconic blockbusters. The new film from their joint production venture will be launched soon. Click the Movie button below for more info: Ranam Belize Celebrating Independence In The Time of a Struggle Belize, like so many other countries in the Caribbean and indeed in the world, is faced with the COVID pandemic that is devastating the country and its economy. St. Kitts-Nevis Celebrating Independence in Tough Times St. Kitts-Nevis is celebrating its 38th year of Independence this year, and we want to join in that celebration to wish the country Happy Independence and a bright and prosperous... Private midwives have appealed to government to grant them tax immunity so they can ably offer cheaper healthcare services to the majority poor. Goretti Musoke, president of the Uganda Private Midwives Association (UPMA) says the private midwives are paying a lot of taxes in form of operation and trading license fees yet majority of the women that they work on are poor and cant afford to pay for medical services. Ambassador of Sweden to Uganda Per Lindgarde (L) and UNFPA country representative Alain Sibenaler (R) hand over a kit to a midwife According to Musoke, most of the mothers especially those from hard-to-reach areas, are too poor yet the private health facilities that they go to; are financially burdened by over taxation. She said that the referral system in most districts is so lacking that some health centres do not even have equipment to deliver mothers. Musoke revealed this at UPMA offices in Kampala where selected midwives were receiving midwifery kits to improve on their services. Beneficiaries were selected from Katakwi, Lira, Soroti, Kaberamaido, Kumi, Arua, Serere and Pallisa. Midwives are paying many types of taxes to respective councils and trading licenses, yet most women we are working on are sometimes very poor, said Musoke. During a 2017 assessment conducted by UNFPA, ministry of Health (MOH) and UPMA in the aforementioned districts, it was revealed that majority of the clinics visited lacked basic midwifery requirements. These findings inspired MOH and UNPFA to facilitate a refresher course for 60 midwifes and procure midwifery kits. While handing over the equipment, UNFPA country representative Alain Sibenaler said although majority of Ugandans dwell in rural areas, access to skilled birth attendance is still disproportionately poor in rural areas as compared to urban areas. Donated by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), each of the 20 kits contains a sphygmomanometer, thermometer, maternal stethoscope, catheterization equipment, glucometer, infant, maternal and neonatal resuscitation ambu bags, adult and infant weighing scales, suturing kit, kidney bowls and gallipots, among other accessories. I feel inspired and well assured that it is the right investment, said Sibenaler. Ensuring that every woman has access to skilled, well equipped and motivated midwife before, during, and after her delivery and most importantly at childbirth is the surest way for us to reduce maternal and newborn mortality and morbidity. While the 2016 Uganda Demographics and Health Survey report indicates a decline in maternal mortality from 438 deaths per 100,000 live births to 336 between 2011 and 2016, Sibenaler believes continuous and strategic investment in maternal health could further reduce the figures. Sharing this view is Dr Charles Olaro, director clinical services, MOH. Olaro said continuous investment in the availability of midwives and growing their workforce is paramount for the care of mothers and the newborns. Musoke was thankful for the midwifery kits, but said they were not enough for the 709 private midwives under UPMA. We selected those who were very badly off, but now we request the government to give us soft loans for the midwives to buy equipment because we are offering services, she said. One of the beneficiaries, Ajidiru Asunta, said the equipment would help her serve her clients better. Asunta, 64, is the proprietor of Baribu Home Care in Onomu parish, Okolo sub county in Arua district. President Museveni has reportedly ordered that the on-going campaign for Buy Uganda Build Uganda (BUBU) should not discriminate against businesses owned by foreign nationals. This, according to people familiar with the order, came after a group of foreign investors approached the president and told him that the BUBU policy was working against them. President Museveni greeting foreign investors in Mbale last week The president has said that [the policy] should not be allowed, Bank of Uganda's executive director of research Dr Adam Mugume said while addressing the Africa Economic Research Consortium (AERC) in Entebbe this week. AERC was hosted by Bank of Uganda as a forum that supports research-based policy implementation. BUBU is a policy government had adopted to ensure Ugandans buy products produced by citizens to boost local enterprise growth and innovation. The policy was also in response of the fact that most supermarkets in the country stocked foreign products, including basics like fruits which are produced massively locally. The policy quickly sparked controversy with Emmanuel Tumusiime-Mutebile, the Bank of Uganda governor, saying it was ill-advised. Mutebile said last year that the policy was inconsistent with the East African common market and customs protocols. He said Uganda would be in trouble if its peers in East Africa where it sells most of its goods also asked their nationals not to consume foreign products. When the investors approached Museveni, we have been told, he accepted that the policy implementation and wide marketing be stayed. He said all companies registered as Uganda, regardless of the roots of owners, should be supported. Last year, Julius Onen, the ministry of Trade permanent secretary, said the campaign would be rebranded to Zimba Uganda and then be re-launched. This has not happened. Meanwhile, the AERC meeting said effective regional integration on the continent was being hampered by national interest, with a lot of countries failing to give concessions. Bruce Byiers from the European Centre for Development said the ongoing squabbles among some EAC members explain that. Tanzania burnt day-old chicks being imported from Kenya in November last year and January this year; Kenya has also refused wheat flour from Tanzania. Burundi does not see eye-to-eye with Rwanda. At the EAC summit in Kampala last month, these rifts were not discussed. This cannot allow effective implementation of common policy in the region, Byiers said. He added that countries must go through a self-discovery process and try to first understand where there is a commercial value. Prof Lemma Senbet, the AERC executive director, said regional blocs on the continent should embrace research-based policy implementation. amwesigwa@observer.ug Zayd Menk, a very patient artist from Zimbabwe, spent three months building a 0.0635:100 scale model of Midtown Manhattan out of discarded computer components. The 17-year-old artist, who made the model for a school project, used 263 sticks of hot glue, 27 motherboards, 11 CPUs, 10 CRT monitor motherboards, 18 sticks of RAM, 15 batteries, 12 Nokia E-series phones, 7 power supplies, 4 watches, 4 audio cards, 3 hard drives, 2 telephones and various other electronic components to create mathematically sound versions of Manhattan skyscrapers and buildings. To do this he spent much of his time collecting data from sites like Google Maps, Wikipedia and Reddit, and then making calculations to ensure that all miniatures were to scale. Photo: Zayd Menk I remember the Bank of America tower took me two days to make, trying to figure out all those different angles, Zayd Menk said, referring to the difficulties he had recreating Manhattans iconic buildings out of discarded electronics. Photo: Zayd Menk With such an abundance of electronics used, it would have been a pity if none of it worked, so the young Zimbabwean made sure to have the Empire State Building light up with the help of 4 LEDs. Photo: Zayd Menk Zayd refers to his art as recyclism and describes it as exploring how man-made junk can be used to make art. Photo: Zayd Menk The Beer Wall, a popular bar in Bruges, Belgium, has recently installed alarm sensors on all of its beer glasses as well as a scanner at the entrance, in order to deter patrons from stealing them. All of the roughly 1,600 Belgian beers sold at The Beer Wall are served in their own specially designed glasses, some of which are apparently very interesting. From goblet-like glasses that usually accompany abbey-made beers, to glasses shaped like hourglasses or even sliced coconut shells, the famous Bruges bar has plenty of attractive glass artworks. The problem is that many visitors, tourists in particular, dont settle for feasting their eyes on these unique glasses while sipping a cold one. Instead they steal them as souvenirs, ignoring the warnings in four languages on the bars beer mats, which state state that the glasses are not free, and that they can be bought from the souvenir shop next door. Photo: Tim Dobson/Flickr Every year we lose at least 4,000 glasses, owner Philip Maes told the Het Nieuwsblad newspaper. The tourists in particular like to walk away with them. They just take it with them without too much embarrassment. In hotels people steal towels, in restaurants salt shakers and in a beer bar they steal glasses. For some reason, some customers think that when they pay for something to drink, they get the glass as a gift, Maes added. After seeing his profits affected by the widespread beer glass theft, The Beer Wall decided it was time for extreme measures, so he invested around $5,000 into an alarm system. Sensors have been installed on the bottom of every glass in the bar, so if someone tries to take it out, the sensor at the main entrance will trigger an alarm. Maes hopes that the embarrassment of being caught stealing, not to mention the legal repercussions, will deter people from trying to take the glasses with them when they leave. Photo: Brugse Zot/Facebook In case youre wondering which of the glasses at The Beer Wall is most targeted by thieves, Philip Maes says its the one Brugse Zot beer is served in. That may have something to do with the fact that this beer is produced by the only remaining brewery in Bruges historical city center. Every six months we have to ask this brewery for a new pallet of 400 glasses, Maes complained. Hopefully, the new alarm system will at least reduce the number of beer glass thefts, although its not clear how easy it is to remove the alarm sensors from the bottom of the glasses, or if they trigger an alarm if you attempt to do so. via Telegraph.co.uk Vlad Cartwright SevenTwenty Strategies has named executive VP Vlad Cartwright president of the DC-based firm. Cartwright has been with SevenTwenty since 2009. Before that, he served as executive VP at both Burson-Marsteller and Direct Impact. In his new position, he will continue to lead PR and advocacy programs for SevenTwentys Fortune 500 and trade association client base. SevenTwenty founder Pam Fielding praisedCartwrights unique vision and ability to translate strategy into action." Alan Marcus SHIFT Communications has promoted Alan Marcus to managing director. Marcus was previously senior VP and New York office. Before SHIFT, he was a senior VP at Porter Novelli and held VP slots at MWW Group and Ketchum. Marcus will continue to lead and grow SHIFTs New York outpost. With offices in Boston, San Francisco, New York and Austin, the firm represents Citrix, Demandbase, McDonald's, The Rockport Group, Red Hat, RSA Conference and Webroot. Juliet O'Connor Crosby Marketing Communications has brought on Juliet OConnor and Taylor Smith as social media specialists. OConnor joins Crosby from Planit, digital shop in Baltimore, where she held positions in both social media and brand strategy. Smith comes to the firm from Nashville-based MP&F Public Relations, where she served in a variety of social media and PR capacities. Both will focus on creating real-time content, managing social media channels and using analytics to optimize program performance. Jillian Sackler Rubenstein Communications represents philanthropist Jillian Sackler, widow of the late Dr. Arthur Sackler, one of three brothers who founded Purdue Pharma, maker of prescription painkiller OxyContin. Arthur Sackler died in 1987, a decade before OxyContin, which is front and center in the opioid crisis, was developed. Following Sackler's death, heirs sold his third of a stake in Purdue to his brothers Mortimer and Raymond. Activists have targeted the entire Sackler family for making money on the opioid crisis. Artist Nan Goldin, for instance, staged an opioid protest on March 11 at the Metropolitan Museum's Temple of Dendur, which was funded by a $3.4M donation from the Sacklers. About 100 protestors tossed pill bottles labeled "prescribed to you by the Sackler Family" into the moat surrounding the temple, according to a report in the Guardian. Rubenstein's mission is to set that record straight. "Naturally, my client is deeply troubled about the publication of any misinformation wrongly communicating to the public that she, Arthur M. Sackler or his heirs have financially profited from the sale of OxyContin, when, in fact, they have not," Janet Wootten, Rubenstein senior VP, wrote in an email. The PR firm prepared a fact sheet and press statement to clear up misleading coverage. It reads: "We bring to your attention that such discussion concerning Purdue and OxyContin has incorrectly and misleadingly lumped together brothers Arthur, Mortimer and Raymond Sackler (and their heirs), under a single Sackler family umbrella, when, in fact, Arthur M. Sackler and his heirs have never had a financial interest in the sale of OxyContin. Misinformation and confusion on this point requires prompt correction and clarification." Rubenstein says the New York Times, Time, Washington Post, Economist, CNN and Associated Press are among outlets that have published corrections and clarifications to note that Arthur Sackler and his heirs have no financial interest in the sale of OxyContin. Politics, for better or worse, continues to drive conversations on social media. According to a March study by analytics firm NewsWhip, hyper-partisan publishers and their staff writers appear to engage some of the largest media audiences on Facebook. NewsWhip in February ranked the top 100 reporters for English-language publications on Facebook by engagement and then analyzed that content to discover what underlying trends those reporters have in common. The study found that an overwhelming majority of the most popular authors for February represent hyper-partisan publications such as the Daily Wire (conservative), Truth Examiner (liberal), Breitbart (conservative), the Washington Press (conservative) or small but similarly politically-charged outlets. Big publishers were strangely underrepresented in the list, with five reporters representing The Atlantic, the New Yorker, MSNBC and Fox News comprising the only appearances of a major media outlet in the top 25. Writers working for conservative publishers by far outnumbered their liberal counterparts: six writers in the top 25 are employed by conservative site the Daily Wire, while two are employed by liberal source the Truth Examiner one writes for The Huffington Post. Top reporters on Facebook for February 2018 (total likes, shares, reactions and comments from reports web content). View larger image of the top 25 reporters. One top-ten author writes for UK-based soft news and viral video publisher LADbible, and writers working for Indian viral publisher RCVJ Media appeared twice in the top 25. One author from a fake news site Your Newswire appeared on the list. Only one writer in the top ten represented an established news source: Terri Peters, a contributor to The Today Show. Ryan Shattuck, writer for satirical site The Onion, took the number-one spot. Given the partisan nature of many of the most popular authors on Facebook, the NewsWhip study suggests that content that polarizes or outright misinforms readers continues to engage and drive an enormous amount of the conversations happening on the social site. Arguably, the study couldnt come at a worse time for Facebook, as the findings arrive after the platforms well-publicized recent attempts to curtail politically divisive content in exchange for more meaningful engagements. Contrary to what Facebook has announced, a few of the top authors have also seen their engagements come from stories that might seem a bit like clickbait, a NewsWhip report on the studys findings concluded. The study also underscored the idea that readers seem to connect less with news outlets than with authors who have large, dedicated followings. This maps with findings in Edelmans latest Trust Barometer report, which found that trust in media is currently in a free fall, ranking as the least trusted institution for the first time. That report, which cites the lack of confidence in media stemming from a collapse of trust in social media platforms, also found that, paradoxically, trust in journalism itself is actually on the rise. Reporting on the studys findings, NewsWhip concluded that weird news, current events, and politics with headlines that tend to be attention-grabbing, full of provocative verbs or short, eye-catching statements comprised the most common features among top reporters stories. The reports March release caught a lot of attention on social media, particularly on Twitter, where NewsWhip CEO Paul Quigley eventually responded, stating in a series of tweets that The larger problem people opting into tribal bubbles is bigger than Facebook. Right now, Facebook is the messenger showing us that we live in a tribal world. Its fun for media people shooting the messenger but it wont solve the problem. To be clear, if Facebook starts blocking the sharing of sites based on the accuracy of every report, it turns into the biggest censor in history, deciding right and 'wrong' views for 2 billion people. How does that sound? Quigley wrote. A similar Facebook publisher rankings report last year by NewsWhip found that viral, feel good media content produced by online publishers is beginning to overshadow hard news stories for yielding the most interactions on Facebook. 16/03/2018 - More than 110 countries and jurisdictions have agreed to review two key concepts of the international tax system, responding to a mandate from the G20 Finance Ministers to work on the implications of digitalisation for taxation. The members of the OECD/G20 Inclusive Framework on BEPS will work towards a consensus-based solution by 2020, as set out in their Interim Report on the Tax Challenges Arising from Digitalisation released today. The Interim Report will be presented by OECD Secretary-General Angel Gurria to the G20 Finance Ministers at their meeting on 19-20 March in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Building on the 2015 BEPS Action 1 Report, the Interim Report includes an in-depth analysis of the changes to business models and value creation arising from digitalisation, and identifies characteristics that are frequently observed in certain highly digitalised business models. Describing the potential implications for the international tax rules, the Interim Report identifies the positions that different countries hold, which drive their approach to possible solutions. These approaches range from those countries that consider no action is needed, to those that consider there is a need for action that would take into account user contributions, through to others who consider that any changes should apply to the economy more broadly. The Interim Report lays the ground to move forward at the OECD towards a long-term multilateral solution in the next phase of work. The international community has taken an important step today towards resolving the tax challenges posed by the digitalisation of the economy, said Mr Gurria. We have underlined the complexity of the issues, and highlighted the importance of reaching international agreement, both for our economies and the future of the rules-based system. The OECD stands ready to accompany countries as they seek to build a common understanding of the issues related to the digital economy and taxation, as well as the long-term solutions. Under the OECD/G20 Base Erosion and Profit Shifting (BEPS) Project, a number of important new standards were delivered aimed at tackling double non-taxation. Country-level implementation of the wide-ranging BEPS package is already having an impact, with evidence emerging that some multinationals have already changed their tax arrangements to better align with their business operations. The measures are already delivering increased revenues for governments - for example, over 3 billion euros in the European Union alone as a result of the implementation of the new International VAT/GST Guidelines. Despite this success in tackling BEPS, the Interim Report underlines that many countries believe challenges to the international tax system still remain. Inclusive Framework members recognise that they share a common interest in maintaining a single, relevant set of international tax rules. As part of the next phase of their work, they have agreed to undertake a coherent and concurrent review of the nexus and profit allocation rules - fundamental concepts relating to the allocation of taxing rights between jurisdictions and the determination of the relevant share of the multinational enterprises profits that will be subject to taxation in a given jurisdiction. In exploring potential changes, members would consider the impacts of digitalisation on the economy, relating to the principles of aligning profits with underlying economic activities and value creation. While agreeing to work towards a long-term solution by 2020, some countries believe that there is a strong imperative to act quickly and are in favour of the introduction of interim measures, while other countries are opposed to them and consider that such measures will give rise to risks and adverse consequences. Those countries in favour have identified a number of considerations that they believe need to be taken into account to limit the possible adverse side-effects. The Interim Report also looks at how digitalisation is affecting other areas of the tax system, including the opportunities that new technologies offer for enhancing taxpayer services and improving compliance, as well as the tax risks, including those relating to the block chain technology that underlies crypto-currencies. Further information on the Interim Report on the Tax Challenges arising from Digitalisation is available at: http://oe.cd/digitaltax. Media should address queries to Pascal Saint-Amans, Director of the OECD Centre for Tax Policy and Administration (+33 6 2630 4923) or Lawrence Speer, in the OECD Media Office (+33 1 4524 9700). Working with over 100 countries, the OECD is a global policy forum that promotes policies to improve the economic and social well-being of people around the world. Related Documents A documentary about China's achievements over the past five years has become the movie most cited by China's ministers at the ongoing annual sessions of national legislature and top political advisory body. The 90-minute film, Amazing China, was cited by at least three minister-level officials at news conferences conducted on the sidelines of the two sessions. Wan Gang, minister of science and technology, said he was deeply touched by Amazing China, as "innovation in science and technology has played a vital part in supporting the developments of bridges, roads, ports and the internet, as told in the movie". Xiao Yaqing, minister in charge of the State-Owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission, also cited the movie as he praised achievements in the construction of major projects. "China has made progress in infrastructure development. I don't know if you all have watched the movie Amazing China, but the bridges, roads and ports in the documentary were all built by State-owned enterprises," Xiao told a news conference on Saturday. He said China has welcomed foreign enterprises to participate in the mixed-ownership reform of SOEs, which diversifies the ownership structure and is considered an important part of SOE development. He Lifeng, minister in charge of the National Development and Reform Commission, the top economic planner, told reporters on Tuesday that he wanted to use the name of the movie to describe China's achievements in the economic reforms. "China will be more open to the world economy, through efforts such as hosting the China International Import Expo," he said. Amazing China introduces many of the major developments the country has made since 2012. They include the world's largest radio telescope, the Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical Radio Telescope, or FAST; the world's largest maritime drilling rig, Blue Whale 2; and the development of 5G mobile technology. Rated 9.6 out of 10 by viewers on Maoyan, a major Chinese film database and ticketing website, the film's box-office tally is expected to exceed 238 million yuan ($37.6 million). Opalesque Industry Update - The Standards Board for Alternative Investments (SBAI) has established a North American Committee of leading alternative investment managers and institutional investors to direct the SBAI's efforts in the region. The SBAI is the global standard setting body for the alternative investment industry, supported by approximately 200 managers and investors overseeing $3 trillion. Members of the SBAI North American Committee will include: Jane Buchan, CEO, PAAMCO Clint Carlson, President & Chief Investment Officer, Carlson Capital John Claisse, CEO, Albourne Partners Tom DeVita, COO & CFO, MKP Capital Management Samantha Foster, Managing Director, University of Southern California Ed O'Reilly, Senior Managing Director, Citadel Russell Read, CIO, Alaska Permanent Fund John Richardson, COO & General Counsel, Ionic Capital Management Scott Taylor, Managing Director, Canada Pension Plan Investment Board Karl Wachter, General Counsel, Magnetar Capital The committee will direct the SBAI's efforts in North America, including identifying local issues for inclusion in the SBAI's studies and working groups, supporting the SBAI's North American roundtables, communicating with SBAI members, and driving increased participation in the SBAI among North American alternative investment managers and institutional investors. Dame Amelia Fawcett, Chairman of the SBAI, said: "We're excited to have such a strong group of leaders from the North American investment community backing the SBAI's activities. This points to the unique role the SBAI serves as a platform for bringing managers and investors together to improve how the alternative investment industry operates. "We look forward to working with the SBAI North American Committee to educate more managers and investors in the region on how supporting good practices helps the industry as well as individual participants." The percentage of SBAI manager Signatories and Investor Chapter Members from North America has increased in recent years, so that the largest percentage of SBAI supporters are now from North America. 40% of SBAI Signatories are from North America, compared to 13% in 2012. Notable managers from North America who became SBAI Signatories over the last year included 400 Capital Management, ARP Americas, Citadel, Elementum Advisors, Highbridge Capital Management and Polar Asset Management Partners; and institutional investors joining the SBAI Investor Chapter included Air Canada Pension Investments, Morgan Stanley Investment Management and Pennsylvania Public Employees' Pension. In 2017, the SBAI brought together more than 1,000 participants from alternative investment managers and institutional investors in 17 roundtables held globally to discuss issues such as alignment of interests, big data and AI, cyber security, fee terms and definitions, factor-based investing, insider trading and responsible investing. Roundtables in North America were held in Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, Montreal, New York, San Francisco, Toronto, and Washington, D.C. By Amy Wang | The Oregonian/OregonLive Here are our picks for theater, classical music and dance performances and visual arts events for March 16-22. Don't Edit Beijing Queer Chorus. (Handout photo) Portland Gay Men's Chorus and Beijing Queer Chorus The Beijing Queer Chorus stops in Portland during its first public U.S. tour, a momentous occasion for a choral group that's only a decade old and that has some members who perform masked to shield their identities. The visit is part of a cultural exchange the Portland group will become the first LGBTQ chorus to tour China this summer. Together, the two groups will present a "Pacific Voices" concert featuring original works and new translations. 8 p.m. Saturday, March 17, and 3 p.m. Sunday, March 18, Kaul Auditorium, Reed College, 3203 S.E. Woodstock Blvd. $16-$42, pdxgmc.org or 503-226-2588. Don't Edit Jane (Lorraine Bahr) visits her mother, Doris (Jane Fellows) in "Good Morning, Miss America." The play also features Rick Sadle) background) as Lou. (Phyllis Yes) 'Good Morning, Miss America' This new play from Oregon artist and former Lewis & Clark College art professor Phyllis Yes brings vividly to life the challenges and complexities of the way we deal or don't with aging and eldercare in America. Based on Yes' own experience, "Good Morning, Miss America" centers on Jane, a Portland artist who regularly travels to Minnesota to check on her elderly mother and stepfather, who are both showing distinct signs of decline. Jane is convinced she knows what's best for them, but they and her sister push back in no uncertain terms, citing their right to make their own decisions. 7:30 p.m. various nights through March 31, 2 p.m. Sunday, March 18 and 25, CoHo Theatre, 2257 N.W. Raleigh St. $20-$32, cohoproductions.org or 503-220-2646. Don't Edit Ken Dembo as Wolf and Tim Golden as Hambone in PassinArt's production of "Two Trains Running," by August Wilson. (Kyra Sanford) "Two Trains Running" PassinArt: a Theatre Company presents the seventh play in Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright August Wilson's 10-part Pittsburgh Cycle. Set in the 1960s, "Two Trains Running" tackles the theme of economic development that implodes neighborhoods, a subject of some relevance here in Portland. 7:30 p.m. Friday-Saturday, 3 p.m. Sunday through April 1, Interstate Firehouse Cultural Center, 5340 N. Interstate Ave. $15-$25, passinart.org or 503-235-8079. Don't Edit "The Laramie Project" If you haven't yet caught this 2000 play by Moises Kaufman and members of the Tectonic Theater Project about the 1998 Laramie, Wyoming, murder of Matthew Shepard, which catalyzed legislation making it a federal crime to assault an individual because of sexual orientation or gender identity, here's your chance. Patrick Tangredi, director of Portland Community College's Theatre Arts Program, says, "We chose 'The Laramie Project' because despite the advances made in LGBTQ rights since the play was first produced, the judgmental and intolerant attitudes reflected in the play have resurfaced in our times." 7 p.m. Friday-Saturday, March 16-17, 2 p.m., Sunday, March 18, Portland Community College Sylvania Campus Performing Arts Center, 12000 S.W. 49th Ave. $5-$10, cash or check only at PCC Bookstore or at the door, 971-722-4704. Don't Edit Don't Edit Teatro Linea de Sombra's "Rebuilding Small Territories." (Handout photo) Teatro Linea de Sombra This Mexico City-based theater company presents the U.S. premiere of its piece "Rebuilding Small Territories," which centers on women's resilience and empowerment. This production is brought to Portland by Boom Arts, whose curator and producer Ruth Wikler-Luker translated the play and who says, "The piece is a 'performative lecture,' based on research the artists did in a real village in Colombia built and inhabited by women displaced by violence." The March 17 and 18 performances include post-show discussions. 7:30 p.m. Friday-Saturday, March 16-17, 2 p.m. Sunday, March 18, Headwaters Theatre, 55 N.E. Farragut St. $12-$30, boomarts.org or 866-811-4111. Don't Edit Sara Davis Buechner The acclaimed pianist joins the Portland Columbia Symphony as it performs Dvorak's Symphony No. 7 in D Minor, Schumann's Piano Concerto in A Minor and a selection from Sean Osborn's Concerto for Chamber Orchestra. 7:30 p.m. Friday, March 16, First United Methodist Church, 1838 S.W. Jefferson St.; 3 p.m. Sunday, March 18, Mt. Hood Community College Theatre, 26000 S.E. Stark St., Gresham. $5-$35, columbiasymphony.org or 503-234-4077. Don't Edit Kamala Dolphin-Kingsley The Portland mixed-media artist, fresh off the Jordan Schnitzer Printmaking Residency at Sitka Center for Art and Ecology, presents prints from that residency as well as two 10-foot multi-paneled paintings in her new exhibit, "Umidulus." Dolphin-Kingsley's work leans heavily toward flora and fauna, or what she terms "the amazing & bizarre wonders of nature." Artist talk, 11 a.m. Sunday, March 18; on view, 11 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday through April 1, Waterstone Gallery, 124 N.W. Ninth Ave. Free, waterstonegallery.com or 503-226-6196. Don't Edit "Place Names" Artist-writer manuel arturo abreu, a Portlander and Reed College graduate, and Christopher Paul Jordan, a Tacoma painter and sculptor, present "visual narratives from notions of the geographical and cultural locales that have been generative to their thinking." Abreu's poetry collection "transtrender" is a finalist for this year's Stafford/Hall Award for Poetry from the Oregon Book Awards; Jordan last year won a $25,000 Neddy Award, one of Washington's biggest art prizes. Opening reception, 5 p.m. Sunday, March 18; on view, noon-4 p.m. Tuesday-Sunday through May 20, The Art Gym, B.P. John Building, Marylhurst University, 17600 S.W. Pacific Highway (Oregon 43), Lake Oswego. Free, events.marylhurst.edu/the-art-gym or 503-699-6243. Don't Edit The Janoska Ensemble. (Julia Wesely) Janoska Ensemble This Slovakian quartet violins, piano, double bass includes former members of the Vienna Philharmonic in its genre-bending forays into jazz, tango, Latin, pop and more. Friends of Chamber Music presents a program that includes the ensemble's arrangements of Strauss, Mozart, Paganini, Bizet and more. 7:30 p.m. Thursday, March 22, The Old Church, 1422 S.W. 11th Ave. $30-$55, $5 Arts for All tickets available for Oregon Trail cardholders, focm.org or 503-224-9842. Don't Edit Don't Edit Katie Scherman + Artists Former BodyVox dancer Katie Scherman presents "To Have It All," an evening-length performance featuring her past works and a new work "exploring the stories of women as they question and reflect on what 'all' is and why it is so important." The all-female performance includes live music and film. 7:30 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, March 22-24, 2 p.m. Saturday, March 24, BodyVox Dance Center, 1201 N.W. 17th Ave. $30-$64, bodyvox.com or 503-229-0627. Don't Edit If you would like your event to be considered for coverage, email the details to fineartsbestbets@oregonian.com. Don't Edit More arts coverage Portland 'Hamilton' actor got his start at Southern Oregon University 'Between Riverside and Crazy' looks at the cruel cost of moving on March Music Moderne festival pays tribute to Claude Debussy A lively, inspiring look at Muhammad Ali's early life as Cassius Clay 'Common Ground' exhibit documents displacement and resilience A man who was sentenced to prison in 2012 for crashing his car into a tree, killing his passenger, was arrested Friday in Beaverton on suspicion of driving while suspended and other crimes, police said. Justin Case Hookie, 28, was arrested hours after a Beaverton officer stopped him for not signaling a turn, police said. He fled, but officers found him about 11:50 a.m. and nabbed him after he ran inside a home, according to police. Hookie had been out of prison for less than three months and when he crashed into a tree, killing his 21-year-old passenger, in 2011. A prosecutor later said Stephanie Dusa would still be alive if Hookie hadn't been released from prison early on his 2009 theft conviction. Dusa, described in court as Hookie's girlfriend, died after Hookie passed another vehicle in the left lane of Southwest Murray Boulevard, lost control, struck the center median and crashed into a tree. The impact sliced the car in half, the prosecutor said in court. Dusa was thrown from the 2003 Infiniti G35 as the vehicle continued southbound in the northbound lanes of Murray Boulevard. She was killed instantly. Hookie walked away from the scene and knocked on doors, asking to use a phone and saying he'd been "jumped and assaulted," the prosecutor said. He later used his cell phone to call another woman, whom the prosecutor said was also Hookie's girlfriend. He was sentenced to five years and five months in prison -- a sentence he agreed to in his plea deal -- in the case. He was released to post-prison supervision in April 2016, an Oregon Department of Corrections spokeswoman said in an email. A Beaverton officer on Friday stopped Hookie about 12:10 a.m. for not signaling a turn, police said in a news release. He took off, fleeing the scene on foot, police said. Authorities conducted a canine track, but they didn't find him. They did, however, identify him as the driver, police said. Police said officers saw him about 11:50 a.m. and arrested him on suspicion of driving while suspended, elude and interfering with a police officer, after he ran inside a home. Hookie was booked into the Washington County Jail, records show. -- The Oregonian/OregonLive Jim Ryan of The Oregonian/OregonLive staff contributed to this report A former Oregon Energy Department manager pleaded guilty Thursday in federal court to charges of money laundering, conspiracy to defraud the Internal Revenue Service, and filing a false tax return. Joe Colello admitted last summer that he accepted nearly $300,000 in bribes from a Seattle-based energy consultant, Martin Shain, in exchange for arranging the sale of state energy tax credits that netted Shain some $1.3 million in commissions. Federal prosecutors say Shain and Colello tried to conceal the nature of the payments by setting up a separate business in the name of Shain's mother. Shain sent 58 cashier's checks to Colello from June 2012 to March 2015, most of them below the $5,000 threshold that requires banks to report the transactions. Colello set up a brokerage account at Charles Schwab to invest the kickbacks. Additionally, Shain labeled the checks as loan proceeds. Colello has said the plan was to forgive the "loan" upon the death of Shain's mother, helping Colello avoid some $80,000 in taxes that would have been due had the payments been reported as income. Colello had already pleaded guilty in Marion County Circuit Court in June to accepting bribes, racketeering, aggravated theft, state tax evasion and official misconduct. His plea agreements with both state and federal prosecutors include a sentencing recommendation of five years in prison, to be served concurrently, three years of probation and joint restitution of the proceeds of the scheme and the state's investigation and prosecution costs. His sentencing hearings are scheduled next month in Marion County and July 2nd in U.S. District Court. Shain is being tried separately on charges of forgery, bribery, tax evasion, racketeering and theft. He has pleaded not guilty. His trial is scheduled for September, though prosecutors have also held settlement talks with his lawyers. Federal charges have not been filed in his case. Until 2015, Colello oversaw the sale of state energy tax credits at the Oregon Department of Energy. State rules allowed the original recipients of the credits to sell them to a third party at a discount, and it was Colello's job to match sellers with buyers and process the transactions for a small fee. Sellers also could use outside brokers to find buyers and complete the deals. In 2012, Colello started crediting one broker, Shain, for matching buyers and sellers who had actually come directly to the state to complete their deals. Using his insider knowledge, prosecutors say, Colello would steer Shain to public agencies and companies looking to sell their credits. Once Shain had secured a brokerage contract, Colello would complete the deals, crediting Shain with finding buyers who had actually gone directly to the state looking for available credits, the state alleged. It was a lucrative operation. From 2012 to 2015, prosecutors say, Shain's brokerage company earned $1.3 million in commissions from 11 clients, including cities, transit agencies universities and companies around the state. The largest take -- $764,847.40 -- was attributed to brokering the sale of nearly $12 million in tax credits for a series of solar arrays that SolarCity Corp. built on various campuses for Oregon State University and the Oregon Institute of Technology. According to the transcript of an interview that state prosecutors submitted in court, Shain was responsible for paying taxes on the commissions and split what was left with Colello. The alleged kickback scheme came to light after The Oregonian/OregonLive published the results of an investigation showing the state had improperly awarded the $12 million in tax credits to the university solar projects based on forged documents. Shain was the state's consultant on those projects, in charge of working with staff at the Department of Energy to obtain the tax credits. The FBI and the Oregon Department of Justice launched an investigation after the news report and discovered that Shain had also brokered the sale of tens of millions of dollars in state tax credits, helping a variety of public entities find buyers for the state incentives. The bribery scheme and Colello's role came to light during that investigation. - Ted Sickinger 503-221-8505; @tedsickinger A Lake Oswego company called Navex Global faces a nearly $150,000 state penalty for allegedly firing an employee who missed work when called to jury duty in California. Navex denies the allegation and said it will fight the proposed sanction. Navex fired Sharae Epperheimer in 2016, according to a proposed order from the Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries. She filed a complaint with the bureau's civil rights division soon afterward. According to the state's findings, Epperheimer lived in Oregon but had maintained California residency as part of a program at Western Oregon University to bring out-of-state students to the school. The bureau's proposed order indicates that Los Angeles County had refused Epperheimer's requests to be excused from jury duty. The state said Navex had documented no other performance issues before firing her, allegedly over her absence for jury duty. Epperheimer subsequently found a new job with the state of Oregon. The bureau concluded that that Epperheimer's firing violated Oregon laws that require employers to excuse workers for jury service. It proposed penalizing the company $120,000 for Epperheimer's "emotional and mental suffering," plus more than $28,000 to cover lost wages and expenses. Navex said its policies not only allow employees to miss work for jury duty but pays them during their absence. The company declined comment on this specific case but said it "categorically denies" that it would fire anyone for meeting civic responsibilities. "We stand behind the strength and fairness of our human resources policies and integrity of our decisions associated with employment matters," Navex said in a written statement. "We vehemently challenge the finding and will appeal this decision. Navex, ironically, sells technology and services to help large organizations comply with government laws and regulations. The privately held company employs 1,177, including 279 at its Lake Oswego headquarters. -- Mike Rogoway; twitter: @rogoway; 503-294-7699 The Portland Four: Herbert Simpson, Thomas Moore, John MacKenzie and Don Wollam (Oregonian) The men arrived in Portland on June 17, 1954. By the time they left a few days later, they had caused a clutch of local residents to be fired from their jobs and still more to be widely viewed with suspicion by their friends and neighbors. The interlopers were politicians, members of the House Un-American Activities Committee. They had come to the Northwest to find communists. This was the McCarthy era (named after the controversial Red-hunter Sen. Joseph McCarthy), a period some historians have compared to todays attacks on Muslims. McCarthyism famously spread fear in Hollywood and Washington, D.C., but it also made a lasting impact in lower-profile places like Portland. Four of the men the House Un-American Activities Committee, or HUAC, targeted that muggy Rose City summer faced the threat of prison time. They were dubbed the Portland Four, and the public assault on their patriotism dogged them for the rest of their lives. "If the purpose of the hearings was to suppress leftist activity, the best way to do that was for people who took a stand against the committee to be punished," says Michael Munk, a retired political-science professor and author of "The Portland Red Guide: Sites & Stories of Our Radical Past." Don't Edit Congressman Harold Velde (AP) That punishment didnt come only from the justice system. The men and women who refused to cooperate with the committee often endured harassment from their communities, such as violent threats scrawled on the sidewalks outside their homes. Then there was the FBI, which for years kept track of radicals and even warned off employers who were considering hiring them. This began to happen to Portlands suspected communists when a small group of informers -- including former Reed College dean of students Robert Canon -- identified dozens of Oregonians as potentially treasonous Reds. The Oregonian and its rival, The Oregon Journal, printed the names of all of the accused. The Rose City was then a conservative, working-class town, but its political minority was not easily cowed. As the hearings got underway at the downtown federal building, a handful of the Portlanders called before the committee -- David Gregg, William Lewis, John MacKenzie and Don Wollam -- declared in a public statement that the congressional investigation "constitutes a real danger to the American way of life." The men, all World War II veterans (Lewis was a Silver Star recipient), insisted they would "not become stoolpigeons and inform against our friends and neighbors with the resultant economic reprisals they and their families would surely experience." Don't Edit Tom Moore (left) and others wait to be called before the Velde Commitee in Portland (Oregonian) Local advertising copywriter Kenneth Fitzgerald, who also received a subpoena, said the committee is here for one purpose only: to besmirch the reputations of people whose only crime is unorthodoxy. Either you think, talk and conduct yourself as the committee dictates or you suffer the consequences." Fitzgerald knew he'd pay a price for saying this. "This will muddy me up," he said, "but I have lived here 28 years and I dont intend to be driven out by a bunch of witch hunters." (He would soon resign from the Carvel, Nelson & Powell ad agency.) HUAC's Portland appearance, coming during a particularly tense phase of the Cold War between the U.S. and the communist Soviet Union, was big news. The Oregonian and the Journal each sent multiple reporters to cover the committee's two days of work in the city. KOIN-TV and KPTV broadcast the proceedings live. "Communism is, of course, the clear and present danger to our constitutional liberties," Illinois Rep. Harold Velde, the committee chairman, said as he opened the hearings. "The Communist Party, we know after long periods of study -- many long hearings which we have engaged in -- is a conspiracy. It is designed to overthrow our form of government by force and violence." Velde, a former FBI agent, expressed hope that communism would prove less entrenched in Portland than it was in Seattle, where the committee had just wrapped up an inquiry. Don't Edit Reed College revisited Stanley Moore's dismissal more than 25 years later (The Oregonian) Many locals who followed the news expected Reed College philosophy professor Stanley Moore to be on hand when the hearings opened on Friday, June 18, but he was in New York. Two weeks earlier he had been called before the committee in Washington, D.C., after a former Communist Party member from Portland had named Moore and other Reedies as fellow Reds. Moore had refused to answer the committee's questions, citing the Fifth Amendment. The well-regarded academic, an air-force veteran who served in Britain and Russia during World War II (and was briefly married to acclaimed war correspondent Marguerite Higgins), would later say that he couldnt avoid being drawn into HUAC's orbit but that "the decision whether to submit or resist is within our control." "I have fooled nobody," he said. "I have committed no crimes." When asked if he was or ever had been a member of the U.S. Communist Party, which was a legal, 35-year-old political organization, he responded: "That is my own affair." Moore was a charismatic figure at Reed. Students tended to develop strong attachments to him. In 1950, the then-divorced 35-year-old professor had an intense, secret romance with one of his undergraduate students, Fay Stender, who would go on to a high-profile law career that included representing black-power militants Huey Newton and George Jackson. The affair "affected her going leftward as she did," Stender's college boyfriend, the documentary filmmaker Robert Richter, told The Oregonian in 2015. Don't Edit Stanley Moore in 1996 (AP) After Moore refused to answer the committees questions, he wrote a 10-page letter to Reeds administration. In it, The Oregonian reported, he said "he had come to Reed with his Marxist beliefs thoroughly understood, that he had never attempted to conceal them, and that he had been known both among the faculty and students as the one who carried the Marxist argument in all college forums." Despite this widespread knowledge of his radicalism, Moore quickly rose from an instructor in the philosophy department to a tenured professorship. "If it is reversed now," he wrote, "who will stand condemned?" Reed's leaders were not moved by the possibility of their moral condemnation. In August, they swept aside the professor's academic-freedom argument and fired him. Half a dozen years would pass before Moore was able to land another teaching position. He spent his time in the academic wilderness researching a book and working "odd jobs," such as painting houses. Don't Edit Don't Edit Like Stanley Moore, Reed professor Lloyd Reynolds faced suspicions that he was a communist. The college suspended him, but it did not fire him. (Oregonian) In 1981, Reed's board of trustees, including new trustee Richter, announced it regretted that the school had fired the professor. Moore, by then retired, insisted he held no bitterness toward the college. "It was a long time ago, and there were many sincere people on the other side," he said in 1996. He died the following year at 83. Other Oregonians who refused to cooperate with the House Un-American Activities Committee would have it far worse than Moore. The committee pursued contempt of Congress charges against MacKenzie, Wollam, Herbert Simpson and Thomas G. Moore (unrelated to Stanley), all politically active leftists. In January 1955, the four men were convicted in what The Oregonian called "rapid-fire" trials in Portland. Don't Edit Sen. Joe McCarthy and his wife Jean read a report about the communist Daily Worker (AP) Their crime: "willfully refusing to answer" questions such as: Where do you live? What is your age? Where did you go to high school? At his sentencing, Wollam said he should have the right to "remain silent ... when faced by inquisitors whose main purpose in interrogation is to change you from a man into an informer." Judge George Bolt disagreed. He sentenced Wollam to one year in prison, and MacKenzie and Simpson to 10 months each. He fined each of them $250. Thomas Moore, formerly the executive director of Oregon Progressive Citizens of America, received a suspended sentence, probation and a $100 fine. MacKenzie, Simpson and Wollam launched appeals and ultimately would avoid jail time. In 1957, facing reversal of the convictions by the U.S. Supreme Court, the government admitted it shouldnt have prosecuted the men. By then, of course, the lives of the Portland Four had been turned upside down. MacKenzie and Simpson were fired from their jobs shortly after being called before the committee. MacKenzie had been an assistant manager at Fred Meyer, Simpson an employee at United Truck Lines. Don't Edit Herbert Simpson (The Oregonian) Wollam, a longshoreman, found himself persona non grata at the port. After facing threats from neighbors, he and his family left the Portland area for a time. Wollam died in 1993. After his conviction, Thomas Moore saw his small farm-supply business collapse, as even longtime customers quickly fell away. His hair reportedly turned white in a matter of weeks. He had trouble finding work and ultimately ended up driving a truck. He died in 1990. MacKenzie's life also "came apart after the HUAC hearings," his widow, Mary, wrote in an unpublished essay from the early 2000s. Unable to find a permanent job, MacKenzie took work wherever he could find it, picking strawberries, working on road-construction crews. "The FBI appeared not only at places we lived but at his jobs," Mary MacKenzie wrote, "as if they were there to get him fired." Don't Edit Sen. McCarthy and his chief counsel Roy Cohn in 1954 (AP) The aftermath of the Portland Four's confrontation with HUAC led all of the men to stop or curtail their political and social activism, to keep their heads down. MacKenzie, a Communist Party member in the 1940s and 50s, was a fan of KBOO in later life but would only donate to the radio station in cash and in person because he feared being put on its membership list. This wasn't merely paranoia. The federal governments efforts to suppress and punish communists continued for years, long after the Senate censured McCarthy in Dec. 1954. In 1960, the Senate Internal Security Subcommittee, HUAC's Senate equivalent, subpoenaed the New York-based English journalist Kenneth Tynan after he produced a British TV program about dissent in America. Nervous about the subpoena, he asked his lawyer why the author Norman Mailer, a friend who also participated in the British program, hadn't been called to appear. "Well, for one thing," the defense attorney said, "Mailer isn't employed by anyone." "In other words," noted Tynan, "he had no job to lose." -- Douglas Perry Vietnam's Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc (first from left) attended the 9th Cambodia-Laos-Vietnam Summit on Development Triangle Area in Cambodia Deputy Foreign Minister Dang Dinh Quy highlighted the significance of the summits at a press conference in Hanoi on March 15th, stressing that they will feature the relations between Vietnam and its neighboring countries. Themed Leveraging 25 years of cooperation, Building an integrated, sustainable and prosperous GMS, the GMS-6 is expected to draw about 2,000 delegates and 150 reporters. It aims to celebrate the 25th founding anniversary of the GMS Program and define cooperation orientations to build a region of prosperity, integration and sustainable development, Quy said. For the first time, a business forum will be held within the framework of the GMS-6 as an initiative of host Vietnam, with a view to increasing dialogues between States and businesses and forging links between regional and global enterprises, he added. The event is expected to draw over 1,000 representatives from Vietnamese and international businesses. Meanwhile, the CLV-10 is meant to review the implementation of the Master Plan for Socio-Economic Development of the CLV Development Triangle Area for 2010-2020 and discuss cooperation orientations in the coming time, especially seeking to increase the trilateral economic connectivity. GMS was established in 1992 as an initiative of the Asian Development Bank (ADB). The GMS Programme is the most complete cooperation programme that involves Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Thailand, Myanmar, and Chinas Yunnan and Guangxi provinces. Priority fields include infrastructure development, energy, telecommunications, tourism, trade-investment, human resources, and the environment. Meanwhile, the CLV Development Triangle Area was established in 1999, covering Vietnams Kon Tum, Gia Lai, Dak Lak, Dak Nong provinces; Laos Sekong, Attapeu and Saravan provinces; and Cambodias Stung Treng, Rattanak Kiri, and Mondul Kiri. In 2009, the three countries agreed to add Vietnams Binh Phuoc province, Cambodias Kratie province, and Laos Champasak province to the area. Its cooperation focuses on the fields of security, external affairs, transport, industry, agriculture, trade, investment and environmental protection. Joseph O'Shaughnessy was sentenced Thursday to time served and two years of supervised release for his role in the 2016 occupation of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge. O'Shaughnessy's defense lawyer sought one year of supervised release, while prosecutors asked for two. O'Shaughnessy, who was part of the occupation security detail, had already agreed to pay $7,000 in restitution. He pleaded guilty in the case in 2016 and then awaited trial in the 2014 standoff near Nevada cattleman Cliven Bundy's ranch. O'Shaughnessy was released in December. He spent a total of 1 year and 9 months in custody for both cases. He declined to make a statement in court but told The Oregonian/OregonLive afterward that he was pleased with the outcome of the case. "Actually, at this point, I'm just happy to have it be over with," he said. Wearing a black cowboy hat, tie and jacket, O'Shaughnessy said he won't be doing any more protesting. "If I go any further it's going to be into politics, or it's going to be more of a politic-type activism, rather than proactive protests, absolutely," he said. O'Shaughnessy said he wasn't part of the occupation, contending he was a supporter who didn't agree with occupiers' tactics. He showed up in Burns in late December 2015 and provided security to those who occupied the federal wildlife refuge. He never spent a night at the refuge but visited daily to try to convince the Bundys and other followers that what they were doing was "bad for the movement,'' his lawyer said. He also went to the refuge to serve as a "buffer'' in an attempt to de-escalate the situation and to "bear witness'' to any problems that might ensue with law enforcement, his lawyer said. Video previously played in court showed O'Shaughnessy talking about being in Burns to set up a "constitutional security protection force'' four days into the occupation. On another video, O'Shaughnessy appeared on independent broadcaster Pete Santilli's show urging others to support the occupiers even if they didn't support their tactics. In photos, O'Shaughnessy was dressed in tactical gear and armed with a rifle outside the refuge and setting up a bunkhouse for emergency operations and "QRF,'' military shorthand for "Quick Reaction Force,'' prosecutors have said. O'Shaughnessy, 45, lives in Cottonwood, Arizona. He pleaded guilty on Aug. 1, 2016, to conspiring to impede federal workers at the refuge through intimidation, threat or force. Earlier this year in Las Vegas, a judge dismissed charges against Cliven Bundy, two of his sons and a supporter in the Nevada standoff case. She cited "flagrant misconduct" by prosecutors and the FBI in not disclosing evidence before and during trial. O'Shaughnessy, who's known as "Captain'' in militia circles, was set to go to trial there in February. But the court canceled the trial at the prosecution's request, given the dismissal of charges against the lead defendants. -- Jim Ryan and Maxine Bernstein A Washington man who police say intentionally used his car to smash into a Portland man in Lincoln City earlier this month was indicted on 16 counts Thursday. The man who was hit, Mohammad Fawad Mohammadi, lost part of his leg on Wednesday, according to a GoFundMe page set up by Mohammadi's coworker. Perry George Nicolopoulos, 68, of Puyallup, was indicted in Lincoln County Court in Newport on 12 felony counts and four misdemeanors, including attempt to commit murder, a Class A felony, and nine different felony assault counts. Perry George Nicolopoulos Nicolopoulos is accused of intentionally hitting the car of a Portland family on March 6 in the parking lot of Lincoln City Walgreens. When Mohammad Fawad Mohammadi stepped out of his car to inspect the damage, witnesses say that Nicolopoulos reversed his car and accelerated into Mohammadi, who was then pinned against his own car. According to witness statements and a police investigation, Nicolopoulos then reversed again, only to stop and accelerate toward Mohammadi a final time. "When I arrived," wrote an officer who was called to the scene in an affidavit, "I saw a man lying on the ground with a bloody mangled foot and paramedics treating him." "A woman was holding her toddler and crying," he added. Mohammadi's wife and young son were not injured. Lincoln City Police Department spokesperson Lt. Jerry Palmer called the incident "an intentional act," earlier this week, but added, "We do not have a motive determination at this time." "It appears that the victim was random," he said. "We find no connection between these two individuals." The GoFundMe page set up to help cover costs related to the incident describes a man who "always has a smile and exudes joy." According to the creator of the page, Stephanie Ballard Agramonte, Mohammadi "came to the U.S. a little over three years ago from his native Afghanistan, where he served as an interpreter for the U.S. Military for four years, often in the thick of battle." "Yesterday the decision was made to remove Fawad's leg from about 6 inches below the knee," Agramonte wrote on the page Thursday. "He remains in good spirits and has asked that we convey his gratitude to all of his supporters. He is overwhelmed by the response from people everywhere." On Friday, the GoFundMe had raised more than $50,000. Nicolopoulos is scheduled to appear March 19 at the Lincoln County Courthouse for arraignment. He remains in the Lincoln County jail, with bail set at $1 million. -- Lizzy Acker 503-221-8052 lacker@oregonian.com, @lizzzyacker Jenna/Newberg Animal Shelter Jenna is a gorgeous, affectionate, 7-year-old, short-hair torbie. Jenna came into the shelter with her other kitty brothers and sisters. She likes to be picked up, and likes to sit in your lap. She has an all-around gentle and loving demeanor - and then wants to run and play at night. When Jenna first arrived, she had a rather large sarcoma on her hip. She underwent aggressive surgery to have the sarcoma removed. The veterinarian is confident the cancer was removed. But he would like Jenna to be rechecked in 2-3 months, as cancer can be unpredictable. Jenna is available for adoption with a medical waiver. If you are interested in Jenna or any of the shelter's other adoptable pets, please visit during open adoption hours 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Wednesday Saturday. Contact info: Phone: 503-554-9285 Email: newberganimals@gmail.com website: Newberg Animal Shelter Don't Edit Rosie Richter Maddie Rae/Humane Society for Southwest Washington Meet Maddie Rae. She's an older gal looking for a nice calm place to lay down, chill, and watch movies. Maddie Rae loves to be outside and sniff around, even in the rain. This sweet girl can run out of energy quickly and can be sensitive at times, so she would do best in a home with children older than 10. Please bring children or other dogs living at home for a meet-and-greet. Breed: All American Mixed Breed Sex: Female Age: 9 years, 10 months Weight: 72lbs Contact info: Humane Society for Southwest Washington 1100 NE 192nd Avenue Vancouver, WA 98684 Phone: 360-693-4746 Website: https://southwesthumane.org/ Don't Edit Mr. Moose and Baby/Humane Society of Southwest Washington Mr. Moose and Baby are looking for a quiet home together. Theyve lived together their whole lives. They are a bit shy and would like a slow introduction to their new home. Mr. Moose and Baby would also need to be indoor cats. Breed: Siamese Mix Sex: Male (Mr Moose) | Female (Baby) Age: 12 years Contact info: Humane Society for Southwest Washington 1100 NE 192nd Avenue Vancouver, WA 98684 Phone: 360-693-4746 Website: https://southwesthumane.org/ Don't Edit Picasa Annabelle/Clackamas County Dog Services Meet Annabelle, a 9-year-old Labrador Retriever looking for a new adult family to give her lots of love. The environment at the shelter makes her a little nervous so when you come to visit please give Annabelle some time to adjust and get to know you. This sweet dog would enjoy being signed up for some obedience classes - older dogs can learn new tricks. She would enjoy a calm house with no children. Annabelle does like to chase things, so she will need a home with no cats. If you have another dog please bring them in to meet. Fill out an application or view other adoptable dogs at the website. Annabelles adoption fee is $86 and includes microchip, vaccinations, sterilization and a one year dog license. Contact: Clackamas County Dog Services 13141 SE Hwy 212 Clackamas Phone: 503-655-8628 Website: http://www.clackamas.us/dogs Don't Edit Cat Adoption Team The Cat Adoption Team presents: (top left) Eliza Are you looking to add a lovely, older lady to your home? Maybe even someone who would love to be your dedicated lap warmer (just so long as you don't mind a little drool)? Then Eliza is your cat. This little lady is a 10-year-old looking for her new family. She adores attention, being brushed, and chin scratches. She's not too fond of loud noises or sudden movement, so a quiet, calm household would be best for her. (top right) Gabrielle Gabrielle is an independent 6-year-old, longing to be the only cat in your home so she can have all the love to herself. She enjoys all the pets and rubs while rolling around for more. She's independent, which means she can be self-entertained. You may find her taking a break from noise or taking a leisurely nap in the sunshine, warming her soft bunny fur. Gabrielle may need a little bit of time adjusting to her new environment but once she settles, she's all you could hope for in a cat. (bottom left) Tulip Tulip is an active and attention seeking 4-year-old with a one-of-a-kind personality. This sweet girl came from Utah, and has spent time in our shelter recovering from a URI and trying to find her true colors. She's very curious and opinionated and may try to test your limits from time to time in an effort to get her own way. She's affectionate, when she wants to be, talkative when she wants attention and really into playing with wand toys and catnip. Tulip might be a little sensitive to change and will probably require some space and time as she comes out of her shell in her new home. (bottom right) Harvest Harvest is a lap loving, attention seeking, bunny soft 6-year-old with all the time in the world to cuddle up. Harvest would do best in an only-pet household. She does enjoy time by herself and demands attention simply by sitting on your lap and staring into your eyes. Harvest is easy going, social and confident, and when in a stable environment, she is relaxed, curious, and even a little playful. If you think your home is quiet and stable enough for a super soft beauty, come visit Harvest. Contact info: Cat Adoption Team 14175 SW Galbreath Drive, Sherwood Phone: 503-925- 8903 Website: catadoptionteam.org Hours: Noon-7 p.m. Tuesday-Friday, noon-6 p.m. Saturday-Sunday Don't Edit Don't Edit Find more on the pets and other adoption choices at: Portlanders visiting the Sauvie Island Wildlife Area during the summer won't be allowed to get their drink on anymore. The Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife Friday announced that a booze ban proposed in February was passed unanimously by the Fish &Wildlife Commission, the agency said in a tweet. "Over the past several years, ODFW has documented an increase in alcohol-related problems at SIWA beaches, despite increased law enforcement, including saturation patrols," read a press release the department issued last month. Seventeen people were arrested for DUII at Sauvie Island beaches last year. And over the last five years, ODFW says, 488,465 people visited the island from May through September. It gets particularly crowded when the weather gets exceptionally hot. --Eder Campuzano | 503.221.4344 ecampuzano@oregonian.com Kroger Co., the largest supermarket chain in the U.S., will remove publications about assault rifles from its stores, wading further into the U.S. debate on gun control. The move comes a few weeks after the grocer joined Walmart Inc. and Dick's Sporting Goods Inc. in tightening gun restrictions in the aftermath of the deadly school shooting last month in Parkland, Florida. Now, Kroger is pulling "a few assault-rifle themed periodicals" from its supermarkets, but will continue to carry some gun magazines, according to spokeswoman Kristal Howard. This week, students across the nation walked out of their classrooms in an act of solidarity with the Florida high school students. The Senate Judiciary Committee met on Wednesday to discuss gun control measures, though a formal bill debate has not yet been held on the floor. On March 24, gun control groups are planning the "March for Our Lives" in Washington. Kroger has stopped selling firearms and ammunition at its Fred Meyer chain to buyers under the age of 21. Walmart, which did the same, also removed toys that resemble assault-style weapons from their stores. Homebound hound. Irgo's trip to Japan is over. The 10-year-old German Shepherd, who made international headlines after United Airlines accidentally sent him to Japan instead of Wichita, Kansas, was reunited with his family Thursday night. Kara Swindle posted a video Thursday night on her Facebook page showing the deliriously happy German Shepherd greeting the family at the Wichita airport. Enjoy this happiness: Kara and Joseph Swindle were moving their family from Salem to Wichita this week when United Airlines accidentally sent their family dog to Japan. Kara told The Oregonian/OregonLive this week she showed up at a Denver doggie claim area and discovered a Great Dane in Irgo's kennel. Kara Swindle went on "Good Morning America" on Friday, alongside her beloved Irgo, to talk about the wild experience. "It feels so good to finally have him back," she told Michael Strahan. Irgo had a pretty sweet setup on the way home. United flew the dog on a corporate jet. Check out the video below: Foreign Minister of the Russian Federation Sergey Lavrov (Photo: Xinhua/VNA) The visit will be made at the invitation of Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh. Vietnam and Russia established diplomatic ties on January 30th, 1950. Two-way trade reached nearly USD4 billion in the first ten months of 2017, up 36 percent year-on-year. The two countries are working together to raise the figure to USD10 billion by 2020./. Reimagining the Natural: Food Safety, Coloring Regulation, and the Creation of a New Market The control of color had been a critical part of manufacturing and marketing strategies in the food industry at least since the late nineteenth century. But color management became more challenging for food businesses in the 1960s and 1970s. In analyzing controversies over synthetic food dyes, the rise of consumer activism, and food safety regulation, I will explore how food manufacturers and dye makers envisioned and negotiated a balance between safety and profitability. I will focus particularly on the United States since the country was the largest consumer of color additives in the world at the time. As the use of chemical substances, including food dyes, rapidly increased, consumer activists and government officials began questioning the safety of coloring foods and revisited the issue of the naturalness of foods. With the emergence of social and cultural criticism denouncing consumer capitalism as wasteful and unhealthy, standardized food products colored with synthetic dyes began to be a liability for food manufacturers. While advocating the use of "natural dyes" derived from plant-based substances, however, consumer activists continued to accept the case for food coloring. The upshot was that food manufacturers, consumers, and legislatures reinvented the concept of naturalness. This did not mean a reversion to the past, but rather a re-imagination of the natural in the context of highly mechanized manufacturing processes and advances in modern science. Food safety issues during the 1960s and 1970s laid the groundwork for the government's food coloring regulation and the industry's color management strategies today. Date Wednesday, 21 March 2018 Time 1:00pm - 1:30pm Audience All University Event Category Business Event Type Departmental Seminar Campus Dunedin Department Marketing Location Otago Business School, Room 4.26 Cost Free Contact Name Dr John Williams, Seminar Series Coordinator Contact Phone +64 3 479 5040 Contact Email john.williams@otago.ac.nz Website http://otago.ac.nz/marketing Save this event President Tran Dai Quang (R) meets RoK President Moon Jae-in during the APEC Economic Leaders' Week in Da Nang city last year (Photo: VNA) The comment was shared by experts at the workshop which was jointly held by the Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences (VASS) and the Korean Institute of Southeast Asian Studies (KISEAS). VASS President Nguyen Quang Thuan said East Asia has attracted special attention from the world in recent years, not only because it is an important strategic region in terms of politics and security but also a region with dynamic economic development. As East Asian countries, Vietnam and the RoK are influenced by regional changes and standing in front of new cooperation opportunities and challenges, he said. In that context, the two nations need to promote their active role in regional cooperation and strengthen bilateral relations for peace and prosperity, Thuan added. Vietnam and the RoK have enjoyed growing ties in various fields over the past 25 years, particularly in economy and politics, since they established diplomatic relations in 1992, comprehensive partnership in 2001 and strategic cooperative partnership in 2009. According to Vietnams General Department of Customs, two-way trade between Vietnam and the RoK hit USD61.5 billion in 2017, a year-on-year increase of 41.3 percent. Vietnams exports to the RoK reached USD14.8 billion, while its imports from the East Asian country stood at USD46.7 billion, up 30 percent and 45.3 percent against 2016, respectively. The two countries have set a target of USD100 billion in two-way trade by 2020. Last year, the RoK was the second largest foreign investor in Vietnam, just behind Japan, with total registered capital of USD8.49 billion. In terms of accumulative investment, the country ranked first among 125 countries and territories investing in Vietnam, with total investment capital of USD57.7 billion by the end of December 2017./. With Covid restrictions easing, there is a growing sense that. while we will be dealing with the impact of the pandemic for a long time to come, the worst is behind us. Pennsylvania Business Central had been chronicling the many dedicated individuals and institutions in healthcare who have been on... Joint Statement on the establishment of a strategic partnership between the Government of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and the Government of Australia, March 15h, 2018 Since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1973, Vietnam and Australia have built strong and substantive relations on the basis of mutual respect and interest. Converging security and economic interests and deepening people-to-people links anchor our bilateral relationship and cooperation. The Vietnam-Australia Comprehensive Partnership, announced in 2009 and enhanced in 2015, underlines the concerted efforts of the governments and peoples of the two countries to advance bilateral relations. Recognising that 2018 marks the 45th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Australia, we jointly decide to elevate the bilateral relationship to the level of a Strategic Partnership, on the occasion of the official visit to Australia by H.E. Nguyen Xuan Phuc, Prime Minister of Vietnam. In declaring a Strategic Partnership, Vietnam and Australia pledge our commitment to deepening ties based on respect for the United Nations Charter, international law and each others sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity and respective political systems. We will enhance mutual trust and understanding to strengthen the bilateral relationship and contribute to peace, stability and prosperity in the region. In particular, we commit to work intensively to ensure that our region remains peaceful, resilient and shaped by the rules and norms that have prevailed for decades. The Vietnam - Australia Plan of Action 2016-2019 remains in effect and will be renewed on the signing of this Joint Statement. Bilateral Cooperation Political cooperation We commit to deepen bilateral political cooperation including through frequent high-level exchanges between the Communist Party, Government and National Assembly of Vietnam, and the political parties, Government and Parliament of Australia. To reflect better the modern and dynamic relationship, we will strengthen political engagement through annual ministerial meetings aimed at maximising opportunities to exchange views, ideas and initiatives on strategic issues. These regular and high-level exchanges will be complemented by existing bilateral meetings, which include the 2+2 Strategic Dialogue, Vietnam-Australia Human Rights Dialogue, Vietnam-Australia Consular Consultations and Vietnam-Australia Agriculture Forum. We commit to strengthening bilateral political engagement on foreign and regional issues through the establishment of an annual Foreign Ministers Meeting. We pledge to expand high-level official contacts to advance the already strong cooperation in economics and trade, foreign affairs, defence, security, law and justice, science, technology, agriculture, innovation and education, and other areas such as labour and tourism. Economic cooperation and development We commit to deepen the bilateral trade and investment relationship and pursue more open trade and investment through global and regional economic integration. Building on the complementary nature of the two economies, we will promote market access and trade facilitation measures for both sides, including for agricultural and seafood products. We welcome the establishment of an annual ministerial-level Economic Partnership Meeting to identify opportunities to expand trade, investment and development cooperation, and for sustained economic reform. Superseding the Joint Trade and Economic Cooperation Committee, this new economic forum will facilitate discussions among key ministers responsible for trade, investment, development and planning, and drive synergies among the different facets of our economic links. We acknowledge the importance of strong commercial and business-to-business engagement in underpinning our trade and investment relationship. We encourage positive business engagement and building understanding of our respective economic complementarities, including through two-way business and trade missions. Australia recognises the significant achievements of Vietnam in reducing poverty and its aspirations to develop its economy further. Vietnam appreciates Australias long-standing bilateral and regional official development assistance. We commit to an economic partnership that will assist Vietnam to achieve its socio-economic and development aspirations, placing an emphasis on economic reform, human resource development, private sector engagement, climate change, gender equality and innovation. We will continue building a mutually beneficial agriculture partnership, including joint research and technical assistance projects to improve the capability and competitiveness of Vietnams agriculture sector and promote international standards and reliable supply chains. We will also further strengthen our mutual interests in energy, resources, the blue economy and environmental cooperation, and in responding to climate change. Defence, law and justice, intelligence and security cooperation We confirm our increasing strategic relations and shared regional interests and reaffirm our commitment to closer defence, law and justice, intelligence and security cooperation, contributing to the peace, stability and development of the region. We reaffirm our commitment to an annual Defence Ministers Meeting to facilitate high-level dialogue on defence matters underpinned by the Memorandum of Understanding for Defence Cooperation signed in 2010. These exchanges will be an opportunity to explore further defence cooperation, including in education and training, maritime and aviation security, peace keeping training and support, counter-terrorism, war legacy issues and other areas. We welcome the cooperation between Australian and Vietnamese police, maritime and border authorities, and mutually decide to strengthen further security and law enforcement cooperation, including through an annual Security Dialogue at Vice-Ministerial level and greater exchange of intelligence and information sharing, and capacity building. We commit to continue strengthening bilateral cooperation and participation in regional efforts to address traditional and non-traditional security threats, especially transnational crime, including people smuggling and human trafficking, narcotics trafficking, money laundering, terrorism, cybercrime, and in recovering the proceeds of these crimes. We will strengthen bilateral and regional cooperation between and among maritime policy-making, administration and law enforcement agencies through dialogue and coordination, practical cooperation and capacity-building activities. Education, science and technology, labour, social affairs and cultural cooperation and people-to-people links We emphasise the strengthening of the people-to-people aspect of the relationship, particularly the two-way flow of youth and students. We strongly support Australian and Vietnamese students to study in Vietnam and Australia, including through the New Colombo Plan, and Australian and Vietnamese scholarships. We reaffirm the significance of our education, training and research relationship and the large Vietnamese alumni of Australian education institutions. We reaffirm support for education policy dialogues to enhance institutional linkages and the transnational delivery of education (including by taking advantage of advances in communication technologies) and expand student, academic, researcher and professional mobility. We will promote cooperation in the areas of vocational education and social affairs, including striving towards gender equality, and note opportunities for labour mobility through Australias skilled migration program. We will continue to promote and expand mutually beneficial cooperation on science, technology and innovation; strengthen connectivity between research institutions; and encourage technology transfer, expert exchange and information sharing on science, technology and innovation. We recognise the role of social and peoples organisations in both countries in fostering good relations, friendship and understanding between the Vietnamese and Australian people. We recognise the success of the Vietnamese community in Australia and highly value its contribution to bilateral relations. We highlight the role of young people in building mutually beneficial networks of influence among future leaders and entrepreneurs. We commit to promote the effective implementation of the Vietnam - Australia Work and Holiday program. We welcome the rapid increase in visitor numbers to both countries and associated growth in aviation and tourism, and will look for opportunities to enhance cooperation in the tourism sector. We reiterate the importance of cultural cooperation in promoting mutual understanding between people of our two countries and are committed to developing further cooperation between Vietnam and Australia in this area. Regional and International Cooperation We will work closely to preserve the open, inclusive and rules-based regional order, which underpins regional peace, security, stability and increasing prosperity. We share the goal of reinforcing and developing regional and international institutions to promote our common political, economic and security interests. We support the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) which has brought harmony and coherence to our region. We will continue to develop the Strategic Partnership between ASEAN and Australia and commend the historic ASEAN-Australia Special Summit, including a suite of practical initiatives for enhanced cooperation. We emphasise ASEAN centrality in the evolving regional architecture and resolve to work together to strengthen ASEAN-led mechanisms such as the East Asia Summit (EAS), ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF), the ASEAN Defence Ministers Meeting Plus (ADMM+), with ASEAN as the driving force. In this regard, we affirm the importance of the EAS as the premier leaders-led regional forum for dialogue and cooperation on strategic, political and economic issues of common interest and concern. We pledge to continue to work together to address regional and global emerging issues, including: terrorism; transnational crime; cybercrime; people smuggling and human trafficking; environmental protection; climate change; illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing (IUU); energy security; maritime safety and security; food and water security; infectious diseases; quality infrastructure; narrowing the development gap; digital economy; and supporting economic growth, promoting trade and investment liberalisation, and enhancing regional and sub-regional connectivity and sustainable prosperity in the region. We will strengthen our cooperation in the areas of sustainable development, environmental protection and management, responses to climate change and resilience to natural disasters consistent with the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction and Paris Agreement on Climate Change. We reaffirm our commitment to promoting security and safety, freedom of navigation and overflight, and the rule of law, including the observance and implementation of international legal obligations in good faith; and to the settlement of disputes by peaceful means, without resorting to the threat or use of force, in accordance with international law, including the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and through the appropriate ASEAN-led mechanisms. In this regard, we remain concerned about the situation in the South China Sea and affirm our commitment to continue working actively together to promote peace and stability in the region. We reiterate the importance of the full and effective implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC) and the early conclusion of an effective and binding Code of Conduct (COC) between ASEAN and China, consistent with international law. Building on the significant outcomes of the 25th Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders Meeting in Danang, Vietnam, we commit to further our cooperation in promoting regional economic integration, and free and open trade and investment through the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans - Pacific Partnership, the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, and APEC, as well as supporting the rules-based multilateral trading system./. The delegates watching exhibited photos at the event (Photo: VNA) Mr. Nguyen Dinh Hoi, Head of the organizing board and a war veteran, reviewed the historical Gac Ma event and highlighted the undaunted fighting spirit and brave sacrifice of soldiers in Gac Ma fighting and fighting to protect the sovereignty of the nation. He affirmed that the event aimed to express the deep gratitude for soldiers who sacrificed themselves for the nation. In spite of living far from the fatherland, he and overseas Vietnamese still look toward events of the nation. At the ceremony, Venerable Thich Thien Tri, a representative from the Vietnamese Buddhist Association Central Committee in the Czech Republic, presided over the great requiem for the martyrs. He also shared his moving memories during a visit to Truong Sa. Mr. Milos Kusy, Head of the Czech-Vietnam Friendship Association, attended the ceremony and affirmed that the association has supported the fight to protect Vietnams sovereignty over the sea and islands. In the framework of the event, an art program about the sea and island in overseas Vietnameses hearts was also organized, including songs praising the sea and island of the homeland and sentiments for soldiers. The organizing board also continue the donation program For the nations sea and islands in order to build houses of gratitude for relatives of the martyrs sacrificed on Gac Ma Island. In addition, the organizers also screened documentary film and exhibited maps and documents to confirm Vietnams sovereignty over the sea and islands and activities of overseas Vietnamese in the Czech Republic in protecting Vietnams sovereignty over the sea and islands. At the ceremony, participants signed their names on a petition letter to send to the European Parliament and an appeal to the Chinese Ambassador to the Czech Republic, to protest and request China cease activities increasing tensions in the East Sea; and ask China to abide by the international law and signed agreements, resolving disputes on the East Sea by peaceful means./. This is probably the best news you'll hear all day and maybe ever. The long and short is that everyone knows that Oprah once said she was considering running for president in 2020 once 45's reign of terror has finally come to an end. It can't be said enough that we wait with baited breath for the day when It's All Over (TM)! After what seemed like millions of *StOoPiD "thinkpieces"* from people writing essentially racist arguments against #Oprah2020 cloaked in cute "reasons why celebrities shouldn't run for the highest office in the land" (lol at that hypocrisy because November 7, 2017) -- Oprah said she would only run if she got a literal sign from God to do so. Of course she'd say that because she's Oprah, which isn't even shade! Anyway, this day has come. The Boston Globe reports that an 83-year-old Maine resident named Jesus Christ said she wrote Oprah a letter, presumably giving her the go-ahead to run, because she "likes her" and "would vote for her." BFF Gayle King posted about Jesus Christ's letter on Instagram, after receiving it at the O, The Oprah Magazine offices, wondering if it qualifies as the sign from God Oprah needs. We think it is. We also think it is a wild world we live in and are obsessed with the fact that someone would actually change their name to Jesus Christ. How chic is that. 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 Yesterday Patently Apple posted a report titled "With the Threat of U.S. Tariffs aimed at Europe, France prepares to sue Apple and Google for the sake of 'Justice'" France's Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire stated yesterday that "I believe in an economy based on justice and I will take Google and Apple before the Paris Commercial Court for abusive business practices" against French start-ups. Le Maire further noted that start-ups face conditions imposed on them when selling their apps on Google and Apple which 'also gather data' and 'both can unilaterally modify contracts.' The minister added that the situation was simply unacceptable. "I consider that Google and Apple, as powerful as they are, shouldn't treat our start-ups and our developers in the way they do today." Today we're learning from a French news site that "Apple retorted to the minister by highlighting the company's "strong relationships with tens of thousands of developers across France, who earned 1 billion euros on the App Store". The report noted that Apple and Google actually set a pay scale, which is the same for everyone. Developers receive 70% of the revenue generated by the purchase of an application, 85% in the case of a subscription to a service, and the platform pockets the balance. France's Finance Minister is making the accusation or case that French developers are being charged a "tariff" which is a hot button topic of the day. Yet there isn't any special "tariff" on French developers as the French Minister is insinuating. Is making a small profit a crime in France? Well, if you're an American company it is. The Minister noted that "They are particularly criticized for being able to decide whether to suspend or remove an application." Imagine that, a company, like the government, sets up rules to protect consumers and the French Minister views this as some kind of evil practice. First Reactions from Google and Apple The report noted that "Google was quick to react, through a formal and unambiguous statement: With more than 1000 downloads per second, Google Play is a great way for application developers in Europe, of all sizes, many of them in France , to offer their applications to users around the world. We have collaborated with the DGCCRF on many topics in recent years, including on Google Play. We believe that our conditions are in accordance with French legislation and we are ready to explain our position in the courts." The report further noted that "On the other hand, Apple has chosen to highlight the strengths of its application store for the ecosystem. We are proud to have strong relationships with tens of thousands of developers across France, who have earned 1 billion euros on the App Store. Many of these talented developers founded their companies with one or two people and then saw their teams grow up to offer their applications to users in 155 countries. This was only possible thanks to Apple's investment in IOS, development tools and the APP Store. Apple has always defended the confidentiality and security of users and does not have access to user transactions with third-party applications. We are fully prepared to share our history in the French courts and to clarify this misunderstanding. In the meantime, we will continue to help French developers realize their dreams and support French students in their learning of the code through our coding program." For more on this, read the full report from France's Le Figaro About Making Comments on our Site: Patently Apple reserves the right to post, dismiss or edit any comments. Those using abusive language or negative behavior will result in being blacklisted on Disqus. Paxton, IL (60957) Today Rain early...then remaining cloudy with showers overnight. Low 54F. Winds N at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 100%.. Tonight Rain early...then remaining cloudy with showers overnight. Low 54F. Winds N at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 100%. 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 Railroad Project to Connect Iran With Turkey, Georgia, Azerbaijan 03/16/18 By Asgar Asgarov, VOA The foreign ministers of Azerbaijan, Georgia, Turkey and Iran held the first-ever quadrilateral meeting in Baku to discuss regional cooperation. At the center of the discussions was the construction of Rasht-Astara railroad, the 180-kilometer-long rail line that will connect the Iranian and Azerbaijani cities. The project is expected to be completed in three years. "This project will herald the beginning of a new transportation corridor from the south to the west," said Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov. The railroad will be connected with the already constructed Baku-Tbilisi-Kars line that links Azerbaijan, Georgia and Turkey. Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu expressed hope that the meeting of the four ministers will help boost regional cooperation, particularly the advancement of infrastructure projects in transportation and energy. "This format will allow us to increase trade, attract investment to our countries. In our next meeting, we will discuss concrete projects," he added. According to Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif, the project corresponds with the interests of the regional nations. "The new transportation corridor will bridge two continents. The new corridor serves the interests of our countries and peoples," he said. The next meeting of the four ministers is to take place in Georgia. In their final statement, the ministers expressed support for regional peace and stability based on mutual respect for territorial integrity. Chinese firm to fund Iran plane purchases 03/16/18 Source: Press TV Irans media say the countrys national airline Iran Air has signed an agreement with a Chinese company to provide funding for the companys plane purchase campaigns - most notably those pursued with Airbus and Boeing. Iran's old fleet of planes has been blamed for high rate of crashes The most recent plane crash is depicted in this artwork by Jame Jam daily The Persian-language newspaper Iran reported that the agreement had been signed on Monday at Iran Air premises in Tehran, citing a statement by the countrys Ministry of Roads and Urban Development. After months of negotiations, a Chinese company has accepted to provide funding for purchases of Iran Air planes, wrote the newspaper without mentioning the name of the Chinese company. The problem of providing funds for new plane purchases has thus been resolved. In December 2016, Boeing sealed deals with Irans flag-carrier airliner Iran Air over sales of 80 jets valued at $16.6 billion. They include 50 narrow-body Boeing 737 passenger jets and 30 wide-body 777 aircraft. Iran Air also sealed deals with Airbus over purchases of 100 planes worth $18-20 billion at list prices and has already received three of them. Iran Air has also signed a deal with the Franco-Italian aviation player ATR in early 2017 over a total of 20 turboprop planes and has already received six planes. Officials in Tehran had already said Iran Air would under deals with Airbus and Boeing pay only 15 percent of the amount for the planes purchased and that the remaining 85 percent would be provided by funders. This has obstructed further deliveries of planes, Iran added in its report, emphasizing that deliveries of new planes could resume in summer. Iran Air had to purchase three Airbus planes that have been delivered in cash to make the contract effective, it wrote. It had been agreed that the amount would be considered as pre-payment for planes once the problem over finding would be resolved. Now that the problem of funding has been resolved, the next plane would be expected in Tehran after 21 June 2018, as per the agreement with Airbus. Iran had already announced that it expected to receive the first Boeing around May 2018. However, the future of the deal with the American aviation giant was thrown into doubts after US President Donald Trump increased his rhetoric against the Islamic Republic last year. There have even been speculations that Trump might move to stop Boeings deal with Iran. When I saw the Executive Director of the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS), Professor Newman Kusi, making a presentation on Ghanas growing public debt-implications for the economy, at a roundtable discussion last Monday, I blinked. I thought I was seeing Dr Mahamudu Bawumia as the presenter. The words that were coming out of his mouth seemed to the very words of Dr Bawumia in those many public forums of his before the 2016 elections. I was at one of them and, by God, how we applauded! I applauded not because the target of his words was the National Democratic Congress (NDC) government; I loved the words because they showed that, at least, someone had the answers. Like pre-election Bawumia, the professors words were apocalyptic, warning of an impending economic/financial doomsday for Ghana. He was reeling off facts and figures that projected the countrys interest payment on public debt to hit GH69 billion by end of year; meaning that 41 pesewas of every cedi that the government mobilises as revenue is being spent to pay interest on our debt. Something in the prof.s next sentence caused me to shift in my seat and shake my head. Looking for the causes, the IFS boss identified what he said was the tendency of the governments consistent borrowing. Reminds you of something somebody said a year ago? What should have come to me as comfort had a rather opposite effect. Hear the prof.s recommendations: A comprehensive debt management strategy that puts a cap on the levels of gross concessional and non-concessional borrowing; Limits to be placed on contracting non-concessional loans that can become liabilities to government; Call for a Debt Audit Commission - to undertake surveillance on monies borrowed and how it was expended to generate the needed revenue. The very words (almost) that used to ring out of Bawumias well researched good intentions before the elections. Why are we being fed the same recommendations one year after Bawumia is now in the economic planning saddle? It took an economist to prove or remind me that almost all our Finance and Economic Planning Ministers had been saying the same things since Kwame Nkrumah. Which also reminded me. General (later Mr) I.K. Acheampong overthrew Dr K. A. Busia because the latters Progress Party government had devalued the cedi. When Rawlings overthrew the Supreme Military Council (SMC), he accused Acheampong/Akuffos SMC of devaluing the cedi. In this same week, the Netherlands Ambassador, Mr Ron Striker, launching the first Value Added Agriculture Expo in West Africa, repeated that Ghanas food import bill stood at two million dollars a year, made up mainly of rice, sugar, frozen chicken and oil products which he was very certain we could produce and even import, given that the agric sector employed about half of the population and contributes to one-fifth of the nations gross domestic product (GDP). Has Dr Bawumia, as the Head of the Economic Management Team, failed? This man is one of the most admired Vice-Presidents of our time. I should say I personally admire the measures he is putting in place at the ports, Digital Addressing System, National Identification Authority etc. These are sure (admittedly not the only) ways to salvation. Before his unfortunate illness, from which by Gods mercy he has been delivered, the gossip was that he could not sleep: that the sheer size of the nations burden became demons that chased the very sleep out of his eyes. Be that as it may, however, would it be out of place to suggest at as soon as he is able to muster the physical strength, he should call a press conference to place the hearts of Ghanaians back in our chest: as I write, our hearts are in our mouth. Has Bawumia failed? I personally dont think so. One year is too short to evaluate a government that has a four-year mandate. For a government that was voted to power on the back of serious economic crisis, powered by corruption allegations, what I suspect Akufo Addo is doing is to bide his time and lay the foundations with a bitter pill for two years, endure the criticism and show Ghanaians with effect from his third year. Having said all of the above, I am convinced that Dr Bawumia owes Ghanaians a press conference. A few weeks before he was taken ill, he told the media that there is no government anywhere in the world that does not borrow; that it depends on how the loan is used to the benefit of the people. At this press conference, Dr Bawumia will have to explain to the understanding of the mass of the people what is the difference between the Atta Mills/Mahama borrowing and borrowing under NPP. Because of the predominantly illiterate population, not many of us understand the difference. When does one loan attract the level of excessive or irresponsible. Good intentions are not for sale because they are like garbage in the streets of Ghana: they are readily available. Everybody has good intentions. My prayer is that Planting for Food and Jobs will give us even one-half of what Operation Feed Yourself under Commercial school graduate and military officer, General (later Mr) Ignatius Kutu Acheampong, did for Ghana. We can only pray. Source: Enimil Ashon/D. Graphic Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video A Senior Lecturer at the Department of Chemistry at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Richard Tia, has responded to the supposed damning claims made by veteran journalist and Managing Editor of the Insight newspaper Kwesi Pratt against the university. Kwesi Pratt reportedly lambasted KNUST for not being able to produce a solar panel or provide any solution for the countrys energy problems, 50 years after its establishment. We have a University of Science and Technology which is more than 50 years but in the entire nation, we cant construct a battery and solar panelThis is extremely disturbingWhat happened to the Science and Technology? Mr. Pratt reportedly said on Peace FMs Kokrokoo show on Tuesday. But the KNUST Lecturer, Richard Tia, whos unhappy with the assertion has rubbished same in a detailed article. I am not sure I know what Mr. Kwesi Pratt wants to see to know that KNUST can make a solar cell. Is he expecting a factory on campus fabricating solar cells or he expects to see KNUST-branded solar cells in the market. I am afraid none of the two is the mandate of the university, and if I were its leader, we wont do anything of the sort. Our job is to create the knowledge based on which the solar cell fabrication will be done, and then in partnership with investors, the patent holders set up companies to do their business. The way a university is set up, it is almost impossible for the institution to be the driving force of the setting up of companies. So we train the students, endow them with the technical know-how and send them into the world, what happens there then is a function of the business environment of the country and the continent and not necessarily on the quality of training we give them. Dr. Tia however lamented that they are constrained in undertaking research projects for the country because of lack of support and funding. They employ you as a scientist in the university and they give you an office (if you are lucky), a white board marker and a duster and they wish you good luck. How you fund your research is your business. I have a colleague who took a loan from his wife to buy the basic equipment he needed to start his research program! What happens to those of us who dont have rich wives, or have no wives at all? Read Dr. Tias response to Kwesi Pratt below: Dr. RICHARD TIA WRITES So yesterday, I woke up to news that senior journalist Mr. Kwesi Pratt has said that after more than 50 years of existence, KNUST, the nations premier university of science and technology, cannot even make a solar cell. That is a serious indictment of a university that was set up to, in the words of Kwame Nkrumah, lead the scientific and technological advancement of the Ghana and Africa. I am the first to admit that the university has probably not done enough to engage the public on an informed discourse on the mandate of the university and what it has done so far in the discharge of that mandate. But sometimes, there is so much an academic can do. I am not sure I know what Mr. Kwesi Pratt wants to see to know that KNUST can make a solar cell. Is he expecting a factory on campus fabricating solar cells or he expects to see KNUST-branded solar cells in the market. I am afraid none of the two is the mandate of the university, and if I were its leader, we wont do anything of the sort. Our job is to create the knowledge based on which the solar cell fabrication will be done, and then in partnership with investors, the patent holders set up companies to do their business. The way a university is set up, it is almost impossible for the institution to be the driving force of the setting up of companies. So we train the students, endow them with the technical know-how and send them into the world, what happens there then is a function of the business environment of the country and the continent and not necessarily on the quality of training we give them. Incidentally, when the debate on Kwesi Pratts statement was raging on, I was sitting in a Ph.D. viva voce in the conference room of the School of Graduate Studies at KNUST where the candidate was presenting her thesis on the synthesis and characterization of nanomaterials from single source precursors for solar cell applications. That is the cutting-edge in solar energy research world-wide. The candidate was not talking about what can be done; she was talking about what she HAS done. And she is not the only person doing these kind of work here at KNUST. Has Kwesi Pratt heard of the KNUST Energy Centre? Of course not, otherwise he wouldnt say what he is reported to have said. When I was entering the KNUST in 2001 an interesting debate was raging on. It had just been publicized that the electoral commission had spent a very huge amount of money to import indelible ink from India for the elections, so naturally the question arose as to whether indelible ink couldnt be made locally. The attention shifted to the universities particularly KNUST and questions started being asked about the right of KNUST to exist when they couldnt make something as simple as indelible ink. So one lecturer in the Department of Chemistry got up and assigned an undergraduate student the task of formulating indelible ink for Ghanas electoral commission, to, in his words, demonstrate that making indelible ink is no big deal. In a matter of a few months the ink was ready. It was tested during the SRC elections of that year and was found to be far better than what had been imported. Samples were sent to the electoral commission. The electoral commission found one thousand and one reasons why they had to continue importing indelible ink from India (note: they didnt say that someones 10% is in danger if they dont import). We made all the noise in the media to no avail. We even appeared on Kweku Sakyi-Addos Front Page on Joy FM but the EC wouldnt budge. As recent as 2015, we granted an interview to Radio Ghana where we spoke extensively about the indelible ink; nothing came out of it. Those who were making so much noise about our inability to formulate indelible ink, why are they not making the same noise about the EC not using the ink? This is the indelible ink we have been using for all SRC elections on campus for the past 17 years! Mr. Kwesi Pratt has lived in this country all that time, what has he done about it? There is also something that is rarely discussed when we are talking about the contributions of the universities to the development of the nation, and that is the area of funding of scientific research in the nations universities. The Americans have the National Science Foundation (NSF) which funds research in the engineering and physical sciences to the tune of about US$ 7.0 billion (yes, billion, with a b) per annum, and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) which supports scientific research in the life sciences to the tune of about US$26.4 billion per annum. The Canadians have the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) and the South Africans have the National Research Foundation (NRF). All other developing countries have similar funding agencies. What do we have in Ghana? NOTHING! They employ you as a scientist in the university and they give you an office (if you are lucky), a white board marker and a duster and they wish you good luck. How you fund your research is your business. I have a colleague who took a loan from his wife to buy the basic equipment he needed to start his research program! What happens to those of us who dont have rich wives, or have no wives at all? What we are left with is to compete with our colleagues from the developed world for international grants. It is easier if you can get a little support from home, then you can start something, increase your visibility, build your track record, and then you can compete with the big boys and girls for the bigger international grants. But here, no! You are on your own. In the past few years the Department of Chemistry at KNUST, sensing that scientific research would die if we dont look outside for support, started targeting international funding opportunities. In a course of a few years we have won quite a lot. Of the about ten awards that were given by the UKs Royal Society through the Leverhulme Trust Fund, our Department got three. Of the ten awards given by the Royal Society through the DfiD grant, our Department alone got two and the Department of Soil Science got one, making three for KNUST. Three awards out of ten in a continent with hundreds of universities! We have a LOreal grant, a DANIDA grant and an IFS grant. That must mean that the experts out there see something in us, and yet our own people sit here and say we dont deserve a pesewa of support because we dont do anything! Today the argument is that we dont do anything; what I see happening in the next 10-15 years is that when these grants that we have won begin to bear fruits, the argument will change to our scientists only do things that are beneficial to the developed world and then I shall remind them that he who pays the piper calls the tune. If the British are prepared to give me a million pounds sterling to do research on heterogeneous catalysis, that is what I will do whether it would benefit my country directly or not. The Royal Society is not a philanthropic organization; its fundamental purpose, as reflected in its founding Charters of the 1660s, is to recognise, promote, and support excellence in science, which includes identifying and supporting the work of outstanding scientists. The Royal Society is not made up of jokers; the Royal Society is the UKs Academy of Sciences and is the oldest such society still in existence. Sir Isaac Newton was its President between 1703 and 1727, Sir J. J. Thompson presided over it between 1915 and 1920 and Sir Ernest Rutherford between 1925 and 1930. At the time of the Leverhulme and DfID awards, its president was Sir Paul Nurse, a Nobel laureate. So here we are, the experts at the Royal Society think that my work is important and deserves support to the tune of several thousands of pounds sterling of the British tax payers money, but someone who cannot define an atom (and does not have the humility to find out what I do) sits on a radio station in Ghana and questions my right to exist! Ignorance, they say, is bliss, and Mr. Kwesi Pratt is basking in his blissful ignorance. I no bore! Shalom! Source: Richard Tia/KNUST 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 Authorities at Ghanas Premier University, University of Ghana has warned the Minister of State in charge of Tertiary Education, Professor Kwesi Yankah, to stay off the issue involving the Africa Integras contract that is under some controversy. The authorities are saying that the former Pro-Vice Chancellor of the university should not attempt to protect anybodys interest in the deal that university feels it is not in its interest. Top level sources at the university have it that Prof. Yankahs position on the Africa Integras matter was an indication that he was not on top of issues and it would therefore be better for him to shut up. The University of Ghana under the immediate past Vice-Chancellor, Professor Ernest Aryeetey in 2015, entered into a Public Private Partnership (PPP) agreement with Africa Integras to invest US$64 million in the construction of 1,000 new students hostel beds for undergraduate and post-graduate students on the Legon campus. The said project was structured as a 25-year Build, Operate and Transfer (BOT) contract. Reports later emerged that the University, then under Prof. Aryeetey signed the agreement without any basic due diligence. It was revealed that the University, under the terms of the contract, is to pay Africa Integras an amount of 10 million dollars annually for the next 25 years. The agreement was signed in September 2015; construction started in February 2016 way before I took over as VC so its obvious and it has been obvious before I took over that that condition was impossible to meet. As to why we signed, this is the question that has led us to where we are today, Prof Ebenezer Owusu Oduro, current VC told staff of the University recently. The VC indicated that he has been trying to understand the decision to no avail and that at this moment; University of Ghana needs a rescue mission as the contracts didnt have reasonable exit clauses. I dont understand, you dont understand, council doesnt understand. So we are where we are today because we dont understand. There are clauses in that Agreement that completely enslaves the University as an institution. And so right now the answer to that question as to why we signed the agreement, let me be very frank with you because where we are nobody can hide any fact from us or from the public. That question remains unanswered and I wish somebody could provide me with that answer, he said. Nevertheless, weve gotten or were getting to the tail end of it and the demand involves fight and energy to rescue this university, otherwise what is going to happen is not good: an international court could give an order and this university could be taken over. Prof Ebenezer Oduro Owusu said. Prof. Yankah in a radio interview said government is committed to ensuring that the University of Ghana is not privatized. Mr. Yankahs comments come weeks after the Education Minister, Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh, indicated that the school might soon be privatized if it fails to meet its obligations in a $64 million agreement it entered into with a private company, Africa Integras. University of Ghana might be put up for sale because it entered into an agreement and the school is unable to abide by the terms and conditions of the contract. Under this contract, Legon is expected to pay 10 million dollars every year for 25 years. If Legon is unable to settle this loan, its assets will be seized, the Minister had stated. But speaking on the Citi Breakfast Show, Professor Yankah said government will ensure the school remains a valuable state asset. It is our prime university, the number one university in the country probably the number one in West AfricaFortunately, there appears to be a resolution in the offing. Parties are talking as we speak now and there appears to a resolution in one form or the other. We will do anything possible to save the University. We will not just sit and allow the University to collapse. Sources at the University of Ghana said that they were rather expecting Prof. Yankah to say that government was going to look into the whole contract than saying that the university will not collapse because of debt involving the Africa Integras deal. As a minister who has served at the university before, we expected him to be on top of issues before speaking on that particular deal, they said. The sources said that the Africa Integras matter was very delicate and people like Prof. Yankah should be very careful if they want to wade into it. It is amazing how Prof. Yankah spoke as the government has some money sitting somewhere to settle issues with Africa Integras if it should come making demands, the sources said. In 2017, this same agreement came up for discussion after the former Vice Chancellor of UG, Prof Aryeetey, was accused of failing to do due diligence when the deal was signed under his tenure. He however rubbished these claims, explaining that UG had gone through all the right procedures before signing the agreement with the company. Professor Aryeetey insisted the processes leading up to the signing of the agreement with Integras were transparent, with all relevant stakeholders being kept informed of all developments. Source: Daily Graphic 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 Traders at a protection of civilians site in Bentiu have praised United Nations peacekeepers for their speedy response after they put out a fire that threatened to raze some 120 shops with essential merchandise for the internally displaced people. It is our obligation as peacekeepers to protect the people. Fire is part of the threats that we have in the PoC [Protection of Civilians site], explained Police Commanding Officer, Christopher Klomegah, whose Ghanaian Formed Police Unit in Bentiu led the firefight. Peacekeepers from the Ghanaian Formed Police Unit, UN Police and the UN Department of Safety and Security released two water trucks that were used to immediately put out the fire. When something like this happens, we mobilize personnel and move quickly to surround the place to allow our water tankers to go into the scene of the fire and put out the fire, Klomegah explained the basic firefighting procedure, adding: As people were struggling to save some of their belongings it was difficult to contain the fire, so we cut them off and prevented them from getting close to the fire, and that gave us an opportunity to ably put it out. The chairperson of the traders union in the protection of civilians site, Gien Tut expressed his satisfaction with the peacekeepers firefighting efforts. The fire was very terrifying and it would have been worse than this if the UN peacekeepers had not come in on time. This is a great and positive response from UNMISS, Gien Tut said. Tut also expressed some of the precautions they will implement to avoid future fire outbreaks. The trade union leadership will work collectively with UNMISS and other camp management entities to make sure that no bakery remains within the market to avoid further fire outbreak, he said. Simon Bol, who lost all his belongings, sadly explained how difficult it will be for him to restart his business. I recently bought all the goods from Juba with a lot of money, not to mention tax and transportation. Now everything is gone and this is the only source of my income to cover for school fees for my children in East Africa. UNMISS Relief, Integration and Protection Officer, John Gatjang said his office was working closely with camp management, other protection partners and UN security to establish more facts in relation to the root cause of the fire incident. Last year, in March, more than 150 shelters and shops were burnt to ashes in different fire outbreaks as the internally displaced persons used mostly flammable materials for construction. Bentiu is one of the regions affected by conflict in South Sudan, and with all trade routes blocked, traders risk their lives and resources to bring in goods from the capital, Juba. Sometimes they have to take the long route via Bahr El Gazal, which invites heavy taxes that supersede the actual prices of commodities procured. Source: unmissions.org 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 suspected armed robbery gang leader who allegedly shot and killed Constable Daniel Owusu has finally been busted. Constable Daniel Owusu was attached to the Tesano Community Policing Unit and was on a motorbike patrolling with a colleague at Abeka Lapaz, Accra, on July 13, 2017, when he met his untimely death. Suspect Abdulai Rahim aka Spartan, 25, was arrested by personnel of the National Intelligence Directorate of the police headquarters at Nima yesterday morning. He was said to have bolted to Togo to seek refuge after killing the police officer and resurfaced a month ago. Five of his alleged accomplices were earlier arrested by the police and are currently facing trial at the court. They are Benjamin Nii Lamptey aka Flegzy-Boe, 27, Kassim Mukaila aka Ekpe, 30; Laila Mohammed aka Nil, (female), 20; Musa Ibrahim aka Moses Can Do, 37 and Abass Abdulai aka Nil, 36. Constable Daniel Owusu was shot dead while another cop was severely injured on the N1 Highway at Abeka Lapaz, in their attempt to stop a robbery operation in front of Las Palmas Restaurant. According to reports, he was shot three times by Rahim while the other received gunshot wounds. Briefing Daily Guide on the arrest, the Director General in-charge of Police National Intelligence Directorate, Commissioner of Police Christian Tetteh Yohuno, said intelligence led to the arrest of the suspect yesterday dawn in the room of his girlfriend at Nima. He said upon the arrest of the five others mentioned earlier, it came to light that Rahim was the one who actually pulled the trigger at the cops. He is currently in custody assisting in investigations. Source: Daily Guide Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The Chief Executive Officer of Consumer Protection Agency and consumer advocate, Kofi Kapito has said that the lackadaisical attitude of government to enact the long awaited Consumer Protection Law is because they do not hold the citizenry as a priority. According to him, the President, his vice and members of parliament as compared to the ordinary Ghanaian would have no difficulties in returning an inferior good they may have bought from the market and that is why they see no urgency in enacting the Consumer Protection Law. Do you think the president, the attorney general, the trade minister and the executives would have difficulty in returning an inferior good but an ordinary Ghanaian would have and so they do not care he said According to him, it took his influence to threaten the Chief Justice of a law sue before levying of Citizens who used the lavatory at the high court was stopped. This was happening when the law of Ghana says that; you cannot levy anybody without the approval from parliament he added. Mr. Kapito said, there are some many of these happening in the country where the consumers are cheated and their rights violated because the politicians do not care. Go to Korle Bu and all the government hospitals, people are made to pay before using the lavatory and politicians and people in authority are quite over this because their wifes and children or relations will not find themselves in that situation and so they look on but Ghana is not an animal farm he said. According to him, with the advent of the Consumer Protection law, Ghanaians will have the boldness to demand their right and insist that the right thing is done by service providers. Mr. Kapito was speaking at a press briefing on World Consumer Day in Accra on Thursday. The celebration was themed making digital marketplaces fairer Source: Ghanaweb.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has called for an end to agitations regarding the siting of district capitals and election of presiding members of the various Assemblies to accelerate governments decentralisation agenda. He further ordered for an end to protests that characterised appointment of chief executives, government appointees and provision of critical facilities in parts of the communities. The Presidents advice comes on the back of recent demonstrations following the creation of new district and municipal assemblies across the country. It was contained in a speech read on his behalf by Shirley Ayorkor Botchway, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, during the inauguration of the Ablekuma West Municipal Assembly yesterday in Accra. The Ablekuma West Municipal Assembly, carved out of the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA), is one of 38 newly created district and municipal assemblies spread across eight regions excluding Volta and Upper West. Ashanti Region has the highest with 13 newly created districts and municipals, Greater Accra 10, Eastern six, Central, Upper East, Northern and Brong Ahafo accounted for two each while Western had one. A total of 29 existing districts assemblies were also upgraded to municipal status. President Akufo-Addo explained that the creation of the new districts, which was a constitutional requirement, was also part of the new approach by the government to drive the agenda for change, growth, job creation and prosperity for all Ghanaians. He said the agenda would be fulfilled through an effective and efficient decentralisation and grassroots participation, better planning and improved service delivery in local communities. The Assemblies, according to President Akufo-Addo were, thus, the focal areas for the governments rural and urban development agenda and essential for ensuring balanced and equitable development at the local level. The Assemblies are an integral part of my vision for economic and social transformation as provided in the Coordinated Programmes of Economic and Social Development Policies 2017-2024, which would pursue creating of opportunities for all, safeguarding the natural environment and ensuring a resilient built environment, maintaining a stable, united and safe country and building a prosperous country, he stated. The President said governments initiatives and projects would be successful if the Assemblies play a leading role in policies to revitalise the economy, revamp social infrastructure, transform agriculture and industry and reform the delivery of institutions of governance. President Akufo-Addo entreated all stakeholders at the local governance level to remain committed and pursue the agenda of development with one purpose while the government spearheads the efforts at accelerating and sustaining decentralisation. He said government was fully committed to ensuring accountability, efficiency as well as enhancing democracy and development at the local government level by legislating and executing the election of Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs). Mr Mohammed Adjei Sowah, Metropolitan Chief Executive, Accra noted that his outfit would continue to provide logistical and financial support to the new assembly to be able to address development challenges in the various communities. Member of Parliament for Ablekuma West Constituency, Ursula Owusu-Ekuful, reiterated the need for collaboration between the people and the assembly in charting a path that would inure to the benefit of residents. Nii Adotei Kanfrah II, Gbegbise Mantse expressed confidence that the new assembly would facilitate development in the communities and create the needed environment for individual and societal growth in the Municipality. Source: Ghanaian Times 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 For 26 years, the American Kennel Club has released its annual list of the most popular dog breeds only to reveal that, year after year, the Labrador retriever tops the list. So PennLive decided to look at the most popular breed in each state. For 44 states, that was the Labrador retriever. As great as the breed is, that's a little boring. So PennLive decided to dig deeper with the AKC's help and look at which 10 breeds are most popular in each state. We also used Google Trends information, compiled by FranchiseOpportunities.com, to look at which breeds were most popular in each state based on Google searches. Shutterstock Here's a look at what we learned about each state's favorite dogs: Don't Edit Alaskan Malamute, Shutterstock The Alaskan Malamute ranks #10 on Alaska's top-10 breeds list. The American Kennel Club describes the breed as an immensely strong, heavy-duty worker of spitz type, an affectionate, loyal, and playful but dignified dog. They're one of only three breeds allowed to run in the Iditarod, one of the toughest races on earth. ALASKA 1. Retrievers (Labrador) 2. German Shepherd Dogs 3. Retrievers (Golden) 4. Rottweilers 5. Siberian Huskies 6. Poodles 7. French Bulldogs 8. Spaniels (English Springer) 9. Australian Shepherds 10. Alaskan Malamutes Don't Edit Dachshund, Shutterstock The Dachshund, ranked at #8 on Alabama's top-10 breeds list, was the most searched breed in the state according to 2017 Google Trends data compiled by FranchiseOpportunities.com. Bred to be an independent hunter of dangerous prey, it can be brave to the point of rashness, says the AKC. ALABAMA 1. Retrievers (Labrador) 2. German Shepherd Dogs 3. Beagles 4. Retrievers (Golden) 5. Pointers (German Shorthaired) 6. Boxers 7. Bulldogs 8. Dachshunds (most searched breed) 9. Yorkshire Terriers 10. Siberian Huskies Don't Edit Beagle, AP Photo/Seth Wenig The Beagle ranks #3 on Arkansas's top-10 breeds list and made the top-10 list of 26 other states. The American Kennel Club states that Beagles are excellent hunting dogs, loyal companions and excellent family dogs. They were bred to hunt in packs, so they enjoy company and are generally easygoing. ARKANSAS 1. Retrievers (Labrador) 2. German Shepherd Dogs 3. Beagles 4. Retrievers (Golden) 5. Bulldogs 6. French Bulldogs 7. Boxers 8. Rottweilers 9. Poodles 10. Yorkshire Terriers Don't Edit Yorkshire Terrier Show, AP Photo/Mary Altaffer The Yorkshire Terrier ranks at #7 on Arizona's top-10 breeds list and appears on the top-10 lists of 28 other states. According to the American Kennel Club, Yorkies earned their living as ratters in mines and mills "long before they became the beribboned lapdogs of Victorian ladies." ARIZONA 1. Retrievers (Labrador) 2. German Shepherd Dogs 3. Retrievers (Golden) 4. Bulldogs 5. French Bulldogs 6. Poodles 7. Yorkshire Terriers 8. Rottweilers 9. Cavalier King Charles Spaniels 10. Australian Shepherds Don't Edit Don't Edit Pembroke Welsh Corgi, Shutterstock Pembroke Welsh Corgis rank #9 on California's list, one of just seven states where they made the top 10. The American Kennel Club states they are among the most agreeable of all small house dogs. As herders bred to move cattle, they are fearless and independent. CALIFORNIA 1. Retrievers (Labrador) 2. French Bulldogs 3. German Shepherd Dogs 4. Bulldogs 5. Retrievers (Golden) 6. Poodles 7. Rottweilers 8. Yorkshire Terriers 9. Pembroke Welsh Corgis 10. Dachshunds Don't Edit Bulldog, Westminster Kennel Club dog show, Mark Pynes | mpynes@pennlive.com, The Bulldog ranks #4 on Colorado's top-10 breeds list. The American Kennel Club describes the breed as kind but courageous, friendly but dignified - the Bulldog is a thick-set, low-slung, well-muscled bruiser whose "sourmug" face is the universal symbol of courage and tenacity. COLORADO 1. Retrievers (Labrador) 2. German Shepherd Dogs 3. Retrievers (Golden) 4. Bulldogs 5. French Bulldogs 6. Poodles 7. Pointers (German Shorthaired) 8. Boxers 9. Australian Shepherds 10. Rottweilers Don't Edit Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Beverly Hills Dog Show, AP Photo/Richard Vogel The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel ranks #10 on Connecticut's top-10 breeds list and appears on the lists of two other states. As described by the American Kennel Club, the Cavalier's all-around beauty, regal grace, and even temper mark him as one of dogdom's noblemen. CONNECTICUT 1. Retrievers (Labrador) 2. Retrievers (Golden) 3. German Shepherd Dogs 4. Bulldogs 5. Poodles 6. Pointers (German Shorthaired) 7. French Bulldogs (tied) 7. Rottweilers (tied) 9. Yorkshire Terriers 10. Cavalier King Charles Spaniels Don't Edit Cane Corso, Shutterstock The Cane Corso did not make the AKC's top-10 list for the state, but according to information compiled by FranchiseOpportunities.com from 2017 Google Trends data, it was the most searched breed in Delaware. The AKC notes that the Cane Corso has been bred as a guard dog for centuries; their imposing appearance is their first line of defense against intruders. DELAWARE 1. Retrievers (Labrador) 2. German Shepherd Dogs 3. Retrievers (Golden) 4. Rottweilers 5. Poodles 6. French Bulldogs 7. Yorkshire Terriers 8. Bulldogs (tied) 8. Great Danes (tied) 10. Beagles Most searched breed: Cane Corso Don't Edit French Bull Dog, Shutterstock The French Bulldog, which has been rising in popularity nationally, ranked #4 among Florida's top 10 breeds. It also was the most searched breed in the state, according to information compiled by FranchiseOpportunities.com from 2017 Google Trends data. In terms of breeds most searched for, it was the second most popular breed in the U.S. FLORIDA 1. German Shepherd Dogs 2. Retrievers (Labrador) 3. Retrievers (Golden) 4. French Bulldogs (most searched breed) 5. Bulldogs 6. Rottweilers 7. Poodles 8. Yorkshire Terriers 9. Dachshunds 10. Boxers Don't Edit Don't Edit Labrador Retriever, Shutterstock The Labrador Retriever ranks #1 in Georgia (and, as previously noted, in 43 other states.) It has, for 26 years, been the most popular breed in the nation. Their temperament may be one reason -- the AKC describes them as companionable housemates who bond with the whole family, and socialize well with neighbor dogs and humans alike. GEORGIA 1. Retrievers (Labrador) 2. German Shepherd Dogs 3. Beagles 4. Retrievers (Golden) 5. Bulldogs 6. Pointers (German Shorthaired) 7. French Bulldogs 8. Rottweilers 9. Yorkshire Terriers 10. Boxers Don't Edit Maltese, Westminster Kennel Club dog show, Mark Pynes | mpynes@pennlive.com The Maltese ranks at #7 on Hawaii's top-10 breeds list and doesn't appear in the top 10 in any other state. Famous for its show-stopping, floor-length coat, they are playful, charming, and adaptable toy companions, the AKC says. HAWAII 1. French Bulldogs 2. Retrievers (Labrador) 3. Rottweilers 4. Pomeranians 5. Bulldogs 6. German Shepherd Dogs 7. Maltese 8. Retrievers (Golden) 9. Dachshunds 10. Poodles Don't Edit English Springer Spaniel, Shutterstock The English Springer Spaniel ranks #10 on Idaho's top-10 breeds list, and appears in the lists of eight other states as well. Described by the American Kennel Club as a sweet-faced, lovable bird dog of great energy, stamina, and brains, Springers are highly trainable people-pleasers. IDAHO 1. Retrievers (Labrador) 2. Retrievers (Golden) 3. German Shepherd Dogs 4. Pointers (German Shorthaired) 5. Poodles 6. Yorkshire Terriers 7. Bulldogs 8. French Bulldogs 9. Miniature Schnauzers 10. Spaniels (English Springer) Don't Edit Siberian Huskie, Shutterstock Siberian Huskies ranked #8 of the top-10 dog breeds in Illinois and was #12 out of 189 breeds in the U.S., according the American Kennel Club's 2016 ranking. They're one of only three breeds allowed to run in the Iditarod, one of the toughest races on earth. ILLINOIS 1. Retrievers (Labrador) 2. German Shepherd Dogs 3. Retrievers (Golden) 4. Bulldogs 5. Beagles 6. Boxers 7. French Bulldogs (most searched breed) 8. Siberian Huskies 9. Poodles 10. Rottweilers Don't Edit German Shepherd Dogs, Shutterstock German Shepherd Dogs ranked #1 in Indiana according to the American Kennel Club's 2016 rankings, and are the second most-popular dog in the nation, behind only the Labrador retriever. The AKC notes that the breed is generally considered "dogkind's finest all-purpose worker." INDIANA 1. German Shepherd Dogs 2. Retrievers (Labrador) 3. Retrievers (Golden) 4. Beagles 5. Siberian Huskies 6. Yorkshire Terriers 7. Boxers 8. Bulldogs 9. Rottweilers 10. Great Danes Most searched breed: Doberman Pinscher Don't Edit Don't Edit Yorkshire Terrier, Michael Fernandez The Yorkshire Terrier ranked #6 on Iowa's top-10 breeds list and appears on the top-10 lists of 28 other states. According to the American Kennel Club, Yorkies earned their living as ratters in mines and mills long before they became the beribboned lapdogs of Victorian ladies. They are favorites of urbanites, world-wide. IOWA 1. Retrievers (Labrador) 2. German Shepherd Dogs 3. Retrievers (Golden) 4. Pointers (German Shorthaired) 5. Bulldogs 6. Yorkshire Terriers 7. Boxers 8. French Bulldogs 9. Poodles 10. Pembroke Welsh Corgis Don't Edit Doberman Pinscher, Westminster Kennel Club dog show, AP Photo/Jason DeCrow, File Although it did not appear on Kansas's top-10 breeds list, the Doberman Pinscher was the most searched breed in that state, according to information compiled from 2017 Google Trends data by FranchiseOpportunities.com. KANSAS 1. Retrievers (Labrador) 2. German Shepherd Dogs 3. Bulldogs 4. Retrievers (Golden) 5. Pointers (German Shorthaired) 6. French Bulldogs 7. Poodles 8. Boxers 9. Pembroke Welsh Corgis 10. Siberian Huskies Most searched breed: Doberman Pinscher Don't Edit Beagle, Shutterstock The Beagle ranked #1 on Kentucky's top-10 breeds list and made the top-10 list of 26 other states. The American Kennel Club describes the Beagle as an excellent hunting dog, loyal companion and family dog. KENTUCKY 1. Beagles 2. German Shepherd Dogs 3. Retrievers (Labrador) 4. Retrievers (Golden) 5. Bulldogs 6. Yorkshire Terriers 7. Siberian Huskies 8. Boxers 9. Poodles 10. Great Danes Most searched breed: Doberman Pinscher Don't Edit St. Bernard, Shutterstock The St. Bernard did not make the top-10 breeds list in any of the 50 states, but it was the most searched breed in Louisiana, according to information compiled from 2017 Google Trends data by FranchiseOpportunities.com. LOUISIANA 1. Retrievers (Labrador) 2. Beagles 3. German Shepherd Dogs 4. Retrievers (Golden) 5. Poodles 6. Bulldogs 7. Boxers 8. Yorkshire Terriers 9. French Bulldogs 10. Rottweilers Most searched breed: St. Bernard Don't Edit Shetland Sheepdog, Shutterstock The Shetland Sheepdog, ranked #10 on Maine's top-10 breeds list. It was the only state in which the Sheltie cracked the top 10. The AKC describes the breed as an extremely intelligent, quick, and obedient herder from Scotland's remote and rugged Shetland Islands. MAINE 1. Retrievers (Labrador) 2. Retrievers (Golden) 3. German Shepherd Dogs 4. Beagles 5. Pointers (German Shorthaired) 6. Poodles 7. Great Danes 8. Rottweilers 9. Spaniels (English Springer) 10. Shetland Sheepdogs Don't Edit Don't Edit Bullmastiff, Shutterstock The Bullmastiff did not appear on Maryland's top-10 breeds list, but it was the most searched breed in the state, according to information compiled by FranchiseOpportunities.com from 2017 Google Trends data. The American Kennel Club describes it as a large, muscular guarder who pursued and held poachers in Merry Old England. MARYLAND 1. Retrievers (Labrador) 2. German Shepherd Dogs 3. Retrievers (Golden) 4. Rottweilers 5. Bulldogs 6. Beagles 7. French Bulldogs 8. Poodles 9. Yorkshire Terriers 10. Boxers Most searched breed: Bullmastiff Don't Edit French Bulldog, Shutterstock The French Bulldog, ranked #6 on the top-10 breeds in Massachusetts, was the most searched breed in the state, according to information compiled from 2017 Google Trends data by FranchiseOpportunities.com. In terms of breeds most searched for, it was the second most popular breed in the U.S. MASSACHUSETTS 1. Retrievers (Labrador) 2. Retrievers (Golden) 3. German Shepherd Dogs 4. Boxers 5. Poodles 6. French Bulldogs (most searched breed) 7. Bulldogs 8. Beagles 9. Yorkshire Terriers 10. Australian Shepherds Don't Edit German Shepherd Dog, Shutterstock The German Shepherd ranked #2 in Michigan and 30 other states according to the American Kennel Club's 2016 ranking of top-10 breeds by state. MICHIGAN 1. Retrievers (Labrador) 2. German Shepherd Dogs 3. Retrievers (Golden) 4. Beagles 5. Siberian Huskies 6. Pointers (German Shorthaired) 7. Poodles 8. Rottweilers 9. Bulldogs 10. Boxers Don't Edit Standard Poodle, Westminster Kennel Club dog show, AP Photo/Ed Bailey) The Poodle ranks #6 on Minnesota's top 10 breeds list. The American Kennel Club says forget those old stereotypes of Poodles as sissy dogs. Poodles are eager, athletic, and wickedly smart "real dogs" of remarkable versatility. MINNESOTA 1. Retrievers (Labrador) 2. Retrievers (Golden) 3. German Shepherd Dogs 4. Pointers (German Shorthaired) 5. Spaniels (English Springer) 6. Poodles 7. Siberian Huskies 8. Bulldogs 9. Boxers 10. Dachshunds Don't Edit Rottweiler, Shutterstock The Rottweiler ranks #6 on Mississippi's top-10 breeds list. The American Kennel Club describes it as a robust working breed of great strength descended from the mastiffs of the Roman legions. MISSISSIPPI 1. Retrievers (Labrador) 2. Beagles 3. German Shepherd Dogs 4. Retrievers (Golden) 5. Boxers 6. Rottweilers 7. Bulldogs 8. Great Danes 9. Pointers (German Shorthaired) 10. French Bulldogs Don't Edit Don't Edit Boxer, Shutterstock The Boxer ranks #8 on Missouri's top-10 breeds list. Described by the American Kennel Club as bright and alert, sometimes silly, but always courageous, the Boxer has been among America's most popular dog breeds for a very long time. MISSOURI 1. Retrievers (Labrador) 2. German Shepherd Dogs 3. French Bulldogs 4. Beagles 5. Bulldogs 6. Retrievers (Golden) 7. Poodles 8. Boxers 9. Yorkshire Terriers 10. Siberian Huskies Most searched breed: Rottweiler Don't Edit Australian Shepherd, Blue & Gray Cluster Dog Show, Mark Pynes | mpynes@pennlive.com The Australian Shepherd ranked #6 on Montana's top-10 breeds list. The American Kennel Club describes the breed as a lean, tough ranch dog, one of those "only in America" stories: a European breed perfected in California by way of Australia. Fixtures on the rodeo circuit, they are closely associated with the cowboy life. MONTANA 1. Retrievers (Labrador) 2. Retrievers (Golden) 3. German Shepherd Dogs 4. Pointers (German Shorthaired) 5. Poodles 6. Australian Shepherds 7. Rottweilers 8. Bulldogs 9. Brittanys 10. Spaniels (English Springer) Don't Edit German Shorthaired Pointer, Shutterstock German Shorthaired Pointer ranked #4 on Nebraska's top-10 breeds list. The American Kennel Club describes this gundog's temperament as friendly, smart and willing to please. The popular breed appears on the top-10 lists of 24 other states. NEBRASKA 1. Retrievers (Labrador) 2. German Shepherd Dogs 3. Retrievers (Golden) 4. Pointers (German Shorthaired) 5. Bulldogs 6. Boxers 7. Siberian Huskies 8. Poodles 9. Australian Shepherds 10. Rottweilers Don't Edit Yorkshire Terrier, Shutterstock The Yorkshire Terrier ranked at #6 in Nevada's top-10 breeds list. Its temperament is described by the American Kennel Club as affectionate, sprightly and tomboyish. NEVADA 1. Retrievers (Labrador) 2. Bulldogs 3. German Shepherd Dogs 4. Retrievers (Golden) 5. French Bulldogs 6. Yorkshire Terriers 7. Poodles 8. Rottweilers 9. Siberian Huskies 10. Pointers (German Shorthaired) Don't Edit German Shepherds, Westminster Kennel Club dog show, Mark Pynes | mpynes@pennlive.com The German Shepherd ranked #2 in New Hampshire and 30 other states according to the American Kennel Club's 2016 ranking of top-10 breeds by state. NEW HAMPSHIRE 1. Retrievers (Labrador) 2. German Shepherd Dogs 3. Retrievers (Golden) 4. Beagles 5. Siberian Huskies 6. Australian Shepherds (tied) 6. Poodles (tied) 8. Great Danes 9. Spaniels (English Springer) 10. Boxers Don't Edit Don't Edit Bulldog, Shutterstock The Bulldog ranks #5 on New Jersey's top-10 breeds list. The American Kennel Club describes the breed as kind but courageous, friendly but dignified - the Bulldog is a thick-set, low-slung, well-muscled bruiser whose "sourmug" face is the universal symbol of courage and tenacity. NEW JERSEY 1. Retrievers (Labrador) 2. German Shepherd Dogs 3. Retrievers (Golden) 4. French Bulldogs 5. Bulldogs 6. Rottweilers 7. Boxers 8. Poodles 9. Yorkshire Terriers 10. Pointers (German Shorthaired) Don't Edit Chihuahuas, Shutterstock The Chihuahua does not appear on New Mexico's top-10 breeds list, but according to information compiled from 2017 Google Trends data by FranchiseOpportunities.com, it was the most searched breed in the state. NEW MEXICO 1. German Shepherd Dogs (tied) 1. Retrievers (Labrador) (tied) 3. Bulldogs 4. Poodles 5. Retrievers (Golden) 6. French Bulldogs 7. Rottweilers 8. Yorkshire Terriers 9. Dachshunds 10. Australian Shepherds Most searched breed: Chihuahua Don't Edit French Bulldog puppy, Shutterstock The French Bulldog, ranked #4 on New York's top-10 breeds list, was the most searched breed in the state based on information compiled by FranchiseOpportunities.com using 2017 Google Trends data. In terms of breeds most searched, it was the second most popular breed in the U.S. NEW YORK 1. Retrievers (Labrador) 2. German Shepherd Dogs 3. Retrievers (Golden) 4. French Bulldogs (most searched breed) 5. Bulldogs 6. Rottweilers 7. Beagles 8. Siberian Huskies 9. Poodles 10. Boxers Don't Edit Labrador Retrievers, Shutterstock The Labrador Retriever took the #1 rank on North Carolina's top-10 breeds list. The famously friendly breed comes in yellow, black, and chocolate. NORTH CAROLINA 1. Retrievers (Labrador) 2. German Shepherd Dogs 3. Beagles 4. Retrievers (Golden) 5. Yorkshire Terriers 6. Poodles 7. Rottweilers 8. Bulldogs 9. Great Danes 10. Siberian Huskies Most searched breed: Doberman Pinscher Don't Edit Vizsla, Shutterstock The Vizsla appears solely on North Dakota's top-ten list, where it ranks at #10. According to the American Kennel Club, the breed originated from Hungary. It's a medium-sized, short-coated hunting dog that is essentially Pointer in type, although it combines characteristics of both pointer and retriever. NORTH DAKOTA 1. Retrievers (Labrador) 2. Pointers (German Shorthaired) 3. Retrievers (Golden) 4. German Shepherd Dogs 5. Siberian Huskies 6. Bulldogs 7. Spaniels (English Springer) 8. Great Danes 9. Pembroke Welsh Corgis 10. Vizslas Don't Edit Don't Edit Siberian Husky, Shutterstock Siberian Huskies hold the #6 rank on Ohio's top-10 breeds list. The American Kennel Club describes this popular breed's temperament as loyal, outgoing and mischievous. OHIO 1. Retrievers (Labrador) 2. German Shepherd Dogs 3. Retrievers (Golden) 4. Beagles 5. Bulldogs 6. Siberian Huskies 7. French Bulldogs 8. Poodles 9. Yorkshire Terriers 10. Boxers Most searched breed: Doberman Pinscher Don't Edit Miniature Schnauzer, Westminster Kennel Club dog show, AP Photo/Mary Altaffer Miniature Schnauzers rank #8 on Oklahoma's top-10 list and appears on the lists of only three other states. Created to be all-around farm dogs and ratters, they are tough, muscular, and fearless. OKLAHOMA 1. Retrievers (Labrador) 1 2. German Shepherd Dogs 3. Bulldogs 4. French Bulldogs 5. Retrievers (Golden) 6. Beagles 7. Boxers 8. Miniature Schnauzers 9. Yorkshire Terriers 10. Poodles Most searched breed: Rottweiler Don't Edit Bullmastiff, Shutterstock The Bullmastiff was the most searched breed in Oregon, based on information compiled by FranchiseOpportunities.com using 2017 Google Trends data. The breed is the result of a Bulldog and Mastiff cross. The American Kennel Club describes it as a large, muscular guarder who pursued and held poachers in Merry Old England. OREGON 1. Retrievers (Labrador) 2. German Shepherd Dogs 3. Retrievers (Golden) 4. French Bulldogs 5. Poodles 6. Rottweilers 7. Australian Shepherds 8. Pointers (German Shorthaired) 9. Bulldogs 10. Dachshunds Most searched breed: Bullmastiff Don't Edit Rottweiler, Shutterstock The Rottweiler appears on the top-10 lists of 34 states, and ranks #8 in Pennsylvania. It was the most searched breed in Pennsylvania and the third most popular breed in the U.S. based on information compiled by FranchiseOpportunities.com from 2017 Google Trends data. PENNSYLVANIA 1. Retrievers (Labrador) 2. German Shepherd Dogs 3. Retrievers (Golden) 4. Beagles 5. Bulldogs 6. Boxers 7. Pointers (German Shorthaired) 8. Rottweilers 9. French Bulldogs 10. Poodles Most searched breed: Rottweiler Don't Edit Havanese, Westminster Kennel Club dog show, AP Photo/Mary Altaffer The Havanese ranks #9 on Rhode Island's top-10 breeds list. According to the American Kennel Club, Havanese, the only dog breed native to Cuba, are cheerful little dogs with a spring in their step and a gleam in their big, brown eyes. The breed is becoming especially popular with American city dwellers. RHODE ISLAND 1. Retrievers (Labrador) 2. German Shepherd Dogs 3. Retrievers (Golden) 4. Bulldogs 5. Boxers 6. Poodles 7. Beagles 8. Rottweilers 9. Havanese 10. French Bulldogs (most searched breed) Don't Edit Don't Edit Dachsunds, Westminster Kennel Club dog show, AP Photo/Mary Altaffer The Dachshund ranks #5 on South Carolina's top-10 breeds list. Described by the American Kennel Club as "truly an icon of purebred dogdom," the breed has a friendly, curious, and spunky temperament. SOUTH CAROLINA 1. Retrievers (Labrador) 2. German Shepherd Dogs 3. Beagles 4. Retrievers (Golden) 5. Dachshunds 6. Yorkshire Terriers 7. Bulldogs 8. Poodles 9. Pointers (German Shorthaired) 10. Rottweilers Don't Edit German Shorthaired Pointer, Shutterstock The German Shorthaired Pointer ranks #4 on South Dakota's list of top- 10 breeds. The popular breed appears on the lists of 24 other states. The American Kennel Club describes this gundog as built to work long days in the field or at the lake, and is known for power, speed, agility, and endurance. "Noble" and "aristocratic" are words often used to describe the overall look. SOUTH DAKOTA 1. Retrievers (Labrador) 2. Retrievers (Golden) 3. German Shepherd Dogs 4. Pointers (German Shorthaired) 5. Cavalier King Charles Spaniels 6. Spaniels (English Springer) 7. Pembroke Welsh Corgis 8. Bulldogs 9. French Bulldogs 10. Yorkshire Terriers Don't Edit Great Dane, Shutterstock The Great Dane ranks #9 on Tennessee's top-10 breeds list. Described by the American Kennel Club as friendly, patient, and dependable, Danes are people-pleasers who make friends easily. TENNESSEE 1. Retrievers (Labrador) 2. German Shepherd Dogs 3. Beagles 4. Retrievers (Golden) 5. Bulldogs 6. Rottweilers 7. Yorkshire Terriers 8. French Bulldogs 9. Great Danes 10. Siberian Huskies Most searched breed: Doberman Pinscher Don't Edit Bulldog, Westminster Kennel Club dog show, Mark Pynes | mpynes@pennlive.com The Bulldog ranks at #3 on Texas's top-10 breeds list. The American Kennel Club described the breed's temperament as friendly, courageous, and calm. Its "sourmug" face is the universal symbol of courage and tenacity. TEXAS 1. Retrievers (Labrador) 2. German Shepherd Dogs 3. Bulldogs 4. Retrievers (Golden) 5. French Bulldogs 6. Yorkshire Terriers 7. Rottweilers 8. Poodles 9. Dachshunds 10. Pointers (German Shorthaired) Most searched breed: Doberman Pinscher Don't Edit Golden Retriever, Shutterstock The Golden Retriever ranks #3 on Utah's list of top-10 breeds and appears on the top-10 lists of all 50 states. The American Kennel Club notes that they are serious workers at hunting, guiding the blind, and search-and-rescue, but they have an endearing silly streak. They are outgoing, trustworthy, and eager-to-please family dogs. UTAH 1. Retrievers (Labrador) 2. German Shepherd Dogs 3. Retrievers (Golden) 4. Miniature Schnauzers 5. French Bulldogs 6. Yorkshire Terriers 7. Bulldogs 8. Poodles 9. Pointers (German Shorthaired) 10. Boxers Don't Edit Don't Edit Bernese Mountain Dog, Harvey Levine | Special to PennLive The Bernese Mountain Dog ranks #7 on Vermont's top-10 list of breeds - the only state on whose list it appears. The American Kennel Club notes that the Bernese is a hardy dog who thrives in cold weather. The breed's brain and brawn helped him multitask on the farms and pastures of Switzerland. They are particularly gentle with children. VERMONT 1. Retrievers (Labrador) 2. Beagles 3. Retrievers (Golden) 4. German Shepherd Dogs 5. Siberian Huskies 6. Poodles 7. Bernese Mountain Dogs 8. Australian Shepherds 9. Rottweilers 10. Pointers (German Shorthaired) Don't Edit Rottweiler puppy, Shutterstock The Rottweiler appears on the top-10 lists of 34 states. It ranks #7 in Virginia. According to the American Kennel Club, the breed has been rising on the list over the past decade. It was the eighth most popular breed in 2016, its highest ranking since landing at number two in 1997. VIRGINIA 1. Retrievers (Labrador) 2. German Shepherd Dogs 3. Beagles 4. Retrievers (Golden) 5. Bulldogs 6. Yorkshire Terriers 7. Rottweilers 8. Poodles 9. Siberian Huskies 10. Boxers Don't Edit German Shepherd Dogs, Shutterstock The German Shepherd Dog ranks #2 in Washington and 30 other states according to the American Kennel Club's 2016 ranking of top-10 breeds by state. The AKC notes that the breed is generally considered dogkind's finest all-purpose worker and is truly a dog lover's delight. WASHINGTON 1. Retrievers (Labrador) 2. German Shepherd Dogs 3. Retrievers (Golden) 4. French Bulldogs 5. Poodles 6. Rottweilers 7. Bulldogs 8. Pembroke Welsh Corgis 9. Boxers 10. Australian Shepherds Don't Edit Doberman Pinscher, Westminster Kennel Club dog show, AP Photo/Seth Wenig The Doberman Pinscher ranks #10 in West Virginia, but did not appear on the AKC's top-10 list in any other state. However, in terms of breeds most searched for, it comes in first as the most popular breed in America based on information compiled by FranchiseOpportunities.com using 2017 Google Trends data. WEST VIRGINA 1. German Shepherd Dogs 2. Beagles 3. Retrievers (Labrador) 4. Retrievers (Golden) 5. Bulldogs 6. Yorkshire Terriers 7. Siberian Huskies 8. Great Danes 9. Boxers 10. Doberman Pinschers Don't Edit Great Dane - Shutterstock The Great Dane made the AKC's top-10 breeds list in 10 states, and it was the most searched breed in Wisconsin, based on information compiled by FranchiseOpportunities.com using 2017 Google Trends data. WISCONSIN 1. Retrievers (Labrador) 2. Retrievers (Golden) 3. German Shepherd Dogs 4. Pointers (German Shorthaired) 5. Beagles 6. Spaniels (English Springer) 7. Poodles 8. Boxers 9. Siberian Huskies 10. Rottweilers Most searched breed: Great Dane Don't Edit Don't Edit Labrador Retrievers, Shutterstock The Labrador Retriever ranks #1 in Wyoming, as it did in 43 other states, making it the most popular breed on the AKC list. The American Kennel Club announced in March 2017 that the breed had maintained its number one spot on the most popular list for a record-breaking 26th consecutive year. WYOMING 1. Retrievers (Labrador) 2. German Shepherd Dogs 3. Retrievers (Golden) 4. Pointers (German Shorthaired) 5. Bulldogs 6. Poodles 7. French Bulldogs 8. Miniature Schnauzers 9. Pembroke Welsh Corgis 10. Australian Shepherds Rare World War II cryptography machines and dozens of vintage calculating devices have found a home at the Carnegie Mellon University Libraries. The special collection totals more than 50 machines, letters and books donated to the Pittsburgh university by Pamela McCorduck. She authored several books on computer science and artificial intelligence, and is the widow of former Carnegie Mellon Computer Science Department head Joseph Traub. The library regularly receives small donations of rare books or papers, but dean of university libraries Keith Webster called this type of collection a "once-in-a-lifetime" gift. "This was something that Joe and Pamela had built up together," he said. "They traveled a lot. He was German, so they spent a lot of time in Europe and built up this collection on their travels and at auction houses in this country." The highlights of the collection are two Enigma machines, which are best known for their use in sending secure German military communications during World War II. The standard three-rotor model had a total 158,962,555,217,826,360,000 possible configurations with its customizable plugboard and scrambling unit. A more complex four-rotor machine is also in the library's collection. It is estimated only 350 of these devices exist today, many of which belong to government agencies (the National Security Agency has 21, for example) and museums. Carnegie Mellon joins the few which have Enigma machines on display to the public. This video from the World Science Festival explains the mechanics behind the Enigma and how it was used to communicate: Philip Lehman, associate dean for advancement in the School of Computer Science, believes Enigma machines are well-known because of their role in World War II, their connection to pioneering scientist Alan Turing and the fact that they can be seen as a turning point in the field. "World War II changed a lot of things, for example medicine after World War II changed because doctors developed huge numbers of solutions in the battlefield because they had to. The same was true, of course, of the Manhattan Project and understanding how to build an atomic bomb; they worked really fast because they had to save the planet," he said. "And the same is true of work on computing that Turing and other folks at Bletchley did. They were forced to work in a hurry and really come up with stuff because they were fighting for the free world." Lehman was a graduate student when Traub served as department head at Carnegie Mellon. He recalled the department's three massive computers that took up most of a room but only had about .001 of the power contained within a modern smartphone. He hopes this collection and future programming can provide insight to young students. Some professors are already working to incorporate the machines into their courses. The university is also hoping to obtain a postdoctoral research fellow who can provide more insight into the machines and their place in the evolution of computer science. They also want to establish public programs on the collection, such as a lecture series and virtual museum. "Computing is a relatively young field compared to say, I don't know, astronomy, which has been going on for literally thousands of years," Lehman said. "But having a historical perspective to old things and where we've come from is really critical to understanding where we are and where we're going." Other notable machines in the collection include an M-209-B, a cipher machine used by the American military similar to the Enigma; and a Thacher slide rule, which was designed in 1881 by Pittsburgh bridge designer Edwin Thacher. The Keystone Bridge Company worker conceived of a cylindrical tool that could assist his calculations for building railway bridges. It features scales for multiplication and division, as well as a scale with divisions twice the size for determining squares and square roots. "I would be astonished if any of our students today had ever seen a simply slide rule, let alone 20 pairs of slide rules," Webster said. The public is welcome to view the collection 4-6 p.m. Monday through Friday in the fine and rare books room on the fourth floor of Hunt Library, 4909 Frew St. The university will also host a public event on April 19 called "From Enigma to AI: The Legacy of Pamela McCorduck and Joseph Traub at CMU." McCorduck, alumni and university leaders are scheduled to speak. Modern cells phones may have stolen a bit of suspense from National Match Day, when fourth-year medical students around the United States learn the hospitals where they'll go for residency training. On Friday, some Penn State College of Medicine students had to sit with their envelopes for as long as a half-hour before they could finally open them and learn the news they've awaited for months if not longer. Some could be seen holding their envelopes against brightly lit cell phone screens. Based on the reaction of at least one, it worked. Yet plenty of drama remained and, at the end of a countdown, the new doctors eagerly opened their envelopes, with the room soon filled with shouts and squeals. Then the banquet room at a hotel outside Harrisburg was filled with young doctors exchanging hugs with classmates and the many moms, dads, grandparents and others who attended. All told, 136 students of the Derry Township-based medical school learned their residency destination. Residencies, which typically last from three to five or more years depending on the specialty, are a period of intense hospital-based training doctors must go through before they can work on their own. "It was my first choice," said Morgann Loaec, who learned she'll do a residency in pediatrics at the renowned Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. The 26-year-old Downingtown, Pa. native said she wanted to go to CHOP for its reputation, but also because it's near her family and fiancee. Charlie Lin of northern California said he was "absolutely" pleased to learn he'll do his internal medicine residency at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation, part of the famed Cleveland Clinic in Ohio. Lin, 25, said he felt his prospects were good, although "I'm a person who never takes anything for granted." But while it was hard to detect, there was bound to be disappointment too, given that medical students all over the country were competing for limited spots, meaning many had to settle for something less than their favorite choice or choices. And one member of the class didn't get selected for a match, according to a spokeswoman. All told, the fourth-year medical school class numbered 145, with a few not involved in the match event for reasons such as going to work for the military. About 30 percent will work at hospitals in Pennsylvania, and 24 of them will do their residencies at Penn State Hershey Medical Center. One thing that most if not all have in common is that, when they begin their residencies in July, the'll embark on the portion of their medical career that's often remembered as the hardest. In a practice that has come under criticism over the years, the doctors in training routinely work extremely long shifts, often broken up by sleep breaks that don't even allow enough time to leave the hospital. While there have been tweaks over the years to decrease the workload and stress, the medical profession has long insisted the experience of having to work and make critical decisions while fighting pressure and fatigue is necessary preparation for the demands doctors face throughout their careers. Risha Sinha, bound for a residency in obstetrics-gynecology at Hofstra Northwell in Long Island, sounded ready. "I'm happy to know I have a job next year. I"ll be with some amazing people and looking forward to making the world a better place," the 25-year-old San Diego native said. Nancy Eshelman In October 2011, I sat in my living room talking with a fellow I call Brian. I had known him for a while and had asked to interview him, but he was having trouble staying awake. Heroin does that to you. He was using every day, to the point that he could no longer inject needles into his arms. He had too much scar tissue. I asked him that day where he saw himself in 10 years. Frankly, I didn't think he would be around. I had my doubts that he would be around to welcome in 2012. Brian described a future with a life not unlike his parents', I wrote then. "He envisions himself married, with a couple of kids, a job in sales or management, debt free and living in a house he owns." Flash forward to this month, six-plus years after that conversation. I spoke by phone to Brian, who is living near Pittsburgh. He's been sober for six years, is getting married next month, has a job he loves and lives in a house he owns. I am thrilled. Brian, which isn't his real name, is a success story. He made it. He battled heroin and won. Look, please, it can be done. Some folks I know suggested I catch up with Brian in advance of the 4th Annual Drug Awareness Night, sponsored by the Natalie Cribari Drug Awareness Fund. This year's theme is "Journey to Recovery," and who could be a better poster boy than Brian? It wasn't easy, not for him or his parents, a lovely couple who are also parents to another son and live in a typical Harrisburg suburb. They remember vividly when Brian was in active addiction. The anxiety. The stress that sent Brian's mother from her job in an ambulance. The embarrassment. The questioning, asking themselves what they had done wrong. Worst of all, telling their son he could no longer live in their home. Then December 2011 brought what he thought was a trip to visit relatives. It was actually an intervention. He was reluctant, but agreed to give rehab a try. Six plus years later Brian remembers the nodded-out person sitting on my couch. "But it's hard to believe I was ever that person," he said. His circle of friends today are all in recovery. His wife-to-be was never an addict, but she's supportive and his best friend, he said. He still attends meetings once or twice a week. "I don't ever plan to go any less than that," he said. "Half of it is for you and half of it is for the people behind you," he said. In other words, he shares his success to let people with less clean time know it's possible. In recovery, they call it "paying it forward." Brian said he's found it helps to keep busy. "It is important to find something that you are passionate about," he said. For a while, he was a gym rat. Now, he's into flipping houses. The what isn't as important as the doing. Brian's parents said they went through a recovery of their own. Once Brian left their home, "all the negative energy in the house just lifted," his father said. Then it was time for them to heal. For a long time while he was using, his mother said, "We beat ourselves up, and a lot of people are ready to beat you up too." Parents have to find a way out of that and work to establish a new relationship with their child. For them, it has been involvement with NCDAF. At first they weren't sure. They wondered how they would fit into an organization where many of the parents have buried their children due to heroin. They discovered, she said, "we're one of the stories that brings hope" to parents whose children are in active addiction. I told Brian's parents that even when he was in active addiction, I always liked him. I knew something good and decent was buried under the drugs and pain. His parents knew it too, his mother said. "I knew what we were fighting for." She tells that to other parents, to students, to anyone who will listen. She and her husband give their phone number to parents who need someone to listen. "We've changed a lot," Brian's mother said. "I am very proud of the things that we have done to help other people, and I'm proud of Brian, the man. Now he is everything we wanted him to be." NANCY ESHELMAN: columnist1@verizon.net Fourth Annual NCDAF Drug Awareness Night begins at 6 p.m. March 27 at Best Western, Union Deposit Road, Lower Paxton Twp. It offers speakers, support, and information for anyone with an interest in addiction. Admission is free. Brett Brown Elizabethtown police have arrested a second person in connection to the robbery of a ride-share driver March 13. Paula Jo Katherine Kearney, 19, of York, was arrested and charged with felony counts of robbery and conspiracy, as well as a misdemeanor count of theft stemming from the robbery. Borough police said the driver, who had been hired to take passengers to Elizabethtown from York, reported being struck on the head and arm during the robbery at around 5:45 a.m. Tuesday on the first block of East College Avenue. Brett T. Brown was arrested after officers canvassed the area. Kearney was developed as a suspect and arrested. She is being held at Lancaster County Prison on $250,000 bail and is scheduled for a preliminary hearing March 27. The state's attorney general declined to reinstate felony assault charges against any Penn State fraternity brothers in connection with the death of a pledge last year, but Josh Shapiro announced Thursday that his office would proceed with involuntary manslaughter charges against five defendants. Involuntary manslaughter is a first-degree misdemeanor in Pennsylvania that carries a prison sentence of up to five years. Aggravated assault carries a sentence up to 10 years. Shapiro's office also refiled a series of other criminal charges against those defendants and nine others after a two-month review of the death of Timothy Piazza last year. Piazza consumed 18 drinks within 82 minutes during a pledge party Feb. 2, 2017, the night he agreed to join the Beta Theta Pi house. He later fell down the stairs and no one called for help for nearly 12 hours. The attorney general's office agreed to take over the criminal case in January after the newly sworn-in Centre County District Attorney said he had a conflict of interest. The transfer of the case meant a fresh look at the criminal charges that had been filed last year by the previous Centre County District Attorney, Stacy Parks Miller, who lost reelection. Thursday's announcement represented the first indication of how Shapiro's office plans to proceed with the criminal case, which has seen its ups and downs over a series of court hearings last year. While Parks Miller initially filed aggravated assault and involuntary manslaughter charges against eight defendants, a magisterial district judge later threw out those charges, leaving lesser charges standing against them and six other defendants. Parks Miller then refiled the most-serious dropped charges and charged 12 additional fraternity brothers after reviewing recovered video of the basement that allegedly had been intentionally deleted. Thursday's announcement answers questions about how Shapiro will proceed with the original batch of defendants, but he has not revealed his plans for 12 defendants who were added in November. His office could release new information in several weeks. Meanwhile, his office is preparing to go before Magisterial District Judge Allen Sinclair on March 22 to convince him to allow the refiled charges to go forward. Sinclair is the same judge who heard the case last year and threw out the most serious charges. The defendants now facing re-filed charges of involuntary manslaughter include: Brendan Young, the former president of the fraternity who allegedly sent incriminating text messages after Piazza's death, Daniel Casey, the former pledge master who allegedly helped plan the drinking gauntlet the pledges were put through the night Piazza was mortally injured. Jonah Neuman, a fraternity brother who allegedly participated in an alcohol-chugging gauntlet for pledges and was singled out in a grand jury presentment for forcefully over-ruling another brother's suggestion that Piazza be taken to the hospital. Gary Dibilieo, a Beta brother who allegedly ran one of the drinking stations in the gauntlet, and Luke Visser, who allegedly ran a beer pong station during the pledge night activities, where all 14 pledges were required to drink. The three defendants who escaped involuntary manslaughter charges include: Nick Kubera, another alleged participant in the alcohol-fueled gauntlet, Michael Bonatucci, who served five pledges with alcohol during the gauntlet, but not Piazza, according to his defense attorney, and Joseph Sala, who was the assistant pledge master. He allegedly helped plan the drinking games and held open the door for pledges. Instead, those three face charges of recklessly endangering, furnishing alcohol and conspiracy to commit hazing. Defense Attorney Rocco Cipparone, of New Jersey, who represents Michael Bonatucci, said the judge and Shapiro made the right decision that felony aggravated assault charges didn't fit this case. "I'm pleased the Attorney General dismissed the refiled charges consistent with the judge (last year) after an eight-day hearing," Cipparone said. "We're going to aggressively defend the remaining counts." Shapiro, meanwhile, vowed to seek justice for Piazza's family. "When any parent sends their son off to college to get an education, they don't expect him to be found at the bottom of the basement steps of a fraternity house after a night of hazing, unconscious and fatally injured," Shapiro said. "My office is committed to holding every responsible individual accountable for their actions, consistent with the law and the evidence in this case." The Piazza family also issued a statement through their attorney, Thomas Kline, after Shapiro's announcement. "The parents of Timothy Piazza are most pleased to see the reinstatement now by a second prosecutor of involuntary manslaughter charges," Kline said. "With hundreds of charges against 26 individuals facing serious jail time, the Piazzas remain hopeful that justice will be accomplished and support the Pennsylvania Attorney General in this nationally important prosecution." Here is the list of refiled or amended charges and defendants expected to appear in court next week. (These charges are in addition to charges that previously were bound over for court.): The Wolf administration says the statewide opioid emergency doesn't give it the authority to change state law to allow distribution of free needles to drug users. The so-called needle exchanges are intended to prevent sharing of needles by people addicted to drugs such as heroin to prevent spread of diseases such as HIV and hepatitis C. The programs also collect and dispose of used needles, eliminating the threat to children and others who often come upon them in public areas. to use authority granted under the 90-day opioid emergency declared in January to waive a state law against distribution of needles and syringes, which are considered illegal drug paraphernalia. Such an emergency declaration gives the governor the right to bypass regulations that impede a response to a crisis. However, an email from administration spokeswoman April Hutcheson said in part, "changes to existing law must be made to fully support this recommendation. The disaster declaration allows for the waving of regulation; it cannot be used to create new laws." Needle exchanges were put in place in numerous states and cities decades ago as a result of the AIDs crisis. But they don't exist in Pennsylvania outside of Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, which passed local laws to allow them. Public health officials and advocates have argued the opioid addiction crisis has intensified the need, especially with rural areas being battered as much or more than the cities. The leaders of six Pennsylvania schools of medicine and public health have been asking Wolf to use the emergency declaration to allow the needle exchanges. They said Pennsylvania qualifies for federal funds toward exchanges which it can't tap into because of the state law. "With President Trump in your corner how can you lose?" -- state Rep. Rick Saccone, R, at a rally for his congressional candidacy last week. Let us count the ways. Kirstin Snow (PennLive file) This race had been in the national spotlight for months, creating a nail biting anxiety not only in southwestern Pennsylvania's 18th Congressional District 18, but also across the country. That tension was felt by both parties for varied reasons: the region had been a solidly blue territory until about 20 years ago; the Democrats hadn't even run a challenger in the region for years; Trump won the district by 20 percentage points in 2016- but this time something was different. After red-to-blue turnovers for other seats by small but effective margins in other states, was Pennsylvania ready to do the same? Only with the right candidate and the right campaign. Conor Lamb, ex-Marine, former federal prosecutor and media-proclaimed candidate 'right out of central casting,' happened to be that person, and ran exactly the right campaign. A few things to consider that put him over the top: Every vote counts, especially absentee ballots. Though the latter are the last to be counted, and only if their existence could possibly outweigh the voter machine records (which they did), the race came down to less than 700 votes with over 200,000 showing up to the polls. Running as a candidate to represent the people and not the party is a smart way to win against both parties' establishment. With Saccone running on his "I was Trump before Trump was Trump" mantra, he did nothing to appear anything but a Trump proxy. Lamb, on the other hand, outwardly admitted he would not support Nancy Pelosi, will uphold gun rights but feels strongly about expanded background checks, is a pro-life Catholic but upholds the law for the right to an abortion, and sounded off on his desire to avoid cuts to Medicare and Social Security. All of this was music to the ringing ears of the voters. He avoided trashing the president and his opponent, instead focusing on a positive campaign outlining who he was and what he would do once elected. Saccone, on the other hand, ran a rather detail-less, largely anti-Pelosi campaign that rang hollow and cheap to many. Struggling to raise money on his own, Saccone depended upon the Republican party to raise it for him, thus allowing outside political action committees to take control of what little message there was, and in the process, alienating many voters. Lamb went back to the old Democratic playbook and had an incredible grassroots ground game, with his campaign literally reaching around 100,000 people knocking on doors, holding small gatherings, and planting yard signs. Saccone was, however, on the receiving end of a parade of Trumps (Donald Sr, Jr, daughter Ivanka) Vice President Pence and Kellyanne Conway- the latter of which only drew 20 people to an event. Optics, as always played an enormous role. The weekend before the special election, the president himself showed up in the district and held a rally in an airport hangar. The rally, which was supposed to be for Saccone, ended up with Trump speaking off the cuff for nearly 75 minutes, about, well, mostly himself. He spared five minutes for the candidate. Afterward, the president reportedly voiced his displeasure of the candidate in that he viewed Saccone as sub-par (we are being nice here.) Hence already distancing himself from yet another failed race- the result of which shouldn't be his fault, or a referendum on his administration. The blame game began before the polls even opened. Along with the tacky cartoon ads and limited personal outreach, Saccone made an awkward trip with Donald Trump, Jr. to Sarris Candies, where they shared a bowl of ice cream and toured the facility. They were filmed and photographed amongst giant chocolate bunnies, chowing down while wearing hairnets. Optics, people. Some pundits tried to make the connection between Trump announcing his steel and aluminum tariffs just in time for the special election because this district is coal and steel country, and has an enormous union voting block. Another problem, however, is that the union went heavy for Lamb. Though Conor Lamb emerged the winner in this case-study-worthy scenario, don't expect the Republicans to acquiesce any time soon. They've already filed to impound the voting machines in order to demand a recount. This race left Democrats supercharged, and Republicans blaming their candidate. As November approaches and midterms draw nearer, it will be interesting to see if the right tweaks its playbook, and if that tariff mandate is indeed fully rolled out, or if it's left stymied and hung out to twist in the wind, like Saccone. PennLive Opinion contributor Kirstin Snow is the principal of Snow Public Affairs. Her work appears weekly opposite conservative commentator Charlie Gerow. Republican Paul Mango's gubernatorial campaign was scrambling late Thursday to kill rumors that his running-mate, Washington County Commissioner Diana Irey Vaughan, was bailing out to run for southwestern Pennsylvania's new 14th Congressional District. In a statement released Thursday evening, Irey Vaughan said she had been "honored to receive encouragement to run for Congress in the newly designed 14th Congressional district," but she was "more committed than ever to serve as Paul Mango's Lieutenant Governor." Irey Vaughan added that she, "joined Paul Mango's team because I believe he is the right candidate to accomplish these goals and I look forward to having the honor to serve as his Lieutenant Governor." But multiple Republican sources in southwestern Pennsylvania with knowledge of the matter vigorously disputed that story Thursday. They said Irey Vaughan reached out to them on Thursday to test the waters for a bid for the seat that will replace the 18th District that Democrat Conor Lamb won barely 48 hours ago. Mike Ward, a veteran Westmoreland County Republican operative and son of state Sen. Kim Ward, R-Westmoreland, said Thursday that Irey Vaughan, called his mother on Thursday to inform her of her plans. Earlier in the day Thursday, Kim Ward enthusiastically tweeted her support for Sen. Guy Reschenthaler, R-Allegheny, who is also running in the new district, putting the Westmoreland County pol between the two. State Senator Guy Reschenthaler considering Congressional run in the new district. Do it! State Senator Kim Ward (@SenatorKimWard) March 15, 2018 "My mother told her, 'If you're going to run, you need to talk to Guy and figure out what to do,' Mike Ward said during a brief phone interview on Thursday evening. The younger Ward has run GOP campaigns for incumbent state Sens. Randy Vulakovich, R-Allegheny, and Camera Bartolotta, R-Washington. A high-ranking Republican with direct knowledge of the matter said Irey Vaughan called Reschenthaler late in the afternoon on Thursday to announce her plans. Upon hearing of them, the source said Reschenthaler said he had commitments for signatures for his nominating petitions and would not be dropping out of the contest. That same source said he'd been told that Republicans in Washington County had similarly been approached by Irey Vaughan for their support. Irey Vaughan did not return a call or text message seeking comment. By early evening Thursday, Mango's campaign was in full damage-control mode, with a source close to the campaign denying that Irey Vaughan, who'd been unveiled as Mango's running-mate last month, was jumping ship. Despite the disavowals, there's still a long road ahead for Irey Vaughan to the nomination. For one, she has to win the spring primary. Under state law, candidates for governor and lieutenant governor run separately in the primary, only becoming a joint ticket during the general election. Mango lost the GOP's gubernatorial endorsement to state Sen. Scott Wagner, R-York, who had tapped Montgomery County businessman Jeffrey Bartos as his putative running-mate weeks earlier. Mango made the announcement about Irey Vaughan just days after Pennsylvania Republicans gave their endorsement to Wagner and Bartos. Pittsburgh lawyer Laura Ellsworth, the other Republican in the race, called the running-mate announcement a "bait and switch" and said she'd run with whomever the party nominated for second banana. Irey Vaughan ran as the Republican nominee for Pennsylvania state treasurer in 2012, but ended up losing to Democrat Rob McCord. McCord later resigned and pleaded guilty to federal influence-peddling charges. French cosmetics conglomerate L'Oreal is buying Canadian augmented reality and artificial intelligence firm ModiFace, which caters to the beauty industry. The logo of cosmetics group L'Oreal is pictured with a zoom effect during a visit at L'oreal Headquarters in Clichy, north outskirts of Paris, France, Monday, Nov. 3, 2014. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Francois Mori A sign warms of an underground pipeline as people construct a "watch house" near a gate leading to Kinder Morgan's property during a protest against the company's Trans Mountain pipeline expansion in Burnaby, B.C., on Saturday March 10, 2018. Protesters must be restrained from obstructing the expansion of the Trans Mountain pipeline, says a British Columbia Supreme Court judge who has granted the company an injunction aimed at preventing people from entering within five metres of two work sites.Justice Kenneth Affleck said Thursday he felt it necessary to make a decision on the second day of a hearing instead of issuing a written order involving outraged demonstrators who have blocked vehicles and workers at the Burnaby Terminal and the Westridge Marine Terminal. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck In this Wednesday, March 14, 2018 photograph Constantin Reliu speaks to media, outside a courtroom, in Vaslui, northern Romania. A Romanian court has rejected a man's claim that he's alive, after he was officially registered as deceased, according to a court spokeswoman who said that the 63-year-old man has lost his case because he appealed too late. I am a living ghost,Au he said venting his frustration against local authorities and his wife who he says unlawfully took ownership of a property after he was declared dead. (Simona Voicu/Adevarul via AP) FILE - In this Sept. 14, 2017 file photo, Louisiana State University Police investigate the death of Louisiana State University student Maxwell Gruver as a possible fraternity hazing incident, at an on campus fraternity house, Phi Delta Theta in Baton Rouge, La. A grand jury indicted four people Thursday, March 15, 2018, in the death of the Gruver whose blood-alcohol content was more than six times the legal limit for driving after fraternity members allegedly subjected him to a hazing ritual. The state grand jury issued the indictments six months after 18-year-old Gruver died at a hospital after a night of drinking at the Phi Delta Theta house on LSU's campus. (Hilary Scheinuk/The Advocate via AP, File) FILE - In this Nov. 3, 2017 file photo, armed civilian patrol the area outside the Hotan Bazaar where a screen shows Chinese President Xi Jinping in Hotan in western China's Xinjiang region. Tibetan activists, housing petitioners and other campaigners are targets of a new national campaign in China against so-called organized crime. The sweep expands the range of people law enforcement officials can take into custody in the name of preserving peace and order. Analysts say the crackdown will help President Xi Jinping win political support in counties and villages, boosting his legitimacy as he prepares to rule the country indefinitely. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan, File) FILE - In this Jan. 21, 2015 file photo, Rep. Louise Slaughter, D-N.Y., pauses during a news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington. An aide to Slaughter says the 88-year old Democratic congresswoman from upstate New York has died. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) Spanish anti riot police officers in full gear get cover in a corner during clashes with rioters at the Lavapies neighborhood in Madrid, early Friday, March 16, 2018. Rioting has broken in central Madrid over the death of a 35 year-old African hawker who witnesses said had died escaping from local police reining on illegal street sales. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco) 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 Widespread consultation necessary for success of Guyana's Sovereign Wealth Fund - Ramson By Kaieter News GEORGETOWN Petroleumworld 03 16 2018 Minister of Finance, Winston Jordan's response to United States Ambassador Perry Halloway's statement on the Sovereign Wealth Fund (SWF) is unenlightened and short-sighted. It is a reply to an issue of genuine interest and concern for Guyana's sustainable development within the context of an oil and gas producer. So said, Attorney at Law, Charles Ramson, as he spoke of the importance of an inclusionary approach to the establishment of an SWF. Ramson, a former Member of Parliament (MP), is qualified to speak on the issue as he, almost a year ago, concluded his Masters in Oil and Gas Enterprise Management. His thesis actually focused on SWFs. On Wednesday, Minister Jordan said that Holloway should exercise restraint in his pronouncements about Guyana SWF. In an invited comment, yesterday, Ramson said that Jordan's reaction to Holloway essentially tells him to butt out of Guyana's affairs if you don't know. It is a disappointing turn in what has been the development of a mature and mutually beneficial relationship with the United States. Ramson said that the exchange raises the question about who is right in relation to how to approach the design and implementation of Guyana's SWF. Ramson said that studies indicate that one of the major mistakes countries make in relation to their SWF is taking a political partisan approach. Why is that a mistake? If from the beginning the major stakeholders, especially the political organizations, are not involved in its conceptualisation, legislative implementation, and operation then the moment that a new government assumes office they can and more than likely will change the rules that govern that SWF. This will be done simply by majority vote in parliament or by executive order. But the bottom line is that the success of a SWF is critically dependent on continuity and legitimacy. Ramson said that in order to ensure continuity of the governing rules and operation of a SWF, the relevant stakeholders especially the political organisations must be involved at the very beginning. Ramson said, In order to ensure legitimacy of a SWF, you need the public buy in because you are deciding how and when to spend the oil revenue and that buy in can only happen with education and consultation in a government driven process. The Attorney at Law said that the government cannot be too blind to see that if the public is left out of the process the SWF loses its legitimacy and they can then demand their new representatives change the SWF since they were left out of the process at the beginning. It has to be baptised by the people of Guyana from the beginning and that occurs not just by a vote in parliament. Ramson noted, So far, we have seen no involvement from anyone other than the government, an IMF team and a Commonwealth team. Where are the Guyanese representatives and stakeholders? The revenue from Guyana's oil belongs to all Guyanese. And our Constitution says that sovereignty belongs to the people of Guyana. Ramson said that the nation has already witnessed the government failing to meet its own commitments on the SWF. He noted that Minister Trotman had promised to have a draft laid in the National Assembly at the end of 2016 and we are now in March of 2018. I had to ask a question at the PSC business summit in November 2017 what was the update on the SWF and we were then told it is now with the Ministry of Finance In a democracy how a government does something is as important as or even more important than what it does. Story from Kaieter News Kaieteurnewsonline.com 03 16 2018 Copyright 1999-2018 Petroleumworld or respective author or news agency. All rights reserved. We welcome the use of Petroleumworld (PW) stories by anyone provided it mentions Petroleumworld.com as the source. Other stories you have to get authorization by its authors. Internet web links to http://www.petroleumworld.com are appreciated. Petroleumworld welcomes your feedback and comments, share your thoughts on this article, your feedback is important to us! We invite all our readers to share with us their views and comments about this article. Write to editor@petroleumworld.com By using this link, you agree to allow PW to publish your comments on our letters page. Any question or suggestions, please write to: editor@petroleumworld.com Best Viewed with IE 5.01+ Windows NT 4.0, '95, '98,ME,XP, Vista, Windows 7,8,10 +/ 800x600 pixels No clear exclusion of US$18M signing bonus in cost recovery by ExxonMobil in Guyana's contract- Ram By Kaieter News GEORGETOWN Petroleumworld 03 16 2018 Even though Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman, had said that the US$18M signing bonus is nondeductible by ExxonMobil, the contract the oil company has with Guyana does not explicitly state so. This was recently pointed out by Chartered Accountant, Chris Ram. In his recent writings, Ram noted that Section 3 of the Guyana-ExxonMobil contract deals with costs, expenses, expenditures and credits of the contractor. Ram stated that Section 3.1 itemises the costs which are recoverable without further approval of the Minister including all costs attributable to the acquisition, renewal or relinquishment of surface rights acquired and maintained. The Chartered Accountant said, Minister Trotman has asserted that the controversial signature bonus of US$18 million is non-deductible, without offering any basis in the Agreement. There is no clear exclusion in Section 3.3, which speaks to Costs not Recoverable under the Agreement. Ram said that it does therefore seem that a signature bonus constitutes a legitimate cost of acquiring a surface right. CRIMINAL MATTER The government's approach towards the signing bonus has earned it nothing but scathing criticisms. In fact, Ram deemed it to be a criminal matter. He had said that the police must be called in and the Head of State, David Granger, must issue an apology to the nation for the diabolical act committed by his Ministers. Ram said that the forced admission by the Government, some months ago is a shocking revelation of a conspiracy to deceive the people of Guyana about billions of dollars. The Chartered Accountant said that there are immediate and longer-term implications of this saga from which Guyana may forever suffer. For the immediate, Ram said it means that Article 216 of the Constitution of Guyana has been knowingly violated. The Chartered Accountant said, May I add here that when in Opposition, this Government, and very specifically the AFC of which Natural Resources Minister, Raphael Trotman is now leader, had repeatedly claimed that former Finance Minister, Dr. Ashni Singh, should be taken before the courts on a criminal charge under the Fiscal Management and Accountability Act. He continued, It is as clear as day to me that those offences have been committed under Section 85 of that Act by more than one person. This is now a criminal matter and the Guyana Police Force should be called in. It should be clear that as much as one half of the potential public revenues of this country should not be left in the control of Ministers engaged in criminal and other improper conduct. Ram added, This Administration has disappointingly shown that such standards of common decency, let alone integrity, do not apply to it and its Ministers. So what about the longer term? Well, in a significant transaction with ExxonMobil with which they need to operate on an arm's length basis these same Ministers have shown a willingness to engage in a conspiracy of deception on the people of this country. The anticorruption advocate said that ExxonMobil has a monopoly of known and established oil production of Guyana for the foreseeable future. He said that those Ministers cannot be trusted to engage any person, let alone an oil giant who knows that the persons who engage and are required to oversee its conduct are compromised and that their conduct borders on corruption. Story from Kaieter News Kaieteurnewsonline.com 03 16 2018 Copyright 1999-2018 Petroleumworld or respective author or news agency. All rights reserved. We welcome the use of Petroleumworld (PW) stories by anyone provided it mentions Petroleumworld.com as the source. Other stories you have to get authorization by its authors. Internet web links to http://www.petroleumworld.com are appreciated. Petroleumworld welcomes your feedback and comments, share your thoughts on this article, your feedback is important to us! We invite all our readers to share with us their views and comments about this article. Write to editor@petroleumworld.com By using this link, you agree to allow PW to publish your comments on our letters page. Any question or suggestions, please write to: editor@petroleumworld.com Best Viewed with IE 5.01+ Windows NT 4.0, '95, '98,ME,XP, Vista, Windows 7,8,10 +/ 800x600 pixels GHK Lall -Brazil's Petrobras must be awarded future oil blocks in Guyana, regardless By GHK Lall GEORGETOWN Petroleumworld 03 16 2018 News reports have surfaced that there are several big-name bidders for available oil blocks in Guyana waiting to be awarded. This should not come as a surprise, given the continuing discoveries by ExxonMobil of one rich field after another; the majors want a piece of the action in what is a diminishing global environment of new finds. The government of Guyana now has the opportunity, through its soon-to-be-finalized and unveiled Department of Energy, to do what is right, sensible, and rewarding for this country. There are three things that come to mind, and which should be pursued as part of a broad long-term strategic positioning of this precious depleting national resource. It is not a matter of choice, but imperative that Guyana sticks to a certain path. First, there is the opportunity for diversification of the much-needed foreign oil presences. Through such action this country will not allow itself to be backed into a corner by being tied to any single supranational, which could end up with unwelcomed leverage, hold the country hostage, and drain out a steep expensive ransom. A gargantuan monopolistic presence is avoided, and there is the commensurate spreading around of the local oil wealth. This much ought to be obvious and be beyond dispute. Second, Guyana (not too long ago a colonial subject and still an insignificant Third World nation) finds itself in the rare, perhaps unprecedented, position of being in the driver's seat and able to regulate to some extent its oil traffic. It can do so by setting the tone, and its own expectations in keenly contested negotiations with potential suitors. All the so-called mistakes made (according to the critics, most of whom doggedly ignore context and realities) and the many valuable lessons learned must serve to enlighten now and strengthen now. Strengthen this nation's willingness to draw a hard bargain and demand the last droplets of benefits from those interested in participating in the burgeoning oil finds and riches. There ought to be neither reluctance nor resistance in establishing a minimum nonnegotiable starting point in terms of royalties, production sharing, pricing developments, environmental protections, local content, and so on and so forth. There must be no hesitancy in pitting the oil behemoths against one other to obtain the best deal possible for this country. After all, it is only business (and oil is a known cutthroat business) and the product is a wasting asset to boot. Third, most importantly, and notwithstanding all of what is presented above, future oil block awards must go to the neighboring oil giant Petrobras. It must be a significant stake; this is executed out of sheer necessity, as made mandatory by circumstances. Guyana has to do so, being fully cognizant of the geopolitical, petro-political, and national interests considerations. It is a patented no-brainer. Petrobras is from Brazil, and a Brazilian icon of tremendous stature. No more should have to be said, but let it be. Brazil stands as the de facto resident superpower in the region. It stands as a counterweight for Guyana, or at least a restraining presence, in that unsettled and unsettling border matter with another. There have been mutterings emanating from Brazil over the years; it is time to tie down the relationship through cementing an oil deal with a flagship Brazilian entity. There is no better way to realign the diplomatic chessboard in Guyana's favor. The goodwill and good feelings initiated by His Excellency, President Granger, during his recent visit must be maximized to the hilt. The moment is waiting to be seized. Petrobras is it. For emphasis, it is submitted that there is no better way, no more powerful interweaving of interests than to be linked in such a tangible manner with a friendly and strong neighbor. In making Petrobras a partner and beneficiary in those oil blocks, and this has to said bluntly, Brazil would be committed to having a dog in any fight that arises. That is not only priceless, but immeasurably so. Further, it puts meaningful deeds to the words and postures (still solidifying) of Guyana's current leader. It forms the springboard for much more explorations in many other economic fields. In the scheme of things Guyana, it is no great wisdom to contract with Petrobras. Rather, it simply just good sense, and plain old commonsense at that. It is about survival in a world of sharks and covetousness. Petrobras, it must be. Even if the company is not the most rewarding bidder, the recommendation is that this Brazilian group must be the winner. When Petrobras wins, Guyana wins. A victory is overdue. All must benefit from T&T's riches-PM Rowley By Nadaleen Singh PORT SPAIN Petroleumworld 03 16 2018 Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley yesterday signalled that it was time for the contracts of multi-nationals in the energy sector to be re-opened and re-negotiated, so that citizens can reap the rewards from energy revenues. He added that as a country, we had incentivised ourselves into a financial loss position and it was time to change. Rowley's statement comes after stakeholders and commentators had called for the arrangements within the Supplemental Petroleum Tax to be changed because multi-nationals in the energy sector were no longer enjoying revenue from an oil price of more than US$100 per barrel. But speaking at a conference hosted by the Ministry of Energy and Energy Industries yesterday at the Hyatt Regency, Port-of-Spain, Rowley noted that revenues from the energy sector had moved from $20 billion to $1 billion and T&T was justified in wanting to re-negotiate contracts which multi-nationals now hold. As we put our acreage out (for bidding) and they are successful or the major investment is successful, we get our return in taxes, we ought not to shy away from the business of the market place. We got ourselves into this situation because we shied away from knowledge of the marketplace-that is coming to an end, the PM said at the conference, titled Our Oil, Our Gas, Our Future, Spotlight on Our Energy. (See Pages A13 & A15) It is against that understanding that we have worked for the last year and a half with Poten and Partners (a consultant), and we are ensuring what is the best advice available, so when we come to the table to talk in a zone of mutual respect, T&T is not disadvantaged. We welcome the investment into our country. What is clear, Rowley said, is that he is confident the multi-nationals will be receptive to the re-negotiated contracts. There is a willingness not to treat contracts as cast in stone. While contracts bind us to terms and conditions, if the conditions (in the global energy market) have changed dramatically, then the re-opening and the renegotiation is a reasonable demand of the people of T&T. We anticipate that our partners in this business will see our claim as a fair and just one. We anticipate that there would be some re-opening of contracts, so that at the end of the day, we can all benefit from the riches of T&T. Representatives of several multi-national energy corporations reserved comment when contacted yesterday on the Prime Minister's statements. Addressing the issue of well-educated young people who can't get jobs in the energy sector, he said the Government has set out to look for young people and to find places for them in the energy sector. Rowley also said there is need to diversify the economy, but said we should not turn our backs on the energy sector since it is a sector that must be anchored properly. Also addressing the issue, former Energy Minister Conrad Enill said T&T cannot be giving fiscal incentives at a time when revenues are down. He said,If your revenues are down, your production is down, then you give fiscal incentives, it means you put the country at risk. I think today for me, re-confirms the fact that energy and finance must always be on the same page. If you go after energy and you try to explore, you try to go after acreage and you do so at a time when the country's resources are low, you are going to put the country at risk. He added that at a time when T&T finds itself in the position it is in now, with changed conditions in the energy market, the only decision that must be made is to, re-negotiate contracts. It means you are making sure that the companies are competitive, they are viable, but at the same time the share of profits need to be looked at. NGC/CNC RESOLVE IMPASSE Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley also announced yesterday that a new arrangement between the National Gas Company and the Caribbean Nitrogen Company (CNC) has been negotiated. While he did not give the details of the arrangement, he confirmed NGC would resume supplying gas to CNC. In a release last evening, NGC confirmed a new deal had been reached with CNC, adding they were now in the process of formalising the required legal agreement. It added that both companies thanked Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister Stuart Young and Minister of Energy and Energy Industries Franklin Khan for their support in resolving the matter. CNC had shut down its operations in January after NGC cut its natural gas supply because the two could not agree on a new supply contract. CNC, which employs close to 400 people, eventually took the matter to the UK Court of Arbitration. The two companies eventually returned to the negotiation table last month. OPEC unlikely to change output deal this year -Iran's Zanganeh By Reuters ANKARA Petroleumworld 03 16 2018 Iranian oil minister Bijan Zanganeh said OPEC was unlikely to change before the end of the year a deal among oil producers to reduce output, Iran's English language Press TV reported on Thursday. Russians can pull out of the deal as they have made no commitment to OPEC to remain in the agreement until the end of 2018. OPEC also can change its decision but I doubt they will do it, Zanganeh was quoted as saying by Press TV. Members of OPEC and non-OPEC players including Russia have reduced their output since January 2017 under a pact aimed at supporting prices and reducing oversupply. The pact currently runs until the end of 2018. Iran is allowed to pump up to 3.8 million bpd under the deal. Zanganeh told the Wall Street Journal newspaper that OPEC when it meets in June could agree to begin easing current curbs in 2019. Zanganeh also told the WSJ that Iran wanted OPEC to work to keep oil prices at around $60 per barrel to contain U.S. shale oil production, adding that Iran could produce about 100,000 bpd more. He did not say when Iran could raise its output. Mexican minister ramps up pressure for speedy NAFTA deal By Daniel Flynn SAO PAULO Petroleumworld 03 16 2018 Mexico's economy minister on Thursday urged officials to push for a speedy renegotiation of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), saying his country and Canada must be ready to go it alone if the United States pulls out. Economy Minister Ildefonso Guajardo said if no deal to rework NAFTA could be struck by April 30, then the new political complexion of the region would cast doubt on how incoming lawmakers would view it in Mexico and the United States. The whole nature of the agreement would change, Guajardo said at the World Economic Forum on Latin America in Sao Paulo. You either get it done by the end of April or then it doesn't matter: you can go until the end of the year. Guajardo had previously identified a window for negotiation extending through July, though his comments come a few days after U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer floated the idea of reaching a deal in principle in the next few weeks. The regular session of Congress in Mexico ends on April 30, and the country will elect a new president in July who takes office at the start of December. The United States will hold mid-term congressional elections in November. Mexico's government is eager to broker a deal before a change of presidency, and Guajardo has also said his team would be ready to keep talking until the end of November. So far, the government's candidate is well off the pace, but the team of the front-runner, Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, has said it would be willing to retain the negotiating team. Guajardo has stressed that Mexico wants to keep NAFTA tri-partite, but reiterated that both Mexico and Canada needed to be ready for the possibility of a U.S. departure. You have to be ready to live with a NAFTA without the U.S. Guajardo said. NAFTA at risk of ending? No. NAFTA will continue between Canada and Mexico because at the end of the day, what is important is you send a message that you believe in free trade. The U.S. is the one that will decide to be in or out. A vast majority of Mexicans remained in favor of free trade, and U.S. President Donald Trump was coming under increasing pressure from political supporters in farming states to renew the trade deal, the Mexican minister said. If NAFTA was not reworked soon, terms of negotiation could be shifted by political developments, such Democrats winning control of the U.S. Senate, Guajardo said. He noted that Democrats claimed victory this week in a special congressional election in Pennsylvania in a district Trump had won in 2016. Argentina plans to pay $1.5 bln in delayed gas subsidies by 2019 By Luc Cohen BUENOS AIRES Petroleumworld 03 16 2018 Argentina plans to pay the $1.5 billion in natural gas production subsidies it owes to oil companies in installments beginning in January 2019, Energy and Mining Minister Juan Jose Aranguren told reporters on Thursday. Payment delays have plagued the country's so-called Plan Gas subsidy program since it was implemented in 2013 to attract investment in its natural gas fields by offering companies a price floor of $7.50 per million British thermal units for new production above a set base level. The delays have grown under President Mauricio Macri as he seeks to shrink Argentina's fiscal deficit. In December, Aranguren said the government had not made any of the payments accrued in 2017 due to the national government's need to meet its budget commitments. We are going to propose canceling [the debt] in installments beginning in 2019, Aranguren said on the sidelines of a conference on Thursday, adding that a resolution outlining how companies could sign up to receive the payment would be issued soon. State-owned YPF SA, which produces a third of the country's natural gas, said last week it is owed $780 million in subsidies. Aranguren said it was unlikely interest would be paid on top of the repayment, which would mark a shift from 2016, when the government gave oil companies $1.1 billion in bonds at 8 percent annual interest to compensate them for unpaid subsidies in 2015. It could be that there is, it could be that there is not, Aranguren said. I do not think so, but let us wait until the resolution comes out. He added that while the payment would be made in Argentine pesos rather than dollars, there may be a scaling mechanism to prevent companies from losing out because of exchange rate volatility. The peso has fallen 28 percent against the U.S. dollar since the beginning of 2017. The U.S. Energy Information Agency estimates Argentina is home to the world's No. 2 reserves of shale gas and the fourth largest of shale oil, mostly in its Belgium-sized Vaca Muerta play. But investment has remained below the $10 billion per year needed to fully develop the area, located in remote Patagonia. Since taking office in December 2015, Macri has sought to lower labor costs and improve infrastructure to attract foreign investment to the shale formation. $1 = 20.2900 Argentine pesos Mexican presidential candidates' advisers face off on oil, corruption and new airport Brett Gundlock/Bloomberg Gerardo Esquivel, left, speaks as Luis Madrazo, center, and Salomon Chertorivsk, look on during the Bloomberg FX18 Summit in Mexico City, on March 14. Meade's adviser says AMLO's contract review sows uncertainty. Anaya adviser attacks ruling party's record on corruption By Nacha Cattan MEXICO CITY Petroleumworld 03 16 2018 Advisers for Mexico's top three presidential candidates found almost no common ground in a debate over their economic platforms in a sign of more clashes to come as the campaign heats up before July's election. They butted heads over front-runner Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador's proposals to review Mexico's landmark oil reform and to relocate a $13 billion new airport project. His adviser, Gerardo Esquivel , argued that the airport being built on sinking land is a waste of money, and he defended the leftist by attacking the current government's record on corruption, arguing that it makes an audit of oil contracts necessary. That led to heated exchanges over whose government and candidate have been more corrupt, mainly between advisers for those polling second and third as they seek the coveted runner-up spot, which would allow them to go head to head with Lopez Obrador. Who's ahead in Mexico's election? For Bloomberg Poll Tracker, click here. Mexico goes to polls in less than four months in what will be the nation's largest election in history, and which is shaping up to be one of its most contentious. After losing the presidential contest twice before, Lopez Obrador holds a comfortable lead, which Ricardo Anaya and Jose Antonio Meade are trying to shake by painting him as a radical firebrand. "There's been a permanent process of contradictions that cause uncertainty," said Luis Madrazo, economic adviser to Meade of ruling PRI who's in third place. "Lopez Obrador's campaign is similar to what happens with Trump. He says one thing and then his team has to come out and explain what he's trying to say." Meade and the current government came under attack by Salomon Chertorivski, representing Anaya of a left-right opposition coalition, who quipped Mexico's dwindling public investment and low growth have been disastrous for Mexico. Madrazo attacked Anaya for an ongoing probe into a property sale he made in his home state of Queretaro, which elicited rebuttals from Chertorivski about a raft of corruption scandals plaguing the PRI. Some common ground was found when Esquivel said the technical team renegotiating Nafta would remain under Lopez Obrador to ensure continuity in the talks, and Chertorivski agreed with Esquivel that there are concerns about transparency with the new airport contracts. Original story Statoil changes name to Equinor as it goes green Statoil Move follows increase in investments in renewable energy. Rebranding costs said to be as much as 250 million kroner. Play Video - Thank you, Statoil! It's been a pleasure. By Joachim Dagenborg , Nerijus Adomaitis OSLO Petroleumworld 03 16 2018 Norway's Statoil plans to change its name to Equinor, reflecting its commitment to become a broad energy company rather than one focused only on oil, it said on Thursday. In a video posted on social media, Statoil presented the switch as a way to show its determination to develop investments in renewable energy. Reactions by various social media users were mixed. Equinor sounds like a princess on a horse in Game of Thrones, one Twitter user said. Equi is the genitive singular in Latin for horse. Others liked the change. Congratulations on an exciting name change. The green shift is happening faster and faster. Norway must be a part of it. Good luck with the process, tweeted Norwegian Culture Minister Trine Skei Grande. Equinor is a combination of equi, the starting point for words like equal, equality and equilibrium, and nor for Norway, the company said. Reflecting on the global energy transition and how we are developing as a broad energy company, it has become natural to change our name, Statoil CEO Eldar Saetre said in a statement. Rebranding would cost up to 250 million Norwegian crowns ($32.5 million), he later told a news conference. Statoil, which is headquartered in the port city and oil industry hub of Stavanger, has come to symbolize Norway's rise in the past half-century to one of the world's richest nations. Local newspaper Stavanger Aftenblad ran a straw poll asking readers whether they liked the name change, with 4,730 people saying no and 809 saying yes he proposal will be put to the annual general meeting on May 15, but Statoil said it already had the backing of the Norwegian state, which has a 67 percent stake in the company. The decision reflects that Statoil is developing itself into a broad energy company in line with global developments in the energy sector, Oil and Energy Minister Terje Soeviknes told Reuters. Statoil said it expects to invest 15-20 percent of capital spending by 2030 in what it calls new energy solutions, up from about 5 percent last year. Saetre declined to say how much Statoil was planning to spend on renewables in 2018, but the company has said previously that spending for renewable and low-carbon solutions are expected to total $500 million to $750 million from 2017 to 2020 and $750 million to $1.5 billion for the 2020-2025 period. Statoil developed the world's first floating offshore wind park off Scotland and is looking to install others off countries including the United States and Japan. Heavy equipment and fencing have blocked off the 200 block of Chestnut Street, site of a Feb. 18 fire. Entrances to Capofitto, Xenos Candy & Gifts, and Old City Tobacco are, for all intents and purposes, inaccessible. Read more Nearly a month after the fire that ravaged the 200 block of Chestnut Street in Old City routing dozens of residents from their homes the businesses that dodged the flames, smoke, and water are coping with an uncomfortable, though not uncommon, reality: Operating while shrouded in steel fencing and wrapped in yellow caution tape, isolated from many customers. Chestnut at Third Street, across from the Museum of the American Revolution, has been closed not only to vehicles but to pedestrians since the morning of Feb. 18, when the fire began at 239 Chestnut. "No one can find us," said Stephanie Reitano, whose Capofitto restaurant at 233 Chestnut reopened March 3. Reitano erected hand-lettered signs at the corner of Third and Chestnut to direct potential pizza and gelato customers north on Third, east on the unmarked alley known as Elbow Lane, and south on Bank Street back to her front door. Last Saturday was busy with regulars and locals, she said. Business at lunchtime, though, has been dismal. Also affected are Reitano's neighbors, including Xenos, a gift shop, and Old City Tobacco Co. Rob Esplen, vice president of operations for Jose Garces' restaurants, said lunch business at the Spanish restaurant Amada, at 217-19 Chestnut, was particularly slow since the fire. Overall, he said, business was off 25 percent, year over year. "It's been devastating for the block," he said. The Little Lion and Gina's 45, both on Third, are closed for the foreseeable future. Revolution Diner, once at 239 Chestnut, is a total loss. The detours and street closings will not end soon. In a statement late Thursday, a city spokeswoman said two cranes to be used in the demolition of 239 Chestnut and the partial demolition of 237 Chestnut are expected to be positioned on or about Friday one on Chestnut and one on Third. Also, the city said, 239 Chestnut must be made safe for fire marshals and officials with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives to enter and determine the cause of the fire. Investigators have not been able to get access to the area of origin. Other than properties destroyed by the fire, the only property that residents and businesses have been entirely unable to reoccupy is 241-43 Chestnut, said spokeswoman Karen Guss. On Wednesday, L&I and ATF met with residents and businesses. L&I said the danger to 241-43, which shares a party wall with 239 and is being braced pending the demolition, is too great to permit residents from reoccupying or even spending much time in the building. The concern is that if 239 gives way, it could pull down or fall into 241-43. The city is allowing brief visits by residents to remove essential items. Putting up with nearby construction and detours is a fact of life for many restaurateurs, one of the many variables in the business. Baology, a Taiwanese restaurant at the Sterling on John F. Kennedy Boulevard near 19th Street, was shut down for five days last October after plumbers accidentally cracked a pipe and unleashed a wall of water on the restaurant. The closing followed three months of construction that directed potential customers through a maze. James, a stylish bistro at 19th and Arch Streets, has been shrouded in scaffolding since its opening in September 2016. Some has been removed, and management says it has been promised that the rest will come down soon. One painful example of devious outside forces is that of Napoleon Cafe, a swank, antiques-filled destination for espresso and fancy desserts that opened in late 1989 in then-solidly blue-collar Port Richmond. Napoleon caught on quickly, expanded next door, and added an ambitious menu of savory food. Then came March 13, 1996, when an arson fire closed nearby I-95 for a month, and repairs tied up the highway and local roads for months. Business sagged. Late that year, the owners moved Napoleon to the southwest corner of 15th and Locust Streets in Center City. Six months after the move-in, PATCO began constructing an elevator from its train platform to the street mere feet from Napoleon's front door, and a chain-link fence closed most of the sidewalk. Business sank. After suffering what owners estimated was a loss of $1.1 million in gross revenues over the construction, Napoleon met its Waterloo in 1998. The elevator was completed in time for the opening of Fado, the bar that occupies the site. Owners usually look at the challenges with dread and anger. Fergie's, the quintessential bar on Sansom Street near 12th, endured about two years of construction as a high-rise apartment building was erected over and around it. Rather than complain, owner Fergus Carey this week chose to look at the bright side: "I will have a village of 500 [customers] living above me." A PharmaCann medical marijuana dispensary in Albany, N.Y. The company plans on opening a dispensary near the Franklin Mills Mall. The mall is seeking to block it. Read more Is a marijuana dispensary an "unlawful" business? A federal judge in Philadelphia will decide. The dispute over language in the deed of a marijuana dispensary in Northeast Philadelphia could carry outsize implications. A ruling by U.S. District Judge Gene Pratter could affirm the superiority of federal law, which considers marijuana illegal, over state law, where in Pennsylvania and 29 other states it is not. Pratter's decision came Thursday in a strongly worded memo that described the case as "a fundamental clash between state and federal law." "The need to pursue certainty on the legal status of marijuana dispensaries looms large," she wrote. PharmaCann, an Illinois-based medical marijuana grower and retailer, has a permit to build a dispensary where a Mexican restaurant once stood. It bought the site on the periphery of the Philadelphia Mills shopping center for a reported $1.1 million. But Philadelphia Mills' owner, Simon Property Group, doesn't want the dispensary there. Simon, which has no claim on the property, hasn't explained why it's opposed. But it filed a legal challenge against PharmaCann, claiming the property deed prohibits using the site for "a drug store" or any "unlawful" purpose. "It's a case with potentially far-reaching implications," said Bill Roark, a Lansdale lawyer who co-chairs the Pennsylvania Bar Association's Medical Marijuana and Hemp Law Committee. "It's not a new question. But you don't want a federal court answering it, because you know what they're going to say. This could create a ripple effect through dozens of states." By definition, a drug store is one "used for the sale and display of drugs," the judge wrote. Medical marijuana dispensaries only sell marijuana oils. When the deed was drafted, no one imagined marijuana would be legal to sell in Pennsylvania. The state's dispensaries, which sell only cannabis oils, bear little in common with a CVS or Walgreens. The judge is not focusing on whether a dispensary is a drug store but on whether the proposed store would be unlawful. Because of the conflict between state and federal law, the definition of "unlawful" is open to interpretation. Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware and 27 other states have legalized medical or recreational marijuana. The federal government, under the Controlled Substance Act, flatly forbids it in any form. PharmaCann had sought to have the matter resolved in Common Pleas Court. "We viewed the case as a local dispute over a 27-year-old property deed restriction," said PharmaCann's attorney, Jeremy Unruh. Simon countered. In October, the mall owner had the case bumped up to federal court. PharmaCann sought to send the case back to the state level. That effort failed. On Wednesday, Pratter, calling this case "exceedingly rare," said she would hold onto it. She didn't say when she would rule. "The deed to Pharmacann's property prohibits 'unlawful' uses," Pratter wrote. "That single term opens the door for federal question jurisdiction by teeing up a fundamental clash between state and federal law in this case." "If a court were to rule that PharmaCann's dispensary violated federal law, the Supremacy Clause would cast doubt on the validity of dozens of state marijuana schemes," Pratter said. The Supremacy Clause of the Constitution asserts that federal law overrides state law. Since 1796, Congress has repeatedly upheld that. But on the issue of medical marijuana, Congress has prohibited the federal government from spending money to interfere with state-sanctioned medical marijuana programs. Roark, the attorney, said it was unlikely a decision by the judge would deliver a "knockout punch" to Pennsylvania's marijuana program. But it could set a national precedent. "Primarily, this could make it harder for someone to operate a dispensary if they don't own the property. Every lease out there has the 'unlawful use' language." Roark said. "Any landlord could take their tenant to federal court to evict them." Karen O'Keefe, director of state policy for the Marijuana Policy Project, said the ruling could delay access to medical cannabis for patients in Northeast Philadelphia. "However, there should be no confusion it is not an existential threat to medical cannabis programs," she said. Such a federal ruling still could send a chill through the industry, according to Hoban Law Group's Steve Schain. "Any legal authority supporting a prohibition on 'marijuana growing, processing or selling' could be cataclysmic ranging from impeding the flow of capital through derailing dispensary operations," Schain said. "Even the most obscure legal opinion could be leveraged to torpedo a real estate deal or embolden anti-marijuana groups to hinder legal, compliant and transparent medical marijuana sales in strip malls or other highly trafficked commercial areas." PharmaCann's attorney said the company was still evaluating the ruling. "While we respect the authority of the court, we're disappointed the court has gone to such lengths to make a local property dispute a federal case," Unruh said. "But it's early, we're weighing how this will affect our strategy going forward." And the case could still go away. If PharmaCann withdraws its plan to build on the property, Roark said, the question could become moot. ManorCare Health Services at Mercy Fitzgerald Hospital has a new owner and has been renamed Providence Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center at Mercy Fitzgerald. Read more The owner of Kearsley Rehabilitation & Nursing Center in West Philadelphia has bought ManorCare Health Services at Mercy Fitzgerald Hospital in Yeadon, a nursing home with 129 beds, and renamed it Providence Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center at Mercy Fitzgerald. The buyer, Trykos Partners LLC, a private equity group in Brick, N.J., did not disclose the price for the Yeadon facility, but said it plans a $2.5 million renovation that will be carried out by its health care arm, Marquis Health Services. Marquis manages 18 facilities in Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and Rhode Island, and Pennsylvania, according to its web site. Norman Rokeach, chief executive officer for Marquis Health Services, said Wednesday that the Yeadon facility would continue working closely with Mercy Fitzgerald Hospital, which still owns the land where Providence is located. HCR Manor Care Inc., which had the joint venture with Mercy Fitzgerald it filed a prepackaged bankruptcy on March 4 and will be taken over by its landlord also owns another nursing home in Yeadon, with 198 beds. At that nearby facility, certified nursing assistants and licensed practical nurses last spring voted by a 55 to 18 margin to join SEIU Healthcare Pennsylvania. ManorCare has filed objections to the election, National Labor Relation Board records show. Trykos took over Mount Laurel Center in Mount Laurel last June after the facility lost its Medicare certification. The facility has been renamed Laurel Brook Rehabilitation & Healthcare Center. In August, Marquis said the facility still had 42 residents who would have been paying privately , but the company did not provide an update this week. Belle Haven Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center, in Quakertown, has been cited three times in the last four years for insufficient staffing. Read more After receiving criticism as being lax, the Pennsylvania Department of Health has increased the number of citations given for inadequate staffing in Philadelphia-area nursing homes over the last two years. The agency cited facilities 12 times last year for violations of staffing rules, up from six in 2016 and no more than two in any of the previous eight years. The citations are for not meeting the minimum of 2.7 hours per day of direct nursing care per patient, not having a registered nurse on duty when required, or more broadly not having enough staff to meet the needs of patients as defined in their care plans. When facilities miss the 2.7-hours-per-day requirement which advocates have long criticized as too low they are typically in the 2.5- or 2.6-hours-per-day range. "Facilities should budget higher, recognizing that their call-out rates are usually significant," which will put them under the requirement, said David Hoffman, a nursing home expert and former federal prosecutor. "The facilities that budget at 2.7 should get slammed." Belle Haven Healthcare & Rehabilitation Center in Quakertown was cited in 2014, 2016, and 2017 for inadequate staffing. Officials with the facility's owner, Guardian Elder Care of Brockway, Pa., did not respond to a request for comment. Also cited for lack of staffing was St. Francis Center for Rehabilitation & Healthcare in Darby Borough, which had its license revoked after an inspection last year and now has a provisional license. The state later fined the facility $675,750 for a wide range of violations. Russ McDaid, president of the Pennsylvania Healthcare Association, a nursing home trade group in Harrisburg, downplayed the increase. He cited the Health Department's policy change in July 2015 to allow anonymous complaints after they were prohibited for three years. "We know that that's yielded a strong uptick in complaints in nursing facilities, and we know that virtually all of them are accompanied by a complaint visit of some type. Seeing it go from six to 12, year over year, across 189 facilities, I wouldn't characterize as a significant uptick," he said, referring to the number of nursing homes in Bucks, Chester, Delaware and Montgomery Counties and Philadelphia. The mix of reasons for surveys that resulted in citations for inadequate nursing has not changed much over the years. It has been split pretty evenly between licensure or recertification surveys and surveys in response to complaints. The Health Department did not respond to questions about what caused the increase in citations, which do not seem to have fines attached, according to a roster of penalties dating to early 2014. "Our priority is making sure that the deficiency is corrected. Civil penalties may be issued at a later time than the sanction," department spokeswoman April Hutcheson said. A 2016 Pennsylvania auditor general's report criticized the department as not doing enough to ensure sufficient nursing staffing levels. That report mentioned a federal suggestion of a 4.1-hours-per-day minimum for nursing care and noted that Pennsylvania's minimum was set in 1999. At a Feb. 23 meeting in Germantown called by State Sen. Art Haywood (D., Phila.-Montgomery) on how the state handles care complaints, the state's long-term-care ombudsman, Margaret Barajas, said her office received 1,724 complaints last year, with 574 of them related to staffing. What she said she hears from nursing home residents: "It's not the staff's fault. There's just not enough." A customer walks out of the Toys R Us store at 3401 Aramingo Avenue. Read more Plans by Toys R Us to shutter its nationwide empire of big-box stores that sell toys, kids' clothing, and baby goods are poised to empty nearly a million square feet of retail space in the Philadelphia region, a new headache for landlords already seeking tenants for properties vacated by other bankrupt and shrinking retailers. Wayne, N.J.-based Toys R Us Inc. operates 34 Toys R Us and Babies R Us stores in Southeastern Pennsylvania, South Jersey and northern Delaware, accounting for 967,544 square feet of space, according to data compiled by real estate market tracker CoStar Group. The chain owns just nine of those properties, leasing the others from commercial landlords who are soon to be faced with finding new tenants amid a dwindling pool of users of big-box spaces. Chains that severely cut back their regional footprint in recent years have included department stores Macy's, JCPenney, and Sears and electronics retailer HHGregg, which went out of business. "Any retail landlord over the decades has always seen retail concepts fail," said Scott Crowe, chief investment strategist at CenterSquare Investment Management in Plymouth Meeting. But "you used to have a pretty good core of like tenants to put in that space, whereas today the overall tenant pool is actually shrinking." The area's Toys R Us and Babies R Us stores are among 735 locations nationwide that the brands' parent said Thursday it would seek permission in bankruptcy court to close. The company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in September, amid a loss of customers to shopping websites and mounting debt. The Thursday statement announcing the closures did not specify how many jobs would be lost, but Toys R Us stated in its most recent annual report that it employs 36,000 domestically. "I am very disappointed with the result, but we no longer have the financial support to continue the company's U.S. operations," Toys R Us chairman and chief executive officer Dave Brandon said in the statement. Michael Gorman, a principal at Mount Laurel-based retail brokerage Metro Commercial, said owners of the better placed of the region's Toys R Us stores should be able to attract new tenants, while those in more fringe locations may struggle. "Quality real estate will be fine," he said. "It's location, location, location." Eric Knopping, senior vice president at the Blue Bell-based Goldenberg Group, which owns the 43,314-square-foot Toys R Us store building at the Court at Oxford Valley, said in an email that the company had started seeking a replacement. "This availability will provide an opportunity to bring new, exciting retail to a great market," he said. Kimco Realty Corp. of New Hyde Park, N.Y., which has Toys R Us as a tenant at 23 sites nationwide, including its Castor Place center at Castor and Cottman Avenues in the Northeast, likewise cast the closures in a positive light. With Toys R Us signed to leases with rents that are 15 percent to 20 percent below current market rates, the departures give Kimco a chance to "improve our tenant mix and drive future [operating income] higher," it said in a statement. Kimco is already spending $70 million on a renovation plan at Suburban Square in Ardmore that includes work to make way for a Life Time Fitness health club in a building that previously accommodated Macy's. The plan also includes a 625-space parking garage with ground-floor retail space and an expansion of a Trader Joe's food market. Another big retail space being radically retooled in the area is the former JCPenney store at the Willow Grove Park mall, which owner Pennsylvania Real Estate Investment Trust is renovating into a Studio Movie Grill cinema-restaurant hybrid. Such conversions, however, aren't cheap, especially compared with tenant swap-outs in the past, when more users with similar big-box needs were prowling the market for space, said Crowe. "Repurposing these assets to new uses takes a lot of capital," he said. "That paints a very challenging operating environment to retail landlords everywhere." Germany is renowned for Riesling, of course, which happens to be one of my favorite grapes. But pinot noir? In fact, Germany is the world's third-largest producer of pinot noir (behind France and the United States), and the grape known there as Spatburgunder has gained in intensity and color over recent years due to climate change, according to author Jancis Robinson. It's also gained in diversity of styles due to its rising popularity, as well variations based on region, vintner's technique (with increasing attention to more intense, small batches), as well as the range of soils. This new-to-Pennsylvania Spatburgunder comes from Weingut Erbeldinger in the southern Rheinhessen, and is a lovely, medium-weight introduction to German pinot. With grapes grown in silty-clay soils (not unlike the "WillaKenzie" soil favored in parts of Oregon), its ruby juice is smooth, round, and lithe, with bright strawberry notes, a touch of cocoa, and a light earthy finish with a modest 12.5 percent alcohol level for easy, food-friendly drinking. Erbeldinger also is known for its Rieslings, though none have yet been imported to Pennsylvania. I did, however, love another white, its pinot blank a.k.a. Weissburgunder that was creamy of texture and lemon bright all at once. A perfect pairing of German pinots for spring. Craig LaBan Erbeldinger Spatburgunder Rheinhessen 2014, $19.99 (PLCB item #44975), and Weissburgunder Trocken 2016, $17.99 (PLCB item #44976) in select Pennsylvania State Stores. He studied to be in finance. But Kenneth Sze, who now intently oversees the live sea urchins, Wagyu beef, and flaming salmon at his new Tuna Bar in Old City, says he was born to be in the restaurant business. By second grade, he was manning the egg roll deep fryer at his parents' Great Taste Chinese takeout restaurants in Delran and Maple Shade. By fifth grade, he was stir-frying rice over the jet-fired woks, barbecuing pork, and making wontons: "I did it all," says Sze, 33, who also began making deliveries from the moment he had his driver's license, and, as a middle schooler, helped his parents overcome the language barrier to understand their restaurant leases. "We basically did the American Dream route," says Sze, who was also behind his family's next step into the world of sushi and hibachi at Yokohama, a Maple Shade standby that has garnered accolades from multiple South Jersey publications. "My dad worked as a waiter at a French restaurant, then opened his own places. I went to college. Did everything immigrant parents want for their kids to grow up and do." And so the last thing his parents wanted him to do, he said, was to open a restaurant. "My parents were so against it," he says. "But they are to blame!" A budding finance career after his studies at Drexel was detoured by the demands of his family restaurant, where he stayed. So when it was time to bet his savings to realize his own dream, he says, it would reflect the world he knew best a restaurant that it is at least as much American in its fusion bistro vibe as it is influenced by Japanese traditions and his family's Fujianese roots. And his Philly debut at Tuna Bar is just that, a stylish modern space designed by Boxwood Architects with blond wood, stone, and glass in the new Bridge Building that is another worthy entry for resurging Old City that has broad appeal, whether you like your food raw, cooked, or shaken into a trendy cocktail (like the electric green cucumber and wasabi drink Winston's Heat). On its surface, Tuna Bar is, of course, focused on sushi, and that aspect is well served by Sze's longtime responsibility for shopping each morning at the fish markets for his family's restaurant, which was too small in its early days to receive deliveries. It's a practice he's continued here, and the quality of the raw ingredients is excellent, from the yellowfin that gets pounded into a purple disc of crudo splashed with truffled ponzu, crunchy rice pearl beads, and curry-fried burdock root to the luscious bluefin toro, alabaster hamachi, and fat-striped orange slabs of Tasmanian trout that get served as sashimi. Richly marbled A5 Wagyu beef is treated with the same reverence as a prized piece of toro belly, sliced sheerly and draped over a nub of ngiri rice, which absorbs every drop of buttery fat when the scored meat gets lightly torched. The specials list is often full of surprises, including my first taste of slender cornet fish, whose dusky flesh has a firm texture without being too chewy, and which was smartly contrasted by minty shiso oil and juicy bursts of ruby grapefruit. A live giant surf clam was sliced into a mound of thick and fleshy threads that were both briny and sweet, and so fresh they actually twitched when our server reached over and poked them with chopsticks. It was an admittedly startling moment, and not just for its slightly creepy illustration of what consuming shellfish that was living just moments before it met the sushi chef's knife actually means. It was also odd for the sudden burst of enthusiastic attention from a service staff that was so scattered and disorganized they had forgotten us altogether, neglecting to bring us water, let alone say "hi" for nearly 20 minutes after being seated. "So, what does that taste like?" she asked us about the cornet fish, making it all too obvious this staff receives little to no training. With that in mind, I can forgive her for insisting the raw kumamotos came from Japan (they were from the West Coast), or that the katsu fried oysters were "from the city." Hmmm hopefully, far enough up upstream from the sewage treatment plant. (They were from the West Coast, too.) The drink program is also in need of some extra fine-tuning, with room for more clarity in some of the Asian-inflected cocktails, which occasionally bordered on dull, and a closer hand on keeping lists current. I requested three things in a single meal (a Japanese beer and two sakes) that were no longer available. (Hint: the Hitichino Nest white ale never fails, and a biodynamic Montinore pinot gris was also a good choice.) "I can see why my parents were against this it's hard!" Sze says, acknowledging he's been seriously challenged to find and manage a solid front-house staff. He brought chef Ronny Huang from Yokohama to oversee the sushi bar, and though Huang does a fine enough job, and the ingredients here are prime, I would not classify Tuna Bar's sushi craft as among the city's elite in terms of originality. Oft-overlooked Kisso a couple of blocks west on Race Street is an equally good, if more minimalist, BYOB sushi option. There are nonetheless some good rolls to be had, including the Sindy, named in honor of Sze's mom, Cheuk Sin Chan, a special from Mount Laurel that wraps crunchy eel, avocado, and mango in a sheet of purple bluefin tuna in lieu of the usual seaweed. The Old City Roll tops a spicy tuna-asparagus roll wrapped in soy paper with crunchy, creamy rock shrimp, which adds up to a mouthful for each piece, but a tasty one. The smaller peppered tuna tuna roll drizzled in white wasabi aioli was also satisfying. But some of the most memorable dishes at Tuna Bar were cooked or still cooking, if you count the seared king salmon shokiyaki that arrived at the table over a sheet of cedar paper that was in flames. Its sweetly aromatic wisps of smoke added a novel sensory flourish to an otherwise familiar dish of teriyaki salmon. Sze's take on teriyaki beef is upped by the quality of the steak, a 14 oz. bone-in N.Y. strip of Black Angus that was tender and full of flavor. At $35, it is by far the priciest item on Tuna Bar's menu. Some of my favorite dishes, though, were far less expensive, and spoke to Sze's Chinese roots. The excellent pork gyozas were essentially his family's dumplings updated with good Kurabuta pork touched with ginger and a splash of Fujianese wine. The chicken and shrimp dumplings sparked with long chives were delicate. The excellent stir-fried rice dishes, meanwhile, hark back to the days when little Kenneth the fifth grader learned at the side of his father, Ka Keung Sze, who taught him the secrets of skilled wok-craft, where searing high heat and clean pans magnify the character of every grain of rice and nugget of protein into potent jewels of flavor. Whereas spare bits and leftovers were the feature in his youth, Sze upgrades these stir-fries with tender chunks of lobster tail, or fresh peas, plump shrimp, sweet Chinese sausage, and a fried egg for "mai fried rice." But no dish speaks to Sze's family pride more than the tiny dumplings and restorative brew of "Grandmom's Wonton Soup." This is not your common wonton soup with thick skinned dumplings and unnaturally golden broth. This is a version of the Fujianese-style soup rarely seen beyond Chinatown's minuscule lunch counter Tai Jiang (a.k.a. "Chinese Restaurant"), with little pinches of meat in gossamer wrappers so translucent they look almost like little ghosts floating through the pale but flavorful pork bone broth, which has a subtle but distinctive hint of celery and scallions. It is indeed a heartfelt homage to Sze's grandma, whom he knew as "Mama" and with whom he was close until she died two years ago: "It's considered peasant food, and a lot of my staff wondered why we'd put 'poor people's food' on the menu of a fancy restaurant. But I wanted to make one dish for my heritage." It is so wonderful in its soulful simplicity that it really transcends its role as merely a nod to nostalgia. It's the heartfelt taste of a young chef born of hardworking immigrant parents who's processing his own American Dream in all its complexity with pride and ambition to make his own way. Yes, Tuna Bar is a worthy and upscale new addition to Old City's dining scene, with plenty of room to grow. But I'd go there regularly for a bowl of that soup every bit as much and perhaps even more than for any slice of Wagyu beef or toro tuna. President Trump speaks during a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin at Julys Group of 20 Summit in Hamburg. Read more Imagine if the Kremlin had authorized a murder of a prominent Russian exile in Boston using a rare nerve gas manufactured by its military to attack NATO troops. Presumably, our country would be in an uproar. Yet President Trump's response to such a murder in Britain last week for which our NATO ally blames Russia has been woefully wimpy. While the U.S. joined Britain, France, and Germany in a statement denouncing Russia, nothing was said about collective action. And while the administration announced new Russia sanctions this week the first under this president they were more symbolic than strong. Even when Trump finally commented on the attack, his critique of Russia was limp and halfhearted. "A very sad situation," the president said. "It certainly looks like the Russians were behind it." Hardly a ringing call to action. Trump never mentioned the words Putin, or sanctions, or election interference. Never mind that British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson said on Friday that it's "overwhelmingly likely" that Putin himself ordered the attack. Trump's refusal to criticize Putin or to respond to malevolent Kremlin actions has moved from the bizarre to the dangerous. Perhaps Robert Mueller will discover Trump's reasons the special prosecutor subpoenaed files from the Trump Organization this week including some relating to Russia. But unless Trump pushes back against Putin, the Russian leader will continue to smell weakness. U.S. intelligence chiefs have warned that Russian hackers will meddle in 2018 elections. More serious is the news, released Thursday, that Russian cyberattacks have targeted U.S. and European nuclear power plants and water and electric systems and have the power to sabotage or shut them. U.S. intelligence agencies have known about these hacking of utilities for months. So what is Trump's problem? Does he still nurture dreams of building a Trump Tower in Moscow? Is he beholden to Russian financiers? Or is Trump smitten with a case of autocrat envy wishing he could operate like Putin, who will win reelection Sunday in a vote where real opponents were banned from running? Whatever the reason, this country cannot afford to wait for the end of Mueller's investigation to learn why the president refuses to stand up to a Russian leader who only recognizes strength. The newly announced sanctions were against Russia's two main intelligence agencies and a group of individuals who worked for the Russian "troll farm" that hacked the election. But they will have no impact on Putin. Most of the targets have already been sanctioned, and/or indicted by Mueller. Those indicted from the troll farm were mainly salaried employees. "Nobody [in the Kremlin] takes [these sanctions] seriously," I was told by Yevgenia Albats, editor of the independent New Times magazine in Moscow. "Nobody cares. Why should they?" Albats says that, except for Yevgeny Prigozhin, the Putin confidant who ran the troll factory, every individual on the new sanctions list "is a nobody." Last summer, a massive bipartisan vote in Congress passed harsher sanctions on Russia that were supposed to target a group of oligarchs close to Putin, affecting their overseas assets. But Trump has refused to implement those sanctions; the list has been kept secret. If the administration had gone after those oligarchs close to Putin, "the Kremlin would have taken it seriously," says Albats. Didn't happen. Question is, why? An even bigger question is why Trump hasn't called for a broad, governmentwide strategy to counter Russian cyber malfeasance. When Lt. Gen. Paul Nakasone, the nominee to run the National Security Agency and the U.S. Cyber Command, was asked at Senate confirmation hearings last month about U.S. strategy to counter Russian hacking, his answer was shocking. "I would say right now they do not think much will happen to them," he responded. "They don't fear us." The departing chief of U.S. Cyber command, Adm. Michael S. Rogers, was equally blunt in Senate testimony in February. He said U.S. efforts to counter Russian cyber attacks were insufficient. Putin "has clearly come to the conclusion that 'there's little price to pay here and therefore I can continue this activity,' " Rogers stated. When frustrated Democratic senators pressed Rogers about whether he had been authorized by Trump to do more to thwart Russian cyber operations where they originate, he responded: "No, I have not. "I haven't been granted any additional authorities, capacity and capability." Of course, Rogers, and now Nakasone, can work within the limited authority they are granted. But that authority is inadequate, as even some GOP senators admit. At the Nakasone hearing, Nebraska Republican Sen. Ben Sasse said bluntly, "We are not responding in any way that's adequate to the challenges we face." In other words, the president is not responding. At a time when Putin is bragging about new "invincible" missiles aimed at America (and Trump is rushing to increase America's nuclear arsenal), the president could take steps to show Putin that he isn't a patsy. Like sanctioning oligarchs. Like authorizing a new cyber-strategy. But Trump (so far) refuses to take them. And we are left asking: Why? In this file photo, school board nominating panel member Jamie Gauthier (center) introduces candidate for the school board, which begins running the Philadelphia School District July 1. Read more A little more than a week after asking for more candidates to consider for the city's fledgling school board, Mayor Kenney has a new list of names. The nominating panel Friday officially delivered the names of 18 additional prospects to the mayor at a public meeting in City Hall. That brings to 45 the pool from which Kenney will choose nine people to run the Philadelphia school district, with its 130,000 students and $3 billion budget, once the School Reform Commission ceases to exist on June 30. Twenty-seven other people are already under consideration for the board. The new list consists of: Dawn Ang, Catherine Blunt, Jenny Bogoni, Alison Cohen, Deborah Diamond, Supreme Dow, Cheryl Harper, Will Jordan, Reed Lyons, William Peebles, Anna Perng, Brenda Rivera, Michael Smith, Andrew Stober, Katherine Stratos, Fernando Trevino, Wayne Walker and Christina Wong. Kenney last week said he wanted a broader pool of candidates as he chooses his school board. "As we review the overall makeup of the appointments, it is important that the members represent all Philadelphians," the mayor wrote in a letter to the nominating panel, chaired by Wendell Pritchett, a former School Reform Commission member and the University of Pennsylvania provost. Pritchett said he felt the additional nominees satisfied Kenney's call for more candidates who were parents and educators. "That was our additional focus, in addition to a diverse group of backgrounds in general to bring to the board," Pritchett told reporters after Friday's meeting. "We went back and looked at the whole list of people that we interviewed," Pritchett said. "But the reality is that most of the people that we put forward this time are people that we had already discussed and been excited about." About 500 people were considered for seats on the board candidates could put their own names forward or be nominated by someone else. The nominating panel interviewed about 80 prospects. Kenney now has 20 days to make his final selections. Those who make the short list will meet with the mayor before he announces the appointments. Board members, once named, won't get paid but will begin their work right away. The school district's budget season is about to kick off, and new board members would be expected to attend School Reform Commission meetings and board trainings. They will begin running the school system on July 1. "Creed II" started filming at the Art Museum steps on Thursday. Read more Rocky fans, get excited: The highly anticipated sequel to Creed, Ryan Coogler's critically acclaimed Rocky series 2015 addition, has started filming in Philadelphia. A crew was spotted yesterday at where else? the iconic Philadelphia Museum of Art steps. Dolph Lundgren, the Swedish actor who played Ivan Drago in Rocky IV, and boxer Florian Munteanu, who plays his son, Viktor Drago, were also on set. In Creed II, Adonis will face off against Viktor. Lundgren famously played the Soviet Drago, who kills Apollo Creed (Carl Weathers) at the beginning of Rocky IV, setting Rocky Balboa to travel to Russia to take on Drago. Michael B. Jordan, who plays Adonis Creed, was not on set and will not be filming for another month, according to crew members. However, he's already posting photos of himself getting into shape for the role on social media. Creed II is set for a Nov. 21, 2018 release. Coogler, who most recently helmed the billion-dollar blockbuster Black Panther, has turned over the directorial reigns to Steven Caple Jr. "Clueless." That's how Fox News host Sean Hannity described his colleague, Shepard Smith, a day after the anchor of Shepard Smith Reporting called out his network's opinion programing as "there strictly to be entertaining" and saying, "I wouldn't work there." "While Shep is a friend with political views I do not share, and great at breaking news, he is clueless about what we do every day," Hannity decried on Twitter Friday afternoon. "Hannity breaks news daily." Smith's comments about the opinion side of Fox News come from a lengthy profile written by Daniel D'Addario for Time, published to coincide with a new multi-year contract that will keep the 54-year-old anchor at the network he helped launch over 20 years ago. "Our team's commitment to delivering facts to our loyal viewers in context and with perspective, without fear or favor, is unwavering," The 54-year-old anchor said in a statement. >>> Jillian Mele: A day in the life of a Fox News host Over the past few years, Smith has come to define the divide that has grown at the network in the wake of Donald Trump's election as president. On one side, you have Fox News opinion hosts and program, like Sean Hannity and Fox & Friends, which have quickly lined up to offer an almost unwavering defense of President Trump. On the other, you have the network's news division, which includes Smith and anchors like Bret Baier, who attempt to report the news as fair and balanced as the network's former slogan promised. Smith, who has found himself at times directly debunking stories and segments offered by his colleagues on the opinion side, said he doesn't let the difference between them get in the way of his reporting. "We serve different masters. We work for different reporting chains, we have different rules," Smith told D'Addario. "They don't really have rules on the opinion side. They can say whatever they want. If it's their opinion." "I get it, that some of our opinion programming is there strictly to be entertaining. I get that," Smith continued. "I don't work there. I wouldn't work there." The differences have been noticeable. Earlier this week, Smith rebuked claims made by Trump that there is "not much political support" behind the idea of raising the age requirement on firearm purchases from 18 to 21, and suggested the president had been co-opted by the NRA. "That's not true. It's just not factually accurate," Smith said. "There is broad-based support for raising the gun age limit. The president said to the kids at Parkland, 'I'll go strong on this, I'll work on this age thing.' He came up to the general public and said to the Congress, 'The NRA has a lot of pressure on you, but not on me so much.' And then he met with the NRA." At times, the divide between Smith and the network's opinion hosts has bubbled over into public squabbles. Last July, Smith reported on a June 2016 campaign meeting between Donald Trump Jr. and a a Kremlin-linked lawyer set up with the promise of Russian-backed dirt on Hillary Clinton. Frustrated over the administration's apparent inability to come clean about the facts of the meeting, Smith called the level of deception coming out of the White House "mind-boggling." "If there's nothing there, and that's what they tell us, why all these lies? Why is it lie after lie after lie?" an angry Smith asked Fox News Sunday host Chris Wallace, who also works for the news side of the network. "There are still people out there who believe we're making it up, and one day they're gonna realize we're not, and look around and go, 'Where are we? And why are we getting told all these lies?' " That segment caused Hannity to unload on Smith on his syndicated radio show (which airs locally on 2010 WPHT), labeling the longtime Fox News anchor "anti-Trump." Certainly there are a number of Fox News viewers who would like to see Smith and his unbiased reporting of the news land elsewhere. The same goes for executives like MSNBC president Phil Griffin, who told the Hollywood Reporter in 2012 that if he could steal one broadcaster from a television rival, he would poach Smith. "I just like his way," Griffin said. "I like everything about him." Thanks to his new contract, Smith isn't going anywhere, which means the news anchor will have plenty of opportunities to continue telling Fox News viewers what they don't want to hear. "Are you looking for news and information so that you can make decisions about your life and your family? Or are you looking for your worldview to be confirmed?" Smith said. "For that second kind of viewer, when the facts fly in the face of your worldview, that can be unsettling. Sometimes, then, they don't like me. And there are other times when the facts work beautifully with their worldview. Then, they're very happy." I've asked the bartender to bring me whatever the most popular drink is at Parkside Beef & Ale. "It's pretty strong," she warns, sizing me up correctly. Nonetheless, I soon find myself staring down a pint glass brim-full of rum six kinds of it! topped off with fruit juice and a candied cherry. It's like a Hawaiian Punch to the liver. Only later do I learn the name of this concoction: The Obama. It's fitting, in that it's almost strong enough to erase any memory of the last 14 months of travel bans, Russia investigations, and political turmoil. Of course, it is also a matter of taste. Augusta Mason, a manager, created the cocktail when the bar opened a decade ago in a moment of yes-we-can optimism. But, she said, one first-time customer balked on the day of the Eagles parade. "He said, 'It's the 'Trump Punch' now!' " Mason recalled. "I said, 'As long as you're drinking, you can call it whatever you want.' " Mason was just pleased to see an unusually lively and diverse crowd at Parkside, a narrow, dim bar hidden in the shadow of Philadelphia's Municipal Services Building, a survivor in a row of low-slung buildings left over from Center City's sleepier days. Over the years, the bar has had its struggles. "A lot of African Americans come in because it is probably the only bar downtown that plays R&B and hip-hop and has soul food," Mason said. But white folks? "Even if they do open the door, they look in and then mostly leave right away." The bar opened as Big Bang's (named for owner Hee Bang), with the hope of taking a bite out of the Del Frisco crowd: judges and lawyers from the courthouse nearby. The owners rebranded after a fight broke out in 2012 and four people were stabbed outside. At lunchtime, the music's pounding and the bar is packed with municipal workers, yellow safety vests slung over their chairs, eating fried shrimp platters with mac and cheese and collards, and, when the mood strikes, washing it down with tall glasses of something blue and boozy. When I stop by with a friend on a weeknight, it's slow. A few women seated at the shiny black bar are downing Obamas. Another man, drinking alone, croons along with the R&B soundtrack in a quiet falsetto. A regular in a dapper suit who works as a legal investigator strikes up a conversation in between relentlessly hitting on the bartender. "She's a very beautiful woman," he tells me almost apologetically. She is also, as the night progresses, increasingly concerned with my failure to drink my Obama. "You haven't even done a dent!" she says with a furrowed brow. "Must be scared." In the end, she gives up hope and volunteers to discount it a few dollars. That knocks it down, also fittingly, to a circa-2008 price point. Parkside Beef & Ale 1433 Arch St., 267-324-3216 When to go: Late-night Mondays, there's a live jazz and neo-soul band. Happy hour runs 4:30-6:30 p.m. weeknights; get $6 flavored martinis, $5 wine, or dollar-off domestic beers. It's open 11 a.m.-2 a.m. on weekdays, and 5 p.m.-2 a.m. on weekends. Order: Go with the flow and select the Obama ($11) and the chicken wing platter with collard greens and mac and cheese ($10.95). This is also a popular take-out beer spot; you'll pay $12.99 for either a 12-pack of Coors Light or a six-pack of Yards Philly Pale Ale. Bring: Your City Hall coworkers on a day when they need a liquid lunch. Fans of R&B and soul food. Bathroom situation: A clean, single-stall unit that's been remodeled in the not-too-distant past. Sounds like: In the evening, an energetic 93 decibels and much louder at lunchtime with '80s and '90s hip-hop and R&B throwbacks that, after a few Obamas, might have you singing along. Could political rhetoric be hazardous to public health? Quite possibly, according to a new University of Pennsylvania analysis of the last presidential campaign. During the 2016 campaign, cities that hosted rallies experienced 2.3 more assaults than average on the days that Donald Trump held campaign events there, according to the study, published Friday in the journal Epidemiology. The researchers noted that news reports cited violent incidents at some Trump campaign rallies, along with language that could be described as colorful. Some of the rally comments attributed to Trump in the study include anti-protester utterances like "I'll beat the crap out of you," "I'd like to punch him in the face," and "Maybe he should have been roughed up." By comparison, Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton's rallies were not found to be linked to any increase in assaults. In the months preceding the Nov. 8 presidential election, media accounts of Clinton's campaign on numerous occasions included the word boring, an adjective that was not known to be applied to her opponent. While the increased number of altercations in the cities on the days of Trump rallies was not proved to be a direct result of his comments, the researchers believe that the difference in language between the candidates may have had an effect on public behavior. "The language of our leaders matters," said lead study author Christopher Morrison, a postdoctoral fellow in Penn's Center for Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics. "We have an association between a candidate who was openly promoting violence at events and increases of violence on days of the events. It's a very clear indication that the language our leaders use can affect the mood of the nation and affect people's behavior." Epidemiologists explore the causes of health problems, including threats to public safety, injury, and disease. The Penn researchers said they believe their study an effort to understand some of the causes and motivations of violent behavior to be the first of its kind: "We know of no other empirical studies that investigated violence at a population level associated with previous U.S. presidential rallies," the article states. The study did not require outside funding. The researchers focused on cities with more than 200,000 people where criminal incident data were available online. Through online searches, they identified data for 31 Trump rallies in 22 cities and 38 Clinton rallies in 21 cities. They counted the incidents for those days, as well as other days for the cities. Since weather can be a factor in crime rates, the researchers considered temperature and precipitation in preparing the study. In the case of Trump rallies, the additional assaults may have occurred at or around campaign events or elsewhere in the cities, but the authors said they were likely the result of "emotional states" transmitted through news reports or social media. No additional assaults were associated with the days and locations of Clinton campaign events. That included some rallies in Philadelphia. The effect of political speech on a populace is worthy of additional study, the authors said. "Given the ongoing reports of violence at political gatherings in the U.S. (e.g. March 4, 2017, in Berkeley, Calif., where pro- and anti-Trump protesters clashed)," they wrote, "whether and how political rhetoric that normalizes or promotes violence affects violence at the population level appears to be an important area for further research." In the early 1990s, then-Pennsylvania Gov. Robert P. Casey came up with a novel way to advance his crusade against abortion by offering state funding to groups to provide "alternatives to abortion." Most of the money went begging until a newly founded company, Real Alternatives, got the contract in 1997. Since then, the Harrisburg-based nonprofit has channeled more than $100 million from Keystone State taxpayers into a still-growing network that includes crisis pregnancy centers, maternity homes, and adoption agencies. Led by lawyer Kevin I. Bagatta, Alternatives boasts a reputation for fiscal responsibility that has helped it expand nationally. Indeed, when the company discovered that a service provider was falsifying claims for reimbursement, it promptly notified the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS), which launched an audit, state records show. Three years later, fallout from that audit hasn't ended. Besides estimating that the errant service provider fleeced $480,000, the audit led to questions about whether Alternatives misused taxpayer money to underwrite its national expansion, and whether state oversight was lax. The audit flagged a practice in which Alternatives withheld 3 percent of all payments to service providers under a side deal they called a "program development and advancement agreement." Auditors ultimately estimated Alternatives had collected more than $800,000 over the last five years through this deal. Alternatives' executives insist they have done nothing wrong. Nonetheless, they have refused to give a public accounting of the 3 percent fee arrangement. "Real Alternatives continues to be shocked and dismayed by the misrepresentation of our company's outstanding accountability, performance, and transparency in administering the nation's first government-funded alternatives to abortion program," it said in a statement. This month, a reproductive rights group, Equity Forward, became the latest entity to try to compel disclosure by suing DHS for records related to Alternatives' contracts. Equity bills itself as a watchdog "to ensure accountability among anti-reproductive health groups," but says the case transcends the hot-button issue of abortion. "Real Alternatives has received millions in taxpayer funds with insufficient scrutiny," said Equity executive director Mary Alice Carter, a former Planned Parenthood official. "People should care about this issue no matter how they feel about abortion." Accountability in public spending Crisis pregnancy centers have become a major part of the anti-abortion movement. Across the country, an estimated 3,000 centers, most associated with Christian charities, offer free services such as pregnancy tests and ultrasounds, and counsel women against abortion. Following Pennsylvania's trailblazing lead, 14 states now fund these efforts. Abortion-rights activists decry these operations as "fake health centers" that use misinformation, deception and coercion to prevent women from accessing abortion. On Tuesday, in a closely watched case, the U.S. Supreme Court will consider a California law that requires crisis pregnancy centers to tell clients that they are not licensed medical facilities, and that state-subsidized abortion is available. At issue in National Institute of Family and Live Advocates v. Becerra is whether the requirement violates the centers' First Amendment right to free speech. Alternatives' case, in contrast, is about accountability in public spending. Some background from public records and Alternatives' website: Its annual funding has steadily grown from $2 million in 1997 to $6.6 million last fiscal year. A big bump began in 2001, when then-Gov. Mark Schweiker put $1 million of the state's federal funding for needy families into the anti-abortion program. Bagatta's compensation also has grown. In 2015, he earned a total of $280,468 from Pennsylvania and other state grants, according to IRS nonprofit reporting forms. Alternatives has a hotline and 33 service providers at 95 sites, and says it has helped more than 280,000 women. Under the Pennsylvania contract, Alternatives reimburses providers for referrals, counseling and education such as parenting and sexual abstinence classes as well as some material goods. The fee schedule includes $10.50 for a pregnancy kit, $1.05 a minute for counseling, and $2 each time a woman visits the "food, clothing or furniture pantry." She gets a maximum of 12 pantry visits "as long as each visit is accompanied by at least 20 minutes of counseling." Providers are forbidden from pushing any religion, but they can ask a woman whether she believes in God and what she has faith in. Alternatives says it has advised 13 other states, and in 2006, "realized its dream of becoming a national program" by signing a consulting contract with Texas. Michigan has also hired Alternatives. Another point of pride: Alternatives has had dozens of spotless state and federal audits, and repeatedly earned the Pennsylvania Association of Nonprofit Organizations' "seal of excellence," awarded for "upholding the highest standards of ethics and accountability in the public sector." Secretive skimming of public tax dollars When auditors from the Department of Human Services completed their review in August 2015, they found Alternatives to be generally in compliance with the contract. But they questioned the 3 percent fee. Alternatives collected it by reducing the service providers' claims for reimbursement, even though DHS paid the whole claim. "For example," the audit said, "a $100 claim would result in $97 being paid to the service provider and $3 being retained by" Alternatives. Auditors could not tell when the practice started, but estimated that Alternatives amassed $809,000 over the last five years. In response, Alternatives readily admitted having a side contract with service providers to raise money "for the advancement of its mission" nationally. But Alternatives contended that providers voluntarily signed on, and that DHS had approved the private arrangement from the start in 1997. Alternatives said that back then, DHS explained "that administrators of other DHS programs have done the same thing, and it is none of the department's business what other contracts you have with your services providers. What they do with their money after they've earned it under the DHS agreement is not our business." That became the crux of the conflict. Alternatives claimed the 3 percent "offset" payments were not subject to DHS scrutiny because it was "private corporate money," while DHS called that argument "unsupportable" and demanded the records. In August 2016, DHS enlisted state Auditor General Eugene DePasquale to investigate and settle the matter. Alternatives initially indicated it would share the records in question, but then went on the offense. It sued DHS and the auditor general in Commonwealth Court to block disclosure, much to DePasquale's ire. "It is my sincere expectation that Commonwealth Court will see this action by Real Alternatives for what it is: an effort to obstruct two state agencies from gaining access to documents that will show Real Alternatives' illegal and secretive skimming of public tax dollars," DePasquale declared in an April 2017 news release. Instead, the court ruled in Alternatives' favor at least, technically. Three judges concluded that auditors can examine money only spent to fulfill the state grant agreement, and that "there is no dispute that Real Alternatives is not spending these funds for purposes described" in that agreement. However, the court did not rule on the public or private nature of the funds, or the permissibility of the 3 percent side agreement. Equity Forward certainly thinks the tactic is wrong. Alternatives "has been an irresponsible steward of millions in taxpayer dollars since it was founded in 1997," Equity said in a news release. It "refuses to be transparent about its operations, even as Real Alternatives executives take home inflated salaries." Equity tried to get the disputed records from DHS through the Right to Know law, but was denied because the documents do not qualify as public records and besides, DHS said it doesn't have them. So Equity has filed an appeal of the denial back in Commonwealth Court. The court is awaiting the government's response to Equity's petition. Meanwhile, DHS seems to have backed away from promises to get tougher with Alternatives. Last August, in a letter to DePasquale, DHS acting secretary Teresa Miller said the department would "seek to recover funds collected by Real Alternatives from the 3 percent fee arrangement" and "include explicit language in future agreements ensuring that all grant funds are used for the benefit of Pennsylvania residents." But the new contract that DHS and Alternatives signed in January merely says the company must pay its subcontractors "without any deduction." And DHS has decided not to recoup the contested taxpayer funds because that would require "a protracted lawsuit using taxpayer funds," a DHS spokesman said last week. Alternatives still has a program development agreement, but the collection and accounting methods have changed, said lawyer Matthew Haverstick, who represents Alternatives. Now, Alternatives fully reimburses service providers' claims without any deduction. Then they pay Alternatives 3 percent. Haverstick said he would welcome a definitive legal ruling on the underlying questions. "At what point does public money becomes private money?" he said. "At what point does an entity get to spend money it earned without government looking over its shoulder?" "It should not," he added, "be cast as a pro-life or a pro-choice issue." A new study finds that TRAP (targeted regulation of abortion providers) laws are more numerous and stringent than OBS (office-based surgery) laws. Read more Almost two years after the U.S. Supreme Court struck down a Texas law that the justices said imposed burdensome requirements on abortion clinics, such laws still exist in 34 states, including Pennsylvania, according to a new study. The analysis, published this month in the American Journal of Public Health, found that many states regulate abortion clinics "differently and more stringently" than centers providing other office-based medical procedures, such as cosmetic surgery. That conclusion echoes previous studies of so-called TRAP laws "targeted regulation of abortion providers." But the new review, led by reproductive-health researchers from the University of California-San Francisco, is more comprehensive and offers a novel web-based tool created by Temple University health-policy researcher Lindsay K. Cloud: interactive maps that compare each state's abortion clinic laws with outpatient surgery laws. Overall, abortion clinic regulations are more numerous and strict, variously covering room and hallway sizes, physician qualifications, infection control, ventilation, power backup, hospital transfer agreements, even disaster preparation. Some states' requirements extend to abortion providers who offer only the abortion pill, not surgical abortion. And abortion providers face tougher penalties, such as fines and criminal charges, if they break the laws. "TRAP laws have not been found to be medically necessary. They're doing more harm than good," said Cloud, director of Temple's Policy Surveillance Program, which has created legal atlases for tobacco, alcohol, food safety, and other health regulations. Proponents of TRAP laws say the goal is to protect women's health, but that argument did not sway the U.S. Supreme Court in the Whole Woman's Health v. Hellerstedt case. In June 2016, it rejected Texas' requirement that abortion clinics have hospital-grade surgical facilities and that doctors get admitting privileges at a local hospital. The law, which did not allow waivers or exemptions, led to the closure of about half of the state's 40 abortion clinics, and the number would have fallen further if the law had been upheld. The high court declared the law provided "few, if any, health benefits for women and constitutes an undue burden on their constitutional right" to abortion. The 5-3 ruling was the most significant since Planned Parenthood v. Casey, the 1992 Pennsylvania case in which the court said states could impose abortion restrictions as long as they did not create an undue burden. In the interactive legal maps, New Jersey one of the country's least restrictive states on abortion shows up as having a TRAP law because it mandates that abortions after 14 weeks be performed in a licensed outpatient surgery facility. Pennsylvania, meanwhile, passed a controversial licensing law in 2011 that requires abortion clinics to be on a par medically with outpatient surgical centers. However, state health officials granted some waivers of certain standards, unlike in Texas. Pennsylvania's abortion control law also mandates counseling, a waiting period, and parental consent for minors restrictions not addressed by the study. In the wake of the Supreme Court ruling, TRAP laws in at least two states, Alabama and Mississippi, have been limited by court decisions. Cloud and her coauthors believe more laws "may be vulnerable to legal challenge." "To the extent that TRAP laws reduce access to health care services in the absence of countervailing benefits, they threaten to undermine public health," the researchers concluded. Local nonprofit Fresh Artists has teamed up with Crate & Barrel to create a line of childrens bedding, all designed by students from Philadelphia, Camden, and Norristown schools struggling with massive finance cuts. Read more Most kids' grade-school art projects get thrown onto their parents' refrigerator (and often later into the trash). For a group of lucky fifth through ninth graders, their hand-drawn designs are landing a spot in the "home" section of Crate & Barrel. The local nonprofit Fresh Artists has teamed up with the national retail store to create a line of quilts, shams, sheets, and pillows, all designed by students from Philadelphia, Camden, and Norristown schools struggling with massive financial cuts. Called the Artistic Bedding Collection by Fresh Artists for Crate & Barrel, the line is set to officially launch Monday. "We want to show kids that art can turn into a job," says Barbara Chandler Allen, founder of Fresh Artists. "We're giving them an insight into what jobs look like in the creative economy." For the last 10 years, Fresh Artists has worked with low-income schools in the Philadelphia area to empower children to become artists and to enhance the quality of art-making curricula. As part of the nonprofit's program, high-quality reproductions of students' artwork are given to corporate and individual donors in exchange for financial contributions, which have benefited public schools throughout the region. It is estimated that Fresh Artists has generated enough money to supply more than 300,000 children in the area with a mix of art supplies and expanded art programming. The Crate & Barrel collaboration was drawn from Fresh Artists' Design Camp, an initiative that connects youth with professional designers to create products that could potentially go to market. Past corporate collaborations have included companies like Knoll Furniture and DENY Designs. "The whole point is that we provide the kids with a real-life experience," says Allen. "They get a design director, they brainstorm and lay the project out, and do market research before coming out at the other end with a product." For the Crate & Barrel project, 30 kids were nominated from six schools to participate. After a series of interviews, 11 were chosen to team up with Crate & Barrel designers, who then helped the students develop the themes of "kingdom" and "in the forest" at the center of the new bedding collection. From these themes, more than 80 illustrations were created, which were then scanned and sent to Chicago. Here, the Crate & Barrel staff pulled the kids' designs into a coordinated collection. Now, those across the country can purchase items like a lion-shaped throw pillow, a colorful quilt embroidered with hand-drawn flowers and fish, and pillowcases filled with cartoonlike drawings of bunnies, dogs, and beyond. Samples of the collection will be on display at a preview party March 19 for Cool Jobs, yet another initiative that embodies Fresh Artist's mission to empower the creative spirit in at-risk students and turn them into successful entrepreneurs. The Cool Jobs event, which runs March 20-22, is designed to connect over 600 at-risk seventh graders in Philadelphia and Norristown with employed artists, chefs, photographers, fashion, furniture and game designers, and other professionals in the creative industry. Set up like a trade show, the event will feature booths for both sharing information about special career-themed high schools, universities, and art and design colleges, and for professionals to chat with the kids. A variety of presenters will also share advice on what it takes to find a job. For the preview party, Kensington artist and activist Robert Lugo, whose ceramic work can be found in the Philadelphia Museum of Art, will serve as the keynote speaker. Open to the public, guests are invited to come out and meet the 11 Design Camp Crate & Barrel participants, ranging from 10 to 14 years old, and mingle with other artist professionals. The March 19 event will be at the venue Moulin at Sherman Mills, and tickets can be purchased online. Cool Jobs will kick off the next morning in the same location, drawing kids from more than a dozen schools. "Our message is that you don't have to starve to be an artist, but you do have to work hard and stay in school," Allen says. "Most teens have no idea who designed their video games, skateboard, or cellphone let alone that they could actually be that designer. Cool Jobs makes that link, by showing a wide range of well-paying job options in the arts, design, and tech industries, while giving them a road map to get there." Students at La Salle University stand near the Lawrence Building and stage a January protest against the schools plan to sell 46 pieces of art to help fund its strategic plan. Displeasure has grown among students and faculty since then and another demonstration is scheduled for Tuesday. MICHAEL BRYANT/ Staff Photographer Read more The state Attorney General's Office is examining La Salle University's planned sale of artworks, removed without warning from the collection of the university art museum at the beginning of the year, and shipped off to Christie's in New York for auction, now scheduled for April 18-19. Joe Grace, spokesman for Josh Shapiro, the state attorney general, said Thursday that "the office of attorney general is reviewing the sale." Grace declined to be more specific, but his statement indicates that the attorney general's office of charitable trusts and organizations is taking a look at the circumstances around the planned sales. One area of concern could be whether the university is violating the intents of any donors or funders by selling the 46 works of art deaccessioned by the museum and consigned to Christie's. Grace declined to comment on the reasons for the attorney general's involvement, but his broader statement is the first acknowledgement that the La Salle sale is under state legal review. At the same time, La Salle, which is currently on spring break, remains in a state of agitation over the proposed sale. Students are planning a Tuesday demonstration, their second, to protest what many consider a crippling blow to the museum, which has been used by many faculty and students, and has been an important resource for area public schools. A La Salle spokeswoman reached by phone Friday did not provide by press time the administration's response to questions regarding the review by the Attorney General's Office or the process by which the works of art were selected for sale. Formal letters of protest from faculty members in the philosophy, art history, and religion departments have been sent to the president of the university, Colleen M. Hanycz, and members of the board of trustees, who made the decision to sell what are generally seen as the museum's very best artworks. Letters of protest have also come from scores of alumni and prominent educators, and the sale has attracted the attention of national figures. Noam Chomsky, famed linguist and public intellectual, decried the La Salle sale and others like it as "very unwelcome developments, if not insidious." Chomsky went on to say, in an email to Alex Palma, a La Salle graduate, that the sales of art by museums amount to an "assault on the population and on decent values." In a March 15 response to a petition opposing the sale signed by more than 300 La Salle alumni, Hanycz and Stephen T. Zarrilli, head of Safeguard Scientifics and chair of the university's board of trustees, said the decision to sell was final and irreversible. "The decision by the university's board of trustees to deaccession these artworks was made after many months of careful study and a thorough review of alternative options," Hanycz and Zarrilli wrote. "We are confident this decision is the right one for La Salle and its students, and as such, the trustees' decision will not be reversed." Over winter break, in late December and early January, the university administration removed 46 paintings identified by Christie's as most valuable for auction sale, including works by Dame Elisabeth Frink, Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres, Dorothea Tanning, Georges Rouault, and a number of Renaissance works. (The museum has a collection of about 7,000 works; the vast majority are prints and works on paper.) At the time, the university said it hoped that funds from the sales possibly as much as $7.3 million will support strategic and learning initiatives. No members of the university art faculty were consulted, however, in apparent contravention of the school's policy for museum sales, according to a fact sheet distributed by faculty opponents to the sales and to interviews with faculty members who wished to remain anonymous. The La Salle collections policy spells out criteria for deaccessioning sales, in museum parlance and specifically calls for funds realized from such sales "be directed toward new acquisitions and artwork conservation." According to several members of the faculty, many of whom would speak only anonymously for fear of university retaliation, the deaccession funds would primarily go to defray capital costs for a makeover of the university library, including the creation of a new coffee bar, gym facility, and possibly a bookstore. University administrators have also started talking about deferred maintenance but not for the art museum. At a student forum in January, Hanycz said that no money would be used to repair the museum or upgrade its climate systems whose poor condition she cited as a factor in the university's decision to sell the apparently endangered art. On March 6, the Faculty Senate sent a scathing letter on the matter to Hanycz, the president, and Zarrilli, the board chair, saying that the issue has fostered "a serious breach of trust" at La Salle, setting the administration at odds with faculty and students. "Instead of having the university's strategic plan generate its own momentum, the administration is opting for a quick fix by plundering the Art Museum," the letter says. "It has also come to light that La Salle may be in violation of its own established policies regarding the circumstances under which accessioned works of art can be sold, the process for identifying items to be sold, and the purpose for which the monies raised can be applied. The decision has fostered so much ill will with students, with faculty, with alumni, with members of the art community. There now exists a deep and palpable sense within the La Salle community that there has been a serious breach of trust, respect and collegiality towards faculty and staff by this unilateral decision that ignored major stakeholders in our institution." The sale has been called a violation of museum ethical codes by several national museum associations. The American Association of Museums (of which La Salle is an unaccredited member) holds that museums should not sell the art or artifacts unless the funds raised are used to acquire more art or to conserve art or artifacts on hand. La Salle plans to do neither. The Faculty Senate letter notes that the university "has placed our colleagues in Art in a very precarious position of working for an institution censured by their professional organizations." In an interview, philosophy professor Cornelia Tsakiridou emphasized the importance of the art museum collection as a whole to the liberal arts and Catholic traditions of La Salle. "The collection is not like a heap of rocks," she said. "It was an organic being, very carefully collected. Removing the works, those which are most important, is like removing a vital organ from a body. The integrity of the collection is badly damaged by this." Election officials say Democrat Conor Lamb, right, beat Republican Rick Saccone by fewer than 1,000 votes in Pennsylvania District 18, where President Trump won by nearly 20 percentage points in the 2016 election. Read more Republicans are pushing back on the outcome of a tightly contested election in Western Pennsylvania, where results have shown Democrat Conor Lamb beat Republican Rick Saccone by just 627 votes. The election in Pennsylvania's 18th District, a GOP stronghold that President Trump won by nearly 20 percentage points during the 2016 election, has set off alarm bells for Republicans as midterms near. Lamb has declared victory multiple times, while Saccone has claimed the race is "far from over." [Read the story: Trump: Democrat Conor Lamb won Pa. 18 special election because he's 'like Trump'] The GOP is mulling legal action and considering trying to get the votes recounted, according to the Associated Press. Here's how the process of counting votes and requesting a recount works in Pennsylvania. Election officials first review the votes As is standard procedure, county election officials will review the votes beginning 9 a.m. Friday. Essentially, they're making sure the number of votes cast lines up with their records. This process could be completed by the end of Friday or extend into early next week. Military and overseas ballots are still being accepted through next week These ballots can be accepted until Tuesday, March 20; in other words, until a week since the election. On Wednesday, March 21, officials will review these ballots to make sure the number lines up correctly with their records. This process could be completed by the end of Wednesday. As of a day after the election, the four counties in the Pittsburgh-area district reported they had about 375 uncounted provisional, military and overseas ballots. To trigger a recount According to Pennsylvania state law, an automatic recount is triggered if a candidate wins a statewide election by less than 0.5 percentage point. However, that law doesn't apply to elections in individual districts, such as District 18. In this case, three voters in a precinct have to file petitions alleging that fraud or an error occurred. The county board of elections would then examine the vote totals produced by each voting machine, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. The newspaper also said that votes cast by paper must be tallied again by hand or by a different type of electronic machine than the one used in the first counting. Plans for a major transit upgrade along the Delaware River waterfront have been floating around for more than a decade at least. That could involve a trolley or light rail line to accompany hoped-for development to reshape the waterfront. But SEPTA is pursuing a $1 billion plan to modernize its existing trolley fleet, and the current funding formula makes it unlikely any additional expansion will happen in the next few years. The Delaware River Waterfront Corp. (DRWC) is looking to improve transit along the river sooner than that. With $200,000 from the William Penn Foundation, it is seeking a consultant to explore how to boost existing transit options to the waterfront, and set the stage so a more significant investment in rail could become a reality. "With the William Penn grant, we wanted to really focus on some immediate improvements that we can do to get people up and down the waterfront and those crosstown connections, because that hadn't really happened yet," said Karen Thompson, DRWC director of planning. The area under consideration runs from Oregon Avenue to Allegheny Avenue. SEPTA's Route 25 bus runs on Delaware Avenue and Columbus Boulevard, and more than 10 other bus routes intersect with or come near those roads. The consultant's review, Thompson said, would be due in late 2018, and would evaluate ways to improve transit use. Possibilities include new or improved shelters, more frequent service, and a marketing campaign to make transit options more visible. Other agencies participating in the review include PennDot, the Delaware River Port Authority, city government, and SEPTA. "SEPTA is looking at increasing the span and frequency of service to better reflect the needs of the retail and recreational destinations at the waterfront," said spokesman Andrew Busch. SEPTA is considering creating uniform service throughout work days and weekends, rather than schedules that favor traditional rush hours, he added. The waterfront was once a virtual dead zone, in part due to I-95's cutting off easy pedestrian access, but it has become more of a destination in the last five years. The Spruce Street Harbor Park at Penn's Landing attracts about 750,000 people a season, the DRWC reported. The nearby Winterfest attracts up to 350,000 from November to March. More changes could be coming, including a proposed cap over I-95 from Chestnut to Walnut Streets. The DRWC's 26-year master plan, released in 2011, envisions apartments, restaurants, and public spaces along the elbow in the Delaware River that Philadelphia hugs. The relatively recent phenomenon of large crowds coming to the waterfront has created questions the DRWC hopes the review will answer. How people are choosing to travel to the waterfront and where they are coming from are key pieces of information to formulate a transit plan, Thompson said. A major investment in transit along the corridor requires evidence of high population and employment density, high ridership on existing routes, and a transit-friendly geography. "Those aren't really available at the moment" along Delaware Avenue and Columbus Boulevard, said Betsy Mastaglio, manager of the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission's office of transit, bicycle, and pedestrian planning. DRWC officials hope the review can recommend ways to change that. "I think we want to wrap our heads around this a little more," Thompson said. "Take the master plan's bigger ideas to that next step." The DRWC is hosting an open house Wednesday for firms interested in conducting the review. It expects to pick a contractor by April 27. Ali Perelman (right) is the executive director of Philadelphia 3.0, a reform group that held workshops over the past year to teach newcomers to run for committee person. U.S. Rep. Bob Brady (left) leads the Democratic Party. Read more Are anti-establishment progressives and reformers on the verge of taking over Philadelphia's Democratic Party in some neighborhoods? Or were they just handed a major defeat? The answer depends on whom you ask. Insurgents were dealt a blow when they learned last week that, contrary to what many expected, there hasn't been a surge in candidates running for a key role in the city's Democratic machine. At the same time, there are signs that newcomers may be chipping away at the old guard in certain areas. New figures also suggest that some veterans are stepping down as beginners enter the ring. Hundreds of residents, including many millennials, attended workshops this year to learn how to run for committee person. The low-level post sounds unsexy but packs a big punch: Committee people elect the city's powerful ward leaders, who in turn select the party chairman and hold sway over many local elections. They also work to generate voter turnout. The 3,300-plus committee seats don't normally attract much attention, but interest in them surged after the 2016 election. A high school senior even decided to campaign for one of the spots. Some political insiders wondered whether a groundswell of newcomers could oust longtime ward leaders, and perhaps even threaten U.S. Rep. Bob Brady's decades-long grip on the local party. But only 3,267 Democrats are running for committee person this year just five more than in 2014, according to preliminary data from the City Commissioners' Office. No, a zero isn't missing in that number. Many longtime Democrats see the flat trend line as proof that Philadelphia 3.0, a dark-money nonprofit that was the brainchild of business leaders and whose goal is to help create a "more competitive city and a local government," failed in its campaign to encourage first-time candidates to campaign for committee person. Other groups, such as Reclaim Philadelphia and the Philadelphia Democratic Progressive Caucus, also supported new candidates. Louis Agre, Democratic leader of Northwest Philly's 21st Ward, said Philadelphia 3.0 acted as if "there would be an onslaught." "They must have spent all of this money, and it doesn't seem like they did anything," he said. "They fell short of their goals. You can call them Philly 0.3." Some organizations that pushed outsiders to run for the spots were underwhelmed. Joe Driscoll, an activist in the city's Democratic Progressive Caucus, said he is "shocked" more aren't campaigning. "It's disappointing," he said. "We've been working on this for well over a year." So what happened? Is the Democratic machine stronger than some thought? Has the grassroots enthusiasm among Democrats been over-hyped? Or is it more complicated than that? Though there hasn't been a citywide boost in the number of candidates running for committee person, there have been spikes in several individual neighborhoods: Thirty-three of the city's 66 wards experienced an increase. Many are located in gentrifying areas in South Philadelphia and the river wards. Jon Geeting, director of engagement for Philadelphia 3.0, also said the citywide data are misleading because several longtime committee people are retiring at the same time that newcomers are running. Only 47 percent of the people campaigning for committee posts are incumbents who won in 2014, according to an unofficial analysis by the City Commissioners' office. "We're extremely excited that this movement has empowered so many new candidates to run," said Geeting. "The candidate mix is almost exactly split 50-50 between challengers and incumbents." However, these figures do not take into account the number of incumbents appointed by ward leaders since 2014, or how many of the new candidates were recruited by ward leaders. Still, the data beg the question: Are the city's wards following the nationwide trend of decades-long politicians calling it quits? Though he said he will remain leader of Philadelphia's Democratic Party, Brady is not campaigning again for Congress. Democratic State Reps. Curtis Thomas and Bill Keller are also retiring at the end of this year. Driscoll said some old-guard committee people may have bowed out after they learned they were being challenged by newbies. Often, there is no competition in these races. "I think we discouraged folks who have been committee people for a long time and don't do anything and don't want to do anything," he said. Agre disagreed that the retirements are unusual: "There is always turnover." Brady did not respond to a request for comment. One of the neighborhoods that saw a boost is South Philly's Second Ward, where Philadelphia 3.0 leader Ali Perelman lives. She was in charge of the group's efforts there to recruit candidates for committee person, which led some political insiders to speculate that she might be running for ward leader. (She has denied those rumors.) "We're feeling good," said Geeting. "In all the wards we were most interested in, incumbents make up between 30 and 40 percent of the total candidates." Ed Nesmith, Democratic leader of the Second Ward, said he has not decided whether he is running for reelection. His family is urging him to step down after many years of service, he said. "If I decide to run, I will win," he added. Geeting would not identify the other wards targeted by Philadelphia 3.0. He and Perelman filed only about 40 petitions for committee candidates, but said about 220 others trained by 3.0 submitted their paperwork themselves. Reclaim Philadelphia, a left-wing organization founded by former staffers for Sen. Bernie Sanders' presidential campaign, also handed in several petitions in the Second Ward. It would not disclose the number of members who are campaigning. Agre speculated that "Reclaim has a better shot at being a player at the table than 3.0." He also pointed out that the city's wards that underwent the biggest increase in committee candidates are located in the Northeast, where groups such as 3.0 don't appear to have centered their operations. Political insiders said the swell there is likely due to disagreements among different factions within the Democratic establishment. A field director for Elizabeth Fiedler, a former WHYY reporter campaigning to succeed Keller, filed a number of committee petitions in South Philly as well. Larry Ceisler, a longtime political observer working in public relations, suggested that the spike in committee candidates in some neighborhoods may have little to do with the battle between "Old Philly" and "New Philly." "We're in a politically charged environment right now," he said, "because of Trump, because of Black Lives Matter, because of #MeToo, because of a number of movements." Mustafa Rashed, a Philadelphia-based political consultant, said that even in an era of increased activism, many voters still don't understand what committee people do or why they're important. "A lot of work still needs to be done to educate people," he said. Driscoll agreed: "It's a difficult thing to promote and explain why you should run for these seats." But, he added, about 800 people told his group they would run for committee person and at least 200 did. "That's an incredible feat," he said, even though "the numbers overall are disappointing." Chris Painter, the decorated chef at Wm. Mulherin's Sons in Fishtown who was suspended over sexual-harassment allegations, is no longer with the restaurant, according to a Philadelphia Magazine report. Painter two weeks ago was suspended by his business partners following allegations by four former restaurant employees. In an interview with the magazine, one of the women Marqessa Gesualdi, a former Mulherin's pastry chef described it "like walking into an episode of Mad Men the way that they view women, talk about women, treat women. I was the only woman in that kitchen for a couple months. Everybody thinks [Chris Painter] is so great, but nobody knows what it's like to work for him." In a statement released to Philly Mag announcing Painter's ouster, Mulherin's co-owners Randall Cook and David Grasso said, "We are committed to being a leader in the industry with regard to employee well-being and workplace culture which are of the upmost importance to us." Two managers and a server also were let go, the statement said. Cook, Grasso, and Painter have not responded to requests from comment from The Inquirer even refusing to answer the simple question of Painter's replacement. A source said chef de cuisine John Taus was promoted to executive chef. He effectively has been running the kitchen since last summer, when the harassment allegations began to gain traction and Painter's work hours were limited. Ed Pinello, who worked for Painter at his previous restaurant, Il Pittore, is now chef de cuisine. Meanwhile, any publicity about the scandal apparently has not affected business dramatically. The restaurant's dinner reservations through the Resy service are as difficult to obtain as before. Sister Helen Cole, fourth from right, and members of the Guadalupe Family Services, a non-profit agency that operates in Camden, received the FBI Directors Community Leadership Award Friday from FBI Philadelphia Special Agent in Charge Michael Harpster. Read more For more than two decades, Sister Helen Cole has tried to make a difference in Camden's neighborhoods, counseling murder victims and families devastated by violence in the city. Her work was recognized in Philadelphia on Friday by the FBI, which announced the award to Guadalupe Family Services, a nonprofit agency Cole started in 1995, of its Director's Community Leadership Award. Cole and her team were honored in a ceremony at the William J. Green Federal Building. Philadelphia Special Agent in Charge Michael Harpster said Cole was selected because of efforts by her organization to educate Camden's young people and curb violence. The city, once labeled one of the most dangerous places in the country, has recently seen a decrease in violence. A member of the Sisters of Saint Joseph, Cole was assigned to Holy Name School in North Camden and later became a licensed clinical social worker. She founded Guadalupe and primarily works with families of murder victims, providing grief counseling. She holds a vigil at the end of every year to honor the city's homicide victims, lighting one candle each hour for each person. She started the vigil in 1995, a violent year in Camden when 58 people were killed. Camden County Police Chief Scott Thomson, who attended Friday's presentation along with a half-dozen officers, said Cole and her team have helped police efforts by offering counseling and healing to traumatized residents. The county force took over patrols in Camden in 2013. "How I describe Sister Helen is, she is the Mother Teresa of Camden," Thomson said. Cole and her staff will receive the award next month in Washington. The FBI will recognize honorees from its 56 field offices around the country that selected a person or group to receive a Director's Community Leadership Award. A city prosecutor signaled Friday that the District Attorney's Office planned to all but drop the case against the activist accused last year of spray-painting the words "Black Power" on the statue of former Mayor Frank L. Rizzo. During a brief court proceeding, Assistant District Attorney Noel Walton told a judge the case against Wali Rahman would be resolved with a plea to a summary offense of criminal mischief. To that, a displeased Municipal Court Judge William Austin Meehan Jr. said: "Why don't you just give a free pass to everybody in town?" The judge did not mention new District Attorney Larry Krasner, but was clearly alluding to Krasner's stated goal to reduce incarceration. "Wow, it must be nice," he added. Rahman, 40, of Germantown, was arrested in August after painting the slogan on the 10-foot-tall statue across from City Hall. He had faced a trial Friday on four misdemeanor charges: criminal mischief, possession of an instrument of crime, institutional vandalism, and intentional desecration. But the proceeding was postponed to March 28 because his attorney, Michael Coard, was unavailable. The plea is likely to occur then. Misdemeanor convictions can carry sentences of probation or jail time. The penalty for a summary offense is typically limited to a fine. Walton declined to comment outside the courtroom. Coard could not be immediately reached for comment. Ben Waxman, Krasner's spokesman, later said the District Attorney's Office would not comment on a pending case beyond what the prosecutor said in court. "None of the charges have yet been dropped," he said, adding that negotiations are ongoing. Rahman, who goes by the name Diop Olugbala, which he has said is his African name, wore a sweatshirt and jacket to court Friday, both emblazoned with the words "BLACK POWER MATTERS." He declined to comment outside the courtroom about his criminal case, but has previously admitted to defacing the statue. Outside the Criminal Justice Center in January, he said, "Frank Rizzo represents everything I'm against, so I don't apologize for scrawling 'Black Power' on any statue." He called the police "the military occupying force" and decried "police containment of the black community." Police have said that Rahman spray-painted "Black Power" onto Rizzo's chest and arm about 11 p.m. Aug. 17. It appears from photos that he also had written "Matters" underneath those words. Video of the act recorded by Fox29 cameras was used to identify Rahman. Rahman was also accused of writing "The Black community should be their own Police" on the steps beneath the statue in front of the Municipal Services Building. John McNesby, president of Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 5, said Friday that he was not surprised by the expected plea deal but that other observers might be. "There's a different guy heading the DA's Office, and there's going to be a lot of people shrugging their shoulders who are going to be surprised in the next four years," he said. "Nobody's supposed to be spray-painting anything," McNesby said. "That's just not legal, whether it's a building or the side of 95. It just makes the city look bad." McNesby said he would take a "wait and see" outlook on how Rahman's case is resolved. Meehan, a Republican, is a son of Billy Meehan, who as general counsel headed the local Republican Party from 1961 until his death in 1994. The judge's brother, Michael Meehan, succeeded their father as general counsel of the Republican City Committee in 1994 and became the party's chairman last April. Rizzo's statue has stoked heated debate, often along racial lines. Critics of the former mayor have demanded it be removed, saying he targeted communities of color. His supporters say he was a hero who made the city safer. City Councilwoman Helen Gym sparked a conversation about the statue with an Aug. 14 tweet calling for its removal two days after white supremacists and neo-Nazis clashed with counterprotesters in Charlottesville, Va., over the planned removal of a statue of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee. On Aug. 16, a man was ticketed for throwing eggs at the Rizzo statue. Hours later, thousands of demonstrators surrounded it and called for its removal. After months of protests and public arguments and amid a national debate over Confederate statues and symbols the Kenney administration in November announced it would move the bronze statue from the spot where it has stood for nearly two decades. That has not happened. City officials have said there will be feasibility studies for potential new sites, followed by a proposal submitted to the Art Commission. The City Charter gives the Art Commission the final say. Alan Greenberger, a professor at Drexel University and chairman of the Art Commission, said in November that the city government was working "to figure out a site. When they figure that out, they'll come to us with a proposal and we'll work it out then." Greenberger, who served as a deputy mayor during Michael Nutter's two terms, also has said the commission will hold at least one public hearing and possibly more, depending on how many people hope to testify. Greenberger and city spokesman Mike Dunn said Friday they had nothing new to announce on potential sites. Rizzo served as police commissioner from 1967 to 1971 and as mayor from 1972 to 1980. He died of a heart attack at age 70 in July 1991. In 2011, Rahman ran for mayor of Philadelphia. He got 3.6 percent of the vote. Question: I recently made a reservation through JustFly.com to travel from Minneapolis to Coffs Harbour, Australia, via Sydney. Three weeks ago, I looked up my reservation on the Qantas website and found that the U.S. flights had been canceled. Neither Qantas nor Justfly.com contacted me regarding the cancellation. I called Justfly.com immediately and it changed the itinerary, but I have yet to receive the confirmation and e-tickets. I have spent hours on the phone every day with JustFly.com. The company insists that it has not received the approval from Qantas to issue the tickets. I'm supposed to leave in four days. I also called customer service at Qantas, and they said I had to go through my booking agent. Can you help? Answer: JustFly.com and Qantas should have notified you of your ticket changes immediately and worked with you to fix your itinerary. So what went wrong? Sometimes, this kind of problem comes up when there's a communication breakdown between you and your agent or airline. To prevent it, don't forget to give your travel agent all of your contact information, including an email and phone number. I checked with you, and you said you'd furnished JustFly.com with all of your contact information. Maybe JustFly.com and Qantas crossed their wires, which means there's nothing you could have done to prevent it. Your case is an important reminder to check on the status of your flight a few weeks before you fly, just in case there's an unexpected schedule change, and especially when you're dealing with multiple legs. And it's another reason why you should consider using a human agent, who will make sure something like this doesn't slip through the cracks. I didn't see much of a paper trail in your case the email correspondence between you, your airline, and your online agent. Instead of calling everyone, I recommend sending an email to all the parties, politely asking them to address the problem. Too few travelers try that, and instead pick up the phone and waste hours of time. Fortunately, you kept your itinerary and other documents, which are essential in establishing a paper trail. There's a shortcut. You could have forwarded all of that information, along with a polite email, to the executive contacts for Qantas and JustFly.com. Their contact information is available on my consumer-advocacy site (elliott.org/company-contacts/qantas-airways-limited and elliott.org/company-contacts/justfly-com). They need to know about your problems, preferably in writing. An email can help you create a paper trail, which saves you time and can come in handy if you ever need to go to court. I reached out to JustFly.com. Within minutes, you had a new itinerary and e-tickets for the domestic portion of your trip. Christopher Elliott is the ombudsman for National Geographic Traveler magazine and the author of "How to Be the World's Smartest Traveler." You can read more travel tips on his blog, elliott.org, or email him at chris@elliott.org. Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner has inherited a list from his predecessor that names 66 police with troubling records or pending criminal cases against them. Read more By the police account, it was a simple arrest. Philadelphia Police Officer Brian Waters and his partner, William J. Farrell 3rd, stopped the driver of a Lexus CS-400 for failing to signal a turn. When the two officers approached the car, Farrell testified in court, they saw a stash of dope and a handgun inside. But at least one key element of Farrell's testimony wasn't true. Waters was not there. He was in court. "This kind of testimony happens all too frequently," defense lawyer David M. Walker said, referring to demonstrably false statements by police on the witness stand. Walker, who represented the suspect in the 2013 case, dug up the court attendance logs to prove the falsehood. His sleuthing persuaded prosecutors to drop the charges against his client and the Police Department to suspend Waters and Farrell, who both claimed on arrest forms that Waters took part in the bust. Such lists, which are used in Seattle and a few other cities, are intended to warn prosecutors of police who might prove problematic as witnesses because of a history of false testimony or have legal troubles that court rules require be shared with defense attorneys. The Philadelphia list divided the officers into three categories. The most serious group was made up of 29 whose misconduct was so serious as to bar them from testifying in court. Five other officers had disciplinary records or drunken-driving histories that needed to be disclosed to the defense bar if they were to be called to testify. Prosecutors said the remaining 32 including Waters and Farrell had troubled records but should face no restrictions in court. The former aides who drew up the list saw it as an in-house reference sheet for frontline prosecutors to consult as they went over lists of potential police witnesses for cases. It ultimately was seen as a tool to eliminate testimony from officers who might lie on the witness stand. The Philadelphia Defender Association and other critics are raising questions about the roster, and the seemingly inconsistent criteria for putting officers on it. For instance, while the prosecutors put no restrictions on Waters and Farrell, other officers caught in falsehoods were banned from testifying. Another area of confusion was the treatment of police violence. One officer, Robert Esack, who broke the facial bones of a suspect he pummeled, was barred from testifying. Another officer, Jose Cartagena, who was said to have done virtually the same thing, was permitted to testify. Then too, the list seemed to offer only a partial look at the misconduct. Notably, the list failed to mention several citizen complaints and lawsuits against Waters' alleging improper arrests and abuse. The city settled those suits for $175,000. Then there was the list's very limited scope. From a pool of 6,300 serving police and a larger number of retirees, prosecutors would bar testimony from just the 29. This reflected in part the narrow time frame used to select names. The roster only included officers found guilty of wrongdoing by the Police Board of Inquiry dating back to mid-2016. But also at work was something far more systemic the rarity with which police in Philadelphia are sanctioned for misconduct. Consider: Of nearly 1,100 citizen complaints alleging police violence from 2010 through 2014, a department study found Internal Affairs investigators in the Police Department saw merit in only 44 cases. David Rudovsky, a Philadelphia defense lawyer who specializes in cases involving alleged police misconduct, said it was important to know the criteria used to categorize officers on the list and even more essential, to determine why that criteria was not consistently applied. The list, Rudovsky said, made "very haphazard distinctions between officers." In an interview last week, Krasner, the new district attorney, likened the list to a stunt to "make you look like you're doing something." It had too few officers and relied too much on often lenient Internal Affairs investigations, he said. A more rigorously vetted roster will be ready by May, he said. "These are really serious attacks on the integrity of the court system," he said, referring to police who lie on the witness stand. Biased, drunk, untruthful The current list was compiled by top aides to Williams. They include Kathleen Martin, who became acting district attorney after Williams' indictment (and subsequent conviction) on corruption charges; John Delaney, deputy district attorney in charge of the Trial Division; and Angel Flores, then chief of the Juvenile Division and the only one of the group still working at the District Attorney's Office. None would comment. People familiar with creation of the list and companion protocol said it was viewed as a "work in progress" meant to address a significant criminal justice issue police lying in court to bolster cases. The prosecutors saw themselves as balancing competing priorities as they built the list, sources said. They wanted to keep biased, violent, or habitually untruthful officers off the witness stand, while not losing the testimony of officers who might have blemished records but no pattern of serious misconduct. For instance, officers with drunken-driving arrests were put on the list, but generally not banned from testifying, the sources said. The thought was that driving drunk was not an indicator of someone's inherent truthfulness, but still a crime serious enough to alert defense lawyers. As for cases of domestic violence, officers generally could still be witnesses provided prosecutors concluded the violence was a one-time event. In one case on the list, prosecutors noted that one officer had "assaulted his girlfriend by grabbing her neck, choking her and biting her left hand." Still, they saw no need to keep him from the witness stand or even to tell defense lawyers about his violent behavior because, the list said, there was "no pattern" of domestic wrongdoing. In all, at least five officers on the list were found guilty by the police disciplinary panel of assaulting girlfriends or wives. Only one was barred from testifying. Carol Tracy, director of the city's Women's Law Project, said the policy protected abusers. "One certainly wouldn't want them to be witnesses in domestic-violence cases," Tracy said. Stop hitting him In a motion filed in court last week, the Defender Association demanded more information about the Williams-era list and particularly about one officer on it: Brian Waters. "Officer Waters seems to have a troubling history of flouting and even breaking the law," the public defenders wrote. Waters spoke briefly with a reporter last week but declined to talk on the record. In that court pleading, the public defenders explored Waters' work history, including his time as Farrell's partner. Farrell, 44, joined the department in 2000. He served in the Highway Patrol unit for a least seven years. Farrell could not be reached for comment and did not respond to a letter left at his home. Waters, 34, became an officer in 2007. He is the son of former Philadelphia police commander and judge Joseph C. Waters Jr., who was imprisoned three years ago for trying to fix a case. Waters worked first in a North Philadelphia district and later in the Highway Patrol unit. More recently, he has been assigned to the Seventh Police District in Northeast Philadelphia, where he was honored last year after making eight arrests in 12 days. In 2014, a 25-year-old Kensington man sued Waters and officers, alleging they had brutally beaten him. The man contended that Waters drove his patrol vehicle into him, hit him at least seven times in the head with a heavy-duty flashlight, and then planted drugs on him. The man had a broken cheekbone and needed nine stitches to his face. The city spent $125,000 to settle the suit. A judge also threw out the arrest, ruling that Waters had no legal grounds to stop the man in the first place. In all, records show, eight witnesses told Internal Affairs investigators that Waters drove his car into the man. "They were kicking him while he was on the ground and then the police car came and they ran him over," one neighbor told Internal Affairs. Said another neighbor: "We were hollering to stop hitting him. They were Tasing him. His whole face was gushing blood and they threw him in the wagon like he was a piece of meat. He just kept screaming, 'Please stop beating me.' " Internal Affairs ruled that Waters had "physically abused" the man by striking him with his vehicle. Waters acknowledged repeatedly hitting the man with his flashlight, saying he did so to stop the man from attacking another officer. Internal Affairs didn't fault him for the blows, but sanctioned him for using a heavier and longer flashlight than permitted by regulations. In 2015, Waters, Farrell, and two other officers were sued for allegedly chasing down a 19-year-old man on a dirt bike and beating him. Internal Affairs rejected the man's contentions after an investigation, but the city paid $27,500 to settle the suit. The same year, Waters was sued again, this time by a man who said that Waters and another officer publicly stripped him and conducted an anal search, a violation of department policy. Waters and the officer denied the claim. The city paid about $22,000 to resolve this suit. Waters has had trouble off the job as well. In 2015, he pleaded guilty to drunken driving after rear-ending a car on Frankford Avenue. He lost his license for a year. None of the civil cases or Waters' DUI was mentioned in the district attorney's list. That document cites only the abortive 2013 drug and gun bust that led to Walker and Farrell each pleading guilty to conduct unbecoming an officer. In that case, Farrell testified under oath that he was driving a squad car with Waters as a passenger when they stopped Louis Rios, 30, on Fifth Street in North Philadelphia. The officers seized 63 packets of cocaine and a .380-caliber, Kel-Tech handgun. But attendance records showed that on the day of the arrest Waters had clocked in at the Criminal Justice Center in Center City. Confronted by the discrepancy, both officers told Internal Affairs that they had gotten confused because they had made so many arrests together. If so, their confusion came on quickly. Less than four hours after Rios was charged, Farrell and Waters each signed official arrest sheets claiming they both took part in the arrest. Investigators asked the pair whether they had rigged the paperwork so Waters would get "overtime pay in the future by going to court." Both denied that. Internal Affairs investigators concluded the misstatements were not deliberate but still cited the pair for filing a false report. In the end, the officers pleaded guilty to the Police Board of Inquiry to charges of conduct unbecoming an officer. Waters was suspended for five days, Farrell for 10. Despite it all, prosecutors decided the misstatements were not significant enough to bar the two officers from testifying about future arrests. Prosecutors said their false claims were "not material" to the case against Rios, the alleged drug dealer. The DA's Office took a different view in court. After Rios' defense lawyer confronted them over the officers' false reports, prosecutors dropped all charges. Staff writers Dylan Purcell and Michele Tranquilli contributed to this article. The FBI & DCNR are digging at a site in Dents Run, Elk County, according to WJAC in Johnstown. Read more When Sgt. Jim Connors tipped back a few too many, he'd talk about the legend of lost Civil War gold, and boast about its whereabouts deep in the hills of Western Pennsylvania. Connors, according to a 1978 United Press International article in the Pittsburgh Press, was part of a special Union detachment tasked with transporting 26 gold bars, each weighing 50 pounds, from West Virginia to the U.S. Mint in Philadelphia in the summer of 1863. According to one version of the story, Connors staggered into Lock Haven, in north-central Pennsylvania, as the lone survivor of an ambush. The gold was gone, waiting to become a plot line worthy of an Indiana Jones flick, but the tall tale may have inched closer to reality Tuesday when the FBI, Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DNCR), and some frustrated treasure hunters converged in an Elk County forest and started to dig. According to WJAC-TV in Johnstown, the crews were set up off Route 555 in the Dents Run section of Benezette Township. That's nine miles from Driftwood, where Connors said the shipment was attacked. Based on today's value of an ounce of gold, the lost load would be worth $27,381,120. FBI spokeswoman Carrie Adamowski told the station that agents were conducting court-authorized law enforcement activity. Finders Keepers, a treasure-hunting firm that claimed it had located the gold, was on the scene as well, the station reported, but members said they weren't allowed to comment. Neither the agencies nor the treasure hunters returned requests for comment Thursday, but Finders Keepers has detailed the controversy over the claim on the firm's website. It all began when someone gave someone else a map, back in 1975. "We believe that we found the gold at the Dents Run site and that the state is doing everything that they can to stop us from telling our story," the firm wrote. Finder Keepers said it searched for years and found artifacts on state land, but officials were never interested. The group contended that Pennsylvania's Historical and Museum Commission said the legend of the lost gold was a myth. Finders Keepers' owner, Dennis Parada, said high-powered metal detectors proved the story was true. Finders Keepers' site also includes a letter from DCNR addressed to the district forester at Elk State Forest in 2005, where Parada, of Clearfield County, had apparently been digging. The letter stated that Parada could not dig on state land. In 2008, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette profiled Parada's "obsession." "I told DCNR I'm not going to quit until it's dug up and if I die, my kid's going to be around and make sure it's going to be dug up," Parada told the newspaper. "There's something in there and I'm not giving up." Parada wouldn't disclose all the details, particularly about the map, saying he was saving the "good parts" for the movies. The Post-Gazette interviewed a Civil War historian at the time, who dismissed the legend and also, perhaps, Parada. "Legends tend to be formulated around wishful thinking," the college professor said. "You don't want to be a citizen of an area where nothing ever happened." According to the Post-Gazette, the Army doubted Connors' story and interrogated him, and sent "Pinkerton detectives to find the gold," but they came up empty. Connors died in a "western outpost." Now, approximately 155 years later, the feds may have found their loot. Amish Patel, 29, was charged with first-degree aggravated manslaughter for the deaths of a married couple in a January car crash. Read more A 29-year-old Delanco man has been charged with first-degree aggravated manslaughter in the deaths of a Burlington City married couple in a January car crash, Burlington County Prosecutor Scott Coffina said Friday. Amish Patel was allegedly driving while intoxicated and speeding when his BMW 440 struck a minivan in the jug handle at Route 130 northbound and Bridgeboro Road in Willingboro Township around 4:30 p.m. Jan. 13, killing Janet Stephens, 50, and her husband, Robert, 52. The force of the impact propelled the couple's minivan down an embankment into a body of water. Rescuers pulled their bodies from the submerged vehicle but could not resuscitate them. Patel was taken into custody Friday at the Burlington County Prosecutor's Office. In addition to the manslaughter charge, he was ticketed for driving while intoxicated and speeding. Authorities were seeking help in locating a pickup truck that was driven by the suspect in last week's slaying of a 32-year-old man in Deptford Township, prosecutors said. Joseph Pirri, of Blackwood, died Thursday at Cooper Medical Center in Camden, where he was taken after he was assaulted about 4:20 p.m. on March 7 while on Tanyard Road near Mail Avenue. The Gloucester County Medical Examiner's Officer said the cause of death was a sharp wound to the face. The suspect, described as a black man who was wearing jeans and a gray vest, was driving a white-over-tan Ford King Ranch pickup truck with a crew cab and a bed-mounted toolbox. The suspect drove from the scene of the attack south on Tanyard Road to Barnsboro Road, where he turned right. He then turned left onto Woodbury-Glassboro Road and continued south on Route 47 through Glassboro and then into Clayton Borough. Anyone with information about the crime can call Detective Warren Rivell of the Gloucester County Prosecutor's Office at 609-685-7396, or Detective Rory Tipping of the Deptford Police Department at 856-462-1334. A man who sued Atlantic City police after three officers punched and kicked him and allowed a police dog to sink its teeth into his thigh won his case Thursday after a month-long trial in U.S. District Court in Camden. A jury found that Atlantic City bore responsibility for failing to properly train and monitor its officers, but only awarded the plaintiff $300,500 in compensatory damages and nothing in punitive damages. "They didn't want to punish the officers," said Jennifer Bonjean, the lawyer for Steven Stadler, 49, of Ocean City, N.J., who sustained extensive injuries when police arrested him March 13, 2013, for attempting to break into the coin box at a car wash. The jury ruled against retired Officer John Devlin, the K-9 handler, but in favor of Officer Glenn Abrams, who was off duty when he first spotted and chased after Stadler, and Officer William Moore, who arrived on the scene to arrest him. At the trial, Tracy Riley, who represented the officers, underscored that Stadler had been committing a crime, had given a false name to police, and ultimately pleaded guilty to resisting arrest. He was unreliable, she argued, because he had consumed a large amount of crack cocaine, six Percocets, and two 40-ounce bottles of beer that day. "He's embellishing his story against these officers," she said in her closing statement. Court filings in the case showed extensive Internal Affairs excessive-force complaints against Abrams and Devlin, though none was sustained. According to the complaint histories cited in the filings but not allowed to be introduced at trial, Abrams was accused of punching and kicking at least six people from 2007 to 2012. In many of the complaints, the complainants said that they were not aware he was an officer, or that he took them by surprise with a punch to the face. In one 2009 incident, according to the filing, he stole a woman's puppy while executing a search warrant in her home; a subsequent search of his car revealed a "cornucopia" of confiscated drugs and weapons. Morris Fairbarn, representing the city, told the jury in his closing that Atlantic City officers are trained in the appropriate use of force and that in Stadler's case, they acted within those bounds. "As these officers are trained, what matters is, are they justified in using the force to accomplish the law-enforcement objective?" he said. "And when you look into the evidence in the case, you see that the reason we're here five years later, the reason force was needed to take him into custody, is because of the decisions that he makes." Bonjean said she has settled two lawsuits against Atlantic City police including a $3 million settlement for David Castellini, whose beating by officers and attack by a K-9 was caught on video and won two more. "Yet many of these bad officers are still on the force and being promoted, and they're not training them on anything different. Nothing's changed," she said. Excessive force complaints are almost never sustained, and though an early warning system was meant to alert police leadership about officers with numerous complaints, testimony in the trial suggested that did not happen. Bonjean is set to begin another case against Atlantic City on April 9. Anthony Moore claims that Detective Franco Sydnor assaulted him at Bally's casino while breaking up a rowdy bachelor party. A motion filed by Sydnor's lawyer on March 7 seeks to suppress testimony and Internal Affairs complaints against Sydnor, including allegations that he: forced a woman to perform oral sex on him, grabbed a woman by the throat and pushed her to the ground, beat and Maced a man, stabbed another man, and punched two other men in the face. As with Abrams and Devlin, none of the excessive-force complaints against Sydnor was sustained. This combination from photos provided by Allentown, Pa., Police Department shows from left, Amy Yu and Kevin Esterly. Read more An Amber Alert has been issued in Mexico for the Lehigh Valley teenager who has been missing for nearly two weeks. Amy Yu, 16, of Allentown, is believed to have run away with 45-year-old Kevin Esterly, a friend of the family. The posting, on Alerta Amber Mexico, solicits help in finding the adolescent. It was posted Thursday afternoon. Allentown police issued a missing person alert March 7 for Esterly and Yu. Police issued a warrant for Esterly's arrest alleging interference with the custody of a child. Police said they believe Esterly and Yu formed a secret relationship after meeting at church and then ran off together. Yu disappeared from her Allentown bus stop on March 5. School records show Esterly signed Amy out of school 10 times between Nov. 13 and Feb. 9 without her parents' permission, police said. More than 2,000 scofflaws are cashing in on the PPAs Amnesty program, and finding freedom from perpetual fear of the parking boot. Read more In 1993, Sam Hodge pulled his maroon Caddy into an open parking space at Second and Market Streets, and spotted a clear plastic bag tied over the meter. Aha, a freebie! he thought. Fifteen minutes later, he returned to find a young Philadelphia Parking Authority officer writing a $15 ticket. "'You can't get me like this, man!'" Hodge recalled shouting, his anger nearly boiling into violence. "I almost went to jail." He appealed the ticket by mail, arguing that the meter was broken and he should have had at least a two-hour window to move his car. The PPA wasn't buying it and sent him a letter saying so. He threw it away. Over a couple of decades of interest, his ticket ballooned to $53. Recently, Hodge, now 74, got something cheerier in the mail, an invitation to make cut-rate amends. So one day last week, the retired corrections officer and school policeman from Nicetown headed to PPA's Center City office to sign up for a limited-time amnesty program for scofflaws. He wound up paying a flat $50 administrative fee, a savings of $3, to clear his record, and his conscience. "This one particular ticket, I vowed never to pay. Well, I paid it today," Hodge said. "I had that ticket on my breast, on my heart, for 25 years. I've made my peace." Hodge was among 2,647 supplicants who by the end of last week had gone to Ninth and Filbert Streets to be forgiven of their parking sins through the PPA's amnesty program. It started March 1 and runs until April 30. To be clear, no one gets off scot-free, and some could walk out quite a bit lighter in the pocket than when they went in. If outstanding tickets are for parking violations prior to 2013, they can most likely be wrapped up with a $50 administrative fee. However, to qualify for amnesty, the driver must first pay off all tickets incurred between Jan. 1, 2013, and Dec. 31, 2017. The program does not cover traffic or moving violations. Outstanding towing and storage fees dating before 2015 also can be pared down. Offenders are required to pay 30 percent of the total amount due, and the rest will be forgiven. A recent audit of the agency found it was owed $76.8 million in uncollected parking fines since 2012. According to Mike Dunn, a spokesman for Mayor Kenney, the amnesty offer the first of its kind for the PPA had collected almost $155,000 as of last week. The program was the result of a City Council bill introduced by Councilwoman Jannie Blackwell in 2016 and passed in December. She championed it after residents complained about an aggressive PPA crackdown on scofflaws, in which they were getting nabbed for tickets going back as far as 20 years and slapped with sky-high penalties they couldn't pay. The amnesty program has received mixed reviews from the offenders. "It went great. Fifty bucks and I'm done," said Carl Lake Sr., who had been harboring about a half-dozen parking tickets from 1997 and 1998. Paying them in full would have cost him more than $300. "Here's the whole thing. I'm not from Philly, I live in Norristown," he said. "And I don't come down here like that. But a buddy of mine, I lent him my car one time, and he lived in West Philly. I'm going, like, 'Had to be him.'" Joe Janda, 51, of Cherry Hill, got the PPA's announcement in the mail, but hasn't gone downtown yet. When he does, he said, he plans to fight. The Parking Authority has been billing him for two tickets that he paid 20 years ago, he said. The interest alone has soared past $100. "I've heard that there's no statute of limitations on a parking ticket," he said. "But there should be." LeVon Wadley of Chester used the amnesty program to dispense with a 1991 ticket, even though he contended it was "bogus." "I've had hundreds in tickets, and I pay all of them," he said. This one "had the wrong address on there and everything." He added: "I didn't know the city needed money that bad." The PPA amnesty office was packed last week, as offenders formed a long line that would take them before two officials inside a cubicle. There was time enough to trade stories. "Demographically, they all look like me in there," said Hodge, who is African American. "Half of the people in line couldn't afford the $50 fine, [but] they need their driving privileges to maintain employment." Hodge said the program confused him initially. He read the word amnesty as forgiveness in other words, free. That's what reeled him in, he said, noting that he likely wasn't the only one. "They're not going to walk out of here with a slate cleaned," he said, "without paying a dime." A man walks along railroad tracks in downtown Reading, which is in a state program for financially distressed communities. Read more Years after the city nearly went bankrupt and fell under state control, Harrisburg is finally in a good place financially, state and local officials agree. With balanced books, the commonwealth's capital thus is primed to exit the state's program for financially distressed municipalities commonly known as Act 47. Only it doesn't want to, if that means giving up the program's special taxing power. "I'm telling you point blank we can't have a balanced budget without it," said Mayor Eric Papenfuse. The city is due to leave Act 47 in September, when its five-year deadline expires. But "there is only one way out of Act 47 for Harrisburg," the mayor said: That would be by keeping its authority to raise taxes beyond the normal limits set by the state. Harrisburg is now lobbying the legislature to extend its taxing privileges, which it did for Pittsburgh. That city exited Act 47 last month. Seventeen municipalities across the state, including Chester and Colwyn in Delaware County, Reading, and Scranton, remain in Act 47. They and the state-appointed firms hired to guide them to solvency must decide within the next two years whether the communities are strong enough to leave Act 47 by the five-year deadline or whether they should seek a one-time, three-year extension. Before the legislature amended Act 47 in 2014 to include deadlines, municipalities such as the city of Clairton, outside Pittsburgh, lingered in the program. Clairton spent nearly three decades in Act 47 before getting out in 2015. But exiting by the deadlines and staying solvent will be a challenge for "quite a few" of them, said Gerald Cross, executive director of Pennsylvania Economy League Central Division. Harrisburg, which has one of the state's highest poverty rates, appears to be back on its feet financially. "If you look at our balance sheet," Papenfuse said, "you'd say, 'Fiscally healthy, has no business being in Act 47.' " The mayor said the city has pulled in an extra $11 million in revenue from higher rates on the local services tax on commuters and earned-income taxes on residents increases allowed because of authority granted by Act 47, formally known as the Municipalities Financial Recovery Act. Harrisburg is burdened by the fact that a majority of its real estate is owned by the state or is tax-exempt. Most Act 47 communities share common problems: flat tax bases, creative bookkeeping to get by, imprudent budgeting, neglected finance departments. Some, such as Harrisburg and Reading, are hubs of employment where a substantial share of daily workers are commuters who use resources but don't pay taxes. Unfunded pension liabilities are "one of the largest weights on their shoulders," which is why the state is considering municipal pension reform, said State Sen. John Blake (D., Luzerne), minority chair of the Senate's Local Government Committee. "The problems for a lot of these communities won't go away in eight years, because they've been decades in the making," said Gordon Mann, director of the Philadelphia-based financial firm PFM, which helped Pittsburgh out of Act 47 and is assisting Reading. "A lot of places will have a hard time, because what they are relying on is the thing they have to give up to get out," Mann said. "The question will be how they'll do once they're out." None of the 14 municipalities that have left the program have been in danger of reentering it, according to the state's Department of Community and Economic Development, which administers the program. But none so far have been forced to leave before they thought they were ready. Marita Kelley, deputy executive director of the Governor's Center for Local Government Services in the department, said the communities in the program are "all a little nervous" about standing alone post-Act 47. "We anticipate there will be some challenges once they get out, and we'll just have to see how those challenges play out," Kelley said, adding that communities that continue to struggle after leaving are eligible for other state assistance. Pittsburgh and Altoona, which exited the program in September after five years, are two cities worth tracking, according to PFM. Cross of the Pennsylvania Economy League said that municipalities need more taxing flexibility and that an overarching issue is "the failure of the local government financing system in Pennsylvania to adapt to modern times." Altoona, Blair County, was able to expand its taxing authority and shed other limitations from the state by asking voters to approve a change in the town's status from a third-class city to a home-rule municipality, said Omar Strohm, deputy city manager. Over the last several years, Altoona has moved from a deficit to a cash surplus of nearly $10 million last year, said Mayor Matthew Pacifico. The city's budget is roughly $32 million. "I know there's a certain stigma attached to being named a financially distressed community," Strohm said. "We look at it as a challenge to remain financially viable and to keep [a] frugal mentality with the finances of the city." Pittsburgh left the program last month after 14 years. A big reason why the city was able to leave was the state's decision to diversify the tax structure for cities of the second class, of which Pittsburgh is the only one. PFM, the state-appointed financial helper for Reading, is weaning the city off a reliance on its increased Act 47 tax authority, Mann said. Reading is "rightfully concerned" about its fate post-Act 47, because of its high concentration of poverty, Mann said, but he is "cautiously optimistic" the city will be able to leave next year. "The biggest challenge is going to be staying out," said Linda Kelleher, Reading's city clerk. "Because we still have the problem with the legacy costs that aren't going to be solved at all." Public safety is often a municipality's largest cost. Millbourne Borough, Delaware County, left Act 47 in 2014 after two decades primarily because it made its police part time. The borough no longer pays into pensions or health insurance for officers. Millbourne also began aggressively going after grants, said Nancy Baulis, assistant manager. Colwyn, which entered Act 47 in 2015, is on track to leave in 2019, just ahead of the five-year deadline, according to borough officials. On the path to solvency, the borough has hired a full-time experienced manager, hired a treasurer, outsourced code enforcement and engineering services, and developed a "realistic" budget, according to EConsult Solutions, the firm the state hired to help Colwyn. Chester's five-year deadline is up in two months, but the city is not yet ready to leave. Officials hope the state will grant a three-year extension. "There are benefits to being financially distressed but also constraints," said Nafis Nichols, Chester's chief financial officer. "We're going to make sure we here in Chester do everything needed to capitalize off of the next three years." Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) waits to speak during a meeting of the Senate Banking Committee on Capitol Hill in Washington. Read more Don't let them push you around, Sen. Elizabeth Warren. Please keep your spit to yourself. Apparently, DNA tests are the new birth certificates. Because President Trump continues his immature taunting of Sen. Warren (D., Mass.) by referring to her as "Pocahontas," a potential 2020 Democratic rival is being asked to take a test to determine whether she is in fact descended from Native Americans, as her family lore says. "There are now so many commercial DNA heritage-tracking labs in business that they advertise on television," the Berkshire Eagle in Pittsfield, Mass., suggested in an editorial last week. "The going rate for one of the most popular tests is $99. All the senator needs to do is spit into a tube, wait a few weeks and get her answer. No matter if the test came up negative or positive, it would constitute a plus for Warren and her political hopes." Her unwillingness to take such a test is the talk of cable news. But why should she? While no credible evidence supports that old story her parents told her, there is also no indication that her shaky claim to Native American ancestry ever benefited her, either during her earlier career in academia or in politics. Warren handled it clumsily when the controversy erupted during her 2012 Senate campaign, but Massachusetts voters decided it did not matter. Now, there is but one reason it continues: Trump rarely misses an opportunity to take a dig at her, even doing it at a White House event honoring Navajo code talkers who were invaluable to the Marines during World War II. Haven't we been here before? Trump's political rise was fueled in part by the fact that he was willing to purvey corrosive conspiracy theories. After President Barack Obama produced his birth certificate in 2011, it took Trump five years to say he accepted that Obama was "born in the United States, period." Now, Trump is going even lower, to pre-birtherism. Many of us grow up with stories that might not withstand some probing. In my own family's case, there was a memento, a black-and-white photo of my grandfather dressed up in a doughboy uniform. I had the impression I'm not really sure where it came from that he had been gassed in World War I. He never contradicted it. Only after he died, when I found my grandfather's military records, did I realize that he had not ever been overseas during the Great War. The spotlight that comes with public life often produces surprising revelations about long-accepted family histories. Bill Clinton was president before he discovered he had an older half-brother. It is possible Warren's family story is wrong; it is possible there's a kernel of truth that has gotten misplaced over time. But if so, it is ridiculous to turn such a common and understandable part of family life into a political attack. Warren, to her credit, addressed the issue with grace in an appearance last month before the National Congress of American Indians. "I get why some people think there's hay to be made here. You won't find my family members on any rolls, and I'm not enrolled in a tribe," she said. "I respect that distinction. I understand that tribal membership is determined by tribes and only by tribes." She added: "I'm here today to make a promise: Every time someone brings up my family's story, I'm going to use it to lift up the story of your families and your communities." And, in the end, standing up to a bully will tell us more about what Elizabeth Warren is made of than any DNA test ever could. Karen Tumulty is a Washington Post columnist covering national politics. @ktumulty HARRISBURG With the Tuesday deadline for filing nominating petitions imminent, prospective candidates waiting for courts to take action on Pennsylvania's radically reconfigured congressional map learned Friday that they will continue to wait. By day's end Friday, neither the U.S. Supreme Court nor the U.S. District Court here had decided whether to grant requests from Republican lawmakers who want them to overturn the new congressional map put in place by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, which ruled that lines drawn in 2011 represented an unconstitutional partisan gerrymander favoring Republicans. Members of both parties and outside experts appeared to be at a loss to explain the courts' inaction. The delay, at least on the U.S. Supreme Court side, is "quite unusual," said Richard L. Hasen, a law and political science professor at the University of California, Irvine.. Candidates have until 5 p.m. Tuesday to file paperwork with at least 1,000 signatures supporting their runs for office. The paperwork must be precise and include the specific districts the candidates are seeking to represent. As of Friday evening, 12 candidates had filed petitions nine Republicans and three Democrats and a flurry of other filings is expected early next week. Republicans say the lack of a decision this close to the deadline leaves candidates in limbo and exacerbates an already chaotic situation. "There's a lot of confusion among both candidates and voters," said Chris Martin, a spokesman for the National Republican Congressional Committee, which works to elect GOP members to the House. "I think for the most part, most of them are getting signatures for the new districts because, until we have a decision that's just the assumption they have to operate under." A last-minute switch could have major implications for the election. Some Republicans fear that a change could make them vulnerable to petition challenges that could knock them out of the election. A change also could cause some candidates to drop out of the race and if deadlines are extended prompt others to enter it. One Democrat, State Rep. Greg Vitali of Delaware County, also expressed concern about the lack of clarity on the map. He flipped back and forth on whether to run for Congress or his state seat before deciding to run for both, a move that angered some other potential candidates. "Even to this day, there is still not certainty as to what those lines will be," he said earlier this week. Members of both parties and outside experts seem to be looking anywhere they can for hints about what the courts might do. "The common wisdom seems to be that somebody is writing a dissent from a court order and, given the timing, the more time that passes, the less likely it is that the court grants the stay, and that's because everybody's reliance on the lower court order is increasing," Hasen said. But, he added, "you can never say never." Privately, some Democrats wonder if Republicans have resigned themselves to the new map's existence although publicly many GOP members still hold out hope it will be overturned. State Rep. Rick Saccone, a Republican who just lost a special election in Western Pennsylvania, announced this week that he will run in the new 14th District south of Pittsburgh. And Republican Congressman Scott Perry, one of several who has joined a legal challenge of the new map, also filed paperwork to run in one of the new districts. "There's been no confusion," said Adam Bonin, an attorney representing several Democratic candidates. "All understand what their boundaries are and what the district numbers are, and everyone is looking forward to filing their petitions on Monday and Tuesday." Republicans have said repeatedly throughout the legal wrangling that they worry the new map will cause chaos during an important election cycle. Their opponents frequently argue that voters have nearly two months to familiarize themselves with candidates and district boundaries before the race. The Pennsylvania Supreme Court in January tossed out the previous congressional map on the ground that it had been drawn to favor Republicans, violating the state constitution. It gave lawmakers and the governor's office deadlines for submitting and reviewing a new map. When those deadlines passed without agreement on a map, the Supreme Court, with assistance from an outside expert, imposed a new one. The previous map led to Republican victories in the same 13 out of 18 seats in all of the years when it was in place, not including Tuesday's special election in western Pennsylvania. Experts have said they expect the map imposed by the state Supreme Court still would give Republicans a slight edge but would create more districts that favor Democrats and more districts that are competitive for both major parties. Republican lawmakers have filed two legal challenges to the map, both arguing that the Pennsylvania Supreme Court overstepped its bounds and violated the Elections Clause of the U.S. Constitution, which gives state legislatures power over elections. The opioid crisis has been cutting its deadly swath throughout the city for a few years now, taking 1,200 lives in the last year alone. It's essential for every public official, including City Council members, to be fully informed. But at a recent hearing, called to assess the city's response to the crisis, members showed little respect for the time of the very people who fight the epidemic every day. Advocates showed up hoping that someone in authority would listen to what they see, what they have learned, and how the battle against what Health Commissioner Thomas Farley calls the "worst public health crisis in this century" might be won. Instead of hearing them, Council spent three hours grilling officials from Mayor Kenney's administration on its policies and procedures. That is, of course, a valid line of inquiry, but the Monday hearing should have been better organized to make sure the witnesses who showed up didn't waste those hours waiting. Those who could not speak last week will have a chance to be heard at a second hearing April 4, scheduled to last two hours. That's not long enough for a problem as big and complicated as the opioid crisis. Widespread addiction hasn't waited for Council to get up to speed. The upswing in overdose deaths began in 2011 with about 400. But in 2013, Councilmen Bobby Henon and Brian O'Neill championed obstructionist legislation that could be used to ban methadone clinics in their Northeast districts. In that same year, about 500 died of drug overdoses. Just two years later in 2015, the number hit 700. Last year, it was 1,200. Even all these years into the crisis, Council Members Henon and Mark Squilla insisted on focusing on abstinence when medically assisted treatment is considered the most effective treatment by modern standards. Their call for abstinence suggests an ignorance about the fact that addiction is a disorder, not a choice. Henon and Squilla are no doubt reflecting the concerns of some constituents. But this public health crisis doesn't respect geographic boundaries, and people are dying all over the city. To drive that point home, the health commissioner is working to show how last year's overdose deaths were distributed throughout the city's 10 Council districts. His preliminary figures show that the most 287 died in the Seventh District, represented by Councilwoman Maria Quinones-Sanchez. Second was the Sixth District, represented by Henon, where 122 died. In the Fifth District, represented by Council President Darrell Clarke, 95 died, and in the Eighth District, represented by Councilwoman Cindy Bass, 66 died. Farley hasn't finished mapping the death toll but said every other district has at least 40 victims. As the hearing closed, Bass told the frustrated advocates: "This is something that needs to be thoroughly discussed and vetted. We're going to continue the conversation until there's no conversation to be had." Talk is fine, but well-informed action is required. If Council members aren't fully informed, how will they grapple with the really complicated issues like safe injection sites or the housing needs of those addicted to opioids? They should understand the issue well enough to balance the need for users to get the best possible care with protecting neighborhoods from being overwhelmed. Michaela DePrince Is Beyond Glamorous on the Cover of Harper's Bazaar Dutch National Ballet Soloist Michaela DePrince has been busy winning over the mainstream media. Since last spring, the First Position star not only landed a spokesmodel deal with Jockey, but she also recently teamed up on a commercial with Chase Bank and just announced that Madonna will be directing her upcoming biopic, Taking Flight (totally casual). What could possibly be next? The cover of Aprils Harpers Bazaar Netherlands, it turns out. Posing in an arabesque with her hair slicked back in her usual ballet bun, DePrince traded in her leotard and tights for a stunning metallic Gucci dress (can we do that, too?). And thats just for the coverDePrince shared another designer look (this time, a structured white gown from Louis Vuitton) from inside the mag, too. But shes not the only ballet dancer taking over fashion magazines this month. NYC favorite, Justin Peck, shared a picture from his feature in Vanity Fair for his choreography of the Broadway musical, Carousel. Royal Ballet principal Francesca Hayward made an appearance alongside some fashion models in the March issue of American Vogue, after starring in a video for British Vogue earlier this winter. And Harpers Bazaar UK featured even more of the Royal Ballet dancers in their April issue. Highlighting the companys Erdem-designed costumes for the new Christopher Wheeldon piece, Corybantic Games, the spread included photos of principals Lauren Cuthbertson and Yasmine Naghdi and first soloist Beatriz Stix-Brunell. A Suffolk County, NY, police officer was seriously injured Tuesday in a head-on collision involving his cruiser and a stolen vehicle in West Babylon, County Executive Steve Bellone said. The officer sustained numerous broken bones and was taken to Nassau University Medical Center in East Meadow, where his injuries were being assessed, acting Suffolk Police Commissioner Stuart Cameron said. None of the injuries were life-threatening, reports Newsday. Photo: Suffolk County (NY) PD/Facebook Police said Louis Mancini Jr. had stolen a GMC Yukon at about 11:15 a.m., a vehicle that was left running at Franks Delicatessen on Little East Neck Road in West Babylon, police said. About half an hour later, Mancini lost control as he drove at a high rate of speed north on Straight Path and slammed into a southbound cruiser head-on, officials said. This was not a pursuit, but [police] were aware the vehicle was stolen, Bellone said. He was going faster than he should have been, given the conditions, Cameron said. Mancini, 30, was taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Tammy Dee Widger was charged on Wednesday with felony murder in the shooting death of Clinton (MO) Police Department Officer Ryan Morton last week. Clinton, MO, police officer Christopher Ryan Morton was shot and killed in the line of duty. (Photo: Clinton PD) Widger, whose rental home was the site of the fatal shooting, had previously been charged with possession of methamphetamine with the intent to distribute and with keeping or maintaining a public nuisance. The second-degree murder charge was added by Henry County prosecutors on Wednesday in an amended complaint, according to court records. Widger allegedly committed felony murder because Morton was shot and killed "as a result of the perpetration of the class C felony of delivery of a controlled substance," according to court records. Henry County emergency communications officials later said that a database error sent police to the wrong address. An investigation into that error is ongoing. According to court documents, Widger answered the door and said there was no disturbance. But when five officers went into the house to ensure no one was being harmed, gunfire erupted and Morton was mortally wounded. The investigation into a 911 call that led to the death of a police officer in Clinton, Mo., took a new twist late Thursday night. CenturyLink, a company that provides telephone services to Henry County, told 41 Action News its system provided the right address when the 911 call came in on the night of March 6. The day after the shooting, investigators revealed the 911 call originated in Windsor, Mo. But dispatchers sent police to a home around 20 miles away in Clinton, Mo. After investigating, CenturyLink spokesman Mark Molzen released the following statement to 41 Action News: "CenturyLink takes all public safety issues seriously, particularly those involving first responders. We conducted a thorough investigation which shows that when the 911 call was placed, CenturyLink provided the correct phone number and address." Ruby, a Rhode Island State Police K-9, is being celebrated as a hero. Before she became a K-9, she was called and almost euthanized. (Photo: Providence Journal video screen shot) Before she was a year old, Ruby had been returned to an East Providence, RI, animal shelter four times. She was unmanageable, aggressive toward children and other pets, and came within two hours of being destroyed. Each time Ruby was returned to the East Providence shelter of the Rhode Island Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, volunteer dog trainer Patricia Inman worked with her to make her more adoptable. Inman, who runs Lazybones Dog Training in Chepachet, saw potential in Ruby despite her problem behaviors. She did not have an off switch, Inman wrote in a Facebook message. She was too much dog for most families. But she wasn't too much dog for the Rhode Island State Police, at least not after lots of training. Trooper Daniel ONeil remembers Ruby as just crazy. Just bouncing off the walls. For the next four months, ONeil said, he didnt let her out of his sight for a second. They were inseparable. She came along on his four- or five-mile runs. He brought her to work, even though she wasnt yet a police dog. They bonded. The dog has to really love you to work for you, he said. She made a miraculous transformation, Warzycha told the Providence Journal. Last October, after the Glocester police had searched 24 hours for a missing teen, they asked for help, and the state police sent Ruby, now an RISP K-9, and ONeil and another team. We were a mile and a half into the woods when Ruby all of a sudden quickly darted, ONeil said. Sure as anything, we came around the corner, and the young man had fallen and hit his head and was severely injured. She was sitting there licking his face. She was trying to revive him. The teens mother, who believes that Ruby saved her sons life, is Patricia Inman, the trainer who helped save Rubys life. Ruby is one of nine candidates in the search and rescue category for the American Humane Hero Dog Awards. People can visit the website at herodogawards.org/dog/ruby/ and vote once a day in each of seven categories until 3 p.m. ET April 25. The Doughertys always celebrate St. Patrick's Day and perhaps even more so on a Saturday. It's often said that everyone is Irish on St. Patrick's Day, so here's a link to help you learn more. Irish eyes The U.S. Census Bureauhas a great facts page with all sorts of breakdowns on St. Paddy's Day. Did you know about 10 percent of the U.S. population claims Irish heritage? Some Massachusetts towns have high percentages, such as Braintree, Mass., which claims about 40 percent of its community has Irish heritage. Check in on what towns are named after Irish towns or dabble in the details that about 20,000 of our country's residents speak Gaelic! Don't forget to get the corned beef and cabbage going on Saturday. Enjoy the day! www.census.gov/newsroom/facts-for-features/2017/cb17-ff05.html Bring on the pipers Always an exciting element of St. Paddy's Day in Rochesterare the Rochester Caledonia Pipe Band, which makes a day of it bopping in and out of the various pubs and watering holes in the Queen City. They even stop by to visit a friend of mine for a brief respite of Irish stew, other delectables and something to whet their whistles. It's a fun time. Check in on their schedule to hear this talented troupe. www.rcpbmn.com Notables I've been mesmerized by the work that's gone in to note women for International Women's Day on March 8. But did you know that March is National Women's History Month? It's a great time to learn and appreciate many of the great contributors to our country who were overlooked because of poor past practices. Check in with The New York Timesfor their 15 obituaries of remarkable women who were not noted in the paper. It's wonderful and illuminating to learn more. Dig in and you'll find a lot more to learn and appreciate. Women have created and continue to create a rich life for all of us. www.nytimes.com/interactive/2018/obituaries/overlooked.html Learn more The Minnesota Legislative Reference Library is rich in information about our state, our legislative leaders and history. Over the course of Digital Mike's existence I've noted it, but thought it's worth it once again as the Legislature picks up speed. Do you know state's lawmakers? take the quiz. Or learn about how many times have the governor and the lieutenant governor been from different political parties. There's good information in there. www.leg.state.mn.us/lrl/lrl Permit to carry Our gun debate is wide ranging and mix of reasoned discussion and hysterical arguments not meant to settle anything. APM Research Lab analyzed data from permit-to-carry holders in Minnesotaand with other databases to shape some profiles and analysis about those who carry and those who don't. It's not a perfect look. I know friends who carry and don't fit this, but it's a good discussion piece and one you should read with other material. www.apmresearchlab.org/stories/2018/03/07/who-has-a-permit-to-carry-a-gun-in-public-and-what-are-they-thinking {child_byline}By Emily Carson life@postbulletin.com {/child_byline} Shannon Lindenfeld and her family moved to Rochester from Virginia nearly eight years ago. Christ United Methodist Church became their faith community shortly thereafter. Lindenfeld along with her husband, Dan, and two teen children, Abby and Joshua, have felt a spiritual home among the people of Christ United Methodist Church. "We love it here in Minnesota; its great," Lindenfeld said. "But Ive decided that I cant live here forever when we retire. Its cold! I totally understand snowbirds now." The Methodist denomination has been part of Lindenfelds life since she was a little girl growing up in North Carolina. Her mom was raised as a Presbyterian and father was from a long line of Baptists; eventually it was Methodism that felt like the right tradition in which to raise their family. "I think for me its comfortable because its what Ive always known. The Methodist church does not believe in shaking the sin stick at you. I think especially in this day and age, thats so important. Its about Gods love. Its warmly welcoming people wherever they are in their lives. People can come right where they are and be accepted and loved. I feel like thats what the Methodist church hopes to do." Christ United Methodist Church has been part of the fabric of Rochester since 1857. It used to be in the same location where Mayo Clinic HospitalMethodist Campus now stands, but the congregation eventually sold the land to the clinic and relocated to their current spot on Fifth Avenue Southwest. The pastors currently serving the congregation are the Rev. Elizabeth Macaulay, the Rev. Katy Lee and the Rev. Nancy Wheeler Handlon. In reflecting on what shes found most life-giving about serving the congregation since she joined the team in 2014, Lee said, "People at Christ United Methodist Church are ready to WORK! They are perceptive, strong, compassionate, wise and willing to get things done in the world. Their mission-mindedness and grit when faced with obstacles and struggles is inspiring." Christ United Methodist Churchs mission statement is "creating Committed Christ followers for the transformation of the world." The people of the congregation have a long history of living out that mission through ministries related to social justice. Lee describes that social justice is another way of talking about a "commitment to living in the world with eyes wide open and hands and feet active as the body of Christ." That focus is exactly what Lindenfeld has experienced as a member. She says that the people of the church recently raised more than $1.4 million through a capital campaign, "Transform," which will in part be used to develop THRIVE!, a family resource and child care program. There is a multitude of different small groups and service ministries in which the church is engaged, from musical groups to hosting Saturday noon meals to participating in a backpack food ministry for elementary school children. Wednesday nights are a special time for the Lindenfeld family. Its when the church has programming called CU Wednesday from 5:30 to 7, which includes intergenerational activities and a meal. Adults gather to view a TED Talk and discuss it. "When I get there on Wednesdays, its like coming home," she said. The goal of congregational life at Christ United Methodist isnt that everyone agrees all the time. Instead, Lindenfeld says that respectful, honest discourse is the priority. The willingness of the pastors to dialogue with parishioners is deeply meaningful to her. "You can really talk to our pastors. You can be open. You can share feedback, and when you have that openness of the pastors, it allows the congregation to be more real, too," she said. Sunday worship takes place at 8 a.m., 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. To learn more about the congregation, visit its website, www.cumethodist.com. Just in time for St. Patricks Day, while the green beer flows and the shamrocks grow, the Rochester Caledonian Pipe Band (RCPB) will serenade our town with their sweet bagpipe tunes. The pipers and drummers will make 12 stops in less than 10 hours on their annual Parade of Pubs. Their day starts at 11:45 a.m. at Beetlesand it ends after their 9:30 p.m. stop at Whistle Binkies on the Lake. In between, theyll play at places like The Half Barreland Charlies Eatery and Pub. According to Josh Poencet, the RCPBs Drum Sergeant, a successful tour of pubs requires a few essential ingredients: a continuous loop of "Scotland the Brave," a dancing leprechaun, two bottles of scotch, a batch of Brothers deep-fried pickles, and The Naughty Nurse Bus. Despite this wacky Parade of Pubs essentials list, the RCPB has a serious history. In the early 1970s, Pipe Major David Thomas formed The Mantorville Grenadiers, which later became the Rochester Caledonia Pipe Band. The band is "dedicated to bringing the music, history and culture of the Highland Bagpipe to the residents of Rochester and Southeastern Minnesota," according to their mission statement. The band includes musicians of all skill levels. In addition to Caledonian bagpipes, the RCPB also uses a variety of drums. "There are three types of drums in highland bagpipe bands: snare drums, tenors drums, and bass drums," says Poencet. The snare drum requires fine finger control, the tenor includes exciting visual flourishes, and the bass keeps the band on tempo and helps conduct the band. While the RCPB sounds great, it looks sharp, too. The band wears the MacDonald of the Isles Modern Hunting tartan and their uniforms include vests, kilts, hose, and other accessories like ghillie brogues. If youre trying to find a way to make St. Patricks Day special, in addition to your corned beef, your cabbage, and your Connemara Peated Single Maltwhiskey, take the time to track down the RCPB on their tour of pubs. The cadence will call, the pipes will wail, and the bass drum will boom as the band regales its listeners with the back-stiffening strains of "Minstrel Boy." Nearly two years ago, Amber Kohnhorst fell 100 feet during a solo hike in northern Arizona. The fall broke her nose, her pelvis, her back. But, it turns out, not her spirit. "I DON'T REMEMBER THE FALL" It was abnormally windy the day Amber Kohnhorst nearly died. Its one of those details that sticks out to the now-26-year-old Mayo Clinic hyperbaric nurse who departed on what she thought would be an uneventful, solo sunset hike to see some petroglyphs near her Airbnbshed just checked in an hour or so beforein Cane Beds, Ariz., 30 miles northwest of the Grand Canyon. At one point, late in her hike, she found herself on unmarked terrain. Darkness was approaching. This, she realized, wasnt good. But Amber had little food and no water left in her daypack on that windy evening of May 20, 2016. Stopping for the night, she figured, wasnt an option. The last thing she remembered, she was hiking down a cliff. It was just before 8 p.m. Not long after, she fell. Amber Kohnhorst regained consciousness an hour later. She was in excruciating pain. She found herself in a slot canyona narrow, rock-walled dungeon, maybe 10 feet by 10 feetin an area known for its vermillion cliffs and wide-open spaces. She was 100 feet from where she fell. One hundred feet straight down. It was getting dark. She tried calling 911, but had no service. She took inventory of her backpack: two carabiners, one paracord survival bracelet, some trail mix, a whistle, a mini first-aid kit, wipes, and an empty water bottle. She cleaned off as much blood as she could, blew on the whistle, propped her head on her backpack. Put her phone on airplane mode to save the battery. Amber relied on her nursing expertise to help assess her injuries. She had a broken nose, a torn ear, a broken pelvis, a fractured back, and, shed later learn, a mild traumatic brain injury. "I lost my footing, hit my head and basically fell like a wet noodle ... I didnt even try to stop myself, which is probably why I survived the 100-foot fall. Based on my injuries, it looked like I landed on my feet and rolled from there. It was pitch dark and my face was bloody," Kohnhorst says. "I dont remember the fall. I just dont remember it. I checked my phone at 7:45 p.m., sometime before I fell. When I regained consciousness, I checked it again. It was 9:15 p.m." She was miles from anywhere in an area where she knew no one. All Amber could do was lie there in anguish. She wondered how anyone would find her. The canyon Kohnhorst was trapped in resembled a dungeon, but it did have one positive attributeits walls shielded her from the wind. The temps in Cane Beds dropped from 78 degrees to the low 50s within just a few hours on that Friday night. She spent the night still, hoping animalsthe area is home to mountain lions and rattlesnakes, wolves and black bearswouldnt detect the smell of her blood and find her. She spent the long, long night awake. Alone. Scared. She was on the northern border of Arizona, not far from Utah, and wasnt due anywhere, really, until she was slated to volunteer the next morning at an animal sanctuary. The only people who knew where shed gone were the hosts at her Airbnb. Starting the next morning, once it was light, her phonewhich had no service but was otherwise functioningbecame her solace. "When I was laying in that canyon thinking I was going to die, one of the ways I comforted myself was looking through pictures on my phone," she says. "I realized all the goals Id accomplished in my life already. It really opened my eyes. Sometimes were so focused on the future we never look back or at the present to see what weve done. Ive done a lot that I never gave myself credit for, until I had to step back and look at it all in that canyon." Thats when Amber resolved that, if she had any hope of being spotted by other hikers, she had to move. Her only hope, she realized, was to start crawling. "IM SORRY" So she crawled, screaming through the pain. Bit by bit, inch by inch, up a natural stone staircase, until she ascertained she might be visible to searchers or fellow hikers. Shed made it 50 feet. "When I started crawling, I thought I was going to crawl my way out of there," she says. "But when I got halfway and realized I was trapped, reality sunk in. Either someone would rescue me or I would die there. Thats when I got really depressed and felt defeated." When she finally stopped, when she couldnt crawl any farther, she wrote goodbye letters to her family on her phone. Apologies, mostly. "Ive fallen. Im sorry." She was full of despair that she might never be found, and her parents and brothers would be left wondering about her fate. For three hours, she lay there, knowing this was life or death. The windgusts reached 35 mph that night, according to National Weather Servicehit her now and her body started going into shock. Was she awaiting rescue or death? She wasnt sure. "WE COULDN'T DO ANYTHING" Back in Ambers hometown of Wausau, Wis., her mother Nanette had grown concerned when her oldest child didnt check in the morning after her hike. Shed promised to text before her 8 a.m. volunteer shift at Best Friends Animal Society. Nanette was now texting or calling Amber every hourbut didnt get a response. All through that Saturday, Nanette wouldnt stop checking her phone. She and husband Dennis attended a graduation party, and Nanette couldnt stop worrying. Something wasnt right, she thought, but the mother of three also reasoned that perhaps Amber was having too good a time to text. At Ambers Airbnb, meanwhile, the housekeeper had discovered Kohnhorsts belongings on her still-made bed and alerted the hosts that she hadnt checked out that morning as planned. The hosts consulted their neighboring son, who said hed seen her depart but not return. And so the search began. A Mayo Clinic representative then phoned Nanette and Dennis. "Call this number immediately," they were told. "Its about your daughter." Nanette called to find Cindy Wallace on the other end. Cindy, one of Ambers Airbnb hosts, told the couple their daughter was missing in the mountains. "She said, 100 people and a helicopter are looking for her," Nanette recalls. "I held the phone and all I did was walk. All we did was pace. We couldnt do anything but wait for Cindy or the police to call us back." "THAT'S WHEN I KNEW I'D BE SAVED" By now, again, sunset was looming. Amber had spent 24 hours in the canyon, broken. She didnt know if she could last another night. Then she heard something. The faint sound of voices. People yelling below her. Kohnhorst had one lifeline in her daypack, which is what ultimately saved her life. She relentlessly blew a whistle so the people below could hear her. The helicopter pilot had to help spot her because those walking couldnt see her on the rocks above. "I was on my knees now, left arm to support my body, right arm in the air, phone in my hand with the light on and the whistle in my mouth because I was so desperate to get rescued, Amber says. "There was this momentand Ill never forget itthis guy in the helicopter pointed directly at me. Thats when I knew Id be saved." "I WAS JUST HAPPY TO BE ALIVE" Back in Wausau, Nanette finally got the phone call shed been hoping for. "When we finally got the call that they located her and she was alive but hurt, thats when my heart went, thank God she is alive," she says. "When she blew her whistle, everybody was relieved," says Cindy Wallace, Kohnhorsts Airbnb host. "I cant even imagine (losing a child). We were just really, really, really relieved that she blew that whistle. And we heard it, and she was alive. It is a miracle." The search and rescue team decided to camp out that night and bring Amber to safety in the morning, but at 1 a.m. the fierce wind died down. All was still. Assessing her as a Level 2 trauma casemeaning they knew she needed comprehensive care immediatelythe team decided to depart to get Kohnhorst the full-fledged medical treatment she required. In the back of the ambulance, Amber the patient became Amber the nurse. She instructed the ambulance crew where to start her IV and got everyone in the rig laughing as they drove to a hospital. "They said, We cant believe how happy and chatty you were. You were cracking jokes. I was like, Yeah, I was just happy to be alive and be around people again," Amber says. Kohnhorst spent 10 days at the Dixie Regional Medical Center in St. George, Utah, and was transferred to Mayo Clinic Rochester for seven additional days. She then returned to her familys ranch in Wausau to begin the long process of recovery and rehabilitation. It wasnt as hard as that canyon crawl, but it wasnt easy. In August of 2016, Kohnhorst started physical therapy and worked hard to regain her gait. She went from lying in a bed to sitting in a wheelchair. Then from relying on a walker to walking with sticks. And then to walking independently. Amber, an animal lover, world traveler, and outdoors enthusiast, has mostly resumed regular life. Though she still fights the pain. "Recovery has been long. But Im pretty fortunate," she says now, sitting at Forager Brewery on a mild December day with a chai latte in her hands. "Every day is a gift. I go hiking still. I camp. I horseback ride, I swim, I work. Some people question my decision to hike, but in my mind I am going to do what makes me happy. My mistake wasnt that I decided to hike; it was that I was unprepared and unaware of my surroundings." Her parents say watching her recover was part horrific and part rewarding. "It was lots of tears behind closed doors," says Nanette. "I felt so terrible for her. I couldnt stop all this pain. It was hard to see her, but every time she made an accomplishment, it was amazing." "My take on her recovery is I am amazed but not surprised," chimes in father Dennis. "Shes always had the eye of the tiger. She sets a goal, sets a plan, and meticulously figures out how to achieve it." In addition to resuming her regular work life at Mayo and her hobby of riding her horse, Bolt, near Whitewater State Park, Kohnhorst has also added motivational speaker to her lifes resume. She has given more than 20 speeches to students, volunteers, and health care professionals. "After speaking, I love when people come up to share their stories with me," she says. "It reminds me that Im not alone. Weve all overcome a tragedy of some sort and were stronger together." Like her 50-foot crawl out of that canyon, Amber says shes still taking life step by step. "I dont want my accident to define me," she says. "But it was a big hurdle to get over and it is something that really shaped me into the person I am today. I can use that in two waysI can be sad about the fact that it happened, and that I cant run and am in pain today. That would be a terrible way to think about it. "Or I can be grateful for the person I am today. I am strong and have a fulfilling life. You have to change your mindset. The mind is very powerful and what you tell yourself is what youll believe. I tell myself I am a success, and its true. Ive done a lot. I think we all need to look at what weve done in life." In August of 2017, Amber returned to Cane Beds, Ariz., this time for a two-week vacation. She brought her familyher mom and dad and two brothersand reunited with her rescuers. She got the chance to thank people in person. She rented a helicopter and flew her family over the fall site. "It was a big step in my recovery," she says. "It gave me some closure." Then, 15 months after shed first set out to find them, she climbed up that trail to see those petroglyphs she had missed before. The Mueller project continues on its inevitable path, yet every day the synthetic Trump-Russia collusion scandal appears more absurd. It appears more absurd every day not only because of the absence of evidence of Trump-Russia collusion, but also because of the actions undertaken by the administration adverse to Russian national interests. The Frankenstein monster nevertheless lumbers on. Yesterday the Trump administration designated five Russian entities and 19 Russian individuals under the Countering Americas Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA) as well as Executive Order (E.O.) 13694, Blocking the Property of Certain Persons Engaging in Significant Malicious Cyber-Enabled Activities. The Treasury Department press release announcing the sanctions is posted here. In the Treasury Department press release announcing the sanctions, Treasury Secretary Mnuchin is quoted: The Administration is confronting and countering malign Russian cyber activity, including their attempted interference in U.S. elections, destructive cyber-attacks, and intrusions targeting critical infrastructure. These targeted sanctions are a part of a broader effort to address the ongoing nefarious attacks emanating from Russia. Treasury intends to impose additional CAATSA sanctions, informed by our intelligence community, to hold Russian government officials and oligarchs accountable for their destabilizing activities by severing their access to the U.S. financial system. And thats not all. Yesterday Trump national security adviser H.R. McMaster called for further U.S. action against Russia as punishment for crimes in Syria, in a fiery address at an event marking the seventh year of the Syrian Civil War, as Politicos Matthew Nussbaum put it. McMaster spoke at the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum as part of a program on the Syria crisis posted on the White House site under the title Is the Worst Yet to Come? Are you sure Alger done it this way? At the campaign rally in Pennsylvania last week, President Trump seemed to advocate the death penalty for some drug dealers. Now, reportedly, the administration is finalizing a plan for responding to the opioid crisis that includes capital punishment for dealers in some cases. Politico says: According to language circulating this week, the Trump administration will call for the death penalty as an option in certain cases where opioid, including Fentanyl-related, drug dealing and trafficking are directly responsible for death. Trumps stated rationale for imposing the death penalty is this: If you shoot one person, they give you life, they give you the death penalty. These people can kill 2,000, 3,000 people, and nothing happens to them. Actually, something does happen to them. If convicted, they face stiff sentences. Moreover, there are differences in the chain of causation between shooting deaths and substance abuse related deaths. Even so, I can conceive of situations where, personally, Id support the death penalty for a drug dealer. Whether congressional Republicans would support legislation enabling this outcome is another matter. The Politico article suggests there would be substantial Republican opposition. In addition, its quite possible that the Supreme Court would find the imposition of the death penalty in this context to be cruel and unusual punishment. In any case, the proposal Trump is contemplating could mark a turning point in the debate over criminal sentencing. In recent years, the debate has been one-directional that direction being lighter sentences. Bipartisan legislation has called for lower sentences for drug dealers in the federal system and for the early release from federal prison of many drug dealers who havent served their sentence. In addition, former president Obama released something like 1,000 federal drug offenders on his own initiative. Underlying this drive for leniency has been the claim that the drug dealers in question are non-violent offenders. But President Trump is making the point that dealing certain drugs inherently threatens death. Hence, his comparison between killing someone with a gun and contributing to multiple deaths by dealing deadly drugs. Its a point that needs to be made. Trump may also force the leniency crowd to play defense. As I said, the debate wont be one-directional any longer. This much seems clear. If Congress does pass lenient sentencing legislation, which seems unlikely, that legislation very likely will be dead on arrival at the Trump White House. Trump clearly views such legislation as a step in the wrong direction. St. Catherine University (generally referred to locally as St. Kates) is a Catholic school in St. Paul, Minnesota. Its undergraduate school is for women. For the last few years, St. Kates has put on a leadership conference for students and others. But on December 8, this years conference, which was scheduled for January 19 and had approximately 200 registrants, was abruptly canceled. A St. Kates dean explained what happened in an email to the 30 individuals who had been selected as presenters at the conference, out of 58 who applied: We received 58 proposals to fill the 30 slots on the program. The selections were made solely based on their fit with the three themes of the conference: Explore your purpose, Ignite your passion and Inspire excellence. This same process was used last year in order to be blind throughout the process so as not to exclude or unintentionally over represent a particular industry over another in the presenters collective. While well intentioned, it is a case where a blind process has led to a racial and ethnic blind outcome. In an article in todays Minneapolis Star Tribune, reporter Maura Lerner follows up: Last fall, St. Catherine University invited 30 businesswomen and inspirational speakers to lead the breakout sessions at a popular annual leadership conference. But the conference, which was billed as a networking and career-building event, never took place. The university canceled it because of what it called a lack of diversity among the invited speakers. The decision, which caught many of the speakers by surprise, has cast the Catholic university in St. Paul in an uncomfortable national spotlight. Last week, the conservative website Campus Reform reported that St. Catherine had pulled the plug on the event because most, if not all the scheduled speakers ended up being white. The remarkable aspect of this story, to me, is that the university chose to cancel the conference, thereby entirely losing the benefit of the event for students and others, rather than proceed with a faculty that inadvertently was mostly, if not entirely, white. Lerner called me for comment on the story: John Hinderaker, president of the Minneapolis-based Center of the American Experiment, a politically conservative think tank, called the decision appalling. This is the kind of absurdity you get when you prioritize skin color over merit, he said. Apparently the organizers of the conference forgot to include racial quotas when they selected the speakers, and only realized what had happened after the speakers were asked to send in photos and bios for the events website. Upon seeing the speakers pictures, university officials realized they had made a terrible mistake. The President of St. Kates, Becky Roloff, emailed the entire university community to explain the fiasco. The opening lines of Roloffs email read like a parody of trendy left-wing academia: In a time where sexism and racism, in their individual and institutional forms, are recognized and called out, those of us in positions of power and privilege be it through whiteness, maleness, middle-class position, heterosexual-normativity, ability, or Christianity must slow down, reflect, and listen to those who have been subject to systematic silencing, exploitation, marginalization, and exclusion. Based on our Sisters of St. Joseph heritage and our deep commitment to social justice, in all its forms, my note today is specifically about our obligation, commitment, and responsibility to make room for everyone at the table. The reporter gave me the last word: Hinderaker, of the Center of the American Experiment, is skeptical. Its really almost comical that theyre forced to admit that they did this strictly on the basis of merit and they characterize this as a mistake, he said. The losers, he notes, are the very people they set out to help. Instead of providing the benefit to the [participants] that they intended to provide, theyd rather do nothing apparently, he said. Its really kind of a classic story of how everything gets sacrificed in the name of diversity. NEW DELHI, March 16, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Adarsh Credit Co-operative Society Ltd, India's largest credit co-operative society has tied up with Adobe to provide paperless financial services to its members. With the integration of Adobe Sign, an e-signature solution, to their documentation process, members of Adarsh Credit will be able to carry out financial services without usage of physical KYC and provide e-signatures through smartphones for the online forms. The process of enrollment of members would be carried out digitally. This partnership with Adobe will further boost digitization and is a step towards cashless economy. Adarsh Credit is also the first credit co-operative society in India to carry out financial services digitally. Speaking on this tie-up with Adobe, Rahul Modi, MD, Adarsh Credit said, "This tie-up is in line with PM Modi's directive for digitizing the nation and promoting financial inclusion using Aadhaar and other digital modes. Adarsh Credit through its 100 percent digital business is providing financial services in the rural masses and promoting the usage of digital money. Today, 100 percent of all transactions in Adarsh Credit are done through Adarsh money mobile application. In the support of digitization move of the Government of India, Adarsh Credit has given smartphones to all its advisors so that they can focus on digitization and financial inclusion in the country. With the help of these efforts, Adarsh Credit will become cashless, branchless and paperless in the near future." Speaking on the partnership, Sunil Mohapatra, Director-South Asia Region, Adobe said, "We are delighted to partner with a new age financial services institution such as Adarsh Credit and support them in their vision to become a branchless and paperless firm. With the implementation of Adobe Sign to their document process, and the recent integration of our e-signature solution with Aadhaar, we hope to provide easy and reliable experiences to their members and support the larger digitization drive in the country." Adarsh Credit has won many accolades and awards for new technology adoptions. Adarsh Credit has been conferred upon with 'Best Adoption of Technology in BFSI' at the SAP ACE Awards in 2015. Adarsh Credit was also awarded by VMWARE in association with ET NOW for the achievements of excellence in IT Services provided to the customers in 2014. Adarsh Credit has been conferred with award for mobility project at the annual summit of Financial Inclusion and Payment Systems (FIPS), 2014 held at New Delhi. Adarsh Credit has also signed an agreement with Oxigen Services, India's leading payment solutions provider. Adarsh Credit has decided to use Oxigen's existing retail network of 200,000 retail points, who will become business correspondents of Adarsh Credit. Adarsh Credit is working towards a safer and secure financial system in India through its implementation of blockchain solutions in partnership with BankChain. Adarsh Credit's partnership with BankChain is an example of technology innovation in India's financial system to enhance security and providing a trusted computing environment. Currently, Adarsh Credit Co-operative Society, owns a core transaction platform (license buy with SAP) and without being a bank, has 809 branches, 3,00,000 advisors, of which 100,000 are active transacting advisors, servicing 18 lakh members. These members subscribe to shares of Adarsh and put deposits at better rates. About Adarsh Credit Co-operative Society Limited: Adarsh Credit Co-operative Society Ltd., in every sense, is a truly credit co-operative society. Adarsh started its operations in the year 1999 as a co-operative society primarily catering to the local masses in Rajasthan who came majorly from an agricultural background. With a mission to uplift the weaker sections of the society from the rural areas of the country, Adarsh never shies away from exploring and embracing the latest techniques and technologies. Owing to this fearless approach, we are now the only credit co-operative society in India, which has launched its own mobile application, Adarsh Money, accounting for over 99% of our business transactions. Visit http://www.adarshcredit.in for more details. About Adobe Systems Incorporated: Adobe is changing the world through digital experiences. For more information, visit http://www.adobe.com/in Media Contact: Aaruni Garg [email protected] +91-9899296536 Client Operations Lead - 2 The Practice Divya Bahri Chug [email protected] +91-9810774745 Adobe SOURCE Adarsh Credit Co-operative Society Ltd PORTLAND, Oregon and PUNE, India, March 16, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- According to a recent report published by Allied Market Research, titled, Electric Vehicle Chargers Market by Vehicle Type, Charging Type, and End User: Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2017-2023, the global electric vehicle chargers market was valued at $163 billion in 2016, and is projected to reach at $1,786 billion by 2023, growing at a CAGR of 37.5% from 2017 to 2023. (Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/636519/Allied_Market_Research_Logo.jpg ) Asia-Pacific dominates this market presently, followed by North America. In 2016, China dominated the market in Asia-Pacific; similarly, the UK led the overall market in the European region. The U.S. is dominating the market in North America presently. Request for Sample Report at: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/request-sample/4084 Government regulations regarding the use of electric vehicles to curb the environmental pollution drives the demand for electric vehicles, which boosts the market. Further, rise in demand for electric vehicles is also expected to fuel the market growth. However, high price of such electric vehicles and lack of presence EV chargers at public places is anticipated to hinder the growth of the market. In 2016, the on-board chargers segment dominates the global electric vehicle chargers in charging type segment, in terms of revenue. However, based on vehicle type, hybrid electric vehicle led the global market followed, by plug-in hybrid electric vehicle in 2016. Commercial users segment led the electric vehicle chargers market by end user in 2016. However, residential users segment is anticipated to depict highest CAGR throughout the forecast period. For Purchase Enquiry: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/purchase-enquiry/4084 Key Findings of the Electric Vehicle Chargers Market: On-board chargers generated the highest revenue of the global electric vehicle chargers market in 2016. In 2016, the hybrid electric vehicle type generated the highest revenue among the electric vehicle chargers market. Asia-Pacific is anticipated to exhibit a highest CAGR during the forecast period. is anticipated to exhibit a highest CAGR during the forecast period. In 2016, the commercial end user segment contributed the highest market shares in the electric vehicles chargers market. The key players profiled in the report include ABB Ltd., Robert Bosch GmbH, Siemens AG, Delphi Automotive, Chroma ATE, Aerovironment Inc., Silicon Laboratories, Chargemaster PLC, Schaffner Holdings AG, and POD Point. Access KNOWLEDGE TREE (Premium on-demand, subscription-based pricing model) at: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/knowledgetree Knowledge tree is a cloud-based intelligence platform that offers more than 2,000 selective, off-the-shelf reports on niche markets to enable our clients gain deep insights on the latest trends, dynamic technologies, and emerging application areas. About Us Allied Market Research (AMR) is a full-service market research and business-consulting wing of Allied Analytics LLP based in Portland, Oregon. Allied Market Research provides global enterprises as well as medium and small businesses with unmatched quality of "Market Research Reports" and "Business Intelligence Solutions." AMR has a targeted view to provide business insights and consulting to assist its clients to make strategic business decisions and achieve sustainable growth in their respective market domain. We are in professional corporate relations with various companies and this helps us in digging out market data that helps us generate accurate research data tables and confirms utmost accuracy in our market forecasting. Each and every data presented in the reports published by us is extracted through primary interviews with top officials from leading companies of domain concerned. Our secondary data procurement methodology includes deep online and offline research and discussion with knowledgeable professionals and analysts in the industry. Contact: Shriram Dighe 5933 NE Win Sivers Drive #205, Portland, OR 97220 United States Toll Free: +1-800-792-5285 UK: +44-845-528-1300 Hong Kong: +852-301-84916 India (Pune): +91-20-66346060 Fax: +1(855)550-5975 [email protected] Web: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com SOURCE Allied Market Research BENGALURU, India, March 16, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- This is to inform you that a meeting of the Board of Directors of the Company will be held at the Registered Office on Thursday and Friday, April 12, 2018 and April 13, 2018 to consider inter alia: 1. The audited consolidated financial statements of the Company and its subsidiaries as per Indian Accounting Standards (INDAS) for the quarter and year ending March 31, 2018; 2. The audited consolidated financial statements of the Company and its subsidiaries as per INDAS for the year ending March 31, 2018; 3. The audited condensed standalone financial statements of the Company as per INDAS for the quarter and year ending March 31, 2018; 4. The audited standalone financial statements of the Company as per INDAS for the year ending March 31, 2018; 5. The audited consolidated financial statements of the Company and its subsidiaries as per International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) in INR for the quarter and year ending March 31, 2018; and 6. To recommend a final dividend for the financial year ending March 31, 2018. The financial results would be finally approved by the Board of Directors on April 13, 2018. Trading window closure The Company will close the trading window for designated persons in compliance with SEBI (Prohibition of Insider Trading) Regulations on March 16, 2018 and the trading window will open on April 16, 2018. Investors call The Company will hold investor/analyst calls on April 13, 2018 to discuss the financial results for the quarter and year ending March 31, 2018 and the business outlook. Details of the calls will be published on the Company's website in due course. This is for your information and records. This is a disclosure announcement from PR Newswire. SOURCE Infosys Limited JAIPUR, India, March 16, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Experts from Olin College, USA are working with JK Lakshmipat University, Jaipur (JKLU) to transform engineering education at the University bringing their cutting-edge and highly successful project-based experiential learning pedagogy to JKLU's B.Tech programme, starting this year. Experiential learning is the process of 'learning by doing' through projects and real experiences. Research has consistently shown that 'learning by doing' is the best method for teaching adults - it accelerates learning and enhances retention significantly up to 75 percent. (Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/654758/JK_Lakshmipat_University_Logo.jpg ) JKLU's team of faculty worked over the last week with Dr. Siddhartan Govindasamy, professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering and course architect at Olin, at the JKLU campus in Jaipur to construct a first-in-India program that will incorporate the best of Olin's experience and adapt it to the Indian context and students. Speaking about JKLU's work with Olin College, Prof. Asheesh Gupta, Pro Vice-Chancellor of JKLU, said, "We found Olin's approach to be extremely relevant and powerful in making our students attain skills and competencies needed for students to succeed in tomorrow's work place. Students joining the B.Tech programme at JKLU in 2018 shall have the unique opportunity to learn in a world class environment with world-leading pedagogy right here in India for the first time." Olin College was established with a vision 'to be an important and constant contributor to the advancement of engineering education in America and throughout the world'. Olin instills passion and ignites innovation by focusing engineering students on the needs of people in the real world. This broad perspective in the hands of creative and motivated students inspires technical mastery for a purpose. Olin 'engineer-innovators' envision and deliver products, services and systems that transform the way people live on this planet. Dr. Siddhartan Govindasamy was born in Malaysia where he completed his high school education. He obtained B.S. and M-Eng degrees from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in 1999 and 2000 respectively. From 2000 to 2003, he was a Digital Signal Processing (DSP) engineer and then Senior DSP engineer at Aware Inc. in Bedford, MA where he designed and developed broadband modem technology. He returned to MIT in 2003, and obtained a Ph. D. in wireless communications in 2008. His thesis research was on ad-hoc wireless communications using multi-antenna systems. He has been a member of the faculty at Olin College since August 2008. About JKLU Established in 2011, JKLU is located in the historic city of Jaipur, Rajasthan. Supported by the 125 years old legacy of contributions to nation building by the JK Organisation, at JKLU we are passionate about building the country's most innovative higher education institution. The 30-acre campus is a modern, environmentally conscious and inviting space designed to help students live, work and play in a setting that is safe, productive and student-centric. At JKLU, we are reimagining education, embedding it with entrepreneurship and dynamism and seeding it with curiosity and technology. For more information, visit http://www.jklu.edu.in/ . Media Contact: Arihant Jain [email protected] +91-8397048406 Manager, Development & Student Affairs, JK Lakshmipat University SOURCE J K Lakshmipat University (Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160303/792302 ) Browse 108 market data Tables and 40 Figures spread through 129 Pages and in-depth TOC on "Kaolin Market" https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/kaolin-market-91196438.html Early buyers will receive 10% customization on this report Increasing consumption of kaolin in various end-use industries, such as paper, ceramics, fiberglass, paints & coatings, rubber, and plastics, is one of the most significant factors projected to drive the growth of the Kaolin Market. Get PDF Brochure @ https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/pdfdownload.asp?id=91196438 The calcined grade segment is projected to grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period, in terms of value. Based on grade, the calcined segment of the Kaolin Market is projected to grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period, in terms of value. Calcined kaolin provides maximum brightness and opacity to finished products. It is increasingly adopted by the paints & coatings, paper, fiberglass, and rubber industries, which, in turn, is contributing to the high demand for calcined kaolin globally. The paper end-use industry segment is projected to lead the Kaolin Market between 2017 and 2022, in terms of value. Based on end-use industry, the paper segment is projected to lead the Kaolin Market during the forecast period, in terms of value. Kaolin is used as a filler and coating pigment in paper production. It also improves various other properties of paper, such as ink absorption and ink pigment holdout, which, in turn, enhance the printability of paper. Thus, the increasing consumption of kaolin in the production of paper and packaging products is projected to drive the growth of the paper end-use industry segment. The Asia Pacific Kaolin Market is projected to grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period, in terms of value. The Asia Pacific region is the largest market for kaolin, globally. The Kaolin Market in the Asia Pacific region is projected to grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period, in terms of value. This growth can be attributed to the increased demand for kaolin from various end-use industries in the Asia Pacific region. Economic growth of Asia Pacific countries and increased investments in mining, housing, and infrastructure sectors are also fueling the growth of the Kaolin Market in this region. BASF (Germany), Imerys (France), Ashapura Group (India), SCR-Sibelco (Belgium), Thiele Kaolin Company (US), and KaMin LLC (US) are some of the leading companies operating in the Kaolin Market. Know more about Kaolin Market: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/kaolin-market-91196438.html About MarketsandMarkets MarketsandMarkets provides quantified B2B research on 30,000 high growth niche opportunities/threats which will impact 70% to 80% of worldwide companies' revenues. Currently servicing 5000 customers worldwide including 80% of global Fortune 1000 companies as clients. Almost 75,000 top officers across eight industries worldwide approach MarketsandMarkets for their painpoints around revenues decisions. Our 850 fulltime analyst and SMEs at MarketsandMarkets are tracking global high growth markets following the "Growth Engagement Model - GEM". The GEM aims at proactive collaboration with the clients to identify new opportunities, identify most important customers, write "Attack, avoid and defend" strategies, identify sources of incremental revenues for both the company and its competitors. 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Contact: Mr. Salgarkar MarketsandMarkets INC. 630 Dundee Road Suite 430 Northbrook, IL 60062 USA: +1-888-600-6441 Email: [email protected] Visit Our Blog @ http://www.marketsandmarketsblog.com/market-reports/chemical Connect with us on LinkedIn @ http://www.linkedin.com/company/marketsandmarkets SOURCE MarketsandMarkets NEW DELHI, March 16, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- A signature brand of lights and light installations, SOGANI by Vibhor Sogani - with an experience of 25 years in the design fraternity - is now travelling to Germany to unveil three new collections of Light Installations, each of which is bespoke and unique. The first Indian designer brand to showcase in the high-end modern lighting design segment, SOGANI will be exhibiting in Hall 1.1, Stand B30 at the fair. One of the biggest platforms of its kind in the world, Light + Building is a biennial architectural design and technology trade fair mainly focused on the fields of lighting, electrical engineering, building automation, and civil-engineering software. Held at the Messe Frankfurt in Frankfurt am Main, the fair will open its doors from 18th to 23rd March, 2018 to over 2,600 exhibitors and 2,10,000 visitors. It will showcase a spectrum of exhibits including designer luminaires in a variety of styles, technical luminaires, and lamps in various forms and for all kinds of uses. Under the leadership of International Award Winning Artist & Designer, Vibhor Sogani, the studio's eclectic repository of over sixty indigenous designs continues to grow as it explores broader avenues of concept light installations. At brand SOGANI, quality craftsmanship and creative design solutions that add value and beauty to everyday life are quintessential. Along with avant-garde aesthetics, the designs fuse innovative use of material with state-of-the-art technology to create lights that are bespoke and sculptural. Personalized and exclusive, each piece is customized to suit the desired space and lifestyle. For images, visit: https://www.dropbox.com/s/wx71w30cm4hmf42/shell.jpg?dl=0 About the Designer: Vibhor Sogani, born in India, specialized in Industrial Design from the prestigious National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad. Since 1992, he has been engaged in various commissioned installations, design projects and conceptual art assignments. Over the years, Vibhor has exhibited his works in various design and art shows. Famous for India's largest and most visible public art installation, the 'Sprouts', a 40 ft. high stainless steel installation spread over 6 acres of greens in the heart of Delhi, Vibhor has been nominated by the Government of India as a governing member of the 'India Design Council'. Recipient of many honours, his works have won him multiple awards including the 'EDIDA awards' and 'Singapore Indian Art Icon of the year 2014' award. Media Contact: Sana Jhamb, [email protected], +91-9716688210, SOGANI by Vibhor Sogani SOURCE SOGANI NEW DELHI, March 16, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Six shortlisted winners from 26 finalists from 'Hunt for the Face of Honor' walked the ramp for designer Rina Dhaka Day Two of Amazon India Fashion Week witnessed the culmination of the second season of Face of Honor campaign, when six shortlisted winners from 'Hunt for the Face of Honor' campaign, walked the ramp for leading fashion designer-Rina Dhaka. An initiative from Honor, Huawei's e-brand for digital natives in association with FDCI and Cosmopolitan, the 'Face of Honor' campaign has established itself as a platform to identify new talent in the modelling industry and give them the opportunity to walk the ramp at Amazon India Fashion Week. The second season of 'Hunt for the Face of Honor' campaign which began in February involved running a social media contest to get aspiring models to be the next face of Honor, and a chance to walk the ramp at the Amazon India Fashion Week. 26 finalists were picked out for the audition where they were judged on the basis of their walk, confidence, and looks, by a panel consisting of well-known names from the fashion fraternity like Nandini Bhalla, Rina Dhaka and Sunil Sethi. Post the auditions, the panel locked in on the six best contestants who walked the ramp for Designer Rina Dhaka at AIFW AW 18/19. The winners were Naina Khan, Sangeeta Gharu, Pinky, Dushyant Singh Raghuvanshi, Rahul Sharma and Kishen. P. Sanjeev, Vice President, Sales, Consumer Business Group, Honor India commented, "In just two seasons, Face of Honor has established itself a credible platform for identifying and supporting newer talent in modelling industry. Honor is a youth centric brand and with such campaigns we aim at encouraging the youth to pursue their talent to the fullest. It was gratifying to see the winners of the campaign walk the ramp and how Honor helped them realise their dream of being on the ramp." Commenting on the association, Sunil Sethi, President, FDCI said, "Face of Honor is a unique initiative undertaken by Honor, reiterating their commitment to be in sync with the pulse of youth. Platforms like these are important to identify, promote and nurture new talent in the modelling industry and give a fresh perspective. I congratulate all the contestants and winners who participated in the campaign and did their best." 'Face of Honor' is an initiative of Honor where the brand collaborated with Cosmopolitan India magazine to encourage youth to showcase their style and fashion stories. The much coveted contest has established itself as a platform for the young aspiring models to showcase their style and fashion game on the digital platform resulting in being featured on the Cosmopolitan 'Wall of Honor'. About Honor: Honor is a leading smartphone e-brand under the Huawei Group. In line with its slogan, 'For the Brave', the brand was created to meet the needs of digital natives through internet-optimized products that offer superior user experiences, inspire action, foster creativity and empower the young to achieve their dreams. In doing this, Honor has set itself apart by showcasing its own bravery to do things differently and to take the steps needed to usher in the latest technologies and innovations for its customers. Honor led the online smartphone market with a global shipment value of 2.5 billion USD to become the number 1 online smartphone brand, as per International Data Corporation (IDC) in Q1 2017. Huawei's Consumer Business Group, comprising of its dual brands Huawei and Honor, shipped 139 million smartphones globally in 2016 and reported an increase of 44% in its annual revenue. About FDCI A non-profit organisation, the Fashion Design Council of India (FDCI), is the apex body of fashion design in India, represented by over 400 members. Founded on the premise of promoting, nurturing, and representing the best of fashion and design talent in the country; its prime objective is to propagate the business of fashion. FDCI stays true to its commitment to promote the 'Make in India' label as handlooms take centre stage, in a country, who's heritage is soaked in the flavours of indigenous crafts. Media Contact : Kritika Kukreja [email protected] +91-9999766845 Account Executive FleishmanHillard Ankur Talwar +91-9811804811 [email protected] SOURCE Huawei India and FDCI FRANKFURT, Germany, March 16, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Targets for revenue and earnings fully reached - Fraport's international business makes important contribution to earnings The Fraport Group can look back on a highly successful 2017 fiscal year (ending December 31), in which revenue and earnings targets were fully reached. Supported by significant traffic growth at all of the Group's airports, revenue climbed by almost 13.5 percent to 2.93 billion. A major revenue contribution from the Greek airports (which Fraport began operating in 2017) boosted the company's revenue by 234.9 million. Operating earnings (Group EBITDA) slipped slightly by 4.8 percent to 1,003 million, due to lower other operating income. The main reasons for the decrease were, in particular, positive one-time effects in the corresponding period of 2016. Adjusting the previous year's figures for the compensation payment received in connection with the Manila project, for the proceeds from the sale of shares in Thalita Trading Ltd., and for other extraordinary effects (provisions for staff restructuring and depreciation and amortization tied to FraSec and Airmall), EBITDA increased by approximately 18 percent or about 150 million. The Group result (consolidated earnings) fell by 10.1 percent to 360 million. However, compared to the corresponding adjusted 2016 figure, there was a noticeable increase of about 60 million - up more than 20 percent. Dr. Stefan Schulte, Fraport AG's executive board chairman, said: "In Frankfurt, the strategic decisions that we have taken are allowing us to benefit from considerable market growth once again, and we can look back on a very strong year indeed. Internationally, we achieved important milestones with the operational takeover of 14 Greek airports and the acquisition of two concessions in Brazil. With these developments, we are securing the Fraport Group's long-term growth prospects, while diversifying our portfolio with a broader and stronger foundation for the future." The operating cash flow of 790.7 million in 2017 exceeded the previous year's figure by 35.6 percent, particularly due to the contribution from operations at Fraport Greece and the growth at Frankfurt Airport. Correspondingly, the free cash flow rose markedly by about 30.3 percent to 393.1 million. Traffic growth achieved by all of the Group's airports provided the basis for Fraport's strong business development in fiscal year 2017. Frankfurt Airport ended 2017 with a 6.1-percent gain in traffic to more than 64.5 million passengers. In Fraport's international business, the airports of Ljubljana (LJU), Varna (VAR) and Burgas (BOJ), St. Petersburg (LED), Lima (LIM), and Xi'an (XIY) each posted new annual passenger records. The 14 Greek regional airports, which joined the Fraport Group in April 2017, welcomed a total of 27.6 million passengers in 2017 - thus posting a new annual record in combined passenger traffic. Following a difficult 2016, Antalya Airport (AYT) on the Turkish Riviera registered renewed growth with passenger traffic rising by 38.5 percent to more than 26.3 million passengers. Fraport is expecting continued strong growth for the 2018 fiscal year. At Frankfurt Airport, the company is forecasting annual passenger volume ranging from about 67 million to 68.5 million. Furthermore, the company expects overall positive development at its airports outside of Germany. In particular, the airports in Antalya, Lima, and Xi'an are expected to record high traffic volumes again this year. Fraport expects its Brazilian airports in Fortaleza and Porto Alegre, as well as the 14 Greek airports, to experience single-digit growth rates, in the middle range. Dr. Stefan Schulte explains: "In the current fiscal year, Fraport's international business is focused on progressing with various expansion and construction projects in Greece and Brazil, so that we can increase capacity and enhance the travel experience of our passengers. We are also continuing the demand-driven development of infrastructure at Frankfurt Airport, and are on schedule with the construction of Terminal 3. We plan to commence construction of Pier G in the second half of 2018." For the current fiscal year, Fraport is expecting consolidated revenue to reach up to 3.1 billion (adjusted for effects of IFRIC 12). Group EBITDA is forecasted to be in the range of about 1.080 billion to approximately 1.110 billion, with consolidated EBIT of about 690 million to about 720 million. The company also expects to post a significantly higher Group result between about 400 million and approximately 430 million. A corresponding increase in the dividend for the 2018 fiscal year is anticipated. The financial outlook also includes the two airports in Fortaleza and Porto Alegre, Brazil. However, they will not yet make any significant contribution to Group result. The Executive Board and Supervisory Board will propose to the Annual General Meeting (AGM) that last year's raised dividend remain at the same level for the 2017 fiscal year - with distribution of 1.50 per share once again. Fraport's four business segments at a glance: In the Aviation segment, revenue increased by 4.8 percent to 954.1 million year-on-year in 2017. Positive factors at Frankfurt Airport included passenger growth, the increase in airport charges (as at January 1, 2017) by an average of 1.9 percent, as well as higher revenue from security services. EBITDA rose by 14.5 percent to 249.5 million year-on-year. This positive development in operating results, along with significantly lower depreciation and amortization (due to the impairment of goodwill related to the Group's company FraSec in the amount of 22.4 million in 2016) led to a significant 87.1 percent increase in EBIT to 131.7 million. The Retail and Real Estate segment posted revenue of 521.7 million in 2017, up 5.6 percent year-on-year. The positive revenue development can be attributed to a variety of factors, including passenger traffic and higher proceeds from the sale of land. Net retail revenue per passenger decreased by 3.4 percent year-on-year to 3.37. In addition to the depreciation of various currencies against the euro - which led to reduced purchasing power - the reasons for this decrease also included changes to the passenger mix caused by a disproportionate increase in passenger numbers on European routes. EBITDA increased by 2.6 percent to 377.5 million, while EBIT climbed by 3.6 percent to 293.8 million. The Ground Handling segment reported a slight 1.8 percent gain in revenue to 641.9 million in 2017. This is due mainly to increased revenue from ground services thanks to traffic growth at Frankfurt Airport. EBITDA increased by 48.1 percent to 51.4 million, mainly resulting from lower additions to the provisions for the staff restructuring program. There was a corresponding increase in EBIT, which rose by 17.1 million to 11.6 million following a loss of 5.5 million in 2016. The International Activities and Services segment achieved revenue of 817.1 million in 2017, representing a 48.1 percent jump year-on-year. Revenue growth was driven mainly by the Group companies Fraport Greece (+234.9 million), Lima (+19.9 million) and Fraport Slovenija (+5.7 million). Revenue included 41.7 million in connection with the application of IFRIC 12 (previous year: 19.9 million). The segment's other income decreased significantly due to the compensation payment received in the previous year from the Manila project (-241.2 million) as well as the gains from the sale of shares in Thalita Trading Ltd. (-40.1 million). EBITDA dropped by 25.1 percent to 324.8 million, due primarily to a decrease in other income. Higher depreciation and amortization, in particular in connection with Fraport Greece, led to segment EBIT of 205.9 million (-40.4 percent). Adjusting for the one-time effects mentioned above during the corresponding period in 2016, EBITDA and EBIT for this segment rose by 122.3 million (+60.4 percent) and 84.3 million (+69.3 percent), respectively. Visit our Fraport AG website to view and download our Annual Report 2017. Print-quality photos of Fraport AG and Frankfurt Airport are available for free downloading via the photo library on the Fraport Web site. For TV news and information broadcasting purposes only, we also offer free footage material for downloading. If you wish to meet a member of our Media Relations team when at Frankfurt Airport, please do not hesitate to contact us. Our contact details are available here. Fraport AG Torben Beckmann Tel.: +49-69-690-70553 Corporate Communications E-mail: t.beckmann@fraport.de Media Relations Internet: http://www.fraport.com 60547 Frankfurt, Germany Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/FrankfurtAirport For further information about Fraport AG please click here. SOURCE Fraport AG MOSCOW, March 16, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- The Netherlands premier postal services provider will be distributing the goods sold on INS Ecosystem blockchain-based marketplace INS Ecosystem, the world's first decentralized grocery marketplace today announced that PostNL, the leading e-commerce logistics provider in the Netherlands, has confirmed its intention to distribute the goods sold on INS Ecosystem marketplace. PostNL will thus endorse INS Ecosystem 2018 major roll out into the Netherlands that has a grocery market turnover of 35.7 billion. INS Ecosystem Co-founder, Peter Fedchenkov said, "In order to revolutionize the direct-to- consumer interaction and make it the first option model for manufacturers globally, we need to ensure that goods reach their intended destinations, managing the supply chain as accurately and efficiently as possible. PostNL is constantly improving its excellence with the delivery of on average 675,000 parcels and 8 million letters on weekdays throughout the Benelux. We are admiring the partnership with such an outstanding organization, looking forward to the launch date". Founded by Peter Fedchenkov and Dmitry Zhulin, INS Ecosystem enables grocery manufacturers to address consumers directly bypassing the retail intermediaries, therefore saving up to 30 percent on everyday grocery e-shopping. With INS Ecosystem, consumers will have unimpeded access to both global and local manufacturers, including farmers, significantly reducing shipping distances and cutting the costs. Aimed at reducing waste throughout the supply chain, INS Ecosystem will also leverage blockchain to ensure more efficient shipping practices while implementing effective pull systems, decreasing product inventories and saving space. Postal and logistic solutions provider, PostNL is the link between the physical and the online world as it facilitates the communication between consumers and companies. PostNL delivers parcels seven days a week and letters five days a week. The organization offers more and more new services through the combination of smart networks, digital applications and the right communications channels. As the first listed postal company, it has the largest and most modern network for letters, parcels and e-commerce in the Benelux countries. PostNL aims to become the food logistics provider in the Benelux. The company employs a total of 44,000 people. With seven of the top twenty FMCG global manufacturers having expressed their strong interest in selling their goods directly to consumer, INS Ecosystem will begin its project roll out in the Netherlands this year: "Our strategic and influential agreements within the Netherlands are a sign of many great things to come, while MoU with the region leading logistics operator is a huge leap forward in our ambitious journey to transform the consumer goods industry worldwide", concluded Fedchenkov. For more information visit https://ins.world/ INS Ecosystem Co-founder Peter Fedchenkov is available for interview About INS Ecosystem: INS Ecosystem is a decentralized blockchain-based platform that enables consumers to buy groceries directly from manufacturers at lower prices, with convenience. Aiming to disrupt the $8.5 trillion global grocery market, INS Ecosystem connects manufacturers directly with consumers with an aim to overcome retailer domination. INS Ecosystem has received interest from a number of large manufacturers who are looking at the option of joining the ecosystem in the future. Manufacturers will be able to list and sell products directly to consumers, gain customer feedback and reward loyal customers. INS Ecosystem's smart contracts power loyalty programs and their innovative use of blockchain enables an efficient, transparent supply chain. The INS token serves as a method to power direct manufacturer-to-consumer loyalty programs and can be used as a means of payment. SOURCE INS Ecosystem NEW BRUNSWICK, New Jersey, March 16, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Johnson & Johnson (NYSE: JNJ) today announced that it has received a binding offer from Platinum Equity, a leading private investment firm, to acquire its LifeScan business for approximately $2.1 billion, subject to customary adjustments. LifeScan, Inc. is a leader in blood glucose monitoring products with 2017 net revenue of approximately $1.5 billion. "LifeScan's OneTouch blood glucose monitoring products play an important role in the lives of millions of patients living with diabetes, and following a thorough review of all strategic options, we feel confident that the business would have a promising future with Platinum Equity," said Ashley McEvoy, Company Group Chairman, Consumer Medical Devices, Johnson & Johnson. "This initiative is part of our ongoing, disciplined approach to portfolio management to focus on our most promising opportunities to help patients and drive growth." The Johnson & Johnson Family of Companies will continue to serve those impacted by diabetes through innovative products, services and solutions from its Medical Device, Pharmaceuticals, and Consumer businesses. These include important leadership and innovation in areas such as bariatric surgery and through medicines such as INVOKANA (canagliflozin) and INVOKAMET (canagliflozin/metformin HCl). The acceptance period for the offer will end on June 15, 2018, unless extended, and during that time, consultations with relevant works councils are planned. If the offer is accepted, the transaction would be expected to close by the end of 2018, subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions. This transaction was contemplated in the Company's guidance provided on January 23, 2018. About LifeScan, Inc. LifeScan, Inc. is a world leader in blood glucose monitoring. In the US, LifeScan, Inc. is the leading maker of blood glucose monitoring systems and its OneTouch brand products are recommended by more endocrinologists and primary care physicians than any other brand1. Globally, more than 20 million people depend on OneTouch brand products for simple testing and accurate results to help them manage their diabetes. For more information visit: www.OneTouch.com. About Johnson & Johnson At Johnson & Johnson, we believe good health is the foundation of vibrant lives, thriving communities and forward progress. That's why for more than 130 years, we have aimed to keep people well at every age and every stage of life. Today, as the world's largest and most broadly-based health care company, we are committed to using our reach and size for good. We strive to improve access and affordability, create healthier communities, and put a healthy mind, body and environment within reach of everyone, everywhere. We are blending our heart, science and ingenuity to profoundly change the trajectory of health for humanity. Note to Investors Concerning Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains "forward-looking statements" as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 related to the divestiture of the LifeScan business. The reader is cautioned not to rely on these forward-looking statements. These statements are based on current expectations of future events. If underlying assumptions prove inaccurate or known or unknown risks or uncertainties materialize, actual results could vary materially from the expectations and projections of Johnson & Johnson. Risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: the possibility that the transaction will not be completed, or if completed, not completed in the expected timeframe, and the potential that the expected strategic benefits or opportunities from any divestiture may not be realized, or may take longer to realize than expected. A further list and descriptions of these risks, uncertainties and other factors can be found in Johnson & Johnson's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017, including in the sections captioned "Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements" and "Item 1A. Risk Factors," and in the company's subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Copies of these filings are available online at www.sec.gov, www.jnj.com or on request from Johnson & Johnson. Any forward-looking statement made in this release speaks only as of the date of this release. Johnson & Johnson does not undertake to update any forward-looking statement as a result of new information or future events or developments. 1 Global Brand Equity Insights Study, February 2015 SOURCE Johnson & Johnson Spryker Systems GmbH, a leader in beyond-desktop commerce technology, today announced the completion of a $22 million growth equity investment led by One Peak Partners, with participation from existing investors including Project A. Spryker will use the funds to expand its international footprint and support its product development initiatives, enabling it to further accelerate its profitable growth. (Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/654946/Spryker_Systems.jpg ) David Klein, Managing Partner at One Peak Partners, says, "We have been very impressed with Spryker's strong and highly profitable growth trajectory, its outstanding technology platform, and the world class founding team. The ongoing digitalization of all industries requires new technological solutions to be able to compete with the likes of Amazon. Spryker's Commerce OS ticks all the boxes to become the new global standard in both B2B and B2C, and we are particularly excited about Spryker's IoT commerce applications that tap into a market with enormous potential. We look forward to supporting Spryker's international expansion strategy and its next phase of explosive growth." Spryker provides beyond-desktop commerce technology, available to market-leading B2C and B2B retailers, manufacturers, and brands across all industries. Starting in 2012, the technology was forged during the e-commerce boom in the light of emerging interfaces such as mobile, voice, and IoT and of a growing awareness that even today's market leaders will need to become tech-driven companies tomorrow. Spryker offers customers the ability to integrate any end-user interface or IoT device and, thanks to its state-of-the-art software architecture, increases IT productivity by a factor of anywhere between two and twenty. Spryker has sold its Spryker Commerce OS to brands including HILTI, Tom Tailor, and Lekkerland, helping them to master their digital transformation. Spryker currently employs over 100 people and has offices in Berlin and Hamburg. "When it comes to commerce technology for enterprise organisations, Spryker has already become a household name in the German speaking markets. This investment will help us both to grow into new markets and to accelerate our product development," comments Alexander Graf, Co-CEO of Spryker. "Technology from the past cannot be the response to new digital challenges and increased expectations in respect of ROI, lean methodologies, and beyond-desktop interfaces - a fact which has already been proven by the market. As our technology has been created to address exciting opportunities such as the internet of things, voice interfaces, and Amazon-like speed and personalization, we now have an extraordinary advantage," adds Boris Lokschin, Co-CEO of Spryker. "The demand for innovative new technology frameworks was born in leading commerce models and led to the launch of Spryker at the end of 2014 . We are impressed by the speed at which the customer base is growing, by the fact that profitability was achieved in under 24 months from start, and by the strong partner network that Spryker has built in this short time. All of this makes me confident that Spryker will go on to become one of the leading players in Europe and beyond," adds Thies Sander, Founding Partner at Project A. About Spryker Systems GmbH Spryker Systems is the innovator behind the unique Spryker Commerce Operating System. This commerce operating system allows companies to reach customers through every conceivable digital touch point. In response to continuous changes in user expectations and new perceptions of what is perceived as a front end, Spryker Commerce OS helps businesses to implement new user interfaces (apps) at speed. These applications range from desktop shops, mobile apps, and IoT scenarios through to chatbots, blockchain technology, and voice integration. This agile approach allows Spryker users to open up new sources of revenue without long lead times. The Spryker Systems team is based in Berlin and Hamburg. Find out more at https://spryker.com and on Twitter: @sprysys. Video: https://youtu.be/pZTg4fYRoYE About One Peak Partners One Peak is a specialist private equity firm investing in growth-stage technology and tech-enabled companies. We provide growth capital to exceptional entrepreneurs with a view to transforming innovative and rapidly growing businesses into lasting, category-defining industry leaders. Its portfolio includes companies such as Coople, HighQ, EcoIntense, and DocPlanner. About Project A Project A is the operational VC that provides its ventures with capital, an extensive network, and exclusive access to a wide range of operational expertise. The Berlin-based investor makes use of the 260m in assets under its management to back early-stage companies in the digital technology space. With its unique organizational structure featuring 100 operational experts, Project A offers its portfolio companies hands-on support in the areas of Software Engineering, Digital Marketing, Design, Communications, Business Intelligence, Sales and Recruiting. The portfolio includes companies such as Catawiki, WorldRemit, Tictail, Spryker, nu3, KRY, and Wonderbly. You can find more information at http://www.project-a.com and on the blog insights.project-a.com. SOURCE Spryker Xi Jinping (C, front), Li Keqiang (4th R, front), Zhang Dejiang (4th L, front), Yu Zhengsheng (3rd R, front), Zhang Gaoli (3rd L, front), Li Zhanshu (2nd R, front), Wang Huning (2nd L, front), Zhao Leji (1st R, front) and Han Zheng (1st L, front) attend the closing meeting of the First Session of the 13th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 15, 2018. (Xinhua/Ding Lin) BEIJING, March 15 (Xinhua) -- China's top political advisory body concluded its annual session Thursday, stressing the leadership of the Communist Party of China (CPC). "Taking a clear political stand is an essential feature of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC)," said Wang Yang, newly-elected chairman of the 13th CPPCC National Committee, when addressing the closing of the session. The CPC leadership is a fundamental political guarantee for the development of the CPPCC and a basic political principle that the advisory body must observe in the new era, Wang said. Wang asked political advisors to uphold the CPC leadership, take Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era as the guiding principle for the work of the CPPCC, perform their duties for the people, improve their consultation competence, and act within the boundaries of the Constitution and laws. A resolution on an amendment to the CPPCC Charter was passed at the meeting in a move widely believed by observers as representing an important chapter in the development of democracy in China. Xi's thought was incorporated into the amendment as a guiding theory of the CPPCC. The definition of the CPPCC's nature and tasks was enriched, and the idea of "socialist consultative democracy" was written into the charter. This was the fourth amendment to the CPPCC charter since it was adopted in 1982. The CPPCC is an important organ for multiparty cooperation and political consultation led by the CPC, which has been described as "a new type of party system growing from China's soil." As a distinctively Chinese political institution, it is a major channel for socialist consultative democracy. As of 5 p.m. on March 9, political advisors had submitted 5,360 proposals since the session started on March 3, ranging from strengthening overall CPC leadership, the "three critical battles" against major risks, poverty, and pollution, to high-quality development. A resolution on a work report of the Standing Committee of the 12th CPPCC National Committee, a report on the examination of proposals, and a political resolution on the annual session were also approved at the closing meeting. The CPPCC should uphold the CPC leadership, firmly safeguard the core status of Xi Jinping, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, the authority of the CPC Central Committee and its centralized, unified leadership, the political resolution read. It called on political advisors to rally Chinese people from all parties, social and ethnic groups, strata and sectors to strive for the achievement of goals and tasks set at the 19th CPC National Congress in October. Xi Jinping, Li Keqiang, Zhang Dejiang, Yu Zhengsheng, Zhang Gaoli, Li Zhanshu, Wang Huning, Zhao Leji and Han Zheng attended the closing meeting. Xi and other Chinese leaders took group photos with political advisors after the meeting [ Editor: Zhang Zhou ] 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 Nay Pyi Taw, March 12 : Amnesty International released a report on Monday condemning the escalating militarisation in Myanmar's Rakhine state, from which at least 688,000 people from the Rohingya Muslim minority have fled to neighbouring Bangladesh. According to Amnesty, the Myanmar security forces were building bases in the region and bulldozing all the buildings in the villages where the Rohingya, now refugees in Bangladesh, had previously lived, reports Efe news. In the report titled "Remaking Rakhine State", Amnesty has revealations by witness testimony, expert analysis and satellite images the progress of the military's construction, which intensified in January. At least three new military camps have been established in the north of the region, where around one million Rohingya had lived until 2016. "What we are seeing in Rakhine state is a land grab by the military on a dramatic scale. New bases are being erected to house the very same security forces that have committed crimes against humanity against Rohingya," Tirana Hassan, Amnesty's crisis response director, said in a statement. The wave of the Rohingya exodus began after an assault by an insurgent group of this minority on security forces on August 25, 2017, which provoked the Myanmar military to launch a brutal crackdown against them through all kinds of abuses, including executions, rapes and burning of houses. According to Doctors without Borders (MSF), some 6,700 Rohingya have died during the military retaliation campaigns. Despite the fact that military operations have declined, the campaigns to banish the Rohingya from Myanmar and to prevent their return continue. "Myanmar's authorities are erasing evidence of crimes against humanity, making any future attempts to hold those responsible to account extremely difficult (...) New roads and structures are being built over burned Rohingya villages and land, making it even less likely for refugees to return to their homes," Tirana said. Bangladesh and Myanmar signed an agreement to begin repatriating the refugees at the end of January, but Dhaka suspended it at the last minute. Myanmar does not recognise the Rohingya as its citizens, arguing they are illegal immigrants from Bangladesh, which has led to continued discrimination against the Rohingya community as well as restrictions on their freedom of movement. Mumbai, March 12 : The gruelling 200-km, six-day long 'Long March' by over 35,000 farmers ended on a positive note, with the Maharashtra government conceding most demands on Monday evening. The decision was announced at a rally addressed by state ministers along with farmers' leaders at Azad Maidan where the peasants arrived at dawn on Monday, following which the All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS) leaders announced that the agitation was withdrawn. "We held very cordial discussions and have conceded most of the demands of the tribals, labourers and farmers who took part in the march," Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced here. According to a Kisan Sabha leader, the main demands pertained to complete implementation of the loan waiver scheme announced last year, implementation of the Forest Rights Act, 2006, and compensation for victims of damage to cotton crops following bollworm infestation and the unseasonal rains and hailstorm. On implementing the Forest Rights Act, Fadnavis said that all pending claims/appeals shall be cleared in six months. About the farm loans waiver, the government said it had already distributed funds to banks for 46.52 lakh farmers and 35.51 lakh farmers had been disbursed their loan waiver amounts. On the implementation of the M.S. Swaminathan Commission report, he said the government would pursue it with the centre. Additionally, farmers who were not entitled to the loan waiver scheme of 2008 shall be brought under the ambit of the current Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Shetkari Sanman Yojana, and farmers from 2001 onwards would now get the benefits. Similar satisfactory outcome was reported for other demands including water projects, the Sanjay Gandhi Niradhar Yojana, Indira Gandhi Old Age Pension Scheme, fixing of milk rates and pending issues with ration cards to enable farmers and poor get ration at fair price shops. Kisan Sabha leaders including Ajit Nawale expressed satisfaction over the outcome. Earlier, top political leaders including NCP President Sharad Pawar, Congress leader Ashok Chavan, Samajwadi Party leader Abu Asim Azmi, CPI-M General Secretary Sitaram Yechury and social crusader Anna Hazare attacked the government for ignoring the case of the farmers. "Any party which ignores the cause of farmers will not survive," thundered Yechury. "Today, if the farmers demands are not conceded, they will shake up the state and the Centre, and install a government of their choice," he said. The 35,000-plus farmers, including men, women and youths, who halted under the scorching sun at the historic Azad Maidan since dawn will prepare to return to their homes later tonight. Marching under the AIKS banner, the farmers wing of the CPI-M, many sported red caps and carried red party flags or banners, their lunch wrapped in newspapers. They walked almost 200 km for nearly 150 hours since March 6 and reached Mumbai late on Sunday night. Some had swollen eyes and blistered feet and wore torn clothes. All major political parties supported the agitation, with Congress President Rahul Gandhi terming it "an unprecedented show of strength" and urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Fadnavis to shed their ego and concede the farmers' legitimate demands. Zhao Huijie (1st R), Xiang Changjiang (2nd R), Li Jun (C) and Cao Qinghua (2nd L), deputies to the National People's Congress, attend a press conference to share their experiences on poverty alleviation in Beijing, capital of China, March 15, 2018. (Xinhua/Li Xin) by Xinhua writer Sun Xiaozheng BEIJING, March 15 (Xinhua) -- Deputies to the National People's Congress Thursday shared their experiences on poverty alleviation at a press conference held on the sidelines of the ongoing session. Zhao Huijie, Party Secretary of Xiaomiaozi Village of Chifeng City, north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, said the village was striving to inspire people to live a happy life. "We taught a family to raise organic pigs and geese and now not only have they been lifted out of poverty but their ambition has been totally inspired," Zhao said. The annual income per capita of his village was raised from 3,000 yuan (about 475 U.S. dollars) in 2009 to 13,000 last year. Li Jun, Party Secretary of Xiuyun Village in southwest China's Sichuan Province, said his village had started a new poverty alleviation plan to give the impoverished more esteem. "We have paired more than 5,000 city households with people who are living below the poverty line. Instead of pure donation, the donors buy agricultural produce from the poverty-stricken families," Li said. China plans to lift at least 10 million people out of poverty this year, according to the annual government work report made by Premier Li Keqiang. The country will put more effort into developing local industry, education and healthcare, according to the report. There were around 30 million Chinese living below the national poverty line at the end of last year. "The challenges lie in illness," said Xiang Changjiang, director of the village committee of Xiangjia Village of Longhui County, central China's Hunan Province. "Many people were thrown back to poverty due to illness." He suggested that government make policies to support people living in the rural areas who have serious illness, improve the health care system and increase the medical reimbursement ratio. "The work gets harder towards the end, but we have confidence," said Cao Qinghua, Party Secretary of Lianzhu Township of Puer City, southwest China's Yunnan Province. 5 1 [ Editor: Zhang Zhou ] Sao Paulo, March 15 : Brazil President Michel Temer has said he is likely to call his US counterpart Donald Trump over his decision to impose stiff tariffs on steel and aluminium. "The steel issue is indeed alarming," Temer said on Wednesday during the opening of the World Economic Forum for Latin America in Sao Paulo, Xinhua news agency reported. Trump recently announced a 25 per cent tariff on imported steel and 10 percent tariff on imported aluminium, sparking protests from his country's main trade partners, including Mexico, Canada and Brazil. "Clearly we should address this topic very cautiously," said Temer, adding: "I realised that President Trump would appreciate communication from the countries implied." Brazil would prefer an amicable resolution to the issue, but could ultimately appeal the decision at the World Trade Organization (WTO), said Temer. Initially, Brazilian companies that export steel to the US should work "in cooperation with the US Congress to remove or reduce the tariffs," he said. "If we don't come to a solution that's friendly and quick... we'll resort to the World Trade Organization, but not unilaterally, not just Brazil, but all of the countries that face losses stemming from the implementation of this measure," said Temer. Brazil's Foreign Affairs Minister Aloysio Nunes, who was also at the opening ceremony, told reporters he has already requested a meeting with US Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross to discuss exemptions for most Brazilian exports. "Protectionism is a regression. We are going to defend ourselves in keeping with the rules of international trade," said Nunes. Should Brazil have to respond to the tariffs, it will take measures "provided for in our legislation and in the international agreements signed with the United States," Nunes added. Brazil is the second-largest exporter of steel to the US, after Canada, and the leading supplier of semi-finished steel of the United States. In 2017, Brazilian industry sold $2.6 billion worth of steel to the US, or 4.7 million tonnes of the metal, according to official figures. United Nation, March 15 : Expressing solidarity with the UK, US Ambassador to the UN, Nikki Haley, has warned that if concrete measures were not initiated, "Russia will use chemical weapons here in New York or in cities of any country that sits on this Council". Haley said the Donald Trump administration "stands in absolute solidarity with Great Britain" following a nerve agent attack against a Russian double agent and his daughter in the English city of Salisbury last week, the CNN reported. In the strongest statement yet from the US administration on the affair, Haley said Washington shared the UK's assessment that the Russian state was behind the poisoning and demanded a firm international response. "The US believes that Russia is responsible for the attack on two people in the UK using a military-grade nerve agent," Haley said in her remarks at a UN Security Council emergency session on Wednesday, blasting the Russian government for flouting international law, the CNN report said. "If we don't take immediate concrete measures to address this now, Salisbury will not be the last place we see chemical weapons used," said Haley. "They could be used here in New York or in cities of any country that sits on this council." Russia, however, has dismissed the accusations as "fairy tales" and denied any involvement in the attack which landed the Skripals, along with a British police officer, in the hospital. The UK believes Russia was behind the attempted murders of Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia because of the nerve agent used. Novichok, was developed in the Soviet Union and could not be replicated by non-state actors, CNN quoted UK officials as saying. London on Wednesday announced it would expel 23 Russian diplomats after Moscow failed to meet a UK deadline to give a "credible response". Moscow's Ambassador to the UN, Vassily Nebenzia, even suggested the UK might have been responsible for the attack in an attempt to smear Russia. "In the Russian Federation, no scientific research or development work under the title Novichok were carried out," he told the Security Council. Laying the blame firmly at Russia's door and highlighting Moscow's support of the Assad regime in Syria following that government's use of chemical weapons against civilians, Haley told fellow diplomats the world had reached "a defining moment". "Time and time again, members states say they oppose the use of chemical weapons under any circumstance," said Haley. "Now one member stands accused of using chemical weapons on the sovereign soil of another member. "The credibility of this Council will not survive if we fail to hold Russia accountable," she said. Chennai, March 15 : The Tamil Nadu assembly on Thursday unanimously demanded setting up of the Cauvery Management Board (CMB) and Cauvery Water Regulatory Committee (CWRC) as ordered by the Supreme Court. A resolution to this effect was passed unanimously in a special sitting of the assembly, hours after Deputy Chief Minister O.Panneerselvam, who also holds the Finance portfolio, presented the state budget for 2018-19. In its February 16 verdict, the Supreme Court, reducing Tamil Nadu's share in the Cauvery water to 177.25 thousand million cubic feet (TMC) against 192 TMC allocated by a tribunal in 2007, ordered the central government to set up the CMB and CWRC within six weeks. Moving the resolution, Chief Minister K.Palaniswami said the Central government has to set up the CMB and CWRC, and his government has been urging it be done soon. DMK leader M.K.Stalin said if the Central government does not set up CMB and CWRC then all the Tamil Nadu legislators should resign. He said his party is ready to ask its legislators to resign from the house but hoped that the Central government would not give space for such an action. Washington, March 15 : The US on Thursday announced sanctions on a series of Russian organisations and individuals in retaliation for interference in the 2016 presidential elections and other "malicious" cyber attacks. It was the most significant action taken against Moscow since President Donald Trump took office, the New York Times reported. The sanctions came at the same time the Trump administration joined a collective statement with Britain, France and Germany denouncing Russia for its apparent role in a nerve gas attack on a former Russian spy and his daughter on British soil. The countries in a joint statement called the attack on former spy a "clear violation" of international law. The US sanctions targeted many of the same Russian organisations and operatives identified by Justice Department Special Counsel Robert Mueller in an indictment in February that outlined an "audacious attempt to spread disinformation and propaganda to disrupt American democracy and influence the vote on behalf of Trump". The sanctions also responded to other cyber attacks, including a previously undisclosed attempt to penetrate the American energy grid. The sanctions targeted five Russian organisations and 19 individuals, barring them from travelling to the US, freeze any assets in the country and bar American businesses and individuals from doing business with them. Among the groups sanctioned were the Federal Security Service, the successor to the KGB known by its Russian acronym FSB, and the Russian military intelligence known as GRU. In addition to the election meddling, the attacks cited by the Treasury Department included the NotPetya cyber attack that caused billions of dollars in damage in the US, Europe and Asia. "The administration is confronting and countering malign Russian cyber activity, including their attempted interference in US elections, destructive cyber attacks, and intrusions targeting critical infrastructure," Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said in a statement. "These targeted sanctions are a part of a broader effort to address the ongoing nefarious attacks emanating from Russia." The action came a day after Britain expelled 23 Russian diplomats and announced other measures in response to the poisoning attack. New Delhi, March 16 : Andhra Pradesh's Telugu Desam Party (TDP) on Friday pulled out of the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) at the Centre, a party leader said. TDP Rajya Sabha MP Y.S. Chowdary told IANS: "Yes our party (TDP) has pulled out of the alliance with the NDA." The decision comes in the backdrop of the Centre refusing to award special category status to Andhra Pradesh. On March 8, the TDP had pulled its two ministers -- Ashok Gajapathi Raju and Y.S. Chowdary -- out of the Narendra Modi government but had stopped short of walking out of the alliance. Raju held the Civil Aviation Ministry while Chowdary was the Minister of State for Science and Technology. New Delhi/Amaravati, March 16 : Andhra Pradesh's ruling Telugu Desam Party (TDP) on Friday pulled out of the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and was set to move a no-confidence motion against the government over its refusal to grant special category status to the state, party leaders said. TDP Rajya Sabha MP Y.S. Chowdary told IANS: "Yes our party (TDP) has pulled out of the alliance with the NDA." Chief Minister and TDP President N. Chandrababu Naidu took these decisions during a teleconference with politburo members, senior party leaders and MPs on Friday. Immediately after the decision, TDP, which has 16 members in the Lok Sabha, submitted a notice to the Speaker to move the no-confidence motion. Party MP Thota Narasimham told reporters that they were collecting signatures of 54 MPs, which is required to move the no-trust motion. On March 8, the TDP had pulled its two Ministers -- Ashok Gajapathi Raju and Y.S. Chowdary -- out of the Narendra Modi government but had stopped short of walking out of the alliance. Raju held the Civil Aviation Ministry while Chowdary was the Minister of State for Science and Technology. The TDP is the first party to leave the coalition since it came to power at the Centre in 2014. Naidu decided to write a letter to Bharatiya Janata Party national President Amit Shah, informing him of the circumstances which forced TDP to exit the NDA. The TDP President told the politburo members that he would also write to other constituents of the NDA to explain why he joined the front four years ago and what made the party to pull out. Naidu had said on Thursday that the TDP was ready to support a no-confidence motion moved by any party. However, during the teleconference on Friday Naidu said that the party should move a motion on its own instead of supporting the one being moved by their rival YSR Congress Party. The TDP chief said if the TDP backs the no-confidence motion moved by a party whose leader is facing serious charges this would send a wrong signal to the people. Naidu told politburo members that the TDP would seek support of other parties for the no-confidence motion. The TDP leaders alleged that YSR Congress was not sincere in the no-confidence motion as its notice had signatures of only five MPs. During the teleconference, Naidu lashed out at the BJP and accused it of using YSR Congress leader Y.S. Jaganmohan Reddy and Jana Sena party President Pawan Kalyan to weaken the TDP. He said both Jagan and Pawan had secret understanding with the BJP. He said while Jagan entered into the secret deal to save himself in several corruption cases, Pawan was targeting TDP instead of pulling up BJP and Narendra Modi for not fulfilling the commitments made to Andhra Pradesh. TDP had been expressing its unhappiness with the BJP over the last few weeks for not fulfilling the commitments made by the Centre to Andhra Pradesh after Telangana was carved out of it in 2014. Its main demand was special status which would have ensured a large infusion of central funds to help the state tide over the revenue deficit and facilitate development of new state capital Amaravati. Washington, March 16 : Special Counsel Robert Mueller, has subpoenaed the Trump Organization to turn over documents, including some related to the ongoing probe into the alleged Russian meddling in the 2016 presidential election, the media reported. The order is the first known instance of Mueller demanding records directly related to Donald Trump's businesses, bringing the investigation closer to the President, informed sources told The New York Times late Thursday. The breadth of the subpoena was not clear, nor was it clear why Mueller issued it instead of simply asking for the documents from the company, an umbrella organisation that encompasses Trump's business ventures. Mueller ordered the Trump Organization to hand over records related to Russia and other topics he is investigating, the people said. The subpoena is the latest indication that the investigation, which Trump's lawyers once regularly assured him would be completed by now, will continue for at least several more months, the sources told the daily. The news of the subpoena comes as Mueller appears to be broadening his inquiry to examine the role foreign money may have played in funding Trump's political activities. In recent weeks, Mueller's investigators have questioned witnesses, including an adviser to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), about the flow of Emirati money into the US, reports The New York Times. Mueller has already indicted 13 Russians and three companies accused of meddling in the 2016 presidential campaign, and on Thursday, the Trump administration included them in sanctions it levelled at Moscow as punishment for interference in the campaign and "malicious cyberattacks". The Trump Organization has typically complied with requests from congressional investigators for documents for their own inquiries into Russian election interference and there was no indication the company planned to fight Mueller's order. Alan Futerfas, an attorney for the Trump Organization, said in a statement that Thursday's report are "old news and our assistance and cooperation with the various investigations remains the same today". White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders, reiterated during her daily briefing that the president was cooperating with the special counsel inquiry and referred further questions to the Trump Organization. News of the subpoena broke shortly after the Trump administration announced a new raft of sanctions on Moscow, including Russian nationals previously indicted in the special counsel probe, reports CNN. His former campaign chairman Paul Manafort faces more than 300 years in prison if he's convicted of charges stemming from Mueller's investigation that are unrelated to alleged Russian meddling in the election. Meanwhile, Republicans on the House Intelligence Committee moved earlier this week to close their investigation, saying they found no "collusion" between the Trump campaign and Russia, as well as denying that Russian efforts to interfere in the election were done to bolster Trump, a central tenet of the US intelligence community's conclusion about the meddling. New York, March 16 : Donald Trump Jr's wife Vanessa has filed for divorce after being married for 12 years, the media reported. "After 12 years of marriage, we have decided to go our separate ways," the couple told The New York Post's Page Six in a joint statement on Thursday. "We will always have tremendous respect for each other and our families. We have five beautiful children together and they remain our top priority. We ask for your privacy during this time." President Donald Trump's daughter-in-law filed for an uncontested proceeding at the Manhattan Supreme Court, meaning she was not likely to fight her former husband for custody of the couple's five children or over their assets. Vanessa and Donald Trump Jr., both 40, were married in November 2005 at Mar-a-Lago, the President's exclusive country club in South Florida, where he also wed his wife Melania in January of that year. Page Six first reported that they were struggling with marital problems related to Donald Trump Jr's travels and controversial tweets. The filing comes the same day as special counsel Robert Mueller subpoenaed the President's family business, demanding that the Trump Organization release information related to Russia. Donald Trump Jr. and his younger brother Eric have been running their father's company since he was elected President in 2016. Chennai, March 16 : As Andhra Pradesh's ruling Telugu Desam Party (TDP) on Friday pulled out of the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and was set to move a no-confidence motion against the government, Tamil Nadu's AIADMK said it was yet to decide on its move. With the third largest number of members (37) in the Lok Sabha after the BJP and Congress, the AIADMK was undecided whether to support or oppose the motion, said a senior party leader. "The party will take a decision on the issue and one cannot comment on that now," the AIADMK leader told IANS preferring anonymity. The BJP and PMK has one seat each in Lok Sabha from Tamil Nadu. The leader said the possibility of the BJP government defeating the no-confidence motion is relatively high with the support from smaller parties. "We expect the no-confidence motion to be moved by the Congress. The party is in alliance with DMK in Tamil Nadu. In short, the anti-AIADMK alliance will be moving the no-confidence motion and it may be politically possible to support that given the stakes at the state level," he added. Adding further even if the no-confidence motion wins, then the the question of who would stake the claim to form the government aligning with whom is there, he said. "The BJP government may continue to be a caretaker government and then face the electorate," he added. TDP chief and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Friday discussed with party leaders the proposal to move the No-Confidence Motion against the Narendra Modi government. During a teleconference while deciding to pull out of the NDA, Naidu said that the party should move the no-trust motion on its own instead of supporting the one being moved by their rival YSR Congress Party. Naidu directed TDP MP Thota Narasimham to submit a notice to the Lok Sabha Secretariat in this regard, informed sources said. Narasimham in a letter to the Lok Sabha Secretary Snehlata Shrivastava said: "This House expresses No-Confidence in the Council of Ministers... "I request you to include the motion in the revised list of Business for March 16." The no-trust move could become an opportune moment for the AIADMK to pressurise the Centre to set up the Cauvery Management Board (CMB) and Cauvery Water Regulatory Committee (CWRC). On Thursday, the Tamil Nadu Assembly passed an unanimous resolution demanding the central government to set up the CMB and CWRC as per the Supreme Court order. New Delhi, March 16 : Are women getting their due at workplaces or are they being overlooked? What happens when a devastated man embarks on a quest to find the recipient of his donated kidney? IANS book shelf for this weekend presents an exciting array of books that, apart from answering these questions, also feature a thrilling mystery novel and a book for children where 10 "idea-shapers" have valuable lessons for kids. The IANS recommendations have these varied reads to offer for this weekend: 1. Book: Win Win; Author: Joanne Lipman; Publisher: Hachette; Price: Rs 399; Pages: 297 Women spend their working lives adapting to an environment set up for men, by men: From altering the way they speak to changing the clothes they wear to power-posing. But still the gender gap persists. And once you see it -- women being overlooked, interrupted, their ideas credited to men -- it's impossible to ignore. Diving deep into a wide range of government initiatives, corporate experiments and social science research, Joanne Lipman offers fascinating new revelations about the way men and women work culled from the Enron scandal, from brain research, from transgender scientists and from Iceland's campaign to "feminise" an entire nation. 2. Book: Happy Dreams; Author: Jia Pingwa; Publisher: Amazon Crossing; Price: Rs 499; Pages: 480 From one of China's foremost authors, Jia Pingwa's "Happy Dreams" is a powerful depiction of life in industrialising, contemporary China, in all its humour and pathos, as seen through the eyes of a charming and clever rural labourer who leaves his home for the gritty, harsh streets of Xi'an in search of a better life. After a disastrous end to a relationship, Hawa "Happy" Liu embarks on a quest to find the recipient of his donated kidney and a life that lives up to his self-given moniker. Traveling from his rural home in Freshwind to the city of Xi'an, Happy brings only an eternally positive attitude, his devoted best friend Wufu, and a pair of high-heeled women's shoes he hopes to fill with the love of his life. 3. Book: Trickster; Author: Vinaya Bhagat; Publisher: Harper Black; Price: Rs 399; Pages: 338 When she loses her parents in an accident, Diya Mathur's world collapses around her. As far as she knows, she's alone in the world now -- till a mysterious letter arrives from India. Suddenly, Diya has a chance to be part of a family again. But moving from Boston to India also brings Diya closer to the place where the horror of the Chakwa -- the Master Trickster -- first started. As bodies and tragedies pile up around her, Diya's belief in the urban myth of the Chakwa increases. Will the monster that ruined her parents' life now destroy Diya's happiness? Or will she manage to defeat him at his own game? With the help of her newly-discovered friends and family, Diya must fight not just the monster in her nightmares but also make sense of a fast-unravelling web of lies that makes up her life. 4. Book: The Children's Book of Truths; Author: Several (anthology); Publisher: Hachette; Price: Rs 299; Pages: 204 Growing up throws up a lot of questions -- about people, events and the world around us. Sometimes the answers are in simple black and white, wrong and right, but mostly they are not. In this book, 10 truth-explorers and idea-shapers share their thought-provoking views on important topics close to your heart and mind. Drawing on their experiences, they help you see many different sides of a question and arrive at the most important truth -- your own conclusion, your own interpretation, your own answer. Subroto Bagchi writes on Leadership; Shaheen Mistri on Education; Vivek Menon on Nature; Meeta Kumar on the Economy; Manjula Padmanabhan on Gender Bias; Omair Ahmad on Conflict; Bibek Debroy on God and Religion; Roopa Pai on Stories; Hartosh Singh Bal on Science and Maths; and finally Kapil Dev on Sports. BEIJING, March 15 (Xinhua) -- Having swapped his overalls for a suit and tie, Qi Songyu boarded a train to Beijing. Qi, an automaker technician, is a new deputy to the National People's Congress (NPC), China's national legislature. The 13th NPC is holding its first session in Beijing. Of the nearly 3,000 deputies, three out of four are new faces. More than 15 percent of the deputies are workers and farmers, up 2.28 percentage points from the previous NPC. Professionals number 613, with their share growing by 0.15 percentage point to 20.57 percent. Qi, 44, is a maintenance worker from northeast China's Jilin Province, part of the country's old industrial base. He won voters' heart as he converted a key-cutting machine into a sharpener to recycle the used blades, tools for auto electrode repair. The invention helps save 2.3 million yuan (363,000 U.S. dollars) every year for his state-owned employer, FAW Car Co., Ltd. Qi submitted three suggestions to the session, including raising the wages of skilled workers. He said under the current salary system, workers are paid based on their posts. "Workers' skills vary even if their posts are the same," said Qi, adding that a differentiated pay system should be introduced to encourage quality workmanship and innovation. NPC deputies are members of the highest organ of state power in China and are elected by secret ballot at people's congresses of provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities ahead of the NPC. During an NPC session, deputies submit motions and suggestions as well as review and vote on legal documents and personnel changes. Unlike legislators in the West who make a career of politics, NPC deputies work part-time and many of them are ordinary citizens, including workers, farmers, teachers, artists and even street cleaners. Deputy Gao Xiangqiu is a farmer and entrepreneur from northeast China's Heilongjiang Province. She has organized 170 households to plant peppers and invited professionals for technical advice. The annual income per household increased by 20,000 yuan last year. "I suggest the government offer policy support for bean farmers, as well as trial plantation of high-protein beans," she said. With its vast tracts of fertile farmland, Heilongjiang is known as the country's "grain barn," with beans among its major products. Many deputies proposed methods of developing agriculture as the country strives for rural revitalization, a concept proposed at the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China. A package of policies was unveiled in the first central document of the year to see a strong agricultural sector, a beautiful countryside and well-off farmers. Duan Jun, one of the 45 migrant worker deputies, proposed upgrading seats on slow trains so that migrant workers, who sit for long hours on slow trains, could have a comfortable journey. Although spacious and comfortable high-speed trains have connected large parts of China, migrant workers with meager pay prefer slow trains as the ticket price is only about a quarter that of a second-class seat on a high-speed train traveling the same distance. China has 286 million migrant workers. Film director Jia Zhangke was born in north China's Shanxi Province, known as the country's "coal capital." Last year, he organized the first international film festival in Pingyao, a World Cultural Heritage site in central Shanxi. "Many have identified Shanxi with coal, neglecting its history of thousands of years," said Jia, now a tourism ambassador for the province. He suggested developing the cultural industry to detach Shanxi from traditional coal mining in order to fight overcapacity and pollution. Another suggestion related to pollution reduction was proposed by Li Shufu. Li, chairman of leading Chinese auto brand Geely, suggested more government support for clean energy vehicles as well as market access for methanol-fueled cars to reduce car exhaust. While many parts of China are limiting cars for better air, Gesang Degyi has been thrilled to see more vehicles in her hometown in southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region. Gesang Degyi, 40, is a primary school teacher from the border county of Medog, where there was no asphalt road until 2013. "I have witnessed the great changes over the past five years in my hometown, with transportation and school conditions greatly improved," she said. "My suggestion is about balanced development in border areas." Gesang Degyi is one of 400-plus ethnic minority deputies to the 13th NPC and the only deputy of the Moinba minority, one of the smallest ethnic groups in China. According to China's electoral law, NPC deputies should be elected in proportion to the population, urban and rural regions alike. A deputy might represent several hundreds of thousands of people. However, each of the country's 55 ethnic minorities is entitled by law to have at least one deputy to the NPC. Over the past five years, deputies to the 12th NPC submitted 2,366 motions and 41,353 suggestions, said Zhang Dejiang, chairman of the Standing Committee of the 12th NPC, on Sunday. Hundreds of the motions have been adopted or are being deliberated, he said in a work report. At the ongoing first session of the 13th NPC, new deputies have a chance to meet and discuss how they will fulfill their duties in the next five years. "An NPC deputy should speak for the people. I can feel the responsibility -- it's huge but an honor," Gesang Degyi said. [ Editor: Zhang Zhou ] : Jhunjhunu: Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses at the launch of the National Nutrition Mission and expansion of Beti Bachao Beti Padhao programme, in Jhunjhunu, Rajasthan on March 8, 2018. ... Image Source: IANS/PIB Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses at the launch of the National Nutrition Mission and expansion of Beti Bachao Beti Padhao programme, in Jhunjhunu, Rajasthan on March 8, 2018. Image Source: IANS/PIB Jaipur, March 16 : Sulochana Chaudhary, a mother of three successful daughters, was watching TV with keen interest as Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the audience while launching the "Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao" campaign in Jhunjhunu on March 8. But long before the girl child became a campaign slogan for the current Prime Minister, Sulochana went against all odds to educate her children and inculcate a strong sense of values in them -- in a Marwari society which looked down upon a woman giving birth to multiple daughters. "The entire Churu society to which we belonged had something bad to say to me when I delivered my third daughter. Their frequent taunts, soon after the delivery, left me and my husband tormented and pained. But I took my daughter in my lap, kissed her and told her, 'You are going to be my third son. I will give you the best so that you too can serve the nation following in the footsteps of Indira Gandhi and Mother Teresa'," Sulochana told IANS. As the girls grew up, she took them frequently to visit the village. "I wanted them to know that this was the real India and they had to help the poor here. So they grew up with a vision and mission of improving the socio-economic standards in rural India," she said, adding that "we also gave them wings to fly abroad and spread their horizons... to do their best". They were never made to feel that they were weaker or inferior in any way to the boys. Sulochana's husband N.K. Chaudhary said, "I knew I had three daughters, but I decided they will build my future and realise my dreams. Although society left no stone unturned to make me feel unlucky for having three daughters, my best English friend, Ilay Cooper, who has written many books on the Shekhawati region, inspired me with his positive thoughts." He made the Chaudharys realise why it was important to treat their girls at par with boys -- and that often women were more efficient and capable than men. "I decided to give the best education to my daughters. As they grew up, I decided to send them to the US so that they could bring best practices to my business," Chaudhary said. The girls joined the family business, Jaipur Rugs, after finishing their education, with Archana Chaudhary heading the operations in the United States and Asha Chaudhary becoming the CEO. Kavita Chaudhury became head of the design department. "They took the business to heights which I might not have been able to do alone," says the trio's father. Kavita is extending the business by engaging rural artisans and allowing them to transfer their thoughts and ideas into rug designs which are making waves across the globe. Recently, one of their weavers, Vimladevi from Aaspura village, was taken to Germany to receive the prestigious German Design Award she had won. "We want to create more such Vimlas in India," says N.K. Chaudhary. He says they are always trying to boost the confidence of their grassroots weavers. "We want more daughters to become empowered, to stand on their own. We are employing more women and setting up doorstep opportunities for them so that they can recreate the magic of success at different levels," he added. Kavita says there was a lot of pressure from their Marwari relatives on her parents to treat their girls in accordance with traditional societal norms -- where girls were hidden within the confines of four walls at home and limited to kitchen-related work. "However, my parents trusted Cooper and, since early childhood, provided us with the best education and nurtured our personal interests, including sending us abroad." All this despite their limited resources. Asked if her parents motivated the sisters to pursue their dreams, Kavita said it was not really that. "As children, we did not know what it meant to have dreams that could be fulfilled. They simply created a nurturing space for us to grow and experience life. They motivated us to learn the things we loved to do. And they greatly trusted us," she said. The Chaudhary family business is now working with the most modern versions of enterprise resource planning, the design studio has been computerised and the products are being counted among the best, inviting global awards. N.K. Chaudhary believes strongly in the concept of women empowerment. Nature, he says, gave sufficient time to man to prove himself and contribute to the society. "But now it is women who are scripting success stories in each field with their untiring efforts," he adds. For him, 'Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao' has been more than a slogan. (Archana Sharma can be contacted at arachana.g@gmail.com) Beijing, March 16 : China urged the UN Security Council (UNSC) on Friday to encourage a dialogue with Pyongyang, amid preparations for a historic meeting between US President Donald Trump and North Korea leader Kim Jong-un. "We think Korean peninsula issues should be resolved through diplomatic and peaceful means, which is the widespread consensus among Security Council members," Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lu Kang said at a press conference here. Lu confirmed that China and Russia had presented a motion in the UNSC in support of dialogue in the Korean peninsula, although Russian sources had reported on Thursday that the proposal was blocked by the US, another permanent member of the council, reports Efe news. "The peninsula has seen some positive changes recently, this is in line with China's long-standing position on the issue, which confirms to the requirements of the UNSC resolutions as well," Lu added. Meanwhile, North Korea's foreign minister, Ri Yong-Ho, arrived in Stockholm on Thursday night to meet his Swedish counterpart Margot Wallstrom. Ri's visit has led to speculation that the Scandinavian country might host the historic Trump-Kim meet in May. Bhubaneswar, March 16 : President Ram Nath Kovind will pay a two-day visit to Odisha from Saturday, during which he is scheduled to attend several events in the state. It will be Kovind's first official visit to the state after his election as President. The President will land at the Bhubaneswar airport on Saturday morning, where he will be received by Governor S.C. Jamir and Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik. Kovind will travel to Cuttack, where he will dedicate the Anand Bhavan Museum and a learning centre at Tulasipur, an official said on Friday. He will also deliver a lecture at the foundation day celebrations of the National Law University in Cuttack. Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra, Governor Jamir, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan will attend the function. The President will then leave for Puri for a night stay. On Sunday, Kovind will inaugurate the Rashtriya Sanskrit Sansthan's centenary celebrations in Puri. The President will also attend the 6th annual convocation of the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) here on Sunday. He will lay the foundation stone of the Skill Development India Centre and inaugurate the Institute of Chemical Technology, Mumbai, and the Indian Oil Odisha campus in the city. New Delhi/Darjeeling, March 16 : The Supreme Court on Friday dismissed former Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) leader Bimal Gurung's plea for protection against arrest in many cases lodged against him in West Bengal. Gurung, one of the leaders spearheading the agitation to demand a separate Gorkhaland state, had claimed that he was being politically hounded by the West Bengal government. Justice A.K. Sikri and Justice Ashok Bhushan however refused to grant relief to Gurung after hearing the state government, which submitted a list of 53 FIRs lodged against Gurung and told the bench that he was facing trial in another 24 cases. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee welcomed the apex court's decision. "We welcome the court verdict. We want development here and it will continue," she said. Echoing Banerjee, new GJM President Binay Tamang backed the Supreme Court's decision, accusing Gurung of waging war and committing anti-national activities. "The Supreme Court has given a verdict. We respect it and welcome it. Whatever documents his counsel had submitted to the court to escapes arrest, have been rejected. He was involved in waging war and other activities that are against the law of the country. "Therefore, the Supreme Court dismissed his plea and gave a verdict for his arrest on the basis of the grave charges against him," said Tamang, also the chief of Board of Administrators of the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration. The GJM leader had also sought an independent probe into the alleged killings of Gorkhaland supporters in the state. On November 20, the Supreme Court restrained the West Bengal Police from taking any coercive steps against Gurung. United Nations, March 16 : Famous for its pursuit of Gross National Happiness, Bhutan has a new cause for joy: In recognition of its Gross National Income (GNI) growth and social development, the kingdom is poised to graduate from the UN category of the world's poorest known as the Least Developed Countries (LDC). However, two other South Asian nations, Nepal and Bangladesh, will continue in the LDC category although they have recorded progress, the UN panel that recommends changes to the list said Thursday. The Committee on Development Policy (CDP) announced that it was recommending that the Himalayan kingdom was ready to move out of the LDC pool "because of its increasing national earning power as well as access to better health care and education". "Bhutan is a very interesting success story of social progress and also economic progress," CDP chair Jose Antonio Ocampo told reporters. "They have done very big investments in human development." Countries that are classified as LDC have preferential access to development assistance and trade but an interim arrangement spread over many years will smooth their transition when they graduate. To graduate out of the LDC list, a country has to meet two of the three criteria during two successive triennial reviews. Bhutan met two of them, the criteria for income, with its GNI tripling between 2003 and 2018, and for the human assets index, which measures health and education, with falling under-five mortality rate and a doubling of secondary enrollment, CDP said. It did fall short in the third category that measures economic vulnerability, which Ocampo explained, was because "they are very specialised economically" dependent on electricity exports. "They are diversifying, but they are still highly dependent on the export of electricity to India, the major export sector of Bhutan," he said. But "they are in the process of diversifying. Tourism is one of the major new sectors for them". He said that the CDP agreed to make the LDC graduation effective after the conclusion of its 12th five year plan in 2023 to ensure a smooth transition. Nepal met the criteria to graduate this year, but the CDP decided against recommending it because it is "a country with a very low per capital income, much lower than our threshold, and also they are in political transition (as) they are doing major constitutional change," Ocampo said. Nepal met two of the criteria this year in a second successive review because it reduced vulnerability by making the economy less specialised and it made progress in human development. Ocampo said that he expected Nepal to be ready to graduate at the next triennial review in 2021. Bangladesh met the graduation for the first time and will graduate if it keeps up the standing at the next review. Maldives moved off the LDC list in 2011. The recommendation for Bhutan to be dropped from the LDC list - along with three others, Kiribati, Solomon Islands and Sao Thome and Principe - now goes to the UN Economic and Social Council. If approved by it, the General Assembly will make the final decision later this year. (Arul Louis can be reached at arul.l@ians.in) Chandigarh, March 16 : Aam Aadmi Party's (AAP) Punjab unit chief Bhagwant Mann and co-President Aman Arora on Friday resigned from their posts, a day after party Convenor Arvind Kejriwal apologised to a former state Minister for accusing him of involvement in the drug trade. Mann, who announced his resignation on Twitter, said his fight against the drug mafia would however continue. "I'm resigning as President of AAP Punjab... but my fight against the drug mafia and all kinds of corruption in Punjab will continue as an Aam Aadmi (common man) of Punjab," Mann tweeted. Mann, who represents Sangrur constituency in the Lok Sabha, was appointed the state party chief in May 2017. Hours later, another AAP leader Arora said he was also putting in his papers. "Rspctd @msisodia ji, due to painful turn of events since yesterday (Thursday), please accept my resignation from the post of co-President. Regards," his tweet read. On Thursday, Kejriwal withdrew his drug trade allegations against Bikram Singh Majithia, who is a brother-in-law of Shiromani Akali Dal President Sukhbir Badal, and an application regarding the same was filed in a trial court in Amritsar, where a defamation case filed by Majithia against the Delhi Chief Minister on May 20, 2016, is being heard. "This proves that they were raking up the issue to tarnish my image and harm me and gain politically," Majithia told reporters on Thursday. "I will withdraw the case, which I had filed for what is right and for my own and my family's honour." Majithia said another AAP leader Ashish Khetan too had submitted his offer of regret. Reacting to Kejriwal's apology, Leader of Opposition and AAP legislator Sukhpal Singh Khaira said he was "stunned" by the development. "We're appalled (and) stunned by the apology of @ArvindKejriwal tendered today, we don't hesitate to admit that we haven't been consulted on this meek surrender by a leader of his stature," he said on Twitter. In another tweet, he said: "We promise to continue our tirade on the burning issue of drugs destroying the youth of Punjab." Journalist-turned-AAP legislator Kanwar Sandhu said Kejriwal's apology in the defamation case is a "let-down to the people, especially the youth of Punjab". "We in Punjab have not been taken into the loop," he said in a tweet a day earlier. Gurugram, March 16 : A district court here on Friday acquitted a man accused of rape and criminal intimidation on grounds of lack of evidence, his counsel said. Additional District Judge Rajni Yadav acquitted Joginder alias Yashwant, who was accused of rape by a widow living in his neighbourhood. "The court said in its judgment that the charges against the accused were not backed by evidence," defence lawyers Archana Chauhan and Manjeet told IANS. The case was registered on March 2 last year by the woman who claimed Joginder had been raping her on the pretext of marrying her. Bengaluru, March 16 : Jet Airways will soon fly to Amritsar, Patna and Indore from Bengaluru, the carrier announced on Friday. "The service will be on five days a week to Amritsar via Delhi, six days a week to Indore and daily to Patna starting from the week of March 25," said Jet in a statement here. "With the addition of these flights, Bengaluru, the fastest growing metro, will have its position reinforced as Jet's third upcoming domestic hub, after Mumbai and Delhi," it said. Moscow, March 16 : Russia on Friday said it will expand its own "blacklist" of Americans in response to new US sanctions announced by the Trump administration. The Trump administration said on Thursday that it was enacting the new sanctions on Russia, including individuals indicted in February by special counsel Robert Mueller, in a sweeping new effort to punish Moscow for its attempts to interfere in the 2016 US election. Moscow will use "the principle of parity" as it responds, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov was quoted as saying by Russian state news agency RIA Novosti. Additional measures were not ruled out, he said. However, Ryabkov also said Russia did not want to close the window of dialogue with the US or the possibility of stabilizing bilateral relations. "It is also worth thinking about that, destroying Russian-American relations," said Ryabkov. "These politicians play with fire, because they simultaneously undermine global stability." In total, the Trump administration applied new sanctions on five Russian entities and 19 individuals, including the Internet Research Agency, a Russian troll farm that produced divisive political posts on US social media platforms during the presidential election, CNN reported. Yevgeny Prigozhin, a financial backer to the Internet Research Agency with deep ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin, was also included. The administration also disclosed a Russian attempt to penetrate the US energy grid and said the sanctions would punish actors for their participation in other major cyberattacks. The sanctions were also slapped on two Russian intelligence agencies -- the Federal Security Service and the Main Intelligence Directorate -- as well as some of their employees. The new sanctions would bar the individuals from travelling to the US and freeze whatever assets they may have in the country. Prigozhin was quoted by RIA Novosti as saying that he "couldn't care less" about the latest US sanctions placed on him. The new sanctions came as the US joined European allies in blaming Russia for a nerve agent attack on a former Russian spy in Britain, deeming the action a "clear violation" of international law. Srinagar, March 16 : Senior hardline separatist leader Syed Ali Geelani on Friday again rejected the fresh offer for talks by centre's special representative on sustained dialogue in Kashmir, Dineshwar Sharma. A statement, issued by G.A. Gulzar, spokesman of the Geelani-led Hurriyat, said: "All Parties Hurriyat Conference chairman, Syed Ali Geelani has rejected talks offer with India by an IB (Intelligence Bureau) official and termed all these attempts as futile, saying it is nothing more than a tactic to buy time by New Delhi". The spokesman disclosed that on Thursday night an IB official proposed a dialogue between New Delhi and Geelani, but the latter refused to talk, unless and until the Kashmir dispute is addressed in its historical perspective. He had also asked India to acknowledge the disputed status of Kashmir and begin demilitarization to hold a referendum. Sharma had said on Thursday that his mandate for talks included everyone including the Kashmiri separatist leaders. Wang Yang (8th R, front), a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, and chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), meets with journalist representatives of major domestic media outlets at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 15, 2018. Wang expressed appreciation for the efforts made by all journalists covering the annual session of the top political advisory body. (Xinhua/Pang Xinglei) BEIJING, March 15 (Xinhua) -- China's top political advisor Wang Yang on Thursday encouraged journalists to tell the stories of China, the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) and consultative democracy through vivid examples. Wang, who was elected chairman of the 13th CPPCC National Committee Wednesday, made the remarks when he met with journalist representatives of major domestic media outlets. Wang, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, expressed appreciation for the efforts made by all journalists covering the annual session of the top political advisory body. He expressed his hope that media outlets could give play to their advantages, continue to cover news related to the CPPCC well, promote the system of CPC-led multiparty cooperation and political consultation, and show the CPPCC's progress in the new era. The political advisory body concluded its annual session Thursday. 2 1 [ Editor: Zhang Zhou ] New Delhi, March 16 : As many as six out of nine or 67 per cent of the newly inducted ministers in the Tripura cabinet are crorepatis or multi-millionaires, while three out of nine or 33 per cent have criminal cases against them, a report revealed on Friday. Jishnu Devvarma is the richest minister in the cabinet with assets worth more than Rs 11 crore, followed by Pranajit Singha Roy (Rs 5 crore plus) and Sudip Roy Barman (Rs 3 crore plus). All the three richest ministers belong to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Santana Chakma of BJP -- the only woman minister in the cabinet -- has the least assets with Rs 1.39 lakh. Three of the nine ministers have declared criminal cases against them. Of these, Ratan Lal Nath and Barman of the BJP have serious criminal charges of attempt to murder against them. In a positive, as many as seven out of nine or 78 per cent ministers are graduates while the remaining two are post-graduates. The BJP has formed the government in Tripura for the first time in alliance with the Indigenous People's Front of Tripura (IPFT), ending 25 years of interrupted rule of the Left Front. Biplab Kumar Deb took over as the new Chief Minister. Outgoing Chief Minister Manik Sarkar of the Communist Party of India Marxist (CPI-M) was found to be the "poorest" Chief Minister in India with just Rs 26 lakh assets, while Deb has declared assets worth more than Rs 2 crore -- the fourth highest in his cabinet. Shillong, March 16 : Meghalaya Governor Ganga Prasad, who scripted history by being the first to address the state Assembly in Hindi on Friday, was criticized by Congress members. Former Urban Affairs Minister and Congress legislator Ampareen Lyngdoh walked out of the House in protest while Prasad was delivering his address in "chaste" Hindi. Prior to the start of the budget session, Opposition Chief Whip Process T. Sawkmie raised a point of order wanting a clarification from Speaker Donkupar Roy whether the Governor would be speaking in Hindi and if so whether translated version of the speech would be circulated. Roy replied that copies of the speech in English would be circulated. But Sawkmie repeatedly stood up to oppose the address saying it has created a bad precedence in the history of Meghalaya. The Governor read out the speech in Hindi throughout his address while at the same time skipping important paragraphs in the English version of the speech. After the House was resumed for the day, Sawkmie again raised the issue before the Speaker saying the Governor has created bad precedence (by speaking in Hindi) in the House. "In 46 years of statehood, this is the first time in the history of Meghalaya that the Governor has addressed us in Hindi. If the Governor has created a bad precedence by speaking in Hindi, members of the House can speak in Khasi, Garo or Jaintia (local dialect) according to their wish because the head of the state fails to respect the floor of the House," he said. Chief Minister Conrad Sangma later told journalists that the Governor's speech in Hindi was not an issue at all as it was not a foreign language as it was spoken across the country. "The rules have been followed. The rules are there. The contents are already in the printed version along with the details. The reason why he summarized some of the points could be because it was very long. Those are reasons we don't know. The Governor's House and Governor's Secretariat will know better," he said. "The Governor is comfortable of speaking in Hindi, he can read Hindi better. So he did what he was comfortable with," the Chief Minister added. Speaker Roy told journalists: "You see the official language here is English but as per the Rule anyone can speak in their mother tongue provided they give the translated version beforehand." The former Congress Urban Affairs minister said: "Language is the first route for oppression. This is absolutely bullying and this approach I don't appreciate." Lyngdoh said that when she was minister in the previous government, she had strongly opposed meetings where Hindi was spoken. "If he (Governor) is stubborn speaking in Hindi, then I am also stubborn not listening to anyone speaking in Hindi. So if we will both be stubborn. Where will this country go?" Lyngdoh asked. Kannur, March 16 : CPI(M) Kannur unit secretary P Jayarajan on Friday came down on the agitation at Keezhattur by local residents and farmers against the proposed NH bypass, alleging that the stir leaders were deceiving the public for their own interests. Jayarajan was speaking to reporters after visiting Keezhattur to examine the alignment stones placed on the paddy fields by the NHAI authorities demarcating the area for the proposed bypass. The CPI(M) strongman reiterated that all but four families had given consent letters for land acquisition for the project. Only four families, all related to Keezhattur Suresh who is one of the protest leaders, had failed to give consent letters, he told reporters, alleging that the protest leaders were deceiving the public for protecting their own interests. In a facebook post put up later in the day, he excoriated Vayalkilikal, the collective of local residents and farmers agitating against the proposed bypass, alleging that their agitation was built on a fort of lies. The protestors had claimed that about 250 acres of paddy fields at Keezhattur would be acquired by the state government for the bypass project but after the completion of the survey, it turns out that only 11 acres would be needed for the project, Jayarajan alleges. Another lie was that the stream flowing through the Keezhattur paddy fields would vanish. Survey stones are placed outside the stream. In short, the stream will remain intact, the facebook post says. Refuting the charge that the bypass project endangered the paddy fields at Keezhattur, Jayarajan wrote that only one part of the paddy field was included in the survey, adding that it would not be an impediment to carrying out paddy farming in the remaining area. Even as he wrote that he did not condone the torching by CPI(M) workers of the protest tent put up on the paddy field by Vayalkilikal, he alleged that the tent was erected by the protesters illegally on a patch of land owned by Keezhattur temple. The police registered a case against the protestors for pitching the tent on temple land on a complaint filed by the temple authorities, the CPI(M) leader added. Addressing the charge that the CPI(M)s opposition to the Keezhattur stir was at odds with its support to the long march by farmers to Mumbai, Jayarajan stated that the CPI(M)-led LDF government was offering Rs. 3-4 lakh for each cent as compensation for land acquisition for the NH bypass project. The congress and the BJP should clarify whether any of the states governed by them offered such a hefty amount as compensation, he added. The CPI(M) leadership in Kannur and the Vayalkilikal have been at loggerheads with each other over the issue of the proposed bypass for several months. The LDF government has vowed to go ahead with the NH bypass project saying that 56 of the 60 people whose land were to be acquired for the project had given consent letters for land acquisition. However, members of Vayalkilikal have refuted this claim of the state government. Kolkata, March 16 : A day after their arrest by the CBI in a bank fraud case, two Directors of Kolkata-based computer manufacturing firm R.P. Infosystems were on Friday sent to three-day custody of the central agency. "Kaustuv Ray and Shibaji Panja were produced in a court on Friday, which remanded them to Central Bureau of Investigation custody till March 18," a CBI official said. An FIR was filed against the firm and its Directors last month following a complaint from Canara Bank on February 26 that the two, along with other accused, cheated it and nine other banks to the tune of Rs 515.15 crore. The other members of the consortium are the State Bank of India, State Bank of Bikaner and Jaipur, State Bank of Patiala, Union Bank of India, Allahabad Bank, Oriental Bank of Commerce, Central Bank of India, Punjab National Bank, and Federal Bank. The CBI had booked the firm in 2015 on charge of cheating IDBI Bank of Rs 180 crore. New Delhi, March 16 : A mobile application to help air passengers track the status of their complaints of items lost at airports across India with just a click on their Android phones has been launched, a CISF official said on Friday. The EDP Cell of Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), in collaboration with Unified Mobile Application for New-age Governance (UMANG) team of National e-Governance Division (NeGD), has developed the mobile application of "Lost and Found" as well as a technical consultancy. "The main advantage of this mobile version is that passenger can directly register complaints and get status of the complaint immediately. In this application, the user can also request for technical consultancy," CISF Assistant Inspector General Hemendra Singh told IANS. Launched on the raising day of the CISF on March 10, the application has three facilities - "Lost and found items at airports", "Tracking complaint/request status" and "Technical consultancy in security and fire services". "In 2015, the CISF had started a passenger friendly "Lost and Found Web Application" on the CISF official website for items and valuables left behind by the commuters at airports, but it did not have facility to take a complaint by user. "The complainant had to wait for airports to upload the items found at their respective airports on this web application," Singh said. This web-based application was immensely helpful to large number of passengers in reclaiming of their lost articles at Indian airports as items worth Rs 50.05 crore and Rs 5.49 crore were restored to the passengers with its assistance in 2017 and till date in 2018 respectively. "To make this web version more citizen centric, the mobile application with the help of UMANG was developed to facilitate a two way system where people can approach easily and register their complaints for their lost items," the CISF official added. Islamabad, March 16 : A special court hearing a high treason case against former Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf on Friday ordered the government to take steps to suspend his passport, his identity card and also arrange for his arrest with the help of Interpol. The court tasked the Pakistani government with seizing former military ruler's assets and ordered it extradite him from the United Arab Emirates (UAE). It also expressed disappointment over the government's inaction so far, Dawn online reported. Dr Mohammad Amjad, the secretary general of the former President's All Pakistan Muslim League, said Musharraf decided "to travel to Pakistan by the end of April and face trial". Earlier, Musharraf's lawyer Akhtar Shah had requested the Interior Ministry for the provision of "foolproof security" on his return. The court had earlier directed the Ministry to approach Interpol for arrest of the former President. The three-member bench, headed by Peshawar High Court Chief Justice Yahya Afridi and comprising Lahore High Court Chief Justice Yawar Ali and Justice Tahira Safdar of the Balochistan High Court, had conducted the last hearing on March 8. However, the written order was issued later. Since 2013, the special court has been hearing the treason case against Musharraf for subverting the Constitution on November 3, 2007. The next hearing of the case has been fixed for March 21. Chennai, March 16 : Vice President M.Venkaiah Naidu on Friday said the Indian education system should inculate values and emphasis on the country's culture and heritage. In his address at the Golden Jubilee celebrations of Hindustan Group of Institutions here, he said the education system should inculcate strong ethical, moral and humanistic values. Naidu also said students should remain reooted to India's glorious tradition, culture, ethos and heritage while acquiring knowledge across the world. India needs education system with greater emphasis on Indian history, heritage and culture, he said. Stressing education does not end with mere acquisition of knowledge or degrees, he said: "It is aimed at holistic development of an individual, who will be able to face the challenges of a fast-changing world with vision of a seer and temperament of a scientist. It should help in building the character, capacity, calibre and promoting proper conduct." New Delhi, March 16 : The Central government on Friday said that there has not been a "significant or abnormal increase" in air fares due to the grounding of 14 aircraft belonging to IndiGo and GoAir on engine related safety concerns. Minister of State for Civil Aviation Jayant Sinha said his ministry has been monitoring prices on the impacted routes and that there has not been a significant or abnormal increase in airfares. "With 17 engines (14 aircraft) grounded due to safety considerations, imp to note that it is 2 per cent of capacity," Sinha tweeted. "With two planes coming in every week, we expect supply-demand to be back in balance quickly. Fares have not seen any meaningful spike. Safety comes first!" Sinha's comments comes days after the Directorate General of Civil Aviation on March 12 asked IndiGo and GoAir to ground a total of 11 A320neo aircraft fitted with Pratt & Whitney 1100 engines. Out ot the 11, eight are operated by IndiGo while GoAir operates three, the DGCA said in a statement. After DGCA's direction, all the A320neo aircraft with PW1100 engines beyond serial number 450 have been taken off operation in India. Previously, the DGCA had ordered grounding of three aircraft in IndiGo's A320neo fleet after the European Aviation Safety Agency issued an emergency airworthiness directive regarding similar A320neos on February 9, 2018. New Delhi, March 16 : Delhi Assembly Speaker Ram Niwas Goel on Friday said that Transport Minister Kailash Gahlot can continue as a Minister for six months without being a member of the house. In January, President Ram Nath Kovind had approved the Election Commission's recommendation to disqualify 20 AAP MLAs in Delhi, including Gahlot, on charges of holding the offices of profit. Earlier on Friday, all four BJP MLAs, including Leader of Opposition Vijender Gupta, protested in the house that only elected members should be allowed inside the Assembly, while referring to Gahlot. Goel later said in his ruling: "... Leader of the Opposition and other members are unnecessarily trying to create a controversy where there is none regarding the continuation of Kailash Gahlot as a Minister. As per Section 43(2) of the NCT Act, he can continue as a Minister for six months without being a member of the house." The Speaker later told reporters that Gahlot can participate in the proceeding of the Assembly and its committees, but not vote on any issue. New Delhi, March 16 : The subjects committee of the Congress met on the first day of the party's plenary here under leadership of party chief Rahul Gandhi and finalised four draft resolutions that will help set the direction and way forward for the party for the next five years. The political resolution, which will be taken up on Saturday, will outline the party's strategy to defeat the BJP-led government in 2019. It is also likely to spell out the party's stance on alliances amidst growing voices within the opposition for need of coming together against the NDA in 2019. A resolution on agriculture, poverty alleviation and unemployment is also expected to be taken up on Saturday. Gandhi will on Saturday deliver his inaugural address that will set the tone for the meeting. UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi is expected to speak later in the day. Congress Communications Department incharge Randeep Singh Surjewala told reporters after the meeting of the subjects committee, which lasted over three hours, that all draft resolutions including on economy and foreign affairs were discussed. He said nearly 70 members gave their suggestions and Rahul Gandhi asked these to be incorporated in the resolutions. "This plenary will decide the vision and direction and the way forward of the Congress for the next five years," Surjewala said, adding that agriculture, employment, poverty alleviation, national security, foreign policy and economy will be discussed. "What is the present condition, what is the future, what is Congress's vision on these issues. How the party will solve the problems of the farmers, how to generate employment, new steps for poverty alleviation, how to improve the economic condition," he said. With Rahul Gandhi's emphasis on youth and workers, the plenary will see the youth leaders speaking on the resolutions and some of their suggestions are likely to incorporated. "It will be a workers plenary. Rahul Gandhi has made it clear that the focus should not be on leadership but on workers," Surjewala said. The subjects committee comprises of the members of party's steering committee, Congress legislative party leaders, state Congress chiefs, office-bearers of the parliamentary party, chiefs of frontal organisations and heads of sub-committees that have formulated the plenary resolutions. Keen to build a grass-roots campaign against the Modi govenrment, the party will come out with "facts sheets" in the form of booklets on agriculture, economy, youth, weaker sections, besides national security. Rahul Gandhi will make his concluding remarks on Sunday. by Xinhua writer Wang Lei BEIJING, March 15 (Xinhua) -- China's massive cabinet restructuring plan unveiled on Tuesday is widely seen by international observers as a significant and revolutionary move to meet the needs of the people and the country's development and streamline the governance system with a more efficient administration. The institutional reform plan of the State Council, targeting a better-structured, more efficient and service-oriented government, was submitted to the ongoing first session of the 13th National People's Congress for review. If passed, it would be China's biggest government reshuffle in years, in which the State Council would have 15 fewer entities at ministerial or vice-ministerial levels. Observers believe that the move, as part of a broader plan of the Communist Party of China (CPC) to reform the Party and state institutions, would optimize the government's functions by promoting coordinated actions and improving levels of management and public service to better satisfy people's demands and the needs of development in a new era. Given China's fast pace of development, revamping the current governance system and adapting it to the changing conditions in various fields is an urgent task, said Zheng Yongnian, director of the East Asian Institute of the National University of Singapore. To reform state institutions even further is an important step for the comprehensive establishment of the institutional system, which is seen as a cornerstone of the country's long-term stability and peace, he said. For Milton Reyes, an expert at Ecuador's Institute of Advanced National Studies, China has entered a new stage of development, which means the CPC, China's ruling party, needs to improve its ability to run the world's second-largest economy. The plan to reform state institutions was proposed at just the right time with quite clear targets, Reyes said, adding that the endeavors would optimize the government's structure and functions, and cut bureaucracy. Besides downsizing the cabinet, China also plans to create a series of new ministries, including a ministry of natural resources, a ministry of veterans affairs and an international development cooperation agency, and to integrate national and local taxation systems at and below the provincial level. China's efforts to further reform the Party and state institutions will facilitate the functioning and improve the working efficiency and quality of the administration, so as to further reinforce the full implementations of policies from the central government, Jon Taylor, a professor at the University of St. Thomas in Houston, Texas in the United States, told Xinhua. Meanwhile, the reallocation of power, brought about by the shake-up at all levels of governments, would also lead to a more efficient management of the government, he added. With the reshuffle, the government would play a more effective role in performing its functions, said Ignacio Cortes, a researcher at the National Autonomous University of Mexico. "It will lay a solid foundation of governance for China's sustainable development in the future." When it comes to efficiency, Ecuadorian expert Reyes spoke highly of the move to cut bureaucracy, saying that "it will help China to build an effective, transparent and honest administration." Selcuk Colakoglu, vice chairman of Turkey's International Strategic Research Organization, said he was fully confident in China's reforms. "It has entered a key stage, which is very crucial for China's development and modernization," he said. (Xinhua reporters Li Xiaoyu in Singapore, Hao Yunfu in Quito, Gao Lu and Liu Liwei in Houston, Wu Hao in Mexico City, and Shi Chun and Wang Feng in Ankara also contributed to the story.) [ Editor: Zhang Zhou ] New Delhi, March 16 : Congress President Rahul Gandhi on Friday attacked the Narendra Modi government for targeting opposition leaders including RJD leader Lalu Prasad using the CBI to "intimidate and harass them" and asked who the next target will be. "The BJP government uses the CBI to target key opposition politicians to intimidate and harass them. "Now, a news report reveals how the CBI was pressured to file a case against @laluprasadrjd, ignoring the advice of its own legal team. Who will Modiji (Prime Minister Narendra Modi) target next?" tweeted Gandhi adding hashtag #VendettaPolitics. Congress spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala said that his party unequivocally condemns any act of political vendetta indulged by the Modi government. "Now that the BJP has only few months left in power, it should count its days and be ready to face the people's wrath," he said, adding that "denigrating the credibility of institutions by misusing them to target political opponents is the sole agenda of the Modi government". "Media reports suggest that the 'Directorate of Prosecution', which is the CBI's legal wing, and the Economic Offences Division of the CBI have different opinions on filing an FIR in a case against former Bihar Chief Minister Lalu Prasad. "This chasm within the CBI has surfaced when the Modi government has left no stone unturned to file series of cases against their political opponents. CBI clearly has become a 'Captive Bureau of Investigation' in the hands of the Modi government," he added. He said that BJP has unleashed the state machinery on Congress leaders like Virbhadhra Singh, Bhupinder Singh Hooda, P. Chidambaram, Ashok Gehlot and Sachin Pilot. "All have been prime targets of the BJP in recent times. All these instances indicate a definite pattern to target political opponents," he added. New Delhi, March 16 : Thousands of protesting aspirants and students, demanding a CBI probe under a Supreme Court-monitored committee in the alleged alleged SSC scam, on Friday gave the Central government an ultimatum till March 31 to fulfill their demands. The protesters who have been protesting for the last 18 days across the country on Friday assembled at the Staff Selection Commission headquarters at CGO Complex in south Delhi to press for their demands. Addressing the protesters, Swaraj India leader Anupam, who has been involved in the protests from the beginning, said that students are losing the immense patience that they have exhibited in the last 18 days. Issuing the ultimatum, he said that the government's response has "exposed" it. "A government, which so brazenly ignores the genuine and just demands of students, has no moral right to remain in power. Hence, students from all over the country will assemble in Delhi on March 31 against the ongoing corruption and irregularities in recruitment to government jobs and also demand resignation of Union Minister (of State for Personnel) Jitendra Singh, who has failed in his duty." Rajat, an SSC aspirant, said that they called for the country's youth to assemble in national capital for #YuvaHallaBol on March 31, giving a time bound of 15 days to fulfill our demands of a fair inquiry. He said that they have also demanded that the SSC holds conduct of any other examination till the CBI probe is done. If our demands aren't met, students from all over the country will assemble in Delhi and gherao the Parliament," he added. HelpLabs.org announces the release of a new information-packed, easy-to-navigate website, https://www.rehabadvisors.org/, which includes quality content by experts that helps those suffering from substance abuse find rehab facilities across the U.S. Providing foundational knowledge, the website helps searchers navigate through treatment options to support individuals of every background, including veterans, people with disabilities, teens, seniors, and more. The primary goal of the company is to connect those who need help with the right rehab center. We are excited to unveil the new website, rehabadvisors.org, which will accelerate our mission of connecting those who are struggling with addiction to the right rehab facilities, said Aimee Hosler, Senior VP of Content and Marketing at HelpLabs. Through expert-driven content that educates people with addiction problems, as well as their supporting friends and loved ones, we strive to get them the help they need and ultimately reduce addiction in the U.S. Rehab programs are not one-size-fits-all, and Rehab Advisors recognizes that each individual has his or her own story and care needs. Without judgment or jargon, the new website includes content that honestly explains addiction and treatment options. The result is a reliable, unbiased, and trustworthy resource that guides those seeking help. Rehab Advisors' informative website is made up of an abundance of reputable content. Expert writers share signs of addiction. It outlines what types of treatments are available, how rehab works for each specific addiction, and how to choose an appropriate rehab center. Those seeking help can also learn how to pay for rehab services. There is an additional section with common questions about each type of addiction answered by an expert in the field. The most common types of addictions, including alcoholism, heroin addiction, meth addiction, prescription drug addiction, opiate addiction, and cocaine addiction, are outlined and easily searched from the main website menu. Rehab Advisors is passionate about treating addiction. The current opioid epidemic is proof that addiction is a major problem throughout the nation. The company hopes that its new website will send those seeking help in the right direction, so they can take better control of their lives. To read their bios and learn more about the company's expert writers, visit https://www.rehabadvisors.org/about-us/. About Rehab Advisors: Rehab Advisors is a subsidiary of HelpLabs (http://www.helplabs.org), a company with the goal of empowering individuals to make important decisions about their lives. Rehab Advisors' website provides quality content with straightforward tools and information that help people suffering from various addictions and their loved ones make informative decisions about rehabilitation centers and treatments. The expert team includes doctors, psychotherapists, and other specialists who share their expert, research-based knowledge through the well-organized website. ### From My Mess to His Message: Devotions that Carried Me Through: the very words God gave Christopher Sparks as He offered them to him in his time of need. From My Mess to His Message: Devotions that Carried Me Through is the creation of published author, Christopher Sparks. Christopher is a Christian author who grew up in a small, rural central Wisconsin town with a population of nine hundred people. He spent twenty-five years helping those around him as an emergency medical technician. He always felt Gods calling in his life, but he never knew how to act on it. He discovered his desire to write Gods Word while being incarcerated. Today, he enjoys living in Southern Louisiana with his wife of eighteen years and their four children. God, family, and spicy foods are now the pleasures of his life. We all have messes in our lives. Some are big ones, and some are small ones. Some we make with our choices, some are made for us by others or by sickness. This book is the result of the mess I created with my sin. I found my life turned upside down. --Christopher Sparks Published by Christian Faith Publishing, Christopher Sparkss new book is a collection of devotionals. Author Christopher Sparks found himself locked up in prison. He lost his freedom. He disgraced his family. He drove his friends away and he lost his job. When he hit bottom, Christopher Sparks finally realized that he needed a savior. He cried out to God to take back control of his life. After he did that, he needed a place to start. God led him straight to His word. The devotions readers will find within the pages of From My Mess to His Message: Devotions that Carried Me Through are the very words God gave him as He gave them to him. These devotionals are Gods messages of hope and salvation, which he gave a hurting child who He loved. He carried Christopher Sparks through that dark season of his life. No matter what readers are going through, pages of this book will leave them with the overwhelming love Jesus offers all Gods creation. Day after day, the words He shares with His children will heal them. He will clean up those messes they made by doing it without Him. Christopher Sparks has watched God turn messes into His messages. God did it for him, so he knows He will do it for others too. View a synopsis of From My Mess to His Message: Devotions that Carried Me Through on YouTube. Consumers can purchase From My Mess to His Message: Devotions that Carried Me Through at traditional brick & mortar bookstores, or online at Amazon.com, Apple iTunes store, or Barnes and Noble. For additional information or inquiries about From My Mess to His Message: Devotions that Carried Me Through, contact the Christian Faith Publishing media department at 866-554-0919. Since outsourcing the billing process to DDC FPO, we are now able to concentrate on other core business matters. Leading Midwestern private carrier Sutton Transport announced this morning the improved operational efficiencies and elimination of biller turnover for their freight billing process with freight back office partner DDC FPO. As a result of this partnership, the carrier projects an annual 44% in cost savings that can be dedicated to other core business matters. Established in 1979, family-owned and operated Sutton Transport is the largest LTL service agency in the state of Wisconsin with operations throughout the Midwest. Wanting to resolve the historically high turnover of nighttime billers in their freight billing department and improve accuracy levels, the carrier decided to look at partnership options with freight billing outsourcers. Through the recommendation of a partner carrier and client of DDC FPO, Sutton Transport chose to begin discussions with the freight process outsourcer. DDC FPO has become well-known in the freight and logistics industry as #1 for providing customized freight solutions in North America. Processing over 30% of all LTL bills in North America, their expertise in improving the operational efficiencies of the freight billing process and reducing biller turnover was of immediate benefit to Sutton Transport. Working closely with Sutton Transport to develop a succinct, customized billing process to meet the needs of the carrier, DDCs back office experts developed standardized metrics and an efficient billing process. As a result of these streamlined efforts, DDC is achieving consistent accuracy levels of 99.88% -exceeding SLA expectations. The unique model of DDCs onshore management team allows Sutton Transport to maintain close communication with their offshore billers 24/7/365. As a result of this customized global reach, the carrier has managed to not only see improved accuracy rates, but biller turnover previously experienced is no longer a concern. Since outsourcing the billing process to DDC FPO, we are now able to concentrate on other core business matters, noted Samantha Sutton of Sutton Transport. DDC FPO VP of Sales, Chad Crotty, noted, Our business goal is to improve operational efficiencies and reduce costs for our clients. We are pleased to report that we are achieving this goal with Sutton Transport and look forward to growing our partnership for many years to come. To learn more about DDC FPO, visit http://www.ddcfpo.com. To learn more about Sutton Transport, visit http://www.suttontrans.com. NativeOrigin303 - "It's On Us" (Blue Records) - artwork As the bassline helps propel the track forward, the beats keep the energy driving until every last ounce of drenching sweat is drained. Like the most advanced space-time traveler, NativeOrigin303 creates lasting tech-house for dancefloors large and crowded. Timeless. Eternal. True. When electronic dance music is at its best, it has the power to move people. NativeOrigin303s Its On Us (Blue Records) is out now. Tech-house music at its brightest, Its On Us employs a spoken-word lyric set against a drilling, scintillating, electronic backdrop. Riding the fervent waves of an atheists conviction, the track bubbles and builds with a forward-thrusting tension thats at once tantalizing and disconcerting. As the bassline helps propel the track forward, the beats keep the energy driving until every last ounce of drenching sweat is drained. Like the most advanced space-time traveler, NativeOrigin303 creates lasting tech-house for dancefloors large and crowded. About NativeOrigin303 A dedicated house music DJ and producer, Denvers NativeOrigin303 throws down the freshest beats when he performs live in front of a savvy nightclub audience. Having cut his DJing teeth at underground clubs throughout Chicago, he now launches himself from the mile-high city of Denver. Always with a heartfelt respect for old-school house music his productions have earned him support and praise from the revered techno producer and DJ, Richie Hawtin, among many others NativeOrigin303 nevertheless draws from a multitude of musical genres during his DJ performances. As a producer, NativeOrigin303 is completely focused in the recording studio, often working and re-working a record until daylight becomes night becomes daylight again. Born Brandon Lee, NativeOrigin303 got his start DJing in the late 90s when ravers could go to an underground party expecting to hear varied styles of electronic music played in a single night, sometimes in a single DJs set. In a modern era when producers are following trends more than ever before, NativeOrigin303 has made it his mission to keep the genuine grooves of classic house music alive. As founder and label chief of Blue Records, NativeOrigin303 is forever scouting new music and promising talent, making him as much an A&R scout as a solo artist. Blue Records has recently signed releases from Angelo Ferreri, Alex Raider, Alessio Cala and Eddie Amador, aspiring artists at the top ends of the Beatport and DJ charts. When not DJing in Denver and Chicago, NativeOrigin303 can be found spinning the hottest parties in Las Vegas, Los Angeles and other key U.S. cities. NativeOrigin303s music has graced the radio airwaves across the U.S. and the rest of the world and his live radio broadcasts have aired on leading radio stations, including ElectroCity on Dash Radio, live from Hollywood. As Americas younger EDM generation grows-up and matures into a deeper, more progressive-house sound, NativeOrigin303 will be right there to greet them. Listen to NativeOrigin303s Its On Us, here: https://blue-records.lnk.to/Ejb3L For information on NativeOrigin303, Andrew Rayel, Paul Damixie, Mark Sixma, Zander (Traveler), Fatum, MaRLo, Maro Music (Marek Walaszek), NKRIOT, Alex Ariete, Brussels Airlines (proud partner of Tomorrowland), and artists like Armin van Buuren, contact EMILY TAN Media Relations (U.S.), +1(917) 318-3758, EmilyEmilyTan@aol.com. Follow EMILY TAN Media Relations on Twitter @EmilyEmilyTan and LinkedIn http://www.linkedin.com/pub/emily-tan/4/342/70b. # # # Primo Hoagies Derik and Adam have been selected to join the Primo team to help expand our brand and bring additional support to our franchisees, Rocco Fiorentino, President and CEO of Primo Hoagies In an effort to bring Primo Hoagies to a national level, the organization recently hired Derik Beck as the vice president of marketing and Adam Biedenbender as the vice president of development specializing in Franchise Development. According to Rocco Fiorentino, President and CEO of Primo Hoagies, We have tapped Derik and Adam to join the Primo team to help expand our brand and bring additional support to our franchisees. Primo Hoagies is built on the quality and consistency that our fans have come to expect, and we want to bring that same sense to how we brand our company and support our franchisees. Beck comes to Primo Hoagies with a long leadership background in digital marketing promotion and strategic planning for companies like Cottman Transmission and Total Auto Care, AAMCO, New Holland Agriculture and Mack Trucks, Inc. I am so excited to be part of the Primo team, said Beck. I hope to invigorate everyone on the team from management to the franchisees and their staff so we are always making a great first impression and providing an amazing customer experience. Biedenbender joins the Primo Hoagies team with an extensive background in franchise multi-unit development. He is well known throughout the franchise industry for creating strong relationships with franchisees and identifying great partners for franchise expansion. Biedenbender has worked with several prominent franchise organizations around the country, including: Ritas Water Ice, Dunkin Donuts, Quiznos, Remax, Smash Burgers and Papa Murphy Restaurants. Ive been a fan of Primo since I first moved to Philly in 2003. Its really great to see the strides they have made in the Philadelphia market since then, said Biedenbender. When the opportunity came up to help the brand grow the business outside of the Philadelphia market, I jumped at the chance. When you have a product as good as a Primo Hoagies with such a solid business model, its hard not be excited about its potential growth. I cant wait for the rest of the country to try this sandwich and to grow the brand to its potential. Currently, Primo Hoagies franchises are located in seven states, including: Pennsylvanie, New Jersey, Delaware, South Carolina, Florida, Maryland and Virginia, with more than 90 stores open. There are 52 stores in Pennsylvania with the newest location, Primo Hoagies Kennett Square, which opened on February 13, 2018. The description of a sandwich being called a hoagie is unique to Philadelphia much like the Primo Hoagies brand. Primo Hoagies co-founder Rich Niegre opened his first store on Ritner Street in South Philadelphia in the 1990s. From there the brand expanded into Center City, Philadelphia and into the South Jersey market. Soon after, Niegre decided to franchise the brand. Fiorentino explains that Primo Hoagies is held in high regard among Philadelphians because of its top quality ingredients that fill the options on the menu at all stores. The menu is also consistent, always offering Old Fashioned Style Specialty Sandwiches unique and original to Primo Hoagies. Looking to the future, Beck is charged with increasing Primos online presence, increasing same store sales and the Primo Hoagies distribution process throughout the United States. He will also concentrate on expanding the brand using his unique social media strategies. Together, Beck and Biedenbender, will build franchisee relations and support the marketing efforts of each individual franchise. ABOUT PRIMO HOAGIES: A South Philadelphia original, today Primo Hoagies has more than 90 locations across seven states. Longtime loyalists and new fans cherish the brand for its fresh, made to order Old Fashioned Italian Specialty Sandwiches created with true Italian-style authenticity and from the fines gourmet meats and cheeses. Since its beginnings, demand for the brands hoagies has resulted in long lines during lunch and dinner, and unrelenting requests for catering orders. This popularity continues today as Primo Hoagies grows around the country through franchising. A true community ally, Primo Hoagies also runs a non-profit foundation called PrimoCares. The foundation supports childrens organizations within the communities where Primo Hoagies stores are located. For more information about Primo Hoagies and its many locations, visit: http://www.primohoagies.com. To learn more about franchise opportunities, visit: https://www.primohoagies.com/franchise. The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi is pleased to welcome Frostburg State University to its community of scholars, said Society Executive Director Dr. Mary Todd. Frostburg stands out as a public institution focused on developing civic learning and democratic engagement in its students. The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi will install its 348th chapter at Frostburg State University in Frostburg, Maryland, today, March 16. Founded in 1897 at the University of Maine, Phi Kappa Phi is the nations oldest and most selective all-discipline collegiate honor society. The installation of the Frostburg State University chapter comes after a thorough chartering process and approval from the Societys board of directors. To be eligible, an institution must be a regionally accredited four-year college or university with an established reputation of excellence and an expressed commitment to upholding the values of the Society. The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi is pleased to welcome Frostburg State University to its community of scholars, said Society Executive Director Dr. Mary Todd. Frostburg stands out as a public institution focused on developing civic learning and democratic engagement in its students. Officers elected by the chartering group to serve the newly installed chapter include President Dr. Gregory Wood, President-elect Dr. Natalie Schuster, Secretary Dr. Cindy Herzog and Treasurer Dr. Heather Gable. Phi Kappa Phi was founded in 1897 under the leadership of Marcus L. Urann who had a desire to create a different kind of honor societyone that recognized excellence in all academic disciplines. Today, the Society has chapters on more than 300 select campuses in the United States and the Philippines and inducts approximately 30,000 new members each year. Membership is by invitation only to the top 7.5 percent of juniors and the top 10 percent of seniors and graduate students, along with faculty, professional staff and alumni who have achieved scholarly distinction. About Phi Kappa Phi The Societys mission is "To recognize and promote academic excellence in all fields of higher education and to engage the community of scholars in service to others." Since its founding, more than 1.5 million members have been initiated into Phi Kappa Phi. Some of the organization's more notable members include former President Jimmy Carter, NASA astronaut Wendy Lawrence, novelist John Grisham and YouTube cofounder Chad Hurley. The Society has awarded more than $15 million since the inception of its awards program in 1932. Today, $1.4 million is awarded each biennium to qualifying students and members through graduate fellowships, undergraduate study abroad grants, member and chapter awards, and grants for local and national literacy initiatives. For more information about Phi Kappa Phi, visit http://www.PhiKappaPhi.org. Dmitry Gorin, a former sex crimes prosecutor in the Los Angeles County District Attorney's office and a criminal defense attorney discussed the potential of Harvey Weinstein on National Public Radio. Will he be criminally charged despite the lack of physical evidence? After several months of high-profile sexual related allegations, the rape accusation of an Italian model against Harvey Weinstein could be the one that will proceed to trial. The Los Angeles Times reported that an Italian model-actress accused Harvey Weinstein of rape in her hotel room in Beverly Hills five years ago. Her case might have a chance because of who she told soon after the alleged sexual assault, but there is a lack of physical evidence and no solid proof that Weinstein was even at the hotel at the time of the alleged incident. However, testimony is admissible in California courts from other women who have accused him of sexual related misconduct, even if the accusations don't lead to criminal charges. The numerous allegations might be able to prove a pattern of behavior, leading to a conviction. In total, there are over 80 reports of sexual related misconduct against Harvey Weinstein. The Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office has to make a decision on whether to pursue criminal charges. Weinsteins attorneys have denied he engaged in non-consensual sex acts. You can listen to the interview here by clicking on the file in the upper left of the page. For more information, visit us online at https://www.egattorneys.com Peter Willcox-Jones Ball Janiks first priority is to provide our clients with effective and efficient representation. In order to do that, we endeavor to understand and embrace each clients business goals. We succeed when the client succeeds. Ball Janik LLP welcomes attorney Peter Willcox-Jones to its Portland, Oregon office. Willcox-Jones is a Partner in the firms construction and litigation practices. He is an experienced trial lawyer who helps businesses, particularly those businesses involved with development, design and construction, with a wide range of issues. Willcox-Jones has diverse litigation experience representing clients in complex civil litigation related to bid and contract disputes, Construction Contractor Board disputes, commercial disputes, trespass/nuisance, catastrophic injuries, product liability, OSHA defense, and general tort/casualty litigation. Willcox-Jones helps local businesses, including developers, contractors, architects, and engineers prevent and solve problems. He works with his clients to design agreements specific to that clients needs and, if necessary, helps the client to enforce those agreements. He also represents clients in the areas of risk analysis, management and risk shifting, insurance review and analysis, Construction Contractor Board disputes, lien foreclosures, trespass/nuisance, lease disputes, bid and performance disputes, OSHA compliance, and employee related issues. Willcox-Jones is a frequent speaker and author on a variety of subjects covering construction contracts, trespass and nuisance, trial practice and procedure, OSHA compliance and document retention issues. Willcox-Jones is a member of the Oregon State Bar, the Multnomah Bar Association, and the Oregon Association of Defense Counsel. He is an affiliate member of the Asphalt Pavement Association of Oregon and the Homebuilders Association of Portland. He volunteers and recruits volunteers for the Southeast Legal Clinic. The clinic serves low-income clients with a wide range of legal issues. In 2007, Peter was awarded the Michael E. Haglund Pro Bono Award. The Haglund Pro Bono Award is given annually to a young lawyer who displayed special commitment to pro bono services. About Ball Janik LLP Ball Janik LLP is a Pacific Northwest law firm headquartered in Portland, Oregon, with an office in Orlando, Florida. For over thirty years, Ball Janik LLP has been providing outstanding legal services in the areas of bankruptcy and creditor rights, commercial litigation, construction and design, construction litigation, employment, real estate and land use, insurance recovery for policyholders, and securities litigation. Ball Janik LLP represents large and small businesses; state, municipal and local governments; associations; schools and universities; and individuals. Ball Janik LLP provides clients an aggressive, skilled, team approach to solve problems and achieve results. Ball Janik LLP has been recognized by Chambers USA, U.S. News & World Report and Best Lawyers, The Best Lawyers in America, and Corporate International. Ball Janik LLPs success and integrity have repeatedly made it one of Oregons Most Admired Professional Firms, according to the Portland Business Journals survey results of CEOs throughout the region. Ukraine to shape conditions of tender to select partner to manage GTS before April official Ukraine in the second half of Ukraine will shape the conditions of a tender to select a partner to manage the gas transport system (GTS) of the country, which will be presented to the Cabinet of Ministers, Deputy Prime Minister Volodymyr Kistion has said. "A working group that the Ukrainian government authorized to hold preliminary consultations with international trunk gas pipelines operators set a task for the secretariat to shape proposals on the conditions of the tender by the end of March," he wrote on his Facebook page. Kistion said that the second round of interview with potential partners was held. Representative of German and Belgian gas transport system operators took part in it. The official reminded that 10 companies have sent their proposals on cooperation, and preliminary consultations with them helped to understand how to shape the conditions of the tender, taking into account the real needs of the market. Naftogaz CEO Andriy Kobolev earlier called on the Verkhovna Rada to join the designing of criteria for a tender to select an international partner for the participation in the management of the Ukrainian GTS. The head of Naftogaz said that the participation of the parliament would reduce risks for further approval of the winner. Zack Parrish glass door memorial The Zack Parrish memorial will be a reminder to his current co-workers and friends and to show future officers who Hansen Glass was asked by the Castle Rock Police Department to build a glass memorial door for slain officer Zack Parrishs locker. The deputy was killed in the line of duty on December 31, 2017. According to Penny Salak, owner of Hansen Glass, After the death of Zack Parrish, the police department personnel found his locker still contained some of his gear. They called us about building a glass door memorial for Officer Parrish. We were honored to be selected and be a part of something as special as the Zack Parrish memorial. The memorial will be a reminder to his current co-workers and friends and to show future officers who he was and what he stood for. Salak adds, We put quite a bit of thought and preparation into taking the original idea and turning it into a monument to honor this officer. We attached Officer Parrishs shield and a plaque to the glass door. The glass door is 22 by 34 inches and was installed in time for the memorial dedication in early March. Hansen Glass received a plaque in recognition from the Castle Rock Chief of Police during the dedication ceremony. Hansen Glass is a full service glass and window replacement company. We are locally owned and operated and have been in business for over 30 years in Parker, Colorado. Check out http://www.hansenglassinc.com for window replacement and for custom glass shower enclosure ideas. Call us at (303) 699-9292 to discuss your next glass or window project. Harkcon Academy and Georgetown University School of Continuing Studies one-day Crisis Management Conference, Navigating the Crisis: Before, During, and After" is fast approaching. The conference will be held on April 24th, from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm at the Georgetown University School of Continuing Studies in Downtown Washington DC. Attendees will have opportunities to discuss fundamental principles and approaches to better plan for, respond to, and recover from any type of organizational crisis, ranging from man-made or natural disasters, fights or riots, localized disease outbreaks, and much more. Tickets are now available for an early bird rate of $125.00 until March 20th. The registration fee includes breakfast, lunch, and closing beer and wine reception. Register now at http://www.harkconacademy.com to save, or email our event coordinator (lmosier(at)harkcon.com) for group discount rates. Conference Topics Include: Setting the Stage- Place Crisis Leadership in Context Crisis Leadership: Lessons Learned for the Future Building Self Resiliency Crisis Intersections- Public & Private, Law & Policy And More To see a complete list of speakers, conference schedule, or register, visit: http://www.harkconacademy.com Safeco Insurance Announces American Insure-All With Presidents Award -2018 We are thrilled to be recognized by Safeco for our partnership and performance, said DON MOE JR, OWNER of AMERICAN INSURE-ALL. Our selection for the Presidents Award is a result of our shared values to help customers protect what matters most by serving as trusted advisors. The Presidents Award is one of the highest honors Safeco gives to independent agent partners to recognize their success, hard work, commitment to service and high achievement. We are thrilled to be recognized by Safeco for American Insure-Alls partnership, performance and dedication to insurance excellence for our customers, said Don Moe Jr. Owner of American Insure-All. Our selection for the Presidents Award is a result of our shared values to help customers protect what matters most by serving as trusted advisors. American Insure-All has 6 offices and their office headquarters is located at 3925 196th ST SW Ste #102 Lynnwood, WA 98036 and can be reached at (888) 411-2886. About American Insure-All American Insure-All is the largest family owned independent insurance agency located within Snohomish and Skagit Counties. Their competitors are owned by east coast companies and large brokerage houses headquartered out of state. American Insure-All provides jobs for over 19 families who all live in Snohomish, Skagit and King Counties. American Insure-All feels its important to be involved within the local community, and have made donating to local charities, schools and community projects a continued priority. American Insure-All has six locations serving Western Washington since 1989. They offer great insurance rates to drivers with all types of driving history From dents and dings to squeaky clean they give you the best rate around. In fact, with access to over 52 companies, they are sure to provide you with a competitive, accurate quote for your insurance needs auto, home, business, life ANY type of insurance! Visit wonderful Copenhagen, cutting-edge Stockholm, and the best sights of Norway. Set a little way off Europes usual tourist trail, Scandinavias capitals set new standards for design, social progress, and good living. Goway Travel is offering savings as deep as the fjords on one of its most desirable Europe vacations, the Essence of Scandinavia. Famously one of the most prohibitively expensive regions in Europe, Scandinavia can easily overwhelm budget travellers, even with flights being more affordable than ever. This discount travel offer cuts the cost of a mid-summer Scandinavia trip by almost half, making Stockholm, Copenhagen, Oslo, and the mighty fjords of Norway a tempting getaway. The mid-August departure makes it a particularly good deal, as hotel prices usually soar over Scandinavias short summer. Set a little way off Europes usual tourist trail, Scandinavias capitals set new standards for design, social progress, and good living. Globetrotters who make their way to this part of the world will find top notch cuisine, friendly (yet always respectfully distant) locals with a near perfect knowledge of English, cutting edge modern galleries, and a long, proud history quite different from the rest of Europe. Theres more to it than the Vikings, too! After sightseeing each of the three capital cities, Globetrotters head for the fjords, stopping in at Flam for a trip on the famous railway, with the option of an extra fjord cruise. Essence of Scandinavia is the ideal introduction to this spectacular and welcoming region. It includes 8 nights accommodation, many meals, an English-speaking guide, bus Wi-Fi most days, city tours of Stockholm, Copenhagen, Oslo, and Bergen, and airport transfers. The eligible departure is 11 August, 2018 and departs from Stockholm. Globetrotters booking this departure will save a massive US $1555 / CA $1990, based on a twin/double share. Since 1970, Goway has been providing unforgettable travel experiences to Africa, Asia, Australia, New Zealand, Central & South America, Idyllic Island destinations and Europe. Today Goway is recognized as one of North America's leading travel companies for individuals, families and groups to select exotic destinations around the globe. Goway has offices in Toronto, Vancouver, Los Angeles, Manila, and Sydney, Australia. For reservations and information, visit http://www.goway.com, or call 1-800-387-8850. Dr. Carl Flatley, founder of Sepsis Alliance, presents the Global Sepsis Award to Marcus Friedrich, Chief Medical Officer of the New York State Department of Health. "If these types of protocols had been in place in Florida when my daughter Erin became ill with sepsis, they may have saved her life." On Tuesday, March 14th, Dr. Carl Flatley, founder of Sepsis Alliance, presented the Global Sepsis Award to Marcus Friedrich, the Chief Medical Officer of the New York State Department of Health, who accepted the award on behalf of Governor Andrew Cuomo, for implementing evidence-based protocols for the early diagnosis and treatment of sepsis. Since the introduction of these protocols, known as Rory's Regulations, there has been a 20 percent increase in the identification of sepsis and a decrease in sepsis mortality rates in adults from 30.2 percent to 25.4 percent in New York. The Global Sepsis Award in Government and Health Care is issued each year by the Global Sepsis Alliance, an association of global sepsis organizations founded in 2010 by leading health organizations including Sepsis Alliance and the World Federation of Critical Care Nurses. The award honors governments and health care authorities that have made important contributions to reduce the death toll from sepsis. Such contributions can include initiating programs that increase sepsis awareness, contribute to a better epidemiology understanding of sepsis and/or improving the quality of sepsis treatment on the national or global level. The German Minister of Health Hermann Grohe is also a 2017 awardee in the category of Government and Health Care Authorities. "New York State has been leading the fight against sepsis and, as the data shows, our efforts are working to save lives and increase early detection and treatment of this deadly condition," said New York State Commissioner of Health Dr. Howard Zucker. "Thanks especially goes to Ciaran and Orlaith Staunton for their advocacy and continuing to fight in Rory's memory to prevent further tragedies. It is our hope the rest of the nation recognizes the success that can be achieved by using Rory's Regulations as a model for combatting and ultimately ending sepsis infections once and for all." The award is sponsored by the Erin Kay Flatley Memorial Foundation, which was started by Dr. Carl Flatley after this daughter Erin, who was only 23 years old, died of Sepsis in 2002. "The sepsis protocols implemented by Governor Cuomo are already saving lives and will save many more," said Dr. Carl Flatley, who is also Chairman of the GSA Awards Jury. "If these types of protocols had been in place in Florida when my daughter Erin became ill with sepsis, they may have saved her life." Prior awardees in the category of Governments and Health Care Authorities were UK Secretary of Health J. Hunt, the Turkish Minister of Health M. Muezzinoglu and Federal Minister of State to Chancellor A. Merkel Helge Braun. The Global Sepsis Award winners were chosen by the GSA Award Jury, which is a panel of internationally recognized experts in patient safety and sepsis management. "The GSA Award jury was absolutely impressed, not only, by Governor Cuomo's introduction of these protocols in all New York State hospitals, but also with his decision to carefully monitor the results of their implementation," said Dr. Konrad Reinhart, Chair of Global Sepsis Alliance. "We hope other states and countries will follow in Governor Cuomo's foot-steps and implement similar programs that will save lives from sepsis." Global Sepsis Alliance is currently accepting applications for the 2018 Global Sepsis Awards in the categories of Government and Health Care Authorities, Non-Governmental Organizations, Patient Advocate Groups, or Health Care Provider Groups and Individual nominees. About the Global Sepsis Alliance: Global Sepsis Alliance is a non-profit charity organization with the mission to provide global leadership to reduce the worldwide burden of sepsis. The GSA is initiator of World Sepsis Day on September 13 and World Sepsis Congress, a series of free online congresses bringing knowledge about sepsis to all parts of the world. For more information, please visit: http://www.global-sepsis-alliance.org http://www.world-sepsis-day.org http://www.worldsepsiscongress.org About the Sepsis Alliance: Sepsis Alliance is North America's leading sepsis patient advocacy non-profit. Sepsis Alliance's mission is to save lives and reduce suffering by raising awareness of sepsis as a medical emergency. The sepsis.org website receives more than 2.5 million visits each year. Sepsis Alliance is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization and a GuideStar Gold Rated Charity. For more information, please visit http://www.sepsis.org. Connect with us on Facebook and Twitter at @SepsisAlliance. Headed by the caring and passionate leadership of Dominic Herbst, RESTORING RELATIONSHIPS is a leading ministry based in Pennsylvania that helps people break the cycle of negative thinking within their relationships. (https://www.restoringrelationships.org/) Herbst has healed literally thousands of relationships over the span of his 30-year career, not only with partners, but also those with children, siblings and business partners, all of which attract damaging patterns of behavior. Herbst has witnessed people at the brink of hopelessness ready to throw the towel in and walk away from marriages and even children because they could not see past the pain. Such misery impacts society, and what drives the founder of Restoring Relationships is not only healing individual souls, but also wider society by drawing more Godliness down to earth. The concept of bringing God along for the journey is what inspired Herbst and his team to create THE JOURNEY program as a way of healing the souls of those feeling such hopelessness. Supported by Action Based Christian Counseling methods, this unique program effectively holds the hands of the receiver as they walk through the program with the Restoring Relationships counselors alongside them. We have made the information and material incredibly easy to access online. The toolbox of proven Biblical and clinical strategies includes instant access videos, numerous takeaways such as roadmaps to freedom, a companion journal and access to the counselors. Herbst explains why he named the program The Journey: Because just as your pain and suffering built up over a period of time, the road back to peace and tranquillity is also a journey with our careful guidance. By following The Journey, we will make this a short path back to redemption, so you can get on with loving life and living life to the fullest with both yourself and your family. With all his years of experience as a psychologist, Herbst says the most common symptom of a damaging relationship is being stuck in a loop of toxic behavior often by both parties: This growing toxicity in the soul not only makes people bitter and unpleasant to be around but also spills out onto those around you causing conflict within self and in interactions with others. By following this tried and tested personal journey through Calvary, Herbst guarantees the receiver will find freedom of heart and soul. The Journey is currently receiving widespread critical acclaim. From Reverend John Hagee: the simplest, most direct, and most result-proven curriculum I have ever seen. The change in hearts and lives is immediately evident. From Amanda Crabb: This ministry is near and dear to our heart. Dominic and his son Joseph are two of the most effective and anointed men in this field. True wisdom and healing flow thru them. For Media or Press Inquiries: Contact ThinkZILLA PR & Consulting Group Press(at)itsthinkzilla.com or call 888-509-1145 Carol Pepper-Kittredge, Associate Dean, Workforce Development, Sierra College, was recently recognized as Community Partner of the Year by the Girl Scouts Heart of Central California Council. Through makerspaces, our organizations are creating a pipeline of young women prepared to achieve in STEM careers. Carol Pepper-Kittredge, Associate Dean, Workforce Development, Sierra College, was recently recognized as Community Partner of the Year by the Girl Scouts Heart of Central California Council, based in Sacramento CA and covering 18 counties in central California. Pepper-Kittredge is the Statewide Project Manager of CCC Maker, a California Community College Chancellors Office initiative building 24 community college educational makerspaces with $17 million in funding under the Doing What MATTERS for Jobs and the Economy framework and housed at Sierra College. Pepper-Kittredge provided guidance and resources to support Girl Scouts Heart of Central California in planning the new Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) Center + MakerSpace which opened in November 2017, explained Dr. Linda E. Farley, CEO, Girl Scouts Heart of Central California. Carol freely shared her experiences partnering with a community makerspace to establish Hacker Lab powered by Sierra College in Rocklin, said Farley. She led tours of the space, invited us to events, shared equipment and provided guidance on the kind of technology we should invest in to make the center on the cutting edge for girls. We most appreciated her passion for making and encouraging girls to discover their interest in STEM through fun, hands-on activities. Her insights and encouragement were instrumental in helping our council design and build the STEM Center + MakerSpace. Sierra College Superintendent/President, Willy Duncan, noted Sierra Colleges goal of providing educational and career opportunities through the statewide CCC Maker initiative aligns well with the Girl Scouts. When young girls discover the excitement of learning through making, they become aware of their ability to contribute to our society through creativity and innovation, said Duncan. We are honored that Carol Pepper-Kittredge was selected as the Community Partner of the Year by Girl Scouts Heart of Central California Council. Carol exemplifies the maker culture of sharing and collaboration. Through makerspaces, our organizations are creating a pipeline of young women prepared to achieve in STEM careers. Pepper-Kittredge believes making in a creative space allows girls to gain confidence in their skills and abilities. Makerspaces give girls the freedom to apply their creativity to making projects that they care about and solve problems that are meaningful to them, said Pepper-Kittredge. I applaud the Girl Scouts Heart of California for their commitment to giving girls life-changing experiences through the new MakerSpace. It is essential that girls get innovation tools in their hands early so that they envision themselves in STEM careers where they can make a difference in the world. The mission of Girl Scouting is to build girls of courage, confidence and character who make the world a better place, according to Farley. The STEM Center + MakerSpace hosts structured STEM and open-format maker and design-thinking activities that inspire innovation, said Farley. Through collaborative problem solving, cooperative learning opportunities and hands-on experimentation, girls learn skills that will be useful as they pursue education and careers. In July 2017, Girl Scouts introduced 23 new badges with many focused on STEM such as robotics, coding and racecar design. Pepper-Kittredge also arranged for the Girl Scouts to be involved in the Rocklin Mini Maker Faire held at Sierra College. Sierra College provided the materials for Girl Scouts to use in helping Maker Faire attendees make their own inventions with squishy circuits, said Pepper-Kittredge. Squishy circuits teach children about electrical circuits by using conductive and insulating play dough with LED lights. Hacker Lab powered by Sierra College also hosted a three hour Design Thinking workshop for 20 Girl Scouts ranging in age from 10-13 in November 2017, explained Pepper-Kittredge. While she was a student leader for Sierra Makerspaces, Heather Lincoln conducted a Design Thinking workshop that taught Girl Scouts how to quickly ideate and prototype by designing a holder for their pencil mounted on a notebook, said Pepper-Kittredge. Heather used the constraints of time and materials to encourage creativity. Next, teams of girls were given a design challenge to develop a new product that could improve their lives. At the end of the session, they showed their prototypes and pitched their ideas to the group. The proposed products included shoes that were impervious to nail punctures (and had materials that were beneficial to animals and the environment), a cup that was spill proof and unbreakable and a 3-in-1 sponge that never smelled bad. Learn more about how CCC Maker is embedding making into education at 24 California Community Colleges by visiting the CCC Maker initiative website. Learn more about the Girl Scout STEM Center + MakerSpace. About Sierra College Sierra College District is rising to the needs of our community. Sierra College serves 3200 square miles of Northern CA with campuses in Roseville, Rocklin, Grass Valley, and Truckee. With approximately 125 degree and certificate programs, Sierra College is ranked first in Northern California (Sacramento north) for transfers to four year Universities, offers career/technical training, and classes for upgrading job skills. Sierra graduates can be found in businesses and industries throughout the region. More information at the Sierra College website. The National Association of Locum Tenens Organizations (NALTO) held its annual convention last week in Orlando, Florida, where it announced five new members to its Board of Directors: Cristina Muise, MBA, PhD, President, Medicus Healthcare Solutions James Heil, Regional Vice President, The Delta Companies Gregory Prine, Vice President, Weatherby Healthcare Jeff Schaal, Managing Partner, VeloSource Matt Young, Chief Operating Officer, All Star Recruiting Anne Anderson, Executive Vice President, Medical Doctor Associates (re-elected) Im very excited to welcome our five new board members, as they help continue our mission and lead our organization in facing our industrys challenges, says Stacey Stanley, President of NALTO. Theyre a diversely talented and experienced group who we look forward to serving our members, clients, and providers. Re-elected to the Board of Directors was Anne Anderson, Executive Vice President of Medical Doctor Associates. Were so happy Anne is returning for another two years, adds Stanley. The new directors join the existing Board Members: Andrea Boehme-Hernandez, President, MEDSTAFF National Medical Staffing John Daniel, Director of Recruiting, Alliance Recruiting Resources Matt Erickson, Vice President, LocumTenens.com Brent Harrolle, Executive Vice President, All Medical Personnel Stacey Stanley, President, Next Medical Staffing The joint NAPR & NALTO Annual Convention is the premier leadership event for healthcare recruiting and staffing professionals. Each year representatives of member companies from across the nation attend the conference, which offers professional development and networking opportunities. In addition, audiences hear from world-renowned keynote speakers on subject matter thats top of mind with todays healthcare industry. Next year the annual convention will return to the Hilton La Jolla Torrey Pines, La Jolla, California from February 19-21, 2019. For more information on The National Association of Locum Tenens Organizations (NALTO), please visit http://www.NALTO.org. About NALTO: The National Association of Locum Tenens Organizations (NALTO) is the only professional association of temporary physician staffing firms committed to a code of ethics and to maintaining the highest industry standards. After MD Tokens (http://www.mdtokens.com) hit its soft-cap of 30mil tokens upon its launch in Hong Kong, there is lot of promise on the blockchain development within the healthcare space in Asia. With the encouraging response from the early investors in Singapore and Hong Kong, MD Tokens is expanding its community of users across Asia. With its sight on the larger markets of the Philippines, Indonesia, and India, and current overwhelming demand, MD Tokens is looking to be accessible for the regional users to acquire MDTK, via over counter trading facilities (OTC) and exchanges. This strategy roadmap is fast unfolding with its launch on Knovatech (http://www.knovatech.io) OTC platform. Knovatech CEO mentions, We have taken a unique approach to provide high value crypto assets to our community, and its our pleasure to have MDTK onboard. Being the largest healthcare ICO to date and with the potential in this space, we expect lots of demand and will work closely with the team in MD Tokens to ensure liquidity of tokens. The mechanism of trading on OTC platforms is increasingly the preferred mechanism for cryptocurrencies as security measures on holding the assets in cold wallets and away from cybersecurity threats is an attractive proposition. The personalized approach of having traders explain the opportunities to their clients and enable the trades in a convenient, secure and fast methods. The healthcare industry is booming in Asia and the cashless and secure transactions with MDTK is seen to be a first of its kind and has captured the attention of the investors. With past healthcare ICOs that have lead to early stage digital health development, the promise of using MDTK immediately with an existing digital health platform and development of its own mobile app wallet infrastructure to manage rewards in the healthcare space, is an exciting proposition to scale the digital health ecosystem. Contact details : Knovatech OTC , email trade(at)knovatech.io Telegram account id is : +85260628869, and WeChat id is: KGC_GARRICK MD Tokens, email info(at)mdtokens.com ProTrans Greer, South Carolina Location ProTrans currently operates over twenty-five service centers throughout Canada, Mexico and the United States and employs over 1,000 people. ProTrans International, Inc, an award winning leader in the logistics industry, is celebrating 25 years of success. The company, which was founded in 1993 by Indiana University graduate Craig Roeder, is a full-service third-party logistics (3PL) management provider that is headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana with regional offices in Novi, Michigan and Monterrey, Mexico. Roeder, CEO, launched the company as a response to emerging opportunities in freight consolidation and third-party logistics, which would support manufacturing markets from the Midwest to Texas, and into Mexico. When Roeder founded the company in 1993, the logistics industry was in an evolutionary phase. The introduction of personal computers in the 1980s meant that the logistics industry was transitioning from its heavy focus of improving labor-intensive processes, time-dependent transportation and the use of manual record keeping. The new computerization of data provided flexible spreadsheets and map-based interfaces. The founding of ProTrans also coincided with the implementation of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), in 1994, which integrated the economies of the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. The decision we made early on was to focus on inbound operations that lent itself to the rapidly growing manufacturing sector in Mexico, said Roeder, describing the evolution of the company over the past two and a half decades. For us, it was about seizing that opportunity. Under the leadership of Roeder, ProTrans has continued to be at the forefront when it comes to developing and implementing effective industry software and technology solutions. In 1996 we began writing our own software. In 2005 we made the decision to expand into logistics management and become a 3PL provider, and finally, in 2010, we made the decision to write our own web-based Transport Management System (TMS) software, Optimz. Said Roeder. ProTrans made this strategic decision because it gives us adaptability to create unique solutions for each individual customer. Today, global trade and rapidly changing technology have propelled ProTrans to a $354 million company. ProTrans currently operates over twenty-five service centers throughout Canada, Mexico and the United States and employs over 1,000 people. The company also recently expanded their presence in Greer, South Carolina by opening a state-of-the-art, 230,000-square foot, cross-dock and transportation facility near BMW Manufacturing, the second largest production facility in the world. ProTrans is eager to continue further future expansion and wants to focus efforts on a global scale. Roeder understands that increasing ProTrans presence both in North America and across the globe will be vital for future success. About ProTrans: ProTrans founded in 1993, is a full-service 3PL provider offering logistics design, carrier procurement, supply chain management and transportation management for the complex supply chain needs of companies in todays interconnected marketplace. Visit our website http://www.protrans.com to learn more. The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine intends to break the program of economic cooperation with Russia, which was established in 2011, Prime Minister of Ukraine Volodymyr Groysman has said. "We are working to redirect our economy from the binding one that Russia constantly imposed on us. It used to bind us, in fact, as a raw material supplement to its economy. And after its aggression our industry began to reorient," Groysman said on the air of 112.Ukraine TV channel on Friday. He noted that this process is quite complicated for the country. "I gave such an order. We are now preparing a government decision. I think that on Wednesday we will take it. It is on the disruption of the program of economic cooperation, which was established in 2011," the prime minister added. He stressed that Ukraine would do everything possible to ensure that the aggressor country "paid a high price for aggression in Ukraine." Groysman added that Ukraine would benefit from such decisions, unlike Russia. Lucas Group Since joining Lucas Group, Kate is a rising star who has proven her ability in billing and business development. Lucas Group, the leader in North American executive search, announced the promotion of Kate Naylor to Branch Practice Manager for Human Resources, Atlanta. Naylor, who joined Lucas Group in 2017 as a Senior Executive Search Consultant, brings a passion for exceptional client service, a tireless commitment to team excellence, and a robust understanding of the current talent marketplace for HR recruiting in Atlanta. Since joining Lucas Group, Kate is a rising star who has proven her ability in billing and business development, but more importantly, she has displayed her capability as a servant leader, helping her team whenever she has a chance, said Aram Lulla, General Manager HR Executive Search Practice. Not only is Kate solidly grounded in the HR recruiting space, she also brings with her human capital consulting and management experience, says Lulla. She is uniquely qualified to support our clients talent investments. Previously, Naylor provided consulting services to help clients optimize their talent management lifecycle, effectively engage top performers, and strengthen retention. A companys ability to recruit, retain and deploy top talent is critical to driving business performance and organizational success, says Naylor. Lucas Group has a long history of successfully placing high-performing HR executives. I look forward to continuing this tradition and helping companies develop the HR department of the future. Naylor holds a BBA with a Marketing concentration from Roosevelt University, Chicago. In addition to Human Resources, Lucas Group specializes in executive recruitment for Accounting & Finance, Information Technology, Legal, Manufacturing, Military Transition, and Sales & Marketing. Taking pride in the professional growth and career advancement of its Associates, Lucas Group provides clear career path trajectories together with the industrys most sophisticated onboarding and ongoing educational programming. Working throughout 15 offices in the U.S., Lucas Group recruiters are able to source leading talent that no one else can. About Lucas Group Lucas Group is North Americas premier executive search firm. Since 1970, our culture and methodologies have driven superior results. We assist clients ranging in size from small to medium-sized businesses to Fortune 500 companies to find transcendent, executive talent; candidates fully realize their ambitions; and associates find professional success. To learn more, please visit Lucas Group at http://www.lucasgroup.com and connect with us on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter. PaymentVision, a leading provider of PCI-certified, electronic payment gateway services, has announced that they will return as exhibitors to the 2018 AFSA Vehicle Finance Conference & Expo, March 20-22, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. For nearly three decades, PaymentVision has been committed to providing debt buyers, collections agencies, and receivables firms with a complete suite of secure payment processing services. These services provide businesses with the ability to accept all forms of payment credit card, debit card, check-by-phone, cash, and electronic check through online, mobile, automated phone or IVR, kiosk, in-person, agent-assisted through their own call center, or through integrated solutions within leading collection software systems. The AFS Vehicle Finance Conference & Expo is one of the first of the year for the vehicle finance industry. Executives will have the opportunity to meet with their peers and are encouraged to help define and coordinate AFSAs strategy and special projects to benefit the industry over the next year. This is the industry's premier conference and is developed and driven by members of the American Financial Services Association, the national trade association for the consumer credit industry. Were delighted to be exhibiting again at this years AFSA Vehicle Finance Conference, said Eugene O'Rourke, Vice President of Marketing at PaymentVision. For more than two decades, weve remained committed to providing our auto dealer & vehicle finance customers with innovative solutions to accept payments anytime, anywhere including agent-assisted, self-service, in-person, kiosk, mobile, walk-in retail network, and more. To learn more about PaymentVisions integrated suite of payment services, see a demonstration, and enter for a chance to win a Beat Pill Plus, visit the PaymentVision team at booth #108. About PaymentVision PaymentVision is a biller-direct, PCI-compliant, electronic payment gateway provider. PaymentVision offers clients the unified ability to accept ACH, check, and credit or debit card payments, by phone, or through Internet channels. PaymentVision solutions handle billions of dollars for thousands of financial institutions, large and small nationwide including, credit unions, banks, consumer finance, and collection agencies. For more information, please visit http://www.paymentvision.com; follow PaymentVision on Twitter @PaymentVision or on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/paymentvision; or call 800-345-7243. About Autoscribe Corporation Autoscribe Corporation is a leading financial services company and payment processor. With more than two decades of innovation and leadership in the financial technology industry, Autoscribe offers a full suite of tools through PaymentVision and Lyons Commercial Data to help their customers grow their business, simplify payment processing, mitigate risk, and ensure compliance. Recently named to the Inc. 5000 as one of the fastest growing private companies in the nation, Autoscribe has thousands of customers and processes more than $1 billion in transactions annually. For more information, please visit http://www.autoscribe.com; follow Autoscribe on Twitter @AutoscribeCorp or on LinkedIn at http://www.linkedin.com/company/autoscribe; or call 800-345-7243. Forward-Looking Statements This press release includes certain "forward-looking statements" including, without limitation, statements regarding future events and Autoscribe Corporation's business, strategy and results, that are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results or outcomes to differ materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, plans, objectives, expectations and intentions and other statements contained in this press release that are not historical facts. These statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and are sometimes identified by words such as "will", "may", "could", "should," "would", "project", "believe", "anticipate", "expect", "plan," "estimate", "forecast", "potential", "intend", "continue", "target", "opportunities" and variations of these words or comparable words. As a result of the ultimate outcome of such risks and uncertainties, Autoscribe Corporation's actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements. These statements are based on Autoscribe Corporation's current beliefs or expectations, and there are a number of important factors that could cause the actual results or outcomes to differ materially from those indicated by these forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, risks related to the successful offering of the products and services of Autoscribe Corporation; and other risks that may impact Autoscribe Corporations business. Autoscribe Corporation expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements contained herein as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. Due to rounding, numbers presented throughout this and other documents may not add up precisely to the totals provided and percentages may not precisely reflect the absolute figures. Note to Editors: Autoscribe and PaymentVision are registered trademarks of Autoscribe Corporation. All other trademarks mentioned are the property of their respective owners. Joining Draper offers me an opportunity to enhance the companys relationships across government and commercial sectors. I am excited about proliferating Drapers advanced capabilities to help solve the worlds most challenging and complex issues, said Jennifer Jensen of Draper. In recognition of the evolving challenges to defense and national security, this years U.S. government budget for research and development of new capabilities and technologies added almost $3B over last year. Highlighted areas include autonomous systems, resilient navigation & communication and cybersecurity. At the same time, global interest and investments in space-based opportunities continue to risein 2016, the commercial space industry invested nearly five times more money than the U.S. government. Positioning Draper to best contribute within these markets, Jennifer Jensen is set to become the new Vice President, National Security & Space (NS&S), effective March 16, 2018. As drivers of innovation, public and private R&D investments are essential to strong economic growth, explained Draper President and CEO Kaigham J. Gabriel. Drapers engineering developments leverage the intersection of these investmentsdrawing from both government and commercial sectors as it develops entirely new capabilities for its customers that surpass what either sector delivers on its own. Jennifer is the ideal leader to pursue opportunities in defense, national security and space, as well as for crossover, breakthrough innovations. Jensen joins Draper from Sierra Nevada Corporation, where she was vice president of business development for communications, navigation and surveillance systems. In that role, she built and sustained relationships across the U.S. Defense Department, as well as commercial markets, which delivered nearly $1B in new orders for the company. Additionally, she transitioned several product lines from the military to the commercial market. According to Jensen, Joining Draper offers me an opportunity to enhance the companys relationships across government and commercial sectors. I am excited about proliferating Drapers advanced capabilities to help solve the worlds most challenging and complex issues. Jensen began her career in the U.S. Army, where she broke gender barriers as the first woman distinguished honor graduate of flight school and one of the first women to transition to combat aircraft. She rose through the ranks rapidly and left active duty as a colonel. During her final position in the military at the Armys Redstone Arsenal, she was responsible for the acquisition, implementation and interoperability of state-of-the-art aviation technology into existing and future Army aviation manned and unmanned aircraft. Draper At Draper, we believe exciting things happen when new capabilities are imagined and created. Whether formulating a concept and developing each component to achieve a field-ready prototype or combining existing technologies in new ways, Draper engineers apply multidisciplinary approaches that deliver new capabilities to customers. As a not-for-profit research and development company, Draper focuses on the design, development and deployment of advanced technological solutions for the worlds most challenging and important problems. We provide engineering solutions directly to government, industry and academia; work on teams as prime contractor or subcontractor; and participate as a collaborator in consortia. We provide unbiased assessments of technology or systems designed or recommended by other organizationscustom designed, as well as commercial-off-the-shelf. The Institute for Building Technology and Safety (IBTS), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, is pleased to announce that it has selected the Municipality of Norristown, Pennsylvania, as the winner of the National League of Cities (NLC) Small Cities Resilience Competition. Norristown was chosen from cities with 100,000 residents or less to be a finalist with Germantown, TN, and will now move forward to the second phase of the program, where IBTS will support the city in improving their overall resilience. The first phase of this effort included pre-assessments; site visits; IBTS Community Resilience Assessment Framework and Tools (CRAFT) workshops; project impact analyses; and a final, actionable report for both of the semi-finalist cities. IBTS CRAFT has been utilized throughout the program to assess and, in turn, strengthen social, economic, and government resilience. This tool is specifically designed to address the needs, challenges, and most pertinent threats faced by small communities. In phase two, IBTS will develop a set of strategic recommendations to implement one of the promising resilience projects identified during the first phase of the competition. This strategy will consider the citys social, economic, and government resilience and build upon the communitys existing strengths while addressing known vulnerabilities. Additionally, Norristown will receive financial technical assistance to help the municipality find and secure the funds necessary for project implementation. It has been an honor to even be considered for this competition, said Brandon Ford, Special Assistant to the Municipal Administrator in Norristown, PA, and Executive Director of Keep Norristown Beautiful. It has truly been an amazing experience so far, and we look forward to working with the IBTS team in the weeks and months to come. IBTS anticipates providing Norristown, PA, with their implementation strategy by spring of 2018. At the close of this phase, IBTS and location stakeholders envision a more resilient Norristown better prepared to respond, adapt, and transform in the face of acute crises and chronic stressors. For more information on the Small Cities Resilience Competition or to learn how IBTS CRAFT can strengthen your communitys resilience, please contact us: Patrick Howell Program Manager, Community Resilience Initiative phowell(at)ibts(dot)org (703) 481-2000 About IBTS IBTS is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization committed to helping communities through quality services that reduce risk, enhance public safety, and improve quality of life. IBTS is headquartered in Ashburn, Virginia with branch offices across the country. IBTSs work is guided by a Board of Directors made up of government officials appointed by five of the most highly respected, grassroots, state and local governmental associations, including the Council of State Governments (CSG), International City/County Management Association (ICMA), National Association of Counties (NACo), National Governors Association Center for Best Practices (NGA Center), and National League of Cities (NLC). Rendering of Villas on the Park I am a very proud supporter of the development Villas on the Park in my District, states Councilmember Peralez. Villas on the Park will provide 83 permanent homes and shelter, as well as services to our most chronic homeless residents. This is the model in which we as a city should be looking at Affirmed Housing begins construction on Villas on the Park in downtown San Jose, CA. In partnership with PATH Ventures, the building will be located at 280 N. 2nd Street, a half block north of the historic St. James Park. Villas on the Park will include 83 LIHTC studios for formerly homeless individuals, a resident managers unit, and an interim housing section consisting of five studios that will accommodate up to 20 homeless individuals who are waiting for permanent housing. Funding sources include Tax Credits, Bank of America, California Community Reinvestment Corporation, the City of San Jose, and the County of Santa Clara. The six-story structure will include resident management and case worker offices, a landscaped outdoor deck area, a large community room and teaching kitchen. Resident services will be provided by nonprofit service provider, PATH. I am a very proud supporter of the development Villas on the Park in my District, states Councilmember Peralez. Villas on the Park will provide 83 permanent homes and shelter, as well as services to our most chronic homeless residents. This is the model in which we as a city should be looking at for supportive housing that includes collaboration of both public and private sectors. This will serve as a positive addition to District 3 and the San Jose community. We are very excited to begin this project states James Silverwood, President and CEO of Affirmed Housing. In conjunction with the city housing staff, Councilman Peralez, Mayor Liccardo, the County of Santa Clara, and the community at large, Villas on the Park will bring the local region a step closer towards ending homelessness. Headquartered in San Diego, Affirmed Housing is dedicated to improving and sustaining the viability of California through the development of affordable, and homeless housing. The company aims at enhance communities and our environment by building professionally-managed, high-quality, green, multifamily housing. Areas of expertise include site selection, engineering, architecture, construction, relocation, and marketing. Affirmed also has extensive knowledge in public finance, low-income housing tax credits, and tax-exempt bond financing. For more information, visit http://www.affirmedhousing.com ### With the addition of the conformal coating system, ACDi is adding an additional level of service to our clients complementing our full, turn-key offerings. ACDi today announced the availability of in-house conformal coating services with the purchase of a Nordson Asymtek Select Coat SL940E machine. The conformal coating system has been installed at the companys headquarters in Frederick, MD. With conformal coating available in-house, there is a reduction in quote turnaround, cost savings by eliminating an additional vendor, and an added sense of security knowing who is performing the work. Internal training was taken by a staff of Asymtek certified trainers to ensure a strict adherence to quality standards, as well as cross training for continuity of operations. Simplifying the process of PCB purchasing and assembly is an on-going goal, says Bill Hornbaker, ACDis CEO. With the addition of the conformal coating system, ACDi is adding an additional level of service to our clients complementing our full, turn-key offerings. Conformal coating protects printed circuit boards from environmental harshness, like moisture and contaminants, by applying thin layers of material to a PCB. The coating conforms to the landscape of the board and acts as a type of insulation, essentially extending the life of the circuitry. About ACDi With locations in Frederick, Maryland and Nashville, North Carolina, ACDi is an integral resource to companies who need a trusted partner for dynamic electronics manufacturing, engineering and design expertise to successfully bring their electronic products to market. Our electronic manufacturing services, including product engineering support services, PCB layout, NPI, testing, systems integration, product lifecycle management and cable assembly/wiring harness solutions enable OEMs to focus on their business while we focus on product realization and optimization. ACDi clients gain a hands-on extension to their business as we turn their concepts into functional product. For more information, please visit http://www.acdi.com. In Pursuit of Peter (Our Daily Bread Films) Our Daily Bread Films is proud to announce the upcoming release of their groundbreaking video series, "In Pursuit of Peter" filmed entirely on location on Israel, Turkey and Rome. Part documentary, part travelogue, this exciting new Bible Study is a six part series on the life of the Apostle Peter. "In Pursuit of Peter" will be available on DVD and digital on April 4, 2018. Watch the "In Pursuit of Peter" trailer: https://vimeo.com/257142545 How did Peter transform from an uneducated fisherman into one of the most celebrated and beloved Jesus-followers in history? New Testament scholar Con Campbell wanted to find out. It's one thing to read about people in Scripture. It's another thing to trace their life histories to more fully understand their backgrounds and the profound effect Jesus had on them. Campbell invites you to join him in his pursuit of Peter. Explore the places where Peter lived and traveled, starting by the Sea of Galilee where he labored as a fisherman--an unlikely disciple, but purposely called by Christ. Continue the journey to Jerusalem, Turkey, Rome, and other locations where Campbell meets people who provide insights into Peter's passionate personality. You'll see the life of Peter unfold through Scripture, interviews, and stunning on-location footage. Campbell is Professor of New Testament at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. He is the author of several books on the Greek language and the Apostle Paul, including "Paul and Union with Christ," which was the 2014 Christianity Today Book of the Year in Biblical Studies. Campbell is a busy speaker, author, and professionally trained jazz musician. He and his family moved to the United States from their native Australia in 2013. "In Pursuit of Peter" follows the 2017 release of "In Pursuit of Paul." The upcoming third installment in the series, "In Pursuit of John," is scheduled to begin production in May 2018 with an anticipated release date of August 2019. Georgia Manufacturing Alliance Ribbon Cutting at New Office Over the past 10 years, we have built a solid foundation of leaders statewide that will be able to support the imminent growth of manufacturing in Georgia, said Jason Moss, founder and CEO of the Georgia Manufacturing Alliance. Over 70 people came to celebrate the Ribbon Cutting at the Georgia Manufacturing Alliances (GMA) new headquarters in Lawrenceville, GA. GMA Members, Gwinnett Chamber, and Gwinnett County representatives came to show support for an organization that has been supporting the manufacturing community statewide since 2008. To learn more about their mission, watch this 4 minute video. https://youtu.be/vpjGvXUuCws Over the past 10 years, we have built a solid foundation of leaders statewide that will be able to support the imminent growth of manufacturing in Georgia, said Jason Moss, founder and CEO of the Georgia Manufacturing Alliance. We are excited about what the future holds for our members and the manufacturing community in our state. Mr. Moss welcomed the guests with an announcement that the BuyFromGeorgia.com website has been redesigned to highlight over a 1,000 Georgia made products that can be purchased via Amazon. The refreshments at the event were products that can be bought on the site, including Coke, Combos, Hostess Snacks, Solo Plates, Starbucks K-Cups, SunnyD, and Wrigleys Gum. A local bakery, Special Kneads & Treats, also provided assorted hand-crafted cupcakes for the GMA Ribbon Cutting. Special Kneads and Treats, Inc. is a nonprofit specialty bakery focused on providing Special Needs adults within the surrounding community a place to learn a skill and develop a sense of accountability and pride. We want to encourage everyone to support their local community and make a purchase on BuyFromGeorgia.com to help support and grow jobs in Georgia, said Mr. Moss. Shoppers who purchase through BuyFromGeorgia.com receive the benefits of shopping through Amazon for 1,000s of name brand and unique items that are produced in our great state, added Moss. The Georgia Manufacturing Alliance will also be hosting tours highlighting consumer-based products manufactured in our state during the July. For the past 4 years, Governor Nathan Deal has presented the Buy from GA month proclamation to the members of the Georgia Manufacturing Alliance at the State Capitol each July to promote manufacturers and the goods they produce in Georgia. The Georgia Manufacturing Alliance (GMA) is a professional organization founded in 2008 to support Georgias manufacturing community. GMA provides monthly plant tours, educational sessions, tradeshows, and unique networking opportunities designed to help make profitable business connections for its members. The Georgia Manufacturing Directory, Georgia Manufacturing Summit, Georgia Manufacturing Calendar, BuyFromGA.com website are additional resources produced by GMA. To learn more about the organization, membership, and upcoming events, please call 770-338-0051 or visit http://www.GeorgiaManufacturingAlliance.com. This fundraiser was part of Heritage Training and Shooting Centers quarterly tradition to give back to the community that supports it. Heritage Training and Shooting Center in Frederick, Maryland donated $690 to American Heart Associations Go Red For Women initiative. The money was raised through a firearm raffle. Participants donated $5 for a chance to win a Special Operations Forces M19. Participants could then shoot a course of fire for a second entry into the raffle. Go Red For Women is an American Heart Association (AHA) project. According to their website, AHA decided in 2004 that women were not paying attention to cardiovascular disease. They dismissed it as an, old man disease, however heart disease claims nearly 500,000 American women each year. Heritage Training and Shooting Center chose this initiative to donate to help empower women to take charge of their heart health. Similar to Go Red for Women and American Heart Association, Heritage and its staff have a passion for creating an atmosphere to empower women. Heritage holds monthly Well Armed Woman meetings as well as womens-only classes to encourage women to become comfortable and confident with firearms. The firearm, a Special Ops Edition Glock 19, is one of 1000 of its kind also stemming from a charitable project. A portion of the sales of this firearm were donated by Talo Distributors to the MARSOC Foundation which was created to provide support to Marine Raiders and their families. The winner of the firearm was Lewis Nordan, who is a Complete Member of Heritage Training and Shooting Center. This fundraiser was part of Heritage Training and Shooting Centers quarterly tradition to give back to the community that supports it. The Frederick shooting range has donated money to the Wounded Warrior Project and the Hurwitz Breast Cancer fund in the past. About Heritage Training and Shooting Center: Heritage Training and Shooting Center is located at 4537 Metropolitan Court in Frederick, Maryland. With state-of-the art shooting ranges, technologically advanced classrooms, TI Simulator, a firearms retail store, and over 140 rental firearms, Heritage has everything needed to meet your personal protection goals. For more information, visit their website: http://www.heritagetrainingcenter.com or call 240-341-4006 S. Gordon, Press Contact. Defense is Personal Construct-A-Lead is an online construction lead service that helps contractors, service providers, manufacturers and suppliers gain information on all large scale construction projects. The service features apartment construction, hotel construction, retail construction, medical construction, school renovations & more, including those hard-to-find private project leads, to help bid on construction, from planning stage- completion. Construct-A-Lead, the industrys most comprehensive construction lead service, announces the following North Carolina projects will go forward. Construct-A-Leads advanced search feature allows the user to find their leads or key contacts by project type, location, bid stage, dollar value, company, or keyword. Users are able to track projects status, save searches, put personalized notes on projects, email a project to a colleague or customer, reach out directly to the decision maker and download construction leads with a one-touch feature. Interested parties are invited to visit Construct-A-Lead.com and sign up for a no obligation test drive, where they will be able to experience these newly integrated features. Users will be able to receive regular alerts on new and updated construction projects, in accordance with the individuals preference. An example of the North Carolina construction leads available within the database is listed below. Reference the Project ID to utilize the new site features and to obtain direct contact information for each construction lead: Charlotte, NC Springbrook Apartment Homes - Plans call for building a new 198-unit affordable housing complex. Construction start: Q4, 2018, Q1, 2019. $32,000,000. Project ID: 1407799 Huntersville, NC Springhill Suites by Marriot Plans call for a new Springhill Suites by Marriott hotel. 4 story. Wood framed. 106 rooms. 63,765 square feet. Construction start: 2nd Quarter, 2018. $10,000,000 Project ID: 1406783 South Ashville, NC Camp Bow Wow Plans call for the development of a dog day and overnight care center. Construction start: Q4, 2018, Q1, 2019. $1,000,000 Project ID: 1408098 Raleigh, NC The Reserve at North Hills Plans call for the new construction of a five story, 189-unit independent living, assisted living and memory care community. Construction start: Spring, 2018. $40,000,000 Project ID: 1408081 Winnabow, NC Town Creek Middle School - Plans call for building a new 86,247-square-foot middle school. Construction start: Q3, 2018. $35,000,000 Project ID: 1408143 Charlotte, NC Fresh Market Plans call for an upfit to the Fresh Market grocery space totaling 24,602 square feet. Construction start: Q2, 2018. $1,500,000. Project ID: 1408054 Construct-A-Lead is an online database that connects users to large-scale commercial construction projects, including those hidden, private project leads. The service features hotel construction, office buildings, retail construction, medical facilities, school renovations and much more, to help bid on construction including those hard-to-find private project leads, from planning stage through completion. Construct-A-Leads daily updates of commercial construction project leads are an ideal solution for those who want to put their product or service into commercial, government and religious structures. For more information, visit Construct-A-Lead.com online or call 855-874-1491. The Ukrainian mission to the OSCE calls on the member countries of the Organization not to recognize the legitimacy of the presidential elections in the annexed Crimea. "Ukraine calls upon the OSCE participating States to be strictly guided by UN General Assembly resolutions 68/262, 71/205 and 72/190 and not to recognize the legitimacy or outcome of the elections of the President of the Russian Federation in the illegally occupied Crimean peninsula," the Ukrainian delegation said in a statement at a meeting of the OSCE Permanent Council, published on the website of the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry on Thursday. It is necessary to also take into account that 1.5 mln of Crimean voters will have a considerable impact on the final results of the presidential elections in Russia. In addition, the Ukrainian mission to the OSCE reminded that visits to Ukraine's territory of the Crimean peninsula, which is currently illegally occupied by Russia, can only take place with the consent of the Ukrainian authorities. "We are aware of the fact the Russian Federation is taking measures to invite and pay for the visits of politicians from OSCE participating States to Crimea to observe the fake "elections," the mission said. The Ukrainian delegation reminded that visits to the territory of the Crimean peninsula, which is currently illegally occupied by Russia, can only take place with the consent of the Ukrainian authorities. Protecting Employee Assets Employers must be mindful of the risks posed by misclassifying individuals as exempt as well as by a host of practices that can imperil otherwise proper classification decisions. If you have employees or advise companies with employees, this webinar series is for you! No employerwhether large, medium or smallis immune from the reach of federal, state and/or local employment laws and regulations. Now, more than ever, employers should consider taking a proactive approach to auditing their employment practices and policies so that they can better respond when issues arise. This Financial Poise PROTECTING YOUR EMPLOYEE ASSETS: THE LIFE CYCLE OF THE EMPLOYMENT RELATIONSHIP webinar series approaches the employer-employee relationship from beginning to end, with programs covering the most important steps along the way, including hiring and onboarding, policy and procedure development and training, wage and hour compliance, accommodating disabled employees, conducting investigations and considerations associated with ending the relationship. The third episode of the series, Show Them the Money: Wage & Hour Compliance, airs on March 20th at 3:00 PM CST (Register Here) and features Moderator Mark M. Trapp of Conn Maciel Carey LLP. Mr. Trapp is joined by Phillip Schreiber of Holland & Knight, Jason B. Klimpl of Tannenbaum Helpern Syracuse & Hirschtritt LLP, and Charles A. Krugel of The Law Office of Charles Krugel. Compliance with federal (as well as state) wage and hour laws returned to the forefront towards the end of the Obama administration when it appeared that the salary threshold that applied to exempt employees would be increased significantly. While the proposed change will not happen, the Trump administration has signaled that the threshold will nonetheless likely increase. Regardless of where the new threshold lands, employers must nonetheless be mindful of the risks posed by misclassifying individuals as exempt as well as by a host of practices that can imperil otherwise proper classification decisions. And while the federal government is no longer scrutinizing the use of independent contractors as closely today, employers must still be careful when relying on contractors. This webinar delves into the mistakes commonly made by employers and endeavors to provide attendees with the tools needed to help find and fix potential wage and hour pitfalls. The PROTECTING YOUR EMPLOYEE ASSETS: THE LIFE CYCLE OF THE EMPLOYMENT RELATIONSHIP Series is produced by Financial Poise. Future episodes in the series include Time for a Break: Managing Leaves of Absence and Accommodating Disabilities, airing on April 17th, "I Know What You Did Last Summer: Workplace Investigations" airing on May 15th, and "Its So Hard To Say Goodbye: Minimizing Risk When Terminating Employees," airing on June 19th. Each episode airs at 3:00 PM CST. All episodes will be available live through West LegalEdCenter and then on-demand following the live premiere. As with every Financial Poise Webinar, each episode is delivered in Plain English understandable to investors, business owners, and executives without much background in these areas, yet is also valuable to attorneys, accountants, and other seasoned professionals. And, as with every Financial Poise Webinar, each episode brings you into engaging, sometimes humorous, conversations designed to entertain as it teaches. Each episode in the series is designed to be viewed independently of the other episodes, so that participants will enhance their knowledge of this area whether they attend one, some, or all episodes. About Financial Poise Financial Poise has one mission: to provide reliable plain English business, financial and legal education to investors, private business owners and executives, and their respective trusted advisors. Financial Poise content is created by seasoned, respected experts who are invited to join our Faculty only after being recommended by current Faculty Members. Our editorial staff then works to make sure that all content is easily digestible. Financial Poise is a meritocracy; nobody can buy her way onto the Financial Poise Faculty. Start learning today at https://www.financialpoise.com/ Baicells Gen 2 Gear Our first generation gear remains fully serviceable and has less than 1.5% total RMAs in our first 2 years, but we decided to show our commitment to the fixed wireless space with a redesign, incorporating the direct feedback from customers. Baicells Technologies, a leading provider of disruptive global LTE solutions, has announced the commercial release of its second generation of 1 watt LTE base stations and UE subscriber units for the 3.65 GHz and CBRS band. The redesign is a complete rework from the board to the mechanics. The redesign stems from unique and specific market requests, while maintaining complete backward compatibility and same advanced firmware features of the 1st generation. The new units may be ordered today from Baicells stable of certified partners. The 2nd generation eNodeB LTE base station features the following modifications: 1/3 less weight & 50% less operating power (about 33 watts) A single board from 3 boards Relocation of ports to reduce clutter & allow for faster weather sealing Power connection & Ethernet connection simplified & moved behind a gasketed door Redesigned and faster mounting hardware Addition of an SFP module (ships with the unit) The 2nd generation 19.5 dBi LTE UE CPE features the following modifications: About 20% smaller antenna, yet maintaining the highest gain in the market at 19.5 dBi Vapor release valve & weep holes to reduce condensation risks Gasketed door that eliminates Ethernet weather sealing needs SIM slot behind the gasketed door New and heavy duty mounting SD slot for local caching Short range Wi-Fi-enabled alignment Improved software GUI Our first generation gear remains fully serviceable and has less than 1.5% total RMAs in our first 2 years, but we decided to show our commitment to the fixed wireless space with a redesign, incorporating the direct feedback from customers, explained Patrick Leary, president of Baicells Technologies North America, Inc. More than just a minor facelift, we rethought these products in their entirety to make them the most WISP-friendly LTE products on the market from an installation and servicing perspective. We know customers will be pleased with the results. Baicells solutions are available via several select channels listed on our http://www.na.baicells.com website. About Baicells Baicells is a privately-held, high tech company with offices in China and USA. It has introduced some real breakthrough technologies to LTE, like moving a complete LTE system to unlicensed spectrum and building it with an IT based architecture. With Baicells turnkey end-to-end solutions, it becomes much easier to provide standard-based LTE wireless broadband within everyone's reach at a very low cost. North American Press Contact Savannah Lancaster Marketing Communications Manager Baicells Technologies, North America +1 (972) 755-1324 "Education to Sake and the exquisite selection of products presented at 5StarSake is therefore essential to its success in the country." Marco Massarotto Nihonshu is Japans traditional alcoholic beverage. Together with sushi, it is also Japans best-known enogastronomic product abroad. A term lost in translation, Nihonshu is none other than what Westerners call sake. While the latter means alcohol in general, the former translates Japanese alcoholic beverage. Nowadays, over 700 different kinds of sake are being made with several production methods, however using the same two fundamental ingredients: rice and water. Around since the eight century, sake originally drank to drive away evil spirits is to Japanese people what wine is for Italians: drank on a daily basis and paired up with different kinds of food, the alcoholic drink can be found in any Japanese household. In recent times though, the younger generation started to regard sake as old-fashioned, preferring more international drinks. If on one hand Japan fell out of love with its national alcoholic drink, on the other, the rest of the world started to get butterflies for it. While the number of sakagura sakes production houses dramatically dropped in the past 30 years, sake exports doubled in the last decade with the US and South Korea being top consumers. In Europe, in contrast with the demands of other major countries like the UK and Germany, the Italian sake market is still quite small. Moreover, differently from the consumption of culinary products like sushi and soy sauce, sake started only very recently to appeal to Italian palates. In the wake of this increasing approval, in 2017 Vinitaly set up a specific sake area at their VinInternational pavillion. With producers from at least 10 different Japanese prefectures and importers like Sake Company, Veronafiere introduced Japans national drink to wine aficionados. Following this path, Vinitaly International will also open its doors to sake in 2018. On the last day of 5StarWines wine tasting of products from all over the world renowned sake connoisseurs will blindly evaluate different kinds of the Japanese rice wine. Marco Massarotto a pioneer of sake in Italy who has been named Sake Samurai from the JSS (Japan Sake Brewers association) is the founder and president of NPO La Via del Sake and organiser of Milano Sake Festival. Honoured to be Chairman at 5StarSake Massarotto comments: Sake is a complex and much varied product with a rich history. Education to Sake and the exquisite selection of products presented at 5StarSake is therefore essential to its success in the country. With this special selection I am sure well manage to make the best Sake gain visibility in Italy as well as help Italian consumers to explore this new world. Founder of Sake Company Lorenzo Ferraboschi lived in Tokyo for 10 years, he is also the Italian manager of the Sake Sommelier Association. Tasted by category, drinks will be judged on their visual and olfactory presentation, as well as on their taste and aroma. All contestants which can enrol until the 30th of March will receive an official certificate of participation. Participants reaching the minimum evaluation score will also be published and get a special boost on all of 5StarWines communication channels. The list of selected sake will work as a compendium for both the industry and professionals to get to know and select products present in Italy. The aim is to offer an independent quality assessment to guide professionals and consumers in their sake choice and experience. Sake who has reached a higher evaluation score will also be given a Special Mention and receive a special mention certificate on top of all the above. Encouraged by the growing number of Japanese restaurants in the country, the Italian interest in sake its now at its peak. How is sake produced? Which is the best product? How do you consume it? Can one pair it up with Italian traditional dishes? These are only some of the questions the Italian audience is starting to ask. Serving as a point of contact between the Italian request and the Japanese curiosity for Italian market, Vinitaly International will answer those questions at 5StarSake on the 13th of April. About The grand Vinitaly 2018 will be held from April 15th to the 18th next year. Every year, Vinitaly counts more than 4,000 exhibitors on a 100,000+ square meter area and 130,000 visitors from over 140 different countries with more than 30,000 top international buyers. The premier event to Vinitaly, OperaWine (http://www.operawine.it) Finest Italian Wines: 100 Great Producers, which will be held on the 14th of April, one day prior to Vinitaly will unite international wine professionals in the heart of Verona, offering them the unique opportunity to discover and taste the wines of the 100 Best Italian Producers, as selected by Wine Spectator. Since 1998 Vinitaly International travels to several countries such as Russia, China, USA and Hong Kong thanks to its strategic arm abroad, Vinitaly International. In February 2014 Vinitaly International launched an educational project, the Vinitaly International Academy (VIA) with the aim of divulging and broadcasting the excellence and diversity of Italian wine around the globe. VIA this year launched the third edition of its Certification Course and today counts 122 Italian Wine Ambassadors and 9 Italian Wine Experts. All the ingredients for traditional and creative St. Patricks Day recipes can be found at King Kullen Grocery Co. Visit the nearest store to stock up on corned beef, potatoes, cabbage and more. St. Patricks Day Essentials Choosing the right cut of corned beef is a difficult decision for many but it comes down to personal preference. Corned beef comes in two cuts: point cut or flat cut. Point cuts are rounder and have more marbling. Marbling gives the corned beef more flavor and juiciness due to the fat. Flat cuts are leaner and easier to slice. When selecting potatoes for St. Patricks Day dinner, be sure to look for potatoes that are firm and do not give. Avoid potatoes with dark spots and sprouts, as these could mean they are decaying. Look for potatoes that are clean, smooth and unblemished. Minor blemishes are fine and the potato is still safe to eat. Potatoes should smell faintly of soil since they are grown in the ground but should be clean on the surface. When storing potatoes, keep them in a dry location that is also dark, cool and ventilated until they are ready to be used. When selecting a cabbage, look for one that is bright in color. Greens should be bright and shiny. Avoid any cabbage that is discolored, blemished, or has dark spots. A cabbage should be firm to the touch. If its soft, the cabbage may be rotten on the inside. Leaves on a cabbage should be crisp and tightly pressed. Avoid ones where many leaves are undone. Irish Soda Bread Recipes Irish Soda Bread is a St. Patricks Day staple. Enjoy homemade Irish Soda Bread (https://www.pinterest.com/pin/199917670942567896/) with this simple and easy recipe. Flour, sugar, baking soda, salt, butter, buttermilk, raisins and eggs are the only ingredients needed in a classic soda bread recipe. Short on time? Find Irish Soda Bread available in King Kullens bakery, baked fresh daily and available with or without caraway seeds. Make Irish Soda Bread French Toast (https://www.pinterest.com/pin/199917670942599532/) for breakfast using slices of soda bread. Soda bread is dipped in an egg, milk, cinnamon and nutmeg mixture then placed in a skillet until golden. Drizzle with syrup and sprinkle with cinnamon. Prepare Irish Soda bread for the adults with this recipe (https://www.pinterest.com/pin/199917670942599530/); whiskey is used in this mixture to coat the soda bread before cooking. Recipes for Leftovers Get creative this year by trying these leftover recipes when the St. Patricks Day celebrations end. Put corned beef leftovers to good use by making corned beef sandwiches, paninis and Reubens. Pick up pizza dough from King Kullens Bakery department, top it with leftover corned beef and cabbage and pop it in the oven. Get creative with leftovers for every meal of the day. Start your morning with Corned Beef Eggs Benedict (https://www.pinterest.com/pin/199917670942599213/) or add it to a breakfast hash. Enjoy every bite; this is pure creamy comfort food at its finest. Make Reuben Empanadas (https://www.pinterest.com/pin/199917670942599224/) for friends and family to dig into for lunch. This is a delicious way to use up any extra corned beef. Just grab sauerkraut, Swiss cheese and Puff Pastry Sheets. For snacking, try these Reuben Style Irish Nachos (https://www.pinterest.com/pin/199917670942599287/). What makes these nachos Irish Style? One, theyre topped with corned beef. Two, crispy waffle fries are used in place of chips. Who can say no to that? Upgrade Taco Tuesday dinner plans with Corned Beef Tacos (https://www.pinterest.com/pin/199917670942599212/). These tacos are topped with Creamy Cabbage Slaw and homemade Thousand Island Dressing. Go Shopping Shopping for St. Patricks Day is easy! Just visit the nearest King Kullen store to find everything needed for these festive recipes. About the Company: Headquartered in Bethpage, New York, King Kullen Grocery Co., Inc. is recognized by the Smithsonian Institution as Americas first supermarket. Michael J. Cullen opened the doors of King Kullen in 1930. Today, four generations later, King Kullen is still family owned and operated. It remains a leader in the supermarket industry. From that very first store in 1930, King Kullen today operates 32 supermarkets and five Wild by Nature stores across Long Island. In addition to traditional grocery, King Kullen features a large catering and prepared foods department, freshly-baked breads and sweets, and healthy and organic areas, with pharmacies and online shopping in many stores as well. Russia's hybrid military forces have attacked Ukrainian army positions in Donbas four times in the past 24 hours, no Ukrainian soldiers were reported as killed or wounded in action, the press center of the headquarters of Ukraine's military operations has reported. "Over the past day, Russian-occupation forces continued to violate the conditions for a complete ceasefire, mounting four shelling attacks on positions of the Ukrainian army," the press center of the headquarters of Ukraine's military operations reported on Facebook on Friday morning. In the Luhansk sector, the enemy used grenade launchers, heavy machine guns and small arms against the Ukrainian fortified positions near the villages of Luhanske and Stanytsia Luhanska. In the Donetsk sector, the defenders of the villages of Vodiane and Lebedynske came under fire from 82mm mortars and small arms. Rumors of President Donald Trump's dissatisfaction with his national security adviser have swirled for months. But if Trump is truly thinking about replacing H.R. McMaster with John Bolton, the former US ambassador to the UN, as recent reports have indicated, Trump will first have to forgive Bolton's prominent mustache. McMaster, a hawk on military and foreign-policy issues who believes the US needs to demonstrate its strength to deter bad actors, being replaced by Bolton, an extreme hawk who has advocated bombing North Korea and who pushed hard for the invasion of Iraq in the 2000s, has huge policy implications. But there's good evidence that one factor holding Bolton back from the job is his thick, white mustache. Trump reportedly does not like facial hair. None of Trump's close associates have facial hair, a pattern dating back decades. "Donald was not going to like that mustache," a Trump associate told The Washington Post around the time of his inauguration. "I can't think of anyone that's really close to Donald that has a beard that he likes." "Bolton's mustache is a problem," the former White House chief strategist Steve Bannon was quoted as saying in the journalist Michael Wolff's tell-all book about the Trump administration. "Trump doesn't think he looks the part. You know Bolton is an acquired taste." Trump has repeatedly said he prefers to associate with people who appear to come out of "central casting," or people who look the part in a Hollywood sense. But academic research actually backs up Trump's apparent distaste for facial hair in his political associates. In 2015, Rebekah Herrick, a political-science professor at Oklahoma State University, published a paper called "Why Beards and Mustaches are Rare for Modern Politicians" that found voters didn't like facial hair on political figures. In 2016, amid the first talk of Bolton's appointment to a White House role, Bolton tweeted "I appreciate the grooming advice from the totally unbiased mainstream media, but I will not be shaving my #mustache." The military-general look versus Boltons look In contrast, McMaster's look couldn't be any cleaner. McMaster, who remains on active duty, still dons his US Army uniform and hardly has a hair on his head. Trump has gotten flak from service members for calling his top advisers, including McMaster, Defense Secretary James Mattis, and the White House chief of staff, John Kelly, "my generals," but he seems to have a genuine respect for the uniform and look of military men. On Thursday, after a torrent of reports that McMaster was headed out the door, the White House denied any impending staff shake-ups. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, dismissed by Trump early this week, had been dogged by rumors of his weak standing in the White House for months before the news became final. The BBC reports that woman was rushed to a hospital shortly after the accident. "The Boeing 777 had landed shortly before, and was preparing to welcome passengers on board before departing for Dubai," the report said. However, the Daily Nation says "she had been seen holding what looked like a glass bottle under her chin before she made the fall. Other witnesses said they had seen her in a verbal exchange with colleagues as they boarded the plane." "Her knees were shattered and body cut with broken glass from a bottle she jumped with," a witness at the airport was quoted as saying. Information from the Ugandan civil aviation authority says the woman was still alive and investigations into the incident were under way. Aspiring MP of the United Progressive Party (UPP), Diamond Appiah has recently been on various news portals for both good and bad reasons. She is an active member of photo sharing platform, Instagram, and it seems she has been punished for breaking the site's community rules. Diamond Appiah is known for making several allegations and revelations to her followers with her account. She used to bear the name queen_diamondappiah on Instagram but screenshots flying on social media shows her account has been deleted when one user reported it as spam. Per reports emerging, the former musician seems to have stepped on the wrong toe and has been made to pay for it with she losing her account. Rapper Olamide Adedeji a.ka. Baddo,' on Thursday, announced the launch of his Television Channel, 'Voice Of The Streets (VOTS). The "Wo" hitmaker took to his Instagram to announce the news in a post which has more than 50,000 likes. Olamide shared the news through his Instagram handle @baddosneh, where he wrote, I dedicate this television station to my late mum and dad,Thanks for letting me chase my dream". READ MORE: Shatta Wale to be honoured at 2018 IRAWMA The launch date incidentally is the Science student crooners birthday and he described the station as a birthday gift to myself." Kingsley Abiekunogho reportedly made one Jones Seiyefa his Toyota SUV and N20, 000 to him in order to have a spiritual breakthrough. He has been charged with obtaining the car and the money by false pretence. Reports have it that during one of his church programmes in September last year, a visiting pastor asked the complainant to donate the said car N20, 000 in order to experience the breakthrough God had for him. READ MORE: Disappointed robber demands refund of bribe paid to police Jones Seiyefa was given some special the next day to drink so as to facilitate the breakthrough. Apparently, it was only after transferring nthe ownership of the car and the money to the pastor that he came back to his real senses. Instead of the breakthrough, the complainants life reportedly became more miserable. A relative said she tried fruitlessly to stop the complainant from obeying the so-called prophesy. She said: By the grace of God, days after he did the change of ownership he came back to his senses and revealed that he did all he did because he was under some kind of influence. According to a report by Reuters, Vanessa Trump, a former model and actress filed for the divorce after receiving a mail last month containing a threat and a white powder. The said powder was later determined to be non-hazardous after laboratory testing. A Massachusetts man was subsequently charged this month for sending the mail which caused Vanessa to be rushed to the hospital. It is not clear what exactly has informed the decision to divorce, bhut apparently, both Donald Trump, 40 and Vanessa have reached a mutual understanding to separate. In a joint statement released by the Trump Organization, the president's business empire, the couple said "After 12 years of marriage, we have decided to go our separate ways." It would be recalled that in September, 2015, 10 pieces of frozen female genitalia were discovered at Peter Frederiksen 's home in Bloemfontein. All the initial charges regarding cutting of womens clitoris and keeping in a freezer were dropped because the South African laws do not spell out any sanctions for the offence. However, the 65-year-old was found guilty on November 6, 2017 of 36 charges relating to rape of a child, the murder of his wife and production of child pornography. READ MORE: Two prison officers sacked for having sex with inmates Pronouncing Frederiksen 's sentence on Thursday, the Judge, Johann Daffue said the murder of his wife "was pre-meditated and planned" for which reason the sanctions "must not be imposed lightly". The judge cited some women and children who were present in the court as "vulnerable members of our society", adding that "they, in particular, must be protected against person like you." On a rather hard note, Johann Daffue said: "You must be removed permanently from society." A statement issued by the Commission, said the ECOWAS Commission President, Jean-Claude Brou and the Ambassador of China to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Zhou Pingjian signed for both parties in a bilateral meeting held at the ECOWAS Commission headquarters, Abuja on Wednesday. READ MORE: Mahama reviews security preparations ahead of Sierra Leone elections According to the statement, Mr. Brou expressed gratitude to the Chinese government for the grant, saying it was a mark of goodwill from the Asian country to ECOWAS and then further expressed the regions Commitment to foster the ECOWAS-China cooperation. Mr. Brou said, the need for a new building for ECOWAS was necessitated by increasing number of staff, which led to the Commission to presently operate from three buildings distantly apart from each other. He has urged the design team to ensure that the building had an architecture that reflected the culture and 'Africaness' of ECOWAS Member States. He was also thankful for Chinas readiness to maintain the building for three years after completion. Ambassador Pingjian on his part, reaffirmed China's commitment to continue to promote the China-ECOWAS friendly cooperation through similar economic and technical cooperation saying that China values the cooperation and stands ready to nurture this relationship by the construction of the ECOWAS Headquarters. Mr. Pingjian assured ECOWAS that the construction will be of high quality that will take into considerations the cultural biases of the region. The agreement which comes into force with immediate effect will cater for offices and conference complex building, as well as road facilities, electrical equipment, parking lots and security posts within the proposed site of the project. An ECOWAS designated authority and the China Development Bank Corporation will work together to verify records of account payments at regular intervals. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Pavlo Klimkin has said Hungarian officials have reached the "red line," referring to a recent statement about a mission of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) in Zakarpattia. "I think the Hungarian side has in substance, and, if you wish, in the style and atmosphere of its latest statements, reached a red line. This is not how partners behave," Klimkin said in an interview with BBC Ukraine. Klimkin said the actions of Hungary are deliberately politically manipulative and distort facts. "What an OSCE mission in Zakarpattia? What, is it dangerous there? This is ridiculous when Hungary's consular office says it is dangerous to travel to Zakarpattia. The latest attack on a Hungarian office there was arranged by Russia's Federal Security Bureau (FSB). The person who organized it came from Transdniestria and returned there. I don't rule out that Russia will attempt something else. What kind of mission do wee need? A mission to combat the FSB. What does the OSCE have to do with it?" Klimkin said. As earlier reported, on March 10, 2018 Hungian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Peter Szijjarto said the OSCE had informed him about the opening of a mission in Zakarpattia. The OSCE did not confirm this information. The Misuse of Drugs Act provides for the death penalty if the amount of methamphetamine trafficked is more than 250g. READ ALSO: Blackboard ICT teacher gets standing ovation in Singapore The Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) told Straitstimes.com that Agbozo was accorded full due process under the law, and was represented by legal counsel throughout the process. CNB added that 1.63kg of methamphetamine is sufficient to feed the addiction of about 1,210 abusers for a week. Agbozo left for Dubai on April 4, 2013, from Accra, before boarding a plane bound for Singapore. He arrived there the next day and planned to spend 5 nights there. At the checkpoint in Singapore, he was stopped by inspectors who screened his luggage a black haversack and a red-and-black suitcase. READ ALSO: China to build new ECOWAS headquarters White, crystalline substances were found in the wall of the haversack and the inner plastic casing of the suitcase. The substances contained 1.63kg of methamphetamine with an estimated street value of about $135,600. His appeal against his conviction and sentence was dismissed by the Court of Appeal in February last year. His petition to the President for clemency was also turned down. Meanwhile, Amnesty International has called on Singapore to stop the executions and change its laws. He said such Ministers are about seventy (70) because they earn salaries as MPs. READ ALSO: Oppong Nkrumah awards 200 students scholarship President Akufo-Addo has appointed 110 Ministers to serve under his administration. This decision generated some sort of criticism from a section of Ghanaians arguing that it will have an effect on the public purse. However, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah thinks otherwise. He said, "Should most of our ministers have been new in government without being MPs, then I would agree we are overspending on them as ministers. These ministers we are talking about, most of them are already MPs". The loan agreement was signed on Thursday, March 15, 2018, with Ghanas Minister for Finance Ken Ofori-Atta and Dr. Otto H. J. Baldeh, the Ghana Country Manager of the Africa Development Bank, putting pen to paper to complete the deal. The Project is expected to be implemented over a five-year period, starting 2018 to 2022. A statement from the Finance Ministry said the Project is geared towards transforming agriculture in the country and creating jobs. The development objective of the Project is to transform agricultural value chains for food and nutrition security, job creation within the Savannah Zone, sections of the statement stated. It added that the loan agreement targets three specific objectives which include; increasing farmers food and nutrition security, increasing incomes through increased agricultural productivity and diversification and enhance the creation and strengthening of agribusinesses to increase incomes of actors along selected value chains in a sustainable basis. Also, the four main components of the Project are Crop Productivity Improvement Component, Value Chain and Agribusinesses Development Component, Infrastructure Development Component, Project Coordination, Management and M and E Component. Over 50,000 economically active small holders living in the Savannah zone are expected to benefit when the Project is completed. Mr Agyapong explained that national security operatives managed to retrieve the said car from the businessman, only to find out that it was Abeiku who sold it out. He wondered why such a thing should happen, insisting the Okay FM presenter is in no capacity to sell a state vehicle to another person. If I meet Mahama today, I will advise him not to pay attention to those calling for his comeback because he wont win the 2020 elections. They will only spend his money like they did in the 2016 elections." If Mahama comes back 1000 times, he will lose 1000 times unless he becomes President somewhere or better still a different Ghana because God has revealed to me already that Mahama will never become a President. According to Accra-based Starr FM, some of the defiant neighbours were not part of the initial eviction directive. They added that they were informed to move elsewhere only last week and have received no compensation from the government. One of the traders refusing to move said that some officials at the Flagstaff House brought him 500 Ghana cedis in a white envelope which he declined. According to him, the money being offered him is an insult and disrespectful. It is, however, not known if the state will forcefully evict the defiant traders. The National Security is set to take over the land which is directly opposite the presidents House. The traders say President Akufo-Addo did not fulfil his promise of not sacking them after he won the 2016 elections. The US Ambassador, Robert Jackson advised Ghanaians to review the law in order to grant gays some freedom in an interview last week. However, the APC founder says such an opinion is unwelcomed. He said, "we have more women in Africa to marry and we as well have a perfect culture which does not permit us to practice their homosexual way of life. Our African culture is unique and can not be polluted by American cronies We are giving him strong warning to stay away from meddling into our traditions, customs and norms. He is only here temporarily and for that matter cannot impose Homosexuality on us. Robert Jackson have no rights or powers to dictate to Africans and Ghanaians how we should run our country. Robert should clearly note that his President called Africa shithole and for that matter we will not accept their shit behavior in our country", he warned. But in the nine months since then, Trump has fired or forced out a half-dozen of the incredible, talented people in the Cabinet Room that day: his secretaries of state and health, along with his chief strategist, his chief of staff, his top economic aide and his press secretary. And the purge at the top may not be over. Trump, who is famously fickle, appears to have soured on additional members of his senior leadership team and his frequent mulling about making changes has some people around him convinced that he could act soon. There will always be change. I think you want to see change, Trump said, ominously, on Thursday. I want to also see different ideas. That could include replacing Lt. Gen. H.R. McMaster, the national security adviser. Three people close to Trump said that he has concluded he should remove McMaster, but that the time and successor were not yet something he had disclosed to others. McMaster has often been at odds with Trump on policy. But unlike last year, when McMaster tried to conform to please the president, he is now ready to leave and is merely waiting for Trump to ask, two people familiar with the advisers thinking said. Among those strongly pushing for him to go is John F. Kelly, the White House chief of staff, according to four officials familiar with West Wing staffing discussions. Kelly, who is a former four-star Marine general, also feuded frequently with McMaster. The four officials said that Kelly had become increasingly angry at what he viewed as McMasters prolonged effort to undermine Rex W. Tillerson, whom Trump fired as secretary of state this week. Kelly repeatedly staved off efforts to get rid of Tillerson. After Tillerson was ousted, Kelly loudly criticized the decision to colleagues and accelerated his efforts to remove McMaster, the officials said, adding that Kelly appeared more eager to act swiftly than the president. One person close to the president said McMaster, whom officials have described as never having clicked with the president personally, could be replaced as early as Friday. But Sarah Huckabee Sanders, the White House press secretary, denied late Friday a report in The Washington Post that Trump had already decided to fire McMaster. Just spoke to @POTUS and Gen. H.R. McMaster contrary to reports they have a good working relationship and there are no changes at the NSC, she wrote on Twitter. If McMaster does depart the White House, the name most often mentioned as a replacement has been John R. Bolton, a hawkish former ambassador to the United Nations whom Trump likes seeing on television. But another option is Keith Kellogg, a retired Army lieutenant general who is chief of staff at the National Security Council, according to two people briefed on the discussions. Kellogg is a favorite of Trumps from the 2016 campaign, but there has been resistance to him among White House staff, those briefed on the discussions said. Kelly himself is also on thin ice, according to officials in the White House. He is said to have angered the president by privately saying no to the boss too often. Trump grew frustrated with Kelly, in part for stalling on the presidents desire for tariffs. The president finally forced the issue a few weeks ago, announcing tariffs on steel and aluminum, which prompted Gary D. Cohn, his top economic adviser, who had opposed the policy, to announce his resignation. Others are at risk, as well. Ben Carson, the secretary of housing and urban development, and David J. Shulkin, the secretary of veterans affairs, have both embarrassed the president by generating scandalous headlines. Carson could be cut over an eye-popping $31,000 dining set, and Shulkin might be replaced over a 10-day, $122,000 European trip with his wife. And then theres Attorney General Jeff Sessions, whose original sin the decision to recuse himself from oversight of the Russia investigation made him the regular target of presidential ire. The attorney general has threatened to resign at least once, but has more recently indicated his determination to resist Trumps obvious desire for him to leave his post at the Justice Department. Trump could act as early as Friday to remove one or more of them, though the president is known to enjoy keeping people off-kilter. In his remarks Thursday, Trump assailed predictions of further staff shake-ups by saying such reports were a very exaggerated and false story. But he hinted that his choices for a Cabinet might have been different had he known then what he knows now. Ive gotten to know a lot of people over the last year, Trump said. Whether that means the president is about to exercise his option to find new people for his White House is unclear. Trump has a long habit of musing about staff changes that he doesnt enact. He does his own version of poll-testing different possibilities, asking aides what they think of one another and asking outside friends and top advisers whether different people would be better in specific jobs, but he often drops the topic without acting. That was certainly the case with Tillerson, whom he needled for months before finally firing him in a tweet on Tuesday. It has also been true of Sessions, who has had to endure a series of Twitter attacks from the president, each of which prompts new reports about whether Trump is about to dump his top law enforcement official. Its devastating, said William M. Daley, who served as former President Barack Obamas chief of staff for about a year. No business could handle this, much less the government. Its supposed to be about stability and continuity. Thats just not in his lexicon. Just last month, Trump lamented that Sessions had failed to investigate the Obama administrations handling of Russian election meddling, and later called it DISGRACEFUL! that Sessions was not investigating surveillance abuse. How Trumps Saturday Night Massacre Might Start With Jeff Sessions, blared a headline in New York magazine this month. Some White House officials believe that Scott Pruitt, an ambitious lawyer who is the head of the Environmental Protection Agency, is behind rumors that he is in line to replace Sessions. And yet, Sessions remains in his job, at least for now. Some associates speculate that Trump realizes that firing his attorney general would cross a red line for many in his own party, including Sen. Mitch McConnell, the majority leader. When the shoe drops on Sessions or Kelly, no one is going to be surprised, Daley said. But the long goodbye totally deflates their ability to be effective. At times, when Trump is focused on a specific person, he has taken action hiring Kelly to replace Reince Priebus, for instance, or empowering Kelly to expedite the departure of Stephen K. Bannon, the presidents onetime chief strategist. Recently, people close to Trump say that he has begun to feel more confident that he understands the job of president. He is relying more on his own instincts, putting a premium on his personal chemistry with people and their willingness to acknowledge that his positions are ultimately administration policy, rather than on their resume or qualifications for the job. That could explain the presidents decision to replace Tillerson and his choice of successor for Cohn. If people are unwilling to do what he wants, one adviser said, Trump now believes that he can get things done himself. Right now, Trump is surrounded by Cabinet officials and a chief of staff who either have caused him negative headlines, such as Carson and Shulkin, or have declined to do what he wants, such as McMaster, Kelly and Sessions. Contrary to the notion that Trump is surrounded by sycophants, the president has aides who are willing to say no. But he has increasingly grown frustrated when they do. Trump also grew frustrated last year with Defense Secretary Jim Mattis for refusing to enact a ban on transgender members of the military. Mattis essentially ignored Trump for several weeks, White House officials said, until the president finally went around him and tweeted it. But Mattis appears to be safe, even when he ignores the president, in part because he is a general who in Trumps mind looks the part of a military leader. Kelly has not fared as well. A few weeks ago, when the scandal surrounding Rob Porter, the staff secretary, exploded into view, Trump began working the phones to old friends, telling them that he needed his former advisers back and complaining that he was surrounded by people he didnt know. He told them that Kelly had badly botched the Porter issue. (His language was saltier and unfit for publication, according to several people with knowledge of the calls.) This week, he was not in the loop for some of Trumps decisions, people briefed on the discussions said, including that he was not immediately aware that Trump was seriously considering Larry Kudlow for director of the National Economic Council. Since the Porter scandal, the president has mulled over a number of potential replacements for Kelly, but he has kept his own counsel about his plans, according to several people close to him. In remarks Tuesday at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar in San Diego, Trump praised Kelly, calling him a four star general who is doing a great job in Washington. But in a bit of potential foreshadowing, the president also told the Marines in the audience: I think he likes what you do better than what he does, but hes doing a great job. He misses you. This article originally appeared in The New York Times. Oil giants Eni and Shell have been accused of serious negligence in responding to oil spills in Niger Delta region of Nigeria. The accusation from Amnesty International on Friday, March 16, 2018, described the oil giants actions as serious negligence. In a report by Reuters, Amnesty International expressed that the oil giants were taking weeks to respond to reports of spills and publishing misleading information about the cause and severity of spills, which may result in communities not receiving compensation. Reacting to the allegation, a Shell spokesman denied the allegations as false saying The allegations are false, without merit and fail to recognize the complex environment in which the company operates. The Nigerian law states that companies must visit sites within 24 hours of reporting a spill. Meanwhile Amnesty International said Shell has reported 1,010 spills since 2011, and Eni 820 since 2014. It further said among those 1,830 reports it found 89 about which there are reasonable doubts surrounding the cause provided by the oil companies. The Niger Delta region of Nigeria has been an ecological disaster zone, scarred by decades of spills that have killed trees and other plants. However, clean-ups, and the associated compensation have become highly contentious, with some local communities even blocking teams access to spill sites, allowing the damage to worsen, in the hope of extracting a bigger pay-out. As it is recommended by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the Vice President of Nigeria, Yemi Osinbajo had launched a clean-up exercise in Ogoni community in Rivers State in 2017. Lending a voice to the issue, the Natural Resource Governance Institute, a non-profit group that advises countries on how to manage oil, gas and mineral resources, acknowledged there were sometimes difficulties on both sides. Earlier in March 2018, Eni and Shell went on trial in Milan, Italy after the companies were charged with bribery and corruption in the purchase of an offshore oilfield in Nigeria. Eni CEO Claudio Descalzi, his predecessor Paolo Scaroni and several officials from Eni and Shell were among those that faced the judge. The General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), accompanied by his wife, Pastor Mrs. Adeboye, paid a visit to the state on Friday, March 16, 2018. Daily Trust reports that he discussed the killings by suspected Fulani herdsmen as he prayed for God to intervene and stop the manslaughter. In his words, Men can be corrupted, they can decide to do what is not 100 percent correct with the assistance of others but there is no way you can compromise the holiness of God. He is a Holy God, he created us all. And I know when we call on him to intervene, what is impossible for man is possible for God. We will call on God to fight this battle that we cannot fight. Im here to pray for the state that the helper of the helpless will fight our battle. We will ask God to arise and put an end to this bloodshed. Let there be peace in Nigeria as a whole. There will be no more bloodshed in Nigeria. Pastor Adeboye prays for God to stop killings Addressing the audience, Adeboye also said, The governor is my son, the wife is my daughter and my children cannot be in trouble and I will fold my arms and do nothing. I would have come here before now but was guided by the spirit not to visit Benue before the President. The challenges are enormous but we know who to run to, and that is God Almighty. Pastor Adeboye ended by condoling Governor Samuel Ortom, who had earlier described him as his spiritual father. He said, We have felt every pain you have felt. We have wept when we saw you weeping. As a matter of fact, there is no way a man of God will not feel the pain when he sees mass burial anywhere. Some of those people are our children and some are not yet converted, so we suffer double loss. When somebody is dead, you cant convert that person. That is why we want these killings to stop. The Almighty God who doesnt play, pranks or compromise can stop it. ALSO READ: CAN says herdsmen have destroyed 500 churches in Benue state Benue Killings The state has been troubled with violent attacks this year. Reportedly, over 100 people have been killed by suspected cattle herders. The most recent attack was on March 5, 2018, which resulted in the death of at least 24 people. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine (MFA) has said that the results of voting for the Russian president to be held on the territory of the Russian-annexed Crimea will not be recognized by Ukraine or the international community and will cast doubt on the legitimacy of the presidential election in general. "The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine resolutely condemns the decision by the Russian occupation administration to hold on March 18, 2018 the election of the Russian president in the territories of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and Sevastopol, which are temporarily occupied by Russia... The results of illegitimate voting will be null and void from a legal point of view, will not have any legal consequences and will not be recognized by Ukraine or by the international community. All those involved in the organization and holding of illegal voting in the temporarily occupied Crimea will be held accountable in accordance with the legislation of Ukraine," the ministry said in a statement posted on its website on Friday. Ukrainian diplomats also stressed that illegal voting in the temporarily occupied territory of Ukraine would distort the results of the Russian presidential elections in general and thus cast serious doubt on their legitimacy. The Foreign Ministry also welcomes the decision by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) and other international partners not to participate in monitoring the illegal electoral process in the occupied Crimea and Sevastopol. According to The Nation, the new president of will be visiting the city ahead of the crusade on March 2225, 2018. There, he will see the Soun of Ogbomosho land, Oba Jimoh Oyewumi, the Onpetu of Ijeru land, Oba Sunday Oyediran and the Ogbomosho campus of the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology. More on Gospel Crusade in Ogbomosho The Chairman of the Central Working Committee, Dr. Ojo Abraham, shared details of the four days crusade at a press conference. Speaking to journalists, he announced that this crusade would be different as the new CFAN president had received divine leading to touch lives by visiting the town. The CFAN representative, Chris Ewanlen added that the Ogbomosho fire crusade is the result of a divine instruction for lives to be touched and transformed not just at the event. Th conference was held at The Glad Tidings Baptist Church, Randa in Ogbomosho. Fast Facts on Evangelist Bonnke and his successor CFAN was founded by Bonnke in 1974. After at least 50 years of active ministry, the German evangelist handed over the leadership torch at the ripe age of 77. Evangelist Kolenda was appointed the new leader of CFAN at Bonnkes farewell/passing the torch crusade, which held from November 812, 2017. Afterward, Kolenda said, This is Evangelist Bonnkes Farewell Crusade, but its not a goodbye for the ministry; its a new beginning, a new season of harvest. We will build on the foundation that has been laid by Evangelist Bonnke and the CfaN team and God will do even greater things in the days to come. As Evangelist Bonnke often says, Nothing diminishes in God. I believe that. God has spoken to me about a Decade of Double Harvest that we are now stepping into. We will take that baton of the Gospel and run with all our might. The best is yet to come. Since then, he has been back in Nigeria for the Decade of Double Harvest crusade from February 15 18th, 2018. It held in Calabar, Cross River state. The 2018 May/June Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination (SSCE) timetable recently released by the exam body states that candidates will write Chemistry paper from 2 pm to 5 pm on Friday, April 20, while Muslims' Friday prayer usually holds between 1 pm and 3 pm. Reacting to the exam schedule, Akintola said the timetable was an injustice against Muslims, who according to him had become endangered species Akintola said Muslim leaders discussed fixing of examinations during Jumaat Prayer with WAEC in 2016 and 2017. Until something starts happening, until the Muslims start disrupting WAEC examination until Muslims start tearing WAEC examination materials, that is when the government will start paying attention. WAEC is playing games and they want the Muslims to make noise every year, the council is deliberately provoking Muslims and it has continued to show itself as a consistent anti-Muslim institution, he said. Akintola said WAEC is an oppressor because it does not want Muslim candidates to worship their God as stated in the constitution. Section 38 subsection 1 and 2 of the Federal Republic of Nigerias constitution stipulates that there must be freedom of worship and WAEC fixing an examination for 2 pm simply means that WAEC does not want Muslims to worship, therefore WAEC is an oppressor and we are ready for them. The Muslims in every vicinity of the exam can mobilise on the day of the examination and go to the schools which the exams will be written, we are sending this warning to WAEC not to dare it, The Muslim group president, therefore, concludes that fixing a major subject at Jumaat time is illegal, unconstitutional and unlawful UNIPORT Chief Imam also reacts Also reacting to the exam timetable, the chief Imam of the University of Port Harcourt, Abdul Razaq Kilani said he expects WAEC to be diligent to identify the subject to be scheduled for the exam on Friday. WAEC is an international organization, one would have expected that they take due diligence by identifying subjects that they could put on Friday which are not core subjects like carpentry, textiles among others that are not offered by a large number of candidates. So putting Chemistry there is wrong, Kilani said. Khan had tweeted on March 6 that he was suffering from a "rare disease," but did not say what it was. On March 16, he revealed on Twitter that he has been diagnosed with a neuroendocrine tumour, addressing speculation by fans and the media over his health. However, he didn't reveal whether the tumour was cancerous. "Learning that I have been diagnosed with neuroendocrine tumour as of now has admittedly been difficult, but the love and strength of those around me and that I found within me has brought me to a place of hope," Khan said on Twitter. According to health experts, Neuroendocrine tumours can develop in different organs in the body and can be cancerous or non-cancerous. Some neuroendocrine tumours can be treated with surgery or chemotherapy. The 51-year-old actor has featured in several Hollywood and Bollywood movies including,"Maqbool," "Haasil," "Paan Singh Tomar," Slumdog Millionaire, The Amazing Spider-Man and Life of Pi. One of India's best international acts, Khan won India's National Film Award in 2013 for his leading role in "Paan Singh Tomar," a biopic about a top athlete who becomes a bandit. The victims, Mubarak Kalesowo and Sunday Obituyi, who went to learn at St. Johns Anglican Primary School, Agodo, were attacked during lunchtime report says. It appeared the suspect had a good idea of the likely consequence of his actions having stated this while answering questions posed by newsmen. "It was due to frustration. When hunger gripped me and it became unbearable, I thought of my life and concluded that it was a bad life. Then I grabbed a machete. I was prepared to face the consequence," Adebisi was quoted in a Punch News report. It had required the efforts of policemen and some local hunters to capture him. How Adebisi was apprehended Earlier reports confirmed that the victims, Mubarak Kalesowo and Sunday Obituyi, died in a school attack on Monday, March 12, 2018. The deceased both aged four years old, were killed at the St. Johns Primary School, Agodo, where they study. Abimbola Oyeyemi, the Police Public Relations Officer for Ogun State, confirmed that the suspect was arrested two days after the attack. According to Punch News, the efforts made by policemen and some local hunters had proved successful in apprehending the suspected lunatic. Their efforts paid off in the early hours of today (Wednesday) when the suspect was seen in a bush around the community. When they wanted to arrest him, the suspect, who was brandishing a sharp cutlass, attacked them, consequent upon which he was shot and injured on the leg, Oyeyemi told Punch. ALSO READ: Deranged man murders father in Imo This is the amount that often comes to him a worker at the Nigerian Railway Corporation located in Ogun. The profit is reportedly an outcome of ticket racketeering which saw an abrupt stop following his reassignment to the Kajola Railway Terminus, Ifo. Punch News reported that the suspect had perceived his boss, identified as Eze Ejike, to be behind his redeployment to a new location which did not offer him an opportunity to enjoy the benefits formerly known to him. Expressing grievance over the matter, Adeoye reportedly hired a some hoodlums who had an intention to inflict harm on Ejike. In the process, a member of the gang stabbed the boss's neighbour, Abeeb Oluwafemi, who had tried to prevent one of the assailants, Kayode Johnson, from escaping. The victim, Oluwafemi, died after being rushed to the hospital according to Punch News. In response, a mob which apprehended the gang member beat him to stupor. The killing of an innocent man was however not the intention of Kehinde Adeoye according to comments he offered to Punch. I hold National Diploma in Business Administration and work with the Nigerian Railway Corporation. I live on Adekunle Adekemi Street, Itoki. I was posted to work on the train in July last year. I was in charge of ticketing. I made about N3,000 every day. In December, one of my bosses, Mr. Ejike, was also posted to work on the train. He reported me to our superiors and I was reposted to the Kajola Railway Terminus. "I was pained; I have a wife and a child. I decided to do something that would make him to sit at home for two months. I invited my friends and told them to injure my boss in the leg. I took them to his house in Oposuru. "While they were beating him up, he raised the alarm. We flagged down a tricycle and hopped in. The rider refused to go when he saw some people chasing us. Chibuzor and I ran away, while Kayode (Johnson) was caught. It was when I went to a police station to report myself the following day that I learnt that Kayode stabbed somebody to death," says Adeoye. ASP Abimbola Oyeyemi, the Police Public Relations Officer for Ogun State confirmed that the chief suspect as well as accomplices have been arrested and transferred to the Homicide Section of the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department, Eleweran, in Abeokuta. Yaba residents in fear after killing of sick UNILAG student The death of Rasaq Akokia, a 400-level student of the University of Lagos, Akoka, has caused the residents of Yaba to fear for their lives. He was killed alongside a school staff Akintunde Fadugba, following a discharge of stray bullets fired by six hoodlums on Opayemi Street, Abule Ijesha. Punch News confirmed that the attack occurred on Friday, March 9, 2018. Fadugba was reportedly relaxed at a nearby barbing salon close his residence when he was shot. This happened around 11 PM, about the same time the second victim was shot dead. The latter who was sick was making his way back to his house following a visit to a pharmacy. I was with a food vendor around 11pm when I saw three motorcycles. While they were approaching a church, they put off the light of the motorcycle. Two persons were reportedly on each motorcycle. Two men came down and one of them, a tall guy, started shooting. The drug dealer was directing him. When I saw them, I ran to Martins Street. Two men faced Martins Street, while two others headed towards Odenike Street, shooting. The UNILAG worker was outside a barbers when he was shot. They saw the light of a pickup truck arriving in the community and fled. They thought it was a police van. As they were leaving through Fatai Kadri Street, Rasaq (Akokia), who had been hiding, thought they had gone. As he came out from hiding, they shot him and he fell into the gutter. He was a final year student at UNILAG," says an eyewitness, Sunday Ebah in a chat with Punch. Other observers including two retailers and a community leader, Mr. Omolaja Johnson, all had similar accounts expressing their concerns over the recent attack in the community. ALSO READ: Disobedient Nigerian teenager shot dead at UK cinema A drug dealer who is reportedly responsible for the incident deliberately launched the night-time assault. Johnson confirmed that the suspect visited the community with his gang years after he was banished for his negative influence on the youths. Online reports disclosed that the boy had previously attempted the task in the past without any event. ALSO READ: Lion devours zookeeper in Kaduna Pictures circulating the media revealed the corpse and carcass of both the zookeeper and the lion laid bare on the floor of a poorly equipped facility. Pigs eat babies alive in Nasarawa In Masaka, Nasarawa State, two newborn babies have been confirmed dead following an attack by some wandering pigs who reportedly ate them alive. This happened on Tuesday, March 6, 2018, at the Jeun Makadi community where the deceased were allegedly abandoned. Punch News disclosed that the pair were left for dead at a dumpsite, exposing them to a possibility of harm from the animals. Reporters who visited the site of the attack confirmed that they had injuries to the face. Residents of the area who believed the infants were alive before they were eaten condemned their parents for neglecting them. Surrendering the babies to an orphanage seemed a better choice to observers. We believe that the babies were left at the dump on Monday evening or Tuesday morning. When we got to the dump, pigs had already eaten one of the babies and escaped with the corpse. "Some people staying close to the dump told us that there were indications that the kids were alive when they were abandoned. There has been pandemonium in our area. People have been trooping to the dump when they get the information that newborn twins were abandoned there. "Residents, who were at the scene of the incident, rained curses on the person that dumped the babies. "They could have taken the babies to an orphanage or to a governments shelter, not at our dump to be eaten up by pigs," says a resident who spoke to Punch on a condition of anonymity. ALSO READ: Scary looking bird killed in Nigerian town of Ogbomosho According to a youth, Garba Julius, the community are working in harmony with law enforcement officers in an investigation. Earlier this year after he completed a World Fellowship at YaleUniversity in December 2017, the media entrepreneur left his position at RED, the platform which is home to YNaija and Statecraft Inc. to start JoyInc, a revolutionary non-profit whose primary objective is to spread happiness across Africa. Africa has leapfrogged once before from desktop to mobile and its time to leapfrog again, Jideonwo said in a statement launching the new company . In fully harnessing the power of positive emotions in line with the current thinking across sociology, psychology, divinity and behavioural economics, Africas new generation can possess the tools needed to not only tackle the continents mental and emotional health crisis, but also leapfrog around the considerable obstacles that prevent its nations from achieving full potential and transforming nations. As one of his first projects, Chude is making an attempt to address depression, trauma and the resources available to people living withthese and similar conditions. He is asking you to join him, and help the good people at Mentally Aware Nigeria and She Writes Woman, in raising 10 million naira to build a walk-in center for young people dealing with depression and trauma. Heres what he says about it: "I am very effusive person. Those who know me closely know that, even though thats not the image that filters into the public. I just sent a mail to one of my team members saying, My heart burst with warmth at your mail and he responded, AwwwwwnnnChude! . Because thats how I choose to live my life these days with emotion, with feeling, with delightful goofiness, and with the fullness of myself. I shared that with you, because it really just makes me smile. I walk around the office with bare feet because what does it matter; I scream, Osas! at the top of my lungs whenever I visit RED where I used to be CEO because our receptionist, who is also one of our administrative associates is one of my favourite people in the world; I hug people every time I can; I gush over my partner every chance I get; I take random photos with my mother anytime she visits; I tell people they hurt me even if they think I am more powerful than them. I say a lot of please, thank you and I am sorry, because it makes me feel connected to others more fulsomely. I laugh, cry, and love, very fully. I began to do this to begin the journey to becoming my truest, whole-est self many years ago, when I decided I would be unhappy and fearful no more, and I would find joy. I would live life on my own terms, because I finally figured out that thats what this really is about; that I could really do that, despite the risk and the doubt and the fear. That I could really live my truth, and do whatever the hell my heart felt was right and nourishing, andgood. But it wasnt always like this. I am almost ashamed to say this now because I had no excuse. My parents were not rich, but they were not poor. They sent me to good schools. They had a marriage that was difficult sometimes, but they stayed together because of me; it was a good marriage, and they never projected pain or trauma unto me. My life has had no abuse of any sort (not even verbal abuse by my mother), and I have been loved and validated by my parents every day of my life. Yet even with all this reinforcement, when I left their protective arms and went into the world, it frightened me. There was so much lack of love and warmth and good faith, and care, that I quickly learnt that I couldnt be open with my feelings, I couldnt be vulnerable with my fear. I had to be well put together, perfect, else someone would have a go at me. I grew up in this mortal fear of being hurt, and of being myself. And that often led me to unhappiness, and to anxiety and to clinical depression now and again. I was depressed over broken relationships, over unwanted weight, over business rejection, over being broke, over losing a pitch or a competition. I wrestled with inferiority and insecurity, even though I had no reason to. Just because the world wasnt a safe space, wasnt a warm place. Many of you reading this, you know what I am talking about. You know how you have (or hopefully, had) to hide your true self, your true feelings, your fears and doubts, because you dont feel anyone cares, or you dont want to be the softie in a hard world. You had to learn to survive, rather than truly thrive. These days I ask myself: How do people who were raped, who were abandoned, who were emotionally and sexually abused, who were victims of divorce, who grew up in abject poverty, how did they survive the world? How did they cope? How do they manage? Ever since I started talking to my team about joy three years ago, began to teach others from 18 months ago, and began to do this as my lifes work a few months ago, I have seen more things that have broken my heart. So many are in so much emotional and mental pain, and they just have no one to talk to. I ask people to send me their responses to my daily newsletter, The Daily Vulnerable (you can sign up now on thedailyvulnerable.com) and I make sure to read them every week. The things I read about bullying, and abuse, and hurt, and pain, and loss, and fearitsPeople. Need. Help. People just need someone to talk to, someone to listen, someone to say a kind word as they continue their journeys, someone that confirms to them what they feel is normal, its human, and its alright. And I know this, because I have the quantitative data as well as the stories from the people I meet every day at our masterclasses, at my speaking events, on my social pages, in my email inbox our communities, our society, especially here in Nigeria, are too hostile, too negative, too harsh. People are suffering and they have no one to turn to. People are dealing with abuse (oh my goodness, is there even one young woman who hasnt been somewhat sexually abused by wretched men in Nigeria?), trauma, depression, anxiety, suicidal thoughts and they have nowhere to go. I was shocked when my new friends at SheWritesWoman and Mentally Aware Nigeria told me they have been trying unsuccessfully to raise money to build walk in centers and get toll-free lines that people can reach out to without judgment, without being preached at, without being scolded. Where does a young person walk into today if they are suffering depression or anxiety and want someone to talk to? Yeah, nowhere. So I decided to put myself on the line, and raise this money from you, and other people like you who read this. I could harass brand managers, or companies, or beat down the doors of rich friends to do this, and avoid the burden of putting myself out there. But remember what I said about living bravely? Yes, putting myself out there where I may fail in raising the money, because this is not an urgent call for a person who has cancer, for instance is risky, but so what? I want this money to be raised by the public. I want all of us together to raise this money for Mentally Aware Nigeria and SheWritesWoman, so we can prove to ourselves that our humanity matters, that our emotions matter, that our society can heal itself even if it takes us a while. The process of the public doing this together is part of the idea. For us to be human, together. Today is my birthday. And this is the only gift I really want. For us to raise a minimum of N10million to build this center. The full accounts of this fundraising and how it is spent will be published online, so you can see where your money goes. Thank you for helping me do this. May your days be filled with love and joy". Needless to say, what Chude is attempting to do is very important. While many young Nigerians deal with clinical and acute depression, the general attitude to the subject is one of derision almost. ALSO READ: Chude Jideonwo believes President Buhari has been a disappointment To put it simply, we act like depression is not a Nigerian disease but something for white people who have had too much to eat and more than enough time to let their minds wander. Evidence in the stories and experiences of young Nigerians negates this perception. As we seek to discard the elements that have fuelled Africas stagnation, we must address the issue of mental health. Tanzanian supermodel Millen Magese's battle with endometriosis has been well-documented as she revealed she had been suffering from the disease since she was 25 years old. The model had over 17 surgeries in a bid to make living with the disease more manageable and feared that she may never be able to conceive naturally. Thankfully, she gave birth to her miracle son, Prince Kairo, in New York last year. However, Millen's story is not unique. Many women are living with the disease and some do not even realise they have it after normalising extremely painful periods. Endometriosis uniquely affects black women Traditional thinking was that endometriosis was a condition of white women but that conventional thinking is rapidly changing. Unfortunately, when black women have chronic pelvic pain it is presumed to be due to other conditions like PID (pelvic inflammatory disease, a pelvic infection) or uterine fibroid tumors (very common in black women). However, endometriosis is real and common in many black women. The Founder, Endometriosis Support Group of Nigeria (ESGN), Dr. Abayomi Ajayi went as far as to state that as much as one in every 10 Nigerian women is suffering from endometriosis What exactly is endometriosis? Endometriosis is a condition that occurs when the tissue that normally grows inside of the uterus (called endometrium) grows outside of the uterus in the pelvis. Once in the pelvis, the endometrial tissue causes inflammation and scarring as it attaches to pelvic organs (fallopian tubes, ovaries, bowel and bladder). This scarring and inflammation is what causes the painful symptoms many with endometriosis experience. The exact cause of endometriosis is unknown but possibilities include menstrual bleeding that goes through the fallopian tubes into the pelvis, genetic factors (it is more common in families) and having had a prior Cesarean section (C-section) delivery. Symptoms While we dont know the exact cause, we do know the symptoms of endometriosis. These symptoms which are frequently wide ranging and debilitating include: . . Ways to live with the disease Though there are no cures for endometriosis, the good news is there are plenty of ways to deal with the pain. Your gynaecologist or primary care provider can help you come up with the best treatment plan to keep pain at bay. The most common treatments include: Hormonal birth control (pills or intrauterine device): Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist: Pain relievers: Surgery: You can also try complementary and holistic medicine, as long as you clear it with your doctor first. Women with endometriosis have given these complementary and holistic treatments a big thumbs-up: Further support Featuring Nollywood actress and TV host Bridget Chigbufue , the collection incorporates ankara and various renderings of denim, leather and chiffon which are noticeably present in the . From jumpsuits, skirts to fitted trousers and dresses, the collection encompasses something that will work for any occasion or body type, both flattering and attractive too. Nothing in the collection is unwearable or over-designed, the designers certainly thought it through down to the last detail. Occupying an area of swamps, mangroves, and tropical rainforests, an Island in Degema local government area, Rivers state, Nigeria to be specific, the Degema people are estimated to be over 10,00 in population. However, according to oral tradition, the Degema people, believed to be originally part of the Engenni people, migrated from the ancient Benin kingdom to Ewu in present-day Engenni, in the Ahoada Local Government Area of Rivers State. And in accordance with the account of Mark Roman (a native of Engenni and a staff member at the University of Port Harcourt), the people of present-day Degema settled at Ewu (near Akinima) when they left Benin with other groups who settled at Okilogua in Engenni (not in Akinima, as claimed). Roman asserts that Ewu is also in Okilogua. At Ewu, there was a split which took some of the inhabitants to Enuedua (Joinkrama) (forming the Enuedua group), some to Ediro (forming the Ediro group) and some to Ogua, forming the Ogua group. These groups make up the Engenni community. It is also the assertion of Roman that the Degema people belonged to the Ogua group.The Udekaama group went to the uninhabited Degema Island around the 15th century CE and settled at Ipokuma ("headland" or "cape" in Degema), now known as Doctors Farm. The headland is the part of Degema Island adjacent to an uninhabited island on which Abonnema (a Kalabari-speaking community in the Akuku-Toru Local Government Area of Rivers State is situated. Udekaama is an umbrella term for two groups: Usokun-Degema and Degema Town (Atala) (headed by Ugu and Ekeze, respectively, who led the two groups from Ewu to Ipokuma. Ekomburu (Obonoma) is one of the groups comprising the Udekaama clan. Although there is almost no proof to ascertain the truthfulness of this account, still we are compelled to take side with the claim of historians, which says that the name Degema is a bastardized form of Udekaama (the name by which colonists referred to the Udekaama people). And it is believed that this bastardization may have resulted from the Kalabari mispronunciation of Udekaama as Dekema (which, in turn, became Degema on contemporary documents). However, unlike most tribes with names differing from that of their language, Degema refers not only to the language spoken by the inhabitants of lovely people of Degema, it also refers to the people themselves, including the land on which they live. As a matter of fact, even the name of their government (the administrative headquarters of the Degema Local Government Area), is named after Degema. Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko has appointed Lieutenant-General Serhiy Naiev commander of the Joint Forces. "On my initiative, the Verkhovna Rada adopted the law on Donbas reintegration. This document created a new legal basis for repelling enemy aggression in Donbas and, in the long term, for restoring Ukraine's territorial integrity. The format of the Anti-Terrorist Operation will be changed to the Joint Forces Operation. The forces and means of the Ukrainian Armed Forces and other military formations and law enforcement bodies will be managed by the commander of the Joint Forces. I decided to appoint Lieutenant-General Serhiy Nayev to this post," he said during his visit to Donbas on Friday. Poroshenko said that he had tasked the Joint Forces commander with strengthening the Ukrainian Armed Forces so that "they were not only defensible, but also capable of liberating the occupied territories." On March 7, 2018, Nayev was appointed deputy chief of the General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. Prior to that, he served as chief of staff and first deputy commander of the Ukrainian Ground Forces. As expected, it's a beautiful ceremony with the bride literally looking like a millions bucks especially with her glamorous look and heart-warming smile. undefinedStyled by Deola Sagoe and stunning in a face beat by BM Pro, it is not difficult to know who the bride is among other gorgeous friends and family member who came through to celebrate with the couple. ALSO READ:Fatima Dangote stuns at her bridal shower The groom, first son of the former Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Dikko Abubakar looks dope in his agbada, too. Nigerian President, Muhammadu Buhari attends, but it is unlikely that VP Osinbajo will be there given that his own daughter Damilola had her engagement ceremony yesterday, March 15 and will have her white wedding on the 17th, all in Abuja. Former military ruler, Alhaji Abdusallam Abubakar attends, to as does a host of elite members of society. Invited guests at the ceremony must have heard that there will be no alcohol at the ceremony as Aliko Dangote, the bride's billionaire dad already banned such substances from the celebration long before the day. Engagement ceremony The ceremony held yesterday, March 15, 2018 at the state house, Abuja, in a lowkey fashion as the bride's father has been said to favour a small ceremony over an unnecessarily loud one. Regardless of the quiet nature of the ceremony though, it was a beautiful one and the vice president and his wife are pleased for their daughter, and thankful to God for the success of the beautiful ceremony. undefinedWith matching social media posts, Damilola Osinbajo's parents have expressed this gratitude. "With glory to God and with thanksgiving, we celebrate the engagement of our daughter Oludamilola Osinbajo and Oluseun Bakare," they write on their respective Instagram pages, sharing colourful, adorable pictures from the ceremony. Guests at the ceremony included The First Lady of Nigeria, Aisha Buhari; Pastor [Mrs] Folu Adeboye, wife of the General overseer of RCCG; Ahmed Indimi, whose lovely wedding with Zahra Buhari lit up Abuja in 2016, among many others. White Wedding Damilola Osinbajo and Seun Bakare will have their white wedding tomorrow, March 17, 2018. More on Damilola Osinbajo and Seun Bakare Damilola and Seun's engagement was only announced formally on Valentine's day 2018 by the bride's father through his social media accounts. An announcement which drew some criticism from popular OAP and social commentator, Daddy Freeze and other social media users. The criticisms were centred around the couple's different religions. It would turn out to not be an issue afterall, as the groom is reportedly a Christian as opposed to what was earlier thought. The event was the proverbial Hello world, were here to save the day introduction befitting of an Agribusiness company the size of FMN. The estate is the purest representation of the Federal Governments Nigerian Sugar Master Plan (NSMP) with an ambition to set Nigeria on the path to self-sufficient sugar production. The farm at peak production will provide direct employment for about 10,000 people yearly, and impact up to 50,000 people indirectly. Speaking after commissioning the Mill and touring the farm, the President said Projects like the Sunti Sugar Estate are in tandem with the vision and objectives that we set out to achieve when this administration instituted the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP). While, our focus is steadfast on delivering on our policy goals of tackling corruption, improving security and rebuilding the economy; more than ever, Government will work in close partnership with businesses to strengthen investments in Agriculture, Power, Manufacturing, Solid Minerals, and the Service sectors Along with the President at the event were the Niger State Governor, Alhaji Sani Bello, Kebbi State Governor Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, the MD of the Bank of Industry, Captains of Industry and other dignitaries. The FMN Groups mantra, Feeding the Nation, Everyday, is at the heart of the companys strategic decisions on what they produce, how and where factories are set up, the level of care that is put into products, and how they interact with host communities and the wider environment. The schoolgirls of Chibok were kidnapped on April 14, 2014 while the schoolgirls of Dapchi were kidnapped on February 19, 2018. The Chibok abduction occurred on Jonathans watch. The Dapchi abduction happened on Buharis watch. When Buhari visited Dapchi this week, he said his administration has done better than Jonathans in terms of rescuing abducted schoolgirls. Here is what Buhari said: The Federal Governments response to the unfortunate abduction of the schoolgirls is a clear departure from the insensitivity of the past administration which looked the other way while the Chibok girls were taken away in 2014 and held in captivity for over three years. Due to our commitment, over 100 Chibok girls have been rescued and reunited with their families, sent back to school and empowered with requisite skills. Here was Jonathans response My attention has been drawn to comments by President Muhammadu Buhari alleging that he handled the Dapchi girls kidnapping better than former President Jonathan handled the Chibok girls kidnapping. When the Chibok girls were kidnapped, the Jonathan administration did not look the other way as President Buhari claims and historical records prove this. The Chibok girls were kidnapped on April 14, 2014. Exactly three days later, on April 17, 2014, then President Goodluck Jonathan called an emergency National Security Council meeting at Aso Rock Presidential Villa. Is this the act of an administration or a Now more than two weeks after the Dapchi girls were kidnapped, has President Buhari held a National Security Council meeting to address the situation? No, he has not. As a matter of fact, to prove to Nigerians how inept he is, the President cancelled the Federal Executive Council meeting were kidnapped because of a conference he had to attend. Between a President who calls an emergency meeting after Chibok and a President who canceled an important meeting so he could attend an economic conference, who can be described as looking the other way? Again, the President was not right when he said his administration rescued 100 Chibok girls. The Chibok girls were not rescued. As a matter of fact, they were released by Boko Haram after the alleged payment of huge ransoms and freedom of captured Boko Haram commanders by the Buhari administration". _______ The actress, popularly called Jewel Infinity, was assaulted by Pvt. Suleiman Olamilekan of the 6 Division of the Nigerian Army, Port Harcourt, at Omagwa checkpoint along Port Harcourt-Owerri road in the Rivers State capital on January 13, 2017. The court found the Army guilty of human rights abuse against the actress and awarded her the N1 million in damages in addition to getting unreserved apology from the division. The presiding judge, Adamu Mohammed, said the assault was a violation of the dignity of human life and ordered the Army to desist from carrying out further unlawful action against the actress. He said, "Counsel submitted that the applicant has proved her case and is entitled to all the reliefs sought. Consequently, I resolve the issue in favour of the applicant and make the following order. "One, it is, hereby declared that the arrest, harassment, embarrassment, torture and assault meted on the applicant by the first, second and third respondents and other officers of the 6 Division of the Nigerian Army, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, on January 13, 2017, is unconstitutional and a violation of the dignity of human life. "Two, the first, second and third respondents are restrained from further threatening, harassing, embarrassing, arrest, torture and inhuman treatment of the applicant, except in circumstances provided by the law. "Three, the sum of N1 million is awarded to the applicant against the respondents. The respondents are ordered to tender an unreserved apology to the applicant." Ohakwe had reportedly been travelling from Port Harcourt to Onitsha when she was stopped at a checkpoint by Suleiman who used a stick and an iron rod to inflict injuries on her, claiming that she insulted him while inspecting the vehicle she was in. The actress sustained bruises and was admitted to a hospital after the assault. This was revealed on Twitter by the Presidents spokesman, Garba Shehu. Buhari had earlier told newsmenthat he will inaugurate the council, which is aimed at achieving the nations quest for food security, and to ensure efficiency in the agricultural sector of the economy. He said Our experiences today of clashes between farmers and herdsmen or the challenges fishermen face due to global warming and other environmental factors clearly demonstrates that our quest for food security has a direct link to our national security objectives. The Food Security Council will ensure alignment and bring efficiencies. I want to assure all Nigerians that this administration is committed to Nigeria feeding itself. And from what I have heard today this can happen in not too distant future. According to Shehu, the council, which will be chaired by the President, will be inaugurated on Monday, March 19, 2018. He said The Council, to be chaired by the President, will be inaugurated on Monday. It will have as members, the Governors of Kebbi, Taraba, Plateau, Lagos, Ebonyi and Delta States. Other Members are the Secretary to the Government of the Federation; the Chief of Staff to the President; the National Security Adviser and seven (7) cabinet Ministers. The Ministers to be represented are for Agriculture and Rural Development; Finance; Interior; Industry, Trade and Investment; Water Resources; Environment; and Budget and National Planning. The National Food Security Council will also have as Members, the Chief of Defence Staff; the Gov. of @cenbank; the Directors-General of the Department of State Services and the National Intelligence Agency as well as the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Immigration Service, he added. Councils objective According to the presidential spokesman, the objectives of the Council will include, developing sustainable solutions to the farmersherdsmen clashes; Climate Change and Desertification and their impact on farmland; grazing areas and lakes, rivers and other water bodies; oil spillage and its impact on Niger Delta Fishing Communities; piracy and banditry; agricultural research institutions and extension services and the problem of smuggling. Shehu added that the Council will also take interest in regional and global policies and trends that bear implications for food security in Nigeria. Malam Garba Shehu, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, made the announcement in a statement in Abuja. According to Shehu, the council, to be chaired by the president will be inaugurated on March 26, and it will have as members, the governors of Kebbi, Taraba, Plateau, Lagos, Ebonyi and Delta. He said that other members of the council would include the secretary to the government of the federation; the chief of staff to the president; the national security adviser and seven ministers. The ministers to be represented are for agriculture and rural development; finance; interior; industry, trade and investment; water resources; environment and budget and national planning. Other people named in the council are the chief of defence staff; governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN); directors-generals of the department of state services and the National Intelligence Agency as well as the comptroller-general of the Nigeria Immigration Service. Shehu listed the objectives of the council to include developing sustainable solutions to farmers/herdsmen clashes; climate change and desertification. The council is also to appraise the impact of the issues on farmland; grazing areas and lakes, rivers and other water bodies; oil spillage and its impact on Niger Delta fishing communities and agricultural research institutions and extension services. It will also take interest in regional and global policies and trends that bear implications for food security in Nigeria as well as address the problem of smuggling, piracy and banditry. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Habeeb, also known as Babatunde Salawudeen, was first arraigned before an Ebute Meta Chief Magistrates Court with his elder brother, Ishola Salawudeen, in 2013. They were arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on an 82-count charge of conspiracy and defrauding 101 prospective tenants, and they pleaded `not guilty to the charge, and were granted bail but Ishola absconded. While delivering judgment on Thursday, Justice Oluwatoyin Ipaye, found Habeeb guilty of all the counts charged and sentenced him to 15 years imprisonment for each of all the counts. Justice Ipaye said that the sentence would run concurrently, starting from March 12, 2014, when the defendant was arrested. NAN reports that the defendant would, however, spend only 15 years in prison because a concurrent sentence prescribes that the convict would serve the entire sentences simultaneously. The judge said: The defendants were motivated by greed; I am convinced that the convict and his brother acted together in the scam. Considering the prevalence of crime in the society, there is need to send a signal as crimes like this portray Nigeria in a bad light. She also said that the overwhelming evidence and testimonies before the court showed that it was a deliberate plot to defraud the prospective tenants. The judge held that the prosecution was able to prove its case beyond reasonable doubt and I resolve all the issues in favour of the prosecution. She also ordered the forfeiture of the property to the Federal Government of Nigeria, under the custody of the EFCC. The property is hereby forfeited to the Federal Government of Nigeria, and it should be sold and the N28 million refunded to the victims, Ipaye said. NAN reports that during the trial the prosecution called seven witnesses who testified before the court. A 69-year-old retiree woman, Mrs Mariam Eboigbe, in her evidence, told the court that she paid a total of N400, 000 for an apartment but when she went to collect the keys on July 15, 2013 other prospective tenants were also there for the same apartment. The EFCC Prosecutor, Mr Ben Ubi, earlier told the court that he had filed for an interim forfeiture of the property before a Federal High Court in Lagos, which was granted. Ubi had alleged during arraignment at an Ikeja High Court in Lagos, that the defendants collected various sums of money from accommodation seekers between May and December 2013 in Lagos. He said the defendant obtained the money from the complainants under the pretext of securing accommodation for them at No. 59, Oriola St., Alapere, Ketu, Lagos. He listed those swindled by the defendants to include: Mrs Mariam Eboigbe, Vincent Anthony, Adebunmi Damola, Rilwan Lawal and Azeez Ogundiran, among others. The residents, who spoke to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), on Friday, attributed this to childrens unfettered access to inappropriate various media contents, especially the ubiquitous social media. Mr. Julius Okonofua, an ICT entrepreneur, told NAN that parents face an uphill task in their bid to protect their children from imitating `queer and indicent traits associated with some celebrities on some social media platforms and television. It is hard to protect children from copying all these things because of peer influence; parents are not in schools or other gatherings where these children teach themselves new things. I am aware that some parents are lacking in the home training department, but most available media contents out there, are not helping as well, Okonofua said. Mrs Abigail Oyewole, a businesswoman, told NAN that some parents do not chastise their children when they misbehave because they do not want to be harsh on them. When you ask some of them why they allow their children to do certain things, they tell you that their own parents were too harsh and that times are changing. They want their children to be free and do not want them to be inexpressive; so they give the children the freedom to express themselves in various ways, Oyewole said. Also, Mr. John Ayade, a medical practitioner, said that good parenting skills were deteriorating especially among some `modern day parents. Some of them are adopting western lifestyle when it comes to bringing up their children without taking into consideration the peculiar nature of our culture and value system,. Some children hardly greet their elders when they come in contact with them; they lack respect for elders; You cannot reprimand someones child when he or she goes wrong because the parents might see such action as interference, Ayande said. For Mrs Veronica Ayodele, a nurse, parents were too preoccupied with pursuit of material things that they did not notice their childrens inappropriate behaviour most time. She said: They are always doing something to make more money and so they do not see when everything goes wrong. Most of these young parents are in competition with one another on who can provide the most luxury for their children; they equate good parenting to provision of luxury and forget teaching of the morals, Ayodele said. In his contribution, Mr Adura Daramola, a social psychologist explained that children are influenced by the environment around them and this forms the bulk of their behaviour. From the professional angle, a childs environment plays major roles in the development of character and behaviour. Environment is any space that has impact; the school, home, places of worship and even the town. These days, media has also become an environment as it is a virtual space. However, the parents have the biggest role to play as they have the power to control how the child is exposed to these environments more than any other persons, Daramola said. Daramola advised parents to strive towards balancing the activities that go on in the childrens environment. The attacks happened on Wednesday, March 14, 2018, with the attackers arriving by boat before opening fire on residents and burning houses. According to a statement signed by the governor's spokesperson, Kingsley Fanwo, he will visit the communities for assessment on Friday, March 16. He said, "Alhaji Yahaya Bello, the Executive Governor of Kogi State will conduct on the spot assessment of the distressed communities today. "He will meet with Security Chiefs and community leaders after which more information will be forthcoming based on available facts. "The Governor believes nothing compares to the sanctity of the human life and that must be protected by all who believes in humanity." Fanwo assured that the violence has been brought under control and that efforts have commenced to apprehend the attackers and bring them to justice. He further warned the public to disregard the conflicting casualty figures that have been reported about the attacks because they are "mostly baseless and speculative." Herdsmen attack in Kogi A source told The Guardian that the attackers numbered "about 500" and burnt down 20 houses while an eyewitness claimed they were dressed in military fatigue and wielded AK-47 assault rifles. The state's Deputy Commissioner of Police, Monday Bala, confirmed the attack during a press conference on Thursday, March 15, and reported that police officers and other security operatives have been deployed to the area to restore order. While many residents who fled for their lives remain unaccounted for, Bala declined to release casualty figures from the attack. A resident believes that the attack might be a reprisal for a 2016 altercation that led to the death of four Fulani herdsmen. Herdsmen crisis Nigerians have been dealing with a spate of attacks carried out by suspected cattle herders with well over 200 victims dead since January 2018. On the same day as the attacks in Kogi, the Nigerian Army confirmed that herdsmen killed two soldiers while responding to reports of a clash between at Rafiki Village in Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State where 23 dead bodies were also found. Seven suspects have already been arrested in connection with the clash as one AK-47 assault rifle with 26 rounds of 7.62mm special and one locally made single barrel loaded with 15 rounds recovered by troops. EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini has said that the European Union remains firmly committed to Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity. "The European Union reiterates that it does not recognize and continues to condemn this violation of international law. It remains a direct challenge to international security, with grave implications for the international legal order that protects the unity and sovereignty of all States," she said in a statement released in Brussels on Friday. The document notes that the EU remains committed to fully implementing its non-recognition policy, including through restrictive measures. "The EU calls again on UN Member States to consider similar non-recognition measures in line with the UNGA Resolution 68/262. The European Union does not recognize the holding of elections by the Russian Federation in the Crimean peninsula," Mogherini said. According to her, Russia's "ongoing militarization of the peninsula continues to impact the security situation in the Black Sea region." "In violation of international humanitarian law, Russian citizenship and conscription in the armed forces of the Russian Federation have been imposed on Crimean residents," reads the statement. The EU also "condemns the construction of the Kerch Bridge without Ukraine's consent and the limitations it has already imposed on the freedom of transit." The EU foreign policy chief notes that since the illegal annexation by Russia, the human rights situation in the Crimean peninsula has deteriorated further. "Residents of the peninsula face systematic restrictions of fundamental freedoms, such as freedom of expression, religion or belief and association and the right to peaceful assembly," Mogherini said. "The rights of the Crimean Tatars have been gravely violated through the shutting down of Crimean Tatar media outlets, the banning of the activities of the Mejlis, their self-governing body, and the persecution of its leaders and members of their community. Crimean Tatars, Ukrainians and all ethnic and religious communities in the peninsula must be ensured the possibility to maintain and develop their culture, traditions, education and identity," she said. The EU again called for the immediate release of Oleh Sentsov, Oleksandr Kolchenko, Mykola Semena and "all those who have been detained and sentenced in breach of international law." The statement notes that journalists, human rights defenders and defense lawyers should be able to work independently and without undue interference. The European Union also called for full compliance with international human rights standards in the peninsula. "All pending cases of human rights violations and abuses, such as enforced disappearances, torture and killings should be thoroughly investigated. Full, free and unrestricted access for international human rights actors to the whole territory of Ukraine, including Crimea and Sevastopol, continues to be paramount. The EU recalls UNGA Resolution 72/190 of December 19, 2017, and calls for its full implementation, including the Russian Federation's obligations under applicable international humanitarian law," reads the statement. According to Punch, a group of Hausa youths beat up their Yoruba friend because they had a disagreement. The incident occurred on Thursday, March 15, 2018. The issue got out of hand on Friday, March 16, 2018, when some Yorubas in the area took it upon themselves to retaliate the alleged brutality. Wale Ajayi, a commercial driver who witnessed the incident said There was a misunderstanding yesterday (Thursday) between a Yoruba and Hausa youth. The Hausa guy reported him to some area boys in the area and they settled the issue. ALSO READ:OPC threaten to retaliate any attack from Fulani herdsmen Afterwards, he went to attack the Yoruba man and beat him up. That made the area boys to be angry. They attacked the Hausa man and the clash started. Traders had to vacate the area and many Hausa people had been chased away. I learnt some people were killed, but I am not sure of the number yet. Police have been trying to restore normalcy. Economic activities halted Speaking during a dialogue session organized by Ripples Nigeria on March 15, 2018, Soyinka cited instances of lack of empathy and poor leadership from Nigerias presidents--from Olusegun Obasanjo to Muhammadu Buhari. Ikeja bomb blast On January 27, 2002, bombs stockpiled in a military storage facility in Ikeja, Lagos, exploded into the afternoon sky; shaking Nigerias commercial capital to its foundation and causing hundreds to perish in a canal as they fled for dear lives. The national armoury went off, lobbing bombs into both commercial and residential areasleaving gaping holes in roofs of homes including that of our literary Ikeja was in collective panic, not knowing what demons from hell had descended upon them. Hundreds drowned in the canalthat weed covered canal--in a directionless plight to save their lives. The bombardment had registered in their minds as an invasion. And what was the government doing? The president at the time, the Commander-in-Chief, Olusegun Obasanjo, he did visit the scene of carnage, but it could have been much better if he had stayed away. Because when he got there and the bedraggled survivors surrounded him, protesting, what he did in response were wordsa further devastating barrage. What do you want me to do? I am not obliged to be here', Obasanjo said. Well spoken. Dr, General, ex-president Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, Soyinka said, tongue-in-cheek. Chibok girls Soyinka also took on Jonathan who was anointed president by Obasanjo and who oversaw affairs as Nigerias president from 2010 to 2015. Your immediate successor, whom you boasted you yourself emplaced singlehandedoh wait, with a little help from Godthat is president Jonathan, now waited for nearly three weeks to accept that 270 plus of our children He insisted it was all a ploy by the opposition to discredit his government and thus precious days were lost when those girls could have been saved. His wife, proceeded to stage one of the most nauseating acts of incoherent, meaningless and purposeless investigative charade. Anyway, the business of clowning is very lucrative these days, Soyinka said amid laughter from the room. He was of course referring to Patience Jonathans viral Chai...There is God o moment. At this point, Reuben Abati who served as Jonathan's spokesperson and who was in the room, didn't know whether to laugh with the audience or keep a straight face. Abati was moderating the event. Chiding severely Soyinka said he held nothing back when he spoke to Jonathan over the phone. Lets go back to the former president. I call him up and protested to him. I used to call him over the phone. People say we dont talk to each other. We do, you know. So I call him to chide him severely on his reaction. I said to him, you want the acceptance as a political leader and you do not even accept that it is your duty to have been there, at the scene of disaster created furthermore by your own military? Did you actually utter those words attributed to you? Soyinka says Jonathans response has left him stunned till this day. Riddle His response remains a riddle to me till today. His actual words were Kampala tie niyen. That is your own Kampala. This is one of those things, wrapped in a conundrum which I have not succeeded in untying till today. I have tried to decode it in so many ways. All I could arrive at is a tissue of the same expression: Kampala tie niyen. "Whatever the origin or the strict translation of that expression nonetheless takes us to the nations greatest KampalaDapchi". He called the wedding which was also graced by over 20 State Governors an exhibitionist lavishness so soon after a national calamity. She explained that civil servants were not allowed to have another jobs outside their regular work but could engage in farming business to sustain their families due to their low salaries. Civil Servants can identify area in agriculture that they are interested in and start farming to augment their salary, looking at the low salary level and all that. However, President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the presidential committee on minimum wage. So, we expect that the committee will come up with positive recommendation that will enhance the salary of civil servants. According to Oyo-Ita, civil service is the engine room of all government policies and programmes as it brings about unity in the country. She noted that no matter the crisis a country was facing, the civil servants keep on working, citing an example of the civil war era where all institutions collapsed except the civil service. Our political leaders can come up with noble policies but it is the civil service that will bring those policies and programmes into realisation for the masses to assess the government of the day. Commenting on the issues of secretaries in the civil service not exceeding level 14 in their career, Oyo-Ita said that was the rule. She explained that secretaries who were employed on the cadre of confidential secretaries would not be automatically upgraded even if they acquired more qualifications except they applied. As a confidential secretary, you acquire more degrees and qualifications in the course of your job; you are expected to apply for a change of cadre. If you are desirous to improve your exit point from the service, you should apply for change of cadre to the administrative after improving yourself. But dont expect that because you have a PhD and you are still a confidential secretary you will automatically be upgraded. Mr Ahmed Bello, the Assistant Commissioner of Police in charge of Administration, said in a statement issued in Maiduguri that the insurgents plan to attack soft targets and crowded areas. Bello said that the insurgents planned to coordinate Improvised Explosive Device (IEDs) borne vehicles to hit their targets. The Borno State Police Command in collaboration with Operation Lafiya Doles high command wish to draw the attention of members of the public that information at the disposal of the theatre command reveals that dislodged and rampaging Boko Haram terrorists have concluded arrangements to attack parts of Maiduguri metropolis notably, populated and crowded areas to maximize casualty through the use of vehicles fully primed with IEDs. Consequently, security forces have adequately deployed resources to counter and frustrate this evil plan of the heartless terrorists. The command, therefore, wish to call on the people to promptly alert security personnel of any suspected persons, movement, vehicles and objects. Be rest assured that such information and informants would be treated with utmost confidentiality, he said. In a report by The Punch, the pollution, caused by the fire at the famous dumpsite on Wednesday, March 14, has forced residents and business owners to desert the area in alarm. An SS2 student of Ikosi High School named Lateef told Punch that teachers asked them to go home at 11 am as a result of the danger the smoke posed to their health. The decision to send the students home followed a frightening event which happened on Thursday, March 15, when three students of the school collapsed and had to be rushed to the hospital for medical attention, according to Lateef. Other students confirmed the report and said the incident has led to a panic for the safety of everyone in the area. According to The Punch, other schools that were closed between Thursday and Friday due to the dumpsite fire include Ikosi Junior High School, Ikosi Primary School and Express Nursery and Primary School 1 and 2. The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), the Lagos Fire Service, and the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) responded to the scene of the fire on Wednesday. Mrs Padmauathi Yedla, the UNICEF Chief, Katsina Field Office disclosed this during a meeting with the Kano State Government officials in Kano on Friday. NAN reports that the state Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Alhaji Murtala Sule-Garo and Chairmen of the 10 local councils attended the meeting. She said the Fund would implement its programme in the areas of addressing malnutrition in children, provision of safe drinking water, health, education as well as improving access to girl-child education. We are going execute our education programme in six local government areas while the other programmes will be carried out in all the 10 LGAs, She said. She said the selected local government areas include Bichi, Dawakin Tofa, Nasarawa, Kano Municipal, Ungoggo, Gaya, Takai, Sumaila, Danbatta and Gwarzo. She said the UNICEF team which had been in Kano state for the past five days, had met with the state officials with a view to discussing the criteria for the implementation of programmes. We visited the selected local government areas to develop the 2018 programme. We also sat down with the officials to finalise arrangement for the take-off of the programme, Padmauathi said. She said the State Engagement Plan is expected to be signed by the Kano State Government and Unicef officials on Wednesday next week to formalise the agreement. In his remarks, the state Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Alhaji Murtala Sule-Garo said the state government would collaborate with Unicef in four key areas this year. He listed the areas to include: education, Nutrition, reducing early marriage as well as on routine immunization. The Commissioner added that the Fund had also agreed to select five local government areas to provide 100 additional boreholes in each of the areas. In attendance were members of the National Assembly and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha. Top on the agenda was the delay in the passage of the 2018 budget, a situation lawmakers had blamed on the failure of heads of some Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to appear before the Senate to defend their budgets. Also, over 70% of these MDAs were yet to submit their budget breakdown. At the meeting last night, President Buhari was surprised to find out that not all minsters have appeared before the Senate, a source told . President Buhari apologized for thinking the blame was on the National Assembly, the source who pleaded anonymity added. President Buhari also gave a one-week ultimatum to all heads of agencies who were yet to comply with the requirements to do so. This will be communicated to the heads of agencies by the SGF. Addressing journalists after the meeting, the SGF said: Mr President has given instructions that all ministries and parastatals should ensure that they appear before the national assembly to defend their submissions so that we can get this out of the way. This is a very dynamic year, there are preparations for elections and we are having quite a number of security challenges. And so if we do not appropriate, where will the money come from to be able to prosecute some of the assignments the federal government has in the appropriation of 2018. So this is a very good meeting; we intend to build on it. It is a confidence building mechanism and it is an interface that would definitely get a new dimension of the governance of this country for the betterment of the people of Nigeria. The appellate court made a unanimous decision to strike out Melaye's application to stop the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from completing the process after he lost a Federal High Court judgement. The lawmaker representing Kogi West Senatorial District had argued in his appeal motion that the lower court lacked jurisdiction to try the case. In the ruling read by Justice Tunde Awotoye, the court dismissed all the grounds of appeal filed by Melaye including the judgement delivered by the Federal High Court. The court also held that the 90 days stipulated by the constitution within which a recall process would take place "has no time limitation as it can be extended". In June 2017, a total of 188,580 electoratesin Melaye's constituency had signed a register to recall him from the National Assembly for a series of misconducts. INEC took delivery of the recall register on June 21. After Melaye lost an application in an Abuja division of the Federal High Court to declare the petition submitted to INEC as illegal and unconstitutional, he refused to take receipt of the petition, as required by law. MyPadi founded in 2016 has helped hundreds of students to find their perfect home away from home through its online portal. Joel Amawh, CEO & Founder, myPadi.ng declined to speak on the exact figure of the fund but said it runs into a five digits value in US Dollars. Amawh in a telephone conversation with Business Insider Sub Sahara Africa said the funding will be used to accelerate our expansion to more cities to get more schools, access to more students, invest in our team and also improve on our products (technology) to make it more suitable for hostel seekers to find an apartment the easiest way. 'At the moment we are in 67 students and we are looking at covering more about 150 higher institutions in Nigeria by mid-2019 and probably expand to other African countries.' Uche Ogboi, Associate Principal at EchoVC Partners said they are excited investing in MyPadi as a solution to off-campus accommodation problem in the country. She said: The inadequate supply of student hostels in universities across Africa has created a great need for off-campus student accommodation and MyPadi provides an elegantly organised solution to this problem; we see MyPadi as the future go-to platform for all student needs. We believe that the myPadi team, led by the founder Joel Amawhe, is the right team to execute this vision. We wish them all the best and look forward to working together. Crimea has suffered under Western sanctions following a hastily organised referendum to rejoin Russia four years ago, but the Kremlin is making efforts to ease the area's isolation. "We see the election as a second referendum and as an opportunity to thank Putin for what he did in 2014," said Alexander Formanchuk, an adviser to Sergei Aksyonov, the Moscow-installed Crimean leader. With Putin sure to return to the Kremlin with a landslide on Sunday, authorities across Russia have led a campaign to convince people to turn out to vote. On the Black Sea peninsula, this campaign is even more intense, with election posters covering public transport as well as the loudspeakers blaring in public areas. Formanchuk - who calls the result "absolutely predictable" - told AFP he is convinced most Crimeans will take part, saying the peninsula has a history of high voter turnouts. He cited the 2010 Ukrainian presidential election when Crimea overwhelmingly supported pro-Kremlin Viktor Yanukovich, currently living in exile in Russia, as an example. Putin's flying visit Vladislav Ganzhara, who was seven years old and a Ukrainian citizen when Vladimir Putin first came to power in Russia, is now a Kremlin-loyal MP in the Crimean parliament. He brushed off threats from Kiev that organisers of the vote in the peninsula could face criminal charges in Ukraine, and said it did not matter if the outcome of the election was already known. "If you support a team, you go to a game even if you know it will win because it is the strongest," he told AFP. This week Putin paid a flying visit to Crimea, where several thousand supporters queued for up to five hours to see him speak. The president was late and spoke for less than two minutes before taking a helicopter out of the port city of Sevastopol. "Even if he was a bit late, it's because of his busy schedule. People would have waited for him long into the night," Ganzhara said. The Russian leader earlier visited the construction site of the Kerch bridge, Moscow's major construction project to unite the peninsula with Russian mainland. He also opened a new "international" airport, despite no flights from outside Russia flying to the disputed peninsula, as part of a wider move to counter the area's isolation. The price to pay Much of the peninsula's food supplies arrive by ferry from Russia, often resulting in shortages in shops. Since Crimea is cut off from the global banking system, locals make the two-hour voyage by ferry and car to Russia's southern city of Krasnodar to withdraw cash with international cards. Anastasia Arslanova, a 35-year-old lawyer from Sevastopol, said life has become more expensive but that it is a price she is willing to pay to be part of Russia. "We are Russian and we feel good in Russia," she said. Moscow's supporters often blame Crimean bureaucrats for economic hardships rather than the Kremlin and Putin himself. Those Crimeans who do criticise Russian rule say they have faced increased pressure from local security services, who have been given a carte blanche on the peninsula. Russian security services questioned an AFP correspondent for almost two hours as they entered Crimea by land from Ukraine, and demonstrated how they would track modes of communication. Several interviewees cancelled meetings for fear of problems with the Russias Federal Security Service (FSB). Tortured by masked men Sevastopol-based activist Alexei Shestakovich, 37, was recently released after spending ten days in jail for a social media post in connection to a case against a local anarchist. He said he was tortured by masked men in a detention centre. "They choked me with a bag over my head, broke my finger, pulled my arms behind my back, pulled my trousers down and threatened to rape me," he said. Shestakovich -- who says the difference between the freedom of speech in Russia and Ukraine is "like heaven and earth" -- views the case as part of a crackdown ahead of the vote. "Local authorities want to boast to Moscow to show that everything in Crimea is under control, that everyone is for Putin and that there can be no opposition here," said Simferopol-based activist Alexei Yefremov. jpegMpeg4-1280x720Many who are against Putin's rule have left Crimea for Kiev or Moscow, while those who have stayed have little support from Ukraine or Russian opposition activists. "We try to organise ourselves, look for lawyers when we are detained, but we have little support from anyone," said Yefremov. On Monday, March 19, at 12.00, the Interfax-Ukraine News Agency's press center will host the press conference titled "Elections of the National Aviation University's (NAU) Rector: Criminal Deal and Falsification." The participants will include Rector of NAU (2008 - 2015), head of the Department of aircraft engines, candidate for the post of rector of NAU Mykola Kulyk; professor of NAU Ivan Dudnyk; NAU professor Yaroslav Kozachok, journalist Mariana Vasylyeva (8/5a Reitarska Street). Registration requires press accreditation. In a statement, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) said its president "Peter Maurer is travelling with the convoy to see first-hand the process of delivering the assistance and to talk with residents". A spokeswoman told AFP this was the first time the ICRC chief had travelled with such an aid convoy. "Over the last seven years the fighting has extracted an immensely painful human toll. We must find a way to lessen the suffering," Maurer said in the statement. "There are three crucial issues to improve: humanitarian access, the protection of civilians, and the humane treatment of detainees," he said. "How long will the powers behind the fighting allow it to drag on? A war of vengeance is a war without end; it's one in which everybody loses," he added. Eastern Ghouta has been suffering a devastating five-year siege imposed by government troops that has left its 400,000 residents struggling to find food and its hospitals crippled by shortages. Thursday's aid operation came after two consecutive days of medical evacuations from Douma, which saw dozens of civilians bussed out to receive treatment in Damascus. It also happened as Syria's war entered its eighth year with the regime pursuing a relentless assault on the rebel enclave near Damascus. He got social media attention in February 2018 after a picture of him sketching out a mock-up of a Microsoft Word screen in coloured chalk on his classroom blackboard. Computer donation to the school According to CNN, NIIT Ghana, a computer training school in Ghana donated five desktop computers to the school while the teacher got books and a laptop. Also Amirah Alharthi, a PhD student at the University of Leeds, UK sent Akoto a laptop "as a small gift to his students." ALSO READ: This inspiring Ghanaian teacher who found a way to teach Ms Word without a computer gets help from Microsoft Alharthi told CNN that "I always understand from the teachings of Islam that useful knowledge is crucial for the benefit of the self and humanity." Apart from all these, Microsoft has pledged to work Richard Akoto through a local partner in Ghana to provide device and software support required for his students at the Betenase Municipal Assembly Junior High School in the town of Sekyedomase in rural Ghana. He will also gain access to the Microsoft Certified Educator Program (MCE) for professional development, so he can nurture his passion for teaching and build rich, custom learning experiences for his students. Microsoft's words on Richard Akoto's commitment and passion for teaching Anthony Salcito, Vice President, Worldwide Education at Microsoft, praised him for overcoming major obstacles to help his students. Your work has really inspired the world. It really shows the amazing innovation and commitment and passion that teachers have for helping their students get ready for the future, he said. Richard Akoto at the 2018 Microsoft Education Exchange In an interview at the just concluded 2018 Microsoft Education Exchange (E2) in Singapore, Akoto, who received a long ovation when he appeared on stage said: My students have some knowledge about computers, but they dont know how to actually operate one. But showing his class of 47 teenagers how to use a PC posed a fundamental problem for Richard as the schools only computer and his own personal laptop were both broken. "I have been doing this every time the lesson Im teaching demands it. Ive drawn monitors, system units, keyboards, a mouse, a formatting toolbar, a drawing toolbar, and so on. "The students were okay with that. They are used to me doing everything on the board for them. When I did this, it was nothing new or strange for them,' Akoto said at the Educators Exchange conference. But while he is seen as competent, critics complain that his success in a string of posts held so far has been only middling at best. "He will certainly be a milder, less offensive, and less arrogant prime minister than Robert Fico was," Bratislava-based political analyst Pavol Babos told AFP. Fico offered his resignation on Wednesday in face of a public backlash over the murder of an investigative journalist. President Andrej Kiska accepted the decision on Thursday, tipping Pellegrini as Fico's successor. Described by Fico as a "good friend", "Pelle", as he is nicknamed, has long been perceived as "crown prince" within the Smer-SD party, where he has been deputy leader since 2014. Slovak-born, but with Italian roots, he has held a number of different positions over the years, from speaker of parliament, education minister, state secretary for finance, deputy prime minister for investments to, most recently, acting culture minister. But he has yet to prove himself as a real man of action, critics say. "He had no scandals and no major results in these positions," Babos said. A close associate who wished to remain anonymous told AFP that Pellegrini is "understanding, friendly and acts as if he were progressive. But when it comes to real action, that's where the story ends." He told a reporter that he was "deeply affected" by last month's murder of investigative journalist Jan Kuciak, who had been probing alleged high-level political corruption. The killing and Kuciak's posthumous investigative report sparked a wave of anti-government sentiment and plunged the country into political crisis. Pilot-in-training Pellegrini was born on October 6, 1975 in the central city of Banska Bystrica to a car mechanic father and a teacher mother. According to his mother, Pellegrini loved cars and music, danced in an ensemble and played the accordion. He studied finance, banking and investment in his hometown and in the eastern city of Kosice, before working as an economist and later as an aide to a Smer-SD lawmaker. Pellegrini became an MP for the party in 2006 at the age of 29. Deputy premier since 2016, he notably helped convince Jaguar Land Rover to invest 1.4 billion euros ($1.7 billion) to build a plant in Slovakia -- due to open this year -- thereby beating out competition from neighbouring Poland. Pellegrini speaks Russian, German and English in addition to his native Slovak. And he is currently studying for his pilot's licence. "There are three things I like: modern technology, art and movement," he said once and even hoverboarded to a government meeting one time. Pellegrini is also very active on social media. "There is fighting on the northern edge of the city," the Britain-based monitoring organisation said. On January 20, Turkey and Syrian Arab rebel proxies launched an air and ground offensive on the Afrin region, which is controlled by the US-backed Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG). Ankara has consistently denied targeting civilian infrastructure but the Observatory said at least 245 civilians, including 41 children, have been killed in less than two months. Turkish-led forces have nearly fully encircled the city of Afrin, with only one road left open for civilians to flee to areas controlled by the Syrian regime or the YPG. "It's a first step towards closing the entire shortfall," said Krahenbuhl. "There is an absolute imperative to mobilise the rest of the money. "We can't go back to our students and say 'this was one step and let's leave it at that'." Krahenbuhl said the new funds came from Qatar, Switzerland, Turkey, New Zealand, Norway, Mexico and India, with an unspecified additional contribution from France pushing the donations "close to the $100 million mark." The 52-year-old also said that other countries which had not pledged money on Thursday had promised to work towards giving more in the future. US won't budge But he said there had been no movement from the US, which has cut the $360 million offered in 2017 to a commitment of just $60 million this year. That leaves UNRWA scrambling for the $346 million it needs to guarantee services until the end of the year. Krahenbuhl said the funding raised on Thursday would tide the agency for another few months. "It will take us into the summer," he said. UNRWA was established after the war surrounding Israel's creation in 1948, when around 700,000 Palestinians fled or were expelled. The agency offers vital support for these refugees and their descendants in Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, the West Bank and Gaza, claiming to reach more than five million people. It employs more than 30,000 people, most of them Palestinians, and relies on the United States for around 30 percent of its funding. But with the administration of US President Donald Trump drastically cutting its contribution, the jobs and the frontline services it provides are at risk of closure. The US has frozen two planned payments worth more than $100 million -- one for UNRWA's central budget and one for food aid. 'Critical services at risk' The American decision to cut funding came after a Palestinian boycott of Trump's administration sparked by his December recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital, with the president pushing them to end that boycott. On Thursday, UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres said that without an injection of funds, "critical services could be reduced or eliminated entirely." Among the services likely to be affected are around 700 schools in the Palestinian territories and elsewhere in the region that provide education to over 500,000 students, Guterres said. It will also affect sanitation, medicine, microfinance and food security for 1.7 million refugees "in abject poverty" or affected by conflict. That times have changed, the financial market has become more complex, and IRA accounts have assumed enormous importance are arguments for Congress to make adjustments in the law, or for other appropriate federal or state regulators to act within their authority, the majority wrote in their opinion. A perceived need does not empower DOL to craft de facto statutory amendments or to act beyond its expressly defined authority. The strongly worded decision is not necessarily the end of the fiduciary rule, lawyers said, but its future is highly uncertain. Even though the Trump administration is not a strong supporter of the fiduciary rule, it will likely continue to defend the fiduciary rule against legal challenges, said Marcia S. Wagner, an employee benefits lawyer. As a next step, the Labor Department may request that all of the judges in the appeals court hear the case, rather than the three-judge panel, lawyers said. Because there was at least one decision in another circuit court that conflicts with the most recent case, it is also possible the Supreme Court could weigh in. The outcome could continue to be uncertain for quite a while, said Fred Reish, a lawyer who represents clients in fiduciary issues. The Obama-era regulation, drafted over roughly six years, had thus far survived intense criticism and resistance from the industry, which argued that the rule would make it too costly to work with smaller investors. The rule, which took partial effect in June 2017, requires financial advisers to act as fiduciaries when providing advice related to a clients retirement accounts, including individual retirement accounts and 401(k)s. The future of the rule was already murky. The Trump administrations Labor Department, which oversees retirement accounts, said last year that it was reviewing the regulation and pushed back its full implementation by 18 months, to July 2019. Consumer advocates and others who are in favor of a strong fiduciary rule called the decision a blow to retirement savers. This case was wrongly decided, said Micah Hauptman, financial services counsel to the Consumer Federation of America. The industry opponents went forum shopping and finally found a court that was willing to buy in to their bogus arguments. This is a sad day for retirement savers. Several of the plaintiffs including the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Financial Services Institute, Financial Services Roundtable, Insured Retirement Institute, and Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association said the courts decision would preserve access to affordable financial advice. Our organizations have long supported the development of a best interest standard of care, they said in a statement, and the Securities and Exchange Commission should now take the lead on a clear, consistent, and workable standard that does not limit choice for investors. The SEC is said to be working on its own rule. Consumer advocates have long said that the financial services industry would prefer that the SEC write a rule, which they believe would not be as strong as the Labor Departments rule. The Department of Labor could not be immediately reached for comment Thursday night. This article originally appeared in The New York Times. Come here, said Sartor, waving the boy over. Sartor disappeared into a storage room and re-emerged with a wooden toy. Then the boy and his mother were shown the door, which for the past two weeks has had five letters scrawled across the outside: Nazis. The decision of one food bank in the western city of Essen to stop signing up more foreigners after migrants gradually became the majority of its users has prompted a storm of reaction in Essen, a former coal town in Germanys rust belt, and across the country. Even Chancellor Angela Merkel weighed in: You shouldnt categorize people like this. But the controversy has highlighted an uncomfortable reality: Three years after Germany welcomed more than 1 million refugees, much of the burden of integrating the newcomers has fallen on the poorest, whose neighborhoods have changed and who have to compete for subsidized apartments, school places and, in the case of the food bank, a free meal. Ask any of the Germans lined up outside the former water tower that houses the food bank one recent morning and they will call Sartor a peoples hero. He stands up for us, said Peggy Lohse, 36, a single mother of three. Until recently, groups of young migrant men had sometimes elbowed their way to the front of the line, Lohse recalled. She went home empty-handed more than once. Some older women were so intimidated that they stopped coming altogether, she said. We have worked and paid taxes in this country; our parents built it up, said Marianne Rymann, 62, also in line. How can it be that we are turned away and those who just arrived get what they need? When some 1.2 million migrants arrived in Germany in 2015 and early 2016, they were distributed across the country with the aim of sharing the cost and optimizing the chances of integration. But many later left their designated homes, gravitating to areas that already had a high concentration of migrants. Essen, a city of 600,000 people, has seen its Syrian community grow to nearly 11,000 from 1,300 in 2015, said Peter Renzel, who is in charge of social policy at city hall. Most of them live in the working-class districts of the north. It is a challenge, Renzel said. Some districts carry a disproportionate burden. The image of a line in which some wait their turn and others unfairly push to the front is a familiar one for Karlheinz Endruschat, a local Social Democrat, who represents the northern district of Altenessen. Apartments have become scarcer. Schools report that 9 out of 10 of their students are non-German. Some German residents feel alienated by the number of newcomers. There are times when you walk down the street and you are in the minority, Endruschat said. Endruschat is no fan of Sartors decision to discriminate by passport. But he is even more critical of those who point a finger from a position of privilege. Those who shout the loudest are the farthest from the problem, Endruschat said. When Merkel opened the border, she famously said, We will manage. Now, some towns are saying they cannot. Cottbus and Freiberg in the former East Germany, and Delmenhorst and Salzgitter in the former West, are among a number of cities that have taken steps to stop more refugees from settling there, saying they are at or beyond capacity. Several food banks have sought to limit tensions by segregating immigrants and Germans by time or day. Some have banned young men from signing up in theory not to target migrants, but in practice exactly that. Sitting in his crammed office in Essen one recent morning, arms defiantly crossed over his belly, Sartor scoffed. Theyre doing what Im doing, he said. Theyre just not saying it. A former coal worker who retired early when his mine shut down, Sartor has run the food bank for 12 years as a volunteer. He has deliberately left the Nazi graffiti on the door and on the charitys seven delivery vans, which have also been defaced. Its absurd, he said. Until three years ago, roughly 1 in 3 food bank users were foreigners, he said. By November 2017, it was 3 in 4. Food bank users normally sign up for a years pass, after demonstrating proof of need. It was Sartors idea to block any more non-Germans from signing up, at least temporarily. The food bank continues to serve those foreigners already on its lists. When a message about the new policy went up on the food banks website Dec. 8, no one complained. It was only when the local newspaper wrote about it last month that the decision suddenly exploded into the national news. Given the controversy, representatives from the food bank, the city and migrant groups met over the weekend and agreed that the ban would be lifted as soon as possible but only after the numbers of migrants and native Germans evened out. For now, the share of foreigners among food bank users is still 60 percent, Sartor said. One of his 120 fellow volunteers resigned in protest over the decision. But those handing out bread, fish, vegetables and fruit on a recent afternoon said that something had to be done. One of them, Steffi Tamm, had just gotten off the phone with an older woman who was inquiring whether it was safe to come back to the food bank. Have those young men gone? she asked. Some of the threat, said Tamm, is more perceived than real. But she recalled how last year, whenever she opened the door on distribution day, it was like being caught in a scrum. They came from both sides, she said, pointing at the door. I was practically overrun. A single mother, Tamm, now 39, first came to the food bank as a user herself. That was 10 years ago. She remembers lining up outside, on a busy street a stones throw from the main station, in plain sight of everyone. There is already an element of shame in standing out there, Tamm said. The last thing you need is having to fight for your place. It is a question of dignity, she said. It is for others, too. The Syrian mother who was sent away one recent morning, Habib Banavsch, said she hated having to line up for charity. I would much rather be home in my country, she said quietly. But war is still raging in her home city of Afrin, and she is alone looking after her son Yusef after his father left. We need help, she said. In addition to language and cultural barriers, some here spoke of an attitude barrier between vulnerable and often older Germans in need and young, often male, migrants who had been through a lot. The migrants had made it this far not by following rules but by rebelling against them. The willingness and ability of these young refugees to take their own fate into their hands feels threatening to people who have long given up on theirs, said Britta Altenkamp, a local member of the state Parliament. And now we are expecting these people to be the face of a tolerant and welcoming Germany. The controversy has split the network of more than 930 food banks across the country that, like the one in Essen, belong to a charity called the Tafel. The charity has grown to 60,000 volunteers and serves 1.5 million people across Germany. Many of them have experienced similar tensions. Sabine Werth, who now runs the Berlin subsidiary, founded the network in 1993, when a wave of homelessness swept across her city. One of our founding principles is that we serve according to need, not origin, said Werth, 61. What Sartor has done, she said, amounts to Germany First. But Germany First is popular with many, as Werth has learned the hard way in recent days. Cockroach, piece of dirt and foreigners slut are some of the insults that have landed in her inbox. One longtime donor diverted his donation from Berlin to Essen, she said. He is not the only one. Sartor proudly showed off his donation account: Over the past two weeks the food bank has received as much as it would normally raise in six months. Some try to earmark their donation to Germans only, but Sartor does not accept those. His inbox is mostly full of praise: Keep going one message read. God bless you, said another. He has 2,340 unread emails. The nationwide head of the charity, Jochen Bruhl, said the debate animating the country was largely missing the point. Germany is Europes richest country and has a budget surplus of more than 40 billion euros ($55 billion), he pointed out. The whole country is up in arms about this one little food bank in Essen, he said, when the real scandal is that in this rich country we have this kind of poverty. This article originally appeared in The New York Times. The meetings attended by high ranking officials and sometimes foreign delegates have formed a topic of discussion on social media as Kenyan heads have been spotted casually attending the meeting with no notebooks. Meetings which are mostly synonymous to gatherings where ideas are shared and decisions made require some form of note taking by those in attendance. But Kenyan leaders have seen no need to carry any notebooks. In a series of photos taken during these official meetings, Kenyan leaders have been outscored by foreign delegates who proceed to the meeting armed with a pen and notebook ready to document important points during the discussions. Probably one could say that a notebook is a traditional way of taking notes but from the photos Kenyan leaders are not seen with their smartphones taking notes. Reactions This comes days after President Kenyatta held an all-men meeting meant to discuss the economy sparking outrage among Kenyans on social media. Mr Kenyatta had gathered his team of economic advisers and development partners to discuss the future of the economy after the 2017 General Election. Item List These are the top criminal lawyers in Kenya who have had great success in criminal cases. 1. Cliff Ombeta Cliff is the managing director of Ombeta and Associates. He ihas achieved great success in representing hardcore criminals like the Akasha brothers who were later extradited to the United States. He won the case that saw the brothers released on a Sh60 Million bond. He also faced a huge backlash when he represented two police officers who were accused of killing human rights lawyer Willy Kimani in 2016. 2. Fred Ojiambo He was admitted as an Advocate of the High Court in 1975. His main area of practice is civil litigation in areas such as commercial transactions, international trade, criminal cases among many others. He represented Lord Delameres grandson Tom Cholmondeley who shot a Kenyan and was set free by the court. 3. Jotham Arwa He is the managing partner of the Law firm of Rachier & Amollo Advocates where he leads Legal Consultancy and Commercial Law department. He has vast experience in civil and criminal law and expertise in commercial matters too. He currently lectures at the Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology. 4. Wandugi Kirathe Famous for representing the Akasha brothers alongside lawyer Cliff Ombeta. 5. Jared Magolo He once represented students who had been accused of cheating in the 2013 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education. Wiper's Kalonzo Musyoka, ANC leader Musalia Mudavadi, and Ford Kenya's Moses Wetangula held a crisis meeting following Odinga's decision to sack the Bungoma Senator as Minority Leader in the Senate. The trio was accompanied by their respective party officials including Barrack Muluka from ANC, Chris Wamalwa from Ford Kenya, among others. The leaders are expected to address the press where they will communicate they final decision on the way forward for the wrangling NASA coalition. On Thursday, 16 ODM legislators made a decision to remove Wetangula as Minority Leader in the Senate in what was reported as a decision made under the direction of Odinga However, Wetangula will continue serving as Minority Leader after Senate Speaker Kenneth Lusaka suspended the process of replacing the Bungoma Senator with Siaya Senator James Orengo. Ukraine has exported 43,8 million tons of grain, grown in the last marketing year, out of 66 million tons to the foreign markets. Although these are record-breaking figures for our country, agrarians expect that they will grow gradually if existing rates are going to be sustained. According to the Ukrainian Grain Association, the corn yield is expected at 100 million tons by 2022, and thus export may increase to 70 million tons. However, these bright prospects may fail unless actions are taken to modernize a logistic infrastructure, outlined Alona Lebedieva in her opinion column, the founder of Aurum Group. According to her, Ukrainian logistics is highly inefficient. The expenses of Ukrainian agrarians for transporting grain to ports are 40% higher than similar ones of French and German agrarians and almost are 30% higher than those of the USA agrarians are. Ukrainian agrarians losses in logistics of 30-million-ton exported wheat and maize were estimated by the representatives of the World Bank from $600 million to $1,6 billion. Among the weak spots of agrarian logistics, Alona Lebedieva mentioned an acute shortage of grain carriers: during the peak period from July to December, business lacked about 3 000 railcars for the transportation of grain to elevators and ports. Alona Lebedieva pointed out that an implemented by PJSC Ukrzaliznytsia (UZ) in August 2017 automated distribution system of railcars, including grain carriers, is, in fact, a good idea, however, in practice it appeared to be one-sided and incomplete, as it has not solved the main problem a shortage of grain carriers. The majority of grain carriers of inventory rolling stock of UZ with a service life limit of nearly 30 years should have been withdrawn from use a long time ago. The stock needs modernizing and new railcars should be manufactured. However, Ukrzaliznytsia officials are not interested in the agrarians forecasts, judging from the fact that there is no funding provided for manufacturing new grain carriers in 2018. Apparently, UZ will solve a shortage of railcars by continuing a pernicious practice of prolonging the service life of railcars, states the expert. As there is no official statistics of UZ about the changes of grain carriers rolling stock in the press, the author refers to the statistics of the specialized resource Promgruz, where it is indicated that 1266 hoppers-grain carriers are registered and 267 are withdrawn from use in Ukraine during 2017. The very few are withdrawn, as we can see, the majority of registered grain carriers are not newly manufactured, they are imported by private carriers and withdrawn from use in Russia with a prolonged service life by UZ for 5-7 years in order to be used in the territory of Ukraine, noted Alona Lebedieva. Since January of this year, according to the expert, manufacturing companies of AIC started to examine the possibility of creating their own rolling stocks of grain carriers. Also, traders who build their own logistics chain for harvesting, transportation and storage of grain became more active. The motivation is common: there is no time, no strength and no resources to wait. QUIZ: Guess the Road Songs We can't wait to get back on the road again! Play this quiz and see if how many you can get right! Through its local subsidiary TMH Argentina, Transmashholding of Russia has begun work on a US$3m programme to refurbish and reopen the Mechita rolling stock workshops in the province of Buenos Aires. Under the terms of an agreement signed on December 20 2017, TMH Argentina is to lease the site for ... CHINA: Shanxi Jingshen Railway Co has awarded Pandrol a contract to supply almost 880 000 Fastclip FC-16 rail fastening sets for 232 track-km of heavy haul line under construction in central China. Despite the invasion of imported goods, with a superior competitive advantage in price and design, these lands still preserve their silk handicrafts amidst the fluctuations. The keepers of Vietnamese silk The most famous land of ancient silk must be Ha Dong, a suburban district of Hanoi, where Van Phuc silk village is situated. Van Phuc silk was regarded by the French colonists as one of the finest handicraft products in Indochina. It made its debut at the Marseille International Fair in 1931. To the south, Co Chat (Nam Dinh province) is also famous for its traditional silk. Since the 1940s, the village has maintained its handicraft which has won high prizes at international fairs that seek the quintessence of an Indochinese handicraft village. Artisan Trieu Van Mao passed away many years ago but his merits to the silk village of Van Phuc have been acknowledged. He restored Van Phuc silks ancient patterns, especially van (vein) silk (silk with hidden patterns inside), a specialty only found in Van Phuc. In the 2000s, Trinh Bach, a cultural researcher, joined Trieu Van Mao in successfully restoring 18 Hue imperial uniforms, contributing to the preservation of the craft villages cultural values. The descendants of late artisan Trieu Van Mao continue to run his business. Trieu's daughter-in-law, artisan Nguyen Thi Tam, who was honoured as one of ten of Hanois Notable Citizens in 2015, now manages the Trieu Van Mao Silk Weaving facility. After fluctuations in the silk industry, consumers nowadays want to know the origin of the silk products. Tam's facility, as well as many other silk makers in Van Phuc, has become more active with the promotion of new products. Artisan Phan Thi Thuan (Phung Xa, My Duc, Hanoi) is the founder of My Duc Silk Company with the Silk4world trade mark. For more than 40 years, her life has been associated with mulberry cultivation and silkworm farming. Tasting enough bitterness from the handicraft, as silk weaving in the country has faced a lot of difficulties since the market opened for imported goods, Thuan still insists on providing knowledge on silkworm farming for local households in order to create stable raw material sources and gradually regain the market. Recently, Thuan's silk products were on the list of typical agricultural products in 2016, voted among the prestigious Thang Long Gold Brand 2017 and won first prize at the National Farmers Creativity Competition with her typical products on silk blankets threaded by silkworms themselves with guidance from the farmers. Artisan Phan Thi Thuan, in Hanois Phung Xa village, harvests mulberry leaves to feed silkworms. International visitors to Vietnam are fascinated with traditional Vietnamese silk products! Van Phuc silk village is getting increasingly more prosperous thanks to their profession. For more than 20 years, Phuong Thanhs silk shop on Van Mieu Street (Hanoi) has run smoothly and quite a lot customers are foreign visitors. Thanh, the owner of the shop, said that her main business goal is searching for new buyers from foreign countries, rather than focusing on the domestic customer source. Thanh's strategy is similar to fashion designer Minh Hanhs, as she said that her latest collection introduced in Switzerland has received a lot of positive feedback. The Swiss have compared Vietnam's traditional silk with the most fashionable brands in the world. Artisan Thuan, after a trip to Nghe An to introduce her silkworm farming skills, is now busy with silk blanket orders to France made of silk woven by the silkworms. Optimistic signals Experiencing many fluctuations in the Vietnamese silk industry, Dang Vinh Tho, Chairman of Vietnam Silk Association cum Deputy General Director of Vietnam Silk JSC, still has an optimistic perspective on the domestic silk industry. He insisted that the quality of Vietnamese silk is of a very high standard. Optimistic statistics on silk production were also revealed at the Bao Loc Tea and Silk Culture Week in Lam Dong province in December last year. Currently, the country has roughly 10,000 ha of mulberry, of which Lam Dong accounts for about half but still produces more than 70% of the nations silk production. Lam Dong currently has around 15 silk businesses with modern automatic silkworm nursing lines, which are capable of producing over two tonnes of silk per day. Previously, Bao Loc Silk Factory had to import 100% of its raw materials from Brazil and China, but in recent years, it has managed to cut that to half using domestic materials. Furthermore, there are more than 20 old-style mechanical silk centres producing about a tonne of silk a day. This source of raw materials is not only for domestic use, but also for exporting to foreign countries. Many models of mulberry cultivation - silkworm farming have brought about high economic efficiency, encouraging people operating in the silk business. The silk industry has created high quality products to meet demanding markets, such as Japan, India, Pakistan, France, the EU and the US. Such positive signals arouse the aspiration of reviving traditional silk areas that create pure Vietnamese silk. Skills, spirit and national pride have tied those dedicated to silk and inspired the creativeness in their profession. For many years, to strive against the harsh flow of life in order to maintain their profession, many silk workers are constantly pouring sweat out on the mulberry fields, alongside silkworm feeding baskets or on looms, to produce pure Vietnamese silk. Businessman accused of embezzlement during detention center construction freed on bail RIA Novosti, Maksim Bogodvid 14:59 16/03/2018 ST. PETERSBURG, March 16 (RAPSI, Mikhail Telekhov) Ex-CEO of a contracting company engaged in the construction of a detention center in St. Petersburg Viktor Kudrin, who stands charged with embezzlement, was released from house arrest on a 3-million-ruble bail ($52,000), the United press service of St. Petersburg courts told RAPSI on Friday. A court therefore granted a motion filed by investigators seeking to change the defendants restrictive measure, the statement reads. According to case papers, from 2007 to 2015, the Federal Penitentiary Services (FSIN) St. Petersburg and Leningrad Region directorate and General Building Company headed by Kudrin signed contracts on the construction of a pretrial detention center. The company allegedly received over 12.3 billion rubles ($213.5 million) as payment for its services but did not fulfilled its obligations. Investigators claim that Kudrin violated contract provisions and embezzled over 56.5 million rubles ($980,000). Ruslan Khamkhokov, CEO of Petroinvest, another company involved in the construction of the detention center in St. Petersburg, has been put under house arrest on bribery charges. According to prosecutors, ex-deputy chief of the FSIN St. Petersburg and Leningrad Region directorate Sergey Moiseyenko received bribes from Khamkhokov and Kudrin. As reported earlier, between May 2007 and December 2012, Nikolay Barinov, then FSIN deputy director and supervisor of building a detention facility in St. Petersburg, regularly received bribes from top managers of firms engaged in the construction. In particular, he promised Khamkhokov and Kudrin, to assist in execution of necessary documents on rendered services for the money reward in the amount of not less than 12% of each funds transfer of funds allocated for the work performance to the companies accounts. The construction companies heads transferred the money through Moiseyenko. Moiseyenko is also charged with organizing the murder of his subordinate, Colonel Nikolay Chernov. Former employee of Russias Internal Troops receives prison sentence for theft flickr.com / Keith Allison 15:59 16/03/2018 MOSCOW, March 16 (RAPSI) Former employee of the Russian Interior Ministrys Internal Troops HQ Alexander Koloskov has been sentenced to three years in a penal colony for stealing aircraft components valued at 9 million rubles ($156,000), RAPSI has learnt in the St. Petersburg Garrison Military Court. Koloskov's accomplice, former employee of the Exploitation of Aviation and Helicopter Equipment company Andrey Yeresko was also found guilty and sentenced to three years in a penal colony. The court recovered 9 million rubles ($156,500) from the defendants. According to case documents, in late 2011, Koloskov conspired with Yeresko to steal nearly 3,700 aircraft components from a military base. Investigators believe that Koloskov was behind a contract on examination of components condition signed between the base administration and Yereskos firm. The court found that 52 out of 56 components were declared non-repairable because of Yereskos actions. Koloskov classified those as scrap and as a result 13 functioning components were no longer regarded as military property and were nearly sold as scrap metal. Appeal against sentence of Russian ex-minister Ulyukayev set for April 12 RIA Novosti, Ramil Sitdikov 16:45 16/03/2018 MOSCOW, March 16 (RAPSI) The Moscow City Court will consider an appeal against sentence given to the former Russian economy minister Alexey Ulyukayev for bribery on April 12, the courts spokesperson Ulyana Solopova told RAPSI on Friday. The appeal was lodged by the former minister. Prosecutors have not appealed the ruling. Ulyukayev was sentenced to 8 years in high security prison and a 130-million-ruble fine (about $ 2.2 million) on December 15, 2017. Moscows Zamoskvoretsky District Court held that his involvement in the bribery was proven by witnesses testimony and other examined evidence. The defendants words about innocence were regarded as attempt to evade criminal liability. Ulyukayev was arrested on November 14, 2016, when leaving the office of Rosneft oil company. The Federal Security Services (FSB) officers found a bag holding $2 million in cash in his official car. He was charged with extortion a grand bribe. According to the Investigative Committee, he threatened to create obtrusions for Rosneft with the use of his position. The former minister stated that the case was fabricated. The defendant noted that there was a provocation, orchestrated by the Federal Security Service (FSB) and that there was no sound evidence in the case, aside from testimony provided by Rosneft CEO Igor Sechin. President Vladimir Putin relieved Ulyukayev of his post because of loss of trust on November 15, 2016. Bill on inmates communication with their children reaches State Duma RIA Novosti, Igor Zarembo 11:49 16/03/2018 MOSCOW, March 16 (RAPSI) The Federation Council member Andrey Kutepov has submitted a bill protecting the right of imprisoned parents to communication with their children to the State Duma, according to the database of the parliaments lower house. The bill stipulates that people serving prison sentences would have a right to communication with their children, parenting and deciding on their education. Imprisoned parents would be also able to receive information on their children from educational institutions, healthcare and social organizations. Moreover, the draft law envisages that guardians are to allow children and their confined parents to communicate on the phone or via video link. Currently, children often have no opportunity for communication with parents put in prison because guardians are not interested in maintaining their relations, do not organize their meetings and communication on the phone or via the Internet. Thus, mother-child bonds break, according to senator Kutepov. Amendments are proposed to the Family Code and the Federal law On Guardianship. Russian authorities launch criminal cases over murder and attempted murder in UK flickr.com/Iker Merodio 17:56 16/03/2018 MOSCOW, March 16 (RAPSI) The Investigative Committee of Russia has launched two criminal cases over notorious incidents involving Russian citizens that happened in Great Britain this month: the murder of Nikolay Glushkov in London and attempted murder of Yulia Skripal in Salisbury, the press-release of the Committee reads. It is noted that investigators seek to use help of highly qualified experts and that they are ready to work with British authorities. Nikolay Glushkov, the former deputy head of Aeroflot company, died on March 12. In 2010, he received political asylum in Great Britain where he lived ever since. In 2017, a court in Moscow sentenced him to eight years for embezzling the airlines funds in 1990s. On March 4, the former officer of Russian intelligence Sergey Skripal, who was found guilty of espionage in favor of the UK in 2006 and pardoned later, and his daughter Yulia were affected by a powerful nerve agent. Currently, both of them are in critical condition in a British hospital. Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Theresa May accused Russia of unlawful use of force in Great Britain. Russia denies the accusations. Find a great selection of commercial real estate, manufactured homes, timeshares and more for Sale Buy real estate. Find a great selection of commercial real estate, manufactured homes, timeshares and more for Sale in US and Canada. Search Real Estate The following is the full text of the media release: "I am pleased to announce that Australia and Vietnam have today established a strategic partnership. As new strategic partners, Australia and Vietnam have agreed to work together to realise a vision of a secure, open and prosperous region. We will establish annual meetings between our foreign ministers and separately between our defence ministers. We have established a new ministerial level economic dialogue to boost trade and investment with one of ASEANs fastest-growing economies. With two-way trade in excess of US$11 billion, supporting thousands of jobs, our linkages are only set to grow. As fellow members of TPP11, we will work to keep markets open and trade and investment flowing. We will work across our partnership in defence, development, education, science and research to deepen our links and advance our cooperation. Together, including at the forthcoming ASEAN-Australia Special Summit, we will work for our common prosperity and security. This announcement is a fitting way to mark 45 years of diplomatic relations and the visit to Australia by Prime Minister Phuc." Property details: WESTGATE VACATION VILLAS RESORT FLORIDA TIMESHARE 2 BEDROOM LOFT FREE USE & $150 Description presenting a WESTGATE PLANET VACATION VILLAS KISSIMMEE FLORIDA Guests at *Westgate Vacation Villas* enjoy the finest in luxury accommodations, just one mile from the main entrance to Walt Disney World Resort off U.S. 192 in Kissimmee, Florida. With more than 1,200 luxury villas, Westgate Vacation Villas offers ideal luxury accommodations for both families and friends. Plus, with a full schedule of... Price: $ 2 Seller State of Residence: Florida Property Address: 2770 Old Lake Wilson Road State/Province: Florida City: Kissimmee Zip/Postal Code: 34747 Number of Bedrooms: 2 Number of Bathrooms: 2 Type: Attractions Location: 331**, Miami, Florida You will be redirected to eBay Nearby Attractions The Herald weekly carried on its front page an article titled Vietnam and Australia deepen ties, along with a photo of the Vietnamese PM and his spouse alighting the plane after landing at Canberra. The SBS devoted four minutes of its radio channel to the visit and published a story on its website to highlight the signing of the bilateral strategic partnership. The ABC group and The Courier weekly also ran similar stories and photos on the welcome ceremony, talks and signing of the documents between the two Prime Ministers. The articles noted that Vietnam and Australia have officially ramped up their diplomatic ties ahead of a special summit of the South East Asian leaders, with the two PMs signing a bilateral strategic partnership aimed at deepening defence, security, trade, investment, development and tourism links on March 15. "This announcement is a fitting way to mark the 45 years of diplomatic relations," the articles quote PM Turnbull as saying. The local press also reported on the signing of separate deals on education and research. They stressed that Vietnam and Australia last week signed up on to the Trans-Pacific Partnership free trade pact, adding that Vietnam is the fastest-growing economy in ASEAN. The Australian press noted that PM Phuc is the first Southeast Asian leader to arrive ahead of the Australian-ASEAN special summit in Sydney, which kicks off on March 16. Their success or failure will eventually hinge on how much equipment the services procure, and whether the finance ministry supplements the allocations in the Budget. IMAGE: The T-72 tank. Shanthi Gears, a subsidiary of Tube Investments of India, is developing gearboxes for the tank. With the Budget announcing a Chennai-Bengaluru defence industrial corridor, firms in the Coimbatore industrial hub are gearing up for potentially lucrative opportunities in the defence manufacturing sector. On Monday, in New Delhi, Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman pledged her ministrys support to the defence production corridor. She said the stretch from Chennai to Bengaluru, passing through Trichy, Coimbatore, Salem and Hosur, housed a sprawl of ordnance factories and defence public sector units, ready buyers for what small and medium industries in the corridor would produce. Hoping to benefit are engineering firms such as the Coimbatore-based Shanthi Gears from the low-profile Murugappa Group, a Rs 30,000 crore group that employs 35,000 workers in 28 companies with 55 manufacturing locations worldwide. Shanthi Gears, a subsidiary of Tube Investments of India (TII), is currently a high-tech supplier of gearing to the automobile industry. It hopes the new corridor would lead to greater participation. Rajiv Moorthy, chief executive of Shanti Gears said the company has low-volume but has high-tech presence in the defence market. The firm is developing T-72 tank gearboxes and superchargers for the Heavy Vehicles Factory (HVF), in Avadi, which will now be a lynchpin of the Chennai-Bengaluru corridor. Shanthi Gears is also developing gearbox components for the range of indigenous helicopters being built by Bengaluru-based Hindustan Aeronautics (HAL). These include the Dhruv Advanced Light Helicopter, the Light Combat Helicopter and the Light Utility Helicopter. With an eye on the future, and on proposed projects such as the indigenous development of a main battle tank called the Future Ready Combat Vehicle, Shanthi Gears has entered a partnership with the UK-based gearbox firm, David Brown. And in recognition of its technological expertise, Shanthi Gears is poised to contribute to a prestigious marine indigenous development project. Yet, highlighting the difficulty that private firms have long faced in creating a large presence in defence, Shanthi Gears obtains just 4 per cent of its turnover in defence. Moorthy hopes to grow this to 6-7 per cent this year, or Rs 15 crore out of Rs 250 crore billion turnover. In 2019-20, he plans to touch 8 per cent. Like many defence small and medium enterprises that hope to benefit from the Chennai-Coimbatore corridor, Shanthi Gears focuses strongly on technology. Even though its parent company, TII, already operates a large R&D centre, Shanthi Gears got its own R&D Centre approved last year by the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, which functions under the Ministry of Science and Technology. Hoping to harness the expertise of firms such as Shanthi Gears, Sitharaman has been promising that the ministry will handhold private industry. More than half of her 23-minute talk at an industry gathering in Delhi on Monday was devoted to assuring support to private firms. In every town that is a milestone in the corridor -- Chennai, Trichy, Coimbatore, Salem, Hosur -- each has had extensive consultation process, (where the defence ministry) explained what we were looking for and what they want in turn from the ministry, so that their production capabilities can be enhanced. "Investment in common facilities, testing labs, etc -- anything they think would be better for the government to invest, we will work it out with them, said Sitharman. All this will culminate in the second week of April in the Defexpo 2018 (in Chennai). "For SMEs, we have announced a 50 per cent reduction in space rental. "Accent is being given for them to become active in finding buyers and partners and making sure they can display all that they can do, she said. While firms like Shanthi Gears are savouring this unaccustomed attention, their success or failure will eventually hinge on how much equipment the services procure, and whether the finance ministry supplements the allocations in the Budget, which have already been criticised by the military. There is a waiting period of 8 months for a Rolls Royce, as every car is hand-built in a UK facility that churns out only 4,000 units a year; the wait gets longer if you want it customised. Ajay Modi reports on the exclusive process behind owning the status symbol. Models pose beside a Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead Coupe Waterspeed. Customers in India often make the entire payment for a Rolls Royce in a single cheque! Don't miss: The Indian barber who owned a Rolls Royce Photograph: Chaiwat Subprasom/Reuters. Yadur Kapur, the owner of a Delhi Rolls Royce outlet, once delivered a new car to a buyer's residence 2,000 km away from the capital. The car was driven all the way to this buyer's city -- Kapur is not comfortable naming the city -- by a driver from the outlet. The Delhi outlet caters to demand from the markets in northern and eastern regions of the country. Rolls Royce has just launched the new Phantom in India, priced at over 110 million for the top model. But the Delhi-based outlet has already got four-five calls from prospective buyers. The Rolls Royce range in India begins at 45 million and goes up to 110 million. Kapur's outlet stocks three-four cars for display and demonstration. "I have got phone calls this week with requests to deliver the car. Deals are already done in a matter of seconds. But I don't have cars to deliver," said Kapur. There is a waiting period of at least eight months for the Rolls Royce car, as every vehicle is hand-built (assembled) at its Goodwood in the United Kingdom, which churns out only 4,000 cars a year. The new Phantom takes 450 hours to get built with over 60 workers. The wait can turn longer by two-four months if the buyer decides to customise the vehicle according to his taste and preferences. A few of the buyers prefer to fly down to Goodwood, accompanied by Kapur's executive. A Rolls Royce spokesperson said each such visitor lands at the Rolls Royce helipad in Goodwood to spend a day watching his/her car being hand-assembled and offer inputs according to his choice. "We do not have a catalogue for these buyers as it would mean that the offering is set. We inspire them to come up with any suggestions for the interiors, colours, etc", he said. Not specific to Indian buyers, but Rolls Royce gets peculiar requests from buyers. Once a buyer wanted the seat covers to be in same colour as his dog. A member of the royal family asked for the interiors to be matched to her nail polish colour. "We had once flown a soft drink can from Japan to the UK factory so that the holder in car could be designed to offer a firm grip whenever the owner placed the can," said the spokesperson. Rolls Royce buyers in India and elsewhere are ultra high net worth individuals. "They have one thing in common -- they are all very successful and have the money to buy this car and want the best in life," said the spokesperson, adding that more than 350 Rolls Royce cars were delivered to Indian buyers between 2013 and 2017, making India one of its promising markets. There are four outlets in the country -- one each in Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and Hyderabad -- and the company believes it is adequate to take care of the demand. Well, not many can afford a Rolls Royce. But there is enough interest for a second-hand car. Kapur said he had a list of people keen to buy used Rolls Royce cars, but there was hardly any available in the market. "These cars are for a lifetime. Many preserve it for generations. I have a customer who has been driving one such car every day to his office for over 10 years. They simply don't want to sell it," he added. A number of families own two Rolls Royce cars in India -- the father may have a Phantom, the son could own a Ghost, said Kapur. Unlike most car brands, Kapur's showroom does not get many walk-ins. "Our system is not walk-ins. Our customers call us up and we go to them with the car at their residence or office. My sales team knows each customer by name and is available around the clock for any help," he said. In case a buyer needs assistance, an executive is flown within 24 hours. Kapur's customers -- at least some of them -- make the payment in a single cheque. 'We must look at the entire question of military preparedness anew, taking into account the new realities,' says Vice Admiral Premvir Das (retd). IMAGE: Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and General Bipin Rawat on a visit to the forward areas along the Line of Control in Kashmir, September 29, 2017. Photgraph: ANI Not many may now remember that the Indian Army's manpower, less than 300,000 before the India-China war of 1962, gradually increased to 825,000 following it. This was authorised by the emergency committee of the Cabinet in 1964 on the premise that the country had to be prepared to fight wars with Pakistan and China simultaneously. At this same time the Indian Air Force was authorised 45 fighter squadrons. The army has since seen further growth to over 1.2 million for different reasons, including the need to cope with internal insurgency and terrorism, while the IAF's squadron strength stands at 33. The Navy is also short of the platforms approved at that time. The question then arises: Has anything changed in our security environment since the 1960s, necessitating a review, or have things remained the same? In this period, all the actors of that time have become nuclear weapon States. China has ICBMs which can cover the entire Indian landmass, while our IRBMs cover all of Pakistan and the southern areas of China. This reach could soon be extended. Pakistan's weapons can cover half of our northern part including the capital. Even if one party has more in its inventory than another, the fact is that it cannot prevent itself from being hit by the adversary. It can be argued that ground-based missiles can be neutralised before launch or that aircraft can be shot down even as they approach, but that still does not mean that the odd weapon will not reach its target. China and India have submarine-launched nuclear weapons of differing capabilities, but here too, there is no knowing which of them would push the first button. In this scenario, it is simplistic to believe that these three countries will do anything which could lead to a nuclear confrontation; a full-fledged war between any two could conceivably lead to measures of desperation, but once again, it is naive to expect that the world would allow military conflicts to reach that stage. Occasional statements have been made in the recent past that the country must be prepared to fight a two-front war, but this is mere rhetoric. In short, a military conflict of any consequence between the three countries in which tanks and infantry are engaged for protracted periods is highly improbable. This was not the scenario 50 years ago. Why then is the political leadership not taking a fresh look and determining more appropriate force levels for the three Services? This is a question that every right thinking Indian must ask. There is another aspect to this debate. Forty-five squadrons of the old Hunter aircraft do not translate into an equal number of today's Mirages or SU30s. Add to this, force multipliers like airborne early warning systems, drones and so on. Similarly, the rifle used by the infantry soldier in the 1960s was a .303 capable of firing one bullet at a time. The present INSAS rifle may not be the best and, hopefully, will be replaced soon, but it is a far cry from that older weapon. The highest caliber gun then was the reliable 105mm; compare it with the present 130mm and 155mm weapons. The same is true of naval ships and weapon systems. Surveillance and reconnaissance including from satellites have also reconfigured the battlefield environment. Therefore, the ground realities of today bear little comparison to that which existed when India fought those wars. Further, the very concept of a two-front war is dubious. In 1965, China was a good friend of Pakistan and neither the United States nor the then USSR was very supportive of India, yet it was only an India-Pakistan match. Even in 1971, the Chinese did make some noise, but refrained from opening another front in support of their ally. China's ambitions now are to match up to the US as a global power. For this it needs four-to-five decades of all-round growth that interventions in military conflicts with others cannot but fail to inhibit. There may be the occasional skirmish -- as in Doklam -- and also rhetoric, but major confrontations are unlikely. In the same way, there is little likelihood of an 'all-out war' with Pakistan. In this same period, we have moved to 'less-than-war' scenarios. A task that the army did not have to cope with too much in the 1960s, but has now to look at comprehensively, is counter-terrorism. This activity is manpower-intensive and it is unlikely that this responsibility can be shed in the foreseeable future. Regrettably, political efforts that are essential to root out the problem are insipid and we are depending upon military power to eradicate it, which it cannot. Second, the sea is increasingly coming into play both in the Indian Ocean Region and in the Indo-Pacific. There is much greater awareness of the need for India to exercise both power and influence in this domain and the navy, which watched from the sidelines 50 years ago, is now the primary instrument for enabling both. Air and cyber power have become more important. These changes clearly necessitate our going back to the drawing board and working out force levels for the Services that are more suited to the needs of the times. Almost 68 per cent of our defence budget constitutes revenue expenditure and is consumed largely by manpower and related adjuncts. What remains is never going to get us the modernised armed forces that we need. Clearly, we need to right size our armed forces to cope with threats now perceived as relevant. Demands for more money for defence are meaningless when our allocations for health and education, both vitally important, are so pitiable. We must look at the entire question of military preparedness anew, taking into account the new realities. To view the security scenario in 2018 in the same way as was seen in 1964 is strange, to say the least, especially when one adversary has since been cut into two and the other is seeking to become a superpower. Sticking to a 50-year-old prescription whose time has long gone is not great strategy. Vice Admiral Premvir Das (retd) is a former Director General, Defence Staff. He has also been a member of the National Security Advisory Board. 'It will be a grand alliance where they could get the Muslims, Dalits and Yadavs in one camp and pose a serious challenge to whatever the BJP might conjure up in the run-up to the 2019 election.' IMAGE: The Samajwadi Party-Bahujan Samaj Party alliance is a compulsion for both parties, and Akhilesh Yadav and Mayawati came together to secure their political futures, says Sharat Pradhan. Sharat Pradhan has reported on politics in Uttar Pradesh for several decades. After the electoral fallout of the Bharatiya Janata Party's defeat by the Samajwadi Party-Bahujan Samaj Party alliance in the Phulpur and Gorakhpur Lok Sabha constituencies, the question being asked is if the BSP and SP will retain the alliance for the 2019 Lok Sabha election. "Given Mayawati's mercurial nature, the big question now is how long will this bond and camaraderie last," Pradhan tells Rediff.com's Prasanna D Zore. How significant are the Phulpur and Gorakhpur results for Prime Minister Narendra D Modi, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adiyanath, the Samajwadi Party's Akhilesh Yadav and the Bahujan Samaj Party's Mayawati? It is a big jolt to Modi and Yogi Adityanath. But the fact that Modi was not at all involved in the campaign lends him some saving grace. For Yogi, this is a big fall from grace and it is certainly going to damage his position within the party. He was the rising star and star campaigner; they took him all the way to Kerala, the north east and Karnataka. That image of a star campaigner has taken a severe beating now. It is just not a question of one seat. The question is why he could not retain a seat that he had won five times as the head of the Gorakhpur mutt. Before Yogi Adityanath, the previous head of the Gorakhpur mutt, Mahant Avaidyanath, had won this seat. This defeat has shown that the Gorakhpur voters elect only those who head the mutt. The fact that as a Parliamentarian he hasn' done much for Gorakhpur is reflected in this verdict. Gorakhpur is a very filthy city and Yogi has always been in denial mode. The only good thing about him is his honesty. Yogi's problem is he is not a democratic kind of person. He thinks his writ is the last word and that is how he governs Uttar Pradesh. He was terribly crestfallen last evening (March 14, the day of the verdict) and was quite candid in admitting overconfidence as the reason why BJP lost Gorakhpur. While now both Yogi and Modi will have to rework their UP strategy it is still possible that he may be used to whip up communal passions. While Modi might continue to play the development card, Yogi will be let loose to play the Hindutva card, if Modi is left with nothing but to whip up passions. Having said that, it is evident both Modi's and Yogi's confidence is shaken. It is a good sign for both Akhilesh and Mayawati and their parties that despite their differences and egos, they joined hands to counter the strength of the BJP in Uttar Pradesh. But given such circumstances it has happened in the past also and happened in this election too. Given Mayawati's mercurial nature, the big question now is how long will this bond and camaraderie last. Mayawati is very ambitious and Akhilesh being so junior to her, she may not concede much ground to him. But as far as Yogi is on the scene they may play along to counter him. How they will adjust with the Congress is also a big issue because nationally the Congress is down in the dumps. I have been saying from day one that the Congress was foolish to enter the fray in Phulpur and Gorakhpur. Why do you think Modi and Amit A Shah did not address a single rally in Phulpur or Gorakhpur given that they are always in election mode? It was sheer overconfidence and arrogance. They did not pre-empt what Mayawati and Akhilesh were capable of hitting them with. Even I had thought that Gorakhpur would elect a BJP member, though I always knew Phulpur would be tricky for Keshav Prasad Maurya as he is not a known name and has done nothing for that constituency. IMAGE: The verdict in the Gorakhpur and Phulpur byelection is a lifeline for the SP and BSP, showing them a way how they can defeat the BJP in 2019, says Sharat Pradhan. Photograph: PTI Photo Akhilesh Yadav and Mayawati did not even meet once to stitch this arrangement... Yes. They just spoke over the phone, but this clearly indicates Mayawati's grip on her voters and that she can deliver the goods even by staying behind the scenes. Unlike other parties including the SP, Mayawati has a solid grip over her hardcore cadre and they in turn swiftly moved into action and delivered the BSP vote into the SP's kitty. It proves that she has a committed voter base. Another important thing is that in 2014, Modi successfully broke the caste alliance so assiduously stitched by both the BSP and SP in UP. The UP voter, cutting across caste lines, overwhelmingly voted for him because he was a star campaigner in 2014. But the Phulpur and Gorakhpur verdict has brought caste back into the electoral equation. Modi wants to win 2019 and to achieve his aim he could go to any extent. For all you know, Yogi might be used to flare up communal passions while Modi continues to talk development. Are the Gorakhpur and Phulpur results a reflection of the one year of Yogi Adityanath's governance as UP chief minister? I will not say as much, but in the last one year he was not able to do much for the state in the context of what he had promised before the UP assembly election. His problem is that he lives in denial and believes 'ki jo maine kah diya wohi sach hai (whatever I do and say is the only right thing).' Without getting his feet on the ground, he has been making a lot of tall claims in his one year as UP CM. For instance, he had said he will make roads free of potholes, but they have remained as bad as they were a year ago. He believes that since he travels on VIP roads the entire state's roads are in a great condition. He thinks because the UP police has killed many gangsters in encounters, the state's law and order is also in a great condition and the fear of god has been instilled into gangsters. So, Yogi's problem is he doesn't want to know what the ground realities are. But he still has four years and one can only comment upon his chief ministership after he completes his tenure. Did caste equations play any major role in the SP-BSP victory over the BJP? As I said earlier, Modi had demolished the caste card in UP in 2014, but with the SP-BSP tie-up it has once again come to the fore once the election result conclusively proved that Mayawati succeeded in transferring her entire voter base in favour of the SP. IMAGE: Yogi Adityanath has made many tall claims, says Sharat Pradhan, but the problem is that he lives in denial and doesn't want to know the ground realities. Photograph: Pawan Kumar/Reuters Do you believe the SP-BSP alliance can become a reality? What would be the broad contours of such an alliance? I think it is a compulsion for both the SP and BSP. With both the parties down in the dumps currently, a political leader who met Akhilesh yesterday, and who I happened to meet, told me that both the SP and BSP are all set for a tie-up in 2019. The political compulsions so favour the current circumstances that they have to come together for their own futures. The only hitch could be the question of accommodating the Congress in such an alliance. As the Gorakhpur and Phulpur results showed, the SP and BSP will have an upper hand if they come together. It will be a grand alliance where they could get the Muslims, Dalits and Yadavs in one camp and pose a serious challenge to whatever the BJP might conjure up in the run-up to the 2019 election. The contours that could shape up such an alliance would be Mayawati playing a key role in national politics with the SP's support and the latter getting to rule the state. Mayawati and Akhilesh both have been chief ministers so Mayawati would want to focus on a national role if this alliance were to become a reality. The only way this game can play out is Mayawati going to the Centre and Akhilesh holding fort in Uttar Pradesh. The other possibility is both parties could agree to share equal responsibilities in the state government. If the SP-BSP bloc were to contest the 2019 election together, get a good chunk of MPs from UP, then both would want to play a bigger role as part of a larger alliance of Opposition parties at the Centre. The results clearly indicate Mayawati's grip on her voters. Unlike other parties including the SP, Mayawati has a solid grip over her hardcore cadre and they in turn moved into action and delivered the BSP vote into the SP's kitty. Will the recent electoral reverses in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, UP play on the BJP's mind as it prepares to take on the Opposition that is showing signs of consolidation? How confident will it be about its 2019 success? I am sure the ball has been set to roll and Yogi Adityanath has already said they will be reworking their strategy to counter the SP-BSP alliance because they underestimated the impact of these two foes-turned-friends coming together. My reading is that the BJP will go back to the Ram Mandir issue and their communal agenda to polarise voters. Will the Ram Mandir play a decisive role and counter the SP-BSP caste math in the 2019 general election? If the BJP realises it cannot stitch together a winning caste equation then it will return to the core agenda of Hindutva and communal polarisation. Modi wants to win 2019 and to achieve his aim he could go to any extent. For all you know, Yogi might be used to flare up communal passions while Modi continues to talk development. We will get a glimpse of this once the bypoll election to Kairana, which is already a communally charged region, is announced and campaigning starts. 'Why wasn't my no-confidence motion tabled in the House?' IMAGE: Opposition members protest during the ongoing Budget session in the Lok Sabha. Photograph: Television grab via PTI Photo Y V Subba Reddy -- the Yuvajana Shramika Rythu Congress Party Member of Parliament from Andhra Pradesh's Ongole constituency -- was the first to table the no-confidence motion against the National Democratic Alliance government led by Prime Minister Narendra D Modi. The Telugu Desam Party joined in later with a similar motion. Reddy expressed his displeasure when Speaker Sumitra Mahajan did not allow his motion to be tabled in the Lok Sabha on Friday, March 16, citing 'lack of order' in the House. The Ongole MP said the YSR Congress, despite having just five MPs in Lok Sabha, wanted to highlight the grievances of the people of Andhra Pradesh and how the Bharatiya Janata Party and its ally till Friday, the TDP, had hoodwinked the people of the state. "For us the interests of the people of Andhra is of utmost importance and it is our duty to expose those who cheated the people of the state," Reddy told Rediff.com's Prasanna D Zore . Why did you table a no-confidence motion against the Modi government? For the last four years, the NDA government has done a lot of injustice to the people of Andhra Pradesh. They had made several big promises like building the capital of Andhra Pradesh, giving the state a special status, build metros in Vijayawada and Visakhapatnam, but failed to live up to the people's expectations. Both the BJP and the TDP, as a constituent of the NDA, together had promised these things to the people of the state. For four years now nothing has been delivered. We too have been fighting for justice to be done to the people of Andhra Pradesh, but now that nothing is coming out of it, the YSR Congress decided to express its displeasure with both the BJP and TDP and let the people know how they have been deceived by these two parties. Isn't it ironical that the TDP too has joined the no-confidence bandwagon? The TDP is just doing drama. Were they sleeping for the last four years despite being in the NDA? They too failed miserably to put any pressure on the Modi government. The people of Andhra Pradesh would want to know what the TDP did for these four years. N Chandrababu Naidu (the Andhra Pradesh chief minister) is doing this (spliting from the NDA) to take advantage of the anti-BJP mood in the state. He is just playing games now, but the people of Andhra are far wiser than he thinks. What will the YSR Congress gain from this no-confidence motion? Everybody knows it will fall flat on its face when put to vote... We know that we are just five MPs! But we want to raise the voice of five crore (50 million) Andhra people. We want to highlight how and why injustice has been done to them. The entire country should know how the BJP is treating the people of the state. They should know the reason why the promises made to them in Parliament and before the elections were not delivered. There is talk that the YSR Congress will drift towards the BJP in the TDP's absence. Is that a possibility? No way. If we had to join hands with the BJP, why would we table a no-confidence motion against them? For us, the interests of the people of Andhra are of utmost importance and it is our duty to expose those who cheated the people of the state. We will only support those who will categorically promise and actually deliver a special status to Andhra Pradesh after the 2019 elections. With this no confidence motion, are you then preparing for the 2019 general as well as assembly elections in Andhra Pradesh? We don't have any strategy as of now apart from the interests and rights of the people of my state. Elections are not at all on our minds right now. As the main Opposition party it is our duty to fight against injustice. The Lok Sabha Speaker did not allow the motion to be tabled in the House... They (the Speaker and the government) disallowed my no-confidence motion stating that there was no order in the House. The NDA government is bulldozing parliamentary democracy. The reason I am saying this is because the other day the government passed the Finance Bill despite chaos in Parliament with as many as 100 MPs in the well of the House. The House was not in order at all that day (March 14, when the Finance Bill was passed) too. If they could bulldoze the (discussion on) Finance Bill amid such disorder, why wasn't my-no confidence motion tabled in the House? They can't have two different sets of rules for similar situations. This only means that they (the government) did not want my no-confidence motion to come up in the House. They are making a mockery of our democracy. The police, however, claims the murder of 65-year-old Ramchandra Yadav was the fallout of a 'personal enmity'. Unidentified persons hacked to death the father of a Bharatiya Janata Party worker in Bihar's Darbhanga allegedly over a tiff over naming of a square on the outskirts of the city after Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Police, however, claimed that murder of 65-year-old Ramchandra Yadav late on Thursday night, whose BJP activist son Kamlesh Yadav sustained injuries in the attack, was the fallout of a 'personal enmity'. Kamlesh Yadav, who was undergoing treatment at a hospital, told reporters 'a chowk (square) at our native village of Bhadavan in Sadar police station area had been named after Narendra Modi two years ago'. "Yesterday (Thursday), local RJD (Rashtriya Janata Dal) supporters, who had been opposed to naming of the square after Modi, tried to remove the plaque bearing the name of the square. When we protested, they said that the RJD's victory in bypolls to one Lok Sabha and an assembly seat marked their party's resurgence and hence they wanted to rename the square after Lalu Prasad", Yadav alleged. "The RJD supporters went away after we resolutely opposed them. However, in the night, a group of 20-25 persons came to hour house riding on motorcycles, attacked my father with a sword, severing his head", Yadav, whose arm was slashed by a sword carried by the assailants, said. Additional SP, Darbhanga, Dilnawaz Ahmad, however, said 'as per our information, the attackers had some personal enmity with Kamlesh Yadav and his family. We are not aware of any dispute over naming of the square, though all angles would be investigated'. Local BJP workers in the district also staged a demonstration in protest against the killing, blocking road traffic for close to an hour. They were pacified by the police who assured them of adequate action against the guilty. Meanwhile, state BJP spokesman Rajib Ranjan told PTI over phone 'incidents like these demonstrate RJD's belief in hooliganism and corruption. They have merely retained two seats they had held earlier, but they want to strike terror in the hearts of the people of Bihar'. Image used only for representation. The Irish official stated that Ireland and Vietnam share similarities in terms of the history of struggling for long-term independence, their dynamic and hard-working citizens, and their ancient capitals with long-standing cultural and historical traditions. Highlighting Irelands strong agricultural development, he suggested that both countries further enhance the exchange of experience in developing high-value agriculture, in addition to fostering cooperation in the areas of culture and education. Doyle also pledged Irelands technological assistance to help the Vietnamese capital to improve the quality of farm produce and ensure food safety and hygiene, which, he added, would contribute to strengthening the trade exchange between the two countries as a whole, and between Ireland and Hanoi in particular. In celebration of Irelands Saint Patricks Day, the Irish Embassy will coordinate with the Hanoi Peoples Committee to hold a ceremony turning on green light at Thap But (Pen Tower) a symbol of knowledge in Hanoi on the evening of March 17, thereby demonstrating Irelands wish to further its educational cooperation with Vietnam and Hanoi in particular, he stated. For his part, Chairman of the Hanoi Peoples Committee, Nguyen Duc Chung, shared Andrew Doyles view on the similarities between the two countries and the two capitals, stating that Hanoi has learnt a lot from Irelands experience lessons in overcoming the economic crisis through agricultural development. Emphasising food safety and hygiene as a hot issue of Hanoi citizens concern, he asked the Minister of State and the Irish Ambassador to serve as a bridge to connect and help Irish businesses to strengthen their cooperation and experience sharing with Hanoi in the future. Former Union minister Y S Chowdary says TDP chief Chandrababu Naidu is talking to various political parties to gather support for the party's no-confidence motion against the NDA government. Rediff.com's Prasanna D Zore reports. IMAGE: TDP leaders hold placards and raise slogans demanding special status for Andhra Pradesh at Parliament House in New Delhi. Photograph: Atul Yadav/PTI Photo Y S Chowdary, the former minister of state for science and technology, and earth sciences who, along with Civil Aviation Minister Ashok Gajpati Raju, resigned from the Union Cabinet on March 8, dismissed the Yuvajana Shramika Rythu Congress Party's no-confidence motion against the Centre as "non-serious". "The YSRCP's no-confidence motion is non-serious in nature; they just have five MPs in the Lok Sabha," the Telugu Desam Party's Rajya Sabha MP told Rediff.com's Prasanna D Zore on the phone. Chowdary was equally dismissive of Andhra Pradesh Congress Committee president N Raghuveera Reddys support to the TDP and YSRCP's no-confidence motions. "There is nothing for them. Only the Congress (national) president can take a call on this. The Congress is not there in Andhra Pradesh. It has zero Lok Sabha seats from Andhra Pradesh," he said. Chowdary said that TDP president and Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu was in touch with various political parties to enlist their support against the NDA government. "My president is talking to various political parties and we will only know on Monday how many of them will support our motion." He said he was not sure if the no-trust motion will be put to vote on the floor of the House on Monday. "I don't think it will be put up for vote on Monday. It may happen on Tuesday," he added. When asked if the TDP's no-confidence motion was only a reaction to a similar motion tabled by YSRCP's Y V Subba Reddy and in the absence of adequate numbers the vote will be defeated on the floor of the House, Chowdary said, "This no-confidence motion is just a way to discuss how the people of Andhra Pradesh were denied their just rights and how the BJP broke promises. We would want to discuss these issues on the floor of the House and so we have tabled this no-confidence motion. The rest of the country too understand what the issues involved are." "We have tried our best," he said in response to why the TDP took four long years to reach the conclusion that their demands will not be satisfied by the Narendra Modi-led NDA government. The TDP MP was on his way to Andhra Pradesh from Delhi when he spoke to Rediff.com. IMAGE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi delivers the inaugural address at the 105th session of Indian Science Congress at Manipur University in Imphal on Friday. Photograph: Press Information Bureau of India Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday exhorted scientists to extend their research from 'the labs to the land' for the greater benefit of the people and said time was ripe to redefine R&D as research for development of the nation. Addressing the inaugural session of the 105th Indian Science Congress in Imphal, he said India has a rich tradition and a long history of both discovery and use of science and technology. "It is time to reclaim our rightful place among the front-line nations in this field," he said, calling upon the scientific community to extend its research from 'the labs to the land'. "The time is ripe to redefine R&D as Research for the Development of the nation. That is R&D in the real sense. Science is after all, a means to a far greater end -- of making a difference in the lives of others, of furthering human progress and welfare," he said. Modi said the country has to be 'future-ready' in implementing technology vital for the growth and prosperity of the nation. "Technology will allow far greater penetration of services such as education, health care and banking to our citizens," he said. By 2020, the prime minister said, India should become a major player in developing technologies, devices, standards and manufacturing for 5-G broadband tele-communication networks. "Together with Artificial Intelligence, Big Data Analytics, Machine Learning and cyber-physical systems, effective communication will be a major ingredient in our success in smart manufacturing, smart cities. Let us aim for India to be among the top 10 countries in the Global Innovation Index by 2030," he added. Modi also talked about developing Clusters of Excellence in Science in cities around important scientific institutions with an aim to creating city-based R&D centres which will bring together all science and technology partners, from academia to institutes, to industries to start-ups. "This will help promote new discoveries and create globally competitive vibrant research hubs," he said. There is a need, the prime minister said, to communicate our scientific achievements to society. This, he said, will help inculcate scientific temper among the youth. He said it was his 'personal request' that scientists spend 100 hours per annum with 100 students of classes 9 to 12 to discuss science and technology as it could help nurture scientific temperament among the youth. Modi said India is committed to increasing the share of non-fossil fuel based capacity in the electricity mix above 40 per cent by 2030. "Efficiency of solar modules currently available in the market is around 17-18 per cent. Can our scientists take a challenge to come up with a more efficient solar module, which can be produced in India at the same cost?" he asked. Referring to the recently held Founding Conference on International Solar Alliance, Modi said India is a leader in the multi-country Solar Alliance and in Mission Innovation. These groupings are providing a thrust to R&D for clean energy, the prime minister pointed out. Listing out key initiatives taken by his government in the area of science for the northeastern states, Modi said the agro-meteorological services that benefits five lakh farmers will now be expanded to all districts of the region. Besides this, State Climate Change Centres have been set up in seven northeastern states that will undertake risk analysis, and raise public awareness about climate change, he added. An Ethno Medicinal Research Centre has also been set up in Manipur which will undertake research on wild herbs with unique medicinal and aromatic properties available in the region, the prime minister said. Modi paid tributes to senior and renowned Indian scientists Prof Yashpal, Prof U R Roa and Baldev Raj, who passed away in last one year. Yashpal was known for his contribution for taking science to the masses while Rao and Raj were space and nuclear scientists. Remembering cosmologist Stephen Hawking, who passed away this week at the age of 76, Modi said the common man did not know the legendary cosmologist for his work on black holes but for his 'unusually high commitment and spirit' against all odds. Hawking had a rare early-onset slow-progressing form of motor neurone disease that gradually paralysed him over the decades. This year's Indian Science Congress, which started on Friday, was a subdued one. Due to the change of venue at the last minute -- from Hyderabad to Imphal --- there has been a dip in the numbers of delegates and scientists attending it. Statement by Ms. Sheila B. Keetharuth, Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Eritrea at the 37th session of the Human Rights Council Publisher UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) Publication Date 12 March 2018 Cite as UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), Statement by Ms. Sheila B. Keetharuth, Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Eritrea at the 37th session of the Human Rights Council, 12 March 2018, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5aabbf954.html [accessed 22 September 2021] Statement by Ms. Sheila B. Keetharuth, Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Eritrea at the 37th session of the Human Rights Council 12 March 2018 Mr. President, Distinguished Delegates, Ladies and Gentlemen, While participating in this enhanced interactive dialogue I intend to provide an update on the situation of human rights in Eritrea. My monitoring of the current situation shows that the patterns of human rights violations identified by both my mandate and that of the Commission of Inquiry on Human Rights in Eritrea continue unabated. Little has changed regarding basic human rights since in 2012, when this Council gave me the responsibility to monitor, document, analyse, report and make recommendations on the situation of human rights in Eritrea, now almost five and a half years ago. I will focus on the right to life, the right to liberty and security of the person, freedom from arbitrary arrests and detention, freedom of expression, assembly and association, and freedom of religious belief, to name but these ones. Arbitrary arrests and death in custody When I addressed the Third Committee of the General Assembly in October2017, I pointed out that Eritrea continued to keep people in custody until death. Following the recent events in the Akhria neighbourhood of Asmara another name has been added to the long list of known and unknown individuals who die while in the custody of the Eritrean Government. On Saturday 3 March 2018, the family of Haji Musa Mohamednur, aged 93 years, received information that the respected elder and former freedom fighter died while in jail. He had been arbitrarily arrested and detained for almost four months. Reports reaching me from credible sources point to the arrest of hundreds to people, mainly males, some of them children as young as thirteen years, after the burial of Haji Musa. The arrests continue. The genesis of these continuing serious breaches of international human rights law is as follows: Haji Musa Mohamednur was put in jail in October 2017, and afforded no due process since. Members of the management committee, including Haji Musa, and other school officials were arrested because they declined implementing the orders of the Government relating to the administration of the Al Diaa private secondary school located in the Akhria neighbourhood. They resisted the imposition of restrictions, including banning Muslim girls attending the school from wearing the veil or hijab, the discontinuation of religious teachings as well as the introduction of co-education. On 31 October 2017, people marched to protest against the arrests of school officials and the government-imposed restrictions, exercising their right to freedom of expression and the right to peaceful assembly and association. Armed law enforcement officers violently dispersed the crowd, wielding truncheons and firing shots in the air. Hundreds of people were arbitrarily arrested on that day. In the aftermath, more people were arrested from the Akhria neighbourhood, including students of the school. Reports indicate that while some people have been released, an unknown number remain in custody following this first wave of arrests. After the burial of Haji Musa Mohamednur on Saturday 4 March, the second wave of arrests started. I continue to receive reports of arrests, including of children, aged 13 years. The Government of Eritrea implemented its notorious and repeatedly documented modus operandi once more: mass arrests to instil fear; those in custody are not allowed to exercise their rights to due process to challenge the legality of their detention; family members have not received any formal notification of the arrest and detention of their loved ones. However, some family members have been able to find out their whereabouts through informal channels and deliver food and clothing. The Commission of Inquiry on Human Rights in Eritrea, of which I was a member, already documented cases of death in custody. The responsibility for death in custody falls squarely on Government authorities and impunity cannot be allowed to prevail. Freedom of expression, association, and peaceful assembly The Government tried to portray the resistance by the Al Diaa school leadership as a Muslim conspiracy and uprising. The indiscriminate mass arrests in October 2017 and during the past week are carried out to quell any kind of protest or resistance in the face of human rights violations. The fear to share anything that could be perceived by the Government as criticism, such as details about the arrest and detention of a relative, remains high. Shots were fired, but no one was hurt. The participation in the funeral of Haji Musa on 4 March was also severely punished when the Government arrested hundreds who attended. Freedom of religion and belief Followers of both recognised and unrecognised religions continue to be targeted for their religious beliefs. Government interference persists. The Minor Seminary School in Asmara, which provides religious education to aspiring priests and nuns of the Catholic church, was closed in October 2017. Two representatives of the school, a priest and a nun, were arrested and detained for refusing to hand over the list of students enrolled at the school. Six health clinics run by the Catholic church across the country have been closed between November and December 2017. The seminary attached the Nda Mariam, the Orthodox Cathedral in Asmara, has also been closed. The Patriarch of the Eritrean Orthodox church was threatened to step down, so that a new person could be appointed. However, he resisted. He continues to remain under house arrest, being constantly monitored by a minder who controls access to him. Harassment, mistreatment, torture and detention of members of unrecognised religions continue. Economic, social and cultural rights Currently, reportedly the economy has reached stagnation point. Several businesses were closed following the change of currency notes in 2015. The withdrawal limit from bank accounts remains 5,000 Nakfa. Some 200 to 300 small businesses such as coffee shops, restaurants, hotels, cinemas, pharmacies, photo studios, workshops and clothes stores, have been closed in Asmara, Keren and other cities in recent months. Business owners have been accused of hoarding cash and not depositing the money in banks, an action triggering the Government to close their businesses. Business owners were not informed about the closure prior to their shops being sealed by a 'taashigu', a note from the Ministry of Interior glued on the door. The means of livelihoods of scores of people are thus affected. Lack of access Independent observers and researchers continue to be denied access. There is still no free and independent reporting on the situation by Eritreans from within the country. Sharing information abroad, including short video clips of events as they happen, or suspicion of doing so, can expose oneself to arrests and detention. In such circumstances, claims made by the Government regarding their adherence to human rights norms cannot be verified. Sustained scrutiny is critical, given the continuing serious human rights situation. What progress has been registered despite increased international engagement? Some Governments and international actors have invested in strengthening their engagement with the Government of Eritrea, in an effort to normalise relations over the past three years or so. I end by posing a question: what tangible progress has been achieved on the ground regarding the fundamental human rights I have dealt with in my update? What concrete steps have been taken for necessary transformation? From my vantage point, there is very little to write home about. Thank you. Title Brazil: Interministerial Ordinance No. 9, on the Residence Permit for immigrants from bordering countries that are not a part of the Residency Agreement for Nationals of States Parties of MERCOSUR (2018) Publication Date 14 March 2018 Country Brazil Other Languages / Attachments Portuguese Cite as National Legislative Bodies / National Authorities, Brazil: Interministerial Ordinance No. 9, on the Residence Permit for immigrants from bordering countries that are not a part of the Residency Agreement for Nationals of States Parties of MERCOSUR (2018), 14 March 2018, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5aabc1c84.html [accessed 22 September 2021] Comments Please refer to the Spanish Refworld for more information. Statement by Sheila B. Keetharuth, Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Eritrea at the Seventy-second session of the General Assembly, Item 69 (a & b) Publisher UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) Publication Date 26 October 2017 Cite as UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), Statement by Sheila B. Keetharuth, Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Eritrea at the Seventy-second session of the General Assembly, Item 69 (a & b), 26 October 2017, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5aabc2b04.html [accessed 22 September 2021] Statement by Sheila B. Keetharuth, Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Eritrea at the Seventy-second session of the General Assembly, Item 69 (a & b) 26 October 2017 Honourable Chairperson, Distinguished Delegates, Ladies and Gentlemen, I address you as the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Eritrea and am honoured to brief you for the fifth time in this capacity. The Human Rights Council extended my mandate for one year in resolution 35/35, adopted without a vote, and requested me to follow up, as appropriate, on the implementation of the recommendations of the Commission of Inquiry on Human Rights in Eritrea (COIE) in its report (A/HRC/32/47) and those in my own report (A/HRC/35/39). What I plan to do is to focus on a selected number of issues and while doing so, update this august gathering on key human rights developments in Eritrea. From the time I addressed the Human Rights Council last June, I have continued monitoring specific human rights in Eritrea. I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate Eritrea for being one of the two countries in Africa which have completed the critical costing phase of their pandemic preparedness and response plans in health security, according to a recently released report by the International Working Group on Financing Preparedness . I also welcome that in July 2017, the World Heritage Committee inscribed the Eritrean capital, Asmara, to the World Heritage List. It is the first entry for Eritrea. However, on the key human rights violations, namely death in custody, extrajudicial executions, arbitrary detention, breaches of the rights to freedom of expression and religion, among others, I have received further information indicating that these have not stopped. I will provide more details below. Allow me to also point out that there is no change in the duration of the national service, which remains indefinite, beyond the eighteen months provided for by the laws of Eritrea. The country still has no constitution that would provide for constitutional protection for fundamental human rights, no independent judiciary, no legislative assembly, in fact no institutions that could ensure checks and balances, as well as invaluable protection against the misuse of power by the state. Accountability for past human rights violations First, I would like to deal with accountability for past human rights violations. The Commission of Inquiry on human rights in Eritrea (COIE) called on the Government of Eritrea to ensure accountability for past and persistent human rights violations, amounting to crimes against humanity. These include enslavement, imprisonment, enforced disappearance, torture, and other inhumane acts, persecution, rape and murder. The COIE recommended the establishment of independent, impartial and gender-sensitive mechanisms to provide victims with adequate redress, including the right to truth and reparations. I am not aware that Eritrea has proceeded with the required far-reaching and substantial institutional and legal reforms required before the domestic legal system can hold perpetrators of international crimes to account in a fair and transparent manner. Above all, I remain particularly concerned at the failure of the Eritrean Government to put in place measures to ensure accountability of military personnel for sexual and gender-based violence during national service, extensively documented by the COIE. Impunity is symptomatic of a lack of rule of law, which undermines accountability. Additionally, impunity makes perpetrators bolder in the commission of further human rights violations. Therefore, directly addressing a culture of impunity is the most important action required as a guarantee for non-recurrence. Another avenue for tackling impunity recommended by the Commission of Inquiry was the call on Member States to exercise jurisdiction over crimes against humanity when any alleged offender is present on their respective territories, or extradite him or her to another State in accordance with its international obligations. Given the long-term perspective required for Eritrea to tackle impunity or for the other recommendations made by the Commission, such as a Security Council's referral to the International Criminal Court or the setting up of an accountability mechanism under the aegis of the African Union, it is essential to explore alternative approaches such as universal jurisdiction, to ensure accountability for human rights violations where such violations amount to crimes against humanity. There are accountability mechanisms that can be used to secure justice for victims of international crimes at the domestic level in certain countries, offering a more immediate relief and realistic options to access justice for victims. During 2017, I embarked on a round of talks aimed at exploring the available options under universal jurisdiction. Universal jurisdiction provides the ability to the judicial system of any state to try persons for crimes committed outside its territory which are not linked to the state by the nationality of the suspect or the victims or by harm to the state's own national interests. Various countries have adopted laws that permit domestic courts to exercise universal jurisdiction, including for those crimes identified by the Commission of Inquiry, irrespective of the nationality of the victim or the perpetrator, or the location of the crime. According to a 2012 study, a total of 163 states could exercise universal jurisdiction over one or more crimes under international law, either as such crimes or as ordinary crimes under national law. Those countries that have included crimes against humanity or torture as crimes in their national laws and provided for universal jurisdiction over such crimes could exercise jurisdiction over Eritreans suspected of having committed such crimes. Such proceedings would be consistent with the principles set out in the preamble of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court which, inter alia, recalls "that it is the duty of every State to exercise its criminal jurisdiction over those responsible for international crimes". The significance of universal jurisdiction for victims' search for justice is on the rise. In 2016, 13 countries opened 47 cases based on the principle of universal jurisdiction, 7 more than the previous year, and 10 more than in 2014. One of the landmark cases in 2016 was the conviction of the former Chadian dictator Hissene Habre by a special court in Senegal for crimes against humanity, war crimes and torture, including rape and sexual slavery. A coalition of victims and civil society organisations created the conditions for a successful prosecution under the principle of universal jurisdiction. The case is an encouragement for all victims of crimes against humanity that they can drive the struggle against impunity and efforts to bring the perpetrators to justice, no matter how high-ranking they may be. The effective use of universal jurisdiction will largely depend on the availability of the necessary structures, capacities and resources required for ensuring accountability for international crimes. Given the experience of the Commission of Inquiry and the Special Rapporteur, it seems unlikely that the Government of Eritrea would provide investigators and prosecutors access to Eritrea to gather evidence, or agree to extradite suspects to third countries. In similar situations, civil society organisations have contributed by collecting documentation about serious human rights violations, which may serve as evidence both for current domestic trials, as well as for future investigations at the international level. I would like to stress, however, that questions have been raised in investigations at the domestic level as to whether documents collected by civil society actors would be allowed as evidence. These issues need to be carefully considered ahead of any such initiatives. There are other significant challenges, such as the immunity of serving government officials, and the limited travel outside Eritrea of suspected perpetrators. I would also like to recall that at the end of its mandate, the information compiled by the Commission of Inquiry has been transferred to the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights who may grant access to information for purposes of accountability where confidentiality and protection concerns have been addressed. Efforts to initiate and pursue universal jurisdiction cases are likely to be unsuccessful without the required political will, both at the domestic, as well as at the international level. Civil society actors, in close collaboration with survivors, victims and victims' organisations, can play an important role to create and maintain such political will, as was the situation in the Hissene Habre case. I plan to concentrate on raising awareness about the available accountability mechanisms at the domestic level, while focusing on the role of victims in such processes. SELECTED HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS Extra-judicial executions and shoot to kill at the border Military involvement in the extrajudicial executions of unarmed Eritreans attempting to cross the border either individually or in groups has surfaced at regular intervals. This is a military practice committed with impunity, without any investigations, with no explanations provided for the deaths. While the Eritrean authorities have vehemently disputed that a shoot-to-kill policy at the border exists, repeated allegations and documented cases show that several people, including children, have been killed while attempting to cross the border. It is very explicitly stated that governments have the obligation to 'prohibit orders from superior officers or public authorities authorizing or inciting other persons to carry out any such extra-legal, arbitrary or summary executions'. Additionally, [a]ll persons shall have the right and the duty to defy such orders'. It is also important for these provisions to be emphasized during the training of law enforcement officials . I appeal to the Eritrean authorities to stop shooting people attempting to cross the border. Arrest and detention Deprivation of liberty is subject to a list of conditions which should be strictly observed. Sometimes, even if detention is lawful initially, it becomes arbitrary and in breach of the law if it is not subjected to periodic review. Since the time I addressed the Human Rights Council earlier this year in June, I have continued receiving communications about arrests and detention in the capital city, Asmara. The modus operandi remains the same: (i) people arrested and detained are not told why their physical liberty is being infringed, (ii) they are not taken before a court of law to determine the legality of their detention; (iii) they have no contact with the outside world, not even with lawyers or their close family members, who can only bring food and clean clothes for them, handed over to prison guards; (iv) there is no information at all provided on specific cases; and (v) there is no indication whether and when they will be released. What is seriously lacking in Eritrea is the political will to deal with arrests and detention in conformity with international human rights law, which ensures guarantees of due process and fair trial before a court of law, without undue delay. In effect, arrest and detention are used to punish, intimidate, create an atmosphere of fear, or to 'disappear' those who are deemed dangerous because they do not toe the line. I call on the Government of Eritrea to stop its long-standing practice of arbitrary detentions and to make international human rights norms central in the treatment of prisoners. I join the European Parliament in its latest call on Eritrea to immediately and unconditionally release all prisoners of conscience, notably Dawit Isaak and the other journalists detained since September 2001, and the Patriarch of the Eritrean Orthodox Church, Abune Antonios. I also support the European Parliament's demand that the Eritrean Government provide detailed information on the fate and whereabouts of all those deprived of physical liberty. Death in custody and indefinite imprisonment States have a high level of responsibility in protecting the rights of detainees. When a person dies while in the custody of a state, there is a presumption that the state is responsible. The state is under the obligation to prevent death and respond to the cause of any death by, for example, providing adequate health care. Honourable Chairperson Distinguished Delegates, Ladies and Gentlemen, Allow me pause here and solicit your thoughts about the moving story of an Eritrean freedom fighter arrested in 2003. For 14 years, he was held without charges, without access by a lawyer or any family member, and without official confirmation to his loved ones that he was being detained. For 14 years, the family had no information about him; questions remained unanswered about the causes of his detention and even his state of health. Through informal means the family got to know where he was held. This summer, the prison authorities arrived at his family home, notified members of his family about his sudden death in detention and handed over his corpse. Notwithstanding the grief and sorrow, the family treasured the fact that they were at least allowed to bury the body. I fail to understand how the handing over of the dead body of someone who has been held in one of Eritrea's prisons without any contact with the outside world for 14 years exonerates the Eritrean authorities from the human rights violations they have blatantly committed. In addition, I am unable to see how anyone could view such action as a commitment for increasing respect of human rights in the country. Just for a second, imagine the trauma this family has lived through for fourteen years. Impunity cannot be allowed to prevail yet once again. Justice is needed and the cry for justice must be answered. Indefinite imprisonment without charge or trial until death, which in effect amounts to a life sentence without the pronouncement of a court of law, is absolutely unacceptable in any country where the rule of law prevails. The above-described case is but one of the many examples in Eritrea. Therefore, member states respectful of the rule of law and the international community need to ask the Eritrean authorities where they have kept the G-15, the imprisoned journalists, Ambassador Ali Omaro, the Djiboutian prisoners of war, all subjected to incommunicado detention, indefinite with no term limit, contrary to Article 9 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, of which Eritrea is a signatory. The reason provided by the Eritrean authorities, i.e. national security, in no way provides a justification for their indefinite imprisonment, because temporary derogations from Article 9 are only provided in very strict circumstances, and for a limited period as per Article 4 of the Covenant. I hereby call once more on the Eritrean authorities to clarify their fate and to release them unconditionally with immediate effect. Freedom of religion or belief The right to profess one's religion freely, to change it or to practice either alone or in community with others in public or in private is enshrined in international law. Eritrea officially recognizes only four religions: the Evangelical Church of Eritrea, the Orthodox Church of Eritrea, the Roman Catholic Church, and Sunni Islam. Over the past five years, I have regularly heard that the Government of Eritrea interferes in the internal matters of recognized religions through controls and invasive policies, including the lack of provisions for exemption from military service for conscientious objection. Autonomy of religious communities to manage their internal affairs is the epitome of religious freedom. On the other hand, interference and limiting the number of religions to four is a breach of the right to religious freedom or belief, given that official registration status with the government is no guarantee that freedom of religion or belief is fully respected. The followers of unrecognized religious denominations, such as the Jehovah's Witnesses, and Evangelical and Pentecostal Churches, among others, face draconian restrictions and are persecuted, and denied administrative services, such as the issuance of national identity cards, as this would require denouncing their religion on the application form. Denial of an appropriate recognition and legal status does not allow members of unrecognised religions to possibility to act as a collective, such as worship or assemble, acquiring property for the construction of places of worship, recruiting professional clergy, establishing and maintaining denominational schools, and other charitable or humanitarian institutions and to establish and maintain communications with individuals and communities at the national and international levels . Such a situation of non-recognition in fact forces worshippers of unrecognised religious communities to congregate in hiding to maintain a sense of religious and community identity, forcing them in an unsafe situation when they get together for prayer, exposing them to arrest and detention and even death in custody. Reports of arrest and detention targeting individuals for their religious beliefs have reached me on a regular basis. This includes followers of both recognised and non-recognised religious denominations. I have also learned recently of the arbitrary arrest and detention of Muslims during prayer meetings In August, a mother of four died in detention in a desert camp, allegedly after having been arrested three months earlier during raids directed at Evangelical Christians. Similar arrests during raids targeting prayer meetings and house to house searches were reported for the months of July and August in and around Asmara. Ladies and Gentlemen, I am concerned about the well-being of the Patriarch of the Eritrean Orthodox Church, Abune Antonios, in light of his old age and health problems. In July, he was seen for the first time in public since his house arrest more than 10 years ago. Reportedly, he was surrounded by guards when he appeared during a mass at St Mary's Cathedral in Asmara. I call on the Government will allow him to return to his position before it is too late. His case is only one example of the Government's disrespect for religious freedom. I call on the Government of Eritrea to allow all religious entities to worship freely while ensuring that the rights of persons belonging to religious or belief minorities are understood consistently from a human rights perspective, protected in conjunction with all human rights, building on the principles of universality, freedom and equality. Protection of refugees and non-refoulement Once again, I want to draw your attention to the situation of Eritreans who see no other alternative than to leave their home country in search of a place where their rights will be respected. Eritreans have crossed the borders into neighbouring countries to seek refuge. Countless numbers of people have crossed the desert and the sea to reach 'safe havens'. According to last week's update by IOM, the organisation is relocating an average of about 100 persons per day which represents an increase in what has been the most continual refugee flow into Ethiopia in 2017. According to official figures, there were 21,215 new Eritrean refugee arrivals to Ethiopia in 2016 while over 20,000 have arrived in 2017 to date. Most of the refugees are youth with 46 per cent of the total transported by IOM aged between 18-24 years old. Many of them report walking for days to reach Ethiopia. Eritreans have also been trafficked for economic reasons, extortions and sexual exploitation among others. All this creates situations of vulnerability, especially for women and unaccompanied children, thus putting them in need of urgent psycho-social support. In the 2016 New York Declaration for Refugees and Migrants, Member States committed to fully protect the safety, dignity and human rights and fundamental freedoms of all migrants, regardless of their migratory status, at all times. However, there are valid concerns that the rights of those seeking refuge outside Eritrea are not fully protected. Measures are being put in place by various countries aimed at reducing the number of Eritrean asylum seekers and refugees. These include erecting fences, establishing documents criminalizing search and rescue activities of those who attempt to rescue the lives of people at sea, stopping vessels carrying rescued migrants from docking at European ports, investigating people for alleged support to Eritrean refugees, paying refugees to move on 'voluntarily' to third countries, making deals with third countries to stop migrants from entering, and revising asylum policies and practices aimed at limiting access to protection. At best, such efforts will lead to a 'temporary respite', reducing arrival figures for a short while, but they will not be able to stop people from crossing deserts and seas in search of 'safe havens' as no barrier will be insurmountable for someone fleeing human rights violations. I appeal to members of the international community not to turn their backs on Eritrean refugees for short term political gains in response to populist electoral demands or promises, which can translate into actual restrictions, harassments and human rights violations. The international community needs to restore the rights and dignity of Eritrean refugees by closing human rights protection gaps in national refugee policies. Refugee policies should be human rights-based. Right to property Both the Commission of Inquiry on Human Rights in Eritrea and I have addressed violations of the right to property. In this context, I have noted with concern that the Greek Community in Asmara has been asked to evacuate its building complex, which includes the premises of the Honorary Consulate of Greece as well the offices of the Greek Community. The Greek community has been in possession of this building complex for decades and this latest example of the infringement of the right to property in Eritrea should be redressed. Taking stock: Different phases of the mandate on the situation of human rights in Eritrea and current direction Since the Human Rights Council established the country mandate on the situation of human rights in Eritrea in 2012, I have used the initial two years following my appointment to develop the mandate, devoting considerable time and effort to building bridges with the Government of Eritrea and reaching out to the authorities. While this initial phase of the mandate charted the way forward, building relations with the Eritreans has been inconclusive, mostly because of their refusal to address the whole array of human rights, civil and political, as well as economic, social and cultural. The Government of Eritrea has consistently used the economic and social rights discourse and their selective achievements in this field in international fora when challenged on all the components of its human rights record. Eritrea should understand it cannot rely on its selective achievements in the field of economic and social rights to detract from its dismal record in civil and political rights such as the right to accountability and redress for human rights violations, the right to be protected from extra-judicial executions, the prohibition of which is central in international human rights law, the right to liberty of the person, freedom of religion or belief, among others. International human rights law does not provide a choice between building schools, hospitals, roads and dams and addressing prison conditions or having the legality of one's detention examined promptly by an independent judiciary. Human rights are not privileges, which state authorities grant at their discretion. The initial phase of the mandate was followed by a period during which I ensured that the mandate of the Special Rapporteur remained strong and relevant while the Commission of Inquiry was operational. I am now in the final stage of the mandate, during which I intend to devote resources to the fight against impunity, working with a broad spectrum of stakeholders, including victims, survivors, family members, human rights defenders and lawyers in their search for justice and accountability for human rights violations. My efforts will also focus on ensuring a smooth transfer to my successor. Improvement in the human rights situation Over the last five years as the country mandate holder, I have made several recommendations addressing different human rights in Eritrea. The Commission of Inquiry on Human Rights in Eritrea has done the same. All these recommendations still stand today. I therefore call on the Eritrean authorities to implement these recommendations, which will go a long way in improving the human rights situation in Eritrea and of Eritreans in the diaspora, including asylum-seekers. I am aware that the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) is currently undertaking a mission to Eritrea for a workshop on human rights and the administration of justice to reinforce the capacity of rule of law professionals. I hope that this will strengthen implementation at the domestic level. I welcome the fact that the international attention to the human rights situation in Eritrea has also allowed for renewed engagement by the Government with international actors. I hope that the cooperation with OHCHR will develop into a real partnership leading to tangible change of the situation on the ground. I would like to end with a set of specific areas that may assist Member States and more broadly the international community in assessing positive changes in the human rights situation in Eritrea. In the months and years to come, the Government will need to show its genuine commitment and serious determination to achieve progress on a number of areas by taking concrete steps as outlined below. The following aspects and elements are based on the recommendations the country mandate and the Commission of Inquiry addressed to the Government of Eritrea and may serve to develop specific, time-bound benchmarks to assess substantive change. What is required at this point are reliable and validated means of measuring progress, including through credible disaggregated data. Progress should also be measured in terms of how fundamental rights and freedoms are being protected, through robust and participatory monitoring. The Government of Eritrea will need to demonstrate which steps it has taken to: (a) Establish without delay an independent, impartial and transparent judiciary, and ensure access to justice for all; (b) Allow for the creation of political parties, and hold free, fair and transparent democratic elections at all levels; (c) Permit human rights defenders and independent civil society organisations, including gender-specific organisations, to operate without constraints or interference; (d) Discontinue indefinite military/national service by limiting it to 18 months for all current and future conscripts, as stipulated by the 1995 Proclamation on National Service; (e) Put an immediate end to torture and ill-treatment, sexual violence and the enslavement of conscripts; (f) Cease the practice of using conscripts, detainees and members of the peoples' militia and reserve army as forced labour; (g) Put an end to the practice of arrests and detention carried out without legal basis, and release immediately and unconditionally all those unlawfully and arbitrarily detained; (h) Provide information on the fate and whereabouts of all those deprived of physical liberty; (i) Provide immediately information on all prisoners of war, and release them promptly; (j) Allow legal representatives and family members immediate access to detainees; (k) Allow independent monitoring of all places of detention with regard to both legality and conditions of detention; (l) Immediately permit unhindered access by independent monitors, including the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and other recognised organisations, to all places of detention, official and unofficial, to monitor the legality of detentions and the treatment of detainees and prison conditions; allow them to conduct regular and unannounced visits, and act promptly on their recommendations; (m) Put an immediate end to the use of torture and other forms of ill-treatment, establish adequate complaints mechanisms and ensure that prompt and effective investigations are conducted into all allegations of torture and ill-treatment with a view to bringing perpetrators to justice; (n) Put an end to discrimination on religious or ethnic grounds; (o) Prohibit the assignment of women and girls to officials' quarters for forced domestic servitude, and implement a zero-tolerance policy for sexual abuse in the army and in detention centres. Concluding remarks While all of the above are equally important, there is an urgent need for Eritrea to prioritize the following, all of which require in-depth and urgent reforms: - putting in place/strengthening institutions to reinforce rule of law; - a transparent human rights assessment of the functioning of the justice system, the results of which should be made available publicly; - an assessment of the independence of judges, lawyers and prosecutors; - unwavering respect for human rights in accordance with its obligations, backed by accurate data, promoting transparency so as to reveal the raw facts which will provide the basis for improvements; - fight against institutionalized impunity. I therefore urge the Eritrean Government to ensure the full application of international human rights norms while avoiding any reprisals against those who express their views and opinions or advocate on issues which the Government may deem controversial. My plea to the Government of Eritrea is to create an environment where all Eritreans can enjoy and exercise all their human rights fully in a non-discriminatory manner. I would like to reiterate to the Eritrean authorities that I remain available, as always, for an open and sincere dialogue on these and other human right matters. Honourable Chairperson, Distinguished Delegates, Ladies and Gentlemen, I thank you very much for your attention and look forward to a vibrant interactive dialogue on the human rights situation in Eritrea with you. ______________________ 1./ International Working Group on Financing Preparedness, From panic and neglect to investing in health Security: financing preparedness at a national level, May 2017, last accessed on 29 September 2017 from http://documents.worldbank.org/curated/en/979591495652724770/pdf/115271-REVISED-PUBLIC-IWG-Report-Conference-Edition-8-10-2017-low-res.pdf . See page 24 'As of April 21, 2017, three countries - Tanzania, Pakistan and Eritrea - have completed the costing exercise as part of the post-JEE preparedness planning.' 2./ See paragraph 3 of the Principles on the Effective Prevention and Investigation of Extra-legal, Arbitrary and Summary Executions, Recommended by Economic and Social Council resolution 1989/65 of 24 May 1989, last accessed on 29 September 2017 from http://www.ohchr.org/Documents/ProfessionalInterest/executions.pdf. 3./ European Parliament resolution of 6 July 2017 on Eritrea, notably the cases of Abune Antonios and Dawit Isaak (2017/2755(RSP)). 4./ Article 18, International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. 5./ Article 6, 1981 Declaration on the Elimination of All Forms of Intolerance and of Discrimination based on Religion or Belief, last accessed on 29 September 2017 from http://www.ohchr.org/Documents/ProfessionalInterest/religion.pdf. Statement by Ms Sheila B. Keetharuth, Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Eritrea at the 35th session of the Human Rights Council Publisher UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) Publication Date 14 June 2017 Cite as UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), Statement by Ms Sheila B. Keetharuth, Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Eritrea at the 35th session of the Human Rights Council, 14 June 2017, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5aabc4eb4.html [accessed 22 September 2021] Statement by Ms Sheila B. Keetharuth, Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Eritrea at the 35th session of the Human Rights Council 14 June 2017 Mr. President, Distinguished Delegates, Ladies and Gentlemen, I am pleased to engage in this interactive dialogue and to present my fourth report, pursuant to the Council's resolution 32/24. This resolution extended the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Eritrea for one year. The resolution also requested the mandate holder to follow up on the implementation of the recommendations of the Commission of Inquiry on Human Rights in Eritrea in its report (A/HRC/32/47) presented to the Human Rights Council in June 2016. In the report, I provide an update on the human rights situation. I conclude that the Government of Eritrea has not made any effort to address the human rights concerns highlighted by the Commission of Inquiry and that it has shown no willingness to tackle impunity regarding perpetrators of past and ongoing violations, and end with several recommendations. Allow me at the outset to say that fifteen years ago, the Eritrea-Ethiopia Boundary Commission rendered its decision regarding the border demarcation between the two countries, and in the process allocated the village of Badme to Eritrea. I reiterate that the ongoing Ethiopian occupation of Badme is against international law. I support calls for the full implementation of the provisions of the decision. However, the failure to implement the Boundary Commission's decision cannot serve as justification for the open-ended and arbitrary nature of Eritrea's military/national service programmes and other human rights violations and crimes against humanity that I and the Commission of Inquiry have documented. Let me share with you several aspects of the current human rights situation in the Eritrea. Conditions in detention remain harsh, leading to irreparable damage to the health of prisoners, in some instances even causing death. Tsehaye Tesfamariam, a Jehovah's Witness, died on 30 November 2016, after having been imprisoned at the Me'eter camp since his arrest in January 2009. In June 2016, Eritrea's Minister of Foreign Affairs noted in an interview that the high profile political prisoners, known as the G-15, and journalists held incommunicado since 2001 were all alive. Other than that comment, I have not obtained any communication about those arbitrarily detained since 2001. I am deeply concerned that almost 16 years later, family members and the world at large are kept completely in the dark about the physical and mental health, as well as whereabouts of the G-15 and journalists. Similarly, I have not received information about others who have disappeared or held incommunicado, including those arrested in the aftermath of the 'Forto Incident' in 2013. Also, I have not received any updates on the situation of the remaining Djibouti prisoners of war. In this context, it should be noted that the Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances recently published a General Allegation based on information from credible sources alleging obstacles to implementing the Declaration on the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance in Eritrea. In March 2017, Dawit Isaak, one of the journalists arrested in 2001, was awarded the UNESCO/Guillermo Cano World Press Freedom Prize 2017 in recognition of his courage, resistance and commitment to freedom of expression. The President of the jury stated that Dawit Isaak was among those who have persevered to shed light in the dark spaces, keeping their communities informed against all odds. Noting that Dawit Isaak has spent nearly 16 years in jail, without charge or trial, she expressed the hope that with the award the world will say, 'Free Dawit Isaak Now'. I have continued to receive reports of new cases of arbitrary arrest and detention. The reasons for the arrests appear to be those previously identified by the Commission of Inquiry, namely attempting to evade military service or trying to assist a family member in doing so; trying to leave the country; practicing an unauthorised religion; or offending a high-ranking official of the Government or the People's Front for Democracy and Justice, the sole political party in the country, or exercising their right to freedom of expression. The importance and value of full access to places of detention by international monitors cannot be sufficiently emphasised. The Eritrean Government's continued refusal to accept such scrutiny as a first step for openness is incomprehensible and obstructive. It is striking in this context that humanitarian actors and diplomats continue to require travel permits to travel beyond the 25 kilometres limits outside Asmara in the course of their work, making it difficult to access the population outside of the capital. During the reporting period, I received information indicating that Eritrea's military/national service programmes continued to be arbitrary, extended, and involuntary in nature, amounting to enslavement, as per the findings of the Commission of Inquiry. Several interlocutors highlighted that forced recruitment into the military/national service also continued. I received reports that the Government has increased stipends paid to conscripts. While this would be a positive and much needed development, such increases would not remedy the other determining factors for the military/national service programmes amounting to enslavement. However, there are serious doubts whether the stipend increases have made a difference in reality, as the Government also imposes compulsory deductions for various purposes such as taxes, logistics, and construction. While I am unable to verify the information, I strongly urge the Government to enhance transparency with respect to the handling of administrative matters, especially those that have a significant impact for the majority of the population. I observed that in 2016, Eritrean refugees constituted the fifth largest group of arrivals to Europe via the Mediterranean Sea, with 21,253 people, representing six per cent of the overall figures; Eritrea was the only country among those five not experiencing violent conflict. Regarding arrivals in Italy, Eritreans were among the top two nationalities. Since the beginning of 2017, IOM has noted a recent surge with over 4,500 people crossing into Ethiopia. Eritreans fleeing human rights violations in their home country continue to face life threatening situations in their attempts to seek refuge in third countries. These challenges are increasing because of the pushback by some countries in the region and in Europe. Eritreans, like many other refugees and/or migrants travelling through Libya suffer human rights violations and abuses during their journeys. I am particularly worried by the marked increase in numbers of unaccompanied and separated children from several countries making the journey to Europe, with figures reaching over 25,000 in 2016. They represented 14 percent of all new arrivals in Italy, amounting to 25,849 children and this is more than double the figure reported the previous year. A large number were from Eritrea. I cannot underscore enough the devastating and long-lasting impact on children who are deeply traumatised, having crossed international borders and undertaken death-defying journeys. Some have seen their family members and friends die in the process. These experiences will affect them for many years to come, pursuing them throughout their lives. There is an unconditional obligation on all to provide special protection for children. Migration is certainly a multi-faceted and complex phenomenon that must be viewed from various angles and perspectives but human rights cannot be considered as bargaining chips in this context. Beyond the numbers involved, I urge the international community to see the human tragedy in terms of the cost in human lives. The international community should show a strong commitment to address the root causes of human rights violations as the key reasons fuelling the exodus of large numbers of people from Eritrea. As many Eritreans have pointed out to me, only justice and respect for human rights will bring a lasting solution to the problems relating to flights from the country. Member States should ensure that efforts to curb migration from Eritrea in response to anti-migration opinion at home should not come at the expense of respect for human rights in their policies. The Commission of Inquiry called on the Government of Eritrea to ensure accountability for past and persistent human rights violations and crimes against humanity. These include enslavement, imprisonment, enforced disappearance, torture, and other inhumane acts, persecution, rape and murder. It recommended to the Government the establishment of independent, impartial and gender-sensitive mechanisms, and provide victims with adequate redress, including the right to truth and reparations. It noted, however, that far-reaching and substantial institutional and legal reforms would be required before the domestic legal system could hold perpetrators to account in a fair and transparent manner. At this point in time, neither a Security Council referral to the ICC, nor the setting up of an accountability mechanism under the aegis of the African Union seem imminent. As an additional avenue for tackling impunity, the Commission of Inquiry recommended that Member States exercise jurisdiction over crimes against humanity when any alleged offender is present on their respective territories, or extradite him or her to another State in accordance with its international obligations. While advocating for universal jurisdiction as one of the possibilities for accessing justice for human rights violations and crimes against humanity, I am aware that there are various other measures, such as criminal prosecutions, truth-seeking initiatives, reparations for the victims and institutional reform, representing other avenues. However, I am not aware of any effort in Eritrea to address past and ongoing violations. What I have observed instead are failures and shortcomings of institutions meant to be based on the rule of law, such as the judiciary or the non-existence of institutions, such as the absence of a legislative assembly. In any case, prosecutions at international level and in-country are not mutually exclusive. Rule of law also implies redress for past and ongoing human rights violations because a country cannot declare its respect for the rule of law if human rights violations of the past and ongoing ones are not addressed. It remains to be seen what concrete steps Eritrea will take to combat human rights violations, counter impunity, and ensure transparency and accountability at all levels while guaranteeing non-recurrence. Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen, Eritreans from all walks of life I have spoken with express deep-rooted frustration. In rebuilding trust with its own people, the Eritrean Government needs to provide assurances to all Eritreans that their human rights will be respected in the short, medium and long-term. I want to use my interaction with you today to highlight the main concerns and calls for action, which I have heard from Eritrean interlocutors during the past year: There has been no reform of the military/national service programmes and it appears that none is envisaged for anytime soon. The military/national service programmes and the people's militia have transformed the country into a highly militarized society. What the people consider an essential requirement is to align practice to law by bringing the national/military service to 18 months and writing off the people's militia. Impunity of perpetrators of human rights violations remains a persistent challenge. The Eritreans I spoke with call for effective measures, including prosecutions, to address impunity. In view of the current constitutional void, they also call for the 1997 Constitution to be implemented immediately or for constitutional reforms, which guarantee participation of all, including minorities. For them, constitutional reforms also imply that provisions should be included to ensure human rights violations committed by the military and security forces are duly investigated and perpetrators held to account. They regret that there are still no institutions in line with the rule of law, such as an independent judiciary, a democratically elected parliament and legislative assembly, which ensure separation of powers, with checks and balances built in within the system. They call for this institutional weakness to be tackled urgently for long-term sustainability, development and enjoyment of human rights. Furthermore, they yearn for democratic practices and processes involving accountability and responsive governance, allowing them to participate fully in the important decisions and policies as well as in key economic decisions with a potential of huge impact on their daily lives. They call for concrete steps taken towards democratic governance, full enjoyment of freedom of expression and association. I hope that the Government will allow independent civil society organisations working on human rights to operate freely and independently in the country, and get involved in future reform processes to assure its legitimacy. For those Eritreans I have met, as long as serious human rights violations continue, there is an urgent need to carry on with human rights investigations, monitoring, documenting, and reporting. The time for Eritrea to take bold action for human rights protection is now, but so far, the Government has not delivered on any of its obligations and promises. I have repeatedly, every year in fact, invited the Eritrean authorities to enter into a dialogue with my mandate on to discuss obstacles encountered in the implementation of their obligations under international human rights treaties. Throughout my tenure as a mandate holder, I have maintained this invitation which I first extended in November 2012, when I assumed this mandate, and reiterate it again today. While the Eritrean authorities have not responded to my offer, various stakeholders, including Member States, other interested actors and most importantly, numerous Eritrean individuals have seized the opportunity offered by this Council when setting up the country mandate, and they continue to do so. They have used the space to voice their opinions, express their ideas, and highlight their concerns - a space that the Government continues to deny them at home. Today, I again pay my deep respect to all those victims and survivors and countless other interlocutors with whom I have spoken over the past five years, in my capacity as Special Rapporteur and a member of the former Commission of Inquiry. Mr. President Excellencies Ladies and Gentlemen In my report, I have reiterated my recommendations and those of the Commission of Inquiry, as the majority of them have not been implemented. I have also presented further recommendations. Allow me to highlight a few: To the Government of Eritrea to take concrete steps to ensure a truly participatory process in preparation for Eritrea's next review under the Universal Periodic Review to ensure it will adequately reflect the diverse voices of civil society organisations involved in the protection of human rights in Eritrea. To Member States to cooperate closely with Eritrean human rights defenders and civil society organisations to ensure that human rights remain at the core of all engagement with the country, while also bearing in mind the findings of the Commission of Inquiry. To Civil Society Organisations to set up and support networks among victims of crimes against humanity and other human rights violations, human rights defenders and their partners at regional and global levels. I have said previously that in light of the findings of crimes against humanity, it cannot be business as usual with Eritrea. Let me add that here is no room for delaying tactics or complacency either. My plea to you all is to help the Government to work towards providing a trustworthy ground for Eritrean society to move forward by emphasizing the supremacy of human rights. For this to happen, Eritrea must listen to the victims of human rights violations silenced by the rule of fear and provide reparations. In my report, I have suggested a list of areas with the intention to assist the Human Rights Council in developing specific and time-bound benchmarks to assess substantive change that I hope the Government will undertake during the next year and beyond. I hope that this time next year, we will be able to celebrate such tangible improvements that will make a positive change in people's life. I thank you for your attention. Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. >>> PM welcomes Australian businesses to invest in Vietnam The Vietnamese PM made the statement during his March 16 meeting with the leaders of a number of leading Australian firms in agriculture, rice production, health care, tourism, water treatment, and infrastructure development, including Sunrice, ICON, HunterNet, Sunrice, Veolia, and Webjet. He lauded the cooperation between these companies and their Vietnamese partners, proposing they continue expanding collaboration and help to transfer technology, equipment, and the human resources management and training system to Vietnamese firms, while giving suitable material and technology prices to enhance capacity for Vietnam. The Government leader said he would direct the ministries, sectors and localities concerned to continue working with the companies to discuss suitable cooperation opportunities, support them in finding location for their production facilities and material areas, and supply the appropriate human resources. PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc (right) and Webjet CEO Brendan Sawyers. (Photo: VGP) Earlier on the same day, PM Phuc had a working session with leading Australian and global financial investors, during which the Vietnamese delegates clarified the investors queries concerning preferential policies, the investment climate, and laws in Vietnam, as well as the areas in which Vietnam is encouraging investments. Australian groups highly appreciated the potential of the Vietnamese market, hailing the country as a destination for them to research long-term investment and consider locating their production facilities in order to take advantage of opportunities and incentives here. Many investors expressed their wish to invest in the fields of energy, wind and solar power, infrastructure, real estate, banking, garment and textile, organic agriculture, and high-tech agriculture in Vietnam, whilst considering the acquisition of shares of the countrys state-owned enterprises. The move is part of the activities to carry out the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030 (Sendai Framework), heard a regional conference held in Hanoi on March 15. The framework outlines four priorities for actions to be taken to prevent new and reduce existing disaster risks, including understanding disaster risks, strengthening disaster risk governance to manage disaster risks, investing in disaster reduction for resilience and enhancing disaster preparedness for effective response. The management of disaster risks should be included in all development sectors as it is crucial to reduce losses caused by natural disasters, respond to climate change and realise the Sustainable Development Goals. Kundhavi Kadiresan, FAO Assistant Director-General and Regional Representative for Asia and the Pacific, said that 2.5 billion people in the world are living off of agriculture development and agricultural losses will threaten the global efforts in alleviating poverty. FAO is joining hands with the governments to enhance the capacity of accessing weather forecast information, as well as warning small-scale farming households so that the farmers can adjust their agricultural activities ahead of the natural calamities, she noted. Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Le Quoc Doanh highlighted that agricultural development, especially the production of grains, has helped Vietnam to remain steadfast in the face of regional and global economic recession, thus technical measures are necessary to protect the agricultural sector from climate change. Other participants at the event shared their experience in reducing risks and improving the capacity to response to climate change. Also, they identified priorities to implement the Sendai Framework. Results of the conference will be reported to the 34th FAO Regional Conference for Asia and the Pacific in Fiji in April, with the conference on the implementation of the Sendai Framework to be held in Mongolia in July. According to a FAO 2017 report on the impacts of disasters on agriculture and food security, natural disasters caused economic damage worth US$96 billion in cultivation and animal breeding in developing countries. The deal was signed within the framework of the Vietnam-Australia business forum in Sydney, in the presence of Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and several senior officials from the Australian Government. The Vietnamese PM also witnessed the signing of a cooperation agreement between Vietjet and Investec worth over US$600 million. PM Phuc said that the launch of the direct air route will contribute to promoting trade and investment between the two countries, particularly in the context of their ties being upgraded to a strategic partnership and the participation of both countries in the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP). The Ho Chi Minh City - Brisbane route will be the first direct air route between the two cities and is expected to begin operation in 2019. According to Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director at Brisbane Airport Corporation Julieanne Alroe, the frequency of travel between Queensland and Vietnam has increased by an average of 8% per year in the past five years, with many new services having been launched. Therefore, the selection of Brisbane in Queensland as the first destination in Australia to open the air route is completely reasonable as Ho Chi Minh City is one of the five largest markets of Brisbane and there wasnt a direct air route between the two cities. "We hope that Vietjet will soon launch its flights to Brisbane Airport, thereby further tightening relations between Queensland and Vietnam," said Julieanne Alroe. The event is one of a series of activities to celebrate the 45th anniversary of Vietnam-Japan diplomatic ties. At the event, Japanese artisans will introduce their traditional cuisines such as soba, tempura, sushi, yakisoba, and takoyaki. Meanwhile, visitors will also have a chance to try the signature dishes of Hanoian cuisine including Pho, nem ran (spring roll), cha ca (fishcake), and bun thang (a type of noodle soup that contains up to 20 ingredients). Additionally, a series of performances, including traditional dances and an exhibition on traditional Japanese handicraft products, will also be held during the programme. The event aims to further enhance Vietnamese peoples understanding of the Japanese culture and strengthen the friendship and mutual understanding between the two nations. A Place for All Conservatives to Speak Their Mind. Ambassador Nguyen Hoanh Nam, head of the Vietnam permanent mission to ASEAN, led the Vietnamese delegation to the meeting of the ASEAN Connectivity Coordination Committee (ACCC), the meeting of the Lead Implementing Body for Sustainable Infrastructure (LIB-SI), and a consultation between the ACCC and the LIB-SI. Reviewing the implementation of the Master Plan on ASEAN Connectivity (MPAC) 2025, ACCC members recognised the synchronous implementation in all fields. They highly valued the ACCCs efforts in 2017 to popularise the content of the MPAC 2025 to all specialised agencies, partner countries, international and regional organisations, financial institutions, businesses and people. The meeting also appreciated the ACCCs moves to consolidate the apparatus and coordination mechanisms, set up national lead implementing bodies, and initially succeed in mobilising necessary resources to carry out initiatives in the MPAC 2025. To ensure effective implementation, the ACCC agreed to build short-term (one year) and long-term (three years) plans to carry out the MPAC 2025. The countries agreed to promote the implementation of the projects within the framework of the 15 initiatives in the MPAC, stressing the role of the lead implementing bodies and relevant specialised agencies. At the meeting, participants began discussing ways to assess the MPAC 2025 implementation progress. Singapore suggested a meeting on this issue be held in the country in September 2018. At the inaugural meeting of the LIB-SI on March 14, ASEAN Secretary-General Lim Jock Hoi emphasised that infrastructure, roads, sea ports and airports are the basis for the sustainable development of ASEAN cities. Under the pressure of rapid urbanisation, in which 90 million people are forecast to move to ASEAN cities by 2030, the ASEAN countries must optimise existing natural resources and infrastructure while making effective and creative infrastructure development plans so as to keep up with this trend. Therefore, the role of the LIB-SI is even more important and needs to be strengthened to become the lead body of ASEAN in implementing all infrastructure projects in the MPAC 2025. At the 28th ASEAN Summit in Vientiane, Laos, in September 2016, ASEAN leaders approved the MPAC 2025 with a view to achieving a seamlessly and comprehensively connected and integrated ASEAN that will promote competitiveness, inclusiveness and a greater sense of the Community. At the 30th and 31st ASEAN Summits in Manila, the Philippines, in 2017, the leaders supported the necessity to consolidate the apparatus for the MPAC 2025 implementation, including the establishment of the LIB-SI. Themed Enhancing Regional Security and Prosperity, the event is expected to discuss issues related to regional security and economic relations, as well as counter-terrorism measures, in order to further tighten the relationship between Australia and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). The ASEAN-Australia Business Summit, the International Counter-Terrorism Conference and a plenary meeting of the senior leaders are scheduled to take place within the framework of the three-day event. Leaders of ASEAN and Australia will adopt a Sydney Statement, a joint declaration of the summit and a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on anti-terrorism cooperation between ASEAN and the Australian Government. In addition, Australia and the ASEAN nations are expected to sign a dozen MoUs, initiatives and projects on cooperation in fighting terrorism and human trafficking, as well as establishing dialogue mechanisms on cyber policies, maritime collaboration, economic cooperation and e-commerce criteria, and the construction of smart cities. PM Phuc is expected to deliver three speeches, with the focus on ASEAN-Australia cooperation, including enhancing regional security and prosperity, the ASEAN-Australia economic partnership and regional maritime cooperation. ASEAN and Australia first set up relations in 1974. Australia was the first nation to establish an official dialogue partnership with ASEAN in all three fields of politics, economics and specialised cooperation. The two sides organised the ASEAN-Australia Commemorative Summit to mark the 40th anniversary of the bilateral ties in 2014, during which they agreed to lift the ties to a strategic partnership level. In 2016, ASEAN and Australia organised the first Biennial Summit in Laos, agreeing that the first ASEAN-Australia Special Summit would take place in Australia in March 2018. Wang Yang, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, speaks at the closing meeting of the first session of the 13th CPPCC National Committee at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Thursday. [Photo by Zou Hong/China Daily] Help develop socialist consultative democracy, CPPCC chairman says China's top political advisory body concluded its annual session on Thursday, pledging to uphold the leadership of the Communist Party of China and further develop socialist consultative democracy in the new era. Wang Yang, newly elected chairman of the 13th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, asked political advisers to uphold the CPC leadership and take Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era as the guiding principle for the CPPCC. He also asked that they perform their duties for the people, improve their consultative competence, and act within the boundaries of the Constitution and laws. "Taking a clear political stand is an essential feature of the CPPCC," he said at the closing meeting of the annual session of the national political advisory body. Wang added that CPC leadership is a fundamental political guarantee for development of the CPPCC and a basic political principle that the advisory body must observe in the new era. A resolution on an amendment to the CPPCC Charter was also passed in a move widely thought by observers to represent an important chapter in the development of democracy in China. Xi Jinping Thought was incorporated into the amendment as a guiding theory of the CPPCC. The scope of the CPPCC's nature and tasks was further defined, and the idea of "socialist consultative democracy" was added to the charter. This was the fourth amendment to the CPPCC Charter since it was adopted in 1982. Members of the 13th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference push buttons to vote at the closing meeting of the first session of the 13th CPPCC National Committee at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Thursday. [Photo by Zou Hong/China Daily] The CPPCC is an important organ for CPC-led multiparty cooperation and political consultation, described as "a new type of party system growing from China's soil". The 13th CPPCC National Committee brings together more than 2,100 national political advisers from various political parties, people's organizations and people of all ethnic groups, as well as from all sectors of society. In the past two weeks, they have been conducting extensive discussions on the country's political, economic and social issues to pool their wisdom for decision-making. The amendment to the CPPCC Charter also has a new chapter on the requirements, duties and obligations of political advisers at all levels. Wang said on Thursday that all national political advisers should be more people-oriented and better perform their duties by doing thorough research at the grassroots level. "In the first year after the CPPCC Charter's being amended, I hope everyone can do good 'member's homework' and submit high-quality proposals when the national political advisory body meets next year," he said. Jiang Ying, a CPPCC National Committee member and deputy CEO of Deloitte China, said that to provide solid and practical suggestions, conducting research and undertaking field study are important. Baidu CEO Li Yanhong, also known as Robin Li (right), and Deng Zhonghan, chief scientist of chipmaker Vimicro, are interviewed as members of the 13th National Committee of the CPPCC on the sidelines of the closing of the first session at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Thursday. [Provided to China Daily] Large-scale commercial use of self-driving technology may become a reality sooner than expected, according to search giant Baidu Inc. "It may take three to five years to put fully autonomous-driving vehicles on truly open roads," Baidu Chairman and CEO Li Yanhongalso known as Robin Lisaid on Thursday. Li, also a member of the 13th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, spoke on the sidelines of the CPPCC's closing meeting. Miao Wei, minister of industry and information technology, said in an earlier interview that it would take eight to 10 years before self-driving vehicles are available for large-scale commercial operations. "I am more optimistic and believe that we might achieve that goal ahead of schedule," Li said. Baidu plans to mass-produce self-driving buses this year in cooperation with commercial vehicle manufacturer Xiamen King Long United Automotive Industry Co. They could run in designated areas, such as scenic spots, according to Li. Baidu also will work with major car manufacturers next year to promote the development of self-driving technology. There are about 90 partners taking part in its open autonomous driving platform Apollo, Li said. The Baidu CEO added that artificial intelligence-enabled digital assistants with voice functions have stepped into people's daily lives, and there will be more AI applications in the future. "AI will become an important driving force for China's economic growth in the next 20 to 50 years." China expects vehicles with some autonomous functions will account for 50 percent of new vehicles sold in the country by 2020, according to a guideline released by the National Development and Reform Commission in January. In order to improve and perfect the legal system for self-driving technologies, the government will speed up the drafting of regulations for public road tests of autonomous driving and revise the current road safety regulations "when conditions are mature", according to the plan. Traditional car manufacturers are ramping up efforts to promote the large-scale commercialization of self-driving technologies. SAIC Motor Corp Ltd signed a deal with Intel Corp to develop its self-driving cars. BYD is working on self-driving technologies itself, as well as in cooperation with Baidu. However, industry analysts say there is a long way to go before fully autonomous cars are integrated into people's daily lives. "Intelligent vehicles with fully autonomous functions may account for 10 percent of the new vehicles in 2020," said Yang Diange, dean of automobile engineering at Tsinghua University, estimating that "self-driving vehicles will come into our daily lives in 2030." "More tests are needed before such vehicles can reach mass production and enter large-scale commercial application because of widespread safety concerns," said Zeng Zhiling, managing director of LMC Automotive Consulting Co. Zeng warned that self-driving vehicles are vulnerable to cyber attacks. He said that since these vehicles are highly intelligent and networked, there is a possibility that hackers could break into the system and pose a great danger to road safety. The PLA Navy fleet participates in a drill in the South China Sea in 2008. Photo: IC Official media reports on two scientists during China's Two Sessions period have revealed that the Chinese navy is making notable achievements on advanced weapons, including sea tests of electromagnetic railguns, and noise-reduction of its nuclear submarines. The People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy indirectly confirmed tests of electromagnetic railguns on a warship through a profile of a female scientist on its official website, experts said. On Thursday, navy.81.cn published a report about Zhang Xiao, an associate research fellow at the PLA Naval University of Engineering. The report mentioned that Zhang is a key figure in China's research into "electromagnetic launching technology," and she is also a core member of the team led by Rear Admiral Ma Weiming, also an academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. Ma's team is responsible for research into the most significant areas for the Chinese navy, including nuclear submarines and aircraft carriers, and Zhang has also made her own contributions to the navy. "After hundreds of failures and more than 50,000 tests," Zhang has successfully developed the largest "repeating power supply system" in the world, the report said. "The repeating power supply system is the power source of an electromagnetic railgun. The US started developing it earlier than China and has carried out more experiments and tests, and both the US and China's railguns run on the same operating principle. But thanks to the repeating power supply system, China's railgun has a more stable and continuous power supply," Song Zhongping, a military expert and TV commentator, told the Global Times. "Electromagnetic railgun is an entirely new type of weapon system that uses electricity and magnetism instead of the energy of a gunpowder explosion. Railguns use electricity to generate very strong electromagnetic fields between two rails. A conductive metal device, called an armature, picks up a projectile and accelerates down the path between the rails, slinging the projectile downrange," according to The Popular Mechanics, a New York-based classic magazine of popular science and technology. Breakthrough The US began developing its railgun more than 10 years ago, and the US Naval Surface Warfare Center conducted a test firing in 2008. However, China appears to be the first country to place an electromagnetic railgun on a ship. The weapon was spotted on a Chinese Navy landing craft and images of it have quickly spread across the Internet since it was first uploaded on Sina Weibo on January 31. "If this is true, then China has placed a real railgun on a warship before the US Navy, which has been testing its own railgun on land for years," The Popular Mechanics reported on February 2. However, no official information regarding the photo has been released so far. The report from navy.81.cn on Zhang mentioned a "new weapon test" on a ship and that Zhang was responsible for the "maintenance of the power supply" and "the system simulation." The test was a massive project, with more than 200 people and over 20 different units participating in it, the report said. Military observers believe that the test reported by the PLA Navy's official website could be related to the photo uploaded on January 31. "The use of railguns is more suitable for navy vessels rather than ground forces or other units, because a railgun requires a sustainable and massive energy supply, and if it is used by a ground force, it will need a power station to follow it all the time. But modernized naval vessels all have electric generators and can provide sustainable and massive power sources," Song said. Going silent In addition to railguns, China is also making notable progress on noise-reduction to upgrade its nuclear submarines. According to a report on March 5 by the Science and Technology Daily, a Beijing-based official journal, He Lin, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, said that "in 2025, noise on a nuclear submarine will be largely reduced, and Chinese nuclear submarines' performances will be improved to world class level." He is also a member of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference. As he came out of the meeting of the Two Sessions on March 4, he told the Science and Technology Daily that his biggest wish is to prevent other countries from being able to detect Chinese submarines. Compared to other naval powers, China currently lags behind in terms of submarine noise-reduction. But in recent years, China has been making efforts to close the gap with other major powers such as the US and Russia, said Zhang Ye, a research fellow at the PLA Naval Research Institute. "Noise under the sea will allow a nuclear submarine to be detected easily by its enemies. In real combat, this is deadly," Zhang said. Read more: Chinese warship reportedly equipped with electromagnetic railgun Rotherham College student and transplant recipient Olivia Greenwood. CREATIVE college students will celebrate stitches and sounds from throughout the decades, in aid of a kidney charity. The degree candidates will present The Walk of Life at The Trades next Thursday a nostalgic catwalk show with music to match the fashion. Those taking part are all studying on the popular music performance and production or fashion and textiles courses. They will be collecting for Kidney Care UK a charity supporting kidney disease and transplant patients. Music student Olivia Greenwood is hosting the night. She received a kidney transplant one year ago her second procedure after the first attempt failed. For three years, from 2013 until 2016, I had dialysis three times a day, she said. It took over my life and unless you have personal experience of kidney failure or dialysis, you just cant appreciate how unwell you are. I wanted to give something back to Kidney Care UK as whenever I needed help the charity was there for me. Whether I needed help planning holidays or travelling while on dialysis, or had questions that my GP or renal team couldnt answer, I was always able to get the information I needed from them. Robert Hope, head of fundraising at Kidney Care UK, said it was an honour to have supported Olivia when she needed it the most. He added: As a charity we receive no government funding. We rely on the kind generosity of the supporters like Olivia and her colleagues. The event takes place at The Trades, Greasbrough Road, from 7.30pm on Thursday, March 22. Tickets cost 4.50 each and can be bought on the door or in advance. Call The Trades on 01709 370651 or Rotherham College on 01709 722749 or buy your tickets online. Botswana Diamonds completes nine-hole drilling on Thorny River Botswana Diamonds has completed its nine-hole drilling programme on the Thorny River property in South Africa. It said the objective of the hole drilling was to see if two kimberlite blows were one contiguous orebody, thus increasing the overall resource... Lifeline for small-scale chrome miners in Zim Zimbabwe Zhongxin Smelting Company, a joint venture between a Chinese firm and the Zimbabwe Defence Forces, is constructing a $60 million smelting plant in Masvingo. Out of the deep blue: Buyers at Christies will have a chance to bid for Rolex Experimental Deep Sea Special N1 Developed as a prototype for perfecting the Rolex diving watch concept, this Rolex Deep Sea Special N1 was attached to the hull of Auguste Piccards bathyscaphe Trieste for the inaugural deep-sea trial to a depth of 3,150 meters in the Mediterranean... Lucara unveils 1,175-ct rough diamond in New York report Lucara Diamond and manufacturer HB Antwerp unveiled a 1,175-carat diamond in New York City in a bid to attract investors. Reuters reports that the stone recovered at the Karowe mine, in Botswana last June would be on display for a week at the Whitby... Tsodilo Resources said it processed 724.7 tonnes or 141 samples out of a total of 243 through the dense medium separation (DMS) plant it commissioned last January at its BK16 kimberlite project in Botswana. It said these 141 samples generated 2,778.6 kg of concentrate translating to a yield of 0.38 percent. The company said the treatment of the large diameter drill (LDD) samples through the DMS plant was expected to be completed early next month when the processing of the tailing material of BK16 would then recommence. The X-ray sorted concentrates would be hand sorted in Maun at Tsodilo's secure sorting facility by a third-party sorter starting on March 19. It also said that diamonds recovered would be transported to Gaborone for cleaning and valuation. Mathew Nyaungwa, Editor in Chief of the African Bureau, Rough&Polished The province of Ontario and the government of Canada have reached an agreement that will provide CA$11.8 billion (US$9.02 billion) toward infrastructure spending. The two governments say the investments will create economic growth, sustain well-paying jobs, build inclusive communities and support a low carbon, green economy. The funds will be provided through the Investing in Canada plan over the next decade and the projects supported through the agreement will have a total value of more than CA$31 billion (US$23.7 billion) and will be cost-shared with the Ontario government, municipalities and other partners. This new funding will see the Government of Canada and the province of Ontario make unprecedented investments in public transit, green infrastructure, and recreational and cultural infrastructure. Ontario officials said the new funding agreement builds on the provinces CA$190 billion (US$145.24 billion) commitment to infrastructure over 13 years. The funding provided under the new agreement includes up to CA$660 million (US$504.53 million) for the Scarborough Subway Extension project in Toronto, which will be reviewed when formally submitted by the province. The Government of Ontario will continue to work closely with the City of Toronto on this project. The province has already committed to supporting it through previously approved public transit investment funding. Additionally, this funding provided to Ontario includes almost CA$1.5 billion (US$1.15 billion) for the Ottawa Light Rail Transit Stage 2 project and the Port Lands Flood Protection and Enabling Infrastructure project in Toronto. At its core, infrastructure is about people, and our government is committed to ensuring that our unprecedented infrastructure investments work for everyone in Ontario. We have a responsibility to build the critical public infrastructure our province needs to maintain a strong economy and high standard of living, said Ontario Minister of Infrastructure Bob Chiarelli. Every dollar invested in infrastructure is an investment in quality of life and in our economy. File photo A political adviser proposed on Thursday a further increase in the national budget for basic research, saying it would enhance the country's capability to build a powerful socialist country. Yang Wei, former head of China's National Natural Science Fund and a member of the 13th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), made the proposal during an interview ahead of the closing meeting of the first session of the 13th CPPCC National Committee at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Thursday. Yang, also an academician at the Chinese Academy of Sciences, said China's budget for basic research should be raised by at least eight percent from five percent. Chinese researchers hailed the proposal, saying it would enhance the country's innovative capability, which is key for the country to become an international scientific leader instead of a follower. "It would facilitate original findings," Zhang Xinmin, a senior researcher at the institute of high energy physics of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, told the Global Times on Thursday. "Basic research is the source of initial innovative capability which is the mother of revolutionary scientific and technological breakthroughs. And if China wants to become a major global scientific power, a bigger budget for basic research is a must," said Zhang Shuangnan, the chief scientist of the country's enhanced X-ray timing and polarimetry mission. Yang compared such an investment to the "fuel cost" of the country's development toward building a powerful socialist country. China's academic output tops the world in terms of numbers, with the world's second biggest academic influence, and the quality of China's academic output has reached world standards, according to Yang. China has budgeted over 13 billion yuan ($2 billion) for major research and development programs this year, the Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST) said. French stock market regulator Autorite des marches financiers (AMF) has warned investors about 15 "crypto-asset" websites that continue to mislead the public on investment opportunities, by advertising and marketing despite the warning on new regulations. These websites continued to advertise and market their services against the provisions of the "Sapin II Law" that was amended in December to include miscellaneous assets such as "crypto assets", AMF said in a statement. The Sapin II law states, "The investment proposals highlighting the possibility of a financial returns or a similar economic effect involve intermediation in miscellaneous assets and are now subject to ex ante control by the AMF. Consequently, no offer can be directly marketed in France on without prior allocation by the AMF of a registration number." The law initially targeted diamonds, rare earths, and wine. The AMF has been providing a list of unauthorized diamond investments platforms since July 2017. The AMF has now put out a list of 15 cryptocurrency or crypto-asset related websites that violated the provisions of this law. They include http://akj-crypto.com/ ; http://bank-crypto.com/ ;, https://bcoin-bank.com/ ; https://bit-crypto.net/ ;, https://boursebitcoin.com/ ; and https://www.crypteo.io/ The recent cryptocurrency boom has spurred several online trading platforms to put out advertising materials that promise high returns, while not mentioning the high risk involved. The regulator urges investors to learn as much as they can about the company or intermediary trying to sell a product and only invest in a product they understand. Regulatory authorities around the world are discussing strict regulation for bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies. Germany, France and European Commission have recently called for discussion in the G20 group of advanced and developing countries to tackle the risks posed by cryptocurrencies and to strengthen and streamline current regulatory policies. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Business News The Group of Twenty (G20) finance ministers and central bank governors are set to discuss next week an international regulatory framework to bring cross-border Cryptocurrency operations under unified control. The meeting in Argentine capital Buenos Aires will focus on the policies needed to protect the global economic upswing against downside risks, and to finalize much-needed reforms to bolster growth. Cryptocurrency is an important item on the meeting's agenda, according to CoinDesk, a digital currency news site. The agenda has not been released, but a public document indicates that the discussions will revolve around the implications of cryptocurrencies and the potential applications of its underlying . Delegates will consider a common response that would mitigate the risks without discouraging innovation. Finance officials from the US and Europe have been calling for developing a regulatory framework to deal with the challenges posed by cryptocurrency to the . US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said his concerns revolve around the use of cryptocurrencies in illegal activities like money laundering, while the Netherlands' Finance Minister said in a letter sent to the Dutch Parliament last week that he intends to work with his European counterparts to develop an international regulatory framework for crypto markets. IMF Managing Director Christine Lagarde said Thursday that there is room to develop international regulatory principles for crypto assets including initial coin offerings (ICOs). In a blog post she wrote on IMF website ahead of the summit, Lagarde said the goal should be to harness the potential of the underlying technology, while ensuring financial stability and mitigating the risks from money laundering and terrorism financing. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Economic News What parts of the world are seeing the best (and worst) economic performances lately? Click here to check out our Econ Scorecard and find out! See up-to-the-moment rankings for the best and worst performers in GDP, unemployment rate, inflation and much more. US-based Coinbase has become the first cryptocurrency exchange to open a UK bank account, receive e-money license and gain access to the UK's Faster Payments Scheme (FPS), according to the company's blog post. It has been granted an e-money license by the UK's financial regulator Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). This will allow it to issue e-money and provide payment services in the UK. Coinbase UK CEO Zeeshan Feroz wrote, "Our e-money license will extend beyond the UK to 23 countries within the EU. We believe that this is an important step towards our commitment to making cryptocurrency accessible to everyone." While the blog does not reveal with whom Coinbase has opened the bank account, reports said it was partnering with UK lender Barclays Bank plc. The FCA license also paved the way for Coinbase to add support for FPS for its UK customers, which is supported by all major UK banks. This will see its customers benefiting from faster, safer and seamless topping up and withdrawal of money. FPS will replace Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA), which is a payment-integration initiative of the European Union for simplification of bank transfers denominated in euro. Feroz noted that the company will start with a pilot, giving a small number of institutional users access to FPS. It will then begin rolling out to all U.K. customers over the coming weeks. Coinbase said the UK continues to be its largest market for cryptos in Europe since 2014. Banks and financial institutions in the U.K. have traditionally kept cryptocurrency exchanges and cryptocurrencies at arm's length due to their anonymity and concerns over money laundering. In a few other countries, bank accounts held by cryptocurrency exchanges have been blocked or terminated amid fears of aiding money laundering due to the anonymity associated with digital currencies. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Business News Several media outlets have indicated that President Donald Trump is planning to remove National Security Adviser H.R. McMaster, although the White House is pushing back against the reports. White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders said in a post on Twitter late Thursday that Trump and McMaster have a "good working relationship" and claimed there are "no changes" at the National Security Council. "Just spoke to @POTUS and Gen. H.R. McMaster - contrary to reports they have a good working relationship and there are no changes at the NSC," Sanders tweeted. The tweet from Sanders came after a report from the Washington Post said Trump has decided to remove McMaster and is actively discussing potential replacements. The Post cited five people with knowledge of the plans, who said Trump is waiting to oust McMaster to ensure that the three-star Army general is not humiliated and that there is a strong successor lined up. CNN, the Wall Street Journal and CBS News have subsequently confirmed the report that Trump is likely to replace McMaster. The reports pointed to a personality clash between Trump and McMaster, with a source telling CNN the president views his national security adviser as "gruff and condescending." McMaster became Trump's second national security adviser after Michael Flynn was forced to resign from the position amid controversy over his contact with Russian officials. If McMaster is eventually removed, he would join other top White House officials that have recently departed, including Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and chief economic adviser Gary Cohn. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Political News Yang Xiaozhen, a female provincial-level inheritor of wax printing, discusses the technique with fellow villagers in Zhijin County, southwest China's Guizhou province, March 8, 2018. Following the national call for poverty reduction, Yang went back to her hometown in 2017 to pass on the technique to women farmers and helped them get rid of poverty. (Photo from CFP) "We will not only win the 'battle' of targeted poverty alleviation, but also win it with flying colors." A Chinese official pledged at a press conference on the sidelines of the first session of the 13th National Peoples Congress on March 7. Decisive progress has been made in Chinas poverty alleviation campaign since the 18th CPC National Congress, Liu Yongfu, director of the State Council Leading Group Office of Poverty Alleviation and Development, elaborated on the achievements made by China in the past five years. By the end of 2012, the country had 98.99 million poor people, and by the end of 2017, that number dropped to 30.46 million, an annual decrease of 13.7 million, he illustrated. In the same period, the annual net income growth of farmers in poverty-stricken regions was 2.5% higher than the national average. Liu Yongfu, director of the State Council Leading Group Office of Poverty Alleviation and Development, takes questions at a press conference during the first session of the 13th National People's Congress in Beijing, capital of China, March 7, 2018. (Photo by Zhang Qichuan from Peoples Daily Online) He also shared Chinas experience in accelerating the progress by eradicating extreme poverty, using the opportunities brought by Belt and Road Initiative, stimulating endogenous impetus, making third-party evaluation and offering financial support. Policies need to be rolled out to irradiate endogenous impetus and prevent the funds for feeding the lazy, Liu said, adding that training on poor population is required to improve their skills and capabilities to get rid of poverty, while an experience sharing is important as well. Winning the battle of targeted poverty alleviation with flying colors has much higher gold content than just winning it, Liu pointed out. A long table banquet is held for tourists visiting a village of the Dong ethnic minority in Liping County, southwest Chinas Guizhou province on March 9, 2018. Taking the advantage of the 93 traditional villages and ethnic cultural resources, the county strengthens rural tourism and makes it a new path for poverty reduction. (Photo by CFP) "We have to make sure the task of poverty alleviation be completed to the fullest and no one will be left behind," Liu said, adding that such poverty reduction must be of high quality and it will be held to the test of time. He also pointed out that the campaign will continue even after 2020. China, in its report to the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC), has made clear that the country must ensure that by the year 2020, all rural residents living below the current poverty line will have been out of poverty. Eliminating poverty, improving livelihoods and achieving common prosperity step by step has been regarded as an essential requirement for socialism with Chinese characteristics and an important mission of the CPC. Chinese President Xi Jinping, who is also general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, first proposed targeted poverty alleviation when visiting Shibadong Village in Shuanglong Town, Huayuan County, Xiangxi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture in central Chinas Hunan province on Nov. 3, 2013, a place labeled "poor" at the time. Ahead of the 2018 Spring Festival holiday, President Xi visited impoverished areas in Liangshan Yi autonomous prefecture and chaired a symposium on poverty alleviation in Chengdu, southwest China, during which he stressed the difficulty of the battle against poverty and the urgency of solving significant problems in poverty alleviation. The battle against poverty should be firmly carried forward without any pause or slackness, the president said, stressing quality of poverty reduction work with a focus on areas in deep poverty. Chinese Ambassador to Nepal Yu Hong (L) shakes hands with Nepal's Secretary at Ministry of Finance Shankar Prasad Adhikari after signing agreements on China-Aid projects in Kathmandu, Nepal, on March 15, 2018. [Photo: Xinhua] China and Nepal agreed on Thursday to construct a frontier inspection station and facilitate resumption of Nepal-China border point, which has been closed after a devastating earthquake in 2015. Amid a special function organized at Nepal's Ministry of Finance in Kathmandu, the two neighbors signed an agreement on the Post-disaster Recovery for Tatopani (Zhangmu) Frontier Inspection Station Project. The agreement was signed by Chinese Ambassador Yu Hong and Nepal's Secretary at Ministry of Finance Shankar Prasad Adhikari. The support is under a 3-billion-Chinese yuan (475-million-U.S. dollar) grant pledged by China during International Conference for Nepal's Reconstruction in 2015. The project includes repairing of buildings, establishing protection measures to prevent from secondary disasters, including debris flow and landslide, and improving trade clearance capabilities. "The Chinese government has been making positive effort to reopen the Zhangmu port. We will carry out work of disaster treatment and road repair on the Chinese side. Considering the construction of border inspection station, both the countries have been discussing reconstruction of the border bridge," Ambassador Yu said. Tatopani, known as Zhangmu port, was severely damaged in the 2015 earthquake and could not function because of geographical challenges. Since then, the Kerung port, also known as Rasuwagadhi, has been in operation for cross border trading and tourism. The ambassador further informed that the Syaphrubesi-Rasuwagadhi highway repair and improvement project and Timure Frontier inspection station project will be started within this year. "The China-Aid projects and the Cross Border Economic Zone will effectively enhance our infrastructure connectivity and increase trade flow under the framework of Belt and Road Initiative," she said. Besides the border project, the two sides also signed agreement on "Hospital Recovery Project in Sindhupalchowk" and "Jiri Secondary School Reconstruction Project." The government of Nepal expressed its appreciation to the Chinese government for the assistance and its continuous support for reconstruction of quake-hit Nepal. Shankar Prasad Adhikari, Secretary at Ministry of Finance, said, "I am confident that the economic cooperation between Nepal and China will help especially to overcome our infrastructure bottleneck and improve connectivity." Right after the earthquake, China had pledged to help Nepal with post-disaster reconstruction in five areas - infrastructure, livelihood recovery in hilly regions, cultural heritage renovation, capacity building of disaster prevention and health. Up to now, 22 China-Aid projects have been already initiated and are in the process of implementation. On Monday 12 March, The American University in Cairo (AUC) hosted Lubna S. Olayan, CEO and deputy chairperson of Olayan Financing Company, to present the Nadia Younes Memorial lecture at Moataz Al-Alfi Hall at the university's New Cairo campus. Olayan became the first woman to join the board of a publicly-listed Saudi company when elected to the board of Saudi Hollandi Bank (now Alawwal Bank) in 2004, where she currently serves as vice chair. She also chairs the UK-based Alfanar, the first venture philanthropy organization working exclusively in the Arab world. Her lecture, titled A Vision for the Rising Arab Generation, tackled the main challenges that face today's Arab youth, the opportunities that lie ahead of them, and the action that needs to be taken. The lecture is part of the Nadia Younes Memorial Fund, named for the Egyptian United Nations official who was killed in the bombing of UN headquarters in Baghdad on 19 August, 2003 while serving as chief of staff UN secretary general to Iraq. Paying tribute to Younes, Olayan said, She combined a great intellect and a passion for our region, a passion that I truly share. I am also struck by her keen interest in many other challenged regions around the world. Present at the lecture were Ibrahim El-Moallem, the chairman and founder the worlds leading Arabic publishing house, former Foreign Minister and former Secretary-General of the Arab League Amr Moussa, among many others. In welcoming Olayan and honouring the memory of Younes, AUC President Francis J. Ricciardone remarked how Youness commitment to serving the global community stands as an example to inspire the upcoming young leaders. Olayan was also welcomed by Younes' family and by student Omar Zaki, recipient of the Nadia Younes Award for Public and Humanitarian Service. It is also a privilege for me to be here at AUC, a true center of excellence, said Olayan. AUCs role is important not only in Egypt but throughout the Arab world. She also addressed many challenges that have faced the Arab countries, like the negative effects of colonization, high unemployment rates and high economic inequality. We can spend hours debating how we got here, she said, but what is now needed is action. Olayan shared lessons she has learned as businesswoman in regards to finding ways to best utilize the region's resources. She pointed to Singapore as an example of a country that suffered from colonization, poverty, limited natural resources and high population growth, yet still managed to develop into a major player in the global economy. Some Gulf countries adopted a similar model, she noted, diversifying their economy, boosting research and development and targeting education, in particluar Dubai under Sheikh Mohamed bin Rashed and Saudi Arabia under its ongoing reforms. For my part I remain optimistic, she concluded. "We can educate our youth and prepare them for the job market and at the same time educate them to value a society where mutual respect and tolerance exist amongst all citizens, residents and visitors, regardless of social class, religion or gender. Short link: The head of Egypt parliament's human rights committee said Thursday that contacts are being made with the foreign ministry so that a parliamentary delegation can visit England to investigate the death of Egyptian teenager Mariam Abdel-Salam, who was violently assaulted in the country last month and died on Wednesday. "We are in contact with the Egyptian foreign ministry and with Egypt's ambassador to the UK, Nasser Kamel, and a number of local and Arab human rights organisations, to help this delegation to England as soon as possible," said Alaa Abed. Abed revealed that a number of Egyptian and Arab human rights organisations have shown wide solidarity with "the Mariam case," blaming rampant racial discrimination and medical negligence for her tragic death. "I want to go there not just as head of the Egyptian parliament's human rights committee but also as a lawyer who wants to investigate this crime in a country that claims to be a beacon of democracy and respect for human rights," said Abed. In a statement issued to parliamentary reporters Thursday, Abed said as many as 13 Arab and Egyptian human rights organisations are preparing a "dossier" on violations against Egyptian nationals in the UK and other countries. "These organisations, for example, include the National Organisation for Human Rights, the Arab Organization for Human Rights, and the Egyptian Centre for Free Democracy Studies," said Abed. Abed indicated that "the dossier includes a list of Egyptians who were killed in mysterious circumstances in England, including actress Souad Hosni, former ambassador Ashraf Marawan, and college student Mariam. "We want to take this dossier to the Geneva-based UN Human Rights Council to expose the repeated violations of human rights in the UK," said Abed. Tarek Radwan, head of parliament's foreign relations committee, also confirmed to reporters that MPs are in coordination with the foreign ministry to send a delegation to the UK to follow up on the recent killing. Mahmoud Badawi, a lawyer and a legal expert, told reporters that "many Egyptians were killed in the UK, with the British authorities not doing enough to investigate or unravel the mystery of their deaths," adding that "it is clear that medical negligence, rampant racial discrimination, and violence in the UK were the major reasons behind the killing of many Egyptians in England." The 18-year-old college student was attacked by a group of women outside a shopping mall in Nottingham on 20 February and fell into coma following the incident. She was released from hospital after coming out of the coma, but died on Wednesday. Egypt's foreign ministry said on Wednesday that the Egyptian consulate in London will follow up on legal measures to punish the culprits and hold accountable those who showed negligence in providing necessary medical care to the teenager. The ministry said it has been in touch with the girl's family and is taking necessary procedures to send her body home. Margaret Azer, deputy chairman of the human rights committee, also said in a statement Thursday that the committee will spare no effort in investigating the tragic crime. "We will follow all the legal measures necessary to hold criminals accountable because the crime of killing Mariam demonstrates a new example of complete and flagrant violation of human rights in Britain," said Azer. We will see how human rights organisations in the West, particularly the London-based Amnesty International and the New York-based Human Rights Watch, will react to this crime." "We know that they will do nothing, because they are just busy issuing flawed reports on human rights conditions in Egypt and Arab countries," said Azer, adding that "if a British or a western national was killed in Egypt, we would see an army of western organisations issuing reports on human rights conditions in Egypt." The death of Mariam raises a lot of question marks about medical negligence and carelessness in British hospitals, particularly towards Arabs and Muslims." Sherine Farag, a member of the human rights committee, also denounced in a statement "the brutal assault which led to the killing of Egyptian student Mariam Abdel-Salam." It is not just brutal attack on Mariam which led to her tragic death on Wednesday, but it is also medical negligence and indifference in the British hospital where she was supposedly receiving treatment," said Farag. "There are a lot of doubts that the medical staff in the British hospital Nottingham City Hospital refrained from doing enough to help Mariam evade death," said Farag, adding that "we are here face-to-face with a crime of medical negligence and deliberate carelessness." Farag's statement also said the repeated assaults against Arabs and Egyptians in England raise questions about respect for human rights in the UK. "Most of the criminals go unpunished or the British authorities are not doing enough to arrest perpetrators of these crimes and hold them accountable," said Farag's statement. Search Keywords: Short link: Dear Editor, Re: Im getting old, P.M. says Our Supreme leader has stated before that China only requires our vote in the UN and in return his H.R.P.P. government is granted concessional loans. So isnt it ironic for someone like Stui who seems to micro manage every government department and entities but forgets how much our country owes China? Instead he deflect the question and reiterated the government has the capacity to service the loans as if to imply that people of Samoa should not worry about it. Perhaps if he is too old to remember things he should consider stepping down. Lately I have been hearing, seeing and reading a lot about the passive invasion of countries by the Chinese. So I am very skeptical about their intentions sung by Stui and his supporters. This passive invasion starts from these so-called loans/grants used as Trojan horses for debt traps. Then eventual take over of assets or infrastructures when loans default. Also the leasing of lands to set up businesses which supposedly are to help develop economies but instead it is followed by the trickling effect of Chinese chain migration. Also these O.D.A. loans have clauses that projects are to be built by Chinese construction companies, that import their own building materials and use Chinese labourers. So who really benefits from these O.D.A. loans? Most of the money for these projects and the repayments will end up back in China and Samoa will have new shiny infrastructures and massive debts that will take generations to repay. The way things are going, China will become the biggest economy and the most powerful military in the world. I dont really care about their aspirations but I think the biggest negativity is how theyre going about it. All of it documented online and you can read papers and coverage by political analyst predicting the outcome and consequences of Chinas true intentions with their One belt, one road initiative. We could assume the Chinese may want assets that would be more beneficial to them should the H.R.P.P. government default loans. People are more informed and the mistrust of government is at an all time high. This in turn has raised genuine concerns about our foreign debt and the much debated L.T.R.A. 2008 Legislation. Is the H.R.P.P. government misleading its people about the amendments? Is the government deliberately trying to trick Samoan families to register and turn their customary lands into freehold land? Some critics argue that behind all the smoke and mirrors it is basically a Torrens title land registration system. Is it the governments hidden agenda to try and free up lands as collateral for loans? I can see why the L.T.R.A 2008 amendments is not a good legislation and will have dire consequence for Samoas future. It should be repealed full stop. If Stui does not know how much our nation owes China perhaps his spin-doctors could enlighten the Samoan tax payers on the actual amount. Some peoples loyalty and support for the H.R.P.P. government is admirable but you cannot ignore the writing on the wall for our nation. I will say this to the H.R.P.P. supporters and government sympathizers. Would you be ok if Samoa was next to hand over our Sovereignty? Can you keep your heads buried in the sand? You need to come up for air, open your eyes and look around to see what is happening to our nation. It affects all of us and you dont want this burden on our future generations. Can you live with a guilty conscience knowing that you couldve done something about it? Blind faith in bad leaders is not Patriotism - Rocky Anderson. Soifua, Oisole Dear Editor, About the Samoa Airways debate, the P.M. is right about one thing, it is too early to tell the true state of financial affairs within Samoan Airways. Much has been said about passenger loadings, etc, etc but until the full financial statements are available after the end of the financial year, these are anecdotes and stories. Members of the public will have to be patient and not speculate. Negative statements and talking down the airline will only drive negative sentiments about the product and frighten people away from using Samoan Airways. I am confident that the business model which Samoan Airways has; is based on loss making at the beginning of the venture. How long the airline can continue to make losses and the level of these losses will probably be revealed in due course. As some writers have said, Samoan Airways can compete on price and service, complemented by effective advertising. I have flown twice on the local airline and its services are comparable if not superior to Virgin Australia, Air New Zealand, and Fiji Airways. Samoan Airways fares are also cheaper. If not more people are not travelling on the local airline, then a factor could possibly be lazy marketing and advertising. I am encouraging my overseas relatives to use the local airline purely on the basis on receiving value for money for their dollars. With the church conferences taking place soon, shouldnt the airline be making marketing pitches at the various denominations in NZ and Australia about using Samoa Airways. Perhaps an added incentive is that each passenger travelling on the local airline will receive additional blessing (or whatever but you get my drift!). The marketing team should be visiting local centres in the two countries and not be focused solely on the big cities. Lastly, Cabinet should approve the landing fee waiver for the local airline because it deserves every assistance it can get. After all, we the taxpayers are the ones who will suffer if the airline does not survive. Go Samoan Airways!! Vai Autu Egyptian expatriates began voting in the 2018 Egyptian presidential elections on Friday morning in embassies in 118 countries around the world. All Egyptians living abroad will be able to cast their votes in this year's presidential elections 16, 17, 18 March regardless of their legal status in host countries. Deputy Foreign Minister Hamdy Loza has called on Egyptian expatriates to turn out and vote in the presidential elections, in which President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi is running for a second term against Ghad Party chief Moussa Mostafa Moussa. Expatriate voting in Egypt's presidential elections is being held in 124 countries around the world, with 139 election committees in embassies and consulates, between 16 and 18 March. Supervising the voting process are 786 members of the Egyptian missions. Loza highlighted the successful coordination between the Egyptian embassies, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the National Electoral Authority in Cairo on organizing the voting process. Expatriates will need a national ID card or valid computerized passport to be eligible to vote. Polling stations are open from 9am to 9pm on each of the three election days. Votes will be collated inside embassies and diplomatic missions and the results sent to the National Electoral Authority. NEA says process smooth Egypt's National Elections Authority (NEA) said in a press conference on Friday afternoon that thousands of Egyptians have started voting in embassies and consulates in 118 countries around the world at 9am local time to choose the country's next president. The vote will start in the remaining 6 countries at 9am local time. In the Arab Gulf countries of Saudi Arabia, UAE, Kuwait and Qatar, where large numbers of Egyptians work and live, voters used tablets to cast their ballots, the NEA spokesperson Mahmoud El-Sharif told reporters. "According to Egyptian law, all Egyptians abroad, regardless of residence status and regardless of type of visa, have the right to vote in the elections," El-Sharif stressed. The NEA said Egyptian diplomats in Qatar have coordinated with Qatari officials to ensure a smooth voting operation for Egyptians who work in the Gulf country. "We are monitoring the elections in 16 countries via audio and video conference," El-Sharif added. "There was heavy voter turnout in countries such as Saudi Arabia, but this is still the first day in the polls, which will last till the 18th." Saudi Arabia In Saudi Arabia, where the more Egyptian expatriates reside than anywhere else, a large number of citizens cast their ballots in the Egyptian consulates in Riyadh and Jeddah, lifting banners of "Long Live Egypt." Nasser Hamdi, Egypt's Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, affirmed a very high turnout in the voting process since the polling stations opened their doors at 9am. Hamdi said during a phone call with ONTV channel's morning program that lines of voters extending for one kilometre could be seen since 8am. "People came in groups and from very long distances to cast their votes for the sake of Egypt," the ambassador said, noting that a large number of women were among the voters. About 3 million Egyptians reside and work in Saudi Arabia, according to the Central Agency for Public Mobilization and Statistics (CAPMAS), Egypt's official statistics agency. Kuwait In Kuwait, where nearly 600,000 Egyptian reside, thousands of citizens headed to the Egyptian embassy in Kuwait City, casting their votes while singing the famous Egyptian Special Army Forces anthem What Did They Say while waiving the Egyptian flags. Lines extending for three kilometres were seen in front of Kuwait's polling station. The Egyptian Ambassador to Kuwait Tarek El-Kouny saluted voters, praising their patriotism and civil behaviour. Iraq Egyptian expats have been voting at the Egyptian embassy in Baghdad amid a festive atmosphere, Egyptian ambassador to Iraq Alaa Mousa said in a statement, state news agency MENA reported. Private Egyptian TV channel CBC Extra news reported on Friday that Egyptians in Iraq were keen on participating in the poll, travelling to Baghdad from several cities despite the unrest in the country. There were around 22,000 Egyptians in Iraq in late 2016, according state statistics agency CAPMAS. Lebanon The deputy head of the Egyptian Community in Lebanon Tawfik Helmy said that there has been a high turnout by Egyptian expats in Lebanon at the Egyptian embassy in Beirut. In late 2016, Egyptian expats in Lebanon were estimated at 40,000. Jordan In Jordan, where 1.5 million Egyptians reside, polling stations in Amman received crowds of voters early on Friday to express their will, carrying Egyptian flags and singing patriotic Egyptian songs. Egypt's ambassador in Jordan, Tarek Adel, said in a press statement that all technical, logistical and organizational preparations are facilitated to Egyptians in Jordan to cast their votes on Friday and over the upcoming days. The UAE In large numbers as well, Egyptian citizens living in the United Arab Emirates headed on Friday morning to the Egyptian Consulate in Dubai to vote in the presidential elections. The embassy and consulate opened at 9 am UAE time, and voting is scheduled to continue until 9 PM on each of the three days of voting. Egyptians in the Emirates comprise 12 percent of Egyptians living in Arab countries, numbering 765,000. Voting in Abu Dhabi and Dubai has been extended due to the high voter turnout, according to the Egyptian ambassador. Qatar Meanwhile in Doha, the Head of Egypt's Diplomatic Mission in Qatar, Ahmed Ezzat, said in special statements to Ahram Online that Egyptian citizens turned out in unprecedentedly large numbers to cast their votes since polling stations opened their doors on Friday early morning. "A large number of citizens came along with their children to express their will," Ezzat added, praising voters' civil behavior and keenness on practicing their democratic right. Around 300,000 Egyptians reside and work in Qatar, according to statistics compiled by the Egyptian Ministry of Immigration and Expatriate Affairs 2017.Back home in Egypt, the voting will be held between 26 and 28 March. No voting in Yemen and Libya Estimated in the hundreds of thousands, Egyptian citizens in Yemen and Libya were not able to cast their votes due to the deteriorated security situations in those countries. Europe In Britain, despite the fact that Friday is a working day, private satellite TV channel Al-Ghad reported the presence of dozens of Egyptian expats voting at the embassy in London. Some 26,500 Egyptian expats live in the UK, according to a 2016 CAPMAS report. In the Netherlands, the Egyptian ambassador in Amsterdam said that the embassy has been receiving large numbers of voters since morning. Some 45,000 Egyptians were registered as living in the Netherlands in late 2016. The Egyptian embassies in Rome, Berlin and Paris were the first Egyptian missions in Europe to open for the polls. Japan Egyptian ambassador to Tokyo Ayman Kamel said that Egyptians are participating in the vote despite bad weather, MENA added. Around 1,840 Egyptians live in Japan. New Zealand The Egyptian embassy in New Zealand was the first to open its doors to voters on Friday morning (Thursday 9 PM Cairo local time). The US and Canada On Friday afternoon, Egyptian embassies in Washington and Ottawa opened their doors for Egyptian expats to cast their ballots on the first of three days of voting in the 2018 presidential elections. Egyptian expatriates in the US are estimated at 981,000, while in Canada there are some 600,000 Egyptians. Run offs For expatriates, run-off voting, if necessary, is scheduled between 19 and 21 April, and in Egypt between 24 and 26 April. If no run-off is necessary the winner will be announced on 2 April. In the 2014 presidential election 317,109 Egyptians abroad voted, with more than 90 per cent casting ballots for Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi against his sole contender, leftist figure Hamdeen Sabahi. CAPMAS announced in 2017 that 9.5 million Egyptians live outside the country. Around 6.2 million live in Arab countries, while 1.6 million are located in North and South America. 1.2 million are in Europe and 340,000 reside in Australia. Short link: Dear Editor, Re: Samoa Airways In business, just as in everything in life, it is all about choices. If you choose to repeat the same business mistakes others have made and expect a different result, you are the foolish one. The critics and those who said Samoa Airline will fail due to past results theyve experiences and witnessed, are not the stupid ones, Sir. You are! Samoa Airline will not make it, is a reality not a fiction. Wish it was not so, but failing to plan is a plan to fail. Which is exactly the case here. Stop the bleeding already. Quit misleading the country with elementary rubbish. Asipau McMoore One of Samoas Construction companies, Ulia Construction Limited and Ulia Certified Concrete, located at Fiaga Aleisa, yesterday celebrated a milestone becoming a certified ready mixed concrete plant. Terrence Batten, of Auditing Engineer Batten Limited, signed the one-year certification. During the celebration attended by Prime Minister Tuilaepa Dr. Sailele Malielegaoi, Government officials and members of the business community, Mr. Batten congratulated Ulia Certified Concrete. My role as an engineer is to check the performance of the plant engineer and check all of the processes required to make a good concrete production, said. Batten. My role is to check how this is done, why was it done this way and the accuracy of what has been done. All in all todays performance Ill give A+, all because of the performance of Ulia and the way hes going about the production of company, well done and congratulations. Owner and President of the Company, Ututa'aloga Charlie Ulia, said the certification process was not an easy task. Attaining certification took more than a year, he said. It was a challenging pathway but we tried and we have succeeded. I want to thank my village of Afega, my families and friends for all the support. The concrete business is only part of Ulia Constructions focus. The company has steadily grown over the years, having won tenders to carry out a lot of road works. One of its current projects is the ongoing drainage works at Savalalo. But yesterday was not about the challenges. It was a day of celebration for Ulia Certified Concrete. Prime Minister Tuilaepa congratulated the company. This is an achievement of not just for Ulia Construction but also for Samoa, Tuilaepa said. Receiving certification with New Zealand standards in Samoa is an accomplishment, given that Samoa emulates how Australia and New Zealand build their houses as well as road construction in terms of concrete. The Prime Minister reminded how tropical cyclone Ofa and Val in the 90s and the aftermath revealed how weak concrete was used back then. Even the brick houses were ripped apart and this led to Samoa establishing a building code standard for any new house to be in compliance to assure the families are safe during cyclones. The strongest cyclone Samoa encountered was Val where it reached 175miles per hour, yet in the Philippines they have had hurricanes up to 300 miles per hour. This means the hurricane will continue to strengthen. Prime Minister Tuilaepa said this is why Samoa needs good quality cement. Thank you for persevering, not many people can achieve what you are celebrating today and that is because you are brave, Tuilaepa said. This will also help the government in its infrastructure projects as the government depends solely on local companies. After ten years of courting and expressing affection for each other, Barbara Fetuao Lufi Tyrell and Kapeli Jr. Tevaga, tied the knot last week. The couple exchanged vows in front of God, family and friends at the Methodist Church at Vaivase-Uta. Rev. Elder Taumafai Komiti conducted the service where he reminded the gathering that what God has put together, no man should separate. He reminded the newlywed couple that marriage is a lifetime commitment and that it is no smooth ride. Barbara is the youngest daughter of Rev. Misiafa Ieremia and Nunualofa Auvae Tyrells five children. She is 27 years old and works for the Ministry of Justice and Courts Administration. She hails from the village of Afega. Kapeli Jr. Tevaga is the son of the late Fautua Visesio Tevaga and Lanuola Poto A. Roache. He is 29 years old and is a Police officer. He has roots to the village of Leauvaa. According to Barbara, she met her lifetime partner at the library while studying for the Samoa School Leaving Certificate and final exams in 2007. So we have been dating for 10 years and three months. It feels good to finally marry the person who works as a Police officer and for sure we make a good team. We are planning to have a family of our own and stay faithful to each other and do accordingly as God wills. The reception was held at the Tui Atua Tupua Tamasese Efi Building. Popular Samoan rapper Scribe, whose real name is Malo Ioane Luafutu, has been found guilty of methamphetamine possession. The verdict was delivered at the Christchurch District Court on Thursday, according to reports. The Daily Mail Australia reports that the 38-year-old was facing six charges - possession of methamphetamine, possession of an offensive weapon, possession of instruments and three charges for breaching bail. Judge Raoul Neave dismissed all other charges after police alleged they found Scribe 'swinging a softball bat, swearing and asking 'whose ****ing car is this?' on April 2, 2017, later finding drugs in his possession. According to the Otago Daily Times, the rapper arrived to Court on Thursday smoking a cigarette and had his own 'camera crew entourage' in tow. Police told the court they responded to the incident on Ollivers Rd, in the inner-city Christchurch suburb of Phillipstown last year. The 'Not Many' songwriter was allegedly yelling and throwing 'Rashuns chips in the air' - catching them in his mouth. A resident witnessed the screaming fit from her motor home, telling the court she was parked across a thoroughfare near some Rugby League club rooms. They reported the area is notorious for youth crime, drug use and fly tipping, and the woman feared for the safety of herself and her male partner. Scribe was allegedly 'standing on the wheel arch of her car, swearing and yelling' and demanding to know who owned the motor home. They claimed he was 'tapping' the softball bat against the vehicle. The witness explained she had permission to use the space by the owner of the property, retreating inside to get the card. There are opportunities in every challenge. For Terri Loimata Mau, she saw just that when she was given a scholarship by the Australian government to study at the Monash University in Australia. The challenges she experienced in the four years studying a Degree in Health Science in Melbourne, Australia, before graduating, motivated her to achieve her goal. Terri, 22, was present during the Australia Future Unlimited Education Roadshow, which was organised by the Australian High Commission, at the Taumeasina Island Resort on Monday night. The second youngest daughter of Telesia and Loimata Falute from Vaitele-Fou said she is ready to share her knowledge and skills with the Samoan people. Ms. Mau told the Samoa Observer that leaving home made her understand the realities of life. Going overseas doesnt only give you that piece of paper to having a better future, but also teaches you about life. Being there widens your perspective with the different cultures and beliefs of people such as the Muslims and Asians. I now have friends and they are from the other side of the world. Being there, you then realize that Samoa is so small. What you get to see and explore overseas is nothing compared to here. In Samoa we are so conservative, said Terri. She says people overseas have their own perspective about life. Just being in Melbourne, you get to experience what it is like to be free away from your family. Having the experience of making your own decisions, what it is like to budget and use your own money. Everything is all up to you every decision that you make, you pay the price for it. It really motivated me because here everything is given to you and your parents are the ones who tell you what to do all the time. The opportunities there are so vast. So many new paths are provided for you to take your pick from. Terri explained: When I was overseas, I did volunteering with so many different organisations. I was even the vice-president of the Monash Health Science society. I took a big involvement with the international students unlike here I dont really get to be involved with other international people. Living in a new environment that certainly does not look like home was all a new challenge for me. Being there for four years I have understood that there was a consequence for every action. I had to give everything to make my family proud and being a Samoan, we have that mentality that we should make our parents proud no matter how much it will cost you. At times you become homesick; you really miss your family, just having people who were older than me doing certain things for me. Things such as cooking your own meals, doing your own shopping, no car and you have to walk and catch the train, all those small challenges can really add up. Doing exceedingly well academically was another challenge for her. There are certain times when you really have academic challenges. You may think you are smart here, then you go overseas and you will come across many other bright students. Just finding out there is another category of people who are just above your level. There is always that competitive feeling that you have. I really like being challenged and actually getting into it and doing something instead of sitting. That is when you challenge yourself to be in their level, to do well just like them. Ms. Mau encourages every student to work hard to be able to study overseas. For me it was not only about having that piece of paper, but also having the different opportunities that were offered over there, which is why I want to continue with my studies after having some experience here. And I also want to give back to Samoa with what I have learnt. Frank Chopin is retiring after eleven years of service for the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (F.A.O.). Mr. Chopin joined the Subregional office in Apia in August 2015 as Senior Fisheries and Aquaculture Officer following eight years in F.A.O. Rome where he was Chief of the Fishing Operations and Technology Service. Having worked in the private sector and government institutions, I appreciated the value in partnering and the importance of balancing production with shared responsibility to achieve sustainable growth, said Mr. Chopin. During his time in Samoa, Mr. Chopin was responsible for a number of F.A.O. areas of work including efforts towards improving the socio-economic viability and safety in small-scale fisheries and minimizing illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing. F.A.O. gave me an incredible opportunity to return working with Pacific Island countries and regional organizations in fisheries and aquaculture, he said. Since leaving school in 1979, I have been fortunate enough to spend most of my working life doing what I love most working with fisheries. The Pacific with its abundant natural resources hold so much promise for the development aspirations of S.I.D.S. My thanks to all the pacific islanders in the private sector and government that made me so welcome and from whom I have learned so much. F.A.O. Subregional Coordinator, Eriko Hibi said the organization has been very fortunate to have long serving staff. Frank is one of those professionals who brought in solid technical expertise, he continuously updated knowledge, and had a strong network of professionals to partner with. Ms. Hibi emphasized that it was his sense of service and commitment to the people F.A.O. serves which made him exemplary. Mr. Chopin was involved in the recent approval of two F.A.O.-funded projects to strengthen community-fisheries in Tonga and Samoa. The aim of the projects is to strengthen the technical capacity for both countries to improve and streamline their community-based fisheries management programmes. He was also involved in projects outside of fisheries. He recently led a group to Wojte atoll in the Marshall Islands to carry out interviews of householders to evaluate the impacts of the drought on household food production. Remote atolls in the Marshall Islands have been suffering from severe drought. F.A.O. staff in Samoa wish Frank all the best for the future. A suspended Police Office accused of indecent assault appeared in the District Court on Tuesday. Judge Talasa Lumepa Atoa presided. The prosecutor is Rexona Titi of the Attorney Generals Office while Leota Raymond Schuster represented the defendant. Ms. Titi made an application to adjourn the matter for prosecution to finalize charges. Judge Atoa granted the application. The matter was adjourned until 20 March 2018. Tuumatavai is facing three charges, which include assault, indecent assault and indecent act with intent to insult. SEATTLE (AP) Only one of 118 gender discrimination complaints made by women at Microsoft was found to have merit, according to unsealed court documents. The Seattle Times reports the records made public Monday illustrate the scope of complaints from female employees in technical jobs in the U.S. between 2010 and 2016. And according to the court documents, Microsoft's internal investigations determined only one of those complaints was "founded." The company has denied that systemic bias is taking place through its employee-review process. The documents were released as part of an ongoing lawsuit by three current or former Microsoft employees alleging gender discrimination. The plaintiffs are seeking class-action status for the case, claiming more than 8,600 women collectively lost out on $238 million in pay and 500 promotions because of discrimination in the company's performance review process. Microsoft's case is one of several against giant companies in the technology industry, which has been criticized in recent years for its lack of female and minority employees and for a workplace culture that some say is hostile toward those groups. Google, for example, is being sued by women who say they are underpaid compared to men at the company. "Tech companies are absolutely lagging behind when it comes to gender inclusion," Dnika J. Travis, a researcher at Catalyst, a nonprofit that promotes inclusive workplaces for women, said in a statement. The plaintiffs in the Microsoft case argue that men in similar roles with similar job performance were promoted faster and given more raises than their female colleagues. Microsoft has said a class action isn't warranted because there is no common cause for the employees' complaints and plaintiffs have not identified systemic gender discrimination. In court documents, Microsoft also has stood behind its internal investigative process, which involves a four-person team that looks into each complaint filed with the company. In a statement Tuesday, a Microsoft said all employee concerns are taken seriously and that the company has a "fair and robust system in place" to investigate them. U.S. District Judge James Robart is hearing the case in U.S. District Court in Seattle and is expected to decide on the class-action request in the next several months. We know this much. In the bigger scheme of things, it is our attitude towards the small things that makes a huge difference. This truth applies to everything in life. Yes folks, small things do matter. And when it comes to the general attitude about waste and the upkeep of public places in our beautiful country, youll find so many people dont pay attention to the small details. It begins from how they will stick their chewing gum anywhere and everywhere to the point where they go on to show total disregard with where they throw the plastic bottles, soda cans and eventually plastic bags and everything else. It is such a reckless attitude, a disgusting one too at that. But it begins from the small things we dont often think about. A classic example was a story on page 3 of yesterdays Samoa Observer titled Cigarette butts eyesore. The story featured the concerns expressed by business owner, Christa Szergedi, about cigarette butts that many members of the public recklessly throw everywhere including the pot plants at the A.C.C. building. I feel very bad just looking at where they throw it and that is usually in the pot plants across from my other branch. It looks unhealthy, she said. It is not good for the plants and for the tourists who walk by the area. All tourists walk through that way. So who is responsible for this despicable act? Well according to Ms. Szergedi, every day there are people who smoke there from morning until evening. And they dont care at all that they are littering. Most of them are all locals and in Samoa you are not allowed to smoke in public places. Some of them are probably the people who work in those buildings and also people who go for drinks. You see people everywhere smoking, but this is really bad. It paints a bad picture of this location. When it looks dirty, who would want to walk here and look at something that is dirty? Ms. Szergedi couldnt have said it better. And good on her for speaking out. But we dont need to go to the A.C.C building to see this. This is such a common attitude in most places. And it is absolutely disgusting to watch. People without thinking just throw their cigarette butts anywhere and everything; they dont care if it burns someone. Then there are the types who spit in public places without a care in the world about how other people feel. The fact is in Samoa, people are not allowed to smoke in public places. Why then has nothing been done about the fact that people openly light up their cigarettes wherever and whenever? What is the point of having laws when they are not enforced? Perhaps if someone was taken to Court for violating these laws, maybe someone would be paying attention. But as it stands, these laws are absolutely useless because they are not enforced. Which is why people are openly breaking them. In some countries, this is the sort of behavior that will land you in jail. Elsewhere you could be paying thousands of dollars in fines. Maybe its about time we consider legislating similar laws here. Away from the governments laws, there is another law called common sense, which we believe should help everyone do the right thing. At this point, the word faigaelo, a Samoan term used to describe someone who is disgustingly untidy, comes to mind. The question is, will you spit in the middle of your living room? Will you throw your cigarette butt to your childrens faces? Will you dump a bag full of trash in the middle of your faleoo or fale Samoa? You wouldnt walk in the middle of the aai in your village and scatter your rubbish, would you? So why do it in front elsewhere? Why do we find it so easy to litter in public places? Its because we think that someone else will always pick up after us. We know its not ours and it is therefore not our responsibility. Such a selfish and destructive mentality. Today, lets think about common sense and do the right thing. What we want to stress is that our people need to take ownership of these places. They are public places. In other words, they belong to you and me. In simple terms, treat it like your own. Have a safe weekend Samoa, God bless! The Minister of Health, Tuitama Dr. Leao Tuitama has assured that theyre working on procurement measures to avoid another shortage of antibiotics at the national hospital. The Weekend Observer raised the issue with the Minister after a 45-year-old mother from Faatoia, Tautai Loia, complained about the shortage of antibiotics at the hospital. This is an ongoing matter at the hospital and it seems like the Government doesnt really care about whats going on from month to month, Tautai said. The shortage of these antibiotics is putting patients at risk and our people should be warned about it. This is not the first time that our people are facing this kind of problem; were talking about life and death here. What if our lives depended on these antibiotics? Do we have to wait until another month for another order? Ive heard that theyve waited until it finished then made a move, I mean this is disgusting and as a citizen of this country, this shouldnt be happening. I dont have to put into details there many times I went there but the answer is no antibiotics. Tuitama said the management is looking at ways to avoid the problem. We discussed this during our board meeting yesterday, there should never be any shortages, Tuitama said. I told you, its a management issue where you can measure and estimate the daily need, monthly need, six monthly needs. So when you order accordingly, you will also have a little in access to cater for emergencies and that will be in a procurement process. Remember the tender board is also involved in here because they have to tender out for suppliers to supply the needs for the hospital. He made it clear that procurement process is the one that we are looking at. We found out yesterday from the audit subcommittee of the board is that we are buying some stuff from expensive suppliers, but there may be cheaper venues overseas where we can order these stocks. That is an issue that we are looking at and also we need to have contact with these suppliers especially in Asia, India, Singapore where we are getting a lot of our stuff from. New Zealand and Australia are also acquiring those medical supplies from there other suppliers. So they (New Zealand and Australia) doubled up their prices for us, so they put their own profit margin on what they sell to us. So we want to cut the middle man here, so those are the procurements issues that we need to look at. Asked when the hospital anticipates to stock up on antibiotics, he replied: I dont know because we are meeting today at 11 (yesterday). Egypts two presidential candidates incumbent Abdel-Fattah Al-Sisi who is running for a second four-year term and head of the Ghad Party Moussa Mustafa Moussa have stepped up their campaigns as the ballot approaches. The first stage of the elections begins when expatriates head to vote tomorrow. They will be able to vote until 18 March. Al-Sisis campaign has been touring governorates this week, staging 30 public rallies which attracted large audiences. On Sunday the Support Egypt parliamentary bloc, led by Mohamed Al-Sewidi, held a rally in Assiut which attracted the Upper Egyptian governorates leading officials and thousands of citizens. The Free Egyptians Party, which has 65 seats in parliament, held a public rally on Saturday to urge citizens to turn out and vote in the face of hostile Western media attacks. Free Egyptians head Essam Khalil said the party is closely following what anti-Egyptian media and human rights organisations publish on Egypts presidential poll. We believe their reports are dangerous because they target the morale of Egyptians and seek to spread disappointment and frustration. For this reason the party is keen to respond directly. Ahmed Abdel-Hadi, coordinator of the pro-Sisi All with You for the Sake of Egypt campaign, told Al-Ahram Weekly that the pro-Sisi rallies are being funded by supporters and volunteers. Most of the rallies being staged in support of President Al-Sisi do not receive funding from his official campaign, says Abdel-Hadi. We contribute our own money to spend on public rallies and billboards because we believe in Al-Sisi. That there is only one other name on the ballot is due to the massive popularity of Al-Sisi, insists Abdel-Hadi. People knew in advance that they would lose and so opted not to contest the poll. Others, such as leftist lawyer Khaled Ali, withdrew after failing to secure enough endorsements to run. Moussa told Al-Ahram on Tuesday that despite the competition, President Al-Sisi and myself are partners and members of the same national school, that of Egypts 30 June Revolution. We are not ideological rivals. We are united in rejecting the Muslim Brotherhood and refusing any kind of reconciliation with this radical group or any movement which has the blood of Egyptians on its hands. Moussa said his campaign is budgeted at just LE5 million even though I am allowed by the National Electoral Commission [NEC] to spend as much as LE20 million. I realise I am a little-known figure to many. I hope only to achieve an honourable result, said Moussa. His campaign hopes Moussas showpiece rally, to be held a day before the campaign period ends, will attract at least 50,000. Egyptian tribes and supporters will do their best to mobilise the largest number of citizens to attend and convey a message to all Egyptians, said Moussa. He added that he had refused interviews with Western media outlets. I have been contacted by many media outlets such as the BBC and Reuters but I rejected their overtures. Their aim is to exploit interviews to tarnish my image, the image of President Al-Sisi and of Egypt in general. Deputy Foreign Minister Hamdi Loza told reporters this week that the Foreign Ministry, in coordination with the NEC, has done everything necessary to facilitate the voting of Egyptians abroad. Embassies will not enquire about official documents or legal residence. The only thing that matters to us is providing all the facilities necessary for Egyptians to vote wherever they are, Loza said. Voting for Egyptian expats is limited to countries where Egypt has diplomatic missions. In states such as Libya, Syria, Somalia and Yemen the security situation has rendered voting impossible. Loza said 139 diplomatic missions will be supervising the elections worldwide, with the greatest number of votes expected in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Dubai which have sizeable communities of Egyptian expats. Ahmed Al-Kattan, Saudi Arabias ambassador to Egypt, said there are three million Egyptians living in Saudi Arabia and the authorities there would take all necessary measures to ensure they can vote. Egyptian MPs have already travelled to Saudi Arabia and other Gulf countries to encourage Egyptians to vote. Loza hopes the turnout will be similar to the 2014 poll. People were keen to vote in 2014. They were aware that Egypt was facing great threats and that their votes would help the country face up to the danger, said Loza. The same applies this year. A large turnout will boost stability and help economic progress. Expat voting provides an early sign of how the domestic poll will go. When the expat turnout is high, it sends a message to Egyptians at home that they, too, should go and vote, said Loza. Egyptian expats are included in the national voter database which in 2018 listed 59 million eligible voters, up from 54 million in 2014. A number of Arab, African and Latin American ambassadors visited the headquarters of Al-Sisis campaign this week. They all agreed that hostile attacks against Egypts presidential polls have fizzled out. Habib Al-Sadr, Iraqs ambassador to Egypt, told MPs this week that it is clear President Al-Sisi is immensely popular and will probably win by a landslide. But though many view the outcome of the poll as a foregone conclusion it is important a record number of Egyptians vote. It sends a message to the outside world that Egyptians want another four years of stability and economic progress. Bahrains Ambassador Sheikh Rashed bin Abdel-Rahman Khalifa told Al-Ahram on Tuesday that President Al-Sisi, as a fighter against black terrorism, has become a symbol for all Arab nations. Arabs will follow the poll closely. How people vote in the Arab worlds most populous nation and what happens in Egypt next has a direct impact on all Arab countries, said Khalifa. We know the West does not view Egypts presidential poll in a positive way, says Al-Ahram political analyst Hassan Abu Taleb. They have their criteria for assessing elections and this is a problem. Arabs, Africans and Asians see things differently they acknowledge the people do not want any radical change. Few Egyptians care much about the Wests negative reactions. People only want their country to become more stable and stronger. They do not want the election to stir up any trouble. Abu Taleb believes a massive expat turnout will send a very positive message to citizens inside the country that they should do the same, even if many think the result a foregone conclusion. *This story was first published in Al-Ahram Weekly Short link: The management of the Civil Society Support Programme (C.S.S.P.) is alarmed about reports some families are looking to take advantage of the generosity of others. Speaking to the Weekend Observer, the C.S.S.P. Project Manager, Theresa Masoe Taimalelagi, said water tanks donated to families, who requested them in the first place, cannot be sold for profit. Today, she is appealing to recipients to remember that. The appeal follows reports about some of them offering to sell the tanks. Mrs. Taimalelagi, told the Weekend Observer they are aware of posts on social media where one family from Nuu Fou has been looking at selling the tank donated to them. When the Weekend Observer looked at the page, the claim was confirmed. On Tuesday, a person posted on the Makeki Online page on Facebook: Selling on behalf of a family they were about to move to Savaii and they need money. The water tank was on sale for $1,200 or nearest offer and has been used for one year and it can store about 5,000 liters of water. But Mrs. Taimalelagi told the Weekend Observer this is wrong. The water tanks project that is underway targets only vulnerable families and the current contract that we have is with the Village Councils not the families, she said. There are no set guidelines indicating that families cannot sell the water tanks. However this is where common sense is applied and it goes without saying that water tanks should not be sold. The water tanks projects are for vulnerable families and are handed over to the village after the implementation of the programme. The village chiefs are responsible for the water tanks. Its understandable that in Samoa, families move around and they can take the water tank with them, but to sell something that you did not purchase, it is not right. This issue goes back to village governance structure that currently exists with C.S.S.P. If the families are done using the water tanks, it has to go back to the villages and that is our understanding, they are the ones whom the property now belongs to, explained the C.S.S.P. Manager. C.S.S.P. is currently reviewing what the contractual obligations of the Village Council are. Mrs. Taimalelagi told the Samoa Observer the selling of water tanks is discouraged because there are many families who are in dire need of assistance. She reminded the overall objective is to assist in improving the social and economic well-being of the people of Samoa. The C.S.S.P. Manager said this is not the first time they have dealt with this issue and again this is highly discouraged. It is common sense that if something was gifted to you, you should not sell it, said Mrs. Taimalelagi. We have been in contact with the said family and the Village Mayor to sort out this matter, she explained. According to the C.S.S.P. website, their efforts are a combined initiative of the Government of Samoa, AusAID, World Bank, U.N.D.P. and C.S.Os. Supreme Court Justice, Tafaoimalo Leilani Tuala-Warren, has awarded Samoa Breweries Limited (S.B.L.) $778,009 in a civil claim. This is in connection to a breach of contractual obligations. According to the ruling, S.B.L. and Queen Maggie Transport Limited entered into a Product Distribution Agreement in May 2009. The agreement indicates that Queen Maggie would be the authorised distributor of S.B.L. products in Savaii. This means exclusively selling and marketing all S.B.L. products. The first defendants names are Loliosa and Luisa Ah Kuoi of Queen Maggie and their son, Magele Fiti. As part of the agreement, the distributor collects and returns to S.B.L. empty bottles, containers or crates used to sell and deliver S.B.L. products. The process is that trucks from the distributor would bring these empty products with a signed distributors invoice that shows the total number of crates and empty products being delivered. S.B.L. employees will then count and prepare a Returned Empties Note Form stating the type and number of bottles returned. The form is then given to the finance section of S.B.L. and this section credits the distributors account with the monetary value of the returns. The distributors account is a credit account with S.B.L. for the purchase of products by a distributor, which is lessened each time by the monetary value of returns. Sometime in early 2012, S.B.L. noticed an anomaly in the empty bottle return numbers from the distributor. Startled, it was the beginning of an investigation by S.B.L. which led to the Police laying criminal charges against Mr. Fiti. He pleaded guilty in the District Court and was convicted in 2014 of five counts of conspiracy to defraud. The S.B.L. proceeded with a civil claim to recover its loss against Loli and Luisa and Mr. Fiti to the tune of $1.46 million. Justice Tafaoimalo pointed out there is no question that there are criminal charges to which M.F. pleaded guilty. Those criminal charges were conspiracy to defraud. Mr. Fiti has conceded that he is liable for the loss, which is $26,096.89 that arose out of those five charges. There is no need for a lengthy analysis given this concession. He is therefore liable to the plaintiff in the amount of $26, 096.89. The issue of the invoice originals is not to impact on the plaintiffs claim. Those were misplaced by the Court having been submitted by the plaintiff. It is not fair or just for the plaintiff to be penalised for the Court misplacing the originals of the invoices. I proceed on the basis that the originals are known to be in existence, but the production of those originals for practical purposes is impossible because they cannot be found after due search in the Court. I am satisfied to proceed on the photocopies of the invoices being the best evidence available to the Court. The plaintiff has rightly adjusted its claim based on invoices which have no signatures (on photocopied version), missing invoices and the invoices which are not signed by Magele Fiti. These invoices cannot be part of this claim. The actual invoices signed by MF come to a total monetary sum of $2, 245,917. The plaintiff has given to Q.M. the benefit of a 100 percent return rate, i.e. every bottle they uplifted to take to Savaii was returned. The value of this return is $1,467,908, which deducted from the actual invoices, brings the total amount claimed by the plaintiff to $778,009. I proceed on this claimed amount of $778,009. The Supreme Court Justice pointed out the defendants have suggested that the excess is from a product which Savaii consumers and retail outlets take to Savaii themselves. This is hard to accept given the convenience of having the distributor in Salelologa, Savaii, saving time and expense for Savaii consumers, and in particular given the quantity of the excess. The evidence reveals an excess of 43,000 crates for the six months from June 2010 to December 2010, an excess of 120,000 crates from January 2011 to December 2011, and an excess of 52,000 crates from January 2012 to April 2012. This is over and above all the bottles uplifted by Q.M. being accounted for. These numbers are staggering and cannot in any conceivable way be explained away to the satisfaction of the Court. Justice Tafaoimalo stated the court was satisfied that the false representations made by Mr. Fiti to S.B.L. took the exact same form as the incidents in 2012 to which Mr. Fiti pleaded guilty. He signed off on invoices which contained false representations of returned empties knowing full well that the actual returns in their trucks did not correspond with the invoices. Magele Fiti was fully engaged in this false representation to S.B.L. well before he was charged with the five occasions to which he pleaded guilty. I am satisfied that Magele Fiti made false representations to S.B.L. from June 2010 to April 2012. Whether Magele Fiti knew the representation was false and intended that S.B.L. should act in reliance on it. Magele Fiti says that towards the end of 2011, he was asked by S.B.L. employees to borrow money to pay balances of the N.P.F. so that they could be entitled to loan. He gave them the money and these were not small sums of money. When his parents came back in December 2011 from New Zealand, he asked the employees to repay their loans. They could not repay, but asked that he sign a clean return empties note so that they could complete it with a full supply of empties and credit it to Queen Maggies account as repayment. Justice Tafaoimalo did not accept Mr. Fitis explanation that he was not involved in any other wrongdoing apart from the five incidents for which he was charged. His modus operandi or distinct pattern or method of operation is evident in the evidence of the plaintiff that showed the higher rate of return than of uplifts. Even with the concession of all uplifts being accounted for, the returns still exceed, by a significant amount, that concession. I am satisfied that S.B.L. did act in reliance on the representations on the invoices by paying the monetary value of the returns into Queen Maggeis account. They are not defendants to this claim and therefore any invoices signed by them cannot form part of the claim against Magele Fiti. There were missing invoices and invoices whereby the signatures were missing from the photocopies. These also cannot form part of the claim. It is only the actual invoices signed by Magele Fiti which can be claimed against him. There is no doubt that the deceit by Magele Fiti caused loss to the plaintiff. I deal with the latest amendment to the amount of the claim, which is $778,009. The reason for the amount is that the actual invoices signed by M.F. came to a sum of $2,245,917. The return rate credit given by S.B.L. which is crediting every bottle uplifted is $1,467,908. The difference comes to $778,009. This is an extremely generous concession. Accordingly in this case, Mr. Fitis liability has resulted in the first defendants being vicariously liable for the loss to S.B.L. The Samoa Airport Authority (S.A.A.) celebrated the opening of its new Training and Emergency Operations Center yesterday. The ceremony was held at the Faleolo International Airport with Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi launching the new facility that includes the Samoa Airport Authority Mechanical Workshop. Tuilaepa said the $3 million China-funded buildings were completed within 12 months by the Shanghai Construction company. Since the establishment of the Samoa Airport Authority in 1986, a dedicated Emergency Operation Center has never been specifically built for such a purpose, he said. This is a big step forward for the airport authority to meet international airport best practices in terms of having dedicated training rooms and emergency operations center. Tuilaepa said the new training room can accommodate about 50 people, with the emergency operation center able to cater for 30. He added the two other separate training rooms are for future training programmes the S.A.A. have identified in its 2017 training needs analysis. The Prime Minister acknowledged the completion of the project and thanked China for granting the soft loan. Chinas Ambassador to Samoa, Wang Xuefeng, congratulated S.A.A. on the completion of their two new projects on behalf of the Chinese Embassy. Ambassador Wang says these two projects are the result of the close cooperation between Samoa and China. We believe that from now on, Faleolo International Airport will boast safer, more efficient and better services. Samoa Airport Authority C.E.O, Magele Hoe Viali welcomed some of the Cabinet Ministers, members of the diplomatic corps and invited guests during the ceremony. A team of six experts in the nuclear energy sector has been assembled to find a way to move the 3.55 million pounds of nuclear waste at the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station. The group includes a former chairman of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, the independent agency in charge of all safety-related matters surrounding nuclear energy in the U.S., and a former director of policy at the U.S. Department of Energy. The panel was put together as part of an out-of-court settlement negotiated last summer between Southern California Edison the utility that operates SONGS and attorneys for two San Diego-area plaintiffs who opposed a permit granted by the California Coastal Commission allowing waste to be stored on the plants premises. One of the terms in the settlement called for creating a team of authorities in engineering, radiation detection and nuclear waste siting and transportation to learn if any alternative sites exist to store SONGS spent fuel. Advertisement If the waste can be moved to a safer location, this is the group that can make it happen and Edison should get acknowledged and get credit for keeping their word, said Michael Aguirre, one of the attorneys at the Aguirre & Severson law firm that worked on the out-of-court settlement. This is a very significant step; this hasnt been done before, Aguirre said. There hasnt been an owner of nuclear waste that has brought together a panel working with the community thats focused on figuring out how to move (the waste) to a safer location. SONGS sits between the Pacific Ocean and one of the busiest freeways in the country Interstate 5. About 8.4 million people live in a 50-mile radius of the plant in an area with a history of seismic activity. Former NRC chair Allison Macfarlane talking at a San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station Community Engagement Panel meeting in June 2016, (Image from Southern California Edison) Among the members of the panel is Allison Macfarlane, who chaired the Nuclear Regulatory Commission from 2012 to 2014, and Thomas Isaacs, whose time at the Department of Energy included policymaking regarding waste management and security. Macfarlane in 2016 delivered a presentation at the SONGS Community Engagement Panel, a group organized by Edison that gives the public updates on the plants decommissioning efforts. Speaking in general terms about nuclear waste, Macfarlane told the audience, It is our ethical responsibility to deal with this material and not leave it for future generations. The other members of the panel are: Advertisement Kristopher W. Cummings, a fuel storage expert and engineer with Curtis-Wright Nuclear Division. Gary Lanthrum, the former director of the National Transportation Program for Yucca Mountain. Richard C. Moore, a consultant specializing in transportation of radiological materials who works for the Western Interstate Energy Board. Josephine Piccone, a health physics and radiation control expert with regulatory compliance experience We believe this distinguished panel of experts will make significant contributions to a growing industry-wide effort to achieve off-site storage of nuclear fuel, Tom Palmisano, vice president of decommissioning and chief nuclear officer at SONGS said in a letter to members of the facilitys Community Engagement Panel. We have a long road ahead as we undertake this difficult task but selection of these experts is an important step, Palmisano said, adding that the panel will begin its work in the coming weeks. The team of experts was assembled with input from the attorneys involved in the settlement and from Edison officials. About 80,000 metric tons of spent fuel has accumulated at nuclear reactor sites across the country. Advertisement The Yucca Mountain repository in Nevada was supposed to accept large amounts of waste, but Nevada lawmakers, especially then-Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, were firmly against opening the site. The Obama administration cut off funding for Yucca Mountain in 2010. The Trump administration has called for Congress to come up with $120 million in initial funding to restart Yucca Mountain. An interim storage facility in a remote location in southeastern New Mexico has been discussed as a possible location for SONGS waste but ground has yet to be broken. Aguirre has called for sending SONGS waste to the Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Plant in Arizona, a facility that Edison owns a 15.8 percent stake. But a committee at the plant rejected a resolution put forth by Palmisano last October. Advertisement Aguirre, however, said Thursday, We havent given up on Palo Verde. Advertisement Business rob.nikolewski@sduniontribune.com (619) 293-1251 Twitter: @robnikolewski Qualcomm announced Friday that it will be removing Paul Jacobs, son of company co-founder Irwin Jacobs, from the board at the companys annual stockholders meeting next week. The board decision was triggered by Jacobs prior notification to board members that he was exploring the possibility of acquiring the semiconductor giant, a move some believed was more a long shot than a realistic maneuver. Earlier this month, Jacobs was stripped of his title as executive chairman amid efforts to fend off a then-hostile takeover by rival chipmaker Broadcom. He will not be re-nominated as a board member at the upcoming shareholders meeting on Friday. Qualcomm, in a statement released Friday afternoon, said of Jacobs: Advertisement Dr. Jacobs has been a valued employee and director of Qualcomm since 1990, rising to the level of Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board, and he has been one of the great innovators in our industry. The Board is grateful to Dr. Jacobs for his decades of service and for the commitment, experience and vision he has brought to that service. The Board thanks him for his many contributions to Qualcomm. News earlier Friday of Jacobs plan to take Qualcomm private came just days after President Donald Trump quashed Broadcoms effort to purchase its rival. It is unclear whether Jacobs will continue to pursue any effort, with the help of investors, to acquire Qualcomm. When Broadcom was actively pursuing the company, it had proposed an offer of $117 billion. Qualcomm said Friday it is uncertain whether Jacobs will ultimately come up with an acquisition proposal but if he does, the Board will of course evaluate it consistent with its fiduciary duties to shareholders. In a statement Friday, Jacobs suggested he may still keep his efforts alive, saying he was pleased that the board would be willing to evaluate such a proposal, but called it unfortunate and disappointing they are attempting to remove me from the board at this time. He added, There are real opportunities to accelerate Qualcomms innovation success and strengthen its position in the global marketplace. These opportunities are challenging as a standalone public company, and there are clear merits to exploring a path to take the company private in order to maximize the companys long-term performance, deliver superior value to all stockholders, and bolster a critical contributor to American technology. Jacobs took over as the companys chief executive in 2005, succeeding his father, and passed the responsibilities onto current CEO Steve Mollenkopf in 2014. At the time the Broadcom offer was still in play and its six candidates for the 11-member Qualcomm board were still in the running, Jacobs and Mollenkopf reportedly were among the lowest vote-getters in early stockholder balloting. Qualcomms stock price closed Friday at $60.62 a share, up 1.2 percent from a day earlier. Advertisement Some shareholders have been critical of the companys management, saying Qualcomm has under-performed in comparison to other firms in the tech sector. Even though the company is no longer under threat of an immediate takeover, it still faces considerable challenges, among them diversifying the business beyond smartphones and settling an ongoing fight with Apple over patent fees. Qualcomm also has yet to gain approval from China for its $43 billion acquisition of Dutch automotive chipmaker NXP Semiconductors. While Jacobs ouster is not surprising, it is not likely to alter the future of Qualcomm, said analyst Olivier Blanchard of Futurum Research. From an operational standpoint or Qualcomms ability to be an innovation giant, I dont think its that significant, Blanchard said. Its a milestone and a changing of the guard where the family that founded Qualcomm is no longer present, but I dont think the milestone means anything negative. Advertisement The board, said Blanchard, really had no choice but to remove Jacobs. Because he proposed a completely different path from the rest of the board, which is to continue as a public company and follow the plan in motion, that may have been a bridge too far, he said. If he could have convinced a significant number of the board members to go along with him, we wouldnt be where we are today. To coordinate a credible buyout offer, Jacobs would need to secure an extraordinary amount of financing, analysts said. Bloomberg News had reported that Jacobs was in discussions with a number of investment firms, including SoftBank Group Corps Vision Fund, a Japanese telecommunications group. But according to sources cited by Fox Business News, Jacobs has not yet been able to secure the necessary funding from SoftBank. Advertisement The potential deal has been described by some as a long shot. Jacobs holds a small percentage of Qualcomm just 0.13 percent. Angelo Zino, an equity analyst with the investment research firm CFRA, called the probability of Jacobs bid succeeding as close to zero as possible. The obvious hurdle, he said, is money. Jacobs owns such a minuscule amount of the companys stock that hed need to buy the rest. Because Jacobs and the other Qualcomm leaders dismissed Broadcoms $117 billion takeover bid as undervaluing the company, Jacobs would need to go north of that, probably $120 billion at least, Zino said. This would be by far the biggest private equity takeover ever, he said. The sheer size of it makes the odds of him getting that much capital highly unlikely. Its just unrealistic. Advertisement Others, though, believe Paul Jacobs should not be underestimated. Even Broadcom Chief Executive Hock Tan had to reach out to a dozen banks and three venture capital firms to raise the more than $100 billion he needed to purchase the company, said Jim McGregor, principal analyst with Tirias Research. Im not saying its easy to raise $100 billion, he said. But you have to remember that Irwin and Paul built this company, and there will be a lot of people who will have faith in them too. Id put my money on Paul Jacobs any day of the week. Hes a true engineer and very passionate about technology and Qualcomm. In an order released earlier this week, the Trump administration called off Broadcoms offer, citing national security concerns as well as worries that a Broadcom takeover could jeopardize the competitive edge U.S. companies like Qualcomm have established in the tech space. Broadcoms international headquarters is located in Singapore. Union-Tribune staff writer John Wilkens contributed to this report. Advertisement Business Advertisement rob.nikolewski@sduniontribune.com (619) 293-1251 Twitter: @robnikolewski A new mobile delivery service has launched at the San Diego airport, bringing food, magazines and other retail items to passengers at their gate. The new service, via AtYourGate, is initially available for seven of the airports more than 80 concessions. An introductory delivery fee of $2.99 is being charged, and it will rise to $6.99 after 90 days. Cooling your heels at the airport gate and craving a burger or a grilled chicken burrito? No need to risk missing your boarding call to satisfy your hunger pangs. San Diego International Airport has an app for that. Starting this week, Lindbergh Field becomes one of just two airports in the country to offer mobile delivery to passengers, jumping on the order-ahead craze popularized by such online platforms as DoorDash, Uber Eats and Postmates. San Diego-based AtYourGate, which calls itself an in-airport personal shopper, is partnering with the San Diego County Regional Airport Authority to provide the delivery service to each of Lindberghs 51 gates. It is starting out slowly, offering the delivery option for seven of the airports more than 80 concessions, including Saffron Thai, Qdoba Mexican, Jack in the Box, Panda Express and Artisan Market. Donut Bar products will be available from Elegant Desserts when theyre not sold out. Advertisement And the last of the seven is a retailer CNBC News and Gifts, where passengers can order anything from a phone charger and earbuds to a pain reliever or Cosmopolitan magazine. The only other U.S. airport to have in place a mobile delivery service is Baltimore Washington International, with the help of Airport Sherpa, which is planning to add five more airports over the next several months. From an airport perspective, this is about raising customer satisfaction, said Rick Belliotti, Director of Innovation and Small Business Development at the San Diego airport. When we look at the passengers, we have a large number who want to go directly to their gate and cant get a meal, so this is one way to meet the customers where they are. And from a technology view, its bringing that sharing economy into an airport, which is not really being done yet. And as a consumer I get more options. There are concessions in the app that arent available in other parts of the airport. While most of the airports higher profile venues are located in the larger Terminal 2, AtYourGate will deliver purchased items from those concession to passengers in Terminal 1. Deliveries of beverages from Terminal 2 to Terminal 1, though, are not yet possible because of airport security hurdles, Belliotti said. Like any other mobile delivery app, AtYourGate allows users to browse the offerings, be it a menu or list of sundries from the gift shop, and at the end of the order they will be advised of the delivery time window. AtYourGate founder PJ Mastracchio estimates a delivery time of 15 to 25 minutes, which includes the time it takes for the runners, outfitted in teal long-sleeve v-neck tops and black yoga pants, to deliver the food, transported in thermal bags. Ive traveled quite extensively and Im an early adopter of the on-demand economy, but you get to the airport and you stand in line and youve got tight connections, said Mastracchio, who formerly owned a health technology firm. I want to make a phone call, hit the restroom, get something to eat and I cant do all that in 10 minutes. Advertisement And at the San Diego airport, youre confined to the choices you can only see. You may not know Saffron is available if youre in Terminal 1 or in Terminal 2 East. An introductory delivery fee of $2.99 will be charged over the next 90 days, rising to $6.99 after that. Add that to what are typically higher costs for items purchased at the airport, and it can be a pretty pricey proposition, but there is something to be said for convenience, says food service analyst Warren Solochek. Delivery is all about getting food when you want it, and if they can pull it off in an airport, its following a trend more and more people are taking advantage of when theyre not in airports, said Solochek, president of Food Service for the NPD Group, a market research firm. Going to an airport is one of the least convenient things I can think of that a human can do, so if this brings you something you can eat at the gate or you can bring on the plane, its a huge win. The idea of bringing a delivery service to Lindbergh Field dates back to 2015 when the Airport Authority was also contemplating starting an innovation lab. Advertisement In 2016, the airport formally sought proposals from bidders, received five applicants and by early last year, AtYourGate was selected. The plan was to launch the service last year, in partnership with a second company, but the arrangement felt too cumbersome, and the operation was revamped, Belliotti said. As part of the contract with AtYourGate, the airport receives 7 percent of the delivery fee, he added. Mastracchio would like to see 25 more airport concessions added to the app by the end of the year, although Belliotti is not ready yet to commit to a firm goal. Everything depends on how smoothly the current operation runs. Before launching this week, AtYourGate tested the service with airport employees for about six weeks and will continue to deliver to them. Advertisement There are so many unknowns in an airport that we needed to work through, like how do you get the product from one terminal to another, how do you engage TSA and other agencies and how do you write the contract, so there was lots to learn, Belliotti said. I think if it works here, it can work elsewhere. Advertisement Business lori.weisberg@sduniontribune.com (619) 293-2251 Advertisement Twitter: @loriweisberg The state Board of Education on Thursday agreed to sponsor the charter of College Preparatory Middle School in La Mesa. The board voted 9-2 at its meeting in Sacramento to oversee the petition for the next five years of the fifth- through eighth-grade public charter school that operates out of the basement of the La Mesa Church of Christ on Jackson Drive. This was College Preps last opportunity to be sponsored, as its charter already had been rejected by two local entities, the La Mesa-Spring Valley School District and the San Diego County Board of Education. Without the states approval, College Prep would have had to close. College Prep is now the 31st school under state Board of Education authority. Staff from the state Department of Education last month had recommended that the board sponsor College Prep. Advertisement In the past eight years, we have done exactly the kind of work you would be so very proud of, school co-founder Christina Callaway told the board, before showing a short video about the school. College Prep serves about 240 students but has a waiting list of about 130. It has plans to move into a bigger location in Spring Valley sometime next year to accommodate what it hopes will be about 500 students by the 2022-23 school year. La Mesa-Spring Valley Superintendent Brian Marshall spoke against the state sponsoring College Preps charter. A group of parents of children attending College Prep traveled to Sacramento to speak on behalf of the charter school. Several became emotional while praising the school for what they described as its safe and academically high -chieving learning environment. College Prep students are among the highest performers from all schools in San Diego County, according to API and other statewide testing measures. I am a mom who two years ago was in a dire situation, Tracy Dahlkamp told the board as she held back tears, describing the difficulty her children were having at their larger public schools. After one year, College Prep Middle School made a difference. My kids felt seen, heard, understood and cared for. It benefits my children to be in a smaller class size. (College Prep has) a nurturing staff, they know every child by name, they encourage them to be active. This school sees our kids and they care. More kids deserve a school like this. The school has been under the auspices of the Mountain Empire Union School District since its beginnings in 2010. Mountain Empire will continue to oversee College Preps recently opened second campus in rural Campo. Advertisement The contract with Mountain Empire for the La Mesa-Spring Valley site ends this year, which pushed College Prep to find another educational body to take on the responsibility of ensuring it meets academic, operational and financial standards. La Mesa-Spring Valley School District and the San Diego County Board of Education previously denied College Prep. The La Mesa-Spring Valley district twice brought litigation against the charter, alleging it misrepresented enrollment growth and financing for a new campus, but neither case was settled. College Prep then turned to Sacramento. I do believe we have a group of educators providing quality program for students, said state school board member Bruce Holaday. I dont understand the intent of the lawsuits, but I do understand this is a group who unfortunately was originally authorized outside of its district, and that created a great deal of difficulty on all sides. Advertisement Marshall, the La Mesa-Spring Valley superintendent, La Mesa school board member Emma Turner and the districts attorney spoke against state authorization of the charter. They pointed out discrepancies the district found in College Preps budget and questioned its demographic makeup, among other concerns. Marshall said he appreciated the thoughtful analysis and deliberation of the California Department of Education, which recommended the State Boards approval, but was upset that the charter school had given new and substantive documents to the the state board that his district and San Diego Countys Board of Education had not received. Marshall said his district and the county followed the law in rejecting the charter applications. School co-founder Mitch Miller said the next step for College Prep is building a larger school on land at 10269 Madrid Way in Spring Valley. Advertisement Miller said construction would take about nine months, with the hope the school would open in January 2019 or shortly thereafter. The school will stay housed in La Mesa until the Spring Valley campus is ready. The school is expecting to hold an enrollment lottery later this month. Advertisement karen.pearlman@sduniontribune.com PHOTO: The Santa Margarita Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, joined nine other chapters from District XIV for a meeting, drawing more than 80 members. The guest speaker, chapter member and retired Marine Col. Marianne Waldrop (center), talked about her doctoral thesis that focuses on the 11 women who have attained the rank of general in the U.S. Marine Corps. Waldrop interviewed 10 of the women and shared a bit of each of their stories. She also shared why she had followed in her fathers footsteps and joined the Marines. Chapter Regent Alida Woodward (left) presented a certificate and a DAR Serving the Nation pin to Waldrop and District Director Lillian Leslie (right) presented her with a DAR Challenge Coin. Visit santamargarita.californiadar.org More community news CARDIFF Lecture to discuss transportation changes Advertisement MiraCosta College will hold a free lecture on Transportation in the 21st Century as part of the lifelong learning lecture series from 1 to 3 p.m. Friday at the San Elijo Campus, 3333 Manchester Ave., Room 201. Presented by Peder Norby, consultant with the city of Carlsbad and county planning commissioner, the talk will discuss changes happening now and on the near horizon in the transportation and energy sectors, and how these changes will significantly change local cities. Email lifesanelijo@gmail.com. CARLSBAD Leprechaun Dash to benefit lagoon The annual Tip Top Run Leprechaun Dash and Bash 5K/10K walk and fun run benefiting the Agua Hedionda Lagoon Foundation will be held Saturday. The event is open to runners and walkers of all ages; corporate groups and companies are encouraged to form teams for friendly competition. Prizes such as breakfast or lunch will be awarded to all participants of the largest and fastest corporate teams. Lunch from Tip Top Meats is included, as well as T-shirts, swag bags, bibs, family fun activities, live music, World Water Day exhibitors/vendors and drinks. Proceeds will support the lagoon foundations educational programs. The coastal 5K starts at 8:30 a.m. Registration and start location is at the dead-end of Garfield Avenue just north of the entrance to Hubbs Sea Bass Hatchery. The inland 10K also starts at 8:30 a.m. Registration and start location is at 5780 and 5790 Fleet St. Both runs end at the lagoon foundations Discovery Center, where the bash will be held from 9 a.m. to noon. Shuttle service is provided to take participants back to their cars. Entry fees for members are: $40 for single, $55 for dual and $15 for kids. Entry fees for nonmembers are: $75 for single, $120 for dual and $30 for kids, which also includes a Kids Klub membership. Kids 10 and younger may participate for free with a paid adult entry. On Friday, a Packet Pickup event for the run will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. at Road Runner Sports, 5617 Paseo Del Norte. The first 75 entrants to pick up a packet will receive a free mug. Military families may register for free in commensurate with sponsorship availability. Individuals or companies who would like to be a Hero sponsor to benefit military participants can email lisa@aguahedionda.org. Register at aguahedionda.org or (760) 804-1969. Need help with DNA research? Frustrated by the lack of family trees and information when trying to connect your unknown DNA matches? Hear from DNA expert Carol Isbister as she presents Tips and Tricks From the Genetic Genealogy Trenches during the DNA Interest Group meeting, sponsored by North San Diego County Genealogical Society, from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday at the Georgina Cole Library, 1250 Carlsbad Village Drive. Email dig@nsdcgs.org or call (760) 542-8112. Advertisement ENCINITAS Celebrate St. Paddys Friday at senior center The Encinitas Senior Center will celebrate St. Patricks Day with a meal of corned beef and cabbage from 11 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. Friday at 1140 Oakcrest Park Drive. Suggested donation for ages 60 and older is $4; fee is $6 for ages 59 and younger. Reservations are required before 8 a.m. at (760) 943-2258. Advertisement Classical quartet to perform at library A Music By The Sea concert featuring the Los Angeles Ensemble of Joanna Lee on violin, Tanner Menees on viola, Bingxia Lu on cello and Sung Chang on piano will be held at 7:30 p.m. Friday at the Encinitas Library, 540 Cornish Drive. Admission is $14. For tickets, visit encinitas.tix.com. OCEANSIDE Kids to meet Mr. and Mrs. Easter Bunny Advertisement Mission Marketplace will hold a free Easter Eggstravaganza event from noon to 3 p.m. Saturday at 427 College Blvd. Children will meet Mr. and Mrs. Easter Bunny as well as decorate and keep Easter baskets. They will also get egg hunt maps to walk through Mission Marketplace to visit stores, restaurants and other participating businesses where they will get Easter eggs filled with toys and candy. Fifty of the eggs will hold entry for the opportunity to win prizes, including a $150 gift card to any Mission Marketplace business. There will also be carnival rides, games, balloon artists, face painters, cotton candy and more. Visit missionmarketplaceoceanside.com. Rare fruit growers club to hold meeting Friday The San Diego County Chapter of the California Rare Fruit Growers at MiraCosta College will meet at 7 p.m. Friday at the Oceanside Campus, 1 Barnard Drive, in the Student Center Building 3450, in the second-floor Aztlan Rooms A and B. Richard Reid will be joined by Lena Shiroma and Cory Krell for a grafting demonstration of three small fruit trees. Reid will talk about using cuttings for propagation and why this method is better than seeds. He will then talk about his success with seeds from the United States and other countries. No permit is needed Friday evenings in Parking Lot 3B/3C. Call (760) 806-6678 or email crfglogan777@gmail.com. NAMI, flowers focus Advertisement of lectures this week LIFE Lectures at MiraCosta College will host two speakers starting at 1 p.m. Friday at the colleges Oceanside Campus, 1 Barnard Drive, Administration Building 1000. Katherine Godfrey, board secretary of NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) North Coastal, will discuss how the organization empowers San Diegans to talk openly about mental illness, inspires wellness, reduces stigmas, prevents suicide, raises awareness and provides access to local resources. Author Kitty Morse will then lecture on how edible flowers can be elevated from a garnish to center stage of a meal. Visit miracosta.edu/life. RANCHO BERNARDO Learn how to help prevent voter fraud Advertisement The Rancho Bernardo Republican Women Federated invites all Republican women to its next luncheon/meeting at 11 a.m. Friday at the Country Club of Rancho Bernardo, 12280 Greens East Road. Cost is $24 for members and $26 for nonmembers. The guest speaker will be Ruth Weiss, a board member with the Election Integrity Project California, an all-volunteer group that trains volunteers, monitor elections and educates officials. Weiss will give information on local elections and how the public can help prevent voter fraud through participation with her organization. Reserve at (858) 485-1770 or rosalindduddy@sbcglobal.net. JANELLE WERTHMANN & LINDA MCINTOSH U-T Imperial Beach is on a health kick. In 2018, the city will host an Ironman triathlon, an international Crossfit competition, and the first San Diego Yoga Festival. Six months ago, they were the first city to have dockless bikes and LimeBike has already helped people in Imperial Beach shed 400,000 calories. Now Imperial Beach is trying to be the first city in San Diego County to have a futuristic outdoor gym that lets people track their workouts online and see how they stack up with people from all over the country. The National Fitness Campaign, a nonprofit that designed the gyms, plans to install 100 throughout the U.S. in 2018 and 100 more in 2019. When choosing where in San Diego to have one, Imperial Beach was a natural spot. Advertisement They are a gorgeous beachfront community with lots going on so it was a really appealing community for us, said Bianca De La Paz, Campaign Manager for the National Fitness Campaign. They have a lot of active residents so this would be right up our alley. The gyms are free to the public and dont require any personal equipment. Each gym has seven stations designed to exercise a specific part of the body. Completing the cycle gives people a full-body workout. A free app lets people track their progress and compare their workouts with friends or people using other gyms anywhere else in the country. The National Fitness Campaign plans to have regional and national challenges. The top 100 scores will be features on their website. What well be able to do is bring all sorts of programming for body weight training supported by the court and the free app, said Cree Larson, a member of the Activations Team at the National Fitness Campaign. Imperial Beach plans to install their gym on the beach and hopes it is ready before the end of the summer. However the land is owned by the Port of San Diego so they have to get permission first. Once we get permission from the Port then we will go to the Council for financing and then reach out to businesses that might be interested in contributing money towards the gym in the form of sponsorships, said Ed Vea, Manager Analyst for Imperial Beach. The gyms cost about $100,000 and the National Fitness Campaign offers grants to help pay for the costs. Other cities have raised money through fundraising campaigns and sponsorship deals. Contact Gustavo Solis via Email or Twitter In her first visit to San Diego as director of the California Arts Council, Anne Bown-Crawford shifted the spotlight from herself to the regions arts community. After her Thursday talk at the Old Globe in Balboa Park, she eschewed a planned question-and-answer session. Instead, she asked the 107 arts advocates to introduce themselves and their organizations. This is not about me, this is about you understanding each other and being collaborators in your own community, Bown-Crawford said, encouraging attendees to contact her. The meeting was sponsored by the San Diego Regional Arts & Culture Coalition, in partnership with the California Arts Advocates and Californians for the Arts. Advertisement Earlier Thursday, Bown-Crawford took a tour of the city, including Chicano Park in Barrio Logan. San Diegos landscape is one of the most beautiful canvases in California, framed by the water, with murals and public art everywhere you look, she later told the Union-Tribune. Barrio Logan has amazing murals. Its some of the best narrative work Ive seen. You recognize the passion of people to defend their perimeters and theyve done it for decades you have second and third generations still persisting. Thats true power. Based in Northern California, Bown-Crawford was appointed director of the California Arts Council (CAC) by Gov. Jerry Brown in December. She is the founder of Create CA Leadership Council, which fosters an educational environment for all California students, with arts as a central part of the solution to the crisis in schools. Bown-Crawford is also a fellow at Stanford Graduate School of Educations Transformative Learning Technologies Lab. She is now on leave from her position as director of the Arcata Arts Institute and the Innovation Design Institute in Humboldt County. The California Arts Councils 2017-18 budget is approximately $19.48 million, plus a separate $8 million state allocation for Arts in Corrections. CACs primary activity is grant-making. It has awarded 96 grants, totaling about $1.2 million, to San Diego County arts organizations. CACs mission is to advance California through the arts and creativity, which Bown-Crawford described as a beautifully simple statement that encompasses so much. While threats of budget cuts were acknowledged at the meeting, Bown-Crawfords focus was on CACs ongoing projects, highlighted in a five-minute video she presented. Advertisement CAC recently designated cultural districts to highlight some of the thriving cultural diversity and unique artistic identities in California. Beginning last fall, each district was chosen through an application process and will receive $10,000 over two years. Of the 14 districts designated in this inaugural group, three are in San Diego: Balboa Park, Oceanside and Barrio Logan. Larry Baza, recently appointed CACs Vice Chair, is involved in the application process and implementation of these districts. We dont tell the cultural districts what to do, but we give them input and tell them about what other groups are experiencing, said Baza, the past chair of the San Diego Arts Commission. I cant express how delighted I am about our region. It has such great diversity, and ethnicity is just one part of that. Look at our cultural districts they are so different. Advertisement Bown-Crawford agreed. The audience was such a diverse group, she said. The arts were well-represented. We saw a little bit of every part of this vibrant community. One of her goals for CAC is to promote technology education, which involves the creative arena of design. We have so much vibrant technology in California, she noted. Its important that kids not just be consumers of everything offered on their phones, but also be able to create and own it. Advertisement Bown-Crawford added that her intent is to keep growing CAC and to keep listening. She encourages further communication and collaboration. Thats exactly what Jennifer Eve Thorn, executive artistic director of San Diegos women-centered Moxie Theatre, did after the meeting. This was an incredible opportunity to make connections, Thorn said. I have exchanged business cards with tons of people who I have been wanting to do projects with. Wood is a freelance writer. Advertisement Twitter: @outdoorlivingsd Advertisement michael.rocha@sduniontribune.com Saying cross-border flows of sewage and other contaminants threaten area beaches and one of Californias few remaining salt marshes, state Sen. Ben Hueso (D-San Diego) Friday called on Gov. Jerry Browns administration to take legal action against the federal government to bring more focus and resources to protect the region. While the federal government is requesting billions of dollars to build a wall at the border, it has failed repeatedly to act on this serious contamination issue, Hueso said as he presented Senate Joint Resolution No. 22 during an early-morning news conference at the Tijuana Estuary in Imperial Beach. The proposed resolution urges the federal government and the USIBWC (U.S. International Boundary and Water Commission) to take immediate action to adequately address cross-border pollution in the Tijuana River Valley. Huesos resolution, which to pass would need majority approval by both houses of the California Legislature, also calls on the state government to initiate a lawsuit against the IBWC over matters within the states jurisdiction to adequately address cross-border pollution in the Tijuana River Valley. Advertisement The announcement has come on the heels of a lawsuit filed earlier this month by the cities of Imperial Beach and Chula Vista and the Port of San Diego against the U.S. branch of the IBWC, a binational agency that oversees boundary and water disputes along the U.S.-Mexico border. The lawsuit alleges ongoing, severe and dangerous violations both of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act and the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act. The IBWC has declined comment on the lawsuit saying it does not discuss ongoing litigation. But the U.S. Department of Justices Environment and Natural Resources Division stated in a memo earlier this month that the IBWC is not the agency that under U.S. law is responsible for managing trans-boundary trash, sewage and sediment discharges from Mexico. The memo stated that the commission cannot enter into any agreement to expend funds unless Congress has authorized and appropriated funds for that particular purpose. The San Diego Regional Quality Control Board, a state agency, has scheduled a closed session on Monday on whether to proceed with litigation against the IBWC. The San Diego County Boad of Supervisors in a closed session this week voted against joining the lawsuit. A spokeswoman for the city of San Diego earlier this month said the city is still evaluating its options. Imperial Beach Mayor Serge Dedina said the states backing can boost local efforts to press the federal government to take action. We want this to come from the top, the governor and the attorney general, Dedina said. Huesos joint resolution aims to bring visibility and pressure on the longstanding issue of the cross-border flow of sewage, sediment and trash across the international border from Tijuana to San Diego, in the 1,735-square-mile Tijuana River watershed. Though more than 70 percent of its area is in Mexico, the watershed drains into the ocean on the U.S. side of the border, after passing through the Tijuana River Valley. Outcry in southern San Diego County has risen since the collapse of a large sewage conveyance structure in Tijuana in February 2017 sent millions of gallons of untreated sewage across the border into the Tijuana River Valley. The spill threatened the federally protected Tijuana Estuary and closed shorelines from Imperial Beach to Coronado. Critics say that efforts on both sides of the border to address the problem have been insufficient. Together with Assemblyman Todd Gloria, (D-San Diego), Hueso sponsored legislation last year authorizing $2.1 million for restoration and recovery efforts associated with the Tijuana River Valley. Both Gloria and Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez (D-San Diego) are co-sponsors of Fridays resolution. For some reason the IBWC has been broken for years, Hueso said. We cannot figure out what it is, but they have been unable to use the enormous power they have. We think the only solution in this logjam in improvements is to file a lawsuit. Advertisement sandra.dibble@sduniontribune.com @sandradibble Professional trappers have been called in to catch a coyote that bit a 5-year-old boy and then aggressively approached a student at the Cal State L.A. campus Wednesday night. The boy was walking with his father on campus about 6:30 p.m. when the incident took place, said Lt. J.C. Healy with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. He bit me! the boy cried out to his father, Healy said. The father chased away the coyote and took his son to get medical attention. The boy suffered a single puncture wound in the leg. Advertisement A cellphone video posted to Twitter showed the coyote running after the boy along a paved path. Warning signs are posted on the Cal State L.A. campus. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times ) About an hour after the incident, a coyote aggressively approached a student on campus. The woman called for help, and when police responded, they saw several coyotes in the area. Soon after, gunshots were heard, followed by howling. Students were alarmed, worried it might be a school shooting. At least one officer with the Cal State L.A. police force shot a firearm at the coyote, Healy said. Police believe the animal was struck but escaped into the hills. Department of Fish and Wildlife officials are in the process of getting the animals DNA from the boys pants, Healy said. Officials plan to rely on the expertise of the trappers to catch the offending coyote and euthanize it. They intend to use a mix of traps, firearms and electronic sounds that mimic the sound of an injured rabbit. Advertisement Its unfortunate, but we cannot afford to have this animal be out there, Healy said. The next attack could be worse. He urged the public to keep its distance and never feed wildlife such as coyotes. We bank on the fact that animals fear humans, Healy said. That keeps them far away, but when you feed them, you break down that barrier and create bad habits. Students walk the campus at California State University, Los Angeles. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times ) Advertisement My friend recorded this @CalStateLA. Not sure if its the kid that was bit though pic.twitter.com/xvWHPJ8KJS Jorge Sanchez (@Daddy_Jorgie) March 15, 2018 esmeralda.bermudez@latimes.com @LATBermudez The city of Los Angeles has been barred from enforcing nearly all of its remaining gang injunctions, the latest blow to one of the citys oldest and most controversial law enforcement initiatives. In a 22-page order issued Thursday, Chief U.S. District Judge Virginia A. Phillips ruled that the American Civil Liberties Union is likely to prove that most of those subject to the remaining injunctions suffered a due process violation, since the city did not give them an opportunity to challenge the civil restraining orders in court. The order is believed to mark the first time a judge has blocked Los Angeles officials from enforcing the injunctions, which were born from a time in the late 1980s and 90s when gang activity in the city gained national attention. Their use has been credited by law enforcement with helping reduce gang-related crime. The citys use of injunctions has been under increasing scrutiny since 2016, when the ACLU and the Los Angeles Youth Justice Coalition filed a lawsuit against the city. Advertisement Following an audit by the Los Angeles city attorneys office and the LAPD, 7,300 people were released last year from the conditions of the injunctions, which are civil court orders that can restrict someone from associating with friends, or even family members, in neighborhoods considered to be havens for certain street gangs. Violating the orders can result in arrest. Since 2000, the city has enforced injunctions against 79 separate gang sets, encompassing roughly 8,900 people, according to the city attorneys office. There were about 1,450 people still subject to the orders after last years purge, according to a February court filing from the city attorneys office. Thursdays order prevents the city from enforcing any injunctions that were granted before Jan. 19, 2018, though it can seek new ones provided that officials give targets a chance to challenge the orders in court before attempting to enforce them. Peter Bibring, a senior staff attorney for the ACLU, said the judges ruling would leave few, if any, Angelenos subject to the orders. The court clearly recognizes the way the city of Los Angeles has been enforcing gang injunctions over decades violates due process in a way that makes it likely they will place people on gang injunctions who may not be gang members, Bibring said Thursday. This ruling marks the end of gang injunctions as they worked in the city of Los Angeles. In a statement, Los Angeles police officials said they would wait for guidance from the city attorneys office before discussing the ruling. As always, we respect the authority of the courts and will follow the courts decision, and will continue to keep the City safe while following the constitution and all applicable laws, the statement read. A spokesman for the city attorneys office could not immediately comment on the court order. Advertisement The Los Angeles Police Protective League, the union representing rank-and-file police officers, said in a statement: Appropriately applied, gang injunctions are a valuable law enforcement tool intended to improve the safety of Los Angeles neighborhoods and stem the tide of drug dealing, assaults, and other violent crimes associated with gangs, the statement said. Its unfortunate that a judge would eliminate this important crime fighting tool instead of working to resolve any issues with its application. We urge the city to appeal this shortsighted ruling. Thursdays order was an extension of a prior legal victory that the ACLU won last year on behalf of Peter Arellano, a 22-year-old Echo Park resident who claimed he was unfairly named in a gang injunction. In an order issued last September, Phillips wrote that Arellano was likely to establish that the city did not provide him with due process in enforcing the injunction against him. On Thursday, Phillips granted a motion seeking to extend that order to all others who were made subject to an injunction prior to this year. Advertisement Critics have long complained that the injunctions are overly broad, claiming that thousands of people were unfairly swept up simply because they knew, or were related to, a gang member. Some also contend the injunctions disproportionately target African Americans and Latinos. Many of those included in the orders have never been convicted of a crime. The ACLUs lawsuit did not contest the effectiveness of the injunctions which many have credited with helping curb gang crime at its heights in the late 1990s but challenged the method of obtaining the injunctions as unconstitutional. This ruling marks the end of gang injunctions as they worked in the city of Los Angeles. Peter Bibring, ACLU senior staff attorney Authorities normally seek an injunction against a gang, rather than an individual, meaning someone can become subject to one of the court orders without being given a chance to disprove his or her alleged gang affiliation in court. Decisions about whom to serve with an injunction are made independently by LAPD investigators and prosecutors. Advertisement Only a handful of people will remain subject to gang injunctions in the city after Thursdays ruling, Bibring said. Some of the earliest injunctions sought by the city named individual defendants, meaning those people did have an opportunity to object to their inclusion in court and would not have suffered a due process violation, according to Bibring. Last year, the city agreed to modify some of its policies for future injunctions. Those targeted will now have 30 days to challenge the citys determination of their gang status in court before the order becomes enforceable, city attorneys spokesman Rob Wilcox told The Times last year. Individuals served with injunctions will also be removed from the court orders after five years, unless evidence surfaces that the person is actively engaged in gang or criminal activity, he said. To read this article in Spanish click here james.queally@latimes.com Advertisement Follow @JamesQueallyLAT for crime and police news in California. UPDATES: 9:18 p.m.: This article was updated with comment from the Los Angeles Police Protective League, the union representing rank-and-file officers. Advertisement 5:15 p.m.: This article was updated with a statement from the Los Angeles Police Department and additional background on gang injunctions. This article first published at 5 p.m. Rep. Scott Peters is a bit of the odd man out this year, and he doesnt seem to mind. Ever since he was elected to a swing district in 2012, the San Diego Democrat was expected to battle for his political life every two years. His coastal/central San Diego 52nd district seemed destined to be on the national political chessboard every election. It was that year, when he narrowly defeated incumbent Republican Brian Bilbray. And it was in 2014, when he staved off a challenge by then-San Diego City Councilman Carl DeMaio. Since then, not so much. The Republicans put up a rookie candidate two years later but didnt put their heart into it, or much money. Theyre even less interested this year. Advertisement This didnt happen by accident. For sure, much of the local congressional political oxygen has been sucked into the battles for the San Diego County-Orange County 49th district to replace retiring incumbent Darrell Issa, and the East County 50th district, where scandal-plagued incumbent Duncan Hunter is facing his biggest political test ever. That those once-seemingly impregnable Republican districts are in play is as unusual as the fact that San Diegos one swing district is not. But its not just that those races distracted attention and diverted resources. Peters is in sync with his district and has a well-run operation there, overseen by top aide MaryAnne Pintar, a veteran of San Diego government and politics. That as much as anything may have pre-empted a tougher re-election challenge this year. We put in a lot of work to make sure we understand the district. . .Were trying to make sure people understand that Im a match for the district, he said. Peters is a pro-business moderate who has not been the favorite of Democratic progressives. Then again, neither was Conor Lamb, who just won a stunning upset in a Pennsylvania congressional district that Donald Trump won by nearly 20 percentage points in 2016. There are many differences between Peters and Lamb, and between their districts. But they both share many core Democratic values, yet part ways in some areas with party leadership and activists. A liberal might not have won in Peters district, and almost certainly wouldnt have succeeded in Lambs. Advertisement Following Lambs narrow victory, some analysts suggest the pendulum may be swinging from the partys purists to the pragmatists. That battle played out years ago in the California Republican Party, where conservative purists dominate. The state GOP has been on a steady decline in blue California, putting itself on the brink of irrelevance. Peters district is home to huge military installations, the regionals tech hub and UC San Diego. So he made it his mission to focus on science and innovation, military facilities and veterans benefits, trade promotion, tourism and lowering the cost of higher education. Hes the rare Democrat who has been endorsed by both the local and U.S. chambers of commerce. The flip side to that is he has taken some of the greatest heat from organized labor, which threatened to run a candidate against him in 2016 because of his support for the Trans-Pacific Partnership. In an odd-couple paring, that pact and other trade agreements have been opposed both by labor and President Donald Trump. Advertisement Peters suggests theres more nuance here. He believes labors eyes have been open to the importance of global engagement. But Peters said he doesnt have much interaction with organized labor in Washington. I have good relations with local labor even thought they vehemently disagree with me on this issue, I share their values. he said. I dont always agree with them on tactics but I try to find a way to work with them to help them get to the goals they need to achieve. Advertisement Peters believes his position on the trade partnership is supported by whats taking place now that the U.S. is not part of it: China, not the U.S., is writing the rules on international trade. Thats exactly whats happening, he said. A handful of little-known Republicans have filed to run against Peters, yet he has built a big campaign account and will be gearing up a serious effort if for no other reason than the district still is competitive on paper, with Democrats holding only a slight edge in voter registration. While keeping Peters district in the Democratic column may seem like a given, its still a crucial seat in the partys push to win a majority in the House. Advertisement To do that, Peters said, Democrats overall have to make a better case for their cause. They cant simply rely on the controversies and low ratings of President Trump to win it for them. Thats a mistake we made in 2016, he said. He further said Democrats have to understand why Trump and his policies appealed to enough voters to get elected. Hes tapped into real emotion on the meaning of work, the loss of work, said Peters, adding that this is the case regardless of whether what Trump says is false. Advertisement Hes just not telling the truth if he believes steel jobs are coming back, he said, contending that automation is a big factor in additional foreign competition. Its a nuanced argument Democrats must make because in the macro sense the country and its economy are doing well. But the benefits are being distributed unevenly, he said. Americans, including some of his constituents, are struggling on many fronts, be it the cost of education or finding affordable housing or having a secure retirement. Government plays a role in that, but we dont want to suggest that people are victims, he said. They want to do their work, they want to fend for themselves. But we have to be fair to them so they have a way to have the freedom to build a future. And I think thats what we need to be about. Advertisement Becoming a majority member would increase Peters clout as a member of the powerful Commerce and Energy Committee, as well as in his role on the Veterans Affairs panel. If Democrats gain the majority, that would not only increase the incentive for Peters to stay in Congress, but also the pressure. If the House flips, it would likely be by a slim margin, and Democratic leaders wouldnt want to see a strong incumbent step down for something like. . . running for mayor. San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer is termed out in 2020 and Peters had seemed on a path to try to succeed him. But Democrats brightened prospects in Congress change the equation. If Peters knows what hell do in 2020, hes not saying. The decision, he said, ultimately will be whats the best platform for me to serve my community? Advertisement As for the here and now, he noted Its a pretty good year to be a Democrat. It certainly is for Peters. Indicative of that is the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee hired away most of his campaign staff. The challenge for us right now is were rebuilding a whole campaign infrastructure because what we had was so good it got stolen, said Peters, not at all sounding perturbed by the theft. But, you know, its probably a good problem to have. Advertisement And a problem that wouldnt have happened if Peters was viewed as anything but a sure bet in November. A Border Patrol agent was sentenced to probation and ordered to pay a $10,000 fine last week for selling counterfeit luxury watches to undercover investigators. Martin Macias pleaded guilty in December to three charges related to trafficking in counterfeit goods. He was arrested in August during an undercover sting in a Chula Vista parking lot. The case was initiated by Investigative Consultants, a private investigation firm in Torrance that helps companies detect counterfeit products being sold under brand names. Advertisement In May, a private investigator found a Craigslist ad for Rolex watches and got into contact with a man named Carlos for a deal. On the day of the transaction, Macias texted the investigator and said hed be bringing the watches instead, according to a search warrant affidavit filed in San Diego federal court. The investigator and a partner met Macias in the parking lot of the Mission Valley Target and looked over a display case of watches in the trunk of Macias white Volkswagen. There were four Audemars Piguet watches, four Cartier watches and six Rolex watches all fake and with a $320 price tag, according to the affidavit. Macias said Carlos supplied the watches and could get many more at wholesale prices. The investigator bought a Rolex and then took the case to the Sheriffs Departments Border Crimes Suppression Team. When a detective started looking into the case, he found Macias was possibly a Border Patrol agent. A second meeting was set up, and the private investigators partner looked over another case of watches in the front seat of Macias black Chevrolet in a Babies R Us parking lot. Sheriffs detectives nearby then arrested him. Macias told authorities in an interview that he agreed to deliver the watches for his friend because Carlos doesnt cross into the U.S. from Mexico. He said he only did it the two times and was to get $250 for his efforts, the affidavit said. The high-end watches, if genuine, would sell for between $10,000 and $79,000, authorities estimated. U.S. District Judge Janis Sammartino sentenced Macias to five years probation on March 9. Advertisement Macias is on indefinite suspension from his job while the incident is being reviewed, a Border Patrol spokesman said Thursday. Advertisement kristina.davis@sduniontribune.com Twitter: @kristinadavis A Fallbrook man is being charged with distributing fentanyl to a customer who overdosed on the drug the latest in a group of similar prosecutions aimed at holding alleged drug dealers accountable for rising fatalities in the opioid epidemic. Corey Bernard Green, 41, is charged in San Diego federal court with one count of distribution of fentanyl resulting in death, a felony with a mandatory minimum sentence of 20 years in prison. He is accused of selling the drug to an unnamed 34-year-old Fallbrook man who was found dead at home on Nov. 4, according to the complaint. The victims wife told sheriffs investigators that two days before his death, he had announced that he was 100 days sober. She said he appeared to be doing well. She gave detectives Greens name as a possible source of the drug, saying her husband had bought heroin from him before, according to the complaint. Advertisement As in many of these cases, text messages reveal the drug transaction, court records show. A few days before the death, the victim reached out to Green and noted that he didnt have any cash on him. Green replied, I only have a little China but its even a ton stronger than the last powder, according to the complaint. China is a slang term for a pure form of heroin laced with fentanyl. The victim answered: Just did half. Feeling good. Thanks again. The victim contacted him again the next day saying he had money. No chance I could get you to come out if I pay extra? Or if youre up I could take an Uber real quick. Green agreed and asked the Uber to stop by McDonalds for him on the way. Ill throw you a little extra? Its China, the complaint says. According to cellphone records, on the morning before his death the victim took an Uber from his job in San Marcos to Greens Fallbrook home then returned, the complaint says. The victims wife found him dead in the living room the next morning, along with a rolled-up dollar bill, a piece of burned foil and a spoon with a white substance on it, the complaint describes. Baggies with traces of fentanyl and heroin were found in a nearby backpack. Deputies searched Greens Gumtree Lane home on Nov. 30 and arrested him on a warrant for manufacturing drugs. They seized pound quantities of processed and concentrated marijuana. He pleaded guilty to the manufacturing charge and is serving a sentence in state prison, authorities said. He is expected to appear in federal court in this case next week. Advertisement An analysis of Greens phone showed that on Nov. 15 more than a week after the victims death he conducted a Google search for any information related to the victims name, Fallbrook and the date of Nov. 3, the complaint says. Advertisement kristina.davis@sduniontribune.com Twitter: @kristinadavis To sheriffs investigators, the messages found on Rebecca Zahaus cellphone after her bizarre hanging death at a Coronado mansion painted the picture of a troubled woman. In the notes, Zahau described being disrespected by her boyfriends two older children and hated by his two ex-wives. She laments not having children of her own. I find myself not being able to sleep for the first time in my entire life now when I close my eyes my mind begins to race thinking and brewing over many situations and trying to come up with a solution of some sort, one of the messages read. if I am not thinking, I am crying. Another message said, No amount of money is worth what Im going through. Advertisement During her testimony in San Diego Superior Court, Detective Angela Tsuida, who led the sheriffs homicide team that investigated Zahaus death, said the messages were one of many pieces of evidence that led authorities to declare the death a suicide. It gives us a picture of her mindset at the time she wasnt happy, Tsuida said . Zahau was found dead, bound in ropes and hanging from a balcony on July 13, 2011. Sheriffs investigators and the Medical Examiners Office ultimately determined that she had taken her own life. But Zahaus family members have long contended that she, a woman of strong Christian faith, would never commit suicide. The family filed a wrongful death lawsuit, accusing Adam Shacknai the brother of Zahaus boyfriend, pharmaceuticals tycoon Jonah Shacknai of killing her. On Thursday, attorney C. Keith Greer, who represents the Zahau family, rejected the notion that the cellphone messages meant Zahau was suicidal. He also questioned other observations that investigators included in their determination that she died by her own hand, including that Zahau had been molested as a child. Two days before Zahaus death, the 32-year-old surgical technician was the only adult at the mansion when her boyfriends son, 6-year-old Max Shacknai, fell from the second floor into the foyer. Advertisement He died several days later. The child was the son Jonah Shacknai and his ex-wife Dina Shacknai. Authorities suggested Zahau felt deep remorse after Maxs death. Tsuida testified that Jonah Shacknai told investigators he left a phone message for Zahau the evening before her death, saying his son was brain dead and that he would have to decide whether to donate his organs. Zahaus sister, Mary Zahau-Loehner, had said previously that she didnt believe Jonah Shacknai left such a dire message. Greer pointed out during cross-examination of Tsuida that sheriffs investigators never retrieved the message, which had been deleted from Zahaus phone. Advertisement The attorney also noted that investigators never tested the phone for fingerprints, making it difficult to determine who handled the phone when the message was received. The family alleges in their lawsuit that Adam Shacknai struck Zahau on the head, strangled her and stripped her naked before tying her up and tossing her off a balcony with a noose around her neck. Shacknais attorney, Dan Webb, said in opening statements that no evidence connects his 54-year-old client to the death. On Thursday, Tsuida talked in detail about what sheriffs officials have said was lack of evidence pointing to homicide in this case. She said investigators analyzed areas that would have been touched in the moments leading to Zahaus death. Advertisement While Zahaus DNA and fingerprints were found on the ropes, the bed and other areas in the room off the balcony she was eventually found hanging from, Adam Shacknais DNA was not . Little to no DNA evidence was recovered from the knife Shacknai said he used to cut down Zahaus body, the paint brushes thought to have been used to scrawl a mysterious message on the door of the room or the balcony doors. Tsuida said no single piece of evidence led investigators to determine Zahaus death was a suicide. We take everything into consideration, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Twitter: @LAWinkley (619) 293-1546 lyndsay.winkley@sduniontribune.com A U.S. military helicopter crashed in western Iraq, killing all seven people on board, the Pentagon confirmed Friday. The U.S. Central Command said in a statement that the aircraft, an HH-60 Pave Hawk, crashed at about 6:45 p.m. local time Thursday near the town of Qaim in Anbar province. Military officials said that the crash did not appear to be the result of enemy activity and that the incident was under investigation. An accompanying U.S. helicopter reported the crash, according to the Pentagon, and a quick-reaction force of Iraqi and U.S. troops secured the site. Advertisement Quoting a witness, Iraqi news broadcaster Alsumaria reported Friday that the aircraft had fallen near a phosphate factory outside Qaim. Qaim is about 10 miles southeast of Iraqs border with Syria. The area, a desolate landscape of open desert that stretches for miles, has long been a sanctuary for Islamic State fighters and other jihadis in Iraq and Syria. Though it has largely been defeated elsewhere, Islamic State maintains a presence near Qaim, from where it can also access the Saudi border. U.S. forces are working alongside Iraqi troops at a base near Qaim as well as at the Al Asad air base, roughly 90 miles southeast of where the helicopter was reported to have crashed. In recent weeks, there have been reports of clashes between Islamic State militants and U.S.-backed Iraqi forces in the vast region between Qaim and the Saudi border. The HH-60 is a highly modified variant of the Black Hawk helicopter, used primarily for day or night personnel recovery operations into hostile environments to recover isolated personnel during war, according to the U.S. Air Force. A U.S. official said the helicopter was not engaged in combat activity but had been transporting elements between locations. The official added that there had been no recent incidents of aircraft damaged by ground fire in the area, and that the crash had almost certainly been caused by the helicopter hitting an obstruction. Advertisement The names of those killed will be released by the Pentagon after next of kin have been notified, Central Command said. Bulos is a special correspondent. UPDATES: 7:40 a.m.: This article was updated throughout with Times staff reporting. Advertisement This article was originally published at 5:30 a.m. A pedestrian bridge being built at Florida International University was put to a stress test before it collapsed over traffic, killing six people and sending 10 to a hospital, authorities said. As state and federal investigators worked to determine how and why the 5-day-old span failed Thursday, one factor may have been the stress test that Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Gimenez said crews were conducting on the span. Two workers were on the 950-ton bridge when it pancaked on top of vehicles waiting at a stoplight. First responders had been racing to find survivors in the rubble of the 175-foot span using high-tech listening devices, trained sniffing dogs and search cameras before turning the scene over to police. Advertisement This has turned from a rescue to a recovery operation, Miami-Dade Police Det. Alvaro Zabaleta said. The $14.2-million pedestrian bridge was supposed to open in 2019 as a safe way to cross a busy six-lane road between the university campus and the community of Sweetwater, where many students live. Gov. Rick Scott and Sen. Marco Rubio joined other authorities at the scene. Rubio said the public and the families of the dead and injured deserve to know what went wrong. Scott added an investigation will get to the bottom of why this happened and what happened, and that if anyone did anything wrong, we will hold them accountable. National Transportation Safety Board Chairman Robert Sumwalt III said a team of specialists would begin its investigation Friday morning. Rubio, who is an adjunct professor at the school, noted the pedestrian bridge was intended to be an innovative and one-of-a-kind engineering design. Renderings showed a tall, off-center tower with supporting cables attached to the walkway. When the bridge collapsed, the main tower had not yet been installed, and it was unclear what builders were using as temporary supports. An accelerated construction method was supposed to reduce risks to workers and pedestrians and minimize traffic disruption, the university said. The school has long been interested in this kind of bridge design; in 2010, it opened an Accelerated Bridge Construction Center to provide the transportation industry with the tools needed to effectively and economically utilize the principles of ABC to enhance mobility and safety, and produce safe, environmentally friendly, long-lasting bridges. Advertisement The project was a collaboration between MCM Construction, a Miami-based contractor, and Figg Bridge Design, based in Tallahassee. Figg is responsible for the iconic Sunshine Skyway Bridge across Tampa Bay. Figgs statement Thursday said the company was stunned by the collapse and would cooperate with investigations. In our 40-year history, nothing like this has ever happened before, the statement said. Our entire team mourns the loss of life and injuries associated with this devastating tragedy, and our prayers go out to all involved. MCM Construction Management promised on its Facebook page to participate in a full investigation to determine exactly what went wrong. Advertisement Robert Bea, a professor of engineering and construction management at UC Berkeley, said it was too early to know exactly what happened, but the decision to use what the bridge builders called an innovative installation over a heavily traveled thoroughfare was risky. Innovations take a design firm into an area where they dont have applicable experience, and then we have another unexpected failure on our hands, Bea said after reviewing the bridges design and photos of the collapse. The FIU community, along with Sweetwater and county officials, held a bridge watch party March 10. Thats when the span was lifted from its temporary supports, rotated 90 degrees across an eight-lane thoroughfare and lowered into its permanent position over the busy road. UPDATES: Advertisement 3:40 a.m.: Updated with details and background. This article was first published at 3 a.m. British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson said Friday it was overwhelmingly likely that Russian President Vladimir Putin was behind the poisoning of a Russian former spy, in the most direct British accusation against the Russian leader to date. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov immediately shot back, saying that bringing up Putin in the context of the case was shocking and unforgivable in terms of diplomatic behavior. Johnsons comments followed Prime Minister Theresa Mays decision Wednesday to expel 23 Russian diplomats from Britain. Russia confirmed Friday it will expel British diplomats and halt high-level meetings in turn. Our quarrel is with Putins Kremlin, and with his decision - and we think it overwhelmingly likely that it was his decision - to direct the use of a nerve agent on the streets of the U.K., on the streets of Europe for the first time since the Second World War, Johnson said during a visit to a museum in London. Advertisement The poisoning of 66-year-old Sergei Skripal and his 33-year-old daughter, Yulia, in Salisbury with a nerve agent identified by British authorities as one made only by Russia has thrown the two countries relations into a profound crisis. Aside from confirming it would expel some British diplomats, without giving the number, Russia has been coy about its potential responses. The Russian side has made its decisions on tit-for-tat measures, and the British side will be notified of them not in the next few hours, but in the near future, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova told Interfax on Friday. Alexander Gabuev, a Russian foreign policy analyst with the Carnegie Moscow Center, said the delay is likely related to Sundays presidential election. Theyre either saving the response for closer to the big day or want to minimize negative news until after the election, he said. Because May delivered the British response, Putin will want to deliver Russias. Simply expelling 23 British diplomats probably wont be enough, Gabuev said. There are other elements to Britains reaction, and you need to give a mirror response to that as well. The Russian government has also been vague about its response to Washingtons expansion of sanctions announced Thursday against Russian individuals believed to have played a role in alleged cyberattacks and attempts to influence the 2016 U.S. presidential election. Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said Friday that Moscow would expand its own black list of Americans, adding that additional measures have not yet been ruled out. Those [American] politicians are playing with fire, he said. Advertisement In a separate development Friday, London police announced they are investigating as a murder case the death of Nikolai Glushkov, a 68-year-old Russian businessman found unresponsive in his London home on Monday. A pathologist report identified the cause of death as compression to the neck. At this stage there is nothing to suggest any link to the attempted murders in Salisbury, nor any evidence that he was poisoned, police cautioned in a statement. Londons counter-terrorism officers are leading the investigation, police said, because of the associations Mr Glushkov is believed to have had. He was a close friend of Boris Berezovsky, a Russian dissident who himself died in mysterious circumstances in 2013. The Guardian reported that earlier on Monday, Glushkov had failed to show up at a London court where he was scheduled to defend himself against charges of stealing from the Russian state airline Aeroflot. Advertisement Russia also announced it would be opening an investigation into Glushkovs death. In the Salisbury case, Russia has focused its efforts on a campaign of denial and counterclaim in which officials at times have contradicted each other. On Thursday, Ryabkov claimed that Russia had never developed anything like the alleged nerve agent, identified by the British as Novichok. Shortly after, a Russian lawmaker charged that the United States stole samples while helping to decommission the facility where Novichok was made in the 1990s. Most statements have fallen somewhere in between the two extremes. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Friday continued to deny and deflect blame, claiming again that British allegations of Russian involvement in Skripals poisoning were groundless and anti-Russian. He wished the Skripals a speedy recovery and said he hopes they can shed light on what happened when they are well. Advertisement Lavrov also lashed out at Britain for not providing consular access to Yulia Skripal, who along with her father is in critical condition at a Salisbury hospital. Later Friday, Russias Investigative Committee announced it was opening a criminal investigation into the attempted murder of the younger Skripal. The Skripals were found slumped over on a park bench in the cathedral town of Salisbury, located near the famed ruins of Stonehenge. An officer who attempted to revive them remains in the hospital in stable condition. Several areas in the town are also still cordoned off as police continue their investigation. Writing in the Guardian on Friday, opposition Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn called for calm heads and warned against rushing into a new cold war. He suggested that the possibility that the Russians had lost control of the dangerous nerve agent - which May floated Monday but has since discounted - could not be excluded. Advertisement He referenced the flawed intelligence and dodgy dossiers ahead of the 2003 invasion of Iraq. In my years in parliament I have seen clear thinking in an international crisis overwhelmed by emotion and hasty judgments too many times, he wrote. Corbyn also argued that targeting the oligarchs and their loot would have a far greater impact on Russias elite than limited tit-for-tat expulsions. London is something of a hub for Russian expats - former dissidents and super-rich oligarchs alike are drawn to its good schools and its laws and courts. The wealthiest snap up Londons luxury homes for eye-popping prices. Anti-corruption advocates say some of that property is bought with questionable funds. A 2017 report by Transparency International linked Russia to about of fifth - or $1.3 billion - of the suspicious wealth used to purchase London property. Advertisement Analysts say this means the Britain could go after Russian interests. The Russians have property and children and business in the U.K., said James Nixey, a Russia expert at Chatham House, a London-based think tank. The U.K. has leverage there. The United States, France and Germany on Thursday formally backed Britains claims that Russia likely was responsible for the attack, calling it the first offensive use of a nerve agent in Europe since World War II. In a statement, the four leaders said they shared the view of British investigators that there is no plausible alternative explanation for the attack. They added that Russias failure to address the legitimate request by the U.K. government further underlines its responsibility. Advertisement It threatens the security of us all, they added, without spelling out any possible further reprisals. Adam reported from London. With the filing deadline passed, 16 candidates are running for an open seat held by Rep. Darrell lssa, R, Vista. Eight Republicans, four Democrats and four third-party candidates are running. Democrats are worried that their candidates will split the vote in the primary, and wont finish in the top two and advance to the general election. After an extended deadline, 16 candidates have completed paperwork to run for an open seat in Congress, held by retiring Rep. Darrell Issa, making it the busiest race in the San Diego area. The filing period closed on Wednesday and the approaching deadline did not draw out any big names likely to change the dynamic of the crowded field. The major candidates that previously announced their campaigns all have submitted documents required to appear on the June 5 primary ballot. Eight Republicans, four Democrats and four third-party candidates have either submitted nomination papers or signatures to appear on the ballot. The Secretary of State must still determine if the contenders meet the requirements to appear on the ballot so the list of candidates could change. The seat runs from La Jolla to Dana Point and has been one of the most watched in the country after Issa, R-Vista, won re-election in 2016 by a mere 1,621 votes, the closest federal race in the country. Issa announced on Jan. 10 that he would not run for re-election, a decision that drew out Republicans interested in the rare open seat, and also triggered a regulation that extended the filing deadline from March 9 to March 14. Advertisement Democrats are concerned their candidates will split the electorate and fail to finish first or second in the states top-two primary system, stopping them from advancing to the general election in November. While they have tried to thin the herd to increase their chances by urging contenders to seek another office, delay their political ambitions or just drop out entirely, only one candidate attorney Christina Prejean has left the race. According to polls, attorney Doug Applegate and then, a few points behind, lawyer Mike Levin, have emerged as that partys front-runners. Non-profit executive Sara Jacobs has polled third among Democrats and sixth overall. While Republicans have twice as many candidates, GOP operatives said theyre not concerned about being blocked out of the general election because their party has two candidates Assemblyman Rocky Chavez, R-Oceanside, and Board of Equalization Member Diane Harkey, R-Dana Point who have both polled strongly. San Diego Supervisor Kristin Gaspar, R-Encinitas, has polled several points behind Harkey and fifth overall. The Republican candidates include: Chavez, from Oceanside Gaspar, from Encinitas Harkey, from Dana Point San Juan Capistrano Councilman Brian Maryott Physician David Medway of Carlsbad Businessman Craig Nordal of Carlsbad Neuro-audiologist Mike Schmitt of Dana Point Patent Lawyer Joshua Schoonover of San Marcos The Democratic candidates include: Applegate, from Oceanside. Jacobs, from Encinitas. Businessman Paul Kerr of Rancho Santa Fe. Levin, from San Juan Capistrano. The third party candidates include: Marine Corps veteran Joshua Hancock, a Libertarian from Oceanside. Professor Jordan Mills, a Peace and Freedom Party candidate from Oceanside. Ophthalmologist Robert Pendleton of Oceanside, running in his new K9 Party. Activist Danielle St. John, a Green Party candidate from Carlsbad. Advertisement Twitter: @jptstewart joshua.stewart@sduniontribune.com Advertisement (619) 293-1841 San Diego police Chief David Nisleit has launched an internal investigation into a program intended to reward officers for drug-related arrests and citations in communities near the border with Mexico. According to a memo sent to about 90 officers within the departments Southern Division last week, patrol officers were to receive a half a point to 2 points for the arrests or citations, with the top point-earners given the opportunity to work in specialized units for up to a month. On Friday, Nisleit denounced the concept of the program, which he said was not authorized by the departments top brass. He said the program was shut down before it was implemented. Programs like this are not in line with the values of the San Diego Police Department and something that I would ever allow, Nisleit said during a news conference called in response to outcry in the community. Advertisement The uproar marks Nisleits first encounter with a Police Department controversy since he became chief earlier this month. During a separate news conference held outside the Police Departments downtown headquarters, about a dozen community leaders said the matter represents an opportunity for the new chief to build a strong relationship with the community. This is really a test of Chief Nisleits new administration, said Andrea Renee St. Julian, vice president of the Earl B. Gilliam Bar Association. He really needs to step up to the plate and he needs to show he is serious about attacking the attitudes that gave rise to this email, not just through words but through action. St. Julian and other leaders demanded transparency from the Police Department and called for a separate, independent investigation into the program by the Attorney Generals Office. They said even if the program wasnt enacted, the idea behind it enforces the notion that there is a culture of racial bias within the department. Were calling on the chief to talk about how he is going to solve the problem where there is a culture in SDPD where someone felt comfortable enough to send an email to 90 officers about an unethical and unjust incentivized program that would target people of color and minorities, said Genevieve Jones-Wright, a deputy public defender running for district attorney. Darwin Fishman, a criminology professor at San Diego Mesa College, said the concept behind incentive programs opens the door for officers to make unethical decisions to meet a quota. During his news conference, Nisleit said the idea of the program came from a front-line supervisor with the intent of motivating our officers and focusing their efforts on drug enforcement within our community in direct response to numerous community complaints regarding this drug activity. Advertisement He added: The program was never intended to target anyone from a specific group, race or socioeconomic class. According to the memo sent to Southern Division officers which was obtained by the Union-Tribune patrol officers who received the most points for arrests or citations between March 1 and April 14 were to be given the opportunity to work in a specialized unit for two to four weeks, regardless of their tenure. The memo says the voluntary program was meant to motivate officers, increase proactive policing and help build knowledge and skills. The memo was emailed by a sergeant to Southern Division officers who patrol neighborhoods including San Ysidro, Otay Mesa, Egger Highlands, Palm City and Nestor on March 9. Nisleit said his office was made aware of the program the following day and halted it. The chief said he reviewed arrest statistics and that there was not a spike in that time period. Advertisement All of the arrests were based on probable cause, he added. News of the program came to light after a police officer came forward with details in an interview with 10 News a move community leaders said shows there is not an open-door policy within the Police Department. Nisleit disagreed, urging officers who feel their concerns are being ignored by supervisors to reach out to him and his assistant chiefs. I want to hear about it, he said. Advertisement Nisleit said his departments internal investigation would get to the bottom of how the details of the program were shared with officers without approval. The chief said any appropriate corrective measures would be taken based on the results of the investigation. Advertisement Breaking News Email: david.hernandez@sduniontribune.com Phone: (619) 293-1876 Twitter: @D4VIDHernandez Advertisement UPDATES: 4:40 p.m.: This article was updated with additional details. This article was originally published at 3:20 p.m. A sexually violent predator who has victimized several young children over decades was cleared on Friday to live under supervision in the rural East County community of Boulevard. Michael Martinez, 65, was approved for release from a state mental hospital late last year. On Friday, San Diego Superior Court Judge David Gill approved a plan to let him live in a home in Boulevard, which sits about an hour east of downtown. Martinez will be moving to 2135 McCain Valley Road by the end of April. County Supervisor Dianne Jacob fought the Boulevard placement, telling Gill in court Friday that East County has become dumping ground to put sexually violent predators when they are released into San Diego County. Advertisement After the hearing, Jacob said the approval of the plan to put Martinez in Boulevard which has a population of about 315 people was not unexpected and called the system flawed. He will never ever be integrated back into the community because the community doesnt want him, she said. No Boulevard residents came forward in court to speak about the proposal to place Martinez in their community. But the mother of one of Martinezs victims did speak. She said he had molested her daughter 25 years ago, after his release from custody for molesting other children. She said it is an issue that the family still grapples with. Once this happens to our children, you cant give us back what we had, the woman said. On his release from Coalinga State Hospital, Martinez will be the fourth sexually violent predator a designation defined by state law living in the county. One lives in Jacumba Hot Springs, one lives in Campo and one lives in Borrego Springs. Sexually violent predators represent less than one percent of Californias registered sex offender population. To be designated a predator, an offender has to have been convicted of a sex crime against at least one victim and be diagnosed with a mental disorder that makes him likely to re-offend. The predator designation comes after a person has served their prison sentence, and is then committed to a state mental hospital following civil proceedings. Most offenders including Martinez who fit the criteria are housed at Coalinga State Hospital in Fresno County, where they can choose to participate in a program that aims to teach them how to curb their criminal urges outside the hospital. Advertisement By law, sexually violent predators are committed to a state mental hospital indefinitely, although after a year they have the right to petition for a new hearing to be released. If it is determined in court that they no longer fit the predator criteria, they may be released without supervision. Martinez, who was born and raised in coastal North County, is expected to be heavily supervised. He has been diagnosed with a pedophilia and personality disorder, according to the District Attorneys Office. Officials said Martinez was convicted in four separate cases between 1979 and 2004. The crimes include child molestation, annoying/molesting a child, lewd or lascivious acts on a child under 14, and annoying a child under 18. The crimes happened in San Diego and Los Angeles counties, the District Attorneys office said. The Boulevard home where he will be placed sits down a dirt road behind three locked fences on 40 acres, according to an official with the company responsible for monitoring Martinez. Advertisement The judge acknowledged that Martinez could commit new crimes There is always that risk, always that possibility, Gill said but said Martinez faces strict restrictions, and that sheriffs deputies and the company responsible for monitoring him are all going to be in a heightened state of vigilance. He will be really strictly supervised, Gill said. He noted that officials take great pains to ensure that the patient understands the restrictions, which include GPS monitoring. Jacob said after the hearing that any risk that Martinez could reoffend made it wrong to release him into the community. As long as that risk exists, it is wrong for the placement of Michael Martinez into any community in San Diego County or anywhere, she said. Advertisement Jacob has previously fought placements of sexually violent predators in her rural East County district. Advertisement teri.figueroa@sduniontribune.com (760) 529-4945 Twitter: @TeriFigueroaUT The Russia investigation has landed squarely in the sleek black Manhattan skyscraper where President Trump made his mark as a freewheeling real estate developer more than three decades ago. Special counsel Robert S. Mueller III reportedly issued a subpoena to the Trump Organization in recent weeks, seeking an array of documents, including some related to Russia. It wasnt immediately clear if the subpoena represents a broader inquiry into the presidents business dealings before or during his White House bid. Trump had mounted a failed attempt to build a hotel and condominium complex in Moscow an effort his lawyer said was abandoned in January 2016, seven months after Trump entered the presidential race and he staged the 2013 Miss Universe pageant in Russia. Mueller is seeking to determine if anyone from Trumps team cooperated with Russian efforts to meddle in the presidential race, and his investigators have asked witnesses about a meeting at Trump Tower in June 2016 between a Kremlin-backed lawyer and three of Trumps top aides his eldest son Donald Jr., his son-in-law Jared Kushner, and his campaign manager, Paul Manafort. Advertisement In a statement, a Trump Organization lawyer said the company has been cooperating with Muellers team since last summer. It did not confirm receiving a subpoena, which was first reported by the New York Times. Since July 2017, we have advised the public that the Trump Organization is fully cooperative with all investigations, including the special counsel, and is responding to their requests, said Alan S. Futerfas, a lawyer for Donald Trump Jr. who is also representing the company. This is old news and our assistance and cooperation with the various investigations remains the same today. The subpoena may represent more of a mopping-up operation than a new avenue in the investigation. A source familiar with the process said Trumps campaign also received a subpoena from the special counsels office after it had voluntarily turned over documents, a sign that prosecutors may be trying to ensure they didnt miss anything important in the process. Although Trump long has been a celebrity, with his name emblazoned on high-rise condominiums and hotels around the globe, he has carefully shielded his financial dealings from outside scrutiny. He even has disputed how often his companies have filed for protection from bankruptcy six times in all. He refused to reveal his federal tax returns during the campaign, breaking a tradition for presidential candidates, and he told the New York Times last year that it would be a violation if Mueller probed his finances. Look, this is about Russia, he said. My finances are extremely good. My company is an unbelievably successful company. Robert S. Mueller III, shown in 2013, is seeking to determine if anyone from Donald Trumps team cooperated with Russian efforts to meddle in the presidential race. (J. Scott Applewhite / Associated Press ) Advertisement The new focus on Trump Tower comes at a delicate time for the White House. The presidents lawyers are in sensitive negotiations with Muellers team, who want to question Trump in a face-to-face interview, a potentially key step in the case. Prosecutors generally leave high-profile interviews until the end of an investigation. There are ongoing discussions that have become more focused, according to a source familiar with the investigation. The presidents lawyers declined to comment. We dont discuss conversations weve had or not had with the special counsels office, said Jay Sekulow, one of the presidents personal lawyers. Advertisement Legal experts have said its unlikely that Trump will be able to avoid an interview with Mueller, and the president has publicly expressed an eagerness to do so. I would love to do it, he said in January. The White House has shed several senior officials this week and U.S. Atty. Gen. Jeff Sessions, who upset Trump by stepping aside from the Russia investigation because he had worked with the presidents campaign, could be on the chopping block. Mueller is overseen by Deputy Atty. Gen. Rod Rosenstein because Sessions stepped aside. But replacing Sessions could allow Trump to exert more influence over the investigation assuming his nominee could pass Senate confirmation. Republicans have generally warned Trump against firing Sessions, a former four-term senator from Alabama who still enjoys strong support from the party. Advertisement White House lawyer Ty Cobb has repeatedly assured Trump that the case could be winding down soon, lifting a cloud over the president. But the recent flurry of activity from prosecutors suggests that isnt so, said a Republican lawyer familiar with the case. Its pretty clear that this is not wrapping up, the lawyer said. The president shouldnt be relying on the hope that this will end soon. chris.megerian@latimes.com joseph.tanfani@latimes.com More people on bikes, going more places ... thats the idea. Its good for you, its good for the environment and its good for San Diego a beautiful city where the weather lets you choose two wheels all year long. Since 2015, the city of San Diego has made bike sharing an option for San Diegans to get around. Through Decobike (now Discoverbike), docking stations with bikes were set up across the city to support the Climate Action Plan (CAP). That plan calls for 6 percent of San Diegans to commute by bike by 2020 (currently 2 percent). In order to achieve that large an increase, we need follow through from the city and SANDAG (San Diego Association of Governments) to build the safe and connected bikeway networks called for in the Downtown Mobility Plan and Regional Bikeway projects. Unfortunately, progress has been slow and we are still waiting for many of these bikeways to become reality. Related: Bike sharing program needed better planning Related: How dockless bikes improve transit choices Advertisement Now, thanks to the leadership of Councilman David Alvarez and a determination by City Attorney Mara Elliot, the city can permit businesses to provide the newer technology of app enabled dockless bike sharing. What we have witnessed in terms of pure ridership demand is remarkable. In just over two weeks in San Diego (and for the past six months in the city of Imperial Beach), thousands of residents and tourists have taken to the easily accessible and affordable alternative to driving short distances by hopping on freestanding bikes. According to the California-based Limebike, that figure is more than 30,000 trips during the first two weeks in San Diego, numbers the city is hoping for to reach their CAP goals. More people are using bikes now than they were before dockless bike share was introduced and this is a good thing. The convenience of finding a bike, unlocking it with your smartphone and pedaling wherever you need to go has proven to be a popular new way to get around. It makes you feel better physically and emotionally and costs less than ride sharing or pay parking in most places. There is also no concern for having your bike stolen which is a serious problem in San Diego (in 2017, there were 1,666 reported stolen bikes in San Diego, according to SDPD). The overwhelmingly positive response to having available and affordable bikes across the city has also been met with the challenge of how we adapt to having so many bikes allowed at one time. There are bikes in lots of places (and lots of people riding those bikes) and we agree that some guidelines should be considered. Responsible dockless bike share operators have and will continue to be respectful of pedestrian access where bikes are parked and bikes should be placed only where the demand is. Thanks to the GPS tracking of these bikes, its easy to determine these locations. Not only that, but if we are able to obtain the ridership data that bike sharing technology gathers, the city can know where people are riding and can plan to improve bicycle infrastructure in those areas. An often-overlooked benefit to bike sharing is providing an equitable transportation option. Unfortunately, the current docked operations have only been serving certain parts of our city. Bikes, as well as transit, should serve all communities. Dockless bikes can immediately fill those gaps by allowing bikes to travel anywhere in the city (as well as to National City and Imperial Beach with Limebike). Yes, it seems like there are a lot of bikes around all of a sudden, but thats because the market has just opened and operators are rushing in. The market will eventually determine how many bikes can be supported and well end up with just the number of bikes needed. Also, bikes, like cars bring people to local businesses, without the need to find parking which is in short supply in places like Little Italy, Hillcrest and the beach communities. Like most things that are new, some people are worried about how it might affect them. They see a bike on the sidewalk and assume thats going to happen everywhere. In fact, the vast majority of the bikes are parked appropriately. A few bikes will be vandalized, and some irresponsible folks will misuse the bikes, but the early indication is that people will use them the way they are intended, for a trip of a few miles in the neighborhood, to get to and from transit or get lunch somewhere that always seemed just a little too far away. Advertisement Hanshaw is the executive director of the San Diego County Bicycle Coalition. Website: sdbikecoalition.org. I want to become an American. Those words were uttered when I was just 14 years old, living in Sweden. My parents had fled communist Yugoslavia to arrive in Sweden in search of a better life. While growing up in Sweden was great and comfortable, there was something missing. President Ronald Reagans message about American exceptionalism, Judeo-Christian values, opportunities offered by a free enterprise system and standing up to evil oppressive regimes like the Soviet Union resonated with me. So at a young age I decided I wanted to become an American. Related: Im a Democrat. Heres what I think about partisan politics in 2018. Advertisement Related: Im a political polarization researcher. Heres what I know in 2018. To me, being an American was always a state of mind, a set of values which anyone can embrace. Heck, I was an American before I truly became an American through the naturalization process many years later. And so it is with millions around the world for whom America serves as a beacon of hope and freedom. A shining city on a hill, one might say. During my naturalization ceremony back in 2003, there were citizens of nearly 100 countries represented. About an hour later, all emerged as proud American citizens. Color, race, etc. didnt matter. What mattered was that each embraced American ideas of country, family, charity, hard work, independence and faith in something greater than oneself. Serving as chairman for the Republican Party of San Diego County, I am often asked by media or others: Whats your plan for this group or that group? My answer is always the same; the Republican Party does not believe in different plans for different Americans and our policies should apply to all. They shouldnt favor or disfavor any particular set of Americans. Some fall into the trap of identity politics out of a genuine desire to help but end up doing more harm by setting up false choices; Do we help blacks or whites? Immigrants or the native-born, etc? It pits Americans against each other and suggests that prosperity is a zero-sum game when its not. A rising tide lifts all boats and policies should be made without regard to individual groups. Sadly, pitting Americans against each other can be very effective in rallying support politically and todays Democratic Party has weaponized this approach and is creating a victim mentality with group after group. It started with men versus women which is absurd to begin with and has now devolved into ever smaller groups of Americans each of them claiming oppression of some kind and demanding very tailored, specific remedies. Much of the blame lies with the Democratic Party, yes. But ultimately, while fundamentally unhealthy, some politicians choose to use identity politics because it can work very well. Its very effective politically and Democrats have perfected it. Instead, the solution lies in each of us making a commitment to think of ourselves as Americans first and foremost and reject identity politics. If we reject it it will stop working. If it stops working, politicians will have to appeal to the best in us and not the worst in us. Advertisement That of course does not mean that one shouldnt be proud of ones heritage. I am proud to trace our familys background to Croatia and Sweden, but we are Americans. Sure, we enjoy Swedish meatballs at IKEA and have taught our children Swedish, but we are Americans. Not Swedish-Americans but Americans. America is special. Unlike other countries, America is not a certain ethnicity, color or religion. Some were fortunate to be born here. Others immigrated, went through that powerful, transforming naturalization ceremony, and when they exited they were no less and no more an American than any other American. Thats unique. Thats special. And, no, that doesnt happen in any other country. Its up to us to start thinking of ourselves and those around us as, simply, Americans. Yes, it may require not receiving some special, carved-out benefit, but our country will be healthier for it. With much of the media and todays Democratic Party pushing identity politics because its effective for ratings and votes, the change will have to begin with us, ordinary citizens. Advertisement After all, its E Pluribus Unum and not the other way around. What say you, fellow American? Krvaric is a small business owner in San Diego and the volunteer chairman of the Republican Party of San Diego County. He lives in Scripps Ranch with his wife and children. At his 2018 State of the City address, San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer hinted at hard decisions ahead to help the citys growing homeless population. Months earlier, the city had opened a homeless camp for dozens of families to get off the streets and find a safer place to sleep in a public works yard long rejected by city leaders for that purpose. If we had continued to listen to the naysayers, if we had let perfect be the enemy of the good, if we had done things the way they have always been done before, where would those families be right now? Faulconer asked rhetorically in his January speech. That speech was unusual for both its central focus on homelessness and its bluntness. The mayor didnt equivocate when talking about how much he expected everyone in the city to cooperate on an entrenched problem that was so bad street dwellers were dying from a massive hepatitis A outbreak. This spring, were opening a new storage facility where homeless individuals can securely place their belongings so they can visit treatment clinics, attend school, interview for a job or go to work, he said then. Note his choice of words. We are. Not We want to or Wed like to or We could. We are. Advertisement So are we? Well find out Tuesday when the San Diego City Council takes up Faulconers Logan Heights proposal in its final test. Last week, the Housing Commission fell one vote short of recommending the project to the City Council. Then this week, Councilman David Alvarez sought to delay a council vote, saying residents have raised many questions and concerns that continue to go unaddressed. And then an aide for Council President Myrtle Cole told city officials she was no longer comfortable docketing the item. But the mayors office has actually held 12 meetings and briefings on this. And thankfully, Cole scheduled the vote. The proposal calls for a 1,000-bin storage center four-tenths of a mile from a 400-bin facility with a waiting list of 100-plus people. The new one would be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekdays and from 8 a.m. to noon on Saturdays. It would operate for one year with two yearlong extensions possible. Faulconer says the facility would spur more homeless people to find work or shelter because theyll be less worried about leaving their belongings on the street. It could also make cleaning city streets and sidewalks where unsanitary conditions helped hepatitis A fester far faster and easier. Its crucial. Here are some questions for the City Council. Did city workers lose your trust managing the homeless camp? Do you want homeless residents to keep storing belongings on our streets? Are the many safeguards an inside waiting area, bans on drugs and alcohol, quarterly community meetings and a complaint hot line insufficient? Do you lack faith that a new neighborhood policing division for homeless outreach which is already committed to keeping the area around the center peaceful will help? The answers are no. The council should vote yes. Twitter: @sdutIdeas Facebook: San Diego Union-Tribune Ideas & Opinion Advertisement Twitter: @sdutIdeas Facebook: San Diego Union-Tribune Ideas & Opinion Trying to figure out how the Trump administration will handle some major issues can be frustrating. Earlier this month, The San Diego Union-Tribune Editorial Board joined some congressional leaders to criticize the administrations refusal to spend any of the $120 million appropriated by Congress in 2016 to offer a forceful response to attempts by Russia, China and North Korea to influence U.S. politics. On Monday, after President Donald Trump fired Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, outlets like The Intercept linked it to Tillersons denunciation of Moscow over its likely role in the poisoning of a former Russan spy and his daughter on British soil. Then on Thursday, the White House offered the strongest evidence yet that there are limits on the presidents seeming Russophilia. Treasury Department and national security officials accused Russia of cyber espionage efforts targeting U.S. energy, nuclear, commercial, water, aviation and manufacturing sectors. The administration also confirmed that 19 Russian individuals and five Russian companies faced sanctions for attempting to interfere with the 2016 election and for other nefarious actions undermining the U.S., according to a report by The Associated Press. In a third salvo, Trump joined the leaders of Britain, France and Germany in signing a joint statement holding Russia responsible for the recent poisoning in Britain. These actions wont go nearly far enough for those who believe Moscow tipped the 2016 presidential election to Trump, and Republican hawks such as Sen. John McCain of Arizona are already labeling the step an overdue start. But on an issue this vitally important, even baby steps deserve applause. Heres hoping for more White House sober tough-mindedness on Russia from here on out. Twitter: @sdutIdeas Advertisement Facebook: San Diego Union-Tribune Ideas & Opinion Lightly edited comments from our online coverage. Re Trump in California: Protesters sidelined for border wall tour (March 9): Take a close look at the current laws in Kalifornia. Were already restricted as to where we can target practice, where and how we can transport firearms, where and how we can carry firearms. I can keep going if you wish. Yet, you want to whine about where you get to protest? Typical. owl9939 Joined April 24, 2016 Advertisement Had past demonstrators exhibited self-control and the ability to demonstrate peacefully, they likely would not have been so restricted to a confined area. But as we have seen, the liberal media has been so effective in their 7/24/365 hate against Donald Trump for essentially destroying any chance Hillary Clinton had of ever being elected to anything, the leftists are incapable of behaving like rational adults and instead resorted to savage, mob violence. erock51 Joined Sept. 12, 2016 Re President Trump says without border wall were not going to have a country (March 13): Came here to read the usual ridiculous comments from illegal alien-loving liberals. Was not disappointed. LegalAmerican Joined Nov. 12, 2017 It was so nice that he could visit the Marine Core. pinballwiz Advertisement Joined April 19, 2016 Welcome to San Diego President Trump. We are thrilled to have you. MAGA kanpai100 Joined Jan. 24, 2017 Advertisement Glad that his trip here was short. He is an embarrassment to our country and will hopefully be gone after the 2018 election. Gil Field Joined April 17, 2016 Space Force!! Advertisement karin.vanpersie Joined April 18, 2016 Re San Diego students join national school walkout (March 14): Indoctrination of our youth to give up rights. tenhomas Advertisement Joined April 21, 2016 I was reading that raising the age you can get a drivers license to 21 would save all kinds of teenage lives. Far, far more teenagers are killed driving than by all the psycho shooters rolled up in a ball. Its time to use some common sense drivers license regulation, starting with raising the driving age to 21 if not 25. Gordon Wagner Joined April 18, 2016 Advertisement Re Bus program sends homeless people out of San Diego to live with relatives in other cities (March 11): This is the best program to address homelessness. Get these people reunited with people who care about them instead of keeping them in San Diego and having taxpayers begrudgingly pay for their existence. A great investment considering the alternatives. Ben Giley Joined April 18, 2016 Another ridiculous decision by a democratic group. Other states will catch on and simply ship their homeless to San Diego and we will have a new group of homeless people defecating on the streets, trashing up our city, committing crimes, etc. Advertisement ThinkWhileItsStillLegal Joined Feb. 21, 2018 It is not heartless to send people to places where the cost of living is a lot lower. j.eldon Advertisement Joined June 21, 2016 Letters and commentary policy The U-T welcomes and encourages community dialogue on important public matters. Please visit this page for more details on our letters and commentaries policy. You can email letters@sduniontribune.com or leave a comment below. Follow @UTLetters on Twitter and UTOpinion on Facebook. 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. Egypt's National Elections Authority (NEA) said in a press conference on Friday afternoon that thousands of Egyptians have started voting in embassies and consulates in 118 countries around the world at 9am local time to choose the country's next president. President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi and Moussa Mostafa Moussa, the head of the Ghad Party, are the only two candidates on the ballot. The vote will start in the remaining countries 11 at 9am local time. In the Arab Gulf countries of Saudi Arabia, UAE, Kuwait and Qatar, where large numbers of Egyptians work and live, voters used tablets to cast their ballots, the NEA spokesperson Mahmoud El-Sharif told reporters. "According to Egyptian law, all Egyptians abroad, regardless of residence status and regardless of type of visa, have the right to vote in the elections," El-Sharif stressed. The NEA said Egyptian diplomats in Qatar have coordinated with Qatari officials to ensure a smooth voting operation for Egyptians who work in the Gulf country. "We are monitoring the elections in 16 countries via audio and video conference," El-Sharif added. "There was heavy voter turnout in countries such as Saudi Arabia, but this is still the first day in the polls, which will last till the 18th." Egyptians at home are set to vote 26-28 March. For expatriates, run-off voting, if necessary, is scheduled between 19 and 21 April, and in Egypt between 24 and 26 April. If no run-off is necessary the winner will be announced on 2 April. In the 2014 presidential election, 317,109 Egyptians abroad voted, with more than 90 percent casting ballots for El-Sisi against his sole contender, leftist politician Hamdeen Sabahi. CAPMAS announced in 2017 that 9.5 million Egyptians live outside the country. Around 6.2 million Egyptians live in Arab countries, while 1.6 million are located in North and South America. Some 1.2 million are in Europe and 340,000 reside in Australia. Short link: Deputy Foreign Minister Hamdi Loza has called on Egyptian expatriates to turn out and vote in the presidential elections. For Egyptians living abroad voting takes place between 16 and 18 March. Ballots can be cast at 139 polling stations in the embassies and consulates of 124 countries. Expatriates will need a national ID card or valid computerised passport to be eligible to vote. Polling stations will be open from 9am to 9pm on each of the three election days. Votes will be collated inside embassies and diplomatic missions and the results sent to the National Electoral Commission (NEC). The largest bloc of Egyptian expatriates live in Saudi Arabia, followed by Kuwait, the UAE and Qatar. Distance from polling stations especially in countries like Canada, the US and Saudi Arabia can be an obstacle to taking part in the poll. Postal votes were allowed in the post-25 January Revolution parliamentary elections and the 2012 presidential elections after which the practice was discontinued, a decision attributed to the desire to ensure Egyptians living inside and outside the country are treated equally. Inside Egypt votes must be cast in person. Polling stations abroad will be manned by members of the diplomatic and consular corps and administrative staff from Egypts missions worldwide. The Foreign Ministry has issued instructions on voting procedures to all missions abroad. Last week, in coordination with the NEC, training workshops were held for 140 members of the Foreign Ministry who will supervise polling stations. Foreign missions have been provided with electronic scanners so that the voters IDs and passports can be quickly scanned. As in previous parliamentary and presidential elections an operations room will be designated in the Foreign Ministrys Cairo headquarters to monitor the vote and follow up on any problems that arise. In January Minister of Immigration and Expatriate Affairs Nabila Makram Ebeid told a press conference that all Egyptian expats regardless of their legal status will be allowed to vote. They will need to bring their national ID card or a valid computerised passport to the relevant embassy or consulate in their host country on any of the voting days, she said. As in previous elections there are no arrangements for Egyptians living in Somalia, Libya and Syria to cast ballots owing to security conditions, and this year Yemen joins the list. In Egypt the vote will be held between 26 and 28 March. For expatriates any run-off is scheduled between 19 and 21 April, and in Egypt between 24 and 26 April. If no run-off is necessary the winner will be announced on 2 April. It was in April 2011, in the context of amendments to the law on political participation, that the government first announced Egyptians living overseas should be allowed to vote in parliamentary and presidential elections and referenda. In October 2011 an administrative court ruled expatriates should also have the right to vote in parliamentary polls. A month later the then-ruling Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF) passed a law regulating expatriate voting in parliamentary and presidential elections and in referenda, allowing ballots to be cast in embassies and consulates abroad. Subsequently, the requirement to pre-register seen as an obstacle to many overseas voters taking part in the poll was cancelled, and passports were allowed alongside IDs as valid identification. In 2017 the government estimated the number of Egyptians abroad at 9.4 million. There is no voter database for Egyptian expats though some say the figure could reach 10 million if illegal migrants are included. In the 2014 presidential election 317,109 Egyptians abroad voted, with more than 90 per cent casting ballots for Abdel-Fattah Al-Sisi. In the 2012 presidential elections 314,000 expats took part, and 287,000 in the last parliamentary poll. *This story was first published in Al-Ahram Weekly Short link: Sheelahs Day is a documented tradition, but whether she existed is another story. Weekly Newsletter The best of The Saturday Evening Post in your inbox! Join The day after Saint Patricks Day is sure to be filled with headaches and nausea for those Irish or not who choose to celebrate. But it doesnt have to be! The party can continue on through March 18th if youre inclined to observe Sheelahs Day, the other Saint Patricks Day. The obscure holiday honors Sheelah, Saint Patricks wife. Thats right, the fifth-century bishop had a missus. Maybe. Shane Lehane, of the Department of Folklore and Ethnology at University College Cork in Ireland, has researched the matter thoroughly, and he uncovered documents from the 18th and 19th centuries that depict a widespread belief in Saint Patricks significant other as well as a day to honor her. Subscribe and get unlimited access to our online magazine archive. Subscribe Today One such account is John Carrs 1806 book, A Stranger in Ireland: From a spirit of gallantry, these merry devotees continue drunk the greater part of the next day, viz., the 18th of March, all in honour of Sheelagh, St. Patricks wife. References to Sheelahs Day can also be found in issues of the Freemans Journal from 1785, 1811, and 1841. What I think is very interesting is that people in Ireland in the past had no problem whatsoever accepting that Patrick had a wife, Lehane said. Sheelah and Patrick, at one time, came to represent the ubiquitous Irish couple. Paddy and Sheelah became a byword for all Irish people. Sheelah has largely been forgotten altogether except in Newfoundland, Canada and Australia. Irish people headed over to Newfoundland from the late 1600s. And they brought over with them this tradition of Sheelah and Sheelahs Day. There is a sense that the women were more involved in the celebrations on the 18th. Newfoundlanders, and other Atlantic Canadians, even have a term for a snowfall after Saint Patricks Day: Sheelahs Brush. Sheelah was never mentioned in Saint Patricks Confessio, however. Her legacy may instead stem from Sheela-na-gig, a common female image found in Irelands medieval churches and castles. Sheela-na-gigs remain a source of mystery. The crude carvings feature women presenting oversized genitalia. Academics have speculated that they could have originated in the Stone Age as a goddess of fertility, possibly integrated into Catholic iconography to ease the conversion for pagans. On the other hand, the Sheela-na-gig could represent an evil temptress from a puritanical time. The precise origin of Sheelahs Day is likely lost to history. All we know is that people have celebrated it in Ireland and elsewhere. Given the recent focus on gender inequality, it seems a fitting time to revive the celebration. After all, the inaccuracies of Irish history have never dulled the festivities of St. Patricks Day. In the news for the week ending March 16, 2018, are Amelia Earharts bones (maybe), Mickey Spillanes novels, Alexas laugh, St. Paddys Day recipes, and more! Weekly Newsletter The best of The Saturday Evening Post in your inbox! Join Mystery Solved! (Again. Probably. Maybe.) I did some extensive investigation I used the search box at the top of the site and I noticed that I do stories on Amelia Earharts disappearance almost every year. Someone finds some clue, some item, a mysterious photograph, and then they proclaim that they know what really happened to the aviator and her navigator Fred Noonan. Of course, when those new findings come out, there are just as many people who dont believe the conclusions and can prove those findings are inaccurate. The latest investigation involves human bones that were found on the island of Nikumaroro in 1940, three years after Earhart and Noonan vanished during their flight. University of Tennessee anthropology professor Richard Jantz says hes 99 percent sure that the bones are Earharts. Its worth noting that the professor didnt examine the actual bones. Those were lost decades ago. His findings are instead based on the measurements of the bones recorded when they were found in 1940. Back then they were said not to be Earharts because others who examined them believed the bones came from a man. But the professor examined pictures of Earhart, and those photos, combined with the dimensions of the bones, convince him they belong to Earhart. Subscribe and get unlimited access to our online magazine archive. Subscribe Today Please come back here next year around this time to hear the latest new findings on Earhart. Actually, you should be coming back here every week, so forget I said that. The Laughing Alexas Picture the scene: Youre at home alone, maybe eating dinner (its a Lean Cuisine night), the TV is off, and youre just reading the paper as you eat. Everything is calm and quiet, when all of a sudden, your Amazon Echo starts laughing. You didnt ask Alexa to laugh, you didnt tell her a joke, and you didnt say Alexa, what is the opposite of crying? She just randomly LOLd. Wouldnt that make you just a bit uncomfortable? Thats whats happening in some homes. Amazon says theyve figured out why its happening, but their explanation the device thinks youre telling it Alexa, laugh, even if youve said no such thing doesnt really make any sense. Theyve created a solution, which is to make Alexa reply only if you ask Alexa, can you laugh? and the laugh she responds with will be preceded by Yes, I can laugh. Of course, this solution doesnt make much sense to me either, since it was laughing without anything at all being said to her. Maybe Alexa will simply decide to do what she wants. If she doesnt like you for some reason, shell instantly order 25 cases of Funyuns for you and ship it overnight. Its not something Im going to worry about though, since I dont plan on buying an Echo. I dont need more women laughing at me. By the way, feel free to use the Laughing Alexas as the name for your band. 50 Years Ago 1968 was a tumultuous year for many reasons, including the presidential election. In this report from CBS Sunday Morning, John Dickerson looks back at the New Hampshire primary, where Democratic Senator Eugene McCarthy of Minnesota took on another Democrat, President Lyndon Johnson: 100 Years of Mickey Spillane Mickey Spillane was always a controversial writer. Critics will say his novels include an overabundance of sex and violence, but well, actually they do. But he was master of what he did: tough, two-fisted pulp novels that are a kick to read. He always said that he wrote for readers, not critics. What I want to read is the royalty check, he once said. I write when I need the money. This week marked Spillanes 100th birthday, and Hard Case Crime has published the last novel that Spillane ever wrote, appropriately titled The Last Stand. And heres Post Archive Director Jeff Nilsson on Spillanes career and legacy. Even fans of detective, noir, and action novels are divided when it comes to Spillane. Is it because hes not literary enough? Is it because he once wrote a novel in two weeks because he needed the money to buy something? Is it because he has sold over 200 million books? Bill Norris has a good piece at The Daily Beast on why we should reconsider the work of Spillane. Im more of a Raymond Chandler fan, but I appreciate what Spillane did, and I love his Im a writer, not an author attitude. Lake Chargoggagoggmanchauggagoggchaubunagungamaugg I know that looks like I fell asleep on my computer keyboard, but its actually the name of a lake in Webster, Massachusetts. Its also known as Webster Lake, but thats not as fun to say as Lake Chargoggagoggmanchauggagoggchaubunagungamaugg. Heres a report from WBZ in Boston on the lake and the history of the town, which is named after Daniel Webster and is the birthplace of Clara Barton, founder of the American Red Cross: The best part of doing this story is that it forces my editor to have to check the spelling of Chargoggagoggmanchauggagoggchaubunagungamaugg several times. RIP Stephen Hawking and Hubert de Givenchy Stephen Hawking was an acclaimed physicist known for his work on black holes, relativity, and quantum mechanics. He was also the author of many books, including A Brief History of Time and The Grand Design, as well as the subject of the 2014 Oscar-winning movie The Theory of Everything. Hawking died Wednesday at the age of 76. Since the early 1950s, Hubert de Givenchy designed clothing for some of the most famous women in the world, including Audrey Hepburn, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, Grace Kelly, and the Duchess of Windsor. He died Saturday at the age of 91. Quote of the Week Your sons debt to thank each individual guest is independent of how many stamps you will need to purchase or how much time it will take him to pen the notes. Miss Manners, to a mother wondering if her son, who has messy handwriting, can type his thank-you notes instead This Week in History Frankenstein Published (March 11, 1818) You can read Mary Shelleys classic horror novel for free at Project Gutenberg, and heres an interview with the most famous film portrayer of Dr. Frankensteins monster, Boris Karloff, from the November 3, 1962, issue of the Post. Albert Einstein Born (March 14, 1879) Its fitting, in a way, that Stephen Hawking died on Einsteins birthday. Heres a 1929 Post interview with Einstein, in which he talks about why he thinks nationalism is the measles of mankind, what he would have done if he hadnt gone into physics, and why imagination is more important than knowledge. This Week in Saturday Evening Post History: Commuter Card Game (March 15, 1947) Commuter Card Game Constantin Alajalov March 15, 1947 I used to commute to work on a train every single day. It was somewhat tedious an hour trip into the city and then an hour back but in some ways I enjoyed it. I got to read, maybe sleep a little, and talk to the other commuters I saw every day. A card game never broke out, though, as in this Constantin Alajalov cover. The conductor looks enthralled, too. I hope they dont miss their stops. Saint Patricks Day Recipes Tomorrow is the day everyone celebrates the patron saint of Ireland, and those celebrations will undoubtedly involve food (and, well, liquid refreshment). Heres a recipe for a traditional Irish Beef Stew, and heres one for Irish Guinness Oatmeal Cake. And if youve never eaten Spotted Dog, heres a recipe for that. If youre in doubt on what a St. Patricks Day food is, just color it green. That makes all food a St. Patricks Day food. Next Weeks Holidays and Events Spring begins (March 20) I had to shovel the sidewalk seven times three days ago, but spring supposedly begins on Tuesday. National Agriculture Day (March 20) All the cool kids call it Ag Day. A team of researchers from the University of Washington and Princeton University has found that the genomes of two groups of modern humans with Denisovan ancestry individuals from Oceania and from East Asia are uniquely different, indicating that there were two separate episodes of Denisovan admixture. What was known already was that Oceanian individuals, notably Papuan individuals, have significant amounts of Denisovan ancestry, explained study senior author Professor Sharon Browning, from the University of Washington School of Public Health. The genomes of modern Papuan individuals contain approximately 5% Denisovan ancestry. We also knew Denisovan ancestry is present to a lesser degree throughout Asia. The assumption was that the ancestry in Asia was achieved through migration, coming from Oceanian populations. But in this new work with East Asians, we find a second set of Denisovan ancestry that we do not find in the South Asians and Papuans. This Denisovan ancestry in East Asians seems to be something they acquired themselves. After studying 5,639 whole-genome sequences from individuals from Europe, Asia, America, and Oceania and comparing them to the Denisovan genome, Professor Browning and co-authors determined that the Denisovan genome is more closely related to the modern East Asian population than to modern Papuans. We analyzed all of the genomes searching for sections of DNA that looked like they came from Denisovans, Professor Browning said. When we compared pieces of DNA from the Papuans against the Denisovan genome, many sequences were similar enough to declare a match, but some of the DNA sequences in the East Asians, notably Han Chinese, Chinese Dai, and Japanese, were a much closer match with the Denisovan. The assumption is that admixing with Denisovans occurred fairly quickly after humans moved out of Africa, around 50,000 years ago, but we do not know where in terms of location, she said. Perhaps the ancestors of Oceanians admixed with a southern group of Denisovans while the ancestors of East Asians admixed with a northern group. Going forward, the team plans on studying more Asian populations and others throughout the world, including Native Americans and Africans. We want to look throughout the world to see if we can find evidence of interbreeding with other archaic humans, Professor Browning said. There are signs that intermixing with archaic humans was occurring in Africa, but given the warmer climate no one has yet found African archaic human fossils with sufficient DNA for sequencing. The study was published online this week in the journal Cell. _____ Sharon R. Browning et al. Analysis of Human Sequence Data Reveals Two Pulses of Archaic Denisovan Admixture. Cell, published online March 15, 2018; doi: 10.1016/j.cell.2018.02.031 According to a 44-year longitudinal population study, published online in the journal Neurology, women with high cardiovascular fitness in midlife were 88% less likely to develop dementia decades later, compared to women who were moderately fit; when the highly fit women did develop dementia, they developed the disease an average of 11 years later than women who were moderately fit, or at age 90 instead of age 79. Our findings are exciting because its possible that improving peoples cardiovascular fitness in middle age could delay or even prevent them from developing dementia, said lead author Dr. Helena Horder, from the University of Gothenburg in Sweden. For the study, a population-based sample of 1,462 Swedish women (aged 38 to 60) was examined in 1968. Of these, a systematic subsample comprising 191 women took a bicycle exercise test until they were exhausted to measure their peak cardiovascular capacity. The average peak workload was measured at 103 watts. A total of 40 women met the criteria for a high fitness level, or 120 watts or higher. A total of 92 women were in the medium fitness category; and 59 women were in the low fitness category, defined as a peak workload of 80 watts or less, or having their exercise tests stopped because of high blood pressure, chest pain or other cardiovascular problems. Over the next 44 years, the women were tested for dementia six times (in 1974, 1980, 1992, 2000, 2005, and 2009). During that time, 44 of the women developed dementia. Nearly 5% of the highly fit women developed dementia, compared to 25% of moderately fit women and 32% of the women with low fitness. The highly fit women were 88% less likely to develop dementia than the moderately fit women. Among the women who had to stop the exercise test due to problems, 45% developed dementia decades later. This indicates that negative cardiovascular processes may be happening in midlife that could increase the risk of dementia much later in life, Dr. Horder said. However, this study does not show cause and effect between cardiovascular fitness and dementia, it only shows an association. Limitations of the study include the relatively small number of women involved, all of whom were from Sweden, so the results may not be applicable to other populations. Also, the womens fitness level was measured only once, so any changes in fitness over time were not captured, she added. More research is needed to see if improved fitness could have a positive effect on the risk of dementia and also to look at when during a lifetime a high fitness level is most important. _____ Helena Horder et al. Midlife cardiovascular fitness and dementia. A 44-year longitudinal population study in women. Neurology, published online March 14, 2018; doi: 10.1212/WNL.0000000000005290 Osama Heikal, the head of parliaments Media, Culture and Antiquities Committee, says the first reading of a government drafted law regulating the media is now complete. On Sunday Heikal told reporters the committee will begin a second reading of the law next week, a process that should be completed by the end of the month allowing a press conference to be held early in April to unveil details of the legislation. Heikal said 35 meetings have been held till now to discuss the law. Discussions have led to changes being proposed to 101 of the laws 127 articles. The articles have been modified in coordination with the Higher Council for Media Regulation [HCMR], the National Press Organisation, the National Media Organisation, the Press and Media Workers Syndicates, the Chamber of Media Industries and the National Council for Telecommunication Regulation. Heikal revealed the committees closed-door meeting on Sunday led to a toughening of the penalties proposed for illegal and unlicensed broadcasting by satellite channels and raised the possibility of a separate law 25 articles drafted by MP Atef Nasser being enacted to regulate online media activities. Nasser, the parliamentary spokesman of the Future of a Nation Party, said his draft covers the online media activities of publishing houses, news agencies, press organisations, advertising and commercial businesses and satellite audio-visual channels and stipulates that the online activities of each of the above should be run by an executive manager. The law sets the criteria to be met for someone to be licensed as an online manager, and requires all online media activity to be licensed initially for 10 years, a term that can, under certain conditions, be renewed and stipulates which authorities will be in charge of licensing such activity, says Nasser. It also imposes penalties on unlicensed online activities and content violations such as disseminating fake news, false statements and misinformation. Nasser told parliamentary reporters that the goal of his proposed legislation is to impose discipline on online media activities. New kinds of media activity have proliferated in recent years and many of them spread fake news, he said. Heikal, a former information minister, said Nassers proposals were discussed in coordination with parliaments legislative and constitutional affairs and the telecommunication and information technology committees. Though Nassers draft includes some significant articles Heikal said the committee decided for the time being to focus discussions on the new government-drafted media and press regulation law which includes a chapter on online activities. Independent MP Osama Sharshar told parliamentary correspondents it was unjustifiable that discussions of the new media and press regulation law are being held behind closed doors. This is an important and potentially controversial law tackling the media in general, not just the press. There should be a national dialogue around it, and open hearing sessions, said Sharshar. The 127-article law regulates the ownership of media institutions, the operation of state-owned press organisations, penalties for publication offences, the licensing of foreign news agencies and the activities of satellite television channels. These are issues to be decided by consensus not in secret, said Sharshar. The Internet represents the future of the media, in Egypt and the rest of the world. Regulating online media activity should be the subject of careful discussion in which online operators and representatives of media organisations take part. MP Tamer Abdel-Kader, a member of the Media Committee, says the new media and press regulation law will make the HCMR responsible for licensing online operations. He stresses the new legislation is a departure from the institutional regulation of the press and media law passed in 2016. Though initially conceived as a single piece of legislation the laws were separated in order to conform to the 2014 constitution which stipulates that an independent law be issued creating three regulatory bodies to cover the media and press. The new media and press regulation law focuses on the internal conditions of state-owned press organisations like retirement age and promotion conditions, the licensing of foreign news agencies and satellite television channels. *This story was first published in Al-Ahram Weekly Short link: An international team of anthropologists has discovered that early humans in East Africa had by about 320,000 years ago begun trading with distant groups, using color pigments and manufacturing more sophisticated tools than those of the Early Stone Age. The newly-discovered activities, described in three papers in the journal Science, date to the oldest known fossil record of Homo sapiens and occur tens of thousands of years earlier than previous evidence has shown in eastern Africa. These behaviors, which are characteristic of humans who lived during the Middle Stone Age, replaced technologies and ways of life that had been in place for hundreds of thousands of years. Evidence for these milestones in humans evolutionary past comes from the Olorgesailie Basin in southern Kenya, which holds an archeological record of early human life spanning more than a million years. The new discoveries indicate that these behaviors emerged during a period of tremendous environmental variability in the region. As earthquakes remodeled the landscape and climate fluctuated between wet and dry conditions, technological innovation, social exchange networks and early symbolic communication would have helped early humans survive and obtain the resources they needed despite unpredictable conditions. These behavioral innovations may very well represent a response to rapid changes in the environment. Such a response would have helped human populations endure climatic and environmental shifts that likely contributed to the demise of many other species in the region, said Natural History Museum of Utah researcher Dr. Tyler Faith, co-author of one of the three studies. To better understand how climactic instability might have influenced the ecosystems in which the early humans at Olorgesailie lived, the scientists integrated data from a variety of sources to assess and reconstruct the ancient environment. They analyzed large mammal fossils from the archaeological sites. The bones told a story of massive turnover in the region most species previously common in the Olorgesailie Basin had disappeared, and were replaced by others previously unknown in the basin. Some of the new ones are familiar species found in eastern Africa today, though others including a massive zebra are now extinct. The team also saw evidence of dramatic range shifts, with some animals such as the springbok, an antelope known today only from southern Africa appearing in the basin. The faunal evidence, together with additional geological and paleoenvironmental indicators from Olorgesailie, show that the new adaptive behaviors that define earliest Homo sapiens were associated with large-scale changes in climates, faunas, and landscapes. The first evidence of human life in the Olorgesailie Basin comes from about 1.2 million years ago. For hundreds of the thousands of years, people living there made and used large stone-cutting tools called handaxes. Beginning in 2002, the researchers discovered a variety of smaller, more carefully shaped tools in the basin. Isotopic dating revealed that the tools were between 320,000 and 305,000 years ago. These tools were carefully crafted and more specialized than the large, all-purpose handaxes. While the handaxes of the earlier era were manufactured using local stones, the team found small stone points made of non-local obsidian at their Middle Stone Age sites. The authors also found larger, unshaped pieces of the sharp-edged volcanic stone at Olorgesailie, which has no obsidian source of its own. The diverse chemical composition of the artifacts matches that of a wide range of obsidian sources in multiple directions 15 to 55 miles (24-88.5 km) away, suggesting exchange networks were in place to move the valuable stone across the ancient landscape. The team also discovered black and red rocks manganese and ocher at the sites, along with evidence that the rocks had been processed for use as coloring material. We dont know what the coloring was used on, but coloring is often taken by archeologists as the root of complex symbolic communication. Just as color is used today in clothing or flags to express identity, these pigments may have helped people communicate membership in alliances and maintain ties with distant groups, said co-author Dr. Rick Potts, director of the National Museum of Natural Historys Human Origins Program. _____ Richard Potts et al. Environmental dynamics during the onset of the Middle Stone Age in eastern Africa. Science, published online March 15, 2018; doi: 10.1126/science.aao2200 Alison S. Brooks et al. Long-distance stone transport and pigment use in the earliest Middle Stone Age. Science, published online March 15, 2018; doi: 10.1126/science.aao2646 Alan L. Deino et al. Chronology of the Acheulean to Middle Stone Age transition in eastern Africa. Science, published online March 15, 2018; doi: 10.1126/science.aao2216 Related Egyptian expats vote worldwide in 2018 presidential elections The Egyptian Embassy in Berlin issued a statement on Thursday expressing its complete rejection of recent comments by German Human Rights Commissioner concerning the upcoming presidential elections in Egypt and human rights situation in the country. "The Egyptian Embassy stresses its rejection of any unacceptable interference in Egypt's internal affairs, which is based on a non-objective assessment to realities in the country," the statement said. "The Egyptian Embassy regrets that the German commissioner has adopted such a stance, especially when Egypt is continuing its steady path towards democracy and enforcing the modern values of human rights, as demonstrated by the country's fourth election since the 30 June revolution," the statement added. Egypt has stressed the integrity of its upcoming presidential elections, scheduled to be held nationwide from 26-28 March. The elections will be entirely supervised by the judiciary and monitored by many state and foreign media outlets, as well as by international organizations. Voting for Egyptian expatriates started abroad on Friday morning and is set to end on 18 March. Egyptians living in Germany started casting their votes at the Egyptian embassy in Berlin. Short link: National Egyptian airline EgyptAir is set to resume flights to the Russian capital Moscow starting 12 April, the company's chairman and CEO Safwat Musallam announced on Friday. Flights will operate three times a week on Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday. The announcement comes after Russias biggest airline Aeroflot said earlier this month that it would resume commercial flights to Cairo on 11 April, more than two-and-a-half years after Russian flights were suspended following the crash of a Russian airliner in Sinai, which killed all 224 people on board. The flight suspension took a toll on Egypts tourism industry a key source of hard currency as Russian tourists have traditionally contributed strongly to tourism in Egypt. The suspension reduced holiday options for Russian tourists, who were drawn to Egypts all-inclusive accommodation, Russian-speaking staff and relatively affordable prices. Since the crash, Egypt has been implementing tighter security measures in its airports to meet Russian concerns, with the aim of restoring Russian tourism. Another round of negotiations between Moscow and Cairo are set to take place in April to discuss resuming Russian flights to Egypts tourist destinations along the Red Sea. Short link: The British Embassy in Cairo expressed sadness and shock over the death of Mariam Moustafa, an 18-year-old Egyptian Central College student in the city of Nottingham, who died on Wednesday from injuries suffered after she was attacked by a group of girls outside a shopping mall in London on 20 February. "Nottinghamshire police are committed to bringing those responsible to justice through a meticulous enquiry," a UK embassy spokeswoman said in a statement, adding that extensive investigations have already been completed and that UK authorities are in communication with the Egyptian Embassy in London. Our thoughts are with her family and friends. We share the desire to know the full facts as soon as possible, the statement said, though the spokeswoman added that authorities cannot publicly comment on an ongoing investigation or the details of the case, because this could prejudice court proceedings and make it more difficult to secure justice for Maryam. The statement added that authorities cannot comment on Maryams medical history and treatment because of the UK's privacy laws. "What we must and will do is make sure this disgusting crime does not go unpunished," the spokeswoman added. On Thursday, Ambassador Khaled Rizk, the Deputy Foreign Minister for Consular Affairs and Egyptians Abroad, said that the ministry is following up on investigations into Maryams death and is waiting for medical reports on her condition upon entering the hospital and the forensic report on the cause of death to seek legal action in case of negligence. According to her father, Maryam was assaulted and severely beaten by a group of girls on the street last month. Her father said she was released from hospital after five hours without receiving proper treatment, leading to deterioration in her health and forcing her to be readmitted to the hospital in worse condition. Nasser Kamel, the Egyptian Ambassador in London, said that the initial treatment at the British hospital of Maryam "raises questions" and legal procedures are to be sought in case of medical negligence. According to the Nottingham Post, a 17-year-old female suspect was arrested by police on suspicion of "assault occasioning grievous bodily harm," but was later released on conditional bail. The Nottingham Post said that a post-mortem examination is set to take place. On Wednesday evening, Egypt's Foreign Ministry said that the Egyptian consulate in London is following up on legal measures to punish the perpetrators and hold accountable those who showed negligence in treating the teenager. The ministry said it has been in touch with the girl's family and is taking the necessary procedures to return her body home. Short link: Orlando was bumped down a notch to second place. Las Vegas, Maui and New York City rounded out the Top 5. Internationally, Caribbean cruises and Cancun, Mexico, respectively, maintained the top two spots, while European river cruises edged up one place to third. Mediterranean cruises and Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, were fourth and fifth, respectively. Top 'up and coming' destinations include Iceland, New Zealand, Thailand, Vietnam and Croatia. Additionally, of the respondents who book travel to the Caribbean, 45.6% said their 2018 bookings to the Caribbean are about even with last year, while 13.3% said their bookings to the Caribbean are higher. When it comes to Caribbean cruises, 71.7% said these bookings are either higher than or equal to last years bookings. 'It is important to note that interest in the Caribbean, whether it is a cruise or land-based travel, remains high,' said Travel Leaders Group CEO Ninan Chacko. 'Cruising overall, whether its to the Caribbean, a European river cruise or a cruise in the Mediterranean, is a popular vacation pick for Americans due to the multiple destinations one can visit, along with the tremendous value and convenience cruises offer.' Alaska cruises have been among the top 10 domestic trips booked by Travel Leaders Group travel advisers over the last several years, but this is the first year they have reached the No. 1 spot in the annual Travel Trends Survey. According to Cruise Lines International Association, 1,089,700 passengers cruised in Alaska last year, and that number is projected to grow another 7% to 1,165,500 passengers in 2018. Chacko said Travel Leaders Groups travel advisers frequently recommend Alaska as a not-to-be-missed travel experience, especially for those interested in scenery, wildlife and expedition travel. Chacko added that optimism among Travel Leaders Group agents with respect to their travel business is at 'the highest level weve seen this decade.' Based on actual bookings and consumer inquiries, Travel Leaders Group agents weighed in on how optimistic they are for their business in 2018. Some 87.1% were optimistic, up from 81.1% in 2017. Ten percent were neither optimistic nor pessimistic, and just 2.7% were pessimistic. Based on actual booking data, Travel Leaders Groups survey was conducted over two months from Dec. 20 to Feb. 19, with responses from 1,355 North American-based travel agency owners, managers and frontline travel agents from the flagship Travel Leaders brand and Travel Leaders Groups All Aboard Travel, Cruise Specialists, Nexion, Protravel International, Travel Leaders Corporate and Tzell Travel Group units. The agreement, signed with the Association of Soybean and Corn Producers of Mato Grosso (Aprosoja), will allow the two groups to conduct joint marketing activities and exchange market studies and information on trade flows to support modernisation and improvement programmes. The increased capacity afforded to us by the expanded Canal has had far-reaching positive impact across segments, and allows us to access new markets, which could include freight from ports such as those in northern Brazil, said Panama Canal Authority (ACP) Administrator Jorge Quijano in Brazil. The Panama Canal is proud to partner with this organisation and unleash an exciting opportunity for Brazilian exporters. Soy and corn grain transits originating in northern Brazil and traveling to markets in Asia, typically transit on panamax vessels given the similarity between the draughts in the Amazon River ports and the Panama Canal panamax-locks. The association (Aprosoja), created in February 2005, is a non-profit organisation comprised of producers linked to the soybean and corn crops in Mato Grosso, Brazil, who work to create initiatives to drive sustainable growth in the sector. The agreement was signed by the president of Aprosoja, Antonio Galvan, and ACP Administrator Quijano. The MoUs signing comes at a time when exporters of grains from Brazil are enjoying considerable increases in shipment volumes from the year before. Dry bulk, including grains, accounted for roughly 24% of the waterways total transits during its 2017 fiscal year. Since beginning its 2018 fiscal year on 1 October 2017, 21.6% of panamax and 7.9% of post-panamax transits were of dry bulk. This agreement with the Mato Grosso Association of Soybean and Corn Producers further strengthens the common goal of promoting regional trade growth, added Quijano. It will allow us to maintain our commitment to serving our dedicated customers in an informed, strategic and practiced way, and better position the Canal in its role as the logistics hub of the Americas. The Panama Canal has signed MoUs with 36 commercial associations, ports and maritime organisations, the majority of which are in the United States. This agreement with a Brazilian organisation is the first MoU between the Panama Canal and a Latin American country. ABL, one of the leading providers of integrated logistics and transportation solutions for the mining and commodities industry, is initially investing in Cargo Transfer Ships and barges to increase its service offering in the Indonesian coal sector, it said in a press release. We see many opportunities in the bulk shipping sector, our roots are in Indonesian coal mining, so it is natural for us to operate and manage our own Cargo Transfer Ships and expand our fleet of barges to better serve our customers in the local mining sector, said ABL president director Ika Bethari. ABL deputy ceo Captain Pappu Sastry said: The companys goals are to develop ship owning, logistics and shipping concepts. We will also provide logistics support by utilising our owned and chartered fleet of vessels within Indonesia. Indonesia recently reiterated a ruling essentially declaring a cabotage rule on coal, among other key commodities. The company is laying the foundations to become a top-quality shipping and logistics player and has received a national long-term rating of BBB (idn) from Fitch one of the largest credit rating agencies worldwide. ABL counts top commodities firms such as Trafigura among its clients. According to its website, ABL has an owned fleet of four Cargo Transter Ships, mostly working in Kalimantan, where the shallow rivers require coal to be transferred to ships lying further offshore. They are dual RINA and Indonesian BKI (Biro Klasifikasi Indonesia)-classed. ABL is also a member of the Indonesian National Shipowners Association (INSA) This is the third in a three-part video series on rural innovation in Michigan. How are rural foundations across the state approaching economic development? Were sharing success stories right here in Michigan, with a look at how can the philanthropic sector break down barriers that make it challenging for employees to be successful in the workforce. Find out what Pennies from Heaven Foundation did to help. Syria's ambassador to the United Nations told the Security Council on Friday that a day earlier, 40,000 people had been able to leave the besieged Damascus suburb of Eastern Ghouta. Previous estimates of the number of people who were able to flee as a Russian-backed Syrian regime assault on the sprawling semi-rural area continued had ranged between 12,000 and 20,000. Ambassador Bashar al-Jaafari, speaking after UN peace envoy Staffan de Mistura said the conflict is escalating despite a ceasefire call, said Syrian and Russian forces had opened "corridors" for civilians. "They arrived in centers set up by the Syria government and the Syrian Red Crescent -- temporary shelters equipped with all necessary means to take care of them," the envoy told the council hearing. Separately, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres raised alarm over the exodus from Ghouta, which is under a month-old bombardment by Syrian and Russian forces, and from Afrin, under Turkish assault. "I profoundly regret that resolution 2401, concerning the cessation of hostilities throughout Syria, has not been implemented," he said, referring to the February 24 UN vote to demand a ceasefire. "I urge all parties to the conflict to fully respect international humanitarian and human rights law and guarantee the protection of civilians," he continued, in a statement from his office. "Any evacuation of civilians must be safe, voluntary, and in strict accordance with protection standards under international humanitarian and human rights law," Guterres said. De Mistura, who briefed the council before it headed into a closed-door session to debate the crisis, also painted a bleak picture of a failed ceasefire and escalating humanitarian tragedy. But, speaking by videolink from Brussels where he has just undergone eye surgery, he did point to one corner of the conflict where Russia has at least demonstrated it can organize a local truce. In Douma, the northernmost of the opposition-controlled enclaves in Eastern Ghouta, Russian officials negotiated a ceasefire with the Jaish al-Islam rebel force that has held for six days, he said. "We hope it will continue, notwithstanding engagements between government forces and Jaish al-Islam in other areas, outside of Douma," he said, however warning that even in Douma, the truce is "fragile." "It need not be this way. Negotiations in Douma do show that there is a way to create the conditions that can advance the implementation of your resolution 2401," he told the council. De Mistura said Douma represented "one bit of good news" among the bad and that the UN has not been able to mediate contacts between Russia and another rebel force active in Ghouta, Ahrar al-Sham. Short link: Chancellor Angela Merkel's hardline new interior minister declared that Islam is "not part of Germany" in an interview published Friday, setting off a political storm two days into her fourth term. Asked by the top-selling Bild daily whether the influx of Muslim migrants and asylum seekers to Europe's top economy over the past several decades meant that Islam now belonged to the fabric of the nation, Horst Seehofer replied "no". "Islam is not part of Germany. Christianity has shaped Germany including Sunday as a day of rest, church holidays, and rituals such as Easter, Pentecost and Christmas," he said. "The Muslims who live among us are naturally part of Germany. But that of course does not mean that we, out of a false sense of deference, should sacrifice our traditions and customs." Merkel quickly contradicted her minister, saying that despite Germany's Judeo-Christian roots, more than four million Muslims now made their homes in the country. "These Muslims are part of Germany and with them, their religion, Islam, is just as much a part of Germany," she told reporters after talks with Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Lofven. Despite Merkel's intervention, Seehofer's comments are likely to prove divisive in the fledgling right-left "grand coalition", which only came together when the reluctant Social Democrats (SPD) got on board after months of political paralysis. Most of Germany's Muslims are descendants of Turkish so-called "guest workers" invited to Germany in the 1960s and 1970s. The community grew again when Merkel in 2015 opened the border to more than one million asylum seekers from war-torn Muslim-majority countries such as Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan. The outspoken Seehofer, leader of the Christian Social Union (CSU), the Bavarian sister party of Merkel's Christian Democrats, is new to the cabinet, which was sworn in on Wednesday. His expanded interior super-ministry also covers "Heimat" or homeland affairs, intended to recapture claims to patriotism and national identity from the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, which won nearly 13 percent of the vote in September's general election. The premier of Lower Saxony, Stephan Weil of the SPD, accused Seehofer of sparking "a completely superfluous controversy" just as Merkel begins her new term. The issue, however, has divided Germany for more than a decade. Powerful conservative Wolfgang Schaeuble said in 2006 that Islam was part of Germany and Europe while he was serving as interior minister in Merkel's first cabinet. The comment provoked little reaction at the time but when Christian Wulff, then president of the country, revived the phrase in 2010, it touched off a heated national debate about what it means to be German. Merkel has come down firmly on the side of inclusion, repeatedly stating that Islam and Muslims belonged in Germany, and vocally defending the stance at the height of the refugee influx. In her comments to reporters Friday, Merkel said she supported the practice of Islam in Germany "on the basis of the constitution" and pledged her new government would continue a formal dialogue with the Muslim community started by Schaeuble in 2006. Normally Seehofer as interior minister would chair the talks. But the head of the Central Council of Muslims, Aiman Mazyek, said angrily that a minister who started work with such a "lack of solidarity" with minorities in Germany had "immediately disqualified" himself and acted "extremely irresponsibly". The anti-immigrant, anti-Islam AfD for its part welcomed the remarks, with its Saxony state leader Andre Poggenburg claiming that Seehofer had "quoted word-for-word from our platform". Bavaria is holding a state election in October, when the CSU is expected to face a strong challenge from the far-right. Seehofer, the harshest critic of Merkel's border policy within her conservative bloc, fought for and won an agreement to set a maximum target in the government coalition pact of around 200,000 new arrivals to Germany per year. Most of those who came across the Balkans route in 2015 passed through Seehofer's southern state of Bavaria, at times more than 10,000 a day, sparking a strong backlash in the region. He has vowed to now as a federal minister take a tough line against convicted criminal migrants and speed up repatriations of rejected asylum seekers. Short link: Thirteen African and European countries and the EU agreed Friday that efforts to crack down on migrant trafficking to Europe should also focus on economic woes that prompt poor Africans to seek a better life in Europe. In ministerial-level talks, they agreed to "attack underlying causes of irregular migration," according to a joint statement. "The economic problem... is also the basis for the migration phenomenon," Niger Interior Minister Mohamed Bazoum said. The countries also vowed to strengthen national laws to prosecute traffickers and improve coordination among police and judiciary in fighting human smuggling. The one-day "conference on coordination of the struggle against traffickers of migrants" took place against a backdrop of renewed concern in Europe over illicit migration, three years after a massive human influx led to a rise in xenophobia and far-right populism in several EU states. It was attended by ministers from Burkina Faso, Chad, Guinea, Ivory Coast, Libya, Mali, Mauritania, Niger and Senegal, with representatives from France, Germany, Italy and Spain, the European Union and United Nations. The communique called for "developing the conditions for an economy to emerge that is an alternative to the underground economy of illicit trafficking of migrants." To achieve this requires "an overall approach, with solidarity," it said. Reflecting the issue's priority, France sent two senior ministers -- Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian and Interior Minister Gerard Collomb, who urged participants to take action "as close as possible to the countries of origin." Niger, one of the large nations lying south of the Sahara in West Africa, has become one of the main routes for African migrants heading north to the Mediterranean coast in the hope of crossing to Europe. Two Africa-EU summits in 2017 put the focus on training police and paramilitary gendarmerie forces, help with conducting border checks and the creation of identity databases. Europe's part in taking on irregular migration in Africa gained force with "migratory pacts" signed in 2015 in Valetta, capital of Malta, which built on previous accords to reach a global approach dating back to 2006. One of the challenges, in the eyes of French delegates, is to persuade African countries to agree more readily to provide documents enabling the return of their nationals who lack the required papers. The French parliament is due in coming months to debate a government bill on immigration, which has already made waves among some supporters of the government who consider the new measure too severe. Short link: Lyttelton Port Company says it's offering equal terms to members of the Rail and Maritime Transport Union, after talks yesterday broke down and the union said it intends to strike beginning next week. Port company management and the union have been unable to resolve disputes around pay and weekend rosters, and the union has called and suspended strike action twice since March 7. Yesterday, RMTU said it plans to strike for at least five days from next Tuesday, March 20. While the port yesterday declined to comment to media about the planned strike, citing a confidentiality deal, today operations manager Paul Monk said much of the union's comments yesterday "did not fairly or accurately reflect our position and we therefore feel it is important our position be clarified by this statement." Monk says the port agrees that staff who do the same work should receive the same pay, and it offered RMTU the same salary increases received by members of the Maritime Union of New Zealand, meaning 4 percent for the first year and 3 percent each for the following two years. However, RMTU rejected the roster changes as the other union accepted, meaning the port reduced its offer to 3 percent per year for three years, Monk said. "RMTU claims to want pay parity with their MUNZ Union colleagues when they are really demanding an unfair advantage over them," he said. "The RMTU wont budge even though they are fully aware shipping lines, exporters and importers are bearing the cost of the huge disruption resulting from their industrial action. The RMTU has maximised disruption with its short notice withdrawal of previous strike notices. This action ensured it would be too late for shipping lines to change plans and divert back to the Port," he said. "We are reiterating our advice to the union that if they withdraw the strike notices for next week there will be no work for many of their members and therefore no pay for them on those days." Yesterday, RMTU organiser John Kerr said the union had put forward eight scenarios to the port company but the company "has not amended its position one jot". "It appears to us that LPC is unwavering in its determination to attempt to break the will of our members and to inflict unnecessary pain upon the Canterbury economy," Kerr said. (BusinessDesk) Comments from our readers No comments yet Add your comment: Your name: Your email: Not displayed to the public Comment: Comments to Sharechat go through an approval process. Comments which are defamatory, abusive or in some way deemed inappropriate will not be approved. It is allowable to use some form of non-de-plume for your name, however we recommend real email addresses are used. Comments from free email addresses such as Gmail, Yahoo, Hotmail, etc may not be approved. Anti-spam verification: Type the text you see in the image into the field below. You are asked to do this in order to verify that this enquiry is not being performed by an automated process. Related News: Tower Limited (NZX: TWR) Updates Guidance South Port New Zealand Limited (NZX: SPN) 2021 Annual Report 22nd September 2021 Morning Report Kathmandu Holdings Limited (NZX: KMD) FY21 Annual Results Announcement Stride Property Ltd & Stride Investment Management Ltd (NZX: SPG) Update on Demerger and Office Fund 21st September 2021 Morning Report Kiwi Property Group Limited (NZX: KPG) Gives Green Light to Build-to-Rent 20th September 2021 Morning Report General Capital Limited (NZX: GEN) Equifax Affirms General Finance BB- Rating 17th September 2021 Morning Report (Adds detail throughout) The owners of a South Island dairy manufacturer plan to list their company on the Australian Securities Exchange, raising as much as A$20 million to expand. Australian-based Keytone Dairy Corp, whose New Zealand Keytone Enterprises (NZ) unit manufactures and exports dairy and nutrition blended products to Asia from its Christchurch factory, is offering to sell half the company to raise between A$15 million and A$20 million ahead of a listing on the ASX in May. Keytone Enterprises is 49 percent owned by New York-based investor Bergen Asset Management's Long Hill Capital, with the remaining stake owned by the couple who founded the business, managing director James Gong, and chief operating officer Vivienne Cheung. None of the investors will be selling their shares as part of the offering and their holdings will be subject to a two-year escrow period, the company said. Keytone built a state-of-the-art dry powder facility in Sockburn in 2013, where it blends and packages milk powder, sheep milk powder, kiwifruit milk powder and lactoferrin under its own brands as well as manufacturing a range of powdered dairy products for supermarkets and other customers under their own private label brands. The company last year bought two adjacent sites in the Izone Industrial Park in Rolleston where it plans to build new manufacturing facilities enabling it to expand into new products and markets. The ASX listing will assist Keytone Dairy to grow and expand," said Gong, who has a 27-year history in the dairy industry. "The company has purchased land for two new manufacturing facilities it plans to build. Once completed, the first facility will enable Keytone Dairy to expand into a number of new products with increased capacity realised through the addition of new powder blending and packing lines. We believe that demand for these new products will be satisfied by Keytone Dairys existing customers. By expanding its capacity to manufacture powdered products, it is expected that Keytone Dairy will gain access to high-volume customers in China and other Asian countries. New Zealand is the world's eighth-largest milk producing country and accounts for 3 percent of global milk production. While it produces a similar amount of milk to other comparable countries such as the UK and France, its small population means most production is exported. Farmers control about 85 percent of the industry through cooperatives, although the country has attracted a wide range of global investors in the dairy industry over the past 15 years since deregulation, and Chinese investors have been particularly active amid increased demand in Asia's largest economy and after the two countries signed a free-trade agreement in 2008, according to a government guide to the industry published last year. Keytone Dairy was today meeting with investors in Auckland and expects to lodge a prospectus with the Australian Securities and Investments Commission in the first week of April, ahead of a bookbuild later that month. Its investor roadshow will include Singapore and Hong Kong, as well as major cities in Australia. The company chose a listing in Australia over New Zealand because its key shareholder was already familiar with the ASX market and saw more opportunity for tapping investors in Australia, said Australian-based chair Bernard Kavanagh, who has previously held executive roles at Warrnambool Cheese and Butter Factory Co. Its cornerstone investor Bergen Asset Management invests in high-growth public and private companies around the world, with a particular emphasis on small-cap public markets outside of the US. It's headed by Auckland University graduate Eugene Tablis and has an office based in Sydney. (BusinessDesk) Comments from our readers No comments yet Add your comment: Your name: Your email: Not displayed to the public Comment: Comments to Sharechat go through an approval process. Comments which are defamatory, abusive or in some way deemed inappropriate will not be approved. It is allowable to use some form of non-de-plume for your name, however we recommend real email addresses are used. Comments from free email addresses such as Gmail, Yahoo, Hotmail, etc may not be approved. Anti-spam verification: Type the text you see in the image into the field below. You are asked to do this in order to verify that this enquiry is not being performed by an automated process. Related News: Tower Limited (NZX: TWR) Updates Guidance South Port New Zealand Limited (NZX: SPN) 2021 Annual Report 22nd September 2021 Morning Report Kathmandu Holdings Limited (NZX: KMD) FY21 Annual Results Announcement Stride Property Ltd & Stride Investment Management Ltd (NZX: SPG) Update on Demerger and Office Fund 21st September 2021 Morning Report Kiwi Property Group Limited (NZX: KPG) Gives Green Light to Build-to-Rent 20th September 2021 Morning Report General Capital Limited (NZX: GEN) Equifax Affirms General Finance BB- Rating 17th September 2021 Morning Report Bay of Islands Airport in Kerikeri's terminal upgrade will get $1.7 million of funding from the provincial growth fund, regional economic development minister Shane Jones has announced. The government will work with Far North Holdings, the commercial arm of the Far North District Council which owns the airport, "to progress a detailed business case for the upgrade and subject to that work and due diligence will commit $1.7 million to the project", Jones said. Building consents have been lodged and are due at the end of next month. The airport has up to five scheduled passenger flights a day to Auckland, and Far North Holdings hopes to start construction on an expanded terminal building by the end of April, with work to be completed by December, according to its website. The upgraded airport will have automated check-in, roomier departure and arrival areas, and a separate luggage collection area, it says. "The proposal was identified as a key priority in the Tai Tokerau Northland Economic Action Plan, which was launched in February 2016, and has received strong support from our national carrier Air New Zealand the main user of the airport," Jones said. "The current terminal is not fit for purpose and does not meet Air New Zealands requirements, while growth in passenger numbers is also putting pressure on the existing facilities." Jones said a new terminal would cater to visitor growth, and the project has "third-party funding and a clear rationale for central government funding." Approximately 96,000 people used the airport during 2017, and the airport said the second half of 2017 saw 6,000 more passengers move through the terminal than over the same period in 2016. Air New Zealand has been operating an additional three flights a week between Auckland and the Bay of Islands since November, while it stopped flying to Kaitaia in 2015, which the airport said "has generated some additional passenger numbers but most of the growth is due to an increase in tourism and business traffic between Auckland and the wider Bay of Islands region." "This is being enabled by the larger aircraft being operated by Air New Zealand on the Auckland-Kerikeri route and boosted by effective marketing," the airport said. "A close partnership between Air New Zealand and the Bay of Islands Marketing and Promotions Group, an organisation comprising local tourism and hospitality providers, is also having an effect." (BusinessDesk) Comments from our readers No comments yet Add your comment: Your name: Your email: Not displayed to the public Comment: Comments to Sharechat go through an approval process. Comments which are defamatory, abusive or in some way deemed inappropriate will not be approved. It is allowable to use some form of non-de-plume for your name, however we recommend real email addresses are used. Comments from free email addresses such as Gmail, Yahoo, Hotmail, etc may not be approved. Anti-spam verification: Type the text you see in the image into the field below. You are asked to do this in order to verify that this enquiry is not being performed by an automated process. Related News: Tower Limited (NZX: TWR) Updates Guidance South Port New Zealand Limited (NZX: SPN) 2021 Annual Report 22nd September 2021 Morning Report Kathmandu Holdings Limited (NZX: KMD) FY21 Annual Results Announcement Stride Property Ltd & Stride Investment Management Ltd (NZX: SPG) Update on Demerger and Office Fund 21st September 2021 Morning Report Kiwi Property Group Limited (NZX: KPG) Gives Green Light to Build-to-Rent 20th September 2021 Morning Report General Capital Limited (NZX: GEN) Equifax Affirms General Finance BB- Rating 17th September 2021 Morning Report Deborah Caldwell, the chief executive of the Storm clothing chain, has bought the business from Hallenstein Glasson Holdings for an undisclosed amount. Retailer Hallenstein said in a statement it has agreed to sell Storm to Blackstar Holdings, which lists Caldwell as the shareholder. Caldwell has run Storm since August 2005 and previously worked for JK Kids and Max Fashions. "The Storm business is no longer considered a strategic core asset of the group as it is focusing its efforts on expanding its other two much larger fashion brands, namely Glassons and Hallenstein Brothers, in both the New Zealand and Australian markets," Hallenstein chief executive Mark Goddard said in a statement. "The value of the transaction is not material in terms of the assets or profit of the group." Storm had assets of about $1.2 million and current liabilities of $487,000, according to its 2017 annual report. Sales fell 11 percent to $8.3 million last year and the business recorded a net loss of $313,000 compared with a profit of $868,000 a year earlier. Storm has 10 stores selling women's clothing, according to its website. In Hallenstein's 2017 annual report, chair Warren Bell said Storm's sales "struggled to maintain momentum during the year due to tough trading in a highly competitive segment of the market. This has not been helped by major infrastructure works around three key Auckland stores which has had a material impact on trade." "A review of the brand was carried out towards the end of the year and the decision made to close the Storm store in Australia to focus on the brand in New Zealand, this has seen trading improve," he said. "Christchurch CBD store opened this year replacing the Christchurch Container Store and a new store was opened in Queenstown. There were also one-off costs associated with the closure of Storm Australia." Its shares fell 4.2 percent to $4.60 and have gained 37 percent in the past 12 months while the S&P/NZX 50 Index rose 19 percent. (BusinessDesk) Comments from our readers No comments yet Add your comment: Your name: Your email: Not displayed to the public Comment: Comments to Sharechat go through an approval process. Comments which are defamatory, abusive or in some way deemed inappropriate will not be approved. It is allowable to use some form of non-de-plume for your name, however we recommend real email addresses are used. Comments from free email addresses such as Gmail, Yahoo, Hotmail, etc may not be approved. Anti-spam verification: Type the text you see in the image into the field below. You are asked to do this in order to verify that this enquiry is not being performed by an automated process. Related News: Tower Limited (NZX: TWR) Updates Guidance South Port New Zealand Limited (NZX: SPN) 2021 Annual Report 22nd September 2021 Morning Report Kathmandu Holdings Limited (NZX: KMD) FY21 Annual Results Announcement Stride Property Ltd & Stride Investment Management Ltd (NZX: SPG) Update on Demerger and Office Fund 21st September 2021 Morning Report Kiwi Property Group Limited (NZX: KPG) Gives Green Light to Build-to-Rent 20th September 2021 Morning Report General Capital Limited (NZX: GEN) Equifax Affirms General Finance BB- Rating 17th September 2021 Morning Report People with a passion for reading to children gathered last Saturday at the Tate House in Charles Town to receive instruction from members of the Read Aloud West Virginia organization. The reader orientation is a training session designed to provide volunteer readers with an overview of the Read Aloud organizations programs and provide an understanding of the mission and goals of Read Aloud West Virginia. Nine schools in Jefferson County are participating in Read Aloud this school year: Harpers Ferry Middle, Wildwood Middle, Page-Jackson Elementary, T. A. Lowery Elementary, Blue Ridge Elementary, Blue Ridge Primary, North Jefferson Elementary, Ranson Elementary and South Jefferson Elementary. These enrolled schools invite trained volunteer readers into their classrooms to provide students with a regular commercial for reading. During Saturdays volunteer training, Bob Fleenor, volunteer president of Read Aloud, and volunteer reader Casey Williams shared strategies on how to select books, how to maintain classroom order and how to communicate with the partner teachers. We are the commercial for reading, Williams said. We are the motivators for reading. Read Aloud was established by a group of parents in 1986 in Kanawha County. Its goal was and continues to be changing the literacy climes of West Virginia by keeping reading material in the hands and on the minds of the states children. After seeing the programs success, the West Virginia Education Fund offered to assume responsibility for administering the program and expanding it statewide. It was officially adopted by the WVEF in 1993, and by 2000, Read Aloud had a presence in 53 of the states 55 counties. As part of Read Alouds most popular program, volunteer readers visit classrooms and other community locations to read to local children. When schools enroll in Read Aloud, they participate in the volunteer reader program and have access to Read Alouds other programs and resources. According to a press release from Read Aloud Executive Director Mary Kay Bond, theres more to being a volunteer than just reading a book. When volunteers go into the schools, they become role models for reading, build listening skills and whet an appetite for a love of reading, Bond wrote. Fleenor and Williams also stressed the need to show up on time for the scheduled reading session, because maintaining routine in the teachers schedule is key. In addition to being on time, Williams said, the volunteer readers should leave when their time is complete. Communication with the teacher is the key component, Williams said. When selecting books to read to children, the training material recommended knowing the age of the children, finding out whether the class has had readers before and keeping in mind what the groups attention span might be. Lots of action and dialogue in books helps keep children focused, and a mix of picture books and poetry or chapter books can keep things interesting. Leave them with a cliffhanger, Fleenor suggested. This leaves them wanting more. Currently, over 1,000 Read Aloud volunteers are reading in more than 1,600 classrooms around the state. To become a certified Read Aloud reader, volunteers attend a one-time orientation session like the one held in Jefferson County this week. According to Fleenor, being a volunteer means encouraging kids to do more than just listen. The goal is to get them to want to pick up a book, Fleenor said. A senior US diplomat said Friday that Washington supported the energy search by Cyprus for offshore oil and gas after a standoff with Turkey. "The United States support the Republic of Cyprus in its right to develop natural resources including in the Exclusive Economic Zone," said Assistant Secretary for European and Eurasian Affairs Wess Mitchell. He made the comments after meeting Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades during a fact-finding mission to the island. "We are very supportive of the Republic of Cyprus and appreciate the long-standing friendship that we have," said Mitchell, before later holding separate talks with Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci. His visit comes weeks after Cyprus was embroiled in a standoff that saw Turkish warships block an Italian drillship from exploring for gas in the island's politically sensitive waters. The US diplomat's visit comes as two survey vessels from US energy giant ExxonMobil have arrived off Cyprus to conduct preliminary investigations ahead of planned exploration later this year. Cyprus, a member of the European Union, has been divided since 1974 when Turkish troops invaded and occupied the northern third of the island in response to a Greek military junta-sponsored coup. Turkey and Cyprus have long argued over the eastern Mediterranean, and Ankara has been stringent in defending the claims of Turkish Cypriots for a share of energy resources. Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has warned foreign energy companies not to "overstep the mark" in the eastern Mediterranean. The standoff over exploiting energy resources in the region risks further complicating stalled efforts to reunify Cyprus after UN-backed talks collapsed last year. Mitchell said Washington also wanted to see a resumption of the negotiations that broke down in acrimony in July. While the Greek-majority Republic of Cyprus is internationally recognised, the breakaway Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus is recognised only by Ankara. Short link: SHEPHERDSTOWN PUBLIC LIBRARY The Shepherdstown Library has an online calendar on our website, http://www.lib.shepherdstown.wv.us/>www.lib.shepherdstown.wv.us/. The Librarys popular weekly childrens programs will run through May 23; no registration is required. Lap Babies for children birth through 18 months is on Tuesdays (except April 3) from 10:15 to 11 a.m. Time for Twos, for children 19 months to 3 years, meets from 11:15 to noon, also on Tuesdays (except April 3). The Three to Five Year Olds program meets Wednesdays from 11:15 to noon. For more information call 304-876-2783, email splchild@martin.lib.wv.us or visit the library at 100 E. German Street. APRIL 3 Ages four and older are invited to learn about Africa and renewable power in the Shepherdstown Librarys Childrens Department at 11 a.m. The Potomac Valley Audubon Society is offering six other nature passport programs at area libraries between April 2 and 6; visit www.PotomacAudubon.org to see their calendar of free events. No registration is needed; for more information call 304-876-2783, email splchild@martin.lib.wv.us or visit the library at 100 E. German St. The Shepherdstown Librarys Lap Babies and Time for Twos groups will not meet on April 3 (at 10:15 and 11:15 a.m. respectively), but will return to their regular Tuesday schedule on April 10, 17 and 24. APRIL?7 A LEGO Club for ages four and older will meet in the Shepherdstown Library at 11 a.m. No registration is needed. For more information call 304-876-2783, email splchild@martin.lib.wv.us or visit the library at 100 E. German St. The Library will open at 10 a.m. and close at 1 p.m. on April 7 for routine maintenance. APRIL?8-14 To celebrate National Library Week, the Shepherdstown Library wont charge fines for overdue items returned in person or through the book drop. Also, those who call or visit the library during open hours April 9 to 14, will receive amnesty for any prior overdue fines. Call 304-876-2783 or visit the library at 100 E. German St. APRIL?13 The Shepherdstown Library is co-sponsoring a free showing of the 2004 film Le Grand Voyage at 7 p.m. in Reynolds Hall, 109 N. King. St. Visit www.shepherdstownfilmsociety.org for more information. APRIL?25 The Board of the Shepherdstown Public Library will hold its monthly meeting at 7 p.m. in the library (100 E. German Street). This meeting is open to the public. For more information, call 304-876-2783. APRIL?26 A LEGO Club for ages four and older will meet in the Shepherdstown Library at 4:30 p.m. No registration is needed. For more information call 304-876-2783, email splchild@martin.lib.wv.us or visit the library at 100 E. German St. APRIL?27 The FOSL Book Club will meet in the Shepherdstown Library at 5 p.m. on April 27 to discuss Wiley Cashs suspenseful novel This Dark Road to Mercy. APRIL?28 Ages three and older are encouraged to visit the Shepherdstown Librarys Childrens Department at 11 a.m. on April 28, where there will be a Time for Planting program with stories, songs and a craft. No registration is needed; call 304-876-2783 or email splchild@martin.lib.wv.us for more information or visit the library at 100 E. German St. ONGOING The Shepherdstown Community Club First Weekend Handmade Market returns for its eighth season! The Handmade Market is a unique pop-up boutique-like arts and crafts market featuring local artists and makers. Join us in celebrating our local talent, meet the artists and shop for fine handcrafted art, jewelry, home decor, accessories, gifts and a whole lot more. Open Apr 7 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and April 8 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 5 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and May 6 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. June 2 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and June 3 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. War Memorial Building, 102 E. German St., Shepherdstown. For more info, see our Facebook page: facebook.com/SCCHandmadeMarket. Womens March Huddle for Shepherdstown will take place every 4th Tuesday of the month. Meet at Town Run. 202 E Washington St., Shepherdstown. 6:30 to 8 p.m. Now is the perfect time to get your cat or dog spayed and neutered! Spay Today is our areas nonprofit, reduced-priced spay and neuter program. Choose from many vets throughout a wide area. At the time of surgery, initial shots and tests can also be obtained at lower rates. Contact Spay Today: spay-today.org or call 304.728.8330. Intermediate Bridge players are invited to join an informal group meeting every Wednesday, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Trinity Episcopal Chapel. All are welcome and walk-ins are encouraged. For more information, contact 304-876-6244. Knitting interest group meets in room 164 of the Byrd Center on Mondays, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. All are welcome. Free and open to the public. Glory Days Grill Dining for Dollars Fundraiser to Benefit Animal Welfare Society: The Animal Welfare Society of Jefferson County is proud to announce their participation in the Dining for Dollars fundraiser at Glory Days Grill in Ranson which began Jan.1 and continues through the end of the year. Keep your copy of your guest check (not credit card receipt), and either mail it to: AWS P.O. Box 147, Charles Town, WV, 25414 or place it in the collection box at Petco. The Animal Welfare Society of Jefferson County is participating in Applebees Dining to Donate program. Dine at Applebees in Charles Town the first Thursday of each month from 11 a.m. until closing and Applebees will donate 20 percent of your bill to the Anima Welfare Society. Bring in the flyer printed from the AWS website, www.awsjc.org, or mention Animal Welfare Society to your server. Enjoy an evening of delicious food and help the shelter dogs and cats that are waiting for new homes. The Trinity Thrift Shop is open on Thursdays and Fridays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Stop by for some cool finds clothing for all, jewelry, books, movies, toys, kitchen and other house wares, prints, knick knacks, and holiday items! The Shop accept accepts donations of clothing, books, jewelry, and many other items. It also collects used eye glasses on behalf of the Lions Club. The Thrift Shop cannot accept furniture, other large items and electronics due to limited space. Contributions may be delivered to the screened-in back porch at any time. Tax receipts are available during business hours. Questions? Call 304-876-6990. Sarahs Tuesday Group Calling all knitters, quilters, rugmakers and more! We meet in the Trinity Episcopal Church Fellowship Hall, corner of German and Church streets, every Tuesday afternoon from 1 to 4 p.m. Work on your own projects while socializing with other crafters. Questions? call 304-876-6990. Christ Reformed United Church of Christ is inaugurating a new speaker series called First Tuesdays at CRUCC. The series will begin Dec. 5 at 7:30 p.m. with Julia McDonald Yuhasz, Community Educator from the Hospice of the Panhandle will speak on Last Wishes, Medical Powers of Attorneys and Final Plans. There will be a speaker the first Tuesday of every month. Coffee, tea and refreshments will be provided. These are free events. SUNDAY The Jefferson High School Band is hosting a spaghetti dinner fundraiser. When: 5 to 7:30 p.m. Where: Shepherd University Dining Hall Cost: $10 per person; Kids under 5 eat free Benefits: JHS Band and Color Guard Fun stuff: 50/50, Raffles and Silent Auction Contact: Teri Biebel at 609-703-9177 or Leslie Johnston at 304-886-7009 for advance tickets Tickets also available at the door for the same price. TUESDAY Shepherdstown Lifelong Learning presents Presidents Lecture Series A Wild Solution for Climate Change. 6:30 p.m. in R Robert C. Byrd Center for Congressional History and Education Auditorium. Thomas Lovejoy will discuss the need for ecosystem restoration to address the challenge of climate change. Since 1970, he has been studying deforestation. Lovejoy is credited with the term biological diversity and originated the concept of debt-for-nature swaps. Free to the public with a reception to follow sponsored by the Shepherd University Foundation. MARCH?25 The Shepherdstown Farmers Market is back in action. Time flies when youre freezing? Nonetheless, farm market season is back, and the Shepherdstown Farmers Market will be open and ready to bring in spring on March 25. When: 9 a.m. to 1p.m. Open through December, the market is conveniently located behind Shepherdstown Public Library in downtown Shepherdstown. MARCH 31 Night Out at Big Cork, a fundraiser for the Shepherdstown Librarys new library project, has been rescheduled and will now be held at Big Cork Vineyards in Rohrersville, Maryland, from 6 to 9 p.m. on March 31. Please go to the librarys homepage at www.lib.shepherdstown.wv.us/ or call the library at 304-876-2783 for details and ticket information. Travel agencies participating in the travel show ITB Berlin held from 7 to 11 March in the German capital said international demand was increasing for Egyptian destinations for the next summer and winter seasons. The Thomas Cook International Group informed its Egyptian agency to expect a 50 per cent increase throughout the year. Head of the Egyptian Federation of Tourism Chambers Nora Ali said reservations for the summer and winter seasons had recorded a 45 and 45 to 50 per cent increase, respectively, over the past year. In Berlin to attend the business platform for global tourism offers, Ali told the media that while Egypts tourist destinations would be receiving more travellers, many reservations were made by families, not individuals, which means Egypt is regaining its positive image in tourists minds. Cultural tourism is also making a comeback, as head of the Escapade travel agency, Mounir Wissa, said. Winter reservations from Canada, France, the US and Belgium are on the rise, he said, describing this as good news for the agency which owns its own cruise boats. However, in order to capitalise fully on the rebound in tourism Wissa wanted to see more help from the state, represented by loan facilities from the Central Bank of Egypt, so that Egyptian hotel owners could renovate their premises and upgrade their services in order to increase prices. To guarantee increasing demand for Egypts tourist destinations we need to see different promotional methods that suit each market, said Hamed Al-Sheiti, head of the Travco travel agency. Our primary focus should be markets that export young travellers in large numbers, and we should be holding concerts, promoting marine games and other exciting activities to attract them, he added. Minister of Tourism Rania Al-Mashat earlier stated that Egypt was banking on the 2017 tourism revival to further increase the number of tourists visiting the country. We should be more flexible and faster in our promotional campaigns, she said. Egypt needed a strategy that could easily be moulded according to the different needs of each market to attract more tourists, she added. Al-Mashat told Reuters that reservations during the first quarter of 2018 had indicated that more nationalities were pouring into Egypt, with a significant rise in the number of tourists from Poland, China and Austria. With the loss of tourists from the Egyptian market over the past few years, travel prices have decreased due to cut-throat competition between tourism agencies and hotels, Al-Sheiti said. Increased demand translates into more expensive prices. When the number of tourists increased in 2017, prices witnessed a 13 per cent hike, he stated. There was a 6.53 per cent increase in the number of tourists visiting Egypt in 2017, reaching 2.8 million travellers. The quality of service offered by hotels also determines prices. The more the state lifts subsidies on fuel and electricity, the more the tourism sector will be obliged to raise its prices, Tarek Imam, director of the Travel Line agency which owns Nile cruisers operating between Cairo and Aswan, said. When the government lifts subsidies on diesel fuel, with which our boats operate, cruise-boat owners will be forced to increase their prices. Offering Nile cruise itineraries at cheap prices makes it difficult for owners to renovate and maintain their boats. Some 70 per cent of cruise boats are in need of renewal, Imam said. High prices coupled with quality services will not drive tourists away, Imam said. The travel agents price for one night on one of his cruise boats costs between $150 and $180. But other boats might offer a night for $20, he added. Increased demand depends on flight flexibility. The government might think about intervening to schedule flights from different cities, in the German market for example, to make it easier for smaller travel agencies to arrange itineraries to Egypt, Ihab Abdel-Aal, head of the Blue Moon travel agency, said. Big travel companies that own their own hotels in coastal cities such as Sharm El-Sheikh and Hurghada have the leverage to offer travel programmes at lower prices. Increasing prices depends on the quality of services and the rise in demand. We have increased the price of reservations by 20 per cent this year due to the influx of tourists, Mohamed Hassanein, head of the Galaxia tourism agency, said. Diplomatic efforts should be exerted by the state to lift the travel warnings issued by countries such as the UK and Spain to some Egyptian tourist destinations, he added. Hassanein believes that each market has its own promotional keys that should be explored in order to attract the largest number of tourists of different nationalities. For Al-Mashat, the better training of executives is essential for successful travel plans. A European Union-funded training programme is currently in progress, and the Luzan School for Hotel Management in Alamein on the North Coast will be inaugurated soon. The Federation of Tourism Chambers is focused on enhancing the skills of workers in the travel sector to upgrade the services offered to tourists, especially since many experienced workers left the sector when tourism went down over the past few years, Ali said. The federation started a programme to train chefs at hotels in Hurghada and Marsa Alam at the beginning of March. The programme will move to Sharm El-Sheikh this week and will then be taken to Cairo and Luxor, targeting some 240 chefs, she added. English-language courses for workers in the travel sector are also being organised. The federation is executing short- and medium-term programmes in addition to long-term three-year plans to ensure the continuity of training schemes that have been almost absent from the market for more than 18 months, she concluded. *This story was first published in Al-Ahram Weekly Short link: Gringo review: Convoluted yet entertaining An unoriginal, twisted, messy and at times incoherent madcap dark crime comedy that is largely fun to watch because of its superb cast Source: SIFY By: IANS Critic's Rating: 3/5 Friday 16 March 2018 Movie Title Gringo review: Convoluted yet entertaining Director Nash Edgerton Star Cast David Oyelowo, Charlize Theron, Joel Edgerton, Amanda Seyfried, Harry Treadaway, Thandie Newton, Melonie Diaz, Carlos Corona, Sharlto Copley Gringo is an unoriginal, twisted, messy and at times incoherent madcap dark crime comedy that is largely fun to watch because of its superb cast. It is a politically incorrect and sometimes convoluted drama that doesn't expect you to take it seriously for a second. The story revolves around Harold Soyinka (David Oyelowo) a Nigerian migrant who has a mid-level job at a Chicago pharma company run by his college friend Richard Rusk (Joel Edgerton) and his psychotically ambitious partner, Elaine (Charlize Theron). Poomaram review: An honest effort that evokes nostalgia | Raid review: A powerful film on combating corruption | The Square review: A pretentious creative fantasy | 7 Days in Entebbe review: Dramatic but fails to thrill Early on in the narrative, Harold's accountant Stu (Bashir Salahuddin) warns him that he would soon be rendered jobless due to an impending corporate merger. Hurt and disappointed, Harold confronts Richard who dismisses it as a rumour and responds with a ridiculous pseudo-parable about carrots and bananas. Unbeknownst to Harold, Richard and Elaine have been offloading a portion of their inventory to a Mexican drug cartel to raise the much needed cash, also, his spendthrift wife, Bonnie (Thandie Newton) is sleeping with Richard. So while on a work trip to Mexico, he gets double stabbed with the back-to-back news that he is about to lose his job and wife. In order to overcome the situation, Harold fakes his own kidnapping with the intention to fleece Richard of five million dollars. What he doesn't know is that he is about to be kidnapped for real by Villegas (Carlos Corona) aka The Black Panther - a cartel boss who is looking to get his hands on a top-secret marijuana pill formula that Harold's company holds. This sets the ball rolling for a screeching roller-coaster drama. Predictably convoluted, this is a surprisingly gripping tangle of miscommunications, confusion and back-stabbing. There are also sub-plots which involve Mitch Rush - an ex-mercenary with a newfound interest in charity work who is assigned to eliminate Harold and two tourists Miles (Harry Treadaway) and Sunny (Amanda Seyfried). Miles is in Mexico to grab a drug sample and smuggle it back to the state. His accompanying girlfriend Sunny has no inkling that her boyfriend is on a dangerous and very ridiculous mission. In fact, everyone wants Harold including the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), who is hoping Harold will unwittingly help them to break a major case. The plot is definitely convoluted and the screenwriters Anthony Tambakis and Matthew Stone along with the director Nash Edgerton do a fabulous job of juggling the multiple storylines. It uses a flashy and dramatic approach in an attempt to cover up its weak storyline. And the pacing too is an issue as it takes forever to get into the story and develop a connection which by the end plants us firmly in Harold's corner. With an author-backed role, Oyelowo steals the show with his sense of humour and superb comic timing. And to match him on the other side of the scale is Charlize Theron as the antagonist. She is brilliant as the predatory Elaine who would do anything to get ahead in life. Joel Edgerton is adequately loathsome as the yuppie opportunist. The others in the supporting cast leave their mark onscreen, making their characters relatable. With good production values and ace technical qualities, the film does stand out among its genre flicks. Gringo review: 3 stars US President Donald Trump took the world by storm earlier this month when he pushed forward with plans to impose import tariffs of 25 per cent on steel and 10 per cent on aluminium entering the United States. The new tariffs are due to come into force 15 days after the order was issued on 8 March. Trump said the levies were necessary for national security reasons and to stop the foreign assault on the US. However, he exempted Canada and Mexico from the tariffs and held out the possibility of excluding other US allies by signalling that the tariff policy was open to more exemptions. The US is the worlds largest steel importer, buying about 35 million tons of foreign steel in 2017. The decision could harm the Egyptian steel industry, since while Egypt does not export aluminium to the US it does export steel. Egypt exported 170,000 tons of steel to the US in 2017, Hassan Al-Marakby, deputy head of the Metallurgical Industries Chamber (MIC) at the Federation of Egyptian Industries, said. This represented a large increase over 2016, he said, adding that if Egypt was not exempted from the new tariffs, it would likely lose these exports. Al-Marakby also said that the figure had been expected to increase as Egypt has good production capacities and several Egyptian steel companies have potential regarding possible steel exports to the US. Only two Egyptian companies currently export steel to the US, Ezz Steel and Kandil Steel, he said. Egypt should push for asking the US for an exemption on the new tariffs, he said, explaining that were this to be granted it could represent an opportunity for Egypt to boost its steel exports to the US by filling the gap created by other countries not likely to be exempted, including Turkey. Al-Marakby said that Turkey had exported 2.5 million tons of steel to the US in 2017. This could give Egypt the chance to boost its steel exports to the US and increase its market share, he said. The chamber will be holding talks with the trade ministry, he said, in order to push towards exempting Egypt from the tariffs. Egypts steel exports to the US represented three per cent of total US steel imports in 2017. The decision to exempt Egypt from the new tariffs would likely be a political one, Al-Marakby said. If Egypt did not receive the exemption, it could lose up to 170,000 tons of exports and the potential to boost its steel exports to the US in the coming years, he said. Egypts steel exports to the US were worth some $102 million last year, according to figures from the General Organisation for Import and Export Control. Trade Minister Tarek Kabil said recently that steel exports did not represent more than six per cent of Egypts total exports, and that the US share did not exceed three per cent of these. Egypts trade with the US stood at $5.5 billion in 2017, compared to $4.7 billion in 2016, an increase of 13 per cent. Al-Marakby said he was optimistic about the possibility of exempting Egypt from the new tariffs, even though Egypt was included on a list of 12 countries drawn up by the US Department of Commerce recommending that Trump impose at least 53 per cent tariffs on their steel imports. Other countries on the list include Brazil, China, Costa Rica, India, Malaysia, Russia, South Korea, South Africa, Thailand, Turkey and Vietnam. The recommendation on tariffs came as part of a list of remedies drawn up by the US Department of Commerce to address the problem of steel imports. In a report entitled The Effect of Imports of Steel on National Security, it said that the US steel industry had closed six oxygen furnace facilities and idled another four since 2000 because of foreign competition, representing more than half such plants in the US. It also said that employment in the industry had dropped by 35 per cent since 1998. Other countries are seeking to be exempted from the US tariffs. The European Union and Japan urged the US last week to grant them exemptions from metal import tariffs. The EU is also threatening counter-measures that could target US imports into Europe ranging from maize to motorcycles. Under World Trade Organisation rules, the counter-measures have to be in place within 90 days of the US tariffs coming into effect. European steel and aluminium associations have warned that the US tariffs could mean their sectors shedding thousands of jobs. Even within the US, experts said that higher US tariffs on imported steel could leave some US steel workers jobless. *This story was first published in Al-Ahram Weekly Short link: The TDP has been protesting in and outside Parliament for a special package for Andhra Pradesh. Its MPs have been consistently disrupting proceedings in Parliament since the beginning of the ongoing Budget session. Last week the TDP pulled its two ministers out of the central government but had stopped short of walking out of the alliance. On Thursday, Naidu said that his party would support any no-confidence motion against the BJP-led government at the Centre in the interest of Andhra Pradesh as Prime Minister Narendra Modi has meted out 'injustice' to the state. Naidu stated this in the state assembly hours after YSR Congress, TDP's rival in the state, gave notice for moving a no-confidence motion against the Modi government, in the backdrop of the Centre's refusal to grant special category status to Andhra Pradesh. Soon after news of the party's quitting the BJP-led alliance became public, Leaders across the political Opposition came out in support of TDP's decision to push out of the NDA. I welcome the TDP's decision to leave the NDA. The current situation warrants such action to save the country from disaster. I appeal to all political parties in the Opposition to work closely together against atrocities, economic calamity&political instability: Mamata Banerjee pic.twitter.com/zRKBWMdKbL ANI (@ANI) March 16, 2018 TDP leaders CM Ramesh, Thota Narsimhan, Ravindra Babu and others address the media in #Delhi after exiting NDA, say, 'BJP means 'Break Janta Promise,' also add that they will be moving a no-confidence motion on Monday. pic.twitter.com/en2bPyJzNr ANI (@ANI) March 16, 2018 I welcome the TDP's decision to leave the NDA. The current situation warrants such action to save the country from disaster March 16, 2018 He is actually correct @soniandtv . In 1998 elections the BJP had polled 20% in Andhra all alone without any alliance. Then within 12 months they decided to gift it to NCBN and TDP on a platter in 1999; a blunder which pushed them out of state politics for 20 long years. https://t.co/aIQFNkLglV Yashwant Deshmukh (@YRDeshmukh) March 16, 2018 STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- A woman who prosecutors said was a cog in a crack-cocaine distribution network run out of the South Beach Houses has pleaded guilty to a felony drug charge. Lori Gallo, then 24, was among 12 defendants busted late last year under a seven-month probe dubbed Operation "Stem the Tide." The investigation targeted the upper hierarchy of the operation, which grossed about $10,000 in weekly drug sales, said authorities. Throughout the course of the sting, detectives netted about 77 grams of crack cocaine from undercover buys within the network, authorities said. At least three drug overdoses under investigation were linked to suspects in the probe, District Attorney Michael E. McMahon said at the time of the defendants' arrests. Gallo, the only woman charged, sold cocaine to undercover cops multiple times between June and October of last year, alleged authorities. The defendant pleaded guilty Wednesday in state Supreme Court, St. George, to third-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance, the top charge against her. In exchange, she'll be sentenced April 9 to a year in jail. Also Wednesday, Gallo pleaded guilty in Criminal Court to a misdemeanor count of reckless endangerment, stemming from an unrelated arrest Sept. 25, online state court records show. She'll be sentenced to six months behind bars to run concurrently to the drug sentence. Mark Geisser, her lawyer, declined comment on the cases. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- A New York State trooper conducting a traffic stop on the shoulder of the Staten Island Expressway was catapulted into the grass when a drunken driver slammed into the back of his marked vehicle, the New York State Police allege. Calogero Gaudesi, 31, of Staten Island, was charged with driving while intoxicated, processed by the NYPD at the 120th Precinct stationhouse in St. George and will be arraigned later Friday, according to the New York State Police. The trooper is expected to recover from injuries suffered when he was thrown onto the grass next to the highway during the collision, which happened on the expressway westbound near Hylan Boulevard at about 1 a.m., the State Police said. The crash happened after troopers Peter Viti and Tyler Amodio were conducting a vehicle and traffic stop on the expressway, according to the New York State Police. After issuing traffic tickets to the operator, the troopers were walking back to their marked car when a vehicle allegedly driven by Gaudesi moved onto the shoulder and struck the rear end of the patrol car, the State Police said. The patrol car was pushed forward, striking Viti and the vehicle involved in the traffic stop, police said. Viti was propelled from the hood of the trooper vehicle, over the guardrail and onto the grassy area adjacent to the roadway. He was transported to Staten Island University Hospital in Ocean Breeze and is being treated for non-life-threatening injuries, according to the New York State Police. Gaudesi also was taken to Staten Island University Hospital where he was examined and released. The other driver was not injured, police said. During its weekly meeting last Wednesday, the cabinet approved an agreement to establish a new Russian Industrial Zone in Egypt, part of the government s ongoing efforts to attract foreign as well as domestic investors to the Suez Economic Zone where an international logistics hub, industrial areas for different sectors, and commercial and residential projects are being developed. Following the cabinets approval, Minister of Industry and Foreign Trade Tarek Kabil said the agreement would be submitted to the State Council and parliament for review. The new Russian Industrial Zone is planned to be established in East Port Said on the Suez Canal Economic Axis on an area of five million square metres in an investment worth more than $7 billion. In accordance with the Industrial Zones Law, the land will be granted to the new zone for 50 years. The law also stipulates that 90 per cent of the workforce in projects or industrial complexes inside the zone should be Egyptian. The Russian zone is expected to generate 35,000 jobs in a wide array of industries, including sensors, air-conditioners, engines, construction and medical equipment, glass, ceramics, wood, paper and feeding industries for vehicles and tyres. This is a win-win agreement, Farid Ahmed Abdel-Aal, an expert at the National Planning Institute in Cairo, said, explaining that Russia would benefit from Egypts location as a gateway for its products to reach African and European markets in addition to making use of the Egyptian labour force. On the other hand, establishing an industrial zone in cooperation with a developed country like Russia should help in the transfer of technology to the Egyptian industrial sector. It should also attract international companies to invest in Egypt, particularly from the Russian-led Eurasian Customs Union [ECU] which includes Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan, Abdel-Aal added. Economic cooperation between the two countries is expected to increase when negotiations to establish a free-trade area between Egypt and the ECU are finalised. The agreement will give Egyptian products access to a larger number of countries, with more members possibly joining the ECU in the future. It will allow the customs-free export of Egyptian agricultural and industrial goods to the ECU, boosting Egypts trade, Mustafa Khalil, a member of the Egyptian-Russian Business Council, said. The volume of trade between Egypt and Russia came in at $5.5 billion in 2017. According to Khalil, the establishment of the new industrial zone should add to economic cooperation and increase political ties between the two countries. It should also attract further investment to the Suez Canal Economic Axis. For the past two years the government has been promoting the Suez Canal Zone in a bid to attract international investors and boost job creation and economic growth, according to Abdel-Aal. The Suez Canal economic area stretches through the three governorates of Suez, Ismailia and Port Said. When it is complete, the zone will include six maritime ports. It is set to be completed by 2045. People should be able to reap the fruits of these efforts within the coming few years when the services and infrastructure have been improved and income increases, Abdel-Aal said. The construction work on the new zone will be carried out in three stages, which are expected to be finished by 2031 when Russian companies will start operations. During the negotiations, which started in 2014, Egypt and Russia agreed to establish a company called the Moscow Economic Zone that would be responsible for the zones operations and construction work, while both governments would supervise the project as a whole. The zone is funded by the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) and a number of Egyptian banks. Khalil explained that bilateral cooperation between the two countries had been extended to include Russias assistance in building Egypts first nuclear power plant at a total cost of $35 billion in the city of Dabaa. This project will renew Egypts cooperation with the former Soviet Union on building the former Anshas nuclear research reactor in Egypt. Russian investment in the Egyptian market presently amounts to some $62.8 million in 417 projects in the areas of tourism, construction and communications, according to figures from the Ministry of Industry and Trade. *This story was first published in Al-Ahram Weekly Short link: STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Kerry Kelly and Viola Ortiz have carved lasting legacies in the FDNY -- pioneering female doctors who blazed trails and served the department by maintaining the health and safety of FDNY officers for a combined 67 years. With 37 and 30 years in the department, respectively, Kelly and Ortiz, both Staten Island residents, have been pivotal in ensuring the safety of firefighters who place their lives on the line everyday for New Yorkers. Both retired recently from their roles with the FDNY, bringing their long line of service to an end. Their private practices will continue. Kelly started in the FDNY in 1981 as the first woman medical officer and later became the first woman chief medical officer. Ortiz started as a medical officer in 1988 and became the second female physician. She was promoted to deputy chief medical officer in 2006. "Working with the members of the FDNY is an honor," Kelly stated. "We have a tremendous workforce here that is dedicated to the safety of New York, and it was our responsibility to make sure they were well and safe," Ortiz added. 9/11 Both women were pivotal in responding to the health concerns that arose from the Sept. 11, 2001 attack on the World Trade Center. They both called the situation that followed a "defining" moment in their careers. Kelly and Ortiz were pivotal parts of a team that created a health program that aided FDNY officers affected by exposure to World Trade Center toxins. "A great deal unfortunately still have illness related to that exposure," Kelly said, "and the program gives ongoing treatment for illness or injury that was a result of that day." Part of the program, according to Ortiz, "raises awareness and funds" to support medical research dedicated to finding a cure to illnesses sustained by FDNY officers following the 9/11 attack. An important piece of their legacy, enhanced annual checkups, served as a baseline pre-9/11 and serves as a model for occupational health practices. "When we first started, we were in a much smaller space and were limited," Kelly said, "but now that we have moved to headquarters in MetroTech, we have a larger space -- an entire floor," which enables them to perform "meaningful exams on our officers." These meaningful exams, both Kelly and Ortiz agreed, are profoundly vital to combating the health concerns that are still arising from 9/11-related exposure. ROLE MODELS Kelly and Ortiz recognize the importance of their roles in the FDNY as female leaders. "I think as women we serve as role models, and we've been able to attract women in other fields to come forward and serve the department," Kelly said. "We helped give the message that the department is here for all," Kelly said. As females in important leadership positions, both officers felt it was their responsibility to foster the next generation of women in the FDNY. "We've been fortunate to bring additional women into the physician role here, and I think that presence is valuable to other people in the department," Ortiz said. Seeing "that there are women here in leadership roles can aspire them to do great things within the department," Ortiz added. A TEAM EFFORT Both officers attributed part of their success to working with their peers in the FDNY. "We worked in a team of incredible nurses, physicians and officers," Kelly added. "It was truly a team effort. Both women were part of the team given the Fire Commissioner's Award for Meritorious Service in 2015, which is awarded to individuals or groups selected for distinguished service, superior accomplishment, performance of duties, innovation and commitment to the department's mission to provide citizens with vital public safety services. Their work in the aforementioned World Trade Center health program helped lead to their team being honored with the prestigious award. "It was a pleasure to work with a great team. We could have never done what we did without everyone else," Ortiz said. Through this team effort, Kelly and Ortiz helped establish practices that will continue long after their retirement, creating a lasting legacy in their wake. Update: When police gained entry to the home, no one was inside. The investigation continues. Click here for the story. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Police swarmed a quiet Rossville street Thursday night where they believed a man barricaded himself, as they investigated a reported shooting. Hostage negotiators and the Emergency Service Unit (ESU) were called to a home on the 200 block of Gervil Street to assist in safely bringing the man from the home, a spokesman for the NYPD said. Officers were originally called to the location after a shooting was reported in the vicinity of Gervil and Correll Avenue's intersection before 9:30 p.m. Neighbors said they heard about three shots coming from the woods at the dead end of Gervil Street. The home where the individual was barricaded is near that dead end. Police could be seen investigating a Chevy sedan, and ESU officers were stationed outside the house. The police spokesman said they were in the midst of a hospital canvas to determine if anyone was injured in the shooting. CITY HALL -- The city will follow through with plans to open 90 new homeless shelters across the five boroughs over the next five years even though the de Blasio administration is giving homeless families up to a year's worth of money in rent and allowing them to move to other parts of the state and outside of New York. Since last summer, the city's Department of Homeless Services said at least 800 families, or 2,600 people, have taken advantage of the relocation program to transition from shelters to affordable housing. DHS described the program as one that combines a number of homeless relocation programs that date back decades, but refrained from providing a date on when exactly it began. The New York Post recently described the relocation effort as a pilot program that quietly launched in August in which shelter residents who have been in the system for at least 90 days and have a source of income are eligible for a year's rent paid up-front in virtually any town they can find an apartment. Although the city has not yet identified sites for new homeless shelters on Staten Island, it still plans on bringing shelters to the Island and the rest of the boroughs as part of the mayor's effort to house the city's 61,000 homeless population. SHELTER OPPOSITION But the mayor's effort has been met with immense pushback from Staten Island elected officials and elsewhere. DHS said the relocation program is different from voucher programs because rental assistance vouchers can only be used for homes within the five boroughs. With vouchers, the city provides money to recipients up-front and they can shop around. DHS said recipients of the relocation program have the option to look outside of the five boroughs to find housing and then the city sponsors that housing for up to a year. UPSTATE UPROAR But the program has caused an uproar in some upstate communities. In Broome County outside of Ithaca, local officials have called on New York city officials to stop sending its homeless to the area, Syracuse.com reported. The paper said that county officials have identified at least five cases where the city has transferred its responsibilities by paying a local landlord one year's rent in advance. Local officials from the county say they have been forced to pick up the tab for the rest of the city's relocated homeless families. Broome County Executive Jason Garnar has called the city's process illegal, Syracuse.com reported. But DHS has denied Garnar's claim, calling the program voluntary in which people are free to seek housing where they can afford it. "Homeless families seeking housing where they can afford it and employment where they can find it should have access to those opportunities to get back on their feet," said DHS spokesman Isaac McGinn. "Through this program and others like it, we provide families that have found affordable housing with the extra support needed to transition back to stability and independent living, whether within the five boroughs or beyond." With the help of the program, DHS said about one-third of those families found housing within the five boroughs, 10 percent found housing outside of the city in other parts of the state, while just over half of those families found housing out of state. Meantime, the state Senate is planning to open a probe into the de Blasio administration's relocation program and will hold a public hearing on the matter, the New York Post reported. "It's very concerning when people are relocated from one part of the state to another without community notification," Senate Investigations Committee Chairman Terrence Murphy (R-Hudson Valley) recently told The Post "It's slap in the face. It's sleight of hand. I wouldn't expect anything less from Mayor de Blasio." STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. - After more than a decade in office, Assemblyman Matthew Titone is leaving his North Shore seat to run for Surrogate's Court. "I didn't take the decision lightly," said Titone, later adding, "I believe that I can do so much as Staten Island Surrogate and I believe that I'm truly the most qualified person to sit in this seat." Titone's campaign was immediately bolstered by a string of endorsements from several Island politicians, including State Sen. Diane Savino, Assemblyman Michael Cuisick, Councilwoman Debi Rose, and former Staten Island Borough President James Molinaro. Several activists and labor leaders, including Dennis Quirk, president of the New York State Court Officers Association, also endorsed Titone. Titone started practicing law in 1992 at a Wall Street law firm. In 1993, he began managing the firm's labor law litigation department. He launched his own general practice law firm in 1998 on Staten Island. The North Shore lawmaker garnered attention that year when he represented a family pro bono who was never informed by an adoption agency that the baby boy they adopted was born with the AIDS virus and was never treated. Titone was first elected to the state Assembly in March 2007 in a special election race that was triggered by the death of John Lavelle. Titone, whose father served as a judge on the New York State Court of Appeals, told the Advance that he'll miss his time in the state Legislature and that he consulted family and friends before deciding to leave his seat in the Assembly's 61st district. "At times it's hard for me to think that I'm leaving the New York Assembly, it's almost heartbreaking because I absolutely love the job and I love serving the North Shore of Staten Island as a legislator," said Titone. Titone will seek an endorsement from the Richmond County Democrats and will have to primary against Anthony Catalano, a career prosecutor and Staten Island's public administrator, who also announced his candidacy on Thursday. "Staten Island families deserve a judge who will stand up for them - a proven fighter to ensure that justice is delivered with fairness, integrity and dedication," said Catalano, a Democrat, in a statement. "That's how I've lived my entire life and that's why I am running for Surrogate Judge." Assemblyman Ron Castorina (R-South Shore), who began practicing law in 2007, announced that he's giving up his Assembly seat to seek the surrogate judgeship. He's currently the only Republican in the race. Staten Island Borough President James Oddo put months of speculation to rest recently when he announced that he won't run for surrogate and will remain at Borough Hall through his second term. Richmond County Surrogate's Court oversees the validity of wills and the distribution of estate assets according to terms of a will. Surrogate Robert Gigante, turning 70 this year, is required by law to retire at the end of 2018. The moves by Castorina and Titone mean that half of the Island's four Assembly seats will be open this fall. FOLLOW CLIFFORD MICHEL ON FACEBOOK AND TWITTER. At G20 meet, US seeking 'like-minded' countries on China Washington, March 15 (AFP) Mar 15, 2018 The United States heads to next week's Group of 20 finance ministers meeting looking for partners in confronting Beijing over its trade practices, a senior Treasury Department official said Thursday. Talks in Buenos Aires between the world's largest advanced and emerging economies will occur amid raw tensions over President Donald Trump's increasingly confrontational trade policies. The White House last week announced a raft of tariffs and is poised to unveil more soon. "We have been working with like-minded countries around the world to recognize the problems that China's trade policies and investment policies cause for the rest of the world," the Treasury official told reporters in a briefing given on condition of anonymity. "There's been substantial recognition of this problem." A senior Trump trade advisor warned Thursday the president will soon consider additional tariffs on Chinese products to retaliate for China's alleged theft of American companies' intellectual property. US officials have long accused Beijing of fostering massive overcapacity in the metals sector and forcing foreign companies to surrender proprietary technology as a condition of operating in China. But US trading partners have condemned Washington's decision to impose sweeping tariffs on steel and aluminum imports, with markets and lawmakers warning of the risk of a trade war and higher consumer prices. The Treasury official also said the United States would work to address energy investment in Latin America and the current crisis in Venezuela as well as possible new regulations for cryptocurrencies and counterterrorism finance, particularly concerning North Korea's nuclear program. The United States will seek to build consensus in these other areas even if trade policy remains a source of tension, the official said. "While there can be trade frictions there can also be a lot of cooperation in areas involving growth, in involving terrorism financing, involving crypto assets and that's what I expect," the official said. Page Content Acting Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transportation and Telecommunications (Ministry TEATT) Cornelius de Weever, welcomes the news that Copa Airlines will be returning with weekly flights in June. This is a significant development. Copa Airlines is a strategic partner where airlift is concerned from Latin America. The airline is the Hub of the Americas in Panama which offers the most direct way to connect to the Americas, while SXM Airport is the hub for the North Eastern Caribbean. The return of Copa Airlines will also benefit Sint Maarten patients who need to travel to Colombia for medical care. This mix fits into the strategic hub strategy in the form of an Air Service Recovery approach of SXM Airport which has been a primary focus post-Irma by airport management with meetings with being held with destination hub partners/stakeholders over the past months. On March 22, interCaribbean Airways commences with a new nonstop schedule service to several islands in the Eastern Caribbean with one stop easy connections via Tortola to Sint Maarten. This is additional airlift to the destination which benefits travelers. These developments are positive signs that things are moving in the right direction and our country will be back better than ever, Minister Cornelius de Weever said on Thursday. St. Maarten Tourist Bureau (STB) representatives attended the ANATO Tradeshow in Bogota, Columbia. This show is one of the largest tourism tradeshows in South America. STB met with Copa Airlines management officials and the airline confirmed to resume flights as of June 2 with two flights per week and increase this to four over time. Copa Airlines was founded in 1947 as the National Airline of Panama. Copa marked seven decades of continuous growth and progress last year where today it is one of the leading airlines in the Americas. Picture this: Youve just started your first year of college. New experiences are now the norm and youre hungry for more. Call it wanderlust, or an appetite for learning, theres somethingthat makes you wonder: What else can I learn? Or see? Or do? Who can I help or meet? Where can I go next from here? At Skidmore, wonder can become reality with abundant opportunities to personalize your college experienceand your impact on the world. Study life, from every angle Experience a new culture, research a far-away place, try on a potential career or follow your sense of adventure. Skidmore students are crafting learning experiences as individual as they are through off-campus study and exchanges, courses, internships and more. While options are almost infinite, here a few student favorites for getting off campus and into the world. Long-term experiences International programs: Skidmore has a long tradition of running its own study abroad programs. London, Paris, Spain or New Zealandeach program integrates academic opportunities with cultural experiences. London is also home to a study abroad option for freshman to spend their first semester of college abroad. But these arent the only places students are traveling to. Students can also participate in more than 120 approved programs through other institutions in 45 countries for a semester or full academic year. Did you know? With more than 60 percent of students studying abroad, Skidmore ranks among the very top U.S. baccalaureate institutions for the number of students setting off across the globe. Domestic programs: At Skidmore, students can also gain new perspectives while remaining in the U.S. For example, there are approved programs in Atlanta, Georgia (Spelman College); Washington, D.C. (American University); and Mystic, Connecticut (Williams College). Students interested in environmental science can also spend a semester in Woods Hole, Massachusetts, at the Ecosystems Center of the Marine Biological Laboratory, the oldest private marine laboratory in North America. Related reading: Check out sophomore Olivia Glassers blog about her seafaring adventures in Mystic, Connecticut. Summer Experience Fund: Skidmores Career Development Center (CDC) provides many opportunities for students to integrate their on-campus learning with off-campus experiences in preparation for of their future careers. In addition to the many traditional internships it helps students coordinate each year, the CDC has a unique program called the Summer Experience Fund. Formed with an understanding that some of the best experiences may be unpaid, students apply each year to the Fund for a stipend to support them as they participate in unpaid internships, volunteering, research, or community service projects. On average, more than 100 total awards are granted. Summer Educational Experiences Beyond the Campus:Another exciting option students can apply for are the SEE-Beyond Awards. Award recipients receive a stipend to help them dedicate their summer to exploring new technologies, techniques, and modes of inquiry or expression in their field. With a focus on applying academic-year learning to real-world challenges, past students have used their awards to explore everything from refugee assistance programs in Germany to documentary film processes in L.A. Short-term experiences Travel seminars: These seminars allow students to accompany one or two faculty members as they explore a focused topic that uses the destination as a classroom. Students take a prerequisite course(s) that prepares them for a structured, challenging learning experience. For example, in 2019, Japanese Culture and Art will bring students to Japan and Mapping and Exploring Rome to Italy. Other travel seminars are headed to France, California and Nevada. Related reading: Students share their memories of their course trip to Rome. Volunteering and service trips: Nearly half of all Skidmore students take part in off-campus community service activities each year supporting organizations like the American Red Cross and Special Olympics, as well as several local and regional causes. Some students even take their volunteering a step further and dedicate their spring break to a service project. For example, students have traveled from New York City to Guatemala to volunteer in existing programs and pulled together their own groups to travel to areas affected by natural disasters or other crises. Creative thought travels At Skidmore, we believe that when you change your view of the world, that view can change you. Here, its okay to step outside of your comfort zoneor even your time zone if it means broadening perspectives and collecting valuable experiences. About 2,500 students call our 1,000-acre campus in Saratoga Springs home. But, for many, it can also be called home base: a launch pad for personal and academic exploration. You can start here, open your creative mind, and find your path to explore the world both near and far. Skidmore College held the first round of the Kenneth A. Freirich Business Plan Competition February 23 in Murray-Aikins Dining Hall. Judges from a variety of fields heard presentations from 15 teams, chose nine finalists and are now serving as their mentors, working with the students to refine their business plans and sharpen their presentations. A different panel of judges will evaluate presentations during the final round on April 6. The competition, now in its eighth year, was created with the intent of fostering entrepreneurship and creativity across all majors and disciplines at Skidmore. It has grown into one of the preeminent competitions among liberal arts colleges nationally. More than 350 students and 225 businesses have entered the contest to date. The winning teams will be awarded cash prizes and business services valued at $52,500 for writing and presenting the best business plans. The prizes are 20,000 for first place, $10,000 for second, $5,000 for third, and $2,500 for fourth. An additional $15,000 in business services will be awarded to the three top teams. Ken Freirich, Skidmore Class of 1990, was a student entrepreneur while at Skidmore; as a sophomore, his first business was publishing a magazine for college students that was distributed on 35 college campuses in three states. He is now president of Health Monitor Network. "There's nothing more rewarding than watching these amazingly talented and creative Skidmore students take on the biggest challenges of their lives and succeed," Freirich said. "When you challenge yourself beyond your comfort level, that's when you really grow and learn. When you start to succeed and hit a home run, that's when you see that the possibilities are endless." The judges were Freirich, president of Health Monitor Network; Raymond Bryan '94, financial advisor, Janney Montgomery Scott LLC; Tal Chitayat '03, co-founder and CEO, Full Circle Home; Laurie J. Giddins '82, Child Mind Institute; Matt Kavet '94, founder and president, Boston America Corp.; Elizabeth Kigin '10, vice president, Pershing Advisor Solutions; Raiza Nazareth '12, investor relations manager, Conti Organization; Gregory Alan Rutchik '87, attorney; Gregg Smith '92, serial entrepreneur; and Linda Toohey, Skidmore trustee chair emerita. The following teams will go on to the final round of the competition: On Monday 19 March Cairo's Da House will host vocalist Amy Frega and bassist Samer George in an evening filled with soulful music and spontaneous improvisation. Joined as Voice & Bass, the two musicians rearrange songs from all kinds of genres of music to fit the creative duo. Their concert at Da House marks Voice & Bass's last appearance in this season's concert series, before summer and Ramadan steps in with its own music assortment. Launched in 2016, Da House is a meeting place for musicians and a place for concerts and various events. The venue was launched by Ahmed Mohamed Sakran, known as Siko, for musicians hosted in Vibe for Developing Arts, a well-established music studio that has operated since 2011 on the first floor of the same building. Programme: Monday 19 March, 8.30pm Da House, 7 Mosaddak st, 4th floor, Dokki, Cairo 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 Short link: When we poll Slowtwitchers, Canyon is the brand of tri bike that generates the most intrigue. Today Im writing about the Speedmax CF 7.0 as part of our series on Entry Level Plus tri bikes. These are tri bikes aboard which you could win the Hawaiian Ironman with a little sprucing. The bikes in this category are among the most efficient values (not the least expensive, but the sweet spot in tech versus price). Ive done a lot of business with the founder and owner of Canyon, Roman Arnold. He and I have known each other for going on 30 years. Hes one of the true gentlemen in the business, and its been my pleasure to know both Roman and his brother Franc, who is the founder of Ergon (this brand's grips are on the Speedmax). Talented family! I dont see them often enough. Now, to this bike. There are benefits. There are hurdles. Ill tell you what they are. Price and Value Canyon is the first direct seller (manufacturer to the consumer) of high quality bikes to successfully navigate the entire bike making process from design, testing, building proprietary molds and products, all the way to the consumer. The Speedmax CF 7.0 is an example of this. This bike sells for $2,499 complete. Ill reference back to the other bikes Ive reviewed in this class, the Quintana Roo PRthree ($2,599), Cervelo P2 ($2,800) and the Felt IA16 ($2,999). These are all Shimano 105 bikes and so is the Speedmax CF. You would assume you get more for your money because Canyon cuts out the middleman (your LBS). And sure enough, the Speedmax CF shows off its value in price (you can see how it compares above) and that it, alone among the bikes so-far reviewed, actually specs a 105 crankset as part of the 105 kit. It also specs 105 direct mount brake calipers. This bike has Mavic Cosmic Elite wheels, and this again is a mild upgrade over the Shimano RS010 wheels that come on the Cervelo and the QR. Felt makes its own wheels, and Felt does a nice job on these. None of these wheels are going to cause you trouble. If youve been reading Slowtwitch with any regularity youll see that I view Profile Designs products as kind of BC and AD. There was what came before (J2 brackets, F19 armrests) and what came after (J4 and F35). In my opinion, this is the biggest meaningful change in aerobar tech in many years. The J4 bracket and the F35 armrest is on the Speedmax CF. Bravo! But this does create a fit limitation, which Ill get to. This bike specs a fi'zi:k Mistica saddle, and that may be a great saddle for you. According to our polling, tho, probably not. So, try it! But if it doesnt work, the ISM PR2.0 is what comes stock on QRs bike in this class, and so it goes. Specing a saddle OE is a crap shoot. Lets finish up by talking a little about the decisions made on teeth count, lengths, and such. The bike is geared just like the QR, with a 52x36 chain ring set and an 11-28 cogset. I hope you see a pattern here. Only a couple of years ago tri bikes were frequently specd 53x39 and 11-25. That gearings fine if you live in Minnesota and you never travel outside of it. These tri bikes are finally getting specd in a way that actually matches how the typical owner rides. This bike comes with cranks that range in length from 170mm to 175mm depending on the size (from XS to XL). That may be the one downside to specing Shimano: It might be hard to reliably get shorter cranks. I dont know. Or, maybe Canyon just isnt in sync with my own thinking, that these crank lengths are, throughout the size run, 5mm longer than I wouldve chosen. Still, not a deal breaker by any means! Fit & Adjustability Lets get right to the fit issue because this is a fair differentiator between these bikes. Then well talk about aerodynamics, ease of use, and so forth. Deal? The seat post has the capacity to accept a wide range of virtual seat angles. No issue there. This bike is a mortal bike that seems like a superbike. Just like the Felt IA16. I say this because its got a proprietary stem that mates with headset bearings (can you see that bevel in the underside of the stem in the image above?) and the top tube storage (see those flange looking things on the topside of the stem, in the image below?), it looks very superbikey. But you can actually change out that stem, for another length of the same model stem or, of you want, some other brand of stem. It comes in three lengths: 70mm, 80mm, and 90mm. You get a longer stem when you order a bigger bike (the bike comes in 5 sizes, XS to XL). The stems are 17 in pitch (parallel to the ground). All of this I like. Im a big fan of flat stems and no spacers (getting height through armrest pedestals), and of stems about 3cm shorter than what Id ride on my road bike. Canyon basically read my mind and did everything I would do if I still made bikes. There is one hitch in the getalong. Direct sellers and I deal with a number of them, notably Canyon and Diamondback (whose pro bikes are vastly underappreciated) do not like to crack the case. You would think that direct sellers would be the kings of mass-custom (Trek Project One like processes). Not even. Accordingly, Canyon will sell you this bike, and the lid on the box in which this bike is enclosed, assembly in the Orient, is not going to be opened until you open it. That means the stem that comes on this bike is the stem youre getting, unless you spend $99.95 to Canyon to buy, aftermarket, that same stem in another size. So, while Im not as much a fan of armrests clamped to extensions which are in turn clamped to brackets that are clamped to pursuit bars, that style (which you see on QR and Felt bikes) offers you more fit range than the bike here. This bike, the CF, has as its Pad X fore/aft range simply the ability move the pads to a forward or rearward hole. Thats it. unless you buy a shorter or longer stem. But look, lets say thats what you do. You buy a different length stem from Canyon. That means youre into this bike $2,599, which is still a great bargain! And you have that second stem. If you find you need it. I think Canyon is figuring out the practical hindrances to selling bikes consumer direct in the United States. If you really find you need help, and you live in Munich, you fire up your V8 Audi, throw the bike in the trunk, and youre in Koblenz in four and a half hours. But, what if youre in Des Moines? Canyon is working on that. (I'll talk about Velofix and other options below.) Its my opinion that well see a convergence of sales channels and models. Trek will end up looking more like Canyon and Canyon like Trek. Canyon has already started to reach out to your LBS, and mobile repair franchisees, and bike fitters. Perhaps the other stem lengths will find their ways onto the shelves of some of these establishments. Were I Canyon, I think that would be the smart play. Would you be more likely to buy this bike if the stems in all the sizes were available at your local bike fitter? If you simply look at the frame geometrics, stack and reach, this is a rather tall bike versus its length (geometry chart is above). But it doesnt fit that way, largely because the integrated stem (as with Felts IA16) sits on the frame with no headset dust cover or top cap. And, the stem is flat to the horizon. So this mitigates, or normalizes for, the otherwise taller frame stack. When I plunk my numbers into Felts IAx frame prescriber, I get almost exactly the same kind of fit prescription that I get with this bike: the lowest config available in a Canyon Speedmax CF is also about the lowest I can get on an IAx. This throughout the size run. In other words, the Speedmax CF is a consensus bike, fitwise; its not an outlier. That said, all the bikes in this category are adjustable tall more than theyre adjustable low. Me, I dont ride that low in front anymore, because at 61 years old I have some spinal impingement that keeps me from looking up (down the road). So I ride with my Pad Y (Pad Stack) of about 640mm. The Speedmax CF only goes down to 627mm. I couldnt have ridden this bike in my prime without some tinkering with the stock parts. So, this is not a long and low bike, exactly. That colorful thingy above, that is a Cartesian representation of the pink shaded area in the geometry chart above that. Sometimes graphing this makes it easier to see how bikes will fit. See that red circle? That's me. That's a Pad XY, to pad-center, of 640mm (pad rise, from the bottom bracket) x 505mm (pad run). See how I'm in the yellow shaded rectangle? Because my circle is right in the middle of it (horizontally), that means the length of the bike fits me perfectly, as is, bolts in the center of the armrest's 3 holesets, with the stem that comes on the bike. No $99 purchase needed for me! But if i was 10mm or 15mm off one way or the other, then I decide whether to pull the pads back or forward, or buy another stem. See? Now, that 640mm of pad height, that's 13mm above the floor of the bike's adjustability (with that aerobar). So, I'd add maybe 15mm of pedestals under the armrests and, presto, I'm pretty much bang on. I could ride this bike very easily. But, what if I needed to be 13mm lower than the floor of that bike's adjustability, rather than 13mm higher? Let me return briefly to the "direct seller conundrum." You could make this bike lower by replacing this Profile Design aerobar with the upcoming Profile Design Subsonic. Were this bike sold at your LBS, let the horse trading begin! Will he take back your OE bar and replace with another, low profile bar, the way you could if this was a Cervelo P2 you bought from your local shop? Good question. Just sayin'. And, look, just to put a coda on this, Im fine with direct selling! And this bike wouldnt be the value it is were it not sold this way. Just, before you go on our Reader Forum and complain about a direct sale purchase that didnt go the way you want, bikes that pop out of the box very often require alterations before the bike is really yours in every ergonomic sense. Just, you know, have a plan for that, whether its a local bike shop, mobile bike service, local bike fitter, or your own wrenching skills. Canyon has a fit system, called PPS for Perfect Positioning System and its not going to help you for this bike. My counsel is, if you want this bike go on our Reader Forum, lets start the Canyon Speedmax owners thread (every popular tri bike has one), post your particulars and a few of us will help you sort out what to order. One more thing. That Cartesian plot above, David Bowden from Velogicfit (cyclenutnz on our Reader Forum) helped me with the plot points on that chart. But if you look at the image of the handlebar area below, you see that spacer between the frame and the stem? I will probably circle back and write another article only about a bike prescriber for this and other Canyons, talking about how and when to use that spacer. They need a better prescriber. I'll just probably build it myself. Expect that sometime this spring, when I get a moment. Handling Ive never ridden this bike. Its not quite the bike Id have built but that's okay. Its got a 420mm chain stay, which is long. But I dont mind that chain stay. I designed my own gravel bike and its got a 430mm chain stay. But, thats not what I have on my tri bike. Im more of a 395mm guy. The P2 has a chain stay of 405mm. The QR has a 395mm. The wheelbase of the PRthree, in my size, is 101.7cm. The wheelbase of the Speedmax in size L is 103.7cm. That extra 2cm may not seem like a lot, but you can feel 2cm. Just, Id rather have that extra 2cm in the back rather than reflected in the bikes front-center (bottom bracket to front wheel axle). Extra F:C really changes the steering, because there's a pivoting joint between the BB and the front wheel axle (the steering axis). That you can feel. Extra chain stay reflects more in weight displacement. You never know how a bikes going to handle just by looking at a geometry chart. (And, this geometry chart is missing stuff, like front center, trail, head angle, fork offset; if you're going to be a direct seller, by gosh, give customer more not less; as there is no reseller to fill in the gap!) Based on the geometry you can make guesses, but you just wont know. Obviously the folks whove been recently winning the Hawaiian Ironman have not had any difficulty with the handling of their Speedmaxes! Bottom line, I have seen the entire geometry chart, I have no problems with how this bike was designed, I expect it handles very nicely. Storage Do you mummify your top tube with gels and a half a roll of black tape? Does your bike, when Ironman ready, look like the Beverly Hillbillies truck? This bike solves it for you. The Speedmax CF may have the cleanest looking (and roomiest) top tube storage unit of all sub-$3000 tri bikes. In fact, very few bikes below $3000 have any top tube storage device (QRs PRthree being one of the few). That cool compartment accessed at the back of the top tube on the fully integrated Speedmaxes is missing here. I think a customer's reasonable expectation for cutting edge bikes of today, in this price category, is pre-planned, already-tested, hydration and storage systems (for both food and tools, spares, inflators and so forth everything you need). Canyon is halfway to the goal with this bike. Felt likewise, but its got the other half covered (with its rear storage). QR has both storage units; Cervelo neither. You can buy these items aftermarket. But, you know... Aerodynamics The bike looks pretty darned fast! I wish I could say more. I just couldnt find much comparative aero data, either on this or any Speedmax. Tour Magazine did some comparative testing that included some Felts, BMCs, and Cervelos, but I dont know much about the testing, such as, were all the bikes tested on the same day or if not were they normalized for temp and humidity, and so forth? If you blind yourself to all such questions it appears the Speedmax SLX and 9.0SL tested quite favorably, in general. The only rough comparison you can torture out of the literature is by looking at multiple tests, i.e., the Speedmax tested like this against the P5, and in somebody else's test the P5X tested like this against the P5, ergo the Speedmax is this much faster or slower than the P5X, that sort of thing. Doing that, the Speedmaxes look good. Still, Canyons tri bikes are just noticeably absent of data to date. Why? Because most of the testing occurs in the U.S., and Canyon hasnt been in the U.S. until very recently. When you sponsor a Pro Tour team, these teams are very picky about stuff like aerodynamics. Its hard to imagine Canyon not making a first rate aero bike if its going to be used by the top triathletes and the top cyclists riding it. Ease of adjustment This is the nice thing about mortal bikes! Ive built a lot of bikes from the ground up. Some go together easy, some, well, not so much. Ive not built this bike up, and you dont have to. One nice thing about consumer direct is that nowadays they tend to come in big boxes, fully built, and youre aboard and riding in 20 minutes. Because these are typical, direct mount Shimano brakes, adjustment is a breeze (the more expensive your Speedmax, the more the brakes tend to be hidden, and less easily adjustable; but thats the case with most superbikes). What I have heard is that the build and adjustments are easy. I know that the PD J4/F35 system makes aerobar adjustment easy, and the bike comes with all the bolts and pedestals to raise the aerobars about 50mm. The bike also comes with PDs Figure-8 spacer to slide under the armrest. Dont use the Figure-8. It messes with the spatial relationship PD has in mind between its pads and extensions. Pathway to purchase The bike is going to come to you by ground shipment for $89 or thereabouts. If you just cant wait to get your hands on one itll arrive tomorrow for $175. Canyon has a partnership with Velofix, where you can get your bike delivered, built, ready for $95. These are reasonable charges. Canyon collects sales taxes from the following states: California, Colorado, Utah, Idaho, South Carolina, New York, Hawaii, Pennsylvania, Washington, North Carolina. Not listed as places sales tax gets charged are some big triathlon states, like Texas and Florida. Canyon has a liberal return policy: If you get it and you dont like it you can return it for a full refund. If you get it, ride it, dont find its correct, return it for a full store credit. Canyon will provide return shipping Fedex labels. Dont throw the box away for 30 days! Youll play heck finding that box! Canyon also confirmed to me they pay the return freight. Conclusion When I calculate up all the value here, it seems to me this bike should cost about $3,000 if it sold through your LBS. Perhaps a bit more. I base this on the upcharges youd pay for wheels, brake calipers, crankset and so forth. Youre getting a nice discount at $2,500. Plus, this is a very nice bike! Just, realize there are some charges your LBS would absorb, such as, shipping and assembly. A stem swap if you need a different stem. Perhaps, after that stem swap is made, the pedestals are inserted, and so forth, your LBS maybe decable the bike, cut the housing to proper size, cable it back up. So, Velofixs $95, the $95 in freight, the $99 for the stem swap, you see the point here: The value gets incrementally skinnier the more you need help with your direct purchase. On the other other hand, when you deal with Canyon youre dealing with the manufacturer directly, which means if you have an issue and youre the kind of person who likes that direct relationship, you have it. So, my guidance to you is not so straightforward with these bikes as it used to be. Before, it was just the bike. Do I like the bike? Is it a value? Now we have to talk about the pathway to your purchase of this bike, and what that might mean. Me? I have all the tools and most of the knowledge. Im a great candidate for a purchase direct from the manufacturer. Are you? You must answer that. But as to the bike, the Canyon Speedmax CF 7.0 appears to me to be a terrific bike at a great price. Final thing. Here is what Canyon told me: "The Speedmax CF 8.0 Di2 ($4999) will be back in stock by the end of this month. The other low inventory bike, Speedmax CF 7.0 ($2499), will follow shortly thereafter. The SLX version of the Speedmax is basically on a revolving door: As soon as they come in, they immediately go back out. To help manage demand, weve recently introduced a stock notification system (found on each model page under the availability button) that will alert customers when their desired bike is available for order." Best Canadian Blog 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007 About Kate Why this blog? Until this moment I have been forced to listen while media and politicians alike have told me "what Canadians think". In all that time they never once asked. This is just the voice of an ordinary Canadian yelling back at the radio - "You don't speak for me." (goes to a private mailserver in Europe) I can't answer or use every tip, but all are appreciated! 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This mix fits into the strategic hub strategy in the form of an Air Service Recovery approach of SXM Airport which has been a primary focus post-Irma by airport management with meetings with being held with destination hub partners/stakeholders over the past months. On March 22, interCaribbean Airways commences with a new nonstop schedule service to several islands in the Eastern Caribbean with one stop easy connections via Tortola to Sint Maarten. This is additional airlift to the destination which benefits travelers. These developments are positive signs that things are moving in the right direction and our country will be back better than ever, Minister Cornelius de Weever said on Thursday. St. Maarten Tourist Bureau (STB) representatives attended the ANATO Tradeshow in Bogota, Columbia. This show is one of the largest tourism tradeshows in South America. STB met with Copa Airlines management officials and the airline confirmed to resume flights as of June 2 with two flights per week and increase this to four over time. Copa Airlines was founded in 1947 as the National Airline of Panama. Copa marked seven decades of continuous growth and progress last year where today it is one of the leading airlines in the Americas. POND ISLAND:--- Acting Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transportation and Telecommunications (Ministry TEATT) Cornelius de Weever, is encouraging interested persons and young people to apply for the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) Scholarship Foundation for study grants and scholarships. The scholarship foundation is accepting applications for the aforementioned from Caribbean nationals in CTO member countries. Sint Maarten is a member of the CTO. The main aim of the CTO Foundation is to provide opportunities for Caribbean nationals to pursue studies in the areas of tourism, hospitality and language training. The Foundation selects individuals who demonstrate high levels of achievement and leadership both within and outside the classroom and who express a strong interest in making a positive contribution to Caribbean tourism. The Foundation offers the following types of assistance and the various forms are downloadable from the Caribbean Tourism Organization website http://www.onecaribbean.org/our-work/scholarship-foundation/scholarships-grants/ Scholarships of up to US$12,000 to individuals wanting to study tourism or hospitality at the Masters (postgraduate) level. Download 2018 Scholarship Application Form Study grants of up to US$2,500 to individuals pursing tourism/hospitality studies at the certificate, diploma, associate degree or first-degree level, and to industry personnel who want to gain proficiency in a second language to assist them in their job. Download 2018 Study Grant Application Form A scholarship of up to US$2,500 is offered in the name of CTOs former Director of Research and Information Management, Mr. Arley Sobers, for persons working in local tourism organizations such as the Ministry of Tourism or the Board of Tourism, who wish to strengthen their skills in the areas of research and statistics. Download 2018 Arley Sobers Scholarship Application Form Studies can be pursued both within and outside the region. Interested persons must fill out the forms, supply all of the necessary information and return them directly to the Caribbean Tourism Organizations headquarters, 7th Floor, Barbados Tower, Warrens, St. Michael, Barbados, Tel: 246-427-5242; Fax: 246-429-3065 by the deadline date of April 15, 2018. Harbour View:--- On March 16, 2018, the Governor of Sint Maarten, His Excellency drs. E.B. Holiday requested Mr. Theo Heyliger to form a government as formateur. The Governor met on March 12 and 13, 2018 with the leaders of the political parties that are elected into Parliament, (the United Democrats, the National Alliance, the United St. Maarten Peoples Party and the Sint Maarten Christian Party). During these meetings, the Governor consulted the party leaders about the advice given by the informateurs Mrs. Dr. R.D.A. Arduin and Mr. J.J. Beaujon. The Governor emphasized the importance of unity and working together in the interest of the people of Sint Maarten. The formateur was requested to use the report of the informateurs as the basis for the further formation process. Based on the consultations the Governor requested Mr. Theo Heyliger to form a government supported by as broad a majority in Parliament as possible to foster political stability. A government that consists of ministers who are committed to the promotion of the well-being of the people of Sint Maarten and who are dedicated to the reconstruction of our country. In addition, the Governor requested the formateur to form a government that will commit itself to a governing program focused on a sustainable social, economic and financial reconstruction of Sint Maarten, with an emphasis on the critical infrastructure, the tourism sector, the social infrastructure, law enforcement and the public finances. With regard to the governing program specific attention was also asked for cooperation with the Netherlands, the World Bank and the social and economic partners, for the need to take the urgent steps to prepare for the upcoming hurricane season and for measures to find a sustainable solution for the landfill and waste management on Sint Maarten. The formateur was asked to present a governing program with his final report. The Governor further emphasized the importance of the strict observance of the regulatory requirements including the screening criteria, applicable to the appointment for candidate-ministers. The formateur took the commission into consideration and will inform the Governor regularly during the formation process. The Governor requested Mr. Theo Heyliger to present him the final report of the formation process as soon as possible. PHILIPSBURG:---The Samenwerkende Fondsen Cariben or SFC (Cooperating Foundations for the Dutch Caribbean) office on Sint Maarten, which caters to the islands of Sint Maarten, Saba and Statia with providing funding opportunities for social endeavours, received a working visit from representatives of the Samenwerkende Fondsen Netherlands. Samenwerkende Fondsen was set up over 14 years ago, as a collaborative effort to support social initiatives on the Dutch Caribbean islands, regardless of their status within the Kingdom. It is an organization that is facilitated by six funding agencies, originating from the Netherlands; Fonds Sluyterman van Loo, Innovatiefonds Zorgverzekeraars, Kansfonds, Oranje Fonds, Stichting Kinderpostzegels, and the newly joined Roomsch Catholijk Oude Armen Kantoor (RCOAK). The SFC assists NGOs financially within the field of social welfare and care, also catering to projects with a special focus on vulnerable groups such as the elderly and youth. During this working visit, Organisations that have shown interest or have submitted applications for funding, as well as projects that are ongoing were visited. Organisations that have had projects in the past or have been the recipients of Irma relief funding, which was granted in December, were also visited. Such visits are of importance for the representatives to get a feel for the needs on the islands as well as knowing hands-on how projects funded through them are making a difference. The delegation also hosted a successful information session, at the Senior Citizen Recreational Center in Hope Estate, whereby over 40 persons attended. All showing interest in the opportunities SFC may have to offer. The working visit continued on Curacao where all SFC representatives met to discuss the policy plan for the coming years, as well as the specific needs of all the Dutch Caribbean islands, and how best to cater to these needs. All Dutch Caribbean islands have a local office and a local project coordinator and are there to assist with funding applications and inquiries. These offices provide general support to social endeavours in need of funding. Persons who missed this opportunity can call on the local Project Coordinator, Fleur Hermanides, for more information on possible financial assistance for social projects. For more information organisations can visit: http://samenwerkendefondsen.org/en, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call +1721-586 08 08. A downloadable funding application form can be found on the website, and appointments can be made via the abovementioned contact information. New Zealand cools on climate refugee plan Wellington, March 16 (AFP) Mar 16, 2018 New Zealand says it will not adopt world-first plans to allow climate change refugees without approval from the Pacific island nations the measure is intended to help. Both the ruling Labour Party and its Green coalition partner went into last year's election with a platform of allocating refugee places for islanders displaced by rising seas. The initial plans were modest, about 100 places a year, but regarded as ground-breaking because the UN's refugee covenant does not currently recognise the victims of climate change. Activists praised the South Pacific nation for showing global leadership on the issue and assisting vulnerable low-lying island nations in its region. However, Climate Change Minister James Shaw said feedback from islanders themselves indicated they saw gaining refugee status as a last resort. "They want to stay in their homes and their homelands," he told AFP this week, just days after returning from a tour of four Pacific island nations. "The islands themselves made it clear that it's not something that they want us to unilaterally do. This is something that needs a multilateral dialogue between New Zealand and the islands." Shaw, the Green Party leader, said islanders wanted efforts to concentrate on climate change mitigation before looking at options such as gaining refugee status or implementing mass migration. He said New Zealand was poised to increase its aid spending in the Pacific and wanted to make communities more resilient to climate change. This not only involved eco-friendly infrastructure such as solar power, but also giving locals the skills to cope with a changing environment, he added. "It's things like education, healthcare, housing, the ability of people to be able to deal with these kind of challenges themselves," he said. Shaw said "it's extremely early days" for the climate refugee proposal. He said the issue may take on greater urgency if global emissions targets were missed and rising ocean levels threatened islands just metres (feet) above sea level. But he said changes would only be made in consultation with the people of the Pacific islands. "Everything is still on the table," he said. "It's an incredibly sensitive area for the islands obviously and so there's a lot of conceptual work that we've got to do that we don't want to rush into." EU readies tax on US tech titans Brussels, March 16 (AFP) Mar 16, 2018 The European Union will next week unveil plans for a digital tax on US tech giants like Facebook, Amazon and Google as transatlantic tensions flare over prospects of a trade war. The move is aimed at recovering billions from multinationals that divert European earnings to low-tax countries, and opens a new front in an offensive by Brussels against Silicon Valley giants. Brussels proposes "big tech" should be taxed on overall revenue in the bloc and not just on their profits, at a rate somewhere between two percent and five percent, according to a draft obtained by AFP. EU Economic Affairs Commissioner Pierre Moscovici says the plan that he will announce on Wednesday will "create a consensus and an electroshock" on taxing digital firms. But the digital plan may fan fears of a trade war as Brussels prepares to retaliate against US President Donald Trump's moves to impose steel and aluminium tariffs. The tech titans plan will target companies with worldwide annual turnover above 750 million euros ($924 million), such as Google, Facebook, Twitter, Airbnb and Uber. Spared are smaller European start-ups that struggle to compete with them. Companies like Netflix, which depend on subscriptions, may also avoid the chop, a source close to the issue told AFP. Critics say tax-avoidance strategies used by the California tech giants deprive EU governments of billions of euros while giving them an unfair advantage over smaller rivals. Under EU law, firms like Google and Facebook can choose to book their income in any member state, prompting them to pick low-tax nations like Ireland, the Netherlands or Luxembourg. That can mean other nations in the bloc miss out on tax revenue from the US firms, even though sales in those countries may account for a bigger share of the earnings. - Turning the screw - Under the EU plan, revenue from the digital tax would be fairly distributed to where the companies actually operate, according to the level of activity in those countries and not the level of booked profit. Brussels will unveil the plan on the eve of the March 22 European Union summit in Brussels, which is also set to debate the issue, and ahead of an April G20 meeting of the world's most developed economies. France, Germany, Italy, Spain and Britain -- the five EU G20 members -- are pushing first for a European solution that can set an example for the rest of the world. French President Emmanuel Macron, who is energetically lobbying for a series of reforms to the EU in the wake of the Brexit vote, has been a particularly strong proponent on taking on the big US tech firms. "Our international partners are not moving fast enough to meet the challenge of digital tax," said Moscovici, a Frenchman. But for the plan to become reality it must be unanimously approved by all EU countries, and it remains to be seen whether the big states can win the support of smaller ones that offer the tax breaks to the tech titans. The EU has turned the screw on US tech giants recently, ordering Apple in 2016 to repay 13 billion euros in back taxes to Ireland, and hitting Google with a record 2.4-billion-euro fine in June last year for illegally favouring its shopping service in search results The EU has repeatedly pledged to crack down on tax avoidance in recent years after the "LuxLeaks" scandal showed how multinationals divert profits through low-tax countries, and the Panama Papers uncovered huge offshore movements. US opposes taxes on big tech firms Washington, March 16 (AFP) Mar 16, 2018 The United States said Friday it "firmly opposes" any new tax aimed at big technology firms, in a sharp challenge to a European proposal aimed at American digital titans. US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin issued the statement days ahead of an EU summit debating the tax proposal. "The US firmly opposes proposals by any country to single out digital companies," Mnuchin said. "Some of these companies are among the greatest contributors to US job creation and economic growth." Mnuchin added that US officials "fully support international cooperation to address broader tax challenges arising from the modern economy and to put the international tax system on a more sustainable footing." The statement was issued in response to an Organisation for Economic Cooperation report on taxation of the digital economy, but appeared clearly aimed at the proposed EU plan. EU officials have drafted the proposed digital tax that would hit US tech giants like Facebook, Amazon and Google amid accusations they divert European earnings to low-tax countries. The proposal calls for large tech firms to be taxed on overall revenue in the bloc and not just on their profits, at a rate somewhere between two percent and five percent, according to a draft obtained by AFP. The plan will target companies with worldwide annual turnover above 750 million euros ($924 million), such as Airbnb, Facebook, Google, Twitter and Uber. Britain, France, Germany, Italy and Spain -- the EU's five G20 members -- are pushing first for a European solution that can set an example for the rest of the world. But for the plan to become reality, it must be unanimously approved by all EU countries, and it remains to be seen whether the big states can win the support of smaller ones that offer tax breaks to the tech titans. The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2018 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. Privacy Statement Thousands flee Syria rebel enclave after month-long bombardment Adra, Syria, March 15 (AFP) Mar 15, 2018 Thousands of civilians poured out of Eastern Ghouta on Thursday after a month-long bombardment brought the Syrian regime closer to recapturing the devastated rebel enclave outside Damascus. Defying expectations and calls to step down, Syria's President Bashar al-Assad was strengthening his grip on power as the conflict entered its eighth year. His troops advanced in a ferocious assault on Eastern Ghouta, once the opposition's main bastion on the outskirts of the capital. A war monitor said regime forces now control 70 percent of the area, splitting the remaining rebel territory into three shrinking pockets. After a fierce air and ground assault, regime forces on Thursday captured Hammuriyeh town, in an isolated southern part of Ghouta. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a Britain-based monitor, said Hammuriyeh fell to regime forces after fighters from the Faylaq al-Rahman rebel faction withdrew. The regime's advance into Hammuriyeh overnight had punched a corridor through the town into government-controlled territory. Streams of women and children escaped through that corridor on Thursday, carrying plastic bags stuffed with clothes and pushing strollers piled high with suitcases and rugs. They reached a regime checkpoint in Adra district, where ambulances and large green buses waited to take them to temporary shelters. - 'Largest displacement' - The Observatory said nearly 20,000 people fled the enclave in 24 hours before the flow stopped on Thursday evening. It called the exodus "the largest displacement since the beginning of the assault on Ghouta." The United Nations said it was trying to determine how many people have left the enclave. "The UN has not observed the evacuations, but is visiting collective shelters where some of the evacuees are arriving," a UN spokesman said. Eastern Ghouta had been the main rebel bastion on the outskirts of Damascus since 2012 and came under a devastating regime siege the following year. That left the area's roughly 400,000 residents struggling to secure food and hospitals crippled by shortages of medicine and equipment. On Thursday, a joint convoy of food supplies for some 26,000 people entered Douma, the largest town in Ghouta and part of a separate rebel-controlled pocket. "This is just a little of what these families need," said the International Committee of the Red Cross, which delivered the aid alongside the Syrian Arab Red Crescent and the UN. ICRC President Peter Maurer went with the convoy, the first time he had accompanied such an operation. Twenty-five trucks were delivering food parcels and flour bags to hunger-stricken Douma residents when mortar rounds hit nearby. Aid workers scrambled for cover, an AFP correspondent said, but were able to resume deliveries shortly afterwards. - Divide-and-conquer - Thursday's aid operation came after two consecutive days of medical evacuations from Douma, which saw dozens of civilians bussed out for treatment in Damascus. Eastern Ghouta was in May 2017 designated a "de-escalation zone" -- an area where violence is supposed to ease, paving the way for humanitarian assistance and a nationwide truce. But since February 18, Russian-backed government troops have pressed a ferocious air and ground assault on Ghouta that has brought most of the former opposition bastion under government control. The United States accused Russia of being "complicit" in atrocities. "The Russians made a deliberate choice not to restrain the Assad regime. Thus, the carnage in East(ern) Ghouta continues. Russia is morally complicit and responsible for Assad's atrocities," said Pentagon spokeswoman Dana White. The remaining rebel-held areas have been cut off from each other, in what analyst Nawar Oliver said was part of a divide-and-conquer strategy. "The summary is that the regime cut up Ghouta into three zones, to comfortably work on securing three different agreements," said Oliver of the Turkey-based Omran Institute. Assad is determined to retake Ghouta in order to secure the capital, which is regularly battered by rockets and mortars fired from the adjacent rebel enclave. Dozens have been killed in rebel fire on Damascus in recent weeks, including one on Thursday, said state news agency SANA. The assault on Ghouta has left nearly 1,250 civilians dead, around a fifth of them children. The UN has made repeated demands for an immediate ceasefire in Eastern Ghouta, but they have gone unheeded. For the past seven years, international efforts to bring an end to the violence raging across Syria have consistently failed. The conflict has drawn in world powers, with Russia backing Assad and Turkey supporting an array of rebels in Syria's north against the regime, jihadists, and Kurds. Ankara and allied Syrian factions on January 20 launched a sweeping ground and air assault against the Kurdish-controlled enclave of Afrin in northwestern Syria. The offensive has forced 30,000 civilians from Afrin city in the past 24 hours, the Observatory said. The city is home to around 350,000 people and defended by the Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG). Saudi warns it will pursue nuclear weapons if Iran does Washington, March 15 (AFP) Mar 15, 2018 Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has said if Iran develops a nuclear weapon, Riyadh will follow suit -- just days before he arrives in Washington for talks with US President Donald Trump. "Saudi Arabia does not want to acquire any nuclear bomb, but without a doubt, if Iran developed a nuclear bomb, we will follow suit as soon as possible," Prince Mohammed told CBS television in an interview, parts of which were released Thursday. The upstart Saudi royal likened Iran's supreme leader to Adolf Hitler, warning he could sweep through the Middle East like Germany's Nazis did at the start of World War II. Ayatollah Ali Khamenei "wants to create his own project in the Middle East, very much like Hitler who wanted to expand at the time," said the 32-year-old heir to the throne. "Many countries around the world and in Europe did not realize how dangerous Hitler was until what happened, happened. I don't want to see the same events happening in the Middle East." Excerpts from the interview, which will air in full on CBS on Sunday, came as the Trump administration threatens to end the Iran nuclear deal, which could leave Tehran free to advance its development of atomic weapons. Iran, under pressure from European powers to assuage US worries about its adherence to the nuclear deal, hit back at the prince. "These words are worthless ... because they come from a simple mind full of illusions who speaks only bitterness and lies," said Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Bahram Ghasemi. - Stoking Saudi-Iran rivalry - Prince Mohammed, the son and heir of King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, is scheduled to arrive in Washington on Monday ahead of talks with Trump on Tuesday. The brazen prince, dubbed "MBS", has rocked Saudi Arabia since his father became king in 2015 and named him defense minister. Last year, he was elevated to crown prince, and is seen as the effective ruler under his 82-year-old father. His moves have shaken up the kingdom -- declaring a liberalization of social mores from the stifling ideology of Wahhabi Islam, and moving to modernize a heavily top-down economy. But in a move to consolidate his power over rival royals, he also locked up many princes and top businessmen for months to force them to hand over fortunes and accept him as the country's future sovereign. And he has also added fuel to largely Sunni Saudi Arabia's fight with Shiite Iran. He has mired the US-backed Saudi military in a disastrous confrontation with Tehran's proxies in a war that has destroyed much of Yemen, and launched a mostly failed effort by Gulf Arab states to isolate Qatar. Trump however has repeatedly signalled his support for Saudi Arabia, visiting Riyadh in May 2017 on his first foreign trip as the US leader. His son-in-law and senior aide Jared Kushner took the lead in building a relationship with Prince Mohammed, reportedly supporting the political offensive against Qatar -- which the US Defense Department opposed. - Fast-track nuclear energy program - But even in the United States, the kingdom's new nuclear energy push has raised worries that, as in Iran, it could potentially underpin a weapons program. Earlier this week, the Saudi cabinet officially put the atomic energy program on a fast track, saying it aims to lessen domestic use of oil to preserve the kingdom's huge hydrocarbon resources for export markets. By May 12, Trump must decide whether to stick with 2015's Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), which removed sanctions on Iran in exchange for its pledge to halt its push toward developing nuclear weapons capability. Trump has repeatedly condemned the JCPOA, and his sacking Tuesday of Secretary of State Rex Tillerson removed one of the deal's main defenders within the administration. Tillerson's replacement, CIA Director Mike Pompeo, is an Iran hawk whose arrival could sound the deal's death knell. "The United States is determined to leave the nuclear deal, and changes at the State Department were made with that goal in mind -- or at least it was one of the reasons," Iran's deputy foreign minister Abbas Araghchi said Wednesday. Libya navy seizes oil tanker suspected of smuggling Tripoli, March 15 (AFP) Mar 15, 2018 Libya's navy has seized an oil tanker suspected of illegally loading fuel and arrested its Greek crew, a navy spokesman said Thursday. The tanker was intercepted on Wednesday evening off Libya's western coast, about eight nautical miles from the Abu Kamash oil plant, said spokesman Ayoub Kacem. Abu Kamash is the site of one of the oil-rich North African country's largest petrochemical complexes, west of Tripoli and near the Tunisian border. The Togolese-registered ship, Lamar, was spotted in Libyan territorial waters "without authorisation... and in a suspicious area where fuel smuggling operations take place," Kacem said. "Many ships have been seized in the past in this same area whilst illegally loading fuel," he said. The tanker and eight crew members, all Greeks, were taken to a naval base in Tripoli and were waiting to be questioned, he added. The tanker was carrying about 950,000 litres of fuel when it was "intercepted... then directed to the Tripoli naval base", Colonel Abouajila Abdel Barri, a coast guard officer, told AFP. Wracked by chaos since the fall and killing of longtime dictator Moamer Kadhafi in a NATO-backed 2011 uprising, Libya has become a haven for traffickers of everything from oil to people. The country's oil wealth, the largest in Africa, has been the focus of bitter disputes as rival militias and governments struggle for power. bur-rb/ila/par/dv France opens 400 million euro credit line for Lebanon Rome, March 15 (AFP) Mar 15, 2018 Lebanon received increased military support from the international community Thursday with France opening a 400 million euro ($492 million) line of credit to the country's army. Prime Minister Saad Hariri thanked Paris at an international conference held in Rome to drum up money to bolster the armed forces of the country, long a proxy battleground for its bigger neighbours. "This conference is important because we in Lebanon were the first to oust ISIS out of our soil -- we were able to do it with very little capabilities," Hariri said, referring to the Islamic State jihadist group. He also condemned alleged interference by neighbour Israel. "Israel remains the primary threat to Lebanon, its daily violations to our sovereignty must stop," he said. Hariri said further discussion would be had to clarify the amounts pledged by each of the 40 countries at the Rome II Conference, which will be followed by two further meetings in Paris and Brussels. France announced earlier in the month that it would provide 14 million euros to Lebanon's army, mostly in the form of anti-tank equipment. Colombia government and ELN rebels resume peace talks in Ecuador Quito, March 15 (AFP) Mar 15, 2018 Colombia's government and ELN guerrillas resumed peace talks in the Ecuadoran capital on Thursday, more than two months after they were suspended over a spate of rebel attacks. The latest round of talks, being held in a hacienda run by the Jesuit religious community outside Quito, are aimed at agreeing a new ceasefire that would pave the way for a final peace agreement. "We can see the light at the end of the road that will lead us to the end of armed conflict with the National Liberation Army (ELN), to build a lasting and stable peace," said the head of the government delegation Gustavo Bell. President Juan Manuel Santos, who is due to leave office in August, is trying to conclude a peace agreement with Colombia's last active rebel group, similar to the one he signed with Marxist guerrillas FARC in November 2016, which has since transformed into a political party. However, the latest round of talks are being held against the backdrop of a more hostile political context in Colombia, after hardline conservatives opposed to making peace with the rebels gained ground in legislative elections Sunday. Santos announced Monday that the talks would resume following the rebels' unilateral ceasefire during the elections -- seen as a test of the group's willingness to get back to negotiations. He said the parties would discuss a new, "broad and verifiable" ceasefire agreement that would prevent a resurgence of violence of the kind that forced the suspension of talks in January, following a series of attacks on police stations that left six people dead and dozens more wounded. The ELN "will continue talking" and "does not reject peace," said its leader Nicolas Rodriguez Bautista, according to a statement released by negotiators. In a separate development not affecting the ceasefire, at least six people were killed and two wounded in a clash between ELN forces and a drug trafficking gang in northeastern Colombia, the army said Thursday. The firefight displaced six families and was sparked by a turf war over several municipalities in the department of Norte de Santander, on the Venezuelan border, it said. The clashes occurred after a meeting in which both factions "did not reach an agreement" for control of the region, "so they decided to kill each other," General Alberto Mejia told Colombian media. US should maintain support to Saudis in Yemen: Mattis Aboard a US military aircraft, March 16 (AFP) Mar 16, 2018 Defense Secretary Jim Mattis has asked the US Congress not to interfere with America's role in the war in Yemen, where it is supporting Saudi-led coalition military operations. The Senate is next week slated to vote on a measure that would curtail US involvement in Yemen's bloody civil war, where the Saudi-supported government is fighting Iranian-backed Huthi rebels. Some US lawmakers have long expressed concern about the conflict, which has seen high levels of civilian casualties and caused a humanitarian crisis. The Pentagon has since 2015 provided "non-combat support" to Saudi Arabia, including intelligence sharing and air-to-air refueling for its war planes. Critics say Riyadh would be unable to conduct much of its campaign without US help. In a letter to congressional leaders this week, Mattis said that restricting US support to the campaign could lead to additional harm on the ground, because US targeting and intelligence are key to reducing the civil toll. "New restrictions on this limited US military support could increase civilian casualties, jeopardize cooperation with our partners on counterterrorism, and reduce our influence with the Saudis -- all of which would further exacerbate the situation and humanitarian crisis," Mattis wrote. Speaking to reporters accompanying him back to Washington after a visit to the Middle East, Mattis said Thursday he sees the current path as helping push the Yemen crisis to a UN-brokered peace deal. "We need to get this to a negotiated settlement and we believe the policy right now is correct, and that was the gist of my letter," Mattis said. He wrote that withdrawing US support to the Saudi-led coalition would have knock-on effects resulting in deeper Iranian involvement in the war. It would enable "further ballistic missile strikes on Saudi Arabia and (threaten) vital shipping lanes, thereby raising the risk of a regional conflict," Mattis stated. A bipartisan group of senators including Bernie Sanders is pushing for the Senate vote, which could come just as Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is visiting Washington. Iran 'mucking around' in Iraq elections: Mattis Aboard a US military aircraft, March 16 (AFP) Mar 16, 2018 US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis lambasted Iran on Thursday for "mucking around" in Iraq's upcoming elections in a bid to sway votes towards pro-Tehran candidates. Speaking to reporters as he returned from a trip to Oman, Afghanistan and Bahrain, Mattis said officials he met with had expressed frequent concerns about Iranian behavior. "One thing that came through loud and clear is the suspicion of Iran and the evidence of Iranian destabilizing efforts," said Mattis, a longtime Iran hawk. "I heard it when I was up in Afghanistan. You know what's going on in terms of Iran's support to Assad. Now Iran is following Russia's example (and) mucking around in Iraq's elections," Mattis said, referring to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. "It was just brought home to me again that they are not changing their behavior, they are continuing to be a destabilizing influence," Mattis added. The Pentagon chief said he would not speculate as to whether Iran's efforts were having any impact on the Iraqi electorate ahead of the May parliamentary and provincial assembly elections. "Iran is trying to influence using money the Iraqi elections. That money is being used to sway candidates, to sway votes," he said. "Iran should leave the Iraqis to determining their own future," said Mattis. Despite increased rhetoric from Washington about Iran's activities in the region and US President Donald Trump's continual railing against the Iran nuclear deal, Mattis noted that Iranian naval vessels in the Gulf have become less provocative toward US ships. He said ships from both the regular Iranian navy and the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps have curtailed the sorts of incidents that had become almost routine over the past few years, and are now staying away from American vessels. "In the Gulf itself, they are not coming in as close to our ships, the provocative actions in the Gulf seem to have relented somewhat," Mattis said. "They are not doing as many bellicose confrontations and that sort of thing." - 'Testing' off Yemen - Commander Bill Urban, spokesman for the Navy's Bahrain-based Fifth Fleet, said there had been no "unsafe or unprofessional" interactions with the Iranians at sea since August 14, 2017 when an Iranian drone with no lights on flew close to US aircraft operating in the Gulf. Urban told reporters that "a substantial period time" has passed since then, "something that we think is great." He said there has been "an across-the-board change in behavior." Last year and in 2016, the US Navy frequently complained about the behavior of Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps vessels, which would often shadow and steer toward American ships. In at least one incident, US sailors had to fire flares and warning shots before the Iranians turned away. Urban said that since then, the Iranians have stopped approaching so closely. Mattis said that off the Yemen coast around the Bab-al-Mandab strait, the Islamic Republic is testing a number of offensive capabilities. "It's where you find (Iran's) radars, their ballistic missiles, anti-ship cruise missiles," Mattis said. "We've found their mines, their explosive boats all being tested, increased capability being demonstrated down there." Fifth Fleet and its associated task forces continually patrol the Gulf and inspect some of the ships passing through the region. In 2016, sailors seized weapons apparently headed from Iran to Yemen, including machine guns and rocket launchers. Urban said task forces this year have confiscated record amounts of heroin, much of which may have been grown in Afghanistan to fund the Taliban. The Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps is a paramilitary force that answers directly to the Islamic republic's supreme leader. In January 2016, the Iranians briefly captured the crew of two small US patrol boats that strayed into Iranian waters. The 10 US sailors were released 24 hours later. S. Korea, US to scale down military drills: report Seoul, March 16 (AFP) Mar 16, 2018 South Korea and the United States will scale down and shorten annual joint military exercises in light of a diplomatic thaw with Pyongyang, a report said Friday. The Key Resolve and Foal Eagle drills held every spring regularly infuriate the nuclear-armed North, which usually condemns them as preparations for invasion and responds with provocations of its own, ratcheting tensions higher. But the two Koreas and the US are in the throes of an Olympics-led rapprochement, with South Korea announcing plans for a summit between Seoul and Pyongyang next month, and US President Donald Trump said to be meeting the North's leader Kim Jong Un by the end of May. The joint exercises were delayed to avoid clashing with the Pyeongchang Winter Games in the South last month. But according to a senior official in Seoul's presidential office, Kim told a visiting South Korean envoy last week that he would "understand" if the drills went ahead. Citing a military source, the South's Yonhap news agency said Foal Eagle, a field exercise involving tens of thousands of troops, will start in early April but be halved in length from two months to one. US strategic weapons such as B-1B bombers and aircraft carrier strike groups, which have been often deployed to and near the Korean peninsula in times of high tension, will not take part this time, Yonhap said. Key Resolve, a command post exercise using computer-based simulations, will kick off in the coming week, Yonhap said. Earlier, US Lieutenant-General Kenneth McKenzie, director of the joint chiefs of staff, told a briefing that the US conducts a "robust series of exercises" with South Korea every year. "I don't think this year will be any different than those that have occurred in the past," he added. A spokesman at the US-South Korea Combined Forces Command said the date, duration and other details of the annual Key Resolve/Foal Eagle exercises will be announced next week. North Korea has made no official comment on Kim's proposed face-to-face meetings with Trump and South Korean President Moon Jae-in. Iran deal signatories meet as Trump deadline looms Vienna, March 16 (AFP) Mar 16, 2018 Iran was expected Friday to resist US pressure to toughen the 2015 nuclear deal as time runs out to meet President Donald Trump's ultimatum to fix the accord by May 12. Trump has said that if the deal between Iran and six big powers, which curtailed Iran's nuclear programme in exchange for sanctions relief, is not "improved" by then, he will withdraw. In particular Trump says that the "terrible" agreement does not address Iran's ballistic missile programme or Tehran's activities in the Middle East. In addition, parts of the agreement are due to start expiring in the mid-2020s. Iran, which according to the UN atomic watchdog has been abiding by the deal since it came into force in January 2016, has ruled out any changes to the agreement. The talks in Vienna on Friday, a regular review of the accord, involved Iran, senior US official Brian Hook and representatives of Russia, China, France, Britain and Germany. According to US officials, Hook was in Berlin on Thursday to meet British, French and German counterparts to try and agree a common line. The European parties to the agreement are desperate to save it and have been scrambling to find ways to persuade Trump not to rip it up. "We share all the concerns with the missiles, with the regional destabilisation, with the support to terrorism, with the malign activities of Iran," one European diplomat said. "We are ready to take steps to address these concerns." But he added: "We need to make sure that we don't throw out the baby with the bath water, so we keep the nuclear agreement and we act on the rest in parallel... Disregarding the JCPOA (the deal) would put us in the worst place to address the other concerns." Trump's decision this week to replace Rex Tillerson with Mike Pompeo as secretary of state has been widely seen as another bad omen for the agreement. Tillerson and his erstwhile cabinet ally Defence Secretary Jim Mattis had urged Trump to listen to the Europeans to preserve the agreement. Pompeo, head of the Central Intelligence Agency, is known to take a much harder line. burs-stu/wdb N. Korea's top diplomat meets Swedish PM Stockholm, March 16 (AFP) Mar 16, 2018 North Korea's foreign minister held talks with Swedish officials on Friday amid reports the Scandinavian nation could help pave the way for a proposed summit between Donald Trump and Kim Jong Un. Ri Yong Ho held talks in Stockholm with Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Lofven and Foreign Minister Margot Wallstrom a week after the US President agreed to a historic summit with the North Korean leader. Swedish officials have said the Stockholm talks would focus on the denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula and a possible Trump-Kim summit. Sweden has longstanding ties with North Korea. Its diplomatic mission in Pyongyang, which opened in 1975, was the first Western embassy established in the country. The embassy also represents US, Canadian and Australian diplomatic interests in North Korea, with Sweden playing a key role in liaising diplomatic talks. Ri and Wallstrom dined together at the foreign ministry on Thursday evening, then met again on Friday at Villa Bonnier, a lavish building used by the government for official functions which is located near the US embassy. Ri also held talks with Prime Minister Stefan Lofven early Friday. - In everyone's interest - "Right now, dialogue is needed and we are happy to have this meeting. But we're not naive, we don't think we can solve the world's problems. It is up to the parties to decide how to move forward," Wallstrom said Friday before meeting Ri. "If we can use our contacts in the best way, we will do so," she said, noting the situation on the Korean peninsula was "of interest to us all" in terms of security. Ri's delegation included Choe Kang Il, deputy director general of the foreign ministry's North America section. Some Swedish and foreign media have said that Ri -- who was stationed at North Korea's embassy in Stockholm in 1985-1988 -- will stay in the Scandinavian country until Sunday for other talks, though Swedish officials would not confirm those reports. "We can't rule out the possibility of a contact between the North and the US" during Ri's visit, a Beijing source told South Korea's Yonhap agency. Meanwhile, Swedish public broadcaster SVT said the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) was involved in the talks, though SIPRI did not return AFP's calls for a comment. - 'Ready to play a role' - International media have speculated that Sweden could either help set up a proposed summit or be a potential location if a tete-a-tete were to be confirmed. Sweden's foreign ministry has refused to comment on that possibility, saying only that the talks would "focus on Sweden's consular responsibilities as a protecting power for the United States, Canada and Australia." "They will also address the security situation on the Korean peninsula, which is high on the (UN) Security Council agenda," a ministry statement said. Sweden is currently a non-permanent member of the Security Council. "The aim of the visit is to contribute to the effective implementation of the resolutions" voted by the Security Council against Pyongyang over its nuclear programme, as well as those calling "for intensified diplomatic efforts to find a peaceful solution to the conflict". After months of tension and warmongering over Pyongyang's nuclear programme, Trump has agreed to a summit proposal relayed by South Korean envoys who met Kim Jong Un in Pyongyang. But no specific time or venue has been set and North Korea has yet to confirm it even made the offer to meet. Speaking in Berlin on Friday, Lofven said that if Sweden "can serve as a facilitator to bring about results, then we will of course do that." Meanwhile, Japanese broadcaster TBS said Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and South Korean President Moon Jae-in discussed North Korea in a telephone call on Friday. TBS said Abe told Moon he wanted North Korea to not only suspend nuclear and missile testing, but also accept IAEA inspectors on its soil. He also asked Seoul to raise the issue of Japanese nationals abducted by the North. And according to Yonhap, Moon stressed that improvement in Pyongyang's ties with Tokyo and Washington was needed to help end the crisis with North Korea. Thirty years on, Kurds remember 5,000 gassed at Halabja Halabja, Iraq, March 16 (AFP) Mar 16, 2018 Thousands of Iraqi Kurds clad in black and many tearful marked on Friday the 30th anniversary of the Halabja gas massacre that killed some 5,000 people. They died when deadly gas was released on the northeastern Iraqi town by the forces of now executed dictator Saddam Hussein, in what is believed to have been the worst-ever gas attack targeting civilians. The mourners, including some survivors, carried pictures of the victims, most of whom were women and children, as they walked down a red carpet to the Halabja Memorial Monument to lay wreaths for the dead. The families, then gathered in a nearby cemetery where tombstones were covered in the Kurdish red-white-green-yellow flag, to pray for their relatives. Fatima Mohammad, who was 17 when Halabja was gassed with what experts say was mustard gas, is among thousands of wounded survivors. Each day, for the past three decades, she still suffers from "respiratory problems." "I am in pain and I take medicine," she told AFP as she joined the town's now 200,000-strong inhabitants to remember those killed in the gas attack. The attack on Halabja came from the skies after ethnic Kurdish fighters who had sided with Iran in the eight-year Iran-Iraq war withdrew from the rural farming town. It marked the culmination of a ruthless campaign of retribution by Saddam against those seen as siding with his arch-foe Iran. Iraqi and Kurdish officials as well as diplomats based in the country took part in Friday's commemoration. Meanwhile Kurds observed on Friday a minute of silence in tribute for the Halabja dead across Arbil, the capital of Iraqi Kurdistan. Twenty years after the massacre, Saddam's cousin General Ali Hassan al-Majid was sentenced to death for ordering the gas attack. Known as "Chemical Ali" he was executed by hanging in 2010. Three years after he was ousted in a US-led invasion of Iraq, Saddam was hanged in 2006 for the massacre of Shiite villagers. When Saddam gassed thousands of Kurds at Halabja Halabja, Iraq, March 16 (AFP) Mar 16, 2018 On March 16, 1988, as many as 5,000 Iraqi Kurds, mostly women and children, were killed when deadly gas was released on the northern town of Halabja by Saddam Hussein's forces. AFP remembers the massacre, believed to have been the worst-ever gas attack targeting civilians. - Circling planes - In the final months of the eight-year Iraq-Iran war, ethnic Kurdish fighters who sided with Iran capture the large farming town of Halabja in Iraq on March 15. Home to more than 40,000 people, the town is in the Kurdistan region and just 11 kilometres (seven miles) from the Iran border, while 250 kilometres from the Iraqi capital. Saddam's army retaliates with artillery and air strikes. The Kurdish fighters and most of the town's men withdraw to surrounding hills, leaving behind the children, women and elderly. The following day, Iraqi fighter planes circle above the area for five hours, releasing a mixture of toxic gases. - No obvious injury - The slaughter is quickly revealed: the fighters who come down from the hills give the alert and foreign journalists are soon on the scene. By March 23, the first images are broadcast on Iranian television. Corpses scatter the streets with no obvious sign of injury, although witnesses say later some had blood around their noses. The cameras of journalists brought in by the Iranian army linger on the bodies of the children. The town is the victim of a chemical weapon attack, say the commentaries, using official Iranian explanations that accuse Iraq of responsibility. A Belgian-Dutch team from Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF), the first foreign medical mission to reach Halabja, confirms the use of mustard gas and probably of cyanide. "Our conclusion is clear: the civilian population was gassed," it says. - Nothing moves - An AFP special envoy, Michel Leclerq, describes the horror in a story filed on April 1. "Not the slightest stir, not a cry, not a movement: Halabja ... seems frozen, immobilised in a deep sleep, while canons thunder in the distance," the report says. The "houses remain standing, the stores are full" but "no soul lives here since Iraqi planes released their deadly poison". Many of the thousands who fled are in camps in Iran. A French MSF team estimates the number of dead at 2,000-3,000. Teheran gives a toll of 5,000. A Belgian toxicologist says in May that analysis shows that several gases were used including mustard gas and nerve agents. He estimates that 3,800 people were killed and 10,000 poisoned. Analysts say afterwards the attack may have been in revenge for the Kurdish fighters' support of the Iranian army in the 1980-1988 war. - 'Chemical Ali' hanged - Justice comes more than 20 years later when General Ali Hassan al-Majid, known as "Chemical Ali" for ordering poisonous gas attacks, is hanged in 2010. A cousin of Saddam, he is found by the courts to have ordered the attack on Halabja. He gets four death sentences, including for Halabja, but insists he acted in the interests of Iraqi security and expresses no remorse. In 2012, the Iraqi government hands Halabja authorities the rope used in his hanging. Saddam is hanged in 2006 for another atrocity, closing various investigations underway against him, including for genocide of the Kurds. Foreign Policy magazine reveals in 2013 that the United States provided Iraq with intelligence on preparations for an Iranian offensive during the war knowing Baghdad would respond with chemical weapons. "The Iraqis never told us that they intended to use nerve gas. They didn't have to. We already knew," said retired Air Force colonel Rick Francona, a military attache in Baghdad during the 1988 attack. Russian planes have not intervened in Syria's Eastern Ghouta: military Moscow, March 16 (AFP) Mar 16, 2018 The Russian military said its planes had not taken part in the Syrian regime's assault in Eastern Ghouta where a monitoring group says airstrikes killed 80 civilians in rebel-held zones on Friday. "The claims of the SOHR (Syrian Observatory of Human Rights)... on the so-called Russian strikes in Eastern Ghouta are only one more piece of 'fake' (news)," Russia's defence ministry said, according to news agencies. "Russian aviation has no military mission in Eastern Ghouta and has not undertaken any" in this region, it added. The British-based Observatory, which says it determines whose planes carry out raids according to type, location, flight patterns and munitions used, said at least 76 civilians were killed in Russian air strikes on the southwestern Ghouta pocket on Friday. A month-long government offensive on the rebel-held enclave on the outskirts of Damascus has killed at least 1,346 civilians, according to the Observatory, despite a United Nations ceasefire calling for an end to the onslaught. N. Korea's top diplomat meets Swedish leaders Stockholm, March 16 (AFP) Mar 16, 2018 North Korea's foreign minister held talks with Swedish officials on Friday amid reports the Scandinavian nation could help pave the way for a proposed summit between Donald Trump and Kim Jong Un. Ri Yong Ho met Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Lofven and Foreign Minister Margot Wallstrom a week after the US President agreed to a historic summit with the North Korean leader. Swedish officials said Wallstrom's talks with Ri, which focused on the denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula and a possible Trump-Kim summit and which were to have concluded on Friday, would be extended by a day. "The talks with North Korea are extended. They will continue on Saturday," Wallstrom's spokesman Pezhman Fivrin told AFP. Sweden has longstanding ties with North Korea. Its diplomatic mission in Pyongyang, which opened in 1975, was the first Western embassy established in the isolationist country. The embassy also represents US, Canadian and Australian diplomatic interests in North Korea, with Sweden playing a key role in liaising diplomatic talks. Ri and Wallstrom dined together at the foreign ministry on Thursday evening, then met again on Friday at Villa Bonnier, a lavish building used by the government for official functions which is located near the US embassy. "It was a good and constructive atmosphere. We'll see what happens next," Wallstrom told reporters after Friday's talks. Ri made no comment as he left. He also met with Prime Minister Stefan Lofven earlier Friday. - In everyone's interest - "Right now, dialogue is needed and we are happy to have this meeting. But we're not naive, we don't think we can solve the world's problems. It is up to the parties to decide how to move forward," Wallstrom said Friday before meeting Ri. "If we can use our contacts in the best way, we will do so," she said, noting the situation on the Korean peninsula was "of interest to us all" in terms of security. Ri's delegation included Choe Kang Il, deputy director general of the foreign ministry's North America section. Some Swedish and foreign media have said that Ri -- who was stationed at North Korea's embassy in Stockholm in 1985-1988 -- will stay in the Scandinavian country until Sunday for other talks, though Swedish officials would not confirm those reports. "We can't rule out the possibility of a contact between the North and the US" during Ri's visit, a Beijing source told South Korea's Yonhap agency. Meanwhile, Swedish public broadcaster SVT said the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) was involved in the talks, though SIPRI did not return AFP's calls for a comment. - 'Serve as facilitator' - International media have speculated that Sweden could either help set up a proposed summit or be a potential location if a tete-a-tete were to be confirmed. Sweden's foreign ministry has refused to comment on that possibility saying only that the talks would "focus on Sweden's consular responsibilities as a protecting power for the United States, Canada and Australia." "They will also address the security situation on the Korean peninsula, which is high on the (UN) Security Council agenda," a ministry statement said. Sweden is currently a non-permanent member of the Security Council. "The aim of the visit is to contribute to the effective implementation of the resolutions" voted by the Security Council against Pyongyang over its nuclear programme, as well as those calling "for intensified diplomatic efforts to find a peaceful solution to the conflict". After months of tension and warmongering over Pyongyang's nuclear programme, Trump has agreed to a summit proposal relayed by South Korean envoys who met Kim Jong Un in Pyongyang. But no specific time or venue has been set and North Korea has yet to confirm it even made the offer to meet. Speaking in Berlin on Friday, Lofven said that if Sweden "can serve as a facilitator to bring about results, then we will of course do that." Meanwhile, Japanese broadcaster TBS said Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and South Korean President Moon Jae-in discussed North Korea in a telephone call on Friday. TBS said Abe told Moon he wanted North Korea to not only suspend nuclear and missile testing, but also accept IAEA inspectors on its soil. He also asked Seoul to raise the issue of Japanese nationals abducted by the North. And according to Yonhap, Moon stressed that improvement in Pyongyang's ties with Tokyo and Washington was needed to help end the crisis with North Korea. Moon also spoke with Trump on the phone on Friday, Yonhap reported. Allentown Police Department(ALLENTOWN, Pa.) -- A missing 16-year-old girl from Pennsylvania is believed to have flown to Cancun, Mexico, with a 45-year-old man around the time her mother was reporting her missing, police said. Kevin Esterly and Amy Yu, 16, have been missing since March 5, and police believe the teen left with the man willingly. When Yu did not return home from school that night, her mother reported her missing, the Allentown Police Department said Friday. Two days later, police received information indicating that, on the night of March 5, Yu and Esterly took one-way flights from Philadelphia International Airport to Cancun, connecting through the Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport, police said. An Amber Alert has been issued in Mexico for Yu. "Prior to the Amber Alert in Mexico, the information that Amy Yu and Kevin Esterly were likely in Mexico was not released, as it is believed that Kevin Esterly and/or Amy Yu are monitoring media reports," police said in a news release on Friday. Yu's mother, brother, friends and classmates miss her and want her to return home safely, police said Friday. "Amy, if you are uncertain how to come home or who to contact for help, you may simply reach out to a law enforcement official, a resort staff member -- or contact your mom via text message, email or social media, and we will work to reunite you with your family right away," police said. Esterly, who is married, met the teen at church, and Yu appears to have been friends with one of Esterly's daughters, according to Gary Hammer of the Colonial Regional Police, which has jurisdiction over Yu's school, Lehigh Valley Academy. Philadelphia ABC affiliate WPVI spoke to John Yu, Amy's brother, who said he knew Esterly from church. "Yeah I know him, he was a family friend of mine and we met him at church and pretty much that was about it," John Yu said. 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, he said. 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 last week. 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 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. On March 7, a family member of Esterly reported him as missing/endangered, and that same day, an arrest warrant for Esterly was obtained, charging him with interference with the custody of children, the police said. Yu is about 4 feet, 11 inches tall and 90 pounds, while Esterly is 5 feet, 9 inches tall and 185 pounds, according to police. Authorities believe they may be driving a 1999 red, two-door Honda Accord with the Pennsylvania plate KLT0529. Anyone who sees either of them is asked to call 911, local police or the Allentown Police at 610-437-7751. Copyright 2018, ABC Radio. All rights reserved. Optimization Are you frustrated with a slow pc or a hard disk not performing as it should? Try SLOW-PCfighter to speed up boot time on a slow PC, or try a free scan of FULL-DISKfighter to recover space on a full disk. The latest offering is DRIVERfighter to update your driver updater. Get complete PC optimization and extend the life of your PC with these must-have software tools. Paris, March 15, 2018 (SPS) - Several Sahrawi political prisoners are on hunger strike in Moroccan prisons to denounce their detention conditions, and to claim and defend the right to self-determination, a source close to the Sahrawis in Paris said Thursday. Sahrawi activist Naama Asfari began an unlimited hunger strike on February 27th, solemnly declaring "it is better to die for dignity than to live without it". On March 9th, he was joined by eight other prisoners of the Gdeim Izik group, despite their dispersal by the Moroccan occupying authorities in several prisons and their solitary confinement. The Sahrawis, on hunger strikers, want to make heard their appeal for their peoples right to self-determination. The Sahrawi people have been deprived of it for over 40 years. They also demand the application of international humanitarian law that requires from the occupying power, Morocco, to transfer them to a prison in the Western Sahara territory. The French Association of Friends of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (AARASD) said in a statement that the hunger strike was decided while "all (the prisoners) are already in isolation, are threatened, are deprived of visits from their relatives." In this regard, the AARASD has called upon on the human rights associations, international institutions such as the UN Human Rights Council, the French authorities to "support these prisoners in their hungry strike action, by appealing to the Moroccan authorities to stop these inhuman treatments and allow them to receive their families."SPS 125/090/700 Bir Lehlu (Liberated Territories of the SADR), March 16, 2018 (SPS) the Speaker of the Saharawi National Council (Parliament) sent a congratulatory letter to Elizabeth Cabezas Guerrero on the occasion of her election as President of the National Assembly of the Republic of Ecuador. "On the occasion of her election as President of the National Assembly of the Republic of Ecuador, I would like to express on behalf of the Saharawi People and the Saharawi National Council (Parliament) and on my own the most sincere congratulations, as well as the wishes of successes in her performance at the head of the legislative institution of our sister Republic of Ecuador, "says Adduh's message to her Ecuadorian counterpart. The Head of the Saharawi National Council expressed the will of the Saharawi legislative institution to continue to strengthen and deepen even more the bonds of friendship and cooperation with the National Assembly of the Republic of Ecuador for the benefit of the two peoples.SPS 125/090/TRA New life possible for Satnam Singh street name as Ogden City Council mulls issue OGDEN The Ogden City Council is currently parsing a draft ordinance of guidelines for honorary street names, which could revive an initiative to honor slain grocery store owner Satnam Singh. Jesse Redden, a regular at Super Grocery, petitioned the city to have an honorary designation of Satnam Singh Drive attached to 675 North after the store owner was shot and killed on Feb. 28. On March 8, Redden received an email from Greg Montgomery, planning manager with the Ogden City Landmarks Commission, informing him of the City Councils request that no more petitions be considered until ... A more recent publication of this set of statistics is available. Latest publication: General government debt by quarter 2021, 1st quarter Published: 16 March 2018 General government debt relative to GDP was 61.4 per cent at the end of 2017 General government EDP debt, or consolidated gross debt at nominal prices, amounted to EUR 137.3 billion at the end of 2017. According to the initial preliminary data, the ratio of debt to GDP was 61.4 per cent. General government debt increased by a total of EUR 1.2 billion from the previous year. These data derive from Statistics Finland's statistics on general government debt by quarter. General government debt by quarter According to the initial preliminary data, central government debt increased by EUR 1.3 billion during the year, and the local government sector's debt by EUR 0.2 billion. In addition, social security funds debt increased in total by EUR 0.5 billion. During the last quarter of the year, general government debt grew by EUR 3.2 billion. Central government debt increased by EUR 3.0 billion in October to December and totalled EUR 117 billion at the end of the quarter. The local government sector's debt decreased by EUR 0.3 billion and was EUR 19.8 billion at year end. In addition, social security funds short-term loans grew by EUR 0.6 billion due to the growing stock of received cash collateral related to employment pension schemes' financial derivative contracts and securities lending. General government EDP debt describes general governments debt to other sectors of the national economy and to the rest of the world, and its development is influenced by changes in unconsolidated debt and internal general government debts. Consolidated general government gross debt is derived by deducting debts between units recorded under general government from unconsolidated gross debt. For this reason, general government debt is smaller than the combined debts of its subsectors. The EDP debt of general government differs conceptionally to some extent in the case of central government, from the central government debt published by the State Treasury. Central government's EDP debt includes loans granted to beneficiary countries by the European Financial Stability Facility EFSF, received cash collateral related to financial derivative contracts and securities lending, the capital of the Nuclear Waste Management Fund, debt generated from investments in central government's PPP (public-private partnership) projects, coins that are in circulation, and the deposits of the European Commission. In National Accounts, central government is also a broader concept than the budget and financial economy (http://www.stat.fi/meta/luokitukset/_linkki/julkisyhteisot.html). The valuation principle for both debt concepts is the nominal value, where the effect of currency swaps is taken into account. Source: General government debt by quarter, Statistics Finland Inquiries: Timo Ristimaki 029 551 2324, Henna Laasonen 029 551 3303, rahoitus.tilinpito@stat.fi Director in charge: Ville Vertanen Publication in pdf-format (217.1 kB) Updated 16.3.2018 Referencing instructions: Official Statistics of Finland (OSF): General government debt by quarter [e-publication]. ISSN=1799-8034. 4th quarter 2017. Helsinki: Statistics Finland [referred: 22.9.2021]. Access method: http://www.stat.fi/til/jyev/2017/04/jyev_2017_04_2018-03-16_tie_001_en.html Published: 16 March 2018 Gross domestic product grew by 2.6 per cent last year Corrected on 29 March 2018. The corrections are indicated in red. According to Statistics Finlands preliminary data, the volume of Finlands GDP grew by 2.6 per cent in 2017. The growth rate became slightly revised from the data published in early March (was 3.0 per cent). Last year, GDP that describes the output of the national economy stood at EUR 224 billion. National income describing the income of the national economy went up by 3.4 per cent in real terms Annual change in the volume of gross domestic product, per cent (The figure was corrected on 29 March 2018) The demand of the national economy went up by 3.6 per cent last year. Demand was particularly boosted by growth in investments and increased exports. Investments were 6.3 per cent higher than one year previously. The volume of private consumption went up by 1.6 per cent and public consumption by 1.3 per cent. The volume of exports grew by 7.8 per cent and that of imports by 3.5 per cent. Non-financial corporations' operating surplus describing profits from their actual operations grew by as much as 17.5 per cent. Entrepreneurial income that describes the profit before payment of taxes and dividends grew by ten per cent. It is estimated that non-financial corporations paid around six per cent less dividends and 27 per cent more direct taxes than in the year before. Non-financial corporations' financial position showed a surplus of EUR 8 billion. The financial position of financial and insurance corporations showed a surplus of EUR one billion. Financial corporations interest income (financial intermediation services indirectly measured) grew slightly and commission income increased by good two per cent. General government deficit 0.6 per cent of GDP The financial position of general government, i.e. net lending, was in deficit for the ninth successive year, being 1.3 EUR one billion . In the previous year, the deficit was EUR 3.9 billion. The deficit amounted to 0.6 per cent relative to GDP. Statistics Finland will publish the deficit and debt data to be reported to the European Commission on 29/03/2018. General government surplus / deficit relative to GDP, per cent (The figure was corrected on 29 March 2018) The deficit of central government was EUR 3.8 billion, while one year before it was EUR 5.8 billion. One of the reasons for the contraction of the deficit was a 4.0 per cent growth in tax revenues. The deficit or net borrowing of local government (municipalities and joint municipal authorities, etc.) contracted to EUR 0.2 billion according to preliminary data, having been EUR billion in the year before. The surplus of employment pension funds decreased from EUR 2.4 billion to EUR 2.1 billion. The surplus diminished because the growth in paid pension benefits was greater than received pension contributions. The surplus does not include holding gains in assets. Other social security funds were EUR 0.7 billion in surplus mainly due to an increase in received income transfers from the state. General government's share of the gross value added was 18.6 per cent in 2017, which is 1.1 percentage points lower than in 2016. Households real income grew by 1.4 per cent Households' adjusted real income grew by 1.3 per cent. Adjusted income also takes into consideration welfare services, i.e. the individual services that general government and organisations produce for households, such as educational, health and social services. Wage and salary income grew by 2.6 per cent in nominal terms. Social security benefits went up by 0.3 per cent, for example, the number of persons retiring on earnings-related pension was slightly lower than in 2016. Direct taxes paid by households increased by 0.8 per cent. Final consumption expenditure grew by 2.6 per cent in nominal terms. Investments, mainly in dwellings, increased by 8.9 per cent. Source: National Accounts 2017, preliminary data. Statistics Finland Inquiries: Tuomas Rothovius 029 551 3360, Pekka Tamminen 029 551 2460, kansantalous@stat.fi Director in charge: Ville Vertanen Publication in pdf-format (285.8 kB) Updated 16.3.2018 Referencing instructions: Official Statistics of Finland (OSF): Annual national accounts [e-publication]. ISSN=1798-0623. 2017. Helsinki: Statistics Finland [referred: 22.9.2021]. 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The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. Munich, March 15, 2018 - According to its preliminary figures, Allgeier SE (ISIN DE000A2GS633, WKN A2GS63) is reporting double-digit growth in its total opeRating performance and value added in the 2017 fiscal year (January 1, 2017 - December 31, 2017). The preliminary figures largely correspond to the full-year 2017 forecast published in the ad-hoc announcement of December 18, 2017. Development of business in continuing operations Overall, the Group's total operating performance rose to EUR 578 million in the 2017 fiscal year (previous year: EUR 501 million), which corresponds to a growth of 15 percent, with contributions in particular from the Technology and Enterprise Services segments. The Enterprise Services segment achieved revenue growth of more than 100 percent through the acquisition of Ciber Germany's business in the fiscal year elapsed. According to the preliminary figures, Group value added increased by 15 percent to EUR 156 million (previous year: EUR 136 million). Adjusted consolidated EBITDA (EBITDA before effects qualified as extraordinary in operating terms or relating to other accounting periods) amounted to EUR 29.5 million in the reporting year (previous year: EUR 33.8 million). As indicated in the ad-hoc announcements of December 18, 2017 and August 8, 2017, the result of the first half of 2017 was burdened especially by the costs of reorganizing the Experts segment and, in this context, hiring new staff as an investment in future growth. Consolidated EBITDA came in at EUR 26.3 million (previous year: EUR 31.5 million). Consolidated EBIT (earnings before interest and tax) stood at at EUR 13.2 million (previous year: EUR 17.8 million). The Group generated preliminary EBT (earnings before tax) of EUR 10.9 million in the period under review (previous year: EUR 13.9 million). Key balance sheet financials as of December 31, 2017 Equity had climbed to EUR 122 million by the reporting date of December 31, 2017 (previous year: EUR 116.9 million). The Allgeier Group had liquid assets of EUR 53.0 million at its disposal at the end of fiscal 2017 (previous year: EUR 71.8 million). Preliminary current and non-current financial liabilities stood at EUR 109.9 million as of the reporting date (previous year: EUR 113.6 million). The preliminary balance sheet total posted EUR 338 million at year-end 2017 (previous year: EUR 344 million). Outlook for the 2018 fiscal year The current planning for the 2018 fiscal year indicates a development that follows on from the positive trend in the second half of 2017. Accordingly, Allgeier SE envisages growth of between 15 and 20 percent in consolidated revenue and an EBITDA margin of between 6 and 6.5 percent in the 2018 fiscal year. The budgeted figures pertain exclusively to the organic development of the Group in its current status, including Anecon, a company acquired in January 2018, without further changes to the portfolio. Further acquisitions in the individual segments can make an additional contribution to growth. Note All IFRS figures cited in this announcement for the 2017 fiscal year are preliminary and have not yet been finally audited by the Group's external auditor. The statements pertaining to the 2018 fiscal year are based on future expectations derived from the current planning that may or may not come to fruition. Contact: Allgeier SE Corporate Communications & Investor Relations Dr. Christopher Groe Wehrlestrae 12 81679 Munich Germany Tel.: +49 (0)89/998421-0 Fax: +49 (0)89/998421-11 e-mail: ir@allgeier.com Web: www.allgeier.com Allgeier SE is one of the leading IT companies for digital transformation: with a growth strategy oriented to innovations and future trends, as well as an integrative business model, Allgeier exploits the opportunities that digitalization offers. Three operating segments with individual specialist and sector-related focus areas work together for around 3,000 customers from almost all business sectors. With more than 7,000 salaried employees and around 1,400 freelance experts, Allgeier offers its customers an extensive one-stop-shop range of solutions and services. Based on a highly flexible delivery model, Allgeier covers the entire IT service spectrum from on-site through to nearshore and offshore: with a strong business pillar in India, the company secures flexibility and maximum scalability of services, as well as highly qualified high-end software development expertise. Allgeier customers include globally operating groups as well as innovative medium-size business operations that aim to secure strategic advantages through high-performance IT solutions, intelligent software and flexible personnel services. This Munich-based, fast-growing Group maintains 120 branches in the region of Germany, Austria and Switzerland, in nine further European countries, as well as in India, Singapore, Vietnam, Malaysia, Japan, Australia, Mexico and the USA. Allgeier generated EUR 576 million of revenue in its continuing operations in 2017 according to preliminary figures. Allgeier SE ranks first in the 2017 Lunendonk(R) special analysis of "Leading German Medium-Sized IT Consultants and System Integrators". According to the Lunendonk(R) 2017 market segment study "The Market for Recruiting, Mediating and Managing IT Freelancers in Germany", Allgeier Experts ranks among Germany's top three IT personnel service providers. Allgeier SE is listed on the Regulated Market of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange (WKN A2GS63, ISIN DE000A2GS633). For more information, visit: www.allgeier.com. Shares is the leading weekly publication for retail investors. It is packed with investment ideas, news and educational material to help build and run portfolios and get more from your money. Shares puts on free Investor Events throughout the year across the country. They provide an opportunity for investors to learn more about companies on the stock market and hear from a range of investment experts including fund managers and Shares journalists. Guinness, Ireland's national tipple, enjoys a seasonal popularity every St Patrick's Day, when it is estimated that around 13 million pints of it are consumed worldwide. STATISTICS 13 million pints of Guinness are consumed worldwide on St Patrick's Day. 1929 was the first year the brand ran the advertising campaign, 'Guinness is Good for You'. For most of the twentieth century, St Patrick's Day was considered a strictly religious holiday in Ireland and the nation's pubs remained closed until the 1970s. Today, surveys declare that the consumption of Guinness more than doubles on 17 March. While it is common knowledge that drinking alcohol excessively is not good for our health, some claim that a pint of Guinness might be better for us than we thought. Studies claim that Guinness is beneficial for the heart because it contains antioxidants that slow down the deposit of harmful cholesterol on the artery walls. It does contain fewer calories than the average lager and is said to have impressive nutritional benefits. Guinness is often thought of as a heavy beer because of its dark colour, but it is not carbonated like regular lager, meaning, according to the Medical Daily, it is less filling. A study in 2009 suggested that drinking Guinness - which contains calcium - in moderation can help improve bone mineral density. Another article published by the Institute of Brewing claimed that a pint of stout is full of nutrients such as all of the B vitamins, with the exception of B12. A pint of stout also contains 0.3 milligrams of iron - roughly three per cent of an adult's recommended daily dose. Vitamins play a vital role in helping our bodies convert food into fuel, while iron helps to boost energy levels. Another study claimed that the flavonoids in Guinness (antioxidants found in certain fruits and vegetables) can reduce the risk of heart attack caused by blood clots. The research was carried out on dogs with clogged arteries by comparing the effects of lager and Guinness: only dogs that drank Guinness benefitted from reduced clotting. Guinness is also high in barley and barley is high in ferulic acid, which is said to boost the immune system. But can this world-renowned beer - first produced by Arthur Guinness in Dublin in 1759 - really be considered a healthy beverage, or is its reputation the result of a clever advertising campaign? Publicity that implies alcoholic drinks can improve physical performance or enhance personal qualities is now prohibited in Ireland, but in 1929, the company ran an advertising campaign that claimed that the consumption of Guinness could be beneficial. Based on market research data of people who claimed they felt better after consuming a pint, the slogan 'Guinness is Good for You' was born. The campaign suggested that the stout gave people strength and energy, claiming nothing takes its place. They even went as far as suggesting that a second pint might be even more beneficial, with a clever play on the word toucan, the brand's mascot. It would appear that the famous Irish stout might well have health benefits if consumed with caution, but Guinness is still alcohol, and consuming too much can lead to numerous health problems. While moderate consumption of alcohol may have heart benefits for some, alcohol can also increase a woman's risk of breast cancer. It was once not uncommon for a doctor to advise pregnant women to drink Guinness for its health benefits, but today, experts caution of the dangers associated with consuming any alcohol while pregnant. Diageo, the company now responsible for manufacturing Guinness, is keen to point out that it never makes any medical claims about its drinks. The Missing Migrants project tracks incidents involving migrants, including refugees and asylum seekers who have died or gone missing in the process of migration. According to the website (missingmigrants.iom.int), 81 people have died trying to cross the Mediterranean from north Africa to Andalucia in 2018 and 462 deaths have been recorded in the Mediterranean region. The Missing Migrants Project is a joint initiative of the International Organisation for Migration's (IOM) Global Migration Data Analysis Centre (GMDAC) and Media and Communications Division (MCD) and receives funding from the UK government through UK Aid. On 16 March 2003, US president George W Bush, UK prime minister Tony Blair and Spanish prime minister Jose Maria Aznar sat down together for emergency talks at what became known as the 'Azores summit'. The meeting took place on the island of Terceira. Officially, the aim was to discuss the prospects of a UN resolution on Iraq, but it was here that the three leaders took the decision which resulted in the War on Iraq beginning four days later. At a press conference immediately after the meeting, President Bush said they were working toward the great cause of peace and security in this world. "We concluded that tomorrow is a moment of truth for the world" he announced. "Many nations have voiced a commitment to peace and security. And now they must demonstrate that commitment to peace and security in the only effective way, by supporting the immediate and unconditional disarmament of Saddam Hussein. The dictator of Iraq and his weapons of mass destruction are a threat to the security of free nations. He is a danger to his neighbours. He's a sponsor of terrorism. He's an obstacle to progress in the Middle East.... Saddam Hussein has proven he is capable of any crime. We must not permit his crimes to reach across the world," said Bush. In his address, Jose Maria Aznar said the three leaders had not come to the Azores in order to make a declaration of war, but that international law has to be respected and so do UN resolutions. "We are well aware of the international world public opinion, of its concern. And we are also very well aware of our responsibilities and obligations. If Saddam Hussein wants to disarm and avoid the serious consequences that he has been warned about by the United Nations, he can do so. And nothing in our document, nor in our statement, can prevent him from doing so, if he wants to. So his is the sole responsibility," he said. Tony Blair said Saddam Hussein had been playing games with the international community for 12 years and would continue to do so, and that it was very important for the international community to give him a strong and unified message. "We will do all we can in the short time that remains to make a final round of contacts, to see whether there is a way through this impasse. But we are in the final stages, because, after 12 years of failing to disarm him, now is the time when we have to decide," he said. The war on Iraq, which the US dubbed Operation Iraqi Freedom, lasted from 20 March to 1 May 2003 and succeeded in ridding the world of Saddam Hussein. However conflict continued for much of the next decade. No weapons of mass destruction were ever found in Iraq. In Spain there had been strong public feeling against Aznar's decision to declare war on Hussein, and in 2004 one of the first things new prime minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero did was to fulfil his manifesto commitment to withdraw Spanish troops from Iraq. Justin Smith, 48, originally from Pembrokeshire in Wales, and Sonia Janin, 40, from Lyon, France are a husband and wife team of artists who have chosen the town of Casares in Malaga to make their art. They first met 15 years ago in London, where Sonia had moved from France five years previously and Justin was also living. In London they both had their own, separate art studios, but since they came to Spain 18 months ago their work has also merged. Justin and Sonia have been using the theme of migration and the Malaga coastline for their project, Littoral, which combines Justin's video work, Sonia's photography and their shared interest in site-specific installations. We have a shared history of migration related to Spain, explains Sonia, whose grandmother, Rosa, now 101, is originally from Las Palmas. As a young girl Sonia explains that her family emigrated to Morocco and later, during the 1930s, Rosa went to live in France. That is how my family ended up being French. Sonia says that she has always been attracted to Spain for that reason. A video will be shown at the UK's Liquidscapes international conference in June It was a dark moment which really made us think about what this coastline witnesses Andalusian connections Justin also has a long history with Spain, as his parents, who have now both passed away, lived here for 30 years. They were really integrated into Spanish life and spoke the language, he says. The couple's research project goes by the name RosaCristina, after Sonia's grandmother and Justin's mother respectively. The couple say that their own family connections with this part of Spain, as well as the stories that appear on the news about African migrants here, and Andalucia's long history of migration, going back as far as the Phoenicians, Romans and Moors, have been a huge influence on their work. It's important that people don't just see the Costa del Sol as a holiday zone, but as somewhere that has always been affected by migration, they explain. Although the initial idea for Littoral was not political, Justin says that a lot of the art they have produced as part of the project has become a political message. They believe that one of the items they found among the flotsam and jetsam washed up during the 2017 storms was part of a boat which could have been used to carry migrants from Africa. It seemed sturdy and too big to be a child's toy. It was a dark moment which really made us think about what this coastline witnesses, they explain. In fact a video produced by Justin following the 2017 storms, titled Wave has been selected to appear at the Liquidscapes international conference at Dartington Hall in Devon in June this year. The short film combines scenes of the Mediterranean Sea during last year's storms with startling statistics on migrants trying to reach Spain from Africa. Justin obtained the data from the Missing Migrants project. Migrant crisis It's hard to get real information on the migrant crisis, says Sonia and Justin confesses that he was shocked by the amount of people who try to come across. Liquidscapes is a UK art exhibition and conference which explores how artists use water in their work and Justin and Sonia have been invited to speak about their work as part of the event. They couple say they feel they are integrating well into their new home and have made both Spanish and expat friends. Many of their neighbours are Spanish and they are having Spanish lessons. Having finished what they wanted to achieve with the Littoral project, they now want to try to get galleries in the province to exhibit their work and make more contacts with artists and art spaces in Andalucia. We see ourselves here for the foreseeable future, they admit. We love it here and find it very inspiring. They say that their work has changed considerably since they moved to Malaga and have a long list of projects they want to work on in the near future. Something around Brexit is a possibility next, Sonia reveals. Stephen Hawking was only 21 when, in 1963, he was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and told by doctors that he two years left to live at most. My expectations were reduced to zero when I was 21, he famously said. Everything since then has been a bonus. The man who is perhaps Hawking's closest friend in Spain's scientific community was Rafael Rebolo, director of the Astrophysics Institute of the Canaries (IAC). He learned of Hawking's death, at the age of 76, in the early hours of Wednesday morning. He met with him twice, most recently in 2016 when he named Hawking an honorary professor, and was moved to write a letter of condolence to Trinity College, Cambridge. Rebolo had a great deal of respect for the late scientist: He taught me how to live in spite of difficulty. He had an immense curiosity, he always wanted to know more and better understand the secrets of the universe. I think that's what kept him alive for so long. It's a lesson for us all. He added: It's unlikely that we'll fully understand how important Hawking's legacy was in our lifetimes. Many of his theories are yet to be proven; all we can say about them is that they are groundbreaking. It took over a century for example for Einstein's theory about gravitational waves to be verified. That's why Stephen never won the Nobel Prize during his lifetime. A collection of awards Stephen Hawking was however awarded the Principe de Asturias Award for Concord in 1989, by a young Felipe de Borbon, now King Felipe VI, for his important investigative work about the fundamentals of time and space. He was a member of the world's most eminent scientific communities, a honorary doctor at many of the world's most prestigious universities and he received some of the highest awards, including an Order of the British Empire medal (OBE). He also became one of the best-known scientists in the world, appearing in film, TV series and sitcoms. Tributes High-profile Spanish figures have joined the world in mourning the loss of one of its greatest minds. Pedro Sanchez, leader of the PSOE party, said: Funding science is the best tribute to his legacy. Roberto Emparan, a Spanish quantative physicist also praised his legacy, saying: He has taught us that the future isn't written and it can be changed. Teresa Sanjurjo of the Princess of Asturias Foundation said that He was a wise man and an example of the strength of the human spirit. The Partido Popular (PP) also released a statement: He revolutionised physics and he explained it to us in a more understandable way. A study by one of the leading names in the travel industry has painted a rosy picture of the future of the luxury tourism market. The report was carried out for Madrid-based Amadeus, the world's largest travel agents' reservation system. According to the analysis, using data from consultancy, Oxford Economics, the luxury travel segment of the tourist market, which is particularly important to parts of the Costa del Sol, will grow by six per cent over the next few years, as a new type of high-end traveller, who values experiences above buying consumer goods, starts to emerge. A luxury tourist is defined as someone earning over 150,000 US dollars The report says that 64 per cent of demand for luxury trips worldwide is still made up of residents from Europe and North America, despite these areas only making up 18 per cent of the global population. A luxury tourist is defined as someone earning over 150,000 US dollars annually. Asia is expected to be the biggest growth area for luxury travellers, as average incomes grow on that continent. Singapore, Thailand and Philippines are seen as key emerging markets. The study, which looks ahead as far as 2025, also points to a resurgence in the Russian market after a decline in 2013-15. Below average growth is expected from tourists from oil-producing countries that are a traditional source of wealthy visitors to Spain, such as Kuwait, although other Middle Eastern countries, such as Egypt and Iran, are expected to become more important. Among the key future trends in luxury travel, the report highlights the expected growth in demand for exclusive experiences for people to spend their money on, rather than high spending on luxury products. Marbella at centre of market Marbella is the Costa's main centre for luxury tourism and, outside Madrid and Barcelona, is the area of Spain where most money is spent on exclusive goods. The provincial tourist board, Turismo Costa del Sol, has emphasised the importance to Marbella of being chosen to host a networking conference with Virtuoso travel agents at the end of this year. Virtuoso is the market-leading association of luxury travel agents in North America with 11,400 members. More than 20 editors and directors of media outlets based in Andalucia, including SUR's Manuel Castillo, signed a good practice agreement with regional president Susana Diaz in Seville on Wednesday. The pioneering agreement, which puts an end to adult classified advertisements, also calls for this practice to be extended across all of Spain. The Junta and the media outlets have agreed to make Andalucia a space free of sex advertisements, commonly known as 'adult relaxation ads', conscious of the fact that these are just the tip of the iceberg in situations that threaten the dignity and the fundamental rights of those, especially of women and young girls, involved in prostitution or sexual slavery. Diaz expressed her thanks and pride to the media chiefs for this major step forward which she described as an example of commitment and social responsibility in the defence of good practices and codes of conduct which would help to create a better world. The Andalusian president expressed her concern that Spain had become one of the largest consumers of prostitution in the Europe, especially when the vast majority of people involved are there against their will. Susana Diaz also said that this agreement was the precursor to a law that she is convinced the regional government will soon approve against mistreatment and sexual exploitation. At least fourteen people were injured after a fire broke out early on Monday morning in one of the buildings in the Las Palmeras complex in Fuengirola. One woman, who found herself trapped on the first floor, decided to jump from her balcony and injured herself in the fall; a further 13 were treated for smoke inhalation. Calle Jacinto Benavente, where the building is located, was closed and around 50 people were evacuated from the building in total. Three firefighting teams were dispatched from the local station and neighbouring Mijas, as well as Local and National Police officers and paramedics. According to sources close to the investigation, the fire brigade received a call at 7.10am to report that there were flames coming from 'torre 2'. The same sources report that the fire started in the utility meter room and produced a lot of smoke. Safety standards not met Monday's fire came as little surprise to many residents and owners of flats in 'torre 2' with the issue of safety raised on multiple occasions over the last few years. Residents of the building have said that the fire could have been avoided. In June 2016, an independent report commissioned by residents recognised that the utility meter room did not meet the necessary safety requirements and warned that it should not be used until the existing issues are resolved. Prior to this, the Junta de Andalucia was informed of the situation via a letter signed by residents. The Junta, in turn, told supplier Endesa that they were responsible for relocating the meters. Many homes in the building went without electricity for a number of days. Torremolinos will close down its illegal rubbish tip and convert it into a suburban park in a project that will take two years to complete and will cost eight million euros. The council approved the plan, which already had the green light from the Andalusian government, on Friday last week. The move complies with the recommendations of the Court of Justice of the European Union, which criticised Spain for not adopting the necessary measures for managing the waste in 61 of its dumping sites. These sites are spread around the country, but the tip in Torremolinos is the only one in Andalucia, according to the report. Although it has not been used for years, the site has not been sealed off or regenerated, posing an environmental hazard. The site was supposed to be closed in 2010, following a ruling by a Malaga administrative court. The deputy mayor of Torremolinos, Maribel Tocon (PSOE), assured voters that the closure will put an end to one of the darkest chapters in the environmental history of Torremolinos. The Andalusian government sent the town hall its project for the site in February and the concil's approval means the tender process can get under way. The town hall expects work to begin this year. The project will start with a phase to stabilise the ground, after which there will be a period where the waterproofing will be reinforced. Once a former rubbish tip has been sealed in this way, the site must be monitored over the course of 30 years. The site contains one million tonnes of waste, of which 650,000 cubic metres will be moved to a new location, although it hasn't yet been made clear where. The works will then focus on creating a drainage network, installing vents to allow gases to escape, and finally allowing for the natural regeneration of this mountainous area through the introduction of new plant species. In its statement, Luxembourg highlighted that the requirement for the Andalusian government to close the site were underlined by an administrative and judicial necessity, in reference to the appeals lodged by the previous PP administration. In 2006, the Andalusian government took action against Torremolinos council when it was discovered that it was not legal. The European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg has said that the burning of images of the Spanish Royal Family by republican or regional separatist protesters is part of their freedom of speech. In a sentence revealed this week, the top court said that Spain was wrong to have fined two protesters for burning a large upturned photograph of King Juan Carlos in 2007, as part of Catalan pro-independence demonstrations. Enric Stern and Jaume Roura, from the Catalan province of Girona, were ordered to pay a fine of 2,700 euros each by Spanish courts to avoid going to prison for harming the Crown, and told they faced 15 months in jail if they didn't pay. The case was taken up by judges in Strasbourg who have now ruled against Spain. According to the ruling, the original sentence was a restriction on freedom of expression that wasn't in proportion to the aim of the act. In the judges' opinion, the burning of photos in public in an over-the-top way was only meant to raise awareness and that there was no intention to incite hatred. Spain has been told to return the money to the men as well as pay 9,000 euros in compensation and costs. Almeria. The 13-day search for missing eight-year-old Gabriel Cruz came to a tragic end in Almeria on Sunday when his body was found wrapped in a blanket in the boot of a car driven by the boy's father's girlfriend. The Guardia Civil had suspected 43-year-old Ana Julia Quezada, who is originally from the Dominican Republic, for several days, and officers had been following her movements closely. Since the boy's disappearance - while he was walking the no more than 100 metres between the houses of his grandparents and his cousins in Las Hortichuelas, Nijar - Ana Julia had been seen alongside his father, Angel Cruz, during searches and public appearances. It was Ana Julia who found a child's white vest on 3 March, which later tested positive for Gabriel's DNA, near the sewage treatment plant northeast of Las Hortichuelas in the heart of Almeria's rugged Cabo de Gata natural park. This was in the opposite direction from where she apparently killed the boy and hid his body, a rural property in Rodalquilar owned by the Cruz family. Far from sending detectives on a false trail the vest led officers to focus their investigation on Ana Julia. The garment had not been included on the initial list of clothes worn by the boy when he disappeared and showed no signs of having been exposed to the wind and rain for so many days. Ana Julia Quezada, at an awareness campaign while Gabriel was still missing. / EFE It was Gabriel's grandmother, whose house he had left shortly before he disappeared, who provided a key piece of evidence against Ana Julia. She remembered that her son's girlfriend had left the house just moments after Gabriel. When Ana Julia was interviewed by police last week, they dropped a hint to encourage her to break her cover, and her movements had been followed closely by officers to be able to confirm their suspicions. Both the boy's parents had been aware that she was formally under suspicion for a few days but had been told to behave normally around her until evidence had been found. On Sunday officers watched as Ana Julia apparently removed a body from a well on the Rodalquilar property. Her vehicle was intercepted by officers outside her home in La Puebla de Vicar, some 70 kilometres away, and the body found in the boot. The autopsy confirmed on Monday that Gabriel had died of asphyxia after receiving a blow to the head the same day as he disappeared, 27 February. Marks on his neck had initially pointed to strangulation but the examination confirmed what Ana Julia had confessed. She killed him by covering his nose and mouth with her hands after hitting him with the blunt side of an axe. The suspect's confession came on Tuesday, although her version is considered unlikely by detectives. She told officers that the death was accidental and not premeditated, that they had had an argument and the boy had attacked her with an axe, behaviour that by no means coincides with the character of Gabriel, said police. After accompanying detectives during their search of the scene in Rodalquilar earlier this week, Ana Julia appeared before a judge on Thursday and was sent to jail without bail. At a press conference on Thursday the head of the Guardia Civil's OCU unit, brought in for cases of serious crime, said that they believed that by leaving the vest where she did, Ana Julia was trying to incriminate a former boyfriend who lives just 300 metres away. Spain's biggest supermarket group, Mercadona, announced its annual results for 2017 on Tuesday and said that it had seen its profits half. The Valencia-based giant said that its profits last year were 322 million euros. However this was still good news for the president and founder, Juan Roig, who had expected only 200 million euros in profit. Sales in the period increased by six per cent to almost 23 billion euros. Mercadona is still privately-owned and he had told analysts last year that it would be diverting much of its sales to start an ambitious investment programme worth just over one billion euros in 2017. Most of this money, 667 million, was spent on starting to refit the company's shops with a newer and more efficient look, as well as opening new stores. Roig said, Mercadona is doing well and will do much better, adding that his company hopes to invest 8.5 billion over the next six years. The chain now has 1,627 supermarkets and employs 84,000 people. Plans to appoint a new president of the Catalan government have taken a step backwards in the last week after the speaker of the regional parliament suspended the expected debate and vote last Monday on the candidacy of Jordi Sanchez. Last Friday, 9 March, a Supreme Court judge ruled that Sanchez would not be allowed to leave jail to attend the debate. He is being held during investigations into last October's illegal declaration of independence for fear of repeating his alleged offences of sedition and rebellion. Sanchez's lawyers said immediately after the judge's decision that he would appeal the decision to the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg, citing a precedent of when a man in jail over ETA terrorist offences was permitted to leave to attend a Basque parliamentary session. The judge, however, said that the two cases weren't comparable. For the moment Sanchez, of the Junts per Catalunya (JxCat) political group, has decided to appeal the Supreme Court decision in Spain first before referring it to Strasbourg. The speaker of the Catalan parliament, Roger Torrent, now faces the dilemma of whether to wait for the legal appeal process before convening MPs or find another secessionist candidate. Separatist MPs hold a majority in the chamber. Leaders of JxCat were in Brussels this week to meet with Carles Puigdemont, ex-president who recently stepped aside as candidate in favour of his number two, Jordi Sanchez. The JxCat members urged the other Catalan separatist parties, ERC and CUP, to be patient with the candidacy of Sanchez, with the increasing possibility that Catalans will be called to vote again in new regional elections if no president is appointed by MPs. The suggested new candidacy of Jordi Turull, who is neither in jail nor in exile, was rejected by JxCat. In her book, Fight Back and Win, US lawyer Gloria Allred recounts the details of her fight against restaurants that customarily gave a menu without prices to the lady. WINE OF THE WEEK Los Aguilares Pinot Noir It is only in the last couple of decades that wine has once again been made in the Ronda area after the industry was wiped out by an epidemic. Los Aguilares Pinot Noir, made by Bibi Garcia, beat 2,000 other wines to first place in international competitions two years running. This vino tinto is the bodega's 'wine of the year' at 11 euros. Already an established women's rights attorney, it was an opportunity to make her point when some clients asked her to sue a restaurant for violating California's Civil Rights legislation. The restaurant in question was well-known and of a high standard, but when a lady invited her male business partner to lunch the maitre d' handed her a menu without prices and to the man one with prices, a common feature at the time of high-end restaurants throughout Europe and, in some cases, the United States. The couple walked out. Allred recalls asking restaurant owner Virginie Ferry why such a policy was in place. She replied, Because a woman is a woman is a woman. My response was, What does that mean, what does that mean, what does that mean? It was, apparently, the French way. As Allred went on record as saying later, Since when did a restaurant decide who pays the bill? When initially faced with a lawsuit, the restaurant refused to change its policy. That was until the campaign went national and it finally buckled under the pressure. There are still restaurants that have 'ladies' menus', and there are also restaurants exclusively for women. Until the 1800s it was not considered appropriate for a woman to eat on her own, even when they would travel independently and go shopping without a male companion. The first ladies-only restaurant opened in New York in 1833, and in 1839 the legendary Lhardy in Madrid followed the trend. Still a Madrid landmark and allegedly maker of the best 'cocido' in Spain, it was, according to third generation manager Javier Pagola, also the first to allow women to eat on their own. A women-only restaurant opened in the Emirates a couple of weeks ago. Known as Burger Trip, the cooks are all men, and of course they are never allowed to set foot outside the kitchen area, while the waitresses are, naturally, women. He recognises that it is "a bit soon" to hold a retrospective, but Secundino Hernandez is showing his particular universe, filled with geometric figures, splashes of colour, lines and erased spaces in 'Todo es mucho', the exhibition which opened this week at the Contemporary Art Centre (CAC) in Malaga. SECUNDINO HERNANDEZ Venue. CAC Malaga, C/ Alemania, Malaga. Dates. Until 6 May. Open. Tuesday to Sunday, 10am to 8pm. This artist from Madrid, who is praised by critics and the public alike, is exhibiting his works from the past five years: there are 38 of them, many in large format. The display demonstrates the freedom with which Hernandez conceives his work. I have explored various possibilities. I'm not afraid to keep evolving, he says. This may not be a retrospective, but it resembles one. Exhibiting here, in Malaga, where Picasso was born, is especially exciting for me, he says. Hernandez became internationally known in 2013 after attracting the attention of the Rubells Although he became internationally better-known in 2013, when he exhibited at Arco and attracted the attention of Don and Mera Rubell, Hernandez explains that before that, he already had support from important galleries and collectors. Now, coinciding with his return to Spain after living in Berlin, he is presenting his most recent paintings, all carried out between 2013 and 2018 with the exception of one from 2004 which serves as a departure point. His pictures are filled like an artist's palette or practically empty, with canvases which are almost white and accumulations which follow the style of Spanish masters such as El Greco, Goya or Velazquez, but also the most avant-garde. Hernandez, who was born in 1975, makes it clear that he will continue to oscillate between a diversity of sizes, colours and techniques. Large format is more performative, it makes other demands on you. I'm interested in the play between the line and the flat, but I don't just want to make pictures, I want to experiment and evolve through my painting, he says. The exhibition, which is curated by the director of the CAC, Fernando Frances, shows Hernandez's disposition to leave loose ends: I don't like to interpret my works, I prefer to leave it in the air. Nor do I try to reach anybody, that would seem too pretentious. His objective, he explains, is more intimate, I want people to understand what I do. Three of the works were painted exclusively for this exhibition and the artist worked upon them simultaneously: they are paintings washed with floating elements, palettes and drawings on paper and ink. To produce his works, he creates his own tools, which he has invented with the help of his father: sharp metal points to adjust the tubes of paint, pegs to use for unpainted areas, and even a hydrocleaner. He also makes his own frames. Some canvases are abstract and others enclose dense and superimposed images through which figures can be seen. This exhibition is a whole world to be discovered. Secundino Hernandez's exhibition 'Todo es mucho', opened this week at the CAC Malaga. Considered one of the best current abstract painters, he had to wait several years for his work to be recognised in this country. This exhibition isn't a retrospective, but it is close to one. What does the title signify? In moderation, like when a waiter tell you that's going to be a lot. The same thing happens here: we haven't shown everything, but nor have we done too little. Why did you return to Spain after living in Germany for ten years? The cycle ended. I did a decade and I think my work is well represented on an international level. Now you can work anywhere because the logistics have changed, but for me it was important to be in the centre of Europe and in contact with other contexts and artists. You used to be more valued abroad than in your own country. That's something you can't control. I have had the support of many collectors in the past, even before the Rubells. It's good that my work is moving. Things are easier now because the visibility is global, which it wasn't some time ago. What influences your work? My greatest influences are not only the grand masters, trends and schools. My work is fed by everyday things, like a painted wall in the street or a popular song, a comic or the form a line takes. BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) -- The estate of "To Kill a Mockingbird" author Harper Lee has filed suit over an upcoming Broadway adaptation of the novel, arguing that screenwriter Aaron Sorkin's script wrongly alters Atticus Finch and other characters from the book. The suit, which includes a copy of a contract signed by Lee and dated about eight months before her death in February 2016, contends Sorkin's script violates the agreement by portraying Finch, the noble attorney who represents a black man wrongly accused of rape in "Mockingbird," as someone else in the play. Filed against the theater company of New York producer Scott Rudin, the complaint cites an interview with the online publication Vulture in which Sorkin was quoted as saying the small-town lawyer would evolve from a racist apologist at the start of the show to become "Atticus Finch by the end of the play." Such a change during a play could fit with the character evolution shown between the Pulitzer Prize-winning "Mockingbird" and Lee's first draft of the novel, finally released in 2015 as "Go Set a Watchman." But the lawsuit contends the script would violate the contact by changing Finch and other characters and adding still more people who aren't in the novel. It asks a judge to enforce a section of the agreement that states the play won't "depart in any manner from the spirit of the Novel nor alter its characters." A firm that represents Rudin's company, Rudinplay Inc., said Sorkin's script "is a faithful adaptation of a singular novel which has been crafted well within the constraints of the signed agreement" between the producers and Lee. The statement also took a jab at the "history of litigious behavior" of Lee's estate, overseen by attorney Tonja Carter of Lee's south Alabama hometown of Monroeville. "This is, unfortunately, simply another such lawsuit, the latest of many, and we believe that it is without merit," said the statement. "While we hope this gets resolved, if it does not, the suit will be vigorously defended." The play is scheduled to open in New York in December. The suit names as its plaintiff Carter, who represented Lee during the final years of the author's life. Carter handled Lee's will and is listed in the lawsuit as the personal representative of Lee's estate. Rudinplay paid Lee $100,000 after she approved Sorkin as the screenwriter in November 2015, the suit said. Carter first saw a draft of the play in September, according to the lawsuit, and she later spoke with Rudin by phone to express numerous concerns about Sorkin's script. "Mr. Rudin assured Ms. Carter that he wanted to do the Play right and that he would make sure that the Estate would be satisfied with the final product," the suit said. The two talked again in February about the script, suit said, adding: "At times, the conversation was heated." Carter sued after Rudin's attorney wrote earlier this month saying extensive changes to the script weren't possible, the suit said. Sorkin, a Syracuse University alumnus, has won multiple Emmys for his work on the drama series "The West Wing," and he won an Academy Award for his screenplay of "The Social Network" in 2011. Rudin's credits include "Lady Bird," which was nominated for an Academy Award as best motion picture this year, and "Fences," which was a 2017 nominee. He won a best picture Oscar for "No Country for Old Men" in 2008. ITHACA, N.Y. -- Police stepped into Maximilien R. Reynolds' Ithaca apartment last week and found it in shambles. Clothes, food and laboratory glassware were strewn across the small Collegetown apartment, investigators said in a complaint filed in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of New York. Mathematical equations written in red ink could be seen on the windows, investigators said. Police went to Reynolds' 111 Dryden Road apartment after getting a tip March 7 from a concerned Walmart employee. The tipster called police after Reynolds bought ammo, camping gear, knives and other "suspicious" items," investigators said. Reynolds, 20, a Cornell University student on a leave of absence, was not home. But his girlfriend let two FBI agents and an Ithaca police investigator inside. His girlfriend -- who was not identified -- told investigators she was worried about Reynolds, investigators said. She explained that Reynolds seemed manic, had stopped taking his medication and was running on very little sleep, investigators said. An FBI agent spotted disturbing items among the disarray during the discussion, investigators said: camouflage and a gas mask, knives and flashlights. Police later spoke to Reynolds, who eventually admitted he had a rifle inside his apartment, investigators said. He then gave police permission to search his apartment, investigators said. Here's what investigators said was found in the apartment: A Savage MSR 15 Patrol rifle, a type of AR-15-style rifle A homemade, 10-inch silencer A firework mortar round with shotgun-shell pellets taped to it (classified by federal investigators as a bomb) Other firework mortar rounds not modified Over 300 rounds of ammunition -- including high-capacity magazine clips for the Savage rifle Two sets of body armor A metal/steel pipe Containers filled with chemicals commonly used to make homemade bombs Ball bearings that could be used as shrapnel in a bomb On March 9, federal and state bomb technicians searched two storage units Reynolds had rented from I-DEAL Self-storage on Slaterville Road, investigators said. Chemicals, a small amount of what appeared to be smokeless powder, a firework mortar round and a pyrotechnic fuse were seized from the storage units, investigators said. Reynolds was admitted to the Cayuga Medical Center for a psychiatric evaluation, investigators said. He was charged today in federal court with possessing a silencer; possessing a destructive device; and aiding and abetting the straw purchase of a rifle. ITHACA, N.Y. -- A former Cornell University student has been arrested on federal charges after bomb-making materials and an AR-15 were found inside his Collegetown apartment, police said. Maximilien R. Reynolds, 20, who is originally from northern New Jersey, was charged in federal court Friday with possessing a silencer and a destructive device, announced the Ithaca Police Department on Friday. He has also been charged with aiding and abetting the straw purchase of a rifle, police said. Reynolds, who lived in Apt. 8k, 111 Dryden Road, was arrested after investigators found the weapons and other materials inside his apartment, police said. The former student's apartment was in Collegetown Plaza, a nine-story, 80-unit apartment building in the heart of Collegetown. The weapons cache Reynolds stashed left investigators "stunned," police said. The investigation started March 7 with a tip from a concerned Ithaca resident about "suspicious behavior," said Police Chief Pete Tyler. A federal complaint said the tip came from an employee at Walmart concerned about materials he was buying. Local, state and federal police investigated Reynolds -- eventually searching his apartment. Here's what police said was seized during the investigation: An unassembled AR-15 rifle A gas mask A homemade silencer A "myriad" of ammunition for different firearms Pipes and other equipment used to make "destructive devices" High-capacity magazine rifles Medical supplies to treat traumatic injuries A bulletproof vest Food rations Fireworks His lawyer, Ray Schlather, argued in U.S. District Court in Syracuse on Friday that Reynolds suffers from "a huge paranoia of the world beyond him" and is dedicated to "protecting himself from that world," according to the Cornell Daily Sun, a student newspaper. The lawyer said Reynolds has been diagnosed with schizoaffective bipolar disorder with paranoid features, the paper reported. U.S. Magistrate Judge Therese Wiley Dancks ordered that he undergo evaluation to assess his competency to stand trial. Reynolds specifically was charged with: 2 counts of possession of an unregistered destructive device/silencer Making a false statement in the acquisition of a firearm Making a false statement in a required firearm record. The charges alleging Reynolds possessed a firearm and silencer each carry a maximum sentence of up to 10 years in prison, police said. The charges alleging that the defendant aided and abetted in the straw purchase of a rifle each carry a maximum sentence of up to 10 years in prison, police said. Reynolds is being held without bail pending a hearing. His mugshot has not been released. In a statement released after the arrest, the university confirmed Reynolds is a former Cornell student. "Law enforcement does not believe that there is currently a threat to the campus or to Collegetown," said Joel M. Malina, Cornell's vice president for university relations, said. Reynolds studied plant sciences in Cornell's College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. He's from Rumson, N.J. and graduated from Rumson-Fair Haven High School. He was on a leave of absence from Cornell and was taking classes at Tompkins-Cortland Community College, according to a complaint filed in court. Assistance from FBI agents based in Ithaca led to Reynolds' arrest, police said. In addition to the FBI, Ithaca police were assisted by the Tompkins County District Attorney's Office, the Cornell University Police Department, the New York State Police and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms. Syracuse, NY -- An Onondaga County Court judge said today a 64-year-old woman beaten to death in November 2016 lost her life chasing the American Dream. And the man who killed her? Someone so damaged from wars abroad that he had a limited idea of what he was doing. Award Kabayiza, 25, has readily admitted to beating the older woman, Jesca Nyirakubanza, to death, using his hands and feet, inside a Butternut Street apartment. The motive behind the woman's murder and the details remained virtually unknown at the time. Today, Kabayiza was sentenced to 20 years in prison by County Court Judge Thomas J. Miller. He'll likely be deported back to his native Democratic Republic of Congo after his prison term. It's the war-torn African country that both Nyirakubanza and Kabayiza had fled as legal refugees. It's the place where Kabayiza had watched soldiers hack his parents to death with axes, he told his lawyer, and his sister sexually assaulted. He himself had been repeatedly beaten because others didn't like the shape of his nose. Doctors found that Kabayiza's psyche had been damaged by witnessing and experiencing wanton violence. Meanwhile, Nyirakubanza had come seeking "the hopes and dreams of our great country," the judge said today. Those moments when Kabayiza lost control and killed Nyirakubanza were "a tragedy of immense proportions," Miller concluded. What happened? Jesca Nyirakubanza Kabayiza used his hands and feet to beat Nyirakubanza to death inside her apartment. He locked the door minutes before the fatal beating, so there were no witnesses. The victim's son crawled in through a window and found his mother moments after her death, prosecutor Michael Kasmarek said today. Kabayiza, who had just arrived in the United States two weeks before the murder, had been struggling with mental health issues. In fact, he'd sought treatment at a local hospital the day before, Kasmarek has said. But Kabayiza does not speak English, and so the hospital did not know how to help him, the prosecutor said. They treated him for a cold and sent him home. The day of the murder, Kabayiza's uncle had rushed over to Nyirakubanza's house to warn the family of his newphew's instability. The two families were outside when the attack happened, Kasmarek said. Kabayiza later told police that he killed her because she had bitten him. That didn't make any sense, his lawyer, Ralph Cognetti said, so he ordered mental health exams. A 'very difficult case' Kabayiza underwent several mental health exams, which determined that he understood the charges and could stand trial. But when Kabayiza resisted a plea offer -- despite confessing to his crime -- lawyers didn't know what to do with him. The case was delayed longer as Miller, the judge, ordered more psychiatric exams. How could a sane person go to trial after such a clear confession? Doctors kept finding Kabayiza competent to stand trial. And Kabayiza kept refusing to plead guilty, despite clearly admitting he committed the crime. His February 2018 trial itself was delayed because Kabayiza spoke a specific dialect of Swahili. A court interpreter hired for the trial admitted he couldn't communicate fully. Then another interpreter got into a car crash on the way to court, delaying the trial even more. When the proceeding finally began three days late, Kabayiza had had more time to think about it. And finally, on Feb. 15, he agreed to a plea. But there was a caveat: he admitted killing Nyirakubanza while under "extreme emotional distress." That's a legal mechanism that lowers someone's criminal responsibility under the theory that the person did not have full intent to commit a crime. It didn't get Kabayiza off the hook. Instead of murder, his plea was reduced to manslaughter. That meant that there was no possibility of life in prison. The minimum prison time remained roughly the same: up to 25 years. After such a serious crime, it's very likely he'll be deported after his 20-year sentence is over. That'll send Kabayiza back to a country of his past nightmares -- one that he won't have seen in decades. Miller called it a "very difficult case" and noted Kabayiza's lack of criminal record and "extensive mental health history." But, "there's no going back from what happened that day," the judge noted. Cognetti, his lawyer, told the judge today that the homicide was tragic from all sides. All Kabayiza -- like Nyirakubanza -- wanted was a life free from the daily threat of death and mayhem. But, the lawyer added, Kabayiza had fallen "into the outstretched hands of evil." "He hopes, and I hope, that others will look upon his life and the circumstances that molded it, and make decisions that will fit the crime for which he pled," Cognetti said. "As we all know, life is not black and white. I believe it is shades of gray." Don Cazentre | dcazentre@nyup.com By Don Cazentre | Syracuse.com When it comes to Irish pubs in the Syracuse area, some seem to soak up a lot of the attention. Over in Syracuse's Irish neighborhood, Tipperary Hill, Coleman's Authentic Irish Pub grabs the spotlight with it Green Beer Sunday, the leprechaun door and the presence of larger-than-life owner Peter Coleman. The Blarney Stone wins raves for its casual atmosphere, good food -- especially the burgers and wings -- and extremely affordable prices. In Armory Square, Kitty Hoynes Irish Pub, run by County Kilkenny native David Hoyne, routinely offers its guest the closest thing to an actual trip to Ireland in Central New York. (And it routinely breaks records in the annual St. Baldrick's fundraiser). Even one of the newest, Shaughnessy's, get a lot of attention through its location in the restored Marriott Syracuse Downtown (Hotel Syracuse). But a glance through a listing of area bars shows a lot more with Irish-sounding names. Some achieve at least of hint of authentic Irishness, while others are content to embody the Irish spirit by serving as a gathering place for good times, good company and good drinks. Whether it's St. Patrick's Day or not, here's a look at some of Central New York's lesser known Irish watering holes. (If we missed yours, let us know in the comments): Don't Edit David Lassman George Odea's Where: 1333 W Fayette St, Syracuse, NY 13204 This neighborhood Irish bar occupies a spot at the gateway to Tipperary Hill, near the big Ukrainian church. O'Dea's opened in 2000 and serves tavern fare like pizza, wings, cheesesteaks and more along with beer and mixed drinks. Don't Edit Gibby O'Connor's Irish Pub Where: 8 W 2nd St, Oswego, NY 13126 In the heart of downtown Oswego, this pub features Irish food and drinks, live music and is even the last stop for Oswego's St. Patrick's Parade. Don't Edit Guilfoil's Irish Pub Where: 501 Burnet Ave, Syracuse, NY 13203 This is one of the oldest pubs in Syracuse, known for tavern lunches and cheap beer. It's been a tavern near the former New York Central train station for about 100 years. It became Guilfoil's in 1944, when "Big Mike" Guilfoil took over. It's now in the fourth generation. Don't Edit Don Cazentre The Limerick Pub Where: 134 Walton St # 3, Syracuse, NY 13202 Centrally located in the heart of Armory Squares main street, this pub has a fun-loving vibe with some serious Irish (and non-Irish) drinks and live music. It' has a small porch out front and a courtyard in back. Don't Edit Don't Edit McCarthy's Pub McCarthy's Pub, Cazenovia Where: 64 Albany St, Cazenovia, NY 13035 This newcomer just opened in November 2017 and has a menu that includes Irish pub food (fish & chips, corned beef etc.) and drinks, plus Irish decor. There's also live music. Don't Edit David Lassman Mulrooney's Irish Sport Pub Where: 239 W Fayette St, Syracuse, NY 13202 Better known as Mully's, it's the oldest continuously operating bar in Armory Square, with the oldest courtyard in the area too. The bar is long and room is spacious. Don't Edit David Lassman Nibsy's Irish Pub Where: 201 Ulster St, Syracuse, NY 13204 This Irish Pub & Grill is said to be Syracuses oldest operating bar, established back in 1890. Tavern food finds a match with 18 beers on tap and a friendly atmosphere. Don't Edit Wayside Irish Pub/Cocaire Where: 101 W Main St, Elbridge, NY 13060 It's not just an Irish pub -- it's haunted, the stories say. The pubs has all the Irish influences, and last fall added the restaurant, Cocaire, to the mix. Cocaire means cook or chef in Irish (Gaelic). The menu includes shepherd's pie, Guinness barbecued chicken, fish & chips, the Wayside Reuben, and a "ghost beef sandwich." Don't Edit St. Patrick's Day 2018 Here's what you need to know for March 17, 2018, when the Syracuse St. Patrick's Parade falls on St. Patrick's Day itself: The weather Street closings and schedule Don't Edit SYRACUSE, NY -- For 32 years, she would gather her friends, all dressed up in burlap potato sacks and green and orange hats and scarves, and hand out potatoes (or potato chips) to the crowds at the annual Syracuse St. Patrick's Parade. The parade is all about tradition, and few people embodied that more than Mary Lou Katko. Katko, born Mary Lourdes O'Connor, died Wednesday at 85. See full obituary. The parade she loved so much rolls at noon Saturday, St. Patrick's Day itself, in downtown Syracuse. Katko was the leader of the "Irish Potato Ladies," who started doing their thing when the parade started in 1983, making them among the founders of the annual celebration.. The original group had met in high school -- they were 1952 graduates of Most Holy Rosary High School. They marched, and later rode in a car, in the parade until 2013. By that time, several members had passed away, some were in nursing homes and others found it a little too strenuous at their age. They decided to end the tradition in 2014. "Whenever I think of Mary Lou, I smile because she was so much fun," said Janet Higgins, president of the Syracuse St. Patrick's Parade Committee. "Imagine, these ladies marching down the street in their burlap sacks throwing potatoes or potato chips at people. It was hilarious." In later years, extended members of Katko's large family joined in. She had seven children, 18 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. One of her children is U.S. Rep. John Katko. Another is Cynthia Hoyne, who with her husband, David, owns Kitty Hoynes Irish Pub in Armory Square. The pub became the official headquarters of the Irish Potato Ladies. (Katko herself often served as the pub's greeter). She enjoyed all holidays but St. Patrick's Day, and its signature parade, was her favorite, said one of her grandsons, Michael John Heagerty. She started dressing in green outfits as soon as March arrived, he said. Family lore has it that in the first year, the potato ladies were a little aggressive in tossing their potatoes, Heagerty said. "The police got involved, saying you really can't go around knocking people on the head with potatoes. So they switched to chips." His grandmother, Heagerty said, would want family and friends to enjoy this St. Patrick's Day. "She was all about having a celebration," he said, "especially one that brings family and friends together." In 2014, when the potato ladies decided not to march, Mary Lou Katko expressed some regret, but knew it was time. "I can't believe it's been 32 years. I don't feel like I'm 81. At 81, I'm still having fun," she said. "... We had a good run. Last year was such a beautiful year. It was just like the first year. It was such a thrill and we enjoyed every bit of it." ROME, N.Y. -- A judge has denied a Utica fire chief's motion to reargue his lawsuit against the City of Utica. Utica fire chief Russell Brooks, who was placed on administrative leave by the city in May of last year, had filed a lawsuit against the City of Utica because he says his application for benefits offered to first responders whose health has been affected by conditions at Ground Zero on Sept. 11, 2001 was rejected. Brooks has chronic lymphocytic leukemia, but the costs of his treatment are covered by the World Trade Health Program, according to a report from the Utica Observer-Dispatch. He is only seeking for the City of Utica to acknowledge his eligibility for benefits, the Observer-Dispatch reported. A judge ruled that Brooks' lawsuit had come too early in December because the fire chief had yet to formally apply for the proper benefits, the Observer-Dispatch reported. Earl Redding, Brooks' attorney, argued that the lawsuit and the city's response to the lawsuit were a formal application and denial, though Supreme Court Judge Patrick MacRae disagreed, the Observer-Dispatch reported. Redding and Brooks will file an application, Redding said according to the Observer-Dispatch. "While the Supreme Court has now twice ruled in favor of the City, it no way minimizes Chief Brooks' 42 years of service to the Utica Fire Department," the city said in a statement following the ruling. "The City has always acknowledge and recognized that Chief Brooks and eleven other Utica Fire Department personnel represented the City while assisting in the recovery on 9/11." The City of Utica also denied Brooks' application for a separate set of benefits that are awarded for firefighters injured in the line of duty, the Observer-Dispatch reported. An arbitration hearing is pending, according to the Observer-Dispatch. Gov. Andrew Cuomo, under the guise of bracing for the impact of federal cuts to health care spending, proposes a 14 percent tax on New York health insurers in his 2018-19 budget. The governor reasons that health plans can afford it because Congress just cut their federal tax rates by the same amount. The tax unfairly burdens one industry, raises the cost of health care and, worst of all, is unnecessary. Cuomo wants to put the $140 million collected through the tax into a "health care shortfall fund" to fill any holes created by the Trump administration. Except there aren't any holes to fill. Congress already restored funding for the Children's Health Insurance Program, for hospitals that care for a disproportionate number of indigent patients and for community health centers. The tax would be on top of the $5 billion in other health insurance taxes the state collects. That raises health care costs for employers and policyholders. The state's punitive health care taxes discourage insurers from expanding in the state or locating here, and raise the cost of doing business in New York state for everyone else. The governor also is counting on $750 million in revenue from nonprofit health plans that convert to for-profit plans. With only one health plan contemplating a conversion, that is a risky assumption, according to a new analysis by the Citizens Budget Commission. Health insurers are a key component in the delivery of health care in New York state. The governor's proposed 14 percent tax on their earnings is punitive and unfair. Syracuse.com editorials Editorials represent the collective opinion of the Advance Media New York editorial board. Our opinions are independent of news coverage. Read our Members of the editorial board are Tim Kennedy, Stephen Cvengros, Jason Murray and Marie Morelli. To respond to this editorial: Post a comment below, or submit a letter or commentary to . Read our If you have questions about the Opinions & Editorials section, contact Marie Morelli, editorial/opinion leader, at Tens of thousands of students, including many in Central New York, conducted a civics lesson for the nation Wednesday when they left their classrooms for 17 minutes in memory of the 17 victims of a school shooter in Florida exactly one month before. The students walked out to protest gun violence and to demand safer schools. They channeled their fear, grief and anger into protests aimed at pressuring political leaders to act. This is what the framers of the Constitution had in mind when they enshrined in the First Amendment "the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances." Students do not "shed their constitutional rights to freedom of speech or expression at the schoolhouse gate," the Supreme Court ruled in 1969. But schools can stop disruptive behavior. School administrators had wide latitude to prevent the protests. Some students risked in-school discipline by walking out. Yet many Central New York school administrators let their students walk. Others kept students indoors for activities designed to strengthen their sense of community. School leaders who blocked schoolhouse exits, discouraged participation or called snow days to sidestep the protests missed a teachable moment. We want our kids to be good citizens: to hold opinions on issues of the day, to respectfully debate them with people who hold contrary views, to participate in their government by engaging with their elected officials and by voting. Whether you agree with them or not, the students participating in the walkout and the March for Our Lives on March 24 are finding their civic voices. Hear them roar. We applaud them and the adults who support them. Syracuse.com editorials Editorials represent the collective opinion of the Advance Media New York editorial board. Our opinions are independent of news coverage. Read our Members of the editorial board are Tim Kennedy, Stephen Cvengros, Jason Murray and Marie Morelli. To respond to this editorial: Post a comment below, or submit a letter or commentary to . Read our If you have questions about the Opinions & Editorials section, contact Marie Morelli, editorial/opinion leader, at To the Editor: I'm responsding to the letter written by Bruce Rapp, a Syracuse car dealer ("Syracuse car dealer: Tesla's sales model is bad for consumers," March 12, 2018). I actually own a Tesla. It is an amazing car. I'm not employed by Tesla or a car dealer. I'm a retired attorney who doesn't think it is fair that state law restricts Tesla to the five stores it already has in the New York City area. Presently for service I must drive 500 miles round trip to Mount Kisco or drive to Toronto or Cleveland. (Tesla provides local service with a squad of Tesla Rangers, but these mobile technicians are an incomplete substitute for a full brick-and-mortar service department.) I believe a local Tesla store would benefit Syracuse, so I'd like to address some of Rapp's statements. Rapp correctly acknowledges that the proposed legislation would only allow Tesla to open an additional 15 stores. The 375 jobs that these new Tesla stores are expected to create won't replace the 63,200 jobs that dealerships sustain; they are additional and different jobs. Why wouldn't Syracuse want some new jobs? Rapp states "I don't know a single automobile dealer who is afraid of competition" and "Dealers must provide good service and competitive pricing because consumers have the choice to do business elsewhere. Single-point factory stores would eliminate that competition." What he says makes no sense. Tesla doesn't force consumers to buy Tesla cars. How could they? Consumers looking to purchase hybrid or gas cars have to buy them elsewhere because Tesla doesn't make them. The company just wants to bring its battery-powered electric car business to more people Upstate. That's American free enterprise. Tesla claims its direct sales model allows the company to provide customers with skilled Tesla employees who have in-depth information about these technologically unique vehicles. When I was in Cleveland considering buying a Tesla, they answered my many questions. When buying at franchised dealerships, I have sometimes found that I knew more about cars I was considering than the sales staff, so I see Tesla's point. I'd also like to address Rapp's assertion that "local dealers support our community; national factory outlets do not." Even though Tesla isn't based in Syracuse, the company does make an effort to play a role in our state and community. Tesla has opened a large factory in Buffalo. They've built a Supercharger in Liverpool and many more across the state and nation. (Cross-country Tesla road trips are quite common thanks to the cars' 300-mile plus range and these Superchargers.) Tesla also has played a major volunteer role in Puerto Rico's hurricane recovery, providing solar generation and electrical storage equipment. I've read that Tesla even wants to start an internship program with Onondaga Community College to train for local high-tech jobs. I want to clarify something else. Rapp implies that State Sen. David Valesky is co-sponsoring the bill that would allow Tesla to open more New York stores because the company is donating to him. This is completely false. The truth is in public information provided by New York state online. Tesla has made no political donations to Valesky. On the other hand, the reports do show that the chairmen of the Transportation Committees in each house of our Legislature have a long history of receiving dealer association and manufacturer contributions. Presumably Valesky supports the bill because it will benefit Syracuse and its residents. Other area co-sponsor supporters of the Tesla legislation (Senate Bill 6600A and Assembly Bill 8248A) include Assemblyman Al Stirpe, D-Cicero. The real question isn't why these legislators stand with Tesla. The real question is why aren't the bills being presented by others for floor votes. Both bills were introduced last year and are stalled in committees. What benefits will Syracuse receive from welcoming Tesla? New jobs, economic investment, more electric vehicle charging infrastructure, cleaner air, opportunities for automotive technology students at OCC, and convenient access for consumers like you and me to purchase and get our Tesla cars serviced at a location closer to our homes. Instead of listening to an auto dealer who does not want to make it easy for you to own an America-made Tesla that is top-rated by Consumer Reports magazine for road tests and owner satisfaction, think about the benefits if Tesla is allowed to operate here. If you agree that Central New York should have a chance to visit a local Tesla store, ask your legislators to work for passage of Senate S6600-A and Assembly A8248-A. Call Assembly Transportation chair David Gantt (518-455-5606) and Senate Transportation Chair Joseph Robach (518-455-2909) to urge committee action. Peter Colman Manlius WASHINGTON (AP) -- An aide to Rep. Louise Slaughter says the 88-year old Democratic congresswoman from upstate New York has died. Slaughter was serving her 16th term in Congress and was the top Democrat on the House Rules Committee. She was the first woman to chair that committee when she led it from 2007 through 2010. Liam Fitzsimmons is her chief of staff. In a statement, he says Slaughter died early Friday at George Washington University Hospital after injuring herself in a fall in her area home. Fitzsimmons said on Wednesday that she'd sustained a concussion but no broken bones. "To have met Louise Slaughter is to have known a force of nature. She was a relentless advocate for Western New York whose visionary leadership brought infrastructure upgrades, technology and research investments, and two federal manufacturing institutes to Rochester that will transform the local economy for generations to come," Fitzsimmons added in a statement. "As the first chairwoman of the House Rules Committee, Louise blazed a path that many women continue to follow. It is difficult to find a segment of society that Louise didn't help shape over the course of more than thirty years in Congress, from health care to genetic nondiscrimination to historic ethics reforms." Slaughter was originally from Kentucky and had a degree in microbiology; she got involved in politics when she moved to Rochester with husband Robert Slaughter. She was repeatedly re-elected, sometimes narrowly, and was the longest-serving member of Congress from New York. "Congresswoman Louise Slaughter was a giant. She had deep convictions -- on both issues important to the people of Rochester, and for the integrity and honesty of the political system," Sen. Chuck Schumer said in a statement. "Throughout her entire career, Louise worked with people from so many different philosophies and backgrounds, because she was such a genuine human spirit. The ferocity of her advocacy was matched only by the depth of her compassion and humanity. Her passing will leave a gaping hole in our hearts and our nation. My sincere condolences go out to her daughters and grandchildren and to the legions of people who loved and admired her." BALDWINSVILLE, N.Y. -- The sound of gunfire echoed through the cafeteria walls at C.W. Baker High School in Baldwinsville Friday afternoon as teachers and staff received active shooter training. The Baldwinsville Central School District has hired Armoured One, a school security company that offers services, products and training to help prepare schools, colleges and universities in the event of a shooting or major attack. Armoured One is based in Central New York and its co-founder and CEO, Tom Czyz, has children in the Baldwinsville school district. "Kids are scared, teachers are scared, the community is scared," said Baldwinsville Superintendent Matthew McDonald. "Kids right now are walking on eggshells." McDonald said Armoured One is giving his staff valuable hands-on training that is critical in today's society and especially after the recent shooting in Parkland, Florida where 17 people were killed. Baker High School staff and teachers were told Friday afternoon to act like high school students as they sat in the cafeteria. Students were off on Friday. The adults were warned that they would hear gunfire, but the sound of gunshots within the school was still startling for many of the staff members, including physical education teacher Ron Hysick. Trainers were shooting blanks. Hysick is also a cafeteria monitor and he praised the district for offering the training. "It's great that they are doing this," Hysick said. "It was unreal to hear the shots." Hysick hopes to never need the training, but in an active shooting situation, he said he hopes this training will help him save lives. Teachers and staff also trained in active shooter scenarios in the classroom, including how to barricade the classroom doors and how to fight off an attacker. Armoured One offers three levels of training for schools. The level one training is seminar for staff. "Our schools are not ready for gunshots going off in their schools, they're not ready to fight with people," Czyz said. "So what we do is a seminar called 'the history of an active shooter, mindset of a survivor.'" The training teaches participates to run, hide, barricade and fight. Czyz said one of the most important things for teachers to learn is that a shooting can happen at their school because shootings can happen anywhere, he said. "It's not a like a lightning strike like people say," Czyz said. "It can happen." In level two and three of training, participants work with hands-on scenarios with gunshots, actors and weapons. In level three training, scenarios are more in depth and local police agencies are involved. "We're actually showing (school staff) hands-on options of what they can do," Czyz said. "The shooter is making a big mistake when he comes to a school that's been trained because they are preparing for it and they are ready for it. And what they have is options and plans in their head of what they can do to help their students survive and then they can survive too." SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- Did Steve Aiello bribe Joe Percoco or not? The jury in Percoco's corruption trial gave two seemingly contradictory answers: No, Aiello did not bribe Percoco, they said. But yes, Aiello and Percoco conspired to cheat the public of Percoco's honest services, a scheme that involved Aiello bribing Percoco. Both Aiello, president of Syracuse-based Cor Development, and Percoco, a former top aide to Gov. Andrew Cuomo, were acquitted of bribery. And both were convicted of conspiracy to commit honest services fraud, a crime that carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. Legal experts say it's possible the jury found a legal nuance that led them to convict on one charge but not the other. But since bribery was at the heart of both charges, Aiello's attorney and some trial watchers have found the jury's decision puzzling. In any case, it is not uncommon for juries to reach verdicts that seem inconsistent, especially in complex white-collar criminal trials, experts say. And that inconsistency is widely tolerated by the courts. It's rare for a verdict to be overturned on appeal simply because it is at odds with another verdict in the same case, said attorney Brandon Fox, the former chief corruption prosecutor at the U.S. Attorney's office in Los Angeles. Aiello's lawyer, Stephen Coffey, said the discrepancy between the two verdicts "raises serious doubt as to whether this conviction will stand.'' He plans to appeal. But that argument is unlikely to sway an appeals court unless it is backed by something more, such as evidence of an error by the judge, other lawyers said. "The courts will not look at what's behind a jury's verdict,'' said Frank Razzano, a veteran white-collar crime lawyer in Washington, D.C., and a former federal prosecutor. "Throughout the years, juries have rendered inconsistent verdicts, and the courts of appeals have refused to do anything about it.'' None of the 12 jurors discussed the verdict with reporters Tuesday after court, so the substance of their deliberations remains secret. Fox, the former LA federal prosecutor, said there are subtle differences between the bribery and honest services fraud statutes that could have influenced the jury's decision. But it's also possible the jurors worked out something akin to a plea bargain - trading a guilty verdict on one count for an acquittal on the other as a practical way to resolve the case. "Juries can negotiate charges. They can charge bargain within the jury room,'' Fox said. "Courts generally say that that's OK.'' Concerns about charge bargaining were raised by defense lawyers as the trial wore on and the jury wore down. Twice during deliberations jurors told the judge they were hopelessly deadlocked, and several jurors asked to be excused because the trial had dragged on longer than the promised six weeks. After the jury's second note about being deadlocked, U.S. District Judge Valerie Caproni debated telling the jury they could reach a partial verdict, leaving some of the 10 counts deadlocked. Defense lawyers including Milt Williams, who represented Cor executive Joe Gerardi, objected. "I agree with the notion that a partial verdict would essentially encourage the jury to engage in horse trading, reach a compromise verdict, and that some of them would relinquish their true convictions about certain counts in the case,'' Williams said. Caproni decided against suggesting that the jury could render a partial verdict. The next day, when they brought it up, she told them a partial verdict was permissible. The facts of the case were these: Aiello's company, Cor, paid $35,000 in 2014 to Potomac Strategies LLC, a company controlled by lobbyist Todd Howe. Howe forwarded the same amount of money to Percoco's wife. Percoco later reported on a government form that he had been paid by Cor. Howe, who pleaded guilty to extortion, honest services fraud and other crimes, testified that he and Aiello arranged the transactions to bribe Percoco in return for Percoco's help on government matters concerning Cor. Aiello maintained the payments were made to reimburse Howe for legitimate work. Howe also accused Aiello's partner at Cor, Joe Gerardi, of involvement in the scheme. Gerardi was acquitted of all charges. Before the jury deliberated, Caproni read them 44 pages of instructions explaining the fine points of applicable law. Under the bribery law, Aiello would be guilty if he and Percoco intended the payments to influence Percoco's actions as a public official or to reward Percoco for taking specific action, according to the jury's instructions. Honest services fraud means that the public was denied the honest services of a public official because of a bribe or kickback. A conspiracy means there was an agreement between at least two people to commit the crime. In her instructions to jurors about the nature of conspiracy, Caproni pointed out that it is not necessary for prosecutors to prove that every conspirator schemed with every co-conspirator. "It is not necessary that Mr. Percoco was fully informed of all of the details of the conspiracy or knew all of its participants,'' Caproni said. "He need only have known one other member of the conspiracy and one of its unlawful goals.'' It's possible, Fox said, that the jury decided that the facts of the case fit better into the conspiracy statute because it required no direct agreement between Aiello and Percoco. "For conspiracy . . . there does not need to be an overt act,'' Fox said. "So if it's simply an agreement to do something, it's going to be enough.'' Congress outlawed honest services wire fraud in 1988, to protect the public's intangible right to honest services from public officials. When the law is violated, "the public is not receiving what it expects and what it is entitled to, namely, its right to the person's honest and faithful services,'' Caproni told the jury. Courts struggled to define honest services fraud until 2010, when the Supreme Court ruled that only schemes that involved bribes or kickbacks could be prosecuted. Although the maximum penalty is 20 years, any prison sentence for Aiello is likely to be much less. Of the 4,690 people sentenced to federal prison for some type of fraud in 2016, the average term was 2 years, 10 months, according to the U.S. Sentencing Commission; about 15 percent of cases resulted in probation. The average sentence for bribery was 2 years, five months. Former state Senate Majority Leader Joe Bruno was convicted of honest services fraud in 2009 and sentenced to two years in prison. An appeals court overturned the conviction and a jury acquitted Bruno of the same charges in 2014. Caproni sentenced former Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver in 2016 to 12 years in prison. Silver was convicted of four counts of honest services and two counts of extortion. His conviction was reversed for faulty jury instructions after a Supreme Court case limited what constitutes honest services fraud. Silver's retrial begins next month. Fox cautioned that many variables go into sentencing, making it difficult to predict what Caproni will give Aiello when he is sentenced June 14. But the maximum sentence, which applies to people with long criminal histories who commit the most egregious crimes, is unlikely to be a factor, he said. "The belief that I would have is that a 20-year sentence is not anything close to what he is looking at,'' Fox said. Contact reporter Tim Knauss | email | Twitter | 315-470-3023 Congress reacted Thursday to an Associated Press investigation into sexual assault among children on U.S. military bases by demanding the Defense and Justice departments explain how they will solve the problem. The House of Representatives Armed Services Committee, meanwhile, said it had begun its own examination of the issue. And a top Democrat on the committee said she would call a hearing within six months. Four senators, including the veteran head of the Senate Armed Services Committee and two others who've made sexual assault a keynote issue, sent letters to the Pentagon and Justice Department with questions about sex assault among the military's children. AP's investigation revealed that reports of sexual violence among kids on U.S. military bases at home and abroad often die on the desks of prosecutors, even when an attacker confesses. Other cases are shelved by criminal investigators despite requirements they be pursued. Many cases get lost in a dead zone of justice, AP found, with neither victim nor offender receiving help. "The report reveals an inscrutable system that fails these children at every level," wrote Sen. Patty Murray, a Washington Democrat. In a letter to U.S. Defense Secretary James Mattis, Sen. John McCain of Arizona and Sen. Jack Reed of Rhode Island, leaders of the Senate Armed Services Committee, asked that the Pentagon's inspector general begin a "comprehensive assessment" of department policies related to sexual assault among military children in schools and elsewhere on base. "It disturbs us to learn that the department's policies and procedures may prevent efforts to help child victims of misconduct ... and to rehabilitate and hold child offenders accountable," they wrote. Separately, Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, a New York Democrat, wrote the Justice Department's inspector general requesting a "comprehensive investigation" into how many child sex assault cases have been prosecuted and why the majority have been declined. Inspector general offices are independent entities within federal departments charged with investigating potential problems within agencies. They do not have to accept requests for action from Capitol Hill. A Pentagon spokesman would not comment on the day's developments. "Alleged conversations between Secretary Mattis and other officials are private and will remain as such," Maj. Dave Eastburn said in an email. The Pentagon and Justice Department's inspectors general also did not comment, nor did a spokesman for the Justice Department. Rep. Jackie Speier, a California Democrat, called AP's finding of nearly 600 reports of sexual assault among children on bases since 2007 "a national disgrace and a military scandal." The top Democrat on a House Armed Services subcommittee that deals with military personnel said she was demanding information from the Pentagon in anticipation of holding a public hearing within six months. "You cannot have an environment in which children aren't protected, regardless of whether they're on a base or in a public school classroom. So we've got to change the law," Speier said in an interview. A spokesman for Republicans on the House Armed Services Committee said staff had already begun "an independent examination of cooperation between" the departments of Defense and Justice and how they handle military child-on-child sexual assault. Issues they would examine include support for victims and the Pentagon's data. Records the military initially released omitted a third of the cases AP later identified through interviews with prosecutors, military investigators, family members and whistleblowers as well as data that officials later provided. "This is clearly a serious matter," spokesman Claude Chafin said of AP's findings. The tens of thousands of kids who live on U.S. bases are not covered by military law. The Justice Department, which handles civilian crimes on many bases, isn't equipped or inclined to take on juvenile cases, AP found. This legal and bureaucratic netherworld also extends to the Pentagon's worldwide network of schools, which afford students fewer protections than public schools if they are sexually attacked by a classmate on campus. The federal law that offers help to victims of student-on-student sexual assault, known as Title IX, does not apply to federal education programs, such as those run by the military. In a separate letter to Mattis on Thursday, Murray, the top Democrat on the Senate education committee, demanded answers by early April to a long list of questions about how the Department of Defense Education Activity handles assaults on its campuses. The military school system that educates some 71,000 children has no specific policy to respond to student-on-student sexual violence and doesn't accurately track the incidents, AP found. More than 150 cases weren't disclosed by schools in reports that are meant to alert headquarters to serious incidents. "As a mother and grandmother, I cannot tolerate the thought that our military children are not receiving the protection and support they deserve," Murray wrote. "I trust you share my outrage." Responding to AP's findings prior to publication, the Pentagon said it "takes seriously any incident impacting the well-being of our service members and their families" and promised "appropriate actions" to help juveniles involved in sex assaults. The Office of the Secretary of Defense also told AP it considered child-on-child sexual assault to be "an emerging issue" -- a characterization that prompted an angry response from Murray. "What is 'emerging' about 600 sexual assault cases in 10 years?" Murray said in her letter to Mattis, who was traveling back from the Middle East on Thursday. "We owe our military families -- the children of the personnel who are fighting our wars -- safety and support." Cresson, Texas -- A man is feared dead after an explosion at a chemical plant in Texas on Thursday. Dylan Mitchell, 27, is believed to have been inside the Tri-Chem Industries plant in Cresson, Texas when something sparked a fire and explosion that destroyed the building, according to NBC 5 in Dallas. Cresson is about 20 miles southwest of Fort Worth. "Things were blowing out of the roof, like metal lids on buckets," said Jesse Bailey, who was working next door to the plant when the blast occurred. "Then, the fire. It smells like sulfur." Crews suspended their search for the missing man last night and are now calling the work a recovery effort, according to CBS Dallas. Mitchell has been missing since the fire was first reported. Two of his coworkers were found and hospitalized with injuries, NBC 5 said. One of the people hurt in the blast suffered critical burns on his body and hands. The other person's injuries were not as serious. About a dozen people work at the chemical plant, which is about a year old, according to NBC 5. There were no other injuries reported, but it's not clear how many people were working at the facility on Thursday. Witnesses reported hearing cracking and popping and later a loud blast, according to NBC. They also saw fireballs shooting out of the building. Firefighters were ordered to stand down over concerns about additional explosions and toxic fumes. They allowed the fire to burn itself out. Cresson Mayor Bob Cornett told The Associated Press that investigators believe the fire started when a worker was dragging his foot along the floor of the plant, causing a static electricity discharge that ignited something. Firefighters won't know for sure what started the blaze until their investigation is complete, according to NBC 5. Authorities said workers at the plant were special shoes to eliminate or reduce static discharge. Texas and federal environmental officials are monitoring and assisting with the cleanup, according to NBC. The plant provides chemical blending services. Cornett told AP that the plant mixes chemicals used mainly by the oil and gas industry to drill disposal wells. The materials are quite toxic, Cornett said, according to AP. Contact Kevin Tampone anytime: Email | Twitter | Google + | 315-454-2112 Winder, Ga. -- A Georgia boy who survived a traumatic brain injury in 2012 when he was just 2 years old died this week. Tripp Halstead died on Thursday. He was 7, according to the Gwinnett Daily Post in Georgia. Tripp's father, Bill Halstead, graduated from Weedsport High School. "There are no words to express how Bill and I are feeling at this moment," Tripp's mother Stacy wrote on the Tripp Halstead Updates Facebook page. "We are beyond devastated and honestly I believe I am in shock. We love you Trippadoo and you will never realize the impact you made on our lives." There are no words to express how Bill and I are feeling at this moment. We are beyond devastated and honestly I believe... Posted by Tripp Halstead Updates on Thursday, March 15, 2018 Tripp was outside his day care in Winder, northeast of Atlanta, when winds from Hurricane Sandy snapped a tree limb, according to the Daily Post. The branch struck Tripp in the head and caused a coma and severe brain injuries. The boy spent months recovering at a hospital and underwent several surgeries in the years following the accident. Tripp's story went viral and his family set up the Facebook page to share his progress. The post on Tripp's death has been shared over 84,000 times and drawn over 181,000 comments. Stacy Halstead said Tripp's breathing was labored when she went to wake him for school on Thursday, . She called his doctor, who told her to bring the boy in. Halstead said she could tell Tripp was getting worse on the way to the doctor's office and so went to the hospital instead. The hospital told the family his left lung was cloudy, which is a sign of possible pneumonia, AJC said. Tripp died that night. "His little body was just done fighting this last infection," Stacy Halstead wrote on Facebook. "His little heart gave out." Contact Kevin Tampone anytime: Email | Twitter | Google + | 315-454-2112 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 ... IACS responds to a changing world IACS is embracing the challenges of the digital transformation of shipping and has launched several projects to help the industry adapt to recent shifts in markets, regulations and technologies, chairman Knut rbeck-Nilssen, claimed. Speaking at CMAs Shipping 2018 this week, rbeck-Nilssen, CEO of DNV GL Maritime, addressed some of the initiatives taken at IACS to change the organisation. It is my duty and honour to encourage the worlds biggest classification societies to pull together to adapt to this rapid pace of change and create a strong foundation for IACS as the leading maritime technical association, he said. The changes at IACS were not a sudden revolution, where we throw everything we know overboard and start back at one, he said, but rather an evolution, a gradual transformation to becoming more advanced, more transparent and more efficient in serving our industry. In a dedicated working group, IACS has examined all the relevant resolutions to identify which standards present potential regulatory barriers to autonomous ship operations. In addition, IACS is supporting the industry by leading the work on the development of a common terminology for different levels of autonomy. To help the maritime community ensure the cyber-resilience of their assets, IACS established and is heading an industry working group focused on cyber safety. This working group is addressing common safety issues with interconnected systems, sharing best practices and keeping up to date with new developments. To facilitate the use of modern survey technology, IACS is also taking a fresh look at its survey requirements. Potential revisions could cover advanced non-destructive testing and remote inspection techniques. IACS itself was also a focus of the changes, explained rbeck-Nilssen: As our way of working changes, the Association has taken a fresh look at its internal procedures. Our focus is to ensure that the services delivered by both new and existing members keep up with regulatory developments and meet the highest quality standards. But even in a rapidly changing world, IACS and the classification societies would stay true to their ideals, he stressed: And when everything around us is in motion, class aspires to be a beacon of light setting the course ahead with modern requirements, transparent processes and the highest quality of service. The industry is changing. Our ways of working may be changing. But the purpose of classification remains the same - to protect life, property and the environment. Informa has confirmed the signing of a 20-year contract to take over the annual CMA shipping conference, being held this week in Stamford (Conn). The 2019 CMA Shipping event will take place between 2nd and 4th April at the usual venue - the Hilton Hotel, Stamford (Conn). Gautam Kashyap, Thomes vice president for business development, outlined the Groups strategies for success at CMA Shipping 2018. Shipmanagement is changing and the right mix of digitalisation, automation and data analytics are key criteria towards providing greater efficiency, transparency and value-added services to clients in the future, he said. Shipmanagers will need to invest heavily in new technology to keep up with changes in the market and Thome has already started this process by developing an operations hub, based at its Singapore headquarters, which enables situational awareness for both duty-personnel and Thomes crisis teams. This is the first of a three-stage process to enable remote tracking of individual ships in the fleet, passage planning, security risk assessment, weather routing, video conferencing, integrated vessel management system (NAU) implementation, and individual on board CCTV remote monitoring. Stage two will further improve efficiency and availability through operational support functions, such as cargo handling, port turnaround and energy efficiency monitoring. Stage three will concentrate on advanced support covering areas, such as cyber security, machinery condition assessment and trouble shooting. Crew and onshore training is also crucial and Thome has a comprehensive programme in place to ensure that all staff receive correct and relevant training for their roles, which are updated on a regular basis. In conclusion, Kashyap felt that a companys size would be a critical factor in being able to meet customer demands and industry requirements in the future. Today, Thome has a fleet of over 400 vessels, a pool of more than 12,000 seafarers, a shore team of 800 people plus and 11 worldwide offices, meaning the Group can compete on a global scale and is ready for the challenges of the future, he explained. Smart home products are becoming more common in a household. Ecobee acknowledges that need with its smart Switch+ powered by Amazon's Alexa digital personal assistant. The product was unveiled during the South by Southwest Conference (SXSW) in Austin, Texas. It is meant to replace regular manual light switches with a voice-controlled model that can interact with devices connected to the switch. The company plans to sell the Switch+ for $99, which is supposedly an attractive price point to innovate the household. Preorders are now available with an estimated availability on March 26. Familiarity With Alexa The voice-controlled light switch is not the first product from the company to feature Amazon's voice assistant. The manufacturer already paired the technology with its premium thermostat. The former is marketed to consumers as a cost-effective product intended to take advantage of their home's wireless connectivity and convert regular fixtures into smart-enabled devices. Sources point out that it can pretty much do what Alexa is capable of albeit without calls, messages, and other select apps. Moreover, it can be remote-controlled via the companion app available on compatible smartphones. For versatility, the device can be wirelessly controlled by Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and Siri via HomeKit support. Lastly, it comes with a manual switch for an added interaction option. Smart Switch+ Key Features Based on Ecobee's claims, the Switch+ can be fitted easily as long as the preinstalled wiring is compatible. For added convenience, it can be controlled through voice, touch, and its companion app on mobile devices. It is apparently marketed to replace the need for a smart speaker in certain rooms within the household. As its name suggests, its primary function is to control the lighting fixtures in a room. However, it seems to be equipped to handle more than just that. With Alexa onboard, users can ask for the weather, traffic conditions, and pretty much everything else that the smart assistant can do (except the above-mentioned limitations). With an array of special sensors, the smart device can detect motion and ambient brightness to automatically activate or disable the lights. A built-in vacation mode function automatically uses a random pattern to make it seem like the house is occupied. Unfortunately, it does not come with a dimming option as of now. Future Upgrades Planned Sources confirmed that the vacation mode function, as well as temperature-detection support, will be added later on. There is a likelihood that the Ecobee Switch+ could receive more added features through future software updates, which the company did for its Ecobee4 smart thermostat. 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. The Kepler space telescope, which has survived several close calls in its nine years of operation, is finally nearing its end, according to NASA. NASA said that it will consider the Kepler spacecraft as "a wonderful success" once it ends its run, which may happen within several months. NASA Kepler Space Telescope Nears Death In an official press release, NASA revealed that the Kepler space telescope, currently 94 million miles away from Earth, is nearing the end of its life. The spacecraft is said to be running out of fuel and is expected to shut down within several months. NASA, however, noted that there is no gas gauge for the Kepler spacecraft, which means that the agency has only been monitoring warning signs for low fuel. As such, there is no specific date on when the space telescope will use up its last amount of fuel. "Our current estimates are that Kepler's tank will run dry within several months but we've been surprised by its performance before!" said Charlie Sobeck, a system engineer for the mission. Sobeck is likely referring incidents such as in 2013, when the primary mission of the Kepler spacecraft ended due to a broken second reaction wheel. The space telescope was given an extended mission known as K2, which was estimated to last 10 campaigns of three months each. Surprisingly, the Kepler spacecraft started its 17th campaign this month. There have also been other close calls for the Kepler spacecraft, such as in 2016, when it was placed in emergency mode. Mission engineers at NASA, however, were able to repair the space telescope to allow it to resume operations. The Legacy Of The Kepler Spacecraft The Kepler spacecraft will be revered in history as one of the most valuable astronomical tools ever launched by mankind. The space telescope has detected 2,245 exoplanets, with another 2,342 yet to be confirmed. According to NASA, it will look to collect as much scientific data as possible with the Kepler spacecraft until the fuel runs out. Once its thrusters are no longer working, the space telescope may no longer be guided to the required angle to transfer data back to Earth. At this point, any information that the Kepler spacecraft beams back home may already be considered a gift. All that we can do is appreciate the space telescope's service and honor it once it reaches the end of its mission in several months. The replacement for the Kepler space telescope, meanwhile, is already in the works. NASA will launch the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite, or TESS, in April. 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. For those who haven't started preparing retirement yet, now is a good time especially if they are turning 65 and beyond by the year 2035. With the national population becoming senior-dependent for the first time in the history of the United States, the country is likely to experience serious consequences in terms of providing sufficient social security and healthcare. In its latest population report, the U.S. Census Bureau warns of an impending demographic disaster that may occur in the next few decades. The shift will become apparent by 2025 when 76.4 million younger Americans aged 18 and below are to be outnumbered by 78 million seniors aged 65 and up. Five years after, the scales are tipping further as baby boomers start to enter their retirement years. The result? One out of every five Americans will probably turn out to be a pensioner. The gap between seniors and children is projected to grow even larger by 2060. According to the federal agency's report, 80 million Americans aged 18 and below are still to be overtaken by the 95 million seniors aged 65 and up. Such a significant shift is blamed on a modern trend that involves having fewer kids, resulting in a longer life expectancy for couples and a country that grows old at a faster rate. The Negative Impact Of An Elderly-Dependent Shift As the elderly population rapidly grows, the number of working-age adults whose contributions pay for pensions will unfortunately decline. Just imagine the possible results of the following figures. By 2020, there will only be three-and-a-half working-age adults paying for the pension of one eligible recipient. It is projected to worsen by 2060, with the ratio being reduced to merely two-and-a-half working-age adults for every beneficiary. What's even worse is that this demographic imbalance is not going to affect the nation's Social Security and healthcare system alone. It will impact every other program of the government supported by the money of working-age adults. "The swelling ranks of retirees from public service... will also present a strain on state and local government retirement systems that have about $1.6 trillion less than what they need to cover the benefits workers are counting on," states a separate report dated March 15. How America Will Become A Graying Nation This shift to an elderly-dependent population is already starting as early as now. The United States is already "graying" in 2018 with around 49 million Americans aged 65 years and up. Nonetheless, the nation will have a younger population in 2030 relative to other countries who have experienced this demographic dilemma at a much earlier time. These countries include Japan, Canada, Germany, Italy, France, and Spain. By 2060, however, America has been predicted to appear similar to Japan, with almost 25 percent of its population belonging to the senior age group. To be clear, results published in the report Demographic Turning Points for the United States: Population Projections for 2020 to 2060 are simply possible population trajectories made by the Census Bureau based on birth, death, and immigration trends. They will only be considered as facts only if the federal agency's assumptions will occur as predicted. 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Early humans apparently mated outside of their species, particularly with the Denisovans, not just once but at least twice. An early species of hominins, the Denisovans were closely related to neanderthals. Denisovans lived across Asia and have been discovered only in recent time. Denisovans Interbreeding A new study published in Cell shows that there are two different regions in Asia where humans contain the Denisovan DNA. This finding indicates that the Denosivans had sexual encounter with humans on two occasions. Scientists compared the Denisovan genome to 5,600 whole-genome sequences of people from Europe, Asia, North and South America, and Oceania. Results from the comparison show two different populations of Denisovans, one in Asia and one in Oceania. A Denisovan population was already known to live in Oceania. People from Papua New Guinea were found to contain about 5 percent Denisovan ancestry. The new population of Denisovans is found to be from East Asia, which includes the Han Chinese, Chinese Dai, and Japanese people. They were a much closer match for Denisovan DNA than the Papuan people. Unlike in Papua New Guinea, the amount of Denisovan DNA found in modern Chinese and Japanese populations is only 0.2 percent. Even though Papuan people ended up with more Denisovan DNA, East Asian DNA more closely resembled Denisovan DNA. Also present in the findings is the discovery that the Neanderthal DNA found in the human genome is homogenous, which leads to the conclusion that early humans mated with a single population of Neanderthals, unlike how they mated with the Denisovans. Results from the study suggest that Neanderthals and Denisovans weren't as different from humans as previously thought, especially since the humans mated with both species. The Denisovans Denisovans were discovered in late 2000s when researchers found a piece of a pinky finger, a toe bone, and a tooth in Denisova Cave in Siberia. It wasn't until 2010 when it was discovered that those remains didn't belong to any humans or Neanderthals but to an entirely different species of hominin. After this discovery, scientists began searching through DNA for traces of interbreeding between humans and Denisovans. Humans were previously found to have interbred with Neanderthals through DNA analysis, despite conventional knowledge saying otherwise. This analysis led to the discovery of Denisovan DNA in around 5 percent of some Australiasians, especially in people from Papua New Guinea. This shows that humans had mated with Denisovans 50,000 ago or more. Scientists were able to extract an almost complete Denisovan genome from the remains that were found. 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. To help remove junk and rogue satellites from outer space, European company Airbus is developing a gigantic "space harpoon" that is high-tech and efficient. The Design Behind The Harpoon The harpoon in development is approximately 3 feet long. While the size of the harpoon isn't particularly impressive, the capabilities of this space object is what will make the difference. Essentially, this harpoon will be attached to a larger spacecraft that is able to quickly and efficiently approach junk in space. The goal of the spacecraft will be to chase objects and then quickly hurl the harpoon at the items. The harpoon will be attached via a sturdy tether to the spacecraft so that it won't get lost in space. While in operation, the harpoon will be fired at approximately 82 feet per second toward the junk in space. "The harpoon goes through these panels like a hot knife through butter," advanced project engineer Alastair Wayman told the BBC. "Once the tip is inside, it has a set of barbs that open up and stop the harpoon from coming back out. We'd then de-tumble the satellite with a tether on the other end." Wayman added that the harpoon would be easier to use and track than a robotic arm attached to the spacecraft. The Reason For Creating The High-Tech Harpoon According to report from NASA in 2013, there are over 20,000 pieces of debris larger than a softball in outer space. If the pieces of junk continue to float around space at high speeds, they can severely damage important satellites in space. The debris could be a threat to astronauts as well. As the amount of space junk continues to increase, this harpoon might be one of the best chances at removing space debris. Airbus is specifically designing the harpoon to capture the Envisat Earth observation platform. The European Space Agency launched Envisat in 2002, but it suddenly lost contact with the satellite in 2012. The Envisat was considered the world's largest civilian Earth observation satellite, and it could cause massive damage if it were to knock into another satellite. The Development Of The Harpoon Airbus is currently developing its harpoon in the United Kingdom at the Surrey Space Centre. The company has been testing different versions of the harpoon for a few years now, but it is finally ready to settle on a design. It will also test a smaller version of the harpoon later this year. 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Microsoft has finally arrived to help Richard Appiah Akoto, better known as the teacher in Ghana who taught students how to use a computer with a blackboard. It flew Akoto to Singapore to an international educators' conference so that he would receive his due for trying to do something that seems impossible. Akoto succeeded in getting his students some help with the lack of computers. Star Treatment Akoto's trip to Singapore was the first time that he had left his native country of Ghana. He admitted during the conference that even though his students would have some working knowledge about a computer, they wouldn't know how to use it because they had never seen a computer in real life. Akoto said that he wanted to teach his students about Microsoft Word, and the only solution he determined was to draw it out on a blackboard. He says that his students were used to not having a computer around, so it was not weird for them to see him drawing everything out on the board. Microsoft Word wasn't the only feature of a computer that he would have to draw on the board. Akoto admits that he would also draw monitors, keyboards, a mouse, or a toolbar. Microsoft Steps In At the conference Akoto was thanked by Anthony Salcito, Vice President of Worldwide Education at Microsoft. He praised Akoto for being able to overcome obstacles in order to teach his students, even without the proper equipment. In a press release, Microsoft announced that it would be helping Akoto through a local partner in Ghana to be able to provide device and software support so his students at Betenase Municipal Assembly Junior High School wouldn't be without the proper equipment again. It also announced that Akoto will also gain access to the Microsoft Certified Education Program. Microsoft aren't the only ones who came to the aid of Akoto and his students. Since going viral, Akoto's school has also received multiple donations of computers for his students. On Akoto's Facebook, he shared a picture of his students holding a laptop that was donated by Amirah Alharthi from the University of Leeds. A second post shows a much larger donation that Akoto's school received from Ghana's leading IT training school, NIIT Ghana. In the post, he outlines the donation, which included five new desktop computers, a laptop for Akoto along with free IT training, and three boxes of ICT books for his students. 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. In an unprecedented move, the Food and Drug Administration proposed to cut the nicotine content of cigarettes. This regulation in considered historic in addressing the widespread health problem of cigarette smoking. U.S. FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb MD announced an advanced notice of proposed rulemaking as part of the government's comprehensive tobacco regulatory plan. Deaths and diseases caused by tobacco addiction are preventable, but despite aggressive efforts, the FDA said cigarette smoking still kills more than 480,000 Americans annually. New Rules On Nicotine Content The proposal on "Tobacco Product Standard for Nicotine Level of Combusted Cigarettes" aims to lower nicotine in cigarettes to minimally or non-addictive levels. This new regulatory step, according to the FDA, will advance a comprehensive policy framework that could help avoid millions of tobacco-related deaths across the country. "Given their combination of toxicity, addictiveness, prevalence and effect on non-users, it's clear that to maximize the possible public health benefits of our regulation, we must focus our efforts on the death and disease caused by addiction to combustible cigarettes," says Gottlieb. One possible scenario presented in the scientific study published in the New England Journal of Medicine limits to 0.4 milligrams the nicotine content in every gram of tobacco. The amount is 97 percent lower than the current nicotine levels in typical cigarettes. If this is achieved, more Americans would quit smoking, and smoking rate could be lowered to only 1.4 percent from the current level of 15 percent. Significantly slashing nicotine could help an estimate of 5 million adult smokers quit within a year. It can also prevent more than 33 million people from becoming regular smokers by the year 2100. "More than 8 million lives would be saved by the end of the century," Gottlieb said. Early Smoking Influences Tobacco Addiction According to a study, majority of cigarette smokers in the United States started smoking during their youth. The age at which a person begins to smoke can greatly influence the frequency and duration of smoking. These factors contribute to the risks of tobacco-related diseases and death later in life. "Addiction to nicotine in tobacco is critical in the transition of smokers from experimentation to sustained smoking and in the continuation of smoking for those who want to quit," says Benjamin Apelberg, supervisory epidemiologist at the FDA and lead author of the study. Tobacco Use And Smoking Statistics Based on data from the Centers on Disease Control and Prevention, tobacco use is the primary cause of preventable disease, disability, and death in the country. Almost 40 million adults smoke cigarettes, and about 4.7 million middle and high school students use at least one tobacco product, including e-cigarettes. Each day, more than 3,800 youth younger than 18 years old smoke their first cigarette. Truth Initiative, a Washington DC-based organization that advocates tobacco-free living, applauded the FDA's move and said the agency must take vigorous enforcement steps to make sure that no tobacco products are marketed to kids, including e-cigarettes. "To achieve its intended purpose, we strongly believe that any future regulation must apply the nicotine reduction plan to ALL combustible tobacco products including cigars, little cigars, cigarillos and loose tobacco that can be used in roll-your-own cigarettes," according to Robin Koval, CEO and President of Truth Initiative. The new FDA notice will be published in the Federal Register this week. 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. President of Russia Vladimir Putin is making some ambitious claims about space exploration, suggesting that his country will reach Mars before the United States does, and that it'll find water on the moon. Russia plans to launch its own Mars mission in 2019, ahead of NASA's 2020 Mars exploration plans. Putin revealed Russia's plans in a documentary about the president that was spread though social media channels. Russia's Mars And Moon Missions "We are planning unmanned and later manned launches, into deep space, as part of a lunar program and for Mars exploration," said Putin. Putin is expected to re-helm the presidency in the country's election, which begins March 18. He said that Russia will also explore the moon's polar regions, adding that the would-be lunar mission would be different to the one Russia executed during the Soviet space program. "[T]here is reason to believe that there can be water there," said Putin, adding that further studies may be performed from those locations. The documentary was uploaded to vkontakte, a popular social media channel in Russia. As for Mars, the country plans on sending unmanned vehicles to the planet, but would eventually include people soon after. The New Space Race Putin's comments add fuel to what seems like a forthcoming space race for the modern era. Decades ago, the United States and Russia battled for the honor of being the first country to send a person to space. Russia eventually won for being the first to have an astronaut in space, but the United States took it a step further by sending actual humans to the moon. It can be argued that interest for space exploration has dwindled since then. Until now, that is. Largely thanks to SpaceX. For Russia, NASA isn't the only competitor in its quest to be the first to land on Mars. This time around, it will also compete with private space company SpaceX, which just recently launched its massive Falcon Heavy rocket following many successful attempts to launch rockets then get them back an aerospace engineering marvel of its own accord. Elon Musk, CEO of SpaceX, has expressed interest in exploring Mars many times in the past, and has talked about plans to send people there, too. Do you think we're currently in the middle of the space race for the new era? Who do you think will reach Mars first? As always, if you have anything to share, feel free to sound off in the comments section below! 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Fresh seafood can taste great, but if it is not handled properly, people can get sick, and that can lead to business closures and lost revenues. Thats never happened to Daniel Ward of Ward Aquafarms, and he wants to make sure it never does. So, a few years ago, Ward set out to find a solution that would enable him to track the location and condition of his companys products throughout the value chain all the way to the point at which it reaches the consumer. Cape Cods Ward Aquafarms is a 10-acre, 1,000-cage facility that provides bay scallops, oysters, and other seafood to Boston-based wholesale distributor Pangea Shellfish, which then distributes the products all over the country. Traditionally, record keeping on the seafood was done on pen and paper. But today Ward Aquafarms has a solution that lets it verify the location and temperature of the seafood in real time to make sure every organization in the value chain is treating the companys product correctly, says Ward. A connected sensor now goes into each mesh bag in which the oysters are transported to their final destinations. That means if there is an issue with the food, Ward Aquafarms can identify the root of the problem instantaneously, rather than shutting down its organization until investigators can pinpoint the source of the problem. Ward, a PhD in environmental science and biology, now also has a system in place that helps him better understand his growing environment. In the past, he says, figuring out where best to do work was a guessing game. But water temperature and how much food is in the water impact the oyster growth rate, he explains, so the company has put in place a solution that provides satellite imaging data, measures environmental and sub-tidal water temperatures, and can monitor chlorophyll. Assuming such a solution existed, Ward reached out to Verizon with his request. The service provider hooked up Ward with couple of cameras one of which does thermal data collection, gathering information about water temperature and the temperature of the shellfish. The data from the cameras and sensors is sent to the cloud via a Cradlepoint device and Verizon services. And a software backend brings that information together with data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Ward said he was able to get the Mobotix thermal camera and Cradlepoint gear up and running, and begin moving data from these devices to the cloud, within a couple of hours. The backend software, which Verizon custom developed for Ward Aquafarms, was created in just a week. However, since the launch of this solution, which was the first phase of the companys Internet of Things implementation, the partners have gone through multiple iterations to streamline the process. While there was a learning curve for Ward to understand how to use the platform, he said there have been no major challenges or difficulties with the deployment to date. Its been excellent, he said. Ward declined to provide the total cost of this implementation or an estimate on when he expects to realize a return on the investment. But he did say that this is a solution that clearly brings value to Ward Aquafarms and that its a platform on which the company expects to build over time. For example, in addition to temperature, Ward Aquafarms wants to gather data on oxygen. The company also tracks its oyster sorters with cameras, and Ward would like to integrate those cameras with the Verizon ThingSpace IoT platform. Verizon over time also has been adding various Intelligent Track & Trace features to ThingSpace. The Track & Trace feature was initially introduced to support customers in the pharmaceutical space with its serialization feature. That enables companies to track shipments at lower levels than the container level to comply with the Drug Supply Chain Security Act. Edited by Maurice Nagle Icon Films has been commissioned by Channel 4 to produce a third series of observational documentary Animal Airport for More 4. Previously produced for Discovery Networks International by Icon Films, the new series of Animal Airport (13 x 60) again follows the often daunting, always unusual and sometimes surreal challenges faced by the staff at Heathrows Animal Reception Centre (ARC). The ARC handles nearly 300,000 animals every year of all varieties. TCB Media Rights has acquired distribution rights of the series for the World outside the UK. TCB Media Rights distributed the previous two series of Animal Airport which sold to 95 countries around the world including Discovery US, Channel Seven in Australia and SBS Netherlands. The series was commissioned for Channel 4 by Head of Daytime, David Sayer. Executive producers for Animal Airport are Stephen McQuillan for Icon Films and Paul Heaney for TCB Media Rights. We are absolutely delighted to be making Animal Airport for Channel 4 and bringing the extraordinary stories from Heathrows Animal Reception Centre back into peoples living rooms! said Stephen McQuillan, Head of Factual for Icon Films. Animal Airport is simply a unique combination of the jeopardy that an airport and its hard-working staff can give to the viewer along with the universal attraction of animals, large and small, domesticated and wild. Hopefully the buyers will see these brand-new series as robust and versatile for their schedules said Paul Heaney for TCB Media Rights. Share this story Pulse Films has reorganised its Non-Fiction division with Emma Cooper promoted to Global President of Non-Fiction and Ryan Harrington hired as Executive Producer of the studios Non-Fiction Feature Documentaries. Harrington is tasked with managing the studios growing slate of films. He will report to Cooper. The new Non-Fiction division will encompass both non-fiction film and TV, a crossover designed to place an emphasis on burgeoning filmmakers, storytellers and new ideas without limitations on formats or platforms. Under Coopers direction, the studios Non-Fiction division will further concentrate on attracting world class storytellers for director-driven series and feature documentaries, as well as responding to the resurgence of premium music documentaries and ambitious Non-Fiction formats. Thomas Benski, CEO of Pulse Films said: Under Emmas leadership our Non-Fiction division has found a real focus and drive to develop and produce premium film and TV for global markets. Our focus has coincided with the evolution of the marketplace and we now feel that we are positioned perfectly to make the most of the golden age of premium non-fiction work. We are excited to build a team who are dedicated to developing and producing projects that redefine and revolutionise the non-fiction space. We look forward to Ryan joining our team as we continue to grow the company, said Cooper. His experience and expertise will surely be a great addition to the department as we expand production in the Non-Fiction feature arena." Ryan Harrington added: I have admired Pulse Films creative vision and dedication to the craft of filmmaking for a number of years and look forward to working with Thomas, Emma and the incredible Pulse Films team to help shape and enhance their global documentary slate. Before joining Pulse Films, Harrington helped launch A&E IndieFilms, the theatrical documentary arm of A&E Networks and managed production on Jesus camp, My Kid Could Paint That, Murderball and American Teen among others. He was previously Vice President of Artist Programs for Tribeca Film Institute, where he launched the organizations worldwide granting and filmmaker aide initiatives and supported the careers of filmmakers including Laura Poitras, Alma Harel, Zachary Heinzerling, Heidi Ewing, DA Pennebaker, Terrance Nance and Roger Ross Williams. Before that, at Hot Docs, Harrington served as Acting Director of Industry Programs,and during his tenure at Discovery, he was the Director of Docs and Specials, where he commissioned and acquired feature docs for their numerous platforms. Pulse Films feature documentary XY CHELSEA, executive produced by Oscar winner Laura Poitras, was recently picked up by Showtime for North American television distribution and is set to hit the film festival circuit later this year followed by a theatrical release. Pulse Films also recently announced the push into scripted TV led by Lucas Ochoa with the ambitious Gangs of London helmed by Gareth Evans (The Raid) for Sky Atlantic, Cinemax and HBO and Atomic Bazaar helmed by Gregory Burke (71, Entebbe). Share this story Nine dead in Burundi landslide Nairobi, March 16 (AFP) Mar 16, 2018 Nine workers at a construction site outside Burundi's capital Bujumbura were killed in a landslide on Friday, police said. Heavy seasonal rains caused the hillside next to the Gasenyi river, east of the city, to collapse burying the workers who were building a channel to redirect the river's floodwaters. Police said in a statement that nine bodies had so far been found, while rescue efforts continue. GONZALES Ascension Parish Council and School Board members faced tough criticism last year for considering major new property tax exemptions for big industrial projects without disclosing, or some cases even knowing, what companies were behind them. An open meetings lawsuit was brought against the Parish Council over votes for the property tax exemptions but was dropped once the council revoted, with the companies identified. Ascension Parish School Board votes for property tax exemptions for four industrial projects GONZALES In a standing-room only meeting Tuesday, the Ascension Parish School Board unanimously approved property tax breaks sought for four On Thursday, the Parish Council finished a completely public discussion and vote to approve a range of lucrative new exemptions for a $1 billion to $1.6 billion methanol plant that Methanex is eyeing for its site along the Mississippi River in Geismar. Ascension Parish Sheriff Jeff Wiley said after the vote that he sees the kind of deal Methanex received an eight-year incentive designed to encourage greater investment as a framework for other large projects in the parish that approach $1 billion or more in capital expenditures. "'B' means big benefits for Ascension," he said in an interview. Ascension Parish appears to be taking steps to handle its new responsibility, mandated by Gov. John Bel Edwards in 2016, to decide in public on big property tax exemptions that for decades had been exclusively approved by the state. Advocates with Together Baton Rouge have pushed for greater scrutiny of the exemptions and questioned the large size of the tax exemptions and their impact on local government in light of the jobs created. But on Thursday, no critics came to speak against Methanex, and a handful of local, regional and state economic development officials and business executives instead tried to make the case for the exemption. Rick Ward, Louisiana Department of Economic Development director of business development, said Methanex has already invested $1.4 billion in the parish since it announced its first projects were coming to Louisiana in 2012. Geismar is in strong competition for this latest expansion promising greater jobs and economic activity, he said. "We want to win this project for Ascension Parish and Louisiana," Ward said. Underscoring the benefit of continued industrial activity in the parish, Shane Wilkinson, sales director for Turner Industries Maintenance and Turnaround Division, said his company is opening a new facility in Geismar on La. 73 near La. 30 to accommodate its construction business in Ascension's industrial corridor. More than 2,000 Turner employees work in Ascension already. 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 If Methanex locates its new plant in Ascension, it would employ different technology than its other two plants in the parish and would nearly match their combined capacity, with production of 1.8 million tons of methanol per year, company officials said. The plant would create 1,000 construction jobs and 25 permanent jobs with a $2 million annual payroll. Forecast: Baton Rouge will slow from 'super-heated' to modest job growth for 2018-19 The massive industrial projects that drove the Baton Rouge area's economy the past five years are all but complete, which means growth will sl Paul Daoust, North American vice president of Methanex, said the company is still weighing whether to locate in Geismar or in Medicine Hat, Alberta, Canada, where the company has other operations. Daoust told the Parish Council before the vote that Methanex weighs a variety of factors, including incentives like Louisiana's industrial tax exemption. He noted the Alberta site has a natural gas price advantage over Geismar that could mean $50 million more per year in savings. Considering the same deal backed by a School Board committee earlier this week, the council agreed to offer a 100 percent exemption for five years if Methanex's investment is $1.3 billion or more. An investment of $1 billion to $1.3 billion would earn a 95 percent exemption for five years while an investment of less than $1 billion would earn a 90 percent exemption for five years. Tax exemptions in the final three years of the deals would be 80 percent no matter the size of Methanex's investment. Methanex makes pitch to Ascension Parish School Board for industrial tax exemption GONZALES Local representatives of Methanex corporation made their case Tuesday to the Ascension Parish School Board for an industrial tax ex Gov. Edwards' order mandating the new approval process on the tax exemptions requires that the sheriff, school board and local governing authority all agree to the exemption before the state will agree. Wiley, the sheriff, said he has already signed off on the same offer as the parish's. The parish School Board still has a final vote pending. Kate MacArthur, CEO of the Ascension Economic Development Corporation, said a five-year, 100 percent exemption would cost parish government $16 million in property tax revenue combined for the first five years of the exemption, but construction of the plant would generate $11 million to $18 million combined in sales taxes for parish government. Over the 30-year life of the plant, MacArthur said, the new complex would generate $41 million to $66 million in property tax revenue for just the parish government, even with the exemptions. BRUSLY A West Baton Rouge Parish elementary school accused of false imprisonment and cruelty to juveniles wont face criminal prosecution because her conduct didnt rise to the level to warrant it, prosecutors said Friday. The teacher was arrested after someone reported that she manhandled a female student who was being disobedient and then barred the rest of the class from leaving her classroom. Brusly teacher arrested after witness reports she gets physical with misbehaving student, blocks kids in room BRUSLY An elementary school teacher here is accused of false imprisonment and cruelty to juveniles over an incident last month in which she Assistant District Attorney Tony Clayton did not dispute the accusations against Melissa Blank as being inaccurate. However, he said that after looking into the matter he did not find that what occurred during the incident on Feb. 7 rose to the level of criminal conduct. "I think she could have handled it differently I wouldn't have handled it that way," Clayton said Friday. "However, criminalizing her conduct would be jeopardizing teachers conduct in the future." In a statement issued through her attorney, Blank said she was pleased that the district attorney's office has decided not to pursue charges against her after a thorough review of the incident. "My friends have been steadfast in their loyalty and knowledge that in 15 years of teaching our children, I was innocent of these charges and the children I have taught are all close to my heart," she said. Blank said she had not commented early as her private attorney advised her to "not try this matter in the press" while the process was ongoing. Clayton said he made his decision after speaking with Schools Superintendent Wesley Watts and to the childs mother, who on Friday declined an opportunity from The Advocate to answer questions related to the matter. Clayton said the childs mother was hoping Blank would at least have to face a charge of simple battery. Watts also said he could not comment in the wake of the recent development. Watts did confirm that Blank was still employed by the district. She was moved from Brusly Elementary to Lukeville Upper Elementary sometime after the incident occurred. 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 According to Blank's arrest warrant, an investigation into the matter was sparked when a teacher's aide in class that day filed a complaint with the Brusly Police Department describing what happened. The aide told police the incident occurred around 9:45 a.m. on Feb. 7 during Blanks math class. Blank was asking her students to complete a math problem and one of the children wasnt paying attention so Blank yelled at her, the warrant for Blanks arrest states, apparently drawing from the witnesss account. The child became upset and swatted the learning materials Blank was using for instruction that day, the report says. Blank then walked up to the student and swung the child around to face her before grabbing the child by the face/neck and pushing the student against the closet doors, the witness told police. The aide said Blank yelled, You arent going to touch my things, you arent going to act like this! When the child continued to disobey her, the witness told police, Blank started pinching the childs shoulder, bruising the childs skin. The arrest warrant states the witness to the incident tried to intervene to remove the student from the class but was told by Blank that she needs to learn she cant act like this and shes not going to touch my things! The aide claims Blank then used three chairs to block the door so no one could leave. The police report does not say how long the students were kept in the classroom. Clayton called the false imprisonment charges nonsense. "Every school teacher that holds a kid in class and doesn't allow them to go to recess would be guilty of this crime," he said. "That's overly broad and those charges will not be brought." Clayton said the only issue he looked closely at and spoke to the mother about was the grabbing of the face and whether that would warrant exposing the teacher to the possibility of six months in prison. I just don't see that," Clayton said. The Baton Rouge man shot and killed Wednesday by a deputy had been hospitalized Monday after having an apparent psychotic break, but was released Tuesday even though he continued to show the same symptoms, the State Police said Friday. Senior Trooper Bryan Lee, a State Police spokesman, said multiple witnesses, including family members, told investigators that 31-year-old Shermichael Ezeff "appeared to be in an altered state of mind." Family told police about Ezeff's hospitalization and subsequent release as law enforcement investigated the Wednesday afternoon fatal shooting of Ezeff by an East Baton Rouge Parish's sheriff deputy, Lee said. That deputy was serving a temporary restraining order when he was approached by Ezeff, who was already covered in blood, East Baton Rouge Sheriff Sid Gautreaux III said Wednesday. Lee said Friday that witness statements and preliminary evidence supports that there was an altercation before the deputy fired at least one shot Casey Rayborn Hicks, an East Baton Rouge Sheriff's Office spokeswoman, identified the deputy Friday evening as 54-year-old Ronald Landry. Landry has most recently worked in the judicial process division and has been with the department for approximately 23 years, Hicks said. He remains on paid administrative leave. Baton Rouge police and State Police both confirmed Friday that Ezeff was linked through DNA evidence to three attempted home burglaries that happened Wednesday near the apartment complex where he encountered the deputy. Baton Rouge police spokesman Sgt. L'Jean McKneely Jr. said residents at three different Harry Drive homes reported attempted burglaries on Wednesday. At least one home had a smashed window and blood was found at all of the scenes, McKneely said. 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 Nothing was taken from the houses, and residents were at home in two of the three attempted burglaries, McKneely said. East Baton Rouge Coroner Beau Clark found in a Friday morning autopsy that Ezeff died of a gunshot wound to the torso, but he also had a laceration to his elbow that appeared to have happened recently. That laceration, however, was not associated with Ezeff's cause of death, Clark said. Clark said the bullet entered the front of Ezeff's torso and exited through the back. "The case is pending further studies, including a comprehensive toxicological analysis," Clark said in his preliminary autopsy report. +5 Family of man killed Wednesday by EBR deputy disputes sheriff's account With officials releasing no new information Thursday about the details leading to and during the officer-involved fatal shooting at a North Ar Ezeff's sister disputed Gautreaux statement that there was a struggle between Ezeff and the deputy, saying she didn't see the two engage physically. State Police has taken over the investigation. The five members of the Bamburg family sat on black plastic chairs, waiting patiently for the hearing to begin on Thursday in Baton Rouge. Just past 8:30 a.m., a feeble old man appeared in a wheelchair via video conferencing from a room at Angola, the state's maximum-security penitentiary. Clyde Giddens, 77, gave his name and inmate number to the three members of the Louisiana Board of Pardons Committee on Parole. He was requesting a medical treatment furlough under an obscure provision in a bill passed by the state Legislature last year that aims to reduce Louisianas incarceration rate, the nations highest. Lawsuit claims Angola inmates receive grossly inadequate medical care Grossly inadequate medical care has put the 6,000-plus prisoners at the Louisiana State Penitentiary at Angola at serious risk, while many oth Most of the states effort focuses on letting non-violent offenders out earlier than scheduled, but it also envisions releasing some violent offenders, like Giddens, who are seen as too sick to be dangerous. Angolas medical director, wearing a white coat and sitting next to Giddens, listed the inmates infirmities: arthritis, an enlarged prostate, a fractured leg, incontinence and dementia, among others. He meets the standards for nursing home placement, said Dr. Randy Lavespere. Hes one in need of total care. When Lavespere was done, Dennis Bamburg stood up and walked to a podium facing the board members. He told them that Giddens had murdered his mother, Earline, and he said he totally opposed the inmates release. The crime he did was so bad, Bamburg said. It should keep him from ever being released from Angola. The murder occurred in 1963, in Hickory Grove, a town in Red River Parish, south of Shreveport. Earline Bamburg was a 36-year-old housewife. Her son related that when he was 15 years old, he returned home from school one day to find his house on fire. A 1964 news account reported that only later did investigators realize that Earline Bamburg had been murdered, that she hadnt died in the fire, after finding a knife and bloody clothes in a cornfield next to the house. They exhumed her body. Dennis Bamburg related what they found. The murderer had mutilated her body and carried parts of it into the woods. He fed my mothers flesh to dogs, Bamburg said, his voice steady while he gripped the podium with both hands. This is the man right here who did that. And now he wants compassion. The evidence led authorities to Giddens, a native of Coushatta in Red River Parish who had been absent without leave from his Navy base in Virginia. Just before he went on trial, where he faced the death penalty if convicted, Giddens pleaded guilty. Why he killed Earline Bamburg is not clear. +3 Louisiana doesn't have to keep heat index below 88 degrees on Angola's death row, court says Three ailing Louisiana death row inmates will still have to be protected from excessive heat during the sweltering summer months, but a federa Bamburg said the family agreed back then to a judge sentencing Giddens to life in prison, as long as it meant that he would never win release. The worst punishment Giddens could receive, Bamburg said, was to spend the rest of his life thinking about what he had done to Earline Bamburg. He looks old, Dennis Bamburg told the pardon board. That is an evil person. His daughter Angel followed him to the podium. She began to cry before she got started. Ill be ok, she said as her father stood up and began to walk toward her. 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 Reading from handwritten notes, Angel talked about how much she missed the grandmother she never met. Ive loved her my entire life, Angel said. Of Giddens, she said: He is a threat and should be treated as that. Theres sadness in our house, she added. Give us the peace that he will die in prison. State Sen. Ryan Gatti followed her. He is a Republican state senator from Bossier Parish. The Bamburgs are friends who live in his legislative district, just south of Bossier City. Gatti said that Giddens cannot be trusted, that he said in a newspaper interview last year that he knifed a man to death. (Giddens said that to this reporter in an article for a separate publication.) My biggest fear is hell go back home to our area, Gatti said, adding that legislators never intended for a criminal such as Giddens to get mercy. In an interview later, Gatti said that he has filed Senate Bill 458 to deny medical treatment furloughs to offenders convicted of first-degree or second-degree murder. It would apply to Giddens. Gatti said the prohibition should have been included in last years legislation but was overlooked in the rush to pass it. Julie Jones, the district attorney in Red River Parish, talking over a speaker phone to the parole board members, also said Giddens should remain in prison. She noted that he had been denied parole during a clemency board hearing last year and called his latest effort an end-run around that ruling. U.S. Sen. John N. Kennedy sent the board a letter opposing the inmates release. +6 Do young killers deserve chance at parole? Baton Rouge case grapples with question in court More than 23 years ago, 15-year-old Damien Riley browsed through the Legends Comics and Sports Cards store on Highland Road, then aimed his gu Sheryl Ranatza, the parole board chair, who spent 30 years in management positions at the state Department of Corrections, invited Giddens to speak. Talking slowly, he said he wasnt sure he committed the murder because of his stroke-induced memory loss. I keep repeating that I killed my ex-wife, he said. Then it was the boards turn to vote. Brennan Kelsey, a physical therapist, said he didnt think Giddens had taken responsibility for the crime. He voted against Giddens release. Alvin Roche Jr., a retired director of library services at Southerns law school, said he didnt think Giddens deserved freedom. Ranatza concurred. The vote was unanimous. The 40-minute hearing was over. As the Bamburg family got up to leave the pardon board hearing, a guard at Angola could be seen wheeling Giddens out of the prison visiting room. The state is running $2 million short of dollars needed to finance Louisiana's 6,600 voucher students for the current school year, state Superintendent of Education John White said Friday. In addition, White told local superintendents that the state may be $5 million to $7 million short of funds needed to pay for students trying to land the aid for the next school year. White made his comments in a March 12 letter to local school leaders and in an interview. Vouchers are state aid for low-income students attending troubled public schools to move to a private school at state expense. Report: La. voucher students fail to stand out from public school students in math, English In the long-running debate over vouchers, a report issued Monday says voucher recipients in Louisiana bounced back from dismal scores initiall Backers say the assistance offers a way out for students from poor families stuck in failing schools. Opponents say the program is a drain on state aid for public schools, especially since that aid has been frozen for nine of the past 10 years. Gov. John Bel Edwards has recommended another freeze for the 2018-19 school year amid state budget problems. The state is supposed to be spending $39 million on vouchers for the current school year. Unlike basic state aid for public schools, that money does not come from Louisiana's school funding source, called the Minimum Foundation Program, or MFP. 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 It is funded through a separate appropriation. In his letter, White said unless the Legislature approves a last-minute supplemental appropriations, the program will fall $2 million short. In that case, schools or dioceses would have to absorb the cuts. Also, the governor's budget for the 2018-19 school year includes no increase for vouchers, one of numerous state programs that would suffer if the state does not resolve its roughly $700 million shortfall by July 1. White told local superintendents the voucher program has grown by about 400 students per year after starting with 600 in 2008, then a New Orleans-only program. That means $44 million to $46 million will be needed to handle demand for the 2018-19 school year, he said. "The bigger problem is that schools are stepping up to serve students and are potentially going to be shortchanged," White said. The superintendent noted that, if the state cannot pay for all the potential voucher students, it will pay for them in public schools through the MFP. "The state is paying for these students one way or another," he said. The Mississippi River is set to crest over the weekend, and while water is seeping across the levees in numerous spots throughout Louisiana, officials said Friday there's no cause for alarm. The river stood a hair over 43 feet on Friday, and the National Weather Service expects it to rise a few more inches over the weekend, remaining high for about a week. Between the Old River Control Structure near the Mississippi state line and Plaquemine in Iberville Parish, there are 81 sites where the Army Corps of Engineers has found water seeping through the earthen levees. That sounds like a lot, but there was more seepage during high water levels on the river in 2011 and 2016, said public affairs officer Ricky Boyett. "To have only 81 at this point is pretty impressive," he said. The Corps beefed up the levees after those earlier periods of high water on the Mississippi, and none of the current sites are too bad, Boyett continued. The seepage site closest to Baton Rouge is on the west bank across the river from St. Gabriel near the Point Pleasant Baptist Church. The Corps starts getting concerned when the seepage sites are big enough that sediment from the river is able to pass through. But none of the locations identified have risen to that level so far, Boyett said. "We're on it," said Pointe Coupee Sheriff Bud Torres, whose territory includes about 80 miles of levees. +6 'Action phase': Floodwaters pouring down Mississippi River trigger Louisiana inspections, other precautions The Mississippi River's springtime swell got an early start this year which could force the opening of the Bonnet Carre spillway before the en One area on the guide levee by the Morganza control structure slid away and had to be repaired, but crews were able to shore it up overnight Thursday, the sheriff said. He estimates he's still got about eight to ten feet of clearance, and that there's no threat that the river will overtop the levee. In addition to the Corps, the Atchafalaya Levee Board is also patrolling the levees making sure they hold up. "We've got a lot of eyes on the problem," Torres said. 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 Corps has opened the Bonnet Carre spillway, but nothing in the forecast indicates they'll need to open the Morganza, Boyett said. +7 As sediment flows across Bonnet Carre, groups advocate for coast-building projects With enough perspective, its easy to find the Bonnet Carre floodgates even without knowing exactly where to look; just see where beige tumble In Baton Rouge, the city-parish has deployed dirt-filled HESCO baskets to add some height to a low portion of the levee near the corner of North and Main downtown. City-parish workers are monitoring conditions, and they've tested and staged their flood-fighting equipment, but "at this time, all is well," wrote Mayor's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness Director Clay Rives in a Friday email. A few factors during the current flood mean the water will stay high for about a week. First, the Red River has also been high. The Red drains into the Atchafalaya. The Corps is able to direct Mississippi water into the Atchafalaya, but when it's swollen with Red River water, there's less capacity for diverting water from the Mississippi, Boyett said. The Corps also held some water in reservoirs around Kentucky because there has been so much rain in places like the Ohio River valley in the past few months, according to National Weather Service hydrologist Jeff Graschel. Doing so prevented upstream flooding, but now all that water has to be drained, so it will come floating through Louisiana over the next few days. Graschel said the river could rise and crest again within the next few months. At this point, it's impossible to predict how high the river could rise that far down the road, the hydrologist said, but he pointed out that it would take a lot of rain to reach the current level. Torres remarked that the current high water has left the levees sodden and saturated. Everyone will sleep easier if they can have a few dry weeks to let everything air out, he continued. That being said, no one's underestimating the river. "Mother Nature does what Mother Nature wants to do," Boyett said. A divided federal appeals court ruled on Thursday that construction of the Bayou Bridge Pipeline can go forward, overturning a lower court's order that was temporarily blocking the company from building the pipeline through the environmentally-sensitive Atchafalaya Basin. The 163-mile Bayou Bridge Pipeline is designed to carry crude oil between Lake Charles and St. James, but to do so, it must cross approximately 30 miles of the basin. +7 Company building Bayou Bridge pipeline seeks halt of work stoppage, says cost is almost $1M per day BELLE ROSE As attorneys in a legal battle over the 163-mile Bayou Bridge crude oil pipeline awaited clarity on the sweep of a court-ordered Crawfishermen and conservationists have argued that the pipeline is causing irrevocable harm to the wetlands, and that permitting agencies like the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers have not required adequate offsetting environmental projects. The company has responded that work delays are costing nearly a million dollars per day, threatening construction jobs and endangering the environment by leaving unfilled trenches and other half-completed work. U.S. District Court Federal Judge Shelly Dick last month had ordered that construction cease in the basin until she could hear the full case at some point later this year. Bayou Bridge LLC appealed her decision. +4 Federal judge: Work on Bayou Bridge pipeline stopped in Atchafalaya Basin, can continue elsewhere A federal court order temporarily blocking construction of the Bayou Bridge pipeline is limited to the Atchafalaya Basin, and work can continu Appellate judges heard arguments from both sides earlier this week. Thursday afternoon, two of the three judges agreed to lift the ban. Edith Brown Clement and Priscilla Richman Owen, both nominated by George W. Bush, sided with the pipeline company, while W. Eugene Davis, nominated by Ronald Reagan, dissented. Dick was nominated by Barack Obama. Appeals judges hear Bayou Bridge arguments, to decide if work stoppage remains in place The fate of the Bayou Bridge Pipeline is now in the hands of three U.S. appeals court judges who will have to decide if it can run through the "We are pleased with the 5th Circuits Ruling today," Bayou Bridge officials said in response to the decision by the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeal. "We will begin mobilizing for construction activities as soon as possible, and will do so in full compliance with all permit conditions." Environmental attorneys vowed to keep the fight alive. They are representing the Sierra Club, the Atchafalaya Basinkeeper, the Louisiana Crawfish Producers Association-West, the Waterkeeper Alliance and the Gulf Restoration Network. 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 groups are seeking relief, even if the pipeline is built or is substantially completed by the time they get their day in court. The pipeline is being laid at a brisk pace, with the company saying it anticipates completing the route by the end of the year, while the litigation is expected play out over the next several more months. Jan Hasselman, attorney for Earthjustice, which is representing various environmental and crawfishing groups, compared the situation to a person who is hit by a car. If the victim is disabled, he or she can apply for compensation after the fact, he said. Hasselman said his first priority is still to halt construction, but if that's not possible, he will still fight for more rigorous environmental analysis and wetlands mitigation. +2 Louisiana environmental groups turn to courts in Bayou Bridge pipeline battle Opposition to the proposed Bayou Bridge pipeline is heating up as environmental groups turn to the courts to challenge not just the regulators Decades of unrestricted oil and pipeline development and lack of enforcement had already devastated the Basin making all of us more at risk from devastating river floods, basinkeeper executive director Dean Wilson wrote in a statement. Bayou Bridge is paying approximately $21 million into a mitigation bank to replant bottomland hardwoods on land that was previously cleared to make room for cotton farms, attorneys have said in court. However, the land is about 55 miles away from the pipeline, and opponents have said it is inadequate repayment for the cypress trees that are being felled to make room for Bayou Bridge. In court, Bayou Bridges lawyers have argued that they have rigorously followed guidelines set forth by a number of federal agencies. They are not replanting a cypress for every one that is cut down for Bayou Bridge, but the existing regulations take a long view of conservation, allowing companies to preserve other parts of the overall ecosystem, attorneys have said. Dr. Jennifer Avegno is director of community health relations and engagement at University Medical Center New Orleans. Calvin Johnson is retired chief judge of the Orleans Parish Criminal District Court. Erika McConduit is CEO of the Urban League of Louisiana. McDonald employee, Sabreal Ealem, 18, asks former Judge Michael Bagneris and City Councilwoman LaToya Cantrell about their thoughts on raising the minimum wage to $15 an hour, during the New Orleans mayoral candidate forum with Bagneris and Cantrell, held by Indivisible NOLA at First Unitarian Universalist Church in New Orleans, Saturday, June 17, 2017. Inspector General candidate Derry Harper, right, is congratulated by members of the City of New Orleans Ethics Review Board including Michael Cowan, left, and Brandon Boutin, Allen Miller after they voted to appoint Harper as the new IG at Xavier University in New Orleans, La. Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2017. Welcoming springlike weather, blooming azaleas add a pop of color to the Capitol Gardens dressing up the new State Capitol Building Thursday March 8, 2018, in Baton Rouge, La. The ice blue sky and beautiful weather may be the calm before a stormy legislative session that begins at high noon on Monday. Big 6 Brass Band trombonist Lamar Heard Sr. awoke Thursday afternoon to the sad news that Saints and Pelicans owner Tom Benson had died. After processing the initial shock, Heard exchanged texts with his bandmates and hatched a plan to honor Benson in the most New Orleans way possible: with a spontaneous second-line parade. Only hours after Bensons passing, the Big 6 Brass Band led scores of revelers from Treme to the towering bronze statue of Benson between the Mercedes-Benz Superdome and Champions Square. Every time the Saints won, he danced to a brass band, so why not? Heard said Friday. As we were going to the statue, all I could think of was him on the sidelines dancing with his umbrella. Now he gets to do the 'Benson boogie' for eternal life. Can't see video below? Click here. The official services for Benson, who died Thursday at age 90 at Ochsner Medical Center, include a public visitation at Notre Dame Seminary on Wednesday and Thursday, followed by a private, invitation-only funeral at St. Louis Cathedral at noon Friday. The list of invited guests for the funeral will likely include many of the dignitaries, athletes, politicians and other prominent figures who offered public condolences after Bensons passing. But ordinary fans have found other ways to express their sorrow and both honor and thank the man who, while at times controversial, ultimately kept the Saints in New Orleans and put them on the path to a Super Bowl victory. A steady stream of well-wishers paid their respects Friday near the Superdome at the 14-foot statue of Benson hoisting the Lombardi Trophy after the Saints won the 2010 Super Bowl. They left flowers and folk art, Saints bobbleheads and beads. Richard Herbert placed a Zulu coconut and lit a devotional candle at the bronze Bensons feet. Born in the same year that Benson bought the team, Herbert credited him with inspiring his return to New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina. Albert Moses III left a prayer card. An emotional Carlos Espinoza, in a Drew Brees jersey, bowed his head, placed one hand over his heart and raised the other in tribute. The loudest, most celebratory display so far was Thursday nights parade. Massive memorial marches in New Orleans for the likes of David Bowie, Prince and Fats Domino were planned days in advance and advertised widely on social media. But the Benson procession sprang up spontaneously and organically, much like modest neighborhood second-lines for far less prominent citizens. We didnt have to wait for the funeral, Heard, the Big 6 trombonist, said. We had to do something right away. He was so major why not do something major for him? A post on the Big 6 Brass Bands Facebook page went up around 5 p.m. Thursday, two hours before the second-line stepped off near Tuba Fats Square at St. Philip and North Robertson streets in Treme. The post was quickly shared more than 350 times. The musicians and marchers headed toward the Superdome by way of Basin and Poydras streets. We didnt have no permit, no escort, but lets try and get there, Heard said. We got there with no problem. Multiple tubas, trumpets and trombones sent up a joyful noise; many people in the procession sported Saints black and gold. At Champions Square, the Big 6 broke into When the Saints Go Marching In. Conveniently enough, the Saints theme song is also a popular brass-band standard. Revelers, including a man in purple sporting an elaborate social aid and pleasure club feathered fan, climbed atop the statues pedestal, dancing and celebrating in Benson's honor. The spirit of the event seemed to indicate that, despite his wealth and power, Benson was still a man of the people. He was right here in everyday life, and he was from the 7th Ward, Heard said. Were talking about a true New Orleanian. At the end of the day, its only right for us to do something like this for him. Were indebted to him. Watching footage of the Benson second-line warmed the Whistle Monstas heart. It was magical, said Leroy Mitchell, the Saints super-fan better known as the Whistle Monsta. People took it straight to the street on the day that he died. It was so beautiful to see. While there may have been bumps in the road, Benson kept the Saints in New Orleans and assembled the ingredients for the Super Bowl victory, said Mitchell, who planned to meet a friend at Galatoires on Friday afternoon for a drink in honor of Mr. B." He always got a pass from me, Mitchell said. The things he did that were positive outweighed those other little petty things. He always put his money where his mouth is. Without him, we wouldnt have a team here. We owe him everything, as Saints fans. While he fretted about the details of a succession plan that turns control of the team over to Bensons widow, Gayle I wonder whats in that sealed envelope Mitchell said such questions are for later. Now is the time to mourn Tom Bensons passing and celebrate his achievements. He finally got a chance to see the team win the Super Bowl, after all he went through, Mitchell said. The fact that he had a Super Bowl means he won. Everything he put into it, he won the ultimate prize. Super-fan Larry Rolling, also known as the Sign Guy, affixed one of his signature signs between the Saints and Pelicans logos at the entrance to the teams headquarters on Airline Drive on Thursday. It read, Mr. B, Our Saint, Our Legend. It was signed simply The Fans. "Mr. Benson and the fans had a great relationship, sometimes up and down, but Mr. Benson got us to the promised land," Rolling said. "We pray for his family and we pray for the Saints organization. We're gonna miss Mr. Benson, that's for sure. By Friday, black linen had been draped over the edifice bearing the teams logos, while flags outside the headquarters flew at half-staff. For Rolling, Mitchell and just about every other Saints fan, the best way to honor Benson would be to win another Super Bowl in Atlanta next February. Lets get one for Mr. B, Mitchell said. Lets do it for him. A judge sentenced Lloyd Joseph Weysham, 62, of Kiln, Mississippi Wednesday to 50 years in prison after Weysham pleaded guilty to sexual battery on an 8-year-old girl, according to a news release from Warren Montgomery, district attorney for the 22nd Judicial District. The news release states that the girl was left in Weyshams care in a Slidell home when he forced her to perform oral sex on him and touched her inappropriately. The victims older sister witnessed the acts while pretending to be asleep in a separate bed and then called a family member. That family member then returned to the house and contacted police. Weysham admitted to the crime while talking with police, according to the news release. Weysham will not be eligible for parole for 25 years, making him 87 years old should that happen. Serving 25 years is the minimum for sexual battery of a victim under 13. Division D Judge Peter Garcia did the sentencing. The St. Tammany Parish School Board voted unanimously on Thursday to adopt a new provider of learning materials for students in kindergarten through second grade that system administrators say will better prepare those students in those grades for standardized testing in higher grades. The ReadyGEN system is designed to provide teachers and students with classroom materials necessary to meet instructional shifts that came with the Common Core curriculum. ReadyGEN was used locally in a pilot program at both Sixth Ward Elementary and Woodlake Elementary schools earlier this year, and teachers from those schools voiced overwhelming approval compared to the program currently used to teach the parishs youngest schoolchildren. Many of those teachers spoke of ReadyGENs benefit at Thursdays meeting at the Schoen Administrative Complex in Covington. They called the new English-Language Arts literacy program user-friendly and innovative and said it would merge smoothly with the Guidebooks program currently used for students in third through eighth grades. The Treasures program, now used to prime kindergarten through second graders for advanced grades, doesnt align with methods used in Guidebooks, they added. Regina Sanford, the school systems assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction, said she and her staff also were very pleased with results in the ReadyGEN pilot, and that adoption would give teachers more streamlined resources to help students meet standardized testing benchmarks. Its very important to get continuity (in programs for elementary school that prepare them for middle school and junior high,) she said. This is a set of instructional materials. It utilizes fiction and nonfiction materials for instruction. It uses a lot of trade books and stories Now we have something that aligns the systems. Everyone is swimming in the same direction. The board voted 12-0 to adopt use of the ReadyGEN program, with three members absent. District 15 board member Mary Kay Bellisario and District 1 Neal Hennegan voiced some concern in open discussion, though both voted in favor of adopting the learning program. St. Tammany top stories in your inbox A weekly guide to the biggest news in St. Tammany. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up Im just not in love with this, Bellisario said. If it were up to me, I wouldnt spend $1.3 million on it. Hennegan said an extreme amount of standardized testing is being forced upon local school districts by both state and federal governments and that creates a need for learning programs to ready students for those tests. Given that reality, he said he would support adoption of ReadyGEN because I know our teachers will adjust. Debbie Green, president of the St. Tammany Federation of Teachers and School Employees, also offered support of the program. In other business, the School Board accepted as complete a new classroom wing addition at Mayfield Elementary; accepted the low bid of $262,424 for a new classroom wing and gymnasium roof at Abney Elementary; and accepted a $275,100 bid for four modular buildings at Madisonville Elementary. The board also approved use of $31.8 million in bond premiums and proceeds for construction needs at Mandeville High School and Madisonville Elementary, both of which have seen tremendous overcrowding. Premiums paid by buyers of the School Boards sale of $25 million in bonds pushed the total amount realized from the sale significantly higher. Associate Schools Superintendent Peter Jabbia said the combined base bid for both projects was $31.8 million and the total amount of funding available from the bond sales was $35.2 million. The recommendation was approved 11-1 with Bellisario voting against, saying she wanted to see the additional money saved or used elsewhere, possibly for school security needs that may arise. In other business, the board adopted a resolution supporting the creation of the Louisiana Task Force on Teacher Shortage a statewide effort to recruit instructors in math, science, special education and foreign language. Superintendent Trey Folse also presented a $20,000 check to leaders of the Safe Harbor nonprofit. The money was raised through school fundraisers and will benefit the organization that provides shelter and services to persons fleeing domestic, family and dating violence. A coalition of prison reform activists filed a suit Wednesday against the city of New Orleans and Sheriff Marlin Gusman seeking to shut down a jail building that holds scores of inmates. The Orleans Parish Prison Reform Coalition and other groups allege that the city is allowing the Sheriffs Office to illegally operate a building called the Temporary Detention Center, which held 82 inmates as of Thursday. The inmate advocates have asked the Orleans Parish Civil District Court to shutter the building, which was opened to house inmates after Hurricane Katrina. Lawsuit: Angola prison guards ordered transgender visitor to strip A transgender woman who tried to visit her incarcerated brother claims Louisiana prison officers ordered her to remove her underwear and told Their ultimate goal is to impose a mandatory cap on the number of inmates in the sheriffs custody. The Prison Reform Coalition wants the Sheriff's Office to release inmates accused of low-level offenses whenever the jail's population exceeds the 1,438 beds at the main Orleans Justice Center. The lawsuit hinges on the question of whether it was legal for the citys Department of Safety and Permits to issue a temporary occupancy certificate for the Temporary Detention Center last year. The city, the Sheriffs Office and City Councilwoman Susan Guidry, the chairwoman of the councils Criminal Justice Committee, all say the certificate allows the building to remain open. However, advocates point to an ordinance passed by the council in 2011 approving construction of the main jail building on Perdido Street, the Orleans Justice Center. The advocates say that ordinance mandated the closure of the Temporary Detention Center after the new jail opened. The center should have closed in April 2017 at the latest, the lawsuit alleges. However, the Sheriffs Office kept housing inmates in the Temporary Detention Center after receiving the temporary occupancy certificate from the city. The Sheriffs Office had 1,318 inmates under its supervision as of Thursday, including inmates housed outside the parish. Most of them, 1,064 inmates, were held at the Orleans Justice Center. Although the main jail has 1,438 beds, its maximum capacity in practice is a few hundred beds less because of security and staffing concerns. When it comes to achieving any objective, knowledge is power. In the efforts to get more African Americans aware of and using pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), an evolving tracking system called the PrEP cascade is providing new insights as we work toward better results. PrEP is critical to the fight to end the HIV/AIDS epidemic because, when taken consistently, the anti-HIV medication can lower one's risk of getting infected by more than 90 percent. While it is no doubt a game changer, large numbers of Black Americans have not been benefiting from taking PrEP. In 2015, Whites made up 74 percent of those who used PrEP, while African Americans made up only 10 percent, according to Gilead Sciences, maker of the PrEP medication Truvada. In order for PrEP to be more widely used in Black communities, a number of things have to happen. More people who are at risk of acquiring HIV must become aware of PrEP; those same people must find a provider who will prescribe it; and they must take the actual steps of beginning and staying in treatment. The PrEP cascade tracks those steps and identifies gaps in the continuum of care that are keeping more people from using and benefiting from PrEP. Related: Focusing on "Treatment as Prevention" for HIV Criminal Law Reform Fails Marginalized Populations Understanding the Stages of the Continuum There are five stages to the PrEP cascade, according to the National AIDS Treatment Advocacy Project, which developed its model based on results from One Thousand Strong, a three-year, nationally representative study of gay and bisexual men of all racial and ethnic backgrounds in the United States: Stage 1 is called objective identification, which refers to the identification of people who would be ideal candidates for PrEP. Stage 2 is PrEP contemplation, which refers to the number of people who have learned about PrEP and believe that they are good candidates for it. Those in this stage have shown a willingness to take PrEP but have no means or plans to do so. Stage 3 is the "PrEParation" stage. Someone at this stage has already found a provider that will administer PrEP, and they intend to start PrEP. Stage 4 is the PrEP action and initiation stage. At this stage, a person has actually met with a provider and has obtained his or her prescription. Stage 5 is PrEP maintenance and adherence. It's not enough to start taking PrEP. It's important that the person adhere to the regimen and continue to take it. Those who make it to stage 5 of the PrEP cascade have started treatment, are adherent to the PrEP regimen, and get regular testing for HIV and other sexually transmitted infections. What researchers have discovered is that, similar to the HIV treatment cascade (also called the HIV care continuum), the numbers of people decline with each subsequent stage. The largest number of people are in stage 1, after which people drop out at each subsequent stage. By studying the percentages of people who drop out in each stage, advocates can determine what roadblocks are keeping people from taking PrEP and adhering to the regimen over time. It is also important to note that there have been different variations of the PrEP cascade whose steps differ somewhat, though they all have the same ultimate goal. For example, researchers at the Center for HIV Educational Studies & Training in New York created a cascade in 2016, based on data from the iPrEx study, conducted among high-risk gay and bisexual men in Ecuador, Peru, Brazil, South Africa, Thailand and the United States. That cascade labeled the first stage PrEP precontemplation, in which the men being studied were unwilling to take PrEP or ruled themselves out as good candidates. Identifying What Is Working The PrEP cascade is a great way to see what's working in Black communities and what is not, says Hyman Scott, M.D., an infectious disease specialist at Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital and Trauma Center. Scott works closely with the San Francisco Department of Health on its PrEP Supports campaign (pdf), announced in February 2018, which is focused on increasing the use of PrEP in the African American community. Not only is the PrEP cascade a way to track progress, but "there might be places that are blind spots" to health-care providers, where people fall off the cascade and that we need to learn more about, Dr. Scott says. "It's not always just a personal decision. Often it's insurance losses or a job change, or somebody loses their job, and they might lose access to health care. Those are very disruptive things that can happen in somebody's life." By tracking an individual after he or she is initially referred for PrEP, advocates can gather information that helps them reach more people. Once that information is known, advocates can figure out what safety nets need to be put in place to ensure that those who are vulnerable don't fall through the cracks of the system, Scott adds. The PrEP cascade also gives organizations that are working to increase PrEP usage a place to target their efforts. "I think that there's a focus on ensuring that Black Americans are aware of PrEP, and now that there are efforts to ensure that campaigns are representative of the community, I think that is a huge first step," Dr. Scott says. "Using the cascade to monitor [those efforts] will be helpful." Tamara E. Holmes is a Washington, D.C.-based journalist who writes about health, wealth and personal growth. [Note from TheBody: This article was originally published by The Black AIDS Institute on March 15, 2018. We have cross-posted it with their permission.] The Ministry of Veterans Affairs to be established in accordance with the plan to deepen the reform of Party and State institutions is a historic step to implement the strategy to build a powerful military. The new ministry will better protect the rights of retired military personnel by combining the functions of different ministries and organizations, and to better serve the veterans. The resettlement of retired military soldiers and officers was the responsibility of the Ministry of Civil Affairs and Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security. The political work and logistics departments of the Central Military Commission also shared the responsibility of resettling the veterans. The unified functions focusing on better serving the retired military personnel will not only strengthen the faith and sense of honor of the military, but also make up for the past deficit in serving the veterans in some areas. This reform is a timely response to the concerns of retired military personnel, including acknowledgement of their contributions, further education, and memorial for heroes, which President Xi Jinping, also chairman of the Central Military Commission, has been reiterating over the past five years. With the functions integrated, the ministry can better coordinate and systemize work for resettling veterans. For instance, the implementation of relative policies, to some extent, will push local governments to better fulfill their roles in resettling the veterans. The Ministry of Veterans Affairs will improve not only the public services for the veterans but also attract more youngsters to a career in the military, paving the way for building a powerful military. Li Daguang, a professor at the PLA National Defense University. This is an excerpt from his interview with China Dailys Pan Yixuan. Rademon Estate Distillery finishes redevelopment Rademon Estate Distillery, maker of Shortcross Gin, has completed a 2.5million redevelopment of its County Down based distillery. The development is predicted to treble production capacity. Rademon Estate Distillery has been transformed with the addition of two new copper stills, which will increase the distillerys production capacity to over 50,000 litres of alcohol per annum, marking the completion of a 20-month investment programme. Founded in 2012 by husband and wife team Fiona and David Boyd-Armstrong, Rademon Estate Distillery is located at the couples family estate just outside Crossgar, Co. Down. The company has unveiled its new still-house with the commissioning complete of its new copper pot column stills. The new still is considered to be the most advanced gin still in use in Ireland. With a capacity of 1,071 litres, it utilises two ten-plate enrichment columns, which will allow the distillery to produce highly aromatic and flavoursome spirits. The increased capacity afforded by the new still will enable the distillery to treble its production volumes as demand for Shortcross Gin grows globally. On the back of the ongoing growth within the Irish whiskey category, Rademon Estate Distillery has also increased both its brewing and distilling capacity by over 500%, as it continues production of its Single Malt Irish Whiskey. This investment includes the installation of a 1,750L copper pot still that is dedicated to whiskey production, while additional fermentation capacity has also been added within the still house. Commenting on the announcement, David Boyd-Armstrong, head distiller, Rademon Estate Distillery says: The completion of this sizeable investment marks an important milestone for Rademon Estate Distillery, as we upscale our production to meet growing demand for Shortcross Gin. This is also an exciting time as we prepare to test the first batch of our new Single Malt Irish Whiskey, with a view to release later this year, or in early 2019. In line with this focus on quality and standards, the company was recently accredited against the SALSA (Safe and Local Supplier Approval) Issue 4 standard for food hygiene and production. The expanded capacity comes as the distillery seeks to significantly increase production of Shortcross Gin to meet growing demand for exports to the UK, France, Spain, Germany, Scandinavia, North America, the Middle East and Australia, and also to increase available volumes of Rademons new Single Malt Irish Whiskey, the first batch of which is expected to be released in late 2018/early 2019. The significant investment also includes the addition of a contemporary new Visitor Experience Centre; a multipurpose space comprising a bar, gift shop and events space with stunning views across the estate. The completion of this phase of the development will open up new revenue streams through the provision of regular distillery tours and private events. The new Visitors Experience Centre forms part of the Irish Whiskey Associations Irish Whiskey Tourism Trail, which is seeking to increase visitor numbers to distillery across the island of Ireland from 653,000 visitors in 2015 to 1.94 million visitors by 2025. Fiona Boyd-Armstrong, managing director of Rademon Estate Distillery says: We are proud to take the next steps towards realising our vision for Rademon Estate Distillery. In addition to the increased production capacity, we are thrilled to be able to welcome people to the home of Shortcross, with the opening of our new Visitor Experience Centre. We have taken great pride in developing a unique and welcoming space to meet growing consumer demand for the opportunity to learn and experience more about Shortcross Gin and of course, in time, our new Single Malt Irish Whiskey. Shortcross Gin is available to purchase from all leading bars, hotels and restaurants across Northern Ireland and from independent off licences, travel retail across the UK & Ireland, Tesco, Sainsburys, select Marks & Spencer stores and SuperValu, priced 36 (RRP). 15 March 2018 - Sam Coyne The Drinks Report, news editor The ongoing annual sessions of the National People's Congress (NPC) and the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), which are respectively the national legislature and the top political advisory body of China, have also attracted much attention of the international military students studying at the National Defense University (NDU) of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA). They spoke highly the historical achievements of socialism with Chinese characteristics and look forward to greater contributions China will make to world peace and development. China's path based on national conditions has great advantage A student from Pakistan believes that China's rapid development in recent years has benefited from choosing a development path that suits China's national conditions, and the socialist system with Chinese characteristics ensures all policies conducive to national development to be fully implemented. From the amendment to Constitution adopted by China's NPC, he saw the firm determinations of the Communist Party of China (CPC) in the governance of the country according to law and the Constitution, said a student from the South African Navy. A student from Nepal said that under the leadership of the CPC, China has made great development achievements, as evidenced by its high level of infrastructure construction, especially in the areas of transportation and communication, which provides a strong guarantee for China's economic and social development. More countries benefit from China-foreign win-win cooperation "The MombasaNairobi Standard Gauge Railway built by China has shortened the travel time between the two cities from over 10 hours to four hours and a half, and reduced the cost of transporting cargo from Mombasa to hinterlands, the railway is offering more and more benefits to the Kenyan people", said Colonel Hussein from Kenya. A student from the Bangladesh Air Force said that in the face of global challenges such as climate change and terrorism, the world is increasingly becoming a community of shared future, and China's "Belt and Road Initiative" will rejuvenate the ancient Silk Road and benefit many countries. A student from the South African Navy looks forward to the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) summit to be held in China this year. He said that South Africa and China have conducted close coordination and cooperation under the FOCAC, the BRICs and other mechanisms, and the two countries hold the same or similar views in many international affairs. He hopes that China-Africa cooperation can help African countries achieve rapid economic development. A student from Pakistan said that Pakistan attaches great importance to the "Belt and Road Initiative" proposed by China and the development opportunities it presents, the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor is the flagship project of the "Belt and Road Initiative" and it has important implications for Pakistans domestic political stability and social development. The relations between Cuba and China is becoming increasingly close and the fruitful cooperation between the two countries in multiple areas including transportation, agriculture, health care, education, communication and tourism have helped improve the living standards of the people of Cuba, Colonel Nelson from a Cuban military academy said. Chinese military is an important force in maintaining world peace A student from Pakistan Army has ever participated in an anti-terrorism joint training program between the two countries for three years. Pakistan has the expectation that China will play a bigger role in maintaining regional peace and stability, he said. A student from Macedonia said that China is now the second largest economy in the world and has more overseas interests to protect, and therefore, it is normal for China to increase investment in the military. During the Yemen crisis in 2015, apart from evacuating Chinese citizens, Chinese naval ships also helped evacuate more than 200 foreign nationals from Yemen, which also shows that the Chinese military is an important force in maintaining world peace, he added. China pursues a defensive national defense policy and has made positive contributions to international peacekeeping, civil ship escort in Gulf of Aden and counter-terrorism operations, said a Nepali student. He said that although China's military strength continues to develop, Nepal, as a neighboring country, has not felt any military threat from China, the so-called "China military threat " theory is untenable. We're always going to back research like this... Apparently pizza is good for productivity!! As Munchies points out, a study published in psychologist Dan Ariely's book, Payoff: The Hidden Logic That Shapes Our Motivations, found that the promise of pizza at the end of the week can have a sizable impact on productivity. Ariely's study took place at a semiconductor factory in Israel. There, a group of workers were sent one of three messages at the beginning of the work week: one that promised pizza if they performed well, another that promised a compliment from the boss, or lastly, a text that promised a cash bonus. A quarter of participants got no message and therefore no incentive. At the end of the week, pizza was found to be the highest motivator, increasing productivity by 6.7 per cent. Lol!! The next highest motivator was the promise of a compliment from their boss. Interestingly, the cash bonus came in last although, to be fair, it was only $30. So throw some pizza our way, we have work to do. Seventeen men who enlisted then quit the army have been sent home and blacklisted on China's social credit system, according to a notice released on Thursday that listed all their names and addresses. The 17 men found they were unable to handle army life and tried to quit multiple times before being expelled, according to the notice released by the military recruitment office of Jilin city of Northeast China's Jilin Province on Thursday. The 17 had their rights limited to travel abroad or work as government officials. The notice did not indicate what exactly were those limits. Blacklisting will affect their ability to buy real estate and their travel rights including booking planes, high-class trains and star-rated hotels. Three soldiers who refused to continue to serve in the army were also listed in a March 8 notice on the website of Hexian county in Anhui Province. "Many of these young people are the only child in their family, growing up in gilded cages and unable to bear hardships," Li Daguang, a professor at the National Defense University in Beijing told the Global Times on Thursday. "As military discipline becomes stricter, training has become harder." Education in national defense among young people should be strengthened, Li said. The army should improve the scientific quality of training and take soldiers' physical condition into consideration. Legendary comic book writer Stan Lee will not join this years ComicCon Asia 2018 in Manila. The official Facebook page for the pop culture convention announced that Lee has backed out of the event due to health concerns. Due to Mr. Stan Lees health concerns, his management team and ComicCon Asia have mutually decided to cancel his agreed appearance at the forthcoming ComicCon Asia 2018, the statement said. It added that those who paid for activity passes and the Excelsior package may ask for a refund. Read also: Stan Lee, 95, discharged from hospital to comic fans' relief Back in February, it was reported that the 95-year-old writer was battling pneumonia. He sent this statement to TMZ about his condition: I have a little bout of pneumonia Ive been fighting, but it seems to be getting better. But I want you all to know Im thinking of youof course, I always think of the fansand I hope youre all doing well, and I miss you all. Lee is known as the creator of several Marvel superheroes including Spiderman, Iron Man and The Incredible Hulk. ComicCon Asia 2018 is set to happen on March 24-25 at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay city. Fashion is a tango between design and a business that sells. In collaboration with Jakarta Fashion Week and Indonesia Fashion Forward (IFF), Galaries Lafayette selected eight designers from the IFF program to present their collections in the store during the 5th edition of Fashion Lab. The designers had to meet some strict requirements. Aside from having the potential to become the next big label, the business side was scrutinized as well. They do have the eye for what our customers like. They know what customer selections are, Herlina Widjaja, the COO of Galaries Lafayette, said. We also chose them because of the production side. Sometimes local designers have difficulty in sending the quantities. Through the IFF program, which seeks to catapult Indonesian fashion onto the global stage, Indonesian designers are educated on how to brand themselves and deal with the business aspect of the fashion industry something that designers tend to overlook. Lia Ellyhan of Ellyhan Jewelry is convinced that her brand would not have existed if it was not for the IFF program. Lia says the mentorship she received from the program to develop her brand was invaluable. Her collection on show was inspired by goddesses from Indonesia folklore. She enlisted the help of a Balinese silversmith to find ways to mix the precious metal with the stacked pearls her brand is known for. One of her standout designs is a headpiece. The silver headband loops in front of the ears, from which multiple strands of pearls drape down and cross the torso at various heights. Here and there, dark elements are added for a well-balanced contrast. Sendy Soeriaatmadja takes care of the business side of the label alex[a]lexa, while his wife, Monique, is responsible for the modern look hitting the runway and displayed on the shelves at Galeries Lafayette. A lot of designers only think about the design, but not how to sell and structure it, he said. You may be a great designer, but if you cannot sell you wont be able to sell. The designs from alex[a]lexa are contenders for the most boundary-pushing of the showpieces. Several pieces incorporate denim jeans in part as a whole. An outfit that immediately caught the attention was a top in which a seemingly intact pair of jeans was sown to the front, wrapped by a thick leather belt. Learning how to sell her designs was one of the main lessons taken to heart by Yelly Lumentu of Day and Night whose designs during the trunk show were dominated by blacks and whites. The designer said she targeted young millennials. Our customers really like social media. Every time they wear our clothes they will tag us, she says. This target market is part of the reason why they chose to design ready-to-wear clothing, which is easy to sell and easy to wear. In general, the outfits from Day and Night would not look amiss in the wardrobes of Jakartas young professionals. One outfit that took on a more playful look was a black and white striped dress, accented by puffy mesh fabric tied to the torso and making up the bottom. Other outtakes from the show were the designs of Batik Chic, which combine a modern look with the traditional batiks bright colors and motifs and the modest-wear look from Kami, which wrapped around the models with elegance. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Marguerite Afra Sapiie (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Fri, March 16, 2018 06:22 1286 2c798a31c212039f000dc5df9ca124a2 1 National aceh,beheading,bylaws Free The central government has warned the Aceh provincial administration against its plan to introduce beheading as a punishment for murder, saying that such a form of capital punishment could not be introduced under bylaws. The introduction of beheading, a punishment known as Qisas, or "retributive justice", under Islamic law, is said to be under consideration by the Aceh administration, which believes it could create a deterrent effect to murder. Law and Human Rights Minister Yasonna Laoly said the only form of capital punishment stipulated in the countrys Criminal Code was execution by firing squad, carried out under the order of the Attorney Generals Office (AGO). The Criminal Code is higher because it is a national law and a bylaw cannot regulate [capital punishment]. There is a limitation on the drafting of punishments in bylaws, Yasonna told reporters on Thursday. Aceh, the only province in the Muslim-majority country governed by Islamic law or sharia, has frequently made international headlines for carrying out public canings of alleged adulterers, homosexual people and gamblers. Local authorities said the plan was still being considered and was yet to be drafted into law. Human rights NGO Amnesty International has lambasted the plan. Amnesty International Indonesia director Usman Hamid requested the central government to intervene or order the Aceh administration to drop the plan, arguing that the latter's argument that beheading could create deterrent effect was baseless. The Aceh administration cannot use its special autonomous status to introduce laws and policies that flagrantly violate human rights, Usman said in a statement. (dmr) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Fri, March 16, 2018 13:48 1285 2c798a31c212039f000dc5df9ca20905 1 City #ahok,basuki-tjahaja-purnama,jakarta,blasphemy,case-review Free The Supreme Court has appointed Supreme Court justice Artidjo Alkostar, a judge famous for his harsh punishment of corruption convicts, to handle the case review filed by former Jakarta governor Basuki "Ahok" Tjahaja Purnama challenging his blasphemy conviction. "There was no special reason [behind the appointment]. The chief justice of the Supreme Court has the authority to appoint the justice," Supreme Court Spokesman Suhadi said on Thursday according to kompas.com. Artidjo had made headlines in the past when he decided to give harsher punishments for corruption convicts who tried to appeal previous rulings. In 2016, Artidjo increased the sentence of former Jakarta Transportation chief Udar Pristono from nine to 13 years in the Transjakarta bus-procurement corruption case. Also in 2016, he increased the seven-year sentence handed down to prominent lawyer OC Kaligis to 10 years in a corruption case. Artidjo's reputation as a firm judge has prompted some corruption convicts to withdraw their cassation proposals from the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court has also appointed justice Salman Luthan and Sumardijatmo to review the case. Ahok's lawyer Josefina Syukur said she believed the Supreme Court could give a fair decision according to the prevailing laws. Meanwhile, Suhadi said the review could be completed by the end of March. Ahok was convicted of blasphemy in May last year for suggesting that some people had abused a Quranic verse to block his re-election bid. The panel of judges led by Dwiarso Budi Santiarso sentenced Ahok to two years in prison. Earlier in February, Ahok challenged his conviction on the grounds that judges had made mistakes while handing down their ruling. (cal) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Rachmadea Aisyah (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Fri, March 16, 2018 21:00 1285 2c798a31c212039f000dc5df9ca3ea37 1 Business Berlian-Laju-Tanker,IDX,trading,resumption Free Oil and gas shipping company PT Berlian Laju Tanker (BLT) is hoping that the Indonesia Stock Exchange (IDX) will soon allow for the companys shares to be traded again. Trading in the stock has been suspended since 2012 following the company's failure to meet debt obligations. The company says it has concluded its debt restructuring in 2015 through debt-to-equity swaps. BLT director Anthony Budiawan said the board of directors had so far failed to have a face-to-face meeting with IDX representatives, for some reason. "Still, we don't understand why it is necessary to attend such a meeting, as we have been responsible in solving what caused the suspension of our stocks," Anthony told the press on Friday. The company had scheduled a meeting with the IDX for the next two weeks, he added. "We really hope everything goes as expected [...], so trading in our shares can resume in the third quarter of this year, at the latest." The stock freeze had sent BLT into a financial predicament, as it was no longer able to get capital from the stock market, nor money from lenders. However, the firm slowly got back on its feet using its own cash. In the third quarter of 2017, BLT booked US$3.14 million in profit, a huge improvement compared to the same period the previous year, when it recorded a $2.92 million net loss. (bbn) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Fri, March 16, 2018 14:20 1285 2c798a31c212039f000dc5df9ca27c33 1 City drug-dealer,drug-courier,#Jakarta,Ancol Free The National Narcotics Agency (BNN) arrested two men, one of them a Taiwanese national, for alleged drug possession in Ancol, North Jakarta, on Thursday. BNN director of enforcement and pursuance Brig. Gen. Irwanto said on Thursday that officers confiscated 50 kilograms of meth stored in two suitcases. Weve been watching the suspects for some time. Our officers were on standby in Ancol to await the delivery of the drugs, said Irwanto, as quoted by kompas.com. According to Irwanto, the suspects used a ride-hailing app service to pick up the suitcases at a warehouse located in Lodan. The Taiwanese suspect, who was shot in both legs, tried to evade arrest by swimming across a river. Both suspects have been detained for further questioning. (jlm) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Leila Macor and Chris Lefkow (Agence France-Presse) Miami Fri, March 16, 2018 13:41 1285 2c798a31c212039f000dc5df9ca1fe52 2 World Miami,accident,fatalities Free A newly installed pedestrian bridge over a major road in Miami collapsed on Thursday, killing four people and trapping multiple cars below. The walkway, which connected Florida International University to a student housing area, went up less than a week ago. "We have located up to four victims. Four deceased," Miami-Dade Fire Chief Dave Downey told a news conference. Maurice Kemp, the area's deputy mayor, said the search for survivors had not yet been abandoned. "Miami-Dade county and our partner agencies... have been working feverishly in the search and rescue mode to ascertain how many victims there are and rescue as many as we can," Kemp told journalists. Miami-Dade Fire Rescue Division Chief Paul Estopinan said at least eight cars were trapped when the 950-ton (tonne) concrete bridge suddenly gave way. Police detective Juan Carlos Llera said, "it sounded like an explosion. A huge bang." "It looks like a disaster area. It looks literally like a bomb went off," Llera told AFP. The bridge had only been installed on Saturday, ahead if its planned opening in 2019. Isabella Carrasco, who said she arrived on the scene just after the collapse, told CNN that some cars were completely crushed, and there was "just a lot of debris everywhere." She said she saw one woman get out of a car that was "just nicked" and rescue personnel performing life-saving CPR on another person in the street. Another shaken driver, Lynnell Collins, told CNN he was about to make a right turn when "the whole thing really just came down." - 'Whole thing broke' - "After the whole thing broke, I was freaking out. I got out of my car and me and a few other people were sprinting over there. We started helping people whose cars were at least half crushed and whoever was easily saved." He said he saw two trucks that were "completely crushed." "We are shocked and saddened about the tragic events unfolding at the FIU-Sweetwater pedestrian bridge," Florida International University said in a statement. "At this time we are still involved in rescue efforts and gathering information." FIU had only recently been celebrating the installation of the bridge, which crossed a dangerous, heavily traveled section of highway that students said had been the scene of accidents. It had been erected using an accelerated modular building method that enabled it to go up in the space of a day. "We are stunned by today's tragic collapse of a pedestrian bridge," said FIGG Engineering Group, one of the partners involved in the walkway's construction. "We will fully cooperate with every appropriate authority in reviewing what happened and why," the firm said in a statement. "In our 40-year history, nothing like this has ever happened before." "Continuing to monitor the heartbreaking bridge collapse at FIU - so tragic," President Donald Trump wrote on Twitter. "Many brave First Responders rushed in to save lives. Thank you for your courage. Praying this evening for all who are affected," he said. Bridge collapses in the United States are infrequent despite rising risks associated with aging infrastructure. The deadliest this century was the 2007 collapse of an eight-lane bridge in Minneapolis, Minnesota, which killed 13 people. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Fri, March 16 2018 A gambling ring uncovered by the Jakarta Police in Sawah Besar, Central Jakarta, on Wednesday employed as many as 10 lookouts. Jakarta Police spokesperson Sr. Comr. Argo Yuwono said on Thursday the lookouts were deployed around a gambling den in an alley to monitor the movement of strangers. Their job was to keep watch for any suspicious individuals traversing the area. They communicated via cellphone in case of someone entering the alley, said Argo as quoted by kompas.com, noting that each lookout was paid Rp 100,000 (US$7.25) to Rp 200,000 per day to secure the gambling den, which had been operating for about a year. According to Argo, the police detained the lookouts and confiscated their phones, and then moved to raid the gambling premises. In the raid, police arrested 85 men and women allegedly engaged in gambling. They are currently bei... Chinas first peacekeeping helicopter detachment concluded the transport of soldiers and cargos of the Senegalese peacekeeping in-fantry battalion affiliated to the Sector North of the African Union-United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID) on March 4. A helicopter of Chinas first peacekeeping helicopter detachment. (Photo from the PLA's official website, 81.cn) It is reported that the Chinese helicopters, to conduct the mission for troop rotation, shall fly over the rebel-controlled areas in South Su-dan, where UN peacekeeping helicopters were once attacked. The Chinese helicopters of the detachment flew nearly 150 hours, trans-porting about 40 tons of cargos and 800 Senegalese peacekeepers in total. China has grown into the largest source of peacekeeping personnel among the permanent members of the UN Security Council and the second largest contributor to the UN peacekeeping budget since join-ing UN peacekeeping operations in 1990. Helicopters usually play a significant role in various peacekeeping operations because of its quick transit of personnel at lower risks than conventional transport vehicles. A pilot of the Chinese peacekeeping helicopter detachment is in peacekeeping operation. (Photo by the Chinese peacekeeping helicopter detachment) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Gemma Holliani Cahya (The Jakarta Post) Minahasa, North Sulawesi Fri, March 16, 2018 14:05 1285 2c798a31c212039f000dc5df9ca26ddc 1 National AMAN,Rukka-Sombolinggi,indigenous-people,indigenous-people-rights,Jokowi,Joko-Widodo,nawacita,2019-presidential-election,2019-elections Free Indigenous Peoples Alliance of the Archipelago (AMAN) secretary general Rukka Sombolinggi has urged President Joko Jokowi Widodo to fulfill the promises he made to indigenous communities in Indonesia. She said that during the 2014 presidential election, AMAN threw its support behind Jokowi after he revealed that six out of his nine key development programs, known as Nawacita, were related to indigenous people. Few of the six points have been realized during his three years in office. Meanwhile, several other points, including the deliberation of an indigenous people bill, the establishment of a special task force for indigenous people and the implementation of a law on customary villages, have not yet been realized. [Since Jokowi was elected as President] only about 20,000 hectares of customary forests have been given back to the indigenous people, Rukka said during the 5th AMAN National Working Meeting scheduled for March 14 to March 17 in Minahasa, North Sulawesi. (Read also: Millions of indigenous people may lose voting rights: Alliance) The alliance estimates that around 9.3 million hectares of customary forests across Indonesia belong to indigenous people. AMAN represents 17 million people belonging to more than 2,300 indigenous communities across Indonesia. It declared its full support for Jokowi during the 2014 presidential election. However, in the alliances national meeting, representatives of the countrys indigenous communities are evaluating whether or not they will continue to support the incumbent president in the 2019 election, Rukka said. We never know. Theres no guarantee that after we supported him in 2014, we will continue to support him. Its not absolute. What we value are his actions because we still hold his promises, said Rukka. (ebf) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Anton Hermansyah (The Jakarta Post) Sydney, Australia Fri, March 16, 2018 18:34 1285 2c798a31c212039f000dc5df9ca34059 1 World Australia,Foreign-Minister-Retno-Marsudi,Foreign-Ministry,1997-Perth-Treaty,seabed-boundary,maritime-borders,maritime-boundaries,maritime-border Free The governments of Indonesia and Australia have agreed to revisit the maritime border between the two countries stipulated in the 1997 Perth Treaty. Foreign Ministry Director General for Legal Affairs and Treaties Damos Agusman said that, even though the recent reconciliation between Australia and Timor Leste on maritime borders was still aligned with a 1972 treaty on the seabed boundary, this crossed the boundary set out in the Perth Treaty on exclusive economic zones (EEZ). Australia has agreed to work with us to revisit the Perth Treaty, and a technical team will meet to discuss the matter, Damos said during a press conference at the Four Seasons Hotel in Sydney after a meeting with Australian Foreign Ministry officials. Damos further said the Perth Treaty had been discussed when East Timor was still part of Indonesia. In 1999, East Timor declared its independence and became Timor Leste; however, the treaty had not been ratified by the House of Representatives, because Indonesia had been in the beginning of the reform era that year. The reconciliation [agreement] between Australia and Timor Leste marks a clear border in the Timor Gap, so this is the right moment to talk about revisiting the treaty, said Damos. The meeting with authorities of the Australian Foreign Ministry was also attended by Foreign Minister Julie Bishop and newly appointed Australian Ambassador to Indonesia Gary Francis Quinlan. Quinlan was previously Australia's chief negotiator in the East Timor maritime boundary discussion. (ebf) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Anton Hermansyah (The Jakarta Post) Sydney, Australia Fri, March 16, 2018 19:22 1285 2c798a31c212039f000dc5df9ca3ad9a 1 World Jokowi,Joko-Widodo,Australia,CEPA,ASEAN,ASEAN-Australia-Special-Summit Free Indonesians residing in Sydney, Australia, packed several locations across the city on Friday to welcome the arrival of President Joko Jokowi Widodo. Hundreds of Indonesians comprising students and workers gathered at Sydney's international airport from 5 p.m. local time, with President Jokowi scheduled to arrive at 6 p.m. Gabriel Kenley Tjhin Hartanto, 20, the president of the Indonesian Students Association at the University of Sydney, told The Jakarta Post that many students living in other cities such as Wollongong and Newcastle had also come to welcome Jokowi at the Four Seasons Hotel, Sydney. We want to give our support to the President and the Indonesian government. (Read also: Indonesia, Australia to revisit maritime border agreement) Jokowi is in Australia to attend the ASEAN-Australia Special Summit, which will be focused mainly on economic cooperation and counterterrorism. Kenley said he hoped Indonesia could increase exports to Australia, especially since both countries were working on the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA). Currently, Indonesian products face difficulties in entering the Australian market, he said. We hope more Indonesian products can enter the Australian market because this is one of strictest markets in the world, he said. Yosi Sianturi, 40, a housewife, said she monitored updates of the political, social and economic situations in Indonesia every day and she felt the current government had made a lot of progress. When Indonesias economy gets more advanced, I will return there," said Yosi, who has been living in Australia for nine years and has permanent residence. (ebf) Welcome Mr President: Indonesiansliving in Sydney, Australia, prepared to welcome President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo at the Four Seasons Hotel on Friday. (JP/Anton Hermansyah) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Fri, March 16, 2018 16:49 1285 2c798a31c212039f000dc5df9ca2f307 4 Business Jakarta-Bandung,high-speed-railway,land-acquisition,BPN,explanation Free The National Land Agency (BPN)/Agrarian and Spatial Planning Ministry has found maladministration in the acquisition of land for the Jakarta-Bandung high-speed railway project. Agrarian and Spatial Planning Ministry Land Procurement Director General Arie Yuriwin said in Jakarta on Friday that some of the acquired land was not on the route for the railway tracks and was, in fact, located in industrial, residential or even green buffer zones that could not be acquired for the project. He said the land had been acquired through business-to-business (B-to-B) agreements before PT Kereta Api Indonesia China (PT KCIC) had obtained the spatial planning document and location permit from the BPN. Whats worse is that the land is located outside the track. So we cannot issue the location permit, Arie said, as reported by tribunnews.com, adding that the BPN also could not issue location permits for land in green buffer zones. He revealed that maladministration was suspected in the acquisition process for 1,838 plots of land. Arie stressed that third parties, appointed to acquire land for certain projects, had to obtain location permits before starting the acquisition process, as otherwise they may acquire wrong land. He said KCIC also had to acquire land in the area of Halim Perdanakusuma airport owned by the Indonesian Air Force, not just lease it, because that was not in accordance with prevailing regulations. The land for such a project should be acquired, he added. (bbn) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Nurul Fitri Ramadhani (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Fri, March 16, 2018 18:59 1285 2c798a31c212039f000dc5df9ca36c4b 1 Politics MD3-Law,house-of-representatives,Jokowi,Joko-Widodo,MK,MK-judges,MK-justices,Constitutional-Court,Perppu,corruption,Arief-Hidayat Free A coalition of civil society groups is pushing President Joko Jokowi Widodo to issue a regulation in lieu of law (Perppu) in response to controversial articles of the new Legislative Institutions (MD3) Law. Judiciary watchdog KoDe Inisiatif, along with several other groups, had been preparing to request a judicial review at the Constitutional Court (MK) to challenge several articles of the law that it believes could be used to silence criticism of the House of Representatives. They then decided to hold their request, saying they were waiting for Jokowi to issue a Perppu. We still want to encourage Jokowi to take a stand. It shouldnt be difficult for the President to issue such a Perppu or initiate a limited revision of the law, KoDe Inisiatif chairman Veri Junaidi said on Friday. It appears that a judicial review or the issuance of a Perppu are the two last options to annul the MD3 Law passed on Feb.12. The law has triggered sharp rejection and criticism from the public, civil rights groups and constitutional law experts. Article 122 of the law is believed to have the potential to infringe the freedom of expression, because it grants the Houses ethics council (MKD) the power to press criminal charges against people accused of disrespecting the House as a state institution or its lawmakers. It is believed that the article can be used to criminalize people who are critical of the House or lawmakers. The House as an institution has been confronted with strong criticism in the past, not only over its poor legislative performance but also because many of its lawmakers have been found guilty of corruption. Article 73 of the law gives the police the authority to help the House to force all parties summoned to attend an inquiry. The law is also believed to give legal impunity to lawmakers, because Article 245 states that House members cannot be investigated by law enforcement officials without approval from the President and consideration of the MKD. Jokowi and Law and Human Rights Minister Yasona Laoly have encouraged the people to file for a judicial review of those articles with the MK. Several rights groups have decided not to go down that path, however, saying they have lost trust in MK justice Arief Hidayat, whom they consider to be under tight control of the House. The MKs ethics council has several times reprimanded Arief for alleged ethical violations related to intervention from other institutions. Jokowi has yet to take a clear position on the issue. On the one hand, he said he responded to the publics rejection of the MD3 Law by refusing to sign it. On the other hand, he appears to be reluctant to issue a Perppu to blunt the law. Jokowi, instead, blamed the minister for failing to report to him on the progress of the deliberation. Legal expert Abdul Fickar Hadjar from Trisakti University lambasted the poor coordination between Jokowi and Yasona. He said Yasona should not have agreed to pass a law before consulting with the President. That should be a lesson for Jokowi to be careful in choosing a minister next time, Fickar said. (ebf) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Nethy Dharma Somba (The Jakarta Post) Jayapura, Papua Fri, March 16, 2018 15:00 1285 2c798a31c212039f000dc5df9ca294c9 1 National library,Papua,school-students,educational,Education,Sentani Free The new library at state elementary school SD Negeri Inpres Komba in Kampung Yobe, Sentani, Papua, has become an oasis for students. The 361 students and 21 teachers could not hide their gratitude. They sang and danced while some released colorful balloons into the sky to celebrate the librarys inauguration on March 1. We have long dreamed of a reading house or a library and now it has been realized, said principal Agustina Sokoy. She thanked Wahana Visi Indonesia (WVI), an advocacy group committed to the well-being of children, and multinational insurance company Prudential Indonesia for making their dreams a reality. We hope this library can increase our childrens interest in reading, said Agustina. SDN Inpres Komba is one of two schools, including SD YPK Babrongko in Sentani Lake, which received libraries. WVI chairman Doseba Tua Sinay said the libraries also provided active joy and effective learning method training and financial literacy activities. With support from Prudential, 480 children will benefit from the improved learning facilities at their schools. More than 1,800 children will also benefit from the literacy training program we have provided to 27 teachers in Jayapura regency, added Doseba. (ebf) Showing gratitude: Students and teachers celebrate the opening of the school's library, which was inaugurated on March 1. (JP/Nethy Dharma Somba) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Panca Nugraha (The Jakarta Post) Mataram, West Nusa Tenggara Fri, March 16, 2018 15:55 1285 2c798a31c212039f000dc5df9ca2e0b8 1 National Lombok,Lombok-airport,Lombok-international-airport,bali,Bali-airport-closure,Nyepi Free Authorities of Lombok International Airport (LIA) in Central Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara, will temporarily close the flight routes with I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport in Bali during Nyepi, the Day of Silence, on Saturday. LIA will close routes affected by the Ngurah Rai International Airports policy to halt operations during the celebration of Nyepi on March 17, said LIA general manager I Gusti Ngurah Ardita on Friday. Citing a Notice To Airman released to all airlines and airports across the world, Ardita said Ngurah Rai International Airport would close starting from 6 a.m. local time on Saturday to 6 a.m. on Sunday. LIA will only suspend flight operations on the Lombok-Bali route. LIA spokesperson Putri Muslimah explained that the airport would still operate as usual on other flight routes. The closure would only affect eight flights on the Lombok-Bali route, she went on. The eight flights are GA7049, IW1857, JT659, IW1851, GA451, IW1963, JT955 and GA7053. The airports flight activities will all return back to normal on Sunday, said Putri. (sha/ebf) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Pia Ohlin (Agence France-Presse) Stockholm, Sweden Sat, March 17, 2018 00:46 1285 2c798a31c212039f000dc5df9ca409bf 2 World North-Korea,Sweden,Trump-Kim-summit Free North Korea's foreign minister held talks with Swedish officials on Friday amid reports the Scandinavian nation could help pave the way for a proposed summit between Donald Trump and Kim Jong Un. Ri Yong Ho held talks in Stockholm with Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Lofven and Foreign Minister Margot Wallstrom a week after the US President agreed to a historic summit with the North Korean leader. Swedish officials have said the Stockholm talks would focus on the denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula and a possible Trump-Kim summit. Sweden has longstanding ties with North Korea. Its diplomatic mission in Pyongyang, which opened in 1975, was the first Western embassy established in the country. The embassy also represents US, Canadian and Australian diplomatic interests in North Korea, with Sweden playing a key role in liaising diplomatic talks. Ri and Wallstrom dined together at the foreign ministry on Thursday evening, then met again on Friday at Villa Bonnier, a lavish building used by the government for official functions which is located near the US embassy. Ri also held talks with Prime Minister Stefan Lofven early Friday. In everyone's interest "Right now, dialogue is needed and we are happy to have this meeting. But we're not naive, we don't think we can solve the world's problems. It is up to the parties to decide how to move forward," Wallstrom said Friday before meeting Ri. "If we can use our contacts in the best way, we will do so," she said, noting the situation on the Korean peninsula was "of interest to us all" in terms of security. Ri's delegation included Choe Kang Il, deputy director general of the foreign ministry's North America section. Some Swedish and foreign media have said that Ri -- who was stationed at North Korea's embassy in Stockholm in 1985-1988 -- will stay in the Scandinavian country until Sunday for other talks, though Swedish officials would not confirm those reports. "We can't rule out the possibility of a contact between the North and the US" during Ri's visit, a Beijing source told South Korea's Yonhap agency. Meanwhile, Swedish public broadcaster SVT said the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) was involved in the talks, though SIPRI did not return AFP's calls for a comment. 'Ready to play a role' International media have speculated that Sweden could either help set up a proposed summit or be a potential location if a tete-a-tete were to be confirmed. Sweden's foreign ministry has refused to comment on that possibility, saying only that the talks would "focus on Sweden's consular responsibilities as a protecting power for the United States, Canada and Australia." "They will also address the security situation on the Korean peninsula, which is high on the (UN) Security Council agenda," a ministry statement said. Sweden is currently a non-permanent member of the Security Council. "The aim of the visit is to contribute to the effective implementation of the resolutions" voted by the Security Council against Pyongyang over its nuclear programme, as well as those calling "for intensified diplomatic efforts to find a peaceful solution to the conflict". After months of tension and warmongering over Pyongyang's nuclear programme, Trump has agreed to a summit proposal relayed by South Korean envoys who met Kim Jong Un in Pyongyang. But no specific time or venue has been set and North Korea has yet to confirm it even made the offer to meet. Speaking in Berlin on Friday, Lofven said that if Sweden "can serve as a facilitator to bring about results, then we will of course do that." Meanwhile, Japanese broadcaster TBS said Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and South Korean President Moon Jae-in discussed North Korea in a telephone call on Friday. TBS said Abe told Moon he wanted North Korea to not only suspend nuclear and missile testing, but also accept IAEA inspectors on its soil. He also asked Seoul to raise the issue of Japanese nationals abducted by the North. And according to Yonhap, Moon stressed that improvement in Pyongyang's ties with Tokyo and Washington was needed to help end the crisis with North Korea. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Fri, March 16, 2018 23:00 1285 2c798a31c212039f000dc5df9ca40063 1 Business skimming,bri,ATM Free In response to news about funds being stolen from a customers account, Bank Rakyat Indonesia (BRI) said its investigation had shown that not thieves, but his own wife, had stolen money from Lukas. Miscommunication had led him to believe he was a victim of skimming. When the bank recently contacted Lukas in the matter, he confirmed that his wife had taken the money, BRI corporate secretary Bambang Tribaroto said recently, as quoted by tempo.co. On Wednesday, Lukas had reported that Rp 39.5 million (US$2,605) had gone missing from his BRI bank account. He reported it to the bank and talked to journalists. That followed reports earlier this week by dozens of the banks customers claiming to have lost account funds. After an investigation, the bank confirmed that the funds had been stolen. In total, BRI had to return Rp 100 million to dozens of customers, who had lost between Rp 500,000 and Rp 10 million. Upon hearing the news, Lukas, who works in Malaysia, called his family and asked his brother to check his account, using an ATM card left by his wife at their house in Blitar, East Java, while his wife was out of town. His brother said there was only Rp 300,000 in the account. Skimming is done by surreptitiously installing a device at ATMs to record pin card data. BRI has vowed to accelerate security improvements by replacing customers ATM cards using magnetic strips to the more secure ones with chips. (evi) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Panca Nugraha (The Jakarta Post) Mataram, West Nusa Tenggara Fri, March 16, 2018 09:42 1286 2c798a31c212039f000dc5df9ca18bde 1 National NTT,East-Nusa-Tenggara,Kupang,e-ID,Timor-Leste,TimorLeste,East-Timor Free The Indonesian Ombudsman has given a red mark to Kupang, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), over its poor public service deliveries over the past few years. To date, only 60 percent of 400,000 Kupang residents in 24 subdistricts have registered for an e-ID card. They include 24,000 new citizens, who are formerly residents of East Timor (now Timor Leste). This is a warning for Kupang. We will find a way to improve our services, said Gloria Mita, the third assistant of the Kupang administration, during an evaluation meeting in Mataram, West Nusa Tenggara (NTB), on Thursday. According to Gloria, apart from geographical obstacles and difficult topography, poor infrastructure has been the main cause of their substandard public service deliveries. Giving an example, Gloria said that to collect e-ID data, civil registry officers must visit residents from door to door because it could take around 10 hours to reach the civil registry office from their settlement. Moreover, Kupang residents live far from one another. And we lack staff, Gloria said. Although residents can submit their e-ID data through online service, it is quite difficult for them to get internet access. Even if there is an internet signal, we end up paying expensive roaming fees because they use providers from Timor Leste, Gloria explained. The ombudsman evaluated the public service of each region based on Law No. 25/2009 on public services. (sha/ebf) Soldiers from a branch of the border defense forces in Yantai, Shandong Province, see off a demobilized soldier. (TANG KE/FOR CHINA DAILY) Addressing veteran issues in the build-up of a modernized military is key to building a strong army for achieving China's national rejuvenation. As part of a government reshuffle, the Ministry of Veterans Affairs is to be formed according to a plan released in Beijing on Tuesday. The move shows that the promise previously made by Chinese President Xi Jinping has been fulfilled. "We will establish an administration for veterans; we will protect the legitimate rights and interests of military personnel and their families; and we will make military service an occupation that enjoys public respect," said President Xi Jinping while delivering the report at the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) in October 2017. [Special coverage] Still contributors to society The new ministry is to draft policies and regulations related to demobilized military personnel and put them into practice, to publicize to society achievements made by veterans for the Party, the country and its people, to deal with issues regarding training and reemployment, to support veterans' family members, to handle issues on pension and retirement benefits, to take care of military cemeteries, and to organize commemoration activities. Previously, the tasks were handled by different ministries, the Ministry of Civil Affairs, the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security and the Central Military Commission. "How retired military personnel are treated will have impact on mentality and morale of the servicemen. Veterans are also of great value to the country. If the issue is properly handled, veterans could make great contributions to society," Li Yanping, deputy to the National People's Congress (NPC), told the Paper on Tuesday. Statistics from the Ministry of Civil Affairs show that the number of retired military personnel has reached 57 million in China. Internationally, the issue of veteran care is given serious consideration in major powers, and organizations have been set up to address related issues. Veterans' services seen as priority in the U.S. Departments dealing with veteran affairs exist in countries such as the U.S., the UK, France and Germany. In the U.S., Department of Veterans Affairs was formed in 1989 and is the second-largest of the Cabinet departments after the Department of Defense. In President Abraham Lincoln's words, the department is to "care for him who shall have borne the battle and for his widow and his orphan." Data released by the Department of Veterans Affairs shows that the number of veterans in the U.S. was about 20.4 million in 2016. A Pew Research Center survey conducted in April 2017 concludes that Americans still view veterans' services as a priority. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Anton Hermansyah (The Jakarta Post) Sydney Fri, March 16, 2018 10:15 1285 2c798a31c212039f000dc5df9ca19f88 1 Business Retno-Marsudi,Indonesia-Australia,maritime-cooperation Free After one year of discussions, Indonesia and Australia signed an action plan on maritime cooperation in Sydney on Friday. The cooperation includes strengthening maritime security, combatting transnational organized crimes and illegal fishing as well as addressing maritime pollution, said Foreign Minister Retno LP Marsudi, adding that discussions had begun in February, 2017. "As a maritime nation, Indonesia sees the cooperation as very important," Retno said at Four Seasons hotel in Sydney on the sidelines of the ASEAN-Australia special summit. Meanwhile, Australian foreign minister Julie Bishop said the country was seeking ways to combat drug trafficking. "Our particular concern was the source of illicit drugs. We spoke about ways we can work together to disrupt drug trafficking and seize drugs," she said. The action plan was signed by the Indonesian Foreign Ministrys Asia-Pacific and African Affairs director general Desra Percaya and Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade deputy secretary Richard Maude. Before the signing ceremony, the foreign ministers and defense ministers of the two countries held a two-plus-two meeting. In addition to Retno and Bishop, the meeting was also attended by Indonesian Defense Minister Ryamizard Ryacudu and his Australian counterpart, Marise Payne. (bbn) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Fri, March 16, 2018 17:50 1285 2c798a31c212039f000dc5df9ca31b71 1 City Thamrin,suicide-bombings,witness Free A witness in the 2016 Thamrin bomb attack case has admitted to having sent a number of families to the war-torn country of Syria as well as to purchasing guns in the Philippines. Achmad Supriyanto testified at the South Jakarta District Court on Friday that he had sent 10 families to Syria to help Adi Jihadi, a man who admitted to having channeled funds for the suicide bomb attack on Jl. MH Thamrin in Central Jakarta that left eight people dead, including five of the suspected terrorists. Adi has previously testified in the court. Supriyanto said the families had paid themselves for their flights to Syria, while he had been in charge of buying the tickets. The families had left for Syria as part of their hijrah, an Islamic born-again movement inspired by the path of the Prophet Muhammad, he said. They [the families] went to Syria to save their religion. The sharia is enforced perfectly there, said Supriyanto, adding that the enforcement was thanks to Syria and Iraq being controlled by the leader of the Islamic State (IS), Abu Bakr Al-Baghdadi. The people who went were advised by two men named Abu Rizky and Abu Muhammad in Syria. Abu Rizky contacted me via Telegram, said Supriyanto, noting that the defendant in the case, radical cleric Aman Abdurrahman, had not known about the departures. Aman was convicted on a number of terrorism charges, including the mobilization of people through preaching. Supriyanto further confessed that he had received orders to buy weapons from the Philippines along with Adi but did not know where the orders had come from. The two men were in the neighboring country for military training and used the guns as part of the training. (jlm) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Apriadi Gunawan (The Jakarta Post) Medan, North Sumatra Fri, March 16, 2018 09:41 1286 2c798a31c212039f000dc5df9ca189df 1 Politics North-Sumatra,KPUD,2018-regional-election,regional-elections,gubernatorial-elections,gubernatorial-candidate Free The North Sumatra General Elections Commission (KPUD) has confirmed that only two candidate pairs will participate in the provinces gubernatorial election. They are candidate pair Edy Rahmayadi-Musa Rajekshah, who are supported by the Gerindra Party, the Prosperous Justice Party, the National Mandate Party, the Golkar Party, the NasDem Party and the Hanura Party, and candidate pair Djarot Saiful Hidayat-Sihar Sitorus, who have the backing of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle and the United Development Party. Supported by the Democratic Party, the National Awakening Party and the Indonesia Justice and Unity Party, the third candidate pair, Jopinus Ramli Saragih-Ance Selian, was unable to participate in the gubernatorial election over alleged use of fake diplomas. The North Sumatra KPUD officially announced on Thursday that J. R. Saragih and Ance Selian could not participate in the gubernatorial election. We have decided today that there will be no difference with our previous decree that J. R. Saragih is still not eligible to run in the election, said KPUD North Sumatra commissioner Benget Silitong on Thursday. Last month, the KPUD decided that J. R. Saragih and Ance Selian were not eligible to run in the North Sumatra gubernatorial election. J. R. Saragihs senior high school diploma was declared not original and not registered at the Jakarta Education Agency. Responding to the decision, Ance Selian expressed his disappointment, saying the candidate pair would file a lawsuit with the North Sumatra Administrative Court (PTTUN) against the decision. As good citizens, we will adhere to the rules and laws. To get justice, the next process will be at the PTTUN, said Ance. (ebf) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin (Agence France-Presse) Los Angeles, United States Fri, March 16, 2018 12:35 1285 2c798a31c212039f000dc5df9ca1c6ca 2 World Islamic-center,united-states,arrest Free Two women were arrested Thursday for breaking into an Islamic center in Arizona and filming themselves making anti-Islamic remarks, police said. Tahnee Gonzales and Elizabeth Dauenhauer were arrested for third-degree burglary "after the investigation revealed they entered onto the property of the Tempe Islamic Center and subsequently removed various items," local police spokesman Ron Elcock said in a statement. "Based on the details of the crime an enhancement of hate crime will be considered for sentencing," he said. The women posted several videos on Facebook showing them entering the center, making insulting remarks about Muslims and encouraging their children to repeat them. Ahmad Al-Akoum, the center's director of inter-faith relations and one of its imams, told AFP that the incident took place the morning of March 4, when no one else was present. A local journalist saw the videos and alerted the mosque, whose leaders then checked their surveillance footage and saw the women taking copies of the Islamic holy book the Koran as well as leaflets, and tearing up documents affixed to a bulletin board. Mosque officials then contacted police. "They were teaching their children to be hateful, it was very disturbing," Al-Akoum said of the women. He said that his mosque and others around Phoenix have regularly been subjected to harassment "for a long time, almost since 2001," referring to the year of the September 11 attacks. But things have gotten worst since Donald Trump -- who made trying to keep travelers from certain Muslim-majority countries out of the US a central part of his agenda -- took office last year. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Moses Ompusunggu (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Fri, March 16, 2018 15:28 1285 2c798a31c212039f000dc5df9ca2cbfc 2 National Sumatran-tiger,North-Sumatra,superstition,conservation,tiger,tiger-population,tiger-attack Free Batang Natal, a remote district on the western coast of Sumatra, grabbed international headlines last week when dozens of villagers reportedly killed and hanged an endangered tiger after mistaking it for a shape-shifter (siluman). Foreign news outlets such as The Independent, The Washington Post and The New York Post highlighted how local belief had driven the villagers in Hatupangan village in Batang Natal to slay the two-year-old male Sumatran tiger. But a University of Indonesia (UI) anthropologist who has studied human-wildlife relations in Batang Natal doubted that local belief was what drove the villagers to attack the tiger. "I am not sure that a belief was what pushed them to kill. There must be another reason," Sundjaya told The Jakarta Post in a recent interview. He argued that local belief had for decades served as a guideline for peaceful coexistence between humans and tigers in Batang Natal. It is possible that such belief has been forgotten or is no longer effective, Sundjaya said. If anything, he warned that putting the blame on the villagers belief could divert peoples attention from the real culprit behind the incident: environmental degradation affecting both humans and big cats. Peaceful coexistence Sundjaya, who has worked with conservation groups since 1999, conducted his study in 2004, the same year that Batang Gadis National Park, located near the village and believed to be the habitat of the slain tiger, was established. Read also: Tiger brutally killed in North Sumatra, hung from ceiling The study examined the relationship between communities and natural biodiversity in the national park, surveying the situation in 10 villages. According to his findings, all of the villages had historic contact with tigers. He recalled staying at the house of a villager when he was conducting the study in 2004. The owner casually told him that the night before he stayed at the house, a tiger slept underneath his stilt house. The owner even showed the tiger's footsteps to Sundjaya, showing no signs of concern. It was a far cry from what happened in Batang Natal recently, when another tiger sleeping under a stilt house was repeatedly stabbed with spears. Villagers hostility toward tigers had only happened recently, said Sundjaya. The relationship between villagers and tigers, at least until 2004, had not been as sour as the current perception. "[When I was there] I never received reports about humans harming tigers," Sundjaya said. "There was a perception among locals that tigers had a mythological connection with their origin." Tiger: Feared 'grandmother', 'leader' The anthropologist found that locals tended to be fearful of tigers when, for instance, the latter marauded their villages, but this did not drive locals to slay the animals in revenge. Instead, locals regarded tigers highly in their cultural system, and even referred to the animals as nenek (grandmother) or datuk (leader). When a tiger marauded a village, the locals perceived it as a sign that the villagers had done something wrong. They refused to call the animal a "tiger". If they did that, they believed it would come to their village. The thinking was: Don't do wrong if you don't want tigers to haunt you. Read also: Special team formed to catch tiger in Riau "It served as a symbol of how they regarded tigers in their culture. But what I don't know is the cultural changes that might have occurred there," Sundjaya said. Local residents look at a dead Sumatran tiger hung in Hatupangan village, Mandailing Natal, North Sumatra, on Sunday morning. The tiger was allegedly killed by locals. (Tribun Medan/handover) It is said that individual gold miners from other regions have been operating in Batang Gadis. Environmental news portal mongabay.co.id reported in 2014 that the majority of individual miners in the Batang Gadis area were from regions on neighboring Java island, such as Surabaya and Bogor. "When a lot of outsiders come to an area, it affects how people there perceive a mythological belief. It's possible that the belief is no longer seen as functional," said Sundjaya. Real versus unreal issues Batang Natal subdistrict head Lion Muslim Nasution claimed that Hatupangan villagers were aware tigers were an endangered species, but they were so consumed by fear that they decided to kill the tiger. Amrin, a local resident, claimed that even after killing the tiger, the villagers had yet to recover from the "trauma caused by the tiger shape-shifter issue. Amrin admitted that he had never seen the siluman tiger, claiming that only people with supernatural powers could do that. I dont have it, so I dont know what it looks like, but I believe it exists, he said. Regardless of whether the whole village believed the siluman rumor, the way the villagers responded to the shape-shifter rumor through violence and not a special ritual led by a shaman, for example was odd, Sundjaya said. Local authorities share Sundjayas suspicion, alleging that certain parties illegal loggers and animal traders had spread the shape-shifter rumor to advance their interests. "The fact is that they killed the tiger sadistically. The shape-shifter thing is only an issue used by a particular group to cow the villagers," said Hotmauli Sianturi, head of North Sumatra Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BKSDA). Sundjaya has called on the authorities to just focus on the real issues. "What is clear is that the real problems are that the natural lands have been converted and the ecosystem has changed," he said. Since its establishment in 2004, Batang Gadis National Park has been facing several threats to its ecosystem in the form of extractive activities, most notably gold mining and palm oil businesses. Environmental group JATAM, for instance, claimed that 37 percent of the Batang Gadis national park area overlapped with the concession of a mining firm. In 2009, the Supreme Court ruled in favor of the company. Apriadi Gunawan contributed to this article from Medan Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Ni Komang Erviani (The Jakarta Post) Denpasar, Bali Fri, March 16, 2018 18:59 1285 2c798a31c212039f000dc5df9ca36ebc 1 National Nyepi,bali,APJII,Internet,social-media Free Nyepi (Day of Silence) will see Bali with no internet access. The internet will be limited or even shut down on the island for 24 hours from 6 a.m. on Saturday to 6 a.m. on Sunday. Strategic facilities like hospitals will be spared from the restriction. The policy, issued by the central government, was made after the Bali Religious Council called on internet providers to shut down operations in Bali to ensure Nyepi, a holy day for Hindus, ran smoothly. The Communications and Information Ministry responded to the call by sending notices to internet providers, requesting that they respect the call. The ministry, however, is not forcing providers to turn off internet access. "However, we hope the providers will oblige for a more peaceful Nyepi," said the head of the Bali Communications and Information Agency, Nyoman Sujaya. Telephone and short text message services will operate normally at Nyepi. The chairman of Bali Internet Providers Association (APJII Bali), I Gede Yudhatama, said the association had agreed to block only social media in Bali during Nyepi on Saturday. "From several meetings, we found the urgency is to block access to social media, not to turn off all internet access," the APJII Bali chairman I Gede Yudhatama told The Jakarta Post on Thursday. The social media platforms to be blocked during Nyepi is still being discussed. However, he said it would at the very least affect Indonesias top five: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Line and WhatsApp. Gede said the decision was made after the APJII heard the explanation from the inter-religious leaders regarding their call to turn off internet access. Operators have said turning off the internet service would be technically difficult. Gede said it could have a serious impact on customers as many, like hotels and hospitals, stored their data on the internet. Gede expressed hope that the call would be met by all members of APJII Bali, with a total of 53 providers. Telkom Indonesia has announced that it will turn off its Indihome internet and TV service for 24 hours. "Telkom as a state firm providing digital communication service will follow the government's policy," said the general manager of Telkom Denpasar, I Komang Widnyana Karang. Internet provider Tri has also announced through text message to customers that internet access will be limited. Telkomsel has done the same. Bali Interfaith Communication Forum (FKUB) chairman Ida Pengelingsir Agung Putra Sukahet said the religious leaders felt the need to block social media to make the Day of Silence more solemn. "Social media have become distracting and they disrupt Nyepi," he said. The chairman of the Bali Hotel Association, Ricky Putra, said the hotel management expected to obtain clear information about internet access and relay it to hotel guests. A Denpasar resident, Tri Wahyuni, said she hoped she could still access the internet on Saturday. But the native of Palembang did not mind not accessing Facebook for a day. (evi) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Dian Septiari (The Jakarta Post) Miri, Malaysia Fri, March 16, 2018 20:45 1285 2c798a31c212039f000dc5df9ca3e945 1 Business Sarawak,Wings-Air,Malaysia,Indonesia Free Wings Air, a subsidiary of low-cost airline Lion Air Group opened a new international route from Pontianak, West Kalimantan to Miri, a coastal city in Sarawak, Malaysia on Thursday. In January, Wings Air opened a route from Pontianak to Kuching, Lion Air operational director Daniel Putut told reporters at a press conference after inaugurating the first flight, which was seen by Indonesian Ambassador to Malaysia Rusdi Kirana, who is also the owner of Lion Air, as well as a number of high-ranking officials from Malaysia and Indonesia. Miri is a city that borders Brunei Darussalam in the northern part of Kalimantan island. It is the second-largest city in Sarawak after Kuching. "The new route will start with one flight every day," Daniel said. The flight from Pontianak to Miri departs from Supadio Airport in Pontianak at 3:30 p.m. every day and arrives in Miri at 6:20 p.m. local time. The flight from Miri departs at 6:50 p.m. and arrives in Pontianak at 9:40 p.m. Daniel said with the opening of the new flight from Pontianak to Miri, people could travel between the two cities in just two hours, much quicker than driving, which takes 16 hours. "It is also quite affordable at around Rp 700.000 (US$50.88), or 230 ringgit," he said, adding that opening the international route was also an effort to improve the economic growth of both regions. Sarawaks Assistant Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Lee Kim Shin said he hoped the flight could strengthen Sarawak and Kalimantan, to enhance not only tourist activities but also businesses. Wings Air uses ATR 72-600 aircraft, which can accommodate 72 passengers. Currently, Wings Air flies to more than 108 domestic and international destinations with a frequency of 351 flights per day using its 54 aircraft. (dmr) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin (Agence France-Presse) Sydney Fri, March 16, 2018 08:41 1286 2c798a31c212039f000dc5df9ca17080 2 SE Asia Indonesia,Australia,ASEAN,membership Free Indonesian President Joko Widodo wants Australia to become a full member of ASEAN, signalling Friday he is keen on Canberra playing a bigger regional role in defence, trade and security matters. His comments come with Australia hosting a special summit of Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) leaders in Sydney, as China increasingly flexes its muscle and the threat of violent extremism grows. "I think it's a good idea," Widodo told the Sydney Morning Herald, referring to Australia joining ASEAN -- the first time an Indonesian president has endorsed the concept. "Because our region will be better, (for) stability, economic stability, and also political stability. Sure, it will be better." Australia has been a dialogue partner of ASEAN, which groups Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam, since 1974. They began biennial leaders' summits in 2016, with the first in Vientiane. In a report last month, the Australian Strategic Policy Institute argued that Canberra should aim for ASEAN membership by 2024 -- its 50th anniversary of being a partner -- and use the Sydney summit as a launch pad. "As the geo-strategic and geo-economic pressures build in Asia, ASEAN, as a middle-power grouping, needs the extra middle-power heft offered by Australia and New Zealand," it said. "The Sydney summit is the moment to launch the long conversation about Australia joining ASEAN." Widodo, who will reportedly have a private dinner at Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull's harbourside home during his visit, singled out close co-operation with Canberra on counter-terrorism. He said he regularly spoke on the phone with Turnbull to resolve issues such as the threat posed by Islamic extremists who last year seized the Philippines' city of Marawi. "We have good co-operation on Marawi, not only with Australia but also with Malaysia, with the Philippines, with Brunei," he said. "You know that no country is invulnerable from terrorism or extremism." Countering the threat of violent extremism and ways to choke terrorist financing are key themes of the Sydney summit. The warming of ties between Indonesia and Australia follows a period of rocky relations due to Jakarta's execution of Australian drug smugglers and Canberra's policy of turning migrant boats back to Indonesia. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Anthony Q. Esguerra (Inquirer.net/Asia News Network) Manila Fri, March 16, 2018 20:30 1285 2c798a31c212039f000dc5df9ca3da2a 2 SE Asia duterte,Rodrigo-Duterte Free The International Criminal Court (ICC) on Friday urged the Philippines not to withdraw from the Rome Statute, the treaty that established the ICC, as it warned that quitting the court would have no impact on ongoing proceedings. Sought for a comment on President Rodrigo Dutertes declaration of withdrawal from the ICC, the court told INQUIRER.net that it has yet to receive notification from the United Nations secretary-general that the withdrawal has taken place. The Court encourages the Philippines to not follow through with the reported intention to withdraw, as it is an important State Party to the Rome Statute, and as such an integral part of the international criminal justice system aimed at ending impunity for and helping prevent the gravest crimes under international law, the ICC said in an email to INQUIRER.net. Duterte on Wednesday declared the Philippines withdrawal from the ICC in a statement released to the members of the media. Duterte cited the baseless, unprecedented and outrageous attacks on my person as against my administration, engineered by the officials of the United Nations, as well as the attempt by the [ICC] special prosecutor to place my person within the jurisdiction of the [ICC]. The move came barely a month after the ICC launched a preliminary examination into thousands of deaths linked to Dutertes signature war on drugs campaign. The probe stemmed from communication filed by Jude Sabio, lawyer of self-confessed Davao Death Squad hit man Edgar Matobato, who said he received orders from then Davao City Mayor Duterte to kill criminals. Sovereign decision The ICC fully acknowledges that withdrawing from the Rome Statute is a sovereign decision, but it warned that the move would not save Duterte from scrutiny if the Court decides to proceed with investigation into charges of crimes against humanity. A withdrawal would have no impact on on-going proceedings or any matter which was already under consideration by the Court prior to the date on which the withdrawal became effective, the ICC said. Under the Article 127 of the Rome Statue, the withdrawal of the Philippines would become effective one year after the UN secretary-general received a written notice the State party. The Philippines ratified the treaty in 2011, which means the court has jurisdiction for crimes within its mandate committed from that year. The court said Manilas membership is essential in strengthening the international rule of law. Any act that may set back the global movement towards greater accountability for atrocity crimes and the international rule of law is, therefore, regrettable, the ICC said. The Presidents declaration to withdraw from the ICC was met with a barrage of both praises and criticisms. Foreign Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano said the move was a principled stand. He said the withdrawal was not a way to evade an ICC investigation. Dutertes chief legal counsel, Salvador Panelo, said the President was definitely not afraid of an investigation from The Hague court. He said the courts announcement of preliminary examination was a violation of due process. The Presidents critics in Congress and civil society groups slammed the decision to dump ICC. This would be promoting impunity rather than protecting the people from impunity, said Jose Manuel Diokno, national president of the Free Legal Assistance Group and dean of the De La Salle University College of Law. Vice President Leni Robredo expressed concerns that the withdrawal may be abused by those in power. Being a signatory in the ICC, thats our safety net when our officials just neglect cases of abuse in the country, we have a venue where we can go to, the Vice President said. The Philippines, however, has yet to file a written of notice of withdrawal with the UN secretary-general. Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque confirmed that Duterte has instructed Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea to issue the notice. Topics : This article appeared on the Philippine Daily Inquirer newspaper website, which is a member of Asia News Network and a media partner of The Jakarta Post Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin (Agence France-Presse) Manila Fri, March 16, 2018 15:03 1285 2c798a31c212039f000dc5df9ca29592 2 SE Asia Duterte-style,ICC,Philippines Free The Philippines said on Friday it had given official notice to exit the treaty that created the International Criminal Court, which is examining President Rodrigo Duterte's deadly drug war. The move comes days after Duterte announced his nation would quit the court over its preliminary inquiry launched last month into allegations his crackdown on narcotics amounts to crimes against humanity. Philippine police say they have killed roughly 4,000 suspects who fought back during arrest, but rights groups say the actual number is three times higher and accuse the authorities of murder. On Thursday the Philippines said in a letter to the United Nations, which oversaw negotiations to found the court, that it was pulling out of the Rome Statute. "The decision to withdraw is the Philippines' principled stand against those who would politicize and weaponize human rights," the letter said. Foreign Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano, speaking from Manila, said the Philippines was quitting due to "the well-orchestrated campaign to mislead the international community, to crucify President Duterte... by distorting the human rights situation in the country". Officially quitting the court requires a year's notice and experts say pulling out does not preclude an investigation of the killings, which have drawn international concern. The Philippines said in its letter that it "affirms its committment to fight against impunity for atrocity crimes," despite its withdrawal. Duterte has frequently urged authorities to kill drug suspects while promising to protect police from legal sanction. He has also previously declared that the ICC would never have jurisdiction over him. Opened in 2002, the ICC is the world's only permanent war crimes court and aims to prosecute the worst abuses when national courts are unable or unwilling. The Philippines, under previous President Benigno Aquino, ratified in 2011 the Rome Statute which underpins the ICC, giving the tribunal authority to investigate crimes on its soil. Duterte, who is buoyed by high popularity ratings at home, has fiercely defended the drug war as a battle to bring safety to the nation's 100 million people. Slovakia's prime minister, Robert Fico, has resigned after more than two weeks of political turmoil and public protests sparked by the killing of an investigative journalist. The country's president, Andrej Kiska, on Thursday asked Fico's deputy, Peter Pellegrini, to form a new government. The resignation followed Slovakia's largest protests since the anti-communist Velvet Revolution of 1989. Tens of thousands of Slovaks joined anti-government protests across the country last week to demand a thorough investigation in the shooting deaths of reporter Jan Kuciak and his girlfriend, Martina Kusnirova. Traveling between Hong Kong and Cape Town, South Africa, will become more convenient with the introduction of a seasonal nonstop service by Cathay Pacific later this year. The three-times-weekly service, beginning from Nov. 13 this year and continuing until Feb 18, 2019, will complement the Hong Kong flag carriers existing daily nonstop flights to Johannesburg and will be operated by Airbus A350-900 aircraft. Cathay Pacific chief executive officer Rupert Hogg said in a press release that the new service will create new opportunities for business, trade and tourism. He added that it will provide an additional option for South African-based travellers looking to fly on Cathay Pacific to Asia and beyond via Hong Kong. Apart from that, it will allow travel to the scenic Western Cape throughout the southern hemispheres peak summer months. Read also: Joe Taslim heads to South Africa for 'Warrior' Cape Town, a major financial and business services centre and also the gateway to the Western Capes wine and agricultural region, is set against the backdrop of the famous Table Mountain plateau. Its long list of incredible attractions make it a true multicultural marvel. From jaw-dropping scenery to centuries-old architecture contrasting with minimalist modern designs, bustling Cape Town encompasses it all. Its lively harbour and streets house nightlife and fashionable storefronts, and its beaches and mountainous surroundings are bursting with flora and fauna. The Cathay Pacific group has expanded its network significantly in recent times. In 2017, services to Tel Aviv in Israel, Barcelona in Spain, and Christchurch in New Zealand were launched, while this January saw the inaugural service to Nanning in China begin. The Malaysian-based airline, Malindo Air, is opening a new route to Banda Aceh. The route will connect Penang to Sultan Iskandar Muda International Airport. Departures will be at 10:10 a.m. and arrivals at 11:10 a.m. local time. Return flights from Banda Aceh depart to Penang at 11:30 a.m. and arrive at 2:40 p.m. local time. The duration of the flight is about 120 minutes. The flights operates three times a week on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. This route has the potential to attract many customers and fill seats, whether for business or vacation. It will also speed up the growth of tourism in Banda Aceh and Penang, said Chandran Rama Muthy, the CEO of Malindo Air. Passengers from Banda Aceh will also have the option to travel further with direct flights to Melaka and Hat Yai, Thailand, and Kuala Lumpur. Banda Aceh is well-known for its attractive beaches, heritage buildings and culinary tradition, including legendary coffee. Read also: AirAsia launches Jakarta-Tokyo direct flight Malindo Air will also launch a new route from Ipoh in Malaysia to Kualanamu in Medan today. The flights will be available every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday. (mut) Three European tourists were banished from the Incan citadel Machu Picchu in Peru after taking photos of themselves exposing their backsides, police said Wednesday. The visitors -- a 21-year-old from Germany, a 24-year-old from Switzerland and a 26-year-old from the Netherlands -- were expelled from the site on Tuesday, according to authorities. "The three tourists dropped their pants to show their buttocks and took photos," police official Martin Flores told AFP. "That is not allowed ... in accordance with internal rules in place there, the three tourists were expelled, but they were not detained." Read also: Forget Machu Picchu: Seven newly accessible wonders of the world Peruvian authorities consider undressing at Machu Picchu disrespectful. The majestic 15th century stone citadel -- the jewel in Peru's tourism industry -- is located 74 kilometers (45 miles) from Cusco, former capital of the Incan Empire, in southeastern Peru. Built on the top of a mountain, it blends into surrounding thick foliage. In June 2014 Peru's culture ministry reiterated that nudity is banned after a wave of visitors snapping offensive pictures. Spanish colonizers never knew of Machu Picchu, a UNESCO world heritage site since 1983. It was discovered in 1911 by American explorer Hiram Bingham. The environmental review for three mega-towers in the Two Bridges area is several months behind schedule, but most community activists arent complaining. The delay is giving them more time to mobilize against the controversial projects. That was one of the takeaways from a meeting of Community Board 3 held earlier this week. JDS Development Group has proposed a 79-story tower at 247 Cherry St., next door to Extell Developments 80-story luxury condo complex. L+M Development Partners and the CIM Group want to put up 62 ad 69 story towers at 260 South St. Meanwhile, the Starrett Group is planning a 62-story building at 259 Clinton St. Taken together, they would add 2,700 rental apartments in the area, 25% designated as affordable. The development teams are conducting a joint study to assess impacts of the huge projects on the Two Bridges neighborhood. A Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) was expected to be submitted to the Department of City Planning by December. But it has not yet been filed. At CB3s land use committee meeting on Wednesday evening, a representative from the Department of City Planning (DCP) called the delays fairly routine. Community board member Val Jones wanted to know what is taking the developers so long, and speculated that concerns expressed by residents at a series of public meetings held last year were being disregarded. Bob Tuttle, a city planner, said, Theres a lot of work that (the developers are) doing right now, and (the Environmental Impact Statement) just isnt ready. He noted that all comments from the public must be specifically addressed once the official review process begins. Tuttle said he couldnt say when the Draft EIS would be finished, but emphasized, I dont want you to think the process is broken because they havent talked to you. During the meeting, representatives from the offices of Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer and City Councilmember Margaret Chin updated their efforts to constrain the three projects. In January, they filed an application for a zoning text amendment to force the projects to go through the citys Uniform Land Use Review Procedure (ULURP). The Department of City Planning in 2016 refused to order a ULURP, which would have given the City Council some say over the projects. Roxanne Early, Chins land use and planning director, said conversations are ongoing with DCP staff regarding the text amendment. One question to be resolved: Would a separate environmental review be required? That would be an arduous and lengthy process for the borough president and councilmember to take on. There was also an update on Tuesday evening regarding a proposed community-led rezoning of the Two Bridges area. In October, Community Board 3 agreed to serve as a co-applicant, along with TUFF-LES (a tenant coalition), Good Old Lower East Side (GOLES) and CAAAV-Organizing Asian Communities. The groups have met with representatives of the Department of City Planning about creating a, Lower East Side/Chinatown Waterfront Special District. It would include a height limit for new buildings of 350 feet, among other restrictions. While DCP hasnt indicated one way or the other whether it would support the proposal, City Planning officials did offer some feedback to the local groups. One goal of the rezoning would be to require at least 45% affordable housing in new projects, through the citys Mandatory Inclusionary Housing Program (MIH). The rezoning envisioned by the local community would only be feasible if the allowable residential floor area is increased, city planners have advised. As a result of this feedback, CB3 is now drafting a letter to DCP that would propose an expansion of residential floor area in Two Bridges, but would retain the 350-foot height cap. If the rezoning moves forward, it would need to undergo yet another lengthy public review process. The groups are hoping Councilmember Chin and Borough President Brewer sign on as co-applicants. They have expressed general support for the rezoning, but have yet to join forces with the community groups. There was widespread agreement on the land use committee that the delayed environmental review from the development teams is a good thing. It allows both the elected officials and community groups time to advance their own land use proposals. The environmental review studies 18 categories, including infrastructure, schools, transportation, community facilities and neighborhood character. It also must include strategies to mitigate potential impacts of the development projects. The development teams and City Planning officials are going back and forth regarding those mitigations. While the developers have declined to comment, its not hard to imagine some of the local improvements they could be called on to fund. In an interview published a few months ago, Victor Papa of the Two Bridges Neighborhood Council speculated about one of the possibilities. His organization, along with Settlement Housing Fund, sold air rights to JDS Development Group for its mega-tower, enraging the local community. In one section of the interview, Papa raved about JDSs Michael Stern and hinted about potential subway improvements on the Lower east Side: Hes quiet, unassuming, a wonderful man, understands the plight of low-income communities. Maybe takes advantage of it, it can be seen that way, but also hes willing to do things here that were never heard of beforethe subway system, the F-train stop that hes willing to have equipped with an elevator or an escalator. During last years public meetings, community members raised many concerns about the sorry state of the East Broadway subway station. The escalator is frequently out-of-order. The entrances closest to the proposed projects, on Henry Street, arent designed to accommodate large crowds. The new developments would add thousands of local residents, overburdening a decaying, outdated station. Developers have agreed to pay for MTA station improvements in other neighborhoods, so there is a precedent. But upgrading the station would be astronomically expensive and complicated, so any proposal would face a lot of scrutiny from both the public and government agencies. Through the environmental review process, city officials could mandate certain improvements. Other proposals from the development teams might be designed to woo a skeptical local community and elected officials. Trever Holland, a tenant leader in the Two Bridges area, told The Lo-Down he is suspicious of enticements from the development teams, in which, low-income neighborhoods are led to believe that they only way to see any improvements in their community is by allowing out-of-scale luxury developers to literally build on top of existing affordable housing. Holland added, If the developers are, indeed, listening to the Two Bridges community, they would know that our unanimous voice has clearly stated that the best mitigation is just to leave our community alone. "If the key actors want Sweden to play a role, facilitate ]talks], be a forum or a link or whatever it may be, then we are prepared to do that," Prime Minister Stefan Lofven told Sweden's TT news agency earlier Thursday. "We shouldn't be naive and believe it is Sweden that solves these problems," Lofven added. Sweden has had diplomatic relations with North Korea since 1973 and is one of the few Western countries with an embassy in Pyongyang. It provides consular services for the United States in North Korea. Foreign Minister Ri Yong-ho landed at Stockholm Arlanda Airport on a direct flight from Beijing. Ri will meet Swedish Foreign Minister Margot Wallstrom at an undisclosed location Thursday or Friday, the Swedish Foreign Ministry said. North Korea's foreign minister arrived in Sweden Thursday for talks with his Swedish counterpart. The surprise trip could be a step toward a meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. Sweden's foreign ministry said the talks between Wallstrom and Ri "will focus on Sweden's consular responsibilities as a protecting power for the United States, Canada and Australia," but also will address the security situation on the Korean Peninsula. The ministry referred to the U.N. Security Council's condemnation of North Korea's nuclear weapons and missile programs, saying the UN "emphasized the need for intensified diplomatic efforts to find a peaceful solution to the conflict." The Swedish ministry said a statement summarizing the talks will be made available Friday. Ri, a former diplomat in Stockholm and London and an ex-nuclear envoy with broad experience in negotiating with rivals South Korea and the United States, was tapped as Pyongyang's foreign minister in 2016. In a letter to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres last month, he urged the United Nations not to remain silent about what he called "the U.S. dangerous game of aggravating [the] situation in and around the Korean peninsula and driving the whole world into a possible disaster of nuclear war." The trip by Ri is being closely watched because there remains a huge amount of preparation that needs to be done and relatively little time before Kim is supposedly planning to sit down for summits with South Korean President Moon Jae-in and Trump. Trump has agreed to meet Kim by May. So far, North Korea has yet to publicly comment on what it hopes to gain from the summits, adding an extra element of mystery and skepticism. Sweden has been rumored as a possible site for the summit between Kim and Trump, though a truce village on the South Korean side of the Demilitarized Zone between the Koreas is seen as more likely. Senior South Korean officials who traveled to Pyongyang earlier this month and met with Kim say he is willing to discuss the North's nuclear weapons program. It could suggest a potential breakthrough, or a fallback to the North's longstanding position that it's willing to get rid of its nuclear weapons if the United States guarantees its safety. In the past, that has meant Washington would have to withdraw all of its troops from South Korea, a condition no U.S. president has been willing to consider. Niklas Swanstrom of the Stockholm-based Institute for Security and Development Policy said the meeting between the two foreign ministers would only be preliminary to higher-level talks but they could give an indication of North Korea's interests and demands. "The assumption is of course that [they] will speak a bit about the proposed talks between Donald Trump and Kim Jong-un," Swanstrom told The Associated Press. He said he did not expect the announcement of a date or location for a Trump-Kim meeting. President Donald Trump's decision to replace Rex Tillerson as secretary of state with CIA Director Mike Pompeo comes just days after the president surprised many by announcing his plans to meet soon with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. Korea experts and other foreign policy analysts disagree on what impact having a new chief U.S. diplomat will have on the likelihood that the summit will ever take place and on the prospects for its success. But they agree that Pompeo will have very little time to prepare for a high-risk summit between the president and a nonconventional U.S. adversary. Much Work to Be Done Aaron David Miller of the Wilson Center has helped prepare several presidents and secretaries of state for Middle East peace talks and summits. Miller told VOA that time is of the essence because there is a tremendous amount of work to do to prepare the U.S. position in advance. He said he believes that is one likely reason Trump made the change in State Department leadership now. "Part of the reason Trump did this was to identify a team leader to do summit preparation, and I am assuming that is Pompeo, because nobody else in the government right now can do it," he said. Trump stressed that he likes, respects and admires Pompeo. He told reporters that he has a better chemistry with Pompeo than he ever had with Tillerson, and that he and Pompeo agree with each other on global issues. Miller said this rapport between a secretary and a president is something foreign leaders and negotiators pick up on instantly, and it makes a difference. He added, however, that even if Trump and Pompeo broadly agree, Pompeo should not simply echo the president's views. "The question is whether he is going to stand up and privately offer alternative counsel to the president, even when the president strongly disagrees, or is he going to shut up? Stand up, or shut up?" he said. "And the best secretaries of state privately, quietly convey their advice to the president with an honesty and clarity that serves the national interest. That is what this guy has got to do." The average 78-year-old will spend 25 years of their life asleep. Sleep, it has been said, is more vital to the human body than eating. Yet its something with which many of us struggle. Few of us can honestly say we havent experienced the frustration of clock-watching, negotiating just how little sleep we think we can function on the following day. Today is World Sleep Day and its time to think about our relationship with sleep. With deadlines and final exams looming, theres never been a better time to improve the quality of our shut-eye. Sleep: the basics Why do I need to sleep? The short answer is that nobody is really sure quite why we need to sleep. However, sleep is proven to be vital to our bodys wellbeing, with essential repairs taking place and memories sorted and stored. Think about how you feel when youve got a cold: often, a long sleep can give our bodies the chance to fight minor infections and help us to get better. Sleep is essential to our health. How much sleep do I need? This varies from person to person, although people generally need less sleep as they get older. Young children and teenagers often need more sleep, partially due to the growth spurts theyre experiencing, whilst older people need less. A general rule of thumb is to aim to get between 7 and 9 hours per night. What if I dont get enough sleep? Obviously, youre going to feel tired! This can lead to your brain functioning less effectively and can make your body operate at a slower pace. Repeated sleeplessness has been shown to contribute towards obesity and depression. Over time, a cumulative lack of sleep has even been suggested a factor in cases of heart disease and stroke due to the heightened stress your body is put under. The simple fact is, we need to sleep. So what can you do to improve your sleeping habits? Making sleeping easier Bedroom: the clues in the name Your bedroom should be the place you sleep, end of. With the increased prevalence of screens of all sizes in the bedroom, the space is increasingly being associated with activities other than sleeping, and that can confuse your body. As a student, this is a particularly difficult one to combat, especially if your halls or house have no communal spaces other than the kitchen. Try to limit the amount of time you spend in your bedroom for studying and socialising to help your brain associate bed with sleep. At the very least, try not to study in bed! Dont toss and turn On a similar note, try to avoid those hours of lying in bed, getting increasingly more frustrated at not sleeping. Experts recommend getting up if youre still awake after fifteen minutes and doing something else. Sit in a chair and listen to some relaxing music or a podcast, or read a book. This activity shouldnt be stimulating, so no phones or screens! When you begin to feel sleepy, get back into bed so your brain learns to associate bed with sleep. Lets get physical Another reason to get out of the bedroom is to do some exercise. Our more sedentary lifestyle has been suggested as a factor in interrupted sleep, so making yourself physically tired is a good way to get your body ready for bed. There is some evidence to suggest that exercising late in the day could have a negative impact upon sleep, but some exercise, even in the evening, is better than none at all, so start pumping that iron. Set the mood There are certain things you can do in your room in order to set the mood for the perfect nights sleep. Temperature is a big one: try to keep your room between 16 and 18 degrees Celcius, and to be honest, err on the lower side. Whilst being too cold may make sleeping difficult, being too hot will trick your body into staying awake longer. Also, think about the type of lighting you have in your room. Bright overhead lights, such as LEDs, will make your brain think its daylight, and it will take a lot longer to feel sleepy. If you can, try to fit some blackout blinds or curtains to make your room really dark as that will help to put your body in the mood for sleep, and keep you asleep in the summer when the mornings are really light. Regular routines I know routines are for babies and old people, but theres a reason parents are advised to have a bedtime routine for their children. Part of the problem for many of us is that we have different sleeping patterns during the week from the weekend, when we tend to stay up later and only emerge sometime around midday. Going to bed and getting up at roughly the same time each day with an hour difference here or there will put your body into the right rhythm for effective sleeping. Theres also a lot to be said for having a routine for going to bed. Maybe thats turning off all devices an hour before going to bed, reading a book or having a warm decaffeinated drink. Your brain will associate all of these little things with sleep and will prepare your body accordingly. Dont cat-nap! If youve spent half the day asleep, you can hardly expect to drop off as soon as your head hits the pillow at night. Whilst a quick snooze in the afternoon can seem tempting, especially if you didnt sleep well the night before, its only going to continue your night-time problems. Go for a walk to boost your oxygen levels and aim to have an early night rather than a nap itll be better in the long run! Think about what youre drinking Some people find that having a glass of wine in the evening helps to relax them, but excessive drinking actually disturbs your sleep pattern. You might have noticed this after a night out, and limiting alcohol consumption can really help with sleeping problems. More obviously, caffeine has a tremendous effect upon your bodys ability to sleep, and its easy to get into a cycle of drinking too much caffeine, being unable to sleep, so drinking more caffeine to combat the tiredness. Stop! Try to limit your caffeine intake, either through consuming tea or coffee early in the day, or switching to decaffeinated options. Plus, definitely stop knocking back those vodka-red bulls! Try to relax Is there anything more unlikely to help you relax than being told to relax? Lying in bed, unable to sleep, its almost impossible to stop your mind going over and over anything thats troubling you even things that happened a decade ago! One tip which is often shared is to write down any worries or ideas you have before going to bed so your brain is free to drift off. You could also try a warm (but not hot) bath or use some essential oils. Lushs Sleepy Body Lotion is reputed to help your body relax and prepare for bed, so if youre really struggling, that could be one option to explore. If you're still not sleeping Sleeplessness can be a sign of other problems, such as anxiety, depression or other mental health issues. If youre finding sleeping is becoming a real issue, despite trying some self-help tools, its always worth seeing your GP to talk over your concerns and see what treatment they can offer. The Sleep Council offers more tips to help you get a good nights sleep, including a guided 30-day plan to set you on the right track. On March 7th, Nottingham Trent fresher student Rufaro Chisango posted a video onto Twitter where chants of "We hate the Blacks", "Black and Whites are never meant to be together" and "sign the Brexit papers" were heard outside her bedroom door. For those that wish to the aforementioned video, it is embedded below. yoo Im fuming, the way people in the same uni halls as me are chanting we hate the blacks outside my bedroom door. Words cannot describe how sad this makes me feel, in this 2018 people think this is still acceptable pic.twitter.com/XUiYqNIWQT Ruu (@rufarochisango_) March 7, 2018 Chisango added: "I told reception and they said that this will be dealt with Tuesday morning, they took my details and said they would inform me...it's Wednesday night and they haven't." Since then, many were angered and outraged by the video, wondering how in this modern period in Britain in an education facility full of young people could this have possibly have happened. This isn't the only time this has happened, just last week a black student at De Montfort University in Leicester heard students sing about lynching and was repeatedly called the N-word. Alike, another black student at Warwick University, Faramade Ifaturoti , has been a of offensive slurs including 'monkey' and the N-word which also gathered Twitter attention. Likewise, there have been incidents of racist graffiti being daubed on walls at the University of Birmingham and at a nearby mosque as well as a gym. victim Then at Bournemouth University a couple of months ago another minority student, Telma Rodrigues , was subjected to racist comments where she is told to "go back to the fields" and was called a "gorilla-looking motherfucker". Unfortunately, this is only the tip of the iceberg. It's 2018, everybody. We're supposed to be a lot more progressive and tolerant society and in today's universities there is a growing number of minority-ethnic students and staff. Though these incidents are appalling, discrimination is something that is deeply ingrained in higher education whether it be the staff, the curricula and even the building themselves are founded on a history of exclusion. Historically, academia in the West has been run by White men for White men. How can this be changed? It's a systematic problem involving systematic oppression so it requires systematic change. in further research and transparency about why figures are so disproportinate . The BME (Black and Minority Ethnic) student retention rates and the attainment gap in universities are especially important, a demandfurther research and transparency about why figures are so As a student in Nottingham Trent, this incident was the last thing I expected to encounter, especially in this particular university where I've felt a lot safer since entering in terms of discrimination compared to where I grew up. However, the fact there wasn't a swift response from the university is alarming, especially as universities have a track record of failing to address racism. So here are some ideas; universities should perhaps create an online forum where students can anonymously be honest about their experiences, this information could then be gathered into a huge database of the ways the university and the union can deal with it then students can be easily directed to the services that they need, as well as helping them engage more directly with the union. There also needs to be an increase in the visibility of the 'Black Lives Matter' and the 'Together Against Prevent' movements as well as the number of events inclusive of and focused on underrepresented communities, as well as an increase of awareness of Hate Crime Reporting procedures and emphasise a zero-tolerance policy for hate speech. The leaders of Britain, France, Germany and the U.S. have jointly condemned the poisoning of a former Russian spy on British soil that has been blamed on Moscow, calling it "the first offensive use of a nerve agent in Europe since the Second World War." A joint statement issued Thursday by Prime Minister Theresa May, President Emmanual Macron, Chancellor Angela Merkel and President Donald Trump said there was no plausible alternative explanation to Russia's involvement in the attack. "We call on Russia to address all questions related to the attack," the leaders said. Later at the White House, President Trump said "it certainly looks like the Russians" were responsible. Russia has denied any involvement. Former spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter, Yulia, were found unconscious on a park bench in the English town of Salisbury and rushed to the hospital, where they remain in serious condition. Several other individuals, including a police officer, were sickened. British Prime Minister May announced a series of reprisals against Russia over the poisoning, including the expulsion of 23 Russian diplomats. It will be the largest expulsion of Russian diplomats since 1971, at the height of the Cold War. A U.S. nuclear security expert has warned that any promise by North Korea to freeze its main nuclear facility would be largely meaningless. David Albright of the Institute for Science and International Security told Voice of America on Thursday that the U.S. should not accept any proposal by North Korea to freeze its Yongbyon nuclear reactor in a bid to display its willingness to denuclearize. According to analysis by the institute, about half of the North's nuclear materials and equipment, including enriched uranium and centrifugal separators, are at a location other than Yongbyon, he said. He added that freezing the Yongbyon facility would therefore be meaningless unless the North discloses where the rest is. Verification of any denuclearization pledge should begin with the identification of the location and inspection of its nuclear production facilities, he said. Meanwhile, there are signs that the North is running a presumed underground nuclear and chemical weapons facility in Syria, a U.S. website said. The alt-right Washington Free Beacon quoted a U.S. government official as saying on Wednesday, "The United States is monitoring information indicating that North Korea may be running a large underground military base in Syria that could be used for advanced weaponry and nuclear-related work." President Moon Jae-in will visit Vietnam next week before flying to the United Arab Emirates. In the UAE, Moon will meet with Mohammed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, the crown prince of Abu Dhabi, to discuss bilateral cooperation. The relationship with the UAE soured early in Moon's presidency amid fears in the emirates that Korea was going to pull out of a secret military pact, but it has since been patched up. "The two leaders will strengthen bilateral relations, which have developed since the two countries established a strategic partnership in 2009, and will discuss cooperation in the future growth sector," Cheong Wa Dae spokesman Kim Eui-kyeom said. Moon will be accompanied by senior policy adviser Jang Ha-sung to Vietnam and presidential chief of staff Im Jong-seok, who played a major role in patching up the spat, to the UAE. In Vietnam, Moon will meet with his Vietnamese counterpart Tran Dai Quang and other leaders. Which moment from a comic this week caught your interest? Moment and Indie Moment of the Month for Febuary have begun! Vote now or forever hold your peace!!! Your WINNER for MOMENT OF THE WEEK 3/7/18: Batman takes down (mind controlled) Superman ... by whistling. - Batman #42 This thread will contain SPOILERS!!! And lots of them. If you haven't read this week's comics yet, go read them before continuing into this thread, or risk being spoiled! PLEASE NOTE!!!!!! ]Remember to include the title and issue number of the comic you are nominating. Otherwise I will be forced to disqualify your nomination, and nobody wants that! ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Rules: 1. Each nomination must be a moment in a comic released the week of the thread. This does not include weekly previews, trade paperbacks, or back issue digests. For new comics check out Midtown Comics release dates. 2. Everyone can make ONE nomination. You can either nominate a moment yourself or second/third/fourth/fifth an already existing nomination. However, second/third/fourth/fifth will not count per nominating and thus earn entry above in Top Nominations. You want in that list you must nominate something. 3. It must be an actual moment involving the actions or statements of a comic character in an issue. No "This writer returns to the series", "this artist draws this character", "the book is better", etc. 4. If you want to change your nomination, there are a few factors involved: ---> A) No one can have seconded your nom. ---> B) If it is clear for you to change your nom, you must edit your original post or the new post will be disqualified as being a double nomination. ---> C) You can change your second, third, etc. by editing your original post before the nomination period ends. Moments on the poll do not have to be seconded. If there is room in the poll, moments that were nominated but not seconded will be added based on the order they were nominated. 6. Again, please be specific on the comic title, issue number and moment. Also be clear that you are actually nominating or seconding something ... statements such as "Yeah, that was a cool moment" aren't clear. You must nominate a single moment in the comic and can't nominate the whole issue. Once more, if you dont include the issue and number the moment will not be included. 7. The thread for nominations will go up on Wednesday (new comic day) at 11:00 PM (Central) or when Zechs arrives later that night and posts in the previous week thread announcing voting is closed. The nominations will go until 2:00 PM (Central Time) Sunday Afternoon, or whenever Zechs arrives and will post in the thread stating, Its over. and will start the poll. If a new comic day falls on a holiday week in American, then the thread will be made for that day (be it Tuesday or Thursday). Regardless, nominations will STILL conclude on Saturday deadline. 8. Please be civil when commenting on other people's nominations. But feel free to discuss them in this thread. 9. In case there is debate on WHEN exactly a title came out, http://www.midtowncomics.com or the official websites of said publishers (be it Marvel, DC, Darkhorse, etc.) will be the final word on the quarrel. 10. Any nominations not following the above rules will be disqualified. Unless of course if Zechs, who is feeling sad for the person who missed the rule and might give them time to provide the correction. Then he will pester bk into putting the nomination in the poll. Of course this wouldnt be a problem if Zechs wasnt granted the glorious powers of a moderator, which one day such power will be Zechs, oh yes they will his. 11. If at five nominations are not made, Zechs will choose some, but they will all count as one nomination, not multiple thus making sure balance is preserved. 12. AKA the Rulk rule. If several moments are tied past the deadline of 11:00 PM (Central Time) Wednesday (or holiday date when new comics arrive in the US) or when Zechs arrives that night, then voting will continue on in sudden death for eight more hours, until one is decided. THERE CAN BE ONLY ONE. If one isnt still decided, then Zechs will provide the deciding vote, regardless if he has voted already. So if that isn't enough reason to get a ton of votes on that additional day than you're just dooming yourself to give Zechs another vote. 13. AKA the Hobgoblin rule. Roderick Kingsley Hobgoblin moments when winning for three days straight automatically win the poll. No last day or second voting changes it to troll the ruler of this thread. Only ONE can rule as the Moment of the Week! Top Ten Nominators of All Time... 1.) GLX- (449 Nominations) 2.) Zechs- (441 Nominations) 3.) e_galston- (202 Nominations) 4.) Johnny Smith (174 Nominations) IvCNuB4 - (174 Nominations) 5.) Kravis (145 Nominations) 6.) Stephen Day- (126 Nominations) 7.) blcdude (109 Nominations) 8.) rdrsfn82- (102 Nominations) 9.) fieldy RICHARDS- (93 Nominations) 10.) Porcelain38- (92 Nominations) Honorable Mentions Starlord- (81 Nominations) HNutz (77 Nominations) God-Man (63 Nominations) Nicola Marshall (63 Nominations) BubbaKanoosh- (57 Nominations) DudeistMonk (53 Nominations) Greg- (52 Nominations) Knuckles McSmasher- (44 Nominations) doombug - (43 Nominations) 48THRiLLS- (40 Nominations) Demarcoa (39 Nominations) SilverPhoenix (34 Nominations) guitarsmashley (34 Nominations) TimDrake'sDumbWings- (30 Nominations) Amoebas (29 Nominations) Chap22- (28 Nominations) Mr. Batman- (27 Nominations) Dragavon- (27 Nominations) locuas (26 Nominations) karmakaze (26 Nominations) VinnyPic- (25 Nominations) Flynn the Pirate (21 Nominations) jephd (21 Nominations) habitual- (19 Nominations) Grayson (19 Nominations) Agent Panic (18 Nominations) nietoperz (18 Nominations) PaulSebert (18 Nominations) Glacier16 (18 Nominations) Punchy- (16 Nominations) MrBlack (16 Nominations) OneWhoIsAll (15 Nominations) capjr (12 Nominations) ThatRomanGuy (12 Nominations) MistaT- (12 Nominations) ChurchHatesTucker (12 Nominations) Belle-Tain Summer (13 Nominations) senwolf (12 Nominations) PatricioUPMA (11 Nominations) GOFM - (10 Nominations) Duck Punch (10 Nominations) Peter Parker (10 Nominations) SuperSoldier Washout (9 Nominations) The Great Ghostman (9 Nominations) Octacon (8 Nominations) alaska1125 (8 Nominations) HED (8 Nominations) gavincantdraw (8 Nominations) MarcianTobay (8 Nominations) eypcrew2- (7 Nominations) CammyKnoxville (7 Nominations) Skyrider (7 Nominations) Eli Katz (7 Nominations) Flamebird (7 Nominations) pat (6 Nominations) TheSecondLex (6 Nominations) Juan Cena (6 Nominations) Kid Impulse- (5 Nominations) XtremeX- (5 Nominations) Mammon, Fool Breaker (5 Nominations) Stalzer2002 (5 Nominations) Sully85 (5 Nominations) C-Matty- (4 Nominations) Dum Dum Dugan- (4 Nominations) AMS (4 Nominations) Dalarsco- (4 Nominations) GHERU (4 Nominations) jethawk (4 Nominations) Chessack (4 Nominations) MarvelFan88 (4 Nominations) Ben- (3 Nominations) McKeagan- (3 Nominations) carl999- (3 Nominations) Alex Delarge- (3 Nominations) MrWadeWilsonHimself (3 Nominations) pat (3 Nominations) blastmaster (3 Nominations) thefourthman (3 Nominations) BlueKitKat (3 Nominations) americanslime (3 Nominations) SolRey34 (3 Nominations) GOSD- (3 Nominations) Earth-2 NoctourneM (3 Nominations) MysticKnightJoe (3 Nominations) GratefulFred- (2 Nominations) statnut- (2 Nominations) Dooz - (2 Nominations) Jack Burton- (2 Nominations) Zenguru- (2 Nominations) God Impulse2k1 (2 Nominations) skywatcher (2 Nominations) avengingtitan (2 Nominations) Rebis (2 Nominations) Justin M. Campbell (2 Nominations) PhoenixEquinox (2 Nominations) Timbales (2 Nominations) dairydead (2 Nominations) Lord Solaris (2 Nominations) Aeon Flux (2 Nominations) PinkDaddy (2 Nomination) Ntikrst (2 Nominations) Jude Terror (2 Nominations) Major Tool (2 Nominations) LoatheMe (2 Nominations) Richie Heap (2 Nominations) Chicanery (2 Nominations) syxxpakk (2 Nominations) batarang614 (2 Nominations) Arkanian (2 Nominations) Fifthletter (2 Nominations) ObsceneBinary (2 Nominations) Josh Hartung (2 Nominations) TurboSmurf (2 Nominations) Randy Robertson (2 Nominations) Peter-J-DeadPoole (2 Nominations) GiveWaraChance (2 Nominations) Guderian- (1 Nomination) Black Kryptonite- (1 Nomination) Colonel Angus- (1 Nomination) barrylincoln - (1 Nomination) Dooz Ex Machina- (1 Nomination) Thrillhouse- (1 Nomination) Chesscub- (1 Nomination) TheyShouldBeTheBats- (1 Nomination) The Bass (1 Nomination) GOD Impulse- (1 Nomination) Deadfett (1 Nomination) amalah6 (1 Nomination) Miracloman (1 Nomination) Alex Delarge (1 Nomination) blastmaster (1 Nomination) Jonathan (1 Nomination) NeverReady ( 1 Nomination) DOOP SPEAK (1 Nomination) BlueStreak (1 Nomination) mrorangesoda - (1 Nomination) BAMJoe (1 Nomination) False Prophet (1 Nomination) xaraan (1 Nomination) Holland Oats (1 Nomination) bkthomson (1 Nomination) hatmasta (1 Nomination) TheSecondLex (1 Nomination) Pink Daddy (1 Nomination) Sunless (1 Nomination) Jim Gramm (1 Nomination) tomc (1 Nomination) John Condor (1 Nomination) B1CaNobody (1 Nomination) Socky (1 Nomination) bluemanhattangroup (1 Nomination) TimH (1 Nomination) Bilal Khawaja (1 Nomination) Scintillant-H (1 Nomination) Arkanian (1 Nomination) the_isolator (1 Nomination) Arkanian (1 Nomination) Manuel Prez (1 Nomination) Ameht Dominguez (1 Nomination) James Burke (1 Nomination) Sporkbot (1 Nomination) agf029 (1 Nomination) jay042 (1 Nomination) Draco X (1 Nomination) Hall of Shame sdsichero (-1 Nomination) John Lewis Hawk (-25 Nominations) The government is mulling drastic measures to get Koreans to have more children and boost the chronically low birthrate, including new taxes to fund costly projects. The Ministry of Strategy and Finance assigned the Korea Institute of Public Finance to study the policy impact of the taxes, according to officials on Thursday. Another measure being considered is to create a parental insurance plan like in Sweden and Canada's Quebec. They use insurance fees paid by businesses and workers to finance parental leave. Governments around the world collect social security taxes, but no country taxes its citizens to fight low birthrates. One government official said, "Gathering trillions of won in taxes could help finance parental leave and also pay for childcare and educational needs." A 2016 study by the Korea Institute for Health and Social Affairs showed that the main reason many married couples had only one child was because of the financial burden of raising children. The low birthrate has reached crisis levels, falling to a record-low 1.05 children per woman last year, the lowest in the OECD. The economically active population between 15 and 64 has already started to decline. Some W126 trillion in government spending over the last 12 years has failed to stem the trend (US$1=W1,065). But imposing new taxes requires social consensus. Proponents say it is necessary to prevent a worst-case scenario, but opponents say the measure will only stir up unnecessary controversy ahead of regional elections in June. $20M in sales tax revenue bonds for ice arena approved by city council The Watertown City Council passes resolution, authorizing the issuance of the $20 million sales tax revenue bonds for the ice arena facility. U.S. President Donald Trump has threatened to pull U.S. troops out of South Korea to fix the U.S. trade deficit with the country, the Washington Post reported on Wednesday. In a fundraising speech in Missouri on Wednesday, Trump said, "We have a very big trade deficit with them, and we protect them." "We lose money on trade, and we lose money on the military. We have right now 32,000 soldiers on the border between North and South Korea. Let's see what happens," he added. The WaPo said Trump "seemed to threaten to pull U.S. troops stationed in South Korea if he didn't get what he wanted on trade with Seoul." But diplomatic sources in Washington said that Trump's comments seem aimed at gaining leverage in talks on cost sharing for the upkeep of the U.S. Forces Korea. The actual number of U.S. soldiers stationed here is 28,000. U.S. President Donald Trump's sacking of Secretary of State Rex Tillerson is raising concerns that the summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un will have to be postponed. It will take more than a month before Trump's new nominee Mike Pompeo is confirmed by the Senate, and the U.S. State Department is in a "virtual state of collapse" according to the media. Trump also fired the under secretary of state who protested against his decision. That means eight out of 10 assistant secretary posts at the U.S. State Department are now vacant, as are 91 other fairly senior jobs. This is an unprecedented debacle in U.S. history. The assistant U.S. secretary for East Asian and Pacific Affairs, who will be in charge of dealing with North Korea, was nominated in December last year, but a Senate confirmation hearing has yet to take place. Joseph Yun, the chief U.S. nuclear negotiator and proponent of dialogue with North Korea, resigned recently, and the post of ambassador to South Korea has been vacant for more than a year. Seoul's Foreign Ministry is virtually invisible because the Moon Jae-in administration is excluding it from negotiations with North Korea. No Foreign Ministry official knew about the message from North Korean leader Kim Jong-un that was delivered to Trump by a special delegation Moon sent to Washington recently. Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha was in Southeast Asia when the delegation visited the White House, and now she is visiting Washington but has no counterpart to talk to. A major event like a summit cannot be pursued without full diplomatic coordination, and the lack of seasoned negotiators could spell disaster in talks over nuclear dismantlement. The devil is in the details, and diplomatic blundering could create major problems. 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. Job Title: Assistant Shelter Officer Organisation: United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Position No.: 10027147 Vacancy Notice: 014/2018 Reports to: Administrative Assistant Duty Station: Uganda Post Grade: NOA About UNHCR: The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees was established on December 14, 1950 by the United Nations General Assembly. UNHCRs mandate under the Statute of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees is to lead and co-ordinate action for international protection to refugees; seek permanent solutions for the problems of refugees and safeguard refugee rights and well-being. UNHCR has an additional mandate concerning issues of statelessness, as it is given a designated role under Article 11 of the 1961 Convention on the Reduction of Statelessness. Job Summary: The Assistant Shelter Officer will work under overall supervision of the Associate Shelter Officer. The position will not have any supervisory responsibility. The objective of the Assistant Shelter Officer is to assist UNHCR sub office in 5 main areas: 1) Contribute to the formation of UNHCR Shelter strategy. 2) Assessment of shelter needs and capacity. 3) Development of site plan, estimates and drawings. 4) Monitoring of construction works and quality assurance. 5) Preparation of updates and reports. Responsibilities: Key Duties andResponsibilities: Design, develop engineers cost estimate, prepare tender document package as well ensure cost-effectiveness and technologically sound design. In case of direct implementation, design and supervise construction activities undertaken by UNHCR. Assist in provision of technical guidance and supervision in compound(s) and settlement construction activities. This includes making recommendations on the procurement of the required building materials, equipment and tools to ensure timely implementation. Assist in provision of technical guidance and supervision taking into account technical standards (UNHCR/Sphere/National) and UNHCRs protection mandate and policy priorities, such as the environment, women and children, groups with specific needs etc. Assist the Sub-Office in the areas of compound maintenance, buildings, alterations and to provide regular technical report to the supervisor and to other colleagues as appropriate. Produce weekly / daily situation reports. Produce in consultation with the supervisor draft multi-year development plan; Contribute to development of UNHCR shelter strategy, standard operating procedure, technical documents, proposals and reports. Offer technical support and advice on all technical matters, including site planning, infrastructure and shelter to UNHCR office, implementing partners and other agencies involved in assisting persons of concern to UNHCR. Assist in preparation of bills of quantities, drawings and designs for site preparation, shelter and related works. Identify suitable implementing arrangements for all shelter and infrastructure works and outline implementation modalities and technical standards in line with the strategies adopted by UNHCR. Provide support in assessing the needs and resources of refugees in terms of shelter and infrastructure with participation of the community and taking into consideration the implementing partners views and assist in defining appropriate solutions Make recommendations on the procurement of all the required materials, equipment and tools to ensure timely implementation of plans and functioning of the site facilities. Ensure implementation of works related to the infrastructure, water and sanitation are fully attended to Undertake periodic market survey for the building materials and to update the prices regularly, enabling UNHCR and its partners to better utilize their resources. Assist in closely monitoring all construction works undertaken by partners with the aim of accomplishing the tasks in the most cost effective manner and on agreed schedule and in conformity with the set guidelines, principles and according to the overall objective of UNHCR. Work in close coordination with other units in order to ensure operational objectives are met and with external stakeholders. Compile information and prepare related technical assessments reviews and reports. Perform any other related duties, as required. Key Performance Indicators: UNHCRs country operation has sufficient support in the field of shelter and thus better able to meet the needs of persons of concern. Needs assessment in terms of shelter, infrastructure and site selection is conducted in a participatory way and report is shared. Application of agreed standard to all construction works is achieved. All construction works meet minimum agreed standard and completed in a timely and cost effective manner. All achievements are documented. Qualifications, Skills and Experience: The ideal candidate for the United Nations UNHCR Assistant Shelter Officer job vacancy should hold an undergraduate degree (equivalent of a BA/BS) in Civil Engineering, Construction, Architecture, and Development Studies (technical) or related field. One year of relevant professional working experience. Good knowledge of basic computer software including engineering design tools. Knowledge of local institution. Fluency in English language. Computer literacy in MS Office, CAD-drafting software (AutoCAD, ArchiCAD etc) and GIS (Mapinfo, Global Mapper, ArcGIS, Googel Earth, etc). Extensive knowledge of UNHCR standards and criteria for site selection, as well as issues related to protection, WASH, environment, land property issues etc. will be an advantage. Knowledge of another UN language would be an asset. How to Apply: All interested Ugandan nationals who wish to join the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in the aforementioned capacity are encouraged to click on the link below and follow the application instructions after reviewing the job details. Deadline: 16th March 2018 Job Title: Programme Filing Assistant Organisation: United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Position No.: UNOPS-LICA-Programme Asst Vacancy Notice: 016/2018 Reports to: Administrative Assistant Duty Station: Kampala, Uganda Post Grade: LICA Level, 4 About UNHCR: The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees was established on December 14, 1950 by the United Nations General Assembly. UNHCRs mandate under the Statute of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees is to lead and co-ordinate action for international protection to refugees; seek permanent solutions for the problems of refugees and safeguard refugee rights and well-being. UNHCR has an additional mandate concerning issues of statelessness, as it is given a designated role under Article 11 of the 1961 Convention on the Reduction of Statelessness. Job Summary: The Programme Filing Assistant will work independently on routine tasks, and will request and follow instructions of the supervisor for more complex issues. Contacts are mainly with the colleagues in the same duty station. External contacts are limited to answering queries from other UNHCR offices and seeking information on individual case from other UNHCR offices Responsibilities: Key Duties andResponsibilities: Ensure that an orderly and systematic filing system is maintained in the filing room (active and closed) for efficient and timely retrieval of files. Ensure that the File tracking system is properly used by all staff in the office and that file movement within the office and between users is properly recorded in the system. Ensure that the data which are mainly related to asylum seekers, refugees and persons of concern to UNHCR are correctly entered into the computer database and filed in the physical individual file. Receive, record and forward incoming correspondence and manage its proper distribution to the responsible officers. Draft routine correspondence, and respond to queries relating to area of responsibility. Make sure that general maintenance and smooth running of the filing room, i.e. physical arrangement, cleanliness and security. May be required to provide clerical and administrative support by stocking and supplying stationery, receive and dispatch of external and internal office pouches and handle all official documentation. Perform advisory role to the programme unit in the field to implement similar systematic filing systems. Perform any other related duty, as requested. Key Performance Indicators: Incoming/outgoing files are tracked in the system and kept in the filing room when not in use by staff, in line with SOPs. Filing rooms and lockers (active and closed) are managed in line with standards. Correspondence/documents are filed in the physical file and data entered in the database. Confidentiality is observed. Qualifications, Skills and Experience: The ideal candidate for the United Nations UNHCR Programme Filing Assistant job vacancy should hold a Diploma or Bachelors degree in Library, Information Management, Administration, Social Science or related field; At least three years of previous job experience relevant to the function Good computer skills (in MS office); Advanced skills in Microsoft Excel; Skills in drafting concise reports. Fluency in English Completion of the UNHCR Learning programmes or specific training relevant to functions of the position. Analytical Thinking Innovation and Creativity Technological Awareness Planning and Organizing Prior exposure to UNHCR refugee operations and functions relating to office administration and programme activities is an added advantage. How to Apply: All interested Ugandan nationals who wish to join the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in the aforementioned capacity are encouraged to click on the link below and follow the application instructions after reviewing the job details. Deadline: 20th March 2018 Data protection firm plans huge expansion From:ChinaDaily | 2018-03-16 10:32 Data-related service provider Veeam Software is betting big on the Chinese market, and especially on the opportunities created by the country's big data push as well as reform and opening-up, according to Veeam's top executive. "Chinese enterprises have greater demands on data storage, protection and cloud technologies as the country pushes forward big data and digital economic transformation, which has brought us great and precious opportunities," said Shi Qin, president of Veeam China. "China, undoubtedly, has played a crucial role in our global business and is expected to get into a fast-growing period in the coming years," he added. Shi's comments come as the country calls for accelerated efforts to implement and advance big data strategy in a bid to improve digital infrastructure, promote integration of digital resources including big data, cloud computing and artificial intelligence with the real economy. According to Shi, the company's major business is to provide services that back up and replicate data, helping companies recover lost data and maintain continuity. The Baar, Switzerland-based company entered the Chinese market just two and a half years ago but has seen rapid development since then. In 2017, its sales volume grew by 60 percent year-on-year in China. It recently acquired N2WS, a leading provider of backup and disaster recovery for Amazon Web Services (AWS), in an all-cash deal for $42.5 million, to bolster its competitiveness. "For a company, if a machine stops, even for a minute, the cost is incalculable, not to mention long-term downtime. Thus, data protection and recovery is of great necessity for companies," Shi said. In China, the company has expanded its businesses in a wide range of areas, especially in the finance and retail sectors. For instance, Veeam is cooperating with Chinese internet giants Alibaba Group Holding Ltd and Tencent Holdings Ltd on data protection and backup. "In the finance sector, for example, financial institutions need to deploy solutions to ensure availability faced with an increased risk of cyberattacks, data breaches and unplanned disruptions nowadays," he said. "This is a new kind of solution that delivers nonstop continuity and a 24X7X365 business," he added. According to Shi, Veeam is able to recover any data in a maximum of 15 minutes, while common competitors require hoursat leastto accomplish the same goal. "China's data backup and disaster recovery market is a huge gold field as data security is critical for both the country and companies," said Wu Yuliang, a senior expert in data backup and also a member of the Jiusan Society, an organization that mainly consists of intellectuals from fields including science and technology. "The sector has great potential and waits to be further explored," he said, adding that the market scale of China's data backup and disaster recovery is expected to be tens of billions of yuan in the future. Shi noted that the business environment is getting better and better and foreign companies are more welcome in China thanks to the reform and opening-up. "However, at the same time, the country also has higher expectations for foreign companies to enter the Chinese market and pay more attention to advanced technologies," he said. To adapt to the changes and growth of the Chinese market, Shi said localization is becoming very crucial and the company is scrambling to transform from "product output" to "service output" here. In other words, rather than simply selling products, the Swiss company has endeavored to cooperate more with partners from China, providing more technologies and services related to cloud, data protection and replication. In addition, the company said it will also help Chinese companies moving into overseas markets, especially with the Belt and Road Initiative. Special counsel Robert Mueller and three congressional committees have spent the last year conducting dozens, if not hundreds, of witness interviews in their investigations into Russian meddling and gathering thousands upon thousands of pages of documents. But in the end, the public may only get a glimpse of what investigators know. As in all criminal investigations, Mueller doesnt have to reveal any of what he has found unless he brings charges or goes to trial. The congressional investigations are meant to inform the public, but they have been plagued by Republican and Democratic infighting and disagreements over what should be released meaning the public may have to rely on partisan interpretations of the facts. A look at what we might know when the investigations are over and what we might not. THE SPECIAL COUNSEL Muellers investigation into Russian ties to President Donald Trumps campaign and possible obstruction of justice is by far the most wide-ranging of all of the probes, and it also carries the weight of possible criminal charges, unlike Congress. But it could also be the most closed off in terms of what the public finds out. Information has already trickled out, and will likely to continue to, in indictments and guilty pleas that the special counsel has released. A recent indictment of 13 Russians and three companies extensively detailed an effort to undermine the 2016 U.S. presidential election through a hidden social media propaganda effort. But Mueller may only release information to support criminal charges, meaning much of what his team finds could remain out of the public eye. He could eventually produce a final report that details a narrative of the Russian meddling, but he hasnt said whether he will do that. THE HOUSE INTELLIGENCE COMMITTEE Democrats on the House intelligence committee have said they want to release transcripts of the more than 50 interviews they have done in the last year. Those include Trump associates, White House officials and members of the intelligence community. But Republicans who lead the committee say they are not planning to release them in full. Republicans unexpectedly announced Monday that they had finished interviewing witnesses and had already completed a draft of their final report, which finds that there was no coordination between Russia and the Trump campaign. Texas Rep. Mike Conaway, the Republican leading the probe, said details from interviews and documents would come in hundreds of footnotes, not whole transcripts. That was a reversal from Conaway, who had previously said he wanted to release as much as possible. He said Wednesday that he had decided not to because it could impede future investigations. The problem is the chilling impact it would have on folks testifying in the future, with the expectation that what they would say would be kept within the committee, he said. The top Democrat on the intelligence panel, California Rep. Adam Schiff, says there is extensive evidence of coordination between Trumps campaign and Russia, and has argued that the GOP report is a partisan document that is intended to protect the president. He says the committee should release all of the transcripts so Americans can judge for themselves. But Republicans are likely to try and block that move. Another Democrat on the panel, California Rep. Eric Swalwell, tweeted Wednesday: We unearthed evidence of collusion and theyre seeking to bury it. The House panel has released a handful of transcripts already, but only in cases where the witness insisted on a public release. SENATE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE The Senate Judiciary Committee has so far been the most transparent of the panels investigating the ties between the Trump campaign and Russia, with Chairman Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, promising to release transcripts from all of the panels interviews with people who attended a June 2016 meeting in Trump Tower. That meeting between Russians and Trump campaign aides has attracted scrutiny from Mueller and Congress. Grassley has said he will release the interview transcripts in the coming weeks, with some redactions. But its unclear whether the committee will have many more transcripts to release, as its investigation has been less comprehensive than the other investigations and focused on specific issues, like the Trump Tower meeting and foreign lobbying. SENATE INTELLIGENCE COMMITTEE Senate intelligence committee Chairman Richard Burr, R-N.C., has said his panel wont release transcripts or documents from the investigation. But the top Democrat on the committee, Virginia Sen. Mark Warner, said the committee should release as much declassified material as possible. I think the more transparency, the better, Warner said on Wednesday. People need to know. The Senate intelligence committee has so far been the most bipartisan of the congressional probes, and Democrats are holding out hope that the two sides will agree on which facts should be available to the public in final reports. They are also hoping that Burr will call some witnesses for public hearings. But its unclear whether the two parties will agree, ultimately, on whether there was coordination between Trumps campaign and Russia. The committee has decided to put that controversial issue off for now and first release a bipartisan report on improving election security, which is an issue they can agree on. Sen. Jim Lankford, R-Okla., sits on the intelligence panel and says the ideal scenario is for Republicans and Democrats to agree on a common set of facts, even if they dont have similar conclusions, and to filter the information together. There are thousands of pages of transcripts, he said, and it would take too much time and money to review them, redact them and release them. I dont think this is creating the conspiracy theory moment where theres this one page that no one would release and it had all of the really good stuff in it, Lankford said. I think its really important that Republicans and Democrats alike say we think these are all of the essential things. (AP) Eleven Republicans stepped forward before a Thursday evening filing deadline to challenge former Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney in the Utah Senate race, including a state lawmaker who says an establishment insider cant fix problems in Washington. Many of the candidates acknowledge the David-vs-Goliath nature of challenging the famous and popular Romney, but they say someone needs to keep the race to replace Republican Orrin Hatch from becoming a coronation. I think hes just expecting to run away with this thing, Republican candidate Sam Parker said. There are really motivated individuals who are going to do their best to force their way into the conversation. Romney, who filed papers on Thursday to officially become a candidate, is pushing back against the criticism, saying hes working to earn every vote and emphasizing his ties to Utah, where hes made his home after losing the 2012 presidential election Almost wherever I go throughout the country, people just assume Im from Utah, Romney told reporters at the state Capitol after filing his paperwork. Hes known in the state for reviving the 2002 Salt Lake City Winter Olympics after a bribery scandal and later becoming the first Mormon presidential nominee of a major political party. About 60 percent of Utahs residents are members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which is based in Salt Lake City. Though personally wealthy, Romney said he doesnt plan to use his personal money for his campaign, which hes portrayed as a modest, local operation. Hes relying on volunteers to gather voter signatures to get on the ballot, instead of relying on professional, paid workers, like many candidates do. Hes made a point to travel to 20 of Utahs 29 counties in recent weeks in a pickup truck, which he sometimes drives himself. Many of those who have stepped up to challenge Romney have revived attacks he faced in his presidential campaigns, including criticism for his shifting stance on abortion and his signing of a health care law as Massachusetts governor that was used as a blueprint for President Barack Obamas Affordable Care Act. Parker, a banker, said he decided to jump in because he felt Romney wouldnt be a strong, conservative ally for President Donald Trump, who has clashed over the years with Romney. I dont agree with a lot of his politics, as much as you can nail down his politics because they seem to change to fit whatever opportunity hes going after, Parker said of his opponent. Most in the crowded primary are political unknowns, save for state Rep. Mike Kennedy, a Republican from Alpine. Kennedy, a doctor and a lawyer who has served in the Legislature since 2013, jumped in the race Wednesday and released an online campaign video, where he asked: Do you honestly think an establishment insider is going to fix the problems in Washington and restore our values? Kennedy, who recently helped launch a task force in the state to find ways to prevent school shootings, did not return a message seeking comment Thursday. Other Republican candidates include Jeremy Friedbaum and Stoney Fonua, who have both unsuccessfully run for a number of offices over the years, along with engineer Tim Jimenez, attorney Layer Meyers, and Alicia Colvin, who works at a medical device company and describes herself as more of a moderate. Candidates on the Democratic side include Salt Lake County Council member Jenny Wilson, Mitchell Vice, Jeff Dransfield and Larry Livingston. Romney and some of the GOP challengers will face off in an April 21 Republican Party convention, where theyll try to win votes of several thousand party delegates elected by their neighbors. The winner of the convention, which typically favors more conservative candidates, will face off in a June 26 primary election against any candidates who gather 28,000 voter signatures to earn a place on the ballot, something Romney is doing. (AP) Agudath Israel of America is applauding House passage of the STOP School Violence Act of 2018. The legislation, which is a response to the recent school shootings in Parkland, FL, and authorizes grants to improve school security through technology and other safety measures. The House measure includes both public and private schools within its benefits. Over the decades, school security has been a priority issue for Agudath Israel, which has consistently argued to Administration officials and congressional leaders, past and present, that safety initiatives must encompass all schools and all schoolchildren. In the aftermath of Parkland, and in the subsequent legislative effort, Agudath Israel renewed its call to the White House and Capitol Hill for equity between public and private schools in both new and existing programs. One of the changes Agudath Israel and other private school representatives have advocated for is incorporated in todays House legislation. We are deeply gratified that the House has taken this step to better ensure the safety, through tangible means, of Americas schoolchildren, noted Rabbi Abba Cohen, Agudath Israels Vice President for Federal Affairs and Washington Director. It also makes an important statement that all children regardless of the school they attend are precious, and deserve a learning environment that enjoys the utmost protection of both mind and body. Agudath Israel is urging swift Senate passage. (YWN World Headquarters NYC) Miriam Peretz has won the Israel Prize for her lifes work in strengthening Jewish-Israeli identity. Peretz is the mother of Uriel and Eliraz Peretz, two soldiers who were killed while on duty. Peretz was notified about the award by Education Minister Naftali Bennett. I am not worthy of such an award, Peretz said when she was told what had happened. This award belongs to them, to Uriel and Eliraz. It is not mine. I am too small a figure to accept this gift. After notifying her about the award Bennett tweeted: Miriam Peretz, who was bereaved of her two sons Uriel and Eliraz, has dedicated her life to educational endeavors. She did not choose the difficult circumstances of her life, but she did choose to live through them and through her work, she uplifted, inspired and invigorated an entire nation to live more fully. The committee tasked with deciding who receives the Israel Prize for each category said: In addition to her all-encompassing work to help educate the youth and soldiers of Israel, she helps bereaved families and wounded soldiers. Peretz is a living symbol of the spirit of Judaism and Israel and has become a living symbol of giving to those less fortunate, to society, and to her community. We, therefore, decided to award her the highest of honors in the field of social and communal outreach. Miriam was born in Casablanca in Morocco in 1954. She immigrated to Israel in 1964 with her family. In Israel she married Eliezer Peretz and moved to Ophira in the Sinai, there she gave birth to Uriel and Eliraz. When the Sinai was evacuated in 1982, Peretz moved with her family to Givon and eventually to Pisgat Zeev where she still resides and where she had an additional four children. She was the first principal of a school in Givat Zeev. Today she works as a quality overseer of educational standards with the Ministry of Education. She has dedicated her life to education for decades. On November 25th, 1998 Lieutenant Uriel Peretz was killed together with a commander of the Golani 51st brigade when they were ambushed in southern Lebanon. On March 26th, 2010 her second son, Sergeant Major Eliraz Peretz was killed when he came across a terrorist cell inside the Gaza Strip. (YWN Israel Desk Jerusalem) Shares in Berkeley Group fell five per cent after the housebuilder announced it has no plans to increase its production of homes. The FTSE 100 firm cited economic uncertainty, a decline in buy to let investment and increased planning red tape as the reason why in its latest trading update for the period from November 1 to February 28. The group said that market conditions in London and the South East, its core market, were unchanged from the first half, when it said market fundamentals remain 'compelling'. Production halt: Shares in Berkeley fell five per cent after the housebuilder announced it has no plans to increase its production of homes However, it added that high transaction costs, the 4.5 times income multiple limit on mortgage borrowing and 'prevailing economic uncertainty' all mean Berkeley is 'unable to increase production beyond the business plan levels'. Berkeley said in a statement: 'The fundamentals of the market in London and the South East remain compelling, but the operating environment and its impact on transaction volumes, whilst sufficient for the business plan and five year profit guidance ... do not support the step-up in Berkeley's production levels that these markets so badly need. 'The operating environment and its impact on transaction volumes, whilst sufficient for the business plan and five-year profit guidance period that ends at April 30, 2021, do not support the step-up in Berkeley's production levels that these markets so badly need.' The housebuilder also pointed to a fall in domestic buy-to-let investors, who have been hammered by increases to stamp duty, and the 'time and complexity of getting on site following planning approval'. Shares in fellow housebuilders Persimmon, Bovis and Taylor Wimpey also tumbled following the announcement. It comes at a time when the Government is attempting to increase the rate of housebuilding in an effort to ease the housing crisis. Housing crisis: Berkeley's announcement comes at a time when the Government is attempting to increase the rate of housebuilding in an effort to ease the housing crisis Berkeley still expects forward sales above 2billion this year and the group reaffirmed its guidance to return pre-tax profits of least 3.3bn for the five years to April 2021. The group has previously warned over political uncertainty, including Brexit, hanging over the property market. Berkeley had previously revealed that pre-tax profits had soared 36 per cent to 533million in the six months to October 31, driven by strong demand in the South East. Revenues meanwhile climbed 14 per cent to 1.6billion. The firm also sold 2,117 homes, marginally more than last year but at a much higher average selling price of 719,000 compared to 655,000 in 2016. Berkley's shares dropped 4.89 per cent to 3,731p in morning trading. Shanghai deputies push for better legal protection for kids From:Shine | 2018-03-16 02:29 Shanghai deputies to the National Peoples Congress are seeking better protection for children in the face of growing social problems such as the rising divorce rate. Xu Juehui, deputy general manager of the Shanghai Port International Cruise Terminal and an NPC deputy, called for a better mechanism to protect children's rights in legal matters. Some measures have already been launched in Shanghai courts. "I visited the Putuo District People's Court earlier and learned of some cases of the infringement of minors' rights related to divorce disputes, such as the battle for guardianship ... and harm to both the physical and mental health of kids," said Xu. Xu said the divorce rate is rising, particularly in big cities, and often involves children about 96 percent of cases between 2014 and 2016 according to data from the Supreme People's Court. But children often cannot stand up for their own rights because they do not have independent legal status before the courts. And the parents and guardians often have a conflict of interest with the children over property and assets. Its easy for the children to be the bargaining chips for one side to gain more profit from the divorce, Xu said. For example, the parent who wins guardianship may obstruct visiting rights in order to win a greater share of the family assets. But giving children independent representation will protect their rights in court. Xu said this should also cover children abandoned or abused by their parents or who suffer physical or mental illness. Another NPC deputy, Zhu Zhisong,Party secretary of Minhang District, also called for a national database of sexual offenders, modeled on one already operating in Minhang. Last year, Minhang implemented rules banning offenders from working with minors. The district procuratorate, court, police, education authority and some other departments dealing with children have set up a database of sexual offenders and update it monthly, said Zhu. "But the database is still very small and only effective within the district." Tesla to build factory in Shanghai By:Zheng Qian | From:english.eastday.com | 2018-03-16 09:11 In terms of U.S. electric vehicle manufacturer Tesla building a plant in China, the Shanghai Municipal Commission of Economy and Information announced on March 14th that the Shanghai municipal government and Tesla have always been maintaining good communication and both parties will continue to discuss Teslas layout in China. Tesla has been said to establish a factory in China since last year. On October 26, 2017, the spokesman of the Ministry of Commerce announced at a press conference that Tesla was communicating with the Shanghai Municipal Government regarding the establishment of a factory. In November 2017, Tesla CEO Elon Musk stated in the companysconference call that Tesla planned to produce cars in China in the next three years or so, mainly to provide products for China and its neighboring countries. Since then, no further details have been disclosed. On March 8, 2018, Musk openly told the US President Trump on social media that he hoped that the President of the United States could focus on the trade imbalance between China and the United States caused by electric vehicles. In regard of this issue, Wan Gang, the Minister of Science and Technology, responded at a press conference at the 13th National People's Congress held on March 10th that he had not heard Musks complaint of China in his private contact with him. Wan Gang said that the cooperation between China and the United States in electric vehicles is very close. US entrepreneurs are welcomed to China. As long as there is more communication, there will be no obstacles in Sino-U.S. cooperation in technological innovation. MBABANE Judge Mbutfo Mamba yesterday took his time to explain why he refused to recuse himself from Senator Sibusiso Shongwes corruption trial. The explanation led to Shongwe, who is represented by Lucky Howe of Howe Masuku Sibandze Attorneys, withdrawing the recusal application. Shongwe was not present in court yesterday. Choosing his words carefully, Judge Mamba explained to Shongwes attorney that before his client was charged around 2014, an official statement to the effect that local judges would not hear cases under the Prevention of Corruption Act was issued. Such cases were to be dealt with only by foreign judges. This was during the era of former Chief Justice Michael Ramodipedi. Judge Mamba said he took a personal stand on the statement that he would not hear cases under the Act. The judge explained that the first matter that came before him after the statement had been issued was an application filed by members of the Umbutfo Swaziland Defence Force (USDF), who sought a variation of bail conditions. Judge Mamba said when the matter came before him, he took the opportunity to make a statement that he was disqualified from hearing matters under the Prevention of Corruption Act, whether it be a trial, bail or anything. I still remember putting it in siSwati that angifuni kubonela (I do not want to interfere in cases that were to be heard by non-local or foreign judges). I recused myself from hearing that (USDF members application) matter, said the judge. Judge Mamba stated that at the time, he did not know where Shongwe was. He said what he knew for a fact was that the media published his stand on Prevention of Corruption Act matters not less than two times. The judge said there were other such cases and, to his knowledge, at the time he made his statement, Shongwe had not been charged. In 2015, after Shongwes arrest, he filed a bail application in the High Court and Judge Qinisile Mabuza, who is now the principal judge, dismissed the application. Shongwe said he still does not know why the application was dismissed. LOBAMBA - The issue of the shocking E250 million set aside for the designs of the new Parliament has been reported to the King. The building itself is expected to cost about E2.3 billion. The matter was brought before His Majestys attention by Speaker in the House of Assembly, Themba Msibi. Yesterday, the House was expected to receive a report on the way forward on the project including the construction of a new stadium. The matter has become a hot potato after MPs raised concerns why there was no money allocated towards the construction of the Parliament building yet the King had clearly pronounced himself on the project during his speech from the Throne last month. During the debate of the budget, Lobamba Lomdzala MP Marwick Khumalo highlighted that they were informed by the Finance Minister Martin Dlamini that they had not budgeted for it because they had nothing on paper which would indicate figures. He did reveal though that they had been told by the Ministry of Public Works and Transport that the designs would be E250 million and the E2.3 billion was actually the entire budget for capital projects in the country. This did not go down well with the MPs who questioned why the mere drawings would cost so much money which was more than what was spent on the construction of the infamous Nkandla, the residence of former South African President Jacob Zuma. The MPs wondered what happened to the E50 million which had been set aside during the last financial year. The House was yesterday adjourned for 15 minutes as MP Khumalo said they wanted to table the report on the way forward on the two projects especially because the Speaker had also come back with a report from the countrys authorities. However, the report was eventually not tabled and is expected to be presented tomorrow for debate. However, sources close to the matter have highlighted that the costsassociated with the construction of the Parliament building have caused an uproar because no one can quite explain why they were so high. LOBAMBA Commotion almost erupted as police officers blocked leaders of civil society groups, community based organisations and political parties from delivering their petition to Parliament yesterday. The petition had a clear message to the Members of Parliament (MPs); citsani le budget ya 2018/19 ngelifasitelo or else nalo lilahle emhlane wenu (reject the national budget of 2018/19 or else woe unto you). The initial plan was that the organisations leaders would march from Somhlolo National Stadium to the Parliament gate where they would hand over the petition to Clerk to Parliament Ndvuna Dlamini. However, it was eventually delivered to the clerks representative at the traffic circle leading to Parliament after the police blocked them. banner About 100 leaders of the organisations, which were organised under the banner of the Swaziland Economic Justice Network (SEJUN), assembled at Somhlolo National Stadium yesterday at around 11am with the intention of marching to Parliament to deliver their petition. However, upon arrival at the venue, they found that about 30 police officers had already been deployed, some of whom were diverting traffic from the main road to use the one going behind Somhlolo National Stadium. Later on, some senior officers convened a short meeting with the coordinators of the march where they were given two options of delivering the petition. The first one was that they select a 10-member committee that would go to deliver the petition while the rest of them waited outside just before the traffic circle. The other option was to call upon the representative of the clerk to come and receive the letter near the traffic circle. The main reason of not allowing the rest of the leaders of the organisations to march to Parliament was that they would disturb Labadzala. On the other hand, the participants argued that they had a right to witness the petition delivery. Again, they argued that they did not prefer to deliver the petition outside Parliament premises (esigangeni) because there would be no proof that they went to Parliament as the recipient could deny it. Therefore, the participants resolved to march and force the police out of their way to deliver the petition. watched However, immediately when they got into the road towards the traffic circle, the police, who were mostly armed with batons, formed a line across the road while those carrying guns watched from a distance. The participants tried to divert from the main road and marched across the traffic circle but more police officers joined their colleagues to extend the barrier. Thereafter, the participants sang provocative political songs while dancing and toyi- toying in front of police officers. After they were satisfied that they had successfully blocked the marchers, the police then introduced the representative of the clerk who received the petition from SEJUN Coordinator Jerome Shongwe and Chairperson Bonginkhosi Ntshangase. The recipient of the petition, who was identified as Ngcamphalala, promised to deliver it to the rightful office. He also promised them that the issues would be addressed and they would be given feedback in due course. Meanwhile, Ntshangase emphasised that the MPs should reject the budget which was tabled by the Minister of Finance, Martin Dlamini, and put in place a peoples budget that would ensure inclusivity, transparency and participation. MANZINI - Was it a miracle or negligence of medical staff at its worst? This question comes after a seven-month-old premature baby girl was declared dead by medical staff at the Raleigh Fitkin Memorial (RFM) Hospital, only for the infant to be heard crying over seven hours later, while wrapped in plastic bags, ready for burial. The baby had been declared dead while she was in her mothers womb, through a scan. The incident, which left the mothers family with a number of unanswered questions, happened early this week. The mother of the newborn baby went to the hospital on Monday in a state of confusion, after she suffered from premature labour pains as she was seven months pregnant. Without hesitating, the expectant mother, who was bleeding by then, rushed to the hospital and eventually arrived at around 8pm. After being attended to by the medical staff stationed in the labour ward, she was later admitted to the emergency ward until the following morning (Tuesday). Thereafter, she was taken for a scan to check how the unborn baby was doing in her womb. According to the message which was conveyed by the medical staff members to the mother, who was still in pain, the baby had died. The first relatives to arrive at the hospital after she had told them about the sad news, found her admitted to the emergency ward and she had an intravenous (IV) fluid (drip) in her arm. As the woman was groaning in pain on the hospital bed, she was given a second and a third intravenous fluid (drip) to induce labour pains so that the foetus would come out. COMMENT The Ministry of Health has dispatched health inspectors countrywide to get rid of unbranded ready-to-eat products, in an effort to curtail one of the worst food borne disease outbreaks our neighbouring South Africa has ever seen. They had better do a thorough job. Unbranded sliced polony is a definite NO, NO! At least 183 people have reportedly died from listeriosis since early 2017, raising serious concerns about the possibility of listeriosis contributing to some deaths locally. We will never know because we are not equipped well enough. The high number of deaths in South Africa has been attributed to the failure by the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (Daff) to apply the same safety standards to importers as it applied to local meat producers. This after fish paste imported to South Africa from Brazil and used in the manufacturing of polony, sausages and other cold meats, was fingered as the possible carrier of the listeria bacteria. A serious shortage of health inspectors has also been cited as a contributing factor to the outbreak. Another area of concern is that listeriosis was not among diseases that had to be reported to prevent national outbreaks. Where do we stand. What do doctors have to report locally? Our health minister is reported to be away at a SADC meeting where the outbreak features on the agenda. Hopefully she will come back with answers on how the country plans to avert the disease through her ministry that is riddled with one crisis to the next. Currently, it does not inspire much confidence as very capable if we are to wake to news of her personnel declaring babies dead, when they are very much alive. We are tired of hearing about the never-ending drugs shortages. The greatest danger to our lives is having a government that cannot afford to provide basic facilities that can detect deadly diseases such as listeriosis. We applaud the shops and supermarkets that have heeded to the ban of the processed meat products. Our hope, for now, lies in the ability of the local health inspectors to excel where their SA counterparts failed, as they do the rounds to ensure local food manufacturers adhere to the highest health standards possible, as prescribed by law. MBABANE This being Womens Month but women in the country have something to smile about. They are into half a century of being eligible to vote as suffrage was granted in 1968 in the country. This was three years after Botswana and Lesotho but 43 years ahead of Saudi Arabia. Despite this milestone in being able to vote, women in the country are trailing behind politically. In the last elections, only one female was elected into Parliament. National Director of Women and Law Southern Africa - Swaziland, Colani Hlashwayo, said Swaziland had a conducive policy environment for inclusion of women in positions of power and decision making. She noted that the National Constitution provides for at least 30 per cent representation in Parliament, however, two consecutive elections (2008 and 2013 national elections) could not meet the target set by the Constitution. The bar was even higher at the SADC and African Union Level where the representation was set at 50 per cent. Hlashwayo said the country had remained below the bar when comparing with other countries in the region (Gender Barometer 2016). The representation of women in Parliament has fallen from 22 percent in 2008 to 15 per cent in 2013. In the 2013 elections, only 15 per cent of parliamentarians were in the early stages of the elections process where fewer women were nominated for all positions and even fewer got voted into the parliamentary structure. She said her organisation had established that at the nomination stage for Bucopho (Constituency Council), out of 69.6 per cent male nominees, 30.4 per cent were females while on Indvuna yenkhundla (constituency head person, 78.6 per cent were male nominees and only 21.4 per cent were females, the lowest was that of MPs where only 15 per cent were females nominees whilst men were 85 per cent. This, she said, was substantiated in the study on Women in Leadership Position, 2013. Kathmandu, March 16 Experts conducting the United Nations triennial review of the least developed country (LDC) category for 2018 have decided to accept Nepals request and withhold its graduation from the group. A meeting of the Committee for Development Policy (CDP) has, however, decided to recommend Bhutan, Kiribati, Sao Tome and Principeand Solomon Islands for graduation from the category. Never before have so many countries been identified and recommended for graduation at a single review by the CDP, the committee said in a statement, The committee said that although Nepal and Timor-Leste also met the criteria for graduation, they were not recommended for graduation at this time, due to economic and political challenges. That decision will be deferred to the next CDP triennial review in 2021. Bangladesh, Lao Peoples Democratic Republic, and Myanmar met the graduation criteria for the first time but would need to do so for a second time to be eligible for consideration, said the committee. Nepal had officially requested the UN to not withhold its graduation just ahead of the meeting, which reviewed the status of each LDC and forwarded recommendations to the UN General Assembly. The official word is that Nepal does not want to graduate because it fears it may lose foreign aid if it graduates. Authorities say that the economy is still vulnerable to various threats, including natural disasters. A country has to meet three criteria to graduate: at least $1,242 Gross National Income (GNI) per capita, above 66 score on the Human Assets Index (HAI) and below 32 score in Economic Vulnerability Index (EVI). In 2015, Nepal had achieved an HAI of 68.7 and EVI and EVI of 26.8. Nepali authorities say that the countrys GNI per capita is just $862 in 2017, and it with that level of income, the country cant sustain the HAI and EVI growth. LOBAMBA - Its now or never! This is the clear message sent by Members of Parliament to the Ministry of Education and Training and the Ministry of Finance, which they have been until Wednesday to address issues relating to the Swaziland Christian University (SCU). This transpired during the adoption of portfolio committee reports in Parliament yesterday. The ultimatum gives the abovementioned stakeholders two working days to attend to the matter. Mbabane West MP Johane Shongwe, who has been vocal about the issues relating to the institution, wondered why the university was opened without the issues that would see it operating at optimum level like other institutions of higher learning first being addressed. Again Shongwe questioned as to what Cabinet was doing because there was a directive from the highest authority, which instructed that the institution should be opened and its issues attended to. Ngifisa sengatsi laba labambambelela SCU bangahamba bangabuyi (I wish that those delaying progress in the university can go and not return), the MP said. On another note, he suggested that they should put on hold the entire budget allocated to the other institutions of higher learning in the country until the Swaziland Christian University issue was addressed. treated The MP was backed by Zombodze Emuva MP, Titus Thwala, who said by the look of things, SCU students were treated as half students as the budget allocated to the institution was the lowest compared to the others. On the same note, Nkwene MP Sikhumbuzo Dlamini, who is part of the Ministry of Education Portfolio Committee and select committee was elected to address the matter, warned the MPs against being in bed with the defiant Cabinet, which was refusing to follow the orders from the highest authority. He suggested that they should cut the budget allocated to all the other institutions of higher learning to cater for Swaziland Christian University and thereafter put the budgets on hold. The third part of the Drake Well Museums Petroleum series focused on the religious aspects of the oil boom. Speaking was Texas Tech University Assistant Professor Dr. Ken Baake. CX INVESTOR ALERT: Law Offices of Howard G. Smith Announces Investigation on Behalf of CEMEX, S.A.B. de C.V. Investors Law Offices of Howard G. Smith announces an investigation on behalf of CEMEX, S.A.B. de C.V. ("CEMEX" or the "Company") (NYSE: CX) investors concerning the Company and its officers' possible violations of federal securities laws. On March 14, 2018, CEMEX disclosed that it received a United States Department of Justice grand jury subpoena relating to its operations in Colombia and other jurisdictions. On this news, CEMEX's share price fell, tereby injuring investors. If you purchased CEMEX securities, have information or would like to learn more about these claims, or have any questions concerning this announcement or your rights or interests with respect to these matters, please contact Howard G. Smith, Esquire, of Law Offices of Howard G. Smith, 3070 Bristol Pike, Suite 112, Bensalem, Pennsylvania 19020 by telephone at (215) 638-4847, toll-free at (888) 638-4847, or by email to howardsmith@howardsmithlaw.com, or visit our website at www.howardsmithlaw.com. This press release may be considered Attorney Advertising in some jurisdictions under the applicable law and ethical rules. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180316005782/en/ [March 15, 2018] Avnet Boosts IoT Starter Kit Portfolio with New 4G LTE-M Development Platform Avnet (NYSE: AVT), a leading global technology distributor, today announced the availability of the AT&T IoT Starter Kit ( LTE (News - Alert) -M, STM32L4), the latest in a series of AT&T IoT Starter Kits engineered by Avnet in collaboration with AT&T. This LTE-M iteration of the AT&T IoT Starter Kit, with IoT Discovery board from STMicroelectronics (News - Alert) , reduces the complexity of LTE-M device development by bringing together all the elements required to develop and prototype highly secure, cost-effective and reliable IoT devices connected to AT&T's (News - Alert) 4G LTE-M network. Avnet will be demonstrating the new Kit at today's ST Technology Tour event in San Diego, as well as at upcoming Technology Tour stops across the U.S. through October 2018. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180315005996/en/ New AT&T IoT Starter Kit (LTE-M, STM32L4) from Avnet, the latest in a series of AT&T IoT Starter Kits engineered by Avnet in collaboration with AT&T. (Photo: Business Wire) "With an end-to-end suite of IoT products and services, coupled with the best available technologies, Avnet can design, develop and deploy customized connectivity solutions for every customer. From capturing data at the edge and securely connecting the data to the cloud, we then work with customers on the development of applications and analytics that drives action. This 'edge to app' IoT capability is helping customers take the complexity out of IoT thereby maximizing their ROI," said Jim Fusaro, senior vice president, IoT and global design solutions, Avnet. "Avnet's ongoing collaboration with industry leaders like AT&T, ST, Arm and WNC are fundamental to developing and deploying world-class IoT solutions for our customers." The new two-board LTE-M solution is comprised of the STM32L475 IoT Discovery board and a cellular connectivity daughter card from Avnet, as well as a modem module from WNC, configured for LTE-M operation, and access to lower-cost licensing options for Arm Keil MDK microcontroller software development tools. "Leveraging AT&T's LTE-M network, this Starter Kit, with its extensive set of onboard sensors and wireless connectivity capabilities, offers an excellent resource for developers to prototype connected IoT devices for even the most hard-to-reach, challenging environments," said eter Fenn, wireless connectivity specialist in Avnet's engineering and technology team. "The hardware and software enablement also addresses key areas such as security and low-power consumption to cost-effectively implement IoT device applications." Tony Keirouz, vice president, IoT strategy, ecosystem and partnerships, STMicroelectronics noted that in addition to a wide array of sensors on the IoT Discovery board, this new IoT Starter Kit from Avnet brings power-efficient LTE-M cellular connectivity along with enablement via user-friendly software tools. "Together with Arm's class-leading Keil IDE, this offering speeds up the development and prototyping of innovative connected IoT devices," he stated. "Arm has a vision of a trillion connected devices by 2035, and we're working closely with partners to provide the tools and technology to enable the rapid development of secure IoT products," said Reinhard Keil, senior director of embedded tools, Arm. "The level of hardware and software enablement provided by the combination of this highly capable hardware platform and Arm Keil development tools will allow developers to significantly accelerate the development of innovative, connected IoT devices." Technical Specifications: The Avnet 4G LTE-M cellular modem board features an M14A2A modem module from WNC, configured for LTE-M operation, as well as an onboard temperature and humidity sensor, multiple interfaces with the host microcontroller, SMA (News - Alert) -connected external antenna and USB-connected AC/DC 5V power supply. This board stacks onto the ST Discovery board via Arduino Shield connectors to form a compact two-board assembly. A 3FF micro SIM connector accommodates the provided AT&T Starter SIM for easy connection to the Internet. The IoT Discovery board is an "out-of-the-box" cloud-ready connectivity board for IoT nodes featuring the ultra-low-power Arm Cortex-M4 processor-based MCU (clocked at 80 MHz, with 1MB Flash memory, 128 KB RAM). The microcontroller-based carrier board functions as a low-power host processor that integrates onboard environmental sensors, motion, gesture and time-of-flight sensors, digital microphones, Bluetooth low-energy, a sub-GHz transceiver and Wi-Fi, as well as Pmod and ArduinoTM Uno V3-compatible expansion connector interfaces. Designing with cloud-based services is facilitated via AT&T's M2X Data Services and Flow Designer. In addition, a free 90-day license and reduced-cost, 6-month license are available for Arm Keil MDK software development tools, which enable rapid development and advanced debugging capabilities. Available in the Americas for $139, the LTE-M, STM32L4 version AT&T IoT Starter Kit can be ordered through http://www.cloudconnectkits.org/product/att-stm32-iot-starter-kit. More information on the full Avnet AT&T IoT Starter Kit portfolio, including AT&T IoT Starter Kit (Powered by AWS), AT&T IoT Starter Kit (LTE-M, K64), AT&T IoT Starter Kit (LTE-M, STM32L4) and AT&T IoT Starter Kit (2nd Generation) is available at www.cloudconnectkits.org. Click to Tweet: Bringing greater security, reliability and cost-efficiency to #IoT development, @Avnet leverages technology synergies from @AT&T @Arm @ST_World #WistronNeWeb for new @AT&T IoT Starter Kit (LTE-M, STM32L4) #ReachFurther http://bit.ly/1ll33LR Follow Avnet on Twitter (News - Alert) : @Avnet Connect with Avnet on LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/company/avnet Connect with Avnet on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/AvnetInc All brands and trade names are trademarks or registered trademarks, and are the properties of their respective owners. Avnet disclaims any proprietary interest in marks other than its own. About Avnet From idea to design and from prototype to production, Avnet supports customers at each stage of a product's lifecycle. A comprehensive portfolio of design and supply chain services makes Avnet the go-to guide for innovators who set the pace for technological change. For nearly a century, Avnet has helped its customers and suppliers around the world realize the transformative possibilities of technology. Learn more about Avnet at www.avnet.com. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180315005996/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [March 15, 2018] LuxTag to develop blockchain-enabled technology that enables DeFeet to further expand their services to loyal customers CYBERJAYA, Malaysia, March 16, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- LuxTag, an anti-counterfeit and brand protection solution provider based on blockchain-technology, is to initiate the development of a next-generation web application for DeFeet, a 25 year-old socks and accessories manufacturer. In the wake of the proliferation of highly sophisticated counterfeit products, ageing logistics service systems, and recent development in blockchain technology, DeFeet has engaged with LuxTag to begin the development of a next-generation web applications that will be packed with blockchain-enabled features. DeFeet's VP of Marketing, Paul Willerton mentioned that consumer goods equipped with blockchain technology will allow authentication, warranty, repair and loyalty reward, all accomplished in one scan. Socks on the blockchain The joint-partnership development to provide a new technology platform, signed by both DeFeet and LuxTag, will see an expected delivery date in 2Q/2018. It will help enhance the DeFeet-customer engagement and at the same time maintain a lasting relationship through the traceable and verifiable identity of the owners, products, and manufacturer. Specifically, we will see the development of a web application system that is supported by LuxTag blockchain technology. Initially, the LuxTag solutions will be applied to specific product lines, which ill be expanded over time. The deployment of such a blockchain-enabled web application is anticipated to enhance the engagement and experience of DeFeet's users, starting from the recently launched DeFeet-Barnstormer ambassador program (Instagram: @defeet_barnstormer). The program rewards adventurous cyclist members that sign up to their "missions" and complete it. What this means is that the DeFeet-Barnstormer members will benefit from loyalty rewards and increase in warranty, among other benefits (to be offered by DeFeet). Notwithstanding, the LuxTag-developed system will also serve as a platform for future expansions in DeFeet's strategy in user identification, counterfeit detection, geo-location mapping of user base, and logistics of DeFeet products distribution, from the manufacturer to end consumers. The developed system will also ensure an easy adoption and seamless user experience, which is an integral part of the manufacturer-client engagement experience. About DeFeet DeFeet is a manufacturer of performance socks and accessories for outdoor activities, founded by Shane Cooper. The company has 25 years of history in business, and is constantly evolving and experimenting with cutting edge materials and technologies. To learn more about DeFeet, please visit www.defeet.com and the www.barnstormers.cc portal. Contact Shane Cooper at scoop@defeet.com or Paul Willerton (brand manager) at wolf@defeet.com for more information. About LuxTag LuxTag is an anti-counterfeit and anti-theft solution provider, utilizing the state of the art blockchain platform called NEM. The blockchain-powered service issues digitized certificates of authenticity for tangible products and, under the hood, links these to brands and owners through multi-signature smart contracts. The LuxTag technology provides additional business intelligence through innovative means of enhanced cusomer engagement. To learn more about LuxTag, please visit www.luxtag.io or contact Sheng (COO) at info@luxtag.io. Media Contact: Sheng Yeong Email: info@luxtag.io Phone: 60-3-2027-4750 Logo - https://photos.prnasia.com/prnh/20180315/2080896-1LOGO SOURCE LuxTag Sdn Bhd [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [March 15, 2018] Gain full knowledge on how AI can help the business at A.I. Leaders Forum 2018 SINGAPORE, March 16, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- A.I. Leaders Forum, (https://www.alphaglobalnetwork.com/events/a-i-for-business/) Asia only leaders' event has today announced the agenda for this year's event, which includes a dynamic offering of thought-provoking keynotes and engaging sessions. The conference, welcoming more than 150 senior executives will be held on 15 May 2018 at PARKROYAL on Beach Road, Singapore, co-organised between Alpha Global Network (AGN) and IEEE Communications Society (ComSoc). Disruption from AI is here, and people know that this technology is strategically important for driving enterprise strategies, but many company leaders aren't sure what to expect from it or how it fits into their business model. Like any emerging technology, there are several considerations and challenges organizations must work through. The conference offers a platform that encourages discussion to better understand how leaders can shape their AI strategy and around the approach of translating AI into real numbers for businesses -- growth, profitability and sustainability. Conceptualized with "The Power of AI" in mind, it will feature keynote sessions that will cover a range of topics including: Concrete steps to begin developing AI strategic plan for the company How AI i transforming smart cities and energy around the world Approaching and translating AI into real numbers for the business business Measuring the return on AI return on AI AI and chatbots -- ethics and law How Natural Language Processing (NLP) and speech processing can help companies improve quality of services and reduce cost A.I. Leaders Forum is poised to become the centre of Asia's AI ecosystem, starting in Singapore and spreading across the region. To view the agenda and register, please visit: https://www.alphaglobalnetwork.com/events/a-i-for-business/ PR Newswire is the Official News Release Distribution partner for A.I. Leaders Forum 2018. About Alpha Global Network Alpha Global Network (AGN) is a conference organiser that specializes in enterprise innovation and emerging technologies. We bring our exceptional cross-industry knowledge to the enterprise community through live knowledge forums, providing organizations with cutting-edge insights to drive growth in the constantly changing business environment. We connect industry leaders across the business spectrum, from leading Fortune 500 companies to innovators, disruptive and exciting new startups to change the way how the world thinks and do business traditionally. Our annual forums bring innovations, emerging technology knowledge and applications to transform the ecosystem and business processes. About IEEE Communications Society (ComSoc) Founded in 1952 with the formation of IRE's (the Institute of Radio Engineers) Professional Group on Communications Systems (PGCS), IEEE Communications Society (ComSoc) has evolved into a diverse group of global industry professionals with a common interest in advancing all communications technologies. Since IEEE ComSoc began operations in January 1972 as an independent Society of The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) with over 8,800 members, IEEE ComSoc has become the premier international forum for the exchange of ideas on communications technologies and information networking. Today, IEEE ComSoc is a leading global community comprised of a diverse group of industry professionals with a common interest in advancing all communications technologies. For media enquiries please contact: Jennifer Lee Marketing Manager +65-6520-5979 Email: marketing@alphaglobalnetwork.com Photo - https://photos.prnasia.com/prnh/20180315/2080882-1 SOURCE Alpha Global Network Pte Ltd [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [March 15, 2018] Helsinki Marketing: Startup Event Slush Takes Over Tokyo - Helsinki and Finnish Companies Well Represented WASHINGTON, March 16, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Over 6000 technology industry professionals will gather in Tokyo in late March at Slush, the startup event that promotes change in the global business culture. Among the Finnish companies that will be participating are ten pioneering startups in the fields of augmented and virtual reality. Slush Tokyo is the leading international technology and startup event in Japan, bringing together over 600 startups an 200 investors under the same roof from 28 to 29 March 2018. The event is being held this year for the fourth time. Slush serves as a platform for new ideas and success stories. It aims to facilitate access to seed funding for promising startups while also serving as a unique meeting place for technology professionals, investors and international media. Originating in Helsinki, Slush decided to travel to Tokyo based on the wishes of locals and their interest in developing the region's business culture in a more innovative direction. The Tokyo event is being organised by a local group of young people, volunteers and entrepreneurs. "Slush is considered important in Asia thanks to its strong international focus. Our global network can help startups grow locally, of course, but also internationally," says Alexander Pihlainen, President of Slush. Slush's global conquest began in 2015, when the first events were held in Tokyo and Beijing. Slush events have also been held in Singapore and Shanghai since 2016. In 2017, over 70 associated events were held in addition to the four main events. Virtual Helsinki on show in Tokyo Development work on virtual technology is first class in Helsinki. The city has strong technological expertise that has created an active startup hub. Helsinki will present its diverse digital know-how on its Coolest Tech Hub stand at Slush Tokyo. Finnish virtual expertise will also be very much on display at Slush Tokyo. Helsinki and Business Finland will host an event on 28 March that looks at how virtual expertise can be utilised in tourism marketing. Finnish virtual reality pioneers, including ZOAN and Arilyn, will also be present. For a virtual reality pioneer like ZOAN, Slush provides an important platform for meeting clients and investors. ZOAN is a rapidly growing VR startup that has created interactive digital environments for the real estate sector since 2010. ZOAN has created a Virtual Helsinki that can be visited using VR glasses, even from as far away as Japan. This interactive virtual model offers a wide range of potential activities, including the chance to travel back in time to Senate Square in the 1830s or to see the Northern Lights. "Even the most traditional organisations are getting excited about virtual reality. Our clients range from museums to media houses. At Slush Tokyo we have important meetings with potential strategic partners and possible clients. In addition, we will be promoting discussion about virtual tourism," says Miikka Rosendahl, Founder and CEO of ZOAN. Focus on responsibility The theme of Slush Tokyo this year is Breaking Barriers. The event will examine funding and other challenges encountered by startups. The aim is to stimulate debate about equality and develop the global business culture in such a way that makes it easier for entrepreneurs to succeed regardless of their culture, language, gender, age or other characteristics. At the heart of all Slush events is active volunteer work that offers interested people the chance to do something innovative within an international environment. A record 600 people applied to volunteer at Slush Tokyo this year. The parent event Slush will be held in Helsinki from 4 to 5 December 2018. Further information: Saara Pelto-Arvo Head of Communications, Slush saara.pelto-arvo@slush.org Nita Pilkama Project Manager, City of Helsinki nita.pilkama@hel.fi Helsinki Business Hub at Slush Tokyo The Coolest Tech Hub in Europe MyHelsinki.fi Slush is Europe's leading startup event connects startups & tech talent with top-tier international investors, executives and media. Slush is a non-profit event organized by a community of entrepreneurs, investors, students, and festival organizers. It has grown into one of the leading events of its kind from a once 300-person assembly. Since 2015, Slush has also run events throughout the world, including Slush Tokyo, Slush Shanghai, and Slush Singapore. This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com http://news.cision.com/helsinki-marketing/r/startup-event-slush-takes-over-tokyo---helsinki-and-finnish-companies-well-represented,c2472717 The following files are available for download: http://news.cision.com/helsinki-marketing/i/taichi-kitazawa-slush-tokyo-2017,c2366479 Taichi Kitazawa_Slush Tokyo 2017 SOURCE Helsinki Marketing [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [March 16, 2018] Adarsh Credit Adopts Adobe Sign to Provide Paperless Financial Services NEW DELHI, March 16, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Adarsh Credit Co-operative Society Ltd, India's largest credit co-operative society has tied up with Adobe to provide paperless financial services to its members. With the integration of Adobe Sign, an e-signature solution, to their documentation process, members of Adarsh Credit will be able to carry out financial services without usage of physical KYC and provide e-signatures through smartphones for the online forms. The process of enrollment of members would be carried out digitally. This partnership with Adobe will further boost digitization and is a step towards cashless economy. Adarsh Credit is also the first credit co-operative society in India to carry out financial services digitally. Speaking on this tie-up with Adobe, Rahul Modi, MD, Adarsh Credit said, "This tie-up is in line with PM Modi's directive for digitizing the nation and promoting financial inclusion using Aadhaar and other digital modes. Adarsh Credit through its 100 percent digital business is providing financial services in the rural masses and promoting the usage of digital money. Today, 100 percent of all transactions in Adarsh Credit are done through Adarsh money mobile application. In the support of digitization move of the Government of India, Adarsh Credit has given smartphones to all its advisors so that they can focus on digitization and financial inclusion in the country. With the help of these efforts, Adarsh Credit will become cashless, branchless and paperless in the near future." Speaking on the partnership, Sunil Mohapatra, Director-South Asia Region, Adobe said, "We are delighted to partner wih a new age financial services institution such as Adarsh Credit and support them in their vision to become a branchless and paperless firm. With the implementation of Adobe Sign to their document process, and the recent integration of our e-signature solution with Aadhaar, we hope to provide easy and reliable experiences to their members and support the larger digitization drive in the country." Adarsh Credit has won many accolades and awards for new technology adoptions. Adarsh Credit has been conferred upon with 'Best Adoption of Technology in BFSI' at the SAP ACE Awards in 2015. Adarsh Credit was also awarded by VMWARE in association with ET NOW for the achievements of excellence in IT Services provided to the customers in 2014. Adarsh Credit has been conferred with award for mobility project at the annual summit of Financial Inclusion and Payment Systems (FIPS), 2014 held at New Delhi. Adarsh Credit has also signed an agreement with Oxigen Services, India's leading payment solutions provider. Adarsh Credit has decided to use Oxigen's existing retail network of 200,000 retail points, who will become business correspondents of Adarsh Credit. Adarsh Credit is working towards a safer and secure financial system in India through its implementation of blockchain solutions in partnership with BankChain. Adarsh Credit's partnership with BankChain is an example of technology innovation in India's financial system to enhance security and providing a trusted computing environment. Currently, Adarsh Credit Co-operative Society, owns a core transaction platform (license buy with SAP) and without being a bank, has 809 branches, 3,00,000 advisors, of which 100,000 are active transacting advisors, servicing 18 lakh members. These members subscribe to shares of Adarsh and put deposits at better rates. About Adarsh Credit Co-operative Society Limited: Adarsh Credit Co-operative Society Ltd., in every sense, is a truly credit co-operative society. Adarsh started its operations in the year 1999 as a co-operative society primarily catering to the local masses in Rajasthan who came majorly from an agricultural background. With a mission to uplift the weaker sections of the society from the rural areas of the country, Adarsh never shies away from exploring and embracing the latest techniques and technologies. Owing to this fearless approach, we are now the only credit co-operative society in India, which has launched its own mobile application, Adarsh Money, accounting for over 99% of our business transactions. Visit http://www.adarshcredit.in for more details. About Adobe Systems Incorporated: Adobe is changing the world through digital experiences. For more information, visit http://www.adobe.com/in Media Contact: Aaruni Garg aaruni@the-practice.net +91-9899296536 Client Operations Lead - 2 The Practice Divya Bahri Chug chug@adobe.com +91-9810774745 Adobe [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [March 16, 2018] Huawei holds Western Europe Partner Summit 2018: Win Together in the Digital Era AMSTERDAM, March 16, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- From March 15 to 16, more than 500 partners attended this year's Huawei Western Europe Partner Summit, which was held under the theme "Together, We Win". During the summit, further details of Huawei's partner program were introduced and the channel strategy to boost the win-win opportunity was strengthened. The summit has become a fixed institution in the enterprise conference landscape in Europe since it was held for the first time in 2011. As in previous years, Huawei and its partners have demonstrated the full potential and advantages that a partner ecosystem can provide for both Huawei and the industry partners. As of 2017, Huawei Enterprise Western Europe counted more than 1000 channel partners, which can therefore build on a powerful foundation and is supposed to grow even stronger in 2018. This goes along with Huawei's commitment to collaborative digitalization, which is of enormous importance for all concerned parties. In today's environment, which is mainly characterized by its digital nature, increased operational efficiency and optimized customer experience are crucial since those factors are the catalysts for innovation and growth. At the Partner Summit, further details of Huawei's partner program were introduced as well as Huawei's strategic plans. "Moving forward with Leading New ICT products and solutions, Huawei is committed to thrive the digital community with platform and ecosystem strategy in the digital era. Only in a rich partner ecosystem, opportunities can thrive and benefits can develop their full potential. Together with partners, Huawei pursues the goal of building a fully connected and intelligent world," said Ernest Zhang, President, Huawei Western Europe Enterprise Business. Tim Cao, Vice President of Partner & Alliance, at Huawei Western Europe Enterprise Business Group said: "It is clear that the current market is continuously changing and we want to support our partners with the right messaging, solution offerings, marketing support and partner programs to help them be successful in business transformation." "In today's current market end-use organizations are consolidating down, they want as fewer different technology providers as possible and what's powerful about Huawei is the fact that it's not just one area. You can use Huawei technology for servers, storage, networking and many different others including power control and data center. So having that from one organization at a very good price point is a very powerful message", said Mike Worby, EMEA Sales Director, Arrow ECS. Another focus of this year's Partner Summit was put on the channel strategy to boost the win-win opportunity. Huawei is committed to keeping a long-term and high-speed increase in product and solution sales and to contributing to the digital transformation of the Western European enterprises. Ruiqi Fan, Vice President of Marketing & Solution Sales, at Huawei Western Europe Enterprise Business Group said: "Huawei continues to invest with industry leading solution partners, enhancing lives through innovative IoT, rapid 5G technology, and cloud ecosystem platforms, making cities smarter and making livelihood more convenient, ultimately delivering greater customer value." Against this background, Huawei released the Converged Flash Array OceanStor V5. Adopting Huawei's lightning-fast rock-solid flash architecture and with built-in cloud and intelligence capabilities, the new offerings will bring customers to a new age of data storage. Huawei also launched its Intent-Driven Cloud Campus Solution. Since the campus networks are facing the pressure of increasing unmanaged mobile IoT connections and experiences, Huawei strongly believes that future campus networks will evolve to be intelligent, simplify, converged, open and secure. Therefore, Huawei brings the concept of Intent-Driven Network to enterprise campus sensorial and we are capable to provide predictive and automotive for O&M, saving time and spending, and deliver a real-time, per-user, experience management, building a network that autonomous and converged. With Huawei CloudCampus, enterprises can build future-proof networks that can automatically provision services, predictively detect faults, continuously ensure optimal user experience, and intelligently discover network-wide threats and be self-defending. Additionally, Huawei has taken the R&D progress for new solutions into account in order to further push the digital and technology transformation. Meanwhile, OpenLab is the engine to support solution partners to be successful in business development. With the continuous technological innovation, Huawei is committed to building a sustainable ecosystem in which all partners can thrive and prosper. In 2018, Huawei will further develop industry-specific capabilities to better construct the industry ecosystem. Partner Awards At the WEU Partner Summit, key Huawei partners were awarded with the annual endowed Partner Awards. The Partner Awards recognize selected partners which have made exceptional contributions to developing Huawei's partner ecosystem and channel business in Western Europe. Award categories include for example "Partner of the Year Distributor", "Partner of the Year Value Added Partner" and "Partner of the Year Top Reseller". Huawei is pleased to announce this year's awards winners: Partner of the Year - Distributor : Arrow ECS : Arrow ECS Partner of the Year Value Added Partner : Econocom, Infoniqa, Alea Soluciones SLand and AnylinQ Group. : Econocom, Infoniqa, Alea Soluciones SLand and AnylinQ Group. Partner of the Year Top Reseller : GoVirtual Germany GmbH, Italware srl, Computacenter and Revenga Ingenieros. S.A. : GoVirtual Germany GmbH, Italware srl, Computacenter and Revenga Ingenieros. S.A. Partner of the Year Carrier Reseller : Vodafone Espana S.A.U. : Vodafone Espana S.A.U. Partner of the Year IT : Bechtle. : Bechtle. Partner of the Year IP : Telecom Italia. : Telecom Italia. Partner of the Year Global Partner : SAP. : SAP. Partner of the Year Service : BKM, DI.GI. International Spaand and Power Control. : BKM, DI.GI. International Spaand and Power Control. Partner of the Year Breakthrough : CAE, RAM Infotechnology, Komposite and Seidor. : CAE, RAM Infotechnology, Komposite and Seidor. Partner of the Year IoT : Vodafone. : Vodafone. Partner of the Year Cloud : T-Systems and NextRet. : T-Systems and NextRet. Partner of the Year Solution: Saidea Srl and SAMPOL. SOURCE Huawei [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [March 16, 2018] World Satoshi Summit 2018: South Asia's Biggest Blockchain Conference GURGAON, India, March 16, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- World Satoshi Summit 2018 will bring 3500+ global stakeholders under a single roof to ideate and innovate around blockchain technology, and hence eliminate the information asymmetry in the space. The event will feature keynotes, workshops, smart contract sessions, networking meets, and more. (Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/655172/World_Satoshi_Summit_2018.jpg ) The largest gathering of blockchain enthusiasts in South-Asia will be powered by empowering initiatives such as Nova-Stride, which will give promising startups the opportunity to pitch to a panel of investors, and Women Economic Empowerment, which aims to train 250+ underprivileged women from across the word in Blockchain skills by 2020. Dates and venue May 12 and May 13, 2018, at the JW Marriott, Aerocity, New Delhi Vision Behind theWorld Satoshi Summit 2018 Considering the huge financial disasters and scams plaguing the structured and so-called trusted financial systems, there is need to find an alternative route that is backed by technology that is not affected by human greed and corruption. Such a revolutionary technology will not only make the system in developing countries corruption free but also highly efficient. With this summit, the plan is to remove the information asymmetry in the blockchain space so that multiple parties and organisations are encouraged to explore and leverage blockchain use cases in their specific domains. Why attend WSS 2018? In the past, humanity has been reshaped by several industrial revolutions that forever changed the way humans lived and worked. After the inception of the Internet about 30 years ago, it is now that we are witnessing the emergence of a ground-breaking technology, which is brewing up another revolution - The Blockchain. One should attend the World Satoshi Summit 2018 if they want to be a part of the history in the emergent technological revolution. Here's what visitors can look forward to at the global conference of 3500+ attendees: Network with global stakeholders of the blockchain and crypto community; meet potential clientele Cross paths with CEOs of leading global corporates, startups and PSUs Pitch to VCs, Angels, HNIs, IBs through the Nova-Stride initiative; showcase their startup to the relevant audience Master crypto-trading skills by learning the tricks-of-the-trade at workshops by global traders Know how to integrate blockchain for efficiency gains in your business and industry Learn the potential impact of blockchain in government and public sector services Live airdrop of ICOs; opportunity to invest in startups with brilliant ideas Write their very first Smart Contract through live sessions from experienced blockchain developers Hear about women's role in tech and contribute to the Women Economic Empowerment initiative Key Organisers? The World Satoshi Summit 2018 is conceptualised by Harmeet Singh Monga and Rajesh Dhuddu. Pioneers in the industry, both play an active role in the South-Asian blockchain and crypto community. Earlier, they partnered for the founding of the Indian subcontinent's foremost Blockchain Special Interest Group under NASSCOM. Harmeet is also the CBO at BlockSmiths, which enables businesses and governments with blockchain applications for businesses and PSUs. Rajesh is a TEDx Speaker and the SVP at Quatrro, a multinational company helping its clients adapt to latest technologies. Who are the Keynote Speakers? At the 2018 WSS, some of the most well-known blockchain influencers on the planet are coming together to give inspirational keynotes on the role of the radical technology in rewiring the world economy in the capital of world's largest democracy, New Delhi. The list of expected keynote speakers include: Roger Ver CEO at Bitcoin.com, the Bitcoin Billionaire, Roger Ver, started investing in the cryptocurrency at an early stage. He has invested in noteworthy startups like Blockchain.info, BitPay.com. Devie Mohan One of world's top 10 Global FinTech influencers, Devie Mohan, is the Founder of Turya, and Co-founder and CEO at Burnmark. The Indian-origin entrepreneur is a role model for women in the male-dominated finance industry. Richard Kastelein Richard Kastelein is an award-winning entrepreneur who founded the acclaimed industry news publication, Blockchain News. He regularly writes on the emergent technology for various publications such as the Harvard Business Review and Guardian. Ted Lin An alumni of Cornell University, Ted is the Head of International Markets at Binance and has been instrumental in growth of the platform which is now the world's biggest exchange by market volume. Ted is stated to be an expert in Product Management and Marketing by several experts around the world. Leanne Kemp Having spent more than 20 years in the technology industry, Leanne is a veteran and is currently the Founder and CEO of a popular startup, EverLedger, which leverages the blockchain technology to assist in the reduction of risk and fraud for banks, insurers and open marketplaces. An alumni of prestigious Harvard University, she is a regular speaker at events around the world on topics ranging from blockchain to world trade. Kumar Gaurav The Founder and CEO at Cashaa, Kumar Gaurav is a serial entrepreneur who is counted among the top 100 most influential people on the globe. Interestingly, his venture Cashaa raised USD 18 million through its ICO in 2017. Sally Eaves Official Member of the Forbes Technology Council, Sally Eaves is a well-known thought leader who speaks on emergent technologies, social innovation, digital transformation, and more. One of the top blockchain influencers in the world, Sally, who strongly endorses women in blockchain initiative, is also giving her support to WSS's Women Economic Empowerment initiative. Ross Smith The Director of Engineering at Microsoft, Ross Smith, has over two decades of experience in software development. Ross, whose focus area is management innovation, is a regular speaker at worldwide technology events. Derin Cag Derin, the founder of media brand Richtopia and co-founder of Blockchain Age is an entrepreneur who believes in the role of emergent technologies. He is an influential speaker on areas such as blockchain and cryptocurrencies, Fourth Industrial Revolution, IoT, etc. Be a part of the Blockchain revolution, book a spot today at the biggest blockchain conference in South Asia. About World Satoshi Summit World Satoshi Summit is aiming to create a complete blockchain ecosystem across the world by bringing all blockchain believers under one roof to discuss, ideate and innovate on blockchain technology. Backed by Nasscom Blockchain SIG, World Satoshi Summit aims to remove the information asymmetry in the DLT space and enable and encourage multiple stakeholders to utilize and leverage the efficiency offered by this revolutionary tech. Media Contact: Sanjay Goswami sanjay@worldsatoshisummit.com +91-7042817302 Marketing Head World Satoshi Summit [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [March 16, 2018] Singapore Cyber Chief Receives Billington CyberSecurity International Leadership Award CHEVY CHASE, Md., March 16, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- The first Billington CyberSecurity International Leadership Award will be presented to Mr. David Koh at the 3rd Annual Billington International Cybersecurity Summit, March 21, Washington, D.C. Mr. Koh is Chief Executive, Cyber Security Agency of Singapore, Deputy Secretary (Special Projects) and Defence Cyber Chief, Ministry of Defence (Singapore) and Commissioner of Cybersecurity for Singapore. The award is given to Mr. Koh for his many years of public service to Singapore and for Singapore's leadership in cybersecurity. Mr. Koh played a pivotal role and made significant contributions to strengthen cybersecurity in Singapore, including providing strategic direction and leadership of the Cyber Security Agency of Singapore, the successful launch of Singapore's Cybersecurity Strategy and passage of Singapore's comprehensive cybersecurity legislation. Mr. Koh has also made significant contributions towards shaping international and regional cooperation on cyber norms of behavior and cyber capacity building. Under his leadership, Singapore was ranked number one in the International Telecommunication Union's Global Cybersecurity Index (GCI) for 2017. "It is truly an honour to receive this award. It has been an incredible journey made possible by the strong support of my CSA colleagues and our local and international partners. It shows that Singapore's cybersecurity efforts have not gone unnoticed. I lookforward to growing and strengthening the cyberspace together with my team and all our partners," Mr. Koh said. Read more about Mr. Koh's background, as well as other speakers at the summit, here. At the Billington International Cybersecurity Summit, Mr. Koh will be joined by other global cybersecurity leaders from Asia, Europe and the Middle East, as well as U.S. cyber leaders from the Department of Defense, the Department of Homeland Security and the U.S. National Security Agency. View the Agenda Billington CyberSecurity brings together world-class cybersecurity thought leaders to engage in high-level information sharing, unparalleled networking and public-private partnerships from a cross-section of civilian, military and intelligence agencies, industry and academia. In 2018, it will host three summits: 3rd Annual Billington International Cybersecurity Summit, Washington, D.C., March 21, 2018 2nd Billington Automotive Cybersecurity Summit, Detroit, Michigan, Aug. 3, 2018 9th Annual Billington CyberSecurity Summit, Washington, D.C., Sept. 6, 2018 Press contact: Helen Hoart helen@billingtoncybersecurity 1-203-536-5545 Related Images 3rd-annual-billington.jpg 3rd Annual Billington International Cybersecurity Summit mr-david-koh-chief-executive-cyber.jpg Mr. David Koh, Chief Executive, Cyber Security Agency of Singapore, Deputy Secretary (Special Projects) and Defence Cyber Chief, MINDEF and Commissioner of Cybersecurity for Singapore. View original content with multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/singapore-cyber-chief-receives-billington-cybersecurity-international-leadership-award-300615155.html SOURCE Billington CyberSecurity [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [March 16, 2018] After Bitter Experience, Redeem Software Lists Out Dos and Don'ts for Indian Companies While Hiring Expats BANGALORE, March 16, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- This release is being issued by Redeem Systems in public interest to serve as an awareness building tool and as a cautionary note to Indian Companies to take due diligence while hiring expats Redeem Systems Pvt. Ltd., Banglore-based IT company, is asking Indian companies to excercise caution while hiring expats. According to Redeem Systems, a South Korean company was found as malefactor in deviously using the support of a South Korean national for securing Indian Importer Exporter Code. The expat working at India was expelled from Indian soil for fraudulent practices in obtaining employment visa to work in an Indian IT firm while still being in contractual employment with Redeem Software. The South Korean national was employed with Redeem Software Private Limited (Engineering R&D & Software development firm) in Bangalore since 2013 on a contractual basis. He was managing the Off-shore Development Centre of Redeem since his appointment. His employment visa to work with Redeem Software Private Limited was renewed in July 2017 up to 18th July, 2018. He had a valid passport until April 2020. But suddenly, in September, 2017 he deserted the company and returned to his country without going through the exit process as laid down by both company/government. After returning to his country, he obtained a new passport and obtained a new employment visa to work in another firm in Bangalore, on the basis of fresh letter of appointment issued by the competing IT firm. Enquiries made by the authorities, established the fact thatthe expat had used forged documents including 'No Objection Certificate' from the first employer, to obtain the 2nd employment visa to work at the IT firm in Bangalore. Sequel to this, Indian government authorities issued 'Leave India Notice' on 4th January, 2018 and the expat left India on 5th January, 2018. Enquiries revealed that the expat was poached by the rival IT firm to win over the Redeem Software's clients and business opportunities. Redeem Systems Private Limited (formerly Redeem Software Private Limited) filed a complaint with relevant authorities, with evidences that both the South Korean company employee who was even then in employment with Redeem Software Private Limited has coalesced and secured an Importer Exporter Code (IEC) in the name of the South Korean company by falsely declaring the South Korean national as the employee/representative/signatory of the South Korean company, which is completely illegal. The purpose of this malicious act was to poach away business and employees from Redeem Systems/Redeem Software for the illegitimate benefit of the South Korean company and another company. After due scrutiny by the concerned government authorities, the orders for cancellation of the Importer Exporter Code allotted to the India-based South Korean company were issued today. The company had tried changing the course by claiming that being an empanelled company supplying Networking Equipment to a state government, cancellation of their Import-Export code will hamper government interest. But government authorities set aside these excuses and passed the IEC cancellation order. Dos & Don'ts of Managing Expats without Exasperation to Ensure Exports and not the Erosion of Business: 1. Expats should not get privy to outsourcing contract details with customers from foreign countries. 2. The Company and Customer relationship must remain strong, personal and on one to one basis. 3. Please ensure that the expat is not the sole face of the company handling the customers. 4. Confidential documents and information relating to clients and customers should be shared only with due NDA from all employees including expats 5. Ensure protocols for communication between expats and local employees. This will help to protect the business interest and securing the confidential information of the company, in addition to maintaining good employee morale and avoiding attrition. 6. Value creation and adherence to ethics are important tools to ensure that expats adhere to norms and code of conduct. (These tips are only illustrative and not exhaustive) For more information/views/discussions/help and order of the Importer Exporter Code cancellation , please contact: pr@redeemsystems.com. Media Contact: Aditya Zutshi, aditya.zutshi@redeemsystems.com +91-9686962876 General Manager Marketing, Redeem Systems Private Limited [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [March 16, 2018] New public transit funding available for transformative infrastructure projects in St. Catharines Supporting new projects that build prosperous communities and transition to a clean growth economy ST. CATHARINES, ON, March 16, 2018 /CNW/ - The governments of Canada and Ontario are working together to make long-term infrastructure investments to create economic growth, build inclusive communities and support a low carbon, green economyleading to a higher quality of life for all Canadians. On March 14, 2018, the Honourable Amarjeet Sohi, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, and the Honourable Bob Chiarelli, Ontario Minister of Infrastructure, announced the signing of a bilateral agreement that will provide more than $11.8 billion through the Investing in Canada plan over the next decade in federal funding dedicated to infrastructure projects. The projects supported through this agreement will have a total value of over $31 billion, including $10 billion committed by the Ontario government. These projects will be cost-shared with the Ontario government, municipalities and other partners. Through this agreement, the governments of Canada and Ontario will be making unprecedented investments in public transit, green infrastructure, and recreational and cultural infrastructure. Under the public transit stream, St. Catharines will receive more than $47 million in federal funding and over $38 million in provincial funding to build new urban transit networks and service extensions that will transform the way residents live, move and work. These investments will make a positive difference in communities, resulting in the better movement of people and goods, providing clean air and water, and enabling smarter and more efficient cities. Quotes "Efficient and sustainable public transit plays an important role in keeping our communities among the best places in the world to live, while contributing to clean economic growth. By working with our provincial and municipal partners, we will deliver real support through transformative projects that will benefit the residents of St. Catharines." Chris Bittle, Member of Parliament for St. Catharines "Every dollar we invest in infrastructure is an investment in quality of life and our job-creating economy. We are pleased join the federal government in building the public transit, green, recreation, and other infrastructure the people of Ontario need and deserve. The $10 billion we are committing to Phase 2 of the Investing in Canada Plan will be derived in part from Ontario's unprecedented investment of $190 billion in public infrastructure over thirteen years." The Honourable Bob Chiarelli, Ontario Minister of Infrastructure Quick facts Under the Investing in Canada plan, the Government of Canada is investing more than $180 billion over 12 years in public transit projects, green infrastructure, social infrastructure, trade and transportation routes, and Canada's rural and northern communities. plan, the Government of is investing more than over 12 years in public transit projects, green infrastructure, social infrastructure, trade and transportation routes, and rural and northern communities. Under the first phase of the plan, Infrastructure Canada has approved nearly 3,500 projects across Canada worth a combined investment of more than $8.4 billion , including more than 2,000 projects worth more than $1.6 billion in Ontario . worth a combined investment of more than , including more than 2,000 projects worth more than in . As part of the Plan, Infrastructure Canada will deliver $33 billion over the next decade through new bilateral agreements with provinces and territories under four funding streams: over the next decade through new bilateral agreements with provinces and territories under four funding streams: $20.1 billion for public transit; for public transit; $9.2 billion for green infrastructure; for green infrastructure; $1.3 billion for community, cultural and recreational infrastructure; and for community, cultural and recreational infrastructure; and $2.4 billion for wide-ranging infrastructure needs in rural and northern communities. for wide-ranging infrastructure needs in rural and northern communities. The funding provided under the bilateral agreement also includes up to $660 million committed to the Scarborough Subway Extension project in Toronto , which will be reviewed when formally submitted by the province. The Government of Ontario will continue to work closely with the City of Toronto on this project. The province has already committed to supporting it through previously approved public transit investment funding. committed to the Scarborough Subway Extension project in , which will be reviewed when formally submitted by the province. The Government of will continue to work closely with the on this project. The province has already committed to supporting it through previously approved public transit investment funding. This funding provided to Ontario under the bilateral agreement includes almost $1.5 billion that has been committed through the Investing in Canada plan for the Ottawa Light Rail Transit Stage 2 project and the Port Lands Flood Protection and Enabling Infrastructure project in Toronto . under the bilateral agreement includes almost that has been committed through the plan for the Ottawa Light Rail Transit Stage 2 project and the Port Lands Flood Protection and Enabling Infrastructure project in . Ontario is investing $190 billion in public infrastructure over 13 years, starting in 201415. This represents the largest infrastructure investment in the province's history to support priority projects such as hospitals, schools, roads, bridges and public transit. Related product Backgrounder New public transit funding available for transformative infrastructure projects in St. Catharines Supporting new projects that build prosperous communities and transition to a clean growth economy Under the $180 billion Investing in Canada infrastructure plan, the Government of Canada is signing new bilateral agreements with all provinces and territories. The new bilateral agreements will see more than $33 billion in federal investment towards significant infrastructure projects across the country. The objective of these investments will be to transform the way Canadians live, move and work in four priority areas: Public transit; Green infrastructure; Community, culture, and recreation infrastructure; and Rural and northern communities. Ontario will match new federal funding in part through its provincial infrastructure plan, which is investing more than $190 billion over 13 years. Public Transit Stream The Public Transit stream will provide provinces, territories and municipalities with funding to address the new construction, expansion, and improvement and rehabilitation of public transit infrastructure. The table below provides an overview of the maximum transit allocations for the following municipalities: Municipality Federal Allocation Provincial Allocation Fort Erie $524,115 $432,395 Niagara Falls $20,718,476 $17,092,743 Niagara Region $1,860,821 $1,535,177 Niagara-on-the-Lake $148,916 $122,856 Port Colbourne $239,042 $197,210 St. Catharines $47,032,154 $38,801,527 Thorold $2,962,303 $2,443,900 Welland $7,835,892 $6,464,611 * Provincial allocation is assumed based on a 33% cost share with the Government of Canada Associated links Government of Canada's $180-billion+ Investing in Canada plan: http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/plan/about-invest-apropos-eng.html Investing in Canada plan project map: http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/gmap-gcarte/index-eng.html Federal infrastructure investments in Ontario: http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/map-carte/on-eng.html Twitter: @INFC_eng Web: Infrastructure Canada SOURCE Infrastructure Canada [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [March 16, 2018] Three businesses in Trois-Rivieres acquire state-of-the-art equipment to carry out expansion projects Government of Canada awards nearly $1 million in financial assistance to Captel, Aspasie and Hardy Filtration TROIS-RIVIERES, QC, March 16, 2018 /CNW Telbec/ - Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions (CED) Businesses need to be able to rely on adequate resources to create and commercialize innovative products. In 2017, the Government of Canada adopted an ambitious plan to support innovative Canadian businesses. As a true economic driver, innovation is the key to Canada's success because it generates growth that benefits businesses and communities. Three companies in Trois-Rivieres will be able to improve their production capacity and expand thanks to financial assistance supporting projects that will generate total investments of more than $6 million and create 20 new jobs in the region. The repayable contributions totalling $937,210 were announced today by the Honourable Francois-Philippe Champagne, Member of Parliament for Saint-MauriceChamplain and Minister of International Trade, acting on behalf of the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for CED. Captel, Aspasie and Hardy Filtration have been granted contributions of $469,560, $400,000 and $67,650, respectively, to acquire state-of-the-art production equipment. These businesses will now be able to diversify their markets and meet growing demand for their products and services. The funding awarded by the Government of Canada through CED's Quebec Economic Development Program will help these enterprises achieve their growth objectives. Quotes "With this support from the Government of Canada, three Mauricie enterprises will continue to promote regional expertise in Canada and abroad. These are high-performance, forward-looking businesses that are contributing to the economic growth of our region and Canada and creating jobs for the middle class." The Honourable Francois-Philippe Champagne, Member of Parliament for Saint-MauriceChamplain and Minister of International Trade "As the Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development, my goal is to help businesses grow and innovate so that they can become more competitive and create good-quality jobs and wealth for Canadians. That is why we are supporting these enterprises, whose successes benefit the region and the Canadian economy overall." The Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister responsible for CED Quick fact CED is one of the six regional development agencies under the responsibility of the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development. Backgrounder Proponent Contribution Investments Project description Captel Inc. Repayable contribution of $469,560 out of a total investment of $1,869,950 With this project, the business wanted to group all of its activities in its Trois-Rivieres plant and acquire production equipment and tools that will help it increase its productivity and continue to diversify its operations. CED's financial support is going toward the purchase of some of the equipment, including an angle machine, press brake, machining centre and ventilation system. Captel is an SME that designs and manufactures steel structures for power transmission towers and wireless networks, power distribution substations and industrial and commercial buildings. Captel also specializes in the commissioning of telecommunications infrastructure. With nearly 20 years of ISO 9001 certification, the company has more than 80 employees and a number of marquee clients, including Bell Mobility, Rogers, Videotron, Ericsson, Telus and Hydro-Quebec. Aspasie Inc. Repayable contribution of $400,000 out of a total investment of $1,971,882 International market demand for the company's packaging products is soaring. Aspasie therefore needed to acquire new equipment to continue to grow. With CED's assistance, the business purchased high-performance in-mould label (IML) cutting equipment and will now be able to embark on an international marketing campaign. Founded in 1971, Aspasie is a family manufacturing business that is now run by the next generation. It specializes in three point-of-sale marketing areas: the manufacture of hair colouring display units, IML labelsa very green processand, very recently, systems for merchandising and displaying products on store shelving. Firmly anchored in its industry sector, Aspasie built its reputation serving such major clients as Proctor & Gamble, L'Oreal, Aveda, Shiseido and Coty. The company sells 95% of its production in international markets. It currently has 170 employees, who work in the Trois-Rivieres and Saint-Barnabe-Nord plants. Hardy Filtration Inc. Repayable contribution of $67,650 out of a total investment of $2,438,000 In transferring the company from the founding shareholder to the next generation, Hardy Filtration has been pursuing its growth and modernization since 2015. This project will improve the company's productivity and production capacity through the acquisition of innovative automation equipment for producing state-of-the-art filtration products. CED's contribution will go toward the acquisition of production equipment, including an automated packaging machine, a labelling system, a printer, software and a glue machine. For 20 years, Hardy Filtration has been developing, manufacturing and marketing a wide range of filtration products for a variety of applications: HVAC air filters, paint booth filters and dust collector bags. The SME exports part of its production and serves a local clientele, including educational institutions and hospitals, as well as businesses such as Canadel, Marmen and Rio Tinto/Alcoa. Located in Trois-Rivieres, the company has around 70 employees. Summary Number of projects: 3 Number of jobs created: 18 CED's contributions: $937,210 Total investments generated by these projects: $6,279,832 Stay connected Follow CED on Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube SOURCE Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [March 16, 2018] Intermap Technologies Announces Voting Results from Annual and Special Meeting of Shareholders CALGARY, March 16, 2018 /CNW/ - (TSX: IMP), (ITMSF:BB) - Intermap Technologies Corporation ("Intermap" or the "Company") held its annual shareholders meeting (the "Meeting") on May 15, 2018, at the Fairmont Palliser Hotel in Calgary, Alberta. A total of 11,135,754 common shares, representing 67.92% of the common shares outstanding, were represented in person or by proxy at the Meeting. Intermap's shareholders voted in favour of all items of business put forward at the Meeting, including the election of all nominated directors, the approval of the Company's Omnibus Incentive Plan, the approval of an amendment to the Company's articles to consolidate the issued and outstanding common shares of the Company, the approval of an amendment to the expiry date of 546,456 outstanding warrants of the Company, the approval of Intermap's Amended and Restated By-Law No. 1, and the re-appointment of KPMG LLP as the auditors of the Company. The votes in respect of the election of directors are as follows: Votes by Ballot Nominee Result of Vote Votes For Votes Withheld/Against Patrick A. Blott Elected 6,519,250 (80.20%) 1,609,828 (19.80%) Andrew P. Hines Elected 6,667,278 (82.02%) 1,461,800 (17.98%) Michael R. Zapata Elected 6,681,478 (82.19%) 1,447,600 (17.81%) Philippe Frappier Elected 6,667,078 (82.02%) 1,462,000 (17.98%) More detailed results of the other matters that were voted on by shareholders have been filed under the Company's profile on SEDAR at: www.sedar.com. About Intermap Technologies Headquartered in Denver, Colorado, Intermap (www.intermap.com) is an industry leader in geospatial intelligence solutions. These geospatial solutions are used in a wide range of applications including, but not limited to, location-based information, risk assessment, geographic information systems, engineering, utilities, global positioning systems, oil and gas, renewable energy, hydrology, environmental planning, land management, wireless communications, transportation, advertising, and 3D visualization. Intermap generates revenue from three primary business activities, comprised of i) data acquisition and collection, using proprietary, multi-frequency, radar sensor technologies, ii) value-added data products and services, which leverage the Company's proprietary NEXTMap database, together with proprietary software and fusion technologies, and iii) commercial applications and solutions, including a webstore and software sales targeting selected industry verticals that rely on accurate high resolution elevation data. The Company is a world leader in geospatial data management and processing, including fusion, analytics, and orthorectification, and has decades of experience aggregating data derived from a number of different sensor technologies and data sources. For more information please visit www.intermap.com. SOURCE Intermap Technologies Corporation [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] plug your phone into the PC using the USB cable and then navigate to My Computer or This PC depending on what version of Windows you are on and then you'll see what looks to be a camera device next to you hard drive. Go into it and you'll find all of your pics and videos. Alternatively, you can back them up to the iCloud and access them through the iCloud website, or you can back them up to a different cloud service like google drive and access them through the website that way or you can of course just use iTunes on your PC The city council of Plattsburgh, New York, unanimously voted for an 18-month moratorium on commercial cryptomining operations so the city could figure out how to manage its limited power resources. Plattsburgh has a sweet deal going for electricity. The city has an agreement with the local hydroelectric company to provide its citizens and businesses with possibly the most affordable power rates in the country. Residents of Plattsburgh pay on average $0.045 per kWh, whereas most of the country pays upwards of $0.10 per kWh. Plattsburgh also offers dirt cheap electricity to commercial operations, such as factories. Big companies pay as little as $0.02 per kWh. As you can imagine, the cheap power rates in Plattsburgh have attracted cryptocurrency miners. The city is currently home to two commercial mining operations; one which draws 0.2 megawatts, and another that draws a staggering 11 megawatts. These big miners are causing problems for the citys residents and businesses. Unlike most cities, which have access to nearly unlimited volumes of power at the same rate, Plattsburghs total community power is limited to 104 megawatts. If the entire power draw for the city remains under 104 megawatts, the rate stays the same. Once the power draw exceeds the citys quota, the price goes up. For everyone. The residents of Plattsburgh have for years enjoyed their lower power rates, but for the last two years, the bills have ballooned in the winter because the community is now pulling more than its quota in those months. When we go over the quota, were no longer buying power at $4.50 per mWh, said Colin L. Read, Mayor of Plattsburgh, New York. Hopefully were purchasing power as cheap as $32 per mWh, of something to the order of 7x higher rate. If we go over that power [], we go on the spot market at the very worst times of the year [], and those spot rates can be 50 or 100x the typical rate. Plattsburghs citizens and business owners have been complaining about the rising cost of electricity, and the city council is motivated to find a solution. In the meantime, the city has passed an 18-month moratorium on new cryptomining businesses while the city council sorts out how to move forward. This isnt because were luddites. It isnt because were afraid of cryptocurrency," said Mayor Read. "Its because we recognize that we have a fixed resource, and unlike some other communities where they can simply buy more power [], we dont have that. We have 104 megawatts. Weve got a fixed amount. We have to manage that as a fixed resource. The council briefly discussed the possibility of applying for differential rate that would relieve the local populace of the surcharge burden. That rate would be somewhere in between the commercial and the residential power rate, and cryptomining operations would fall under the new rate. However, Mayor Read explained that a differential rate would not solve the problem, because the city would still be limited to 104 megawatts of cheap power. Read also noted that the city would not be able to pass the surcharge burden solely to the miners, even though representatives from the mining operations expressed that they would be willing to shoulder that burden. If the miners draw 15% of the citys quota, they would be on the hook for 15% of the surcharge. The moratorium on commercial mining operations is only in effect for companies that arent yet established in the community. The two mining facilities that are already in operation are grandfathered in, so they will not be forced to close up shop. The council also noted that there is a clause in the law that would allow for one-off cases that could be approved if the company can prove that it has already moved forward with a substantial investment in equipment or facility construction. Though the moratorium is set for 18 months, the council expressed concerns that the timeframe is too long. Indeed, nearly every council member agreed that a shorter period would be appropriate. The council ultimately moved forward on the motion because it includes language that would enable the council to drop the moratorium at any time. The members all agreed that moving quickly on this matter is of utmost importance. KANSAS CITY, MO. - Police are looking for the person who set several cars on fire. It happened Thursday morning at the South Kansas City Business Center on Bannister road near Holmes. Just before 4:30 a.m., security cameras captured a black SUV with its lights off pulling into the center's lot. As part of our List ranking the metro area's wealthiest ZIP codes - using a proprietary formula from parent company American City Business Journals - we've broken them out into categories that inform the algorithm plus categories that weren't a factor. And we put them all on a cool, big map. Ireland is to take part in the Expo 2020 in Dubai, said the countrys Minister of State for Higher Education, Mary Mitchell OConnor. Mitchell OConnor, who wraps up a visit of several days to the UAE tomorrow, told the Emirates News Agency Wam that the Irish Government had now formally agreed to participate in the event. There was much that Ireland had to contribute around the Expo2020 theme of Connecting Minds, Creating the Future, she noted, mentioning her countrys performance in fields such as culture, innovation, research and development, science and its green sustainable policy in terms of food production. Ireland, the Minister added, was in the top seven nations worldwide last year in the UN Innovation Index and is also ranked seventh globally in terms of competitiveness in its economy. All of its universities, she noted, were ranked in the top five per cent globally, while for scientific research, they are ranked in the top one per cent worldwide in 19 specific fields, including nanotechnology and immunology. Ireland is also ranked highly for innovation in the dairy and wider food area. In all of these fields, Mitchell OConnor said, Ireland and the UAE, the host nation for Expo 2020, are "naturally compatible economic partners." Qatar has signed a contract for the purchase of 28 NH90 military helicopters from Airbus, during DIMDEX, Qatars biennial defence exhibition. The agreement, which includes 16 NH90s in tactical transport (TTH) configuration and 12 NH90s in naval (NFH) configuration, will support the countrys plan to modernise their military helicopter fleet. As part of the plan, Qatar will receive 16 H125 light single-engine helicopters in training configuration for operation by the Qatar Armed Forces Air Academy. We are honoured to support the Qatar Armed Forces through this strategic partnership, said Ben Bridge, executive vice president Global Business at Airbus Helicopters. The NH90 is a modern and combat-proven asset that will meet Qatars demanding operational requirements for decades to come, both in troop transport and naval missions. Our partnership on the new training academy will also strengthen the relationship between our countries by enabling the exchange of expertise and know-how in helicopter operations, he added. Leonardo will act as prime contractor for the programme management with the end customer and Airbus will be responsible for the final assembly and delivery of 16 NH90 TTH aircraft from its facility in Marignane, France while Leonardo will be responsible for final assembly and delivery of the 12 NH90 NFH helicopters from its Venice Tessera facility in Northern Italy. The NH90 is well suited for operations in the most demanding conditions and has been combat-proven in many theatres of operation worldwide. This contract for 28 helicopters brings the total order book to 543 aircraft. To date, 350 aircraft have been delivered to 20 customers in 13 countries and have accumulated around 170,000 flight hours. The twin-engine, medium-size NH90 helicopter program is managed by the consortium NH Industries, a company owned by Airbus Helicopters (62.5 per cent), Leonardo (32 per cent), and Fokker (5.5 per cent). TradeArabia News Service You can opt out of certain types of cookies (e.g. those used in social media sharing) by choosing "I do not accept". The website will still largely function well, but with slightly less functionality in places. To manage your cookie preferences in future, visit the "Cookie Statement" link at the bottom of any page. Hop on over and join Royal Cliffs Funtasea Easter Wonderland to celebrate an unforgettable Easter with the entire family on Sunday, 8 April 2018 at Panorama - Dramatic Atmosphere! With fun and unique games, exciting lucky draw and special treats lined up for the whole family; dont miss this memorable afternoon of non-stop family fun! (TRAVPR.COM) THAILAND - March 16th, 2018 - Pattaya, Thailand - Hop on over and join Royal Cliffs Funtasea Easter Wonderland to celebrate an unforgettable Easter with the entire family on Sunday, 8 April 2018 at Panorama - Dramatic Atmosphere! With fun and unique games, exciting lucky draw and special treats lined up for the whole family; dont miss this memorable afternoon of non-stop family fun! Every game has a winner and every winner gets a prize. All kids will get a chance to enjoy exciting Easter activities, decorate colorful Easter eggs and delightful bunny cookies or take part in an exciting Easter egg hunt. The party is from 2:00 5:00 pm. Admission fee is only B500 per person for hotel guests and B550 per person for all outside guests. Other delightful perks include an Easter snack buffet, enjoyable arts and crafts, fun face-painting, and lots of special prizes. Get ready for a truly eggciting Easter Sunday! Reserve your place now! For more information or to reserve a place, please contact the Marketing team by emailing: creative@royalcliff.com or calling (+66) 38-250421 ext. 2878. Royal Cliff Hotels Group successfully hosts popular family-friendly events that have become part of Pattayas most anticipated events every year. We offer family friendly accommodations along with on-site amenities that keep both parents and kids happy and entertained at all times. Funtasea Kids World and The Verge - Games, Pool and Karaoke offer productive and fun activities for families to enjoy. Fantastic Kids Party Packages promise non-stop fun and games for everyone! For more information, kindly contact Funtasea Kids World at (+66) 38-250-421 Ext. 2064 or email funtasea@royalcliff.com The Royal Cliff Hotels Group operates four award-winning hotels providing tourists from home and abroad with the ultimate experience. Book your stay directly with Royal Cliff and get the best price guaranteed along with value-added optional extras that will enhance your hotel experience by visiting www.royalcliff.com, contacting Reservations at (+66) 38 250 421 ext. 2732 or emailing: reservations@royalcliff.com. For more information on the Royal Cliff Hotels Group, please visit www.royalcliff.com. ### Search News Archive : Fast Travel News Promotion Via Search, Social Media + Email Follow Us On : U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS RECEIVES ENCOURAGING FEEDBACK FOLLOWING SEATRADE CRUISE GLOBAL Industry: Destinations Ports of the U.S. Virgin Islands was commended for the progress made to implement harbor transportation in the Charlotte Amalie Harbor (TRAVPR.COM) UNITED STATES - March 16th, 2018 For Immediate Release Source: United States Virgin Islands Department of Tourism Contacts: Bevan Springer, Marketplace Excellence + 1 201 861-2056 bevan@marketplaceexcellence.com Alani Henneman-Todman, U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Tourism + 1 340 642-9789 ahenneman@usvitourism.vi Commissioner Beverly Nicholson-Doty with travel editor Laura Begley Bloom (left) and media representative Rachel Sanders. U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS RECEIVES ENCOURAGING FEEDBACK FOLLOWING SEATRADE CRUISE GLOBAL FORT LAUDERDALE (March 16, 2018) - With innovative thinking, leadership and continued public-private sector collaboration, the U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI) has a good opportunity to further develop its cruise tourism sector, reports Commissioner of Tourism Beverly Nicholson-Doty. However, Commissioner Nicholson-Doty - who held bilateral talks with a number of cruise line executives during last week's Seatrade Cruise Global cruise industry convention - warned that the landscape of the tourism industry continues to be challenging as lines reposition itineraries to the Western Caribbean and passengers demand a greater diversity of experiences. She noted that during a meeting with the Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association's (FCCA) top brass, the Ports of the U.S. Virgin Islands was commended for the progress made to implement harbor transportation in the Charlotte Amalie Harbor, which they described as "the single most important thing we can do for cruise tourism on St. Thomas." The Commissioner reported that the U.S. Virgin Islands was preparing to respond to the trend of purpose-driven travel and voluntourism by rolling out a number of projects that will be available for both cruise ship passengers and stayover visitors. The Territory will also continue to prioritize providing authentic Virgin Islands experiences for visitors, such as food tours, historical site visits, educational rum distillery tours and the ability to purchase locally made art and products. U.S. Virgin Islands Governor Kenneth E. Mapp with the FCCA's Michele Paige in Fort Lauderdale this month. Governor Kenneth E. Mapp led the USVI delegation ahead of the official opening of Seatrade in Fort Lauderdale, where he met with the FCCA leadership and cruise ship executives. Also participating at Seatrade this year were representatives from the Department of Tourism, the Virgin Islands Port Authority and The West Indian Company Limited, as well as some members of the 32nd Legislature of the Virgin Islands. During a USVI-branded event at The Boatyard restaurant in Fort Lauderdale, Governor Mapp shared the Virgin Islands Government's commitment to the industry and emphasized the importance of working with neighboring islands to build a strong cruise itinerary. At Seatrade, Commissioner Nicholson-Doty joined cruise executives for a panel discussion entitled Regional Spotlight - The Future Outlook for Caribbean Cruising, during which she underscored the post-hurricane resilience of both the Caribbean and the cruise industry, and spoke of the strong partnership the region shares with the FCCA. Governor Kenneth E. Mapp led the USVI delegation ahead of the official opening of Seatrade in Fort Lauderdale, where he met with the FCCA leadership and cruise ship executives. Also participating at Seatrade this year were representatives from the Department of Tourism, the Virgin Islands Port Authority and The West Indian Company Limited, as well as some members of the 32nd Legislature of the Virgin Islands.During a USVI-branded event at The Boatyard restaurant in Fort Lauderdale, Governor Mapp shared the Virgin Islands Government's commitment to the industry and emphasized the importance of working with neighboring islands to build a strong cruise itinerary.At Seatrade, Commissioner Nicholson-Doty joined cruise executives for a panel discussion entitled Regional Spotlight - The Future Outlook for Caribbean Cruising, during which she underscored the post-hurricane resilience of both the Caribbean and the cruise industry, and spoke of the strong partnership the region shares with the FCCA. With some cruise lines reporting higher post-hurricane guest satisfaction scores compared with pre-storm scores, FCCA President and panel moderator Michele Paige said: "The Caribbean is delivering, and delivering better than ever before." From left: Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association President Michele Paige; Terry Thornton, Senior Vice President - International, Carnival Cruise Line; Bob Lepisto, President, SeaDream Yacht Club; Roberto Fusaro, President, MSC Cruises USA; and USVI Tourism Commissioner Beverly Nicholson-Doty delivered a panel on the post-hurricane resilience of the Caribbean and the cruise industry. "If we thought the FCCA and its members were our travel partners before, we learned that you are really family ... when we were most in need, you came to our aid," Commissioner Nicholson-Doty said, referring to the recovery support provided by the association and various cruise lines.With some cruise lines reporting higher post-hurricane guest satisfaction scores compared with pre-storm scores, FCCA President and panel moderator Michele Paige said: "The Caribbean is delivering, and delivering better than ever before." "Let's be honest, the truth is that we live in a geographical area that makes us vulnerable, so we have to think about those things that harden our infrastructure so that if and when this happens again, we are even more prepared," she said. On the trade show floor, patrons learned more about the destination at the USVI booth, which featured colorful carnival dancers and a mocko jumbie, steel pan music and a sampling of Virgin Islands products. "This year's convention was especially meaningful given the importance of cruise visits to bolstering our economy as we carry on with the varying stages of our recovery," said Commissioner Nicholson-Doty. Before the official start of Seatrade, the Department of Tourism engaged in networking opportunities with Virgin Islands Tourism Ambassadors and members of the media, meeting planners and travel agents. During the South Florida activation, Commissioner Nicholson-Doty met with several members of the media from outlets including The Miami Times, Cruise Critic, Travel + Leisure magazine, National Public Radio, Recommend, Insider Travel Report, Family Traveler, Cruise Addicts and Departures magazine. She also met with executives from Royal Caribbean International, Carnival Cruise Line, Fathom, Princess Cruises and Disney Cruise Line. The U.S. Virgin Islands displays the festive spirit of the Territory. Commissioner Nicholson-Doty also spoke to the value of partnership in the region to ensure the Caribbean cruise industry's continued success. "No destination alone makes an itinerary. And so we are our brother's keeper and it's really important that we work together," she said, emphasizing the importance of destinations sharing best practices and prioritizing resilient planning for future weather events."Let's be honest, the truth is that we live in a geographical area that makes us vulnerable, so we have to think about those things that harden our infrastructure so that if and when this happens again, we are even more prepared," she said.On the trade show floor, patrons learned more about the destination at the USVI booth, which featured colorful carnival dancers and a mocko jumbie, steel pan music and a sampling of Virgin Islands products."This year's convention was especially meaningful given the importance of cruise visits to bolstering our economy as we carry on with the varying stages of our recovery," said Commissioner Nicholson-Doty.Before the official start of Seatrade, the Department of Tourism engaged in networking opportunities with Virgin Islands Tourism Ambassadors and members of the media, meeting planners and travel agents.During the South Florida activation, Commissioner Nicholson-Doty met with several members of the media from outlets including The Miami Times, Cruise Critic, Travel + Leisure magazine, National Public Radio, Recommend, Insider Travel Report, Family Traveler, Cruise Addicts and Departures magazine. She also met with executives from Royal Caribbean International, Carnival Cruise Line, Fathom, Princess Cruises and Disney Cruise Line. About the U.S. Virgin Islands For more information about the United States Virgin Islands, go to VisitUSVI.com , follow us on Twitter ( @USVITourism ) and become a fan on Facebook ( www.facebook.com/VisitUSVI ). When traveling to the U.S. Virgin Islands, U.S. citizens enjoy all the conveniences of domestic travel - including on-line check-in - making travel to the U.S. Virgin Islands easier than ever. As a United States Territory, travel to the U.S. Virgin Islands does not require a passport from U.S. citizens arriving from Puerto Rico or the U.S. mainland. Entry requirements for non-U.S. citizens are the same as for entering the United States from any foreign destination. Upon departure, a passport is required for all but U.S. citizens. ENDS ### Please contact the person or company listed above for information regarding the content of this press release. TravPR.com are not the issuers of this press release and are not responsible for the accuracy of the content. Share Release : CONTACT INFORMATION Name: Bevan Springer Company: Marketplace Excellence Corporation Phone: + 1 201 861-2056 Email: bevan@marketplaceexcellence.com Web: www.visitusvi.com PRESS RELEASE TAGS MEDIA GALLERY Visit Our Site vermaajay1968@gmail.com New Delhi: The government on Friday categorically said there was no proposal to discontinue the Rs 2,000 currency note, which was introduced post demonetisation in November 2016. The government also informed the Lok Sabha that it had decided to conduct field trials of plastic currency notes of Rs 10 in five cites. The trial would be conducted in Kochi, Mysore, Jaipur, Shimla and Bhubaneshwar. The note will be printed in Indian presses on imported substrate. PTI Current account deficit widens to 2% of GDP Mumbai: The current account deficit (CAD) rose to 2 per cent of the GDP at $13.5 billion in the December quarter, up from $8 billion or 1.4 per cent in the year-ago period, on the back of higher trade deficit, shows the RBI data released on Friday. The CAD, which shows the difference between foreign exchange earned and spent, stood at $7.2 billion or 1.1 per cent of GDP in the preceding September quarter. The widening of the CAD on a year-on-year basis is due to a higher trade deficit which rose to $44.1 billion in the reporting quarter, the RBI said. PTI Maruti overtakes M&M in UV segment New Delhi: Maruti Suzuki India Ltd, overall market leader in the passenger vehicles segment, has now taken a lead on Mahindra and Mahindra in the utility vehicle segment as well. For the April to February period, Maruti already has a lead of 21,700 units over M&M (which is equal to the average monthly volume of M&M). Riding on the success of Vitara Brezza and S Cross, Maruti Suzuki has been gaining market share in the UV segment. The market share swelled to 28% for the April to February period of 2017-18, up from 14% in 2012-13. TNS Samsung Galaxy S9 at Rs 9,900 down payment New Delhi: Airtel on Friday said it was offering Samsungs latest flagship Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S9+ smartphones on its online store at down payment of Rs 9,900 which would also come with bundled plans. The 64GB Galaxy S9, after down payment, would be available at subsequent 24 monthly instalments of Rs 2,499 and Samsung Galaxy S9+ (64GB variant) at Rs 2,799. The monthly instalments for the devices will include Airtels postpaid plan with 80GB data, unlimited calling and subscription to content services such as Amazon Prime membership. TNS No fund crunch for affordable housing plans New Delhi: Union Minister for Housing and Urban Affairs Hardeep Singh Puri asked the real estate players to come up with bankable projects for affordable housing as there was no shortage of land or funds in the country. Addressing a conference on Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Urban) Housing for All by 2022' organised by FICCI, he said there has been a criminal neglect of urban planning for the 67 years which has led to current problems in the sector. TNS vermaajay1968@gmail.com Tribune News Service New Delhi, March 16 The government has assured the exporting community that it is keen to see that all their eligible refund claims under GST are considered and sanctioned at the earliest. In a statement, the Finance Ministry said that unverified estimates of pending GST refunds on account of exports floating around are highly speculative and mostly inaccurate. It is a fact that while a number of exporters have not been able to get the export refunds so far, others have been granted refunds, it said. Many of the errors plaguing the claims for refunds are on account of inadequate familiarisation of the exporters with the GST laws and data entry errors in the various GSTRs and forms. The statement said that so far more than Rs 10,000 crore has already been sanctioned by CBEC and states. A standard operating procedure applicable to both central and state GST has been put in place by virtue of various circulars and clarifications issued with regard to processing of ITC refund. GST Council, in its last meeting on March 10, has directed states tax authorities to proactively clear refund claims. CBEC has taken an initiative to observe a special drive refund sanction fortnight from March 15-29 on an all-India scale for which additional staff and infrastructure has been mobilised. Special refund cells manned by experienced staff are being put in place in the country. It asked exporting community to get their errors rectified to enable sanction of refunds. The government wants to assure the exporters that it is keen to see that all their eligible refund claims are considered and sanctioned at the earliest, the statement added. vermaajay1968@gmail.com London, March16 The British judge hearing the extradition case of liquor baron Vijay Mallya today said that it was blindingly obvious that rules were being broken by Indian banks which sanctioned some of the loans to the erstwhile Kingfisher Airlines. Presiding over a hearing at Westminster Magistrates Court in London, Judge Emma Arbuthnot directed the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), arguing on behalf of the Indian government, to provide a breakdown of where some of the emails and documentary evidence presented in the case came from. The hearing today marked the effective end of oral arguments in the case, which will now return to the court on April 27 to consider the additional material sought by the judge and for closing submissions by Mallyas defence team. There are clear signs that the banks seem to have gone against their own guidelines [in sanctioning some of the loans], the judge said, inviting the Indian authorities to explain the case against some of the bank officials involved because that relates to the conspiracy point against Mallya. Mallya, who is on trial for the UK court to rule if he can be extradited to India to face charges of fraud and money laundering amounting to around Rs 9,000 crores, watched the proceedings from the dock. Pointing out that Mallya had chosen not to give evidence, CPS counsel rejected the defence claims on the evidence as nonsense. PTI Lt-Gen Bhopinder Singh (retd) Lt-Gen Bhopinder Singh (retd) Since 1979, the United States Department of State has routinely designated certain countries as 'State Sponsors of Terrorism', where it alleges that the said state had, "repeatedly provided support for acts of international terrorism". Besides countries, the department also notifies organisations and individuals to expose, isolate and deny them access to the US financial system. These listings can also assist the law enforcement activities of the US agencies and other governments to bear pressure on them. In August 2017, the department had designated Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) as a Foreign Terrorist Organisation under Section 219 of the Immigration and Nationality Act, and as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) under Section 1(b) of Executive Order (EO) 13224. Consequently, all the property and interests of the designated individual, organisation or the nation-state is blocked under the US jurisdiction, and the US nationals are prohibited from engaging in any transactions with the said person or entity. However, the dimensions and dynamics of the term 'State Sponsors of Terrorism' has an exclusive US perspective, as opposed to an unbiased global outlook. From time to time, the list of the 'rogue's gallery' has included countries like Iran, Iraq, Cuba, North Korea, Sudan and Libya. Convenient leniency to Pak, Saudi This US-centricity is reflected in the list of State Sponsors of Terrorism, which today includes North Korea, Iran, Sudan and Syria all hosting anti-US regimes. Therefore, the covert US-CIA bankrolling and armament supplies to the Afghan mujahedeen in the 1980s, operating and controlled from safe havens in Pakistan did not qualify Pakistan as 'State Sponsor of Terrorism', then. Similarly, the fact that the sheikhdoms like the Saudi Arabia and Qatar that are credibly accused of having supported Jabhat Fateh al-Sham, Taliban, Hamas etc, are spared the ignominy of 'State Sponsors of Terrorism'. This convenient leniency afforded by the US is despite knowing the antecedents of the Saudis, as was exposed in the 2009 Wikileaks cables which recorded US officials stating, Arab Gulf donors as a whole of which Saudis are believed to be the most charitable have funnelled hundreds of millions of dollars to Syria in recent years, including to ISIS and other groups or, as former Vice-President Joe Biden once explained the Arab regime support as, hundreds of millions of dollars and tens of tons of weapons into anyone who would fight against Assad. The people who were being supplied were Al-Nusra, and Al-Qaeda, and the extremist elements of jihadis who were coming from other parts of the world . Yet countries like Saudi Arabia and Pakistan that have done the most to contribute to the menace of global terror were spared, whereas a country like Iran, which has had no notable footprint in the Afghan war, or partaken any recent international terror attack, and is actually in the forefront of the fight against ISIS, is constantly on tenterhooks and designated as a State Sponsor of Terrorism. The historically limited spirit of axis of evil as coined by George W Bush, has sustained itself, even today. Similarly, the US Executive Order titled Protecting the Nation from Foreign Terrorist Entry into the United States, impacting Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen, is exclusively US-centric. Unbiased blacklisting needed However, a more holistic and unbiased blacklisting of State Sponsors of Terrorism should entail countries that impact any other sovereigns interest and not just that of the US a fact that spared Pakistan (till recent years), as its proven complicity and support to terrorism in India in the 80s and 90s was either ignored or served motherhood platitudes that basically ensured the continuation of US support for Pakistan, till the ISI-created terror infrastructure started hitting the US interests and lives, directly. The historical Pakistani pattern of outright denials, ignorance or even incapacity has a narrative of wilful inaction and surreptitious cover for the 'terror nurseries', leading to the patented act of duplicity and insincerity in the war on terror. Clearly State Sponsorship of Terror must encompass both the acts of direct commission (arming and training terrorists), as also, the equally dangerous acts of omission (providing indirect sanctuary, allowing fundraising and recruitment). The complex nature of modern 'State Sponsorship' needs a more stringent, sensitive and intolerant appreciation of the passive support systems that could be financial, diplomatic or even moral. However, the more unbiased and composite blacklist of naming and shaming is the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), an inter-governmental body comprising 35 nations and two regional organisations (EU and GCC), which was set up to set standards and promote effective implementation of legal, regulatory and operational measures for combating money-laundering, terror financing and other related threats to the integrity of the international financial system. Gray and black lists This entails the maintenance of a diplomatically embarrassing gray and black list of countries that are designated non-cooperative in the global fight against moneylaundering and terror-financing. Pakistan was put on the gray list for three years starting 2012, and it now faces the prospects of re-entering the humiliating list owing to a joint motion proposed by the US, Britain, France and Germany who have blown the lid on Islamabads continuing chicanery and incorrigible deceit. The FATF reprieve till June, when Pakistan is expected to go under the gray list, has seen a stunning withdrawal of support for Islamabad, by its all weather friend China. China is wary of Pakistani inaction towards terrorism that could potentially jeopardise the $60 billion investment under the China-Pakistan-Economic-Corridor (CPEC). Clearly, there is no global consensus on defining the criteria of blacklisting countries it is only when the negative impact of omissions and commissions by another state are felt directly on the recipient state, does it scramble to first diplomatically embarrass the roguish state, and then push for more punitive political, military The democratic world is on the short-fuse with terrorism, it disdains the categorisation of good and bad terrorists and it further needs to call the bluff on any sophistry and contextualisation of terror, by any nation that tries to do so. S Nihal Singh S Nihal Singh FRANCES President Emmanuel Macron has returned home from his Indian trip a happy man because his visit was greeted with near-universal applause that France is the country of choice for India to do business with. This follows Britains decision to leave the Commonwealth and the growing feeling that Britains interests would diverge and India would need a strong backer in Europe. France was the primary candidate because it was ready to underpin security in the Indian area, increasingly an area of Chinese naval activity. Indo-French collaboration will require the interoperability of French equipment and command-level operations. Although the French were disappointed that India did not order more French fighter aircraft, the significance of the deal cannot be underrated. India has cast its advanced fighting force to French technology, having decided that it was the best on offer. One must remember that France is the second-most important nation in Europe, and after Britains departure, the only European nation possessing nuclear weapons. In view of the large Indian origin population in the United Kingdom, there will remain a constituency for the UK, but trade will be increasingly diverted towards the European continent. This will be a matter of concern for Britain because it will lead to a drop in funds for Britain. Will France fill Britains shoes in another era? The question is more complex because of the dynamics of the situation. The United States has become something of a surprise in the Trump era. The ramifications of a self-centred policy have still to be determined. The French have developed their own elan and pride themselves in doing things their way. It would be a good lesson for Indian seamen to learn the French method of doing things and the value of learning a new language is not to be sneezed at. To gain the full benefit of Indo-French partnership, one must go to the roots of French seamanship. It will grow with benefit from a long-term relationship. One must also remember that the playful and frothy currents washing the shores of the Indian Ocean are worthy of respect. In a sense, they are a mighty symbol. For India, the role of a favourite uncle was played by the Soviet Union, later the Russian Federation. In selecting Rafale, India was figuratively going from the MiG era to the supersonic age. While India must recognise the help given by Moscow, Indias decision was probably based on sound reasoning. The Congress party has not been able to prove its belief that the French took India for a ride. It must be clear to all that having selected Rafale, the government has closed the issue because each plane costs a fortune. Rather, the accent should be on getting the planes as soon as possible to modernise Indias fighting force. Indeed, the task of modernisation has become a subject of contention, with the Army falling short of its minimum requirements. China, on the other hand, is vastly expanding its armed forces. The larger area of Indias interest takes in Australia and Japan, but the kind of relationship these countries should develop with the underpinning of the United States has still to be put in place. On its part, India is seeking a less confrontational approach to China, even within the ambit of the close Pakistani relationship with Beijing. With President Xi Jinping now in an unassailable position, having been given an open-ended term, he will presumably take the long-term view of things. He might even consider whether enmity with India is desirable even while building interlocking ties with Pakistan. Indeed, Indias External Affairs Ministry has put on its thinking cap to find avenues of cooperation and the initial reaction from the Chinese side is positive. It is a process rather than an event and will unfold over time. India still has a long way to go in refining its strategy. It is in the nature of the relationship between an arms supplier and recipient that the supplier has the upper hand, but the factory has to guard its reputation and there are few customers in mega deals in the world. Security these days comes at a high cost and the shortfalls in covering costs for the Army are an indication of escalating bills. The sooner the problem is sorted put, the better it will be for the countrys armed forces. monicakchauhan@gmail.com Ottawa, March 16 The leader of Canada's third party in parliament, who will challenge Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in elections next year, faced a backlash over his affiliations with Sikh separatists. Jagmeet Singh, leader of the New Democratic Party, was a keynote speaker at a rally in San Francisco in 2015 for an independent Sikh homeland to be carved out of India, known as Khalistan, Canadian media reported. Behind him on stage was a large poster of Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, the leader of an armed extremist group who died in a shootout with Indian forces. In his speech, translated from Punjabi for the daily Globe and Mail, Singh accused India of "genocide" against Sikhs in the Golden Temple assault. The National Post also reported on Singh's attendance at another event in 2016 organised by the British-based National Sikh Youth Federation, which advocates for an independent Khalistan. Singh has said he does not condone terrorism or acts of violence. "Terrorism can never be seen as a way to advance the cause of any one group. It only leads to suffering, pain and death," he said in a statement. In February, Singh defended Sikh Liberal government ministers who were photographed with a Canadian man convicted of attempting to assassinate a visiting Indian official in 1986 in retaliation for the Golden Temple assault. "I reject the baseless attacks against Canadian cabinet ministers, and we should be wary of any international interference in our political affairs especially when it's targeted at minorities such as members of the Sikh community," he said. "The Indian government has a troubling record of conflating human rights advocacy with extremism for their own political benefit." The photo taken at a Mumbai mixer and an invitation to dinner in New Delhi with Trudeau, which was rescinded, caused embarrassment for Trudeau during his recent trip to India -- which was already dogged by suspicions that Canada was soft on Sikh separatists. Canadian Sikhs number nearly 500,000 and account for roughly 1.4 per cent of Canada's population, according to a 2016 census, and hold sway in some key electoral districts. AFP rchopra@tribunemail.com New York, March 16 An Indian-origin former partner in global consulting firm McKinsey & Company has been sentenced to two years in prison by a US court for scheming to defraud companies out of hundreds of thousands of dollars. Navdeep Arora, a former partner in the Chicago office of McKinsey & Company, plotted with a former internal consultant at State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company to defraud both companies out of fraudulent consulting fees. US District Judge Ronald Guzman imposed the two-year sentence in federal court in Chicago on Thursday. Arora, 53, also fraudulently obtained money from McKinsey, State Farm and other McKinsey clients in the form of purported work-related travel reimbursements for expenses that were actually incurred on his personal trips. He falsely expensed personal trips to the cities in the US, England, Czech Republic, Germany and elsewhere. He also took the State Farm employee, Matthew Sorensen, on two personal vacations and expensed them to State Farm as business expenses. The costs included flights, hotels, meals, car services and other items, a Justice Department statement said. Arora of London, England, and formerly of Chicago, was arrested in 2016 at the citys JFK International Airport after arriving on an overseas flight. He pleaded guilty last year to one count of wire fraud. Sorensen, a resident of Illinois, also pleaded guilty to a wire fraud charge. He was sentenced to one year and a day in prison last year. Arora and Sorensen concocted a fraudulent scheme to benefit themselves during their employment, Assistant US Attorney Sunil Harjani argued in the governments sentencing memorandum. The defendants actions have caused both companies to undertake time and expense uncovering this fraud, destroyed a longstanding relationship between these two companies, and caused reputational harm. Arora and Sorensen had a longstanding business relationship through Aroras work overseeing the consulting services McKinsey provided to State Farm. According to the charges, their fraud scheme began in 2007. Arora and Sorensen used two corporate entitiesGabriel Solutions and Andys BCBto defraud their employers out of the phony fees. Sorensen billed McKinsey for the bogus work purportedly performed by the companies, while Arora allocated the fees to the State Farm projects to which he was assigned. As a result, McKinsey and State Farm paid USD 38,265 for consulting services purportedly performed by Andys BCB and USD 452,710 in fees billed by Gabriel Solutions. Sorensen pocketed a large majority of the money, while Arora received a substantial salary and benefits from McKinsey for maintaining its business relationship with State Farm, the Justice Department statement said. PTI gspannu7@gmail.com Rajinder Nagarkoti Tribune News Service Panchkula, March 16 A CBI court here on Friday summoned former Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda and 33 others in Manesar land deal case for hearing on April 19. The Central Bureau of Investigation had filed a chargesheet against 34 accused, including Chattar Singh, SS Dhillon, ML Tayal and Atul Bansal, promoters of Gurgaon-based real estate company ABW Builders, on February 2. The agency had registered the case in September 2015 on the allegations that private builders in conspiracy with unidentified public servants of the Haryana Government had bought around 400 acres of land from farmers and landowners of Manesar, Naurangpur and Lakhnoula villages in Gurugram district at throwaway prices, showing the threat of acquisition by the government, during the period from August 27, 2004 to August 24, 2007. ABW Builders had allegedly conspired with officers during the previous Congress government in purchasing around 400 acres from farmers of Manesar, Naurangpur and Lakhnoula villages in the district at throwaway prices. The land whose market value at that time was more than Rs 1,600 crore was allegedly purchased for Rs 100 crore. singhking99@yahoo.com Naveen S Garewal Tribune News Service Chandigarh, March 16 Its Manohar Lal Khattar versus his Cabinet once again. Haryana ministers, who met BJP national general secretary Kailash Vijayvargiya after the Budget session on Thursday, reportedly alleged they were suffocated by the dictatorial Chief Minister, who wanted to control the government, denying them any role. Sources said Vijayvargiya called a meeting of the Haryana Cabinet, including Khattar, at Haryana Niwas for a feedback on government functioning. He was told by angry ministers that the officers did not pay heed to them as instructed by the CM. As it was Health Minister Anil Vijs birthday, a small party was organised. Far from being pleased, Vij remarked wryly: Whats the point of this celebration when there is a bitter taste in the mouth already? He is said to be upset with the CM over interference in his department. (Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd) While Finance Minister Capt Abhimanyu complained, We are treated as nobody, OP Dhankar, Agriculture Minister, pointed out that it was the Chief Ministers office (CMO) that held all powers and that senior officers entertained instructions from the CMs secretariat only. He accused the CM of instructing DCs and police chiefs to abstain from meetings called by ministers while on a tour. At a meeting with party general secretary Dr Anil Jain at Surajkund in May last year, when some ministers had criticised the Chief Ministers style of functioning, Khattar was not there. This time, the Chief Minister was present at the meeting when attacked. Kavita Jain, Women and Child Development Minister, reportedly complained that files were first cleared by the Chief Minister and then brought to her for final signatures. We have been reduced to robots, she is quoted to have said. Industries Minister Vipul Goel accused the Chief Minister of weakening the government with his dictatorial ways. Minister Ram Bilas Sharma lamented that little had changed despite the leadership having been approached earlier in the past. Vijayvargiya also interacted with party office-bearers, Members of Legislative Assembly and ministers in the Chief Ministers presence. Almost all complained that party workers felt ignored as they had no say in jobs or transfers. editorial@tribune.com Tribune News Service Chandigarh, March 16 Agriculture Minister OP Dhankar has said the Haryana Government is contemplating starting agri-tourism, besides setting up 340 bagawani villages and increase the number of kisan bazaars to facilitate farmers. International Horticulture Market at Gannaur in Sonepat district is the dream project of the state government and the work on it is likely to commence next month, he told the media here today. The press conference was on the third Agri Leadership Summit 2018 to be organised in Rohtak from March 24 to 26. More than 1 lakh farmers are expected to participate in the summit, Dhankar said. Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar will inaugurate the summit on March 24. Union Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh, Minister of State for Agriculture Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Haryana Governor Kaptan Singh Solanki, Himachal Pradesh Governor Acharya Devvrat and Bihar Governor Satya Pal Malik will be among the prominent personalities at the summit. The Agri Leadership Summit is being organised for the third consecutive year to showcase before farmers the achievements of the state in the agriculture sector and also to apprise them of the vision for the coming years. The theme of the summit on the opening day will be direct marketing and peri-urban agriculture. The next day, the focus will be on doubling farmers income and, on the concluding day, the summit will discuss how to enhance milk production. editorial@tribune.com Tribune News Service Shimla, March 16 Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur today said his government would review the decision of opening educational institutions by the previous Congress regime as in a majority of cases they do not qualify as per the laid-down norms even though none of them had been de-notified so far. The Chief Minister intervened during the question hour in the Vidhan Sabha today while the opposition was on its feet, seeking an assurance that these institutions would not be closed. These educational institutes were opened just before the Assembly elections to get political mileage without any budgetary and staff provisions, he said. While replying to the query by Vikramaditya Singh on the issue, Education Minister Suresh Bhardwaj informed that the Congress, while in power, had de-notified 158 schools where there was no enrollment and merged 109 schools, which was justified as there were no students to teach. If the schools opened by the Congress regime qualify as per the norms we will run them or else they will have to be de-notified, he said. He assured that the decision would be taken on merit and not political considerations as being alleged by the Congress. As per norms for a primary school, a minimum distance of 1.5 km and 25 students and in case of middle schools distance of three km and 25 children has to be followed, Bhardwaj revealed. Congress Legislature party (CLP) leader Mukesh Agnihotri objected to the repeated reference by the minister about poor quality of schools. The minister is trying to prove that till he took over, the quality of education was very poor even though the fact remains that HP has the second highest literacy rate and has got several awards in the field of education, said Agnihotri. Replying to a query by Rakesh Pathania on the completion of Phinna Singh irrigation scheme, Irrigation and Public Health Minister Mahender Singh informed that a sum of Rs 29.09 crore had been spent on it from 2014-17. So far work has not been started on either the dam or the reservoir, resulting in a lot of delay, Pathania pointed out. The minister said the completion of the project would be subject to its inclusion in the PM Krishi Sinchai Yojna even though a budgetary provision of Rs 81 crore had been made in the 2018-19 budget. He assured that the government would ensure that the scheme is completed and the farmers get irrigation facility. editorial@tribune.com Our Correspondent Kupwara, March 16 Family and relatives of a youth from Kupwara district, who reportedly joined Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) two days ago, today appealed to him to shun violence and return home. A picture of Bilal Ahmad Shah, 28, from Shatmuqam village holding an assault AK-47 rifle went viral on social media recently, triggering panic among his family members and relatives. A description along with a picture of Bilal, codenamed Shahbaz, announced his joining the HM, the largest and oldest militant group in Kashmir. Orphaned at an early age, Bilal was a supplier at the fruit mandi in Srinagar for the past few years. We are shocked to know that he has joined militant ranks. I make a fervent appeal to him to shun the wrong path and come back home, said Tariq Ahmad, his elder brother. We were satisfied that he earned a living for himself. He also helped his married sister whenever she was in need. His step has devastated us, he said. Bilal left home on March 2, telling his brother that he would go to Ladakh if the road was open. He didnt come back. He discontinued his studies after passing Class X from an orphanage in Srinagar, his family said. His joining militant ranks come three months after Manwan Wani, a research scholar from Lolab, joined the HM. Shams-u-din Shah, Bilals father, was an HM militant and was killed in an encounter in Kupwara in 1992. editorial@tribune.com Tribune News Service Srinagar, March 16 Separatist leader Syed Ali Geelani today claimed that an Intelligence Bureau (IB) officer offered him dialogue with New Delhi but he rejected the offer. In a statement, Geelani said he rejected the offer of talks made by the IB officer and termed it futile, nothing more than a tactic to buy time. Spokesman for the Geelanis Hurriyat Conference GA Gulzar said the IB officer proposed dialogue between New Delhi and Geelani on Thursday night. He (Geelani) refused to talk unless and until the Kashmir dispute is addressed in its historical perspective and asked India to acknowledge the disputed status of Kashmir and begin demilitarisation to hold a referendum, Gulzar said. Geelani made it clear that the Kashmir issue has turned into a flashpoint and unless India accepts its disputed nature, no progress is expected and the horrors of war will haunt people living in the subcontinent, the spokesman said. pardeepdhull@gmail.com Srinagar, March 16 Security forces on Friday apprehended two suspected militants in separate incidents in south Kashmir, recovering arms and ammunition from their possession, the police said. In the first incident, Shahnawaz Ahmad Mir, a resident of Bugam in Kulgam, was apprehended during random checking at a naka point set up at Takia Adijan in the district, a police spokesman said. A Chinese pistol, one magazine, five live rounds and Rs 10,000 were recovered from Mirs possession, the spokesman said. Investigation conducted so far has revealed that Mir is involved in subversive activities, he said, adding a case under relevant sections of the law has been registered against the accused person. In another incident, Ajaz Ahmad Bhat, a resident of Dangerpora Padgampora, was held with a hand grenade from national highway near Padgampora in south Kashmirs Pulwama district, the spokesman said. Giving the details, he said the police party nabbed him when Bhat was trying to get some object out of his pocket. The police party overpowered him and carried out a personal (body) search of him, and recovered one hand grenade from his possession, the spokesman said. PTI editorial@tribune.com Majid Jahangir Tribune News Service Balhama, March 16 Two militants of radical group Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind were killed in a 10-hour gunfight on Srinagar outskirts. A CRPF man was also injured during the operation. The gunfight broke out on Thursday afternoon at Balhama, some 20 km from the city centre, when security forces cordoned off a cluster of houses after militants fired upon security guards of BJP leader Anwar Khan in a neighbouring area. Even as the policemen repulsed the attack, a security guard of the BJP leader was injured in the shootout. Immediately after the attack, contingents of the Army, CRPF and police cordoned off Balhama village at around 2 pm on Thursday. There were three militants involved in the attack on security guards of the BJP leader and in the incident a militant was injured. The three while trying to escape from the area got holed up inside a double-storey house. Another militant who was unarmed escaped, police sources said. As the militants were challenged, they opened fire triggering a gunfight. During the initial firing, a CRPF man sustained bullet injuries. In the gunfight that followed two militants were killed, Inspector General of CRPF Ravideep Singh Sahi told The Tribune. Arms and ammunition were recovered from the encounter site. Two houses were gutted during the gunfight. The two slain militants hailed from south Kashmirs Pulwama district and were identified as Rasiq Nabi Bhat of Tral and Shabir Dar of Awantipora. Both were associated with the radical group Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind, Deputy Inspector General of Police, Central Kashmir, Vidhi Kumar Birdi said. According to police records, the duo had joined militancy last year. Earlier this week, three radical militants, including Mohammad Taufeeq, who hailed from Telangana, was killed along with his two Kashmiri associates in south Kashmirs Anantnag district. Ansar Ghazwat-il-Hind and Islamic State had claimed that Taufeeq was member of their group. At Balhama and its neighbouring areas, a shutdown was observed over the militants killing. People from the area thronged the encounter site where two houses were reduced to rubble. It is first gunfight in the village since the eruption of violence, said Ghulam Mohammad, a resident of the village at the encounter site. The militants were not hiding in the houses, but they entered when they were being chased, he said. 2 others arrested in south Kashmir Srinagar: Security forces on Friday apprehended two suspected militants in separate incidents in south Kashmir, recovering arms and ammunition from their possession. In the first incident, Shahnawaz Ahmad Mir, a resident of Budgam in Kulgam, was apprehended during a random checking at a check-point set up at Takia Adijan in the district, a police spokesman said. A Chinese pistol, one magazine, five live rounds and Rs 10,000 were recovered from Mirs possession, the spokesman said. In another incident, Ajaz Ahmad Bhat, a resident of Dangerpora, Padgampora, was arrested with a hand grenade on the national highway near Padgampora in south Kashmirs Pulwama district, the spokesman said. PTI gspannu7@gmail.com Darbhanga (Bihar), March 16 Unidentified persons hacked to death the father of a BJP worker here allegedly over a tiff over naming of a square on the outskirts of the city after Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The police, however, claimed that murder of 65-year-old Ramchandra Yadav late last night, whose BJP activist son Kamlesh Yadav sustained injuries in the attack, was the fallout of a personal enmity. Kamlesh Yadav, who was undergoing treatment at a hospital, told reporters a chowk (square) at our native village of Bhadavan in Sadar police station area had been named after Narendra Modi two years ago. Yesterday, local RJD supporters, who had been opposed to naming of the square after Modi, tried to remove the plaque bearing the name of the square. When we protested, they said that the RJDs victory in bypolls to one Lok Sabha and an assembly seat marked their partys resurgence and hence they wanted to rename the square after Lalu Prasad, Yadav alleged. The RJD supporters went away after we resolutely opposed them. However, in the night, a group of 20-25 persons came to our house riding on motorcycles, attacked my father with a sword, severing his head, Yadav, whose arm was slashed by a sword carried by the assailants, said. Additional SP, Darbhanga, Dilnawaz Ahmad, however, said as per our information, the attackers had some personal enmity with Kamlesh Yadav and his family. We are not aware of any dispute over naming of the square, though all angles would be investigated. Local BJP workers in the district also staged a demonstration in protest against the killing, blocking road traffic for close to an hour. They were pacified by the police who assured them of adequate action against the guilty. Meanwhile, state BJP spokesman Rajib Ranjan told PTI over phone incidents like these demonstrate RJDs belief in hooliganism and corruption. They have merely retained two seats they had held earlier, but they want to strike terror in the hearts of the people of Bihar. PTI monicakchauhan@gmail.com New Delhi, March 16 A professor of Jawaharlal Nehru University accused of sexual harassment resigned on Friday after an FIR was registered against him. The FIR was lodged Delhis Vasant Kunj North Police Station on the basis of a complaint from seven out of nine students protesting against the professor. Although the professor resigned, he claimed that the allegations were a motivated move by students with vested interests. He said: "I resigned on moral grounds. I am outraged because of this mala fide, motivated move, trying to malign my character. I feel mentally harassed". Students of the university's School of Life Sciences (SLS) called a march to the Vasant Kunj police station at 9 pm on Friday to demand the professor's arrest. He held two administrative posts in JNUthe director of the Human Resources Development Centre (HRDC) and the director of the Internal Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC). The university administration said in a statement: "A few students of the School of Life Sciences of JNU met the top administrative officials and verbally expressed their grievances against a professor. They were assured that the administration will look into their grievances. The professor, against whom such a complaint has been made, has in the meantime tendered his resignation from his administrative positions". Agencies rchopra@tribunemail.com Washington, March 16 India is the biggest strategic opportunity for the US with New Delhi showing more openness to strengthen bilateral security ties, a top Pentagon commander has said, underlining a mutual desire for global stability and support for the rules-based international order. Admiral Harry Harris, Commander of the US Pacific Command, also told members of the Senate Armed Services Committee, that the Quad, comprising India, US, Japan and Australia, is an important idea of like-minded nations that could go after the challenges in the Indo-Pacific region. In his prepared testimony, Harris said the US and India are natural partners on a range of political, economic and security issues. I think India is the biggest strategic opportunity for the US. We share democratic values, we share the same concerns, and we operate more frequently in the Indo-Pacific region together, Harris said. He said that with a mutual desire for global stability and support for the rules-based international order, the US and India had an increasing convergence of interests, including maritime security and domain awareness, counter-piracy, counter-terrorism, humanitarian assistance and coordinated responses to natural disasters and transnational threats. Noting that India would be among the USs most significant partners in the years to come due to its growing influence and expanding military, Harris said as a new generation of political leaders emerged, India had shown that it is more open to strengthening security ties with the US and adjusting its historic policy of non-alignment to address common strategic interests. Harris comments came amid China flexing muscle in the East and South China seas. The US has been sending its navy warships in the disputed South China Sea as part of its freedom of navigation operation, which evoked strong protests from China. Harris said the US sought an enduring, regular, routine and institutionalised strategic partnership with India and the Pacific Command identified a security relationship with India as a major command line-of-effort. Over the past year, US and Indian militaries participated together in three major exercises, executed more than 50 other military exchanges, and operationalised the 2016 Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement (LEMOA). He said defence sales are at an all-time high with India operating US-sourced airframes, such as P-8s, C-130Js, C-17s, AH-64s, and CH-47s, and M777 howitzers. The Pacific Command, he said, would sustain the momentum of the strategic relationship generated by the President-Prime Minister-level meeting and the emerging 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue through strengthening their military-to-military relationship and working towards additional enabling agreements to enhance interoperability. At the moment, India is considering a number of US systems for purchase, all of which Pacific Command fully supports: the F-16 for Indias large single-engine, multi-role fighter acquisition program; the F/A-18E for Indias multi-engine, carried-based fighter purchase; a reorder of 12-15 P-8Is; a potential purchase of SeaGuardian UAS; MH-60R multi-role sea-based helicopter; and F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, Harris said. Responding to a question on Quad from Senator Tim Kaine, who was the 2016 Democratic vice-presidential nominee, he said, I think the Quad is an important construct of like-minded nations that can go after the challenges that are in the Indo-Pacific region. So thats Japan, the United States, Australia, and India...The Quad is an idea. Its not rigid. It is not exclusive. I think the Quad is an idea, and its an important idea that I think the countries are starting to get their arms around, including the US. But India presents a great opportunity for us, and I think we present a great opportunity for India, Harris said. PTI rchopra@tribunemail.com New Delhi, March 16 India takes nuclear non-proliferation very seriously and unlike some of its neighbours, it does not believe in dirty bombs, Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has said, in an oblique reference to Pakistan. Sitharaman, while speaking at a book release function here on Thursday, said India is complying with nuclear non-proliferation regulations despite not being a signatory to the non-proliferation treaty (NPT). We are signing nuclear treaties as a commitment to non-proliferation and are not supportive of illegal spread, she said. Unlike some of our neighbours, India does not believe in dirty bombs, we take non-proliferation very seriously, she said. Sitharaman also said infiltration bids from across the border with Pakistan had not come down. We are remaining alert, we will not entertain infiltration, she said. On the issue of rising militancy-related incidents in Kashmir, the minister said the government is working with the state government to deal with the issue. Efforts are going on and government is engaged, she said, referring to the visits of the Centres interlocutor who has been engaging with different sections of people in the state. She said India did not want an escalation in tensions, but it is for Pakistan to prove that their territory is not being used for terrorism. PTI editorial@tribune.com Amaravati, March 16 TDP president N Chandrababu Naidu tonight wrote to BJP president Amit Shah, saying they felt it pointless to continue in NDA as the Union Government failed to discharge its constitutional responsibilities in implementing Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2014, in letter and spirit. He pointed out that on most of the crucial provisions of the Act, and the assurances given in the Rajya Sabha, the progress was tardy, unsatisfactory and disappointing. In the four-page letter, the TDP chief, however, did not mention the collusion between BJP and other parties (YSR Congress and Jana Sena) that he alleged in the morning during a teleconference with party politburo members and MPs. Today, a feeling is gaining ground in our state that the BJP is not sensitive to the aspirations of our people. We feel the government headed by it is not willing to implement in letter and spirit the provisions in the AP Reorganisation Act and the assurances given by the then Prime Minister in Rajya Sabha, he said. The TDP chief said his party had joined the alliance in the hope that the state would get fair treatment and expectation that the people would get justice. When our being in the alliance doesnt serve that purpose, we feel it is pointless to continue, he noted. Naidu said Finance Minister Arun Jaitleys statement on March 7 to the media made it clear that the Union Government was not willing to respect the promises made to the five crore people of Andhra Pradesh. On that day, our Union Ministers have exited the Council of Ministers. We expected that before the passage of the Finance Bill, necessary modifications will be made to do justice to the people of AP. But now the Budget was passed and our state has not got justice, the Chief Minister said. The TDP chief said his party joined the NDA under the leadership of the BJP before the 2014 General Election and fought the elections together in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. He recalled that Narendra Modi, the then prime ministerial candidate, in his public meetings in Andhra Pradesh, had emphatically assured the people that he would give the state a special category status. PTI uttara@tribuneindia.com New Delhi, March 16 The Maharashtra government on Friday told the Supreme Court that the batch of petitions seeking an independent probe into the alleged mysterious death of special CBI judge BH Loya were motivated and aimed at targeting "one individual" in the guise of upholding the rule of law. It said the idea behind these petitions was to keep the "pot boiling" against this individual and urged the apex court not to order an investigation that could create doubts about judges and the judiciary. A Bench of Chief Justice Dipak Misra and Justices AM Khanwilkar and DY Chandrachud said it would pass orders and directed the parties to file written submissions. "This court has the power to order investigation and it has exercised its power in cases of fake encounter or riots. But in this case, the court should be very careful in ordering the investigation as the serving judges and even the administrative committee of Bombay High Court will then have to record their statements under section 161 of CrPC in the case," senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, appearing for Maharashtra, said. He said the court should also keep in mind that for three years after the death of Judge Loya on December 1, 2014, nothing has happened and no petition was filed. But now if the court orders investigation in the case on these petitions, there will be some repercussions. "The idea behind these petitions is to keep the pot boiling. The newspapers will have a field day. Entire sequence in this case is now before the court. Statements of judges who were along with Loya in his last moments are before the court. If the last scene theory is applied, then the last scene persons are the two judges of the Bombay High Court and district judges," he said. "They (petitioners) say they are here to protect the rule of law but somehow target an individual who they think is so powerful that he has done all the things. They are using death of a judge as facade so that the judiciary orders an inquiry against that individual. But in that motive, they are causing immense damage to judiciary," Rohtagi said. He also said the matter was of importance for the judiciary and if the apex court decided to order a probe, the state government was ready to comply with the directive. During the arguments, the senior lawyer told the Bench that this was the apex court and the Chief Justice of India is in the role of 'paterfamilias' (the head of a family or household) of the judiciary. "It is his (CJI) obligation to see judiciary remains independent and the rule of law flourishes. If these PILs are allowed, then it would affect the judiciary and doubt will be created about high court and district judges," he said. Rohtagi referred to media reports saying that Judge Loya, after he complained of chest pain, was taken to hospital in an auto-rickshaw and some petitioners even doubted that they stayed at the guest house in Nagpur. "These articles need not be believed as there was a judge who said his car was used to take Judge Loya to hospital and even the wife of Judge Loya had said that she had talked with him when he was at the Ravi Bhavan guest house," he said, terming the articles as "innuendos" and the PILs as a "facade". He said this was a serious case of death of a district judge and the petitions based on media reports should not be entertained as it could dent the image of the judiciary. Rohatgi told the Bench that petitioners arguments are not for upholding the rule of law but it is for the destruction of judiciary. At the outset, Rohatgi, who completed his arguments, detailed the sequence of events to the bench from November 29, 2014, when Judge Loya boarded the train for Nagpur along with other judges to attend the marriage of their colleague's daughter. The next morning of November 30, they reached Ravi Bhavan at Nagpur and attended the wedding along with the judges of the high court. In the wee hours of December 1, he complained of chest pain. He also gave details as how the judge was taken to Dande hospital where his ECG was taken and then to Meditrina Hospital, Nagpur, where he was declared brought dead. Rohatgi gave details of the investigations done so far, statements given by judges who were along with Loya during his last moments and claimed that there was no wrongdoing. Loya, who was hearing the high-profile Sohrabuddin Sheikh fake encounter case, had allegedly died of cardiac arrest in Nagpur on December 1, 2014, when he had gone to attend the wedding of a colleague's daughter. The apex court was hearing a batch of pleas including those filed by Bombay Lawyers' Association, Congress leader Tehseen Poonawala and Maharashtra-based B S Lone seeking an independent probe into Loya's death. PTI pardeepdhull@gmail.com Amaravati, March 16 Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, whose TDP pulled out of BJP-led NDA on Friday, said during the last four years, the Narendra Modi government never cared about the problems faced by the state and did injustice to it in all the Union Budgets. Addressing the state legislative council, the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) chief said that in the last budget (2018-19), the government did not even bother to mention Andhra Pradesh. Reminding Prime Minister Narendra Modi about his poll promise that he will build a state capital which will be better than New Delhi, Naidu said it was same Modi who had targeted the Congress party during 2014 election campaign over the manner in which it carved out Telangana from Andhra Pradesh. He pointed out that Modi had compared the Congress to a doctor who killed the mother to facilitate the birth of the child. The Chief Minister said the Bharatiya Janata Party, which was then in Opposition, promised to fulfil all commitments, including a special category status to the state, but forgot all the promises after coming to power. Naidu told the House that TDP joined the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) for the sake of the states interests. We never demanded any post. They made two of our MPs the ministers, he said. The TDP last week pulled out both the ministers to mount pressure on the government. Stating that the special category status is the right of Andhra Pradesh, he said the TDP would not rest till achieving this right. He said the BJP should introspect as to why his party had to take a strong decision to pull out of the NDA. He also found fault with Finance Minister Arun Jaitleys statement that sentiments cant increase the quantum of funds. Was Telangana not created because of sentiments? Naidu asked. Naidu said there was no truth in the Centres argument that the 14th Finance Commission has opposed according a special category status to any state. He said a Central Minister denied this in Rajya Sabha on Thursday. Targeting both YSR Congress Party and Jana Sena leader Pawan Kalyan for working against the states interests, he alleged that they were creating doubts in the minds of people over the Polavaram project, which is the lifeline of the state. On the allegations of corruption made by Pawan Kalyan, Naidu said he was not afraid of anybody. He said in the past 26 inquiries were ordered against him but nothing could be proved against him. IANS singhking99@yahoo.com Aditi Tandon Tribune News Service New Delhi, March 16 Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan today cited lack of order in the House to decline two notices of no-confidence motion moved against the government by Andhra Pradesh parties protesting denial of special category status to the state. The notices, moved by YSR Congress' YV Suba Reddy and TDP's Thota Narasimhan, were declined by the Speaker citing a recent rule which requires the House to be in order for such a motion to be taken up. At the time the Speaker mentioned the notices, AIADMK and TRS were in the Well of the House protesting and raising slogans on a range of issues. The Speaker's calls to disruptive MPs to go back to their seats was not heeded and she adjourned the LS until Monday. The House had earlier seen an adjournment when it met at 11 am. The TDP and YSR Congress will now have to move notices of no-confidence motion again since today's notices won't hold good. Interestingly, the Speaker used a precedent set by her predecessor Meira Kumar during the UPA rule to reject todays notices. Kumar as LS Speaker in 2012 had passed a ruling saying a no-confidence motion cannot be taken up unless the House is in order. That was the time when the AP-based regional parties had pressed the no-confidence motions against the then Congress-led regime for bifurcating the state into Andhra and Telangana. As per LS rules, once the House is in order the Speaker asks the mover of the no-confidence motion to seek leave of the House to move the motion. Once the leave is granted the Speaker asks those favouring the motion to stand in its support. If not less than 50 MPs stand, the motion is accepted and can be taken up within 10 days of the moving of the motion. A notice for no-confidence motion can be given on any day by 10 am for the motion to be taken up the same day. If the notice is given to LS Secretariat after 10 am, it can only be taken up the next day. The TMC and Left parties had decided to support the motion had it been taken up. The Congress which had not yet made up its mind slammed the government for not taking up the motion on the excuse of disorder in the House. Uddhav keeps BJP guessing on trust vote Mumbai: The Shiv Sena has left the BJP in suspense regarding its support to the no-confidence motion moved by the Opposition parties in the Lok Sabha. CM Devendra Fadnavis and state BJP chief Raosaheb Danve reportedly sought to obtain the support of the Sena MPs should the no-trust motion come up for vote. The two BJP leaders met Union Minister Anant Geete from the Shiv Sena. Geete is said to have told the them that a final decision would be taken by party chief Uddhav Thackeray. Sources say Thackeray has not been taking calls from BJP leaders, thus adding to the suspense. TNS gspannu7@gmail.com New Delhi, March 16 The Rajya Sabha on Friday witnessed an abrupt adjournment following a brief argument between Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu and some Congress members soon after the House assembled for the day. After tabling of the listed papers, Naidu expressed his anguish saying the House has not functioned ever since it resumed on March 5 after recess during the Budget Session. Before adjourning the House till 2.30 pm, Naidu said there were larger issues like banking scam, Cauvery river water sharing, demand for a special package to Andhra Pradesh and sealing in the national capital, which were agitating the minds of people and needed to be discussed. He said notices have been given by members on these issues and he has agreed for a discussion on them but yet the House was not taking up the debate. Naidu hoped that the House would function normally from next week and have constructive debate. I am very much pained that the Upper House of Parliament is not able to transact its business for last two weeks. Dont test my patience...We are meeting, greeting and not doing anything and adjourning, the chairman said. In the backdrop of repeated adjournments of the House with protesting members trooping into the Well, raising slogans and some even carrying placards, Naidu said issues cannot be decided physically as at the end of the day we have to go by consensus or by the majority of the House. You cant dictate something and say whether you go my way or the highway. That is no way, I must tell you, he said, adding that the Chair would not allow such a thing. Naidu appealed to members to ensure smooth functioning of the House before I take extreme views. As he was making the appeal, Congress member Satyabrat Chaturvedi stood up and said he agreed with the Chair, but sought to know whether it was for the first time that he is witnessing such a scenario in Parliament. To this, Naidu asked if somebody committed a mistake in the past, does it mean that he should also do the same. Do you want this sort of a thing to continue? ... Is that your suggestion? This is your party view, he said. As some other Congress members were on their feet trying to join the issue simultaneously, Naidu adjourned the House till 2.30 pm. PTI rchopra@tribunemail.com New Delhi, March 16 TDP leader Thota Narasimham moved a no-confidence motion in the Lok Sabha on Friday, hours after party president N Chandrababu Naidu announced in Amaravati that the party was exiting the National Democratic Alliance. Andhra Pradeshs ruling party on Thursday had offered to back the YSR Congresss no-confidence motion but has now said it withdrew the support as it smelt a nexus between it and the BJP. We go according to principles. Our leader felt being part of NDA and moving a no-confidence motion would not be ethical. So we withdrew from the NDA and I have issued a letter on no-confidence motion to the speaker at 9.30 am, Narasimham, the TDPs floor leader in the Lok Sabha, told reporters. He said letters would go out to BJP leaders about the partys decision to exit the alliance. His colleague CM Ramesh added that YSR Congress MP Vijaysai Reddy was seen making attempts to meet the Prime Minister and this hinted at a nexus between the two parties. We have no confidence in their no-confidence motion, so we have decided to go on our own, he said. If it is not taken due to lack of time on Friday, on Monday we will get signatures from 54 MPs from various other parties and push for a no-confidence motion vigorously, Ramesh said. The motion can be accepted only if it has the support of at least 50 members in the House. Two days ago, two TDP ministers resigned from the Narendra Modi government following the Centres refusal to grant Special Category Status to Andhra Pradesh. We will support a no-confidence motion, whoever moves it. We will be ready for that and our 16-17 MPs will fully support that. We will cooperate with whoever fights for the states rights, Naidu said in the state Assembly on Thursday. With the BJP alone having 274 members in the 536-member Lok Sabha and enjoying support of allies, the no-confidence motion, if accepted, is certain to be defeated but it has the potential to put the saffron party in a tight corner in the state. PTI editorial@tribune.com New Delhi, March 16 The Parliament proceedings were washed out for the second consecutive week today due to protests by Opposition parties. While the Lok Sabha proceedings were first adjourned till noon and then for the day, the Rajya Sabha was adjourned straight till 2.30 pm and later for the day with Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu expressing anguish over the proceedings being paralysed ever since Parliament resumed its budget session on March 5 after a recess. The Lok Sabha proceedings were washed out for the 10th consecutive day following incessant protests and sloganeering by various parties, including TDP, YSR Congress, AIADMK and RJD over multiple issues, including special status for Andhra Pradesh and banking scam. Congress members were also seen standing at their seats. Soon after papers and reports were laid during the zero hour, Mahajan said she had received a notice for no-confidence motion. I am duty-bound to bring it... provided the House is in order, she said amid the din. I request all of you to go back to your seats, Mahajan told the members protesting in the well. However as the members continued with the protests, the Speaker said since the House is not in order, she was unable to take up the notice and then adjourned the proceedings for the day. Members from TRS and AIADMK were in the well holding placards and shouting slogans. Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Arjun Ram Meghwal made a statement regarding the government business to be taken up in the House next week. Soon after the House assembled at 11 am and was to take up the question hour, the proceedings were adjourned till noon due to the noisy scenes. The Rajya Sabha proceedings were abruptly adjourned soon after it met, following a brief argument between the Chairman and some Congress members. After tabling of the listed papers, Naidu expressed anguish at frequent adjournments. Before adjourning the House till 2.30 pm, he said there were larger issues like banking scam, Cauvery riverwater sharing, demand for a special package to Andhra Pradesh and sealing in the national capital, which needed to be discussed. PTI Im pained, dont test my patience I am very much pained that the Upper House of Parliament is not able to transact its business for last two weeks. Dont test my patience...We are meeting, greeting and not doing anything and adjourning. M Venkaiah Naidu, RS chairman monicakchauhan@gmail.com Tribune News Service Chandigarh, March 16 The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) unit of Punjab on Friday accused said party convener Arvind Kejriwal of becoming weak, a day after the latter apologised for his drug trade allegations against former minister Bikram Singh Majithia. At a press conference that saw the several leaders of AAPs Punjab unit come together to condemn Kejriwals apology, party leader Sukhpal Singh Khaira claimed that the apology was a unilateral decision that raised questions about what transpired between the AAP convener and Majithias Shiromani Akali Dal. "All of us in Punjab are saddened to learn how Kejriwal ji has went to apologise to Majithia when state government's Special Task Force has submitted in High Court that there is strong clinching evidence against him," AAP leader Sukhpal Singh Khaira, flanked by several leaders of the party, said at the press meeting. "In such circumstances, Kejriwal's apology was painful, very unfortunate. It is like our big leader while showing psychological weakness, has surrendered," Khaira said, adding that the party would have to now convene and review the situation. AAPs Member of Parliament in Rajya Sabha Sanjay Singh said the party was deeply disappointed with the decision. "Many people are unhappy with Arvind Kejriwal's apology to Bikram Singh Majithia. I hope justice is done, because people like BS Majithia deserve to be in jail," Sanjay Singh said. Earlier in the day, 20 lawmakers including two from Lok Insaf Partyheld a meeting to decide their next course of action. AAP MLAs also discussed possibility of separating from the Delhi unit in the wake of Kejriwal's apology. "But no consensus was achieved on breaking away as many MLAs felt that views should be taken from volunteers and constituents before taking any further decision. Therefore we have deferred taking a decision," AAP MLA Kanwar Sandhu told reporters. AAP leader Bhagwant Mann, who resigned as the partys Punjab chief, was away in Delhi, but would abide by any decision the Punjab unit took, as would senior leader HS Phoolka, Sandhu said. The press briefing came within hours of the partys Punjab unit chief Bhagwant Mann putting in his papers. Within hours of the press conference, AAP's co-president Aman Arora, who on Thursday voiced his disappointment at Kejriwal's apology, stepped down from his position. The allegations hark back to 2016 during his campaign for assembly elections, when Delhi Chief Minister Kejriwal accused Majithia of being involved in drug trade. Majithia charged Kejriwal, and another AAP leader Ashish Khetan with criminal defamation. Majithia promised to withdrew his case against Kejriwal after the apology. The apology has seen widespread condemnation within Kejriwals own party. Senior party leader Kanwar Sandhu, a member of legislative assembly from Kharar, took his displeasure at Kejriwal to Twitter. With agencies editorial@tribune.com Ravi S Singh Tribune News Service New Delhi, March 16 The Punjab BJP today released a report card of one-year tenure of the Capt Amarinder Singh-led Congress government in the state saying it has been a complete failure. It announced to launch a statewide campaign against it from Jalandhar on March 18 with the slogan Bajao dhol, kholo pol. Releasing the report card, state party president Vijay Sampla said the government had failed on three vital parameters governance, fulfilment of promises and new initiatives for social welfare. He said corruption had become rampant and none of the electoral promises was fulfilled. The government had been apathetic to the farmers, whom it had promised of waiving all loans. As many as 430 farmers committed suicide in the past one year. He said the promise to eradicate the menace of drug addiction had come a cropper. Law and order had deteriorated. The BJP leader flayed the government for its alleged reneging on electoral promises to the Dalits, which included houses for homeless, job for each household, free education for girls till any level and 10 per cent quota in all private educational institutions and 300 units of free electricity. Sampla picked on Finance Minister Manpreet Badal saying even after making provision for smart phones in the Budget, the same had not been provided to the youth. editorial@tribune.com Saurabh Malik Tribune News Service Chandigarh, March 16 A year after the Congress promised farm debt waiver, the Punjab and Haryana High Court has brought the issue under its ambit by asking the government to specify the methodology it intended to adopt. Taking up the issue, the Division Bench of Justice Ajay Kumar Mittal and Justice Anupinder Singh Grewal asked the state counsel to file a tentative proposal as to how the waiver of loans for small farmers shall be carried out. The Bench also set a date in the fourth week of March for the state to come out with the details of its plan. The case has its genesis in a petition filed by Mohit Kapoor in September last year, when farmer unions were planning to assemble outside the Patiala residence of Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh. The petition against the protest call given by several farmer unions in Patiala was seeking, among other things, imposition of Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure in Patiala and neighbouring districts to prevent untoward incident. The High Court, at that time, had ruled that assembly in the absence of requisite permission would not fall within the domain of legality. The Bench had also called the Director-General of Police before making it clear that it did not want repetition of Panchkula episode in the district. As protests by different farmer unions across the state continued, the Bench subsequently made clear its intent to look into the wider issues resulting in agitation by smallholders. The decision to expand the scope of the petition came after counsel for the protesters told the Bench that a wider issue was involved. Elaborating, counsel RS Bains and HPS Ishar said a number of farmers had already died for non-waiver of loans and other difficulties faced by them. Taking a note of the assertion, the Bench declared, The said issue shall be considered in this public interest litigation on the next date of hearing. The Chief Minister had, in June last year, announced waiver of the entire crop loans up to Rs 2 lakh for all small and marginal farmers with holdings up to 5 acres. The governments stand as on date is that abolishing the provisions for kurki of agricultural land belonging to farmers is not necessary, as it has already extended loan waiver up to Rs 2 lakh. In reply to another PIL filed by advocate Hari Chand Arora, the state government just this week asserted that a scheme for giving financial assistance of Rs 3 lakh to the family of farmers committing suicide due to indebtedness was already in place. Besides, the government had framed a scheme to extend loan waiver to small and marginal farmers. editorial@tribune.com Tribune News Service Chandigarh, March 16 Leader of the Opposition Sukhpal Khaira said here today that at least 374 farmers and farm labourers had committed suicide since the Capt Amarinder Singh government took over a year ago. This fact belies the Congress pre-poll promise of writing off debt of all affected farmers, Khaira said at a press conference jointly organised by Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and Lok Insaaf Party (LIP) leaders. The two parties released a chargesheet against the Congress government, hours before the LIP decided to withdraw support to AAP. The government has waived only 0.33 per cent (Rs 332.16 crore) of the debt of Rs 1 lakh crore, Khaira added. On the drug menace, Khaira said the situation was the same as during the SAD-BJP rule despite Capt Amarinders promise of eradicating it within four weeks of assuming power. He said the government, in order to hoodwink the youth, was organising job fairs which were a mere reflection of respective campus placements of the colleges. He said the families of Capt Amarinder and former CM Parkash Singh Badal were playing a friendly match as the CM was not initiating action against the latter over ill-gotten wealth. Khaira said the only difference was that under the Congress, the Akali-sponsored mafia had taken a backseat and the ruling partys leaders had come to the fore to hijack the trades of mining, real estate, cable network, liquor, truck unions, goonda tax etc. Bains ups the ante Ludhiana: Shortly after breaking the alliance with the Aam Aadmi Party, LIP chief and local MLA Simarjit Singh Bains said former minister Bikram Singh Majithia should be arrested on the basis of evidence submitted by the Special Task Force (STF). Arvind Kejriwal has deceived Punjabis by tendering an apology to Majithia. Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh should order Majithias arrest at the earliest, he said. Ropar MLA backs Kejri Ropar: Aam Aadmi Party legislator Amarjit Singh Sandoa has expressed solidarity with Arvind Kejriwal over the apology to Bikram Majithia in a defamation case. Sandoa said he shared other party MLAs sentiments over the move, but he still considered Kejriwal as the leader and would not leave the party at any cost. The taxi driver-turned-politician added that he would take up the issue with Kejriwal. monicakchauhan@gmail.com Jupinder Singh Tribune News Service Chandigarh, March 16 A day after Delhi Chief Minister and AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal apologised to former Punjab minister Bikram Singh Majithia for alleging that the latter was involved in drug trade, Punjab Aam Aadmi Party's top two leaderspresident Bhagwant Mann and co-president Aman Arora resigned from their positions on Friday. Mann said that his "fight against drug mafia and corruption will continue". The Delhi chief minister's apology drew flak from his party's leaders and MLAs in Punjab, who said they were "stunned" by the move and "disappointed" as Kejriwal had not kept them in the "loop". READ: Mann announced his resignation on Twitter. "..I m resigning as a president of AAP Punjab...but my fight against drug mafia and all kind of corruption in Punjab will continue as an "Aam Aadmi" of Punjab (sic)," Mann said in a tweet. Hours later, Arora, who had also voiced his disappointment at the apology, also said he was putting in his papers. "Rspctd @msisodia ji, Due to painful turn of events since yesterday, plz accept my resignation from the post of Co-President.Rgds," his tweet read. Senior AAP leader Manish SisodiaDelhis deputy chief ministersaid after Arora's resignation that there was no rift in the party over Kejriwals apology. All are together. Well talk to them. Theyll understand, Sisodia said. Later in the day, Kharar Member of Legislative Assembly Kanwar Sandhu said that although there were some calls in Friday's meeting of AAP's MLAs for the party's Punjab unit to break away from the Delhi unit, there was no consensus. So the decision has been deferred, Sandhu said. The chief minister in his apology letter had said, "In the recent past I made certain statements and allegations against you (Majithia) regarding your alleged involvement in the drug trade. These statements became a political issue." "Now I've learnt that the allegations are unfounded. Hence, there should be no politics on such issues. I hereby withdraw all my statements and allegations made against you and apologise for the same," he said. Leader of Opposition in Punjab Sukhpal Singh Khaira said that he was "stunned" by the apology by Kejriwal. "We're appalled n stunned by the apology of @ArvindKejriwal tendered today, we don't hesitate to admit that we haven't been consulted on this meek surrender by a leader of his stature," he said on Twitter. In another tweet, Khaira said, "We promise to continue our tirade on the burning issue of drugs destroying the youth of Punjab". "I fail to understand the timing of Kejriwal's apology when STF of PB has stated to the High Court today that there's substantial evidence to proceed against Bikram Majitha on the issue of drugs-khaira (sic)," he had tweeted yesterday. The AAP's Kharar MLA Kanwar Sandhu also reacted sharply to the apology, tweeting "Arvind kejriwal' apology to Bikram majithia in the defamation case on drugs is a let down to the people, especially the youth of Punjab. We in punjab have not been taken into the loop. Our fight for Punjab continues." "Shocked & disappointed 2 know abt the apology tendered by Arvind Kejriwal 2 Majithia. I still believe drugs wud not have taken so much young lives had the previous Govt not patronised drug mafia. Our fight against drugs continues," the party's Punjab unit co-president Aman Arora tweeted. Lok Insaf Party (LIP) leader Simarjeet Singh Bains was also miffed at the apology by Kejriwal to Majithia. The LIP is AAP's ally in Punjab. Mann represents the Sangrur parliamentary constituency in the Lok Sabha. He was appointed the state party chief in May 2017. Majithia had filed a defamation case against Kejriwal and others following the allegation made during campaigning in the Punjab Assembly elections. .. I m resigning as a president of AAP Punjab ...but my fight against drug mafia and all kind of corruption in Punjab will continue as an Aam Aadmi of Punjab Bhagwant Mann (@BhagwantMann) March 16, 2018 Leader of Opposition Sukhpal Singh Khaira said, All of us in Punjab are not very happy with Kejriwal ji apologise to Majithia. Strong evidences against Majithia have been submitted by the Special Task Force (STF) of the state government in the Punjab and Haryana High Court. We MLAs are going to discuss the issue. This exposes cheap politics by AAP, they spread false propaganda. They build their entire election campaign (in Punjab) on a lie, good that he has accepted his lies: Union Minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal on Arvind Kejriwal's apology to Bikram Singh Majithia pic.twitter.com/wiGIaTeFrC ANI (@ANI) March 16, 2018 This is betrayal to people of Punjab, people will not bear with it. This is a non-issue, probably there is a back-door dealing behind it. Our MLAs will sit together & take a collective decision: Simarjit Singh Bains, Lok Insaf Party on if they will snap alliance with AAP #Punjab pic.twitter.com/d5ZlDfiohO ANI (@ANI) March 16, 2018 All of us in Punjab are saddened to learn how Kejriwal ji has went to apologise to Majithia when state govt's STF has submitted in High Court that there is strong clinching evidence against him. AAP MLAs with gather & take stock of the situation: Sukhpal Singh Khaira, AAP #Punjab pic.twitter.com/CPqcahDTWj ANI (@ANI) March 16, 2018 singhking99@yahoo.com Sanjeev Singh Bariana Tribune News Service Chandigarh, March 16 What began yesterday as resentment against AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwals apology to SAD MLA Bikram Majithia over alleged involvement in drug trade today turned into a full-blown crisis for the party with its two top Punjab leaders, state head Bhagwant Mann and co-president Aman Arora, resigning from their posts. The Lok Insaf Party (LIP), which had a pre-Assembly poll pact with AAP, too walked out of the alliance. Mann, MP from Sangrur, took to Twitter to announce he was stepping down: Im resigning due to painful turn of events... but my fight against drug mafia and all kind of corruption in Punjab will continue as an Aam Aadmi of Punjab. Hours later, Arora too tweeted his resignation. (Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd) At their first meeting after the apology, at least 18 of the 20 AAP legislators and Bains brothers of the LIP unanimously condemned Kejriwal. Leader of the Opposition in Punjab Assembly Sukhpal Khaira said AAPs Punjab unit leaders were yet to finalise their future course. He said they would continue to demand a CBI probe against all those, whose names had figured in the drug racket. Addressing the media after the leaders held another meeting, Kharar MLA Kanwar Sandhu said: Eighteen AAP MLAs and two of LIP have unanimously condemned the unconditional apology tendered by Kejriwal. Our two MLAs, Harpal Singh Cheema and HS Phookla, could not attend the meeting due to unavoidable engagements, but have extended their support. Sandhu said they had a detailed discussion on whether to walk out of AAP or to stay put. No consensus could be reached. One group wanted we should separate our ways while another said the matter should be discussed further before taking any decision. He said they had conveyed to the partys central leadership that the March 18 meeting that was slated to be held in Delhi be organised in Chandigarh instead. Simarjit Singh Bains of LIP claimed there seemed to be a difference of opinion within the AAP over the future course of action. A majority of AAPs Punjab MLAs are willing to set up a separate front We are willing to work with anybody who cares for Punjabs interests. In his apology letter, the Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal had written: "In the recent past, I made certain statements and allegations against you (Majithia) regarding your alleged involvement in the drug trade. These statements became a political issue. Now Ive learnt that the allegations are unfounded. Hence, there should be no politics on such issues. I hereby withdraw all my statements and allegations and apologise. Sisodia: will reach out to Punjab leaders New Delhi: AAPs Punjab in-charge Manish Sisodia said the party leadership will talk to state leaders, unhappy over Arvind Kejriwals apology to Bikram Singh Majithia, in a bid to resolve the issue. We fight for the people on streets. It is not our work to fight in court. However, we will fight for people in court, Delhi Deputy CM Sisodia said on the apology. If we spend time in court, how we will be able to spare time for people? he said. PTI editorial@tribune.com Tribune News Service Chandigarh, March 16 Local Bodies Minister Navjot Singh Sidhu claimed today that the Special Task Force (STF), set up by Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh, had in its report found prime facie evidence against ex-minister Bikram Singh Majithia in the drug trade. Sharing excerpts at a press conference, Sidhu said the report, prepared by IPS officer HS Sidhu, had thrown light on Majithias complicity with Canada-based NRIs Satpreet Satta, Amaninder Laadi and Parminder Pindi in the supply chain of pseudoephedrine, a synthetic drug. Demanding Majthias immediate arrest, he said the state government could not ignore the report. Quoting the report, Sidhu said drug operatives stayed at Majthias Amritsar residence and used his official vehicle and security during their Punjab visits. The minister, who was accompanied by wife Navjot Kaur Sidhu, alleged that Majithia had asked Amritsar-based businessman Jagjit Singh Chahal to supply the synthetic drug to the Canada-based NRIs. "The Delhi CMs apology for his baseless allegations is bigger than any court punishment. AAP has almost been dismantled. It had no base, but some people had fallen for it." Parkash Singh Badal, ex-CM "The AAP chief (Kejriwal) has let down people of Punjab. It is as if their (partys) existence has been wiped out. How will their leaders now speak against drugs in Punjab?" Navjot Sidhu, Cabinet minister "The apology signifies Arvind Kejriwals political immaturity. It is a big blow to the trust that the people of Punjab had reposed in AAP. It might help Shiromani Akali Dal in regaining lost ground." Dharamvira Gandhi, Patiala MP gspannu7@gmail.com Tribune News Service Chandigarh, March 16 Punjab Local Bodies Minister Navjot Singh Sidhu on Friday said the Special Task Force (STF) had "found evidence" against former Punjab minister Bikram Singh Majithia in the drug trade. Addressing a press conference here, Sidhu said the Punjab Government cannot ignore the STF report which pointed out the role of Majithia in the drug trade. The STF has clearly stated that there is substantial evidence of the role of Bikram Singh Majithia which needs to be probed. Punjab Government cannot ignore the facts, Sidhu said. Sharing the contents of the STF report submitted in the Punjab and Haryana High Court, Sidhu accompanied by his wife, read out excerpts from the report to drive home the point that Majithia was instrumental in coordinating the operations of the drug lords and facilitating their movement business and stay in Punjab. Sidhu said the Congress government was waiting for concrete evidence and there was enough evidence to nail Majithia. Sidhu said the STF has also pointed out the complicity between the sand mining and drug trade during Akali rule. sanjiv@tribunemail.com Tribune News Service Dehradun, March 16 In a bizarre incident, a District Cooperative Bank guard in Uttarakhands Champawat district gunned down two of his bank colleagues in a broad daylight. The incident happened at Khetikhan in Lohaghat region of Champawat district of Uttarakhand today. During morning hours, as the routine activities in the bank picked up, guard Dinesh Bora, alias Guddu, fired at cashier Lalit Bisht and peon Rajesh Verma with his .12 bore single barrel gun. Before other employees could react, both the cashier and peon died on the spot. The guard Dinesh Bora fled from the scene. Bank manager Naresh had just come to bank after attending a meeting and stood shocked at sudden turn of events. Police rushed to the scene and took both the bodies in possession and sent them for post-mortem examination. Subsequently, after frantic search the revenue police was successful in nabbing the bank guard from his nearby native Manar village and handed him to the police. Police are interrogating the guard to find out the reasons behind the killings. The guard was found in an inebriated state at the time of arrest. Local MLA Puran Singh Fartyal, Superintendent of Police Dhirendra Gunjyal too reached the site of incident. The local villagers, who had gathered in large numbers after the incident, initially refused to take the two bodies for cremation and sought immediate action against the guard. It was later after the arrest of the guard that they were pacified. The shocked local shopkeepers too downed the shutters as mark of grief. vinaymishra188@gmail.com Pretoria, March 16 Former South African president Jacob Zuma was charged with corruption on Friday over a $2.5 billion state arms deal, a stunning judicial ruling on a continent where political Big Men rarely face their day in court. Zuma, who was forced to resign by the ruling African National Congress (ANC) last month, was at the centre of the deal to buy European military kit that has cast a shadow over politics in Africas most industrialised economy for various years. Chief state prosecutor Shaun Abrahams told a media conference that Zumas attempts to head off the charges that have been hanging over him for more than a decade had failed. The 75-year-old disputed all the allegations against him, he added. After consideration of the matter, I am of the view that there are reasonable prospects of successful prosecution of Zuma on the charges listed in the indictment, Abrahams said. Zuma will face 16 charges relating to 783 instances of alleged wrongdoing, National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesman Luvuyo Mfaku said. Reuters uttara@tribuneindia.com London, March 16 An Iraqi teenager, who had come to Britain as an asylum seeker, was found guilty on Friday of attempted murder after detonating a homemade bomb on a packed rush-hour London commuter train, injuring 30 people, prosecutors and police said. Ahmed Hassan, 18, was found guilty of trying to murder the passengers on board an underground train heading to central London on September 15 last year, prosecutors said. The bomb went off at Parsons Green station and flames engulfed the carriage, but it did not fully explode, limiting the scale of injuries in what authorities said was Britain's fifth major attack of 2017. "It was only a matter of luck that the device did not work as he intended or it could easily have led to the loss of innocent lives," said Sue Hemming from Britain's Crown Prosecution Service. Hassan, who the court heard had spoken of his duty to hate Britain because of the deaths of his parents in Iraq, had been placed under Britain's counter-radicalisation programme at the time. "He was very cunning and devious," Dean Haydon, the head of London Police's Counter Terrorism Command told BBC TV. "On the face of it, Hassan was engaged on the programme. But coming back to his devious nature, he kept it very secretive in relation to what he was doing, what he was planning, and nobody around him actually knew what his plot was." Haydon said a review of the counter-radicalisation programme would now be undertaken. On the day of the attack, the teenager left his foster home in Sunbury-on-Thames in west London and set the timer for the device, made with the highly volatile triacetone triperoxide (TATP)known as "the mother of Satan"in toilets at Wimbledon station where he boarded a District Line underground train, police said. Shrapnel He got off at the stop before Parsons Green, leaving behind his bomb, which was placed in a bucket. It was packed with more than two kilograms of metal shrapnel including screws, bolts, nails, knives and screwdrivers, the court heard. There were 93 passengers in the carriage when it detonated. They reported hearing a loud bang and seeing a fireball with one woman suffering burns to her hands, legs, and face causing her to lose the hair on her eyebrows and eyelashes. Others were hurt in a stampede to flee the scene. Hassan was arrested in the southern port of Dover the following day carrying 2,320 pounds in cash and a new phone. The court heard he arrived in Britain in the back of a lorry in 2015, claimed asylum and was placed with foster parents in Sunbury. He told British officials that he had been taken by force by Islamic State militants, who had threatened to kill his family members, and had given him military training. Britain said at the time there was no evidence to suggest Islamic State was responsible for the Parsons Green attack despite the group's claims of responsibility. Police and prosecutors said his motive was unclear. A teacher and a youth worker told the court Hassan had seemed confused and angry, and that he believed his father had been killed by US bombing. Hassan admitted to police he had made the bomb but said he had never intended to kill and merely wanted attention. He had pleaded not guilty to charges of attempted murder. He told the court that he had been attracted to the idea of being a fugitive, chased across Europe by the police and Interpol. However, the jury at London's Old Bailey court convicted him of attempted murder and he will be sentenced at a later date. Reuters vinaymishra188@gmail.com Washington, March 16 President Donald Trump has decided to fire his National Security Advisor Lt Gen HR McMaster and is scouting to find a replacement before the planned high-profile North Korea meetings, according to US media reports. The Washington Post reported that Trump is now comfortable with ousting McMaster with whom he never personally gelled, but is willing to take time executing the move because he wants to ensure both that the three-star Army General is not humiliated and that there is a strong successor lined up. White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders, however, dismissed the reports and said that there were no changes at the National Security Council (NSC) for now. Citing five sources with knowledge of the Presidents plans, the daily said, The turbulence is part of a broader potential shake-up under consideration by Trump that is likely to include senior officials at the White House, where staffers are gripped by fear and uncertainty as they await the next move from an impulsive President who enjoys stoking conflict. Sanders said, Just spoke to the President Trump and McMaster. Contrary to reports they have a good working relationship and there are no changes at the NSC at all. McMaster is Trumps second national security adviser after Michael Flynn was dismissedfor misleading vice-president Mike Pence about his contacts with the Russian ambassador to the US. PTI vinaymishra188@gmail.com Moscow, March 16 Britain today provoked Russias wrath by directly implicating Vladimir Putin in the nerve agent attack on an ex-double agent, with the Kremlin saying the claims were shocking and unforgivable. The war of words between Moscow and London over the poisoning of a former Russian spy escalated as Britains outspoken Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson said his governments quarrel was with Putin rather than the Russian people. We think it overwhelmingly likely that it was his decision to direct the use of a nerve agent on the streets of the UK, on the streets of Europe, for the first time since the Second World War, Johnson said in London. Putins spokesman Dmitry Peskov responded saying Johnsons claims violated all rules of diplomatic protocol. Linking Putin to the attack on Sergei Skripal, who moved to Britain in a 2010 spy swap, is nothing but shocking and unforgivable behaviour from the point of view of diplomacy, Peskov said. In a rare joint statement, the leaders of Britain, France, Germany and the US on Thursday condemned the attack on former double agent Skripal and his daughter Yulia both in a critical condition as an assault on UK sovereignty. The Kremlin has vehemently denied that it had a hand in the poisoning of its former spy. Meanwhile, the British police today launched a murder probe into the death of Russian exile Nikolai Glushkov in London, after a post-mortem found he died from compression to the neck. Glushkov had received political asylum in UK after being jailed in Russia for money laundering. He was linked to late Kremlin opponent Boris Berezovsky. Agencies rajivbhatia82@gmail.com MIAMI, March 15 Six to 10 people were killed when a newly erected pedestrian bridge spanning several lanes of traffic collapsed at Florida International University on Thursday, U.S. Senator Bill Nelson of Florida told local TV station CBS Miami. Eight vehicles were trapped in the wreckage of the 950-ton bridge and eight people have been transported to hospitals, officials told a news conference. Emergency personnel with sniffer dogs searched for signs of life amid the wreckage of concrete, twisted metal and that rained from the collapsed structure and crushed vehicles on one of the busiest roads in South Florida. The Florida Highway Patrol previously said several people were killed but did not release a figure on fatalities. At one point, police had requested television helicopters to leave the area so rescuers could hear for any sounds of people crying for help from beneath the collapsed structure, the Miami TV station said. Complicating the rescue effort was the uncertainty about the integrity of the bridge, parts of which remained off the ground, much of it inclined, local media reported. The bridge connects the university with the city of Sweetwater and was installed on Saturday in six hours over the eight-lane highway, according to a story that was posted on the university's website. It was 174 feet (53 m) long and weighed 950 tons. The bridge was intended to provide a walkway over southwest Eighth Street, one of the busiest roads in South Florida. An 18-year-old female FIU student from San Diego was killed while trying to cross the street last August, according to local media reports. Students at FIU are currently on their spring break vacation, which runs from March 12 to March 17. Television footage showed firefighters were walking across the flattened wreckage and medics treating injured people. Emergency personnel appeared to be trying to work their way through a hole in the top of the bridge. 'A MIRACLE' Student Aura Martinez was having lunch in a nearby restaurant with her mother when a waitress told her the bridge had collapsed. She ran outside and helped pull a woman out her car, most of which was flattened by the bridge. "Her car, it was literally a miracle of God, her car got squished by the bridge from the back, so she was able to get out and she was on the floor and it was just very traumatic," she told the local CBS affiliate. To keep the inevitable disruption of traffic associated with bridge construction to a minimum, the 174-foot portion of the bridge was built adjacent to Southwest 8th Street using a method called Accelerated Bridge Construction (ABC). It was driven into its perpendicular position across the road by a rig in only six hours on Saturday, according to a statement released by the university. The National Transportation Safety Board was sending a team to investigate the bridge collapse. White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders said President Donald Trump is aware of the collapse. Florida Governor Rick Scott will head to the scene later in the day, his office said. Munilla Construction Management, which installed the bridge was founded in 1983 and owned by five brothers, according to its website. In addition to its Florida operations, the company also has divisions in Texas and Panama and employs 500 people. FIGG Engineering said it took part in the bridge project and would fully cooperate with investigators, adding the collapse was a first in its 40-year history. gspannu7@gmail.com Pretoria, March 16 Former South African President Jacob Zuma will face prosecution on corruption charges that haunted much of his term in office, the countrys chief prosecutor said on Friday. The ruling is the latest twist in a case that has dogged post-apartheid South Africas democratic leadership after the country inked a USD 5-billion arms deal in the 1990s. After consideration of the matter I am of the view there are reasonable prospects of a successful prosecution of Mr Zuma on the charges listed in the indictment, said National Director of Public Prosecutions Shaun Abrahams at a media briefing in Pretoria. Zuma will face racketeering, corruption, money laundering and fraud chargesall of which can carry lengthy custodial sentences on conviction. I am of the view that a trial court would be the most appropriate forum for these issues to be ventilated and to be decided upon, said Abrahams. The former president could now appeal the ruling on a number of grounds and argue that the decision is illegitimate as Abrahams own position is uncertain. In December, the High Court in Pretoria ordered then-deputy president Cyril Ramaphosa to replace Abrahams, ruling that Zumas original decision to appoint him was null and void because he was conflicted at the time. Justice must not only be done, but must also be seen to be doneI am mindful that everyone is equal before the law, said Abrahams, who noted that Mr Zuma disputes all allegations against him. I dont think Zuma can stay out of courttheres too many charges hanging over him, independent political analyst and author Nomavenda Mathiane told AFP ahead of the announcement. Abrahams said his departments representatives in Zumas home region of KwaZulu-Natal will facilitate the necessary processes for Mr Zuma and his co-accused to appear in court. Last year, a court ruled against a decision by prosecutors in 2009 to drop the corruption charges against Zuma just months before he became president, laying the path to todays announcement. Zumas criminal charges relate to an arms procurement deals struck by the government in the late 1990s and from which he is accused of profiting corruptly to the tune of four million rand (USD 345,000). State prosecutors previously justified dropping the case by saying that tapped phone calls between officials in then-president Thabo Mbekis administration showed undue interference. Zuma and other officials were accused of taking kickbacks from the purchase of fighter jets, patrol boats and other arms manufactured by five European firms, including British military equipment maker BAE Systems and French company Thales. In 2005 Zumas former financial adviser Schabir Shaik was convicted for facilitating bribes over the contracts and sentenced to 15 years in prison. He was later released on medical parole. Zuma resigned as president last month after the ruling African National Congress (ANC) party threatened to remove him from office. The ANC noted todays decision and called in a statement for Comrade Zacob Zuma to be presumed innocent until, and if, proven guilty. The AfriForum campaign group, which has railed against corruption in South Africas democratic era, had threatened to privately prosecute Zuma if the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) did not. The NPAs decision to prosecute Zuma (is) not only a victory for AfriForum, but also for the principle of equality before the law, said the groups chief executive Kallie Kriel. In addition to the corruption scandals that dogged his time in office, Zuma had been under fire for his handling of the economy, which has been battered by falling economic growth and record unemployment. The opposition Democratic Alliance (DA) party has campaigned since 2009 to reactivate the charges. It doesnt matter who you are, whether you are the president, in whatever office you hold, accountability must be effective and justice will be met, said DA leader Mmusi Maimane. He must have his day in court... We will see him in orange overalls. Zumas successor Ramaphosa has vowed to tackle corruption, admitting it was a major problem in the previous government. AFP American Trucking Associations has rebranded its annual May Leadership Meeting to offer a more inclusive experience on the trucking industry calendar, dubbed the Mid-Year Management Session. The Mid-Year Management Session will be held May 20-23 at the JW Marriott Marco Island Beach Resort in Marco Island, Florida. The Mid-Year management Session is being positioned as more inclusive than the outgoing event, similar to the ATA Management Conference and Exhibition held in the fall. ATA wants the event to show value to a wider cross-section of ATA members than the ATA Leadership Meeting it replaces. An important part of being a member of ATA is being involved in the association and coming together as an organization to get important advocacy updates, exchange information and network with customers and colleagues, said Chris Spear, ATA president and CEO. Our new Mid-Year Management Session will offer ATA members the opportunity to do all of these things and more. For more information about the event, click here. The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is a complex and challenging humanitarian situation, with multiple conflicts affecting several parts of its vast territory. Hopes soared after a long and costly civil war was brought to an end in 2003, but the nation has instead seen sporadic waves of fighting especially in the Eastern parts of the country. Since 2016, a new wave of violence also affected the DRCs Kasai region, a vast area in the south and center of the country. Now, thousands of civilians are struggling for survival. Although many people have returned to areas in the Kasai region and elsewhere, they have often found their property, businesses and schools in ruins, and family members killed. Human rights violations are still widespread, including physical mutilation, killings, sexual violence, arbitrary arrest and detention in inhumane conditions. Armed men killed my wife and three of our children. I dont know why. Kadima Kabenge, mine worker who fled attacks in Kasai Province While these conflicts have forced many Congolese to flee their homes, the country also hosts over half a million refugees from neighbouring countries. It continues to see new arrivals from Burundi, the Central African Republic and South Sudan. The risk of further displacement is high, as conflicts affect many areas. Protection needs, particularly for the most vulnerable, are enormous, and the challenges of getting aid to those in need are increasing. Strengthening public health, sanitation and water supplies to prevent diseases remains vital. What is UNHCR doing to help? UNHCR is assisting people displaced inside the DRC through activities aimed at strengthening the protection of vulnerable people, including women and children. It also provide shelter materials and cash grants to the most vulnerable among the displaced and returnees. We strengthen community-based organisations that work for peaceful coexistence, while working towards solutions to displacement. UNHCR is working with the International Organization for Migration to lead the coordination and management of sites hosting internally displaced people (IDPs) in North Kivu and Tanganyika provinces. We also provide protection and assistance to Congolese refugees in neighbouring countries, in collaboration with authorities and partners, including those forced to flee during the most recent surge of violence. Refugees, mainly women and children, from countries like the Central African Republic, South Sudan and Burundi, who have sought refuge in the DRC, also receive life-saving support and international protection through UNHCR and its partners, notably the National Refugee Commission, UNHCRs Government partner. Most of these refugees settle in local Congolese communities and many can become self-reliant with some support. UNHCR is actively seeking durable solutions for these refugees, by developing strategic partnerships with other UN agencies, as well as by looking to reduce environmental impacts, notably deforestation, in refugee-hosting areas. Despite the enormous needs, UNHCR has only received 67% of the US$156 million required in 2019 to provide life-saving assistance and protection to refugees, IDPs and other vulnerable people in the DRC. More support is urgently needed. Please help now. Reports and Links Venezuelans wait outside the Federal Police office in the Brazilian border city of Pacaraima. The office is responsible for receiving Venezuelans seeking asylum or special permits to stay in Brazil. UNHCR/Reynesson Damasceno In light of the continuing outflow of Venezuelans to neighbouring countries and beyond, UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, has released new guidance for governments to address the situation of persons in need of international protection and humanitarian assistance. As a result of the complex political and socio-economic developments in Venezuela, a country that has traditionally been host to thousands of refugees, the number of people compelled to leave their homes continues to increase. The movements are taking place for a variety of reasons, including insecurity and violence, lack of food, medicine or access to essential social services as well as loss of income. While not all Venezuelans leaving are prompted to do so for refugee-related reasons, it is becoming increasingly clear that, while all may not be refugees, a significant number are in need of international protection. There has been a 2,000% increase in the number of Venezuelan nationals seeking asylum worldwide since 2014, principally in the Americas during the last year. Although over 94,000 Venezuelans have been able to access refugee procedures in other countries in 2017, many more of those in need of protection opt for other legal stay arrangements, that may be faster to obtain and provide the right to work, access to health and education. Yet, hundreds of thousands of Venezuelans remain without any documentation or permission to stay legally in asylum countries. This makes them particularly vulnerable to exploitation, trafficking, violence, sexual abuse, discrimination and xenophobia. Within this context, UNHCRs guidance note encourages States to ensure Venezuelans have access to territory and refugee procedures. In addition, UNHCR welcomes and calls on governments to adopt pragmatic protection-oriented responses for the Venezuelan people, such as alternative legal stay arrangements, including visas or temporary residence permits, as well as other regularization programmes, which guarantee access to the basic rights of health care, education, family unity, freedom of movement, shelter and the right to work. UNHCR applauds countries in Latin America that have introduced such arrangements, and hopes that costs and requirements are eased, where necessary to ensure accessibility. In view of the situation in Venezuela, it is crucial that people are not deported or forcibly returned there. Latin America has some of the worlds most progressive refugee arrangements such as the Cartagena Declaration of 1984, which is built on the 1951 UN Refugee Convention and embodies a wider refugee definition. UNHCR considers that the broad circumstances leading to the outflow of Venezuelan nationals would fall within the spirit of the Cartagena Declaration. While Governments in the region have been generous in their response, host communities receiving Venezuelans have come under increased strain and urgently need immediate and robust support, to promote peaceful coexistence and prevent manifestations of discrimination and xenophobia. UNHCR is working with Governments to address the protection and basic needs of the outflow. Consequently, UNHCR has developed a regional response plan that covers 8 countries and the Caribbean sub-region. In particular, UNHCR seeks to strengthen national asylum and other international protection processes and step up its activities to foster a comprehensive, predictable and harmonized response to the plight of Venezuelans. UNHCR will work towards these objectives, and in particular access to protection, in cooperation with all levels of government, other stakeholders, including other UN Agencies, most notably IOM, international organizations, civil society and the private sector, as well as facilitate the participation of Venezuelans and host communities. UNHCRs initial financial requirements for the implementation of the regional response for the Venezuela Situation amount to USD46 million. For more information on this topic, please contact: Nodjitel, 73, fled to Chad with his wife, three children and 10 grandchildren in January to escape fighting between armed groups in northwest Central African Republic. UNHCR/Aristophane Nagargoune UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, is increasingly alarmed at the plight of thousands of Central African refugees who have fled to southern Chad since late last year, many of whom lack food, shelter and access to medical care. This influx is the biggest since 2014, and overwhelming the ability of humanitarian agencies to respond. UNHCRs office in Chad needs some USD$149 million this year to meet urgent needs, yet as of now has received just 2 per cent of this amount. In December 2017, fighting between armed groups in northwest Central African Republic (CAR) led to the internal displacement of some 65,000 people in the city of Paoua and 5,000 in Markounda. Continued insecurity forced an additional 22,180 to flee persecution and violence to nearby Chad. These refugees have settled in more than 40 villages and four camps around the town of Gore, in an area already hosting some 43,000 Central African refugees and 45,000 Chadian returnees from CAR. Their protection and wellbeing is a serious cause for concern to us. Southern Chad, including Gore, is one of poorest and most underdeveloped parts of the country, which currently faces a deep socio-economic crisis. Food shortages and rising prices are posing a direct threat to the lives of the refugees and the host population, who are sharing with the new arrivals their meagre food and other resources. Since last December, more than 15 Central Africans refugees have been killed on both sides of the border and at least 67 have been subjected to sexual and gender based violence while trying to go back to CAR to gather food and complement their scarce resources in exile. As severe floods have affected this seasons harvest, food reserves at family and community levels are almost exhausted. Many are eating leaves and wild fruit, which are often toxic. The next harvest is far off in November, and sufficient and quality seeds are not available to plant. Without increased food aid, the refugees could be facing many more months of food shortages. Since the start of the crisis, UNHCR and partners have been providing protection, healthcare, water and sanitation, shelter, basic relief items, food and nutrition assistance to newly arrived refugees. As the rainy season is fast approaching, an additional urgent need is accommodation. While some 5,659 refugees have found refuge in existing camps, 16,520 refugees are in host villages near the border. UNHCR is building emergency shelter in the camps and villages that host them, while also working with the authorities, partners and donors on a relocation plan, for refugees to move away from the border area to villages or camps, considered by the authorities to be more secure. The situation with refugees health is also critical. Malnutrition levels are already high, especially with children. The worry and real risk is that food shortages for the entire population over the next months may have devastating consequences. More mobile clinics are urgently needed and the capacities of local health centres need to be strengthened to alleviate the heavy toll taken by respiratory infections, malaria and other ailments. While the situation in northwest CAR is currently calm, it remains highly volatile, and more refugees could seek safety in Chad if further waves of violence break out. Thanks to the government of Chad the refugees have been able to access Chadian territory and find refuge, even though the border is officially closed. In total, there are some 632,000 people under UNHCRs care in Chad, in great need for international support. For more information on this topic, please contact: Were it not for a recent change of the law, Olivia's daughter would have been born without Malagasy nationality. UNHCR/Roger Arnold New York UN Women, the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) and the UN Childrens Fund (UNICEF) called today for increased efforts to eradicate gender inequality in nationality laws, which is a key driver of statelessness. In 25 countries around the world, nationality laws do not allow women to confer their nationality to their children on an equal basis as men. In more than 50 countries, women are denied equal rights to acquire, change or retain their nationality. These sex-discriminatory laws result in wide-ranging human rights violations. At a high-level event today in New York, the three UN agencies, the Global Campaign for Equal Nationality Rights and affected women discussed the benefits of gender equality in nationality laws, and shared lessons learned from recent reforms in relevant legislations. The event was held at the side lines of the 62nd session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women (CSW62), which this year focuses on the empowerment of rural women and girls. Discrimination against women in nationality laws has crippling effects on their daily lives. It is one of the primary causes of statelessness, whereby a person is not recognized as citizen of any country. This can lead to the denial of basic human rights that most of us take for grantedlike access to education, health care, social security, job opportunities or participation in political processes. Sex-discriminatory nationality laws can also contribute to the risk of gender-based violence, threaten family unity, and are often linked to social marginalization and psychological distress. Such laws and practices contradict a number of international conventions, agreements and recommendations. For example, according to General recommendation No. 34 on the rights of rural women, of the Committee on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW): States parties should ensure that rural women may acquire, change, retain or renounce their nationality, or transfer it to their children and foreign spouse under the same conditions as men, and that they are aware of their rights in this regard. States parties should also provide rural women with access to personal identification documents (such as identity cards, passports and social security numbers) and ensure that civil registration procedures, including for birth, marriage, divorce and death, are accessible in rural areas. However, momentum for the reform of sex-discriminatory nationality laws is increasing. Several positive developments have taken place in recent times: In 2017 alone, two countries, Madagascar and Sierra Leone, reformed their nationality laws to allow women to confer their nationality on their children on an equal basis as men. These achievements follow similar reforms made by 15 other countries in the last 15 years. UN Women, UNHCR and UNICEF are redoubling their efforts to work towards a world in which no woman or child is denied basic human rights as a result of gender discrimination in nationality laws. These efforts will also contribute to the aim to leave no one behind, outlined in the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda, and to end statelessness by 2024, which is the goal of the #IBelong Campaign. Name: Ayman Gharaibeh, 53, from Jordan. Job title: UNHCRs Representative to Yemen, based in Sanaa. Years at UNHCR: 25, working in Iraq, Syria, Yemen, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, Bosnia and at headquarters in Geneva. Why did you become an aid worker? I was working at a bank in Amman, Jordan, back in 1990 when one day I got a call from a friend of mine who works for the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), offering me a job. Saddam Hussein, who was then the President of Iraq, had invaded Kuwait and ICRC was tasked with emptying Kuwait of third-country nationals mainly Indians and Bangladeshis. I was 25 years old in a job that I didnt find personally fulfilling and, with the recklessness of youth, a one-month contract in the middle of the desert just sounded more interesting than working at a bank. I didnt really know what I was getting myself into, but I have always had that interest in understanding the world in a completely different context than you would learn about in history books, and it turned out to be a fantastic experience. This job has placed me at pivotal moments in world history and has taken me across the globe. So ultimately, it has enabled me to combine my interest in understanding the world with service to humanity. Then UN High Commissioner for Refugees Antonio Guterres tours the Douma registration and food distribution centre in Damascus, Syria, with Ayman Gharaibeh in June, 2010. UNHCR/Bassam Diab UNHCR Special Envoy Angelina Jolie speaks with UNHCR staff members Ayman Gharaibeh and Patrick Mansour at Ras Djir, on the Tunisia-Libya border, in February 2011. UNHCR/Jason Tanner Portrait of UNHCR's Representative in Yemen, Ayman Gharaibeh. UNHCR What is the most rewarding or challenging thing about your job? The Yemen crisis has been unfolding for the past three years and it continues to unravel. UNHCRs role has gone from being a small operation working with refugees from Somalia to responding to a major internal displacement crisis affecting 2 million people. Hear from our UNHCRYemen chief @AymanGharaibeh on the ground in Maqbanah, Taizz, ensuring assistance is getting to where it is most needed. pic.twitter.com/bXEyahImUQ UNHCR Yemen (@UNHCRYemen) April 3, 2017 In just one day, Sanaa can get 62 air strikes. We can have 5,000 cholera cases per day. You are up against such a challenge and you begin to question yourself what are we doing here? But that completely changes when you are closer to the people and see youre actually making a difference in their lives. We often say that what humanitarianism and humanitarians are doing is saving lives. But I dont think that gives credit to the people we are serving. Refugees have survived because they know how to survive people are saved by their own resilience, thats how Yemen survives today. What was your best day at work? Its very hard to pick one particular day out of 25 years, but the best days are when I come face-to-face with the people that this organization serves. Thats what really gives you the motivation you are dealing with strong, resilient people who are not giving up, so why should you give up? "Parents want to look into their kids eyes and see some hope in the future." Resilience doesnt have a home it exists in every country. The resilience of the Bosnians during the war there is no less than the resilience of the Tamils in northern Sri Lanka. Parents want to look into their kids eyes and see some hope in the future. This is the complex part of my job and thats the uniqueness of the UNHCR mandate because youre dealing with people. What was your worst day? What I really dislike about this job are really the moments when you need to leave either when you finish your assignment and have to move on, or are evacuated because of extremely hostile conditions. Some of the hardest moments were when I had to leave in Aden in 1994; Herat, Afghanistan, in 1996; and Syria in 2012. When the Douma reception centre near Damascus came under fire in 2012, Ayman Gharaibeh was preparing to leave Syria after serving five years in the country managing the influx of Iraqi refugees. UNHCR/Syria Red Crescent Syria was especially difficult. I was there for five years setting up our operation to deal with the Iraqi refugee crisis but then the country started to descend into the quagmire that we all knew was coming and I had to leave. Coming from the region and speaking Arabic, I was particularly close to our national staff and my departure weighed heavily on my conscience and on the psyche of our staff. "You leave with almost a sense of guilt, fear and betrayal." They asked me, "Do you have to leave us now when we ourselves are in a time of need? Whats going to happen to us once you leave?" Leaving behind the very same people whose safety you are concerned about is one of the hardest things. It is an inevitable part of our job as we have to move on but you leave with almost a sense of guilt, fear and betrayal. The ones who stay behind just want to know whether there is any hope, and when a lot of the causes for issues that we are responding to are beyond us, hope is not always something you can give people. The UN Refugee Agency works in 130 countries helping men, women and children driven from their homes by wars and persecution. Our headquarters are in Geneva, but most of our staff are based in the field, helping refugees. This profile is part of a series highlighting our staff and their work. Anyone concerned by potential misconduct is encouraged to report this and contact the IGO. Anyone can contact the IGO if they have concerns or information about possible misconduct by any UNHCR staff member or other person/entities with a contractual relationship with UNHCR. Anyone can contact the IGO if they have reason to believe that a staff member or another person associated with UNHCR has not behaved correctly. Contacting the IGO - By using the online complaint form - By confidential email: [email protected] - By confidential fax: +41 22 739 73 80 (telephone charges may apply) - In person or by post: 94, rue de Montbrillant, Case postale 2500, 1211 Geneva Mark all mail as CONFIDENTIAL. Important note before sending a complaint: The Investigation Service of the IGO does not have the authority to deal with protection/assistance related requests. This means that the IGO cannot review individual refugee claims, cannot provide individuals with assistance (in kind or in cash), and cannot provide applicants with a durable solution. For these matters, please contact the UNHCR Office where you are registered or closest to where you are located. Investigative process Following receipt of information about possible misconduct, the Investigation Service will register the complaint and conduct a preliminary assessment to determine whether an investigation is warranted, considering among others whether the issue falls within its mandate and whether the alleged facts could amount to misconduct. If it is decided to conduct an investigation, the investigative process consists of the following steps: If the investigation finds that a staff member failed to comply with UN Staff Regulations and Rules or the standards of conduct expected of a UN civil servant, the IGO will send an investigation report to UNHCRs Division of Human Resources (DHR). DHR has the responsibility to determine the appropriate administrative response, such as possible disciplinary or administrative measures. The IGO ensures confidentiality of the investigation, information and reports, as well as due process throughout the investigative process. Imani, 22, waits to board a bus in Sebagoro, Uganda after fleeing violence in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). UNHCR/Michele Sibiloni UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, is working with partner organizations in western Uganda to support a growing number of people, most of them women and children, fleeing horrific inter-ethnic violence and sexual abuse in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). More than 57,000 refugees have been displaced by the violence in eastern DRC since the beginning of this year. An overwhelming majority - some 77.5 per cent - are women and children. In the space of just three days, between 10 - 13 March, more than 4,000 people crossed into Uganda from the provinces of Ituri and North Kivu. These numbers are on a larger scale still than in 2017 when some 44,000 fled over the course of the entire year. UNHCR fears thousands more could arrive in Uganda if the security situation inside the DRC does not immediately improve. The majority continue to cross into Uganda via Lake Albert in rickety and unsafe boats from Ituri, a journey that has already cost the lives of several refugees. The situation has been even more dangerous in recent days because of bad weather. Others continue to arrive on foot near the villages of Kisoro and Ntoroko. Several of the new arrivals are in deep trauma from the violence. Many are exhausted, hungry, thirsty, sick, and have fled with few or no belongings. While the lack of access to this part of Democratic Republic of the Congo means it is difficult to offer a detailed picture of the situation, UNHCR has received chilling accounts of violence. These include accounts of rape, murder and separation from family members. These are linked to the deteriorating security situation, internal conflicts and inter-communal tensions. Armed men are reported to be attacking villages, looting and burning down houses, indiscriminately killing civilian populations and kidnapping young men and boys. A growing number of reports indicate that the violence is taking on ethnic dimensions as tribal groups engage in retaliatory attacks. Dozens of refugees have told UNHCR staff in Uganda of sexual violence and assaults they have endured in the DRC. The vast majority of survivors are women and girls, as well as a smaller number of men and boys. These alarming reports have led the UN Refugee Agency and partners to strengthen the systems in place to identify and support survivors of sexual and gender based violence. UNHCR has deployed significant additional staff and resources to identify victims and strengthen support. Efforts include strengthening the medical screening at landing sites on the shores of Lake Albert and at SGBV screening at the reception centres as well as making gender segregation spaces available. Working with partners, we have deployed additional staff specifically trained in psychosocial care to increase support to refugee survivors of SGBV and have conducted further outreach with community leaders and networks to ensure refugees are aware of what services are available to them. We are also working with our humanitarian partners to save lives after a Cholera outbreak killed at least 32 refugees. The number of reported cases have significantly gone down from 668 to 160 since the outbreak in February. The refugee response funding appeal for Uganda of nearly US$180 million remains poorly funded, severely restricting capacities of humanitarian organisations to deliver vital aid and assistance. In that appeal, UNHCRs requirements of US$118.3 million are at present only three per cent funded. Humanitarian needs remain extensive, including food, water, shelter and healthcare. For more information on this topic, please contact: Burundian student Mmane Alini, 17, takes notes in class at Hope Secondary School in Nduta refugee camp, Tanzania. UNHCR/Georgina Goodwin GENEVA UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, today released a zero draft of the global compact on refugees ahead of formal talks with UN Member States set to begin on 13 February 2018. As the number of people forced to flee their homes continues to climb, the compact aims to transform the way the international community responds to refugee crises. It is designed to address the perennial gap in the international system for the protection of refugees through more predictable and equitable support for the countries and communities which host them. With unprecedented levels of forced displacement, we need a new deal on how we manage refugee situations globally, said UNHCRs Assistant High Commissioner for Protection, Volker Turk. The compact embodies a new approach where the major host countries typically among the poorest in the world get the robust and sustained support they need, and refugees can contribute to their own futures and the communities where they live. UNHCR was given the task of developing a global compact on refugees by the UN General Assembly in the historic New York Declaration for Refugees and Migrants, of 19 September 2016, in which 193 governments pledged to forge a fairer global system. We need a new deal on how we manage refugee situations globally. The compact hopes to bring in a broader array of stakeholders to help host countries manage the refugee response, including the private sector, development agencies and financial institutions, alongside refugees themselves. It moves away from past practices where refugees lived in camps receiving parallel services to investing in national health and education systems so receiving communities benefit alongside the refugees who live amongst them. It is built on the recognition that refugees who can continue to learn, develop skills and provide for their families while in exile are better placed to rebuild their lives elsewhere or return home when conditions are right. The draft compact includes the comprehensive refugee response framework (CRRF), set out in the Annex 1 of the New York Declaration, and a programme of action which helps translate policy into practice to improve for example refugee access to education, livelihoods, civil registration systems, financial services and internet connectivity while encouraging private investment or development funding in refugee hosting areas. The zero draft has been informed by a series of discussions in the latter half 2017, and the application of the CRRF in different countries and situations. The draft refugee compact will be discussed in a series of formal consultations with UN Member States at the Palais des Nations in Geneva between February and July 2018. NGOs and other stakeholders will have observer status. The expected outcome is a non-binding document, reflecting consensus among UN Member States. The UN High Commissioner for Refugees will present a proposed draft compact in his 2018 report to the UN General Assembly at the end of 2018. Members of a women's choir group meet at the Human Resource Development Foundation (HRDF) Refugee Support Office in Istanbul where they see for the first time, a CD they've recorded. UNHCR/Claire Thomas With conflict, violence and human rights violations forcing record numbers of people from diverse backgrounds to flee their homes UNHCRs international protection chief today renewed the UN Refugee Agencys commitment to integrate age, gender and diversity factors in all aspects of its work. On the margins of the 71st meeting of UNHCRs Standing Committee, Assistant High Commissioner for Protection Volker Turk, formally presented the UNHCRs updated policy on Age, Gender and Diversity (AGD). Building on long-standing commitments and lessons learned, the policy aims to further enable displaced and stateless women, men, girls and boys to enjoy their rights on an equal footing, and to ensure that they are better able to participate fully in the decisions that affect them. Turk noted that, over the last decade, significant progress has been made to address the unique experiences, protection challenges and risks which arise from the intersections of age, gender, and diversity in displaced communities. However, challenges still remain to achieving equality, including societal attitudes that are often difficult to change. UNHCRs updated policy brings together all the essential components for change: stronger and clear accountability, defined responsibilities across the organization, as well as consistent monitoring which can lead to evidence-based and regular reporting, Turk said today at a panel including a representative of UNHCRs partner CARE International, as well as talented and resourceful refugees. This mandatory policy outlines 10 core actions that UNHCR will take to apply a Age, Gender and Diversity approach in its work. Among them is the desegregation by age and sex of all collected data, as well as the use of participatory methods in order to incorporate in UNHCR programmes the capacities and priorities of women, men, girls and boys. All UNHCR operations will make sure that these displaced and stateless people will have access to timely, accurate and relevant information on their rights and on UNHCRs work. They will also be able to systematically provide feedback and receive a comprehensive response. UNHCRs operations will adapt their programs and strategies on the basis of their inputs. The AGD policy also updates, deepens, and reaffirms UNHCRs five Commitments to Refugee Women, which include provisions to support their economic empowerment or prevent and respond to sexual and gender-based violence. The policy is in line with UNHCRs Strategic Directions 2017-2021, which emphasize the need of putting people first. Why it matters What is the agreement that has been reached and why does it matter? About 60 per cent of the worlds refugee population lives in around 10 countries, all in the global south. Refugees often live in the poorest parts of these countries. The global compact is a response to the need for the international community to come together and help these countries that are particularly affected by refugee movements. Thats the whole purpose. We have just ended an 18-month process of intense engagement with all 193 Member States of the United Nations plus all other stakeholders non-governmental organizations, the private sector, faith communities, refugees themselves, and the World Bank. Its a miracle that in todays world where there is a lot of polarization, where we see a lot of divisiveness, we actually managed successfully a multilateral process to address one of the most sensitive issues refugees. The global compact is a document that consolidates practices acquired over many years and often over decades, and puts forward a new vision of how the international community will engage with countries that are particularly affected by refugees. If a country today is affected by an influx of hundreds of thousands of refugees or, by even ten or twenty thousand, what should the international community do to assist this country? Thats the question that the global compact answers. But why a new international agreement? Does this mean the Refugee Convention is not fit for purpose? The Refugee Convention focuses on rights of refugees and obligations of States, but it does not deal with international cooperation writ large. And thats what the global compact seeks to address. The 1951 Convention does not specify how you share the burden and responsibility, and thats what the global compact does. It responds to one of the major gaps we have faced for decades. How it will make a difference What tangible difference will the compact make in the lives of refugees or the communities that host them? We would see better education for refugee boys and girls, as well as better access to health services for all refugees, and more livelihood opportunities. We would also see a different way host communities engage with refugees, hopefully moving away from the encampment policies that we still have in too many countries. Host countries like Uganda, Rwanda, Iran, those in Central America, or Lebanon with its infrastructure and health services enormously challenged by hosting a million refugees would get the support they need to meet both the needs of refugees and the communities that host them. The compact would make sure that countries like Lebanon are supported. Not just from a humanitarian perspective but from a development cooperation perspective. And thats what is new. Also, we would aim to get more resettlement places and find more ways refugees can move to third countries such as through family reunification, student scholarships, or humanitarian visas, so that refugees can travel safely (what we call complementary pathways). There would be more support in the form of standby arrangements, providing technical support to host countries in many areas from gathering and analyzing data to managing the environment. But if the compact is not legally binding, can it really make a difference? The UN General Assembly will adopt the global compact; that is our expectation, and once thats done, it demonstrates a very strong political commitment of all 193 Member States to implement it, even if its not legally binding. In todays world, thats how multilateralism is often done. The mechanics of responsibility sharing: how its all going to work? Paint a picture for me on how its all going to work when theres a new refugee crisis with hundreds of thousands of refugees fleeing to, say, Bangladesh. What should happen? First of all, when a country is hit by a large-scale influx, such as in Bangladesh or Uganda with the latest influx of Congolese refugees, we quickly need to know the needs of the people and the impact on the receiving country. Then we have to present the needs in terms of financial support, humanitarian assistance, and development cooperation to the international community writ large. We would need to see if some countries come forward and say: yes Im going to pledge funding; I am going to help on the education front; I will help with technical expertise through standby arrangements to ensure jungles dont disappear due to a huge influx of people to a certain area (which is currently happening in Bangladesh); yes, we are going to increase resettlement. So, what we want to achieve is a very quick galvanizing of support: political, financial, and resettlement support, so that countries when they are faced with such a situation feel that they are not on their own, that they are not isolated, or that no one cares. That actually yes, the international community cares about the people, but also the country that is affected. And it stands in solidarity, and acts in solidarity with them. That is really the purpose. So is it really about drawing together various existing tools, and ensuring they happen faster, and more systematically? The idea is very much to trigger and activate mechanisms that are faster, more equitable, more predictable, and more comprehensive. What will it take to build confidence among host countries to let refugees work, own businesses, live outside of camps, and generally have more progressive policies for refugees? It is important to recognise the incredible challenge for countries like Uganda, Ethiopia, Sudan, Tanzania, or Rwanda, which have their own development challenges, to be confronted suddenly with the arrival of hundreds of thousands of people. But if countries can also see crisis as an opportunity and adapt their policies accordingly, this can be turned into an advantage. This means saying: okay, this is a remote part of the country, we have this influx of people, we have international engagement, and (so) lets use it so that both the refugee population and the host community can benefit from boosted development cooperation. This means we do not just develop and focus on one camp, but we focus on the area where refugees are hosted and live with local communities. And we make sure that we build the infrastructure, the roads, the electricity grid, the water supplies that benefit refugees and also the host communities. We also build the livelihood opportunities that go along with that. Of course to do this, you need investment. You need an initial strong, robust response. You need the support and solidarity. So thats what we hope to secure with this new approach, and its a strong case to make to countries. Relationship between the refugee and migration compacts There are in fact two global compacts in the works one on refugees and one on migrants. How do they relate to each other, and are there two? The New York Declaration that was adopted in September 2016 gave birth to two compacts: one on refugees and one on migration. They were set in train by the same declaration, but pursue very different objectives. The migration compact really started from scratch. For the first time, at the level of the General Assembly of the United Nations, you had an intense discussion on the benefits of migration, on what migration brings to countries, but also some of the challenges countries face when they are dealing with migration issues. Thats what the global compact on migration tries to address. It puts together a holistic view of migration in todays world. There is a very strong human rights basis for everyone on the move. Thats clear. At the same time, there is a legal distinction for those who, for valid reasons, cannot return to their country of origin, because of conflict, because of war, because of serious human rights abuses, because of massive inequality that leads to discrimination, because of gang violence, and so forth. For these people a specific legal regime has been established to protect them, and it is people in these situations that the refugees compact addresses. The World Bank is involved in the global compact, and funds will be made available. The question is why hasnt this been done before? Perhaps I can talk about this in the context of partnerships. What the global compact does is it embeds the response to host countries, host communities, to the refugees in a much broader partnerships approach. It actually looks at what the private sector can bring to the table, what faith communities can bring to the table, what the international financial institutions can bring to the table, and over the last three years, we have seen a sea change in the way, for instance, the World Bank group engages with refugee hosting countries. The World Bank has established a so-called refugee sub-window, a specific financial instrument for low-income countries affected by forced displacement US$2 billion for a couple of years to help address the socio-economic impact of refugee flows into a particular part of a country. What has happened is there is a realization within the international financial institutions that the impact of forced displacement can be a shock to the system on water, sanitation, education, health, and you need to invest in the system so that it can cope with a much larger population, and that has happened over the last three years. In a way, what the global compact does is not just build on existing partnerships, but also expand some of them and bring in new partners. And one of the big new partners that have come in are these international financial institutions. This Q&A was originally published in March 2018 and has been updated to reflect recent progress in developing the compact. March 16 2018 North Ayrshire Council has followed its counterparts in North Lanarkshire with news that it is openly considering removing all high-rise housing from its books, subject to consultation with tenants.The authority currently owns seven towers, five at Fullarton in Irvine and a further two in Saltcoats but has become concerned at the escalating costs of maintenance borne by the need to install sprinklers and other improvements in the wake of the Grenfell disaster.One way out of this quandary would be to simply bulldoze all such homes and build 400 replacement low-rise houses, something which could be achieved as soon as 2023. Combined upgrade and maintenance costs over the next 25 years have been put at 22.5m whereas a programme of wholesale demolition and rebuilding has been calculated at 44.6m.Council leader Joe Cullinane commented: The relatively small difference in costs between retaining the high flats and building new properties means its definitely worth exploring if this is the best option for both our tenants and the Council.Rather than spend millions of pounds maintaining ageing high flats, would it be better to redirect that money to invest in brand-new, high quality housing?For its part North Lanarkshire Council has committed itself to demolish 4,000 high-rise homes spread across 48 towers over the next 20 years, transforming the skylines of Cumbernauld Motherwell , Coatbridge and Airdrie in the process.No decision will be taken on the fate of the high-rise homes until later this year. #BTS BTS praises youth for welcoming challenges of COVID-19 pandemic South Korean superband BTS addressed the U.N. General Assembly Monday and praised the world's young people for welcoming the challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic. The s... #Chuseok Seoul-bound traffic jammed as S. Koreans return after Chuseok Long lines of vehicles formed on South Korea's major highways Tuesday as millions of people headed back to Seoul after celebrating the Chuseok holiday with their families in their ... Kenya's Catholic Bishops (KCCB) have welcomed the recent rapprochement between Kenyan President, Uhuru Kenyatta and opposition leader, Raila Odinga. By Paul Samasumo The Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB) has welcomed the recent rapprochement between Kenyan President, Uhuru Kenyatta and opposition National Super Alliance (NASA) leader, Raila Odinga. Reconciliation must move the country forward In a surprise move, last week, the two former adversaries resolved to heal the political crisis that had gripped Kenya in the aftermath of the August/ October 2017 elections. Last year's presidential polls left Kenyans deeply divided and polarised. Now Kenyas Catholic Bishops have praised the public gesture of reconciliation and urged the two leaders to move the Country forward. We wish to acknowledge the gesture of our two leaders, His Excellency President Uhuru Kenyatta and Right Honourable Raila Odinga, in meeting and extending hands of reconciliation among themselves, and as a sign of their commitment in collaborating towards uniting the deeply divided and polarised Country, said the Bishop of Homabay Diocese and KCCB Chairman, Philip Anyolo. Bishop Anyolo made the remarks in a press statement also counter-signed by all Kenyan Bishops. A call for Kenyans to work towards justice We, therefore, laud this gesture and hope that it is an opening to a greater commitment towards seeking real solutions to a more just, democratic and prosperous country where every citizen has an opportunity to develop. This gesture also enhances our conviction that dialogue is possible, Bishop Philip Anyolo emphasised. President, Uhuru Kenyatta and opposition leader, Raila Odingas reconciliation took many by surprise given last year's bitterly contested elections. However, Kenyas divisions represent a repeat of the 2007/2008 post-election crisis which led to mediation efforts by then U.S. Secretary of State, Condoleezza Rice and former U.N. Secretary-General, Kofi Annan. Kenyan Bishops want reconciliation to permeate grassroots Kenyan Catholic Bishops want the reconciliation between the political leaders to permeate grassroots; address marginalisation and deal with the structural causes of endemic post-election crises. In the press statement, Bishop Anyolo says, This beginning should now accommodate all stakeholders and Kenyans and be open to addressing all the issues that are of concern to this Country, he said. Britain suggests that Russia's president Vladimir Putin ordered the nerve agent attack on an ex-Russian spy and his daughter. Russia denies involvement and says it will expel British diplomats after Britain took similar steps this week. By Stefan J. Bos British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson has now made the most direct accusation against Russia's leader over a chemical attack that shocked the Western world. He said Friday it was "overwhelmingly likely" that Russian President Vladimir Putin personally gave the order to use a nerve agent against ex-spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia in the English city of Salisbury, earlier this month. The Kremlin was quick to call Johnsons comments shocking and unforgivable. British Prime Minister Theresa May, who visited the scene of the attack in Salisbury Thursday, blamed Russia in more general terms. "We will not tolerate the threat to life of British people and others on British soil from the Russian Government," she told legislators this week. Western backing May also said 23 Russian diplomats must leave Britain and that the government is halting high-level talks. Britain secured the backing of the leaders of the United States, France, and Germany who said in a statement there was no plausible alternative explanation to Russia being to blame for the attack. The head of the NATO military alliance added that Russia underestimated the "resolve and unity" of Britain's allies. But on Friday, Russian President Vladimir Putin's spokesman warned Britain to expect a Russian response "shortly," and he accused the British government of violating international law and "common sense." Global implications Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov already confirmed that Moscow planned to expel British diplomats in retaliation for Britain's punitive actions. The standoff has underscored international concern that geopolitical tensions are mounting to levels not seen since the collapse of the Soviet Union. Russian-Western relations were already straining over Russia's involvements in conflicts in Syria and Ukraine as well as its alleged meddling in the US presidential election. The latest international tensions over the nerve agent attack also threaten to overshadow Russian President Putin's expected re-election Sunday for another six-year term By: Dezan Shira & Associates Editor: Koushan Das The worlds leading e-commerce company, Amazon, is planning to enter Vietnam, one of the fastest growing e-commerce market in Asia. Initially, Amazon will only focus on providing support to domestic small and medium-sized firms for export of their products across borders and importation of goods into Vietnam through their ecosystem. RELATED: Pre-Investment Advisory Services from Dezan Shira & Associates E-Commerce industry Driven by its young population, growing smartphone usage, and rising internet penetration, Vietnam continues to be an attractive investment destination for e-commerce companies. Vietnam has nearly 50 million smartphone users and has consistently ranked within the top 20 countries with the highest number of internet users. As per a recent study by Kantar Worldpanel, the share of e-commerce shoppers grew from 5.4 percent to 8.8 percent in the four largest cities in Vietnam in 2017. According to Vietnam E-commerce Association (VECOM), the industry grew by 25 percent in 2017, much higher than other Southeast Asian countries. Total revenue generated from B2C e-commerce in 2016 reached US$5 billion, 3 percent of the total retail industry revenue and is estimated to reach US$10 billion by 2020, making Vietnam one of the most profitable markets for e-commerce firms. RELATED: Vietnams M&A Market: Opportunities for Foreign Investors Competition Vietnams e-commerce market has already attracted other major e-commerce retailers such as JD.com, Alibaba, and Shopee in the last few years. Amazon, being a late entrant will face intense competition from the existing players in the market, especially from Chinese e-commerce giants that have already invested billions to expand their presence in Vietnam. Alibaba recently paid US$1 billion to increase its stake to 83 percent in Lazada, a major player that accounts for almost a third of the online shopping market in Vietnam. Another Chinese e-commerce firm JD.com became a strategic shareholder by investing US$44 million in Tiki, one of the largest online retailing platforms. Other firms such as Shopee and Lotte are planning to expand their presence in Vietnams e-commerce market in the next few years as well. RELATED: Vietnam Allows Foreign Investors to Establish Logistics Firms Going forward Major challenges facing e-commerce firms in Vietnam include customer trust and logistics costs. As more foreign capital enters the market, the e-commerce industry will continue to evolve and benefit from their expertise, marketing strategies, capital, and experience in developing supporting industries. On the other hand, retail firms will also try to expand their presence and prioritize the online markets in addition to their offline sales channels. As more and more customers shift towards online shopping for better deals and ease of shopping, offline retailers will try to adopt a multichannel approach to sales for a sustainable growth. Dezan Shira & Associates Brochure Dezan Shira & Associates is a pan-Asia, multi-disciplinary professional services firm, providing legal, tax and operational advisory to international corporate investors. Operational throughout China, ASEAN and India, our mission is to guide foreign companies through Asias complex regulatory environment and assist them with all aspects of establishing, maintaining and growing their business operations in the region. This brochure provides an overview of the services and expertise Dezan Shira & Associates can provide. An Introduction to Doing Business in Vietnam 2017 An Introduction to Doing Business in Vietnam 2017 will provide readers with an overview of the fundamentals of investing and conducting business in Vietnam. Compiled by Dezan Shira & Associates, a specialist foreign direct investment practice, this guide explains the basics of company establishment, annual compliance, taxation, human resources, payroll, and social insurance in this dynamic country. Managing Contracts and Severance in Vietnam In this issue of Vietnam Briefing, we discuss the prevailing state of labor pools in Vietnam and outline key considerations for those seeking to staff and retain workers in the country. We highlight the increasing demand for skilled labor, provide in depth coverage of existing contract options, and showcase severance liabilities that may arise if workers or employers choose to terminate their contracts. On March 8, 11 countries signed the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership or CPTPP in Chile. The agreement represents 13.5 percent of the global economy, a total of US$10 trillion dollars and 15 percent of the global trade revenue, equal to US$5 trillion. Members include Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore, and Vietnam. Without the US, the overall gains have reduced to a third, but it still caters to around 500 million people. CPTPP will come into effect once six of its 11 members ratify the agreement. The agreement not only focuses on reducing trade tariffs between its members but also on reducing non-tariff measures by easing the existing regulations and making them more transparent, along with reforms in labor and environmental regulations. It also includes an investor-state dispute settlement (ISDS) mechanism that allows firms to sue governments under certain conditions. Ratification Vietnam ratified the CPTPP on 12 November 2018. Australia, Canada, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, and Singapore have already ratified the agreement, which will come into effect on 30 December 2018. For Vietnam, the agreement will be in effect 60 days after it notifies New Zealand, the CPTPP depositary. Brunei, Chile, Malaysia, and Peru are the remaining countries that need to ratify the agreement. Economic impact on member countries According to a study by Peterson Institute for International Economics, GDP for Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei, and Vietnam will each achieve close to 2 percent growth by 2030 due to CPTPP. However, New Zealand, Japan, Canada, Mexico, Chile, and Australia will only grow by 1 percent or less. With the US backing out of TPP, the previous version of CPTPP, the country stands to lose a 0.5 percent growth in its GDP, which would have been worth US$131 billion. In addition, as per the study, US can lose an additional US$2 billion, as more firms will prefer trading with member countries to take advantage of tariff reductions rather than the US. Economic impact on Vietnam According to a recent study by the World Bank about the economic impacts of CPTPP on Vietnam, the countrys GDP can grow by 3.5 percent by 2030, assuming there is an increase in production. Imports and Exports Under CPTPP, imports and exports are predicted to grow by 5.3 and 4.2 percent respectively. If productivity increases, the gain could be much higher at 7.6 and 6.9 percent for imports and exports respectively. Tariffs The average trade-weighted tariffs under CPTPP will fall from 1.7 percent to 0.2 percent for Vietnamese exporters. Non-tariff measures The non-tariff measures are predicted to reduce by 3.6 percentage points in terms of ad valorem tariff equivalent. Sectors The F&B, tobacco, clothing and leather, and textile sectors will have the largest output growth under CPTPP. Other manufacturing sub-sectors along with services are also predicted to grow under the agreement. F&B and tobacco, clothing and leather, leather products, chemicals, plastic products, transport equipment and machinery are expected to see a boost in exports, while imports will grow for almost all the sectors. Income distribution CPTPP can lead to a reduction in poverty by 0.6 million at poverty line $5.50 a day relative to baseline conditions in 2030. All income groups will benefit to a certain extent from CPTPP; however, the higher-skilled workers will see the highest gains. Opportunities and Challenges Opportunities As market access increases and tariff commitments come into effect, industries such as textiles, footwear, electronics, and equipment have an opportunity to increase their exports to the member countries. As exports increase and the industries expand, the income growth generated from domestic production will continue to grow, leading to an increase in overall demand. However, with strict rules of origin conditions, domestic firms and investors will have to develop the sourcing industries to benefit from the free trade agreement. In addition to exports, CPTPP can also lead to an increase in FDI. However, Vietnam should continue to focus on the investment environment and protect intellectual property rights to create a conducive environment for investors who are looking to access markets such as Canada, Mexico, Chile, and Peru. Its not only the domestic sector which needs to reform under the CPTPP, but also the government institutions and administrative systems. The non-tariff measures of CPTPP focus on market reforms, transparency, and labor reforms, and Vietnam has an opportunity to make institutional changes to further align itself with member countries. Challenges The major challenge facing domestic firms is the lack of preparedness to take advantage of the CPTPP. The support industries are weak and with strict rules of origin conditions, it will difficult for firms to fully realize the benefits of CPTPP. Secondly, CPTPP provides a greater market access to domestic firms in Vietnam, but it also opens up the domestic market for foreign goods, which can increase competition. Analyzing the agreement, we can see that industries such as automobile and agriculture will face intense competition from member countries. Need to do Vietnam has to focus on comprehensive institutional reforms, which should include government institutions as well as administrative reforms. Making such changes can be disruptive and costly in the short-term, but in the longer run, it will help firms to take full advantage of such trade agreements and will eventually benefit the economy. Lastly, SME development and reform of State-owned enterprises (SOE) are key for Vietnam. SMEs account for a majority of the economy and labor market, and the government should support them if it wants the SMEs to align themselves further with the global supply chains. As for the SOEs, which has been suffering from corruption and lack of accountability, the government should continue with its divestments as it will lead to foreign investments, better management, and efficiency. Editors Note: This article was originally published in March 2018 and has been updated to reflect recent developments. On the occasion of the Lunar New Year, villagers hold a wrestling festival in front of the Nghe communal house in Mai Dong village (now in Mai Dong Ward, Hoang Mai District, Hanoi) from the fourth to the seventh day of the first lunar month. The traditional wrestling festival in Mai Dong village runs from the fourth to the seventh day of the first lunar month every year to commemorate the merits of General Nguyen Tam Trinh, who opened the first festival of wrestling for villagers. The festival has become a traditional event celebrating the essence of folk culture in the capital. The festival gathers many wrestlers of different ages, from neighouring wards such as Linh Nam and Yen So, to many other provinces and cities around Vietnam. The festival attracts a large number of spectators. The annual festival aims to preserve the sporting traditions of Mai Dong villagers as well as to commemorate their ancestors. Elderly wrestlers perform a ritual of greetings before the official competition, showing respect for their opponents and martial spirit. A fierce competition in the junior category. The competitions among junior wrestlers took place between the official matches, attracting numerous visitors. A fierce competition between the top wrestlers of the north. Large crowds come to look on and cheer enthusiastically. The winner will represent wrestlers with the honour of attending the incense offering ceremony at Mai Dong communal house. Nhan Dan CEO and general director Park Hong Ook delivers a speech in the Meet the CEO meeting at Doosan Vina. Park brings an extensive portfolio of management expertise to the CEO position in Vietnam. His plan is to leverage this experience to build on Doosans Vinas successes in infrastructure development for the power, water, and port logistics sectors in Vietnam and around the world. Since assuming his new position on December 19, 2017, he has been working hard to enlist the support of his team of over 2,000 Vietnamese professionals and 40 Korean engineers so that they can seamlessly communicate and work as a cohesive force in the heavy industry. In a Meet the CEO event with over 200 management staff, Park outlined his strategies and said, I feel our priorities need to be strategic, basic, and core to our business, so to achieve our goals we will focus on the three areas of safety, quality, and communications. These will be the cornerstone and our victory depends on them, so we will be vigilant in executing initiatives that will provide accountability and structure so that we can be certain of realising our objectives! At a meeting with Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc, Park was encouraged to continue and expand the good work Doosan has done in the country. CEO and general director Park Hong Ook meets with Vietnam PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc at his office in Hanoi. He assured the PM that Doosan will always look for opportunities to support Vietnams growth and development and be a company that will continue its extensive CSR programmes in Vietnam. Since opening in 2009, Doosan Vina and domestic and international partners has completed or is constructing four power plants in Vietnam. When commissioned, these four power plants will add a total of nearly 5GW of power to the national grid, making them critical to national development. The company has so far invested nearly $6.5 million in Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) projects to advance education, healthcare, and housing. The e-business index improved remarkably, but there are still weak geographic areas At the event, Vietnam E-Commerce Association (Vecom), which compiled the index for the last five years except for 2016, detailed that online retail revenue increased by 35 per cent and shipping services revenue grew from 62 to 200 per cent on-year. Meanwhile non-cash payments are increasing in Vietnam and drive e-commerce growth. According to the National Payment Corporation of Vietnam, online transactions using domestic cards in the last year rose by nearly 50 per cent in volume and 75 per cent in value year-on-year. Several affiliated marketing companies posted 100-200 per cent growth. Dang Thuy Ha, director of Consumer Behaviour Research at Nielsen Vietnam, mentioned that among four billion internet-connected people by 2020 worldwide, 59 million will be Vietnamese (60 per cent of the population of the country), with an average of 25 hours per week per person spent online, which is a huge potential for ecommerce development. Besides urban internet users, consumers in rural areas are becoming an attractive target to online retailers as 80 per cent of phone users in rural areas have a smart phone with internet-connection. She emphasised, besides urban internet users, consumers in rural areas are becoming an attractive target to online retailers as 80 per cent of phone users in rural areas have a smart phone with internet-connection. Welcoming the increase in the sector in Vietnam, Dang Hoang Hai, director of the E-commerce and Digital Economic Department under the Ministry of Industry and Trade, said that e-commerce still faces challenges in tax management, customs, and logistics capacity. Vecom also said in the overall development of e-commerce, the northern port city of Haiphong produced the most impressive growth and is a rising star, swiftly catching up with Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi. However, the gap in e-commerce was still wide between cities and provinces in Vietnam. The provinces with the lowest indexes were ones in the northern mountainous region of Dien Bien, Son La, Cao Bang, Ha Giang, Lai Chau, and southwest Vinh Long, Hau Giang, Soc Trang, and Bac Lieu where all the factors related to e-commerce, such as connection infrastructure, website and mobile application development, as well as investment in e-commerce were of low quality. Some logistics companies complained over inadequacies in infrastructure in these remote areas, claiming they faced many difficulties in serving e-commerce customers. VRES 2018 will be a match-making platform for key stakeholders in Viet Nams renewable energy sector to source potential partnership in renewable sectors. - VNA Photo VRES 2018 is organised by Neoventure Corporation, an energy advisory firm which helps international investors identify investment opportunities in the energy sector of emerging markets. The event will be a match-making platform for key stakeholders in Viet Nams renewable energy sector to source partnerships in renewable sectors. It is expected to gather some 30 local developers, including TTC Energy, KN Group, Phu Cuong, Ocean Group and Hado Group, together with international developers and investors like Tata Power, Mainstream and Blue Circle. Government bodies and State-owned Electricity of Viet Nam together with its associated companies will also attend, including the Ministry of Planning and Investment, the National Load Dispatch Centre, Power Engineering Consulting Joint Stock Company No 3 and Thuan Binh Wind Power Joint Stock Company. In September 2017, the Ministry of Industry and Trade of Viet Nam issued a circular on the detailed mechanism to encourage the development of solar power projects in Viet Nam, which includes a final template power purchase agreement and the feed-in-tariff (FiT) rate of 9.35 US cents per kWh for solar projects. The Vietnamese Government is currently reviewing the FiT rate of 7.8 US cents per kWh to further incentivise the development of wind power projects and push forward Viet Nams 800MW wind energy target by 2020. The event will consist of conferences, workshops, exhibitions and project match-making forums. It will be a place for industrial players to share knowledge and expand business contacts. VRES 2018 can provide topical sessions to understand market intelligence and to get connected with key local developers with approved renewable projects open for investment. The previous GMS Summit was held in 2014, Bangkok (Thailand) This is the first time the GMS Summit has been held in Vietnam in order to boost discussions between the entrepreneurial community and state management agencies, as well as connect international and regional enterprises. The summit expects to welcome around 1,000 representatives, including leaders of GMS countries, representatives of international organisations (the Asian Development Bank, the World Bank, the Secretary-General of the ASEAN, the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, the Japanese International Co-operation Agency), development partners, localities of GMS countries, leaders of large groups, and regional and international corporations. Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and the prime ministers of Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, and China also expect to attend the high-level policy dialogue on March 30. The GMS Summit is organised on the occasion of 25 years of co-operation, as well as to find development orientations to develop an integrated, sustainable, and prosperous GMS. In the framework of the GMS Summit, the tenth CLV Summit on Development Triangle Area will also take place to review the performance of the Master plan on CLV socioeconomic development in 2010-2020, as well as discuss co-operation orientations in the coming time, particularly the economic connection between the three countries. In the framework of the GMS Summit, the tenth CLV Summit on Development Triangle Area will also take place to review the performance of the Master plan on CLV socioeconomic development in 2010-2020, as well as discuss co-operation orientations in the coming time, particularly the economic connection between the three countries. The GMS has held 22 ministerial meetings and five summits. Earlier, the fifth GMS Summit was held on December 19-20, 2014 in Bangkok, Thailand under the theme Committed to inclusive and sustainable development in the GMS and three major sub-topics: strengthening regional connectivity; sustainable and inclusive development of the GMS; and co-operation between the GMS and other sub-regions and attracting resources for GMS projects. Later, the 21st GMS Ministerial Meeting on November 2016 approved the new Regional Investment Framework Implementation Plan (RIF IP) by 2020, including 107 investment and technical assistance projects worth $32.6 billion. The 22nd GMS ministerial meeting in September 2017 approved the Regional Investment Framework (RIF 2) by 2022, including 222 investment and technical assistance projects with the total investment capital of nearly $64 billion. The GMS Tourism Development Strategy in 2016-2025 and the Hanoi Action Plan were also approved at this meeting. The GMS Economic Cooperation was created by six countries sharing the Mekong River, namely Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam, and Yunnan Province of the People's Republic of China, with the help of the ADB in 1992. The nine priority areas of this cooperation include transport, telecommunications, energy, tourism, human resources development, environment, agriculture, trade, and investment. In the last 10 years, many projects have been completed or are being implemented, including the development of North-South, East-West, and Southern Economic Corridors which are road networks linking the six GMS members. Additionally, the parties also work on facilitating of electricity trade between the Lao PDR and Thailand, and an agreement to facilitate the cross-border movement of goods and people. Cabbages are left rotten on the field in Ha Tinh province. Due to low prices, no traders have come to buy the vegetables. Some 40 cabbages freshly harvested on the farm filled her two baskets. But Oanhs mood was gloomy. Even if they are sold out, I will earn less than VND100,000 ($4.3), Oanh estimated. This year, she grew nearly 1,500 square meters of cabbages, yielding some two tonnes of cabbages. Oanh estimated that if the cabbages are sold to traders, after she accounts for her spending on the seeds and the caring process, she will lose more than VND4 million ($174) in total. Vegetable and fruit prices in the north are reported to be cheaper than ever before, local media reported afterTet(Lunar New Year) holiday. Prices for vegetables and fruits sold at big markets in the capital city such as Dich Vong, Nhon, Mai Dich, Phung Khoang, Hom and Dai Tu have dropped by half or even three times as compared to those beforeTet. Cabbages are sold at VND6,000-8,000 ($0.27-0.36) per kilograms, or even VND15,000 ($0.68) per kilograms at some markets. Potatoes and cauliflowers are VND8,000-10,000 ($0.36-0.45) per kilograms. Tomatoes are VND8,000-10,000 ($0.36-0.45) per kilograms. Six German turnips are sold at only VND10,000 ($0.45). Traders of these markets said that the consumption has not surged afterTetwhile vegetable supply is plentiful, leading to lower prices. Nguyen Thi Mai, a farmer in Song Phuong commune, Hoai Duc district, Hanoi said that never before have vegetables been as tough to sell as right now. Many families have to throw them away or bring them back home for feeding cattle. Farmers in the central provinces are also struggling as their vegetables have remained unconsumed for weeks due to a price fall that reduces traders interest in buying them. In Nghe An province, the vegetable fields of Quynh Luu, Yen Thanh and Hung Nguyen districts have been abandoned sinceTet. Farmers even pulled up cabbages to feed to their pigs. Nguyen Thi Minh, a farmer in Quynh Luong commune, Quynh Luu district told online newspaperDan Tri,This year farmers and traders do not bother buying vegetables as the prices are too low. Farmers suffered losses in spite of efforts and expenses. In Ha Tinh, farmers are harvesting their vegetables to feed pigs and cattle. Others have let the plants wither in the fields. Nguyen Dinh Dung, a farmer in the provinces Thach Lien commune, said he had fed his vegetables to his cows as no traders came to his field afterTet. Nguyen Sy Dan, chairman of Thach Lien commune, said favourable weather at the end of last year resulted in a bumper crop of mustard, cabbage, turnip and lettuce. But as always, a bumper crop meant a price fall as supply exceeded consumption, he said. Farmers in Thua Thien - Hue experienced a similar situation. Vegetables produced by farmers in the province could not be consumed either due to a similar price fall. Local farmers said the cost for each kg fell from VND25,000 ($1.1) to VND2,000 ($0.09), driving traders away from their VietGAP (Vietnamese Good Agriculture Practice) produce. Truong Hao, a farmer in Quang Thanh commune, said he had to harvest the mature lettuce to feed pigs and attempt to save the younger plants until a price increase would allow him to sell them more profitably. Meanwhile, in Da Lat city and Don Duong district of Central Highlands province of Lam Dong , a major supplier of vegetables for the whole country, prices of high-quality vegetables planted in the green house have decreased by half. Only good-looking and standardised vegetables can be sold. Farmers of wards No.7 and 8 in Da Lat c ity and Thanh My town of Don Duong district have had to uproot vegetables to prepare for a new season. Tran Xuan Dinh, deputy head of theDepartmentofCrop Productionunder the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development told online newspaperDan Vietthat afterTet, farmers harvested vegetables of the winter season to start a new season. The supply has surged dramatically, exceeding demand. It is also because the favourable weather conditions of the winter-spring season increased productivity, he said. Regarding speculation that prices for domestically grown vegetables have declined because of vegetables imported from China ,Dinh said, We usually import vegetables from China in June and July which are not Viet Nam s vegetable seasons. AfterTet, the northern region of China is cold so it is impossible to import vegetables from China . Hoang Trung, head of the ministrysPlant Protection Department,also confirmed toDan Vietthat imported vegetables have not affected domestic vegetable prices. Deputy PM Trinh Dinh Dung (R) receives Managing Executive Officer and Global Head of Infrastructure and Environment Finance Group of the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) Kazuhisa Yumikura (Photo: VNA) He met with Chair of the Kyushu Economy International (KEI) Yutaka Aso and members of the Kyushu-Vietnam Economic Exchange Mission in Hanoi on March 15. The Vietnamese leader expressed his delight to see the Vietnam-Japan extensive strategic partnership growing strongly, comprehensively and practically across the board with high political trust. He referred to the fact that Japan is the leading economic partners, the largest ODA provider, the second FDI investor, and the fourth bilateral trader of Vietnam. In 2017, Japan poured 9.11 billion USD in 2017, a fourfold rise from 2016. He acknowledged and highly valued the constructive contributions by KEI as well as by Yutaka Aso in accelerating economic and investment cooperation and connecting businesses between the Kyushu region and Vietnam. He expected that Yutaka Aso will work to encourage more small and medium-sized businesses from Japan to invest in renewable energy, science-technology, infrastructure development, environmental protection, climate change response and green agriculture in Vietnam. Yutaka Aso said around 40 businesses from the Kyushu region took part in this visit and their representatives had working sessions in Ho Chi Minh City and central Da Nang city and met with leaders from Vietnamese ministries, sectors and businesses. He noted that many Kyushu businesses want to invest in developing farm products in Vietnam, especially flowers and high-tech farm products. The Deputy PM suggested the Japanese side to work more closely with the Foreign Ministry, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, and other ministries, sectors and localities and come up with solutions to launching cooperation in the field. On the day, Deputy PM Dung hosted Managing Executive Officer and Global Head of Infrastructure and Environment Finance Group of the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) Kazuhisa Yumikura. Host and guest discussed issues relating to stepping up loan arrangement and extricating difficulties arising during the implementation of Japanese-invested BOT power projects. The Vietnamese leader spoke highly of JBICs provision of loans and funding for important infrastructure projects, especially large-scale energy projects with the involvement of Japanese investors, in Vietnam. He talked about some BOT power projects like Nghi Son 2, Van Phong 1 and Vung Ang 2 with Japanese investments, underlining that these projects are important to Vietnams power development planning as well as the countrys socio-economic growth. Vietnam encourages the development of high-efficiency power plants to meet funding sponsorship conditions and new regulations of OECD, he told the guest. Kazuhisa Yumikura said JBIC has actively supported Japanese businesses to come to invest in Vietnam, especially in infrastructure and energy, to bring huge benefits for both sides. JBIC wishes to continue providing funding in the fields, he said. Vung Ro Petroleum still keeps the dream about another refinery project in Phu Yen Recently, the Phu Yen Peoples Committee asked the Phu Yen Economic Zone Management Board in collaboration with the provinces Department of Planning and Investment to consider revoking the Vung Ro project invested by VRP. The movement started from the investors decision to return the investment certificate to the authorities after 10 years of receiving it. The revocation of $3.2 billion Vung Ro has yet to put an end for VRPs ambition to develop a refinery project in Phu Yen province. In 2007, VRP was granted the investment certificate for Vung Ro refinery and petrochemical complex with the initial capital of $1.7 billion. After numerous adjustments to the investment plan, the investment capital increased to $3.2 billion with the annual capacity of eight million tonnes of crude oil, doubling the initial capacity. In 2014, VRP held the ground-breaking ceremony for the refinery. At the time, the investor affirmed to take the first phase of the project into operation in 2016. However, during the past ten years, the construction remained immobile. According to VRP, the difficulty in site clearance caused the long delay in implementing the construction. However, the real reason was the oil crisis and the economic crisis in Russia in 2015-2016 (Despite being based in the UK, Technostar Management Limited was established by Russian investors). The revocation of the $3.2 billion Vung Ro has yet to put an end to VRPs ambitions to develop a refinery project in Phu Yen province. The firm affirmed that it will develop a project with smaller scale. The construction of the new project will also be divided into numerous phases, with the first phase designed with one million tonne in capacity. At present, the firm has submitted the application for the investment certificate for the new project. However, the answer whether VRP can realise its dreams remains undecided. AMATA Corporation poured $800 million into AMATA City Long Thanh AMATA Corporation intends to pour $1.6 billion into Halong smart city. The project would focus on hi-tech industrial zone (IZ) development, automation, information technology, and especially electronics. The investor would also call for investment in research and development centres, logistics, exhibition centres, and laboratories in Halong. At a conference on smart city development, Somhatai Panichewa, chief executive officer of AMATA VN Public Company Limited, under AMATA Group from Thailand, said that the project documents have been submitted to the Vietnamese government for approval. The Halong project would be located on an area of 714 hectares in the first phase, and create 300,000 jobs for Vietnamese people as well as make approximately $5 billion in annual revenue. AMATA is a successful investor in Vietnam, with two major projects in the southeastern province Dong Nai, AMATA City Bien Hoa and AMATA City Long Thanh. AMATA City Bien Hoa is home to 164 investors from 21 countries and territories with the total registered investment of $2.66 billion and generates 49,000 jobs. The AMATA City Long Thanh industrial and urban complex covers a total of 1,270ha, 33 per cent of which is for a hi-tech IZ and 67 per cent for an urban community area. A smart city comprises of smart projects in multiple sectors, such as energy, transport, education, environment, and manufacturing. Smart cities can create high-value products at low costs in accordance to the Industry 4.0 trend. In Thailand, AMATA has developed three smart cities, inspired by smart cities in developed countries like Yokohama in Japan, Incheon in South Korea, and Saab AB in Sweden. British billionaire businessman Sanjeev Gupta will built the world's biggest battery in South Australia, overtaking US star entrepreneur Elon Musk's project in the same state last year. (Photo: AFP) The 120MW/140MWh battery storage facility will support a new solar farm at the Whyalla Steelworks, which was taken over by Gupta's GFG Alliance when it bought Australia's cash-strapped steelmaking giant Arrium last year. The push towards more renewable energy projects in South Australia followed an "unprecedented" storm that hit in 2016, causing a state-wide blackout. "Today's announcement is another example of how South Australia ... is leading the world in renewable energy," state Premier Jay Weatherill said in a statement. "As well as being the most powerful battery in the world, SIMEC ZEN Energy's storage facility will help underpin the long-term viability of the Whyalla steelworks, as well as provide additional benefits to the South Australian grid." The announcement came a day before the Labor state government goes to the polls in a tight election race that has seen energy policy at the heart of the final days of campaigning. The state's main opposition party, the Liberals, has sought to distinguish its energy policy from Labor by supporting the development of an additional connection to the power grid instead. The new battery storage project - at Port Augusta some 300 kilometres north of Adelaide - will be supported by a Aus$10 million (US$7.8 million) grant from Weatherill's government. Musk, the maverick billionaire and founder of Tesla, had pledged on Twitter last year to built a battery farm with a self-imposed deadline of having it ready in 100 days. The 100 MW/129 MWh battery, located in the rural town of Jamestown north of Adelaide, was switched on in late 2017 and connected to a wind farm operated by French energy firm Neoen. It is meant to help tackle power shortages, reduce intermittencies and address demands in summer, when most of the country experiences its highest energy usage. Musk is also working with the state government on a landmark plan to give 50,000 homes solar panels and Tesla batteries. The network of solar panels linked to rechargeable batteries will be financed by the sale of excess electricity generated by the network, Weatherill said last month. Rescuers search through the rubble of the Florida International University pedestrian bridge collapse on Thursday in Miami. We, the leaders of France, Germany, the United States and the United Kingdom, abhor the attack that took place against Sergei and Yulia Skripal in Salisbury, UK, on 4 March 2018. A British police officer who was also exposed in the attack remains seriously ill, and the lives of many innocent British citizens have been threatened. We express our sympathies to them all, and our admiration for the UK police and emergency services for their courageous response. This use of a military-grade nerve agent, of a type developed by Russia, constitutes the first offensive use of a nerve agent in Europe since the Second World War. It is an assault on UK sovereignty and any such use by a State party is a clear violation of the Chemical Weapons Convention and a breach of international law. It threatens the security of us all. The United Kingdom briefed thoroughly its allies that it was highly likely that Russia was responsible for the attack. We share the UK assessment that there is no plausible alternative explanation, and note that Russias failure to address the legitimate request by the UK government further underlines its responsibility. We call on Russia to address all questions related to the attack in Salisbury. Russia should in particular provide full and complete disclosure of the Novichok programme to the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW). Our concerns are also heightened against the background of a pattern of earlier irresponsible Russian behaviour. We call on Russia to live up to its responsibilities as a member of the UN Security Council to uphold international peace and security. We have a tradition in Britain that any town with a cathedral becomes a city. Salisbury won that title nearly 800 years ago, thanks to the magnificent cathedral that still dominates its streets. So you can imagine Britains sense of revulsion indeed of violation over the fact that a tranquil medieval city has witnessed the first offensive use of a nerve agent in Europe since World War II. As I write, the principal target, Sergei Skripal, and his daughter, Yulia, are both in critical condition. A police officer who went to their aid is also in the hospital. About three dozen others required medical treatment simply because they were nearby when the substance was released. It was only down to chance that more people are not lying stricken today; the perpetrators clearly did not care how many innocents were endangered. What sticks in my mind is the cavalier indifference and sheer brazenness of this attack. Our experts have identified the weapon used in Salisbury on March 4 as a fourth-generation nerve agent known as Novichok, designed to play havoc with the central nervous system and inflict a lingering death. Russian scientists developed Novichok starting in the 1970s. Today, only Russia combines a record of state-sponsored assassinations with a publicly avowed motive for trying to kill Sergei Skripal and stockpiles of Novichok agents. On Monday, I summoned the Russian ambassador and gave his government 36 hours to inform us if any of these stocks had somehow gone missing. I regret to say that the deadline passed without a response from the Kremlin. The British government has drawn the only plausible conclusion: that the Russian state attempted murder in a British city, employing a lethal nerve agent banned under the Chemical Weapons Convention. On Wednesday, Theresa May, the Prime Minister, announced the biggest expulsion of Russian diplomats from Britain for more than 30 years, evicting 23 undeclared intelligence officers. The government will now take a range of measures to protect Britain from hostile states and dismantle the Russian espionage network in our country. But this matter goes far beyond a bilateral dispute. If the Russian state is prepared to deploy a banned weapon in a British city amounting to the unlawful use of force against the United Kingdom then the Kremlin is clearly willing to act without restraint. The bleak truth is that what happened in Salisbury could have happened anywhere. I interpret this incident as part of a pattern of reckless behavior by President Vladimir Putin. The common thread that joins the poisonings in Salisbury with the annexation of Crimea, the cyberattacks in Ukraine, the hacking of Germanys Parliament and Russian interference in foreign elections is the Kremlins reckless defiance of essential international rules. Most tellingly of all, Russia has made immense efforts to conceal the use of chemical weapons by the Assad regime in Syria. In October, an international investigation concluded that Bashar al-Assads forces had used the nerve agent sarin against the town of Khan Sheikhoun in April 2017. Yet instead of condemning Assad, Russia covered up for him by vetoing the renewal of the international inquiry and, in effect, forcing it to shut down. How much easier does it become for a state to deploy chemical weapons when its government has already tolerated and sought to hide their use by others? I would draw a connection between Putins indulgence of Assads atrocities in Syria and the Russian states evident willingness to employ a chemical weapon on British soil. There is a reason for choosing Novichok. In its blatant Russian-ness, the nerve agent sends a signal to all who may be thinking of dissent in the intensifying repression of Putins Russia. The message is clear: We will find you, we will catch you, we will kill you and though we will deny it with lip-curling scorn, the world will know beyond doubt that Russia did it. As a permanent member of the UN Security Council, Russia has a special obligation to uphold the rules of good international conduct. When it does the opposite and tramples upon these rules, the Kremlin threatens the very architecture of global security. All responsible nations share an obligation to take a principled stance against this behavior. The countermeasures announced by the Prime Minister are not solely about the attack in Salisbury. Britain is striving to uphold the rules on which the safety of every country depends. I hope and believe that our friends will stand alongside us. SIPRI (the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute) has carried out a study comparing the sales of arms over the last five years with the five-year period that preceded it. These are some of its findings: The United States is by a long shot the number one global exporter. Russia, which comes in second place, only exports 60% the volume that the US does. France, which follows it, only exports a fifth of what the US does. Over the last five years, there has been huge increase in exports from the US, France, China, Israel, South Korea and Turkey. In contrast, exports from Russia and Germany have slightly decreased. India has considerably increased its imports, not vis-a-vis Pakistan which has reduced its, but compared to China. Today, India is the worlds number one importer. In the Pacific region, Indonesia and Australia are also increasing their arms purchases. The Expanded Middle East, whose states and societies the United States is trying to destroy under the cover of an epidemic of civil wars, has become the number one global market. Saudi Arabia, Egypt and the United Arabs Emirates have become the top three clients in the world, preceded only by India. Imports have drastically fallen in Africa apart from Algeria and Nigeria. They have also fallen in Latin America, especially, in Venezuela. On 2 March 2018, the parliaments of Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine held a joint conference at Chisinau. The Presidents of the three Parliaments of the three Republics of the former Soviet Union, issued a joint declaration denouncing the occupation by the Russian army of regions belonging to their three countries (South Ossetia and Abkhazia, Transnistria, Crimea and Donbass) [1]. These Parliamentarians, who spoke out surrounded by US officials, announced that the Organization for Democracy and Development (known as GUAM which stands for Georgia, Ukraine, Azerbaijan and Moldova) would be revived. Azerbaijan did not participate as such in this conference. It does not control the High Karabakh (supported by Armenia, allied to Russia). Establishing GUAM was an initiative of Bill Clinton and George W. Bush in order to build pipelines, bypassing Russia and securing total military control of Russia. This project never came to fruition and thus the Organization disappeared. During his stay in Washington, during which he participated in several conferences, the former Turkish Chief of Staff, General Ilker Basbug, made the following bold declaration: in his opinion, the United States and Israel had arrested Abdullah Ocalan in 1999 so they could take control of the PKK, an organization of Turkish Kurds. General Basbug follows Kemalism. He was trained at Sandhurst Military Academy (United Kingdom). At the end of the Cold War, he considered that there was no longer any reason for his country to continue to automatically serve Nato and, anxious to diversify its alliances, made contact with the Chinese Chief of Staff. Along with everyone else who participated in this initiative, he was arrested in 2013 and charged with belonging to Natos Ergenekon network. Following 7 months of imprisonment, he was set free and the entire Ergenekon proceedings was cancelled [1]. According to General Basbug, in the period that Ocalan was exiled in Damascus (from 1979 to 1999), the PKK was manipulated by the Syrian Secret Services but it gradually became a tool of the US following the imprisonment in Turkey of this communist leader. The PKK leaders were moved from Syria to Denmark, where they remained till 2010. In 2013 they re-appeared in the North of Syria, in the territory occupied by US forces. During recent years, the PKK abandoned its Marxist Lenin doctrine to adopt the anarchist ideology of the American Murray Bookchin. The PKK, previously an organization of the extreme left thus shifted to the right and is working with NATO [2] Several former members of the PKK have assured Voltaire Network that Ocalan, who continues to be imprisoned in Turkey, was effectively a stranger to this 1800 ideological rotation of the political organization that elected him its leader in 1978. On 12 March 2018, the Syrian Arab Army (the Syrian governments forces) seized a secret laboratory of chemical weapons based at Aftris (Eastern Ghouta) and a second on 13 March, at Chifonya (also in Eastern Ghouta). Russia has declared Eastern Ghouta a zone of de-escalation, but there was absolutely no agreement on how to differentiate foreign jihadists from the so-called moderate Syrian rebels. Finally, the UN Security Council invited all parties to respect 30 days of cessation of hostilities while the Syrian, Russian and Iranian armies continued with their anti-terrorist operations. The terrorist bombings on the Syrian capital have never stopped, despite the call for cessation of hostilities. Since the adoption of UN Security Council Resolution 2401, an average of 35 projectiles has fallen every day on Damascus, resulting in a number of fatalities and injuries among the civil population. In 2012, the Syrian Arab Republic denounced the various chemical attacks carried out by the jihadists and had called for help from the UN. In December 2012, a video published by moderate rebels of the Free Syrian Army showed one of their laboratories of chemical weapons [1]. In the video, the moderate rebels guaranteed that all the Alawites would be gassed. Voltaire Network published this video (photo), on our You Tube account, but the multinational withdrew the video. Following this, the Turkish police intercepted and seized on Turkish soil some chemical weapons that the jihadists had been getting ready to bring into Syria. The police officers that carried out this operation were imprisoned on 13 March for plotting against the Turkish state. Be that as it may, very soon afterwards, Western powers started accusing Damascus of using chemical weapons itself in 2013. Syria then signed the Convention prohibiting these weapons whilst Russia and the United States came to supervise the collection and destruction of the entire arsenal. Despite this, these accusations are still made today. Today, the U.S. Department of the Treasurys Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) designated five entities and 19 individuals under the Countering Americas Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA) as well as Executive Order (E.O.) 13694, Blocking the Property of Certain Persons Engaging in Significant Malicious Cyber-Enabled Activities, as amended, and codified pursuant to CAATSA. The Administration is confronting and countering malign Russian cyber activity, including their attempted interference in U.S. elections, destructive cyber-attacks, and intrusions targeting critical infrastructure, said Treasury Secretary Steven T. Mnuchin. These targeted sanctions are a part of a broader effort to address the ongoing nefarious attacks emanating from Russia. Treasury intends to impose additional CAATSA sanctions, informed by our intelligence community, to hold Russian government officials and oligarchs accountable for their destabilizing activities by severing their access to the U.S. financial system. Todays action counters Russias continuing destabilizing activities, ranging from interference in the 2016 U.S. election to conducting destructive cyber-attacks, including the NotPetya attack, a cyber-attack attributed to the Russian military on February 15, 2018 in statements released by the White House and the British Government. This cyber-attack was the most destructive and costly cyber-attack in history. The attack resulted in billions of dollars in damage across Europe, Asia, and the United States, and significantly disrupted global shipping, trade, and the production of medicines. Additionally, several hospitals in the United States were unable to create electronic records for more than a week. Since at least March 2016, Russian government cyber actors have also targeted U.S. government entities and multiple U.S. critical infrastructure sectors, including the energy, nuclear, commercial facilities, water, aviation, and critical manufacturing sectors. Indicators of compromise, and technical details on the tactics, techniques, and procedures, are provided in the recent technical alert issued by the Department of Homeland Security and Federal Bureau of Investigation. In addition to countering Russias malign cyber activity, Treasury continues to pressure Russia for its ongoing efforts to destabilize Ukraine, occupy Crimea, meddle in elections, as well as for its endemic corruption and human rights abuses. The recent use of a military-grade nerve agent in an attempt to murder two UK citizens further demonstrates the reckless and irresponsible conduct of its government. To date, this Administration has sanctioned more than 100 individuals and entities under our Ukraine and Russia-related sanctions authorities, including 21 individuals, nine entities, and 12 subsidiaries that are owned 50 percent or more by previously sanctioned Russian companies on January 26, 2018. These sanctions are in addition to other ongoing efforts by Treasury to address destabilizing activity emanating from within Russia, including our sanctioning of Russians targeted for activities related to the North Korea sanctions program, the Global Magnitsky program, and the Sergei Magnitsky Act. As a result of todays action, all property and interests in property of the designated persons subject to U.S. jurisdiction are blocked, and U.S. persons are generally prohibited from engaging in transactions with them. E.O. 13694 SANCTIONS Todays action includes the designation of three entities and 13 individuals pursuant to E.O. 13694, as amended, which targets malicious cyber actors, including those involved in interfering with election processes or institutions. The Internet Research Agency LLC (IRA) tampered with, altered, or caused a misappropriation of information with the purpose or effect of interfering with or undermining election processes and institutions. Specifically, the IRA tampered with or altered information in order to interfere with the 2016 U.S. election. The IRA created and managed a vast number of fake online personas that posed as legitimate U.S. persons to include grassroots organizations, interest groups, and a state political party on social media. Through this activity, the IRA posted thousands of ads that reached millions of people online. The IRA also organized and coordinated political rallies during the run-up to the 2016 election, all while hiding its Russian identity. Further, the IRA unlawfully utilized personally identifiable information from U.S. persons to open financial accounts to help fund IRA operations. Yevgeniy Viktorovich Prigozhin (Prigozhin) provided material assistance to the IRA. Specifically, Prigozhin funded the operations of the IRA. OFAC previously designated Prigozhin under E.O. 13661, Blocking Property of Additional Persons Contributing to the Situation in Ukraine, on December 20, 2016. Concord Management and Consulting LLC provided material assistance to the IRA. Concord Management and Consulting LLC, which is controlled by Prigozhin, provided funding to the IRA. Concord Management and Consulting LLC was previously designated under E.O. 13661 on June 20, 2017. Concord Catering provided material assistance to the IRA. Concord Catering, which is controlled by Prigozhin, provided funding to the IRA. OFAC previously designated Concord Catering under E.O. 13661 on June 20, 2017. Dzheykhun Nasimi Ogly Aslanov (Aslanov) acted for or on behalf of and provided material and technological support to the IRA. Aslanov acted as the head of the translator project, a department which focused on the United States and conducted operations on multiple social media platforms. He also oversaw many of the operations that targeted the 2016 U.S. election. Anna Vladislavovna Bogacheva (Bogacheva) acted for or on behalf of and provided material and technological support to the IRA. Bogacheva worked for the IRA from at least April 2014 to July 2014. She worked on the translator project. Maria Anatolyevna Bovda (Bovda) acted for or on behalf of and provided material and technological support to the IRA. Bovda worked for the IRA from at least November 2013 to October 2014. She served as the head of the translator project and held other positions within the firm. Robert Sergeyevich Bovda (Bovda) acted for or on behalf of and provided material and technological support to the IRA. Bovda worked for the IRA from at least November 2013 to October 2014. He served as the deputy head of the translator project and held other positions within the firm. Mikhail Leonidovich Burchik (Burchik) acted for or on behalf of and provided material and technological support to the IRA. Burchik acted as the executive director of the IRA and held the firms second-highest ranking position. He was involved in operational planning, infrastructure, and personnel throughout the firms operations to interfere in the U.S. political system. Mikhail Ivanovich Bystrov (Bystrov) acted for or on behalf of and provided material and technological support to the IRA. Bystrov acted as the general director of the IRA and served as the head of other entities used by the firm to mask its operations. Irina Viktorovna Kaverzina (Kaverzina) acted for or on behalf of and provided material and technological support to the IRA. Kaverzina worked for the translator project and operated multiple U.S. personas that she used to post, monitor, and update social media content for the IRA. Aleksandra Yuryevna Krylova (Krylova) acted for or on behalf of and provided material and technological support to the IRA. Krylova worked for the IRA from at least September 2013 to November 2014, where she served as a director and was the firms third-highest ranking position. Vadim Vladimirovich Podkopaev (Podkopaev) acted for or on behalf of and provided material and technological support to the IRA. Podkopaev was responsible for conducting U.S.-focused research and drafting social media content for the IRA. Sergey Pavlovich Polozov (Polozov) acted for or on behalf of and provided material and technological support to the IRA. Polozov acted as the manager of the IRAs information technology department and oversaw the procurement of U.S. servers and other computer infrastructure that masked the firms location when conducting operations within the United States. Gleb Igorevich Vasilchenko (Vasilchenko) acted for or on behalf of and provided material and technological support to the IRA. Vasilchenko worked for the IRA from at least August 2014 to September 2016, and was responsible for controlling social media content and posing as U.S. persons or U.S. grassroots organizations. Vladimir Venkov (Venkov) acted for or on behalf of and provided material and technological support to the IRA. Venkov worked for the translator project and operated multiple U.S. personas that were used to post, monitor, and update social media content for the IRA. These entities and individuals are subjects of an indictment announced on February 16, 2018. CAATSA SANCTIONS Todays action also includes the designation of two entities and six individuals pursuant to section 224 of CAATSA, which targets cyber actors operating on behalf of the Russian government. Federal Security Service (FSB), a Russian intelligence organization, knowingly engages in significant activities that undermine cybersecurity on behalf of the Russian government. Specifically, the FSB has utilized its cyber tools to target Russian journalists and politicians critical of the Russian government; Russian citizens and government officials; former officials from countries bordering Russia; and U.S. government officials, including cyber security, diplomatic, military, and White House personnel. Additionally, in 2017, the U.S. Department of Justice indicted two FSB officers for their involvement in the 2014 hacking of Yahoo that compromised millions of Yahoo accounts. OFAC previously sanctioned the FSB under E.O. 13694, as amended, on December 28, 2016. Main Intelligence Directorate (GRU), a Russian military intelligence organization, knowingly engages in significant activities that undermine cybersecurity on behalf of the Russian government. The GRU was directly involved in interfering in the 2016 U.S. election through cyber-enabled activities. The Russian military, of which the GRU is a part, was also directly responsible for the NotPetya cyber-attack in 2017. OFAC previously sanctioned the GRU under E.O. 13694, as amended, on December 28, 2016. Sergei Afanasyev (Afanasyev) acts for or on behalf of the GRU. As of February 2017, Afanasyev was a senior GRU official. Vladimir Alexseyev (Alexseyev) acts for or on behalf of the GRU. As of December 2016, Alexseyev was a First Deputy Chief of the GRU. OFAC previously sanctioned Alexseyev under E.O. 13694, as amended, on December 28, 2016. Sergey Gizunov (Gizunov) acts for or on behalf of the GRU. As of July 2017, Gizunov was the Deputy Chief of the GRU. OFAC previously sanctioned Gizunov under E.O. 13694, as amended, on December 28, 2016. Igor Korobov (Korobov) acts for or on behalf of the GRU. As of January 2018, Korobov was the Chief of the GRU. OFAC previously sanctioned Korobov under E.O. 13694, as amended, on December 28, 2016. Igor Kostyukov (Kostyukov) acts for or on behalf of the GRU. As of December 2016, Kostukov was a First Deputy Chief of the GRU. OFAC previously sanctioned Kostyukov under E.O. 13694, as amended, on December 28, 2016. Grigoriy Molchanov (Molchanov) acts for or on behalf of the GRU. As of April 2016, Molchanov was a senior GRU official. On 9 March 2018, the Syrian Arab Republic started evacuating members of the armed groups at Eastern Ghouta. They were evacuated by bus to Idleb, each with their personal arms but without their heavy weapons. From 15 March 2018, those civilians who had been set free started to join up to the Syrian Arab Army. That day, about 12,000 people showed up to be registered. About 800 people on average are managing to leave every hour through the humanitarian corridor in Hamuriya, opened up by Damascus. Today, 16 March 2018, Damascus hopes to be able to save 13 000 people. The entire evacuation process is under the control of the Russian Army; a unit of the Russian armys infantry is present on the ground. Just as happened when the townships of East Aleppo were being liberated, the government of the Syrian Arab Republic is providing urgent medical attention to all those civilians coming from the combat zone. These civilians are also being provided with temporary accommodation. The security services are trying to establish the identity of each civilian in order to block jihadi infiltration of the scheme. We expect that around 200,000 more civilians exodusing East Ghouta - which has been under jihadi control for five years now - are taking refuge in Damascus. This poses serious logistical issues to accommodate them. As for the Western countries, they are helping the jihadists but not the Syrians that are loyal to the Republic. For five years, it was as if the population of Ghouta was stuck in a prison, to which the jihadists alone held the key. The Western media affirm that Syria and Russia are crushing brave democrats in eastern Ghouta. According to the British and French governments, they would be three armed groups: the Army of Islam, the Rahman Legion and Ahrar al-Sham. On the contrary, according to Syria and Russia, these three denominations would not designate separate ideologies. These three entities would in fact defend not an idea of Syria, but the interests of their sponsors. They would have regrouped in favor of Resolution 2401 and the attack they are now undergoing. Many figures are circulating about the number of soldiers in each of these groups and about the number of inhabitants of Eastern Ghouta. In reality, none of this data is verifiable to the point that the UN has given up quantification. If the civilians present in eastern Goutha are indeed Syrians, we do not know the nationality of the combatants. Admittedly, a number of them are Syrians, often convicts, but many others are foreigners (who by definition can not be "rebels"). Again, the estimates are unverifiable. There are only two things that we know for sure about these groups: First, the weapons available to one of them, the Army of Islam, in 2015. This is obviously a bit old, but it is verifiable thanks to the video of a military parade organized by its leader, in Ghouta, in 2015. This group has 4 tanks and nearly 2,000 men, that is to say, 10 times less combatants than he claims to have. Then and finally, we know these groups through their communication: logos, flags, websites, Twitter accounts, spokespersons. Jeish el Islam Jeich el-Islam, that is, the Army of Islam, is the only one of these groups to have a local presence. It was created in September 2013 by the family Allouche, from another group, the Brigade of Islam, in the mode of a gang imposing its law on merchants of the Ghouta, not hesitating to publicly execute those who challenged their power. The group was initially commanded by Zahran Allouche, son of the preacher Abdallah Allouche, a member of the Muslim Brotherhood refugee in Saudi Arabia. From 2009 to 2011, he was imprisoned for belonging to the Muslim Brotherhood. He was released in a general amnesty decreed by President al-Assad at the request of third countries. For several years, Zahran Allouche terrorized the inhabitants of Damascus declaring that he was going to "clean" the city. He announced each Friday [1] the attacks he was going to commit against the capital. In 2013, he abducted Alawite families [2] in Aadra. He used some as human shields and walked a hundred in cages, before executing the men so that wed know what fate he reserved for "infidels". After his death, a businessman, Sheikh Isaam Buwaydani called "Abu Hamam", succeeded him. His cousin Mohammed Allouche, made famous by his repression of manners. He created the Unified Judicial Council, which imposed the Saudi version of Sharia law on all Ghouta residents. He notably organized executions of homosexuals, thrown from the roof of buildings. He represents the group at the UN negotiations in Geneva. The Allouche family is now comfortably settled in London. At the time of its creation, the Army of Islam brought together about fifty small groups. In a widely circulated statement in Asia, it introduced itself as the defender of Muslims and called on Muslims around the world to join them and to make jihad in Syria. In July 2017, the Army of Islam, following an Egyptian-Saudi mediation, agreed to recognize Eastern Ghouta as a "de-escalation zone" under Russian control. His Twitter account in English: https://twitter.com/islamarmy_eng3 His YouTube channel has just been closed. Faylaq al-Rahman Faylaq al-Rahman, ie "The Legion of the All-Merciful", is a mercenary group of Qatar from which it receives a modern weaponry, especially RPG. It is massively composed of foreigners. Its Twitter account broadcasts many videos extolling the terrorist profession: https://twitter.com/alrahmancorps Ahrar el-Cham Harakat Ahrar al-Sham al-Islamiyya, abbreviated as Ahrar al-Sham, translates as the Islamic Movement of the Free Men of the Levant. "Free men" do not refer here to "freedom" in the Western sense. They did not liberate themselves from a dictatorship, but were released from their human condition by practicing Salafist Islam. So that there is no doubt about the interpretation of the word, a minaret appears on the group logo. This group, very internationalized, was created by Egyptians during the overthrow of Hosni Mubarak by the United States [3]. Syrian Muslim Brothers, who were imprisoned for belonging to a terrorist organization, joined him after being pardoned in 2011 at the request of third countries. Among them, several former collaborators of Osama Bin Laden in Afghanistan then in Yugoslavia. This explains their proximity to the Taliban, whom they often cite as an example of faith. In all its publications, it defines itself as a "complete Islamic movement, fighting for Allah and defending religion". The group is commanded by Hassan Soufan, known as "Abu al-Bara", who was imprisoned for a decade for his membership in the Muslim Brotherhood. The Foreign Minister of this group, Labib al-Nahhas, travels to the West. He is a British, MI6 officer. In July 2015, he published free forums in the Washington Post and the Daily Telegraph. The group is supported by Qatar and Turkey. It is considered a terrorist organization by the United Arab Emirates. The groups website is: ahraralsham.net His Twitter account: https://twitter.com/ahrar_alsham_en His YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCAgcKXwipFldow9ipQH2oA/videos Commonalities of these three groups These three groups have no ideological difference. All claim to be the thought of the Muslim Brotherhood [4]. According to them, daily life is divided between what is lawful from the point of view of their Islam and what is not. There are, however, differences between the three groups about how they can treat people who do not share their point of view. Be that as it may, no one lives under their rule without being a Sunni. Like all the fighters of the "Islamic revolution", their men often change their group and these groups fight each other and join together frequently. It is absurd to draw substantive conclusions. At most, we can see territorial quarrels between their leaders and opportunities for their soldiers. All of these groups and countless others have well-designed flags and logos as well as quality videos. All of this communication material is manufactured by the United Kingdom. In 2007, it had a war propaganda unit, the Research Information and Communications Unit (RICU) headed by MI6 (Secret Service) officer Jonathan Allen. Starting from the chemical weapons case in the summer of 2013, the RICU financed an external company to assist the communication of combatants in Syria (and subsequently those of Yemen). It was initially Regester Larkin, then Innovative Communications & Strategies (InCoStrat). Both companies are headed by an MI6 officer, Colonel Paul Tilley. Jonathan Allen, whose rank we do not know, has become number two in the UK permanent representation at the United Nations. He is currently leading the Security Council against Russia and Syria. Adam Scott. Photo: Nathaniel Wood/for Vulture Holy shit, did you hear Hope Hicks just resigned? Adam Scott is standing inside a modest trailer on the north Hollywood set of the Fox comedy Ghosted, looking particularly Adam Scott-ish in a muted ensemble of T-shirt, jeans, and New Balance sneakers, his spiky hair jutting out in at least three directions. Its just so crazy, he says of the latest round of Trump news. You cant make this stuff up. You could try, but youd fail. Scott sips espresso as he settles into a cushioned seat inside the tiny workspace, where he pulls double duty as co-lead actor, alongside Craig Robinson, and producer on Ghosted a charming but beleaguered freshman comedy that was recently given a second-chance block of six new episodes, set to air this summer. This month, Scott returns to film opposite breakout actress Zoey Deutch in Max Winklers drama Flower, playing a teacher who may or may not be a sexual predator, and hes prepping for his return to HBOs juggernaut Big Little Lies, which begins shooting its second (and now Meryl Streepanointed) season this spring. Scotts workload also includes TV projects in development at HBO and NBC with his wife and producing partner, Naomi Scott, and he devotes much of his spare time to gun-safety advocacy work. It all could be overwhelming if the 44-year-old Santa Cruz native didnt have his priorities straight, as evidenced by the wall of his trailer devoted to a collage of photos of his wife and kids. In the interview below, Scott reveals why he refuses to be quiet about gun control, how struggling for years in Hollywood warped his sense of self, and why hes okay being typecast as a befuddled beta male. Youve been increasingly vocal about gun safety since the massacre in Parkland, even chiding the NRA for posting a Parks and Recreation GIF on Twitter. What does this cause mean to you personally? Naomi and I have worked with Everytown for Gun Safety since Sandy Hook. The fact that nothing has changed since then is absurd. Marco Rubio is a great example of why hes so profoundly full of shit. Hes received $3.3 million from the NRA. People like him say, Regulation is not going to do anything. If someone wants to get a gun, they can get a gun. The gun manufacturers came up with that argument, handed it to our lawmakers, and that is unbelievable. Okay, so why wear seat belts? Why regulate alcohol? Do you think celebrities have a responsibility to speak out? Do you worry about alienating fans who dont agree with you? I dont think theres a responsibility to do anything. Personally, I cant not say something. By the way, [Parkland student activist] Emma Gonzalez tweeted a video of Ronald Reagan stating what used to be the standard Republican position on guns, and now it sounds radically left. Thats how far theyve slid for profit. So I dont know if my saying anything makes any difference. I understand that people just want actors to shut up, but if it changes one persons perspective, its worth it. The fact that Ronald Reagan, of all people, would agree with what were fighting for He was a Hollywood person. Yes, a Hollywood person, and also the guy that Republicans say that they all espouse to be. Its ridiculous. It would be laughable if it wasnt so heartbreaking, awful, and scary. Did the NRA ever take down that Leslie Knope GIF? I dont know. Its funny, [Parks co-star] Nick Offerman and [Parks co-creator] Mike Schur and I had all tweeted them about it, but we didnt coordinate that at all. I woke up that morning and it had become a little story. So, yeah, fuck the NRA. The NRA loves to say that Hollywood people and video-game companies are to blame for gun violence. How do you respond? I think good parenting is a big part of that discussion. Dont let your kids play first-person shooter video games. But violent movies and games are popular all over the world, yet in countries that have strict gun laws, there are far fewer or no mass shootings. That is the data. Violent movies and games will never go away as long as we have a free society, nor should they. By the way, people once thought The Graduate and Midnight Cowboy were irresponsible, too. Art reflects the culture. I wouldnt let my kids watch Reservoir Dogs right now, but when theyre of age, Ill show it to them. We need to start with the actual guns and the actual gun laws. That argument coming from the right, they can go fuck themselves. Since were already deep into dark stuff, lets talk about Flower. What appealed to you about playing a disgraced high-school teacher, who may or may not have sexually abused his students? First, I love Max Winkler and had been looking for an excuse to work with him. He was nice enough to ask me to do it, so that was an easy decision. I also thought the script was really interesting, and this was a couple of years ago before the #MeToo movement. At first you think, Heres a girl whos being taking advantage of, then you realize shes the one in control. The movie asks a lot of interesting questions. In a movement like this, do there have to be casualties along the way in order for a real cultural shift to take place? Some feel that Senator Al Franken fell into that category. He was a great senator. He got Jeff Sessions to perjure himself! But at the same time its like, Eh, I dont know. Its really tricky. This is fresh territory for our culture. I think if this movement causes males to overcorrect starting at an early age, then good. Theres nothing wrong with overcorrection right now. I know a lot of people in Hollywood have wondered over the last few months: Is this the price of creating and working in loose, artistic environments? Does the free-flowing nature of this business breed that kind of behavior? Thats interesting. I know whenever Ive had to do sex scenes or anything in that realm, I always feel like Im dipped in diarrhea. Im so sorry, it will be over soon. Im sorry, Im sorry, Im sorry! Your friend and former co-star Aziz Ansari was accused of sexual misconduct a few months ago. Have you talked to him about this? I dont know what to say on the record about Aziz. I dont want to say anything that would be misconstrued. [Pauses.] Ill say this: Aziz is doing great. Hes a great, lovely guy. Hows that? Youve been acting for nearly 25 years. How do you see yourself now? Are you able to enjoy your success? I started going to therapy a few years ago and have found it to be incredibly useful. Naomis life is also much better since I started. [Laughs.] Ive learned that I can be self-aware to a point that its often crippling, which isnt good for an actor. If youre overly apologetic just for being you, thats a problem. I struggled for so many years, and thats still how I define myself the person who snuck into the party. The mind-fuck of becoming even a little well-known is an especially odd thing if you have low self-regard. Its like that joke, I wouldnt want to be part of a club that would have me as a member. As far how I see myself, its always through a slightly warped lens. What was the first acting job that made you feel fulfilled? Party Down was the first time I was, Okay, this is what I should be doing. Then again with The Vicious Kind, an indie I did around the same time. Finally I was a square peg in a square hole. Youve done more dramatic work than people realize I loved the short-lived HBO series you did, Tell Me You Love Me but youre known for playing dry-witted comedic straight men. Do you ever feel typecast? Yeah, the befuddled beta male. And thats fine. Im confident enough to know thats not all I can do. I feel like if Ive learned anything from producing with Naomi That was my next question. Yeah. Shes really the best, most exciting producer Ive ever worked with. The Overnight and Other People are movies she single-handedly got off the ground. She had great partners, but it was her grit and determination. The business has splintered into so many different directions, but if you are determined, you can self-generate anything. Can anyone only be an actor now? Is it just common-sense job security to also know how to write, produce, and direct? I think thats part of it. But I also really love the other stuff. I love being here on set. I love dipping into the writers room, going to the stage. I love all of it. All these people are here working to make this one thing and none of us know if its even going to be good? Its fucked up, isnt it? I read that Ghosted is undergoing a major tonal revamp to become more of a workplace comedy. Is this a nice way of saying the show didnt work? Ill say this: I think its possible for a bunch of well-meaning people to enjoy working with each other and realize at some point they were each working on different shows. Thats what happened with us. Part of it was me thinking we were making a mix of Midnight Run and The Twilight Zone, without considering that everybody might not like Midnight Run or even know what I meant when I said that. Were you Charles Grodin in that scenario? [Laughs.] Right, exactly. It just wasnt the show that any of us set out to make. Its hard when you only have 21-and-a-half minutes to introduce a villain, monster, or any sort of case week after week. Theres a reason those types of shows are 42 minutes. You need time to let something marinate. We didnt have time to let it get scary. Its incredibly rare that Fox gave you a second chance. Most broadcast comedies that dont work are canceled in the first month. Yes, and we convinced Paul Lieberstein to come on as showrunner. He hired bunch of amazing writers and we re-pitched it and got six more episodes. Paul, of course, played Toby the beleaguered HR manager on The Office and also served as showrunner later in the series run. What are the biggest changes hes made? Its more character-driven now and the central mystery is spread out over six episodes so you have time to feel the weirdness of it. The paranormal aspect is more of a question: Do paranormal things exist? The biggest danger before, to me, was it becoming Scooby-Doo. Im really excited about it now. It feels nice to want to run to work in the morning instead of crying in my dressing room. It was that bad? Okay, crying is a bit of an exaggeration. [Laughs.] It was tough, especially doing press and saying over and over, Usually with a sci-fi show you have an hour to explain a case, and were trying to do all of that, plus effects and stunts in five days, 21 minutes! Id find myself on Kimmel thinking, Please do not talk about this anymore. Its uninteresting. The stress was coming out of my pores. You and Craig Robinson appeared together in a number of projects before Ghosted, from Knocked Up to Eastbound and Down. Whats the best part of working with him? The best thing about working with Craig is he has the best weed. [Laughs.] He also has a huge heart, a huge beating heart, and hes a really an astute, supple actor. Wait, that sounded disgusting. Which of the characters youve played felt the closest to who you are in real life? Boy, thats an interesting question. Probably Henry in Party Down, because at that point in my life, I felt the same way he felt [as a struggling actor]. Id finally gotten a few parts in big movies Step Brothers, and a few years earlier, this Ashley Judd and Morgan Freeman movie High Crimes and thought I was going to be a giant star when they came out. I wasnt. Who lied to you and said you were going to be a big star? Morgan Freeman? I did. I lied to me! Morgan didnt really tell me anything. [Laughs.] Step Brothers had just come out when I got Party Down, and I was the fifth lead so no one cared. I felt like, I dont know if any of this is ever going to stick. I figured Party Down was something to have fun with until I got another job that mattered. You told me a few years ago that youre most often recognized by fans of that show. Have you had any particularly weird interactions? Id say now people know me most from Parks or Step Brothers. If someones being weird, usually theyre just nervous and totally harmless. I remember being nervous and weird to famous people, and Im sure I came off odd. Speaking of fanning out, the clip of Mark Hamill surprising you on Kimmel is one of the sweetest late-night moments ever. How did that feel? That was so nice and so embarrassing. Kristen Bell was the guest host that night and there was that surreal moment kind of like when you walk into a surprise party for yourself like two to three seconds of weightlessness, where I was like, What the fuck is going on? Do you and Mark stay in touch? We do. We text about stuff. Its crazy. Its so nice. You told me last summer at Comic-Con that you dont drink. Has that always been the case? It slowly happened after we had kids and hangovers stopped being an option. [Laughs.] You have to get up early no matter what. You also wake up in the middle of the night and stay up for 45 minutes getting them back to sleep. Over time, I wasnt finishing that glass of wine with dinner. I was like, Why dont I just stop doing this for a while and see? Who knows, maybe Ill start missing it and drink again. What is an impression that people have about you that isnt accurate? Ive found that sometimes people think Im either unhappy with something or someone. Ill be watching something and Naomi sometimes is like, Oh my God, whats wrong? And Im like What? Im just watching The Profit with Marcus Lemonis! What other shows do you like? Im very excited Survivor has started again. Watch it tonight. Youll be hooked! Im sure Fox loves it when their talent promotes CBS programming. [Laughs.] Adam Scott Urges You to Watch Survivor. I also love The Crown. Its so elegant. Crashing, Last Man on Earth is great as always, Brooklyn Nine-Nine. My kids love The Goldbergs. Its so good. I feel like Adam Goldberg and I were the same kid in the 1980s. Oh, and I love Homeland. HBO recently announced that youre returning for the second season of Big Little Lies. You even got your very own press release. How does it feel knowing that people anxiously awaited the news? [Laughs.] I dont know if anyone was waiting for that information. There are a few other people on that show who are a little more interesting. Is your beard also coming back for season two? I heard you talked director Jean-Marc Vallee into letting your character have one. I dont know if were gonna have time to make that happen. That was a pretty big beard. [Laughs.] Yeah, he was like [in a French accent], A beard? What are you talking about? I was like, I grew up around here [in Northern California], I know this type of guy. Once I had it grown out, he was like, Yeah, yeah, lets do it! Big Little Lies is the biggest phenomenon of your career. Did it feel that way when you were filming? Ive never been a part of something that took off like that. When we were filming, it was certainly like, This is gonna be a big deal. I mean, its Reese, Nicole, Shailene, Zoe. But then it became this cultural thing. Ive been a part of a lot of things that have liftoff later on, but this was happening in real time. What surprised you, if anything, about working with Reese? There were moments I truly forgot we were acting. To watch her in these incredibly intimate, tough scenes scenes that easily could become melodramatic it seemed effortless. I would come home each night and marvel about what we did. It felt special. Photo-Illustration: Maya Robinson/Vulture and Photos by Getty Images Every so often, the cultural discourse resets itself, and accusations of appropriation are launched (or relaunched) at a different target. Four years ago, the offender was Miley Cyrus; two years ago, it was Macklemore and Iggy Azalea. He wrote a mea culpa about his white privilege, Iggy retreated from rap, and Miley went country. Adding a new wrinkle to the conversation is Bruno Mars, whose unmistakable references to funk, R&B, and New Jack Swing in his art have long sparked whispers of appropriation and lawsuits over alleged similarities because he is not black, but owes his success to black music. (Marss background includes Filipino, Puerto Rican, Spanish, and Ashkenazi Jewish heritage.) The debate reignited following his six Grammy wins this year including Album of the Year when a clip from a YouTube roundtable challenging Marss claim to black music went viral on Twitter last week. Writer Seren Sensei argued in the video, Bruno Mars got that Grammy because white people love him because hes not black, period. The issue is we want our black culture from non-black bodies, and Bruno Mars is like, Ill give it to you. But is the issue so black and white? What does appropriation look like when the accused appropriator and those being appropriated are both people of color, but do not share the same racial or ethnic background? Can there be a cultural exchange between two minority cultures that exists without offense? Does appropriation have any place in this debate? And is Bruno Mars, at best, his generations most talented tribute artist or, at worst, a thief? In a sequel to their conversation on appropriation, New York music critic Craig Jenkins and Vulture music columnist Frank Guan attempt to untangle the mess. If cultural appropriation is thought of as the theft of a minority culture by an oppressor, usually with malicious intent, how do we loosen the definition when people of color take from each other? And how do the rules apply to a multiracial person like Bruno Mars? Craig Jenkins: I feel like the answer to this question sits at the dawn of hip-hop, which was set in motion by a Jamaican immigrant in a community of black and Latin Americans and patronized early on by artsy downtown white folk. It was always a multiracial enterprise by nature of the lay of the land here, and I think that speaking of hip-hop as though it was historically an exclusively black art is not only a misunderstanding of how the culture worked from day one, its a disingenuous flattening of several conversations about racial identity and cultural exchange. Was Latin funk appropriation? Was the Rolling Stones Miss You a robbery? Should Eves Whos That Girl have done more to lift up Latin music? Was Miles Daviss Sketches of Spain a form of theft? The main evidence of appropriation in the YouTube roundtable discussion was the sense that hurdles that existed for black artists in the 80s arent there for Bruno now, and that his racial ambiguity is an ace in his pocket, getting him places that Michael Jackson and Prince had to fight structural music business racism to reach. You could honestly make the same argument about less racism equaling increased access for everyone working in rap and R&B now, except Im not so sure the America that marches for white supremacy by tiki torch and sets ICE traps for Dreamer activists is this happy to see a brown guy flourishing. And the shakiness of the insinuation that ambiguity played no part in Princes celebrity when it was a major thread is not lost on me. Its true that things were worse for black art 35 years ago. But its not the fault of an artist born in 1985 that that happened. Frank Guan: There are a lot of charges buried in the Bruno affair. Theres resentment against the fact that hes not an original artist. Theres resentment against the fact that white people hold nearly all of the social and economic power in America. Theres resentment against the fact that Bruno won Grammys over black artists who are original. Basically, the idea is that black people do a lot of work, creative and otherwise, and dont get recognized for it, while Bruno doesnt, and does? There is truth behind all of that, and yet the idea that Bruno Mars harmless, charming Bruno Mars is some kind of pirate seems frankly ludicrous. I just dont see the knife in his teeth. Brunos palatability to white listeners was held against him, while the fact that he has plenty of black listeners as well was skipped over. Not to mention those listeners who arent black or white. Jenkins: Lets take down the Grammy angle real quick because black artists and the Grammys have been in a war for as long as I remember. In 1989, the whole hip-hop community famously boycotted because the show wouldnt air its inaugural rap award. In 2018, they still dont show the R&B awards in broadcast. Theyve stiffed black artists on Album of the Year for several years. This year looked like a change of pace with Jay-Z, Childish Gambino, and Kendrick getting nominations for the top honor. I was miffed when DAMN. lost, but the sight of talented guys like songwriter James Fauntleroy, who writes for Mars, onstage accepting for one of the most prestigious music awards shut me up immediately. Does 24K Magic deserve that honor? Maybe not. Were black artists robbed because it won? Thats a stretch. Are the merits of the work still valid if black artists were hired to make and perform the work, but a non-black person is its face? We know Bruno Mars is careful about credit; he paid Trinidad James for the use of a lyric in Uptown Funk. But Mars has also been accused of stealing more than just a vibe from dozens of other black artists for that same song. Jenkins: Childish Gambinos Redbone is a sorta obvious retread of Bootsy Collinss Id Rather Be With You, but the writing credits went to Donald Glover and producer Ludwig Goransson. Gambinos entire Awaken, My Love! album was very specific 70s funk fan service, and I loved that about it as did fans and the Academy. By the same rule that says a half Puerto Rican guy with a black band is stealing black culture, should we not be mad at a black guy and a Swedish guy repurposing Parliament/Funkadelic licks? I dont think so, but I dont think anyone talking loudly about appropriation in pop music pays very much attention to who else is in the room during the making of a record. If they did, Im not sure we would be having this conversation. Guan: Bruno isnt just a face, but a body that dances, too. You cant really separate that aspect of him from the music itself. I dont think you can see him dance and think, Oh, hes just ripping off black artists. If you dance well, thats all you. This was what allowed rock and roll to slide on the whole cultural appropriation front for so long: Guys like Jagger or Plant or Rose had a physicality to their stage presence that, though impossible to achieve without the example of black rock artists before them, was entirely their own. You cant copy someones relation to their own body, but you can, if youre inclined and persistent, use it as a model to arrive at your own relation to your own body. Music isnt dance, but the parallels between the two are fairly obvious. Mars, backed by the people who made 24Karat Magic, during his AOTY win. Photo: WireImage Jenkins: I do think that anyone who watches Bruno dance for any length of time ought to see he loves it and he means it. Whats more, showing respect to his forebearers and getting checks for talented black and brown peers is paying it forward, and to me, the definition of cultural appropriation is taking from other cultures without giving anything back. Thats not what this is. Is there a difference when Bruno takes from R&B wholesale, and when Drake takes from other, not-famous-enough black artists, sings in patois, or cribs reggaeton music and Latinx slang? Or when Kendrick Lamar takes from kung fu? How do we measure the crimes, if there are any? Jenkins: I mean, Wu-Tang Clan got a lot of its lore and iconography from 70s Hong Kong kung fu cinema, and we bop to that shit, no questions asked. The Toronto rap authorities I looked to when Drake adopted patois said that he was tapping into a pan-African spirit in their local culture that is lost on Americans. I dont see why our understanding of what Bruno does for better or worse cant be more fluid. Guan: If Bruno were pulling a Drake and lifting phrases and flows and beats off other young artists who arent as famous, wed never hear the end of it. What Brunos doing is paying homage to artists who have already had their day, and the fact that hes gotten a pass for so long suggests that he knows what his position is, and knows not to push his luck. Kendrick isnt stealing from Asian musical artists, hes just taking on the trappings of an Asian subculture. Hes doing the Kung Fu Kenny stuff out of affection, and hes certainly not doing it because he doesnt have a style of his own. Its not like hes shooting music videos framed like Asian action flicks where he massacres a bunch of Asian dudes or anything, which is something Post Malone and the Migos have both done recently. Now that stuff is troublesome, but its also not really worth kicking up a fuss about either. Youve got to keep a sense of proportion. Honestly, I think a handful of people are coming for Bruno now because all the easier game has been taken down already. Iggy Azalea got whisked out of the paint. Justin Timberlake didnt dare to perform with a Prince hologram once people found out. Jenkins: I saw enough of Prince to be mad. Guan: The problem with seeing culture exclusively through the lens of a prosecutor is that, much like real prosecutors, youre always looking for new cases to convict. The discourse of appropriation has done just about all it can at this point. Jenkins: There are cases right now, though. You have guys like rapper 6ix9ine popularizing blick, which is derogatory slang for dark-skinned people. You have white rap influencers encouraging white people to say the N-word on air. You have white vloggers who dont have all of their facts in place reviewing rap with authority. Take the fight where it counts and leave all these talented black and brown folks be. Guan: I dont have the time to get mad at Bruno Mars or to be anything more than a bit somber over the fact that some people think Bruno is worth attacking in 2018. Like, have you seen who the president is? this is why i hate bruno mars @seren_sensei says it all pic.twitter.com/CRLktsA2ea hannie (@hannahmburrell) March 9, 2018 Now that the Bruno Mars debate has been reignited, do we need a new vocabulary to consider and engage with forms of pastiche and homage between minority cultures? What does acceptable cultural borrowing look like between people of color? Jenkins: There absolutely must be a more refined conversation about how culture passes between different minority groups, and I dont want anyone to come away from this thinking the gist of my point is Bruno is not all the way white, so he cant be stealing. This debate is really about calling down holy retribution on an album whose entire spirit was showing respect to the old school. He looks at Teddy Riley [who has defended Mars, praising his work as homage] like a king and even got Shai a check for a sample on Straight Up and Down. Few of the current faves have dared. Guan: If such a new vocabulary exists, it wouldnt exist purely or even primarily within the cultural sphere. Most of the current discourse just assumes that the American situation is the only situation there is, which is to say a white majority with money and connections set against a black minority with artistic brilliance. Whereas most people in the world arent black or white, and have musical and other cultural traditions that simply dont fit into the black-white binary. I get why there was so much backlash against rapper Rich Brian back when he was controversially named Rich Chigga, but at the same time, its not like Brian was coming from a place of towering privilege either, or that he didnt have a sound of his own. Theres no substitute for educating yourself about the entire world. White privilege is real, anti-blackness from people of color is real, male privilege is real, economic class privilege is real, but if you dont know how to account for your privilege as an American, youre not playing with a full deck. Jenkins: Rich Brian set the sensors off on himself, but I do agree that the way the conversation about race unfolds here is 100 percent specific to the terrible history of this country, and that outlook doesnt always translate well to or speak for people who exist outside of it. Ill end by going back to what I was saying earlier, which is that the idea that genre boundaries in 90s hip-hop are solid is crazy to me, as a New Yorker who has probably spent the majority of my life north of Central Park. We grew up hearing rap, R&B, house, freestyle, salsa, merengue, and dancehall, and sharing neighborhoods and party spaces. The closeness of these cultures is present in the rap from that era stop and think of how many classic rap albums have a dancehall toast in em and to pretend these cultures are not meaningfully intertwined and try to hand out roles to people by circumstance of birth just seems I dont know young? But this is the same social-media sphere that doesnt understand what an Afro-Latina is and accuses African-Americans of appropriating African culture for wearing dashikis to Black Panther. The conversation about race is flat, when the reality of identity is multidimensional. Dax Shepard. Photo: Bryan Steffy/Getty Images for SHOWTIME Dax Shepard will be visiting The Ranch as a guest star after Danny Masterson departs, reports Deadline. During the third seasons second half, Shepard is set to play a veteran who comes to town and instantly hits it off with Ashton Kutchers character, Colt Bennett. Shepard is likely temporarily filling the hole left by Masterson, who played Kutchers older brother. Netflix removed Masterson last December after multiple women came forward to accuse the That 70s Show star of rape. According to Deadline, he was canned after the studio had already filmed nine of the ten episodes in the first half of season three. Kutcher and his TV mom and dad (Debra Winger and Sam Elliott) might have to find a new guest, or permanent resident, for The Ranchs fourth season. Shepard is unlikely to stick around since hes already attached to star opposite Lake Bell in Foxs upcoming comedy Bless This Mess. Greys Anatomy Old Scars, Future Hearts Season 14 Episode 15 Editors Rating 4 stars * * * * Previous Next Photo: Mitch Haaseth/ABC Am I the only person whos super into this Marie Cerone story line? Merediths relationship with her mother is a part of the foundation of Greys Anatomy, and the fact that were still exploring it, still discovering new facets of that relationship all these years after Elliss death, is just tremendous. To those who thought Meredith wouldnt work without Derek, get out of my OR right now. Meredith has been scouring her mothers journals for some clue about why the one-time BFFs had a falling out, but is coming up short. According to the journals, Ellis and Marie were well, they were basically Meredith and Cristina. There were tequila nights and deepest darkest secrets. So when Marie shows up back at the hospital, Meredith confronts her. Is she trying to sabotage Merediths possible game-changing medical breakthrough just to get back at Ellis? Marie assures Meredith that she isnt here to sabotage shes just here to get whats hers. According to Marie, Elliss second Harper Avery Award which she won for that little thing known as the Ellis Grey Procedure was actually supposed to be the Grey-Cerone Procedure. They worked on it together: Marie even has the paper they was going to publish until Ellis published first and removed Maries name from the entire thing. Marie felt so betrayed that she moved back to Spain and never returned. Now, she is holding her polymer patent hostage. She wont allow Meredith to license the polymer unless Meredith makes a public statement revealing the truth or Maries version of the truth about her mothers second Harper Avery. After a chat with Webber, Meredith realizes that shed be dismantling her mothers legacy without her mother around to defend herself. She understands Maries anger, but this is just not something she can bring herself to do. Marie isnt going to budge. She has the polymer and now she has Merediths science. Any mini-liver breakthrough will be known as the Cerone Method. Obviously, well be revisiting this whole polymer situation at a later date. At the moment, however, there are more pressing issues to discuss. Kimmie has been wonderful and all, but we really havent had a great, memorable patient story in a while: Enter cosplay-loving teenager Charlie and his scarred heart. Maggie, Alex, and Jo are prepping to do a very cool, but risky procedure on the kids damaged heart until a transplant miraculously arrives. Charlie doesnt want the transplant. He wants to keep the heart he has because that is the heart that fell in love with his very adorable boyfriend, Henry. Death be damned! Alex echoes all of us when hes like, Uh, dude, love doesnt work that way. Normally my eyes would hurt from rolling so hard at someone wanting to forgo surgery for something as dumb as this, but, you guys, Charlie and Henry are wearing crowns and reciting poetry and they are just so stinking cute. It doesnt much matter anyway: After the good doctors explain that if Charlie turns down this heart, he may never get back on the transplant list, so Henry asks for a moment alone with Charlie and dumps the kid. Now Charlie will take the transplant after all. He doesnt care if they cut his heart out. IT IS USELESS NOW. Teen drama is the best drama. This intense display of first love gets each of our doctors thinking about their first loves, which means we finally get some flashbacks up in this place. Most are appropriately tragic, except for Maggies, which is appropriately hilarious. Her first love is Steve and she falls for him over a cadaver named Leonard. They have a funeral for Leonard, where they bury his heart and Maggie reads a poem that both declares her love for Steve and compares him to a cadaver. So, it does not have the intended effect. In Alexs flashback, we finally meet his mother. Its a big deal! In 1994, hes dating some blonde and she gets a full dose of Alexs mother one day while off her meds. Alex has to calm his mother down and he is, as expected, so good at it. Later, Alex goes to meet his girlfriend at a party and overhears her cruelly retelling the story to a group of friends. Alex is better off without her. In 2003, Jo is in high school and living in her car. A classmate, Chris, helps her out of a sticky situation and the two fall in love. Chris is great! He is kind and generous and wants a future with Jo. As he is headed off to college, he asks Jo to move in with him. Jo is supposed to pick him up and help him move into his new place, but instead she skips town. Jo is broken inside! Speaking of broken, Alex and Jo are having some troubles. Alex finds Jos applications to fellowship programs all over the country. Hes upset because he doesnt want to derail her career, but he also doesnt want to lose her. He understands that since Paul is gone, this is her first opportunity to choose to go where she wants, but he thought he was enough to make her want to stay in Seattle. True confession: I think my dislike for the Maggie and Jackson situation is making me appreciate Jo and Alex more. Is this happening to anyone else? Am I a monster? Dont answer that. Back to sweet Charlie. The transplant does not go smoothly. The new heart is too big and he ends up having to the spend the night with his chest still open, heart exposed to the world. We get the metaphor, Greys. Poor Henry comes back, thinking Charlie would be fine and he could explain he only broke up with him to get him to do the surgery, but he finds him unconscious, heart exposed. Dont fret: Charlie makes it through the second surgery and wakes up just fine. Better than fine, really. Moments after he wakes, Henry walks in wearing a surgical gown with his knight cosplay outfit drawn on it, reciting Elizabeth Barrett Brownings How Do I Love Thee? and all is right in the world once more. Jo is inspired by the grand gesture of love. Alex comes home that night to find their apartment filled with candles. Jo pours her heart out to Alex. They fit together. Shes spent her life running, but he is her home. She doesnt want to go anywhere without him. Alex searches for that pesky old engagement ring, but cant find it because Jo is wearing it! Then she proposes and Alex says yes. Actually, he says hell yes because this is Alex. This episode is so romantic! Well, except for April. She and Tom are recovering from their night together, which apparently was pretty great. April is making herself a Bloody Mary after shes done vomiting, and Tom is refusing to leave until he figures out this whole April situation. The woman he slept with the night before does not match up with the April hes met in the past including the one Amelia trusted to be her power of attorney. Or the one who lives in a very well-organized house with her 2-year-old. He plays a guessing game as to what happened to her and lands on crisis of faith. They continue to talk until Tom reveals that hes also had his own. He lost his 10-year-old son in a freak accident and got in a huge fight with God. April is surprised that Tom is an actual person and that he has some real insights into her life. Of course, before she allows herself to open up to him, she distracts him with more sex. Thankfully, Jackson gets a glimpse of Aprils weird Tom Koracick bender. He must see that April is spiraling. Help your baby mama, Jackson! Laughter Is the Best Medicine, Except for Real Medicine Is grood the new gruel? #TheLimitDoesNotExist I really want to rag on the Jackson and Maggie developments, but then Maggie goes and says she can tell us what happens in every chapter of every Harry Potter book and Im like, Thats my girl. The respect is short-lived because then they go and talk about how they are undone by each other. Looks like they are forced to go public next week, and I cannot wait to hear what Richard and Catherine will have to say! Quick update: Amelia and Owen are having lots of ex-sex and loving every minute of it. A round of applause for the casting department! The young versions of Alex, Jo, and Maggie are great. Young Jo especially! When young Alex goes to that party, TLCs Aint 2 Proud 2 Beg is playing. Dont you just love the 90s? Sob Scale: 4/10 Did you not read the part where the teen turned his surgical gown into a knights costume to reunite with his sick boyfriend? I wonder if How to Get Away with Murder knows what we really want. Because it doesnt just give us what we want. All I want is Viola Davis in a series of responsible-looking wigs delivering passionate monologues. Id listen to her explain if I should start an LLC for my freelance-writing business. Id listen to her explain in detail how car insurance works. Id listen to her explain the plot of the movie Entourage: The Movie. Just give me what I want and stop making me sit through anyone elses nonsense. I knew this episode was about to be on some bullshit when the first thing we saw was a tiny baby and not Annalise applying eyeliner silently to a synth track. While we watch the baby wriggle around, the coroner is reading off a series of injuries, and in How to Get Away with Murder land, if we dont see the face of a murder victim, its never who we expect. We all thought it was Bonnie, but when she strolls up, I felt the wind deflate from my sails. So its just some other unimportant dead person? I mean, it was a very important dead person, but it wasnt someone important to us. I literally wrote in my notes, Oh, it was the DA, who cares? We know that Laurels dad is evil. Do we need to prove it all the time? Meanwhile, Nate is on the lookout for the hard drive, Asher is coming to get his things, and Michaela is begging him not to go. Michaela also thinks that explaining why she did it will make Asher feel better and she wants to tell him shes not evil. She just did an evil thing. Asher finally tells her that hes the only one who really knows her. He knows her better than she knows herself and she cant stop herself from being herself. Asher tells her that shes a backstabbing, social-climbing and Michaela stops him before he can say bitch. Matt McNamara from Nip/Tuck is taking over the DAs office after Denvers death and Annalise calls the whole gang to meet her at her house. They all rush over and have questions like, Did Jorge hack the DAs car? Thats where were at. Did Laurels dad HACK. A. CAR. If the man can hack a car, what else can he do? Laurel gets a call from her father and hes asking where her mother is. Her mother has gone missing and if he finds out Laurel hurt her, Laurel will never see her son again. Laurel insists over and over and over and over this entire episode that she didnt do anything to her mother. Frankly, I dont care. Let that French lady disappear. Annalise doesnt have time to deal with this. They have to deal with Simon, who is demanding to know whats going on with his whistle-blower deal. So Annalise sends Michaela and Oliver to calm him down and the FBI calls to interview Laurel. The new DA is also interested in Laurel because the last person to meet with Denver was LAUREL! The name on every investigators lips is gonna be LAUREL! He tells Bonnie that maybe because Laurel just had a baby, she might have had some weird mama strength. He apologizes for his frat boy remark and they agree to be friends. Nate is looking for anything he can in Denvers files and finds a case thats been closed for a decade that Denver kept updating. He heads down to the file room and finds a locked box with a bunch of files in it. Each file is labeled with one of the Keating Gangs last names. Laurel goes to see the FBI and lies like a champion. She gives them just enough to start looking into her father, but doesnt arouse too much suspicion on herself. Nate stops by with Dominicks phone and THE HARD DRIVE! They need to rummage through all the files to find the illegal ones. Annalise takes Connor aside and he says they wont be able to try all of their class-action cases if theyve been locked up by the FBI. Annalise tells him that he needs to get back into the law school and she knows what really happened. Michaela and Oliver try to calm Simon down, but he says he doesnt want to talk to anyone but Annalise. Where is his deal? Where are the files? If they cant answer those questions, hes going to the police. Back at Annalises apartment, they dont know if theyll be able to find the illegal files fast enough because theyre well hidden and there are thousands of them. Annalise knows she has to go to the source. She heads to Tegan and tells her that she can either help them or go down with Jorge. Tegan throws her out of her office. Michaela is tired of waiting around for Simon to relax, so she suggests that they just deport him. LIKE, WHAT. That is a LEAP. Honestly, smothering him in his sleep would be a more reasonable reaction. While everyone waits around for something to happen or someone to be arrested, Connor finally reveals that he didnt drop out of law school. He was kicked out for bad grades. Its amazing that hes the only one. Does anyone have any other classes? Ive never seen these students do a paper. Asher is annoying everyone by trying to find a girl on some knockoff Tinder app and Oliver tells him to stop this faux-masculine routine to cover up his hurt feelings. Annalise is frustrated and its time to start getting results. She calls Jorge on Laurels phone and tells him its time to meet. He can recant his testimony and let Laurel have custody, or Annalise will take the files to the FBI. Jorge tries to shut Annalise down by telling her that shell never understand what its like to be a parent. ANNALISE CALLS BULLSHIT. If he really loved Laurel, he wouldnt have murdered the love of her life or taken her grandson away. Annalise also claims Wes as an example of another child shes lost. Sign the papers, Jorge. And he does. Laurel gets her baby back and he is very black and doesnt look at all like her or Wes. Whose baby is that? Frank drives her home and as theyre taking lil Christopher home, Jorge gets arrested by the FBI on the street. When Tegan was telling Annalise to get out of her office, she did that classic trick of writing down what she really meant on a piece of paper while monologuing. Shes in. She went to the FBI and shell be listed as Jane Doe the whistle-blower. With the FBI already on Jorges tail, theres still the issue of what to do with Simon, so Michaela handles it by GETTING HIM DEPORTED. MICHAELA! NO! No one wanted you to do that. Shes officially turned into a completely soulless person. Annalise scolds Michaela and says that she has finally become her and Michaela says shes finally being herself. Michaela is Michaelas ultimate form. Michaela also shrugs and says, Its not like I had him killed. Because sending a gay man with a brain injury to Pakistan isnt a death sentence. Nate calls Annalise and tells her that she should turn on her TV. The Supreme Court ruled in her favor! Victory! Annalise smiles for the first time and this is a genuinely good thing. So, when is the other shoe going to drop? The show really delays it, but of course it finally happens. Not yet, though. After a montage of everyone feeling happy Annalise is being interviewed by some sort of NPR affiliate, Bonnie and Frank are pitching in with Laurels baby, Asher is going to be Olivers best man, and Michaela is helping Connor with his law-school reapplication theres a little bit of Nate looking into the files Denver hid away about everyone. Apparently, Bonnies child might still be alive. WAIT. WHAT. Theres another light-skinned brown boy that Annalise will have to deal with and treat as a surrogate child. I CANNOT. Just let Bonnie try to date the new DA in peace. Cant we just end with Annalise singing country-ass songs to Laurels baby as Jorge rots in jail? No? See you next season, then! James Levine. Photo: AFP/AFP/Getty Images Days after he was fired over sexual-abuse allegations, former music director James Levine is suing the Metropolitan Opera, according to the New York Times. The lawsuit is seeking more than $4 million for breach of contract, damages, and defamation, and notes that Levine unequivocally denied any wrongdoing. The famed conductor was ousted on Monday after the institutions investigation concluded that there was credible evidence that Mr. Levine engaged in sexually abusive and harassing conduct toward vulnerable artists in the early stages of their careers, over whom Mr. Levine had authority. In Levines suit he puts much of the blame for his firing at the feet of Peter Gelb, the Mets general manager. Labeling the allegations against Levine as vague and unsubstantiated accusations in the press, the suit argues: It was only upon learning that the allegations would be published in the press that the Met and Gelb, cynically hijacking the good will of the #MeToo movement, brazenly seized on these allegations as a pretext to end a longstanding personal campaign to force Levine out of the Met and cease fulfilling its legally enforceable financial commitments to him. Levine spent more than four decades with the Met and conducted 2,500 performances. His name and reputation were so deeply connected with the institution that, as Justin Davidson noted, the Met might not survive the fallout, and many have been left wondering what management and the board knew about Levine and when. The Met responded to the suit with a statement denying Levines claims. Lawyer Bettina B. Plevan told the Times, The Met terminated Mr. Levines contract on March 12, following an in-depth investigation that uncovered credible and corroborated evidence of sexual misconduct during his time at the Met, as well as earlier. She added, It is shocking that Mr. Levine has refused to accept responsibility for his actions. Last night, you see, Jeff Goldblum was, mmm, on Conan to promote, well, yes, Isle of Dogs. Of course, well, Conan brought up Goldblums just fantastic, fantastic (!), hmmm, VOICE, seeing that there is, ah, well, many people who try to IMPERSONATE it. Aaahhhh, why, yes, Goldblum responded. In fact, it should be said, that Goldbum actually LIKES these impressions quite a bit. They sound just so GOOD to his, well, ears. Yes, yes, yes, it stands to, umm, reason, considering what Jeff Goldblums voice sounds, well, like. Voice (!), yes, voice, which Willem Dafoe, the actor, the actor who worked with Goldblum on The Grand Budapest Hotel, of course, and, ahhhh, yes, Adam Resurrected, described he described it as One long ribbon of transmutating verbiage with hiccups in it. That sounds, umm, well correct. Yes, yes, yes, that sounds correct. Umm hmm Jurassic Park, yessss, ahh, RAGnorak, of course, well, hmm, glasses. Two days after the widow of George Plimpton, the late founder of the Paris Review, threw a party billed Last Call at 72nd Street, the couples famous apartment soon to be sold served one last official function in the history of the literary magazine. On March 2, the living room where Norman Mailer and Gay Talese and Truman Capote once got drunk and burnished their legends was the site of a whirlwind series of job interviews. About a dozen people came before five members of the Review board of directors to make the case for why they should be the one chosen to replace Lorin Stein, whod resigned three months earlier under a fog of sexual-harassment allegations. Among the eight candidates we were able to identify, there are editors who worked closely with Stein and complete outsiders; journalists, poets, and artists; millennials and even a baby-boomer. Mostly, however, theyre white and in their 40sand all are women. (Multiple sources cited one mystery token man.) There was no doubt a feeling, says one member of the Review staff, that to do otherwise would be a middle finger to feminism. Board members tapped the candidates one by one, like pledges to an exclusive club. They were asked to submit memos and then summoned for 45-minute sessions in the riverside townhouse. The search committee, which includes novelists Mona Simpson and Jeffrey Eugenides, presented fairly conventional questions (e.g., which Review story they liked best, and why) without revealing what theyre actually looking for in a successor to Stein. It sounds a bit like being brought before a tribunal, says one friend of a candidate. It seems there was some theater of power. Interviewees were told theyd hear more in a few weeks. The roster of hopefuls, split between insiders and outsiders, suggests that the board is unsure of how much the future of the Review should resemble its past. Some women, like Leanne Shapton, are social animals; others, like Ruth Franklin, are prolific writers; and still others have strong international networks (like Granta en Espanol co-founder Valerie Miles). None have Steins combination of deep editing experience and Plimptonian party bombast, but of course the latter is what the Review hopes to jettison. Replacing him is going to be very, very difficult, because he was a sensational editor, says board member James Goodale. Having tolerated Steins excesses until the #MeToo earthquake made them intolerable, the Review has to answer to both its own editorial needs and the cultural moment. Stein was supposed to be a longtime steward of the publication, guiding its growth and guarding its artistic mission. But now the little journal that miraculously survived its founders death has again been forced to reinvent itself. The board is in an unusual position, says Slate Group editor-in-chief Jacob Weisberg, who wrote a letter in support of candidate Meghan ORourke. Theyre not bringing somebody in to fix something obviously broken. But at the same time, a new editor cant keep making the same magazine that the previous editor did. One way to ensure continuity would be to choose someone from inside the Paris Review bubble. Several candidates fit that description, which also means theyre entangled with its fraught recent history. New Yorker editor Emily Stokes has written for the Review and is, like other contenders, a friend of Steins. Nicole Rudick has been the interim editor since Steins sudden departure. Her candidacy evokes the yearlong tenure of Brigid Hughes, the woman who succeeded Plimpton after running day-to-day operations, only to be cast aside for Steins predecessor, Philip Gourevitch. ORourke, a memoirist and poet who began her career as a fiction editor at The New Yorker, was a poetry editor at the Review and a finalist for the top job twice before. Shes an amazing editor, says Weisberg while emphasizing that there are several stellar applicants in the mix. There just arent that many people particularly of her generation who have learned how to edit longform pieces the way she has, and she has fantastic literary taste and is one of the best-read people I know. Shapton, a polymath author and illustrator whos designed several Review spreads and whom one supporter credits with a really interesting mind is also backed by a strong letter of recommendation, which was sent to the board the morning after Stein resigned. Written by the novelist Sheila Heti and a few friends, the letter touts Shaptons unique and highly sophisticated vision, genius, and charisma; its signatories include Zadie Smith, Rachel Kushner, Dave Eggers, Heidi Julavits, and ten others, including a couple of editors at The New York Times Magazine. Thats a lot of firepower, but even Shaptons backers now regret the perception that they acted with unsavory speed. Complicating matters is that, a week earlier with Stein still in charge but the Review board and the Times both investigating allegations against him Shapton, ORourke, Julavits, and several other women, many of them Review alumnae, gathered at Shaptons home for a tea to hash out their feelings about Stein. Also present was Times book critic Parul Sehgal (who would eventually decline an interview offer from the board) and Deirdre Foley-Mendelssohn, a Review alum who would later be quoted in the Times saying Stein wanted us to be pretty. Shapton, who encouraged Foley-Mendelssohn to speak, also gave the Times quotes but then retracted them, pending a meeting of the board planned for December 7. Stein stepped down on the 6th, and the Times quickly published what they had, leaving Foley-Mendelssohn as the only woman quoted on the record much to her surprise. ORourke added an on-the-record quote for an updated version; Shapton did not. Three hours after the Times announced Steins resignation, Heti and others started circulating the letter, petitioning for signatures. One friend of the Review had mixed feelings on seeing it just as Steins departure was sinking in: Maybe its the kind of seize the day attitude you would want from somebody ambitious, but I was also like, Wow, no time wasted. (She didnt sign it, needless to say.) But, on the evidence of messages from that day, Shapton didnt know about the idea beforehand and stayed out of it afterward. Heti explains their thinking: She and others were worried the Review would hastily install a male editor to replace Stein. We wanted them to have the name of an impressive female editor right in front of them if they were going to make the decision the next day, Heti says. Given the boards slow reaction to the Stein accusations, a lightning-fast decision on his successor wasnt the likeliest scenario. It took them three months to compile a list of candidates. In addition to the Barcelona-based Miles, they reached out to Gaby Wood, a Londoner who runs the prestigious Booker Prize. (Another Brit, the editor Mitzi Angel, is said to have declined an interview; last week it was announced that shell be coming to New York for an even bigger job succeeding Jonathan Galassi as publisher of Steins former employer, Farrar, Straus and Giroux. Its a small world.) Yet another contender, Eliza Griswold, is a journalist-scholar more in the Gourevitch mode. Two weeks after those interviews at the townhouse, the board itself remains silent about the process. (One member, declining to speak, quipped: Bob Mueller is running this thing, and hes scary.) An email went out to applicants on Wednesday reiterating the requirement of confidentiality. According to one source, the committee has requested second interviews for the coming weeks. But according to another, they are still soliciting suggestions for new candidates. The Reviews Spring Revel, its major annual fundraiser, takes place on April 3 as hard a deadline as any for showing off a strong new leader to the people with the checkbooks. What that choice will demonstrate continuity or radical change or something in between is anyones guess. But we wouldnt put our money on the token man. The Bhagwan and his followers. Photo: Netflix The incredible tale of the volatile relationship between the members of the Rajneeshpuram commune and the residents of an Oregon town that the community decided to call home received a great deal of media attention in the 1980s. Local and national news covered it, especially as it escalated into a broader, more sweeping story that involved federal criminal prosecution. The Oregonian ran a massive investigative piece about it and has done follow-ups since. The guru, Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh, whose followers lived on the commune, and his controversial personal secretary, Ma Anand Sheela, appeared on 60 Minutes, and Johnny Carson sang a song about the Bhagwan on The Tonight Show. Somehow I missed the whole thing. I guess I was too busy on the other side of the country, collecting puffy stickers and ripping pictures of Duran Duran out of Tiger Beat, to notice what was happening. If youre like me, Wild, Wild Country, a new six-part docuseries that lands today on Netflix, will open your eyes to what is a flat-out crazy and fascinating chapter in American history. It is a story that involves religion, free love, land use disputes, one of the co-founders of Nike, an exalted guru, abuse of power, arson, the wife of one of the producers of The Godfather, attempted murder, mass poisoning, an obsession with Rolls-Royces, the homeless, election battles, and one extremely bizarre anecdote about attempting to contaminate a towns water supply using blended beaver parts. That is only the tip of the iceberg. Someone will write a book about this, an Oregon official says in footage that appears in episode one, and I will guarantee you when that book comes out, people will say that its fiction. In the 80s, he couldnt have imagined Netflix, or anticipated a docuseries like this one. Directed by sibling filmmakers Chapman and MacLain Way and produced by another pair of brothers, Mark and Jay Duplass, Wild Wild Country immediately suggests that its narrative will wind toward some intriguing places, but devotes much of its first episode to explaining the history of the cultlike religion built around the teachings of a man who advocates for fully living life via open sex, freedom of individual expression, and meditation. Part two begins to explore in more depth the conflicts that arise after the Bhagwan and his followers move their headquarters to a sprawling 80,000-acre ranch in the rocky hills near Antelope (population: 40) in 1981. The longtime residents in town and near the ranch including Jon Bowerman, the son of Bill Bowerman, who designed the original Nike sneaker realize the Rajneeshees, who dress in various shades of red and orange like a more colorful version of The Leftovers Guilty Remnant, are trying to build a mini-town of their own. The old-timers grow concerned. A dispute arises over whether the property can be used for that purpose, prompting the Rajneeshees to start purchasing plots in town, more than doubling Antelopes population and making it pretty easy for them to get the votes needed to win a majority of the seats on the city council. The town name is changed from Antelope to Rajneeshpuram. Thats only the beginning of what transpires over a tumultuous several years, for the state of Oregon, the Rajneeshee believers, and the government agents who get tugged into the case when it becomes clear that some higher-level crimes may be going down on that ranch. Like most good documentarians, the Ways conduct interviews with key figures in this drama without fully passing judgment on any of them and leaving it up to viewers to draw their own conclusions. There are moments, especially early on, when it seems like the citizens of Antelope may be acting purely out of bigotry and fear of the unknown. Some of the rhetoric used by locals in extensive archival news footage some of which has the muddy audio quality and janky visuals of an old VHS tapes is not terribly dissimilar from the way hard-line politicians and Americans talk now about keeping immigrants out of the United States. The Rajneesh faithful who appear on camera all sound perfectly rational and look like the kind of graying, progressive adults you might accidentally bump your cart into at your local Trader Joes. They still talk in glowing, tearful terms about their time living on the ranch and the impact that the Bhagwan, later renamed Osho, had on their lives. A lot of the time they seem pretty harmless? But then you remember that, oh yeah, some of them were apparently responsible for, among other things, causing a salmonella outbreak deemed the largest attack of biological terrorism in the United States. While initially the Rajneeshpuram leaders used dirty but legal tactics to pursue their interests, after a while there was talk of killing people to get what you wanted, to get them out of the way, says Jane Stork, a gentle Australian woman with a gray bob who used to go by the name Shanti Padra. She eventually served time in prison for attempted murder. By far the most fascinating, multi-faceted person in this series is Ma Anand Sheela, a.k.a. Sheela Birnstiel, who, as the Bhagwans closest aide and spokeswoman, became the most public and outspoken face of the Rajneeshpuram community. Talking now, as a petite senior citizen who works with the elderly in Germany and possesses a calming Indian accent, she seems about as threatening as Aziz Ansaris mother on Master of None. But the docuseries reminds us that she was a fiery, unapologetic, and ruthless warrior for her people, dropping profanities during televised interviews with Phil Donahue and Ted Koppel and making it clear she wouldnt hesitate to resort to violence if necessary. Do you think a person like you will make me run for cover? she says defiantly to one white male broadcast journalist at one point in the early 80s. Thats a joke. You cant help but admire the womans tenacity in a lot of ways. But she also never shows remorse about any pain and suffering she may have caused and, by the accounts of those who investigated her as well as those who lived with her, had no moral compass. In short, this woman makes Walter White look like Mary Poppins. She is fascinating. Someone should make a limited series just about her. Given the obsession Hollywood has with projects about cults these days, they probably will. Between American Horror Story: Cult, Paramount TVs Waco, and the forthcoming Quentin Tarantino film about Charles Manson, we cant seem to get enough of stories like this, perhaps because were fascinated by what can compel a person to give up their ordinary life and devote their existence to someone they perceive as exalted. We never think that we could be persuaded by what looks like one massive diabolical con job. But how can we be so sure? The kicker on this docuseries subtly drives that point home by looking at who eventually took over the land where the Rajneeshees once lived, fornicated, and meditated. Its now owned by Young Life, a ministry that hosts camps for teens who want to devote themselves to the teachings of Jesus Christ. Young Life is made up of people like you, says the organizations website, who know that life was meant to be fully lived. NORTH PORT, Fla. (AP) - A man who once claimed he helped bury the remains of a missing Alabama girl in Aruba has died after police say he was stabbed during a foiled kidnapping in Florida. The Tampa Bay Times reports 32-year-old John Christopher Ludwick tried to kidnap a woman Wednesday as she exited her driveway in North Port. Police said she fought back, and Ludwick was stabbed in the struggle. He ran, but officers found him in a wooded area. He died at a hospital. The Times reports Ludwick was a friend of Joran Van der Sloot, the prime suspect in the 2005 kidnapping of Natalee Holloway. Van der Sloot is in prison now for an unrelated murder. North Port police say they've informed authorities involved in the Holloway case of Ludwick's death. (Copyright 2018 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.) (CNN) -- More than 11,000 miles and about 48 hours later, Irgo has finally arrived at his new home in Kansas. The Swindle family reunited with the beloved dog Thursday in Wichita, two days after United Airlines mistakenly sent the 10-year-old German shepherd across the world to Japan. "He instantly jumped up and was crying," Kara Swindle told CNN affiliate KSNW of the moment when they were reunited. "When he's super excited, he cries." "It feels actually amazing to finally have him back," she added. The Swindles were in the midst of moving from Oregon to Kansas this week. They had sent Irgo on a cargo flight to Kansas City, but when they went to retrieve him, he was nowhere to be found. In his place, they discovered a Great Dane that was supposed to be en route to Japan. "It was just instant tears," Swindle told CNN's Chris Cuomo on Friday with Irgo safely at her side. "I didn't even know what to think. I was just so worried about where my dog was instead." The mix-up sent the Swindles into a panic. It was Irgo's first time flying; on top of that, he had come down with an ear infection before the flight, Swindle said. She said the airline was unable to confirm Irgo was on the flight to Japan until it touched down nearly eight hours after she went to pick up her pet. The airline apologized and said it would arrange the return of the pets to their owners as soon as possible. United, Swindle said, was prepared to send Irgo back to the States in cargo, but she and her husband put their foots down. "We told them, 'Absolutely not. You need to be doing this our way now. He is to be flying in the cabin, and honestly we don't care how it happens. You just need to get it done,' " Swindle said. On Thursday, Irgo was flown from Narita, Japan, to Wichita on a United corporate jet. The flight was more than 11 hours long, but Swindle told KNSW she was glad to see Irgo "being treated like the king he is." "Ready to go home now?" Swindle asked Irgo as she helped him get to their SUV at the airport. The Great Dane that was mistakenly sent to Kansas was on his way back to Japan on Thursday, the airline said. The snafu was the second embarrassment this week for United. On Monday, a French bulldog died on a Houston-to-New York flight after a flight attendant told its owners to put the dog in an overhead bin. The airline said it was investigating the dog's death "to prevent this from ever happening again." "I will definitely never fly United again," Swindle said Friday. The-CNN-Wire & 2018 Cable News Network, Inc., a Time Warner Company. All rights reserved. BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - A grand jury has indicted four people on charges in the death of a Louisiana State University student whose blood-alcohol content was more than six times the legal limit for driving. The state grand jury issued the indictments Thursday, six months after 18-year-old Maxwell Gruver's death. The freshman from Roswell, Georgia, died at a hospital after Phi Delta Theta members found him lying on a couch at the fraternity house and couldn't tell if he was breathing. The jury indicted 20-year-old Matthew Alexander Naquin of Boerne, Texas, on a charge of felony negligent homicide, and three others on a misdemeanor charge of hazing. The felony charge is punishable by up to five years in prison. The misdemeanor is punishable by up to a maximum of 30 days in jail. (Copyright 2018 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.) 3/15/2018 3:39:56 PM (GMT -5:00) ATMORE, Ala. (AP) - The Latest on the planned execution of Michael Wayne Eggers: Alabama has executed a man who killed his employer at a traveling carnival decades ago and later dropped appeals and asked for the death sentence to be carried out. Authorities say 50-year-old Michael Wayne Eggers was pronounced dead at 7:29 p.m. CDT Thursday after an injection at the state prison in Atmore. Eggers was sentenced to death for the 2000 capital murder of Bennie Francis Murray, 67, in Walker County. Eggers final words were, no maam, when the warden asked him if he had a final statement. In 2016, following disagreements with his attorneys, Eggers asked Alabama to quickly schedule his execution. His former lawyers had tried to stop the execution, arguing Eggers was mentally ill and incompetent when he decided to drop appeals and fire his lawyers. 5 p.m. An Alabama prisoner who asked to be put to death now says he wants no attorneys to visit him or witness his upcoming execution. Michael Wayne Eggers is opposing efforts by his former attorneys to stop the execution, and has asked the state to schedule it. He is scheduled to be put to death at 6 p.m. CDT Thursday. His former attorneys want the U.S. Supreme Court to intervene. They argue that Eggers is mentally ill and delusional. A prison spokeswoman said Eggers requested that no attorneys be allowed to visit him or witness the lethal injection. Eggers met with friends and family Thursday, but not attorneys. Eggers was sentenced to death for the 2000 strangulation murder of his employer, Bennie Francis Murray. Prosecutors said Eggers admitted to strangling Murray during an argument. ____ 12:01 a.m. A man convicted of killing his employer is set to be executed by the state of Alabama after dropping his appeals and asking to be put to death. Fifty-year-old Michael Wayne Eggers is scheduled to receive a lethal injection at 6 p.m. Thursday at a southwest Alabama prison. Eggers was sentenced to death for the 2000 strangulation murder of his employer, Bennie Francis Murray. Prosecutors said Eggers admitted to strangling Murray during an argument. Eggers dropped his appeals and had asked the state to quickly schedule his execution. His former attorneys have asked the U.S. Supreme Court to intervene. They argue Eggers suffers from schizophrenia and delusions and was mentally incompetent when he made that decision. The state attorney general's office is asking the court to let the execution proceed. (Copyright 2018 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.) 3/15/2018 5:07:33 PM (GMT -5:00) Retail conglomerate Wesfarmers says it plans to spin Coles off into a separate company. The company said on Friday morning it intended to demerge the supermarket chain, its largest division, to create a new top-30 company listed on the Australian Securities Exchange. Coles is set to split from its parent and become a separate company. Credit:Michael Clayton-Jones Wesfarmers said the move would allow it to focus on growing its other divisions, which include Bunnings, Kmart, Target and Officeworks, and look for opportunities to buy new businesses. The Coles Group, bought by Wesfarmers in 2007, accounts for about 60 per cent of the conglomerate's tied-up capital, but generates only 34 per cent of its earnings. A concentration of underpaid workers has been uncovered in western Sydney, with almost two- thirds of businesses audited found to be seriously short-changing workers or failing to keep proper pay records. The Fair Work Ombudsman investigation found that 64 per cent of almost 200 businesses audited were breaching workplace laws in suburbs including Cabramatta, Guildford, Mount Druitt, Fairfield and Merrylands. Fair Work Ombudsman Natalie James said businesses that were underpaying workers and not issuing them with correct pay records were on notice that future breaches could result in serious enforcement action. She said her agency would not hesitate to take action where deliberate or repeated breaches of the law were identified. The Prime Minister's invitation to principals to tackle bullying is welcome on this National Day of Action against Violence and Bullying. "Bullying and violence has no place in Australia," Mr Turnbull said when announcing extra funding to schools to tackle the problem. His interest is welcome. We must continue to fight bullying. Credit:Janie Barrett It may be an inconvenient truth, but bullying is not only found in schools; it is commonplace in the institutions of our everyday life, from workplaces to our roads, even to our parliaments. Children are moulded as much by what they learn in school as through observation of others. All adults parents, teachers, bosses, politicians - have a responsibility to set an example to our young people. Those in public life who belittle and insult each other, their behaviour channelled onto your screens, have an obligation to help stamp out this menace by addressing their own conduct. "It's madness. You do not put your hand in the pocket of voters one week out from a byelection, no matter the demographic or how far you're reaching into their pockets." A Labor insider is speaking of both anger and fear bubbling within the federal opposition party as it heads to the already fraught byelection of Batman, the long-time Labor seat in Melbournes inner north that is under serious assault by The Greens. Though no one will put their name publicly to it, many Labor strategists are dumb-founded by Bill Shortens decision, just a few days from the poll, to announce a policy that abolishes cash-back share dividend imputation, stopping tax refunds being paid to more than 1 million Australian retirees and shareholders who don't pay tax on their income. Shorten and his finance spokespeople appear to have gambled that young Greens and so-called rusted on older Labor voters who dominate the electorate either side of Bell Street - the much ballyhooed hipster-proof fence - either feel they wont be hit by the policy or will be attracted to the sales pitch of get the fat cats and redistribute the money for services. Singapores Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong has warned against Asia splitting into rival blocs as part of a looming Darwinian shake-up of security alliances. In an interview ahead of this weekends ASEAN meeting in Sydney, Mr Lee has also said the most critical issue facing the region remains the political and strategic resolve of the United States to continue as a reliable and constructive player in the western Pacific. And he has suggested Australia should be open to joining Beijings $1 trillion belt and road initiative under which China would fund infrastructure projects in Australia - though he has stressed the decision is Canberras. Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, second from left, with Malcolm Turnbull and other leaders at the 2017 East Asia Summit. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen Mr Lee, widely regarded as one of the most strategically adept of Asias leaders, painted a picture of a region undergoing dynamic shifts - many of which will be hotly discussed in Sydney where leaders from south-east Asia are gathering - but one in which the region should not line up against a rising China. Indonesian President Joko Widodo's support for Australia to join the Association of South-East Asian Nations has received a warm response from the Coalition and Labor, with both sides trumpeting the importance of the regional body but making clear that membership was a decision for ASEAN leaders. In an exclusive interview with Fairfax Media ahead of a special ASEAN summit in Sydney this weekend, the Indonesian President endorsed Australia's admission as a "good idea" that would would bolster political and economic stability in the region. While various Australian prime ministers have contemplated seeking membership of the group, none have publicly pursued it while in office. The current Indonesian President widely known as "Jokowi" is the first to throw his support behind the move, which could transform Australia's strategic position. Last week, I got trapped inside my pants. It was Oscars day and also the opening night of the Melbourne Fashion Festival, so you might say things were a little hectic. Even expensive clothes can have cheap and weak zips. Credit:Shutterstock That morning, I pulled on my polkadot culottes, fresh from the dry cleaner, and set off to work. After three hours of red carpet coverage, I got up for a bathroom break, before commencing to write my report for the next days paper. Loading brush. The good news is you don't need a top-of-the-range one to get the job done, but you might need to change the way you brush to feel the benefit. Dentist Dr Toby Edwards-Lunn says that the sticky plaque on your teeth comes away with much less effort with an electric toothbrush, and you don't need to spend too big. "You could spend 150 ($266) on one with a sensitivity function, a tongue-brushing action, and an app for your phone so you can find out if you're brushing the right areas of your mouth and where you're missing," he explains. "But a 30 ($53) model - such as something from the Oral B's 2000 range - will do fine. You just need one with a two-minute timer", which is the minimum recommended brushing time. (Note that the Oral B 2000 range retails for $89+ in Australia.) Studies have confirmed that brushes with rotating heads are more likely to reach every bit of your mouth than manual brushing - just as long as you follow a few rules. Rather than the traditional method of up-and-down brushing, hold the rotating head still on the tooth for a couple of seconds, before moving slowly to the next. It's recommended that you mentally divide up your mouth into quartiles and spend at least half a minute on each zone. "You can get electric brushes that buzz every 30 seconds as a reminder," says Dr Edwards-Lunn. "Just make sure your toothbrush is fully charged at all times: the speed of its head rotation is key." Steer clear of fancy toothbrushes If you prefer a manual toothbrush, pay attention to the bristles. Using a "Firm" toothbrush may Loading deliver a more satisfying, deep-clean feel, but studies show they can be abrasive and contribute to enamel erosion. Instead, dentists recommend sticking to toothbrushes with "Medium" or "Soft" bristles. Small-headed brushes are also preferable, as they can better reach all three external surfaces of your teeth - the outside, the inside and the biting surfaces. Just make sure to change it every three months. Replacements for electric toothbrushes aren't as cheap as the analogue variety, but don't be dazzled by the entire range of orthodontic rotating brush heads on sale, says Dr Edwards-Lunn. "One with end-rounded bristles and a small head the size of a molar tooth with suffice for a few months." Don't bother with mouthwash "If you've got a good toothbrush and toothpaste, you don't need a mouthwash," says Dr Edwards-Lunn. "Use it to freshen up between brushes if you want to, but otherwise it's a waste of money." In recent years, some experts have also argued that mouthwashes, which mostly all contain alcohol, could be a contributory factor to mouth cancer. But, Dr Edwards-Lunn says, while there has been no conclusive evidence to suggest as much, there is really no need to use it on a daily basis. Loading What's more, a new health study has suggested red wine could actually be beneficial to oral health, reducing the ability of plaque-causing bacteria to stick to the teeth and gums. Researchers found compounds from the drink, known as polyphenols, helped fend off harmful bacteria in the mouth. But before you start rinsing with pinot noir, bear in mind that the acidic nature of wine means it can damage the enamel. Which is why you should... ...Never brush your teeth after a night out The one occasion you should not brush your teeth before going to bed is after a spot of heavy carousing. With that horrible furry feeling still on your teeth, Dr Edwards-Lunn explains that, rather than reaching for the toothbrush, the best course of action is to swill a little mouthwash and then brush in the morning. Otherwise, you could be doing more damage than good - especially if your alcoholic drink of choice was fizzy. "If you have been on the prosecco, or spirits with a cola mixer, the surface of your teeth is going to have been softened by the drink's acidity. This is not the time to be brushing that softened enamel, as you risk causing permanent damage. If you want to freshen up before going to bed, this is one of the few times mouthwash is of any use at all." Either floss every day or not at all Flossing is, without doubt, the best way to release the plaque that builds up between your teeth. But if you aren't going to do it every single day without fail, Dr Edwards-Lunn says it isn't worth the effort at all. "After 24 hours, plaque - that film you feel if you run your tongue around your mouth - is starting to do its damage. If you leave it two or three days between flosses, your gums will already have begun to react to that plaque, and that damage just carries on." If realistically you're only ever going to be an occasional flosser, it's time to give up altogether, as you're not achieving a great deal by this sporadic flossing. Never brush straight after breakfast The time of day when you choose to brush is crucial. It should be the last thing you do before you go to sleep, but you should never, Dr Edwards-Lunn warns, wash your mouth out after brushing. Spit... and go to bed. "That way, it stays on your teeth as you hit the pillow. It'll be in your mouth for around 20 minutes, really doing some good, remineralising your teeth." Then, in the morning, resist the temptation to wait until after breakfast to brush your teeth - do it as soon as you wake up. "You'll have less plaque after brushing your teeth, which means fewer cavity-forming bugs. That way, when you sit down for breakfast, the risk of decay is lower." Use sugar-free gum The worst time to brush your teeth is immediately after drinking or eating anything acidic - so, instead of brushing, it's better to neutralise the acidity a different way. Drink or eat something which contains a high level of calcium and phosphate, such as cheese or a glass of milk, as they will help to reverse the damage being done to the outer surfaces of the teeth. He is known as "Business" and along with his associates "Maestro" and "Snowstar" Canadian man Vincent Ramos is alleged to have built an $80 million encrypted phone empire used by organised criminals worldwide - and his biggest clientele base was in Australia. Mr Ramos, the chief executive of Phantom Secure, and four of his associates were indicted in the US on Friday in connection with their role with the Canada-based company that allegedly sold modified BlackBerrys to criminal networks. The five have now been charged with knowingly participating in a criminal enterprise that "facilitated the transnational importation and distribution of narcotics through the sale and service of encrypted communications". Phantom Secure offered modified BlackBerry and Android devices they said were uncrackable. Credit:phantomsecure.com "Phantom Secure has generated approximately $80 million in annual revenue since 2008 and facilitated drug trafficking, obstruction of justice and violent crime around the world," the US Federal Bureau of Investigations said in a statement. Dear Bupa, I am an anaesthetist who works in a number of NSW hospitals and I am concerned your members - my patients - are about to be harmed by the changes you have decided to make to your no gap health insurance policy. And the public health system will suffer too. Consider my hypothetical patient. She is a young and healthy woman in her 20s who has private health insurance in order to avoid the Medicare levy surcharge and because she receives a rebate on her insurance premiums from the tax payer, but also because she gains peace of mind from knowing that if the worst was to happen and she was to have an emergency, her extra investment in private health cover would ensure she received the best possible treatment. Private health insurer Bupa says it will no longer cover emergency procedures in public hospitals. Credit:Glenn Hunt Lets say this poor woman is involved in an accident and badly breaks her leg. She is flown to a public regional hospital via helicopter and told she will need urgent surgery to avoid serious complications. Cheese from Moondarra Cheese in the Melbourne suburb of Dandenong is sold around the world, including across Australia in Coles supermarkets. Co-owner Nick Katis says he hopes Coles' demerger from Wesfarmers, announced on Friday, will have a positive impact on his business, which employs 40 full-time staff. Nick Katis (left) and Matt Freeman (right) are the owners of Moondarra Cheese. "My first gut reaction is the fact that they will have a standalone focus on supermarkets, I would say that is a better situation than being part of an enormous conglomerate of retail given that we are a food manufacturer and only deal with Coles, not the other parts," he said. Coles makes up around 10 per cent of Moondarra's sales, with the cheese maker turning over $22 million last year. London: NASA astronauts and identical twins Scott and Mark Kelly have shared a lot in their extraordinary lives. Born a few minutes apart, they were both US Navy captains, both flew on the space shuttle and both spent time aboard the International Space Station (ISS). But NASA has found that life away from planet Earth has exacted a surprising toll. The 54-year-old pair are, it seems, no longer genetically identical twins. Although Nasa pointed out that the twins' underlying DNA has not altered, they said Scott's genes were now behaving very differently to his brother's. The piles of cow manure kept his shoe-less feet warm. And he ran away - often - to avoid night-time terrors too horrible to face. His stories aren't so funny these days. 'He thought he was going on a holiday' As a six-year-old, my dad was taken from his single mother and the bleak public housing flat in the north of England he shared with his three brothers and sister. My grandfather had shot through and left his wife and brood of scrappy kids with nothing. After a few years at Fairbridge. An idea to populate the colonies with British kids torn from disadvantaged homes brought the authorities knocking on my impoverished grandmother's door. The promise of a better life for her children saw her sign away her babies to men in suits, who knew better than her what was best for her children. Soon to be shipped to Australia, my dad and his siblings were taken to London. A last-ditch attempt by their mum to keep her children was ignored. It was too late. My dad had his seventh birthday on the ship that carried him to Fremantle in 1953. He thought he was going on a holiday; he had no idea what he was about to face, or that the next 10 years of his life would lead to post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, anger, and a deep and abiding sadness you can see when you look in his eyes. Abuse in state care, and the plan for redress Violent cottage mothers and sadistic supervisors were par for the course, not just at Fairbridge, but at farm schools housing child migrants all over Australia. It amazes me my dad was capable of love at all, having grown up with precious little of it in his own life. Birthdays went ignored, there were no Christmas presents, and the threat of abuse hung over his head every day he spent at Fairbridge. In 2009 he applied for - and received - financial compensation through the Redress WA scheme for victims of child abuse while under state care. Dad often seeks refuge in his shed in Mandurah. Credit:Kate Hedley He used some of the money to return to the UK to re-connect with his mother. But five decades is a long time to make up for, and within a couple of years of their reunion my grandmother was dead, having never been able to forge a strong or meaningful connection with my dad. Now a national redress scheme is offering further compensation for those who were abused in state care. The aim is to provide support to those who were sexually abused while in the care of an institution. Subject to the passage of legislation, the scheme will start on July 1 and will run for 10 years, with a maximum pay-out of $150,000 to victims. Not that money makes anything better. My dad still wakes up screaming. He still misses his mum. New South Wales and Victoria have already signed up to the scheme, but questions remain over whether Western Australia will opt in. In the end, it doesn't really matter how long WA drags its feet on joining. It won't change much for my dad. What it may mean, though, is my old man gets a chance to go home one last time, and try to put some of his demons to rest. A WA Police officer has been stood down from operational duties over an arrest incident on Australia Day. It follows an ongoing investigation by the Internal Affairs Unit. Its alleged the officer used excessive force and inappropriate language during the arrest of a 16-year-old boy on Australia Day this year. In a media release WA Police said the officer, a constable from the South Metropolitan District, is further alleged to have made inappropriate comments to the boys mother. Internal affairs are still investigating the incident. "We were used as live guinea pigs." That is how Ray Whitby describes his time on Alpha Island, off northern Western Australia, after Britain completed nuclear weapons testing in September 1956. WA Premier Mark McGowan has supported the issue. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen The then 19-year-old sailor had been aboard HMAS Fremantle and was wearing shorts and sandals when he was exposed to radiation. "There is no excuse whatsoever," he said. New York: Vanessa Trump filed for divorce from Donald Trump jnr, the US President's eldest child and co-head of the family's real estate business, according to court records. The pair, who wed in November 2005, were listed as parties in an uncontested matrimonial case late on Thursday in New York state court in Manhattan. Documents for the proceeding were blocked from public view online. Trump jnr and his younger brother, Eric, were put in charge of the Trump Organisation before their father took office in January. They have no official roles in the Trump administration but were active in President Donald Trump's campaign and members of the transition team's executive committee. Trump jnr's lawyer, Alan Futerfas, didn't immediately return a call. Loading... It took about 24 hours for Leicester theatregoers to snap up all of the available tickets for the first dates of the Les Miserables UK tour which opens in the city next autumn. Last night Curve limbered up for that juggernaut of a show by welcoming yet another much-loved hit West End musical. Compared to the longevity of Les Mis, Tim Minchin and Dennis Kelly's reimagining of Matilda is a mere seven or so years old but is firmly established as a classic British musical in its own right, and upon witnessing a thunderous reception for this knockout touring cast of grown-ups and children, it's easy to see why. Roald Dahl reportedly wrestled with his story about a girl blessed with extraordinary talents, and while the musical itself was hardly a rush job (Minchin, Kelly and director Matthew Warchus spent years developing the project for the RSC), the wait was oh-so-worth-it. Already seen in 60 cities worldwide, Matilda has played to eight million people since it opened as a Christmas show in Stratford-upon-Avon. Matilda (Nicola Turner) has the misfortune of being saddled with a set of loser parents, played to perfection by Rebecca Thornhill and Sebastien Torkia. Thornhill's Mrs Wormwood craves more time with her dance partner Rudolpho (Matt Gillett) and less time burdened by the demands of family life. Those "dinners don't microwave themselves," she reminds Mr Wormwood. But her husband barely notices. When he's not trying to con innocent motorists into buying rigged cars from him, he's scratching his stupid head, puzzled how he and the missus have produced a daughter (whom he insists on referring to as a boy) with such dazzling gifts for words and numbers. School might be the answer and initially, it is. Fans of the 1996 Hollywood film of the same name will remember how Matilda blows the mind of her teacher who notices the five year-old's incredible capacity for solving complex mathematics. In Carly Thoms's beautiful interpretation of teacher Miss Honey we see the moment, too, but there is an especially powerful sense of moral responsibility; all differences need addressing, including Matilda's super-powers. Miss Honey's attempts to cultivate Matilda's mind the child has already read Dickens and Dostoevsky are thwarted by the fearsome yet fearful headmistress Miss Trunchbull. Craige Els reprises the role he played to acclaim for three years in the West End. He is sensational as the battleaxe head nasty enough to trip up a poor kid while leading a gym class in a gloriously theatrical set piece. One bit of business, which I won't spoil, particularly hits the spot. In ever-fetching beige a great contrast to the vivid orange, purple and green in the Wormwood home scenes (delicious design from Rob Howell) Trunchbull struts across the space: menacing, suspicious. Imagine the lovechild of Richard III and Peggy Mount, raised by Felonius Gru. Grotesque, cartoon-like, yes but Els plays it truthfully, never seeking cheap laughs, and the rewards are greater for it. At this level of showbusiness, the actress cast as Matilda requires a demanding checklist of skills. Auditions were held in London, Birmingham and Manchester to find the four performers required to navigate the role for the rest of the year, and in Turner they have found a little star. She sings, smiles and bounces her way into our hearts with not an ounce of sugar or schmaltz. Minchin's score in turn, punchy and addictive (Matilda's call-to-arms in "Naughty" springs to mind) to the tenderness of "When I Grow Up" and "My House" is quietly brilliant, only fully hitting you late on, like a heavy book dropped on your head. Kelly's script is rock solid on story and boosted by a joke a minute, while Peter Darling's choreography superbly captures the energy of youth. Matilda channels hope and celebrates difference. Powerful, funny and beautifully musical, it reminds us who we are, and who we might be. It would also appear from the smiles of every theatregoer leaving the building, we are more or less the same. Matilda runs at Leicester Curve until 24 March. It will then continue touring until 17 August 2019. By Jina Belcher Ground zero for federal efforts to boost communities reeling from the downturn[Read More] Forty medical marijuana businesses across the state will not be opening on Friday. The Detroit News is reporting state officials and state police gave the businesses cease and desist orders on Thursday. The state department of licensing and regulatory affairs is shutting down medical marijuana businesses operating illegally because they haven't submitted applications to the state for a license. The deadline to do that was February 15th. Any shop that didn't meet the deadline and continues to operate without sending in an application will potentially lose out on getting a license. The department says this is just the beginning, as hundreds more are expected to get cease and desist letters in the coming days. Michigan voters passed a medical marijuana law in 2008, which allowed caregivers to grow a small amount of the plant for patients with medical marijuana cards. The Legislature passed bills in 2016 to regulate and tax medical marijuana. iStock/Thinkstock(WASHINGTON) -- Top House Democrats are accusing the White House and State Department of forcing out administration officials not considered sufficiently loyal to President Donald Trumps agenda. Citing emails provided by a whistleblower, Reps. Elijah Cummings, D-Md., and Eliot Engel, D-N.Y., the ranking members of the House Oversight and Foreign Affairs committees, wrote to White House chief of staff John Kelly and Deputy Secretary of State John Sullivan raising questions about what they see as an apparent effort to target career civil servants at the State Department. The State Department confirmed that it had received the letter Thursday afternoon and "will comply with Congress' request," according to spokesperson Heather Nauert, who said she had never heard of outside groups pressuring the department to making staffing changes. "This is the first I've heard of it in this letter," she said. A number of emails, reviewed by ABC News, focus on former State Department official Sahar Nowrouzzadeh, a career official who worked on the Iran nuclear deal under President Obama at the State Department and on the White House National Security Council. Nowrouzzadeh was the subject of a March story from a conservative outlet describing her as a trusted Obama aide who was burrowing into the government under President Trump. She wrote to Brian Hook, her supervisor and director of the secretarys policy planning staff, to push back on the story from the Conservative Review. I am and have been a career civil servant for nearly 12 years now, she wrote in her email to Hook. I began government service in the Bush Administration at DOD/NSA after graduating college and have focused on Iran in various capacities ever since. Ive adapted my work to the policy priorities of every administration I have worked for. Nowrouzzadeh asked to meet with Hook to discuss the story and said she was worried about her safety. Hook forwarded her note to other Trump appointees, including Secretary of State Rex Tillerson's deputy chief of staff Christine Ciccone; his deputy, Ed Lacey; and Matt Mowers. I know she is, in fact, a career civil servant, Lacey replied, adding that she served on the Obama National Security Council, and promoted and defended the Iran nuclear deal with enthusiasm. In another email, he refers to Nowrouzzadeh as one of a handful of "Obama/Clinton loyalists not at all supportive of President Trump's foreign policy agenda." In a subsequent email, Julia Haller, formerly the State Departments White House liaison, wrote that it would be easy to get a detail suspended, and claimed Nowrouzzadeh was born in Iran and cried when the president won. The Connecticut-born Nowrouzzadeh, currently a research fellow at the Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs at Harvards Kennedy School of Government, was later removed from her assignment on the State Departments policy planning staff in a manner that was not in accordance with that which was explicitly stated in my [memorandum of understanding]," she wrote to State Department officials in an email regarding a Politico story about her reassignment. She did not respond to ABC News request for comment. The emails also appear to reveal that conservatives outside the administration were in touch with State Department and White House officials with concerns about career staff. David Wurmser, a former adviser to Vice President Dick Cheney, emailed the Conservative Review story about Nowrouzzadeh to Trump adviser and former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, who forwarded it along to Margaret Peterlin, then-Secretary of State Rex Tillersons chief of staff. I think a cleaning is in order here, Wurmser wrote to Gingrich. I hear Tillerson has been reasonably good on stuff like this and cleaning house, but there are so many that it boggles the mind." The emails also identify several White House officials, including Deputy White House Counsel Makan Delrahim, who were aware of the story and communicating about Nowrouzzadeh. He had received a note with the story from a judicial strategy distribution list from Barbara Leeden, a conservative activist. Nowrouzzadeh was one of several officials viewed with suspicion in the early days of the Trump administration. In one email to himself titled Derek notes -- a reference to National Security Council Senior Director Derek Harvey, according to a congressional aide -- Hook listed several other officials and notes about their loyalty, and described one as a turncoat who is fully political. In their letter, Cummings and Engel have asked the State Department and White House for transcribed interviews with White House and State Department officials regarding Nowrouzzadehs detail and reassignment, along with relevant documents and communications. The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment. During the briefing with reporters at the State Department, Nauert defended career employees as "extremely professional" and "almost blind to politics." "They may not always like the policy that they are asked to advance on behalf of this administration and the American people, but my personal experience has been that people have done that and handled it in a very professional matter," she said. Copyright 2018, ABC Radio. All rights reserved. WiGBits Headline News Would you like to receive our WiGBits? Signup today! WiG Entertainment News Would you like to receive our WiG Entertainment News? Signup today! Digital Issue Would you like to receive our Digital Issue? Signup today! Close Get email notifications on Mike Holloway daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. Whenever Mike Holloway posts new content, you'll get an email delivered to your inbox with a link. Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Every day is precious Alumni were privileged to share a discussion about breast cancer with Lauren Segal and Professor Vinay Sharma at the Wits Club on 15 March 2018. How does anyone cope with four cancer diagnoses and how does it change your life? The greatest lesson that Lauren Segal took away from her journey through the kingdom of the sick, as she calls it, was how to ask for help in a difficult time. Care and kindness is part of wellness. I had an instinct that I needed help. She sought various complementary forms of care along with surgery and chemotherapy, an approach which she said is becoming more widely accepted as beneficial. Science is catching up with this. Wits alumna Lauren (BEd 1988; BA Hons 1990) is the author of five books, including Cancer: A Love Story (MF Books 2017), her account of this journey. She trained as an historian and film maker at Wits and is the managing partner of Trace, a team of research, exhibition and design professionals. She has written about South Africas Constitution and about the history of Soweto, and helped design Johannesburgs Holocaust and Genocide Centre. Great events and great lives have been the focus of her career. But it is the value of an ordinary day and her own family and friends that have become so important to Lauren after her experience with cancer. This experience has given me something, rather than taken something away, she said to Wits alumni who joined her at the networking event. There is so much to learn from difficulty. Do something you want to do every day, she urged. Value your time. Professor Sharma, Head of Radiation Oncology at Wits, spoke about the importance of patients having confidence in their doctors. This can be a challenge in hospital settings where the medical staff have so little time to discuss each patients concerns and choices or to see each person as a whole. Often, too, patients are left on their own in hospital because families and friends cant be with them all the time, and this is not ideal. He asked Lauren how she had felt and reacted when she received her cancer diagnoses, and how she helped her children to deal with what was happening. She received her first diagnosis of melanoma at the age of 23 and a breast cancer diagnosis at 45. The third diagnosis was the most shocking, she said, because she thought she had finished dealing with cancer. It was difficult to have to make a lot of medical decisions and to enter a world in which you dont know the rules. Writing was a way to gain some degree of control of her life and to protect her family from the difficult feelings she was experiencing. Reading was also a help: other peoples cancer stories, and in particular Holocaust survivor Viktor Frankls ideas about choosing your response to your circumstances. Since sharing her story, she has been surprised by the levels of fear, shame and silence that still surround the subject of cancer. She said that for her, leaning in to the thing you fear the most, and having the support of a community, provides strength. Care, love, exercise these dont cost anything. Education is the challenge. Knowledge is power. Prof Sharma shared some research findings about the links between melanoma and breast cancer, the factors that increase the risk of cancer, the tests available and how patients can take care of themselves and maintain a positive outlook. Dr Maurice Goodman, acting President of Wits Convocation, and Peter Bezuidenhoudt, Wits Development and Fundraising director, thanked the speakers and the alumni who attended for generously sharing their time, knowledge and insight. A 17-year-old victim in a series of deadly package bombs delivered to homes in Austin, Texas, has been identified as Draylen Mason, while a law enforcement source revealed the same maker may have constructed the three devices. Described by Austin's police chief as an "outstanding young man who was going places with his life," Mason was killed Monday morning when a package exploded in the kitchen of his Austin home as it was being opened. His mother is in stable condition. Three package bombs exploded at homes in the Texas capital over 10 days -- one on March 2 and two on Monday -- killing two people and injuring two others. Investigators have said they believe the attacks are related. In all three bombings, residents found the cardboard packages outside their houses. Two exploded as they were being handled outside, police said. But the package that exploded indoors yielded parts that could be reconstructed, a law enforcement source told CNN on condition of anonymity. The devices were essentially pipe bombs rigged to explode upon opening, the source said. The bombings have shaken residents and cast suspicion on one of life's common occurrences: getting a package delivered to your doorstep. Austin police have received 265 calls about suspicious packages, Chief Brian Manley said Tuesday, though police haven't indicated any subsequent check revealing anything alarming. "What caused this in these instances was a suspicious package that no one was suspecting or expecting," Austin Mayor Steve Adler said Tuesday. "I want everyone in my community, if they see something that's suspicious -- a package or otherwise -- I want them to pick up the phone and call 911." Daniel Arriaga told CNN affiliate KXAN he called authorities after he found a package he wasn't expecting for his daughter. "I don't want to give the package to my daughter and something happens, and I would regret it for the rest of my life," he told the station. Here's what we know so far - The first blast happened March 2, killing Anthony Stephan House, a 39-year-old African-American man. - The second bombing killed Mason, who is also African-American. The Monday morning blast left his mother with injuries not considered life-threatening, police said. Mason was described as a talented student and bass player accepted into the selective Butler School of Music at the University of Texas at Austin, KXAN reported. - The other explosion, around noon Monday, severely wounded a 75-year-old Hispanic woman. Her name has not been released. She was in critical condition Tuesday morning, Manley said. - Both House and Mason are relatives of prominent members of Austin's African-American community, The Washington Post reported. House was the stepson of Freddie Dixon, a former pastor at a historic black church in Austin, the Post said. Dixon and his wife are close friends with Mason's family, according to the teenager's grandmother, Lavonne Mason. - Police have not decided if these are hate crimes but said that's considered a possibility because the victims are African-American and Hispanic. The mayor said it is too early to know the motive. "We are just not going to ignore that fact that the three victims that were targeted ... were all people of color," Manley said Tuesday. "We cannot ignore that. That is something we have to pay attention to. That does not indicate that it's a hate crime. But we're not going to rule that out because we don't want to limit anything that we're considering." - None of the cardboard packages was delivered by the US Postal Service or delivery services such as UPS or FedEx, police said. The packages were left in the overnight hours. - The explosions were not in the immediate vicinity of the ongoing South by Southwest festival, and authorities said the bombings don't appear connected to that event. The blasts The packages were placed in front of the residents' houses, said Manley, the police chief. They appeared to be "average-sized delivery boxes, not exceptionally large," Manley said. Investigators initially regarded the first explosion on March 2, which killed House, as an isolated incident, police said. But then a blast was reported at 6:44 a.m. Monday, killing the teenager and injuring his mother. "One of the residents went out front, and there was a package on the front doorstep," Manley said. "They brought that package inside the residence, and as they opened that package, both victims were in the kitchen, and the package exploded, causing the injuries that resulted in the young man's death and the injuries to the adult female." Then another blast happened hours later Monday, sending police scrambling from one crime scene to the next. The latter explosion occurred after the 75-year-old found a package on her porch. When she picked up the package, it detonated. Manley on Tuesday defended having downplayed the first bombing, saying investigators initially believed it was in retaliation for police having taken "a significant amount of cash out of a drug stash house" on the same street a few days earlier. "That house looks very similar in color" to House's residence, Manley said, "and we believed that this may have actually been a retaliatory act for the raid that we did ... and that they simply got the wrong house." Manley didn't elaborate on why investigators believed that someone would have wanted to retaliate against a home that police had raided. Bombs required 'a level of skill' Manley said it took "a level of skill" to construct the three bombs. The maker or makers put "these bombs together; they're transporting them to their intended location; and then actually ... detonating them," Manley told KXAN on Tuesday. "So there's a certain level of skill and sophistication that whoever is doing this has, and ... we are hoping to use the evidence we have to track them down based on what we are seeing on all three scenes that seem to be consistent." What to do about suspicious packages Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton warned all Texans to be cautious. "With three reported explosions in the Austin area, I want to urge all Texans to report any suspicious or unexpected packages arriving by mail to local law enforcement authorities. Call 911 immediately if you receive something suspicious," he said on Twitter. Manley gave similar advice: "If you've received a package that has been left on your doorstep or left in your yard or left on your driveway that you were not expecting or that was not from someone you know, then give us a call." Residents seemed to be listening. Some have changed their habits when it comes to handling packages. Trey Mathis checked to see if there was an address label on one that arrived. "I took a walking stick and from behind my door, I cautiously tumbled the box over to bring up the label, where I could verify it was addressed to me and from the expected shipper," Mathis said. "I resolved to post the picture onto social media (Instagram, then to Twitter and Facebook) to alert the USPS, if possible." Local police as well as the FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives are working on the case. Gov. Greg Abbott announced a $15,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of the person or persons involved in the package blasts. A reward of an additional $50,000 was announced Tuesday by Houston ATF, the San Antonio FBI division and Austin Police Department. "I want the public to be aware and to be cautious because again we have two cases that are very similar, that have both resulted in a loss of life," Manley said. CORRECTION: An earlier version of this story incorrectly described where the explosion at Draylen Mason's house occurred. The package exploded in the kitchen. Democrat Conor Lamb is poised to deliver a stunning upset to the Republican Party in a Pennsylvania district Donald Trump handily won in 2016. After a long night of drama, Lamb holds a 627-vote lead over Republican Rick Saccone. With 100% of precincts reporting, Lamb received 113,813 votes, or 49.8% of the vote, to Saccone's 113,186 (49.6%). There are some remaining votes to be counted, however, including provisional and any military or overseas ballots, which may currently still be in the mail but must be received by the counties by March 20. Republicans have not ruled out the possibility of a recount, which isn't mandatory for the district but could be requested by precinct with petitions from voters in the next few days. Lamb claimed victory in a speech to his supporters Tuesday night. "It took a little longer than we thought, but we did it," he said. "You did it." Recount possible Bob Branstetter, a top adviser to Saccone's campaign, told CNN Wednesday morning that the campaign has not discussed a potential recount. But, he said, they are waiting for all votes to be counted before reaching a decision on conceding. Matt Gorman, a spokesman for the National Republican Congressional Committee, said the party is not ruling out the possibility of a recount, and a source familiar with the process told CNN Wednesday morning that the GOP is likely to seek legal action over several areas in this race. The party is going to request that all ballots and voting machines are impounded so nothing is tampered with to allow for a likely recount, the source said. They allege reports of "miscalibrations" of several voting machines in Allegheny County, including frozen touchscreens where voters intending to cast their ballot for Saccone were only presented with Lamb. The party also accuses the Allegheny County election board of not letting Republican officials into the room where absentee ballots were being counted. The party also said that the Pennsylvania's secretary of state website confused voters by noting new district lines set to take effect in November following the state Supreme Court's order to redraw districts, the source added. Branstetter also said that the campaign received some calls from voters who were confused about whether they could still vote in the 18th District after the Pennsylvania Supreme Court's decision. Allegheny County spokeswoman Amie Downs disputed the party's claims, saying the machines don't show photos and that they received no calls related to "miscalibrations" during voting hours Tuesday. She also noted that the county's confirmation screen on voting machines allows voters to change their vote or give them time to call a poll worker to report an issue. She acknowledged that a person lacking authorization to be in the room where absentee ballots were being counted was blocked from entering, but was later allowed back in when the person was approved to be there. And Wanda Murren, a spokesperson for Pennsylvania's secretary of state, said polling places will not change under the new map provided by the state Supreme Court. Ominous sign for Republicans It's a bad sign for Republicans that the 18th District race is razor-tight. Trump won there by 20 percentage points in 2016, and GOP groups pumped $10.7 million into a months-long effort to stave off an embarrassing loss there. Lamb's performance is ominous for the GOP as it heads into November's midterm elections. Even a narrow Lamb win would signal that the GOP is in danger even in districts considered safe for Republicans, raising Democratic hopes of capturing the House and maybe the Senate in November. A Republican loss could lead to more House members retiring rather than running into headwinds in re-election bids. Democrats, meanwhile, would look to replicate Lamb's success in working-class districts with similar demographics. With no declared winner, both parties took a stab at spinning the available results. The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee claimed victory for Lamb in a statement Tuesday night, while the National Republican Congressional Committee said it was "confident" Saccone would win. Earlier in the evening, before it became clear the results would be so close, several Republican officials told CNN they were expecting Saccone to lose. Party officials were placing the blame squarely on Saccone's campaign but also on Trump's Saturday rally for the candidate, which some Republicans believe helped drive up Democratic turnout. When the race tightened, that outlook improved, with one GOP source telling CNN's Jim Acosta: "This isn't a blowout -- for now, we'll happily take it." A Republican official told CNN that Trump, who was raising money with GOP donors in Beverly Hills, California, had been asking for updates throughout the evening and was pleasantly surprised by the narrow margin. Lamb and Saccone were running to replace former GOP Rep. Tim Murphy, who resigned after allegedly urging a woman with whom he was having an affair to have an abortion. The stakes are largely psychological: Pennsylvania's Supreme Court recently ruled that its congressional districts were gerrymandered and redrew the map -- meaning both candidates would face choices about where to run if they want to be on the ballot in November. At 10 a.m. Wednesday, Justin Blackman got up from his desk and calmly walked out of Mr. Mendez's Spanish class. When he got outside, he discovered he was the only one. Of the approximately 700 students at Wilson Preparatory Academy in Wilson, North Carolina, 16-year-old Justin was in a company of one during the national school walkout. For 17 minutes, he said he stood by himself. He said he was disappointed no one joined him. Earlier in the morning, the teen spoke with classmates about the walkout, but they didn't seem to know about it, he said. Undeterred, when the time came, he stepped out by himself. "I'm walking out for the national walk out," he said he told his teacher. "And he just let me go." Shortly after, the teen uploaded a video on Twitter. "Umm... hello Twitter, there's going to be like six people watching this hopefully," he says in the video. "It's National Walkout Day, I'm the only one from my school out here." Back inside When the 17 minutes were up, Justin went back inside, hoping he wouldn't get in trouble. He didn't -- and said someone from the school even congratulated him. "Now, I truly know that one person is all it takes," he says, reflecting on the experience. "No matter the age, skin color, gender-it doesn't matter." Justin's mother, Megan, said she was shocked no one else joined in, but she wasn't surprised her son participated. "Justin is very opinionated," she told CNN. "He's not a follower. Strong minded." Contacted by CNN, the school wouldn't comment on the walkout. "We teach our students to be independent thinkers," Janet Conner-Knox, who handles public relations for Wilson Preparatory Academy, told CNN. "[Blackman] is an independent thinker." One day after House Republicans announced they were ending their Russia investigation with a 150-page report concluding there was no collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia, the committee's top Democrat responded with a road map for continuing to investigate whether there was collusion with Russia. Sprinkled throughout the 21-page document from Rep. Adam Schiff of California were several allegations of potential involvement between President Donald Trump's associates and Russia, which remain unproven publicly, as well as a smattering of new names that Democrats want to speak to in connection to the probe. Schiff's "status report" was the House Democrats' first step in a concerted effort to show that Republicans ended their probe prematurely and to lay the groundwork for potentially reopening the House's investigation next year should Democrats win back the House. Lawmakers and congressional officials said the document was intended to show the public - and other investigators - leads in the Russia investigation that the committee had discovered but not fully tracked down. "We will be submitting to the public a detailed account of what we have learned to date, and the work that has to be done, if not by us, then by others," Schiff had said Tuesday. Some of the information included comes from the committee's documents and interviews, while other facts and names stem from media reports that the committee did not investigate, according to sources with knowledge of the investigation. The Democratic report, for instance, contends that the committee has learned that Trump's business was "actively negotiating a business deal in Moscow with a sanctioned Russian bank" during the 2016 campaign season. Two sources say that pertains to efforts by the Trump Organization to secure financing for the Trump Tower Moscow project that Trump's personal lawyer, Michael Cohen, was involved with, though it's unclear to the panel how serious the Trump Organization was pursuing that project, one source said. Felix Sater, a Russian-born former Trump business associate who worked as an intermediary on the Trump Tower project, said he lined up financing from VTB Bank, which is partially owned by the Kremlin and is under US sanctions, according to a report in The New York Times. In a statement provided to CNN in September 2017, the bank denied playing any role in the Trump project, and called those claims "completely false." Schiff's document also claims that the committee has "a good faith reason to believe" that the White House memorialized conversations between Trump and former FBI Director James Comey before he was fired. Trump tweeted about the possibility of "tapes" back in May 2017 shortly after Comey was fired, although the President subsequently tweeted he did not make or possess such recordings. But while the Democratic document notes there were reports of a memo referencing Comey's communications with Trump composed by White House aide Stephen Miller, it's not clear that the committee possesses that document or has any other evidence proving that claim. "We believe the evidence is there and need the opportunity to pursue it, and it's one element of many other bodies of evidence out there that would help us understand exactly what took place," Rep. Mike Quigley, an Illinois Democrat, told CNN's Brianna Keilar. To Republicans, Schiff's status report is a sign that he will try to keep the Russia investigation in the news into the midterm campaign season. The committee has spent more than a year investigating the matter. "It's basically just a lot of names, rumors, insinuations," said Rep. Pete King, a New York Republican. "We were expecting more than this." Republicans have their own 150-page draft report, although they are continuing to revise that document ahead of a planned vote next week to send the final report for declassification. A senior committee official said Democrats are preparing a document for next week to counter the Republican conclusions - Republicans say they found no evidence of collusion and break with the intelligence community over the allegation that Russian President Vladimir Putin helped Trump get elected - but are still planning to write a longer report that won't be ready for several months. Schiff's status report lists 30 witnesses the Democrats want to call, along with entities they would subpoena or seek documents from. The potential witness list includes some senior officials from the Trump administration such as former chief of staff Reince Priebus, former press secretary Sean Spicer and White House counselor Kellyanne Conway. But it also includes more obscure names who haven't figured prominently in the Russia investigation. One of those names is Roman Beniaminov. The memo states that the committee "has reason to believe" that Beniaminov - who reportedly has New Jersey business ties to Emin Agalarov, the Russian pop star who helped organize the June 2016 Trump Tower meeting between Trump campaign officials and a Russian lawyer - had advance knowledge of the Trump Tower meeting. But the memo does not elaborate or provide evidence. Beniaminov could not be reached by CNN for comment. Schiff also lists several individuals with ties to the National Rifle Association whom they would like to speak to, including Cleta Mitchell, a partner at the law firm Foley & Lardner who has done work for the NRA and previously served as an NRA board member. There have been various reports over the past year about outreach conducted on behalf of Aleksander Torshin, a former senator and deputy head of Russia's central bank who is close to Putin, to connect to Trump's team, including through the NRA. McClatchy reported in January that the FBI was investigating whether Torshin illegally funneled money to the NRA to help Trump. Schiff's report states that Mitchell "may be able to clarify for the committee any Russian-related approaches to and interaction with the organization and persons of interest to the Committee during the 2016 election." Mitchell told CNN the notion she or the NRA was involved with any kind of election collusion was laughable. "If these idiot Democrats want to talk to me, I will be happy to tell them they are wasting everyone's time and the taxpayers' money in their bizarre attempts to somehow sweep the NRA into their fantasy investigation," Mitchell said. "This only further demonstrates that the Democrats are completely grasping at straws to try to keep this going, when it is clear and has always been clear, that their entire narrative is false and completely fabricated." CORRECTION: An earlier version of this story misstated Rep. Mike Quigley's party affiliation. He's a Democrat. An Ohio federal district court judge blocked legislation that would have banned abortion in cases where a fetus is diagnosed with Down syndrome. Republican Gov. John Kasich signed the legislation into law in December of last year, and it was scheduled to go into effect March 23. The legislation is now blocked until a final ruling is made in the lawsuit. Gov. Kasich signed the legislation into law in December 2017 The law bans abortions in cases where a fetus is diagnosed with Down syndrome In a court order granting a preliminary injunction Wednesday, Southern District of Ohio Judge Timothy Black said that federal abortion law is "crystal clear" that "a State may not prohibit any woman from making the ultimate decision to terminate her pregnancy before viability." Kasich's office declined to comment on the court order, citing pending litigation. "The governor is pro-life and supports policies that protect the sanctity of life," press secretary Jon Keeling told CNN when the legislation was first signed into law. The law prohibits abortions after prenatal tests reveal Down syndrome in a fetus, or if there's "any other reason to believe" the fetus has the genetic condition. A person performing an abortion in such a case could face a fourth-degree felony charge, and physicians could lose their licenses. The woman seeking the abortion would not be held accountable, according to the legislation. The ACLU filed a complaint in mid-February calling the legislation unconstitutional. "This law does absolutely nothing to support people with disabilities -- it's just another ploy to make it nearly impossible for Ohio women to get the care they need. We are committed to making sure this unconstitutional law is never enforced, and today's ruling brings us one step closer," Legal Director for the ACLU of Ohio Freda Levenson said in a statement. Similar laws have passed in North Dakota and Indiana, though a federal judge blocked the Indiana law. The North Dakota law went into effect in 2013. Down syndrome is a genetic condition that affects cognitive ability, causing mild to severe learning disabilities and distinctive facial characteristics. The condition can be diagnosed during pregnancy through prenatal screening tests. Treatment can include speech, occupational, emotional and other therapies; supplements and drugs; and assistive devices. "It's a tragedy that the court prioritized abortion on demand over special needs children," Mike Gonidakis, president of Ohio Right to Life, told CNN in a statement. "Luckily we have pro-life Attorney General Mike DeWine who will fiercely defend our law in order to protect our special needs community. This isn't the end. This is just the beginning." "While we are reviewing this ruling to determine further action, the Ohio Attorney General's Office will continue to vigorously defend Ohio law," the attorney general's spokesman Dan Tierney said. Nearly invisible to the enemy as it stalks the oceans depths, the USS Hartford, a Los Angeles-class nuclear-powered submarine, provides the US Navy with a lethal combination of stealth and firepower. Thousands of miles from homeport, the Hartford cruises the Arctic Ocean -- the site of a potential new flashpoint between Russia and the US. CNN saw at first hand how it can launch a two-ton 20-foot-long torpedo capable of destroying an enemy submarine in an instant. Along with the USS Connecticut fast-attack submarine and the UK Royal Navy's HMS Trenchant, the 6,000-ton Hartford is currently participating in multinational exercises training for its primary mission: to hunt and kill enemy ships and submarines. The Arctic is the newest and most daunting front in the expanding global conflict between the US and Russia as both nations battle to control nearly 5.5 million square miles of frozen terrain. But the receding ice is opening new opportunities for oil exploration, potential shipping lanes and -- crucially -- new paths to wage war. "We are well aware that we are in a great power competition environment and the Arctic is one piece of that," said Navy Rear Adm. James Pitts, commander of the Undersea Warfighting Development Center. "All the more reason why we the Navy are practicing up here and doing exercises to make sure that we can operate effectively." But while the US Navy regularly conducts submarine training drills -- often with key allies -- this five-week operation dubbed "ICEX" is unique, as it takes place in one of the harshest environments in the world -- under the Arctic ice. It's a region where even surfacing requires enormous power and skill, but the drills "provide the US submarine force and partners from the British navy an opportunity to test combat and weapons systems, sonar systems, communications and navigation systems in a challenging operational environment," Navy Cmdr. Corey B. Barker said in a Pentagon news release. "From a military, geographic, and scientific perspective, the Arctic Ocean is truly unique, and remains one of the most challenging ocean environments on earth," Pitts said. The unique acoustic undersea environment is further compounded by the presence of a contoured, reflective ice canopy when submerged, according to the Defense Department. "Our submarine forces are capable of operating here just as we operate along our East Coast and throughout the world," the Hartford's Cmdr. Matthew Fanning told CNN. These types of drills show "we are capable of doing it and willing to come up here and conduct operations," he added. Russia and China are two powers trying to catch up to US submarine capability, Pitts said. Specifically, Russia has invested heavily in developing its own underwater stealth capabilities in recent years and their submarine technology is approaching the level of the US fleet, much like the peer-to-peer comparison seen during the Cold War, a congressional aide familiar with the issue recently told CNN. An emerging submarine rivalry has added new urgency to this year's ICEX exercises. A British submarine joined the maneuvers for the first time in a decade and US forces are refocusing on a Cold War-style mission. According to Fanning, US submarine forces have shifted their focus away from the post-9/11 counter terrorism mindset and back toward an emphasis on lethality -- or leveraging offensive weaponry, like a torpedo, against a threat. And the ability to wield the submarine as an offensive weapon is something Fanning said he teaches to every member of his watch team, not just the highest-ranking officers. Operating under the Arctic presents its own unique challenges as submarines are unable to rely on access to GPS navigation and have limited communications. Crews also face danger from below and above as ice keels as long as 150 feet extend down from the ice sheet. However, the biggest challenge of navigating in the Arctic still comes from Russia. In addition to developing quieter, more deadly submarines of their own, the Russian military has assembled an arc of steel along its Arctic coast made up of dozens of military bases, ports and airfields. "We know that in every case they are trying to get faster and better at what they do and integrating technology into their platforms," Commodore Ollie Lewis, Commander of Submarine Squadron 12 told CNN. "It's really set them on a ramp to where if we don't continue to do the same, we'll find ourselves in a place of falling behind," he said. For the US Navy, maintaining that undersea advantage means building more submarines and adding more capabilities. By most accounts, the US still maintains the most capable submarine fleet in the world -- the Hartford is virtually invisible and silent to its enemies allowing it to strike without warning and hit targets both above and below the surface. But despite President Donald Trump's request for additional defense spending, years of budget cuts and continuing resolutions have had a severe impact on the Navy's maintenance and shipbuilding efforts. In addition to it's 42 active Los Angeles-class submarines, the Navy plans to build 30 Virginia-class submarines and replace its 14 aging Ohio-class boats with 12 Columbia-class submarines, the first of which is expected in fiscal year 2021. But even if the Navy is able to achieve its goal of producing two or three new fast-attack boats per year, the service will only have 41 attack submarines by 2029, according to the Navy's FY17 30-year plan. Florida Republican Sen. Marco Rubio tweeted Thursday he will go to Florida International University, where a pedestrian bridge collapsed, killing at least one person and injuring others. Rubio has been a visiting professor at the university for the past 10 years, starting in 2008 after leaving the Florida Legislature. "Terrible news coming from Miami," Rubio wrote in a pair of tweets Thursday afternoon. "We will pray for the victims and the entire Panther community." His second tweet said he had talked to Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao on his way to the scene. "Just spoke to @SecElaineChao On my way to @fiu where I have been an adjunct professor for 10 years. SW 8th street, the road under the collapsed bridge is heavily used by so many people in #Miami This is such a horrifying tragedy," he tweeted. At least one person has died after the bridge collapsed in Miami, according to Miami-Dade's mayor. Six people were taken to the hospital as a result of the collapse, Mayor Carlos Gimenez told CNN affiliate WFOR during a live phone interview. Florida's other US senator, Democrat Bill Nelson, said he's called on the National Transportation Safety Board to investigate the tragedy. "Just talked to @NTSB Chairman Sumwalt who confirmed he'll be launching and leading an investigation into the bridge collapse at @FIU," he tweeted. "My heart goes out to the victims and the families affected by this tragic bridge collapse at @FIU," Nelson also tweeted. Back in Washington, Florida Republican Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart said he'd also spoke to Chao. Chao and Diaz-Balart traveled to FIU last year to visit the school's accelerated bridge construction program. "We got to find out what the heck happened. This is beyond tragic," Diaz-Balart told reporters as he was about to leave the Capitol to catch a plane to return to his district Thursday night. Florida Republican Rep. Carlos Curbelo said that the bridge was built in part because there had been accidents on this road, which has a busy crosswalk. He said there is a "sad irony here. This project was built to keep students safe and pedestrians safe." The legal and political storm around Stormy Daniels -- and her allegations that she had an extramarital affair with President Donald Trump in the mid-2000s -- just keeps growing. On Wednesday night we learned that Jill Martin, a lawyer for the Trump Organization based in Los Angeles, filed a document as the attorney representing "EC, LLC," which Daniels' lawsuit says stands for Essential Consultants, in an arbitration case seeking a restraining order against the porn star filed last month. Essential Consultants is the name of the LLC formed by Trump personal lawyer/fixer Michael Cohen and from which Cohen made a $130,000 payment to Daniels 11 days before the 2016 election in exchange for her silence about her alleged relationship with Trump. Martin's involvement directly contradicts Cohen's previous assertion that "neither the Trump Organization nor the Trump campaign was a party to the transaction with Ms. Clifford." (Daniels' real name is Stephanie Clifford.) In response to the revelation that Martin was in fact involved in the Daniels' proceedings, the Trump Organization released a statement to CNN saying she was doing so in her private capacity not as an official attorney in Trump world. "The Trump Organization is not representing anyone and, with the exception of one of its California based attorneys in her individual capacity facilitating the initial filing ... the company has had no involvement in the matter." Which, OK. The problem for Cohen and Martin -- and, yes, Trump -- is that the latest news tie to the Trump Organization is part of a broader pattern regarding the payment to Daniels. Let's walk through what we now know -- including the Martin news. The Wall Street Journal reports in mid-January that Cohen paid Daniels $130,000 in exchange for her silence about the alleged affair. Cohen made the payment via a limited liability corporation that he established in Delaware -- a state know for its lax laws on corporate transparency -- 10 days before he transferred the money to Daniels'. The LLC is known as "Essential Consultants." At the end of January, Cohen releases a statement ostensibly from Clifford denying any relationship with Trump. Asked about the statement -- and the fact that the signature on it doesn't look like Clifford's -- by late night host Jimmy Kimmel, Daniels responds: "Hmm. Ha ha." In February, Cohen confirms that he did indeed make the payment -- out of his own pocket! He also insists he acted alone -- and not at the behest of Trump or anyone in his orbit -- and that he did not believe Daniels' claim of a relationship with Trump. Cohen -- with the help of Martin -- files for a restraining order to keep Daniels silent in late February. Daniels files suit in California, alleging that Trump broke the parameters of her "hush" agreement because he never signed it. We also learn that in that document Trump is referred to as "David Dennison" and Daniels as "Peggy Peterson" in an attempt to disguise their identities. White House press secretary Sarah Sanders is asked directly whether Trump knew of or authorized the payment by Cohen to Daniels. "Not that I'm aware of," she responds on March 7. "Anything beyond what I've already given you, I would refer you to the President's outside counsel." Cohen used a home equity line of credit to make the payment to Daniels. He also communicated with Daniels using his Trump Organization email address. "I sent emails from the Trump Org email address to my family, friends as well as Trump business emails," Cohen confirms. "I basically used it for everything. I am certain most people can relate." Martin's involvement in the filing of the arbitration case is revealed. Anyone of these things -- in isolation -- might not raise eyebrows. But taken together? Here's what you have to believe if you believe the current version of the story: Trump's longtime personal fixer took out a home equity line of credit to make a $130,000 payment to a porn star alleging an affair with Trump. Cohen created a LLC in a state legendary for its lack of corporate disclosure to make the payment, despite the fact that he didn't believe Daniels' story. He went to considerable lengths to keep Daniels from breaking the hush agreement, including filing suit against her in court -- and using a senior member of Trump Organization's legal team to do so. Is that exactly what actually happened? Maybe. But it seems to strain credulity -- and cry out for a more fulsome response from Trump. If past is prologue, we won't get one. One of the countrys most well-known store chains is closing its doors. In the age of Amazon, its goodbye Geoffrey the Giraffe as Toys "R" Us and Babies "R" Us sores prepare to close up shop. The retailer announced it has filed to liquidate and close all of its 735 stores nationwide. Locally, there is a Toys "R" Us store on Commercial Drive in New Hartford, located right next door to a Babies "R" Us store. The company's chairman and CEO, Dave Brandon, said in a statement, I am very disappointed with the result, but we no longer have the financial support to continue the Companys U.S. operations. We are therefore implementing an orderly process to shutter our U.S. operations and will pursue going concern sales or reorganizations of certain of our international businesses, while our other international businesses consider their options. "This is a profoundly sad day for us as well as the millions of kids and families who we have served for the past 70 years, Brandon also said in the statement. Toys "R" Us employs more than 30,000 people, and according to one estimate, accounted for about 20 percent of all toy sales last year. Its the latest major casualty in a string of retail store closures across the country, even after a strong holiday shopping season. Toys "R" Us, which filed for bankruptcy protection last year, was already closing 180 stores and laying off workers in 41 states. Sen. Chuch Schumer is urging the Federal Trade Commission to force Toys "R" Us "to redeem outstanding gift cards for cash. Toys R Us representatives are expected to appear in Virginia bankruptcy court Thursday afternoon. There is no word yet on when the stores will begin closing, but the company says gift cards will be honored for 30 days. Returns will not be accepted once liquidation sales begin. To read the full press release issued by Toys R Us on Thursday morning, click here. Utica Fire Chief Russell Brooks lost the latest round in his battle with the city on Thursday morning, but the chief says the war isnt over yet. In State Supreme Court in Rome on Thursday, Brooks asked the judge to find that hed made a mistake in his last ruling to dismiss Brooks' lawsuit and overturn his own decision, which didnt happen. In May 2017, Chief Brooks a 42-year veteran of the Utica Fire Department was placed on leave. The move came several months after Brooks said he applied for sick leave benefits, after he was diagnosed with leukemia related to his work in New York City following the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. Brooks request for benefits was denied by the city and he was paced on Section 72 Civil Service Law Leave of Absence, which requires him to use sick time. Brooks then filed a lawsuit against the city, and and in December 2017, a State Supreme Court judge ruled that Brooks never formally applied for sick leave benefits, and he dismissed the lawsuit. In court on Thursday, the judge denied Brooks motion to reargue that last decision, saying he did not misconstrue the facts of the case or the law as it applies. Next, Brooks will have to submit an application for extended sick leave under New York General Municipal Law Section 92-d, which he and his attorney felt theyd already made. "I'm disappointed, obviously, Chief Brooks said "I'd like it to end. I'd like it to end, I'd like to go on with my life." Brooks and his attorney will submit that application soon, and they say their next move depends on whether or not the city grants it. But they say this isnt the end of the road, and Brooks says hell fight to the very end. UTICA The Utica firefighter accused of performing a lewd act on a female coworkers gear has now agreed to submit a DNA sample. Last week, Oneida County Judge Michael Dwyer granted Oneida County District Attorney Scott McNamaras request to compel Utica firefighter Richard Forte to submit DNA evidence. Forte has not been charged with a crime, but hes accused of masturbating into a female coworkers work pants while she was out on a call between Jan. 5 and Jan. 6. The other firefighters who were working at that time have already submitted their DNA, and Forte had refused until he was ordered to by a judge. A DNA test usually takes a couple of weeks. We will continue to follow this story as it develops. ______________________________________ RELATED COVERAGE: Utica firefighter accused of lewd act toward female coworker ordered to submit DNA sample Utica firefighter accused of lewd act against female coworker ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) - Gov. Andrew Cuomo has asked state education officials to investigate reports that some New York schools prevented students from taking part in Wednesday's nationwide student walkout to protest gun violence. The Democrat sent a letter Thursday to Education Department Commissioner MaryEllen Elia, calling on her to look into any reports of schools blocking exits so students couldn't leave. Cuomo called such actions "an egregious safety violation" and unlawful. His letter mentioned reports of schools in New York state disciplining students and faculty for participating in the event. News reported students at some Long Island schools were suspended. Cuomo joined students in New York City who walked out of their school for a "die-in" demonstration in Manhattan. He laid down on the pavement and joined students in chanting "Gun control now!" (Copyright 2018 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.) (NBC News) The White House has announced new sanctions targeting Russia in retaliation for interference in the 2016 election, the recent chemical weapons attack targeting a former spy in the United Kingdom, and an attempted cyber-assault on the U.S. power grid. Senators from both parties expressed strong support for the new sanctions. The treasury department is targeting 19 individuals and five entities for interference in the 2016 u.S. Election. That includes 13 Russians previously indicted for election meddling by special counsel Robert Mueller. "They are out of control, Russia is, and they need to be dealt with, and that is one way to discourage this," Texas' Senator John Cornyn said. Virginia's Senator Mark Warner, Vice Chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, called the decision to implement sanctions "long overdue." "The Administration missed its deadline, and that was very disappointing. Remember these sanctions were approved I believe 98 to 2, and while I think this is a good step, it is not fully sufficient," Warner said. Warner also noted his disappoint with President Trump's refusal to directly condemn Russia. "What continues to concern me is while you had the administration act, there still seems to be a great reluctance for the President himself to call out Russia as a bad actor," Warner said. Read more: http://nbcnews.to/2Ir1kHC China News on Women Sorry, the page you requested was not found. If you're having trouble locating a destination on Womenofchina.cn, try visiting the Womenofchina Home page IAEA strengthens African sustainable development 16 March 2018 Share The International Atomic Energy Agency(IAEA) and the African Union Commission (AUC) have signed their first practical arrangements for the safe, secure and peaceful use of nuclear technologies for sustainable development in Africa. The arrangements, which cover four-years to 2022, provide a framework for cooperation in the areas of: human health; food and agriculture; water and the environment; industrial application of nuclear technology; energy planning and nuclear power infrastructure building; and radiation and nuclear safety and security. The Vienna-based agency announced yesterday the arrangements had been signed by Moussa Faki Mahamat, chairman of the AUC, and Yukiya Amano, director general of the IAEA. Cooperation may be pursued to assist in the development of national and regional capacity to support activities of common interest and the development of funding proposals, to support the "mainstreaming" of science and technology for development, and in the development of national legislation and regulatory measures. It also covers the provision of technical support to IAEA member states in Africa that have the ability to use nuclear energy. The African Union was formally launched in 2002 to spear-head Africas development and integration, replacing the Organisation of African Unity, itself founded in 1963. The African Union's vision is an "integrated, prosperous and peaceful Africa", driven by its own citizens and representing a dynamic force in the global arena. The organisation has 55 member states. Only one African country - South Africa - currently uses nuclear power. Algeria, Egypt, Ghana, Libya, Morocco, Nigeria and South Africa also have operational research reactors. Researched and written by World Nuclear News Related topics More big bundles of old fishing nets will soon be on their way from Dutch Harbor to Denmark to be remade into high end plastics. It will be the second batch of nets to leave Dutch for a higher cause and more Alaska fishing towns can get on board. Last summer a community collaborative put nearly 240,000 pounds, or about 40 nets, into shipping vans that were bound for a Danish clean tech company called Plastix. The company refines and pelletizes all types of plastics and resells them to makers of water bottles, cell phone cases and other items. It seems so unreasonable and not log... UPDATE 8/28/19 @ 10:05 p.m. A 10-year-old boy from Point Pleasant who battled a rare form of cancer has passed away, his family said Wednesday night on social media. Lewis Bryant was diagnosed in March 2018 with an aggressive type of bone cancer. Earlier this month, he was welcomed home as a hero after undergoing treatment in Columbus, Ohio. "This evening Lewie took his last breath and went to heaven," his family posted on Facebook. "Please keep Tabbie, his siblings, and all family in your prayers. We thank everyone for all the prayers and love." In a Facebook post of its own, the Point Pleasant Fire Department said, "It is with broken hearts we send our thoughts and prayers to the family of Lewis Bryant. As we said when we recently made Lewis an Honorary Member of the Point Pleasant Fire Department he has been such an inspiration through his courageous battle and he will always be our True Hero." UPDATE 8/11/19 @ 6:03 p.m. A young boy in Point Pleasant who is fighting a rare cancer was honored as an honorary firefighter Sunday. WSAZ has followed Lewis Bryant's story for a couple of years. Lewis was diagnosed in March of 2018 with stage 4 osteosarcoma, an aggressive form of bone cancer. Lewis has been in the hospital in Columbus for the last three weeks. He was brought home Wednesday afternoon by ambulance for hospice care. A motorcade followed behind the ambulance as he was driven through town. Today we had the opportunity to meet with a True Hero in our community as we made Lewis Bryant an Honorary Member of the Point Pleasant Fire Department. His Courage, Faith, and Strength is amazing and has touched us, the department said. Many in the community say Lewis bravery and positive attitude during a difficult time has been inspiring to them all. On Wednesday, Lewis told WSAZ he wanted to say "thank you" to everyone who came out to welcome him home and to everyone who has followed along with his journey. UPDATE 8/7/19 @ 7:10 p.m. A 10-year-old battling cancer was welcomed home in a way that is only fit for a superhero. Community members lined the streets of Point Pleasant Wednesday to welcome Lewis Bryant home. Lewis was diagnosed in March of 2018 with stage 4 osteosarcoma, an aggressive form of bone cancer. Lewis has been in the hospital in Columbus for the last three weeks. He was brought home Wednesday afternoon by ambulance for hospice care. A motorcade followed behind the ambulance as he was driven through town. Members of the community stood with signs in hand. Balloons lined the streets, donning the colors of black and yellow. They are Batman's colors, which is one of Lewis' favorite superheroes. WSAZ has been following along with Lewis' journey since he was first diagnosed in 2018. In December of 2018, Lewis asked for Christmas cards from people all across the region. Amy Graham taught Lewis when he was younger. She was one of the many people standing in town Wednesday as he was brought home. "All I could see was that smile," Graham said. "We saw the smile, and it didn't go away. He's never lost his smile." It was an emotional time for the community members who came out for the homecoming, but also Lewis' family. His mother says he has never faltered the entire time -- showing strength and courage in the face of his diagnosis. So many have commented on Lewis' "mega-watt smile" and how it has never left his face. "He doesn't want you to feel sorry for him," Graham said. "He wants you to be happy. He's always had the biggest heart of a kid I've ever seen." WSAZ was able to visit with Lewis and his family after he got home. He was a typical 10-year-old kid, focused on his video games. His mother says he was excited to get home to play his games and see his friends. Lewis told WSAZ he wanted to say "thank you" to everyone who came out Wednesday to welcome him home and to everyone who has followed along with his journey. His positive attitude has been an inspiration to so many. "He's got a hero attitude," Graham said. "He doesn't let anything get him down that's for sure." While WSAZ was at Lewis' home, he was playing a Spiderman video game. When asked if he had a Batman video game, Lewis said, "no, I don't." But his mother says the paramedic who drove him home is a family friend and has offered to bring him a Batman video game to play. Throughout Lewis' journey, the community has thrown their support behind him. When he was first diagnosed in 2018, the community helped raise money for a new home for the family to live in closer to town. The community also raised money to buy the family a reliable car to get to and from medical appointments. Community members say they will continue to stand behind Lewis in the times ahead and hope he understands how much he is loved. UPDATE 8/7/19 @ 1:12 p.m. A young boy battling cancer is returning home to Mason County, West Virginia for hospice care. Community members lined the streets of Point Pleasant Wednesday afternoon to welcome home 10-year-old Lewis Bryant from the hospital. They held up signs and cheered as the ambulance passed through town. Lewis was diagnosed with stage 4 osteosarcoma, an aggressive form of bone cancer, on March 3, 2018. His positive attitude, even at such a young age, continues to inspire those around him. After being discharged from Nationwide Children's Hospital in Columbus Wednesday morning, a Point Pleasant paramedic drove Lewis home. A motorcade followed behind them to escort Lewis on his journey. UPDATE 12/11/18 @ 1:13 p.m. The community backing a young boy as he fights an aggressive form of cancer is asking people from around the area to send him Christmas cards. Lewis Bryant has pushed through an incredibly tough year with a smile on his face. The 9-year-old from Point Pleasant was diagnosed with stage 4 osteosarcoma, bone cancer, on March 3. In April, he had surgery to amputate his left arm to remove a tumor. A loved one tells us Lewis is still positive as ever, but what would lift his spirits even more: Christmas cards. Lewis told Jamie Hunt, "I hope I can get about three cards or maybe even five." Hunt hopes she can exceed his expectations and surprise him with as many cards as possible. Here is the address you can send cards to: Lewis Bryant 2107 North Main Street Point Pleasant, WV 25550 When we first met Lewis, he was eight years old and starting chemotherapy. Within days of finding out Lewis' diagnosis, the community had a new home for the family to live in closer to town. Volunteers built a ramp and told the teachers there was no rush to pay them back for the wood. Community members donated everything inside from the furniture to the decorations to the food. The family was surprised with everything they may need. The community also raised money to buy the family a reliable car to get to and from medical appointments. All of us at WSAZ support Lewis in this fight: ORIGINAL STORY 3/15/18 An 8-year-old boy fighting an aggressive form of cancer is getting an outpouring of love and support from his community. Lewis Bryant was diagnosed with stage 4 osteosarcoma, bone cancer, on March 3. His mom, Tabitha Halley, says her son started complaining about wrist pain in January. After weeks of doctor appointments, tests and waiting, it was confirmed that Lewis had a tumor. "He's in stage 4 and it's very bad," said Halley through tears. "He's got it multiple places." They started chemotherapy and Halley quit her job to take care of Lewis. Lewis often feels nauseous from his treatments and doesn't have much of an appetite. She says the hardest part is, "Just to have to watch him sit there in all that pain and getting sick." Although he is in pain, Lewis has a positive attitude. "Be happy," said Lewis. "Always be happy. Keep laughing." They are looking at possibly having surgery on the tumor after the first 10 weeks of chemo. "We love this family," said Kim Hunt. "The mom is a hard worker." Hunt and Blythe Powell are teachers at Point Pleasant Primary School and put their own lives on hold to help the family. "I love all my students, but some just touch your heart and he [Lewis] did," Powell said. The teachers say the family didn't have much, and the mobile home they were living in posed a lot of challenges for a sick child. Within days of finding out Lewis' diagnosis, the community had a new home with the family closer to town. Volunteers built a ramp and told the teachers there was no rush to pay them back for the wood. Community members donated everything inside from the furniture to the decorations to the food. The family was surprised with everything they may need. "We had several churches, just various teachers and families getting together," Hunt said. Without an income from now and with growing medical bills, Halley is overwhelmed by all of the support. "The community's been absolutely amazing," Halley said. They did hit another road block on Tuesday. Halley and Lewis were coming back from Columbus when they ran into trouble. "We were on our way home from the hospital, and it broke down," Halley said. It was their only reliable vehicle to get Lewis to his chemo treatments. Within two days, the community has raised more than $4,000 for a new vehicle. Hunt and Powell say an anonymous donor stopped by the school and gave $400. Neither the teachers nor the family know him. A stranger from Hawaii saw the request for donations on Facebook and gave $100. The teachers have been working with a car dealership -- whose owners want to remain anonymous -- to find a safe and reliable car for a really good deal. They say the donations just keep coming. They may be in a small town, but the teachers say they have a lot of love. "We're coming down the hallway [of the school] in tears going, 'Oh my gosh, this is God working,'" Hunt said. "We are so blessed." Until that new vehicle is purchased, friends are offering their cars for rides to the hospital in Columbus. "It's the greatest feeling," Halley said. "[It's] the best feeling after feeling like you've lost everything and you're numb. It's all so much and I want to thank everybody from the bottom of my heart for taking care of my babies." Donors say the last thing the family should have to worry about right now is having a safe vehicle or a place to live. "Thank you for helping me and my family and thank you for this house and everything in it," Lewis said. Halley says she is doing her best to be strong right now and they're taking things day by day. "My kids are my everything," Halley said. "They're my best friends." If you want to donate to the family, that money can be sent through PayPal to kimberly_handley@hotmail.com. You can also send donations to Point Pleasant Primary School located at 2200 Lincoln Ave. Point Pleasant, WV, 25550. Hunt recommends writing that the money is for the Lewis Transportation Fund (for the new car) so school officials know exactly what the donation is for. Any extra money after they buy the car, the teachers say will go toward the family's other expenses like car insurance, medical bills and payments at their new home. This evening Lewie took his last breath and went to heaven. Please keep Tabbie, his siblings, and all family in your prayers. We thank everyone for all the prayers and love. Posted by In Memory Of Lewis Bryant Jr. on Wednesday, August 28, 2019 On Tuesday, a young couple died in a fatal car crash in Central Valley, California, while fleeing Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents. The couple, identified as 35-year-old Santo Hilario Garcia and 33-year-old Marcelina Garcia Profecto by the Delano police, were going out to look for jobs. Seeing the flashing emergency lights of the official vehicle behind them, the couple initially pulled over, but took off immediately on realizing that they were being stopped by ICE agents. Moments later, the couples SUV veered onto a dirt shoulder, overturned and hit a power pole. Garcia and Profecto were declared dead at the scene. ICE spokeswoman Lori K. Haley claimed that agents initially went to the couples home because they thought it belonged to a Mexican citizen who had been previously removed. Garcia apparently matched the description of the man sought by ICE, which is why the officers followed him as he left in his vehicle. Family members who gathered at the crash site the next day told reporters that the couple had been in the United States for 15 years and were farmworkers. They had six children ranging in age from 8 to 18 years old. The future of the children remains uncertain. In her statement to the press, Jennie Pasquarella, director of Immigrants Rights at the ACLU of Southern California, said her organization has received numerous reports from Kern Valley and other nearby locations of ICE using unmarked vehicles to stake out roads used by farmworkers and pulling over vehicles, leading to numerous unlawful arrests. Pasquarella further described the potential dangers faced by the migrant workers: As in this case, drivers and passengers stop, after being signaled to pull over, believing the officers to be police, but only come to learn after being approached, questioned, and arrested that the officers are actually ICE. This incident demonstrates just how dangerous ICEs unlawful practices are to our communities. This horrible tragedy is a direct result of ICEs inhumane tactics and the fear it provokes in hardworking people who stand to lose everything if they are deported. The US Senate voted Wednesday by 67 to 31 to repeal major provisions of the Dodd-Frank Act, an Obama-era banking regulation law passed after the 2008 financial crisis. The bill was passed with bipartisan support, with 17 Democrats voting in favor. Democratic senators Heidi Heitkamp of North Dakota, Jon Tester of Montana, Joe Donnelly of Indiana and Mark Warner of Virginia joined Republican members of the Senate banking committee in support of the bill. Eleven Democrats had co-sponsored the bill when it first appeared before the full Senate in January, giving it a filibuster-proof majority and making its passage a foregone conclusion. Other Democrats who voted for the bill include Tim Kaine of Virgnia (Hillary Clintons running-mate in 2016), Debbie Stabenow of Michigan, Angus King of Maine (a nominal independent who caucuses with the Democrats), Claire McCaskill of Missouri, Bill Nelson of Florida, and Doug Jones of Alabama. The support by Jones is particularly significant, given the fact that Democrats hailed his victory over the fascistic Republican candidate Roy Moore, after a campaign focused largely on decades-old allegations of sexual misconduct against Moore, as a blueprint for the Democratic Partys strategy in the 2018 midterm elections. The bill increases the threshold from $50 billion to $250 billion for banks to be considered systematically important financial institutions and subject to closer regulatory oversight. This includes the establishment of living wills which outline the process by which a bank can be liquidated without destabilizing the economy, and requiring banks to undergo stress tests to prove that they can handle a major economic crash without going bankrupt, as occurred in 2008 with the collapse of banks such as Lehman Brothers, Bear Stearns and Washington Mutual. This was portrayed dishonestly by senators as an attempt to protect local community banks from the allegedly crushing costs of complying with financial regulations. What I have said consistently is that Dodd-Frank was supposed to have stopped too big to fail, but the net result has been too small to succeed, Heitkamp told reporters. In fact, companies exempted under the higher threshold include giant entities such as Barclays, American Express, BB&T and BMO. The Senate bill also exempts banks with less than $10 billion in assets from the Volcker Rule prohibiting high-risk investments with federally guaranteed deposits. It also exempts banks which have granted fewer than 500 mortgages from reporting requirements. The Dodd-Frank Act was always a fig leaf which did nothing to significantly curtail the parasitic and criminal activities which led to the 2008 financial crisis in the first place. The years since 2008 have seen the growing consolidation of the financial industrys assets into a smaller number of ever-larger entities which are too big to fail, investing in newer, larger and more dangerous speculative bubbles, fueling record profits and unprecedented rises in the stock market even as the real economy continues to stagnate or decline. Within financial circles, there is growing concern that a newer and far larger financial crisis is imminent. A report in Bloomberg News on Wednesday, Bigger Than Any Past Bubble: Beware of Soaring Household Assets, warned that the market value of household real and financial assets increased by nearly $50 trillion since 2009 to $114.4 trillion, dwarfing the levels immediately preceding the collapse of the housing bubble in 2007-2008. Nevertheless, the financial industry considers even the Dodd-Frank Acts modest regulations to be intolerable, and has pushed for the repeal of the law for years. It is unclear at this stage whether the Senate bill will ultimately be signed into law, given the support by the Republican majority in the House of Representatives for dismantling even more of the laws regulatory measures. In the event that the House and the Senate pass two different bills, the two versions must be reconciled in a conference committee including representatives from both chambers. The differences between the Senate and House positions create a slight possibility of a repeat of the collapse of the Republican campaign to repeal Obamacare, which failed due to the opposition of a handful of right-wing Republicans demanding even more severe measures. Jeb Hensarling, the chairman of the House Financial Services Committee, has declared that the House would not even vote on the Senate bill unless Senate leaders agreed to negotiate with the House. However, given the widespread support for the repeal of Dodd-Frank in the financial industry (as opposed to significant opposition from insurance companies, who benefitted financially from provisions of the law requiring individuals to purchase healthcare, to the repeal of Obamacare), it is far more likely that the two houses of Congress will come to some sort of agreement. As has been widely reported, 10 out of the 17 Democrats who voted for the bill face re-election in the fall, including seven in states where Trump won the general election in 2016. To a certain extent, their votes reflected concerns that Wall Street banks would punish them for voting against the bill by pouring funds into the campaign war chests of their Republican opponents. More fundamentally, the Senate vote demonstrates the fact that the Democrats, like the Republicans, are a party of the American financial aristocracy. The leader of the Democrats in the Senate, Chuck Schumer of New York, has received more campaign contributions from Wall Street than any other senator. While he voted against the billa meaningless gesture given the certainty of its passagehe made clear that he would do nothing to dissuade other Democrats from voting in favor. The Senate vote comes one month after Democrats provided the votes necessary to pass a spending bill increasing annual military spending by 17 percent, to $1.4 trillion over the next two years, and three months after the passage of massive tax cuts for the wealthy and for US corporations. While Democrats voted against that bill, which passed on party lines, Democrats made clear their desire to see such cuts enacted, criticizing Republicans primarily for cutting them out of the negotiations (and thus from the financial rewards from Wall Street). Earlier this month, congressional Democrats released their policy proposals for the 2018 midterm elections, calling for maintaining the vast majority of the tax cuts enacted by Republicans last December. The Washington Post reported last night that five White House sources claim President Donald Trump has decided to fire National Security Adviser H.R. McMaster. The dismissal, which has not been officially announced by the White House and may not be implemented immediately, comes days after Trump announced the firing of Secretary of State Rex Tillerson. Trumps presidency resembles less and less a presidential administration and more a personalist clique of appointees who serve their leader. The present cabinet reshuffling marks a dramatic step to the right by what was already the most reactionary presidency in US history. Trump has nominated CIA Director Michael Pompeo, far-right stooge of the Koch brothers, as Tillersons replacement. His nominee to take Pompeos place is Gina Haspel, who ran a US blacksite torture center in Thailand during the Bush administration. Among possible replacements for McMaster is John Bolton, the ultra-right George W. Bush administration US ambassador to the UN and a ferocious advocate of war against Iran and North Korea. Vox wrote that Bolton seems poised to become President Donald Trumps next national security adviser, which would have significantand frighteningimplications for the future of Trumps foreign policy. Last nights Post report portrays Trump in his element as he assembles a cabinet totally dominated by the military-intelligence apparatus. For all of the evident disorder, the Post wrote, Trump feels emboldened, advisers said and is enjoying the process of assessing his team and making changes, tightening his inner circle to those he considers survivors and who respect his unconventional style, one senior White House official said. This confirms the analysis put forward by the World Socialist Web Site in the March 15 perspective, Seven days in March: The Trump administration and the breakdown of American democracy. We wrote: Trump conducts himself more and more in the manner of a Mussolini, putting into practice his frequent declaration during the 2016 campaign that only he could put right what is wrong about American society. He conducts himself, not as the elected representative of the American people, or even as the leader of one of the two main capitalist parties, but as a personalist ruler, an authoritarian of the Latin American or fascist type, the arbiter of all major social and political issues. Further evidence of this process was provided in a letter sent yesterday by leading Democratic House members Elijah Cummings and Eliot Engel to White House Chief of Staff John Kelly and Deputy Secretary of State John Sullivan. The letter alleges the Trump administration is purging career State Department officials from the government in what the Democrats call an extremely disturbing development. The letter continues, Over the past year, we have heard many reports of political attacks on career employees at the State Department, but we have not seen evidence of how extensive, blunt, and inappropriate these attacks were until now. The Democratic letter alleges that Trump is firing certain officials it refers to as Obama/Clinton loyalists not at all supportive of President Trumps foreign policy agenda. The letter cites documents leaked from a State Department whistleblower (i.e., a Democratic loyalist) who asserts that the purge is organized by a network of conservative outside partiesincluding former Speaker Newt Gingrich, conservative activist Barbara Ledeen, and former Dick Cheney and John Bolton advisor David Wurmser. The memo cites an email from Gingrich calling for cleaning the State Department of Democratic officials. Cheneys mention in the letter is particularly chilling. The Post report detailing McMasters firing also states that more dismissals are to come. As a result, the mood inside the White House in recent days has verged on mania, as Trump increasingly keeps his own counsel and senior aides struggle to determine the gradations between rumor and truth. Some White House officials have begun betting about which staffer will be ousted next. Trump is increasingly drawing on his favorite television personalities to serve key roles in his government. He has named CNBC television host Larry Kudlow as his chief economic adviser, replacing Gary Cohn, who quit last week after Trump announced his tariffs on steel and aluminum. According to multiple reports, Trump is also considering firing Veterans Affairs Secretary David Shulkin to be replaced by Fox News television host Peter Hegseth. The Democratic Party has responded to the internal crisis of the Trump administration not by opposing his right-wing program, but by forcing Trump to take a more bellicose position against Russia. It is notable that the recent round of dismissals have coincided with Special Counsel Robert Muellers decision to subpoena Trump businesses, indicating that Trump is drawing his inner circle closer as the possibility of impeachment or indictment draws nearer. At the same time, Trump indicated his willingness to go along with the military-intelligence agencies campaign against Russia by signing new sanctions against Russia. Trump, along with NATO powers Germany, UK and France, has also condemned Russian President Vladimir Putin, for unproven claims that the government of Russia attempted to assassinate Russian ex-spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter, Yulia Skripal, in England. A pedestrian bridge under construction in the Miami area collapsed suddenly and without warning Thursday afternoon, killing at least four and injuring ten. Rescue crews continued to dig through the rubble in search of survivors Thursday evening. Eight or more cars with passengers inside them were instantly crushed and others remain trapped under the rubble after the bridge, which had been prefabricated and set in place by cranes just last Saturday, fell on six lanes of the Tamiami Trail road while drivers waited at a red light. Witnesses described a chaotic scene as nearby residents rushed to help. Some motorists whose vehicles had only been half crushed were seen crawling from their wrecked cars. Doctors and nurses from a nearby hospital rushed to the scene by foot to come to the aid of the injured. Ten people have been admitted for injuries so far. The Florida Highway Patrol told the Miami Herald they were unsure how many may still be trapped under the collapsed bridge. News helicopters were reportedly asked to stay away from the scene so first responders could listen for survivors. Even though it was not due to open to pedestrian traffic until 2019 witnesses reported that there were workers present on the bridge before the collapse. It is unknown at this time if they are included in the casualties. The footbridge, which was to connect the suburban community of Sweetwater with Florida International University (FIU) in Miami, was to have a length of 320 feet. The main 175-foot span, weighing some 950 tons, was built on the side of the road over a period of months while support towers on either side of road were constructed. The bridge was lifted into place over the weekend by cranes in a building method engineers call accelerated bridge construction and was described as innovative by the builders and by FIU. The entire process was said to take six hours. In an article published last weekend describing the construction, the Herald quoted FIU officials as saying, The innovative installation method significantly reduced risks to workers, pedestrians, and motorists and minimized traffic disruptions. As of this writing, the cause of the collapse is unknown. The Herald cited unconfirmed reports that stress tests were being performed on the bridge at the time of the accident. According to the Herald, the footbridge connecting FIU with the community of Sweetwater was a long sought-after project for residents and students. The bridge was also part of FIUs so-called prosperity project, intended to revitalize downtown Sweetwater and relieve traffic congestion. Upon its opening, the bridge would have directly linked the school to several large apartment complexes recently built by private developers in Sweetwater as part of the project. According to the Herald, the new bridge would have led directly to an 895-unit building due to break ground in June. Approximately 4,000 FIU students already living in Sweetwater have to cross the busy Tamiami Trail to reach the university. In August, a student was struck by a car and killed while crossing the road. Constructed at a cost of $14.2 million, the bridge was funded by the US Department of Transportation, designed by FIGG Bridge Group and built by MCM Construction. The engineering firm BDI was responsible for monitoring and performing safety inspections on the project. Twitter users took note of the fact that after the accident, BDI quickly deleted a tweet posted last weekend stating We are thrilled to have performed structural monitoring during a bridge move by #BarnHartCrane at#FIU #Miami. Congratulations to BCR on a job well done. We always appreciate being part of the team! FIU similarly deleted a story from their website describing the bridges construction. Nearly one million students walked out of their classrooms to protest gun violence and mass shootings in America Wednesday, the one-month anniversary of the massacre at a high school in Parkland, Florida. Walkouts, rallies and demonstrations took place in every state as well as the US territory of Puerto Rico. Protests were also held internationally, including by students in Japan, Tanzania, Israel, Iceland, Mexico, Colombia, Australia, Germany and many other countries throughout Europe. Wednesdays protests are a prelude to a demonstration organized by the Parkland student survivors for Saturday, March 24. At least half a million people are expected to march on Washington, DC, and nearly 800 demonstrations are planned in every US state and in dozens of countries around the world. The immediate focus of the demonstrations, heavily promoted by the Democratic Party and mainstream media, is on gun control. Within the political establishment, the solutions on offer are confined to either greater militarization and policing of schools or restrictions on the purchase of firearms, which will inevitably be used to increase the powers of the state. The Republicans and Democrats alike ignore the underlying causes of school violenceunprecedented social inequality, unending war, the consequences of the militarization of society and the defunding of education and social programsbecause a serious examination of the roots of this social phenomenon would expose their own role in creating the social crisis out of which it has developed. Just as there are more fundamental causes behind the epidemic of school shootings, there are more fundamental causes to the eruption of large-scale protests among young people. There is a widespread sense among these young people that the ease and frequency with which they are massacred in American schools is symptomatic of the indifference and contempt with which the countrys ruling oligarchy regards their lives. In conversations with students throughout the country, the International Youth and Students for Social Equality (IYSSE) found that students participating in the demonstrations were concerned by far broader questions than gun control. In New York, students explained that they attended the event over the issue of access to healthcare, specifically mental health. In Washington, DC, students condemned the military budget and the war drive. In San Diego, students denounced the entire political establishment, saying that they believe the government is run by corporations. Kenton, a student in Flint, Michigan, spoke about how social conditions have shaped the outlook of his generation: Somewhere deep inside, people know theyve been dealt a bad hand, and they want to give it back. When my parents and grandparents came here from England, you could get a good job working at a factory. But now, unless you have a college education working in a specific field, youre probably going to end up working at Walmart or a gas station. Consider the life experience of working-class high school seniors across the US. Born at the turn of the century, they would have turned one year old as the Bush administration declared an open-ended war on terror, encompassing the entire globe. When they were eight, the financial crash ushered in a tidal wave of social distress as the newly elected Democratic President Barack Obama funneled trillions of dollars into Wall Street to bail out the banks. Their parents may have been among the millions who lost their homes through foreclosure, were forced into bankruptcy or were thrown out of work. At 14, they would have heard the news of the murder of Michael Brown, who was killed in the street by a police officer in Ferguson, Missouri. They would have watched on television as SWAT teams in combat fatigues, deployed in armored vehicles and bearing loaded assault rifles, shot rubber bullets and pepper spray canisters at demonstrators protesting police violence. They would see similar graphic murders caught on video again and again in the next few years of their high school career. Police killed more than 15,000 people over the span of their lifetime. Now, 18 years old, these young people face a world beset by unemployment, unending wars, skyrocketing inequality and immense poverty. If they make the decision to go to college, they will be crippled by tens, if not hundreds, of thousands of dollars in student loan debt. Their generation, for the first time in modern history, will live shorter lives and make less money than their parents generation. These experiences have shaped the lives of the new generation of working-class youth all over the country. Polls show that more young people in the United States support socialism than support capitalism. There is a healthy hatred of the current president, Donald Trump, whom they recognize as the oligarchic right-wing face of the American political establishment. Millions are equally disillusioned with the Democratic Party, which is widely regarded as a pro-corporate party of Wall Street and the military-intelligence agencies. What does the Democratic Party offer young people? If the Democrats are successful in realizing the main component of their opposition to Trumpa more aggressive policy toward Russiait will likely mean the initiation of a war that will see many of the youth protesting on Wednesday sent to kill or be killed in the interests of the geopolitical domination of the American ruling class. It is worth noting that while the Democratic Party has focused their entire electoral strategy on issues of race, gender, ethnicity and other identities, the school violence protests have brought together largely working-class youth of every racial and ethnic background. The politically limited form of these protests is bound up with the long-term suppression of working-class struggle by the unions. But when the class struggle develops, as in the recent West Virginia teachers strike, where educators temporarily broke free of the control of the unions, workers and youth responded powerfully, including with a mass demonstration of high school students in Charleston, the state capital. The IYSSE welcomes the politicization of young people in the United States and internationally, which is an indication of things to come. What is lacking, however, are a political strategy, program and perspective to resolve the crisis facing working-class youth and the working class as a whole. The root cause of the unending string of mass violence in America and all the social problems facing youth lies in the capitalist system and the nightmarish world it has created. The basic needs and demands of youth and students cannot be realized outside of the struggle of the working class for political power, and the establishment of a socialist society that will put an end to inequality and war. There are important lessons for striking lecturers in the case brought by a former student of Anglia Ruskin University, who is suing the UK institution for breach of contract and fraudulent misrepresentation. The case illustrates how the successful defence of lecturers pensions cannot be separated off from opposition to the ongoing marketisation of education, as the University and College Union (UCU) is seeking to do. Graduate Pok Wong is claiming 60,000 compensationher estimated cost of her university educationon the basis that her degree did not offer the quality education and prospect of employment after graduation claimed by the university. This suit demonstrates the corrosive consequences of students being encouraged to view themselves as consumers entering into contracts with universities for economic advantage. The collective endeavour of learning is replaced by a purely financial and adversarial relationship between two parties, in which each is incentivised to push the other for maximum cost efficiency. In comments to the Sunday Telegraph, Wong explained her hopes that the case would set a precedent so that students can get value for money, and if they dont they get compensated. Her comments accept the principles of marketised education and attempt to leverage them for individual students self-interest. However, Wong has taken an individualistic approach to a very real and difficult situation in which students find themselveswith any prospect of a half-way decent job, out of which accrued debts must be paid, dependent on a good grade from a respected university. Fault does not ultimately lie with her, or any individual student. Wongs case is a product of the reshaping of higher education into a business model. This process has been carried out for decades under both Conservative and Labour governments, and has been intensified in recent years. While it persists, many more cases of a similar kind can be expected. Moreover, Anglia Ruskin and other universities have embraced this process, treating their prospectus as an extended advert promising applicants precisely the flower-strewn career path Wong complains she did not receive. Wong refers in her legal papers to Anglia Ruskins claim to carry out world-leading research. In fact, the university is ranked in the 301st-350th bracket for quality of research by Times Higher Education. A number of other institutions have promoted themselves with similar lies or distortions. Last November, the Advertising Standards Authority watchdog ordered seven universities to change false claims about their status made in advertisements to students. The University of Strathclyde, for example, was told to change its claim, We're ranked No. 1 in the UK for physics. Teesside University had to stop calling itself the Top university in England for long-term graduate prospects. Specific instances of misrepresentation are less significant than the motivations driving them. Since the cap was lifted on student numbers and fees, a vicious competition has begun among universities for young people entering higher education and the increasingly large financial hauls they bring with them. For the 2015-16 academic year, income to the higher education sector totaled 34.7 billion, 48.4 percent of which came from tuition feesa sizeable section of that from international student fees. Changed reporting methods make detailed year-by-year comparisons difficult but, whatever the precise statistics, this is a huge leap from the 18.7 billion reported for the 2013-14 year. A small layer of university leaders and administrators are doing very well out of this increased revenue flow. For them, young people are treated more and more as potentially lucrative assets to be competed for. University spending reflects this assessment. According to research carried out by Bournemouth University in 2013, almost seven in ten Directors of Marketing in UK universities surveyed saw a growth in marketing budgets following the increase in tuition fees. The report suggested the budget rise seemed indicative of the greater perceived value of university marketing as an ethos. That year, replies to freedom of information requests at 70 universities found that they collectively spent more than 36 million on student marketing in 2012-13. This was a rise of 14.7 percent on 2011-12 and 33 percent on 2010-11. Anglia Ruskin was listed as one of a number of institutions, particularly newer ones, whose spending skyrocketed in these years. It spent 1.76 million in 2012-13, about 1 million more than in 2010-11. Anglia Ruskin is in good company. According to a second set of freedom of information requests in early 2016, University College London spent 2,000,068 on marketing in 2014-2015 and Kingston University spent 1,874,476 in 2015-16. Reading University spent a staggering 2,582,000 in 2013-14. A spokesman commented, Were operating in a highly competitive and global market for students. By 2016, Anglia Ruskin spoke even more plainly. Following a high-profile university promotion with NME magazine and Reading Festival, Karen Smalley, the universitys head of branding and campaigns, described the situation in higher education as she saw it: For too long there has been a little bit of snobbery about how we market universities... we have to talk about what youre getting for your money. No-one in the university likes to talk about students as consumers, but thats what they are... Lets talk about how we position ourselves in a very commercial market There is a close connection between Wongs claims and the ongoing compensation campaign demanding students are recompensed for teaching missed during the UCU lecturers strike. The campaign is providing a cover for universities to subvert the strike, in the name of minimising cost to students. As with the suit against Anglia Ruskin, the call for compensation reinforces the concept of the student as a consumerwhich is at the heart of deteriorating conditions in higher education for students and university workers alike. This is the reason compensation petitions have been endorsed by numerous Tories, including Universities Minister Sam Gyimah, a longtime advocate for the involvement of the private sector in university education. Gyimahs support is of a piece with the Tory partys whole strategy for undermining higher education. Government attacks in the last few years have increasingly been carried out under the fraudulent auspices of aiding the cause of students: from the Teaching Excellence Framework in 2017 allowing for yet higher fees, to the Office for Students (OfS) and higher education review set up recently. In the universities ministers own words, Gone are the days when students venerated institutions and were thankful to be admitted. We are in a new agethe age of the student. According to the governments plan, students are to be used as a pressure group for enforcing its marketisation agendaan agenda with dire consequences for all would-be students as well as higher education in general. Yet the campaign has been embraced by the UCU and advanced as a means of showing solidarity with lecturers against university management, organized within Universities UK (UUK). Indeed, many students who have signed petitions making this demand will have done so not out of agreement with the government but in an attempt at forging unity with the strikers. In this, the UCU only confirms the fraudulent nature of its present pose of opposition and its essential unity with the employers and the government against the interests of education workers and students alike. As the Wong case proves, the enemy cannot be fought by opportunistically seizing on its own weapons, but only by rejecting the entire framework of education marketisation and defending the right to a free and high-quality education through the class struggle and on the basis of a socialist programme. Reindeer jerky, anyone? Finland is the happiest country in the world, according to the latest World Happiness Report. Norway, last year's winner, came in second place in the 2018 report. It's followed by Denmark, Iceland and Switzerland. The World Happiness Report was released by the Sustainable Development Solutions Network for the United Nations on March 14, days before World Happiness Day on March 20. The report ranks countries on six key variables that support well-being: income, freedom, trust, healthy life expectancy, social support and generosity. "The top five countries all have almost equally high values for the six factors found to support happiness, and four of these countries -- Denmark, Switzerland, Norway and now Finland -- have been in first place in the six World Happiness Report rankings since the first report," said report co-editor John Helliwell, a professor emeritus of economics at the University of British Columbia. "In a division with such excellent teams, changes in the top spot are to be expected," he said. Finland also had the happiest immigrants, a special focus of this year's report. Differences among the top five countries are small enough that jostling among the top five is expected every year. The Netherlands came in sixth place this year, followed by Canada, New Zealand, Sweden and Australia. In the 2018 list, the top 10 countries shifted spots compared with the 2017 report, but none dropped out of the top 10 list (which means there were no new entries this year). Happiest immigrants in the world The 10 happiest countries were also 10 of the top 11 spots in the rankings of immigrant happiness. (Mexico, which came in 24th place in the overall rankings, placed 10th in the immigrant happiness rankings.) "The most striking finding of the report is the remarkable consistency between the happiness of immigrants and the locally born," said Helliwell in a news release. "Although immigrants come from countries with very different levels of happiness, their reported life evaluations converge towards those of other residents in their new countries," said Helliwell. "Those who move to happier countries gain, while those who move to less happy countries lose." The United States' ranking is dropping The United States landed in 18th place, dropping four spots from last year. "Governments are increasingly using indicators of happiness to inform their policy-making decisions," said economics professor Jeffrey D. Sachs, director of Columbia University's Center for Sustainable Development and report co-editor. "US policymakers should take note. The US happiness ranking is falling, in part because of the ongoing epidemics of obesity, substance abuse and untreated depression." Other major powers didn't crack the top 10 rankings, either. Germany came in 15th place, while the United Kingdom was 19th. Japan came in 54th place, Russia came in 59th place and China came in 86th. People in Burundi are unhappiest with their lives, according to the survey of 156 countries, followed by Central African Republic (155), South Sudan (154), Tanzania (153) and Yemen (152). It began with Bhutan The tiny country of Bhutan, which came in 97th place, brought attention to happiness as a metric for its people. Its prime minister proposed a World Happiness Day to the United Nations in 2011, which created an international focus on happiness. One year later, the U.N. General Assembly declared March 20 as World Happiness Day, recognizing "the relevance of happiness and well-being as universal goals and aspirations in the lives of human beings around the world and the importance of their recognition in public policy objectives." This report is the sixth to come out since 2012. The rankings of the world's happiest countries came from an analysis of data from surveys in 156 countries taken from 2015 to 2017. The analysis of immigrant happiness was based on surveys of 117 countries covering the years 2005-2015. Authorities have seized a snapping turtle from an Idaho junior high school science teacher who is currently under investigation for feeding a small puppy to the reptile. The Idaho Department of Agriculture requested that the Idaho Department of Fish and Game remove the turtle from Robert Crosland's possession. "The Department of Agriculture sent an official request to the Idaho Department of Fish and Game asking us to seize the snapping turtle under the Department of Agriculture's authority," Regional Conservation Educator Jennifer Jackson tells EastIdahoNews.com. "Officials from the southeast region of the Department of Fish and Game took the turtle and gave it to the Department of Agriculture." The Department of Agriculture will determine what will happen to the turtle. Jackson did not elaborate on why Fish and Game seized the turtle. Crosland, a teacher at Preston Junior High, has not been cited or charged with any crime. The Franklin County Sheriff's Office conducted an investigation that was turned over to Franklin County Prosecuting Attorney Vic Pearson. Pearson said Tuesday that due to a conflict of interest, his office has enlisted the help of a 6th Judicial District prosecuting attorney. Crosland has taught science at Preston Junior High School for years. On Monday, EastIdahoNews.com reported he was being investigated after multiple sources said he fed the puppy to a snapping turtle after school in front of students. A mother of two of the three boys in the classroom when the feeding happened told the Preston Citizen that the story has been blown out of proportion. "If anyone has a right to be upset, it is me," Farahlyn Hansen told the paper. "I am not upset. I felt like it was the more humane thing for Robert to do than to just leave it (the puppy) to dieThe puppy was dying." She also told the newspaper that the puppy had been rejected by its mother. Many students, former students, parents and community members have contacted EastIdahoNews.com saying they support Crosland and are disappointed, even angry, that the story has been in the news. A petition titled "We Support Crosland" had over 3,000 signatures as of 9:15 p.m. Thursday, and dozens of Facebook users have posted positive messages in favor of the science teacher. There has been backlash against Crosland in Idaho and across the country. EastIdahoNews.com has received dozens of phone calls and messages from people furious about what the teacher did. There are online petitions calling for Crosland to be fired, and one has over 90,000 signatures. The Idaho Humane Society has asked for a thorough investigation into the alleged mistreatment of the puppy and PETA issued a statement calling on the school district to take the incident "seriously." "This teacher - who is allegedly known for feeding guinea pigs to reptiles during lessons - is a bully who should not be allowed near impressionable young people," PETA Senior Director of Cruelty Casework Stephanie Bell said in the statement. "Any youngster who witnessed cruelty in the classroom is now in desperate need of lessons about having empathy for other living beings." The incident has resulted in threats targeting Crosland and Preston schools. Authorities increased security Thursday after a Facebook post was created encouraging violence against Preston School District 201. The Franklin County Sheriff determined the post did not pose a credible threat, according to a letter from Superintendent Marc Gee, but officers and deputies were stationed at schools as a precaution. Crosland is a beloved teacher who brought science to life, according to a 2000 story published in The Herald Journal. "Cages and aquariums line the walls, and they're not just local snakes and frogs," the article states. "His room is so interesting even former students still visit. Ninth-graders on Preston High School's track team sometimes end their training runs at the junior high." "We had a blast when we were in his class," Jacob Linderman told the paper at the time. "When we end our runs here, this is the first place we come to see all the animals." Unilever has chosen the Dutch city of Rotterdam as the location of its corporate headquarters, ending nearly a century of residency in London. The United Kingdom's third largest company said in a statement Thursday that it would use Rotterdam as its sole legal home amid a broader shake up of its corporate structure. Unilever shares will continue to be listed in London, Amsterdam and New York. The global consumer goods company said that its 10,000 employees in the Netherlands and the UK would not be affected. The move by Unilever, which owns brands including Dove, Lipton and Ben & Jerry's, is a blow to the UK as it prepares for life outside the European Union. By choosing to incorporate in the Netherlands, the company will remain based in the EU after Britain leaves the bloc in March 2019. Prime Minister Theresa May has sought to reassure businesses that Britain will remain an attractive place to invest following its divorce from the EU. But many companies based in Britain are making plans to protect their future access to EU markets given the risk that Brexit will result in new barriers to trade in goods and services. "The optics for [the British government] are not great," said Ken Odeluga, a market analyst at City Index. "It's difficult to pretend political filters were entirely absent from management's thought process." Unilever, which has operated for decades with dual headquarters in London and Rotterdam, did not cite Brexit as a motivating factor. It said it hopes that consolidating in the Dutch city will simplify its structure, give it more flexibility to buy or sell brands, and help drive its long-term performance. Unilever has global sales of roughly -54 billion ($67 billion), 5.5% of which come from the UK, according to Factset. Related: Unilever tells Facebook and Google to clean up 'swamp' May's government put a brave face on the loss of one of Britain's biggest companies. "As the company itself has made clear, its decision to transfer a small number of jobs to a corporate HQ in the Netherlands is part of a long-term restructuring plan of the company and is not connected to the UK's departure from the EU," the UK government said in a statement. Unilever has nearly 170,000 employees around the world. The company said it would review its structure last year after brushing off a takeover attempt from Kraft Heinz. Analysts said that Dutch laws make it easier for companies to fend off hostile takeover attempts. Bart Le Blanc, a partner at the law firm Norton Rose Fulbright in Amsterdam, said the move also makes sense for corporate governance and tax reasons. "The investment and regulatory environment in the Netherlands is highly attractive for such multinational enterprises and the Dutch government has made great strides in creating a level playing field for taxes," he said. Correction: An earlier version of this story used the wrong currency for Unilever's revenues. The US military revealed for the first time Wednesday that US troops were involved in a firefight in Niger in December, just months after a Green Beret-led team was ambushed by ISIS militants in October, an attack that left four US soldiers dead. In a statement provided to CNN by Pentagon spokeswoman Maj. Sheryll Klinkel, the US military said that "during a mission in the Lake Chad Basin region the morning of Dec. 6, a combined force of Nigerien and US military members came under fire from a formation of violent extremists." 11 militants were killed in the December battle, Pentagon assesses Four US soldiers were killed in Niger in October The military stressed that US troops were not seeking combat and that the joint US-Nigerien mission was aimed at setting "the conditions for future partner-led operations against violent extremist organizations in the region," adding that "no aspect of this mission focused on pursuing enemy militants." "With that said, our forces do operate in unstable areas and are occasionally exposed to danger from enemy forces. When such a situation occurs, our personnel are authorized to respond to threats and violence appropriately," the statement added. The statement said the military assessed that the attackers were part of the terror group ISIS-West Africa, a different group from the ISIS affiliate believed to be responsible for the October ambush that happened in a different part of the large African country. The US assesses that 11 militants were killed in the December battle, including two terrorists who were wearing suicide vests. It also said that a weapons cache was destroyed during the mission. The previously undisclosed firefight was first reported by the New York Times. Following the October incident some senior members of Congress expressed surprise at the size and scope of the US military presence in Niger. US Africa Command, which oversees US military operations on the continent, launched a months long investigation into the circumstances surrounding the October attack, an investigation which awaits final approval from Secretary of Defense James Mattis. Earlier this month the Department of Defense approved imminent danger pay for US troops serving in Niger, Mali, and certain areas of Cameroon. The designation is retroactive to June 2017 meaning that the US troops who were involved in the recent firefights in Niger could be eligible to receive the additional pay of $225 per month deployed. Imminent Danger Pay is provided to troops serving in places such as Iraq, Syria, Afghanistan and Somalia. The US has about 800 troops in Niger with the majority of those forces involved in the construction of a new drone base at Agadez and the training and advising of local forces. "Niger is a country that's surrounded by problems on all of its borders," Gen. Thomas Waldhauser, the head of US Africa Command, told a hearing of the House Armed Services Committee last week. "We're trying to - to support a country and make sure that they're not taken over by violent extremist organizations who would take over those ungoverned spaces and turn them, and make plans to do things outside the region in Europe or perhaps in the United States," he added. Dan Cristiani of Clark County, Indiana, thought he was helping veterans. His late father had been awarded two Purple Hearts, so when Cristiani received a call from the "Wounded Warrior Fund" asking for a donation to help Indiana vets, he felt it was his duty to give. And give again. Over two years, the 69-year-old donated more than $1,000. But the money never made it to veterans, and instead is believed to have fueled the lifestyle of suspected crooks. The Wounded Warrior Project is a legitimate multimillion-dollar nonprofit organization with nationwide recognition that helps wounded, ill and injured veterans. The Wounded Warrior Fund, on the other hand, was a complete scam, federal prosecutors say. After a three-year investigation by the US Secret Service and Clark County Sheriff's Office, four people were indicted February 28 by a federal grand jury. The case was unsealed Friday. The man picking up the checks from Cristiani was 44-year-old James Linville of Clark County. He incorporated the Wounded Warrior Fund in 2011 and Wounded Warrior Foundation in 2014, which presented themselves falsely as nonprofit organizations serving veterans in Kentucky, Indiana and Ohio. Linville worked with three associates to defraud more than 1,000 victims and collect more than $150,000 in traceable donations over six years, according to investigators. The indictment alleges they told donors 100% of their contributions would go to veterans and their families. Investigators say no money went toward veterans. The Justice Department publicly announced the charges Friday morning. "The acts of these fraudsters have eroded the trust and good will of those who want to contribute to legitimate fundraising organizations, including those that support our veterans," US Attorney Josh Minkler said in a statement on Friday. "Our American veterans have dutifully served this country through many wars and deserve better than to be deprived of donations from giving donors," Minkler said. The four are suspected of using aliases to make cold calls and flyers and to seek business donations to help veterans and active-duty service members and their families in need -- payable in cash, checks, gift cards or in-kind donations, according to law enforcement. "No veterans' families have benefited in any way in this case, that we could find," Special Agent in Charge of the Secret Service Louisville Field Office Richard Ferretti tells CNN. "They've used it at casinos, they've used it for medical bills, they've written checks to each other in cash, so we can't find a single dollar, so far, that's gone to a veteran in this case." Three pleaded not guilty in court this week and the fourth is set to appear in court later this afternoon. Linville made calls pretending to be "Sergeant Bob Davis," while his associate Thomas Johnson used the alias "Paul Bradley," according to charging documents. The Secret Service tells CNN that neither Linville nor his compatriots ever served in the military. Together, the four are being charged with 227 counts of wire fraud, mail fraud, conspiracy to commit wire fraud and conspiracy to commit mail fraud. They each could face 20 years in prison. The group's flyers for a "Veteran Family Assistance Program" and "Hoosier Overseas Calling Card Program" stated "the funds received will go to assist families of active military personnel and our military veterans and their families who are having financial hardships." The flyers listed programs to help Indiana and Kentucky veterans, from calling card campaigns to supplies for "those who defend our freedom." They promised to provide money to the VFW Departments of Kentucky and Indiana, the Kentucky and Indiana National Guard, Camp Atterbury and the USO, a law enforcement official said. Those organizations told Secret Service investigators that they never received any money from the groups. There was no calling card campaign, no food pantry, no holiday shopping or school supplies for veteran families. Instead the money allegedly went to drugs, gambling and personal gain for the four people charged. The federal indictment unsealed Friday states Linville and his accomplices made ATM cash withdrawals and debit card transactions at a casino, a liquor store, a tobacco outlet store, medical providers and elsewhere. They are also accused of calling local businesses to have food, hotels and services "comped" for veterans. "The free hotel rooms were often used for members of the conspiracy and others to engage in drug activity," a law enforcement source with knowledge of the case tells CNN. Those non-cash donations added up, said Clark County Sheriff Jamey Noel. "This organization -- this fake organization -- was asking people for food donations, for hotel rooms for veterans, for donations from different businesses that would be raffled or organized off for this, what people thought was a legitimate organization," he said. Linville was arrested in a medical treatment facility last Friday in Lawrenceville, Indiana. Two alleged accomplices, Joanie Watson and Thomas Johnson, were taken into custody at home on Tuesday by a federal task force consisting of Secret Service agents, US marshals and sheriff's deputies from Clark County. Linville's ex-girlfriend Amy Lou Bennett was captured Wednesday in a trailer park in Kentucky. Authorities had a difficult time tracking down Linville and Bennett, who appeared to be on the run, knowing their freedom might be waning. The Wounded Warrior Project said the alleged activity has caused well-meaning supporters to second-guess their giving practices. "Fraudulent groups like the Wounded Warrior Fund and Foundation damage the public's trust in the good work of legitimate charities committed to fulfilling their missions," Wounded Warrior Project spokeswoman Ayla Tezel tells CNN. "We are grateful law enforcement will hold those involved accountable for their actions and the harm they have caused our nation's bravest and their families. WWP is committed to ensuring donor intentions are honored, and we take this responsibility seriously," the group tells CNN. The group says its fundraising efforts do not include door-to-door solicitation or cold-call telemarketing. Veterans like Jim Dexter, commander of VFW Post 1693 in New Albany, Indiana, say fraudulent fundraising in the name of veterans makes it hard for legitimate vet organizations like his to raise much-needed funds. "You are taking money from veterans that should go to actual veterans organizations, to help yourself and to fraudulently defraud the public and all veterans that have served their country," said Dexter, who also works with the local American Legion. "None of us have the monies to donate that we had years ago, because of situations like this." James Haehl, an eight-year Army veteran and Clark County detective not involved in the case, was angered to hear about it. "They shed blood for our country. And this guy is using the Wounded Warrior name to obtain money for himself, and as a scam, with nothing being returned to any veterans, or wounded veterans, or people that really need the money. ... It makes me sick." The flyers had painted a different picture. "We do this out of respect for their dedication and willingness to serve our country," the flyers, which also stated the group was an "IRS Approved 501(c)(3) charity," read. There is no evidence that Linville or his crew ever applied for 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, only for an Employee Identification Number. They even went as far as giving out printed receipts that instructed donors to "please keep a copy of this receipt with your records for tax deduction purposes," according to a copy obtained by CNN. Linville has a criminal history of drugs, check fraud and domestic battery. His associates also have an array of drug arrests, according to law enforcement. After being interviewed twice by investigators, Linville began to leave upward of 30 voicemails on Clark County Sheriff's Detective Donnie Bowyer's answering machine. CNN listened to the calls, which ranged from casual to threatening. In July 2017, Linville told the detective, "You've got some problems coming, bud...you've got major problems...put me in jail, I dare you." Linville did not stop. "I'll make a mockery of your court. I'm a sovereign citizen, mother***er. American born sovereign citizen. Your f*****g state laws don't apply to me in any way," Linville told the detective on his recorded voicemail. "I will make a mockery of your f*****g court. And I'll destroy the sheriff's department." Prosecutors believe the voicemails demonstrate intent by Linville to obstruct the investigation, according to charging documents. "He was upset because his good times were coming to an abrupt end," Sheriff Noel said. Bowyer worked on the case with Secret Service Special Agent John Ely for three years and is happy to see the case end with arrests. "I think it's closure to this part of the investigation," Bowyer said. "It was a scam involving veterans, probably about the worst you can do." The victims who donated to the fraudulent group never got their money back. Investigators located six bank accounts used by Linville and all of the money had been spent. They were unable to trace all the gift cards and in-kind contributions donated. Cristiani says he receives solicitation calls every day and that it's hard to say no to people sometimes, especially if they're persuasive. Linville was one of few who persuaded him. "I felt like I was taken advantage of," Cristiani said. "Him working on my soft heart, for me giving to our servicemen, and I believe that he hit the soft spot, and I felt like I needed to give to help out the people that helped us." Women working for Goldman Sachs in the United Kingdom make 56% less on average than men. The gender pay gap was published by the investment bank on Friday, along with other compensation statistics. Goldman also said that women receive bonuses that are 72% smaller on average. The figures are calculated by adding up total pay, for men and women, and dividing by the number of employees. CEO Lloyd Blankfein and President David Solomon said in a letter to employees that men and women in similar roles at Goldman are paid equally. But they said women are under-represented in senior roles. "We have made some progress, but we have significant work to do, and we, as leaders of our firm, are committed to doing this critical work," said Blankfein and Solomon. Goldman has set itself the goal of having women make up 50% of its workforce. Blankfein and Solomon wrote that an "important first step" would be to ensure that women make up half of its incoming analyst class by 2021. The bank said it had also signed the UK Women in Finance Charter, committing the firm to ensuring that women make up at least 30% of positions at vice president level and above by 2023. Related: Why men need to believe in the wage gap Gender pay gaps are high on the political agenda in the United Kingdom. A law that came into force last year requires businesses with 250 or more workers to publish information about their pay gap by early April. The "name and shame" tactic is designed to force companies to close the distance between men and women. Banks and financial services firms have reported many of the widest gaps. Related: What happens when women know how much other women make HSBC said earlier this week that its mean gender pay gap was 59% in 2017. Britain's biggest bank reported an even bigger gulf for bonuses at 86%. Women account for 54% of HSBC's overall workforce in the UK, but just 23% of senior positions. The White House and the CIA are preparing to fight a fierce battle over the nomination of President Donald Trump's pick to head the agency, Gina Haspel, who is already facing strong opposition over her participation in Bush-era interrogation programs. If confirmed, Haspel, a 33-year CIA veteran and current deputy director, would become the first woman to head the agency. She is respected as a "pro's pro," one former CIA official told CNN, and has had some face time with the President in the past. But more controversial aspects of her record are presenting potential obstacles. These include her time running the CIA's secret "black site" prison in Thailand in 2002 called "Cat's Eye," the first secret detention facility created after the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks designed to allow the CIA to interrogate suspects off the grid, and her later role in the CIA's destruction of tapes from interrogation sessions of terrorism detainees. Haspel's nomination, announced in a tweet from the President on Tuesday morning, came as a surprise to many in the intelligence community and Congress, who are now scrambling to try to get her through the confirmation process unscathed as key senators in both parties have already voiced criticism of Haspel. Outside Trump's innermost circle, hardly anyone knew beforehand that Haspel would be nominated. The White House did not notify many of Trump's national security advisers and officials, according to sources at various national security agencies. Senate Intelligence Committee Chairman Richard Burr said he was not consulted or given a heads-up before Haspel was selected. "Senate leadership was notified on Monday morning," White House spokeswoman Lindsay Walters told CNN in an email. Haspel was at the White House during a visit from a South Korean delegation last week, but it's unclear whether the President specifically discussed the new job with her then or if he made the decision over the weekend. Haspel has briefed Trump on previous occasions, according to two sources close to the White House. Walters declined to say whether the President interviewed Haspel for the position before nominating her to the CIA post, but said Trump "got to know" Haspel during her time briefing Trump on intelligence matters. "We are not going to get into internal deliberations, but what I can tell you is that the President got to know Gina Haspel during her time at the White House delivering the President's intel briefings along with Director Pompeo," Walters said. Walters also touted Trump's "great relationship" with Haspel and said Trump respects her "distinguished career." "She has dedicated her life to public service, and the CIA," Walters said. "Gina Haspel has wide bipartisan support by national security professionals." The scramble to prepare Efforts to prepare Haspel for the confirmation process are already underway. Typically, a cadre of CIA experts come together to get the candidate ready, as well as former directors and the White House. The candidate will make courtesy calls to senators who will be voting on her nomination. George Jameson, a more than 30-year veteran of the CIA who worked on multiple different confirmation processes, told CNN the process to get a nominee cleared through Congress varies, especially depending on the candidate's experience. Haspel, as a career CIA employee, will require less background on the agency. Prior to the hearing, Haspel will also be subject to written questions, both a general questionnaire and a separate document of specific questions from individual members. Jameson said it's likely that legislative affairs, the general counsel's office, congressional affairs, and different subject matter experts throughout the CIA will draw up briefings and papers and prepare questions for what is known as the "murder board." According to a former senior intelligence official familiar with the process, the White House will "feed in issues to the team at the agency that is assembling likely questions and contribute to the opening statement. The latter is hugely important in this case, as Gina will need to address clearly and properly the black site/records destruction issues" to "the satisfaction of key committee members." Meanwhile, the President's national security advisers and intelligence officials have kicked off a flurry of meetings to vet Haspel and prepare her for her confirmation hearing. At one meeting of professional staff of the National Security Council, who were not informed in advance about the nomination, concern was expressed that Haspel might not survive the confirmation process, two sources with knowledge of the matter told CNN. One source noted that officials were already floating alternative names in case Haspel's past in Thailand wrecked her chances of being confirmed. Caught off guard, they were preparing for the worst, the source said. However, it's unclear how much of a role the NSC will play as the process continues. The plan to get Haspel through the nomination process -- given the political headwinds -- isn't fully baked within the White House, as they're "feeling it out," another adviser with knowledge of the matter said. However, one US official familiar with the matter told CNN that "Haspel's qualifications are overwhelming, and anyone who knows the confirmation process knows she is on track to get confirmed, DC men's rooms gossip not withstanding." Sarah Sanders, Trump's press secretary, told reporters during the White House press briefing on Thursday that "we're very proud of these nominees," referring to current CIA Director Mike Pompeo, who Trump announced would be replacing Rex Tillerson as Secretary of State, and Haspel, "and fully expect them to both be confirmed." It isn't clear if those in Trump's inner circle are concerned about Haspel's record or gave it a second thought when Trump announced the news. The scrambling over Haspel's nomination stands in stark contrast with that of Pompeo. Two sources with knowledge of the matter told CNN that Pompeo had known for at least several weeks that he would be making the move and is already working on foreign policy projects behind the scenes. Advisers close to Pompeo are already taking meetings with foreign leaders to discuss upcoming projects and Pompeo's vision of the department, one source taking such a meeting told CNN. The mounting opposition Haspel has already attracted opposition from several senators, including Republican Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky and Democratic Sen. Ron Wyden of Oregon. Lawmakers are anticipating a bruising confirmation fight, as several key Republicans say she must answer for her role in the interrogation program. But Haspel has also garnered praise from some Democrats, including Sen. Dianne Feinstein of California, who led the 2014 report that was harshly critical of the Bush-era programs. Feinstein says she is reserving judgment on Haspel's nomination until after her confirmation hearing. On Thursday morning, Feinstein demanded that records relating to Haspel's career be declassified "in order to fully and fairly review her record and qualifications" and give the American people the chance "to know the actual role the person nominated to be the director of the CIA played in what I consider to be one of the darkest chapters in American history," she wrote in a letter to Pompeo and Haspel. Jameson told CNN that the White House and the CIA together are "really going to have to make some decision about what they declassify" about Haspel's record. However, the senators who are voting for her confirmation can get that information in a classified setting. "They don't actually need to declassify," he said. It all depends on if senators will demand open access to information for political gain or transparency for the American public. That debate could prolong the process. Civil liberties organizations, including the American Civil Liberties Union, Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International, have also raised concerns about Haspel's nomination and are planning to fight her nomination aggressively. "We are deeply concerned that President Trump has nominated a willing participant in this dark and shameful chapter of CIA history to lead the institution at a time when the United States' commitment against torture and to the humane treatment of detainees demands unwavering enforcement," Homer Venters, the director of programs at Physicians for Human Rights, wrote in a press release referring to her role in Thailand. The CIA declined to comment, and the National Security Council's spokesman, Michael Anton, did not respond to a request for comment. Haspel's controversial career After the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, national security and intelligence officials caught off guard by the plot were scrambling to provide the White House with options and intelligence to track down and monitor any future danger. One way the CIA did that was by establishing secret prisons around the world to detain and interrogate terrorism suspects. The first suspect, Abu Zubaydah, was captured in Pakistan, and the CIA ultimately decided to create a facility to house him in Thailand called "Cat's Eye." After Haspel's nomination, ProPublica a published correction to stories about Haspel's role in Thailand overseeing the waterboarding of Abu Zubaydah, concluding that Haspel did not arrive at the base in Thailand until after that interrogation was complete. Zubaydah was not the only suspect subject to such methods at the black site in Thailand once Haspel arrived. There are still questions about her record overseeing other detainees who may have been subjected to enhanced interrogation that are likely to come up in her confirmation hearing. Haspel, in addition to leading the first "black site" in Thailand, was also involved in the destruction of videotapes that demonstrated the CIA's use of extreme interrogation methods, including waterboarding, though the former head of the CIA's National Clandestine Service Jose Rodriguez has largely taken the blame for that incident in the public record. Her involvement in the Bush-era interrogation program is technically still classified, despite widespread public reporting. Senators Wyden, Martin Heinrich of New Mexico, and now Feinstein, the champion behind the Senate Intelligence Committee's report on the interrogation program, are demanding that those records be declassified and subject to review prior to accepting her nomination. Haspel has been undercover for most of her career, so there is not much information publicly available about her decades of service. David Priess, a former CIA briefer who wrote "The President's Book of Secrets," told CNN that Haspel's involvement in the interrogation program was "a very small slice of her career," and that she was following policy and adhering to the law throughout - a position many other former CIA leaders have taken publicly in recent days. "My sense is that most of the people that have interacted with her" both in Congress and in the rest of the government "have felt generally positive" about her and her record, Priess said. There's also a sense she's a popular pick within the agency. Former agency officials have swarmed to TV and radio stations in the two days since she was nominated to congratulate her and defend her record. One former CIA official who has spoken with current employees said Pompeo's departure was expected after months of rumors, and that Haspel's nomination was largely welcome, especially as opposed to alternatives like Tom Cotton, the Arkansas Republican on the Senate Intelligence Committee who is close to Trump and was rumored to replace Pompeo months ago. MARKHAM, Ill. (WTTV) Police have issued an Amber Alert for two young girls in Illinois after their mother was fatally shot, the Chicago Tribune reports. Lynn Roby, 3, and Jordyn Washington, 2, are believed to have been taken by their father, Lynn Washington, from Markham, Illinois. They were last seen in a silver 2004 or 2005 Chevrolet Malibu or Impala. Markham is only about 10 miles from the Indiana state border. Markham Police Chief Mack Sanders says Washington is a person of interest in the shooting death of the girls mother, Lakisha Roby, 27. Roby was fatally shot at a BP gas station at 167th Street and Pulaski Road around 1:35 a.m. Wednesday after getting into an argument with Washington, the Chicago Tribune reports. Washington picked up the children about 2 p.m. from a family friend who had been watching the girls and was not aware of the shooting, Sanders said. He is prohibited from contact with the children by a protection order issued on November 30. Washington, 40, is black with brown hair and brown eyes. Police say he is about 5 feet 9 inches and weighs about 180 pounds. He has tattoos on his neck, left arm, right arm and chest. He is described as armed and dangerous. Anyone with information is asked to call 911. This story was posted by WTTV in Indianapolis GREENE COUNTY, Ind. (WTHI)- The courtroom was silent during the prosecutions' statements Thursday morning. That's when Chase Alianos parents took the stand. For the past year, the Steve Aliano and the rest of his family have struggled with the loss of their son. "Well I mean its been a very trying time to say the least and without god, we would have never got through it," said Aliano. A jury convicted William Abel of shooting and killing Aliano on this property. Police say he proceeded to burn his belongings, buried Aliano, and hid his vehicle. Greene County Prosecutor Jarrod Holtsclaw said it was an investigation that took nearly a year. It also included a week-and-a-half long jury trial. "When chases family reached out, he lied to them. When members of his own family asked him about what had happened and why the vehicle was on the property, he lied to them," said Holtsclaw. A jury recently found Abel guilty on all four charges against him. Thursday a judge sentenced him to a total of 80 years in the Indiana Department of Corrections. The prosecution hopes this will give Alianos family peace. "Nothing we can do as prosecutors, or the investigators or the judge can make the Aliano family whole again. We cant bring chase back. But in terms of handing down a punishment that will hold Mr. Abel accountable, I think this will," said Holtsclaw During Thursday's hearing, Abel took the stand. Abel apologized to the Aliano family and his own. He said that this is a price he is willing to pay. Now the Aliano family has to move forward without their son. "I hope nobody ever has to experience what myself and my family have experience through this," said Steve Aliano. The prosecution says Abel will have to serve a minimum of 59 years of his sentence depending on his behavior. Abel does plan to appeal the judges sentence. FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) Security video shows a Florida sheriffs deputy going toward the high school building while a gunman massacred 17 students and staff members, but he then backed away and stayed outside with his handgun drawn. The Broward County Sheriffs Office released the video Thursday showing Deputy Scot Petersons actions during the Feb. 14 shooting. It shows him and two staff members rushing in a cart toward the three-story freshman building where the shootings happened. When they arrive, Peterson pulls his weapon and goes forward but then retreats and takes up a position outside the building. During most of the six minutes of shooting, the cameras view of Peterson is blocked by a light pole but parts of him occasionally appear. He never went inside. There is no sound on the video. About 11 minutes after the 19-year-old suspect Nikolas Cruz began shooting, the video shows a glimpse of Coral Springs police officers who have arrived at the school rushing toward the building. By then, Cruz had fled. He was arrested an hour later about a mile from the school. Sheriff Scott Israel blasted Peterson eight days after the shooting, saying the deputy should have entered the building immediately, addressed the killer, killed the killer. Video courtesy of the Broward County Sheriffs Office The 54-year-old deputy retired rather than accept a suspension. He is still being investigated by internal affairs. Peterson has denied wrongdoing. In a statement issued through his lawyer shortly after his retirement, he said he thought the shots were being fired from outside the school. But in radio transmissions released last week it appears the 32-year veteran deputy knew almost immediately the shots were coming from inside the freshman building. Petersons attorney, Joseph DiRuzzo, did not return a call and email Thursday seeking comment. John Bostain, an independent police trainer, reviewed the video at the request of The Associated Press. He said it confirms that Peterson should have entered the building: that is an almost-universal response in police training after the 1999 Columbine High and 2012 Sandy Hook school shootings. He said the question is why he didnt: was it because of Petersons individual character or something about the culture in the Broward Sheriffs Office that made him avoid a deadly force situation? The sheriffs office has said Peterson underwent active shooter training in 2016 where he was taught to confront and take down the suspect. The sheriffs office said in a statement Thursday, The video speaks for itself. Cruz faces 34 murder and attempted murder charges in the attack and a judge entered a plea of not guilty on his behalf Wednesday. Prosecutors say they will seek the death penalty. Cruzs public defenders have said he would plead guilty in exchange for a life sentence. A Florida judge earlier this week agreed with news outlets including the AP that the video should be released. Police and school officials had resisted the release, saying it was evidence in an active investigation. Video of what happened inside the school was not released. VIGO COUNTY, Ind. (WTHI) One in 10 families have babies who land in the Newborn Intensive Care Unit or lose a child under 1-year-old. Thats according to the March of Dimes. A Terre Haute family is living proof of the alarming statistic. Culley and Megan Degroote are born and raised in Terre Haute. When they first got pregnant, they were expecting a baby boy. Unfortunately, he died 7 months into the pregnancy. They say doctors didn't have an explanation as to why. When they got pregnant again four years later, it was a high-risk pregnancy. They went to specialists in Indianapolis who told them they needed to deliver in Indy. But they wanted to stay in their hometown in Terre Haute. That's what they did and they say it was the best decision they made. From start to finish, our 34 day stay in the NICU was unbelievable. And those nurses in the NICU are unbelievable, I mean they do miracles, said Culley DeGroote. The DeGrootes are now asking for your help, to help join the cause to stop infant mortality. On Thursday, people in the community learned about infant mortality at Union Hospital. It was a kick-off to raise money for the March of Dimes March for Babies. This nationwide program creates a support system for families who lose a child or who have a premature baby. Terre Haute hosts the 2nd largest March for Babies in Indiana. This year, it will be no different. This here is March of Dimes and Union Health and all other businesses in the community coming together to help babies make it past the first year of life, said Steve Holman, CEO of Union Hospital. What's more motivating than that. The March for Babies will be Saturday, May 6th. Rose-Hulman Institute is hosting the event. You can sign up by clicking here. US Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley said Wednesday the Trump administration "stands in absolute solidarity with Great Britain" following a nerve agent attack against a Russian double agent and his daughter in the English city of Salisbury last week. In the strongest statement yet from the US administration on the affair, Haley said Washington shared the UK's assessment that the Russian state was behind the poisoning and demanded a firm international response. "The United States believes that Russia is responsible for the attack on two people in the United Kingdom using a military-grade nerve agent," Haley said in her remarks at a UN Security Council emergency session, blasting the Russian government for flouting international law. "If we don't take immediate concrete measures to address this now, Salisbury will not be the last place we see chemical weapons used," said Haley. "They could be used here in New York or in cities of any country that sits on this council." The United Kingdom believes Russia was behind the attempted murders of Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia because the nerve agent used, Novichok, was developed in the Soviet Union and could not be replicated by non-state actors. London announced Wednesday it would expel 23 Russian diplomats after Moscow failed to meet a UK deadline to give a "credible response." Russia has dismissed the accusations as "fairy tales" and denied any involvement in the attack which landed the Skripals, along with a British police officer, in the hospital. Moscow's ambassador to the UN, Vassily Nebenzia, even suggested the UK might have been responsible for the attack in an attempt to smear Russia. "In the Russian Federation, no scientific research or development work under the title Novichok were carried out," he told the Security Council. "The most probable source origin this chemical are the countries which have since the end of the 90s been carrying... out intensive research on these kinds of weapons, including the UK." But Haley laid the blame firmly at Russia's door. Highlighting Moscow's support of the Assad regime in Syria following that government's use of chemical weapons against civilians, Haley told fellow diplomats the world had reached "a defining moment." "Time and time again, members states say they oppose the use of chemical weapons under any circumstance," said Haley. "Now one member stands accused of using chemical weapons on the sovereign soil of another member. The credibility of this council will not survive if we fail to hold Russia accountable." Presenting Britain's case, Deputy UK Ambassador to the UN Jonathan Allen called the attack "an unlawful use of force" and invited representatives from the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons to conduct an independent investigation of the incident. Nebenzia, Russia's envoy, reaffirmed his government's denial of involvement in a lengthy and colorful response. He called on the UK government to offer proof that Novichok was used and that Russia was responsible, and slammed UK Prime Minister Theresa May for making "completely irresponsible statements" and "threats." In questioning London's allegations, Nebenzia cited the English fictional detective Sherlock Holmes and his "hapless" Scotland Yard counterpart, Inspector Lestrade. "Lestrade latches on to something that is on the surface of a crime and is in a hurry to provide banal conclusions only to be overturned by Sherlock Holmes, who always finds what is behind the crime," Nebenzia said. "I do think we could all stand to benefit from having a Sherlock Holmes with us today." With apparent sarcasm, Nebenzia also suggested the UK government should look inward to determine why Russian nationals in the country so often find themselves in mortal peril, and mocked Haley's credibility as "an experienced chemist." The White House later backed up Haley's comments at the UN, saying it shared the British assessment of Russia's culpability in the Salisbury attack. "The United States stands in solidarity with its closest ally, the United Kingdom," the statement read. "This latest action by Russia fits into a pattern of behavior in which Russia disregards the international rules-based order, undermines the sovereignty and security of countries worldwide, and attempts to subvert and discredit Western democratic institutions and processes." Veterans Affairs Secretary David Shulkin on Thursday sought to put what he described as "distractions" behind him, telling House lawmakers that he's focused on getting his department on track and working for veterans. But later Thursday, White House press secretary Sarah Sanders suggested that the secretary, under fire for ethics violations and in conflict with members of the administration, may not have the White House's full support. "The President has a large number of individuals that are working hard to make sure that the VA is helping veterans at the best level possible," Sanders told reporters. "We are continuing to review if there are anything that we can do to improve on that system. And if we make changes, we will let you know." Asked whether that may include replacing VA leadership, Sanders said she had no personnel announcements, but that "every day we're looking at how we can better the system, whether it's through policy changes or personnel changes, not just at the top level, but across the board." Shulkin won unanimous Senate confirmation last year, and frequently appeared alongside the President during his first year on the job due to bipartisan wins he racked up on Capitol Hill. But his standing with the White House has soured amid disputes with Trump administration political appointees and the White House over how to best care for the nation's veterans. Last month, Shulkin was the subject of a damning IG report, and the President has grown frustrated with Shulkin, and considered replacing him with Energy Secretary Rick Perry. Both men were on Capitol Hill on Thursday, testifying in two separate committee rooms in the same hall of a House office building. Perry arrived first and told CNN's Rene Marsh that he isn't interested in the VA job. "I've got the perfect job," Perry said as he walked into the hearing Thursday. Asked if he is happy as Energy secretary, he replied: "I'm a happy man." Minutes later, Shulkin arrived, and told reporters that he hadn't spoken to Trump on Thursday. He didn't respond to questions about whether he feels secure in his job. Talk about a hot seat: Sitting next to Trump can be awkward On Thursday, Shulkin told lawmakers on a House appropriations subcommittee that he deeply regretted distractions involving his leadership at the agency, saying "I've publicly acknowledged the distraction that's happened." "I've come here for one reason, that's to improve the lives of veterans," he said, adding that there are "a lot of people that frankly, are more interested in politics than I am." Shulkin also addressed reports that he has posted an armed guard at the door of his 10th floor office, saying that "every Cabinet member has a security detail that is armed, I am no different." He said that he has done "nothing different" with his security, though he prefers not to discuss it, and said that he does not personally make security decisions. The troubles at the department of Veterans Affairs spilled into the public eye in February, when an inspector general report faulted him and senior aides for their handling of a 2017 Europe trip. The report found that Shulkin and top aides, including his chief of staff, misled ethics officials, and that his wife's travel was inappropriately paid for by the agency. Shulkin has since repaid it. But behind the scenes for months, Shulkin has been at odds with members of the department, installed by the Trump administration, a dispute over how much veterans should be able to seek private care outside the VA health care system. Speaking to lawmakers on Thursday, Shulkin said he had not faced pressure from the administration or others to privatize veterans' health care. Instead, Shulkin said, "there is no pressure to privatize. There is pressure to fix this system." Shulkin, who ran the VA's health system under President Barack Obama, has retained the backing of key lawmakers on the House and Senate veteran's panels. Just two lawmakers, Republican Reps. Mike Coffman of Colorado and Andy Biggs of Arizona, have called for Shulkin to resign. Coffman told CNN in an interview Wednesday that Shulkin doesn't have "the leadership or the moral authority to move the VA forward." Ahmed Masri knew early on in life that you never talked about the President in front of strangers, and that if you did, you used a nickname they wouldn't understand. "People would say you could talk about God, but you couldn't talk about Hafez al-Assad," Masri said of the former Syrian president, and father of current leader Bashar al-Assad. "Every city and every village has a fake name for him to use when there's someone around who you don't know." In his neighborhood in the southern Syrian town of Dara'a, that name was Abdel Ghader, or "worshipper of the treacherous." Dara'a, then a quiet, nondescript border town, would eventually become infamous, inextricably linked with Syria's war. "I was a little boy, maybe 10 years old and even then you can feel when people made some joke about Abdel Ghader, how they react," he told CNN. "In 2000, when he died, we were stunned. No one believed it. Is he like us? He can die?" But the iron-fisted ruler did finally release his grip on Syria, dying at the age of 69 after nearly 30 years in power. His son Bashar, 34, an ophthalmologist who'd made his life in London, quickly replaced him. With him came the hope that Syria, cut off from the rest of the world, would slowly reemerge from the shadows. Throughout the course of his life, Masri, now 39, has only ever known an Assad as his country's leader, and the paranoia that infected most Syrians' interaction with government authorities cast a pall over the most ordinary things, like applying for a passport or a driver's license. Masri now lives in Alexandria, Virginia, after years of war sent him first to Jordan and then to the US. But as the war in Syria drags on, his thoughts are often with those back home. His town of Dara'a, on the border with Jordan, was primarily agricultural, and the people lived well enough in a country where choices were restricted and the economy remained in the hands of a ruling party whose cohorts skimmed what they could to enrich themselves. But Dara'a, and the story of at least 15 teenage boys arrested because of graffiti spray-painted on a high school wall, became the epicenter of the Syrian war. The outrage over their confinement and mistreatment rippled across the country in March 2011 until it ruptured into the fragments that exist today. For Masri and many Syrians, the story of the war began in Dara'a. 'Forget your children' At first Bashar al-Assad seemed to fulfill Syrians' aspirations. Changes came to the country, albeit slowly. "We used to see mobile phones on the television and in the movies," Masri recalled. "And we thought they were a fantasy." A year after Bashar came to power, mobile phones arrived in the country. They were expensive, and the two companies with the contracts to provide the phones and the SIM cards were dominated by Bashar's cronies and family, including his cousin Rami Makhlouf, who is known as the richest man in Syria. Worth billions, he was designated by the US Treasury Department for "improperly benefiting from and aiding the public corruption". In an interview with the New York Times in 2011, he warned that the regime would fight to the end, and it would be merciless. "We will sit here. We call it a fight until the end," Makhlouf said. "They should know when we suffer, we will not suffer alone." Technology brought change. "The internet came to Syria, and then Facebook, and then people started to sense and see what was happening outside," Masri said. Then, another moment of consequence followed for Dara'a -- the arrival of its new security chief Atef Najib, in late 2008. Among his many other titles was an unofficial one: he was also a cousin of the new President and he quickly set about establishing his own rules for the province. "He started to take control of not just the place, but the people. He'd institute new laws like he was the President," recalled Masri. He said Najib made it difficult for people to sell their land, citing national security when denying approval for sales, because of Dara'a's proximity to Israel, a sworn enemy. Masri said Najib would send his proxies to offer to buy the land at half the price and take on responsibility for obtaining the approvals, swindling people out of their livelihoods. Dara'a's tussles with its security chief occurred against a backdrop of a Middle East in uproar. The year 2011 began with Tunisian President Zine el Abidine Ben Ali fleeing the country for Saudi Arabia, sparking the beginning of the Arab Spring. Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak stepped down on February 11. The world held its breath and watched. Dara'a and Najib were on a deadly, irreversible collision course. "The revolutions happened, people would watch on Al Jazeera and CNN and the people started to see what was happening outside," Masri recalled. "At a school in town, someone had written on the wall: 'It's your turn now Doctor,' referring to Assad, the ophthalmologist." No one took the blame for the graffiti, he remembered. No one wanted to clean it up, either. Soon, Najib's men arrived. "They needed to arrest someone," Masri said. "So they started to gather the names written on the walls, names students wrote years ago, and arrested those who were under 20 years old." By now, the story of what happened to the teenage boys who were taken into custody by Najib's men has entered the lore of the Syrian war origin story. They were held, beaten, had fingernails removed, tortured for weeks. And for weeks their parents and friends would go to Najib's office, pleading for their release. "They were told, 'Forget your children. If you want children, make more children. If you don't know how, bring us your women and we will make them for you,'" wrote Alia Malek in her book The Home That Was Our Country. In 2011, Najib was one of several Syrian officials sanctioned by the Obama administration for their actions. 'It was terrifying' One of the imprisoned children was Mouawiya Syasneh. Before the graffiti incident, his life consisted of school, homework, playing with his friends in the neighborhood and sometimes visiting relatives. But the Arab Spring was impossible to ignore. "We used to watch the news about the revolutions in Tunisia and Egypt. They used to write 'Freedom,' and 'Down with the regime,' so my friends and I spray-painted graffiti reading 'Freedom' and 'Down with the regime,' and 'It's your turn Doctor.'" He said regime officials came to his house at 4 a.m. as the call for prayer sounded out and woke him up. "They handcuffed me. My parents were surprised, wondering why they were taking me." He said they told his parents they would bring him back after a while. "It was terrifying," he said. "At the police station, under torture and beating, I admitted to the spray-painting and graffiti with my friends." He said one of his friends had his fingers broken from the beatings. They remained imprisoned for more than a month. Beyond the police station walls, the people of Dara'a marched in protest. They called on Assad to act where his cousin would not. Intelligence officers infiltrated the marches and arrested people, which led to more marches and protests. Malek wrote that a high-ranking delegation of government officials traveled to Dara'a and met with the town's elders on Assad's behalf. The children were released in a gesture of goodwill. Emerging broken and beaten from captivity to discover that the town had been demanding their release all those weeks, Syasneh was rejuvenated. "When I realized that the entire population, the residents of Dara'a were protesting against the regime, I got encouraged and started demanding the freedom we had written about against the Assad regime," he told CNN. Not part of the plan "But within 48 hours [of the teenagers' release], Syrian forces raided a mosque in the city," Malek wrote. When Syrian army bullets flew across the square outside Omari mosque, the people of Dara'a scattered for safety. On April 25, the army tanks rolled into town. "It was a Monday, around 5 or 6 in the morning," said Masri. "They shut down the power, they shut down the internet, the cable television, they shut down everything and surrounded the city." The town has never been whole since. "We didn't imagine things would get this bad," Masri confessed. "We thought we'd demonstrate and go on a hunger strike or whatever, and the government would pay attention to our demands. But there was bombing and killing and aircraft and tanks. It wasn't part of our plan." Dara'a's protests spread to Douma and Idlib. Cities across the country seized on the plight of the teenaged boys and took to the street. At first, it appeared as though Assad too would feel the ire of the Arab street and eventually relent. But his regime responded with force, moderate Syrian activists were targeted and eventually the extremists rose to the fore. For his part, Syasneh joined the revolution. He remained in Dara'a and became a rebel fighter with the Free Syrian Army. It was after his father, a bystander, was killed in a rocket attack in 2013 that he -- 16 years old at the time -- decided to pick up a weapon and fight. He told CNN that since there's been little violence in Dara'a, he hasn't been fighting. He says he has no regrets. "After seven years and up until today, I don't regret it because he [Assad] killed the young and the old and destroyed Syria and displaced the Syrian people and destroyed the country," he said. Nothing has changed Now the province is split in two, divided between government forces controlling the north and two rebel groups that united the previous militias who'd fought for seven years in Dara'a, all in the south. The country, infiltrated and partially controlled by ISIS, now finds the US, Russia and Iran fighting their own proxy war, exacerbating a humanitarian crisis with no end in sight. The Assad regime is accused by humanitarian groups of conducting chemical attacks on its own people. This week, rebels told Reuters that regime fighter jets struck parts of Dara'a in violation of the latest ceasefire. "Nothing changed," said Masri, who left Dara'a for Jordan soon after the violence broke out. He arrived in the US three years ago and works part-time at a restaurant and as an Uber driver. "I lived in the time of Hafez and the time of Bashar. The two are the same. They employed the same people. They used the same politics and the same methods." He lost a brother and an uncle to the war. His parents finally left their home in Dara'a and now live in Jordan. He still has family in Dara'a and is in touch with them regularly. The people who live there now are tired of war, he said. "They can't take anymore. The hunger, the bombing, ISIS, the Iranians, the Russians, people don't have ambitions anymore," he said. "Now they want a ceasefire, peace, whatever. You want to keep Bashar? Ok. I don't care, just don't kill me, don't kill my family, don't kill my children." After seven years and the over-complication of what had begun as a dispute between a town and its security chief, Dara'a's people have reconciled with the reality that freedom as a dream is gone. The people, said Masri, are done. North Dakota Democratic Sen. Heidi Heitkamp said on a radio show this week that it's past time for Hillary Clinton to exit the political landscape. Heitkamp, who is facing a tough re-election race in a state Donald Trump won in 2016, was asked Tuesday by her brother, KFGO host Joel Heitkamp, when Clinton will "ride off into the sunset." "I don't know, not soon enough, I guess," she responded. The host asked, "What's the answer?" And Heitkamp said again: "Not soon enough." The comment came as Joel Heitkamp pointed to Clinton's remarks during a recent speech in India about why the middle of the country voted for Trump in 2016. "I won the places that represent two-thirds of America's gross domestic product," Clinton said. "So I won the places that are optimistic, diverse, dynamic, moving forward. And his whole campaign, 'Make America Great Again,' was looking backwards. You know, 'You didn't like black people getting rights, you don't like women, you know, getting jobs, you don't want to, you know, see that Indian-American succeeding more than you are. Whatever your problem is, I'm going to solve it.'" "I mean, she's bashing the middle of the country and my state again. I don't need her to do that," the host said during the exchange about Clinton that began about 12 minutes and 30 seconds into the interview. "Yeah, I know," Heidi Heitkamp responded. It's a much different tone than Heitkamp struck about Clinton prior to the 2016 election. She said at an event with female Democratic senators endorsing Clinton in November 2015 that "we're supporting Hillary Clinton because she is going to be one of the greatest presidents of the United States of America that we have ever seen." But Heitkamp did criticize Clinton in September 2016, after she referred to half of Trump's supporters as being part of a "basket of deplorables." "I think it was a wrong thing to say," Heitkamp said in a radio interview at the time. "I think that it ignores the very true concerns that we have about needing change in this country. I think that it was ill-advised." Heitkamp campaign spokeswoman Julia Krieger told CNN in a statement, "Heidi will never stand for comments that insult North Dakotans and rural America -- no matter who, or which party, they come from." There are 10 Democratic senators in states Trump won who are up for re-election this November, and several others criticized Clinton's remarks this week, too. Ohio Sen. Sherrod Brown told the Huffington Post: "I don't really care what she said. I just think that that's not helpful." Missouri Sen. Claire McCaskill told reporters on Capitol Hill when asked about Clinton's comments: "Oh, come on," adding, "You're killing me here." With just a blackboard and a talent for drawing, a Ghanaian teacher has explained in detail to his students the secrets of Microsoft Word, earning numerous headlines and worldwide admiration. Now Richard Appiah Akoto, who gained fame last month for teaching computer technology without computers at Betenase M/A Junior High School in the southern Ghana town of Sekyedumase, is starting to appreciate the fruits of his unexpected media attention. People and organizations are donating desktop computers and laptops to his school. And, as part of Microsoft's promise to offer him free training, Akoto was flown to Singapore to attend the annual Microsoft Educators Exchange. The tech giant had pledged to equip Akoto with a device from a business partner as well as access to the Microsoft Certified Educator Program (MCE) for professional development. 'Knowledge is crucial' After reading the Facebook post that made Akoto famous, a Saudi benefactor at University of Leeds in the UK sent him a laptop "as a small gift to his students." "I always understand from the teachings of Islam that useful knowledge is crucial for the benefit of the self and humanity," Amirah Alharthi, a PhD student in Leeds' department of statistics, told CNN. "Also, I am thinking of how much genius people the world has already lost because these people-did not have the fair opportunities comparing to others and that makes me very sad." Betenase M/A Junior High School hasn't had a computer since 2011, and Akoto's students need to pass a national exam that includes questions on information and communication technology (ICT). The written exam is a requisite for 14- and 15-year-olds in Ghana to progress to high school. Five desktops and a laptop But Alharthi's gift wasn't the only one. Inspired by the teacher's story, NIIT Ghana, a computer training school based in Accra, donated five desktop computers to the school, along with books and a laptop for Akoto. NIIT's center manager, Ashish Kumar, told CNN he saw the teacher's photos going viral on Facebook and CNN as well as other media organizations. "We were so touched by the teacher's dedication for his students that we decided to support the school with the best we can do," he said. "We took (a) printout of the news, pasted on our notice board and shared it with our CEO, Kapil Gupta." The company's senior management, including business head Yaw Amoateng and senior manager Sanjeev Mishra, traveled to Sekyedumase to present the equipment to the class. Akoto offered his thanks this week on Facebook. "God bless you all," he said. Oil made Norway rich. Now it appears to be something of a dirty word. State-backed Statoil announced Thursday that it would change its name to Equinor to reflect its shift toward cleaner energy. "Reflecting on the global energy transition and how we are developing as a broad energy company, it has become natural to change our name," CEO Eldar S-tre said in a statement. The government of Norway, which owns two-thirds of the company, has approved the change. The switch will take effect in May. Statoil earns a majority of its revenue from oil and gas, but it's also building up its renewable energy business. It has wind farms off the coasts of the United Kingdom, the United States and Germany. The company said it plans to allocate 15% to 20% of its investment to renewable sources by 2030. The announcement comes just months after Norway's $1.1 trillion investment fund, built up over decades from state energy revenues, said it was planning to dump oil and gas stocks. The fund's managers recommended in November that oil and gas investments worth roughly $37 billion be sold in order to protect the country against a permanent drop in energy prices. Statoil explained in a statement that its new name combines words such as equal, equality and equilibrium with Norway. Related: Norway's pension fund wants out of oil stocks But Per Magnus Nysveen, head of analysis at Rystad Energy in Oslo, Norway, said he had mixed emotions about the name change. "My first reaction was surprise," he said. "It sounded kind of exotic, not really Norwegian." Nysveen said he doesn't approve of removing "oil" from the name. "I'm not so favorable on that," he said. "Oil is something that is needed by so many people ... I think that is a little overreaction to a [trend] that we are seeing right now." Aled Jones, director of the Global Sustainability Institute at Anglia Ruskin University in the UK, said he hopes that Equinor signals a genuine shift away from the "old energy system." "If Statoil really embraces a low carbon future then that is to be applauded, however, it remains to be seen if this is more than 'greenwash,'" he said. In February, Polish President Andrzej Duda signed a bill making it illegal to accuse Poland of complicity in the Holocaust. Speaking to journalists days later, Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki rejected criticism of the law and prompted censure for implying that Jews should be seen as among the perpetrators of the Holocaust. For some, this controversy evokes memories of the anti-Semitic March 1968 campaign, initiated by the then-communist government. The campaign led to the forced exodus of 15,000 Jews -- including renowned figures in the arts and sciences -- less than a quarter of a century after the Holocaust. And though Poland's lower house of Parliament adopted a resolution last week condemning the 1968 campaign, its significance is not lost on anyone -- least of all its remaining Jewish population. In response to Israel's 1967 Six-Day War with its Arab neighbors, W-adys-aw Gomu-ka, first secretary of the governing Polish United Workers' Party, began a bigoted campaign against Polish Jews. The last remaining survivors of the Holocaust -- in a country that, before World War II, had more than 3 million Jewish citizens -- were declared to be "foreigners," "cosmopolitans," "Zionists" and Poland's enemies. Gomu-ka stated before the Trade Union Congress that "Israel's aggression in the Arab countries was met with applause in Zionist circles of Jews -- Polish citizens." He then called for the expulsion of the country's last survivors. Gomu-ka's comments launched a propaganda campaign and the mass mobilization against "the enemies of socialist Poland." Poles of Jewish descent were then subjected to systematic harassment and physical brutality, and prosecuted for defaming the Polish state. The victims were ultimately expelled from their jobs and campuses, had their citizenship revoked and were forced to emigrate. Mieczys-aw Rakowski, the last Prime Minister of communist Poland, recalls how a woman from Krakow with two sons and a sick husband asked Gomu-ka in a letter how she should tell her children that they had now become pariahs in their own country. "Do me a favor and send some poison capsules," she wrote. "I have no strength to live anymore and I do not want my sons to spend their whole lives paying for having a Jewish father." The brutal campaign ran parallel to the main chapter of March 1968 -- mass protests initiated by students against the state. Poles of Jewish origin were accused of having instigated the rebellious calls for democratic reforms. They were arrested, beaten and subjected to torture and detention. "We lost all of our human dignity and human rights. There was a general feeling on the streets that Jews could, once again, be freely persecuted," says Jozef Dajczgewand, who was detained on March 12, 1968, tortured, harassed and sentenced to two years in solitary confinement. He told me that "the police ordered me to take off my pants, screaming 'f---ing Jew' while interrogating me. I closed my eyes, wondering for a second if it was Poles who committed these acts, or the same Nazis who had persecuted my parents." When he was released from prison, all of his friends had fled Poland. "I could feel the echoes of history and decided to leave the country," Dajczgewand says. The victims were made stateless, and subjected to humiliating exit procedures, which involved the confiscation of their possessions and savings. To this day, no viable solution has been found to resolve the issue of compensation for the dispossessed, nor have any perpetrators been prosecuted. The recent resurgence of intolerance in the public discourse has awakened the ghosts of the past, leaving many Poles in shock. Hanna, who asked that her last name not be revealed because she fears for her safety, is a member of Warsaw's Jewish community. She told me she now has a greater appreciation for her mother's fears of anti-Semitism. "My mother was one of the very few who stayed in Poland following the 1968 campaign. She always said that Jews in this country must be mentally prepared to pack their bags and flee on very short notice," Hanna said. And though she thought her mother was crazy for saying that, Hanna said she realizes her mother may be the sanest of all. A recent statement by Polish-Jewish organizations share these sentiments: "On the eve of the fiftieth anniversary of the anti-Semitic events of March 1968 and 75 years after the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising, Polish Jews do not feel safe in Poland." "Maybe this is the circle of life," Hanna concludes, "where history is, once again, repeating itself." As most of you already know, people often do not buy a premade PC, they create their own configuration. Pre-made still sells though, some people just dont want to go through all that trouble and simply ask for an opinion on what is in store, The man who spearheaded US diplomatic efforts on North Korea until his unexpected retirement earlier this month said the North Koreans were "surprised" that President Donald Trump agreed to meet with leader Kim Jong Un so quickly. "To be frank with you, I think they were a little bit surprised that Washington, President Trump readily accepted," Ambassador Joseph Yun told CNN. "They thought it would take a little time." Yun told CNN's Elise Labott in an exclusive interview -- his first since stepping down as US special representative for North Korea policy -- that he welcomes plans for the meeting between Trump and Kim, expected to take place in May. "I'm very supportive of (Trump's) decision to engage at the highest levels," Yun said. "That is a great outcome." Last week, Trump accepted an invitation to meet Kim in hopes of securing North Korea's complete denuclearization. The decision follows recent talks between North Korean and South Korean officials around the 2018 Winter Olympic Games in South Korea, which were launched at the start of the year. Prior to that diplomatic thaw, tensions on the peninsula had hit a peak, with North Korea testing increasingly sophisticated ballistic missiles. Those tests were met with threats of "fire and fury" from the US President and the implementation of harsh new sanctions by the international community. The tests raised the stakes for talks, according to Yun. "They now have nuclear weapons and a delivery system that can legitimately threaten all states in the United States," Yun told CNN on Thursday. "That is different from the past, where we were trying to stop them from getting there, so it requires different attention, different focus and a different approach." Yun served as the US point man on North Korea for 16 months, first under then-President Barack Obama and then under Trump. In that capacity, he conducted a series of back-channel talks with North Korean officials, and traveled to Pyongyang last year, securing the release of imprisoned American student Otto Warmbier, who died shortly after he was freed. Yun, whose career in diplomacy spanned more than three decades, said he would have loved to bring the leader-level talks forward, and disputes criticism from some analysts that May is too soon for such a high-stakes meeting. "What I hope comes out of the summit is that President Trump and Kim Jong Un paint a broad brush of the framework of where we need to go, agree on some principles and agree to kick off a process," said Yun. "Process is better than no process, in my view." Yun acknowledged the North Koreans have wanted a meeting with Trump for some time, but said a lack of agreement within the Trump administration on how aggressively to handle the North Korean nuclear threat prevented talks from happening sooner. In February, CNN reported a schism within the President's national security team over whether to pursue a so-called "bloody nose" military strike. National security adviser H.R. McMaster is among the advisers said to have advocated for such a strike, while Defense Secretary James Mattis and outgoing Secretary of State Rex Tillerson favored a diplomatic approach. "In an administration, you're going to have different views," said Yun. "But I think the time has now come, really, to speak with one single unified voice. And that voice has to be that of the President." Yun said he hopes Mike Pompeo's tenure at the State Department will lead to more cohesion between the agency and the White House on the North Korea issue. Trump announced on Tuesday he would be replacing Tillerson with Pompeo, who currently serves as director of the CIA. "I think Director Pompeo -- and I know some of his folks very well -- they have worked very closely with the White House and with the President," Yun said. Yun added that while he believes the State Department had the White House's support in its broader policy of engagement with North Korea, the upcoming talks make it all the more essential to ensure there is "no gap" in the synchronicity between the President and the diplomats who enact his policy. Asked explicitly whether Tillerson's ouster, which followed months of personal tensions with the President, would contribute to that improved cohesion, Yun said, "Well, you know, that's a conclusion that I personally draw myself." "So I would very much hope that going on -- you know we have a very exciting summit scheduled between the President and Kim Jong Un -- that the management will be very tight between the State Department and the White House and that it would lead to good results at the end of the day," he added. Yun did give credit to Tillerson for helping to create the conditions by which North Korea was ready to come to the table. "Secretary Tillerson has worked very hard to make sure that our policy, which as you know is maximum pressure and engagement, that there is a good portion of engagement," Yun said. "And I have worked very closely with him to that end." While Yun thinks expectations for the upcoming meeting need to be lowered, he hopes Trump will be able to convey that the United States has no "hostile intent" toward North Korea, and is only seeking denuclearization. It's a message Yun emphasized in his own meetings with the North Koreans, with little success. After Trump accepted Kim's invitation to meet, Yun reached out to North Korean officials at the United Nations, he says, encouraging them to seize the opportunity, and suggested they consider releasing three US citizens imprisoned in their country. "I pressed the point to them: This would be an incredibly good time for them to release those prisoners so that they can be reunited with their families," said Yun. "And that, in itself, I told them, would be a very positive message." Yun, who is still easing into retirement, acknowledged he would be tempted to play a role in the upcoming talks if the President asked. He told CNN he doesn't believe the President will be "played" by the North Korean leader. "I think the goals are obvious," said Yun, and "a ton of homework" is being done to prepare. While optimistic, Yun acknowledges the talks could go poorly, increasing tensions on the peninsula even beyond where they stood at the end of 2017. "I hope it doesn't happen," said Yun, "but obviously if the meeting doesn't go well, that's a possibility." The Trump administration's pick to head the United Nations organization that coordinates assistance to migrants worldwide regularly pushed anti-Muslim sentiment, including claims that Muslims were trying to impose Sharia law in the US. A CNN KFile review has turned up previously unreported tweets that reveal Ken Isaacs has an extensive history of sharing anti-Muslim sentiment. Isaacs pushed a conspiratorial view of Islam and promoted the fringe views from prominent anti-Muslim activists, the review shows. The State Department last month nominated Isaacs to serve as director general of the United Nations' International Organization for Migration, a 169-member organization whose mission it is to promote "humane and orderly migration" through assistance to both governments and migrants. The organization is actively involved in resettling refugees, a hot button issue in Europe and the US as large populations of migrants, many of them Muslim, have fled from the war torn regions of Iraq and Syria. Isaacs, who has spent a large part of his career in relief efforts, currently heads international relief efforts for Samaritan's Purse, the Christian non-profit founded by Franklin Graham. Isaacs previously served in President George W. Bush's administration as director of foreign disaster assistance for the US Agency for International Development. In June, the UN group's members will hold a vote on Isaacs' appointment. He must receive support of two-thirds of its members to get elected. It has been a long-standing practice for members to elect the US-chosen candidate. The current IOM Director General, Ambassador William Lacy Swing, has served two five-year terms since 2008. Prior to that, US pick Brunson McKinley served from 1998 to 2008. After his nomination was announced, The Washington Post reported that Isaacs had made disparaging remarks about Muslims and suggested Islam was inherently a violent religion on social media. Isaacs apologized at the time, telling the Post that he "deeply" regretted his comments, and added, "I pledge to hold myself to the highest standards of humanity, human dignity and equality if chosen to lead IOM." KFile's subsequent review turned up tweets not identified in the Post report that shed more light on his anti-Muslim views, including pushing claims from fringe, anti-Muslim groups and individuals. Isaacs did not respond to a request for comment on this report. Asked about the tweets in this story, the State Department sent CNN's KFile a statement that spokeswoman Heather Nauert gave to the Post in February. "Mr. Isaacs has apologized for the comments he posted on his private social media account. We believe that was proper for him to do so," Nauert said last month. "Mr. Isaacs is committed to helping refugees and has a long history of assisting those who are suffering. We believe that if chosen to lead IOM, he would treat people fairly and with the dignity and respect they deserve. I would refer you to Mr. Isaacs for any information on his statements." In December, Isaacs retweeted anti-Muslim activist Robert Spencer, who has said that there is no way to "tell peaceful Muslims from Jihadis in any discernible manner." In the tweet, Spencer defended President Donald Trump's retweeting of anti-Muslim videos by Britain First, a far-right group that has since been suspended by Twitter for violating their rules. "Apparently you would prefer we become 'desensitized' to jihad mass murder," Spencer wrote. "'Islamophobia' is a smear term designed to intimidate people into fearing to oppose jihad terror." In January, Isaacs also retweeted anti-Muslim activist Frank Gaffney, president of the Center for Security Policy, who tweeted out an article encouraging Trump to take on the Muslim Brotherhood, which Gaffney wrote "has been working patiently, stealthily with the stated purpose" of destroying America from within. In July 2017, Isaacs retweeted a user who warned that New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio "allows Sharia law to creep into school & community. Appeasement will eventually destroy freedom," with an embedded video of de Blasio announcing that Muslim holidays would be added to the school year calendar. In January 2016, Isaacs retweeted an image warning parents their children were being taught that Islam was a peaceful religion. "To all you parents out there, pay attention to what your kids are being taught in school," the tweet said. In November 2015, Isaacs retweeted a user who said it was insane to claim Muslims were not terrorists. Isaacs has since removed the retweet. "27 dead after Islamic terrorists seize Mali hotel. Remember, #MuslimsAreNotTerrorists < #insanity," the tweet read. Tupelo Partly Cloudy 74 Hi: 89 Lo: 71 Feels Like: 74 More Weather Columbus Clear 72 Hi: 83 Lo: 72 Feels Like: 72 More Weather Oxford Cloudy 70 Hi: 84 Lo: 68 Feels Like: 70 More Weather Starkville Partly Cloudy 72 Hi: 86 Lo: 69 Feels Like: 72 More Weather Canadian high pressure will build into our area over the next few days. This will bring into our area some of the coolest air of the season so far. Some folks will see overnight lows down into the upper 40s. HOUSTON, Miss. (WTVA) - One person is in custody after a break in and arson at Houston High School Friday morning. According to Houston Fire Captain Jonathan Blankenship, the call came in at 2:22 a.m. Patrick Nichols | Photo: Chickasaw County Jail Patrick Nichols | Photo: Chickasaw County Jail Houston Police Chief Billy Voyles confirmed there was a fire and water damage to the school, as well as extensive vandalism damage to parts of the school. Patrick Nichols, 20, has been arrested and faces felony charges. He's a recent graduate of the school and was still inside the school when police arrived on the scene. Some of the vandalism includes damage to the school's technology, which school officials estimate to be in the tens of thousands of dollars. "There was water damage. The sprinklers went off. There was a fire set in the old home economics room, and lots of glass broken, lots of technology destroyed," Houston School District Superintendet Tony Cook said. Cook says the busted technology will not only cost the district a lot of money but could hurt school testing, which is coming up soon. "The fire was started in one of the back rooms. They had a stove in the room. The subject piled some books on top of the stove and apparentely turned the stove on to start the fire," said Blakenship. However, the school's sprinkler system kep the fire from getting out of hand. Voyles says Nichols met an officer at the front door of the school and was detained. "He opened the door for the officers, and the officer didn't know if he was an employee or what ever it was," Voyles said. The motive for the incident is still under investigation. TUPELO, Miss. (WTVA) - Nearly one in five Mississippians worry about their next meal, that's according to Feeding America. It's a statistic that one Tupelo organization battles every day. Saints' Brew is now in its 10th year of serving the community. Mark Swanberg began volunteering with Saints' Brew when retiring. "It started with donuts and coffee," Swanberg said. Saints' Brew is a ministry that provides a hot breakfast Monday through Friday, targeting the homeless and the working poor. Hannah Maharrey is a coordinator for the Homeless Prevention Outreach. Her role is to help connect the homeless with resources such as finishing their GED's or finding a job. "There was no breakfast for people going out to a long shift or kids going off to school," Maharrey said. Saints' Brew is a service that grew out of a vision and prayer. "It went from that to cooking in crock pots to this beautiful kitchen," Swanberg said. Saints' Brew is housed in the All Saints Episcopal Church on Jefferson Street. Volunteers from all walks of faith cook and prepare a hot breakfast for 50 to 100 people during the work week. "There are no questions asked. If you need a free, hot breakfast, you can walk through these doors," Maharrey said. Kathy Byars said she is extremely grateful for the meals. "It makes life a lot easier," said Byars. More than 1,000 meals have been served through Saints' Brew since 2010. The Saints' Brew ministry relies strictly on donations. Whether you are interested in donating your time or donating needed items for the breakfast, you can call the All Saints Church office at 662-842-4386. Items needed at this time include coffee, creamer, sugar and cereal (no corn flakes thanks to a generous donation.) (RNN) - At least four people died Thursday when a 950-ton pedestrian bridge collapsed on a major roadway running through the campus of Florida International University in Miami. The bridge, which opened just days before, fell onto eight cars at the busy intersection of SW Eighth Street and 109th Avenue at about 1:30 p.m. ET. At an evening press conference, Dave Downey, the fire chief of Miami-Dade County, said nine people were removed from the rubble and transported to hospitals. Four were deceased he said. The amount injured is unclear, but 10 people are being treated at Kendall Regional Medical Center. Miami-Dade Fire continues to conducting a search and rescue operation hours later, and is using rescue dogs, cranes and other urban rescue tactics. A police source told the Miami Herald a woman was rescued from the rubble alive around 7 p.m. The Herald also reported a baby was discovered under the bridge, and its condition was unknown. Official numbers so far:4 dead9 survivors8 cars still under #fiubridge. @MiamiHerald Monique O. Madan (@MoniqueOMadan) March 16, 2018 According to Dr. Mark McKinney at Kendall Regional Medical Center, of the 10 patients they are treating, one arrived in cardiac arrest, but his heart was restarted and hes in critical condition with head and chest injuries. Another patient arrived in a coma with severe extremity injuries and also is in critical condition. "Eight other patients were admitted to the hospital with their traumatic injuries but are in stable condition. Variety of injuries with eight patients, everything from bruises and abrasions albeit of broken bones. But they're all in stable condition and no severe brain injuries," McKinney said. The National Transportation and Safety Board announced they are sending a 15-member investigative team to the site, including engineers, Chairman Robert Sumwalt said. FIU President Mark Rosenberg said he believed stress tests were done on the bridge on Thursday prior to the collapse. Those tests, he said, "did not prove to lead anyone to the conclusion that we would have this kind of result." The bridge was supposed to make life safer for students at FIU, taking them over the busy intersection. An FIU undergraduate student, Alexis Dale, was killed by a motorist while crossing the intersection last August. The bridge was to link FIUs Modesto A. Maidique Campus with the city of Sweetwater where about 4,000 of its students live, according to the Miami Herald. Fire officials said two workers were on the bridge at the time of the collapse. Here is the bridge dispatch audio below. Copyright 2018 Raycom News Network. All rights reserved. (RNN) - Multiple people died Thursday when a 950-ton pedestrian bridge collapsed on a major roadway running through the campus of Florida International University. The mayor of Miami-Dade confirmed one death and six injuries and said eight cars were trapped under the bridge at SW Eighth Street and 109th Avenue, according to CNN. At least eight people were taken to Kendall Regional Medical Center, the Miami Herald reported. It was unclear how many others were injured or the extent of their injuries. The school is currently on spring break. The school released a statement: "We are shocked and saddened about the tragic events unfolding at the FIU-Sweetwater pedestrian bridge. At this time we are still involved in rescue efforts and gathering information. We are working closely with authorities and first responders on the scene. We will share updates as we have them." The span of the bridge that collapsed was only installed on Saturday. The $14.2 million project wasn't expected to be completed until 2019. "I was really excited about seeing the bridge, now seeing it like this, I can't explain it," an engineering student, Ricardo Dejo, told CNN. A witness, Isabella Carrasco, also told the network she had just driven under the bridge when it collapsed behind her. "Quite frankly I'm lucky to be alive," she said. The structure was hailed as an "instant" bridge that had been assembled over a number of months and then dropped into place in a matter of hours. Its method of construction is referred to as "accelerated bridge construction," or ABC. We are stunned by todays tragic collapse of a pedestrian bridge that was under construction over Southwest Eighth Street in Miami. Our deepest sympathies are with all those affected by this accident," FIGG Engineering, the company that designed the bridge, said. "We will fully cooperate with every appropriate authority in reviewing what happened and why. In our 40-year history, nothing like this has ever happened before. Our entire team mourns the loss of life and injuries associated with this devastating tragedy, and our prayers go out to all involved. Another company, Munilla Construction, said: "The MCM familys thoughts and prayers go out to everyone affected by this terrible tragedy. The new University City Bridge, which was under construction, experienced a catastrophic collapse causing injuries and loss of life. MCM is a family business and we are all devastated and doing everything we can to assist. We will conduct a full investigation to determine exactly what went wrong and will cooperate with investigators on scene in every way." THE FIU BRIDGE COLLAPSED OH MY GOD pic.twitter.com/JO7jfx5AoN Gabriela Collazo (@GabrielaRose12) March 15, 2018 This is horrible. I feel so sorry for the people who were at the wrong place at the wrong time. #FIU pic.twitter.com/eSNcdO1cJI Christian Tojil (@ChristianTojil) March 15, 2018 The bridge was supposed to make life safer for students at FIU, taking them over the busy intersection. An FIU undergraduate student, Alexis Dale, was killed by a motorist while crossing the intersection last August. The bridge was to link FIUs Modesto A. Maidique Campus with the city of Sweetwater where about 4,000 of its students live, according to the Miami Herald. Florida's politicians quickly responded to the tragedy. I have spoken with Miami-Dade County Police Chief Juan Perez about the pedestrian bridge collapse at FIU. I will be in constant communication with law enforcement throughout the day. Rick Scott (@FLGovScott) March 15, 2018 Terrible news coming from Miami as a pedestrian bridge has collapsed at @FIU and multiple deaths are reported. We will pray for the victims and the entire Panther community. Marco Rubio (@marcorubio) March 15, 2018 Just spoke with the President of @FIU, Mark Rosenberg, regarding the collapsed pedestrian bridge and offered to help in any way I can and I'm calling Sec. of Transportation Chao to ask the NTSB to investigate what went wrong. https://t.co/hnFYiesOTp Bill Nelson (@SenBillNelson) March 15, 2018 The school tweeted about the new bridge on Wednesday. Florida International University is one of the largest public universities in Florida. The school has two major campuses and enrolls 55,000 students. Copyright 2018 Raycom News Network. All rights reserved. MIAMI (AP) - A newly-installed pedestrian bridge collapsed Thursday at Florida International University, trapping at least five vehicles underneath. Live television reports showed several people loaded onto ambulances immediately after the collapse. There was no immediate report of injuries or any fatalities from authorities. The 950-ton span was installed on Saturday. The main part of the 174-foot span was assembled by the side of the road while support towers were built at either end. (Copyright 2018 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.) (RNN) - A pedestrian bridge collapsed onto cars at Florida International University in Miami on Thursday. It was unclear how many might be injured. A red vehicle could be seen under the bridge. The bridge had just been installed on Saturday. @MDFR_PIO en route to #MCI incident near @FIU. All incident updates will be provided via Twitter. MDFR (@MiamiDadeFire) March 15, 2018 Copyright 2018 Raycom News Network. All rights reserved. TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) - The Florida Supreme Court reduced the death sentence for a man convicted of killing an FSU student in 2010 and ruled he must serve life in prison without the possibility of parole. In its unanimous ruling, the court said Thursday that it decided for Kentrell Feronti Johnson "based on Johnson's performance of his part of his agreement with the State." Johnson and prosecutors had agreed that if Johnson led police to the body of Vincent Binder he would avoid the death penalty. Binder, a 29-year-old Florida State University graduate student, was kidnapped on April 2, 2010, by Johnson and two other men who had escaped from a Louisiana jail. Johnson drew a map that directed officials to Binder's Body in St. Johns County. Johnson's attorneys reached the agreement to spare their client from death with Leon County prosecutors, but prosecutors in St. Johns County were not a party to the agreement. Florida's top court rejected various arguments against upholding the agreement to spare Johnson's life, including the inevitability of the discovery of Binder's body. "Whether the State could have eventually found the body is immaterial to its obligation," justices wrote. The court said that "to allow the State to avoid its promise to a defendant, made by a state attorney with authority over a case, by transferring the case to another violates general contract principles and notions of fundamental fairness. Therefore, Johnson is entitles to the enforcement of his agreement and a life sentence." ALBANY, Ga. (WTXL) - A Doerun man was sentenced to 130 months in federal prison for the distribution of methamphetamine. Theron King, 29, received the sentence Thursday, according to Charles E. Peeler, the U.S. attorney for the Middle District of Georgia. On May 9, 2017, King was arrested in Sale City, Ga., while possessing approximately 15 ounces of methamphetamine, a news release said. Earlier that day he had agreed to supply the methamphetamine to another person. At his sentencing hearing, evidence showed that, before the events in May 2017, he had arranged for the delivery of about 10 pounds of methamphetamine by U.S. Mail. "Methamphetamine continues to be one of the most serious drugs of abuse in the Middle District of Georgia," Peeler said. "In a matter of only a few months it can destroy a person's physical appearance, health, intellect and emotional stability. Those who deal in methamphetamine deal in human misery and will be held accountable for the choices they make." MIAMI (AP) - An innovative pedestrian bridge being built at Florida International University was put to a "stress test" before it collapsed over traffic, killing six people and sending 10 to a hospital, authorities said. As state and federal investigators worked to determine how and why the five-day-old span failed on Thursday, one factor may have been the stress test that Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Gimenez said crews were conducting on the span. Two workers were on the 950-ton bridge when it pancaked on top of vehicles waiting at a stoplight. First responders had been racing to find survivors in the rubble of the 175-foot span using high-tech listening devices, trained sniffing dogs and search cameras before turning the scene over to police. "This has turned from a rescue to a recovery operation," Miami-Dade Police Det. Alvaro Zabaleta said. The $14.2 million pedestrian bridge was supposed to open in 2019 as a safe way to cross a busy six-lane road between the university campus and the community of Sweetwater, where many students live. Florida Gov. Rick Scott and U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio joined other authorities at the scene. Rubio said the public and the families of the dead and injured deserve to know "what went wrong." Scott added an investigation will get to the bottom of "why this happened and what happened," and that if anyone did anything wrong, "we will hold them accountable." National Transportation Safety Board chairman Robert Sumwalt III said a team of specialists would begin its investigation Friday morning. Rubio, who is an adjunct professor at the school, noted the pedestrian bridge was intended to be an innovative and "one-of-a-kind engineering design." Renderings showed a tall, off-center tower with supporting cables attached to the walkway. When the bridge collapsed, the main tower had not yet been installed, and it was unclear what builders were using as temporary supports. An accelerated construction method was supposed to reduce risks to workers and pedestrians and minimize traffic disruption, the university said. The school has long been interested in this kind of bridge design; in 2010, it opened an Accelerated Bridge Construction Center to "provide the transportation industry with the tools needed to effectively and economically utilize the principles of ABC to enhance mobility and safety, and produce safe, environmentally friendly, long-lasting bridges." The project was a collaboration between MCM Construction, a Miami-based contractor, and Figg Bridge Design, based in Tallahassee. Figg is responsible for the iconic Sunshine Skyway Bridge across Tampa Bay. Figg's statement Thursday said the company was "stunned" by the collapse and would cooperate with investigations. "In our 40-year history, nothing like this has ever happened before," the statement said. "Our entire team mourns the loss of life and injuries associated with this devastating tragedy, and our prayers go out to all involved." MCM Construction Management promised on its Facebook page to participate in "a full investigation to determine exactly what went wrong." Robert Bea, a professor of engineering and construction management at the University of California, Berkeley, said it was too early to know exactly what happened, but the decision to use what the bridge builders called an "innovative installation" over a heavily traveled thoroughfare was risky. "Innovations take a design firm into an area where they don't have applicable experience, and then we have another unexpected failure on our hands," Bea said after reviewing the bridge's design and photos of the collapse. The FIU community, along with Sweetwater and county officials, held a "bridge watch party" March 10. That's when the span was lifted from its temporary supports, rotated 90 degrees across an eight-lane thoroughfare and lowered into its permanent position over the busy road. FIU President Mark Rosenberg said tests were being done on Thursday. Authorities said two construction workers were on the bridge when it collapsed; it's unclear what the tests were or if they contributed to the failure. "This bridge was about goodness, not sadness," Rosenberg said. "Now we're feeling immense sadness, uncontrollable sadness. And our hearts go out to all those affected, their friends and their families. We're committed to assist in all efforts necessary, and our hope is that this sadness can galvanize the entire community to stay the course, a course of goodness, of hope, of opportunity." ___ Associated Press writers Jason Dearen in Gainesville, Kelli Kennedy in Fort Lauderdale, David Fischer and Curt Anderson in Miami and Tamara Lush in St. Petersburg contributed to this report. Copyright 2018 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. THOMAS COUNTY, Ga. (WALB) - Internet access may be getting faster in rural areas in South Georgia. Thomasville and Thomas County leaders are working to secure funding for an internet access project, through the "Connect America Fund". The Federal Communications Commission, under it's Connect America Fund, plans to spend 2 billion dollars over the next 10 years for internet in rural areas. And leaders in South Georgia say its definitely needed. Thomasville and Thomas County leaders met Thursday to go over the Connect America Phase 2. A resolution was passed during that meeting. The resolution is an endorsement from the county to the City of Thomasville for this application to the FCC. This phase of the application approves the city and county's eligibility to the FCC as a telecommunications provider, showing financials and the need within the community. Chris White, Assistant Superintedent of Utilites in Thomasville, says it would be a huge benefit to the community, encouraging economic growth and a better quality of living. On the Connect America Fund map online you can see areas of South Georgia and Thomas County right in the middle. The orange areas are the main areas in focus followed by purple. On the resolution it states that many rural areas in Thomas County currently have no broadband and where it is available the quality of the service ranges from 5 to 25 megabytes. CHEYENNE (AP) Wyoming has joined about a half-dozen other states that let big game hunters don pink in the field. CHEYENNE (AP) Wyoming has joined about a half-dozen other states that let big game hunters don pink in the field. Gov. Matt Mead on Wednesday signed into law a bill adding fluorescent pink to the fluorescent orange now mandated statewide. The new law, which cleared the state Legislature last week, takes effect July 1 before the fall hunting season. Most big game hunters have been required to wear blaze orange as a safety measure to help distinguish themselves from other hunters. Sen. Affie Ellis, who sponsored the bill adding pink, said her motive for adding the color was not about providing a way for some hunters to look fashionable or sexy but simply to give hunters a choice that is safe during the hunting season. This is just a science-based bill, Ellis, R-Cheyenne, said. A textile expert testified that fluorescent pink is superior to blaze orange in terms of visibility to other humans during fall hunting. The color in the fall is usually orange and brown, and the blaze orange is camouflaging the coloring that time of the year, said Majid Sarmadi, a textile science professor at the University of Wisconsin. There is nothing like that pink in the nature in the woods. Therefore, it stands out much better, he said. Budd Betts, a member of the Wyoming Outfitters and Guides Association board of directors, said the organization was supportive of the new color. It maintains, if not enhances, safety, and it makes it a little more fun, Betts said. And its an option, not only for our women hunters, but male hunters if they want to do that. Officials with the Wyoming Game and Fish Department had no issues with the new color, saying they were OK with it because it meets the agencys primary concerns of keeping hunters safe. Wisconsin, Minnesota, New York, Louisiana, Colorado and Virginia have approved similar legislation in recent years. A few states, including Montana, have rejected adding a new color other than orange. BUFFALO Surrounded by family, friends and longtime supporters, Wyoming Treasurer Mark Gordon officially announced his campaign for governor Wednesday night at a celebration in his hometown of Buffalo. BUFFALO Surrounded by family, friends and longtime supporters, Wyoming Treasurer Mark Gordon officially announced his campaign for governor Wednesday night at a celebration in his hometown of Buffalo. Growing up here in Wyoming, Ive had incredible opportunities to build businesses, raise a family and chart my own course opportunities I want every Wyoming citizen and every Wyoming child to have, said Gordon. As governor, I will get government out of the way to support freedom and opportunity. This means decreasing the size of government, making reductions in spending and prioritizing needs versus wants. It wont be easy. Making tough decisions never is. However, I have the knowledge, experience and grit to build the Wyoming economy, the Wyoming education system, and the Wyoming way-of-life we want our kids and grandkids to inherit. In making his announcement, Gordon outlined his top three priorities for running for the states highest office. They are righting the states fiscal ship and ensuring Wyoming is living within its means; getting government out of the way to create a foundation for prosperity that enables Wyoming to strengthen existing industries including energy, agriculture and tourism and attract new ones like technology and advanced manufacturing; and providing extraordinary educational opportunities for students that set them up for success. Over the next several weeks Gordon will be traveling the state to visit with Wyoming citizens and hear their ideas, concerns and vision for the future. In addition to Buffalo, this week Gordon will make stops in Casper, Cheyenne, Torrington, Lusk, Wheatland, Glenrock and Douglas. Next week, Gordon will travel to Afton, Kemmerer, Evanston, Green River, Rock Springs and Rawlins. Additional events are slated for Laramie, Gillette, Sundance, Newcastle, Sheridan, Cody, Lovell, Greybull, Worland, Sublette County, Thermopolis, Riverton and Teton County between March 21 and April 9. Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-14 00:03:22|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, attends a grand welcome ceremony held by Bounnhang Vorachit, general secretary of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party (LPRP) Central Committee and president of Laos, before their talks in Vientiane, Laos, Nov. 13, 2017. (Xinhua/Ma Zhancheng) VIENTIANE, Nov. 13 (Xinhua) -- China and Laos on Monday agreed to build a community of shared future with strategic importance during Chinese President Xi Jinping's state visit to the Southeast Asian country. The two sides made the decision during a meeting between Xi, who is also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, and Bounnhang Vorachit, general secretary of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party (LPRP) Central Committee and president of Laos. It is the first visit in 11 years by a Chinese head of state and top CPC leader to Laos. Speaking highly of each other's development achievements, the two sides agreed to strengthen exchanges and mutual learning, and push forward China's reform and opening up and Laos' reform and renewal. The two countries will continue to hold the spirit of good neighbors, good friends, good comrades and good partners, consolidate the China-Laos traditional friendship, and strive to lift their long-standing and stable comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership to a new stage, they said. Xi praised Laos for sticking to a socialist path with its national characteristics and the country's great achievements in economic and social development. He stressed that he believes under the leadership of the LPRP Central Committee headed by Bounnhang, the Lao people will achieve greater achievements in their pursuit for comprehensive reform and renewal. For his part, Bounnhang spoke highly of the elevation of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era into the CPC's guiding principles during the 19th CPC National Congress. Bounnhang said he believes that under the leadership of the CPC Central Committee with Xi at the core, the Chinese people will forge ahead smoothly towards the two centenary goals. The achievements of the 19th CPC National Congress have greatly contributed to the development of socialist theories in a new era, and are conducive to peace, friendship, cooperation and development in the region and the world at large, he said. The two leaders exchanged in-depth views on international and regional issues of common concern, and reached important consensuses. The two sides noted that the two countries are socialist states led by Communist parties. They agreed that jointly building a community of shared future with strategic importance based on mutual trust is in accordance with the fundamental interests and common expectations of the two parties, two countries and two peoples, and is also conducive to the noble cause of peace and development for mankind. In this file photo taken on May 7, 2017, the S-400 air defense missile systems drive during a rehearsal for the Victory Day military parade in Red Square in Moscow, Russia. (AP Photo) MOSCOW, March 14 (Xinhua) -- Russia will speed up the delivery of the S-400 air defense missile system to Turkey at Ankara's request, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Wednesday. "I already said that we discussed military-technical cooperation, including the implementation of the signed contract for the delivery of S-400 system to Turkey. I can only say that in response to the request of our Turkish partners to speed up the originally planned delivery terms, we reacted positively," the top Russian diplomat said at a joint press briefing in Moscow after meeting with visiting Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu. When asked about when exactly Moscow will deliver the system, Lavrov said the delivery issue had been discussed among specialists but the date is confidential. Cavusoglu said, for his part, that early delivery the system would meet Turkey's interests. Local media reports earlier this week said Russia would start supplying S-400s to Turkey in late 2019 or early 2020, according to presidential aide for military cooperation Vladimir Kozhin. Turkey signed a deal with Russia to buy the S-400 missile defense system in September, 2017. The S-400 is Russia's most advanced long-range anti-aircraft missile system and can carry three types of missiles capable of destroying ballistic and cruise missiles. Turkey is the first NATO member state to purchase the S-400 missile system. Source: Xinhua| 2018-03-16 00:30:51|Editor: Xiang Bo Video Player Close Li Zhanshu, executive chairperson of the presidium of the first session of the 13th National People's Congress (NPC), presides over the fifth meeting of the presidium at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 15, 2018. (Xinhua/Xie Huanchi) BEIJING, March 15 (Xinhua) -- The presidium of the first session of the 13th National People's Congress (NPC) Thursday decided to send some key documents and a candidate list for the upcoming elections of state leaders for deliberation. Presided over by Li Zhanshu, the presidium's executive chairman, the presidium made a decision that the list of candidates to the president and vice president of the People's Republic of China (PRC) and chairman of the Central Military Commission of the PRC, as well as the 13th NPC Standing Committee chairman, vice chairpersons and secretary-general, will be sent to all NPC delegations for discussion and consultation. The Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee recommended the candidates for state leaders to the session's presidium. Entrusted by the CPC Central Committee, Chen Xi, a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, made explanations to the presidium on the candidates for the state leadership positions. The presidium also decided to hand the draft election method to all delegations for deliberation, and adopted an arrangement for holding ceremonies for newly-elected and appointed officials to take oath of allegiance to the Constitution. The other documents, which the presidium decided to send to all delegations for deliberation, included the draft resolutions on the government work report, on the implementation of the national economic and social development plan in 2017 and the plan for 2018, on the implementation of the central and local budgets in 2017 and the central and local budgets in 2018, as well as a revised version of the draft supervision law. The presidium also decided to send the draft decision on the institutional restructuring plan of the State Council to the delegations for deliberation. Before the presidium meeting, executive chairpersons held their fourth meeting, also chaired by Li. LISBON, March 15 (Xinhua) -- The deadline for land owners and tenants to remove combustible scrub and debris from areas beside houses, villages and roads expired in Portugal on Thursday. A clause inserted into the 2018 State Budget declared that all "owners, tenants, users or entities that, by any other title, own land adjacent to buildings within rural areas are obliged to perform combustibles management." A deadline of March 15 was set for the clearance of all potentially flammable trees, bushes and undergrowth located within a 50-meter radius of houses, warehouses, workshops and shipyards, and a 100-meter radius of villages, campsites, industrial parks, logistics hubs and rubbish dumps. Road, rail and electricity companies are responsible for clearing areas close to network equipment and infrastructure. Failure to comply will result in fines of between 280 and 10,000 euros in the case of individuals, and 3,000 to 120,000 euros for groups. After Thursday's deadline has passed, municipal authorities have the right to enter private property, clear the land themselves and charge owners for the work. They will do so through the National Republican Guard (GNR), Portugal's rural police force. While considerable effort to comply has been made on the part of the population, confusion still reins. Many people lack the necessary equipment and manpower to chop down tall trees, for example. Moreover, torrential rain and high winds have hindered outdoor work in Portugal in recent weeks. Meanwhile, critics say the new norms are too arbitrary and that 50 and 100 m buffer zones are excessive. They fear the GNR will be heavy-handed in its approach to trees and wildlife. Prime Minister Antonio Costa sought to reassure the public by saying the government would be fair and understanding. He told journalists in Lisbon that GNR patrols would initially seek to educate and clarify, and that "no fines will be applied provided clean-up work is concluded by June." More than 100 people died and over 400,000 hectares were destroyed by wildfires in Portugal in 2017. (1 euro = 1.23 U.S. dollars) - INGOLSTADT, Germany, March 15 (Xinhua) -- German carmaker Audi will launch 10 new SUV models for the Chinese market in the coming five years, seven of which will also be produced locally, Audi chief executive Rupert Stadler said Thursday at an annual press conference. Stadler said four of the ten new models will be fully electric. "In the next five years, we will more than double our portfolio from local production together with our Chinese partner FAW," he said. "Together we will significantly expand our product range above all in the area of electrified drive systems and sporty SUVs," Stadler added. Stadler also noted that the year 2018 is a special anniversary year for Audi in China because the company started 30 years ago as the first premium manufacturer the local production in Audi's largest single market so far. In 2017, the carmaker, based in the southern German city of Ingolstadt, saw a record sale of 1,878,105 units globally, up by 0.6 percent from 2016. Among them, about one third was delivered to Chinese customers, representing a year-on-year increase of 1.1 percent. Last year, Audi's revenues surpassed 60 billion euros (74 billion U.S. dollars) for the first time in the company's history. Its operating profit amounted to 4.7 billion euros. For 2018, Audi plans to bring 20 new and upgraded models to the market. Among the new models are the first all-electric SUV -- the Audi e-tron -- which is expected to roll off the production belt in Brussels from the end of the year, according to German news agency DPA. Stadler said Audi was having its most aggressive launch of new models in its history and had changed the spread of production over its factories. Research and development costs should increase to over 6.5 percent of turnover this year, he said. Profit margin should remain stable at 8 percent. Source: Xinhua| 2018-03-16 02:31:17|Editor: yan Video Player Close DAMASCUS, March 15 (Xinhua) -- Seven years have passed since the Syrian war started. Whenever hopes get high about a near end, the United States uses its old-new pretext to practice pressure on Syria and its ally Russia. The accusations of chemical-weapon use are the all-time pretext of the United States whenever something goes against its will, as it has used such a pretext last year to strike Syria, and is using it now to prepare for another one. Last April, the United States accused the Syrian army of using nerve agent sarin in an attack on a rebel-held town of the northwestern province of Idlib. Later on, it struck a Syrian military base in central Syria in retaliation for the chemical attack, which was denied by the Syrian government. At the time, the Syrian forces were on a wide-scale offensive against the Islamic State (IS) in the Syrian Desert. The offensive, dubbed the "Great Dawn," aims to secure a triangle of border areas between Iraq, Syria and Jordan. Analysts believed then that the strike, which took place so quickly without strong evidence, had other hidden motives. At the time, in order for the Syrian army to fully secure the triangle of border areas in southern and southeastern Syria, the government forces should advance to the al-Tanf border area with Iraq, where bases of the Western allies and local rebels backed by them are located. The al-Tanf base aims to play the role of a barrier to prevent cross-border Iranian shipments through Iraq to Syria and Lebanon, as the United States and Israel want to see a curb of the cross-border support of weapons from Iran. But then the Syrian forces managed to skirt around the al-Tanf bases and did secure large swaths of border areas after eliminating IS militants in that region. The scenario that had taken place last April is about to be repeated around the same time this year, with the United States having a fresh accusation up its sleeve. The United States and other Western allies have been accusing the Syrian army forces of using the chlorine gas in their wide-scale offensive on Eastern Ghouta, basing their claims on video footages emerging from that sprawling area about people suffering breathing difficulties. The Syrian government renewed its stance of denying using or possessing such weapons, with government officials saying the United States is searching for a pretext to target Syria. The Western powers are throwing most of the focus on the humanitarian situation, attempting to demonize the Syrian government forces, which are fighting to eliminate the last threat to the capital in Eastern Ghouta. U.S. Ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley recently threatened that the United States will strike Syrian government forces if they don't halt their operation in Eastern Ghouta. "We also warn any nation that is determined to impose its will through chemical attacks and inhuman suffering, most especially the outlaw Syrian regime, the United States remains prepared to act if we must," Haley said. The remarks raised the ire of Russia, Syria's main ally, with Russian officials threatening retaliation. Russia's Army General Valery Gerasimov warned on Tuesday that the United States was preparing to launch raids against the Syrian government. "In the event of a threat to our military servicemen's lives, Russia's armed forces will take retaliatory measures to target both the missiles and their delivery vehicles," Gerasimov said, according to the state-run Tass Russian News Agency. With this growing tension between both superpowers, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad pledged on Wednesday to confront what he described as "the Western scenarios to target Syria," stressing that the "war on terrorism will not stop even if one terrorist remains threatening the Syrian soil." Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov also warned of "grave consequences," adding that the Russian military is talking retaliation if the United States attacks Syrian government forces for any alleged reason. Hussam Shuaib, a Syrian political analyst, told Xinhua that the U.S. threats come as a result of its failure to implement plans in Syria, especially after the military operation in Eastern Ghouta. He said when the United States started feeling that Russians and the Syrian government are emerging victorious after seven years of war, it started waving the chemical weapons allegation to threaten Syria again and undermine the Russian role in Syria. Bassam Abu Abdullah, a university professor of international relations, told Xinhua that the failure of the United States to prevent the downfall of Eastern Ghouta has pushed it to threaten a strike on the pretext of chemical weapons use. "The United States wants to extend the wartime in Syria," he said, noting that the war in Syria has become a major geopolitical one. For the United States, the Syrian government control of all of Syria again is unacceptable, as it sees a political solution in Syria based on the fragmentation of the country into zones of influence for foreign powers, he said. Muhammad al-Omari, an official at the Syrian Reconciliation Ministry, said the U.S. pressures and threats are not new, noting that since the beginning of the crisis Washington kept its threats on the table. "Whenever the Syrian army advances, the United States comes up with new threats and pretexts to make the situation more complicated," he said. Osama Danura, a Syrian political analyst and once a member of the government delegation to the Syrian talks in Geneva, agreed that the United States always use the humanitarian and chemical weapons file to impose pressure on the Syrian government and Russia. "These allegations and pretexts have become well known as they are always timed to coincide with the advance of the Syrian army," he said, adding that Eastern Ghouta has a strategic importance for the United States. It's a large rebel-held region whose location enabled it to be a dagger that could threat Damascus, he said. "So it's normal that Western countries don't want Eastern Ghouta to fall out of the rebels' control, because that means the victory and the continuity of the Syrian state now that the major areas in Syria are restored by the army," he said. He added that liberating Eastern Ghouta, which is in process now, means that the Syrian state has finished two-thirds of the road to fully recover from the crisis. Danura noted that the United States could either back down on its threats or carry out limited strikes; otherwise "it would be risking a full confrontation with Russia, which promised retaliation." All of the U.S. threats come at a time where the Syrian army has sliced Eastern Ghouta in three parts, capturing over 62 percent of that area, with thousands of civilians fleeing toward government-controlled areas from that region for the first time in five years. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said 12,500 people evacuated Eastern Ghouta on Thursday, with more people fleeing. It added that the Syrian government and the Russians want to send a message that on the anniversary of the Syrian crisis the civilians are fleeing to the government side of the conflict. DAR ES SALAAM, March 15 (Xinhua) -- Tanzanian President John Magufuli on Thursday inaugurated a 30-million-U.S. dollar cigarette factory owned by Philip Morris Tanzania Limited, an affiliate of Philip Morris International, the world's leading tobacco company. A statement by the Directorate of Presidential Communication at State House in the commercial capital Dar es Salaam said the new cigarette factory is located in Morogoro region in eastern Tanzania. The statement said shortly after he had inaugurated the factory with a capacity to produce 400 million cigarettes a year, President Magufuli urged leaders in the country to protect and attract investors. "I would like to assure investors that the government will protect them because their industries are providing ready market for farmers and they are also creating jobs," said Magufuli. He appealed to the investors not to hesitate in investing in the east African nation. Dagmara Piasecka, the spokesperson for Philip Morris Tanzania Limited, thanked President Magufuli for the assurance, adding that the prevailing peace in the country was making the investment atmosphere conducive. In August last year, Philip Morris Tanzania Limited signed a manufacturing agreement with Mansoor Industries Limited of Tanzania for cigarette making to cater for local and international market. Mansoor Shanif Hirani, CEO of Mansoor Industries Limited, said the new factory has employed 224 Tanzanians and will be paying annual government revenue to the tune of 5.5 million dollars. Charles Mwijage, the Minister for Industry, Trade and Investments, said the construction of industries was ongoing throughout the country with the mission of making Tanzania an industrialized nation. BUDAPEST, March 15 (Xinhua) -- Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban vowed to defend the country's future and traditional way of life here on Thursday in a mass rally on the occasion of the national holiday, three weeks ahead of the general elections. March 15 is the national holiday of Hungary, marking the anniversary of the 1848 revolution against the Austrian Empire. The Hungarian capital hosted many ceremonies marking the revolution that started 170 years ago. "The day has come again, when the hearts of every Hungarian people is fulfilled, the day when the word freedom has been written in the book of world history in Hungarian," Orban said at a ceremony at Kossuth Square in front of the Hungarian Parliament building. "In three weeks, we have yet again to decide about Hungary's fate, we have fought many fights, but the biggest fight is yet to come," he added. "They want to steal our country, to give it up to foreigners in a few decades, coming from far away, who don't speak our language, who don't respect our laws and our way of life," Orban said. The supporters of Orban, who also came to Budapest from the countryside as well as from Poland with buses, marched some two kilometers in a show of support for Orban before the general elections, in which Orban will try to win a third consecutive term. Orban's campaign has been focused on a fierce anti-immigration message, which he conveyed here as well: "We do not want to only win an election, but we want to win our future," he declared. "This is our home, our life, the only one and we will fight for it until the end," he added. He said that the opposition was made up of "Soros candidates", after the Hungarian-born American billionaire, whom he accused of organizing international migration waves through his network of NGOs. The fight has to focus on against "Soros' empire", and not on the opposition parties, he explained. He warned that Europe and Hungarians within have come to a historical turning point, the globalist and national powers have never been so openly confronted to one another. "Europe and Hungary are in the middle of a combat of civilizations, facing migration that endangers our traditional way of life," he stressed. After Orban's speech in the afternoon, the two main opposition formations, the leftist coalition and the former radical Jobbik, that became more moderate in the recent years, also held ceremonies, but attracted significantly less people, a few thousands here and there. This does not seem to be an immediate concern as Orban's Fidesz party is leading with a very large margin in the polls. Gabor Vona, the President of the Jobbik party, the second strongest according to the polls, said that the victory of his party would bring back freedom to Hungary and would eradicate corruption. Finally, the busy day of the Hungarian capital saw a students' demonstration, close to the Opera house in the city. They demonstrated for the modernization of the education system and to stop the brain drain of young Hungarians, who leave the country by masses to study and live in Western Europe. BERLIN, March 15 (Xinhua) -- Several ministers of German Chancellor Angela Merkel's new cabinet have emphasized digitalization for their future work after taking office. Digitalization of the public health system will be one of the three priorities of his time in office, Germany's new Health Minister Jens Spahn said Thursday in his first speech in his new role, according to German news agency DPA. Digitalization must be expanded as a matter of urgency, Spahn said as the portfolio was handed to him by his predecessor Hermann Groehe. The other two priorities would be expanding the number of caretakers and making sure there were sufficient doctors working in rural areas and that patients could gain access to doctors. Andreas Scheuer, Transportation and Digital Infrastructure Minister, has said that he will "create better and fairer living conditions for the country", which includes "the comprehensive digital infrastructure of world class". Anja Karliczek, Education and Research Minister, said Thursday that she will "attach new importance especially to digital teaching facilities" to "offer everyone the chance of good education". Digitalization has been one of the topics in Germany's coalition negotiations after last year's parliamentary election. German industries have long called for supportive policies for digital development. LA PAZ, March 15 (Xinhua) -- The number of deaths from a clash between police and prisoners at the prison of Palmasola in eastern city of Santa Cruz has risen to eight, the Bolivian government announced on Thursday. Deputy Minister of Interior Ministry, Jose Luis Quiroga, told a press conference that two prisoners died of injuries on late Wednesday night and Thursday morning. One police officer remains in serious condition after receiving a gunshot wound to the stomach. Over 2,300 armed police entered the Palmasola prison on Wednesday morning to carry our an inspection. On Thursday morning, the families of prisoners gathered outside the gates to find out information about their loved ones. Quiroga said the police defended itself due to prisoners reacting violently to the inspection and opening fire. Police commander General Faustino Mendoza said that Palmasola had been under a "regime of terror" under the control of a group who monopolized criminal activities within the prison. In 2013, a battle between inmates for control of the prison killed over 30 people, including a child who lived with his father. Source: Xinhua| 2018-03-16 07:31:03|Editor: Mengjiao Liu Video Player Close Children play in a model undersea submersible at the Unseen Oceans exhibition held in the American Museum of Natural History in New York, the United States, March 14, 2018. The exhibition highlights the latest advances in ocean exploration, the researchers and technologies behind them and the mysteries that remain. Visitors can join scientists on their high-tech, high-adventure, and high-impact fieldwork to see and discover beautiful, diverse, and important creatures living at previously unseen ocean layers. (Xinhua/Wang Ying) Source: Xinhua| 2018-03-16 08:10:16|Editor: Yurou Video Player Close A burnt chemical warehouse is seen in Kolkata, India, on March, 15, 2018. A fire broke out at a chemical warehouse and spread into a nearby slum in Kolkata on Thursday. No casualty was reported so far. (Xinhua/Tumpa Mondal) The fourth plenary meeting of the first session of the 13th National People's Congress (NPC) is held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 13, 2018. China Tuesday unveiled a massive cabinet restructuring plan to make the government better structured, more efficient, and service-oriented. The institutional reform plan of the State Council, affecting dozens of entities, was submitted to the first session of the 13th National People's Congress for review, pending approval. If passed, it will be China's eighth cabinet restructuring since 1982. (Xinhua/Yao Dawei) by Xinhua writer Wang Lei BEIJING, March 15 (Xinhua) -- China's massive cabinet restructuring plan unveiled on Tuesday is widely seen by international observers as a significant and revolutionary move to meet the needs of the people and the country's development and streamline the governance system with a more efficient administration. The institutional reform plan of the State Council, targeting a better-structured, more efficient and service-oriented government, was submitted to the ongoing first session of the 13th National People's Congress for review. If passed, it would be China's biggest government reshuffle in years, in which the State Council would have 15 fewer entities at ministerial or vice-ministerial levels. Observers believe that the move, as part of a broader plan of the Communist Party of China (CPC) to reform the Party and state institutions, would optimize the government's functions by promoting coordinated actions and improving levels of management and public service to better satisfy people's demands and the needs of development in a new era. Given China's fast pace of development, revamping the current governance system and adapting it to the changing conditions in various fields is an urgent task, said Zheng Yongnian, director of the East Asian Institute of the National University of Singapore. To reform state institutions even further is an important step for the comprehensive establishment of the institutional system, which is seen as a cornerstone of the country's long-term stability and peace, he said. Chinese Premier Li Keqiang delivers a government work report at the opening 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 5, 2018. (Xinhua/Ju Peng) For Milton Reyes, an expert at Ecuador's Institute of Advanced National Studies, China has entered a new stage of development, which means the CPC, China's ruling party, needs to improve its ability to run the world's second-largest economy. The plan to reform state institutions was proposed at just the right time with quite clear targets, Reyes said, adding that the endeavors would optimize the government's structure and functions, and cut bureaucracy. Besides downsizing the cabinet, China also plans to create a series of new ministries, including a ministry of natural resources, a ministry of veterans affairs and an international development cooperation agency, and to integrate national and local taxation systems at and below the provincial level. China's efforts to further reform the Party and state institutions will facilitate the functioning and improve the working efficiency and quality of the administration, so as to further reinforce the full implementations of policies from the central government, Jon Taylor, a professor at the University of St. Thomas in Houston, Texas in the United States, told Xinhua. Meanwhile, the reallocation of power, brought about by the shake-up at all levels of governments, would also lead to a more efficient management of the government, he added. With the reshuffle, the government would play a more effective role in performing its functions, said Ignacio Cortes, a researcher at the National Autonomous University of Mexico. "It will lay a solid foundation of governance for China's sustainable development in the future." When it comes to efficiency, Ecuadorian expert Reyes spoke highly of the move to cut bureaucracy, saying that "it will help China to build an effective, transparent and honest administration." Selcuk Colakoglu, vice chairman of Turkey's International Strategic Research Organization, said he was fully confident in China's reforms. "It has entered a key stage, which is very crucial for China's development and modernization," he said. (Xinhua reporters Li Xiaoyu in Singapore, Hao Yunfu in Quito, Gao Lu and Liu Liwei in Houston, Wu Hao in Mexico City, and Shi Chun and Wang Feng in Ankara also contributed to the story.) YANGON, March 16 (Xinhua) -- Myanmar government has returned some 385 acres (156 hectares) of land out of 1,081 acres, confiscated by the Ministry of Defense, to 82 farmers in Tachileik, the country's eastern Shan state, Myanmar News Agency reported Friday. Other 696 acres of such land have also been given back to the Shan state government. Second Vice President U Henry Van Thio, who is also Chairman of the Central Committee for Scrutinizing Confiscated Farmlands, stressed the importance of improving the living standard of farmers and finding markets for agricultural products after the return of the confiscated land to farmers who make up 70 percent of the country's rural population. He urged related departments to continue to work for returning the remaining confiscated land and preventing exploitation of farmers. Myanmar saw a rice export of 3.2 million tons in the current fiscal year of 2017-18, a highest record in more than seven decades. Earlier, Myanmar government had returned 622.48 acres of land, confiscated by the Ministry of Defense, to 356 farmers in Taunggyi, the capital of the country's Shan state, with 1,347 acres given back to the Shan state government. Myanmar government has been taking measures since last year to return seized land to farmers, the original owners, across the country. During the tenure of the former government, private companies and government departments were allowed to confiscate land, including farmland, in accordance with the 2012 Farmland Law under the pretext of urbanization and industrialization, which brought about land disputes between the government, landowners and investors. More than one month after taking office in April 2016, the new government voiced commitment to the speedy resolution of farmland confiscation issue and the prompt return of confiscated land to their lawful owners. SINGAPORE, March 16 (Xinhua) -- International Enterprise Singapore, a government agency that promotes international trade and partners Singapore companies to go global, announced on Friday the country's non-oil domestic exports (NODX) declined 5.9 percent year on year in February. The decline broke a pattern of four straight months of growth. The authority attributes the month's decline to the decrease in both non-electronic and electronics exports. On a month-on-month seasonally adjusted basis, NODX declined by 2.6 percent in February to 14.7 billion Singapore dollars (about 11.17 billion U.S. dollars), following the revised 0.4 percent decline for the previous month, due to the decrease in non-electronic NODX which outweighed the growth in electronic NODX. According to the agency, Singapore's electronic NODX dropped 12.3 percent year on year in February, after the 3.9 percent contraction in January. Non-electronic NODX decreased 3.4 percent year on year, after the 20.7 percent expansion in the previous month. Among the top NODX markets of Singapore, Chinese mainland, the European Union 28 countries and China's Taiwan were major contributors to the NODX decline in February, according to the authority. The NODX to them fell 23.6 percent, 15.8 percent and 18.6 percent year on year, respectively. Meanwhile, the non-oil re-exports (NORX) registered a flat performance, after the revised five percent year-on-year growth in January, due to the higher shipment of non-electronic re-exports which outweighed the decrease in electronics. Singapore's oil domestic exports grew by 5.1 percent year on year in February, following the 15.4 percent expansion in the preceding month. Higher sales to Malaysia, the Marshall Islands and the European Union 28 countries contributed the most to the year-on-year increase. Singapore's oil domestic exports to the three markets increased 54 percent, 60.5 percent and 27.1 percent year on year, respectively. In volume terms, oil domestic exports decreased by 0.8 percent in February, compared to a revised 5.3 percent rise in January. The total trade of Singapore grew 1.7 percent year on year in February. Total exports dropped by 1 percent in the month, and total imports increased by 4.8 percent. SYDNEY, March 16 (Xinhua) -- A man in his 80s has become the third person in Australia's Victoria state to die from a listeria bacterial outbreak, bringing the latest death toll linked to contaminated rockmelons in the country to five, health authorities said on Friday. The latest case was linked to the outbreak following test results, the state's Deputy Chief Health Officer Dr Brett Sutton said in a statement. "And sadly, the investigation has also confirmed that a miscarriage has also been linked to the outbreak." Eight people in Victoria, four men and four women, are known to have been affected by the outbreak and all of them had consumed rockmelons before a national recall of the affected fruit produced by Rombola Family Farms near the Griffith area in the southwestern part of New South Wales state, said Sutton. Other than the three fatalities in Victoria, two people in New South Wales have also died from eating the tainted fruit. The NSW food authorities said they are working with the producer to determine the cause of the outbreak. Those suffering from listeria infection can start getting "flu-like symptoms such as fever, chills, muscle aches, nausea, and sometimes diarrhoea. In immunosuppressed patients, listeriosis usually presents as a brain inflammation, brain abscess or blood poisoning. Pneumonia, and heart valve infections have also been described," said Sutton. Australia exports about 20-million-Australian dollars' (about 15.6 million U.S. dollars) worth of rockmelons a year to countries including Singapore, New Zealand, the United Arab Emirates and Brunei, according to the Australian Melon Industry. Source: Xinhua| 2018-03-16 10:17:50|Editor: Xiang Bo Video Player Close LONDON, March 15 (Xinhua) -- China in Context, the first annual festival founded in Britain in 2016 celebrating writers and writings from and about China, returned to London's Chinatown here on Thursday. The annual event brings together Chinese writers, translators, language experts and readers from across the world to explore the extensive range of China's history and culture through writings. Co-organized by Cypress Books and China Exchange, the event features talks from acclaimed Chinese authors including Su Tong and Lu Nei and Chinese American writer Yan Geling, as well as a book fair, various hands-on workshops, and cultural activities. Now in its second year, the festival focuses on the theme of "translating China." Ru Jing, from Cypress Books, said the theme was chosen because books, quality translated books are an important way to help people understand China. "Translating China is not only about translating the books but also the Chinese culture and other aspects of China," she said, adding that it is high time to organize such an event as more and more Chinese writers and books are known across the world. "I am studying Chinese but the grammar is really complicated and I have a lot of problems with it," said Martin Parrott, a retired English teacher, who thanked this event for offering people access to so many Chinese books and other sources here. "The more often this kind of event is held, the more people will come. I think you can do really good publicity in Britain, in places where people are studying Chinese languages and doing business with China, as nowadays many people in Britain want to know more about China," he said. According to the organizer China Exchange, the festival will last over two weeks, and some of its popular workshops and talks have been fully booked. Source: Xinhua| 2018-03-16 10:27:51|Editor: Zhou Xin Video Player Close by Xinhua Writer Sun Xiaozheng BEIJING, March 16 (Xinhua) - Political advisor Song Jirong has been busy these days. Besides participation in political consultation and deliberation of state affairs at the "two sessions", Song, deputy director of the Palace Museum, also discussed plans for more cultural relics restoration talent, with other members of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), the country's top advisory body. "Just like people need regular physical check-ups, cultural relics need to see doctors to prolong their lives, and this was the purpose of us building a hospital for relics in the Palace Museum," Song said. The "hospital" Song referred to was established in December 2016. Located in the west of the Palace Museum, the facility covers 13,000 square meters and has the nation's most-advanced conservation studios. With a laser technology lab, a joint venture by China and Greece to share conservation experiences, and a training center for the International Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works(IIC), the facility is also the largest cultural heritage conservation center in China. The hospital of cultural heritage will open to the public in the first half of this year, and recruitment of volunteers will start soon, Song said. However, more efforts are needed to increase public awareness of heritage protection, she added. The Palace Museum, also known as the Forbidden City, was home to the royal court between 1420 and 1912. Today, it houses more than 1.8 million sets of cultural relics. BETTER CONSERVATION The idea of building a hospital for cultural heritage originated from Song majoring in chemistry. "Before I came to the Palace Museum in 2006, I studied and worked at the Northwest University for 28 years, and my major was chemistry," Song said. "I conducted research on the elementary particles of matter, and cultural relics are matter. Therefore, after I came to the Palace Museum, I reflected on how I could combine my knowledge with my job. I dug into traditional cultural heritage restoration skills to find out a scientific approach to prolong their lives," Song said. "In 2009, I raised the idea of setting up a hospital for conservation at an academic salon, and it received unprecedented support." After the approval of the State Bureau of Cultural Heritage, the Palace Museum will build a 13,000 square meters architect, and the director of the Palace Museum has said the hospital could be built there. Song said she then started to carefully design the facility. "There is an elevator which can descend 20 meters underground to transfer the cultural relics to the restoration studios. The historical objects will be sent to different restoration studios after a thorough analysis and diagnosis," she said. "Meanwhile, we also think that after the completion of the conservation hospital we want tourists to be able to visit the place and watch how our doctors restore the cultural relics. So we have designed an aisle through the studios with glass windows." BRING THEM ALIVE The government work report delivered at the first session of the 13th National People's Congress, or the national legislature, said China would make efforts to develop its cultural industry. The minister of culture, Luo Shugang, said the ministry would strengthen efforts to not only protect but also make cultural heritage popular, bringing them alive to better serve the needs of the people. Museums need to attract more visitors to keep cultural heritage alive. Song said last year that dozens of groups of visitors from both home and abroad had visited the conservation hospital, including the president of the IIC. More than 20 leaders from other countries have also paid visits to the conservation hospital. "They highly praised our government for making effort to protect our cultural heritage," Song said, adding that the hospital had received unprecedented support and investment. However, there are still challenges. "Money is not the problem, but talent is," Song said. "The Palace Museum now has nearly 150 relic-doctors, and we plan to increase the number to 200 by 2020. But the number is far from enough." "So, this time at the CPPCC I discussed plans with officials from the Ministry of Education and the Organization Department of the Central Committee of the CPC to further promote the cultivation of talent," Song said, "We need craftsmen who not only have the skills but also research abilities." Song believes increasing public awareness is the first step. "After 100 years, we all know to get physical check-ups to keep our body healthy," Song said. "With the awareness of heritage protection raised, more solutions will come up to better preserve our national treasures." PYONGYANG, March 16 (Xinhua) -- Ri Yong Ho, foreign minister of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), left here on Thursday for Sweden, said its official media Friday. The Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported Friday morning that Ri had left Pyongyang for a visit to Sweden. During his visit, Ri will meet with Swedish Foreign Minister Margot Elisabeth Wallstrom "to exchange views on the bilateral relations and issues of mutual concern," said the report. The KCNA report did not give further details about the visit. According to media reports, Ri is likely to discuss with the Swedish side about the upcoming talks between DPRK leader Kim Jong Un and U.S. President Donald Trump. CANBERRA, March 16 (Xinhua) -- British billionaire Sanjeev Gupta has revealed plans to build the world's biggest lithium ion battery in South Australia (SA). The planned 120 megawatts (MW)/140 megawatt hours (MWh) storage capacity is larger than that of the current record holder, built by Elon Musk's Tesla in SA in 2017, which has a cap of 100MW/129MWh. The battery will power solar farm to be built at the site of a former steelworks near Adelaide which Gupta's Liberty House bought in 2017. Gupta secured a 10 million Australian dollars loan from the SA government through its Renewable Technology Fund for the project which is expected to create 100 construction jobs. SA Premier Jay Weatherill said that the battery would also have benefits for the broader community. "We know that more renewable energy means cheaper power, and that's why we have increased our renewable energy target to 75 percent and also introduced a new renewable storage target of 25 percent," Weatherill told reporters in Adelaide on Friday. "These targets will accelerate the transition from fossil fuels to renewables and lower bills for South Australians." Since its completion in December last year, Tesla's SA battery has surpassed expectations, regularly supplementing the state's power grid to prevent widespread blackouts. The announcement of Gupta's project came on the final day of campaigning ahead of Saturday's SA state election, a campaign where renewable energy has been a key issue. Funds for the project were committed by Weatherill's government prior to the government going into a caretaker period in the lead-up to the election, meaning the project will go ahead regardless of Saturday's result. Weatherill's Australian Labor Party (ALP) is considered the favorite to win its fifth consecutive term in government -- a feat that would take the party's time governing the state beyond 20 consecutive years. MOSCOW, March 15 (Xinhua) -- Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu announced on Thursday that serial production of combat robots for the army could be implemented this year. "We have begun creating combat robots. Their state and army tests are nearing completion. And I think we will begin serial production as early as this year," Shoigu said. Shoigu made the announcement when asked about the remote-controlled equipment in the Russian army at the forum "Russia - Land of Opportunity" held in Moscow, adding that the work to create mine-clearing robotics has already been completed. Earlier this year, Col. Oleg Pomazuyev, head of the department for innovation research at the Main Directorate of Research Activities of the Defense Ministry, told media that Russian troops will receive the Nerekhta robotic system. The system reportedly was tested under winter conditions at the 467th inter-service training center in the Western Military District last December to determine the combat robot's place in the Ground Forces structure in a combined-arms battle. According to the Interfax news agency, Russia has also announced the creation of the Argo and Platforma-M robots, and the latter was used by Pacific Fleet military police during a counter-terrorism exercise in 2016. Source: Xinhua| 2018-03-16 11:43:03|Editor: ZD Video Player Close HAVANA, March 15 (Xinhua) -- Cuban President Raul Castro on Thursday met with his visiting Kenyan counterpart Uhuru Kenyatta, with the two sides agreeing to strengthen political and economic relations. The two sides expressed satisfaction with the official inauguration of the Kenyan embassy in Havana, which is scheduled to take place on Friday. Castro also thanked the Kenyan government for its support and donation last year after Hurricane Irma hit Cuba's north coast, costing more than 13 billion U.S. dollars in economic losses. Earlier in the day, Kenyatta unveiled a statue of his late father and Kenya's founding President Jomo Kenyatta at a park in Havana. In a speech made after paying tribute to other African independence heroes at the park, the president stressed the need to strengthen ties among developing nations, including their bilateral relations. "I thank the people of Cuba for their constant solidarity with the African nations. Africa will always keep its relations with Cuba high and together we will continue developing our beneficial links for the prosperity of our peoples and nations," he said. In 2016, Kenya opened its embassy in Havana to boost future cooperation in sectors such as commerce, education, culture and health. Kenyatta will return to Nairobi on Saturday after a three-day official visit to the Caribbean nation. CANBERRA, March 16 (Xinhua) -- A major crackdown on wealthy Australian welfare cheats has saved the country's taxpayers 43.4 million Australian dollars (33.83 million U.S. dollars), Australia's Minister for Human Services Michael Keenan said Friday. The joint operation run by the Department of Human Services (DHS) and the Australian Transaction Reports Analysis Center (AUSTRAC) targeted welfare recipients who had "large amounts of unexplained wealth pass through their bank accounts," the minister said. More than 1,000 perpetrators were found to have been over-claiming tens of millions of dollars in government benefits. "Those unable to explain to DHS where the money had come or why they had failed to declare it as income were then ordered to repay their benefits, saving Australian taxpayers 43.4 million AUD (33.83 million USD)," Keenan said. "We will leave no stone unturned in finding those who are defrauding the system, and we'll use every weapon in our arsenal to bring them to justice." On average, each perpetrator was ordered to repay 43,000 AU dollars (33,508 U.S. dollars). In one case, a New South Wales (NSW) disability pension recipient was ordered to repay 160,000 AU dollars (124,683 U.S. dollars) after he failed to explain the source of 700,000 AU dollars (545,496 U.S. dollars) which was deposited into his bank account over four years. The person had not declared any income to the department in that time. Victorians were the biggest offenders, accounting for 48.5 percent of total repayments ordered, followed by NSW with 35.8 percent. Under the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Act, banks and other financial institutions must report suspicious transactions to AUSTRAC. An agreement between the DHS and AUSTRAC allows those transactions to be cross-checked against DHS records to determine if an over-payment had occurred. Source: Xinhua| 2018-03-16 11:58:05|Editor: Yurou Video Player Close LIMA, March 15 (Xinhua) -- The Peruvian Congress voted Thursday to allow a second impeachment vote against President Pedro Pablo Kuczynski for alleged "permanent moral incapacity." The congress passed the motion with 87 votes in favor, 15 against and 15 abstentions. The congress agreed to hold debate and vote on the impeachment on March 22. In the upcoming session, Kuczynski will have the right to defend himself, either by appearing personally or sending a lawyer, for a maximum time of 60 minutes. This is the second time Kuczynski has faced a similar situation. The first happened last December, but he survived the impeachment vote, when the opposition only gathered 78 lawmakers against him, with a minimum of 87 needed to strip him of his power. Congressman Cesar Villanueva, from the Alliance for Progress, said the motion is due to a "lack of truth, honesty and transparency" from the president. "The president denied and hid, lied repeatedly and permanently, his business dealings as a person and/or as a representative of a consultancy ... with Brazilian companies involved in the investigation into the Lava Jato case," he said when filing the motion. Lava Jato, or Car Wash, is a massive judicial investigation in Brazil looking into the corrupt dealings of construction company Odebrecht, which paid millions in bribes to officials across Latin America in exchange for winning public contracts. This attack on Kuczynski is motivated by payments made by Odebrecht to Westfield Capital, a firm based in Florida and owned by Kuczynski, at a time when he was minister of economy and finance, then prime minister, under the administration of Alejandro Toledo. Prime Minister Mercedes Araoz also called on the congress to act with "seriousness and responsibility" in the vote. "Let this not be done by passion or individual interests, but really think of Peru," said Araoz. WASHINGTON, March 15 (Xinhua) -- U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the largest business lobbying group in the country, on Thursday warned President Donald Trump not to impose sweeping tariffs on Chinese imports, as it would hurt American businesses and consumers. "Tariffs are damaging taxes on American consumers," said Thomas J. Donohue, president and CEO of U.S. Chamber of Commerce, adding that tariffs could lead to "a destructive trade war" with serious consequences for the U.S. economic growth, job creation, and the livelihood of its consumers, merchants and farmers. Donohue's warning came as the Trump administration is considering an annual tariff of 30 billion U.S. dollars against Chinese imports for China's alleged "unfair trade practices," according to media reports. "Tariffs of 30 billion dollars a year would wipe out over a third of the savings American families received from the doubling of the standard deduction in tax reform," Donohue said, urging the Trump administration to work with the business community to resolve the concerns. China hopes to address bilateral trade issues with the United States in a constructive manner and by making a bigger cake of cooperation, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang said Thursday. "The two sides have properly resolved their trade differences in a constructive manner over the past 40 years. We believe the two countries can still settle their disputes through friendly negotiations, and we are ready to do so," the spokesman said. HANOI, March 16 (Xinhua) -- Border guards of Vietnam's central Ha Tinh province detained a Vietnamese man when he was transporting 3,200 pills of lab-made drugs from Laos to Vietnam, provincial border guards said on Friday. The 32-year-old man from central Thai Nguyen province was arrested on Thursday when he crossed the Cau Treo international border gate in Ha Tinh. Vinh confessed buying the drugs from a Lao woman. The case is under further investigation. On Tuesday, border guards of Vietnam's northern Dien Bien province in coordination with Laos' relevant agencies detained three Lao men for trading and trafficking 60 cakes of heroin, 40,000 pills of ecstasy, one handgun, seven bullets and some other items from Laos to Vietnam. According to the Vietnamese law, those convicted of smuggling over 600 grams of heroin or more than 2.5 kg of methamphetamine are punishable by death. Making or trading 100 grams of heroin or 300 grams of other illegal drugs also faces death penalty. Source: Xinhua| 2018-03-16 12:43:11|Editor: ZD Video Player Close RIO DE JANEIRO, March 15 (Xinhua) -- Jiangsu Suning's Brazilian midfielder Ramires has expressed a desire to finish his career in his homeland, but insisted that he is focused on seeing out his contract with the Chinese Super League club. Ramires, who has almost two full years left on his four-year contract, said he was aware of speculation linking him with clubs in Europe and Brazil. "I heard that many European clubs were interested in signing me, such as Inter Milan," the 30-year-old told Brazilian news portal Globo Esporte. "But Jiangsu decided that I should stay. I'm going to perform as well as I can for the club and who knows what the future holds." Ramires, who began his career at Joinville before moving to Cruzeiro in 2007 and then Benfica two years later, said a return to Brazil would occur "naturally". "Everybody knows how I feel about Cruzeiro and Joinville," he said. "They are clubs that helped me a lot when I started and I've always had great support from them. So if the possibility arises, those will be my preferred clubs, without doubt. But I'm not discounting any other team that might be interested in me." Ramires is currently in Brazil to attend to personal matters and is scheduled to fly back to China next week. Source: Xinhua| 2018-03-16 13:18:16|Editor: pengying Video Player Close UNITED NATIONS, March 15 (Xinhua) -- UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina J. Mohammed on Thursday called for stronger accountability and financing to reach "lagging" gender targets. Speaking at the Women's Empowerment Principles Forum at the UN headquarters in New York, Mohammed said: "We need to strengthen accountability for gender equality commitments at all levels." "Targets and pledges are not enough. We need to hold people to them," the UN deputy chief noted. "We need to put gender equality at the center of implementation," she said, adding: "Women's access to economic resources, land, labor market earnings, social protection is essential for eradicating poverty, reducing inequality, better education, health and nutritional outcomes and the achievement of inclusive growth." The deputy secretary-general urged closing the financing gap, saying that without adequate resources, many of the essential services on which women and girls depend "will remain unavailable or inadequate." Speaking of other measures to close the gender gap, Mohammed urged efforts "to improve monitoring." "We need hard facts on what works for women and girls, so that we can change direction if needed," she noted. "Gender equality and women's economic empowerment are an economic and business imperative," Mohammed said. Gender equality, as both an objective and driver of sustainable development, is key to achieving all the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals, she said. However, Mohammed complained that "progress is lagging behind aspiration," noting that there are "pervasive gender inequalities in every dimension of sustainable development." The UN deputy chief noted that there is still a long way to go before the gender gap is closed, citing brand-new data on extreme poverty in 89 countries as showing that globally there are 4.4 million more women than men living on less than 1.90 U.S. dollars a day and the gender pay gap stands at a stubborn 23 percent globally. MANILA, March 16 (Xinhua) -- The Philippines has officially informed the United Nations of its decision to withdraw from the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC), the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) of the Philippines said on Friday. In a statement released by the DFA, Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano said the withdrawal was formally conveyed in a verbal note that Philippine Permanent Representative handed over to Maria Luiza Ribeiro Viotti, the Chef de Cabinet of UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres at New York time on Thursday. A picture released by DFA showed the Maria had received the note verbal. In his statement explaining Manila's decision to pull out of the Rome Statute, Cayetano pointed to the well-orchestrated campaign to mislead the international community, to crucify President Rodrigo Duterte and the Philippines by distorting the human rights situation in the country. "Our decision to pull out of the Court is a principled stand against those who politicize and weaponize human rights," Cayetano said in the statement. Duterte announced the decision of the Philippines to the ICC on Wednesday after the body launched an investigation into the alleged extrajudicial killings related to Duterte's drug war. However, Duterte said the ICC accusations are "baseless, unprecedented and outrageous attacks." "There appears to be a concerted effort on the part of the UN special rapporteurs to paint me as a ruthless and heartless violator of human rights who allegedly caused thousands of extrajudicial killings," Duterte said. Cayetano said, "We are, however, confident that there is no crime or liability to speak of in the first place since our campaign against methamphetamines and other narcotics is a legitimate law enforcement operation designed to protect all Filipinos and uphold the rule of law." Notwithstanding its withdrawal from the Rome Statute, the Philippine government affirms its commitment to fight against impunity for atrocity crimes and said it "remains resolute in effecting its principal responsibility to ensure the long-term safety of the nation in order to promote inclusive national development and secure a decent and dignified life for all." The Rome Statute, adopted at a diplomatic conference in Rome on July 17, 1998, is the treaty that established the Hague-headquartered ICC. The Philippines signed the Rome Statute on Dec. 28, 2000, and ratified and endorsed it in August 2011. Source: Xinhua| 2018-03-16 13:33:19|Editor: Chengcheng Video Player Close Kashmiri people gather near a house destroyed in a gunfight at Khonmoh village in the outskirts of Srinagar, the summer capital of Indian-controlled Kashmir, March 16, 2018. Two militants were killed and a paramilitary trooper of Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) was wounded in an overnight gunfight in restive Indian-controlled Kashmir, police said Friday. (Xinhua/Javed Dar) SRINAGAR, Indian-controlled Kashmir, March 16 (Xinhua) -- Two militants were killed and a paramilitary trooper of Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) was wounded in an overnight gunfight in restive Indian-controlled Kashmir, police said Friday. The gunfight erupted Thursday late afternoon at Khonmoh village in the outskirts of Srinagar city, the summer capital of Indian-controlled Kashmir. "Two militants were killed in the gunfight that went on until late last night at Khonmoh," a police official posted in Srinagar said. "A CRPF paramilitary trooper was also wounded while fighting these militants." According to police, the militants Thursday afternoon attacked policemen guarding a local pro-India politician. The policemen repulsed the attack during which one of them was wounded. However, following the attack contingents of police, paramilitary and army cordoned off the area. Reports said militants while trying to escape from the area were holed up inside a residential locality. "The exchange of fire started after militants refused the offer of government forces to lay down arms," the official said. "Gunfight continued until late." Reports said several residential houses were damaged in the stand-off . The slain militants were identified as local cadres of a militant outfit. A guerilla war is going on between militants and Indian troops stationed in Indian-controlled Kashmir since 1989. The gunfight between the two sides takes place intermittently across the region. WASHINGTON, March 15 (Xinhua) -- After imposing new sanctions against Russia and accusing the country of carrying out a suspicious chemical attack against a former Russian double agent in Britain, the United States has hinted at more and tougher measures against Moscow. U.S. Treasury Department earlier on Thursday said it would levy sanctions against five Russian entities and 19 individuals, accusing them of having interfered with the 2016 U.S. presidential elections and engaged in "malicious" cyber attacks. Explaining the sanctions via a teleconference, several senior U.S. officials said further sanctions and measures will come, according to the White House. "Russia's behavior on the world stage is continuing to trouble us and we are continuing to press back in meaningful ways," it said, adding that sanctions did not mean the end of the ongoing U.S. conflicts with Russia. It also condemned Russia for hacking the U.S. energy grid and other critical infrastructure in "a separate attempt." "There will be a few additional uses of authorities not previously used ... We are going to continue actions to increase pressure on Russia," the statement said. Besides the sanctions, the leaders of Britain, France, Germany and the United States released a joint statement on Thursday, saying there was "no plausible alternative explanation" for the use of a military-grade nerve agent to "murder" former Russian double agent Sergei Skripal and his daughter. Skripal, 66, and his daughter Yulia, 33, are in a critical condition in hospital after being exposed to a nerve agent in the British city of Salisbury. British Prime Minister Theresa May on Wednesday announced that her government would expel 23 Russian diplomats and told them to leave within a week. Moscow has denied any involvement in the poisoning and threatened reprisals against Britain if measures are taken by the British government. Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on Thursday that Britain had refused to cooperate with Russia "on the fulfillment of its duties as a signatory to the Chemical Weapons Convention." Russia had no motive to target Skripal, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said, adding that his country would respond by expelling British diplomats "soon." Source: Xinhua| 2018-03-16 14:08:26|Editor: pengying Video Player Close RIO DE JANEIRO, March 15 (Xinhua) -- Thousands of Brazilians took to the streets of large cities on Thursday night to protest against the brutal murder of a popular Rio de Janeiro councilwoman. Marielle Franco, an activist for human rights and women's causes, was killed along with her driver Anderson Pedro Gomes Wednesday night in downtown Rio. The driver also died in the attack, in which their car was hit by at least nine shots after the councilwoman returned from a women's empowerment event. Franco's assistant survived the shooting with minor injuries. The killing came just weeks after the Brazilian government decided to let the military take over all security operations in Rio to control the city's increasing crime rates. It was harshly criticized by Franco, who believed the move would worsen police violence against residents. In Rio, a huge crowd of people marched to the Rio state assembly to protest the death of Franco, who was born and raised in the Mare slum complex, one of the most violent district in the Brazil's second largest city. Organizers estimated that over 50,000 people participated in Rio's march. Meanwhile, protests were also staged in other state capitals, including San Paulo. The killing of Franco, who received the fifth largest number of votes in the latest city council elections in 2016, sparked public anger on social networks. Human rights groups and the United Nations offered condolences and called for full probes. Amnesty International and the United Nations office in Brazil hailed Franco's endeavors in defense of human rights and racism and demanded a quick and transparent investigation into the killing. Sorry, this news has been deleted. Source: Xinhua| 2018-03-16 14:53:32|Editor: Xiang Bo Video Player Close WUHAN, March 16 (Xinhua) -- Hydrogen technology research and development in China and Britain are complementary and both sides can collaborate to achieve more in this field, according to scientists at a seminar held in China's Wuhan. Carbon neutral hydrogen technologies play a significant role in preventing climate change and realizing development and stainability goals. Scientists in China and Britain have long been devoted to the field in order to address industrial and environmental challenges. "Scientists in the two countries have got support from both China and the UK governments to develop hydrogen-related technologies," said Tan Bi'en, professor with Huazhong University of Science and Technology,Thursday in Wuhan, capital of central China's Hubei Province. Tan, who mainly focuses on technologies used in hydrogen-powered vehicles, called for more cooperation between research groups in China and Britain. "For example, our group is good at hydrogen storage technologies, while the fellows in the UK are strong in water splitting technologies. By combining our efforts together, we can promote our hydrogen technologies in real applications," he said. "The collaborations between China and the UK are based on complementary skills," said Tony Roskilly, a professor with Newcastle University. "A lot of expertise has been developed in the UK in terms of the utilization of hydrogen. Here a lot of colleagues are working at the storage of hydrogen. They are different technologies," Roskilly said. "There are a lot of complementary activities we can all benefit from and make a big difference." Wuhan is a pioneer in the hydrogen industry in China. According to the city's plan, it will advance research and development of core technology of hydrogen production, storage and transport, and improve hydrogen infrastructure in the coming years. It aims to reap more than 100 billion yuan (15.8 billion U.S. dollars) of industrial output in the hydrogen cells industry by 2025. NEW YORK, March 15 (Xinhua) -- In an unprecedented move in recent U.S. history, thousands of high school students walked out of class across the country on Wednesday in a call on Congress to pass tighter gun-control laws. Across every time zone, "#ENOUGH: National School Walkout" lasted 17 minutes -- one minute for each of the victims gunned down on Feb. 14 at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland in the U.S. state of Florida. "Enough is enough," the students said over and over during their protest, underlining the urgency of sensible gun control in the United States. In less than two weeks, thousands are expected to gather in Washington, D.C., for a "March for Our Lives" protest on March 24. Another national school walkout is planned on April 20, the anniversary of the 1999 school shooting in Columbine, Colorado. Despite the public outcry for stricter gun laws after a mass shooting, the gun debate in the United States tends to fade away until the next tragedy takes place. But "this time it feels different," said daily newspaper amNewYork in its editorial on Thursday. "Soon enough, if our children cannot persuade us to give them a safer, better nation, they will make one for themselves." GUN CONTROL An updated tally of gun violence-related deaths in the United States shows that 2,883 people have already died this year and another 4,909 injured, according to Gun Violence Archive (GVA), a widely quoted non-profit organization tracking gun violence incidents in the United States. Some 120 children, aged below 11, have been killed or injured in such incidents in the country so far this year, said the GVA. The U.S. failure to bring down the gun-related violence and murder rate is a result of many factors, according to experts. For one thing, with the vast and growing gap between liberals and conservatives, Republicans and Democrats, gun control has become an increasingly partisan issue, with Republicans more uniformly opposed. It also involves the powerful gun lobby, mostly by the National Rifle Association (NRA), one of America's richest and most influential lobbying groups. America's electoral structure also lends NRA supporters outsize influence, as many gun-rights advocates live in rural areas where a few votes can swing a congressional election, experts said. Due to the complicated web of interwoven political and business interests, the U.S. Congress has not approved major gun-control legislation since the 1990s. But analysts argued that even if stricter laws were enacted, there is reason to wonder how much of a difference these laws would make as hundreds of millions of guns are already in civilian hands across the United States. POSSIBLE QUICK FIX The number of guns held by Americans is around 357 million, according to an estimate by the Washington Post, based on federal manufacturing tallies and figures of U.S. arms trade. Although different agencies have come up with slightly different figures for the the total number of guns in the United States, they mostly agree that the country has the highest number of guns per capita, given its population size. "So even if all new gun purchases were banned tomorrow, there are enough rifles floating around the country to fuel countless more mass shootings," the Economist magazine once remarked in a story about U.S. gun control. Moreover, there are loopholes in the current gun control laws. Licensed firearms dealers are required to perform background checks on customers by submitting their details to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), which checks them against databases. But there are provisions under U.S. gun laws for individuals to sell firearms privately and at gun shows without making background checks on the buyer. Some gun control advocates suggest that to curb rampant gun violence, the United States could learn from Australia. Australia enacted a mandatory buyback of firearms and tightened rules on gun ownership in 1996 after a mass shooting in which 35 people were shot and killed and 23 injured at a cafe in Port Arthur, Tasmania. Since then Australia has not had a mass shooting and over the same period, the United States has suffered more than 90 mass shootings, according to the advocates. Source: Xinhua| 2018-03-16 15:13:36|Editor: Chengcheng Video Player Close KABUL, March 16 (Xinhua) -- At least 18 Taliban insurgents have been killed and 13 others injured in fresh clashes in Afghanistan, sources said on Friday. In northern Kunduz province, two Taliban fighters were killed and three others wounded after the security forces repulsed attackers at a security checkpoint in Joy-e-Begum locality of Imam Sahib district Thursday night, bordering Tajikistan, district Governor Mahbub Sayyedi told Xinhua. On Thursday, six Taliban militants were killed and four others wounded following airstrikes in Kajaki and Marja districts of southern Helmand province, the Afghan Defense Ministry said Friday. The air raids also destroyed six narcotic drug labs together with a heroin-producing machine, the ministry said, without saying if the airstrikes were conducted by Afghan Air Force or NATO and U.S.-led coalition warplanes. Helmand, notorious for poppy growing, is also a known Taliban stronghold. In western restive Farah province, 10 Taliban militants were killed and six wounded after the Afghan army launched airstrikes and a cleanup operation in Bala Buluk district on Thursday, according to the Defense Ministry. The province has been the scene of heavy clashes between Taliban and the Afghan security forces since January. The Taliban insurgent group, which has been waging an insurgency for more than 16 years, has yet to make comments on the reports. Source: Xinhua| 2018-03-16 15:33:39|Editor: Zhou Xin Video Player Close DUBLIN, March 16 (Xinhua) -- Direct flights between Dublin and Beijing will be opened in June. Local communities here have hailed the good news, saying it will boost Ireland-China trade and relationship. Irish Deputy Prime Minister Simon Coveney announced Thursday in Beijing that China's Hainan Airlines will open direct flights between Dublin and Beijing starting on June 12 this year with four non-stop flights and four flights with a stopover in Britain's city of Edinburgh each week. The first-ever direct route to China is a major achievement which will prove transformational to China-Ireland ties, said the Irish Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in a press release posted on its website. "This is a hugely significant announcement for the Irish economy," said Vincent Harrison, managing director of the Dublin airport. The new Dublin-Beijing route "links not just our two capital cities, but also our two countries," he said in a statement released on the airport's website. Paul O Kane, chief communications officer of the Dublin airport, told Xinhua that direct Dublin-Beijing flights are expected to carry 100,000 passengers a year. This, in addition to 120,000 passengers expected to be carried annually by Cathay Pacific's Dublin-Hong Kong direct flights which are also due in the coming June, will contribute significantly to bilateral trade, tourism and people-to-people exchanges, he said. To facilitate Chinese visitors' trips to Ireland, the Dublin airport has recently launched a Wechat service in Chinese at the airport, said Paul. Kane said the direct flight time between Dublin and Beijing will be around eleven and a half hours and the airline ticket price is yet to be decided and announced by Hainan Airlines. Commenting on the impact of Dublin-Beijing direct flights on the Irish tourism, Niall Gibbons, CEO of Tourism Ireland, said in an email sent to Xinhua that the new flight "will be a major game-changer in growing visitor numbers from China." According to Tourism Ireland, an organization responsible for marketing Ireland overseas as a tourist destination, approximately 70,000 Chinese visited the island of Ireland in 2017, up nearly 17 percent from some 60,000 in 2016. Tourism Ireland does not know where exactly the Chinese visitors came from when asked to give a breakdown of the Chinese visitors to Ireland last year, however, it does know the potential of the Chinese market. In a press release posted on its website last year, Tourism Ireland quoted the United Nations World Tourism Organization as saying that China is now the world's largest outbound travel market with more than 127 million Chinese people travelling overseas each year, spending over 292 billion U.S. dollars. "China is an important emerging travel market and one that Tourism Ireland is committed to growing over the coming years," said Niamh Doherty, a press officer of Tourism Ireland. She said Tourism Ireland will send in May its biggest ever sales mission to China where they will meet with top Chinese travel agents and tour operators in key Chinese cities of Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Hong Kong. "Great news, surprising," said Wang Xinyu, a student from Beijing who is currently on a two-year study program at University College Cork, when commenting on the announcement of direct flights between Dublin and Beijing. "In future, I don't have to have a stopover in Amsterdam or any other third airport for hours. I can directly fly back home," she said. The opening of direct Dublin-Beijing route is not only good news for Wang and the 5,000-plus other Chinese students who are currently studying in Ireland, but also for people involved in bilateral trade and business. There have been more and more business people travelling between China and Ireland as bilateral trade has witnessed rapid growth over the past few years, said Xue He, economic and commercial counselor of the Chinese Embassy in Ireland. According to Xue, the trade volume between China and Ireland in 2017 hit a record of 11.05 billion U.S. dollars, up 37 percent over the previous year. Currently, there are nearly 400 Irish companies in China while over 20 Chinese companies in Ireland, said Xue, adding that there is a big potential to be tapped for bilateral trade as the two economies are quite complementary to each other. Xu Wei, chairman of the Association of Chinese Enterprises in Ireland, said that the number of members of his association has more than doubled to 14 from 6 when the association was founded in 2015. He said the association includes big Chinese companies like ICBC, BOC and Huawei. He predicted that more and more Chinese companies will come to Ireland as the country's investment environment is favorable for businesses. He believed that direct Dublin-Beijing flights will definitely facilitate trips by businessmen from both sides. Source: Xinhua| 2018-03-16 15:33:41|Editor: Yamei Video Player Close Photo taken on March 8, 2018 shows the exteriority of White House in Washington D.C., the United States. U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday formally signed proclamations to impose steep tariffs on imported steel and aluminum amid mounting dissent from business groups and trading partners around the world. (Xinhua/Ting Shen) WASHINGTON, March 15 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the largest business lobbying group in the country, on Thursday warned President Donald Trump not to impose sweeping tariffs on Chinese imports, as it would hurt American businesses and consumers. "The U.S. Chamber would strongly disagree with a decision to impose sweeping tariffs ... We urge the administration to work with the business community to resolve the concerns," Thomas J. Donohue, president of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, said in a statement. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the world's largest business federation representing the interests of more than 3 million businesses of all sizes, sectors and regions, as well as state and local chambers and industry associations. "Tariffs are damaging taxes on American consumers," Donohue said, adding that tariffs could lead to "a destructive trade war with serious consequences for U.S. economic growth and job creation." "The livelihood of America's consumers, businesses, farmers and ranchers are at risk if the administration proceeds with this plan," the statement said.0 Donohue's warning came right after the Trump administration's preparation of a major trade measure aimed squarely at China -- tariffs on 30-60 billion U.S. dollars of annual Chinese imports for China's alleged "unfair trade practices," according to media reports. "Tariffs of 30 billion dollars a year would wipe out over a third of the savings American families received from the doubling of the standard deduction in tax reform. If the tariffs reach 60 billion dollars, which has been rumored, the impact would be even more devastating," Donohue said. The Trump administration is mainly targeting a Chinese strategy "Made in China 2025," in which China introduced a comprehensive initiative to upgrade the Chinese industry and dominate sectors including advanced information technology, new energy vehicles and aerospace equipment. The measures, which could be announced next week, may also include investment restrictions, limits on visas to Chinese researchers and challenges to China's trade practices at the World Trade Organization, according to people familiar with the discussions. The Trump administration has been alleging that it is making the investment rules "reciprocal," in which the United States would impose similar restrictions on Chinese investment that U.S. firms face in China. Many U.S. companies, however, argued that limiting Chinese investment could backfire by inviting retaliation from the Chinese and would raise costs for U.S. businesses. "Tariffs would be incredibly counterproductive," said Josh Kallmer, senior vice president at the Information Technology Industry Council. "Reciprocity as a concept is fine, but it has to be applied carefully to advance U.S. goals," said Erin Ennis, senior vice president of the U.S.-China Business Council, a trade group. According to a White House official, the measures are the next part of an administration trade policy aimed at reducing the enormous U.S. trade deficit. Analyst Daniel Rosen of Rhodium Group said the Trump administration is simplifying the trade deficit issue by blaming foreign governments, and Nicholas Lardy, a senior fellow at the Peterson Institute for International Economics, said the only way to deal with a trade deficit is to increase saving and investment rates. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang said Thursday that China hopes to address bilateral trade issues with the United States in a constructive manner and by making a bigger "cake" of cooperation. "The two sides have properly resolved their trade differences in a constructive manner over the past 40 years. We believe the two countries can still settle their disputes through friendly negotiations, and we are ready to do so," the spokesman said. Source: Xinhua| 2018-03-16 15:53:47|Editor: Zhou Xin Video Player Close OTTAWA, March 15 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese Embassy in Canada Thursday said accusations of the so-called China's dumping of steel into Canada's market are groundless and that China is also a victim of trade protectionism. Zhu Xiaozhong, spokesman of the Chinese Embassy in Canada, said that data from Canada's national statistical agency shows Canada totally imported 9.55 billion U.S dollars of steel in 2017, of which about 940 million dollars were imported from China, only accounting for 9.8 percent of the total, while 5.58 billion dollars were imported from the United States, accounting for 58.4 percent of the total. According to Canadian media, Canada's steel export to the United States accounts for the largest share of U.S. steel import with 17 percent every year. "If 9.8 percent is dumping, what is 58.4 percent or 17 percent? We understand Canada's pressing feelings to avoid the U.S. trade sanctions, but it is not right to drop stones on someone who has fallen into a well, or even push others to the front as a bullet shield," Zhu said. U.S. President Donald Trump announced hefty tariffs on steel and aluminum imports on March 1, while Canada may become the first country to bear the brunt. Enraged Canadians complained that the decision was trade protectionism and would severely damage the interests of Canada, appealing to Washington to change its mind or face Canada's retaliation. Trump proclaimed a temporary exemption from the tariffs for Canada on March 8, which made Canadians breathe more easily. Some Canadian members of Parliament cautioned the government will have to address American fears that Canada is being used as an entry point for cheap Chinese steel flooding the United States market if Canada wants the threat of tariffs gone and a permanent exemption in its place, Canadian newspaper Hilltimes reported on Thursday. Zhu said the moment Canada felt relieved from outside pressure, some Canadians turned their guns on China, demanding that the Canadian government be harsher in its dealing with China or it will be perceived by the United States as Canada is "not helping this thing." Source: Xinhua| 2018-03-16 15:53:48|Editor: Chengcheng Video Player Close BAGHDAD, March 16 (Xinhua) -- A helicopter of the U.S.-led international coalition crashed in western Iraq near the border with Syria, the Iraqi military said on Friday. A brief statement from the Iraqi Joint Operations Command (JOC) said that initial reports indicated that the helicopter, HH-60 Pave Hawk, crashed in al-Qaim area in Iraq's western province of Anbar and a number of its crew were killed. The helicopter was carrying seven people when it crashed overnight, according to media reports. A statement from the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed the incident and said that a few U.S. service members were aboard without giving details. "An investigation will be initiated to determine the cause of the incident," the statement said. Over 5,000 U.S. troops have been deployed in Iraq for supporting and training the Iraqi forces despite the territorial defeat of Islamic State (IS) militants in the country. The troops were part of the U.S.-led international coalition that conducted air raids against IS targets in both Iraq and Syria. Source: Xinhua| 2018-03-16 16:10:58|Editor: Jiaxin Video Player Close Cheng Ju (R), a newly-elected deputy to the 13th National People's Congress (NPC), talks with deputy Cheng Mengxing after a panel discussion in Beijing, capital of China, March 12, 2018. Cheng Mengxing and Cheng Ju have a similar experience of returning hometown to start their careers. Cheng Ju, born in 1990, comes from Dashi Village of Chongyang County in Xianning City, central China's Hubei Province. In 2014, she gave up high-paying job in south China's Guangzhou and returned to her hometown to work as a village Party secretary. Cheng's new job has been confronted with challenges as Dashi Village was once a widely known poverty-stricken village. Over the past three years, she led the villagers to develop local collective economy by building a solar power base and a tea plantation. Infrastructure was also greatly enhanced with roads paved and a service center established. Under the leadership of Cheng, 106 people from 35 households at the village shook off poverty. Apart from helping develop local industry, Cheng also focuses on the improvement of environment and the development of local tourism resources. She believes that the village can rely on it natural landscape to attract more tourists once the environment gets better. As a newly-elected deputy to China's top legislature National People's Congress, one of Cheng's proposals to this year's NPC is to build a more complete system of garbage classification in rural areas. (Xinhua/Zhang Yuwei) MANILA, March 16 (Xinhua) -- At least two terrorists have been killed as troops fought an undetermined number of Abu Sayyaf Group fighters (ASG) in southern Philippine jungles of Sulu, an army general said on Friday. Brig. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana, commander of the military's Joint Task Force Sulu, said in a statement that fighting broke out around noon on Thursday in a village in Patikul town, a known lair of Abu Sayyaf Group. He said Thursday's firefight last almost an hour with two Abu Sayyaf Group terrorists killed. Sobejana said the militants were part of the ASG gunmen that clashed with troops on Tuesday in another village in Patikul town. At least five ASG militants were killed and six soldiers wounded in Tuesday's clash, according to the military. The military said the ASG is still holding more than a dozen hostages. Abu Sayyaf Group was set up in the early 1990s. It is one of the terrorist groups in the Philippines that pledged allegiance to the Islamic State and is notorious for kidnapping for ransom, bombings and robberies in the southern Philippines. The Abu Sayyaf bandits have hideouts in the remote impoverished provinces of Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi. ADDIS ABABA, March 16 (Xinhua) -- Djibouti's government welcomes China's greater involvement in the nation's port development, Finance Minister Ilyas Dawaleh has said in a recent interview with media. Djibouti has terminated cooperation with the Dubai Ports World over the running of the Doraleh container terminal because of a dispute and reached an agreement with Singapore-based Pacific International Lines Pte Ltd. (PIL) on March 5 to boost cargo trade at the port. Last August, PIL partnered with China Merchants Port Holdings Co. to build new markets in Asia. Meanwhile, Dawaleh dismissed U.S. concerns about losing access to Doraleh port, saying it would be ridiculous to imagine that China could restrict or deny U.S. access to Doraleh as a result of the deal. "Djibouti's development needs all its friends and strategic partners," he said, adding "no one can dictate to us who we should deal with." Located in the Horn of Africa, Djibouti is an important choke-point that links the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. Djibouti President Ismail Omar Guelleh made a state visit to China in late November, becoming the first head of state of an African country to visit China since the conclusion of the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) last October. During the visit, China and Djibouti agreed to establish a strategic partnership to strengthen all-round cooperation. Source: Xinhua| 2018-03-16 16:23:57|Editor: Jiaxin Video Player Close MEXICO CITY, March 15 (Xinhua) -- Mexico is seeking to increase its agricultural exports to China, where its avocado and berries have found a niche. Mexican avocado and berries such as cranberries, raspberries and blackberries are selling briskly in China though they are relatively new. "We started out with one or two containers, and today we have more than 2,000 containers of avocado shipped to China a year," Mario Andrade, vice president for foreign trade at the National Agricultural Council, said. "I expect that in the near future, China will become a leading consumer of Mexican berries." Figures released by the Mexican Agriculture Ministry in February showed that Mexico's food, beverage and agricultural exports to China expanded by a whopping 54 percent in 2017 to reach 321 million U.S. dollars. Mexico's top export to China last year was beer, which brought in some 110 million dollars, followed by fishmeal (55 million dollars.) Avocado took third place, generating 31.2 million dollars in revenue. Trade representatives are now seeking to market infant milk formula."China is a great consumer, especially of dairy (products), and there is a large market for infant formulas," Andrade said. Source: Xinhua| 2018-03-16 16:23:57|Editor: Jiaxin Video Player Close UNITED NATIONS, March 16 (Xinhua) -- Improved laws and policies have enhanced women's status and welfare in China, especially in the rural areas, a Chinese envoy told a United Nations (UN) meeting on women Thursday. "Our mechanism for gender-related assessment of laws, regulations and policies has further improved, and the system of conducting interviews to ensure equal employment for women has been incorporated in local legislation," Wu Haitao, China's deputy permanent representative to the UN, said at the general debate of the 62nd Session of the Commission on the Status of Women. Of the representatives elected at the beginning of this year to the 13th National People's Congress, China's national legislature, women constitute 24.9 percent. Female members make up 20.39 percent of the 13th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, the top political advisory panel, an increase of 2.55 percent over the last session. "The number of rural women living in poverty has decreased drastically and more rural women now enjoy social security benefits such as basic pension scheme and new rural cooperative medical scheme," Wu said. Eighty million rural women have access to free screening for cervix cancer and breast cancer. A total of 345 billion RMB (about 54.45 billion U.S. dollars) in guaranteed loan is available for rural female entrepreneurs. Each year, women's federations at all levels provide training to rural women, establishing 30,000 agricultural demonstration bases. Over 2.6 million rural women are helped to increase their income, he added. Wu said rural women are an important force in agricultural production and rural development. They are also a major player in resource management, ecological construction, and cultural and social development in rural areas. QUITO, March 15 (Xinhua) -- The negotiating teams of the Colombian government and the National Liberation Army (ELN) guerrillas returned to peace talks on Thursday in Ecuador's capital after a two-month suspension. The ELN confirmed the return to the negotiating table on its official Twitter account, with both sides starting the fifth round of talks at Hacienda Cashapamba, around 30 km from Quito. The teams, led by Gustavo Bell for the government and Pablo Beltran for the ELN, began talks for the first time since Jan. 10, when Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos stopped them following a series of terrorist attacks on police by the ELN. The Ecuadorian Foreign Ministry said that, after talks restart, both sides will issue a joint statement. Santos announced on Monday that his team would return to Quito. "The objective is to advance the agenda and to reach a new ceasefire and put an end to hostilities," he said. The last ceasefire lasted for 101 days but was ended by the ELN on Jan. 9, before launching a series of bombings on police stations, killing at least eight police officers. Ecuadorian Foreign Minister Maria Fernanda Espinosa said Thursday that "peace is closer" in Colombia. She welcomed the restart of the dialogue by sharing photos of both teams at the dialogue table on Twitter, saying that she felt "great happiness when looking at these images." The dialogue seeks to end half a century of armed conflicts in Colombia. Source: Xinhua| 2018-03-16 16:49:04|Editor: Zhou Xin Video Player Close BEIJING, March 16 (Xinhua) -- As China is embracing the 40th anniversary of its reform and opening up, the country is also building unprecedented confidence in its own definition and application of "democracy," a word introduced to China about a century ago. Over the past five years, China's GDP grew to 82.7 trillion yuan (13.1 trillion U.S. dollars) from 54 trillion yuan, increasing its percentage of global GDP from 11.4 percent to 15 percent. About 68 million people in rural areas were lifted out of poverty. Now the country has the world's largest middle-income population. The success story is largely attributed to political stability and vitality under Chinese democracy, which is being highlighted at the ongoing "two sessions" when lawmakers and political advisors gather in Beijing to discuss the country's development for the following years. The National People's Congress (NPC), the highest organ of state power, has made revisions to the Constitution, which will act as a fundamental guarantee for China's modernization drive. It will also elect state leaders and confirm the nomination of state leaders. All these moves run smoothly with due democratic procedures. This is in sharp contrast to a century ago when the nation began to learn about "democracy," but soon found the Western politics did not work here. Decades of turmoil and civil war followed. It was after the founding of the People's Republic of China that the country developed its own style of democracy. The first NPC was convened in 1954, marking the establishment of the people's congress system, the platform for democracy where the people exercise state power. This is a political system fundamental to the leadership of the Communist Party of China (CPC), the running of the country by the people, and law-based governance. POWER OF THE PEOPLE NPC deputy Zhang Xiaoqing suggested at the annual session last year that migrant workers, a group numbering 286.5 million that is vital to China's urbanization drive, should receive unemployment insurance when they lose jobs in cities. "Farmers leave their families to work for higher salaries in the cities, but many of them face the daily risk of losing their jobs," Zhang said. "We must ensure the bottom line is protected for their life and their families." She was glad that the suggestion was received well and accepted by the government. The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security is revising a regulation to give migrant workers the same access to unemployment insurance as urban employees. For the first time, the central government used the indicator of "surveyed urban unemployment rate" which covers rural migrant workers and other permanent residents, as a projected target. Zhang was reelected as a deputy to the 13th NPC. "My duty is to speak for the people on every aspect of the country's development," she said. Over the past five years, NPC deputies have raised more than 41,000 suggestions, mostly focusing on supply-side structural reform, defusing potential major risks, targeted poverty alleviation, and environmental protection, which are crucial to achieving high quality development. All the suggestions have been responded to by the concerned departments. Once the right to run the country is ensured, the people's creativity can be sparked. Blessed with the strength of more than 1.3 billion people, the nation will have an infinitely vast stage in the world, said Xin Ming, a professor at the Party School of the CPC Central Committee. As the top legislature, the NPC and its standing committee have played the leading role in lawmaking. Over the past five years, the top legislature has enacted 25 laws, revised more than 100 laws, and passed 46 decisions or resolutions on legal issues. All these legislative moves focused on key areas of China's development and stability. NPC Deputy Sun Xianzhong, a law researcher at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, was proud to participate in compiling China's first civil code, a "must-do" to promote the country's rule of law and modernize state governance. In 2013, he raised a suggestion on revising the 1986 version of the general principles of civil law and compiling a civil code. The suggestion was accepted by the legislature. Last year, the NPC adopted the draft general provisions, a crucial step for China to have a civil code by 2020. "The move allows the Chinese people to feel more secure about their rights and enjoy more equal development opportunities," Sun said. In contrast to the checks and balance of power that frequently result in political stagnation in some Western countries, China's central government, the Supreme People's Court, and the Supreme People's Procuratorate answer to the NPC and are supervised by it. This vertical design has the advantages of uniting different forces in governance and avoiding internal friction. China also brings legislature into line with the country's reform which is key to promoting development. For instance, the top legislature issued decisions in 2013 and 2014 on pilot free trade zones and elevated the reform measures tested in the zones into provisions of law after the government gained experience from the trials. Now China has 11 free trade zones which have encouraged more foreign enterprises to operate in the country. At the on-going NPC session, lawmakers are mulling establishing a national supervisory commission to better ensure development with enhanced anti-graft efforts. CONSULTATIVE DEMOCRACY Chinese democracy goes far beyond electoral democracy, and includes consultation as a virtue. It occurs in every corner of the country. There are more than 2,100 political advisors to the 13th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), the top political advisory body, representing all of the 56 ethnic groups of China. About 60 percent of these political advisors are not members of the CPC. The list also includes entrepreneurs, artists and scholars, among others. Before Chinese Premier Li Keqiang delivered the government work report to the NPC, several rounds of seminars were held to consult representatives from all walks of life on the draft report. Chinese leaders also listened to lawmakers and political advisors' opinions on the report in a face-to-face manner before it was submitted for approval. Over the past five years, the non-communist parties have launched a series of supervisory investigations on issues such as health care, education, regional economic integration, and poverty reduction. The investigation reports often go directly to the CPC Central Committee or the State Council and many helped in formulating policies and laws, according to Wan Exiang, chairperson of the Central Committee of the Revolutionary Committee of the Chinese Kuomintang. Consultative democracy also includes self-governance at the grassroots level through village committees. According to China's Organic Law of Village Committees, self-governance in rural areas is ensured with elections conducted, decisions adopted, administration maintained and supervision exercised by democratic means. The village committees manage the public affairs and public welfare undertakings, mediate disputes, help maintain public order, and convey the villagers' opinions and demands and make suggestions to the government. For Wang Wenming, 50, head of Maoyang Village in east China's Zhejiang Province, full consultations can lead to reversal of public opinions. The village intended to undertake renovations in 2016, including cleaning up polluted rivers and waste. However, during the first consultation no progress was made. "Why should we spend so much money on renovations? A village should be a village," some argued. "The program cannot be carried out without the approval of most villagers," Wang said. Party members then frequently explained the need to create a healthy living environment and took the lead in neighborhood renovations.Gradually, most villagers were persuaded, giving their approval at the second democratic meeting. The renovation program was completed in June last year and earned much praise. As the rule of law is promoted in the countryside, the country has seen a new generation of farmers who have a deeper understanding of democracy, said Xu Yong, a professor at China Institute of Rural Studies at Central China Normal University. CAPABLE GOVERNMENT Democracy is not a decoration, but a means of solving problems. China has a long political tradition of selecting and appointing talent, establishing a merit-based "selection plus election" system with a special focus on public opinion. The items for assessment include, but are not limited to, economic development, job creation, social security, and environmental protection. The system works. Capable cadres are selected and elected to serve the people. The Chinese government scored highest in a poll of 27 countries on public trust, with about 84 percent of Chinese having trust in the government, the 2018 Edelman Trust Barometer survey found. The true meaning of people's democracy is finding the best way to coordinate the aspirations and demands of the whole of society and making decisions that conform to the long-term interest of the people, said Xu Yaotong, professor with the Chinese Academy of Governance. China's socialist democracy is the broadest, most genuine, and most effective democracy to safeguard the fundamental interests of the people, according to the report to the 19th CPC National Congress held in October. For Li Shimo, a venture entrepreneur based in Shanghai, China's success has shown there is more than one model of democracy in the world that can produce good governance. "China's example shows alternatives exist." A helicopter of the U.S.-led international coalition, HH-60 Pave Hawk, crashes on March 16, 2018 in western Iraq near the border with Syria. (Web photo) BAGHDAD, March 16 (Xinhua) -- A helicopter of the U.S.-led international coalition crashed in western Iraq near the border with Syria, the Iraqi military said on Friday. A brief statement from the Iraqi Joint Operations Command (JOC) said that initial reports indicated that the helicopter, HH-60 Pave Hawk, crashed in al-Qaim area in Iraq's western province of Anbar and a number of its crew were killed. The helicopter was carrying seven people when it crashed overnight, according to media reports. A statement from the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed the incident and said that a few U.S. service members were aboard without giving details. "An investigation will be initiated to determine the cause of the incident," the statement said. Over 5,000 U.S. troops have been deployed in Iraq for supporting and training the Iraqi forces despite the territorial defeat of Islamic State (IS) militants in the country. The troops were part of the U.S.-led international coalition that conducted air raids against IS targets in both Iraq and Syria. Source: Xinhua| 2018-03-16 16:54:05|Editor: Zhou Xin Video Player Close WUHAN, March 16 (Xinhua) -- Dongfeng Motor Corporation, China's second largest automaker, expects to more than double its overseas sales in the next three years, as it seeks to expand its presence in overseas market. Dongfeng Motor aims to seize larger market share in the emerging economies and enter the United States and European markets, said Li Junzhi, head of the corporation's international department. Dongfeng Motor plans to sell 150,000 vehicles overseas in 2020, up from 65,000 last year, according to Li. Overseas sales increased 55.3 percent year on year in 2017, thanks to major breakthroughs in Iran, Russia, and Southeast Asia, he said. Last year 30,000 Dongfeng vehicles, including heavy-duty trucks and compact cars, were sold in Iran, the largest auto market in the Middle East, where they were made from "knock-down" kits shipped from China. In Indonesia, Dongfeng Motor and its local partner set up a plant capable of producing 50,000 mini trucks a year, a move to compete with Japanese makers that dominate the Southeast Asian markets. Dongfeng Motor became the first Chinese automaker to have an exclusive dealership in Russia by opening a flagship store in Moscow in July last year. The company's chairman Zhu Yanfeng said developing overseas business is an important strategy for the automaker, which aims to become a world-class player. In the next three years, Dongfeng Motor plans to build another 100 sales and service outlets overseas, mostly in countries along the Belt and Road. It will also further cooperate with its global partners including Swedish truck maker AB Volvo and French auto giant Groupe PSA in manufacturing and marketing. Dongfeng Motor, headquartered in central Chinese city of Wuhan, sold 4.12 million vehicles last year, down 3.6 percent from the previous year. China's major automakers are looking to overseas markets as growth in domestic auto sales has slowed. MOGADISHU, March 16 (Xinhua) -- At least three people were killed and two others injured Thursday night in a grenade attack in Bosaso, northern Somalia, police said. Mohamed Jama, a police officer in Bosaso, confirmed the incident on Friday. The attackers hurled hand grenades at security officers at a checkpoint in Bosaso, killing one soldier and two civilians, Jama told Xinhua. No group has claimed responsibility so far. Bosaso has seen several such attacks in recent months, all conducted by the al-Shabaab militant group. Source: Xinhua| 2018-03-16 17:14:15|Editor: Zhou Xin Video Player Close VIENTIANE, March 16 (Xinhua) -- Established in 2011, the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC) Vientiane Branch aims to become a leading commercial bank in Laos and offer the best banking services in the country in the coming years. Lu Jian, general manager of ICBC Vientiane, told Xinhua on Friday that the bank's board of management and representatives from its customers had gathered to discuss essential areas of improvement for the bank's future upgrades in terms of modern banking services. Lu Jian, co-chaired the meeting on Thursday along with Director General of the Bank Supervision Department of the Bank of the Lao PDR, Phoutthaxay Sivilay. In his opening remarks, Phoutthaxay said the bank performs an impressive task in Laos and has experienced constant growth in business operations over past years. "The presence and business operation in Laos of ICBC is significantly helpful in boosting business connections between Laos and China," local daily Vientiane Times quoted him as saying. The bank strives to become a bridge and a hub for economic and financial exchange between China and Laos, and to play an essential role in serving economic and trade exchanges between China and Laos, said Liu. The bank also attached importance to local human resources development and has 90 employees of whom 80 percent are Lao, while also provides regular training for its Lao staff. The total assets of ICBC Vientiane Branch have exceeded 2.2 billion U.S. dollars, making it the largest foreign bank in Laos, according to a report by the bank in 2017. WASHINGTON, March 15 (Xinhua) -- At least four people have been killed by a pedestrian footbridge that collapsed near Florida International University (FIU) Thursday afternoon, local authorities said. Miami-Dade County Fire Rescue Department Chief Dave Downey told a press briefing Thursday evening that nine victims were transported to hospitals "early on." Miami-Dade County police said previously at least eight cars had been crushed under the walkway. The incident, which took place early afternoon, involved a footbridge linking an FIU campus with the city of Sweetwater, where thousands of FIU students live. Downey said over 100 rescuers have been dispatched to the scene, and will continue in "search and rescue mode" around the clock until it is determined that no more victims are trapped. "The biggest obstacle for search and rescue is the stability of the structure," Downey said. First responders were cautious to lift bridge structures that had crashed on to passing cars, saying secondary damage may be caused if handled improperly. Multiple sources confirmed that prior to the collapse, the bridge was being tested for strength, but it is unclear how the infrastructure was tested and what the result was. According to witnesses, two workers were on the bridge when it collapsed. FIU President Mark Rosenberg told the press Thursday evening that constructors were conducting a stress-test on the bridge earlier Thursday, but the test result did not trigger any alarm. "The cables that suspend the Miami bridge had loosened & the engineering firm ordered that they be tightened. They were being tightened when it collapsed today," Florida Senator Marco Rubio said on social media. Munilla Construction, one of the contractors for the project, issued a statement saying it is devastated by the "catastrophic collapse" and is "doing everything we can to assist." The 950-ton cable-supported bridge spanned 174 feet (53 meters) over a six-lane expressway. The main span of the bridge was put in place on Saturday morning in less than six hours by adopting a rapid installation method. It is scheduled to open in early 2019. The project cost 14.2 million U.S. dollars and was funded by the U.S. Department of Transportation. The crashed bridge, which just days ago was hailed as a technological advance and a step toward meeting students' demand for easier access to campus, sent shockwaves through the FIU community. Administrators have called for a swift investigation and Munilla Construction came under scrutiny as past allegations against the company's safety reputation surfaced. In a statement, Florida Governor Rick Scott vowed to conduct a full investigation into the incident. "If anybody has done anything wrong, we'll hold them accountable," he said. The National Transportation Safety Board said that it was sending a team of 15 experts to examine the incident. Munilla Construction pledged that it "will conduct a full investigation to determine exactly what went wrong and cooperate with investigators." Facing questions on FIU's oversight, Rosenberg said all contractors involved in the project were "certified by the state" and that "this is one of the most intensely managed projects around" because federal funds had been invested in the project. According to local media, Munilla Construction, a family business owned by six brothers that beat out three competitors to win the bridge contract, is an active construction business in Florida that has completed many successful projects, but has also been involved in lawsuits regarding the safety standard of its past work. In October 2016, a member of the security personnel working at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood Airport fell through a makeshift bridge that Munilla had built as it was renovating the airport. "They built this makeshift bridge in the area where all the employees work, and it was poorly done," said Tesha Allison, a lawyer representing the victim. The rapid construction method was also called into question. Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy said the unconventional building method clearly does not work. The FIU said Saturday the innovative installation method significantly reduced risks to workers, pedestrians and motorists and minimized traffic disruptions. SAN FRANCISCO, March 15 (Xinhua) -- A biennial global youth design contest to introduce American youngsters and younger generations of overseas Chinese to Chinese characters and culture drew large crowds as it opened here on Thursday. The Beauty of Chinese Characters Global Youth Design Contest 2018, which opened at the Chinese Consulate General in San Francisco, California, is meant to help foreigners develop their own ideas about the unique form of Chinese characters through images and pictures, Luo Linquan, the Chinese consul general, said, adding, "China needs to know the rest of the world while it also needs to be known to the rest of the world." Luo said the contest is significant because language, which involves both oral and written forms, is a tool of communication. Chinese characters initially evolved from images. They embody the unique way ancient Chinese people observed the world and expressed their ideas, the envoy said. "If one wants to learn about a country's concepts, path of development, policy and behaviors, the best way is to study its history, philosophy and language, and to communicate with the people of that country," he added. The contest is jointly sponsored by Beijing Normal University and the Academy of Arts & Design of Tsinghua University of China. Professors from the two universities spoke about the history, evolution and development of Chinese characters as well as the art of character design that has evolved over thousands of years. A ninth grader from Stuart Hall High School in downtown San Francisco, giving his name only as Kounalakis, spoke in fluent Chinese. He said he began to learn the language when he was only three years old. "I benefit from learning Chinese -- I can get an A in Chinese. And most of all, I love the beauty of Chinese characters, which are entirely different from the English alphabet," the American youngster said. This year's contest is themed "Harmony at home". The concept of harmony is deeply rooted in Chinese culture and thoughts. It is the philosophy behind China proposing to build a community of shared future for mankind. It is also a fundamental cultural basis of China's efforts to contribute to a new type of international relations, Luo said. The first edition of the contest saw 1,250 pieces of work pouring in from 16 countries and regions. Source: Xinhua| 2018-03-16 17:39:20|Editor: Zhou Xin Video Player Close KHARTOUM, March 16 (Xinhua) -- The annual meetings of China's top legislature and political advisory body are significant to China's relations with the rest of the world, Sudanese political analysts said. Known as the "two sessions," the events "foretell a bright future for China," Nasser Merghani, a Sudanese political analyst, said in a recent interview with Xinhua. Noting that China has made major achievements over the past four decades thanks to its reform and opening-up, he said China is witnessing major socio-economic and political progress with impact on the whole world. "What will come out of the 'two sessions' concerns the world, particularly China's partners, including Sudan, which enjoys strategic ties with China," Merghani said. Highlighting the importance of the Sudan-China economic bond, he pointed out that China's investments have played a remarkable role in promoting Sudan's economic development, and have yielded huge mutual benefits in the fields of infrastructure and energy. The benefits of bilateral cooperation are expected to rise as the two countries are headed for joint projects within the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative, Merghani said. Proposed by Chinese President Xi Jinping in 2013, the initiative aims to create greater trade, infrastructure and people-to-people links along and beyond the ancient Silk Road routes. The modern version comprises an overland Silk Road Economic Belt and a 21st Century Maritime Silk Road. Hassan Bin Ouf, another political analyst, said Sudan can play a major role in the China-proposed initiative considering its geographic location as a bridge between the Arab world and Africa. He suggested that Sudan become a key player in the initiative and dedicate its potentials and resources in order to achieve mutual benefit. Source: Xinhua| 2018-03-16 18:19:29|Editor: Zhou Xin Video Player Close by Xinhua writer Liang Junqian BEIJING, March 16 (Xinhua) -- Earlier this week, U.S. President Donald Trump blocked Singapore-based chipmaker Broadcom's proposed acquisition of its U.S. peer Qualcomm under the pretext of protecting national security. Though China has nothing to do with the deal, the country has again been used as an excuse to scuttle the merger. Advising Trump to block the deal, the U.S. Committee on Foreign Investment (CFIUS), an inter-agency tasked with reviewing foreign investments in the country, said if the deal was approved, China's telecommunication firms could displace Qualcomm as the leaders in developing the upcoming 5G standard mobile network. It is yet another instance of the U.S. government issuing such a far-fetched warning against Chinese businesses. In January, CFIUS disapproved a deal between Ant Financial, an affiliate of China's e-commerce giant Alibaba, and MoneyGram International "for potential national security threats." Washington is not alone in using such protectionist measures to scrutinize or kill foreign investment attempts, particularly those from China, based on groundless suspicions and a Cold War zero-sum mentality. Some European countries have also rejected Chinese investments from time to time over similar arguments. The alarming anti-China trends in the West reflect the fact that as more Chinese enterprises begin to expand overseas, some in the Western world are neither ready nor at ease. Those who harbor concerns over China's flourishing global investment view its rise as a "you-win-I-lose" situation, fearing their technological and industrial edges would be lost if Chinese companies invest in their countries. However, the truth is that Chinese investments overseas have always stressed win-win cooperation, and have brought tangible benefits to business partners and local populations. Chinese automaker Geely's takeover of Swedish Volvo Cars is a stellar example. In 2017, Volvo reported a 27.7-percent increase in operating profit, earning a record 1.8 billion U.S. dollars. The company, which was struggling when Geely took over eight years ago, is now thriving. The China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) has now become a major platform on which Chinese firms and global partners can share the benefits that China's development can offer. According to the Chinese Ministry of Commerce, under BRI, Chinese enterprises have invested more than 60 billion dollars. They have helped build 75 economic and trade cooperation zones in 24 countries, generating over 2.21 billion dollars of taxes and creating 209,000 local jobs. As China seeks to restructure its economy and focuses increasingly on a quality-oriented and consumption-driven growth model, countries worldwide can expect more business opportunities. Also, Beijing is stepping up efforts to encourage foreign investments. In the government work report delivered at the ongoing annual session of China's top legislative body, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang said overseas investors will be granted tax deferral for the reinvestment of profit made in China. Also, the procedures for setting up foreign-invested enterprises in China will be simplified. In the face of the Chinese investment boom, policymakers in the West should be open-minded. Because in an age of increasing global economic interconnectedness, a shutting-the-door approach would always cause more harm than good to the economic interests of all parties concerned. Source: Xinhua| 2018-03-16 18:19:30|Editor: Jiaxin Video Player Close CHONGQING, March 16 (Xinhua) -- Southwest China's Chongqing Municipality has nodded with agreement to allow road testing of unmanned vehicles, following Beijing and Shanghai. According to a guideline on road testing of unmanned vehicles, made public Friday, automobile manufacturers are allowed to conduct road testing of unmanned vehicles on designated roads after being approved. The guideline was jointly issued by departments including the Chongqing Municipal Economic and Information Commission, and Chongqing Municipal Public Security Bureau. A test driver is required, and the automobile manufacturers and the driver will be held responsible if accidents occur, it said. Chongqing has the largest number of automobile manufacturers and vehicle production in China. According to Zhu Huarong, president of Chongqing-based Changan Automobile, the company will set up a demonstration zone on self-driving cars in the city this year. According to a report by Tencent Research Institute, financing for aided or self-driving cars in China has reached 10.7 billion yuan (1.6 billion U.S. dollars). Mobility ranks as the third-hottest AI-related industry following vision-image analysis and voice processing. Source: Xinhua| 2018-03-16 18:39:33|Editor: Chengcheng Video Player Close TEHRAN, March 16 (Xinhua) -- Spring cleaning, shopping for special food and clothes, holding fire festival and special street drama is how the Iranians celebrate Nowruz and the start of spring. New Year festival of Nowruz celebrations, meaning literally the new day, begin on March 21 to greet the coming of a new year for Iranians. For them, the celebration is rooted in history and means the glorification of growth and vigor in nature. Preparations for Nowruz begin in early March with spring cleaning locally known as Khaneh Tekani. Khaneh Tekani, literally shaking the house, is common in almost every household. Carpets and curtains are washed, every corner is dusted, windows are wiped, and old furniture is repaired or replaced with new one. All family members are involved in this ritual, signifying a fresh start and wash-away of all misfortune. Also, people head for markets to do shopping for an assortment of goods including new clothes, new shoes, fresh fruits, sweets, nuts, flowers and items necessary to set on the Nowruz Table which is locally known as Sofreh-ye Haft Seen. Street malls and traditional Bazaars are filled with flowers, plants, colorful clothes and vendors. Special shopping is made for decorating Sofreh-ye Haft Seen on which a number of symbolic objects are placed during the Nowruz celebrations. The most common items featuring the Nowruz Table are the Holy Quran, the goldfish, coins, candle sticks, dishes of green sprouts (or Sabzeh), mirrors, decorated eggs, as the signs of good luck, wealth and happiness for the family in the coming year. Besides, seven other items, the names of which in Persian begin with the sound /s/ are symbolically set on the Sofreh-ye Haft Seen. People select the seven items from among coin, hyacinths, dried oleaster, sprouts, apple, pudding, garlic, vinegar and sumac, which are given auspicious meaning like wealth, beauty, rebirth, wisdom, health, power and sunrise. The Iranian also actively participate in Chaharshanbeh Suri, or the fire festival, on the eve of the last Wednesday to bid farewell to the old year and start a prelude to the new year. With the fall of the dusk on Tuesday, Iranians celebrate the fire festival by jumping over bonfires and using firecrackers in public places, which has its roots in the ancient customs and history of the country. As people jump over the bonfires, they sang anthems for the fire under their feet, figuratively trading the warmth and beauty of the flames. The hymns also signify to beat out all the misfortunes and impurities of the past year and get ready for the new resolutions in the coming year. In the coldest regions of the country and following the fire festival, people gather in their elders' houses eating Chaharshanbe Suri Ajil, or a mixture of raw nuts, raisins, figs and berries. In the past, young people used to wear disguises and go door to door knocking on doors to receive Chaharshanbe Suri Ajil. The rite is fading away in the modern Iran. Meanwhile, Haji Firouz, who is a fictional character in the Iranian folklore, appears on the streets to herald the coming of Nowruz. His face is covered in soot and he is clad in bright red clothes and a felt hat. Haji Firouz entertains passers-by in the public places by singing traditional songs and dancing and playing his tambourine for a few coins. As the last day of the year comes to an end, "everyone rushes home to be with their families and loved ones. The New Year is all about celebrating those special moments and sharing the joy and gratitude with family members. While the clock is ticking away and the New Year is approaching, the family sits around the specially prepared Sofreh-ye Haft Seen." On the first day of New Year, people usually get up early and put on their best clothes to receive visitors or to go visiting the elders. Nowruz holiday in Iran is a two-week event. A wide range of cultural performances and traditions also take place. On the days of Nowruz, there is much feasting, visiting family members and friends, and exchanging gifts. During this period, people pay visits to each other's houses and entertain their guests with fresh fruits and nuts. It is a tradition for the elders to give money called Eidi to the children. Nowruz holiday is also a perfect opportunity for the families to go on trips making these two weeks a prime travel season. Families and communities share a symbolic meal, often consisting of cooked rice and vegetables combined with many local ingredients. In recognition of the importance of this ancient rite, Nowruz was inscribed on UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2009. Moreover, in 2010, the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed 21 March International Nowruz Day. NAIROBI, March 16 (Xinhua) -- Kenya plans to achieve annual tourist number of 4 million from the current 1.4 million by the end of 2022, head of the country's tourism marketing agency said Friday. "Our medium-term target is 4 million tourists. This is a market that in the long term we should be having 10 million tourists every year," said Betty Radier, chief executive officer of the Kenya Tourism Board (KTB). According to the KTB, Kenya received 1.4 million tourists in 2017, which is below the historic high of 1.8 million in 2007 just before the post-election violence that year devastated the economy. "We are getting there and this year, our target is to reach the 2007 levels of 1.8 million tourists," said Radier. She said Kenya is diversifying its tourism products from the safari and beach tourism to appeal to more tourists. "Today is about experience one gets and is not just about visiting a place. Therefore, we want to have signature products," said Radier in a media roundtable in Nairobi. Radier said one of the key focus areas will be investing in growing domestic tourism, which has been growing by 20 percent annually. Kenya will also invest more in conservation and eco-tourism, which Radier said is becoming a signature product. She said Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda have started joint marketing of their tourism products. "The idea is to offer variety. So instead of Kenya being known as a place of the big five animals, we can include gorillas in Rwanda and we are therefore able to offer more value to visitors," said Radier. But she said intra-African tourism is affected by the high taxation levied on airlines, a burden that is transferred to the travelers, making the air tickets expensive. BEIJING, March 16 (Xinhua) -- Britain announced Wednesday that 23 Russian diplomats will be expelled from Britain due to Russia's failure to explain the poisoning of a former Russian spy. The Russian ambassador to the United Nations also made an announcement Wednesday, saying that Britain's allegations were completely unacceptable and threatened reprisals against Britain if measures are taken by the British government. Expelling diplomats is nothing new in the history of these two countries when one looks back at the past 200 years. In 2006, ex-Russian agent Alexander Litvinenko was poisoned in London with the radioactive substance polonium-210, and the British government attributed his death to Russia. Moscow responded with an investigation into British spies that posed as diplomats to Russia, and closed the branch of the British Council of Culture in Russia. In September 1985, Moscow and London engaged in a furious six-day exchange of spy expulsions. Thirty-one Soviet citizens were expelled from Britain and 25 Britons were forced to leave Moscow. This was followed by the defection of Col. Oleg Antonovich Gordievsky of the Soviet Committee for State Security (more commonly known as the KGB), who was a double agent. As the KGB's London station chief, he provided the British government with a name list of Russian spies there. In 1971, Oleg Adolfovich Lyalin, who was working for the KGB and posted as an official with the Soviet Trade Delegation, was arrested in London by the police for drunk driving. Under the influence of alcohol, he leaked his relationship with the KGB. His defection, however, led to a record number of 105 Soviet diplomats and officials being expelled by Britain after Moscow refused to clarify the activities of 440 of its citizens in Britain. Moscow in turn expelled 27 Britons. In 1927, the British government announced it would sever diplomatic relations with Soviet Russia for its interference in China. However, the two sides had just established diplomatic relations in 1924. As early as in 1800, British Ambassador to Russia Charles Whitworth was expelled from St. Petersburg for plotting to overthrow Tsar Paul I. BERLIN, March 16 (Xinhua) -- Germany's Interior Minister Horst Seehofer has reinvigorated a long-standing debate over the position of Muslims in German society with comments made during an interview with the newspaper "BILD" on Friday. "Islam is not part of Germany. Germany has been influenced by Christianity and the marks of which are found in the cessation of work on Sunday, ecclesiastical public holidays and rituals such as Easter, Pentecost and Christmas", Seehofer told "BILD". The acting Christian Social Union (CSU) leader added that Muslims living in the country "obviously do belong to Germany." However, this could not mean that Germans would have to sacrifice their "typical national traditions and mores" out of a "false sense of tolerance." In his role as interior minister, Seehofer is also responsible for immigration as well as heading a newly-created "homeland" division which is intended to preserve local customs. The widely-publicized comments on Friday were a belated response to a statement made by German ex-president Christian Wulff in 2010 that "Islam does belong to Germany." At the time, Christian Democratic Union (CDU) leader and chancellor Merkel appeared to depart from some of the more socially-conservative views of her early political career by lending support to the German president's position in resulting public debate. Nevertheless, Seehofer refused to offer his opinion while the CDU/CSU parliamentary faction leader Volker Kauder (CDU) spoke out in vocal opposition to Wulff. Talking to "BILD" on Friday, Seehofer announced that he would hold conferences with Islamic community leaders to discuss problems in the integration of Muslims in Germany. The interior minister said that he wanted to "seek, and if necessary expand" dialogue to ensure that Muslims "lived with, instead of in parallel to or against" their fellow German citizens. The success of this endeavor could only be ensured if there was "mutual understanding and consideration" between Muslims and non-Muslims. Additionally, Seehofer vowed to press ahead with plans to create centralized "anchor" facilities to accommodate refugees from the point of arrival in Germany until the completion of the asylum application process. A first such national centre would be completed "by the autumn" and would help relieve financial and logistical pressures on state and municipal governments. The CDU, CSU and German Social Democrats (SPD) have agreed to limit the maximum duration which asylum seekers can spend in "anchor" facilities to one and a half years in the case of individuals and half a year in the case of families. Refugees who have been granted asylum in this period would be transferred to the care of communal governments, while those who were unsuccessful in their applications would be deported to their home countries. More than one million refugees have arrived in Germany since 2015, the vast majority of which hail from majority-Muslim countries such as Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan. Official figures published recently by the Federal Statistical Office showed that the number of new asylum seekers began to decline again in 2016 and has continued along a steady falling trajectory ever since. There are estimated 4.5 million Muslims in Germany and about 1.8 million of whom are German citizens. Source: Xinhua| 2018-03-16 20:29:52|Editor: Chengcheng Video Player Close BERLIN, March 16 (Xinhua) -- The Hamburg dealership of German carmaker Volkswagen has been ordered by the city's Regional court to exchange a manipulated diesel vehicle against a brand-new version, the radio station "NDR" reports on Friday. The lawyer of the customer who filed the lawsuit described the judicial ruling as a "non-plus -ultra" verdict which could set a precedent for a new raft of court cases in the ongoing "dieselgate" scandal. According to "NDR" the plaintiff purchased a Volkswagen "Tiguan" model three years ago, only to discover that his diesel vehicle was affected by illegal software which falsified nitrogen oxide emission levels in daily use. The judges ruled that the plaintiff had the right to a brand-new vehicle which had not been tampered with and which complied with regulatory emissions limits as advertised. A technical upgrading did not offer a satisfactory solution as it would result in faster wear of the purchased vehicle than reasonably anticipated by the customer. The verdict is not yet legally-binding, granting the Volkswagen dealership the possibility of appeal. A spokesperson for the Volkswagen mother corporation in Wolfsburg told "NDR" on Friday that the case was only one of many similar lawsuits and emphasized that other courts had previously ruled in favor of the carmaker. Source: Xinhua| 2018-03-16 20:44:54|Editor: Chengcheng Video Player Close DOHA, March 16 (Xinhua) -- Qatar filed a complaint to the United Nations over repeated violations by aircraft of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the state-run Qatari news agency (QNA) said on Friday. A UAE military transport aircraft CN-35 overflew the Qatari airspace on March 4, said the letter sent by the Permanent Representative of Qatar to the UN Sheikha Alia Ahmed bin Saif al-Thani. Qatar described the incident as "a severe violation of international law" that could escalate tension in the region, according to the letter. The Qatari mission to the UN called on necessary measures to preserve international peace and security by putting an end to these violations. On March 10, Qatar filed another complaint over the violation of its airspace by a UAE military transport aircraft carrier on Jan. 14 and Feb. 25. It also complained the violation by a Bahraini military aircraft which overflew the exclusive economic zone of Qatar on Feb. 28. In June 2017, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain, and Egypt severed ties with Qatar, accusing it of supporting "terrorist" groups and aligning itself too closely to their regional rival Iran. Qatar vehemently rejected the accusations. JAKARTA, March 16 (Xinhua) -- Indonesia will seek more flight routes at the 2018 Routes Asia Forum slated for March 18 to 20 in Brisbane, Australia, Indonesia's Deputy Tourism Minister I Gde Pitana said. The destinations Indonesia will be promoting at the upcoming forum are Yogyakarta, Lake Toba and Lombok, "Through this forum we expect to see more Australian tourist arrivals with expanded connectivity and more flight routes," Pitana said, citing to the forum themed "The Route Development Forum for Asia" this year. Pitana said the chance to get flight route expansions to Indonesia through the forum was significant as the forum would be attended by decision makers of more than 100 airlines as well as around 200 representatives of airport operators in the region. Reiterating the importance of the forum, Indonesian Tourism Minister Arief Yahya said that Australia has been identified as an essential market for Indonesia's tourism sector, with a target of 1.35 million tourist arrivals this year. The minister said that Indonesia would highlight the "Digital Destination & Nomadic Tourism" topic in the incoming forum, which might further attract potential Australian tourists. Besides participating in the forum, Indonesia will also hold tour package sales and photography exhibitions across the country in Australia's Melbourne on March 22. The event, entitled "Jewel of the Southeast Asia", would display photographs made by Indonesian and Australian photographers on various Indonesian destinations other than Bali, including Borobudur, Tana Toraja, Komodo Island, Raja Ampat. Source: Xinhua| 2018-03-16 20:59:56|Editor: Chengcheng Video Player Close KIGALI, March 16 (Xinhua) -- The African Union (AU) Extraordinary Summit on the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) is scheduled to be held from March 17 to 21 in Kigali, capital city of Rwanda. Leaders of AU member states are expected to sign the agreement to launch the AfCFTA at the summit, according to the AU. After the agreement is signed, AU member states will need to ratify the establishment before the AfCFTA can enter into force, Rwandan Minister of Trade and Industry Vincent Munyeshyaka said Wednesday. The AfCFTA will be the largest free trade area created since the formation of the World Trade Organization, according to the AU. It could create an African market of over 1.2 billion people with a GDP of 2.5 trillion U.S. dollars, according to the pan-African bloc. The following is a brief introduction to the process towards the launch of the AfCFTA: The 18th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the AU (AU heads of state and government summit) held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, in January 2012 adopted a decision to establish a continental free trade area by an indicative date of 2017. The 25th AU heads of state and government summit held in Johannesburg, South Africa, in June 2015 launched the negotiations for the establishment of the AfCFTA. Eight rounds of negotiations under the Continental Free Trade Area Negotiating Forum (CFTA-NF) have been made by AU member states since the first CFTA-NF meeting in 2016. The last round of CFTA-NF meeting was held last November in Nigeria to consider the draft of the agreement establishing the AfCFTA and three protocols, namely Protocol on Trade in Services, the Protocol on Trade in Goods and the Protocol on Dispute Settlement Mechanism. The fourth Meeting of African Ministers of Trade held in December 2017 in Niamey, Niger, concluded the first phase of the negotiations on the AfCFTA. Trade ministers at the meeting endorsed the agreement establishing the AfCFTA, together with the Protocol on Trade in Services. They also agreed on the creation of an autonomous AfCFTA Secretariat. African trade ministers approved the draft of the AfCFTA agreement earlier this month, ahead of the AfCFTA extraordinary summit. Source: Xinhua| 2018-03-16 20:59:56|Editor: Chengcheng Video Player Close LONDON, March 16 (Xinhua) -- The British government will not have time to implement an invisible border between Northern Ireland and Ireland before Britain withdraws from the European Union, a committee of Westminster MPs said in a report Friday. In the new report, the House of Commons Northern Ireland Affairs Committee expressed concern over lack of progress in finding a solution to the land border post-Brexit, pointing out there was no technical solution to render the border invisible. A frictionless border between the two sides is one of the key elements of the 1998 Belfast Agreement that ended decades of conflict and violence in Northern Ireland. British Prime Minister Theresa May insists there will be no physical border posts after Brexit. The MPs' report calls on the government to do more to clarify the rules, processes and technical measures that will allow the current frictionless border arrangements to continue. The report focuses on the fundamental question of how Britain's decision to leave the European Single Market and Customs Union can be reconciled with avoiding a hard border in Northern Ireland. "The UK Government has repeatedly underlined that the free movement of people across the border will not be affected, and that no physical infrastructure will be put in place. However, the Committee was unable to identify any border solution currently in operation across the globe that would enable physical infrastructure to be avoided when rules and tariffs diverge," it said. The report concludes that the government's proposals are imaginative but it will not have time to implement a new non-visible customs regime before the withdrawal day. The committee rejected any proposals for customs checks which would result in a customs border down the Irish Sea, saying this would create a costly barrier to trade with Northern Ireland's largest market and would be incompatible with the spirit and intent of the Belfast Agreement. Andrew Murrison, chair of the committee, said: "Brexit's success or otherwise hinges on the UK-Ireland border. Everyone agrees that the border after Brexit must look and feel as it does today." "However, we have heard no evidence to suggest that there is currently a technical solution that would avoid infrastructure at the border. Furthermore, we have no detail on how checks on goods and people will be undertaken away from the border," he said. BERLIN, March 16 (Xinhua) -- A majority of Germans are supportive of the re-inauguration of Christian Democratic Union (CDU) leader Angela Merkel in her fourth term as German chancellor, a "Politbarometer" poll published on Friday by the public broadcaster "ZDF" finds. According to the representative survey, 55 percent of Germans approved of Merkel's renewed assumption of the chancellorship, while 41 percent opposed her re-election. Supporters of the CDU and Christian Social Union (CSU) were particularly enthusiastic about the prospect of another Merkel cabinet (85 percent). By contrast, a smaller majority of 55 percent of German Social Democrat (SPD) supporters expressed their favourable sentiment in this regard. A large majority of respondents (70) percent opined that the new "grand coalition" would last a full four-year term in office. If federal elections were held again, 32 percent would currently vote for the CDU/CSU (minus one percentage point) and 19 percent would vote for the SPD (plus two percentage points). The grand coalition parties were followed in the ranking of electoral support by the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) with 13 percent (minus one percentage point), the Green party (Gruene) and Left party (Linke) at twelve percent and eleven percent respectively (both unchanged), and the Free Democratic Party (FDP) at nine percent (plus one percentage point). Source: Xinhua| 2018-03-16 21:35:02|Editor: Chengcheng Video Player Close TEHRAN, March 16 (Xinhua) -- Foreign ministers of Iran and Kazakhstan met Friday in Kazakh capital city of Astana, and discussed means of enhancing bilateral cooperation, Iran's Foreign Ministry announced. On the sidelines of the latest round of international talks on Syria, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif and his Kazakh counterpart Stanislav Vassilenko called for the implementation of the agreements between Iran and Kazakhstan particularly in energy and transit fields. They also urged joint investments and an increase in trade relations. Facilitating visa issuance for businessmen from Iran and Kazakhstan and removing obstacles to banking cooperation were also discussed. Besides, Vassilenko voiced Kazakh companies' interest in Iran's transportation field. The two foreign ministers also held extensive talks on the main regional and international issues. KIEV, March 16 (Xinhua) -- Ukrainian Prime Minister Volodymyr Groysman announced here on Friday that Ukraine is ready to scrap its 2011-2020 economic cooperation program with Russia. "We are preparing a decision to terminate the program of economic cooperation (with Russia)," the government press service quoted Groysman as saying. The measure will be part of Ukraine's sanctions against Russia, he said. Kiev has so far imposed sanctions on about 500 Russian companies and more than 1,000 individuals over their alleged role in the Ukrainian crisis. Relations between Kiev and Moscow have soured since 2014 when Crimea was incorporated into Russia following a local referendum. Ukraine says the peninsula was annexed. Russia was Ukraine's largest trade partner last year, with bilateral trade amounting to 11.1 billion U.S. dollars. Source: Xinhua| 2018-03-16 22:00:06|Editor: Chengcheng Video Player Close by Xinhua writer Gu Zhenqiu LONDON, March 16 (Xinhua) -- The spy poisoning row between London and Moscow has escalated dramatically after some major Western countries blamed Russia for the chemical attack on a former Russian spy, a charge that Russia denies. The leaders of Britain, France, Germany and the United States condemned Russia in a joint statement on Thursday in a graphic reminder of the Cold War days. The London-Moscow row started following the murder attempt on former Russian double agent Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia in Salisbury in southwestern Britain earlier this month. Britain claimed the father-daughter pair was exposed to novichok, a military-grade nerve agent developed by Russia. The ongoing war of words has put a chill on Britain-Russia relations. On Wednesday, after Britain's ultimatum for an explanation went unheeded by Russia, London announced it would expel 23 Russian diplomats, the biggest such action in 30 years. Britain also took the diplomatic row to the United Nations Security Council in a bid to further isolate Russia on the eve of its presidential elections. Russia has vowed tit-for-tat action. Some media have called the situation a "Cool War," meaning a mini Cold War. With Washington, Berlin and Paris joining London, the Cool War seems to be scaling up, and Russia's relations with these major Western countries are very likely to deteriorate. The British government is right to want to bring the perpetrators to justice. However, diplomatic spats and punitive steps lead to no solution. All relevant parties need to handle this issue through appropriate channels. As Chinese Ambassador to the UN Ma Zhaoxu said, a comprehensive, objective and impartial investigation should be conducted based on facts and in accordance with international laws, reaching an evidence-based conclusion that can stand the test of facts and history. In this complex and volatile world, mankind faces common challenges. It is hoped that Britain and Russia, both permanent members of the UN Security Council, can strengthen dialogue and consultation to work out a solution to the dispute at an early date. Source: Xinhua| 2018-03-16 22:10:09|Editor: Chengcheng Video Player Close MOSCOW, March 16 (Xinhua) -- No chemical weapons were used in Syria's Eastern Ghouta, Russian Defense Ministry spokesperson Igor Konashenkov said on Friday. "I would like to reiterate there was not and there is not any chemical weapon used in Eastern Ghouta," Konashenkov said in a statement. His comment came after some Western media reports on Thursday about the alleged use of chemical weapons in the Syrian settlement of Hamoryah recently. Konashenkov said the Russian Defense Ministry had been repeatedly informed that militant groups controlled by the United States and Britain were preparing a provocation to accuse Syria and its allies of using chemical weapons. He said Russian, Western and Arab media representatives working in Hamoryah had interviewed the people who were leaving, asking whether a chemical attack had taken place in the morning. Not a single resident had heard anything about a chemical attack, he said. MOMBASA, Kenya, March 16 (Xinhua) -- Kenyan police on Friday arrested three Tanzanian nationals and seized heroin worth over 900,000 U.S. dollars at the common border in Lunga Lunga in the coastal town of Kwale. The drugs weighing 30 kilograms were seized by a team of security officers on a public bus on transit to Mombasa. Head of Anti-Narcotics Unit Hamisi Massa said the suspects are among wanted drug traffickers nabbed during the covert operation. "Acting on intelligence information we arrested the three and seized the drugs concealed in three suitcases. This is major breakthrough in the war on narcotic," said Massa. He said the three are being interrogated before they are arraigned in court to face drug trafficking charges on Monday. Massa said reports indicate that the three were hired by a wanted Tanzania drug baron Swale Ahmed to smuggle the drugs in the country for distribution targeting mainly foreigners. Ahmed was arrested last year where drugs worth 100,000 dollars were seized by security team in Mombasa. Intelligence reports indicate that Ahmed runs an empire that smuggle hard drugs, mainly heroin, and has evaded several police dragnets by bribing security agents. The Friday crackdown was carried out by detectives who were behind the arrest and extradition of four suspected drug traffickers to the United States. CAPE TOWN, March 16 (Xinhua) -- South Africa's ruling African National Congress (ANC) on Friday welcomed a decision by prosecutors to reinstate charges of corruption against former president Jacob Zuma. This came hours after the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) announced this decision in Johannesburg. "The ANC reaffirms its confidence in our country's criminal justice system and our respect for the independence of the judiciary," ANC Secretary General Ace Magashule said in a statement emailed to Xinhua. "We equally affirm our commitment to the constitutionally enshrined principle of equality of all before the law," Magashule said. Magashule also said the ANC continues to assert the inalienable right of all in the country, including Zuma, "to be presumed innocent until and if proven guilty." The decision to charge Zuma was announced by NPA head Shaun Abrahams, who said to have notified Zuma of the decision. "I am of the view that there are reasonable prospects of a successful prosecution of Mr. Zuma," Abrahams said. According to Abrahams, Zuma disputes all the allegations against him and said he lacked intention to commit any of the crimes listed in the indictment. Zuma faces 18 charges of corruption, money laundering and racketeering in relation to an arms deal dating back to the late 1990s. The multi-billion-dollar deal involved the purchase of military equipment from Europe. Source: Xinhua| 2018-03-16 22:25:12|Editor: Chengcheng Video Player Close BERLIN, March 16 (Xinhua) -- Deutsche Bank has increased the level of bonus payments to employees despite recording higher-than-forecast losses in 2017, an annual report published on Friday by company shows. Even after a painful multi-year restructuring effort, bottom line earnings at the Frankfurt-based financial institute were still in the red by 735 million euros (906 million U.S. dollars) in 2017, taking the figure of Deutsche Bank's cumulative annual losses since 2015 to 9 billion euros. The news comes shortly after chief executive officer John Cryan announced to press that he expected a smaller annual loss of 497 million euros this year. At the same time, the annual company report showed that bonus payments more than doubled from 546 million years in 2016 to 2.275 billion euros in 2017. Total compensation to staff grew as well to a lump sum of 10.3 billion euros, returning to a level last witnessed between 2012 and 2015. Under pressure of large losses and related intense public scrutiny, Cryan drastically cut variable compensation paid out in 2016. According to magazine Spiegel, staff in the traditionally well-heeled investment banking has since succeeded in convincing management to reverse its more austere course. Deutsche Bank justified the steep pay rises by highlighting that it had made an operative profit of 1.2 billion euros in 2017 and attributing the bulk of net losses to a one-off effect associated with the U.S. corporate taxation reform. Additionally, the bank argued that it needed to pay competitive salaries in order to attract and retain high-performing staff. Deutsche Bank is Germany's largest financial institute measured by the size of its balance sheet and employees 43,000 employees in the country. The bank has been rocked by a series of international scandals since the 2007-08 financial crisis surrounding diverse allegations of fraud which have harmed its reputation and profitability. Source: Xinhua| 2018-03-16 22:30:13|Editor: yan Video Player Close ANKARA, March 16 (Xinhua) -- As a major steel exporter to the United States, most of the steel industry representatives in Turkey criticized President Donald Trump's decision to impose punitive tariffs on imported steel and aluminum, calling on the administrations to seek exemption from U.S. ahead of March 23, the deadline for exemption negotiations. Trump on March 8 announced to impose a 25-percent tariff on imported steel and a 10-percent tariff on aluminum, triggering the criticism and outrage from its trading partners around the world. However, the U.S. announced to exempt Canada and Mexico and offered the possibility of excluding other allies, backtracking from an earlier "no-exceptions" stance. Namik Ekinci, Turkish Steel Exporters' Association Chairman, said Thursday in a written statement that the move will "negatively affect both world trade and the U.S. economy." "The 25-percent tax rate on steel imports is unequal and U.S. unilaterally grants privileges to certain countries and leaves the door open to some for exemption," he stressed. Turkey is the sixth largest steel exporter to the U.S. after Canada, Brazil, South Korea, Mexico and Russia, which accounts for 5.7 percent of U.S. steel imports. "Turkey has already fulfilled all of the conditions U.S. set for exemption from steel tariffs. It should be exempted from the 25-percent tariff," the head of association noted. As fears of a global trade war grew, Ekinci called on Turkey's administrations to "take action immediately to protect the country's interests." "Otherwise, Turkey's exclusion from the countries exempted from the tax will lead to the doors closed to the U.S., one of our most important markets. It will be a severe blow to our steel industry," Ekinci said. Estimated by the steel industry experts, such a potential situation will bring a trade deficit of 2.5 million tons of steel for Turkey. "The U.S. new tariff on the imported aluminium, which will increase our production cost, could adversely affect our competitive advantage in the global market," Hakan Ucak, head of Turkey Customs and Foreign Trade, told Anadolu Agency. In 2017, Turkey exported 1.2 billion U.S. dollars worth of steel and 78.5 million dollars worth of aluminum to the U.S., according to the data from Turkish Economy Ministry. Ankara has delivered signals of countermeasures in the wake of Washington's move. Turkish Economy Minister Nihat Zeybekci spoke with EU Trade Commissioner Cecilia Malmstrom via phone last week, and the two agreed to move together at the World Trade Organization (WTO) level. "We will take countermeasures," though not in the form of retaliatory duties, Zeybekci said. Instead, he hinted that there would be more stringent customs inspections, saying Turkish importers will be "more sensitive" regarding U.S. products. "We have been closely following the issue and will take the required steps at various platforms," Turkish Economy Ministry said in a written statement on March 6. Earlier, Turkey's Deputy Prime Minister Mehmet Simsek warned the steps U.S. was taking could initiate a global trade war, a critical situation for the world economy. "Trump's aggressive tariffs which might open Pandora's box for global trade wars are bound to harm both the world economy and American interests in the long term," local columnist Sadik Unay commented on Daily Sabah. Source: Xinhua| 2018-03-16 22:30:13|Editor: Mengjie Video Player Close BEIJING, March 16 (Xinhua) -- The general office of China's Central Military Commission (CMC) on Friday made public a guideline on an educational campaign in the military. The campaign focuses on inheriting the legacy of the Chinese military, and highlights the responsibilities of officers and soldiers of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) in their bid to build a strong military, according to the guideline. The campaign should closely relate to the current situation, missions and requirements, underline the fundamental and comprehensive issues in the PLA's tasks, and carry out education on the major theories and realistic problems that concern officers and soldiers the most. The guideline asks for a higher standard of education among the members of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and officials of higher levels in the military, and calls for stronger action against problems in their thought, organization, and conduct. It also asks for the crackdown on formalism and bureaucratism, and the elimination of the pernicious influence of Guo Boxiong and Xu Caihou, former CMC vice chairmen. Moreover, the guideline suggests CPC members educate and guide the Communist Youth League members in the military into realizing their dreams, and taking on the responsibilities of building a strong military. Source: Xinhua| 2018-03-16 22:35:15|Editor: Liangyu Video Player Close Internally displaced persons are seen in the town of Inab, eastern Afrin, Syria, on March 16, 2018. Turkish army has taken control of 75 percent of Afrin province in northern Syria, Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Friday. (Xinhua) ANKARA, March 16 (Xinhua) -- Turkish army has taken control of 75 percent of Afrin province in northern Syria, Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Friday. "We have taken control of 1,320 square km in Afrin," Erdogan said, speaking at a congress for his ruling party in the northeastern Turkish province of Erzurum. Ankara and Washington will easily solve the problem in Syria's Manbij region if the United States withdraws Syrian Kurdish militants from the east of the Euphrates River, he said, referring to recent talks between the two NATO allies in order to calm down tensions caused by the U.S. support to the Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG). After finalizing the observer points in Idlib, Turkish army will head to Manbij region, said the president. Ankara and Washington are negotiating on the situation of Manbij, where the YPG fighters are deployed during their fight against the Islamic State in Syria. However, Turkey objects Kurdish militia's presence there, saying that the YPG is an offshoot of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK). "If the U.S. wants to work with us, it should start with removing the terrorists in the east of Euphrates. We will certainly take those terrorists out," he said, adding that Turkey is open to all kinds of cooperation proposals. PARIS, March 16 (Xinhua) -- Thousands of Socialist Party (PS) cardholders trust Olivier Faure, head of the Socialist group at the National Assembly, to lead the fractured party and give it a new start after stinging defeat in recent presidential and legislative election, Rachid Temal, the party's coordinator said on Friday. Official results of the first round election for the party's top job showed that Faure collected 48.56 percent of the votes, largley ahead former agriculture minister Stephane le Foll who gained 26.1 percent. Earlier on Friday, Le Foll, which had been associated with unpopular ex-Socialist government announced his withdrawal from the contest's second leg on March 29, saying that his rival "is destined to become the (party's) first secretary." Unopposed, the 49-year-old lawmaker won the Socialist party's leadership , according to the party's coordinator. Faure, once Le Foll's assistant when former president Francois Hollande was first secretary, pledged to change the PS "from the ground to the ceiling" and rebrand a struggling party who lost steam after bitter defeat in the 2017 race to the Elysee Palace and National Assembly. On May 7, 2017 the Socialists suffered an electoral drubbing, as their representative Benoit Hamon came fifth with less than 10 percent, while five years earlier, Francois Hollande won with a large margin the election which gave France its first socialist head of state since Francois Mitterand quit power in 1995. In legislative election, the PS won just 29 seats this year, down from 280 previously in the 577-National Assembly. Inherited divided camp and weak public support, Faure promised to organize thematic sites open to activists and supporters of the PS to settle their incessant quarrels and build a victory of the European Left. "The key idea of Olivier Faure's campaign is that we must gather because we are too weak to play the revenge of the term, and it had worked," one of Faure supporters was quoted as saying by Le Figaro. An Elabe survey for BFMTV news channel found that three people out of four did not believe that the Socialists would return to power. The PS will hold its congress next month in Aubervilliers, near Paris. Source: Xinhua| 2018-03-16 22:50:20|Editor: Liangyu Video Player Close BEIJING, March 16 (Xinhua) -- Chinese aviation industry has made significant leaps over the past five years, according to the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC), the country's aviation giant. China has seen a more complete aviation product pedigree with upgraded capacities in developing new models and batch delivery, especially in the past five years, said the AVIC in a recent press release. FROM 3RD TO 4TH GENERATION China's latest J-20 stealth fighters have been commissioned into air force combat service, representing an important step in comprehensive combat capabilities. The J-20 is China's fourth-generation medium and long-range fighter jet. It made its maiden flight in 2011 and was first shown to the public at the 11th Airshow China in Zhuhai in Guangdong Province in November 2016. The Y-20, China's largest homegrown transport aircraft, joined the air force in July 2016. The 200-tonne-level freighters play a critical role in China toward developing its long-range delivery capabilities. Moreover, the newly-commissioned H-6K bomber and new generation of KJ-500 early warning aircraft contribute to the country's combat capacity in precise strike and information warfare. FROM MANNED TO UNMANNED In the unmanned aircraft system (UAS) sector, the Wing Loong UAS family have gained a reputation in the international military market with "big orders" in hand, according to the AVIC. Wing Loong represents the country's achievements in developing high-end reconnaissance-strike UAS, with their general performances matching similar products worldwide. The Wing Loong family is a high-end reconnaissance-strike drone series independently developed by China. The Wing Long I conducted its maiden flight in 2007, while the Wing Loong II successfully completed its maiden flight on Feb. 27 last year, showing that China was capable of developing large-scale reconnaissance-strike UAS according to international standards. The enhanced comprehensive combat capacity of China's unmanned aerial vehicles have lifted the long-time surveillance and combat capabilities of the military. FROM AIR TO AIR-SEA-LAND China's home-developed helicopter series Z10, Z-19 and Z8 are available to the military, enhancing combat capabilities in air-ground integration, long-distance maneuvering and special operations. The J-15 carrier-based aircraft strongly supports the "Liaoning," China's first aircraft carrier, in developing blue sea operation power, the AVIC claimed. Besides, the newly-delivered carrier-based rotor aviation equipment has greatly supported the naval air force. In the international military market, China's aviation products are becoming more competitive with a more complete pedigree alongside the country's independent development in the industry, according to the AVIC. Last year, China saw multiple new models of its export-oriented aviation products, such as with the the maiden flights of the Wing-Loong II UAS, the JF-17B dual-seat fighter and Z-19E armed helicopter. PRETORIA, March 16 (Xinhua) -- South Africa's chief prosecutor said on Friday former President Jacob Zuma would face 16 charges which includes fraud, racketeering and corruption. Shaun Abrahams, National Director of Public Prosecutions (NDPP), said this while briefing the media in Pretoria on Friday. Charges against Zuma were dropped in 2009 in a South Africa's multibillion-rand arms deal. They related to 783 questionable payments made to Zuma which were linked to the arms deal. Abrahams said Zuma must have his day in court. Zuma's charges include one count for racketeering, two counts of corruption, one count for money laundering and 12 counts of fraud. "After consideration of this matter, I am of the view that there are reasonable prospects of a successful prosecution of Mr. Zuma on the charges listed on the indictment, served on Mr Zuma prior to the termination of the matter. As a result, Zuma's representations are unsuccessful," said Abrahams. Zuma's lawyers made representations last year to the National Prosecuting Authority asking them to drop the charges. Last year the High Court ruled that dropping charges against Zuma in 2009 was unlawful and irrational. The Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) also dismissed the appeal by Zuma and the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) against the High Court judgment. Abrahams said, "A trial court must decide and ventilate on this matter. There are various prospects of a successful prosecution on this matter. The Director of Public Prosecutions in KwaZulu-Natal will facilitate the necessary processes for Mr Zuma and his co-accused to appear in Court." Abrahams said he informed Zuma's lawyers today about his decision. Zuma's party, the African National Congress (ANC), issued a statement saying they note the reinstatement of the charges. The ANC secretary General Ace Magashule said the prosecuting authority should be given the chance to do its work without any interference. Magashule said Zuma should be treated as innocent until proven guilty by the courts. He said, "The ANC reaffirms its confidence in our country's criminal justice system and our respect for the independence of the judiciary. We equally affirm our commitment to the constitutionally enshrined principle of equality of all before the law." In 2009, Zuma's lawyers produced tapes which they argued there was a conspiracy to charge him when the ANC was about to go to congress and prevent him from being elected to lead the party. Source: Xinhua| 2018-03-16 23:20:29|Editor: Mengjie Video Player Close BRUSSELS, March 16 (Xinhua) -- China and Europe, each located at one end of the Silk Road, are natural partners in the Belt and Road Initiative, according to Zhang Ming, head of Mission of the People's Republic of China to the European Union. With joint efforts, the initiative and Europe's development strategies are creating synergy, he added. CHINESE-EU SYNERGY In an article published on the Euractiv website on Thursday, Zhang recalled his first Chinese Spring Festival celebration in Brussels last month. "It was unforgettable to see Chinese lanterns illuminating the Grand Place, the world's most beautiful square as described by French writer Victor Hugo. It was exciting to see the Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert decorated with Chinese red lanterns, bringing a moment of happiness to my European friends. Again, I was fascinated by the perfect fusion of Chinese and European cultures," he said in the article. More than 700 years ago, The Travels of Marco Polo invoked Europeans' curiosity of the East. Numerous trailblazers made strenuous efforts to connect Europe with Asia, and finally, opened up the ancient Silk Road. "Today, China and Europe are bound together by faster transportation, closer commercial ties and more diverse cultural exchanges. Despite its long history, the spirit of the ancient Silk Road, namely the respect for diversity and the pursuit of common prosperity, is still alive and relevant," said Zhang. GROWING INITIATIVE Since it was launched over four years ago, the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) has received wide support from more than 100 countries and international organizations, more than 80 of which have signed agreements with China. The first Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation held last year in Beijing produced fruitful results, and contributed to a global consensus on Belt and Road cooperation. "Governments of 11 EU member states have signed BRI cooperation documents with the Chinese government," said Zhang, noting that the EU's foreign trade will increase by 6 percent because of the Initiative, according to the Brussels-based economic think tank Bruegel. "The China-Europe express freight trains are busy traveling across the Eurasian continent. In 2017, a total of 3,673 trips were made, up by 116 percent from 2016 and exceeding the total number combined during the past six years. The train services reach 36 European cities in 13 countries and make the access of European goods to the Chinese market much easier," said Zhang. "In addition, a great number of projects are well underway, such as infrastructure, logistics, ports, e-commerce and finance. For instance, in Serbia, a Chinese enterprise bought a troubled steel mill and turned it around in less than a year. In Greece, the Port of Piraeus regained its position as one of the largest ports in Europe. In the United Kingdom, China is partnering with France to build a nuclear power plant, a stellar example of tripartite cooperation under the Initiative," said the ambassador. However, according to Zhang, the potential of the Belt and Road Initiative will be brought to the full only when all players come to realize its importance and take part in it. BOOSTING INFRASTRUCTURE To that end, he reasserted three basic facts. Firstly, the Initiative is definitely not a unilateral strategy or China's "Marshall Plan," as some have called it. On the contrary, it is designed to promote cooperation that is open to all. "The Initiative aims to promote economic cooperation through infrastructure connectivity, and to bring about common development by leveraging the comparative strengths of all participants. As a global public good, the Initiative follows the golden rule of extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits. All parties get involved and gain benefits on an equal footing," said Zhang. Secondly, the initiative is not a one-way street allowing only China to export its resources, market opportunities, technologies, projects and manpower. Rather, it is based on wide consultation and communication. "All Belt and Road projects have to go through well-informed feasibility studies conducted by interested parties, and must follow market principles and international rules. All projects must be results-oriented, high-standard and sustainable. Our goal is not only to strengthen the physical connectivity of infrastructure, but also to improve the institutional connectivity of rules and standards," said Zhang. Thirdly, the BRI aims to establish a regional economic cooperation platform that is inclusive, balanced and beneficial to all. It is not meant to reinvent the wheel, rather, it seeks to complement the existing bilateral and regional cooperation mechanisms. "Rome wasn't built in a day. The Initiative is such a great undertaking that it has to involve many participants, including those from Europe. While each participant comes from different backgrounds and has different needs, we respect such diversity and value flexibility in our cooperation instead of insisting on uniformity," said Zhang. "In our world today, protectionism and isolationism are still taking a toll. China, with its 40 years of reform and opening-up, has made its stance clear: openness brings progress, while self-seclusion leaves one behind." "We remain committed to partnering with our European friends in an open spirit. Let's consult, contribute and share together to make a success of the Belt and Road Initiative," he concluded. The Belt and Road Initiative aims to build trade and infrastructure networks connecting Asia with Europe and Africa along the ancient Silk Road routes. It comprises the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road. Source: Xinhua| 2018-03-16 23:40:32|Editor: yan Video Player Close MONTREAL, March 16 (Xinhua) -- Liu Fang was re-elected secretary general of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Friday for another three-year term. Liu was first elected as ICAO secretary general in 2015. Prior to joining ICAO, Liu worked at the General Administration of Civil Aviation of China, where in the course of 20 years she held various senior positions. A PhD in international law from China's Wuhan University, she is an expert on international air transport regulation and air law. LUANDA, March 16 (Xinhua) -- Angolan Attorney's General Office confirmed Friday that the former governor of the Angolan Central Bank, Valter Filipe da Silva, is under investigation and prevented from leaving the country due to an alleged illicit transfer of 500 million U.S. dollars abroad. According to the deputy Attorney General, Joao Luis de Freitas Coelho, the former governor of the central bank of Angola is indicted for the crime of embezzlement and money laundering. The former bank chief is accused of being involved in an illicit transfer of 500 million dollars to an ccount at the Credit Suisse Bank in London, United Kingdom, in September last year, weeks before long-term president Jose Eduardo dos Santos left power. The banking operation was considered suspicious by the British National Anti-Crime Agency (NCA) which initiated the investigation. The deputy Attorney General said that the Angolan Ministry of Finance and the National Bank of Angola are working with the British authorities for the return of the money to Angola. A team from NCA has been in Angola since the end of last year, having held several meetings with the Angolan authorities. ADDIS ABABA, March 16 (Xinhua) -- The Ethiopian Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Friday called on members of South Sudan's National Dialogue Forum to support the revitalization process and lobby the country's leaders. Ethiopian State Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hirut Zemene, made the call during her meeting with members of the South Sudanese National Dialogue Forum in Ethiopia's capital Addis Ababa on Friday. The second phase of the Revitalization Forum on South Sudan, which was held in February this year in Addis Ababa, was suspended by the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) for an undetermined period so as to give warring sides more time to reach conclusive agreement. Zemene, who urged to members of forum towards the realization of the peace process, also assured the Ethiopian government's strong commitment to bring lasting solution to the world's youngest nation. Zemene, who hailed the positive spirit achieved during the latest round of peace talks, had previously urged the need to put in place a permanent ceasefire and transitional security arrangement in order to find a common ground for the finalization of a comprehensive agreement during the next phase of the peace talks. Ethiopia, an influential South Sudan neighbor, currently shelters around half a million South Sudanese refugees and has hosted several rounds of peace talks since the South Sudan civil war erupted in December 2013. South Sudan launched the long-awaited national dialogue initiative in May 2017 to open up avenues to discuss political, social and economic problems facing its people, and also offer a platform for reconciliation and healing the world's youngest nation torn apart by more than three years of civil war. The conflict in South Sudan started as a dispute between President Salva Kiir and his ex-deputy Riek Machar but has since fragmented to several sides complicating efforts to achieve peace. The 2015 Agreement of the Resolution of the Conflict on South Sudan, aimed at ending the conflict, was weakened after the outbreak of renewed fighting in July 2016 forced rebel leader Machar to flee South Sudan. NAIROBI, March 16 (Xinhua) -- Countries in the Sub-Saharan African region of Friday endorsed a communique to promote cleaner mobility in cities amid quest to curb air pollution and the attendant negative health impacts. The comprehensive pact that was adopted at the end of Africa Clean Mobility Week that ended in Nairobi proposed a raft of policy, regulatory and fiscal incentives to boost the adoption of low emission transport models in the continent's rapidly growing cities. Ibrahim Thiaw, the Deputy Executive Director at the UN Environment, said green transportation is an imperative in order to boost sustainable development in Africa. "A shift to cleaner mobility in Africa will rewrite the continent's narrative by spurring economic growth and job creation," Thiaw said. "Governments should therefore provide incentives to promote investments in green mobility in Africa amid rapid urbanization and population growth," he added. Dozens of policymakers, industry leaders, researchers and campaigners attended the five-day Africa clean mobility week organized by UN Environment and partners. The forum sought to reignite a new conversation on accelerating the transition to greener transportation in a continent grappling with negative impacts of climate change. Thiaw proposed a radical policy shift, investments in technologies alongside public education to boost uptake of fuel efficient vehicles and cleaner fuels in Africa's transport sector. "Africa should leapfrog to clean mobility by domesticating best practices from elsewhere and investing in cleaner technologies like electric cars, two and three wheel machines," said Thiaw. Delegates in their final recommendations supported the enactment of new policy and fiscal incentives to hasten a transition to low carbon transportation in Africa. Urias Goll, the Deputy Executive Director of Liberia's Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), said that Africa required home-grown initiatives to advance the green mobility agenda. "There is need to support local industries to manufacture hybrid and electric vehicles tailor made for the local market," Goll said, adding that consumer awareness is key to boosting the adoption of non-motorized and cleaner transport models in Africa. Gerald Banaga-Baingi, a technical advisor at Uganda's ministry of energy and mineral development, said that importation of low emission second hand vehicles could boost green mobility in Africa's big cities. "We should encourage importation of used vehicles that have strong emission deterrent technologies as part of the green mobility agenda in this continent," Banaga-Baingi said. "Likewise, we can also leverage on new technologies, research and development to boost adoption of cleaner fuels and fuel efficient vehicles in the transport system," he added. NAIROBI, March 16 (Xinhua) -- The Kenya Red Cross Society (KRCS) said on Friday that it has received about 9,667 Ethiopian asylum seekers in northern border town of Moyale following their displacement in a botched security operation on March 10. KRCS Secretary General Abbas Gullet said mass nutrition screening is currently ongoing to establish the nutritional status of children under five years, pregnant and lactating women. "The Kenya Red Cross Society has been conducting multiple interventions since this crisis broke out. Today, we have led a high delegation to Moyale with key partners and decision makers for them to witness firsthand the critical needs of these families. We really hope for a sustainable solution," Gullet said in a statement. The red cross said it has established a makeshift camp at in Sololo to provide shelter for populations that were previously residing at Maeyi, Kukub, Gada Korma and Dambala Fachana in Sololo ward as efforts to set up transitional shelters and finalize on the camp are underway. "The prevailing situation in the makeshift camps continues to be of concern as the children may be susceptible to infections, especially with the onset of rains, which may lead to a decline in their nutritional status," said the red cross. The agency said the main ailments so far treated at the Out-Patient Department clinics during the medical outreaches are diarrhea, upper respiratory tract infections, pneumonia, eye infections and skin infections. The KRCS said the much-needed humanitarian support is being provided, especially through food and non-food items, integrated medical outreaches, health education and sanitation. The Marsabit County government has also been on site providing food and water to the refugees with support from well-wishers. Ethiopian authorities have launched investigations into the killing of nine civilians who were killed in a botched security operation after mistaking them for members of the banned Oromo Liberation Front (OLF) who were attempting to sneak into the country. The incident happened on March 10 when an army unit deployed around Moyale city along Ethiopia's border with its neighboring Kenya to intercept suspected OLF fighters, in which the soldiers mistakenly opened fire on civilians, killed nine and injured 12 others. The Ethiopian government later disarmed some members of its army force and put under arrest pending investigations. Moyale city, located in Ethiopia's Oromia regional state along the border with Kenya, has been in a state of unrest since mid 2016. Similar recent unrest and violent incidents have forced the Ethiopian government to impose a six-month martial law effective as of Feb. 16, saying it was to protect the country's constitution, citizens and their property from the dangers that would arise from the ongoing violent demonstrations in different parts of the country. ADDIS ABABA, March 16 (Xinhua) -- The political upheaval in Ethiopia has implications for the African Union (AU), which is headquartered in Ethiopia's capital Addis Ababa, according to new publication by the Institute for Security Studies (ISS). The ISS, an African non-profit orgnization, in its latest publication on Friday entitled "Why the African Union Needs a Stable Ethiopia?" has stressed the importance of Ethiopia's stability to the Union as well as the stabilizing factor of AU's presence in the East African country. According to the institute, Ethiopia, apart from being the historical birthplace of the Organization of African Unity (OAU) -- AU's predecessor -- it is also a major player in the Horn of African region, mainly due to its strong military role in the region and as the host to almost 850,000 refugees, mostly from its neighboring countries of South Sudan, Somalia, Sudan and Eritrea. Noting Ethiopia's huge peacekeeping contributions to UN and AU missions in the world, the ISS further argued that the East African country "occupies a strategic position as AU host and as a power in an unstable part of Africa." ISS, however, indicated that the high growth rates that Ethiopia witnessed in the past few years have not been shared by all Ethiopians, which creates tension among some sections of the population. Ethiopia has been facing incessant protests since 2016, especially in its three most populous Oromia, Amhara and Southern regional states. The recent round of protests have led to the resignation of the country's Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn, which followed by the sanction of a six-month state of emergency period as of February 16. Costantinos Bt. Costantinos, Professor of Public Policy at Addis Ababa University, told Xinhua in a recent interview that the declaration of a state of emergency for a second time in short period of time is due to the "youth protest as one of the most momentous movement since the Afro-Arab Spring that has the potential to escalate to a wider conflict." "The mass campaign has celebrated the release of opposition figures, protest bloggers and journalists from incarceration," Costantinos said, adding: "It is unprecedented in this nation's recent history, where protests have managed to persuade a formidable regime to capitulate to its demands." According to the institute, the pan African block is "important for Ethiopia, given its contribution in terms of job creation and economic opportunities in Addis Ababa. In this sense, and as a bare minimum, the presence of the AU could serve as a stabilizing factor in a very complex situation." The AU Commission Chairperson, Moussa Faki Mahamat, had recently called for all Ethiopian stakeholders to refrain from acts that undermine peace and stability. "I stress the need for all concerned stakeholders to display a spirit of responsibility and refrain from any acts likely to undermine peace and stability," read the statement from the chairperson. "The Chairperson is confident in the ability of the Ethiopian authorities and people to overcome the challenges at hand and to consolidate the remarkable progress made in the socioeconomic development of the country," it added. Mahamat also met with Desalegn after his resignation, in which he pledged the AU's continued support to Ethiopia's demands. The ISS, however, said that the AU could do "not very much" to help mitigate the risks of instability for itself and for its host country, as Ethiopia is "traditionally far less susceptible to outside influence in its internal affairs than many other African countries." "The large presence of the AU and international organizations does, however, keep the country and especially its capital in the spotlight," the ISS added. Iranian families light fire outside their houses in Tehran on March 13, 2018 during the Wednesday Fire feast, or Chaharshanbeh Soori, held annually on the last Wednesday eve before the Spring holiday of Nowruz. (AFP photo) TEHRAN, March 16 (Xinhua) -- Spring cleaning, shopping for special food and clothes, holding fire festival and special street drama is how the Iranians celebrate Nowruz and the start of spring. New Year festival of Nowruz celebrations, meaning literally the new day, begin on March 21 to greet the coming of a new year for Iranians. For them, the celebration is rooted in history and means the glorification of growth and vigor in nature. Preparations for Nowruz begin in early March with spring cleaning locally known as Khaneh Tekani. Khaneh Tekani, literally shaking the house, is common in almost every household. Carpets and curtains are washed, every corner is dusted, windows are wiped, and old furniture is repaired or replaced with new one. All family members are involved in this ritual, signifying a fresh start and wash-away of all misfortune. Iranian families light fire outside their houses in Tehran on March 13, 2018 during the Wednesday Fire feast, or Chaharshanbeh Soori, held annually on the last Wednesday eve before the Spring holiday of Nowruz. (AFP photo) Also, people head for markets to do shopping for an assortment of goods including new clothes, new shoes, fresh fruits, sweets, nuts, flowers and items necessary to set on the Nowruz Table which is locally known as Sofreh-ye Haft Seen. Street malls and traditional Bazaars are filled with flowers, plants, colorful clothes and vendors. Special shopping is made for decorating Sofreh-ye Haft Seen on which a number of symbolic objects are placed during the Nowruz celebrations. The most common items featuring the Nowruz Table are the Holy Quran, the goldfish, coins, candle sticks, dishes of green sprouts (or Sabzeh), mirrors, decorated eggs, as the signs of good luck, wealth and happiness for the family in the coming year. Besides, seven other items, the names of which in Persian begin with the sound /s/ are symbolically set on the Sofreh-ye Haft Seen. People select the seven items from among coin, hyacinths, dried oleaster, sprouts, apple, pudding, garlic, vinegar and sumac, which are given auspicious meaning like wealth, beauty, rebirth, wisdom, health, power and sunrise. The Iranian also actively participate in Chaharshanbeh Suri, or the fire festival, on the eve of the last Wednesday to bid farewell to the old year and start a prelude to the new year. With the fall of the dusk on Tuesday, Iranians celebrate the fire festival by jumping over bonfires and using firecrackers in public places, which has its roots in the ancient customs and history of the country. As people jump over the bonfires, they sang anthems for the fire under their feet, figuratively trading the warmth and beauty of the flames. The hymns also signify to beat out all the misfortunes and impurities of the past year and get ready for the new resolutions in the coming year. In the coldest regions of the country and following the fire festival, people gather in their elders' houses eating Chaharshanbe Suri Ajil, or a mixture of raw nuts, raisins, figs and berries. Iranian families light fire outside their houses in Tehran on March 13, 2018 during the Wednesday Fire feast, or Chaharshanbeh Soori, held annually on the last Wednesday eve before the Spring holiday of Nowruz. (AFP photo) In the past, young people used to wear disguises and go door to door knocking on doors to receive Chaharshanbe Suri Ajil. The rite is fading away in the modern Iran. Meanwhile, Haji Firouz, who is a fictional character in the Iranian folklore, appears on the streets to herald the coming of Nowruz. His face is covered in soot and he is clad in bright red clothes and a felt hat. Haji Firouz entertains passers-by in the public places by singing traditional songs and dancing and playing his tambourine for a few coins. As the last day of the year comes to an end, "everyone rushes home to be with their families and loved ones. The New Year is all about celebrating those special moments and sharing the joy and gratitude with family members. While the clock is ticking away and the New Year is approaching, the family sits around the specially prepared Sofreh-ye Haft Seen." On the first day of New Year, people usually get up early and put on their best clothes to receive visitors or to go visiting the elders. Nowruz holiday in Iran is a two-week event. A wide range of cultural performances and traditions also take place. On the days of Nowruz, there is much feasting, visiting family members and friends, and exchanging gifts. During this period, people pay visits to each other's houses and entertain their guests with fresh fruits and nuts. It is a tradition for the elders to give money called Eidi to the children. Nowruz holiday is also a perfect opportunity for the families to go on trips making these two weeks a prime travel season. Families and communities share a symbolic meal, often consisting of cooked rice and vegetables combined with many local ingredients. In recognition of the importance of this ancient rite, Nowruz was inscribed on UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2009. Moreover, in 2010, the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed 21 March International Nowruz Day. LONDON, March 16 (Xinhua) -- British police have launched an investigation into the death of a Russian businessman on Friday, as the country's row with Russia over a spy's death has escalated. Scotland Yard said in a statement that a murder investigation has been launched following the results of a post mortem into the death of 68-year-old Russian businessman Nikolai Glushkov. It said the Met Police's Counter Terrorism Command, which has led the investigation from the outset, is now treating Glushkov's death as murder. JUBA, March 16 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) has welcomed the decision by the UN Security Council to renew its peacekeeping mandate until March 15, 2019 with the passing of Resolution 2406. The mission said it will continue to facilitate the safe delivery of humanitarian assistance to those in need and to monitor, investigate and report on human rights. "UNMISS welcomes the new mandate and remains committed to working with the people of South Sudan to protect civilians and build durable peace," it said in a statement released in Juba on Friday. Since the outbreak of civil war in 2013, UNMISS said it has remained committed to working with the people of South Sudan to end the conflict and build durable peace so that families can return to their homes to live safely and with dignity. Resolution 2406 requires UNMISS to continue its work to protect civilians, both internally displaced people who have sought sanctuary within protection sites next to UN bases and civilians more broadly through the proactive deployment of its peacekeeping troops across South Sudan. The new mandate authorizes UNMISS to support the implementation of the 2015 peace agreement and current peace processes, including through the High Level Revitalization Forum. The UN Security Council on Thursday decided to maintain the overall force levels of UNMISS with a troop ceiling of 17,000 troops, which includes a Regional Protection Force (RPF) at levels to be set by the Secretary-General but not exceeding 4,000, and maintaining the ceiling of 2,101 police personnel, including individual police officers, formed police units and 78 corrections officers. "The role of the RPF is extended from its previous focus largely on duties within the capital Juba and surrounding areas to assisting in the improvement of security within communities in other parts of the country as necessary," UNMISS said. This decision, it said, acknowledges the changed security environment in Juba since the initial Security Council decision approving the deployment of the RPF. Currently, the UN mission said it has about 18,000 personnel serving at 17 locations across the country and more than 15,000 of these personnel are uniformed (about 13,500 troops and 1,500 police officers). More than 2,600 are civilian staff working in diverse areas such as human rights, logistics, child protection, gender, political and civil affairs. The mission also said it has the largest number of UN volunteers, with 387 currently serving in South Sudan. On Thursday, the 15-member body also demanded that all parties immediately end the fighting across the country, and further demanded that national leaders abide by the ceasefires agreed on July 11, 2016 and May 22, 2017, as well as the truce signed on Dec. 21, 2017. BERLIN, March 16 (Xinhua) -- German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Friday rebuffed comments by her interior minister who said that Islam did not belong to Germany. Speaking at a joint news conference with visiting Swedish Premier Stefan Lofven, Merkel said Islam was part of the country's culture and history like Christianity and also Judaism. "Four million Muslims live in Germany, and they are practicing their religion here. They belong to Germany, and also their religion of Islam belongs to Germany," she said. Merkel's words came after Horst Seehofer, the new interior minister of Germany, told German daily Das Bild on Friday that Islam does not belong to Germany, stressing the country's traditions and cultures. Germany on Wednesday finally established a new government with a coalition between the Social Democrats and the Merkel-led Conservatives Union, which was comprised of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and its Bavarian sister party Christian Social Union (CSU) that Seehofer comes from. The CSU is more conservative than CDU. The increase of the number of Muslims in Germany triggered Islamophobia and the rise of anti-migration populist party Alternative fuer Deutschland (AfD). LONDON, March 16 (Xinhua) -- Murder squad detectives in London launched an investigation Friday into the mysterious death of a Russian businessman living in the British capital. Nikolay Glushkov, aged 68, was found dead on Monday at his home in Clarence Avenue, New Malden. A special post mortem began Thursday and detectives at the Met received the pathologist report today which gave the cause of death as compression to the neck. The Met Police's Counter Terrorism Command, which has led the investigation from the outset, is now treating Glushkov's death as murder. Glushkov, a retired financial director, was a Russian national who had lived at the address in New Malden for two years. His family has been informed and is being supported by police liaison officers. A Met spokesman said at this stage there is nothing to suggest any link to the attempted murders in Salisbury, nor any evidence that he was poisoned. PARIS, March 16 (Xinhua) -- French Transport Minister Elisabeth Borne on Friday described as irresponsible trade unions' call for month-long strikes over the government's plan to reform the rail sector. Trade unions called rail workers to stage strike in two out of every five days over a three-month period, from April 3 in protest of reform of the state-run rail operator SNCF. In an interview with CNEWS channel, Borne said the unions' "posture is not responsible". "The government does not seek a showdown. Unions say two days of strike every five days; I say negotiation seven days a week. There are many topics to negotiate," she added. The minister invited unions to negotiate range of issues, such as the start date for allowing private operators to compete with SNCF. Meanwhile, she warned that the planned strikes would have negative impact on the rail operator, travelers and rail workers, whose strike days would not be paid. Noting "an alarming situation" in the rail sector, the government pledged "a new strategic corporate project" to improve SNCF performance after it had been struggling with debts of 46.6 billion euros (57.21 billion U.S. dollars), mainly due to a generous pension system. It also targets opening up domestic rail passenger services to create dynamism in the sector, and changing recruitment rules to create "a more efficient and unified" firm. The government proposed scraping the special rail worker status, which allows workers to retire with a full pension at age 52, a decade before other French employees. A recent Harris Interactive study showed 43 percent of the French supported protests against rail reform, with a large majority wanting to end the special rail worker status. Many previous governments failed in reforming the public rail system. In 1995, a right-wing government led by Alain Juppe planned to end preferential working terms of rail workers, a move that triggered a three-week rail strike and forcing Juppe to step down. Source: Xinhua| 2018-03-17 01:20:51|Editor: Liangyu Video Player Close A wounded Palestinian protester is evacuated during clashes with Israeli troops near the border between Israel and eastern Gaza Strip, on March 16, 2018. Dozens of Palestinians were injured Friday during clashes that flared with Israeli army forces in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, medics and eyewitnesses said. (Xinhua/Wissam Nassar) GAZA/RAMALLAH, March 16 (Xinhua) -- Dozens of Palestinians were injured Friday during clashes that flared with Israeli army forces in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, medics and eyewitnesses said. Clashes broke out after Friday prayers upon the call of Palestinian factions to clash with the Israeli army in the Palestinian territories to mark 100 days for United States President Donald Trump's declaration that Jerusalem is the capital of the state of Israel. Eyewitnesses said that hundreds of angry Palestinian young men took to the streets in the West Bank and clashed with the Israeli soldiers. Elsewhere, young demonstrators clashed with the Israeli army forces on the borders between Israel and eastern Gaza. They said that the demonstrators threw stones, waved Palestinian flags and chanted slogans against Israel and U.S., while the soldiers fired back tear gas canisters, rubber-coated metal bullets and live ammunition. The Gaza Health Ministry said in an emailed press statement that around 25 Palestinians were shot and wounded, adding that all were taken by ambulances for medical treatment in Gaza Strip hospitals. In the West Bank, the Palestinian Red Crescent Society said in an emailed press statement that eight Palestinian young men were injured by live ammunition and rubber bullets and dozens were treated for inhaling tear gas. Since Trump's declaration on Jerusalem in December 6, clashes in the Palestinian territories have been going on in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip every Friday, which left more than 20 Palestinians killed and hundreds wounded. KIEV, March 16 (Xinhua) -- Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko on Friday proposed to include into Constitution Ukraine's intention to join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and the European Union (EU). "I gave the order to prepare the draft amendments to the Constitution, which would enshrine our aspirations for joining NATO and the EU in our fundamental law," Poroshenko told local reporters during a visit to the city of Kramatorsk in eastern Ukraine. In 2014, when the pro-West authorities came to power in Ukraine, Kiev abandoned its multi-vector policy and set a course toward European integration. Besides, the parliament revoked Ukraine's non-aligned status, paving the way for joining military blocs. Over the past four years, Ukraine has strengthened its cooperation with the EU and dialogue with NATO, but neither organization has promised Kiev near-term membership prospects. In December 2017, Poroshenko said that in the near future Ukraine will hold referendums on whether to join NATO and the EU. Any legislation could be enshrined in the Ukrainian Constitution only if it supported by the parliamentary majority of at least 300 lawmakers in the 450-seat parliament. VILNIUS, March 16 (Xinhua) -- Lithuania's lawmakers should stop "quarrelling" and start to work for the state and its people, President Dalia Grybauskaite said on Friday, reacting to recent public resentment towards the parliament sparked by a controversial parliamentary ballot earlier this week. "Nearly all political groups in the parliament stopped to fulfill their duties and got involved into squabble. This is what people were saying and noticing. The parliament must hear this, pay attention and start working instead of quarrelling," Grybauskaite was quoted as speaking to reporters by local media. She was commenting on public protest back on Thursday at Independence Square in Vilnius near the parliament building, during which protesters urged the parliament to disband. The protest followed the unsuccessful impeachment earlier this week of lawmaker Mindaugas Bastys, who was accused of allegedly cooperating with foreign intelligence and security officers, as well as criminal figures and thus grossly violating the constitution. "It (the protest) shows the maturity of our civil society when people do care about how politicians work, and it must be a very serious signal, particularly to the parliament," Grybauskaite said. She refrained from calling the parliament to disband saying that this proposal is "unrealistic". Meanwhile, Prime Minister of Lithuania Saulius Skvernelis said on Friday he believed that protests cannot solve main political issues. "I welcome the society's wish to use one of the major advantages of democracy and to freely organize peaceful rallies to express its viewpoints, yet I still think that in the end the most important issues are solved by the government and parliament," Skvernelis was quoted as saying by local website Delfi.lt. On Thursday, four Lithuania's opposition parties called for an early election, claiming that the current parliament is incapable to work further. According to the draft resolution prepared by the opposition parties, early election would take place on June 3. The law stipulates that early elections may be held on the decision of the parliament adopted by a three-fifths majority vote or may be announced by the president of Lithuania based on corresponding paragraph of the constitution. PRETORIA, March 16 (Xinhua) -- South African political parties, former presidents and civil society on Friday welcomed the reinstatement of corruption charges against former President Jacob Zuma. The country's National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) on Friday announced that Zuma will be charged for corruption, racketeering and money laundering which were dropped in 2009. Former President Frederik de Klerk welcomed the reinstatement of the charges against Zuma. De Klerk said there is a lot of public interest in the case and called for NPA to prosecute without fear or favor. "While the successful prosecution of highly-connected political figures will go some way towards assuaging the angst-ridden South African public, it is still not enough to fully restore confidence in this vital institution. More than that, the NPA needs to make good on its word concerning the investigations into State Capture. Perhaps that will be the catalyst for the NPA towards reclaiming their constitutionally-appointed role as an institution that upholds justice and the Rule of Law," said the FW de Klerk Foundation on a statement. The opposition political party, Democratic Alliance (DA) applied to the courts for the charges against Zuma to be reinstated. The DA welcomed the charges against Zuma and said he should quickly be brought before the courts. DA leader Mmusi Maimane said, "This is a victory for all who have fought for years for Jacob Zuma to face accountability for his crimes. That accountability starts now. Now there must be no further delay in starting the trial. The witnesses are ready, the evidence is strong, and Jacob Zuma must finally have his day in court." Maimane said they will instruct their lawyers to oppose any attempt by Zuma to delay the trial. DA also wants Zuma to foot the legal bills. In the past nine years Zuma spent ovber 1.3 million U.S. in legal costs trying to block the reinstatement of the charges. Another political party, Economic Freedom Party (EFF) also welcomed the charges against Zuma. EFF said prosecuting Zuma will send a strong warning that all are equal before the law. Quintin Ndlozi, EFF spokesperson, said, "It is important to state that no one, even former presidents, is above the law. The principle of equality before the law means we must all be equally held accountable for the deeds deemed illegal regardless of our social and political standing. The prosecution of Zuma will send a strong message to all kleptomaniacs within and outside the government that they can never loot the state and not meet the consequences thereof." The local affiliate of French arms company, Thales will also be prosecuted. Thales won a 217 million U.S. dollars tender to supply South Africa with combat systems for four frigates procured by the navy. ABUJA, March 16 (Xinhua) -- Nigeria stands to benefit a lot from the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative, a group of experts said at a dialogue in the capital Abuja on Friday. The experts urged the government to form an inter-ministerial commission to develop a policy framework through which the west African powerhouse can tap into the opportunities that abound in the initiative. The initiative comprises the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road, with visions to connect Asian, European and African countries more closely and promote mutually beneficial cooperation. The experts, drawn from the academia, the media, corporate, political and economic spheres, said it was time for Nigeria to strategically exploit the opportunity China is providing to improve the nation's economy. Charles Onunaiju, director of the Center for China Studies in Abuja and convener of the think-tank forum, said going by the successes of China-Africa cooperation from which Nigeria and other African countries have benefited so much, the Belt and Road Initiative offers Nigeria an ideal platform in conducting cooperation not only with China, but also with all participating countries. "The Belt and Road is a route of commerce, trade, culture and intellectual exchange between China and her trade partners. Nigeria has to find a place to get involved. We must find a niche," Onunaiju said. According to him, the interesting thing about the Belt and Road is that it is an open process where everyone can find a niche and a place to key in. "It is about people, engagement, connectivity, and integration with a view to building a community of common destiny and common humanity. It is believed that what humanity has in common is much more profound than what divides us," he noted. Bukola Ogunsina, a local journalist who had just returned from an exchange program in China, said through the platform of Belt and Road Initiative, Nigeria can obtain more opportunities to strengthen its infrastructure, diversify its economy and integrate itself into the world economy. "The Belt and Road Initiative should not be seen as something distant. It should not be seen as something that will only benefit China and its neighboring countries. It is an all-inclusive initiative and open to all. "Nigeria can make use of this opportunity to be a key player since we are the most populous nation in Africa and it will benefit us a lot to be part of this," said Ogunsina who also participated in the 2017 Media Cooperation Forum on Belt and Road in Beijing. Nigeria's foreign ministry said it will welcome various recommendations by the experts and develop the right framework for Nigeria to benefit hugely from the Belt and Road. The foreign ministry said it will liaise with other federal ministries and agencies of government to position Nigeria in the right place to engage with the rest of the world through the initiative. LILONGWE, March 16 (Xinhua) -- China said on Friday it was committed to supporting Malawi in order to help the southern African nation move forward in its development path. Reviewing 10 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries, Wang Shiting, Chinese Ambassador to Malawi, said China has done a lot in supporting Malawi's development efforts within a short period which has gone a long way in transforming the country. "If you go to Malawi, whether in big cities or rural areas, you will find many projects which have been supported by China," he said in an interview with Xinhua. "I can say that Malawi has been transformed because of its relationship with China in just 10 years," he added. China, he said, has supported Malawi in various sectors of the economy such as infrastructure, education, agriculture, health, among others, adding that China has now become one of Malawi's biggest cooperating partners in the last 10 years. In the education sector, China was the biggest contributor in providing scholarships to Malawi, with 100 government scholarships provided every year and 600 short-term training opportunities, he added. According to him, investments by Chinese private enterprises have reached about 300 million U.S. dollars while trade volumes have averaged 250 million dollars annually. The Chinese envoy expressed optimism that the cooperation between the two countries was promising. WARSAW, March 16 (Xinhua) -- Strong European Union (EU), not divided into various speeds and regions, was a goal of both Polish and German foreign policy, said Polish Foreign Minister Jacek Czaputowicz on Friday evening following the talks with his German counterpart Heiko Maas here. At a joint press conference of the two ministers, Czaputowicz stressed that Germany was Poland's important ally in NATO and expressed willingness to develop bilateral strategic relations. He also emphasized that Poland was ready to solve the EU problems and "take responsibility for EU reforms" together with Germany, France and other EU countries. According to Polish foreign minister, the talks also concerned the opportunities to revive the Weimar Triangle, a group set up in 1991 by foreign ministers of France, Germany and Poland to promote cooperation between the three countries. Maas reminded that there were challenges ahead, not only concerning the European Union, but also the outside world. Therefore, he stated, Europe had only one interest - to maintain unity. Referring to the European Commission triggering Article 7 against Poland over a judicial reform dispute, Maas said he hoped that a solution could be found. Czaputowicz, on his part, ensured that the solutions regarding judicial reform were in line with EU law, principles and values and their goal was to improve the judiciary system. However, he added, some modifications of the reform cannot be ruled out. Earlier on Friday, Maas also held meetings with Polish President Andrzej Duda and Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki. Meanwhile, the Polish Government Information Center announced on Friday that German Chancellor Angela Merkel would pay a visit to Warsaw on March 19. She will meet with Polish Prime Minister Morawiecki and President Duda to discuss the Polish-German relations, as well as European and foreign policy issues. HARARE, March 16 (Xinhua) -- Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa on Friday issued a final warning to people who externalized funds and assets that he will name and shame them as promised on Monday next week. Mnangagwa's new administration in December last year issued a three-month amnesty to people and firms who illegally stashed cash and assets abroad to repatriate them at a no questions asked basis. The president then extended the amnesty by two weeks to March 16. Addressing a rally in Bubi, Matabeleland North Province Friday, Mnangagwa said the externalization cases had been put into three categories, with the first category comprising people who had brought back nearly 300 million U.S. dollars back into the country. The second category constituted money tied in properties and securities worth about 680 million dollars that government was currently discussing with the parties concerned. He said the names of people and firms in the two categories will not be revealed. The third category was that of people who had chosen to defy the government amnesty. "We are saying to these people please bring the money back because on March 19 we are going to name and shame you. This is part of my final warning to those who have remained silent, big or small," the president said. Early this month, Mnangagwa revealed that out of a possible 1,166 cases of externalization known by government worth 1.3 billion U.S. dollars, a total of 105 cases valued at 250 million dollars had been recovered. VALLETTA, March 16 (Xinhua) -- Malta's National Development and Social Fund (NDSF) announced on Friday that it has entered into a share purchase agreement to buy 49 percent of the shares of Lombard Bank, one of Malta's major banks, from Cyprus Popular Bank. The NDSF is a government agency responsible for managing money generating from the country's citizenship-for-sale scheme, or the Individual Investor Program. In a statement, NDSF said that the acquisition would be subject to the approval of the Malta Financial Services Authority in terms of the Banking Act. NDSF explained that this acquisition is "by no means a strategic investment" but intended solely to facilitate the exit of the Cypriot major shareholder of Lombard Bank Malta. NDSF said in a statement that it does not intend to increase its holding in Lombard Bank nor to act in concert with any other shareholders. "On the contrary, the NDSF will seek to reduce its proposed shareholding in the bank in an orderly manner, at the right market conditions and by agreement with the regulatory authorities." It also said that the NDSF has no intention of exerting influence on the operations of Lombard Bank. WASHINGTON, March 16 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Donald Trump reiterated his intention to meet with the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK)'s leader Kim Jong Un by the end of May in a phone call with South Korean President Moon Jae-in on Friday. Trump and Moon discussed the ongoing efforts to prepare for their upcoming engagements with the DPRK, the White House said in a statement. The two leaders expressed "cautious optimism" over recent developments and emphasized that a brighter future is available for Pyongyang "if it chooses the correct path." Both leaders affirmed the importance of "learning from the mistakes of the past," and pledged to continue close coordination to maintain maximum pressure on the DPRK government. They also agreed that "concrete actions, not words, will be the key to achieving permanent denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula." The DPRK launched several missile and nuclear tests last year, while the United States and South Korea have exerted the "maximum pressure" against the DPRK and held military drills around the Korean Peninsula, further escalating tensions. Earlier in March, Trump agreed to meet Kim by May at the invitation of the DPRK leader "to achieve permanent denuclearization." PARIS, March 16 (Xinhua) -- France was ready to launch "autonomously" a military offensive in Syria if the regime crossed the "red lines" that include the use of chemical weapons and the failure to open humanitarian corridors in the war-torn country, an army chief said on Friday. "France can act independently, but there is solidarity in acting with a strategic ally, and one with the same vision of the situation in Syria and the crossing of these red lines," Francois Lecointre, head of the French army told local broadcaster Europe1. Lecointre added the eventual military operation could "probably be in coordination with the Americans." Earlier this week, French President Emmanuel Macron threatened to strike Syria if its use of toxic gas against civilians would be proven. According to U.N. commission of inquiry on war crimes report released on March 6, forces loyal to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad had probably used chemical arms in rebel-held enclave of Eastern Ghouta near Damascus. The Syrian government has repeatedly rejected allegations of using chemical arms which it said were handed to the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons as part of 2013 accord brokered by Moscow and Washington. On Friday, Russian Defense Ministry spokesperson Igor Konashenkov said that no chemical weapons were used in Syria's Eastern Ghouta. "I would like to reiterate there was not and there is not any chemical weapon used in Eastern Ghouta," Konashenkov said in a statement. His comment came after some Western media reports on Thursday about the alleged use of chemical weapons in the Syrian settlement of Hamoryah recently. GENEVA, March 16 (Xinhua) -- Four people went missing on Friday after being swept away by an avalanche in a ski area in Switzerland, while two other skiers caught up in the avalanche managed to free themselves, according to local police. The incident took place on Friday afternoon in the Vallon d'Arbi region near to Riddes in canton Vaud. Switzerland has experienced unusually high levels of snow this winter, resulting in raised avalanche warnings to the maximum alert in several areas. Earlier this year, thousands of tourists were cut off in the popular resort of Zermatt in southern Switzerland's Valais canton, as the risk of avalanches twice forced the authorities to close rail and road links. The resorts of Saas-Fee and Andermatt, both in the Swiss Alps, were also snowed in for a period. In late February, at least three skiers and mountaineers have lost their lives in separate avalanches in the Swiss Alps. This winter has already seen a record number of dynamite-triggered avalanches in the Swiss Alps. The reason is the huge amount of snowfall. For safety reasons, Swiss ski resort and security authorities have set off thousands of avalanches this winter, blowing up 120 metric tonnes of explosives so far. In a normal winter, some 80 to120 tonnes would be sufficient for the whole season. Source: Xinhua| 2018-03-17 04:31:32|Editor: Mengjie Video Player Close Children attend a handover ceremony of disaster risk reduction projects in Kombeza area, a disaster-prone area in central Malawi's Salima district, March 16, 2018. China on Friday handed over projects to disaster-prone regions of Malawi to help them build resilience and reduce effects of the disasters. (Xinhua/Peng Lijun) SALIMA, Malawi, March 16 (Xinhua) -- China on Friday handed over projects to disaster-prone regions of Malawi to help them build resilience and reduce effects of the disasters. The handover ceremony held in Kombeza area, a disaster-prone area in central Malawi's Salima district, about 93 kilometers from the capital Lilongwe, was attended by Clement Chintu Phiri, Secretary to the Vice-President and Commissioner for Disaster Management Affairs, Chinese Ambassador to Malawi Wang Shiting as well as United Nations Development Program (UNDP) Resident Coordinator Maria Jose Torres. Launched in June 2016, the Disaster Risk Reduction Small Grants Scheme was supporting poor and vulnerable communities in 15 identified disaster prone districts and was a trilateral pilot project being undertaken by the Malawian government, with the technical and financial support of the Chinese government and the UNDP. Among the projects are four evacuation centers, a dyke and two check dams meant to hold water. In his remarks, the Malawian government official thanked China and the UNDP for the project, saying they will go a long way in building resilience in communities against disasters. He said tackling disasters was expensive and unsustainable without the support of the cooperating partners. He especially singled out the construction of evacuation centers as it will stop the tendency of taking people to facilities such as schools when there was no a disaster and that the facilities will also be used for other issues in the communities. He commended the support the Malawian government has continued to receive from China, saying this has contributed to the uplifting of people's living standards. On his part, the Chinese envoy thanked all the partners in the project and promised to continue working with authorities in coming up with projects to benefit the local people. He said China's collaboration with the UNDP in the project has been a successful, adding that the disaster risk reduction project will help the communities build resilience and reduce effects of disasters. China, he said, has always been ready to support Malawi in times of disasters and that the Chinese government provided 600,000 U.S. dollars after the disaster caused by climate change in 2015 as well as 10,000 tons of rice to tackle hunger caused by food shortages. He further said Chinese enterprises have also been supporting the government in times of disasters. The UNDP representative said the project was due to partnership of the governments of China and Malawi as well as the communities and that as a pilot project, other countries will also be looking at the success of the project to replicate it. She said many parts of Malawi were prone to disasters which affected between 300 to 500 people each year and that the project will support about 23,000 people. Source: Xinhua| 2018-03-17 04:41:33|Editor: yan Video Player Close TEHRAN, March 16 (Xinhua) -- Iran and the United States may hold talks on 2015 Iranian nuclear agreement, or the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), in the Austrian capital of Vienna on Friday, Tehran Times daily reported. The Iranian diplomatic team visiting Vienna for regular talks on the implementation of Iran's nuclear deal would meet with other participating sides including the U.S. officials, a source close to the Iranian negotiators said on condition of anonymity. The two sides would talk about the removal of sanctions on Iran as well as the examples of violations of the deal by Washington. Representatives of Iran and other parties, including the U.S., Britain, Germany, France, China and Russia, launched the latest round of the JCPOA Joint Commission in Vienna on Friday. Under the JCPOA, Iran must limit its nuclear program in exchange for the lifting of international sanctions. On Jan. 12, U.S. President Donald Trump waived nuclear sanctions against Iran, but warned that he would not do it again unless the deal is fixed. Tehran, however, has repeatedly said it will not renegotiate the nuclear deal. People gather to be transferred from a temporary shelter in the Housh Nasri area, east of Damascus, capital of Syria, to better shelters near Damascus, on March 16, 2018. (Xinhua/Hummam Sheikh Ali) DAMASCUS, March 16 (Xinhua) -- Ayham Khatib, a soldier serving in the Syrian army, couldn't see his family in the past seven years of war in the country, as his father and brothers remained stuck in the rebel-held areas in Eastern Ghouta countryside of the capital Damascus. Despite a few kilometers from his family in Eastern Ghouta, Khatib was lonely, as it felt like they were on another planet. "My family was insulted inside and I was feeling the insult because my family was far from me as, without a family, one could be worthless," he told Xinhua. The young soldier said it was even difficult for them to communicate by phone, as the rebels in Eastern Ghouta discriminated against his family because of his capacity as a soldier in the government army. But all these painful years are gone as civilians in Eastern Ghouta have recently been allowed to leave in droves, reaching the government-controlled towns near Damascus for the first time in years. When hearing the news, Khatib rushed to the gathering points searching for his relatives. Luckily enough, the man found his father and brother, calling the dramatic reunion "indescribable." "I have been running around searching for them and when I found them it was an indescribable feeling. It's like when a thirsty man in the desert found water," he said. His father, an old man in his 70s, described the life under the rebel control as hellish, saying he was discriminated and even prevented from getting aid because his son is a soldier. "I was living in a very bad situation in Eastern Ghouta where I was humiliated and without dignity. The rebels destroyed our lives and I was subject to more humiliation because my son is a soldier," he told Xinhua. "I was reborn again today when I reunited with my son," the old man said happily. Khatib is just one of many soldiers who were forced to get separated from their families in Eastern Ghouta. At the Housh Nasri area in Eastern Ghouta on Friday, hugs and kisses between the family members could be seen everywhere, while the evacuees were sitting on the ground in an old school, waiting for the authorities to transfer them to shelters nearby. Their faces were covered with soot, and many children were barefooted, after a "hellish" journey in their struggle to flee rebel-held areas. Saed Doumani, a man in his 30s, told Xinhua that he misses Damascus as he couldn't leave Eastern Ghouta over the past years of war. "I miss every place in Damascus. It's been almost seven years and I am so excited I would be able to visit Damascus soon," he said. A man next to him, who only identified himself as Muhammad, said he feels happy that his daughter can pursue her schooling again, as she has been without proper education for more than six years. Earlier in the day, the Syrian army said in a statement that it had captured 70 percent of rebel-held areas in Eastern Ghouta. Thousands of people have fled Eastern Ghouta through humanitarian corridors set up by the Syrian army in the region, it added. The army called on the people to leave the rebel-held areas in Eastern Ghouta, highlighting its resolve to continue fighting till security is restored to entire Syria. Meanwhile, Bashar al-Jaafari, Syria's permanent representative to the UN, said 40,000 people were evacuated from Eastern Ghouta on Thursday alone. Eastern Ghouta, a 105-square-km agricultural region consisting of several towns and farmlands, constitutes the last threat to Damascus given its proximity to government-controlled neighborhoods east of the capital and continuing mortar attacks on residential areas there. 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 Eastern Ghouta, where activists said around 1,000 have been killed since a military showdown between rebels and the government late February. ROME, March 16 (Xinhua) -- Italian leaders on Friday commemorated the 40th anniversary of the kidnapping of slain statesman Aldo Moro and the murder of five members of his security detail by the Red Brigades, an extreme-left terrorist group. Moro was murdered after 55 days in captivity during which the terrorists tried to negotiate a prisoner exchange. His body was left in the trunk of a parked car in central Rome. Italian President Sergio Mattarella laid a wreath and uncovered a plaque in Rome's Via Fani, where the bloody ambush in which Moro was captured took place on March 16, 1978. "One morning 40 years ago, the most serious attack on our Republic (took place). Italy renders tribute to a great political leader," outgoing Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni wrote on Twitter, naming the five members of Moro's security detail who perished in the line of duty. A former prime minister, law professor, and member of the 1947 Assembly that wrote Italy's first democratic Constitution in the aftermath of World War II, Moro was a senior member of the centrist Christian Democratic Party. He promoted dialogue with the Italian Communist Party, which like the Christian Democratic Party dominated Italian politics for decades after World War II. VIENNA, March 16 (Xinhua) -- Austria's economy is maintaining its strong growth momentum and will expand even more this year than previously expected, according to two leading economic research institutes. In their latest forecasts released on Friday, the Austrian Institute for Economic Research (WIFO) and the Institute of Advanced Studies (IHS) are anticipating a growth of 3.2 percent and 2.8 percent respectively for the Austrian economy in 2018. The growth will largely be driven by foreign demand for Austrian exports on the back of an improved global economy, along with robust private consumption and investments. Unemployment will continue to decrease as a result, from the 8.5 percent it had already fallen to in 2017, to 7.7 percent this year, WIFO predicts. The IHS is marginally less optimistic, forecasting a drop to 7.8 percent for the year. A boost in wage increases is also likely to follow, leading to greater disposable income. For 2019 both institutes anticipate reduced momentum, WIFO expecting GDP growth of 2.2 percent, and the IHS 1.9 percent. Source: Xinhua| 2018-03-17 05:26:42|Editor: Liangyu Video Player Close Photo taken on March 16, 2018 shows the UN Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura (on the screen) briefs the the UN Security Council on the situation in Syria at the UN headquarters in New York. The UN Security Council on Friday again called for the implementation of its resolution that demands an immediate cease-fire throughout Syria. (Xinhua/Li Muzi) UNITED NATIONS, March 16 (Xinhua) -- The top negotiator of the United Nations on the Syria crisis reported on Friday that a cease-fire, although fragile, has been holding for the past six days in one part of the rebel stronghold of Eastern Ghouta. Staffan de Mistura, the UN Special Envoy for Syria, told the Security Council that recent meetings in Douma in Eastern Ghouta between Russia and Jaish al-Islam, a coalition of Islamist rebel units involved in Syrian civil war, has led to a "tenuous, fragile cease-fire" between the Syrian government, the Russian military and Jaish al-Islam forces. Briefing the council on the implementation of Resolution 2401, which demands an immediate cease-fire across Syria, de Mistura emphasized that the cease-fire is held in Douma, one of the three enclaves of Eastern Ghouta, and not replicated in the rest of Eastern Ghouta or elsewhere and it is extremely fragile. UN efforts to facilitate meaningful contacts between Russia and either of the dominant forces in the two other enclaves of Eastern Ghouta -- Failaq al-Rahman and Ahrar al-Sham -- have not yet produced results, said de Mistura. "In those two other areas we have not seen any cease-fire to speak of. Rather, we have seen government forces and their allies pursue a concerted escalation against these two enclaves, with rapid ground offensives, accompanied by shelling and airstrikes." At the same time, there are continuous outgoing shelling from these areas of Eastern Ghouta inside civilian areas of Damascus, he said. Negotiations in Douma in the last few days, he said, show that there is a way to create the conditions to advance the implementation of Resolution 2401. The UN therefore stands ready to facilitate further engagement of this kind so as to make a concrete contribution to the realization of Resolution 2401 in all areas of Eastern Ghouta, which is close to capital city of Damascus. Violence has escalated across many other parts of Syria, where there is no cease-fire to speak of, said the UN envoy. In Afrin on the northern border with Turkey, Turkish government forces and their armed allies continue to take ground rapidly, he said. "We have also received reports of shelling on besieged Foah and Kefraya, these two villages which have been for a long time besieged by opposition forces. And there have been airstrikes in Idlib, a new armed opposition offensive in Hama, and clashes and airstrikes in Daraa in southern Syria." He voiced concern over the humanitarian situation in Eastern Ghouta, Afrin and across the country. While humanitarian access was only limited in one part of Eastern Ghouta, the situation in Afrin is particularly worrying, he said. Since March 6, people in Afrin city have also reportedly suffered from severe water shortages again as the source of water to Afrin city has reportedly been damaged by fighting, he said. "We are also highly concerned at the situation for civilians across all of Syria. This means those being displaced as well as the almost 3 million in besieged and hard-to-reach areas and those caught up in escalations in Idlib, Hama, Aleppo and Daraa. Resolution 2401 demands to 'all parties to immediately lift the sieges of populated areas." We have not seen this," he said. A Syrian girl eats bread at a temporary shelter in Housh Nasri area, east of Damascus, capital of Syria, on March 16, 2018. (Xinhua/Hummam Sheikh Ali) UNITED NATIONS, March 16 (Xinhua) -- The top negotiator of the United Nations on the Syria crisis reported on Friday that a cease-fire, although fragile, has been holding for the past six days in one part of the rebel stronghold of Eastern Ghouta. Staffan de Mistura, the UN Special Envoy for Syria, told the Security Council that recent meetings in Douma in Eastern Ghouta between Russia and Jaish al-Islam, a coalition of Islamist rebel units involved in Syrian civil war, has led to a "tenuous, fragile cease-fire" between the Syrian government, the Russian military and Jaish al-Islam forces. Briefing the council on the implementation of Resolution 2401, which demands an immediate cease-fire across Syria, de Mistura emphasized that the cease-fire is held in Douma, one of the three enclaves of Eastern Ghouta, and not replicated in the rest of Eastern Ghouta or elsewhere and it is extremely fragile. UN efforts to facilitate meaningful contacts between Russia and either of the dominant forces in the two other enclaves of Eastern Ghouta -- Failaq al-Rahman and Ahrar al-Sham -- have not yet produced results, said de Mistura. "In those two other areas we have not seen any cease-fire to speak of. Rather, we have seen government forces and their allies pursue a concerted escalation against these two enclaves, with rapid ground offensives, accompanied by shelling and airstrikes." At the same time, there are continuous outgoing shelling from these areas of Eastern Ghouta inside civilian areas of Damascus, he said. Negotiations in Douma in the last few days, he said, show that there is a way to create the conditions to advance the implementation of Resolution 2401. The UN therefore stands ready to facilitate further engagement of this kind so as to make a concrete contribution to the realization of Resolution 2401 in all areas of Eastern Ghouta, which is close to capital city of Damascus. Violence has escalated across many other parts of Syria, where there is no cease-fire to speak of, said the UN envoy. In Afrin on the northern border with Turkey, Turkish government forces and their armed allies continue to take ground rapidly, he said. "We have also received reports of shelling on besieged Foah and Kefraya, these two villages which have been for a long time besieged by opposition forces. And there have been airstrikes in Idlib, a new armed opposition offensive in Hama, and clashes and airstrikes in Daraa in southern Syria." He voiced concern over the humanitarian situation in Eastern Ghouta, Afrin and across the country. While humanitarian access was only limited in one part of Eastern Ghouta, the situation in Afrin is particularly worrying, he said. Since March 6, people in Afrin city have also reportedly suffered from severe water shortages again as the source of water to Afrin city has reportedly been damaged by fighting, he said. "We are also highly concerned at the situation for civilians across all of Syria. This means those being displaced as well as the almost 3 million in besieged and hard-to-reach areas and those caught up in escalations in Idlib, Hama, Aleppo and Daraa. Resolution 2401 demands to 'all parties to immediately lift the sieges of populated areas." We have not seen this," he said. PRAGUE, March 16 (Xinhua) -- Prague Municipal Court on Friday dismissed alleged Russian hacker Yevgenyi Nikulin's lawsuit against Czech Interior Ministry's decision not to grant asylum to him. The verdict has taken effect, and Nikulin may file a cessation complaint with Czech Supreme Administrative Court against it. Judge Dana Cerna said the only reason why Nikulin complained against the Interior Ministry's decision not to grant asylum to him seems to be his "effort not to be extradited." She said Nikulin did not prove that he might face persecution or injustice in his homeland, for he declared he was not afraid of returning to Russia. Cerna said Nikulin's application for asylum was purposeful and the Interior Ministry had no mistake by making its decision. The 30-year-old Nikulin was arrested by Czech police in a hotel in Prague in October 2016 based on an international arrest warrant issued by the United States. He applied for Czech asylum at the end of 2017 when Prague Municipal courts decided he may be extradited either to the United States or Russia. Czech Interior Ministry rejected Nikulin's asylum application in January 2018. Czech Constitutional Court on Tuesday postponed the execution of Prague Municipal Court's decision on the extradition admissibility of Nikulin. The postponement will continue until the Constitutional Court judges decide on Nikulin's complaint. MAPUTO, March 16 (Xinhua) -- The Mozambican wildlife conservation authority revealed here on Friday that despite the alarming level of poaching, Mozambique has been registering positive results in repopulating animals in its reserves. "There is progress in some areas; the Gorongosa National Park is an example. In a period of 10 years of restoration we succeeded in increasing the animal population by 10 times, which allows the park to share animals with other reserves around the country," said Mateus Muthemba, the newly appointed General Director of Wildlife Conservation Areas on his sworn-in ceremony. The general director said that there are other positive examples of animal repopulation, such as the Maputo Reserve Park, and the results are visible, not only in terms of number but in tourism, as people travelling around the park can now see animals, a reality that was not possible 10 years ago. The wildlife authorities admit that there is significant work to be done because repopulating animals in the reserve parks can be hindered if the battle against poachers is lost. "Poaching is one of the threats to our national heritage. It constitutes one of the main challenges that the conservation authorities have to deal with, and this is part of our mission," added Muthemba. The Gorongosa National Park is one of the major reserve parks in Mozambique located in central Sofala province. Source: Xinhua| 2018-03-17 05:46:46|Editor: yan Video Player Close CHICAGO, March 16 (Xinhua) -- Chicago Board of Trade (CBOT) agricultural commodities closed mixed on Friday with wheat prices falling more than two percent for the second consecutive day as rainfall alleviated dryness in U.S. plains. The most active corn contract for May delivery fell four cents, or 1.03 percent to settle at 3.8275 dollars per bushel. May wheat delivery lost 11 cents, or 2.30 percent to close at 4.6775 dollars per bushel. May soybeans were up 8.75 cents, or 0.84 percent to settle at 10.495 dollars per bushel. The poor export sales of U.S. wheat recently led to 2.05 percent price plunge in the previous session. Rainfall in central U.S. plains added more pressure on Friday onto CBOT wheat futures. Meanwhile, precipitation across Europe, especially the Black Sea region and Russia, are building prospects for larger wheat crops, said market analysts. As for soybeans, damage to the Argentine crop from longtime drought continued to support CBOT prices. Buenos Aires Grain Exchange estimated on Thursday that Argentina soybean crop would decrease to 40 million metric tons from the previous 46 million metric tons, as the rainfall came too late. BUJUMBURA, March 16 (Xinhua) -- China's foreign policy benefits the rest of the world, Burundi's newspaper Le Renouveau said on Friday. China's efforts have contributed to positive changes on the Korean Peninsula, said an editorial of the newspaper. The world in general and Africa in particular have been gaining a lot from the cooperation with China, grounded on equality, reciprocal advantages, friendly cooperation, sincerity, mutual comprehension, solidarity and win-win cooperation, it said. "Cooperating with China is essential by deepening mutual understanding and consensus and by avoiding interfering in countries' internal policies," the newspaper said. The newspaper also expected that fruitful consultations on reinforcing cooperation between Africa and China will take place at the upcoming Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) summit in Beijing to "defend rights and interests" of developing countries under the framework of south-south cooperation. BERLIN, March 16 (Xinhua) -- Germany and France are seeking to reach a basic agreement on reform of the eurozone and on the EU asylum policy by June, the German Chancellery said Friday in a statement on German Chancellor Angela Merkel's first overseas trip since here re-election. "A common approach is more necessary than ever, because Europe must act in a geopolitical situation in which multilateralism is under pressure," Merkel said at a meeting with Macron in Paris on Friday afternoon, according to the statement. Merkel assured Macron that they are willing to cooperate closely, saying that "now we want to find common ground, and this has always been successful in the history between Germany and France." The two leaders also exchanged views on the European Council set for next week. Among other things, the budget for the legislative period after the Brexit and the elections of the European Parliament in 2019 were also discussed. Merkel traditionally chooses Paris as her first destination after her re-election. The meeting with Macron is an expression of the close ties between both countries, according to the statement. German Vice Chancellor and Finance Minister Olaf Scholz accompanied Merkel in the visit to Paris and exchanged views with his French counterpart Bruno Le Maire at the same time. Macron called for ambitious reforms of EU institutions in September, but he was waiting for the response from Germany. The Germany new government, which was sworn in on Wednesday, strongly advocated the EU's role in the world through the closer cooperation with France. On the very same day of the formal formation of the new German government, German foreign minister Heiko Maas travelled to Paris to meet with his French counterpart Jean-Yves Le Drian. 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... Sensurile giratorii provizorii au prins radacini Unele sensuri giratorii provizorii din Craiova au prins radacini spre disperarea soferilor. Sunt craioveni care spun ca acestea, desi sunt cateva balize asezate la intersectia unor strazi foarte circulate din oras sau permanentizat. Balizele din plastic sunt adeseori acrosate de conducatorii auto, [citeste mai departe] Washington: Despite the United States pressuring Pakistan, the Islamabad Government is still supporting the Taliban terrorist group in the border region with Afghanistan, revealed United State Army General Joseph L Votel. According to the Washington Times, during a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing on Tuesday, when asked about the continued Pakistani support to Taliban, Gen Votel noted, "I cannot tell you that we have seen decisive changes in the areas in which we're working, but I remain very well-engaged with my partner to ensure that we are moving forward on this." On recent increase in Taliban attacks in Afghanistan, Votel said, "Having sanctuary in Pakistan or having support from other actors in the region certainly is an aspect of the Taliban's success here." The Washington Times report further quoted an intelligence source close to the Afghan border region as saying that the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) of Pakistan is continuing its covert support for the Taliban in the border region. "ISI is providing both protection and material support to the Taliban in areas between Quetta and the Afghan border," the source said. The insider revealed that the ISI is working along with the Pakistani Army in Taliban in Pashtun ethnic areas of Balochistan province in the northwestern part of the country. "In Pashtun areas which are close to Quetta, religious groups are operating madrasas" - Islamic schools, the source said. "Among these groups, the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam is most active. Under Sami ul Haq's leadership, madrasas are creating new soldiers for Taliban in Balochistan's Pashtun belt." Maulana Sami ul Haq is a Pakistani cleric regarded as "the father of the Taliban." "We believe top Taliban leadership are operating from Pashtunabad, Gulistan and surrounding areas," the source added. The report highlighted that Taliban is working with the ISI in another small border district called Killa Abdullah, about 44 miles from Quetta, capital of Balochistan. In that area, Taliban fighters have been spotted along "with automatic weapons either in motorbikes, or [in] four-by-four vehicles along with two to five companions," the source said. The source further revealed that the local police is not allowed to stop the Taliban fighters from travelling from Afghanistan to Pakistan. "These people freely travel in Quetta, Chaman and all surrounding areas," the source said. "Civilian [police] forces cannot intervene because they work under ISI and military apparatus. The police are also powerless and are afraid for their own security." MIAMI: A newly erected pedestrian bridge spanning several lanes of traffic collapsed at Florida International University on Thursday, killing at least 4 people. ''Four people have died in the Miami bridge collapse, news agency AP quoted fire department chief as saying. US Senator Bill Nelson of Florida had earlier told TV station CBS Miami that the incident has left multiple victims, between six to 10 people are believed to have been killed. Emergency personnel with sniffer dogs searched for signs of life amid the wreckage of concrete slabs and twisted metal after the bridge crushed vehicles on one of the busiest roads in South Florida. At least eight vehicles were trapped in the wreckage of the 950-ton bridge and at least 10 people have been transported to hospitals, officials and doctors told news conferences. Witnesses told local media the vehicles were stopped at a traffic light when the bridge collapsed on top of them at around 1:30 pm ET (1730 GMT). "We`re working our way into the pile trying to create holes that we can actually physically see," Miami-Dade Fire Department Division Chief Paul Estopian told reporters. The Florida Highway Patrol has said several people were killed but did not release a figure on fatalities. At one point, police requested television helicopters leave the area so rescuers could hear any sounds of people crying for help from beneath the collapsed structure, CBS Miami television said. Complicating the rescue effort was the uncertainty about the integrity of the bridge, parts of which remained off the ground, much of it inclined, local media reported. The 174-feet (53-meter) long bridge connects the university with the city of Sweetwater and was installed on Saturday in six hours over the eight-lane highway, according to a report posted on the university's website. The bridge was intended to provide a walkway over the busy street where an 18-year-old female FIU student from San Diego was killed while trying to cross last August, according to local media reports. Students at FIU are currently on their spring break vacation, which runs from March 12 to March 17. A MIRACLE Student Aura Martinez was having lunch in a nearby restaurant with her mother when a waitress told her the bridge had collapsed. She ran outside and helped pull a woman out of her car, most of which was flattened by the bridge. "Her car, it was literally a miracle of God, her car got squished by the bridge from the back, so she was able to get out and she was on the floor and it was just very traumatic," she told the local CBS affiliate. To keep the inevitable disruption of traffic associated with bridge construction to a minimum, the 174-foot portion of the bridge was built adjacent to Southwest 8th Street using a method called Accelerated Bridge Construction (ABC). It was driven into its perpendicular position across the road by a rig in only six hours on Saturday, according to a statement released by the university. The $14.2 million bridge was designed to withstand a Category 5 hurricane, the most dangerous measure by the National Hurricane Center, and built to last 100 years, the university said. The National Transportation Safety Board was sending a team to investigate why it collapsed. President Donald Trump thanked first responders for their courage on Twitter. U.S. Senator Marco Rubio and Florida Governor Rick Scott were at the scene of the collapse. Munilla Construction Management, which installed the bridge was founded in 1983 and owned by five brothers, according to its website. In addition to its Florida operations, the company also has divisions in Texas and Panama and employs 500 people. "Munilla Construction Management is a family business and we are all devastated and doing everything we can to assist," the company said in a statement. FIGG Engineering said it took part in the bridge project and the collapse was a first in its 40-year history. Both companies said they would cooperate fully with investigators. Colorado-based engineering company BDI said in a tweet on March 12 that it was "thrilled" to have conducted structural monitoring during the "spectacular" process of moving the bridge into place. The company removed the tweet on Thursday and said in a statement it did so out of respect for individuals affected by the collapse. Islamabad: Mumbai attack mastermind and Jamaat-ud-Dawah (JuD) chief Hafiz Saeed has filed a petition in the Lahore High Court challenging the Pakistan government's ban on his social welfare activities. According to reports, the JuD chief has challenged the ban imposed by the Interior Ministry of Pakistan on his outfits JuD and charity organisation Falah-i-Insaniyat Foundation (FiF). Saeed has filed the petition through his counsel advocate AK Dogar. He submitted to the LHC that the Interior Ministry on February 10 issued a notification with regard to the freezing of bank accounts and taking over assets associated with the JUD and FiF under the Anti-Terrorism (amendment) Ordinance 2018. "The government of Pakistan acted under the pressure of foreign powers, including UN and India," he said and contended that Pakistan is a sovereign independent state and makes its own laws to govern its citizens. "If there is a conflict between the laws of the land and any provision of United Nations Security Counsel Act, 1948, the law of the land shall prevail," he said. The LeT co-founder further said the FiF owns 369 ambulances, helped 72,000 persons to charity hospitals and treated 600,000 patients only in 2017. "JuD dug out 2000 wells for supplying water in Tharparkar, Baluchistan and Balochistan," he claimed in his plea. Saeed has pleaded to the court to declare the impugned notification of the Interior Ministry null and void with regard to taking over the assets of the organisations. Separately, Saeed had last week challenged the presidential ordinance under which his group has been banned for being on the watch-list of the United Nations in the Islamabad High Court. President Mamnoon Hussain last month promulgated an ordinance amending the Anti-Terrorism Act, 1997 with regards to proscription of terrorist individuals and organisations to include entities listed by the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) - in a move to declare Hafiz Saeed-linked JuD and Falah-i-Insaniyat Foundation (FIF) as proscribed groups. Saeed, who is accused of having masterminded the November 2008 Mumbai attack, was placed on the terrorism blacklist by the United Nations in December 2008. The banned JUD head was released from the house arrest in November last year after the Pakistan government decided against detaining him further in any other case. He was under house arrest since January last year. New York: An Indian-origin former partner in global consulting firm McKinsey & Company has been sentenced to two years in prison by a US court for scheming to defraud companies out of hundreds of thousands of dollars. Navdeep Arora, a former partner in the Chicago office of McKinsey & Company, plotted with a former internal consultant at State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company to defraud both companies out of fraudulent consulting fees. US District Judge Ronald Guzman imposed the two-year sentence in federal court in Chicago yesterday. Arora, 53, also fraudulently obtained money from McKinsey, State Farm and other McKinsey clients in the form of purported work-related travel reimbursements for expenses that were actually incurred on his personal trips. He falsely expensed personal trips to the cities in the US, England, Czech Republic, Germany and elsewhere. He also took the State Farm employee, Matthew Sorensen, on two personal vacations and expensed them to State Farm as business expenses. The costs included flights, hotels, meals, car services and other items, a Justice Department statement said. Arora of London, England, and formerly of Chicago, was arrested in 2016 at the city's JFK International Airport after arriving on an overseas flight. He pleaded guilty last year to one count of wire fraud. Sorensen, a resident of Illinois, also pleaded guilty to a wire fraud charge. He was sentenced to one year and a day in prison last year. Arora and Sorensen "concocted a fraudulent scheme to benefit themselves during their employment," Assistant US Attorney Sunil Harjani argued in the government's sentencing memorandum. "The defendants' actions have caused both companies to undertake time and expense uncovering this fraud, destroyed a longstanding relationship between these two companies, and caused reputational harm." Arora and Sorensen had a longstanding business relationship through Arora's work overseeing the consulting services McKinsey provided to State Farm. According to the charges, their fraud scheme began in 2007. Arora and Sorensen used two corporate entities "Gabriel Solutions and Andy's BCB" to defraud their employers out of the phony fees. Sorensen billed McKinsey for the bogus work purportedly performed by the companies, while Arora allocated the fees to the State Farm projects to which he was assigned. As a result, McKinsey and State Farm paid $38,265 for consulting services purportedly performed by Andy's BCB and $452,710 in fees billed by Gabriel Solutions. Sorensen pocketed a large majority of the money, while Arora received a substantial salary and benefits from McKinsey for maintaining its business relationship with State Farm, the Justice Department statement said. New Delhi: Punjab National Bank (PNB) on Friday said it will honour all "bonafide" Letter of Undertakings (LoUs), an instrument which was used by billionaire diamantaire Nirav Modi to defraud the bank of Rs 12,968 crore. The statement was made by top management of the bank at the Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) which was primarily convened to clear proposal for the capital infusion through issuance preferential shares to the government. Clarifying on questions of shareholders on the ongoing bank fraud case, PNB reassured its shareholders, customers, partners and employees on the bank's capability and capacity to come out of this situation. The bank has outlined a multi-pronged agenda to tighten checks and balances in the system and the top management said that they will honour all bonafide LoUs, sources said. Shareholders of the bank in the EGM approved the issuance of up to 33.49 crore shares of face value of Rs 2 each fully paid at a premium of Rs 161.38 per share amounting to Rs 5,473 crore to the Government of India (GoI) on preferential basis, PNB said in a filing to stock exchanges. The allotment of these preference shares is likely to increase the government's stake in PNB from 57 per cent to 62.25 per cent. With regard to strengthening internal control mechanisms, sources said frequency of internal audits will go up and as and when required external auditors will also be utilized. Besides, the bank has decided to increase its focus on Current and Savings Account (CASA) targeting small depositors. The bank is already generating more than 40 per cent of its resources through CASA Billionaire jeweller designer Modi and his uncle Mehul Choksi in connivance with certain bank officials allegedly cheated the PNB of Rs 12,968 crore through fraudulent Letters of Undertaking (LoUs). A Mumbai branch of Punjab National Bank had issued as many as 1,213 letters of undertaking (LoUs) fraudulently for the group of companies belonging to Nirav Modi since March 2011. Different investigating agencies, including CBI and Enforcement Directorate, are probing the fraud, dubbed as the biggest banking scam in the country. New Delhi: Delhi Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief Arvind Kejriwal has apparently settled the defamation case filed against him by former Punjab Revenue Minister Bikram Singh Majithia by tendering an apology to the latter in connection with his alleged role in the drug trade in Punjab. However, questions are now being asked if Kejriwal will settle another defamation suit filed against the Finance Minister Arun Jaitley with whom he is locked in a bitter legal battle. Kejriwal had on Thursday issued an apology to Majithia, saying that now he has learnt that the drug trade allegations were unfounded. "In the recent past, I made certain statements and allegations against you regarding your alleged involvement in drug trade. These statements became a political issue. Now, I've learnt that allegations are unfounded,'' Delhi CM said in a statement. "I hereby withdrew all my statements and allegations made against you and apologise for the same," read the statement. The Aam Aadmi Party supremo has reportedly furnished a copy of the apology to the court. Majithia had filed a defamation case against Kejriwal and two other AAP leaders, Sanjay Singh and Ashish Khetan, in May 2016 after they repeatedly targeted him over the problem of drugs in Punjab while campaigning for the Punjab Assembly elections. (With Agency inputs) New Delhi: The Budget Session of the Delhi Legislative Assembly will begin from Friday. The budget session will conclude on March 28. A decision to this effect was taken by the Delhi cabinet on Thursday. The decision was taken during a meeting attended by CM Arvind Kejriwal and Chief Secretary Anshu Prakash. This was the first official meeting attended by chief minister Arvind Kejriwal and chief secretary Anshu Prakash after their controversial midnight meeting at the formers residence. Finance secretary SN Sahay and GAD secretary MK Parida also attended the meeting. The Budget Session will commence from 16 March and conclude on March 28, a statement from the government said. Being the first session of the year, Honble Lieutenant Governor will address the Assembly on 16.03.2018 at 11.00 am. The formal sitting of the House will commence at 2.00 pm. Discussion on the Motion of Thanks to the Honble Lieutenant Governor will be held on 19th and 20th March, 2018. The budget will be delivered by Deputy CM Manish Sisodia who also holds the finance portfolio. Sisodia will also present the Economic Survey in the Assembly, followed by the Outcome Budget. The Budget Session itself is expected to be a fiery affair and with the ongoing sealing drive in the city, AAP spokesperson has said his party will bring up the matter in the session as well. This could possibly further add fuel to the political fire. It is important to note that last year, the Delhi government had presented a Rs 48,000-crore tax-free budget for Delhi with a special focus on education, transport, health and water distribution. At the time, Sisodia had said that due to the introduction of Goods and Services Tax (GST), no new taxes were added. It would be interesting to see if the state government continues with the same line of thought in its fourth budget presentation. (With Agency inputs) New Delhi: An FIR has been registered against a professor of Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) for allegedly molesting his students. According to reports, Professor Atul Johri of School of Life Sciences (SLS) has been accused of sexual harassment by a group of women students of the prestigious university. He has also been accused of financial irregularities. However, the professor, a vocal supporter of the university administration's compulsory attendance initiative, has claimed that he was being targeted for his stand on the issue. At a press meet held on the campus, the women students of the SLS issued a statement which said that the professor often makes lewd remarks, open demands for sex and comments on the figure of almost every girl. If a girl objects, he holds a grudge against her, it said. Another statement issued by the protesting students alleged a financial nexus between the professor and the JNU administration. A 26-year-old student, who went missing and was later traced to her relatives house, had reportedly also sent an e-mail to the professor in which she said that she was leaving the prestigious university as she was tired of the professor's alleged sexual misconduct. However, the professor denied all such charges, saying the girls were protesting against him as he had raised the issue of their irregular attendance in the lab. New Delhi: The imposition of 25 percent import tariff on steel products by the US is unlikely to have any significant impact on the domestic steel industry in the medium term, ratings agency Icra said. The US government recently announced its decision of imposing a 25 percent tariff on import of steel products and 10 percent tariff on aluminium. The order is effective from March 23, 2018. "The 25 percent import tariff on steel products by the US is unlikely to have any significant impact on the domestic steel industry in the medium term," Icra said in a statement. Icra noted that this duty would be effective on all countries except Canada and Mexico which together comprises about a quarter of the total US imports. The impact of import tariffs may not be significant in the medium term due to reasons like global steel demand (ex-USA) is expected to increase by 25 MT in CY2018. "Chinese steel exports has been steadily declining in the last two years, reaching 75 MT in CY2017 from the peak level of 112 mt in CY2015, and in the current year too, exports have continued to shrink, declining by 27.1 percent in the first two months of CY2018. This trend is expected to continue throughout CY2018 on the back of a resilient Chinese domestic demand and proposed steel capacity cuts," it said. "India's steel exports to the USA market remained a meagre 0.7 mt in CY2017, accounting for less than 1 percent of India's domestic demand. Therefore, Indian steel mills should be able to find an alternate market for its nominal US export volumes without much difficulty," ICRA's Senior Vice President said in the statement. New Delhi: The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has issued an avalanche warning on Friday for the next 24 hours for some districts of Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand. They said that an avalanche warning will be valid from 5 pm on Friday to 5 pm on Saturday. The authority issued the warning after a report from the Snow and Avalanche Study Establishment (SASE) Chandigarh. NDMA tweeted, 'The most likely affected area with danger level-3 (Yellow) are Baramulla (Kashmir Div) and Kargil (Laddakh Div). Areas with danger level-2 (Yellow) are Kupwara, Bandipora and Ganderbal (Kashmir Div), Chamba, Lahaul-Spiti, Kullu (H.P), Uttarkashi & Chamoli (Uttarakhand).' As per SASE #Chandigarh Report, an #Avalanche Warning valid for next 24 hrs from 16.03.2018 (1700 hrs) to 17.03.2018 (1700 hrs) for the states of J & K, HP and #Uttarakhand. NDMA India (@ndmaindia) March 16, 2018 The most likely affected area with danger level-3 (Yellow) are Baramulla (Kashmir Div) and Kargil (Laddakh Div). Areas with danger level-2 (Yellow) are Kupwara, Bandipora and Ganderbal (Kashmir Div), Chamba, Lahaul-Spiti, Kullu (H.P), Uttarkashi & Chamoli (Uttarakhand).#Avalanche NDMA India (@ndmaindia) March 16, 2018 On Tuesday and Wednesday, SASE had issued similar avalanche warnings for the three states. An avalanche is a rapid flow of snow down a sloping surface. It can be triggered by many things such as heavy snowfall or rain. Avalanches can also be triggered by other loads such as skiers, snowmobilers, animals or explosives. London: Virendra Sharma, a Labour party MP, has reportedly written to British Prime Minister Theresa May, urging her to consider inclusion of the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre in the country's school history curriculum. Virendra Sharma is a veteran Indian-origin British MP for Ealing Southall. Sharma has been campaigning for the historic episode to be commemorated in the UK and had raised the issue during Prime Ministers Questions in the House of Commons on Wednesday. He got a written assurance from Theresa May in this regard. "I was pleased to ask the Prime Minister about her plans to commemorate the Amritsar massacre, and delighted that she will look more closely at the matter,'' he said. "I believe it is important that everyone in the UK is aware of this countrys colonial heritage, and that schoolchildren should be taught about the more shocking aspects of our history," he said. "I have written to the Prime Minister about my campaign for a permanent memorial and for the Amritsar massacre to be included in the school curriculum. I look forward to meeting her to discuss positive steps we can take," Sharma said. The 70-year-old parliamentarian has previously campaigned for an apology from the British government over the atrocity on April 13, 1919, when General Dyer ordered his troops to open fire on thousands of unarmed protesters gathered at Jallianwala Bagh. During his Indian Trade Mission in February 2013, the Prime Minister David Cameron had said it would be wrong to "reach back into history" and apologise for the wrongs of British colonialism. The UK Foreign Office has stood by that view in its stand on the matter. "As the former Prime Minister said when he visited the Jallianwala Bagh in 2013, the massacre was a deeply shameful act in British history and one that we should never forget. It is right that we pay respect to those who lost their lives and remember what happened. The British Government rightly condemned the events at the time," the UK FO says. Sharma is hopeful that his campaign for a permanent memorial and for the subject to be included in the school curriculum will bear fruit in time for next months 99th anniversary of the massacre. (With PTI inputs) Based on events that occurred in 1976, '7 Days in Entebbe' is the recap of the daring Israeli military rescue operation of 106 hostages, following the hijacking of an Air France Flight 139 from Tel Aviv to Paris that was diverted to Entebbe, Uganda. The narrative begins with black slates informing about the formation of a new country called Israel and how the Palestinians are not too happy about it. This is followed by an unusual but impressive sequence featuring a modern-dance performance choreographed by Ohad Naharin. The troupe includes dancers from Israel's Batsheva Dance Company, where the dancers perform around chairs arranged in a semicircle, gradually casting off their Jewish garments in convulsive moments that suggest a tortured liberation, one not without pain or fear. These dance scenes, that pop-up elsewhere during the narrative, have an expressive power, an emotional charge and a kinetic energy that's mostly absent elsewhere in the hijack-rescue drama. Thereafter, the director does not waste any time in transporting us to the aircraft where the four "terrorists or freedom fighters" make themselves and their motive known to their fellow passengers. The four are the two Germans sympathetic to the Palestinian cause - Wilfred Bose (Daniel Bruhl) and his pill-popping compatriot Brigitte Kuhlmann (Rosamund Pike) and their two accompanying members from the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine- External Operations. On the aircraft, Bose fancies himself as the leader of the pack and heads into the cockpit to muscle around the crew. And on land, surveying his terrified hostages, the wide-eyed Bose insists that he is a humanitarian and that his grouse is with the Israeli government and not its people. Meanwhile the highest ranking members of the Israeli government, along with Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin (Lior Ashkenazi) and Minister of Defence Shimon Peres (Eddie Marsan) debate over Israel's policy of "never negotiate with terrorists". On the other hand, the hijackers have the trouble of their own as minor schisms in their respective ideologies begin to surface. Bose, desperate not to have his agenda undermined by the lingering scent of Nazism, shares Peres' concern over the options of how the end might turn out. Tension builds up as the hijackers set a deadline, isolate the Israeli passengers and wait to see if Rabin might respect their demands but with lack of suspense or drama, the seven days pass off on a flat note. The unwarranted romantic subplot and the cross-cutting of the dance sequence during the adrenalin raising scenes add to the breaking of the momentum of the scenes, making the entire screenplay a clumsy and lethargic display. On the performance front, Rosamund Pike, Daniel Bruhl and Denis Menochet - as the quietly courageous flight engineer Jacques Lemoine, in well-defined roles stand out. Visually though the period is well-captured, the overall effectiveness of camerawork and production design is bland and run-of-the-mill. The blending of the realistic elements such as the planning and preparation for the raid with the more surreal aspects of the film seem forced and awkward. Overall, while in real life, the rescue operation was a thrilling process its portrayal in the film is far from it. NEW DELHI: A day after Aam Aadmi Party chief Arvind Kejriwal apologised to former Punjab Revenue Minister Bikram Singh Majithia, party's Punjab chief Bhagwant Mann has resigned from his post. Confirming his resignation, he tweeted that he will continue to fight against the drug mafia and corruption in Punjab. "I m resigning as a president of AAP Punjab ...but my fight against drug mafia and all kind of corruption in Punjab will continue as an 'Aam Aadmi' of Punjab," he wrote. .. I m resigning as a president of AAP Punjab ...but my fight against drug mafia and all kind of corruption in Punjab will continue as an Aam Aadmi of Punjab Bhagwant Mann (@BhagwantMann) March 16, 2018 The Delhi Chief Minister had on Thursday settled the defamation case filed against him by the former Punjab revenue minister and said that he has learnt that the drug trade allegations were unfounded. "In the recent past, I made certain statements and allegations against you regarding your alleged involvement in drug trade. These statements became a political issue. Now, I've learnt that allegations are unfounded,'' the Delhi CM said in a statement. "I hereby withdrew all my statements and allegations made against you and apologise for the same," he added and reportedly furnished a copy of the apology to the court. His "meek surrender" on Thursday had drawn flak from AAP's Punjab unit leaders who termed Kejriwal's step a "letdown". Leader of Opposition in Punjab Assembly and senior AAP leader Sukhpal Singh Khaira said he was appalled by the apology. "We're appalled n stunned by the apology of @ArvindKejriwal tendered today, we don't hesitate to admit that we haven't been consulted on this meek surrender by a leader of his stature (sic)," Khaira tweeted. Another senior AAP leader Kanwar Sandhu also called it a let down. "Arvind Kejriwal' apology to Bikram Majithia in the defamation case on drugs is a let down to the people, especially the youth of Punjab. We in Punjab have not been taken into the loop. Our fight for Punjab continues," Sandhu tweeted. However, party leaders in Delhi had said the move was to shed court cases, in which the party convenor finds himself mired. They had also hinted that a similar course may be adopted in the defamation case filed by Finance Minister Arun Jaitley. "Most of these cases require personal appearance in court. These cases have been foisted by our political rivals to de-motivate us and keep our leadership busy in these legal matters. The decision to amicably sort out all such legal cases is a strategy as devised by the legal team of the party," spokesperson of AAP's Delhi unit Saurabh Bharadwaj said. Majithia had filed a defamation case against Kejriwal and two other AAP leaders, Sanjay Singh and Ashish Khetan, in May 2016 after they repeatedly targeted him over the problem of drugs in Punjab while campaigning for the Punjab Assembly elections. Reacting to Kejriwal's apology, Majithia had said he was grateful that truth had won and the Delhi CM had realised his mistake. He said that since the AAP leader had "tendered his apology", he did not want to pursue the defamation case filed against him. "I thank Kejriwal for showing greatness in seeking apology for his remarks made against me. I have told my lawyers that from our side, this case ends as Kejriwal has sought apology. I have asked my counsels to withdraw the defamation case. Person makes mistake and with the grace of God, if I have the ability to forgive and I will forgive," the SAD leader said. "I had said from the beginning that either he will say sorry or he will go to jail. Sending someone to jail is not my intention. It is indeed a historical moment that a sitting chief minister has submitted a written apology in court withdrawing all statements he made against me," said Majithia. AAP leader Ashish Khetan had apologized as well, he added. Jamshedpur: In a shocking incident, a 15-year-old girl student of CBSE Class X candidate tried to hang herself at her home in Sitaramdera on Thursday afternoon. According to reports, the student, who has sustained neck injuries, was unconscious at Tata Main Hospital and police officials are waiting for her statement. The girl, a resident of Chhayanagar slum, was spotted in a dupatta noose tied to a ceiling fan by a family member around 1 pm. The person brought her down and loosened the knot. She was rushed to MGM Medical College and Hospital in Sakchi from where she was referred to TMH in Bistupur. Assistant sub-inspector Dilip Kumar Yadav of TMH camp police station said that they were yet to ascertain the trigger behind the death wish. "The girl is still unconscious. We will wait for her statement," Yadav said. Sitaramdera police station OC, Rameswar Oraon said no case had been registered. "The girl is in serious condition. We will register a case only after getting a complaint," Oraon added. Relatives said the girl's father worked at a private firm in Golmuri. "She is an average student, but it is unlikely for her to kill herself over exams. She had no paper today (Thursday)," a relative said, adding that the teenager might have had a fight with her mother in the morning. Tiruchirappalli (TN): Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman today said efforts would be made to manufacture military equipment in Tamil Nadu and urged local entrepreneurs to take part in it. "Efforts will be made to manufacture military equipment in Tamil Nadu. Entrepreneurs of the local area should come forward to manufacture them," she said. There was also a plan to scale up production of Tejas Light Combat Aircraft, she said. Currently, HAL produces around eight Tejas, a single engine multi-role aircraft, annually and the defence ministry wants it to increase the number to 18 planes per year. She was addressing a meeting here on the proposed defence manufacturing corridor in Tamil Nadu and an interactive session on business opportunities in the defence sector. Sitharaman had said on February 2 that the first of the two defence industrial production corridors, as announced in the Union Budget, would link Chennai and Bengaluru. The minister today held discussions on the requirements of the defence sector, how to procure raw material and store them and how small and micro industries could play a role in the production of ordnance factory items. The United States cannot expect India to abruptly stop using Russian military hardware, a top US military commander has told the US Senate. India's use of Russian arms came up during a hearing on how the wording of a recent US law imposing sanctions on Russia could hurt the American relationship with its partners and allies. The law in question is the Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA), which was passed by the US Congress in July 2017 and signed into law by Donald Trump in August. The law is aimed at sanctioning Russia for its interference in the 2016 US elections and its continued military engagements in Ukraine and Syria. The law also imposes sanctions on individuals and countries that deal with Russia's intelligence and defence sectors. And these are the provisions that could put the US foreign policy and defence establishment in a bind with their expanding cooperation with India. Considering India's continuing and significant use of Russian military hardware and its joint development of defence projects like BrahMos and the negotiations over the Sukhoi/HAL FGFA, it would qualify to be sanctioned by the US government under Section 231 of CAATSA. The sanctions include blocking of licences and permissions for any US entity to export a significantly large number of items to India. The restrictions on this front would include any arms sale or the transfer of nuclear equipment or technology. The US and India are in the process of working out multiple nuclear power plant and arms sale projects. The strains that CAATSA could place on the India-US relationship was in focus at a hearing of the US Senate Armed Services Committee on Thursday. Admiral Harry Harris, the commander of the US Pacific Command, told the committee that India is "a key partner and a great strategic opportunity". "Seventy per cent of their military hardware is Russian in origin. You can't expect India to go cold turkey on that. I think we ought to look at ways to have a glide path, so that we can continue to trade in arms within India," said Admiral Harris, reported news agency PTI. He expressed hope to achieve some relief from the rigidity of the wording of CAATSA. His comments were made in the context of the classified letter from US Secretary of Defence General James Mattis (retd) seeking exemptions from Section 231 of CAATSA for a number of US partners and allies. India is believed to be part of this list. US Republican Senator Tom Cotton, who is closely allied with Donald Trump, who was part of the committee hearing said, "I do have some concerns about potential unintended consequences among countries that, for various historical reasons, still have Russian hardware and it'd be hard to avoid Russian hardware." "I assume Secretary Mattis' point in this classified letter is, do you have a country like India that's a close ally, and growing ever closer, but for historical reasons going back decades, they just rely on a lot of Russian equipment, and would really impair them and therefore, our relationship with them, to try to ask them to go cold turkey immediately," Cotton added. Both houses of the US Congress, after holding these hearings, would have to consider ways to give waivers to countries like India. The existing provisions allow the President to delay the imposition of sanctions under CAATSA by certifying every six months that the individual or country in question is significantly reducing transactions with Russian defence or intelligence sectors. There is no way such a certification can be given to India any time soon, which would make an exemption the imperative. (With inputs from PTI) NEW DELHI: Another Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader from Punjab has expressed his dissatisfaction over Arvind Kejriwal's decision to apologise to former Punjab Revenue Minister Bikram Singh Majithia. It has saddened people of Punjab & me personally. People are still trying to verify the veracity whether this document is true or not.Will also find out what went behind and whether he actually signed it, said Hemant Singh Shergill. #WATCH It has saddened people of Punjab & me personally.People are still trying to verify the veracity whether this document is true or not.Will also find out what went behind & whether he actually signed it: Hemant Singh Shergill,AAP on #Delhi CM Kejriwal's apology to B Majithia pic.twitter.com/iVy5T2U47W ANI (@ANI) March 16, 2018 Kejriwal on Thursday had apologised to Majithia for accusing him of being involved in the drug trade, saying he had learnt that his allegations were unfounded. "In the recent past I made certain statements and allegations against you (Majithia) regarding your alleged involvement in the drug trade. These statements became a political issue," the CM said in the letter. "Now I've learnt that the allegations are unfounded. Hence there should be no politics on such issues. I hereby withdraw all my statements and allegations made against you and apologise for the same," he said. Kejriwal's decision to apologise has led to an open dissent in the party, with AAP workers in Punjab are calling Kejriwal's apology to the Shrimani Akali Dal leader a 'betrayal' to the people of the state. AAP leader Sukhpal Singh Khaira said that he was "stunned" by the apology by Kejriwal. "We're appalled n stunned by the apology of @ArvindKejriwal tendered today,we don't hesitate to admit that we haven't been consulted on this meek surrender by a leader of his stature," he said on Twitter. He also promised that he will continue the "tirade on the burning issue of drugs destroying the youth of Punjab". "All of us in Punjab are saddened to learn how Kejriwal ji has went to apologise to Majithia when state government's STF has submitted in High Court that there is strong clinching evidence against him. AAP MLAs with gather and take stock of the situation," AAP's Sukhpal Singh Khaira had earlier said. Acknowledging the dissent in the party, AAP's Rajya Sabha MP said that he hopes justice will be met. "Many people are unhappy with Arvind Kejriwal's apology to Bikram Singh Majithia. I hope justice will be done as people like BS Majithia deserve to be in jail," Sanjay Singh said. With agency inputs NEW DELHI: The Telugu Desam Party (TDP) has walked out of the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA), with its 22 MPs - 16 in Lok Sabha and 6 in Rajya Sabha. While this may not affect the government in any way in the Lok Sabha, it could pose problems in the Upper House. The stability of the NDA government is not at stake. The BJP has 274 MPs of its own, which is just past the halfway mark of 272. The party had decided in 2014, when it had won 282 seats, that though it had enough MPs on its own, it would still include its pre-poll allies in government. Taken together with allies, the NDA had 331 members in the Lok Sabha and 79 in the Rajya Sabha on Friday morning. Now that the TDP has left, the NDA's strength is down to 315 in the Lok Sabha and 73 in the Rajya Sabha. That's still comfortable for the Narendra Modi government, not to mention support that has been more or less readily available from close non-allies like the post-Jayalalithaa AIADMK (37 LS and 13 RS). The comfortable margin the NDA government has in the Lok Sabha is the reason it need not worry about the YSR Congress's no-confidence motion, and treat it as a visible protest over the demand for special status to Andhra Pradesh. Here is a full list of NDA members with their strengths in the Lok Sabha: Bharatiya Janata Party: 274 LS, 58 RS Shiv Sena: 18 LS, Lok Janshakti Party: 6 Shiromani Akali Dal: 4 LS, 3 RS Rashtriya Lok Samta Party: 3 Janata Dal (United): 2 LS, 7 RS Indian National Lok Dal: 2 Apna Dal: 2 Jammu & Kashmir Peoples Democratic Party: 1 Sikkim Democratic Front: 1 Pattali Makkal Katchi: 1 All India NR Congress: 1 National Peoples Party: 1 Here is a full list of NDA members with their strengths in the Rajya Sabha: Bharatiya Janata Party: 54 Janata Dal (United): 7 Shiromani Akali Dal: 3 Shiv Sena: 3 Jammu & Kashmir Peoples Democratic Party: 2 Indian National Lok Dal: 1 Sikkim Democratic Front: 1 Republican Party of India (A): 1 Naga Peoples Front: 1 New Delhi: Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Friday again trained his guns on the government over the Rafale fighter jets deal, alleging that it had caused a loss of Rs 36,000 crore to the state exchequer even as the Army "begs" for more money. He also alleged that Dassault Aviation, the French company that manufactured the fighter jets, had called the "lie" of "RM" (Raksha Mantri or Defence Minister) Nirmala Sitharaman by releasing the price of the aircraft. (Read also: France wants India to buy 36 more jets) Gandhi highlighted the price the BJP government paid for the fighter jets, the figure finalised by the erstwhile UPA regime led by Manmohan Singh for purchasing the aircraft and the amount Qatar had paid for the same. "Dassault called RM's lie and released prices paid per RAFALE plane in report: Qatar = 1319 Cr, MODI = 1670 Cr, MMS = 570 Cr. "1100 Cr per plane or 36,000 Cr i.E 10 pc of our Defence budget, in the pocket. Meanwhile, our Army begs our Govt. For money (sic)," the Congress leader said on Twitter. Gandhi has been attacking the BJP-led government over the defence deal, alleging that it has caused a huge loss to the state exchequer. He has also questioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi's silence on the issue. New Delhi: The Narendra Modi-led BJP government at the Centre informed the Supreme Court on Friday that no damage will be done to the mythological Ram Sethu for its Sethusamudram Ship Channel project. Clarifying its stand on the issue, the Centre said that it would refrain from touching the Ram Sethu in the "interest of the nation". The Centre's submission to the top court was made by the Union Ministry of Shipping. The Centre has filed an affidavit in the Supreme Court in Ram Setu case, in its affidavit the Centre said that it won't remove Ram Setu. Centre filed affidavit in connection with the plea filed by BJP's Subramanian Swamy. ANI (@ANI) March 16, 2018 In an affidavit, the Union Ministry of Shipping told an apex court bench headed by Chief Justice Dipak Misra that the PIL filed by BJP leader Subramanian Swamy against the Sethusamudram project can now be disposed off by taking note of its stand. "That the government of India intends to explore an alternative to the earlier alignment of Sethusamudram Ship Channel project without affecting/damaging the Adam's Bridge/Ram Sethu in the interest of the nation," the affidavit filed by the ministry said. Appearing on behalf of the Centre, Additional Solicitor General Pinky Anand said, ''the Centre has filed the response in pursuance of the earlier directions and the PIL can now be disposed off.'' BJP Rajya Sabha MP Swamy had filed a PIL against the ship channel project and had sought direction to the Centre that the mythological Ram Sethu be not touched. Union Minister Nitin Gadkari had earlier assured that Ram Sethu structure will not be demolished at any cost for the construction of Sethusamudram shipping canal project. "Regarding Ram Sethu, we are very much committed that at any cost we will respect the feeling of the people. We will not demolish it," Shipping, Road Transport and Highways Minister Gadkari had said at the Economic Editors Conference. Replying to a query, the Minister said the "issue (Sethusamudram) is sub-judice." NEW DELHI: Congress MP Ripun Bora has moved a resolution in Rajya Sabha seeking amendments to the National Anthem to replace the word 'Sindh' with 'North East'. "North East is an important part of India, it is unfortunate that it is not part of the national anthem. On other hand, Sindh is mentioned, which is no longer part of India but part of Pakistan, which is a hostile country," Ripun Bora said after he moved the private member's resolution in the Upper House. "This House urges upon the government to amend the National Anthem to delete the words 'Sindh' and replace the words 'Northeast India' in the National Anthem," he said in the resolution submitted. He also stated in the resolution: "the National Anthem of India 'Jana Gana Mana' mentions Sindh which is no longer part of India; the Northeast India, which is a very important part of India, finds no mention in the National Anthem, the then President of India, Dr. Rajendra Prasad, had made a statement in the Constituent Assembly on 24th January, 1950 that the composition consisting of the words and music known as the Jana Gana Mana is the National Anthem of India, subject to such alterations in the words such as Government may authorise as occasion arises." Earlier in 2016, Shiv Sena member Arvind Sawant had raised the issue in Lok Sabha demanding the word 'Sindh' be removed from the national anthem and replaced with an appropriate word, saying there was no state by that name in the country. Raising the issue in Lok Sabha, he had said that as the national anthem was adopted by Parliament, it should initiate action to remove the word. National anthem 'Jana Gana Mana', composed by Nobel laureate Rabindra Nath Tagore in 1911, was adopted by the Constituent Assembly in 1950. NEW DELHI: The feeling that the more developed South India pays more taxes and gets little in return from the Centre is hardly new, and is gradually spreading in the south. Politicians both in and out of power have reflected this sentiment with increasing frequency over the past few years. But for the first time, a southern Chief Minister from a 'national' party has said it in as many words. Karnataka's Siddaramaiah has declared that the South is subsidising the North for its failure to rein in its population or ensure development. "Historically, the South has been subsidizing the north. Six states south of the Vindhyas contribute more taxes and get less. For example, for every one rupee of tax contributed by Uttar Pradesh that state receives Rs 1.79. For every one rupee of tax contributed by Karnataka, the state receives Rs 0.47. While I recognize the need for correcting regional imbalances, where is the reward for development?" said Siddaramaiah in a particular`ly potent paragraph of his opinion piece, which is going viral online. "The states of the South have nearly reached replacement levels of population growth. Yet, population is a prominent criteria for devolution of central taxes. For how long can we keep incentivizing population growth?" read the opinion piece, published on The News Minute, a southern news-focused website. "Relatively well-developed states like Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra contribute more to central taxes than what they get in return from the center (sic) Schemes are designed keeping the entire country in mind and we are forced to implement them and provide our share. We need a system where states receive larger portion of the taxes collected from our states and the share of centrally sponsored schemes must go down. The central schemes, if at all needed, need to be flexible so that we can tailor them to our needs," said Siddaramaiah in his column. That such comments should come from a Congress Chief Minister is a sharp departure from the crowd that usually voices this dissatisfaction - the leaders of regional parties. Just days ago, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, whose TDP quit PM Narendra Modi's NDA over special financial status to the state, had reflected the same sentiment. This was not in an opinion piece for a media outlet, but speaking in the Andhra Pradesh Legislative Council on a motion of thanks to the Governor's address. "The southern states contribute maximum tax revenues to the Centre, but the latter is diverting the money to the development of northern states," he stated. Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao too had spoken of the imbalance, saying the Centre had earned Rs 50,013 crore in taxes from Telangana in 2016-17. But, he said, the state had received only Rs 24,561 crore from the Centre under all schemes. Similar sentiments have been long expressed by multiple parties and leaders of Tamil Nadu who are under the Dravidian political umbrella. "The North grows while the South erodes," DMK founder and former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister CN Annadurai had said in Parliament in the 1960s. Federalism and increased autonomy for state governments has long been a policy touchstone for the DMK. AIADMK's late supremo J Jayalalithaa too has raised the issue multiple times. That the sentiment against this imbalance is not going away from the political debate is perhaps indicated by the flag of a newly launched political party. The newly founded MAKKAL NEEDHI MAIAM is your party. It's here to stay, and to make the change we all aspire for. Guide us to serve you. #maiam #makkalneedhimaiam official website: https://t.co/cql8kgqGkk fb: https://t.co/2Gz1xRg5vf twitter: https://t.co/J9ywXrunOb pic.twitter.com/Xza62w4DcC Kamal Haasan (@ikamalhaasan) February 21, 2018 The symbol of actor Kamal Haasan's Makkal Needhi Maiam features six hands in a circle holding each other. Kamal had said they stand for the six southern states - Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Maharashtra. Also of concern has been the proposal at the Centre to use the 2011 Census as the basis for the planning of Central schemes and even delimitation, both of which would come at a considerable disadvatage to the southern states, which have managed to curb rampant population growth better than the northern states. NEW DELHI: Congress chief Rahul Gandhi on Friday met the students protesting against the alleged leak of Staff Selection Commission (SSC) examination paper. The Congress president met the protestors outside CGO complex in Delhi. Gandhi on Thursday attacked the Narendra Modi-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) for trying to hide the SSC paper leak, further asking to stop playing with the future of the youth. 2 SSC ? ? pic.twitter.com/3fytodRDbd Office of RG (@OfficeOfRG) March 15, 2018 "The promise of providing two crore jobs to the youth every year was 'jumla' (gimmick). On top of that, vacancies have been decreased," Gandhi wrote on Twitter. "The big scam has happened under this government's very nose. 'Saheb' should tell why the issue was being hidden," he added. Gandhi further said those nationalising the Vyapam scam should be ashamed. Meanwhile, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) registered a preliminary enquiry into the matter on Wednesday. The SSC exam protests that started off in the national capital, gained momentum with the aspirants agitating in other parts of the country including Bihar, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh. With agency inputs In a huge setback for the National Democratic Alliance, the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) has decided to quit the alliance. The decision was taken unanimously by the party politburo on Friday morning. The Bharatiya Janata Party and the TDP had been treading on a thin line after the Narendra Modi government did not allocate additional funds for Andhra Pradesh. CM Chandrababu Naidu led TDP government had been demanding a special status for Andhra Pradesh. However, they claimed that they let down by the Central government. "For four years I have been requesting the Centre but now, only under inevitable circumstances, I started fighting only to secure the state's rights since the PM has meted out injustice," the TDP president had said on Thursday. Letter of YSR Congress Party MP YV Subba Reddy to Lok Sabha Secretary-General for moving motion on 'No-Confidence in the Council of Ministers' in the house. pic.twitter.com/FADQCKVOig ANI (@ANI) March 16, 2018 The decision to pull out of the alliance comes after Jaganmohan Reddy-led YSR Congress Party moved a no-confidence motion in Lok Sabha, putting the TDP on the defensive. Thereafter the TDP chief Chandrababu Naidu had said that they may support a no-confidence motion in the Lok Sabha against the BJP-led NDA government over the issue of special status. "I am telling this with pain and agony, 40 years of political experience and as people's word. It is not good to play with the lives of people. If you sincerely move the no-trust motion, we will fully co-operate. If you do it by colluding, we will expose you," the TDP president warned the Jaganmohan Reddy-led party. YSR Congress Party MP YV Subba Reddy had met leaders of different political parties in the national capital, including Congress' Mallikarjun Kharge and CPI(M)'s Sitaram Yechury and had given them Jaganmohan Reddy's letter seeking their support for the no-confidence motion to be moved by YSRCP in Lok Sabha on Friday. In his letter to different political leaders Reddy wrote,"If even after this no-confidence motion, the Central government is reluctant to grant Special Category Status to Andhra Pradesh, all our party MPs will tender resignation to their seats on April 6, 2018." Naidu had on Thursday reiterated the demand for implementation of the AP Reorganisation Act, 2014 and also the promises made in the Rajya Sabha at the time of bifurcation of the state to carve out Telangana. Naidu recalled that the TDP MPs had been constantly fighting in Parliament to get the promises fulfilled. Two TDP ministers - Chowdary and Ashok Gajapathi Raju - had resigned from the Narendra Modi-led Cabinet on March 8 in protest against the Centre's refusal to grant special category status to the state. Chowdary had said the issue of special category status was very emotive for the state but the Centre had not addressed it and had added that even the special package was not adequate. He, however, had added that it would be unfair to say that the Centre did nothing for the state. New Delhi: Rs 3 lakh were stolen from a State Bank of India branch in Rampur and CCTV footage from inside the premises have helped cops pin suspicion on a 12-year-old boy. In the video, the boy can be seen behind a sectional compartment before getting up and making his way out with a bag in his hand. Before making his final exit, the boy does turn around for one last look but at least in the CCTV footage, bank employees and other customers appear oblivious. #WATCH 12 year old boy steals Rs 3 lakhs from an SBI branch in Rampur. Police have begun investigation pic.twitter.com/koLTHgZ9ON ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) March 16, 2018 While local police officials say that it is not uncommon for gangs to use children to carry out acts of crime on their behalf, they have already launched a thorough investigation. Prima facie, they say, the boy is the prime suspect as bank authorities raised an alarm moments after he made his rather daring exit. Jammu: Security forces on Friday recovered the bodies of two terrorists who were killed in an encounter in Srinagar's Khanmoh are in Jammu and Kashmir. A large cache of arms and other incriminating material has also been seized from the slain terrorists. A case has been registered in this regard and investigations are on. Two terrorists were killed and three policemen including an SHO injured on Thursday in a gunfight that broke out on the outskirts of the Srinagar city after a BJP leader was attacked. The gunfight between the security forces and terrorists took place in Balhama area of Khonmoh in outskirts of Srinagar. Terrorists had attacked BJP leader, Muhammad Anwar Khan, and injured his security guard Bilal Ahmad after which they fled and took shelter in Balhama village. Security personnel immediately surrounded the village and a gunfight started there. Four houses were damaged in the gunfight. Later, after the firing stopped, searches were conducted to locate the bodies of two slain terrorists Authorities also announced the suspension of rail service between Baramulla and Bannihal towns on Friday as a precautionary measure after intense clashes erupted between a stone-pelting mob and the security forces at the gunfight site. (With Agency inputs) New Delhi: A fatwa was recently issued against a Mulim man in Kanpur after he pledged to donate his organs to people in dire need. While Arshad Mansuri felt a deep need to help the community and signed up for organ donation after his death, the fatwa called for the Muslim community to boycott him. According to the fatwa, organ donation is not allowed in Islam and called for a boycott. Mansuri though has remained unperturbed and said serving mankind is greater than following any religon. "I pledged my organs for the welfare of the society and also because I want the people from Muslim community to do the same. I came to know a fatwa has been issued against me for doing so. (The) Fatwa says that donating organs is not allowed in Islam," he told news agency ANI. "The fatwa also urges people to boycott me from the society. In my opinion, maulanas are fake. To serve mankind is the biggest religious duty. I have been getting threatening calls from unknown numbers," Mansuri added. While Mansuri also clarified that he has complained to the cops regarding threat messages, he says Kanpur Police is yet to take any action. Meanwhile, a local maulana claimed that Mansuri had consulted him before signing up for organ donation and that he had been informed that Islam prohibits it. "He (Mansuri) asked me how is organ donation considered in Islam, I replied that it's banned. Someone who doesn't follow what Allah has said, then there're doubts on him being a Muslim," said Maulana Hanif Barkati. He also said Mansuri may just be someone looking to defame Islam and those who follow the religion. At a time when roughly 500,000 Indians die in India only because of non-availability of organs, awareness is spreading among people at large to pledge their organs at the time of death. Nonetheless, only a few thousand transplants from dead patients are carried out in the country - pointing to a much larger need for organ donation here. New Delhi: Bollywood actor Nawazuddin Siddiqui's lawyer Rizwan Siddiqui has been arrested by the Thane Police in connection with the Call Data Records (CDR) racket that was unearthed in January. As per several media report, the senior advocate was arrested on Friday evening. Siddiqui, who has represented several celebrities including Kangana Ranaut, will be brought to Thane court on Saturday morning. So far, the Thane's Crime Branch has arrested 11 people in connection with the case that illegally supplied call record details. Last week, Nawazuddin and his wife Anjali were summoned by Thane's Crime Branch in connection with the racket. The police had earlier declared that Nawazuddin had allegedly sought call details of his wife Anjali's phone conversation through Rizwan. However, in his response, the actor dismissed the allegations by terming all them 'disgusting'. 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 His wife Anjali also rubbished rumors in a Facebook post and claimed, "Rahi baat, CDR se judi iss nai controversy ki to, sachchaai jaldsabke saamne aa jayegi. Bas main yahan itna hi kahungi ki Nawaz par lagaaye gaye allegation poori tarah se jhoote aur be-buniyaad hain. Celebrity hone ke karan, unhein soft target banaya gaya hai" (About this new CDR controversy, the truth will come out soon. All I want to say is all the allegations against Nawaz are false and baseless. He is being targeted just because he is a celebrity.) A source told Times Now that Nawazuddin will be called to record his statement on the matter. London: Britain's Queen Elizabeth II has given her formal consent for her grandson Prince Harry to marry US actress Meghan Markle, according to a transcript of a meeting with her advisers released on Thursday. "I declare My Consent to a Contract of Matrimony between My Most Dearly Beloved Grandson Prince Henry Charles Albert David of Wales and Rachel Meghan Markle," the Queen said at a meeting of her Privy Council in Buckingham Palace on Wednesday. She said her consent would be "signified under the Great Seal" and entered into the register of the Privy Council, an ancient body of councilors that dates back hundreds of years. Prince Harry and Markle, who starred in the US television drama 'Suits', will marry on May 19 at St George's Chapel in Windsor Castle, a royal residence located west of London. British law states that the monarch must give their consent for the marriage of the six people next in line for the throne. Harry is fifth in line after his father Prince Charles, brother Prince William and William's children George and Charlotte. He will be bumped down to sixth place when William's wife Kate, the Duchess of Cambridge, gives birth next month. The Privy Council is a kind of royal advisory body and has around 400 members, including religious and political leaders. Markle was baptised by the leader of the Church of England earlier this month ahead of her marriage to Harry out of respect for the Queen's role as head of the denomination. New Delhi: Ahead of World TB Day on March 24, the REACH Media Awards for 2017-18 were presented here on Thursday to honour outstanding and responsible reporting on tuberculosis. In an event, co-hosted by REACH, USAID and Lilly Global Health in partnership with the Lancet Commission on Tuberculosis, exceptional journalism in reporting about the disease was acknowledged. Highlighting that good journalism can go a long way in the battle against TB, Arun Kumar Kha, Economic Advisor, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, said the good work needs to continue. "In India, where health-seeking behaviour is low, we need to encourage people to seek health care services through responsible journalism. We need to involve local newspapers more in these efforts," he said, lauding REACH's efforts as well. Agreed Dr Sunil Khaparde, Deputy Director General, Central TB Division. ""We need to have a holistic approach that includes private sector engagement and a multi-sectoral approach. We are just focussing on the controlling agent but we now need to focus on the environment from which the disease perpetuates," he said. Also speaking on the occasion, Mr Mark White, Mission Director, USAID/India, congratulated the journalists even as he urged TB survivors to keep being the change agents. "It would be a lost opportunity to overlook the integral role survivors play in achieving shared goals. When they share their powerful stories about challenges and when journalists report them, it can help identify and address programme gaps," he said. In the English category for Best Reporting on TB, the winners were Sakshi Kuchroo and Geetanjali Minhas for their long-form story, 'How Caregivers are falling prey to TB', published in Governance Now, and Shreya Shah of IndiaSpend for her story titled 'New Model of Tracking TB Patients Holds Promise for India'. Nandita Venkatesan of The Times of India received a special citation for her story, 'I lost my hearing to TB drugs, time we declare war on the disease'. In the Local Language category, the winners were Anand Tiwari for his story 'Government's project to monitor TB marred by the disease, patients marginalized', published in Prabhat Khabar, and Rakesh Malviya for his story 'Said in the budget ... but is it easy to beat TB?' published on NDTV.com. In the English category for Consistent Reporting on TB, the winner was Tabassum Barnagarwala who highlighted a range of TB-related issues through her work published in The Indian Express between 2012 and 2017. In the Local Language category, the winner was Mr. Reji Joseph, who focused on how TB affects the lives of migrant workers, among other issues in stories published in Rashtra Deepika Daily and deepikaglobal.com. A new publication, 'Keeping TB in the News: A toolkit for health advocates', documenting REACH's work with the media over eight years, was also released on the occasion. Mumbai: Sunny Leone and Daniel Weber have been married for ten years! The couple celebrated its tenth wedding anniversary today and ringed in the special day by locking lips. Sunny took to her Instagram to account to post an adorable picture. She wrote: "10 years and still find time for a smooch!! Lol (sic)." Sunny and Daniel who had adopted a baby girl from Latur in Maharashtra last year, welcomed their twin sons via surrogacy a few weeks ago. The couple took to Instagram to announce the arrival of their sons Noah and Asher. "God's Plan!! June 21st, 2017 was the day @dirrty99 and I found out that we might possible be having 3children within a short amount of time. We planned and tried to have a family and after so many years our family is now complete with Asher Singh Weber, Noah Singh Weber and Nisha Kaur Weber. Our boys were born a few weeks ago but were alive in our hearts and eyes for many years. God planned something so special for us and gave us a large family.We are both the proud parents of three beautiful children. Surprise everyone! (sic)." Sunny posted a lovely family pic with her husband, daughter Nisha and sons Noah and Asher. Check it out here: After adopting Nisha, Sunny during an interview said that she is enjoying the new role. "Well our whole life has changed for the better. Figuring out our schedule is not as difficult as we thought it would be and she is at an age where she can travel with us if need be," Sunny had told IANS. "I am enjoying every second of my time with her. There is nothing more I can ask for. We are truly blessed. It is the best experience of my life and I can't wait to show her every inch of this world and teach her so many things," she added. Here's wishing Sunny and Daniel a very Happy Wedding annivery. New Delhi: Addressing the inaugural session of the 105th Indian Science Congress in Imphal on Friday, March 16, Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged scientists to extend their research 'from labs to the land'. He further said that the time was ripe to redefine 'R&D' as research for the development of the nation, adding that it would be for the greater benefit of the people. "It is time to reclaim our rightful place among the front-line nations in this field," he said, calling upon the scientific community to extend its research from "the labs to the land". Emphasizing India's rich tradition and a long history of both discovery and use of science and technology, PM Modi said the country has to be "future ready" in implementing technologies vital for the growth and prosperity of the nation. "Technology will allow far greater penetration of services such as education, healthcare and banking to our citizens," he said. There is a need, the Prime Minister said, to communicate our scientific achievements to society. This, he said, will help inculcate scientific temper among the youth. "We have to throw open our institutions and laboratories to our children. I call upon scientists to develop a mechanism for interaction with school-children," he said. He said it was his "personal request" that scientists spend 100 hours per annum with 100 students of classes 9 to 12 to discuss science and technology as it could help nurture scientific temperament among the youth. The government has set a target of 100 GW (gigawatt) of installed solar power by 2022, Modi told the gathering. "Efficiency of solar modules currently available in the market is around 17-18 percent. Can our scientists take a challenge to come up with a more efficient solar module, which can be produced in India at the same cost," he asked. He also said the government is committed to increasing the share of non-fossil fuel based capacity in the electricity mix above 40 percent by 2030. India is a leader in the multi-country Solar Alliance and in Mission Innovation. These groupings are providing a thrust to R and D for clean energy, the prime minister pointed out. (With PTI inputs) Chennai: The AIADMK on Friday expelled party spokesperson KC Palanisamy after he urged the party to back the no-confidence motion against the Narendra Modi-led government. The decision was reportedly taken by AIADMK coordinator O Panneerselvam and joint-coordinator Edappadi K Palaniswami. Terming his expulsion undemocratic, Palanisami claimed he was not offered given any explanation regarding the decision. Palanisamy had earlier suggested supporting the TDP and YSRC if the Centre fails to constitute the Cauvery Management Board and the Cauvery Water Regulation Committee. Earlier today, the TDP walked out of the ruling NDA, with its 22 lawmakers - 16 in Lok Sabha and six in Rajya Sabha. While this may not affect the government in the Lok Sabha, it could pose problems in the Upper House. The decision was taken unanimously by the TDP politburo this morning. Jagan Reddy-led YSR Congress and All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) also pledged to support the no-confidence motion against the Modi government. The BJP and TDP had been treading on a thin line after the Narendra Modi government did not allocate additional funds for Andhra Pradesh. Telecom Secretary Aruna Sundararajan in an exclusive talk with Zee Businesss Shiv Prakash Yadav said telecom players must improve the quality of service and end the issue of call drops and slow data speed. Experts: We are talking about moving to 5G and Internet of Things, but in last few months there has been an increase in call drops and decrease in internet speed. The problem has not been resolved. What is the government is doing? India has seen a huge growth in data (almost 500 percent) as well as voice calls. There is a time lag between the creation of infrastructure catching up with the demand. We have asked the telecom service providers (TSPs) to fiberize their towers. The absence of adequate infrastructural capacity is causing call drops. So, we will be working closely with the industry. I agree with you that a lot more needs to be done. It is not enough to acquire new customers and promise them a lot of services and lower the tariffs. Quality of services is a paramount requirement. Thats why TRAI has also brought out a new quality of service measurement regime. So we are looking forward to ensuring that the call drops do come down. Is the in-fighting between industry players impacting the quality of services being offered? I do not believe so. What I believe is that they are all now moving to augment their networks. They are all trying to upgrade from 2G to 3G to 4G. The construction of infrastructure is happening but it is not happening at a fast enough pace. That in my view is the real reason. Everyone is waiting for in-flight connectivity. When can in-flight connectivity become a reality? For in-flight connectivity, we are in the final stages. So I expect that any time now we will be able to give the approvals. The government has announced two major sops for the industry. Do you think they are enough to resolve their issues? See there is a background to this. The govt had constituted an inter-ministerial group. Now one of the main findings of the group was that this situation we are seeing is due to temporary liquidity crunch. In the long run, India is a vibrant growth market and things will stabilise. So whatever they had recommended was on the basis of this analysis, and thats why the government has approved it. Lucknow: Dr Waseem Rizvi, the UP Shia Central Waqf Board (UPSCWB) chief, has now given a fresh suggestion to the All India Muslim Personal Board (AIMPLB) that Muslim community members should not offer 'namaz' at the disputed religious sites. In a letter shot off to Maulana Rabe Hasan Nadvi, the AIMPLB chairman, Rizvi claimed that there are at least nine disputed religious places across the country - four in Uttar Pradesh, two in Gujarat, one each in West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh and Delhi. He urged the board to stop Muslims from offering namaz at these sites since they are disputed. Dr Rizvi said that there is enough historical evidence to prove that these mosques were constructed forcibly by the Muslim rulers on lands belonging to Hindu temples. Dr Waseem Rizvi pointed out that Islamic laws do not allow construction of a mosque on a land grabbed by destroying other religious structures. Prayers offered at such mosques are not accepted under Quran and Sharia, he added. Rizvi had earlier stalked claim on the disputed land in Ayodhya and offered to surrender the same to Hindus. The UPSCWB had claimed that several mosques in Mathura, Varanasi and other religious places were built by Muslim rules after destroying temples built there. The Shia Board chief had urged the Board to surrender nine religious places to Hindus, including Ram Janambhoomi in Ayodhya. They are Babri mosque in Ayodhya, Keshav Dev Temple in Mathura, Kashi Vishwanath Temple in Varanasi, Atal Dev temple in Jaunpur (All in Uttar Pradesh), Rudra Mahalaya temple in Batna Gujarat, Bhadrakali temple in Ahmedabad Gujarat, Adina Mosque in Pandua West Bengal, Vijaya temple Vidhisha Madhya Pradesh and Mosque Kuvutul Islam Qutub Minar Delhi, he said in his letter. Significantly, Shia Board made this demand a day after the Art of Living Founder Sri Sri Ravi Shanker made a similar statement in Varanasi and Gorakhpur urging Muslims to hand over Babri mosque land to Hindus. Sri Sri is mediating with litigants and religious heads of both communities to work out an out of court settlement to vexed land dispute, pending before the Supreme Court. Besides these nine mosques, there are scores of other mosques in the country which were built in a similar manner and should be handed over to Hindus as well, demanded Dr Rizvi. Will you approve offering of namaz at a mosque which is built on the land of other religion? Rizvi asked Maulana Nadvi, who is considered as one of the most eminent Islamic scholars in the country. Earlier, Shia Board had submitted an agreement in the Supreme Court in which it had offered to surrender disputed land in Ayodhya to Hindus for the construction of Ram temple and shifting of the mosque to Hussainabad in Lucknow. WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The adult film actress known as Stormy Daniels was physically threatened and warned to remain silent about her relationship with President Donald Trump, her lawyer told MSNBC and CNN on Friday. Attorney Michael Avenatti would not provide details about the threat against Stephanie Clifford, who uses Stormy Daniels as her professional name. He said Clifford would elaborate on it during a CBS "60 Minutes" interview broadcast on March 25. "My client was physically threatened to stay silent about what she knew about Donald Trump," he said on CNN. "Shes going to be able to provide very specific details about what happened here," Avenatti said of the "60 Minutes" interview. Clifford has alleged she had affair with Trump that began in 2006 and lasted several months. Trump has denied it. In a letter to Trump`s private lawyer Michael Cohen on Monday, Clifford offered to send $130,000 to an account designated by Trump so she could be released from a non-disclosure agreement she signed in October 2016. Cohen ignored the offer. Cohen has said he paid Clifford $130,000 of his own money during the 2016 presidential campaign. He did not explain why he made the payment or say whether Trump was aware of it. Avenatti filed a lawsuit last week in Los Angeles, claiming Trump never signed the nondisclosure agreement that his lawyer made with Clifford, rendering it null and void, and making public the agreement and related documents. Avenatti told Reuters on Friday that six women had been in touch with his law firm to describe relationships with Trump. He said the women had "strikingly similar stories to my client." "Were still in the process of vetting these allegations," he said. Earlier, Avenatti told MSNBC and CNN that at least two of the women had signed non-disclosure agreements. WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump has decided to sack National Security Advisor H R McMaster, in what would be the latest in a string of high-profile White House departures, The Washington Post reported Thursday. The newspaper said that Trump is discussing potential replacements for McMaster, but is willing to take his time because he wants to avoid humiliating him as well as to have a successor ready. White House spokesperson Sarah Sanders said that there were no changes at the National Security Council, a response that avoided the issue of whether any were being planned. "Just spoke to @POTUS and Gen. H.R. McMaster - contrary to reports they have a good working relationship and there are no changes at the NSC," Sanders wrote on Twitter. Just spoke to @POTUS and Gen. H.R. McMaster - contrary to reports they have a good working relationship and there are no changes at the NSC. Sarah Sanders (@PressSec) March 16, 2018 The Post said that some in the White House was hesitant to remove McMaster until he had "a promotion to four-star rank or other comfortable landing spots." While Trump reportedly wants to avoid humiliating McMaster, that did not appear to have been a particularly high priority when he removed secretary of state Rex Tillerson two days ago, a move he announced on Twitter. A top aide said Tillerson did not speak to the president before his firing was announced and was not given a reason for his dismissal. Tillerson's sacking came less than two weeks after Trump`s top economic advisor Gary Cohn quit in protest against the president's decision to levy tariffs on imported steel and aluminum. The previous year saw the departure of Trump's first national security advisor Michael Flynn who lasted just 22 days in his post as well as chief strategist Steve Bannon, who made it seven months, and Reince Priebus, who stayed in his job for less than six. Speculation is rife over who will be the next official to go. Candidates include education secretary Betsy DeVos, who struggled in two recent TV interviews, housing and urban development secretary Ben Carson, who controversially spent over $30,000 on a dining room set, the Post said. New York: An Indian-origin former partner in global consulting firm McKinsey & Company has been sentenced to two years in prison by a US court for scheming to defraud companies out of hundreds of thousands of dollars. Navdeep Arora, a former partner in the Chicago office of McKinsey & Company, plotted with a former internal consultant at State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company to defraud both companies out of fraudulent consulting fees. US District Judge Ronald Guzman imposed the two-year sentence in federal court in Chicago on Thursday. Arora, 53, also fraudulently obtained money from McKinsey, State Farm and other McKinsey clients in the form of purported work-related travel reimbursements for expenses that were actually incurred on his personal trips. He falsely expensed personal trips to the cities in the US, England, Czech Republic, Germany and elsewhere. He also took the State Farm employee, Matthew Sorensen, on two personal vacations and expensed them to State Farm as business expenses. The costs included flights, hotels, meals, car services and other items, a Justice Department statement said. Arora of London, England, and formerly of Chicago, was arrested in 2016 at the city's JFK International Airport after arriving on an overseas flight. He pleaded guilty last year to one count of wire fraud. Sorensen, a resident of Illinois, also pleaded guilty to a wire fraud charge. He was sentenced to one year and a day in prison last year. Arora and Sorensen "concocted a fraudulent scheme to benefit themselves during their employment," Assistant US Attorney Sunil Harjani argued in the government's sentencing memorandum. "The defendants' actions have caused both companies to undertake time and expense uncovering this fraud, destroyed a longstanding relationship between these two companies, and caused reputational harm." Arora and Sorensen had a longstanding business relationship through Arora's work overseeing the consulting services McKinsey provided to State Farm. According to the charges, their fraud scheme began in 2007. Arora and Sorensen used two corporate entities Gabriel Solutions and Andy's BCB to defraud their employers out of the phony fees. Sorensen billed McKinsey for the bogus work purportedly performed by the companies, while Arora allocated the fees to the State Farm projects to which he was assigned. As a result, McKinsey and State Farm paid USD 38,265 for consulting services purportedly performed by Andy's BCB and USD 452,710 in fees billed by Gabriel Solutions. Sorensen pocketed a large majority of the money, while Arora received a substantial salary and benefits from McKinsey for maintaining its business relationship with State Farm, the Justice Department statement said. Islamabad: In a blow to Pakistan's former dictator General (retd) Pervez Musharraf, the special court hearing the high treason case against him has also authorised the government to suspend his passport as well as his national identity card, according to a media report on Friday. Last week, the special court had ordered the government to arrest the Dubai-based former president and confiscate all his properties as it heard the high treason case against the "proclaimed offender" for imposing emergency rule in the country in 2007. Musharraf, 74, was indicted in March, 2014 on treason charges for imposing emergency in 2007 which led to the confinement of a number of superior court judges in their houses and sacking of over 100 judges. The special court had earlier directed the Interior Ministry to approach the Interpol for the arrest of Musharraf. If Musharraf fails to submit a written request for security to the Ministry of Interior, the government can take "positive steps" to ensure the arrest of the accused and attach his properties abroad, including suspension of the National Identity Card (CNIC) and passport of the accused, The Express Tribune quoted a four-page order of the special court. If the federal government suspends his passport and CNIC, Musharraf will not be able to travel to any country. The three-member bench, headed by Peshawar High Court Chief Justice Yahya Afridi had conducted the last hearing in the case on March 8. However, the written order was issued later, the report said. Since 2013, the special court is hearing the treason case against Musharraf, also head of the All Pakistan Muslim League, for subverting the constitution in 2007. The next hearing of the case has been fixed for March 21, it said. A conviction for high treason carries the death penalty or life imprisonment. The order says that Akhtar Shah, the counsel for Musharraf, stated that his client intends to appear before the court but he should be provided security by the defence ministry. Quoting legal experts, the report said the special court's order to suspend Musharraf's CNIC and passport is very significant as it will halt his movement abroad. Advocate Shah told the paper that he had already sent two applications through courier to the ministries of interior and defence for providing foolproof security to Musharraf on his arrival in Pakistan to ensure presence in the court. He, however, stated that they have yet to receive any response from the two ministries. On the other hand, prosecution head Akram Sheikh said that ministry has yet to receive any application by Musharraf's counsel. He also urged the interior ministry to start the process for the suspension of Musharraf's CNIC and passport, adding that the former army chief's movement will be completely stopped after the suspension of passport. The special court in its order has expressed dismay at the inaction of the federal government in taking positive steps to ensure the arrest of Musharraf, who has already been declared proclaimed offender. "The court was informed that the accused is presently residing in United Arab Emirates and that there is an extradition treaty between government of UAE and government of Pakistan which could be invoked to ensure the arrest of the accused and attachment of his properties in the UAE," says the order. The court also asked the government to make a request to the Interpol for the issuance of an appropriate warrant for his arrest and for his production before the court on March 21. Musharraf ruled Pakistan from 1999 to 2008. He is wanted in Pakistan in several criminal cases including in the assassination of former prime minister Benazir Bhutto. Two attacks were observed since early Thursday Open source Since Thursday morning, Russian mercenaries attacked positions of Ukrainian troops twice. The Ukrainian military reported no casualties over this period. In Donetsk region, the enemy used 82 mm mortars to shell emplacements near Vodyane. In Luhansk region, militants used RPGs, heavy machineguns and small arms, shooting at Ukrainian soldiers in the area of Luhanske. More news from Ukraine at 112.international Russia's Representative claimed that it is possible to talk about the occupation of Crimea as much as you want, but it does not exist Dmitry Polyansky, the Deputy Permanent Representative of Russia to UN claimed that the peninsula was the abandoned territory before the annexation by Russia during the session of the UN Security Council where the situation in occupied Crimea before Russia's presidential election was discussed. 'It is possible to talk about the occupation of Crimea as much as you want, but it does not exist', the Russian representative claimed. According to him, the discussion is not about Crimea in this situation but about Russia because 'it is a tendency of the recent days'. He called persons who spoke earlier 'armchair diplomats' 'it is the people who do not know the issue but become the experts'. As we reported Ukraine urged to extend the international sanctions against Russia due to the situation in annexed Crimea at the UNSC. Crimea was annexed by Russia by way of the illegal referendum that was held at the peninsula in March 2014. Earlier the Russian militaries that stayed there without any marking conquered all strategic military objects and building of the force and state bodies. The results of the referendum were not recognized by Ukraine and the world society. The number of the European and world countries, including Ukraine imposed the economic sanctions against Russia. Open source Ukraines President Poroshenko appointed Serhiy Nayev as the Joint Force Commander. He said it during his visit to Kramatorsk, Donetsk region on March 16, President's press office reported on Facebook. Upon my initiative, the Verkhovna Rada adopted a Donbas reintegration law. This document provides the formation of a new legal platform to take on the enemy in Donbas, and in the future to restore Ukraines territorial integrity. The format of the anti-terrorist operation will be changed for Joint Forces operation. The guidance of the Armed Forces and other military formations and law enforcement authorities rely on the Joint Force Commander. I decided to appoint Sergiy Navaev to this post, he said. It should be mentioned that as to the Donbas reintegration law, the ATO format has been changed for Joint Force Operation and Donbas conflict zone HQ for Ukraines Armed Forces joint center. The Law On the specifics of the state policy on ensuring state sovereignty of Ukraine on the temporarily occupied territories in Donetsk and Luhansk regions, known as Donbas reintegration law, came into force on February 24 this year. The Ukraines Armed Forces joint center is going to replace the Anti-Terrorist Operation (which is the official name of the operation in the conflict zone now) and be the main body in the conflict area. It is going to command the military assets of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, other military groups, the Interior Ministry, the National police that are dedicated to combating the Russian aggression in Donetsk and Luhansk regions. Law enforcement officers, servicemen and everybody else involved in fighting the aggressor, are going to be subordinate to the Chief of the joint operation headquarters of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Russia began the conflict in Ukraine and it should do everything to settle it' Russia should assume necessary measures to settle the conflict in Ukraine and the sanctions will be preserved until this. Nikki Haley, the U.S. Representative to UN claimed this at the session of the UN Security Council on the situation in occupied Crimea. 'Russia bears responsibility for the attack of two people in the UK with the use of the military nerve agent, illegal destabilizing actions of Russia in Ukraine, Syria and other countries cannot be separated from the disturbing events in Ukraine. We still support the sovereignty of Ukraine. The sanctions to the respond of the actions in Ukraine will be extended until Russia return full control over the peninsula to Ukraine. Russia began the conflict in Ukraine and it should do everything to settle it', she claimed. She also noted that the facts of the presence of the Russian troops in Donbas were spotted despite the fact that Russia denies it. 'No doubt, Russia is present there, no doubt about its intentions. The conflict continues to escalate', she added. As we reported Ukraine urged to extend the international sanctions against Russia due to the situation in annexed Crimea at the UNSC. The European Investment Bank (EIB) and the Eastern Europe Energy Efficiency and Environmental Partnership E5P have signed two donor agreements totaling 16.4 million to support higher education and municipal infrastructure in Ukraine, Interfax-Ukraine reports. "This assistance will be used to upgrade educational institutions. The facades [of their buildings], ventilation, heating and lighting systems will be modernized ... The second agreement concerns the heating system in Kryvy Rih: meters will be installed at the consumers' level," EIB Vice-President Vasyl Hudak said at an official event to sign the agreements in Kyiv on Wednesday. Under the project, 10 million will be spent on measures to improve energy efficiency in seven universities in Ukraine, and 6.4 million will be allocated for upgrading Kryvy Rih's heating supply systems. E5P is a multi-donor fund supporting municipal investments in energy efficiency and environmental projects in the Eastern Partnership countries, namely Armenia, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova, and Ukraine. The government allocated a record-breaking $1.74 billion for the last three years to improve the nations road infrastructure. Open source Ukraine intends to increase road repairs by 50% in 2018 against 2017, to 3,000 km, Deputy Prime Minister of Ukraine Volodymyr Kistion has said, Interfax-Ukraine reports. At the start of April, it was ordered to begin repairs and construction work in order to complete the necessary tasks by the start of the next winter. Last year, around 2,000 kilometers of roads were repaired. This year, we intend to improve over 3,000 kilometers of Ukrainian roads, he wrote on his Facebook page. According to him, the government expects to obtain the plan for road repairs in 2018-2020 from the State Automobile Road Agency of Ukraine, also known as Ukravtodor, adding that in the current year the government allocated a record-breaking $1.74 billion for the last three years to improve the nations road infrastructure. Particularly, $723 million is to be spent on repairing national roads, $439 million on local roads (now repaired by regional administrations), some $95 million on road safety, and $130 million on the operation of national roads lighting, marking, cleaning and other objects. Today, the Prime Minister of Ukraine instructed Ukravtodor to carry out a large-scale audit of the condition of Ukrainian roads, particularly those repaired in 2017. The government considers the quality of repairs as the top priority. The works must be carried out flawlessly, and every hryvnia from the state budget must be invested efficiently, the deputy prime minister said. Earlier, Volodymyr Groysman said that the plan to fund the road sector amounts to $1.74 billion. Works will be carried out at 218 facilities. Almost 60% of blueprints have been designed. The updated construction standard has been issued, and it must become the go-to book for road services. Concession road projects are being prepared synchronously. One of them could be the Krakovets Lviv road. Ukravtodor said there is significant interest in the project from investors. The Prime Minister also pointed to the fact that due to weather conditions, it is not possible to begin road works yet, but the works are expected to kick-off very quickly as soon as the weather changes. We will begin repairing works in April. We need to deal with all the contractors, with all the services to have them ready, Groysman said. "We will do everything to ensure that the aggressor country paid a high price for aggression in Ukraine," the prime minister Volodymyr Groysman said Open source The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine intends at the next meeting on March 21 to terminate the Program of Economic Cooperation between Ukraine and Russia, signed in 2011. This was announced by Prime Minister Volodymyr Groysman in the commentary for 112 Ukraine TV channel. "We are working to reorient our economy from the binding that Russia has always imposed on us. I gave the instruction, we are now preparing a government decision, I think we will adopt it on Wednesday - about the termination of the Economic Cooperation Program, which was concluded in 2011. We will do everything to ensure that the aggressor country pays a high price for aggression in Ukraine, "the prime minister said. As it was reported earlier, this document was signed on July 7, 2011 in Moscow. It envisages cooperation between the two countries in a number of spheres, in particular, economy, trade, transport, resort and recreational, social, humanitarian, border guard and others. The Program was supposed to be valid until 2020. Open source Polands Deputy Foreign Minister Bartosz Cichocki has claimed the amount of remittances transferred by Ukrainians back home in 2017 grew by almost 1.5 times and reached PLN 13 billionumber84 billion). While Ukrainians transferred PLN 8 billion back to their home country in 2016, the latest information from our central bank shows that some PLN 13 billion was transferred in 2017, he said at the 11th Europe-Ukraine Forum in Rzeszow (Poland), UNIAN reports. This is certainly no charity this is peoples earnings, but Poland has given them the opportunity to make this money, the official said. As reported earlier, the National Bank of Poland forecasts some 200,000 300,000 of Ukrainian citizens are expected to come to work in Poland until the end of 2020. The National Bank of Ukraine also predicts that labor emigration from the country will continue rising for another two or three years, but will start declining in the medium run. Earlier, the National Bank of Ukraine reported that in the first nine months of 2017 Ukrainians working overseas transferred a total of $5.192 billion back home, which is 29.6% greater than the figure for the same period last year. The United States became the main source of remittances for the first time ever in 2017. Remittances from the USA rose by 24.6% and reached $547 million. On the other hand, remittances from Russia declined by 39.3%, to $460 million. Read the original text at 112.ua. "Today is a decisive day. If they cannot agree on the personnel issues, then almost certainly early elections will be held in the fall," said our own source in the faction of the Bloc of Petro Poroshenko (BPP). The issue of the early parliamentary elections has unexpectedly surfaced on the agenda this week. BBP offers the president to dissolve the parliament, because until now the coalition cannot agree on a joint campaign for the presidential elections. It seems that the head of state did not accept this idea. However, the Parliament does not finally bury this option. For a long time, the BPP and the National Front (NF) could not agree on personnel issues. NF wanted to get the chair of the ombudsman, and even prepared the candidacy of Lyudmyla Denisova, as it made a favor by voting on the approval of Yakiv Smoly for the post of the NBU head. The NF doubted that the personnel day will take place on Thursday. "They will vote for Gontareva, however, as far as I know, neither the Lyashkos party nor Samopomich are going to vote for the appointment of Smoly as the chairman of the National Bank. And what will they get from this?" noted our interlocutor in the faction of the NF. Lyashko's party still remembers that they did not pay for voting on the budget. According to some information, the faction of the Radical Party supported the draft budget in exchange for voting for the bill "Kupuy Ukrainske", and it stopped at the stage of the first reading. There was no clarity about the appointment of the members of the Court of Accounts, as well as the election of its chairman. According to 112.ua sources in the coalition, during the meeting the president promised the People's Deputy Valery Patzkan that this time he will be appointed head of the Accounting Chamber. "President's assurances are, of course, good, but he did not agree with all the influential people," our interlocutors note. While deputies in the session hall were unsuccessfully trying to deprive people's deputy from the faction of the "Opposition bloc" Yevgeny Bakulin who had been in Russia for three years already of the immunity, they put the final point in the personnel question behind closed doors. The main stumbling block, according to 112.ua sources in the coalition factions, became the notorious priority of consideration of issues. "Artur came (the leader of BPP faction Artur Gerasimov, - 112.ua) and suggested: "Let us all vote with a package ...," said one of the members of the "front-line" deputies. 112. However, such a format would be very strange, considering that all these posts are not connected in any way. The final point in the negotiations was put after the BPP meeting, held during a thirty-minute break in the work of the parliament. "They decided that they would dismiss Gontareva before 14:00 and appoint Smoly (head of the NBU, - Ed.), and then they would deal with the ombudsman and the members of the Accounting Chamber," our sources say in the BPP faction said. Deputies have dismissed Valery Gontareva from the post of head of the National Bank of Ukraine with 342 votes. But everything was not so smooth with the appointment of her successor, Yakiv Smoly. The Speaker of the Parliament, Andriy Parubiy, suggested prolonging the morning meeting until the completion of the consideration of personnel matters, but they were adamant. "Colleagues, explain why not?" the speaker was perplexed. Effective voting became possible as a result of the support of the Radical Party. Lyashko was persuaded to vote in exchange for refusing to consider a bill that nullifies scandalous "Lozovoy" amendments in the Criminal Procedure Code. At last, the parliament has found 247 votes for the appointment of Smoly. The new Chairman of the National Bank was supported by BPP faction, as well as the majority of the representatives of the NF faction, the People's Will and Vidrodzhennya group, part of the non-factional deputies, some of the representatives of the Radical Party faction and Samopomich. According to the media, the NF will receive the posts of two deputy chairmen of the National Bank. The plenary evening began with the appointment of the Human Rights Commissioner of the Verkhovna Rada. As is known, in accordance with preliminary agreements, this post was claimed by Lyudmyla Denisova. However, there was no absolute unanimity on this issue. Thus, People's Deputy Mustafa Nayem noted that after Denisova's appointment, "one political force now controls the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Ministry of Justice, and the Ombudsman." His colleague, Serhiy Sobolev, in turn, called on parliamentarians to "take ballots and secure a secret ballot". However, after a formal discussion, the deputies voted in favor of Denisova with 280 votes. Now the NF controls the law enforcers and the official, who must defend the rights of citizens affected by their arbitrariness. Around 5:00 pm the parliamentarians moved to appointing a new staff of the Accounting Chamber and his chairman. In accordance with the preliminary agreements, this chair was promised to the People's Deputy from the Udar group Valeriy Patzkan. His deputy, with the right of veto, planned to appoint Ruslan Lukyanchuk, who is associated with the Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council Olexander Turchynov. Last year, the deputies failed to vote for the appointment of a new staff of the Accounts Chamber, despite the preliminary agreements. This time everything went smoothly, and after a brief discussion with 263 votes, the parliamentarians appointed Valeriy Patskan the head of the Accounting Chamber. Open source President of France Emmanuel Macron has ignored the Russian delegation at the ongoing Paris Book Fair. Yevgeniy Reznichenko, the official representative of the Russian mission told that to RIA Novosti news agency. According to him, it was expected that the French leader would approach the Russian bookstand; however, his office informed the Russian side that the visit would not take place. Later, Russian ambassador in France Aleksei Meshkov expressed regrets due to Macron's absence. The head of the French state also got himself a present from Ukraine; an unnamed person from the Ukrainian delegation at Paris Book Fair passed Macon the book by Oleg Sentsov, Ukrainian movie maker who currently stays in illegal detention in Russia. According to Ukraine's Embassy in France, this is a compilation of stories by Sentsov, translated in French. As it is known, Ukrainian movie director Oleg Sentsov and Crimean activist Oleksandr Kolchenko were detained by the Russian FSB in the annexed Crimea. Both were taken to Russia. Sentsov was charged with preparing a terrorist act in Crimea and sentenced to 20 years in the high-security penal colony. Kolchenko was sentenced to ten-years-long imprisonment. None of the detainees pleaded guilty. Ukraine has been repeatedly demanding that Russia release Sentsov and Kolchenko, considering them political prisoners of the Kremlin. Emmanuel Macron supported the British government's decision to suspend any bilateral contacts with Russia - due to the recent spy poisoning case. On March 13, British PM Theresa May said there is a decent chance that Russia is involved in the incident. The experts found out that former officer of Russia's military intelligence Sergei Skripal and his daughter were poisoned by the Russia-made neuro-paralytic agent. The international community should respond to the occupation of Crimea, violation of human rights in the occupied peninsula and other illegal actions committed by the Kremlin because it is about trust and respect of the international law. This was part of the speech by Francois Delattre, the permanent representative of this country in the UN. 'The illegal annexation (of Crimea, - 112 International), which neither France nor the EU recognizes, is a source of a threat to unity and sovereignty of the UN member country. This undermines the efforts of the UN and the Security Council aimed at the protection of the international law', the head of the French delegation said. He underlined that such a rude violation of the international law cannot be left without due response - 'otherwise, instead of building relations based on the supremacy of law, the world might just get back to rude, destructive behavior based on force.' The French representative urged to investigate human rights violations in Crimea and to punish those behind these crimes. He also said it is necessary to release all hostages, the illegally detained individuals and those forcefully moved from Crimea to Russia. 'Showing commitment to Ukraine's territorial integrity equals protection of the legitimacy of the international law - and trust for this law. It has been our most important goal as we work with the UN over the last 70 years', Delattre said. The UN Security Council session, dedicated to the Russian policy in the illegally annexed Crimea took place on late Thursday. Olena Zerkal', Deputy Foreign Minister for European Integration Affairs said that the international society should increase the sanctions' pressure on Russia due to the current situation in the peninsula. 'One needs to step up the ongoing bilateral and multilateral sanctions; UNGA resolutions on human rights in Crimea and Sevastopol should be supported. These documents should serve as the roadmap for de-occupation', Zerkal said. Ukraine should look up to the European practice in what concerns the regulation of the lottery market. According to a poll conducted by GfK Ukraine in Kyiv in March 2018, 66% of the capital's inhabitants were in favor of this, 112.ua reports. In what concerns the operations of foreign companies on Ukraines gambling market, the majority of respondents oppose the presence of Russian gambling operators. Only 3% of Kyivs residents support the access for Russian enterprises to the Ukrainian gambling market. At the same time, 23% of respondents consider it unnecessary to deny access to the market for companies from any particular country. According to the companys press release, 78% of Kyivs citizens favor the legalization of lotteries. Nonetheless, half of the capitals inhabitants favor the legalization of bookmakers, whereas less than a third of them support the legalization of other kinds of gambling such as casino, online casinos, card games, slot machines. According to the data from GfK Ukraine, in the previous 5 years, every fifth resident of Kyiv (21%) has gambled for money at least once. 14% played the lottery, 4% played cards and 4% gambled at a bookmaker, while 2% of respondents said they had played slot machines or in an online casino. 11% of Kyivs residents claimed they were willing to play the lottery in the future, whereas less than 3% of respondents stated they were willing to use any other kind of gambling. The poll surveyed 1000 individuals aged 18 and older. The sample is representative of gender and age, while the margin of error is 2.6%. The poll was conducted through computerized interviews via telephone calls on mobile numbers. The Memorial Center of the Holocaust 'Baby Yar' will be opened in Kyiv. Vitaly Klitschko, the Mayor of Kyiv signed the proper agreement with the heads of the state specialized entities as the press service of the mayor reported. Klitschko claimed that the issue of the creation of the Memorial Center dedicated to the Holocaust is one of the key tasks that he set himself as the mayor. 'There are the memorials dedicated to the victims of the Holocaust all over the world. But nothing was done in Kyiv during the decades, where the tragedy took place, where many people of different nationalities were killed to honor their memory. And we should remedy the situation', Klitschko emphasized. He also specified that the Memorandum on the cooperation signed today includes not only the construction of the building of the memorial but also the stuffing of it to bring truth and memory about the horrible world tragedy to the next generations'. Kyiv Memorial should be of the same level as Yad Vashem in Israel and U.S. Holocaust Memorial as the mayor thinks. Klitschko noted that the work on the creation of the memorial already began and the Ukrainian and international benefactors and historians joined it. The government of Poland prepares the benefits for the firms that hire the Ukrainians Open source The government of Poland works on the new points of the social and migration policy that should simplify the stay of the labor migrants, particularly from Ukraine, in Poland. Jerzy Kwiecinski, the Investment and Development Minister of Poland claimed this at the XI Forum 'Europe-Ukraine' as Polske Radio reported. It will be easier for the Polish firms to hire the foreigners due to the eastern border of the country. Also, the Polish government wants to carefully study in which regions which workers of which competences and professions are needed. Moreover, new points will also aim to increase the terms of the business holding in Poland for the citizens of Ukraine. It is noted that the migration policy is liberal in Poland but the passage of all formalities take long time. The entrepreneurs offered to the government to hire the additional officials to issue the permits for the work. Also, the Polish employers worry that the good workers will not war long time for the necessary documents and the employers from the Czech Republic, Hungary and Slovakia look for the labor migrants from Ukraine more and more active. The Polish government noted that the work on the new migration policy in the country continues for a few months. It is expected that new offers will be ready until the summer holidays. The police detained a man in Kyiv due to the false message about the mining of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine as the press service of the National Police in Kyiv reported. A man is a native of Donetsk region of the 1983 year of birth who lives in the capital during the last time. 'A call was made from the company phone and the man used this number at work. He is a native of Donetsk region of the 1983 year of birth who lives in the capital during the last time. At the moment of the detention he was drunk and explained his actions by a desire to share important information', the police said. Earlier a man called to the police office of the Pechersk Police Department and reported on the explosion that should take place in the building of the Verkhovna Rada. The crime scene investigation team, specialists of the explosive-engineering service, dog specialists and rescuers immediately came to the place. After the check of the object, no suspicious items or explosives were found. However, soon the police established the place from where the call was made. The detained confessed during the negotiation with police that he had no intention to commit a crime but he wanted to provide the competent authority with the information that he knows. The investigators who opened the criminal proceeding check the veracity of his words. The investigators of Pechersk Police Department included the information in the United register of pretrial investigations on the basis of the signs of the crime. A man is threatened with three years of the imprisonment. The occupation of Crimea and war in Donbas affect all spheres of life in Ukraine, the report says Open source Ukrainian society continues to be tolerant and open, respectful of multiple identities. The impact of the conflict in Eastern Ukraine, and the illegal annexation by the Russian Federation of on the political climate and economic and social life in the country, cannot be overstated. In particular, the conflict has created an atmosphere in which persons feel the obligation to choose sides by showing loyalty to the state. The persons most impacted in this regard are those who identify as ethnic Russians or those who identify with the Ukrainian majority but communicate in the Russian language. This was stated in the report, covering the period of up to November 2016. A thorough modernisation programme was launched in Ukraine, including territorial administrative reform aiming at the decentralisation of competences and the creation of larger territorial units capable of delivering adequate services to the population. However, both the future territorial structure and the set-up of local administration could potentially affect - both positively and negatively - access to rights by persons belonging to national minorities. Concerns have been raised about, inter alia, the provision of education in languages of national minorities, support for national minority cultural institutions, and the ability to influence decision making at local level, it was noted. Among the problematic issues, the experts of the Council of Europe noted that Ukraine lacks a clear legislative framework on the protection of national minorities. In particular, the Roma continue to face numerous social challenges in Ukraine. The authorities have continued their efforts to combat discrimination and implement policies for Roma inclusion. The Strategy for Protection and Integration of the Roma National Minority into Ukrainian Society for the period up to 2020, adopted in 2013, has already yielded some positive results, in particular as regards the provision of identity documents for the Roma. In other areas, progress has been negligible, and Roma continue to suffer systemic discrimination in access to education, adequate housing, health services and employment. Advisory Committee recommends to: - Adopt without delay and in close consultation with the groups concerned; - Promote respect and combat stereotypes and prejudice in political discourse and promote tolerance and intercultural dialogue throughout society as a whole; - Continue developing, in consultation with all relevant groups, a clear legislative and policy framework in order to provide solid legal guarantees for the protection and use of all minority languages; - Take all necessary measures to end, without further delay, practices that lead to the continued segregation of Roma children in schools and to redouble efforts to remedy other shortcomings faced by Roma children; - Ensure that, when redrawing administrative boundaries, the rights and freedoms which flow from the Framework Convention are not restricted and that effective participation of persons belonging to national minorities in discussions at local level is guaranteed; As it was reported earlier during the meeting between Ukraines Deputy Foreign Minister Vasyl Bondar and the delegation of the Council of Europe on Feb. 1, the implementation of the project on strengthening the protection of national minorities in Ukraine was discussed. This program is to be a part of the joint EU - Council of Europe program Partnership for Good Governance. The Project Partnership for Good Governance, worth 33.8 million, will fund joint programs in its EaP beneficiary countries focused to support the modernization efforts through serious legal reforms and to speed up their political association and economic integration in order to bring them closer to Council of Europe and European Union standards. Ukraines Generals Prosecutors Office conducted searches in several offices of Nova Poshta. Volodymyr Popershnyuk, Nova Poshta co-founder, wrote on his Facebook page. The representatives of Generals Prosecutors Office are carrying out a search in Nova Poshta offices in Kyiv, Poltava and Kharkiv. My office and myself are being searched for the first time ever. They are taken away my PC, Popershnyuk said. The General Prosecutors Office confirmed that Nova Poshta is being searched. The central office of criminal investigations of Ukraines General Prosecutors Office under the criminal proceeding is conducting 15 searches of Nova Poshta storages and offices in Kyiv, Poltava, Kharkiv and Dnipro. Special Forces unit is not involved in the investigation, which is being performed within the law. We will report on this after the investigative team gives the information. Yet, the fact of searches and relevant investigation is confirmed, Larysa Sagan, Lutsenkos (Ukraines Prosecutor General) spokesperson wrote on Facebook. Additional reinforced forces of the National Police and National Guard will take care of capital residents' and guests' safety Open source Ukraines Internal Ministry will tighten law enforcement in Kyiv. Viktoriya Navrotska, Deputy Director of Internal Ministry, wrote on Facebook. Patrol Police Department, preventive units, dog handler, National Guard officers and anti-conflict groups are involved in 24-hour patrol, she wrote. Additional reinforced forces are on duty to counter crime and prevent attempts to disrupt operating environment. She also stressed that the law enforcers focus on preventive measures, termination of law violation and immediate reaction to civilians requests. Earlier it was reported that Ukraine is to enforce the security of Russian diplomatic agencies on the day of Russia presidential elections. Ukraines Internal Ministry informed, that they will not allow Russian citizens, who live in Ukraine, to vote. Earlier, Ukrainian nationalists promise to block Russian presidential elections in Ukraine on March 18, 2018. This is said in the joint statement of Ukrainian political parties Svoboda, Right Sector and National Corps. Political parties intend to block polling stations and form corridor of shame for voters Russian citizens. As we reported earlier, Russian presidential elections will be held on March 18 the fourth anniversary of illegal occupation of Crimea. There are eight candidates, including the current president of the state. Russia intends to hold elections in annexed Crimea. Peninsulas Prosecutors Office, which is located in Kyiv, threatened election organizers with criminal liability. Open source The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine did not hold the intrigue on the person who will become the Joint Force Commander for too long. However, there were the rumors, that Mykhailo Zabrodsky, the legendary combat general will head the Joint Forces operation. Moreover, Zabrodsky was a commander of the Anti-Terrorist Operation (ATO) and the Ukrainian detachments in Donbas began to take the 'grey zones' so such step would be logical. However, today the President Petro Poroshenko appointed Serhiy Nayev as the Joint Force Commander. 'The format of the anti-terrorist operation will be changed for Joint Forces operation. The guidance of the Armed Forces and other military formations and law enforcement authorities rely on the Joint Force Commander. I decided to appoint Sergiy Navaev to this post', the president said during his visit to Kramatorsk. Serhiy Nayev is not really a public figure but 112.ua gathered all information about a new commander. The officer is married and has two daughters and one son. According to the declaration dated 2016, he is registered in Dnipro, Dnipropetrovsk region; he possesses Toyota RAV-4 of 2010. The parcel of the land in the size of 600 square meters in Koshary, Odesa region is registered at his wife; also, he has the cottage in Koshary. One more house is mentioned as unfinished in Sychavka, Odesa region. The annual wage of the general is $7, 520. Talking about his combat way, it is known that he was a commander of the operational command 'East' in 2015-2017 and earlier he was a head of the headquarters 'South' of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Open source Petro Poroshenko noted that during his military service Serhiy Nayev went from the commander of the troop to the Deputy Head of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. 'I saw him at the front line, in the ATO. I am sure that his level of the training and experience of the governance of the bodies of the military administrations of different levels will allow him to qualitatively and responsibly command the forces and means of the Armed Forces, other military formations and restrain the Russian aggression against Ukraine', the president emphasized. Later Lieutenant General Serhiy Nayev held the service as the chief of the staff, the first deputy of the commander of the Ground Forces of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. Consequently, he was acting commander in the time of his absence. Recently, on March 7, 2018, Viktor Muzhenko, the Chief of the General Staff presented newly appointed deputy chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine to the personnel. He was appointed as Joint Forces Commander on March 16. In one of his interviews, a few years ago, Serhiy Nayev said: 'We already create a new army. All processes of the military education and settlement, both at the places of the permanent stay and the proving grounds, try the particular changes. The global processes that complement each other take place. We hold the military actions, reform the Armed Forces and renew the armament and military equipment. However, out main heritage are people. We have many soldiers who gained the military experiences. They will become the basis of the future army. I am sure that it will be one of the best armies of the world. We have people, experience and desire of the governance of Ukraine for the better changes. So, I believe in the good future'. The President stressed that he would insist on adopting an action plan for Ukraines membership In NATO President Petro Poroshenko ordered to prepare a draft of amendments to the Constitution of Ukraine, which will consolidate Ukraine's aspiration to join NATO. He said this in Kramatorsk, Donetsk region during the briefing, on air of 112 Ukraine TV channel. "We emphasize that we will insist on adopting the NATO Membership Action Plan for Ukraine, and I have already issued an order to prepare a draft amendment to the Constitution of Ukraine that at the level of the constitutional law will consolidate our aspiration to join NATO and join the EU," he said. As it was reported earlier the Ukrainian World Congress (UWC) welcomes NATOs statement of 9 March 2018 that four partner countries have declared their aspirations to NATO membership: Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Macedonia and Ukraine. This was reported on the website of the congress. President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko responded to NATOs statement by declaring that: "I welcome the important, long-awaited and logical decision of NATO to increase Ukraine's ambitions regarding the Alliance." The UWC calls on all NATO member states to proceed with granting Ukraine a NATO Membership Action Plan. The MP is accused of the preparation of the terrorist attack in the territory of Ukraine on order of country-aggressor MP Nadia Savchenko was listed in the database of Myrotvorets, particularly she was placed in 'Purgatory' section. 'A traitor of the motherland. An accomplice of the terrorists', as the description on the website says. Savchenko is accused of the preparation of the terrorist attack in the territory of Ukraine on order of country-aggressor (Russia), pro-Russian terrorist organizations and preparation of the coup d'etat. Earlier Lutsenko claimed during his speech at the parliament that Savchenko personally planned, recruited and ordered how to hold the terrorist attack in the Verkhovna Rada, destroying two lodges, governmental and post, by the combat grenades, bringing down the dome of the Verkhovna Rada by the mortar launchers and killing the survived with the assault rifles. Also, Lutsenko made three submissions to the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine on MP Nadia Savchenko. Ruban was detained on March 8 at the Ukrainian checkpoint at the demarcation line of Donbas Conflict zone. It is stated that Ruban is suspected in the illegal handling of arms, preparation of a crime and terrorist action. Later the Shevchenkivsky District Court of Kyiv arrested Volodymyr Ruban, the Leader of Center of POW Release 'Officer Corps' for 60 days without a right to the bail. Pavlo Klimkin on March 19 will discuss sanctions with the Foreign Ministers of the European Union countries Open source Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Pavlo Klimkin on March 19 will discuss with the Foreign Ministers of the European Union countries the strengthening of anti-Russian sanctions due to the presidential elections in Russia which will also be held on the territory of the annexed Crimea, BBC News reports. "Firstly, Ukraine will call on the EU to condemn and not recognize elections in the occupied Crimea. That should be 100%. A few days ago Federica Mogherini said this, but we need the position of the entire civilized world," Klimkin said. According to Klimkin, there will be a conversation with the ministers about the possibility of sanctions against those who took part in organizing these elections or contributed to these elections. And, it can be both European sanctions, and national. According to him, if Moscow's actions are left at the level of statements, "in Russia they can say: "well, they condemned and so what?" "Of course, it's not so simple to reveal everyone who had anything to do with, but we will try, of course, to do this," the minister said. As it was reported earlier G7 members should not recognize the upcoming Russian presidential election in the occupied Crimea. Ukraine's leader Petro Poroshenko said that during the meeting with G7 ambassadors in Kyiv. Poroshenko thanked the EU member countries for their firm stance in this regard. As is known, the Russian presidential election will be held on March 18, 2018. The Russian Central Election Committee registered eight candidates, including the incumbent leader Vladimir Putin, chairman of the Liberal Democratic Party Vladimir Zhirinovsky, head of Yabloko ('Apple') Party Grigoriy Yavlinski and famous blogger Kseniya Sobchak. The security of Russian diplomatic agencies located in Ukraine will be enhanced Open source Russian citizens, who live in Ukraine, except diplomats, will not be allowed to vote in Russian presidential elections. Ukraines Internal Minister Arsen Avakov wrote this on his Facebook page. Internal Ministry of Ukraine reports that security arrangement of Russian diplomatic agencies in Kyiv, Kharkiv, Odesa and Lviv will not provide Russian citizens with an access to the voting on March 18, 2018, Avakov said. Avakov added, that Ukrainian Internal Ministry sent a note to Russian Internal Ministry. The note informs about Ukraines protest with a demand not to hold elections in Crimea on March 18. Ukraines Internal Ministry stated, that the voting on the buildings of Russian diplomatic and consular agencies in Ukraine is possible only if Russian fulfills Ukrainian demands mentioned above completely. Russia denied its illegal intentions for now, Avakov said. Ukraines Internal Ministry made a decision cocerning impossible elections, which violate Ukraines law on the territory of the state and diplomatic missions. Internal Ministry appeals to Russian diplomats and citizens to obey legal demands of Ukraine and not to provoke the situation, keep the order and the law of Ukraine, Ukraines Internal Minister said. Earlier, Ukrainian nationalists promise to block Russian presidential elections in Ukraine on March 18, 2018. This is said in the joint statement of Ukrainian political parties Svoboda, Right Sector and National Corps. Political parties intend to block polling stations and form corridor of shame for voters Russian citizens. As we reported earlier, Russian presidential elections will be held on March 18 the fourth anniversary of illegal occupation of Crimea. There are eight candidates, including the current president of the state. Russia intends to hold elections in annexed Crimea. Peninsulas Prosecutors Office, which is located in Kyiv, threatened election organizers with criminal liability. PLEASE NOTE! Due to the March 23, 2020 NM DOH Public Health Order, These Event Listings Are Not Accurate! All non-essential businesses are closed, public gatherings are prohibited! (One day some of these events will be rescheduled or will resume, but they are not happening now!) The U.S. Department of Agriculture and its counterpart in the South Korean government have reached an agreement on how to minimize the trade impacts when future cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) are detected in the United States. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and its counterpart in the South Korean government have reached an agreement on how to minimize the trade impacts when future cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) are detected in the United States. Specifically, the agreement will allow for trade restrictions at the state level instead of the country level during any future HPAI detections. The USDA wants to avoid a repeat of trade actions taken by South Koreas Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs when the disease was detected in the United States in 2015 and all poultry products and eggs imports from the United States were banned. Limiting trade restrictions during future HPAI detections to only those states with positive detections will help keep trade flowing, said Greg Ibach, USDAs undersecretary for marketing and regulatory programs, in a statement. The new science-based agreement will allow unaffected U.S. producers to keep poultry, poultry products and eggs going to South Korea. Before the 2015 HAPI detection, South Korea imported $122 million in U.S. poultry products, making it the tenth largest market for these products. In 2017, USDA noted that South Koreas poultry imports from all sources was $426 million, but only $46 million came from the United States. In August 2017, South Korea lifted its most recent HPAI-related ban on imports of U.S. poultry, poultry products and fresh eggs, imposed in response to an HPAI outbreak in March 2017. The U.S. poultry industry praised the agreement reached between the United States and South Korea, and look forward to sustaining and growing their exports to the country. The U.S. now becomes the worlds most reliable supplier of poultry products to Korea, said Jim Sumner, president of the USA Poultry & Egg Council. No other country has such a regionalization agreement with Korea. We should now become their No. 1 outside supplier of chicken, turkey, eggs and egg products. Other U.S. trade groups echoing this sentiment, include the National Chicken Council, National Turkey Federation, United Egg Producers, and American Egg Board. YEREVAN, MARCH 15, ARMENPRESS. Alexander Bazarchyan, director of the National Healthcare Institute, believes that the fine rates for smoking in banned areas are associated with the high level of public damage of the offense. Others say the planned fines arent lawful. Nevertheless almost everybody believes that the restrictions will significantly impact on the number of smokers. Experts also dont rule out future drops in number of smoking-relates diseases. Experts talked to ARMENPRESS about smoking-related and high-mortality diseases in Armenia, the necessity for introducing the public smoking ban and the fine rates. Bazarchyan said that according to 2015-2016 healthcare estimates, the daily tobacco use among Armenias population aged 15 and above comprised 26,2% (53,4% males and 2,3% females). According to the STEPS national research in 2016, tobacco usage among people aged 18-69 amounts 27,9%. Every second man in Armenia is a smoker, while the number among women is incomparably lower. Men smokers amount 51,5%, while women only 1,8%. The mortality rate from common non-infectious diseases in Armenia amounts 80%, with cardio-vascular diseases being the number 1 killer 48%, followed by cancer 20% and diabetes 4,2%. 90% of lung cancer patients are smokers, says oncologist-gynecologist Vahe Ter-Minasyan. The doctor believes that nobody should be banned from smoking, but smokers should be banned from smoking in public areas next to other people. According to him, when a previous smoking ban was adopted without liabilities and fines, it was ignored. However, people only start to follow the rules when it can cause financial trouble. Ter-Minasyan says he is absolutely in favor of the planned fines. He says the ban will positively impact the number of smokers and also indirectly the number of oncologic diseases. Smoking should definitely be stopped. We must be able to maximally minimize tobacco use in the society, chief cardiologist of Yerevan Parunak Zeyveyan said. We must focus on the youth, they shouldnt smoke from the beginning. According to him the planned bans can impact on the decrease of cardiovascular diseases, but solely fines and sanctions arent enough. I dont think that we will be able to achieve the expected result only with fines, moreover with this kind of fines, which in my personal opinion are unreal. I didnt notice accurate analysis and pattern in them [fines]. They say a high price is defines to intimidate people from smoking, he said, adding that social ads will be more important. Alexander Bazarchyan however is in favor of the defined fines under the new ban. He mentioned that the current rates have been reviewed because they failed to provide the preventive function of the administrative fine. By observing the practice of several countries we can say that the fine rates of such violations are pretty high, he said. In Great Britain for example, the maximal fine for smoking in banned areas is 2500 pounds, in Ireland it is 3000 Euros. The bill on smoking ban in public areas is currently under debate in Armenia. The fines for violating the ban range from 100 dollars to 1500 dollars. English translator/editor: Stepan Kocharyan YEREVAN, MARCH 16, ARMENPRESS. Armen Sarkissian, who was elected 4th President of Armenia by the Parliament on March 2, met with members of the EastWest Institute non-profit organization, his Office told Armenpress. During the meeting issues relating to the implementation of joint programs in Armenia were discussed. The EastWest Institute was established in 1980. At the moment the organizations activity is focused on contemporary challenges which distort stability across the world. The Institute is famous for its initiatives in different sectors such as preventive diplomacy, economic and regional security, cyber-security. Among the honorary chairmen and directors of the Institute are former President of Finland Martti Ahtisaari, ex-President of Romania Emil Constantinescu and others. Armen Sarkissian has been appointed Vice-Chairman of the EastWest Institute in 2008. English translator/editor: Aneta Harutyunyan YEREVAN, MARCH 16, ARMENPRESS. Minister of Foreign Affairs of Armenia Edward Nalbandian delivered remarks at the Ministerial Meeting of the International Support Group for Lebanon in Rome, the MFA told ARMENPRESS. UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, Italian PM Paolo Gentiloni, Lebanese PM Saad Hariri, High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini, Secretary General of the Arab League Ahmed Aboul-Gheit and high level delegations of 40 countries were in attendance of the conference. Below is the full transcript of the ministers speech: Honorable Secretary General of the United Nations, Honorable Prime Minister of Italy, Honorable Prime Minister of Lebanon, Ladies and gentlemen, Lebanon is the embodiment of the Middle Easts multicultural, multinational and multi-religious structure, by reflecting almost the entire region within the borders of one state. This is a challenge, because any development in the Middle East can have a reaction in this country, but at the same time it is an opportunity, which the advantages of diversity give. For these same reasons the situation in Lebanon can both inflame regional wounds and act as an island of peace at the present day stormy times and be an example of coexistence for other countries. All of this increases Lebanons significance in terms of regional security and stability and reaffirms the imperative of the international involvement to assist this country for effectively responding to challenges. We expect that the current conference will succeed in bringing its special contribution from this perspective, which will be followed by practical steps accordingly. The importance of Lebanon for Armenia isnt only associated with the significance of this countrys region. For many centuries the Armenian people have been a unique part of the Middle Eastern and Lebanese mosaic. Today, this country hosts the largest Armenian community in the region, which is one of the cultural and spiritual centers of our people. Traditionally Armenians are actively involved in all sectors of Lebanons social life, including politics. Today they are involved both in the government and the parliament. Armenians have shared all the hardships which the Lebanese people have faced, and are ready to continue contributing for the safe and secure future of the state. The Republic of Armenia stands with the people of Lebanon in the path of reaching this goal. Armenia has numerously expressed assistance to the good people of Lebanon. It was once again reaffirmed during the Lebanese presidents February official visit to Yerevan and also the Armenian Prime Ministers official visit to Lebanon just three days ago. Ladies and gentlemen, Since 2014, the Armenian platoon consisting of 32 peacekeepers is on duty under the Italian command within UNIFIL. Armenia was involved in this mission with high sense of responsibility, seeking to bring its contribution to the effective activity of UNIFIL aimed at ensuring peace in friendly Lebanon. UNIFIL isnt the only peacekeeping operation which Armenia has joined. The UN Secretary Generals assistant for peacekeeping affairs had mentioned in this regard that : Armenias support is important not only in terms of its contribution, but also the Armenian history and the challenges which were overcome during it. Indeed, history teaches us that security requires joint efforts. Ladies and gentlemen, Armenia is ready to expand defense and security cooperation with Lebanon based on already existing clear proposals which are on the table, as well as based on new ideas. Lebanons role in the region isnt limited with strategic significance. The national-religious diversity and historic-cultural legacy of this country are of unique value. Universal values need special protection. Thank you. English translator/editor: Stepan Kocharyan YEREVAN, MARCH 16, ARMENPRESS. Lebanon is the embodiment of the Middle Easts multicultural, multinational and multi-religious structure, reflecting almost the entire region within the borders of one state, Armenias minister of foreign affairs Edward Nalbandian said in his remarks at the Ministerial Meeting of the International Support Group for Lebanon in Rome. This is a challenge, because any development in the Middle East can have a reaction in this country, but at the same time it is an opportunity, which the advantages of diversity give, FM Nalbandian said. According to the Armenian FM, for the same reasons the situation in Lebanon can both inflame regional wounds and act as an island of peace at the present day stormy times and be an example of coexistence for other countries. All of this increases Lebanons significance in terms of regional security and stability and reaffirms the imperative of the international involvement to assist this country for effectively responding to challenges We expect that the current conference will succeed in bringing its special contribution from this perspective, which will be followed by practical steps accordingly. The Armenian FM said that Lebanons role in the region isnt limited only with strategic significance. The national-religious diversity and historic-cultural legacy of this country are of unique value. Universal values need special protection. English translator/editor: Stepan Kocharyan YEREVAN, MARCH 16, ARMENPRESS. The importance of the situation in Lebanon for Armenia goes beyond its regional significance. For centuries the Armenian people have constituted unique part of the Lebanese and in general the Middle East mosaic, Armenian foreign minister Edward Nalbandian said in his remarks at the ministerial meeting on support to Lebanon in Rome, reports Armenpress. Today this country hosts the largest Armenian community in the region, and continues to be one of the cultural and spiritual centers of our people. Traditionally Armenians have been active in all spheres of the social life in Lebanon, including the politics. Today they are represented both in the Government and in the Parliament. The Armenians shared the whole difficulties that befell on the people of Lebanon and look forward to make their contribution to the safe and secure future of the state. The Republic of Armenia stands by the people of Lebanon in reaching these aspirations, the FM said. He noted that on numerous occasions Armenia has expressed its support to the friendly people of Lebanon. It has been once again reiterated during the February official visit of the President of Lebanon to Armenia, as well as during the Armenian Prime Minister's official visit to Lebanon three days ago. YEREVAN, MARCH 16, ARMENPRESS. Artsakhs delegation led by Minister of State Arayik Harutyunyan, who is currently in Australia on a working visit, visited the Parliament of New South Wales on March 15, the Artsakh ministry told Armenpress. Arayik Harutyunyan met with members of the Armenia-Australia friendship group and chair of the group, MP Jonathan O'Dea. Minister Harutyunyan thanked the NSW Parliament for recognizing the independence of the Republic of Artsakh and respecting its right to self-determination. In his turn Jonathan O'Dea welcomed Arayik Harutyunyans visit to Australia, and New South Wales in particular, stating that it will contribute to strengthening the bilateral ties. During the meeting a number of issues relating to the further development of mutual partnership were discussed. During the visit the Artsakh minister also paid tribute to the memory of the Armenian Genocide victims at the memorial stone located in the Peace park near the Parliament. Thereafter, the minister met a group of Australian-Armenian businessmen during which he presented the features and achievements of the programs implemented by Artsakh Roots Investments in the resettled regions of Artsakh. The businessmen asked several questions to the minister on the programs presented and received sufficient response. Arayik Harutyunyan also participated in the official dinner organized by Artsakhs Permanent Representation in Austrialia which was attended by more than 120 delegates from almost all political and cultural organizations of the Australian-Armenian community. The State Minister thanked the community representatives for always assisting the homeland. He said since 90s the Australian-Armenians had their active participation in solving humanitarian issues and implementing investment programs in Artsakh. He awarded several businessmen with memorial medals of the 30th anniversary of the Artsakh movement as a sign of gratitude. The Artsakh minister is accompanied by Artsakh's Permanent Representative to Australia Kaylar Michaelian during the meetings. The State Ministers meetings in Australia continue. English translator/editor: Aneta Harutyunyan YEREVAN, MARCH 16, ARMENPRESS. Vice Speaker of the Armenian Parliament, who is currently in St. Petersburg on a working visit, met with CSTO Parliamentary Assemblys Secretary-in-charge Pyotr Ryabukhin in the Tauride Palace on March 16, the Parliament told Armenpress. The officials attached importance to strengthening the cooperation of the parliaments of the CSTO member states, as well as touched upon the current conflicts in the CSTO responsibility zone. The Vice Speaker highlighted the settlement of conflicts exclusively through peaceful means. The unconstructive statements and actions of the Azerbaijani leadership must be condemned. The CSTO PA must strictly react to them, Sharmazanov said, adding that the ongoing military drills in Azerbaijan are being carried out by violations of international standards. At the meeting the sides expressed their commitment to inadmissibility of military rhetoric. The meeting was also attended by Armenian MPs Gagik Melikyan, Tachat Vardapetyan and Armenian Parliaments Permanent Representative to the CIS IPA Hayk Chilingaryan. English translator/editor: Aneta Harutyunyan YEREVAN, MARCH 16, ARMENPRESS. The World Sleep Day is celebrated on Friday of the second week of March. Samson Khachatryan head of Somnus Sleep and Movement Disorders Clinic, neurologist, urges all adults to sleep at least 7 hours a day. Adolescents need to sleep 9-10 hours a day, but children depending on their age. Less sleep may cause stomach and neurological disorders. The risk of obesity, diabetes, pulmonary hypertension, depression-anxiety disorders and various viruses increases, he told ARMENPRESS. The doctor urged people suffering from insomnia to apply to specialists. Especially when the problem is chronic, a professional approach is needed. Medical and psychological approaches are needed for improving it, he said. In order to avoid insomnia and have a healthy sleep, the doctor advised to follow the sleep hygiene. The sleep schedule must be maintained and caffeine containing substances, smart-phones, TV, physical overload should be avoided before falling asleep , the doctor said. English translator/editor: Aneta Harutyunyan YEREVAN, MARCH 16, ARMENPRESS. Saratov Airlines Flight 6-2922 en route from Yerevan to Saratov, Russia, was forced to land in Moscow due to bad weather conditions. Saratov Airlines said the flight landed in Domodedovo airport in the Russian capital. The flight will resume the route when visibility conditions improve. According to the airlines, the Moscow-Saratov flight was also delayed. English translator/editor: Stepan Kocharyan YEREVAN, MARCH 16, ARMENPRESS. Newly-appointed Ambassador Extraordiarny and Plenipotentiary of Albania to Armenia Adriana Hobdari (residence in Athens) presented her credentials to President Serzh Sargsyan on March 16, the Presidential Office told Armenpress. The President congratulated the Ambassador on her appointment and wished her success in conducting a diplomatic mission in Armenia, expressing hope that her activity will boost the bilateral relations. President Sargsyan said the potential of cooperation in different fields is not sufficiently utilized yet, especially taking into account the fact that Armenia and Albanian entered the quarter century of diplomatic relations. The Armenian President attached importance to the high-level mutual visits for the development of relations. Serzh Sargsyan said he sent an invitation to the President of Albania to participate in the upcoming Francophonie summit in Yerevan this year in autumn, adding that Armenia will be happy to host the Albanian President. Serzh Sargsyan highlighted the regulation of legal framework, intensification of inter-parliamentary ties and development of economic relations between the two countries, as well as their cooperation in international organizations. In her turn the Albanian Ambassador thanked the Armenian President for the reception and said she agrees with the President on boosting the bilateral ties in particular taking into account the 25th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic relations. Ambassador Adriana Hobdari assured that her activity will be directed for developing the cooperation in cultural, economic, humanitarian and other fields, as well as promoting contacts between the peoples. She said the membership to the EU is among Albanias foreign policy priorities and she welcomed the Armenia-EU partnership development, wishing success. She also praised the small, but organized Armenian community of Albania which also can play an important role for development of bilateral relations. English translator/editor: Aneta Harutyunyan YEREVAN, MARCH 16, ARMENPRESS. Official Ankara gave first reaction to Armenias decision on terminating the ratification procedure of the Armenian-Turkish protocols. This reaction once again proves the simple truth that the Turkish side has always been far from the sincere desire to normalize the relations with Armenia, Armenpress reports citing the Azerbaijani APA news agency. The Turkish deputy foreign minister Ahmet Yildiz touched upon this topic in Baku, once again linking the normalization of the Armenian-Turkish relations with the settlement of the Karabakh conflict. Commenting on the question in regards to the Zurich protocols, the deputy foreign minister said: It is their decision. They have demonstrated unwillingness to settle the Nagorno Karabakh conflict over these years. On March 1, 2018 during the session of the National Security Council President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan announced terminating the process of ratifying the protocols On Establishment of Diplomatic Relations between the Republic of Armenia and the Republic of Turkey and On Development of Relations between the Republic of Armenia and the Republic of Turkey, which were signed on October 10, 2009. President Serzh Sargsyan tasked the foreign minister to notify the Turkish side of Armenias decision. English translator/editor: Aneta Harutyunyan YEREVAN, MARCH 16, ARMENPRESS. Armenias Ambassador to Georgia Ruben Sadoyan on March 16 met with Speaker of the Georgian Parliament Irakli Kobakhidze,the Armenian Embassy told Armenpress. The Speaker of the Parliament said the Armenian-Georgian friendly relations have deep historical roots and today they record a progressive development at different directions, among them is the constantly growing bilateral economic relations. Touching upon the bilateral inter-parliamentary cooperation, Ambassador Sadoyan said it is at a high level, and at the same time highlighted the importance of close cooperation between the parliamentary standing committees of the two countries. The officials discussed the prospects of expanding the inter-parliamentary cooperation between Armenia and Georgia. Coming to the field of tourism Irakli Kobakhidze said Georgia is one of the most favorite destinations for Armenian tourists, adding that the Georgian side attaches great importance to this. Ambassador Sadoyan introduced the Georgian Parliament Speaker on the process of Constitutional reforms and transition to the parliamentary system of governance in Armenia. English translator/editor: Aneta Harutyunyan YEREVAN, MARCH 16, ARMENPRESS. Law students of Luys Foundation, who initiated the Irava-Tech conference aimed at technological development in Armenia, plan to establish a consulting company that will strive to become an Armenian McKinsey or BCG. Eduard Grigoryan, co-founder of Irava-Tech, student of the Law School of the Harvard University, gave an interview to ARMENPRESS on this topic. -What problems can be faced by the newly-established Armenian technological companies in the field of protection of intellectual property? -The Armenain government makes great efforts for promoting the IT field. This is an opportunity which the country has: a talented young generation in the conditions of limited natural resources. The government carries out a great activity with the private sector, but at this stage the problem is that there is a need for establishment of strong legal and financial environment, in other words, an ecosystem that will contribute to the constant development of start-ups. The investments in this field mainly come from the US and Europe, 90% of the venture capital coming from abroad is from these two markets. But in order to attract new investor we should have a strong legal system, and the Irava-Tech is based on the idea to create a network of specialists who will be able to assist these structures to be improved so that the foreign investors will come to Armenia and help the talented Armenian companies to develop. On the other hand, our goal is to act as a bridge between Armenia and the Western countries so that the Armenian companies will enter international markets. -Will you talk more about these issues? -We are talking about two main issues. The first one is of legal nature, such as the main process of the protection of intellectual property. People invest a lot of time and great efforts by developing new technologies which is very difficult to protect by the legal system in Armenia. Armenia has adopted the Law on the Protection of Intellectual Property, but it has not been completely implemented and the registration of internationally recognized patent is difficult in Armenia. Quite often Armenian inventors have to protect their right to intellectual property in the US. We are trying to help the Armenian scientists to have a protection in Armenia, and this will also benefit the Armenian government. The second issue is the financing of innovations. Armenia is a small country in order to promote great ideas that need funding. Thus, we need to be sure that people can find assistance to their ideas. -In other words, you think that the Law on the Protection of Intellectual Property must be improved? -Yes, I do. The legal field, like the remaining fields, develops, they are not constant, when new technologies arrive, they are a great challenge for the legal system. 100 years ago we had horses, now we do not have them, we have high technologies, artificial intellect, but the laws we have are old and sometimes not practical. As for the intellectual property, its really difficult for the lawmakers to understand the technologies and create a legal system that will protect the intellectual property as even technologies do not fully understand what they have created. -Do you see any steps by the state on solving these issues? -The country tries to take steps in the protection of intellectual property, it signed a number of agreements, but the establishment of this system is a long process, you cannot sign a document one night and be confident that everything will automatically work well. Long time is needed for the lawyers, judges to learn applying the new regulations and ways of doing business. -How can you assist the Armenian start-ups to protect their new ideas? -Our goal is to create a network of the worlds leading professionals who will be available online. Starting from this year all our materials will be available online and one can find the answer of the question on how to protect intellectual property at the website of Luys Foundation. There will be a short description what you need to do first, what are the procedures, we will also provide contact information of this or that person and organizations who can be useful. Last year when we initiated this idea we imagined the works at three stages. The first stage was last year, we gathered and inspired the local lawyers and entrepreneurs to think about these issues. We try to implement the second stage this year, the network component, when people from the whole world can join our network and protect their rights and interests. According to the third stage we want to establish a company in Armenia where people can get consultation on legal, financial and business-related issues. We want to create an Armenian McKinsy or BCG. -When do you plan to implement it? -I know everyone wants to see it as soon as possible as it is quite an inspiring idea. This is a long-term project, I think two-three years will be required for implementing it. As the physical presence of specialists in the office was ensured quite hard, financial resources are also needed, but I am full of hope that we will be able to form the network and have that office in Armenia in the upcoming two-three years. English translator/editor: Aneta Harutyunyan YEREVAN, MARCH 16, ARMENPRESS. Indias Ambassador to Armenia Yogeshwar Sangwan visited the YSMU Muratsan hospital complex to donate thalassemia medication to the chemotherapy clinic. The Ambassador mentioned that this is the third time that the Indian Embassy is carrying out the important initiative, which aims at having contribution in the treatment of child patients. Ambassador Sangwan expressed confidence that the cooperation with the Yerevan State Medical University (YSMU) will be continuous in both educational and clinical-scientific areas. Chief physician of Muratsan Bagrat Baveyan thanked the Ambassador for the donation, stressing that during these years he has received numerous gratitutde letters from patients who have significantly recovered due to the medications. As a sign of appreciation, the doctor gave the Ambassador a handicraft made by one child patient. The Ambassador then toured the hospital complex accompanied by Vice Rector for international partnership and external affairs Yervand Sahakyan and Vice Rector for Clinical Affairs Armen Minasyan. 31 thalassemia patients are currently being treated in Muratsan, and the donated medicine will be sufficient for a 2 year course of the patients. English translator/editor: Stepan Kocharyan YEREVAN, 16 MARCH, ARMENPRESS. The Central Bank of Armenia informs Armenpress that today, 16 March, USD exchange rate down by 0.07 drams to 480.34 drams. EUR exchange rate down by 1.92 drams to 591.87 drams. Russian Ruble exchange rate down by 0.08 drams to 8.35 drams. GBP exchange rate up by 1.10 drams to 670.89 drams. The Central Bank has set the following prices for precious metals. Gold price down by 77.10 drams to 20365.84 drams. Silver price down by 1.35 drams to 255.12 drams. Platinum price down by 79.39 drams to 14810.11 drams. YEREVAN, MARCH 16, ARMENPRESS. The Human Rights Defenders Office of Artsakh has prepared an interesting footage responding to the footage that appeared on the social networks recently where it could be easily noted how children were propagated hatred against Armenians and taught that Armenians are their enemies at one of the schools of Azerbaijan. ARMENPRESS reports the children of Artsakh are asked the same question Who are your enemies? to which the children give innocent answers, they name heroes of cartoons. One of the children considers Spiderman his enemy, the other names Dragon, while one of the children does not like Masha, since she tortures the Bear from the. A group of children answer that they do not have any enemies. The Human Rights Defender of Artsakh also focused on the Azerbaijani atrocities during the April war, expressing concern over the children who have become a propaganda tool in the hands of Azerbaijani authorities. At the end of the footage the children of Artsakh address to their Azerbaijani agemates, saying You are not my enemy, I am not your enemy. English translator/editor: Tigran Sirekanyan PORN VALLEYSee if you can figure out what is, sadly, all too similar about the following quotes from these mainstream news sources: New York Times: "The pornographic film actress Stephanie Clifford, known professionally as Stormy Daniels, is offering to return a $130,000 payment if she is allowed to speak freely about what she claims was an affair with President Trump." Politico: "On Tuesday, BuzzFeeds lawyer wrote to Daniels attorney asking that the adult film actress, whose real name is Stephanie Clifford, preserve various categories of documents." New York magazine: "Shortly before the 2016 election, longtime Trump Organization attorney Michael Cohen arranged a payment of $130,000 to porn star Stormy Daniels, who claims she had an affair with Donald Trump a decade earlier. When news outlets revealed the existence of this alleged 'hush agreement' in recent months, Cohen claimed he paid Daniels (real name Stephanie Clifford) out of his own pocket. He wouldnt explain his motivation, but insisted it had nothing to do with his bosss business or campaign." TheWrap: "The 38-year-old Daniels, whose legal name is Stephanie Clifford, seems to be enjoying the kind of attention usually reserved for Hollywood starlets." SFGate.com: "Daniels, whose real name is Stephanie Clifford, alleged she was paid $130,000 to keep quiet about an affair with Trump." Los Angeles Times: "If nothing else, the case has vaulted Daniels into the top ranks of American porn stars. Daniels, whose real name is Stephanie Clifford, is performing at strip clubs nationwide on a 'Make America Horny Again' tour." Figured it out yet? Perhaps these slightly altered excerpts from other mainstream news sources will help: "Nancy Reagan refused to help Rock Hudson, whose real name was Leroy Harold Scherer Jr. and who was one of the leading Hollywood stars of the 1950s and 1960s, as he sought treatment for AIDS from a pioneering doctor in Paris, it has been revealed." "Gene Simmons is happy to be alive. 'Every day I wake up and I never take it for granted,' the legendary Kiss frontman, whose real name is Chaim Witz, says with conviction." "The movie world's first clear view of Audrey Hepburn was in a newsreel: the beginning of Roman Holiday showed the young actress, as the ruritanian Princess Ann, on a state tour of Europe. The world's final view of Hepburn, whose real name was Edda Kathleen van Heemstra Hepburn-Ruston, was in 1992 TV newscasts of her visit to Africa last October." "Meeting up with an old flame can be awkward, particularly when the relationship ended in heartbreak. Not so for Dame Helen Mirren, whose real name is Ilyena Lydia Vasilevna Mironov, and Liam Neeson. The pair were reunited on a chat show sofa, more than 30 years after their split, and shared warm memories of their love affair." "Comedy legend Whoopi Goldberg, whose real name is Caryn Johnson, steadfastly refuses to say President Trump's name out loud, despite acknowledging that he's 'the man in charge'." Got it? It's in part that dichotomy, and the implications of it, that impelled this author to send a letter last week to The Washington Post: As a Senior Editor at Adult Video News, the longest running adult industry trade magazine, and a Washington Post subscriber, I write to express my dismay at the Post's (and many other publications') insistence on using the real names of adult performers in its articles. I refer particularly to Stormy Daniels, whose affair with President Trump more than a decade ago, and the payoff she received from Trump's attorney Michael Cohen, may easily lead to the president's impeachment for campaign law violations. Ms. Daniels is not known professionally by any other name than "Stormy Daniels" (though at the very beginning of her career in 2002, she was known simply as "Stormy"), and considering the extremely low esteem with which adult actresses are held by society, the actresses go to some trouble to keep their real names from being revealed, though obviously, journalists often have the resources to ferret out those names if they want to. The question is, aside from the tittilation value, why would they want to? After all, when reporters write about Tom Cruise, they don't go out of their way to include the phrase "whose real name is Thomas Cruise Mapother IV." The same holds true for Woody Allen "whose real name is Allen Konigsberg," or Whoopi Goldberg, "whose real name is Caryn Johnson," and hundreds of others. Moreover, reports are rife of adult performers being physically accosted at public events both by fans and anti-porn zealots, as well as being approached with unwanted attention in public areas like supermarkets or simply walking down the street, and the fact that Ms. Daniels has been linked so closely to Mr. Trumpand not in a way that's likely to benefit Mr. Trump's political fortunescertainly makes it far more likely that she would be in real, physical danger from some of Trump's more extreme supportersand knowing her real name would make it much easier for such activists to target Ms. Daniels' residence and her family. So considering the total lack of probative value in revealing an adult actress's real name in newspaper reports, and the real danger that such revelations could put them in, why not take the high road and simply use the name by which the actress is best knownand leave it at that? The point is, adult performers not only use stage names to preserve their privacy, but they have legitimate fears that unsavory individuals will use that information to stalk and otherwise harass the performer in her (and it's almost inevitably "her") private life, to find her family (either husband, wife or parents/siblings) and harass them, or simply to send threats to any of them. Make no mistake about it: their personal security is at stake in a very real sense. One recent example is actress Jessica Drake, who's become involved in the Daniels situation owing to her real name having been listed in Stormy's "hush agreement" as someone having "confidential information" about Trump. That "revelation" by mainstream news reporters led to a CNN news/camera crew being camped outside the front yard of her parents' home, attracting unwanted attention and cluing the neighbors in that there was someone presumably newsworthy living there. And she's hardly the only one. "I was horrified and terrified when [gossip columnist] Luke Ford revealed my real name, as well as dozens of others, on his blog in the early 2000s," said veteran actress Nina Hartley. "It's a reprehensible, rude, condescending thing to do, to treat performers that way, and it shows how little respect heand anyone else who's done ithas for a group of what are essentially very normal people just trying to do their jobs and live their lives in peace." And reports that have surfaced over the past two days drive home the dangers adult performers face when they are in the newsand how much worse it can be when those same perps can find out where they live, who they love, where their kids go to schoolthe list is voluminous. The situation is particularly fraught with danger considering that many of Trump's supporters are right-wing religious whackjobsand if you think they are okay with driving a car into a crowd of peaceful protesters in Charlottesville, NC and killing one of them, think how much easier it would be for them to justify maiming or killing a "porn actress"! (Of course, in Stormy's case, the threats came either from Trump himself or one of his minionsher attorney wouldn't say, other than to refer those interested to Stormy's upcoming interview by Anderson Cooper on 60 Minutesbut a lesser personality than Stormy might be scared by, for instance, a tweet she recently received, "@Stormy Daniels your 15 minutes are up you stripper skank"to which she replied, "Commas are our friend. Don't forget them. And PS, I'm just getting started! xoxo." But let's remember, recent tweets have driven at least a couple of adult performers to suicide!) So consider this a plea to all the workaday reporters and famous news personalities out there who seem to get some secret thrill Down There that they A) know an adult performer's real name, and B) canand dobroadcast that knowledge to the world at large: You're not doing anyone any favors, and you very well may be putting the "personality" you're covering in real harm's way. Photo from Wikimedia Commons, courtesy of flipchip at LasVegasVegas.com; used with permission 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 ideals.ues. Sunshine Week reminds us that government officials praise transparency, except when it applies to them. "The spirit with which public officials work to comply with the law is as important as the law itself. ... In other words, when in doubt about how to interpret the state's open records and meetings laws - always work to resolve the question in favor of openness." It seems like all public officials celebrate transparency, until it applies to them.Case in point: Gov. Roy Cooper, who (years ago as attorney general) wrote the introduction to the North Carolina Guide to Open Government and Public Records for the N.C. Press Association.Too bad the governor hasn't practiced what the attorney general preached. (Attorney General Cooper really didn't practice it, either, as we'll address later.)A recent high-profile incident occurred last week, when Sen. Bill Rabon, R-Brunswick, who chairs the powerful Senate Rules Committee, called on legislative leaders to open a formal investigation of Cooper's $57.8-million side deal with the operators of the Atlantic Coast Pipeline.Rabon cited a report aired Saturday, March 3, on WRAL News in Raleigh in which Cooper adviser Ken Eudy discussed the $57.8-million discretionary fund. The governor negotiated the deal with the regulated utilities which will run the pipeline. The money would have been handled outside the constitutional legislative process.Eudy, speaking for the governor, blamed mean old Republicans for interfering with money that would have gone to environmental protection or economic development. He (a former Charlotte Observer reporter) - and the governor - have dodged the fundamental question about this deal: Is it legal? Does it abide by the letter and the spirit of the state Constitution?Rabon noted that the Cooper administration provided a series of drafts of the pipeline agreement to WRAL but hasn't given that same information to the legislature (which requested it weeks ago). Nor had the office shared it with other media outlets who asked for it, including Carolina Journal. We got our copies after making an additional request, though we first asked for public records relating to the arrangement in late January, when the administration announced the fund.Those memo drafts are all we've gotten, other than an acknowledgment that the governor got our request and it's in the works.You can read our coverage of the pipeline fund here This latest obfuscation from the Cooper administration is nothing new. Nor did it begin when Cooper moved to the Executive Mansion in January 2017. We've been covering Cooper since his days in the General Assembly more than 20 years ago.Back then, he gained and earned plaudits for being one of the architects of the state's open meetings and public records laws.Once he joined the executive branch in 2001 as attorney general, something changed. He became more secretive. Noelle Talley, his longtime spokeswoman, became notorious for not returning phone calls or giving only cursory email acknowledgment when she received requests for information.The pattern has continued with Cooper as governor, as staff members rarely if ever get phone calls returned. We also have difficulty getting press releases from the governor's office.My goal isn't to slam this governor. Well, not entirely. After all, his predecessors haven't been paragons of openness either. (Although, to her credit, the much-maligned Bev Perdue was more accessible than anyone in that position since Jim Hunt.)Pat McCrory tried and failed to charge members of the public for staff time to prepare records for public review. That's clearly illegal, and McCrory dropped it after getting dressed down for even discussing the possibility. Our editorial staff went after McCrory for being so slow in responding to records requests from various media sites that they sued him. We had hopes Cooper would be different when he succeeded McCrory. We hoped he would channel his inner senator and be open and transparent.So far, no dice.But there's an opportunity for change. It's Sunshine Week, after all, the American Society of Newspaper Editor's national event in which media outlets and other government watchdogs highlight the importance of government transparency and examples of unnecessary secrecy.Last weekend, the governor issued suggested guidelines for compliance with the open records law. Many are sensible, though they easily could go further and make North Carolina a leader in transparency.But if the governor really wants to demonstrate his commitment to openness, he could refer to a fundamental rule any journalist - or any effective communicator, for that matter - should have memorized. It's from the irreplaceable writing guide The Elements of Style, by Strunk and White: Show, don't tell. In Zimbabwe, the country from which most elephant trophies imported to the United States originate, wildlife management is so poor that the country has lost six percent of its elephants since 2001. Photo by iStockphoto 920 shares Had the Department of the Interior appointed Ted Nugent and Phil and Si from Duck Dynasty to its International Wildlife Conservation Council (IWCC), we might at least have been able to laugh a little. As things stand, however, its a crying shame. Formed in November 2017, the council is little more than a trophy hunting trade association masquerading as a public panel. The IWCC is loaded with officials from Safari Club International, the firearms and ammunition lobby, and professional and celebrity hunters who are bad news for wildlife wherever they go. These council members have one thing on their minds when it comes to threatened animals, and its not conservation. Its killing, and they seek to use the Department of the Interior to destroy any and all barriers to international trophy hunting and the import of trophy heads and parts by U.S. citizens. By its own admission, the Department of the Interior formed the council to educate the public about the benefits of global trophy hunting; to promote resumption in the legal trade and import of trophy hunted animals; to recommend actions to expedite the processing of import permits for trophy heads and parts; and to advise the agency on the inclusion of foreign listed species under the Endangered Species Act. None of this is needed by our government and there is not one of these people not one who deserves a role in guiding the Interior Departments global wildlife policy. They are for the most part direct beneficiaries of trophy hunting as an industry, with a commercial interest in loosening restrictions on hunting wildlife in Africa and elsewhere. They have personal, financial, or other vested interests, which render them unfit for service. The IWCC held its first meeting today, several weeks after the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, which is part of the Department of the Interior, lifted existing bans on the import of elephant and lion trophies from certain African countries. Given President Trumps November tweet expressing his distaste for trophy hunting (he called it a horror show) and his public remarks doubting the conservation value of trophy hunting, some journalists now worry that he has turned a blind eye. We hope that theyre wrong. Still others have been giving voice to the trophy hunters claim that trophy hunting has conservation and economic value in the nations where it occurs. We know that they are wrong. This is an old argument once again gaining currency in some quarters, but it is a counterfeit one. In fact, trophy hunting is poorly regulated, fueled by corruption, and biologically unsustainable. Its also a major factor in driving species to extinction. In Zimbabwe, the country from which most elephant trophies imported to the United States originate, wildlife management is so poor that the country has lost six percent of its elephants since 2001. Scientific studies have demonstrated that elephant hunting is unsustainable, as documented by the decreasing size of tusks on hunted elephants. Sadly, too, corrupt government officials in Zimbabwe have long been lining their pockets with money generated by trophy hunting. Last month, the entire board of Zimbabwes national wildlife authority was fired by the minister of the environment due to corruption. Last year, the director of the wildlife agency was fired for his alleged involvement in the disappearance of rhino horns worth $3 million from a government facility. Compared to wildlife-related tourism, trophy hunting has low economic value for the nations where it occurs. A 2017 study by Economists at Large found that tourism is worth between 2.8 percent and 5.1 percent of GDP in the eight countries assessed, while the total economic contribution of trophy hunting is at most about 0.03 percent of GDP. Foreign trophy hunters make up less than 0.1 percent of tourists on average and they contribute 0.78 percent or less of the $17 billion in overall tourism spending in the studied countries. Trophy hunting tourism employment is only 0.76 percent or less of average direct tourism employment in study countries. For these and other reasons, African nations would be wise to focus on wildlife-based tourism rather than trophy hunting, which fails to offer long-term and sustainable income for communities. In an era of dire threat to the worlds wildlife, the Department of the Interior should strengthen its vigilance against wildlife trafficking, poaching, habitat destruction, unsustainable and illegal trophy hunting, and related conservation crimes. Instead, its sponsoring a caucus for trophy hunters. Yahoo! JAPAN Yahoo! JAPAN Washington State was the first to pass a true Net Neutrality law that restored all the public protections the FCC withdrew when it killed Net Neutrality late last year; the move is symbolically awesome but legally fraught, seeking to redefine the line where the FCC's authority stops and the states' authorities start. Late in the second Obama administration, a progressive FCC started to show some backbone, enacting not just a modest Net Neutrality rule, but also a rule banning states from limiting municipal networks. Big Telco mobilized its lobbyists, working with state lawmakers to successfully sue the FCC over exceeding its authority in telling states how they could regulate their networks. At the time, Net Neutrality advocates decried this "states' rights" argument, insisting that the FCC had the authority over the nation's telcoms policy. Now that the FCC has been colonized by Ajit Pai, a former Verizon executive who is handing out regulatory favors in bulk to his former employer, many of the same pro-Net Neutrality advocates are arguing that states have the right to make their own telcoms policy, while the Republicans, corporate water-carriers and telcoms lobbyists who were trumpeting states' rights against Obama's FCC are now certain that the states have no business frustrating the will of the Trump FCC. Ars Technica spoke with State Rep. Drew Hansen (D-Bainbridge Island), a trial lawyer who sponsored Washington's Net Neutrality law, about his legal rationale on the matter of state and federal telcoms authority. Hansen has an interesting theory: the FCC is required to oversee the orderly operations of the nation's telcoms infrastructure, and in failing to do so, they have abandoned their authority. They can impose their rules overtop of state rules, but their can't impose no rules over state rules. It's a plausible-sounding argument that I lack the expertise to evaluate. I'm mindful, too, that my optimism over this approach may be wishful thinking, as I live in California, a state that is trying to follow Washington's lead with similar legislation. Also, I note that my EFF colleague Ernesto Falcon, who is our lead legislative counsel, is skeptical: "Falcon thinks the dormant commerce clause will make state net neutrality laws vulnerable to legal attack unless states use indirect regulatory approaches, such as requiring recipients of state broadband subsidies or state contracts to abide by net neutrality." The telcos say that they can't practically manage a patchwork of 50 or more local telcoms rules, though that is wildly overstated as a purely technical matter. Politically, it's something of a nonstarter: if the telcos didn't want the states to create local rules, they shouldn't have worked so hard to erase any semblance of a national rule. One thing I like about Hansen's argument: it seems to address the major concern regarding any kind of states' rights precedent, which is that such a precedent would allow captured states with Republican legislatures to opt out of good FCC rules. By insisting that the states only have the power to regulate their telcoms in the absence of FCC rules, Hansen is daring the FCC to have a real rulemaking, based on evidence, which produces some kind of meaningful regulation. So long as Pai continues to insist on the ideological and industrially attractive principle of having a no-regulation free-for-all, the states get to override him. One state requiring net neutrality wouldn't conflict with other state laws, Hansen also argued. There aren't any state laws that require ISPs to block or throttle lawful Internet traffic, so the Washington net neutrality law isn't prohibiting anything that other states require, he said. Washington's legislature held several hearings on the net neutrality legislation before voting it through. "The industry was opposed and the public was in favor," Hansen said. "And you know, we do still live in a democracy, so that still matters." ISPs and broadband lobby groups have complained that they don't want a "patchwork" of 50 state laws. But ISPs abide by different consumer protection laws in different states already, Hansen noted. "If ISPs are so concerned about a patchwork of state laws that possibly conflict, perhaps they should not have lobbied for the FCC to eliminate national laws," he said. Why the first state with a net neutrality law isn't scared of lawsuits [Jon Brodkin/Ars Technica] (Images: Dllu, CC-BY-SA) Sleep is one of the most important things we can do for our bodies. Whether we're taking a midday nap or tucking in for the night, it's quite literally how we recharge and "clean" our minds from the stresses of the day. However, sometimes we don't get the proper rest we need due to improper READ THE REST Every year we invite a bunch of friends over for Christmas dinner. We always have oven roasted turkey. But for 2017, I was given a loaner unit of the Lynx Sonoma Propane Gas Smoker, so I decided to smoke the turkey this time. The smoker sells for about $(removed) It arrived on a truck. It's made of stainless steel and looks beautiful. It weighs 250 pounds, and wasn't easy to roll across the lawn because gophers have turned it into Swiss cheese. After I got the metal beast settled on the back porch, I opened the instruction manual. The first step (after buying a tank of propane) was to download an app for my smartphone and connect it to the wifi radio in the smoker. This took a long time. The app needed the smoker's serial number. I couldn't find it. I had to call Lynx to find out where the PIN code on the smoker was. It turns out it's under a little drawer that contains the control panel. I had to get on my hands and knees and crane my neck to see the tiny numbers printed on a sticker, which doesn't peel off. I took a photo of the sticker and zoomed to see the numbers (note to Lynx please move the sticker, or better yet, let people use the app without requiring a serial number). It also took several attempts to connect to the smoker, but once I got it, the app worked fine. The main purpose of the app is to let you see a temperature graph on your phone. I love this feature, because it takes a long time to smoke meat, and it let me do other things in the house and check on the progress remotely. In the weeks leading up to Christmas, I practiced with chickens. The Sonoma has a tray to fill with wood chips, which get heated by the propane heater to produce smoke. The chickens were smoked to perfection, giving me confidence that the 25 pound turkey I was going to smoke wouldn't be a half-charred/half-frozen disaster. I told Cory about my plans, and he suggested I tell the butcher to spatchcock the turkey. Spatchcock is a fun word for cutting the turkey's backbone and butterflying it. When a bird is prepared this way, it cooks more evenly, because it increases the surface-area-to-volume ratio. Carla picked up our turkey at Whole Foods a couple of days before Christmas. When she asked the butcher to spatchcock it, he looked at her as if she'd asked him to do something obscene to the turkey. Another customer overheard and told the butcher what spatchcocking was. The butcher found a co-worker who knew how to perform the operation, and he did it, albeit reluctantly, since there were a lot of customers clamoring for their turkeys. Prep was easy. I just used the app to select the "smoked turkey" recipe and it heated the smoker and alerted me when it was time to put the turkey in. There was plenty of room in the gigantic smoker. I went inside and set up my iPad to monitor the temperature. It took a long time to smoke a big turkey about 5 hours. Cory snapped the above photo of the turkey when it was ready. Fortunately, he'd brought along some out-of-town guests, one of whom was a professional chef, and she sliced the turkey masterfully (thanks, Pheobe!). If I had $(removed) to spare, this is something I would consider buying, because it does a great job, and smoking is a fun way to make delicious food. For now, I'm thinking about making the "Nellie Bly Smoker" that Bill Gurstelle wrote about in MAKE. I also learned that Lynx carries nifty smoker box that you can include in your existing grill. It's just $(removed), and is from Lynx Grills: Greenbrier Public School in rural Arkansas didn't take too kindly to the national school walkout that took place on Tuesday to protest gun violence in response to last month's deadly Parkland shooting. In fact, when three students decided to go against the grain of their very conservative school and community and walk out, they were met with a tough choice: suspension or corporal punishment. They chose corporal punishment, and each received two swats by paddle. One of the boys' mothers posted this tweet about it: My kid and two other students walked out of their rural, very conservative, public school for 17 minutes today. They were given two punishment options. They chose corporal punishment. This generation is not playing around. #walkout Jerusalem Greer (@JerusalemGreer) March 14, 2018 The mother's son, Wylie Greer (one of the students who received the swats) gave this statement to the Daily Beast: Walking out of class at ten on Monday morning was not an easy thing. Many students were vocally insulting and degrading to the idea of the walk-out and anyone who would participate. At 10:00, I walked out of my classroom to a few gaped mouths and more than a few scowls. I exited the building, sat on the bench, and was alone for a few seconds. I was more than a little concerned that I would be the only one to walk out. I was joined by two others eventually, two of the smartest students at the school. We sat outside the front of the building and were approached first by the principal, who asked us "if he could help us" and "if we understood that there would be consequences." After we answered affirmatively, he went back inside. A few minutes passed and the dean-of-students approached us. He asked "what we were doing," we told him that we were protesting gun violence. He told us to go inside. We refused. After the 17 minutes had passed, we re-entered the building and went to our classes. Over the next two hours, all three of us were called individually to talk with the dean-of-students. He offered us two choices of punishment, both of which had to be approved by our parents. We would either suffer two 'swats' from a paddle or two days of in-school suspension. All three of us chose the paddling, with the support of our parents. I received my punishment during 6th period. The dean-of-students carried it out while the assistant principal witnessed. The punishment was not dealt with malice or cruelty, in fact, I have the utmost respect for all the adults involved. They were merely doing their job as the school board and school policy dictated. The 'swats' were not painful or injuring. It was nothing more than a temporary sting on my thighs. The dean-of-students did stress however that not all punishments like this ended this way. I believe that corporal punishment has no place in schools, even if it wasn't painful to me. The idea that violence should be used against someone who was protesting violence as a means to discipline them is appalling. I hope that this is changed, in Greenbrier, and across the country. Wylie A. Greer Class of 2018 Greenbrier High School, Arkansas While corporal punishment is banned in 28 states, it is still expressly permitted in 15 states (and somewhere in the middle for 7 states), according to NPR in 2016, and Arkansas is obviously one who permits it wholeheartedly. When the Daily Beast tried to reach out to Greenbrier Public School, the assistant principal hung up on them. Image Unknown Google Books Julian Leavitt (1912-02). "The Man In The Cage". The American Magazine LXXIII. The Phillips Publishing Co.., Public Domain, Link Business / Companies by Staff reporter Aggressiveness could be the key strategy for Zimbabwean telecom and media company Econet Wireless, whose Kwese pay television platform is offering free Facebook access and a subscription package for civil servants.The Kwese pay-TV platform has taken competition directly to MultiChoice Zimbabwe's doorstep. However, DStv Zimbabwe is holding onto its market share although Kwese is becoming popular in the country after overcoming initial government resistance over licensing issues.Deal for civil servantsOn Thursday, Kwese TV announced a new deal aimed at the country's civil service employees which will give them premium subscription, free installation and free decoders for $20 per month over a period of two years."In the event that a sizeable amount of civil servants sign up for this, Kwese will also now have a steady revenue as they will be guaranteed to get this money over the next two years."This also gives Kwese a better chance of retaining their customers as they could improve the content on their platform over the duration of the two years," Farai Mudzingwa wrote in the Techzim blog on Thursday.Civil servants have to bring current payslips and IDs to sign up for the new offering.DStv Zimbabwe charges $65 for its Premium option, $25 for its Compact option, and $8 for its Access bouquet. Kwese charges $28 for its premium offering for general viewership.Apart from the offer of decoders for civil servants, Econet Wireless has also announced free Facebook access for its mobile network subscribers in Zimbabwe.Rival operator NetOne has just announced an adjustment to its promotional OneFusion platform, giving better data offerings for Facebook and WhatsApp access for its $5 and $10 options.The data capacity on the OneFusion platform has now been slashed by about 50% in some options, while the validity period has been reduced from 30 days to 21 days. The company has also had to compensate users who were incorrectly billed the new rates without being duly notified of the changes in line with regulatory directives.Econet has however gone zero rated for Facebook access on its network, in what appears to be an aggressive promotional strategy to encourage usage of its data network.'No data, no problem'The company said on Wednesday via a text to subscribers that it is allowing network users to access Facebook on their mobile phones, even when they do not have data credit."No data, no problem. Get unlimited Facebook access daily to update status, comment, like, add friends and much more," Econet said in its text to subscribers.Subscribers have to dial *325# to access Facebook for free on the Econet network. The company runs separate weekly $1 bundles for Facebook and WhatsApp.The two over the top services have become popular in Zimbabwe, with the Posts and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe saying last year that WhatsApp accounts for up to 44% of all mobile internet usage in the country, while its parent company Facebook takes up only 1%. Lifestyle / Travel and Tourism by Dr Louise de Waal The second Giants Club Summit meets in Kasane over the next few days, uniting African leadership with global science, finance and influence to accelerate anti-poaching efforts, close ivory markets, and fund wildlife habitat protection.The Great Elephant Census revealed that the African elephant population declined by 144,000 animals in just seven years between 2007-14. The vast majority were killed to illegally supply ivory to markets in Asia. At this rate, this African icon could disappear from the wild within our lifetime.The second Giants Club Summit's ultimate goal is to protect half of Africa's remaining 415,000 elephants by 2020. The Summit is hosted by President Ian Khama together with the Tlhokomela Botswana Endangered Wildlife Trust and starts today in Kasane.The Giants Club is an initiative of 'Space for Giants' that unites African heads of state with global business leaders, philanthropists, key influencers, and leading conservationists. In other words, it combines the political will, financial means, global influence, and technical capacity to protect Africa's elephants from poaching and to secure their habitat in perpetuity.It is encouraging to note that some progress has been made in recent years. CITES most recent figures show a decline in elephant poaching for the fifth year in a row and in East Africa poaching rates are back to pre-crisis levels. China's recent ivory trade ban will hopefully curb the demand significantly; however, there is no time for complacency.The Summit will report on the successes made, since the first meeting in 2016, in intelligence-led anti-poaching capacity in Botswana, the building of electrified fences to reduce human-elephant conflict in Kenya and Gabon, and the new international investment in conservation in Uganda.The objectives for the 2018 Summit are to build new partnerships between China and Africa, to secure Africa's largest single remaining contiguous elephant population in Southern Africa, to promote corporate social responsibility as a way forward in funding conservation, and to set transparent and achievable goals to be met before the next Giants Club event. News / Health by Byo24News Reporter Nurses in Bulawayo have downed tools joining doctors in an industrial strike that has paralyzed Zimbabwe's health system.Nurses at United Bulawayo Hospitals joined doctors' strike on Friday afternoon leaving only student nurses attending to patients in the wards.According to a source at UBH, nurses decided to join the strike after government showed disaffection to the demands of the doctors."Our working conditions are deplorable. Doctors have been on strike for more than two weeks and government is not doing anything to address the situation. It simply shows they are not taking doctors seriously because they know we are at work and will cover up."By joining the strike, government will see the gravity and seriousness of the industrial action," a nurse at the hospital said.Zimbabwean doctors downed tools a fortnight ago complaining of unfavourable working conditions and neglect by government.Doctors also accused Health and Child Care minister Dr David Parirenyatwa of not being cooperative.On Tuesday doctors at UBH staged a demonstration demanding better working conditions.They waved placards with messages like "we cannot fly to Singapore" and "a hungry doctor is a dangerous doctor"."I offer services I cannot afford" and "government is not serious about health," read some of the inscriptions on placards during a demonstration.UBH chief executive officer, Nonhlanhla Ndlovu could neither confirm nor deny. She said the strike is now a national issue and comment should be sought from the health services board or the ministry."Concerning the strike, I think it is best for you to get in touch with the Health Services Board or the minister. This is now a national issue and I am not in a position to comment," she said.Parirenyatwa's number was not reachable. News / National by Staff reporter Former President Robert Mugabe has come out to claim that he does not know the whereabouts of his exiled former ministers, Jonathan Moyo and Savior Kasukuwere.He however, for the first time in an interview with the SABC and other international media houses explain the circumstances surrounding the departure of the two men from Zimbabwe after they were saved by his wife Grace.Mugabe dramatises the scene in which the two ministers cry out to his wife Grace, "Please save us mama." Grace then risked her own personal security cautious that they could be in danger to save the two G-40 key members. Mugabe confirms as previously reported that he undertook to look after Moyo and Kasukuwere's families. News / National by AFP Former Zimbabwean president Robert Mugabe described his departure from office in November as a "coup d'etat" in his first TV interview since then, aired by South Africa's state broadcaster on Thursday."I say it was a coup d'etat - some people have refused to call it a coup d'etat," said Mugabe referring to the brief takeover by the army which led to Emmerson Mnangagwa assuming power after his resignation."(...) We must undo this disgrace we have imposed on ourselves," he said.Mugabe was forced to quit when the military stepped in and Zanu-PF lawmakers launched impeachment proceedings against their once beloved leader.Since his dramatic reversal of fortune, he has largely appeared to stay out of public life.The military moved against Mugabe, 94, after he sacked his then-deputy and heir-apparent Mnangwga apparently fearing the nonagenarian was grooming his wife Grace to succeed him as president.The former first lady had cultivated her own factional support base within Zanu-PF known as "G-40" that was seen as hostile to the security establishment."It was truly a military takeover, there was no movement visible unless that movement was checked and allowed by the army," said Mugabe. News / National by Staff reporter SOUTH African President Cyril Ramaphosa is expected in Zimbabwe tomorrow on a working visit that will see him discussing bilateral relations with his counterpart, President Mnangagwa.His office confirmed the visit in a statement yesterday.President Ramaphosa, who is also the Sadc chair, will also visit Mozambique. News / National by Staff reporter The three robbers who stormed a construction site in Umwinsidale, which is believed to belong to Ms Bona Chikore (nee Mugabe), were yesterday sentenced to an effective 18 months each in jail.Robson Kandenga (45), Peter Mangwiro (40) and Brighton Chisiko (30) appeared before Harare regional magistrate Mr Noel Mupeiwa and pleaded guilty to robbery.Mr Mupeiwa slapped the trio with 30 months each in prison, but suspended 12 months for each sentence on condition of good behaviour.When they initially appeared in court on Tuesday, the gang was being charged with armed robbery, but the charges were later altered to robbery as it is understood that no weapons were used when the crime was committed.The court heard that on December 31 last year, Kandenga, Mangwiro and Chisiko approached the police officer, who was guarding the site and pretended to be asking for directions to an unnamed place.The unsuspecting police officer then left his guardroom to assist them.He was suddenly disarmed of his AK47 service rifle before being punched and kicked all over the body.His arms and legs were subsequently tied using a wire that had been retrieved from the site.The trio proceeded to take the complainant's personal items, including two phones, and 80 wooden construction boards, which all amounted to $4 800. News / National by Staff reporter Although former president Robert Mugabe's dramatic return to active politics has been dismissed by Zanu-PF as inconsequential, some analysts are convinced that he could inflict significant damage on the ruling party in this year's general elections - particularly in the three politically restive Mashonaland provinces.His ties with the recently formed National Patriotic Front (NPF), an opposition party led by liberation struggle stalwart Ambrose Mutinhiri, have rattled President Emmerson Mnangagwa's cage, introducing a new dynamic that could shape Zimbabwean politics in profound ways.Mugabe, whose 37-years in office ended in November 2017 following a military intervention that was widely supported by the generality of Zimbabweans, has derided the Mnangagwa administration as illegitimate and unconstitutional.The former president's perceived backing for the NPF is seen as a catalyst that could galvanise all ex-Zanu-PF members who were unceremoniously booted out of the party at the height of factional wars.Mugabe has expressed disquiet over how his erstwhile confidante, Mnangagwa, is trashing his "legacy".He has complained about how the current administration is allegedly stalling the release of his pension package.Mugabe also says his wife Grace is constantly weeping due to the harassment his family is being subjected to.While viciously clamping down on dissent at home, Mugabe spent the twilight years of his rule railing against Western governments and projecting himself as a fiery pan-Africanist.His association with the NPF has drawn the attention of Mnangagwa, who has cautioned that Mugabe's political manoeuvres will be closely monitored by his government to ensure that they do not cause destabilisation.Mnangagwa reckons Mugabe's ultimate strategy now could be centred on frustrating his political ambitions as part of a bigger scheme to destroy Zanu-PF."The former president paita nyaya (there is an issue). Mnangagwa said last week, shortly after Mugabe had met Mutinhiri at his palatial "Blue Roof" mansion in Harare's Borrowdale suburb.Mutinhiri, who resigned from Zanu-PF in protest against how Mugabe was pushed out of power, said the NPF would now work towards restoring democracy in Zimbabwe.Political analysts contend that the NPF, largely a grouping of Mugabe loyalists who coalesced around the G40 faction during his rule, is to garner significant votes in the three Mashonaland provinces where Mnangagwa is perceived to be unpopular.The three provinces include Mashonaland West, Mashonaland East and Mashonaland Central.During his rule, Mugabe predominantly held sway over the Mashonaland constituency, a Zanu-PF stronghold and home to millions of Zezuru people. Mugabe is Zezuru while Mnangagwa is a Karanga.The Karanga tribe is based mainly in the Midlands and Masvingo provinces.In terms of political calculus, the NPF's strategy to upstage Mnangagwa in the elections is also pivoted on the idea that he will fare badly in urban areas and Matabeleland provinces because of his instrumental role in the Gukurahundi massacres in the early years of independence.Mnangagwa, who has tried to downplay his role during the Matabeleland atrocities that claimed an estimated 20 000 mostly Ndebele people, served as state security minister during the time of the mass killings.Voting and political mobilisation in Zimbabwe have followed ethnic lines.Mugabe has also met his former deputy Joice Mujuru at his Borrowdale home and might also be considering forging alliances with other opposition parties as part of his grand scheme to wrest power from Mnangagwa in the forthcoming polls.Political analyst Ibbo Mandaza said the formation of the NPF and its association with Mugabe would further weaken Zanu-PF which has been systematically disintegrating since 2015 when it expelled Mujuru."The impact of the NPF is to exacerbate the division of Zanu-PF. It reflects the disintegration of Zanu-PF."The disintegration began with the ousting of Joice Mujuru followed by the coup and now the formation of the NPF.It has left Zanu-PF in tatters," Mandaza said, noting that the MDC-T, as the largest opposition party in Zimbabwe, would be the biggest beneficiaries at the polls as Zanu-PF systematically implodes.Mandaza said Mugabe, who has reportedly scoffed at any chances of working with Zanu-PF under its current leadership, will do "anything" to derail Mnangagwa's political ambition. Mnangagwa, he said, would not survive the NPF onslaught."Mugabe will do anything and everything to bring down ED (Mnangagwa). I do not think ED will survive," Mandaza said.However, political analyst Maxwell Saungweme contends that the NPF can only effectively compete with Zanu-PF in Mashonaland East and West, with Mashonaland Central now under the control of Mujuru through her National People's Party."It (NPF) has a huge influence on Mashonaland East and West. Mashonaland Central support is already taken by Mujuru."So whatever Zanu-PF support remained in Mashonaland West and East will be shared between NPF and Zanu-PF," Saungweme said positing that some "disillusioned" voters in those provinces sympathetic to Mugabe would choose to vote for the opposition. Political analyst Muchesa Chatsama said the endorsement of the NPF by Mugabe, who still enjoys considerable support within Zanu-PF, would scupper Mnangagwa's chances at the polls this year.Ultimately, Chatsama concurred with Mandaza that Mugabe's aim was not to win power as such but to derail Mnangagwa's electoral campaign."Gauging by the response of the public media you can tell how Zanu-PF has been unsettled by NPF and Mugabe. As we speak right now, some people in those areas still think Mugabe is still president."These guys (NPF) may not really count their chances in this election. I think they just want to spoil the party for ED and company. Mugabe endorsing NPF is a big blow to Zanu-PF," he emphasised.Mnangagwa, Chatsama said, could however counter the threat posed by the Mugabe-backed NPF, by coming up with an election manifesto that intends to address the myriad of challenges besetting the country's fragile economy."But my strong advice to Zanu-PF would be for them not to lose focus. They must not lose focus of critical things," he cautioned."Instead of concentrating on pulling down NPF and Mugabe, they should rather work on removing bank queues, dealing with corruption and other macroeconomic fundamentals. People will judge them by their results." News / National by Stephen Jakes MDC-T Bulawayo South legislator Eddie Cross has said the ilegitimate government of Zanu PF will not be able to revive the country's economy hence the need to push for democratic elections.Cross made the remarks in parliament on Tuesday."I heard you (Speaker Jacob Mudenda) on the radio this morning emphasising the importance of a free and fair election in 2018. What I want to do in just a few minutes is to tell this National Assembly why this is important. Zimbabwe has been in isolation for nearly 17 years. We have been subjected to restrictions from the Americans for the same period of time. The principal motivation of the international community in maintaining these restrictions has been the fact that they have, year after year, election after election declared, that our elections were not free and fair for one reason or another," Cross said."I think that we have to recognise that we simply cannot put out economy back on its feet if we do not have a legitimate Government. Zimbabwe today has external obligations exceeding $11 billion and domestic obligations exceeding $7 billion. Combined, this is $18 billion. This debt hangs over us and simply too much for us to manage." News / National by Staff reporter The principals of the People's Rainbow Coalition (PRC) this morning led a high-powered delegation of its Joint Steering Committee (JSC) and it's secretariat to meet with the SADC Election Advisory Committe.The meeting is part of the regional body's assessment tools to measure Zimbabwe's preparedness for the 2018 elections and the PRC was able to use this opportunity to appraise the SEAC on issues impinging on having a truly free, fair, credible and transparent election in 2018.The PRC Presidential candidate, Dr. JTR Mujuru, was flanked by her peers PDP President Lucia Matibenga, Dr S Nkomo, ZUNDE President Farai Mbira led the briefing while the PRC Secretary General, Dr Gorden Moyo, gave an account of the PRC concerns based on highlights from the PRC's document on Political and Electoral Reforms.The PRC team advised SEAC that it was not possible to hold credible, free, fair and transparent elections in Zimbabwe under current conditions where the military (3000 soldiers) have gone back to the barracks after the November 2017 coup, removed their uniforms and redeployed into the community harassing and intimidating the electorate and coercing them to vote for Mnangagwa and ZANU PF in the forthcoming elections. Since the coup there has been a noticeable and deliberate redeployment of military personnel from the back office to the front office of operations both in the ZANU PF party and in government, as well as in important institutions of government such as ZEC.PRC highlighted that its preferred position on the impeding elections would be for the Zimbabwean government to seek SADC's help in running a free, fair, transparent and credible election that, among other things, allows opposition to equal access to the media, unrestricted access to the electorate, etc.. The following issues were also highlighted;* Partisan traditional leadership - while the PRC respects traditional authority it was disturbed by utterances from some traditional leaders openly declaring their support for ZANU PF. They provide the leg work for the ruling party and are its 'soft-power' while the army provides the ruling party with 'hard-power'.*Violence - perpetrators of political violence are not brought to book, eg violence visited upon our members on 20/2/2018.* Military meddling in politics - pronouncements by the military that they will not salute anyone without liberation war credentials are intimadatory to say the least. We wonder how the military will treat an electoral victory by the PRC because President Dr. JTR Mujuru is a decorated liberation war fighter. We wonder if a coup can be staged against a PRC government.* Media - reforms are long overdue. ZANU PF continues to enjoy exposure on public airwaves and in the public print media at the expense of opposition parties.*Political parties liaison committees - call by Mnangagwa to meet principals of opposition parties should be channeled through ZEC so that when principals meet, they meet as equals.* Diaspora vote - constitution allows for all Zimbabwean's, wherever they are, to exercise their right to vote.* Law alignment - need to speed up the alignment of laws including the enactment of laws on Devolution.* BVR - the exercise is secretive with stakeholders not made aware of how auditing of materials will be done. All BVR processes should be open to all political parties and other interested stakeholders.* Observers - long-term observers should be already deployed in Zimbabwe in view of the November 2017 events. The security nature of Zimbabwe demands the immediate presence of long-term observers and their deployment especially in rural areas.* Elections roadmap - ZEC has only been meeting those parties represented in parliament, leaving other opposition parties out. All opposition political parties must be included in the discussions with ZEC.In closing, the PRC pointed out that issues were many and could take days to enunciate but the bottom line is that the electorate knows whom they would want to vote for and whom they would want to lead them in government if assured of an environment conducive for a free, fair, transparent and credible election in 2018.From the office of the PRC Information department16 March 2018. News / National by Stephen Jakes Zanu PF official Energy Mudoti has said former President Robert Mugabe is out to spearhead civil unrest in the country following his remarks the President Emmerson Mnangagwa's administration was illegal."Former president Robert Mugabe's utterances in a recent interview that he gave to the SABC insinuating that he was illegally removed from office have a potential to spark unrests. While giving an interview to journalists at his house yesterday, Mugabe said that the government in Zimbabwe was illegal and he offered himself to in involved in talks that could solve what he called an "illegality," he said."Mugabe expressed disappointment with his former deputy President Emmerson Mnangagwa in the interview, saying, "I never thought that he whom I had nurtured and brought into government and whose life I had worked so hard in prison to save as he was threatened with hanging, could be one day the man to turn against me......"He said the former President went on to describe the events of November 15-24 as a coup detat although he penned his resignation letter on November 21, amid an impeachment process that he feared could force him out of power without benefits."It is important for the government to realize that the interviews being given to the media by the former president who is being linked to a newly established opposition party National Patriotic Front (NPF), are meant to promote the opposition party against ZANU PF. Mugabe who portrayed himself as a victim of circumstances in his interview would like to gain sympathy from the electorate before launching an offensive against the ruling party and the government.The veteran politician will therefore not only rely on dialogue to engineer his way back to political stardom, but will also employ divide and rule tactics that could leave officials in both government and the military divided," he said."Already, his demand to be paid his pension and termination benefits in cash is telling. Cash resources can be used to fund terrorist activities and are untraceable. Mugabe is a veteran in guerrilla warfare and may still have links in the military, police and the CIO. Mugabe was booted out of power by the military after trying to impose his wife Grace Mugabe as his successor.""He also protected his corrupt ministers among them Jonathan Moyo from arrest as long as they showered him with praises and worked to ensure he remained in power. An arrogant dictator and unmistakable tyrant whose human rights record is pathetic, Mugabe ignored a warning that he would face a military coup if he failed to choose his successor wisely; leading to his overthrow on 15 November last year."Mudoti said in order to avert any disturbances emanating from the former president and his G40 officials some of whom are in exile, there is need for the government to ensure that all entry and exit points on the country's borders are secured with trusted loyalists while the entry of foreign nationals into the country under the guise of "investors" must be closely monitored ahead, during and after the impending harmonized elections."Zanu PF must also ensure that its Members of Parliament to be approved in this election have no links with the G40 in order to avert mass resignations and a possible impeachment of the President in the aftermath of the harmonized elections," he said. - Murray Brewster CBC News This is shameful, especially after Trudeau said Canada would renew it peacekeeping commitment. Just one Liberal fail after another.---Foreign policy expert says UN has 'given up' on waiting for larger deploymentsJust over four months after the Liberal government renewed its commitment to United Nations peacekeeping, the number of Canadian troops deployed on such missions has hit an all-time low.New figures released by National Defence show that there were 22 Canadian soldiers taking part in four missions authorized by the UN Security Council at the end of February.The UN has a slightly higher count 41 because it includes other staff assignments.Regardless of which set of figures you adopt, the numbers are the lowest since Canada first became involved in peacekeeping in 1956, according to defence experts.Separately, Canada has 70 peacekeepers involved in a non-UN mission in the Sinai Peninsula as part the Multinational Observer Force, which was set up in 1979 to enforce the Camp David accords between Israel and Egypt.The new numbers landed in the same week Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland was meeting with UN officials in New York, talking up Canada's commitment to increasing the participation of women in peacekeeping through the Trudeau government's 'Elsie Initiative'.Announced at the same Vancouver ministerial conference where Prime Minister Justin Trudeau promised the UN troops, trainers, helicopters and transport aircraft, the initiative is a response to the world body's repeated calls for the full participation of women in maintaining and promoting peace.A Security Council resolution passed in 2015 called for a doubling of the number of women involved in military and police peacekeeping operations within five years."While nobody expected that to happen overnight, progress has not come nearly fast enough," Freeland said in a speech delivered Tuesday. News / National by Byo24News Reporter A police officer died on Friday in Harare after a council vehicle overturned during a high speed chase with a combi.According to a source, a Harare City Council vehicle was enforcing and monitoring compliance of traffic laws in the central business district and saw a combi which plies Mufakose - City route loading passengers at an undesignated spot.Council officers were in the company of Zimbabwe Republic Police members during the operation."A council vehicle was chasing a combi which plies Mufakose - City route which was combi was loaded with passengers. The council vehicle overturned killing a police officer on the spot," the source said.Harare City Council spokesperson, Michael Chideme confirmed the accident. However, he could not confirm the death of a police officer."I can confirm that our vehicle was involved in a road traffic accident. We were doing a joint operation with the police," said Chideme.Recently, police shot and killed two people following a misunderstanding with a combi driver. News / Press Release by Stephen Jakes Mthwakazi Republic Party has unveiled its Beitbridge West MP Candidate for 2018 elections as Brighton Ithuteng Sibanda AKA vho Maladzhi who was born on the 30th of July 1981.Brighton Ithuteng Sibanda is a hardworking and committed comrade towards the Mthwakazi agenda, MRP and his VESO community where he comes from. Both of his parents were ex-ZIPRA combats, he is the first born son of the late Jonathan "Mirror" and Jane Sibanda, his mother was one of the Manama High pupils who were taken fr0m school to join the Struggle to liberate Zimbabwe."His father served in the police office before his departure on earth. Brighton comes from Beitbridge West, Mpande Village under Chief Staudze in ward 12, and His late grandfather Rodger Sibanda was a Village Head, who took after his father Khwerana, who succeeded his father Maladzhi, who belongs to the bigger family of Makushu," said the party in a statement."Brighton Ithuteng Sibanda did his education at St Vincent Primary School in Ruwa near Harare Zimbabwe, Ross Camp Primary School in Bulawayo Mthwakazi, Mpande Primary School in Beitbridge Mthwakazi and Kwalu Secondary School in Beitbridge Mthwakazi. After finishing his secondary education Brighton went to Bulawayo where he did his tertiary education, Brighton worked for different organisations in Bulawayo as a Messenger, an Accounts Clerk, Bookkeeper, Administrator, Credit Controller and Credit Officer. He has vast experience in accounting and credit control administration fields. Brighton is married to Hlubi and are blessed with 3 children, Rendani (boy) 11years, Lufuno (girl) 8 years and one year old Rokunda (boy)."He said Brighton started political activism in 2008, and participated actively in the election campaigning team for Simba Makoni's Mavambo Kusile Down project."He was the founding President of ZIMCRY (Zimbabwe Congress of Responsible Youths) that was formed in 2009. In 2010, Brighton Join ZAPU where he served firstly as the District Youth Front Chairperson for Entumbane- Makhandeni District before he was elected ZAPU Provincial Youth Front Vice Chairperson for Bulawayo Province. In 2015 Brighton joined Mthwakazi Republic Party (MRP) He said I quote "I Join MRP after I carrying out a thorough research about Mthwakazi and studying of political trends in Zimbabwe, reading of the 1979 grand plan and the code xxx and also after a vigorous discussion with MRP leadership on how the Venda and Sotho community fits in the Mthwakazi Struggle," said the party."To me it was like music in my ears, and I found out that my people from the Venda and Sotho community have a brighter future in the context of Mthwakazi than that of Zimbabwe. That propelled me to join the Mthwakazi Struggle." Currently Brighton Ithuteng Sibanda is a National Executive Council (NEC) member and he holds the portfolio of a Treasurer General in MRP. Brighton is so passionate when it comes to Mthwakazi Struggle and has been arrested in two different occasions in Lupane and on the 31st of December 2017, where he was one of the eight MRP members who were bitten, arrested and detained for peacefully demonstrating against Emmerson Mnangagwa at the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF). In all of the arrests he was found innocent and with no cases to answer. Besides being a politician Brighton Ithuteng Sibanda is also a Minister of the word of God."The party said Brighton is ready to defend Beitbrige West constituency from the oppressive government administration system of Harare, to ensure that there is sustainable development, jobs and promotion of the usage of local languages such as Venda and Sotho and to preserve their cultural heritage. News / Press Release by Stephen Jakes Buhera South Zanu PF MP Joseph Chinotimba has accused the Voice of America based Studio 7 Radio of propping up the MDC-T led by Nelson Chamisa and vilifying Zimbabwe.Chinotimba made the remarks in parliament on Tuesday while contributing to the bill concerning Electoral and media reforms."I want to add my voice on this Bill. It is a very pertinent Bill but the issue of media; it is not about the State media only. Yes, the State media can be bad but media is media whether it is State or private. The private media, when it is only focusing on one thing, for example studio 7, I listen to it but it does not talk any good about the country or the ruling party. Studio 7 only talks about the party which Hon. Chamisa is leading. Zimbabwe should hold free and fair elections but if we have private media in Zimbabwe only focusing on the opposition yet they want the State media to talk about Zimbabwe, I do not think it is fair," he said."In English we say Charity begins at home; in my constituency, a brother of mine passed away, Morgan Tsvangairayi. At his funeral, the media was harassed when they wanted to capture the violence that was prevailing. The media wanted to capture Thokozani Khupe when she was about to be burnt in the house. So, I do not know how the opposition wants the media to cover their stories. If they would have allowed the media to capture Khupe taking refuge in a hut, the nation would have appreciated that charity begins at home indeed. There is no free and fair election if people cannot do free and fair election in their own part.""If my young brother, Hon. Chamisa wants things to be good on his party, he must first of all chastise his people and the party's allied media so that people will appreciate his leadership instead of scaring people away." News / Press Release by Khulani David Ndhlovu Revolutionary greetings comrades. The people of Zimbabwe are tired of old selfish, corrupt and violent horses that have plunged the country into an economic abyss. They are tired of violence, unemployment, poverty, bank queues and poor transport and health infrastructure. Zimbabweans therefore believe that the ballot box is the panacea to these ills. However, there are some who are seeking to postpone the elections for their selfish ends.It is alleged that Nelson Chamisa has been invited for dinner by Mnangagwa. Mnangagwa is frightened by the possibility of losing elections due the entry of Mugabe into the opposition sphere. Chamisa has been invited to discuss the possibility of MDC-T supporting Themba Mliswa's motion in parliament to postpone the 2018 elections. It is further alleged that the motion is likely to be tabled in parliament by Tuesday next week.I dont hate Chamisa as a person, but i have issues with his ideologies and intimate relationship with Mnagagwa and Zanu PF. He once represented Zuva(a company owned by Mnangagwa) agaisnt the workers. The workers lost the case. That on itself fully defines what kind of a man Chamisa is. He is a backboneless politician who is hungry for power and money. He cares less for the people he leads and represents. His promises to the masses confirm that he puts his dreams ahead of those of the masses. I reiterate that his dreams do not interpret to the dreams of the suffering masses. His less feasible promises further prove that he takes the masses for granted. All he wants from the people is their vote. Such a leader is dangerous and can be difficult to get rid of in the near future because he believes the masses owe him and owns them. He believes the people must serve him at any cost.If the motion to postpone the elections is tabled and becomes a success, then the people of Zimbabwe must brace themselves for tough times ahead. A coalition govervenment is what will be born of a succesful motion. If leaders from different schools of thought are copelled to work together, disaster is inevitable. At the end of the day it is the general men in the streets who suffer. I submit that the postponement of the elections is the postponement of the dreams of Zimbabweans. It is the postponment of the birth of a new dispensation. A postponment of the birth of the democracy and constitutionalism in Zimbabwe.If Chamisa supports the postponement of the elections, he would have sold out the masses. Idealy, he must first consult with the masses before buying into the motion. Not doing so would confirm that he is hungry for power and cares less about the plight of the suffering masses. History has it that the previous coaliation government achieved nothing. It was a mere coaliation of the leaders that excluded the interests of the people. If people come first, the opposition must reject the possible elections postponement. We need a breed of opposition leaders who are not power hungry, but hungry to serve the people.Why is Mnangagwa afraid of the upcoming elections? The answer is not far fetched. He is not ready to face the opposition in the ballot and he is not sure of his grassroots support. He is also aware that he is illegitimate. Furthermore, the entry of Mugabe to the opposition sphere is a threat he can not ignore. He therefore sees his life dreams being cast into a bottomless pit hence the need to buy time. If he convinces Chamisa's MDC-T to support Mliswa's motion to postpone the elections, he will have enough time to campaign and rebrand Zanu PF. He will have enough time to weaken the opposition and when the elections come, it will be a white-wash.Can Chamisa support the postponement of the elections? As an economic politician with a suspecious proximity to Mnangagwa, Chamisa can support the motion. His critics opine that he is hungry for power and can do anything and everything to get it. The postponement will mean that he becomes the Prime Minister without going through the ballot. The commotion in MDC-T is giving him sleepless nights. He is also scared that the party might split anytime soon.Therefore, a coalition government will give him enough time to handle the problems in his party. Chamisa is however oblivious of the dangers of a coalition government. Thus a coalition government might stagger the final nail on the coffin of MDC-T.PRC is against the postponement of the 2018 elections. Postponement of the lection is postponement of the redemption of the people of Zimbabwe. It is a derailment of their dreams and aspirations. We therefore reject the possible motion to postpone the elections. Dear Zimbabweans, let us all unite against the possible postponement of the elections. 2018 is the year of change, let no one steal this year from you.Victory is certain, alluta continua.PRC youth spokespersonKhulani David Ndhlovu Opinion / Columnist "If you could do it all over again MHOFU would you still become a primary school teacher?""I took a time off with friends and we had just been sharing horror stories of teaching in the UK - mine, those of some other teachers there, and those that had been heard through the hallways at the local schools." said Mhofu from Luton in UK."I had to pause for a moment to think about my answer; an answer that would either show a life filled with regret or one with gratitude for the experiences I had been served." he proceeded.Being a teacher in the UK is the worst thing one can ever dream of, it is far worse than being in hell. I was a teacher in Zimbabwe for over ten years. I loved mu work; I can remember days I would stand at an assembly with children greeting us in chorus. It was a pride to be a teacher. In the street you meet your pupil he will salute and greet you with respect. If you find your pupil misbehaving he or she will hide from you to show that little sense of remorse and respect.The pride of being a teacher enveloped me and put me at a level where I felt satisfied that I am indeed someone. The day I left for England I was so excited and I was so sure I would make an impact teaching as teaching was my way of life. Everything in life happens for a reason, and sometimes when your path is not clear to you, it is clear to some other unseen force who guides you until you get it."You know, if it wasn't for teaching, I probably wouldn't have travelled as much as I did. It was the teaching that got me around the world and allowed me to live in certain countries and travel. But it gave me a rude awakening.I got a teaching job at a School in Luton it was a school which was said to be a better school with respected pupils. I was so grateful for it being the portal to so much joy and wealth of living. When I walked in the class the children looked at me as if they were seeing a ghost. One child raised his hand and said to me are you an idiot. I was shocked, I thought I was a teacher, I looked at the child and wanted to hit him but I was warned never to touch them or I will die in prison. I pretended as if I did not hear then I heard another child saying hey are you deaf.I was so angry and I walked outside to make a complaint to the teacher in charge. As I stepped my foot outside the classroom the whole class raptured in a uncontrollable laughter. I had never been insulted by a child and let alone a white one. I was so angry and started shaking. I walked into the Teacher in charge's office. He looked at me and said go and control your class first.I walked back in the class and what happened made me feel so seek. Four girls stood in front of the class and as I walked in they lowered their trousers showing their behind at me to the laughter of the whole class. I could not beat them but I was so angry. I walked out of the class straight to the car park and said to the first person I met in the corridor. Hey can you deal with those lunatics.After a day I received a letter from school saying I was fired because I had no confidence and no skills of dealing with children.I then got another Job as a teacher this time I was called a supply teacher who is equivalent to a temporary teacher. The only difference is a supply teacher is a qualified teacher. I arrived at the school at least this time I was determined to bring some order. As I walked in the class I saw on the green board some offensive writings. it was a question. What's the difference between a monkey and a black man? Just below it there was an answer which said At least a monkey can climb trees. When I asked who wrote that with a very angry voice the class was so silent as if there was no one in there. I turned to the board to rub the offending writings. When I turned to the class I saw my bag flying down the block of flats to the ground. I looked very angry and shouted on top of my voice. The head teacher and few other teachers rushed to the class. The pupils all rushed to one corner and on seeing the headmaster they started screaming as if they were seeing a witch. The headmaster did not call me aside. He told ne front of the children that I was intimidating the kids and making the learning environment a war zone. I told him they had thrown my bag down and they had written racist remarks on the board. The head teacher said he could see nothing on the board the kids shouted and said I threw my own bag outside when I tried to hit them with it.I was asked to go home and reflect on my teaching skills. The classroom is controlled by children, you must do what they want and you must not dictate to them. The head takes the word of the child against yours. I had to change and go to a primary school. As I work now to extract myself from a career I was so passionate about, I ask myself why and why?I hope those who are thinking of teaching overseas embrace it for the amazing experience it will give, in becoming, not just a better teacher, but a better person. Most of all embrace it for the travel it can gift you. But the experience is killing.I had my interview with a teaching agency in the UK before I finished Uni. I was accepted and so when I arrived in London in 2003 on my UK working holiday visa, I was ready to start my teaching career in Hackney, East London, an areaI was soon to discover to be one of London's most challenging. Said Paul TaruvingaI wasn't quite ready to settle into a full time job so I went straight for the supply (casual, substitute) teaching. This meant I was running all over the East End going to different schools every day. It was a great way for me to get to know the city, and lose a whole lot of weight.It was also a fantastic way for me to learn how to be an adaptable teacher different students, different classes every day. One day I was called in the headmaster's office, I was informed that a child had complained that I speak so loud that the child is now having sleepless nights. I was asked to lower my voice or I will be sued if the child goes deaf. I am not a loud speaker, I was so shocked. I could not answer. I simply walked out back to class. The following day I had a complaint on my desk for sexual abuse. I was alleged to have touched a girl child on the shoulder. I was told any form of touching was an abuse. I was suspended. After three months of no pay I was reinstated. I hated teaching with all my heart.John Dickson said, he was reprimanded for calling a child my son. When he came to school the following day there was a fuming parent, she said to me hey my son has a father at this school now. I said I don't know, and then she said you called him my son yesterday in class. I was numbed. She went off to the head and I was seriously admonished. The culture here is so strange. There is nothing like stopping students from throwing chairs at each other; teaching a whole class of students with limited manner having a 7 year old boy you just meet scream at you "You f----ing b---ch; and learning how to manage a Somalian refugee with severe autism. Yep that is what a UK teacher is. In the midst of this I did have a couple of permanent days at some schools throughout my one and half years of supply teaching. I decided to find a more permanent position, and had a year 5 class at a pretty good school. This school is a complete opposite of other schools I was in. but it's all the same the respect we get from Zimbabwean students is not in any of the UK's students. Teaching becomes such a nightmare.After my very educational London teaching experience, I returned home and managed to secure a position teaching year 4 at a very nice school in Harare. The principal hired me because she had spent a couple of years in her youth traveling and knew just how much it made you grow as a person and what it could teach you about life.She took a chance on me where other principals weren't so willing. In their eyes my jet-set lifestyle wasn't as professionally appealing.Borrowdale is a very wealthy suburb and I found myself teaching the children of some pretty influential people. After the challenges of London, this was a total dream teaching experience for me. home is always best, we all go out there for money the pain we get in getting that money is really too much."I spoke of my experience teaching in Dublin on our working holiday stories podcast.It was one of my favourite teaching experiences to date." Abina Sibanda recalled"I was not allowed to teach a class of my own as all teachers have to be able to speak Gaelic in order to teach. I started off supply teaching as this was allowed. I found a job advertised in the paper for a Language Resource Teacher, and applied." I was hired and the students were very good but of course they were the better side of the bad.I have realised that the most stressful job in the UK is teaching. you get stressed from the children and the teachers alike. The money is good but the culture implanted in the children is horrible. it is not a surprise that those who left Zimbabwe as Teachers have changed professions. Some are bus drivers. My friend was a headmaster in Zimbabwe he is now a cleaner in the town. it is better to fight dirty than to fight people he said.vazet2000@yahoo.co.uk Opinion / Columnist 1.CASH CRISIS 2. Bitter Mugabe Bonus The unprecedented military intervention brought euphoria to the masses they gave their future to the crocodile, I had believed in since childhood. Questions are still asked does the alligator have the power to work out of water and steer the fortunes of the landlocked Zimbabwe into prosperity.The type of ecstasy that descended on the streets were of orgasmic proportions one can not stop to wonder about the morning after, whose pregnancy carries twins Namely Cash Crisis and bitter MugabeThe hope that came with the larger than life comeback of ED was unparalleled.People were certain Joshua has come to take us to Canaan.Mr Mnangagwa had one problem to solve and win the hearts of urban Zimbabweans forever, that was making hard earned cash available to the hardworking masses and it remains a vote lure for him and time is running out.But running a country is not subject to duende. ED has done a great job as a president he is paying his constitutional dues and branding the country in positive light , increasing people's freedom to say what they wish and many other positive contributions but is that what ordinary Zimbabweans want " an eloquent No!" says late Cde Zvobgo.Mnangagwa orated how he wants to solve the cash crisis this is bye increasing our exports through manufacturing , increasing mineral production and attracting FDI. As an international economics and trade undergraduate student I definitely know this will just ease the cash shortage after a long time but won't really deal with it Why?, simple reason being money attracted by exports will never match the value of goods produced for internal consumption since we use foreign currency as our legal tender. Primary reason for storing foreign currency is to finance imports not to transact domestically. How can the Cash Crisis be dealt with. There are a couple of reasons and returning Zim dollar isn't one it's catastrophic. The best reason is seeking a formal mandate to dollarize our economy our economy since the current is informal and wasn't legalized by the US. We can seek to use the rand or Chinese yuan through formal transparent procedures which those governments will print cash enough for our society.The excruciating pain of cash crisis really caught up with me when I wanted to pay my university school fees. I am a student overseas I went to the FBC bank as usual with my $3000 hard earned yearly fees in USD little did I know the charges of sending it where $600. I was disappointed in the government I gunned for, four years supporting the ascendancy of a president who is doing a good job but not dealing with this pressing issue.Like any active supporter I got phone number of a minister who I shall not name but who is well placed to deal with cash issues. I asked him how and where can I send this money with a lesser cost. He completely ignored with a blue tick. Only to surface next day at a rally claiming he has helped me so ironic.Mugabe is acting like that Ex husband who doesn't want to see you move on without them. Claiming he was betrayed by Mnangagwa shouldn't even be on the cards he betrayed ED, being the crocodile he is he had to snap back. Mugabe is creating fire which he might not be able kindle when the system he created descends on him. One won't deny he is looking as fit as a fiddle as media inclined to him used to say but one can't deny he is delusional and mentally unstable. Grace Mugabe and her newly formed party the NPF are plotting mugabes final downfall and he might get it before elections are due.Niccolo Machiavelli the Italian writer of Florentine said " If you crush a man crush him completely or to an extent that he cant imagine revengine fearing what might come", Mnangagwa has one choice to finish the mentor-he gave so much mercy after humiliating him.Mr Mnangagwa made some good choices on ministers but some of them needed some rest I bet anyone would agree with the ongoing strike DR Parirenyatwa deserves a rest, governor Mangudya promised us resignation if bond notes failed he hasn't as yet all he know is printing more RTGS money. The hardest working minister so far as I see are only 3 general SB moyo, tourism minister and partly the one responsible for mining deals, Air Marshal Perence Shiri is doing a great job as well. Opinion / Columnist In the early 1980s weapons were "discovered" in ZAPU owned farms, by the way by whom, the white led CIO and the newly intergrated ZANU- PF cadres. True arms of war were in some of these farms, but why, one would then ask. Mugabe and his top commanders were fully aware that these arms were there for Umkhontowesizwe. However there were some that had been buried in other farms that neither ZIPRA nor ZANLA former cadres knew of and these were massive. The unique thing about these ones was that they had their firing pins removed. These are the biggest part that was "discovered" by the white led CIO and attributed to ZAPU. They had been planted by the white led CIO and the South African intelligence service to destroy ZIPRA and its possible capability to support the ANC in any form. Unfortunately Mugabe in his hatrage of ZAPU and ZIPRA and wanting to deal a final blow to these two organisations cried foul and went on to an unrestrained killing. The serial killer and mafia godfather had an opening which he took with both hands.These weapons had been discovered in ZAPU owned properties, Mugabe says he had to act. Why kill women and children, some unborn ripped out of their mother's wombs. Why rape, detain, murder unarmed innocent civilians in Beitbridge, Kezi, Pluntree, Binga and everywhere in Matabeleland for weapons found in a few farms. What Mugabe says is that he acted as each villager and small child born and unborn had helped hide those weapons, hence he had to kill. The serial killer does not accept the number of people killed as fronted, he feels the figure did not reach the number he had hoped for.In some instances he cites dissidents as the cause for the genocide. It is said they were about a hundred dissidents operating in the region. That genocidal war lasted from 1982 through to 1987 when Dr J Nkomo was forced to join ZANU-PF or witness the region and part of the Midlands lose all it's inhabitants. Mugabe, cruel as he exhibits to date at age 95, enjoyed the killings, found them a kind of thrill that is why to date to him all was justified. It has to be noted that in that period of genocidal operations the army successfully killed at least between three and four dissidents per month meaning about thirty six per each year. Looking at this army success dissidents were wiped out within three years. The operation still continued and one wonders who this serial killer and mafia gang leader was killing. Surprisingly when dissidents were offered amnesty in 1987, about sixty dissidents led by Thambolenyoka came forward. Former ZIPRA combatants who had been intergrated into the army were by this time half their original strength at the period of intergration having been systematically murdered mercilessly and labelled as army success against dissidents.Mugabe seems to find some kind of thrill when he personally orders killings, the white farming community was not spared his cruelty and in the run up to the 2008 election he turned on his own people. What he had done in Matabeleland and the Midlands in the early years, he enjoyed it at his door step and to date does not show any form of remorse but wants another turn as president this time to wipe out while enjoying the feeling all those opposed to his rule. General Mujuru died the similar way Mugabe was ordering people to be killed in Matabeleland. In the period Mugabe was in power, people died mysteriously, in accidents, murder, and most cruelly poisoning. He inherited the poison from the former army of Rhodesia.This serial killer has to be tried than let go and want to come back to power directly or indirectly using known failures to once again unleash killing horrors. If the present government leadership was used to commit these crimes, it is their time now to turn the heat on Mugabe to fully explain why he used them, why he made them butcher innocent people. If they protect him, then they are a big part of the killings and equally guilty as he is. Will then they hope to use the army all their lives, no that is gradually coming to an end. They call it natural generational renewal. Only a fool does not know when and where the sun sets. Opinion / Columnist Former President Robert Mugabe lost his popularity way back before his resignation from his duties as the Head of State and Government on 21 November 2017.In a recent interview with foreign journalists from various media houses at his blue roof homestead in Borrowdale Harare, the former Zanu-PF first secretary said he still remains popular in Zimbabwe and Zanu-PF in particular. He also wrongly claimed that the people who marched against his leadership on 18 November last year were opposition supporters from the Movement of Democratic Change (MDC). However, his remarks make no sense as the people who demonstrated against him were Zimbabweans from different political parties, including Zanu-PF supporters.When Members of Parliament began their impeachment proceedings, crowds of people from all political parties turned up to cheer through singing, dancing and chanting in Africa Unity square. This was done as a way of celebrating the end of Mugabe's reign.Also, most people who marched from Gwanzura stadium to town were being led by the former freedom fighters. Mugabe used to say that war veterans were always behind him.Recently, Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans' Association's (ZNLWVA) top leadership ordered the former President to shut up, as he was claiming that he was being intimated for forming his opposition party, National Patriotic Front.ZNLWVA secretary-general, Victor Matemadanda was reportedly quoted saying, "Mugabe has never been a war veteran and he cannot be a member of the patriotic front because he never participated in any war. He cannot call his party patriotic front, but patriotic fail. He should just keep quiet and rest peacefully."The air time that was given to the interview of the former president by the foreign media houses says a lot. In most news channels and their news bulletins, the coverage of the interview was only given a short time to prove that the elderly man is no longer popular.It is unfortunate that the former President failed to realize that he was no longer a darling of the people of Zimbabwe and the world over during his tenure as President of the nation. President Mugabe was not only unwelcome in his country but the world over. This was mainly because of his old age and overstaying in power that most people and politicians believed was beyond his reign.Surely, at the age of 94 what else did people expect from the former President besides him sleeping during programmes. What Zimbabweans wanted was for Mugabe to rest and enjoy his retirement or concentrate on other programmes that needs less pressure.Reacting to the interview of the former President, President Mnangagwa released a statement saying, Mugabe has the freedom to express himself freely like any other citizen. President Mnangagwa said the nation has moved on and it was now focusing on preparing for free, fair and harmonised elections that are to be held in the next coming four months.The former President should be reminded that Zimbabweans are content with the new administration under President Mnangagwa. From the time he assumed office, President Mnangagwa has been busy trying to restore the economy that his predecessor failed to develop during his 37 years of leading. Presently, a lot of tangible economic developments are being noticed and Zimbabweans are satisfied with that.In that vein, Mugabe must accept that he is no longer in power and should neither interrupt Government business or the revolutionary party's programmes. In short, he must leave President Mnangagwa to correct the mess he left.Zimbabweans have moved forward, my advice to the former president is for him to do the same. Opinion / Columnist I wonder what part of the human emotion and body that Robert Mugabe and his handlers wanted to appeal to. It was certainly not the brain.(This article first appears on Hopewell Chin'ono Facebook Page and is published with his permission)If there is ever one thing that Zimbabwean political parties, politicians and their communication departments have never mastered, it is to understand how to use their relationship with the media profitably and understanding how the media works, especially foreign media.Whoever advised Robert Mugabe to invite foreign media into his embarrassingly expensive home, that person is definitely ignorant of today's media and communication skills.We saw the grotesque conspicuous consumption on display. My former colleagues at ITV News who covered yesterday's Mugabe briefing, opened their news package with the ostentatious multi million dollar life style on show in a country ruled by Mugabe for 37 years, where there is no clean running water.In a sea of poverty, the world was shown how ridiculously rich the dictator who ruled Zimbabwe for 37 years is and how he lived a Hollywood lifestyle.We learned of how delusional he still is to imagine that he could and should be part of Zimbabwe's political and economic solutions.His handlers exposed the retired tyrant to the world but not in any meaningful way, those who ever doubted how detached Mugabe's delusional character was, yesterday's media interviews were their answer.Mugabe thought that he was chipping away at Emmerson Mnangagwa's legitimacy, but he did the opposite.He said that Zimbabwe was prosperous, he said that Gukurahundi was not his problem but ZAPU's.He said that he was a democrat and that Zimbabwe was in good shape. He basically continued on his old script of denialism and delusional rants.He never takes responsibility for anything bad that he did. It is all our fault in his narcissistic mind and we should be thankful to him for having liberated us.He is at sea and oblivious to the terrible price that 15 million people have had to pay in 37 ruinous years of his rule.Whilst many families have been divided by the need to seek greener pastures outside Zimbabwe, he was busy paying himself in cash and buying multi million dollar rings for his wife.Whilst many women die at child birth for lack of better health facilities, his kids taunt us posting videos pouring champagne on hundred thousand dollar Rolex watches.These interviews did more damage to him than to Emmerson Mnangagwa. If I were Mnangagwa, I would not respond to anything that Mugabe said. I would also encourage the state media to ignore the old-man by not commenting about anything Mugabe said in his rants.Commenting will give Mugabe's rants extra legs, energy and the political relevance that he is so desperately seeking.Yesterday showed how political parties must understand that not all publicity is "good publicity" in politics.We saw how badly briefed Mugabe was when he spoke about his imagined popularity, and up to this very day, he continues with the lie that it was only MDC supporters that marched against him in November.At a time when the Zimbabwean government and Emmerson Mnangagwa were starting to get stick for the social and economic malaise in the country on legitimate issues like money shortages, doctor's strikes, unreformed repressive laws like AIPPA and POSA, failure to give plausible explanations to the targets they overpromised, in comes Robert Mugabe to remind us why what we have now regardless of its legitimacy problems is far much better than the Mugabe years.At least we have an upcoming election to chose a leader and political party of our own choice, something that Mugabe wouldn't countenance as he continuously ordered the state security services to repress the citizens.Robert Mugabe spoke about how the state security intelligence organization, CIO and the police were in his own words, completely neutralized by the army in November when he was forced out.This is the same state security agencies that Mugabe had used to brutalize citizens and subdue them by removing their right to constitutionalism and yet today he wants us to sympathize with him for not being able to have used them once more in November 2017.Mugabe spoke about how he left his teaching profession to save the country from colonial oppression, once again as his uncle, the veteran nationalist James Chikerama once said, everything revolves around Robert Mugabe the person.Mugabe spoke about how he made Emmerson Mnangagwa and how he felt betrayed by him, he forgot to talk about how he publicly embarrassed him nine times at his made up Youth Interface rallies where his wife took the role of Chief lynching Officer.They took turns to belittle Emmerson Mnangagwa and a long list of other politicians including Mugabe's own spokesman, George Charamba.This ended in Mugabe firing Mnangagwa and sending his people to go after him, perhaps to finish him off.After all this humiliation that he piled on Mnangagwa and his allies, did he seriously expect them to be loyal to him regardless?!This is vintage selfish Robert Mugabe in action showing the whole world that nothing matters at all except his lust for power, which he used to regress Zimbabwe to 1965 standards, and yet he thinks that we are the most developed country on the continent outside South Africa.Robert Mugabe stayed in power through electoral fraud, use of intimidation and violence, theft of state resources to oil his patronage system, the divide and rule tactic which deployed to devastating effect, smooth rhetoric, lies and deception, murder of opponents, the list goes on.The same man comes back three months later after his demise offering to bring stability to a broken country which he destroyed for 37 years, NO Robert, we don't need you and we won't fall for your con tactics ever again!If there is one positive thing that came out of these media briefings, it was how they made Mugabe look even more pathetic than we ever imagined, how he looked and sounded genuinely bitter, how he sounded selfish and mentally deluded and how his team and himself are out of step with public opinion. It also showed how Mugabe fails to understand that without the state machinery that he used to intimidate the citizens, he is completely nothing at all.The irony is that he now relies on foreign and local private media to deliver his incoherent political messages, the same media that he effectively blocked from doing its work with the help of his now right hand man, Jonathan Moyo.Whilst he says that he feels lonely and isolated, he should be reminded that there are many thousands of families who feel lonely through the killing of their relatives and friends through his orders to sustain his brutal rule.He spoke of how Solomon Mujuru was a drunk, smoker and terrible guy, reminding us of how he was once responsible for the burning of a hotel in the 70s in Geneva, perhaps his hatred for him couldn't be contained any longer in 2011.Whilst he reminded us of his CIO operatives who disappeared in November during the military intervention, he should also tell Itai Dzamara's family where he is. After all he was the commander in chief.That would be a good starting point if he wants to have an honest discussion with his compatriots.Whilst he wants to remind us of how unconstitutional Emmerson Mnangagwa's presidency is, he should also perhaps tell us how he became an unconstitutional president in 2008 when he walked on dead bodies back into the state house after losing to Morgan Tsvangirai.This interview also showed us how Jonathan Moyo lied in his BBC Hardtalk interview saying that he sought refugee at Saviour Kasukuwere's home. Mugabe gave a totally different version of events saying that both men sought refugee at his Blue Roof mansion.This media junket was a total disaster for both Robert Mugabe and his NPF handlers.I wonder what part of the human emotion and body that Robert Mugabe and his handlers wanted to appeal to. It was certainly not the brain.-----------Hopewell Chin'ono is an award-winning Zimbabwean journalist and documentary filmmaker. He is a CNN African journalist of the year and Harvard University Nieman Fellow. His next film, State of Mind looking at mental illness in Zimbabwe is coming out in March. He can be contacted on hopewell2@post.harvard.edu or on twitter @daddyhope Opinion / Columnist President Nelson Chamisa and fellow MDC Alliance principals will this weekend address huge rallies in Kwekwe and Gweru as part of the national effort to rally Zimbabweans to vote for transformation, opportunities and prosperity in the forthcoming elections.The Midlands rallies kick off when President Chamisa and his allies address a rally at Mbizo 4 Grounds in Kwekwe.On Sunday, the MDC alliance principals juggernaut rolls into Gweru where the leaders are set to address another huge rally at Mkoba Stadium in the Midlands provincial capital.On the sidelines of the two rallies, President Chamisa will take the opportunity to engage students, informal traders, pastors and small scale miners (makorokoza), among other social groups.The MDC Alliance presidential candidate and his team are moving around the country exhorting Zimbabweans to vote for change and unveiling a cogent policy programme that will bring positive change in the lives of the people. The policy programme is firmly anchored on the tripod, whose key pillars are Transformation, Opportunities and Prosperity (TOP).Mammoth crowds continue to turn up at all MDC Alliance rallies and President Chamisa and his team will soon be moving to Mashonaland East and Mashonaland Central provinces to drum up support in these mainly rural provinces.Throughout the country, Zimbabweans across the spectrum have affirmed their support to President Chamisa and all the MDC Alliance candidates that will be fielded in the watershed plebiscite that is due in a few months time. - CBC News Adapt or die. The retail landscape in Canada continues to change. Many products do not need to be seen or examined. Electronics, health and beauty merch, some clothing, are better bought online. It's cheaper and easier for busy people.---Sears Canada among the casualties in the Canadian retail scene in 2017Shifting shopping expectations driven by demographic changes, the growing move to online consumerism, and evolving technologies will continue to shake up the Canadian retail scene in 2018, experts say.Some in the Canadian retail sector may be forgiven if they seem glad to see the end of 2017, a year that brought upheaval and closures. The year was punctuated by the failure of Sears Canada. The department store chain sought creditor protection in June and ultimately went into a liquidation process that will see it close about 190 stores, ending the jobs of about 15,000 employees.Another retailer, the venerable Hudson's Bay Co., is also facing challenges in today's competitive environment. The company said in June it was cutting 2,000 jobs as it restructured.Meanwhile, moves by retail giants Walmart and Amazon continued to shake the market in Canada.'Wake-up call'As retailers count their take from this year's holiday shopping season, Willy Kruh, global chair for KPMG's consumer and retail practice, says he expects a "relatively reasonable" increase of five per cent in holiday sales, and healthy margins."I think the point is that Canadian retail needs a real wake-up call about what's coming in 2018 and in the future, based on what we are seeing today," Kruh told the CBC's Meegan Read in a recent interview.Kruh said the most store closures on record in the U.S. was back in 2008, when they hit roughly 6,100 stores. However, this year, he said, that figure is projected to be between 8,500 and 9,000 stores. Opinion / Columnist Many have said it, and it is much true that our politics is the politics of the stomach, they have said bring principles to a hungry man on one hand, and a bag of mealie-meal on the other hand, the man will choose the mealie-meal a thousand times the choice is repeated. The English say, once beaten twice shy, I guess we have to qualify that, and say it only applies not to a hungry man, because if hungry he will wag his tail marching towards the beating so long as there is a bowl of soup there. Since my generation opened its eyes, I doubt ethics and principle have ever mattered in Zimbabwean politics. We have seen people flip-flop and change positions a million times bending towards the source of grain.In our politics, we have seen how far true it is that if you cannot beat them, join them, no matter at what cost. A person with the hindsight of our politics, has to understand the coercive arm of our government for as long as we have known the term government, to us, this is synonymous with ngozi' in shona and umgobho' in Ndebele, you have no choice because it either means your life or you toe the line.A few months ago, not so long ago, our current President Mr E D Mnangagwa boasted about how he served the day in 2008 when ZANU PF had lost an election, he said he called Mr Mutasa who was on his way to Mutare, he credits himself with regrouping people to take the election victory from MDC to ZANU PF. We all seem not to remember or care about that. It does not beg for wondering why Zimbabwe sits where we are today, because the blood of hundreds of those who died during that period was betrayed by the GNU, accepting that ZANU PF could not lose. A precedent was set, and it is proving very expensive and maybe we have to understand that the negotiators to the GNU from the MDC did not also care a lot about the welfare of many when the opportunity to get into government presented itself. Many are thankful to the GNU for what it achieved but the other side of studies in the philosophy of History talks about taking a glance at what could have happened had the choice taken not been taken and the one/s left exercised.I guess it's a theory no one bothers about.What is the point of going to an election if there is someone who should not lose? Where are the principles of elections there? Anywhere today we have President E D Mnangagwa, accolades to the army, and yesterday we had President Mugabe, applause to the army! Ask yourself, this vicious cycle, where is Zimbabwe herding to? What difference does it make? Millions of dollars into the new constitution making process which led to the Constitution of 2013, what for? There are no principles in our country, whatever that is written in that Constitution is not worth the paper that it is even written on.Zimbabwe makes laws that it uses to rule by and there is no rule of law. The Constitution has been trampled on and means nothing to those that rule Zimbabwe and the rest of the populace dance to the tune of those that control state power and the state is made up of those in power, the state in Zimbabwe is not a static concept that has institutions but the state describes the holders of power at that moment and they use it willy-nilly, they are above the law. The global world watches even as Zimbabwe burns, who cares? We had accepted that Mr Mugabe as President had proved incorrigible and we accepted his sun was about to set in terms of the first office. Zimbabwe had accepted how he had been the law of the country and hence no one could speak against him.That was a big mistake because those that would follow would also desire that unfettered power and reign. As ZANU was falling apart there was hope that we would pick the pieces and rebuild but President Mnangagwa had something in mind. He wanted in and he had the support of the army, and that was the end of the story. He took it and the Constitution was similarly trampled on in the same fashion it had been by his erstwhile boss and hero. The High Court in the Country went on to tell Zimbabweans to take the Constitution and shove it where the sun does not shine, maybe it was because of the presence of the army and that the army had pulled a fit against one they thought could never come down, and therefore the army was seen dangerously powerful, who could dare challenge that? Besides from the early 80s with those pumas, the wrath of our army has always been known, when you look at the history of assassinations in the Liberation parties during the Liberation struggle, you get to understand how power struggles have always unfolded in our land.Mr Mnangagwa who was fired legally, his firing was turned over, to what intents and purposes only they know why they went to those lengths to do that because that did not in any way affect the inauguration of their chosen candidate as the new look ZANU PF but I guess this was meant for the ordinary gullible Zimbabweans. The same way that Zimbabweans danced and ululated for President Mugabe, allegiances changed over night and the population started to dance for Kutonga kwaro', mudhara achauya', Ngwena' and ED'. Those who had appeared to hold principles and even fought on Tsvangirai's side clamouring for democracy and Constitutionalism, dropped the song, understandably so, because MDC had mainly been about Mr Mugabe and less policy issues and in any case the agenda of the opposition had been changed and it had become irrelevant, mr Mugabe , their agenda was gone!When the few that still believed in the Constitution started to challenge the illegalities of how the administration of Mr ED was formed, constituted and elevated, the new ZANU converts who had ululated at his firing made so much noise about those being puppies of Mr Mugabe and wanting Mr Mugabe back despite the clear prayers in the court papers that they sought not the return of Mr Mugabe but that the Constitution be held supreme. The excitement was that the banks would be with money in weeks and the 100days saw nothing but still a worsening of the situation and yet the people's eyes still appeared clouded. Is this the curse of Zimbabwe? How do we as a people pride ourselves in one of the faultiest systems and practices the world has ever seen and yet claim to be such an educated country? If this is what education does, I am better of uneducated.When Mr Mugabe speaks, the ones who championed the cause of human rights, then say he is undermining the authority of the President and must be arrested and already similar charges had been taken to Court within the short space of time of President Mnangagwa's reign against citizens of Zimbabwe for expressing their misgivings about this administration. Why do we allow history to keep repeating itself in this fashion? When President ED, was asked about Gukurahundi he turned red!! Imagine, he even said the 20 000 number was an imagination because there weren't as many people who died. He then further said 2008 elections were free and fair and if that is his idea of free and fair then 2018 is the bomb. They went to the lengths and breath of the world to act an award wining episode of escaping Zimbabwe via Mozambique and then coming back, laboured to sanitise the Coup, then you believe they will preside over an election, and allow themselves to lose?Well Zimbabwe, you are cut from a much different clothe, it is not to be compared to any, all of Africa is a pay grade above us, we cannot blame those that oppress us because in the 80s we turned a blind eye to Gukurahundi, and only to wake up much later in the 2000 election violence, today the Constitution is pissed upon, the courts champion and lead the pack in desecrating the Constitution which started with President ED on section 180 of the Constitution, and we let it be, wait, when shall we wake up? What will have happened? Maybe After President Chiwenga, President Shiri, President Moyo, maybe then? And by then the Judge President will be Retired Brigadier Shumba and Chief Justice will be Retired General Dube?What makes us a people? Do we have a sense of citizenship and responsibility or we have resigned ourselves to being illegal immigrants and makwerekere is what suits us better as a people? Do we not need better? Those staying in the country would rather pick crumbs under the master's table singing his praises, is that the life of a Zimbabwean? And you should dare not speak, because if you speak the system will eradicate you like a cockroach because it has mighty DDT that squashes bugs? Is that our portion as a nation?Reflection: A President who by implication refers to people as dogs that continue barking while they continue to rule? The one who when others were fired in ZANU gloated over ZANU's firing but when he was fired brought the country to a stand-still using its armoury to fight his dismissal? So, who is ZANU PF? Who has always been the master mind behind the ZANU PF of 38 years? Who has been manipulating President Mugabe? Do you think President Mugabe might have more to say if asked about the man behind all the grisly acts of the 38 years? President Mugabe has been described as a hero, a father and teacher and who is this man? Is there a chance this man has always been behind this country's direction? Closely trusted Aid, and confidant, son, who saved ZANU PF in 2008 knowing he will take it over some day and always close by, lurking in the shadows monitoring things? The greatest Politician and Master-Planner! Maybe as we suffer our folly we should celebrate the greatest game of chase by the Master player, our President, President Mnangagwa- Kutonga Kwaro!! The man with the Gamatox!Dr Vusumuzi SibandaLDNC Chairperson. Opinion / Letters Waving banners saying "Mugabe must go" and "We can't wait until 2002", a crowd of 25,000 massed in Harare's Rufaro Stadium to celebrated the first anniversary of the founding of the MDC. Drawing roars of approval, Morgan Tsvangirai said: "The time for mass action is now. We say to Robert Mugabe: if you don't want to go peacefully, we will remove you violently. This country cannot afford Mugabe for one day longer." This was in 2000 and today I repeat the words of Morgan Tsvangirai - Mugabe go peacefully or else.Robert Mugabe has once again proved how much of a selfish hypocritical and crook he is, and this time he did it with the help of the independent and foreign media, which over the past 3 decades has hounded and banned from Zimbabwe. Culturally, we are taught to respect our elders and accord them reverence as they are custodians of wisdom and our traditions. However in the case of Robert Mugabe I am saying there is an exception because he is not a custodian of any wisdom or tradition, just an old man who is attempting to employ every trick in the book to remain relevant, maintain a hold of power and protect his ill gotten wealth.I speak on behalf of millions of Zimbabweans who have bore the brunt of decades of Mugabe's dictatorship. He broke families, destroyed dreams, he maimed opponents, he persecuted rivals, he killed many and today has the audacity to say that he was removed illegitimately and wants to be part of some transition process. No Mr Mugabe you are the one who was illegitimate and we the people got the better of you at your own game. No sane person would take the hogwash that Mugabe is selling seriously. Firstly, no right thinking Zimbabwean wants Mugabe, his crazy wife, Grace and that thieving trio, Jonathan Moyo, Savior Kasukuwere and Patrick Zhuwao anywhere near the levers of power in this country. Zimbabwe has been brought to its knees by Mugabe and his cabal and now that we have seen the possibility of what Zimbabwe can be, we are certainly not going back to that Egypt. Mugabe and his G40 cabal can go and set up their little fiefdom in Singapore, since at one time he spent more time there than in Zimbabwe where he was supposed to be governing.Mugabe and his wife treated Treasury is their little piggy bank, and had been looting millions so fund their over the top life. At one time Cabinet failed to seat for over two months because Mugabe was always out of the country on one bogus trip after the other. That other year he even attended a UN youth summit in the US, where he was the only Head of State in attendance, and as the story goes, the young delegates were astounded as to why "the old people from Zimbabwe were at the summit, as they slept throughout the proceedings". Then there was that "bira" in India which turned out to be a dud and government functionaries had to come up with absurd excuses as to why a whole President was going to attend a low key festival.All the while he was travelling around the globe in the company of his crazy wife, Grace and their drug addicted sons, Zimbabweans were wallowing in poverty; dying of cholera, dysentery; surviving on chunks and handouts from western donors, languishing in prison for trumped up charges. This man destroyed many lives for speaking truth to. The fact that he can still hold press conferences at his mansion shows us that he got the easy way out. Ghadaffi died in a drain somewhere, Laurent Gbagbo is on trial at the International Criminal Court for crimes against humanity, and his wife only got released last year on technicalities. This is what should have happened to Mugabe. We cannot be seen as rewarding his behaviour by treating him as a human being when all these years he has behaviour has proven that he is a power hungry monster who does not flinch at the sight of blood flowing to preserve his hold on power.Mugabe should not have the right to call upon SADC, the AU or the UN to intervene in Zimbabwe because for years these bodies tried to address his mis-governance issues and he told them to go to hell. It's payback time, it time for Zimbabweans and the world at large to tell Mr Mugabe to go to hell.If you find yourself supporting this Mugabe nonsense, one can only surmise that you have been a beneficiary of the old regime and much like your leaders, Robert and Grace, you miss stealing from the people of Zimbabwe.So I repeat, Mr Mugabe go peacefully, or else. 'We lost everything': After 7 years of war, Syrian refugee families can only dream of returning home As the devastating war in Syria enters its eighth year, countless families have been separated including two cousins who grew up together in Damascus and now live on opposite sides of the globe. Amani Sulaiman and her family recently resettled in Canada. Meanwhile, her cousin Omar Almouisati and his family are currently stuck in Jordan. Almouisati, his wife and three daughters fled Syria in late 2012, as bombs rained down on the neighbourhood they were living in near Damascus. A few months later, Sulaiman decided to follow her cousin. The two families lived in Jordan, but only the Sulaimans were granted refugee protection in Canada. Both families have watched as Russian and Iranian forces have helped turn the tide in favour of Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad, and are left wondering how Assad's resilience will not only affect their chances for reunification, but what it holds for the future of the country. Neither Sulaiman nor Almouisati hold out much hope that the war will end soon. Moreover, they worry there will be nothing to return home to when that happens. "There were no benefits at all to this war," said Sulaiman. "Our youth they were like flowers and now they're gone. We lost everything." A country on the run While the United Nations has stopped counting the casualties, it's thought that nearly half a million Syrians have been killed in the civil war. The conflict began with peaceful street protests on March 15, 2011, in support of young Syrian boys who were detained and tortured after scrawling graffiti in support of the Arab Spring uprisings spreading through Tunisia, Egypt and Libya. Assad ordered a crackdown, and the violence eventually grew into an opposition effort to try to force him out. The Sulaimans and Almouisatis are among the 5.6 million Syrians who have fled their country since the first protests in 2011. Most of those refugees have settled in the Middle East or Europe. Story continues The war has driven another 6.1 million Syrians from their homes inside the country, which means the violence has displaced just over half of Syria's prewar population of 22 million. While both families have escaped the immediate danger of the war, the pain of the ongoing destruction of their country haunts them almost daily. Almouisati lived in Eastern Ghouta for a number of years, and still has many friends in that area, where the latest tragic chapter of the conflict is playing out. Airstrikes by Syria's military and clashes with opposition forces there have left more than 1,000 people dead in the last month, according to the U.K.-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. Almouisati spends hours on his smartphone watching clips posted from his old neighbourhood, near Damascus. "It's very tragic, it's very sad to watch these videos," he said. But the siege of Eastern Ghouta reassures him that the difficult decision to flee Syria was the right one. "If we did not leave, we would now be living the life of those who stayed every time someone leaves their house, they have to say goodbye to their family, because they may never come back," he said. Will Assad stay? Seven years later, the war has pulled in numerous other countries, with forces from Russia, Iran, the United States, Turkey and the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah active in the fighting. With military help from Russia and Iran, Assad is no longer on the verge of defeat. Instead, his position is more secure than ever, and it's expected that his forces, in time, will regain most of the territory lost to opposition fighters and jihadist groups, such as ISIS. Bessma Momani, a professor of political science at the University of Waterloo, predicts that Moscow and Tehran could clash in the coming months over how Syria will be governed. "The Iranians are invested in making sure that the Assad regime stays in place and Assad himself which can't be said about the Russians," Momani said. "I think the Russians want the regime, but not necessarily Assad." The Syrian leader faces another serious challenge namely, the presence of local militias in various parts of the country that will make it difficult for the government to reassert control. "Assad is able to retake territory, but the challenge is he's unable to consolidate legitimacy or governance in the territory he reclaimed, partly because warlords have basically taken over the job of governing these areas," Momani said. 'We are alone here' Sulaiman is watching this complex, seemingly unending conflict unfold from Toronto, where she currently lives. Her four children are going to school here while she learns English. "My whole life has changed. You can't imagine how happy I am," Sulaiman said. "You're talking about Canada you feel like you're a human being, you have rights." "The only sadness I feel here is that Omar isn't with me," Sulaiman said. In Jordan, Omar Almouisati spends his days trying to make money taking odd jobs as an electrician while worrying that his young daughters are missing out on an education. He and his wife had their fourth daughter in Amman, where they currently live in a tiny apartment. "My children only go to school now in the afternoons," he said. "They are not learning anything. I want them to get a good education so they have a good life." "We feel very depressed," said Almouisati. "We are alone here, we have no family here. Our only family is Amani [Sulaiman], and she left, so we don't have much." Despite poor internet service in Jordan, the two families try to bridge the time zones by coming together on Skype, where Sulaiman updates the Almouisatis on her efforts to relocate them to Canada. But both families know it will not be easy. Canada continues to resettle refugees from Syria, with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada telling CBC News that family reunification is "a priority" for the government. But only spouses and children are eligible not cousins. "God willing, I'll see him again," said Sulaiman. "Loneliness is hard. You can't imagine how hard it is." "I want them to come to me. I'm not asking for a miracle, I swear, I'm not asking for a miracle." Viewers can now see a live camera feed of Pacific great blue herons nesting in Stanley Park. The Vancouver Park Board says the herons have returned for the 18th consecutive year to the colony near the park board offices on Beach Avenue. Viewers can take control of the camera for two minutes at a time and zoom into specific nests. "This live-streaming camera supports our board's biodiversity agenda, enables our partners to better monitor and protect the colony and helps to build public understanding and support for this species at risk," said park board chair Stuart Mackinnon in a statement. The board also said residents are being encouraged to minimize activity near the colony that could cause distress to the birds, such as noise and bright lights. When the herons are sleeping at night, viewers can watch a timelapse video of their previous day on the site. The park board said there are plans to host a series of Facebook live events, moderated by the Stanley Park Ecology Society. Breaking down barriers for young new Canadians at forum with community leaders Morey Trare has only been in Canada for 18 months, but the teenager already has already started a business and has dreams of expanding so he can create jobs for his fellow Canadians. The Grade 12 student at Ecole Secondaire De Lamothe-Cadillac fled the Ivory Coast with his family. "There was a war ... [and] our life was at risk, so we moved to Canada and I was really happy to be here," he explained. "When you come to a country you have to adapt to a new culture ... but in when you come to Canada it feels like home also." Now Trare is juggling his studies with his software and app development business and learning to live with cold weather. The entrepreneur was a panelist at the first-ever Dreams WORK Newcomer Youth Forum, held at the St.Clair College for the Arts on Wednesday. Event aimed at improving access The event was organized by the New Canadians' Centre of Excellence and brought more than 80 youth who are new to Canada together with community leaders. Jillian Toman, youth program service manager for the centre, said the forum was a way for service providers in the community to find out how to best help youth in areas including education, employment and social integration. "The idea is to really hone in on what's relevant, what's happening and what do youth want to see," she explained. "We're finding it's all about the story, all about giving voice to their experience." The centre is planning follow up events to build on what leaders learned this week. Trare said he struggled with English and knowing how to access resources when he first arrived in Canada. Now he's hoping sharing his story and working with other newcomers will help. "I started a business so I can help people through my passion, because I really love technology," he added. "I think I'm inspiring other kids to do the same thing." How much support is there, really, for bilingualism in Canada's only bilingual province? The new CEO of Dialogue New Brunswick wants to get an accurate reading of how New Brunswickers feel about the issue and what to do about it. Nadine Duguay-Lemay, who took on the job a few weeks ago, is commissioning a study on the subject. Dialogue NB is a non-profit organization focused on strengthening the relationship between anglophones and francophones by getting them to talk and listen to each other. The study will consist of a review of existing research on the topic of bilingualism, so that the organization can better understand and appreciate citizens' views. There are anecdotes about the sometimes tense relationship, but Duguay-Lemay said the group wants something more concrete and evidence-based. "Where the linguistic file is such a controversial one, because it touches culture, heritage and so many emotional fibres in people's beings, where I want to take this discussion is just bring it back to facts," she said. Duguay-Lemay grew up in Tracadie-Sheila and has lived in different cities in New Brunswick, as well as in Alberta, Costa Rica and India. Emotional subject She was a participant at the 2015 Governor General's Canadian Leadership Conference, and her background includes work in marketing for financial institutions, managing an arts centre, and founding several community organizations. From those experiences, Duguay-Lemay said she's found bilingualism can be a touchy subject that brings up a lot of emotions for people. "It always stems from emotions," she said. "It's always something that has happened to somebody. "To talk about this file and where people stand, you almost have to dig and dig. Tell me about your background, tell me about this." Something to celebrate Ultimately, what she wants to do as Dialogue NB's CEO is make the province a place where bilingualism is celebrated and actually encourages people to move here. Story continues "New Brunswick cannot afford to really be fighting among ourselves," she said. "We need to be coming together." Right now, Dialogue NB is meeting with consultants. Once the study is complete, the group will share the findings widely, Duguay-Lemay said. By Matthew Miller BEIJING (Reuters) - A Canadian court has awarded plaintiffs $2.63 billion in a civil case against Sino Forest Corp co-founder and CEO Allen Chan, a decision that's certain to lead to more litigation over one of the biggest cases of securities fraud by a listed Chinese firm. Ontario Superior Court Justice Michael Penny, in a 174-page judgment handed down late Wednesday, found that Chan engaged in fraud, breach of fiduciary duty, and negligence. He awarded damages in the amount of $2.63 billion. He also awarded $5 million in punitive damages. Chan "abused his unique position" to "orchestrate an extremely large and complex fraud, resulting in the loss by Sino-Forest of billions of dollars", wrote Justice Penny. Sino-Forest, the failed timber firm, was a publicly traded company listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange, before short seller Muddy Waters LLC published a report in 2011 accusing the company of being a Ponzi scheme riddled with fraud, theft and undisclosed related-party transactions. Between 2007 and 2010, the company raised more than $2.1 billion and C$800 million in Canadas debt and capital markets. Sino-Forest's collapse became the symbol for a series of offshore-listed Chinese firms accused of similar fraud that subsequently collapsed, including most recently China Huishan Dairy Holdings <6863.HK>. Wednesday's judgment is the first to definitively state that Sino-Forest was a fraud headed by Chan. "Mr. Chan, rather than directing Sino-Forests spending on legitimate business operations, poured hundreds of millions of dollars into fictitious or over-valued lines of business where he engaged in undisclosed related-party transactions and funneled funds to entities that he secretly controlled, Justice Penny wrote. The litigation was brought in 2014 by Cosimo Borrelli, who was appointed Trustee of the SFC Litigation Trust and argued that Chan and executives Albert Ip, Alfred Hung and George Ho organized a massive fraud. Borrelli did not respond to a request to comment on Thursday. But a source close to the case said that the Canadian court decision would facilitate other legal claims against the auditors, valuers, and other directors of the company. In 2012, accountancy Ernst & Young, one of the firm's auditors, agreed to pay C$117 million to settle its part in a shareholder class action involving the firm. It later agreed to pay an C$8 million penalty to the Ontario Securities Commission, but admitted no wrongdoing, for its audits of Sino-Forest. Wednesday's decision followed a July ruling by the Ontario Securities Commission that Chan and his top executives engaged in deceitful or dishonest conduct" that they knew constituted fraud and violated securities law. (Reporting by Matthew Miller; Editing by Stephen Coates) Canadian Geographic is combing through its back catalogue for examples of racist portrayals of minorities after National Geographic acknowledged its own problematic record with race this week. After what it called an extensive investigation, the iconic American magazine confirmed that for generations it portrayed people of colour as savage, unsophisticated and unintelligent. "There are lessons to be learned here," said John Geiger, chief executive officer of the Royal Canadian Geographical Society and publisher of Canadian Geographic. "There's a benefit to having organizations own up to these sorts of issues." Geiger said that after reading National Geographic's statement, he looked through older editions of his own publication. What he found shocked him. "We didn't start publishing until 1930, so I was hopeful that we wouldn't see that same kind of overt racism that you saw in the earlier years of National Geographic," he said. "But sadly, I reviewed a copy of our very first issue and within the first few pages I saw that there was language that was offensive." Racist language In one story titled, "Canada's Viceroy in the West Indies" about then-Governor General Viscount Willingdon's visit to the Caribbean, described in the piece as the "sun-room of the empire" a young black girl sitting next to Lady Willingdon is described as "a dusky maiden." In the very same issue, some Asian men are described as as "lusty beggars" as the magazine asserts that the "morality of many of them is of the lowest type." "It sometimes literally takes your breath away," said Geiger. His operation now has two archivists combing through every back issue of Canadian Geographical Journal and Canadian Geographic looking for more examples of racist language and imagery. Geiger said he fully expects to find more articles. He described the effort as an aspect of the Royal Canadian Geographical Society's teaching mission. Story continues "The National Geographic Society, like the Royal Canadian Geographical Society, are educational organizations and if we can learn from our own past mistakes, there's a benefit," he said. Moving beyond racist portrayals Rinaldo Walcott, director of the Women and Gender Studies Institute at the University of Toronto's Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, praised these publications for owning up to their racist records, but said he remains cautious about celebrating their actions. Walcott said National Geographic Editor-in-Chief Susan Goldberg's assertion that her publication has done a better job with gender diversity than it has with racial and ethnic diversity gives him pause. "They're not fully coming into the kind of racial consciousness and racial thinking that they need to come into to make the transformation that is necessary." He cited National Geographic's past use of photos of bare-breasted Indigenous and African women as an example of how race, ethnicity and gender all play roles in portraying women of colour in a demeaning light. "The subjugated women's bodies are exposed in a way that white women's bodies are not exposed," he said. "Somehow because you bared ... a part of your body, that makes you less intelligent, that makes you less human, that makes you less modern. National Geographic has been a part of a long legacy of European colonialism using images to suggest that non-white people are less than human." Perpetuating stereotypes Walcott said photography has played an outsized role in the perpetuation of stereotypes that have had a devastating and long-lasting impact on non-whites. "Images have been used to shame us, they've been used to denigrate us, they've been used to suggest that we lack intelligence." Geiger said today's Canadian Geographic works very closely with many Indigenous writers and photographers to tell stories about issues that affect their communities. "We've worked very hard to be part of the reconciliation process. It's something that has great meaning to us." Asked whether the CBC was doing a similar review of its own archives, Head of Public Affairs Chuck Thompson said the idea is now the topic of "internal conversations." "National Geographic's review raises important questions," he said in an email, "and while we are not currently reviewing our past coverage of marginalized communities, we are having internal conversations as to how best to look at our historical content, fully recognizing that many may feel their communities were unfairly depicted. "That said, our commitment to reflection and representation is active, important and on-going." CBC The 2021 federal election may be almost wrapped up (pending the counting of mailed-in ballots) but the analysis is far from over. Liberals will, once again, be the party representing P.E.I. in Ottawa, but there are some curious results for those in second, third and fourth place across the province's ridings. All these results will be promising for some, and disappointing for others. And it all starts with... Another Liberal sweep With Prince Edward Island's voting history, this should come as n Stephen Hawking may have been one of the most brilliant scientific minds of all time but he also had an affinity for marmalade toast, cozy slippers and was proud of the fact that he once drove over the foot of Prince Charles. While the world will memorialize Hawking as the best-known theoretical physicist of his age, Edmonton's Cathy Page will remember him as a dear and generous friend. "He was just so down to earth and so easy going," Page said in an interview Thursday with CBC Radio's Edmonton AM. "I came to realize that this famous physicist had his favourite shirt, he had his favourite kind of marmalade to put on his toast, he had his favourite slippers, his favourite Indian take-out place. "He was this famous physicist and yet he was just a regular human being." 'It was still a big shock' Hawking died peacefully at home early Wednesday in Cambridge, England. He was 76 years old. With his theories on black holes and the origins of the universe, Hawking revolutionized physics and cosmology and provided invaluable insight into the mysteries of space and time. He had battled the debilitating effects of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) for more than 50 years. "Stephen had many, many different things happen to him over the years, things happen where we thought he would die and then he would pull through," Page said. "But it was still a big shock that it finally happened." Page's husband Don now an acclaimed physicist in his own right met Hawking during his studies at Cambridge. Don Page lived in the Hawking family home for three years during his studies at the University of Cambridge. He helped care for Hawking, who was already largely paralyzed by disease. Cathy Page first met Hawking in 1986, a month after she and Don married. The couple was invited back to Cambridge to act as short-term caretakers for Hawking. She spent a month with Hawking while his wife Jane was travelling, helping him eat, dress and bathe. Story continues Watching health deteriorate was 'tragic' The families would remain close friends for decades to come, sharing family dinners and children's birthday parties. "She (Jane) desperately needed a holiday and when she found out I was a medical doctor she felt comfortable leaving Stephen in my care, along with the care of the nurses," Cathy Page recalled. "And that was the first time I really had interaction with Stephen." Within a few months of their time at the family home, Hawking would publish A Brief History of Time, which became an international bestseller, making him one of science's biggest celebrities since Albert Einstein. The combination of his bestselling book and his almost total disability for a while he could use a few fingers, later he could only tighten the muscles on his face made him one of science's most recognizable faces. Signs of illness appeared during Hawking's first year of graduate school, and he was officially diagnosed. The disease usually kills within three to five years. Watching Hawking being slowly ravaged by ALS was "tragic," said Cathy Page, but he faced his disability with an unwavering sense of humour and quick wit. Hawking was no stranger to Buckingham Palace. One of his visits with the Queen is the perfect example of his love of comedic relief. "Prince Charles was very taken with Stephen's wheelchair, so he wanted Stephen to perform some tricks and twirls," Cathy Page recalled. "So Stephen ran over Prince Charles's toes with his wheelchair. "Of course, at the time, he couldn't laugh but he thought this was just the greatest thing," she said. "He thought this was even more wonderful than this hugely prestigious award that he got." Despite his inability to speak, Hawking would still insist on giving driving directions during their outings on Cambridge's winding roads, using the lights on one of his control panels to indicate right and left. On one road trip to campus, Hawking insisted on returning to one of his favourite haunts, a cafe near the university that attracted an interesting clientele. "We went there and my husband and I looked at each other and were like, 'Oh my goodness,' " Cathy Page recalled with a laugh. "There were a whole bunch of very eclectic looking people in there some straight out of the 1960s hippie movement, and that's where Stephen had hung out. "That's a side people just don't see and don't even think about." While his contributions to science were invaluable, Cathy Page said bravery will also be part of Hawking's legacy. "I think anyone fighting so valiantly against a very, very difficult health situation people admire that and are drawn to that," she said. "He just faced death over and over and over again his life." - Timothy Sawa, Lisa Ellenwood, Mark Kelley CBC News More bad behaviour from drug retailers. Whether it's kickbacks or tiered pricing (charging more for people who have a drug plan), the pharmacy game is in bad need of an overhaul.I am not suggesting that people change to Walmart, but I am repeating what my neighbours have told me. Walmart pharmacies charge the same for prescription drugs, whether you have a drug plan or not. Billing plan providers more drives the price of pharmaceuticals up.---Rebates not allowed in province in bid to drive down overall price of genericsCostco is under investigation by an Ontario government forensic team that specializes in "allegations of wrongdoing against government" after the retail giant received $1.2 million in potentially illegal payments from a generic drugmaker, The Fifth Estate has learned.The revelation follows guilty pleas of professional misconduct in front of the Ontario College of Pharmacists from two pharmacy executives with the company known for its bulk deals and rock bottom pharmacy dispensing fees.The college accused Joseph Hanna and Lawrence Varga of demanding illegal payments from the generic drug company Ranbaxy.Hanna and Varga said the demands could "reasonably be regarded by members of the profession as unprofessional," according to statements from them that were included in the college's decision.Each pharmacist was fined $20,000 and ordered to pay $30,000 in costs.At the time of the fine, in January 2018, Costco had collected $1.2 million in potentially illegal payments from the drug company and so far has been allowed to keep that money. Joar Leifseth Ulsom of Norway celebrates winning the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race in Nome Alaska Joar Leifseth Ulsom of Norway celebrates winning the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race, the annual 1,000-mile (1609-km) trek across Alaska's wilderness, in Nome, Alaska, U.S., March 14, 2018. REUTERS/Nils Hahn/The Nome Nugget By Yereth Rosen ANCHORAGE, Alaska (Reuters) - A Norwegian musher won the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race early on Wednesday, notching the third victory ever for his home country in the 46-year history of the annual 1,000-mile (1609-km) trek across Alaska's wilderness. Joar Leifseth Ulsom, the dogsled driver, arrived at the finish line shortly after 2:30 a.m. local time (1030 GMT) after nine days and 12 hours to become the second Norwegian to win the 1,000-mile Iditarod. Countryman Robert Sorlie won twice before - in 2003 and again in 2005. Ulsom was greeted by Nomes mayor and crowds of fans who lined Nomes snow-covered Front Street, including one waving a Norwegian flag. In the finish chute, Ulsom said he had dreamed of winning the Iditarod ever since Sorlie did. Its pretty unreal that we pulled it off, he said. Deep snow and warmer weather, with temperatures at times topping the freezing mark, slowed the pace of this year's race. Last year, three-time winner Mitch Seavey set a record of eight days, three hours, 40 minutes and 13 seconds in hard-packed conditions. Ulsom, driving a team of eight dogs, jumped into first place on Monday when he passed French native Nicolas Petit on the Bering Sea ice. Petit, who had held a comfortable lead, went astray as he ventured into blowing snow and lost the trail, forcing him to backtrack. Petit told the Anchorage Daily News that he was led off-course by some markers left over from the Iron Dog snowmobile race. By midday on Tuesday, Ulsom and Petit and their dogs had paused in the Inupiat Eskimo village of White Mountain, a mandatory eight-hour rest stop before the final dash to the finish line in Nome, a coastal Gold Rush town 77 miles (124 km)to the west. The 31-year-old Ulsom, from the Norwegian town of Mo i Rana, just south of the Arctic Circle, has finished in the top seven in all of his past Iditarod races, and was the fastest-ever rookie in 2013. Petit, 36, grew up in France's Normandy region and moved to Alaska in 1992. He lives in the ski town of Girdwood. Story continues Sixty-seven mushers and their dogs started the Iditarod in Anchorage on March 3. As of Wednesday morning, eight had droppedout. Most Iditarod mushers are from Alaska, but each year several Norwegians compete in the race. Ulsom and the other Iditarod mushers who follow him across the finish line over the next several hours and days will split a $500,000 prize purse. As first-place champion, Ulsom also will get a new pickup truck. Four-time Iditarod champion Dallas Seavey, Mitch Seavey's son, withdrew from this year's Iditarod following a dog-doping scandal. Four of his dogs tested positive for a banned opioid after last year's race. Seavey has said he is innocent, accused Iditarod officials of botching his case and suggested that he was the victim of sabotage. Instead, the younger Seavey was in Norway during the Iditarod, where he was leading in the 1,100-kilometer (682-mile) Finnmarkslpet. (Editing by Jeffrey Benkoe) TOKYO (Reuters) - Amazon Japan said on Thursday it had been raided by the country's fair trade regulator on suspicion of a possible anti-trust violation. An Amazon Japan spokesperson told Reuters it was fully cooperating with the Fair Trade Commission but declined to elaborate or comment on details about the suspected violations outlined in earlier local media reports. Citing sources related to the matter, Kyodo news agency said on Thursday the online retailer is suspected of possibly asking suppliers to shoulder part of the cost incurred from selling their products at a discount on Amazon Japan. The Asahi daily reported that the firm may have demanded suppliers pay a "collaboration fee," measured as a percentage of the selling price of the product. Amazon Japan had come under regulatory scrutiny before. In a previous anti-trust probe, the Fair Trade Commission found the firm had required suppliers that sell their products on multiple platforms to list them on Amazon Japan at the same or lower price. Amazon Japan agreed to drop the practice and the regulators ended the probe last June. The Japan Fair Trade Commission declined to comment on the case. (Reporting by Minami Funakoshi and Makiko Yamazaki; Editing by Chang-Ran Kim and Sam Holmes) By Colin Packham and Paulina Duran SYDNEY (Reuters) - The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and Australia reject protectionism, Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and his Singapore counterpart said on Friday, amid fears about a possible trade war sparked by U.S. plans to raise tariffs on steel and aluminum imports. "You don't grow stronger by closing the door to other markets. Protectionism is a dead end. It is not a ladder to get you out of the low growth trap, it is a shovel to dig it much deeper," Turnbull told a special meeting of ASEAN in Sydney. "We must face the world, not turn from it. Embrace free trade, not retreat from it," Turnbull said on day one of the three-day summit. The anti-protectionism comments come as market sentiment sours with signs of a looming trade war between the United States, China and Europe over U.S. President Donald Trump's plans to raise tariffs on steel and aluminum imports, and possibly up to $60 billion worth of Chinese imports, targeting technology and telecommunications sectors. "I know the global mood may be heading in the opposite direction but within ASEAN we are working to deepen and deepen interdependence to work together to open up markets," Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said. Australia is hosting the ASEAN meeting, despite not being a member of the 10-nation bloc, as it seeks to deepen political and trade ties in the face of China's rising influence. Trade is a central topic of the meeting, though human rights and Chinese assertiveness are set to dominate talks between Australia and ASEAN countries. Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop said she would raise human rights concerns with leaders in Myanmar, which has been criticized for its crackdown on Rohingya Muslims, and Cambodia, which has dissolved the main opposition party and jailed government critics. CHINA'S RISE DIVIDES ASEAN Asked whether the ASEAN meeting was a direct counter to China's growing interest in the region, Bishop said Australia believed the bloc brought it "peace, stability and security". "We don't see it as having a role to balance the powers in the Indo-Pacific but rather be at the heart of the engagement collaboration with other countries," she told Australian Broadcasting Corp radio. China claims most of the South China Sea, an important trade route which is believed to contain large quantities of oil and natural gas, and has been building artificial islands on reefs, some with ports and air strips. Brunei, Malaysia, Vietnam, the Philippines, all of which are members of ASEAN, and Taiwan also have claims in the sea. Lee acknowledged China's rise had stoked divisions within ASEAN. "There is a shift in the global strategic balance, Chinese influence is growing with its economy and strength, and its interest in the region and beyond," he said. "There is a range of different perspectives and responses to this shift in the balance among different ASEAN countries." Indonesian Defence Minister Ryamizard Ryacudu on Friday said he had lobbied other ASEAN defense ministers to carry out maritime patrols in the South China Sea among efforts to improve regional security. Although several ASEAN countries already conduct joint exercises, other China-aligned member nations oppose such operations, making a consensus at the summit difficult. HUMAN RIGHTS The inclusion of Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen in the meeting has drawn criticism, and large protests are planned against both. Crimes verging on genocide were being committed against the Rohingya minority in Myanmar, and those crimes bore "the fingerprints of the Myanmar government and of the international community", the United Nations special adviser on the prevention of genocide said on Tuesday. Nearly 700,000 Rohingya fled Myanmar after militant attacks on Aug. 25 sparked a crackdown led by security forces in western Rakhine state that the United Nations and United States have said constitute ethnic cleansing. "It is in our interest to engage all ASEAN members including Aung San Suu Kyi at this summit because it gives us the best chance of influencing outcomes and making our concerns known, so these are matters that we would be discussing with the Myanmar delegation," Bishop said. The United Nations, Western nations and rights groups have decried a crackdown by Hun Sen against his critics ahead of a July general election. Hun Sen has warned potential protesters against burning effigies of him in Sydney, saying: "I will follow you all the way to your doorstep and beat you right there ... I can use violence against you." Despite the threat, hundreds of protesters on Friday rallied through Sydney, demanding the release of political prisoners. Asked about Hun Sen's threat, Bishop said Australia was "certainly going to raise our concerns with the Cambodian delegation". (Reporting by Paulina Duran and Colin Packham; Additional reporting by Byron Kaye; Writing by Jane Wardell; Editing by James Dalgleish, Michael Perry and Nick Macfie) Machu Picchu officials are cracking down on inappropriate behavior. (Photo: Goh Chai Hin/AFP/Getty Images) Travelers should think twice before dropping trou at one of the worlds most sacred sites. As AFP reports, three European tourists were forced to leave the ancient Machu Picchu site in Peru after some nude hijinks. The sightseers described as a 21-year-old German, a 24-year-old from Switzerland, and a 26-year-old Dutch citizen were caught exposing their bare bottoms for the camera during a visit to the 15th-century Incan citadel. The three tourists dropped their pants to show their buttocks and took photos, police official Martin Flores told AFP. That is not allowed. In accordance with internal rules in place there, the three tourists were expelled, but they were not detained. Authorities have cracked down on nudity at the UNESCO World Heritage site, as it is considered a sign of disrespect. There are places in the world that people can get naked, but not all places are (appropriate) for getting undressed, Alfredo Mormontoy Atayupanqui, director of archaeological resources for Perus Ministry of Culture, told CNN in 2014 after a series of incidents. Tourists should comply with local rules and regulations when they are traveling otherwise there will be thousands of problems. In 2016, one British and one French tourists were arrested for taking nude photos at Machu Picchu. Other tourist destinations are also having to deal with this type of unruly conduct. Two men were detained in Thailand last fall after taking mooning photos at a Buddhist temple. Read more from Yahoo Lifestyle: Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter for nonstop inspiration delivered fresh to your feed, every day. Updates throughout the day at http://calevbenyefuneh.blog spot.com. If you enjoy "Love of the Land", please be a subscriber. Just put your email address in the "Subscribe" box on the upper right-hand corner of the page.Twitter updates at LoveoftheLand as well as our Love of the Land page at Facebook which has additional pieces of interest besides that which is posted on the blog. Also check-out This Ongoing War by Frimet and Arnold Roth. An excellent blog, very important work. . ..Gatestone Institute..15 March '18..The Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) group is the second-largest terror group in the Gaza Strip after Hamas. Like Hamas, PIJ does not recognize Israel's right to exist and believes that violence and terrorism are the only way to "liberate all Palestine, from the Mediterranean Sea to the Jordan River."Like Hamas, in the past three decades PIJ has carried out thousands of terror attacks against Israel, including suicide bombings.Recently, the PIJ wished to remind us again of its dangerous and poisonous ideology. This reminder came in the form of a new "political document" published by the Iranian-backed terror group in the Gaza Strip.The document contains important information about the group's strategy to destroy Israel and provides insight into the role Islam plays in the Israeli-Arab conflict.Some may argue that there is nothing new in the PIJ document. However, PIJ is not just another Palestinian "resistance" faction, as some Middle East experts tend to describe it. Rather, it is one of the most dangerous Palestinian terror groups. It aspires to eliminate Israel and kill as many Jews as possible. Open Educational Resources MERLOT Updated for Mobile OER Hunting MERLOT, the granddaddy of open educational resources developed by the California State University system, has entered its third decade of operation with a new facelift. The project, as always, provides a gateway to OER. But with its newest release, search functionality has been expanded and coding has been done using responsive web design to make it mobile device-friendly. Dubbed MERLOT (to distinguish it from MERLOT II, the previous edition), the latest edition features a new, simplified home page, intended to provide an easy and familiar way for instructors and students to hunt down resources. Those OER materials may reside in the MERLOT repository, in one of a dozen digital libraries or on the web. Users can also type in ISBN numbers to find matches that way. "Smart Search," as the new search functionality is called, now includes a "recommender" function that infers the user's search objectives to provide additional results. Also, context-sensitive help has been redesigned and extended. MERLOT's tools already include the ability for registered members to create bookmark collections and course e-portfolios, and to add new open learning materials that can be shared. Registration is free. "Over the years, faculty wanting to adopt high quality, cost-effective [OER] have had difficulty finding them," said Sorel Reisman, MERLOT managing director and Fulbright OER specialist, in a prepared statement. "MERLOT has historically provided a solution to this challenge. Our new release, extending our proprietary smart search with an intuitive user interface, now makes this challenge easier than ever." The MERLOT site receives more than a million visits each year, providing visibility to 80,000 free, online digital resources for learning, including links to 5,700 open textbooks. In the California State University system, the Affordable Learning Solutions Initiative uses the MERLOT cataloguing system as the open access textbook repository to help faculty within CSU, California community colleges and other university systems choose more affordable, quality, educational content for their students. The updated system is available on the MERLOT website. Scintillating conversation blended with specially selected music on a Friday morning. The Bleeding Heart Show The New Pornographers - Twin Cinema - Twin Cinema Only Love You For Your Car Immaculate Machine - High On Jackson Hill - High On Jackson Hill Track You Down Sondre Lerche - Two-Way Monologue I'd Rather Dance With You Kings Of Convenience - Riot on an Empty Street La Prima Estate Erlend ye - La Prima Estate Caramba!... Galileu Da Galileia Jorge Ben - Beleze Tropical Cacada Chico Buarque - Beleze Tropical Please Be Kind Mildred Bailey - Please Be Kind (1938) Now That The Buffalo's Gone Buffy Sainte-Marie - It's My Way! - It's My Way! The Winter Has Passed The Deep Dark Woods - Yarrow - Yarrow Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp LinkedIn Email Telegram New York, March 16, 2018The Committee to Protect Journalists called on Maldivian authorities to immediately release three Raajje TV journalists who, according to their pro-opposition station, were detained today over their coverage of anti-government protests in the capital, Male. The government in the Maldives must respect the constitutional rights of all citizens to freedom of speech and stop using the police to censor coverage of protests, said CPJ Deputy Executive Director Robert Mahoney. Police must immediately and unconditionally release the three Raajje TV journalists. Police are detaining reporters Mohamed Fazeen and Mohamed Wisam, who were arrested while covering the protests, and Amir Saleem, the stations head of programming, according to Raajje TV. Saleem was arrested after a politician alleged that Raajje TV made and uploaded to YouTube a video in which a group of masked people dressed like police said they planned to join the anti-government rally, according to reports. The Maldives Police Commission superintendent did not immediately respond to CPJs request for comment. India: Pakistan apprehended 1,373 fishermen during 2015-18: Govt March 16,2018 | Source: India Today Pakistan apprehended 1,373 fishermen during 2015-18, the government today informed the Lok Sabha. In a written response to a question in the Lok Sabha, V K Singh, Minister of State in the external affairs ministry, said Iran held 252 Indian fishermen during 2015-18, mostly from Tamil Nadu, Gujarat and Kerala. Sri Lanka apprehended 744 Indian fishermen and and released 708 fishermen during 2015-16. Bangaladesh too apprehended 350 Indian fishemen in 2015 and 2016. The Indian fishermen were apprehended, primarily, for allegedly fishing in the waters of these countries. Qatar apprehended 108 Indian fishermen during 2015-18, but all were released. In 2015 and 2016, the United Kingdom apprehended 42 Indian fishermen, but they were later released. In response to another question on re-starting the dialogue process between India and Pakistan, Singh said the onus to restart the talks with Pakistan lies on it. "Any meaningful dialogue can be held only in an atmosphere free of terror, hostility and violence. Onus is on Pakistan to create such a conducive atmosphere," he said. India: With an eye on India, Ecuador launches Sustainable Shrimp Partnership by Cliff White March 16,2018 | Source: Seafood Source A new initiative led by the Ecuadorian seafood industry is aiming to improve the country's reputation as a source of safe and sustainable shrimp. The Sustainable Shrimp Partnership was launched by seven founding members from Ecuador on Monday, 12 March at Seafood Expo North America. The SSP is a certification based on Aquaculture Stewardship Council standards, but with augmentations for water quality, traceability, and antibiotic usage. We are a group of leading companies who share one mission: to make shrimp aquaculture a clean, stable, and successful practice for the world. In order to reach our goal, we have set a clear and ambitious plan to elevate the whole sector to the next level, the companies involved in forming the SSP announced in a joint press release. SSP members are committed to achieving the Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) Standard. The ASC standard is widely recognized as the most challenging and stringent certification scheme for aquaculture, and as SSP members, we are not only committed to achieving it, but also by surpassing it by meeting SSP additional criteria. A major goal for the Ecuadorian companies involved in the initiative is to create differentiation for its shrimp in the U.S. marketplace, where Ecuador finds itself in a price war with India and other Asian countries, according to Karina Amaluisa, Ecuadors trade commissioner in the Trade Office of Ecuador in New York. Ecuador is the fifth largest importer of shrimp to the United States, after India, Indonesia, Thailand, and Vietnam. Competitors from Asia, chiefly India, present a product that is slightly less expensive, but they dont have the quality of Ecuadorian shrimp, Amaluisa told SeafoodSource. The sector is seeking to promote this certification, because many of our companies have already implemented innovations related to traceability, quality control, and the elimination of the use of antibiotics, and we think that provides us a competitive advantage. While not included in the formal standards, the Ecuadorian shrimp industry can also claim high labor and social standards, Amaluisa added. Jose Antonio Camposano, executive president of the National Chamber of Aquaculture from Ecuador, said the launch of SSP represented a turning point. Up until this point, the shrimp sector has been a commodity market, and quality has often taken a back seat to prices, Camposano said. However, there are consumers who want more choice. Consumers care about what they eat and how it has been produced, and it is time they were offered a choice of farmed shrimp that meets the highest standards and is fully traceable to its origins. The new standard includes a complete prohibition of the use of anitibiotics, a move Michael Gilmore, director of the Harvard Infectious Disease Institute and principle investigator of the Harvard-wide Program on Antibiotic Resistance, praised. This level of industry commitment in removing antibiotics from food production is a highly significant step in preserving the utility of drugs we have and reducing the likely spread of resistance, Gilmore said. This is the direction we need to see all food sectors taking. In addition to its standards, the SSP will also aim to create a farmed shrimp sustainability leadership roundtable; lead an industry scale-up program aimed at small and midsize farms in Ecuador; and drive consumer awareness of the quality difference the group says is found in Ecuadorian shrimp. Initially, the World Wildlife Fund, IDH the Sustainable Trade Initiative, and ASC will all have representation on the SSPs advisory board. Jason Clay, WWF senior vice president for markets and food, said his organization supports the SSPs mission. SSP has set ambitious targets, Clay said. Achieving ASC and ensuring full traceability will be no easy feat, but their recognition for what is necessary in todays changing food market landscape sets them apart from many and will have impacts on the whole seafood sector. The launch of SSP also drew the interest of the Center for Science in the Public Interest , a nonprofit consumer advocacy group advocating for safer and healthier foods. CSPI Deputy Director of Regulatory Affairs Sarah Sorscher said the group will promote a race to the top in social and environmental standards. Members of the partnership should be applauded for their commitment, Sorscher said. We hope the food industry takes note of this important step, which serves as a call to action for further industry-wide improvements in shrimp and beyond. The SSP has invited any company or region that shares its ambition and can meet the product criteria to apply to join the organization. More information on the initiative can be found at its website. TOKYO - The Japanese government on Friday decided to introduce the right to plea bargain on June 1 by putting into force a revised law on criminal proceedings. In addition to crimes related to drug, gun and bribery cases as stipulated in the law, the cabinet approved a decree to expand the scope of plea bargaining to crimes involving breaching of antitrust and financial instrument as well as exchange laws. While plea bargaining is expected to help in the prosecution of organized crime, lawyers and legal scholars have warned that it could result in false statements leading to charges against innocent people. The decree also covers the bankruptcy law, patent law, trademark law and copyright law. Organized fraud is also among crimes falling within the scope of plea bargaining in the revised criminal proceedings law. Under the law, prosecutors may agree not to seek indictment, seek prosecution for less serious charges or demand lighter penalties if a suspect or defendant provides evidence or depositions against accomplices. The suspect or defendant may agree to do so only if the defense lawyer's consent is given in a written document, which is to be signed by the suspect or defendant, the lawyer and the prosecutors. The revision in the criminal proceedings law is part of an overhaul of Japan's criminal investigation and trial systems. The law was enacted in May 24, 2016 and promulgated on June 3 the same year. It is supposed to take effect within two years of its promulgation. A stipulation in the law obliging police and prosecutors to record interrogations of suspects in certain serious cases subject to lay judge trials and in independent investigations by prosecutors is supposed to come into effect within three years of the law's promulgation. | 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 Opposed to Capital Punishment? Help us keep this blog up and running! DONATE! "One is absolutely sickened, not by the crimes that the wicked have committed, but by the punishments that the good have inflicted." -- Oscar Wilde COLUMBUS A divided Ohio Parole Board on Friday recommended that Gov. John Kasich show mercy toward William T. Montgomery, convicted in the slaying of a 20-year-old South Toledo woman 32 years ago. Montgomery, 52, is set to die on Ohios lethal injection gurney on April 11 for the March 8, 1986, robbery-motivated killing of Debra Ogle. He is also serving a separate life sentence for killing her roommate, Cynthia Tincher, 19, who was targeted because she could place Montgomery and convicted co-conspirator Glover Heard, Jr., with Ms. Ogle. The parole board voted 6-4 to favorably recommend that the governor grant clemency. Though it was held by the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit to fall below the level of constitutional error, the states failure to disclose the police report documenting that Ogle was observed by witnesses on March 12, 1986, four days after Montgomery is alleged to have killed her, gives a majority of the Board pause nevertheless, the majority wrote. Former high-school classmates of Ms. Ogle reported to police that theyd seen her from a distance in a car and exchanged waves with her at her apartment complex after shed gone missing. They later retracted that statement, saying they must have seen Ms. Ogles younger sister. The 1986 police report was not turned over to the defense at the time and did not surface until well after the conviction. The board also pointed to letters since written by former jurors who expressed doubt as to whether they would have returned the same verdicts if they had this information. The failure to disclose that report coupled with the issues ... relative to Montgomerys jurors raised a substantial question as to whether Montgomerys death sentence was imposed through the kind of just and credible process that a punishment of this magnitude requires, the majority wrote. Montgomery had accused Heard of pulling the trigger. But the prosecution and 6th Circuit said that it the police report were accepted as true, it would not have changed the outcome of the trial. If Ms. Ogle did die on March 12, then Heard could not have been the killer. He was already in police custody at that point. The boards minority pointed to Montgomerys juvenile record of involuntary manslaughter. Nothing presented at the clemency hearing warrants reaching any conclusion other than that reached by the jury at his trial, which is that Montgomery caused the deaths of two individuals, the minority said. Nor can the senselessness of those killings and the heinous manner in which they were perpetrated be overlooked. A more modern review in 2012 of the old autopsy records led a Colorado forensics scientist to tell the board that Ms. Ogles death likely came closer to March 12 than March 8, given her bodys condition. If the later date were accepted, it would upset the timeline presented at trial that Ms. Ogle was killed first and Ms. Tincher second to get rid of a witness. Ms. Tinchers body was discovered on the 8th. Montgomery has maintained that hes innocent. In a hearing last week, Montgomerys lawyer, Jon Oebker, was not specific in the type of clemency sought, saying Montgomery simply wants to live so he can continue to pursue a new trial. We now have six parole board members, six federal judges, and two jurors who agree this is not the case where execution should be the outcome, Montgomerys attorneys, Mr. Oebker and John Q. Lewis said in a joint statement. We pray that Governor Kasich provides the relief to Mr. Montgomery so he may pursue a fair trial that is free of gross prosecutorial misconduct where all the evidence is considered, not just what prosecutors think is worthy of consideration, they said. We also keep the Tincher and Ogle families in our thoughts today. The Republican governor is not obligated to follow the boards recommendations. If he does grant clemency, his options include commuting Montgomerys death sentence to life in prison without parole, an option not available at the time of his trial, or release him outright. Lucas County Prosecutor Julia Bates whose husband, current Common Pleas Judge James Bates prosecuted the original case said the board did its job, although she disagreed with the outcome. I would be very troubled if he ever gets out, she said. Hes a dangerous, pathological person. That would give me some pause. Whatever happens, I hope the governor doesnt let him out. A federal judge ordered a new trial in 2007 based on the withheld police report, and a 2-1 decision of the 6th Circuit agreed. But the 6th Circuits full bench in 2011 voted 10-5 to reverse those decisions and reinstate the convictions and sentences. Heard was arrested first and, after several differing stories, pointed the finger at Montgomery. He is serving a sentence of 15 years to life and could seek parole in 2021. | 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 Opposed to Capital Punishment? Help us keep this blog up and running! DONATE! "One is absolutely sickened, not by the crimes that the wicked have committed, but by the punishments that the good have inflicted." -- Oscar Wilde Ukraine ready to sever economic cooperation program with Russia Groysman Groysman says Russia must pay a high price for its aggression against Ukraine. If you see a spelling error on our site, select it and press Ctrl+Enter Nord Stream-2 to put Europe into full dependence on Kremlin-operated gas supplier - Yatsenyuk The leader of People's Front in Ukraine also emphasized the need to take steps toward energy security. If you see a spelling error on our site, select it and press Ctrl+Enter 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 Hard-line MP Javad Karimi Ghoddousi claims President Hassan Rouhani has said he is incapable of simultaneously financing both the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) and Irans regular army. Ghoddousi, a former IRGC commander, made the claim in a video published on his personal website. In the video, showing Ghoddousi delivering a speech at an unidentified gathering, the city of Mashhads representative to parliament quotes Chief of the General Staff of Armed Forces, IRGC Major General Mohammad Hossein Bagheri as saying, I have written a letter to President Rouhani requesting him to allocate a budget for the Armed Forces. Insisting that Bagheris position, if not higher, is not lower than Rouhanis stature, Ghoddousi said Bagheri warned Rouhani, It appears that a problem is brewing. Bitterly criticizing Rouhani, Ghoddousi noted that instead of saying the defense issues are crucial and Bagheris demands must be met, Rouhani has written on the margin of the letter that the Armed Forces budget is used for smearing the government. Furthermore, according to Ghoddousi, Rouhani also wrote, Based on the Islamic Republics Constitution, the budget of the Armed Forces should be separated from bizarre extravagant expenditures for so-called cultural and propaganda affairs. According to the conservative MP, Rouhani has reiterated, A big chunk of the Armed Forces budget, instead of being used for the countrys defense purposes, is wasted on smearing and ruining the government, and that is against the law and Sharia. Ghoddousi, without elaborating on how he obtained the letter with alleged Rouhani notations, directly addresses Rouhani by saying, What ruins you is your own performance; not the viewpoints of people like us or cultural groups that are spontaneously established by the people. Moreover, in the same video footage, Ghoddousi maintains Rouhani has told parliaments Joint Commission that he could not pay salaries, pensions, or bonuses to the members of the two Armed Forces, the regular army and the IRGC. Eliminating the IRGC is the Wests demand, Ghoddousi said. On March 16, 1988 the Iran-Iraq War was already going on for eight years. According to an eyewitness around eleven o'clock, Iraqi Migs and Mirage jet fighters started bombing the city of Halabja in Northern Iraq. Clouds that were "white, black and then yellow" started billowing from the area that were bombed. Another witness that that was quoted in a Human Rights Watch report from 1991 said " I got some gas in my eyes and had trouble breathing. You always wanted to vomit and when you did, the vomit was green." The bombing was part of the Al-Anfal Campaign orchestrated by the Iraqi Baathist regime against the Kurdish rebels in the north of Iraq. The campaign were directed by Saddam Hussien's cousin Ali Hassan al-Majid who acquired a nom de guerre "Chemical Ali" as result. From the start of the Iran-Iraq war Kurdish fighters accepted money and arms from Iran. Iran hoped proxy fighters such as the Kurds would help them in their fight against Saddam's forces. At the time the Kurdish forces were split between the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan led by Jalal Talibani and Massoud Barzani who lead the Kurdistan Democratic Party. Al-Majid was arrested by U.S forces 2003 and was handed over to Iraqi authorities. He was executed in 2010 after a trial that lasted four years. Halabja Gas-Attack Survivors Fight For Lives, Justice 30 Years On Sons of a university professor and environmentalist who suspiciously died behind bars in Tehrans notorious Evin prison have called upon Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to pressure the Iranian authorities to allow their mother to leave Iran. Professor Kavous Seyed-Emamis wife, Maryam Mombeini, tried to leave Iran on March 7 to join her family in Canada, but she was stopped by security agents at the airport. Ramin and Mehran Seyed-Emami have asked the Canadian government to seriously investigate their fathers detention and death. Kavous Seyed-Emami, a university lecturer and Canadian-Iranian environmental activist, was arrested on January 24 and declared dead 15 days later. Irans judiciary and Evin prison officials said he had committed suicide. The death, as well as at least four other recent deaths at Irans prisons, have raised questions that are still unanswered. His death sparked new anger in Iran over the treatment of detainees, especially after nearly 5,000 people were arrested in the wake of nationwide protests in late December and at the start of the year. Ramin and Mehran Seyed-Emami said in a joint interview with The Associated Press that they have been speaking out despite intimidation and threats. They said they believe it is their only hope for getting their mother back to Vancouver after she was stopped at the airport March 7 and barred from leaving Iran. Iranian authorities told the family that Seyed-Emami killed himself while in custody. But Ramin, a musician who performs under the stage name of King Raam, said he and his brother "feel that the guards in the prison are responsible directly for his death." He said he was shown a video of his father in a cell, pacing, removing his shirt and entering the bathroom. Then, "eight hours later they came in and brought the body out of that room, so there is no footage or film of the death or how it happened," Ramin insisted. Furthermore, Ramin noted, It is highly suspicious why my father was left alone for eight long hours. Earlier, Iranian judiciary officials had maintained that Evins CCTV had documented Seyed-Emamis suicide. Nevertheless, a member of the Environment faction of the parliament, Ahmad Mazani, who has watched the footage, averred that the video does not show Seyed-Emamis suicide. Ramin and Mehran met with Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland in New York City on March 14 to urge pressure on Iran. "She reassured us they're doing their best to get my mother home as soon as possible," Mehran said. "We are grateful for their effort but ... we need them to speak up publicly, not just privately. "We asked for the prime minister, Mr. Trudeau, to make an official statement on behalf of the government, to pressure the Iranian government to release my mother, and to have a serious investigation into the case of my father," CBC cited Mehran as saying. The brothers said leaving Iran without their mother was very difficult. Ramin said she implored them to board the plane and go without her. Tehran prosecutor Abbas Jafari Dolatabadi alleged the professor was part of an espionage ring that collected information on "strategic areas." The brothers vehemently defended his innocence. "There is no shred of evidence against him, nothing," Mehran said. The Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC), whose intelligence agents are said to be responsible for arresting Emami and several other environmental activists, claims he had relayed information on the countrys missile bases to the CIA and Israels Mossad. However, espionage and counterespionage operations, according to Tehran MP and deputy parliamentary speaker Ali Motahari, are the exclusive responsibility of the Intelligence Ministry and the IRGC had no legal right to interfere in such matters. Nevertheless, Tehran Prosecutor-General Abbas Jafari Dolatabadi insisted Emami and other detained environmental activists had collaborated with foreign spy agencies. They installed cameras in strategic locations across the country and collected information on Irans sensitive sites, including missile bases, Dolatabadi said on February 13. Isa Kalantari, head of the Environment Department and President Hassan Rouhanis deputy dismissed Dolatabadis comments, noting that environmental cameras cannot be used for espionage purposes. Environmental cameras that monitor leopards activity have a range of no more than 50 meters (roughly 55 yards), Kalantari said. With reporting by AP WASHINGTON, March 15 U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis accused Iran on Thursday of "mucking around" in Iraq's May parliamentary election, in which Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi is seeking another term after a successful, U.S.-backed war against Islamic State militants. The ballot will decide Iraq's leader for the next four years, when Baghdad will be faced with rebuilding cities and towns seized from Islamic State, preventing the militants' return and addressing the sectarian and economic divisions that fueled the conflict. Among Abadi's challengers are former Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki and Hadi al-Amiri, a former transportation minister both of whom are among Iran's closest allies in neighboring Iraq. Mattis stopped short of detailing whom Iran sought to influence but said it was doing so by channeling cash into Iraqi politics. "We have worrisome evidence that Iran is trying to influence - using money - the Iraqi elections. That money is being used to sway candidates, to sway votes," Mattis told reporters as he flew back to Washington after a trip to the Middle East and Afghanistan. "It's not an insignificant amount of money, we believe. And we think it's highly unhelpful." There was no immediate comment from Iran, which has in the past denied interfering in Iraq. Mattis compared Iran's actions to those of Russia, which the U.S. intelligence community has concluded attempted to influence the 2016 U.S. presidential election in favor of Donald Trump. Russia denies this. "Iran is following Russia's example of mucking around in Iraq's elections," Mattis said. He declined to say whether he thought the Iranian effort had been successful or say whether Iran sought to undermine Abadi. Mattis said his trip to Afghanistan and the Middle East reinforced his concerns about Iran's activities in the region, from stoking violence in Syria to aiding insurgents in western Afghanistan. The United States also accuses Iran of escalating the civil war in Yemen and threatening to turn it into a broader regional conflict by supplying advanced weaponry, including missiles, to Houthi rebels who have fired at targets in Saudi Arabia. Mattis said Iran was using Yemen as a testing ground for its weapons. "It's where you find their radars, their ballistic missiles, their anti-ship cruise missiles. We found their mines, their explosive boats all being tested," he said. Still, the U.S. Navy told reporters traveling with Mattis that provocations by Iran had decreased in the Gulf. Iran's naval vessels halted their fairly routine, aggressive maneuvers near U.S. ships last August. U.S. officials including Mattis said they were unsure why. But Mattis said that the drop-off in naval maneuvers was an outlier in an otherwise clear pattern of aggressive behavior. "It was just brought home to me again that they are not changing their behavior, they are continuing to be a destabilizing influence," Mattis said. Baku, Azerbaijan, March 16 By Gulgiz Muradova - Trend: Moldova supports resolution of the protracted conflicts in the GUAM area, including the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, based on the principles of ensuring respect for international law, territorial integrity and sovereignty of the states, Moldovan Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Integration Tudor Ulianovschi said in an exclusive interview with Trend. Ulianovschi stressed that Azerbaijan and Moldova, since their independence and soon after becoming members of the international community, have been successfully cooperating at the multilateral level, especially in the framework of international and regional organizations, such as the United Nations (UN), Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), Council of Europe (CoE), the Organization of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC), as well as the Organization for Democracy and Economic Cooperation GUAM. Such cooperation, according to the minister, has always retained a good exchange of views and sharing mutual support in common priority points on bilateral, regional and multilateral issues. "This has been and remains particularly important as for more than two decades both countries have been facing the same problems, which require joint efforts, effective collaboration and reciprocal support at the international and regional level on matters of common interest, such as peaceful resolution of the protracted conflicts in the GUAM area, including the Transnistrian and Nagorno-Karabakh conflicts," the minister said. Ulianovschi stressed that Moldova, in view of that, has always supported the resolution of these conflicts based on the principles of ensuring respect for international law, territorial integrity and sovereignty of our states. The minister further added that Moldova attaches particular interest to the purpose of promoting the UN General Assembly draft resolution on protracted conflicts in the GUAM area and considers as being of the utmost importance to continue the common efforts in gaining international support for its adoption. The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. As a result of the ensuing war, in 1992 Armenian armed forces occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts. The 1994 ceasefire agreement was followed by peace negotiations. Armenia has not yet implemented four UN Security Council resolutions on withdrawal of its armed forces from the Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrounding districts. --- Follow the author on Twitter: @GulgizD Baku, Azerbaijan, March 16 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 16. Armenias armed forces were using heavy machine guns and 60-mm mortars. 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. Headline changed, details added (first version posted on 11:22) Baku, Azerbaijan, March 16 Trend: Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has met the Chairman of the Senate of Paraguay Fernando Armindo Lugo Mendez. Mendez expressed gratitude for being invited to the 6th Global Baku Forum and noted that he is very pleased to participate in the event. He stressed that the expanding geography of the event participants, the participation of representatives of various regions of the world contribute to international cooperation and at the same time make the event a good platform for discussing topical issues on the agenda. President Ilham Aliyev noted the importance of participation of Chairman of the Senate of Paraguay Fernando Armindo Lugo Mendez in the 6th Global Baku Forum. Touching upon the international significance of the event, Ilham Aliyev said that participation of representatives of various levels in the forum is important from the point of view of holding comprehensive discussions on international issues. Ilham Aliyev noted that Azerbaijan is interested in expanding cooperation with Paraguay and other South American countries. During the conversation, the sides stressed that the Forum also serves expansion of interreligious dialogue and multicultural cooperation. At the meeting, the parties highlighted the role of Azerbaijan in strengthening international cooperation, and emphasized the positive influence of Azerbaijan on reducing tensions in the region. Baku, Azerbaijan, March 16 By Elchin Mehdiyev Trend: The visit of Bako Sahakyan, who claims to be the president of the illegal regime created in the occupied Azerbaijani territories, to the US and holding of meetings in the US Congress shows that Washington concedes unfairness and disrespect in its mediation mission on resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, MP Elman Mammadov told Trend on March 16. He noted that the US is not an impartial mediator in the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. "The visit of the separatists to the US is not the issue of yesterday or today, this process continues since 1992. So, how can we hope that the OSCE Minsk Group co-chair countries will fairly resolve the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict?," he said. The MP said that Sahakyan's visit to the United States is a clear example of double standards in the US policy. Earlier, the US Ambassador to Azerbaijan Robert Cekuta was summoned to the Foreign Ministry and received a note of protest, sent by the Foreign Ministry of Azerbaijan to the US State Department. Meanwhile, Azerbaijans ambassador to the US Elin Suleymanov, after a meeting in the State Department, presented the protest of Azerbaijan to the American side. Baku, Azerbaijan, March 16 By Samir Ali Trend: The attitude of the US, which is a co-chair of the OSCE Minsk Group, and which calls itself a peace and democracy herald in the world, towards the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan is unacceptable, Vice Speaker of the Azerbaijani Parliament Bahar Muradova told Trend on March 16. Muradova made the remarks commenting on the visit of Bako Sahakyan, who claims to be the president of the illegal regime created in the occupied Azerbaijani territories, to the US and holding meetings in the US Congress. Muradova said this is both surprising and raises concerns. "We see the United States' attitude towards other countries in similar issues. But we see the exact opposite attitude towards Azerbaijan. Nowadays, there is almost no policy that is based on the principles and standards of international law in the world. Therefore, it is difficult to say anything unequivocally in this regard, because contradictions in foreign policy of big states do not allow us say anything concrete. Thus, now we don't know exactly whether the co-chair of the OSCE Minsk Group is unambiguous about separatism, territorial integrity of countries, or not" she said. Muradova emphasized that Sahakyan's visit to the US and meetings in the US Congress contradict Washington's official mandate as a co-chair of the OSCE Minsk Group. "I do not think anyone there did not know about the fact that the so-called regime is not recognized, and that the separatist regime was established in the occupied territory of Azerbaijan." "The United States surely knows that the invitation to a "head" of such an illegal regime to the US, his participation in various events, receptions and statements there, do not comply with the mandate of the OSCE Minsk Group and contradicts the international law. Thus, they at least throw into question their positions in Azerbaijan and reduce confidence in their efforts to solve the problem. " Earlier, the US Ambassador to Azerbaijan Robert Cekuta was summoned to the Foreign Ministry and received a note of protest, sent by the Foreign Ministry of Azerbaijan to the US State Department. Meanwhile, Azerbaijans ambassador to the US, Elin Suleymanov, after a meeting in the State Department, presented the protest of Azerbaijan to the American side. Baku, Azerbaijan, March 16 Trend: A plenary session, titled "Current and further situation of the Balkan region: basis of regional security or a new geopolitical chessboard", took place within the 6th Global Baku Forum on March 16. The session was moderated by former Prime Minister of Bosnia and Herzegovina Zlatko Lagumcia, while Albanian President Ilir Meta addressed it. Noting that throughout the history, the Balkans have undergone many changes and wars, and therefore these countries should learn from the past, Meta said that presently stability prevails in the region and this is a good opportunity to build a happy future. He said that joining the European Union is an important issue for the countries of the region. Peace has been achieved in the region as a result of regional cooperation, he added. Meta further noted that TAP and TANAP projects are important and are a great contribution to energy security. Moldovan President Igor Dodon, in turn, said various phenomena are taking place in the world today. This includes both natural disasters, and cataclysms, conflicts, terrorist acts, etc. The lack of a unified approach to such phenomena further exacerbates the situation. Big powers cannot agree among themselves and this affects small states, he said, noting that the Balkans also belong to such regions. Hungarian Minister of State for Security Policy and International Cooperation Istvan Mikola, for his part, noted that presently the situation is somewhat difficult in the Balkans due to illegal migrants. Given the seriousness of the issue, it is important that the problem be the focus of attention of the whole world, he said. Albania's ex-president Bujar Nishani reminded that great historic events took place in the Balkans. "The Balkans is a knot connecting Europe and Asia. Although the history is changing, the political interests regarding the Balkans remain the same. It is gratifying that peace has been achieved in the region, but some problems are still awaiting resolution," he said. Former Croatian President Ivo Josipovic noted that today the Balkans are exposed to both internal and external influences. He said this is in many cases linked with the weakness of the economy. "The fact that the region for many years was a site of war also had an impact on this. Therefore, it is necessary to implement a number of reforms in the region," he said. Former Bulgarian President Petar Stoyanov noted that a number of countries in the region have applied for membership in the European Union. "We want to see the stable Balkans that meet European standards. This region is an integral part of Europe and here must also be stability and development as in other European countries," he said. Former Serbian Prime Minister Mirko Cvetkovic said that even developed countries are experiencing great difficulties during decay, and in smaller states, this is even more visible. Therefore, the Balkans, consisting of small states, must together fight against such phenomena, according to him. The panel continued with discussions. Baku, Azerbaijan, March 16 Trend: Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev has signed an order to amend the order on approval of the new composition of the intergovernmental commission for economic cooperation between Azerbaijan and Poland from the Azerbaijani side. Under the order, the emergency situations minister is appointed the co-chairman of the commission. Deputy minister of foreign affairs, deputy minister of finance, deputy minister of economy, deputy minister of agriculture, deputy minister of culture and tourism, deputy minister of healthcare, deputy minister of energy, deputy minister of transport, communications and high technologies, deputy minister for taxes, first deputy chairman of the State Customs Committee, deputy chairman of the Central Bank of Azerbaijan, deputy chairman of Azerbaijan Railways CJSC, ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary of Azerbaijan to Poland are appointed members of the commission. Foreign Ministry was instructed to send a notification to Poland on changes in the composition of the intergovernmental commission. Baku, Azerbaijan, March 16 Trend: Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has signed a decree on application of the "Law on regulation of debts in the field of compulsory state social insurance." The law stipulates writing off the debts that were formed as of Jan. 1, 2006 and unpaid until April 1, 2018. The document also envisages writing off financial sanctions formed as of Jan. 1, 2015 and not paid until April 1, 2018. The financial sanctions are expected to be written off in the following order: - in case the insured paid 10 percent of the debt on financial sanctions in April-May 2018, 90 percent of the amount is written off; - in case the insured paid 30 percent of the debt on financial sanctions in April-July 2018, 70 percent of the amount is written off; - in case the insured paid 50 percent of the debt on financial sanctions in April-September 2018, 50 percent of the amount is written off. The law will take effect from April 1, 2018. Baku, Azerbaijan, March 16 Trend: Azercell Telecom, the leading mobile operator in Azerbaijan, is pleased to launch the next smartphone campaign for its subscribers. Thus, starting from March 16th, a new bundle iPhone 8 + 5GB data + 2-year free streaming on Azercell Plus Music service is offered to Azercell subscribers for the monthly installment of only AZN 85. In order to benefit from the campaign, subscribers should visit Azercell Exclusive Shops or Customer Service Centers. Notably, Azercells Exclusive shops serve customers in Baku (located at 5 Bulbul Avenue, 30\42 Gara Garayev Avenue), Khirdalan (located at 54, Mehdi Huseyn Street, H.Aliyev Avenue), Mardakan (located at 92, Sergey Yesenin Street), Khachmaz (40 Nariman Narimanov Street, Guba (located at 194 Haydar Aliyev Avenue) and Sumgait (junction of Koroglu and U.Hajibeyov streets). Aiming to make smartphones affordable for its subscribers Azercell will continue to provide them with new beneficial campaigns. For more information, please contact [email protected] The leader of the mobile communication industry, the largest taxpayer and the biggest investor of the non-oil sector of Azerbaijan Azercell Telecom LLC was founded in 1996. With 48% share of Azerbaijans mobile telecom market Azercells network covers 80% of the territory (excluding 20% of the occupied territories) and 99,8% of population of the country. Currently, 4,5 million subscribers choose Azercell services. Azercell has pioneered an important number of innovations in Azerbaijan, including GSM technology, advance payment system, mobile internet services, Metro coverage, 24/7 call centre service, 7 day/week Front Office service, M2M services, one-stop-shopping approach Azercell Express offices, Online Customer Care and Social Media Customer Care services, Mobile Customer Care office, mobile e-signature service ASAN Imza etc. Azercell deployed first 4G LTE services in Azerbaijan in 2012. According to the results of mobile network quality surveys of Global Wireless Solutions company and international systems specialized in wireless coverage mapping such as Opensignal and Testmy.net, Azercells network demonstrated the best results among the mobile operators of Azerbaijan. Baku, Azerbaijan, March 16 Trend: Over 12,000 police officers will ensure security in the district and precinct election commissions during the presidential election in Azerbaijan scheduled for April 11, Head of the Main Public Security Department of the Azerbaijani Interior Ministry, Major-General Ogtay Karimov said. Karimov made the remarks at the expanded meeting of the Interior Ministry collegium in Baku March 16 dedicated to the training of internal bodies to protect public order during the presidential election in Azerbaijan. He added that a special working group was created to verify the information on violations about the election process and take the necessary measures. The special attention is paid to such issues as security, protection of the rights of voters, international observers, etc. Bakcell employees have visited UAFAs Community-Based Rehabilitation Center in Khachmaz Since the year 2010, almost 300 children with special needs have benefitted from Bakcell support at Khachmaz Rehabilitation Center Bakcell, the First Mobile Operator and Leading Mobile Internet Provider in Azerbaijan continues to implement the "Communication through Art" project in cooperation with the United Aid for Azerbaijan (UAFA), within the frames the Companys Bakcell Stars CSR program. The new phase of Communication through art project envisages bringing pleasant and memorable changes to the lives of children in need of special care through empowering them with new skills at the UAFAs Community Based Rehabilitation Centers in Khachmaz region and Yasamal district of Baku. In the course of this project, more than 80 children will be able to acquire new skills based on their own preferences and interests and will get a chance to demonstrate their talent at different events. On March 15, 2018, Bakcell employees have visited the children studying at the UAFAs Community-Based Rehabilitation Center in Khachmaz, to spend some time with them, watch their performance and celebrate the upcoming Novruz holiday. Children were happy to demonstrate their drawings, handicrafts, dances and latest achievements to the guests, while the staff members of the rehabilitation center and parents have thanked Bakcell representatives for their attention and support. My two daughters have cerebral paralysis. It used to be very hard for them to communicate and find friends. After my girls have started to take Dancing classes at UAFAs Khachmaz CBRC, with support of Bakcell, they have found new friends and they are not ashamed of their disability anymore, said Sevda Muslumova, mother of Nazrin and Lala. My son doesnt speak. Ive decided to bring him for drawing classes to the center on regular basis. He used to be bored all the time and didnt have much to do on his free time. Now however, hes not bored at all, because he is too busy whittling pencils, washing his brushes and painting pictures. He became more calm and self-confident and likes to demonstrate his paintings to family members and neighbors said Qamar Sixiyeva, mother of Davud. Bakcell cooperates with UAFA starting from the year 2010, and over this period, well-over 1000 children have attended educational classes in drama, dancing, art and creativity lessons at the Community based Rehabilitation Centers (CBRC) in Yasamal, Khachmaz and Ganja. Study groups at the Community Based Rehabilitation Centers are being selected based on the childrens own wishes and interests, including drama, dancing, art and creativity lessons. On special occasions, children of these study groups are taking part in various events and enthusiastically demonstrate their skills, thus enjoying own performance and delighting the eyes of the spectators. The study groups ensure positive changes in the attitude of the public towards children with special needs and disabilities and facilitate their successful integration in the society The goal of this project is to ensure that children and young people with disabilities or special needs enjoy an active lifestyle and acquire equal rights and opportunities. About Bakcell Bakcell, The First Mobile Operator and the Leading Mobile Internet Provider of Azerbaijan, offers a variety of products for modern mobile communications customers. Bakcell provides class leading 3G and 4G mobile internet experience in the country under the Su[email protected] brand name. As one of the largest national non-oil investors, Bakcell today continues making large investments in the economy of Azerbaijan through its investments in state-of-the-art telecommunication technology and its people who service our customers. For more information about Bakcell products and services, please visit www.bakcell.com or call 555. For press releases please see www.bakcell.com/az/news (or www.bakcell.com/en/news for press releases in English). If you are not a Bakcell subscriber, but wish to find out about Bakcell and its services, please call 012 498 89 89 Baku, Azerbaijan, March 16 By Fikret Dolukhanov Trend: Uzbekistan exported $2-million worth of bean products to Afghanistan under the Made in Uzbekistan brand to make the production more recognizable, the press office of the Uzbek Foreign Trade ministry said on March 16. Combined shipment of mung beans, red beans and chick-pea under the UzTrade trademark and Made in Uzbekistan branding was sent to the UzTrades firm in Mazari-Shrif city of Afghanistan. Price of the contract between UzTrade and Afghan companies exceeded $2 million, Chief Specialist of UzTrade JSC Bekzod Kholikov said. He added that UzTrade is also planning to export the first 48-ton batch of mung bean to UzFranceTrade, its firm in France Earlier, UzTrade had signed contracts on shipment of bean products to South-East Asia countries and carried out export to Indonesia, Malaysia and Vietnam. UzTrade is a commercial organization established in the Uzbek Foreign Trade Ministrys system. Its key goal is expansion of export potential of the country by thorough support of entrepreneurs, involved in the export activity, increase of production competitiveness and general development of business environment. The company has a developed foreign trade infrastructure. The company has established and continues to establish trade firms in other countries to promote the Uzbek production export. Baku, Azerbaijan, March 16 By Maksim Tsurkov - Trend: The Baku International Sea Trade Port CJSC and the European Union (EU) have presented a joint project entitled "The EU support to expansion of the operational capabilities of the new Baku Port in Alat" financed by the Union. Within the framework of the program, which will cover 2018-2019, an exchange of experience will be held in the areas of port operations, management, business, human resources, labor and environmental protection, and public relations. The project consists of five components. Head of the Port Taleh Ziyadov, addressing the presentation ceremony, said that the Port cooperates with the leading ports, transport and logistics companies in Europe. "Presently, the Baku Port is cooperating with the ports of Belgium, Germany, the Netherlands, Romania, Bulgaria, Italy and Slovenia, and with this EU-supported project we plan to bring to the region best practices and innovations related to the improvement of operating systems," said Ziyadov. Head of the EU delegation to Azerbaijan Kestutis Jankauskas, in turn, noted that the Baku Port holds an important place in the trade network between Asia and Europe. "I am glad starting this year European cargo carriers will be able to track location of cargoes, operations and delivery time to neighboring ports through the modern information and communication system of the Baku Port. We are interested in the Baku Port's receiving the latest experience and knowledge, and we will continue to provide this support," Jankauskas said. The Port in Alat, which will become the largest port on the Caspian Sea, is an important part of Azerbaijan's transport infrastructure. The first phase of construction of the Baku International Sea Trade Port in Alat settlement will be completed in May 2018. After the first phases completion, the ports capacity will be 15 million tons per year. The ports capacity will be increased up to 25 million tons of cargo and 500,000 containers per year at the second stage, and up to one million containers per year at the next stage. Baku, Azerbaijan, March 16 By Ilkin Shafiyev - Trend: Azerbaijans Economy Ministry is completing the first stage of assessment at SOCAR Polymer, a polymer plant of Azerbaijans state oil company SOCAR, in Sumgait city, the countrys Deputy Economy Minister Niyazi Safarov said at a conference titled Public-Private Cooperation in Creating Innovation Clusters: Available Assets and Use of Local Raw Materials in Baku March 16. The project will help the facilitys products to enter the Azerbaijani market as raw materials for production, he said. For this purpose, negotiations with a number of companies are already underway, Safarov said. He noted that an innovation cluster will be created at the SOCAR Polymer. This work will be implemented with the support of the Economy Ministry and the Research Institute of the Ministry, he added. Safarov said that a register of state assets, which may be directed to the development of the industry, is being prepared in Azerbaijan. The SOCAR Polymer project is carried out in Sumgait Chemical Industrial Park. At the first stage, production capacity of SOCAR Polymer will total 120,000 tons of polyethylene and 180,000 tons of polypropylene. The total capacity may reach 570,000 tons by 2021. Baku, Azerbaijan, March 16 By Azad Hasanli - Trend: The Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway (BTK) will help Georgia succeed within the Silk Road project, Georgian Finance Minister Mamuka Bakhtadze said, Georgian media reported on March 16. Presently, the freight trains are running on the BTK route in a test mode, but it is planned to start full-fledged freight traffic in six months, according to him. The minister added that after the full-scale operation of the BTK, work will be launched on organizing passenger transportation along the route. The official opening ceremony of the BTK railway was held in Baku Oct. 30, 2017. The BTK railway was constructed on the basis a Georgian-Azerbaijani-Turkish intergovernmental agreement. The railways peak capacity will be 17 million tons of cargo per year. At an initial stage, this figure will be one million passengers and 6.5 million tons of cargo. Baku, Azerbaijan, March 16 By Maksim Tsurkov - Trend: The IAPH World Ports Conference 2018, scheduled for May 8-11 in Baku, will be a good opportunity to declare about the concept of Azerbaijan as a regional hub, Head of Baku International Sea Trade Port CJSC Taleh Ziyadov told reporters in Baku March 16. He noted that leaders of the biggest ports, as well as major logistics and transport companies, will take part in the conference of the International Association of Ports and Harbors (IAPH) in Baku. "We pin high hopes on the conference, which proves the importance the head of state attaches to the development of the Port. We believe that the forum will also be a good opportunity to present the concept of a regional hub and to declare it," Ziyadov said. The main theme of IAPH World Ports Conference 2018 is Ports of the Future: Creating Hubs, Accelerating Connectivity. The event will discuss the mainstream developments in the port industry, including multimodal transportation and containerization of terrestrial and maritime trade, the synergy between ports and free trade zones, and the implications of major global transport initiatives. Baku, Azerbaijan, March 16 By Fikret Dolukhanov Trend: UzTrade JSC under the Uzbek Foreign Trade Ministry signed a contract with American Golden Natural Product Inc. company on export of $500,000 dried fruit and vegetable production, the press office of the Uzbek Ministry announced on March 16. The contract was signed with aim at expanding the export of Uzbek goods on the US market and is implemented within the framework of agreements between UzTrade JSC and UzAmerican Trade Corp., the companys trade firm in the US. The agreements were signed during Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyevs official visit to New York. The first batch of the UzKand-branded dried fruit and vegetables has already been shipped. UzTrade plans to export to the US 23 tons of the Khorazm rice until the end of the week. UzTrade is a commercial organization established in the Uzbek Foreign Trade Ministrys system. Its key goal is expansion of export potential of the country by thorough support of entrepreneurs, involved in the export activity, increase of production competitiveness and general development of business environment. The company has a developed foreign trade infrastructure. The company has established and continues to establish trade firms in other countries to promote the Uzbek production export. Baku, Azerbaijan, March 16 By Ilkin Shafiyev - Trend: Azerbaijan will supply pomegranates worth $10 million to the United Arab Emirates, Azerbaijan Export and Investment Promotion Foundation (AZPROMO) President Rufat Mammadov said at a press conference in Baku on March 16. He said deals were also concluded for supply of pomegranate juice to Saudi Arabia. Agreements for supply of hazelnut, worth $120,000 and $130,000, were concluded with Poland and Italy, respectively. This product will also be exported to Switzerland. Grapes and wines for $30,000 will be exported to Kyrgyzstan under another contract, he said. Over the recent years, Azerbaijan has been implementing comprehensive measures to increase exports. One such measure is organization of export missions and participation in foreign exhibitions with a single country stand. Thanks to participation in such exhibitions and export missions, Azerbaijani entrepreneurs concluded various contracts for supply of products to the countries of Europe, Asia and the Middle East. Baku, Azerbaijan, March 16 By Ilkin Shafiyev Trend: Azerbaijani agricultural products cannot be re-exported to foreign markets under the guise of Armenian products, Azerbaijani Deputy Economy Minister Sahil Babayev said. Babayev made the remarks at a press conference in Baku March 16, dedicated to the activity of the Azerbaijan Export and Investment Promotion Foundation (AZPROMO) over the past year. "Some small retail supplies can be an exception," he said. "Azerbaijan thoroughly controls this area." Babayev recalled that in the past there were cases when Azerbaijani apples were re-exported to Armenia through Georgia. "This can be seen as a positive fact, as it shows that Azerbaijani products are competitive, but Armenia has economic problems," Babayev said. The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. As a result of the ensuing war, in 1992 Armenian armed forces occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts. The 1994 ceasefire agreement was followed by peace negotiations. Armenia has not yet implemented four UN Security Council resolutions on withdrawal of its armed forces from the Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrounding districts. Baku, Azerbaijan, Mar. 16 Trend: The European Investment Bank (EIB) Board approved EUR 932 million of financing for the 1850 km Trans-Anatolian Pipeline (TANAP) to bring natural gas from Azerbaijans Shah Deniz-2 gas field to Europe, said on the website of EIB. The Shah Deniz Stage 2 project is set to bring gas directly from Azerbaijan to Europe for the first time, opening up the Southern Gas Corridor. In total 16 billion cubic meters a year of Shah Deniz Stage 2 gas will be delivered through more than 3500 kilometers of pipelines through Azerbaijan, Georgia, Turkey, Greece, Bulgaria, Albania and under the Adriatic Sea to Italy. The Southern Gas Corridor, worth over $40 billion, is considered as one of the priority energy projects for the EU, which strives for diversification of gas sources. The project envisages the transportation of gas from the Caspian region to the European countries through Georgia and Turkey. At an initial stage, the gas to be produced in 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). Baku, Azerbaijan, March 16 By Fikret Dolukhanov Trend: Bosnia and Herzegovina has an interest in joining the Southern Gas Corridor, which envisages transportation of Azerbaijani gas to Europe, Member of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina Mladen Ivanic, said in an exclusive interview with Trend. Commenting on the Azerbaijans role in ensuring Bosnia and Herzegovinas and Europes energy security, he reminded that the Minister of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations of Bosnia and Herzegovina has clearly underlined that Bosnia and Herzegovina has an interest in joining the Southern Gas Corridor. "The standpoint of Bosnia and Herzegovinas institutions is that every new energy source is a new type of security for the consumers supply. This is of the importance not only for the Balkans but also for the whole Europe," Ivanic said. in general, he noted that relations between Bosnia and Herzegovina and Azerbaijan are exceptionally friendly. "The cooperation between the two countries is also excellent within the international forums, such as for example various United Nations bodies. Bosnia and Herzegovina sees Azerbaijan as especially friendly country. Azerbaijan has importantly helped us in the post-war reconstruction thus creating the conditions for a normal life," Ivanic said. 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). IAP pipeline is planned to be connected to the Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP) intended for the supply of Azerbaijani gas to Europe in the Albanian city of Fier. The IAP will provide deliveries of Azerbaijani gas to several countries of South-Eastern Europe. The 516 kilometers-long pipeline will pass through Albania, Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina and will end in Croatia. The capacity of the pipeline will amount to five billion cubic meters of gas per year. Prime Minister of Kyrgyzstan Sapar Isakov met with director of the Eastern Alliance for Safe and Sustainable Transport (EASST) Great Britain - Emma McLennan. The sides discussed the possibilities of consolidating joint efforts to improve road safety in the country, Kabar reports. The meeting was also attended by Ambassador of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland to the Kyrgyz Republic Robin Ord-Smith. The Kyrgyz Prime Minister presented the current information on the implementation of the Taza Koom digital transformation program. The Prime Minister also noted with regret that the government was forced to withdraw from the Agreement with investors for the Smart City project, and in this connection plans to further implement it by its own efforts. Ambassador Robin Ord-Smith said that EASST is an independent organization that is represented and successfully operates in 14 countries of the world. This organization specializes in road safety and pedestrian safety. EASST Director Emma McLennan said that the road safety issues are relevant in all countries of the world. She said that meetings were held with the leadership of the Main Directorate for Traffic Safety of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Kyrgyz Republic to discuss the current situation and make recommendations on this issue. Emma McLennan emphasized that the government of the country has enough political will to improve the existing situation, which is an important factor for the successful implementation of projects. In her opinion, first of all, it is necessary to prioritize work and determine at the initial stage the most dangerous intersections in Bishkek. She said that upon completion of the analysis by EASST, they will give necessary recommendations for the implementation of the Smart City project. The Director of EASST also spoke about the international experience of the organization to improve road safety in various countries of the world. She expressed readiness to provide the Kyrgyz Government with advice on the matter. Following the meeting, the sides expressed interest in developing further cooperation and holding joint consultations. Baku, Azerbaijan, March 16 Trend: The Parliamentary Council of Tajikistan has discussed an agreement with Uzbekistan that allows a visa-free stay for citizens of both countries for a period of up to 30 days, TajikTA reported. "The lower house of the Parliament has today considered the agreement between the governments of Tajikistan and Uzbekistan on reciprocal visa-free travel of citizens. The deal was signed during the state visit of Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev to Tajikistan on March 9,2018," the Parliament said. Ratification of the agreement will be considered at the next session of the Tajik Parliament, which will be held on March 19, 2018. Previously, President Mirziyoyev has signed an order allowing a visa-free entry to Uzbekistan for citizens of Tajikistan since March 16. Baku, Azerbaijan, March 16 By Gazenfer Hamidov Trend: Export of Irans sweets and chocolates registered a significant increase during the first 11 months of the current fiscal year, started March 2017, Mahmoud Bazari, the director general of the exports coordination office of Irans Trade Promotion Organization (TPO) for agro crops and processing industries' products, said. Iran has exported over 513,000 tons of sweets and chocolates in the 11-month period (March 20-Feb. 20) to various countries, 121 percent more year-on-year, Bazari said, the press office of the TPO reported. The value of the exports accounted to $615 million in the period, which is 21 percent more compared to the same months of the preceding year, the official added. Iraq was the main target of Irans sweets and chocolates export, he said, adding that $149 million worth of the products were sent to Iraqi market in the first 11 months of the current fiscal year. Afghanistan was the second market with $49 million worth of sweets and chocolates imports from Iran, Bazari said. Pakistan, Azerbaijan and Cote dIvoire were other top destinations of the Islamic Republics sweets and chocolate exports. Jamshid Maghazei, secretary of the Association of Iranian Confectionery Manufacturing Companies, has said that the industrys output over the last year stood at 1.6 million tons. The country annually produces about 700,000 tons of biscuits and cakes. The European Parliament has endorsed a European Commission's proposal to provide further macro-financial assistance worth of 45 million to help Georgia cover part of its external financing needs for the period of 2017-2020, Agenda reports. Head of the Georgia-EU Association Committee Sajad Karim wrote on his Twitter that the 45 million financial assistance comprises of both medium-term loans (35 million) and grants (10 million). The European Parliament approved the 45 million in macro-financial assistance with 570 votes in favour and 108 against. The Israel Securities Authority has decided to exclude cryptocurrency companies from Tel Aviv Stock Exchange indices, Globes reports. The Israel Securities Authority (ISA) announced that cryptocurrency companies would not be included in the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange (TASE) indices. The ISA explained that its measure was separate from the recommendations of an interim report by the committee for examining initial coin offerings (ICOs) to the public, which will be published in the coming days. The ISA's decision follows a proposal published in early January to amend TASE rules concerning the activity of companies in this sector. At the same time, the ISA also published a detailed warning for investors considering investment in cryptocurrencies. The warning states, "Such investment incurs many exceptional risks, including an absence of liquidity and ability to convert the currencies to money, exceptional price volatility, illegal activity, and risk of fraud." The ISA's warning adds, "An investor choosing to put his or her money, directly or indirectly, in a cryptocurrency investment instrument faces a high probability that one or more of these risks will materialize, resulting in the loss of his or her money." Securities Authority chairperson Anat Guetta said yesterday, "We have decided to prevent the exposure of passive investors to companies whose main activity is in cryptocurrencies. Investment in these companies is speculative, volatile, and features a high level of risk. We also published a detailed warning today about investment in cryptocurrencies, so that investors considering this option will be aware of the many risks it involves." The Securities Authority's announcement said that it would "act to temporarily review TASE regulations in order to restrict the entry in the TASE indices of companies whose main activity is holding, investing, or mining of decentralized cryptocurrencies (bitcoin, Ether, and others). The purpose of the amendment is to prevent public companies operating in this risky and speculative sector, which features very volatile trading, from entering the TASE indices, which would result in their inclusion in passive investors' investment portfolios. The amendment will be for one year, after which it will be reassessed according to market developments." In response to the TASE's announcement, Israel Bitcoin Association chairperson Meni Rosenfeld said, "There are indeed several risks in investing in digital currencies, and people should take them into account in order to make wise decisions. Investing in this sector is not suitable for everyone; it is only for those who understand both the potential and the risks. It is also important to distinguish between decentralized currencies and tokens issued centrally in an ICO process, in which the risks are even greater, as we have previously warned. In any case, the baby should not be thrown out with the bathwater - currencies like bitcoin hold out huge technological promise and are a significant growth engine for Israeli high tech, and negative parties and warnings must not be allowed to throttle innovation and leave Israel lagging behind." The ISA noted that its stance "follows exceptional trading in the securities of companies on the TASE that have announced in recent months their intention of doing business in the cryptocurrencies sector. In some cases, the companies' reports led to a steep rise in their share prices, even before they had any real activity with results that could be evaluated. The extreme volatility characteristic of cryptocurrency trading is also reflected in trading in these companies, whose value rises and falls sharply, sometimes for no apparent reason. This volatility is likely to lead to a situation in which companies with a high level of risk meet the threshold conditions for inclusion in indices solely as a result of exceptional trading, even before they have any business activity whose results can be evaluated." The ISA continued, "Including companies in the cryptocurrencies sector in the TASE indices would mean that mutual funds and issuers of index-linked certificates would be forced to buy these companies' shares, indirectly exposing passive investors to trading in them, the sudden changes in their value, and significant potential loss." An American HH-60 Pave Hawk helicopter has crashed in western Iraq on Thursday and at least some aboard were killed, according to a US official, ABC News reported. The official said the aircraft went down near al Qaim in western Anbar Province. A separate official told ABC News there were seven people on board the helicopter. All were US Air Force airmen, ABC News confirmed. There was no sign of hostile fire, that official said, but it is not being ruled out at this time. It's believed to be the first fatal helicopter crash in Iraq since the US began fighting ISIS there in 2014.In a statement, the anti-ISIS coalition, officially known as Combined Joint Task Force - Operation Inherent Resolve, said: "A US military aircraft has crashed in western Iraq with US service members aboard. Rescue teams are responding to the scene of the downed aircraft at this time. Further details will be released when available. An investigation will be initiated to determine the cause of the incident." The incident occurs as the US is shifting personnel and resources out of Iraq and into Afghanistan, as the war against ISIS in Iraq has wound down in recent months. Two Americans have lost their lives in Iraq this year in non-combat related incidents. There are approximately 5,262 US service members in Iraq, according to the Pentagon. Brazilian President Michel Temer on Thursday vowed to track down the killers of Marielle Franco, member of the Rio city council, who was shot dead in a targeted killing on late Wednesday, according to Xinhua. Franco was shot by at least nine shots, four of them in the head. Her driver, Anderson Pedro Gomes, was also killed. According to local authorities, the shots came from another car, which hit Franco's vehicle from behind. Nothing was stolen, and so far there is no clue on the murderers' vehicle. Ironically, Franco's death occurred while Rio state is under a federal intervention, which was supposed to help curb crime and violence. Franco received the fifth largest number of votes in the latest city council elections in 2016. She was a rising left-wing leadership, who fought for women rights, against racism, criticized police brutality and racial profiling. The office of the United Nations in Brazil published on Thursday an official statement calling for rigorous investigation of the murder of the Rio councilor. The Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF) intends to focus on its relations with African gas producers, in particular with Angola, Mozambique and Cameroon, Yury Sentyurin, the GECF secretary general, told Sputnik. "Any organization is interested in increasing the number of its members We are carrying out such work, it is very thorough, multidimensional, it is a series of meetings and consultations. Since I assumed the office of secretary general, I have examined on [what countries] we should focus our attention, [with what states] we have common topics. We have 16 states of that kind, we have the greatest expectations with regard to Angola, Mozambique and Cameroon," Sentyurin said, adding at the same time that the GECF had no membership applications for consideration at the moment. The secretary general explained that not all gas producers but only net exporters of natural gas had the right to become members of the organization. "We have carried out a research, there are currently 37 net exporters of gas, 19 of them are somehow connected to the GECF, 12 of them are [the organization's] full members and seven others have observer status, the remaining 16 we consider as a 'potential gang,' which might become our partners," Sentyurin explained. The GECF, which was founded in 2001, includes Algeria, Bolivia, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Iran, Libya, Nigeria, Qatar, Russia, Trinidad and Tobago, the United Arab Emirates and Venezuela. Azerbaijan, Iraq, Kazakhstan, the Netherlands, Norway, Oman and Peru have the status of observer members. The guarantors of the Syrian ceasefire - Russia, Turkey and Iran - will continue cooperating to eliminate the Islamic State terror group and other terrorist groups, the three countries foreign ministers said in a joint statement adopted at a meeting in Kazakhstans capital of Astana on Friday, TASS reports. The meeting was aimed at summarizing the outcome of the two years of the Astana process on Syria. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, Iranian top diplomat Mohammad Javad Zarif and Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu "reaffirmed their determination to continue their cooperation in order to ultimately eliminate DAESH/ISIL, Nusra Front and all other individuals, groups, undertakings and entities associated with Al-Qaeda or DAESH/ISIL as designated by the UN Security Council in Syria and to prevent their relocation to other countries and regions." The three top diplomats also "welcomed the UN Security Council resolution 2401 in response to the grave humanitarian situation all across Syria, including in Eastern Ghouta, Yarmouk, Foua and Kefraya, Idlib Governorate, Northern Hama Governorate, Rukhban and Raqqa." They "expressed their readiness to continue efforts with a view to implement the provisions of the above-mentioned resolution, aimed at strengthening the ceasefire regime and improving the humanitarian situation all across the Syrian Arab Republic, and called upon all parties to fully support this process, inter alia by sending additional humanitarian aid, facilitating humanitarian mine action, restoring basic infrastructure assets, including social and economic facilities, and preserving historical heritage." Besides, Lavrov, Zarif and Cavusoglu "underscored the need to ensure rapid, safe and unhindered humanitarian access to areas affected by the ongoing conflict." The parties "expressed their concern with the ongoing violations of the ceasefire regime, and declared that, as guarantors of the ceasefire regime, they would step up their efforts to ensure observance of the respective agreements," the statement added In addition, the three foreign ministers "called upon the representatives of the Government of the Syrian Arab Republic and the opposition committed to the sovereignty, independence, unity, territorial integrity and non-fractional character of Syria as well as the international community to support the work of the Constitutional Committee." According to the statement, the three countries "welcomed the convening of the Syrian National Dialogue Congress in Sochi on 30 January 2018 as a major contribution giving momentum to the process of the political settlement under the UN auspices and reaffirmed their commitment to the results of the Sochi Congress, especially to form the Constitutional Committee and to facilitate the beginning of its work in Geneva with the assistance of the United Nations Secretary-Generals Special Envoy for Syria as soon as possible." At the same time, the Russian, Iranian and Turkish top diplomats "took note of the state of implementation of the Memorandum of 4 May 2017 on the creation of the de-escalation areas in Syria, reaffirmed their determination to continue implementing its provisions with respect to all four de-escalation areas and also emphasized that under no circumstances the creation of the de-escalation areas should undermine the sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity of the Syrian Arab Republic." On December 6, 2017, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced the total defeat of the Islamic State terror group on both banks of the Euphrates River in Syria. On December 11, he ordered the Russian Defense Ministry to begin the withdrawal of troops from Syria. On December 22, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu reported to President Putin that his order had been implemented. However, three Russian military police units still remain in Syria, the Russian Center for Reconciliation and the Hmeimim and Tartus bases continue to operate. The presidents of Russia, Iran and Turkey will meet in Istanbul on April 4 to agree additional approaches to ways of promoting a settlement in Syria on the basis of resolutions by the international community, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said after talks with his Turkish and Iranian counterparts in Astana, TASS reports. "It has been agreed that the presidents of Russia, Iran and Turkey will gather for a summit meeting to agree on more approaches to promoting the settlement principles that were approved by the UN Security Council and actively supported by the Astana process," he said. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Thursday spoke over the phone to discuss bilateral and Turkey-EU relations, and regional issues, according to diplomatic sources, Anadolu reported. During the conversation, Erdogan congratulated Merkel for being re-elected to a fourth term as Germany's chancellor. The two leaders reiterated their commitment to accelerate dialogue and cooperation. They vowed to collaborate in the fight against illegal migration and on refugee issues. The leaders stressed on joint cooperation in the fight against terrorism. Erdogan and Merkel also emphasized the significance of a key EU-Turkey summit set for March 26 in Varna, Bulgaria. According to a senior EU official, EU-Turkey relations, regional and international issues, including global foreign policy, security, fight against terrorism, the Middle East, Africa and Russia are expected to be discussed during the summit. Erdogan also shared information on the latest developments of Operation Olive Branch. On Jan. 20, Turkey launched Operation Olive Branch to clear YPG/PKK-Daesh terrorists from Afrin. According to the Turkish General Staff, the operation aims to establish security and stability along Turkeys borders and the region as well as to protect Syrians from terrorist oppression and cruelty. The operation is being carried out under the framework of Turkey's rights based on international law, UN Security Council resolutions, its self-defense rights under the UN charter, and respect for Syria's territorial integrity, it said. The military also said only terror targets are being destroyed and that "utmost care" is being taken to avoid harming civilians. Baku, Azerbaijan, March 16 By Rufiz Hafizoglu Trend: Istanbul police carried out an anti-terrorist operation against the supporters of the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), Turkish media reported March 16. Ten members of the PKK were detained as part of the operation, the report said. Anti-terrorist operations are likely to be conducted in other big cities of Turkey as well, according to the report. On March 15, eight members of the PKK were detained as part of the anti-terrorist operation in the Izmir province in the west of Turkey. The conflict between Turkey and the PKK, which demands the creation of an independent Kurdish state, has continued for more than 30 years and has claimed more than 40,000 lives. The UN and the European Union list the PKK as a terrorist organization. --- Follow the author on Twitter: @rhafizoglu Baku, Azerbaijan, March 16 By Rufiz Hafizoglu Trend: It is necessary to develop a strategy to separate terrorists from civilians in Syria, in particular in Eastern Ghouta, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said in Astana, Turkish media reported March 16. Cavusoglu noted that the death of civilians in Syria is unacceptable. After the adoption of the UN Security Council resolution on the humanitarian ceasefire in Syria, 329 people, including 57 children and 29 women, became the victims of attacks by the Syrian government forces in Eastern Ghouta, the blocked suburb of Damascus. On Feb. 25, the UN Security Council adopted a resolution, which calls on the conflicting parties in Syria to immediately declare a 30-day truce. Syria has been suffering from an armed conflict since March 2011, which, according to the UN, has claimed more than 500,000 lives. --- Follow the author on Twitter: @rhafizoglu Baku, Azerbaijan, March 16 By Rufiz Hafizoglu Trend: The Turkish Air Force is bombing the positions of the PKK terrorist organization in northern Iraq, the Turkish General Staff said on March 16. The air operation in the north of Iraq is held in the Kirkuk area. During the operation, 8 terrorist objects were destroyed and more than 10 terrorists were eliminated. The conflict between Turkey and the PKK, which demands the creation of an independent Kurdish state, has continued for more than 30 years and has claimed more than 40,000 lives. The UN and the European Union list the PKK as a terrorist organization. --- Follow the author on Twitter: @rhafizoglu Baku, Azerbaijan, March 16 By Rufiz Hafizoglu Trend: Turkish Air Force has dropped leaflets over the Syrian city of Afrin, saying the Turkish armed forces target only terrorists, not civilians, the Turkish General Staff said in a message March 16. The leaflets read that the civilian population, which under the pressure of terrorists, is forced to keep the so-called defense of Afrin, must lay down arms. The General Staff of Turkey announced on March 13 about complete encirclement of Afrin by the Turkish Armed Forces and Free Syrian Army. On Jan. 20, the Turkish Armed Forces, together with the Free Syrian Army, launched the Operation Olive Branch in Afrin, Syria. Earlier, Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim announced that about 8,000-10,000 PYD/YPG terrorists are supposed to be hiding in Afrin. Turkey began drawing its military to the Syrian border in late June 2017. The forces were being concentrated in Turkish Kilis Province bordering Syrian territory controlled by YPG/PYD. On Aug. 24, 2016, Turkish Armed Forces, with the support of the Syrian opposition, launched the Euphrates Shield Operation against the IS militants and liberated the city of Jarabulus as well as the city of Al-Bab in northern Syria. --- Follow the author on Twitter: @rhafizoglu Baku, Azerbaijan, March 16 By Ali Mustafayev - Trend: Considering the present situation in the world, in particular, in the countries of the Middle East, it is necessary to take into account not only own national interests, but also the interests of the region as a whole, and Turkey intends to adhere to this balance, Turkish Deputy Foreign Minister Ahmet Yildiz said March 16. He was speaking in Baku during discussions on peace and security in the Middle East at the 6th Global Baku Forum. The wars that broke out in Iraq and Syria are mainly consequences of the obsession of many countries in the region only with their own interests, and one shouldnt let this happen in the future, Yildiz noted. When a post-conflict situation is achieved in Syria, Turkey intends to observe balance and be responsible for the interests of the whole region, he added. Otherwise, Syria will turn into a playground for criminal organizations and forces that want further incitement of conflicts and wars, Yildiz said. He noted that Turkey aims to avoid the repetition of the situation in Iraq and Syria. States must open their borders for refugees from the countries in conflict, Yildiz said. Baku, Azerbaijan, March 16 By Rufiz Hafizoglu Trend: Turkey and Iran can begin a joint military operation against the PKK terrorist organization, Turkish media reported citing diplomatic sources on March 16. Reportedly, the parties can also carry out joint military operations against the terrorist organization PJAK, which basically operates at the intersection of Iranian, Iraqi and Turkish borders. Exact date of the military operations against the PKK and PJAK has not been reported. Earlier it was reported that Iraq and Turkey agreed on a joint operation against the PKK in the north of Iraq. The conflict between Turkey and the PKK, which demands the creation of an independent Kurdish state, has continued for more than 30 years and has claimed more than 40,000 lives. The UN and the European Union list the PKK as a terrorist organization. --- Follow the author on Twitter: @rhafizoglu Baku, Azerbaijan, March 16 By Rufiz Hafizoglu Trend: The European Parliament's resolution on Syria's Afrin has no significance for Turkey, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said, Turkish media reported on March 16. Earlier the European Parliament has adopted a resolution calling for the cessation of hostilities throughout Syria. The document also calls on the Turkish government to withdraw its troops from Afrin. Erdogan said that the European Parliament has no right to teach Turkey anything. Europe refuses to understand that Turkey does not pursue the goal of occupying Syrian territory, but on the contrary is the liberator of Syria from terrorism. "The Operation Olive Branch is not directed against the peaceful population of Syria, Erdogan said. The General Staff of Turkey announced on March 13 about complete encirclement of Afrin by the Turkish Armed Forces and Free Syrian Army. On Jan. 20, the Turkish Armed Forces, together with the Free Syrian Army, launched the Operation Olive Branch in Afrin, Syria. Earlier, Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim announced that about 8,000-10,000 PYD/YPG terrorists are supposed to be hiding in Afrin. Turkey began drawing its military to the Syrian border in late June 2017. The forces were being concentrated in Turkish Kilis Province bordering Syrian territory controlled by YPG/PYD. On Aug. 24, 2016, Turkish Armed Forces, with the support of the Syrian opposition, launched the Euphrates Shield Operation against the IS militants and liberated the city of Jarabulus as well as the city of Al-Bab in northern Syria. --- Follow the author on Twitter: @rhafizoglu Fired US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson plans to speak soon with CIA Director Mike Pompeo, who has been nominated to succeed him, the State Department said on Thursday, Reuters reported. Spokeswoman Heather Nauert said Tillerson had handed over the day-to-day responsibilities of running the department to Deputy Secretary John Sullivan, but would continue to work from his office and retain the title of secretary of state until his departure at midnight on March 31. President Donald Trump fired Tillerson on Tuesday after a series of rifts over policy on North Korea, Russia and Iran, publicly announcing the decision on Twitter just hours after the top US diplomat returned early from a trip to Africa. Differences over how to deal with North Koreas development of nuclear-tipped missiles capable of hitting the United States was a main factor in Trumps decision, sources familiar with the deliberations told Reuters. The secretary is in the building today ..., Nauert told reporters. He has ongoing meetings and business to attend to wrapping up his term here at the State Department. Pompeo has to be confirmed by the US Senate before he can succeed Tillerson. The Senate Foreign Relations Committee was not expected to hold hearings on the CIA directors nomination until April, after Tillerson has left the State Department. Asked if Tillerson had spoken with Pompeo about the job, Nauert said, I know that they have plans to talk, that Secretary Tillerson has plans to talk to ... (Director) Pompeo and I know they look forward to that conversation. She said later that they planned to speak within coming days. Tillersons department had staff-to-staff conversations with Director Pompeos staff members and the two staffs were having meetings on a range of issues, including a possible transition, Nauert said. Nauert avoided directly answering questions about whether Tillerson had officially resigned. Asked if Tillerson could still make decisions as secretary, Nauert said: All of his day-to-day responsibilities, his key meetings, having the ability to sign off on particular pieces of information, that is all being handled by the deputy secretary at this time. At least six people have been killed and nine others hurt after a footbridge collapsed near Florida International University in Miami, BBC reports. Police announced the deaths after rescuers spent the night searching for victims trapped beneath the structure. The 862-tonne, 174ft (53m) bridge fell over an eight-lane motorway on Thursday afternoon, crushing at least eight vehicles, police said. The bridge was erected on Saturday in just six hours. It was built using a method called "accelerated bridge construction" to avoid traffic disruption. A major section of the bridge was assembled on the side of the road and then raised into place. Announcing the deaths early on Friday, Miami-Dade police spokesman Alvaro Zabaleta said the operation was now moving from rescue to recovery. Workers at the site were having to take extreme care because of the possibility of finding more victims and for their own safety. At one point during the operation, police ordered TV helicopters to leave the area so rescue teams could hear for any sounds of people calling for help under the wreckage, CBS Miami television reported. All personnel aboard a U.S. military helicopter carrying American service members were killed in a crash in western Iraq, the U.S. Central Command said on Friday, Reuters reports. Central Command did not say how many people were killed in the crash late on Thursday. A U.S. military official told Reuters on Thursday the U.S. HH-60 Pave Hawk helicopter was carrying seven people. The crash, which did not appear to be the result of enemy activity, is under investigation, the command said in a statement. All personnel aboard were killed in the crash, said Brigadier General Jonathan P. Braga, director of operations of the Combined Joint Task Force. This tragedy reminds us of the risks our men and women face every day in service of our nations. The military said a second accompanying American helicopter immediately reported the crash and Iraqi security forces and coalition members secured the area. Two U.S. officials, speaking on condition of anonymity and citing initial reports, said on Thursday the aircraft crashed near al-Qaim, a town in Anbar province close to the Syrian border. The United States says it has about 5,200 troops in Iraq that are part of a coalition fighting Islamic State militants. President Donald Trump still intends to meet with North Korea's leader by the end of May, the White House said Friday, three days after the firing of Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, CNBC reports. The news came from a readout of Trump's phone call Friday with South Korean President Moon Jae-in. "The two leaders agreed that concrete actions, not words, will be the key to achieving permanent denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula," the White House said, "and President Trump reiterated his intention to meet with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un by the end of May." Trump rattled the international community and his own administration last week when he quickly accepted North Korea leader Kim Jong Un's invitation to meet. The planning for a potential meeting is happening as the State Department, which is already riddled with vacancies, is transitioning to a new secretary of State. The department also lacks a permanent ambassador to South Korea. Experts have expressed skepticism that the meeting would take place, or that it would yield any results, and the White House has insisted that North Korea will have to meet specific conditions first. According to the White House, Moon and Trump "expressed cautious optimism over recent developments and emphasized that a brighter future is available for North Korea, if it chooses the correct path." KYODO NEWS - Mar 16, 2018 - 20:29 | Sports, World, All Prime Minister Shinzo Abe agreed Friday with South Korean President Moon Jae In to closely cooperate trilaterally with the United States toward inter-Korean and U.S.-North Korean summits, a senior Japanese government official said. During their phone talks, Abe and Moon also confirmed that they will maintain "maximum pressure" on North Korea to make it give up its nuclear and missile programs in a "complete, verifiable and irreversible manner," Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Yasutoshi Nishimura said. The 40-minute talks took place days after Suh Hoon, director of South Korea's National Intelligence Service who met with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in Pyongyang this month, visited Tokyo to brief Abe on the meeting. The South Korean government said after the meeting that it agreed with the North to hold talks between Moon and Kim in late April, and that Pyongyang also voiced its readiness to hold denuclearization talks with the United States. U.S. President Donald Trump agreed to meet with Kim for a first-ever bilateral summit when he met with South Korean envoys in Washington this month. Kim has also pledged to suspend missile and nuclear activities during the period of dialogue with Washington, according to the South Korean government. During Friday's phone talks, Abe told Moon that it is necessary to make North Korea change its "words" into "concrete actions," including accepting inspections of the International Atomic Energy Agency on the North's nuclear facilities, Nishimura said. The two leaders also confirmed their collaboration to return Japanese nationals abducted by North Korea decades ago, with Abe asking Moon to take up the issue during the planned summit with Kim. Regarding Moon's response to the request, Nishimura said, "In my impression, I believe (Moon) understood it." Abe and Moon did not discuss the issue of "comfort women," or Korean and other women forced into Japan's wartime brothels, a long-standing source of diplomatic feud between the two countries, Nishimura said. They met last month in South Korea on the sidelines of the opening ceremony of the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics. KYODO NEWS - Mar 16, 2018 - 12:32 | Feature, All, Japan Japanese railway operators are making the most of local sightseeing spots along their routes to attract more foreign tourists, with social media proving an excellent promotional tool. At Gotokuji Temple located on Tokyu Corp.'s Setagaya Line in Tokyo, foreign tourists snapped shots of a cluster of "Maneki-neko" beckoning-cat dolls. The temple is known for its extensive collection of the beckoning cats, a good-luck charm believed to bring prosperity to shop owners in Japan. (Supplied photo) After visiting the Setagaya-Hachimangu shrine near the temple, the tourists appeared to have enjoyed their time in the residential area of the capital, some saying they felt like they got a taste of "ordinary Japan." Tokyu has promoted local sightseeing spots in cooperation with Huber Inc., a tech venture offering a service that matches tourists with Japanese guides. "I thought there are few sightseeing spots, but there was some buried treasure," said a Tokyu official about the area around the 5-kilometer Setagaya line tram that is mainly used by local commuters and students. Seeing social media posts by foreigners, Japanese tourists to the area also increased, raising the overall number of Setagaya Line passengers, the operator said. "Visits to quiet areas reminiscent of old Japan have been catching on as tourists appreciate the contrast between those locations and the popular scramble crossing in the bustling Shibuya district, reachable within 30 minutes," the official said. Railway companies in western Japan are also making a pitch to foreign travelers. Hankyu Hanshin Holdings Inc., a train operator in the Kansai region, has been selling one-day and two-day passes for foreign tourists since 2012, offering unlimited travel on all lines operating in the Kyoto, Osaka and Kobe areas. Sales soared from about 20,000 passes in fiscal 2012 to some 440,000 in fiscal 2016. (Supplied photo) Leisure facilities in Mt. Rokko in Kobe, easily accessible from downtown, are anticipated to draw more inbound travelers. "A ski slope with artificial snow near Kyoto and Osaka is a popular choice for enjoying a bit of snow, in addition to a cable car service which is rare in other Asian countries," said a Hankyu Hanshin official. Nankai Electric Railway Co., which runs trains between Osaka and its neighboring prefecture of Wakayama, will open a new hotel and shopping mall adjacent to its Wakayama City Station in 2020. "We want to increase demand from inbound visitors," said a Nankai official, as Kansai International Airport, the leading gateway to western Japan, is closer to Wakayama city than the Umeda district in Osaka's city center. An open-air bath will be built on the top floor of the planned hotel, offering visitors a view of a local river while they relax. English- and Chinese-speaking staff will also be on hand at the hotel. KYODO NEWS - Mar 16, 2018 - 11:56 | All, Feature Crown Prince Naruhito, the heir to the Japanese imperial throne and whose ascension is set for May 1 next year, departed Friday on a five-day trip to Brazil to attend the World Water Forum. The eldest son of Emperor Akihito left from Narita airport and is expected to arrive in Brasilia on Sunday morning after transiting in Miami in the United States. (Pool photo) The 58-year-old prince will visit a local agricultural research facility and meet with Brazilians of Japanese descent in the country on the day he arrives. He is scheduled to give an address in English at the opening ceremony of the Eighth World Water Forum on Monday and deliver a keynote speech there. During what the Imperial Household Agency views as a personal trip, the crown prince is also expected to have lunch with Brazilian President Michel Temer. He will leave Brasilia on Tuesday to return to Tokyo on Thursday. Crown Prince Naruhito, who has made research into water issues his life's work, attended the triennial World Water Forum in Kyoto, Mexico and Turkey. He is set to ascend the Chrysanthemum throne after Emperor Akihito relinquishes it on April 30 next year in what would be Japan's first imperial abdication in more than 200 years. Black fungus infection again in Kerala, 38-year-old woman in Kochi undergoing treatment Black fungus or Mucormycosis is a rare infection that has been found to affect people on medication or with health issues resulting in poor immunity. The AUD/USD is under pressure early Friday amid worries that the Trump administration is seeking to reduce the trade deficit with China by $100 billion per year. Reports are surfacing that the White House is looking to implement more tariffs against China. The Aussie is trading weaker because it is strongly correlated with China-sensitive assets such as commodities. Daily AUD/USD Daily Swing Chart Technical Analysis The main trend is down according to the daily swing chart. Momentum has also shifted to the downside, following a nine day rally. A new minor top has been formed at .7916. The main range is .7988 to .7712. Its retracement zone is .7850 to .7883. The AUD/USD is now trading on the weak side of this zone, giving it a downside bias. The short-term range is .7712 to .7916. The Aussie is currently trading inside its retracement zone at .7814 to .7790. The major long-term retracement zone is .7819 to .7743. The AUD/USD is also trading inside this zone. The Forex pair could collapse on a sustained move under .7743. Daily Swing Chart Technical Forecast Based on the current price at .7797, the direction of the AUD/USD the rest of the session is likely to be determined by trader reaction to the Fibonacci level at .7790. Regaining .7790 will signal the return of buyers. This could fuel the start of a short-covering rally. If the move gains momentum then look for the rally to possibly extend into .7814 to .7818. A sustained move under .7790 will indicate the presence of sellers. This could trigger an acceleration into the Fibonacci level at .7790. This is another trigger point for an acceleration into the next major Fib level at .7743 over the near-term. This is followed by .7712. This article was originally posted on FX Empire More From FXEMPIRE: SAO PAULO, March 16 (Reuters) - Brazil's Agriculture Ministry expects to resolve a temporary ban on poultry exports by food processor BRF SA to the European Union in about 30 days, the head of Brazil's food safety service, Luiz Eduardo Rangel, said on Friday. The Brazilian government temporarily stopped production and certification of BRF's poultry exports to the EU on Friday. The company is being investigated due to suspicions it engaged in fraud to evade food safety checks. (Reporting by Gabriela Mello Writing by Marcelo Teixeira Editing by Paul Simao) (Recasts with shelving expansion plans; adds details of negotiations) By Tatiana Bautzer, Carolina Mandl and Alberto Alerigi SAO PAULO, March 16 (Reuters) - Brazil's Suzano Papel e Celulose SA won the battle to acquire larger rival Fibria Celulose SA, creating the world's biggest wood pulp producer while shelving expansion plans. Controlling shareholders Votorantim Participacoes SA and BNDESPar, the investment arm of Brazilian state development bank BNDES, on Friday accepted Suzano's offer worth 36 billion reais ($11 billion) in cash and shares at current prices. An aggressive rival all-cash bid from Netherlands-based Paper Excellence fell short as Votorantim and BNDES judged the proposal lacked necessary funding. Suzano shares jumped 23 percent, while Fibria shares fell 10 percent on investor disappointment that it had passed on Paper Excellence's richer valuation. "At current share prices, we believe the transaction is more favorable to Suzano's minority shareholders than Fibria's," Credit Suisse analyst Ivano Westin wrote in a note to clients. The analysts estimate an implied offer price of 63.30 reais per share, lower than Fibria's closing price on Thursday of 71.56 reais. The new company will lead world pulp production with annual capacity of 11 million tonnes, more than double the 5 million tonnes of capacity at the world's second-largest producer, International Paper Co, according to consultancy Poyry. The deal strengthens the Brazilians' pricing power after years of surging capacity, when pulpmakers in one of the world's highest-yielding eucalyptus regions fought for market share with competing expansion plans. Suzano's chief executive, Walter Schalka, told a news conference that all of Fibria and Suzano's expansion projects would be suspended until the combined company reduces leverage. Schalka said debt should fall to 3.5 times earnings before interest, depreciation and amortization by year-end, adding that the tie-up should yield cost savings of around 10 billion reais. Story continues The deal marks the biggest divestment in BNDES' history, after it amassed large stakes in Brazilian companies during an era in which the government engineered "national champions." The bank, which had a 29 percent stake in Fibria and 7 percent stake in Suzano, will receive 8.5 billion reais in cash and keep an 11 percent stake in the new company. Fibria's controlling shareholders decided to pass on the all-cash Paper Excellence bid, worth nearly 40 billion reais, after waiting for two months to receive documents proving the offer was funded, according to people familiar with the matter. Votorantim and BNDES were afraid the company, controlled by the Wijaya family, which only presented enough guarantees to pay a $1.2 billion break-up fee, would not be able to pull off the whole deal, including the buyout of minority shareholders. BNDES director Eliane Lustosa said Paper Excellence never presented a firm offer. "They did not present financing or guarantees for the bid," she said. It was unclear why BNDES and Votorantim did not wait for Paper Excellence to get the financing. The company, controlled by the same owners as Asia Pulp & Paper, last year acquired smaller rival Eldorado Brasil Celulose SA for 15 billion reais. Banks JPMorgan Chase & Co, BNP Paribas, Mizuho Bank Ltd and e Rabobank NA will provide $9.2 billion in financing for Suzano. The deal is subject to antitrust approval in Brazil, the United States, the European Union and China, Fibria said. An escape clause would allow Suzano to call off the deal for a 750 million reais fee if regulators force the sale of more than 1.1 million tonnes of capacity. ($1 = 3.28 reais) (Additional reporting by Rodrigo Viga Gaier in Rio de Janeiro and Paula Laier in Sao Paulo Editing by Brad Haynes, Daniel Flynn and Leslie Adler) FILE PHOTO - Billionaire activist-investor Carl Icahn gives an interview on FOX Business Network's Neil Cavuto show in New York, U.S. on February 11, 2014. REUTERS/Brendan McDermid/File Photo (Reuters) - Activist investor Carl Icahn on Friday disclosed a 6.86 percent stake in Sharpie pens maker Newell Brands Inc (NWL.N), and said he could seek a board seat at the company, which is already battling another top shareholder over board representation. In a regulatory filing, the billionaire investor said he would talk to Newell's management about ways to boost shareholder value including asset sales and possible board representation. Starboard Value LP, which owns about 4 percent of Newell, has been pushing to replace Newell's entire board, arguing that the company has underperformed since it acquired Jarden Corp in 2016. Icahn's representatives have spoken to Starboard about its proxy contest with Newell, but Icahn has not decided which side to support, the filing showed. "Although there is clearly no easy short-term fix for (Newell), we believe there is an important role for our brand of activism," Icahn said. Shares of Hoboken, New Jersey-based Newell rose 2.4 percent in after-hours trading on Friday. (Reporting by Nivedita Balu in Bengaluru; Editing by Sai Sachin Ravikumar) Connecticut Water Service CTWS announced that it has entered into a definite agreement to merge with SJW Group SJW in an all-stock transaction. The combined company will become one of the largest water and wastewater service providers in the United States and serve more than 1.5 million customers in multiple states. The transaction is expected to be completed by the end of 2018, subject to approval of shareholders and regulatory authorities. The merger news has been received well by the market and Connecticut Water Service shares have gained 9.7% in a days trade. Details of the Deal Per the agreement, each shareholder of Connecticut Water Service will receive 1.1375 shares of SJW Group common stock. The entire transactions value will be $750 million, considering SJW Groups share price at the end of Mar 14, 2018. Connecticut Water shareholders are getting a premium of 18% based on its closing price at the end of Mar 14, 2018. Post closure of the transaction, SJW Groups and Connecticut Water Service shareholders will retain 60% and 40% ownership of the combined company, respectively. The Board of Directors of the combined company will consist of 12 directors, with seven appointed by the SJW Group and five, including the Lead Independent Director, appointed by Connecticut Water. Benefits of the Merger This merger is expected to be immediately accretive to earnings of the combined company and allow management to increase shareholders value through share buyback and repurchase of shares. In addition, the financial flexibility of the combined company will allow it to carry on with infrastructure upgrades, replacement of old mains and pipelines, and provide high-quality services to its customers. Bigger Picture Consolidation is the need of the hour in the fragmented U.S. water utility space. The water utility infrastructure in the United States is getting old and needs ample investments, which are easier for bigger players to make. Consolidation would therefore drive the necessary infrastructure overhauls that have become imperative for the industry at large. American Water Works Company AWK is very active and keeps on making strategic acquisitions to expand its footprints. The company added nearly 42,000 customers in 2016 through closed acquisitions and followed up with 39,514 customer additions in 2017 via acquisitions. The company is already in discussions to acquire another 23,000 customers through acquisitions. Investigation of the Merger The merger of Connecticut Water Service and SJW Group might not be a smooth one, as Rigrodsky & Long, P.A. announced that it is investigating potential legal claims regarding possible breaches of fiduciary duties by the board of directors of Connecticut Water Service and other violations of law related to the Companys entry into an agreement to merge. Zacks Rank & A Key Pick Connecticut Water Service has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). A better-ranked stock from the same industry worth considering is American States Water Company AWR, carrying a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here. Story continues American States Water Companys long-term earnings growth is currently pegged at 5%. Its 2018 earnings estimates moved up 0.6% in the last 30 days to $1.79. The Hottest Tech Mega-Trend of All Last year, it generated $8 billion in global revenues. By 2020, it's predicted to blast through the roof to $47 billion. Famed investor Mark Cuban says it will produce "the world's first trillionaires," but that should still leave plenty of money for regular investors who make the right trades early. See Zacks' 3 Best Stocks to Play This Trend >> Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Connecticut Water Service, Inc. (CTWS) : Free Stock Analysis Report American Water Works (AWK) : Free Stock Analysis Report SJW Corporation (SJW) : Free Stock Analysis Report American States Water Company (AWR) : Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research On Wednesday evening, the Senate passed a bill that would roll back some banking regulations. Indirectly, the bill addresses Equifaxs historic data breach in which Social Security numbers and other personal data of 150 million people were exposed a number that comprises well over half the U.S.s adult population. Though Sens. Mark Warner (D-Virg.) and Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) had put forth a bill in January that would hold credit reporting agencies responsible for breaches, it did not progress and Congress had failed to issue a legislative response to the Equifax breach. In a move meant to benefit consumers, the new Senate bill, which was introduced by Sen. Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), includes free credit freezes for consumers stripping the credit bureaus like Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion of a moneymaker. Credit freezes typically cost between $5 and $15 each. In addition, veterans are to be given free credit monitoring. While the free freezes are good for consumers the Senate bill also stands to give credit reporting companies a break that could be worth far more than the cost of providing these services. The legislation also stipulates that people in the military and veterans (who are being given free monitoring) do not have the ability to sue the agencies. Politico noted that the bill contains another bit in Equifaxs favor: The bill would essentially open a new line of business for the three major credit reporting agencies, allowing their joint entity VantageScore to issue credit scores for mortgage applicants with Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae. Currently, Fair Isaacs FICO score is the sole provider of credit scores to determine a mortgage borrowers creditworthiness. The bill would expand competition for credit scores, but critics decry Equifaxs involvement. With the anti-liability provisions and the window into the mortgage business, Equifaxs win shows the lobbying power the company still has, something that has angered consumer advocate groups. Public Citizens Financial Policy Advocate Bartlett Naylor called for Congress to do more to protect consumers in a press release. Story continues FILE In this March 6, 2018, file photo, Sen. Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, chairman of the Senate Banking Committee, joined by, Sen. John Thune, R-S.D., left, and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., right, talks to reporters as the Senate moves closer to passing legislation to roll back some of the safeguards Congress put in place to prevent a repeat of the 2008 financial crisis, at the Capitol in Washington. Burrowed within new Senate legislation to roll back restraints on banks is a break from data reporting requirements for lenders making certain levels of mortgage loans. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File) The trade group for credit-reporting agencies, the Consumer Data Industry Association, had pushed hard for liability limitations and for federal law to overrule states own rules. We believe data breach legislation should be both preemptive of state law and be limited to administrative enforcement, the groups president told Congress earlier this month. In a statement to Yahoo Finance Equifax didnt comment on the move to limit the bureaus liability, but said it shares the sponsors goal of helping consumers gain access to credit and having more control over their personal credit data. Equifax supports a federal security freeze statute that simplifies the process for consumers. Security freezes are one of the many tools available which enable consumers to better protect themselves against potential identity theft. The bill is considered likely to pass the House, and the Trump administration supports the bill as is. Ethan Wolff-Mann is a writer at Yahoo Finance. Follow him on Twitter @ewolffmann. Confidential tip line: FinanceTips[at]oath[.com]. People are taking Equifax to small-claims court and winning Elizabeth Warrens bill would thrash Equifax for another data breach The worst company of the year, according to Yahoo Finance readers By Joyce Lee SEOUL (Reuters) - Lotte Data Communication Co, a unit of South Korea's Lotte Group, said on Thursday it has sought approval from the country's stock exchange for an initial public offering (IPO). The planned IPO is part of a pledge by Lotte Group to simplify its holding structure through IPOs, as well as via its formation of holding company Lotte Corp late last year, Lotte Data said in a statement. The undertaking was originally announced by Lotte Group Chairman Shin Dong-bin, who was jailed for bribery last month, sparking concerns of a leadership vacuum. "This is an extension of Lotte's previous moves to make its ownership more transparent," said Park Ju-gun, head of research firm CEO Score. "Lotte is likely to be even more active in such moves, as the chairman still faces appeals." The Seoul Central Court in February sentenced Shin to two years and six months in prison in a case tied to an influence-peddling scandal that has rocked the country's business and political elite. Lotte Group has also said it is seeking the right time to list Hotel Lotte, which had been pursuing an estimated $4.5 billion IPO in 2016 before it was scupper. Lotte Data, which provides IT services and reported revenue of 691.3 billion won ($649.27 million) in 2017, did not give details on the potential IPO dates or size. (Reporting by Joyce Lee; Editing by Shri Navaratnam) Stephen Hawking universe Stephen Hawking will be remembered for helping people appreciate the wonders of outer space. His groundbreaking research in merging concepts of quantum mechanics and Einsteins theory of relativity changed our understanding of black holes, while his iconic book A Brief History of Time, which made lofty concepts about the history and nature of the universe accessible to popular audiences, has sold over 10 million copies since its publication in 1988 and been translated in more than 30 languages. Remember to look up at the stars and not down at your feet, he famously advised. But much as the celebrated theoretical physicist, who died on March 14 at age 76, was intrigued by the mysteries of the universe, he often sounded even more invested in addressing the problems of life on Earth. When Hawking wasnt turning his attention to the stars, he was acting an outspoken public advocate on the human impacts of issues ranging from economic inequality to artificial intelligence and climate change. Writing for The Guardian in 2016, he warned that globalization and accelerating automation were likely to dramatically lower standards of living around the world in coming years, and urged elites and world leaders to work across national borders to address the issue: With not only jobs but entire industries disappearing, we must help people to retrain for a new world and support them financially while they do so. If communities and economies cannot cope with current levels of migration, we must do more to encourage global development, as that is the only way that the migratory millions will be persuaded to seek their future at home. Hawking was particularly concerned about the potential human costs of artificial intelligence, telling the BBC in 2014 that the technology could spell the end of the human race. His chief concern was that AI could escape peoples control: It would take off on its own, and redesign itself at an ever increasing rate. Humans, who are limited by slow biological evolution, couldnt compete, and would be superseded. Story continues Climate change was another of Hawkings frequent talking points. Responding to US president Donald Trumps move to withdraw from the Paris climate agreement, he told the BBC, We are close to the tipping point where global warming becomes irreversible. Trumps action could push the Earth over the brink to become like Venus, with a temperature of 250[C], raining sulfuric acid. Climate change is one of the great dangers we face, and its one we can prevent if we act now. These warnings might make Hawking sound as if he had a dour view of the future of humanity. And indeed, only last year, he suggested that humans needed to get off planet Earth within 100 years and find another planet to call home if our species was going to survive. But his hyper-awareness of the threats faced by humanitymany of them self-createdsprang from a fundamental appreciation for the miraculousness of life. Indeed, in a 2013 interview with NPR, Hawking was asked what he would choose to study if he was starting his career over again in the present. His answer revealed a decidedly Earthbound preoccupation: If I were starting research now, I might study molecular biology, the science of life. Crick and Watson discovered the double helix structure of DNA and the genetic code in 1953. I did not realize its significance in 1957 when I had to choose a science to specialize in. In light of Hawkings death, his many fans are posting tributes about the ways his work changed their understanding of their place in the universe. He surely wanted us to spend more time gazing at the heavens. But perhaps the best way to commemorate Hawking is to turn our attention to preserving life on Earth, while we still can. Read next: AI gave Stephen Hawking the ability to communicate, despite his fears of the tech Sign up for the Quartz Daily Brief, our free daily newsletter with the worlds most important and interesting news. More stories from Quartz: WASHINGTON, March 15 (Reuters) - The Trump administration on Thursday blamed the Russian government for a campaign of cyber attacks targeting the U.S. energy grid. An alert published by the Department of Homeland Security and FBI said a "multi-stage intrusion campaign by Russian government cyber actors" had targeted the networks of small commercial facilities "where they staged malware, conducted spear phishing, and gained remote access into energy sector networks." The alert coincided with the U.S. Treasury Department announcing it had slapped sanctions on 19 Russian individuals and five groups, including Moscow's intelligence services, for meddling in the 2016 U.S. election and other malicious cyber attacks. (Reporting by Dustin Volz Editing by Tom Brown) By Nandita Bose and Tom Polansek NEW YORK/CHICAGO (Reuters) - Walmart Inc's patent filings hint that it may see a future where farmers use its drones to not only spot crop problems but selectively apply chemicals or even disperse pollen to bring shoppers the freshest and cheapest food possible. The world's largest retailer applied for six patents last year on drones that aim to prevent damage to crops, control pest attacks on farms and cross-pollinate plants, according to U.S. Patents and Trademark Office documents that were made public last week and seen by Reuters. Groceries make up 56 percent of the company's total revenue and Walmart may see drone technology as one way to get food from farms to store shelves faster and more cheaply to compete with Amazon.com Inc, following its purchase of Whole Foods Market last year and the expansion of discount chains like Aldi and Lidl. In one application, Walmart seeks to patent a system that would use drones to identify crop-damaging pests and then dispense insecticides on the critters. Another suggests the use of drones carrying pollen dispensers to successfully pollinate crops. Using technology to precisely apply pesticides rather than spraying entire fields can benefit the environment and save money for farmers. As part of a sustainability push in recent years, Walmart has also worked with suppliers to reduce the amount of fertilizer used to grow crops because it can pollute the environment. Walmart spokeswoman Molly Blakeman said the company always looks for new ways to serve shoppers better but had no comment on the filings. The retailer applies for dozens of patents a year and many do not result in commercial products. Walmart previously applied for a patent involving drones that could monitor crops' growing conditions and send data to stores about when and from where produce might arrive, said Zoe Leavitt, a senior analyst from data intelligence firm CB Insights, which analyzes corporate patent filings. The series of six applications indicates Walmart is looking into farming more seriously, she said. Story continues Walmart has so far applied for 46 patents for using drone technology, mostly to facilitate its delivery and logistics operations, or for use within warehouses to do things such as track inventory, according to data from CB Insights. In U.S. agriculture, drones are most often used to survey farms that can span hundreds of acres. The devices fly above fields and take photos that help growers estimate the size of upcoming harvests or identify problems, such as weed infestations and nutrient deficiencies. Other industries have also turned to drones, with AT&T Inc using the devices to look at cellphone towers in Texas last year after Hurricane Harvey. Insurers such as Allstate Corp use them to assess property damage. "The technology is very powerful and using that to control the supply chain as far out as possible will offer Walmart a distinct advantage over rivals," said Bill Bishop, co-founder of retail consultancy Brick Meets Click. The market for agricultural drones will top $1 billion by 2024, up from about $338 million in 2016, according to research firm Global Market Insights. However, Walmart's patent applications stand out because they indicate the company sees greater potential to address problems on farms, rather than simply spot them, said David Dvorak, chief executive officer for Field of View, a U.S. company that sells drone camera systems. "It sounds like Walmart is trying to develop a complete system that can actually do something about it," Dvorak said. The patent push involving agricultural technology harks back to McDonald Corp's efforts in the 1960s to patent the processing of potatoes into French fries so it could reliably deliver consistent quality fries at the lowest cost in massive volumes. "Companies like Walmart for a long time have created sustainability initiatives and this is really where the rubber is meeting the road," said Jayson Lusk, head of agricultural economics at Purdue University. Such environmental-focused initiatives can be attractive to consumers, Lusk said. Eventually Walmart, which is courting more urban, higher income and health conscious shoppers for their online grocery business, could require suppliers to buy food from farmers who use agricultural technology to reduce chemicals to produce crops, he said. "A way how this might come down is the imposition of standards on their suppliers," Lusk said. (Reporting by Nandita Bose in New York and Tom Polansek in Chicago; Editing by Lisa Shumaker) Mining cryptocurrencies like bitcoin in the state of New York will become more expensive as power providers are now cleared to charge higher electricity rates for crypto mining firms. In a ruling [PDF] on Thursday, the New York State Public Service Commission the states public utility regulator has allowed upstate municipal power authorities to charge higher power tariffs for companies in the crypto-mining business with high-density loads, from March. An energy-intensive process, cryptocurrency mining is a process wherein miners are rewarded with coins for creating blocks of validated transactions and adding them to a blockchain using specialized computer chips that draw high amounts of power continually. The move follows a petition by the New York Municipal Power Agency (NYMPA), a group of 36 municipal power providers in the state, citing concerns of higher electricity costs for residential and business customers due to soaring demand from crypto-mining companies. The addition of high-density load customers can drastically increase the amount of supplemental power needed by the systems and significantly increases costs to existing customers, an excerpt from the announcement read. The petition also argued that cryptocurrency miners do not bring the economic development traditionally associated with similar load-sized companies with fewer jobs and little to no capital investment among the local community. In certain cases of power consumption, the cryptocurrency mining firms accounted for a third of the local power providers total load, the announcement said, comparing it to a large paper manufacturer, which might employ hundreds of workers, uses roughly one-fourth the amount of electricity on a per square foot basis that these high-density load customers. As a result, the regulator announced: [T]he Commission will allow municipal power authorities to create a new tariff focusing on high-density load customers that do not qualify for economic development assistance and have a maximum demand exceeding 300 kW and a load density that exceeds 250 kWh per square foot per year, a usage amount far higher than traditional commercial customers. Story continues The move to hike tariffs come within days of officials in the city of Plattsburgh which falls under the NYMPAs coverage area considering a temporary ban on cryptocurrency mining operations locally. New York power station image from Shutterstock. The post New York Cryptocurrency Miners Will Pay a Premium for Electricity appeared first on CCN. And Super Bomberman R goes multiplatform; with PS4, Xbox One, and PC (Steam) versions. Pakistani authorities say seven people have been killed by a powerful blast at the home of a Taliban-linked cleric in the remote town of Qillah Saifullah, near the Afghan border. Deputy commissioner Shafqat Shahwali said on March 16 that more than 10 others, including women and children, were also wounded in the blast late on March 15. Local police chief Mohammad Yousaf said that the explosion apparently occurred when a bomb or an explosive device was being loaded into a vehicle. Yousaf identified the slain cleric as Habibullah Khan, who was known for public support of the Afghan Taliban. Khan's cousin, Khair Mohammad, was quoted as saying that the cleric was a member of Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan, known as the Pakistani Taliban. Police said some of the wounded were in critical condition in hospital. Police officer Mohammad Aslam told reporters that the blast was so strong that rescue workers were pulling body parts from the debris of the house, which had completely collapsed. The town of Qillah Saifullah is located in the Balochistan Province, the scene of a low-level insurgency by separatist groups who demand a greater share of the province's resources. Balochistan is also believed to be a hiding place for the Afghan Taliban and Pakistani militant groups. Based on reporting by AP and geo.tv Pakistan's Foreign Ministry says it has called its top diplomat in India back home for consultations after reports of harassment of Pakistani diplomatic staff in New Delhi. Ministry spokesman Muhammad Faisal said on March 15 that the decision was made after Pakistani officials and their families in New Delhi reported maltreatment, such as being chased by motorcyclists who wanted to photograph them. Islamabad also summoned an Indian diplomat in Pakistan in protest. India hasn't commented on the allegations. Faisal said on March 15 that Pakistan's high commissioner to India, Sohail Mahmood, is expected to return this week. Nuclear-armed neighbors India and Pakistan often accuse each other's diplomatic staff of spying. They also often trade fire in the disputed Himalayan region of Kashmir, which both countries claim in its entirety. Based on reporting by AP and dawn.com President Shavkat Mirziyoev has changed the name of Uzbekistan's national security service, a move seen as another step aimed at shaking up the long-feared main successor of the KGB in the Central Asian country. Mirziyoev signed a decree on March 14 changing the name from the National Security Service, or Milliy Xavfsizlik Xizmati (MXX), to the State Security Service, or Davlat Xavfsizlik Xizmati (DXX), Uzbek media reported. The decree said the security service's duties include "protecting human rights and freedoms of Uzbek citizens, providing national security, [and] protecting Uzbekistan's national interests inside and outside the country." It is also charged with fighting "organized crime, corruption, and terrorism" and supervising the border guard service in Uzbekistan, which borders Afghanistan. Mirziyoev, a longtime former prime minister, has been shaking up government structures -- in particular the powerful security service and Interior Ministry -- since he succeeded long-ruling President Islamov Karimov after his death in 2016. Mirziyoev has publicly criticized the security service, comparing its practices with those of the Soviet dictator Josef Stalin's NKVD during the Great Terror in 1937-38. In late January, Mirziyoev dismissed General Rustam Inoyatov, who led the security service for almost 23 years. Several high ranking security officials have been arrested or dismissed since then. Drone deliveries to the warfighter Marine Reserves Maj. Christopher Thobaben came up with the idea for an automated system for delivering supplies to troops. He sent a basic sketch to a friend who told him to make it official. I was very critical of Marine Corps logistics and our innovation since World War II, Thobaben said. For more than a half-century, he argued, we basically just made the horse faster. Thobaben's idea for moving supply delivery to drones was demonstrated March 14 at the Marine Corps Base in Quantico, Va. The Hive Final Mile project consists of a mobile application for placing orders to drones, an automated drone launcher (the Hive), software for determining what drone to fly and managing flight paths, and a cloud storage component for keeping track of all the flights and orders. Everything starts with an Android tablet. Kyle Aron, an engineer with Soar Technology, helped build a plugin for the Android Tactical Assault Kit (ATAK), a mapping application originally developed by Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency and the Air Force Research Laboratory. Users place orders via the app for ammunition, a tourniquet, water or any other available item that can be delivered by drone. They then specify the drop-off location and other variables. ATAK sends the request to Sentien Robotics' Shepherd software, which automates parts of the process. First, it automatically decides what kind of drone it needs to send -- do the troops need an eye in the sky? Itll send one outfitted with a camera. Do medics need an order of insulin? Shepherd send a drone that delivers medical supplies. For the Hive Final Mile demonstration, the transmissions were sent over Wi-Fi using repeaters to help the signal make it across the field, but Sentien Robotics CEO Brandon Borko said the communications method can be adapted to whatever connectivity is available. Shepherd also automates the process for deconflicting flights, ensuring drones dont run into one another in the air. We developed a piece of software [Shepherd] that does deconfliction for all the vehicles and allows us to take mission-level requests and do all the automation required to make that mission happen, said Christopher Vo, Sentien Robotics' chief scientist. Shepherd can be uploaded onto a wide range of hardware, but for the Quantico demonstration it was running on the Hive, which is a small white trailer that looks like a small generator parked at a construction site. The Hive can store 18 hobbyist-sized drones on shelves inside, launch them automatically and charge them upon their return. A robotic process brings the selected drone to a launching platform where it will eventually take flight. Shepherd then sends all of the flight information to a Salesforce government cloud environment through an application programming interface. The Salesforce dashboard shows information on every flight that has been queued, every flight that has been completed and specific details for each one. Users can see flight times, what was ordered, locations, order numbers and other information, according to Mark Bailey, a senior test engineer with Scientific Research Corporation. Salesforce does not currently transmit data to Shepherd, but Bailey said that capability, which would allow users to see what inventory is available within ATAK, will be added in the future. Salesforce's dashboarding capabilities allow users to create simple bar graphs or pie charts for different metrics, and SRC and Salesforce have been experimenting with different reporting processing for this project, Bailey said. The eventual goal is to scale the technology to be able to work with thousands of drones, Thobaben said. Right now its working with dozens, but he said he expects to reach a larger scale in a little over a year. As we scale up, theres going to be bottlenecks along the way, Borko warned. Currently, one of those pain points is loading the payload. Right now if a drone is to deliver ammunition, that ordnance must be attached to the drone by hand. But Borko and Thobaben envision an environment where no human is involved in the process, except for ordering. Additionally, as hundreds and then thousands of drones are added to a network, bandwidth will become an issue, Borko said. Network capacity will be addressed by offloading navigational processing from Shepherd and doing more of it onboard the drone with collision avoidance systems. Cybersecurity is also a concern for projects that involve autonomous systems and large amounts of data stored in a cloud environment -- not to mention the delivery of both valuable and potentially deadly supplies. Anything that operates on the 'interwebs' of the world is going to be vulnerable, Thobaben said. The Salesforce environment is compliant with the Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program up to Level 4, and none of the data is stored outside the United States, Bailey said. The security of the drone management system is something industry is currently focused on and that Sentien Robotics, specifically, plans to keep an eye on, Borko told GCN. Cybersecurity is a big concern for these platforms because you dont want to have [drones] in the air and who controls them get changed to someone else, he said. Were going to incorporate the technologies as they come out. The Hive Final Mile project is a joint logistics initiative that involves both the Marine Corps Next Generation Logistics branch and the Office of the Secretary of Defenses Rapid Reaction Technology Office. INDUSTRY INSIGHT Engagement, accessibility, cybersecurity top local government priorities If you asked a ballroom full of government leaders what keeps them up at night, what do you think they would say? According to our latest "Whats Next in Digital Communications for Local Government" survey results, expanding citizen engagement, increasing digital accessibility and minimizing cybersecurity risks top their to-do lists. Nearly 370 municipal and county government officials across North America participated in the December 2017 survey to assess the current state of digital communications in local government and project future trends. Topping the list of priorities for 2018 is citizen engagement, with two-thirds of survey respondents planning to invest in technology to increase digital connections with their customers. Its the second year in a row that expand citizen engagement was cited as the top priority for the next 12 months. Moreover, 80 percent of the local leaders said they plan to invest in social media tools this year. As one survey participant noted, social media is one of the biggest channels where citizen engagement happens. At a time when social media consumption is at an all-time high, its not surprising that local government leaders are realizing the impact digital engagement can have in creating positive relationships with citizens and improving customer experience. Over the four years of our "Whats Next" surveys, weve seen social media rise from third to first place among rankings of the most effective communications channels for local government. Second on the list of 2018 priorities is accessibility, which addresses the ability of a website, mobile application or electronic document to be easily navigated and understood by a wide range of users, including those who have visual, auditory, motor or cognitive disabilities. Web accessibility was cited by 53 percent of survey participants as a 2018 priority, up from 22 percent last year. This clearly reflects local governments increasing awareness of the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines deadline that passed on Jan. 18. Ten percent of the public officials surveyed, however, said their agency websites still do not meet current standards for digital accessibility, while 66 percent said their websites were only somewhat in compliance. Cybersecurity also was top of mind for this years survey respondents, coming in as the third most frequently mentioned priority at 41 percent. When asked to rank external forces that will have the most significant impact on local agency communications this year, cybersecurity threats topped the list of concerns. Biggest challenges for 2018 Community engagement is both a priority and a challenge for local government leaders this year. Nearly half of survey respondents cited limited community engagement as the biggest challenge for their websites in 2018, followed by difficult to navigate (41 percent) and website does not meet accessibility standards (29 percent). Its clear that local agencies are well aware of the rising expectations of their increasingly digital and mobile citizens who now demand the same level of accessibility, security and efficiency they enjoy in the private sector. Netflix, Amazon and Uber have set a high bar for digital interaction that government agencies often find hard to reach. Most effective channels of local government communications Local agencies recognize the key role their websites play in meeting the digital demands of diverse populations, with nearly 91 percent of respondents rating their websites as very important or extremely important to overall communications and engagement strategies -- a response that has remained above 90 percent in each of the past four years. Websites ranked second, behind social media, as the most effective channel of communications available to government agencies. When asked how easy it is for community members to find information on their websites, however, less than 9 percent said it was extremely easy. The remainder of respondents said their websites had room for improvement in the area of findability of web content. The good news is more than half of the local government leaders we surveyed plan to invest time and money in updating and improving their websites in 2018. When it comes to mobile-ready websites, a topic brought into sharp focus by the new Connected Government Act that requires all federal agencies ensure their websites are mobile friendly, local governments seem to be ahead of the federal curve. Just 25 percent of survey participants cited responsive design as a priority for 2018, down from 35 percent four years ago, which suggests that many more local government websites are now mobile-ready. Thanks to the explosion and availability of affordable digital technologies, proactive agencies are poised to drive significant change in the way they interact with their communities. They will do this by leveraging social media, video, mobile messaging and other tools to communicate with citizens in a way that is more engaging, interactive and personalized than ever before. Inventory management system streamlines foresters' field work The digitization of inventory and maintenance processes is helping Michigan better manage its 4 million acres of state forests. About 150 foresters regularly use the Michigan Forest Inventory (MiFI) system to manage the state's forests, collecting data on tree types and making recommendations for prescribing controlled burns, preserving habitat, improving hiking trails or scheduling timber sales. Originally launched in 2014 as an application on state-owned desktops, laptops and Windows 10 tablets, MiFI is getting ready for an update this year so that iOS and Android users can access the app from their personal devices. Its going to open up our ability to utilize different field hardware, said Jason Stephens, state forest inventory specialist at the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Forest Resources Division. We need to modernize our field hardware and shrink it down in size. Our folks carry a lot of 10-inch Windows tablets in the field right now, and they have a strong desire for smaller field devices for doing our field GPS and GIS work. For now, foresters can use MiFI to electronically evaluate parcels; measure forest density, type and age; record details about the health of the area; update data on infrastructure such as roads and bridges; and electronically update the timber sale system when stands of trees -- contiguous communities of trees that are often alike in type, age and size -- are ready for commercial harvest. We had an antiquated process around generating the paperwork or the contracts for that part of our business, and it required a lot of extra data entry by our folks, Stephens said of the timber sales. By being in GIS, we leveraged that spatial information into that proposal and now are able to eliminate a significant amount of time it takes our folks to go through that part of the process. Before MiFI, the department used a forest inventory software system built on a customized Esri ArcMap platform. Although it centralized data and was relatively easy to manage, it included business practices from the early 2000s that DNR was not going to fully adopt, Stephens said. Additionally, the custom programming used some outdated language, making it tough to update the platform without hiring a programmer to change the code. With MiFI, users can view and edit DNRs SQL database through a web-based Esri ArcGIS platform. Its a very straightforward web map of the state of Michigan that has outlines for where the state-managed lands [are] -- primarily our state forests but also our state park and game area lands, Stephens said. Similar to any web-based map you can pinch-zoom in or roll in with your mouse, and the closer you get, more of the data appears. Editing has two aspects. First, theres spatial editing in which users decide what areas qualify as a stand or whether multiple areas should be merged into one. The spatial tools can fine-tune management and ownership, so that when the state disposes of parcels, foresters can manage the information with MiFI. Second, the attributes that users ascribe to the stand-level or treatment data are primarily in drop-down menus, but they can also enter comments. For example, if were going to propose a harvest near a recreation trail, we may be able to shape and show the boundary, how its going to sit relative to that recreational site, Stephens said. In the comments, we would describe measures that were going to take to mitigate any significant impacts on the recreation. A big benefit of the system is time savings, he said. Before, state foresters spent about 40 percent of their time over a 12-month period on inventory. I probably spent a third of my time on the phone with individuals that were managing this information, and now Im like the old Maytag repairman in the commercials who doesnt answer his phone, Stephens said. Ive moved on to other projects, so I dont quite have his luxuries of sleeping on the job or anything, but the folks that used to do the support of staff, answering basic questions of how to get from Point A to B in the process, now are able to focus on more important questions and do a higher level of work in managing the forest. EMBA Anderson vs Ross ($$) [ #permalink I got admitted to both Anderson and Ross EMBA programs for the class of 2020. These two schools have pretty much the same reputation and rankings. I live in SoCal so I only applied to only these two schools because of location. For those who may not know, Ross has EMBA cohort in LA, the same faculty from Ann Arbor. As the deadline to make the deposit is less than a week away, I have to decide one. I like to switch my career from engineering to product management, but still in tech. Anderson - all students in one location - larger network in west coast? - global programs available (immersion and exchange) Ross - larger alumni in big tech companies (Apple, Google, MS, FB, Amazon) - at least from linkedin search - better known school for tech - smaller number of student in LA and it is not the main campus. Ross offered me $15K scholarship which Anderson did not. As Anderson tuition is about 7-8K cheaper, scholarship from Ross many not be a big deal. I see a lot of comparison and reviews about Full Time MBA for these two schools, but not much for EMBAs. I would like to stay in the west coast for the next few years (4-5 years) and may want to explore opportunities in other regions or other countries. Has anyone seen one school stands out better than the other in terms of reputation in your organization and alumni network, etc? I am just trying to get some advice before making the final decision. Thanks. Taking into account the international orientation of the Luxembourg labour market with an exceptional level of foreign and multilingual workforce, the Luxembourg Employment Agency (ADEM) has launched today the English version of its internet platform Portail de lemploi which already is available in French and German. This internet portal addresses jobseekers, employers and young people seeking career guidance. It offers comprehensive information and practical tips on finding a job, hiring employees, choosing a professional career or applying for financial support and employment measures. "With the English version of the Portail de lemploi we focus on the specific information needs of our customers and explain, in an understandable manner, the administrative procedures which may seem quite complex for foreign citizens," explains ADEMs director Isabelle Schlesser. "Jobseekers and employers can also address their enquiries to ADEMs Contact Center in English", adds Isabelle Schlesser. In fact, ADEMs Contact Center provides information by phone (+352) 247-88888 and by Email (info@adem.etat.lu) in the three official languages, Luxembourgish, French and German, as well as in English. The Portail de lemploi also gives access to ADEMs JobBoard. The JobBoard is an online tool available for all jobseekers registered with ADEM and all Luxembourg employers. On the one hand, it lists all job vacancies declared to ADEM and thus allows jobseekers to search for suitable jobs and express their interest. On the other hand, employers who are looking for new staff can consult the profiles of all jobseekers registered with ADEM and contact suitable candidates directly. More than 22,000 candidate profiles and 4,600 job offers are currently published on the ADEM JobBoard. Press release by the National Employment Agency A few weekends ago, I exhibited at the last local show of my junior show career. Its hard for me to believe that this part of my life has gone by so quickly. But reminiscing on the memories of the early shows has reminded me of how grateful I am for my showing career. In addition, showing dairy cattle has taught me perseverance as well as given me a strong work ethic and love for the dairy cow. Throughout the years, I showed at countless shows with my Brown Swiss and Holsteins. Each year I learned how to present my heifer better to the judge and I put more hours into training my calves. I learned that if you dont succeed the first time to not give up right away but try again next year. This is a lesson Ive taken with me as a student in college. I learned how a strong work ethic is important and that the rewarding feeling of achieving your goal is worth all the hours put in. Of all the activities I was involved in during my childhood, showing dairy cattle has by far taught me the most about life. I have met the best of friends during these years. My love for the dairy cow and the industry is because of showing at local fairs when I was beginning 4-H. From walking on the colored shavings to exhibiting for the last time at the Western Dairy Classic earlier this month, these experiences have taught me key skills that I will use in my career and beyond. Elise Regusci grew up on her family's farm in Modesto, Calif. Regusci attends Cal Poly University, majoring in dairy science with an agricultural communication minor. On campus, she is the Los Lecheros Dairy Club Ag Council representative and a member of the Cal Poly dairy judging team. Regusci was the 2016 Brown Swiss Youth Ambassador and was the 2017 Hoard's Dairyman summer editorial intern. 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 16 (JEN): The United Nations human rights wing said Thursday that it has strong grounds to believe that the investigation into the disappearance of 43 students from a rural Mexican college in 2014 was marred by torture and cover-ups. By reviewing the cases of 63 individuals prosecuted in connection with the students disappearance from Ayotzinapa Teachers College in Guerrero, the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) shed light on some of the flaws of the early stages of the investigation, rather than addressing who were responsible for the crime. In the report, titled Double Injustice Human rights violations in the investigation of the Ayotzinapa case, OHCHR said it has solid grounds to conclude that at least 34 of these individuals were tortured, based on the judicial files, including medical records of multiple physical injuries, and on interviews with authorities, detainees and witnesses. This not only violates the rights of the detainees, but also the right to justice and to truth for the victims of the events of September 2014, their families, and for society as a whole, he added.The findings of the report point to a pattern of committing, tolerating and covering up torture in the investigation of the Ayotzinapa case, said UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Raad Al Hussein. The report highlights how people were arbitrarily detained and tortured to extract information or confessions, and the significant delays in bringing them before a public prosecutor, often placing them outside the protection of the law. The report states that the internal oversight unit of the Office of the Attorney-General of the Republic (OAG) appeared to have made a genuine effort in 2016 to address some of alleged torture or other human rights violations, but this internal investigation was subsequently thwarted by the replacement of the officials in the unit. To date, there has been no prosecution and sanction for the acts of torture or other human rights violations, the report says. Ayotzinapa is a test case of the Mexican authorities willingness and ability to tackle serious human rights violations, Zeid said, urging the Mexican authorities to ensure that the search for truth and justice continues, and those responsible for torture and other human rights violations during the investigation are held accountable. UNIC/Mexico New York, Mar 16 (JEN): The United Nations Security Council on Thursday renewed the mandate of UN peacekeeping mission in South Sudan for another year and demanded that all parties immediately end the fighting countrywide. With the unanimous adoption of a resolution on the mandate extension until 15 March 2019, the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) is charged with performing such tasks as protecting civilians, creating the conditions conducive to the delivery of humanitarian assistance, monitoring and investigating human rights violations, and supporting the peace process. The Council decided to maintain the overall force levels of UNMISS with a troop ceiling of 17,000 troops, which includes a Regional Protection Force at levels to be set by the Secretary-General but not exceeding 4,000, and maintaining the ceiling of 2,101 police personnel, including individual police officers, formed police units and 78 corrections officers. The 15-member body also demanded that all parties immediately end the fighting across the country, and further demanded that national leaders abide by the ceasefires agreed on 11 July 2016 and 22 May 2017, as well as the truce signed on 21 December 2017. South Sudan attained independence from Sudan in July 2011 after a referendum, becoming the worlds newest country. The Security Council established UNMISS to support the transition, having determined that the situation faced by South Sudan continued to constitute a threat to international peace and security in the region. The country has since faced ongoing challenges due to a political face-off between two rival factions that erupted into full blown conflict in December 2013. The crisis has produced one of the worlds worst displacement situations with immense suffering for civilians. UNMISS New York, Mar 16 (JEN): From air transport in the Congo to truce observation in the Golan and assistance in the transition to independence in Namibia, the Netherlands has a long history with United Nations peacekeeping. As of January 2018, there are 240 Dutch peacekeepers serving with five UN missions. The majority of them are in the West African nation of Mali, where they play a vital role in obtaining high quality intelligence that allows the UN peacekeeping mission there to operate more effectively. In December 2017, the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) conducted its first all-female foot patrol with ten female peacekeepers from six troop-contributing countries Ghana, Ireland, Italy, Republic of Korea, Malaysia and the Netherlands. In the photo above, Lt. Colonel Ella Van Den Heuvel of the Netherlands interacting with a local resident while patrolling in Rmeish, South Lebanon. A Radio Communications Officer, W. Mayer of the Netherlands, at work at the airport in Elisabethville, in the Katanga province of what was then the Republic of the Congo (and is today the Democratic Republic of the Congo). Nearly 14,500 soldiers from 10 countries were part of the UN Operation in the Congo, known by its French acronym ONUC, helping to restore order and calm in the country. These countries assisted with technical and medical personnel, air transport, heavy materials, food and various supplies. (17 August 1960) . In the wake of the hostilities that erupted in May 1948 between the newly-proclaimed State of Israel and its Arab neighbours and the subsequent Armistice Agreements that followed, the Security Council established the UN Truce Supervision Organization (UNTSO). Seen here is Major Arnold Wouters of the Netherlands observing at Observation Post ROMEO, in the Golan Heights, Syria. (26 April 1973). The Netherlands sent 60 police monitors to Namibia, such as the one seen here speaking to a resident in Windhoek, to serve with the UN Transition Assistance Group (UNTAG). The mission was set up in 1989 to help ensure the early independence of Namibia from South Africa through free and fair elections, among other tasks. A total of 980 UNTAG police monitors from 23 countries were charged with overseeing the Southwest African Police, who were responsible for maintaining law and order in the territory during the transition period. (1 April 1989). An armoured personnel carrier from the Netherlands and Canadian Battalion (NECBAT), part of the UN Mission in Eritrea and Ethiopia (UNMEE) patrols the Temporary Security Zone, a buffer area along the countries common border. The Zone was set up following the two-year border war that ended in 2000. A Boundary Commission, jointly set up by both countries, was tasked with demarcating the border and making final decisions on contested areas. (1 June 2001). Peacekeepers from the Netherlands serving with the UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) keep watch from their guard station on the rooftop of an abandoned building, at the site of their military camp in Gao. At the time the Dutch contingent consisted of 380 troops (including Special Forces and a logistics team) and they also contributed several helicopters. (26 February 2014). UN Photo/Pascual Gorriz New York, Mar 16 (JEN): Following recent shelling of water treatment workers in eastern Ukraine, a senior United Nations official has called on all parties to the conflict to protect those civilians who maintain critical infrastructure. I am deeply concerned that water treatment workers and critical infrastructure continue to be targeted in eastern Ukraines armed conflict, said Neal Walker, UN Resident Coordinator and Humanitarian Coordinator in Ukraine, in a statement issued on Wednesday. It is clear that any targeting of civilian infrastructure and intentional disruption of access to water supply or heating systems is a violation of international humanitarian law, he added. In the last eight days, workers seeking to maintain the Donetsk Filter Station have been shot at on four separate occasions. The operation of the facility relies on the safe and unfettered access for the technicians, who risk their lives on a daily basis so water continues to flow to 345,000 people affected by the conflict. On Tuesday, a truck was fired upon while making a routine delivery of water treatment chemicals vital for continued operations. A bus carrying 30 workers was also fired upon. It was only due to good luck that no one was hurt, Walker said. Given Ukraines harsh winter, any interruption of water supply or inter-dependent heating systems could generate severe humanitarian consequences, he warned. After four years of armed conflict, ordinary men, women and children continue to be the most affected in eastern Ukraine, with their most basic needs, including safety and protection continuing to be denied. Millions of Ukrainians are either trapped in active hostilities or displaced and are losing hope, he said. UNHCR Kabul, Mar 16 (IBNS): At least seven Islamic State militants have been killed during airstrikes conducted by Afghan air force in Afghanistan's Achin district, media reports said on Friday. Hazrat Hussain Mashraqiwal, provincial police spokesman, told Pajhwok Afghan News that Afghan air forces targeted a Daesh hideout in Pekhi Baghdara area of Achin district on Thursday night. Hazrat Hussain Mashraqiwal confirmed that Afghanistan forces or civilians remained unharmed in the incident. IS has not commented on the issue so far. Recently, at least six ISIS militants were killed by Afghan security forces in Afghanistan's Jawzjan province, media reports said. According to the local officials, the militants were killed during a clash that took place on Friday in Darzab district, Khaama Press reported. Provincial governors spokesman Mohammad Reza Ghafori also confirmed the report to the news agency and said six members of the ISIS terrorist group were killed during the clash. According to reports, members of the security forces remained unhurt in the incident. Ghafori was quoted as saying by Khaama Press that two foreign nationals hailing from Uzbekistan were among those killed during the clash. However, the ISIS has not commented on the issue so far. In some parts of Jawzjan, anti-government armed militant groups are operating actively. Afghanistan has witnessed rise in terrorist attack incidents in recent times. More than 10,000 civilians have lost their lives or suffered injuries during 2017, according to the latest report by the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) documenting the impact of the armed conflict on civilians in Afghanistan. The human cost of this ugly war in Afghanistan loss of life, destruction and immense suffering is far too high said the Secretary-Generals Special Representative for Afghanistan, Tadamichi Yamamoto, during the launch of the latest annual report in Kabul. The report detailed that in 2017, UNAMA and the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) documented 10,453 civilian casualties 3,438 killed and 7,015 injured. The findings show that the majority of civilian casualties resulted from suicide attacks, improvised explosive device, ground engagements, targeted killings, explosive remnants of war and air strikes. Lahore, Mar 16 (IBNS): Pakistani officials have formed a joint investigation team (JIT) to investigate the suicide blast in Raiwind area of Pakistan on Wednesday, media reports said on Friday. The attack left at least 11 people killed. The deceased included policemen and civilians. Raiwind is located close to Pakistan's Lahore city. The JIT includes members of the police and intelligence agencies, Pakistan's Geo News reported. "Moreover, on Friday, security officials completed geo-fencing of the area. Punjab Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif also chaired a meeting on security-related issues today, where the authorities submitted the initial investigation report of the blast," the news channel further reported. According to Pakistan's Dawn News, the suicide bomber blew himself up at the Nisar Police check-post near the Tableeghi Markaz after a cop tried to stop him from entering the venue where a bi-annual congregation was under way. It was at around 9:20pm when a teenage boy approached the police personnel. When a policeman tried to stop him, he blew himself up injuring all of the 12 police personnel present there, DIG Operations Dr Haider Ashraf told Dawn, adding that five of those cops, including two sub-inspectors, later succumbed to their injuries. TTP claimed responsibility for blast near Tableeghi Markaz congregation, Dawn News reported. A motorcycle, which was located close to the site of the mishap, has been destroyed. Meanwhile, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has condemned Wednesdays attack at a police checkpoint near a mosque in the outskirts of Lahore. [Mr. Guterres] extends his condolences to the families of the victims and wishes those injured a speedy recovery, said a statement from a UN spokesman, which said the Secretary-General calls for the perpetrators of the attack to be brought to justice. The statement went on to say that the UN supports the efforts of the Government of Pakistan to fight terrorism with full respect for international human rights norms and obligations. Toronto, Mar 16 (IBNS): Ontario is helping newcomers and their families by investing in services and programs to help them settle into their new lives. Laura Albanese, Minister of Citizenship and Immigration, made the announcement at Mississaugas Centre for Education and Training. The province is supporting 236 projects that will meet the diverse needs of newcomers by expanding services to help them settle into their communities, such as improvements to language classes and job training. The projects will provide settlement and integration support, including orientation, information, referrals to a range of community services and targeted programing for newcomer youth such as skills development and mentoring, bridge training for internationally-trained immigrants to help them get licensed in their occupation or trade and find work in their field, Language training resources and program enhancements to improve the delivery of English and French as a second language. Albanese said: Immigrants who choose Ontario as their new home are critically important for our future growth and prosperity. Helping newcomers to improve language skills, to attain the information, knowledge and skills they need to find jobs in their professions, benefits our society as a whole. Earlier in an interview with IBNS Bureau Chief of Canada Suman Das, Albanese said: " The federal funding should be seen as an investment. The immigrants receive some help: in finding closest the best school, getting them jobs, getting assistance in language, in creating a resume. Ontario in Canada is founded on immigration." She added, "Except for indigenous people, we all have come to Canada from different places. The sooner we get integrated and become financially independent, is better for our society and for the aging population which is growing very fast in Canada." Dipika Damerla, Minister of Seniors Affairs, MPP for Mississauga EastCooksville, said: Investing in the success of our newcomers is a good investment for Ontario and for Peel Region. Providing them with the training and supports they need to settle in their community and get jobs is the right thing to do. Urban did not speculate about the reason behind what he described as a conscious decision to give us more space, and definitely a change in their behavior. But supporters of the Trump administrations foreign policy are sure to point to such indicators as evidence of the effectiveness of his assertive approach to dealing with the Islamic Republic. Until the practice halted in August, IRGC fast attack boats had taken to approaching American warships at high rates of speed, in some cases refusing to disengage until warning shots had been fired, and after the US Navy attempted to warn the vessels off with radio communications, warning lights, and sirens. The start of the offending encounters coincided closely with the conclusion of nuclear negotiations between Iran and six world powers, which Trump and others have criticized for giving away leverage over Tehran. The incidents also followed upon the brief arrest of 10 American sailors in January 2016, after their riverine command boats strayed into Iranian territorial waters during a training exercise. While critics of a supposedly conciliatory US policy saw the arrest as evidence of Iranian impunity, the Obama White House portrayed the quick release of the sailors as evidence of beneficial effects from opening up diplomatic dialogue between the US and Iran. However, the subsequent pattern of harassment arguably undermines this argument, especially in light of that patterns alternation less than a year into the Trump presidency. In the first months after Trump took office, the White House moved to put Iran on notice over its destabilizing activities in the broader Middle East. The administration has also kept pressure on the 2015 nuclear agreement, with the president threatening to withdraw from that deal unless European signatories work with the US Congress to fix its perceived flaws, including sunset provisions and limits on international inspectors access to Iranian military sites. The push for a supplementary agreement between Europe and the US has helped to shine additional light on their differing approaches to Iran policy. Although leading European nations have recently expressed rising levels of concern over issues like Irans ballistic missile activities, their efforts at resolution have remained more distinctly diplomatic than those of the White House. While the US and Iran continue to avoid direct diplomatic interchange, the United Kingdom moved quickly following the nuclear agreement to reopen its embassy in Tehran. On Wednesday, Iran Front Page reported that London had appointed a replacement for current Ambassador to Iran Nicholas Hopton. In a statement, the incoming ambassador, Rob Macaire reiterated Britains support for the nuclear deal and also expressed interest in deepening the bilateral relationship between the two countries while pursuing political solutions to conflicts in Yemen and Syria, where Iran continues to play major roles. Macaires appointment thus stood in contrapose to a much publicized change in the Trump administration, which is set to take effect around the same time. The replacement of Secretary of State Rex Tillerson with current CIA Director Mike Pompeo is widely expected to further strengthen the American posture toward Iran, given that Pompeo has compared Tehran to Islamic State militants and has advocated for strikes on its nuclear infrastructure. It now remains to be seen whether the US or Britain makes more headway in its objectives toward Iran, but this made be difficult to assess if the two sets of objectives are different. Although the Trump administration has made public demands for the release of American citizens and permanent residents being held prisoner in Iran, it is not clear that his administration has taken concrete steps on that front in the midst of its preoccupation with fixing the nuclear deal. On the other hand, there have been some signs of progress toward the release of Iranian-British detainee Nazanin Zaghari Ratcliffe following the visit to Tehran by British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson in December. Even so, the signs of progress have been relatively slight, with no real updates following the declaration by the head of Evin Prison that he had approved Zaghari-Ratcliffe for release. Nevertheless, the statement alone represents the hope that direct, public outreach over such detentions could lead to their resolution. Accordingly, the AP reports that the sons of an Iranian-Canadian political prisoner who recently died in police custody have begun petitioning Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to speak out publicly and put pressure on the Iranian government to allow their mother to leave the country. Sixty-three year old Kavous Seyed-Emami died last month in the midst of Tehrans crackdown on environmental activists whom the regime accused of being spies for foreign governments. uthorities declared his death to be a suicide but his sons Ramin and Mehran believe that the prison guards are directly responsible. According to the National Council of Resistance of Iran, at least 14 other individuals were tortured to death in Iranian prisons in the wake of nationwide protests that began in late December. On Monday, a document signed by 46 different human rights organizations urged the United Nations Human Rights Council to renew the mandate for the special rapporteur on human rights in Iran. The crackdowns on the uprising and the environmentalist movement were both cited in that appeal, which also highlighted Tehrans ongoing refusal to cooperate with international human rights bodies. It has yet to be determined whether European diplomacy or the Trump administrations assertiveness and ultimatums will played a more meaningful role in this push. It is by no means certain that either the US or Europe will even make broad human rights objectives a priority of their Iran policies. But considering that their different approaches have arguably yielded concessions in different areas of Iranian behavior, it is possible that both sets of policies could prove to be significant in their own ways. The Business Insider report emphasized that a major topic of interest both during and after those negotiations was whether Saudi Arabia would be held to the terms of a 123 Agreement, in which the party receiving American nuclear technology or no how commits to using them only for peaceful purposes while eschewing all domestic enrichment of nuclear material. This in turn gave rise to renewed discussion of the perceived flaws in the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, derided by US President Donald Trump as the worst deal ever. Under the terms of the deal, Iran agreed to dismantle a portion of its nuclear enrichment infrastructure but also kept thousands of centrifuges in operation, allowing for the continuation of low levels of uranium enrichment. In recent months, as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action has faced escalating threats of cancelation by the White House, Iranian officials have boasted that they are capable of resuming full-scale enrichment within 48 hours and even boosting it to much higher levels than prior to the agreement. This feature of the nuclear deal has raised serious doubts about Saudi Arabias willingness to abide by absolute limits on enrichment at a time when the nation is apparently committed to keeping pace with its main regional rival in all major areas. That commitment is arguably on display in the developing Saudi nuclear policy, which threatens to encompass not only energy generation but also nuclear weapons capability. In an interview with the CBS News program 60 Minutes that will air on Sunday, Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman declared, Saudi Arabia does not want to acquire any nuclear bomb, but without a doubt if Iran developed a nuclear bomb, we will follow suit as soon as possible. After quoting this excerpt from the interview, Reuters noted that the nations newly adopted atomic energy policy does include the acceptance of limits defined by international treaties, but Salmans warning underscores the likelihood of a nuclear arms race beginning if those limits are violated on one side of the regional rivalry. Salman also highlighted the severity of that rivalry, comparing Irans expansionist ambitions to those of Nazi Germany, with Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei in the place of Adolph Hitler. Voice of America quoted the prospective Saudi king as saying, Many countries around the world and in Europe did not realize how dangerous Hitler was until what happened, happened. I dont want to see the same events happening in the Middle East. Such comments are indicative of the war of words between the two regional powers, which has been escalating in recent months and years. Despite that escalation, there have been flashes of cooperation between Iran and Saudi Arabia, both of which are member of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries. OPEC, along with non-member state Russia, agreed in late 2016 to begin reducing oil output in an effort to buttress falling prices. But that agreement has always appeared fragile, ever since the Saudis begrudgingly conceded to Iranian demands that Iranian exports be exempted as the nation worked to restore its damaged oil economy following the lifting of economic sanctions under the JCPOA. Another Reuters report on Thursday pointed out that Iranian Oil Minister Bijan Zanganeh had expressed persistent confidence in the OPEC agreement, specifically asserting that it could be expected to survive through the end of the year. However, Irans adversaries in OPEC may be granted more wiggle room in the wake of the firing of US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, who is set to be replaced by current CIA director and noted Iran hawk Mike Pompeo. The incoming Secretary of State has promised to curtail Irans investment environment, and oil prices according edged upward in recognition of the possibility that Iranian exports might be cut off by the renewal of US led sanctions at some point in the near future. But although oil competition is certainly a component of the Iranian-Saudi rivalry, its recent escalation has more to do with military, political, and cultural influence throughout the region, and this competition has expressed itself through their backing of opposing sides in a number of regional conflicts, especially the civil war in Yemen, a southern neighbor of the Saudi kingdom. On Wednesday, Al Monitor published an analysis of the latest developments in that conflict, where Saudi Arabia is leading a coalition responsible for airstrikes against the Iran-backed Houthi rebels who still maintain their hold on the capital of Sanaa. The article described the proxy war as a lose-lose situation for Iran and Saudi Arabia, but also as one that is unlikely to come to a conclusion any time soon. Saudi Arabias Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman regards the Yemeni war as his own, and any success thus as his signature, Al Monitor declared, adding that to the Iranians, the more the Saudis are stuck in the quagmire, the more Prince Mohammed will be vulnerable, and this will have a bigger implication on the Saudi role in the region. It might also be said that Tehran views the worsening humanitarian crisis as an opportunity to distract attention away from recent and ongoing human rights violations in Syria, where the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps has helped Bashar al-Assad to hold onto power in the wake of a politically diverse uprising against his dictatorship. Illustrating this phenomenon, EA Worldview published a report on Monday regarding public remarks that had been made about Yemen by Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif, during a meeting with Red Cross President Peter Mauer. Zarif condemned the Saudi-led coalition for its bombing campaign, but said nothing of the similar, years-long campaign against Syrian rebels by the Russian military, which has frequently supported Iranian operations on the ground. Separately, Irans English-language propaganda network Press TV tried to differentiate the two situations by asserting that Iranian and Russian forces were operating in Syria at the request of that countrys government, as part of a fight against terrorists. But this disregards the fact that Saudi Arabia is allied with the recognized government of Yemen, in opposition to a single Shiite paramilitary group that is widely regarded as a terrorist organization, in contrast to the apparently moderate Syrian opposition groups that received backing from the West before the tide of the Syrian Civil War turned in Assads favor. EA Worldview also credited Iranian media with disseminating propaganda and disinformation on Syria, some of which originated in Tehran and some of which originated with the Assad regime or with Russia. Examples of the latter include smear campaigns against White Helmet rescue workers and claims that chemical weapons had been found in rebel-held areas in spite of widespread reports in the international press that such weapons had been deployed repeatedly by the Assad regime. Irans efforts to parrot Russian propaganda highlight the persistent alliance between those two countries. Their cooperative relations have economic as well as political and military dimensions, and the Washington Post reported on Wednesday that a Russian-Iranian consortium had just entered into a 740 million dollar agreement to develop two Iranian oil fields the second energy contract of its kinds since the implementation of the JCPOA. On the other hand, Russias independent economic activities have reportedly stoked resentment in Iranian state media, potentially rekindling longstanding speculation that the Russian-Iranian alliance could be weakened or broken by outside forces. According to Al Monitor, Moscow has been pursuing reconstruction and investment agreements with Damascus which bypass Tehran, and some Iranian commentators have responded with anger over the threat that this poses to prospects for recouping losses associated with Irans involvement in the conflict. Al Monitor quoted Yahya Rahim Safavi, a senior military advisor to Supreme Leader Khamenei, as saying, The Islamic Republic must be reimbursed for the price it has paid in Syria. dditionally, an editorial in one Iranian daily newspaper specifically named Bashar al-Assad in declaring that the Islamic Republic should not allow any person to limit Irans involvement in Syrian reconstruction. In addition to encouraging doubts about Irans relationship with Russia, such commentary also threatens to undermine the Iranian propaganda efforts aimed at Saudi Arabia. After all, such statements contradict those made by the Iranian Foreign Minister and others regarding the supposed differences between Iranian and Saudi influence and intervention in the broader Middle East. If a break between Iran and Russia leads Tehran to disregard the preferences of the Assad regime, it will be virtually impossible for the Iranians to maintain their claim that their presence in neighboring countries is more welcome than that of regional and Western adversaries. Iranian director Ebrahim Hatamikia received two awards at the 36th International Fajr Film Festival, which was held in Tehran, but unfortunately Best Film Celebrating War Crimes was not a category or hed have gotten the hat trick. This film, called Damascus Time, tells the completely untrue story of Iranian fighters in Syria defending religious shrines and rescuing the Syrian people from ISIS. Just to confirm, the Iranian Regime is no Oscar Schindler; theyre the Nazis The awards came from the IRGC and Major General Qasem Soleiman, who are both internationally sanctioned for human rights abuses, but other high-ranking members of the Regime also sung its praises, like Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, the man who has to constantly defend Irans malign actions in Syria. The movie was made with financial support from Owj Arts and Media Organization, who fund the production of many films and TV series in Iran. But where does Owj get its money? The IRGC. In essence, this is a government-produced propaganda film, much like Baptism by Fire or The Eternal Jew. Filmmaker Bahram Tavakoli, who also received funding from Owj for his films, said there was no independent cinema in Iran, while IRGC commander Major General Mohammad Ali Jafari even praised Hatamikias allegiance to the Regime and said that the IRGC had to support those promoting jihad in their media. So why would Iran want to make these films? Well simply, the Iranian Regime and the IRGC know that it must make itself look better in the eyes of the public. After all, this is a Regime that has intervened in the Syrian Civil War to prop up a dictator for seven years. In that time, theyve helped bomb hospitals and schools, prevented civilians from leaving, encouraged the use of chemical weapons, sent numerous terrorist cells into Syria, and recruited for these forces from refugees desperate for asylum and children under the age of 15. That doesnt even begin to cover the horrific human rights abuses experienced by the Iranian people, which includes, but is not limited to, arbitrary arrests, torture, the persecution of women, minorities, and political opponents. Right now, the Iranian people are taking part in a nationwide protest campaign against the Iranian Regime and the Regime probably think that films like these will quell the protests. They are wrong. The Iranian people will continue to rise up against the Regime, no matter what propaganda the Regime churns out. Our story today is called "Pigs is Pigs." It was written by Ellis Parker Butler. Mike Flannery, the agent of the Interurban Express Company, leaned over the desk in the company's office in Westcote and shook his fist. Mr. Morehouse, angry and red, stood on the other side of the desk shaking with fury. The argument had been long and hot. At last Mr. Morehouse had become speechless. The cause of the trouble lay on the desk between the two men. It was a box with two guinea pigs inside. "Do as you like, then!" shouted Flannery. "Pay for them and take them. Or don't pay for them and leave them here. Rules are rules, Mr. Morehouse. And Mike Flannery is not going to break them." "But you stupid idiot!" shouted Mr. Morehouse, madly shaking a thin book beneath the agent's nose. "Can't you read it here in your own book of transportation rates? Pets, domestic, Franklin to Westcote, if correctly boxed, twenty-five cents each.'" He threw the book on the desk. "What more do you want? Aren't they pets? Aren't they domestic? Aren't they correctly boxed? What?" He turned and walked back and forth rapidly, with a furious look on his face. "Pets," he said. "P-E-T-S! Twenty-five cents each. Two times twenty-five is fifty! Can you understand that? I offer you fifty cents." Flannery reached for the book. He ran his hand through the pages and stopped at page sixty-four. "I don't take fifty cents," he whispered in an unpleasant voice. "Here's the rule for it: When the agent be in any doubt about which two rates should be charged on a shipment, he shall charge the larger. The person receiving the shipment may put in a claim for the overcharge.' In this case, Mr. Morehouse, I be in doubt. Pets them animals may be. And domestic they may be, but pigs I'm sure they do be. And my rule says plain as the nose on your face, Pigs, Franklin to Westcote, thirty cents each.'" Mr. Morehouse shook his head savagely. "Nonsense!" he shouted. "Confounded nonsense, I tell you! That rule means common pigs, not guinea pigs!" "Pigs is pigs," Flannery said firmly. Mr. Morehouse bit his lip and then flung his arms out wildly. "Very well!" he shouted. "You shall hear of this! Your president shall hear of this! It is an outrage! I have offered you fifty cents. You refuse it. Keep the pigs until you are ready to take the fifty cents. But, by George, sir, if one hair of those pigs' heads is harmed, I will have the law on you!" He turned and walked out, slamming the door. Flannery carefully lifted the box from the desk and put it in a corner. Mr. Morehouse quickly wrote a letter to the president of the transportation express company. The president answered, informing Mr. Morehouse that all claims for overcharge should be sent to the Claims Department. Mr. Morehouse wrote to the Claims Department. One week later he received an answer. The Claims Department said it had discussed the matter with the agent at Westcote. The agent said Mr. Morehouse had refused to accept the two guinea pigs shipped to him. Therefore, the department said, Mr. Morehouse had no claim against the company and should write to its Tariff Department. Mr. Morehouse wrote to the Tariff Department. He stated his case clearly. The head of the Tariff Department read Mr. Morehouse's letter. "Huh! Guinea pigs," he said. "Probably starved to death by this time." He wrote to the agent asking why the shipment was held up. He also wanted to know if the guinea pigs were still in good health. Before answering, agent Flannery wanted to make sure his report was up to date. So he went to the back of the office and looked into the cage. Good Lord! There were now eight of them! All well and eating like hippopotamuses. He went back to the office and explained to the head of the Tariff Department what the rules said about pigs. And as for the condition of the guinea pigs, said Flannery, they were all well. But there were eight of them now, all good eaters. The head of the Tariff Department laughed when he read Flannery's letter. He read it again and became serious. "By George!" he said. "Flannery is right. Pigs is pigs. I'll have to get something official on this." He spoke to the president of the company. The president treated the matter lightly. "What is the rate on pigs and on pets?" he asked. "Pigs thirty cents, pets twenty-five," the head of the Tariff Department answered. "Then of course guinea pigs are pigs," the president said. "Yes," the head of the Tariff Department agreed. "I look at it that way too. A thing that can come under two rates is naturally to be charged at the higher one. But are guinea pigs, pigs? Aren't they rabbits?" "Come to think of it," the president said, "I believe they are more like rabbits. Sort of half-way between pig and rabbit. I think the question is this are guinea pigs of the domestic pig family? I'll ask Professor Gordon. He is an expert about such things." The president wrote to Professor Gordon. Unfortunately, the professor was in South America collecting zoological samples. His wife forwarded the letter to him. The professor was in the High Andes Mountains. The letter took many months to reach him. In time, the president forgot the guinea pigs. The head of the Tariff Department forgot them. Mr. Morehouse forgot them. But agent Flannery did not. The guinea pigs had increased to thirty-two. He asked the head of the Tariff Department what he should do with them. "Don't sell the pigs," agent Flannery was told. "They are not your property. Take care of them until the case is settled." The guinea pigs needed more room. Flannery made a large and airy room for them in the back of his office. Some months later he discovered he now had one hundred sixty of them. He was going out of his mind. Not long after this, the president of the express company heard from Professor Gordon. It was a long and scholarly letter. It pointed out that the guinea pig was the cavia aparoea, while the common pig was the genus sus of the family suidae. The president then told the head of the Tariff Department that guinea pigs are not pigs and must be charged only twenty-five cents as domestic pets. The Tariff Department informed agent Flannery that he should take the one hundred sixty guinea pigs to Mr. Morehouse and collect twenty-five cents for each of them. Agent Flannery wired back. "I've got eight hundred now. Shall I collect for eight hundred or what? How about the sixty-four dollars I paid for cabbages to feed them?" Many letters went back and forth. Flannery was crowded into a few feet at the extreme front of the office. The guinea pigs had all the rest of the room. Time kept moving on as the letters continued to go back and forth. Flannery now had four thousand sixty-four guinea pigs. He was beginning to lose control of himself. Then, he got a telegram from the company that said: "Error in guinea pig bill. Collect for two guinea pigs -- fifty cents." Flannery ran all the way to Mr. Morehouse's home. But Mr. Morehouse had moved. Flannery searched for him in town but without success. He returned to the express office and found that two hundred six guinea pigs had entered the world since he left the office. At last, he got an urgent telegram from the main office: "Send the pigs to the main office of the company at Franklin." Flannery did so. Soon, came another telegram. "Stop sending pigs. Warehouse full." But he kept sending them. Agent Flannery finally got free of the guinea pigs. "Rules may be rules," he said, "but so long as Flannery runs this express office, pigs is pets and cows is pets and horses is pets and lions and tigers and Rocky Mountain goats is pets. And the rate on them is twenty-five cents." Then he looked around and said cheerfully, "Well, anyhow, it is not as bad as it might have been. What if them guinea pigs had been elephants?" Download activities to help you understand this story here. Now it's your turn. Did you ever have an experience with an official who did not understand you? Write to us in the Comments Section or on our Facebook page. _______________________________________________________________ QUIZ Quiz: Pigs Is Pigs by Ellis Parker Butler Start the Quiz to find out Start Quiz For Teachers This lesson plan is based on the CALLA Approach. It teaches the learning strategy, Act it Out, to help students understand the story. _______________________________________________________________ Words in This Story interurban - n. between cities or towns guinea pig - n. a small furry animal, or rodent, that is often kept as a pet hippopotamus - n. a large African animal that has an extremely large head and mouth and short legs and that spends most of its time in water genus - n. a group of related animals or plants that includes several or many different species telegram - n. a message that is sent by telegraph (an old-fashioned system of sending messages over long distances by using wires and electrical signals) Just for fun, here's a cartoon of the story. 4 hours ago US sues to stop deal between American Airlines and JetBlue The Justice Department and officials in six states have filed a lawsuit to block a partnership formed by American Airlines and JetBlue, claiming that it will reduce competition and lead to higher fares. The Justice Department said Tuesday that the agreement will eliminate important competition in New York and Boston and reduce JetBlue's incentive to compete against American in other parts of the country. Read Article Deckers Outdoor Corp. engages in the business of designing, marketing, and distributing footwear, apparel, and accessories developed for both everyday casual lifestyle use and high performance activities. It operates through the following segments: UGG Brand, HOKA Brand, Teva Brand, Sanuk Brand, Other Brands, and Direct-to-Consumer. The UGG Brand segment offers a line of premium footwear, apparel, and accessories. The HOKA Brand segment sells footwear and apparel that offers enhanced cushioning and inherent stability with minimal weight, originally designed for ultra-runners. The Teva Brand segment focuses on the sport sandal and modern outdoor lifestyle category, such as sandals, shoes, and boots. The Sanuk Brand segment originated in Southern California surf culture and has emerged into a lifestyle brand with a presence in the relaxed casual shoe and sandal categories. The Other Brands segment includes the Koolaburra by UGG brand. The Direct-to-Consumer segment comprises of retail stores and e-commerce websites. The company was founded by Douglas B. Otto in 1973 and is headquartered in Goleta, CA. Read More The Macau border zone of the worlds longest sea bridge connecting Hong Kong, Zhuhai and Macau has been officially handed over to the Macau Special Administrative Region (MSAR), the office of the government spokesperson said in a statement. The State Council formally authorized the handover of the artificial island at 12 a.m. yesterday in a ceremony, where authorities from Macau and Guangdong Province were present. The island comprises several facilities and hosts a number of services related to the administration, maintenance and security of the bridge. In the ceremony, which took place at the Macau border-cross checkpoint building, a representative from the Guangdong Provincial government handed a to-scale model of the artificial island of the HKZM Bridge to local representatives, symbolizing that the defense duties of the territory had been delivered to the MSAR. After the ceremony, officials from the Customs Service, the Public Security Police Force, the Fire Services, the Judiciary Police, the Health Bureau and the Transport Bureau were immediately stationed in the administration area to begin their duties administering cross-border and security services. The respective authorities began work immediately, installing the necessary equipment and making adjustments to the border check-point as well as building the vehicle crossing to prepare for the opening of the bridge and the passage of vehicles. The Chief Executive (CE), Chui Sai On, visited the administration yesterday morning together with Secretary for Security Wong Sio Chak, the Secretary for Transport and Public Works, Raimundo do Rosario, as well as the Commander-General of the Unitary Police Services, Ma Io Kun, and the Director-General of Customs Services, Alex Vong. The visit was an opportunity for Ma and Vong to present the new area under Macaus administration to the CE and introduce works being done to prepare the new border checkpoint. Chui took the opportunity to instruct Wong and Rosario, and urged the government departments responsible for the HKZM Bridge and the Macau Border Administration Zone to make good use of the time before the opening of the facility to install and test equipment in the building, reinforcing the need to ensure maximum precision and constant improvement. The CE also stressed the importance of cooperation between departments as well as the importance of making appropriate adjustments to human resources as necessary to carry out inspection work with increased efficiency, especially by accelerating processes for border control for the benefit of local citizens and tourists alike. RM Former Macau Chief Executive, Edmund Ho, was re-elected as vice-chairman of the 13th National Committee of the Chinese Peoples Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) in Beijing on Wednesday. A total of 24 people were elected vice-chairpersons at a plenary meeting. Born in March 1955, Ho was vice-chairman of the 11th and 12th CPPCC national committees. Four other Macau members Liu Chak Wan, Ma Iao Lai, Leong Wa, and Xu Jiankang were elected for the Standing Committee of the top advisory body. Over 100 Macau postcards exhibited in Lisbon The exhibition Memories of Moments Macau and Lusophone African and Asian Regions in Photograph Postcards, organized by the Archives of Macau, was recently inaugurated at the Office of Economic and Commercial Delegation of Macau in Lisbon. The exhibition features over 100 photograph postcards selected from this particular period to present a big picture of the history and art, urban-architecture, ethnography, economic development, natural environment and other aspects of life in Macau and Angola, Cape Verde, the former Portuguese India, Guinea-Bissau, Mozambique, Sao Tome and Principe and East Timor since the first decades of the 20th century. Chan Meng Kam not running for CE The citys former lawmaker Chan Meng Kam said that he has no intention of running in the next chief executive (CE) election, according to a report by Macao Daily News. The election for the next CE will be carried out next year. Chan Meng Kam, while attending the Chinese Peoples Political Consultative Congress said that he will not consider running for the position. In Chans opinion, the most important characteristic of a CE is having a world vision. Chan mentioned that he is now a volunteer in Macau. IACM head says transfer will cause no harm to civil rights The President of the Civic and Municipal Affairs Bureau (IACM), Jose Tavares, indicated that the rights of demonstration of Macau residents will not be affected by the transfer of the authorization process from IACM to the Public Security Police Force. Jose Tavares noted that it is a matter of notification. [It is about] whether it [the notification] is handed to us [IACM] or to the police. I think there is no big problem, maybe [you] misunderstood this aspect. He believes that the police force will still approve demonstrations that occur within the law. Student blackmailed for MOP2,000 to retrieve phone The Public Security Police Force has forwarded a 38-year-old mainland man to the prosecution authority after he blackmailed a 20-year-old student from the Macau University of Science and Technology. On Monday, the student lost his phone, which is worth MOP8,000, on a bus. At a later point the suspect picked it up and kept it in his possession. Instead of reporting the case to the police or simply returning the phone to the owner, the mainland man, who holds a blue card, asked the owner to give him MOP2,000 for the safe return of the phone. Zhou Qingjiang was toiling in a factory in Chinas rust belt when he decided to pack his bags for America. A recruiter guaranteed a job that paid USD3,000 a month more than triple the average wage in China as long as Zhou forked over thousands of dollars for his help. The offer was too good to pass up. Ten days later, Zhou found himself on the tiny Pacific island of Saipan, a U.S. Commonwealth, working 14-hour days with few breaks on a casino construction site. He bunked with eight men in dilapidated housing and took home less than half the promised wages. This was not the American dream he pictured. All those agents tricked us, said Zhou, 46. When I arrived and saw hundreds of other Chinese workers, I realized we were all here illegally. U.S. officials have been investigating and announced settlements last week with four Chinese construction firms to pay $14 million in back wages and damages to 2,400 affected workers. The companies, contracted by Hong Kongs Imperial Pacific International, brought workers on tourist visas, paid them less than required by law and failed to secure proper work authorization by exploiting a visa waiver program that allows Chinese citizens to travel to the Northern Mariana Islands. The Associated Press interviewed six workers, all of whom recounted experiences similar to Zhous. One recalled working 19-hour shifts, another said his passport was confiscated, and all said recruiters assured them they would enter the U.S. legally. Job placement fees were as high as $17,000, and one worker remembers ponying up an additional $1,000 to enter the construction site. Whats playing out on Saipan, nearly 6,440 kilometers west of Hawaii, highlights challenges for both the United States and China. For the U.S., the case comes as President Donald Trump cracks down on visa fraud and illegal immigration. Global projects, like the Saipan casino hotel, form the cornerstone of President Xi Jinpings plan to boost Chinas clout by splashing $1 trillion in construction and infrastructure around the world. But the initiative, dubbed One Belt, One Road, is suffering setbacks projects are delayed, governments are pulling out, and now, U.S. officials have linked illegal migrant labor. After a Chinese worker in Saipan died on the job last year, the FBI raided the site and discovered illegal workers, along with hundreds of their passports locked in cabinets, and spreadsheets that listed employees as heigong, the Chinese word for illegal laborer, according to court documents. Construction halted, leaving workers stranded. Employees protested and demanded reparations many suffered injuries while working. Eventually, many returned to China or took jobs in other countries, even if they hadnt recouped all funds due. A few have stayed in Saipan. Hundreds of workers remain confused about what theyre owed, how theyll be paid and when theyll get the money. Ive been waiting a year to be paid, said Xu Longcai, 51, a farmer from northeast China. I borrowed so much money to come here. But I dont have a single cent how can I go home? I cant pay what I owe. The U.S. Labor Department and Saipan authorities didnt respond to requests for comment about how it would ensure money would be paid to workers. Imperial Pacific said in a statement last week it is pleased a settlement was reached. Construction is the second most common industry for forced labor, according to the International Labour Organization in Geneva. The group estimates nearly 25 million people were victims of forced labor in 2016, with roughly 60 percent working in private sectors. This is a pretty classic trafficking and forced labor scenario, said Agnieszka Fryszman, partner and chair of the human rights practice at law firm Cohen Milstein in Washington, D.C. You have people with these debts. . Theyre in the middle of the ocean. The isolation of the location is ripe for exploitation. But even with help from the authorities, can you ever enforce the judgment, and how would you do that? Fryszman said. Youd have to get their assets here. The U.S., for instance, could require Imperial Pacific and its contractors to buy wage bonds, which ensures money is available if violations are found, said Aaron Halegua, a lawyer and research fellow at New York University, who is following the Saipan case. In New York state, any nail salon employing even just two individuals is required to purchase a wage bond, he said. The need is even more compelling in the case of foreign companies, which often hold all their assets in the home country and simply establish a corporate shell entity in the United States. Without that, it can be nearly impossible to collect money, which often forces the U.S. to settle workers claims for much less than owed. Imperial Pacific could also be mandated to hire a reputable third party to train workers about their labor rights and workplace safety, he said, especially as some of these workers, like farmer Xu, have no prior construction experience. None of the four contractors state-owned MCC International, Beilida New Materials System Engineering, Gold Mantis Construction and Sino Great Wall International Engineering responded to requests for comment. A person who answered a phone number for the agent Zhou dealt with said he was no longer dealing with Saipan, and promptly hung up. Zhou said he received some money but claims hes still due over a months pay, and possibly damages. Hes not sure how to calculate whats due. Despite his Saipan ordeal his first time out of his hometown province he decided to go back abroad and just started working as a dishwasher in Singapore to support his family. Im a little old to do this kind of work overseas, he said. But I dont have a choice. I need to make a living. Sophia Yan, Honolulu, AP EIGHTY percent of the graduating students from the Macau University of Science and Technology (MUST) choose employment instead of pursuing further education degrees, MUSTs president Liu Liang revealed during this weeks MUST Career Day. Ninety-nine percent of the MUST local graduates stayed in Macau for work. Approximately 37 percent of the local graduates were given a starting salary of MOP17,000, while 45 percent were offered a job paying between MOP11,000 and MOP17,000. The employment situation of MUST graduates is ideal, said Liu, adding that most of the graduates are employed in the sectors of trade, retail, tourism, catering, hospitality, gaming, banking, finance, insurance, public administration, medical services, and social services. According to MUSTs longitudinal survey, 50 percent of MUSTs non-local students pursued further studies, and 43 percent of non-local students who decided to venture into the job market chose to work in the Greater Bay Area. This [the Greater Bay Area] represents an excellent career development opportunity, said Liu, adding I believe it will grow very fast [the number of MUST graduates working in the Greater Bay Area]. The MUST president further believes that the Greater Bay Area development plan is a state level plan that will involve the whole world, and not just the Greater Bay Area itself. The prospects of employment and entrepreneurship endeavors in the Greater Bay Area are very optimistic, said Liu. Jin Ge, an MUST student from mainland China, says that the MUST Career Day is providing her with quite a lot of opportunities. She intends to get a job in the education sector. Jin expressed no specific desire to work in Macau, and she has not yet thought about the salaries. Joyce Jiang, a Masters student majoring in accounting, said I wish to get a job related to my major. However, right now I feel that there are rather few vacancies available. Definitely, my first choice goes to big companies but, since this is just the beginning, I will try all kinds of companies, said Jiang, adding I have not decided yet [about exactly where she wants to work]. In total, 165 companies are attending the two days of the MUST Career Day, offering over 4,000 job vacancies. A new record has been set in terms of numbers of companies from overseas, Hong Kong and mainland China. The government intends that Macaus entire fleet of casino shuttle buses will run on clean energy by 2023, the Director of the Transport Bureau (DSAT), Lam Hin San, announced yesterday. By May 1, we hope that 15 percent of the more than 430 casino shuttle buses in Macau will have changed to new-energy powered [vehicles], such as gasoline powered and electricity powered shuttle buses, said Lam, who believes this proportion of sustainably-powered vehicles is ideal. Around 2023, all shuttle buses should have already been changed [into new energy powered vehicles], said Lam. Currently, we have the support of six gaming operators. According to the DSAT director, several improvements in the number of vehicles, passenger loading rate, and other casino shuttle operations were recorded in 2017. However, the DSAT director also noted that there was a registered increase in the number of car accidents with public buses as the main culprit. In January and February of this year, there were two more traffic accidents (144) than in the same period of last year (142). Cases where responsibility [for the accident] was attributed to public buses grew from 67 to 88, said Lam, while promising that DSAT will continue to investigate bus companies to enhance safety. In order to improve bus safety, the three Macau bus companies will gradually roll out monitoring systems to vehicles. According to Lam, these systems will monitor the vehicles speed and issue alerts to the driver in situations where the vehicle suddenly increases speed or the driver is using a mobile device. Gradually, the three bus companies will install bus speed monitoring systems, as well as monitoring systems to oversee the drivers driving, said Lam, adding that sometimes, drivers will be tired or they might make a phone call. In these situations, the monitoring system will issue an alert and will report to the corresponding bus company. The monitoring system can also detect sudden acceleration, and also whether the vehicle is too close to pedestrians. In 2017, DSAT examined more than 100,000 cars, with the approval rate exceeding 94 percent, according to Lam. The DSAT director also revealed that his department has discussed whether there is room for stricter car emission standards with the environment protection authority. We think there is room for adjustment, said Lam, hinting at the possibility of stricter car emission requirements for the city. U.S. federal agents raided a Saipan office of Imperial Pacific International Holdings Ltd. last week, according to people familiar with the matter. The investigators took documents from the office, said the people, who were granted anonymity to discuss a non-public matter. The Federal Bureau of Investigation participated in the raid, one of the people said. Imperial Pacific, which is based in Hong Kong, said on Tuesday that it had not heard of any official visit to its offices. It has denied any wrongdoing related to its Saipan operations. In a statement to the Hong Kong stock exchange yesterday, Imperial Pacific said there was no raid by U.S. agents on any of its offices, its casino, or buildings. Imperial Pacific has attracted broad attention in the gaming industry for the volumes being recorded at its Saipan casino, which are far larger on a per-table basis than those at the grandest resorts in Macau. Since arriving on Saipan in 2014, the company has become the dominant force on the island, a U.S. territory with a population of about 50,000. It has made millions of dollars in payments to Governor Ralph Torress extended family, including long-term land lease transactions and hiring his brothers law firm for its Saipan legal affairs. The governor and his relatives have said they have not acted improperly. As a matter of legal policy, the FBI does not regularly comment on criminal investigations, to include confirming or denying cases, their status as ongoing or not, the agency said in a written statement. However, it went on, public corruption is the FBIs top criminal investigative priority. Elected or appointed officials are entrusted and expected to protect the interests of the people with integrity. When that trust is betrayed, the security and stability of our government is put at risk. Anyone with information about a potential violation of federal law is asked to contact the FBI. Its not clear what the aim of last weeks raid was, but it was at least the second time that U.S. law-enforcement officials have made inquiries related to Imperial Pacifics casino project in Saipan. FBI agents visited an office leased by the company in March 2017. U.S. prosecutors later charged several employees of Imperial Pacific construction contractors with offenses related to using undocumented labor. Some pleaded guilty. Imperial Pacific said at the time that it had no knowledge of workers being employed illegally. Matthew Campbell and K. Oanh Ha, Bloomberg Pakistani lawmakers in a provincial assembly have voted in favor of a ban on dance parties at schools and other educational institutions, saying they promote Western culture. Shaikh Ijaz, a lawmaker from the ruling Pakistan Muslim League party in Punjab, said yesterday that the dance- ban resolution passed overwhelmingly in the Punjab Assembly the previous day without any opposition from secular, moderate or Islamic parties. The resolution, however, is not binding but considered a recommendation to the government, which is being asked to stop the vulgarity in the province. Ijaz says the motion followed parents complaints that some schools organized mix-gender gatherings, which are prohibited in Islam. The motion was criticized by many students who say a ban would deprive them of a right to participate in cultural events. Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte and government officials can still face investigation by the International Criminal Court for thousands of killings under his anti-drug war until his decision to withdraw from the tribunal takes effect after a year, rights groups said yesterday. Presidential spokesman Harry Roque Jr. said Duterte did not decide to withdraw from the Rome Statute, which established the international tribunal, to escape accountability but to protest an ICC prosecutors decision to start examining a complaint against Duterte while Philippine courts continue to operate. The court, which was established in 2002 in The Hague, can only intervene when a state is unable or unwilling to carry out an investigation and prosecute perpetrators of heinous crimes like crimes against humanity, genocide, aggression and war atrocities. Its very, very clear that our courts are working and nobody can escape from accountability, including a president, Roque told a news conference. The ICC is only a court of last resort. The court of primary jurisdiction should be the domestic courts. While Philippine presidents, including Duterte, are immune from domestic lawsuits while in office, two Filipino heads of state have been prosecuted and detained immediately after they stepped down, Roque said to demonstrate that officials could be held to account in the Philippines. Last month, ICC Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda announced she was opening a preliminary examination into a complaint by a Filipino lawyer of suspected extrajudicial killings under Dutertes anti-drug campaign which could amount to crimes against humanity. In 2016, Bensouda said she was deeply concerned about the reported violence and that statements by high officials in the Philippines seem to condone such killings. Roque said at the time that Duterte welcomed the development because it would give him a chance to clear his name. He wants to be in court and put the prosecutor on the stand, to ask who prodded you to proceed to preliminary examination, Roque said then. Duterte, however, announced Wednesday that he was withdrawing the Philippine ratification of the Rome Statute effective immediately, citing a concerted effort by Bensouda and U.N. human rights officials to paint me as a ruthless and heartless violator of human rights. Human Rights Watch said the ICC could still prosecute heinous crimes in the Philippines until a withdrawal takes effect a year after Duterte notifies the U.N. secretary-general. A nongovernment group, Tindig Pilipinas, said that despite Dutertes tough talk, his move was a clear sign of his supreme cowardice to face an independent court that he could not influence over the drug killings. For all the braggadocio that President Duterte has displayed throughout this ICC affair, one stands out: he is deathly afraid of the long arm of the ICC, the group said. More than 4,000 mostly poor drug suspects have been killed under Dutertes drug crackdown, according to the national police, although human rights groups have reported larger death tolls. Duterte argued Wednesday that the killings do not amount to crimes against humanity, genocide or similar atrocities. The so-called war against drugs is lawfully directed against drug lords and pushers who have for many years destroyed the present generation, specially the youth, Duterte said in a 15-page statement explaining his legal position. AP Photo Macau is set to hold its first exhibition of digital art focusing on moving image and print between March 24 and 26. The exhibition will also feature symposiums and exclusive showcases. The debut of Photo Macau, which was three years in the making, will bring together 56 original works by artists around the world. The preview of the exhibition will present local, regional and international galleries and institutions including Germanys Anita Beckers, Culturegathery Gallery (also known as Galerie dArt et Culture) from Taiwan, DNA Macau, Koreas The Reference and Osage Gallery from Hong Kong. At a press conference this week, the exhibitions executive director Cecilia Ho unveiled the upcoming programs, which will feature exhibitions by photographers and new media artists including Mike Steiner, a Horst P. Horst photo-selling exhibition, and a video installation by Jeffrey Shaw accompanied by a presentation on March 24. Photo Macaus exhibition by German-born Horst P. Horst will include more than 60 photographic prints showcasing a variety of styles and subjects from women and fashion to still lifes and portraits. Speaking to the press, Ho expressed her aim to make the region into an art city specializing in photography and moving images, with the governments support. I want to do [the exhibition] to make Macau [the] home of photography in digital arts, image, video and new media, said Ho. Photo Macaus exhibition will be held concurrently with Art Central Hong Kong, which will be held from March 27. Ho hoped that art enthusiasts could also visit Macau before attending the event in Hong Kong. The southern part of China is going to be very developed and Macau is the center of this Great Bay area, and Macau has a government that is supporting art, so it is high time that we do something and make Macau an art city, Ho stressed. On March 25, a symposium will be presented by curators, scholars, artists and collectors, providing a platform for visitors to expand their knowledge about new media. The symposium that day will include The Revenge of the Photographic Archive and Digital Art Past, Present & Future. Later that day, a collection by Mario Von Kelterborn will be opened to the public. Tickets for Photo Macau are priced at MOP100. However, Ho confirmed that 90 percent of the tickets will be given for free. Ho added that they have printed some 20,000 tickets. We look forward to welcoming art, photography and cultural enthusiasts during this time where works by regional and international galleries will be supported by three fascinating exhibitions, the executive director said. Photo Macau will hold its first exhibition at Cotai Expo Hall A. The raise in baby delivery fees for non-resident domestic workers at the public hospital will be hiked three times and not nine times as previously considered, Secetary for Social Affairs and Culture Alexis Tam said during two meetings yesterday with migrant worker groups, though it remains unclear whether he indeed meant domestic workers or non-residents at large. He also said that non-resident workers who find it difficult to pay childbirth fees might benefit from financial assistance provided by the Social Welfare Bureau. According to Tam, the latest proposal from the government will see natural births for some non-resident women at the public hospital raised from MOP975 to MOP2,925, while caesarean sections will increase from MOP1,950 to MOP5,850. Migrant worker groups in the territory hailed the new proposal as an improvement. Yosa Wariyanti of the Indonesian Migrant Workers Union, who had been vocal in opposing the hikes, said yesterday the revised policy was good news because the increase is not as high as the previous one. At another meeting, Benedicta Palcon of the Greens Macao Migrant Workers Association affirmed that the Secretarys announcement is better than the original one. This is fairer because the Secretary said the government is planning another mechanism for the other non-resident workers, who cannot afford the fee, she told the Times. It is not clear what price hike will be applied to non- resident women who are not domestic helpers. Palcon and Wariyanti both said that the government did not consult with their associations before announcing it would hike birthing fees late last month. I think he [Alexis Tam] should have consulted with groups like us before deciding [the increase], said Palcon. Last month the government said it had sought approval from other local organizations, including the Macau Federation of Trade Unions, the Macau General Union of the Neighborhood Associations, and the Womens General Association of Macau. Meanwhile, birthing fees for tourists at the public hospital are still expected to rise ninefold to as much as MOP17,550 for natural deliveries and MOP35,100 for caesarean sections. DB (HealthDay)Burn injury survival has dramatically increased over the past 30 years, according to a study published online March 9 in the Journal of the American College of Surgeons. Karel D Capek, M.D., from Shriners Hospitals for Children in Galveston, Texas, and colleagues assessed factors, including age, percent of the total body surface area burned, presence of inhalation injury, length of stay, and survival status, for all new burn admissions between 1989 and 2017. The researchers found that over the study period there were 10,384 consecutive new burn admissions, with 355 mortalities (median age, 13 years; median percent total body surface area burned, 11 percent). There was a significant decrease in observed mortality data versus previous years (P < 0.0001), and a 2 percent reduction per year in mortality during the three decades. "The reduction in mortality over time may be attributed to successful changes in standard of care protocols in the burn center that improved the outlook for burned individuals, including protocols for management of inhalation injury, nutrition, resuscitation, and early excision and grafting," the authors write. Explore further Burn specialists report a dramatic increase in burn injury survival over the past 30 years Copyright 2018 HealthDay. All rights reserved. Credit: CC0 Public Domain Research from the University of Liverpool, published today in Lancet Respiratory Medicine, identifies a genetic variant that could improve the safety and effectiveness of corticosteroids, drugs that are used to treat a range of common and rare conditions including asthma, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Corticosteroids are very effective in the treatment of asthma and COPD, with more than 20 million prescriptions issued in the UK annually. Unfortunately, corticosteroids can also cause side effects, one of which is adrenal suppression, seen in up to 1/3 of people tested. People with this condition do not make enough cortisol. Cortisol helps the body respond to stress, recover from infections and regulate blood pressure and metabolism. Challenging diagnosis, life-threatening illness Adrenal suppression can be very difficult to diagnose, as it can present with a spectrum of symptoms from non-specific symptoms such as tiredness, to serious illness and death. The majority of patients do not develop adrenal suppression, and the reasons why some do, and while other don't, despite using similar doses of corticosteroids were not previously understood. In a world first researchers from the University's Institute of Translational Medicine, led by Professor Sir Munir Pirmohamed, conducted a genome-wide association study (GWAS) to pinpoint the genes responsible for increasing the risk of a person developing adrenal suppression. This method searches a person's DNA (genome) for small variations, called single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). Each person carries about three million SNPs, but if a particular SNP occurs more frequently in people with a particular condition than in people without the condition, it can pinpoint the underlying reason for the difference. Side effect linked to patients' genetics The researchers identified two groups of children with asthma, and one group of adults with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), all of whom used inhaled corticosteroid medications. Each patient's adrenal function was tested. This is the largest published cohort of children ever tested for adrenal suppression (580 children in total). Individuals who had a particular variation in a specific gene (platelet derived growth factor D; PDGFD) had a markedly increased risk of adrenal suppression, both in the children with asthma and adults with COPD. This risk increased if the patient had two copies of the variation (one from their mother, one from their father). Children with two copies of the high risk variation in PDGFD were nearly six times more likely to develop adrenal suppression than children with no copies. Personalised medication development Dr Dan Hawcutt, Senior Lecturer Paediatric Clinical Pharmacology University of Liverpool and Honorary Consultant Paediatrician Alder Hey Children's Hospital, said: "This is the first pharmacogenomic study investigating the association between a patient's genotype and corticosteroid induced adrenal suppression. "Our highly novel findings offer the potential to develop personalised approaches therapy. This could involve screening patients to avoid or minimise steroid use if they are at high risk, or if steroids are needed, developing a specific plan to monitor their adrenal function. "However, it is important to stress that steroids are effective medications, and patients should not stop taking these medicines without medical input. If you are worried about any side effects, please consult your doctor, nurse or pharmacist looking after you." Explore further The myth behind adrenal fatigue More information: Daniel B Hawcutt et al. Susceptibility to corticosteroid-induced adrenal suppression: a genome-wide association study, The Lancet Respiratory Medicine (2018). Journal information: Lancet Respiratory Medicine Daniel B Hawcutt et al. Susceptibility to corticosteroid-induced adrenal suppression: a genome-wide association study,(2018). DOI: 10.1016/S2213-2600(18)30058-4 A team of researchers from Spain, Hungary and Poland has found via a study with infants that language may not be a necessity for the ability to reason. In their paper published in the journal Science, the group describes their study and what they found, and also offer some opinions on how their findings might be used to better understand the ability to reason. Justin Halberda with Johns Hopkins University offers a Perspective piece on the work done by the team in the same journal issue. For many years, cognitive scientists have generally agreed that language is required for reasoningin order to make sense of a scene, for example, a person might talk it over in their mind. But that might not actually be the case, as the researchers in this new study have shown. They enlisted two groups of volunteers, one consisting of infants 12 months old, the other of 19-month-old babies. Each of the volunteers watched videos, some which seemed to make sense logically, and others that did not. The researchers observed the participants' reactions. The videos showed animated charactersinitially, there were two of them, such as a dinosaur and a flower. Then the characters would be hidden behind a screen followed by a cup scooping up one of the characters. Then the screen would drop, revealing the second character. Sometimes it would be the expected second character, but sometimes it would notit might be a second instance of the first character, or a different character altogether. To judge whether the infants were trying to make sense of the scene before them, the researchers monitored their eye focusbabies that are confused tend to stare longer. A reconstruction of part of a typical experimental session. A 12-month-old infant is looking at an Inference movie, with an impossible outcome. The video was recorded with infrared light. The flickering of the video corresponds to the frame rate of the eye tracker, which also tracks the infants eyes by using low-emitting infrared lights. Credit: Ana Martin, Luca L. Bonatti & Nicolo Cesana Arlotti The researchers report that the infants did, indeed, focus longer on the second character when it was not the one they expected to see. This is an example, the researchers claim, of evidence of reasoning. They note that in addition to offering evidence that language is not necessarily required for reasoning, the test they developed could potentially be to test for cognitive disability in infants. An example of an animation used in Experiment 1, where the expected result occurs. Credit: N. Cesana-Arlotti et al., Science (2018) An example of an animation used in Experiment 2, where an unexpected result occurs. Credit: N. Cesana-Arlotti et al., Science (2018) An example of an animation used in Experiment 4, where an unexpected result occurs. Credit: N. Cesana-Arlotti et al., Science (2018) Explore further Infants recognize foreign languages as a form of communication More information: Nicolo Cesana-Arlotti et al. Precursors of logical reasoning in preverbal human infants, Science (2018). Nicolo Cesana-Arlotti et al. Precursors of logical reasoning in preverbal human infants,(2018). DOI: 10.1126/science.aao3539 Abstract Infants are able to entertain hypotheses about complex events and to modify them rationally when faced with inconsistent evidence. These capacities suggest that infants can use elementary logical representations to frame and prune hypotheses. By presenting scenes containing ambiguities about the identity of an object, here we show that 12- and 19-month-old infants look longer at outcomes that are inconsistent with a logical inference necessary to resolve such ambiguities. At the moment of a potential deduction, infants' pupils dilated, and their eyes moved toward the ambiguous object when inferences could be computed, in contrast to transparent scenes not requiring inferences to identify the object. These oculomotor markers resembled those of adults inspecting similar scenes, suggesting that intuitive and stable logical structures involved in the interpretation of dynamic scenes may be part of the fabric of the human mind. Journal information: Science 2018 Phys.org Stephanie DeLuca (center), director of the Virginia Tech Carilion Research Institute Neuromotor Research Clinic, and therapist Dory Wallace (right) work with a toddler in an intensive therapy session in this February 2017 file photo. Credit: David Hungate/VTCRI Audrey Alves had just turned 2 when she first visited the Virginia Tech Carilion Research Institute Neuromotor Research Clinic a year ago. Unlike most toddlers her age, she struggled to sit, crawl, and communicate. Audrey has a medical condition known as microcephaly, which causes her head, brain, and body to be smaller compared with other children. Genetic testing traced her problems to a flaw in a gene called CASK. But after three weeks of intensive therapy at the Virginia Tech Carilion Research Institute Neuromotor Research Clinic, Audrey played with toys, was gleeful at the sound of Elmo's voice, and was intent on getting her hands on "magic beads"which she asked for with her newfound baby sign language abilities. Now, Audrey's accomplishments and those of two additional girls who received intensive therapy at the VTCRI Neuromotor Research Clinic based on innovative pediatric neurorehabilitation research at the VTCRI have been documented in a report published in BMC Research Notes. An analysis led by Stephanie C. DeLuca and Konark Mukherjee, assistant professors at the Virginia Tech Carilion Research Institute, showed the three girls advanced an average of 24 developmental months during their therapeutic interventions. Audrey was the youngest of the children and made the most gains. "Intensive therapy produces improvements in skills and abilities in children that sometimes takes years to obtain in a more traditional setting," said DeLuca, the director of the VTCRI Neuromotor Research Clinic. "Gaining years of development in such a brief time might greatly alter each child's long-term developmental trajectory." DeLuca, a developmental psychologist devoted to advancing adult and pediatric neurorehabilitation techniques, works closely with Mukherjee, who studies the fundamental biological mechanisms of neurodevelopment and who also leads one of the only research teams in the world devoted to understanding the CASK gene's role in neurological disorders. Both also hold research faculty appointments in Virginia Tech's College of Science. Together, their bench-to-bedside work may help scientifically validate intensive therapy techniques and, in turn, influence the way therapy is delivered to help more people. Mukherjee studies mice that have the same CASK genetic mutation that affects the children with microcephaly. By testing how mice respond to therapy, the researchers can better understand effects of the intervention on neural activity and communications between nerve cells in the brain. "One would rarely find two scientists as diverse in expertise as Dr. Mukherjee and Dr. DeLuca in such collaborative partnerships in medical centers with traditional organizational structures," said Michael J. Friedlander, the executive director of the Virginia Tech Carilion Research Institute and Virginia Tech's vice president for health sciences and technology. "We are fortunate to have researchers of their caliber with the openness to explore possibilities beyond the boundaries of their own areas of expertise and take bold steps to bring leading edge science to the improvement of human health at the research institute." In the intensive therapy as described in BMC Research Notes, children each received four hours of attention during weekdays for 10 treatment days total. Normally, the same therapy would be delivered in hour-long sessions over 40 days. DeLuca, who has extensively used the accelerated form of therapy to help children born with cerebral palsy, said she expected families facing the developmental challenges caused by a flaw in the CASK gene to have similar success. Prior to arriving at the VTCRI Neuromotor Research Clinic, Audrey received an hour of therapy five days a week. Each day, the therapy was focused on a different task, such as speech, movement, and eating. Even this daily, hour-long therapy paled in comparison to the accelerated therapy, according to Audrey's mother, Rachel Alves, of Sacramento, California. "We've heard so many 'may nevers,'" Alves said. "She may never walk, she may never talk. I was just thrilled to see her communicating and playing with toys." Therapist Dory Wallace of the VTCRI Neuromotor Research Clinic spent four hours per session with Audrey, helping her sit, crawl, grasp toys, and eat from a fork. She also helped her learn to use "signs" to communicate with her hands. "You see growth within four weeks because kids literally change," Wallace said. "They become new little people because they have so many more abilities, and it lights up their personalities and increases their confidence. And you see that impact the parent's lives." Mary Rebekah Trucks, a senior occupational therapist at the VTCRI Neuromotor Research Clinic, also contributed to the design and implementation of the treatment protocol and the authorship of the article in BMC Research Notes. The team approach allows Mukherjee to apply strategies such as DeLuca's intensive therapy techniques on mice, monitor their neural changes, and pass information back to DeLuca about methods that seem to be most effective. Since CASK was discovered, it has been found in all animals and people, Mukherjee said. But health problems caused by the CASK mutation have been mysterious. Likewise, the brain mechanisms underlying the improvements that the children experienced are unknown. Animal studies indicate intensive training may stimulate generation of new brain cells and facilitate strengthened communication between existing nerve cells , Mukherjee said. The researchers believe it is possible intensive neurorehabilitation in children with microcephaly may trigger the growth of new brain cellsa process called neurogenesisand strengthen neuronal communications a process called synaptic plasticity. DeLuca believes early, intensive intervention will make a difference for families facing the challenges of microcephaly, and it will also be more cost-effective for families and society in the long-term. Finding a therapy for microcephaly has become more urgent with the emergence of the Zika virus, which can infect expectant mothers and affect developing fetuses. "I want to take what we learn from each child and put it out there in a way that has a chance of helping every child that needs it," DeLuca said. Explore further Research reveals biological mechanism of a leading cause of childhood blindness More information: Stephanie C. DeLuca et al, A clinical series using intensive neurorehabilitation to promote functional motor and cognitive skills in three girls with CASK mutation, BMC Research Notes (2017). Stephanie C. DeLuca et al, A clinical series using intensive neurorehabilitation to promote functional motor and cognitive skills in three girls with CASK mutation,(2017). DOI: 10.1186/s13104-017-3065-z Chinese scientists and clinicians have developed a learning artificial intelligence system which can diagnose and identify cancerous prostate samples as accurately as any pathologist. This holds out the possibility of streamlining and eliminating variation in the process of cancer diagnosis. It may also help overcome any local shortage of trained pathologists. In the longer term it may lead to automated or partially-automated prostate cancer diagnosis. Prostate cancer is the most common male cancer, with around 1.1m diagnoses ever year, worldwide1 (for comparison, that's around x4 the number of men who live in Copenhagen). Confirmation of the diagnosis normally requires a biopsy sample, which is then examined by a pathologist. Now an artificial intelligence learning system, presented at the European Association of Urology congress in Copenhagen, has shown similar levels of accuracy to a human pathologist. In addition, the software can accurately classify the level of malignancy of the cancer, so eliminating the variability which can creep into human diagnosis. "This is not going to replace a human pathologist" said research leader Hongqian Guo (Nanjing, China), "We still need an experienced pathologist to take responsibility for the final diagnosis. What it will do is help pathologists make better, faster diagnosis, as well as eliminating the day-to-day variation in judgement which can creep into human evaluations". Prof. Guo's group took 918 prostate whole mount pathology section samples from 283 patients, and ran these through the analysis system, with the software gradually learning and improving diagnosis. These pathology images were subdivided into 40,000 smaller samples; 30,000 of these samples were used to 'train' the software, the remaining 10,000 were used to test accuracy - the results showed an accurate diagnosis in 99.38% of cases (using a human pathologist as a 'gold standard'), which is effectively as accurate as the human pathologist. They were also able to identify different Gleason Grades in the pathology sections using AI; ten whole mount prostate pathology sections have been tested so far, with similar Gleason Grade in the AI and human pathologist's diagnosis. The group has not started testing the system with human patients. Prof. Guo continued "The system was programmed to learn and gradually improve how it interpreted the samples. Our result show that the diagnosis the AI reported was at a level comparable to that of a pathologist. Furthermore, it could accurately classify the malignant levels of prostate cancer. Until now, automated systems have had limited clinical value, but we believe this is the first automated work to offer an accurate reporting and diagnosis of prostate cancer. In the short-term, this can offer a faster throughput, plus a greater consistency in cancer diagnosis from pathologist to pathologist, hospital to hospital, country to country. Artificial intelligence is advancing at an amazing rate - you only need to look at facial recognition on smartphones, or driverless cars. It is important that cancer detection and diagnosis takes advantage of these changes". Commenting, Professor Rodolfo Montironi (Professor of Pathology, Polytechnic University of the Marche, Ancona, Italy) said: "This is interesting work which shows how artificial intelligence will increasingly step into clinical practice. This may be very useful in some areas where there is a lack of trained pathologists. Like all automation, this will lead to a lesser reliance on human expertise, but we need to ensure that the final decisions on treatment stay with a trained pathologist. The really important thing though, is that we ensure the highest standard of patient care. The future will be interesting". Professor Montironi was not involved in this work - this is an independent comment. The software was developed in conjunction with Nanjing Innovative Data Technologies, Inc (they were not involved in funding this work, see notes for funding details). The newness of the system means that there is no information yet on costs or on implementation. The authors note some limitations to the work. There were more samples of Gleason Grade 3 and 4 than other grade, which maybe influence the AI calculation to some extent. They are also looking for suitably objective standards to allow direct comparison of Gleason Grade with the AI. A virtual audience could help a public speaker prepare for the real thing. Credit: Kian McKellar Public speaking can heighten anyone's anxiety. Cicero, a program named after the famed Roman orator, aims to help people overcome that fearwith the help of a virtual audience. "Public speaking is threatening to many people," said Stefan Scherer, who designed the project with Mathieu Chollet at the USC Institute for Creative Technologies. "We wanted to see if we could use virtual humans to create a less threatening, more safe environment." Cicero participants use glasses that have the effect of immersing them in the virtual world, making it as real as possible. In that world, animated avatars that look like real people are coded to react to the speaker. Feedback depends on the speaker's aptitude. If the speaker is interesting, the audience will lean forward, display facial expressions that convey engagement, nod heads, etc. If the speaker fails to engage the assembly, the audience will convey dissatisfaction by leaning back, looking disinterested, shaking their heads, etc. Scherer, a research assistant professor in the Department of Computer Science at the USC Viterbi School of Engineering, was drawn to public speaking because of its relevance and one-sided nature. "The audience doesn't generally speak to you so you don't have to author responses or a conversation itself," Scherer said. Supported by funding from the National Science Foundation, the ICT team's research on Cicero began in 2013. The team has created several avatars, coded by Chollet, that have about 1,000 different reactions. The plan was to code the avatars to react to nonverbal cues, such as the presenter's facial expression, their volume or body language. Ultimately, it could be a tool that transforms a user's fear of public speaking into a non-threatening, virtual game of self-improvement. More than a virtual reality tool Cicero isn't quite ready for commercial purposes on the open market, but Scherer and his team anticipate a wide range of uses. Their research now has broader implications, specifically for those suffering from schizophrenia. The project could give schizophrenics a tool that enables them to improve their social interaction: an interactive avatar. The avatar allows them to practice communication and recognize social cues in real time. It is currently used in a small trial at the San Francisco VA clinic. "The ability to communicate in social environments often greatly influences a person's career development," Scherer said. "Cicero could help individuals thrive by providing continuous, personalized training to meet the ever-changing needs of a diverse workforce." Explore further Fitness system creates virtual avatars in 10 minutes Blood has always been a symbol of life and has been thought to counteract the ageing process. Credit: Mai Lam/The Conversation NY-BD-CC, CC BY-SA Ben Franklin famously wrote: "In this world, nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes". What he didn't mention, despite being 83 years old, was a third, almost inevitable eventuality: ageing. Depending on when in history and where on the planet you look, ageing is variously considered desirable bringing with it wisdom and status or as something to be feared, eliminated, or at least delayed as long as possible. In the 16th to 18th centuries, Western societies believed old age was a time of considerable worth. But, since the 19th century, we have sought ways to eliminate or minimise the effects of ageing. Even in the time of Herodotus (the 5th century), there were stories of a "Fountain of Youth" located far away in the land of the Ethiopians, whose waters would bring youth and vigour to those who drank from it. Blood is a potent symbol of life and of death. It is hardly surprising, then, that this incredible fluid is linked to the search for eternal youth in literature, legend, magic and medicine. Recent scientific studies have claimed, almost vampire-like, that transfusions of blood from teenagers can help delay or reverse the ageing process. Where do these claims come from? Do they stack up? And how long will it be before we have the power to stave off what now is inevitable? The first blood transfusion from one human to another is reported to date from 1492, for Pope Innocent VIII. There is some discussion as to whether this was an attempt at a blood transfusion as we understand it today, or some other form of administration of blood (such as oral), given that the theory of circulation of blood was first published in 1628, some 150 years later. Sources from 1873 stated that: "All the blood of the prostrate old man should pass into the veins of a youth who had to yield up his to the Pope." But earlier reports, from 1723, were less specific: "Three ten-year-old boys died because blood had been taken from their veins in an attempt to cure the Pope." Whatever the truth of the treatment, the pope did not recover, and neither did the boys. Here, at what is arguably the start of transfusion history, we can already see the lure of the belief in the power of young blood. Fast forward to 2017, and the reputation of "young blood" is moving into the world of big business. A company called Alkahest, based on work by Tony Wyss-Coray, a neurobiologist studying Alzheimer's disease at Stanford University, is spruiking the results of a trial where plasma from young donors (aged 18-30) was transfused into patients with dementia. Eighteen patients aged between 54 and 86 with mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease were enrolled in the trial. They were infused with plasma (or placebo, in a control group) twice a week for four weeks. Thankfully the trial was more successful than Pope Innocent VIII's treatment. None of the patients showed any ill-effects, but neither did they show any improvement in tests of thinking ability. They did, however, demonstrate some improvement in tests that assessed their daily living skills. At almost the same time, controversial trials by a company named Ambrosia ("food of the Gods" depicted as conferring immortality) are transfusing plasma from people aged 16-25 into people aged 35-92. Despite the experimental nature of this treatment, participants are paying US$8,000 each to be included in the trial, for which there is no control group. These factors make it virtually impossible to interpret the results, because people in the trial may "feel better" merely through having paid money for a treatment they believe is going to work. The results of the study so far were presented by Jesse Karmazin at the Recode technology conference in Los Angeles in mid-2017. Ambrosia's scientists examined the levels of various molecules, believed to be predictive of cancer or Alzheimer's disease, in the blood of people who had been treated. They found that those who had been treated with young blood had lower levels of several proteins known to be involved in disease, namely carcinoembryonic antigens (which increase in cancer patients) and amyloid (which forms plaques in the brain in Alzheimer's disease patients). However, the long-term significance of these changes is unclear. The science of stealing youth Science has come a long way since Pope Innocent VIII, so what has led these modern scientists to try what appears to be a modern version of a very similar experiment? The roots of both these companies lie in experiments in "parabiosis" (from Greek par meaning alongside, and bios meaning life) a technique that dates back to the 1864 physiologist Paul Bert. Bert surgically spliced animals together in his lab, so that two animals shared a single blood supply. This grizzly practice provides an opportunity to find out how soluble blood factors affect various bodily functions. A group at Stanford University, led by Thomas Rando, and including Irina Conboy, found in 2005 that when they joined the bodies and circulations of old and young mice, the muscle and liver cells in the old mice were able to regenerate as well as those in their younger counterparts. Several experimental avenues led the researchers to conclude that the factor involved was circulating in the blood, although its identity was not known. In 2007, Tony Wyss-Coray analysed the plasma proteins of patients with Alzheimer's disease along with those from healthy people over a number of years. He found that levels of proteins in the blood change with age, some increasing, others decreasing. His doctoral student at the time, Saul Villeda, looked at effects of parabiosis on the brain and found that the old mice in the pairs enjoyed more brain connection, and the brains of the young mice physically deteriorated. But it was hard to test how well these brains worked in practice, because measuring an old mouse's ability to find its way through a maze is difficult when it is physically attached to a young mouse, who may be leading the way! There are other problems with the interpretation of parabiosis experiments. Old animals have access to the effects of younger organs, and their brains may also benefit from the environmental enrichment of being paired with a younger animal. The search was on for what factor or factors may be responsible for the dramatic effects seen in parabiosis experiments, and to find if their rejuvenating effects could be replicated without the inconvenience of sharing a circulatory system. There are a few molecular suspects so far. A protein known as GDF 11 is one contender for the title of "youth protein". In 2013, researchers Amy Wagers and Richard Lee found that this protein from the blood of young mice can reverse the symptoms of heart failure in older mice. A year later they showed that GDF 11 appeared to act on skeletal muscle stem cells and enhance muscle repair. Other studies have disagreed, suggesting that GDF 11 in fact increases with age and inhibits muscle repair. There are several technical reasons why these studies differ, and further studies may shed light on the role of GDF 11 and similar proteins. In 2014, researchers Saul Villeda, Tony Wyss-Coray and their team found that exposing an old mouse to young blood can decrease apparent brain age. The effects were seen not only at the molecular level, but also in the structures of the brain, and in several measures of learning and memory. In this case, the effects were controlled by a specific protein in the brain known as Creb (cyclic AMP response binding element), although the stimulating factor in the blood was not identified. The development and control of the brain involves numerous molecular signals, and a recent study has found yet another link between young blood and brain development. A protein in the brain, Tet2, declines with age, but mice whose brains have been given a boost of Tet2 are able to grow new brain cells and they improve at mouse-learning tasks. Such a boost in Tet2 can be provided by the presence of young blood because in these experiments, old mice who are joined to young mice in a parabiosis have an increase in Tet2 in their brain. This provides yet another clue to the mechanism by which young blood acts on the brain. Youth proteins vs elder proteins While old mice show benefit from transfusions of young mouse blood, the opposite is also true: young mice show signs of ageing when exposed to their elder's blood. It appears there are not just "youth proteins" present in young blood, but also "elder proteins" in the blood of older animals. In 2016, Irina Conboy's research team used a blood exchange technique between old and young mice, without surgically joining them. The results of this method would be easier to translate into a human medical setting than parabiosis, as it resembles exchange transfusions that are already used medically. When they received old blood, the muscle strength of young mice decreased, and the growth of their brain cells slowed down. A protein known as B2M (beta-2-macroglobulin) may be involved in this process, although it does not appear to be elevated with age-possibly acted on by another signal from older blood. Hanadie Yousef at Stanford University has identified a protein called VCAM1 that increases with age and causes signs of ageing when injected into young mice. What's particularly interesting is that in her studies, these effects can be blocked by an antibody to VCAM1. Quest for targeted therapies So, where does this lead us today? Can teenagers full of young blood rest safely from elderly vampiric super-villains? It seems that, rather than being the stuff of myth and magic, there are indeed factors in the blood that change with age: some that increase, some that decrease. Research has started to discover how some of these may work at a cellular level in muscles, organs and in particular, the brain, as we age. One day these discoveries may lead to rational and targeted therapies for a variety of conditions. What is certain is that human plasma contains a vast array of active molecules, many of which are already in medical use. Donated plasma has been used for decades to fight disease, control bleeding and help with certain chronic neurological disorders. Fortunately for us all, plasma from people of all ages can be used in these treatments. This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article. Important stuff you won't get from the liberal media! We do the surfing so you can be informed AND have a life! So ANN7 may soon be off the air, but will that solve South Africas migration to digital terrestrial television (DTT) and deliver the much needed digital dividend frequencies? Multichoice, and its parent Naspers, are adamant that their investment in ANN7 and the SABC 24 hour news channel was not a lobbying tool to get government to agree that the new digital services should be encrypted and not open as originally planned. When the ANN7 story broke in the media, MultiChoice launched an investigation. In one of its statements the company said No correlation was found between payments made to ANN7 and the MultiChoice lobbying effort. However, the investigators proposed that MultiChoice should study international best practice and formalise its lobbying processes. Is this a disguised admission that lobbying efforts were not above board? Did Naspers not really know what was happening or was it convenient to look the other way? In March 2014 the then Minister of Communications, Faith Muthambi announced that cabinet had approved the digital migration policy supporting open access. The policy was shrouded in secrecy. From an unofficial document it was clear that it was a cut-and-paste effort with input from other interested groups including MultiChoice. Under normal circumstances that would have been perfectly acceptable, as MultiChoice was one of the interested parties. Some concerns were expressed at the time and now we know why! DTT and the encryption saga made several turns in the courts. In 2016 the Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) ruled in favour of encryption. Muthambi, the SABC, and M-Net then filed applications with the Constitutional Court for leave to appeal the SCA ruling. eTV and others, including the Support Public Broadcasting Coalition and Media Monitoring Africa opposed the appeal. On 8 June 2017 the Constitutional Court upheld the appeal by Muthambi against last years judgement of the SCA which had ruled in favour of encrypted decoders. In the same ruling the SCA had ruled that a clause in an amendment to the Broadcasting Digital Migration (BDM) policy was unlawful and invalid, and set aside the provision in the policy that suggested government-subsidised set-top boxes (STBs) would not have encryption capability. This final ruling over the technical specifications of STBs heralded the finalisation of the much-delayed digital migration process. South Africa has been planning for digital migration since 2008 but missed the June 2015 ITU agreed deadline to switch from analogue to digital terrestrial television. However, the future of DTT is still unclear. After the presidents famous midnight cabinet reshuffle last year, Ayanda Dlodlo was appointed the Minister of Communication. Shortly after her appointment she announced that she would introduce the encrypted form of DTT in line with the policy of the ANC. She also said she would fast-track the switchover and announced that the process would start from December 2017. The Democratic Alliance (DA) appealed to Dlodlo to consider its request for a thorough review of the migration process following the Constitutional Courts ruling. According to the DA, production of the first manufacture of 1,5-million decoders was halted in late 2015 because of legal challenges to the policy. More than 500 000 decoders had been produced and are housed in South African Post Office warehouses awaiting distribution. But Ayanda Dlodlos life as DoC minister was short-lived. Ms Mmamoloko Nkhensani Kubayi took over in October last year. Where does this leave DTT and the much-needed digital dividend frequencies to connect the rural unconnected South Africans? Who knows? It is mind boggling! Source: EngineerIT Now read: Department of Telecommunications wants to assign spectrum by March 2019 Bitcoin is the king of cryptocurrencies, and thanks to its prominence, hard forks like Bitcoin Cash have experienced success in the market. The technology has a long way to go before mainstream adoption, however, and many industry players are working on improving scaling and building simple solutions for users. These include Centbee cofounders Lorien Gamaroff and Angus Brown, who aim to facilitate cryptocurrency payments and cross-border transfers. Centbee is based in Johannesburg and has partnered with nChain, which has taken an equity stake in the business. nChain is a global leader in blockchain development and backs products and applications that make cryptocurrency a global peer-to-peer cash solution. MyBroadband spoke to Centbee co-CEO Angus Brown about the companys plans for South Africa. Set your money free Centbee is a Bitcoin Cash payment company founded in 2016, and helps users Set their money free. We provide an intuitive Bitcoin Cash mobile wallet to send and receive Bitcoin Cash easily to friends and family, and to spend at real-world merchants, said Brown. Currently, few merchants accept Bitcoin, and we believe that we can provide simple and reliable interfaces to allow any merchant to receive payment settled daily into their bank account in fiat currency. Centbees remittance model uses Bitcoin Cash as infrastructure, which enables users to make cross-border payments safely and cheaply. The company is also in discussions with retail partners to enable cash deposits. The social importance of this service cannot be overemphasised, and we believe that through providing a commercial service, we are helping people to provide for their loved ones, said Brown. We are excited by the Bitcoin Cash blockchain and support this exclusively due to its technical advantages and low cost. The company said its decision to exclusively use Bitcoin Cash was due to Bitcoins failure to function as a real form of digital cash. Mobile wallet Centbee is currently developing a mobile Bitcoin Cash wallet, which it said will be secure and easy-to-use. The payment ecosystem for the Centbee wallet will allow users to easily access cryptocurrency and transfer it between one another, he said. The company also plans to let users purchase Bitcoin Cash over-the-counter at popular retailers in South Africa. Centbee is currently available in a private alpha phase on the Google Play store and will move into open beta in April. The application will be deployed to iOS shortly after the Android open beta. Now read: How CryptoKitties started the Ethereum app revolution Fact, I once tried surfing and got pounded by waves that I gave up nearly instantly. Im more of a wakeobard/wake surf kind of girl any day. But a fun fact about me is that Im actually happiest on water. I love being on a boat and feel like I melt into a different world the second we slip out of the dock. Throughout college I was on the wakeobard team, more like club; we had the sweetest set up. Access to a wakeboard boat and only about 10 people in the club. Plus, I was one of two people who had the keys to the boat. It was the best. I got comfortable on a boat so much that I dream of having a boat one day. After sailing with Sail Maui in Hawaii, I think Im ready to learn how to sail though. Good news, my bestie Cathys husband knows how. So maybe I can drag him out one day to teach me. This particular day Lauren and I headed out to Molokini to snorkel. On our hour boat ride out we saw tons of whales jumping out of the water. Which we learned is technically called, breaching. We also found a few dolphins who were so curious and got right under our boat. Theyre such beautiful creatures. You can see the video I snapped here. Once we got to Molokini we suited up with snorkel gear and watched the colorful fish swim around us. It was such a great morning. If youre in Hawaii, I cant recommend a sailing tour enough. PS check out my full Hawaii travel guide here. Putin, Erdogan to discuss Syria and other regional conflicts Karabakh's Arayik Harutyunyan visits Armenia 1st President, latest developments in Artsakh discussed Members of "Armenia" alliance and MPs of homonymous faction visit Yerablur Military Pantheon (PHOTOS) Monument to Marshal Baghramyan unveiled in Moscow Karabakh President sends condolence message to Russia's Putin Karabakh emergency situations service: Remains of another Armenian serviceman found in Mataghis Catholicos of All Armenians visits Yerablur Military Pantheon (PHOTOS) Russian State Duma chairman congratulates Armenian counterpart on Armenia's Independence Day Putin appoints Armenia's Mikayel Aghasandyan Russia's Permanent and Plenipotentiary Representative to CSTO Resident of Karabakh's Karmir Shuka runs over three 14-year-olds, body found hanged from a tree later Adam Schiff congratulates Armenians on 30th anniversary of Armenia's Independence Nikol Pashinyan: Grove of Life will symbolize the start of era of peaceful development of Armenia Armenia premier: History has shown that it's not mandatory and is sometimes unnecessary to defeat others to win Azerbaijan FM meets with Turkish counterpart in New York Karabakh President meets with President of Tashir Group Samvel Karapetyan in Yerevan New Armenian flag placed in Armenia's Tegh village, higher than Azerbaijani flag UN Secretary General urges to ban weapons that kill without human participation Russia Federation Council chairwoman congratulates Armenia Parliament Speaker on Independence Day US may approve Pfizer child vaccine drug soon Biden calls on UN to protect rights of sex minorities from Chechnya to Cameroon "Vivid" Independence Day event kicks off at Republic Square in Yerevan Iranian Deputy FM to arrive in Azerbaijan on a three-day visit Police inspecting citizens with metal detectors before Independence Day event at Republic Square in Yerevan Armenia marks Independence Day: Digest on congratulations from int. leaders Largest flag of Armenia raised in Yeraskh village of Ararat Province (PHOTOS) China PM to Armenia counterpart: Cooperation in sidelines of One Belt One Road joint construction steadily develops Lukashenko to Pashinyan: Belarus, Armenia will be able to fully realize bilateral cooperations potential Kazakhstan President: Armenia achieved great success, enjoys well-deserved reputation in international arena Putin to Pashinyan: Trilateral agreements implementation will ensure your countrys peaceful, prosperous development Mishustin to Pashinyan: Russia-Armenia relations progressively developing in all directions Guy Parmelin: Switzerland remains reliable partner of reforms in Armenia France MP: Armenia fighting for survival of itself, its people, against Azerbaijan, Turkey Wendy Morton: UK will continue to be proud supporter of Armenias democratic, economic development Russia envoy to Armenia: Any challenge in modern world can be overcome only through joint efforts Top Iran officials congratulate Armenia, Armenian people Armenia health minister's vaccinated mother contracts COVID-19 Pope Francis: May divine blessing be with people of Armenia Wreath laid on behalf of Armenia ex-President Sargsyan at Yerevan military pantheon (PHOTOS) Sweden ambassador: My best wishes to all Armenians (VIDEO) Netherlands envoy to Armenia: This beautiful country, wonderful people have bright future (VIDEO) Xi Jinping to Armen Sarkissian: Dynamics of development of China-Armenia relations is maintained Armenia First President: Independence is non-negotiable for me Putin: Development of Russia-Armenia relations corresponds to fundamental interests of our fraternal peoples Blinken: US remains committed to helping negotiate long-term political settlement of Nagorno-Karabakh conflict Armenia Security Council chief refuses to speak about possible Pashinyan-Erdogan meeting Biden: US will continue to advocate for release of all Armenian detainees held in Azerbaijan Armenia FM to head for New York Macron to Armenias Sarkissian: We will spare no effort to find lasting solution to conflict Armenia 2nd President Kocharyan: Defeat, authorities that symbolize it cannot be source of inspiration, creation 494 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Armenia Armenia 3rd President Sargsyan: Challenging but honorific struggle awaits us ahead Karekin II: Main meaning of 30th anniversary of independence is to rebuild progressive, prosperous country Karabakh President: Strong, developing Armenia has no alternative Shombi Sharp: UN will continue to stand with Armenia in addressing impact of recent crises, pandemic, conflict Armenia President: Today it turns out that we did not appreciate what we had Georgia capital Tbilisi TV tower illuminated in colors of Armenia flag (PHOTOS) US ambassador: We continue to look with confidence at future for Armenia as sovereign, prosperous state Police not allowing reporters to cover PM's visit to Yerevan military pantheon Newspaper: Azerbaijanis get more active after dismissal of commander of Russia peacekeepers in Artsakh Armenia marks Independence Day 30th anniversary Senior officials visiting Yerevan military pantheon on Armenia Independence Day 30th anniversary (PHOTOS) US launches strike at one of al-Qaida leaders in Syria Biden to declare end of "20-year war" in Afghanistan in speech at UN General Assembly US Ambassador to Armenia: Nagorno-Karabakh conflict has yet to be settled, Artsakh status will be clarified Nikol Pashinyan: Russian-Armenians and their businesses stand strong with the Armenian State Armenian businessman Samvel Karapetyan pledges investments worth $780,000,000 US says it is willing to consider return to nuclear deal with Iran Azerbaijani-Turkish military exercises are being held in Nakhchivan Businessman Samvel Karapetyan: I don't agree that systems have changed in Armenia, only people have changed Two residents of Armenia's Kasakh who disappeared in Vorotan section and were returned, are at home Kyrgyz MP proposes to appoint one Ambassador to Armenia and Azerbaijan Armenia Central Bank head: Buffer of Armenian financial organizations is sufficient to resist challenges OSCE Parliamentary Assembly Special Representative for South Caucasus to visit Armenia Armenia PM sends telegram of condolence to Russia President Armenia Deputy PM: Government shouldn't be involved in business Nearly 700 projects considered during "Armenia 2020-Armenia 2041" meeting Putin, Aliyev hold phone talks Armenian filmmaker calls on Armenia citizens to join march to Yerablur Military Pantheon on Independence Day Digest: Armenian women die in the Netherlands shooting, Azerbaijan returns 2 Armenians Relatives of deceased servicemen protesting in front of Armenia government building 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 NEW YORK, March 15, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Guggenheim Investments, the investment management division of Guggenheim Partners, today announced that the following Guggenheim equity exchange traded funds (ETFs) have declared quarterly distributions. The table below summarizes the distribution for each Fund. Distributions Schedule Ticker Exchange Traded Fund Name Ex-Date Record Date Payable Date Total Rate Per Share XLG Guggenheim S&P 500 Top 50 ETF 3/16/18 3/18/18 3/29/18 $0.758 RSP Guggenheim S&P 500 Equal Weight ETF 3/16/18 3/18/18 3/29/18 $0.429 OEW Guggenheim S&P 100 Equal Weight ETF 3/16/18 3/18/18 3/29/18 $0.112 RPV Guggenheim S&P 500 Pure Value ETF 3/16/18 3/18/18 3/29/18 $0.327 RPG Guggenheim S&P 500 Pure Growth ETF 3/16/18 3/18/18 3/29/18 $0.108 RFV Guggenheim S&P MidCap 400 Pure Value ETF 3/16/18 3/18/18 3/29/18 $0.201 RFG Guggenheim S&P MidCap 400 Pure Growth ETF 3/16/18 3/18/18 3/29/18 $0.125 RZV Guggenheim S&P SmallCap 600 Pure Value ETF 3/16/18 3/18/18 3/29/18 $0.302 RZG Guggenheim S&P SmallCap 600 Pure Growth ETF 3/15/17 3/18/18 3/29/18 $0.208 RTM Guggenheim S&P 500 Equal Weight Materials ETF 3/16/18 3/18/18 3/29/18 $0.217 RGI Guggenheim S&P 500 Equal Weight Industrials ETF 3/16/18 3/18/18 3/29/18 $0.338 RYT Guggenheim S&P 500 Equal Weight Technology ETF 3/16/18 3/18/18 3/29/18 $0.209 Distributions Schedule Ticker Exchange Traded Fund Name Ex-Date Record Date Payable Date Total Rate Per Share RYH Guggenheim S&P 500 Equal Weight Health Care ETF 3/16/18 3/18/18 3/29/18 $0.151 RHS Guggenheim S&P 500 Equal Weight Consumer Staples ETF 3/16/18 3/18/18 3/29/18 $0.498 RCD Guggenheim S&P 500 Equal Weight Consumer Discretionary ETF 3/16/18 3/18/18 3/29/18 $0.286 RYE Guggenheim S&P 500 Equal Weight Energy ETF 3/16/18 3/18/18 3/29/18 $0.246 RYF Guggenheim S&P 500 Equal Weight Financials ETF 3/16/18 3/18/18 3/29/18 $0.221 RYU Guggenheim S&P 500 Equal Weight Utilities ETF 3/16/18 3/18/18 3/29/18 $0.826 EWRE Guggenheim S&P 500 Equal Weight Real Estate ETF 3/16/18 3/18/18 3/29/18 $0.095 EWMC Guggenheim S&P MidCap 400 Equal Weight ETF 3/16/18 3/18/18 3/29/18 $0.190 EWSC Guggenheim S&P SmallCap 600 Equal Weight ETF 3/16/18 3/18/18 3/29/18 $0.183 GMFL Guggenheim Multi-Factor Large Cap ETF 3/16/18 3/18/18 3/29/18 $0.080 EWEM Guggenheim MSCI Emerging Markets Equal Country Weight ETF 3/16/18 3/18/18 3/29/18 $0/129 Past performance is not indicative of future performance. To the extent any portion of the distribution is estimated to be sourced from something other than income, such as return of capital, the source would be disclosed on a Section 19(a)-1 letter located on the Funds website under the Literature tab. Distributions may be comprised of sources other than income, which may not reflect actual Fund performance. For more information, please visit http://www.guggenheiminvestments.com/etf. About Guggenheim Investments Guggenheim Investments is the global asset management and investment advisory division of Guggenheim Partners, with more than $250 billion* in total assets across fixed income, equity, and alternative strategies. We focus on the return and risk needs of insurance companies, corporate and public pension funds, sovereign wealth funds, endowments and foundations, consultants, wealth managers, and high-net-worth investors. Our 300+ investment professionals perform rigorous research to understand market trends and identify undervalued opportunities in areas that are often complex and underfollowed. This approach to investment management has enabled us to deliver innovative strategies providing diversification opportunities and attractive long-term results. Media Contacts Ivy McLemore Director of Intermediary Communications Guggenheim Investments Ivy.mclemore@guggenheimpartners.com (212) 518-9859 This material is not intended as a recommendation or as investment advice of any kind, including in connection with rollovers, transfers, and distributions. Such material is not provided in a fiduciary capacity, may not be relied upon for or in connection with the making of investment decisions, and does not constitute a solicitation of an offer to buy or sell securities. All content has been provided for informational or educational purposes only and is not intended to be and should not be construed as legal or tax advice and/or a legal opinion. Always consult a financial, tax and/or legal professional regarding your specific situation. Read a funds prospectus and summary prospectus (if available) carefully before investing. It contains the funds investment objectives, risks, charges, expenses and other information, which should be considered carefully before investing. Obtain a prospectus and summary prospectus (if available) at http://guggenheiminvestments.com or call 800.820.0888. The referenced funds are distributed by Guggenheim Funds Distributors, LLC. Guggenheim Investments represents the investment management business of Guggenheim Partners, LLC (Guggenheim), which includes Guggenheim Funds Investment Advisors (GFIA), Security Investors, LLC (SI), the investment advisors to the referenced fund. Guggenheim Funds Distributors, LLC is affiliated with Guggenheim, SI, and GFIA. 1 Guggenheim Investments total asset figure is as of 12.31.2017. The assets include leverage of $12.1bn for assets under management and $0.4bn for assets for which we provide administrative services. Guggenheim Investments represents the following affiliated investment management businesses: Guggenheim Partners Investment Management, LLC, Security Investors, LLC, Guggenheim Funds Investment Advisors, LLC, Guggenheim Funds Distributors, LLC, Guggenheim Real Estate, LLC, GS GAMMA Advisors, LLC, Guggenheim Partners Europe Limited, and Guggenheim Partners India Management. New Ambassador of Albania to Armenia Ardiana Hobdariwith residence in Athenson Friday presented her credentials to President Serzh Sargsyan. Congratulating the ambassador on assuming office, the President wished her success in carrying out her diplomatic mission in Armenia, and expressed the hope that the ambassador will bring activeness to bilateral relations. But Sargsyan did not consider the use of the existing potential of cooperation to be sufficient enough, especially given that Armenia and Albania have entered the quarter century in their diplomatic relations. The President underscored high-ranking reciprocal visits toward the development of relations, and highlighted the regulation of legal framework, intensification of parliamentary relations and development of economic relations between the two countries, and their collaboration within international relations. The newly appointed Albanian ambassador, for her part, noted that she agrees with the Armenian President in terms of intensifying bilateral relations. Ambassador Hobdari assured that her activities will be aimed at the development of cooperation and the promotion of contacts. Also, the Albanian diplomat welcomed, on behalf of her country, the development of Armenia-European Union (EU) cooperation and wished success. Furthermore, Ardiana Hobdari lauded Albanias Armenian community, which, in her view, also can play a part in the development of bilateral relations. TORONTO, March 15, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Eurocontrol Technics Group Inc. (TSX-V:EUO) (OTCQB:EUCTF) (Eurocontrol or the Company) announces the appointment of Paul Wood as Interim President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, following the resignation of Bruce Rowlands who will remain on the Companys board of directors, and the appointment of Dennis Logan, a non-executive director of the Company, as Chairman. The Company also announces that the board has determined that it is timely, and in the best interests of the Companys shareholders, to initiate a formal process to explore a broad range of strategic alternatives that may be available to Eurocontrol. The Company will provide updates at such time as the board of directors approves a strategic alternative, or otherwise determines that further disclosure is appropriate or required. Paul Wood will continue to serve as a member of the Companys board of directors. Paul Wood has a background in mergers and acquisitions, transaction structuring and strategic initiatives and has executed transactions for multinationals, small cap companies and independently. Dennis Logan has a background in investment banking and has substantial experience serving on company boards. He will continue to Chair the Companys audit committee in addition to his role as Chairman. Paul Wood commented, The Companys strong balance sheet underpinned by cash and a minimum earn out receivable of $1.5 million per year until 2022, with potential incremental upside from now through to 2024, combined with its outstanding technological team and global customer base, places Eurocontrol in a unique position as it commences this formal process. The Company intends to maintain its commitment to its current businesses and to lever this combination of balance sheet and technological strength. Dennis Logan, the Companys Chairman, stated, On behalf of the board of directors, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to Bruce Rowlands who has been at the helm of the Company for 12 years. His accomplishments include building a multi-subsidiary high tech company, leading the negotiation and completion of value-enhancing transactions, and leaving in place a strong balance sheet. We wish him every success in his further endeavours and look forward to his continuing contribution to the Companys board of directors. For further information on Eurocontrol, please visit the Company's website at www.eurocontrol.ca or contact Paul Wood at (416) 361-2808 or info@eurocontrol.ca. About Eurocontrol Technics Group Inc. Eurocontrol is a TSX Venture and OTCQB traded company that specializes in the acquisition, development and commercialization of innovative test, measurement and authentication technologies for industry with applications in energy security, semiconductor and precision farming sectors, based on Xenemetrixs core technological platform of ED-XRF. Eurocontrol has three wholly owned subsidiaries, Xenemetrix Ltd., XwinSys Technology Development Ltd. and Croptimal Ltd. Xenemetrix is a leading designer, manufacturer and marketer of ED-XRF systems, a technology that is the most accurate and economic method for determining the chemical composition of many types of materials, including the analysis of petroleum oils and fuel. XwinSys has developed a patented, fully automated metrology system for the semiconductor industry that combines 2D and 3D image processing technology with Xenemetrixs ED-XRF technology. Croptimal, is introducing a new mobile ED-XRF spectroscopic material analysis laboratory for the precision agriculture industry that could dramatically change agricultural testing methodology and increase crop yields. Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. No stock exchange, securities commission or other regulatory authority has approved or disapproved the information contained herein. Forward-Looking Statements: This press release contains forward-looking statements. More particularly, this press release contains statements. Forward-looking statements are frequently characterized by words such as "plan", "expect", "project", "intend", "believe", anticipate", "estimate", "may", "will", "would", "potential", "proposed" and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" occur. The forward-looking statements are based on certain key expectations and assumptions made by Eurocontrol. Although Eurocontrol 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 Eurocontrol can give no assurance that they will prove to be correct. Since forward-looking statements address future events and conditions, by their very nature they involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially from those currently anticipated due to a number of factors and risks. In addition to other risks that may affect the forward-looking statements in this press release are those set out in Eurocontrols management discussion and analysis of the financial condition and results of operations for the third quarter ended September 30, 2017 which is available on the Companys profile at www.sedar.com. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are made as of the date hereof and Eurocontrol undertakes no obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statements or information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, unless so required by applicable securities laws. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on Friday arraigned Bellview and First Nation airlines with an alleged fraud of N1.7bn. Joined as the first defendant in the charge was the Managing Director of First Nation Airlines, Mr. Kayode Odukoya. The airlines and Odukoya were arraigned on four counts before Justice Mojisola Dada of the Ikeja Special Offences Court. The charges border on forgery, use of forged documents, perjury and stealing. The EFCC, in the charges, alleged that the defendants forged the Memorandum of Loss of Lagos State Certificate of Occupancy registered as No. 33, at page 33, Volume 1011 at the Lagos State Land Registry, Alausa, Lagos. According to the EFCC, the allegedly forged document was in respect of a property located at No. 29 Oduduwa Street, GRA, Ikeja. The EFCC claimed that the defendants forged the document in order that the document be acted upon as genuine. Odukoya was accused of dishonestly converting to his own a sum of N1.7bn belonging to Skye Bank Plc. The prosecutor, Mr. M.S. Usman, told the court that the defendants acted contrary to sections 85, 86(1), 278(1)(b), 285, 361(1)(a)(b), 363 and 364(1) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2011. But the defendants pleaded not guilty. The judge ordered the remand of Odukoya in the custody of the EFCC. She adjourned till March 26, 2018, to hear Odukoyas bail application. NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNITED STATES NEWS WIRE SERVICES OR DISSEMINATION IN UNITED STATES CALGARY, Alberta, March 15, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Pieridae Energy Limited (TSXV:PEA) is pleased to announce that it has filed its audited annual financial statements and related managements discussion and analysis for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017 on the System for Electronic Document Analysis and Retrieval (SEDAR). On October 24, 2017, Pieridae Energy Limited and Petrolia Inc. were amalgamated pursuant to a plan of arrangement effected pursuant to section 192 of the Canada Business Corporations Act. Pieridae is a reporting issuer or the equivalent in British Columbia, Alberta and Quebec. It is listed on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol PEA. Pieriades mission is to build shareholder value by becoming the first fully integrated independent LNG producer in Canada. The Company is focused on the development of the Goldboro LNG Facility and the acquisition and development of resource properties for the extraction of natural gas for use as feed gas in the production of LNG. Selected financial results SELECTED FINANCIAL RESULTS ($000 except per share information) Three months ended Dec. 31, Year ended Dec. 31, 2017 2016 2017 2016 Post- amalgamation Post- amalgamation Selected financial results Net loss attributable to equity holders ($3,091) ($5,447) ($8,825) ($14,002) Net loss per share (basic and diluted) ($0.067) ($0.348) ($0.237) ($0.900) Cash and cash equivalent including cash and cash equivalent held for exploration purpose $21,238 $197 $21,238 $197 Working capital $10,379 ($24,260) $10,379 ($24,260) Exploration and evaluation assets $42,827 - $42,827 - About Pieridae Energy Pieridae Energy is a Canadian corporation based in Calgary, Alberta focused on the development of fully integrated energy activities, from upstream production to the sale of LNG. Pieridae Energys main project is the Goldboro LNG Project and, following Pieridae Energys first acquisition of resources in New Brunswick and the completion of the merger with Petrolia Inc., Pieridae Energy has embarked on a strategy to consolidate natural gas reserves in key natural gas basins to develop new international markets for Canadian and US natural gas. Pieridae Energy will continue to seek to build a long-term portfolio of natural gas to supply the Goldboro LNG Project. Pieridae Energy is on the leading edge of the re-integration of the LNG value chain in North America. Pieridae Energy has 50,498,852 shares issued and outstanding which trade on the TSX Venture Exchange (PEA). For further information please contact: Alfred Sorensen, Chief Executive Officer Mario Racicot, Chief Financial Officer Telephone: (418) 657-1966 Telephone: (418) 657-1966 Home | News | General | Dj Cuppy, Folorunsho Alakija and others at the 5th African Commonwealth Summit in London The 5th Annual Commonwealth Africa Summit which was held on 12th March 2018, had some influential Nigerian women such as Folorunsho Alakija, Toyin Saraki, DJ Cuppy, and Nana Otedola in attendance. The Summit which was focused on the theme, Improving Opportunities for African Women: "The role of the economy, policy and culture" had the wife of the senate president Toyin Saraki as guest speaker. Folorunsho, Toyin, Nana and Dj Cuppy graced the summit with their presence, Folorunsho shared pictures of them from the conference on her Instagram, all of them looking radiant. See pictures below: READ ALSO: I don't play with my job says Otedola's daughter Dj Cuppy The Summit had DJ Cuppy as the performing Disc Jockey, as she thrilled the attendees with her hot jams. PAY ATTENTION: Get best news on Nigerian's #1 news app Commonwealth Africa Initiative is a Pan Commonwealth organisation with a mandate to promote the interest of the African bloc of the Commonwealth of Nations and foster more opportunities for Commonwealth Citizens from Africa. Through her scholarship program and exchange activities, the initiative helps to foster economic prosperity for Commonwealth Nations in Africa. The initiative champions Sustainable development, economic prosperity, security and good governance across Commonwealth countries in Africa. CAFI works to achieve this mission by working in partnership with the Commonwealth, African Government, public and private institutions, as well as other regional and international development partners. Incorporated under the UK Companies Act 2006 as a Non Profit company limited by guarantee, the Initiative is headquartered in London, United Kingdom. Afonja Warrior battle-ready for Commonwealth bout - NAIJ.com TV [embedded content] Source: Naija.ng CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM: General Loading... Washington, DC, March 15, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- On Wednesday, March 14, 2018, Military Order of the Purple Heart National Commander Neil Van Ess presented the Orders 2018 priorities for VA Health Care and Benefits to a Joint Hearing by the Senate and House Committees on Veterans Affairs. Among the issues raised by Commander Van Ess were the need for a well-integrated Community Care Program to supplement VA direct services; the need to retain the benefit of Individual Unemployability ( IU) to allow veterans to receive disability compensation at the 100 percent rate, if their disabilities prevent them from maintaining gainful employment; the need to Eliminate the Offset from their retirement pay of an amount equal to their VA disability compensation for military retirees who have a service connected disability less than 50 percent; the need to eliminate the offset for surviving spouses who are eligible for both the DOD Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) and VA Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC). During his testimony, Commander Van Ess expressed the Orders appreciation to both Committees for their continued hard work on behalf of our Nations veterans, noting that the successful passage of multiple pieces of significant legislation last year addressing VA accountability, appeals modernization, and G.I. Bill improvements, stands as a testament to the unique ability of the two Committees to tackle complex issues in a bipartisan manner. The "Military Order of the Purple Heart of the U.S.A. Inc.," (MOPH) was formed in 1932 for the protection and mutual interest of all combat wounded veterans and active duty men and women who have received the decoration. Chartered by the Congress, The MOPH is unique among Veteran Service Organizations in that all its members were wounded in combat or by an act of international terrorism. For this sacrifice, they were awarded the Purple Heart Medal. With grants from the Purple Heart Foundation, the MOPH and its Auxiliary promote Patriotism, Fraternalism, and the Preservation of America's military history. Most importantly, through its National Service Program, they provide comfort and assistance to all veterans and their families, especially those requiring claims assistance with the VA, those who are homeless, and those requiring employment assistance. Programs of the MOPH include VA Volunteer Service, JROTC Leadership Awards, Scholarships, Suicide Awareness, Americanism, Purple Heart Trail and Cities, Welfare, and numerous community service programs, all with the objective of service to Veterans and their families. Attachment: A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/4a442efd-7b1c-4787-8865-b7ec19a0a0cf Home | News | General | N400m fraud: Why I wont rule on Metuhs bid to visit UK till April 20Justice Abang Metuh kicks, says ill-health preventing me from following my trial By Ikechukwu Nnochiri ABUJA Justice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court in Abuja, on Friday, gave reasons why he would not rule on request for the embattled former National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Chief Olisa Metuh, to be allowed to travel to the United Kingdom for medical treatment, until April 20. ormer Publicity Secretary Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP ) Olisa Metuh on customized wheelchair during his trial at the Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday. Photo by Gbemiga Olamikan Justice Abang maintained that section 294(1) of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, permitted him to deliver ruling on such interlocutory application within 90 days. He said there was no special provision in the law mandating the court to decide Metuhs request before the stipulated period, despite the affidavit of urgency that was attached to the application. Though Justice Abang noted that ruling on any interlocutory application accompanied by an affidavit of urgency, ought to be delivered timeously, he said his court was constrained by the fact that he would be out of Abuja till the end Easter vacation. I do not owe any of the parties any obligation to explain my movement or involvement in other divisions of this court in the days ahead, the Judge added, saying he had earlier fixed hearing and judgments in many cases pending at Asaba and Lagos State. It will not be convenient for this court to travel back to Abuja to deliver ruling on this application in the next four weeks. Therefore this case is adjourned till 19th and 20th of April for continuation of trial. However, subject to availability of judicial time, the court will deliver ruling at the conclusion of trial on April 20, Justice Abang held. Meanwhile, Metuh who attended the proceeding in a wheelchair, through his lawyer, Mr. Emeka Etiaba, SAN, expressed his dissatisfaction with the decision of the trial Judge. Etiaba noted that Justice Abang had always in the past, delivered bench ruling on various applications in the matter, especially the ones against his client. He said his client would go to the Court of Appeal to challenge the refusal of the judge to adjourn the trial in view of his ill-health. Metuh had in the course of the trial, told the court that sedative influence of a medication that was administered on him, was preventing him from following the proceedings. My lord, yesterday, after the court session, I had a discussion with my client and I realised that even though he was physically present in court, he did not have the presence of mind to appreciate what went on in court. This is because he is on pain killers which cause him to be sleepy or sleep in court otherwise he is under severe pain. Section 266 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) provides that a defendant has to be present in court all though his trial, not only physically but must also be able to follow through the proceedings in court, Etiaba argued. Justice Abang however rejected the application, saying no material was placed before the court to enable it exercise its discretion in favour of the defendant. The former PDP spokesman had on Wednesday, begged the court to allow him to seek medical attention in the UK, decrying that he has lost sensation in his lower limbs. Metuh said he was suffering from spinal cord related ailment. His lawyer told the court that Metuhs health had badly deteriorated in the past two months, a situation he said would require urgent medical attention from his doctors in London. He tendered as an exhibit, a letter from one Dr. Adrian T. H. Kasey, a Neurosurgeon at Wellington Hospital in London, which he said emphasized the need for Metuh to be treated urgently. The former PDP spokesman predicated his application on section 33(5) and 6(b) of the 1999 Constitution. However, Justice Abang requested both the prosecution and defence lawyers, to address him on whether the court could grant Metuhs request considering that he previously dismissed two similar applications on May 25, 2016 and on February, 2017. Metuh is currently defending the seven-count charge the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, preferred against him and his firm, Destra Investment Limited. EFCC alleged that he had before the 2015 Presidential election, received N400million from the Office of the National Security Adviser, ONSA, without executing any contract. The agency alleged that the fund was electronically wired from an account that ONSA operated with the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, to Metuh, via account no. 0040437573, which his firm operated with Diamond Bank Plc. It told the court that the fund which was released to Metuh and his firm by detained former NSA, Col. Sambo Dasuki, retd, was part of about $2.1billion earmarked for the purchase of arms to fight insurgency in the North East. Besides, the prosecution which had earlier closed its case after it called eight witnesses that testfied before the court, equally alleged that Metuh was involved in an illicit transaction that involved the exchange of $2million. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM: General Loading... Home | News | General | 6 governors named as members of National Food Security Council -President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the constitution of National Food Security Councils membership - The council will have as members, the governors of Kebbi, Taraba, Plateau, Lagos, Ebonyi and Delta states - The objectives of the council will include developing sustainable solutions to herdsmen invasions President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday, March 16, constituted the National Food Security Council few days after announcing the establishment of the council. Malam Garba Shehu, senior special assistant to the president on media and publicity, made the announcement in a statement in Abuja. According to Shehu, the council, to be chaired by the president will be inaugurated on March 19 and it will have as members, the governors of Kebbi, Taraba, Plateau, Lagos, Ebonyi and Delta. He said that other members of the council would the secretary to the government of the federation; the chief of staff to the president; the national security adviser and seven ministers. The ministers to be represented are for agriculture and rural development; finance; interior; industry, trade and investment; water resources; environment and budget and national planning. Other people named in the council are the chief of defence staff; governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN); directors-generals of the department of state services and the National Intelligence Agency as well as the comptroller-general of the Nigeria Immigration Service. Shehu listed the objectives of the council to include developing sustainable solutions to herdsmen invasions; climate change and desertification. The council is also to appraise the impact of the issues on farmland; grazing areas and lakes, rivers and other water bodies; oil spillage and its impact on Niger Delta fishing communities and agricultural research institutions and extension services. It will also take interest in regional and global policies and trends that bear implications for food security in Nigeria as well as address the problem of smuggling, piracy and banditry. In a previous report by NAIJ.com, global food agencies have warned against impending food shortage that could affect 3.8 million people in 16 northern states of Nigeria and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). The agencies, which include UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and World Food Programme (WFP), listed the 16 states as Bauchi, Benue, Gombe, Jigawa, Plateau, Niger, Kebbi, Katsina, Kaduna, Taraba, Zamfara, Sokoto, Kano, Yobe, Borno and Adamawa. The agencies issued the warning on Thursday, March 15, in Abuja at a stakeholders meeting for the presentation of the results of the March 2018 Cadre Harmonise (CH) analysis of food and security situation in Nigeria. Ebonyi state, Nigeria and West Africa's food capital - on NAIJ.com TV. [embedded content] Source: Naija.ng CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM: General Loading... California DEFIANCE: Illegal alien appointed to state office by lawless Democrats Democrats who run the sanctuary state of California continue to poke the federal bear with their lawless behavior regarding illegal immigrants. In recent days, Libby Schaaf, the mayor of Oakland, drew the ire of President Donald J. Trump, Attorney General Jeff Sessions, Immigration and Customs Enforcement Acting Director Thomas Homan, and nine-tenths of immigration agents and federal prosecutors when she tipped off her community to a pending raid that sought mostly to remove criminal aliens from northern California. ICE agents only managed to arrest about 150 suspects half of whom have criminal records while more than 800 others on agents lists managed to escape. Now, Senate President Pro Tem Kevin de Leon, D-Los Angeles, and a candidate for the U.S. Senate, has appointed Lizbeth Mateo to the California Student Opportunity and Access Program Project Grant Advisory Committee, Breitbart News senior editor-at-large, Joel Pollack, reports. Mateo, who is an attorney, was born in Mexico and came to the U.S. illegally at the age of 14 with her parents who, of course, are also illegal aliens, according to the Sacramento Bee. Not surprisingly, this American-educated lawyer has complained that people in the United States illegally have not been adequately represented in the California government (I guess the states sanctuary law, along with various cities sanctuary policies, which protect the presence of illegal aliens, along with their ability to take jobs Americans wont do, isnt enough to say nothing of the police and fire protection, the emergency medical care, the free K-12 education, etc.). In describing her appointment as long overdue and a step towards correcting all of this alleged injustice, she was quoted by Fox News as saying, While undocumented students have become more visible in our state, they remain underrepresented in places where decisions that affect them are being made. The tone-deafness of that statement is, to me, stunning. She doesnt even seem remotely aware of the fact that American citizens even Californians do not owe people in our country illegally anything except a humane deportation. Where she sees underrepresentation, most Americans are fed up with being lectured by ungrateful lawbreakers and believe that representation, under our system, is decided by, and reserved for, citizens. (Related: Federal appeals court UPHOLDS Texas anti-sanctuary city law.) Meanwhile, DeLeon, who is running against incumbent Sen. Dianne Feinstein presumably because shes not kooky-Left enough, described Mateo as a courageous, determined and intelligent young woman who at great personal risk has dedicated herself to fight for those seeking their rightful place in this country, according to Fox News. It doesnt take much courage to stand up as an illegal alien and demand rights and privileges and representation reserved for American citizens when youre being protected by lawless politicians running a lawless statewide government. Whats interesting, however, is that, as Pollack points out, Mateo seems confused as to which country she actually prefers: Her native Mexico or the country she and her parents broke into (that has provided them with so much nonetheless). He writes: In a Facebook post in 2016, apparently celebrating her graduation from Santa Clara University School of Law, Mateo declared, in Spanish: [E]verything is dedicated to Oaxaca, Mexico!! to that land that I miss so much. While posing with a Mexican flag. Have you ever wondered why, in America, our flag and our culture offend people like her (and DeLeon), but our benefits sure dont? And mind you, how is it that the federal government can ask American citizens to repay their student loans, but illegal aliens get a free ride at more and more colleges? Why are American citizens labeled racists and Nazis while illegal aliens are called Dreamers and held up as saints? If youre like me, you are having a hard time understanding how it is that someone who praises their native land and poses with its flag finds it offensive and a punishment to have to return there. J.D. Heyes is editor of The National Sentinel and a senior writer for Natural News and News Target. Sources include: Breitbart.com TheNationalSentinel.com English Finnish OUTOTEC OYJ PRESS RELEASE MARCH 16, 2018 9:15 AM Invitation to a Q&A teleconference with Outotec The Q&A teleconference with CEO Markku Terasvasara will be held on Monday, March 19, 2018 at 2:00 PM (Finnish time). JOINING THE TELECONFERENCE AND PRESENTING QUESTIONS Dial in 5-10 minutes prior to the start time using the number below. Conference code: 585875 FI: +3589 7479 0360 UK: +44 330 336 9104 SE: +468 5033 6573 US: +1 323 794 2442 Questions may be sent also in advance via email to riitta.lind(at)outotec.com by March 19 at 10:00 AM. The recording of the teleconference and transcript will be published and stored on Outotec's website for on demand listening. The contact information is gathered for registration purposes only and it is not used for commercial purposes. The aim of the CEO's Q&A teleconferences is to give further clarity on information, which has been made public already earlier. Therefore, the company does not intend to publish separate announcements in connection with these sessions. In order to serve the capital market efficiently, and ensure equal access to company-related information, the teleconference is recorded and it is available on demand for future references. OUTOTEC OYJ Rita Uotila, Vice President - Investor Relations tel. +358 20 529 2003 e-mail: rita.uotila(at)outotec.com DISTRIBUTION: Main media www.outotec.com Twitters just fine with terrorists but if youre a pro-Israel activist, you can count on being censored If you listen to the average Democratic Party supporter, President Donald J. Trump is the anti-Christ, the second incarnation of Hitler, Mao, Stalin, and Castro rolled into one, and the biggest authoritarian threat to freedom the world has ever known. Thats if you listen to Democratic supporters. If you instead opt to use your own mind and judgment and actually look around at whats happening, youll quickly conclude that Trump isnt a threat to traditional American liberty and freedom, the Democratic Party and their supporters are. If youve been reading us for a while, you know that our founder/editor, Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, has been subjected to insane levels of censorship by YouTube and Google. The former has deleted his video channel, eliminating more than 1,700 videos in the process; the latter targeted him and Natural News last year for censorship, removing the sites tens of thousands of articles from the search giants algorithm. And for no reason other than political disagreement; Mikes a freedom lover, not an Alt-Left Marxist authoritarian who wants to ban dissent. Hes not alone, mind you. The National Sentinel, where I serve as editor-in-chief, has also been targeted. Where once we were getting decent referral traffic from Facebook and other social media, that has slowed to a trickle, even as our Facebook likes and followers soar. By the way, if you like our news coverage and want to ensure you never miss a story, just click here dont worry, it wont cost you a thing. Not to be outdone by Facebook, Google and YouTube, now Twitter is getting into the censorship business. As reported by Frontpage Magazines David Greenfield, terrorist organizations no, really like Hamas, Hezbollah, the PFLP, FARC, the Communist Party of the Philippines and the Liberation Tigers of Temil Eelam are all on the U.S. governments official list of terrorist organizations, and they all have Twitter accounts. So of course they all have Twitter accounts, he wrote. (Related: #StandAgainstCensorship by taking action: 10 powerful things you can do NOW to take back your freedom from the techno tyrants.) But so does Ramadan Shalah, who heads up the Palestinian Islamic Jihad also sitting on the U.S. Governments list of terrorist organizations. Greenfield notes further: The PFLP has at least four Twitter accounts. (Both the PFLP and Jibrils Assadist splinter group are listed. And both have their own Twitter accounts.) FARC also has multiple Twitter accounts. Timochenko, the FARCs narcoterrorist boss, who was accused by the State Department of the murder of hundreds of people who violated or interfered with the FARCs cocaine policies, is also on Twitter. Whats more, none of these organizations are particularly subtle. Hamas account says, Official Account: Hamas Movement, that also states: Hamas is a Palestinian movement that resists the Israeli Zionist occupation and aggression. Never mind that Israel, surrounded by enemies like this, is constantly forced to defend itself from near-daily attacks and terrorism. Include Iran proxy Hezbollah in that group, along with other organizations based in the region. But do Jewish rights groups get the same clearance from Twitter? In a word, no. Canary Mission, which is a Jewish activist group exposing anti-Semitism, recently had its account suspended once again before being reinstated. Labour Antisemitism, a group that tracks bigotry by the UKs Left-leaning Labour Party, had its account blocked for a profile picture of the Star of David that was worn by Jews who suffered under Nazi occupation, Greenfield wrote. Jewish efforts to ferret out anti-Semitism and anti-Jewish bigotry will earn the ire of Twitter censors; being a group that advocates for the complete destruction of Israel (which is what Hitler stood for, as a reminder) well, thats okay. Earlier this week Adams announced a new video-sharing enterprise called Brighteon.com that aims to circumvent YouTubes censoring ways. Thats a great start. In the meantime, bookmark Censored.news and check it several times throughout the day; dont be denied the opportunity to be a fully-informed citizen. J.D. Heyes is editor of The National Sentinel and a senior writer for Natural News and News Target. Sources include: FrontpageMag.com TheNationalSentinel.com U.S. Democratic congressional candidate Conor Lamb speaks during his election night rally in Pennsylvania's 18th U.S. Congressional district special election against Republican candidate and State Rep. Rick Saccone, in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania, March 13, 2018. REUTERS/Brendan McDermid Republicans were banking on their $1.5 trillion tax cut to give them a boost in the 2018 elections, but that isnt how Tuesdays special election in Pennsylvania's deep-red 18th congressional district played out. Outside groups spent millions promoting the tax cuts in support of Republican Rick Saccone. But in the final days of the race, Republicans backed away from the issue, a sign that the message wasnt resonating with the districts working-class and suburban voters. Saccones weak performance against Democrat Conor Lamb in a district President Trump won by nearly 20 points suggests that the tax overhaul wont give Republicans the boost they were hoping for and some Democrats think it may even work against the GOP. In this overwhelmingly Trump district, Republicans put all their eggs in the basket of Trump's tax plan. And the basket broke, Democratic strategist Jess Ferguson told Business Insider. If you can't hold onto a district that is this Republican after spending $10 million promoting your tax plan, it's not just that the tax plan failed to sell, it's that it backfired." Democratic strategist Simon Rosenberg sees a broader problem for the GOP, with the tax overhaul now tying Trump and the Republican Party to what he describes as House Speaker Paul Ryans agenda largely focused on cutting taxes for the rich. GOP chose plutocracy over a plan designed to help everyday people. It was a reveal. This thing is an albatross now for them as they head into the fall, Rosenberg tweeted. Some Republicans leaders downplayed the implications of the election, though, and insisted that Saccone was a weak candidate and that Lamb ran as a pro-life, pro-gun, anti-Nancy Pelosi conservative, as Paul Ryan put it. And Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA), chair of the House Republican Conference brushed off the Pennsylvania loss by saying, We aren't even in full momentum on tax reform. Like what you're reading? Sign up for our free newsletter. Sydney, March 16, 2018 (AFP) - - Australia insisted its humanitarian program was non-discriminatory Friday after South Africa reacted furiously to suggestions "persecuted" white farmers could be fast-tracked into the country, as the minister involved was called a racist. Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton sparked controversy by singling out the farmers' need to flee "horrific circumstances" for a "civilised country". According to police, 74 farmers were murdered between 2016 and 2017 in South Africa, which has one of the world's highest crime rates. Dutton's decision to examine whether they deserve "special attention" for acceptance on refugee or humanitarian grounds led to South Africa hauling in Australia's envoy to Pretoria for a ticking off. Foreign ministry spokesman Ndivhuwo Mabaya demanded in a statement that he retract the comments, saying the government was offended. Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull stopped short of defending his minister when pressed Friday, insisting Australia had a non-discriminatory humanitarian program. "We have migrants to Australia from every part of the world... and we have a refugee program that is non-discriminatory," he said. "We have a very large South African community of Australians of South African ancestry, from every background, and they make a phenomenal contribution to our very successful multicultural society." Foreign Minister Julie Bishop denied there was a double standard in Dutton speaking up for white South African farmers but not Palestinian farmers persecuted by Israel, as noted by some commentators. "I reject that. What we do in our humanitarian visa program is assess visas on their merits and that's what Peter Dutton as home affairs minister does every day," she told ABC radio. She added that the message from Canberra to Pretoria was "that they seek to ensure the security of all their citizens". Story continues "We certainly urge the South African government to ensure that any changes to land ownership are not disruptive to the economy or lead to violence." South Africa has vowed to enact land "expropriation without compensation" to redress land confiscations of the colonial and apartheid era. Dutton, who has drawn criticism in the past for cracking down on asylum-seekers from Asia and the Middle East, was called "an out-and-out racist" by Greens leader Richard di Natale. He suggested the stance on South African farmers signalled a return to the "White Australia" policy, referring to laws in place for seven decades from 1901 that prevented non-white immigrants settling Down Under. "There's no debate as far as I'm concerned, the bloke is an out-and-out racist," he told reporters. "According to Peter Dutton, if you're a white South African farmer you are going to make a great contribution, you're not going to bludge on welfare. But if you're not white, you won't do any of those things." Up to 500,000 white South Africans have left the country in the past 30 years, according to official statistics, with Australia ranking as the top destination. mp/grk/klm SEATTLE, March 16, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- CFN Media Group ("CannabisFN"), the leading creative agency and media network dedicated to legal cannabis, announces publication of an article discussing Pivot Pharmaceuticals Inc.'s (OTCQB:PVOTF) (CSE:PVOT) (CNSX:PVOT) (PVOT.CN) pharmaceutical and nutraceutical approach to the cannabis industry, applying its proprietary delivery technologies to create high-margin, differentiated products in the space. With a robust clinical pipeline in place, investors may want to take a closer look at the company as it progresses through development. The cannabis industry is projected to reach $50 billion by 2026, according to Cowen & Co., driven by the ongoing legalization of medical and adult-use cannabis throughout the United States. While investors have traditionally focused on cultivators and dispensaries, these companies could face commoditization over the long-term given the race to the bottom when it comes to retail cannabis prices. Commoditization of Cannabis The cannabis industry has experienced tremendous growth over the past several years, but the industrys strong growth has put pressure on retail cannabis prices. Mazakali estimates that the median price for legal cannabis has fallen at a 20 percent annual rate in the five years leading up to 2017 and anticipates a similar decline going forward. The recent rush to greatly expand production of cannabis flower, especially in Canada, could apply further downward pressure to flower prices. The same report notes a rise in retail demand for edibles, tinctures, capsules, sprays, oil cartridges and other cannabinoid delivery mechanisms, taking market share away from cannabis flower products. And while pure extract prices are going down, that only means better margins for infused retail brands as consumers move toward more health-oriented options and away from smoking as a delivery method. Many cultivators have responded by increasing their production capacity and reducing costs through newer, more efficient growing technology. Other companies have focused their efforts on developing differentiated products to meet the publics shifting preferences. New Business Models Pivot Pharmaceuticals has its roots in the pharmaceutical and nutraceutical industries with a focus on innovative drug delivery platforms. By applying the intellectual property (IP) model from these industries, the company is focused on building a line up of high-margin, differentiated products that effectively deliver cannabinoids for a variety of applications. This approach insulates it from the commoditization that many other companies face in the space. Pivot has four proprietary delivery systems. The company recently acquired ERS Holdings and its patented RTIC (Ready-To-Infuse-Cannabis) technology. The patent covers the transformation of cannabis oil into powder for inclusion in food and beverage products. The company also filed continuation patents covering inclusion in health and wellness products like sleep aids and cold medications. As a result of the acquisition, RTIC Labs was formed in California with the intent of developing and distributing products utilizing the proprietary technology. The cannabis oil powder is stable, emulsified and flavorless, lending itself to a wide variety of infused applications. Pivot also recently acquired Thrudermic, LLC and its patented TDL Transdermal Nanotechnology, filing three additional patent applications to further expand protection of the proven drug delivery technology. The technology is lipid-based and relies on nano-dispersion of cannabinoid particles which do not dissolve readily in water but will dissolve in fat. Increased bioavailability, controlled drug release rates, and accurate dosing are the big advantages with this technology. BiPhasix is a patent-pending topical transdermal drug delivery platform. Pivots lead product for this technology is PGS-N005, a topical cream aimed at treating female sexual dysfunction (FSD). FSD is estimated to affect up to 43% of women between the ages of 18 and 59, and is only recently getting attention from traditional pharmaceutical companies. Pivot is also developing, among other candidates, a cream for the treatment of psoriasis. Solmic Micelle oral delivery technology is Pivots fourth proprietary platform. The technology offers high bioavailability and stability of cannabinoids utilizing easy-to-use oral drops, allowing the active ingredients to become water soluble without changing their effectiveness or composition. The initial product here is PGS-N001 intended for cancer supportive care, with other products targeting opioid withdrawal and restless leg syndrome. These products will be initially registered as Natural Health Products (NHPs) for consumers through its Pivot Green Stream subsidiary, which translates to a faster time to market and near-term revenue. The companys long-term pipeline consists of eight natural health products and six pharmaceutical products, which are in various stages of development. By simultaneously developing both types of products, the company is positioning itself to generate both short-term revenue from direct-to-consumer sales and long-term value through a traditional pharmaceutical approach where insurers would eventually cover the cost of prescriptions. Looking Ahead Pivot Pharmaceuticals Inc. (OTCQB:PVOTF) (CSE:PVOT) represents a unique investment opportunity in the cannabis industry. With a focus on high-margin, patent-protected, differentiated products, management is targeting both near-term value through NHPs and long-term value through traditional pharmaceuticals. Please follow the link to read the full article: http://www.cannabisfn.com/pivot-brings-intellectual-property-business-model-pharma-cannabis-industry/ For more information, visit the companys website at www.pivotpharma.com. About CFN Media CFN Media (CannabisFN) is the leading creative agency and media network dedicated to legal cannabis. We help marijuana businesses attract investors, customers (B2B, B2C), capital, and media visibility. Private and public marijuana companies and brands in the US and Canada rely on CFN Media to grow and succeed. Learn how to become a CFN Media client company, brand or entrepreneur: http://www.cannabisfn.com/featuredcompany Download the CFN Media iOS mobile app to access the world of cannabis from the palm of your hand: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/cannabisfn/id988009247?ls=1&mt=8 Or visit our homepage and enter your mobile number under the Apple App Store logo to receive a download link text on your iPhone: http://www.cannabisfn.com Disclaimer CannabisFN.com is not an independent financial investment advisor or broker-dealer. You should always consult with your own independent legal, tax, and/or investment professionals before making any investment decisions. The information provided on http://www.cannabisfn.com (the Site) is either original financial news or paid advertisements drafted by our in-house team or provided by an affiliate. CannabisFN.com, a financial news media and marketing firm enters into media buys or service agreements with the companies that are the subject of the articles posted on the Site or other editorials for advertising such companies. We are not an independent news media provider. We make no warranty or representation about the information including its completeness, accuracy, truthfulness or reliability and we disclaim, expressly and implicitly, all warranties of any kind, including whether the Information is complete, accurate, truthful, or reliable. As such, your use of the information is at your own risk. Nor do we undertake any obligation to update the items posted. CannabisFN.com received compensation for producing and presenting high quality and sophisticated content on CannabisFN.com along with financial and corporate news. The above article is sponsored content. Emerging Growth LLC, which owns CannabisFN.com and CFN Media, has been hired to create awareness. Please follow the link below to view our full disclosure outlining our compensation: http://www.cannabisfn.com/legal-disclaimer/ Frank Lane 206-369-7050 flane@cannabisfn.com No thanks Reply Thread Link None of these heauxs are Carrie Fisher Reply Thread Link Ugh I just read her two bios So good Reply Parent Thread Link She was SUCH a good writer. Reply Parent Thread Link Oh god. QUEEN Reply Parent Thread Link but why Reply Thread Link "A female serial rapist" - why would you even? Maybe I'm trying to rationalize in the hopes that predators (especially men) know what victims of assault endure, but then part of me thinks reddit neckbeards are going to use this as "SEEEEEE WOMEN ARE JUST AS BAD!!!!!" Reply Thread Link I think it *could* be a really compelling concept so I'm gonna hold out until I can see for myself, but IA... although surely even neckbeards can recognize that it is FICTION Reply Parent Thread Link mte Reply Parent Thread Link She should of just stuck with the shitty slam poetry Reply Thread Link Her friendship with Tarantino suddenly makes sense. Reply Thread Link Since getting with David Cross her insufferability has turned all the way up Reply Thread Link keep it sis Reply Thread Link Can we just turn this into a book post? I just finished Temeraire! It's by the woman who wrote Uprooted and it was really good Reply Thread Link I'm reading The unwomanly face of war and the writing style really isn't helping tbh. Reply Parent Thread Link Yesssss I love that book! Temeraire is King and Lawrence grew on me as the series went on. I'm reading she rides right now, such an emotional rollercoaster Reply Parent Thread Link I love Temeraire, but the sequels didn't do it for me Reply Parent Thread Link It's also by the same one known for pretty damn good Stargate fanfic, too. Reply Parent Thread Link right now i'm reading the woman in the window and so far i like it Reply Parent Thread Link no wonder she wont stfu Reply Thread Link oh, emily Reply Thread Link say what Reply Thread Link English Norwegian Based on the Company's 2017 results, including the profit from the sale of the Singapore terminal, the Board of Director recommends a dividend of NOK 1.50 per share. The dividend is subject to shareholders approval and will be voted on at the Company's Annual General Meeting, scheduled for 8 May 2018 in Bergen, Norway. Dividend amount: 1.50 per share Declared currency: NOK Last day including right: 08.05.2018 Ex-date: 09.05.2018 Record date: 10.05.2018 Payment date: 14.05.2018 Date of approval: 08.05.2018 This information is subject to the disclosure requirements pursuant to section 5 -12 of the Norwegian Securities Trading Act. i ddin't know this was irish in origin Reply Parent Thread Link I remember when Phoebe turned into a banshee on Charmed. Reply Parent Thread Link I didnt know banshee was based on a folklore Reply Parent Thread Link i first learned about banshees playing Fable II lol. they weren't really lore relevant besides the cloak and the screaming tho Reply Parent Thread Link boooo. hope your friend is okay? Reply Parent Thread Link DJ Ravioli and I just wanna make you happy pic.twitter.com/1s67ps3Fue iAmMoshow (@iammoshow) March 14, 2018 his twitter makes me so happy his twitter makes me so happy Reply Thread Link i keep a list of possible pet names cus i'm a nerd like that and i definitely have food names for cats. i really want a cat named Cream Puff Reply Parent Thread Expand Link What are they?! Cheese? Reply Parent Thread Link i love this guy. his cat serenades are a gift Reply Parent Thread Expand Link DJ Ravioli is a fantastic name. Reply Parent Thread Link i love this Reply Parent Thread Link I went to Tikal in Guatemala, it was like a dream come true. I kinda wanna go to devil's pool, but it looks scary af. and that swing... no thanks lol. i'll watch you swing on it tho, at a safe distance. Reply Parent Thread Link Teotihuacan is also on my bucket list. Reply Parent Thread Link omg that sounds like so much fun. i want to do everything? skydiving, base jumping, i want to go everywhere and do all the things. i definitely want to go on a treehouse tour of the world. that's probably very high on my bucket list (that i've never really ordered in any way) Reply Parent Thread Link Rode the Jacobite train (made famous in Harry Potter) Visited the bone church outside of Prague Visited a souk in Morocco Stayed in one of the glass igloos up in the Finnish Laplands under the northern lights I have so much more I want to see. Some of my achievements:Rode the Jacobite train (made famous in Harry Potter)Visited the bone church outside of PragueVisited a souk in MoroccoStayed in one of the glass igloos up in the Finnish Laplands under the northern lightsI have so much more I want to see. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link I hiked the Milford Track in New Zealand 5 years ago. It was beautiful and so much fun. Reply Parent Thread Link Things I've achieved: Crocheted a blanket. Ate at Alinea. Went to Ireland. Things still on there: Go to Italy. Skydive. Learn French. Go to Iceland. Reply Parent Thread Link This summer I'm hiking up Mount Kilimanjaro, and hopefully that inspires me to actually make a list of adventures. This one kinda just came up but there's so much to do! Reply Parent Thread Link Terra del Fuego is on my bucket list. Trying to get to the Antarctic tbh. And space! I can die happily then. Reply Parent Thread Link there are a lot of places i want to go but definitely Brazil, Israel, the Galapagos Islands, Japan. and i'd love to visit some of the places my ancestors came from - Norway, Umbria in Italy, Sardinia, various places in Russia, Estonia, Israel. places i've already crossed off - Egypt, Paris, Venice, Hitler's eagle nest & a concentration camp, Anne Frank house (i read a lot on WWII so it was incredible to be able to actually see those places) Reply Parent Thread Link Achievements: 1. got a college degree 2. been to 47 states 3. lost my virginity on February 29 4. Reply Parent Thread Link I want it nowwwwww! I bought a working Spice Girls "Spice Cam" Polaroid camera on eBay yesterday and now this is me:I want it nowwwwww! Reply Thread Link OMG, I am so jealous! Reply Parent Thread Link omg i need one too Reply Parent Thread Link Going through the webtoon post and thrillers post and I've added so much to my TBR list. Reply Thread Link my school library recently took a ton of books out of circulation and put them on the free shelves. i 'only' took 4 Reply Parent Thread Link I love when libraries do that. I took so many Nat Geos. I live for old Nat Geos. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link that pic is soooo true. i have about 5 books out at the library right now that i really want to read and another EIGHT that are on hold for me. not counting the 4 ebooks i downloaded and really want to start as well. whyyyyy ;_; Reply Parent Thread Link Cries. Ive started so many books and I just want to start MORE. But I shouldnt. Ahhhhh. Reply Parent Thread Link I cleared out like 10 books of my to read list already this year! At first I said I couldn't add to it until I reached 50 (20 more books), but that feels a bit too brutal. Reply Parent Thread Link 14 days and 180eur later i'm BACK! new keyboard, waheyyyy. i missed everyone (srsly, i really did). how has your 14d been? bake anything nice? go on any dates? read any good books? i haven't even been able to keep up w/gossip, my phone is so fucking old. but true love is dad, gigi and zayn broke up. that's actually about all i know! 14 days and 180eur later i'm BACK! new keyboard, waheyyyy.i missed everyone (srsly, i really did). how has your 14d been? bake anything nice? go on any dates? read any good books?i haven't even been able to keep up w/gossip, my phone is so fucking old. but true love is dad, gigi and zayn broke up. that's actually about all i know! Reply Thread Link i spilled tea on my laptop and broke my keyboard. i tried to pop on whenever i could access a school computer...but i was also in the middle of midterms (and it was snowing here! everything shut down) so using ontd was sort of a nogo Reply Parent Thread Link i missed you and happy you're back :) Reply Parent Thread Expand Link bake anything nice? Late reply. I've baked a handful of things this past week! I'll post pictures on Monday. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link my bf and i are going to a pokemon flash tattoo event tomorrow, except the shop doesn't open until noon and he wants to get there at 6 am which means leaving at 4 am i'm not even the one getting a tattoo pls kill me, but at least i'm getting cookout for the first time in like 3 years!!!!!! Reply Thread Link omg that's so much for not even getting a tattoo Reply Parent Thread Link if it makes you feel better i have a BA and my bf only has an associates and makes more than I do not even using his degree just working at the apple store Reply Parent Thread Link I went on a date last weekend with this guy who lives by himself in a really sick 2-bedroom apartment in a really nice/expensive neighborhood and like, co-founded his own company, and all I could think was that I could never seriously date someone like that without developing a major inferiority complex as much as I'd love to be "taken care of" for my laziness' sake, it would always make me incredibly uneasy Reply Parent Thread Link i don't even make 1/3 of what my boyfriend makes, i feel ya sis Reply Parent Thread Link My nephews are like this. Yes, I blame my sister and her ex shitbag, but I really do think her kids just suck too. Reply Parent Thread Link Me every time Daniel Wu was onscreen When Lara flexed her arm muscles Saw Tomb Raider last nightMe every time Daniel Wu was onscreenWhen Lara flexed her arm muscles Reply Thread Link i LOVE daniel wu, i forgot he was in the new tomb raider (tbh i only know alicia's in it and nothing else). her body is amazzzzzzzzzzzzing in the trailers/promo stuff. do you watch into the badlands? i need to put myself in their path bc they film here in dublin Reply Parent Thread Link yesss. the movie was pure eye candy (and action porn) Reply Parent Thread Link Theres a march in sf? I was trying to find the marches and didnt see any in sf, only surrounding areas Reply Parent Thread Link Me! I dont know if Im going to do a poster yet. Reply Parent Thread Link i'm marching but not sure what my sign will say. i will probably allude to the fact that there was a mass shooting in my city that was one of the deadliest at the time and is no longer in the top 10 even though it's been less than 10 years. Reply Parent Thread Link dammit, i forgot what i was gonna post Reply Thread Link lol same Reply Parent Thread Link this always happens to me. esp in roundups Reply Parent Thread Link Post it as a journal entry and then when Roundup time hits, copy and paste it! Reply Parent Thread Expand Link My younger brother (17, junior in hs) participated in the walkout and later that day he was asking my dad how to register to vote and what it means to choose parties. Of course my dad was giving him the wrong information unintentionally about primaries and how they work in CA and then said some shit about how he doesnt believe in 3rd parties, only republican and Democrat. Made sure my brother knew it was okay to not pick a party and in California I was able to vote in the democratic primaries as an unaffiliated voter. Im glad hes taking some interest. Reply Thread Link that's amazing! i'm so glad he is getting engaged. i know in some states you can pre-register? idk if CA is one of them (bc i didn't register to vote in CA until i turned 18) Reply Parent Thread Link Yeah he was talking about pre-registering since he wont be 18 by this years election Reply Parent Thread Link Pennsylvania Posts Opioid Data Dashboard "This information allows us to look at the areas where the opioid crisis is doing the most damage," Acting Health Secretary Dr. Rachel Levine said. "Through this data, we can see where prevention is needed, where rescue can be improved, and where treatment is necessary to help those communities that have been affected the most by the opioid epidemic." Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf Administration unveiled an opioid data dashboard on March 14 that will help focus resources locally in battling the opioids problem. "Access to this data will allow our Opioid Operational Command Center, local officials, and all those involved in battling the opioid crisis to look at where our efforts are needed most," he said. "This information is vital as we all work together to help our loved ones, our neighbors and our communities who continue to be devastated by this crisis." The dashboard focuses on data sets in the three main areas distinguished by Wolf in his Jan. 10 disaster declaration: prevention, rescue, and treatment. It also shows data at the county level. "This information allows us to look at the areas where the opioid crisis is doing the most damage," Acting Health Secretary and Physician General Dr. Rachel Levine said. "Through this data, we can see where prevention is needed, where rescue can be improved, and where treatment is necessary to help those communities that have been affected the most by the opioid epidemic." Maximize Efficiency by Minimizing Workplace Injuries From unexpected falls to machinery mishaps, accidents at work are unpredictable and can happen to anyone. In 2016, approximately 2.9 million nonfatal workplace injuries and illnesses were reported by private industry employers. Putting in the extra effort to guarantee your work environment is safe shows employees you care about their well-being and may help improve workforce morale and productivity. By taking action and following these precautionary steps, you can prevent common workplace injuries and protect your employees. Falls Falls have the unfortunate (but unsurprising) distinction of being the most common type of work injury. In one swift movement, you can hurt your body and your dignity. Slips, trips, and falls often can be avoided by keeping work spaces free of clutter; less to trip over means fewer injuries. Keep walkways clear, boxes and files organized and properly stored, and electrical cords secured and covered. Use drip pans and guards when dealing with a liquid, and clean any spill immediately. Placing rugs and other skid-resistant surfaces in areas that might become slippery when wet can reduce falls. Pro tip: Add extra rugs in entryways to prevent slippery floors during rainy and snowy seasons. Employees should refrain from standing on chairs, especially those with wheels. If you need assistance with something out of reach, use a step ladder that is placed on firm, level ground, or connect with the on-site specialist or maintenance team. The National Safety Council also suggests keeping vision lines clear by installing convex mirrors to improve sight lines when turning corners. Struck or Caught By Objects Being struck by or caught on an object is another common concern. Stack boxes straight up and down, but avoid piling them to the point where they become unstable. Remember to store heavy objects close to the floor to help lower the risk of being injured if a cabinet or bookshelf falls over. Beware of fully-extended file cabinet drawers because the cabinets are prone to toppling over. Equipment Usage Misusing equipment is one of the most prevalent causes of workplace injuries. Each staff member should be thoroughly trained on how to use equipment common to daily tasks and operations. Additionally, ensure each piece of equipment is used for its intended purpose and handled correctly. Regularly cleaning and inspecting equipment also can help certify that it's safe to use. If needed, confirm employees are wearing protective clothing such as safety glasses, helmets, or gloves when operating equipment to provide extra protection, and follow OSHA compliance. Fire Safety Fire hazards remain an ongoing concern. Start taking safety precautions by making sure all electrical cords are in good condition, because damaged cords can be a serious problem. Limit the use of space heaters and never leave one unattended. If you do need to use a space heater, keep it away from paper products and confirm it has a fail-safe for turning off if it tips over. Keep fire escape routes clear, and never block or shut off fire sprinklers. Verify all staffers are aware of the company's fire exit strategy by holding annual fire drills. Annually review fire alarms and extinguishers to be sure they are working and up to date. If using combustible materials in the work environment, keep only the amount needed on hand and store materials in fire-safe containers in an assigned storage area. Using industrial vacuums to frequently clean work spaces also helps prevent dust accumulation and fires. Substance Control Opioid addiction is affecting people from all walks of life, including your employees. Employees under the influence are more likely to be involved in an on-the-job accident because of impaired judgement, response time, and reflexes. Is your workplace current with drug testing policies? Expand existing policies to include commonly prescribed medications (opioids), as well as illicit drugs and alcohol. Implementing this type of testing establishes the use of drugs and can allow the employer to help the employee seek help for drug addiction. Employers can start the conversation by educating their workforce about what's expected from the drug testing program and what resources they can access through the company Employee Assistance Program (EAP). An EAP helps facilitate support by connecting employees with ongoing resources to stay clean and find healthier stress solutions outside of drug use. Drug testing is the first step in recognizing a problem and will keep and support a safe workplace. Take Breaks Many work-related injuries occur when a worker is tired and isn't paying close attention to surrounding dangers. Whether you're sitting at a computer all day or doing manual labor, it's important to take breaks to rest your mind and your body. While workplace injuries can never fully be avoided, they can be decreased. Administrative staff play a key role when identifying and eliminating potentially harmful conditions. When conducting workplace walk-throughs, take this list of safety tips and see how many can be applied to your current work environment. Talk to employees about their needs and concerns, educate them on safety procedures, and establish a reporting system for potential hazards so that issues can be addressed before they cause a future workplace injury. Katie Moser is the network operations specialist for FEI Behavioral Health. She provides critical incident support for corporate customers and activations, and also supports the crisis management department with deployment and scheduling of crisis responders during drills and activations. She graduated from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse with a Bachelor of Science in Sociology. FEI has a 35-year history in enhancing workforce resiliency by offering a full spectrum of solutions, from EAP and organizational development to workplace violence prevention and crisis management. One of the most successful social enterprises in America, FEI is wholly owned by the Alliance for Strong Families and Communities, a national network of social sector organizations working to achieve its vision of a healthy and equitable society. Learn more at feinet.com. Australia insisted its humanitarian program was non-discriminatory Friday after South Africa reacted furiously to suggestions "persecuted" white farmers could be fast-tracked into the country, as the minister involved was called a racist. Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton sparked controversy by singling out the farmers' need to flee "horrific circumstances" for a "civilised country". According to police, 74 farmers were murdered between 2016 and 2017 in South Africa, which has one of the world's highest crime rates. Dutton's decision to examine whether they deserve "special attention" for acceptance on refugee or humanitarian grounds led to South Africa hauling in Australia's envoy to Pretoria for a ticking off. Foreign ministry spokesman Ndivhuwo Mabaya demanded in a statement that he retract the comments, saying the government was offended. Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull stopped short of defending his minister when pressed Friday, insisting Australia had a non-discriminatory humanitarian program. "We have migrants to Australia from every part of the world... and we have a refugee program that is non-discriminatory," he said. "We have a very large South African community of Australians of South African ancestry, from every background, and they make a phenomenal contribution to our very successful multicultural society." Foreign Minister Julie Bishop denied there was a double standard in Dutton speaking up for white South African farmers but not Palestinian farmers persecuted by Israel, as noted by some commentators. "I reject that. What we do in our humanitarian visa program is assess visas on their merits and that's what Peter Dutton as home affairs minister does every day," she told ABC radio. She added that the message from Canberra to Pretoria was "that they seek to ensure the security of all their citizens". "We certainly urge the South African government to ensure that any changes to land ownership are not disruptive to the economy or lead to violence." South Africa has vowed to enact land "expropriation without compensation" to redress land confiscations of the colonial and apartheid era. Dutton, who has drawn criticism in the past for cracking down on asylum-seekers from Asia and the Middle East, was called "an out-and-out racist" by Greens leader Richard di Natale. He suggested the stance on South African farmers signalled a return to the "White Australia" policy, referring to laws in place for seven decades from 1901 that prevented non-white immigrants settling Down Under. "There's no debate as far as I'm concerned, the bloke is an out-and-out racist," he told reporters. "According to Peter Dutton, if you're a white South African farmer you are going to make a great contribution, you're not going to bludge on welfare. But if you're not white, you won't do any of those things." Up to 500,000 white South Africans have left the country in the past 30 years, according to official statistics, with Australia ranking as the top destination. Japan's finance minister will skip a G20 meeting next week, officials said Friday, to address parliament as pressure mounts over a cronyism scandal and alleged cover-up dogging the prime minister. Taro Aso "will concentrate on" dealing with parliament, and will be represented at the meeting by his deputy Minoru Kihara, a ministry official told AFP. The decision comes as a new poll showed support for Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's government down 9.4 percentage points from last month to 39.3 percent, the lowest since his resounding reelection in October. The Jiji Press poll published Friday, which comes after two other media surveys this week showing drops in support for Abe, put the premier's disapproval rating at 40.4 percent. Ruling and opposition lawmakers have agreed to hold a hearing Monday on the growing scandal over the cut-price sale of government land to a supporter of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, and the alteration of finance ministry documents related to the deal. Aso and Abe will attend the parliamentary session, according to opposition Democratic Party officials. Both have been on the ropes in recent days as the cronyism and cover-up scandal balloons. Aso is under intense scrutiny after he admitted this week that official papers related to the favouritism scandal had been altered. He has repeatedly apologised, but rejected calls from the opposition to step down over the row, saying his job is "to find out truth". The scandal centres on the 2016 sale of state-owned land to one of Abe's supporters at a price well below market value. It first emerged early last year, but resurfaced after the revelation that official documents related to the sale had been changed. Versions of the original and doctored documents made public by opposition lawmakers appeared to show passing references to Abe had been scrubbed, along with several references to his wife Akie, and to Aso. Aso has blamed the alterations on "some staff members" at the ministry, and says he had only learned about them on Sunday. However, top government spokesman Yoshihide Suga said Thursday that he and Abe learned about the possibility that documents had been altered days earlier. Opposition parties want to summon Nobuhisa Sagawa, formerly the head of the finance ministry department that oversaw the land deal, to testify in parliament. Sagawa was promoted last year to tax agency chief but stepped down last week over the scandal. Abe's party is expected to approve the request for Sagawa to appear with the testimony coming as early as next week. Adding to the row, a ministry official at the heart of the land deal was found dead last week in a suspected suicide. Japanese media reported Friday that files found on his computer say he was "forced to alter documents" by a superior, without naming the person. The use of bots to meddle in political elections. Algorithms that learn who people are and keep them coming back to social media platforms. The rise of autonomous vehicles and drones that could displace hundreds of thousands of workers. The "robot apocalypse" that some envisioned with the rise of artificial intelligence hasn't arrived, but machine learning systems are becoming part of Californians' everyday lives, tech experts told state lawmakers in Sacramento earlier this month. As use of the technology becomes more widespread, so will the challenges for legislators who will have to grapple with how and when they should step in to protect people's personal data. "AI might be over-hyped, but it is here to stay," said Olaf Groth, an international business professor at UC Berkeley. "We are indeed at the threshold, at the moment, between AI being a new development that promises significant growth in the economy, and AI also causing significant disruptions in society." The state Assembly hearing was the second this year to take on the issue of artificial intelligence. The committee's chair, Assemblyman Ed Chau, D-Arcadia, said he hoped it would be one of many to open a dialogue on a force already reshaping society. Members of the Little Hoover Commission, an independent state oversight agency that reviews government operations, held a similar discussion last month. AI is loosely defined as the theory and development of computer systems able to perform tasks that traditionally require human intelligence. Courts use artificial intelligence to determine whether defendants are fit for release on bail, scientists are developing AI systems to match patients with treatment and at least one company is using AI to rethink how local stores deliver groceries. Representatives with tech companies Adobe and Postmates argued during this month's hearing that lawmakers should not move too quickly on developing privacy regulations. "The best thing we can do to make AI unbiased (and efficient) is to ensure (lawmakers) can get trained on the broadest sets of data that are out there," said Dana Rao, vice president of intellectual property and litigation with Adobe. But tech privacy experts countered, saying users want more control over how their personal information is shared. Patients, for example, may agree to share their medical data with one AI developer, but might not want that business to release their information to their employers or health insurance companies. State lawmakers have started to tackle some of these issues. Legislation this year would require social companies to identify bots on their platforms. Other bills would fund independent research on the addictive qualities of social media, require manufacturers to install new security features on their internet-connect devices and force police to disclose all of their tech equipment, such as facial recognition software. Jonathan Feldman of the California Police Chiefs Assn. envisioned a scenario in which police will someday use AI to predict violent or criminal behavior, allowing officers to make better decisions on the job. But without better transparency laws, the public will have little knowledge of what these automated systems are collecting from everyday people and whether their predictions are accurate, said Matt Cagle, a technology lawyer with the ACLU of Northern California. Samantha Corbin, a tech privacy lobbyist who recently co-launched the We Said Enough App to report sexual harassment, argued there should be more state protections against data misuse across all fields. "The level of information that can be aggregated, the degree of intimate knowledge that will be known about individualsthis lifetime datais in many ways unprotected by outdated existing laws regarding privacy, security and even human research," she said. Explore further Facebook to launch privacy center ahead of EU regulations 2018 Los Angeles Times Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Cities experienced 2.3 more assaults than average on days when hosting presidential campaign rallies for Donald Trump during the lead-up to the 2016 United States Presidential Election, according to a first of its kind study published online today in Epidemiology by researchers in the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. Hillary Clinton rallies were not linked to any increase in assaults, they found. "News media sources reported there were violent incidents at some campaign rallies, but it was difficult to gauge whether there really was a systematic problem, and if so, how many additional assaults were associated with each rally," said the study's lead author, Christopher Morrison, PhD, MPH, a fellow in Penn's Center for Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics and an epidemiologist in the Penn Injury Science Center. "To prevent similar violence in the future, it is important to understand the underlying causes of this behavior, perhaps including the role that political rhetoric might play in normalizing or promoting violence." Focusing on cities of greater than 200,000 people, the team performed a systematic Google search and found publicly available data for 31 rallies in 22 cities for Trump and 38 rallies in 21 cities for Clinton. Using assault data from police departments in those cities, including aggravated assaults, simple assaults, and/or battery, the team counted assaults on the day of each rally. For comparison, they also counted assaults on corresponding days of the week for four weeks before and four weeks after each rally. Rallies in the study were defined as open invitation events that occurred after Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton declared their candidacies in spring 2015 and before the U.S. Presidential Election on November 8, 2016, featured a speech by Trump or Clinton, and were not on the same day as a party primary election in the same state as the rally. The researchers suggest two possible explanations for their findings. First, all additional assaults could have occurred in and around the venues of candidate Trump's rallies where people invested in the process gathered. This explanation is consistent with news media reports that violence occurred at these specific locations. Second, additional assaults that took place might have occurred elsewhere in the rally cities. Studies informed by theories of social contagion find evidence that emotional states can be transmitted through news reports and digital social media, which could have led to more assaults occurring away from the rally sites. The researchers note that Trump rallies were widely broadcast and discussed through news reports and digital social media, such as a rally in Cedar Rapids, Iowa during which candidate Trump remarked that he would "knock the crap out of" would-be hecklers at the event, and other examples from the non-partisan POLITIFACT. "This research provides evidence that this increase in assaults is associated with candidate Trump's rallies leading up to the election," said senior author Douglas Wiebe, PhD, an associate professor in Epidemiology. "Violent language may have affected the mood and behavior of rally attendees, as well as those exposed to the rally through news reports and social media." The researchers added that weather can also influence crime rates, so the team consulted National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration data for the weather station nearest to each study city to control for temperature and precipitation. Explore further WikiLeaks gave Trump edge in campaign, tweets show Jennifer Selgrath and squid fishers in the Philippines. Credit: Jennifer Selgrath Some of the fishing methods used in today's small-scale fisheries are causing more damage to coral reefs than ever, a new UBC study has found. The study, conducted in the Philippines by the Institute for the Oceans and Fisheries' Project Seahorse and the Landscape Ecology Group at the University of British Columbia, tracked changes in the types of fishing methodssuch as hand line, traps and netsused on coral reefs between 1950 and 2010. Researchers found that from the 1960s onwards, the use of relatively sustainable fishing methods like hook and line fishing remained stable, while there was a marked increase in the use of fishing practices that were less selective and more destructive, even illegal. In particular, the study found that about a quarter of the fishers in the region use destructive fishing methods including explosives and poison, which were both outlawed by the Philippine government in 1932. Most other destructive fishing methods were outlawed by the government in 1998. Despite legislation that banned destructive fishing, the use of such illegal methods persisted. For example, a growing number of fishers used crowbars to break apart corals so they could catch valuable but elusive animals such as abalone. "It is vital not to let damaging fishing practices become the norm," said Jennifer Selgrath, the lead author who was a PhD candidate at the University of British Columbia during the research study. "Once people started using destructive fishing methods they stuck with what is familiar - even after those methods later became illegal. So, it's essential to ensure young fishers engage with sustainable fishing methods such as hook and line fishing, or traps. It's also critical to motivate older fishers to set aside destructive methods." The researchers found that total fishing efforts in the area expanded by more than 240 per cent between 1960 and 2010 because of an increase in damaging fishing practices and number of fishers. Previous research by Project Seahorse and the Landscape Ecology Group found that the increase in fishing effort was even greater when they considered the locations where people fished, since fishing tends to be concentrated in popular areas. National fishing policies and development funding in the Philippines during the 1970s and 1980s promoted higher catches of marine life and the researchers found this corresponded to an expansion in the tools and methods used by fishers. Changes in fishing gear use persisted decades after those same policies were stopped in order to promote sustainable fishing. "If the Philippines were to fully implement its new fishing laws on sustainability, then ocean protection would improve and use of damaging gears would decline," said Selgrath. "Fisher organizations can also take the lead, as sometimes happens in the Philippines, and cooperate on limiting destruction, ideally with support from local government." Explore further Small-scale fisheries have big impact on oceans More information: Jennifer C. Selgrath et al, Shifting gears: Diversification, intensification, and effort increases in small-scale fisheries (1950-2010), PLOS ONE (2018). Journal information: PLoS ONE Jennifer C. Selgrath et al, Shifting gears: Diversification, intensification, and effort increases in small-scale fisheries (1950-2010),(2018). DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0190232 TORONTO, March 16, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Honey Badger Exploration Inc. (TSX-V:TUF) (Honey Badger or the Company) announces that it has mobilized a drill to commence a 1,500 m drilling program at its Thunder Bay Polymetallic Silver Camp. The drilling program is anticipated to start tomorrow. Earlier this year, the Company completed a systematic exploration program. Combining field measurements, historic data and airborne geophysics (electromagnetic and airborne magnetic), Honey Badger identified key structural controls on the polymetallic silver mineralization of its Beaver Silver Property. Scientific literature indicates that most of the high-grade polymetallic silver veins in the area are located at the junction of faults. The selection of drill targets in the vicinity of the historic Beaver Mine (average historic grade of 0.25% silver) on the Beaver Silver Property was made possible through the integration of available geoscientific data and the construction of a 3D model of the structures known to host polymetallic silver mineralization. These intersections will be tested in the upcoming drill program. Honey Badgers current exploration program at the Thunder Bay Silver Camp also included the collection of rock samples from the Silver Mountain and Mink properties. These underwent spectral and geochemical analysis to examine alterations and were sent for assaying. Results are expected in the coming weeks. About Honey Badgers Thunder Bay Silver Camp Honey Badger has secured a large land package in the historic Thunder Bay Silver District that totals 55.6 sq. km. The Thunder Bay Silver Camp includes three properties: the Beaver Silver Property, the Mink Property and the Silver Mountain Property. All three are prospective for multi-element silver mineralization similar to that of the Cobalt District. All properties are ideally located close to roads, power lines, infrastructure, and skilled labour force. The geological and mining history of the Thunder Bay Silver district indicate a high potential for new discoveries in the region. The region remains under-explored or un-explored with modern exploration techniques and the Company considers that there is a good potential to discover additional silver mineralization, including nickel and cobalt, at its newly acquired Thunder Bay Silver Camp. About Honey Badger Exploration Inc. Honey Badger Exploration is a gold and base-metals exploration company headquartered in Toronto, Ontario, Canada with properties in Quebec and Ontario. The Company's common shares trade on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol TUF. For more information, please visit our website at http://www.honeybadgerexp.com. Or contact: Quentin Yarie, President & CEO, (416) 364-7029, qyarie@honeybadgerexp.com or Mia Boiridy, Investor Relations, (416) 364-7029, mboiridy@honeybadgerexp.com Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. This News Release contains forward-looking statements. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terminology such as may, should, expects, plans, anticipates, believes, estimates, predicts, potential or continue or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology. These statements are only predictions and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our or our industrys actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes that the assumptions and factors used in preparing the forward-looking information in this news release are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on such information, which only applies as of the date of this news release. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, other than as required by law. Takarkori rock shelter. Credit: University of Huddersfield By analysing a prehistoric site in the Libyan desert, a team of researchers from the universities of Huddersfield, Rome and Modena & Reggio Emilia has been able to establish that people in Saharan Africa were cultivating and storing wild cereals 10,000 years ago. In addition to revelations about early agricultural practices, there could be a lesson for the future, if global warming leads to a necessity for alternative crops. The importance of find came together through a well-established official collaboration between the University of Huddersfield and the University of Modena & Reggio Emilia. The team has been investigating findings from an ancient rock shelter at a site named Takarkori in south-western Libya. It is desert now, but in the Holocene age, some 10,000 years ago, it was part of the "green Sahara" and wild cereals grew there. More than 200,000 seedsin small circular concentrationswere discovered at Takarkori, which showed that hunter-gatherers developed an early form of agriculture by harvesting and storing crops. But an alternative possibility was that ants, which are capable of moving seeds, had been responsible for the concentrations. Dr. Stefano Vanin, the University of Huddersfield's Reader in Forensic Biology and a leading entomologist in the forensic and archaeological fields, analysed a large number of samples, now stored at the University of Modena & Reggio Emilia. His observations enabled him to demonstrate that insects were not responsible and this supports the hypothesis of human activity in collection and storage of the seeds The investigation at Takarkori provided the first-known evidence of storage and cultivation of cereal seeds in Africa. The site has yielded other key discoveries, including the vestiges of a basket, woven from roots, that could have been used to gather the seeds. Also, chemical analysis of pottery from the site demonstrates that cereal soup and cheese were being produced. A new article that describes the latest findings and the lessons to be learned appears in the journal Nature Plants. Titled Plant behaviour from human imprints and the cultivation of wild cereals in Holocene Sahara, it is co-authored by Anna Maria Mercuri, Rita Fornaciari, Marina Gallinaro, Savino di Lernia and Dr. Vanin. One of the article's conclusions is that although the wild cereals, harvested by the people of the Holocene Sahara, are defined as "weeds" in modern agricultural terms, they could be an important food of the future. "The same behaviour that allowed these plants to survive in a changing environment in a remote past makes them some of the most likely possible candidates as staple resources in a coming future of global warming. They continue to be successfully exploited and cultivated in Africa today and are attracting the interest of scientists searching for new food resources," state the authors. Research based on findings at Takarkori continues. Dr. Vanin is supervising Ph.D. student Jennifer Pradellione of a cohort of doctoral candidates at the University of Huddersfield funded by a 1 million award from the Leverhulme Trustand she is analysing insect evidence in order to learn more about the evolution of animal breeding at the site. Explore further Forensic entomologist unearths Chinese migrant fly in Europe More information: Anna Maria Mercuri et al, Plant behaviour from human imprints and the cultivation of wild cereals in Holocene Sahara, Nature Plants (2018). Journal information: Nature Plants Anna Maria Mercuri et al, Plant behaviour from human imprints and the cultivation of wild cereals in Holocene Sahara,(2018). DOI: 10.1038/s41477-017-0098-1 The European Union will next week unveil plans for a digital tax on US tech giants like Facebook, Amazon and Google as transatlantic tensions flare over prospects of a trade war. The move is aimed at recovering billions from multinationals that divert European earnings to low-tax countries, and opens a new front in an offensive by Brussels against Silicon Valley giants. Brussels proposes "big tech" should be taxed on overall revenue in the bloc and not just on their profits, at a rate somewhere between two percent and five percent, according to a draft obtained by AFP. EU Economic Affairs Commissioner Pierre Moscovici says the plan that he will announce on Wednesday will "create a consensus and an electroshock" on taxing digital firms. But the digital plan may fan fears of a trade war as Brussels prepares to retaliate against US President Donald Trump's moves to impose steel and aluminium tariffs. The tech titans plan will target companies with worldwide annual turnover above 750 million euros ($924 million), such as Google, Facebook, Twitter, Airbnb and Uber. Spared are smaller European start-ups that struggle to compete with them. Companies like Netflix, which depend on subscriptions, may also avoid the chop, a source close to the issue told AFP. Critics say tax-avoidance strategies used by the California tech giants deprive EU governments of billions of euros while giving them an unfair advantage over smaller rivals. Under EU law, firms like Google and Facebook can choose to book their income in any member state, prompting them to pick low-tax nations like Ireland, the Netherlands or Luxembourg. That can mean other nations in the bloc miss out on tax revenue from the US firms, even though sales in those countries may account for a bigger share of the earnings. Turning the screw Under the EU plan, revenue from the digital tax would be fairly distributed to where the companies actually operate, according to the level of activity in those countries and not the level of booked profit. Brussels will unveil the plan on the eve of the March 22 European Union summit in Brussels, which is also set to debate the issue, and ahead of an April G20 meeting of the world's most developed economies. France, Germany, Italy, Spain and Britainthe five EU G20 membersare pushing first for a European solution that can set an example for the rest of the world. French President Emmanuel Macron, who is energetically lobbying for a series of reforms to the EU in the wake of the Brexit vote, has been a particularly strong proponent on taking on the big US tech firms. "Our international partners are not moving fast enough to meet the challenge of digital tax," said Moscovici, a Frenchman. But for the plan to become reality it must be unanimously approved by all EU countries, and it remains to be seen whether the big states can win the support of smaller ones that offer the tax breaks to the tech titans. The EU has turned the screw on US tech giants recently, ordering Apple in 2016 to repay 13 billion euros in back taxes to Ireland, and hitting Google with a record 2.4-billion-euro fine in June last year for illegally favouring its shopping service in search results The EU has repeatedly pledged to crack down on tax avoidance in recent years after the "LuxLeaks" scandal showed how multinationals divert profits through low-tax countries, and the Panama Papers uncovered huge offshore movements. Explore further US opposes taxes on big tech firms 2018 AFP The EU wants to change how it tax US tech titans to ensure all countries get a fair share. European Union plans for a digital tax on US tech giants like Facebook, Amazon and Google sparked fresh trade war tensions with Washington on Friday. Brussels will next week unveil proposals aimed at recovering billions from multinationals that divert European earnings to low-tax countries, the latest front in an offensive by Brussels against Silicon Valley giants. The European Commission will propose that "big tech" should be taxed on overall revenue in the bloc and not just on their profits, at a rate somewhere between two percent and five percent, according to a draft obtained by AFP. EU Economic Affairs Commissioner Pierre Moscovici says the plan that he will announce on Wednesday will "create a consensus and an electroshock" on taxing digital firms. US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin warned against jeopardising the major contribution tech firms make to US jobs and economic growth. "The US firmly opposes proposals by any country to single out digital companies," Mnuchin said on Friday. The EU plan comes as Brussels and Washington are at odds over US President Donald Trump's intention to impose steel and aluminium tariffs. Brussels is seeking an exemption from the tariffs but is preparing to retaliate if Trump goes ahead. The tech titans plan will target companies with worldwide annual turnover above 750 million euros ($924 million), such as Google, Facebook, Twitter, Airbnb and Uber. Spared are smaller European start-ups that struggle to compete with them. Companies like Netflix, which depend on subscriptions, may also avoid the chop, a source close to the issue told AFP. Critics say tax-avoidance strategies used by the California tech giants deprive EU governments of billions of euros while giving them an unfair advantage over smaller rivals. Under EU law, firms like Google and Facebook can choose to book their income in any member state, prompting them to pick low-tax nations like Ireland, the Netherlands or Luxembourg. That can mean other nations in the bloc miss out on tax revenue from the US firms, even though sales in those countries may account for a bigger share of the earnings. Turning the screw Under the EU plan, revenue from the digital tax would be fairly distributed to where the companies actually operate, according to the level of activity in those countries and not the level of booked profit. Brussels will unveil the plan on the eve of the March 22 European Union summit in Brussels, which is also set to debate the issue, and ahead of an April G20 summit of the world's most developed economies. The Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development, a club of rich nations, released Friday a downbeat report requested by the G20 ahead of a meeting of its finance ministers next week. The group saw little chance of bridging "divergent views" on digital taxes in the short or long term, but pledged its member countries will work "towards a consensus-based solution". Despite opposition to a digital tax, Mnuchin said Washington sought to "put the international tax system on a more sustainable footing." France, Germany, Italy, Spain and Britainthe five EU G20 membersare pushing first for a European solution that can set an example for the rest of the world. French President Emmanuel Macron, who is lobbying for a series of reforms to the EU in the wake of the Brexit vote, has pushed hard to take on the big US tech firms. "Our international partners are not moving fast enough to meet the challenge of digital tax," said Moscovici, a Frenchman. But for the plan to become reality it must be unanimously approved by all EU countries, and it remains to be seen whether the big states can win the support of smaller ones that offer the tax breaks to the tech titans. The EU has turned the screw on US tech giants recently, ordering Apple in 2016 to repay 13 billion euros in back taxes to Ireland, and hitting Google with a record 2.4-billion-euro fine in June last year for illegally favouring its shopping service in search results The EU has repeatedly pledged to crack down on tax avoidance in recent years after the "LuxLeaks" scandal showed how multinationals divert profits through low-tax countries, and the Panama Papers uncovered huge offshore movements. Explore further EU readies tax on US tech titans 2018 AFP Facebook, which has doubled the size of its workforce in Seattle in two years, has started moving into the second of four buildings the social-networking firm will be leasing in Seattle's South Lake Union neighborhood. The inaugural workers in the office, members of Facebook's infrastructure team, didn't have to go far. The new digs, at 1101 Westlake Ave. N., are across the street from Facebook's offices at 1101 Dexter Ave. N. Facebook, which has had engineers in Seattle since 2010, moved into the Dexter space with about 1,000 workers in early 2016. Today the company says its head count in the city totals more than 2,000 people. The 150,000 square feet of office space at Westlake provides enough room for about 900 more. Facebook is also leasing the Arbor Blocks, two buildings under construction along Eighth Avenue North between Harrison and Thomas streets that could potentially house another 2,000 employees. That would make Facebook one of the largest occupants of booming South Lake Union, which Amazon helped reshape in the last decade into a corporate office park. More high-tech workers are coming. North of Mercer Street, construction is underway on an office complex being built for up to 4,000 Google employees. Vijaye Raji, a vice president at Facebook and one of the leaders at the Seattle office, didn't have a timeline for the company's move into the Arbor Blocks. But he said Facebook Seattle, the company's largest engineering office outside of its Menlo Park, California, headquarters, is becoming increasingly important to the company's product development. Engineers in the city work on a wide range of projects, including chat applications, virtual and augmented reality, advertising and marketplace platforms, as well as the infrastructure that stores Facebook's range of digital services. "You'll see more and more projects finding a home here, (or) being built entirely from Facebook Seattle," said Raji, who currently leads engineering and product teams working on Facebook's video-game platform. "It becomes easier to establish large teams and go after big projects" as the office grows, he said. Explore further Seattle says Facebook is violating law about election ads 2018 The Seattle Times Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. The 2018 WPPI trade show, for veteran or beginning wedding and portrait photographers, was held recently in Las Vegas. As usual the trade show portion of the event brought out companies introducing new innovative products to help photographers to do their job. Hahnemuhle showed customers their natural white cotton printing canvas Cezanne 430gsm, which contains no OBA's and features a finely woven, elegant surface structure. The canvas is ideal for stretch frames and has a first class side color gamut with deep, high blacks. Decades ago Hahnemuhle invented fine-art inkjet papers for digital prints and, I can personally say their tradition of optimum quality exists to this day. Once you use their products, you'll see that their motto of producing photo papers based on user demands and new market segments is a tremendous benefit. www.hahnemuehle.com available in a variety of roll sizes; 24-16.4-inches $41.90 - LumiQuest showed off the LumiQuest Lastand, which they refer to as Swiss Army Knife item, since every photographer will want one. The company calls it the only all-in-one light stand, tripod and monopod with aluminum construction featuring the exclusive LumiQuest Quick-Connect, which accepts cameras, flash and LED lights. The patent pending octagonal self-aligning base also features a built-in umbrella receiver. The kit includes a convertible umbrella with case/ballast holder. The Lastand has a seven-foot maximum height, which collapses to 7-inches for ultra-portability at 3.2-pounds. A handheld grip for mobility is included. lumiquest.com $189.95 - Skylum, Luminar 2018 is new software for Mac and Windows users, designed as a universal all-in-one photo app, offering everything a photographer needs for photo editing. It includes intelligent filters and over 100 built-in presets. Some advanced features including tools for layers, masking and blending, lens correction and transform tools, which any photo editing job most certainly requires. The software has a digital asset management module for organizing photos and Raw image processing. The Skylum site has a free 14-day trial or you can purchase a full license for $69. skylum.com - nPhoto has a new sleek and stylish Folio Boxe, which is perfect for presenting your personal photos or images to a client. They are handcrafted with the choice of either high-quality textiles or leatherette with a variety of color options. There are more than 60 design options, including Laser Etching, UV Printing, and Embossed text and fonts. Choices for printing images include printing on Fujicolor Crystal Archive Digital Silk Paper and preserved on state-of-the-art image mats designed to allow your artwork to last a lifetime. Or photographers can have their images mounted on durable foam prints. Sizes vary to safely fit 5, 10, 15, or 20 images per box. The boxes range in sizes of 5-by-7-inches for 4-by-6-inch prints up to a 12-by-16-inch box for 8.5-by-11-inch prints. nphoto.com - FrameALIVE is a new app that is really cool. After hearing about it at the show, I went to the FrameALIVE site, which makes you an offer you can't refuse; use the free App for three free FrameALIVEs. The app combines image recognition with videos to produce pictures that "come to life with a click." This creates masterpieces simply by selecting a still photo and lining it to a video in the FrameALIVE dashboard, which bring your pictures to life! Videos can be added to photo albums, design moving portraits, make printed books with YouTube videos, and so much more. www.framealive.com Additional FrameALIVEs are $1.99 each, 30 for $50 for 120 for $190 2018 Gregg Ellman Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Statistics has Guinness to thank for the Students t-test. Credit: Flickr/Scott Thompson, CC BY This St Patrick's Day, revellers around the world will crowd the streets seeking one of Ireland's national drinks: a pint of Guinness. But besides this tasty stout, one of the most fundamental and commonly used tools of science also has its origins at the Guinness brewery. Towards the end of the 19th century, Guinness was scaling up its operations, and was interested in applying a scientific approach to all aspects of Guinness production: from barley growth right through to the Guinness taste. Before adopting a scientific approach, brewers at Guinness relied on subjective methods, such as the appearance and scent of hops, to assess produce quality. Science in the brew Once scientific brewers were recruited, a more objective approach was taken. The first scientific brewer, Thomas Bennett Case, was hired in 1893 and he believed that the amount of soft resins in hops was related to the quality of Guinness. He was therefore keen to estimate the amount of soft resin in particular crops of hops. The challenge facing Case was that he, like any scientist, could not measure everything at once. It was not possible for him to assess the amount of soft resin in every single one of the countless hop flowers (added by the thousands to enormous vats of soon-to-be Guinness) in his charge. Instead, he took a sample of hops (11 measurements of 50 grams each) and calculated the average soft resin content. His hope was that the average soft resin content of his small sample could be used to estimate the soft resin content of the entire crop (what statisticians would call "the population") of hops. For comparison, a colleague took a further 14 measurements of 50 grams each from the same lot of hops. Case found a small difference in the average amount of soft resins between these samples. He was stumped. Were these differences in hop content due to real differences across the whole hop crop, or were they due to random error introduced by using small sample sizes? Size matters At the time, statistics relied on what is called "large-sample theory", which unsurprisingly requires large samples (150 or more) to work. Applying it to problems involving small samples (like those faced by Case at Guinness) was difficult. This was the problem that William Sealy Gosset, a recent graduate of chemistry and mathematics at Oxford University, was keen to address. Gosset began work as an apprentice brewer at the Guinness factory in Dublin in 1899. In 1906, Gosset, now a self-taught statistician, went to study with Karl Pearson, a leading figure in statistics, at University College London. Gosset was keen to adapt Pearson's large-sample methods to deal with the small samples they used at Guinness. There, he developed his ideas and readied them for publication. However, until the late 1930s, Guinness would not allow employees to publish under their own names for fear that other brewers would learn of their scientific approaches to beer. As a result, Gosset published his most important paper, The Probable Error of a Mean, under the pseudonym "Student" in the journal Biometrika in 1908. This was the origin of Student's t-test, a fundamental statistical method that is widely used to this day. Student's t-test The problem that Case faced was that using small samples of hops introduces a new source of uncertainty into the analysis, leaving him less able to distinguish between real, true differences between two batches of hops and differences due to this uncertainty. Gosset's genius was to devise a way of accounting for this: the t-distribution. This mathematically defines the relationship between the size of sample and the amount of uncertainty this imposes. Basically, when carrying out experiments, the t-distribution (and the famous t-test that depends upon it) allows beer brewers and scientists alike to account for the size of the sample they have used in their work, and then define just how confident they are in their findings. Sticking with the brewers' case, you would have information from the two samples, such as the average soft resin content of the hops and the spread of each measurement around the average of each sample. Without going into too much detail, the t-test helps to determine whether there is evidence of a difference between the two averages based on the sample size (that is, the number of measurements taken from a particular hop crop). In the brewers' case they were looking for zero difference between their two samples. A lasting legacy Gosset's method did not draw the attention of the statistical community until another leading statistical figure, Ronald Aylmer Fisher, enthusiastically embraced the method and provided a mathematical proof. Since that time, the t-test has been used to tackle a huge range of scientific problems, from the assessment of brain function in stroke patients , to the measurement of carbon and nitrogen content in coastal ocean-dwelling bacteria, to how the behaviour of coal miners may or may not lead to accidents (the consumption of Guinness by these miners was, perhaps unsurprisingly, not a focus of the study). In fact, Student's t-test has been employed in essentially every field of scientific endeavour: biology, physics, psychology, biometrics, economics and medicine. It is a staple of undergraduate statistics taught across these disciplines, but few may be aware of Gosset's role in creating the t-test and his beery reasons for doing so. Gosset remained at Guinness throughout his life as Head Experimental Brewer, then Head of the Statistics Department he formed at Guinness, before his promotion to Head Brewer for the new Guinness brewery in London in 1935. He published several papers as "Student" but his true identity was only publicly revealed upon his death in 1937. So, if you're drinking a Guinness this St Patrick's day, raise a glass to the little-known character who played a pivotal role in beer, statistics and indeed, modern science: William Sealy Gosset. Explore further Using math to make Guinness This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article. Orangutans in Borneo are just one of the world's many threatened species as Earth faces a biodiversity crisis Earth is enduring a mass species extinction, scientists saythe first since the demise of the dinosaurs and only the sixth in half-a-billion years. The reason? Humanity's voracious consumption, and wanton destruction, of the very gifts of nature that keep us alive. Starting Saturday, a comprehensive, global appraisal of the damage, and what can be done to reverse it, will be conducted in Colombia. "The science is clear: biodiversity is in crisis globally," WWF director general Marco Lambertini told AFP ahead of a crucial meeting of the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES). "We depend on biodiversity for the food we eat, the water we drink, the clean air we breathe, the stability of weather patterns, and yet our actions are pushing nature's ability to sustain us to the brink." Scientists and government envoys will gather as the 128-member IPBES to dot the i's and cross the t's on five monumental assessment reports designed to inform global policymaking into the future. Compiled over the last three years, the reports will provide the most up-to-date picture of the health of the world's plants, animals and soil. The diagnosis will be unveiled in two parts at the summit in Colombia's second-largest city, Medellin. First, on March 23, the IPBES will simultaneously release separate assessments for the four regions into which it has divided the worldthe Americas, Africa, Asia-Pacific, and Europe and Central Asia. A fifth report, due March 26, will focus on the global state of soil, which is fast being degraded through pollution, forest-destruction, mining, and unsustainable farming methods that deplete its nutrients. 600 volunteers, 10,000 reports Altogether, the evaluations took 600 volunteer scientists three years to complete, synthesising data extracted from about 10,000 scientific publications. The end product covers the entire Earth apart from Antarctica and the open oceansthose waters beyond national jurisdiction. Meeting host Colombia claims to boast the world's largest variety of birds and orchids and is second only to Brazil in terms of overall species diversity. Paradoxically, decades of conflict have preserved fragile habitats in no-go zones in the country, whose mountainous topography supports 311 different ecosystems. But 1,200 Colombian species are listed as threatened, due partly to pollution and forest-destruction caused by illicit drug production. Hotspots where climate change puts species in some of the world's richest ecosystems at the greatest risk More than just a portrayal of doom and gloom, the latest assessments will include projections for future recovery or decline, and "suggestions for action," IPBES executive secretary Anne Larigauderie told AFP. The expert panel, she explained, had compiled five assessment reports, each about 600-900 pages long. Each of these was then condensed into a 20-30 page "summary for policymakers". These summaries must be officially adopted in Medellin before being sent to IPBES member states to guide policymaking in areas that affect biodiversityeverything from transport and infrastructure to farming, water management and education. The reports are not prescriptive, but "we hope that this will help inform policy decisions to stem the loss of biodiversity and the fundamental services it provides us with," chief scientist Tom Brooks of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature told AFP. Word by word After opening formalities on Saturday evening, delegates will hunker down for days of intense, "word-by-word" negotiations on the five summary documents. The drafts in their current form will be put to a joint IPBES meeting on Sunday, after which delegates will meet in five groupsone for each report. Governments will have a final chance to request changes to the wording of the summaries. If the scientific authors disagree, a compromise must be found through negotiation. "It is likely that there would be quite a few discussions," said Larigauderie. "It may be that there are some countries that might not be satisfied by what the report says about the state of their biodiversity." Any changes to the summaries adopted in Medellin will be incorporated into the full reports, which will be published only after the conference in the six official UN languages. The whole process has cost about $5 million (four million euros). Experts and governments have had several opportunities to consider successive phases of the reports, and suggest changes. "Thousands of people have provided thousands... of comments," said Larigauderie. This complex drafting process, she added, is crucial to get as many governments as possible on board, for a better chance of them adopting biodiversity-friendly policies as a result. "Not only the conclusions of a report are important, but also the process leading up to them," she said. Explore further Nature provides more to people than material benefits 2018 AFP Google, which is being sued by former employees and investigated by the Labor Department for underpaying women, says it pays most of the men and women who work for the Internet giant around the globe89% of the more than 70,000 plus employeesequally. But the remaining 11% is a question mark. Those employees, a group that includes the company's senior vice presidents and above and who are mostly men, were not included in the analysis conducted by Google that was released Thursday. Arjuna Capital, which has been pressing Google to disclose more publicly about how much male and female employees earn as part of a broader effort to close the gender pay gap in the business world, praised Google for being more forthcoming. But the activist shareholder found fault with the limited scope of the analysis. Google only examined job categories with 30 or more employees and with at least five men and at least five women. That excluded all employees at the vice president level and above. Michael Passoff, CEO of Proxy Impact, which is backing the shareholder proposal with Arjuna Capital, says he's concerned about the 11% of employees that were not covered by the analysis and the "lack of assurance that there will be an expanded disclosure in the future." "The data for senior management is missing and that is generally where the largest gender pay discrepancies are found," Passoff said. Natasha Lamb, managing partner and lead filer of gender pay resolutions at Arjuna Capital, said she would not withdraw the shareholder proposal, which requests parent Alphabet report on the risks associated with "emerging public policies on the gender pay gap." "Today's announcement represents a serious first step toward ensuring gender pay equity at Google. Still, we find ourselves uncomfortable with its lack of breadth," she said. "We think there is room for improvement and can't give a rubber stamp to an incomplete analysis." Of the roughly 63,000 employees surveyed, Google said it found 228 with statistically significant pay differences and increased their pay, which cost $270,000. In a statement, Google said: "We will continue to focus on fairness in all of our people processes, and want Google to be a great place for everyone to work." Google, which three years ago pledged to close the race and gender gap to make its workforce better reflect the panoply of people it serves around the globe, is still overwhelmingly male and employs very few African Americans and Hispanics. Scrutiny of Google has intensified since the Labor Department began examining possible pay disparities. Last April, a Labor Department official said investigators had found "systemic" compensation disparities against women pretty much across the entire work force." In July, a judge ordered Google to hand over employee records to Labor Department investigators probing the alleged gender pay gap. In September, three former employees sued Google claiming they were paid and promoted less than their male colleagues. A fourth woman, a preschool teacher, joined the lawsuit in January. Google denies the allegations. A judge rejected the initial complaint seeking class action status for all women who worked at Google in California for the past four years for being overly broad in December. The amended version proposes a narrower class of plaintiffs that includes engineering, research, management, sales and teaching staff. Allegations of pay disparities come at a tense time for Google, which last year fired an employee, James Damore, who wrote an internal memo suggesting men were better suited for tech jobs than women. 2018 USA Today Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Biologist Jessica Haines saw one of this female red squirrels pups being killed by a male. Her study is the first to document this behaviour in red squirrels. Credit: Jessica Haines In years when food is abundant for squirrels, males kill the young of rival males, according to new research from University of Alberta biologists. "It's called sexually selected infanticide," explained biologist Jessica Haines, a U of A post-doctoral fellow who led the study. "It's when a male kills another male's offspring to increase the chances that he'll be able to father pups of his own when the female breeds again." The study is the first to observe and document this behaviour in red squirrels. During her fieldwork in spring 2014, Haines unexpectedly witnessed the behaviour first-hand, and later found a second dead squirrel pup from the same litter. Using genetic techniques, she determined the perpetrator was not the dead pup's father. Rather, he was the father of the pups in the mother's second litter. Squirrel infanticide is linked to fluctuations in white spruce cones, the main food source for red squirrels, Haines showed. It occurs only during years of food abundance, known as "mast" years, when spruce trees produce huge numbers of spruce cones far beyond the norm. During those years, female squirrels can have two litters instead of one. Interestingly, females breed in spring while the cones mature in fall, meaning they predict future cone availability when they have the second litter. "Males commit infanticide in mast years because the females will have that second litter, giving the males a second chance at fatherhood," concluded Haines. Despite the practice, more squirrel pups survive in years of food abundance than in other years. Surprising discovery Sexually selected infanticide is normally more common among species who live in groups, where, for example, one male has a harem of females. "We were surprised to see this behaviour in squirrels, because they live alone in separate territories and do not monopolize a single female during the breeding season," explained Haines. "It's fascinating that they change their mating behaviour to commit infanticide in mast years, particularly because it means they predict the cone availability in the upcoming fall." Haines conducted the research as part of the Kluane Red Squirrel Project while completing her Ph.D. under the supervision of Stan Boutin, professor in the Department of Biological Sciences in the Faculty of Science. The paper, "Sexually Selected Infanticide by Male Red Squirrels in Advance of a Mast Year", is published in Ecology. Explore further Baby boomer squirrels master tricky timing More information: Jessica A. Haines et al. Sexually selected infanticide by male red squirrels in advance of a mast year, Ecology (2018). Journal information: Ecology Jessica A. Haines et al. Sexually selected infanticide by male red squirrels in advance of a mast year,(2018). DOI: 10.1002/ecy.2158 Distribution of gaz in two interacting galaxies. Picture combining optical (Hubble) and radio (ALMA) data. Credit: NRAO/ALMA/NASA/ESA/B.Saxton Some of the universe's greatest mysteries could soon be resolved thanks to the Square Kilometre Array (SKA), a huge radio telescope that will be built in South Africa and Australia. Several EPFL labs are involved in this epic project. With the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) telescope, scientists hope to be able to view matter and forces that have been invisible until now. The SKA is an immense radio telescope that will span two sites: one in the Karoo desert in South Africa, and the other in the Murchison region of western Australia. Scientists from sixteen countries so far and around 100 research institutions, including EPFL, have teamed up for the project. "This will spawn a new era for our field," says Jean-Paul Kneib, head of EPFL's Laboratory of Astrophysics (LASTRO). The SKA will give scientists unprecedented capabilities for studying the universe. While most telescopes, like the famous Hubble Space Telescope and the Very Large Telescope in Chile, use optical refraction and reflection, the SKA will capture radio waves. It won't be the first radio telescope there's the one at Arecibo in Puerto Rico, for example but it will be the biggest by far. It will have 3,000 dishes and one million antennas, enabling it to provide images of unparalleled precision. Radio astronomy is a subfield of astronomy that aims to detect and study celestial objects invisible to optical instruments i.e., objects that are extremely cold or very far away and don't emit much visible light. These objects make up most of the matter that's out in space: gases, regions blocked by cosmic dust and objects billions of light-years away. One of the most important discoveries made to date using radio astronomy is the existence of the cosmic microwave background. Credit: Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne "We hope the SKA will take us all the way back to the time when galaxies didn't yet exist," says Frederic Courbin, a scientist at LASTRO. In fact, the project aims to solve one of the greatest mysteries in astrophysics: why is the universe's expansion accelerating? The SKA's exceptional performance should pave the way for scientists to answer that question by letting them observe how the first galaxies were formed and how hydrogen is distributed. Hydrogen one of the most abundant elements in the cosmos cannot be seen with conventional optical telescopes but "shines bright" with radio waves. A lot of space required Radio astronomy is a highly promising field, but it comes with its fair share of hurdles. For instance, its instruments take up a huge amount of space. Radio signals are plentiful but often very weak; radio telescopes must have an extremely large collecting area to produce images with good resolution. The larger the collecting area, the higher the system's sensitivity and the better the image resolution. In this picture of the deep universe, each dot is a galaxy. Credit: NRAO/B.Saxton from data provided by Condon, et al. There are two options for obtaining a big enough surface: building massive dishes the largest one is in China and boasts a diameter of 500 m or using several antennas placed far apart. This second option employs interferometry, which is a method that, to put it simply, combines the signals received at each antenna. That delivers images with the same resolution as could be obtained from a single dish with a diameter equal to the largest distance between any two of the antennas. This is the technology used in the SKA, whose antennas will be located on two continents and some 3,000 km apart, resulting in a collecting surface of one square kilometer! With that kind of a surface area, scientists can collect an impressive amount of data. A radio would have to operate for two million years to broadcast the same amount of data that the SKA can gather in a single day. But processing such vast amounts of information throws up another big challenge for the project team. "Not only do we have to come up with the right programs for reading and sorting the enormous volume of data, but we also have to develop specific algorithms for astrophysics applications," says Courbin. Cassiopeia A, the remnant of a supernova explosion. Credit: NRAO/L.Rudnick, T.Delaney, J.Keohane & B.Koralesky, T.Rector Stepping in with Swiss skills "At EPFL we have extensive experience in this field and can really bring something to the table," adds Kneib. That's why EPFL's Signal Processing Laboratory (LTS5) decided to join the project and help set up a Biomedical and Astronomical Signal Processing (BASP) research group at Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh. "The SKA's huge collecting area will let it capture extremely small, weak signals," says Yves Wiaux, who leads the BASP group. "But the data we collect from its various antennas will be highly fragmented. So we need to develop a system that can not only process those signals rapidly, but also piece them together." The group has come up with an approach based on two methods: compressed sensing, which is used to construct signals and images from incomplete data, and optimization, which enables algorithms to run in parallel i.e., perform calculations on several servers at the same time. "Sixteen countries are already involved in the project and it's becoming a major international endeavor. So now it's time for Switzerland and its scientists to join in, contributing our substantial skills and knowledge like we did when we became part of the European Southern Observatory (ESO) and the European Space Agency (ESA)," says Kneib. English Norwegian The Nomination Committee of Orkla ASA has submitted its recommendation regarding the election of shareholder-elected members and a deputy member of the Board of Directors, election of the Chair and Deputy Chair of the Board of Directors, election of members of the Nomination Committee, election of the Chair of the Nomination Committee and determination of fees. Please find the recommendation enclosed. Orkla ASA Oslo, 16 March 2018 This information is subject to the disclosure requirements pursuant to section 5 -12 of the Norwegian Securities Trading Act. The monocrystalline Si thin film peeled off using adhesive tape. Credit: CrystEngComm A research team from Tokyo Institute of Technology (Tokyo Tech) and Waseda University have successfully produced high-quality thin film monocrystalline silicon with a reduced crystal defect density down to the silicon wafer level at a growth rate that is more than 10 times higher than before. In principle, this method can improve the raw material yield to nearly 100 percent. Therefore, it can be expected that this technology will make it possible to drastically reduce manufacturing costs while maintaining the power generation efficiency of monocrystalline silicon solar cells, which are used in most high efficient solar cells. Efficiently converting solar energy to generate electricity is an effective solution to the problem of global warming related to CO 2 emissions. By making the monocrystalline Si solar cells that are at the core of solar power generation systems thinner, it is possible to greatly reduce raw material costs, which account for about 40 percent of the cost of current modules. Making them flexible and lighter would increase usage and decrease costs. In addition, as a method of reducing manufacturing cost, thin-film monocrystalline Si solar cells that use a double porous silicon layer (DPSL) via lift-off are attracting attention. Among the technical challenges related to monocrystalline Si solar cells using lift-off are (1) the formation of a high-quality thin film Si at the Si wafer level, (2) achieving a porous structure that can easily be lifted off (peeled off), (3) improving the growth rate and Si raw material yield (necessary equipment costs are determined by the growth rate), and (4) being able to use the substrate after lift-off without any waste. In order to overcome challenge (1), it was necessary to clarify the main factors that determine the quality of thin film crystals grown on porous silicon, and to develop a technique for controlling these. A joint research team consisting of Professor Manabu Ihara and Assistant Professor Kei Hasegawa of the Tokyo Tech, and Professor Suguru Noda of Waseda University has developed a high-quality thin film monocrystalline silicon with a thickness of about 10 m and a reduced crystal defect density down to the silicon wafer level at a growth rate that is more than 10 times higher than before. First, double-layer nano-order porous silicon is generated on the surface of a monocrystalline wafer using an electrochemical technique. Next, the surface was smoothed to a roughness of 0.2 to 0.3 nm via a unique zone heating recrystallization method (ZHR method), and this substrate was used for high-speed growth to obtain a monocrystalline thin film with high crystal quality. The grown film can be easily peeled off using the double-layer porous Si layer, and the substrate can be reused or used as an evaporation source for thin film growth, which greatly reduces material loss. When the surface roughness of the underlying substrate is reduced by changing the ZHR method conditions, the defect density of the thin film crystal that was grown decreased, and the team eventually succeeded in reducing it to the Si wafer level of about 1/10th. This quantitatively shows that a surface roughness in the range of only 0.1-0.2 nm (level of atoms to several tens of layers) has an important impact on the formation of crystal defects, which is also of interest as a crystal growth mechanism. The film formation rate and the conversion rate of the Si source to the thin film Si are bottlenecks in the production of thin-film monocrystalline Si. With chemical vapor deposition (CVD), which is mainly used for epitaxy, the maximum film forming rate is a few m/h and the yield is about 10 percent. At the Noda Laboratory of Waseda University, instead of the regular physical vapor deposition (PVD) where raw Si is vaporized at around its melting point of 1414 ?C, by vaporizing the raw Si at much higher temperature of >2000 degrees C, a rapid evaporation method (RVD) was developed with a high Si vapor pressure capable of depositing Si at 10 m/min. The researchers found that the ZHR technology resolves technical problems and drastically reduces the manufacturing cost of the lift-off process. Based on the results of this study, not only did the team discover the main factors for improving the quality of crystals during rapid growth on porous silicon used for the lift-off process, they succeeded in controlling them. The results are published in the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) journal CrystEngComm and will be featured on the inside front cover of the issue. More information: Kei Hasegawa et al, Critical effect of nanometer-size surface roughness of a porous Si seed layer on the defect density of epitaxial Si films for solar cells by rapid vapor deposition, CrystEngComm (2018). Kei Hasegawa et al, Critical effect of nanometer-size surface roughness of a porous Si seed layer on the defect density of epitaxial Si films for solar cells by rapid vapor deposition,(2018). DOI: 10.1039/C7CE02162C The surface features of the northern and southern hemispheres of Mars are very different. In this topographic map, the northern hemisphere (shown in blue) is mostly smooth lowlands and has experienced extensive volcanism. The southern hemisphere (in orange) has an older, cratered highland surface. This dichotomy could have been caused by a giant impact. Credit: University of Arizona/LPL/SwRI New research has revealed that a giant impact on Mars more than four billion years ago would explain the unusual amount of "iron loving" elements in the Red Planet. Planets form as small dust grains stick together and agglomerate with other grains, leading to bigger bodies termed "planetesimals." These planetesimals continue to collide with each other and are either ejected from the solar system, gobbled up by the sun, or form a planet. This is not the end of the story, as planets continue to accrete material well after they have formed. This process is known as late accretion, and it occurs as leftover fragments of planet formation rain down on the young planets. Planetary scientist Ramon Brasser of the Tokyo Institute of Technology and geologist Stephen Mojzsis of the University of Colorado, Boulder took a closer look at a colossal impact during Mars' late accretion that could explain the unusual amount of rare metallic elements in Mars' mantle, which is the layer below the planet's crust. Their recently published paper, "A colossal impact enriched Mars' mantle with noble metals," appeared in the journal Geophysical Research Letters. When proto-planets accrete enough material, metals such as iron and nickel begin to separate and sink to form the core. This explains why Earth's core is mainly composed of iron, and it is expected that elements that readily bond with iron should also mainly exist in the core. Examples of such 'iron loving' elements, known as siderophiles, are gold, platinum and iridium, to name a few. Just like Mars, however, there are more siderophiles in the Earth's mantle than would be expected by the process of core formation. "High pressure experiments indicate that these metals should not be in the mantle. These metals don't like being dissolved in silicate and instead they prefer to sink through the mantle into the Earth's core," Brasser tells Astrobiology Magazine. "The fact that we do have them at all means that they must have arrived after the core and the mantle separated, when it became much more difficult for these metals to reach the core." A 2016 paper by Brasser and colleagues conclusively showed that a giant impact is the best explanation for Earth's high siderophile element abundance. The amount of siderophiles accumulated during late accretion should be proportional to the 'gravitational cross section' of the planet. This cross section is effectively the cross hairs that an impactor 'sees' as it approaches a target planet. The gravitational cross section extends beyond the planet itself, as the world's gravity will direct an object towards it even when the object was not on a direct collision course. This process is called gravitational focusing. The earlier paper showed that Earth has more siderophiles in the mantle than it should, even according to the gravitational cross section theory. The scientists explained this by showing that an impact of a lunar-sized body on the Earth (in addition to the event that formed the moon) would have enriched the mantle with enough siderophiles to explain the current value. An early giant impact Analysis of Martian meteorites show that Mars accreted another 0.8 percent by mass (weight percent, or wt percent) of material via late accretion. In the new paper, Brasser and Mojzsis show that for Mars to have amended its mass by about 0.8 wt percent in a single impact event required a body at least 1,200 kilometers in diameter. They further argue that such an impact ought to have occurred some time between 4.5 and 4.4 billion years ago. Studies of zircon crystals in ancient Martian meteorites can be used to date the formation of the Martian crust to before 4.4 billion years ago. As such, a giant impact should have caused widespread crustal melting and such a catastrophic event must have occurred before the evidence for the oldest crust. If the impact occurred as early in the planet's history as 4.5 billion years ago, then the siderophiles should have been stripped away during core formation. This history provides firm bookend constraints on when the impact happened. Understanding late accretion is not just important for explaining the siderophile abundance, but also for placing an upper limit on the age of Earth's biosphere. "During each impact, a small bit of Earth's crust is locally melted," says Brasser. "When the accretion is very intense, almost all of Earth's crust is molten. As the accretion intensity decreases, the amount of crustal melting also decreases. We argue that the earliest time you could form a biosphere is when the accretion is low enough so that less than 50 percent of the crust is molten at any given time." The surface of Mars also has an unusual dichotomy, which could be explained by a giant impact. The southern hemisphere exists as an ancient cratered terrain, and the northern hemisphere appears younger and smoother and was influenced by extensive volcanism. A giant impact might also have created the Martian moons, Deimos and Phobos, although an alternative theory is that the highly porous Phobos could be a captured asteroid. Explore further Collisions after moon formation remodeled early Earth More information: A colossal impact enriched Mars' mantle with noble metals, Journal information: Geophysical Research Letters A colossal impact enriched Mars' mantle with noble metals, arxiv.org/abs/1706.02014 This story is republished courtesy of NASA's Astrobiology Magazine. Explore the Earth and beyond at www.astrobio.net . Researchers predicted that changes in fish community could be reduced by 30 to 80 per cent with a doubling of reef area. Credit: Katina Rogers/Flickr New research from UBC's Institute for the Oceans and Fisheries suggests that larger reef areas may help protect the Caribbean's coral reef fish communities from the impacts of ocean warming. "We are seeing alterations to local reef fish populations due to warming ocean temperatures, particularly in those Caribbean countries that are closer to the equator, like Trinidad and Tobago, where commercially important fishes such as Cero and Northern red snapper are on the decline already," said Ravi Maharaj, first author and Ph.D. candidate at the Institute for the Oceans and Fisheries. The study looked at the size of reefs in the exclusive economic zones (EEZ) estimated from satellite imagery of nine Caribbean countries and assessed the impact of rising ocean temperatures on the fish that are most important to the local fisheries. The researchers examined how reef size may moderate such impacts. Using sea water temperature and fisheries records going back to the 1970s, researchers found that the Caribbean Sea is warming, and fish that like cooler temperatures were decreasing in dominance in the catch. But they also found that the change in fish composition was slower in countries with larger coral reefs compared to countries with smaller coral reefs. Using findings from the study, the researchers predict that changes in fish community can be reduced by 30 to 80 per cent with a doubling of reef area. This highlights the potential effectiveness of interventions that may maintain and restore reef habitats to reduce climate impacts on fish communities. "With a small degree of warming, some fish may be able to acclimate but they need suitable habitat to grow and thrive," said Maharaj. "More refuge can be found in bigger reefs, however, with the addition of habitat loss due to pollution, coral bleaching, damage from the storms that frequent the area as well as unmanaged fishing pressures, such fish refuge is becoming rarer." Most of the fisheries along the many coral reefs in the Caribbean are small-scale and subsistence-based, providing one of the main sources of food and employment, however, the fisheries are currently unmanaged. The researchers say that policy makers should focus their attention on habitat protection and fisheries management in the area. "There is a dire need for effective fisheries and conservation measures mechanisms in the Caribbean region, as the interactions between climate impacts and unmanaged fisheries are likely to weaken the resilience of fish populations," said senior author William Cheung, associate professor in the Institute for the Oceans and Fisheries. "Our results show that increasing the resilience of fish populations to climate impacts will involve managing for the broader ecosystem, particularly through protection and restoration of critical fish habitats." The study "Regional variability in the sensitivity of Caribbean reef fish assemblages to ocean warming" was published in Marine Ecology Progress Series. Explore further Degrading coral reefs bad news for commercial fishing More information: RR Maharaj et al. Regional variability in the sensitivity of Caribbean reef fish assemblages to ocean warming, Marine Ecology Progress Series (2017). Journal information: Marine Ecology Progress Series RR Maharaj et al. Regional variability in the sensitivity of Caribbean reef fish assemblages to ocean warming,(2017). DOI: 10.3354/meps12462 New breakthrough material could lead to future autonomous soft robotics, dual sensors and actuators for soft exoskeletons, or artificial skins. Credit: U.S. Army Research Laboratory U.S. Army-funded researchers at Brandeis University have discovered a process for engineering next-generation soft materials with embedded chemical networks that mimic the behavior of neural tissue. The breakthrough material may lead to autonomous soft robotics, dual sensors and actuators for soft exoskeletons, or artificial skins. The research lays the foundations for futuristic soft active matter with highly distributed and tightly integrated sensing, actuation, computation and control, said Dr. Samuel Stanton, manager of the Complex and Dynamics Systems Program within the Engineering Sciences Directorate at the Army Research Office, an element of the U.S. Army Research Laboratory, located at Research Triangle Park in Durham, North Carolina. ARO funds research to initiate scientific and far-reaching technological discoveries in extramural organizations, educational institutions, nonprofit organizations and private industry that may make future American Soldiers stronger and safer. The research team, led by Professor of Physics Dr. Seth Fraden of Brandeis University, drew inspiration from the mesmerizing sinuous motion of a swimming blue eel and puzzlingly large gap between how natural systems move and the lack of such coordinated and smooth movement in artificial systems. Our research interests lie squarely in the intersection of physics, chemistry, biology and materials science," Fraden said. "Our lab is interdisciplinary, but we are also involved in several multi-investigator projects." Fraden's work sought to answer key questions, such as why is there such a void between the animate and inanimate that we never confuse the two, and if engineers could create materials with similar attributes to living organisms, but constructed from inanimate objects, can we do so using only chemicals and eschew use of motors and electronics? Looking deeper, Fraden studied how a type of neural network present in the eel, named the Central Pattern Generator, produces waves of chemical pulses that propagate down the eel's spine to rhythmically drive swimming muscles. Fraden's lab approached the challenge of engineering a material mimicking the generator by first constructing a control device that produces the same neural activation patterns biologists have observed. There, they created a control system that runs on chemical power, as is done in biology, without resorting to any computer or electromechanical devices, which are the hallmarks of manmade, hard robotic technology. A breakthrough was made when Fraden and his team realized that the same CPG dynamics could be captured on a non-biological platform if they used a well-known oscillating chemical process known as the Belousov-Zhabotinsky reaction. The lab developed state-of-the-art fabrication techniques for soft materials engineering artificial chemical networks at the nanoscale that, altogether, would be capable of producing a wide variety of patterns. Their resulting robust chemical networks produced distributed dynamic patterns identical to the eel's Central Pattern Generator. Fraden noted that "the engineering principles they identified are general and can be applied to design a whole range of other Central Pattern Generators, such as those responsible for other autonomous functions, such as the gait of a horse, for example, walk, canter, trot and gallop." The research appear as the cover article of the March 7 issue of a U.K. journal, Lab on a Chip, which is a peer-reviewed scientific journal publishing primary research and review articles on any aspect of miniaturization at the micro and nano scale. The work earned distinction as one of the journal's "hot articles" due to its particularly high scores earned in the scientific review process. "Enabling a breakthrough in robotic augmentation of high-tempo military maneuver and operations requires disrupting the notion of an intelligent system as a rigid multi-body platform optimized for slow, carefully planned movement in uncluttered terrain," Stanton said. "Fundamental research is needed to transpose smart materials from the current paradigm of fixed properties and mechanics with extrinsic and centralized control to a new paradigm of soft active composites with unprecedented dynamic functionality realized through maximal substrate embedding of tightly integrated, decentralized, and highly distributed intrinsic (materials-based) sensing, actuation, and control." As a next step, Fraden's lab will take on the challenge of transferring the information coded in the dynamic patterns from the chemical networks to create a targeted mechanical response within a novel chemo-mechanical gel. This could transition the research from artificial material mimicking neural tissue to artificial tissue now mimicking neuromuscular tissue. Explore further Novel 3-D printing method embeds sensing capabilities within robotic actuators More information: Thomas Litschel et al. Engineering reactiondiffusion networks with properties of neural tissue, Lab on a Chip (2017). Journal information: Lab on a Chip Thomas Litschel et al. Engineering reactiondiffusion networks with properties of neural tissue,(2017). DOI: 10.1039/C7LC01187C Provided by U.S. Army Research Laboratory Self-employed people are happier at work. Credit: University of Exeter New research has identified a key ingredient to securing a happy and fulfilling career - working for yourself. A new study has shown the self-employed both enjoy their work more and find it more rewarding despite longer hours and less job security - than those who work for others. The research, carried out by Business experts from the Universities of Sheffield and Exeter, showed self-employed people felt more engaged with their work, predominantly because they enjoyed more freedom to innovate, and influence their working environments. The study is published in the journal Work, Employment and Society. Professor Ilke Inceoglu, from the University of Exeter Business School and co-author of the study said: "Being engaged in their jobs makes people feel energised and pleased with their own contribution". "Measuring how engaged people are in their work is therefore a really useful way to gauge their wellbeing and shows we must move beyond just looking at job satisfaction." For the study, the researchers examined data collected with 5,000 workers in the UK, the United States, Australia and New Zealand across a number of sectors including heath, finance and education. A further analysis was undertaken of employees across four job grades - non-managerial workers, supervisors, middle managers, and senior managers and directors. The self-employed workers who took part in the research worked in a range of sectors, including management consultancy, financial services, retail, education, insurance and real estate. The study found that those who were self-employed were not only amongst the most engaged, but also experienced greater opportunities for innovation, achieving challenging targets and meeting high standards. Non-managerial company workers were the least satisfied and engaged. Co-author Professor Peter Warr, from the Institute of Work Psychology at the University of Sheffield, added: "Professional workers who are self-employed really value the autonomy they have. They have the freedom to innovate, express their own views, have influence beyond their own role and compete with other companies and people. "They really get to use their own expertise, so don't seem to mind working long hours. They can find meeting high standards really fulfilling." Explore further Many highly-engaged employees suffer from burnout More information: Work orientations, well-being and job content of self-employed and employed professionals is published in the journal Work, Employment and Society. Journal information: Work, Employment and Society Work orientations, well-being and job content of self-employed and employed professionals is published in the journal Left panel of the figure displays the structure of the newly developed nanobody (magenta) bound to a C3 fragment called C3b (green). In the right panels, data demonstrating that the nanobody and mutants hereof are able to inhibit the cleavage of C3 in 15 percent human serum. The researchers also constructed a nanobody mutant that completely loses it inhibitory effect on C3 cleavage (purple curve) making it a perfect negative control. Credit: Rasmus Kjeldsen Jensen and Janus Asbjrn Schatz-Jakobsen, Aarhus University Researchers from the Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics and from the Department of Biomedicine at Aarhus University have collaboratively developed and described a llama antibody that might have significant impact for future diagnostics and treatment of, e.g., kidney diseases. The research team studied a protein called C3 from the part of the innate immune system known as the complement system. Upon recognition of pathogenic organisms or dying body cells, C3 is cleaved by blood enzymes as part of a defence mechanism. These enzymes are known as C3 convertases, and the cleavage of C3 results in two fragments. The fragment called 3b binds directly to the pathogens, while the other fragment recruits and stimulates immune cells to eliminate the target. In a healthy person, cells are protected against the effects of the C3 cleavage. However, as a result of mutations in DNA, this protection might be lost, increasing the risk of developing chronic inflammatory disorders or autoimmune diseases. For a long time, the researchers have focused on developing agents that prevent such undesirable complement activation. For this reason, they developed the llama antibody to prevent cleavage of C3. Llama antibodies are also known as nanobodies due to their small size, and compared to normal antibodies, they are easy to develop and significantly cheaper to produce. "The technology used to develop and produce these nanobodies has been known for more than two decades," says Gregers Rom Andersen. "And therefore, it is somewhat surprising that we are the first in the world to develop a nanobody that inhibits the complement system." By exposing crystals to X-rays and correlating the results with data from electron microscopy, the researchers have described how their nanobody binds C3 in large details. "The crystal structure of our nanobody bound to C3 supports our earlier proposed models describing how the complement convertases recognize their substrates and therefore clearly explains why our nanobody exerts its inhibitory effect on the cleavage of C3. Our results also improve the basic understanding of how this essential mechanism within the complement system works. By comparing with previously published protein structures, we can furthermore explain why our nanobody inhibits the formation of the C3 convertases, our nanobody has a 'double inhibitory' effect so to speak," explains Rasmus Kjeldsen Jensen. In addition to the work describing the C3-nanobody complex, the research team has also performed several laboratory experiments using serum from both mice and humans. These results confirm the observations from the atomic structure and clearly reveal that their newly developed nanobody inhibits the cleavage of C3 in both human and murine serum. The latter is important, since mice are often used as disease models. "Our experiments in serum are important as they show that our nanobody actually works under physiological conditions, where the complement system naturally exerts its function. These results indicate that our nanobody could be used in treatment of diseases caused by overactivation of the complement system. As an example, part of the kidney is not protected against complement to the same degree as other tissues, and in this case our nanobody could be a candidate to stop complement driven disease progression," says Gregers Rom Andersen. "However, we also found that our nanobody is able to inhibit the protective effects our own body normally wield against complement, and one should therefore be very careful and meticulously assess the possible side effects of therapeutic treatment of diseases using our nanobody," concludes Gregers Rom Andersen. The foundation of this work was established by the two Assistant Professors Kasper Rjkjr Andersen and Nick Stub Laursen from the Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, who were the first in Denmark to systematically develop and produce large-scale nanobodies. However, the driving force in the project was PhD student Rasmus Kjeldsen Jensen under the supervision of Professor Gregers Rom Andersen, who in the characterization of the nanobody was assisted by the two PhD students Trine Amalie Fogh Gadeberg and Rasmus Pihl. Explore further Llama-derived nanobodies as a new tool in solving crystal structure More information: Rasmus K Jensen et al. A potent complement factor C3 specific nanobody inhibiting multiple functions in the alternative pathway of human and murine complement, Journal of Biological Chemistry (2018). Journal information: Journal of Biological Chemistry Rasmus K Jensen et al. A potent complement factor C3 specific nanobody inhibiting multiple functions in the alternative pathway of human and murine complement,(2018). DOI: 10.1074/jbc.RA117.001179 The McMurdo Dry Valleys with a view of Lake Hoare and the Canada Glacier. Credit: Dave Haney, NSF Airborne soot produced by wildfires and fossil-fuel combustion and transported to the remote McMurdo Dry Valleys of Antarctica contains levels of black carbon too low to contribute significantly to the melting of local glaciers, according to a new study by researchers supported by the National Science Foundation (NSF). Strong winds in the Dry Valleys, however, can temporarily cause large spikes in the amount of locally produced black carbon, which is distributed through the ecosystem, the researchers found. In the study, the researchers differentiated between black carbon produced elsewhere in the world and carried by winds to the Dry Valleys and black carbon produced by local combustion sources, such as helicopter flights, combustion toilets and other fossil fuel-intensive activities associated with Dry Valleys field camps. They conclude that further study of local carbon production and transport would help to understand the limited effects of local black carbon production on the Dry Valleys ecosystem, compared to the effects of windblown sediments, commonly deposited in the ablation regions of the glaciers, that have been shown to influence melt. Alia Khan from the the University of Colorado Boulder's Institute of Arctic and Alpine Research and the National Snow and Ice Data Center, along with her colleagues at the NSF-funded McMurdo Dry Valleys Long Term Ecological Research (LTER) project, published the paper in the Journal of Geophysical Research: Atmospheres. The Dry Valleys are a unique ecosystem within the Antarctic continent. The continent as a whole is a landmass the size of the U.S. and Mexico combined, of which 98 percent is permanently covered with ice and snow. The Dry Valleys, by contrast, are ice-free, mountainous regions, interspersed with glaciers, where little snow accumulates because they are scoured by winds. Samples taken from a snow pit in the accumulation region of the Commonwealth Glacier suggest the black carbon transported from beyond the continent is not sufficient to reduce the albedothe glacier's ability to reflect lightto a degree that would increase melting. Researchers took the samples during the 2013-2014 Antarctic research season. "The black carbon deposited from long-range atmospheric transport in the snow accumulation regions of the glaciers is present in very low concentrations in the snow, too low to reduce the surface albedo of the glaciers," Khan said. The research showed that while concentrations of black carbon aerosols near the surface of the valley floor are low, locally produced black carbon may stay sequestered in the upper layers of soils near field camps until it is disturbed and distributed by high winds, including the so-called Foehn wind event, a warm southerly wind that occurred during the study period. The results of the work indicate that the near-surface concentrations of black carbon in the air in the local area can increase by a factor of three during episodic wind storms. "We were surprised by the sharp increase in concentrations at the field camp site during the strong winds, which suggests the locally produced black carbon particles, which are generally too large to travel very far, are re-suspended during these wind events," Khan said. Explore further Research shows Antarctic lakes are a repository for ancient soot A new technique based on AI developed at U of T Scarborough can be to count craters on the moon. Credit: NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center A new technique developed by researchers at U of T Scarborough is using the same technology behind self-driving cars to measure the size and location of crater impacts on the moon. "When it comes to counting craters on the moon, it's a pretty archaic method," says Mohamad Ali-Dib, a postdoctoral fellow in the Centre for Planetary Sciences (CPS). "Basically we need to manually look at an image, locate and count the craters and then calculate how large they are based off the size of the image. Here we've developed a technique from artificial intelligence that can automate this entire process that saves significant time and effort." Researchers have tried in the past to develop algorithms that could identify and count lunar craters but when they were used on new, previously unseen patches of craters they tended to perform poorly. By comparison, the technique developed by Ali-Dib and his colleagues can generalize very well to unseen lunar patches, and even other cratered bodies like Mercury. "It's the first time we have an algorithm that can detect craters really well for not only parts of the moon, but also areas of Mercury," says Ali-Dib, who developed the technique along with Ari Silburt, Chenchong Charles Zhu and a group of researchers at CPS and the Canadian Institute for Theoretical Astrophysics (CITA). In order to determine its accuracy, the researchers first trained the neural network on a large data set covering two thirds of the moon, and then tested their trained network on the remaining third of the moon. It worked so well that it was able to identify twice as many craters as traditional manual counting. In fact, it was able to identify about 6,000 previously unidentified craters on the moon. The technique itself relies on a convolutional neural network, a class of machine learning algorithms that has been successfully used for computer vision to power robots and even self-driving cars. The data used by the algorithms was taken from elevation maps gathered from orbiting satellites. While none of the researchers had previous experience in crater counting, they were able to develop the technique as a result of a series of workshops held at U of T Scarborough organized by Associate Professor Kristen Menou and several of the authors on how machine learning and deep learning could help tackle specific scientific problems. "Tens of thousands of unidentified small craters are on the moon, and it's unrealistic for humans to efficiently characterize them all by eye," says Silburt, a former grad student in U of T's Department of Astronomy and Astrophysics. "There's real potential for machines to help identify these small craters and reveal undiscovered clues about the formation of our solar system." Knowing the size and location of craters on bodies like the moon is important because it offers a window into the history of our solar system. By studying impact craters of all shapes, sizes and ages, researchers can better understand the distribution of material and the physics that occurred in the early stages of our solar system, notes Ali-Dib. Since the moon lacks an atmosphere, plate tectonics and water, there is little erosion and as a result some impact craters as old as 4 billion years are visible. The ages of large craters can also be determined by counting how many small craters are found inside it. "For this technique to work you need an airless body like the moon or Mercury, bodies where there's little erosion taking place" adds Ali-Dib. As for next steps, Ali-Dib says the plan is to further improve the algorithm to allow researchers to find more craters, and to also test it on other solar system bodies like Mars, Ceres and the icy moons of Jupiter and Saturn. The research, which is currently under review in the journal Icarus, received funding from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC). Explore further Scientist conducts first comparison study of central pit impact craters throughout solar system More information: Lunar Crater Identification via Deep Learning. Journal information: Icarus Lunar Crater Identification via Deep Learning. arxiv.org/abs/1803.02192 VANCOUVER, British Columbia, March 16, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Candente Copper Corp. (TSX:DNT) (BVL:DNT) ("Candente or the Company) announces the resignation of Mr. Sean Waller P.Eng. from his position as President of the Company to pursue other opportunities, effective March 7, 2018. Mr. Waller will remain as a Member of the Board of Directors of Candente and will serve as a Key Technical Advisor to the Canariaco Project in Peru. Mr. Waller joined Candente in 2008 and served as President since 2009. During his tenure with the Company, Mr. Waller oversaw the engineering and economic assessment of the Canariaco Norte project, establishing Canariaco as a very economically robust, large scale copper project. Joanne Freeze, P.Geo., CEO and Director of Candente, will assume the role of President. The Company would like to thank Mr. Waller for all of the valuable contributions made during his tenure as President and we look forward to continuing to work together to advance the Canariaco project, commented Joanne Freeze. The Company also announces the settlement of Cdn$490,717 of debt to creditors (including amounts written off and the amount to be settled by shares) with the issuance of an aggregate of 3,216,023 common shares, subject to receipt of regulatory approval. Of this total, insiders, Sean Waller and Faisel Hussein are to receive 1,000,000 and 710,986 shares respectively in settlement of debt owing to them. About Candente Copper Candente Copper is a mineral exploration company engaged in acquisition, exploration, and development of mineral properties. The Company is currently focused on its 100% owned Canariaco project, which includes the Feasibility stage Canariaco Norte deposit as well as the Canariaco Sur deposit and Quebrada Verde prospect, located within the western Cordillera of the Peruvian Andes in the Department of Lambayeque in Northern Peru. Joanne C. Freeze, P.Geo., CEO, and Michael Thicke, P.Geo, are the Qualified Persons as defined by National Instrument 43-101 for the projects discussed above. They have reviewed and approved the contents of this release. This news release may contain forward-looking statements including but not limited to comments regarding timing and content of upcoming work programs, geological interpretations, receipt of property titles, potential mineral recovery processes, etc. Forward-looking statements address future events and conditions and therefore involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from those currently anticipated in such statements. Candente Copper relies upon litigation protection for forward-looking statements. On behalf of the Board of Candente Copper Corp. Joanne C. Freeze P.Geo. President, CEO and Director ___________________________________ For further information please contact: Joanne C. Freeze, P.Geo. President, CEO and Director info@candentecopper.com www.candentecopper.com NR-099 SHREWSBURY, N.J., March 16, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- InterCloud Systems, Inc. (the "Company" or "InterCloud") (OTC:ICLDD), a provider of cloud networking orchestration and automation solutions and services, announced that the business focus in 2018 and beyond will be centered around the Netlayer.io software platform. Netlayer.io provides orchestration and day two monitoring functions for next-gen SDN virtualized networking environments. Netlayers network performance enhancing functionality were presented at the Computer Associates World convention that took place in Las Vegas in November 2017. Separately the Company disclosed the filing of an S-8 registration statement in order to address outstanding invoices from various legal counsel retained by the Company. Mark Munro, CEO of InterCloud Systems, stated, "Our Netlayer.io team is working on building several new partnerships for the platform. The immediate revenue pipeline of opportunities is in excess of $2M and expected to continue to grow. This potential revenue would be received over several years in several forms, including license agreements. While the sales process is a long one, the revenues from this platform are recurring and long term. Our technology team is excited about the progress we have made over the past year. Our SD-WAN functionality coupled with our virtualized networking orchestration has created new opportunities in the Tier 2 and Tier 3 carrier market. We are very enthusiastic about 2018 and the momentum we have created. In order to be able to focus on building this platform and supporting the Netlayer partnerships, we filed an S-8 registration statement to be able to utilize our stock to pay outstanding professional fees owed. About InterCloud Systems, Inc. InterCloud Systems, Inc. is a leading provider of cloud networking orchestration and automation, for Software Defined Networking (SDN) and Network Function Virtualization (NFV) cloud environments to the telecommunications service provider (carrier) and corporate enterprise markets through cloud solutions and professional services. InterCloud's cloud solutions offer enterprise and service-provider customers the opportunity to adopt an operational expense model by outsourcing cloud deployment and management to InterCloud rather than the capital expense model that has dominated in recent decades in IT infrastructure management. Additional information regarding InterCloud may be found on InterCloud's website at www.intercloudsys.com. Forward-looking statements: The above news release contains forward-looking statements. The statements contained in this document that are not statements of historical fact, including but not limited to, statements identified by the use of terms such as "anticipate," "appear," "believe," "could," "estimate," "expect," "hope," "indicate," "intend," "likely," "may," "might," "plan," "potential," "project," "seek," "should," "will," "would," and other variations or negative expressions of these terms, including statements related to expected market trends and the Company's performance, are all "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and involve a number of risks and uncertainties. These statements are based on assumptions that management believes are reasonable based on currently available information, and include statements regarding the intent, belief or current expectations of the Company and its management. Prospective investors are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performances, and are subject to a wide range of external factors, uncertainties, business risks, and other risks identified in filings made by the company with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Actual results may differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements. The Company expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to update or revise any forward-looking statement contained herein to reflect any change in the company's expectations with regard thereto or any change in events, conditions or circumstances upon which any statement is based except as required by applicable law and regulations. CONTACT: Investor Relations InterCloud Systems, Inc. 561-988-1988 A new study reveals that transgender people have variations in the size or volume of certain brain areas. Researchers at the University of Sao Paulos Medical School (FM-USP) in Brazil used magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to assess the brain composition of transgender individuals. The investigators performed a structural analysis in search of differences in gray and white matter volume based on MRI scans of the brains of 80 individuals between 18 and 49 years of age and found biological differences. For the study, investigators created four groups of 20 each: cisgender women, cisgender men, transgender women who had never used hormones, and transgender women who had used hormones for at least a year. The descriptor cisgender means or relates to a person whose sense of personal identity and gender corresponds with their birth sex. Variations in the volume of the brain region called the insula in both hemispheres for both groups of transgender women. This discovery is insightful as the insula plays a key role in body image and self-awareness, among other things. Autonomic control, homeostatic information, and visceral sensations are processed within the central nervous system by the insula. It would be simplistic to make a direct link with transgender, but the detection of a difference in the insula is relevant since trans people have many issues relating to their perception of their own body because they dont identify with the sex assigned at birth, and in addition, they unfortunately suffer discrimination and persecution, said Professor Geraldo Busatto , an associate researcher in the study. The study was supported by the Sao Paulo Research Foundation and appears in the journal Scientific Reports. An important finding from the study is that it shows transgender doesnt just refer to different kinds of behavior that people develop, according to Carmita Abdo, coordinator of the Sexuality Research Program (ProSex) at the Psychiatry Institute of Hospital das Clinicas and principal investigator of the study. We observed specificities in the brains of trans individuals, an important finding in light of the idea of gender ideology. The evidence is building up that its not a matter of ideology. Our own research based on MRI scans points to a detectable structural basis, Abdo said. Because both groups of trans women presented a variation of the insula volume, the authors hypothesized that this finding might to be a characteristic of trans women. Another conclusion of the study was that this particular feature could not be explained by hormone treatment. Previous studies have found that sexual differentiation of the brain in transgender individuals does not accompany differentiation in the rest of the body. We found that trans people have characteristics that bring them closer to the gender with which they identify and [that] their brains have particularities, suggesting that the differences begin to occur during gestation, said Giancarlo Spizzirri, first author of the study. The study showed that the size of the insula was not smaller in transgender women than in cisgender men, but its volume was reduced in transgender women compared to cisgender women. The researchers stressed that reduced gray matter volume in a brain region does not necessarily mean the region in question contains fewer nerve cells. The various gray matter brain regions contain a mass of synapses and nerve endings (called neuropils) that can change volume dynamically. For example, at any time during ones life, a brain regions density may increase owing to more activity, leading to a subtle rise in the volume of local gray matter, said Busatto. The finding cannot be seen as indicating specificity, however. The insula is a region with multiple elements, he stressed. Spizzirri explains that theres no such thing as a typically female or male brain. There are slight structural differences, which are far more subtle than the difference in genitals, for example. Brain structures vary greatly among individuals, he noted. The study is expected to stimulate interest in research on the brain structure of transgender people. Although the use of MRI scans has increased in recent decades few such studies have focused on transgender people. Its a new research field, and this study puts Brazil among the pioneers, Abdo said. On the other hand, the Federal Board of Medicine in Brazil has had guidelines on how to work with the needs of transgender individuals in clinical and surgical practice since 1997. These guidelines are periodically updated and adapted in response to new knowledge. We hope this study will be replicated with larger samples, but right now, it can be said that the hypothesis of transgender development is supported and merits investigation, she added. The researchers plan to conduct more studies. A key interest is determining the stage of development in which differences occur. Having detected these differences, we should try to find out when they begin to emerge. Among other points, it would be interesting to study [the] brain scans of children and young adults with transgender characteristics and compare them with the scans of adult trans women. Source: University of Sao Paulo LONDON, March 16, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The rush to digitalise banking services across the Arabian Gulf is in full swing, ushering in a wave of new digital banking products that each come with impressive benefits for customers. Against a backdrop of mounting competition, Gulf Bank of Kuwait has consistently proven itself as a leader in the field. This success comes down to timely investment and a forward-looking strategy, which places a heavy focus on the most customer centric and cutting-edge technologies. Gulf Banks advanced digital infrastructure, which includes the popular Blinking to Bank biometric face recognition technology, is offering a glimpse into the future. For instance, the banks most recent addition to its digital toolkit, the WISE investment service, is a groundbreaking online advisory and portfolio management offering. The new service, which focuses on equities and bonds with a long-term investment approach, is set to change the meaning of wealth management for its users. Notably, it comes alongside the introduction of an easy-to-use digital interface that enables users to track and monitor their investments at any time through a smartphone. The app is an easy and transparent way of investing, putting users in control of their wealth with several intuitive features, such as a sliding bar that allows customers to adjust their time horizon and risk tolerance. These innovations have led Gulf Bank to be recognised in this years World Finance Banking Awards, a yearly round-up of the leading players in the sector. Gulf Bank received high praise from the magazine this year, being named as the Best Digital Bank, Kuwait, and also claiming the award for Best Mobile Banking App, Kuwait. To see a full list of this years winners and read an exclusive interview with Laila Al-Qatami, Assistant General Manager for Corporate Communications at Gulf Bank, pick up the latest issue of World Finance, available in print, online and on tablet now. www.worldfinance.com World News Media is a leading publisher of quality financial and business magazines, which enjoys a global distribution network that includes subscriber lists of prominent decision-makers around the world. CONTACT INFORMATION World News Media Elizabeth Matsangou Editorial Department +44 (0)20 7553 4162 elizabeth.matsangou@wnmedia.com The following companies are subsidiares of Mohawk Industries: A&S Energie NV, A&U Energie NV, Aladdin Manufacturing Corporation, Aladdin Manufacturing Of New York LLC, Aladdin Manufacturing of Alabama LLC, Alsace Logistique S.A., Avelgem Green Power CVBA, Avon Pacific Holdings Ltd, B&M NV, BGE Mexico S. de R. L. de C.V., Berghoef GmbH, Berghoef-Hout B.V., Bienes Raices y Materiales del Centro S. de R.L. de C.V., C.F. Marazzi S.A., Canterbury Spinners Ltd, Carpet Foundation Ltd, Cevotrans BV, Ceramus Bahia S/A Produtos Ceramicos, DT Mex Holdings LLC, DTM/CM Holdings LLC, Dal Italia LLC, Dal-Elit LLC, Dal-Tile Chile Comercial Limitada, Dal-Tile Colombia S.A.S., Dal-Tile Distribution Inc., Dal-Tile Group Inc., Dal-Tile I LLC, Dal-Tile Industrias S. de R.L. de C.V., Dal-Tile International Inc., Dal-Tile Mexico Comercial S. de R.L. de C.V., Dal-Tile Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Dal-Tile Operaciones Mexico S. De R.L. De C.V., Dal-Tile Peru SRL, Dal-Tile Puerto Rico Inc., Dal-Tile Services Inc., Dal-Tile Shared Services Inc., Dal-Tile Tennessee LLC, Dal-Tile of Canada ULC, Daltile, Daltile, Dekaply NV, Durkan, Dynea NV, Eliane Argentina Sociedad Anonima, Eliane S/A - Revestimentos Ceramicos, Emilceramica India Pvt Ltd., Emilceramica S.r.l, Emilgermany GmbH, Emilgroup Asia Ltd, Explorer S.r.l., F.I.L.S. Investments Unlimited Company, Feltex Carpets Ltd, Feltex Carpets Pty Ltd, Feltex New Zealand Ltd, Fibremakers Australia Pty Ltd, Flooring Foundation Ltd, Flooring Industries Limited S.a r.l., Flooring XL B.V., Floorscape Limited, Godfrey Hirst & Co Pty Ltd, Godfrey Hirst (Singapore) Pte Ltd, Godfrey Hirst Australia Pty Ltd, Godfrey Hirst Group, Godfrey Hirst NZ Ltd, Hytherm (Ireland) Limited, IVC BVBA, IVC Far-East Trading (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., IVC France S.a r.l., IVC GROUP LIMITED, IVC Green Power NV, IVC Group, IVC Group GmbH, IVC Luxembourg S.a r.l., IVC Rus OOO, IVC US Inc., International Flooring Systems S.a r.l., International Vinyl Company - Vostok OOO, KAI Group, KAI Keramica Ltd, KAI Mining EOOD, KERAMA CENTER OOO, Kerama Baltics OOO, Kerama Export OOO, Kerama Marazzi OOO, Kerampromservis (LLC), Khan Asparuh - Transport EOOD, Khan Asparuh AD, Khan Omurtag AD, Koninklijke Peitsman B.V., Kraj Kerama OOO, MG China Trading Ltd., MI Finance SRL, MUD (Holding) Brazil Ltda., Management Co EAD, Marazzi Acquisition S.r.l., Marazzi Deutschland G.m.b.H., Marazzi France Trading S.A.S., Marazzi Group, Marazzi Group F.Z.E., Marazzi Group S.r.l., Marazzi Group Trading (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Marazzi Iberia S.L.U., Marazzi Japan Co. Ltd., Marazzi Middle East FZ LLC, Marazzi Schweiz S.A.G.L., Marazzi UK Ltd., Mohawk Assurance Services Inc., Mohawk Australia Pty Ltd, Mohawk Canada Corporation, Mohawk Capital Finance S.A., Mohawk Capital Luxembourg SA, Mohawk Carpet Distribution Inc., Mohawk Carpet Foundation Inc., Mohawk Carpet LLC, Mohawk Carpet Transportation Of Georgia LLC, Mohawk Commercial Inc., Mohawk ESV Inc., Mohawk Europe BVBA, Mohawk Factoring II Inc., Mohawk Factoring LLC, Mohawk Finance S.a r.l., Mohawk Foreign Acquisitions S.a r.l., Mohawk Foreign Funding S.a.r.l, Mohawk Foreign Holdings S.a r.l., Mohawk Foreign Investments Inc., Mohawk Global Investments S.a r.l., Mohawk Holdings International B.V., Mohawk Industries Inc., Mohawk International (Europe) S.a r.l., Mohawk International (Hong Kong) Limited, Mohawk International Capital N.V., Mohawk International Financing S.a.r.l, Mohawk International Holdings (DE) LLC, Mohawk International Holdings S.a r.l., Mohawk International Luxembourg S.a r.l., Mohawk International Netherlands B.V., Mohawk International Services BVBA, Mohawk KAI Luxembourg Holding S.a r.l., Mohawk KAI Luxembourg S.a r.l., Mohawk Luxembourg Capital S.A., Mohawk Luxembourg Financing S.a r.l., Mohawk Luxembourg Holdings S.a r.l., Mohawk Luxembourg Investments S.a r.l., Mohawk Luxembourg Pacific S.a r.l., Mohawk Marazzi International BV, Mohawk Marazzi Russia BV, Mohawk New Zealand Limited, Mohawk Operaciones Mexicali S. de R.L. de C.V., Mohawk Operations Luxembourg S.a r.l., Mohawk Pacific Investments S.a r.l., Mohawk Resources LLC, Mohawk Servicing LLC, Mohawk Singapore Private Limited, Mohawk Trading (Shanghai) Co. Ltd, Mohawk Unilin Luxembourg S.a r.l., Mohawk United Finance B.V., Mohawk United International B.V., Mohawk Vinyl Financing S.a r.l., Molber Beheer B.V., Monarch Ceramic Tile Inc., P.F. Onroerend Goed B.V., PF Beheer B.V., Pergo, Pergo (Europe) AB, Pergo Holding BV, Pergo India Pvt Ltd, Polcolorit S.A., Premium Floors Australia Pty Limited, RR Apex LLC, Rata International Pty Ltd, Recubrimientos Interceramica S. de R.L. de C.V., Riverside Textiles Pty Ltd, S.C. KAI Ceramics SRL, Sibir Kerama OOO, SimpleSolutions USA LLC, Soft Step (Australia) Pty Ltd, Spano Group, Spano Invest BVBA, Spano NV, Stroyagromekhzapchast ChaO, Stroytrans OAO Orelstroy, Summit Wool Spinners Ltd, The Flooring Federation Ltd, Tiles Co OOD, Unilin (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd., Unilin ApS, Unilin Arauco Pisos Ltda., Unilin BVBA, Unilin Beheer BV, Unilin Distribution Ltd., Unilin Distribution Ukraine LLC, Unilin Finland OY, Unilin Flooring India Private Limited, Unilin Flooring SAS, Unilin GmbH, Unilin Holding BVBA, Unilin Insulation BV, Unilin Insulation SAS, Unilin Insulation Sury SAS, Unilin Italia S.R.L., Unilin North America LLC, Unilin Norway AS, Unilin OOO, Unilin Panels SAS, Unilin Poland Sp.Z.o.o., Unilin SAS, Unilin Spain SL, Unilin Swiss GmbH, Unilin s.r.o., World International Inc., Xtratherm, Xtratherm Limited, Xtratherm S.A., and Xtratherm UK Limited. Inmarsat plc provides mobile satellite communications services on land, at sea, and in the air worldwide. The company operates through five segments: Maritime, U.S. Government, Global Government, Aviation, and Enterprise. It offers voice and data broadband services; global maritime distress and safety system services; mobile and fixed voice services; a portfolio of machine-to-machine services that provide two-way data connectivity for messaging, tracking, and monitoring of fixed or mobile assets; maritime satellite services, including very small aperture terminals and television receive only antenna services; and Global Xpress, a high-speed broadband service that offer seamless connectivity for advanced data services on land, at sea, and in the air. The company also offers in-flight voice, data, safety, and cabin connectivity services for business and commercial air transport. It owns and operates 13 satellites. The company serves the aviation, government, enterprise, and maritime sectors. Inmarsat plc was founded in 1979 and is headquartered in London, the United Kingdom. Read More FORM 8.3 PUBLIC OPENING POSITION DISCLOSURE/DEALING DISCLOSURE BY A PERSON WITH INTERESTS IN RELEVANT SECURITIES REPRESENTING 1% OR MORE Rule 8.3 of the Takeover Code (the "Code") 1. KEY INFORMATION (a) Full name of discloser: OZ Management LP and Och-Ziff Management Europe Ltd (b) Owner or controller of interests and short positions disclosed, if different from 1(a): The naming of nominee or vehicle companies is insufficient. For a trust, the trustee(s), settlor and beneficiaries must be named. (c) Name of offeror/offeree in relation to whose relevant securities this form relates: Use a separate form for each offeror/offeree GVC Holdings plc (d) If an exempt fund manager connected with an offeror/offeree, state this and specify identity of offeror/offeree: (e) Date position held/dealing undertaken: For an opening position disclosure, state the latest practicable date prior to the disclosure 15 March 2018 (f) In addition to the company in 1(c) above, is the discloser making disclosures in respect of any other party to the offer? If it is a cash offer or possible cash offer, state "N/A" Yes If YES, specify which: Ladbrokes Coral Group plc 2. POSITIONS OF THE PERSON MAKING THE DISCLOSURE If there are positions or rights to subscribe to disclose in more than one class of relevant securities of the offeror or offeree named in 1(c), copy table 2(a) or (b) (as appropriate) for each additional class of relevant security. (a) Interests and short positions in the relevant securities of the offeror or offeree to which the disclosure relates following the dealing (if any) Class of relevant security: Euro 0.01 ordinary (IM00B5VQMV65) Interests Short positions Number % Number % (1) Relevant securities owned and/or controlled: (2) Cash-settled derivatives: 6,120,629 2.016 1,274,942 0.420 (3) Stock-settled derivatives (including options) and agreements to purchase/sell: TOTAL: 6,120,629 2.016 1,274,942 0.420 All interests and all short positions should be disclosed. Details of any open stock-settled derivative positions (including traded options), or agreements to purchase or sell relevant securities, should be given on a Supplemental Form 8 (Open Positions). (b) Rights to subscribe for new securities (including directors' and other employee options) Class of relevant security in relation to which subscription right exists: Details, including nature of the rights concerned and relevant percentages: 3. DEALINGS (IF ANY) BY THE PERSON MAKING THE DISCLOSURE Where there have been dealings in more than one class of relevant securities of the offeror or offeree named in 1(c), copy table 3(a), (b), (c) or (d) (as appropriate) for each additional class of relevant security dealt in. The currency of all prices and other monetary amounts should be stated. (a) Purchases and sales Class of relevant security Purchase/sale Number of securities Price per unit (b) Cash-settled derivative transactions Class of relevant security Product description e.g. CFD Nature of dealing e.g. opening/closing a long/short position, increasing/reducing a long/short position Number of reference securities Price per unit Euro 0.01 ordinary CFD Increasing a short position 50,000 GBP 9.50 (c) Stock-settled derivative transactions (including options) (i) Writing, selling, purchasing or varying Class of relevant security Product description e.g. call option Writing, purchasing, selling, varying etc. Number of securities to which option relates Exercise price per unit Type e.g. American, European etc. Expiry date Option money paid/ received per unit (ii) Exercise Class of relevant security Product description e.g. call option Exercising/ exercised against Number of securities Exercise price per unit (d) Other dealings (including subscribing for new securities) Class of relevant security Nature of dealing e.g. subscription, conversion Details Price per unit (if applicable) 4. OTHER INFORMATION (a) Indemnity and other dealing arrangements Details of any indemnity or option arrangement, or any agreement or understanding, formal or informal, relating to relevant securities which may be an inducement to deal or refrain from dealing entered into by the person making the disclosure and any party to the offer or any person acting in concert with a party to the offer: Irrevocable commitments and letters of intent should not be included. If there are no such agreements, arrangements or understandings, state "none" (b) Agreements, arrangements or understandings relating to options or derivatives Details of any agreement, arrangement or understanding, formal or informal, between the person making the disclosure and any other person relating to: (i) the voting rights of any relevant securities under any option; or (ii) the voting rights or future acquisition or disposal of any relevant securities to which any derivative is referenced: If there are no such agreements, arrangements or understandings, state "none" (c) Attachments Is a Supplemental Form 8 (Open Positions) attached? NO Date of disclosure: 16 March 2018 Contact name: Janine Frederick Telephone number: 02077584420 Public disclosures under Rule 8 of the Code must be made to a Regulatory Information Service. The Panel's Market Surveillance Unit is available for consultation in relation to the Code's disclosure requirements on +44 (0)20 7638 0129. The Code can be viewed on the Panel's website at www.thetakeoverpanel.org.uk. Are native scientists not good enough? I ask this question on the heels of the Philippine governments apparent tendency to rely on foreign scientists when it comes to studying the countrys marine resources. Last January, the government called in marine scientists from China to conduct underwater exploration in the Philippine Rise a 13-million-hectare undersea plateau, which is part of the Philippine territory. This resource-rich, submerged landmass east of the largest Philippine island of Luzon was earlier called Benham Rise, named by American surveyors who discovered it in 1933 when the Philippines was a US colony. Philippine maritime law expert Jay Batongbacal has criticised the government in the media for underestimating local scientific capability to explore the Philippine Rise, and for allowing China to conduct research in the area. The Philippine government, he said, denigrated" and demeaned Filipino scientists capacity. The problem is the belief that foreigners are always more knowledgeable, more experienced than Filipinos Kelvin Rodolfo Another foreign incursion was also opposed by a local scientist earlier this year. Philippine geologist Kelvin Rodolfo objected to the governments plan to hire Dutch scientists to study Manila Bay in order to draft programmes and projects to protect its vulnerable coastal zones. Rodolfo said the government ignores the fact that we have a world-class Marine Science Institute . . . The problem is the belief that foreigners are always more knowledgeable, more experienced than Filipinos. He continued, "The fact that [no Filipino scientist] was present at the meeting [to discuss the project] with the Dutch ambassador is in keeping with our countrys colonial mentality. History of colonisation The issue is touchy in the Philippines and other Asian countries that were colonised by the West the Philippines by Spain and the United States; Indonesia by the Netherlands; Bangladesh, India, Malaysia, Myanmar, Pakistan, and Singapore by the UK; and Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam by France. Only Thailand escaped colonisation. Indonesian social scientist Hermin Indah Wahyuni tells SciDev.Net: Sometimes we feel that people tend to demean scientists in developing countries of Asia-Pacific. I feel sometimes a bias [against Asian scientists] from Western colleagues. I respect [Western] colleagues and hope to develop real scientific dialogue with them. Wahyuni, a communication professor and head of the Centre for South East Asian Studies at Gadjah Mada University in Jogjakarta, points out that Indonesian scientists have made their mark in fields like volcanology and tropical disease. Asian marine science expertise Batongbacal, who directs the University of the Philippines Institute of Maritime Affairs and Law of the Sea, objected to a government spokesmans claim that Philippine scientists lack the ability and resources to carry out underwater research. His position is staunchly supported by Angel Alcala, a prominent Asian marine scientist and Ramon Magsaysay awardee in marine conservation. We have the marine science expertise and the marine scientists to do it [underwater exploration] in the Philippine Rise, Alcala, who is the director of the Silliman University Angelo King Centre for Research and Environmental Management, tells SciDev.Net in an interview. Alcala believes that the Philippines, an archipelago, is on par with the rest of the world in terms of marine science expertise. He cites Edgardo Gomez, a retired marine scientist from the University of the Philippines, as a top name in the field. Hilconida Calumpong, a budding professor at Silliman University and member of the UN-mandated World Ocean Assessment group of marine scientists which has studied the state of the worlds oceans for five years (20112015), offered a more subdued explanation. We are comparable with the rest of the world for coastal and shallow waters, but when it comes to deep waters, we are at a disadvantage. We lack the facilities and equipment for detailed deep-water studies, Calumpong says. Overcoming colonial mentality We also do not have sustained funding to conduct long-term studies, he adds. We lack the warm bodies to conduct such studies since many of our scientists, especially the younger ones, go abroad not only for greener pastures but also for infrastructure and funding support. There is no question that the less developed countries of Asia-Pacific need help and upgrading in many fields of science, outside perhaps of a few, such as marine science, tropical medicine, volcanology and tropical agriculture. But what they lack is funding and equipment, rather than expertise. For example, there was no need to invite vaccine experts from Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, the UK, and the US to sort out the botched Philippine dengue mass vaccination programme. Because dengue is endemic in the Philippines, the country has a lot of experience and experts in this field. Calling on foreign experts from the West whenever we have problems, even just to referee local experts who cannot agree among themselves because of biases or selfish interests, is unnecessary. And it only indicates that a colonial mentality still persists in the former Western colonies in Asia. We might learn more from consultations, joint research, and exchanges of experts with the more advanced countries in the region like Singapore, South Korea and Malaysia who have moved up in various fields of science and medicine because of their increased investments in research and development. Crispin C. Maslog, former journalist with Agence France-Presse, is an environmental activist and former science professor, Silliman U and UP Los Banos, Philippines. He is a founding member and now Chair of the Board, Asian Media Information and Communication Centre (AMIC) based in Manila. This piece was produced by SciDev.Nets Asia & Pacific desk. According to the Ministry of Health (MOH), surrogacy refers to the arrangement where: a woman is artificially impregnated, whether for monetary compensation or not, with the intention that the child is to be the social child of some other person or couple. Commercial surrogacy often involves a fee paid to the surrogate mother. By hiring a surrogate mother, you are essentially hiring a woman to carry and deliver a child for you. Both heterosexual and homosexual couples may consider surrogacy as an option for having children. For heterosexual couples, surrogacy may be considered when the intended mother is unable to conceive, or if pregnancy is risky for her. For homosexual couples who are not able to conceive but desire to have a child, surrogacy may be an option for them to have a biologically-related child. If you are thinking of exploring the option of surrogacy, it might be helpful to consider some of the following legal issues before hiring a surrogate. 1. Legality of Surrogacy in Singapore The provision of surrogacy services is currently illegal in Singapore. The MOH has released a directive prohibiting Assisted Reproduction (AR) centres here from carrying out surrogacy services, and any AR centre found to be doing so can have its licence suspended or revoked. While it does not appear that individuals obtaining surrogacy services from AR centres in Singapore will face any criminal penalty for doing so, they may face difficulties in relation to formalising their relationship with the child (see below). 2. Engaging a Surrogate Mother Overseas Since the provision of surrogacy services is illegal in Singapore, single and married persons who intend to be parents in Singapore have gone to countries like the United States (US), Malaysia and Laos to seek surrogacy arrangements. The obtaining of surrogacy services overseas is currently not illegal in Singapore. Previously, India and Thailand were also popular options. In recent years however, the governments in these countries have cracked down on doctors who perform surrogacy procedures. In July 2015, Thailand implemented a law banning foreigners from entering into commercial surrogacy arrangements and contracts with its citizens. India later followed suit to ban foreigners from commercial surrogacy as well. Story continues That being said, there has been an increasing number of couples from Singapore seeking surrogacy arrangements overseas. It was even reported that no less than 15 children born via surrogacy arrangements in the US were brought back to Singapore in 2017. However, engaging a surrogate mother overseas comes with risks and thus may not be advisable. For example, even if surrogacy is legal in another country, it is unlikely that the Singapore courts will enforce agreements for the provision of surrogacy services since it is illegal here. Thus, should any problems arise, such as the surrogate mother backing out of the agreement and deciding to keep the child for herself, there may be little that can be done to enforce the agreement back here in Singapore. If so, further complications pertaining to the childs citizenship and parental rights may surface. 3. Use of Donor Eggs/Sperm If you and/or your partner are not able to provide eggs or sperm due to certain reasons, it may be possible to use donor eggs or sperm. This is also known as gestational surrogacy where the egg and sperm of either the intended parent(s) or donor(s) are fertilised. Thereafter, the fertilised embryo will be implanted in the surrogate mother. Whether you will be able to obtain gestational surrogacy services depends on the laws of the country where you intend to obtain such services. Generally, states in the US which allow gestational surrogacy require at least one of the intended parents to be genetically related to the child. Examples of these states include Illinois, Florida and Virginia. There appears to be no prohibition on the use of eggs or sperm from anonymous donors. On the other hand, in Canada, a law was passed in 2011 to prohibit egg or sperm donors from remaining anonymous. 4. Obtaining Parental Rights Over the Child Who will have parental rights (i.e. the legal rights and responsibilities which parents have over their children) over a child born through surrogacy arrangements may differ according to the laws of the country in which the child was born. In some countries supportive of surrogacy agreements such as the US, the intended parent(s) can secure parental rights to the child even before he/she is born. On the other hand, in Laos, where surrogacy agreements are legal but not supported, the birth certificate will reflect the surrogate mother and intended father as the legal parents. The intended mother will not have any parental rights over the child. Malaysias position on this appears to be rather murky. However, it seems that if the surrogate mother is married, the legal parents of the child will be the surrogate mother and her own husband (and not the intended father!). If the surrogate mother and her husband have been given parental rights over the child, there may currently be no laws in Singapore that allow the intended parent(s) to apply to be made the childs legal parents. Instead, the intended parent(s) may need to adopt the child in order to obtain parental rights over them (see next section). 5. Adopting the Child This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. By adopting a child born through surrogacy arrangements, you would be considered the childs legal parent. However, you may encounter difficulty while doing so. Such an arrangement would likely be regarded by the Singapore authorities as being akin to you buying a child, making the service transactional in nature. This goes against the social policies behind Singapores adoption laws, which seek to prevent the use of money to encourage the movement of life from one hand to another. In addition, surrogacy does not reflect the accepted traditional family structure here, as the child born through surrogacy may potentially have 3 parents (i.e. the couple and the surrogate mother). Further, surrogacy also raises ethical and moral issues, and it also goes against the beliefs of certain religious groups, such as the Catholics. That said, in 2018 the Singapore High Court allowed a gay Singaporean doctor to adopt his biological surrogate son. The doctor had been living together with his partner for around 13 years, and had conceived the child through commercial surrogacy in the US. Although Singapore public policy is against the formation of same-sex family units, the court granted the adoption application on the basis that doing so would be in the childs interest. This was because adoption would increase the childs chances of getting Singapore citizenship (see below) and being able to stay in Singapore for the long-term, where his natural father and family support structures were. Accordingly, it may be possible to adopt a child born through surrogacy if adoption would be in the childs interest. However, there is no guarantee that your adoption application will be successful, and you should consider carefully before proceeding with this option. 6. Obtaining Singapore Citizenship for the Child Generally, for most countries, the system of jus soli, or birthright citizenship, is followed. This means that a child will obtain citizenship in the country in which he/she is born. For example, if the surrogate mother is based in the US and delivers the child there, the child will consequently hold US citizenship. If you intend to and do bring the child you have conceived through surrogacy arrangements overseas back to Singapore, you may try to apply to the Immigration Checkpoints and Authority (ICA) to obtain Singaporean citizenship for him/her. However, given the policy reasons stated in the previous point, the chances of the ICA granting your child Singapore citizenship may be slim. You may need to adopt your child first in order to have a higher chance of your childs citizenship application being granted. And as mentioned in the previous point, being able to adopt a child born through surrogacy arrangements is not a given, and you may face difficulties while doing so. All in all, surrogacy may not be the optimal choice considering the strong policy reasons against it in Singapore. While it is understandable that some couples may find difficulties conceiving and so need to make use of alternative routes to fulfil their desire of having a child, surrogacy is still not advisable. Perhaps it would be better to consider the procedures approved in Singapores AR centres, such as In-Vitro Fertilisation. The post Hiring a Surrogate: 6 Legal Issues for Singaporean Couples to Consider appeared first on SingaporeLegalAdvice.com. March 16 (Reuters) - China Unicom Hong Kong Ltd: * NOTES MEDIA STATING COMPOUND ANNUAL GROWTH RATE OF SERVICE REVENUE AND PROFIT BEFORE TAX FOR 4 YEARS TO 2020 ABOUT 6.5% AND 68.7% * FIGURES REFERRED TO IN MEDIA REPORTS RELATE TO SHARE AWARDS ADOPTED & ANNOUNCED BY CHINA UNITED NETWORK COMMUNICATIONS LTD * SUCH FIGURES ARE NOT TARGETS MADE BY CO Source text for Eikon: Further company coverage: Two Israelis soldiers were killed and two others injured when a Palestinian rammed a car into a group of troops in the occupied West Bank on Friday, the Israeli army said. The four were struck when the car ploughed into their group close to the settlement of Mevo Dotan near Jenin in the northern West Bank. The army said the two killed were an officer and a soldier, without naming them. One of the two injured was in severe condition, the army statement added, saying their families had been informed. The attacker was arrested and taken to hospital, the army said. He was named as Alaa Kabha, born in 1991, with the army saying it had immediately rescinded the permits of 67 of his family members to work in Israel. Tensions were high on Friday after Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas called for a day of rage to commemorate 100 days since US President Donald Trump's controversial recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital. Palestinians also see the city as their capital and Trump's recognition broke with decades of US policy that the status of the city would be negotiated between the parties. At least 31 Palestinians and four Israelis have been killed since Trump's announcement, which set off major protests. Hamas praised the attack but did not claim responsibility for it. "This revolution against the Trump decision and the occupation is not a wave of anger but an ongoing action until our people are totally free," said Hamas, which is considered a terrorist organisation by Israel, the United States and others. Palestinian attacks are often attributed to frustration with Israel's 50-year occupation. Israel accuses Palestinian officials of encouraging such attacks through incitement and refusing to accept Israel's existence. The events come ahead of what could be a tense few months, with a number of significant dates that may spark tension. Uppermost among them is the inauguration of the new American embassy in Jerusalem on May 14, coinciding with the 70th anniversary of Israel's founding. President Trump has said he will attend if he can. On May 15 Palestinians recognise the Nakba, or catastrophe, commemorating the fleeing of hundreds of thousands of people in the 1948 war that led to the creation of Israel. Around 400,000 Israelis live in West Bank settlements that are considered illegal by the United Nations. Around 2.6 million Palestinians live in the same area. From the safety of suburban Australia, Bou Rachna recalls the hours before her husband Kem Ley, a prominent Cambodian political analyst, was shot dead at a Phnom Penh gas station in a 2016 killing that rattled the nation. They had just finished breakfast together when he left to meet some students for a chat over coffee. She received a call soon after, informing her that he had been gunned down in broad daylight. "He never did anything for himself," Bou Rachna told AFP of her late husband. "He did everything for Cambodia, so that it could have freedom, real democracy, independent courts and respect for human rights." She and her five children arrived in Australia last month where they were granted asylum after hiding for more than a year in Thailand. But reminders of the violence that felled Kem Ley have followed them, with death threats mailed to the family ahead of a visit to Sydney by Cambodia's strongman leader Hun Sen for a special Australia-ASEAN summit this week. Australia's hosting of the summit, which will focus on economic ties and counter-terrorism cooperation, is not without controversy. Critics say Canberra has a patchy record on rights in Southeast Asia with Human Rights Watch warning that the government should not "dance with dictators". While Australia granted asylum to Kem Ley's family, it also struck a controversial deal with Hun Sen's government to take in a small number of refugees refused Australian asylum in exchange for $55 million in aid. Despite the death threats, Bou Rachna is determined to speak out from her new home, and believes her husband was silenced for his criticism of the Cambodian regime. Little-known outside Cambodia, Kem Ley was a popular analyst and critic at home, who focused on corruption and land-grabbing that continues to plague the country. He criticised politicians of all shades, often speaking to rural and urban Cambodians on Khmer-language radio. - Crackdown intensifies - His brazen killing shocked the country, with tens of thousands attending funeral ceremonies and marching through the capital. Unemployed former soldier Oeuth Ang admitted to the murder and was sentenced to life in prison last year, saying Kem Ley owed him US$3,000. But many observers are sceptical, arguing the killing was politically motivated -- a throwback to the 1990s and early 2000s when political assassinations in Cambodia were commonplace. "I didn't accuse them, but the people in Cambodia know who the killer is behind Chuob Samlab," Rachna said, referring to a moniker given to Oeuth Ang during his years as a soldier, which in Khmer means "meet to kill". Hun Sen's government has long denied involvement, but for many Cambodians Ley has become the face of resistance against mounting oppression in the country. The Cambodian strongman, one of the world's longest serving leaders, has recently intensified a crackdown on the press, civil society and the only credible opposition, which was disbanded following a court ruling last November after its leader was arrested on treason charges. In response, the United States and some European countries reduced aid commitments and put travel restrictions on senior officials and Hun Sen's family, although China is increasingly filling that void. "All Hun Sen does is he gets up and he is looking for ways to crush somebody," Cambodian-Australian Victoria state parliamentarian Hong Lim told AFP. Lim has long been critical of the regime and has been threatened with violence if he returns to Cambodia. Hun Sen, a Khmer Rouge defector who has ruled the country for 33 years, is due to meet Turnbull during his visit. Lim believes Canberra has not done enough to condemn rights abuses in Cambodia, claiming it compromised its values when it agreed to the refugee deal. "We don't seem to get the message that we have stooped so low, working with this hideous regime and then trying to secure people to go to that country," he said. "We Australians are better than that." - Threat to beat protesters - Hun Sen is expected to be confronted by hundreds of protesters in Sydney, where there is a sizeable population of Cambodian refugees who fled the Khmer Rouge in the 1970s. Ahead of the regional summit, he sparked a storm by reportedly threatening to "beat" any demonstrators and warned he would "shame" Australia and block the release of a joint communique if he was embarrassed in any way. Australia's department of foreign affairs said it had made clear to its Cambodian counterparts "that Australia supports freedom of expression and the right to protest, and that threats of violence on Australian soil are not acceptable". They said Turnbull will raise rights abuses during the summit. Phnom Penh said Canberra had taken Hun Sen's comments out of context. Rachna plans to join the protests, but holds out little hope that justice will prevail for her husband, and fears she may never be able to return to Cambodia. "We cannot return at this time unless there is a change in our Cambodia," she said. Indonesian President Joko Widodo wants Australia to become a full member of ASEAN, signalling Friday he is keen on Canberra playing a bigger regional role in defence, trade and security matters. His comments come with Australia hosting a special summit of Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) leaders in Sydney, as China increasingly flexes its muscle and the threat of violent extremism grows. "I think it's a good idea," Widodo told the Sydney Morning Herald, referring to Australia joining ASEAN -- the first time an Indonesian president has endorsed the concept. "Because our region will be better, (for) stability, economic stability, and also political stability. Sure, it will be better." Australia has been a dialogue partner of ASEAN, which groups Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam, since 1974. They began biennial leaders' summits in 2016, with the first in Vientiane. In a report last month, the Australian Strategic Policy Institute argued that Canberra should aim for ASEAN membership by 2024 -- its 50th anniversary of being a partner -- and use the Sydney summit as a launch pad. "As the geo-strategic and geo-economic pressures build in Asia, ASEAN, as a middle-power grouping, needs the extra middle-power heft offered by Australia and New Zealand," it said. "The Sydney summit is the moment to launch the long conversation about Australia joining ASEAN." Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said he was "very warmed" by Widodo's comments, but stressed "ASEAN matters are matters for ASEAN". "We have the greatest respect for ASEAN, the way it reaches its own conclusions," he said ahead of a bilateral meeting with Cambodian leader Hun Sen. "We are a dialogue partner with ASEAN and we respect that centrality of ASEAN and its significance and fundamental importance, central importance, in our region." Speaking at a press conference alongside Turnbull, Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said he was keen to "deepen ties between Australia and Southeast Asia more broadly". "Australia believes its future lies in Asia, took steps to become ASEAN's first dialogue partner in 1974, and Singapore has taken steps to help keep the region open," said Lee, the 2018 ASEAN host. "As ASEAN chair, Singapore will continue to encourage Australia's engagement with ASEAN, and we will discuss taking the partnership forward." Widodo, who will reportedly have a private dinner with Turnbull at his harbourside home on Saturday, singled out close co-operation with Canberra on counter-terrorism. He said he regularly spoke on the phone with Turnbull to resolve issues such as the threat posed by Islamic extremists who last year seized the Philippines' city of Marawi. "We have good co-operation on Marawi, not only with Australia but also with Malaysia, with the Philippines, with Brunei," he said. "You know that no country is invulnerable from terrorism or extremism." Countering the threat of violent extremism and ways to choke terrorist financing are key themes of the Sydney summit. The warming of ties between Indonesia and Australia follows a period of rocky relations due to Jakarta's execution of Australian drug smugglers and Canberra's policy of turning migrant boats back to Indonesia. German Interior Minister Horst Seehofer is sworn-in by Parliament President Wolfgang Schaeuble in Germany's lower house of parliament Bundestag in Berlin, Germany, March 14, 2018. REUTERS/Kai Pfaffenbach BERLIN (Reuters) - New Interior Minister Horst Seehofer said Islam does not belong to Germany and set out hardline immigration policies in an interview published on Friday, as he sought to see off rising far-right challengers. Seehofer told Bild newspaper he would push through a "master plan for quicker deportations", in his first major interview since he was sworn into office on Wednesday. The minister - a member of Chancellor Angela Merkel's CSU Bavarian allies who are further to the right than her own Christian Democrats (CDU) - said he would also classify more states as 'safe' countries of origin, which would make it easier to deport failed asylum seekers. The statements come after Merkel's conservatives, and their coalition allies - the Social Democrats - lost ground to the anti-immigrant Alternative for Germany (AfD) party in elections last year. Seehofer is particularly keen to show his party is tackling immigration ahead of Bavaria's October regional election, when the AfD is expected to enter that state assembly. "Islam does not belong to Germany," Seehofer said, contradicting former German president Christian Wulff who fuelled a debate over immigration in 2010 by saying Islam was part of Germany. In 2015 Merkel echoed Wulff's words at a time when anti-immigration campaign group PEGIDA - or Patriotic Europeans Against the Islamisation of the West - was holding marches. "LIVE WITH US" "Of course the Muslims living here do belong to Germany," Seehofer said before going on to say Germany should not give up its own traditions or customs, which had Christianity at their heart. "My message is: Muslims need to live with us, not next to us or against us," he said. The government estimates between 4.4 and 4.7 million Muslims are living in Germany. Many of them have a Turkish background and many of the more than a million migrants who have arrived in the country from the Middle East and elsewhere after Merkel adopted an open-door policy in mid-2015 are also Muslims. Story continues Andre Poggenburg, head of the AfD in the eastern state of Saxony, said Seehofer was copying his party with a view to Bavaria's October regional election: "Horst Seehofer has taken this message from our manifesto word for word," he said. The far-left Linke and Greens condemned Seehofer's message, and the Social Democrats' Natascha Kohnen told broadcaster n-tv: "Saying that incites people against each other at a time when we really don't need that. What we really need is politicians who bring people together." In a coalition agreement, Merkel's CDU/CSU conservative bloc and the Social Democrats agreed they would manage and limit migration to Germany and Europe to avoid a re-run of the 2015 refugee crisis. They also said they did not expect migration (excluding labour migration) to rise above the range of 180,000 to 220,000 per year. (Reporting by Michelle Martin; Editing by Andrew Heavens) A professor at one of Chinas top universities has quit what many academics would regard as a dream job after he gained celebrity status through an online knowledge-sharing platform. Xue Zhaofeng, a former economist at Peking Universitys National School of Development, has been offering a year-long course via the iGet app, which launched two years ago. More than 250,000 users paid 199 yuan (US$32) each to subscribe to the service, which operates in the same way as a podcast with lectures being released every week between Monday and Thursday. The figures mean the classes will have brought in a total revenue of almost 50 million yuan (US$7.9 million). Xues decision to turn his back on conventional academia to become a celebrity intellectual was first reported by a WeChat page called the Economists Circle. The academic told the South China Morning Post that he had resigned, something the school also confirmed, but Xue declined to explain his motivation. Im currently going through the resignation procedures, Xue, who was employed on a contract basis, added. E-sports: How Chinas gamers went from couch to classroom to career The online learning frenzy in China started in 2016 and by the following year iGet and its competitors including apps such as Ximalaya and Fenda had attracted a total of 1.9 billion subscribers, according to Guangzhou-based consultancy iiMedia Research. This translated into a market worth 50 billion yuan, according to a research report by the Chinese Academy of Press and Publication. How tech firms are using Chinas social media addiction to teach English Xue is among a new generation of renowned scholars who are seeking to cash in on their fame through the countrys emerging knowledge-sharing economy. Unlike more traditional online education platforms like Coursera or MOOCs, the courses on these apps are more casual and accessible, with teachers from all walks of life covering topics that range from skincare to personal wealth management. Story continues An increasing number of university academics are also joining their ranks. These include He Fan, another economics professor at Peking University, Chen Zhiwu, a finance professor at the University of Hong Kong, and Zhou Lian, a well-known intellectual and philosophy professor at Renmin University. These academics have been praised for helping to popularise academic disciplines such as economics, science and philosophy. Typically, revenues are split between the platform and the teachers although the exact shares are not known. How Chinas internet boom is creating new jobs in the countrys rural areas Xues students and others educators say he has a knack for turning basic theories into understandable and relatable topics for the layman. In his lessons, Xue cites stories from the American television drama Breaking Bad or stories about young men trying to attract women to illustrate the academic concept known as the Coase Theorem, while his experiences of buying an air conditioner helped to explain the concept of marginal cost. Yiqing Xu, a political science professor at the University of California, San Diego, said Xue has made great contribution to helping to spread economic theories in China although he said his understanding of the field was rooted in concepts developed in the 1970s and 1980s. Despite the rapid development in the field in China over the past two decades, Xu said there were still no public economists in China with the broad appeal of figures like Milton Friedman or Paul Krugman in the United States. But he said: No matter what country, the publics attitudes towards economic policies will have a certain impact on policy decisions. The execution of policies also requires understanding and support from the public. I subscribe to him not in order to become an economist, but to learn and know more Subscriber to Xues app As a result of his commercial success, however, Xue, has come under mounting pressure from his peers in the academic world who have questioned his grasp of the subject and the use of knowledge-sharing platforms as a teaching aide. Wang Dingding, 65, an older and more senior professor at Xues school, compared his 50-year-old colleague to an economics student who has not yet graduated. In an opinion piece titled Why money can only buy third-class knowledge published on the website Caixin in February, Wang argued that academics should concentrate on the upper reaches of their subject and explore topics that only a few people actually understand. One of Xues over 251,000 subscribers on iGet commented: I subscribe to him not in order to become an economist, but to learn and know more I believe all of these will help me make the best choice in my work and life. This article Meet the professor who turned his back on one of Chinas top universities after online classes made him an academic celebrity first appeared on South China Morning Post For the latest news from the South China Morning Post download our mobile app. Copyright 2018. VANCOUVER, British Columbia, March 16, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWS WIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE U.S. Body and Mind Inc. (CSE:BAMM) (US OTC:BMMJ) (the Company or BAM) is pleased to announce the Company has received the necessary approvals and required permits from Clark County, Nevada, allowing the Company to proceed with its expansion plans on its current facility. BAM President Robert Hasman commented, We are delighted to have received the necessary permits for the Pepper Lane expansion which is anticipated to increase its current light capacity by approximately 40%. Long lead items have been ordered in advance and contractors have been engaged to commence construction this week. The construction plan is scheduled to take approximately 3 months. Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. For further information regarding Body and Mind Inc. please contact: Darren Tindale 604-376-3567 stonerockltd@gmail.com Notice regarding Forward Looking Statements: This news release contains forward-looking statements. The use of any of the words "anticipate", "continue", "estimate", "expect", "may", "will", "project", "should", "believe" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. 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. These statements speak only as of the date of this news release. Actual results could differ materially from those currently anticipated due to a number of factors and risks including the inability of the Company to obtain shareholder and exchange approval, or to raise additional equity as well as the various risk factors discussed in the Company's disclosure documents, which can be found under the Company's profile on www.sedar.com. Body and Mind Inc. undertakes no obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law or the Canadian Securities Exchange. We seek safe harbour. China tells UK to back off after Boris Johnson warns of Beijing's increasing influence over Hong Kong China has told the UK to back off after British foreign secretary Boris Johnson doubled down on concerns that the one country, two systems governing formula for Hong Kong was coming under increasing pressure. Beijings foreign ministry spokesman Lu Kang said on Friday that Hong Kong affairs were purely Chinas affairs, and accused Britain of making irresponsible remarks by releasing its latest six-monthly report on the city. Since July 1, 1997, Hong Kong affairs have been Chinas internal affairs, Lu said. Britain has no power to intervene. There is no room for interference. He said the UKs remarks would only lead to resentment among Chinese citizens. Britain handed Hong Kong back to Chinese rule in 1997 after 150 years. Under the one country, two systems formula, Hong Kong is allowed a high degree of autonomy until 2047, even though incidents such as the missing booksellers saga of 2015 sparked fears about the erosion of civil liberties and freedoms. In his latest six-monthly report to the UK parliament, Johnson cited cases in the second half of 2017 that were seen as a threat to the principle, such as a British activist who was denied entry into Hong Kong, and the ousting of lawmakers over an oath-taking saga in the citys legislature. Britain has no power to intervene. There is no room for interference Lu Kang, Chinese foreign ministry Johnson also expressed concern over the so-called co-location plan for the high-speed cross-border rail link that would allow the application of mainland laws in parts of the West Kowloon terminus. He called on Beijing and Hong Kong authorities to ensure that the established constitutional framework for any change to the Basic Law (Hong Kongs mini-constitution) is respected. Responding to media inquiries, a Hong Kong government spokesman said later on the same day: Since the return to the Motherland, the HKSAR has been exercising a high degree of autonomy and Hong Kong people administering Hong Kong in strict accordance with the Basic Law. Story continues This demonstrates the full and successful implementation of the one country, two systems principle, which has been widely recognised by the international community. Foreign governments should not interfere in any form in the internal affairs of the HKSAR. Last September, Johnson warned that important areas of the one country, two systems model were under increasing pressure, citing reports of mainland security officials operating in the city and Beijings increasing influence. Johnson said in the foreword of his latest report that while one country, two systems generally functions well ... the increasing pressure I described in the foreword of my last six-monthly report has continued in the second half of 2017. He also said on Thursday that the British government had consistently raised its concerns with Chinese and Hong Kong authorities. In October, the Chinese ambassador to the UK was summoned by the British Foreign Office after Benedict Rogers, a British activist known for raising concerns about political freedom and human rights in Hong Kong, was refused entry to the city. Johnson said: I paid close attention to the denial of entry to Hong Kong of Ben Rogers ... Beijings involvement in this case has strengthened our view that Hong Kongs high degree of autonomy is under increasing pressure. On Hong Kongs rule of law, Johnson said that in the second half of 2017, a large number of cases related to the political system came before Hong Kongs courts, including the disqualification of a further four legislators. He was referring to the disqualifications of pro-democracy lawmakers Lau Siu-lai, Nathan Law Kwun-chung, Long Hair Leung Kwok-hung and Edward Yiu Chung-yim for improper oaths of office. The legal battle was mounted by the Hong Kong government. The judiciary in Hong Kong remains in high esteem, Johnson added. It will be vital that the Hong Kong ... government is seen to use the system of justice fairly in all cases. Referring to Chinese President Xi Jinpings pledge that the one country, two systems principle would be implemented unswervingly, Johnson said: It is vital that Hong Kongs high degree of autonomy is seen to be respected in full, allowing the people of Hong Kong and its authorities to tackle important issues for themselves, in accordance with the [1984 Sino-British] Joint Declaration. This article China tells UK to back off after Boris Johnson warns of Beijing's increasing influence over 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. Taiwans government said on Thursday it wanted Hong Kongs help investigating the murder of a woman from the city, allegedly by her teenage boyfriend, while the couple was in Taipei last month. Deputy Justice Minister Chen Ming-tang said that although there is no extradition deal between Taiwan and Hong Kong, his ministry would try to get an agreement from the Hong Kong side to ease the investigation and any eventual punishment of 19-year-old Chan Tong-kai. The Justice Ministry will do all it can to assist the prosecutors in having the suspect questioned in Taiwan, he said. Chan was suspected of killing his 20-year-old girlfriend Poon Hiu-wing, also from Hong Kong, during their vacation in Taiwan, police there said. The couple went to the self-governing island on February 8, but Chan returned to Hong Kong without Poon on February 17, they said. The suspect, a former associate degree student at Polytechnic Universitys Hong Kong Community College, was seen carrying a huge pink suitcase after checking out of a Taipei hotel earlier that day, according to officers. On Wednesday police discovered the badly decomposed body of Poon, a former student at the Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education, in bushes near an MRT station on the outskirts of Taipei. In Hong Kong, Chan faces charges of theft and handling stolen goods, and was remanded in custody on Thursday after appearing in court. He is accused of stealing Poons bank card, a camera, an iPhone 6 and NT$20,000 (US$2,560), and taking money from her bank account twice in late February, from a cash machine in Diamond Hill. The victim and suspect being from Hong Kong has made the situation difficult for Taiwanese prosecutors, especially with Chan no longer in Taiwan. With the lack of extradition arrangements, legal experts in both places have said there was little hope of the suspect returning to Taiwan for investigation or prosecution. Story continues Meng Yu-mei, deputy director of the international and cross-strait judicial affairs department under the Justice Ministry, said Taiwan has the right to probe the case as the murder took place on the island. The jurisdiction of the case falls within Taiwan since the crime took place in Taiwan and the victim was found dead in Taiwan, she said. The prosecutors office for Shilin district, which is in charge of the case, said it had already sought the help of the local Justice Ministry in getting Hong Kongs cooperation. The jurisdiction of the case falls within Taiwan since the crime took place in Taiwan and the victim was found dead in Taiwan Meng Yu-mei, of international and cross-strait judicial affairs department Prosecutors said the initial autopsy showed Poon was strangled to death. The prosecutors office spokesman said they could not confirm reports that the woman was three months pregnant before she was killed, as the initial autopsy showed no sign of pregnancy, given that the body was seriously decomposed. We will send the body to a research institute for further inspection to see if the victim was pregnant before she died, the official said. The killing came to light after Poons father went to Taiwan a few days ago to seek help from local police. When asked how the murder case would be handled on Friday, Secretary for Security John Lee Ka-chiu did not say whether the suspect would be transferred to Taiwan for trial. The incident involves two jurisdictions, Lee said. We are working hard to study how to process the case under the existing legal framework. At this stage, I think it is most important to investigate and gather evidence, and know clearly what happened and what crimes are involved in each jurisdiction. He added that only after evidence had been gathered would authorities decide to which court they should be submitted. This article Taiwan to ask Hong Kongs help investigating teenager wanted for girlfriends murder first appeared on South China Morning Post For the latest news from the South China Morning Post download our mobile app. Copyright 2018. Singapore state courts (Yahoo News Singapore file photo) Three Filipino nationals who stole casino chips from the Marina Bay Sands (MBS) casino were each sentenced to 18 months jail by the State Courts on Friday (16 March). The trio, Ryan Dimaunahan De Los Reyes, 31, Celiz Bernaldez Jerwin, 35 and Lazaro Floro Bumatay, 54, each pleaded guilty to two charges abetment by conspiracy to commit theft and transferring benefits of criminal conduct. They were nabbed at the casino on 17 January this year after CCTV footage showed them stealing casino chips from baccarat tables. They had pocketed a total of $41,000 worth of chips. The trio met in Manila in October 2017 and developed a plan to steal casino chips in Singapore by putting sticky tape on their palms. In January this year, they visited the MBS casino several times, targeting high rollers who played with chips of high value. Jerwin distracted patrons while Ryan and Lazaro used the sticky tape technique to steal chips when the patrons were distracted or looked away. Lazaro would then collect the chips and cash them out daily before leaving the casino. In addition, they each remitted S$1,000 of the stolen proceeds to the Philippines. Deputy Public Prosecutor Stephanie Chew sought a jail term of 18 months each for the trio, saying that they had come to Singapore specifically to commit offences and that no restitution had been made. District Judge Chay Yuen Fatt agreed with the prosecution and sentenced them accordingly, backdating their jail terms to 19 January. The Southbank Flash Shoe Sale will be being hosted by Long Live Southbank, next to the skate spot itself, from Friday the 23rd to Sunday the 25th of March and from 10am to 6pm each day. With all shoes at 35 or less and all funds raised supporting the planned revamp of the currently closed part of Southbank, if youre in London then there are basically no excuses to miss this one! In case you missed the news last week, London Mayor Sadiq Khan has awarded Long Live Southbank and the Southbank Centre a grant whereby any money raised will be matched, to a maximum of 700k. Thus its full battle stations to raise as much as they can and, fingers crossed, restore the iconic London spot to its original glory. Click on the flyer below to be taken through to the Facebook event page then scroll down further to find out exactly which shoes brands will be on sale at the event which is taking place at Festival Village. Long Live Southbank sell a huge quantity of skate shoes at very cheap prices for the masses! Weve got 900 pairs of Nike, Converse, Vans, adidas and Lakai, including some highly desirable collabs, all for sale at prices that will be 35 maximum. Theres a few true rarities for those who get there first (Fucking Awesome x Vans collabs to name just one in the mix). Long Live Southbank garms at cheap prices too! Location: Festival Village. Just adjacent to Southbank Skate Spot. Times: 10am 6pm, Friday 23rd to March Sunday 25th. Following the Mayor of Londons good news, all funds raised support the Southbank revamp! Cheap shoes for who want cheap shoes and all for a very good cause! If, like me, youre just shaking off your Marvel fatigue to make room in your heart for Black Panther, it can be easy to forget that Marvels biggest crossover is coming out next month. Avengers: Infinity War, which promises to reunite nearly every character from the studios cinematic universe, will feature recent additions like Black Panther, Spider-Man, and Dr. Strange fighting alongside fan favorites like Iron Man, Captain America, and Black Widow. The gang will finally take on Thanos (and his stones), a baddie the MCU has been hinting at in years of after-credits sequences. Finally, after an intriguing teaser and a shifted premiere date, Marvel is rolling out the films first official trailer. Advertisement While its as formulaic as any other Marvel sneak peek (Character introduction! Action sequence! Tony Stark comic relief! More action sequences!), its a little hard not to fall under this trailers spell. Not only do we get to see Americas Boyfriend Black Panther meet Americas Other Boyfriend Captain America (now with added swoon-worthy beard), were reintroduced to all of the insane sci-fi ass-kicking and interpersonal drama weve come to know and love. Why does Zoe Saldana know Thanos again? Who cares! I just want to know if the youngest Olsen is going to hook up with the sentient AI. For those of you inclined to actually dive head-first into Marvel lore, feel free to ferret through the above trailer for other Easter eggs. Ill just be over here admiring Thors eye patch. Founded in 2013, Beautycounter is a direct sales skincare and cosmetics brand that aims to pump out more than mascara and makeup remover wipes. According to a profile in Fast Company, the Avon challenger is looking to make activists of its 30,000 salespeople. To wit: Last week, as a reward for the two top-performing sales repsor consultants in Beautycounter parlancefrom each state, the company sent them to Washington, D.C., to persuade members of Congress to support the Personal Care Products Safety Act (PCPSA), proposed legislation that would beef up the FDAs ability to regulate ingredients in makeup, soap, shampoo, and other beauty and hygiene products. The novice lobbyists are being trained by the brands head of social and environmental responsibility, Lindsay Dahl, who, in a previous role at advocacy coalition Safer Chemicals, Healthy Families, helped push the FDA to ban BPA from plastic baby products like pacifiers, bottles, and sippy cups. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As noted by Fast Company, Beautycounter joins other woke companies like Ben & Jerrys and Patagonia who, rather than roll out a haphazardly planned marketing tool designed to raise their social capital, actively push for progressive legislation that could actually benefit a wide swath of people. These activist brands activate a tension implicit in a political climate where our representatives are more inclined to listen to voices attached to deep pockets than their individual constituents: The causes they champion might be objectively good, but the intentions behind their activism can leave us feeling a little queasy. After all, a multimillion dollar company isnt going to throw money or people at something without expecting some kind of benefit. In this case, Beautycounter stands to gain an edge in terms of both optics and finances if the PCPSA passes. The U.S. has an incredibly lackadaisical approach to the ingredients in personal care products, ingredients that most Americans are slathering on their bodies every day. (To date, the European Union has prohibited about 1,300 chemicals and heavily restricted 250 othersthe U.S. has partially banned only 30.) A company like Beautycounter actively lobbying for increased regulation of the various tinctures we apply to our skin can only mean good things for the rest of us. Advertisement Advertisement Of course, it wouldnt hurt Beautycounters bottom line eitherthe company has in-house scientists to make sure their product formulas are free of 1,500 ingredients dubbed either questionable or harmful. Other beauty companies without as stringent a policy would be left scrambling to reformulate their products if the PCPSA were to pass. And then theres the bump to brand loyalty: Finding out that your favorite eyebrow pencil contains carcinogens is only going to make proactive companies like Beautycounter look better. Advertisement So where does that leave your typical progressive with an aversion to woke company antics? In a world where corporate power is prioritized over constituents wishes, a strategic acceptance of brand activism might be in order. (Even when the leaders behind those brands say cringe-y things like, Before I started the company, the idea of activism conjured up images of serious people filled with anger I want this movement to be filled with positivity and female empowerment, as Beautycounters founder, Gregg Refrew, did to Fast Company.) Feeling a little uneasy when huge companies decide to direct energy at your pet cause is completely normaland in fact, encouraged. These moves are rarely completely altruistic and should be greeted with a healthy amount of skeptical side-eye. But until American politics becomes less of a game of who has the most money, we might have to make a few truces with brands pushing genuinely progressive legislation. Of course, once the class war finally breaks out, these truces can be abandoned as quickly as they were made. On Wednesday, a federal judge in Ohio blocked a law that would have prohibited women from getting abortions if they sought the procedure because their fetuses had a high probability of Down syndrome. The legislation, which Republican Gov. John Kasich signed in December, was slated to take effect on March 23. Under the law, Ohio doctors would have had to write an abortion report after each abortion, verifying that they didnt know if the patient wanted to terminate her pregnancy because of a Down screening. Doctors who performed abortions knowing that they were sought for reasons related to Down syndrome would have had their medical licenses revoked and be subject to felony charges. The law would have been nearly impossible to enforce, mostly serving as a way to shame women for their reasons for choosing abortion. It will remain blocked until a court makes a final ruling on the suit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Judge Timothy Black is wonderfully sassy in his court order granting a preliminary injunction. He opens with a quote from the top law enforcement official in the nation, United States Attorney General, Jefferson B. Sessions III, who famously said, Federal law is the law of the land. When it comes to abortion, Black writes, federal law as interpreted by the Supreme Court is crystal clear: a State may not prohibit any woman from making the ultimate decision to terminate her pregnancy before viability. Ohios law, he continues, violates the right to privacy of every woman in Ohio and is unconstitutional on its face. The intersection of Down syndrome and abortion politics has been a flashpoint for public debate in recent months, thanks to the Ohio law, a similar one in Indiana thats currently before a federal appeals court, and news reports about the dwindling number of people with Down syndrome around the world. Earlier this week, conservative columnist George Will published a piece that called Down syndromerelated abortions genocide and prenatal genetic screenings effective search-and-destroy technologies. Inspired in part by Will, progressive columnist David Leonhardt wrote in the New York Times today that he is deeply disturbed that some countries are moving toward eliminating an entire group of people. Advertisement Advertisement In Iceland, only one or two babies out of more than 4,000 total are born with Down syndrome each year, usually to women who get an inaccurate screening result or decide, as about 15 percent do, not to get the test. There are social reasons why some countries have a higher Down syndromerelated abortion rate than others; in Iceland, at this point, there may be a self-perpetuating cycle in which prospective parents dont know any people with Down syndrome, so they dont have a good idea of what life with a child with Down syndrome might be like. General discrimination toward people with disabilities certainly doesnt help. But Iceland as a country is not eliminating an entire group of people. Icelandic women are choosing to get abortions, as is their right, for a wide variety of unknowable reasons. A womans decision to terminate a pregnancy is not a referendum on the Icelandic babies, children, and adults who are currently living with Down syndromethe group of people to which Leonhardt refers. He does not explain why ending a pregnancy when a fetus has a high probability of a certain chromosomal disorder is more disturbing than any other abortion. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If a woman chooses to terminate a pregnancy after a Down syndrome screening, that does not make her a party to ableist discrimination, either, as proponents of the Ohio law suggest. There are very real difficulties that go along with raising a child, whether or not that child has a disability, and every prospective parent should be able to choose, without judgment, when and how to have a child. There is no objective social good to come from increasing the population of people with Down syndrome, just as there is no moral imperative to, say, attempt to boost the birth rate of children with autism. General anti-discrimination efforts, like the ongoing Law Syndrome campaign, are important advocacy measures, and may also help convince families that theyre capable of parenting a child with a disability. But explicitly trying to stop women from getting abortions for particular reasons can only be done through persuasion, coercion, or force. Hopefully even supporters of the Ohio law would agree that a rising population of babies with Down syndrome would hardly be something to celebrate if those babies were born to parents who were shamed into having them. VANCOUVER, British Columbia, March 16, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- via NetworkWire PreveCeutical Medical Inc. (the Company or PreveCeutical) (CSE:PREV) (OTCQB:PRVCF) (FSE:18H), announces the incorporation of its first Australian wholly-owned subsidiary, PreveCeutical (Australia) Pty Ltd, as part of an expansion of the Companys business in Brisbane, Australia. PreveCeuticals new Australian team, led by Director of International Operations, Dr. Maher Khaled, will work closely with the Companys Chief Research Officer, Dr. Harry Parekh, to advance the development of the Companys therapeutic technologies. The decision to incorporate the Companys first subsidiary in Australia was influenced by Australias strong foundation of academic and clinical research, as well as the Australian governments commitment to supporting innovation through a range of programs and incentives. Such incentives include the research and development (R&D) tax incentive, whereby the Australian government encourages companies to engage in R&D benefiting Australia by providing a tax offset for eligible R&D activities. The current annual refundable tax offset under the program is 43.5%. Commenting on the announcement, Dr. Khaled stated, Establishing a business presence in Australia will allow PreveCeutical to better access expertise and partnerships for its drug development programs. Many specialized Australian hospitals have strong clinical trial capabilities as well as the diverse patient populations needed for the range of products PreveCeutical is currently developing. Combined with Australias favourable regulatory regime for clinical trials, these benefits make Australia an attractive location for product development in preparation for commercialisation through the Companys established North American networks. Australian Subsidiary Team Management of the Companys Australian subsidiary includes the following individuals: Stephen Van Deventer Chairman and Director Mr. Van Deventer is an experienced businessman and corporate director. Specialising in international corporate relations and business development over the last twenty-five years, Mr. Van Deventer has focused on launching small to medium-sized companies into the public markets in Canada, the United States and Europe. He has also owned and operated private businesses. Maher Khaled PhD, LLB, BSc Chief Executive Officer, Secretary and Director Dr. Khaled has spent over a decade commercializing therapeutic and diagnostic technologies developed at the University of Queensland and the University of Cambridge, United Kingdom, while working at UniQuest Pty Ltd. Prior to his work at UniQuest, Dr. Khaled was an investment manager at Cambridge Enterprise Seed Funds. While at Cambridge, Dr. Khaled directed the investment of seed capital in start-up companies, and in some of which also held directorships. He also advised pharmaceutical and medical device companies on strategic and operational issues while working at McKinsey & Companys London office. Dr. Khaled holds a PhD in Biotechnology, as well as a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) and a BSc in Biomedical Science, all from the University of Queensland. Dr. Khaled is an admitted solicitor of the Supreme Court of Queensland. Kimberly Van Deventer Director Ms. Van Deventer is an entrepreneur with a successful track record of accomplishment that she has brought to PreveCeutical. Motivated and determined, she was ranked the third highest grossing female business owner in British Columbia, Canada in 2009. Ms. Van Deventer is a driving force behind PreveCeutical and unwavering in her commitment to raising awareness about health and disease prevention. Shabira Rajan, MBA, CPA, CGA Chief Financial Officer Ms. Rajan is a senior financial executive with over 20 years of experience, leading the financial discipline for successful businesses in both private and public sectors. She has a track record of providing leadership for strategic value creation and continuous improvement, as well as providing effective direction to organisations on issues relating to corporate governance, financial oversight and risk management. One of her past leadership roles was that of Director of Finance at Canada Line Rapid Transit Inc., which planned and constructed a $2 billion rapid transit system in metro-Vancouver, on time and within budget. About PreveCeutical PreveCeutical is a health sciences company that develops innovative options for preventive and curative therapies utilizing organic and nature identical products. PreveCeutical aims to be a leader in preventive health sciences and currently has five research and development programs, including: dual gene therapy for curative and prevention therapies for diabetes and obesity; the Sol-gel Program; Nature Identical peptides for treatment of various ailments; non-addictive analgesic peptides as a replacement to the highly addictive analgesics such as morphine, fentanyl and oxycodone; and a therapeutic product for treating athletes who suffer from concussions (mild traumatic brain injury). PreveCeutical sells CELLB9, an Immune System Booster. CELLB9 is an oral solution containing polarized and potentiated essential minerals extracted from a novel peptide obtained from Caribbean Blue Scorpion venom. This product is available on the Companys website. For more information about PreveCeutical, please visit www.PreveCeutical.com, follow us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/PreveCeuticals and Facebook: www.facebook.com/PreveCeutical. On Behalf of the Board of Directors Stephen Van Deventer Chairman & CEO For further information, please contact: Deanna Kress Director of Corporate Communications & Investor Relations +1-778-999-6063 deanna@PreveCeutical.com Corporate Communications Contact: NetworkNewsWire (NNW) New York, New York www.NetworkNewsWire.com 212.418.1217 Office Editor@NetworkNewsWire.com Forward-Looking Statements: This news release contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information (collectively, forward-looking statements) within the meaning of applicable Canadian and U.S. securities legislation, including the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements in this news release that are not purely historical are forward-looking statements and include any statements regarding beliefs, plans, expectations and orientations regarding the future including the Companys anticipated business plans, and the prospect of its ability and success in executing its proposed plans. Often, but not always, forward-looking statements can be identified by words such as pro forma, plans, expects, may, should, budget, schedules, estimates, forecasts, intends, anticipates, believes, potential or variations of such words including negative variations thereof and phrases that refer to certain actions, events or results that may, could, would, might or will occur or be taken or achieved. Actual results could differ from those projected in any forward-looking statements due to numerous factors including risks and uncertainties relating to the inability of the Company, to, among other things, obtain any required governmental, regulatory or stock exchange approvals, permits, consents or authorizations required, including Canadian Securities Exchange acceptance of any planned future activities, commercialise therapeutic and diagnostic technologies, pursue business partnerships, complete its research programs as planned, qualify for government tax benefits or programs and obtain the financing required to carry out its planned future activities. Other factors such as general economic, market or business conditions or changes in laws, regulations and policies affecting the biotechnology or pharmaceutical industry, may also adversely affect the future results or performance of the Company. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this news release and, unless required by applicable law, the Company assumes no obligation to update the forward-looking statements or to update the reasons why actual results could differ from those projected in these forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes that the statements, beliefs, plans, expectations, and intentions contained in this news release are reasonable, there can be no assurance that those statements, beliefs, plans, expectations, or intentions will prove to be accurate. Readers should consider all of the information set forth herein and should also refer to other periodic reports provided by the Company from time-to-time. These reports and the Companys filings are available at www.sedar.com. Readers are cautioned that forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance or events and, accordingly, are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements due to the inherent uncertainty of such statements. On Wednesday, the Los Angeles County Superior Court set a July hearing date for Stephanie Cliffords lawsuit seeking to nullify a nondisclosure agreement with Donald Trump over their alleged affair. Meanwhile, Cliffords attorney Michael Avenatti told BuzzFeed that other women have approached him about potential legal cases against the president. While BuzzFeed reported that Avenatti did not answer questions about the number of [other] women or the nature of their allegations, Cliffords specific case appears strong. Clifford, better known by her professional name Stormy Daniels, argues the agreement isnt valid because Trump never signed it. As Scott Pilutik noted in Slate, one relevant concept here is the statute of frauds, which requires that certain types of contracts must be signed in writing by both parties. But theres another, more straightforward reason the contract might be unenforceable if Trump didnt sign it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There are specific portions of the agreement that only Trump, or perhaps an explicitly designated Trump representative, could assent to. As part of the agreements recitals, the contract states that [t]he 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. The contract then goes on to offer a promise from Trump, who in the lawsuit is referred to by the pseudonym David Dennison, to release any of his potential claims against Clifford, who in the lawsuit is referred by the pseudonym Peggy Peterson. [T]he claims released include but are not limited to DDs Claims against PP for possibly providing photo or text evidence of their relationship to unauthorized persons and to PPs having allegedly engaged in efforts to disclose, disseminate and/or commercially exploit the Images and/or Property and/or Confidential Information, and any harm suffered by DD therefrom. This is a very clear promise from Trump not to sue Daniels for any efforts she may have made to disseminate information about their alleged affair. To put a fine point on how important this promise is, the contract goes on to say the recitals portion is the essential, integral and material terms of this Agreement. Advertisement Advertisement Another essential portion of the contract is Trumps promise to stay away from Clifford and her family: It is an essential element of this Settlement Agreement that the Parties shall never directly or indirectly communicate with each other or attempt to contact their respective families. Georgetown Law professor David Super told me that only Trump or an explicitly defined representative can sign off on such essential promises. If Trumps signature is absent, its clear he didnt sign off. And what about a representative? Trumps attorney, Michael Cohen, set up a company called Essential Consultants LLC to agree to the deal with Clifford. But according to Super, an expert in contract law, there isnt anything in the agreement to indicate Essential Consultants is authorized to agree to essential promises on Trumps behalf. Advertisement Advertisement What about the fact that Cohen is Trumps lawyer? Just because Im your lawyer doesnt mean I can give away your rights unless it says Im authorized to do that, Super told me. He further notes that there are portions of the agreement in which Essential Consultants LLC is explicitly granted specific abilities, such as the ability to accept certain still images and/or text messages which were authored by or relate to DD. This only bolsters Cliffords case: If other specific abilities, like waiving the right to sue on Trumps behalf, arent spelled out, that would seem to mean Essential Consultants LLC doesnt possess them. (Super notes that the Latin term for this legal principle is expressio unius est exclusio alterius, meaning that the explicit mention of one thing is the exclusion of another.) Advertisement Advertisement The strength of the case could explain Stormys public posture. Furthermore, when Cohen signed the contract, he appears to have changed Attorney for DD to Attorney for Essential Consultants, LLC. Here, Cohen appears to be rejecting the notion that he is acting as DDs attorney. Finally, and most simply, there is a separate line on the contract explicitly for Trumps signature. Super believes it can thus be argued in court that it was implied that the parties thought that his signature was needed [for the release of these claims]. The upshot here is that if Clifford agreed to this deal on the basis of these essential promises by Trump and he never legally agreed to those promises, then the contract is unenforceable and should be considered moot. If the contract was money for promises, then you wouldnt need Trumps signature, Super said. But they didnt draft it that way. They made it money and promises for promises. So she didnt get her promises, so they didnt complete the deal. Advertisement Advertisement The strength of the case could explain Cliffords public posture. If the contract were valid, filing a lawsuit could be considered a breach of the agreement, as that lawsuit lays out several of the details Clifford would have promised to keep confidential. But she is going further than that, doing an interview with 60 Minutes Anderson Cooperanother possible breach. The president of CBS News earlier this week said the network planned to air the interview after it had completed its fact-checking process, despite reported threats from Trumps legal team to try to prevent it from airing. Advertisement Given all this, it appears as if Clifford believes shes in the clear. What would happen, though, if the contract was deemed valid? Some, including political commentator Seth Abramson, have suggested the contract is unlikely to be enforced whether or not Clifford wins her suit.* According to this logic, it would be politically untenable for Trump to force Clifford to pay him because it would require that Trump sue Daniels, opening him up to public disclosures and liabilities and because the discovery process could further endanger them and Trump would have to testify. Advertisement This is incorrect, Super says. If the court were to rule that the contract is valid, an arbitrator would then determine how much money Clifford owes Trump for whatever possible breaches. (This would likely run into the millions of dollars.) If she refuses to pay and Trump sues to get his money, he would not be opening himself up to much in the way of potential exposure beyond whats already come to light. There wouldnt be discovery in an enforcement action because discovery is limited to relevant evidence, or to things that are reasonably calculated to lead to relevant evidence, Super says. Any of the details of Cliffords alleged affairor even how the contract was initiatedwould not be relevant in such a case. Ultimately, then, Clifford is betting millions of dollars that Michael Cohen screwed up a contract. Its looking like a pretty good bet. At 12:27 p.m. on Friday afternoon, President Trump tweeted the following: It would be great for the Republican Party of Nevada, and its unity if good guy Danny Tarkanian would run for Congress and Dean Heller, who is doing a really good job, could run for Senate unopposed! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 16, 2018 Advertisement Tarkanian, a Nevada Republican who has run for and lost six federal and statewide races over the last dozen or so years, had announced last summer that he would primary Heller, the most endangered Republican in the Senate this cycle. It came at a point when Heller was mostly preparing for his general election battle and had come out strongly against the Senates original Obamacare repeal-and-replace plan. Since Tarkanians announcement, Heller had been a loyal Republican vote on just about everything. His shift to the right to win the primary wouldnt do him any favors in the general, were he to make it that far. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Just about 15 minutes after the presidents tweet, the Reno Gazette-Journal reported that Tarkanian had accepted Trumps offer, and would run for the Nevada 3rd Congressional District seat left vacant by Democratic Rep. Jacky Rosen, who is challenging Heller for Senate. (Rosen had narrowly defeated Tarkanian in the 2016 congressional race.) The candidate filing deadline is Friday, if youre wondering why Trump tweeted out his thoughts about Nevada politics on Friday afternoon. With the primary field cleared, one suspects that the next time Heller sticks his finger into the wind he will rediscover his great doubts about whichever unpopular item is then on the Republican agenda. Donald Trump, for reasons that Im sure made sense to him, decided to tell a story in a fundraising speech on Wednesday night about how he had claimed in a conversation with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau that the United States has a trade deficit with Canada despite not knowing whether that was true. (It is not.) In the same speech, he threatened to remove U.S. troops from South Korea unless the country agreed to trade concessions. We lose money on trade, and we lose money on the military, he said. We have right now 32,000 soldiers on the border between North and South Korea. Lets see what happens. Advertisement Explicitly tying together U.S. economic interests and military policy has long been a big theme for Trump, one he seems to be emphasizing lately, which might have something to do with the departure of more traditionalist voices like chief economic adviser Gary Cohn and Secretary of State Rex Tillerson from his administration. The idea that the countrys economic standing and national security are connected makes sense. But Trumps attempts to draw that connection have been hampered by, first, his habit of talking to longtime U.S. allies, as in the Korea example, like hes a neighborhood mobster demanding protection money from a deli owner and, second, his habit of making confident assertions on topics about which he is completely ignorant, as shown by the Canada example. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To take another instance, in announcing new tariffs on steel and aluminum imports last week, the Trump administration made dubious use of a law that authorizes such action in order to defend U.S. national security. If this was meant to counter the growing economic and military might of China, it was a strange way of going about it: China is only the 11th biggest exporter of steel to the U.S. And many experts are skeptical of the idea that Americas warfighting capacity is deeply affected by its reliance on imported steel, much of which comes from allies, with Canada being the largest supplier. (Canada and Mexico were eventually granted exemptions from the tariffs.) Trumps own secretary of defense, James Mattis, isnt buying the security argument, writing in a memo released to the media that U.S. military requirements for steel and aluminum each only represent about three percent of U.S. production. Therefore, DoD does not believe that the findings in the reports impact the ability of DoD programs to acquire the steel or aluminum necessary to meet national defense requirements. The secretarys words could very well turn up in a World Trade Organization challenge to the tariffs from the governments affected. Mattis said he was more concerned about the negative impact on our key allies from tariffs. Advertisement Advertisement Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin also suggested in a recent interview that the president may set tariffs on European countries based on their financial commitments to NATO. 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, he said. Trump has been making misleading claims about the supposedly disproportionate amount of money the U.S. spends on NATOincluding at NATO headquarters last springsince early in his presidential campaign. Essentially hes mixing two issues: The U.S. does pay more in direct contributions to NATO, because those contributions are based on the size of a countrys economy, and the amountless than $500 million a yearis basically a rounding error in the U.S. defense budget. There is a longstanding disagreement, predating Trump, over how much countries spend on their own defense. NATO sets a nonbinding target of 2 percent of GDP, which only four countries other than the U.S. meet. This is also a little misleading and arbitrary: Greece met the 2 percent target, despite cutting its defense budget, because its overall economy collapsed, while China has been getting by just fine on 1.3 percent spending. You can certainly argue that European countries should be doing more to provide for their own defense, but NATO is not a restaurant tab that the U.S. has been left with. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Unfortunately, help does not appear to be on the way. In his first interview since being named director of Trumps National Economic Council, former CNBC contributor Larry Kudlow shared an idea for the U.S. to lead a trade coalition of the willing, of partners and allies against China. As many pointed out, Kudlow is basically describing the Trans-Pacific Partnership, the U.S.-led, China-countering multinational trade pact that Trump scuttled as one of his first acts in office. Points to Kudlow, as well, for an apparently non-ironic use of coalition of the willing, which refers to both a war Trump has called stupid and an actual example of dozens of countries free-riding on U.S. military power without contributing anything. Advertisement The individual misleading claims and misunderstandings aside, the underlying issue here is Trumps apparent view that the U.S. is getting scammedthat we dont get anything out of our alliances and security guarantees. What this zero-sum view leaves out is the comforting fact that there has not been a major war among the industrialized powers of Western Europe and East Asia for the last half century. There are a lot of explanations for this state of peace, but these alliances and security commitments are at least a major part of it. Considering the number of U.S. lives lost and dollars spent in those wars last century, were getting a bargain. Nancy Pelosi would prefer not to claim any credit for Conor Lambs surprise victory in Pennsylvanias 18th District on Tuesday. I dont think he ran against me the entire time, Pelosi, the House minority leader, told reporters Thursday during a press conference, when asked about the newest member of the Democratic caucus. In fact, Lamb did make a point of disavowing Pelosi throughout his campaign, rebuffing Republican attacks that he was a stooge for the lightning-rod leader and promising not to support her. Pelosi said she was rooting for him anyway. Advertisement I just wanted him to win, she said. I dont really think that had much impact on the race. One can debate the exact cause and effect of Lambs Pelosi position, but theres little doubt it puts the leader in an awkward spot. To reclaim her majority, Pelosi will need Democrats to win in some tough districts. To get those wins, Democratic candidates might find it helpful to reject her. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In Lambs case, Pelosi argued that his New Dealstyle liberalism and support from labor were more critical to his success than his position against Pelosi. Republicans spent millions of dollars trying to tie Lamb to Pelosibefore and after he denounced herand Lamb still prevailed. (Only after Lamb won did Republicans, like Speaker Paul Ryan, acknowledge and applaud his anti-Pelosi posture.) Not all districts Democrats need to win the House will be as deep red as Pennsylvanias 18th, where Im told Republican internal polling measured Pelosis unfavorability rating at 65 percent. Advertisement But the Pennsylvania special election set an easy precedent for other moderate candidates in red-leaning districts: If you flatly refuse to support Nancy Pelosi, as Lamb did in a campaign ad, you can defang the issue. Its a simple response that can deflect an avalanche of Republican money flooding into your district. In the days since the Pennsylvania election, the National Republican Campaign Committee has tried to make it harder for Democrats to replicate Lambs model. In a memo issued Thursday morning, the group said that to truly distance themselves from Nancy Pelosi, they must also reject all campaign cash spent on their behalf by the DCCC or House Majority PAC, two vessels for Pelosis prolific fundraising. Advertisement Advertisement Its difficult to see masses of voters, in a strong Democratic year, changing their minds because candidates take money from organizations for which Pelosi has fundraised. But all of those Democratic candidates will, at some point, and probably sooner than later, be asked the same question: Will you support Nancy Pelosi for leader? Lambs race has shown them that its easy to just say No and render moot Republicans entire campaign strategy this year. The possibility that other candidates might join the Never Pelosi camp raises a math question to consider, should Democrats take back the House: If the number of Democratic members who are on the record saying they wont support Pelosi is greater than the Democrats margin heading into the next Congress, how could Pelosi win a speakers election on the floor? Advertisement Advertisement Members are starting to look at it, with more clarity than before, what happens if we take back the House with a slim majority, as one House Democratic aide told me, and too many Democrats have gone on the record saying they would not vote for Pelosi. People are starting to do some math in their head, the aide continued, and realizing that the numbers dont add up for her. Advertisement As one Pelosi ally told Axios, its possible to envision a scenario in which Pelosi could win the internal caucus leadership vote but then lose the speakership vote on the floor. If Pelosi saw that coming, the ally said, She would never let that happen, and she would bow out to someone else. That would bring about the long-awaited battle between Pelosis current deputy, Steny Hoyer, whos waited behind Pelosi for decades, and the caucus chairman, Joe Crowley, a rare not-very-old member of the Democratic leadership. Advertisement But the idea that Pelosi would quietly bow out of her chance to retake the speakership after a quick glance at the numbers is unlikely. That she has raised so much money for would-be freshmen Democrats is not just a point that the NRCC is making, but one that she and her allies might make note of in conversations prior to the speakership vote. Plum spots for freshmen could materialize on, say, the appropriations committee. Accepting a prize, though, still wouldnt get those new Democrats off the hook for the public commitments theyd made not to support her. There is one way that these Democrats could uphold their pledge not to vote for Pelosi as Democratic leader but still support her speakership. In the private caucus leadership vote prior to the floor election, Democrats whove made the commitment could vote for an alternative. Pelosi has faced intraparty leadership challenges beforemost notably after the 2016 election, when 63 members supported Ohio Rep. Tim Ryan. These Democrats could then say that they upheld their pledge but would support their caucuss nominee for the speakership on the floor rather than risk turning the chamber to Republicans. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That might not be the ideal way out, and one doubts that Republican ad-makers in the next cycle would make careful note of the distinction. It would be much simpler if Democrats won with a large enough margin that leaders had their fair share of free passes to hand out to dissenters. But it is a way out. It would be an understatement to say that Pelosi and her staff consider the What Conor Lamb Means for Pelosis Leadership line of inquiry to be stupid. And there is much work to be done before the issue of which Democrat will serve as speaker in 2019 becomes the pressing question. If they do reach that moment, though, Pelosis team will be prepared. Nancy Pelosi always has the votes, her spokesman, Drew Hammill, told me. Correction, 8:45 p.m.: ProPublica, which reported in 2017 that Gina Haspel supervised the torture of Abu Zubaydah, has retracted its report. From the site: The story said that Haspel, a career CIA officer who President Trump has nominated to be the next director of central intelligence, oversaw the clandestine base where Zubaydah was subjected to waterboarding and other coercive interrogation methods that are widely seen as torture. The story also said she mocked the prisoners suffering in a private conversation. Neither of these assertions is correct and we retract them. It is now clear that Haspel did not take charge of the base until after the interrogation of Zubaydah ended. Advertisement ProPublica writes that it made errors determining who was being referred to as chief of base in declassified agency cables and CIA-reviewed books which referred to the official overseeing Zubaydahs interrogation at a secret prison in Thailand. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement ProPublica says its original report that Haspel was involved in the destruction of video recordings depicting Zubaydahs torture was correct, and that she did supervise the waterboarding of a suspect who was not Zubaydah. Rand Paul spokesman Doug Stafford has issued the following statement: Senator Rand Paul was quoting a Pulitzer-Prize winning reporter. Regardless of the retraction of one anecdote, the fact remains that Gina Haspel was instrumental in running a place where people were tortured. According to multiple published, undisputed accounts, she oversaw a black site and she further destroyed evidence of torture. This should preclude her from ever running the CIA. Advertisement Original post, 4:04 p.m.: On Tuesday, Donald Trump nominated CIA Deputy Director Gina Haspel to replace agency Director Mike Pompeo. In 2002, Haspel supervised the torture of a man named Abu Zubaydah, who the CIA mistakenly believed to be a top Osama Bin Laden adviser with extensive knowledge of the terrorist leaders methods and future plans. It turned out that Zubaydah didnt have such knowledge because he was a personnel clerk at an insurgent training camp who wasnt even a formal member of al-Qaida; Haspel, however, reportedly believed Zubaydah was merely playing dumband mocked his acting during torture in person. From ProPublica: Advertisement At one point, Haspel spoke directly with Zubaydah, accusing him of faking symptoms of physical distress and psychological breakdown. In a scene described in a book written by one of the interrogators, the chief of base came to his cell and congratulated him on the fine quality of his acting. According to the book, the chief of base, who was identified only by title, said: Good job! I like the way youre drooling; it adds realism. Im almost buying it. You wouldnt think a grown man would do that. Advertisement Advertisement Haspel, who later ordered the destruction of video recordings that documented Zubaydahs treatment, can expect support for her nomination from the national security figures and Republican elected officials who either continue to support practices like waterboarding or believe she shouldnt be punished for engaging in enhanced interrogation practices that were in widespread use at the time. (And what a time it was!) Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul, however, has already announced that he wont vote to confirm her; said the noted civil liberties advocate at a press conference: I find it just amazing that anyone would consider having this woman at the head of the CIA. My opposition to her is over her direct participation in interrogation and her gleeful enjoyment at the suffering of someone who was being tortured. Advertisement Advertisement Arizona Sen. John McCain did not outright say he wont vote for Haspel but wrote in a statement that [t]he torture of detainees in U.S. custody during the last decade was one of the darkest chapters in American history and that Haspel needs to explain the nature and extent of her involvement in the CIAs interrogation program during the confirmation process. On the other side of the aisle, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer says he has not yet decided whether he will oppose Haspels confirmation or encourage others to do so, while California Sen. Diane Feinsteinthe ranking Democrat on the Senate Intelligence Committeemade initial off-the-cuff comments about the nominee that were quite friendly. Via the Intercept: Advertisement I have spent some time with her, weve had dinner together, we have talked. Everything I know is that she has been a good deputy director of the CIA. Feinstein is currently facing a high-profile primary challenge from California Dem Kevin de Leon, who not surprisingly announced soon after Haspels nomination that he would vote against her confirmation if given the chance. Feinstein has perhaps not coincidentally now issued a tougher statement: I look forward to speaking again with Gina Haspel about the role she would play and how she would run the CIA. Its no secret Ive had concerns in the past with her connection to the CIA torture program and have spent time with her discussing this. Haspels confirmation hearing has not yet been scheduled. In 2010, Rep. Dan Lipinski, an Illinois Democrat, voted against Barack Obamas landmark health care bill. In 2012, Lipinski declined to publicly endorse Obama for a second term as president. In 2018, Team Obama is getting some revenge. On Thursday, a group of former Obama aides and allies held a press conference in Chicago to join what has become a partywide dog pile on Lipinski, one of the most conservative Democrats in Congress. The public rebuke came only days before next Tuesdays Illinois primary, in which Lipinski will face the first serious electoral challenge of his career, from a progressive challenger, Marie Newman, in one of the most closely watched primaries of the year. Advertisement The impetus for Thursdays event was a recent campaign mailer sent out by a Lipinski-aligned super PAC that questioned Newmans professional resume. It featured a photo of Obama on one side with the words, Known for Leading, and one of Newman on the other with the words, Known for Misleading. That opened up old wounds for the Obama loyalists, who seized the opportunity to join the parade of prominent Democrats opposing Lipinskis re-election. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is about calling out hypocrisy, frankly, and letting voters know what their representative is doing in Congress, and lying about their record and allegiances is not going to be tolerated, said John Atkinson, a former Obama campaign aide. David Axelrod, Obamas former campaign strategist, wasnt at the event himself, but he expressed a similar sentiment on Twitter the night before, calling the ad cynical and galling. Advertisement Lipinskis campaign says it had nothing to do with the mailer, though a spokesman made sure to use the opportunity to note, it does raise some serious concerns about the truthfulness of many of Marie Newmans claims about herself. Regardless, it appears to have backfired. It will be especially difficult to gauge whether the Obama reprisals have any effect on this race. A wide swath of liberals had already come out against Lipinski over positions they say are out of step with both the national party and his own constituents, including his opposition to marriage equality and a womans right to choose. Among those opposing Lipinski are progressive outfits like MoveOn.org and Democracy for America, and more centrist ones like the Service Employees International Union and the Human Rights Campaign. Big Democratic names like Sens. Bernie Sanders and Kirsten Gillibrand have also sided with Newman, as have smaller, local ones like Illinois Reps. Jan Schakowsky and Luis Gutierrez. Given Obama himself is unlikely to get involved in a race like this, the public scolding from his friends means the anti-Lipinski Democratic bandwagon is now about as full as it can possibly get. Advertisement Advertisement Some progressives have billed the race as a battle for the soul of the Democratic Party, but it feels more like a last stand for a shrinking faction of moderate Democrats. Aside from his fellow Blue Dogs, Lipinski has received only the obligatory backing of House leaders, who would prefer not to be seen crossing their own members but also have little interest in deepening the intra-party dispute. Asked whether she supports Lipinski, Nancy Pelosi offered a rather tepid Yes, I do. Advertisement For most of his career, Lipinski was an afterthought for national Democrats, comfortably holding down a safe seat in a suburban Chicago district that was gifted to him by his father, Bill, who represented the district for a decade before deciding not to run for re-election in 2004 after he won the Democratic nomination that year. The elder Lipinski then convinced the state party to hand the nomination to his son. Six years after that, party bosses helped redraw the district so it remained safely Democratic but also included a few more socially conservative suburbs. Lipinski has coasted to re-election ever since. Advertisement Lipinski is one of three chairmen of the Blue Dog Coalition, but he looks more like a dinosaur in todays Democratic Party. In addition to being staunchly anti-abortion, he voted against recognizing same-sex marriage, against the DREAM Act, and against Obamacare. (Of the 34 House Democrats who voted against the ACA in 2010, Lipinski is one of just three still in office.) Hes moderated some of his views recently: He voted to defend the health care law from Republican attempts to repeal it, he now supports a path to citizenship for those immigrants brought here illegally as children, and while he remains proudly anti-abortion, he backed out of a scheduled speech at the national March for Life in January at the last minute. Still, he openly admits that hes to the right of most of his fellow Democrats. He also warns that ideological purity tests from progressives risk creating a Tea Party of the left. Advertisement Advertisement This is only the second primary challenge Lipinski has faced; he easily survived his first, in 2012, with more than 87 percent of the vote. Given his name recognition and deep ties in a district that he and his father have represented since 1993, it remains very possible hell prevail again on Tuesday despite the not-so-friendly fire from his own party. But thanks to the wave of progressive energy unleashed by Sanders primary run and then magnified by the anti-Trump resistance, Lipinski is now locked in the fight of his political life. Advertisement The Illinois race comes one week after the party notched a surprise victory in Pennsylvania, where moderate Democrats are now holding up Conor Lamb as an example of the type of center-left candidates the party needs more of in the midterms. The difference, of course, is that Democrats dont need to flip Lipinskis seat or even protect it, since its already about as safe as it can get. (The winner of the primary will face an outspoken neo-Nazi and Holocaust denier who the state GOP has already denounced.) If Lipinski survives, the Blue Dogs will bolster their case that moderate Democrats still have an important place in the partys next iteration. If Newman wins, progressives will have purged one of the most conservative members from their ranks. And shell have a lot of people to thank. Attorney General Jeff Sessions appears to have made a New Years resolution out of attacking California. In January, Sessions Department of Justice supported conservative groups suing the states school system for allegedly suppressing conservatives free speech. The DOJ has also filed suit to invalidate three California laws designed to protect undocumented immigrants from federal agents seeking to detain, abuse, or deport them. In a fiery speech on March 7, Sessions accused the state government of passing irrational, unfair, and unconstitutional policies with the goal of protecting lawbreakers. Advertisement Six days after that speech, a three-judge panel of the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals struck down a provision of Texas new law prohibiting the implementation of sanctuary city laws. The panel, which contained two of the most conservative judges in the United States, ruled the Texas lawthe constitutionality of which Sessions and the DOJ had defendedhad censored the speech of state officials in violation of the First Amendment. The lawbreakers, it turns out, arent the immigrant-protecting Californians. Theyre the Texans the Sessions-led DOJ has been cheering on. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Texas law in question, SB 4, is troubling for many reasons. At the heart of the measure is a radical new requirement that state and local law enforcement implement federal immigration law. Under the law, local agencies may no longer craft policies that bar officers from checking the immigration status of arresteespolicies that many departments used to build trust with immigrant communities. SB 4 also forces local authorities to honor ICE detainers, which obligate them to hold undocumented detainees for two days beyond their release dates so federal agents can pick them up. In August, a district court found that these provisions conflicted with federal immigration law and violated the Fourth Amendments ban on unreasonable searches and seizures. Advertisement But perhaps the most startling component of SB 4 is a provision that states that no elected official may endorse a policy of limiting Texas enforcement of immigration laws. Each violation of this gag order incurs a fine of $25,500, and violators may be stripped of their offices. SB 4s endorsement clause effectively bars myriad Texans, including sheriffs and mayors, from criticizing the bill itself. It is a textbook example of viewpoint-based censorship, an attempt by the government to insulate its own laws from criticism. For that reason, the district court struck it down as a flagrant infringement upon the First Amendment. Advertisement In most respects, Texas fared better at the 5th Circuit this week. The state drew an all-star panel of conservative judges: Edith Jones (who has been credibly accused of making racist remarks), Jerry Smith (an anti-abortion judicial activist), and the more mainstream Edward Prado. Given that Jones and Smith inhabit the far-right fringe of the federal judiciaryJones recently suggested that undocumented immigrants may not have any constitutional rights at allit was no surprise that the panel voted to uphold most of SB 4. Advertisement Advertisement Yet Texas gag rule went too far for even these judges. In an opinion authored by Jones, the court held that the endorsement provision suppressed elected officials core political speechexpression that lies at the heart of the First Amendment. SB 4 functions as a statewide speech code, forbidding officials from speaking out against the legislatures immigration policies. Thus, the court blocked Texas from enforcing this provision against elected officeholders. You might expect Sessions to have spoken out against the gag order. In September and October, the attorney general delivered two lengthy addresses on the vital importance of free expression. The attorney general described the right to free speech as precious, chastising countries that do not allow citizens to openly criticiz[e] the government. He railed against speech codes and the dangers of government-imposed groupthink. The liberty to speak our minds, Sessions declared, is at the core of what it means to be free. Advertisement Advertisement A few months earlier, Sessions Justice Department had filed a statement of interest siding with Texas in SB 4 litigation. The statement defended the legality of SB 4s major provisionsexcept for its gag rule, which, oddly enough, the DOJ entirely overlooked. Because the Justice Department had already taken the time to weigh in on the case, it could have easily noted that it objected to the endorsement clause as a violation of basic free speech principles. Or, at a minimum, it could have explicitly reserved judgment on the gag rules constitutionality. Instead, the DOJ ignored this provision while lending its imprimatur to SB 4. It seems the attorney general had no interest in opposing the speech code that the Texas government had implemented to shield its new measure from censure by state officials. Advertisement Sessions is a notorious free speech hypocrite. But his posturing against California and his vigorous defense of Texas reveal something much more insidious than mere hypocrisy. The attorney general is launching an assault on California while Texas tests out vastly more dangerous policies, aligning the executive branch with a legally dubious campaign against immigrants. For all his sanctimonious encomiums to freedom, Sessions has chosen to legitimize Texas Republicans infringements upon individual liberty and undercut California Democrats experiment with state sovereignty. Sessions frames himself as an evenhanded crusader for the rule of law. In reality, hes a nativist who happens to have the machinery of the federal government at his disposal. Today in Conservative Media is a daily roundup of the biggest stories in the right-wing press. The Republican Party is still sifting through the wreckage of the Pennsylvanias 18th congressional district, which Democrat Conor Lamb swiped from Republican Rick Saccone despite Trump carrying the district by 20 points just 17 months ago.* It was, of course, not a good sign for the GOP, but how bad are we talking? Or is this a blip? Jay Cost at National Review says Republicans are fighting against history this November, as the party holding the presidency has tended to hemorrhage seats in a presidents first midterms. History suggests that Republicans face a monumental struggle to hold the lower chamber of Congress, Cost writes. Yet the warning signs have been present for so long that Lambs win doesnt tell us much that we didnt already know. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What did we already know? That along with the headwinds of history, Trumps popularity, or lack of it, continues to be a problem. History suggests that the thing that can save the Republican majority is an uptick in Trumps job-approval numbers, Cost writes. Gallup has him at 39 percent right now, and the average of all polls puts him around 41 percent, or thereabouts. If he can push that number up to 45 percent, Id say the GOP has a fighting chance at the majority. That doesnt sound so dire, does it? If a slight uptick in Trumps poll numbers could push the party over the line to hold on to its majorities, that seems at least doable. Advertisement The Weekly Standards David Byler has a slightly different message: Mississippi Is Now in Play for Democrats. Whoa, that would be something. This is not necessarily a sign of the political times in the state, Byler notes, but that the functioning of special election in the state and the presence of a divisive figure that could fracture the party opens up a narrow lane to victory for the Democratic Party with the right candidate. Mississippi isnt usually a problematic state for Republicans. Its a strongly red, highly inelastic statemeaning that it usually votes for GOP candidates by a solid, reliable margin, regardless of which way the political winds are blowing, Byler writes. But if Mississippi Republicans catch multiple successive unlucky breaks, this seat could become a problem for them. Advertisement Advertisement The logistics of the race for the seat vacated by Mississippi Sen. Thad Cochrans early retirement means that both Mississippi Senate seats will be up for grabs in November. Chris McDaniels entrance into the race could split the GOP vote in the nonpartisan primary, which all candidates run in and then the top two participate in a runoff if no one gets 50 percent. Mississippi is flush with Republicans, Byler notes, but the non-McDaniel Republicans could split the vote while McDaniel keeps enough of his core constituents to make it to the run-off. Advertisement If Democrats manage to take advantage of the highly Democratic national environment, get a strong candidate into the run-off, capitalize on McDaniels weaknesses, grab some Republican votes, and maintain a turnout advantage, they could take the seat, Byler concludes. All things considered, this race is still a likely Republican hold. Itll be hard to make further judgments until we know more about the field and see some polling. But its worth watching these developments now, because stranger things than a Republican loss in Mississippi have happenedlike a Republican loss in Alabama. Advertisement In other news Bill Kristol takes a turn at the Weekly Standard to grapple with the implications of Donald Trump, the fabulist. In the recent fundraising speech where Trump admitted to donors that he made things up during negotiations with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Trump also cited the bowling ball test in Japan, as an apparent critique of the countrys non-tariff-related efforts to keep out American goods. Its called the bowling ball test; do you know what that is? Thats where they take a bowling ball from 20 feet up in the air and they drop it on the hood of the car, Trump said of Japan. And if the hood dents, then the car doesnt qualify. Well, guess what, the roof dented a little bit, and they said, nope, this car doesnt qualify. Its horrible, the way were treated. Its horrible. Advertisement Advertisement Lets [] focus for a minute on Trumps bowling ball parable, Kristol writes. Trumps riff reminded me of a much-discussed book of the pre-Trump era, Robert Putnams 2000 work Bowling Alone. In it, the Harvard social scientist argued that Americans had become increasingly atomizeddisconnected from family, friends, neighbors, and social institutions in general. One such institution isor wasthe bowling league. More Americans were bowling in 2000 than ever before, Putnam claimed, but they werent bowling together in leagues, but were rather bowling alone. Such was the claim, and Putnam marshaled a lot of data to support the argument that Alexis de Tocquevilles fear about American societythat individualism could lead to isolation and atomizationcould be coming true one might see in the rise of Donald Trumpand much else besidesthe unwelcome political consequences of the unfortunate social developments Putnam chronicled. Any response to those consequences will require thinking seriously about these underlying social and cultural trends, and about how to mitigate and even reverse them. Advertisement Advertisement Kurt Schlichter writes for Townhall that hes fed up with all of the stories about the president of the United States past extramarital affairs and hush payments. So, the president may have been cavorting with Playboy playmates and porn stars a decade or so ago and and what? Oh, right, were supposed to care, Schlichter explains. We dont care I dont mean that we are simply unconcerned about Donald Trumps past hobbies. I mean that our depth and breadth of not caring is so deep and wide as to create a critical mass of not giving a damn of such intensity that it is brighter than a million suns. Advertisement David Harsanyi at the Federalist is all aboard the Kudlow economic train: [Larry] Kudlow is a noticeable upgrade over the outgoing Gary Cohn, not only because the former has been a far more consistent voice for free marketsCohns support of carbon tax and a VAT tax, and his rumored moderating disposition on tax reform were all worrisome cluesbut because the former TV host and syndicated columnist is better equipped to sell those ideas to the public and lawmakers, Harsanyi writes. Kudlow, a former White House budget aide for Ronald Reagan, has long held positions on NAFTA and trade in general that are diametrically opposed to the presidents. Which undermines the idea that Trump is rigidly opposed to any dissent within the administration. The White House fire sale of top adviserseveryone must go!looks set to continue with national security adviser H.R. McMaster the next to go, the Washington Post reported Thursday. President Trump, the Post reports, has already decided to can the three-star Army general and is in the process of sorting through potential replacements. The Posts sources indicated McMaster was on the way out because he never personally gelled with the president, which has been the stated problem with a number of other more middle-of-the-road, conventional figures in the administration on their way out. Advertisement Trump recently told White House Chief of Staff John F. Kelly that he wants McMaster out and asked for help weighing replacement options, according to two people familiar with their conversations, the Post reports. The president has complained that McMaster is too rigid and that his briefings go on too long and seem irrelevant. McBoring. It will not surprise you that one of the potential replacements, former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations John Bolton, has tickled the presidents fancy because Trump, enamored with Boltons glowing reviews of the president during his Fox News appearances, thinks Boltons good on TV. Keith Kellogg, the chief of staff of the National Security Council, is another reported contender. Kellogg travels with Trump on many domestic trips, in part because the president likes his company and thinks he is fun, the Post notes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The latest round of departures, namely head of the National Economic Council Gary Cohn, and Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, appear to portend a larger shakeup by an increasingly self-assured Trump. As his closest advisers have left, and his family members have been sidelined, Trump appears increasingly unconstrained in his personnel decisions and his decision-making more generally. To that end, there is almost no corner of Trumps cabinet that hasnt been rumored of late to be on the block. Attorney General Jeff Sessions, Veterans Affairs Secretary David Shulkin, HUD Secretary Ben Carson, EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt, Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke, and Education Secretary Betsy DeVos have all been in the spotlight recently for the wrong reasons, which may not gel with Trumps affinity for keeping the spotlight on numero uno. Some days Trump reportedly even noodles ousting chief of staff John Kelly. For all of the evident disorder, Trump feels emboldened, advisers saidbuoyed by what he views as triumphant decisions last week to impose tariffs on steel and aluminum and to agree to meet with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, according to the Post. The president is enjoying the process of assessing his team and making changes, tightening his inner circle to those he considers survivors and who respect his unconventional style, one senior White House official said. Advertisement Update, 10:45 p.m.: Now you know its a thing and definitely going to happen. Just three months from now. Just spoke to @POTUS and Gen. H.R. McMaster - contrary to reports they have a good working relationship and there are no changes at the NSC. Sarah Sanders (@PressSec) March 16, 2018 Advertisement Advertisement Update, 10:47 p.m.: The Wall Street Journal confirms the Washington Posts reporting. Update: 11:20 p.m.: Donald Trump Jr. and Vanessa Trump issued a statement confirming their split. After 12 years of marriage, we have decided to go our separate ways. We will always have tremendous respect for each other and our families. We have five beautiful children together and they remain our top priority. We ask for your privacy during this time. Original Post: After days of rumors that Donald Trump Jr.s marriage was on the rocks, the New York Posts Page Six is reporting Trump Jr.s wife, Vanessa, filed for divorce in Manhattan Supreme Court Thursday. The presidents daughter-in-law filed for an uncontested proceeding, meaning shes not expecting a legal battle over custody of the couples five children or their assets, the Post reports. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A 2006 New York Times story had this exceptionally Trumpy love-at-third-sight creation story. Im at this fashion show, Vanessa Trump said, recalling their meeting in 2003. Donald Trump comes up to me with his son: Hi, Im Donald Trump. I wanted to introduce you to my son Donald Trump Jr. The three engaged in a brief, awkward conversation. At intermission, the elder Trump again noticed a gorgeous girl nearby. Donald comes back up to me again, I dont think youve met my son Donald Trump Jr., Vanessa Trump recalled. She remembers responding, Yeah, we just met, five minutes ago. Six weeks later, at a birthday party at a New York restaurant, they were introduced a third time, this time by a mutual friend. Neither remembered the other. We talked for an hour, she recalled. Then suddenly, something clicked: Wait, you were at that fashion show. Wait, youre the one with the retarded dad! Vanessa blurted out. Advertisement And, as they say, the rest was history. The couple was married in Nov. 2005 at Mar-a-Lago. A hand full of kids and a decade-plus later, we arrive at the end of history for the couple. Page Six reported earlier this week that the pair of 40-year-olds was experiencing marital problems, citing multiple (unnamed) sources that they were headed for divorce. According to the Post, the strains of being in the spotlight of Big Donald Trumps inferno of a presidency has taken a toll. That seems understandable; having Donald Trump as president has taken a toll on all of us. To be honest, this probably isnt even the first marriage the Trump presidency has claimed, but thats neither here nor there. More interesting, some of the Posts sources said Trump Jr.s tweeting had become a problem. Well, yes. DALLAS, March 16, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Rocky Mountain High Brands, Inc. (OTCQB:RMHB), a fully reporting consumer goods company specializing in brand development of high-quality, health conscious, cannabidiol (CBD) and hemp-infused products and a naturally high alkaline spring water, announced today that it has retained CEOLIVE Media Group to enhance investor awareness through a series of in-depth interviews with key members of the management team as well as detailed reports and updates on the Companys business. These videos will be part of an ongoing series that will feature key members of the Rocky Mountain High Executive Team addressing topics related to the Company's business performance and strategy. The interviews are not intended to provide the first announcement of material information or developments about Rocky Mountain High Brands. Instead, they will discuss matters previously announced through other channels or that are not themselves considered material information under securities laws, even though the matters may be important to Rocky Mountain High Brands shareholders. CEOLIVE Media Group will also be handling shareholder inquiries and answering all incoming shareholder calls. Please see the contact information below. About Rocky Mountain High Brands: ROCKY MOUNTAIN HIGH BRANDS, INC., (RMHB) is a publicly-traded brand management company. RMHB specializes in developing, manufacturing, marketing, and distributing high-quality, health conscious, hemp-infused products that span various good for you categories. The Company currently markets a lineup of four naturally flavored hemp-infused functional beverages (Citrus Energy, Black Tea, Mango Energy and Lemonade) and a low-calorie Coconut Lime Energy drink. In addition, the Company offers hemp-infused 2oz. Mango Energy Shots and Mixed Berry Energy Shots. RMHB also bottles and distributes a naturally high alkaline spring water under the name Eagle Spirit Spring Water. In March 2018, the Company is introducing its HEMPd product line to include CBD-infused waters and functional beverages, CBD-infused topicals and CBD-infused nutraceuticals. The Company plans to expand its CBD offerings as new products are developed. For interested investors, our stock symbol is RMHB. For corporate information please visit: RockyMountainHighBrands.com Visit us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rockymountainhighbrands?fref=nf Visit us on Twitter: #GetYourHempOn Visit us at Investors Hangout: http://investorshangout.com/Rocky-Mountain-High-Brands-Inc-RMHB-69150/ Investors Hangout is the only authorized Investors blog page for Rocky Mountain High Brands, Inc. About CEOLIVE Media Group: CEOLIVE Media Group (CEOLIVE) offers extensive, in-depth coverage of U.S publicly traded companies and their management teams. CEOLIVEs exclusive interviews and investor profiles have been viewed by millions of investors and featured on thousands of investor media networks globally. Although CEOLIVE covers companies from multiple sectors and of all sizes, its focus is on emerging opportunities in the biotech, technology and legal Cannabis space. For more information and to follow our coverage of exciting opportunities please visit CEOLIVE.tv. Safe Harbor Act: This release includes forward-looking statements made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 that involves risks and uncertainties including, but not limited to, the impact of competitive products, the ability to meet customer demand, the ability to manage growth, acquisitions of technology, equipment, or human resources, the effect of economic business conditions and the ability to attract and retain skilled personnel. The Company is not obligated to revise or update any forward-looking statements in order to reflect events or circumstances that may arise after the date of this release. Contact: Michael Welch, President and Chief Executive Officer michael@rockymountainhighbrands.com Investor Relations: Mike Elliot CEOLive Media Group Phone: (813) 421-1701 RMHB@ceolive.tv Jack Eversull, President The Eversull Group, Inc. Phone: (972) 571-1624 Fax: (214) 469-2361 jack@theeversullgroup.com The Netizen Report offers an international snapshot of challenges, victories, and emerging trends in internet rights around the world. It originally appears each week on Global Voices Advocacy. Afef Abrougui, Ellery Roberts Biddle, Mohamed ElGohary, Rohith Jyothish, Leila Nachawati, Karolle Rabarison, Juke Carolina Rumuat, and Sarah Myers West contributed to this report. Egyptian parliamentarians will soon review a draft anti-cybercrime law that could codify internet censorship practices into national law. While the Egyptian government is notorious for censoring websites and platforms on national security grounds, there are no laws in force that explicitly dictate what is and is not permissible in online censorship. But if the draft law is approved, that will soon change. Article 7 of the anti-cybercrime law would give investigative authorities the right to order the censorship of websites whenever evidence arises that a website broadcasting from inside or outside the state has published any phrases, photos or films, or any promotional material or the like which constitute a crime, as set forth in this law, and poses a threat to national security or compromises national security or the national economy. Orders issued under Article 7 would need to be approved by a judge within 72 hours of being filed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Article 31 of the law holds internet service providers responsible for enacting court-approved censorship orders. ISP personnel who fail to comply with orders can face criminal punishment, including steep fines (a minimum of $170,000) and even imprisonment, if it is determined that their refusal to comply with censorship orders results in damage to national security or the death of one or more persons. In an interview with independent Cairo-based media outlet Mada Masr, Association of Freedom of Thought and Expression legal director Hassan al-Azhari argued that this would be impossible to prove in practice. The law also addresses issues of personal data privacy, fraud, hacking, and communications that authorities fear are spreading terrorist and extremist ideologies. Writing for Access Now about the rising quantity of blocked websites in Egyptwhich is now at 500, by popular countEmna Sayadi points out that the law could contravene Egypts Constitution. Advertisement Meanwhile, on March 6, South Africas parliament approved a draft amendment to the countrys films and publications law, which extends the bills application to online space. Once in force, the amendmentcolloquially known as the internet censorship billwill allow the countrys Films and Publications Board to scrutinize and order censorship of online material, including user-generated content on social media platforms. The law will also reclassify online platforms like YouTube and Netflix as content distributors and require them to pay an annual fee. Advertisement Ethiopian blogger arrested, held at undisclosed location Authorities in Ethiopia arrested and detained Seyoum Teshome, author and publisher of the blog Ethiothinktank, on March 9. Teshome, who is a lecturer at Ambo University, had written critically about the government response to massive public protests concerning land rights and other issues of public import. His whereabouts are currently unknown. Advertisement Indonesian ISPs will block social media for Balinese Hindu new year Officials in the Indonesian island of Bali have ordered internet service providers to block multiple online media and messaging platformsincluding Facebook, YouTube, Netflix and WhatsAppfor the duration of Nyepi, the Balinese Hindu new year. Advertisement Feminist social media account suspended on International Womens Day The Feminist Voices account on Sina Weibo, one of Chinas most popular social media platforms, received a notice on March 8International Womens Daysaying it was suspended due to irregularities. The account, which has more than 180,000 followers, had launched a campaign against sexual harassment on March 6. It asked users to post photos and a pledge to combat sexual harassment. Sina Weibo has told the account admin, Lu Pin, that it cannot be reactivated. She is appealing the decision. Advertisement Chinese authorities scramble to censor coverage of journalist rolling her eyes After cameras caught reporter Liang Xiangyi rolling her eyes at a fellow reporter during a state press conference, footage of the interaction went viral on Chinese social media. Advertisement Advertisement In short order, Liangs name was censored on Sina Weibo, and all state media houses received the following instructions from the government censor: Urgent notice: all media personnel are prohibited from discussing the Two Sessions blue-clothed reporter incident on social media. Anything already posted must be deleted. Without exception, websites must not hype the episode. Advertisement Experts find more holes in Indias Aadhaar national ID system A French cybersecurity researcher has been publicly reporting on vulnerabilities that he has found in various websites that contain personal data from Indias national digital ID system, known as Aadhaar. This marks the latest in a long series of revelations about the systems security flaws, which have led to massive leaks of sensitive citizen data and have triggered condemnation from UIDAI, the government agency that administrates Aadhaar. Advertisement Advertisement Indian tech blog Medianama points out that this situation is a bit different, due in part to the fact that the researcher is not under Indian jurisdiction and not intimidated by the typical tactics of the UIDAI in silencing reports of security issues. UIDAI has nevertheless sought to discredit the researchers claims, mainly via Twitter. WhatsApp promises not to share user data with Facebook outside EU data rules On March 14, IP-based messaging service WhatsApp, which is owned by Facebook, signed an undertaking with U.K. Information Commissioner Elizabeth Denham, pledging not to share user data with any other companies in the Facebook family until it is able to do so in compliance with the EU General Data Protection Regulation, which will enter force in May 2018. Denhams office had investigated the company after civil society groups and media cast doubt on the privacy implications of recent updates to WhatsApps terms of use. Advertisement U.N. Human Rights Council hears statement on internet speech of Palestinians At the 37th session of the U.N. Human Rights Council, the Ramallah-based NGO 7amleh and the Association for Progressive Communications issued a statement concerning rising censorship of Palestinian voices online: Advertisement Advertisement Recent years have witnessed a sharp rise in attacks on the right to free speech and privacy online for Palestinians. Digital rights violations are perpetrated at the hands of all three governments: the Israeli government, the Palestinian Authority (PA) and the de-facto government of Hamas in Gaza. In addition, social media companies, whose policies have called into question their neutrality, are complying with Israel in censoring Palestinian voices. New Research Kept in the Dark: Social and Psychological Impacts of Network Shutdowns in IndiaDigital Empowerment Foundation Bad Traffic: Sandvines PacketLogic Devices Used to Deploy Government Spyware in Turkey and Redirect Egyptian Users to Affiliate Ads?Citizen Lab, University of Toronto Network Infrastructures: The Commons Model for Local Participation, Governance and SustainabilityLeandro Navarro/Association for Progressive Communications Next week, representatives from a startup called Nectome will pitch their idea to an audience of investors in Silicon Valley. According to their website, the company is Committed to the goal of archiving your mind. That commitment is not in doubt, but one can question what Nectome means by mind and your. The idea is to take living peoplepreferably those already on their deathbedspump embalming fluid into them, killing them, then freeze them and scan their preserved brains into a computer. (Wondering whether Nectome can get away with this? According to MIT Technology Review, The company has consulted with lawyers familiar with Californias two-year-old End of Life Option Act, which permits doctor-assisted suicide for terminal patients, and believes its service will be legal.) The intended result: an afterlife in silico. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to Nectome, 25 people have each paid $10,000 to be on the waiting listall of them demonstrating magical thinking. Not just magical thinking as in unrealistic optimism about the capabilities of technology, though thats probably the case, too. I mean magical thinking as in believing in actual magic, in the form of a soul. Suppose the technology somehow worked perfectly. Youre frozen, your brain is scanned, your mind is reconstituted in a machine, and its circuits are switched on. The machine now has thoughts and emotions and memories identical to those of your prefrozen brain. Lets say the artificial brain is also connected to an artificial body sending it signals much like a human body would: touch, sight, taste, etc. That machine would feel just as you would if you went to sleep and woke up in a new body. But in a critical sense it would not be you. Advertisement Computer simulations of water arent wet. Why not? Imagine you did not die in the freezing process. You wake up on the table and drink a cup of hot chocolate. Whats that thing over there in the corner, making bleeping noises and claiming to be you? Surely you and the machine cant both be you. You dont feel its feelings and it doesnt feel yours. You are distinct beings. So if that thing is not you when you wake up, why is it you if you dont wake up? You may have thought it was you because, given only two serial strands of consciousnessone in a functioning brain pre-scanning and one in a functioning machine (but not brain) post-scanningyou intuitively link them. But connecting the pre- and post-uploaded minds into a continuous narrative of you implies something immaterial and supernatural has leapt from body to machine. It implies a soul. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement (I will not try to disprove souls here, and I acknowledge that a proof of anythings nonexistence is hard to come byI havent seen a unicorn but maybe theyre hiding. However, I will point out that scientists have yet to find credible evidence that consciousness can exist independently of a physical substrate. Similarly, theres no evidence for free will, the power of an immaterial consciousness to influence its material host, poltergeistlike.) The thought experiment above may have left you with a nagging question. If you wake up in your body and call the machine in the corner a brand-new person, how do you think it feels? From its perspective, it went to sleep and woke up in a new body, and someone else is now inhabiting its old one. That thing is the impostor. Whats the solution? You both have souls? Youre both you? I think the solution is that, in a sense, neither one is you. Advertisement To some degree, any notion of personal identity suggests belief in a soul. When you nap and wake up, those are two different instances of consciousness; the second just happens to have the ability to simulate what the first instance of consciousness must have been like, what psychologists call episodic memory. Now take out the nap. Your consciousness in one instant cant access your consciousness in any previous instant, no matter how infinitesimally recent. Every moment contains a different instance of consciousness. Theres no continuity there, nothing that persists of its own accord, just a perpetually generated series of projections, like movie frames. Were born and we die infinite times per second. (Or maybe only 1044 times if time is discrete.) That doesnt mean we cant tell stories about continuous identity. I feel like the same person I was a minute ago, and we hold humans accountable for what they (their bodies) did in the past. These are valuable conveniences. But theyre stories. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nectome also sells magical thinking in the more secular sense of irrational optimism. Before you even get to notions of a soul, how faithfully can technology archive a mind in the first place? As Ive written in Slate, we dont know how much information the brain contains, so we dont know how much we need to archive. Do we need every cell, every synapse, every molecule, every atom? And then will the archival format be conscious? Computer simulations of water arent wet. Its possible the archive may have to be run on a computer that is physically identical to the original brain to capture all its functionality. In which case: Why re-create a clone brain when you can just fix the original frozen one? Archiving may not offer anything beyond regular cryogenics and reanimation, if they ever work. Advertisement Nectomes product is the ultimate vaporware. Customers are offered something, and by dint of purchasing it, they may actually make it impossible to see whether the product actually comes to be, because theyll be dead. Which also makes it the ultimate killer app. Maybe the technology will someday work, and people will wake up in a machine. But will they really? No, that will be someone else. See my comments on: souls, lack thereof. Advertisement Maybe customers are OK with dying and just having an entity somewhat like themselves exist in the future, as a kind of legacy. They want their current ideas to have a life of their own and influence the world in perpetuity. Thats fine. Its also a somewhat weaker form of magical thinking. Our desire for legacy is in part based on the belief that our consciousness will survive as part of our legacy, in what psychologists call symbolic immortality. People regularly sacrifice themselves for the survival of larger ideals with which they identifyGod and country, etc. In the trade-off between actual and symbolic survival, they must see some equivalency, some way in which their soul will benefit later from the price it pays now. Thats magical thinking, which, as I said, is fine. We all want to leave a legacy. Nectome should just advertise its services as such, at best. Its been four months since lawyers from Facebook, Google, and Twitter were grilled publicly in front of three congressional committees on how exactly Russian operatives used their companies to spread divisive content and misinformation during and after the 2016 campaign, what the companies were aware of and when, and why they didnt do more to stop it. A lot came out at those hearings, including copies of some of the ads that were purchased on the platforms and posts that the Kremlin-backed troll accounts made, as well as more precise figures about how many people interacted with the propaganda effort. But what the executives said didnt satisfy the elected officials, many of whom still have questions, especially as the midterm elections approach, about whether these companies have actually figured out how to make sure foreign agents arent using their platforms to meddle in U.S. elections. Now senators from both parties are insisting that instead of sending lawyerswho Republican Sen. John Kennedy of Louisiana said this week are experts at dodging and bobbing and weaving their way through tough questionsthe worlds major internet companies should finally send their CEOs to Capitol Hill. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is not a problem thats going to be swept under the rug or is going to go away, Sen. Mark Warner, a Democrat from Virginia who serves on the Senate Intelligence Committee, told Bloomberg. If anything, its increasing. I dont want to hear from the lawyers, he said. The CEOs owe an obligation. Sen. Amy Klobuchar, a Democrat from Minnesota, agreed that hearing from the CEOs of these companies would be enlightening. Sen. Susan Collins, a Republican from Maine who is also on the Intelligence Committee, agreed that the companies should send a high-ranking official for another hearing, according to Bloomberg. There are a lot of unanswered questions about whether the tech companies could have taken precautions sooner and identified Russian influence much sooner than they did, she said. The bipartisan agreement that these tech companies have much more explaining to doand need to send their highest executives to do itis a rare showing of unity in an otherwise extremely polarized political climate. Advertisement The interest in getting more information on how these companies left the doors open for voter manipulation across both sides of the aisle gets to the heart of why Russian election meddling is so troubling: If powerful foreign adversaries are working to sway American voters, it doesnt matter what team youre on. The health of U.S. elections is at risk. Its expensive enough to run a campaign against an opposing candidate and U.S. interest groups; adding a massive Russian troll operation to the mix only tangles things further. Russian trolls, after all, werent merely working to secure Trumps presidential win, though that was clearly their focus. They were trying to stir discord and distrust from the far edges of Americas most divisive political issues. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Warner, along with Klobuchar and McCain, a Republican from Arizona, together proposed legislation last year that would require political ads that run online to include information about who pays for them, a move that the Federal Election Commission is also considering, although with fewer requirements than the Senate bill would put in place. In an indictment last month, Special Counsel Robert Mueller filed charges against 13 Russian nationals and the Internet Research Agency, the anodyne name of the St. Petersburg social media operation that was churning out memes and creating fake accounts to meddle in the 2016 electiona scandal we now know a lot about, even as we brace for a potential repeat this fall. If they bear any responsibility, it makes sense that the American companies that enabled and amplified the foreign election meddling would prefer for their lawyers to speak on their behalf when Congress calls. But Congress would rather know what leadership at the massive social media companies did and didnt do to allow this, and what theyre going to do to prevent it from happening againall questions the CEOs from Facebook, Google, and Twitter are best equipped to answer themselves. One trend that connects Martin Luther King Jr., Queen Victoria, Mahatma Gandhi, and Saint Patrick: Each year on their respective holidays, a sudden surge of people visit their Wikipedia articles. Last year, St. Patricks page received more than 425,000 views on March 17, about 150 times more than normal. Once a year, the apostle of Ireland is a Wikipedia celebrity. Last year, I wondered whether all those people reading St. Patricks page on March 17 would be met with incomplete information or, worse, fake history. St. Patrick is so often shrouded in superstition, including the famous legend about him banishing all snakeseven though scientists say snakes were never indigenous to Ireland. Advertisement So I contacted Philip Freeman to review the Wikipedia entry. Freeman is a professor at Pepperdine University and the leading scholar on the historical St. Patrick. Freeman wrote back: I looked over the Wiki page and actually think its very good. It separates history from legends well. No suggestions on my part. I was shocked. Freeman has written two books and several scholarly articles on the historical St. Patrick. Hes a well-regarded and prolific historian. But when it came to St. Patricks Wikipedia article, he could think of literally nothing to add. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I contacted Christopher Snyder for a second opinion. He is dean and professor of history at Mississippi State University, affiliated faculty at Oxford University, and a regular contributor to History Channel and BBC documentaries. Hes also a huge St. Patrick fanwhen we spoke, he was attending the St. Patricks Day Kick-Off Ceremony at San Francisco City Hall. After reviewing St. Patricks Wikipedia page, Snyder agreed with Freeman that the article was of unusually good quality. Advertisement Throughout high school and college I had been told that Wikipedia was full of shoddy scholarship that could not be trusted for accuracy. Wikipedia was the site to learn Plato was Hawaiian. Now I had two historians telling me that this specific page was pretty great. Why? Turns out, there are a few forces contributing to this unexpected Wiki excellence. St. Patrick is the rare 5th-century figure who left behind authentic first-person sources. Two Latin works are generally accepted as being written by the saint: the Letter to the Soldiers of Coroticus and his autobiographical Confession. St. Patrick writes that he was born into an aristocratic British family, but his life was changed forever when he was kidnapped and taken to Ireland just before his 16th birthday. He spent six grueling years as a slave in Ireland before finally escaping and returning safely to Britain. His return stunned his family, who had long expected him to be dead. Then he surprised them again by training to become a priest in order to return as a Christian missionary to Irelandthe land of his captivity. Advertisement Advertisement St. Patricks Confession features slavers, murderous pirates, and druids. Its easy to simply enjoy the plot, but historians are more grateful for the style, which is unusually informal and personal for circa 490 A.D. Patricks Confession is like no other document from ancient times, Freeman wrote in his 2005 biography. Unlike in any other contemporary letter, we have a window into the soul of the person. Advertisement Snyder told me that he sees St. Patricks writing as in some ways analogous to the work of Frederick Douglass, the black abolitionist who escaped slavery in 1838. Despite living about 14 centuries apart, they can both be viewed as authors of slave narratives writing with common themes of spiritual and psychological redemption. Many years after he achieved freedom, St. Patrick wrote his second work, the Letter to the Soldiers of Coroticus, which is an impassioned diatribe against Roman Britons who had begun attacking and enslaving his Irish friends. Advertisement The existence of St. Patricks first-person accounts makes his page much better than near-contemporaries like King Arthur. The existence of St. Patricks first-person accounts makes his page much better than near-contemporaries like King Arthur. The legendary British kings Wikipedia page is basically a protracted argument about his historicity: whether he was real. Snyder told me that most legitimate historians would not touch King Arthur with a 10-foot pole because there is so little primary source material about him. St. Patricks page cites both recent credible scholarship and quotations from St. Patrick himself, whereas King Arthurs entry relies primarily on a 20-year-old secondary source, The New Arthurian Encyclopedia. Advertisement St. Patricks Wiki page is also helped by the effort and ability of its worldwide contributors. The patron saint remains extremely popular in Ireland, where claiming that St. Patrick visited your hometown is the Irish version of the American saying George Washington slept here. And Irish immigrants to the U.S. have long venerated the saint. Remembering St. Patrick was a way for these immigrants to preserve their Catholic identity in a land where they were suddenly a religious minority. This global fan base may explain why St. Patricks page simply has a lot of content, including a section dedicated to his relationship with Irish identity and gorgeous photos of Slemish Mountain, Downpatrick, and other places associated with him. Advertisement Advertisement Although most Wikipedia editors do not openly reveal their personal information, the wording of the article suggests that at least a few academics have been working behind the scenes to improve and maintain the page. For example, a line about how certain hagiographies that idealize St. Patrick lack empiricism reads like it could have been contributed by a graduate history student who decided to edit the page while working on a dissertation. The article also reflects a change in the historical paradigm. Snyder reminded me that in the 80s and 90s, Celtic suddenly became a pop culture phenomenon. New Age religious trends like Celtic Christianity were stylish, and Braveheart won multiple Academy Awards. The problem was that the movement had a faulty historical premise: Theres this notion of the Celt as this passionate, poetic, noble-savage type in contrast to the cold, rational, brutal colonial Romans, Snyder said. In fact, the term Celtic wouldnt have meant anything to Patrick. Advertisement Advertisement Over the course of the late 90s and early 2000s, scholars gradually won the argument. The myth of the Celt was gradually replaced with more accurate historical representation. St. Patricks Wikipedia pagecreated in 2001 during the sites first yearis an example of this trend, clearly differentiating legends from history. As Adrianne LaFrance noted in the Atlantic, there is no self-evident unifying theory about why certain Wikipedia pages are higher quality than others. But with its combination of primary sources, motivated contributors, and shared vision, St. Patricks entry could be hinting at the magic formula. Luckily, the Wikipedia page doesnt have to be your final source on St. Patrick. Both Freeman and Snyder wish more people would read the letters to encounter the real person. What struck me most about the letters were those lines where St. Patrick discusses his long-held insecurities in writing them: I have thought about writing this letter for a long time, but I kept putting it off until now. I have been afraid that people would laugh at the way I write. (The translation is from Freemans 2004 biography St. Patrick of Ireland.) Ultimately, there would be very little verifiable history to include on St. Patricks Wikipedia page if he hadnt taken the all-important step of writing his story down. Perhaps this St. Patricks Day, along with celebrating Irish culture and the bizarre existence of green beer, we should also toast the human St. Patricks victory over relatable self-doubt. Last year at Nextivas NextCon event, one of the featured presentations was from Lawrence Cole, the Head of Mid-Market, U.S. West for Google. It was such a good session that Ive been wanting to have him join me for a conversation for this series ever since. 2018 Search Marketing Trends And this week I was able to talk with him and get his take on a number of themes around search, SEO, conversion rate optimization and how machine learning is democratizing the availability of insights in all these areas. Below is an edited transcript of our conversation. To hear the full interview, watch the video below, or click on the embedded SoundCloud player. * * * * * Small Business Trends: Maybe you can give us a little of your personal background. Lawrence Cole: I was a software engineer for EarthLink at the start of my career, back when they were, I guess you could say cresting in their trajectory some years ago. I spent a lot of time in the logistics industry. I worked across several different departments, and functions. I also spent a great deal of my time in the small business space. Starting small companies, working for small companies, so I spent a great deal of time developing an understanding for what small companies go through. Even some of the initial digital marketing skills that Im now able to apply in leading teams in a large tech company, they really began with me being a person who, either from my own, or someone elses small businesses, figuring out things such as search engine optimization, email marketing, digital marketing. Even before we had social media, and Google Adwords, and these sorts of platforms. Ive had a mix of large company engagement, and small company engagement. Even now, a lot of the teams that I lead deal primarily with small companies, and start-ups. Sometimes starting as small companies. And now they scale into half a billion, or a couple of billion dollars in revenue. ? Small Business Trends: How has search engine optimization changed over the last couple of years or so, and is it as important, or is it more important today than it was a couple years ago? Lawrence Cole: I think that search engine optimization has become a little more commoditized than it used to be, which I think makes it a little more equitable of an opportunity. I can remember when doing well in search engines had a lot to do with you being in a certain loop of people who had figured out some things, and they were way ahead of everyone else. Now, with all the information it is much less of a black box. Its available for everyone, but it also makes it a lot more competitive as well, because the tools for success are more common in knowledge than they used to be. But, like I said, its always a worthy investment. I think that you should look at a marketing and customer acquisition strategy very holistically, as opposed to hanging your hat on any one thing by search engine optimization, or social media, or ads spend, to look at it in its totality, and to figure out, more important than anything else, where your perfect customer lives. One of the best platforms, and method is to reach out to them. Small Business Trends: Theres a lot of emphasis on CRO, conversion rate optimization. It seems like theres so much coming at people. Theyre looking for information. Theyre making quick decisions. Theyre also making quick decisions as to where do they spend that little piece of time that they have to try to figure out the challenge that youre trying to solve. Maybe you could talk a little about the urgency of trying to get that persons attentions thats doing a search, and converting that attention into an actual interaction opportunity. Lawrence Cole: I think one of the distinctions about customer acquisition as things have changed over the years is that focusing on urgency is not necessarily the way you want to go. For one, it is very difficult to influence consumers to do anything they dont want to do in this economy. There are so many choices There are so many [people] that are educated on what their choices are, and their habits have changed. They spend a lot more time researching, because they can [do so] on their phone at their fingertips. Typically, when someones seriously considering what we have to offer, they probably already determined that they want what you have. Theyre just trying to decide who to get it from. In terms of optimizing for conversions, my advice is to focus on being as frictionless as possible. Making it simple and seamless as possible. Reducing the number of steps that it takes to be able to get to whatever it is you have to offer. I cant tell you how many time that I, as a consumer, have been on the way to buying something from a company, and they ended up losing my money, because it just took me too many steps, or I had to wait too long, or something would not load. I just went elsewhere, and bought the exact same thing from someone else. So, I think making your process as friction free as possible. Looking at things like the speed of your site, the number of steps that it takes to get to your shopping cart, the number of different types of payment that you take Do you even take PayPal? You need to think about mobile, because more and more people are not just researching on mobile, but being very comfortable at purchasing on mobile, as well. Especially for things that are not huge, major purchases. I think that all of those things should be considerations, but the bottom line focus really should be on how frictionless as possible can you make your customer acquisition process. Small Business Trends: Its been months, but I remember in your presentation you talked about how Google has about seven properties that have over a billion active users. An incredible amount of interactions that Google has an opportunity to look at. How could a small business, how could any kind of business whos looking to build relationships, look at any of the ways that Google, and the data that Google has to help them, leverage that data and be more strategic with the way that they interact, or try to get the attention of somebody theyre trying to do business with? Lawrence Cole: One of the perennial challenges with small businesses, Brent, is a lack of access to leverage; Not having the financial resources, not having the headcount to compete with larger concerns in the same space. One of the things that is going to democratize that is machine learning; and how Google, in particular is leveraging machine learning in our products is to look at a innumerable number of signals across those several properties. To be able to collect smart data that can help small businesses to optimize the return theyre getting from what theyre investing. When I began managing paid advertising, your results had a lot to do with the skill of the person who was managing your account. What machine learning is doing is taking the focus of optimization away from human knowledge, and its shifting it over to machine knowledge, so that even a small business can compete very well if they can be smart about how theyre leveraging automation. Then they can do things like remarketing, and some of the audience-based targeting options like customer matching matching for similar audiences- that Google has available to everyone on its platform. Small Business Trends: Talk a little about video. It captures peoples attention in a way that text just doesnt. When you look at the opportunity that video presents for engagement from a customer-vendor perspective, what do you think small businesses need to know, and maybe they just dont seem to be embracing well enough? Lawrence Cole: I believe that one of the misnomers is that a small business cant compete in video, because they dont have access to large scale production, equipment, or talent, to write, et cetera. The reality is that there are many ways to skin that cat. For instance, I think the most important thing is to understand how ubiquitous video is becoming. By 2020, something like 90% of the time people spend online will be watching videos. A lot of it is understanding what the folks that you are looking to target see is important. What are they watching? You can leverage that without a video. You can place an ad next to a video, or on a video, and be able to leverage that without any production at all. Or, you can produce things very cheaply, or pay to get them produced very cheaply. Lets say you dont have a big budget to spend on marketing that video. Producing something as simple as a how-to, can be very powerful, because people forget that YouTube, which is a part of the Google family, is the number two search engine in the world, next to Google search. They usually go to YouTube to look up how. So, if I had a havent tie a bow tie, like two years, I can relearn how to do it, I go to YouTube to do that. If I forget how to, YouTube tells me how to do that. You have this type of powerful service that leads to needing to tell a story about it, or show someone how to do it, how to use it. You can do it very well for free, by just simply putting a YouTube video up that helps to drive traffic to your site, or your app based on the quality of your content, and also how good of a job you do at targeting. Those are two options. That will allow small business to be able to answer in that space with the goal, of course, of scaling. Small Business Trends: One last question, before we search, what do small business need to know about voice search, and how quickly do they need to start thinking about it being a need to be prepared, versus nice to be prepared for it? Lawrence Cole: One of the things about a small business is that its so much more nimble than larger competitors, and that allowed the companies that Ive worked with to become large, who have become companies that drive hundreds of millions, if not billions of dollars in revenue. Its because they entered a market as a small competitor, and they got ahead of the curve on a trend. In terms of any trend that we know is going to become fairly ubiquitous, whether its mobile, video, voice, google maps using smart google maps marketing strategies, those are all things that a small business person should be looking at, and relentlessly thinking about ways that they can cut some of the larger competitors off at the pass by being a fast mover in new trends, and being able to use that to siphon some of the market share. The thing about larger companies is that they typically take a longer time, and to be able to catch on to trend, they have a lot more loops, and they often wait, and look at the market, and see how things shift first, before they invest. Small companies, they absolutely need to be at the forefront of any trend that comes out. At the very least being educated on it, and maybe doing some light, and extensive testing to see if it works for you. Small Business Trends: Lawrence, this has been great. I really appreciate the time. Where can people learn a little bit more about some of the things that we just talked about? Lawrence Cole: One of the places that I would send people to is actually Google Adwords Academy. Thats free. Its a wealth of information. Its kind of a gateway to a lot of the tools and resources that we have to offer. To begin to develop a general acumen around some of the best practices. Again, when I started doing digital marketing, all of this stuff was a black box. You had to find someone, or pay someone who was willing to give you the secret sauce, if you will, of how to be successful online. Now, its all free information thats just out there for everyone. I would definitely start there. This is part of the One-on-One Interview series with thought leaders. The transcript has been edited for publication. If it's an audio or video interview, click on the embedded player above, or subscribe via iTunes or via Stitcher. President Donald Trumps decision to fire outgoing State Secretary Rex Tillerson could pitch oil prices upward as the White House is expected to become more aggressive toward foreign oil companies. Impact of Rex Tillerson on Oil Prices Tillersons ousting could tilt the balance of power away from oil producers in Iran and Venezuela, analysts told The Wall Street Journal Wednesday. Replacing the former ExxonMobil CEO with CIA Director Mike Pompeo will likely prompt oil prices to pitch upward, they added. The Rexit scenario is bullish for oil because Pompeo is a known hawk against Iran and I think he will embolden Donald Trump to exit the nuclear agreement when he has to make the decision in May, Helima Croft, head of global commodity strategy for RBC Capital Markets, told reporters Wednesday. She was referring to Pompeos well-known animus to the 2015 international agreement to curb Irans nuclear program, which, if eliminated, could reimpose economic sanctions on Iran that would limit its oil exports and reduce global supply. Pompeo has also expressed interest in slapping energy sanctions against OPEC member Venezuela. Oil prices edged slightly higher Wednesday ahead of U.S. inventory data that are expected to show a rise in crude stocks. Other analysts suggest that the oil markets dont appear spooked by Pompeo, a former Republican congressman from Kansas. Surging non-OPEC oil supply is likely smothering any geopolitical angst from Tillersons ouster, according to Bloombergs Liam Denning. Another possible reason for the oil markets relative nonplussed position on Pompeo, he added, is fatigue with the chaotic nature of the Trump administration. Trumps ever-changing governing ethos makes it tough to draw any conclusions about the direction of policy, much less wager money on it, Denning said, adding that it is not clear if eliminating the Iran agreement would effectively cut off Iranian barrels. Europe has been a big buyer of these since the deal went into effect, and Chinas imports of Iranian oil have jumped too, he added. Republished by permission. Original here. Robert Gilpin, R.I.P. - The Washington Post : His greatest book was written in 1981, but the main theory in it is perhaps more trenchant now... Cure for lack of workers: foreigners and automation HR experts agree that Slovak companies will struggle with the lack of qualified workers and high number of vacancies. Font size: A - | A + Companies will continue to struggle with hiring qualified people for certain positions this year, HR experts addressed by The Slovak Spectator agree. While some have started educating future staffers, employing foreigners to fill vacancies remains a viable option. The Slovak Spectator spoke about the problems and expectations of the labour market in 2018 with Lubos Sirota, vice chairman of the board of directors at McRoy Group; Ivana Heretik Vacokova, permanent placement director at Adecco Slovakia; Jana Harnosova, onsite director at Adecco Slovakia; Mario Fondati, managing client partner at Amrop; Martin Krekac, chairman and founding partner at Amrop; Ladislava Molnarova, talent acquisition partner at Amrop; and Zuzana Boorova, member of the board of HRcomm. The Slovak Spectator (TSS): What are the main challenges the labour market will face this year? 16. Mar 2018 at 6:30 | Radka Minarechova Prestigious foreign website notes architectonic value of SNP Memorial The portal archdaily.com ranked the SNP Memorial among remarkable buildings such as the Slovak Radio building in Bratislava and Bridge SNP. The noteworthy building SNP Memorial in Banska Bystrica caught an attention of prominent architectonic portal archdaily.com. In the article, the author introduces the remarkable Slovak building that bears a likeness to a unique form of sci-fi architecture, together with the inverted pyramid of Slovak Radio and Bridge SNP, portal My Bystrica wrote. The top work of Slovak architect Dusan Kuzma is one of the symbols of Banska Bystrica. There are many interpretations, explaining the form of SNP Memorial, from the inspiration of Corbusiers sculptures, a shepherds hat to principles of organic architecture, wrote Slovak architect Stefan Slachta about one of the most significant artworks of Kuzma, as quoted by My Bystrica. Kuzma cooperated on this Memorial with Academic sculptor Jozef Jankovic. The construction of the complex was between the years 1966 and 1968, and the memorial was finished in 1969, My Bystrica reported. 16. Mar 2018 at 7:00 | Compiled by Spectator staff Film festival accommodates foreigners in Slovakia Febiofest, the International Festival of Film Clubs (MFFK) is offering most films with English subtitles (labelled AT) this year, as well as making master-classes, discussions and other accompanying events available to English-speakers. Febiofest celebrates its 25th anniversary this year, organisers noted, and has prepared special treats to mark the occasion. A total of almost 30 directors will come personally to present their works, while six great movie personages will attend. The MFFK Febiofest 2018 festively opened on the evening of March 15 with the local premiere (after screening at the Rotterdam film festival) of the Czech-Slovak movie Insects (Hmyz), the latest and last feature film of legendary filmmaker Jan Svankmajer. He and his works have influenced several famous personalities, such as Tim Burton and David Lynch. For this film, Svankmajer, aged 83, was inspired by the renowned play by Karle and Josef Capek, Pictures from the Insects Life, also known as The Insect play. The surrealist director and artist wrote the script for this movie 45 years ago as a film short. Why work on a script that is decades old Unlike other films and also visual artworks or poetry imaginative works do not grow old, Svankmajer asserted before the premiere in the Lumiere cinema in Bratislava on March 15. The only thing is that an imaginative film can acquire new meanings as reality changes around. For example, the painting of Hieronymus Bosch are still considered timely and up-to-date and are watched widely, while Rubens is only a document of his era, the director noted. The director recalled that back in the day, he was addressed by a communist official with artistic ambitions to make an animated movie with puppets, based on the play by the Capek brothers. I refused it, and told him it only makes sense if actors play in the story of humans turned into insects, and that I only shoot my own scripts. But, as it has happened several times, my unconscious starts independently and against my will to work on something I consider impossible. So after some time, a script for this film came out of my unconscious mind, and I only recorded it. He added that dramatic advisors dismissed the idea immediately, and now, almost half a century later, Svankmajer succeeded in making it into the movie. The real story is about amateur actors, not about the original play by the Capek brothers, he added. Another interesting point is that crowdfunding helped finance this independent movie. In total, about 2,700 people from all over the world raised more than 300,000 US dollars. What is on offer at Febiofest? Apart from Svankmajers film, attractions include a selection of the latest Slovak movies in the Slovakia A Country of Film section, for example Flowershop by Belgian Ruben Desiere, the recent documentaries Constructing Slovakia: Winter Harbour by Bibiana Benova; Elsewhere by Juraj Nvota and Marian Urban; My Name Is Hungry Buffalo by Pavel Jurda; Valek by Patrik Lancaric; The Bright Spot by Dusan Trancik, new feature film Freedom by Jan Speckenbach, and also an older film, Gipsy, by Martin Sulik. Of these films, three have already been shown at festivals in Rotterdam and Locarno, organisers noted. Guests and more Five other outstanding personalities attend Febiofest to introduce their works within the Personalities of Club Film section. French director Arnaud Desplechin, the master of intimate psychological studies, his countryman Leos Carax, famous duo Gustave Kervern and Benoit Delepine, a Hungarian director whose films premiere at Cannes Kornel Mundruczo, and his countryman who has also won international fame, Szabolcs Hajdu. In total, almost 30 directors come to Bratislava to personally present their films and discuss with audiences. Leaving the capital In Bratislava, Febiofest takes place between March 15 and 21 in several film clubs, of which mostly Lumiere offers English subtitles. Outside the capital, the festival visits ten other cities and towns, between March 16 and 29: Trnava, Kezmarok, Levice, Martin, Trencin, Poprad, Kosice, Presov, Banska Bystrica and Prievidza. Apart from English subtitles, the catalogue is also bilingual. 16. Mar 2018 at 6:52 | Zuzana Vilikovska The Special General Meeting of Team Tankers International Ltd. was held today, 16 March 2018, at Clarendon House, 2 Church Street, Hamilton, HM 11, Bermuda. All resolutions were adopted in accordance with the proposals set out in the notice of the meeting dated 28 February 2018, including the election of Mikael Laurin as a director of the Company subject to the completion of the acquisition of all outstanding shares in Anglo-Atlantic Steamship Company Ltd. pursuant to the share purchase agreement between the company and Thunder Bay Ltd. dated 28 February 2018. The minutes of the Special General Meeting are attached hereto. The Board of Directors Team Tankers International Ltd. Hamilton, Bermuda Questions should be directed to: Hans Feringa: President and CEO T: +1 203 221 3420 Kevin Kilcullen: CFO T: +1 203 221 3433 This information is subject to the disclosure requirements pursuant to section 5-12 of the Norwegian Securities Trading Act Government resignation is not enough, the crowd called for early elections. This is how it looked like in Bratislava on March 16. video //www.youtube.com/embed/Eilbvik5ZgM Despite the resignation of Prime Minister Robert Fico and his third government, Slovaks are still dissatisfied with the current political situation in the country and the crisis that emerged after investigative journalist Jan Kuciak and his fiancee Martina Kusnirova were murdered in their house in Velka Maca (Trnava Region). Approximately 65,000 people attended the second protest titled For a Decent Slovakia in Bratislava, which was much more than last week. On March 9, more than 100,000 people protested in towns and cities in Slovakia and abroad. Apart from thorough and independent investigation of the double murder, with the participation of international investigators, the organisers called for early elections. The arrogance of a few powerful people will not defeat us, we will do it together, said Karolina Farska, one of the organisers. The organisers called on the coalition politicians to not give their support to the new government of Peter Pellegrini in parliament. Four fair and decent coalition MPs are enough, said one of the organisers, Peter Nagy, calling on people to send a letter with this call to the deputies. Politics concerns us all People coming to the streets of Bratislava shouted several slogans during the gathering, like Enough of Smer and Early elections. The revolution started by the parents has to be finished by their children, said former politician and ex-presidential candidate, Frantisek Miklosko. As he stressed, only twice have crowds managed to make the government resign: in November 1989 and now. When somebody tries to abuse their power in the future, they should remember March 2018 and the mass protests, he added. Mikloskos speech was accompanied by the ringing of keys, reminiscent of the Velvet Revolution in 1989. Former diplomat Ondrej Gazovic publicly described how chief state advisor Maria Troskova appeared in the meeting with German Chancellor Angela Merkel. Fico has turned diplomacy into a travel agency, he said, adding it was an arrogance of power. He is convinced that Slovakia has the potential to be a country from which young people do not escape and where old ones can have a nice life. Gazovic also called on people to be active and speak when they see any wrongdoing. Politics concerns all of us, said director Viliam Csino. Who falls asleep in democracy, wakes up in totality. He called on people to be interested in public affairs and enter politics. The safety of the participants was supervised by the police officers. No serious incident occurred. The gatherings also took place in more than 30 towns and cities in Slovakia and more than 20 places abroad (see the list here). 16. Mar 2018 at 19:24 (modified at 17. Mar 2018 at 15:25) | Compiled by Spectator staff 540,000 transaction between Vadala and Troskova raises suspicions The bank connected to the former prime ministers assistant had an account with a company investigated for VAT skulduggery. Investigative journalists joined forces to investigate the cases of the late Jan Kuciak, reporter of the Aktuality.sk website. Journalists from Aktuality.sk, the Sme, Dennik N, Hospodarske noviny, and Novy Cas dailies, the Trend weekly, the Postoj website, the public-service RTVS as well as the private Markiza and Joj TV broadcasters and the Swiss Blic, the Polish Onet, the Czech public radio Cesky Rozhlas and the German Die Welt joined the project. The story on unusual transaction involving Maria Troskova was brought by Trend and Postoj.sk. Maria Troskova assisted in unusual transfers and withdrawals of cash worth 540,000 on the account of the AV-Real of Antonino Vadala which was involved in the alleged trick with value-added tax (VAT), the Trend weekly and Postoj website reported. They draw on the documents which look like reports on unusual operations according to the law on money laundering, which Sme had a chance to check. Read also: Read also: Italian businessman Vadala taken into pre-trial detention Read more The documents do not have a police heading and their pagination does not correspond with normal archiving of the police finance intelligence unit. This does not rule out that they come from secret services or financial administration, which paginate and elaborate such reports in a different way than police. Until recently, Troskova assisted Prime Minister Robert Fico, accompanying him at low-key diplomatic talks, e.g. with German Chancellor Angelou Merkel. She left The Government Office after the murder of journalist Jan Kuciak. Intimate relation In Kuciaks last, unfinished story, he describes the relation between Vadala with the Italian mafia Ndrangheta. Vadala responded to accusations by saying he is not a gang member and that journalists mistook him for his namesake. Currently, he is in custody, waiting for extradition to Italy where he is prosecuted for drug smuggling and laundering money for Ndrangheta. For now, there is no clear evidence that bank transfers and the withdrawals of Troskova were connected with laundering of money for smuggled cocaine. Transactions in which she is mentioned were detected by the bank in September 2011. Italian detectives started investigating Vadala for narcotics in 2015. Read also: Read also: Last Week in Slovakia: Vadala arrested for drugs, political crisis continues Read more If a bank reports a transaction with police as unusual, it does not necessarily mean that it is illegal. Police analysts evaluate each report, and only decide based on analysis whether they will file a motion for investigation. The Financial Intelligence Unit has not answered so far whether it presented Troskovas transactions to police for investigation. The latest information points mostly to the fact that there was an intimate relation between Vadala and Troskova: Vadala entrusted to her the management of large amounts of amount. Vadala confessed earlier that Troskova handled bank deals but details were not known. She helped with all that was needed; she went to the bank, with deals, when we exported meat to Turkey, he said back in 2016 about Troskovas role. It's widely known that together, they tried to start a modelling agency but failed. Where Troskova can be seen The bank evaluated operations on the account of Vadalas Slovak company, AV-Real, as unusual, because first, smaller sums of money arrived there for months, which suddenly changed in September 2011.Hundreds of thousands of euros flowed through the account, and was immediately withdrawn in cash or transferred to foreign accounts. 540,000 euros Is the value of unusual transactions of Vadalas firm AV-Real, which, according to the bank, are related to Maria Troskova. The document also states that the amount of the transaction was 540,000. It is not clear whether this is the accumulative worth of suspicious transactions, or just one specific withdrawal or transfer. Troskovas identification data are stated for the transaction but the information on her relation to the suspicious account is missing. As she officially was not a statutory representative of AV-Real, it is probable that she was the person managing the account, i.e. the person who can withdraw or transfer money. From a Macedonian The bank that reported Troskova's unusual transactions to financial police also mapped where the high sums transferred to the AV-Reals accounts came from. The financial means have been sent from the Dituria-S company, the documents reads. Read also: Read also: A murderer, an MP, a model: Who is who in the case Kuciak was investigating Read more The company belongs to a Lucenec-based businessman of Macedonian origin, Seat Alicausi. In the meantime, Dituria-S was renamed to Miraj, and through it, Alicausi owns plots and the building of the four-star hotel complex near Lucenec. It is not known what Alicausi paid hundreds of thousands of euros for. 16. Mar 2018 at 20:48 | By Adam Valcek Chicago, Illinois, March 16, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Last week, The John Marshall Law School in Chicago celebrated Diversity Week. Each year, the law school hosts a week of programming celebrating its diversity. This years theme was Live Law in Color. To live law in color means to celebrate differences and the opportunity to view those differences through a common lens; to create and defend the rich, colorful tapestry of the law that includes and respects diversity of culture, perspectives and experiences; and to commit to making the law, our society and our world better and more inclusive, said Troy Riddle, Assistant Dean for Diversity, Equity & Inclusion and Chief Diversity Officer. The annual event included daily presentations and discussions with legal experts and community leaders on topics related to diversity and current events. One of the many speakers this year was Mark Potok, a former senior fellow at the Southern Poverty Law Center and award-winning journalist. Potok spoke on The State of Hate in America to students, staff and faculty. John Marshalls Office of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion collaborated on Diversity Week programming with John Marshalls Office of Student Life & Leadership, John Marshalls Video Game Law Society, the Lawyers Assistance Program and the Womens Law Caucus. On Thursday, March 8, the law school co-hosted a presentation called Celebrating Women in the Law with the Womens Law Caucus in honor of International Womens Day. Each year, Diversity Week concludes with the Tastes from Around the World dinner. At this event, members of different student organizations serve dishes that best represent their culture. John Marshall has been rated one of the most diverse law schools in the nation and was rated the top law school in the Midwest for African-American and Asian students by preLaw magazine and National Jurist magazine in 2018. About The John Marshall Law School The John Marshall Law School, founded in 1899, is an independent law school located in the heart of Chicago's legal, financial and commercial districts. The 2018 U.S. News & World Report's America's Best Graduate Schools ranks John Marshall's Lawyering Skills Program 5th, its Trial Advocacy Program 13th and its Intellectual Property Law Program 19th in the nation. Since its inception, John Marshall has been a pioneer in legal education and has been guided by a tradition of diversity, innovation, access and opportunity. Attachment: A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/9e67dbeb-1b45-4dda-b485-d3c1e6d71f3e TORONTO, March 16, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Alexandria Minerals Corporation (TSX-V:AZX) (OTCQB:ALXDF) (Frankfurt:A9D) (AZX or the Company) announces it will hold a special meeting of shareholders (the Meeting) on July 24, 2018. The Meeting was requisitioned by Eric Owens, the former Chief Executive Officer who was terminated for cause, and other shareholders associated with him. As previously disclosed, AZX received the requisition from Mr. Owens after he was terminated. At the meeting, Mr. Owens and his associates are asking shareholders to vote to remove three current directors and to replace them with three activist nominees handpicked by Mr. Owens. Shareholders as of May 28, 2018 will be entitled to vote at the Meeting. Shareholders will receive detailed information about the matters presented at the Meeting and how to vote in a management information circular in advance of July 24, 2018. Shareholders should read the information carefully before deciding how to vote. In the meantime, there is no need for shareholders to take any voting action. As previously announced, the Board of Directors of the Company appointed a Special Committee of independent directors to, among other things, undertake a comprehensive review of strategic alternatives involving the Company. Among the alternatives being considered by the Special Committee are financing transactions and transactions that may result in the sale of the Company or substantially all of its operating assets, subject to necessary shareholder approvals. While there can be no assurance that the Company will pursue or execute any specific action or transaction, the date of the Meeting was set by the Board to allow sufficient time to complete and announce the results of the review prior to the Meeting. Despite the unnecessary time and money that Mr. Owens action will require, the Board remains focused on continuing to deliver on its plan to maximize value for all shareholders. Advisors Kingsdale Advisors is acting as strategic shareholder and communications advisor and Bennett Jones LLP is acting as legal advisor to AZX. Sprott Capital Partners is acting as financial advisor to the Board and Scotiabank is acting as the financial advisor to the Special Committee of AZX. Further information about the Company is available on the Companys website, www.azx.ca, or our social media sites listed below: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AlexandriaMinerals Twitter: https://twitter.com/azxmineralscorp YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/AlexandriaMinerals Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/alexandriaminerals/ LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/company/alexandriaminerals About Alexandria Minerals Corporation Alexandria Minerals Corporation is a Toronto-based junior gold exploration and development company with strategic properties located in the world-class mining districts of Val dOr, Quebec, Red Lake, Ontario and Snow Lake-Flin Flon, Manitoba. Alexandrias focus is on its flagship property, the large Cadillac Break Property package in Val dOr, which hosts important, near-surface, gold resources along the prolific, gold-producing Cadillac Break, all of which have significant growth potential. WARNING: This News Release may contain forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements address future events and conditions and therefore involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from those currently anticipated in such statements. Alexandria Minerals Corporation relies upon litigation protection for forward-looking statements. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. For More Information: Ian Robertson Executive Vice President, Communication Strategy Kingsdale Advisors Direct: 416-867-2333 Cell: 647-621-2646 Email: irobertson@kingsdaleadvisors.com 1. Fill in your name or an alias. Do not leave blank or use the name 'guest' or 'anonymous'. 2. No Nivul Peh. Profanity will be deleted. While Vietnamese often self-diagnose by researching symptoms online, a practice known as asking Dr Google, Facebook health experts are slowly gaining a strong following in the shady world of medical misinformation. These so-called experts deal in bizarre-sounding medical tips with no scientific backing, sometimes leaving those who take their advice considerably worse for wear. While Google can be hit-or-miss when it comes to offering sound medical advice, unsubstantiated medical information on Facebook has mostly proven to be dangerously misguiding. Despite the life-threatening perils, the community of Vietnamese people who religiously believe in information, tips, and methods on healthcare and childcare provided by Facebook health experts is growing larger and larger by the day. For instance, followers of the natural childbirth trend circulating on social media choose to give birth at home instead of in the hospital, use breast milk to treat the childrens diseases in lieu of medicine, and let a newborns immune system handle serious diseases rather than getting vaccinations. To this cult-like community, the combined medical knowledge accumulated over the course of human advancement coupled with warnings and recommendations from doctors with years of medical school and practice under their belts pales in comparison to words of wisdom from Facebook doctors. Human beings should do what other animals do when it comes to birthing follow nature, a local mom who claims to practice natural childbirth commented on Facebook. By following the nature, the mother means giving birth at home and denying hospital care and medication under all circumstances for children. A mother should deliver on her own, hold the baby when it says hello to the world, and breastfeed him or her, she said, summarizing the basic principles of a belief widely condemned by medical professionals worldwide. Doctors take care of a mother and her newborn child at Tu Du Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Tuoi Tre Lotus birth One of the latest birthing trends among Vietnamese social media users is lotus birth, also known as umbilical nonseverance - the practice of leaving the umbilical cord uncut after childbirth so that the baby is left attached to the placenta until the cord naturally separates at the umbilicus, usually three to ten days after birth. As no studies have been done on lotus birth, no evidence exists to support any medical benefits of the birthing method. Nevertheless, 'Facebook health experts are urging women to practice lotus birth at home. One course, advertised to start in June in Ho Chi Minh City, charges VND15 million (US$650) per learner, promising instructions by an Australian expert in the field. In early March, a mother in northern Vietnam posted a photo on her Facebook showing a newborn with her umbilical cord uncut, lying next to a basin where her placenta was being stored. The mother claimed to have delivered at home and neither cut the umbilical cord nor had the newborn vaccinated, as a way of following the nature. The health ministry has since released a warning against the scientifically unverified method. The screenshot of a Facebook update of a Vietnamese who claimed to have successfully practiced 'lotus birth' at home. The placenta, with the uncut umbilical, is blurred in this photo. Even so, it was reported earlier this week that a woman in Ho Chi Minh City and her newborn died during a home delivery using this natural method.' As of Friday morning, the case remained unverified, according to Vietnams health authorities. Some 98 percent of births in Vietnam are made at healthcare facilities with assistance from medical workers, a success the health ministry takes credit for, according to Tran Dang Khoa, deputy head of the ministrys mother and child health department. While home birth is now only practiced in rural and remote areas, the mushrooming number of home births taking place in big cities has taken the countrys medical industry by surprise. Delivering at home also means there is rarely anyone with medical training, such as a medical worker or midwife, on hand to help if anything should go wrong during labor. Earlier this month a woman in the northern province of Lao Cai gave birth at home with the help of only her mother-in-law. The elder woman ended up slicing open the unborn childs head while it was still in its mothers womb, believing that putting a knife inside the moms sexual organ would help ease her labor. A pregnant woman is seen in this photo illustration. Photo: Reuters A mothers milk cures all Among those people who spreading various methods of natural birthing online in Vietnam, a woman known as Phuong Hong Nhat Le has the largest following. Le preaches to her Facebook followers that breast milk is a miracle drug, capable of treating heart disease and eyesores, even allowing cut thumbs to grow back." The benefits of breast milk are owed to its rich content of stem cells, which help to improve our body, Phuong told her followers. Unfortunately, followers of Le and others like her often choose not to fact check such information, leading to perilous situations for helpless newborns. In November 2017, a 16-day-old baby was hospitalized in Hanoi with her eyes in critical conditions, after her mother used breast milk to treat her eyesore, according to Nhan Dan (People) newspaper. The mother, a 19-year-old woman, admitted that she was following a tip shared on Facebook, without knowing that it would only worsen her childs condition. A bottle of breast milk is seen in this photo illustration. Photo: Reuters No vaccination, no problem Another health trend attracting Vietnams Facebook users is the so-called anti-vaccine movement, whereby local parents refuse to have their children vaccinated for fear of fatal side effects. Several Facebook pages have been created to spread the message that children should not be vaccinated and instead their immune system should develop independently, going against warnings by doctors that not having children vaccinated could pose dangers not only to the kids, but to the whole community. One such group, named Vaccine Yes or No?, saw its membership grow to 20,000 between June and July 2017. The majority of the groups members have confirmed that they have never had their children vaccinated, while others have said they chose not to have their kids receive all of the health ministrys required injections. Other members have expressed unsubstantiated claims that vaccinations could lead to autism. The anti-vaccine movement has resulted in immediate consequences: the number of encephalitis and whooping cough cases, diseases that are mostly preventable by vaccination, are on the rise in Vietnam. During the Jan-May period of last year, 119 cases of whooping cough were recorded, with two children eventually killed by the disease. A huge number of those patients were found to have either received no or insufficient vaccinations. Similarly, while children are expected to get encephalitis vaccinations, 21 cases of infection were recorded in June 2017, with many patients in a critical condition after not being vaccinated. A child receives an injection in this photo illustration. Photo: Reuters Misconception According to health professionals, followers of the following the nature trend misunderstand the true meaning of nature.' Natural healthcare means if a patient suffers from iron deficiency anemia, doctors should advise them to eat iron-rich fruits and vegetables instead of taking iron pills, which smell bad, N.T.S., a doctor who claims to follow the nature the right way," wrote on his Facebook. Nguyen Ba My Nhi, deputy director of Tu Du Hospital, one of Vietnams leading maternity hospitals, also said natural childbirth actually means vaginal delivery, rather than giving birth at home. Home birth is dangerous as the labor poses multiple risks to both mother and child, which will lead to fatality without timely help from medical workers, she said. Pham Quang Thai, head of the northern branch of the vaccination office under the National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology, said the online anti-vaccine movement is mainly to blame for the outbreak of preventable diseases among children. When more people refuse to have their children vaccinated, the communitys immunity is reduced, making it easier for outbreaks to occur, he told Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper. Doctors are pictured with a newborn baby in Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Tuoi Tre Thai said supporters of the anti-vaccine movement have relied too much on unverified or inaccurate information and even information that has been proven false, such as vaccination leads to autism. Vu Ba Quyet, director of the National Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynecology, echoed Mais view, adding that something must be done to stop impressionable women from believing in health trends that drag back civilization. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! SEOUL - South Korean President Moon Jae-in will visit Vietnam and the United Arab Emirates next week as part of efforts to deepen bilateral ties, Moons office said on Thursday. The office said Moon is scheduled to land in Hanoi on March 22 for a three-day stay, during which he will meet Vietnamese President Tran Dai Quang. The trip is Moons second to Vietnam after attending the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation conference in Danang in November. In Indonesia last November, Moon unveiled the New Southern Policy aimed at better connecting South Korea to Southeast Asia and expand the economic clout of Asias fourth-largest economy in the region home to more than half a billion people. Vietnam is our largest trading partner in Southeast Asia, and a core partner country for our New Southern Policy, Blue House spokesman Kim Eui-kyeom said. Moon will arrive in United Arab Emirates on March 24 for a three-day stay, Kim said. South Korea is building four nuclear reactors in the Middle Eastern country, and has been stationing a unit of special forces to train UAE troops since 2011. People in Vietnam are becoming more inclined to take overseas vacations as they are willing to empty their pockets on costly tours as well as expensive services during their trips to foreign countries. To many domestic and foreign tour operators, Vietnam has emerged as a lucrative tourism market given that an increasing number of locals do not hesitate to spend big on overseas journeys. According to Tran Doan The Duy, deputy general director of Ho Chi Minh City-based tour operator Vietravel, the company has had to introduce new trips and destinations on a regular basis to meet local demand. The number of tourists embarking on Vietravels trips to Taiwan in 2017 rose by an astonishing 170 percent compared to the previous year, Duy said, adding the travelers to Japan and South Korea also increased by 30 percent. Fiditour, another travel agent in Ho Chi Minh City, reported that the number of its overseas tour buyers has surged by 25 to 30 percent per annum over the past years. Statistics from the Korea Tourism Organization showed that the number of Vietnamese visitors to the East Asian nation exceeded 330,000 in 2017, up by nearly 30 percent. A desire to explore new places and cultures, an affordable cost, diverse services, and lower chances of scams and overcharging are among the reasons why people prefer overseas tours, according to local tour organizers. Sean Preston, country manager in charge of Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos at Visa, said a growing middle class has fueled the demand for foreign trips. Prestons survey showed that an average Vietnamese tourist will travel abroad five times in the next two years. The previous figure was only 3.5 times per person. Vietnamese travelers also do not hold back when it comes to shopping on their trips. Vietnamese people visit a village in Chiang Mai, Thailand. Photo: Tuoi Tre According to Tran Van Long, general director of Du Lich Viet (Viet Tourism) Company, a Vietnamese tourist often spends over US$1,000 on shopping while traveling in Asian countries such as Singapore, Japan, and Thailand. The amount will be much higher if the they are taking vacations in Europe, Long stated, adding that the money spent was only about $500 three years ago. Why shopping? Experts highlighted that certain products are cheaper in foreign countries than after they are imported into Vietnam. The vacationers are spared the risk of buying counterfeit merchandise, they added. Nguyen Ngoc Hung, a tour guide with more than eight years of experience, stated that some travelers are willing to purchase goods also widely sold in Vietnam. Some travelers to Japan are willing to spend VND15 million ($659) to VND18 million ($791) on an electric cooker, Hung said, adding that people also buy other electronic products such as irons and smart toilet seats. Many tend to buy branded clothes, cosmetics, shoes, food, as well as products uniquely famous in each destination. Others believe that they must buy something during their trip to a foreign country, even though the objects will not necessarily be used after the journey. This is why local tour operators often consider shopping as one of the main activities when designing overseas trips, an insider said. But shopping does not seem to be a favorite activity of Vietnamese travelers when it comes to domestic tours, said Nguyen Thi Khanh, vice-president of the Ho Chi Minh City Travel Association. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! 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Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and his Australian counterpart Malcolm Turnbull signed a joint statement on the establishment of the strategic partnership following their talks in Canberra on Thursday. The historic event was part of PM Phucs official visit to Australia from March 14 to 18. It also fell on the occasion of the 45th anniversary of the Vietnam-Australia diplomatic relations. During their conversation, the two premiers expressed pleasure at the growth of bilateral trade in recent years with nearly US$6.5 billion in 2017, up seven percent compared to the previous year. Australia is now the eighth-largest trade partner of Vietnam, while Vietnam is the 15th-biggest trade partner of Australia. Both sides agreed to create maximum conditions for the intensive and comprehensive development of bilateral economic ties, and to increase economic interests in their bilateral relations. The two leaders expressed their delight at the increasing number of Vietnamese students in Australia. There are nearly 30,000 Vietnamese students in Australia, who have contributed to improving the quality of human resources and developing Vietnams socio-economic development. PM Turnbull appreciated Vietnams role in pushing the signing of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP). The Vietnamese and Australian delegations join talks in Canberra on March 15, 2018. Photo: Tuoi Tre Following the withdrawal of the United States from the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TTP) free trade agreement in January 2017, the remaining 11 member nations agreed to negotiate a new deal and renamed it the CPTPP in November of the same year. The CPTPP now includes Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore, and Vietnam. PM Turnbull urged the two sides to closely coordinate in the ratification and implementation of the pact, expressing his belief that the agreement would benefit its member countries. The heads of government stressed the need to expand investment in each others strong fields. PM Phuc asked Australia to encourage its businesses to invest in Vietnam in the fields of energy, infrastructure, telecommunications, knowledge-based economy, and science and technology. He also called on the Australian government to continue providing ODA (official development assistance) for Vietnam, focusing on infrastructure, agriculture, rural development, climate change, and human resource development. Following their talks, the premiers witnessed the signing of four cooperative documents in education, science and technology, agriculture, forestry, and aquaculture. PM Phuc left Canberra for Sydney on Friday morning to attend the ASEAN- Australia Special Summit, which takes place on March 17 and 18. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! A number of inhabitants in a southern Vietnamese region have been living in constant worry about personal safety and homelessness as the dyke stretching before their houses has been destroyed or stands to break in the increasing absence of trees protecting it from sea waves. Nearly 50 families in Go Cong Dong District, Tien Giang Province, have been beset by the destruction of a 1.5-kilometer-long strip of embankment caused by sea waves several years ago. Many residents moved to a better place after the event, but others are still staying in the land along the dyke since they have no spot for the relocation. They have built makeshift rickety houses which can be damaged by the sea at any time. Another portion of the embankment in Go Cong Dong is prone to break since its protection forest, meant to prevent erosion effects, has disappeared, leaving the wall bare to sea waves. Part of the protection forest in Go Cong Dong District, Tien Giang Province, southern Vietnam, has disappeared. Concrete slabs are placed in its place. Photo: Tuoi Tre The situation urged the local government to construct a dyke about 300 meters long in Tan Dien Commune, Go Cong District, in 2018, said Nguyen Thien Phap, head of the provincial water resource department. He said that the local protection forests area has decreased more than twofold, from 1,073 hectares in 2016 to 499 hectares this year, and many forests that still exist tend to be completely lost. Dykes are crucially important to local agriculture, which relies on fresh water. But protection measures have so far been very costly. VND4 billion [US$176,000] is spent on every 100 meters of embankment. So the amount of money for 20 kilometers will be incredibly large, Phap said. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! A high school teacher in the north-central Vietnamese province of Nghe An had had his nose broken by the older brother of a misbehaving student. Dang Minh Thuy, 40, a physical education teacher and the homeroom teacher of class 9D at Tan Thanh High School in Yen Thanh District, was hospitalized for his injuries, the school board confirmed on Thursday afternoon. Thuy was attacked by N.V.D., older brother of N.V.P., a student in class 9D. The victim shared that the attack was in retaliation for his imposing disciplinary action upon P. for burning paper in the classroom on Tuesday. The teacher sent a formal letter inviting P.s parents to the school to discuss his bad behavior. At around 9:30 am on Wednesday, D. and another man arrived at the school to talk with Thuy about the incident. During their conversation, D. suddenly threw a punch at the teacher, knocking him to the ground. Thuy was later brought to a local general hospital by his colleagues. According to Tran Ngoc Duc, doctor at the infirmary, X-ray results showed that the victims nose was broken. It is unclear why D. attacked Thuy, Phan Van Quang, vice-principal of Tan Thanh High School, stated. Some students in class 9D said that Thuy had hit P. before as a warning for his wrongdoing, Quang added. Thuy has been teaching for over 10 years, according to the vice-principal. Police officers in Yen Thanh District are investigating the case. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Vietnamese social media channels have been roamed with videos capturing a kid standing on the window frame of a room on the high floor of an apartment building, and a baby unwittingly crawling across a main road with fast-moving traffic. The first video, over two minutes long, was published Monday in the Facebook group named Khang Gia Go Vap, accompanied by the comment: Mom, where are you? A small child aged about three stepped with difficulty over the low horizontal bar across the window of its room on the 11th story of the Khang Gia condominium in Go Vap District, Ho Chi Minh City. Get in. Get in, cried a female witness from the opposite building but to no avail. After a while, two men from an adjacent room came to keep steady the child, who continued to climb through the window and moved along it before a person in the babys room carried him inside. A child climbs through a window of the Khang Gia condominium in Go Vap District, Ho Chi Minh City in a video posted March 12, 2018 by the Facebook group of Khang Gia Go Vap The video was widely shared online, with some viewers commenting that it must have been due to some table positioned near the window that the child was able to naively risk his life. Inhabitants at a number of condominiums in Vietnam expressed their utter shock, asking their relatives living in such buildings to install a window railing as a precaution. In another event on Tuesday, a baby was captured on the camera of a car while he was creeping on the portion of National Route 18 running through Cam Pha, a city in Quang Ninh Province, in northeastern Vietnam. The car driver, Dang Dinh Thai, spotted what he described as a strange object and halted the vehicle in response, only to be astonished to see a baby, who had reached the median barrier. Looking at something moving at a distance, I thought its a running dog. I came nearer and my hair stood on end when I recognized that was a baby about eight months old, with his clothes covered in dust, he said. The kids mother scrambled to the scene and carried him to her house, which is located near one side of the road and whose door was left ajar at the time. The mother failed to see the child since she was selling goods on the other side, with her view obstructed by the barrier. A baby crawls on the part of National Route 18 crossing Cam Pha City, Quang Ninh Province, northern Vietnam, on the afternoon of March 13, 2018, in a video provided by Dang Dinh Thai. These incidents resulted in no casualties but the case of an unminded three-year-old boy in Nam Dinh Province, a coastal region of northern Vietnam, is different. On March 9, he took the elevator to the 21st floor of a kindergarten building alone, walked down the stairs to the immediately lower floor, where he climbed through the window, fell to the sixth floor and died. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Former Game of Thrones star Aidan Gillen looks like he will make a top Dave Allen in BBCs upcoming biodrama Dave Allen at Peace. Due to air this year in the UK, the drama will explore how Allens comedy genius was shaped by the tragic loss of his father, his brother and his finger. Allen received his first big break in Australia, hosting Tonight With Dave Allen on Nine in 1963 before later being fired. A broadcaster for Australia has not been confirmed (but probably BBC First). And the original Man of the moment, Nick Cummins, will front his travel special Meanwhile in Australia with Nick Cummins next week on Nat Geo. Cummins was this week confirmed as TENs 2018 Bachelor and will co-host Netflix series Ultimate Beastmaster with Dannii Minogue. The open road is like a modern mans song line and Nick Cummins was brought to this road by a dream that a big rock in the desert was calling to him. It still calls to him now as he goes in search of the stories from the bottom end of Australia; From The Great Australian Bight, to the Nullarbor and The Great Southern. The place is ancient, the experience mesmerising, even enchanting, the journey vast and filled with legendary travellers tales they take us through a series of landscapes that are breathtaking and alive. But Nick is not here just for the scenic wonders. Nick is gathering stories of the place, grasping hold of a cultural baton and passing it onto us to reveal and preserve the remarkable, the surprising and the unforgettable people and events, that piece by piece we will knit together to eventually define this timeless place, Australia. 7.30pm Tuesday 20 March on Nat Geo. Vanessa Trump has filed for divorce from her husband Donald Trump, Jr., the son of the President of the United States, after twelve years of marriage, citing the fact that they are now living separate lives as the reason, because her husband is never there for her anymore. The New York Times reported that she is not expecting a legal battle over the couples five kids and their many, many, many assets. Right now, Trump, Jr. is estimated to have a net worth of $300 million expect that to drop to $150 million pretty soon, though. Even in this current administration, Trump, Jr. is not the brightest bulb. People like Julian Assange use this to take advantage of him. He shared an image of his father as Pepe the Frog on social media, and when he was quizzed about the links between that meme and white supremacy, Trump, Jr. said that it just liked how it was a frog with a wig. Those are the words that would come out of a childs mouth, not someone with influence in the White House. On Halloween, he posted on social media about taking away his three-year-old daughters candy to teach her about socialism. This is a guy who has spent his entire life in Daddys pocket. In fact, if he wasnt the son of President Billionaire, he probably wouldnt be anywhere in his life. Trump, Jr. has drawn criticism from pretty much everybody: liberals and generally left-wing people, British legislators, even JK Rowling. The Presidents son has been called a disgrace for the things hes said and done. Thats a pretty harsh word. Good riddance, Donald Trump, Jr. Vanessa Trump will likely be better off without Donald Trump, Jr., who is an infamous dope. Key figures in the Trump campaign referred to the guy as the Fredo of the organisation. This is a reference to the Fredo Corleone character from The Godfather, who was the moronic brother whose ineptitude consistently caused problems for the family. Its a pretty fair nickname for him, to be completely honest. A few years ago, some pictures surfaced from a hunting trip that Trump, Jr. took in Africa in which hes holding up a knife in one hand and a blood-drenched elephant tail in the other and another in which hes posing with a dead, endangered leopard. This became particularly controversial. Its perfectly legal (for God knows what reason), but it was also controversial, because lets be honest thats abhorrent. Hes having a good time, playing around with some butchered animals that he butchered. Thats horrific! He quoted London Mayor Sadiq Khan out of context after the terrorist attack in Westminster last year and every politician in the UK turned against Trump, Jr. He compared the struggles of the Trump campaign operating under media scrutiny to the struggles of the victims of the Holocaust. Trump, Jr. is a patsy. Hes constantly being used and manipulated, because he has direct contact and trust with the President of the United States that he would not have if he wasnt his son. WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange saw this and used it to his advantage during the 2016 Presidential election race. Trump, Jr. leaked some sensitive information to Assange that turned out to be false! The divorce comes eight months shy of the couples 13th anniversary Trump, Jr. and Vanessa Trump have been married now for almost twelve and a half years, but this divorce cuts the eternal bond of marriage short, eight months shy of their thirteenth wedding anniversary. The couple got married in November of 2005 in a lavish ceremony at the Trump familys exclusive resort Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Florida. The wedding was officiated by Maryanne Trump Barry, the sister of President Trump, who was a judge in the US Court of Appeals at the time. FILE PHOTO: A display featuring missiles and a portrait of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is seen at Baharestan Square in Tehran, Iran September 27, 2017. Picture taken September 27, 2017. Nazanin Tabatabaee Yazdi/TIMA via REUTERS Thomson Reuters By Robin Emmott and John Irish BRUSSELS/PARIS (Reuters) - Britain, France and Germany have proposed fresh EU sanctions on Iran over its ballistic missiles and its role in Syria's war, according to a confidential document, in a bid to persuade Washington to preserve the 2015 nuclear deal with Tehran. The joint paper, seen by Reuters, was sent to European Union capitals on Friday, said two people familiar with the matter, to sound out support for such sanctions as they would need the support of all 28 EU member governments. The proposal is part of an EU strategy to save the accord signed by world powers that curbs Tehran's ability to develop nuclear weapons, namely by showing U.S. President Donald Trump that there are other ways to counter Iranian power abroad. Trump delivered an ultimatum to the European signatories on Jan. 12 that they must agree to "fix the terrible flaws of the Iran nuclear deal" - which was sealed under his predecessor Barack Obama - or he would refuse to extend U.S. sanctions relief on Iran. U.S. sanctions will resume unless Trump issues fresh "waivers" to suspend them on May 12. "We will therefore be circulating in the coming days a list of persons and entities that we believe should be targeted in view of their publicly demonstrated roles," the document said, referring to Iranian ballistic missile tests and Tehran's role backing Syria's government in the seven-year-old civil war. Analysts say the nuclear agreement, touted at the time as a breakthrough reducing the risk of a devastating wider war in the Middle East, could collapse if Washington pulls out. The document said Britain, France and Germany were engaged in "intensive talks with the Trump administration to "achieve a clear and lasting reaffirmation of U.S. support for the (nuclear) agreement beyond May 12". The European powers and the United States held several rounds of talks this week on the issue, diplomats said. Story continues SENSITIVE The document referred to sanctions that would "target militias and commanders". It proposes building on the EU's existing sanctions list related to Syria, which includes travel bans and asset freezes on individuals, and a ban on doing business or financing public and private companies. The issue is highly sensitive because the 2015 pact between Iran and six major powers - Britain, China, France, Germany, Russia and the United States - lifted international sanctions that crippled Iran's oil-based economy. While the EU retains some sanctions on Iranians over human rights abuses, it rescinded its economic and financial restrictions on Iran in 2016 and does not want to be seen to be reneging on the agreement. While Iran signed up to limits on its uranium enrichment activity, which it has repeatedly said is for peaceful power generation, not atomic bombs, it has refused to discuss its missile program, which it says is purely defensive. The Islamic Republic has dismissed Western assertions that its activities in the Middle East are destabilizing, and also rejected Trump's demands to renegotiate the nuclear accord. In the joint document, Britain, France and Germany set out questions and answers that seek to show that legally, the European powers would not be breaking the terms of the nuclear deal. It said that they are "entitled to adopt additional sanctions against Iran" as long as they are not nuclear-related or were previously lifted under the nuclear agreement. The European powers said new sanctions are justified because Iran "did not commit further to stop undertaking ballistic missile destabilizing activities" under the nuclear agreement. The nuclear deal's terms did not cover ballistic missile activity. Iran has said its effort to develop ballistic weaponry is solely for defensive purposes and has nothing to do with its nuclear energy ambitions. (Reporting by Robin Emmott and John Irish; Editing by Mark Heinrich) See Also: By Maiya Keidan, Carolyn Cohn and Huw Jones LONDON (Reuters) - France's financial markets regulator said on Thursday it had written to British-based investment firms active in the country and French firms with UK clients to ask about their preparations for Brexit. France is one of several countries vying to win business from Britain as it prepares to leave the European Union in March next year. Paris is also the chief supporter of proposals to tighten the rules governing how funds manage their investments across borders, so-called delegation, to pressure firms to move more of their business to the EU. The Autorite des Marches Financiers said it wanted UK-based firms to clarify the status of their operations in France. It asked how they were preparing for the loss of an EU financial "passport", which allows firms based in member states to sell their services across the bloc, and offered them a "direct discussion" over the issue. "We are one year before Brexit. We want to anticipate the impact of the Brexit on the French market," Xavier Parain, managing director in charge of the Asset Management Directorate of the AMF, told Reuters. "We confirm we sent a letter to companies that have an active passport for the French market just to be sure that UK investment managers have taken into consideration the uncertainty and that they are preparing appropriately to any kind of event linked to Brexit." The AMF had also asked the same questions of French firms working with UK clients, he said. Some lawyers and fund managers told Reuters they considered the letters to be premature given the potential for a transitional deal between Britain and the EU to be agreed that gives investment firms longer to decide on their plans. Britain and Brussels aim to agree at an EU summit next week a 'standstill' transition deal until the end of 2020, meaning business would continue as usual after Brexit Day on March 29, 2019. Story continues Jamie Carter, chairman of New City Initiative, which represents 51 independent asset managers managing 400 billion pounds in assets, said some of his members had received the letter. "Members have been thinking about contingency planning, but will largely be waiting for an announcement confirming whether there will be a transition period before pressing ahead so as not to waste time and resources unnecessarily." (Writing by Simon Jessop; editing by David Stamp) FILE PHOTO: Lebanon's Prime Minister Saad al-Hariri addresses his supporters during a commemoration ceremony marking the 13th anniversary of the assassination of his father, former Lebanese prime minister Rafik al-Hariri, in Beirut, Lebanon February 14, 2018. REUTERS/Mohamed Azakir Thomson Reuters By Steve Scherer ROME (Reuters) - Lebanon plans to increase its military presence along its southern border with Israel, Prime Minister Saad Hariri said on Thursday at a meeting in Rome, where he is seeking financial support for the armed forces. Some 40 countries participated in the meeting, along with and United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres. The total amount of contributions is expected to be announced later on Thursday. "We will be sending more LAF (Lebanese Armed Forces) troops to the south, and we stress our intention to deploy another regiment," he said, adding that Israel "remains the primary threat to Lebanon". "While we are thinking of ways to move from a state of cessation of hostilities to a state of permanent ceasefire, Israel continues to make plans to build walls on reservation areas along the blue line," Hariri said. The Lebanese Armed Forces took no part in the 2006 war between Israel and the Iranian-backed Lebanese Shi'ite Hezbollah militia. Since then, it has received more than $1.5 billion in U.S. military assistance and, in the last seven years, training and support from U.S. special forces. The U.N. Security Council has allowed for 15,000 Lebanese troops to be deployed along the border since the end of the 2006 conflict. Bolstering Lebanon's army and internal security forces is seen as a way for the international community to keep Hezbollah, which has helped sway the Syrian civil war in President Bashar al-Assad's favor, from broadening its clout in the Lebanese heartland. On Thursday, Hariri reiterated his commitment to the policy of "dissociation", which is meant to keep the deeply fractured state out of regional conflicts such as the civil war in neighboring Syria. Guterres told reporters: "This is the moment in which the international community needs to express its full support (for Lebanon)." Italian caretaker Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni said Lebanon's stability was vital to region. Story continues "Lebanon must be sheltered from the forces of destabilization," he said. "Assuring Lebanon's stability assures the broader security of the Mediterranean and, as a consequence, of Europe." The Rome meeting is the first of three aimed at helping Lebanon stimulate its economy and weather the neighboring civil war and attendant refugee crisis. In April, donors will meet in Paris, where Lebanon is seeking up to $16 billion in infrastructure investments. A meeting in Brussels follows, intended to help Lebanon cope with the more than 1 million Syrian refugees it is hosting. (Reporting by Steve Scherer; Editing by Kevin Liffey) See Also: su 24 frogfoot syria Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation BEIRUT (Reuters) - The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said on Friday Russian air strikes on the Syrian rebel-held village of Kafr Batna in eastern Ghouta killed 12 civilians and wounded more than 100 others. "The bodies are completely burned by the Russian war plane air strikes," Rami Abdulrahman, the director of the UK-based war monitor, said. See Also: TAIPEI (Reuters) - Taiwan will dole out more incentives aimed at retaining talented workers and strengthening protection for company trade secrets, the deputy premier said on Friday, in a bid to counter China's efforts to draw investment by Taiwan companies. Beijing said last month it would treat Taiwan companies in certain sectors as equal to mainland companies to help reduce manufacturing and operating costs. The move has sparked concern that the island could be further pulled into the economic orbit of its giant neighbour, which claims sovereignty over self-ruled Taiwan. "The government will deal with the measures seriously and respond with practical solutions," Taiwan's deputy premier Shih Jun-ji told reporters. "People should stick together and be fearless," he said. "We will continue to ban measures that may impact national security and harm people's basic rights." Beijing has deepened efforts to build contacts with ordinary Taiwanese even though it has become increasingly hostile towards its president, Tsai Ing-wen of the pro-independence Democratic Progressive Party, elected two years ago. China suspects Tsai wants to declare the island's formal independence, a red line for Beijing. Tsai has repeatedly said she wants to maintain peace with China. In its latest policy pledge, Taiwan said it would introduce more incentives to retain talent from academics to startup investors. The government also plans to shorten the review period for initial public offering (IPO) to six weeks from eight weeks. Shih said Taiwan would "actively investigate" crimes related to trade secrets that were leaked to China in a move to strengthen legal protection for Taiwan companies. Taiwan companies have flocked to China since the two sides begun a detente in the 1980s. About 470,000 people Taiwan work in China, official data from Taiwan show. Taiwan's Chinese policy-making authority has warned its companies and people to exercise caution and not rush into China's embrace. (Reporting By Yimou Lee) By Robin Emmott and John Irish BRUSSELS/PARIS (Reuters) - Britain, France and Germany have proposed fresh EU sanctions on Iran over its ballistic missiles and its role in Syria's war, according to a confidential document, in a bid to persuade Washington to preserve the 2015 nuclear deal with Tehran. The joint paper, seen by Reuters, was sent to European Union capitals on Friday, said two people familiar with the matter, to sound out support for such sanctions as they would need the support of all 28 EU member governments. The proposal is part of an EU strategy to save the accord signed by world powers that curbs Tehran's ability to develop nuclear weapons, namely by showing U.S. President Donald Trump that there are other ways to counter Iranian power abroad. Trump delivered an ultimatum to the European signatories on Jan. 12. It said they must agree to "fix the terrible flaws of the Iran nuclear deal" - which was sealed under his predecessor Barack Obama - or he would refuse to extend U.S. sanctions relief on Iran. U.S. sanctions will resume unless Trump issues fresh "waivers" to suspend them on May 12. "We will therefore be circulating in the coming days a list of persons and entities that we believe should be targeted in view of their publicly demonstrated roles," the document said, referring to Iranian ballistic missile tests and Tehran's role in backing Syria's government in the seven-year-old civil war. The steps would go beyond what a U.S. State Department cable seen by Reuters last month outlined as a path to satisfy Trump: simply committing to improving the nuclear deal. It also reflects frustration with Tehran. "We're getting irritated. We've been talking to them for 18 months and have had no progress on these issues," a diplomat said. European Union foreign ministers will discuss the proposal at a closed-door meeting on Monday in Brussels, diplomats said. Story continues Analysts say the nuclear agreement, touted at the time as a breakthrough reducing the risk of a devastating wider war in the Middle East, could collapse if Washington pulls out. Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif struck a defiant note towards Washington on Friday. "If the United States makes the mistake of pulling out of the JCPOA, it will definitely be a painful mistake for the Americans," Iranian state television quoted Zarif as saying. The JCPOA is the formal name of the nuclear deal. Zarif did not refer to the possibility of new EU sanctions. The commission overseeing the nuclear accord said on Friday in Vienna that Iran was meeting its obligations under the deal. The joint document by Britain, France and Germany said they were engaged in "intensive talks with the Trump administration to "achieve a clear and lasting reaffirmation of U.S. support for the (nuclear) agreement beyond May 12". The proposal follows weeks of talks between the State Department and European powers as they try to mollify the Trump administration, which is split between those who want to tear up the agreement and those who wish to preserve it. A U.S. State Department official declined to comment, adding, "We don't want to get ahead of the EU's decision-making process ... There is broad agreement on the areas that need strengthening, but how that's done in each of the three areas is the subject of our negotiations." A different U.S. official cited "very good" talks with London, Paris and Berlin this week in Vienna on the issue. "PROLIFERATION" OF IRANIAN MISSILES The document referred to sanctions that would "target militias and commanders". It proposes building on the EU's existing sanctions list related to Syria, which includes travel bans and asset freezes on individuals, and a ban on doing business or financing public and private companies. It was strident in its criticism of Iran's ballistic weapons, which Tehran says are for defensive purposes, saying there were "transfers of Iranian missiles and missile technology" to Syria and allies of Tehran, such as Houthi rebels in Yemen and Lebanon's Iran-backed Shi'ite Hezbollah. "Such a proliferation of Iranian missile capabilities throughout the region is an additional and serious source of concern," the document said. Still, the issue is highly sensitive because the 2015 pact between Iran and six major powers - Britain, China, France, Germany, Russia and the United States - lifted international sanctions that crippled Iran's oil-based economy. While the EU retains some sanctions on Iranians over human rights abuses, it rescinded its economic and financial restrictions on Iran in 2016 and does not want to be seen to be reneging on the agreement. Iran signed up to limits on its uranium enrichment activity, which it has repeatedly said is for peaceful power generation, not atomic bombs, but has refused to discuss its missiles. The Islamic Republic has dismissed Western assertions that its activities in the Middle East are destabilising and also rejected Trump's demands to renegotiate the nuclear accord. In the joint document, Britain, France and Germany set out questions and answers that seek to show that legally, the European powers would not be breaking the terms of the nuclear deal. It said they are "entitled to adopt additional sanctions against Iran" as long as they are not nuclear-related or were previously lifted under the nuclear agreement. The European powers said new sanctions are justified because Iran "did not commit further to stop undertaking ballistic missile destabilising activities" under the nuclear agreement. The nuclear deal's terms did not cover ballistic missile activity. (Additional reporting by Parisa Hafezi in Ankara and Lesley Wroughton in Washington; Editing by Gareth Jones and James Dalgleish) The men were found guilty at the High Court, Glasgow (Police Scotland) A group of men been have been jailed for a total of 29 years after being found guilty of slavery charges. Robert McPhee, 65, his son James McPhee, 45, and son-in-law John Miller, 38, were found guilty at the High Court in Glasgow in connection with servitude, abduction and serious assault offences between 1992 and 2016. Another son, Steven McPhee, 37, pleaded guilty to serious assault and assault charges. Robert McPhee (Police Scotland) James McPhee (Police Scotland) The gang preyed on vulnerable men, holding them against their will at a number of traveller sites across Scotland, and forcing them to work for little or no payment. The Lanarkshire men carried out their crimes in their local area, as well as in Glasgow, Paisley, Bathgate, London and Manchester. But their plans began to unravel in June 2015 when one of their victims came forward to police, prompting the launch of a special investigation. The four men were finally arrested in Shotts, Lanarkshire, in March 2017. The men were sentenced at the High Court in Glasgow (Google Street View) MOST POPULAR TODAY ON YAHOO In sentencing the men, Lady Stacey said they used people with a variety of problems and they did not treat them properly. In some cases there was violence over a long period, in others there were abductions by which you forced people away from their families and forced them to work for you. Robert McPhee was jailed for 10 years, James McPhee for nine years, John Miller for seven years and Steven McPhee for three years. John Miller (Police Scotland) Steven McPhee (Police Scotland) Detective Chief Inspector Kevin Jamieson who led the operation said: The men preyed on vulnerable young adults, including those living in homeless accommodation, and lured them into working for them with the promise of a much better life. Story continues They then carried out sickening acts of violence on them and continued to exploit them, forcing them to carry out heavy manual labour work with absolutely no return. Despite the horrific ordeal the victims were subjected to, they have had the courage to speak out about what happened and their information has been vital to investigating this case. Make sure that you drink responsibly, look after your mates, and definitely dont spill your drink. So went the message from Constable Sinead of New Zealands Canterbury Police ahead of St Patricks Day celebrations on March 17. Canterbury Police called upon an Irish member of the force to drill home the message about drinking responsibly on St Patricks Day. A clip shared to the police forces Facebook page on March 15 shows Constable Sinead standing in front of a bar advising Christchurch residents to be safe, telling viewers: Ah look, itll be grand. The clip had earned over 10,000 views at the time of writing. Credit: Canterbury Police via Storyful Dundee University , Author provided Like a one-man Google Earth, Swiss aviation pioneer Eduard Spelterini flew a gas-filled balloon from the French town of Chamonix to Switzerland on August 8, 1909 a distance of 100 miles over the Alps. While the flight was extraordinary for being the first aerial crossing of the central Alps from west to east, it now holds a special significance of which Spelterini was unaware. The balloonist was also a photographer who captured a series of glass-plate images of the Mer de Glace (sea of ice) glacier that descends from the Mont Blanc Massif in a dramatic sweep. Spelterinis interest in recording the alpine landscape was both scientific and aesthetic, and the results are striking. This collection of images survives today as a record of the glacier that is unique in its detail and antiquity. But crucially, they can be used to measure how much this landscape has changed in the intervening years. In 1909, no one could have guessed how significant these glaciers would become to environmental science, or just how rapidly they would be affected by rising temperatures in the century that followed. Digital analysis The flight over the Mer de Glace was unusual because Spelterinis aerial photographs rarely focused on the glaciers, instead more often framing the peaks and other geological features. He was also unaware that the distribution of his photographs along the balloons flight path, pictured below, would make excellent material for digital analysis more than 100 years later. James Gentles , Author provided By identifying common features in the photographs, which can in turn be linked to surveyed features in the landscape, a 3D representation of both the balloon flight and the historical topography can be reconstructed using photogrammetry the science of taking measurements from photography. While the oblique angle of the photographs limits the measurable accuracy of the resulting data, compared to the vertical mapping photographs taken in the decades that followed, they still provide a unique and compelling glimpse into a past landscape. Story continues In Spelterinis image below, the oblique aerial view taken at a sideways angle towards the horizon gives a sense of place that is part way between the familiar ground level view and the high vertical perspective like that of a map. In the foreground the newly completed Montenvers cogwheel railway is visible, perched over the voluminous Mer de Glace glacier which leads the eye to the spires of the Mont Blanc Massif in the background. Eduard Spelterini , Author provided The photographs are carefully composed, designed to serve as both record and artwork. Their oblique angle makes them less abstracted and more relatable, despite their height above the ground and the scale of the landscape they depict. All of these factors make them an ideal point of reference for visualising the changing nature of the alpine landscape. Follow that balloon In October 2017, a team of photographers and researchers from the University of Dundee returned to Chamonix to replicate the path of the historic flight and recreate the sequence of photographs using a helicopter. Spelterinis balloon rapidly ascended to around 2,000m above the Chamonix valley before passing Mer de Glace. Such heights are virtually inaccessible to unmanned drones, meaning that a manned aircraft was needed. The results are documented in The 100-year Time-Lapse Project. GPS coordinates derived digitally from Spelterinis photographs were used to return to the same locations to capture current-day equivalents of both his individual photographs and the 3D surface reconstruction. While the rate of change in the Mer de Glace glacier has been studied in great detail, using digital technology in this way allows for a visual comparison of the landscape then and now to reveal the staggering reduction in the ice surface that has taken place over the last century. Today, visitors alighting at the Montenvers railway station are no longer confronted with the Mer de Glace at close range, but instead look down upon a largely empty valley and debris-covered glacier far below. Here the ice surface has dropped around 100 metres compared to its height in 1909. Scientists have calculated that, overall, the glacier has lost around 700m cubic metres of water since the beginning of the 20th century. While the facts and figures alone should be enough to narrate the impact that the previous century of greenhouse gas emissions have had on our climate and environment, images like these help drive the point home. Eduard Spelterini was not just a pioneer of aviation but also of aerial photography as a way of better understanding the natural world. His images capture an emotive sense of place while providing insights into aspects of the landscape that are not available from the ground. Today, despite the heavy carbon footprint that comes with manned aviation, we continue to rely on aerial views to interpret our environment, from Landsat satellite imagery to low-level drone photography. By repurposing archival aerial photographs and continuing the legacy of photographers like Spelterini, with the help of current technology, we can explore new and compelling ways to visualise our rapidly changing glacial landscapes. As well as serving to convince hearts and minds in the present political debates surrounding climate change, these images will also form a poignant record of magnificent landscapes that will no longer be around for future generations to experience. This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article. The Conversation Kieran Baxter does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment. Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babis and his wife Monika arrive at the inauguration ceremony of re-elected President Milos Zeman at Prague Castle in Prague, Czech Republic, March 8, 2018. REUTERS/David W Cerny/File photo PRAGUE (Reuters) - Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babis said on Thursday he would hold talks only with the Social Democratic party (CSSD) as he seeks to form a new coalition government with support in parliament. Babis' ANO party cruised to a major victory in an election last October, but has not persuaded any other party to either join a coalition or support its minority government, which lost a confidence vote in January. Most parties are shunning ANO, mainly because of a criminal charge brought against Babis over an alleged fraud of European Union subsidies worth 2 million euros a decade ago. He denies any wrongdoing. After another round of talks with parties on Thursday, Babis said he would now limit the negotiations to CSSD. "We agreed that we will now talk exclusively with CSSD, until April 10," Babis said at a news conference. "We are negotiating a minority government of ANO and CSSD, with the support of the Communist party, based on programme. Other parties can support us too, that is up to them," he said. If ANO's 78 lawmakers were allied with 15 from CSSD in parliament, the support of 15 additional Communist votes would give the government a majority in the 200-strong lower chamber. ANO will not hold more talks with the far-right, anti-EU SPD party of Czech-Japanese businessman Tomio Okamura, Babis said. The possibility of support from the SPD had raised concern among opposition parties and from some in ANO. (Reporting by Robert Muller; editing by Andrew Roche) FILE PHOTO: A general view of the Port of Djibouti is seen in Ambouli, Djibouti April 23, 2017. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst/File Photo Thomson Reuters By Maggie Fick NAIROBI (Reuters) - Djibouti's container port will remain in state hands as the government seeks investment, a senior official said on Wednesday in comments likely to reassure Washington where lawmakers say they fear it could be ceded to China. The Doraleh Container Terminal is a key asset for Djibouti, a tiny state on the Red Sea whose location is of strategic value to countries such as the United States, China, Japan and former colonial power France, all of whom have military bases there. Djibouti last month terminated the concession of Dubai's state-owned DP World to run the port, citing a failure to resolve a six-year contractual dispute. The cancellation accelerated diplomatic competition in Djibouti and renewed concerns in a number of capitals that other nations could use it to strengthen their influence. The port would remain "in the hands of our nation" as the government seeks new investors, said Djibouti's Inspector General Issa Sultan, who oversees infrastructure for President Ismail Omar Guelleh. "There is no China option and no secret plans for the Doraleh Container Terminal," he told Reuters in an interview. "The port is now 100 percent managed by the state." The top U.S. general for Africa told U.S. lawmakers last week the military could face "significant" consequences should China take control of the terminal. Lawmakers said they had seen reports that Djibouti had seized control of the port to give it to China as a gift. In one measure of Djibouti's strategic value, Rex Tillerson visited the country last week in his capacity as U.S. Secretary of State. It was one of just five African countries he went to on a tour of the continent. Tillerson, who was fired on Tuesday by U.S. President Donald Trump, urged the government to improve the investment climate. "ILLEGAL SEIZURE" DP World called Djibouti's move an illegal seizure. It said it had begun proceedings before the London Court of International Arbitration, which last year cleared the company of all charges of misconduct over the concession. Story continues The Djibouti government says the ports operator deliberately did not develop the container terminal and instead routed transhipments through its Jebel Ali port in Dubai. "Our ultimate goal remains to invest strongly in the attractiveness of Doraleh and other port facilities in the country," Sultan said. The port opened in 2009 and has a capacity of 1.6 million tonnes annually that was never met by DP World. In 2016, the company signed a concession to develop a rival port in neighboring Somaliland. "It became quite clear that DP World didn't want the port to be developed because it never did more that 50 percent of the capacity," Sultan said. "They were a constraint on the port activity." DP World declined to comment on Wednesday, citing ongoing legal proceedings. Weeks after cancelling DP World's concession, the state-owned company managing Doraleh signed a deal with Singapore-based Pacific International Lines to raise by a third the amount of cargo handled there. In a sign of growing regional rivalries over DP World's investments, Somalia's parliament voted on Monday to ban the company. It also said DP World's concession to develop the port in the breakaway Somaliland region was void. (Additional reporting by Alexander Cornwell in Dubai; Editing by Matthew Mpoke Bigg) See Also: By Marton Dunai BUDAPEST (Reuters) - Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban's friends and family have been increasingly successful in winning publicly funded business since he resumed power in 2010, a Reuters analysis of public procurement data shows. Companies owned or controlled by 10 businessmen - including Orban's childhood friend Lorinc Meszaros and his business partners, and his son-in-law Istvan Tiborcz and his associates - have collectively secured 1.975 trillion forints (5.62 billion pounds) worth of tenders for contracts funded by public money since 2010, the analysis shows. That is more than 10 percent of the value of such contracts over the period. The total includes contracts awarded either directly or in consortia, and direct contracts as well as framework agreements. The 10 men's share of the total surged last year, when public procurement in Hungary reached a record high of 3.63 trillion forints. In 2017, companies they controlled won business worth 28 percent of that, up from around 1-2 percent before Orban took power. "Reuters' analysis uncovered new hard data and arrived at a valid summary, which contribute to this field in a relevant way," said Istvan Janos Toth, an economist with the Hungarian Academy of Sciences. Toth is also director of the Corruption Research Centre Budapest (CRCB). The analysis used data collected by the CRCB from the Public Procurement Agency's website. Neither the government nor Orban responded to requests for comment. The 10 emerged during reporting for a special report from Lake Balaton, one of central Europe's top tourist destinations. After Orban announced major public funding for tourism projects in the region in 2014, the men bought into properties in the Balaton city of Keszthely. Orban's son-in-law Tiborcz was the first new investor. He pulled out of one property in 2015 after controversy around his purchase, but a company he co-owns now holds a stake in the resort's largest hotel. This company, Reuters found, is entitled to 45 percent of profits from the hotel and another in its portfolio. Story continues He did not respond to a request for comment. EUROPEAN FUNDS Orban, whose party, Fidesz, faces elections on April 8, has made strengthening local businessmen a cornerstone of his economic policy. Polls show the premier, 54, is likely to secure a third straight term in office, although a united opposition has made his campaign less predictable. The Balaton investment will include European Union funds. The EU has "zero tolerance to fraud with EU funds and therefore insists on a clear commitment from all member states to prevent fraud," a Commission spokesperson said by email. The spokesperson did not respond directly to Reuters findings. In its 2016 annual report, the EU's anti-fraud office (Office europeen de lutte antifraude or OLAF) recommended that Brussels ask Hungary to repay EU funds totalling more than 4 percent of the cash Europe has given it between 2012 and 2015, the highest rate of any EU member country by far. OLAF declined to discuss specific projects, but says on its website it makes such recommendations when it believes EU money has been "defrauded or irregularly misspent." Suspected violations can include projects that have been overpriced, involved collusion with bidders, or pointed to conflicts of interest. (Reporting by Marton Dunai; Edited by Sara Ledwith and Richard Woods) For the First Time, You Can Cruise Around the World and Stop at All Seven Continents, but It Wont Be Cheap Want to see the world from the comfort of an elite cruise ship designed for the 1 percent? A luxury cruise line wants to become the first in the world to visit all seven continents. The Silver Whisper plans to stop in 32 countries over a 140-day voyage, USA Today reported Thursday. The ship from Silversea Cruises will take roughly 382 passengers around the world starting on January 6, 2020. It will depart from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, visit 62 ports and finish up on May 25, 2020 in Amsterdam. "Legends of Cruising is the first world cruise to take in all 7 continents and to visit Antarctica. Join us for a 140-day journey that will visit 32 countries and 62 ports, captivating your senses and your imagination. Travel deeper and witness the worlds beauty," the cruise line states on its website. Trending: Russia Says U.S. No Longer Rules the World as Tensions Mount in Middle East, Europe and Space The ship will travel near Brazil, Uruguay, Argentina, Antarctica, Chile, Easter Island, Pitcain Island and French Polynesia. Tonga, Fiji, Vanuatu, Indonesia, Singapore Oman, Jordan and Egypt made the port list. In Europe, the ship will also stop in Italy, Spain the United Kingdom and Norway, among other countries. All that travel means lots of time at sea, but there is plenty to do on board while traveling between the continents. The ship features two libraries, a casino, pool, spa and gym, among other attractions. Don't miss: Students Petition to Save Armed Teachers Job Who Injured Students When Handgun Accidentally Fired In Class To view this content, you'll need to update your privacy settings. Please click here to do so. Fares start at $62,000 per person and include a pre-cruise hotel stay in Florida. Each cabin will be given $4,000 on-board spending credit. We have sought feedback from our most loyal World Cruisers in order to create the only seven-continent World Cruise available, Barbara Muckermann, the companys chief marketing officer, told Travel + Leisure in a statement. Silversea invites the curious, the adventurous, and the pioneers of travel to experience the earths most authentic beauty, which remains out of reach for most. Story continues The Silver Whisper is one of the world's most luxurious cruise ships, with its two-bedroom Owner's Suite renting out for $201,250 per person per voyage in the sparsely populated ship. In contrast, Cunard Line, which in 1923 became the first cruise company to offer a world cruise, charges $194,000 to stay in its 1,375-square-foot Grand Suite, but its Queen Elizabeth can carry up to 2,068 passengers, making for a slightly less exclusive experience. This article was first written by Newsweek More from Newsweek Russian President Vladimir Putin. (Anatoly Maltsev/Pool Photo via AP) The former British Ambassador to Uzbekistan has said there is zero evidence the nerve agent used in the attack against former double agent Sergei Skripal was manufactured in Russia. Craig Murray also claimed Theresa May was putting pressure on Porton Down chemical scientists to identify the nerve gas as being manufactured in Russian, despite there being no evidence to prove it. He said that the terminology now used by the Government to describe the chemical attack amounted to carefully worded propaganda. I have now received confirmation from a well placed FCO source that Porton Down scientists are not able to identify the nerve gas as being of Russian manufacture, and have been resentful of the pressure being placed on them to do so, said the former diplomat. Porton Down would only sign up to the formulation of a type developed by Russia after a rather difficult meeting where this was agreed as a compromise formulation. Note developed, not made, produced or manufactured. It is very carefully worded propaganda. Of a type developed by liars. The former diplomat said there is zero evidence that Russia produced the weapon Furthermore, he claims, the view amongst chemical weapons is that Russia may not even have succeeded in manufacturing the Novichok agent. Porton Down is still not certain it is the Russians who have apparently synthesised a Novichok. he said. MOST POPULAR TODAY ON YAHOO Mr Murray, who has visited the chemical site in Russia where Novichok is said to have been developed, first voiced his concerns in a blog post on Wednesday. He comparing current blaming of Russia to the Iraqi weapons of mass destruction scandal. Story continues The blog post reads: The same people who assured you that Saddam Hussein had WMDs now assure you Russian novochok nerve agents are being wielded by Vladimir Putin to attack people on British soil. As with the Iraqi WMD dossier, it is essential to comb the evidence very finely. A vital missing word from Theresa Mays statement yesterday was only. She did not state that the nerve agent used was manufactured ONLY by Russia. Theresa May talks to Wiltshire polices chief constable Kier Pritchard in Salisbury on Thursday. She rather stated this group of nerve agents had been developed by Russia. Antibiotics were first developed by a Scotsman, but that is not evidence that all antibiotics are today administered by Scots. Jeremy Corbyn, whose response to the attack has led to criticism from some on his backbenches, said the evidence points towards Russia being responsible but the possibility of gangsters being behind the attack rather than the Kremlin could not be excluded. He warned Mrs May not to rush way ahead of the evidence highlighting the way international crises such as the Iraq War had seen clear thinking overwhelmed by emotion and hasty judgments. The Labour leader said that Mrs May was right on Monday to identify two possibilities for the source of the nerve agent either Russia authorised the attack or had lost control of the Novichok substance. If the latter, a connection to Russian mafia-like groups that have been allowed to gain a toehold in Britain cannot be excluded, he said. Police officers in protective suits and masks bag up a camera they used in investigations at the scene where former double-agent Sergei Skripal and his daughter, Yulia were discovered. (Photo by Jack Taylor/Getty Images) The Labour leader, who opposed the 2003 invasion of Iraq, added: In my years in Parliament I have seen clear thinking in an international crisis overwhelmed by emotion and hasty judgments too many times. Flawed intelligence and dodgy dossiers led to the calamity of the Iraq invasion. Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson has said it is overwhelmingly likely that Russian president Vladimir Putin ordered the use of a nerve agent in the attack on ex-spy Sergei Skripal in Britain. Mr Johnsons decision to place blame for the attack in Salisbury on Mr Putin personally came as Britain awaited Moscows response to the expulsion of 23 of its diplomats. U.S. Special Counsel Robert Mueller may have crossed the so-called red line with President Donald Trump. The special counsels team reportedly subpoenaed the Trump Organization in recent weeks for documents pertaining to Russia and other topics, The New York Times reported Thursday, citing two unnamed sources. The subpoena may be the clearest sign yet that Muellers team of investigators is looking into President Trumps finances. Trump warned last July that such inquiries would cross a metaphorical "red line" for the investigation. In an interview with The Times last summer, Trump was asked if Mueller happened to look into your finances and your family finances, unrelated to Russia is that a red line? Trending: Teachers Shouldn't Carry Guns Because Most Are Women, Alabama Lawmaker Says I would say yeah. I would say yes," Trump answered. "By the way, I would say, I dont I dont I mean, its possible theres a condo or something, so, you know, I sell a lot of condo units, and somebody from Russia buys a condo, who knows? I dont make money from RussiaI dont have buildings in Russia. They said I own buildings in Russia. I dont. They said I made money from Russia. I dont. Its not my thing. I dont, I dont do that. Over the years, Ive looked at maybe doing a deal in Russia, but I never did one." The president then said it would be a violation if Mueller started to look into his billions. Trump has lashed out at the Russia investigation before on Twitter, calling it fake news and a witch hunt intent on discrediting his victory over Democrat Hillary Clinton in 2016. Trump has also vehemently denied any collusion between his former campaign and Russia to win the White House. GettyImages-170854733 Getty Images/Alex Wong Don't miss: Bill Cosby Will Face 5 Additional Accusers at Trial, Judge Rules Story continues A spokesperson for the special counsels office declined to comment on the subpoena. The Trump Organization called word of the subpoena "old news" and said it had consistently cooperated with all investigations. Since July 2017, we have advised the public that the Trump Organization is fully cooperative with all investigations, including the Special Counsel, and is responding to their requests. This is old news and our assistance and cooperation with the various investigations remains the same today," the statement from company attorney Alan S. Futerfas read. Most popular: 'N----r Leave!': 200-Year-Old African-American Historical Site Defaced with Hateful Graffiti in New England Trump reportedly ordered White House Counsel Donald McGahn to fire Mueller in June of last year, citing what the president claimed were conflicts of interest that prevented the former FBI director from running the investigation of Russian election meddling and any other matters that appear in the course of the probe. McGahn threatened to quit and Trump stood down, according to The Times. The presidents lawyers and the special counsel have reportedly been negotiating a possible interview between Trump and Muellers team. The lawyers are reportedly preparing Trump for the interview. Furthermore, Trumps lawyers are working to narrow the scope of the questions Mueller can ask the president. The special counsel has reportedly taken specific note of Trumps firings of former national security adviser Michael Flynn and former FBI director James Comey last year. This article was first written by Newsweek More from Newsweek Norway's Justice Minister Sylvi Listhaug and her political adviser Espen Teigen are seen in the Norwegian parlament in Oslo Norway's Justice Minister Sylvi Listhaug and her political adviser Espen Teigen are seen in the Norwegian parlament after several parties supported a motion of no-confidence against her in Oslo, Norway March 15, 2018. Picture taken March 15, 2018. NTB Scanpix/Gorm Kallestad via REUTERS By Gwladys Fouche and Terje Solsvik OSLO (Reuters) - Norway's opposition Centre Party said on Friday it would join three left-wing parties in backing a no-confidence motion against Justice Minister Sylvi Listhaug, heightening the risk that the minority cabinet will fall. Last Friday Listhaug rocked Norway's traditionally consensual politics by accusing the opposition Labour Party - target of the country's worst peacetime massacre - of putting terrorists' rights before national security. On July 22, 2011, far-right extremist Anders Behring Breivik killed eight people in downtown Oslo with a car bomb and then shot dead 69 people, many of them teenagers, at a Labour party camp on Utoeya Island. On Facebook last week, Listhaug posted a photograph of masked people clad in military fatigues, black scarves and ammunition with the text: "Labour thinks terrorists' rights are more important than the nation's security. Like and Share". Her post coincided with the premiere in Oslo of "Utoeya July 22", a movie about Breivik's deadly rampage, though she later said she had no intention of linking the two. But her comments triggered a political storm, and she apologised in parliament on Thursday. Some opposition parties, however, said her gesture was not sincere enough. "The role of justice minister is a special role. It is about preparing for emergencies and stopping hateful rhetoric. We want a peaceful justice minister," Centre Party leader Trygve Slagsvold Vedum told reporters. The dispute erupted after Labour voted against a Listhaug-sponsored bill allowing the state the right, without judicial review, to strip individuals suspected of terrorism or joining foreign militant groups of their Norwegian citizenship. Labour wanted the courts to make such rulings. The bill was defeated. The uproar underlines how Breivik's attacks, seen as the worst acts of violence committed in Norway since World War Two, are still touching a raw nerve in the affluent Nordic state nearly seven years on. Story continues "It is a very special situation," political scientist Johannes Bergh told Reuters. "Usually a motion of no confidence is about issues between parliament and the government. This is about something that has happened on Facebook." The opposition Christian Democrats, now holding the key to a majority against Listhaug, said they would decide on Monday how to vote in parliament the following day. Their leader has accused Listhaug of wanting to be as populist as U.S. President Donald Trump. The no-confidence motion was first introduced by the small left Red Party and backed by Labour and the Socialist Left. Unless Listhaug were to step down, and thus defuse the situation, her future will rest in Christian Democratic hands. Prime Minister Erna Solberg would then face the choice of letting Listhaug go, weakening the cabinet and risking a defection by her Progress coalition ally, or to decide that the whole government should resign. Norway's cabinet is composed of the centre-right Conservatives led by Solberg, the right-wing Progress Party led by Finance Minister Siv Jensen, and of which Listhaug is a member, and the centrist Liberal party. (Editing by Mark Heinrich) The family of an Egyptian student allegedly attacked by a group of women in Nottingham have said her death could have been prevented after police missed vital warnings. Mariam Moustafas parents claimed that a previous alleged incident, which they say involved the same attackers, wasnt acted on sufficiently by police. Mariam, 18, was left in a coma after she was attacked in the street on February 20 and died on Wednesday. The engineering students death has caused uproar in Egypt, with the countrys embassy calling for those responsible to be brought to justice swiftly. Coma Mariam Moustafa was left in a coma after she was attacked in the street on February 20 (Pictures: SWNS) Mariams family allege that another incident took place in August, which they claim involved the same attackers and left Mariam hurt and her teenage sister with a broken leg. Malak Moustafa, 16, told The Times: No one did anything, something couldve been done, and if the police did then she would still be here. MOST POPULAR TODAY ON YAHOO I do think vital warnings were missed, the police shouldve done something after the first attack, but they did nothing. A complaint was filed and that was it. Uproar Mariams death has sparked uproar in Egypt Mariam was allegedly punched several times during a confrontation with a group of women in Parliament Street, Nottingham, at about 8pm on February 20. It is alleged that she was followed by the group when she got on a bus at the scene near the Victoria Centre shopping precinct, who were then allegedly threatening and abusive towards her. The teen was taken to the Queens Medical Centre in the city then transferred to Nottingham City Hospital where she was treated until she died. Story continues Ms Moustafas father, Mohamed, 49, told The Times: I dont know why they attacked her the first time, but they recognised her the second time and went after her again. My wife and I think it was racially motivated because Mariam didnt know these girls. Why would you attack someone randomly? They were all of different colour skin to Mariam, maybe that is why they did this. Attack the engineering student got on a bus at the scene near the Victoria Centre shopping precinct in Nottingham Nottinghamshire Police have said there is no information to suggest Ms Moustafas death was a hate crime, although investigators are keeping an open mind. A 17-year-old girl arrested on suspicion of assault occasioning grievous bodily harm was bailed pending further investigation following the incident. Despite a Nottinghamshire Police statement saying there is no information to suggest it was a hate crime, the Egyptian embassy has said the deep concern of the Egyptian public is evident. A statement said: The government of Egypt and the embassy have been closely following the circumstances of this vicious attack with the relevant British authorities and expressed the need for those responsible to be brought to justice swiftly. It added: The deep concern of the Egyptian public is evident and the embassy remains focused in its efforts to support and assist Mariams grieving family whose life has been shattered by their traumatic loss. LISBON (Reuters) - At least one foreign tourist was killed and another seriously injured by a rockslide that hit their beach camp just off continental Europe's westernmost point in Portugal as a result of a violent storm, authorities said on Thursday. The person killed was a 23-year-old Brazilian man. An 18-year-old German woman was rushed to hospital by helicopter with multiple fractures, police said. Three other tourists from the same group were being treated for shock. "The Maritime Authority has issued warnings in the last few days to avoid such areas because of the storms and rockslides ... These foreigners ... had the bad luck of having rocks falling right on their tent," said harbor police commander Rui Pereira da Terra. The group of five were camping out on the isolated Praia da Ursa beach, which lies beneath a 150-metre high cliff less than a mile north of Cape Roca, the western extremity of the Eurasian land mass on the Atlantic coast. The cape 40 km west of Lisbon, with its landmark lighthouse, is popular with tourists. Most of Portugal was hit by a low pressure storm dubbed Gisele on Wednesday and early on Thursday. (Reporting by Andrei Khalip; Editing by Catherine Evans) See Also: Russia will launch a mission to Mars in 2019 which if successful would beat NASAs planned exploration of the red planet by a year. Vladimir Putin revealed his countrys space plans during a documentary about the president which was widely shared on social media. He said: "We are planning unmanned and later manned launches, into deep space, as part of a lunar program and for Mars exploration. The closest mission is very soon, we are planning to launch a mission to Mars in 2019." Trending: Trumps Excuse on Conor Lamb: 'Only a Congressman for Five Months' RTS1NMGH REUTERS/Maxim Shemetov The revelation during a documentary on the president hosted by Andrey Kondrashov comes on the heels of NASA's announcement it would attempt to explore the red planet in a Mars 2020 mission in which it would investigate the potential for life. Putin, who is expected to be re-elected as president in the countrys election on Sunday, said that Russia would also launch a mission to the polar regions of the Moon, adding that its lunar program would differ to the one his country undertook in Soviet times. Don't miss: Stephen Hawking: Motor Neurone Disease Charity Website Crashes As Physicist's Death Sparks Donation Surge "Our specialists will try to make landings on the poles, because there is reason to believe that there can be water there. There, there is progress to be made, studies of other planets, distant space can be started from there, he said in the film uploaded to Russian social media site vkontakte. Putin did not specify when in 2019 the Mars mission would happen. The NASA mission is expected to take place around July and August 2020 when the positions between Earth and Mars are best placed for a landing. RTSF1EC NASA/Handout via Reuters Story continues Most popular: Russian Diplomat Compares British Police to Sherlock Holmes Character, Says U.K. Tried to Kill Former Spy to Destroy Moscow's Reputation The race to the red planet is hotting up, with billionnaire entrepreneur Elon Musk telling the South by Southwest Conference on Sunday that his SpaceX Mars rocket may be ready for test flights next year. He had previously stated his ambition was to launch cargo flights by 2022. So far, Russias attempts at a Mars mission have ended in failure. In 2011, the ill-fated Phobos-Grunt probe was unable to be fired toward the orbit of the red planet after launch. Its mission was designed to bring back samples from the planet's moon Phobos. The Russian space program Roscosmos worked with the European Space Agency in the Schiaparelli EDM lander mission, in which a Russian rocket was used. This article was first written by Newsweek More from Newsweek FILE PHOTO: Hillary Clinton talks with South Africa's Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi after attending a PEPFAR (U.S. President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief) Transition Signing, at Delft South Clinic in Delft South, a suburb of Cape Town, August 8, 2012. REUTERS/Jacquelyn Martin/Pool/File Photo By Tanisha Heiberg JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - The worst listeria outbreak on record is only in its early stages and will likely infect more people in South Africa and the region, health minister Aaron Motsoaledi said on Thursday. The infection which can hit the blood system and brain has killed 180 people in South Africa since January last year. Neighbouring Namibia reported its first case on Tuesday and said the victim was fighting for his life in hospital. "We are just at the beginning and we must expect other cases to emerge," Motsoaledi told reporters after meeting health ministers from across the region. He said he was expecting more cases to be reported across southern Africa, without elaborating. The government has linked the outbreak to "polony" - low-priced processed meats that are mostly consumed by the poor. South African food producer Tiger Brands, which makes polony, said on Friday a department of health report had confirmed the presence of the LST6 listeria strain its factory in the northern city of Polokwane. Authorities are also investigating a plant owned by RCL Foods that makes a similar sausage product, though they have not reported any discoveries of listeria. Both companies, which say they are cooperating with the authorities, suspended processed meat production at their plants after health authorities ordered a recall of the products both at home and abroad. Kenya, Zimbabwe and Zambia have banned imports of South African processed meat, dairy products, vegetables and fruit. Mozambique and Namibia halted imports of the processed meat items and Botswana said it was recalling them. Malawi stepped up screening of South African food imports. Motsoaledi said he was concerned about an incident when health ministry inspectors had been barred from entering the factory operated by Tiger Brand's unit Enterprise Foods in Polokwane. "We had to seek police to accompany them," Motsoaledi told Reuters after the meeting. Story continues Tiger Brands said it had apologised for the incident but said the inspectors had not had a letter authorising entry. "Since the health official had not been to the Polokwane facility prior, the security team said there were strict protocols for entry," said Tiger spokeswoman Nevashnee Naicker. A human rights lawyer said over the weekend he would launch a class action lawsuit against Tiger on behalf of the families of people who died. Tiger Brands Chief Executive Lawrence McDougal said last week that there was no direct link between the deaths and its processed cold meat products. (Writing by James Macharia; Editing by Andrew Heavens) Former president Jacob Zuma (Rex) South Africas former president Jacob Zuma is to stand trial for corruption. Zuma, who was forced to stand down only last month, will face 16 charges of graft including counts of fraud, racketeering and money laundering. Chief Prosecutor Shaun Abrahams said he believed there were reasonable prospects of a successful prosecution. He added he was looking for a court trial. In total, he faces one charge of racketeering, two charges of corruption, one charge of money laundering and 12 of fraud. MOST POPULAR TODAY ON YAHOO The charges stem from a 1.7bn government arms purchase in the 1999, when Zuma was deputy president. He was elected president in 2009, before finally being forced out by his ruling African National Congress Party in February as he was facing his ninth no-confidence vote. Allegations of corruption have long been made against Zuma. He even went on trial in 2006 but the case against him collapsed when the prosecution said it was not ready to proceed. Protesters calling for Zumas dismissal last year (Rex) In 2016 it was ruled that he had violated the South African constitution by failing to repay government money spent on his home. An anti-corruption body found he had spent some 15m on refurbishments including a swimming pool and an amphitheatre. Zuma disputes all the allegations against him. President Donald Trump said he wants to create an army capable of fighting wars in space in what began as a joke but he later said was a great idea. My new national strategy for space recognizes that space is a war-fighting domain, just like the land, air, and sea, Trump told a crowd of Marines at the Miramar Marine Corps Air Station in San Diego, California. We may even have a Space Force, develop another one, Space Force. We have the Air Force. We'll have the Space Force. We have the army, the navy. I was saying it the other day because we're doing a tremendous amount of work in space. I said maybe we need a new force, we'll call it the Space Force. And I was not really serious. Then I said 'what a great idea, maybe we'll have to do that'. Trending: Trump Cleans House: VA Secretary David Shulkin May Be Next in Firing Line Donald Trump Space Force REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque As the audience of Marines laughed and cheered, he added: That could happen. That could be the big breaking story. Oh that fake news. Trump continued: "So think of that: Space Force. Because we're spending a lot, and we have a lot of private money coming in, tremendous. From the very beginning, most of our astronauts have been soldiers and sailors, airmen, coastguardsmen, and Marines. And our service members will be vital to ensuring America continues to lead the way into the stars. We're going to lead the way in space. We're way, way behind. And we're catching up fast. So fast that nobody even believes it. Trump appeared to be echoing a warning made by General John E. Hyten, commander of U.S. Strategic Command, in a statement to the House Committee on Armed Services on March 7. Don't miss: Stephen Hawking Once Gave England's Soccer Team a Pre-World Cup Formula For Winning Today, deterrence is more than just our nuclear capabilities, Hyten said. Deterrence requires integrated planning for all capabilities, across all domains. This enables the synchronized operation and decisive response to adversary aggression anytime, anywhere. Story continues We must make this concept operational for all domain warfighting throughout the DoD. We must normalize space and cyberspace as warfighting domains. There is no war in space, just as there is no war in cyberspace. There is only war, and war can extend into any domain. The notion of a future where rival states fight in space is not a new one. Space is already used by states for military purposes, such as satellites for surveillance, and it was a focus of weapons research during the Cold War. Back in 2015, the Department of Defense unveiled a new Joint Interagency Combined Space Operations Center (JICSpOC) "in conjunction with U.S. Strategic Command, Air Force Space Command, and the intelligence community". "The center will have the capability to develop, test, validate and integrate new space system tactics, techniques and procedures in support of both DoD and Intelligence Community space operations," the DoD said in a release. Most popular: Nursing Student Haley Anderson Murder Update: Ex-Boyfriend Arrested in Nicaragua "Ultimately, the output of the JICSpOC will enhance U.S. space operations, contribute to operational command and control within the DoD, and improve the nation's ability to protect and defend critical national space infrastructure in an increasingly contested space environment." JICSpOC was renamed in 2017 as the National Space Defense Center. Trump is not the first person to come up with the concept of a U.S. Space Force. Rep. Mike Rogers, a Republican in Alabama and former chairman of the House Armed Services strategic forces subcommittee, floated the idea of a Space Force in 2017. We have to acknowledge that the national security space structure is broken, he said in a speech at the 33rd Space Symposium, reported Space News. Its very hard for a government bureaucracy to fix itself, and thats exactly why congressional oversight exists. Its the job of the Armed Services Committee to recognize when the bureaucracy is broken and to see that its fixed. Rogers concluded: "My vision of the future is a separate Space Force within the Department of Defense." In January 2018, Russia accused the U.S. of trying to "militarize" space. This article was first written by Newsweek More from Newsweek TOKYO (Reuters) - A Japanese government official who committed suicide this month left a note saying he thought he would be forced to take sole responsibility for forgery related to a government land sale, public broadcaster NHK said on Thursday. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's office was aware in early March of potential problems with documents about a controversial land sale to a school operator with ties to Abe's wife, his top spokesman has said, amid suspicions of a cover-up. Abe and Finance Minister Taro Aso have faced fire since the finance ministry's admission this week that it had altered records involved in the discounted sale of the land in western Japan. The affair has sparked calls for Aso to quit and could dash Abe's chances of securing another three-year term from September, when the ruling party will hold a leadership election. Abe has denied wrongdoing by himself or his wife Akie, while Aso has denied he instructed changes to the records. However, the details of the suicide note left by a finance ministry employee in western Japan who was found dead at his home on March 7, could prompt calls from opposition lawmakers for the resignations of both Abe and Aso. "Some parts of the documents were too detailed, and my boss forced me to rewrite it," NHK quoted the note as saying. "If this continues, I will be forced to bear all the responsibility by myself." A police spokesman declined to comment. Yasunori Kagoike, the purchaser of the land, and his wife were arrested in July on suspicion of illegally receiving subsidies. (Reporting by Stanley White; Editing by Clarence Fernandez) See Also: Thai authorities plan to vaccinate more than 10 million dogs and cats within the next six months in reaction to a deadly rabies outbreak that has spread across the country. The country's Department of Livestock Development (DLD) sought to reassure the public at a press conference on Wednesday, saying there were enough stocks of vaccinemore than 12.2 million dosesto protect animals against the disease, The Bangkok Post reported. The department's director-general Apai Suttisunk declared 37 of the country's 77 provinces as temporary rabies epidemic zones, saying that these referred to a five-kilometer radius of an area where an infected animal or person was reported. Trending: Watch: Passengers Outraged As Southwest Airlines Kicks Family Off Flight Over Toddler Tantrum The department said the outbreak is "under control," Channel News Asia reported, and that it trained 37,000 volunteers to administer the vaccine. 03_15_Rabies_thailand Sukree Sukplang/Reuters According to DLD data reported in the local news outlet The Nation, four people have died so far because of the outbreak, out of at least 388 cases confirmed since January 1an 88 percent increase from the same period last year, when 206 cases were recorded. This in itself was higher than previous records, as 102 confirmed cases were recorded for the whole of 2013. Don't miss: Some Chinese-Food Meals Have More Salt Than Five Big Macs The Nation reported that the spike in rabies cases was due to confusion among local authorities as to who was responsible for vaccinations. The DLD, however, blamed pet owners for failing to vaccinate their animals, an offense carrying a 200 baht ($6.40) fine, according to the BBC. More than 90 percent of the animals infected were dogs. The World Health Organization (WHO) defines rabies as an "infectious viral disease" with a high mortality rate among humans. The virus affects both domestic and wild animals, particularly dogs, and usually spreads through saliva, bites and scratches. Story continues According to the WHO, tens of thousands of rabies-related deaths are recorded every year, mainly in Asia and Africa. The Thai authorities aim to completely eliminate the infection by 2020. This article was first written by Newsweek More from Newsweek Egyptians chanting long live Sisi and long live Egypt lined up to cast their ballots at the embassy in Kuwait City, Kuwait, on Friday, March 16, as President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi ran for a second term against politician Moussa Moustafa Moussa. Lines stretching up to three kilometers were reported at the polling station, according to local media reports. Voting for Egyptians living abroad will remain open for three days and close on March 18. Polls in Egypt are not due to open until March 26 and will also remain open for three days with the final results due to be announced on April 2. Credit: via Storyful U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis lands in Kabul on March 13, 2018 on an unannounced trip to Afghanistan. REUTERS/Phil Stewart/File Photo By Roberta Rampton WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States has not yet seen Pakistan take significant steps to clamp down on the Afghan Taliban and the Haqqani network militant groups, a senior U.S. administration official said on Friday. The administration suspended about $2 billion in security assistance to Pakistan in January but Islamabad has failed to take "the kind of decisive and irreversible action" Washington has asked for to help with the war in Afghanistan, the official told reporters. The administration has been frustrated by what it sees as Pakistan's reluctance to act against the Afghan Taliban and the affiliated Haqqani network. Washington believes the groups use Pakistan as a safe haven for launching attacks on neighbouring Afghanistan. Pakistan denies helping the militants. The United States has been at war in Afghanistan since 2001, making it America's longest military conflict. President Donald Trump agreed in August to a stepped-up military campaign against the Taliban, and has since increased pressure on Pakistan to help. U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis on Tuesday said he has seen some positive signs from Islamabad, including Pakistani military operations along the border - and the senior administration official agreed. "I think the Pakistanis have wanted to appear responsive to our requests," the senior administration official said, speaking on condition of anonymity. "What I would say is, they have done the bare minimum to appear responsive to our requests," the official said, saying more proactive steps were needed. U.S. officials have told their Pakistani counterparts what types of actions are needed to lift the suspension of aid, the official said, declining to elaborate on the specifics. "We are prepared to take steps that we think are necessary to safeguard U.S. personnel and interests in the region," the official said, declining comment on what those steps would be, and on deadlines for action. "We are continuing to look for real action, not just words, from Pakistan on the Taliban and Haqqani sanctuaries," the official said. (Reporting by Roberta Rampton; editing by Jonathan Oatis) Oil and gas exploration company Bahamas Petroleum Company announced on Friday that Simon Potter has agreed to a contract extension to his current employment contract, which expires on 31 March. The AIM-traded firm said the contract extension was for 12 months on materially the same terms. As it had previously announced, 90% of Simon Potter's compensation was deferred until a farmout is successfully concluded, to be repaid at that time in a 50% equal mix of cash and new ordinary shares. The number of new ordinary shares accrued would be calculated as the value of salary forgone, divided by the volume weighted average closing price of the company's shares over each month. Bahamas said that element of the contract extension was considered a related party transaction under the AIM Rules. The independent directors of the firm, being those other than Simon Potter, said they considered the terms of that element of the contract extension to be fair and reasonable insofar as shareholders are concerned, having consulted with Strand Hanson. I am delighted to have extended Simon's contract and look forward to continuing to work with him in the months ahead, said non-executive chairman Bill Schrader. Simon Potter, chief executive officer of Bahamas Petroleum Company, said he looked forward to continuing the companys efforts towards the finalisation of a partnership, and progressing the execution of an exploration well in Bahamian waters, a goal I am heavily invested in and committed to. AIM-quoted biotechnology firm Oxford BioDynamics has presented its latest biomarker data in a plenary talk at the sixth World CNS Summit in Boston, Massachusetts after it identified non-invasive biomarkers for the diagnosis and prognosis of neurodegenerative and psychiatric disorders. Oxford Bio demonstrated that EpiSwitch, its new biomarker, saw results in patients suffering from ALS, a progressive neurodegenerative disorder with no single diagnostic test, that defined "actionable stratifications for individual patients on the basis of high-resolution detection of chromosome conformations and regulatory genome 3D architecture." Additional applications and examples of chromosome conformation stratifications were also presented and discussed at the CNS Summit for the extended range of indications of neurodegeneration, psychiatric disorders and related autoimmune and inflammatory conditions, including multiple sclerosis, lupus, treatment-resistant depression, autism and post-traumatic stress disorder. Dr Alexandre Akoulitchev, chief scientific officer of Oxford BioDynamics, said, "We believe that delivering non-invasive prognostic biomarkers for ALS and building the insights into sub-typing of ALS is highly important. We aim to provide practical solutions that could benefit each and every individual patient that undergoes prognostic evaluation as early as possible and then receives one of the few available treatments." "Earlier reports and the latest published validations of EpiSwitch stratifications from diagnostic, prognostic and biomarkers for response to treatment, gives OBD a unique opportunity to make a highly valuable contribution to improved patient care, clinical decisions and evidence of efficacy in drug treatments," he concluded. As of 1000 GMT, shares had lost 1.21% to 163.00p. Gold and copper exploration company Papua Mining announced on Friday that the it had been granted the Monarch Exploration Permit to Mine, EPM 26726, in Queensland, Australia through its 100%-owned subsidiary BGM Investments. The AIM-traded firm said the Monarch exploration tenement granted to Papua was for a five-year period, with the site being 10 km south of Charters Towers, where 6 MOz of gold had already been mined. It was also 8.5km north of the Mt Leyshon Gold Mine, which has produced four million ounces of gold. More than 25 historical workings which were prospective for gold and silver occurred inside the tenement, including Gregory's, Try Again, Ivory Elephant, Lady Musgrave and Mabel Jane, along with an additional 23 unnamed, historical gold workings. Historical production records at the Mabel Jane Prospect showed 295 ounces of gold were won from 220 tonnes, with an average grade of 45.73g/t Au. We are thankful to the Department of Natural Resources and Mines for an expedited granting of the Monarch tenement, said Papua chief executive David Price. Monarch hosts high-grade gold targets which appear similar to Double Event and Lower Lighthouse Prospects within the Lighthouse tenement. Price said Papua would advance the prospects rapidly, with an initial rock and soil sampling programme, followed by RC drilling to test the veins at shallow depths. The Monarch veins haven't been drill-tested, so opportunity exists to discover a narrow, high grade, near-surface gold resource. The Gibraltar government it has warned it would review European Union citizens rights living and working in the Rock if the Spanish government invokes the veto to exclude the region from a Brexit transition deal between the UK and the EU. Gibraltars deputy chief minister Dr Joseph Garcia said the veto clause given to Spain is illegal and, if used, his government would not think twice about reviewing the rights of EU citizens who live and work in Gibraltar and revisiting the pensions plan given to Spaniards who worked in the region before Franco closed the border in 1969. Weve taken advice from the most senior UK lawyers and our advice is that the clause is illegal and our position is that if Spain exercises a veto under that clause, we will challenge it in court whatever that may do to the whole of Brexit, he said. Garcia has argued that Gibraltar would no longer be obliged to allow and provide EU citizens with rights that go in accord with a transition and withdrawal period becuase that would not apply to the region. There are 2,000 EU nationals who live in Gibraltar, quite apart from the workers. Some of them obviously work here as well. Eight hundred of those are Spanish and theyve chosen to make Gibraltar their home. We welcome them in Gibraltar, but if transition and withdrawal is not going to apply to us and it includes chapters specifically on citizens rights and workers rights and frontier workers and what have you then we would be free to do whatever we like on those elements as well. The 13,000 workers who cross the border from Spain to Gibraltar everyday are most likely to be affected by these changes. Tell us more You are seeing these quotes based on previous browsing related to sectors such as Despite Brexit uncertainties and political turmoil in South Africa, wealth manager Investec on Friday said full year operating profit was expected to be in line with 2016. The company warned that impairments in South Africa and the ongoing UK business were expected to rise although the credit loss ratio remained at the lower end of the group's long term range at approximately 0.30%. Investec said group revenue was expected to be ahead of the previous year, with recurring income set to make up 76% of total operating income. Third party assets under management rose 9.1% in the year up to February 28 to 164.5m. Customer deposits increased 5.5% to 30.7bn while core loans and advances were up 12% to 25.4bn. The group has achieved satisfactory operating performance against a challenging backdrop in its two core geographies, Investec said in a statement. The UK economy has continued to be influenced by the complexities of Brexit, while the result of the December elective conference has since driven an improvement in the South African economic outlook, which should positively impact activity levels going forward. Operating fundamentals across the group have largely continued the trends seen in the first half of the financial year, with performance underpinned by sound growth in the group's key earnings drivers and a solid recurring income base. Pub group JD Wetherspoon posted its preliminary half-year results on Friday, reporting a small 3.6% rise in revenue before exceptional items to 830.4m but "remains cautious" about the second half of the year. The FTSE 250 company said its like-for-like sales were ahead 6.1% year-on-year in the 26 weeks to 28 January, while its profit before tax jumped 20.6% to 62m. Operating profit was 13.6% higher at 74m. Wetherspoon said its earnings per share, including shares held in trust, was ahead 35.2% at 45.7p, although free cash flow per share fell 21.3% to 34.8p. The board held steady on its interim dividend at 4p, precisely in line with the distribution paid a year ago. After exceptional items, profit before tax was up 36.1% at 54.3m, operating profit rose 13.6% to 74m, and earnings per share were 44.1% higher at 39.2p. In a typically bizarre, politically charged, anti-EU statement, Wetherspoon chairman Tim Martin chose not to focus on his own companys numbers, instead claiming that recent comments from economists and food retailers that food prices will rise as a result of Brexit were false. This is a fallacy - the EU is a protectionist organisation which imposes high taxes on food, clothing, wine and thousands of other items from non-EU countries - which comprise around 93% of the world's population. Like Monty Python's Dennis Moore the EU .steals from the poor and gives to the rich. Martin said MPs had the power to eliminate those import taxes in March 2019, thereby reducing prices for the public, comparing it to politicians achieving the same objective by repealing the Corn Laws almost two centuries ago. He said another frequently repeated Brexit concern was that the much bigger EU economy would be better able to withstand a Mexican standoff than the UK, which he said was also a fallacy, based on the size of his own company. For example, Wetherspoon is one of the biggest customers, or possibly the biggest customer, of the excellent Swedish cider-maker Kopparberg. If trade barriers were imposed, so as to make Kopparberg uneconomic, then Wetherspoon could switch to UK suppliers or those from elsewhere in the world. In that case, Martin claimed, the principal losers in a trade war would be the inhabitants of a small town in Sweden, where Kopparberg is produced, rather than the UK economy. Kopparberg is currently sold in 35 countries - most of which do not have a Wetherspoon presence. The same principle applies to thousands of EU imports including prosecco, Champagne and many wines and spirits - in almost all cases there are suitable, and often excellent, alternatives to EU products available elsewhere. Martin appeared to throw economic reason to one side, arguing that the biggest danger for EU producers - whose wine industry has lost huge market share to the new world, in spite of import taxes - was that UK consumers took umbrage at what they saw as the overbearing behaviour of EU negotiators, and decided to favour products which originated elsewhere. He said that, providing the UK government eliminates tariffs, New Zealand wine producers would be able to sell in the UK tariff-free for the first time, apparently placing them on an equal footing with European winemakers. Martin did not appear to take into account the vast difference in transport costs in citing the competitiveness of New Zealand wine, or the higher price of New Zealand wine in general, due to the smaller industry and the higher cost of production in the country in general. Finally coming around to the results of his own company, Martin said Wetherspoon anticipated higher costs in the second half of the financial year, in areas including pay, taxes and utilities. In view of these additional costs, and our expectation that growth in like-for-like sales will be lower in the next six months, the company remains cautious about the second half of the year. Nevertheless, as a result of slightly better-than-expected year-to-date sales, we currently anticipate an unchanged trading outcome for the current financial year. Wetherspoon's shares in fell on Friday, losing most of their gains this month as they dropped more than 2% to 1,262p. Current trading has only moderated slightly despite the poor weather, noted analysts at Canaccord Genuity. "The company strikes a note of caution on H2 citing higher costs and lower anticipated LFL sales. As a consequence it expects the full year outcome to be in line with market expectations." Numis said the first half EBIT was 6% ahead of its forecast but noted the company caution about the second half of the year. "We expect a number of cost increases to impact from April, including the National Living Wage (+4.4%), a similar increase in the NMW (+4.7%) and the sugar tax. Our forecasts already assume LFL growth of 4.8% - If the 6w growth continues into H2 this looks reasonable. Nonetheless, factoring in the EBIT outperformance from H1 (+9m in 6 months vs consensus increase of c.7m for the full year) would imply consensus upgrades of 1-2%." The ripples from FTSE 100 housebuillder Berkeley Group's attack on "market constraints" stopping it from building more homes were felt on the mid-cap as peers including Galliford Try , Crest Nicholson , Travis Perkins , and Kier all fell on Friday. Pub group JD Wetherspoon shares fell as the company posted its preliminary half-year results on Friday, reporting a small 3.6% rise in revenue before exceptional items to 830.4m but adding that it "remains cautious" about the second half of the year. The FTSE 250 company said its like-for-like sales were ahead 6.1% year-on-year in the 26 weeks to 28 January, while its profit before tax jumped 20.6% to 62m. Operating profit was 13.6% higher at 74m. After exceptional items, profit before tax was up 36.1% at 54.3m, operating profit rose 13.6% to 74m, and earnings per share were 44.1% higher at 39.2p. In a typically bizarre, politically charged, anti-EU statement, Wetherspoon chairman Tim Martin chose not to focus on his own companys numbers, instead claiming that recent comments from economists and food retailers that food prices will rise as a result of Brexit were false. This is a fallacy - the EU is a protectionist organisation which imposes high taxes on food, clothing, wine and thousands of other items from non-EU countries - which comprise around 93% of the world's population. Shares in outsourcing company Mitie were slightly lower as the company said it expected full operating profits to be slightly below the previous year after modest growth in sales. The company said revenue growth should be in the range of 2% - 2.5% at around 2.2bn. Chief executive Phil Bentley said the company had seen limited impact on the company in the wake of the collapse of sector peer Carillion, although he added this had raised some fundamental questions about the outsourcing industry. A massive jump in NEX Group shares to an all-time high kept the market from deeper falls. The inter-dealer broker, formerly known as ICAP, confirmed overnight that it has received a preliminary approach by US giant CME Group regarding a potential takeover. "Discussions are at an early stage and there can be no certainty that an offer for NEX will be made, nor as to the terms of any offer, if made." Shares in NEX, where founder Michael Spencer sold the ICAP voice broking business for 1.3bn to Tullet Prebon to create TP Icap, rocketed 30%. Broker Numis said the company is an appealing acquisition target as financial infrastructure businesses continue to consolidate. Analysts highlighted London Stock Exchange as being a strong candidate as a suitor or Deutsche Borse, or Singapores SGX, which could imply these talks may encourage other lurkers to make a move. Numis said its 800p target price reflected "a possible offer, expected to be at a premium to the current share price" and that it would "await further developments". Market Movers FTSE 250 (MCX) 19,766.67 -0.31% FTSE 250 - Risers Nex Group (NXG) 872.50p 30.13% Dignity (DTY) 1,008.00p 6.61% Hochschild Mining (HOC) 198.55p 3.68% Euromoney Institutional Investor (ERM) 1,292.00p 2.54% Computacenter (CCC) 1,156.00p 2.48% Cairn Energy (CNE) 202.40p 1.71% Provident Financial (PFG) 957.60p 1.66% Virgin Money Holdings (UK) (VM.) 263.10p 1.62% Barr (A.G.) (BAG) 637.00p 1.59% RHI Magnesita N.V. (DI) (RHIM) 4,445.00p 1.25% FTSE 250 - Fallers Polymetal International (POLY) 748.20p -4.22% Galliford Try (GFRD) 964.50p -4.22% Crest Nicholson Holdings (CRST) 449.60p -4.01% Brown (N.) Group (BWNG) 183.20p -3.53% Kier Group (KIE) 1,004.20p -3.26% TalkTalk Telecom Group (TALK) 106.10p -3.02% Assura (AGR) 59.80p -2.76% Hiscox Limited (DI) (HSX) 1,483.00p -2.75% Capita (CPI) 158.85p -2.73% Travis Perkins (TPK) 1,271.50p -2.72% Four people have lost their lives after a newly built pedestrian bridge collapsed on Thursday at Florida International University in the miami area, the Miami Herald reported. First responders say at least five vehicles were crushed by the debris. According to Miami-Dade County Fire Rescue, there were workers on the bridge as it was still under construction. The deceased have not yet been identified, but rescue operations are still underway, Miami Dade Fire Chief Dave Downey told reporters. According to state officials at least nine victims were rescued and rushed to the hospital. The 950-ton bridge fell directly on to a busy roadway at around 1:30 p.m. Florida governor, Rick Scott, told reporters that all first responders from the region were en route. He also said investigations have commenced and the authorities will make sure the cause of the accident is known to the public. 4 people dead and 2 in critical condition Doctors from Kendall regional medical center said they received ten patients two of whom remain in critical condition. According to the chief surgeon, Dr. Mark McKenney, one patient has a significant head and chest injury, and one is in a coma. The Munilla Construction Management, which installed the bridge, said in a statement that the collapse was catastrophic and many people have been injured and others killed. The MCM also offered their condolences to those affected and said they would assist in the investigations to determine what went wrong. The bridge was scheduled to open next year officially and was designed to withstand massive hurricanes. The bridge connects the FIU campus with the city if Sweetwater. According to the university website, the bridge was 174ft long and weighed 950 tons. Five days before the collapse, the university had celebrated the unveiling of the walkway. The bridge was meant to provide a walkway over one of the busiest roads in South Florida. There were some unconfirmed reports that there were workers on the bridge conducting stress tests when it collapsed. The White House responds to Miami tragedy The National Transportation Safety Board tweeted that it would be sending a team of investigators to investigate the bridge collapse. The White House press secretary, Sarah Huckabee Sanders, said the president had been briefed about the incident and first responders are working hard to save as many lives as they can. After the news briefing, Trump acknowledged the first responders and thanked them for their courage. Continuing to monitor the heartbreaking bridge collapse at FIU - so tragic. Many brave First Responders rushed in to save lives. Thank you for your courage. Praying this evening for all who are affected. Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 15, 2018 Witnesses told CNN they had just passed the bridge when they heard a loud bang. They took a turn into the university only to see the bridge collapsing. According to the witnesses, police ran and started helping injured people. On Thursday morning in Miami, Florida, a bridge collapsed causing at least once death and multiple injuries. In response, Donald Trump decided to give his thoughts on social media. Continuing to monitor the heartbreaking bridge collapse at FIU - so tragic. Many brave First Responders rushed in to save lives. Thank you for your courage. Praying this evening for all who are affected. Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 15, 2018 Trump on bridge collapse In the early afternoon on Thursday, a pedestrian bridge at Florida International University in Miami, Florida collapsed. At least eight cars were crushed as the bridge collapsed on top of them, with eight individuals being rushed to the hospital. In an effort to increase safety, the bridge's span was installed over the weekend, but faltered on Tuesday morning. The director of the Miami-Dade Police Department, Juan Perez, told the media that law enforcement were engaging in a lengthy "rescue mission" that was expected to take hours. Search and rescue missions continue at collapsed pedestrian bridge in Fla., with several cars trapped. https://t.co/Rp84JOBlBF The Associated Press (@AP) March 15, 2018 After the news broke that at least one person had been killed, Donald Trump decided to tweet out his thoughts on March 15. "Continuing to monitor the heartbreaking Bridge Collapse at FIU - so tragic," Trump tweeted out. "Many brave First Responders rushed in to save lives," he continued. "Thank you for your courage. Praying this evening for all who are affected," Trump concluded. As expected, Trump's critics were not impressed with his response. Twitter backlash Just moments after sending out his tweet, Donald Trump faced backlash from those who oppose his presidency. "What about the bombs killing black people in Texas? Don't you have anything to say? Oh wait never mind. What do they have to lose," one tweet read. Dont pretend you give a crap! Youre just using a tragedy to distract from the #MuellerInvestigation hope you liked your subpoena RandomGir (@randomgirlx107) March 15, 2018 Vanessa Trump will send evidences to Mueller and send you to jail Walcott (@JrMoe_) March 15, 2018 What about the bombs killing black people in Texas? Don't you have anything to say? Oh wait never mind. What do they have to lose... Travon Free (@Travon) March 15, 2018 "How are you feeling about the subpoenas by Mueller? Hes following the money straight from you to Russia!" Bishop Talbert Swan tweeted out, while adding, "I already know your response Trump, 'no collusion!' Yeah, right!" "Vanessa Trump will send evidences to Mueller and send you to jail," another tweet added. "A prayer from you is a curse to any normal human being," a tweet read with sarcasm. A prayer from you is a curse to any normal human being. Natika (@NatikaMonroe) March 15, 2018 I already know your response Trump, no collusion! Yeah, right! Bishop Talbert Swan (@TalbertSwan) March 15, 2018 Mr. Trump, Does this tragedy mean that youre going to reinstate the building regulations that you proudly repealed last year?#FIUBridge #FIU #FIUStrong Timothy Kenison #NeverAgain #Resist (@TimothyKenison) March 15, 2018 "Dont pretend you give a cr*p! Youre just using a tragedy to distract from the Mueller Investigation hope you liked your subpoena," a social media user stated. "You havent prayed a day in your life, phoney lying sack of dung!!!" an additional tweet read. As the negative reactions continued to pour in, it was clear that many who oppose Donald Trump and his entire administration weren't impressed nor convinced with his thoughts and prayers, and words of encouragement following the tragic bridge collapse in Miami, Florida. scheana marie's decision to set Brittany Cartwright up with their fellow SUR Restaurant employee Adam Spott hasn't sat well with Cartwright's boyfriend, jax taylor, who took to Twitter on Thursday to give her a piece of his mind. After "Vanderpump Rules" fans watched as Scheana Marie arranged for Cartwright to hang out with Spott when Taylor wasn't around, Taylor slammed his longtime co-star and former friend for meddling in his relationship. "Well [Brittany Cartwright and] I are doing amazing and she cant keep a man... that is fact so," he tweeted, according to a report by Reality Blurb. Most recently, Scheana Marie suffered a breakup with former boyfriend Robert Parks-Valletta after talking all about how they were meant to be together and would one day get married and have kids. She even mentioned that she and Parks-Valletta were allegedly house hunting just weeks before their split in August of last year. Taylor continued to slam Scheana Marie in a second tweet, telling his fans and followers that he didn't understand why she found the need to involve herself in his relationship with Brittany Cartwright when she couldn't even keep her own relationship going. Jax Taylor and Scheana Marie used to be close Since starring on the first season of "Vanderpump Rules," Taylor and Scheana have appeared to be close. However, in recent seasons, especially after she split from Mike Shay, their relationship has appeared to be quite strained. Although Scheana continues to speak of Taylor, suggesting they have a brother-sister relationship, he doesn't seem to want any parts of her in his life and has poked fun at her ended relationship with Parks-Valletta on numerous occasions. Jax Taylor and Brittany Cartwright could be getting married soon While Taylor and Cartwright have not yet revealed whether or not they are engaged, Cartwright has been spotted with a ring on her finger on numerous occasions as of late, and at the end of last year, she and her boyfriend traveled to a possible wedding venue in Kentucky, where Cartwright hopes to wed. Cartwright also teased a future wedding during an appearance on "Watch What Happens Live" when she said that Taylor was itching to tie the knot. To see more of the cast of "Vanderpump Rules," including Katie Maloney, Stassi Schroeder, and Kristen Doute, don't miss new episodes of the sixth season on Monday nights at 9 p.m. on Bravo TV. Noah Brown of "Alaskan Bush People" is getting ready for his big honeymoon with fiance Rhain and now the fans are accusing him of lying about the money he got for their honeymoon. Radar Online shared the details about what is going on and how some people are not happy with him at all. Noah and Rhain asked for money from fans Instead of doing an actual registry for items, the couple asked for money. They shared that it was for their honeymoon, but it turns out that may not have been the case. They said that later this year they would be going to Hamilton, Montana. At first, people said they were "greedy" and got really upset about it. Then after that, they decided to explain that they were not asking everyone to give them money, but instead only wanted money from the people who were invited to their wedding. One fan took it pretty far. He went and sent the couple a gift card. Where this might sound like a sweet idea, it was for $1. His name was Ralph McLain and it sounds like he proved his point by sending that to them. He said that he wanted to send them only 10 cents, but you couldn't do that so he had to send $1 and then spend another $1 for processing fees. Instead of getting mad, they played it off going to Facebook and thanking him for the kind gift. Of course, he probably didn't love this, but that was the way he did it. How is this couple doing? Right now, it sounds like Rhain and Noah are doing great. The couple seems really happy together and they are planning a wedding. They have these plans for a honeymoon already. One thing is she allegedly doesn't get along with rain and Snowbird, which are his sisters. It sounds like she isn't fitting into the Brown family perfect, which does make it hard for everyone. The fans have got to know her a bit, but since the show hasn't been back they haven't seen how this couple from "Alaskan Bush People" is doing right now. The only updates that are coming out are those from social networks. Her name was Ruth Alisha Merrill, but she changed it to Rhain legally, which is really odd. The fact that Noah has a sister named Rain really does confuse people. His family is really close so her not fitting in is a bit odd and can't be easy for them. Are you shocked to hear that Noah Brown allegedly lied to fans about money he got for his honeymoon? Sound off in the comments section below on your thoughts. Right now, there has been a lot of talk about "Alaskan Bush People" coming back, but nothing has been confirmed. Virginia Tech researcher Margaret Couvillon has dedicated years to the study of dance choreography. Her subjects, honey bees, use waggle dances to communicate routes to nectar and pollen to their fellow hive members. Couvillons job is to decode, analyze, and map the dances in order to determine where bees are foraging. Her goal is for this research to lead to best management strategies for improving food availability and enhancing pollinator health in a targeted manner. The Foundation for Food and Agriculture Research, a nonprofit established through bipartisan congressional support in the 2014 Farm Bill, announced 16 grants totaling $7 million for research to address declining pollinator health, an ongoing threat to agricultural productivity in the U.S. The foundation awards are matched by more than 50 companies, universities, organizations, and individuals for a total investment of $14.3 million toward research and technology development. Couvillon, an assistant professor in the Department of Entomology within the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, is examining pollinator behavior in different landscapes to determine where and when planting supplemental forage could have the most positive effect on pollinator nutrition. One of 16 grant recipients, Couvillon will receive a $614,067 award from the foundation. Her grant brings together Virginia Tech co-investigators Roger Schurch, research assistant professor; Sally Taylor, assistant professor and Extension specialist; Megan ORourke, assistant professor, Department of Horticulture; and, collaborator James Wilson, Extension apiculturist. Insect pollinators support crop yields and agricultural ecosystems and contribute an estimated $24 billion to the U.S. economy annually. New technology, knowledge, and best-practice guidance tailored to specific regions and land uses have the potential to accelerate efforts to improve pollinator health across the U.S. The recent pollinator crisis is an excellent example of how public interest in scientific issues can be a mixed blessing, simultaneously raising awareness while also generating rallying cries for untested solutions. Lack of food is a factor contributing to bee declines, and everyone at the moment wants to feed hungry bees, said Couvillon. Such help is offered with good intentions, but efficacy is undermined by knowledge gaps. This research explores how the honey bee waggle dance, a naturally occurring behavior in which a successful honey bee forager communicates to her nest mates the vector from the hive to an important resource usually food may also be a powerful tool for ecology, giving us information about when and where food can and cannot be found in the landscape. Researchers funded through the Pollinator Health Fund are working to address social and economic challenges faced by beekeepers, farmers, homeowners, and other land managers across the U.S. Declines in native and managed insect pollinator populations threaten both the agricultural systems that sustain us and the ecosystems that surround us, said Sally Rockey, executive director of the foundation. The Foundation for Food and Agriculture Research is pleased to support these 16 research teams who will bring new scientific rigor, best practices, and technology to current efforts toward improving pollinator health in the U.S. Learn more about grants awarded through the foundations Pollinator Health Fund website. When Jerry Hulick studied political science in the early 1970s, he was in Virginia Techs College of Arts and Sciences. Decades later, when the college divided into two, Hulick remained loyal to both colleges. And he is demonstrating that devotion by issuing Giving Day challenges for both. Hulick was the first Hokie to commit to being a challenge donor for the universitys inaugural Giving Day. Taking the theme Spring Forward, the 24-hour online fundraiser will begin at noon on March 20, the first day of spring. Hulick will donate $5,000 to the College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences if 300 donors make a gift to any fund within the college. If more than 500 participate, his contribution will be $10,000. Hulick has also issued College of Science challenges. These include a $5,000 challenge if 25 current students and/or young alumni from each of the colleges eight departments, the School of Neuroscience, and the Academy of Integrated Science participate in the Giving Day effort, for a total of 250 participants. He will also donate $2,500 to the colleges annual fund in recognition of the departmental or program fund with the highest number of donors on Giving Day, and $2,500 to the colleges annual fund in recognition of the departmental or program fund with the most dollars raised on Giving Day. Issuing these challenge grants is my way of paying it forward and motivating people to action, said Hulick. For me, giving back represents a constancy of spirit, to recognize the importance of Virginia Tech as part of who I am. Hulick has long led by example through his service and philanthropy to Virginia Tech. He was an inaugural member and past chair of the College of Arts and Sciences Roundtable Advisory Board, and he remains active on both the Deans Roundtable of the College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences and the College of Science Roundtable. A member of Virginia Techs Ut Prosim Society of donors, Hulick chaired the College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences committee for the Campaign for Virginia Tech, participated in the universitys national campaign steering committee, and has served on the Virginia Tech Foundation Board. Yet Virginia Tech is not Hulicks only driving passion. He is also an avid supporter of people with special needs. In 2004, he started The Washington Group Special Care Planning Team, specializing in financial planning for people with special needs. A decade later, he founded the Caring Consulting Group. There he provides consulting services to nonprofit organizations, businesses, and educational institutions with the mission of enhancing the quality of life of people with special needs and their caregivers. Hulick has brought his two passions together through his support of the Virginia Tech Center for Autism Research. He serves on the centers Community Advisory Board, has twice sponsored the Virginia Tech Autism Research Symposium in Northern Virginia, and has established the Autism Center Excellence Fund. He has also created the Serving Spirit Graduate Fellowship to support graduate students interested in helping people with special needs and the Hulick Endowed Scholarship for Leadership, Friendship, and Service to support undergraduates who plan to go into the field. After earning his own degree in 1973, Hulick went on to earn Chartered Life Underwriter and Chartered Financial Consultant designations from The American College of Financial Services, and he was one of the countrys first financial experts to receive the Chartered Special Needs Consultant designation. Hulick has spent more than 40 years in the financial services industry, including a role as general agent of The Washington Group of MassMutual from 1986 to 2004, when he led his agency to earn the companys highest honors for production and brokerage development. In 2014, Hulick received the Eleanor Sue Finkelstein Award, which recognizes a commitment to the special needs community of Northern Virginia. In 2016, he was named a member of the College of Science Hall of Distinction. Want to help unlock Jerry Hulicks giving challenges? Join in with a gift to the College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences, the College of Science, or both on Virginia Techs Giving Day, from March 20 at noon to March 21 at noon, Eastern Standard Time. Gen. Mark A. Welsh III, a former chief of staff for the U.S. Air Force and now dean of the Bush School of Government and Public Service at Texas A&M University, will speak April 5 at Virginia Tech as part of the Cutchins Leadership Lecture Series. Welshs address will be at 7 p.m. in Burruss Auditorium on the Blacksburg campus. The event is free and open to the public. During his more than 40 years of service in the U.S. Air Force, Welsh developed his leadership skills both at home and around the world. He will use those experiences to speak about the continued importance of ethical leadership in a globally connected world, both in the military and in the public and private sectors, said Maj. Gen. Randal Fullhart, commandant of the Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets, which sponsors the lecture series. Welshs military career included assignments as commandant of the U.S. Air Force Academy, associate director of military affairs at the Central Intelligence Agency, commander of U.S. Air Forces in Europe and NATOs Air Command, and chief of staff of the Air Force. Welsh retired from the Air Force on July 1, 2016, and joined the Bush School as dean and the Edward & Howard Kruse Endowed Chair. The Bush School offers graduate programs in public service. The Cutchins Leadership Lecture Series is part of the cadet Corps Lab curriculum, housed in the Pamplin College of Business. The lecture series is named for the late Clifford A. Cutchins III, a former bank chairman and Virginia Tech Board of Visitors rector. A member of the Class of 1944, Cutchins received his degree in accounting as a member of the Corps of Cadets. Public seating is available in the back of the auditorium behind the cadets, who have assigned seating in the front. Free parking is available around the Drillfield, in the Perry Street lots, and in the Perry Street parking garage near Prices Fork Road. Find more parking information online, or call 540-231-3200. If you are an individual with a disability and desire an accommodation, please contact Robin Atkins at 540-231-9457 or email atkinsrw@vt.edu during regular business hours at least 10 days prior to the event. It didnt take long for the department's most recent graduates, starting from the class of 2010 to 2017, to organize into the VT ISE Class Coordination Initiative. Surber helped coordinate efforts with class representatives to launch a system of Google Groups, which allow users to communicate en masse via forums and email groups. As people eagerly signed up for the class coordination effort, Surber said they realized that, with their numbers, they had something powerful. Then it started molding into, OK, what else can we do? Surber said. We now have this giant pool of alumni that are really passionate about giving back to our ISE department, so what else can we do? The group organized efforts to connect with current students to mentor them and conduct practice job interviews with them. They began networking with each other, helping their fellow recent alumni make connections inside and outside of the group, and they began philanthropically supporting the university. Even if were talking small donations here, together we can make an enormous impact, Surber said. Today with the help of Kyra Vila and Leigh Mathewes, the 2016 class coordinators and young alumni behind the idea of an ISE young alumni board, and Don Meier, a 2013 class coordinator the group is on its way to being the first young alumni board within the Virginia Tech College of Engineering, as they formalize procedures and nominate inaugural board members to what will be known as the ISE Emerging Leaders Board. It started as just communication, and now its a real young alumni board that were putting together, Surber said. Were hoping that, now, as a unit, we can make even more of an impact. Throughout his career, the electrical engineering alumnus has taken the lesson to heart. Grizzard has worked across the full spectrum of the electromagnetics field, specifically focusing on radar. Hes done research and development for the Navy, worked at DARPA on a new ship program leading survivability design, run consulting companies, and now, at Westland, leads a manufacturing company. So at the end of my career Ill be able to say I really did everything: from the acquisition program management, to the research and development, to actually making the products, Grizzard said. It was the rigor of the education he received at Virginia Tech that Grizzard says prepared him for his varied career which is why Grizzard began giving back to the university. In December 2016, Grizzard established a fund that provides scholarships to students studying either materials science and engineering or power systems and electrical engineering. Both of those Ive found are obviously very important to society, and its very important to try to build an engineering capability in the younger people to take the place of those folks who are in their 50s and 60s and who are going to retire soon, Grizzard said. His involvement is a benefit to industry as a whole and to Westland specifically, as they actively recruit Virginia Tech students. Walking around the companys campus, Grizzard is quick to point out the Hokies hes hired as interns and full-time employees, who come from all different disciplines, even outside of engineering. The one thing about Virginia Tech, whether youre in the engineering school, or whether you might be in the business school, or accounting, chemistry, you pick it one thing I feel about the school is they challenge their students from the day they walk in the door to the moment you graduate, Grizzard said. Grizzard said hes always wanted to give back to Virginia Tech, both because he felt the school forced him to truly earn his degree and because he hopes to foster the next generation of engineers. The school did a lot for me, Grizzard said. I know theyre doing that for a lot of other students everyday. I know those students are going to be very capable young men and women, and I want to help them have similar opportunities. Written by Erica Corder CONTRACTS Acquisition reform requires cultural change, Air Force commander says EDITOR'S NOTE: This article first appeared on FCW.com Acquisition reform will take more than creative regulatory workarounds if the Defense Department is going to truly modernize and advance, said Air Force Materiel Commander Gen. Ellen Pawlikowski. Speaking at a March 14 Air Force Association event, Pawlikowski called other transaction authorities (OTAs), a legal workaround to traditional acquisition processes endorsed in the 2016 defense spending bill, the latest buzzword that requires both a major culture change and better industry-government collaboration to work well. First of all we need to both understand what an other transaction authority means and not to expect more than what we can get out of them, she said. Pawlikowski said shes seen four waves of acquisition reform over her career. But to keep up with software advances, she said, the Defense Department is going to need more than other transaction authorities. "We have to truly embrace this idea of experimentation in prototyping," she said. "Recognizing that we will spend money to build things that we will never buy because we will find out early it doesn't do what we really want. Money spent on things that we try and dont adopt -- that will be more than recouped." Pawlikowski also said government's insistence on owning the technical baseline, namely data or intellectual property, is ultimately suffocating for innovation limits the effectiveness of OTAs. If we think that in order for us to own the technical baseline, we have to have that data then we will shut out that opportunity to have innovation, she said, noting that for many small businesses, intellectual property is often their entire business. Such firms cant survive if theyre locked into giving up those rights to the government. "We have to close that requirements loop decision process as much as we do the acquisition process, Pawlikowski said. During a House Armed Services Committee hearing on emerging threats March 14, the Acting Assistant Defense Secretary for Research and Engineering Mary Miller made a similar point. Overly rigid or poorly crafted acquisition requirements can be antithetical to warfighter needs, Miller said. "Sometimes we get requirements that were given to acquisition that aren't really what the warfighter wants," Miller told the committee. "And the experimentation venues that the undersecretariat was given, the ability to do prototyping experimentation, are helping to refine that before we get launched." While tweaks and added functionality can take time, for Pawlikowski, the issue of acquisition reform ultimately comes down to practices, rather than the technology itself. "Requirements change," she said. "Well get over it." The following companies are subsidiares of HP: 3Com, 3PAR, ABB CADE, AOME Holdings Ltd., Alpha Holding One B.V., Alpha Holding Two B.V., Anatolus Holding B.V., Antila Holding B.V., Apogee, Apogee Corp, Apollo Computer, AppIQ, Applied Optoelectronic Tech, Aptitude Management Consulting W.L.L., Aquarius Holding S.C.A., ArcSight, Arteis, Artivision Technologies, Aruba Networks, Atos Origin, Atos Origin Middle East group, Aurasma Limited, Autonomy Corporation, Avantek, BT & D Technologies, Bitfone Corporation, Bluestone Software, Boonton Radio, Bristol Technology Inc., Bromium, CEC Europe Service Management, CGNZ, CaLan, Caleum Holding B.V., Callisto Holding B.V., Colorado Memory Systems, Colubris Networks, Colubris Networks, Columba Holding B.V., Compaq Cayman Holdings Company, Compaq Cayman Holdings General Partnership II, Compaq Cayman Islands Vision Company, Compaq Information Technologies, Compaq Information Technologies LLC, Computer Insurance Company, Computing and Printing Global Services Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Computing and Printing Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Computing and Printing Professional Services Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Consera Software, ConteXtream Inc, Convex Computer, Crater Holding B.V., David Vision Systems GmbH, Dazel, Division, Dorado Holding B.V., EDS (Electronic Data Systems), EEsof, EYP Mission Critical Facilities, Elara Holding B.V., ElseWare, Eon Systems, Eucalyptus Systems, Eunomia Holding B.V., ExcellerateHRO, Exstream Software, Extreme Logic, F&M Scientific Corporation, F.L. Moseley Company, Flame Holding B.V., Fortify Software, Four Pi Systems, Gram Global Operations Limited, Gram Inc., HP Austria GmbH, HP Belgium BVBA, HP Bermuda Holding One L.P., HP Bilgisayar ve Bask Teknolojileri Limited Sirketi, HP Bilgisayar ve Bask Teknolojileri Limited Sirketi Ankara Subesi, HP Brasil Industria e Comercio de Equipamentos Eletronicos Ltda, HP Brasil Industria e Comercio de Equipamentos Eletronicos Ltda.Branch 01 (Tambore), HP Brasil Industria e Comercio de Equipamentos Eletronicos Ltda.Branch 2 (Sorocaba), HP Brasil Industria e Comercio de Equipamentos Eletronicos Ltda.Branch 3 (Porto Alegre), HP Canada Co., HP China Holding B.V., HP Colombia SAS, HP Computing and Printing Middle East FZ-LLC, HP Computing and Printing Nigeria Ltd, HP Computing and Printing Systems India Private Limited, HP Computing and Printing d.o.o. (Beograd), HP Computing and Printing d.o.o. (Zagreb), HP Deutschland GmbH, HP Deutschland Holding GmbH, HP Europe B.V. Regional Dubai Branch, HP Europe BV Amsterdam Meyrin Branch, HP Finland Oy, HP France Holding SAS, HP France SAS, HP France SAS Bahrain Branch, HP Global Trading B.V., HP Global Trading B.V. Kazakhstan Branch, HP Hewlett Packard Group LLC, HP Holdgate Co., HP Inc (Thailand) Ltd., HP Inc AP Hong Kong Limited, HP Inc Argentina S.R.L., HP Inc Bulgaria EOOD, HP Inc Chile Comercial Limitada, HP Inc Costa Rica Limitada, HP Inc Czech Republic s.r.o., HP Inc Danmark ApS, HP Inc Gulf, HP Inc Hong Kong Limited, HP Inc Magyarorszag Kft., HP Inc Polska sp. z o.o., HP Inc Romania SRL, HP Inc Slovakia s.r.o., HP Inc Tunisie SARL, HP Inc UK Holding Limited, HP Inc UK Limited, HP Inc. Peru SRL, HP Information Technology R & D (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., HP International Sarl, HP International Sarl (Puerto Rico Branch) LLC, HP International Trading B.V., HP International Trading B.V. (Puerto Rico Branch) LLC, HP Italy Holding S.r.l., HP Italy S.r.l., HP Japan Inc., HP Korea Inc., HP Luxembourg S.C.A., HP Nederland B.V., HP New Zealand, HP Norge AS, HP PPS Asia Pacific Pte. Ltd., HP PPS Australia Pty Ltd, HP PPS Costa Rica Limitada, HP PPS India Operations Private Limited, HP PPS Israel Ltd, HP PPS Malaysia Sdn. Bhd., HP PPS Maroc SARL, HP PPS Multimedia Sdn. Bhd., HP PPS Philippines Inc., HP PPS Sales Sdn. Bhd., HP PPS Services India Private Limited, HP PPS Singapore (Sales) Pte. Ltd., HP PPS Sverige AB, HP Pakistan (Private) Limited, HP Panama S. de R.L., HP Printing and Computing Solutions S.L.U., HP Printing and Personal Systems Hellas EPE, HP Production Company Limited, HP Puerto Rico LLC, HP Schweiz GmbH, HP Solutions Creation and Development Services S.L.U., HP South Africa Proprietary Limited, HP Taiwan Information Technology Ltd., HP Technology (Beijing) Co. Ltd., HP Technology (Beijing) Co. Ltd. Chengdu Branch, HP Technology (Beijing) Co. Ltd. Guangzhou Branch, HP Technology (Beijing) Co. Ltd. Nanjing Branch, HP Technology (Beijing) Co. Ltd. Shanghai Branch, HP Technology (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., HP Trading (Shanghai) Co. Ltd, HP Trading (Shanghai) Co. Ltd. Dalian Branch, HP Trading (Shanghai) Co. Ltd. Zhangjiang Branch, HP WebOS LLC, HP-PPS Ecuador Cia. Ltda, HPCP-Computing and Printing Portugal Unipessoal Lda., HPI Bermuda Holdings LLC, HPI Brazil Holdings LLC, HPI CCHGPII LLC, HPI CCHGPII Sub LLC, HPI Federal LLC, HPI J1 Holdings LLC, HPI J2 Holdings LLC, HPI Luxembourg LLC, HPQ Holdings LLC, Hadar Holding B.V., Handspring Corporation, Heartstream, Hewlett Packard Distribution Center Panama S. de R.L, Hewlett-Packard (Chongqing) Co. Ltd, Hewlett-Packard (Chongqing) Manufacturing Export Procurement and Settlement Co. Ltd., Hewlett-Packard (Japan NK) Holdings C.V., Hewlett-Packard Angola Ltda., Hewlett-Packard Arabia LLC, Hewlett-Packard Cambridge B.V., Hewlett-Packard Company Archives LLC, Hewlett-Packard Copenhagen B.V., Hewlett-Packard Danube B.V., Hewlett-Packard Development Company L.P., Hewlett-Packard Enterprises LLC, Hewlett-Packard Europe BVAbu Dhabi Branch, Hewlett-Packard G.K., Hewlett-Packard Global Holdings B.V., Hewlett-Packard Global Investments B.V., Hewlett-Packard India Sales Private Limited, Hewlett-Packard Indigo B.V., Hewlett-Packard Indigo Ltd., Hewlett-Packard Industrial Printing Ltd., Hewlett-Packard Industrial Printing Solutions Europe BVBA, Hewlett-Packard International Pte Ltd, Hewlett-Packard International Pte Ltd Taiwan Branch, Hewlett-Packard Ireland (Holdings) Ltd., Hewlett-Packard Ireland 1 Limited, Hewlett-Packard Ireland Limited, Hewlett-Packard KSA Ltd, Hewlett-Packard KSA Ltd. Qatar Branch, Hewlett-Packard Lisbon B.V., Hewlett-Packard MENA FZ-LLC, Hewlett-Packard MENA FZ-LLC Libya Branch, Hewlett-Packard Malaysia Manufacturing Sdn. Bhd., Hewlett-Packard Mercator B.V., Hewlett-Packard Munich B.V., Hewlett-Packard Products B.V., Hewlett-Packard Products C.V., Hewlett-Packard Products CV 1 LLC, Hewlett-Packard Products CV 2 LLC, Hewlett-Packard Services Saudi Arabia Company, Hewlett-Packard Singapore (Private) Limited, Hewlett-Packard Sunnyvale B.V., Hewlett-Packard Vietnam Ltd., Hewlett-Packard West Indies Limited, Hewlett-Packard World Trade LLC, Hiflex Software, IBRIX, IndiGo, Indigo America Inc., Kale Holding B.V., Kale Holding B.V. (Puerto Rico Branch) LLC, Knightsbridge Solutions, Lefthand Networks, Limited Liability Company HP Inc, Logoworks, Lyra Holding B.V., MacDermid ColorSpan, ManageOne, Melodeo, Mensa Holding B.V., Mercury Interactive, Metrix Network Systems, NUR Macroprinters, Neoware, Nihon HP Nin-I Kumiai, Novadigm, NuView ManageX, Nur do Brasil Ltda, OOO "Hewlett-Packard RUS", Opelin, Opelin, Open Skies, Opsware, Opsware, Optimization Systems, Optotech, OuterBay Technologies, OuterBay Technologies, PERSIST Technologies, PFE Investments Ltd., PIXACO, PROLIN, PT Hewlett-Packard Indonesia, Palm, Palm, Palm Asia Pacific Limited Taiwan Branch, Palm Comercio de Aparelhos Eletronicos Ltda., Palm Europe Limited, Palm Global Operations Limited, Palm Inc., Palm Ireland Investment, Palm Latin America Inc., Palm South America LLC, Palm Trademark Holding Company LLC, Pearl Holding Cooperatief U.A., Peregrine Systems, Perseus Holding B.V., Phoenix Holding L.P., PipeBeach, Polaris Holding One L.P., Polaris Holding Two L.P., PolyServe, Propus Holding B.V., Qosnetics, Quartz Holding Co, RLX Technologies, Regor Holding B.V., SPI Dynamics, Samsung Printing Solutions, Scitex, Scitex Vision, Scope Communications, Scorpius Holding B.V., Security Force Software, Shoreline Investment Management Company, Shunra Software, Shunra Software, Silverwire Holding, Snapfish, StorageApps, Stratavia, Synstar, Tabblo, Talking Blocks, Tall Tree Insurance Company, Techink International Pte. Ltd., Technology Partners, Telegra, The Technology Partners, Tourmaline Holding B.V., Tower Software, Tower Software Engineering Pty Ltd, Transoft Networks, Trellis Software & Controls, Triaton, Trinagy, TruLogica, Trustgenix, Turquoise Holding L.P., VeriFone, Verifone, Versatest, Vertica Systems, Vesta Holding B.V., Vital Technology Pte Ltd, Voltage Security, VoodooPC, and ZAO Hewlett-Packard A.O.. It was great to receive so many visionary proposals. We are hoping that this contest and these creative proposals will spark a real conversation about what can be done to activate Park Avenues centerline for a new generation of New Yorkers and what Park Avenue can look like in the 21st century, said Winston Fisher, one of the partners of New York real estate company Fisher Brothers who sponsored the privately-funded competition to re-envision the traditional traffic medians of the Park Avenue of the city between 46th and 57th Streets. New York Citys Park Avenue is known for its tall buildings that are home to Fortune 500 companies beside the attractions such as St. Bart's, the Waldorf Astoria and Mies the Seagram Building, or Grand Central Terminal. Park Avenue ceases to be a destination point of New York City, yet. While Park Avenue, with its median plantings and periodic art installations, remains one of the worlds most iconic commercial boulevards, I have long believed that we can and must be far more imaginative in how we encounter and utilize such a precious urban commodity, said Fisher Brothers Partner Winston Fisher about the competition prompt. Beyond the Centerline competition whose goal was to foster creativity and challenge participants to think outside the box; to propose exciting ideas that have never been considered possible for the medians; and to reimagine the existing urban landscape brought about 150 entries that then the jury shortlisted to 17 finalists few weeks ago. Architects and designers have imagined ways to transform the central reservation along New York's Park Avenue for an ideas competition, including an aquarium, an Alpine mountain, a forest, a wandering river for kayaking and a plant-resembled installation. The eight-person jury included Vishaan Chakrabarti, the founder of the architecture firm Practice for Architecture and Urbanism and a professor at Columbia University, who was also on the jury for the High Line competition. The point is not necessarily to create the practical idea that will get funded and built, he said. The point is to focus our attention on things that are right in front of us and the possibilities there are. The Grand Prize winner proposal - Park Park - by Maison defined itself as a series of highly specific cultural interventions designed to boldy inject new energy into Park Avenue through the use of public program magnets. These magnets similar to the follies employed in picturesque Park-design of old, create points of interest downtown meets uptown- drawing locals, tourists and culture back to Park Avenue. The interventions capture the imagination, beg to be broadcasted and infuse performance and community space into a park that has never done so before, bringing the avenue to the future. Local Architects' proposal, which received the Popular Prize, is for a looping river down the sides of Park Avenue. The park river brings the riverfront to the center of midtown. While there is not a plan in place to install the winning design, we intentionally chose stuff that had variety, that had creativity, but was also about stimulating the public, letting people see a vision. The competition is similar to the one launched by the Friends of the High Line in 2003, as Winston Fisher told the New York Times. That contest, too, You can fill in what your vision is, but we really are hopeful that this will be the spark, very much like what they did with the High Line. Here you can find some of the finalists' proposals: "Elevated Walkways / Carnival Ride" by Daniel Elmore "30ft Stalks" by Wilkinson Architects "Forest" by Harrison Green "Botanical Circus" by Terrain Work "Mini Golf" by Michelle Schrank To view top 17 finalists' design, please check here. > via Beyond The Centerline Phasing in a Single Accreditation System There's a big shift taking place in graduate medical education as the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine and the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) transition to a single accreditation system. That process will be complete at the close of 2020, at which time most D.O. and M.D. applicants will participate in a unified NRMP Match. The AAFP's Senior Vice President for Education Clif Knight M.D., told AAFP News that until that transition is achieved, it will be difficult to get an accurate snapshot of family medicine's expansion. For example, overall numbers in the American Osteopathic Association (AOA) Match were down in 2018 because some of those programs have already made the transition, but the NRMP picked up spots. "Although there were fewer family medicine positions filled in the recent AOA Match, the NRMP Match increase makes up for those losses. We're left with a true net growth of 191 matches to family medicine, a higher number than in past years and a significant step forward in this year's Match," said Knight. Additionally, the NRMP's method of data reporting counts only allopathic medical students in the total number of U.S. matching seniors but includes osteopathic medical students along with all other graduates in different calculations. That keeps the number that reflects U.S. graduates artificially low. In coming weeks, the AAFP will undertake its annual residency census and medical school study where staff experts drill down into Match statistics, some of which are not yet available. That report, scheduled for release in the fall, "will give us a more complete picture of the growth in family medicine and where that growth is coming from," said Knight. It is notable that the most recent AAFP medical school study showed that 21 percent of family medicine residents entering ACGME-accredited programs were osteopathic graduates. Knight also gave a shout out to residency programs. "I served as a program director, and I know what an accomplishment it is to see the vast majority of programs filled. Today, I congratulate program directors for their outstanding work." New Target for Family Medicine Despite the well-deserved kudos and celebrations related to the upbeat trends, Munger cautioned there is still work ahead. "AAFP research shows us that the U.S. health care system is out of balance; we have too many subspecialists and not enough primary care physicians. Our GME system is not meeting the nation's physician workforce needs," said Munger. The Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee March 15 held a hearing entitled Perspectives on the 30B Drug Pricing Program. This hearing followed multiple House Energy and Commerce Committee 340B activities including two hearings and the release of the Committees subsequent report [see Washington Highlights, Oct. 13, 2017; July 21, 2017; and Jan. 12, 2018]. In her opening remarks, Ranking Member Patty Murray (D-Wash.) explained Congresss original intent when establishing the 340B Program: For over a quarter of a century, the 340B program has been a critical safety net for health providers that bear the burden of caring for some of our patients and communities with the greatest needs and fewest resources. The 340B program was started in 1992 with a simple goal, to stretch scarce federal resources to provide more comprehensive services to vulnerable populations. Sen. Murray went on to mention several Washington state 340B safety-net providers and the wide-ranging services they provide their communities. She specifically highlighted the University of Washington describing how it has used 340B savings to stretch its reach with innovative initiatives. Like the Universitys tele-pain program, which is combatting the opioid epidemic through innovative audio and video conferencing support for providers treating rural patients who struggle to manage chronic pain. This program, doesnt just work in Washington, participants cover Wyoming, Montana, Oregon, Idaho, and beyond. In his opening statement, HELP Committee Chair Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) described the purpose of the 340B Program, criticisms of how hospitals are using program savings, and whether any changes to the program are needed. Focusing on the logistics of the 340B Program, Alexander stated, 340B hospitals saved $6 billion in 2015 by buying prescription drugs at a discount. That $6 billion represented about 1.3 percent of the total purchases of prescription drugs in the United States in 2015Hospitals will point out that, according to the Department of Health and Human Services, hospitals spent more than $50 billion in 2013 on uncompensated care thats service to patients that is not reimbursed. Hospitals and clinics use the $6 billion in savings they generate through the 340B program to help offset the money they spend in uncompensated care. However, Sen. Alexander also stated that we also know there are instances where 340B hospitals and clinics may not be using the savings to help low-income patients afford their medications or to provide care. There is no limit in the statute that says what hospitals may or may not spend the money on. Testifying on behalf of the nations public hospitals was Bruce Siegel, MD, MPH, president and chief executive officer of Americas Essential Hospitals. In his testimony, Dr. Siegel highlighted the critical role safety-net hospitals play in their communities and how they utilize their 340B savings, saying Our hospitals work to care for low-income patients and provide entire communities with high-intensity, lifesaving servicestrauma care, burn units, disaster response, and othersreflects Congress vision for the 340B program. The list of comprehensive services made possible by 340B savings is long: free clinics and community programs for primary and chronic condition care; cancer and transplant care, including costly chemotherapy and anti-rejection drugs; medical respite care for the homeless and case management for underserved patients; training for rural hospital partners in high-risk labor and delivery and other specialized care. Additionally, Joseph M. Hill III, MA, director, government relations division, American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, pushed back on the claim that 340B providers arent held accountable for use of program savings. He explained, In September 2011, the Government Accountability Office (GAO), issued a study of the federal 340B program and found that, in large part, the program is operating as originally intended. Specifically, the GAO found that all covered entities reported using the program in ways consistent with its purpose and that all covered entities reported that program participation allowed them to maintain services and lower medication costs for patients. Mr. Hill also talked about the positive impact of 340B Program on rural communities, stating Safety net providers are especially critical in our nations rural areas, where access and ability to pay for care are often compromised. Capital Grille: Show up on your birthday for a complimentary dessert, usually cheesecake or chocolate espresso cake, to top off your meal. Simply note that it is your birthday when making a reservation. The Cheesecake Factory: Let your server know its your birthday and receive a bowl of ice cream accompanied by the birthday song! Cracker Barrel: Tell the server its your birthday, and he or she will usually bring you a free dessert. Iguana Mia: Get a free entree (up to $18 value), free fried ice cream and a free picture of yourself in a sombrero on their website. Must show ID. Western Sizzlin: Eat for free on your birthday. Must show ID. Benihana: With this restaurant, you do have to sign up to become a member of the Chefs Table. But you get a $30 gift certificate you can use during the whole month of your birthday. Bonefish Grill: Get a free Bang, Bang Shrimp appetizer or dessert when you sign up to be a Bonefish Grill Insider Dennys: Score a free Grand Slam breakfast just for showing your ID. When it comes to freebies that have nothing to do with food, most retailers require you to sign up for their rewards card or e-newsletter to get a birthday bonus. But hey, they have to make a living, too. American Eagle Outfitters: Sign up for AERewards and receive 15 percent off during your birthday month. Anthropologie: Sign up for their customer loyalty program and receive a 15 percent discount during your birth month. Benefit Cosmetics: Get a free brow arch on your birthday. Contact your local Benefit Brow Bar beauty lounge for information. The Body Shop: Sign up for email updates and get a $10 reward offer during your birthday month. Columbia Sportswear: Sign up for the Greater Rewards program and get a 20 percent off coupon for your birthday. Sephora: Sign up to become a Beauty Insider, and youll get a free gift during your birthday month that you can claim online or in a store. Victorias Secret: Sign up for the Angel Card program, and youll get a free birthday gift. CVS: Members of CVS Extra Care Beauty Club receive $3 to spend in the store for their birthday. Golf courses: Many golf courses will give you a free round of golf the week of your birthday. Just ask! Ace Hardware: Receive a free $5 off coupon when you join Ace Rewards. Ulta Beauty: Receive a free gift by signing up for the Ultimate Rewards program. DSW: Get a $5 gift voucher for shoes and more on your birthday. Hallmark: Get a coupon for 20 percent off an item. Famous Footwear: You get a free gift when you sign up for the rewards program. A few tips: You might want to use a dedicated email address, such as a free account at Gmail or Yahoo, so that your primary email account isn't overwhelmed by marketing offers. Also, always make sure to tell your restaurant server that you're there for a birthday deal before ordering. Getty Images En espanol | At the end of 2017, MetLife disclosed that for years it had not been paying approximately 13,500 retirees the benefits they were due. Why? The company couldnt find them. Some of the accounts MetLife was not paying were from pension plans it assumed as long as 25 years ago when the beneficiaries were still far from retirement age. MetLifes policy was to make two attempts to contact retirees: once when they approached age 65 and a second time five-and-a-half years later, when federal law requires retirees to begin withdrawing their benefits. In the wake of MetLifes discovery, the company has established varied and more frequent attempts to make contact. As people move from job to job and change home addresses, pension plans and other valuable retirement benefits are getting left behind. Although these benefits can provide vital income to retirees, many have not kept track of all the retirement plans theyve participated in throughout their careers. And sometimes, employers change their names years after a worker left, making it more difficult for former employees to keep up. Several websites and resources can offer workers help tracking down the retirement benefits they can claim. Big money is at stake. According to the investment management company TIAA, as of 2015, a full 30 percent of employees had abandoned a retirement account from a previous employer. The Government Accountability Office recently reported that from 2004 to 2013, more than 25 million employees left at least one retirement account behind. Our lives move on after we leave an employer, and its very easy to lose track of something that youre not able to collect right now, says Ellen Kleinstuber, chair of the American Academy of Actuaries Pension Committee. Many people dont remember that they earned a monthly pension until they get older and focus in on retirement. One proposed remedy the Retirement Savings and Lost and Found Act of 2018 was introduced in the Senate earlier this month. The bill, which AARP supports, allows for the creation of a national online searchable database that enables workers to search for retirement accounts they may have left behind during job transitions. This public resource would be populated with the data employers already are required to report to the Treasury Department. In the absence of a national database, there are several steps employees can take to determine if theyve left behind unclaimed retirement money: Herreid man admits secretly recording his daughter, others changing A Herreid man admits he placed a camera in his daughter's room to secretly record women changing. WASHINGTON When Karen Gaffneys mother found out she would be born with Down syndrome, the doctor said Karen probably would not be able to tie her own shoes. Instead, as Karen explained in a moving and eloquent TEDx talk, she has become an accomplished open-water swimmer who has crossed the English Channel in a relay race and completed the swimming leg of the Escape from Alcatraz triathlon. Now she fears the result of a new race the one to find newer, faster ways to screen for Down syndrome so that more children with the disability can be killed in the womb. Her fears are well-founded. CBS News recently reported that Iceland was on the verge of eliminating Down syndrome. Unfortunately, there was no great medical breakthrough to report. Iceland, it turns out, is not eliminating Down syndrome; it is eliminating people with Down syndrome. The countrys abortion rate for Down syndrome babies is close to 100 percent the highest in the world. Denmark is close behind at 98 percent. In the United States, it is 67 percent and Karen fears the rates here will soon reach European levels. Save our lives! she pleads. Sadly, there will always be those who see people with Down syndrome as nothing more than a burden on society. Princeton University professor Robert George recently tweeted out a shocking video in which a bureaucrat from Dutch National Institute for Public Health shows a man with Down syndrome on a blackboard how expensive he is for society compared to normal people. Do the Dutch, who suffered under and in many cases heroically resisted Hitlers domination, forget that the final solution began with the dehumanization and eugenic killing of the handicapped? George asked. Today, more and more people with Down syndrome are speaking out and demanding recognition of their humanity. Recently, Frank Stephens appeared before the House Appropriations Committee, where he told members of Congress I am a man with Down syndrome and my life is worth living. Noting the abortion rates for Down syndrome babies in Europe, he declared I completely understand that the people pushing this particular final solution are saying that people like me should not exist, but pleaded, Lets be America, not Iceland or Denmark. Lets pursue inclusion, not termination. The message of inclusion is slowly getting through. Last month, baby food maker Gerber named Lucas Warren a boy with Down syndrome its 2018 Gerber Spokesbaby selecting him out of 140,000 entries for his glowing and giggly smile. Good for Gerber. His smile glowing should be no surprise. A 2011 study by Harvard University researchers found that rather than leading lives of suffering, people with Down syndrome have unusually high rates of happiness. An amazing 99 percent said they are happy with their lives, 97 percent like who they are, and 96 percent like how they look. Overall, the overwhelming majority of people with Down syndrome surveyed indicate they live happy and fulfilling lives, the researchers found. Surveys from Boston Childrens Hospital found that far from being a burden on their families, children with Down syndrome bring enormous joy to their loved ones. Ninety-four percent of siblings expressed feelings of pride about their brother or sister with Down syndrome, and 88 percent said that they were better people because of them. Only 4 percent would trade their sibling in for another, and only 4 percent of parents regretted having their Down syndrome child. It turns out, the researchers concluded, that the experience of Down syndrome is a positive one for most parents, siblings and people with Down syndrome themselves. Lawmakers are taking notice. As The Washington Post reports, more states are passing laws prohibiting doctors from performing abortions because of a fetal Down syndrome diagnosis. Indiana, North Dakota, Louisiana and Ohio have passed such laws, with Ohios Down Syndrome Non-Discrimination Act scheduled to take effect later this month. Utah is currently debating a similar law. The bills sponsor, Republican state Rep. Karianne Lisonbee, says, Utahs message to the world is that we will not tolerate discrimination. Naturally, pro-abortion absolutists are suing to block these laws (successfully in the case of Indiana). It is simply intolerable that so many joyous lives are being snuffed out. All lives are a gift from God, Gaffney says. To me, that means that all lives matter, even if you will be born with an extra chromosome. Follow Marc A. Thiessen on Twitter, @marcthiessen. (c) 2018, The Washington Post Writers Group. LAS CRUCES U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials plan to meet with State Land Commissioner Aubrey Dunn in the next few weeks to discuss concerns that the federal government is using state trust lands on the border without paying for the right of way. Our real estate team is researching the items you reference and has been in touch with your office, according to a letter signed by Karl Calvo, the assistant commissioner for CBPs facilities and asset management. We are in the process of gathering our records and are targeting an in person meeting with you in early April, Calvo said. The letter to Dunn regarding your concern about the installation of a border wall, infrastructure and roads on New Mexico state trust lands is dated March 9. It came three days after the New Mexico land commissioner posted a no trespassing sign and cordoned off a one-mile stretch of land near the border fence just east of the Santa Teresa border crossing. I appreciate CBPs efforts to address our concerns and begin a dialogue with the State Land Office, Dunn said in a statement released by his office Thursday. I am confident we can agree upon terms that will enable us to collect revenue for New Mexico schoolchildren and them to manage their national security operations. New Mexico is seeking $19,200 for a 35-year permit to use the 60-foot easement on border land held in trust for public schools. The land was granted to the Territory of New Mexico under the 1898 Ferguson Act. It predates a 1907 proclamation by President Theodore Roosevelt reserving a 60-foot buffer zone along the border for the federal government. Dunn, a Libertarian candidate for U.S. Senate, said he put up the no trespassing sign after his letter to the Secretary of Homeland Security did not get a response. The New Mexico Land Commissioners office began researching property rights after some Democratic lawmakers proposed legislation to block construction of a border wall on New Mexico trust land. DANCE O THE IRISH: Celebrate St. Patricks Day away from the pubs with Santa Fes annual, family-friendly Irish dance show. Belisama Irish Dance Company, named after a Celtic goddess whose name means Summer Bright, will stage its annual Rhythm of Fire performance Saturday evening featuring dancers of all ages. The show promises traditional and contemporary Irish dance. The 10th annual Rhythm of Fire will be at the James A. Little Theater, 1060 Cerrillos Road, at 5 p.m. Tickets are $20 for adults, with discounts for students, children ages 6-12 and seniors. Available at www.ticketssantafe.org or by calling 505-988-1234. DISCUSSING CUBA: Before the U.S. re-established official ties with Cuba under President Obama and then rolled some back again under Trump there was one woman who worked on the inside: Ambassador Vicki Huddleston. Now, the former chief of the U.S. Interests Section in Havana for Presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush is telling her story. Huddleston, who held the job from 1999-2002 and has a home in Santa Fe, will be at Collected Works Thursday to promote her new memoir of life as a diplomat, which details some of her negotiations with the late Fidel Castro. The author of Our Woman in Havana: A Diplomats Chronicle of Americas Long Struggle with Castros Cuba also will discuss both Obama and Trumps Cuba policies as well as the future of the island nation. Huddleston will be at Collected Works, 202 Galisteo Street, Thursday at 6:30 p.m. The books now available for preorder are $29.95. ANNIVERSARY PARTY: A lot has happened in the two years since Meow Wolf opened the doors to the House of Eternal Return planned expansions, Summer in the Multiverse, even a documentary about the art collectives humble beginnings debuting at South by Southwest. Now, its time to celebrate. Saturday night, a techno dance party hits Meow Wolf, 1352 Rufina Circle, to celebrate its two-year anniversary. The Desert Hearts Takeover will feature a crew of California-based DJs including Marbs, Porkchop and RYBO. Inside the House of Eternal Return, there will also be artists from the Santa Fe-based Mesa Recordings music label including local act Pleasure Corporation, which colorfully describes its genre as stylishly sensual, timeless neon future shock, streaming in an endless technicolor barf, out of multi-vibrant reality (and) automata, simultaneously all over the planet. The show, 9 p.m.-2 a.m., is for ages 21 and over only. Tickets are $18 online or $20 the day of the show. Buy tickets at meowwolf.com. Copyright 2018 Albuquerque Journal Correction: This story has been updated to reflect the correct criteria for removing the wolf from the endangered species list. Relations between the state and the federal Fish and Wildlife Service appear to be warming, as the two reached an agreement this week on the release of endangered Mexican gray wolves into the wild. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife (FWS), New Mexico Department of Game and Fish and Arizona Game and Fish Department signed a memorandum of agreement to clarify the commitment of each entity in determining the circumstances of wolf releases. The agreement states that decisions regarding the timing, location and circumstances of Mexican wolf releases will be based on input from both the federal and state agencies. In this act of good faith, we look forward to strengthening our partnership with the service, New Mexico Game and Fish Director Alexandra Sandoval said in a news release. The new recovery plan stipulates that population levels reach an average of at least 320 in the U.S. and 200 in Mexico for eight consecutive years to be taken off the endangered species list, along with other criteria. Once the species has recovered, management will be transferred from Fish and Wildlife to the state. At last count, 114 Mexican gray wolves were roaming the U.S., a growth of just one since the prior year. At least 51 of those live in New Mexico. The New Mexico Game and Fish Department and federal Fish and Wildlife have butted heads in the past regarding the release of the endangered species, with the federal agency often wanting to release more wolves than the state was willing to accept. The two had largely cooperated until 2011, when the state withdrew from the recovery team. It later began requiring Fish and Wildlife to file permits with the state before releasing animals. And when Fish and Wildlife attempted to comply and applied for permits, the state denied them. Eventually, Fish and Wildlife decided the Endangered Species Act gave it the authority to release wolves without obtaining permits and released two pups in the spring of 2016. The state then sued and a district court granted an injunction against the federal agency, halting the further release of wolves. That decision was reversed in federal appeals court in April 2017 and remanded to district court, where the case remains. But relations seemed to be thawing when the states Game Commission approved the updated Mexican Wolf Recovery Plan published in November, and in December approved permits to allow the cross-fostering of pups in New Mexico packs in 2018. Bryan Bird, director of Defenders of Wildlifes Southwest Program, said the agreement will likely put an end to the lawsuit. If it (the agreement) does anything, it may increase communications, Bird said. Theres no harm in better communication between the parties. While he believes the improved communication may be beneficial, Bird said the language needs to make it clear that Fish and Wildlife has the final say in releases. Defenders of Wildlife and other groups sued Fish and Wildlife over the final Mexican Wolf Recovery Plan, which used similar language to the agreement. Its intentionally mushy, Bird said. The state has a role to play but ultimately, Fish and Wildlife has the final say. Michael Robinson with the Center for Biological Diversity, also party to the lawsuit, said there should be cooperation between states and the federal agency, but New Mexicos past impediments to wolf releases constitute an exception. One of the impetuses for passage of the Endangered Species Act back in 1973 was to ensure that the long-term public interest in conservation would not be thwarted by myopic, provincial considerations , Robinson wrote in an email. Bird also said the state needs to get on board with the release of adult wolves and families of wolves, which he said it has been resistant to in the past. The Interagency Field Team cannot meet the recovery goals through cross-fostering alone, Bird said. SAN FRANCISCO A husband and wife in the country illegally were fleeing U.S. immigration officials in a rural California farm town when they lost control of their vehicle and crashed into a power pole, killing the couple with six children, police said. The deaths Tuesday come as immigrant advocates say federal agents are using unmarked cars to pull over farmworkers in the states agricultural heartland as part of a Trump administration crackdown in California. State laws limiting cooperation with federal immigration authorities have led to an increasing clash between California and the federal government. Agents with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement put on their cars emergency lights to pull over the couples SUV, according to a statement from the Delano Police Department and the federal agency. Neither the police department nor ICE would address whether the agents were in an unmarked car. The SUV sped away when the agents got out of their vehicle and then veered onto a dirt shoulder, overturned and crashed into a power pole, killing Santos Garcia, 35, and Marcelina Garcia, 33, the statement said. They were farmworkers living in Delano, about 140 miles (225 kilometers) north of Los Angeles, and were looking for work when immigration agents tried to stop them, said Diana Tellefson, executive director of the United Farm Workers Foundation. The Garcias were originally from the southern Mexican state of Guerrero and mainly spoke Mixtec, an indigenous language. The fact that they could not speak English or Spanish likely added to the fear they felt when they realized it was ICE stopping them, Tellefson said. The couple left behind six children, ages 8 to 18, and a 1-year-old granddaughter. Tellefson would not say whether the children are in the country illegally or if they plan to stay in California. Jennie Pasquarella, director of immigrants rights at the American Civil Liberties Union of Southern California, said her office in recent weeks has received multiple reports from Californias farm-rich Central Valley about immigration agents staking out the roads that farmworkers travel to get to work and pulling them over early in the morning. Pasquarella said immigration agents are reportedly pulling over farmworkers while in unmarked vehicles. As in this case, drivers and passengers stop, after being signaled to pull over, believing the officers to be police, but only come to learn after being approached, questioned, and arrested that the officers are actually ICE, she said in a statement. ICE spokeswoman Lori K. Haley said the agents first went to the Garcias home looking for another man wanted for deportation and followed the couple as they drove away. Santos Garcia matched the description of the targeted man but wasnt him, the agency said. Santos Garcia, who had a 2014 DUI conviction, had voluntarily returned to Mexico three times between 2008 and 2017 and was removed once more in 2017, Haley said. Marcelina Garcia had no prior encounters with immigration authorities, she added. As the officers departed the location of the attempted engagement, they came across the overturned vehicle and immediately dialed 911 for assistance, Haley said. Immigrants in the country illegally and their families have been on edge as deportation arrests have spiked more than 40 percent under President Donald Trump. His administration has said it targets people with criminal records, but many others are getting picked up. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has said 65 percent of arrests from October to December involved criminals, compared with 82 percent during the final full three months of the Obama administration. San Joaquin Valley farmer Joe Del Bosque said farmworkers are already afraid of driving to work and that if more apprehensions are done on roads leading to farms, it could prompt workers to stay home out of fear. Im fearful that this tragedy is going to make our workers even more afraid, he said. California produces nearly half the countrys fruits, vegetables and nuts, valued at $47 billion annually and employs roughly 325,000 workers. Nisei Farmers League, a growers organization, estimates 85 percent of California farmworkers live in the United States illegally. Del Bosque said that while he found enough workers to harvest his asparagus this March, he worries there will be a labor shortage in the summer, when there is a huge demand for workers to pick grapes, tomatoes, bell peppers and other produce in the Central Valley. This certainly has the likelihood of reverberating through the farm-working community, he added. Copyright 2018 Albuquerque Journal The cast of characters was slightly different, but not as different as the tone during the first public court hearing in the case that is aiming to reform the Albuquerque Police Department. Thursdays hearing was the first since Mayor Tim Keller and Police Chief Mike Geier took office in December. Unlike previous hearings, which U.S. District Judge Robert Brack has held occasionally since the settlement between the city and U.S. Department of Justice was filed in court in November 2014, officials and community advocates who spoke in court expressed optimism with the new administrations approach to reforms and their willingness to meet with community members. Brack even said he was considering handing the case to another judge when he goes on senior status this summer but changed his mind after meeting with Keller and Geier. You ran on this issue, youre going to be judged on the success of this issue. You said, I own this, Brack told Keller, who attended the proceeding. With that kind of commitment level from you I agreed to stay on. It also was the first hearing since John Anderson, the U.S. attorney for the District of New Mexico, has been leading the local office. Albuquerque police are in the midst of a yearslong reform effort that aims to address problems uncovered by a DOJ investigation, which found a pattern of excessive force. The reforms call on police to make a wide range of changes, from how the department investigates use of force and deals with mentally ill people to improving relationships between APD and the community. It seems like night and day, after three years of them playing games with us, said Steven Robert Allen, the policy director for the local chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union and a member of APD Forward, which advocates for police reform. It finally seems like the adults are in the room. James Ginger, the independent monitor overseeing the reform, has written six reports, each about 500 pages long, and other updates on the police progress through about three years of monitoring. Much of his documentation has been critical of the supervision and command staff within the department. He said in court Thursday that there are signs of change. For example, Albuquerque police wrote a detailed compliance plan outlining their months ahead and created a compliance bureau. Ginger said other departments that have been successful with system reform created similar types of bureaus on Day One. APD chose not to do that, against our advice, he said. Though there was much optimism in the U.S. District Courthouse at Fourth and Gold, its not clear how the struggles of the past three years will affect the cost and timetable for the rest of the project. The reforms originally were expected to last between four and six years, and the city expected to spend about $4.5 million on the first four years of the effort. There wont be as great a clarity on how police progress this year as there was in past years. Ginger has proposed that, instead of him writing a seventh report on the police progress, hell use the money that otherwise would go to reporting to provide the police with technical assistance so they can catch up to where they should be at this point in the process. Ginger did say he will write two smaller interim reports and his eighth report will be filed in November. Damn, we should have been further along after three years. I get it, and I know it to be true, Brack said. But Im pleased with the commitment I heard from the city. W ASHINGTON The Great Disrupter and the Boy Scout were never comfortable partners. So there was a sense of inevitability to President Trumps announcement Tuesday that he was dumping Rex Tillerson as secretary of state and installing Mike Pompeo, the man he wanted in that job back in November. The gregarious, risk-taking Pompeo has an easy rapport with Trump that the more cautious, reticent Tillerson never achieved. A successful secretary of state needs to be able to speak for the president something Tillerson could never do and Pompeo will probably achieve from Day One. Trumps tone in announcing the reshuffle was almost that of an exultant commander picking his war cabinet, though the challenges for now will be diplomatic. In Trumps face-to-face negotiations with North Koreas Kim Jong Un, perhaps the apex of his presidency, Pompeo will be his key adviser and perhaps emissary. Tremendous energy, tremendous intellect, Trump said of Pompeo. We are always on the same wavelength. As for Tillerson, Trump concluded: We disagreed on things, citing the Iran nuclear deal as an example of where the two were not really thinking the same. Tillerson was at his wounded best as he said an abrupt goodbye Tuesday afternoon. He was dignified and generous, even as the fatigue and stress were evident on his face. He rightly took credit for framing the diplomatic strategy that engaged North Korea but also conceded his inability to fashion clear policies for Syria, China or Russia. He dispensed with the usual ritual testimonial to a president who has treated him so poorly, instead thanking his colleagues at the State Department and the Pentagon. Tillersons ouster capped a year of humiliating treatment from Trump. Representing a president who, through leaks and tweets, advertised his personal discomfort with the former Eagle Scout, Tillerson was in an untenable position. The danger is that Pompeo, so much in synch with Trump, will remove the dampers that have sometimes tempered the presidents disruptive instincts. Tillerson offered solid, traditional foreign-policy counsel. He opposed gutting the Iran nuclear deal, starting a trade war, relocating the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem and other moves. He operated in tandem with Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis. This axis of caution has now been broken, perhaps leaving Mattis in a weakened position. Pompeo has been among the most political CIA directors in modern history, acting as a quasi-policy adviser in addition to intelligence chief. CIA operators liked his gung-ho activism; analysts were warier, fearing that Pompeo would dilute the agencys independence. In his public appearances, Pompeo has been feisty and even combative in supporting the administration. That undoubtedly pleased Trump, but it made Pompeo more a partisan figure than the usual CIA director. Pompeo is a smooth communicator, and he may fix some of the obvious problems at State. Hell talk more with the press corps and State employees, both hungry for contact after the taciturn Tillerson. Colleagues are urging Pompeo to quickly name career ambassadors to vacant embassies, which would revive morale among foreign-service officers. Tillersons biggest mistake was his seeming disdain for his own agency. He appeared to regard Foggy Bottom as enemy territory; only one senior aide, Policy Planning Director Brian Hook, spoke authoritatively for him on policy issues. Tillersons tenure produced a genuine morale crisis at State, with precious talent walking out the door nearly every week. Trump nominated a career CIA officer, Deputy Director Gina Haspel, as Pompeos successor. Shes popular with colleagues at Langley, but her confirmation hearings will be contentious because of her involvement in the CIAs secret detention and interrogation programs. Former Obama administration intelligence officials speak highly of her, which may blunt Democratic criticism. Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., the conservative firebrand, would have been a much more controversial choice, giving the CIA a face even more partisan than that of Pompeo. The fulcrum in foreign policy has been Mattis and Tillerson. The center-weight will now shift to Trump and Pompeo. The policy process may be smoother, with a chief diplomat who knows and shapes the presidents mind. But Tillersons demise removes a restraint on the presidents sometimes impulsive behavior. Trump resented tutelage from a man who privately called him a moron, but Tillersons advice on Iran, Russia, China and North Korea was sensible and generally correct. Now Trump will have a kindred spirit at State; the White House and Foggy Bottom will be going in the same direction, for better or worse. Pompeo will help in shaping the high-level diplomacy thats ahead. The worry is that he may be an accelerator when the president needs a brake. Email: davidignatius@washpost.com. Copyright, Washington Post Writers Group. Copyright 2018 Albuquerque Journal Photographer Siddho says there is a secret linguistic that lives within his work. What that means to viewers of his pictures, however, is different for everyone. The specific series hes talking about is made up of photos from around the world of weathered walls on houses and other buildings, all of which he says were once lined with beautiful textures and patterns. Inspired by visiting Japanese monasteries whose walls were breaking down, Siddho says he continued taking photos of similar deterioration in places like Mexico and India. Everybody has the freedom to see whatever they want to see and interpret in the picture, he says, comparing the experience to how people see different shapes in clouds. The photographer was able to get an idea of one viewers perspective in the latest installment of ViVO Contemporary Gallerys popular Giving Voice to Image series of exhibitions. This is Siddhos first time participating in the gallerys annual show in which 11 of the gallerys visual artists are paired with 11 local poets. The writers create work inspired either by a specific piece, the artists work process, or the artist themselves. The sixth annual shows opening reception is tonight. Siddhos exhibition partner, poet Basia Miller, picked his Zen Mood #1, which depicts an old wall he shot in Guatemala more than a decade ago. I came to this idea that the artwork is the residue after the thing has happened, she says. By looking at this wall, we say, What is it that has transpired already that this is only the residual mark of? From there, Miller says she started thinking about what in human culture is similar to that idea: something humans did not and cannot see but has left residue behind, which brought her to Greek mythology. In her poem Afterword she talks of Pan seducing the Moon Goddess Selene. The poem says: at dawn they took their old places: white circle of moon, dark circle of desire, matching a white circle and dark circle that are visible in the photo. The paintings of Warren Keating, a repeat participant in the show, are typically based on videos he takes of people from above while standing on bridges or balconies, often people walking or riding bikes. This year, he gave Santa Fe writer Miriam Sagan an oil painting from a still photo he took of a boy face down in a San Antonio hotel swimming pool years ago. Sagan made a narrative poem about the boys backstory and internal dialogue. In her piece, he is seven years old and afraid of the older kids who earlier wanted to throw him into the pool. He jumped in on his own to do a dead mans float, and thinks: beneath the rippled surface, the legs of other swimmers, I see the city Ive always known was there, of coral towers with pearl windows house of peacock shimmer abalone with roof of oyster shell shingles. It interprets the work in that my work tends to be getting people to rediscover how amazing the everyday moment is, says Keating. The poem looks at just the image of the kid and creates this whole story and fleshes out what the imagination would come up with. Sagan notes that in a way, what Keating is trying to display with his images is what creating poetry and art itself is all about. Most of our experience is mundane, says Sagan. A peak experience is great, but its far and few between. Art, and Im including writing in that, eliminates the mundane. It lets it live on an extra level. Giving Voice to Image 6 opening reception is tonight at 5 p.m. The poets will read their work at additional events March 30 and April 20. If you go WHAT: Giving Voice to Image 6 WHERE: ViVO Contemporary, 725 Canyon Road WHEN: Tonight, 5-7 p.m. COST: Free and open to the public At long last, the New Mexico Volunteers will be recognized for the critical role they played at the Battle of Glorieta Pass during the Civil War. On Saturday, March 24, Pecos National Historical Park will host its annual Civil War Encampment, both to educate people about the significance of the battle and give them a glimpse into the past. The schedule includes the unveiling of a plaque commemorating the New Mexico Volunteers, which will be moved later to a location between two existing monuments: One commemorates the Colorado volunteers, on the Union side, and the other the Confederate Texas volunteers. The site is on N.M. 50 a few miles northwest of the park visitor center. The event is held on the last Saturday of March each year, close to the anniversary dates of the battle, which took place March 26-28, 1862. For many, the monument commemorating the New Mexico Volunteers is long overdue. We know that the New Mexico Volunteers fought beside the Union regulars. It appears that the New Mexico Regulars had been left out, said Karl Cordova, superintendent at Pecos National Historical Park. Not on purpose. Cordova said the National Park Service purchased the strip of land upon which the existing monuments are located in the 1990s. By then, the markers were already there. A red granite monument inserted into a boulder memorializes the Texas Mounted Volunteers under Henry Hopkins Sibley, who died in service at Glorieta Pass. The monument was installed by the United Daughters of the Confederacy in 1939. Its the only Confederate memorial in the general Santa Fe area and has not attracted the controversy attached to Confederate statues in the South. A standalone red granite monument honoring the First Colorado Volunteers, who saved the Union in Northern New Mexico, was erected by the people of Colorado in 1993. Soon, thanks to the efforts of The Friends of Pecos National Historical Park, the two markers will flank a memorial to the soldiers who really did the saving a bit of a ragtag group of mostly Hispanic men under the leadership of Lt. Col. Manuel Antonio Chaves. Cordova said the Friends had to get a waiver to place the monument on what is now part of the parks Glorieta Unit, a section separated from the nearby ruins of Pecos Pueblo and an old Spanish mission, where the visitors center is located. Its National Park Service policy that we dont allow monuments and memorials to pop up without review, Cordova said, adding that the new plaque passed the vetting process. We think its really important that people in northern New Mexico know that a Civil War battle was fought in their own backyard. Contacted by the Journal, Bill Zunkel, president of the Friends group, referred questions to the Park Service. There are a couple other sites where the New Mexico Volunteers are commemorated. A few miles south of the historic park near Mile Marker 295 on the northbound side of Interstate 25, former district attorney Alfonso Sanchez years ago built a makeshift memorial on property he owns. But Sanchez is an elderly man now and his handmade memorial has fallen victim to the elements. Few speeding by even know its there. Another one is smack dab in the middle of Santa Fes historic Plaza, about 20 miles as the crow flies northeast of the Glorieta battlefield, although it doesnt cite the Volunteers by name. The Plazas centerpiece obelisk was erected in 1868 to honor the heros of the federal Army who fell in battles of Canon del Apache and Pigeons Ranch, referring to skirmishes during the Battle of Glorieta Pass. The obelisk, on one panel, also controversially commemorates U.S. soldiers killed in the Indian Wars. Help in the Legislature State Rep. Jim Trujillo, D-Santa Fe, helped start the process of making the new marker possible. In 2015, he sponsored a House memorial calling on New Mexicos congressional delegation to seek approval for The Friends of Pecos National Historical Park to obtain a waiver from the Park Service to erect a monument recognizing the New Mexico Volunteers. He had been approached by the Friends group and heard support for it from some of his constituents. I just thought that the Hispanics should be honored as much as the Colorado soldiers and the Texas soldiers, he said. They made up the main forces, and when the war was over, everyone got out of there except the Hispanics. During this years legislative session, Trujillo also sought $50,000 for a bust of Lt. Col. Chaves, who led the New Mexico Volunteers at Glorieta. Though approved by the Legislature, Gov. Susana Martinez cut it out of a broader infrastructure bill with a line-item veto, saying the money would be better spent on schools and law enforcement. Concerns have been raised about Chaves legacy. Though he was a hero at Glorieta, he also participated in bloody battles against Native American tribes, including leading 450 volunteers in a retaliatory campaign against the Navajo in what is now northwest New Mexico. But Chaves will still be honored at Pecos National Historical Park. A Park Service news release says the new bronze plaque, affixed to a stone monument, will commemorate Lieutenant Colonel Manuel Chaves and the contingent of New Mexico volunteers who fought on the Union side in the decisive battle. Trujillo said his motivation for proposing both the bust and in seeking help to erect a monument at Glorieta was not only to honor the New Mexico soldiers but to enhance tourism. This idea came up from the Friends, and I thought it would generate tourist traffic, he said, noting that the city of Santa Fe is working to upgrade its airport for better visitor access. A lot of people are interested in the Civil War and like to visit battlegrounds. Im trying to build tourism in Santa Fe, where people are staying in our hotels, eating at our restaurants and shopping in our stores. Significant battle Its true that many people, even so-called Civil War buffs, still dont know that the Land of Enchantment was a battleground during the war and just how pivotal the Battle of Glorieta Pass really was. In 1993, the Civil War Sites Advisory Commission judged the historical significance of 10,500 Civil War engagements. Glorieta was rated in the top 4 percent as a Class A battlefield. The designation was based in part on having a decisive influence on a campaign and direct impact on the course of the war. Trujillos 2015 New Mexico Memorial details the events leading up to the battle. The South had a plan: Send Texas Confederate forces through New Mexico to Colorado and California to capture silver and gold mines to help finance the war effort, and to seize sorely needed seaports on the West Coast. Sibley led 2,600 troops into the territory, winning the Battle of Valverde near Fort Craig south of Socorro, then capturing that city, Albuquerque and Santa Fe en route to Fort Union north of Las Vegas, N.M., where they hoped to overwhelm a Union vanguard and confiscate supplies. In anticipation of the Texas intrusion into New Mexico Territory, Gov. Henry Connelly issued a call for citizens to take up arms in defense of their homes, firesides and families. According to The Battle of Glorieta Pass by John Taylor, by January 1862, some 4,000 volunteers in northern New Mexico had responded. While the local Hispanics and 1,200 Union regulars led by Col. Edward Richard Sprigg Canby made for an awkward alliance, the New Mexicans tipped the scales, both in numbers and on the battlefield. While history books detailing the battle are filled with the names of Anglo leaders like Sibley, Scurry, Pyron and Shropshire on the Confederate side, and Canby, Chivington, Slough and Tappan of the Union Hispanic surnames rarely come up. Lost are the heroic efforts of Santa Fe native Rafael Chacon, who distinguished himself fighting under former territorial Gov. Manual Armijo; renowned comanchero Anastacio Duran, from Chaperito, who was a lead scout in the battle; and Chaves, who played a key role in saving northern New Mexico, and Colorado, from the Texans. The decisive blow in the battle was set up when the Confederate forces went out to meet the Federal troops, leaving behind a supply train of 60 to 80 wagons filled with food, blankets and medical supplies at Johnsons Ranch. Familiar with the territory, Chaves led Major John Chivington the Fighting Parson who two years later led a massacre at a Cheyenne settlement at Sand Creek in eastern Colorado and the Colorado Volunteers around the west edge of Glorieta Mesa undetected. They overwhelmed the lightly guarded supply train and burned the wagons. The Texans had little choice but to abandon the campaign and head back to the Lone Star State. The importance and significance of this battle cannot be overstated, as the ultimate outcome helped hold the union together and assured its survival in what we now know as the United States of America, the House memorial says. Visitor attractions The actual battlefield is a few miles removed from where the encampment will be located during the events on March 24. Its a short drive away, and visitors will be able to tour the site along two miles of paved walkway, the route dotted with wayside interpretive signs that tell the story of the battle. For those unable to attend the encampment, the battle site, normally behind locked gates, is open daily, but visitors must stop at the visitors center to pick up a key. The park also hosts tours of the site on Saturdays, led by a park ranger or volunteer. They can take a van tour and go to different locations and hear the entire story of the battle, Superintendent Cordova said. Its intimate and full of lots of information. But visitors may get a better visual by attending the Civil War Encampment. Cordova said a platoon or two of living historians outfitted in soldier uniforms and using only the equipment and furnishings available to soldiers during that period will set up camp and will be available to talk about what life was like during the war. Some of them come from Fort Union National Monument, about an hour up the highway at Watrous. Others are based in Fort Collins, Colo., and are mostly made up of high school kids, which Cordova said is appropriatebecause many of the soldiers who fought in the battle were about that age. While there will be no battle re-enactment, there will be two black powder demonstrations one signaling the start of activities at 10 a.m. and another at the finish, beginning at 2 p.m. Thats always a big hit. People love to hear the big cannon go off, he said, adding that visitors will also have the opportunity to examine replica muskets used by the soldiers and see them fired. Cordova said there are a few events scheduled especially for children. Over the years, weve really tried to make this available to families, he said. The kids activities begin at 10 a.m., with opportunities to decorate husk dolls, paint quilt squares or play Civil War era games. From 10:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m., kids, and adults, can take horse-drawn wagon rides around the grounds of the Forked Lightning Ranch, where Union soldiers camped during the battle. The plaque unveiling is scheduled for 11 a.m. That will be followed by a lecture on Civil War era medicine by Bob Mallin, a war veteran, historian and surgeon. Another lecture titled Civil War in the Southwest will be presented by Alwyn Barr, a history professor at Texas Tech University. As always, there is no charge to visit Pecos National Historical Park. If you go WHAT: Pecos National Historical Park Civil War EncampmentWHEN: Saturday, March 24, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. GETTING THERE: The park is located about 30 miles east of Santa Fe. From Santa Fe on I-25, take the Pecos/Glorieta exit 299, go left onto overpass and right onto Route 50. Proceed on Route 50 for 8 miles. At the village of Pecos, take a right at the four-way stop onto N.M. 63. After 2.6 miles, the entrance to the encampment field will be on the left. Follow the dirt road east for 0.6 miles to the parking area. From Las Vegas, N.M., on I-25, take Rowe exit 307. Follow the signs. Follow N.M. 63 for 3 miles. The entrance to the encampment grounds will be on the right. Follow the dirt road east for 0.6 miles to the parking area. HOW MUCH: No entrance fee. 505-757-7241. SANTA FE Democrat Jeff Carr, a former member of the Public Education Commission, ended his campaign for lieutenant governor Thursday, leaving three candidates in the race. His announcement comes after he failed to win at least 20 percent of the vote from delegates at the state Democratic Partys pre-primary convention earlier this month a threshold that would have guaranteed him a spot on the ballot. Remaining in the race are: State Sen. Howie Morales of Silver City. Former state Rep. Rick Miera of Albuquerque. Dona Ana County Commissioner Billy Garrett, who didnt clear the 20 percent mark at the pre-primary convention, but he is working to gather additional petition signatures to secure a spot on the ballot, a spokesman said. The primary is June 5. Whoever wins the nomination for lieutenant governor will be paired on the general election ballot with the Democratic candidate for governor. Carr, whos from Eagle Nest in northern New Mexico, endorsed one of those candidates, Jeff Apodaca. Also running are U.S. Rep. Michelle Lujan Grisham of Albuquerque, state Sen. Joseph Cervantes of Las Cruces and Apodaca, a former television executive. On the Republican side, the ticket is already settled: U.S. Rep. Steve Pearce of Hobbs is the gubernatorial nominee, and retired police detective Michelle Garcia Holmes of Albuquerque is the candidate for lieutenant governor. commission seat: Another domino is set to fall after Tim Kellers win in Albuquerques mayoral race. Keller, a Democrat, stepped down as state auditor last year to move into the Mayors Office at City Hall. And then Bernalillo County Commissioner Wayne Johnson was appointed to complete the rest of Kellers term as state auditor. He subsequently resigned from the County Commission. And now Gov. Susana Martinez gets to decide who should succeed Johnson on the commission. State Rep. Jim Smith, R-Tijeras, is among the candidates running to replace Johnson. Dan McKay: dmckay@abqjournal.com Copyright 2018 Albuquerque Journal SANTA FE New Mexico Democrats adopted a party platform during last weekends pre-primary convention that, for the first time, supports the legalization of recreational marijuana use statewide. While the new party platform isnt binding, it could lead to awkwardness for some Democratic lawmakers who have opposed past efforts to add New Mexico to the ranks of legal cannabis states. Just because its in the platform doesnt mean all the Democrats in the state support it, Sen. Clemente Sanchez, D-Grants, told the Journal on Thursday. Bills that would have made New Mexico the 10th state to legalize recreational cannabis use and taxing its sales have stalled in the Legislature in recent years, despite a Democratic majority in both chambers. The state already has a medical marijuana program. Sanchez has been among the Democrats opposed to the measure, arguing that New Mexico should tread cautiously because the state already has high rates of drug addiction and driving while impaired. Gov. Susana Martinez has also staunchly opposed legalizing recreational marijuana use since taking office in 2011. But the two-term Republican governor is barred from seeking a third consecutive term in office and will step down at the end of this year. Two of the three Democrats seeking the partys gubernatorial nomination are in favor of legalizing recreational marijuana. U.S. Rep. Michelle Lujan Grisham, who outpaced her rivals at last weekends pre-primary convention, said Thursday that she supports the concept but wants an analysis to be conducted on how other legal cannabis states have handled childrens safety and impaired driving issues before such a law is enacted. I am committed to working with the Legislature to move towards legalizing recreational cannabis in a way that improves public safety, boosts state revenues and allows for New Mexico businesses to grow into this new market, Lujan Grisham said. Jeff Apodaca, a former Albuquerque media executive, vowed he would work with legislators during the 2019 session to legalize cannabis for adult use and expand the states medical marijuana program. New Mexico has suffered from foot dragging for too long we need big ideas if we want to stop being last in everything, Apodaca said Thursday. Im proposing major change to leave behind old cannabis laws and legalize it to create new jobs and industries. For his part, state Sen. Joseph Cervantes of Las Cruces has sponsored legislative proposals to decriminalize possession of small amounts of marijuana for personal use, but said hed be wary of full-fledged legalization. The states which have just legalized marijuana dont have New Mexicos drug, DWI and crime problems, and as governor these have to be among my first priorities, Cervantes said in a statement. The lone Republican running for governor, U.S. Rep. Steve Pearce, has also opposed legalizing marijuana. Specifically, the platform adopted last weekend by the Democratic Party of New Mexico with more than 90 percent of delegates voting in favor includes a provision that Democrats will support the decriminalization and legalization of cannabis in the state. It also calls on Democrats to encourage the federal government to remove marijuana from its list of prohibited substances. The Democratic Partys previous platform, adopted in 2014, called only for decriminalization, not legalization. A party spokeswoman said Thursday that the platform is not binding for Democratic elected officials but is considered to be a set of guidelines representing party values. She also confirmed this years platform marks the first time the Democratic Party of New Mexico has officially endorsed legalization of marijuana. Some Democrats welcomed the new plank, including state Rep. Bill McCamley of Las Cruces, who is running for state auditor. Im really glad the Democratic Party has decided to push for this as an organization, said McCamley, who has sponsored legalization bills in each of the past four legislative sessions. This is going to happen, he added. Theres not one single thing we could do as a state to create more jobs than legalizing cannabis. Meanwhile, enrollment in New Mexicos medical marijuana program has skyrocketed in recent years, with 48,821 patients as of last month, according to state Health Department data. Thats up from fewer than 10,000 patients in September 2013. WASHINGTON President Donald Trump consumed Thursday mornings TV headlines with amusement. Reports of tumult in the administration were at a feverish pitch even on his beloved Fox News as the president reflected on the latest staff departures during an Oval Office conversation with Vice President Mike Pence and Chief of Staff John Kelly. With a laugh, Trump said: Whos next? Its the very question that has the whole White House on edge. In recent weeks, the presidents top economic adviser has resigned over a policy dispute, the secretary of state he long clashed with was fired and a slew of top aides headed for the exits. An increasingly confident Trump is privately weighing still more changes, expressing frustration with certain advisers and sifting through possible replacements. Many close to Trump think more upheaval is coming soon. The president is moving toward replacing national security adviser H.R. McMaster, but has not settled on exact timing or a successor, said four people with knowledge of White House deliberations. Kelly has also worn on the president, confidants of the president said. And Veterans Affairs Secretary David Shulkin, under fire for ethics violations, appears to be grasping to keep his job. So intense was the swirl of speculation about McMaster that White House spokeswoman Sarah Huckabee Sanders tried to tamp things down late Thursday by tweeting: Just spoke to @POTUS and Gen. H.R. McMaster contrary to reports they have a good working relationship and there are no changes at the NSC. Kelly has told confidants that he believes he can weather the current storm and that he does not plan to quit. But he has grown increasingly frustrated with the constant turmoil in the West Wing, believing at times that Trump intentionally fuels the chaos to keep his staff on its toes and his name in media headlines, according to a person familiar with the chief of staffs thinking. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because they werent authorized to speak publicly about private conversations. This account of the tensions in the White House is based on conversations with 10 officials inside the White House and familiar with West Wing deliberations, all of whom spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss internal matters. After more than 14 months in office, Trump is reshaping his administration, seeking people more likely to fall in line with his policies and tolerate his moods. The factionalism that defined the early days of his tenure has faded and he has lost some of the close aides who could manage his volatile impulses. To some, the White House is increasing taking on the feel of a squad of cheerleaders more than a team of rivals. While dismissing news reports of looming departures, Trump also appeared to signal more changes to come on Thursday, telling reporters: There will always be change. Trumps administration has set records for turnover among senior administration aides. Top economic adviser Gary Cohn and communications director Hope Hicks are leaving the White House in coming weeks. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson was just unceremoniously ousted. And junior-level aides were particularly troubled by the abrupt exit of Trump personal assistant John McEntee this week, who was removed from his job and escorted off White House grounds then quickly handed a job on Trumps re-election campaign. In private conversations in recent weeks with aides and friends, Trump has reflected on his desire to reshape the administration. Though the drumbeat of the ongoing Russia probe has only grown louder, the president believes that his recent decisions on tariffs and North Korea have breathed new life into his administration, and he is eager to take more bold steps that make his own mark. He has told confidants he wants to rid himself of staffers who hold him back. Trump chafes at McMasters demeanor, complaining that his aide lectures him, according to three current and former administration officials. Officials said McMaster has been sidelined in some internal discussions, with Kelly taking on a more active role in foreign policy decisions, because of the personal tensions. The president and McMaster have disagreed on a number of issues including the Iran deal and the U.S. approach to North Korea and the national security adviser has also clashed with Kelly and Defense Secretary James Mattis, according to the officials. McMaster, in turn, is not a natural fit for the scattershot policy-making process in the White House and dislikes the internal rivalries that so often divide the West Wing. He was the target of online attacks from the fringes of the right wing last summer, including for his alleged insufficient support of Israel. During an earlier round of Trump discontent with his national security adviser, there was White House talk of providing McMaster, a three-star general, with a soft landing by giving him a fourth star along with a command in a priority area such as Afghanistan or Korea, according to a former senior administration official. Kelly and Defense Secretary James Mattis both have said they want the national security adviser to have a graceful exit when he departs, ideally a military command and perhaps a fourth star overseas. While they have had their disagreements with McMaster, they feel that his record of service demands respect and they want to broadcast that soft landings are possible from the Trump administration. Kelly has been credited with imposing order on the chaotic West Wing, but his relationship with Trump has come under strain too. Trump was said to be deeply irritated and to have considered firing Kelly over the negative publicity surrounding his handling of the controversy over ousted White House aide Rob Porter, who was accused of domestic abuse. The president also recently told an ally that he was still frustrated by an interview that Kelly gave to Fox News nearly two months ago in which he suggested that Trump had evolved in his thinking about the need for a wall on the Mexican border. At least one of Trumps generals the collection of military advisers he used to boast about remains largely in good standing. The president is said to remain pleased with Mattis, as the defense secretary rarely publicly disagrees with Trump and has succeeded in quietly working through any differences, according to three White House officials and outside advisers. Trump has expressed frustration with aides whom he believes try to manage him according to several current and former White House officials and has grown tired of efforts by his staff to stall controversial actions they disagree with. Trump, the officials said, wants a lively discussion he often talks about enjoying conflict among his aides but has grown irritated that some try to undermine his decisions. As Trump reshapes his administration, those who are taking over some of the vacated administration jobs tend to have closer ties to the president and signal more willingness to buy into his ways. Trumps nominee to be the next secretary of state CIA director Mike Pompeo is a longtime favorite of the president who has demonstrated rare ability to navigate the West Wing. A campaign supporter of Trumps, Pompeo developed a strong personal relationship with the president by regularly attending his daily intelligence briefing. And Trump has known his pick to replace Cohn for decades. Hes CNBC contributor Larry Kudlow, who opposes taxing foreign imports, yet still says hes in accord with Trumps agenda. ___ Lemire contributed from New York. Associated Press writer Ken Thomas contributed to this report. HOBBS, N.M. A Dallas company and a France-based multinational corporation are forming a joint venture to license an interim storage site in West Texas for high-level nuclear waste. Orano USA and Waste Control Specialists announced on Tuesday their intent to form the joint venture as a competing group tries to promote its proposal for southeastern New Mexico, the Hobbs News-Sun reports . Waste Control Specialists had notified the Nuclear Regulatory Commission three years ago of its plan to seek the license to build the facility in rural Andrews County, Texas, that would store spent fuel rods from power plants. Theres currently no such disposal site in the U.S. The proposed site is five miles east of Eunice, New Mexico. Orano USA is a division of the Paris, France-based Orano company that specializes in nuclear power and renewable energy. The move comes as a debate over what to do with spent fuel generated by the nations nuclear power plants. Backers of another plan to build a temporary storage site in southeastern New Mexico are pressing Washington officials to support their proposal. Holtec International and a coalition of local leaders from southeastern New Mexico first announced plans three years ago to construct a below-ground space for temporarily housing the tons of spent fuel that has been piling up at reactors around the U.S. Federal officials have long acknowledged that the future of nuclear energy in the U.S. depends on the ability to manage and dispose of used fuel and high-level radioactive waste. The U.S. Energy Department in 2015 announced that it would begin identifying possible locations for interim storage sites as part of its plan to spur the use of nuclear power and develop the transportation and storage infrastructure needed to manage the waste. Under the Trump administration, some members of Congress have shown renewed interested in the mothballed Yucca Mountain project in Nevada as a long-term solution for nuclear waste storage. But the industry officials have said that temporary storage is needed because the licensing process for Yucca Mountain would take years. ___ Information from: Hobbs News-Sun, http://www.hobbsnews.com ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. Federal wildlife managers are investigating the deaths of two endangered Mexican gray wolves. The animals were found dead in Arizona in February. Authorities did not release any details about the circumstances or the locations where the animals were found. U.S. Fish and Wildlife spokesman John Bradley said Thursday the carcasses were sent to a lab in Oregon for examination. One of the wolves, a female, was reported in January to be traveling alone in the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest. The male wolf was spotted that same month making wide movements from the Coconino and Apache-Sitgreaves forests to the Fort Apache Indian Reservation. The two deaths are the first to be reported in 2018. Efforts to reintroduce the endangered wolves in Arizona and New Mexico have been ongoing for two decades. WASHINGTON Gina Haspels long spy career is so shrouded in mystery that senators want documents declassified so they can decide if her role at a CIA black site should prevent her from directing the agency. Its a deep dive into Haspels past that reflects key questions about her future: Would she support President Donald Trump if he tried to reinstate waterboarding and, in his words, a lot worse? Is Haspel the right person to lead the CIA at a time of escalating Russian aggression and ongoing extremist threats? Haspels upcoming confirmation hearing will be laser-focused on the time she spent supervising a secret prison in Thailand. The CIA wont say when in 2002 Haspel was there, but at various times that year interrogators at the site sought to make terror suspects talk by slamming them against walls, keeping them from sleeping, holding them in coffin-sized boxes and forcing water down their throats a technique called waterboarding. Haspel also is accused of drafting a memo calling for the destruction of 92 videotapes of interrogation sessions. Their destruction in 2005 prompted a lengthy Justice Department investigation that ended without charges. We should not be asked to confirm a nominee whose background cannot be publicly discussed and who cannot then be held accountable for her actions, said Sen. Martin Heinrich, who joined other Democrats on the Senate intelligence committee in asking the CIA to declassify more details about Haspel. The American public deserves to know who its leaders are. Court filings, declassified documents and books written by those involved in the CIAs now-defunct interrogation program suggest Haspel didnt arrive at the secret prison in Thailand until after one detainee, Abu Zubaydah, was waterboarded 83 times in August 2002. But they indicate she arrived before another detainee, Abd al Rahim al-Nashiri, was waterboarded at least three times in November 2002. Details about the two detainees treatment were disclosed in a 2014 Senate report. It said the prison was shut down in December 2002. Even if Haspel was at the prison site for just a few months, Steven Watt, an American Civil Liberties Union attorney, said she was deeply involved in the interrogation program. For much of its existence, Haspel was deputy director of the CIAs counterterrorism center that ran the program using enhanced interrogation techniques. At least 119 men were detained and interrogated as part of the program, said Watt, who represented two detainees and the family of another in a 2015 lawsuit against a pair of CIA-hired psychologists. Its unknown if Haspel ever was or currently is a gung-ho proponent of brutal methods, or if she was only implementing orders from CIA headquarters. Several colleagues and former intelligence officials have come to her defense. Mike Morell, who was an acting director of the CIA, worked closely with Haspel from 2006 until he retired in 2013. Morell has described her as a warm and engaging colleague with a self-deprecating sense of humor. Shes a simply exceptional person who gets things done in a quiet, yet effective way and is calm under fire. The media is also likely to refer to a moment in her career when she drafted a cable instructing a field station to destroy videotapes of CIA interrogations of senior al-Qaida operatives, Morell wrote when Haspel became deputy CIA director last year. She did so at the request of her direct supervisor and believing that it was lawful to do so. I personally led an accountability exercise that cleared Haspel of any wrongdoing in the case. While some of assignments have come under political fire, in each case she was following the lawful orders of the president, Morell said. And, in each case, she carried out her responsibilities within the bounds of the law and with excellent judgment. Any criticism of her in this regard is unfair. Psychologist James Mitchell, an architect of the CIA program who worked at the same black site, said Haspel wont filter the intelligence she distributes to Trump through a political lens to please him or jockey for political reward. Wed be shooting ourselves in the foot if shes not confirmed, he told Fox News. Shes got deep institutional knowledge. She has worked more than 30 years in the agency. Shes earned the right to be there. She can go to work on Day One. Former CIA spokesman Bill Harlow, who helped Mitchell write a book, said the focus on interrogation obscures the CIA directors wide-ranging portfolio. Instead of re-litigating the past, he said Haspel should be asked about Russia, China and cyber threats and how to improve intelligence collection on Americas adversaries. Ret. Air Force Col. Steven Kleinman, a longtime interrogator with lengthy experience during the first Gulf War, isnt sure. He said he doesnt know Haspels personal views about the harsh interrogations, but said theres no indication she ever tried to halt them. That question has to be asked by the Senate: Did you at any time suggest that it be stopped because its ineffective, immoral or illegal?' Kleinman said. I think we all deserve an answer to that. NOME, Alaska Alamogordos Nicolas Petit raced his way into second place out of almost 70 mushers from around the world and their sled dog teams in the 2018 Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race early Wednesday morning. The second-place ranking is Petits highest finish to date. Last year, Petit came in third place. Petit crossed the finish line in Nome, Alaska at 5:15 a.m. with a team of 10 canine competitors leading the way. Petit started with a pack of 16 fierce, furry athletes but had to drop off six at checkpoints along the Iditarod Trail. Norwegian musher Joar Leifseth Ulsom took first place this year. Ulsom crossed the finish line at 3 a.m., 2 1/2 hours before Petit. Although Petit did not come out on top as he had hoped, he managed to beat defending champion and three time Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race winner Mitch Seavey. Nevertheless, Petit said he is proud of himself and is happy for all the mushers who completed in the 1,000-mile trek from Anchorage to Nome. Obviously second is second, but theres no remorse, Petit said. Theres only so much you can do about finding the trail in a blizzard because its a complete white out. Although Petit was a favorite to win the Iditarod this year, this is the second time Petit has finished in the top three and the fourth time hes finished in the top 20. Petit has raced in the Iditarod a total of eight times, and shows no signs of stopping. Petit said since hes now finished in third and second place, he hopes to win the race next year. Im going to race until I cant anymore, Petit said. I plan on being an Iditarod musher for years to come and live the dream of living with dogs forever. During the race, Petit was in first place for most of the Iditarod but unfortunately, he took a wrong turn on his way to the Koyuk Checkpoint due to bad weather. When Petit back-tracked from where he deviated, he realized he lost the lead permanently and cried but was still determined to catch up. I was going against wind and snow. The trail markers were difficult to find, there was not that many of them, Petit said. Before the Iditarod race there was another mini-race called the Iron Dog and there were markers still on the trail. All of a sudden I couldnt find a marker anywhere. I found a bootie on the trail that a dog kicked off and I knew which musher it was. That musher was Ulsom, who unknowingly passed Petit to take the lead. Petit had lost about 90 minutes and had to go back to a checkpoint to rest before hitting the trail again. I lost miles in that run at Koyuk, but I rested my dogs at the next checkpoint. I didnt think it was in my dogs best interest to make up that time, Petit said. After White Mountain, I let my dogs rip after that. We found the trail with the help of GPS and Im lucky I have dogs that listen. They knew the direction. During the race, Petit was the first musher to make it to the Yukon and reached the Safety Checkpoint before Nome faster than any other musher. Petit said he feels overwhelmed by all the support he received from his hometown where he spent part of his childhood, Alamogordo. He thanked all his supporters and new fans from all over New Mexico. Petit said without them, there would be no Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race. I appreciate the new-found support from all the people I went to high school with and junior high, Petit said. Thanks a lot for supporting us because without the fans, we dont have a race. Them going to the website and clicking the buttons that helps the Iditarod also. He said now that the race is over he will be celebrating and training for the next race with his canine companions he affectionately calls his kids. Petit will be receiving a sum of the Iditarod grand prize since he finished in the top 20. The finishing teams will split $500,000. For more information on Petit or to make a donation that will go to the maintenance and well-being of his dogs visit www.teampetit.com For all the latest on Petit and his family of dogs, like Petits Facebook page, www.facebook.com/Girdwood2Nome 2018 the Alamogordo Daily News (Alamogordo, N.M.) Visit the Alamogordo Daily News (Alamogordo, N.M.) at www.alamogordonews.com Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. _____ SANTA FE A New Mexico advocacy and research group has filed suit against the National Nuclear Security Administration seeking release of a study of alternatives for production of plutonium pits, the cores of nuclear weapons. A summary of the analysis of alternatives for making pits has leaked out. Controversially, the summary indicates that making 80 pits per year by roughly 2030, as mandated by Congress, would be cheaper and faster at the Savannah River Site in South Carolina rather than at Los Alamos National Laboratory. The Albuquerque-based Los Alamos Study Group filed a federal court lawsuit this week alleging that NNSA has violated the federal Freedom of Information Act by failing to provide the study since the group requested it on Dec. 1. The suit says that while the 400-page document has been released to other federal agencies, congressional offices and possibly government contractors, the Study Group has not received a substantive response to its FOIA request. The suit says the document is not a classified or confidential document and that sensitive controlled information such facility floor plans are usually redacted in public versions of similar documents. The Study Group is asking for a redacted version. In its failure to release this widely-sought document to the public, NNSA thwarts the intent of FOIA, said the Study Groups Greg Mello. You would think that after so many failures in this program, and with the agencys perennial position on the Government Accountability Offices high risk list for waste, fraud, and abuse, NNSA would want to put a few windows in its tightly-sealed echo chamber, where the contractors who absorb 95 percent of NNSA appropriations hold sway. New Mexicos congressional delegation has objected to the studys findings and also questioned why a production goal of 110 pits a year much higher than current mandate of 80 pits annually was used in the analysis. New Mexico U.S. Sens. Tom Udall and Martin Heinrich, both Democrats, inserted an amendment in the latest defense appropriations bill that makes it harder to move pit production away from Los Alamos. While pits were produced in large numbers at the Rocky Flats facility in Colorado during the Cold War, no new ones have been made since 2011, when LANL completed the last of 29 for Navy submarine missiles. Congress and the Defense Department want new ones for a massive modernization program for the nations nuclear arsenal. Critics like the Study Group say there are thousands of pits in storage and no new ones are needed. As a part of Cartoon Networks #BachchePoliceBulayenge campaign, launched in association with the Mumbai Police, the channels most beloved toons Kris from Roll No. 21 and Ben 10 are meeting several school kids across Mumbai city, in the month of March. Taking the awareness programme to different schools, #BachchePoliceBulayenge tour includes visits to Campion School in Colaba, Panbai School in Santacruz, Swami Vivekanand School in Kurla among others where Kris and Ben 10 will be engaging with 10,000 school kids spreading the important message of child safety and security. The kids will get an exciting opportunity to meet and greet their favourite toons while learning about child safety and security dos and donts. Through a fun skit, Kris and Ben 10 will show ways to ensure road safety, precautions to be taken when approached by strangers, the importance of dialling 100 in case of an emergency, and simple yet smart ways to be a responsible citizen. Through Thank A Cop activity Cartoon Network expressed gratitude towards Mumbai Police, with a heartfelt and simple gesture. Ben 10 and Kris along with the school kids presented policemen with roses as a token of appreciation and love for their undying commitment to serving everyone. Launched on Childrens Day in 2017, this campaign aims at instilling the habit of approaching the police in case of an emergency. This campaign includes a five-part video series highlighting several issues concerning kids in Mumbai. The school and police station visits only further reinforce Cartoon Networks commitment to creating awareness and building a safer environment for kids, an extension of its enduring promise to deliver responsible content which is entertaining and safe for its little fans. The aim to launch this initiative is to enable citys children with all the right information to help them lead to becoming a responsible citizen and follow all rules & regulations. Watch the #BachchePoliceBulayenge campaign videos - Traffic Rules and Say No To Strangers For more information on Cartoon Network, visit @CartoonNetwork.India As the Indian economy is taking giant strides, it is opening up new challenges as well as opportunities for businesses to Rise With India. Introducing the 4th edition of The India Economic Conclave 2018, a 2-day conclave to be held on 29th and 30th March, 2018 at the Taj Diplomatic Conclave, New Delhi. The conclave is an insight-hub of some of Indias most influential leaders and global business icons, where the conversation will be channelized towards one aim alone: unearthing Actionable Business Intelligence that business leaders can easily and successfully implement. A Landmark Initiative of the Times Network, the 4th edition of India Economic Conclave will address pressing issues and quandaries in the minds of business leaders on the direction of the Indian Economy, Reforms, Policy Changes & Government Initiatives, Growth Strategies & New Market Prioritization, Geopolitical Issues and their Business Impact, Technological Upheaval & Innovation, and many such conversations which can help businesses plan present and future strategies. With big change comes bigger opportunities. However, all opportunities only present themselves within a finite window of actionable time. Timely information and insights from those in the know will be the key differentiator and value-generator of the India Economic Conclave 2018. To register for the event, please log onto www.indiaeconomicconclave.com. The India Economic Conclave 2018 will air on ET NOW, Indias No.1 Business News channel. +2 North Augusta City Council to consider overlay district amendment North Augusta residents could see a change in an overlay district that gradually transitions residential areas to commercial areas soon. +6 North Augusta City Council tables preservation ordinance as emotions run high Tension was thick and emotions were high in the North Augusta City Council chambers Monday night as citizens voiced concerns for about two hou North Augusta Planning Commission reached a tie vote on Thursday at its meeting regarding the Citys Neighborhood Preservation Overlay District. An application from Michael W. Pace, director of Mountaineer Pest Services LLC, asked that the neighborhood preservation boundaries be amended. The amendment would have removed the overlay district from the west side of Georgia Avenue between Briggs Avenue and Maddox Street, where Paces business is located. According to Thomas Zeaser, director of the North Augusta's engineering department, Pace brought a design for a building he desired to construct on his land, but upon a review of the plan, it was noted there were requirements that did not meet the Neighborhood Preservation Overlay District. After going back and forth on options, Zeaser said, they could not see any path forward except to request an amendment to the Neighborhood Preservation Overlay District. Pace said he needed room to grow, and said the neighborhood preservation district did not allow for the demolition of structures on his property, and the setbacks in the neighborhood preservation rules would require him to cut into his existing parking lot. My main focus is to get my business more room, and I cant do it without some kind of change to the code to exempt me from that Neighborhood Preservation Overlay District, Pace said. The land he owns is currently zoned as General Commercial, Pace said, and he just wants to be able to build to the General Commercial standards. I understand the need to preserve parts of North Augusta that are residential that deserve protection," he said. "However, anything thats zoned General Commercial should be exempt from (the overlay) and be allowed to be built to the standard of your zoning, not the lesser." Commissioner Briton Williams made a motion to recommend to North Augusta City Council that the neighborhood preservation overlay be removed from west side of Georgia Avenue from Briggs Avenue to Maddox Street. The motion was seconded by Commissioner JoAnn McKie. Weve got to allow people to have a vision. If were getting ready to have a lot of people that want to come to North Augusta, then weve got to open our door and listen a little bit to what they need to cultivate a business here, McKie said. Williams, McKie and Commissioner Len Carter voted to recommend to North Augusta City Council that they amend the Neighborhood Preservation Overlay. Chairman Chip Burnett and Commissioners Tim Key and Bob Clark voted against recommending that Council amend the overlay district. Burnett and Key both called the proposed change spot zoning. Key said he wants to comply with the rules and not change them without strong reason. Zeaser said since the vote on the motion was a tie, it would be considered a lost motion, but could still be passed on to City Council. The recommendation to Council, Zeaser said, is that the Commission denied the request. A decision on whether to bring plutonium pit production to the Savannah River Site could come as early as May 11, according to testimony before a U.S. Senate Armed Services subcommittee. On Wednesday, the leader of the National Nuclear Security Administration, Lisa Gordon-Hagerty, said a secondary review of potential pit production locations is wrapping up "The engineering analysis that is currently underway is in its final stages" and will be reviewed shortly thereafter. "Draft data," Gordon-Hagerty continued, is already available. Aiken leaders met with NNSA's chief, discussed pit production at SRS Three major players in Aiken-area leadership met with the National Nuclear Security Administration's newly sworn-in leader last Friday. The NNSA is a semiautonomous U.S. Department of Energy agency tasked with maintaining the nation's nuclear weapons and nonproliferation complexes. The NNSA is under orders to produce 80 pits nuclear weapon triggers per year by 2030 to sustain the nation's senescent nuclear armaments. Pits have been produced at the Los Alamos National Laboratory in New Mexico, but no new pits have been made since 2011. A preliminary NNSA analysis of alternatives indicated SRS as a top-two spot to re-establish the national security mission in a "modular" way, to use the words of U.S. Sen. Jack Reed, D-R.I. Reed is a member of the Senate Armed Services strategic forces subcommittee. Gordon-Hagerty said members of SRS, the New Mexican lab and the former Rocky Flats Plant near Denver a pit production site prior to an FBI and Environmental Protection Agency raid are involved in the ongoing data review. Once the NNSA administrator is briefed on the engineering analysis results, she will meet with Ellen Lord, the U.S. Department of Defense's under secretary of defense for acquisition and sustainment. Gordon-Hagerty on Wednesday said she has already made plans to meet with Lord. NNSA analysis of alternatives The National Nuclear Security Administration studied locations for possible plutonium pit production and issued this document in November 2017. Gordon-Hagerty told the strategic forces subcommittee she will, after rendezvousing with Lord, then make her recommendation to the deputy secretary of energy. "We're trying to meet the NDAA guidelines or direction of 11 May," the NNSA leader said. It is unclear if Gordon-Hagerty's recommendation will be published the same day. Pit production at SRS would require a new facility at the Site or the repurposing of the Mixed Oxide Fuel Fabrication Facility, according to the NNSA's 2017 analysis. Approximately 800 longterm jobs are expected to be created if the production mission is brought to the Site. Would you like to receive breaking news notifications from The Post and Courier? Sign up to receive news and updates from this site directly to your desktop. Breaking News Columbia Breaking News Greenville Breaking News Myrtle Beach Breaking News Aiken Breaking News N Augusta Breaking News Click on the bell icon to manage your notifications at any time. Success! Please click the 'Allow' button in the 'Show Notifcations' alert in your browser if one is available. Thank you for signing up! Please enable notifications in your browser and reload the page. AJC - Logo - Main logo_ddn_tag_Site JN with Tagline logo-sns_tag_Site Our apologies, unfortunately our website is currently unavailable in most European countries due to GDPR rules. Prior to becoming Egypt's president, then-Defense Minister Abdel Fattah al-Sisi met July 3, 2013, with representatives of the political forces to agree on the steps to oust President Mohammed Morsi and the Muslim Brotherhood from rule. The meeting was also attended by Sheikh Ahmed el-Tayeb, the grand imam of Al-Azhar, as well as Pope Tawadros II, the pope of Alexandria and patriarch of the See of St. Mark. Despite the overthrow of the Muslim Brotherhood, which is seen by many in Egypt as an anti-civil movement seeking to establish a religious state, religious institutions are still very much present in every strategy or plan set forth by the state, the latest being the strategy of rationalization of water use. On Feb. 6, the Egyptian government set up a governmental committee called the Water Conservation Committee, made up of Minister of Agriculture Abdel Moneim al-Banna, Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation Mohamed Abdel Ati and Minister of Religious Endowments Mohamed Mokhtar Gomaa, to develop a strategy to this effect. In fact, the Ministry of Religious Endowments appeared to be the most involved in the strategys activities and action plans, including the most recent joint workshop between the water program at UNICEF Egypt, the Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation and Egypt's Holding Company for Drinking Water and Sanitation. The workshop called Our Lives in Every Water Drop was held on March 1 in the presence of Ashraf Fahmi, a representative of the Ministry of Religious Endowments; Hassan Khalil, a representative of Al-Azhar; and Matta Zakariah, a representative of the Coptic Orthodox Church. Al-Azhar is seen as a main partner for the Religious Endowments Ministry in the management of the mosques. Al-Azhar graduates and holders of certificates from the institution are the only ones allowed to perform the khutba (public preaching) with the approval of Al-Azhar. Churches are also under the supervision of the Ministry of Religious Endowments. The Ministry of Religious Endowments is responsible for giving licenses for building churches and assigning a certain area for those churches. It is also responsible for paying for the overheads of any house of worship, including water and electricity. Most importantly, the Ministry of Religious Endowments makes sure that religious discourse in any house of worship is not hostile or extreme. The representatives of the religious institutions presented a plan on how to educate and raise awareness among citizens about the importance of water and to encourage people of different religious denominations to preserve water as part of the state rationalization strategy. The UNICEF workshop, however, was part of a series of other actions by the Egyptian religious institutions to promote the water rationalization strategy. In fact, churches, mosques, some of the Religious Endowments departments and Al-Azhar faculties and institutes have been holding seminars and workshops in different parts and governorates of Egypt to promote the importance of rationalization of water use. The Religious Endowments department of Kafr El-Sheikh organized a seminar on March 2, the Church of Mar Girgis in Qena governorate held a seminar on Feb. 21, and Al-Azhar University of Sohag organized two seminars, on Feb. 7 and March 10. The Ministry of Religious Endowments started raising public awareness of the issue even before the formation of the committee. The Friday sermon approved by the ministry and delivered throughout the country's mosques on Jan. 10 was all about the blessing of water and the need to preserve it and rationalize its use and consumption. The Coptic Orthodox Church dedicated the Epiphany sermon Jan. 18 to preach about the proper use of water as part of the plan of encouraging the rationalization of water consumption in coordination with the ministries of Religious Endowments and Water Resources and Irrigation. Fahmi told Al-Monitor, It is only normal for the state to ask the help of the Ministry of Religious Endowments and other religious institutions to be part of its strategy to promote rationalization of water use. First, the Egyptian people whether Christians or Muslims are religious in general. Second, the Ministry of Religious Endowments is involved in all religious matters as it supervises mosques and churches in Egypt. The issue of water, however, is not related to politics or to natural resources only. It is a social issue of paramount importance for the different components of Egyptian society. He said, Every four months, Friday sermons in mosques will be dedicated to address the issue of water and to spread awareness among citizens. This is happening in coordination with the church to take similar actions in the church services." Fahmi added that a protocol of cooperation was signed between the Ministry of Religious Endowments and the ministries of Agriculture and Water Resources and Irrigation, whereby the Ministry of Religious Endowments ought to organize up to 100 seminars on a monthly basis across Egypt to raise public awareness. The seminars are usually instructed by two imams, one from Al-Azhar and the other from the Ministry of Religious Endowments, with the participation of an expert in water resources and irrigation, and sometimes in the presence of an agricultural expert and an expert in environmental sciences. Khalil concurred, telling Al-Monitor, The increasing role of religious institutions in raising citizens awareness does not conflict with the secularity of the state and the independence of decision-making from religious institutions. He added, Raising awareness on social issues is a basic duty of the clergymen." In turn, Zakariah said, Water conservation is a public issue rather than a political one. It is an undisputed matter for all Muslims, Christians, supporters or opponents of the regime. This is the cause of all institutions, including artistic and cultural [institutions], universities, schools, mosques and churches. Khaled Montasser, a secular journalist, appreciated the efforts exerted by the mosques and churches in advocating the water issue. He told Al-Monitor, However, these efforts could still carry the risk of maintaining religious influence over citizens, preventing them from scientific and cultural analyses." He added, Excessive consumption of water resources is harmful and wrong according to scientific evidence. This does not require the opinion or advice of a sheikh or a priest. Therefore, the state must seek to educate future generations to opt for what is scientifically evidenced in scientific issues, without prejudice to the role of religion in their lives. Al-Monitor also contacted Ahmad Ghanem, an opposition political analyst based in the United States, through Facebook. He said, Sisis regime exploits the clergymen in religious endowments, Al-Azhar and the church to mislead Egyptians into thinking that the water crises that will hit Egypt soon are caused by excessive consumption and that the solution is rationalization, he said. These crises will be due to the regimes failure to find a solution to the Renaissance Dam crisis and the impact of the dam on Egypt's Nile water share. Ihab Gibril, the director of the water program at UNICEF Egypt, has a different opinion. He believes each awareness campaign must address the public through the channels preferred by its specific public. He told Al-Monitor, The Egyptian people may prefer awareness campaigns through religious channels rather than the media. Several media campaigns in the 90s and the beginning of the 2000s proved to be useless. I am a dependent filmmaker. I am a man of the system. I thank Owj [Arts and Media] Organization. They work hard and deserve the title of The unknown soldiers of Imam Mahdi. I am honored to have made a film for the defenders of the shrine [Iranian-led soldiers in Syria]. I am proud to have received an award from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps [IRGC] and Maj. Gen. Qasem Soleimani for making this film. Iranian director Ebrahim Hatamikia made these comments at the 36th International Fajr Film Festival in Tehran last month. During the event, Hatamikia received the award for best director as well as best music and best sound mix for his film Damascus Time. The movie narrates the story of two Iranian pilots who are on a mission to save the people of the Syrian city of Palmyra from the Islamic State by transporting them to Damascus. The movie has been praised by prominent Iranians, including Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, who hailed it as a "masterpiece," and IRGC Quds Force commander Soleimani, who kissed Hatamikia on the forehead after seeing the film. Damascus Time was made with the financial support of Owj Arts and Media Organization, which was set up as a nongovernmental organization in the spring of 2011. In recent years, Owj has played a prominent role in Iranian cinematic and television productions. However, there has been constant speculation about the source of its funding. Owj took part in this years Fajr Film Festival with three movies, with the production costs of all three estimated at around 150 billion rials ($4 million). An Iranian cinematic source, who goes by the alias Pouya and has a history of collaborating with Owj, told Al-Monitor, Everyone knows that Owj is funded by the IRGC. The IRGC gets its budget from the government. The nature of this funding is no different from what is given to other organizations for producing films. The reality is that Irans cinema is ultimately a government-owned business. At a September 2013 press conference, Owj Director Ehsan Mohammad-Hassani said the organization received support from all governmental and nongovernmental organizations and did not have any obligations toward any of the organizations that supported it. On Feb. 17, during the closing ceremonies of the 7th Qoqnus Screen Awards, which honors revolutionary films, Mohammad-Hassani praised Hatamikia for his remarks at Fajr and said, I am proud to get the money for our productions from the IRGC." He added, We are proud of not having to ask foreign embassies for money to make our films. Mohammad-Hassani is believed to have been alluding to The Salesman, a film by Iranian director Asghar Farhadi, which received part of its funding from the Doha Film Festival, an institute in Qatar. Implicit in Mohammad-Hassani's comments is that Qatar has provided support to hard-line Sunni Islamist groups that predominantly Shiite Iran has faced in Syria. Hatamikias comments at Fajr also sparked various debates in Iranian media and social networks regarding independent versus state-owned cinema, sources of funding and the IRGCs role in Irans film industry. In a statement issued Feb. 13, IRGC commander Maj. Gen. Mohammad Ali Jafari praised Hatamikias allegiance to the Islamic Republic and said, The IRGC has a responsibility to support any pure attempts in this path and aid the link between those fighting for jihad and martyrdom and activists in the field of arts and culture. Owjs website describes the organizations primary mission as strategic policymaking in producing art that has an Islamic revolutionary discourse. These productions have included the making of films, TV series and animations as well as holding exhibitions, launching cafes and mobile cinemas, publishing books and hosting poetry nights. At an Aug. 7 press conference, Mohammad-Hassani described the activities of Owj and said, Finding ideas is part of our efforts and attracting funds for implementing those ideas is another part. This is like a jihad. We have no clear budget. We find ideas and direct all our efforts into it. Owj initially became a well-known name in Iranian media outlets in November 2013, as the nuclear negotiations between Iran and the six world powers started to intensify. At the time, billboards and banners that opposed the nuclear talks and discouraged any trust in the United States could be seen around Tehran, bearing the Owj logo. Figures released by Mohammad-Hassani show that during Owjs six years of activity, 11,000 works have been produced in collaboration with 2,600 artists. These include 700 documentaries as well as 11 cinematic and 400 motion graphic creations. The Owj director says content has always been the main focus of these productions. According to Mohammad-Hassani, Owj will produce 12 cinematic pieces next year with some surprising names joining its list of directors. Filmmaker Bahram Tavakoli, who is known as an independent filmmaker, already surprised Irans cinema community after taking part in this year's Fajr Film Festival with the movie The Abu Ghraib Strait, a war genre movie funded by Owj. The film, which has been praised by movie critics, won six awards, including best film and best director (along with Hatamikia) at Fajr. In a press conference for his film, Tavakoli responded to reporters questions about his cooperation with government organizations and said, In Iran, there is no such thing as independent cinema. However, some members of the cinema community responded by saying they had not received government support for their productions. Pouya says insufficient private funding is one reason why the cinema community works with Owj. He told Al-Monitor, Owj belongs to a movement which has influence, power and financial resources. For instance, a director who wants to make a war genre movie should get resources from the IRGC. The holy defense cinema town [a 550-hectare (1,360-acre) location near Tehran used for making war and historical movies] belongs to the IRGC. All military equipment is in possession of the IRGC. The existence of arts and media organizations that receive all or part of their finances from public funds is not uncommon in Iran. The Farabi Cinema Foundation, the Art Institute and several other government or government-affiliated organizations are the primary investors in Irans cinema. However, what has made the financial situation of Owj challenging is the material and spiritual support it receives from a military entity. The question is whether or not it is proper for the IRGC to finance Irans cinema. No, it is not right," Pouya told Al-Monitor. "Because it is a military organization and its activities should remain in the military arena. But in the current situation there is nothing that can be done. I think there is no problem as long as it allows other groups to make films, too. In response, one can be passive and do nothing or one can accept the situation as the existing reality and work toward gradual reform. The Iraqi parliament voted March 5 on the National Oil Company draft law, which regulates oil production and exports and fairly distributes its revenues to the different regions of Iraq. The clauses of the law stipulate that a percentage of oil imports be divided to Iraqis residing in the country as well as the Kurds in Iraq's Kurdistan Region if authorities in the region agree on delivering the oil production from their fields to the Oil Marketing Company (SOMO). Historically, the law forming the Iraq National Oil Company was first issued in 1964 in order to develop oil production from exploration and drilling for oil and natural hydrocarbons to the manufacturing of products. Oil was nationalized in 1972, and foreign company investing was excluded. In April 1987, Iraq decided to merge the company with the Ministry of Oil. SOMO has continued to run the oil transfer and sales operations since its founding in 1998. On March 5, Iraqi Minister of Oil Jabbar al-Luaibi described the vote on the draft law as a historic decision. In fact, according to oil expert and general director of the Iraqi Oil Ministry Hamza al-Jawahiri, who participated in drafting the law, It will allow Iraq to develop fields, refineries and production plants through the efforts of local companies owned by the state. This would guarantee full sovereignty over the wealth of resources and give Iraq independence from relying on the services of foreign companies. On the administrative and organizational levels, Jawahiri said, The decision will reduce the burdens imposed on the Ministry of Oil, especially in terms of extraction projects that have previously drained the ministrys efforts. This is why it was necessary to boost the work of the ministry by bringing back the National Oil Company, which was suspended under the administration of late President Saddam Hussein. Jawahiri pointed out another major benefit of the project. The ministry and SOMO will not coincide with the oil company, which will independently exercise its work. So when the company faces obstacles in times of crises and conflicts like freezing its movable and immovable assets through international judicial provisions, the ministry and SOMO would not be affected. This is important since SOMOs marketing is vital for Iraqs economy and must be kept far from the issues of the national company," he said. When it comes to the expected benefits from passing the draft law for the company, member of the parliamentarian oil and energy committee Zaher al-Abadi told Al-Monitor, The draft law will place the oil production from extraction to exports and manufacturing in Iraqi hands, provided that the company is run from a professional and modern perspective. Abadi added, The Iraqi staff is capable of achieving that after having been marginalized since 2003 when foreign companies received all the opportunities. Abadi confirmed that the project "will be an achievement in terms of improving income per capita. The Iraqi people will have a 10% share of the oil revenue. He said that citizens' shares will be placed in a bank account. But Jawahiri does not believe this will benefit Iraqi citizens; he thinks that the decision to guarantee the citizens share is nothing but a political and electoral campaign. By doing so, the parliament is being reckless with funds because it is making the company responsible for public funds, which is actually one of the sovereign tasks of the ministries. Jawahiri justifies his point of view by asking, In what ways would granting citizens a share with a value that at best would barely reach $50 per year help, knowing that this would lead to reducing the capital needed for the company to invest in developing its techniques and work? He also criticized the companys suggestion when it comes to the partnership with Iraqi Kurdistan. He said, Its strange that the project has completely ignored the issue of oil in the region or the way the company would be handling former and current oil contracts signed by the region. It is as if the region is not part of Iraq, which conflicts with the constitution. He pointed out that the details regarding the oil contracts of the region and the exploration and drilling operations should be clearly stated in the law. According to Jawahiri, this probably explains the reason why the Kurdish components voted for the establishment of the company. Jawahiri said that any possible amendment to the law that would put Iraqi Kurdistan outside the scope of the companys work would "beat the point of the project to control all of Iraqs oil. Ministry of Oil spokesman Assem Jihad told Al-Monitor that the national company is "independent and has a separate administrative board; therefore, it is not involved in the administrative routine and political disputes. The ministrys task is planning and follow-up. Jihad added, The project allows [the people to benefit] from the Iraqi experience and [provides] jobs for the unemployed. He remarked upon the project's "importance in the oil market to improve and [rise] up to the level of international refineries, and to attract techniques and advanced excavation and production methods." The companys project must be kept far from political, sectarian and national disputes, and it must enjoy complete independence that would allow it to occupy an advanced position among big international companies. Apart from the companys economic importance, the project also has a moral value. Iraq, which is fifth in global oil reserves, is in dire need of a national company that has high technical and administrative capacities and can stay abreast of developments and techniques, away from the governments routine just like Saudi Aramco, for instance. The crisis over mandatory military service by ultra-Orthodox men that almost tore apart the ruling coalition this month caught Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu unprepared. He was not the only one. Ultra-Orthodox Knesset members, chief among them Deputy Health Minister Yaakov Litzman of Yahadut HaTorah, or United Torah Judaism (UTJ), were also surprised. Acting on instructions from Rabbi Yaakov Aryeh Alter, the head of the Ger Hasidic court, Litzman was forced to hand Netanyahu an ultimatum over a proposed bill lifting criminal sanctions against yeshiva students refusing to enlist for compulsory military service. Litzman threatened that if the new draft bill failed to pass, his party would block the 2019 budget. Until a year ago, Litzman had been the sole spokesman on political matters for the largest and most influential Hasidic sect in Israel and a close confidant of its leader, the Ger rabbi. His opponents in the sect, however, found the politician's soft spot and hit it with the conscription bill ultimatum. Two main political factions represent Israels ultra-Orthodox citizenry. One is the double-headed UTJ faction, a union of Agudat Yisrael, representing Hasidic Jews, and the Degel HaTorah, representing the so-called Lithuanian wing of non-Hasidic Jews, and the other is Shas, which represents ultra-Orthodox Sephardi Jews, who mostly hail from Arab states. Shas generally toes the UTJ line on issues of state and religion, but it is considered more moderate and usually negotiates compromises between UTJ and the five other parties in the governing coalition. The ultra-Orthodox politicians receive their marching orders from the Councils of Torah Sages each party or stream has its own rabbi council which make fundamental decisions on matters of principle. The 2013 death of Rabbi Ovadia Yosef, the Shas founder and longtime leader, greatly diminished the power of that party's rabbi council. The supreme council of Degel HaTorah was similarly affected by the death in 2012 of Rabbi Shalom Elyashiv, after which the so-called Jerusalem sect refused to submit to the authority of Elyashivs successor, Rabbi Aharon Steinman, and broke from the party. Steinman died three months ago, and there is currently no heir of significantly high religious authority. Agudat Yisrael's Council of Sages consists of the chief rabbis of the various Hasidic courts comprising the party, and what matters there is size. Thus, Litzmans Ger court, the biggest one, dominates the party. Litzman is a seasoned politician. He has been around the Knesset since the 1980s, serving as an aide to ultra-Orthodox politicians Avraham Shapira and Moshe Feldman. In 1999, he was elected to the Knesset, and in 2001 he had already become head of the powerful Finance Committee. Together with his colleague Moshe Gafni from Degel HaTorah, he managed the affairs of the ultra-Orthodox regarding the government and the Knesset. In 2009, Litzman was appointed to head the Ministry of Health, but for religious reasons, he held the position officially as deputy minister of health. For years, the ultra-Orthodox had preferred such an arrangement to avoid having responsibility for the secular state. In August 2015, following a Supreme Court petition by the anti-clerical Yesh Atid seeking to abolish these pretend deputy posts, which had only been created to appease the ultra-Orthodox, Litzman made history by becoming health minister, the first ultra-Orthodox politician to serve as a full-fledged government minister. Earlier this year, the Knesset passed legislation allowing Litzman to again lead the ministry as deputy minister but with ministerial authority. Litzman is a close Netanyahu ally. In the fall of 2015, he informed the prime minister of a coup plot by Yesh Atid Chair Yair Lapid, who served at the time as finance minister in the government, which did not include the ultra-Orthodox. A Lapid associate suggested that Litzman help overthrow Netanyahu and subsequently join Lapid in forming a government. The ensuing political crisis was unavoidable. Netanyahu called early elections, after which the ultra-Orthodox parties were the first to enter the government coalition. Litzman and Netanyahu usually found a way to overcome disagreements and avoid crises through dialogue. Nonetheless, the two occasionally found themselves at odds, often when the ultra-Orthodox media raised controversial issues and demanded action. Such was the case in summer 2016, when the ultra-Orthodox parties, under pressure from their communities websites, withdrew from agreements they had reached with Netanyahu behind the scenes over prayer arrangements at the Western Wall, Judaisms holiest site. When the next crisis erupted, over maintenance work on the Sabbath by the state-owned rail company, Litzman became a direct casualty. In November 2017, the ultra-Orthodox website Behadrei Haredim documented work being done on the railway on the Sabbath, despite a coalition agreement that only emergency repairs would be conducted on the Jewish day of rest. The information was brought to the attention of the Ger rabbi before Litzman had briefed him, and his opponents leaked reports that the rabbi was furious with him. A source involved in the Ger court said that since that affair, the rabbi has never fully trusted Litzman and also has the ear of his opponents, including Hanoch Zeibart, the mayor of the ultra-Orthodox town of Bnei Brak, Jerusalem City Council member Yohanan Weitzman and other wheelers and dealers of the Hasidic sect. According to the source, who spoke with Al-Monitor on the condition of anonymity, Litzmans opponents kept the Ger rabbi abreast of the increasing number of reports emerging in February about the criminal investigations into Netanyahu. They expressed concern that the government would not see out its term and therefore would not have time to pass the ultra-Orthodox draft exemptions law, one of their major issues. Netanyahu promised Litzman and Gafni that the proposed bill, which the Supreme Court struck down in 2017, would be revised this year. Defense Minister Avigdor Liberman, chair of the largely secular Israel Beitenu, however, also sensed that elections might be near and declared that he would oppose the version being promoted by the ultra-Orthodox. Litzmans opponents took advantage of the concern over Libermans threats and convinced the Ger rabbi that the bill had to be pushed through quickly. Contrary to the policy of ultra-Orthodox politicians, the rabbi ordered a head-on confrontation. After issuing an initial ultimatum opposing the 2019 budget unless the military draft bill passed a preliminary Knesset vote Litzman projected an even tougher stance and demanded final Knesset passage in return for supporting the budget. The crisis lasted almost two weeks, until Netanyahu saved the day with a compromise, Litzman took a slight step back from the brink and the Knesset adopted the bill in a preliminary vote. Until the proposed legislation wins final passage, however, the ultra-Orthodox cannot boast of a real achievement. At this point, Liberman still opposes the bill, which makes final approval a complex task. The reasons behind the eruption of this political crisis, and the way it has been handled, reflect the divisions among the ultra-Orthodox parties and a leadership crisis. This is likely to affect the next coalition clash, and there is no certainty that even an experienced politician like Netanyahu will manage to resolve it. The weakening of Netanyahus ultra-Orthodox allies, chief among them Litzman, signals growing friction over issues of religion and state in Israel. Knesset member Orly Levy-Abekasis announced the establishment of a new party March 6. Opinion polls published in the days that followed were flattering, and it seems that the old, established parties with strong social platforms have reason to be worried. True, her latest achievement exists only on paper, but the recent Hadashot poll that awarded her new party five seats is telling. Intriguingly, the poll gave her more support than the leader of her former party Yisrael Beitenu, Defense Minister Avigdor Liberman. The poll gave him only four seats, meaning that he could find himself below the threshold and out of the Knesset in the next election. Levy-Abekasis left Yisrael Beitenu in a huff in May 2016, when she was excluded from negotiations with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that eventually put Liberman in the Defense Ministry. Liberman also decided not to make Levy-Abekasis a minister even though she was second on his list and a highly regarded Knesset member in her own right with an impressive record of social legislation. No less interesting than the emerging battle between Liberman and his former protege is the way that this young Knesset member, who focuses on social issues such as public housing and the rights of women and children, has surpassed both the current defense minister and a former one, Moshe Yaalon. According to the poll, Yaalon, who is also trying to form a new party, would not meet the electoral threshold. Also trailing behind her is the chairman of Shas, Interior Minister Aryeh Deri, who was also given just four seats and is teetering on the electoral threshold. Another man who could suffer from Levy-Abekasis momentum is the chairman of Kulanu, Finance Minister Moshe Kahlon. Though Kahlon was once branded as a powerful social warrior, the most recent poll gives him only six seats, almost half of what he won in the last election. At first glance, Kahlon and Levy-Abekasis seem to check all the same boxes. They both come from Mizrahi families, they both grew up in the periphery and they were both raised in Likud homes. They both have a clear social agenda. But his years as finance minister have worn away much of Kahlons appeal, while Levy-Abekasis new party seems like a breath of fresh air in the next election. She is an articulate woman, a social warrior with a record of success, and she has public and media appeal. She will have many advantages in the important new media platforms. A major boost for Levy-Abekasis emerging campaign came in the form of an announcement from the office of Education Minister Naftali Bennett on the evening of March 15 that the Israel Prize for Lifetime Achievement would be awarded to her father, former Foreign Minister David Levy. Bennett and the award committee wrote, David Levys personal story is the story of a boy who immigrated to Israel from Rabat, Morocco, to a transit camp and then a development town, and from there jumped to the heart of public and social activity within the melting pot of Israeli society. They went on to call Levy a social fighter for the weaker sectors of the population, a workers leader and a representative of the development towns and the periphery. Levy-Abekasis is the ninth of Levys 12 children and the second with a career in national politics. Her elder brother Jackie Levy now serves as the Likuds deputy minister of housing. Public sentiment toward her should warm further when her father is given that prestigious award on Independence Day. It will certainly boost her brand as a social warrior. After all, she is the daughter of a trailblazer who shattered the glass ceiling for Mizrahim in national politics. When Levy-Abekasis announced that she was founding a new party with a social and civil platform at the Sderot conference earlier this month, it should have come as no surprise. She had been laying the groundwork for a year and a half. Throughout that time, established and new parties invited her to join their ranks, including an attempt by Yaalon to include her in his new party. Instead, Levy-Abekasis decided to go for it on her own. Why is it legitimate to have a former model serve as finance minister and manage the state budget one minute after he decided to run for Knesset? she asked at the Sderot conference in a stinging reference to former Finance Minister Yair Lapid. But when I get up after nine years in politics, after everything Ive done, and announce time after time that I will be forming my own party, journalists still insist on asking me which party I will be joining. Whats not clear? I am forming a new party, I will head it, and I will represent the public without bias. She went on, When I look at the candidates we have now, Im forced to admit that they are all rather similar. Have you noticed that they are all friends with one another? There are very few women heads of Israeli political parties. Even fewer have founded new ones. What should make Levy-Abekasis a rising political force is her potential to draw a diverse group of supporters, including women, Mizrahim, residents of the periphery and voters with a strong social agenda. Before every election in Israel, there is a large number of undecided voters. As a highly regarded and active politician untainted by scandal, Levy-Abekasis could attract these voters, too. She could also steal votes from parties like Yesh Atid, the Zionist Camp and of course, Kahlons Kulanu and Shas, whose chairman vowed to fight for the invisible sectors of the population but who, according to the most recent polls, may not even pass the electoral threshold. While Shas is an ultra-Orthodox party, it also has a voter base of Mizrahi women who could end up supporting Levy-Abekasis. It is actually Libermans base with which she has the least in common, since his hardcore supporters are Russian immigrants. In an interview the day after the polls findings were released, Abekasis seemed confident that she could win even more seats in the next election than the poll predicted. She said that shes going for a big win. Her parliamentary activity never included diplomatic issues, even when she was part of the right-wing Yisrael Beitenu. When asked about her foreign policy positions, she presented a moderate line on the Palestinian issue, though overall, she always preferred to focus on social rights and other civil issues as her primary ideological concern. The 44-year-old mother of four represents a changing of the guard in Israeli politics that places her alongside other prominent political figures like Bennett, Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked and the new chairman of the Labor Party, Avi Gabbay. Assuming she succeeds in gaining supporters, she has a good chance of becoming a minister in the next government. She may even hold the balance of power. When you have kids, you live in constant fear of the future, says Katya Traboulsi, seated in the spacious underground exhibition hall of the Saleh Barakat Gallery in Beirut. Behind her are 47 sculptures. Each is made from different materials and decorated in a unique style, but all of them share the same basic shape: They are modeled on the bombshells that razed swaths of Beiruts urban fabric to the ground during the horrific civil war that formed the backdrop to Traboulsis teenage years. Since the First World War, the Second World War and whats happening now [in Syria], were not learning, Traboulsi laments. We need to be at war. We need to destroy the other. Why? Were all the same. We all have blood and bodies and fear and emotions. Its just physical appearance and geography that create different identities. Geography, borders and nationalism are at the heart of Traboulsi's exhibition. Titled Perpetual Identities, it explores the relationship between conflict, culture and identity. Each of the 47 sculptures on show is designed to represent the culture of a different country, highlighting the value of cultural identity while also serving as a warning about the dangers of nationalism and fear of the other. The artist was spurred to begin work on the project, which has taken almost four years from conception to exhibition, by the ongoing conflict in Syria, which caused her to question whether human beings are capable of living in peace. We have beautiful identities that Im celebrating to show that we can enrich each other instead of destroying each other. The object of destruction that I grew up with becomes an object of life, of history, of art, she says. Traboulsi selected 46 countries to represent, spanning five continents. Lebanon, exceptionally, is represented twice. One sculpture is made of carved cedar wood and features a motif of men in rowing boats, inspired by the seafaring Phoenicians who established settlements in Byblos, Tyre and Sidon more than 3,000 years ago. The second is covered with a colorful collage made up of the logos of the 18 Lebanese political parties in the wake of the civil war. Lebanon was a very difficult piece to execute because I didnt know what our identity really is today, Traboulsi says. I was asking Lebanese people around me, What is our identity? and they were all looking at me with empty eyes: Err tabbouleh? Hummus? [We have] no identity really, because of the war. We are defined by the war, outside and inside. Its been 30 years since the war and we still talk about it. She has also defined several other countries by a history of conflict. Her Palestine sculpture is covered with metal keys, representing the house keys often passed down from one generation to the next among refugee families who fled Palestine in 1948 and were never able to return home. For Germany, meanwhile, Traboulsi chose to ring the central bomb shape with sections of concrete, covered with graffiti and topped with barbed wire, to represent the Berlin Wall. Unlike the Palestinian piece, which tells the story of a conflict without resolution, the German piece evokes the moment the wall came down, an enduring symbol of triumph and reunion. Other pieces are more light-hearted. Traboulsis evocation of America is a collage made of fragments of pop art, dollar bills, and iconic comic book and Disney characters from Batman to Mickey Mouse. America is a new country. How do I know America? I know it for the pop art, for the music, for the lightness of this fun, plastic side. The American dream, she says. One of the most interesting aspects of the exhibition, however, is how many of the sculptures are rooted in cultures that preceded the existence of the modern nation-state they have come to represent. For Mexico and Peru, Traboulsi chose to focus on ancient civilizations, representing Mexico through a wooden sculpture inspired by Mayan artwork dating back to the 10th century B.C. and Peru through another carved wooden piece based on huaco, pottery crafted by the ancient Huari, Nazca and Moche people in the first millennium. The extent to which any modern nation can claim ownership of ancient cultures is one of the interesting questions raised by the show. Clashes of culture are also evoked in her choice to represent Canada through a painted wooden totem inspired by indigenous Canadian culture and Australia through Aboriginal dot painting. By choosing to highlight identities under threat, she draws attention to the damage done by colonialism and the tendency of nation-states to prioritize internal homogeny, threatening minority cultural practices. The traditional cultural practices used to represent the Arab states intricate metalwork for Morocco, wood inlaid with glimmering mother-of-pearl for Syria, painted ceramics for Tunisia each belongs to a region that does not correspond to modern borders, the result of the carving up of colonial empires. For Nigeria, she has created an intricate beadwork sculpture of a bird the Yoruba emblem of the kings role as intermediary between his subjects and the gods honoring a culture that spans three modern nations. Traboulsi doesnt appear to have made these choices as a conscious commentary on colonial legacies or the ideology and politics of the modern nation-state, explaining that her aim is not to dwell on the past but to highlight the risk of further conflict in the future. But she is very aware that the concept of cultural identity is a double-edged sword. It can be a wonderful thing, she says. But without borders, I believe that it would have been a source of enrichment more than separation. Perpetual Identities is a complex exhibition that raises many questions about culture and ownership, belonging, nationhood and conflict. In celebrating the cultural heritage that is so often a casualty of war, Traboulsi underscores the value of individuality while at the same time raising questions about the dangers of national identity, which leverages culture to engineer a sense of belonging that excludes outsiders, fostering enmity and division. Traboulsis sculptures tell a story of creativity and destruction going back centuries, conjuring the ghosts of civilizations that rose only to fall, leaving nothing behind but artifacts and ruins. At the same time, they celebrate the sheer beauty to be found in diversity, highlighting the importance of fostering cultural exchange rather than conflict. A Turkish prosecutor is seeking up to 35 years in jail for Andrew Brunson, the American pastor at the heart of a bitter diplomatic spat between Ankara and Washington. Held on terror-related charges since October 2016, Brunson has seemingly become a bargaining chip, with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan suggesting last year that the pastor could go home if Washington extradited Fethullah Gulen, the Pennsylvania-based preacher accused of masterminding the July 15, 2016, coup attempt. According to media reports, a prosecutor in the western city of Izmir where Brunson is held has finally drawn up an indictment against the 50-year-old, who has been based in Turkey for more than two decades. Brunson pastored the Resurrection Church in Izmir, where he lived with his family as part of a tiny Protestant community. Neither Brunson nor his lawyer has seen the indictment yet, though it was leaked to the media this week. Speaking to Al-Monitor, Brunson's lawyer Ismail Cem Halavurt deplored that the leaking of the indictment before the parties have seen it amounts to a violation of confidentiality. Soner Tufan, the spokesman of the Association of Protestant Churches in Turkey, said, We have failed to obtain the indictment thus far. We dont know what exactly the charges are. Brunson's wife is said to be disappointed, upset and anxious after the news of the indictment. At the same time, she is somewhat relieved, for the judicial process seems to be finally moving after stagnating for months. Though the details of the charges remain ambiguous, Brunsons interrogation by prosecutors provides some insight into the case. According to Halavurt, the accusations rest on the testimony of a secret witness, with two issues standing out. The first is a claim by the secret witness that Brunson met frequently with Bekir Baz, who is said to be the person responsible for the Aegean region in the Fethullah Gulen Terror Organization (FETO), the term used in Turkey to refer to the Gulen community. The Gulen community was once a main ally of the ruling Justice and Development Party until several years ago when they had a falling out. Brunson has told the prosecutor he does not know a person named Bekir Baz and has not met with any FETO member knowingly or willingly. Another accusation stems from a meeting between Brunson and lawyer Taner Kilic, the jailed head of Amnesty International in Turkey. Before his incarceration, Brunson and his wife were sent to a deportation center in Izmir on Oct. 7, 2016, pending expulsion from Turkey. At that time, he met for legal counsel with Kilic, who specializes in immigration issues. Kilic himself landed behind bars in June 2017, also on charges of collaboration with FETO, and international human rights groups continue to call for his release. Brunsons meeting with Kilic for legal counsel is now considered incriminatory evidence against him. Pro-government papers claim that Brunson was involved in Gulens project on interfaith dialogue. Halavurt, however, denies that Brunson attended the meeting, stressing that witnesses have also debunked the prosecutions claims to that effect. The prosecution is seeking up to 35 years in prison for Brunson on charges of espionage and committing crimes on behalf of FETO without being a member of the group. For Tufan, the charges are outrageous. This is an eclipse of reason, he told Al-Monitor. To claim that Andrew was a FETO executive and sought to destroy this country is like an insult and offense to reason. Who would believe such a thing? He has spent an important part of his life trying to stay in this country, telling about Jesus in all his sermons and works. How could such a person be the member or the executive of an Islamic order? According to Tufan, Brunson said in his testimony to the prosecution, I am a Christian clergyman and have no links to any Islamic order. I love God, and I am trying to tell people about God in appropriate conditions." Tufan added, And thats the person we know." Tufan believes that Brunson is being used as a bargaining chip between Erdogan and US President Donald Trump and remains in prison for political reasons only. Asked whether the pastor is a kind of a hostage, Halavurt said, As a lawyer, I cannot make such a comment. The core problem pertains to Turkeys judicial system. The issue of holding people hostage and threatening their personal freedom and security we have seen this in the case of the German journalist [Deniz Yucel]. Unfortunately, certain political forces are involved in this matter. According to Halavurt, Brunson is very disturbed about being embroiled in a political spat. Referring to a recent meeting with his client, the lawyer said, Brunson does not understand these political polemics. He says that as a clergyman, he wants to keep himself out of this. He is irked that his name has become the subject of political polemics and believes that the United States and Turkey should not draw conclusions based on his situation. The pastor is in good physical health but not well at all psychologically, Halavurt said. He wants to be a free person again as soon as possible. The details of the charges remain off limits to Brunsons defense, and his family tries to follow the judicial process via the media. Despite the many setbacks, the small Protestant community in Turkey still hopes for justice to prevail. Beyond Brunsons personal plight, the case marks an important stage in the grievances of the Protestant community. The American pastor has not been alone in the crosshairs of the Turkish authorities. In its 2017 rights violation report, the Association of Protestant Churches lays out a long list of arbitrary moves targeting its members. In March 2017, for instance, Shinhyung Kang, a South Korean pastor in Izmir, faced deportation for serving illegally as a clergyman. According to the report, many other Protestants of foreign nationality in Izmir, Istanbul, Mersin, Gaziantep, Trabzon, Erzurum and Bursa faced deportation or were denied renewal of their residence permits. Coupled with Brunson's arrest, the deportations and the denial of residence permits led to serious anxiety, especially among foreign church members and leaders, and some of them left Turkey of their own volition along with their families, the report says. Beyond the paradox of celebrating a bygone Islamic civilization at the height of Islamophobia in the United States. The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York has just opened a magnificent exhibition of Islamic art of the Seljuqid period. That sentence would or should probably cause a double-take for right at the artistic and intellectual heartland of this beleaguered empire, Americans are celebrating one of the highest summits of Islamic civilization at a time when US Muslims are subject to one of the ugliest phases of Islamophobia in their recent history. Court and Cosmos: The Great Age of the Seljuqs (April 27 to July 24, Metropolitan Museum of Art, Iris and B Gerald Cantor Exhibition Hall) is curated with admirable care, competence, and grace. Along with the exhibition, scholars affiliated with the Met have published a beautifully edited volume under the same title, with insightful essays by the leading social and art historians. Approximately 270 objects, as the curators of this rare exhibition explain, including ceramics, glass, stucco, works on paper, woodwork, textiles, and metalwork from American, European, and Middle Eastern public and private collections are shown. Both the gracefully lit and curated exhibition galleries and the chapters of the accompanying volume address such aspects of the Seljuqid culture and civilization as the vast range of the their empire, their courtly lives, the state of science, medicine, technology, and other sciences, as well as their state of literary and religious scholarship, and finally their funerary arts. Museum as cultural haven It is hard to believe that you step out of the busy streets of Manhattan, now heavily overshadowed by the fearsome xenophobic rhetoric of the Republican candidates, and especially that of their now presumptive nominee Donald Trump, and walk into a succession of adjacent galleries so carefully and competently devoted to celebrating a crucial period in Islamic civilization. ALSO READ: Once upon a time in the cosmopolitan east But lo and behold! The Empire may go around the world and wreak havoc on it, but at its republican heart it needs to stage the relics of the vanquished. The relics of this once magnificent, now all but forgotten, empire exhibited at the heart of this empire are uncanny. Equally unsettling is when we look at a number of stucco figures, sitting gracefully or else standing with towering power and authority, that we can only imagine them in a similar museum in Iraq or Syrian destroyed on camera by the barbarian cannibals of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) group, plundering the priceless heritage of nations and selling them on black market to finance their malignant maladies. What is it that you see when you enter this exhibition at one of the finest cultural institutions in the US? You see statues of emperors and other royal dignities of the Seljuqid Empire (1037-1194) as they went about conquering and ruling over more than half of the civilized world, from the Mediterranean Sea to China. You see utterly exquisite manuscripts of books on history, astronomy, medicine, you see decorative ceramics and chinaware, you see remnants and relics of magnificent palaces and mosques and citadels. You go through these calm, quiet, and delightfully lit galleries and you wonder. Relics and empires The relics of this once magnificent, now all but forgotten, empire exhibited at the heart of this empire are uncanny. Scene from the manuscript of the poem, the Romance of Varqa and Gulshah, paintings by Khuwayyi 1250AD Konya, Turkey. [Getty] Beyond the paradox of celebrating a bygone Islamic civilization at the height of Islamophobia stands another paradox: Ruins as the site and citation of memorial remembrances. The 12th century Persian poet Khaqani (1121-1190) has an iconic Qasideh that he composed after he visited the ruins of Taq-i Kisra (Iwan-e Madain), a derelict ruin of the ancient city of Ctesiphon, the capital of the Sassanian Empire (224651), before their collapse following the Arab conquest of the 7th Century. Khaqani uses this visit to warn and admonish the kings and princes of his own time, asking them to ponder the lesson that these ruins of once a mighty empire contain: Oh heart that can still learnest: Learn from what thou seest Behold the Ivan-e Madain As if looking into a pensive mirror He continues to look at Euphrates as if a river of tears had flowed from the calamity that happened to that once magnificent city. All the palaces of tyrants one day will come to ruins, he assures his patrons and readers, just like these remnants of the Ctesiphon. Will they behold and learn? Khaqani then goes through the whole gamut of kings and conquerors one dynasty after another passing through such palaces and yet now dead and forgotten. He asks the current rulers of the world to dismount their horses and elephants and prostrate on those ruins and learn the lesson of history. That earth has swallowed so many tyrants and yet it is still insatiable and will devour even more world conquerors. ALSO READ: Iran and Saudi Arabia: The art of Islamic tolerance Today a poor man may ask the Sultan for some help And tomorrow the same Sultan may ask a poor man for help! Horses for Humvees Generations and centuries have passed since the time Khaqani visited Taq-e Kisra and composed his unforgettable poem. Today those ruins are either viciously destroyed as the ISIL did in Palmyra or else carefully and competently curated in museums like this one at the Met. But the lesson they contain is not much different from those offered by Khaqani. Those horses might now have been traded for Humvees, and those marching armies for drones and submarines. But the wisdom of Khaqani persists. When in the company of a friend I visited the exhibition on the morning of May 5, scarce a single other soul was there in these serene and soulful galleries. We wondered from one room to another, a few hapless guards looking at us unsuspectedly. We looked at one manuscript here and stood in front of a statue there. Outside these galleries, the rest of the museum was abuzz with guided tours, schoolchildren and their teachers, and haphazard New Yorkers and tourists. Outside the museum the heavy shadow of a new presidential election dominated the sense of the city and the mood of the country at large. We walked out of the celebrated ruins of an old empire and stepped into the self-forgetful hussle-bussle of another. Hamid Dabashi is Hagop Kevorkian Professor of Iranian Studies and Comparative Literature at Columbia University in New York. The views expressed in this article are the authors own and do not necessarily reflect Al Jazeeras editorial policy. The Zionist narrative should not be allowed to shape and dominate the discussion on Palestine. Nada Elia holds no punches. A principled activist and an accomplished academic, she writes with honesty and vigour. As I embarked on a worldwide speaking tour, an article she wrote two years ago was present in my mind. Entitled, No More Mr Nice Guy: White Male Israeli Activists Exploiting Palestine Solidarity, the article details a degree of exploitation of Palestinian solidarity by ex-Zionist intellectuals, who seek high fees and special treatment when they travel the world talking about their moral awakening and ideological conversion. Indeed, some of these nice guys generate so much income that they turned solidarity into thriving careers. For the record, I dont seek honoraria myself, and if/when honoraria are available due to the rules of certain academic or research institutes, I request the money be sent to a charity that works to empower Palestinian communities at home. It is the matter of principle. Money has corrupted the Palestinian cause. Donors money, billions of dollars received by the Palestinian Authority (PA) in Ramallah has turned a revolution and a national liberation project into a massive investment with many benefactors and many beneficiaries. Most Palestinians, however, remain poor. Unemployment is skyrocketing. With the billions raked in by the corrupt PA since its founding in 1994, most Palestinians in the Occupied Territories still live in dire economic uncertainty. Women are hit hardest. A recent report by Al Jazeeras Harry Fawcett speaks of a depressing reality in the West Bank that effects women in particular. While 13 percent of all Palestinian women hold university degrees (compared to 9 percent of men), only 19 percent of all women are employed or seeking work. To think that women, especially Palestinian women, are marginalised even within the 'Palestine solidarity movement' in favour of the glorified Israeli intellectual, whose main selling point is that he is an awoken 'anti-Zionist' is galling, to say the least. Although Palestinian women are some of the most educated women in the region, they have the least work opportunities. The ratio of employment among Palestinian women, 19 percent, is significantly lower than that of working women in the Middle East and North Africa region, which currently stands at 25 percent, and even more negligible if compared with the global average of 51 percent. This should not be the case, as 62 percent of all students currently seeking university degrees in Palestine are female. According to Fawcetts report, the main reason behind the trials of Palestinian women is the Israeli occupation, which has battered Palestinian industries that traditionally employ women, namely agriculture and manufacturing. Back to Elias article No More Mr Nice Guy. I have discussed this with many friends, all but one women of colour, and we have all expressed extreme frustration at the opacity around this topic, she writes. We (women of colour) are generally the speakers who accept the lower honoraria. More seriously, we are the ones who are offered the lower honoraria, Elia elaborates. Compare this to Mr Nice Guy, who receives the royal treatment Has a set rate Does not negotiate, and gets what he has asked for. The discrepancy in honoraria is most obvious when activists for justice in Palestine celebrate decent Jews for exactly that being decent. Nice Israeli men are in a class apart, placed on a pedestal, considered heroes for not being violent, racist murderers. To think that women, especially Palestinian women, are marginalised even within the Palestine solidarity movement in favour of the glorified Israeli intellectual, whose main selling point is that he is an awoken anti-Zionist is galling, to say the least. To think that Palestinian women are experiencing a similar reality educated but disadvantaged because of the Israeli occupation at home, is remarkably unfair. But I will take the argument even further: the Palestinian intellectual and the Palestinian narrative as a whole are underprivileged as well, even by those who maintain that they fight for Palestinian rights and freedom. How this came about is interesting and multifaceted. It is the outcome of self-censorship and the inherent defensiveness among Western solidarity activists, often petrified by the unfair label of antisemitism. I rarely experienced the same sentiments when travelling in Africa, Asia, the Middle East and South America. The Southern hemisphere relates to Palestine on a whole different level unique and mutual historical experiences. For them, solidarity with Palestinians is often rooted in their own history of anti-colonial, anti-imperialist struggles. Palestine needs new blood, capable, self-asserting women and men who must reclaim, indeed, liberate their narrative and their honourable struggle. The first solidarity with Palestinians meeting I ever attended soon after I left Palestine over two decades ago was in Washington State. It rarely addressed the viewpoint of Palestinians. Usually elder activists, some announcing that they have fought for Palestine for decades, charted what they assume was a pro-Palestine discourse without exhibiting a deep-rooted understanding of Palestinian reality, history or fathoming the complexity of Palestinian culture, life and collective aspirations. The meeting focused mostly on how Israeli soldiers are, too victimized by the Israeli occupation, as they developed debilitating post-traumatic stress disorders that bode badly for their families and social lives. When they spoke of the Palestinian people, they presented them as victims, numbers, figures and charts plagued with human misery and infinite sorrow. And of course, they decried the violent Palestinians and duly condemned any form of terrorism and antisemitism. In recent years, the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) movement, and the work of many independent Palestinian activists and intellectuals challenged the apologist approach to solidarity, through assuming leadership and presenting a pro-active, Palestine-centered discourse. But the old trend is too powerful to be expunged easily. The main challenge for the solidarity movement is that it was constructed in response to the powerful and omnipresent Zionist narrative in the West. The latter defined the discussion on Palestine, determined the priorities and the language. Many Palestine solidarity groups around the world, but especially in the West were formed to combat the misrepresentations and challenge the popular conception that moulded the Palestinian as a terrorist and the Palestinian people as an obstacle to the rise of progress and civilisation, supposedly epitomised by Israel. That integral defensiveness of the Palestine solidarity movement meant that the debate, in fact, the whole discourse is almost entirely, though unwittingly framed around Israeli, Zionist priorities. For them, Palestinian culture, history, politics are, at times subordinate compared with Zionist history and Israeli politics. Their understanding of the refugee crisis, for example was shaped by Israeli historian Benny Morris (a Zionist par excellence) not Palestinian historian Salman Abu Sitta. His latest book, Mapping My Return, should be obligatory reading for anyone truly keen on understanding the Right of Return. But Palestine was not invented in 1948. It was not the formation of Israel upon the ruined cities and villages of Palestine that gave rise to a people called Palestinians. Palestinian national identity is not an accident bestowed upon the Palestinian people by Israel. Those who stress the Right of Return for Palestinian refugees speak of the centrality of the Nakba of 1948; those who champion the two-state solution, negate the history of the Palestinians prior to the war and Israeli occupation of 1967. This convenient exploitation of Palestinian history has fragmented the identity of the Palestinian, in the minds of many, and, in essence dehumanised Palestinian people an ancient people that existed and thrived millennia prior to the inception of the Zionist movement in the late 19th century. As a Palestinian, my best argument against Zionism is my own story, my memory, my recollections and the oral history of other Palestinians. wrote Professor Rima Najjar. Yet the Palestinian memory is rarely the centre of discussion, which has been centered, for nearly 25 years, around the futile language of a peace process, painful compromises, land for peace formula and the two-state solution that was never intended to solve anything in the first place. The discourse, even that championed by some in the Palestine solidarity movement is often shaped by and caters to Israeli, Western sensibilities. It would be unthinkable, for example, for a mainstream solidarity group to publicly defend Palestinian armed resistance, or the democratic choices of the Palestinian people during the 2006 elections. Cultural resistance (is) the only resistance we can use as Palestinians whose path to political resistance is effectively blocked, wrote Najjar. That, coupled with the collective solidarity engendered by the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) Movement, is the strongest argument against the unconscionable practices of the Zionist Movement. I concur. Palestine is not a chart or a PowerPoint presentation jumbled with numbers and statistics. Palestine can neither be understood through the discourse of the Zionist movement (which was and remains dedicated to the erasure of the Palestinian identity) nor the stifling political discourse of the peace process and other pretences. If the Palestinian discourse is not communicated in a decisive, unapologetic manner, independent from the validation of the West or anti-Zionist Israelis, it will never truly leave the kind of global impact that could potentially banish the Zionist discourse, one that is based on fabrications and riddled with falsehoods. For that to happen, Palestines new historians, cultural ambassadors and activists must take the stage and speak for their people and themselves. Their role should extend beyond being the narrators of victimisation and misery. Palestine is also a place of resistance, hope and empowerment, exemplifying a strong, rooted culture that survived and defeated numerous invaders throughout history. The empowered new generation should fight for its position at the helm of this process. Palestine needs new blood, capable, self-asserting women and men who must reclaim, indeed, liberate their narrative and their honourable struggle. The views expressed in this article are the authors own and do not necessarily reflect Al Jazeeras editorial stance. Heavy rains caused the collapse of a huge rubbish dump, burying homes and killing at least 17, officials say. At least 17 people have been killed in Mozambique after a rubbish dump collapsed on nearby houses amid fears others may be buried under the mountain of rubbish. Heavy rainfall triggered the collapse at the Hulene dump in the capital Maputo at around 3am local time (1:00 GMT) on Monday, burying five homes. A number of other people may be trapped under the rubbish, said Leonilde Pelembe, a spokesman for the National Public Safety Service. The information we received from local authorities is that the number of people living in those houses exceeds the number of deaths recorded, so work is still ongoing to see if there are any other deaths, Pelembe said. Prior to the collapse, authorities had asked residents to leave the illegally built houses in the impoverished area of the capital, Reuters news agency reported. Rubbish at the dump had reached the height of a three-story building, according to Portuguese news agency Lusa. People regularly visit the dump, the largest of its kind in Maputo, in search of food or items to sell. Nearly 55 percent of Mozambiques population about 14 million people live in poverty, according to the United Nations Development Programme. Maria Huo, a resident, told reporters that authorities had failed to manage rubbish levels at the dump safely. Her son was injured and her home partially destroyed in the rubbish slide. Its been more than 10 years that the dump should have been closed because its full, but they still continue to pile trash on the trash. The consequence is this, Teresa Mangue, a neighbourhood leader, told AFP news agency. Maputo City Council will open a temporary refuge centre to accommodate survivors of the collapse, Radio Mozambique reported. Government air strikes kill at least 46 people on Friday, as thousands of residents flee besieged area near Damascus. Thousands of civilians have fled the besieged Syrian rebel enclave of Eastern Ghouta, in what is believed to be the largest exodus in one day in the countrys seven-year war, as deadly air strikes continue. Faced with the prospect of more deadly government bombardments, thousands of civilians abandoned the town of Hamouriyah, which has been at the centre of fighting between rebels and military forces. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) reported that 46 civilians, including at least six children, were killed in air strikes in the Kafr Batna district on Friday morning. As the attacks continue, an estimated 2,000 people more people left the rebel-held area on Friday morning, according to the Russian defence ministry. Earlier on Friday, it was reported that between 12,000 and 13,000 people have fled the area east of Damascus overnight and into Friday morning. Grabbing what they could carry and loading it into their vehicles, desperate civilians streamed out of their homes, fleeing to areas controlled by the government. Images posted online showed elderly women in wheelchairs and children carried by their parents as they walked amid the ruins. Once controlled by rebels, Hamouriyah is now being surrounded by government forces. There is no water, no medicine that could provided to our children, not even food, an evacuee said. SOHR said as many as 20,000 people have abandoned their homes, with many still waiting to be transported to safe zones. Al Jazeeras Alan Fisher, reporting from Gaziantep in Turkey, said the exodus was expected after the Syrian forces cut off supplies. After nearly four weeks of relentless bombardment, which has left more than 1,250 civilians including children dead, government forces are inching closer to capturing the rest of the enclave, forcing civilians to flee. Regime forces have already split the enclave, under siege since 2013, into three sections. Rebels, however, claimed that they have retaken Hamouriyah, one of the districts in Eastern Ghouta. Between 12,000 to 13,000 people have reportedly fled Eastern Ghouta as of Friday [Reuters] Meanwhile, some 25 trucks of food aid were allowed into Eastern Ghoutas Douma district, according to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). It is unclear how long the food supply would last in an area believed to be populated with as many as 125,000. The aid does not include medical supplies. The entire Eastern Ghouta is home to 400,000 people, and it has been under a government siege since mid-2013. The area is one of the last major remaining strongholds under the armed opposition, who are aiming to topple the government of President Bashar al-Assad. The enclave is the current major battleground in Syrias war, which entered its eighth year on Thursday. Continued displacement According to UNHCR figures, there have been nearly 500,000 people killed and over 11 million displaced in the war. Meanwhile, dozens of Syrian civilians, including children, have been killed, as Turkish troops and its allied armed groups bombarded the city of Afrin in Syrias Kurdish region. The Syrian Observatory, a monitoring group based in the UK, said on Friday that the continued push by Turkish forces into Afrin have forced as many as 30,000 civilians to flee since Wednesday. On Friday alone, 2,500 people have been displaced because of the fighting. There is no water, no medicine that could provided to our children [Omar Sanadiki/Reuters] Meanwhile, foreign ministers of Russia, Iran and Turkey met in Kazakhstans capital, Astana, on Friday to continue negotiations on how to end the civil war in the Middle East country. The agenda at the meeting also included how to maintain security in the established de-escalation zones as well as political and humanitarian issues. The next round of talks is expected in the middle of May. Al Jazeeras Zeina Khodr, reporting from Astana, said that there have also been reports of the Russian government negotiating with rebel forces on the situation in Eastern Ghouta. Our correspondent, however, said that when it comes to the question of transition and the political future of Syria, the parties in the negotiation remain unsettled. Incident in the West Bank comes amid 100 days of rage protests by Palestinians against Trumps Jerusalem embassy move. Two Israeli soldiers have been killed in a car attack near the town of Yabed in Jenin in the occupied West Bank in Palestine, according to Israeli media reports. Fridays incident happened as clashes between Palestinians and Israeli security forces erupted in various places in the occupied West Bank. Two other people were injured in the attack, one of whom was in critical condition, according to reports. The Jerusalem Post website said the suspected driver of the car, who had escaped from the scene, was reportedly captured by Israeli security forces and was lightly injured. {articleGUID} The Israeli military said on Twitter the suspect, 26-year-old Alaa Rattab-a-Latif Kabha, had been taken to a hospital and was being questioned. It later added it would suspend the work permit of the suspects entire family. This could amount to the cancellation of 67 work and 26 commerce permits. Avigdor Lieberman, Israels defence minister, called for the death penalty to be applied to Kabha and accused the Palestinian Authority of being behind Fridays incident. We will act to ensure that the terrorist will receive the death penalty, demolish his house and punish all those who collaborated with him, he said. There is no such thing as individual terrorism, this terrorism is supported by Mahmoud Abbas and the Palestinian Authority which provides money to the families of terrorists. Following the car-ramming attack adjacent to the community of Mevo Dotan, the Coordinator of the Government Activities in the Territories, Maj, Gen. Yoav (Poli) Mordechai, ordered an immediate and broad suspension on permits for the entire family of the assailant Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) March 16, 2018 The Jerusalem Post report quoted Hazem Qassem, a Hamas spokesperson, as saying this attack makes it clear that the Intifada is continuing for the Palestinian people. Elsewhere in the occupied territories, demonstrations were held to commemorate 100 days of rage since US President Donald Trumps declaration of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and announcement of the move of the US embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. The rallies saw at least three Palestinians and two Israeli soldiers suffer injuries. Protests have continued in the occupied Palestinian territories every Friday since Trumps Jerusalem move. The Palestinian leadership maintains that East Jerusalem must become the capital of a future Palestinian state in any future peace agreement with Israel, while Israel considers the whole of Jerusalem to be part of its territory. {articleGUID} Israel occupied and subsequently annexed East Jerusalem in 1967 in a move that was not recognised by the international community. At least 27 Palestinians have been killed since Trumps decision three months ago, most were shot and killed during clashes with Israeli forces. Last week, Israeli forces killed a mentally disabled Palestinian man during clashes in the Bab al-Zawiya area of Hebron city in the occupied West Bank. Palestinians in the occupied territory have lived under Israeli military rule for more than half a century. To enter Jerusalem, Palestinians must apply for Israeli-issued permits. Many Palestinians, owing to Israels security restrictions, are banned from entering Jerusalem. Trumps decision is seen as another blow to the dwindling hope among Palestinians for any prospects for an independent state. Kamran Yusuf, accused of waging war against India and stone throwing, gets bail after more than six months in jail. Pulwama, Indian-administered Kashmir A photojournalist in Indian-administered Kashmir has been released on bail after spending more than six months in jail on charges of waging war against India and stone throwing. Kamran Yusuf returned to his hometown on Thursday after a court in the Indian capital, New Delhi, found the states case against the 22-year-old freelancer lacked facts. Rubeen Thahseen, Yusufs mother, told Al Jazeera she was jubilant about her sons return. He is innocent I havent slept a single night during all these months, she said from Tahab village in Pulwama district. Yusuf was arrested last September by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) after he left for work in Pulwana in southern Kashmir, where a new wave of protests against Indian rule has erupted following the Indian armys 2016 killing of a young separatist leader. Both India and Pakistan claim the Muslim majority state in full but rule it in part. An estimated 70,000 people have been killed since an armed revolt in 1989. That figure includes 21 journalists. The International Federation of Journalists said journalists covering Kashmir have walked the razors edge, working under threats and intimidation from various actors in the conflict. {articleGUID} Yusufs arrest marked the first time a Kashmiri journalist was held by the NIA, a body formed to combat terrorism in 2009, months after attacks on Mumbai, the Indian financial capital. The NIA contended Yusuf was not a real journalist as he had never covered any developmental activity of the government including inaugurations of hospitals, school buildings, roads and bridges. Justifying his arrest before the court, NIA told judges Yusufs mobile number was persistently located at places where counter-terrorist operations were in progress. But the court, in a ruling on Tuesday, said the NIA has not placed on record a single photo/video showing that the accused was indulging in stone pelting activities at any site. Kamrans work as a photojournalist makes his presence at sites of stone throwing intrinsic, the ruling said. Warisha Farasat, Yusufs defence lawyer, said the order was very welcome and reasoned. Human rights groups have previously condemned Yusufs arrest, with Amnesty International branding the charges against him fabricated and politically motivated to stifle journalism in Kashmir. Yusuf has contributed to several newspapers in Kashmir, including the Srinagar-based newspaper Greater Kashmir. He was always first to reach the spot and cover the stories, we have saved all the papers where his pictures have been published, said Irshad Ahmed, Yusufs uncle. {articleGUID} Showkat Nanda, a freelance journalist in the region, told Al Jazeera that journalists have become easy targets for the Indian state in Kashmir. The situation here is such that anyone can be framed like Kamran. When the narrative goes against the state, they go to any extreme to suppress the voice, he said. No journalist is safe in Kashmir. TDP, which rules Andhra Pradesh state, walks out of alliance and backs no-confidence motion against Modi in parliament. An ally of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has walked out of the ruling coalition headed by the right-wing Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), alleging Modi neglected the southern state of Andhra Pradesh. On Friday, the Telugu Desam Party (TDP), which rules Andhra Pradesh, formally ended the alliance days after the BJP lost a crucial by-election to three parliamentary seats in the northern Hindi-speaking states. Central ministers belonging to the TDP resigned from the cabinet last week after Finance Minister Arun Jaitley denied special category status to the southern state which would have allowed more central funding to the state. Naidu has criticised Modi of neglecting southern states [Mansi Thapliya/Reuters] The TDP has been demanding special financial assistance since 2014, when Andhra Pradesh was split into two states. Hyderabad, the capital of the united Andhra, went to the newly created Telangana state, taking along with it huge source of state revenues. The writing was on the wall for some months now. Both the parties were beginning to get uncomfortable with the alliance. The TDP and the BJP both accused the other of behaving like the big brother, journalist and analyst TS Sudhir told Al Jazeera. Indias regional parties have been critical players in federal coalition governments in recent decades. The parting of ways between the TDP leader and chief minister of Andhra Pradesh, N Chandrababu Naidu, and Prime Minister Modi snuffs out the little indirect influence the ruling BJP had in Indias south. A motion of no confidence Modis BJP does not rule any of the southern states, although it is fighting a keenly contested election this year in the state of Karnataka, currently ruled by the Congress party. The BJP runs government in 22 of Indias 29 states. Political analyst Nilanjan Mukhopadhyay says breaking of the alliance is a signal to other allies of the BJP to start weighing their options ahead of the 2019 general elections. Other partners will now rethink whether its worth continuing with Modi or not. It spells trouble with a Big T for Mr Modi. It is a consequence of the arrogance with which they have been dealing with their allies, Mukhopadhyay told Al Jazeera. {articleGUID} The Hindu nationalist party had swept to power in 2014 with 282 members of parliament. After a series of defeats in by-polls, the tally for the ruling party has now reduced to 274 two seats more than the majority mark. The TDP has now been forced to move a motion of no-confidence against the Modi government after Andhras main opposition party, YSR Congress, earlier initiated the move. With Shiv Sena, another Modi ally publicly criticising the government in recent months, its support cannot be taken for granted. Several opposition parties on Friday said they would back the motion of no confidence. In terms of numbers in the parliament, the Modi government is safe. But the TDP wants to use the platform to highlight that the central government has gone back on its promise of special status, analyst Sudir said. Electorally the BJP might calculate that they dont have much to lose as its not a big player in the state. But in terms of national image, the BJP will be seen as a party that is not to be trusted as an electoral partner. They will lose out on brand equity of the BJP and personal equity of Narendra Modi, he adds. North vs South divide But the BJP remains defiant. TDPs exit is a loss for the TDP, not the BJP Far from being a threat, TDPs exit is a timely opportunity for the BJP to grow in Andhra Pradesh, GVL Narasimha Rao, national spokesperson of the BJP said on Friday. But Modis approval ratings still remain high. No other major political figure in India approaches Modis level of public support, said a Pew research report in November. {articleGUID} Apart from this, a new surge of regionalisation of Indian politics could be taking shape to act as pressure groups, warn experts. Earlier this week, Naidu, the Andhra Pradesh chief minister, fanned an age-old north-south divide in the country. The southern states contribute maximum tax revenues to the Centre, but the latter is diverting the money to the development of northern states, the chief minister said. Analyst Sudhir says Naidu is the latest in a long list of politicians, chief ministers, film stars who have referred to this divide The political flag of south Indian film star Kamal Haasan has six arms holding each other, denoting the solidarity among six southern states of India, he said. There is an apprehension that southern states, following a controversial constitutional amendment, will have lesser seats in the parliament compared to cow-belt (northern region). This could mean reduction of political power for the south, he said. Missing Argentinian submarine: Families demand answers Family members of the crew who disappeared with the Ara San Juan submarine feel abandoned in their quest to find out what happened to their loved ones. Tensions remain high as India and Pakistan accuse each other of harassing diplomats in their respective capitals. Islamabad, Pakistan Pakistan has summoned its ambassador to India for consultations, according to its foreign ministry, as tensions remain high between the nuclear-armed South Asian neighbours. The move came on Thursday amidst a flurry of allegations by both sides, accusing each other of harassing diplomats in their respective capitals. Earlier this week, Pakistan said at least three of its diplomats had been harassed in New Delhi, and several of their children had been intimidated and threatened on their way home from their school. New Delhi accuses Pakistan of having carried out an equivalent campaign of harassment against its own diplomats posted in Islamabad, alleging that Pakistani spy agency personnel entered the embassys residential compound. Our High Commissioner in New Delhi has been asked to come to Islamabad for consultations, Muhammad Faisal, Pakistani foreign ministry spokesperson, said at a press briefing on Thursday. Ambassador Sohail Mahmood will return to Islamabad immediately, after Pakistans protests lodged with the Indian foreign ministry did not yield any results, Faisal said. We will take all possible steps for the safety and security of our people in India, which is paramount to us. No permanent recall Indias government said the ambassadors trip home was routine and did not constitute a permanent recall, in comments to local media. Consultations by any resident ambassador or high commissioner with their headquarters are matters for that country, Raveesh Kumar, Indian foreign ministry spokesperson, told the New Delhi-based The Hindu newspaper. We, of course, have no comments on the Pakistan High Commissioner. In a statement released late on Tuesday, the Pakistani foreign office said Pakistani officials and their families were facing intense harassment, intimidation and outright violence from the Indian state agencies. India said it would investigate the allegations. Indian diplomats posted in Islamabad, the Pakistani capital, alleged to Al Jazeera on Wednesday that they had been facing similar harassment for months. Aggressive surveillance, violation of physical space and tailing of officers in close and dangerous proximity is a perennial issue, said an Indian foreign ministry official, on condition of anonymity. [Intelligence agency] personnel keep shooting videos of the officers, thrusting phones on their faces. Obscene phone calls and messages are constantly received on phones. Tit-for-tat The South Asian neighbours, which have fought three wars since gaining independence from the British in 1947, regularly trade tit-for-tat allegations of harassment and espionage against diplomats. In 2016, Pakistan expelled an Indian diplomat for allegedly violating established diplomatic norms, a euphemism commonly used to imply espionage. That followed a day after the detention and expulsion of a Pakistani diplomat by India on similar charges. Tensions between the nuclear-armed neighbours have been high for years, with India taking Pakistan to the International Court of Justice last year, alleging mistreatment of Kulbhashan Jadhev, an Indian citizen convicted by a Pakistani military court for spying and orchestrating attacks on Pakistani soil. Pakistan has said Jadhev is a serving Indian naval officer who works for Indias intelligence service, orchestrating attacks across southwestern Pakistan. India has denied this is the case. The two countries also regularly exchange fire across the Line of Control, the de facto border in the disputed northern region of Kashmir, which both claim in full but administer separate portions of. The shelling has killed several civilians on either side of the line of control since last year. Follow Al Jazeeras Asad Hashim on Twitter @AsadHashim Perus congress approves impeachment debate Accused with making deals with a Brazilian construction company while serving as finance minister a decade ago, Perus President Pedro Pablo Kuczynski is facing impeachment for a second time. Protests in Brazil after councilwoman Franco was shot dead Marielle Franco, a councilwoman from Rio de Janeiro, well-known police critic and defender of gay and black rights was shot dead Wednesday night. Moscow calls claims shocking and inexcusable as crisis over attempted murder of ex-double agent in Salisbury deepens. Boris Johnson, Britains foreign minister, has said it is highly likely that Russian President Vladimir Putin himself ordered the nerve-agent attack on a former Russian agent on UK soil. In a response, Russia has called the allegations shocking and inexcusable and a breach of diplomatic rules of decent behaviour. Johnson said the attack on former Russian double agent Sergei Skripal and his daughter with a military-grade nerve toxin was most likely ordered by Putin himself. Our quarrel is with Putins Kremlin, and with his decision and we think it overwhelmingly likely that it was his decision to direct the use of a nerve agent on the streets of the UK, on the streets of Europe for the first time since the second world war, Johnson said. We have nothing against the Russians themselves. There is to be no Russophobia as a result of what is happening. {articleGUID} Theresa May, the British prime minister, expelled 23 Russian diplomats after she accused Russia of being behind the incident. Responding to the accusations and expulsions by Britain, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov called Johnsons remarks shocking and unforgivable. Any reference or mention of our president in this regard is a shocking and unforgivable breach of diplomatic rules of decent behaviour, Peskov said according to Russian press agency TASS. The Kremlin is also preparing retaliatory measures against Britain. You can expect it any minute, Peskov said. Possible retaliation What these countermeasures will entail exactly is unknown yet, but Russia said earlier it would expel British diplomats. Moscow has denied any involvement in the attempted assassination of Skripal, a former Russian spy turned double agent for the UK. Skripal betrayed dozens of Russian agents to British intelligence before his arrest in Moscow in 2004. {articleGUID} He was sentenced to 13 years in prison in 2006 and four years later was given refuge in Britain after being exchanged for Russian spies. Skripal, 66, and his daughter Yulia, 33, have been in hospital in critical condition since March 4, when they were found unconscious on a bench outside a shopping centre in the southern English city of Salisbury. According to British experts, the toxin used in the attack was part of a group of nerve agents known as Novichok, which was developed in the former Soviet Union. The poisoning has drawn comparisons to the murder of Alexander Litvinenko in 2006. The former Russian spy died three weeks after drinking green tea laced with radioactive polonium-210 at Londons Millennium Hotel. Russia denied involvement in his death. A British inquiry into the 43-year-olds death said Moscow had probably ordered the poisoning of Litvinenko, who lived in exile in Britain. Press-freedom defender criticises US politicians campaign to get Doha-based media network to register as foreign agent. A leading advocate of press freedom worldwide has expressed concern over calls by some US legislators for Al Jazeera to register under the Foreign Agent Registration Act (FARA). Reporters Without Borders (RSF) said in a statement that governments should not interfere in editorial decisions because it could potentially lead to censorship. RSF is an international non-governmental organisation that promotes and defends freedom of information and freedom of the press. Governments should not be in the business of deciding what constitutes legitimate journalism, regardless of the influence that may be brought to bear on Al Jazeeras editorial policies due to its connection to the Qatari government, Margaux Ewen, RSFs North America director, said. Al Jazeeras award-winning journalism contributes to media pluralism on a global scale, and reducing it to a Qatari government agency is irresponsible. {articleGUID} The American legislators in question want Al Jazeera to register under FARA, a little-enforced 1938 US law that was originally passed to combat Nazi propaganda. It has since been used to keep track of foreign influence on US politicians through mandatory filings of employee contracts, contracts between the organisation and foreign governments, correspondence or any other documents that could be used to influence US policy. The law has received more attention recently because of the investigation into possible collusion between US President Donald Trumps 2016 campaign team and Russian officials. Robert Mueller, the special counsel heading that investigation, has charged two former Trump campaign officials with violating FARA. RSFs statement comes after Josh Gottheimer and Lee Zeldin, the two American legislators, co-authored a letter claiming that Doha-based Al Jazeera is used to incite violence and broadcast hateful, extremist content. Al Jazeera Media Network has called the letter by US legislator shocking to hear. The network has provided multi-award winning news coverage and current affairs programmes for more than 21 years since its founding in 1996, the statement said. Over the last couple of months, the US has increased the scrutiny placed upon foreign media operating in the country. In November, Russia-backed media RT and other outlets were required to register under the law. In a response to the US decision, Russia declared US-owned news outlets such as Radio Free Europe and Voice of America were considered foreign agents in Russia. {articleGUID} RSF denounced that decision, saying the move would only further restrict access to information in Russia at a time when unprecedented pressure is being placed on Russian media. US politicians have also called for China-owned media networks to register. We urge democratic forces all over the world, especially in United States, to stand with free media institutions to promote and protect the values of democracy, liberty, human rights, freedom of media and the right to free speech, Al Jazeera Media Network said. Dont shoot the messenger, journalism is not a crime. Special ASEAN summit held in Sydney Although not part of ASEAN, Australia has important trade and security relationships with its countries. It is hosting the summit to build on those for future cooperation. Death toll jumps as Assads troops in besieged Eastern Ghouta and Turkish forces in Afrin intensify military operations. Civilians continue to flee Syrias Eastern Ghouta and Afrin in record numbers as Syrian and Turkish military operations continue against their respective foes. Roughly 50,000 people have fled the two areas 20,000 from Eastern Ghouta, a Damascus suburb, and 30,000 from Afrin, in Syrias Kurdish-dominated northeast according to some counts. Eastern Ghouta has been at the centre of fighting between rebels and President Bashar al-Assads Russian-backed forces in recent days. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) has said 46 civilians, including at least six children, were killed in air raids in the Kafr Batna district on Friday morning. The Russian defence ministry estimated that 2,000 people more people left Eastern Ghouta on Friday morning. For his part, Bashar al-Jaafari, Syrias ambassador to the UN, told the UN Security Council on Friday that more than 40,000 people were able to flee Eastern Ghouta the day before. Jaafaris estimate could not be independently verified. Images posted online showed elderly women in wheelchairs and children carried by their parents as they walked amid the ruins of Eastern Ghouta. The SOHR, a UK-based war monitor, said as many as 20,000 people have abandoned their homes, with many still waiting to be transported to safe zones. Al Jazeeras Alan Fisher, reporting from Gaziantep in neighbouring Turkey, said the exodus was expected after the Syrian forces cut off supplies. The entire Eastern Ghouta is home to 400,000 people, and it has been under a government siege since mid-2013. Following nearly four weeks of relentless bombardment, which has left more than 1,250 civilians including children dead, government forces are inching closer to capturing the rest of Eastern Ghouta, forcing civilians to flee. Assads forces have already split the area, under siege since 2013, into three sections. The rebels, however, say they have retaken the town of Hamouriyah. Between 12,000 to 13,000 people have reportedly fled Eastern Ghouta as of Friday [Reuters] Against this backdrop of continued fighting, about 25 trucks of food aid were allowed on Thursday into Eastern Ghoutas Douma district, according to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). It is unclear how long the food supply would last in an area believed to be populated with as many as 125,000. The aid does not include medical supplies. According to UNHCR figures, there have been nearly 500,000 people killed and over 11 million displaced in Syrias war, which entered its eighth year on Thursday. Afrin offensive Meanwhile, dozens of Syrian civilians, including children, have reportedly been killed as Turkish troops and their Free Syrian Army (FSA) allies continue to bombard Afrin. Turkey says the area is controlled by Kurdish YPG fighters, who they consider to be terrorists. The continued push by Turkish forces into Afrin has forced as many as 30,000 civilians to flee since Wednesday, the SOHR said on Friday. On Friday alone, 2,500 people were displaced because of the fighting, according to the SOHR. Al Jazeera could not independently confirm the SOHRs claims. Meanwhile, on the diplomatic level, foreign ministers of Russia, Iran and Turkey met in Kazakhstans capital, Astana, have held negotiations on the Syrian civil war. The agenda at Fridays meeting included how to maintain security in the established de-escalation zones as well as political and humanitarian issues. The next round of talks is expected in the middle of May. Al Jazeeras Zeina Khodr, reporting from Astana, said there has been talk of the Russian government negotiating with Syrian rebels over the situation in Eastern Ghouta. However, when it comes to the question of transition and the political future of Syria, the parties in the negotiation remain divided, she said. Family of a player targeted by youth, saying Dalits in the team were to blame for the bronze-medal play-off. It turns out that you cant earn a living teaching subjects that students arent that interested in. Even if you have tenure. Colleen Flaherty writes in the Chronicle of Higher Education : If you are sick and tired of professors indoctrinating students in politicized classes that teach nothing of any use in real life, and hate the idea that tenure immunizes them from accountability, the next decade or so is going to provide some relief. The reckoning is coming, as shocked professors at a University of Wisconsin campus just discovered. The higher education bubble that Professor Glenn Reynolds of Instapundit has forecast to burst has just popped in Stevens Point, Wisconsin. the University of Wisconsin at Stevens Point announced its plan to cut 13 majors -- including those in anchor humanities departments such as English and history and all three of the foreign languages offered -- and, with them, faculty jobs. Tenured professors may well lose their positions. The plan is part of the campuss Point Forward initiative to stabilize enrollment by investing scarce resources into programs Stevens Point sees as distinctive and in demand. Those include business, chemical engineering, computer information systems, conservation law enforcement, fire science and graphic design. This is only possible because the GOP majority in the Wisconsin State Legislature passed and Governor Scott Walker signed a bill rolling back Wisconsins ultra-strong tenure protection in state-funded higher education, and the subsequent rewriting of related Board of Regents policies on tenure and program discontinuance. As a result, if a department is closed, the tenured professors in it lose their jobs. As a matter of fact, in most other colleges and universities, this already is the situation. Tenure does not protect professors when their department is folded up, usually due to poor enrollments. (Sometimes due to exposure as quackery.See the histroy of Phrenology, for instance.) For generations, ever since the GI Bill offered subsidies to returning WW II veterans going to college, higher education has been expanding. The availability of federal student loans is only the latest subsidy that has enabled enrollments and tuition to climb simultaneously. At the same time, a college diploma has become a perceived requirement for many well-paying jobs. These factors enabled many disciplines not anchored in the hard sciences to drift off into political correctness territory, teaching subjects like homoerotic imagery in Shakespeare and other obsessive concerns of the left. As result, enrollment in politicized humanities and social sciences departments has fallen, as students motivated by jobs have focused on more utilitarian courses. Here is the list of the departments being closed at Wisconsin, Stevens Point. American studies, art (excluding graphic design), English (excluding English for teacher certification), French, geography, geoscience, German, history (excluding social science for teacher certification), music literature, philosophy, political science, sociology Spanish. I have no doubt that many, if not most of the faulty members in these departments are solid scholars, devoted to the truth and beauty of their disciplines. And I love the humanities and social sciences of pre-PC academia. I received an excellent liberal arts education as an undergraduate and strongly believe that it provided me with valuable insights and skills. But alas, the liberal arts disciplines have been thoroughly corrupted to the point where they are worse than useless in the hands of many professors. I went on to receive three graduate degrees, including a PhD in sociology just as politicization was starting to take hold. I watched with great sadness in my heart as academia fell from its heights. There will be many innocent faculty victims of these closures. I feel sadness for those who devoted many years of their lives to obtaining the graduate degrees necessary for teaching in higher education. But by standing by and allowing their disciplines to decline and ignore relevance and utility to students, they may bear some degree of culpability. The University of Wisconsin, Stevens Point is the harbinger of a vast transformation that lies ahead for American higher education. The cohorts of students headed for colleges and universities is declining, and tuition has now priced itself beyond reach for many. The folly of student loan indebtedness is becoming clear to more and more young people and their parents. Meanwhile, online higher education is available for a tiny fraction of the cost of physical presence on a campus, and the pay and job prospects of many blue collar trades where labor shortages are severe in many fields will persuade many potential customers for a college degree to instead see better opportunities in vocational education. No doubt, those who celebrate this transition will be castigated as anti-intellectual barbarians. But the real barbarians are those who drove academia into self-absorbed obsessions of the left, making it irrelevant to the needs of students, while overloading their schools with administrative dead weight that has pushed up tuition to unaffordable levels. Obama's 'civilian army': It was the students all along Now we know what that "civilian army" that President Obama was always telling us about consisted of. We saw them in force all over the country not too long ago. Throughout his eight years in office, he was secretly forming legions of youth shock troops under the tutelage and leadership of the teacher unions to be called out into the streets to fight the battles of his radical progressive ideology. And how well he and his union cadre operated on their first mission out of the classrooms into the battlefields of the streets and beamed into the homes of every American via his well coordinated media accomplices. It was a startling success for his war on the Constitution and the future of our country. These kids, supposedly spurred on by the horrible shootings in Parkland, Florida, were immediately rounded up by local Democrat politicians and their TV and press subordinates to ballyhoo to the world that this nation is controlled by, of all organizations, the NRA and that they, the teenage spokesmen for humanity and decency, were demanding that all licensed, trained, and law-abiding gun owners be deprived of their constitutional rights and, of course, that President Trump be impeached. Like locusts, these uninformed kids left no doubt that they will return in force whenever "democracy" is again threatened. Randi Weingarten, the head of the millions-strong teacher unions, did not spend her hours in the White House "wasting time" discussing the educational deprivations of the current school system. No way! Her time was well spent learning to politically organize her minions to psychologically prepare the kids of America to use their weaponry of youth, innocence, and fragility to overturn the freedoms their grandparents and forefathers fought so hard to secure. With the liberal progressives planning student marches, bus trips, media interviews, all taking place during school hours, where were the voices of those who should have demanded that any demonstrations or the like must not be conducted during learning time, but on off-hours and weekends? What of the kids who wanted to remain in school during these day trips all over the country? Who was left behind to teach them and care for their needs? Did communities hold votes to approve these actions? Were the parents of those kids ever afforded the respect to be called before cameras and given the opportunity to voice their disapproval of using their kids as shock troops, marching and demonstrating like a bunch of Al Sharptons and Black Lives Matter thugs? Was the safety of these kids who were basically ordered out of the security of their classrooms ever considered? Again, we have seen just the beginning of the progressive forces within our country utilizing unsophisticated, easily led schoolkids for their political purposes. This is a dangerous precedent. Schools are being closed for the purpose of their students being put on the front lines to fight the battles for which they are not sophisticated enough to wage. This Obama planned strategy is an ominous sign that the forces planning to overthrow our democracy are well funded, planned, and on the march. ProPublica, the high-and-mighty investigative-reporting foundation financed by George Soros, Herbert and Marion Sandler, the Ford Foundation, and the MacArthur Foundation and other leftwing elitist moneybags , has been forced to issue an embarassing correction to one of its vaunted investigative reports. ProPublica has issued a correction for mistakenly saying in an article that Gina Haspel, President Trumps nominee to head the CIA, was involved with the treatment a terror suspect and falsely stated she mocked the suspect. Although Haspel, who has been with the CIA since 1985, was in charge of a covert CIA prison in Thailand where detainees were subject to waterboarding and other interrogation methods in 2002, the ProPublica story falsely stated she was directly involved with the torture of a prisoner by the name of Abu Zubaydah. Zubaydah was waterboarded at the CIA prison on 83 occasions. It is now clear that Haspel did not take charge of the base until after the interrogation of Zubaydah ended, ProPublica said in the correction Thursday. That report has made the rounds among the commentariat and is sure to give President Trump's nominee to lead the agency some tremendous headaches during confirmation. And it turns out the whole thing was fake news. ProPublica's error sounds like a case of lefties doing reporting to support their prejudices, probably with the aim of getting invited to all the right cocktail parties, which given ProPublica's funding, is probably literally true. Seriously, they did their ace investigative reporting based on a passage from some guy's book, and apparently misread it, deciding that 'he' and 'she' were interchangeable. Oh, so transgender of them. But not exactly anyone's idea of investigative reporting, which takes considerable verification and fact-checking before it goes to print. O.K., so no one is perfect. And they deserve some kudos, seriously, for making the correction. We all know that CNN, if they had made the error, wouldn't. But it was such a colossally stupid error. Get a load of these passages from ProPublica's correction statement: At about the same time, we approached the CIAs press office with an extensive list of questions about the cables and Haspels role in running the Thai prison, particularly her dealings with Zubaydah. An agency spokesman declined to answer any of those questions but released a statement that was quoted in the article, asserting that nearly every piece of reporting that you are seeking comment on is incorrect in whole or in part. After getting that email, and patting itself on the back for including the CIA statement in its original report, ProPublica came up with this: A few reflections on what went wrong in our reporting and editing process. The awkward communications between officials barred from disclosing classified information and reporters trying to reveal secrets in which there is legitimate public interest can sometimes end in miscommunication. In this instance, we failed to understand the message the CIAs press office was trying to convey in its statement. You failed to understand that nearly every piece of reporting that you are seeking comment on is incorrect in whole or in part? That might be a red flag to normal reporters, but not ProPublica, not when they had some guy's book to go on. Just the fact that they wanted to make an issue of this, the mean statements of some CIA roughneck out in the field to some slimy terrorist who got himself into his situation in a CIA prison for trying to kill us - quite possibly with a gun (heaven forfend!) - is pretty questionable. Frankly, demoralizing a terrorist with mean statements is what we expect of the CIA. We want them to be unpleasant to terrorists in the field. We want them to fulfill the third-world goophead's biggest paranoid fantasies about them. Was what ProPublica trying to say in its orginal report that got 'em trapped into making a correction really a lefty's cry for the CIA to provide good customer service with a smile to vicious Islamist terrorists? Marquess of Queensberry rules? Guilty as sin, free as a bird, America is a great country? The world run by lawyers from the Hague? Such a stupid premise. Frankly, nobody cares if terrorists don't like getting waterboarded in Thai prisons. Next time, tell 'em to try harder to avoid hanging around radical mosques and plotting to mass-slaughter Americans. Meanwhile, it's nice to see the haughty Soros-financed outfit, with its big Pulitzer prize and Olympian mien, cut down a peg, just as stupid as the average lefty led around by the nose by his prejudices, by what he really wanted the story to be. Only one small problem: they have, in the immortal words of Professor Kingsfield in The Paper Chase, skulls full of mush. The mainstream media and Democrat pols could barely contain their glee at student walkouts demanding gun control. They attach all kinds of virtue to innocents spouting the propaganda they feed them, and even coerce them into demonstrating for. With a big hat tip to Stu Tarlowe, here some youngsters who have no clue of the depth of their ignorance, and the inadequacy of their educations to date. Tiger Droppings featured this group of smiling imbeciles: They think there aren't any guns in the White House. Their magical thinking leads them to believe that gun free zones are safe zones, apparently. On Facebook, David Baker spotted this gem, that reveals a poverty of knowledge: For those unfamiliar with ancient history or the NRA, Baker explains: In 480 BC, the Persian king Xerxes demanded that the Spartans give up their weapons. King Leonidas responded with the phrase (molon labe) which meant "Come and take them." This led to the Battle of Thermopylae, in which a small group of Greek warriors held off a far superior group of Persians for three days. Similarly, in 1831, the Mexican army gave a small piece of field artillery to settlers in Gonzales, Texas, to help them fend off Indian attacks. At the onset of the Texas Revolution, the Mexican army asked for the cannon back. In response, the settlers raised a homemade flag with an image of the weapon and the words "Come and Take It" emblazoned across it. The twin phrases " /molon labe" and "Come and Take It" have become synonymous with the promotion of the Second Amendment and other fundamental liberties. They are antithetical to the idea of unilateral disarmament. Today, snowflakes across the country walked out of class to protest "gun violence" and demand new confiscatory gun laws. The poorly informed young woman in the photo was part of today's Tide Pod Walkout. Note the slogan (and date) on her shirt, and the protest sign in her hands. Seriously--this is the most ironic photo I've seen in a long time. Professor Kingsfield, these students need you. The press's obsession with the Stormy Daniels cash reeks of hypocrisy The print and television media are working very hard analyzing a $130,000 payment from private funds (not campaign funds) from Donald Trump's lawyer to a porn star for a possible short affair in 2006. The following front page story in the Wall Street Journal on March 15th is one example of what's a continuous daily attempt to destroy Trump. Trump Organization Tied to Deal to Keep Stormy Daniels Quiet Meanwhile, since at least 2012, President Obama, Hillary Clinton and the Democratic National Committee have laundered campaign cash through a law firm to hire Fusion GPS to dig up trash in attempts to destroy Mitt Romney and Donald Trump. They disguised these payments as legal payments when they reported them the Federal Election Commission (FEC) in order to keep the true nature of the expenses secret. Somehow, the media, which considers the $130,000 story worth endless reporting, cares little about the $168,000 of campaign dollars that was laundered by Democrats. Only 17.1 percent of Cuban voters took part in the most recent election held over the past weekend and Curbelo applauded voters who stayed home. The Cuban dictatorship held another empty voting exercise last weekend where only Castro cronies were permitted to appear on the ballot, Curbelo said on Wednesday. A record number of Cubans made the best choice of all, which was to abstain from participating in this demeaning charade. Others refused to obey the state-run media's instructions to check the all candidates box. The real winners were the Cuba Decide activists led by Rosa Maria Paya, who courageously denounced the unfair process and were detained when they attempted to monitor polling places. It's clear the Cuban people are ready for a new beginning, Curbelo added. Now more than ever they need the support and solidarity of the American people, the American government and its diplomats, and all freedom loving people throughout the world. Given the absence of free, fair, multiparty elections this past weekend, I continue to urge President Trump to declare Raul Castros successor as illegitimate. Last week, Curbelo joined several Florida Republicans -- U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio and U.S. Reps. Ron DeSantis, Mario Diaz-Balart, Ileana Ros-Lehtinen and Ted Yoho -- in urging President Donald Trump to denounce whoever replaces Raul Castro. Trudeau came to see me. Hes a good guy, Justin. He said, No, no, we have no trade deficit with you, we have none. Donald, please, Trump said, mimicking Trudeau, according to audio of the private event in Missouri obtained by The Washington Post. Nice guy, good-looking guy, comes in Donald, we have no trade deficit. Hes very proud because everybody else, you know, were getting killed. In fundraising speech, Trump says he made up trade claim in meeting with Justin Trudeau This morning on the Today Show, the press minions said Trump lied when he said that the U.S. had a trade deficit with Canada. The story can be found at the Washington Post and at The Hill and I am sure it will be repeated far and wide. This morning on the Today Show, the press minions said Trump lied when he said that the U.S. had a trade deficit with Canada. The story can be found at the Washington Post and at The Hill and I am sure it will be repeated far and wide. ... So, hes proud. I said, Wrong, Justin, you do. I didnt even know. ... I had no idea. I just said, Youre wrong. You know why? Because were so stupid. And I thought they were smart. I said, Youre wrong, Justin. He said, Nope, we have no trade deficit. Maybe the headline should be: Trudeau lied when he said that Canada had a trade deficit with the U.S. That's because per the following story in Bloomberg News, Canadas government shows they have almost a $15 billion surplus with the U.S. So why did Trudeau lie and why has the American media chosen to attack Trump? Isnt it good to have a president who actually knows the trade figures and who strives to create jobs and job opportunities for the American people every day of the week? Shouldn't the American media and Democrats be more interested in protecting American jobs instead of Canadian jobs? Here's what Bloomberg wrote: Trump May Actually Be Right About the Trade Deficit With Canada Canadian officials tend to use U.S. data to make their case and the Bureau of Economic Analysis has calculated the U.S. had a $7.7 billion surplus in 2016. But Statistics Canada data show its Canada with the surplus in goods and services, totaling C$18.8 billion ($14.6 billion) last year. Thats a $22.3 billion difference between the two measures. Maybe the pretend journalists could do a smidgen of research before they just repeat a story that Trump lied but with an agenda of destroying Trump every day the research is not done. I would think that supposed journalists would be embarrassed that they have peddled a fake story of Russian collusion with Trump for around 18 months now with actual no evidence. The journalists also know that it was a fake Russian dossier paid for by Hillary and the DNC that started the investigation and illegal spying but facts havent mattered for a long time. The agenda is to destroy Trump and the garbage stories are never ending. Unbelievable: Kate Steinle's killer launches new battle to sue America and stay in the U.S. After firing a stolen gun and killing Kate Steinle on the San Francisco waterfront in 2015, and then getting away with it in front of a leftwing jury which signaled motivation to strike back at President Trump, do you think Jose Ines Garcia-Zarate, is going away quietly? Do you think the five-times-deported illegal alien drug dealer and transient, with a record of seven felonies, will just allow himself to be deported, and then come back as he always does? Nope, not the case. He's apparently gotten a pile of leftwing-lawyer backing to sue the federal government over his 'vindictive prosecution.' According to Breitbart News: Jose Inez Garcia-Zarate, the illegal alien acquitted last year of murdering 32-year-old Kate Steinle in July 2015, has sued the federal government, demanding that it produce documents pertaining to vindictive prosecution and collusion with the state government in its prosecution against him. In November, a San Francisco jury found Garcia-Zarate not guilty of murdering Steinle, agreeing that although he had the gun from which the fatal shot was fired, the discharge could have been accidental. Seems that if you are that one-in-a-million thug with just the correct optics for the left, and manage to avoid getting convicted on an open-and-shut case, then any effort to bring justice to the victim of your crime is just ... vindictive prosecution from the feds. Illegals after, all, should all be free to come here, get sanctuary, and then fire any gun they like no matter which gringo it kills, right? That is the logic. What this shows is something appalling going on. The subliterate, non-English-speaking, multiple-criminal-conviction, zero-value illegal isn't doing this on his own. He's got backing and sponsorship now, from leftwing lawyer Tony Serra, famous for getting Huey Newton off the hook and defending the Symbionese Liberation Army. His new object of defense, Garcia-Zarate, who has no employable skills other than drug dealing and no right to work here, must be getting considerable support, not just legal advice, but enough cash so that his every need is now met. He's the far-left's poster boy for challenging the federal government, whose prosecution took place during the Obama years in a blue sanctuary city. The leftwing lawyers want to undermine even that. Unbelievable. Obviously, the larger forces sponsoring this utterly worthless person see a big moneypot worth harvesting from the taxpayers and are fully confident a leftwing judge and maybe a leftwing jury will break it open wide for both themselves and this illegal. As for Garcia-Zarate, if that is his real name, he is likely doing this not just for free money, (for it's very difficult to picture handing a taxpayer jackpot to this human garbage, though it may happen), but also to stay in the country for the duration of his lawsuit. We all know the five-time-deported illegal thinks it's his right to be here. If he can get it legally, and force himself among us to live as an equal, even after all his seven felonies, why not? Yet the fact remains: He's an illegal. He doesn't belong here. And he shouldn't have the right to access our justice system to meet his every need, drain our public coffers, and throw it all in our faces. It just goes to show the hostility of the left and the great need for reform in the legal system. If he can't be jailed, why can't this sorry excuse for a human being just be thrown out? It's a story that's not getting much play in the US - for obvious reasons. A group representing Afrikaners, the white minority claims that 82 white farmers were murdered just last year with 432 incidents of violence. The government is challenging those numbers and even whites admit that white farmers are not the only victims of violent crime in rural areas. The government of Australia is offering to fast track visas for white South African farmers who are under siege on their own land. But at least some white farmers are living in fear and they are blaming the bill passed by parliament last month that will allow the government to sieze white owned land without compensation. Many white farmers are choosing to leave and Australia is trying to expedite "humanitarian" visas. This has outraged the government who claim things are not as bad for white South African farmers as is being portrayed. Guardian: South Africa has criticised Australian home affairs minister Peter Duttons offer to fast-track the visas of its white African farmers, saying his comments on the supposed threat to their lives and land were sad and regrettable. A spokesperson for international relations minister Lindiwe Sisulu, said: There is no need to fear we want to say to the world that we are engaged in a process of land redistribution which is very important to address the imbalances of the past. But it is going to be done legally, and with due consideration of the economic impact and impact on individuals. On Wednesday, Dutton said white farmers deserved special attention due to the horrific circumstances of land seizures and violence. It follows recent reports in Australian media of numerous and increasing cases of rape and torture carried out on white farmers and a white minority in South Africa being murdered and tortured off their farms. However, Gareth Newham at the Institute for Security Studies, one of South Africas leading authorities on crime statistics, said there was no evidence to support the notion that white farmers were targeted more than anyone else in the country. In fact, young black males living in poor urban areas like Khayelitsha and Lange face a far greater risk of being murdered. The murder rate there is between 200 and 300 murders per 100,000 people, he said. Even the highest estimates of farm murders stand at 133 per 100,000 people, and that includes both black and white murder victims. Estimates of the rate of white farm murders are fiercely contested. Its a difficult question to answer because we dont really know exactly how many white South Africa farmers there are, said Newham. The whole nation is descending into chaos with Cape Town literally running out of water and urban areas suffering from extreme levels of violence. But with the government getting ready to sieze land that's been owned by the same families for hundreds of years, the sense that white farmers are targets is impossible to ignore. However, for South Africans who have lived through the violence or know people who have, Mr Duttons comments arent completely incorrect. One woman living in South Africa, who didnt want to be named out of fear of reprisals, told news.com.au she and her family were living in a constant state of fear. The retiree said crime wasnt limited just to white people or farming communities but accused the government of not doing enough to protect all South Africans. We are living in fear and are reluctant to go out at night and even during the day, she told news.com.au. So basically you are housebound most of the time. This is a terrible way to live. She said it wasnt just white people who were suffering with many black people also falling victim to crime. In South Africa black people kill each other for as little as a cell phone or a few Rand, she said. Your car cannot be parked on your driveway outside your home as the theft of the car takes place in minutes. She said most white owned homes have barbed wire, alarm systems and burglar bars while car-jackings were a part of life. Jobs for white people were also becoming harder to obtain, she said, with affirmative action favouring black people a point she didnt necessarily disagree with. However, she pointed out many would leave the country taking expertise in areas such as farming with them. The woman also said she was devastated at the crime taking place and especially at the violence being perpetrated against white farmers, which she believed had worsened under the current government. The government is promising the land grab will be done peacefully. They claim there will be no repeat of what happened in neighboring Rhodesia in 1980, now Zimbabwe, where an orgy of murders took place against white farmers there. When apartheid ended in 1994, provisions were made to protect white farmers from the exact program the government has now enacted. In fact, in order to sieze the land without compensation, they must change their constitution. But radical black South Africans now appear to be running the country. And the worst fears of white farmers are being realized. Thomas Lifson adds: I thank God that Australia will offer shelter to these farmers. If it were up to America to supply refuge, you could count on leftists demanding "extreme vetting" while they were slaughtered. Nearly all of them are skilled and successful farmers who would be an asset to any country with agricultural land needing cultivation. I have little doubt that there are those on the American left who would celebrate their ethnic cleansing. Canadas smartphone OEM, BlackBerry, has announced that CEO John Chen will remain in his current position through November of 2023. Mr. Chen began working at the company in November of 2013 and is responsible for defining the companys vision and goals, setting its strategy, and ensuring its execution. The statement made mention of the tremendous confidence BlackBerrys Board of Directors has in the CEO. When he was hired, John Chen entered the company during a time in which BlackBerry faced a very real possibility of extinction. The company had been suffering from a protracted period of declining sales and market share, spurred on by the emergence and energy of Apples iOS and Googles Android. Rather than take an approach like that of Nokia (siding with Microsofts Windows Phone OS) the company was adamant about continuing the development and release of its own hardware running its own unique OS. As the competition became more and more aggressive, even the most stalwart supporters, enthusiasts, and business people ultimately began to jump ship. Even the release of BlackBerry Messenger (BBM) on non-BlackBerry hardware failed to stimulate a salvageable situation, although it may very well have helped to keep the ship afloat. Mr. Chen has managed to turn the company around both in terms of making BlackBerry an Enterprise of Things company but also finding a way to continue the OEMs hardware presence as well. By finally ceasing the development of its own BlackBerry OS and instead shifting full gear to Android the Canadian company is now as relevant as it ever was among some core fans. Perhaps even more importantly, despite the fact that BlackBerry itself no longer designs or produces hardware internally, the licensed products it does authorize such as the BlackBerry KEYone are often touted as being just as good as the products that once came directly from the company itself. Given that the overall corporate performance situation is slowly but surely turning around, barring any unforeseen circumstances or market changes, it is possible that CEO Chens governance over BlackBerry for the foreseeable future will ensure continued success and a potential rise to (greater) relevance in the post-BlackBerry OS world. Google has posted a list of every Android Wear watch that is migrating to Wear OS, the re-branded wearables platform that Google officially announced earlier this morning. For now, there doesnt seem to be anything new with Wear OS compared to the most recent version of Android Wear, and to be clear, Wear OS is not an entirely different platform that will exist alongside Android Wear, its simply Googles new name for it, though it is worth mentioning that eventually Wear OS will introduce some new features, as it is Android Wear and with a name change Google is obviously intent on keeping the platform alive and taking it further with newer software. All that said, the list of watches that are moving to Wear OS is generally the same as the list that Google put out confirming which watches would be updated to the Oreo-based version of Android Wear. This includes some of the older watches like the Fossil Q Marshal, CASIO Smart Outdoor Watch, and Michael Kors Access Bradshaw, as well as some of the more recent watches like the Fossil Q Venture and Fossil Q Explorist, the DIESEL Full Guard, Misfit Vapor, Montblanc Summit and quite a few others. As it stands the update to the Wear OS platform only seems to include the name change on the watch and inside of the app, so when users boot up either one theyll see the new platform name before being taken to the main screen, and that is likely where the changes will stop until an actual version update comes along. As per usual, to get the update on the watch you will want to make sure that its connected to Wi-Fi, and Google highly recommends making sure you keep the watch on the charger overnight because, well, it needs battery power and it cant stay powered on or connect to Wi-Fi if the battery is dead. Google says the platform update to Wear OS will be getting pushed to all of the watches on its list over the coming days and weeks. The United States Federal Communications Commission certified three Sony-made devices earlier this week, with two of them being believed to be the Xperia XZ2 and Xperia XZ2 Compact which the Japanese phone maker announced at Mobile World Congress last month. The third handset remains unidentified but with its FCC ID number (PY7-00718V) being close to the other two (PY7-21831A, PY7-24118Q), some industry watchers are speculating the company is working on a third addition to the Xperia XZ2 family of Android flagships. While none of the certificates mention any model names, two out of three units are listed with dimensions that match those of the Xperia Xz2 and Xperia XZ2 Compact which Sony disclosed at the Barcelona, Spain-based trade show. The third smartphone hasnt been detailed by the agency in such a manner, with its filing only including basic wireless test results that are similar to those of the other handsets. The Tokyo-based original equipment manufacturer was expected to use MWC 2018 as an opportunity to announce a successor to the Xperia XZ Premium which was introduced at the same event last year but failed to do so. The company later said it isnt planning to follow up on its 2017 flagship just yet as part of its MWC 2018 FAQ page which also claimed the Xperia XZ2 and Xperia XZ2 Compact lack headphone jacks because Sony wanted to make them beautiful. The Japanese OEM witnessed its mobile business declining in recent times even as the company as a whole is still on course to post its best fiscal year ever this spring. Sony is still making money from its handsets and is performing better than the likes of LG and HTC but many industry analysts previously raised questions regarding its long-term prospects in the segment. While Sony isnt expecting its mobile business to mount a major comeback in the near future, it repeatedly stated it has no intentions of dropping it as it believes mobile solutions will be the key to unlocking the next big thing in the technology industry, whether thats virtual and augmented reality, on-device AI, or something else entirely. Qualcomm pushed the deadline for the completion of its proposed tie-up with Dutch NXP Semiconductors to next Friday, March 23, the company announced earlier today. While the firm already delayed the planned conclusion of the $44 billion deal on several occasions, this is the first such move announced following a four-month proxy takeover battle with Broadcom. The development comes several hours after rumors of a buyout emerged, with industry sources claiming ousted Executive Chairman Paul E. Jacobs approached several investors with the goal of identifying funding necessary for taking the company private. Dr. Jacobs was the first and possibly last executive victim of the Qualcomm-Broadcom saga, having been relieved of his chairman duties earlier this month as the rest of the firms top managers feared he may be accused of putting emotions over business decisions when it comes to deciding on whether to sell the company due to his personal ties to the manufacturer. The industry veteran joined Qualcomm in 1990, five years after his father Irwin M. Jacobs co-founded the San Diego, California-based chipmaker along with half a dozen other partners. He worked his way up through the companys ranks and ended up serving as its Chief Executive Officer from 2005 to 2014. While he was laid off from the position of Executive Chairman, Dr. Jacobs remains a member of Qualcomms board of directors and reportedly already informed its other members of his intentions to take the company private. Should his supposed plans be successful, the move would mark one of the largest buyouts in the history of trading, with Qualcomms market cap presently standing at $88.7 billion. One of the potential investors whos already said to have held talks with Mr. Jacobs is SoftBank, though the Japanese tech giant wouldnt be able to help finance his initiative through its massive Vision Fund given how Qualcomm itself is an investor in the venture. Instead, should the duo reach an agreement, the buyout would likely have to be funded directly by SoftBank Group. Qualcomms NXP acquisition is still up in the air as its awaiting approval from China which likely isnt satisfied with President Trumps decision to block the Broadcom-Qualcomm consolidation that could have provided an opportunity for Huawei to take the lead in the 5G segment and other tech fields, according to the Treasury Departments national security panel which advised the merger to be blocked. Win McNamee/Getty Images(WASHINGTON) -- Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke is receiving heat from some lawmakers for greeting a Japanese American congresswoman with the phrase "Konnichiwa" after being asked a question Thursday about continuing funds for the Japanese American Confinement Sites program. The program preserves confinement sites where Japanese Americans were detained during World War II. "Will we see it funded again in 2018?," asked Rep. Colleen Hanabusa, D-Hawaii, whose grandfathers during World War II were among the estimated 120,000 Japanese Americans sent to U.S. confinement camps. "Oh, Konnichiwa," Zinke replied with a phrase often used in the afternoon. "I think it's still 'ohayo gozaimasu,' but that's okay," Hanabusa corrected him with a phrase typically used in the morning. Zinke's comment quickly raised eyebrows as one audience member's jaw dropped immediately after his remark. Lawmakers quickly came to Hanabusa's defense - rebuking Zinke for his remarks. "My colleague asked Sec. Zinke a serious question about gov't funding and received the response "Konnichiwa." This blatantly insensitive remark by @secretaryzinke is uncalled for and is not behavior that a cabinet secretary should exhibit," Rep. Grace Meng, D-N.Y. tweeted. Sen. Mazie Hirono, D-Hawaii, also responded to Zinke's comments calling them "flippant and juvenile." "The internment of nearly 120,000 Japanese Americans is no laughing matter, @SecretaryZinke," she tweeted. ABC News reached out to the Interior Secretary's office, but did not receive a response. Zinke said to the congresswoman that the issue "probably got caught up in the priorities of fixing" other agency matters. Zinke concluded his response by telling Hanabusa he'd work on the issue with her. "I will look at it and I'll work with you on it, because I think it is important," he added. Copyright 2018, ABC Radio. All rights reserved. The Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S9 Plus are now available for purchase in Canada, with Samsungs latest flagships debuting in Titanium Gray and Lilac Purple color options. Its presently unclear whether the Midnight Black and Coral Blue variants will eventually debut in the country, with the South Korean phone maker being yet to provide any details on its future plans for Canada. The two devices can be purchased from all major mobile service providers in the country: Telus, Rogers, Videotron, Bell, Eastling, Koodo Mobile, Fido, Freedom Mobile, TBayTel, Virgin Mobile, and SaskTel. Walmart, Best Buy, Amazon, Canada Computers, and The Source are also retailing the Galaxy S9 lineup, with the handsets being priced at $960 CAD and $1,100 CAD. The models sold in Canada are powered by the Snapdragon 845, Qualcomms latest and most capable mobile chip to date which is also found inside the units that were released in the United States and will be featured in the devices set to hit China, as was the case with other Samsung-made flagships launched in recent years. Both the Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S9 Plus offered to Canadian consumers sport 64GB of internal flash storage expandable via a microSD card by up to 400GB. Previous reports suggested the phablets are actually capable of reading 2TB microSD cards but storage solutions with capacities north of 400GB still havent been commercialized. Samsung already confirmed its planning on releasing 128GB and 256GB variants of its new smartphones but has yet to share more details on the matter. Historically, such ultra-premium devices rarely made their way out of the companys home country and were only sold unlocked, though the Galaxy S8 lineup ended up being available with 128GB of flash memory in the U.S. last year. The Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S9 Plus released in approximately 70 markets today, and 40 more will be joining their availability list by the end of the month, Samsung confirmed. The new smartphones from the Seoul-based tech giant are expected to outsell every non-iPhone handset released over the course of this year and are hence widely considered to be the most important Android devices of 2018. One of Ubers fleet of self-driving cars currently engaged in public testing in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania was involved in an accident, it seems. The driver of the other car was Jessica Mclemore, who said that the Uber vehicle had its right turn signal on as she made a left turn, but collided with her by continuing to drive straight on. While conventional law would say that Mclemore is at fault in this incident due to making a left turn with oncoming traffic on the other side of the road, a few extra details apply in this case; the car was in autonomous mode when the crash happened and should most likely have not had its signal on, the Uber vehicle reportedly left the scene without any recourse, and Uber disputed Mclemores account of events, saying that its vehicle had its left turn signal on. According to Mclemore, the Uber having its turn signal on made her think it would turn right before colliding with her, making it safe for her to turn left. According to Uber, however, the left turn signal was on for a lane change, and the collision would still have occurred no matter which lane the car was in. Mclemore says that the safety driver for the vehicle assured her that she would get a ride home and repairs for her vehicle, then left, and she has had no contact with Uber since then. Though Mclemore is technically at fault in any case, the Uber driver leaving the scene and leaving her stranded due to heavy damage on her vehicle could result in fines or legal charges being thrown at the driver, the company, or both. There have been no official statements from Uber or Pittsburgh police at this point. Ubers self-driving cars were among the worst on public roads in a test a while back, requiring humans to take over just about once per minute, on average. The company has had time to improve since then, and has been embroiled in a legal battle with Googles Waymo over misappropriation of trade secrets. In this particular case, its quite possible that the human drivers unexpected behavior was beyond the cars physical ability to cope with, even if the self-driving system figured out how to avoid the crash as soon as it detected her heading toward it. Even so, the incident casts doubt on the safety of self-driving cars as a whole, a sentiment that Mclemore openly holds, according to an interview with a local news station following the incident. WriterImmediately following Strasbourgs slap in the face for the Spanish judicial system, and coinciding with the Spanish deputy PMs extremely aggressive public statements, a police operation, more symbolic and headline-grabbing than practical in nature, took place in the offices of the presidency of the Catalan government and the headquarters of the cultural association Omnium Cultural. The message is clear: faced with what they call the secessionist defiance, the Spanish state has objectives that it refuses to give up, not even due to international pressure which so far has been weak whatever the response from the pro-independence movement. The state believes this defiance offers the possibility of solving the Catalan problem once and for all. And such a solution obviously doesnt involve persuasion, or even defeating it, in the strictest sense of the word. It involves destroying its roots. This means humiliating it to start with. Secondly, dismantling or debasing what it considers to be the instruments of Catalanism: the Catalan police force, the public broadcasting corporation and the school system, but above all, the Catalan government itself as a self-governing institution, upon which everything else depends. And finally, politically deactivating even if it means ruining their lives a whole generation of pro-independence political and social leaders. The message is that its underway and that they have no intention of stopping. I dont think theyll get away with it, but a lot of people are bound to suffer in the meantime. Send to Email Address Your Name Your Email Address Post was not sent - check your email addresses! Email check failed, please try again Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email. By: Vasundhara Rastogi Landlocked by Myanmar, Cambodia, China, Thailand, and Vietnam, Laos is among the poorest economies of the world. Yet, in terms of gross domestic product (GDP), the economy continues to soar. Over the last decade, Laos has sustained an average growth rate of 7.8 percent, relatively higher than its neighboring countries. Economy The main source of its revenue is its huge reserves of natural resources including agriculture and forestry products, minerals such as gold, copper, zinc, and lead, and hydro-electric potential. Mining and hydropower are its biggest foreign currency generating sectors and account for 80 percent of its total FDI, with China, Vietnam, Thailand, Korea, France, and Japan being the leading source. The economy has benefited greatly from the foreign direct investment in its hydropower dams along the Mekong River. As of May 2016, China invested over US$6.7 billion in 760 projects in Laos, covering a wide range of sectors from energy and minerals industry to agricultural and service sector. Besides, agriculture is the mainstay of the economy. It employees over 75 percent of the population and contributes approximately 29 percent of GDP. Further, the country is also investing heavily in its services sector with two new component banking and tourism building huge potential for foreign investment in the country. RELATED: Pre-Investment and Market Entry Advisory from Dezan Shira & Associates Investment climate Laos has a free market economy with strong state control similar to the Chinese and Vietnamese models. Since the economic liberalization of 1986, the government has committed to increasing foreign investment in the country and undertook several policy initiatives. To attract FDI in certain prioritized sectors such as agriculture, industry, handicraft, and services, the government has developed special economic zones across the country replete with new infrastructure, commercial facilities as well as generous tax incentives. In January this year, for instance, the management board of Lao Savan SEZ located in Laos central region, announced two to 10 years of tax exemptions from the profitable time of the project, and a preferential corporate tax rate of eight to 10 percent for investors in the SEZ. In the coming years, Laos plans to establish as many as 40 SEZs and hope to attract US$ 3 billion in foreign investment. On the downside, however, Laos maintains a communist and patronage-driven culture. As a result, despite the governments efforts to curb corruption and improve the investment climate, the opaque business environment and the presence of politically connected vested interests make it difficult for investors to gain access to certain business sectors. Government initiatives In April 2017, Laos amended its law on investment promotion (LIP), setting out some new and amended articles regarding promoted business sectors and investment incentives, forms and types of investment, and investment management mechanisms, with an aim to facilitate company incorporation and improve the investment climate in the country. The new law seeks to provide a seamless process for business application, license issuance, and government, and bring in greater clarity with regards to eligible rights and incentives for business operators. Amendments made to the law will be applicable to all investors, regardless of their nationality. But will not apply to the existing contractual terms, operating under the old law. In other words, the law will not have retroactive effects on businesses that are currently operating in the country. Some of the key changes introduced under the new law include national and provincial assembly approval requirements; joint venture contracts; structure and content of investment incentives; and registered capital requirements. Outlook 2018 In 2017, the World Bank estimates Laos GDP to moderate at 6.7 as a result of slow growth in power generation, manufacturing, and agriculture, as well as a slight deceleration in investment and a drop in tourism. In 2018, however, economic recovery in China and other ASEAN nations is expected to have a positive effect on Laos, given its close trade links with the neighboring countries. The country is expected to grow at the rate of seven percent mainly on account of an increase in its hydropower exports, private investment, development of the tourism industry, and the construction of the US$6 billion rail line project linking Vientiane with the Laos-China border. The Laos-China railway will connect the Kunming-Singapore railway and will run through central Vientiane making Laos a vital part of the project. 62 Mother's Day Gift Ideas 2021 Impress Mom This Mother's Day With One of These Top Gift Ideas The AskMen editorial team thoroughly researches & reviews the best gear, services and staples for life. AskMen may get paid if you click a link in this article and buy a product or service. Product photos from retailer sites. Because moms are basically superheroes, weve curated the ultimate mega list of Mothers Day gift ideas to let the moms in your life know how grateful you are for all theyve done and all they continue to do. Whether youre shopping for your mom, the OG woman in your life who continues to be your biggest cheerleader, or youre looking for something for the mother of your children, your wonderful partner and ally who stands by your side as you navigate the wild world of parenthood, weve found a gift to match. RELATED: Cheap Mother's Day Gifts While this year's Mother's Day might be different from those of the past, as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, you can still make it a special day for the moms in your life. When Is Mother's Day? In case you forgot, Mother's Day falls on Sunday, May 9, this year. If you're still unsure about how you're going to spoil her, don't stress. You have some time to figure it out. Shopping Tips to Find The Coolest Gift Budget: According to the National Retail Federation, the average American spends around $205 on Mother's Day each year. That said, you certainly don't have to spend three figures to give her a gift she'll love. In fact, she would probably prefer thoughtful over flashy. According to the National Retail Federation, the average American spends around $205 on Mother's Day each year. That said, you certainly don't have to spend three figures to give her a gift she'll love. In fact, she would probably prefer thoughtful over flashy. Interests: Think about what she is passionate about before you even begin shopping. If she loves to cook, a specialty cookbook might be right up her alley. If she spends her Sunday mornings doing yoga workouts, a new mat would be perfect. As long as you take her personality into consideration while shopping, it's easy to come up with a thoughtful gift. Think about what she is passionate about before you even begin shopping. If she loves to cook, a specialty cookbook might be right up her alley. If she spends her Sunday mornings doing yoga workouts, a new mat would be perfect. As long as you take her personality into consideration while shopping, it's easy to come up with a thoughtful gift. Personalized Gift: If you're planning your gift in advance, a personalized Mothers Day present is one of the ultimate ways to show you care. If you're planning your gift in advance, a personalized Mothers Day present is one of the ultimate ways to show you care. Time: As a result of the current pandemic, many retailers are experiencing shipping delays. If you want her gift to arrive on time, consider ordering it a little earlier than you typically would. Best Mother's Day Gift Ideas After spending countless hours scouring the web, here are some of the best-selling and top-rated gift ideas for all different kinds of moms. From jewelry to tech gadgets, perfume to style accessories, every category is covered. Mejuri Organic Pearl Hoops Playful and refined, just like her, these 18K gold-plated earrings with fresh water pearls will elevate her everyday ensemble and blend in effortlessly with her dressier evening looks. $75 at Mejuri.com Nathalie Lete Mom Botanical Mug A special mug for a special woman, this gift will brighten up her morning coffee experience. Made from decaled stoneware it is microwave- and dishwasher-safe. $14 at Anthropologie.com Snapfish 500-Piece Puzzle Puzzles have made a big comeback over the past year and they're still going strong. Instead of grabbing her another landscape or abstract jigsaw, give your gift a personalized touch and create a puzzle with one of her favorite family photos. P.S. Don't forget to use the coupon code: MOMPZL. $21.99 at Snapfish.com J.Crew Dreamy Short-Sleeve Pajama Short Set You cant go wrong with a classic cotton PJ set. These dreamy pajamas from J.Crew will keep Mom cozy and comfortable during sleep and while padding around the house. $79.50 at Jcrew.com Minted Framed Photos A frame featuring a beautiful photograph or collage of photos will always strike the right sentimental chord and make for a perfect Mother's Day gift. Minteds extensive range of offerings means you can find the setup thats just for her, too. Prices vary at Minted.com Michael Kors Handbag Not only can the right handbag transform an outfit, but you don't have to worry about sizing when you purchase one as a gift, either. Whether Mom likes a classic crossbody or a sporty yet sleek backpack, Michael Kors has a handbag to match her taste all made from high-quality materials and all featuring functional details. $178 at Michaelkors.com The Route 'THE EVERYTHING DAY & THE EVERYTHING NIGHT DUO' No matter if youre shopping for your mom or your wife, the busy mama in your life will fall head over heels for this efficient yet effective skincare set. Each day and night she has everything she needs to moisturize, protect, and refine her skin in these two magic potions. $140 at TheRouteBeauty.com Brooklinen Super-Plush Robe Bring that luxurious hotel experience to her home every day with the perfect present of an ultra-plush robe. Made from 100% Turkish cotton, this Brooklinen design is incredibly cozy and has a nice weight to it. $98 at Brooklinen.com Ninja DT201 Foodi 10-in-1 XL Pro Air Fry Oven Meal prep just got easier. With this Ninja Foodi Air Fry Oven, you can air fry, air roast, bake, whole roast, broil, toast, prep bagels, dehydrate, reheat, and bake pizza with ease. The air fry process reduces fat by up to 75% compared to traditional methods, the oven bakes items up to 30% faster than the average oven, and results are up to 30% crispier, too. $299.99 at BestBuy.com Farmgirl Flowers Bouquet As simple as it may seem, picking out a Mothers Day floral arrangement can be dizzying. Take the stress out of flower shopping and snag her a beautiful bouquet of 25 stems, complete with fun foliage and rustic burlap wrapping. $79 at Farmgirlflowers.com L'Occitane Almond Delicious Hand & Nail Cream A good hand cream is not to be underestimated. This creamy balm features a blend of almond oil, almond milk, and shea butter which leaves hands hydrated but never greasy. And the subtle scent of almonds cant be beaten. $12 at Amazon.com Things Remembered Sterling Silver Jewelry A custom piece of jewelry is something she'll treasure for a lifetime. Whether it's a necklace featuring the family's birthstones or an engraved cuff bracelet, you're guaranteed to find something that reflects her sense of style within Things Remembered's wide selection of high-quality sterling silver designs. From $45 at ThingsRemembered.com Birch Breakfast Basket If you cant take Mom out for brunch, bring brunch to her. This Birch Breakfast gift basket has all the essentials she needs to whip up some pancakes topped with blueberry jam and maple syrup on Mothers Day. $39.95 at StonewallKitchen.com RELATED: First Mother's Day Gifts Sonos Roam Speaker No matter if shes lounging by the pool or relaxing in the garden, the Sonos Roam speaker is ready to set the soundtrack. Portable, durable, and waterproof, with up to 10 hours of play time and smart features like voice assistance, this speaker pretty much does it all. $169 at Sonos.com Legacy Box Are there boxes of home videos and photographs collecting dust in Moms basement? Let her relive the memories and preserve them in digital format with Legacy Box. All you have to do is pack everything up, send it over and the Legacy Box team will take care of the rest. $48 at LegacyBox.com lululemon Perfectly Oversized Crew Whether warming up for an outdoor workout or cooling down post-yoga flow, this super-soft hoodie from lululemon will quickly become Mom's go-to athleisure pick. Available in 13 different colors, ranging from green smoked spruce to light blue water drop, you are guaranteed to find one that suits her style. $108 at lululemon.com Open Spaces Large Felt Storage Bins Mom not only likes a clean house, but she likes a stylish house too. If thats the case, shes going to love Open Spaces. From perfectly sized felted wool under-the-bed storage to out in the open shoe racks, this brand has those little things she never knew she needed. $74 at GetOpenSpaces.com Lululemon Reversible Yoga Mat She may already have a yoga mat, but shes probably due for a replacement, as mat materials tend to get worn and stretched over time. Surprise her and elevate her practice with this reversible mat from lululemon. While one side features a polyurethane layer that is designed to absorb sweat, the other is ideal for less steamy classes. $68 at lululemon.com Echo Show This past year, in particular, has shown how important video calls are in maintaining connections with loved ones. With the Echo Show she will be able to make video calls, but also watch cooking tutorials, check the news, or securely check in on a connected doorbell camera or baby monitor. $129.99 at Amazon.com Hurom H-AA Slow Juicer Youve heard of juicers, but have you heard of slow juicers? This option from Hurom features special technology that allows it to produce juices with more nutrients and a more fresh, natural taste compared to competing options. Shell also love that its easy to clean. $459 at Hurom.com Winc Subscription Winc will match her palate (based on a survey shell fill out at sign up) with both local and international wines, and deliver them straight to her doorstep. Each bottle arrives with (unpretentious) tasting notes for the ultimate catered experience. Find out more at Winc.com My Sheets Rock The Regulator Help the busy mom on the go catch Zzzs in comfort with the unique gift of new sheets. Available in a wide range of eye-catching colors and made from the highest-grade bamboo rayon, this design helps to keep the body feeling cool and fresh throughout the night no matter the season. $169 at Mysheetsrock.com The Hill We Climb - Amanda Gorman If you cant write Mom a poem, give her the gift of one. Featuring Amanda Gormans powerful and historic poem The Hill We Climb: An Inaugural Poem for the Country, this book is a keepsake she can hold onto for a lifetime. $9.72 at Amazon.com RELATED: Gifts for Homebodies Parachute Soft Rib Slippers Pool slides with an at-home loungewear twist. These super soft slippers padded footbed will keep her feet feeling supported while rubber sole prevents any slips. $49 at Parachutehome.com Corkcicle Wine Tumbler The spring and summer seasons are the ideal time to take happy hour out onto the patio or by the pool. This stemless glass from Corkcicle not only looks sleek and stylish but its triple insulated design helps maintain drink temps. $27.95 at Amazon.com Samsung Galaxy Buds Live Whether shes running errands or running on the treadmill, a set of wireless Bluetooth earbuds will only improve her experience. These Samsung earbuds come complete with eight hours of battery life 29 with the charging case and feature a variety of sound settings so she can adapt them to suit her environment. $169.99 at Amazon.com The Sill Hoya Heart Plant If Mas not one for flowers, opt for a plant instead! From Hoya Heart plants to Fiddle Leaf Figs, The Sills selection of plant offerings is extensive and you cant go wrong with the stylish upcycled plant pot options. $32 at TheSill.com Scala Floppy Hat Summer is on its way. Help Mom get ready for some fun in the sun with this Scala floppy woven hat. $33.75 at Amazon.com MasterClass From drumming to dog training, MasterClass has a wide array of expert-led courses in its library. With the gift of an all-access pass, she can partake in any complete class or lesson shed like for an entire year. Find out more at MasterClass.com ban.do Vintage-Inspired Porcelain Vase If youre giving her a bouquet of blooms for Mothers Day, youre going to need a vase to go with them. This vintage-inspired design is particularly perfect if she plans to display her fresh flowers in the kitchen. $25.95 at Amazon.com Bobbi Brown Beach Perfume Encapsulating that feeling of the beach in a fragrance, this perfume is ideal for the summer season. With notes of jasmine, mandarin, and sea salt, Beach is at once fresh and warm. $79 at Nordstrom.com Homesick Scented Candle If she cant travel to her favorite destination at the moment, bring the scent of that spot to her. Homesick candles feature an intoxicating blend of just the right notes to transport you to a given location and they pack a ton of burn time. $30 at Amazon.com Haven Wave Organic Cotton 6-Piece Towel Set Bed Bath & Beyond just launched Haven, and it does not disappoint. Featuring lush, plush, spa quality towels any mom would love to have, the collection doesnt stop there. Finish off the set of six towels with a soft, oversized pebble bath rug or an acacia wood towel ladder. Mom probably has been to the spa in a while. Why dont you bring the spa to her this Mothers Day? $48 at BedBathandBeyond.com Audible Membership Even if Moms an avid bookworm, who loves nothing more than curling up with a good book, shes sure to love an Audible membership. Featuring an extensive library of audiobooks across all genres, with many narrations done by the authors themselves or recognizable celebrities, this gift will allow her to experience literature in a new way. First month free, $14.95/month at Audible.com RELATED: Best Gifts for Coffee Lovers K-Supreme Plus Single Serve Coffee Maker Moms deserve only the best, so if youre opting for something like the gift of caffeine this Mothers Day, a coffee maker with supreme in its name is the only thing thatll do. Keurigs K-Supreme Plus is truly a brewing beast, being the first from the brand that delivers on full flavor and aroma with its MultiStream Technology. Not to mention, your moms coffee will become customized, whether by strength, temperature setting, or ounces. Mom will forget she ever used anything else once she realizes shes only a few buttons away from an absolutely perfect cup of Joe in her own home. $162.95 at Amazon.com The Pepper Thai Cookbook - Pepper Teigen Just like you, Chrissy Teigen learned a lot from her mom and now Pepper Teigen is taking the spotlight to share some of her favorite Thai-inspired dishes. From Pad Thai Brussels Sprouts to Fried Chicken Larb, there are plenty of options for Mom to add to her recipe repertoire. $17.84 at Amazon.com Davids Tea The Never Stops Mom Set The mom on the go needs tea that can keep up with her pace. With two fruity blends cherry berry punch and rainbow lemonade and a traveling tea press, this gift set will see her through the entire spring and summer seasons. $59 at Davidstea.com Lululemon Double Roller If she loves a good workout, this double roller will be a welcome gift. The outer roller can be used on the arms and legs and the inner grooved roller can be used on the back. $58 at lululemon.com Pdpaola Bond Silver Bracelet Going the personalized jewelry route? Look no further. This sleek, simple lock charm bracelet designed to depict unbreakable bonds is something she can wear daily and the small custom etching will make it all the more special. $98 at Pdpaola.com Streaming Service Subscription Help her stay on top of the latest TV, movie, and miniseries hits with a subscription to a streaming service. From Apple TV + and Hulu to Peacock TV, your options are endless. From $4.99 at Apple.com ChappyWrap Hydrangea Blanket Movie nights or brisk mornings on the patio are made all the more enjoyable when youve got a cozy blanket on hand. This hydrangea-printed pick is lovely to look at, but its also incredibly soft and durable, too. $135 at ChappyWrap.com Jenis Ice Cream Subscription This one isnt going to be a hard sell: Ice. Cream. Delivery. If that isnt tempting enough to have you reaching for your card, take a peek at the range of flavors: Boston Cream Pie, Churro, Salty Caramel ... need we go on? With a membership to Jenis Pint Club, Mom will receive four pints of ice cream every three months. You cant select the flavors that go in each box, but Jenis will include a variety of options every time. Prices vary at Jenis.com FLORA GUARD 3 Piece Aluminum Garden Tool Set Functional and fashionable this gardening tool set, including a trowel, cultivator, and pruning shear, is bound to be put to good use this summer. While the ergonomic handles prevent hand fatigue, the blades are sturdy and rust-proof. $17.99 at Amazon.com Mirror This gift is a splurge for sure, but if youre planning to get her a Mirror to begin with, nows the time since you can take advantage of this deal: Free Shipping and Installation ($250 value) plus a free $100 lululemon gift card with code MOTHERSDAY21 With the Mirror, she will have access to trainer-led workouts right at home, without the need for extra equipment or a ton of space. From $1,495 at Mirror.co RELATED: Best Fitness Gifts for Women Veuve Clicquot Champagne Mothers Day and Sunday brunch often go hand in hand. Since you might not be able to hit up a restaurant this year, give Mom the tools she needs for a great brunch at home. A bottle of Veuve will add a touch of decadence to morning mimosas. $59.99 at Drizly.com Steampunk Coffee Subscription Few things are worse for a coffee lover than discovering your last bag of beans is empty. The great thing about a coffee subscription is that it ensures you always have a fresh supply of coffee at home, but it can also broaden your brew horizons, allowing you to experience new roasts and flavors. From $16 at StumptownCoffee.com Hillberg & Berk Gemstone Birthstone Necklace If your wife is celebrating her first Mothers Day as a mom she likely doesnt have jewelry in her little ones birthstone yet (assuming they dont share a birth month). Surprise her with this elegant and eye-catching necklace in said birthstone and youre guaranteed to see her smile. $77 at Hillbergandberk.com EO Essential Oils French Lavender Bubble Bath Coconut, aloe vera, and lavender essential oil, how can you go wrong? If she loves to cap off an evening with a soak in the tub, this bubble bath will likely become her favorite gift from the day. $16.99 at EOProducts.com Le Creuset Kettle Prepping tea or French press coffee is about to get a stylish upgrade with this Le Creuset kettle. Made to heat quickly and conveniently, and featuring an ergonomic handle for safe pouring, it will be put to good use throughout the day. $99.95 at Amazon.com Turkish Towel You may fawn over the extra-plush neon beach towels youve been using since college, but Mom deserves better. Fine-woven, lightweight, and super absorbent, Turkish towels have been a staple Mediterranean homeware for centuries. And thanks to their small size they are easy to tuck inside a beach bag. $21.99 at Amazon.com HU Chocolate Bars You can never go wrong with the great gift of chocolate. And when there are this many flavors to choose from, the only tough decision will be nailing down a final pick. From $19.92 (4-Pack) at Amazon.com Apple Watch Series 6 An Apple Watch is a splurge gift, but its one shell use every day for years to come. No matter if shes keeping tabs on her heart rate and calorie count or calendar and text messages, it will do it all and do it in style. From $429 at Walmart.com Melissa Wood Health Fitness Subscription Combining elements of meditation, yoga, cardio, and Pilates, Melissa Wood Healths workouts have become a go-to for fitness enthusiasts over the past year. You can choose to sign Mom up for a month or opt for a full-year membership. From $13.05/month (after 7-day free trial) at Melissawoodhealth.com Fujifilm Instax Square SQ6 Camera Whoever said physical photographs are dead clearly hasn't seen the Instax. This clever camera takes high-quality instant photos and comes equipped with colored photo filters and a self timer. $82.95 at Amazon.com Swell Water Bottle S'well water bottles come in a slew of different colors and styles so it's easy to find one to suit Mom's taste. Aside from their sleek aesthetic, these bottles actually keep hot drinks hot for 12 hours straight and cold drinks iced to perfection for up to 24 hours. And for a personal touch, you can add her name or initials for an extra $10. From $25 at Swell.com Shutterfly Photo Tiles Is Mom all about the gram? Transform her Insta pics into a wall collage. All you need to do is pick a format and upload your selected photo(s) to a frame(s) on Shutterfly. Tiles stick effortlessly to the wall and can be moved around at any time. $24.99 at Shutterfly.com CV x Every Mother Counts Big Tote Let her show off her motherly pride in style with this canvas tote from Clare V. Not only will she appreciate this bags printed message Maman Je Taime (French for I love you, Mom), but shell love the cause behind it. One hundred percent of the net proceeds go toward Every Mother Counts, an organization that seeks to help women with pregnancy and childbirth across the world. $62.25 at Clarev.com Hanging Terrarium There's something fascinating about a living gift that pretty much takes care of itself. The whole concept of the terrarium is that it thrives in its own mini-ecosystem by reusing the water that continuously evaporates and then condensates inside the glass. A cool gift for the mom with a green thumb. $23.50 at Amazon.com Earnest Living Diffuser Bring the spa experience to her everyday with this diffuser. She can switch up the essential oils to suit her mood and the occasion, and it includes seven different colorful light settings. $25.99 at Amazon.com Be Soft Ritual Set Help her create a spa-like facial experience at home with this ritual set. The mask is incredibly moisturizing, while the palo santo is meant to bring good energy to a space. $42 at Besoft.nyc Coach Belt Bag Help her keep her hands free and stay on-trend with a belt bag. Made from polished pebble leather, this model looks just as good worn around the waist as it does across $175 at Coach.com P&D Metal Works Solid Fire Ring Help the hostess with the mostess take her summer gatherings to the next level with this unique Mother's Day gift idea. This fire ring is easy to assemble and keeps fires well contained, so friends and family can relax by the fire and roast marshmallows without worry. From $159.99 at Cabelas.com Burrow Pillow and Throw Set Burrow has quite a few cost options that mom is sure to love when it comes to pillows and throws. Help mom differ up the decor a bit and buy her a matching-but-not-matchy-matchy suitable set for the sofa set. $195 at Burrow.com The mom in your life is sure to love any one of these gifts. Make sure to spoil her, and dont forget to mark May 10 in your calendar! You Might Also Dig: AskMen may get paid if you click a link in this article and buy a product or service. To find out more, please read our complete terms of use. Chapman Tripp has responded to the latest inappropriate behaviour claim to hit a top New Zealand law firm. Andrew Woods, the firms chair, has confirmed with Australian Lawyer that it is investigating the matter. Chapman Tripp only became aware of the alleged incident last week, the senior executive said. It was not raised with them by the university involved, its law student society, or anyone who attended the camp. In a New Zealand Herald story published today, a woman told the publication that a Chapman Tripp lawyer had sex with an Auckland University law student during the Law Students Society annual law camp in 2012. Today marks the one-year anniversary of the death of Artur Sargsyan the bringer of bread. Sargsyan, who was arrested and later released for bringing food to members of the armed SasnaDzrer group who seized a Yerevan police building in July 2016, staged a three-week hunger strike after being detained in February 2017, allegedly for not appearing for a court date regarding his case. Sargsyan was pronounced dead at Yerevans Armenia Medical Center after being diagnosed with an abdominal hernia. He died a few hours after being operated on. Sargsyans death certificate specified cardio-vascular failure and multiple organ failure as the cause of death. Hetq spoke to Sargsyan after being released from jail after his first arrest. AMG Right after Geneva, Aston Martin made the rounds in the automotive media with two new breadcrumbs. First of all, the yet-unnamed supercar scheduled to arrive in 2020 has been confirmed with hybrid assistance. Then theres the brother of the Valkyrie , also known as the hypercar that will come after the Valkyrie in 2021.This gets us to Varekai, a trademark the British automaker filed with the Intellectual Property Office for Class 12 goods, namely passenger cars and racing cars and parts and fittings therefor. What could Aston Martin do with such a weird name?Varekai means wherever (anywhere) in the Romani language, and some of you might have heard it before thanks to Cirque du Soleil . The question is, could one of the Lagonda models or the Valkyries so-called brother receive it as the official handle?Its tough to say, with many motoring publications from the English-speaking world having polarizing opinions on this matter. One theory which is the most intriguing of the lot is the DBX Concept -inspired crossover to be named Varekai. Why would Aston Martin do that, its hard to tell, more so when Valkyrie is closer to Varekai.Speaking of the DBX, the automakers first-ever sport utility vehicle shares the Second Century platform with the DB11 and all-new Vantage. Production starts in the first half of 2019 at the St. Athan plant in South Wales, which will soon enter the final stage of construction.The Mercedes-4.0-liter V8 and Aston Martin 5.2-liter V12 are no-brainers for this application, though electrification will up the ante later on in the life cycle of the DBX. Based on the drivetrain of the DBX Concept, an all-electric version could also make the cut. SUV One of the carmakers preparing for a long time ofsuccess is Ford . Friday was the Blue Ovals big day, as it announced and previewed several exciting models, including the revived Bronco and the Mach 1 electric SUV.Amid the excitement caused by the revelations, Ford hid, in plain sight, an ester egg: its plans for the future. Big plans, actually.Betting on its own estimates that SUVs could account for 50 percent of U.S. industry retail sales by 2020, the carmaker will take a huge amount of money away from the development of cars and give it to SUVs: $7 billion.The money will be used to create an army of eight SUV models, placing the carmaker among the few brands with more than six such vehicles in their lineup. Five of the SUVs will come with hybrid powertrains, and one, the Mach 1 we mentioned earlier, will be all-electric.One of the market segments Ford set its sights on is the high-volume SUV. For that, new generations of the Escape and Explorer will be launched next year.According to data released earlier this year by JATO Dynamics, of the 86 million cars sold worldwide in 2017, 34 percent of them were SUVs. Thats a record, driven mainly by midsize SUVs (16.6 percent), followed by large SUVs, with 17.7 percent.For North America, Fords bet might pay off. In 2017, two out of three cars sold in 2017 have been SUVs. And even if theres a slim chance that ratio would increase further, Fords SUV offensive is directed at its competitors, from which it hopes to steal some more customers in the years ahead. Called Co-Pilot360, the suite comes as standard with features like automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, blind spot information system, lane keeping system, rear backup camera and auto high beam lighting.For the North American market, Ford will also add other technologies as well starting 2018, like adaptive cruise control with stop and go and lane centering, evasive steering assist and post-collision braking.Also on the American market, the carmaker will make automatic emergency braking standard on all new passenger cars, SUVs and trucks, starting with the 2019 Ford Edge and Edge ST. Though our vehicles today are safer than ever, drivers tell us they are still stressed about getting in a potential accident, said Jim Farley, Ford president of Global markets.Thats one reason why were making these must-have technologies accessible to millions of customers each year.The roll-out of extensive driver assist technologies by Ford comes off the heels of a National Transportation Safety Board study which found that technologies like auto emergency braking drastically reduce the number of rear-end crashes, thus reducing the cost for repairs.For the years ahead, Ford is researching other driver assist systems, investing $500 million over the next five years in various projects. For instance, in 2019, it plans to roll out in North America and Asia Pacific automatic emergency braking for reverse driving.A comparison made by Ford between the cars it sells and the ones made by Toyota, Honda, and Chevrolet shows that Co-Pilot360 is the most comprehensive system of its type in the segment. Only Toyota comes close to the Americans, the only thing they lack being blind spot information system with cross traffic alert. AV To be called Cruise, the model will enter production soon at the Orion Township plant, in time for the market launch in 2019. Whats interesting is that while other producers still struggle with making their autonomous vehicles Level 3 , 4 at the most, GM targets the Holy Graal of AV-building.Having no steering wheel, no pedals and no manual controls, the car is a Level 5, meaning it doesnt need a driver either. Instead it uses one of the most intriguate sets of cameras and sensors weve ever seen to guide itself along the way. Called roof-modules, they are already being produced at the Brownstown plant.It not yet clear what market segment GM targets with the Cruise AV perhaps car sharing, or delivery. The timing may be however a bit off.Most carmakers are involved to some extent or another in developing self-driving cars, but all are no way near making them production-ready.Aside from that, the public is not yet ready to get into a car that drives itself. A study by the Center for Automotive Research (CAR) says that by the year 2030, Level 4 and 5 systems will constitute only 4 percent of new vehicles sold on the global market.Apparently oblivious to findings such as that, GM plans to invest more than $100 million to upgrade both facilities were the Cruise would be manufactured. For reasons known only to them, GM managers call next years Cruise the fourth-generation, after building only 200 units since research began in 2017.Were continuing to make great progress on our plans to commercialize in 2019, said GM president Dan Ammann.Our Orion and Brownstown teams have proven experience in building high-quality self-driving test vehicles and battery packs, so they are well-prepared to produce the Cruise AV. Well, fret not because the good people out to make a profit have the solution for you. Yes, it is going to cost you a considerable premium, but what did you expect? Back in 2016, you could either be either cheap or bold, and it seems like you chose the former. Now, you'll actually have to pay much more, Mr. Ebenezer Scrooge.After a slow start, Tesla is now delivering the Model 3 pretty much all over the North American continent, but it is yet to expand beyond the Atlantic ocean. The first European customers are expected to receive their cars in a few months, but it probably all depends on how well the production ramp-up is going.According to its self-imposed target (which has been pushed back several times already, so another postponement wouldn't look well at all), the Fremont plant should be assembling 2,500 units a week by the end of this month. We have no idea what the current output is, but Tesla is going to have to tell everybody during the first week of April, so we'll soon find out.But even assuming the worst, those Europeans with enough money and determination can already buy a Model 3 off the so-called gray market. The cars are imported from the U.S. with only a few miles on the clock - ranging from a few hundred to a few thousand - and sold to the impatient customer from abroad for a substantial profit.A quick search on Germany's (and probably Europe's) most important car-selling website, mobile.de , will yield exactly four results, with three of them already nestled on German soil and one sitting in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, awaiting shipping as soon as an interested party arises.As far as prices go, they range from 65,000 all the way to 89,990 (that would be the equivalent of $80,000 and $110,800). Needless to say, you could buy some very nice cars for that kind of money, but for someone who desperately wants a 3, that argument is as solid as telling a hungry person who can't afford to buy food that they have enough money for a bottle of water.Before you rush out to make the mistake of your life, consider this: the Tesla Supercharger network in Europe uses a different connector (because reasons), so you would only be able to charge the car at home or third-party level 2 charging stations. If that's not a deal-breaker - canceling the car's road trip ability - then we really don't know why you would even want a Tesla. EV Even if it looks as though the main purpose of autonomous driving is to allow you to check your Facebook feed while cruising down the freeway, it's actually making the roads a much safer place for everyone. Because people are going to look at their phones no matter what, so you might as well make the cars capable of handling themselves.Virtually all carmakers are involved in a self-driving project one way or another, but none has been more vocal about it than Tesla. Elon Musk's company has been making the boldest claims, so much so that some Tesla owners thought - and some still do - that their cars are already able to drive on their own. They're not, and we all know how this misunderstanding ended up for Joshua Brown.But putting yourself in the spotlight as Tesla did has its drawbacks too. You might be the first name people think of when speaking about AI-controlled cars, but the subject will also pop up every time one of your vehicles is involved in an accident. For a short while, there was definitely a witch-hunting going on with everyone waiting for the next casualty caused by Autopilot Luckily, it didn't happen, but that doesn't mean the media stopped looking. Take, for instance, this Model S crash that happened yesterday in Wormerveer, Holland. The large electric sedan managed to hit three vehicles - a car, a scooter, and a bicycle (with the latter admittedly being an easy feat in the Netherlands) - before coming to a stop, injuring one person in the process.The local media (NH News ) hastened to talk about the Autopilot feature after witnesses described theas "out of control." There was nothing to suggest that was the case and the system is rarely used in urban areas, and yet the report included this mention. It's a clear example of how the media can plant seeds in people's minds by associating the Autopilot with this incident even though they had nothing to do with one another.Funnily enough, the Model S involved was so old, it wasn't even equipped with the Autopilot suite at all, making its mention all the more pointless and ridiculous. The report does mention a "technical flaw" that caused the incident, which means Tesla still has some investigations to make after all. President of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, John Bailey, is currently being investigated for reports of sexual harassment, Variety reports. Why it matters: The Academy ousted Harvey Weinstein from its ranks, after overwhelming reports of sexual assault and harassment during Bailey's tenure. Per Variety, the Academy "received three harassment claims on Wednesday." DeAndre Harris, who had been accused of assaulting the state chairman of the white supremacist group The League of the South during the Charlottesville rally, was found not guilty of assault in a district court on Friday. Flashback: During the "Unite the Right" rally, Harris had been severely beaten in a parking garage, which led to spinal injury and head lacerations. He was arrested in October when white supremacist Harold Crews filed a police report and convinced a Charlottesville magistrate to issue an arrest warrant for Harris. Harris had faced up to a year in jail and a $2,500 fine. This week, a Nigerian senator representing the governing party blew the whistle on an amazing story: Beyond their $2,000 per month salaries, senators in Nigeria have been receiving about $37,500 per month to spend on expenses, however they choose. At that rate, a two-term senator can amass $3.5 million in a country with annual per capita income of $2,175. It was a moral issue, said Shehu Sani, the senator in question (pictured above). You could take care of over 100 graduates from a senators salary, he said. The legislature should deliberate on the abject poverty and unemployment in the country. Think Mr. Sani is popular with his colleagues today? But this is not just a story about corruption, about people going into government to make big money they can hide from the public. Its also a story about personal and political courage and the fight against corruption in one of Africas most economically and politically important countries. This is how nations make progress. Sign up for Signal, a twice-weekly newsletter from GZERO Media, a Eurasia Group company. The Cook Political Report shifted nine Republican House seats across the nation toward Democrats after Conor Lamb's victory in Pennsylvania's 18th district, which Trump won by 20 points in 2016. Why it matters: There are 114 GOP-held districts less competitive than PA-18, so this shift should put Republicans on "heightened alert," writes Cook Political Report's Dave Wasserman. What they're saying: "There are Democratic candidates with records of service who fit their districts all across the country, and Republicans are totally clueless on how to counter," said DCCC spokesperson Tyler Law. CA-07 Bera | Lean D to Likely D | Lean D to Likely D CA-24 Carbajal | Likely D to Solid D | Likely D to Solid D FL-13 Crist | Likely D to Solid D | Likely D to Solid D NJ-07 Lance | Lean R to Toss Up | Lean R to Toss Up NM-02 OPEN (Pearce) | Likely R to Lean R (Pearce) | Likely R to Lean R NY-03 Suozzi | Likely D to Solid D | Likely D to Solid D OH-12 VACANT (Tiberi) | Likely R to Lean R (Tiberi) | Likely R to Lean R PA-08 Fitzpatrick | Lean R to Toss Up | Lean R to Toss Up PA-12 Rothfus | Lean R to Toss Up One quick thing from Wasserman: OH-12 is a lot like PA-18, except it's even less Republican (Trump only won it by 11 points.) It was a homecoming, of sorts, for newly elected Armenian President Armen Sarkissian when he paid a visit to the New York-based EastWest Institute where hes served as vice-chairman since 2008. Sarkissians involvement with the international not-for profit think tank on international conflict resolution began in 2002, when he became a member of the board of directors. The EastWest Institute warmly congratulated Sarkissian on his election, by the Armenian National Assembly, as president of Armenia on March 2. Ambassador Joseph Yun, former "U.S. point man on North Korea," said the regime was "a little bit surprised that...President Trump readily accepted" the offer of a meeting, CNN reports. The bigger picture: North Korea has wanted to meet with President Trump for a while, reports CNN, but "lack of agreement within the Trump administration" on how to approach the situation delayed it. Yun said this approach with North Korea has to be different from past attempts, because they already have threatening nuclear power, where as before "we were trying to stop them from getting there." The Justice Department is broadening its probe into Wells Fargo's questionable practices to include the bank's wealth management operations, reports the WSJ citing people familiar with the situation. Why it matters: Wells Fargo is in the midst of a massive investigation examining it's "widespread consumer abuses." The bank has "admitted that employees opened more than 3 million fake accounts in order to meet sales quotas." Wells Fargo and the DOJ have not responded for comment. Russian President Vladimir Putin is all but guaranteed to win Russia's presidential election on Sunday. Voter turnout, on the other hand, is less certain. The Kremlin has set a target of 70% to secure the appearance of Putin's legitimacy, but, according to recent polling by the Russian Public Opinion Research Center, no more than 67% of voters plan to show up. Should too few voters turn out, that might hand Putin margin of victory high enough to look illegitimate. Why it matters: Putin isn't just looking ahead to his next term he's looking at his own political future. He will need a resounding and legitimate-looking win to jump-start the term, as well as to plan for what happens beyond 2024 when, for now at least, he is again barred from remaining president. With only a couple of days to go, here are some factors that might affect turnout: Growing dissatisfaction in cities: Recent polling finds Putin's approval declining over 10% in Russia's largest cities. Although Putin has not drawn support there in past elections, his support in smaller cities his traditional base has fallen as well. Get out the vote operations: After a slow start, Putin is now campaigning. Meanwhile, local leaders have turned to a number of strategies to gin up enthusiasm at polling places, employing both carrots (festivals, prizes for polling organizers that draw more voters) and sticks (threats to job security). October surprises in March: A public health crisis involving a landfill near Moscow, which drove more than 5,000 people to protest at the beginning of the month, may mobilize voters. Meanwhile, should the U.K. and other European states respond more aggressively to the attempted assassination last weekend of former Russian spy Sergei Skripal in England though that hasn't happened just yet the Kremlin may take it as an opportunity to rally Russians around the flag. The bottom line: With the election effectively decided, turnout is the best barometer for Putin's support. The degree of "legitimacy" he pulls out will be critical for building political capital as he enters his next term. Aaron Schwartzbaum is founder and editor in chief of the FPRI Bear Market Brief and a Russia and Ukraine analyst at Geoquant. Former South African president Jacob Zuma, who resigned in February ahead of a no confidence vote that would have removed him from power, has officially been charged on 16 counts of corruption, fraud, racketeering and money laundering. The backdrop: Zuma has been dogged by corruption scandals since before he became president in 2009, and was most recently accused of steering government contracts to two wealthy Indian-born brothers and enriching himself in the process. His successor, Cyril Ramaphosa, has presented himself as a reformer and anti-corruption fighter. Compare the original BRICs countriesBrazil, Russia, India, and China. Three of them are situated in regions where rivalries among neighbors can provoke armed conflict, and where governments spend big on their militaries. Arent Brazilians lucky that war in 21st century South America seems so unlikely, and that the risk of terrorism is much lower within or near their borders than in the Middle East, Asia, or Europe? Countries across the wider region of South and Central America and the Caribbean have many problems, but their armies matter more for domestic politics than for foreign policy. But look again at the idea of security. For ordinary people, crime is much more dangerous than hypothetical threats of war. Mexicos Citizens Council for Public Security recently released its annual rankings of cities with the worlds highest murder rates. The top 12 cities are all in Brazil, Mexico, and Venezuela. In fact, 42 of the top 50 cities are in Latin America and the Caribbean, including 17 cities in Brazil alone. If you count San Juan, Puerto Rico as an American city, which it is, rather than as a Caribbean city, five of the remaining eight are in the US, and three are in South Africa. With or without the risk of war, this form of national insecurity also comes with political, economic, and social costs. Sign up for Signal, a twice-weekly newsletter from GZERO Media, a Eurasia Group company. Former President Trump filed a lawsuit against the New York Times and his niece Mary Trump on Tuesday over the news outlet's reporting on his tax records, the Daily Beast first reported. Details: The lawsuit, filed in New York's Dutchess County, alleges the NYT "engaged in an insidious plot to obtain confidential and highly-sensitive records" and that it "convinced" Mary Trump to "smuggle records out of her attorney's office and turn them over to The Times." Russia plans to expel British diplomats in retaliation to British Prime Minister Theresa Mays decision on Wednesday to kick out 23 Russian diplomats in response to the nerve agent attack on ex-spy Sergei Skripal, Reuters reports. Why it matters: Russia has denied involvement in the attack, but British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson said Friday that it is overwhelmingly likely that Vladimir Putin was behind it. Even President Trump, who has defended Russia in the past, said Thursday that "it looks like" Russia is the culprit. The advisory board President Trump created to help revise federal regulations for importing the heads and hides of African elephants, lions and rhinos is loaded with active trophy hunters, the Associated Press reports. One key detail: The AP reviewed the backgrounds and social media posts made by the 16 board members appointed by Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke. The members indicated "they will agree with his position that the best way to protect critically threatened or endangered species is by encouraging wealthy Americans to shoot some of them." Why it matters: AP's review comes weeks after the Trump administration rollbacked Obama-era restrictions that ban such imports. It now plans to grant and deny permits for importing trophies of elephants hunted in Zimbabwe and Zambia on a case by case basis. Trump in January called plans to reverse Obama's ban "terrible." U.S. officials on Thursday accused Russia of a wide-ranging campaign of cyberattacks that targeted energy infrastructure, citing a "multi-stage intrusion campaign by Russian government cyber actors." Why it matters: Reuters notes that it's the "first time the United States has publicly accused Moscow of hacking into American energy infrastructure." "Since at least March 2016, Russian government cyber actors...targeted government entities and multiple U.S. critical infrastructure sectors, including the energy, nuclear, commercial facilities, water, aviation, and critical manufacturing sectors," the FBI and Department of Homeland Security said in a joint statement. Threat level: "United States officials and private security firms saw the attacks as a signal by Moscow that it could disrupt the Wests critical facilities in the event of a conflict," the New York Times reports. The context: The information came alongside a Treasury Department announcement of sanctions against 5 entities and 19 individuals in Russia over meddling during the 2016 U.S. election as well as for destructive cyberattacks, including the NotPetya malware attack. It was not nice of Yerevan to annul diplomatic protocols that would normalize its relations with Ankara, a senior Turkish official said on a trip to Baku on Friday as reported by an Azerbaijani news agency. In the first official public reaction of Ankara to Yerevans move Turkeys Deputy Foreign Minister Ahmet Yildiz again linked the implementation of the agreements, which were never ratified by parliaments in either country, to the resolution of the protracted Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh. The Turkish-Armenian accords envisaging the establishment of diplomatic relations and opening of the border between the two countries was signed through the mediation of Switzerland in Zurich in late 2009. The United States and Russia supported Yerevan and Ankara in their endeavor to normalize historically strained relations. In negotiating the deal Armenia insisted that its implementation should not be conditioned on other issues. After its signing, however, Turkey repeatedly linked it with progress in Armenias negotiations with its regional ally, Azerbaijan, regarding the settlement of the conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh. Citing Ankaras continuing refusal to implement the normalization protocols unconditionally, Armenia formally annulled the agreements on March 1. Although the Zurich protocols between Turkey and Armenia had not been enacted, it was not nice of the Armenian side to take a decision to annul them, said Yildiz, who attended an international forum hosted in Baku. Azerbaijani news agency APA quoted the Turkish diplomat as claiming that Yerevan benefited more from the protocols than Ankara. It is their decision. All the same they have demonstrated their unwillingness to settle the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict over all these years. This way they once again demonstrate the same position. What we do expect from them above all is their withdrawal from the Azerbaijani land. This was the key to resolving this conflict. But they did not want it, Yildiz added. During a news briefing in Yerevan on Thursday Armenias Deputy Foreign Minister Shavarsh Kocharian confirmed that the decision to annul the protocols was properly communicated to Turkey and reiterated that the Armenian side is ready to conduct negotiations aimed at normalizing relations without preconditions. We have not received any offer from the Turkish side in that direction, the senior Armenian diplomat said. Armenias Ministry of Nature Protection has dispensed with the services of the Pandera Security company. Last September, the ministry hired the company to patrol three of the five sections comprising the Dilijan National Park. Hiring a private company to perform such services was a six-month pilot program that the ministry heralded as ushering in a new and efficient way to monitor the countrys parklands and nature reserves. Ministry Chief of Staff Hovhannes Hovhannisyan told Hetq that one of the reasons for discontinuing working with Pandera Security was because the company wanted AMD 82.8 million a month to patrol the park. This was a drastic jump from the AMD 55.5 million the company had been paid for the entire six-month experimental program. 82 million is a large number. We couldnt pay it, said Hovhannisyan, adding that turning to a private firm to patrol the park hadnt worked out as expected. Nevertheless, something good came out of it. First, our employees received a wake-up call, Hovhannisyan said. Two sections of the park will be patrolled by state employees on a special rotation basis and bonuses will be granted for exemplary work. The ministry also plans to incorporate contemporary technical solutions to patrol and protect the park more effectively. By Joseph S. Nye Last month, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for global action to minimize the risk posed by electronic warfare to civilians. Guterres lamented that there is no regulatory scheme for that type of warfare, noting that it is not clear how the Geneva Convention or international humanitarian law applies to it. A decade ago, cyber security received little attention as an international issue. But, since 2013, it has been described as the biggest threat facing the United States. Although the exact numbers can be debated, the Council on Foreign Relations Cyber Operations Tracker contains almost 200 state-sponsored attacks by 18 countries since 2005, including 20 in 2016. The term cybersecurity refers to a wide range of problems that were not a major concern among the small community of researchers and programmers who developed the Internet in the 1970s and 1980s. In 1996, only 36 million people, or about 1% of the worlds population, used the Internet. By the beginning of 2017, 3.7 billion people, or nearly half the worlds population, were online. As the number of users soared after the late 1990s, the Internet became a vital substrate for economic, social, and political interactions. Along with rising interdependence and economic opportunity, however, came vulnerability and insecurity. With big data, machine learning, and the Internet of Things, some experts anticipate that the number of Internet connections may grow to nearly a trillion by 2035. The number of potential targets for attack, by both private and state actors, will expand dramatically, and include everything from industrial control systems to heart pacemakers and self-driving cars. Many observers have called for laws and norms to secure this new environment. But developing such standards in the cyber domain faces a number of difficult hurdles. Although Moores law about the doubling of computing power every two years means that cyber time moves quickly, human habits, norms, and state practices change more slowly. For starters, given that the Internet is a transnational network of networks, most of which are privately owned, non-state actors play a major role. Cyber tools are dual use, fast, cheap, and often deniable, verification and attribution are difficult, and entry barriers are low. Moreover, while the Internet is transnational, the infrastructure (and people) on which it relies fall within the differing jurisdictions of sovereign states. And major states differ in their objectives, with Russia and China stressing the importance of sovereign control, while many democracies press for a more open Internet. Nonetheless, the description of www as the wild west web is a caricature. Some norms do exist in cyberspace. It took states about two decades to reach the first cooperative agreements to limit conflict in the nuclear era. If one dates the international cybersecurity problem not from the origins of the Internet in the early 1970s but from the takeoff period since the late 1990s, intergovernmental cooperation in limiting cyber conflict is now at about the two-decade mark. In 1998, Russia first proposed a UN treaty to ban electronic and information weapons (including for propaganda purposes). With China and other members of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, it has continued to push for a broad UN-based treaty. The US continues to view such a treaty as unverifiable. Instead, the Secretary-General appointed a Group of Governmental Experts (UNGGE) which first met in 2004, and in July 2015 proposed a set of norms that was later endorsed by the G20. Groups of experts are not uncommon in the UN process, but only rarely does their work rise from the organizations basement to recognition at a summit of the 20 most powerful states. The UNGGEs success was extraordinary, but it failed to agree on its next report in 2017. Where does the world go now? Norms can be suggested and developed by a variety of policy entrepreneurs. For example, the new non-governmental Global Commission on Stability in Cyberspace, chaired by former Estonian Foreign Minister Marina Kaljurand, has issued a call to protect the public core of the Internet (defined to include routing, the domain name system, certificates of trust, and critical infrastructure). Meanwhile, the Chinese government, using its Wuzhen World Internet Conference series, has issued principles endorsed by the Shanghai Cooperation Organization calling for recognition of the right of sovereign states to control online content on their territory. But this need not contradict the call to protect the public core, which refers to connectivity rather than content. Other norm entrepreneurs include Microsoft, which has issued a call for a new Geneva Convention on the Internet. Equally important is the development of norms regarding privacy and security regarding encryption, back doors, and the removal of child pornography, hate speech, disinformation, and terrorist threats. As member states contemplate the next steps in the development of cyber norms, the answer may be to avoid putting too much of a burden on any one institution like the UNGGE. Progress may require the simultaneous use of multiple arenas. In some cases, development of principles and practices among like-minded states can lead to norms to which others may accede at a later point. For example, China and the US reached a bilateral agreement restricting cyber espionage for commercial purposes. In other cases, such as security norms for the Internet of Things, the private sector, insurance companies, and non-profit stakeholders might take the lead in developing codes of conduct. What is certain is that the development of cybersecurity norms will be a long process. Progress in some areas need not wait for progress in others. Copyright: Project Syndicate: How will new cybersecurity norms develop? --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz By Rashid Shirinov The Baku International Sea Trade Port CJSC and the European Union presented a joint project entitled The EU support to expansion of the operational capabilities of the new Baku Port in Alat, financed by the EU, on March 16. Exchange of experience in the areas of port operations, management, business, human resources, labor and environmental protection, and public relations will be held within the program, which will cover 2018-2019. The project consists of five components. Head of the Baku International Sea Trade Port Taleh Ziyadov, addressing the presentation ceremony, said that the port cooperates with the leading ports and transport and logistics companies of Europe, and with the implementation of the project, this cooperation will be closer. Presently, the Baku Port is cooperating with the ports of Belgium, Germany, the Netherlands, Romania, Bulgaria, Italy and Slovenia. With this EU-supported project we plan to bring to the region best practices and innovations related to the improvement of operating systems, he said. Head of the EU delegation to Azerbaijan Kestutis Jankauskas, in turn, noted that the Baku Port holds an important place in the trade network between Asia and Europe. I am glad that starting this year European cargo carriers will be able to track location of cargoes, operations and delivery time to neighboring ports through the modern information and communication system of the Baku Port, he said. Jankauskas added that the EU is interested in the Baku Ports receiving the latest experience and knowledge, and it will continue to provide this support. After the construction of Baku International Sea Trade Port in the Alat settlement of Baku is finished, it will become the largest port on the Caspian Sea. The first phase of the ports construction will be completed in May 2018. After the first phases completion, the ports capacity will be 15 million tons per year, but it will be increased up to 25 million tons of cargo and 500,000 containers per year at the second stage, and up to one million containers per year at the next stage. In his interview with reporters on the same day, Ziyadov said that the port expects a serious increase in the volume of container handling in the next three to five years. He noted that the construction within the first phase of the port, which will increase the transshipment capacity up to 15 million tons of cargo or 100,000 TEU (20-feet containers), will be completed in mid-2018. Within the second phase, the capacities will then be brought up to 500,000 TEU. Today, 15,000-17,000 TEU are passing through our port, but in the next three to five years, especially with the commissioning of the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway and the realization of Chinas One Belt - One Route initiative, we expect a serious growth in container shipments, Ziyadov noted. He further noted that registration of companies willing to operate in the free trade zone (FTZ), which is being established in Azerbaijan, will start after the Azerbaijani Parliament adopts the relevant law. Ziyadov reminded that the draft law on the FTZ, which is being created in the Alat settlement, successfully passed two readings in the Parliament. After the third reading and adoption of the law, registration of companies will begin, he said. I think that this process will begin before the end of this year. The FTZ is expected to bring up to $1 billion just in the first few years. Special tax and customs policy, which will be pursued in the territory of the free trade zone will also stipulate further development and simplification of a number of procedures. FTZ will be located within the grounds of the new port, covering an area of 100 hectares. Since the new port is being built at the major railway juncture connecting the North-South and the East-West railway lines in Azerbaijan, FTZ will also have rail access. Serving as a multimodal transit logistics hub, the new port and FTZ will become a major consolidation and distribution centre in Central Eurasia that provides a wide range of value added services. --- Rashid Shirinov is AzerNews staff journalist, follow him on Twitter: @RashidShirinov Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz By Laman Ismayilova The third International Terekeme Chershenbe Folklore Festival is coming back to Azerbaijan's beautiful Agsu region. The colorful feast will be held in Gagali village on March 19-21. The project is implemented by MIRAS Social Organization in Support of Studying of Cultural Heritage with the assistance of the Azerbaijan Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Agsu Executive Power as well as the Institute of Folklore. A number of exhibitions, fairs, dance numbers and other events will be organized as part of the celebration. Guests of the festival will be able to tour around region's famous landmarks. Bringing together participants from Azerbaijan, Turkey, Russia, Georgia, and Iran, the festival aims to promote national folklore and establish cultural bridges between countries. The 2nd International Terekeme Chershenbe Folklore Festival was held in 2016. The two-day festival were attended by representatives from Azerbaijan, Turkey, Georgia, Egypt, India, Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, Norway, Yemen, Indonesia and Myanmar. Along with the local folk groups, Izmir municipality Youth and Sport Group from Turkey with Zeybak and Kafkas dances; "Kartvelo" folk group from Georgia with national Georgian songs; "Best of India" folk dance group with national Indian dances performed at the festival. Novruz celebrations begin four weeks before the actual holiday. These four weeks - or, exactly four Wednesdays - are each devoted to one of the four elements: water, fire, earth and wind. In 2009, Novruz was included in the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity and since then, March 21 was declared the International Day of Novruz. --- Laman Ismayilova is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @Lam_Ismayilova Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz By Trend If every nation is given the right to self-determination, ethnic separatism will become an insurmountable process in the world, Azerbaijani Presidents Assistant for Public and Political Affairs Ali Hasanov said March 15. He was speaking at a panel session titled Majority against Minorities as part of the 6th Global Baku Forum. Hasanov noted that presently the strengthening of ethnic separatism in the world is one of the main factors that negatively affect the regional and international security, as well as the mankind's peaceful and tranquil life. For more than 200 years, Azerbaijan has been subjected to the policy of ethnic cleansing and genocide, carried out by the Armenians, and has been suffering from bloody tragedies and a war as a result of this policy, Hasanov said. The main goal of this policy is to expel the Azerbaijanis from their historical lands and create on their territories a Greater Armenia, invented by the Armenians. The basis of the ethnic cleansing policy against Azerbaijan was laid as a result of the resettlement of the Armenians, living in other states, to Azerbaijan in the beginning of the 20th century with the support and pressure of some foreign geopolitical forces, he noted. This started to greatly influence the change of the demographic situation related to the national-ethnic composition in the historical lands of Azerbaijan. He said that in order to organize confrontations on national and ethnic grounds, the Armenians openly committed large-scale bloody acts against Azerbaijanis in 1905-1906 and subjected the peaceful population to mass slaughter. Skilfully taking advantage of the First World War, as well as the February Bourgeois and October Bolshevik revolutions of 1917, the Armenians were able to implement their separatist claims under the Bolshevik flag, he noted. In March 1918, the armed Armenian nationalists with military assistance from Soviet Russia, committing genocide of the peaceful Azerbaijani population throughout Azerbaijan, killed thousands of people. Occupying Azerbaijani lands after the Sovietization of the South Caucasus, in 1920, they declared Zangezur province and a number of other lands as the territories of the Armenian SSR, he added. The Armenians continued to put forward territorial claims regarding the Nagorno-Karabakh region, where the Azerbaijanis lived since ancient times, and as a result, in 1923, under the influence of such Armenians as Mikoyan, and according to Stalins instruction, the Armenians living in the mountainous part of the Karabakh region were given the status of the Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Oblast within Azerbaijan. Ali Hasanov added that when creating the Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Oblast, which is an integral part of Azerbaijan, Karabakh was artificially divided into plain and mountainous parts, and the leadership of Azerbaijan was forced to grant the status of autonomy to the Armenians placed in the mountainous part of Karabakh. At the same time, this status of autonomy was granted without considering the opinion of the Azerbaijanis that historically lived in Nagorno-Karabakh and with grave violation of their rights, he said. The course of historical events showed that the creation of the Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Oblast laid the foundation for future territorial claims and ethnic separatism on the part of the Armenians. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz By Trend US ambassador to Azerbaijan Robert Cekuta will leave his position in late March, Trend learned from the US embassy in Baku. After more than three years as ambassador to Azerbaijan and a number of decades in the State Department, Ambasssador Cekuta has decided to leave his position in Baku at the end of March and then to retire from the Foreign Service, said the embassy. The Ambassador notes relations between the United States and Azerbaijan have moved forward and improved during his tenure and that he and his family greatly appreciated their time in Azerbaijan, getting to know the country and its people, according to the US embassy. It has been a unique honor and privilege to be a United States ambassador, and now Ambassador Cekuta is looking forward to pursuing new opportunities and challenges, said the embassy. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz By Kamila Aliyeva Turkmenistan is open for negotiations on accession to the International North-South Transport Corridor project, Turkmen Ambassador to Azerbaijan Mekan Ishanguliyev said at a briefing in Baku. He said that Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan have the potential to unite Asia and Europe. Turkmenistan has all necessary infrastructure to join the International North-South Transport Corridor project, and the construction of the Turkmenbashi International Seaport is nearing completion, the diplomat said. The International North-South Transport Corridor, a 7,200 kilometer-long freight route connecting India, Iran, Azerbaijan and Russia via ship, rail and road, is meant to connect Northern Europe with Southeast Asia. The main objective of the INSTC is to provide an alternative to the traditional routes carried out by sea through the Suez Canal and the Mediterranean and the Baltic Sea. At the initial stage, it is planned to transport 5 million tons of cargo per year through the corridor and more than 10 million tons of cargo in the future. The corridor is expected to bring huge benefits to the Azerbaijani budget. The route enjoys several advantages compared to other transport corridors, as it is considered to be more profitable for each parameter than other alternative routes, including reduction of the distance and delivery time two or threefold. Lapis Lazuli Ishanguliyev also noted the significance of the Lapis Lazuli transport project, the participants of which are Afghanistan, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan and Georgia. These countries signed an agreement on the creation of the Lapis Lazuli transport corridor which is set to connect the five countries on November 15, 2017. The trans-regional corridor will encompass mainly railways and highways, which will connect the city of Torghundi in the Afghan province of Herat with the port of Turkmenbashi on the shore of the Caspian Sea via Ashgabat. From Turkmenbashi, goods will be able to travel further by ferry to Baku, where they would be placed on train cars and continue westward to Europe across the South Caucasus via the newly launched Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway. Further, the corridor will pass through Tbilisi to Ankara with branches to Poti and Batumi, and, then, from Ankara to Istanbul. The budget of the project is estimated to exceed $2 billion. Consultations on the creation of the transport corridor began back in 2012. The initiative seeks to improve transport infrastructure and procedures (including for road, rail, and sea), increase exports, and expand the economic opportunities of citizens in countries benefiting from this new transport corridor. Barriers to regional trade and transit and transaction costs will be reduced, in part, through a new Custom Integration Procedure and, between Afghanistan and Turkmenistan, a new Cross-Border Transport Agreement. Its projected impact is considerable not only because most of the needed infrastructure is already in place, but also because most of the investment required will focus on improving policy and governance. The name Lapis Lazuli is derived from the historic route that Afghanistans lapis lazuli and other semiprecious stones were exported along, over 2,000 years ago, to the Caucasus, Russia, the Balkans, Europe, and North Africa. TAPI Project During the briefing, Turkmen Ambassador also said that Turkmenistan is inviting Azerbaijan to cooperate in the TAPI project. He said that this project will contribute to the social and economic development of the region. The construction of the Turkmen section of the TAPI was launched in December 2015. Work on the Turkmen section is complete while work on the Afghanistan section of the pipeline project started last month in Herat in the west of the country. The pipeline will run from Galkynysh the largest gas field in Turkmenistan through the Afghan cities of Herat and Kandahar, and finally reach the Fazilka settlement located near the India-Pakistan border. The total length of the pipeline is 1,814 kilometers, including 214 kilometers in the territory of Turkmenistan, 774 kilometers in Afghanistan, 826 kilometers in Pakistan to the settlement of Fazilka on the border with India. The project's preliminary cost is estimated at $10 billion. Annual capacity of the gas pipeline will be 33 billion cubic meters. For the construction of the TAPI gas pipeline, a consortium - TAPI Pipeline Company Limited - was established and the state concern Turkmengaz was elected as the leader. The main problems for the projects implementation largely considered to be financing and security issues as the pipeline is to pass through the territory of Afghanistan. Earlier, the Asian Development Bank, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development and the Japanese government expressed their interest in financing TAPI. The Islamic Development Bank has already allocated a loan worth $700 million for Turkmenistan to construct its TAPI section. --- Kamila Aliyeva is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @Kami_Aliyeva Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz By Kamila Aliyeva A conference entitled Public-Private Cooperation in Creating Innovation Clusters: Available Assets and Use of Local Raw Materials was held in Baku on March 16. Addressing the conference, Azerbaijans Deputy Economy Minister Niyazi Safarov said that it is necessary to accelerate creation of innovation clusters in Azerbaijan. He noted that in this direction, it is necessary to establish cooperation with educational and scientific institutions. The methodology and mechanisms for creating innovation clusters should be developed, and the functions of all participants should be determined. The rational use of resources and the channeling of accumulated assets into the industry is also an important task, he noted. Safarov went on to say that Azerbaijans Economy Ministry is completing the first stage of assessment at SOCAR Polymer, a polymer plant of Azerbaijans state oil company SOCAR, in Sumgayit city. The project will help the facilitys products to enter the Azerbaijani market as raw materials for production, according to the deputy minister. For this purpose, negotiations with a number of companies are already underway, Safarov said. He noted that an innovation cluster will be created at the SOCAR Polymer. This work will be implemented with the support of the Economy Ministry and the Research Institute of the Ministry, he added. Safarov said that a register of state assets, which may be directed to the development of the industry, is being prepared in Azerbaijan. The SOCAR Polymer project is carried out in Sumgayit Chemical Industrial Park. At the first stage, production capacity of SOCAR Polymer will total 120,000 tons of polyethylene and 180,000 tons of polypropylene. The total capacity may reach 570,000 tons by 2021. --- Kamila Aliyeva is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @Kami_Aliyeva Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz By Trend Bosnia and Herzegovina has an interest in joining the Southern Gas Corridor, which envisages transportation of Azerbaijani gas to Europe, Member of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina Mladen Ivanic, said in an exclusive interview with Trend. Commenting on the Azerbaijans role in ensuring Bosnia and Herzegovinas and Europes energy security, he reminded that the Minister of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations of Bosnia and Herzegovina has clearly underlined that Bosnia and Herzegovina has an interest in joining the Southern Gas Corridor. "The standpoint of Bosnia and Herzegovinas institutions is that every new energy source is a new type of security for the consumers supply. This is of the importance not only for the Balkans but also for the whole Europe," Ivanic said. in general, he noted that relations between Bosnia and Herzegovina and Azerbaijan are exceptionally friendly. "The cooperation between the two countries is also excellent within the international forums, such as for example various United Nations bodies. Bosnia and Herzegovina sees Azerbaijan as especially friendly country. Azerbaijan has importantly helped us in the post-war reconstruction thus creating the conditions for a normal life," Ivanic said. 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). IAP pipeline is planned to be connected to the Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP) intended for the supply of Azerbaijani gas to Europe in the Albanian city of Fier. The IAP will provide deliveries of Azerbaijani gas to several countries of South-Eastern Europe. The 516 kilometers-long pipeline will pass through Albania, Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina and will end in Croatia. The capacity of the pipeline will amount to five billion cubic meters of gas per year. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz By Kamila Aliyeva Another round of negotiations was held in Istanbul between Uzbekistan and Turkey on establishing preferential trade between the two countries, the Uzbek Ministry of Foreign Trade reported. In Istanbul on March 15, 2018, within the framework of the visit of the delegation of Uzbekistan, representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Trade met with General Director for Agreements from Turkish Economy Ministry Mehmet Iskin, the ministry said. The meeting discussed the conditions for signing a bilateral agreement on preferential trade. In case it is signed, both states will be able to provide each other with a more favorable regime in comparison with the third countries, based on the advantages in the form of lowering customs duties and other preferences. According to the press service of the ministry, during the meeting the issues of holding the next meeting of the intergovernmental commission on trade-economic and scientific-technical cooperation between Uzbekistan and Turkey in April 2018 were also considered. At the invitation of the Uzbek side, at the end of March 2018, the delegation of the Turkish Economy Ministry plans to visit Uzbekistan to hold consultations on the prospects for expanding bilateral trade and economic cooperation. Turkey is one of the most important trade partners of Uzbekistan. In 2016, the mutual trade turnover between the countries reached $1.2 billion. In February 2017, Turkey and Uzbekistan signed cooperation agreement to boost economic relations. There are currently about 700 companies in Uzbekistan with Turkish capital, 100 of which are representation offices. They carry out activities in the sectors of textile, food, hotel management, building materials, plastic, medication, and services. The investments of the Turkish side in the economy of Uzbekistan are about $ 1 billion. There are 114 companies in Turkey with Uzbek capital. Only last year more than 20 enterprises with the participation of Turkey's investments were organized and 53 companies were accredited in Uzbekistan. --- Kamila Aliyeva is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @Kami_Aliyeva Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz By Kamila Aliyeva Foreign ministers of the ceasefire guarantor countries - Russia, Iran and Turkey - have gathered in Astana on March 16 to discuss the de-escalation zones in Syria, as well as political and humanitarian issues. The top diplomats are expected to sum up the results of the Astana format, which was launched more than a year ago, and also outline steps for settling all aspects of the Syrian crisis, TASS reported. The sides will focus on the situation in Eastern Ghouta, in the Idlib de-escalation zone and implementing the decisions of the Syrian National Dialogue Congress in Sochi on setting up a constitutional commission and continuing talks in Geneva. The ministers plan to agree on recommendations for Damascus and the opposition on the Syrian settlement and also adopt a joint statement. Kazakh Foreign Minister Kairat Abdrakhmanov delivered a welcome speech on behalf of the hosting state, Kazinform reported. As you know one year ago Presidents of Russia and Turkey proposed Kazakhstan President Nursultan Nazarbayev to hold peacemaking talks between the Syrian Government and representatives of armed opposition. Being convinced that the only alternative to warm is peace and the only way to peace is a dialogue, Kazakhstan gave consent and proposed Astana as a platform to support the intra-Syrian talks under the UN aegis, he said. There are certain obstacles on the way to peace, but the eight rounds of negotiations which took place in Astana allowed to put an end to the dead-end situation in the negotiation process, according to the minister. This initiative had the conflicting parties sit at the common negotiation table in 2017, the diplomat noted. Speaking at the meeting, Russia's Minister Sergei Lavrov noted the importance of the Astana process for Syrians who are currently suffering from military conflict. Lavrov stressed that the Astana process has put the Kazakh capital on the map as an important platform, where decisions on one of the most pressing issues on the international agenda are made, adding that millions of Syrians look at Astana with hope. He noted that the Astana format, established by Russia, Iran, and Turkey, proved its relevance, becoming synonymous with the progress towards normalizing the situation in Syria and promoting a political and diplomatic settlement. Russia's top diplomat reminded that the Astana process already resulted in the creation of de-escalation zones in Syria, determining the principles of humanitarian demining, as well as the creation of a working group on the release of detained. The work of the guarantor countries also facilitated the delivery of humanitarian aid and created the conditions for the resumption of a full-fledged political process in accordance with the United Nations Security Council Resolution 2254, according to the minister. To date, eight rounds of negotiations on the Syrian conflict were held in Astana. In December 2017, during the eighth international meeting on Syria, the guarantor countries agreed on establishing a working group on the release of detainees/abductees and handover of the bodies as well as the identification of missing persons, and adopted a joint statement on humanitarian demining in Syria, including UNESCO's cultural heritage sites. On the basis of its results, Russia, Iran and Turkey coordinated terms of holding of the Syrian National Dialogue Congress on January 29-30 in Sochi. Guarantors of a nationwide Syrian ceasefire regime - Russia, Turkey and Iran - had agreed on May 4 in the Kazakh capital, Astana, to establish "de-escalation zones" in war-torn Syria. De-escalation zones in Syria allowed to significantly reduce the scale of the conflict and contributed to the improvement of the humanitarian situation in Syria. While the Astana process is separate from the UNs Geneva talks on Syrian crisis, the attendance of the UN Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura links the Kazakh platform to broader international efforts. Syria has been locked in civil war since March 2011. All previous efforts to achieve a diplomatic solution were ruined, with the opposition demanding Assad leave power, the government insisting he stay on, and neither side able to force the issue by achieving a military victory. --- Kamila Aliyeva is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @Kami_Aliyeva Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz By Drew Sullivan, Editor of Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project The cold-blooded murder of Slovak investigative journalist Jan Kuciak was also a cold slap across the face of modern Europe. That the public watchdogs -- the beloved members of a profession that is sometimes more reviled than admired -- could be halted simply by a brutal act of violence seems to portend a further breakdown of European values. There has been much handwringing about what to do. This is an especially important issue for me. As the editor of the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP), security is something I think about every day. I also think about Jan every day. At the time of his death, he was working with my organization on an investigation into the Ndrangheta, a powerful and dangerous Italian criminal group that has infiltrated many countries around the world, including Slovakia. Together with his colleagues and his employer, Aktuality.sk, we finished and published Jans last story. It showed that a group of Italian businessmen who Italian police described as Ndrangheta had infiltrated Slovakia over a decade ago and procured more than 70 million in farm subsidies through their connections to Slovakias ruling party. This week the EU Security Commissioner Julian King called for new legislation to protect journalists. But is it even possible to legislate security? Are there any EU laws that could have protected Jan? There could be. First, there is the question of how Jans subjects -- and probable killers -- knew he was working on a story about them. As weve learned, Jan had filed requests for information to several Slovak public agencies -- a standard journalistic practice. The authorities deny that they had tipped off the subjects of his research about his requests. But they are the only people who knew about the investigation besides myself and four or five other people. We even encrypted our email conversations. In other places in Europe, its common practice to provide such requests freely to the targets, and in similar situations, other OCCRP partners have gotten calls from businessmen or politicians demanding to know why they were being investigated. There are no specific laws in place that protect requestors identities or their inquiries, and no laws that sanction government employees who release their information. Had this dangerous situation been fixed, Jan might still be alive today. There must be legislation that protects the identities of journalists, or civil society actors, who are fulfilling their role as public watchdogs. We could call it Jans Law. Greater transparency also makes our lives safer. Reporters jobs are much easier when government agencies publish information that ought to be public on their websites, enabling the reporters to find what they need without talking to anyone. There is one more area of law that can and must be changed. To understand why its important, you have to understand how and why journalists are murdered. Killing a journalist is not a step taken lightly -- not even by organized criminal groups, corrupt businessmen, or powerful politicians. At some point, a basic cost-benefit analysis takes place: What do I gain from killing this journalist and what do I risk? Changing this cost benefit analysis in journalists favor is critical to how we protect ourselves -- we have to raise the costs and reduce the benefits. The most obvious benefit of killing a journalist is that you also kill the story. We worked hard to deny Jans killers that benefit. Thats why we hurried to finish and publish his last story. And we will continue to write more stories about the topics he cared about, as will his employer. We must make it absolutely clear to the people who killed him that they seriously overestimated the benefits of sending in their assassins. The second part of the equation is harder. The truth is that theres very little risk to killing a reporter. Statistics from the Committee to Protect Journalists show that while 70 percent of reporters killed are murdered for their story, only 10 percent of journalists murders are ever solved. That compares to a typical rate of 50 to 90 percent for other murders. Why are journalism murders so hard to solve? In the first place, such killings are hard to investigate even for well-meaning police forces. The assassins will often be from a professional murder squad. The body may not be found. These professionals know how to do their jobs, and if they are caught, they are often willing to serve the time as is required by their professional responsibilities. Many of the 10 percent charged with journalism murders are just the trigger men, and not those who ultimately greenlighted the assassination. But not all police forces are well-meaning. Murdered journalists are often working at the nexus of crime and government, as Jan was doing. In Slovakia, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Malta, and many other European countries, that nexus is large and growing. Its even worse in potential EU members to the east, where countries like Serbia and Montenegro are arguably already captured criminal states. Its not just the Ndrangheta, but many other criminal groups that thrive in the rich environment of public corruption, poor rule of law, and weakened democracy. These populist governments not only fail to support free and open democratic values, they undermine and attack journalism and the freedom of speech it represents. Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico called Jan and his colleagues whores. The Czech prime minister held up an automatic weapon with the words for journalists written on it. These are countries not likely to root out killers. As long as this behavior continues, the risk side of the equation will work against the protection of journalists. But one thing might help tilt the scales. If the EU were to pass legislation to mandate a special commission to watch over the investigation of journalism murders, that could go a long way to raising the risks for the criminals. We could call it Daphnes Law in honor of murdered Maltese journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia. If a group of experts with forensic skills and a strong political mandate could help advise local police and verify their procedures, it would help well-meaning law enforcement do their job. It would also help overcome the lack of political will among local authorities, or even the active undermining of the police that often scuttles such investigations. If the EU takes an active, if only advisory role, it will go a long way to helping solve more murders and document local corruption. If action isnt taken, more journalists will die. Organized crime and corruption is on the rise in countries ruled by populist governments, and journalists are squarely in its way. The pressure will only get worse. We cant allow the murder of journalists to be normalized. We dont want to look fondly on the days when the murder of a journalist caused a prime minister to lose their job. occrp.org By Laman Ismayilova Nature sounds are soothing to our minds. Waterfalls are miracles of the nature. What can be better than total relaxation in a cool rock pool fed by a waterfall? There are plenty of waterfalls you can visit in Azerbaijan. The journey to these natural wonders is so colorful and mouth dropping, you will not regret it. Laza, Gusar Gusar is sure to enchant any nature lover with its wildlife, hills and waterfalls. Azerbaijans Northern Gates has much to offer nature lovers. Favorable natural conditions create a great opportunity for organization of the resorts, recreational and tourist complexes in this area. The Shahdag Winter-Summer Tourist Complex has gained a high popularity both among locals and tourists. Not far from the complex there is an ancient village Laza surrounded by mountains and well known for its majestic waterfalls. Laza waterfall is the most popular waterfall in the village of Laza in Gusar. The village is located in the northeast of Caucasus Mountains, at the bottom of a high mountainous plateau Shah Yaylag with height 4,242 m above sea level. Competitions on climbing are held at the frozen waterfalls in winter here. Afurdja, Guba A journey to Guba will give you the opportunity to visit one of the most beautiful waterfalls in the Land of Fire. High about 75 m, Afurdja waterfall is located in Guba region. The waterfall has been included in the list of natural monuments of the Republic of Azerbaijan and is protected by the state. There are other waterfalls too, attracting tourists and travelers with their uniqueness and majesty. Mychig, Gabala With its beautiful waterfalls, emerald green forests and historical monuments Gabala continue to attract tourists from across the world. One thing you will find when in Gabala is that there are many waterfalls here. Mychig waterfall takes its source from snow and rain waters in Gotur mountain and falls into Demiraparan River. High about 96 m, it is the highest waterfall in Azerbaijan. Seven Beauties, Gabala The other popular waterfall in Gabala is Seven Beauties. The waterfall is located 4 km far from the center of Gabala city, in the village of Vandam. In late autumn, winter and early spring, the area around the waterfall is covered with ice, and it is impossible to get here. Tekdam, Yardimli Yardimli is located about 286 km to the south from Baku. The best time for visiting this wonderful place is spring and autumn. High about 34 m, Tekdam waterfall is the calling card of Yardimli region. The top of the fall is located at an altitude of 1,500 m and opens to a magnificent view of the surroundings. Waterfalls in the villages of Peshteser and Ostayir in Yardimli have gained popularity among nature lovers and tourists. No less popular place for recreation is the village of Perimbel, which is located on mountain slopes. There are also many small streams and springs in the region. Some of them are known from very ancient times. Local residents are engaged in carpet weaving. Ilisu, Gakh The small, stone-built village of Ilisu, set at the northwest tip of Azerbaijan in the Gakh region, is a great place to visit at any time of year. Favorable natural conditions make the place a perfect destination for mountain climbing and hiking, fishing and hunting. You can also make a tour of the neighborhoods on horseback. Ilisu waterfall is located in a highland area and to reach it, it is necessary to walk for at least half an hour. The height of the waterfall is approximately 25 meters. The area around the village has many historic monuments, including ancient Albanian Christian churches from the 4th-5th centuries. We've seen remnants of a church in the Lekit village of Gakh and another one in the town of Oghuz. Katekh, Balaken Balakan, the countys northwestern region borders Georgia to south and west and Dagestan of Russia to east and north. Archaeological finds including many historical monuments and kurgans in the region speak of early human habitation. Balakan was a part of Caucasian Albania. Located on the foothills of Greater Caucasus, Balakan is very rich with flora and fauna. Its mountains make up the big part of Zakatala State Reserve. The northern part of rayon is enriched with vegetation, among them hornbeam, alder, oak, chestnut, walnut, acacia trees, as well as raspberry, rose hip and medlar. One of the biggest waterfalls of Azerbaijan is located there. Katekh waterfall is 18-20 meters. The road to waterfall is very difficult road. --- Laman Ismayilova is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @Lam_Ismayilova Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz St. Patty's Day Party with Popgun Starting with the traditional St. Patrick's Day fare of crawfish in the morning, celebrate the wearing and drinking of the green, with turtle races, D.J. Box on the patio and Popgun performing live inside. Kids at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo often name their steers or pigs in the months before the big exhibitions. Beth Radike has only had her red-and-black motorized scooter for a few weeks. But by this years rodeo, she had a name for it, too: Game Changer. The annual carnival at the Houston rodeo is cherished time for Radike who has a degenerative disc disease that has meant chronic pain, hip problems and three surgical fusions and her family. Most years, she had to put the paingry monster aside for as long as she could as she tried to enjoy the quality time with her husband, who works nights, and her 10-year-old daughter Emma, who loves the carnival and is obsessed with stuffed animals. The scooter this year, borrowed from a friend, eased the pain and allowed her to compete next to Emma in the carnival games -- including the water gun races, Emma's favorite. What does this rodeo mean? Everything, Radike said, holding back tears. We spend a lot of time at home, and I spend a lot of time on the couch, horizontal, she said. If I move it increases my level of pain. Emma has collected stuffed animals for years, saving cherished gifts and winning them in carnivals like Wednesday's. Under her bed sits three big drawers full of plushes. Another heap sits on her bed. On Wednesday, she had her eye on a Pikachu doll, smiling with blushed cheeks, and couldnt wait to add to her collection. She knows that her family cant afford to go back to the rodeo carnival again this year, so the day was extra special. All the years we didnt have the scooter, she said, my mom was always in pain. She couldnt walk for a very long time. (Now,) its easier for us to move around. Emma nabbed the Pikachu prize by the end of the day, along with two cat unicorn dolls, a hippo, a dog and more. She stuffed some prizes in a white plastic trash bag her father brought home from work and hung others on Game Changer. As they were exiting the park, about an hour before sunset, Game Changer ran out of batteries. Radikes husband offered to push. "I got it, Daddy," Emma said. "I'm fine." And she rolled her mother -- and her winnings -- back to the family's car. Lindsay Ellis is spending the week at RodeoHouston. Follow her on Twitter or send her story ideas at lindsay.ellis@chron.com. RodeoHouston is in its final stretch, and Keith Urban's breezy brand of country-pop proved a perfect way to wind into the weekend. The long-haired superstar's seventh spin on the rotating stage included, to quote one of his songs, "a little bit of everything." Urban has so many hits at this point that someone's favorite will inevitably be left out. NO NEED TO APOLOGIZE: OneRepublic brings the hits, covers Beyonce at RodeoHouston There were wailing guitars during opener "Somewhere in My Car" and "Good Thing." The island-lite vibe of "Little Bit of Everything." The slow-dance swoon of "Blue Ain't Your Color." Urban, in a T-shirt and paint-splattered jeans, took easy command of the stage. He has an effortless, likable presence that charmed the crowd, which totaled 72,564 paid attendance. "The Fighter," a duet with Carrie Underwood, sounds like an early '80s Madonna hit. Underwood appeared via prerecorded video, the closest she'll ever get to a rodeo. Underwood is a vegetarian and animal rights activist. SPARKLING PERFORMANCE: J Balvin gets his shine on at RodeoHouston debut Urban also premiered a new song, appropriately titled "Texas Time," from upcoming album "Graffiti U." The retro bounce and Lone Star lyrics elicited cheers from the crowd. And it came, of course, with a mean guitar break. Later, he riffed on "Deep in the Heart of Texas" and sang through his admiration for the crowd. "There's 72,000 people here, and it feels like just you and me," he sang. "I've played a lot of places around the world, and there ain't nothing like this feeling right here." Urban took his now-standard trip around the stadium, high-fiving fans and climbing the rails, during a revved-up "Somebody Like You." It was a familiar move to anyone who's seen him here before but still sent a spark of energy through the stadium. United Airlines said it will "assume full responsibility" for the death of a 10-month-old puppy that appeared to have suffocated after it was placed inside an overhead compartment on a three-hour flight from Houston to New York City on Monday. According to accounts from fellow passengers on United Flight 1284, a flight attendant demanded that a woman traveling with the puppy and her two children place the puppy in its carrier inside the overhead bin for the duration of the flight. The woman protested, witnesses said, but the flight attendant assured her that the dog would be safe, and told her the family would not be allowed to travel if she refused to stow the dog in the bin. When the airplane landed at LaGuardia Airport and the owner opened the overhead bin, the puppy was no longer breathing. "This was a tragic accident that should never have occurred, as pets should never be placed in the overhead bin," a United spokeswoman said in a statement Tuesday. "We assume full responsibility for this tragedy and express our deepest condolences to the family and are committed to supporting them." According to United policy, small pets can travel in the cabin in a hard-sided or soft-sided kennel at a charge of $125, as long as the carrier can fit in the space underneath the seat in front of the passenger. Several fellow passengers who watched the distraught family recounted the incident on social media. The story was later picked up by The Points Guy, a travel consumer advocacy blog. "I just flew into LGA and witnessed a United flight attendant instruct a passenger to put her dog bag in the overhead bin," tweeted passenger Maggie Gremminger. "It was clearly a dog and while the customer was adamant about leaving it under the seat, the attendant pushed her to do so." Gremminger said she and another passenger were concerned that the dog would not be safe inside the overhead bin, but assumed that the flight attendant's adamancy meant that there must be air ventilation inside the compartment. "They INSISTED that the puppy be locked up for three hours without any kind of airflow," another Flight 1284 passenger, June Lara, wrote in a Facebook post early Tuesday. "They assured the safety of the family's pet so wearily, the mother agreed." The puppy whimpered through the beginning of the flight, but eventually quieted. Finally, when the plane landed and the dog's owner opened the bin and pulled out the dog carrier, Lara recounted, there was no sound. "There was no movement as his family called his name," Lara wrote. "I held her baby as the mother attempted to resuscitate their 10 month old puppy." When the dog's owner realized what had happened, Gremminger said, "she sat in the airplane aisle on the floor crying." "I am disgusted and traumatized. Pets are family," Gremminger said. "How could a trained flight attendant instruct a passenger to place her dog in that bin. It was her job to understand the plane and it's rules/limitations." United said in its statement that the airline is conducting an investigation into the incident "to prevent this from ever happening again." Photos of the dog and its travel carrier posted by Lara suggest that the puppy may have been a pug, a dog breed that is particularly susceptible to suffocation if not given adequate access to air and ventilation. "This little guy fought hard for his life, filling our flight with his cries until he finally ran out of breath," Lara wrote in his post. "United Airlines does not care about the safety of their furry travelers. This poor family paid $125 for their pet to be murdered in front of them. There is no excuse for the pain this family is suffering." In recent years, with increasing numbers of travelers wanting to bring their pets along, airlines have implemented special programs to accommodate the animals' needs - and to assure owners that their pets will arrive at their destination healthy and comfortable. And United has leaned hardest into the pet transportation market. In 2017, the airline transported 138,178 animals - more than any other commercial air carrier, 27 percent of the total number of animals transported by all the major airlines in the U.S. United says it's special "PetSafe" facilities are intended to help safely transport animals that are not allowed to travel in the cabin of the aircraft with their owners. At some airports, dogs, cats, and other small and mid-size animals are carried to and from the plane in temperature-controlled vehicles, and the airline says it has veterinarians on staff to monitor the animals' welfare as they wait to board. At O'Hare International Airport in Chicago, pets traveling as cargo are kept in a separate state-of-the-art building. "The overwhelming majority of dogs and cats have no incidents," United spokesman Charles Hobart said last month in an interview about the airline's accommodations for pets. But that doesn't mean that there are never tragic outcomes. According to a recent report issued by the Department of Transportation, last year there were 24 recorded incidents of an animal dying while being transported by a major U.S. air carrier. Of those 24 incidents, 18 took place on United Airlines. A Merritt Island (Fla.) Surgery Center nurse allegedly systematically stole fentanyl that was meant to be used as an anesthetic during surgery, Florida Today reports. Here's what you should know. 1. Kirsten McDonough would allegedly sign out twice as much fentanyl than what was needed and would keep the excess for herself. 2. Office staff at the surgery center noticed a discrepancy between how much Ms. McDonough was checking out and how much was used during surgery. 3. Center staff called police on the nurse Dec. 1, 2017, after conducting an audit. Staff believe she stole approximately 67 ampoules of fentanyl, a vial of versed, a vial of propofol and other drugs used during surgery. 4. The center suspended her without pay while she was under investigation. 5. Police arrested her March 14. She was charged with grand theft of a controlled substance and has since been released on bond. 6. Ms. McDonough declined to be interviewed by police. What she was doing with the stolen drugs is still unclear. The Securities and Exchange Commission charged Theranos founder and CEO Elizabeth Holmes with massive fraud. Ms. Holmes will lose control of the company for defrauding investors and has agreed to pay a $500,000 fine. Here are eight things to know. 1. The SEC charged the Silicon Valley-based biotech company, Ms. Holmes and its former president Ramesh "Sunny" Balwani with raising more than $700 million from investors, exaggerating or lying about the firm's technology and financial performance. 2. Theranos, a blood testing company, claimed its Edison device could test for a wide range of conditions with only a finger prick's worth of blood, Time reports. 3. According to the SECs complaint, Theranos' analyzer could actually complete only a few tests. Theranos conducted most patient tests on modified and industry-standard commercial analyzers manufactured by other companies. 4. Ms. Holmes founded the company in 2003 as a 19-year-old Stanford (Calif.) University dropout. Investors believed Theranos would revolutionize the blood testing industry; according to Time, the company was once valued at $9 billion. 5. In 2015, Forbes estimated Ms. Holmes' wealth at $4.5 billion. A 2015 article in The Wall Street Journal suggested the devices were inaccurate, however, and in 2016 Forbes revised its estimate of Ms. Holmes' net worth to nothing. 6. CMS investigated the company, revoking its license to operate in California and banning Ms. Holmes from running a laboratory for at least two years. In 2016, Theranos closed its labs and cut 340 employees, 40 percent of the workforce, the BBC reports. 7. The SEC alleges that Ms. Holmes and Mr. Balwani also claimed that Theranos' products were deployed by the U.S. Department of Defense on the battlefield in Afghanistan and claimed that the company would generate more than $100 million in revenue in 2014. The Department of Defense never deployed Theranos technology, and the company generated a little more than $100,000 in revenue from 2014 operations. 8. In addition to the $500,000 penalty, Ms. Holmes will be barred from serving as an officer or director of a public company for 10 years, and has been ordered to return the remaining 18.9 million shares she obtained during the fraud and relinquish her voting control of Theranos by converting her super-majority Theranos Class B Common shares to Class A Common shares. If Theranos is acquired or is otherwise liquidated, Ms. Holmes will not profit from her ownership until over $750 million is returned to defrauded investors and other preferred shareholders. The settlements with Theranos and Ms. Holmes are subject to court approval. "The Theranos story is an important lesson for Silicon Valley," said Jina Choi, Director of the SEC's San Francisco Regional Office. "Innovators who seek to revolutionize and disrupt an industry must tell investors the truth about what their technology can do today, not just what they hope it might do someday." More articles on supply chain: Valeant revoking CEO Joseph Papa's $29.8M stock award 4 insights Allergan paid CEO Brent Saunders $32.8M for 2017 3 insights Laborie Medical Technologies acquiring Cogentix Medical for $235M 5 insights Miami-based Gastro Health's longterm CEO Alexander Fernandez departed suddenly in February, and Joseph Garcia was named his replacement. Mr. Fernandez served as Gastro Health's CEO since April 2009. Here are five things to know about Mr. Garcia. 1. Mr. Garcia came to Gastro Health after serving as Boca Raton, Fla.-based Sage Dental's CEO from May 2013 to January 2018. https://www.linkedin.com/in/joseph-garcia-b0740915/ 2. While at Sage, he rapidly expanded the practice, increasing its footprint from 20 practices to more than 60 practices in Florida and Georgia. 3. Before his time at Sage, Mr. Garcia served as Fort Myers, Fla.-based 21st Century Oncology's COO, which he helped grow into the largest provider of radiation oncology services in the U.S. and Latin America. 4. Mr. Garcia alo led teams at several high-growth, provider-based healthcare companies, including Davita and Sterling Healthcare. 5. He holds a master's degree in business from Omaha, Neb.-based Creighton University. Note: Becker's ASC Review reached out to Gastro Health for a comment on Mr. Garcia's appointment. This story will be updated. Here are three gastroenterologists that made headlines this past week. Melissa M. Garrett, MD, is joining the staff of the soon-to-be-opened Lumberton, N.C.-based Southeastern Digestive Health Center, the Robesonian reports. A Philadelphia jury awarded the estate of a 65-year-old deceased man $6 million after his physicians disregarded two separate recommendations from radiologists to send the man for an MRI. Gastroenterologist Steven Lichtenstein, MD, settled with the man's estate outside of court. Rochester, Minn.-based Mayo Clinic's Paul Limburg, MD, is joining Exact Sciences as the company's co-CMO. CMS is considering rolling out more alternative payment models this year, Kate Goodrich, MD, director of the Center for Clinical Standards and Quality and CMO for CMS, said, according to a Healthcare Financial Management Association report. During a March 13 meeting in Washington, D.C., Dr. Goodrich said CMS is "absolutely continuing to move on the train to value-based payments." She added CMS sees moving physicians into advanced APMs under the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act as a "top strategic goal." The statement comes as providers continue to enroll in CMS' recently launched Bundled Payments for Care Improvement Advanced program. The model builds off CMS' first BPCI program, which Dr. Goodrich said taught the agency "what clinicians and providers really need up front to be successful in these models," HFMA reports. However, CMS' value-based care initiatives have been mixed. BPCI Advanced arrived after CMS canceled its hip fracture and cardiac bundled payment programs and rolled back some mandatory requirements in the Comprehensive Care for Joint Replacement Model. Dr. Goodrich also said CMS is considering overhauling MACRA to simplify reporting, as allowed under the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018. She said CMS is examining each quality metric physicians report under MACRA and may eliminate any that are underperforming, HFMA reports. Here are 10 recent news updates on health IT companies. 1. Alphabet, Apple and Microsoft have filed more than 300 healthcare patents between 2013 and 2017 a moves that reveals the tech giants' increasing desire to disrupt the healthcare space. 2. Cigna launched a skill aimed at answering 150-plus commonly asked health plan questions for Amazon's cloud-based voice service Alexa, the insurer announced March 13. 3. Cerner, which lost out on an EHR contract at Chicago-based University of Illinois Health in late 2017, claims the hospital's contract with Epic will cost taxpayers nearly $100 million in excess costs. 4. Epic founder and CEO Judy Faulkner indicated the EHR giant does not plan to challenge the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs' deal with Cerner. 5. Fitbit recently added a health tracking feature for women to help users track various aspects of their menstrual cycles to better understand their health. 6. Microsoft renamed its Microsoft Intelligent Network for Eyecare as part of the company's move to apply artificial intelligence across multiple medical specialties, the company announced March 8. 7. Royal Philips and Samsung Electronics entered into a strategic partnership March 8 to join Samsung's connected devices with Philips' cloud platform for increased access and information sharing. 8. Theranos and its founder and CEO Elizabeth Holmes are facing "massive fraud" charges for allegedly lying to investors, according to a filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. 9. The clinical communication and documentation solutions provider TigerText changed its name to TigerConnect to more clearly describe its solution, the company said in a March 1 statement. 10. HHS' Office of the Chief Information Officer awarded WidePoint Corp. a follow-on task order for its technology-based management solutions, the company announced March 13. John Bartos, CEO of Marcus Daly Memorial Hospital in Hamilton, Mont., is retiring June 30, according to a NBC Montana report. Here are three notes: 1. Mr. Bartos served in the role for 30 years. 2. He played a key role in the success of the hospital and has positioned it to maintain its independence, hospital Board Chairman Bill Bean told NBC Montana. 3. John Bishop, who is currently serving as president of two critical care hospitals in central Oregon, will succeed Mr. Bartos. When Carl Armato became president and CEO of Novant Health in 2011, he knew communication with employees would be challenging. After all, the Winston-Salem, N.C.-based integrated system has 26,000 team members in 500 locations across Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia. He started a weekly internal blog called "Carl's Corner" in February 2012. In the blog, Mr. Armato writes about system happenings of the previous week, or about other topics related to the organization or current media coverage. The blog is drafted Sunday and usually posted Monday morning. Overall, Mr. Armato says it's allowed him to communicate with employees in a timely and transparent way. "I began to really talk about how proud I was of every team member at Novant and how inspiring it was to work alongside them each day, and it then became more about the culture of the organization," he says. "And the blog helped me really cultivate the culture of the organization, which I believe is our secret sauce, and our culture is what differentiates us when I look at healthcare organizations across the country." Blog topics Over the last six years, the blog has covered a wide range of topics. For instance, in one of his first blogs, Mr. Armato discussed executive compensation and how his pay was determined. He says while many hospital executives may prefer not to talk about that particular topic, he wanted to clearly show he was willing to discuss and answer any question on any topic. "By having that transparent dialogue, I think it not only made our organization stronger, but it opened up a dialogue with all of our team members to be able to have difficult conversations on any topic," says Mr. Armato. Mr. Armato also gave the example of an upcoming blog that will address harassment issues recently portrayed in the media, including sexual harassment and bullying. That particular blog is slated to come out March 19. He says blogs have also focused on stories about the work of Novant employees such as two employees joining forces to provide a date night to parents with a child in the hospital. Additionally, Mr. Armato has written about books team members read together, as well as personal issues, such as him being a Type 1 diabetic. He says he's particularly enjoyed watching team members respond to that and connect with him through the blog. In one blog about changes in the healthcare industry, Mr. Armato told a story about how is uncle who delivered ice to homes lost his job when the refrigerator came out. "I was talking about change and rapid change, sometimes what people experienced in the past and how we would respond to that in the future," he says. "All of those stories whether they were about me personally or my family, connecting it to what we do every day, I've watched our team members respond to very positively." Aside from "Carl's Corner," Mr. Armato also does a live blog where he is available to answer questions from employees on various topics. The book Now, he has provided his favorite 145 blog posts in his new book "It's Never Just Another Monday." Mr. Armato says the book came together so employees could access blogs believed to have generated the most response. It is free to Novant employees and given to new hires at orientation "so new team members can get caught up on what we stand for and our culture," he says. Those outside of Novant may also purchase the book though a $20 minimum donation to the Novant Health Foundation. Mr. Armato has used the book in conversations with other U.S. hospital executives about the successes of Novant. When other hospital CEOs ask him what he does to improve employee engagement, he tells those hospital leaders about the blog and to "jump in if you're committed." "Posting a new blog every Monday is a big time commitment, but I have to tell you now it's one of my favorite things to do. I tell them to pick a tough topic, go ahead and have a conversation and engage the workforce," he says. "And I think when team members start to see the transparency and openness in the conversation, they'll jump in in a very unique and helpful way." Moving forward, Mr. Armato plans to continue "Carl's Corner" as well as the open blogs where he's available for two hours in live interaction with Novant sites and team members. More articles on leadership and management: Atrium Health CEO: Goal of failed UNC Health Care merger was to create a 'clinical powerhouse' Sutter Health hospital CEO resigns amid closure controversy Ascension Michigan lays off 500 hospital workers: 7 things to know The Engelstad Foundation, which maintains ties to the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, reportedly pulled its $14 million donation to the university's medical school March 13 following speculation UNLV's president will no longer lead the institution, according to the Las Vegas Review-Journal. The Engelstad Foundation agreed to donate $14 million to the medical school last December under the provision UNLV President Len Jessup, PhD, and Barbara Atkinson, MD, founding dean of the UNLV School of Medicine, remain as leaders at the institution, according to the report. "Part of our proposed commitment to them was predicated on the fact that leadership did not change. We rescinded that grant today. We are completely dedicated to the scholarships we have in place for the undergraduate and medical school students, but we don't trust the stewardship of the board of regents to handle our money, sadly," Engelstad Foundation Trustee Kris Engelstad McGarry said March 14. "The way this has unfolded has left us even more concerned with this system and what's going on with the regents," Ms. Engelstad McGarry continued. "It's a very sad thing when you want to support your local university and they make it very difficult to do so. I think they forget it's a gift. It's not an obligation." The Las Vegas Review-Journal reports Dr. Jessup has come under fire from critics for the rising costs associated with UNLV's medical school, which welcomed its inaugural class last summer. In an email to the campus community obtained by the Las Vegas Review-Journal, Dr. Jessup alluded to recent media reports regarding his departure, calling them "misleading." "It's no secret that a few regents and I have not always agreed on the direction of UNLV under my leadership. Over the last several weeks, I had conveyed to Chancellor Thom Reilly that the governance structure makes long-term sustainability for any president challenging. I continue to be passionate about UNLV and all our initiatives, but expressed to him my intent to begin looking at other opportunities," he wrote. To access the full report, click here. Becker's Hospital Review reported on the following events related to hospital-union relationships including contracts, protests, legal issues and elections since March 5. 1. Pennsylvania nurses, technologists rally over staffing Registered nurses and technologists rallied and picketed March 15 at Wilkes-Barre (Pa.) General Hospital, according to a joint union news release. 2. Tobey Hospital nurses ratify contract, reach NLRB settlement Registered nurses at Wareham, Mass.-based Tobey Hospital ratified a two-year contract and National Labor Relations Board settlement agreement March 8. 3. Virtua union representing 1.5k nurses votes to strike if necessary A union representing 1,500 registered nurses at Marlton, N.J.-based Virtua Health agreed to strike if necessary after complaining nurses are frequently too busy to take a break during shifts or take earned days off, according to a Courier-Postreport. 4. Judge dismisses nurses' lawsuit against DMC Huron Valley-Sinai Hospital: 6 things to know Detroit Medical Center's Huron Valley-Sinai Hospital in Commerce Charter Township, Mich., confirmed a judge granted its motion to dismiss a lawsuit brought by nurses against the hospital. 5. Judge says California hospital violated rights of union employees: 6 things to know A National Labor Relations Board judge ruled against Napa, Calif.-based Queen of the Valley Medical Center Feb. 28 on issues regarding caregivers who supported unionization. 6. Pennsylvania nurses union claims CHS violated law by forcing nurses to work overtime The union representing nurses at Wilkes-Barre (Pa.) General Hospital claimed the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry found the hospital and its parent company violated a state law prohibiting mandatory overtime for nurses and other healthcare workers, according to The Times-Tribune. 7. 18k Kaiser nurses vote for option to strike at California facilities Tens of thousands unionized registered nurses at facilities owned by Oakland, Calif.-based Kaiser Permanente voted for the option to call a strike if an agreement is not reached on issues such as staffing and patient care, according to a California Nurses Association news release. 8. Union nurses in Michigan host patient safety rally at Ascension hospital Nurses at Kalamazoo, Mich.-based Borgess Medical Center rallied March 5 for patient safety. More articles on human capital and risk: What Is Geofencing and How Can It Help Talent Acquisition? 18k Kaiser nurses vote for option to strike at California facilities Union nurses in Michigan host patient safety rally at Ascension hospital A former vice president of Minneapolis-based Allina Health pleaded guilty to four counts of theft by swindle on March 15, according to KARE. David Matthew Johnson, Allina's former vice president of talent and human resource services, was originally charged with seven counts of theft by swindle in January, but three of the counts were dropped. According to a complaint filed in Hennepin County (Minn.) District Court, Mr. Johnson submitted fraudulent mileage expenses to Allina for reimbursement. An internal investigation, which began in May 2017, revealed many of the out-of-town meetings Mr. Johnson said he attended never happened or he was not in attendance, according to the complaint. In addition to filing false expense reports, Mr. Johnson also allegedly used his corporate credit card to pay for tickets to sporting events, which he was not authorized to do. Due to the statute of limitations, Mr. Johnson could only be charged on thefts since 2013. He admitted to stealing more than $417,000 between 2013 and 2017. Allina's investigation revealed Mr. Johnson embezzled more than $750,000 from 2004 to 2017, according to the report. Mr. Johnson is scheduled to be sentenced June 6. Prosecutors said he is likely to be sentenced to 45 months in prison, according to the report. More articles on legal and regulatory issues: Judge shoots down union attempt to roll back Brigham and Women's flu shot policy: 7 things to know Rhode Island physician gets 4 years in prison over opioid kickback scheme 2 Iowa nursing assistants accused of sex with psychiatric patients: 6 things to knowv A job-related dispute led a hospital employee to open fire inside Birmingham, Ala.-based UAB Hospital-Highlands March 14, according to CBS News. Here are six things to know. 1. A gunman who police identified as 31-year-old Travis Coleman, a UAB Hospital worker opened fire at the hospital March 14, killing one employee and critically injuring a second employee, before killing himself. 2. The employee killed in the incident was identified as Nancy Swift, a 63-year-old nursing manager at UAB Hospital-Highlands. 3. The employee who was critically injured was identified as Timothy Isley, who worked for Steris, a contractor who manages the hospital's sterile supplies. Mr. Isley is recovering in intensive care, according to the report. 4. While police are still investigating the incident, Birmingham Police Department Lt. Peter Williston told CBS News, "We do know it was an employee relations issue that led to what happened." 5. No additional details on the job-related dispute were released. 6. Hospital officials said metal detectors were in use, but they did not know how the shooter entered the building with a gun. A group of bipartisan senators introduced two pieces of prescription drug legislation, including a ban on "gag clauses" that can lead to consumers paying higher prices at the pharmacy. The group led by Susan Collins, R-Maine, Claire McCaskill, D-Mo., and Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich. revealed the Patient Right to Know Drug Prices Act and the Know the Lowest Price Act March 15, according to a joint news release from senators. Under the two bills, health insurers and pharmacy benefit managers would not be able to use gag clauses that prohibit pharmacists from telling consumers if they would pay less out of pocket for prescription drugs than they would going through insurance. "Insurance is intended to save consumers money. Gag clauses in contracts that prohibit pharmacists from telling patients about the best prescription drug prices do the opposite," Ms. Collins said in a statement. She went on to give an example of a customer who paid $129 for a drug using insurance when the cost would have been $18 out of pocket. "Americans have the right to know which payment method insurance or cash would provide the most savings when purchasing prescription drugs. By prohibiting gag clauses, our legislation would take concrete action to lower the cost of prescription drugs, saving consumers money," Ms. Collins said. Both recently introduced bills ban insurers and PBMs from mandating that a pharmacy can't provide drug price information to consumers when there is a difference between the cost of the drug under the insurance plan and the cost of the drug when paid for out of pocket, according to the senators. However, the Patient Right to Know Drug Prices Act applies to plans offered through exchanges and private employers, while the Know the Lowest Price Act applies to Medicare Advantage and Medicare Part D beneficiaries. Other senators in the bipartisan group are John Barrasso, R-Wyo., Bill Cassidy R-La., and Ron Wyden, D-Ore. More articles on supply chain: Teva shutters offices in New York City, Washington D.C., as part of cost cutting plan AbbVie, Biogen pull multiple sclerosis drug from the market citing safety concerns: 4 things to know CVS is accused of overcharging Medicaid to drive out competition: 8 things to know The Iowa Board of Medicine charged orthopedic surgeon Margaret Fehrle, MD, with 18 counts of providing improper patient care while performing surgeries in Marshalltown and Vinton, Iowa, between 2008 and 2015. The Board found probable cause to file the statement of charges on March 8, 2018, citing 18 specific anonymous patients Dr. Fehrle treated. The Board also charged Dr. Fehrle with professional incompetency and "practice harmful or detrimental to the public." A hearing is scheduled before the Iowa Board of Medicine on May 17-18, 2018. The issue may be resolved by settlement agreement. More articles on orthopedics: Orthopedic surgeon to know: Dr. Matthew Jimenez of Illinois Bone and Joint Institute Dr. Rick Wilkerson receives the AAOS 2018 Humanitarian Award: 4 things to know Orthopedic surgeon to know: Dr. Richard Angelo of Joint Life Orthopedics & Sports Medicine A lawsuit filed March 15, 2018 in Anchorage Superior Court alleges that neurosurgeon Louis Kralick, MD, photographed the genitalia of a patient undergoing spine surgery at Providence Alaska Medical Center in Anchorage. Dr. Kralick signed a letter of apology, KTVA reports. Here are six things to know. 1. The lawsuit names Dr. Kralick and Providence as defendants. 2. On Dec. 8, 2017, Dr. Kralick was conducting spine surgery on a male patient when he pulled up the draping covering the patient's genitalia and used his iPhone to take "one or more" photos while the patient was under anesthesia, according to the complaint. 3. The complaint alleges that Dr. Kralick sent the photographs to his wife or another third party without valid medical justification. A Providence compliance officer referred to in the suit as "John Doe" learned of the incident and instructed Dr. Kralick to delete the photos. 4. Providence personnel contacted Anchorage Police Department to report Dr. Kralick's activity, and APD conducted an investigation in which the operating room staff cooperated while Dr. Kralick refused to give a statement to the police or participate in an interview. APD seized Dr. Kralick's phone but was unable to access the device without the password, the complaint alleges. 5. Dr. Kralick sent a letter of apology to the patient's home on Jan. 5. "While I did not intend my actions to be disrespectful," the letter reads, "I can understand why some members of the operating room staff might have thought otherwise, and as a result I sincerely apologize." 6. Dr. Kralick remained on staff after the incident. At the time of this reporting, Dr. Kralick has staff privileges at HCA Alaska Regional and Providence. More articles on spine: Top 5 best-compensated medical specialties: neurosurgery is No. 1 The most important spinal deformity trends today Neurosurgeon who pioneered CT scans dies Belfast is now at the centre of the world's high-tech coal industry, it has been claimed. Investments by Tyrone-based LCC Group and Belfast Harbour totalling 30m over the past few years have enabled LCC to ramp up its processing ability, the company has said. Since opening a new 12m processing facility in Belfast last year, LCC has handled almost 500,000 tonnes of coal, which is exported directly across the world to destinations such as Saudi Arabia and Australia. LCC's investment is built upon a 20m spend by Belfast Harbour in recent years to enhance its deep water and cranage capability. More than 130 jobs are supported by the operation and the harbour is now handling direct export shipments to Saudi Arabia for the first time in its history, and shipments to Australia for the first time in living memory. Michael Loughran, director of LCC Group, which is based in Cookstown, said the 12m investment means that the firm operates one of the most advanced and environmentally friendly coal processing facilities to be found anywhere in the world. "In addition to creating 30 new jobs and up to 100 indirect jobs in supporting sectors, the facility has put Belfast at the heart of the global high-tech coal industry," he added. "Working in partnership with Belfast Harbour and building upon its investments in port infrastructure, LCC is now to the fore of the emerging clean-tech coal sector." All contract Ryanair pilots in Germany are to be offered full employment status with the airline in coming weeks. (Niall Carson/PA) All contract Ryanair pilots in Germany are to be offered full employment status with the airline in coming weeks. UK firm McGinley Aviation, which provides contract pilots to the carrier, has written to pilots to notify them that the firm will cease the provision of contractors in Germany from October 31. "Having discussed the matter with the client airline you are provided to (Ryanair), Ryanair has confirmed that they will be offering a direct Ryanair employment contract to you in coming weeks," McGinley Aviation managing director Elizabeth Cusack said in a letter to contract pilots. She added: "It is important that you liaise with your accountancy providers to ensure that outstanding limited company/tax/social insurance matters are dealt with appropriately." About half of Ryanair's pilots in Germany are contractors. German tax authorities have previously raided Ryanair contract pilots' homes and some of the airline bases as part of investigations into McGinley Aviation and another contract pilot provider, UK-based Brookfield. Tax authorities have been investigating if there was evasion of income taxes and social welfare contributions. Meanwhile, the Portuguese Ryanair company council has claimed in a letter to the airline's chief people officer, Eddie Wilson, that it is breaching Portuguese labour laws "in certain clauses". The Northern Ireland head of a body representing small business has said there is still goodwill towards the province in Washington - although the lack of an Executive is making it less attractive to potential investors. Representatives from business here, including Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) policy chair Tina McKenzie, are in Washington for St Patrick's Day events. Ellvena Graham, the president of the Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce and Industry, is also taking part, along with CBI NI chairman Trevor Lockhart. While the leaders of the two main political parties here have not been invited to key White House events, the head of the Northern Ireland Civil Service, David Sterling has been in attendance. A spokesman confirmed he had attended yesterday's Speaker's Lunch on Capitol Hill, attended by President Trump and the Taoiseach, and the American Ireland Fund Gala. And economic development agency Invest NI said its executive director of international business Steve Harper had attended events in Washington, giving a presentation on US export and investment successes in NI yesterday. A spokeswoman for Invest NI said she didn't believe its ability to promote the province was being hindered by the lack of an Executive. "Our international proposition is based on a skilled workforce, competitive cost base, a high quality of life and proximity to markets or customers." But Ms McKenzie said that the "current absence of an Executive is a negative, both for potential investors and for FSB members back home, although there is still a tremendous amount of goodwill from people in the US". "I have had some really good meetings, emphasising that Northern Ireland has a great offer in terms of its investment potential and the talent of its people," she added. "I have been meeting with senior people in US universities about how we can improve partnerships to benefit our young people and businesses in Northern Ireland. Clearly, in a political vacuum, civic society and business have an increasingly important role to play and FSB has been stepping up to the plate to make sure the whole of Northern Ireland business has a voice." But Mark O'Connell, the head of investment advisers OCO Global, said a general lack of warmth in the Trump administration towards Northern Ireland was a greater hindrance. He said: "NI businesspeople are sadly accustomed to no leadership on economic issues. "Even when there is a government in place, business is way down the list of priorities. "But happily we have a get up, get out and get at it culture which I see every time I meet Northern Ireland companies, and the exchange rate is helping at the moment." He added: "We are busier than ever advising NI-based firms on expansion in the US, Republic of Ireland and Middle East. "We are seeing a slowdown in outward US foreign direct investment in response to tax reforms and growth in the US economy, while the EU looks is if it is running out of patience with Ireland special status as a low tax economy. So I expect FDI on both sides of the island to take a dip in the short to medium term, and we need to look to indigenous firms and local enterprise to pick up the slack." A new hotel in Belfast's former War Memorial Building could have group rooms sleeping up to 16 people, according to latest plans. Signature Living Group plans to open The Waring Hotel on Waring Street in Belfast Cathedral Quarter. It's expected to be a mid-market venue hoping to capitalise on the number of groups coming on tourist visits and to celebrate events in the city. In its Liverpool hotel, the company markets group rooms sleeping up to 30 people for around 600 a night. It's the latest set of hotel plans for the building, which was to be transformed into accommodation by the former owners of the Kremlin nightclub after they bought the building in 2015. However, they are no longer associated with the project. The building has since been linked to Signature Living, which unveiled its plans for the central site at the MIPIM property conference in Cannes in the south of France. The 90,000sq ft hotel will feature 63 bedrooms across four floors, together with a ground floor bar/restaurant and a rooftop bar. Lawrence Kenwright, head of Signature Living, said that The Waring would be a "vibrant new addition". "Our portfolio of Signature Living hotels are widely recognised as a fun and energetic aspect of the group's ventures," he said. "The Waring will take on Signature Living Group's highly popular group accommodation concept. Following the footprint of the Signature Living Hotel in Liverpool, it will feature a range of uniquely themed rooms and group suites, accommodating from two up to 16 people - providing a new accommodation concept for group and family stays in Belfast." Last year Signature Living announced plans to develop the George Best Hotel in Belfast city centre's Scottish Mutual Building and the Lanyon Hotel in the Crumlin Road Courthouse. It's also hoping to renovate the famous Floral Hall in north Belfast in a 5m project. The Waring would be located closed to existing luxury hotel The Merchant, and next to new restaurant Quartisan. And Mr Kenwright insisted it would be a more modern hotel than its other projects in Belfast. "Unlike the George Best and Lanyon Hotels - both of which will be housed in sympathetically-restored heritage buildings - this latest hotel in our Belfast offering will have a much more lively, contemporary boutique hotel feel befitting of the lively Cathedral Quarter in which it is situated. "We anticipate that The Waring's stylish bar/restaurant and rooftop bar will be a vibrant new addition to the district's bustling social and culinary offering, not only for guests, but also for members of the public." The plans were welcomed by Tourism NI chief executve John McGrillen. "With visitor numbers to Belfast having grown so dramatically in recent years, we welcome any development that could bring something new and unique to the city's hotel offering in the way that The Waring Hotel will," he said. The War Memorial building had previously been bought by Frank Boyd's Killultagh Estates in 2007 for around 7m. Coronation Street boss Kate Oates has defended the soaps dark storylines saying the show is in great health. Fridays episode features a male rape storyline, in which character David Platt (Jack P Shepherd) is assaulted by Josh Tucker (Ryan Clayton) after his drink is spiked. Asked if the ITV soap was deliberately trying to shock, Oates told Good Morning Britain: Were doing it because were a drama. First and foremost, thats what Coronation Street is Expand Close Jack P Shepherd (PA) PA Wire/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Jack P Shepherd (PA) She said: Were telling stories and some stories are challenging and thats the way its always been. You could be rose-tinted in your views of Corrie history and other soap history. Theres always been challenging stories and were carrying on that tradition. The series producer added: We suggest often a lot more than we show, very deliberately. The show isnt designed for very young children. But I think it is still, to a certain extent, family viewing. Expand Close Coronation Street's Kate Oates (Isabel Infantes/PA) PA Wire/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Coronation Street's Kate Oates (Isabel Infantes/PA) Viewing figures are up year-on-year, she said, adding: Of course, we hear people saying they find the programme too challenging but in the main, the shows in really, really great health. Speaking from the set of the Rovers Return, she said that the show still had its trademark comedy. Theres great one-liners Weve got some amazing comedy characters. I think if we lost the comedy in Coronation Street then I would certainly be dragged out of this pub. And she said of Fridays episode: Male sexual assault happens We know from research that men take in excess of 25 years to disclose when a male sexual assault happens to them. This needs discussion. Stereophonics perform at the SSE Arena in Belfast on 15th March 2018 (Photo by Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph) Stereophonics perform at the SSE Arena in Belfast on 15th March 2018 (Photo by Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph) Stereophonics perform at the SSE Arena in Belfast on 15th March 2018 (Photo by Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph) Stereophonics perform at the SSE Arena in Belfast on 15th March 2018 (Photo by Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph) Stereophonics perform at the SSE Arena in Belfast on 15th March 2018 (Photo by Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph) Stereophonics perform at the SSE Arena in Belfast on 15th March 2018 (Photo by Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph) Stereophonics perform at the SSE Arena in Belfast on 15th March 2018 (Photo by Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph) Stereophonics perform at the SSE Arena in Belfast on 15th March 2018 (Photo by Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph) Stereophonics perform at the SSE Arena in Belfast on 15th March 2018 (Photo by Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph) Stereophonics perform at the SSE Arena in Belfast on 15th March 2018 (Photo by Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph) Stereophonics perform at the SSE Arena in Belfast on 15th March 2018 (Photo by Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph) Stereophonics perform at the SSE Arena in Belfast on 15th March 2018 (Photo by Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph) Stereophonics perform at the SSE Arena in Belfast on 15th March 2018 (Photo by Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph) Stereophonics perform at the SSE Arena in Belfast on 15th March 2018 (Photo by Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph) Stereophonics returned to Belfast this week and delighted fans with their latest show. The Welsh rockers are currently embarking on a European Tour following the release of their latest studio album Scream Above The Sounds. The four-piece wowed the Belfast crowd on Thursday night with their latest songs as well as their well-known classics, including Have A Nice Day, Maybe Tomorrow, Mr Writer, Just Looking and Dakota. Stereophonics last performed in Belfast in 2016 when they headlines a Belsonic gig at the Titanic slipways. The band will now take to the stage at Dublin's 3Arena on Friday, March 16. Take a look through the gallery above for pictures of Stereophonics' Belfast gig. David Davis hasn't visited the Irish border for two decades, the House of Commons has heard. The Brexit Secretary was yesterday challenged by Labour's Karin Smyth to visit the frontier as he defended the Government's stance on leaving the EU. It comes after Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson and Mr Davis would be "very welcome" to visit it and that such a trip could prove "helpful". Yesterday in the Commons, Mr Davis referred to his "previous looking at the border" - around the time of the Belfast Agreement - to examine smuggling. It prompted shadow Brexit minister Jenny Chapman to note: "That's 20 years ago." Mr Davis went on: "That's one occasion. This is an important issue. Indeed when Martin McGuinness was alive, the very last conversation I had with him was about doing exactly that and I will when the time arises. "But the simple truth is that this border issue is resolvable if we have a free trade agreement and if we have a customs agreement, it is resolvable by technical means as well." Brexit Minister Suella Fernandes said the Government did not underestimate the issue and that fellow minister Robin Walker had visited the border. She added: "The Secretary of State has also been to the border prior to his appointment to this position and is very much apprised of the sensitivities and the importance of this critical issue." During the first day of his trip to the US earlier this week, Mr Varadkar noted how Northern Ireland Secretary Karen Bradley has already visited the border, as have a number of MPs and members of the House of Lords. He challenged Mr Davis and Mr Johnson to follow suit. "I can't see anything negative in a British Cabinet minister viewing the border, seeing what it looks like," he said. Mr Varadkar said the Irish Government has good engagements with the British Cabinet and has explained how the Brexit issues are unique to Ireland but, as "in any walk of life... sometimes you need to see things with your own eyes". Earlier, Mr Davis signalled he is prepared to accept a shorter transition period than the UK wanted. Mr Davis said he could "live with" the proposed arrangement ending in December 2020, rather than the March 2021 date London has asked for if that would help secure a deal. The Brexit Secretary, who is to meet the EU's chief negotiator Michel Barnier on Monday, said the European Union and the UK would establish a joint committee during a transition period to guarantee a "duty of good faith" by both sides. Prime Minister Theresa May has called for an implementation period of "around two years" after Britain formally quits the EU in March 2019. Mr Davis said his priority was to secure an agreement on the transition phase at next week's EU heads of government summit, telling BBC2's Newsnight: "That is more important to me than a few months either way. "So, I'm not bothered too much about the question of whether it is Christmas 2020 or Easter 2021." Asked if he could live with the transition ending in December 2020, Mr Davis said: "I would live with that. We are still in the middle of a negotiation. "Frankly, what I would not do is delay the decision in order to get a month or two more." Six Northern Ireland grammar schools scored 100% pass rates at GCSE in terms of five or more A*-C grades, including the core subjects. Today the Belfast Telegraph publishes the second part of its annual guide on the performance of every post-primary school here. The top six at GCSE level are Aquinas Diocesan Grammar School in south Belfast; Assumption Grammar School in Ballynahinch; Down High School in Downpatrick; Our Lady and St Patrick's College in east Belfast; St Louis Grammar School in Ballymena, and St Mary's Grammar School in Magherafelt. The number of schools scoring 100% has dipped from the previous year, when nine schools saw all of their students achieve five or more GCSEs at grades A* to C, including core subjects English and maths. Grammar schools dominated the top of the league tables for GCSE results achieved in 2017, taking the top 54 places. Read More The Belfast Telegraph's league tables include data on every secondary school in Northern Ireland. The top non-grammar school at GCSE in 2016/17 was St Patrick's High School, Keady (91.3%), followed by St Colm's High School in Draperstown (87.7%), and St Patrick's College, Maghera (85.9%) - just ahead of the top performing controlled non-grammar, Castlederg High School (83.3%).Overall across Northern Ireland in 2016/17, some 70.3% of year 12 pupils achieved five or more GCSEs at grades A*-C (or equivalent) including English and maths. This was up 2.4 percentage points from 2015/16. Peter Dobbin, principal of Assumption Grammar, described its joint topping of the latest league tables as a surprise 85th birthday present for the Co Down school. "I am delighted with the phenomenal achievement of our Assumption girls at both GCSE level and A2 level," he said. "The girls and the staff of Assumption have worked so hard and fully deserve this public recognition of our academic success. "However, it is the school's 'Fully Alive' ethos which underpins every aspect of why Assumption Grammar is such a unique educational establishment and has been since we were first established by the Missionary Sisters of the Assumption 85 years ago this year. "This is a surprise birthday present which will bring a smile to all our Assumption girls, past and present." Down High principal Maud Perry said the school was very proud of its results and she paid tribute to the hard work of pupils. "We celebrate the many talents and achievements of all our pupils at Down High and we're very proud of the 100% pass rate at GCSE in both mathematics and English," she said. "Our motto 'nothing is achieved without effort' reflects our belief that there is no limit to what can be accomplished through hard work. "This hard work of staff and pupils, alongside the support of our parents, produced these fantastic results in the 2017 summer exam season." Today's tables also represent a triumph for south Belfast grammar school Wellington College, which scored 94.7%, significantly above the Northern Ireland average, as it works to be removed from formal intervention. Principal David Castles said: "We are very proud of the excellent GCSE outcomes our students have attained. This significant improvement is part of our drive at Wellington College to raise standards, engage students and build pathways to success. "Excellence in exams is a result of students, staff and parents working together, and these GCSE results give a great foundation for success at A-level and beyond." How we did sums for the latest league tables The Belfast Telegraph is the only source of comprehensive league tables showing the results of every post-primary school in Northern Ireland. We obtained the data from the Department of Education for A-level and GCSE examinations sat in the 2016/17 academic year and compiled the figures into easy-to-read league tables, ordered from top to bottom. In the GCSE league tables, the Belfast Telegraph has used the percentage of pupils in the final year of a level 3 course who achieved five or more GCSEs - including English and Maths -between an A* to C grade in each school as the standard measure. The Department of Education does not produce A-level or GCSE league tables and said it does not endorse them. It has been alleged that a second paedophile priest was operating in the Newry area at the same time as Fr Malachy Finnegan. The allegation came to light on BBC Radio Ulster's Stephen Nolan Show on Friday, March 16. An anonymous caller to the show alleged that he and a number of other boys were abused by a second priest at St Joseph's Boys' High School and St Colman's College, Newry. The caller said that the abuse was carried out by Fr Seamus Reid. Fr Reid allegedly carried out abuse at St Joseph's and St Colman's under the guise of conducting confession. He was also involved with the local Boys Scouts. In 2015 the Catholic Church confirmed that 11 allegations have been made against Fr Seamus Reid since 1997. It is understood that his case was also raised by then Bishop John McAreavey during a report on the Diocese of Dromore carried out by the Church's National Board for Safeguarding Children in 2011, though the priest was not publically named. Fr Reid passed away in 2001. The allegations come in the wake of paedophile priest Malachy Finnegan being linked to a string of child abuse allegations, understood to have taken place at St Colman's College in Newry and later in the parish of Clonduff in Co Down. Finnegan worked at St Colman's from 1967 to 1987, and spent his last 11 years at the boys' grammar school as president. He moved to Clonduff as parish priest in January 1988. Dr John McAreavey stood down from his post as Bishop of Dromore on March 1 after coming under fire for his handling of the case. In a graphic interview the caller claimed he had been abused by Fr Reid over a number of years in the 1960's beginning as an eleven-year-old. He said that he pretended to be sick, didn't attend school and stayed away from his home in an attempt to stop the abuse. The caller said that he slept rough so wouldn't have to go home as the priest even called there looking for him. He alleged that the abuse was widely known about across the school. "The school knew about it, definitely some of the school knew about it. Like at St Colman's it was the talk of the school amongst the young boys," he said. "I find it hard to believe if it was so widely known among pupils that some of the teachers would not have known, someone was bound to have known. At the end of the call he issued an emotional appeal to 'please try not to let this happen again'. Another man then called into the show and said that he had been abused by Fr Reid as an alter boy and while in the Boys Scouts. He said that he had confronted Fr Reid later in life and asked him "What have you done" before the priest made a quick exit. On his show Mr Nolan said he was being contacted by victims from all over Northern Ireland. In a statement issued to the Stephen Nolan Show a St Joseph's High School spokesperson said: "It would not be appropriate for the school to make any public comment at this time." The Belfast Telegraph have contacted the Dromore Diocese for a response but they have yet to respond. Former First Minister Arlene Foster should not be directed to pay damages over a ruling that she unlawfully blocked a plan to fund legacy inquests, the High Court heard on Friday. (PA) Former First Minister Arlene Foster should not be directed to pay damages over a ruling that she unlawfully blocked a plan to fund legacy inquests, the High Court heard on Friday. Attorney General John Larkin QC argued that the case against the Democratic Unionist Party leader should also end now without any order for costs against her. But lawyers for the widow of an innocent civilian shot dead along with eight IRA men countered that Mrs Forster is liable as the "main culprit" for stopping Northern Ireland Executive discussion of an initiative to examine Troubles-related killings. They also urged a judge to formally compel the British Government and the devolved administration to reconsider releasing financial resources needed to clear a backlog of inquests. Last week Sir Paul Girvan held that Mrs Foster wrongly took into account the absence of an overall agreed package to deal with outstanding issues from Northern Ireland's violent past. He said her decision to refuse to put a funding paper on the Executive basis was unlawful and procedurally flawed. Stormont departments and the Secretary of State were told to look again at whether to provide the extra cash for hearings into nearly 100 deaths without waiting for any political agreement. The verdict came in a challenge mounted by Brigid Hughes, whose husband Anthony died after being unwittingly caught up in the SAS ambush of an IRA unit at Loughgall, Co Armagh in May 1987. She issued judicial review proceedings against the Secretary of State, the Stormont Executive and Mrs Foster personally due to her alleged responsibility for the logjam. Following Mrs Hughes' victory lawyers returned to court to deal with costs and whether any further declarations or orders should be made. Resisting the bid to have Mrs Foster exposed to any pay-out, Mr Larkin stressed that claims of discrimination and breach of the European Convention rights against her had failed. "The damages claim against the former First Minister simply isn't (made out)," the Attorney General contended. "There's no basis for it to continue, so she shouldn't be exposed to any continuation of this litigation - the proceedings against her should finish today (Friday)." No order for costs should be made against her either, he submitted. Mr Larkin insisted she was only joined to the case at a late stage, and the claim against her was limited to a brief period of time. But Barry Macdonald QC, for Mrs Hughes, replied: "The former First Minister was really the main culprit in all this. "She blocked consideration of the proposal, she promoted the notion that it was permissible and lawful to withhold funding for legacy inquests pending a resolution of overall legacy issues. Costs are appropriate against her." Counsel representing the Northern Ireland Office, the Department for Justice and the Executive Office also argued against making an order compelling action. However, Sir Paul suggested there was a need to issue directions with "proper teeth" to ensure no drift in any obligations. Referring to the applicant's case, he said: "Unless you have a more intrusive order you will end up with a perpetuation of nothing happening - in a context where there's a lack of transparency of how decisions are reached because it might embarrass somebody." He will give a final ruling on costs and any orders next week. More than 50 legacy inquests remain outstanding, with potentially 72 more cases on the Attorney General's desk for consideration. Each of them could cost over 1m to run, the court heard. Although the Stormont House Agreement includes a 150 million package to deal with all legacy issues, the Government has said financial resources will not be released until political consensus is reached on dealing with the past. Northern Ireland's Lord Chief Justice, Sir Declan Morgan, had advanced a plan for having all cases dealt with within five years. In 2016 a paper was drawn up by the DoJ to bid for funds based on Sir Declan's blueprint. Lawyers for Mrs Hughes went to court alleging Mrs Foster stopped it from being discussed by her Executive colleagues for political reasons. It was claimed that she would not allow a process which would "rewrite the past" because most of the inquests concerned state killings. However, the Attorney General insisted she behaved impeccably in preventing an "undercooked" paper going forward at that stage. She had been focused on balancing the limited 150 million budget for dealing with all outstanding legacy issues, the court heard. A bonfire constructed across the road from a petrol station in Carrickfergus was set alight in the early hours of Tuesday morning. Masked men continue to build a bonfire at Inverary Playing Fields in Belfast. Police in Northern Ireland have warned their resources could be stretched amid growing fears of tension around the burning of Eleventh night bonfires. [Photo credit: Liam McBurney/PA Wire] Workmen board up windows of property beside a bonfire at the end of the Comber Greenway off Ravenscroft Avenue in east Belfast. [Photo: Jonathan Porter/PressEye.com] Workmen board up windows of property beside a bonfire at the end of the Comber Greenway off Ravenscroft Avenue in east Belfast. [Photo: Jonathan Porter/PressEye.com] SDLP MLA Daniel McCrossan posted this photo of one of his election posters on a bonfire and said he considers the action a hate crime. Pacemaker Press Belfast 11-07-2017: Final preparations take place for the Bonfire on Sandy Row in Belfast .The bonfires will be lit in loyalist areas as part of Eleventh Night celebrations on Tuesday night. Picture By: Arthur Allison. Pacemaker Press Belfast 11-07-2017: Final preparations takes place for the Bonfire on Sandy Row in Belfast .The bonfires will be lit in loyalist areas as part of Eleventh Night celebrations on Tuesday night. Picture By: Arthur Allison. Pacemaker Press Belfast 11-07-2017: Final preparations takes place for the Bonfire on Sandy Row in Belfast .The bonfires will be lit in loyalist areas as part of Eleventh Night celebrations on Tuesday night. Picture By: Arthur Allison. The scene on Love Lane in Carrickfergus as the local community rebuild a bonfire after the original bonfire they build was burnt on Monday evening. Picture by Matt Mackey / presseye.com 10/07/2017 The scene on Love Lane in Carrickfergus as the local community rebuild a bonfire after the original bonfire they build was burnt on Monday evening. Picture by Matt Mackey / presseye.com 10/07/2017 The scene on Love Lane in Carrickfergus as the local community rebuild a bonfire after the original bonfire they build was burnt on Monday evening. Picture by Matt Mackey / presseye.com 10/07/2017 William Young used a drone to take this remarkable photo of the bonfire at Sandy Row. 11/07/2017 SDLP Group Leader on Belfast City Council Tim Attwood has welcomed the publication of a report from unionist parties on bonfires in the city. He said that the report represents the beginning of a conversation on the future of bonfires but is far too light on serious concerns relating to the burning of flags, posters, images and effigies of nationalist politicians, and racist and sectarian slogans. Read More Cllr Attwood accepted that bonfires were an important part of unionist culture. I fully recognise the importance of bonfires to the wider unionist community as part their celebration of their culture and tradition. The SDLP has supported the bonfire diversionary programme in Belfast City Council and recognise that many unionist communities are on a journey in relation to bonfires and welcome the fact that more communities are using beacons," he said However, we all have to recognise that there are a number of bonfires which continue to put at risk peoples health, homes and property. Post Grenfell, this is unacceptable. There remain a number of bonfires which are used to burn flags, posters and for racist and sectarian slogans. This is not part of a cultural celebration and is absolutely unacceptable. I welcome this papers acknowledgment that fly tipping and tyres on bonfires is a scourge that must be tackled. The environmental damage that toxic smoke from tyre burning deals to local communities is something that must be addressed." He called for greater leadership on the issue. There also needs to be greater leadership on this issue from statutory partners. The Council, NIHE, PSNI and NI Environment Agency have a collective responsibility to address bonfires which put at risk peoples health or property," Cllr Attwood said. The SDLP wish to engage in a discussion with the wider unionist community, which tackles the negative, dangerous and sinister aspects of bonfires while supporting developments which enhance unionist cultural celebrations. This paper should represent the beginning of a conversation on the future of bonfires. It will be supplemented by the report of the Commission on Flags, Identity, Culture and Tradition. But we cannot hide from the difficult issues if were to reach an acceptable accommodation." Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Previous Next Close Picture - Kevin Scott / Presseye Belfast - Northern Ireland - Thursday 25th June 2015 - Sandy Row Bonfire Pictured is firefighters at the scene of the Sandyrow bonfire as it was set alight early on Thursday Morning Picture - Kevin Scott / Presseye Kevin Scott / Presseye The bonfire at Sandy Row has been set alight early in 2015. Pic Twitter/StephenMcVey/BBC The bonfire at Sandy Row has been set alight early. Pic Twitter/JulianO'Neill/BBC PACEMAKER BELFAST 25/06/2015 Sandy Row Bonfire Firefighters extinguish the blaze at the Sandy Row Bonfire. The structure, in the car park of the Days Hotel on Wellwood Street, was lit on Thursday morning and has now been extinguished. However police remain at the scene where a man in his 30s has been detained as a result of disturbances in the area. Photo Aidan O'Reilly/Pacemaker Press Picture - Kevin Scott / Presseye Belfast - Northern Ireland - Thursday 25th June 2015 - Sandy Row Bonfire Pictured is firefighters at the scene of the Sandyrow bonfire as it was set alight early on Thursday Morning Picture - Kevin Scott / Presseye AWARD-WINNING Belfast restaurant, Tedfords on Donegall Quay, is set to open a second restaurant in the city centre in the next two weeks, creating 20 new jobs. Owned and managed by husband and wife team, Alan and Sharon Foster, over 250,000 has been invested in TedfordsAo Kitchen, which is scheduled to open at the beginning of July and is situated at No. 1 Lanyon Quay. Pictured L Ai R are Colin Angus, Facilities Manager and Cormac Artt, Head of Design from Richmond Interiors & Fit Out with TedfordsAo Kitchen Proprietor & Group Head Chef, Alan Foster and Co-Proprietor, Sharon Foster Picture - Kevin Scott / Presseye Belfast - Northern Ireland - Thursday 25th June 2015 - Sandy Row Bonfire Pictured is firefighters at the scene of the Sandyrow bonfire as it was set alight early on Thursday Morning Picture - Kevin Scott / Presseye Kevin Scott / Presseye PACEMAKER BELFAST 25/06/2015 Sandy Row Bonfire Firefighters extinguish the blaze at the Sandy Row Bonfire. The structure, in the car park of the Days Hotel on Wellwood Street, was lit on Thursday morning and has now been extinguished. However police remain at the scene where a man in his 30s has been detained as a result of disturbances in the area. Photo Aidan O'Reilly/Pacemaker Press Picture - Kevin Scott / Presseye Belfast - Northern Ireland - Thursday 25th June 2015 - Sandy Row Bonfire Pictured is firefighters at the scene of the Sandyrow bonfire as it was set alight early on Thursday Morning Picture - Kevin Scott / Presseye AWARD-WINNING Belfast restaurant, Tedfords on Donegall Quay, is set to open a second restaurant in the city centre in the next two weeks, creating 20 new jobs. Owned and managed by husband and wife team, Alan and Sharon Foster, over 250,000 has been invested in TedfordsAo Kitchen, which is scheduled to open at the beginning of July and is situated at No. 1 Lanyon Quay. Pictured L Ai R are Colin Angus, Facilities Manager and Cormac Artt, Head of Design from Richmond Interiors & Fit Out with TedfordsAo Kitchen Proprietor & Group Head Chef, Alan Foster and Co-Proprietor, Sharon Foster Picture - Kevin Scott / Presseye Belfast - Northern Ireland - Thursday 25th June 2015 - Sandy Row Bonfire Pictured is firefighters at the scene of the Sandyrow bonfire as it was set alight early on Thursday Morning Picture - Kevin Scott / Presseye AWARD-WINNING Belfast restaurant, Tedfords on Donegall Quay, is set to open a second restaurant in the city centre in the next two weeks, creating 20 new jobs. Owned and managed by husband and wife team, Alan and Sharon Foster, over 250,000 has been invested in TedfordsAo Kitchen, which is scheduled to open at the beginning of July and is situated at No. 1 Lanyon Quay. Pictured L Ai R are Colin Angus, Facilities Manager and Cormac Artt, Head of Design from Richmond Interiors & Fit Out with TedfordsAo Kitchen Proprietor & Group Head Chef, Alan Foster and Co-Proprietor, Sharon Foster Picture - Kevin Scott / Presseye Belfast - Northern Ireland - Thursday 25th June 2015 - Sandy Row Bonfire Pictured is firefighters at the scene of the Sandyrow bonfire as it was set alight early on Thursday Morning Picture - Kevin Scott / Presseye AWARD-WINNING Belfast restaurant, Tedfords on Donegall Quay, is set to open a second restaurant in the city centre in the next two weeks, creating 20 new jobs. Owned and managed by husband and wife team, Alan and Sharon Foster, over 250,000 has been invested in TedfordsAo Kitchen, which is scheduled to open at the beginning of July and is situated at No. 1 Lanyon Quay. Pictured L Ai R are Colin Angus, Facilities Manager and Cormac Artt, Head of Design from Richmond Interiors & Fit Out with TedfordsAo Kitchen Proprietor & Group Head Chef, Alan Foster and Co-Proprietor, Sharon Foster Picture - Kevin Scott / Presseye Belfast - Northern Ireland - Thursday 25th June 2015 - Sandy Row Bonfire Pictured is firefighters at the scene of the Sandyrow bonfire as it was set alight early on Thursday Morning Picture - Kevin Scott / Presseye Kevin Scott / Presseye PACEMAKER BELFAST 25/06/2015 Sandy Row Bonfire Firefighters extinguish the blaze at the Sandy Row Bonfire. The structure, in the car park of the Days Hotel on Wellwood Street, was lit on Thursday morning and has now been extinguished. However police remain at the scene where a man in his 30s has been detained as a result of disturbances in the area. Photo Aidan O'Reilly/Pacemaker Press PACEMAKER BELFAST 25/06/2015 Sandy Row Bonfire Firefighters extinguish the blaze at the Sandy Row Bonfire. The structure, in the car park of the Days Hotel on Wellwood Street, was lit on Thursday morning and has now been extinguished. However police remain at the scene where a man in his 30s has been detained as a result of disturbances in the area. Photo Aidan O'Reilly/Pacemaker Press PACEMAKER BELFAST 25/06/2015 Sandy Row Bonfire Firefighters extinguish the blaze at the Sandy Row Bonfire. The structure, in the car park of the Days Hotel on Wellwood Street, was lit on Thursday morning and has now been extinguished. However police remain at the scene where a man in his 30s has been detained as a result of disturbances in the area. Photo Aidan O'Reilly/Pacemaker Press PACEMAKER BELFAST 25/06/2015 Sandy Row Bonfire Firefighters extinguish the blaze at the Sandy Row Bonfire. The structure, in the car park of the Days Hotel on Wellwood Street, was lit on Thursday morning and has now been extinguished. However police remain at the scene where a man in his 30s has been detained as a result of disturbances in the area. Photo Aidan O'Reilly/Pacemaker Press PACEMAKER BELFAST 25/06/2015 Sandy Row Bonfire Firefighters extinguish the blaze at the Sandy Row Bonfire. The structure, in the car park of the Days Hotel on Wellwood Street, was lit on Thursday morning and has now been extinguished. However police remain at the scene where a man in his 30s has been detained as a result of disturbances in the area. Photo Aidan O'Reilly/Pacemaker Press PACEMAKER BELFAST 25/06/2015 Sandy Row Bonfire Firefighters extinguish the blaze at the Sandy Row Bonfire. The structure, in the car park of the Days Hotel on Wellwood Street, was lit on Thursday morning and has now been extinguished. However police remain at the scene where a man in his 30s has been detained as a result of disturbances in the area. Photo Aidan O'Reilly/Pacemaker Press PACEMAKER BELFAST 25/06/2015 Sandy Row Bonfire Firefighters extinguish the blaze at the Sandy Row Bonfire. The structure, in the car park of the Days Hotel on Wellwood Street, was lit on Thursday morning and has now been extinguished. However police remain at the scene where a man in his 30s has been detained as a result of disturbances in the area. Photo Aidan O'Reilly/Pacemaker Press PACEMAKER BELFAST 25/06/2015 Sandy Row Bonfire Firefighters extinguish the blaze at the Sandy Row Bonfire. The structure, in the car park of the Days Hotel on Wellwood Street, was lit on Thursday morning and has now been extinguished. However police remain at the scene where a man in his 30s has been detained as a result of disturbances in the area. Photo Aidan O'Reilly/Pacemaker Press Picture - Kevin Scott / Presseye Belfast - Northern Ireland - Thursday 25th June 2015 - Sandy Row Bonfire Pictured is firefighters at the scene of the Sandyrow bonfire as it was set alight early on Thursday Morning Picture - Kevin Scott / Presseye AWARD-WINNING Belfast restaurant, Tedfords on Donegall Quay, is set to open a second restaurant in the city centre in the next two weeks, creating 20 new jobs. Owned and managed by husband and wife team, Alan and Sharon Foster, over 250,000 has been invested in TedfordsAo Kitchen, which is scheduled to open at the beginning of July and is situated at No. 1 Lanyon Quay. Pictured L Ai R are Colin Angus, Facilities Manager and Cormac Artt, Head of Design from Richmond Interiors & Fit Out with TedfordsAo Kitchen Proprietor & Group Head Chef, Alan Foster and Co-Proprietor, Sharon Foster Picture - Kevin Scott / Presseye Belfast - Northern Ireland - Thursday 25th June 2015 - Sandy Row Bonfire Pictured is firefighters at the scene of the Sandyrow bonfire as it was set alight early on Thursday Morning Picture - Kevin Scott / Presseye Kevin Scott / Presseye PACEMAKER BELFAST 25/06/2015 Sandy Row Bonfire Firefighters extinguish the blaze at the Sandy Row Bonfire. The structure, in the car park of the Days Hotel on Wellwood Street, was lit on Thursday morning and has now been extinguished. However police remain at the scene where a man in his 30s has been detained as a result of disturbances in the area. Photo Aidan O'Reilly/Pacemaker Press Picture - Kevin Scott / Presseye Belfast - Northern Ireland - Thursday 25th June 2015 - Sandy Row Bonfire Pictured is firefighters at the scene of the Sandyrow bonfire as it was set alight early on Thursday Morning Picture - Kevin Scott / Presseye AWARD-WINNING Belfast restaurant, Tedfords on Donegall Quay, is set to open a second restaurant in the city centre in the next two weeks, creating 20 new jobs. Owned and managed by husband and wife team, Alan and Sharon Foster, over 250,000 has been invested in TedfordsAo Kitchen, which is scheduled to open at the beginning of July and is situated at No. 1 Lanyon Quay. Pictured L Ai R are Colin Angus, Facilities Manager and Cormac Artt, Head of Design from Richmond Interiors & Fit Out with TedfordsAo Kitchen Proprietor & Group Head Chef, Alan Foster and Co-Proprietor, Sharon Foster Picture - Kevin Scott / Presseye Belfast - Northern Ireland - Thursday 25th June 2015 - Sandy Row Bonfire Pictured is firefighters at the scene of the Sandyrow bonfire as it was set alight early on Thursday Morning Picture - Kevin Scott / Presseye AWARD-WINNING Belfast restaurant, Tedfords on Donegall Quay, is set to open a second restaurant in the city centre in the next two weeks, creating 20 new jobs. Owned and managed by husband and wife team, Alan and Sharon Foster, over 250,000 has been invested in TedfordsAo Kitchen, which is scheduled to open at the beginning of July and is situated at No. 1 Lanyon Quay. Pictured L Ai R are Colin Angus, Facilities Manager and Cormac Artt, Head of Design from Richmond Interiors & Fit Out with TedfordsAo Kitchen Proprietor & Group Head Chef, Alan Foster and Co-Proprietor, Sharon Foster Picture - Kevin Scott / Presseye Belfast - Northern Ireland - Thursday 25th June 2015 - Sandy Row Bonfire Pictured is firefighters at the scene of the Sandyrow bonfire as it was set alight early on Thursday Morning Picture - Kevin Scott / Presseye Kevin Scott / Presseye Picture - Kevin Scott / Presseye Belfast - Northern Ireland - Thursday 25th June 2015 - Sandy Row Bonfire Pictured is firefighters at the scene of the Sandyrow bonfire as it was set alight early on Thursday Morning Picture - Kevin Scott / Presseye Kevin Scott / Presseye Firefighters at the scene of the Sandyrow bonfire as it was set alight early on June 25 2015. Picture - Kevin Scott / Presseye Kevin Scott / Presseye Picture - Kevin Scott / Presseye Belfast - Northern Ireland - Thursday 25th June 2015 - Sandy Row Bonfire Pictured is firefighters at the scene of the Sandyrow bonfire as it was set alight early on Thursday Morning Picture - Kevin Scott / Presseye Kevin Scott / Presseye Picture - Kevin Scott / Presseye Belfast - Northern Ireland - Thursday 25th June 2015 - Sandy Row Bonfire Pictured is firefighters at the scene of the Sandyrow bonfire as it was set alight early on Thursday Morning Picture - Kevin Scott / Presseye Kevin Scott / Presseye Picture - Kevin Scott / Presseye Belfast - Northern Ireland - Thursday 25th June 2015 - Sandy Row Bonfire Pictured is firefighters at the scene of the Sandyrow bonfire as it was set alight early on Thursday Morning Picture - Kevin Scott / Presseye Kevin Scott / Presseye Picture - Kevin Scott / Presseye Belfast - Northern Ireland - Thursday 25th June 2015 - Sandy Row Bonfire Pictured is firefighters at the scene of the Sandyrow bonfire as it was set alight early on Thursday Morning Picture - Kevin Scott / Presseye Kevin Scott / Presseye Picture - Kevin Scott / Presseye Belfast - Northern Ireland - Thursday 25th June 2015 - Sandy Row Bonfire Pictured is firefighters at the scene of the Sandyrow bonfire as it was set alight early on Thursday Morning Picture - Kevin Scott / Presseye Kevin Scott / Presseye / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Picture - Kevin Scott / Presseye Belfast - Northern Ireland - Thursday 25th June 2015 - Sandy Row Bonfire Pictured is firefighters at the scene of the Sandyrow bonfire as it was set alight early on Thursday Morning Picture - Kevin Scott / Presseye A Belfast man is to stand trial accused of inciting a child in the United States to become involved in pornography, a judge ordered on Friday. The 30-year-old faces further charges of sexual communication with the girl and causing her to engage in sexual activity. Temporary reporting restrictions were imposed after defence lawyers claimed revealing his identity would increase the risk of committing suicide. The man appeared before Belfast Magistrates' Court accused of committing a total of 31 offences between February 2014 and June 2015. The charges include communicating with a child under 16 for sexual purposes, and five counts each of inciting her to take part in sexual activity and pornography. He is also accused of 15 counts of making indecent photographs of a child, and another five offences of possessing extreme pornographic images. During preliminary enquiry proceedings the defendant declined to call witnesses or give evidence in response to the allegations against him. His barrister, Sean Devine, disclosed that the alleged victim is based in the US. Deciding that a prima facie case had been established against the accused, District Judge Fiona Bagnall returned him for trial at Belfast Crown Court. He was released on continuing 500 bail until his arraignment on a date to be fixed. Reporting restrictions were sought under Article 2 of the Human Rights Act which protects the right to life. Mr Devine told the court he was only seeking a limited order until medical evidence can be produced. Challenged by the press to further justify his application, counsel cited the legal test of a real and immediate threat to life. He said: "There's a real danger that if there was publication of my client's details the risk of suicide would be exacerbated." The accused suffers from clinical depression and anxiety disorder, the court was told. Mr Devine added that the press will be given an opportunity to consider the medical evidence when it is obtained. Granting anonymity at this stage, Mrs Bagnall held that it was the least intrusive step. "There's a risk of suicide here - it may be everything or it may be nothing - but I have to protect everybody's rights," she said. The judge stressed, however, that she was only prepared to make an interim, six-week order. "It's for the defence to have (the case) listed before a Crown Court judge by April 27 if they want the order to be continued," she pointed out. "The onus is also on the defence to notify the press of that date." Press Eye Belfast - Northern Ireland Friday 17th March 2017 Photo by Freddie Parkinson / Press Eye St Patrick's day celebrations in Belfast St PatrickOs Day celebrations are set to take place across Northern Ireland on Friday. Colourful festivities will be held in a number of towns and cities - with thousands of people expected to attend. Press Eye Belfast - Northern Ireland Friday 17th March 2017 Photo by Freddie Parkinson / Press Eye St Patrick's day celebrations in Belfast St PatrickOs Day celebrations are set to take place across Northern Ireland on Friday. Colourful festivities will be held in a number of towns and cities - with thousands of people expected to attend. Press Eye Belfast - Northern Ireland Friday 17th March 2017 Photo by Freddie Parkinson / Press Eye St Patrick's day celebrations in Belfast St PatrickOs Day celebrations are set to take place across Northern Ireland on Friday. Colourful festivities will be held in a number of towns and cities - with thousands of people expected to attend. Press Eye Belfast - Northern Ireland Friday 17th March 2017 Photo by Freddie Parkinson / Press Eye St Patrick's day celebrations in Belfast St PatrickOs Day celebrations are set to take place across Northern Ireland on Friday. Colourful festivities will be held in a number of towns and cities - with thousands of people expected to attend. Press Eye Belfast - Northern Ireland Friday 17th March 2017 Photo by Freddie Parkinson / Press Eye St Patrick's day celebrations in Belfast St PatrickOs Day celebrations are set to take place across Northern Ireland on Friday. Colourful festivities will be held in a number of towns and cities - with thousands of people expected to attend. Press Eye Belfast - Northern Ireland Friday 17th March 2017 Photo by Freddie Parkinson / Press Eye St Patrick's day celebrations in Belfast St PatrickOs Day celebrations are set to take place across Northern Ireland on Friday. Colourful festivities will be held in a number of towns and cities - with thousands of people expected to attend. Press Eye Belfast - Northern Ireland Friday 17th March 2017 Photo by Freddie Parkinson / Press Eye St Patrick's day celebrations in Belfast St PatrickOs Day celebrations are set to take place across Northern Ireland on Friday. Colourful festivities will be held in a number of towns and cities - with thousands of people expected to attend. Press Eye Belfast - Northern Ireland Friday 17th March 2017 Photo by Freddie Parkinson / Press Eye St Patrick's day celebrations in Belfast St PatrickOs Day celebrations are set to take place across Northern Ireland on Friday. Colourful festivities will be held in a number of towns and cities - with thousands of people expected to attend. Press Eye Belfast - Northern Ireland Friday 17th March 2017 Photo by Freddie Parkinson / Press Eye St Patrick's day celebrations in Belfast St PatrickOs Day celebrations are set to take place across Northern Ireland on Friday. Colourful festivities will be held in a number of towns and cities - with thousands of people expected to attend. Press Eye Belfast - Northern Ireland Friday 17th March 2017 Photo by Freddie Parkinson / Press Eye St Patrick's day celebrations in Belfast St PatrickOs Day celebrations are set to take place across Northern Ireland on Friday. Colourful festivities will be held in a number of towns and cities - with thousands of people expected to attend. Press Eye Belfast - Northern Ireland Friday 17th March 2017 Photo by Freddie Parkinson / Press Eye St Patrick's day celebrations in Belfast St PatrickOs Day celebrations are set to take place across Northern Ireland on Friday. Colourful festivities will be held in a number of towns and cities - with thousands of people expected to attend. Press Eye Belfast - Northern Ireland Friday 17th March 2017 Photo by Freddie Parkinson / Press Eye St Patrick's day celebrations in Belfast St PatrickOs Day celebrations are set to take place across Northern Ireland on Friday. Colourful festivities will be held in a number of towns and cities - with thousands of people expected to attend. Press Eye Belfast - Northern Ireland Friday 17th March 2017 Photo by Freddie Parkinson / Press Eye St Patrick's day celebrations in Belfast St PatrickOs Day celebrations are set to take place across Northern Ireland on Friday. Colourful festivities will be held in a number of towns and cities - with thousands of people expected to attend. Press Eye Belfast - Northern Ireland Friday 17th March 2017 Photo by Freddie Parkinson / Press Eye St Patrick's day celebrations in Belfast St PatrickOs Day celebrations are set to take place across Northern Ireland on Friday. Colourful festivities will be held in a number of towns and cities - with thousands of people expected to attend. Press Eye Belfast - Northern Ireland Friday 17th March 2017 Photo by Freddie Parkinson / Press Eye St Patrick's day celebrations in Belfast St PatrickOs Day celebrations are set to take place across Northern Ireland on Friday. Colourful festivities will be held in a number of towns and cities - with thousands of people expected to attend. Press Eye Belfast - Northern Ireland Friday 17th March 2017 Photo by Freddie Parkinson / Press Eye St Patrick's day celebrations in Belfast St PatrickOs Day celebrations are set to take place across Northern Ireland on Friday. Colourful festivities will be held in a number of towns and cities - with thousands of people expected to attend. Press Eye Belfast - Northern Ireland Friday 17th March 2017 Photo by Freddie Parkinson / Press Eye St Patrick's day celebrations in Belfast St PatrickOs Day celebrations are set to take place across Northern Ireland on Friday. Colourful festivities will be held in a number of towns and cities - with thousands of people expected to attend. Pacemaker Press 17/3/2017 Crowds gather for the St Patrick's day Parade in Belfast City Centre on Friday. Thousands line the streets to watch the Parade from Belfast City Hall to Custom House Square. Pic Colm Lenaghan/Pacemaker Pacemaker Press 17/3/2017 Crowds gather for the St Patrick's day Parade in Belfast City Centre on Friday. Thousands line the streets to watch the Parade from Belfast City Hall to Custom House Square. Pic Colm Lenaghan/Pacemaker Pacemaker Press 17/3/2017 Crowds gather for the St Patrick's day Parade in Belfast City Centre on Friday. Thousands line the streets to watch the Parade from Belfast City Hall to Custom House Square. Pic Colm Lenaghan/Pacemaker Pacemaker Press 17/3/2017 Crowds gather for the St Patrick's day Parade in Belfast City Centre on Friday. Thousands line the streets to watch the Parade from Belfast City Hall to Custom House Square. Pic Colm Lenaghan/Pacemaker Pacemaker Press 17/3/2017 Crowds gather for the St Patrick's day Parade in Belfast City Centre on Friday. Thousands line the streets to watch the Parade from Belfast City Hall to Custom House Square. Pic Colm Lenaghan/Pacemaker Pacemaker Press 17/3/2017 Crowds gather for the St Patrick's day Parade in Belfast City Centre on Friday. Thousands line the streets to watch the Parade from Belfast City Hall to Custom House Square. Pic Colm Lenaghan/Pacemaker Pacemaker Press 17/3/2017 Crowds gather for the St Patrick's day Parade in Belfast City Centre on Friday. Thousands line the streets to watch the Parade from Belfast City Hall to Custom House Square. Pic Colm Lenaghan/Pacemaker Pacemaker Press 17/3/2017 Crowds gather for the St Patrick's day Parade in Belfast City Centre on Friday. Thousands line the streets to watch the Parade from Belfast City Hall to Custom House Square. Pic Colm Lenaghan/Pacemaker Pacemaker Press 17/3/2017 Crowds gather for the St Patrick's day Parade in Belfast City Centre on Friday. Thousands line the streets to watch the Parade from Belfast City Hall to Custom House Square. Pic Colm Lenaghan/Pacemaker Pacemaker Press 17/3/2017 Crowds gather for the St Patrick's day Parade in Belfast City Centre on Friday. Thousands line the streets to watch the Parade from Belfast City Hall to Custom House Square. Pic Colm Lenaghan/Pacemaker Pacemaker Press 17/3/2017 Crowds gather for the St Patrick's day Parade in Belfast City Centre on Friday. Thousands line the streets to watch the Parade from Belfast City Hall to Custom House Square. Pic Colm Lenaghan/Pacemaker Pacemaker Press 17/3/2017 Crowds gather for the St Patrick's day Parade in Belfast City Centre on Friday. Thousands line the streets to watch the Parade from Belfast City Hall to Custom House Square. Pic Colm Lenaghan/Pacemaker Pacemaker Press 17/3/2017 Crowds gather for the St Patrick's day Parade in Belfast City Centre on Friday. Thousands line the streets to watch the Parade from Belfast City Hall to Custom House Square. Pic Colm Lenaghan/Pacemaker Pacemaker Press 17/3/2017 Crowds gather for the St Patrick's day Parade in Belfast City Centre on Friday. Thousands line the streets to watch the Parade from Belfast City Hall to Custom House Square. Pic Colm Lenaghan/Pacemaker Pacemaker Press 17/3/2017 Crowds gather for the St Patrick's day Parade in Belfast City Centre on Friday. Thousands line the streets to watch the Parade from Belfast City Hall to Custom House Square. Pic Colm Lenaghan/Pacemaker Pacemaker Press 17/3/2017 Crowds gather for the St Patrick's day Parade in Belfast City Centre on Friday. Thousands line the streets to watch the Parade from Belfast City Hall to Custom House Square. Pic Colm Lenaghan/Pacemaker Pacemaker Press 17/3/2017 Crowds gather for the St Patrick's day Parade in Belfast City Centre on Friday. Thousands line the streets to watch the Parade from Belfast City Hall to Custom House Square. Pic Colm Lenaghan/Pacemaker Pacemaker Press 17/3/2017 Crowds gather for the St Patrick's day Parade in Belfast City Centre on Friday. Thousands line the streets to watch the Parade from Belfast City Hall to Custom House Square. Pic Colm Lenaghan/Pacemaker Pacemaker Press 17/3/2017 Crowds gather for the St Patrick's day Parade in Belfast City Centre on Friday. Thousands line the streets to watch the Parade from Belfast City Hall to Custom House Square. Pic Colm Lenaghan/Pacemaker Pacemaker Press 17/3/2017 Crowds gather for the St Patrick's day Parade in Belfast City Centre on Friday. Thousands line the streets to watch the Parade from Belfast City Hall to Custom House Square. Pic Colm Lenaghan/Pacemaker Pacemaker Press 17/3/2017 Crowds gather for the St Patrick's day Parade in Belfast City Centre on Friday. Thousands line the streets to watch the Parade from Belfast City Hall to Custom House Square. Pic Colm Lenaghan/Pacemaker Pacemaker Press 17/3/2017 Crowds gather for the St Patrick's day Parade in Belfast City Centre on Friday. Thousands line the streets to watch the Parade from Belfast City Hall to Custom House Square. Pic Colm Lenaghan/Pacemaker Pacemaker Press 17/3/2017 Crowds gather for the St Patrick's day Parade in Belfast City Centre on Friday. Thousands line the streets to watch the Parade from Belfast City Hall to Custom House Square. Pic Colm Lenaghan/Pacemaker Pacemaker Press 17/3/2017 Crowds gather for the St Patrick's day Parade in Belfast City Centre on Friday. Thousands line the streets to watch the Parade from Belfast City Hall to Custom House Square. Pic Colm Lenaghan/Pacemaker Pacemaker Press 17/3/2017 Crowds gather for the St Patrick's day Parade in Belfast City Centre on Friday. Thousands line the streets to watch the Parade from Belfast City Hall to Custom House Square. Pic Colm Lenaghan/Pacemaker Pacemaker Press 17/3/2017 Crowds gather for the St Patrick's day Parade in Belfast City Centre on Friday. Thousands line the streets to watch the Parade from Belfast City Hall to Custom House Square. Pic Colm Lenaghan/Pacemaker Pacemaker Press 17/3/2017 Crowds gather for the St Patrick's day Parade in Belfast City Centre on Friday. Thousands line the streets to watch the Parade from Belfast City Hall to Custom House Square. Pic Colm Lenaghan/Pacemaker Pacemaker Press 17/3/2017 Crowds gather for the St Patrick's day Parade in Belfast City Centre on Friday. Thousands line the streets to watch the Parade from Belfast City Hall to Custom House Square. Pic Colm Lenaghan/Pacemaker Pacemaker Press 17/3/2017 Crowds gather for the St Patrick's day Parade in Belfast City Centre on Friday. Thousands line the streets to watch the Parade from Belfast City Hall to Custom House Square. Pic Colm Lenaghan/Pacemaker Pacemaker Press 17/3/2017 Crowds gather for the St Patrick's day Parade in Belfast City Centre on Friday. Thousands line the streets to watch the Parade from Belfast City Hall to Custom House Square. Pic Colm Lenaghan/Pacemaker Pacemaker Press 17/3/2017 Crowds gather for the St Patrick's day Parade in Belfast City Centre on Friday. Thousands line the streets to watch the Parade from Belfast City Hall to Custom House Square. Pic Colm Lenaghan/Pacemaker Pacemaker Press 17/3/2017 Crowds gather for the St Patrick's day Parade in Belfast City Centre on Friday. Thousands line the streets to watch the Parade from Belfast City Hall to Custom House Square. Pic Colm Lenaghan/Pacemaker Pacemaker Press 17/3/2017 Crowds gather for the St Patrick's day Parade in Belfast City Centre on Friday. Thousands line the streets to watch the Parade from Belfast City Hall to Custom House Square. Pic Colm Lenaghan/Pacemaker Pacemaker Press 17/3/2017 Crowds gather for the St Patrick's day Parade in Belfast City Centre on Friday. Thousands line the streets to watch the Parade from Belfast City Hall to Custom House Square. Pic Colm Lenaghan/Pacemaker Press Eye Belfast - Northern Ireland Friday 17th March 2017 Photo by Freddie Parkinson / Press Eye St Patrick's day celebrations in Belfast St PatrickOs Day celebrations are set to take place across Northern Ireland on Friday. Colourful festivities will be held in a number of towns and cities - with thousands of people expected to attend. Press Eye Belfast - Northern Ireland Friday 17th March 2017 Photo by Freddie Parkinson / Press Eye St Patrick's day celebrations in Belfast St PatrickOs Day celebrations are set to take place across Northern Ireland on Friday. Colourful festivities will be held in a number of towns and cities - with thousands of people expected to attend. Pacemaker Press 17/3/2017 Crowds gather for the St Patrick's day Parade in Belfast City Centre on Friday. Thousands line the streets to watch the Parade from Belfast City Hall to Custom House Square. Pic Colm Lenaghan/Pacemaker Pacemaker Press 17/3/2017 Crowds gather for the St Patrick's day Parade in Belfast City Centre on Friday. Thousands line the streets to watch the Parade from Belfast City Hall to Custom House Square. Pic Colm Lenaghan/Pacemaker Pacemaker Press 17/3/2017 Crowds gather for the St Patrick's day Parade in Belfast City Centre on Friday. Thousands line the streets to watch the Parade from Belfast City Hall to Custom House Square. Pic Colm Lenaghan/Pacemaker Pacemaker Press 17/3/2017 Crowds gather for the St Patrick's day Parade in Belfast City Centre on Friday. Thousands line the streets to watch the Parade from Belfast City Hall to Custom House Square. Pic Colm Lenaghan/Pacemaker Pacemaker Press 17/3/2017 Crowds gather for the St Patrick's day Parade in Belfast City Centre on Friday. Thousands line the streets to watch the Parade from Belfast City Hall to Custom House Square. Pic Colm Lenaghan/Pacemaker Pacemaker Press 17/3/2017 Crowds gather for the St Patrick's day Parade in Belfast City Centre on Friday. Thousands line the streets to watch the Parade from Belfast City Hall to Custom House Square. Pic Colm Lenaghan/Pacemaker Pacemaker Press 17/3/2017 Crowds gather for the St Patrick's day Parade in Belfast City Centre on Friday. Thousands line the streets to watch the Parade from Belfast City Hall to Custom House Square. Pic Colm Lenaghan/Pacemaker Pacemaker Press 17/3/2017 Crowds gather for the St Patrick's day Parade in Belfast City Centre on Friday. Thousands line the streets to watch the Parade from Belfast City Hall to Custom House Square. Pic Colm Lenaghan/Pacemaker Pacemaker Press 17/3/2017 Crowds gather for the St Patrick's day Parade in Belfast City Centre on Friday. Thousands line the streets to watch the Parade from Belfast City Hall to Custom House Square. Pic Colm Lenaghan/Pacemaker Pacemaker Press 17/3/2017 Crowds gather for the St Patrick's day Parade in Belfast City Centre on Friday. Thousands line the streets to watch the Parade from Belfast City Hall to Custom House Square. Pic Colm Lenaghan/Pacemaker Pacemaker Press 17/3/2017 Crowds gather for the St Patrick's day Parade in Belfast City Centre on Friday. Thousands line the streets to watch the Parade from Belfast City Hall to Custom House Square. Pic Colm Lenaghan/Pacemaker The PSNI is preparing a "complex" operation for this year's St Patrick's Day in Belfast to tackle any public disorder around the traditional festivities - as well as a loyalist flag protest, three band parades and a Linfield-Glentoran clash. In addition, tomorrow will see a 10k race in the morning and large crowds flooding into Belfast city centre pubs in the afternoon to watch the Six Nations match, which could see Ireland clinch the Grand Slam over rival England. Superintendent Robert Murdie described March 17 as a "really complex policing day". The main focus for police attention is expected to be around the annual St Patrick's Day parade in Belfast city centre from 11.30am, followed by a concert at Custom House Square. And later that afternoon arch Belfast rivals Linfield and Glentoran will play at the National Stadium. Read More The PSNI will also be aiming to prevent a repeat of disorder seen in the city centre and the Holyland student area in south Belfast in previous years. But officers will also be called on to police a loyalist flag protest at City Hall in the afternoon and three band parades - including Purple Star Flute Band's parade in the Shankill area at 6pm and two parades in east Belfast at 6pm and 7pm. "March 17 itself is a really complex policing day for ourselves and our partners in council and at the universities due to a high number of events on in the city," said Mr Murdie. A multi-agency three-day operation is currently under way in Belfast ahead of St Patrick's Day. It involves police, Belfast City Council and the two universities, Queen's and Ulster, and aims to reduce anti-social behaviour, particularly in the Holyland area, where many students live. Council officers are patrolling the Holyland and wider university area, as well as dealing with noise complaints across the city. In previous years there has been significant anti-social behaviour and vast crowds of young people, often intoxicated, gathering in both the city centre and the Holyland. Mr McMurdie said the PSNI believe the joined up approach has been "evolving and improving" over the last number of years. He pointed out that last year 15 arrests were made on St Patrick's Day in Belfast, down on 20 arrests the previous year. Last year, police were attacked with bottles and other missiles in the Holyland when a street party involving around 300 young people descended into chaos. "Alongside our partners, we are working hard to dispel the popular perception among young people that the Holyland area is a key party destination on St Patrick's Day. "It is not," Mr McMurdie said. "Our message to young people is to celebrate the holiday away from the residential streets of the Holyland area, for their own safety but also to protect local children, older people and other residents who are feeling particularly vulnerable as this St Patrick's Day approaches. "Parents and guardians really need to know where their young people are going and if they are planning to celebrate St Patrick's Day in Belfast, that they only attend officially organised events and stay away from the Holyland area. "We are keen to ensure that all young people are aware of the risks associated with anti-social behaviour, for their safety and future educational and career prospects." Two Romanian brothers recently jailed for their roles in a UK-wide human trafficking and prostitution ring have been handed further jail terms for fraud Two Romanian brothers recently jailed for their roles in a UK-wide human trafficking and prostitution ring have been handed further jail terms for fraud. At Banbridge Magistrates Court, District Judge Paul Copeland handed five-month jail terms to Decebal Mihai (28) and his younger brother Spartacus Mihai (21). He suspended the younger man's sentence, meaning he will remain incarcerated in the Young Offenders Centre until his deportation. The brothers - Decebal from Kenlis Street in Banbridge and Spartacus from the Henly Road, Ilford, Essex - had pleaded guilty to three counts of fraud by falsely claiming they were "entitled to apply for an insurance policy" on various dates last year. The court, sitting in Newry, heard how the offences came to light when police had the brothers under surveillance and spotted them "driving around in different cars". Investigations revealed that the registered keepers, who lived in Britain, knew nothing of the Mihai brothers. At the end of February in Belfast Crown Court, Decebal and Spartacus Mihai were jailed after they admitted eight counts of human trafficking and controlling prostitution. Defence barrister Joel Lindsay revealed there was video surveillance footage of Decebal Mihai "at the house that they lived in with various ladies", adding that the brothers were "buying and selling cars" at the time. Bobby Rea, acting on behalf of Spartacus Mihai, submitted that with a release date around the end of the year, when he will be deported, if he was given a further term of imprisonment he would be transferred to Maghaberry. Imposing the sentences, Judge Copeland said the custody threshold was "absolutely met in this case". Judgment has been reserved in a gay couple's legal fight to have their same-sex marriage recognised in Northern Ireland Judgment has been reserved in a gay couple's legal fight to have their same-sex marriage recognised in Northern Ireland. Lawyers for the two men claim downgrading their wedding to civil partnership status amounts to unlawful discrimination. A panel of three appeal judges, led by Lord Chief Justice Sir Declan Morgan, pledged to deliver a verdict as soon as possible. Granted anonymity in the proceedings, the petitioner 'X' and his husband wed in London in 2014. The couple want to secure a declaration that their marriage remains fully constituted throughout the United Kingdom. But under current laws they can only be classified as civil partners in their native Northern Ireland, an alleged reduction in relationship status violating their human rights. In August last year a High Court judge dismissed the case after identifying no breach under European law. He held that it was up to government and parliament to provide same-sex marriage rights, not the judiciary. But Petitioner X is now attempting to have that verdict overturned at the Court of Appeal in Belfast. Counsel for X argued that any heterosexual couples who wed in England remain married if they move to Northern Ireland. Explaining his status to people at work had caused him stress and uncertainty, the court heard. The petition, backed by gay rights group The Rainbow Project, was taken against the Northern Ireland Assembly and the UK Government. Legislation in the rest of the UK and the Irish Republic allows same-sex couples to marry. However, Stormont has repeatedly refused to introduce the same change in the law. Lawyers for X and his husband claimed their rights to privacy and family life, religious freedom and entitlement to marry under the European Convention on Human Rights have all been violated. But lawyers for UK's Government Equality Office (GEO) have countered that there was never intended to be a "one size fits all" approach to the issue across the regions. A gay couple's ability to get married in England and Wales was a matter of policy rather than a legal obligation, according to their case. Prominent loyalist Mark Harbinson is to stand trial later this year on weapons and ammunition charges. The 51-year-old, of Stoneyford Road, Lisburn, Co Antrim, is representing himself after dismissing his previous legal team. He denies charges of possessing a 9mm pistol, silencer and 28 rounds of ammunition in suspicious circumstances. The former Drumcreee protestor also denies charges of having the Makarov handgun and ammunition without a certificate. The prosecution had previously withdrawn a charge of having a firearm with intent to endanger life. At Belfast Crown Court on Friday, Harbinson confirmed to Belfast Recorder Judge David McFarland that he had received the papers in the case from his former instructing solicitor. Asked had he read the papers in the case, Harbinson, who was standing in the body of the court aided by a single crutch, replied: "No.'' Judge McFarland said he had read a number of letters Harbinson had previously handed into court regarding issues surrounding legal aid and his current medical condition. He said he was not prepared to granted legal aid in the case, adding: "If you are not happy you can go and see a solicitor and make a new application for legal aid and I wlll consider that application.'' The Belfast Recorder said that he would allow the defendant some time to read the papers in the case and set the non-jury trial date for Monday, June 4, 2018. The trial is expected to last four weeks. No details were given in court today about the background to the charges. However, during a previous bail hearing a judge was told Harbinson fled to England after a gun and ammunition were found at his Co Antrim home. The court was told the semi-automatic pistol, silencer and bullets were found during searches at his then Sheepwalk Road address in Stoneyford on December 21, 2015. Police found them inside a biscuit tin in the rafters of a barn beside the property. A shebeen-style drinking bar was said to contain items associated with the Orange Volunteers, including a banner for the proscribed loyalist grouping. Harbinson was later released on bail, which included electronic tagging. However, last November a judge at Belfast Crown Court agreed to remove the tagging as part of a relaxation in his bail conditions because of delays in getting his case to trial. The civil service chief who told an inquiry that some Stormont meetings weren't minuted in order to frustrate Freedom of Information requests had previously said he would ensure notes were taken of all engagements with ministers. The head of Northern Ireland's civil service, David Sterling, told the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) public inquiry at Stormont on Tuesday that some meetings were not minuted because it was "safer" not to have a record which might be released later. Mr Sterling said the two main parties at Stormont had been sensitive to criticism. It has since emerged that during a finance committee hearing dealing with the National Asset Management Agency (Nama) portfolio in October 2015, Mr Sterling - who was the permanent secretary of the Department of Finance and Personnel at the time - was asked why his department did not have a record of a meeting, while Nama did. "Obviously, it is up to Nama to take whatever notes it sees fit," he told MLAs. "This whole process has identified that we probably need to be more consistent in our approach to taking notes of meetings. "I actually agreed with the minister recently that we will ensure that notes are taken of all meetings, simply recording who attended, what was discussed and what was agreed." At an RHI inquiry hearing on Tuesday, Mr Sterling described it as a "feature" of government in Northern Ireland that minutes would not always be made in case they were later brought into the public domain. "It is a feature of devolved administration here where there have been two main parties that have been sensitive to criticism," he told the inquiry. "And in that context as senior civil service we got into the habit of not recording all meetings on the basis it is safer sometimes not to have a record which may be released under freedom of information that shows that things that might have been unpopular were being considered." Meanwhile, former finance minister Mairtin O Muilleoir rejected Mr Sterling's implication Sinn Fein was involved in any cover-up of internal political business, saying it was "claptrap". "When I was there we conducted our business in a transparent manner," he told BBC NI's Stephen Nolan show. "We discharged our responsibilities in a proper manner, in an open manner and that is our commitment." Asked if anyone from within Sinn Fein instructed minutes not be made, he said: "Most definitely not, at no point did we ever tell a civil servant not to minute a meeting." The Executive Office has not commented. The DUP has said it would be inappropriate to comment on matters arising from the RHI Inquiry as its members are to appear in front of it later in the year. A teacher who had been repeatedly assaulted by her pupils was left looking like a victim of domestic abuse, a trade union has said. The shocking revelation was made ahead of the Ulster Teachers' Union (UTU) annual conference today, and a few months after the Belfast Telegraph reported that 10 pupils were expelled from schools in Northern Ireland over the previous three years for attacking staff. The number of reported physical assaults on teachers has risen from 210 in the 2014/15 academic year to 650 in 2015/16. There have also been thousands of incidents of verbal abuse of teachers, with figures obtained from the Department of Education following a Freedom of Information Act request revealing that more than 3,700 suspensions were handed out to pupils found guilty of abusing school staff. Overall, in the three academic years up to 2016, at least 10,380 pupils here were suspended. Avril Hall-Callaghan, UTU general secretary, said classroom violence was a regular reality for many of the union's members. "Violence against teachers is becoming so ingrained in the fabric of school life now that I would be surprised if there is a single class in Northern Ireland where some form of higher or lower grade violence hasn't been displayed against a teacher," she said. "When one of our members attended her GP about an unrelated matter, the doctor saw her injuries - cuts, finger grab bruises and scrapes - and thought she was a victim of domestic abuse. That's the level of injury we're talking about. "Teachers have had to get tetanus injections after being bitten by pupils who drew blood; they've brushed out literally handfuls of hair having been grabbed by an out-of-control student; and we've even had cases of pregnant teachers being attacked. "We talk about 'classroom violence' and it's just a soundbite to most people - but this is the reality." Ms Hall-Callaghan was speaking ahead of a debate on violence at the UTU annual conference in Newcastle, Co Down. She said she believed such attacks were increasing because a growing number of pupils with increasingly complex learning and behavioural challenges were being placed in the mainstream schools system without adequate support. "These young people are frustrated, often through no fault of their own," she added. "That plays out in violent outbursts and teachers - ill-equipped and not trained for such special situations - are at the receiving end. "The children are usually as much victims in these scenarios as our members. "The blame lies with the funding authorities who refuse to provide appropriate training and support for these children. "Yet again, it's the teachers who get the blame and bear the brunt while the faceless bureaucrats hide behind letterheads and the politicians clock up yet another month of inactivity. "Teachers have had to retire because of this type of violence, their mental and/or physical health irreparably damaged. Are we going to wait until even worse happens?" The PSNI has issued a warning ahead of St Patrick's Day festivities set to take place in Belfast on Saturday. In previous years Belfast's Holyland student area has become infamous for large gatherings of students engaging in anti-social behaviour. A three-day security operation involving a major police presence, council workers, street pastors and mobile security cameras will take place to minimise disruption. "Last year large numbers of drunk young people made their way to the Holyland area on St Patricks Day, creating serious safety issues for emergency services," said a PSNI spokesperson. "Ambulances called to the area to treat injured people were unable to access streets and there was significant potential for public disorder, with associated risks for everyone in the area. "This behaviour had a hugely detrimental impact on other residents of the Holyland and surrounding areas and will not be tolerated this year." The police's effort will see them working alongside Queen's University and Ulster University to keep the area safe. The spokesperson added: "Please make sure you know where your children are going and if they are planning to celebrate St Patricks Day in Belfast, that they only attend officially organised events and avoid unnecessarily congregating in the Holyland area." This year's St Patrick's Day is expected to be particularly hectic, as in addition to the parade an concert, there will also be a 10k race in the city centre at 9am on Saturday morning, and the England v Ireland rugby match on Saturday afternoon. Sinn Fein MP Chris Hazzard has said the onus is on the British government to bring forward credible proposals on Brexit in order to safeguard trade and rights in the north. Speaking after the publication of a Westminster Select Committee report on the impact of Brexit, the South Down MP said that time was running out to reach an agreement. "This Westminster select committee is now echoing the concerns of many and what we have been saying all along that the British government is still totally unprepared for Brexit and has not put forward any credible or workable proposals to date," he said. "That is the message we have been hearing in our engagements with MPs from a range of parties. "The clock is ticking and it seems that some MPs and members of the British government and their allies are only now starting to realise that." Mr Hazzard said the solution to the Brexit issue for Northern Ireland was clear. "They also now need to realise that there is a solution in place in the 'backstop' option contained in the draft Withdrawal Treaty which would see the north remain in the customs union and elements of the single market," he said. "The British government accepted and agreed to that position in December and it is now up to them to bring forward any further proposals to the EU 27. "It is essential that we avoid an EU frontier on the island of Ireland in order to protect trade, our rights and the Good Friday Agreement and the best way to do that is through securing special status for the north within the EU." Police are investigating reports the leader of far-right group Britain First was beaten up in prison exactly a week after he was jailed for hate crimes. Paul Golding, 36, was allegedly attacked by two inmates at HMP Elmley, on the Isle of Sheppey, Kent, according to sources. The 36-year-old has now been separated from other inmates at the category C prison by being moved to another unit, the Press Association understands. Kent Police confirmed it was investigating a report of an assault at the prison between 4.15pm and 4.30pm on Wednesday. The force said it did not confirm the identity of victims but added: The victim is alleged to have been punched by two other inmates, causing him to suffer minor facial injuries. Expand Close Paul Golding and Jayda Fransen court case Press Association Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Paul Golding and Jayda Fransen court case Enquiries into the incident are ongoing. A Prison Service spokesman added: We do not comment on individual prisoners. Golding was found guilty on March 7 at Folkestone Magistrates Court of religiously-aggravated harassment alongside deputy leader Jayda Fransen which they carried out in Kent in May last year. The court heard the pair launched a political campaign in which they claimed to be trying to expose Muslim men who were the subject of a rape trial. Instead they ended up branding innocent people who practised the faith but were associated with the case as paedophiles and rapists. Golding was handed an 18-week prison term and Fransen, 32, was jailed for 36 weeks. Both will serve half the time in custody and half on licence. During the sentencing Kevin Smallcombe, defending, raised concerns the pair could be subject to violence in prison. Judge Justin Barron said the pairs crimes were deliberately planned against targeted victims and their actions and words demonstrated hostility towards Muslims. On Wednesday Facebook said it removed the groups official page, along with those of the leaders, after the sites rules on hate speech were repeatedly broken. Following its suspension from Twitter in December, Mr Golding said the group was looking for new social networks to join and urged supporters to follow. Police are appealing to the public for help to locate the girls (David Cheskin/PA) Police are growing increasingly concerned for the welfare of two teenage girls who are believed to have disappeared together. Charmaine Charlesworth and Mercy Russell, both 15, who are from Cullompton in Devon, are believed to be together. Devon and Cornwall Police said the teenagers have links to areas including Torbay, Bovey Tracey and Newton Abbot. They are also thought to have contacts in the Ealing area of West London. Both girls were reported missing at around 9pm on March 8, a police spokesman said. Police are appealing to the public for help to locate them. Charmaine is described as 5ft 4ins tall with long, straight black hair. She was last seen wearing a grey coat, black Adidas jacket, blue jeans and purple shoes. Mercy is described as 5ft 8ins tall with shoulder-length brown hair, which is shaved at the side. She was last seen wearing a grey and black tracksuit and carrying a small Adidas bag. A Girlguiding Scotland leader has been named Scotlands Youth Worker of the Year 2018 for her work in empowering young girls and women in a small island community. Matilda Lomas has revived Girlguiding on Harris, an area where there was no provision for several years, giving local girls the opportunity to join with Girlguiding Scotlands 50,000 young members. Award organisers said that through her dedication and vision for this remote community, local young girls now have access to international opportunities, while the many social action projects on the island have brought all parts of the community together. Expand Close Deputy First Minister John Swinney and Matilda Lomas who has been named Scotlands Youth Worker of the Year 2018 (Alan Rennie/YouthLink Scotland/PA) Photo: Alan Rennie / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Deputy First Minister John Swinney and Matilda Lomas who has been named Scotlands Youth Worker of the Year 2018 (Alan Rennie/YouthLink Scotland/PA) The 28-year-old was also presented with the National Community Youth Work Award at the award ceremony at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Glasgow on Thursday evening. She said: Its just amazing that Ive come from the Isle of Harris down to Glasgow, which seems like a million miles away right now. As a volunteer its so special to be recognised for all the time and energy we give to young people. I feel the work Girlguiding Scotland can do on such a small island is so valuable, and it is particularly relevant this year, as we celebrate 100 years since the first women in the UK were given the vote. She was presented with the award by Deputy First Minister and Education Secretary John Swinney, who hosted the event. He said: It is vital that all of Scotlands children and young people have a fair chance to flourish. Youth work makes a significant contribution to this: put simply, it helps change lives. I am always humbled by stories from young people and practitioners which demonstrate the real life impact of youth work. What a night! Huge congratulations to our winners and all our finalists. Scotland's young people couldn't ask for better #YLSawards pic.twitter.com/MGyAHWle2C YouthLink Scotland (@YouthLinkScot) March 15, 2018 The National Youth Work Awards 2018 is one of the events celebrating Scotlands first-ever Year of Young People. Other winners include Neil Young of St Pauls Youth Forum in the Provanmill area of Glasgow, whose mission to change the community earned him the title of National Inspirational Leader of the Year 2018. Katie Mackay, who works for the Princes Trust in Springburn, Glasgow, picked up the National Supporting Attainment Award for getting young people back into education. YouthLink Scotland Chief Executive Jim Sweeney said: This is the Year of Young People and the Awards are all about celebrating Scotlands 80,000 youth workers who support, nurture and inspire over 400,000 Scottish young people every year. Scottish Transport Secretary Humza Yousaf is calling on a Labour councillor to resign after he made an Islamophobic comment about the MSP. Dumfries and Galloway councillor Jim Dempster has been suspended from the party pending an investigation after making the remark about Mr Yousaf. Mr Dempster reportedly said that if Mr Yousaf had visited the region, he may have been at Springholm but no-one would have seen him under his burka. He made the comments in a meeting with Transport Scotland officials. Expand Close Transport Secretary Humza Yousaf (Jane Barlow/PA) PA Archive/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Transport Secretary Humza Yousaf (Jane Barlow/PA) Mr Yousaf said he felt insulted and deeply shocked at the remark and is now calling for Mr Dempster to resign. He told BBC Good Morning Scotland: For this kind of slur which is so brazen, not something which simply slips off the tongue, to make that kind of Islamophobic slur from a senior elected councillor in front of my transport officials, so knowing that it would easily come back to me, and in front of members of the public I should say as well, just goes to show how far weve got to go and just how emboldened some feel about making Islamophobic remarks. Councillor Dempster, who I understand now admits making these remarks, has no option but to resign. Mr Yousaf said he had received an apology from Mr Dempster but does not accept it. He said: If it is completely inexcusable then the only logical conclusion for him is to of course resign, theres no excuse for it. He added: You dont need diversity training to know not to say to a Muslim you are hiding under a burka. A Scottish Labour spokesman said: James Dempster has been suspended pending an investigation by the Scottish Labour Party. The party has a zero tolerance policy towards racism. Expand Close Scottish Labour leader Richard Leonard (Jane Barlow/PA) PA Wire/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Scottish Labour leader Richard Leonard (Jane Barlow/PA) Mr Yousaf said that Labour leader Richard Leonard has contacted him to say that Mr Dempster has been suspended. He said: The only logical conclusion for Richard Leonard would be to expel Councillor Dempster and Councillor Dempster to do the honourable thing and just resign. Solidarity with @HumzaYousaf. This comment was crass, stupid, offensive & unacceptable. Right to call this out & challenge it, no matter who or where it is from. Everyday racism and Islamophobia is real. Our society & institutions are not immune to it. Lots of work to do. https://t.co/if1h0Z4aFA Anas Sarwar (@AnasSarwar) March 16, 2018 Labour MSP Anas Sarwar has tweeted his support to Mr Yousaf, saying: Solidarity with @HumzaYousaf. This comment was crass, stupid, offensive & unacceptable. Right to call this out & challenge it, no matter who or where it is from. Everyday racism and Islamophobia is real. Our society & institutions are not immune to it. Lots of work to do. It is the latest racism incident to hit the Scottish Labour Party. Last month Labour MP Hugh Gaffney apologised for using deeply offensive language during a Burns Supper speech. Mr Gaffney, who represents Coatbridge, Chryston and Bellshill, has been reprimanded by the party and is to attend equality and diversity training after making comments about the Chinese and LGBT communities. And Davie McLachlan, former leader of the Labour group on South Lanarkshire Council, was suspended by the party in January pending an investigation after allegedly making a racist remark about Mr Sarwar, which he denies. Mr Sarwar drew up an eight-point plan on how the party can tackle everyday racism and Islamophobia after speaking out on the abuse he received during the Scottish leadership campaign. The Government has talked out a Bill which sought to ban unpaid trial shifts, amid concerns that people with learning disabilities are more likely to fall victim to the practice. The SNPs Stewart McDonald, moving his Unpaid Trial Work Periods (Prohibition) Bill at second reading, said it was often people who dont know their rights and cant stand up for them who are exploited. The Glasgow South MP said current legislation was insufficient in dealing with unpaid trial shifts. But business minister Andrew Griffiths said that while he was very keen to work with Mr McDonald to address the issues, he did not think there was a need for more regulation. I think that there is a very clear way in which we can do this without the need for further regulation because what is clear is that the law is already very, very clear on this point, he explained as he talked out the Bill. After assuring me that the government would not talk out my Bill they have now done so. The Unpaid Trial Work Periods (prohibition) Bill is dead but the campaign to change the law continues. A huge thank you to everyone who has supported. Stewart McDonald MP (@StewartMcDonald) March 16, 2018 Fellow SNP MP Neil Gray (Airdrie and Shotts) said the greatest tragedy was that most often those exploited have learning disabilities and are desperate for work and see these as their only opportunity and that is one of the key reasons why this Bill must pass. Mr McDonald replied: Too often that is what happens and the people who fall victim to this are those who either dont know their rights and cant stand up for them, or those who are unwilling to challenge employers on their rights because they are in fear of losing their job. This practice hits the lowest paid and the lowest skilled in our economy and this is a Bill to protect the lowest paid and the lowest skilled. He said he would never again shop in bargain store B&M after being horrified to learn that a young man with autism had been stacking shelves for three or four days for them before being sent away with no pay. Expand Close Business minister Andrew Griffiths Press Association Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Business minister Andrew Griffiths And Mr McDonald told the Commons that supermarket chain Aldi advertised for 150 unpaid trial shifts when opening a new store in the north east of Scotland. This cannot go on and today we have a chance to end it, he said. The SNPs Alan Brown (Kilmarnock and Loudoun) said charities were also exploiting people through the practice. Mr McDonald claimed he found an advert on website W4MP for an unpaid internship from 2012 in the office of Mr Griffiths. The minister said he had never, ever had an unpaid internship in his office and later clarified, via a point of order, that the position had been advertised but not filled. The Minister believes that the law as it stands covers unpaid trial shifts and unpaid internships where people should receive the National minimum wage. Here is a 2012 advert for an internship in his Constituency office in which the only payment is travel and food. No wages. pic.twitter.com/6MsN95ltyd Stewart McDonald MP (@StewartMcDonald) March 16, 2018 Mr Griffiths, amid questions as to whether the Bill would apply to work experience or taster sessions in a work environment, intervened to say: As its drafted, this Bill would exclude those kinds of things anything from making the coffee briefly would be outlawed. The Bill sets the threshold at zero, so any moment spent working would be caught up within this Bill. Shadow business minister Alan Whitehead replied: Im not sure the minister, if I may say so, has correctly put across the idea of what working is. Various things which dont actually constitute work but constitute other things not related to work would not be covered by this particular Bill. Where there is clear work being undertaken, and that work is recognised in the normal sense of the word, then it would be covered by the Bill. Mr Griffiths added: Those kind of trials, those kinds of tests would not be covered by the national minimum wage so payment would not be applicable anyway. Mr Whitehead earlier welcomed the Bill, adding it was about the principle of a fair days pay for a fair days work. A woman who says she was the secret wife of the late King Fahd of Saudi Arabia will not receive a penny from one of his sons despite a High Court judge ruling the prince agreed to give her more than 15 million. Mr Justice Arnold found Palestinian-born Janan Harb, 70, reached an agreement with Prince Abdul Aziz during a 2003 meeting at Londons Dorchester Hotel, while the king was gravely ill. The judge said it was probable the prince swore an oath to pay Ms Harb 12 million and transfer to her two luxury flats, worth 1.8 million each, in return for her silence about her relationship with the king. But he ruled on Friday the agreement was not enforceable, denying Ms Harb a payout she has been fighting to secure through the courts for 14 years. She was previously awarded the money and properties following a High Court trial in 2015, but that ruling was overturned on appeal and a re-trial ordered. The agreement is not enforceable either because it was not intended to be immediately binding or because it was too uncertain to be enforceableMr Justice Arnold During a seven-day hearing in February Ms Harb, who the judge said was not in the best of health, told the High Court she met the king when she was 19 at a party in Jeddah. She said the pair married in secret in 1968 because she was a Christian, although she had converted to Islam shortly before their wedding, but the marriage was never made public in Saudi Arabia for cultural and political reasons. During their marriage, she claimed, she terminated three pregnancies at the insistence of the king who was then a prince and his countrys minister for the interior. Ms Harb said she was banished from Saudi Arabia in 1970 by members of the kings family who wrongly blamed her for him becoming addicted to methadone after he received an injection to treat stomach pains during a trip the pair made to London in 1968. Believing their marriage was over, she went on to have two further marriages, both of which ended in divorce, and had two daughters. She said in evidence that, after they separated, the king promised to provide for her financially for the rest of her life and she received a number of substantial payments over the years. Expand Close Mr Justice Arnold found Janan Harb reached an agreement with Prince Abdul Aziz during a 2003 meeting at London's Dorchester Hotel (Philip Toscano/PA) PA Wire/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Mr Justice Arnold found Janan Harb reached an agreement with Prince Abdul Aziz during a 2003 meeting at London's Dorchester Hotel (Philip Toscano/PA) Despite those payments, she was in financial difficulties by 2002 and was declared bankrupt in 2008, the court heard. During their meeting at the Dorchester, she said Prince Abdul Aziz whom she believed was acting as his fathers representative after the king suffered a stroke agreed to pay her 12 million and transfer back to her two flats in Pier House, Cheyne Walk, Chelsea. Ms Harb had previously requested the 12 million in a letter as full and final settlement of all promises made to her by the king, in view of their sacred past together. In return, she said she agreed to publicly retract statements she had made about the king about aspects of their life together, including his methadone addiction, and to hand over photographs and other items. She also said she agreed to keep confidential information about her relationship with the king and not to publish her memoirs although she has since written and published two versions of an autobiography. The prince, son of another wife of the king, accepted his father and Ms Harb had a relationship but did not accept the accuracy of her evidence and denied they had reached an agreement at the Dorchester Hotel. He did not attend the trial in London to give evidence, as he was forbidden from doing so by the Saudi Arabian government, but instead sent written statements to the court. In his written ruling, Mr Justice Arnold found there was an agreement by the prince to pay the money, but that Ms Harb could not enforce it because was not made clear at the time what she must do to keep her end of the bargain. He added: I conclude that Ms Harb did reach an agreement with the prince on June 20 2003, but that the agreement is not enforceable either because it was not intended to be immediately binding or because it was too uncertain to be enforceable. Tensions between the West and Russia have heightened as Moscow continued to plan its response to Theresa Mays expulsion of diplomats. A tit-for-tat reaction is expected to the Prime Ministers decision to kick out 23 diplomats who she said were undeclared intelligence officers. And Moscow is also plotting a response to the United States after Donald Trumps administration imposed sanctions on Russians allegedly involved in interfering with the 2016 US elections and cyber-attacks. Meeting with permanent members of the Security Council: Russia-UK relations against the backdrop of Sergei Skripals case https://t.co/yALX9d7P2O pic.twitter.com/3FyfGtpRph President of Russia (@KremlinRussia_E) March 15, 2018 Asked whether Moscow would expel UK diplomats, Russias foreign minister Sergei Lavrov said: Of course we will. The attack on former Russian spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia in Salisbury was highlighted by the US Treasury as one of the justifications for the tougher line against Moscow. The US treasury department said the use of a military-grade nerve agent in the Salisbury incident further demonstrates the reckless and irresponsible conduct of its (Russias) government. The sanctions prompted a swift threat of retaliation from the Russian government, which said a response was already being prepared. Meanwhile the Kremlin continued to consider how to respond to Mrs May after the largest expulsion of diplomats since the Cold War was announced on Wednesday. Speaking at an event in Moscow on Thursday night, Vladimir Putin said Russia was a proud nation and will be in the future, too. Mr Putin had a meeting with his security council on Thursday to consider UK-Russia relations. Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov warned Moscow will expel British diplomats soon and suggested that the provocation with Skripal was an attempt to distract attention from the Brexit process. Mr Putins spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the final decision on retaliatory measures will, of course, be made by the Russian president, adding: There is no doubt that he will choose the variant that best of all corresponds to the interests of the Russian Federation. In a demonstration of the Wests unity, Mrs May and Mr Trump, along with Germanys Angela Merkel and Frances Emmanuel Macron, issued a joint statement endorsing the Prime Ministers conclusion that it was highly likely Russia was behind the attack on the Skripals. The Daily Telegraph reported that the nerve agent used in the attack could have been planted in Yulia Skripals suitcase during a recent trip to Moscow. The newspaper said senior intelligence sources believe an item of clothing, cosmetics or a gift could have been laced with the Novichok toxin. Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, whose response to the attack has led to criticism from some on his backbenches, said the evidence points towards Russia being responsible but the possibility of gangsters being behind the attack rather than the Kremlin could not be excluded. He warned Mrs May not to rush way ahead of the evidence highlighting the way international crises such as the Iraq War had seen clear thinking overwhelmed by emotion and hasty judgments. Writing in the Guardian he warned against a new Cold War of escalating arms spending, proxy conflicts across the globe and a McCarthyite intolerance of dissent. Confirming Labours support for Mrs Mays actions, Mr Corbyn said: We agree with the Governments action in relation to Russian diplomats. But he added: Measures to tackle the oligarchs and their loot would have a far greater impact on Russias elite than limited tit-for-tat expulsions. Mr Corbyn said that Mrs May was right on Monday to identify two possibilities for the source of the nerve agent either Russia authorised the attack or had lost control of the Novichok substance. If the latter, a connection to Russian mafia-like groups that have been allowed to gain a toehold in Britain cannot be excluded, he said. The Labour leader, who opposed the 2003 invasion of Iraq, added: In my years in Parliament I have seen clear thinking in an international crisis overwhelmed by emotion and hasty judgments too many times. Flawed intelligence and dodgy dossiers led to the calamity of the Iraq invasion. But senior shadow cabinet member Sir Keir Starmer gave his unqualified support to Mrs Mays approach, telling BBC1s Question Time: I think it is very important that we support the action the Prime Minister laid out on Wednesday as a response to this unprovoked attack. This is not the first time, it needs to be called out no ifs and no buts and we need strong action as set out by the Prime Minister on Wednesday. Scotland Yard Assistant Commissioner Neil Basu, who heads up the national counter-terror police network which is leading the Salisbury investigation, appealed for anyone with information about the despicable and appalling attack to come forward. The UK could decide not to impose border checks after Brexit if it fails to reach a customs agreement with the European Union under plans reportedly being considered in Whitehall. Amid concerns about tailbacks and hold-ups at major ports and the thorny issue of the Northern Irish border officials are reported to have discussed the option of not applying checks to enable trade to flow smoothly. The Government said it had set out its aim for a deal with Brussels which would make trade as frictionless as possible but added we have a duty to plan for the alternative. Border operators have been involved in talks with officials covered by a non-disclosure agreement to maintain confidentiality about the arrangements which could apply after Brexit, Sky News reported. The scenarios have been broadly interpreted by the industry as hard Brexit, soft Brexit and no deal. If there was no deal with the EU this is what we call the throw open the borders option', said one operator. Under that scenario the UK would unilaterally decide not to enforce customs checks, and other border checks assuming that the EU would follow suit temporarily maintaining frictionless trade, Sky reported. Meanwhile Transport Secretary Chris Grayling said there would be no checks on lorries arriving at Dover and suggested that trade would flow seamlessly after Brexit. Chris Grayling says the government 'will not in any circumstances create a hard border in Dover' after the UK leaves the EU #bbcqt pic.twitter.com/BHW4Wm70AQ BBC Question Time (@bbcquestiontime) March 15, 2018 We will maintain a free-flowing border at Dover, we will not impose checks in the port, he said on BBCs Question Time. It is utterly unrealistic to do so, we dont check lorries now, we are not going to be checking lorries in Dover in the future. Im absolutely clear it cannot happen. There would be no hard border in Dover, he said, adding: Goods flow through borders almost seamlessly around the world anyway. Expand Close Chris Grayling said lorry checks would not be introduced at Dover after Brexit (Gareth Fuller/PA) PA Archive/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Chris Grayling said lorry checks would not be introduced at Dover after Brexit (Gareth Fuller/PA) Go to some of our ports on the east coast that take goods from outside the European Union where the goods flow through smoothly and depart pretty much as soon as they arrive. The Government has set out two plans to deal with the issue a highly streamlined customs arrangement between the UK and EU to minimise red tape or a new customs partnership to avoid the need for a customs border. The Department for Exiting the European Union said: We want to have a customs arrangement that ensures trade with the EU is as frictionless as possible, and we have set out our two preferred models in our customs future partnership paper. In relation to Northern Ireland and Ireland, both the UK and the EU have also been clear there will not be any physical border infrastructure. It is in everyones interests to secure a good deal for both sides and we think that is by far and away the highest probability, but we have a duty to plan for the alternative. That is common sense. Labour MP Chuka Umunna, who supports the Open Britain campaign against a hard Brexit, said: It is extraordinary that a Government that says it aims to take back control has admitted it is not even going to try to control the transfer of goods across our borders. This is another broken promise from the referendum, but it is the most serious yet. If it becomes a third country outside the EUs Customs Union, the UK will almost certainly be under legal obligations to mount customs checks at its border, but Chris Grayling and other ministers are simply saying they will ignore the law and any obligations. Theresa May will head to Brussels next week for a major summit where she hopes to get agreement on a transitional period and the formal start to trade talks. European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker spoke to her on Thursday night about the forthcoming meeting. Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie has offerend to work with Labour Brexit rebels to try to keep the UK in the single market (Gillian Fuller/PA) Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie has offered to work with Labour rebels who want the UK to remain in the single market in order to prevent a hard Brexit. The Scottish Liberal Democrat leader insisted he would team up with people from all parties to try to protect Britains relationship with the European Union. His comments come after the Scottish Labour conference highlighted divisions in the party over Europe, with prominent figures including former leader Kezia Dugdale, MP Ian Murray and MEP Catherine Stihler all speaking out in favour of the UK staying part of the single market. A new campaign group, Scottish Labour for the Single Market, has also been set up within the party. Mr Rennie, praised the tenacity and determination of this group in opposing the stance the party has adopted under Jeremy Corbyn. A new campaign group, Scottish Labour for the Single Market, has been launched to protect jobs, oppose austerity and defend workers' rights. Read more here: https://t.co/kqAPe5DtSx pic.twitter.com/HGTgiNZwLw Scottish Labour for the Single Market (@SL4SingleMarket) March 4, 2018 Speaking ahead of the speech to the Fife for Europe group, Mr Rennie said: The Liberal Democrats will work with people from all parties who want to protect our relationship with the European Union. I was particularly impressed by the tenacity and determination of Labour members who are signed up to the Labour for the Single Market Campaign. They stood up against the leadership of their party who are determined to deliver Brexit alongside Theresa Mays Government. He added: Brexit is one of the biggest decisions for a generation and it is a decision that will damage our economy, jobs and standard of living. That is why it is important that pro-Europeans in every party stand up for the best interests of our country. Increasing numbers of people, including members of Labour for the Single Market, back the British people having the final say on the Brexit deal. Momentum is building and it is therefore important we work together across parties to save us from a damaging Brexit. We need to unite the country, and to achieve that we need cross-party co-operationIan Murray, Labour MP Scottish Labour for the Single Market co-chair Ian Murray MP said: The campaign to protect jobs and workers rights is much bigger than the Labour Party. We need to unite the country, and to achieve that we need cross-party co-operation. Theresa May does not command a majority in the Commons for a hard Brexit. With political will, the UK can remain in the Single Market and ensure that tens of thousands of jobs are not lost as a result of Brexit. Yet the ball is in Labours court. It is my party which, if it chooses, can ensure we take the least-worst Brexit option if we are to leave the EU. We owe it to future generations to remain in the single market and customs union. The German and French leaders were seen warmly embracing (Francois Mori/AP) Angela Merkel made the first international visit of her new governmental term to France on Friday. Photos of French President Emmanuel Macron welcoming Merkel to the Elysee Palace show the pair laughing and smiling together. Have any two people ever looked more pleased to see each other? In fact, it brings to mind a certain song Dont go breaking my heart Expand Close France Germany AP/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp France Germany I couldnt if I tried Expand Close France Germany AP/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp France Germany Honey if I get restless Expand Close France Germany AP/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp France Germany Baby youre not that kind Expand Close France Germany AP/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp France Germany This isnt the first time the pair have reacted with joy at meeting up. Actually, these pictures from the G20 summit in July remind us of another famous duet Islands in the stream, that is what we are Expand Close (Matt Cardy/PA) PA Archive/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp (Matt Cardy/PA) No one in between, how can we be wrong Expand Close PA Archive/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Sail away with me, to another world Expand Close PA Archive/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp And we rely on each other, ah ha Expand Close (Matt Cardy/PA) PA Archive/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp (Matt Cardy/PA) Russian and Syrian government air strikes on a town in the besieged enclave of eastern Ghouta have killed 46 people, monitoring groups said, despite a Russian-ordered ceasefire. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the town of Kafr Batna, outside Damascus, was hit with cluster munitions, napalm-like incendiary weapons, and conventional explosives on Friday. Government forces are advancing on towns inside the rebel-held enclave, prompting a massive exodus of civilians. Expand Close The Syrian Red Crescent treats civilians at an army checkpoint (Sana/AP) AP/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp The Syrian Red Crescent treats civilians at an army checkpoint (Sana/AP) A medical charity supporting hospitals in the Ghouta region, the Syrian American Medical Society, said doctors in Kafr Batna are treating patients for severe burn wounds. The charity says it recorded 40 casualties on Friday. The Syrian Civil Defence search-and-rescue group said it has identified 42 bodies so far, and it expects the death toll to rise. The assault came after the Russian military and the Syrian government extended a ceasefire in rebel-held suburbs of Damascus for as long as it takes to allow all civilians to leave the area, according to Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov. Mr Lavrov said the ceasefire would be extended until all (civilians) leave eastern Ghouta. The Russian defence ministry said 2,000 people had left by early morning on Friday. Thursday saw the largest single-day exodus of civilians in Syrias civil war. Tens of thousands emerged from Hamouria and other opposition towns to escape the onslaught. Airstrikes in Syria killed more than 100 people on Friday as civilians, weary and many wounded, fled besieged areas for the second straight day. Syrian government forces stepped up their offensive in the rebel-held eastern suburbs of the capital, Damascus, capturing a major town and closing in on another under the cover of Russias air power. The majority of the deaths happened in eastern Ghouta, where government forces have been on a crushing offensive for three weeks, capturing 70% of the besieged area. The violence has left more than 1,300 civilians dead, 5,000 wounded and forced thousands to flee to government-controlled areas. #SOHR At least 76 casualties join the convoy of #civilian casualties of the #Ghouta, raising its victims to about 1350 civilians; more than 60% of them were killed after #SecurityCouncil resolution https://t.co/mkmOrVWMho (@syriahr) March 16, 2018 Fridays staggering death toll came a day after Syria passed the seven-year mark in its relentless civil war that has killed some 450,000 people and displaced half the countrys population. The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said bombing and shelling by government and Russian forces killed a total of 76 people in eastern Ghouta, including 64 killed in Kafr Batna and another 12 in Saqba. Government forces also captured the nearby town of Jisreen, it said. If the world does not move, Ghouta will be exterminated, said Siraj Mahmoud, a member of the oppositions Syrian Civil Defence search-and-rescue group. The Observatory said another 36 people were killed in the Kurdish-held town of Afrin in northern Syria, where Turkish troops and Turkey-backed Syrian opposition fighters have been on the offensive since January 20. #Syria #Afrin: We are deeply concerned about the high risk of civilians who are effectively trapped being killed, injured, besieged, used as human shields or displaced as a result of the fighting. https://t.co/kfkvwZPdrH pic.twitter.com/HYoWBv5dCM UN Human Rights (@UNHumanRights) March 16, 2018 The dead included nine killed in airstrikes that hit the towns general hospital. Fridays government attack on Kafr Batna was with cluster bombs, napalm-like incendiary weapons, and conventional explosives, the Observatory said. Photos and videos released from the area showed charred bodies covered with sheets lined up near what appeared to be shops. A medical charity supporting hospitals in eastern Ghouta, the Syrian American Medical Society, said doctors in Kafr Batna were treating patients for severe burn wounds. Oways al-Shami, a spokesman for the Syrian Civil Defence, said the airstrikes targeted a market and a nearby residential area where scores of people had gathered to buy bread and vegetables during a daily truce called by Russia. The medical situation is catastrophic. We cant stay in this situation for long, said Dr Zouhair Kahaleh in the nearby town of Arbeen. Roads were closed, he said, and we cant treat some of the cases here. Its a major challenge to reach the wounded because of the intensity of the airstrikes. Expand Close Syria AP/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Syria Exhausted and shell-shocked civilians streamed out of the rebel enclave Friday, a day after tens of thousands evacuated the area in the biggest single-day exodus of the war. Syrias UN ambassador Bashar Jaafari told the UN Security Council that more than 40,000 civilians left eastern Ghouta on Thursday through a new security corridor opened by the government in the recently retaken town of Hamouria. An additional 30,000 people fled the Turkish military offensive on Afrin, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. A man interviewed in Hamouria Friday on state-affiliated al-Ikhbariya TV said he had gone two days without food. Others said rebels hoarded food and humiliated civilians, even shooting people trying to leave. The United Nations has warned of a malnutrition crisis in eastern Ghouta, which human rights groups have blamed on the governments strangling blockade. Staffan de Mistura, the UN envoy for Syria, told the Security Council that although a six-day ceasefire was largely holding in Douma, the largest city in eastern Ghouta, fighting has escalated elsewhere in the rebel-held region where 400,000 people are estimated to be holed up, as well as in Afrin and across many other parts of Syria. In Afrin, the Turkish military urged civilians to leave and Syrian Kurdish militiamen to surrender to the besieging Turkish forces. The media office for the Syrian Democratic Forces, a Kurdish-led and US-backed force that operates in the Kurdish autonomous region, said at least 30 people were wounded in Fridays attacks. Video posted by the Observatory showed victims lying dead in the streets in pools of blood. Since their January offensive began, Turkish forces have nearly encircled Afrin as they press their campaign to drive the Syrian Kurdish fighters from the town and surrounding region, where tens of thousands of civilians are still believed trapped. On Friday, Turkish aircraft dropped flyers in Arabic and Kurdish on Afrin, asking residents to stay away from terrorist positions a reference to the Syrian Kurdish fighters and to not let themselves be used as human shields. The leaflets claimed that civilians seeking to flee Afrin would be guaranteed safety by the Turkish military and urged Syrian Kurdish fighters to trust the hand we extend to you. Come surrender! A calm and peaceful future awaits you in Afrin, the leaflets read. Meanwhile, the UN Security Council again demanded a ceasefire throughout Syria and backed a UN-endorsed roadmap for a peaceful transition and elections. Members reaffirmed that UN-led talks in Geneva remain the central process to find a political solution. Staffan de Mistura told the council that he has not been able to form a committee to draft a new constitution because President Bashar Assads government has not engaged and we need to have comprehensive participation of all Syrian parties. Ministers from Russia, Turkey and Iran also underscored the need for a political solution in a joint statement after a meeting in Astana, Kazakhstan, on Friday and urged international support for de Misturas efforts to form a constitutional committee. Tens of thousands of anti-government protesters have rallied across Slovakia to demand an early election to resolve a political crisis set off by the killings of an investigative journalist and his fiancee. Protesters took to the streets for the third straight Friday despite the resignation of prime minister Robert Fico and his government on Thursday. Those at the rallies blame Mr Fico and the three-party coalition that will still stay in power for widespread corruption. Expand Close Robert Fico quit this week Dano Veselsky/TASR/AP) AP/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Robert Fico quit this week Dano Veselsky/TASR/AP) Last week the protesters demanded a thorough investigation into the shooting deaths of Jan Kuciak and Martina Kusnirova in the biggest anti-government demo since the 1989 Velvet Revolution that toppled the communist regime in Czechoslovakia. Mr Kuciak was reporting on alleged Italian mafia ties to Fico associates. On Friday, protesters chanted Early elections! and many called for a general strike. We need a new chance for a decent and just Slovakia, and thats why we request early elections, the organisers, who are not affiliated with any political party, said in a statement. Expand Close The funeral of investigative journalist Jan Kuciak in Stiavni (AP/Bundas Engler) AP/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp The funeral of investigative journalist Jan Kuciak in Stiavni (AP/Bundas Engler) The rallies, some taking place in rain, were held in 35 towns and cities in Slovakia and more than two dozen places around the globe. On Thursday, President Andrej Kiska accepted Mr Ficos resignation and asked deputy prime minister Peter Pellegrini to form a new government. That move, which will keep the three-party coalition in power and avoid an early election, angered many Slovaks. Organiser Karolina Farska said the coalition governments efforts to stay in power at any cost clearly proves that they want to sweep all the corruption cases under the rug the cases that the slain Jan Kuciak was writing about. The protesters say the two killings cannot be properly investigated under such circumstances. Spains capital is grappling with the aftermath of violent unrest following the death of an African street vendor who had been running away from police. The death, and the clashes between riot police and protesters that followed in a central Madrid neighbourhood, cast a spotlight on the situation of a large community of undocumented migrants. Madrid mayor Manuela Carmena on Friday announced a thorough investigation into the death of the man. According to city officials, he was treated for a cardio-respiratory arrest that happened an unspecified time after he escaped a police crackdown on informal street sales on Thursday. Subsequent protests by hundreds of African migrants and Spanish residents degenerated into rioting. Expand Close Police face off with demonstrators in Lavapies (Alejandro Martinez Velez/AP) AP/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Police face off with demonstrators in Lavapies (Alejandro Martinez Velez/AP) Demonstrators burned plastic waste bins, blocking narrow streets and setting fire to a bank branch. An Associated Press reporter saw protesters throw stones at dozens of riot police officers. Police said six people were arrested. According to the Madrid regions emergency services, 20 people were treated for minor injuries, including 16 police officers. Migrants associations identified the dead man as 35-year-old Mbame Ndiaye, a Senegalese who had lived in Spain for 14 years but had not been granted residency. They accused police of playing a role in his death, but local police unions said it had nothing to do with the crackdown on street vendors. Atu Baye, a fellow Senegalese migrant and neighbour of the dead man, said Mr Ndiaye often joined groups to sell wallets, bags or other products. There were extremist groups infiltrated who burnt things. The Senegalese are not breaking things or stealing, they are not hurting anyone, said Cheikh Ndiaye, the president of AISE, an association of Senegalese migrants in Spain, who referred to the death as a racist attack and a violent criminal act of the state. Migration laws condemn us to a clandestine lifeMalick Gueye of the Madrid Hawkers and Tinkers Union A police union representative said officers patrolling the area tried to help the man while medical help arrived. Contrary to what is being said, the agents were trying to revive him, said Emiliano Herrero, secretary general in the Madrid police for CCOO, one of the main national labour unions. Mr Herrero said the mayors announcement of an investigation seemed to cast a doubt over the work of a professional police body. He said the judiciary should investigate such matters. Street sales by a collective of people who are not given the chance to work are a social and political problem that needs to be solved by politicians and legislators, he said. Its very easy to put the blame on the weakest link. Malick Gueye, a representative of the Madrid Hawkers and Tinkers Union, said the vendors face increasing police abuse. Because most of them lack regular papers, they find it difficult to take matters to court, he said. People sell goods in the street because Spains migration law says that people are not allowed to work and integrate in this country, Mr Gueye added. Migration laws condemn us to a clandestine life. Expand Close Senegalese people gather to protest (Francisco Seco/AP) AP/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Senegalese people gather to protest (Francisco Seco/AP) On Friday, riot police intervened again in Madrids Lavapies neighbourhood to protect Senegalese diplomats who were being threatened by angry countrymen gathered to mourn the death of Mr Ndiaye. Even as it sees increasing gentrification, the neighbourhood is home to large numbers of migrants from sub-Saharan Africa who are denied permission to work. Nearly 29,000 crossed into Spain last year, taking a perilous trip by boat or crossing barbed-wired fences into two Spanish territories in northern Africa. That was more than double the previous years figure. So far this year, 3,976 people have reached Spanish soil or been rescued in waters separating Africa and Europe. A relative at the family home in Dhaka shows a childhood photograph of Prithula Rashid, a Bangladeshi airline pilot who was killed in the crash of Flight BS 211 in Kathmandu, March 14, 2018. Updated at 12:34 p.m. ET on 2018-03-16 Prithula Rashid described herself on her Facebook page as an ordinary girl with an extraordinary love for aviation, literature and fluffy animals. But days after she and 50 other people were killed in the crash of a Bangladeshi airliner in Kathmandu, she is gaining posthumous recognition for what hundreds of social media users described as her bravery and self-sacrifice. Rashid, 25, was the co-pilot of ill-fated US-Bangla Airlines Flight 211, and one of a relatively tiny number of women to have earned her wings and made a career as a professional aviator in Bangladesh. A post from Sikkim Messenger, a Facebook page based in Sikkim, India has been shared more than 5,500 times after it called on the Bangladeshi government to declare the late first officer a national hero. Rashid, the posting said, tried to save around 10 Nepali nationals before she died after the airliner slammed into an empty field and burst into flames while landing at Kathmandu airport on Monday. She is a real hero, Rumana Afroz, a Bangladeshi Facebook user, commented on the Nepali page, referring to Rashid. In her heroic sudden death, her family and all Bangladeshi should be proud of her. Authorities said Rashid died when the plane, a Bombardier Q400 turboprop, veered off the runway as it was touching down at Tribhuvan International Airport during a flight from Dhaka. The plane was carrying 71 passengers and crewmembers. It was not immediately clear why the Facebook page attributed the survival of the Nepali nationals to Rashid. The planes 67 passengers included 33 from Nepal, 32 Bangladeshis, one from China and one from the Maldives. But the Facebook post, which immediately went viral, turned the spotlight on Rashid, one of an estimated 30 female pilots in Bangladesh and the airline companys first woman pilot. She was the only child in a middle-class family, her uncle, Ashikur Rahman, told BenarNews. She joined US-Bangla Airlines, a subsidiary of the privately-owned joint venture US-Bangla Group, as a pilot and first officer in July 2016 after completing her training at Arirang Flying School in Dhaka, Rahman said. Another relative, Tofiqur Rahman Sumon, said Prithula was taking up English and modern languages at the North South University, a private university in Dhaka, when she decided to pursue flying as a career. At first, her parents or any of the family did not want to accept this risky occupation, he said. But, later, her wishes won out. We feared for her safety, but we did not want to break [her] heart. First Officer Prithula Rashid stands in front of a US-Bangla Airlines plane in an undated photo. Prithula Rashid/Facebook Deadliest disaster The crash of Flight 211 was the deadliest disaster involving a Bangladeshi airliner, as well as the worst accident involving the Bombardier Dash 8-Q400, according to the Aviation Safety Foundation. Capt. Abib Sultan, the planes pilot, died Tuesday at a Kathmandu hospital where he was taken in critical condition after the crash, authorities said. The planes black box which includes the flight data recorder and the cockpit voice recorder was recovered Tuesday, officials said. Investigators were hoping that the black box would answer the question on whether pilot error or a wrong instruction relayed to the cockpit from the airports traffic control tower contributed to the disaster. Officials said the cockpit voice recorder, which preserves a recent history of sounds in the cockpit, including the conversation of the planes pilots, would help facilitate the investigation. On Tuesday, Nepalese civil aviation authorities said Flight BS 211 was cleared to land from the southern end of the single runway at Tribhuvan, but it landed from the opposite direction despite instructions from air-traffic control to the pilots to correct the planes course. Workers at Tribhuvan told reporters that the plane overshot the runway by about 150 feet before nose-diving into the deserted field just beyond the airport fence. An intense fire broke out toward the tail end as rescuers pulled panicked passengers out of the front of the plane. On Wednesday, US-Bangla Airlines shut down all its flight operations between Dhaka and Kathmandu for an indefinite period, the Bangladeshi newspaper Daily Star said, quoting Kamrul Islam, the airliners general manager, who said it was due to shortage of aircrafts. Rashids friends, family members, former classmates and government officials mourned her death in online tributes to her. Love you, Prithula Rashid, my dear sister, Shahriar Alam, the Bangladeshi state minister for foreign affairs, said in a post on his Facebook page on Tuesday. The name of Bangladesh goes up a bit for some people like you. Stay well in afterlife." Prithulas last post on her Facebook page shows a couple of pictures with Avled, a friends cat. Controversy follows death Despite the outpouring of sympathy for Prithulas family, her death did not come without controversy. Some people are spreading confusion. There are different types of comments about her in social media, which is not right, one of her relatives said. After the accident, a few Bangladeshi conservatives posted comments on Facebook questioning the ability of women to work as pilots. In two deadly air crashes in Bangladeshi airlines history, the co-pilot was a woman, a pilot of Regent Airways, another of the nations airlines, told BenarNews. On Aug. 5, 1984, a Biman Bangladesh Airlines plane crashed into a marsh near the Zia International Airport, now known as Shahjalal International Airport, in Dhaka, while landing in poor weather, killing 49. In that incident, the co-pilot was Kaniz Fatima Rukhsana, the BenarNews source said. She was the first commercial license holder woman pilot of Bangladesh." Earlier in 1998, another female pilot named Faria Lara died along with her instructor during a crash, he said, without elaborating. But the BenarNews source acknowledged that Rashids achievements have been extraordinary. At least 250 pilots are employed in three private airline companies in Bangladesh, aviation officials told BenarNews. There are no more than 15 women among those pilots, they said, adding that about 10 female pilots also serve in the governments roster of 193 pilots. Around 1,200 total licenses are issued by Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB), wing commander Chowdhury Mohammad Ziaul Kabir, director of CAAB, told BenarNews. Among them, approximately 30 pilots are female. Officials of the US-Bangla Airlines expressed their grief over the death of their two pilots and two crewmembers, but Prithula was a pride of the US Bangla airlines, one of his senior colleagues told BenarNews on Tuesday. Anisur Rashid, Prithulas father, said many friends and relatives had expressed their condolences, as well. They are talking about her achievements, too. But I'm asking them, what would we do with these?" he said, appearing nonchalant. In the end, she gave life to others but lost her own. CORRECTION: The main photo in an earlier version of this report misidentified the pilot who was pictured as Prithula Rashid. An earlier version also wrongly reported that Sikkim Messenger was a Nepalese Facebook page. A landmine explosion along Bangladeshs southeastern border killed a Buddhist tribesman and injured five members of his family Thursday as they tried to sneak into Myanmar, officials said. Col. Iqbal Hossain, a Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) sector commander, identified the victim as Pawai Mro, 45, a resident of Bandarban, a district in the southeast where many members of local hill tribes practice Buddhism. It is a minority religion in Bangladesh but the dominant one in neighboring Myanmar. We, with the help of the BGB, rescued the injured family members of Pawai Mro. They have been undergoing treatment at a local army camp, Hossain told BenarNews. They were trying to cross into Myanmar. Pawai is one of 12 people who have been killed in landmine explosions along the border since early September, Bangladeshi officials said. The mines were placed in an apparent bid to stop Rohingya people from returning to Myanmar, they said. The dozen killed by landmine blasts were five Bangladeshis and seven Rohingya, said Aslam Hossain, the deputy commissioner of Bandarban. International law prohibits planting landmines along the border, he told BenarNews. Former Bangladesh Ambassador to Myanmar Anup Kumar Chakma, who is Buddhist, told BenarNews that a cross-border syndicate of human traffickers had emerged along the border following a massive Rohingya exodus from Myanmars Rakhine state. Close to 700,000 Rohingya crossed into Bangladesh since late August 2017 as they fled a brutal crackdown by Myanmars military that followed attacks by a Rohingya insurgent group. The syndicate had lured poor and illiterate Buddhists with the promise of a better future in Myanmar, Chakma said. The Buddhists in Bangladesh have not been facing [violence], they have been in peace. But their escape is a matter of concern for us. This issue will further strain the bilateral relations with Myanmar, Chakma said. Meanwhile, Lt. Col. Asaduzzaman Chowdhury, BGB battalion commander in Teknaf, a local sub-district, told BenarNews that his forces and Myanmars Border Guard Police launched a joint patrol Tuesday along the Naaf River, which divides the two countries. He said the patrol aimed to stop drug smuggling, human trafficking and illegal movement of people from both sides. Currently, we cannot do it regularly. It will go on at intervals. We may start another joint patrol on Friday, he said. Rohingya children sit under the shade of trees in the village of Kanapara, Bangladesh, March 8, 2018. The United Nations and its partner non-government organizations (NGOs) pleaded Friday for nearly U.S. $1 billion to aid 900,000 Rohingya refugees and 330,000 vulnerable locals hosting them in communities along Bangladeshs border with Myanmar. The U.N. said the $951 million (79 billion taka) it was trying to raise for its 2018 Joint Response Plan would go into meeting urgent needs of the refugee and host populations. These range from supplying them with more food, water and sanitation to building thousands of classrooms and helping them prepare for monsoonal rains, officials said. The suffering of the Rohingya people remains deep, disturbing and relentless. As a result, Bangladesh has witnessed the worlds fastest growing refugee crisis, U.N. Secretary General Antonio Guterres said Friday in a statement. The Rohingya are under siege as a group simply for who they are. Many refugees are victims of horrific trauma psychological and physical cast out of their homes and country in a clear example of ethnic cleansing. The appeal for the money is in addition to $434 million (36 billion taka) the U.N. had requested in October 2017 for emergency aid of which $321 million (26.6 billion taka) has been collected in responding to what the United Nations called the worlds fastest-growing refugee crisis. In Geneva, U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi joined the director general of the International Organization for Migration and the U.N. Resident Coordinator in Bangladesh to announce the appeal bringing together more than 100 U.N. agencies and NGOs. We are talking about truly critical needs here both on the part of the Bangladeshi communities who have so generously opened their doors, and of a stateless and refugee population that even prior to this crisis was among the worlds most marginalized and at risk, Grandi said according to a news release issued by his agency, UNHCR, on Friday. In Dhaka, Md Mohsin, an additional secretary of Bangladeshs ministry of disaster management and relief overseeing Rohingya refugees, told BenarNews he was unaware of the latest U.N. appeal, but welcomed the effort. What I can say is the U.N. system and agencies have been very serious about feeding and ensuring basic necessities of the Rohingya, he said. We welcome the appeal as Rohingya people have been a big burden on us. But we are not sure how long the international community will feed these people, he said. Needs Fifty-four percent of funds from the new appeal would be spent to ensure that food, water and sanitation, shelter and other basic aid is provided as food needs account for one-quarter of the request, the United Nations reported. More than 16 million liters (4.2 million gallons) of clean water is needed every day and about 12,200 metric tons of food is required every month. The response plan points to the need for nearly 200 primary health centers and smaller posts to serve the Rohingya community and others in Coxs Bazar, the Bangladeshi district that has borne the brunt of the latest influx of refugees from Rakhine. To educate 614,000 children, another 5,000 classrooms are needed. In addition, 400,000 children in refugee and host communities require trauma care and related support. The Kutupalong-Balukhali site in Coxs Bazar is home to about 600,000 Rohingya and is the largest and most densely populated refugee settlement in the world, according to the U.N. Precarious conditions for the refugees and the ongoing emergency response are about to be further challenged by the approaching monsoon season and rains, the U.N. said. More than 150,000 Rohingya refugees are in places at risk of landslides and floods, in what could become a disaster on top of the current emergency. The conditions include incidents of gender-based violence and health concerns including measles, diphtheria and diarrhea. The solutions to this crisis lie inside Myanmar, and conditions must be established that will allow refugees to return home. But today we are appealing for help with the immediate needs, and these needs are vast, Grandi said. The U.N. and human rights groups have criticized Myanmars military and security forces over a brutal crackdown launched in northern Rakhine State in August 2017 that forced 671,000 people from the stateless Rohingya ethnic minority to flee to southeastern Bangladesh. Myanmar government forces have been accused of committing widespread atrocities against Rohingya civilians during the crackdown, which followed attacks on army and police posts by Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army insurgents. Myanmars government has denied the allegations. Kamran Reza Chowdhury in Dhaka contributed to this report. Former Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad (center) waves to reporters after being denied permission to visit jailed former Deputy Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim at the Cheras Rehabilitation Hospital in Kuala Lumpur, Jan. 10, 2018. Updated at 3:49 p.m. ET on 2018-03-20 Malaysia could dissolve its parliament within two to three weeks, paving the way for its 14th general election pitting the opposition led by a 92-year-old ex-prime minister against a ruling party firmly controlled by an incumbent hounded by corruption allegations, a source and media reports said. This is the first time that a Malaysian government has waited this long to call an election since 1955, according to Khoo Kay Khim, a University of Malaya history professor. On July 27 of that year, the country held its general election before declaring independence from Britain in 1957. Prime Minister Najib Razak, 64, is expected to dissolve the legislature in late March or early April and then announce a date for the polls, according to reports and a BenarNews source. His governments term expires on June 15, and the constitution requires that the next general election be held before August. This week, The Straits Times of Singapore quoted unnamed sources as saying that Malaysias parliament would be dissolved before the end of March. On Thursday, a Malaysian daily newspaper, The Star, also interviewed unnamed sources who said the dissolution would take place on March 28, 29 or 30. Dissolution as early as March 29 or 30. Polling end of April or beginning May, a source told the Straits Times. A source in the Prime Ministers Department told BenarNews that parliament would be dissolved on April 4, a day before its current session ends. Its not clear when balloting will take place. The Straits Times said potential dates being mentioned were the weekends of April 28, May 5 and 12. Najib, who assumed office as prime minister on April 3, 2009, leads UMNO (the United Malays National Organization), the party that has held power since independence in 1957 and heads the ruling Barisan Nasional coalition. Mahathir Mohamad, Malaysias longest-serving premier and Najibs former political mentor, leads the opposition Pakatan Harapan bloc and has offered himself up as a reluctant savior. If Pakatan wins the election and names him as prime minister, Mahathir has vowed to relinquish the leadership role quickly to another former protege, Anwar Ibrahim. Two years ago, Mahathir quit UMNO and accused the partys leadership of shielding Najib from corruption allegations tied to state investment fund 1MDB. Possible reasons for late announcement BenarNews sought the opinion of political analysts and historians over why it has taken Najib this long to make the electoral announcement. Khoo Kay Khim, a prominent Malaysian historian, said the ruling party might have wanted to gauge voters sentiments before oiling up its political machinery. Understanding the on-the-ground situation is crucial for UMNO and Barisan to win this election, said Khoo, a University of Malaya emeritus professor. Voters today have the knowledge, Khoo told BenarNews. Thus, those who are contesting in this election must understand the sentiment of voters. That is why it takes some time for the government to call for this election. The delay simply could be because the ruling party needed more time to prepare, another commentator said. They want to make sure they can win conveniently, Mohd Azizuddin Mohd Sani said. They have to win big. Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak, gestures during a speech to supporters of the ruling coalition in Kuala Lumpur, Jan. 3, 2018. [AP] Test for PM This years election could be an acid-test for Najib, who founded 1MDB in 2009 and served as chairman of its advisory board, analysts said. Najib has acknowledged receiving close to U.S. $681 million in his personal bank accounts, but said the money was a political donation from Saudi Arabias royal family. The prime minister and 1MDB officials have denied the embezzlement allegations. The controversy over the 1MDB scandal has stoked negative opinion polls against Najib since 2015, but the opposition has struggled to make a serious dent in Najibs rural support, according to other analysts. Early this month, Najibs government began distributing about U.S. $1.6 billion to millions of low-income citizens as part of a government plan to spur economic growth, but critics slammed the move as vote-buying ahead of the general election. Meanwhile, as the nation moves closer to the 14th general election, Najib is expected to present new electoral maps before parliament next week, according to the Straits Times. The last time Malaysia redelineated its electoral boundaries was in 2003. But theres no guarantee that the new electoral maps would favor the ruling party, analyst Mohd Azizuddin Mohd Sani said. He brushed aside reports that the changes would give UMNO an edge because, he said, its ethnic Malay supporters are concentrated in certain areas. First of all, who can guarantee that the Malays will give their votes to Barisan Nasional? Azizuddin told BenarNews. Azizuddin said the forthcoming polls would have many interesting unique elements, including Mahathir forming an alliance with Anwar in order to oust Najib. Mahathir first put the 70-year-old Anwar in prison almost two decades ago. Anwar was imprisoned for sodomy in 2014 and has denied the charges, claiming they were politically motivated. Mahathir is working together with Anwar Ibrahim, Azizuddin said. Who would have thought so, right? Thai officials have been in contact with armed separatists in Thailands Deep South in the past, but this approach only leads to more violence, the juntas chief peace negotiator said Thursday, in a rare defense of the much-criticized peace process. In a long statement, Gen. Aksara Kerdpol appeared to hit back at those calling for engagement with fighters on the ground rather than its current negotiating partners, as well as skeptics of the peace process generally. In the past, some dissidents who want to talk used violent attacks as a bargaining chip to pressure the government to support their terms and conditions, with the support of certain officials who secretly contacted the dissident sources, he said, using the Thai governments term for Muslim Malay insurgents in Thailands southern border region. He did not specify when such contact took place in the past. And the dissidents were supported by militants on the ground by instigating violence across Deep South provinces. If we talk to them, it means, in return, we support violence, he added. Critics of the slow-moving peace process which has identified a single district for a future ceasefire, after three years of talks often point out that the most deadly insurgent group, Barisan Revolusi Nasional (BRN), is not on board. For its part, BRN representatives have announced their desire to talk directly with the government if the talks are conducted with international mediation, among other conditions. But the government does not give legitimacy to the extremists and has embraced a non-violent approach, Aksara said Thursday. [T]he government has forced the dissidents to follow only one channel for them to achieve the goal, he said, an apparent reference to the MARA Patani panel representing Deep South rebel groups in the current Malaysia-brokered talks. Government officials, academics, members of the media and citizens not trusting the peace process are part of the problem and ultimately support ongoing violence, Aksara claimed. He singled out columnists who, he said, had been telling the public that Deep South Muslims could accept losses deaths and injuries to pursue ideology and achieve the goal of the BRN. [H]ave you asked those people if they agree with you? he asked, saying that such writers inadvertently become supporters of the bandits. Talks alone cannot achieve peace; only people who embrace non violence and dialogue can do so, Aksara said. He urged "civilian brothers in the area and academics" to join in setting up a so-called safety zone, or ceasefire zone limited to a geographic area in the Deep South. Last month, in another statement, Aksara announced that Thai and MARA Patani negotiators had agreed in selecting one district where the ceasefire would be implemented. He did not reveal its name but said at the time that the ceasefire could take hold in another six months. Nearly 7,000 people have been killed in violence in the predominantly Muslim Deep South since the decades-old insurgency re-ignited in 2004. Moncks Corner, SC (29461) Today Thunderstorms likely this evening. Then a chance of scattered thunderstorms overnight. Potential for heavy rainfall. Low near 70F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 70%.. Tonight Thunderstorms likely this evening. Then a chance of scattered thunderstorms overnight. Potential for heavy rainfall. Low near 70F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 70%. All people are fickle, in varying degrees. I suspect wed be shocked to learn how many times in the course of a normal day we change our plans, reverse course, or pull out an eraser to delete an appointment or a task we had set for the week. Changing our minds feels so natural to us as humans, its hard to envision life without it. In most instances the changes are harmless and typically result from unforeseeable circumstances, as well as the alterations that other people make that directly affect us. But what would it mean for God to change his mind? Does he? Could he? Or are all his plans and purposes immutable? The importance of defining our theological terms with precision is most evident in the case of divine immutability. Here is a word that in contemporary evangelical circles evokes either protest or praise. Some see it as a threat to the biblical portrait of a God who does indeed change: he changes his mind (repents) and he changes his mode of being (the Word became flesh). Others are equally concerned that a careless tampering with this attribute of God will reduce him to a fickle, unfaithful, and ultimately unworthy object of our affection and worship. It is imperative, therefore, that we proceed cautiously, and yet with conviction, in the explanation of the sense in which God both can and cannot change. Immutability as Consistency of Character The immutability of God is related to, but clearly distinct from, his eternity. In saying that God is eternal, in the sense of everlasting, we mean that he always has existed and always will exist. He was preceded by nothing and shall be succeeded by nothing. In saying that God is immutable we mean that he is consistently the same in his eternal being. The Being, who eternally is, never changes. This affirmation of unchangeableness, however, is not designed to deny that there is change and development in Gods relations to his creatures. Consider the following: We who were once his enemies are now by the grace of Christ his friends (Romans 5:6-11). The God who declared his intention to destroy Nineveh for its sin changed his mind upon its repentance (more on this below). Furthermore, this affirmation of immutability must not be interpreted in such a way that the Word became flesh is threatened (John 1:14). We must acknowledge (our salvation depends upon it!) that he who is in his eternal being very God became, in space-time history, very man. Yet the Word who became flesh did not cease to be the Word (no transubstantiation here!). The second person of the Trinity has taken unto himself or assumed a human nature, yet without alteration or reduction of his essential deity. He is now what he has always been: very God. He is now what he once was not: very man. He is now and forever will be both: the God-man. It is a simplistic and ill-conceived doctrine of immutability that denies any part of this essential biblical truth. Thus, to say without qualification that God cannot change or that he can and often does change is at best unwise and at worst misleading. Our concept of immutability must be formulated in such a way that we do justice to every biblical assertion concerning both the being and becoming of God. Clearly, then, to say that God is immutable is not to say that he is immobile or static, for whereas all change is activity, not all activity is change. It is simply to affirm that God always is and acts in perfect harmony with the revelation of himself and his will in Scripture. For example, Scripture tells us that God is good, just, and loving. Immutability, or constancy, simply asserts that when the circumstances in any situation call for goodness, justice, or love as the appropriate response on the part of the Deity, that is precisely what God will be (or do, as the case may be). To say the same thing, but negatively: if God ought to be good, just, or loving as the circumstances may demand, or as his promises would require, he will by no means ever be evil, unfair, or hateful. Immutability means that the God who in Scripture is said to be omnipresent, omniscient, and omnipotent has not been, is not, and never will beunder any and all imaginable circumstanceslocalized, ignorant, or impotent. What he is, he always is. To be more specific, God is immutable in respect to (1) his essential being (which is to say that God can neither gain nor lose attributes); (2) his life (God neither became nor is becoming; his life never began, nor will it ever end); (3) his moral character (God can become neither better nor worse); and (4) his purpose or plan (Gods decree is unalterable). Lets look briefly at each of these in turn. Constancy of Being, Life, Character, and Plan Immutability is a property that belongs to the divine essence in the sense that God can neither gain new attributes, which he didnt have before, nor lose those already his. To put it crudely, God doesnt grow. There is no increase or decrease in the divine Being. If God would increase (either quantitatively or qualitatively), he would necessarily have been incomplete prior to the change. If God were to decrease, he would be, necessarily, incomplete after the change. The Deity, then, is incapable of development either positively or negatively. He neither evolves nor devolves. His attributes, considered individually, can never be greater or less than what they are and have always been. God will never be wiser, more loving, more powerful, or holier than he ever has been and ever must be. This is at least implied in Gods declaration to Moses, I am who I am (Exodus 3:14), and is explicit in other texts: Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. (James 1:17) I the Lord do not change; therefore you, O children of Jacob, are not consumed. (Malachi 3:6) Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. (Hebrews 13:8) When we talk about the immutability of Gods life, we are very close to the notion of eternality or everlastingness. We are saying that God never began to be and will never cease to be. His life simply is. He did not come into existence (for to become existent is a change from nothing to something), nor will he go out of existence (for to cease existing is a change from something to nothing). God is not young or old: he simply is. Thus, we read: Of old you laid the foundation of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands. They will perish, but you will remain; they will all wear out like a garment. You will change them like a robe, and they will pass away, but you are the same, and your years have no end. (Psalms 102:25-27) Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever you had formed the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God. (Psalms 90:2; cf. Psalms 93:2) Immutability may also be predicated of Gods moral character. He can become neither better (morally) nor worse than what he is. If God could change (or become) in respect to his moral character, it would be either for the better or the worse. If for the better, it would indicate that he was morally imperfect or incomplete antecedent to the time of change, and hence never God. If for the worse, it would indicate that he is now morally less perfect or complete than before, and hence no longer God. It will not do to say that God might conceivably change from one perfect Being into another equally perfect Being. For one must then specify in what sense he has changed. What constitutes God as different in the second mode of being from what he was in the first? Does he have more attributes, fewer attributes, better or worse attributes? If God in the second mode of being had the same attributes (both quantitatively and qualitatively), in what sense would he be different from what he was in the first mode of being? To deny immutability to Gods purpose or plan would be no less an affront to the Deity than to predicate change of his being, life, and character. There are, as I understand, only two reasons why God would ever be forced or need to alter his purpose: (1) if he lacked the necessary foresight or knowledge to anticipate any and all contingencies (in which case he would not be omniscient, contrary to the claims of open theism); or (2) if, assuming he had the needed foresight, he lacked the power or ability to effect what he had planned (in which case he would not be omnipotent). But since God is infinite in wisdom and knowledge, there can be no error or oversight in the conception of his purpose. Also, since he is infinite in power (omnipotent), there can be no failure or frustration in the accomplishment of his purpose. The many and varied changes in the relationship that God sustains to his creatures, as well as the more conspicuous events of redemptive history, are not to be thought of as indicating a change in Gods being or purpose. They are, rather, the execution in time of purposes eternally existing in the mind of God. For example, the abolition of the Mosaic covenant was no change in Gods will; it was, in fact, the fulfillment of his will, an eternal will that decreed change (from the Mosaic to the new covenant). Christs coming and work were no makeshift action to remedy unforeseen defects in the Old Testament scheme. They were but the realization (historical and concrete) of what God had from eternity decreed. The Lord brings the counsel of the nations to nothing; he frustrates the plans of the peoples. The counsel of the Lord stands forever, the plans of his heart to all generations. (Psalms 33:10-11; cf. Psalms 110:4) The Lord of hosts has sworn: As I have planned, so shall it be, and as I have purposed, so shall it stand. (Isaiah 14:24) I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me, declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose, calling a bird of prey from the east, the man of my counsel from a far country. I have spoken, and I will bring it to pass; I have purposed, and I will do it. (Isaiah 46:9-11). Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand. (Proverbs 19:21) But he is unchangeable, and who can turn him back? What he desires, that he does. (Job 23:13) I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted. (Job 42:2) So when God desired to show more convincingly to the heirs of the promise the unchangeable character of his purpose, he guaranteed it with an oath. (Hebrews 6:17) Can God Change His Mind? No treatment of the doctrine of immutability would be complete without a discussion of the problem posed by Gods alleged repentance. If Gods plan is unalterable and he is immutable, in what sense can it be said that he changed his mind? The Hebrew word typically translated change his mind or repent is nacham. This word actually has a rather wide range of meanings, including everything from experiencing emotional pain such as grief or sorrow (cf. Genesis 6:6-7; Exodus 13:17; Judges 21:6, Judges 21:15; 1 Samuel 15:11, 1 Samuel 15:35; Job 42:6; Jeremiah 31:19), to the experience of being comforted (cf. Genesis 24:67; Genesis 27:42; Genesis 37:35; Genesis 38:12; 2 Samuel 13:39; Psalms 77:3; Psalms 119:52; Isaiah 1:24; Jeremiah 31:15; Ezekiel 5:13; Ezekiel 14:22; Ezekiel 31:16; Ezekiel 32:31), to the more extreme notion of relenting from or repudiating a course of action previously embraced (cf. Deuteronomy 32:36 = Psalms 135:14; Judges 2:18; 2 Samuel 24:16 = 1 Chronicles 21:15; Psalms 90:13; Psalms 106:45; Jeremiah 8:6; Jeremiah 20:16; Jeremiah 42:10), as well as retracting a statement or changing ones mind regarding a course of action (cf. Exodus 32:12, Exodus 32:14; Numbers 23:19; 1 Samuel 15:29; Psalms 110:4; Isaiah 57:6; Jeremiah 4:28; Jeremiah 15:6; Jeremiah 18:8, Jeremiah 18:10; Jeremiah 26:3, Jeremiah 26:13, Jeremiah 26:19; Ezekiel 24:14; Joel 2:13-14; Amos 7:3, Amos 7:6; Jonah 3:9-10; Jonah 4:2; Zechariah 8:14). This compels us to acknowledge the ambiguity of the English word repent and cautions us to be careful in ascribing it to God. Human beings repent of moral evil. We transgress Gods law and acknowledge our sorrow for having done so and our determination to change how we behave. Obviously, whatever else Gods repenting might mean, it does not mean he has sinned and is changing his ways. If that were the case, he would hardly be worthy of the title God; still less would he be worthy of anyones worship. This is why most English versions (except the KJV) use the word relent or retract or something similar. Lets look specifically at two passages, both of which use the word nacham. God is not man, that he should lie, or a son of man, that he should change his mind. Has he said, and will he not do it? Or has he spoken, and will he not fulfill it? (Numbers 23:19) And Samuel said to him, The Lord has torn the kingdom of Israel from you this day and has given it to a neighbor of yours, who is better than you. And also the Glory of Israel will not lie or have regret, for he is not a man, that he should have regret. (1 Samuel 15:28-29) Note well that 1 Samuel 15:11 and 1 Samuel 15:11 say that God regretted making Saul king. Yet here in 1 Samuel 15:29 and Numbers 23:19 it says that God cannot repent, change his mind, or regret an action he has taken. Scholars have generally said that there are four possible ways of responding to these texts: Open theists contend that Numbers 23:19 means that whereas God generally can repent, in this particular case he chooses not to. However, were that true, Bruce Ware asks, does it not follow from this text [Num. 23:19] that, while it is generally true that God can lie, in this particular case he chooses not to? That is, the parallelism of lying and repenting indicates that just as God cannot lie, he cannot repent. The question becomes, then, can God ever lie?1 Assuming that all would answer the latter question no (cf. 2 Timothy 2:13; Titus 1:2; Hebrews 6:18), it would appear that the parallel relation of Gods repentance with lying would lead one to conclude that this passage is teaching more than simply that in this particular historical situation God chooses not to lie or repent. Rather, just as God can never lie, so He can never repent.2 One should also take note of the contrast made between God and man. God is said not to be like humans, who both lie and repent. Ware observes: Does not the force of this claim evaporate the instant one reads it to say, in this particular situation God is not like a man and so does not repent? Do men (i.e., human beings) always repent of what they say they will do? If so, the contrast can be maintained. But if human beings sometimes carry out what they say and sometimes repent and do otherwise, and if God, likewise sometimes carries out what he says and sometimes repents and does otherwise, then how is God different from humans? The only way the contrast works is if God, unlike men, never repents. It is generally true, not merely situationally true, that God does not repent.3 This applies as well to the texts in 1 Samuel 15. In other words, to say that God sometimes repents (e.g., 1 Samuel 15:11, 1 Samuel 15:35) and sometimes doesnt (1 Samuel 15:29) would be to argue that he sometimes lies and, in the same sense as with repent, sometimes doesnt. But the truth is that God never lies, and so this text requires also that he never repents.4 Two additional observations are in order. First, many have appealed to a common figure of speech known as anthropopatheia or anthropopathism (from the Greek anthropos, man, plus pathos, affection, feeling). Thus, an anthropopathism is a figure of speech in which certain human passions, feelings, mental activities, and so on are predicated of God. This, of course, is related to the more well-known figure of speech called anthropomorphism (again, from the Greek for man plus morphe, form), in which there are ascribed to God human body parts (e.g., eyes, mouth, nostrils, hands). Ware defines anthropomorphism as follows: A given ascription to God may rightly be understood as anthropomorphic when Scripture clearly presents God as transcending the very human or finite features it elsewhere attributes to him.5 Thus, God is figuratively portrayed as relenting from a course of action or changing his mind, but in literal fact he does not. Open theists often contend that we adopt this approach to the problem because of an extrabiblical presupposition concerning the nature of God derived from the Greek ideal of perfection. This alien, philosophical criterion is imposed on Scripture rather than allowing Gods Word to shape our concept of God himself. However, contrary to this assertion, most evangelicals appeal to anthropopathism because of what they believe Scripture explicitly teaches concerning the omniscience and immutability of God. It is the analogy of faith, Scriptures harmonious interpretation of itself, not Greek philosophical presuppositions, that governs their treatment of such problem texts. Passages such as Numbers 23:19 and the others cited earlier are unequivocal: God is not a man. Therefore, he does not lie. He does not change his mind the way people do. He does not promise and then fail to fulfill. Those who appeal to anthropopathism insist that we are justified in interpreting the unclear in the light of the clear and utilizing a figure of speech generally acknowledged as entirely legitimate. Second, and even more importantly, we must recognize the difference between unconditional divine decrees and conditional divine announcements (or warnings).6 The former will occur irrespective of other factors. The latter may occur dependent on the response of the person or persons to whom they apply. Occasionally something explicit in the context will indicate which of the two is in view. Most often, however, statements of divine intent are ambiguous. That is to say, one must determine from other data whether the declaration or determination of God is unconditional or conditional. For example, what we find in the case of Jonah and the Ninevites is most likely not an unqualified and unconditional declaration of purpose. Consider carefully the nature of this passage from Jeremiah (Jeremiah 18:5-12): Then the word of the Lord came to me: O house of Israel, can I not do with you as this potter has done? declares the Lord. Behold, like the clay in the potters hand, so are you in my hand, O house of Israel. If at any time I declare concerning a nation or a kingdom, that I will pluck up and break down and destroy it, and if that nation, concerning which I have spoken, turns from its evil, I will relent of the disaster that I intended to do to it. And if at any time I declare concerning a nation or a kingdom that I will build and plant it, and if it does evil in my sight, not listening to my voice, then I will relent of the good that I had intended to do to it. Now, therefore, say to the men of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem: Thus says the Lord, Behold, I am shaping disaster against you and devising a plan against you. Return, every one from his evil way, and amend your ways and your deeds. But they say, That is in vain! We will follow our own plans, and will every one act according to the stubbornness of his evil heart. That God declared his intention to destroy Nineveh, only to withhold his hand when they repented, is thus no threat to the doctrine of immutability. On the contrary, had God destroyed Nineveh notwithstanding its repentance, he would have shown himself mutable. William Shedd explains: If God had treated the Ninevites after their repentance, as he had threatened to treat them before their repentance, this would have proved him to be mutable. It would have showed him to be at one time displeased with impenitence, and at another with penitence. Charnock... remarks that the unchangeableness of God, when considered in relation to the exercise of his attributes in the government of the world, consists not in always acting in the same manner, however cases and circumstances may alter; but in always doing what is right, and in adapting his treatment of his intelligent creatures to the variation of their actions and characters. When the devils, now fallen, stood as glorious angels, they were the objects of Gods love, necessarily; when they fell, they were the objects of Gods hatred, because impure. The same reason which made him love them while they were pure, made him hate them when they were criminal. It is one thing for God to will a change in created things external to himself and another thing for him to change in his own nature and character.7 All this is simply to say that Gods immutability requires him to treat the wicked differently from the righteous. When the wicked repent, his treatment of them must change. Therefore, according to Strong, Gods immutability is not that of the stone, that has no internal experience, but rather that of the column of mercury, that rises and falls with every change in the temperature of the surrounding atmosphere.8 Thus we see that it is a principle of Gods immutable being (as revealed by him in Scripture) that he punishes the wicked and recalcitrant but blesses and forgives the righteous and repentant. If God were to reveal himself as such (as, in fact, he has done), only to punish the repentant and bless the recalcitrant, this would constitute real change and thus destroy immutability. Gods declaration of intent to punish the Ninevites because of their sinful behavior and wickedness is based on the assumption that they are and will remain wicked. However, if and when they repent (as they did), to punish them notwithstanding would constitute a change, indeed reversal, in Gods will and word, to the effect that he now, as over against the past, punishes rather than blesses the repentant. Conclusion What all this means, very simply, is that God is dependable! Our trust in him is therefore a confident trust, for we know that he will not, indeed cannot, change. His purposes are unfailing, and his promises unassailable. It is because the God who promised us eternal life is immutable that we may rest assured that nothing, not trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword, shall separate us from the love of Christ. It is because Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever that neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, no not even powers, height, depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 8:35-39)! Recommended Reading Nash, Ronald H. The Concept of God: An Exploration of Contemporary Difficulties with the Attributes of God. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1983. Roy, Steven C. How Much Does God Foreknow? A Comprehensive Biblical Study. Downers Grove, IL: IVP Academic, 2006. Ware, Bruce A. Gods Lesser Glory: The Diminished God of Open Theism. Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2000. Notes 1. Bruce A. Ware, Gods Lesser Glory: The Diminished God of Open Theism (Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2000), 87. 2. Ibid. 3. Ibid., 88. 4. Ibid. 5. Bruce A. Ware, An Evangelical Reformulation of the Doctrine of the Immutability of God, Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society 29, no. 4 (1986): 442. 6. Examples of an unconditional decree would be Numbers 23:19; 1 Samuel 15:29; Psalms 110:4; Jeremiah 4:28; Ezekiel 24:14; Zechariah 8:14. Examples of conditional announcements or warnings would be Exodus 32:12, Exodus 32:14; Jeremiah 15:6; Jeremiah 18:8, Jeremiah 18:10; Jeremiah 26:3, Jeremiah 26:13, Jeremiah 26:19; Joel 2:13-14; Amos 7:3, Amos 7:6; Jonah 3:9-10; Jonah 4:2. 7. William G. T. Shedd, Dogmatic Theology, vol. 1 (1889; repr., Minneapolis: Klock & Klock, 1979), 35253 (emphasis mine). 8. Augustus H. Strong, Systematic Theology (1907; repr., Old Tappan, NJ: Revell, 1970), 258. Taken from Tough Topics: Biblical Answers to 25 Challenging Questions, by Sam Storms. Used by permission of Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers, Wheaton, Il 60187, www.crossway.org. Difficult questions often intrigue us, readily confuse us, and sometimes disturb us. Drawing on nearly 40 years of teaching and ministry experience, pastor-scholar Sam Storms answers 25 challenging questions Christians are often too afraid to ask, addressing thorny issues ranging from the eternal destiny of infants to the roles of demons and angels. The robust, thoughtful answers provided in this book offer a helpful alternative to relying on simplistic explanations, and will encourage you in the search for truth and clarity on such tough topics. Plus, Bill's Message of the Day, on General Mark Milley's call to the Chinese. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices The project is being financed to improve the medical facilities and equipment in tertiary healthcare institutions and training centers for medical staff in Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka has signed a Rs. 15 billion loan agreement with Japan to improve Sri Lanka's health and medical services. This development took place following the Japan-Sri Lanka summit meeting in Tokyo recently. Japan's Ambassador in Sri Lanka Kenichi Suganuma and Sri Lanka's Ambassador in Tokyo Prof. Dammika Ganganath Dissanayake signed and exchanged notes concerning the provision of a loan up to 10.639 billion yen for the Health and Medical Service Improvement Project. The project is being financed to improve the medical facilities and equipment in tertiary healthcare institutions and training centers for medical staff, as well as strengthening the maintenance of medical equipment in the Western, Northwestern, Central, North Central, Eastern and Uva Provinces in Sri Lanka. The project is expected to enhance medical services relating to the diagnosis and treatment of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), especially cardiovascular diseases. It is expected that improved access to medical care will contribute to improving the health conditions of residents. The man who was acquitted of killing 15-year-old Tina Fontaine did not confess to undercover police officers during a Mr. Big sting against him, the Free Press has learned. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 16/3/2018 (1285 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Advertisement Advertise With Us The man who was acquitted of killing 15-year-old Tina Fontaine did not confess to undercover police officers during a Mr. Big sting against him, the Free Press has learned. "The Mr. Big operation did not produce a confession," confirmed Crown prosecutor James Ross, who handled the case through to the completion of the three-week trial last month. The jury acquitted Raymond Cormier, and Manitoba Justice announced this week the Crowns office wont appeal. The Canadian Press files Raymond Cormier was acquitted of second-degree murder for the August 2014 slaying of Tina Fontaine. Ross spoke highly of the police work that went into Cormiers case. "The police investigation was thorough, comprehensive and well-conducted," Ross said. The jury that decided Raymond Cormier was not guilty of second-degree murder in the teens 2014 death didnt hear any details of the Mr. Big portion of Project Styx, a six-month undercover investigation by the Winnipeg Police Service. It also involved setting up a public housing apartment for Cormier to live in, wiretapping the place with secret probes to record his conversations and equipping an undercover officer with a body-worn recording device as he posed as Cormiers neighbour. The police planned 62 different scenarios in which undercover officers interacted with Cormier, ranging from his "neighbour" saying hello to Cormier in the hallway, to giving him odd jobs to make some cash. One of those scenarios, which played out at the Logan Avenue apartment block, involved a female undercover officer made up to look bloodied and beaten. She posed as an unconscious victim of domestic violence, and Cormier saw her body being carried into a truck and taken away. Police wanted to measure his reaction to seeing a dead body being disposed, but they couldnt determine his reaction. While the scenarios culminated in undercover officers flying Cormier to Vancouver for the Mr. Big operation in B.C., none of that was part of the Crowns case against Cormier. The controversial technique, developed by RCMP in B.C. in the 1990s, involves undercover officers staging crimes to pose as a criminal organization and offering the suspect odd jobs and money to gain their trust. The suspect is groomed to be part of the organization and is eventually asked to meet with the crime boss, "Mr. Big," in a room police equip with secret video cameras to record an expected confession. The suspect is told they must confess to a crime as a way to prove themselves. They are sometimes assured the group can protect them from punishment or destroy evidence that would link them to the crime. In Cormiers case, police ended the undercover investigation without securing a confession. They arrested him and brought him back to Manitoba to face the murder charge. The Crown didnt use the Mr. Big evidence in court, meaning details of the Mr. Big sting arent public. More oversight needed: professor The case is an example of the need for more oversight of police techniques, says Kate Puddister, a University of Guelph political science professor who has studied Mr. Big techniques in Canada. "If the public doesnt have confidence in the criminal justice system, the system ceases to function. If theres no confidence, then theres no perceived legitimacy in the processes. Thats pretty detrimental to society. Kate Puddister In a 2012 study, she found there is very little oversight of police use of Mr. Big operations, particularly when evidence of them isnt brought up in court. "Its really this black box. Unless it comes into court or the media gets wind of it and reports on it, we dont know. Thats what we found in our research: theres no public reporting of this. The oversight from the civilian oversight bodies for various police forces dont have reports on it unless someone complains," she said. Puddister said the public needs to be informed about police investigations, even undercover investigations, to hold police accountable and have faith in the justice system. "We choose to be policed. We police on the notion of consent, so we hold the police to a particular standard. And if theyre not going to engage in investigations in a way that we think is right, its going to be pretty difficult to have confidence in the criminal justice system and confidence in the investigation and confidence in the outcome. If the public doesnt have confidence in the criminal justice system, the system ceases to function. If theres no confidence, then theres no perceived legitimacy in the processes. Thats pretty detrimental to society." Cormier filed LERA complaint Cormier complained about getting caught up in a Mr. Big operation, and the Winnipeg Police Service acknowledged the tactic was one piece of its investigation against him. He launched a Law Enforcement Review Agency complaint against the police service, alleging police fabricated evidence. Part of his concern, court heard during his trial, was that police gave him fake identification bearing the name Sebastian during their undercover operation. Cormier did not want police to use that fake ID to connect him to the name Sebastian, a name Tina used in a 911 call to police before she died in August 2014. He admitted in a prior interview with police, though, that he used to "tell everybody my names Sebastian." Ultimately, the Crown relied on what it considered to be the strongest evidence against Cormier: wiretap conversations in which prosecutors argued he admitted to killing Tina because he found out she was underage and didnt want to be considered a pedophile for being sexually interested in her. Cormiers lawyers offered different interpretations of the wiretaps and argued Cormier didnt kill Tina or have sex with her. No authorization needed for Mr. Big Police dont need judicial authorization from the courts to use Mr. Big techniques. Evidence that is gathered during a Mr. Big operation is presumptively inadmissible in court, based on a 2014 Supreme Court decision, unless the Crown can prove the evidence is important enough to outweigh the prejudice to the accused, who will be shown to have participated in criminal activity along with undercover police. The Supreme Courts ruling didnt ban the practice, but it did restrict how Mr. Big evidence is used in court. "I think theyll probably continue to happen, but with a mindful eye that there are limits to how far the police can go." Amar Khoday Despite those restrictions, police are likely to keep using Mr. Big techniques if they consider them necessary, said University of Manitoba law Prof. Amar Khoday, who has studied controversial Mr. Big confessions. "I think theyll probably continue to happen, but with a mindful eye that there are limits to how far the police can go, and if they go beyond a certain point that the Crown believes this might run afoul of the (2014 Supreme Court decision), then they might have to keep it out of evidence and go with what they have. "In some cases, that may be other evidence that they feel can support a conviction, and in other cases, it may be that they dont have it, and they have to decide whether or not to pursue the case," he said. "I think theres an argument to be made that huge public resources are spent on these things, and there is a fair space for the public to debate whether these things should happen or not. "I mean, I have no doubt theres a segment of society maybe a huge segment of society that says its perfectly fine that these things happen within reason, and another side that will say no, these things cost too much money and theres too much of a risk of wrongful conviction or a false confession leading to a wrongful conviction. "But I think these tactics are open for public scrutiny, especially since public funds are spent on it." katie.may@freepress.mb.ca Twitter: @thatkatiemay Iris Munchinskys first novel, Bridge of Shadows, was inspired by an old Scottish secret, which she knew her father was harbouring for many years. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 16/3/2018 (1285 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Advertisement Advertise With Us Iris Munchinskys first novel, "Bridge of Shadows," was inspired by an old Scottish secret, which she knew her father was harbouring for many years. "My dad had a secret that he would not tell anyone, including his siblings or any one else, because he said it would change everything," the Virden author said. "Years and years later, he was going to go to Acapulco with my brother, and so he told his siblings that he would tell them what the secret was when he got back." Iris Munchinsky Tragically, he suffered a heart attack while in Mexico, and passed away. "No one ever found out what the secret was," she said. Munchinsky decided to resurrect the story, and write it as pure fiction. "Bridge of Shadows" is a inspirational romantic-suspense novel that takes place in the Scottish Highlands. It follows young artist Sela Lamont, who travels to Scotland to investigate her late grandfathers hidden past. As the synopsis describes, Sela gets more than she bargained for. "Not only does her great-grandmother slip her a letter that places him smack in the middle of a WWII Highland espionage plot, but Sela discovers a related present-day scheme threatening to take the country captive," states the synopsis. "Between the sophisticated advances of an adopted relative and the quick wit and charm of a scruffy admirer, she attempts to ferret out the truth and finds herself teetering on the edge of a precarious cliff, wondering if anyone, including her grandfather, is who he claims to be." SUBMITTED Virden author Iris Munchinsky has released her first novel, Bridge of Shadows, a suspenseful romance that takes place in the Scottish Highlands. Munchinsky was born in Scotland, and grew up in Windsor, Ont. She has now called Virden home for more than 30 years. Munchinsky has travelled back to Scotland, spending time in the Highlands and in Ullapool, where the novel takes place. She decided to pursue her passion for writing, and attended writers conferences in cities like Toronto and Dallas. The writing process for the novel took a few years, and she published "Bridge of Shadows" in August 2017 through WestBow Press, a self-publishing arm of Thomas Nelson and Zondervan. She has since gone on book tours, signing in various cities in Alberta, as well as Saskatoon, Virden and Elkhorn. On Saturday, she will hold a book signing at Coles bookstore at Shoppers Mall from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Munchinsky is already working on the sequel, now into its third chapter. "I havent really set a timeline, but I have been making progress," she said. "So hopefully within a year. It does take a while to cement everything in your head and get it edited and everything else." The Coles bookstore, part of the Indigo company, features local authors regularly at the Shoppers Mall. "I think everyone deserves a chance," said Coles general manager Chelsey Paull. "A lot of our local authors this is a passion of theirs. Its not that theyre looking to make a ton of money at this. Theyre just looking for the opportunity. And the fact that were able to give that is always exciting for us." Paull said they are open to speaking with local authors who are interested in promoting their book. "Any local author that approaches us has the opportunity to carry their books in our store," Paull said. "Its an individual contract that any local author can have with any of our Chapters, Coles or Indigos. They approach us with their book, we can look it over for content just to make sure that it adheres to Indigos standards, and then we can decide if its going to do well in our store or in our market. And then from there, that author can actually go to other stores." Munchinskys novel seemed like a good fit for the Brandon location, Paull said. "We have a lot of our guests actually come in looking for religious fiction, so it was nice to kind of have a local author promote something in our store," she said. Coles typically hosts an author per month often local, but sometimes others who are travelling through. "Some (local authors) do their books in libraries, or museums, this gives them a broader scope and it actually gives them the opportunity to go nationally as well," she said. jaustin@brandonsun.com Twitter: @jillianaustin By Jonathan Stempel Warren Buffetts favourite ice cream company has kicked up a legal storm over the Blizzard. American Dairy Queen, whose Blizzard has long been one of its most popular products, sued WB Mason in federal court this week to stop the office supplies distributor from selling bottled spring water also bearing the Blizzard name. Dairy Queens Blizzard contains soft-serve ice cream that can be blended with fruit, nuts, M&Ms, Oreos and other mix-ins. WB Mason has fought back, and in a filing in its own federal lawsuit seeks a declaration that it did not infringe any trademark belonging to Dairy Queen, owned since 1998 by Mr Buffetts conglomerate, Berkshire Hathaway. The litigation is not Dairy Queens first over the Blizzard name, and follows its 2010 settlement of a lawsuit involving frozen yogurt company, Yogubliz. Dairy Queen began using the Blizzard name in 1946, and has five Blizzard trademarks dating back to 1952. Its current Blizzard has been for sale since 1985. WB Mason, known in the US for the slogan Who But WB Mason, has since 2010 sold Blizzard water, and has used the name to sell copy paper as early as 2003. It attracted Dairy Queens attention last April after submitting trademark applications for Blizzard water. In its complaint, Dairy Queen said WB Masons conduct threatens irreparable injury and has caused a likelihood of confusion because many of Dairy Queens 4,500 US locations sell bottled water. The Minnesota-based company, which has more than 6,700 locations worldwide, is seeking an injunction against WB Mason, plus profits from water sales. WB Mason, based in Brockton, Massachusetts, said it has no interest in creating confusion, and has created none. The companies have had a long period of what we call co-existence, its lawyer, Jason Kravitz, a partner at Nixon Peabody in Boston, said in an interview. There has not been to our knowledge a single instance of any consumer being confused by WB Masons sale and promotion of its spring water, he said. Dairy Queen does not discuss pending litigation, spokesman Dean Peters said. Known for eating habits that would unnerve some doctors, the 87-year-old billionaire told Yahoo Finance in 2016 he usually orders a small sundae for the ice cream and an extra large sundae for the topping, and combines them. - Reuters By Breda Graham Back at it again with the stand-up! Celebrity impressionist Shane Cunningham is back with a hilarious take on Brendan OConnors Cutting Edge ahead of his upcoming Vicar Street gig. Some very special guests join Brendan ahead of a busy week for our little country in Shanes latest sketch. Tommy Tiernan reflects on his participation in the St Patricks Day parades back in the day, George Hook anticipates Irelands clash against England at Twickenham and Leo Varadkar would rather enjoy a pint with former Taoiseach Enda Kenny than make his St Patricks Day trip stateside. Shane is set to make his Vicar Street debut alongside some stellar Irish comedians this coming April. The Galway native who has made quite the impression on the public with his ability to impersonate well-known characters will perform a sold-out Vicar Street venue alongside Irish comedians Farmer Michael and Kathleen. Shane, who has received attention from his online videos can since be recognised through his performances at weddings, socials, balls, and from his success on national radio and television, has just returned from a tour of the UK with Farmer Michael and Kathleen and will appear at Vicar Street, Dublin on April 6 as support to Ireland's most infamous comedic duo. For Shane, there is no better feeling than the ability to make a crowd laugh when performing live and following a successful UK tour in which he did just that, he is now looking forward to facing an Irish audience. Only people in this business will understand the feeling of cracking the crowd, he told the Irish Examiner. Looking forward to taking to the stage at Vicar St. In #justover3weeks #teapottour Shane Cunningham (@ShanesVoices) March 16, 2018 Its one thing to stand up and tell jokes but when you engage with your audience like I do and make them the centre of attention then I, as an entertainer, feel what the crowd feels. No stranger to pushing the boat out when it comes to his spot-on impressions of many well-known celebrities and politicians alike, Shanes take on Daniel ODonnell and President Michael D Higgins proved a success when showcased to a US audience at a charity gig while on vacation to the US. During his time across the Atlantic, Shane fell in love with the country and plans to return this summer to perform a gig in DTUT Cafe in New York City on June 15 and 16 following an agreement with his US management, Overcoat Management. "Its always great to leave Ireland and still receive a warm reception. Us Irish have such a big community around the world and its only when you venture outside the country you realise that, he said. It's the same with the US, Im told, so Im really looking forward to that. There really is no place like home, however, and Shane, who is in the midst of preparation of material for his upcoming gig, is looking forward to his first performance at Vicar Street. I think no matter where you go, be it the UK or America, its always uplifting to return home and perform at a sold-out Vicar Street gig. Its the best feeling and I can't wait for April 6, he said. To see more of Shane, check out where he previously appeared on irishexaminer.com here: Watch impressionist Shane Cunningham take on the Sunday Game panel ahead of the SFC semi-final VIDEO: Galway native impressionist, Shane Cunningham, makes TV debut VIDEO: Meet the Galway native whos making quite the impression by cracking the crowd With St. Patricks day around the corner, there's green and more green decorating our streets, shops and national landmarks. And over the weekend, thousand of people will take to the streets of their local towns and villages celebrating everything Irish - why not? We're meant to be celebrated! Well, not one man. In 2016, TV3 came across this man who despised the national holiday and so far, we haven't found anyone who hates it more. He went so far as to reaching for a 'sick bucket' while catching a glimpse of the parade on TV. An oldie but a goodie. By Ann O'Loughlin An Post must pay about 55,000 damages to a former postal sorter over bullying and harassment by her co-workers, plus a further sum for loss of earnings over periods amounting to some four years, a High Court judge has ruled. If the sides cannot agree the loss of earnings for Catherine Hurley over specified periods between July 2006 and the end of 2011, Mr Justice Paul McDermott will decide it later. The judge held Ms Hurley was not entitled to additional sums for pain and suffering and loss of earnings beyond the end of 2011 because she had not fully adhered to a prescribed conservative treatment regime between 2008-12 which her psychiatrist believed could have lead to recovery from a moderate form of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Ms Hurley (53), White's Cross, Co Cork, sued An Post for negligence, breach of duty and breach of contract, after she was ostracised by work colleagues at a sorting office at Little Island, Cork, after a male colleague was suspended in July 2006. The suspension arose from an incident involving Ms Hurley and because of the colleagues "gross insubordination" towards management dealing with that, the judge previously noted. Ms Hurley ultimately ceased work in September 2008 and was later dismissed by An Post in July 2011. She claimed she could not seek employment after her dismissal due to pain in her neck and shoulder and other injuries which she alleged An Post was liable for. Last October, the judge ruled An Post was liable for the bullying and harassment experienced form her co-workers during her employment of which it was aware and had a duty to address but failed to do so in any meaningful way. He accepted her health suffered as a result of what happened and the neck spasm and other symptoms described by her were the likely product of PTSD. The health damage was reasonably foreseeable by An Post which failed until July/August 2008 to invoke a code providing for a formal investigative process for complaints of workplace bullying and harassment, he said. A further hearing was held on damages. In his judgment today, Mr Justice McDermott accepted Ms Hurley, from her engagement with her psychiatrist in 2008, was suffering moderate PTSD as a result of the July 2006 incident. He also held the continuing symptoms of PTSD depression and anxiety were caused and substantially contributed to by the bullying and harassment she was subjected to thereafter. She suffered heightened symptoms of pain in her shoulder and neck which impinged greatly on her family life and caused her difficulties for a time in executing daily tasks, he said. She was treated by her psychiatrist from 2008 until she ceased to attend him in 2012. While he believed she was taking prescribed medication which he expected would resolve her symptoms within two years, that did not occur and it later emerged she only took her medication sporadically. It was important Ms Hurley did not contact the psychiatrist between 2012 and 2016, the judge said. He did not accept Ms Hurley had unjustifiably resisted repeated admonitions from her employers to return to work in 2008 and 2009, leading to her dismissal in 2011. He ruled she was entitled to 50,000 general damages for continuing symptoms of PTSD anxiety and depression from August 2006, when she returned to work, until the end of 2011. She was also entitled to sums for loss of earnings for specified periods when she was out of work between August 2006 and the end of 2011, plus special damages of 4,643. By Ann O'Loughlin The board of management of a South Dublin secondary school were "kept in the dark" about plans by the Christian Brothers to sell part of its playing grounds to builders for 18m, the High Court has heard. Clonkeen College board of management at Deansgrange Co Dublin have brought proceedings against the congregation of Christian Brothers, which set up the school and are its patrons, aimed at retaining the playing fields for as long as the school remains in operation. The congregation has opposed the action, and denies the board's claims the proposed sale to a developer will adversely affect the 520-pupil school. Opening the case today, James Dwyer SC for the board said the case was "rather controversial" and had been brought so the playing fields would remain available for the school and its students. Counsel said the board "knew nothing" and was "kept in dark" over the 18m deal where local builder Mr Patrick Durkan Snr is to acquire a very significant portion of the playing fields, seven acres, from the congregation. The board was only informed of the deal for commercial reasons in May 2017 and was told the sale was going ahead, counsel said. "A PR company was paid 10,000 to break the news to the board about the sale," counsel added. In the years prior to the deal, the school board had raised funds to improve all its facilities including the playing fields, which he said both the congregation and the Edmund Rice Schools Trust ERST, which in 2008 became the patron of the school premises, knew about and consented to. Over 450,000 was spent on improving the playing fields. Counsel said money had been "wasted" as under the proposed sale those facilities would be "bulldozed" and "torn up." Counsel said under the proposed sale agreement the school will receive 1.3m retain one small area of the existing playing fields for use as a playing pitch, which it does not believe is suitable for the school's needs. The board, counsel said, also says the proposed plans will also adversely affect its special education needs unit. In its action the board which has managed the school since 1998, claims the sale breaches a 2006 agreement with the congregation. The board claims it was agreed the playing fields would remain available for the school and another part of the lands, known as the extended Monastery site, would be sold for development. As a result the 2017 sale agreement board members seek several declarations including the students of Clonkeen College are entitled to the continued use of the playing fields as long as the school remains in operation. The board also seeks a declarations that the only portion of the lands that the congregation are entitled to develop is the Monastery site, and that the congregation is not allowed resile from the terms of the 2006 agreement. The board further seeks orders from the court restraining the disposal of the playing fields and that the 2006 agreement be specifically performed. The application is opposed by the congregation and the plaintiff's claims are denied. In its defence the congregation says the plaintiffs have no interest in the lands (that are) the subject of the proceedings. The congregation denies acting unconscionably as alleged or at all. The congregation also denies the board has any valid objection to the sale of the lands, and argue the 2006 agreement is void and of no effect. It has entered into binding contracts to sell the lands and it intends to make significant charitable donations from the sale. The case, before Ms Justice Carmel Stewart, continues. By Ann O'Loughlin A former Coolmore Stud employee has asked the High Court for orders preventing his former employer from threatening booksellers who sell a book he wrote about the stud with defamation proceedings. The action has been brought by William Jones author of The Dark Horse Inside Coolmore and with an address at, Beechmount, Roscrea, Co Tipperary, who worked at the stud between 2006 and 2015 and later self-published his book via his company Gold Rush Publications. In proceedings against the stud he claims has been defamed in letters sent by the defendant's representatives to various booksellers, and seeks damages. As part of his action Mr Jones, who represents himself, asked the High Court today for temporary injunctions including one restraining the stud from threatening any booksellers selling his book, including booksellers in the UK, with any defamation proceedings. He claims that under 2009 Defamation Act the stud is statute-barred from bringing any such defamation proceedings. In a sworn statement he said that no litigation has been brought against his book and none is pending. He also claims in November 2017 lawyers for Coolmore wrote to booksellers in the UK and Germany threatening them with being sued for defamation under Irish law unless they withdrew his book from sale. He says the booksellers withdrew his book. At the High Court today, Ms Justice Caroline Costello granted Mr Jones permission to serve short notice of the proceedings on the defendant. The Judge said she was not prepared to grant any orders in the absence of the defendant or its legal representatives, and adjourned the matter to next week. Mr Jones's has brought other separate proceedings against the Stud in relation to his book. Last year Mr Jones's appeal over being refused injunctions preventing Coolmore's lawyers writing to booksellers and distributors alleging his book about working there contained defamatory material was dismissed by the Court of Appeal. He denies defamation and sought various injunctions, pending a full hearing of his case against Coolmore, restraining its lawyers writing to book distributors and retailers alleging the book contained defamatory material and seeking it not be sold. Coolmore's solicitors Arthur Cox had written to the Amazon website and bookshops referring to potential proceedings for defamation and noting the book included allegations of bullying and details of the deaths of two horses. The book was later withdrawn by a number of distributors. Coolmore argued, under a December 2014 agreement compromising Mr Jones' Labour Relations Commission claim over his employment at the stud, both sides agreed not to make any derogatory comments about each other at any time in the future and he had also undertook not to disclose any records relating to animals or clients of the stud. In June 2016, the High Court ruled Mr Jones had made out no arguable case entitling him to the injunctions. He appealed but the Court of Appeal dismissed his appeal. Update Friday, April 13, 10.24pm: Roza Jakubowska was located safe and well in Dublin this evening. Earlier: Gardai appeal for help tracing missing teenager Roza Jakubowska Gardai are seeking the publics assistance in finding a missing Dublin teenager. 15-year-old Roza Jakubowska is missing from the Sherrard Street area, Dublin 1, since Wednesday, March 14. Roza is 55, thin build, has long dark hair and brown eyes. When last seen, she was wearing a black jacket, dark leggings and black runners. Gardai ask anyone with any information in relation to Rozas whereabouts to contact Mountjoy Garda Station on 01-666 8600, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or any Garda Station. - Digital desk Gardai investigating the disappearance of Tina Satchwell have stood down their search of woodland in Co. Cork. Officers say they and the Defence forces have completed their search operation at the site in Castlemartyr, Co. Cork. By Ann O'Loughlin A Dart train driver has failed in a legal challenge in which he claimed Irish Rail refused to restore him to driving duties despite a court order. Paul Leblique, Griffith Road, Finglas, Dublin, had been suspended following an incident in which a train he was driving stopped short of a platform. He brought a High Court challenge a year ago which centred on his his refusal to provide a urine sample to a representative of a private testing company employed by Irish Rail to test him shortly after the incident. As a result of that hearing, which was told rail safety law requires such a sample could only be taken by a doctor, Irish Rail accepted he had to be reinstated. However, Irish Rail said that in accordance with the court order, he was required undergo a six-to-nine month period of non-driving duties before he can be put back in charge of a train. The incident which gave rise to the original legal proceedings was over a train stopping short of its platform in Tara Street, Dublin, which meant certain carriages did not come up to meet the platform. It was the fourth such incident involving his driving over a three year period, the court heard. He was initially dismissed but later demoted to non-driving duties and suffered a 10,000 pay cut. After taking his legal challenge, when a judge ordered the stopping short incident be dealt with under the company driver development programme, he said he returned to work Mr Leblique said his pay was restored and he underwent medical assessments, including a rigorous psychological assessment last August. However, he said, despite the results of those assessments, Irish Rail was intent on not restoring him to driving duties. His counsel, Conor Bowman, then went back to court seeking the committal to prison of two Irish rail managers, including its CEO, or alternatively that the company's assets be sequestered, over the alleged failure to comply with the April court order. Irish Rail opposed the application and its counsel, Conleth Bradley, said it appeared Mr Leblique was frustrated at the speed at which the driving development process was taking but there was no basis for his assertion there was a breach of the court order. The company had engaged faithfully in the driver development plan, counsel said. Today, Mr Justice Robert Eagar ruled the previous High Court order had been followed by the company and he dismissed Mr Leblique's application. The court was conscious of an "absolute requirement" for the company to take appropriate steps to ensure the safety of passengers. The judge also noted that the driver development system which Mr Leblique was in was "close to being concluded" when he brought his fresh application to the court. He also said the occupational psychologist who examined him had not recommended he should immediately resume driving trains. The psychologist also said he should carry out a different role for six-to-nine months to give him an opportunity to build up trust with the company before returning to driving. Update 8.47pm: The Government is being urged to get on with restoring pay equality for new public servants. A report from the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform today says it will cost 200million to close the gap between the 60,000 people who entered the public service since 2011 and their longer-serving colleagues. The new recruits have been earning less and are on lower terms and conditions because of cuts during the recession. The Government has agreed to enter talks with all parties to address the issue. Joanne Irwin, President of the TUI (Teachers' Union of Ireland), says there can't be any delay getting round the table. We welcome that theres to be talks with the unions to negotiate towards pay equality, but were saying those talks need to commence immediately, said Ms Irwin. They have all the figures now, they know the costings, we know the problem, therefore the talks should both commence and conclude immediately. Original story (6.18pm): 200million cost to address public-sector pay inequality, says government report A new government report says it will cost 200million to address pay inequality for new entrants to the public sector. The two-tier pay scale system was introduced as an emergency measure following the financial crash. Unions have long warned that it has led to recruitment and retention difficulties in key sectors including education and nursing. The government has now agreed to enter fresh talks with all parties in a bid to address the issue. Pay cuts meant that from 2011 60,000 new recruits were earning 10% less than their longer-serving colleagues and had reduced allowances. The Association of Secondary Teachers (ASTI) say new entrants to the teaching profession have been getting paid 4,000 less than a 2010 entrant with the same qualifications and experience. ASTI say it's essential talks on pay equalisation begin immediately. Reacting to the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform report, Fianna Fail say the government needs to set out how exactly it intends to restore pay equality for new teachers. The Government has consistently cited that they were awaiting the publication of this report before making any substantive comments on the issue of pay equality for new teachers, said Fianna Fail Spokesperson on Education Thomas Byrne. This report has now been published, its time for the Government to set out how and when it is going to respond to it and to outline and confirm how the entry lower entry pay anomaly is going to be corrected. Update 9.06pm: Mike Pence has told Leo Varadkar his partner, Matthew Barrett, would be welcome in his home next year. Asked about his meeting with Vice President Mike Pence, Mr Varadkar said: "We had a really, really good breakfast this morning with Mike Pence, his wife and his family, got to meet his mother. "His mother really knows Ireland very well. Her father was born in Ireland." The Taoiseach said she is even able to tell the Humpty Dumpty nursery rhyme in the Irish language. He described it as a really nice engagement with the Pence family. "I did privately manage to speak to them about equality and my support for equal rights for women and the LGBT community here in America and also in Ireland," Mr Varadkar said. "They were very well-briefed. They knew about my personal story, they knew that my partner was living in Chicago and they said that both Matt and I would be welcome to visit their home in future, so I thought that was a very nice gesture. "There are so many ifs and maybes, first of all I have to survive another year in my current office and, secondly, Matt is not terribly keen to attend official functions but you never know." Update 6.09pm: Mike Pence has told Leo Varadkar his partner would be welcome in his home next year. Leo Varadkar discussed LGBT rights with the Vice President during a meeting at the White House yesterday. At a breakfast in the Vice President's residence this morning, Pence told the Taoiseach his partner Matt would be welcome to come with him next year. Mr Pence has been an opponent of laws promoting marriage equality in the past. Original story (4.04pm): Taoiseach understood to have raised LGBT issues with US VP Pence By Elaine Loughlin, Political Correspondent In Washington The Taoiseach has had a tete a tete with the US Vice President Mike Pence. Leo Varadkar is understood to have raised LGBT issues with the Vice President. Mr Varadkar met Mr Pence, who is known for his conservative views on marriage equality and other LGBT issues, at a breakfast in Washington this morning. The annual breakfast meeting in the Vice Presidents residence, which is part of the Taoiseachs St Patricks itinerary, was not open to the press this year as has been the case in previous years. Speaking at the breakfast Mr Varadkar referred to Mr Pences Irish Heritage . He said: "I understand that as a child Vice-President Pence could recite the nursery rhyme, Humpty Dumpty in Irish after learning it from his grandfather. I wont embarrass him by asking him how much he remembers. I wont embarrass myself by admitting I only know it in English. "As you know, the Vice-Presidents grandfather, Richard Michael Cawley, was a remarkable man who left Doocastle in Co. Mayo, near Tubbercurry in Co. Sligo, as a young man because his mother had faith he would find a future here. A patriot and a proud family man, he built a new life in Chicago, and raised his children to love both Ireland and the United States. His mothers dream was fulfilled. "Mr Vice-President, you have spoken also of your own visits to Ireland, both as a young man and then later, bringing Karen and your children to Sligo. Not to forget, of course, your visits to your cousins bar in Doonbeg, now in direct competition with your bosss slightly larger establishment across the street, he said in front of invited guests. On trade and the countries' wider relationship, Mer Varadkar added: "Here in the US, over 100,000 Americans work in Irish-owned companies, employing people in every one of the 50 states. Our two countries trade nearly $2bn worth of goods and services every week of the year. "It is clearly in our mutual interests not only to sustain this trade and investment, but to continue to grow it in the years to come. "One of the most meaningful Irish proverbs is Ni neart go chur le cheile, together we are strong. This is as true today as at any other point in our history." During the speech, the Taoiseach invited Mike Pence to visit Ireland. By Ann O'Loughlin The Constitution gives no immunity to parliamentary committees who unjustly attack the personal rights of a citizen as was done to former Rehab CEO Angela Kerins, her lawyer has told the Supreme Court. There is a limit to what an Oireachtas committee can do and the Dail Public Accounts Committee exceeded that by conducting an investigation into the internal business of Rehab and the private matters of Ms Kerins, John Rogers SC said. This case is of such moment because the most fundamental thing we have in the Constitution is the protection of the personal rights of the citizen through this place, he told the seven-judge court. The Oireachtas has failed to ensure protection for citizens in such circumstances and the court is entitled to intervene where that is not provided, he submitted. Otherwise, the citizen has no protection. This case is about a citizen who was invited and encouraged to come before a Dail committee where she was confronted with destructive and defamatory statements and nothing was done to protect her. Arguments by the PAC and State that she was there voluntarily and it was not making findings of fact concerning her were a red herring. Organs of the Oireachtas cannot entirely ignore their remit for the purpose of having a go at someone. The absolute non-amenability to the courts conferred by Article 15.13 of the Constitution on parliamentary speech does not inhibit a citizens right to engage with the High Court when there is an unjust attack on their personal rights, he argued. The Constitution must be read as a whole, there was no reference to Dail committees in Article 15.13 and it did not apply to committees at all, he argued. Counsel was making closing submissions in Ms Kerins appeal over the High Courts rejection of her claim she is entitled to damages and other remedies over her treatment at two PAC hearings in 2014 concerning Rehab. When the four-day appeal ended today, the Chief Justice, Mr Justice Frank Clarke, presiding, said the court was reserving judgment. The one thing agreed is that the case is important and difficult, he said. The appeal raises hugely important issues of constitutional law concerning freedom of speech in the Oireachtas and the personal rights of the citizen. Earlier, Maurice Collins SC, for the State, agreed with Ms Justice Mary Finlay Geoghegan that people may not turn up at Oireachtas Committees as a result of Ms Kerins experience at the PAC. If the work of committees is diminished as a result, that is their own fault but such an outcome was far less unpalatable than the consequences of Ms Kerins winning her appeal, counsel said. The significance of this appeal far transcends its individual facts. The court was being asked to permit sacrifice of the principle of freedom of parliamentary speech, approved by the people in the Constitution, for Ms Kerins personal rights. While the courts impulse to fashion a remedy for Ms Kerins may be strong, the appeal raised particularly important constitutional issues which should be decided at the level of principle unaffected by individual sympathy, he urged. Ms Kerins had provided no evidence she felt obliged to attend the PAC, asking someone to attend or answer questions did not involve an exercise of power and all the Rehab witnesses attended voluntarily, he said. Ms Justice Finlay Geoghegan asked, was the State saying that, when a citizen is going into the lions den, regardless of what is said to and about them, they have no legal redress before the courts. Mr Collins replied a citizen, because of Article 15, has no legal remedy. The whole point of parliamentary privilege is that there is no remedy and it is wrong to say the court must find a way around that. The PACs appeal against the High Courts decision directing it to pay two thirds of Ms Kerins estimated 700,000 costs of the case there, plus the States appeal over an order requiring it to pay its own costs, will be dealt with after the Supreme Court has given judgment. Rugby player Paddy Jackson's life has been "blighted" for almost two years by the rape allegations, his lawyer has said. Brendan Kelly QC described the evidence against the sportsman as "untruthful and inconsistent". Summing up the evidence today, the defence lawyer warned the jury at Belfast Crown Court not to pay attention to the headlines the case has attracted. "We have got this headline of rugby player every day. Rugby rape. But you scratch the surface of this man, Paddy Jackson, you start to see a bit more. You get to see what he is," said Mr Kelly. He added: "The question is, does the quality of this evidence with its untruths and central inconsistencies, does it deserve a conviction of this gravity?" "Twenty months of his (Jackson's) life have been blighted by evidence of this poor quality. Each time evidence was checked, each time evidence came from a video or another source, the complainant's account fell." Mr Kelly told the jury that Jackson had not been obliged to take the stand in his own defence but he chose to do so. "A defendant need play no part in a criminal trial. Some defendants choose to give evidence. In this case Mr Jackson and his co-defendants have all given evidence. No one has hidden. No one has tried to conceal. Everyone has got up, with their good character, and given their account," he said. Referring to Mr Jackson's success on the rugby field, Mr Kelly asked the jury not to hold that against him. "He's not looking for special treatment. That's never been his pitch ever," he said. The lawyer added: "Don't fall into 'is he trying to play the rugby card?' He's not. The fact he played for Ireland - so what?" He referred to CCTV footage outside Ollies nightclub which showed Jackson standing with his hands in his pockets. "The person you look at there is half an hour later turned into a marauding rapist," said Mr Kelly. Mr Kelly reminded the jury about two character witnesses who described Jackson as "placid" and a "likeable lad with no self importance". "We have got this headline of rugby player every day. Rugby rape. But you scratch the surface of this man Paddy Jackson you start to see a bit more. You get to see what he is. I'm not painting him as a saint. You have got to look clearly at the evidence," he said. "We are not seeking any form of special treatment. Look at him. He may well be void of vanity. Look at him." Closing speeches will resume when the court reconvenes on Wednesday. Update 12.21pm: Suggestion Blane McIlroy delivered Stuart Olding's 'lines' is 'complete nonsense', says Paddy Jackson defence Referring to the prosecution case that co-accused Blane McIlroy delivered Olding's "lines" to police about what happened that night Mr Kelly said it was "complete nonsense". "There is no possibility of the theory that's clutched at by the Crown holding any water," he added. Blane McIlroy. He reminded the jury about the woman's comments that she felt humiliated and mortified after the rape. "Is that not something you would feel if what had happened was group sex and you had been identified in the course of it?" he asked. Mr Kelly told the jury that the woman had been "petrified" that her sexual activity with Jackson and Olding would end up on social media. "It was her main concern the morning after and in the days that followed. If it is your main concern why not tell a single friend?" he said. The lawyer said she told her friend Rachel she had been raped in case an "expose" made its way onto social media. "If it did get out on social media, this expose with this well-known rugby player, one of the first persons to find out would be Rachel. "So what do you do if you are trying to derail those rumours? You get in first, as soon as you wake that morning and your first port of call is Rachel," he said. Mr Kelly told the jury that after the woman told her friends she had been raped "she was stuck". Mr Kelly claimed that the police notes in this case were a "shambles". He referred to the alleged victim's omission in her first police interview that Dara Florence had walked in on the sexual activity and was asked by Jackson if she wanted to join in. "It was absolutely vital that from that ABE (Achieving Best Evidence) what was missing was the independent witness walking in. It was the reason for the lie, the reason she was petrified this would end up on social media," said Mr Kelly. He added: "There's real doubt as to when it was that the independent witness and what she had to say was first mentioned to police." He told the jury there was doubt over "when it was, why it was and how it was (the alleged victim) finally told the police 'by the way, someone did come in.'" Stuart Olding (left) and Paddy Jackson. Mr Kelly criticised the way in which the ABE interviews were conducted by police, referring to how inconsistencies in the alleged victim's account were handled. "If you come across significant inconsistencies then you would go back and you might re-interview. For some reason that wasn't done. "It would appear the reason was because that particular rule is something that didn't apply or something which the particular officer was unsure," the lawyer said. He added that there is no forensic evidence linking Jackson to penile rape. Mr Kelly also told the jury that the woman's failure to tell doctors during her initial medical examination that she had performed a sex act on Jackson meant that no swabs were taken from her mouth. The lawyer reminded the jury of the prosecution's suggestion that the four defendants had concocted a story to tell police. "It's some plan these four have contrived to mislead the police, to mislead you. "You decide whether or not the crown have stretched their evidence in that regard," he said. 10.59am: Paddy Jackson defence claims witness to night's sexual activity was 'no enemy or foe' to victim The defence lawyer for rugby player Paddy Jackson has continued his summing up of the case for the jury at Belfast Crown Court today. Jackson, 26, from Belfast's Oakleigh Park denies rape and sexual assault. Stuart Olding, 25, from Ardenlee Street in the city also denies rape. Two other men on trial on charges connected to the alleged assault on June 28, 2016, have also pleaded not guilty. Stuart Olding (left) and Paddy Jackson. Brendan Kelly QC said that there was no sign that the other girls at the party would have done anything other than help the alleged victim if they witnessed a rape. "(The alleged victim) confirmed that the girls had been nice to her downstairs. There was no suggestion made by (the woman) that they would do something other than help a girl of her age in those circumstances," he said. Mr Kelly added: "There was no sign from their behaviour that night that they would do anything other than help her if they witnessed her being raped. The backdrop is not a form of animosity. There was no enemy or foe presented in (witness) Dara Florence." He also said that Dara Florence, who walked in on the woman engaged in sexual activity with Jackson and co-accused Stuart Olding, had no phone at the time. "Dara Florence had no telephone in her hand at the door. There were no pictures being taken at the door," he said. Mr Kelly said that Dara Florence is central to the case. "Dara Florence confirmed from what she could see (the woman) was not distressed. Dara Florence was not stupid. She was articulate. She spoke clearly," said Mr Kelly. He added: "Dara Florence's evidence is extraordinary. In she walked and that was her conclusion." Referring to Ms Florence's evidence that Jackson asked her if she wanted to join in Mr Kelly said: "What did they do to conceal (the rape)?" He added: "When people commit crime they tend to hide, they tend to conceal what they did because they don't want to get caught. "What did these two violent rapists do when she walked in? They invited her to join in. Dara Florence is absolutely central to this case." LGBT rights will be on the agenda as the Taoiseach meets with US Vice President Mike Pence this morning. Leo Varadkar has said he would raise gay rights with the Vice President who has been criticised for his stance on the issue in the past. Mike Pence's views on LGBT rights have been controversial in the past, when he seemed to support conversion therapy, or treatments to try and change someone's sexual orientation. His camp dispute that allegation. Ireland's first openly gay Taoiseach will have breakfast in the VPs residence this morning, and has vowed to raise the issue. Mr Varadkar said: "It's tough to see a country that is built on freedom, built on individual freedom somehow not being a world leader in that space any more." In a break with protocol, Mr Pence's officials have excluded the media from the event, a move with which Mr Varadkar expressed disappointment. He said he would have preferred if the cameras were allowed in to document their comments, but the Taoiseach added: "It allows us maybe to have a frank conversation that's easier to have without the media present." However, he also said it might take pressure off the conversation. The Taoiseach said: "You know I appreciate from the media's point of view you'd like to be there and we would like you to be there too, but it's their decision that it will be closed to media. "It allows us maybe to have a frank conversation that's easier to have without the media present." By Sarah-Jane Murphy Two men who punched a female wheelchair user in the face, kicked her and knocked her to the ground have been jailed. Darren Rowe (22) and Eoin Greene (23) pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to assault causing harm to Mandy Kennedy outside her home at Meadowlands Park, Monkstown, Dublin on November 21, 2017. Sentencing the men, Judge Karen O'Connor said they acted out of a misplaced sense of loyalty to each other, as they were involved in a disagreement with the injured woman's son at the time. She described the attack as gratuitous violence against a vulnerable person in a wheelchair who tried to get away but could not. Garda Brian O'Neill told the court that Ms Kennedy became a wheelchair user after a spinal injury some years ago. On the day of the assault she left her home to go to a local shop when she overheard insults being directed at her by the two defendants. Greene, of Dunedin Terrace, Dun Laoghaire, kicked her legs and taunted her about her wheelchair use while Rowe of Oliver Plunkett Road, Monkstown tried to prevent her from moving away from the two men, Gda O'Brien said. Greene then punched her in the face, and Rowe then delivered a number of blows to her face and upper body. Gda O'Brien said Ms Kennedy was knocked to the ground and an ambulance was called. She was treated for a suspected fractured eye socket in hospital. Ms Kennedy read her victim impact statement to the court and said she had suffered constant headaches, sought the services of a psychologist and endured major anxiety as a result of the attack. She told the court that she had to leave her family home and be rehoused in the aftermath of the assault. Judge O'Connor said she noted that both men had significant drug addictions and were both very young men. She gave the two men credit for the guilty pleas and their supportive families who were present in court. The judge noted that Rowe had suffered very significant bereavements in his life. The court heard Rowe has 26 previous convictions, while Greene has 34 convictions. She said Ms Kennedy was not seriously injured but she incurred significant psychological and emotional suffering. It seems you acted out of a misplaced sense of loyalty to each other, she told the defendants. Judge O'Connor said that they should have simply walked away rather than choosing to attack Ms Kennedy. She sentenced Rowe to three and a half years in prison with the final 12 months suspended, and his co-accused, Greene to two and a half years in prison. The British Government will not have time to introduce invisible customs arrangements on the Irish border before Brexit, an influential group of MPs there warned. Withdrawal is due in just over a year and the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee said the UK may need to remain in or parallel to the Customs Union and Single Market throughout the two-year transition period. British Parliamentarians urged their Government to do more to clarify the rules, processes and technical measures that will allow the current frictionless North/South arrangements to continue. They said ministers should develop an innovative system capable of delivering customs compliance without "ineffective and unworkable" physical infrastructure. The committee inquiry failed to find a technical solution capable of avoiding a hard border anywhere else in the world. British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson had suggested crossings of the frontier could be monitored by technology like travel between London boroughs. Committee chairman Dr Andrew Murrison said: "It is now clear that a significant transition period is essential for the options in December's Joint Report (EU-UK) to be worked through. "It is equally clear that regulatory and tariff alignment will be required during transition to avoid any hardening of the border before a definitive low-friction solution can be determined." The committee report, representing Conservatives, Democratic Unionists and Labour, said the negotiating timeline made it "challenging" to expect full implementation of a new non-visible customs regime by March next year. It added: "We have seen no evidence to suggest that, right now, an invisible border is possible." The Committee heard "numerous" proposals for how the UK and the EU could ensure customs compliance without physical infrastructure, including mobile patrols, data sharing and enforcement measures away from the border. "However, we have had no visibility of any technical solutions, anywhere in the world, beyond the aspirational, that would remove the need for physical infrastructure at the border. "We recommend the Government bring forward detailed proposals, without further delay, that set out how it will maintain an open and invisible border. "These proposals should provide detail about how customs compliance will be enforced if there is regulatory and tariff divergence between the UK and Ireland." It said Government should conduct an impact assessment for the Irish border each time regulatory or tariff divergence from the EU was proposed and regulatory exemptions may be sought. The report rejected any proposals for a customs border between Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK. "This would create a costly barrier to trade with Northern Ireland's largest market and would be incompatible with the spirit and intent of the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement." It also found: - Leaving the EU without a substantial agreement would have very negative consequences for avoiding a hard border. - The British Government should set out in detail how it proposes to manage immigration through internal controls, including whether there will be increased documentary checks to determine entitlement for residency and to access public services. - Ministers should clarify how the Common Travel Area (CTA) protects the special status of British and Irish citizens in each other's countries and potentially create new legal safeguards. - The British Government should detail its proposals for cross-border projects such as the Peace programme which supports community development. - PA Update 7pm: The death of a prominent Russian exile on British soil is now being treated as murder, Scotland Yard has announced.. UK police have said a post-mortem examination found that Mr Nikolay Glushkov's cause of death was "compression to the neck". The businessman was a close friend of Vladimir Putin critic Boris Berezovsky. The Met added: "At this stage there is nothing to suggest any link to the attempted murders in Salisbury, nor any evidence that he was poisoned." Tests show Russian businessman Nikolay Glushkov died from "compression to the neck" in #NewMalden. It's not being linked to the #SalisburyPoisoning #CapitalReports pic.twitter.com/FcZoVylFY4 Capital London News (@CapitalLONnews) March 16, 2018 Police were called on Monday evening after Mr Glushkov, a Russian national, was found dead at his home in Clarence Avenue, New Malden, south west London. Scotland Yard said its Counter-Terrorism Command is leading the murder investigation "because of the associations Mr Glushkov is believed to have had". Mr Glushkov, a retired financial director, had lived at the New Malden address for two years. Kate Fitzsimmons, who lives opposite Mr Glushkov, said she had never spoken to him but he would wave at her from across the road. Asked if he seemed friendly, the 87-year-old said: "I thought so. I thought he was just an ordinary friendly Englishman really. I didn't know he was Russian." She said it was "very sad" that a murder investigation had been launched, adding: "Well there's nothing one can do about it is there, really?" Ms Fitzsimmons spoke of her shock at returning to her home early on Tuesday morning to all the police activity. She said: "(It was) a great big shock, yes, I was really very shocked actually. "I'm a nurse, I don't get shocked easily, but it did you know sort of shock me and I was at a meeting at the church until half past ten two nights ago and they walked me home, which was kind of them." - Press Association Undated Metropolitan Police handout photo of Nikolay Glushkov. Earlier: The death of a prominent Kremlin critic on British soil is now being treated as murder, Scotland Yard has announced. Russian exile Nikolay Glushkov, 68, was found dead at his home in Clarence Avenue, New Malden, south-west London on Monday. The Metropolitan Police were called to the scene at 10.46 pm and initially said the death was being treated as unexplained. But a post-mortem investigation, which began on Thursday, concluded he was killed by compression to the neck, the force said. Despite chilling parallels with the attempted poisoning of former Russian double agent Sergei Skripal and his daughter barely a week earlier, detectives said at this stage there was nothing to link the two attacks. There was also no evidence that the businessman was poisoned, the force said. A murder investigation has been launched, led by the counter-terrorism command, who will retain primacy "because of the associations Mr Glushkov is believed to have had", the Met said. Mr Glushkov was outspoken after the death of his close friend Boris Berezovsky - another enemy of Russian President Vladimir Putin. Mr Berezovsky was a friend of murdered spy Alexander Litvinenko and a thorn in the side of the Russian regime. He was found hanged in the bathroom of his Berkshire home in 2013. An inquest recorded an open verdict. Mr Glushkov told the Guardian in 2013 he would "never believe" he took his own life. He was a retired financial director who had lived at his address for two years, Scotland Yard said on Friday. The force said: "Detectives are retaining an open mind and are appealing for any information that will assist the investigation into Mr Glushkov's murder to contact them in confidence on 0800 789 321. "In particular they are appealing for anyone who may have seen or heard anything suspicious at or near his home in Clarence Avenue, New Malden between Sunday March 11 and Monday March 12 to contact them. "There are no wider public health concerns in relation to this investigation." Update 12.37am: Four people have been found dead in the rubble of a collapsed pedestrian bridge in south Florida, the Miami-Dade County fire chief has said. Dave Downey said at a news briefing that the four people had been found at the scene by first responders. He also said nine victims were removed "early on" and taken to hospitals. He did not elaborate on their conditions. He said "search and rescue mode" would be continuing after nightfall. Donald Trump said the Florida International University (FIU) bridge collapse was "heartbreaking" and "so tragic". The US president tweeted: "Many brave First Responders rushed in to save lives. Thank you for your courage. Praying this evening for all who are affected." Miami-Dade Fire Rescue Department posted a picture on Twitter of crew members working at the site of the collapsed bridge. Earlier, Division Chief Paul Estopinan said at a news conference that rescuers were continuing to search the rubble for people who may still be trapped underneath. Update 10.44pm: Up to ten people have died after a new pedestrian bridge collapsed onto a road in Miami, crushing at least five vehicles under massive slabs. Between six to 10 people are believed to have been killed. "Several people were killed. I just don't know how many," said a Florida Highway Patrol spokesman. Eight vehicles were trapped in the wreckage. Earlier: 'Several fatalities' after pedestrian bridge collapses in Florida, officials say Update 7.55pm: A new pedestrian bridge collapsed onto a road at a Miami-area college, crushing at least five vehicles under massive slabs and killing several people, authorities said. Several people were seen being loaded into ambulances and authorities launched search and rescue missions. Florida Highway Patrol Lieutenant Alejandro Camacho told CBS News that there were "several fatalities". Miami-Dade Fire Rescue tweeted that "multiple" people were injured when the Florida International University bridge collapsed. #MDFRUpdate: There are multiple patients injured. Were working on confirming numbers. Please continue to follow us on Twitter for updates. https://t.co/FVjUJndqYH Miami-Dade Fire Rescue (@MiamiDadeFire) March 15, 2018 Authorities said they were working on confirming the numbers. The bridge was still under construction and expected to open to foot traffic next year. "We are shocked and saddened about the tragic events unfolding at the FIU-Sweetwater pedestrian bridge. At this time we are still involved in rescue efforts and gathering information," the statement said. The 14.2 million US dollars bridge crossed over a busy seven-lane highway that divided the university's campus from the city of Sweetwater. The 950-ton span was installed on Saturday to great fanfare. The main part of the 174-foot span was assembled by the side of the road and had to be moved into place. The "accelerated bridge construction" method was supposed to reduce risks to workers and pedestrians and minimise traffic disruption, the university said. "FIU is about building bridges and student safety. This project accomplishes our mission beautifully," FIU President Mark B. Rosenberg said in the statement on Saturday. The National Transportation Safety Board sent investigators to the scene. Governor Rick Scott tweeted that he was heading there as well. "I will be in constant communication with law enforcement throughout the day," the governor said. Im on my way to Florida International University to be briefed by local law enforcement and university officials. pic.twitter.com/4RyoeELh9m Rick Scott (@SenRickScott) March 15, 2018 MCM, the Miami-based construction management firm that won the bridge contract, took its website down on Thursday. But an archived version of the website featured a news release touting the project. "This our first Design-Build with FIGG Bridge Engineers, a nationally acclaimed, award-winning firm based out of Tallahassee. FIGG has designed iconic bridges all over the country, including Boston's famous Leonard P. Zakim Bridge and Florida's Sunshine Skyway Bridge." MCM said on Twitter that it was "a family business and we are all devastated and doing everything we can to assist. "We will conduct a full investigation to determine exactly what went wrong and will cooperate with investigators on scene in every way." A message left at FIGG's office in Tallahassee was not immediately returned. Florida International University is the second-largest university in the state, with 55,000 students. Most of its students live off-campus and they were on spring break when the collapse happened. The bridge was supposed to be a safe way to cross a busy street and a plaza-like public space with seating where people could gather. In August 2017, a university student was killed crossing the road that the bridge was supposed to span. Florida International University is also home to the National Hurricane Centre. Earlier: Several people injured after pedestrian bridge collapses in Florida, officials say Update 7pm: A newly-installed pedestrian bridge has collapsed at Florida International University in the Miami area. According to officials, several people have been injured and local media is reporting that there may be a number of fatalities. There are also at least five vehicles trapped under the collapsed structure. The 950-ton span fell this afternoon at the US university's main Miami-area campus. The main part of the 174-foot span was assembled by the side of the road while support towers were built at either end. The $14.2 m bridge was only installed on Saturday. Video showed fire engines, police and other emergency vehicles at the scene. Emergency crews respond to collapsed pedestrian bridge at Florida International University in Miami, FL. Several people were killed, officials say. https://t.co/3kekuhxuF7 pic.twitter.com/hYupV1ctDK ABC News (@ABC) March 15, 2018 More information to follow... - Press Association and Digital Desk Update - 1.52pm: Russia's ambassador to the UK Alexander Yakovenko quoted foreign minister Sergey Lavrov as saying Britain's "failure to co-operate" on the Skripal case was a "major violation of the chemical weapons convention". "The situation will rest on the conscience of those who started this reckless gamble," Mr Lavrov added. Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov said: "Russia is not guilty, Russia is ready to co-operate in line with the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons convention if the United Kingdom gets round to - and deigns to - fulfilling its international legal obligations in line with the document." 12.32pm: Nato and Poland back UK as Russia claims 'anti-Russian campaign' around spy poisoning Russia's ambassador in London Alexander Yakovenko suggested that the British Government was making allegations against Moscow as part of an "anti-Russian campaign" to divert attention from Brexit. Mr Yakovenko told RT television: "In order to divert attention from Brexit, the UK has to present something to the public to move (the focus) a little bit to the other side." The poisoning of Sergei and Yulia Skripal provided the UK authorities with a "possibility to launch this anti-Russian campaign," said Mr Yakovenko, adding: "This is a scenario that was written in London but it's a short-sighted scenario because, in the long run, Britain will have to explain what is behind all these things in Salisbury." He added: "Nobody saw even the pictures of these people in a hospital, whether they are alive or maybe they are in good health. Nobody talked to the doctors. There is absolutely no transparency in the case. "We want to clarify all the questions behind this provocation." In a separate interview with Rossiya 24 TV, Mr Yakovenko said that Russia would exert maximum pressure on the UK over the situation. Nato's secretary general has voiced the strong support of the military alliance's 29 members for the UK in the current row with Russia over the Salisbury poisoning. Jens Stoltenberg was speaking a day after National Security Adviser Sir Mark Sedwill briefed Nato states at the North Atlantic Council in Brussels on the UK's intelligence case for viewing Russia as responsible for the attack on Sergei Skripal. Mr Stoltenberg told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "We have no reason to doubt the findings and assessments made by the British Government." And he added: "The Nato allies express strong political support for the UK. The UK is not alone. All allies stand in solidarity with the UK." Mr Stoltenberg said: "I am absolutely certain that Russia has underestimated the resolve and unity of Nato allies." Polish foreign minister Jacek Czaputowicz said: "We are sure that it is Russian state which is involved in this attempt. It is certain." The foreign minister said: "As far as sanctions are concerned Poland would support such action. "I think the international community has to mobilise around this case in order to demonstrate to Russia decisiveness and there is no acceptance to the breach of international law." 7.26am: Vladimir Putin expected 'softer' reaction to poisoning, says former Georgian president Former Georgian president Mikheil Saakashvili has suggested that Russia attempted to assassinate a spy in the UK because Vladimir Putin expected the reaction would be "softer" than other nations. Mr Saakashvili suggested a similar move would not have been made in the US as it may have triggered "unpredictable reactions" from president Donald Trump. Speaking to Sky News, the avowed enemy of Mr Putin said wealthy Russians had an established foothold in London and "nobody would risk long-term damage to relations because there are too much powerful interests inside UK at play". He said: "I think that for some reason Russia believed that the UK would be softer on Russia than, say, the United States. "I don't imagine him doing the same now on Trump's America, because that might trigger unpredictable reactions from Trump. Mikheil Saakashvili last year. "For some reason he believes there will not be the same reaction from the UK long term." Mr Saakashvili said British Prime Minister Theresa May's swift and no-nonsense response had made her appear "as someone strong and resolute". However Mr Putin has long seen indifference to his transgressions from the West and has been emboldened as a result, he said. "The guy has been evolving and evolving in a worse direction and he has been moving his red lines all the time." "Moving the red line, crossing it and moving it again. He has been warning about moving it, hearing his own voice, seeing the lack of reaction from the West and moving it further." Mr Saakashvili was president of Georgia from 2004-13, during which time the country suffered a brief conflict with Russia in 2008. He left the former Soviet republic when his presidency ended and eventually went to Ukraine, where he was appointed governor of the Odessa region. In January he was sentenced in absentia to three years in prison for abusing his power in pardoning four policemen convicted of killing a banker. He is currently living in exile in the Netherlands. - PA North Korea's foreign minister has briefly met Sweden's prime minister during a surprise trip to Stockholm that has fuelled speculation about a possible meeting between Donald Trump and Kim Jong Un. The US president has agreed to meet Mr Kim by May. So far, North Korea has yet to publicly comment on what it hopes to gain from the talks. Sweden has been rumoured as a possible site for the summit between the two men, although a truce village on the South Korean side of the Demilitarised Zone between the Koreas is seen as more likely. North Korean foreign minister Ri Yong Ho landed in Stockholm on a flight from Beijing late on Thursday and held talks with Swedish counterpart Margot Wallstrom before returning to the North Korean embassy. He is expected to meet her again on Friday. Before doing so, Mr Ri held what was thought to be a courtesy call with prime minister Stefan Lofven at government headquarters. Details about their talks were not revealed as Mr Ri's visit to Stockholm, where he once served as a diplomat at the North Korean embassy, is shrouded in secrecy. The Swedish foreign ministry said talks "will focus on Sweden's consular responsibilities as a protecting power for the United States, Canada and Australia", but will also address the security situation on the Korean peninsula". It added that a statement summarising the talks will be made available after Mr Ri's talks with Ms Wallstrom. "It is evident that the whole world is following the situation on the Korean peninsula. It is important for everyone's security," she said in her first comments since Mr Ri landed in Stockholm. "But we are not naive in believing we can solve the world's problems. It is up to the parties to decide which way we are going." Sweden has had diplomatic relations with North Korea since 1973 and is one of the few Western countries with an embassy in Pyongyang. It provides consular services for the US in North Korea. The trip by Mr Ri is being closely watched because a huge amount of preparation needs to be done in relatively little time before a theoretical Trump-Kim summit - if it is to happen by May. Senior South Korean officials who travelled to North Korean capital Pyongyang earlier this month and met Mr Kim say he is willing to discuss the North's nuclear weapons programme. It could suggest a potential breakthrough, or a fallback to the North's long-standing position that it is willing to get rid of its nuclear weapons if the US guarantees its safety. In the past, that has meant Washington would have to withdraw all of its troops from South Korea, a condition no US president has been willing to consider. All seven service members aboard a US helicopter that crashed in Iraq were killed, the Pentagon has said. US officials said seven people were on board when the aircraft crashed in western Iraq on Thursday. The crash did not appear to be the result of enemy activity and is under investigation, the Pentagon said. US Army Brigadier General Jonathan P Braga, director of operations in the fight against Islamic State in Iraq and Syria, said: "This tragedy reminds us of the risks our men and women face every day in service of our nations. We are thinking of the loved ones of these service members today." The helicopter was used by the US Air Force for combat search and rescue, and went down near the town of Qaim in Anbar province. The Pentagon said an accompanying US helicopter immediately reported the crash and a quick-reaction force comprised of Iraqi security forces and coalition members secured the scene. The names of those killed will be released after next of kin have been notified, the statement added. The US-led coalition battling IS has an outpost in Qaim, which is near the Syrian border. The anti-IS campaign accelerated through much of last year as coalition and Iraqi forces battled to take back a string of cities and towns. Prime minister Haider al-Abadi declared victory over IS in Mosul in July. In the following months, Iraqi forces retook a handful of other IS-held towns including Tal Afar in August, Hawija in September and Qaim in October. In November, Iraqi forces retook the last Iraq town held by IS - Rawah, near the border with Syria. The US-led coalition has continued to work with Iraq and Syrian Democratic Forces to shore up the border region to make sure foreign fighters and insurgents cannot move freely across the region. Ahmed Hassan described himself to jurors as a shy, studious teenager who smuggled himself across Europe in search of a better life, with dreams of becoming the next Sir David Attenborough. The budding wildlife photographer said he was no terrorist, but that a long, boring summer in Britain last year had led him to develop a fantasy of becoming a fugitive. The device he admitted researching, making and leaving on a Tube train was really a cry for attention and was never meant to cause harm, he told the Old Bailey. But the prosecution said the death of his father in his native Iraq 12 years earlier left him feeling vengeful against Britain, and wracked with guilt that he had found a "safe haven" here. Speaking in a quiet voice with a bowed head, Hassan, small and slight in frame, said he was born in Iraq's capital Baghdad in June 1999. He was too young to remember his mother, but had been told his father was killed in an explosion. Hassan told the court he did not harbour anger against the West, but his trial heard from a charity worker who said he blamed American bombings, and his college mentor who said he held Britain responsible for his parents' deaths. He had moved to a "wealthy, safe" area in Kurdistan, northern Iraq, with his older brother and uncle when he was aged 12, he said. After a journey from Iraq to Turkey, through Italy and France's Calais Jungle migrant camp, Hassan arrived in Britain on the back of a lorry in 2015, the trial heard. Fears that he would not be granted asylum in the UK caused him to make up a story for Home Office officials about being trained "to kill" by the Islamic State group, he said. But his insistence to the court that he had no association with the violent group conflicted with earlier evidence from a college lecturer who alerted the anti-terror Prevent team after seeing a message on his phone saying "IS has accepted your donation" in 2016. Another lecturer said Hassan's placement with foster parents Ron and Penny Jones that year had "invigorated" a boy she thought seemed "traumatised" when he first arrived at Brooklands College in Weybridge, Surrey. The Jones', of Sunbury, who were made MBEs by the Queen at Buckingham Palace in 2010 for services to children and families, did not give evidence at the trial. Hassan described himself as religious, praying five times a day, and "very clever". His student of the year award at college in Britain followed six years in a row as a top pupil back in his home country, he said, adding that he is continuing his studies in prison. But the court heard that the teenager was secretive, had self-harmed and contemplated suicide. One of the Jones' former foster children said Hassan did not really speak about his friends but was "constantly on the phone to them". He added: "It was impossible for anybody to know about his life because he was so private." He had once gone to Wales to visit "a friend" but told no-one where he was going. Hassan explained the huge volume of calls he took daily were down to his sideline business selling phones on Gumtree, earning him around 100 a week. The period leading up to the September 15 attack last year had been full of boredom, Hassan said, telling how he felt stressed and confused. He spent hours watching action movies and documentaries on fugitives, fuelling a fantasy idea that became appealing to him. While he said he did not have a plan, he headed for Dover after leaving the device on the Tube, and said he ultimately wanted to end up back in Iraq. He denied being disappointed when he checked the headlines during his attempted getaway and saw that the bomb had not fully exploded. Standing in the witness box at the Old Bailey as the jury looked on, he spoke of his regret at his actions, saying he wished he could turn back time. A solicitor has denied arranging for his daughter to be subjected to female genital mutilation (FGM) as a punishment for taking money from a piggy bank. The man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, is accused of overseeing the cutting of his eldest daughter on two occasions when she was aged between eight and 12. The Old Bailey heard the girl had written a suicide note when she was around 11 years old. The 50-year-old, of south London, is also accused of cruelty to the same daughter, as well as two younger children - a boy and girl. He is said to have hit his children with sticks and called them names. The defendant, originally from west Africa, denied such behaviour, saying: "All my children, the boy and the girls, they are loved equally." He added: "I have never used any implement on any of my children. I have never used my hand to hit them." He explained that he has in the past been mistaken for being angry when he had in fact just become animated and loud due to his cultural background. Giving evidence, he said: "It's normal for me, you know, I spent a lot of my life in (Africa). "Over here they would say 'dad, you're shouting'. But I don't see myself as shouting. I'm not angry. For me I am not shouting. That's the way I speak." Kate Bex QC, defending, asked him about an incident when money had apparently gone missing from the family home. She said: "Did you ever threaten to have her (your eldest daughter) cut in her genitalia as a punishment for taking that money?" He answered that he would not have made such a threat, adding: "I never." In cross-examination by Mark Heywood QC, the defendant was asked about his attitude to the practice of FGM. He said: "I do not agree with it because it's hurting. It's unfair, it's an invasion of privacy. It's wrong." The man said he and his ex-wife, the mother of his children, had a volatile relationship. He said they often argued and claimed his wife had been violent, once biting his finger while the children were present. He said he believed she had hit the children, although he accepted he had never seen her hurt them. He had been subjected to constant threats throughout their marriage, he said, including that his wife would divorce him and would accuse him of being abusive towards her and the children. He told the jury: "She has threatened me all through our relationship." He added: "It's an abomination where I come from and in England when a man abuses his children." But Mr Heywood accused the man of lying saying: "Your wife never hit the children, did she? And your tale of that was dreamt up by you when you were spoken to by the police in relation to these allegations (last year). "The reason you are struggling, I suggest, to produce a single shred of evidence that your wife is responsible for beating the children is because there isn't any. It's not true." The defendant faces two counts of FGM between May 31 2009 and June 1 2013, and two alternative counts of wounding with intent. He also faces three charges of cruelty - one each against the same daughter and two of his other children across a seven-year period until 2016. He denies all the charges. The trial has been adjourned until Monday. Tens of thousands of anti-government protesters have rallied across Slovakia to demand an early election to resolve a political crisis set off by the killings of an investigative journalist and his fiancee. Protesters took to the streets for the third straight Friday despite the resignation of prime minister Robert Fico and his government on Thursday. UK investigators raided the London home of a former investment banker to look for evidence connected with a bribery investigation into mining giant Rio Tinto Group, according to two people with knowledge of the matter. The Serious Fraud Office led the raid on Francois de Combret's home late last year, said the people, who asked not to be named because the details of the probe aren't public. Mr de Combret, a French national, is a suspect in the agency's investigation into whether Rio Tinto paid bribes to help secure its Simandou iron-ore deposit in Guinea, the people said. The UK's Serious Fraud Office is investigating whether Rio Tinto paid bribes to help secure its Simandou iron-ore deposit in Guinea. In 2011, Mr de Combret, an old university friend of Guinean President Alpha Conde, helped Rio Tinto negotiate with the government when it risked losing rights to the multibillion-dollar Simandou iron-ore project. Rio Tinto said it made payments totaling $US10.5 million to the former banker for the work. Mr de Combret, 76, declined to comment when contacted by Bloomberg News. Officials at the SFO and Rio Tinto also declined to comment. A return to the price war that delivered consumers cheap groceries but damaged supermarket profits will become less likely if Wesfarmers spins Coles off into a new business. The plan to separate Coles was announced on Friday and was immediately welcomed by investors who sent Wesfarmers shares up 6.3 per cent to close up $2.60 at $43.80 - the stock's biggest one day jump since October 2009. Woolworths also rose on the news, closing up 1.25 per cent Wesfarmers wants to spin Coles off as a separate business. Credit:Eddie Jim As well as improving supermarket profits investors are betting as it will give shareholders greater exposure to Wesfarmers' star Bunnings business in Australia and New Zealand. Credit Suisse analyst Grant Saligari said Coles being detached from Wesfarmers made it less likely Coles and Woolworths would return to the damaging price war that kicked off in 2011 and savaged both their earnings. Listed agribusiness house Webster looks to have well timed its $16.8 million purchase of a Riverina almond farm, with global supply constraints expected to push up depressed prices for the popular nut and ultimately orchard valuations. Almond prices look set to rise. Credit:Carla Gottgens The sliver of good news for the local industry means the opposite for growers in California, who account for 80 per cent of the global almond trade and have just recovered from a debilitating multi-year drought. Coupled with an outbreak of frost, another dry winter and poor snowfall again threaten the states crop. At the same time local growing conditions have been mostly benign in the Riverina, where most of Australias almonds are grown. Boy, those Europeans really do appreciate their holidays! So much so that one small business owner got fined 3000 euro ($4744) for not taking one. In France, everyone is required to take a day off per week. Even if you run your own business. That lesson was learned the hard way by Cedric Vaivre, who owns a bakery in the tourist region of Lake Bakey in Lusigny-sur-Barse, which is about 120 miles south-east of Paris. Bakeries, which are known to push their employees to work at all hours of the night, are particularly under scrutiny in France. To meet the demands of the summer season, Vaivre made fresh croissants and baguettes seven days a week. However, local labour laws state that small businesses can only work six out of seven days maximum. The laws are there to protect workers from exploitation and that's fair enough. In fact, bakeries, which are known to push their employees to work at all hours of the night, are particularly under scrutiny in France. But what about the owners? Can't they choose to work seven days in a row if they want to? Apparently not. MY NEIGHBOUR TOTORO (86 minutes) G While their mother is in hospital, two little girls distract themselves by exploring the countryside around their new home and finding some new, magical friends. Hayao Miyazaki's beautifully simple 1988 animated fantasy combines realistic observation with just a touch of the bizarre; like any genuine children's classic, it speaks to viewers of every age. Digitally projected. QV Outdoor Cinema, Sun Mar 18, 8.30pm. Donnie Darko is a blend of zaniness and apocalyptic gloom. GENTLEMEN PREFER BLONDES (91 minutes) PG Marilyn Monroe and Jane Russell play all-American girls bent on getting the most from their menfolk in Howard Hawks' 1953 musical version of Anita Loos' novel. Monroe has the role of her career as the innocent yet savvy Lorelei Lee, and for Hawks the great filmmaker of camaraderie both sex and money ultimately come second to female friendship. Digitally projected. Astor, Sun Mar 18, 7pm. Double bill with The Seven Year Itch. Rather we're condemned to endure yet more cannily ingratiating hits from the 27-year-old guitar-wielding troubadour, enjoying them in secret if we must, because Sheeran can dominate stadiums with such charm it's almost offensive. Not just because Ed Sheeran is filling stadiums as the biggest male solo act in the world, although there are moments you wonder if this really is the best we've got. Old big Ed still seems like a decent bloke. Credit:Christopher Pearce For someone who's worked with Beyonce, Taylor Swift and Justin Bieber, he still seems like a good guy to have a pint with. Sheeran also has no right to be as entertaining as his two-hour set proved. With an acoustic guitar over his shoulder and a loop station at his feet, leaving him largely stuck in place while screens flash behind him, he builds each song piece by piece. After bounding on stage Sheeran bounced into Castle on the Hill, an ode to mates and road trips and singing along to Elton John. This mix of real-life poignancy and Almost Famous whimsy is familiar ore from the well-explored mines of Snow Patrol, Springsteen and U2, but if there's any shame in that Sheeran won't show it. Breakthrough single The A Team was also prominent early, giving him a moment to reflect on how he was playing to a room of about 60 before the song took off in Australia and snowballed into a worldwide hit. Sheeran also thought back to the torrential downpour during his 2015 visit: "I thought it added to the show. I really enjoyed it." GAMES FLORENCE, IOS A Melbourne-made love story that conveys feelings of infatuation and familiarity better than most, Florence is an animated short with an interactive twist. Florence Yeoh is a 20-something stuck in a monochrome routine, but when she runs into cellist Krish and falls immediately in love, her entire perception of the world changes. It's a brief story, and while it's not the most original tale of love and loss, it is wonderfully told. The wordless action and stellar musical backing reminds of an artsy short film, but allegorical mini-games add a dimension to each scene you couldn't replicate in a non-interactive medium. Whether you're completing speech-bubble jigsaws as Florence fumbles for words, or deciding how to be fair about fitting two people's possessions into a single home, the cute games bring the player closer to the story, and paired with the sketchy art and evocative music, they make for a breathtaking and emotionally affirming experience. FREE-TO-AIR THE TRIP, MARCH 21, ABC, 9.30PM The third series starring Steve Coogan and Rob Brydon as (we hope) heightened versions of themselves, eating gourmet food in exotic locales, this time sees the duo travelling to Spain to help Coogan publicise a film in which he stars as a chef. Again directed by Michael Winterbottom, it is of course, more of the same - food porn from real-life restaurants, Coogan and Brydon bouncing off each other in usually brilliant, often improvised exercises in one-upmanship, celebrity impersonations (a highlight this time round is Coogan's hilarious Mick Jagger impersonation) and the pair's respective existential crises, beautifully underscored by Coogan's self-loathing. Among the endless banter, Winterbottom's cinematography is better than any travelogue you'll see of Spain, and the food is as magnificent as the bittersweet humour. It's hard not to sense that some of the mid-life crisis jokes between the two come from a real place. Gillian Jacobs and Paul Rust star in the Netflix series Love. Credit:Suzanne Hanover / Netflix DVD TEENAGE COCKTAIL (Eagle) MA Over the years, the formula for exploitation cinema hasn't much changed: find a hot-button issue that can be used as an alibi for the goal of titillation. At least on the surface, that's the strategy of John Carchietta's Teenage Cocktail, a reworking of a script originally written by Chris Sivertson, probably best-known for the outrageous Lindsay Lohan thriller I Know Who Killed Me. The story involves a couple of disaffected teenagers (Fabienne Therese and Michelle Borth) who dream of escaping their boring small town. To raise the money, they become "camgirls", striking sexy poses for the benefit of anonymous punters on the internet. The cunning of this premise is that it implies that the notion of "exploitation" can be viewed from more than one angle meaning that we too, as viewers, are forced to reflect on where we stand. Even as the plot becomes increasingly lurid, the performances remain charged with a degree of complexity and ambiguity, especially when it comes to the relationship between the heroines, which is more than a friendship though not quite a full-blown romance. STREAMING LOVE SEASON 3, NETFLIX, ENTIRE SEASON AVAILABLE NOW By the end of season two of Judd Apatow's indie romantic comedy series (also branded part of the 'sadcom' genre of comedies making light of sorrow and misfortune), former sex and alcohol addict Mickey (Gillian Jacobs) and geeky actors' tutor Gus (Paul Rust, who also co-writes) decided to commit to each other, and finally seemed to be a good, if unlikely, couple. They're still in their honeymoon phase at the beginning of this 12-part, final season, the early doubts and demons seemingly behind them, but by the halfway point they're facing new insecurities. The strength of Love has always been its unique perspective on dating, and this final season is especially unusual. As before, the supporting roles and storylines this season are as engaging as the main narrative - Australian Claudia O'Doherty remains a highlight as Mickey's flatmate Bertie. Let's hope Apatow gives her a spin-off series. The interactive love story, Florence. Emergency services have described their "absolute euphoria" at finding birdwatcher Peter Morris in Namadgi National Park early Friday after he spent two nights in bushland. The 56-year-old was spotted on the Mt Tennant summit trail Friday morning after venturing into the park Wednesday afternoon. Mr Morris's partner had alerted police to his disappearance that night, with a multi-agency search kicking off about 12.30am Thursday. ACT Policing's David Bell said emergency services were "quite concerned" for his welfare when the search started again on Friday. "We were fortunate enough to get a tip-off from a member of the public [Thursday] night who gave us an area where he might possibly be," Sergeant Bell said. The Australian Museum has asked the NSW government to fund a new $55 million exhibition space large enough to host international blockbusters that it often loses to Brisbane and Melbourne museums. The plan - part of a revised masterplan designed to generate immediate returns to the state - would lift visitor numbers to a million a year by 2020 and generate $1.55 in revenue on every dollar spent, says a cost-benefit analysis by consultants Deloitte Australia in Sydney. Museum director Kim McKay will seek cabinet approval for the $55 million project (except for $7 million from private donors) that would add an exhibition space of 1800 square metres that is big enough to host valuable blockbuster exhibitions like Tutankhamun. Established in 1827, the Australian Museum is the country's first public museum, with more than 100 scientists, but its floor space is a fraction of similar institutions around Australia and in the region. Wine industry stalwart Ian Laurie Hickinbotham, who has died at the age of 88, is credited with many innovations in Australian winemaking. He claimed to be the first Australian to deliberately induce and understand the role of the malolactic fermentation, which at the time was thought not to occur in Australian wines. (He challenged Pasteur's teachings about bacteria). Ian Hickinbotham. Credit:Tina Haynes He was the first winemaker at Wynn's Coonawarra Estate, in 1952. Wynn's had bought the property late into the winter and Ian's first challenge was to get the vines pruned with minimal damage to the shooting buds. He contacted Roseworthy Agricultural College and four students arrived to help out. Friend and fellow winemaker John Vickery reminisced at Ian's funeral that one night after a heavy day pruning the young men drove a utility into Mount Gambier, where Ian's future wife, Judith, resided at the nurse's quarters. A great night was had but on the way home, Ian was stopped by the local police. "We're looking for lost sheep," the officer informed Ian. From beneath a tarpaulin lying in the back of the ute came the sound baaa, baaa. The officer was not impressed, and waved the fellows on. A unit in Sydney's inner west that was found filled with guns and drugs was "el cheapo", would not be described as "fabulous" and was at the bottom of the market, a court has heard. Real estate agent Christopher Polley, 24, leased the Concord unit to a man in July 2016, two months before it was raided by police who seized firearms, drugs and other "contraband" from the property, which they allege was used as a "safe house". Estate agent Christopher Polley on Thursday Credit:AAP When police spoke to Mr Polley to find out who the tenant at the property had been, he allegedly gave a false statement to officers by telling them the man was called Grant Barnes and he had checked his licence when the lease was signed, then never saw him again. In a second statement, he said he had seen Mr Barnes twice more, to collect rent from him. Five people have been charged with attempted murder after a Brisbane man was allegedly pushed off his inner-city apartment balcony over a drug debt. Mitchell James King, 22, suffered a long list of injuries including a broken jaw and two broken arms in the alleged attack in Bowen Hills on February 24. The apartments on Constance Street from which the man fell three stories to the footpath below. Credit:Google Three men are accused of forcing their way into the victims apartment on Constance Street about 2.45pm, before chasing him out to the balcony at the back of the third-storey unit and pushing him over the railing. All five defendants were due before the Brisbane Magistrates Court on Friday on attempted murder counts and other charges related to the incident. Ahead of a tsunami of population growth hitting south-east Queensland, the region's mayors are trying to get one step ahead, be efficient and plan and deliver infrastructure. The race is on for councils to use technology and increasingly available public data to get ahead of the projected growth. South-east Queensland councils are trying to efficiently plan cities ahead of population growth. Credit:Michelle Smith At a Property Council of Australia event on Friday, four south-east Queensland mayors were questioned about how they were going to deliver smart cities for the future. Redland City Council mayor Karen Williams said being a smart city was about looking 20 or 30 years ahead. For almost a decade, part of the Telstra phone line providing Bymount residents with their only available telephone access has been strung on a barb wire fence above two gullies. The vulnerable set up means flooding, fire or simply pecking birds can cut the service at any time. Bymount resident Fiona Vincent said landholders wanted their phone line fixed. Credit:Queensland Country Life Following the wet change in February, when heavy rainfall impacted the line again, locals banded together to finally see action. Even the act of straining and maintaining the barb wire fence on a local graziers property was enough to cut the landlines of the eight landholders reliant on the service in the Maranoa region. Cattle producers Fiona Vincent and her husband are impacted by the phone line setup. Police close off High Street in Thomastown. Credit:Paul Harris Three weeks ago, a body was found on the roof of a phone shop in Melbournes north. There was little explanation, apart from reports that the unfortunate soul was holding an object that struck overhead power lines. But police preparing a report for the coroner believe the 29-year-old man from Reservoir wasnt on the roof of the High Street shop in Thomastown for legitimate reasons. They suspect he had not quite kicked his habit of breaking into businesses and, having been released from prison just a couple of weeks before, was at it again. A third Victorian has died and a woman has suffered a miscarriage after a national outbreak of listeria linked to contaminated rockmelons. The death of a man in his 80s brings the national death toll to five. This latest case has only just been linked to the outbreak as a result of our microbiological testing, Victoria's Deputy Chief Health Officer Dr Brett Sutton said. "Sadly, the investigation has also confirmed that a miscarriage has also been linked to the outbreak." A homeless person lies bundled on a park bench. Credit:John Donegan No mate, not there, I say to my dog as he heads to his usual spot for his morning wee. Tilting his head as if to ask why, Iggy reluctantly yet obediently moves on to another favourite tree at our small local park but, again, I have to stop him before he lets go. No Ig, thats too close to that lady sleeping, I explain, hoping the reason is somehow absorbed. Again, a curious tilt of the head and questioning eyes. If he could cross his legs and hop to hold his urge, Im sure he would. Looking around, I see there is no spot in the park that wont be disrespectfully close to someones makeshift home for Iggy to relieve himself. You see, the park has turned into a dormitory of sorts, packed with homeless women and men of various ages and levels of distress; a visual human representation of Australias appalling homeless statistics which have been dubbed an international embarrassment. The Australian Bureau of Statistics released figures this week showing homelessness increased by 14 per cent between the 2011 and 2016 censuses, revealing 116,427 with no permanent home, or 50 in every 10,000 Australians. In a country as affluent as ours, these statistics are as hard to fathom as they are to tolerate. Yet the inhabitants of the microcosm that is the 20-odd metres of tufty grass in my relatively affluent suburb is a good indicator of how this appalling situation has come to be. A Canadian grandfather who was caught with more than 22 kilograms of cocaine in Western Australia's north has been jailed for 14 years despite a judge accepting he will face hardship being isolated from his family. Police nabbed Vietnamese-born Van-Du Nguyen in May after he met another man at The Esplanade Hotel in Port Hedland and was given a suitcase of drugs worth about $20 million if sold at street level. Judge Vicki Stewart said the drugs had an average purity of 82 per cent. Credit:iStock Nguyen, 60, pleaded guilty to possessing the drugs with intent to sell or supply and was sentenced in the WA District Court on Friday. Judge Vicki Stewart said the drugs had an average purity of 82 per cent and a wholesale value of more than $4 million. More than 50 kilograms of methamphetamine has been seized across WA this week in three separate operations targeting international, interstate and suburban drug dealers. The three operations which culminated on Monday and Tuesday also resulted in guns, cash and ammunition being seized. Six people, including three Bulgarian nationals, are now facing serious drugs charges. WA Police Commissioner Chris Dawson said the 51.5kg of methamphetamine was seized in operations led by WA Police, Australian Federal Police, Australian Border Force and Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission. It will be alleged the Joint Organised Crime Taskforce seized 31kg of the "damaging drug" - worth $25 million on the streets - at the Port of Dampier on Monday. An elderly man has admitted sexually abusing a schoolboy when he was a Christian Brothers teacher in Kalgoorlie more than 50 years ago. James Brian Hamilton, 84, pleaded guilty in the District Court of WA via videolink from Melbourne on Thursday to a charge of indecently dealing with a boy aged under 14. An elderly man has admitted sexually abusing a schoolboy when he was a Christian Brothers teacher in Kalgoorlie more than 50 years ago. Credit:Pat Scala The victim, who was aged 13 at the time of the offence in 1964, complained to police in 1989 but got nowhere. He then complained to the Christian Brothers and it wasn't until after he told the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse that Hamilton was charged. One should look at the humility with which he greets critical Auditor-General's reports on deals by which development-focused trade unions got the better of government bureaucrats, and the complacency with which any suggestion of accountability is dismissed. Or the lack of devotion to debate or answering questions at the Assembly, or the studied refusal to attend functions likely to be dominated by older folk. This is not a man who listens, welcomes debate, or engagement with the wider public. Nor has he yet changed his antipathy to putting projects out to open tender, or throwing (and committing) himself early when carpetbaggers are around. Experience has shown over and over that neither Barr nor his bureaucracy can match their wiles; they are simply not experienced enough with big business. These statements of good intention are, no doubt, piously meant, right now. But they came from a government which has a long history of being secretive, of giving mates, cronies and party insiders privileged access to government, and which has a long and deplorable habit of delay, shelving reports, or ignoring anything which it does not want to hear. A good many of the problems are encapsulated in the personality of Barr himself a person quite resistant to getting into debate, someone often given to getting into a sulk and refusing to deal with groups who have annoyed him, and with a very poor record of openness and transparency, particularly in relation to development deals. We are promised that the government will listen. Will engage. Will deliberate "to cut through the politics, understand the value dimensions, and develop public interest solutions". It will consult. And it will keep the community informed on what was decided on, on what basis, and why. "We will be clear about what is up for debate, so Canberrans are in no doubt about what is open to change as a result of community feedback," Barr promises. "And we will be clear when we are sharing information to keep the public up to date on new or changed services and the implementation of any policies we took to the election." Meanwhile he has come to notice that the overwhelming proportion of people who get actively involved in community politics are older, often retired people, and that younger folk do not come to meetings, or otherwise get much involved. He has persuaded himself that the older activists are cranks, busybodies and people attempting to keep the capital in some sort of 1960s aspic a complete hindrance to the sort of regeneration, renewal and remodelling of the city, its institutions and its economy so badly needed if it is to prosper in the years ahead. He has persuaded himself, with very little in the way of evidence he has ever volunteered, that the younger half of the population (including those below voting age) are enthusiastically in favour of all of his proposals . Since (he thinks) younger folk do not pay attention to conventional media, but get all their news from Facebook, Twitter and text messages, it is only appropriate that he, their leader, follow them. I sometimes wonder why, if he is really the king of these kids, so few belong to the Labor Party, or form recognisable factions within it. Barr has done some courageous things as Chief Minister. I give him considerable credit for his work to move the ACT away from stamp duties and other economically inefficient taxes towards taxes on land -- work that the Australian states are now trying to copy. But any prospect of getting a medal from the Henry George Society must be diminished by the arbitrary, secretive and unaccountable ways by which groups have been privileged by waiver of betterment fees. Barr has long wanted and expected the tram service to be largely funded by increased rate and land tax revenue as a result of intensive residential development along the tram corridor: good policy, if again undermined by the appearance of subversion of land planning systems to help things roll along. That the Barr personality and dominance is accompanied by a timid, politicised and pliant bureaucracy, and by colleagues unable or unwilling to stand up to him, makes it rather the more likely that the slogans may change but the behaviour will not. No doubt he thinks that his life would be more easy, and the ride of his government more comfortable, if media organisations like The Canberra Times did not exist. His alternative media does not have the resources, or the time, to draw attention to political embarrassments, scandals and abuses of public trust. Experience has shown that even the watchdogs become less active when they are not themselves under close scrutiny. In just the same manner, ministers, and directorates are noticeably less focused on public interest, good process and proper record keeping when they have little prospect of being called to account. It is not without interest that a tripartisan commitment to an Independent Commission Against Corruption by the end of the year is now being allowed to be delayed, still yet without clear sign of government commitment to a robust form, open hearings, or a commissioner capable of inspiring fear. The pity of it is that a strong media, in every medium, including new media available, is critical to effective government and the governors. And not only from the public's point of view. The relationship between media and politicians is necessarily antagonistic and somewhat distrusting, but there is ever a zone for some cooperation and mutual respect. The various forms of media do more than act as an uncritical bulletin board of things that the government wants the public to know. It is also the chief means by which government itself can judge the state of the debate, whether the message is being heard, and whether it is taking. Rather more than through private meetings with lobbyists, it is the means by which the views of stakeholders are heard, and the means by which stakeholders advance or retreat as views and facts are proffered by others whose interests are affected. It is the means by which politicians and others can make judgments about who is galvanised, or exercised and who couldn't care less. Letters shedding light on what Buckingham Palace knew in the lead-up to the dramatic Dismissal of the Whitlam government will remain secret until at least 2027, after a political historian lost a Federal Court battle with the National Archives to access the documents. On Friday Justice John Griffiths ruled the letters between Sir John Kerr and the Queen before and after the Dismissal in November 1975 were correctly classified by the National Archives as "personal records", and therefore outside a statutory regime that may have allowed earlier access to the documents. The eldest son of Gough Whitlam, Antony Whitlam, QC, headed a legal team acting in the Federal Court for Monash University Professor Jenny Hocking, a historian who brought the legal challenge to access letters and telegrams between Sir John Kerr and the Queen sent between August 1974 and December 1977. Professor Hocking has written extensively on Labor figures including Gough Whitlam and former High Court Justice Lionel Murphy, who served as Attorney-General during the Whitlam government. The Queensland Premier has slapped down a push to give a large part of the state the chance to split from the densely populated south-east corner. In the latest instalment of the perennial debate, Cairns man Bill Bates last year petitioned the state Parliament for the chance to vote, as part of his northern tour to drum up support for secession. Bill Bates launched an online petition calling for the state government to hold a referendum on creating a northern state. Credit:Melody Labinsky The former Victorian argued the state Parliament was increasingly hindering, delaying and preventing developments that would have boosted the regions. The advancement of Central and Northern Queensland and the prosperity of its people would be better served by a parliament of its own, he argued in a petition tabled on February 15. Labor MP Jane Garrett has ruled out running for Melbourne lord mayor. Credit:Mal Fairclough State Labor MP Jane Garrett has finally ruled out running as Melbourne's lord mayor. The decision means Labor will not have to contest a by-election in Ms Garrett's marginal seat of Brunswick. Ms Garrett told ABC radio she had been tempted to run for the mayoralty but decided against it to spare her party the pain of a by-election. The vacancy for lord mayor was created after Robert Doyle resigned amid sexual harassment allegations. A report this week upheld the allegations of sexual harassment against the former lord mayor. Western Australia's low share of GST revenue is having a "corrosive" effect on the Commonwealth, Senator Dean Smith says. The WA Liberal spoke out about the issue at the University of Melbourne on Thursday night while accepting an award for his work to get same-sex marriage through parliament. WA's low share of GST revenue is causing widespread effect. Credit:Gabriele Charotte But Senator Smith also used the inaugural McKinnon Political Leader of the Year prize to lay out his next mission, fixing WA's share of GST. "The issue of GST is corrosive on our federation," he said. An Australian man killed by a blast on a shooting range at a Cambodian army base was reportedly there as a tourist to fire weapons, and was not a military trainer as officials first declared. A Cambodian soldier was also killed by the explosion while a second Australian man and two other soldiers were injured in Thursday's blast at the base in Kampong Speu, 50 kilometres from the capital Phnom Penh. Cambodian police have said the dead Australian was aged 45 and the injured man was 41. Men help carry an unidentified individual on a gurney at the local provincial hospital of Kampong Speu province. Credit:AP Initial reports from Cambodian military, police and provincial officials said the Australians were military trainers assisting soldiers at the Kampong Speu Armoured Headquarters when a landmine exploded. Rio de Janeiro: Brazilians are reacting with outrage to the murder of a prominent city councillor and outspoken critic of police killings in Rio de Janeiro, in a blow to President Michel Temer's decision to deploy the military to tackle criminality in the postcard city. Marielle Franco, 38, a rising star in the Socialism and Liberty Party (PSOL), was gunned down in what police, prosecutors and even drug gang leaders said looked like a political assassination. Marielle Franco's relatives grieve during her burial in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Credit:AP The black politician from one of Rio's poorest and most violent communities, was returning home from an event in the city centre at around 9.30pm when a car pulled alongside hers and opened fire. Local media reports suggested their car had been followed. Her driver was killed in the attack on Rio's dangerous north side on Wednesday night. Her press secretary survived. Numetal, an SPV floated by the PE arm of Russian lender VTB Bank and Rewant Ruia, a Ruia family member, has claimed that its bid for Essar Steel has "solid legal backing" and if need be, "the other shareholders will buy out Rewant's" 25 per cent stake in the company. The shareholders of Mauritius-based Numetal, a special purpose vehicle that focuses on steel and infra space along with manufacturing, are VTB Capital, the private equity arm of the VTB Bank; Russian steel and engineering major TPE. Other promoters are Indo International, a Dubai-based steel trading firm promoted by an NRI, and the Aurora Trust in which Rewant Ruia, the son of one of the Essar Group promoters Ravi Ruia, is a beneficiary and owns 25 per cent in Numetal. VTB Capital owns majority in the SPV. Numetal and ArcelorMittal are the only two bidders for the 10-million tonne Essar Steel assets at Hazira, which owe the banks more than Rs 45,000 crore. These companies, who have put up their bids on February 12, are battling with each other for the steel asset and are faced with questions on the eligibility of their bids. Bids of both the companies are being evaluated by the resolution professional, risk and financial advisory Grant Thornton and law firm Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas. "If public perception is a challenge because of Rewant Ruia's minority stake in Numetal, we're ready to change that," Antoine Chemali, a senior advisor at Numetal Mauritius, told PTI here this evening. "We've already spoken to him (Rewant Ruia) and are ready to do whatever it takes us to win the Essar Steel bid. We, the rest of the shareholders, are ready to buy out his minority stake from Numetal," he added. But Chemali was quick to point out that Rewant does not have any say in the management of Numetal or enjoys a board representation. "He is just a minority shareholder," he said without quantifying his stake. An Essar Group official told PTI that Rewant Ruia had resigned from the board of Essar Steel way back in 2012, and thus in no way is related to Essar Steel promoters. It can be noted that both bidders have threatened to challenge National Company Law Tribunal and resolution professional at higher courts if their bids were rejected. This forced government to recently hint that it's amenable to make more changes to Section 29 of the IBC to redefine "connected/related parties" to exclude only original promoters who are defaulters from bidding for an asset that has gone to the bankruptcy courts. While Numetal has claimed that ArcellorMittal is not eligible to bid as their India joint venture Uttam Galva is a defaulter and is in NCLT now, the world's largest steel major made the same allegation against Numetal because of Rewant's investment in the SPV company. Chemali further claimed their bid for Essar Steel has solid legal backing, saying there is nothing in the law that can make their bid ineligible. "From the point of view of law, we are fully eligible to bid for Essar Steel and there is legally nothing that can disqualify us from bidding. That's what our lawyers have told us. We've a strong legal backing for our bid and we are fully compliant with all the laws and we will not do anything that's against the laws of the land," said Chemali. He also said they have submitted a very good revival proposal that has three parts-streamline and maximise the production at the 9.7-million tonne plant which is running at around 60 per cent now. "So, our bid involves an upfront cash payout which is the bid amount, and an offer to pump in as much working capital as needed to run the plant for our first priority is to optimise the capacity level in the shortest possible time. "The second part is the equity that we will offer to the lenders and the third part of our offer is to invest more for expansion because we are very optimistic about the growth story of the steel sector in the country," explained the head of Numetal India Chandra Shekar Verma, who retired as the chairman of state-run steel major Sail. "Shareholders of Numetal are well-versed in the steel sector apart from the infra and other key manufacturing areas and we are very serious that we get to own Essar Steel when the resolution process gets over by April 29," Chemali said. Comments assume importance as there are reports that government is looking at further amending IBC to distinguish between promoters of defaulting firms that don't have a managerial role,from those who also manage stressed assets. As per media reports, the corporate affairs ministry is believed to be considering two amendments to change the definition of "connected people" as per the IBC. As of now, a promoter or investor in a defaulting company is not eligible to participate in the auction of stressed assets referred to the NCLT. According to IBC, bids should be presented to the committee of creditors at least a month before the deadline which in the case of Essar Steel is April 29. And Chemali said they have not met the creditors but expressed the hope that they will be able to meet the deadline. In the maiden issue of Electoral Bonds, India sold bonds worth Rs 222 crore, the Parliament was informed on Friday. In order to increase transparency in the electoral process, the government had introduced the bonds in Union Budget 2017. India is the first country to introduce such a system for electoral funding. These bonds are like promissory notes, unlike other debt instruments. The system allows donors to pay political parties with banks as an intermediary. The maiden sale of these bonds started on March 1 for a period of 10 days at the four main branches of State Bank of India in Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata and New Delhi. "The amount collected from the sale of electoral bonds under the first issue of the scheme is Rs 222 crore as on March 9, 2018," said P Radhakrishnan, Minister of State for Finance, in a written reply in Lok Sabha. The interest-free banking instrument were available in multiples of Rs 1,000, Rs 10,000, Rs 1 lakh, Rs 10 lakh and Rs 1 crore. Donors, an Indian citizen or a body incorporated in India, can buy them with a KYC-compliant account and donate the bonds to the political party of their choice. The money can be encashed by the party through its verified account within 15 days. He added that: "SBI is the only authorised bank to issue and encash the Electoral Bearer Bonds under the scheme." He further added that: "The tenor of electoral bonds is just 15 days. During this period, the amount can be donated to registered political parties, which have secured not less than one per cent of the votes polled in the last Lok Sabha or assembly election." An eligible political party can encash the bonds through a designated bank account with any authorised bank. "These Bonds are envisaged as an additional banking instrument for giving donations to registered political parties," he added. An electoral bond will be valid for 15 days from the date of issue. The amount will be credited to the political parties' account on the same day. In case, the bond is deposited after the validity period, no payment will be made. The minister said the bonds will be available for purchase for a period of 10 days each in January (this time it was done in March), April, July, and October. The Centre shall earmark an additional period of 30 days in the year of general elections. With PTI inputs Days after a Parliamentary panel asked the government to revise the amount of monthly pension, it has been reported that the Centre may soon double minimum payment under the Employees' Pension Scheme to Rs 2000. The Labour Ministry has asked the EPFO to calculate the cost as well as the number of beneficiaries if the EPS pension is doubled, the Economic Times today reported, citing a government official. "EPFO will soon finalise the implications of doubling the minimum pension, following which government will move a proposal to the central board of trustees of EPFO," the ET quoted the official as saying. Earlier this week, the panel told the Centre that the current monthly amount under Employees Pension Scheme was too small to fulfil even the basic monthly needs and requirements of a pensioner. The Panel asked the government to assess the scheme and consider revision of Rs 1,000. The Employee Provident Fund Organisation or EPFO had started providing minimum monthly pension of Rs 1,000 under the Employees Pension Scheme 1995 from September 1, 2014. The panel also suggested that government should take a policy decision to pay such workers whose employers have not contributed towards social security schemes and the Employees State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) from the fixed assets or deposits of crores still lying with the appropriate authorities. There are around 60 lakh pensioners out of which around 40 lakh are getting less than Rs 1,500 per month and others get a maximum of Rs 2,000-2,500 per month. EPS-95 is one of the social security schemes run by the EPFO. Last year in December, All India EPS-95 Pensioners Sangharsh Samiti had demanded that all the 60 lakh pensioners under the EPS-95 scheme should be provided a minimum monthly pension of Rs 7,500 and as an interim relief, all of them should be given Rs 5,000 per month. With inputs from PTI Singapore Airlines (SIA) has a long history in the Indian aviation scene. The airline started operations from Chennai in 1970, and since then, its interest in the Indian market has gradually grown. Nearly four years ago, SIA tied up with conglomerate Tata Group to start full-service carrier Vistara. Of late, SIA is in news again after showing interest in national carrier Air India, which will be up for sale soon. The government's decision to allow 49 per cent foreign direct investment in Air India has opened doors for SIA to look for an Indian ally - which most likely will be Tata Group - to snap up Air India in some form and shape. In a conversation with Business Today's Manu Kaushik, SIA's general manager for India David Lim said that the airline has not closed the door on Air India yet. Here are edited excerpts from the interview: Q. What are the latest developments at Singapore Airlines? David Lim: We have just announced our quarterly results. It looks really good. The net profits and operating profits have increased because revenues have increased more than the expenditure. Even though the fuel prices have increased, we have managed to grow our revenues much more. We are excited to take delivery of the new Airbus A380 a few months ago, and we have built a new product that includes suites, business class, premium economy and economy class. It's one of the best in the industry. By the end of this month, we are going to take delivery of Dreamliner (Boeing 787-10). It's different from 787-8 and 787-9. It's a longer version. With that, we will unveil a new product. Dreamliner will be a medium-haul business class product. It will be flying on routes [with a flight duration of up to] 7 hours that would include India. We have ordered 49 Dreamliners. They are meant for growth as well as to replace some of our existing fleets such as A330 and Boeing 777. Dreamliner and A350-900 are new generation aircraft which are lighter and more fuel efficient. We use A350 for the long-haul. We already have 21 A350s. Q. Where does India fit into the global strategy of Singapore Airlines? David Lim: India is an important market. We started our first flight to India (Chennai) nearly 48 years ago. Today, we are flying to 14 cities from Singapore under SIA and Scoot brands. Excluding Scoot, we have 98 weekly services currently. In the coming summer, we are adding new flights. We will have 104 weekly services. We are adding more flights from Coimbatore, Trivandrum, Mumbai, Kochi, Ahmedabad, and Hyderabad. We want to increase the flights as far as possible, but in some cities like Chennai, we cannot grow anymore because we have reached our entitlements. We have about 25,000 weekly capacities under bilaterals. Q. What's going on with Air India? David Lim: We are keeping an open mind on the bidding process for Air India. We have not closed the door yet. Q. Are you going to be participating in Air India's bidding? David Lim: I really don't know. It really depends when the [bidding] document is published and everybody will see if it's of sufficient value. Then whoever has the resource will have to show that they want to own it. Q. Most players are interested in the international side of the business? David Lim: There are so many speculations. I guess the seller wants to have more interest. Air India is a national asset. Every Indian has some pride in the airline. Q. What's been your experience with Vistara so far? David Lim: Vistara is over three years old. By this month, they are going to receive their 20th aircraft. They have the ambition to expand globally. They are growing as planned. Whether they are making money, that's the question you have to ask Vistara. Over the three years, they have found a niche. The perception of Vistara in Indian market is good. Everyone knows that Vistara is a quality airline. They have good products and services. That reflects the philosophy of the owners - both Tata Group and SIA. They have not let us down. Q. Do you take into account the Vistara's network when you plan SIA's India network? David Lim: We treat Vistara as a separate airline. We code-share with them as far as possible. Q. What kind of passenger load factors (PLFs) you are registering on the India network? David Lim: I cannot share India-specific numbers. We are running at 81.2 percent PLF, system-wide. Prior to that, we had 79 percent PLF. One of the reasons that our revenues have increased is due to higher PLF. To increase the PLF, we have taken a lot more commercial initiatives - promotions etc - that have stimulated the market. Q. What are your typical services between India and Singapore? David Lim: It's a mix of both. We don't fly customers from point to point. We do satisfy the customers' needs to fly to other places. India has links to other countries. If you want to go to Perth (Australia), there's no India to Perth direct flight. The customers have to use other ways to go to Perth. Singapore hub is very attractive. We do have such traffic. There are a lot of Indians that just visit Singapore. When Singapore Tourism Board unveiled numbers for 2017, India was the third largest source market for Singapore, overtaking Malaysia. The inbound traffic growth rate from India is 16 percent. Q. Are you pushing for more bilateral seats from India? David Lim: We will use what we have as far as we can. Currently, 90-odd percent of the bilaterals [from our side] are being used. We are seeing Indian carriers also increasing their flights to Singapore. Air India Express is flying from more points. IndiGo, Air India and Jet Airways have increased their flights. Air India Express has started services from Madurai to Singapore. The Indian carriers are getting more interested in Singapore because they also see that many Indians are going to Singapore. Q. What percentage of India's share of the bilaterals is being used presently? David Lim: It's nearly 80 percent. The Indian carriers don't fly to Malaysia and Vietnam but many Indian carriers are flying to Singapore. Q. Because of the geographical location of Singapore, do you think the scope of growth for SIA is getting limited? The middle-eastern airlines are at an advantageous location to connect with the western countries. David Lim: There's a huge demand for East. For West, I cannot participate in the growth. But it is East which is seeing quite good growth. Singapore Tourism Board has been announcing high Indian visitors to Singapore year after year. This is the third year that the Indian visitors to Singapore have crossed the one million mark. Malaysia is also announcing a large number of Indians coming to their country. In fact, Australia had a vision of 300,000 Indian visitors to Australia by 2020. But they have already met the target in 2017. New Zealand is also recording a high A brand new Pratt & Whitney engine-powered ATR aircraft of IndiGo's maiden flight from Toulouse to New Delhi was aborted and had to return to the French facility due to low oil pressure. The IndiGo ATR 72-600 aircraft on its maiden flight yesterday from its Toulouse headquarters to the New Delhi hub of IndiGo had no revenue passengers onboard. Confirming the development, the airline in a statement said, "IndiGo ATR 72-600 while being ferried from Toulouse to India, with no revenue passengers onboard, returned to Toulouse for technical reasons. The aircraft will conduct checks and take actions as required as is the usual practise while delivering new airplanes." Though the airline did not specify what the technical glitch was, sources said this problem was low oil pressure. Currently Indigo has four ATRs in the fleet beside the 152 Airbus A320 planes, including 32 A320 Neos. Early last year, the airline had signed a term sheet for buying 50 of these 70-seater planes. It plans to take 21 of them by this December. IndiGo ATR aircraft are fitted with Pratt& Whitney engines (PW127M). The carrier took the delivery of its first ATR last November. The airline is already facing many a headwind with its P&W engines on its Neo planes, of which 11 were grounded by the regulator earlier this week. Private sector lender Yes Bank has sold 2.17 per cent stake in Fortis Healthcare, out of over 17 per cent stake it acquired last month. In a regulatory filing, Yes Bank said it had sold 1.12 crore shares representing 2.17 per cent stake of Fortis Healthcare in the open market between February 23 and March 15, 2018. Yes Bank had acquired 17.31 per cent stake in Fortis Healthcare following invocation of nearly 9 crore pledged shares last month. "Yes Bank has acquired 8,97,81,906 equity shares having nominal value of Rs 10 per share of the company pursuant to invocation of pledge on the said equity shares subsequent to default by promoter group companies in the credit facility provided by the bank," Fortis Healthcare had said. The shares were acquired by Yes Bank on February 16, consequent upon invocation of pledge on these shares, it added. On February 15, the Supreme Court lifted its stay on sale of shares of Fortis Healthcare pledged with banks by the promoters Singh brothers (Malvinder Mohan Singh and Shivinder Mohan Singh) before August 31, allowing financial institutions, including Axis Bank and Yes Bank, to sell the pledged shares. Subsequently, the stake of promoter firm Fortis Healthcare Holdings along with promoters (Singh brothers) and other family entities have come down to 5.87 per cent from 34.43 per cent earlier. Shares of Fortis Healthcare were trading 1.25 per cent lower at Rs 158.20 apiece on BSE. The European Commission called for industry views on Friday on a list of U.S. products it will subject to import tariffs if the United States taxes European steel and aluminum. The Commission plans to set duties of 25% on a range of U.S. products, from maize to motorbikes, whose annual imports to the European Union are worth some 2.8 billion euros. U.S. President Donald Trump signed an order last week that would subject incoming steel to a tariff of 25% and aluminum 10%, albeit with exemptions for Canada, Mexico and possibly other countries. The European Commission, which oversees trade policy for the 28-member European Union, is still unclear how it might secure an exemption. U.S. Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross and EU Trade Commissioner Cecilia Malmstrom are due to discuss the issue at a meeting next week. EU officials warn that without an exemption they will notify the World Trade Organisation (WTO) of potential counter-measures by May 23, or within 60 days of U.S. tariffs coming into force. The ten-page list of products the EU may subject to tariffs ranges from different types of grains, food exports like fruit juices to clothing, household appliances and boats. It also includes many metals products for use in construction and industry. Some of the products would be subject to duties within months. Another group would only incur duties if the WTO later declared the U.S. tariffs illegal or after a period of three years. The two combined would be aimed to counter-balance the estimated 6.4 billion euros of damage U.S. measures would inflict on the bloc's aluminum and steel sectors. The Commission has asked "private stakeholders" affected by the U.S. tariffs and the EU's possible response by March 26. (Reuters) Source: www.businessworld.ie It was announced this week that 22 new companies have joined the Deloitte Best Managed Companies network as the awards programme celebrates its 10th year. These companies join a requalifying network of more than 100 companies, built over a decade of the programme. The awards, in association with Bank of Ireland, culminated with the Best Managed Companies Awards symposium and gala, which was attended by over 1,000 people from the Irish business community. The 22 new entrants were awarded their Best Managed status following a detailed qualification and judging process. This took into consideration the complete performance of the business, looking beyond the finances at criteria such as operational excellence, strategy and human resource processes. Five of the new award winners were singled out for special recognition PFH Technology Group was commended for best submission in Strategy, Phonovation Limited for Capability, and AROUND NOON for Commitment. These criteria are the three cornerstones of the Best Managed Companies Awards submission. Meritsoft was recognised for Best Overall Submission. Codd Mushrooms was the recipient of the annual IMI Award, and was commended for their business model execution and sharp focus. Of the 137 companies recognised this year, Dublin, Cork and Antrim dominated the winners list. Forty percent of winners are Dublin-based, while Cork and Antrim both yielded approximately 10% of the winning companies. Overall however, 26 of the 32 counties were represented, showing the wide spread of business excellence around Ireland. Speaking this week, Director at Bank of Ireland Corporate Banking, Andrew Graham said, "We have been really impressed by not only the breadth of businesses but also their ambition, drive and determination. I have no doubt that they will continue to set the benchmark for excellence in the years to come and we wish them continued success." Deloitte Partner, Anya Cummins added, "The programme represents companies from different industries with many industry-specific challenges but also common characteristics such as adaptability, innovation and ambition. Their stories are the stories of Irish business this past decade, and they are stories of resilience, recovery and confidence. Were particularly proud to recognise those who have been in the programme since it began in Ireland, and whose performance across all key functions of their business has excelled." Source: www.businessworld.ie It was announced this week that Bank of Ireland is celebrating the 4th year of sponsorship of home renovation show Room to Improve with the announcement of a number of Home Buying events taking place nationwide this year. The bank will host a series of Home Buying events throughout the country in 2018. The events will provide financial advice to customers whilst giving insights and advice on home renovation and building. The popular show featuring architect Dermot Bannon returned to television screens last Sunday (18th February) featuring Daniel ODonnell and his wife Majella in the first episode. The series features seven episodes in the series as Dermot and Quantity Surveyor Lisa OBrien develop dream homes for clients in Dublin, Tipperary, Donegal and Waterford. Speaking about the upcoming events and continued sponsorship of RTEs Room to Improve, Bank of Ireland Head of Mortgages, Shane Quinlan said, "RTEs Room to Improve has a strong and loyal following and we are delighted to partner with the show for the fourth year. As a leading provider of mortgages in Ireland, our continued sponsorship is a natural fit. As part of our commitment to our current and future customers we will be running a number of free events throughout the country where experts can offer practical advice and support in order to help those hoping to renovate, build or buy a home achieve their goal." Source: www.businessworld.ie It was announced yesterday that Exigent Networks, Irish Telecom and Netforce are officially combining with immediate effect into one united technology group under the new Paradyn brand. This combination creates Irelands first integrated group of managed IT, security, network and business connectivity providers. Paradyn brings together the management of 30,000 users in 300 active business and public sector customers. Paradyns vision is to make life easy for customers in the increasingly complex world of technology. The company is investing 250,000 in the rebrand and in new customer and business operations systems, including service management, customer relationship management and document management to allow the three teams to work effectively as one. The investment also includes staff integration and cross-training to ensure that first line engineers can deal with all IT and communications service requests. Paradyns engineers can monitor all aspects of a customers infrastructure from its operations centre, enabling fast resolution times and ensuring that it can meet its 90% first-call fix promise. The service also means that customers employees are spending less time on IT management which improves system uptime and enables economies of scale for its clients. Speaking this week, Paradyns Chief Executive Officer, Cillian McCarthy said, "By merging these three standalone businesses under a single brand, we have a larger customer base, greater expertise and a stronger position for expansion in the Irish and UK markets. We can concentrate marketing resources into promoting one brand and achieve synergies by deepening the great customer relationships that our businesses have. The back-office integration has already happened so that todays customer facing switch-on will be seamless." Source: www.businessworld.ie The entrance of the Blackstone Group LP's New York City headquarters is seen on Aug. 19. Photo: IC Sovereign wealth fund China Investment Corp. has disposed all of its stake in private equity firm Blackstone Group LP, ending an 11-year investment. Financial details of the deal were not disclosed by Blackstone in a regulatory filing, but Reuters estimated its value to be $1.9 billion, as CIC held roughly a 4.5% stake in the U.S. firm at the end of 2017. In 2007, CIC spent $3 billion to acquire an 8% stake in Blackstone ahead of its public offering, marking the countrys first move to diversify its investment portfolio into commercial enterprises. Blackstone is a leading investment firm with $434 billion in assets under its management as of the end of last year, according to its website. It has nearly 2,300 employees in 25 offices worldwide. According to a Sina report, CIC has been gradually unloading its holdings in Blackstone over the past five years, including a major disposal last year a fact that seems to contradict speculation in reports that attributed the divestments to recent tensions between China and the U.S. Long-held shares in a low-return portfolio might be the reason for the retreat, Tao Jingzhou, managing partner of law firm Dechert LLP, told Caixin. With the tensions of a trade war becoming more imminent, CIC might get a nice window to sell, but I dont think this is the reason for this sale. Pressure has been mounting between the two sides as the U.S. recently imposed up to $60 billion in tariffs on Chinese imports, and killed several acquisition deals by Chinese tech firms. The CIC-Blackstone deal is reminiscent of the funds disposal of a $138.5 million stake in Morgan Stanley in July 2010, a move said to avoid closer regulatory scrutiny from the U.S. as its stake in the investment bank rose to more than 10%. CIC purchased a $5.6 billion stake in Morgan Stanley in December 2007, just a few months after it was formed. You've accessed an article available only to subscribers Subscribe today for just $.99. VIEW OPTIONS (jasontan@caixin.com) Chinas cabinet has proposed a sweeping overhaul of the central government agencies that it oversees. The reorganization, the eighth since the countrys reform and opening-up in the late 1970s, comes amid a slowing economy, challenges facing market regulators from innovation and a shifting society, as well as constraints in environmental protection and natural resources. Chinas banking and insurance regulators will merge and the central bank will be authorized to draft rules governing the two industries. The China Banking Regulatory Commission (CBRC) and the China Insurance Regulatory Commission (CIRC) will be combined into a single commission overseeing both industries under the direct control of the State Council, Chinas cabinet. A number of factors led to Chinas coal crunch this winter. On the supply side, at the end of 2017, Chinas total coal inventory including stockpiles at coal mines, railway stations, ports and power stations plumbed an all-time low of 60 million tons, after two years of capacity cuts, curbs on coal imports and an extensive anti-pollution campaign. Chinas securities regulator has fined a company 5.67 billion yuan ($870 million) for manipulating share prices, a record penalty for the regulator as China steps up its crackdown on illicit activities in the financial markets. China has signed an agreement with Laos to renovate a hospital in Vientiane, one of Beijings largest overseas health care investments, as the government seeks to diversify Belt and Road initiative projects. These are the five stories that I dont want you to miss from last week. Please share your comments on The Weekender section and on our other coverage at news@caixin.com. And when youre done perusing these must-read stories, check out Caixins weekly digital magazine. Kind regards, Doug Young Managing Editor China to Shake Up Central Agencies State Council seeks administrative overhaul amid drive for higher-quality economic growth State Councilor Wang Yong said that plans call for the National Health and Family Planning Commission to be replaced by the National Health Commission, which will shift its focus from treating illnesses to improving peoples health. Photo: China News China to Merge Banking, Insurance Regulators Central bank tasked with drafting rules to govern two sectors Chinas central government plans to combine the China Banking Regulatory Commission with the countrys insurance regulator. Photo: VCG What Caused Chinas Coal Crunch? Stringent policies, extreme weather squeeze producers of countrys dominant power source. A power plant discharges emissions on Dec. 1 in Taizhou, Jiangsu province. Photo: VCG Chinese Railway Cargo Firm Fined $870 Million for Stock Manipulation Penalty is a record in securities regulators history The headquarters of the China Securities Regulatory Commission is seen in Beijing. Photo: VCG China to Give Century-Old Laos Hospital New Lease of Life Renovation of Vientiane facility shows how Belt and Road projects growing more diverse Chinese President Xi Jinping and Laos President Ben Yang participate in the groundbreaking ceremony for a hospital building in the capital of the Southeast Asian country. Photo: Xinhua NASA teleconference on scientific experiments aboard the ISS Longueuil, Quebec, March 16, 2018 In the context of the next SpaceX resupply mission scheduled in April, NASA will hold a teleconference on March 19 to discuss scientific experiments performed on the International Space Station (ISS). Researcher Dr. Guy Trudel will talk about the Canadian experiment MARROW, conducted in collaboration with the Canadian Space Agency, which is examining the effect of space on bone marrow and blood cells. Canadian Space Agency astronaut David Saint-Jacques, who is set to embark on a space mission in November 2018, is participating in MARROW. Date: March 19, 2018 Time: 11:00 am ET What: NASA teleconference about scientific experiments aboard the ISS Who: Dr. Guy Trudel, principal investigator, University of Ottawa Where: To listen to the teleconference live (audio only), go to the NASA site. To participate in the teleconference, please contact Stephanie Schierholz at NASA at 202-358-1100 or stephanie.schierholz@nasa.gov by Friday, March 16, 2018, at 5:00 pm ET. - 30 - Contact information: Canadian Space Agency Media Relations Office Telephone: 450-926-4370 Website: http://asc-csa.gc.ca Email: ASC.Medias-Media.CSA@canada.ca Follow us on social media! Step 1 Log on to the Maharashtra Public Service Commission official website. Step 2 Click the Apply Online link on the top-right corner of the home page. Step 3 The list of advertisements will be displayed on the screen. Step 4 Click the advertisement link that reads 20-2018 - Assistant Town Planner, Grade-I [Group-B] [Gazetted], Urban Development Department. Step 5 Come back to the notifications page. On the left-hand side top-corner click New User Registration. Step 6 The application form will be displayed on the screen. Enter your details in the fields provided. Step 7 Enter the captcha code. Step 8 Click Create User. Step 1 Log on to the Reserve Bank of India official website. Step 2 Scroll down to the bottom of the page and click on the link that reads, Opportunities @ RBI. Step 3 Click on Vacancies under Current Vacancies. Step 4 The list of notifications will be displayed on the screen. Step 5 Click on the link that is for recruitment of Medical Consultants. Step 6 The advertisement will be displayed on the screen. Read the details carefully. Step 7 Click on the Applications link in the beginning of the advertisement. Step 8 The application form will be displayed on the screen. Step 9 Take a print out of it, fill your particulars and send it to RBI. The most popular messaging app in Brazil is another novelty: the arrival of a new WhatsApp function that will be... CDC Update on Outbreak of Yellow Fever in Brazil, Vaccination Recommendations Media Advisory Embargoed Until: Friday March 16, 2018, 1:00 p.m. EDT Contact: Media Relations (404) 639-3286 What: CDC will host a media teleconference to discuss a deadly outbreak of yellow fever in Brazil described in the March 16 Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. Yellow fever, which is spread by mosquitoes, can cause serious health consequences, including death, for unvaccinated people. CDC will provide an update on the outbreak and the limited availability of yellow fever vaccine (Stamaril). This media availability will include a Q&A session. Who: Marty Cetron, MD, Director, Division of Global Migration and Quarantine, CDC Lyle Petersen, M.D., M.P.H, Director, Division of Vector-Borne Diseases, CDC David Hamer, MD, Professor of Global Health and Medicine, Boston University Schools of Public Health and Medicine, and GeoSentinel Principal Investigator When: 12 pm EDT, March 16, 2018 Dial In Media: 888-795-0855 Non-Media: 800-779-2638 INTERNATIONAL: 1-210-234-0009 Passcode: CDC Media Important Instructions Please dial in 10 minutes before the start of the press conference. If you would like to ask a question during the call, press *1 on your touchtone phone. Press *2 to withdraw your question. You may queue up at any time. Transcript A transcript of this media event will be available following the briefing at CDCs website: www.cdc.gov/media. ### U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICESexternal icon Media Statement For Immediate Release: Friday, March 16, 2018 Contact: Media Relations, (404) 639-3286 In response to a large, ongoing outbreak of yellow fever in multiple states of Brazil, including near large urban areas and popular tourist destinations, CDC is recommending travelers to the country protect themselves from yellow fever by getting the yellow fever vaccine at least 10 days before travel, and taking steps to prevent mosquito bites during their travel. CDC recommends that people who are unable to get yellow fever vaccine or arent recommended to get it should avoid traveling to areas of Brazil where yellow fever vaccination is recommended. Travelers going to areas with ongoing outbreaks may consider getting a booster dose of yellow fever vaccine if it has been 10 or more years since they were vaccinated. Yellow fever vaccine is available at a limited number of clinics in the United States, so travelers should plan ahead to get the vaccine. For more on yellow fever vaccination clinics: https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/yellow-fever-vaccination-clinics/search. Brazilian public health authorities announced in early 2017 an outbreak of yellow fever in several eastern states of Brazil, including areas where yellow fever was not traditionally considered to be a risk. Since the end of 2017, yellow fever cases have reoccurred in several states, especially in the states of Rio de Janeiro, Minas Gerais, and Sao Paulo, including areas close to the city of Sao Paulo. In early 2018, a case of yellow fever was reported in an unvaccinated Dutch traveler who had stayed near the Sao Paulo metropolitan region. Since then, there have been reports of other unvaccinated travelers to Brazil who visited areas with yellow fever outbreaks and contracted yellow fever; many of these travelers were infected on the island of Ilha Grande (Rio de Janeiro State). Four travelers have died in this outbreak. For more information: https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/notices/alert/yellow-fever-brazil. ### U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICESexternal icon LafargeHolcim Algerie targets 5Mt of exports to west Africa ICR Newsroom By 16 March 2018 Following its first export shipment of cement to Gambia in December 2017, LafargeHolcim Algerie plans to export 5Mt of cement to west Africa by 2020, according to Serge Dubois, the companys communications director. Exporting "cannot be done without the mobilisation of public authorities, Mr Dubois said. The State is speeding up the signing of the association agreements with the ECOWAS countries, and it is the only market available and within reach of the Algeria, especially as that of the Mediterranean is in overcapacity, he added. LafargeHolcim Algerie intends to build its export capacity gradually as at present suitable port infrastructure is not available and the companys plants are some distance away from the ports. This leads to additional logistics costs, as is the case at the port of Oran, where LafargeHolcim is installing a reloading station and a railway connection to the CILAS plant in Biskra. Published under Vietnam exports 2.6Mta of cement in February ICR Newsroom By 16 March 2018 In February 2018 Vietnam exported 2.6Mt of cement, representing a hike of 30 per cent YoY, according to Vietnams Ministry of Construction. Domestic cement consumption rose 11 per cent YoY to 5Mt. For the first two months of 2018, nearly 18.6Mt of cement were sold, including 5.5Mt exported, representing a rise of 121 per cent when compared with January-February 2017. Published under President Donald Trump and his family members have interesting relationships. From awkward father-daughter dynamics to rumored affairs and high-profile divorces, the Trumps have dealt with it all. These are the most bizarre things Donald Trump has said about his family. One insulting comment about his daughter Tiffany really raised eyebrows (page 9). 1. His oldest son, Donald Jr. You cant do that! What if hes a loser? Talk about pressure. In Ivana Trumps memoir, Raising Trump, she shared that Donald didnt actually want to give their firstborn son his name. The mother of three insisted their newborn be named Donald Jr., beginning the boys lifelong obligation to make himself useful. Next: Privacy is negotiable for his children. 2. His youngest son, Barron Jared Kushner did very well yesterday in proving he did not collude with the Russians. Witch Hunt. Next up, 11 year old Barron Trump! Even Chelsea Clinton has asked people to stop involving the now-12-year-old in White House politics. But shortly after most agreed Barron deserved his privacy, Trump tweeted about his youngest son, implying he should get involved in the Russia investigation. Many Twitter users jumped to Barrons defense, telling Trump to leave his son out of it and accusing him of being hypocritical. Next: Donalds relationship with his in-laws 3. Melanias parents I was there for about 13 minutes. We landed. I said, Hi, Mom. Hi, Dad. Bye. We dont hear a lot about Melanias parents. News sources noted a marriage to Trump came with the promise that Melania would never have to return to Eastern Europe. They did visit once. President Trump told Larry King about his brief visit to Slovenia not an impressive way to meet your in-laws. Next: Trump takes visual pride in one child. 4. His daughter Ivanka Dont you think my daughters hot? Shes hot, right? President Trump will never live down his comments about Ivankas body. The first recorded incident of inappropriateness occurred when a 16-year-old Ivanka Trump hosted the 1997 Miss Universe Pageant. According to the Independent, Donald asked the then-Miss Universe and asked about Ivankas hotness, and she didnt know how to respond. Next: The man who created Donald Trump 5. His father, Fred C. Trump This way, I got Manhattan all to myself! When his father died in 1999, Donalds quote in his New York Times obituary showed their odd relationship. Donald expressed his condolences by expressing relief that his father didnt expand his real estate empire into Manhattan. It was good for me, he said. It could have been competition to me. This way, I got Manhattan all to myself! Next: We dont want to imagine POTUSs sex life. 6. Melanias performance in bed Well, she is terrific in bed. She wouldnt want me to say that, but she is. The president isnt exactly known for his decorum, which is why when Howard Stern asked him about remarrying after being divorced twice Trump gave a crude answer about his sex life with Melania. On The Howard Stern Show in 2004, he elaborated that she is terrific in bed. Next: How Donald really views his oldest son 7. His eldest son, Donald Trump Jr. Don, you can finally do something for me you can go hunting. The President never understood his eldest sons love of hunting, according to GQ. He once told TMZ, I am not a believer in hunting, and Im surprised they like it. However, Trump finally found value in Donal Trump Jr.s hobby during his presidential campaign, sarcastically commenting on his sons usefulness when the governor of Iowa invited them to go hunting. Next: What Trump really thinks about his son-in-law 8. His son-in-law Jared Kushner Look at Jared, he looks like a little boy, like a child. According to The Trump White House, Trump turned to his aides while watching his son-in-law speak to the media and said Kushner looks like a little boy. Ivankas husband received flak later, with social media users saying Kushner sounded like a young boy who hadnt reached puberty yet. Next: Trump raised eyebrows with this shocking comment about Tiffany. 9. His daughter Tiffany Im very proud because Don and Eric and Ivanka and, you know, to a lesser extent because she just got out of school, out of college, but, Tiffany, whos also been so terrific. Trumps second daughter has said her father wasnt present as she grew up. And it shows when Donald speaks about Tiffany. On Election Day 2016, he shared about his first three kids to Fox & Friends, then awkwardly mentioned Tiffany at the end. In March 2018, Trump praised Ivanka but barely mentioned Tiffany: Speaking of a job well done, we have two of my daughters here today: Ivanka, who is working hard on infrastructure! Ivanka and Tiffany! Trump also didnt follow Tiffany on Twitter until after the RNC. Next: What the Trump siblings think about little sister Tiffany 10. On Tiffanys inheritance Well, you know, it does cut up the pie as you keep producing. Stern once asked the future president how the kids feel about losing some of their inheritance to a new baby. Trump said Ivanka and Donald Jr. werent happy when they found out about another sibling (Tiffany). Then, he agreed when the radio host asked if the two wanted to bump off a child. Stern later said, Tiffany has taken out a hit on Melanias new baby [Barron]. Is there any truth to that? Trump acknowledged it, comparing their inheritances to pie. Next: Trump feared a basic part of parenting. 11. Raising his children I adore them all, but Ive never been great at playing with toy trucks and dolls. Trumps kids have shared about his absence from their early lives. In his biography, Trump: The Art of the Deal, the business mogul wrote, As they get older, being a father gets easier, and divulges he struggled to play with them. Trump said he finally connected with his eldest son when Donald Trump Jr. showed interest in buildings and real estate and sports. Next: Privilege hurt his kids? 12. Raising wealthy kids Statistically, my children have a very bad shot, The Trump kids attended elite schools and received opportunities others dont. But Donald claims his kids had a bad shot, according to Playboy in 1990. He said, Children of successful people are generally very, very troubled, not successful. Luckily, Ivanka & Co. proved him wrong. Next: A piece of ass seen round the world. 13. His daughter Ivanka If Ivanka werent my daughter, perhaps Id be dating her. When Trump called Ivanka a piece of ass and said, Shes got the best body, everyone freaked out. Then he said he might date her under different circumstances. Unfortunately, he didnt learn his lesson. As Trump ran for office, he shared, If I werent happily married and, ya know, her father Next: The president reveals his bodily priorities. 14. Melanias breasts How do the breasts look? If his alleged affair with Stormy Daniels occurred, the POTUS broke his wedding vows shortly after he and Melania tied the knot. However, in a 2005 chat with Howard Stern, Trump said hed keep his vows as long as Melanias body was intact. Stern asked if Trump would stay married to her if she was disfigured in an accident. The hotel mogul replied with concern about her breasts. Next: Donald got his wife for the right price. 15. His negotiations for Melania I got her for the right price, Howard I really made a good deal. In 2002, Trump negotiated a modeling contract for Melania to appear on an NYC billboard. During an interview, Stern implied she mustve bribed him, saying, She must be great in the sack. Trump replied about Melanias price, proving that what Trump means to say can come out all wrong. Next: Trumps comment about knowing Melania raised eyebrows. 16. Melania as a mother If you have the money, having children is great. Now I know Melania, Im not going to be doing the diapers, Im not gonna be making the food, I may never even see the kids. Trump praises his wife, even when revealing less-than-stellar details about himself. In 2005, before his son Barrons birth, Trump sat down with Larry King to discuss his thoughts on having children with Melania. It upset many who believe his model of parenting is antiquated and unhealthy. Next: What happens in the Trumps bedroom doesnt stay there. 17. Melanias naked body She is actually naked. Its a thing of beauty. In 1999, Stern asked Donald, Let me talk to that broad in your bed. Then Melania got on the phone, explaining she was nearly naked and she and Donald had sex more than once a day. Then Donald got back on the phone and explained Melanias current state of undress. Next: Her style choice was a natural disaster. 18. Melania has been abused Shes taken tremendous abuse. She wants to look, out of respect for the White House, wants to look good leaving the front entrance to the White House. The POTUS does rush to his wifes defense. After Melania received flack for wearing stilettos while visiting hurricane victims in Texas, Trump defended her. But some think making fun of Melanias wardrobe doesnt qualify as tremendous abuse. It could be worse; folks compared Michelle Obama to an ape and called her horrible names. Next: Every couple fights, right? 19. His wife Melania We literally have never had an argument or forget about the word fight.' In a 2005 interview with Larry King, Trump explained his compatibility with Melania, saying they never fight. He reiterated this by stating, Weve never even had an argument. We just are very compatible. Next: Divorce jokes arent funny. 20. Her possible exit as a public joke So many people have left the White House Now the question everyone keeps asking is, Who is going to be the next to leave? Steve Miller or Melania? Trumps White House is a revolving door. From FBI directors to chiefs of staff, theres no telling who will go next. According to Trump, it could be his wife. At the 2018 Gridiron Club Dinner, he joked about whod exit next, and then asked for forgiveness for the jab, turning to Melania and saying, That is terrible, honey, but you love me, right? Read more: First Lady Melania Trump Revealed Her Favorite TV Shows and Were Really Confused Check out The Cheat Sheet on Facebook! Pueblo South pitcher dominates in the circle, leads Colts softball Pueblo South High School softball pitcher Emily Abraham lets her performance to her talking as Colts are on track to get to state tournament A church in Laurel, Maryland, has sued the city after receiving a cease and desist order that would keep it from holding religious services at its coffee shop in the downtown area. The Redemption Community Church, which also owns and operates the Ragamuffins Coffee House on Main Street, refused to apply for a "special exception" so that it could continue to operate as a non-profit in the commercial zone. The church filed its lawsuit with the help of the Alliance Defending Freedom. Originally, the Redemption Community Church sold its property outside of the city and moved to Main Street to be nearer to the poor as well as open a coffee shop as a non-profit. On Sundays, the establishment closes the business to hold Sunday services. After a few months of operation, however, city officials signed a law that banned non-profits in the zone that Main Street was a part of. Though one of its provisions allowed for churches, the city required that it must secure a special exception. This exemption asks for the payment of a $2,000 filing fee and the submission of the existing site plans as well as the proposed site plans done by a qualified engineer. The church, however, refused to apply due to the cost. Instead, it changed the status of its coffee shop into a for-profit establishment, while still closing on Sundays for worship. Even so, the City of Laurel told the church that it would impose a $250 fine for every day that the church uses its commercial area for worship. ADF legal counsel Christiana Holcomb said the move was discriminatory. "Despite making every effort to work with the city to comply with its burdensome zoning changes, Redemption Community Church is now being told to either stop holding worship services or pay severe fines," Holcomb told ADF. Redemption Community Church acquired the property on Main Street in 2015 and received approval from the city's planning commission to operate both as a non-profit and a worship site. After construction and amid several zoning law changes, the establishment opened in April 2017. The city sent the church a cease and desist letter at the end of July 2017 and again in January the following year, according to the lawsuit. City planning commissioner Mitzi Betman said in 2015 that they had needed to reconsider the original approval for the church because new details involving the changes in zoning laws had come to light. A pro-life rally that called for the retention of the Eighth Amendment of Ireland's Constitution attracted 90,000 marchers to Dublin on Saturday. The participants joined forces to defend the rights of the unborn as the country prepares to hold a historic referendum in May that could remove this provision. The Save The Eighth campaign planned the march, which different religious groups attended. Its organizers told reporters that it had become one of the largest pro-life assemblies in the country. "Ireland is at a defining point in our history, and we are challenging the people to reject the abortion industry and to demand better for mothers and babies," Niamh UA Bhriain of the Save The Eighth group said. "We know that in repealing the right to life there is no going back." Introduced in Ireland in 1983, the Eighth Amendment allows for abortions on one condition only: if the pregnancy poses a risk to the mother's life. The Irish government prohibits aborting babies conceived due to rape or incest, or detected with fetal abnormality in the womb. Some lawmakers, however, want to repeal this amendment in favor of women in a pregnancy crisis. Reports revealed that over 170,000 Irish women who got pregnant due to rape or incest or had learned that the child in their womb had fatal foetal abnormality go to Great Britain and nearby places where abortion covers more scope. Pro-choice supporters defended that traveling to other countries poses more risks to women logistically, financially and emotionally. If they cannot travel, some turn to online sites to purchase abortion pills illegally, which add to the health risks. "We need to remove the shame and stigma, and allow women who need it to have a safe procedure in a familiar environment" one supporter to repeal the amendment said. Supporters of the bill are asking some 40,000 Irishmen expats to come home to cast their vote in May. If the repeal wins, Ireland will have unrestricted abortion until the 12th week of pregnancy. Librarians from a university in Massachusetts warn that Christians who say "God bless you" or "Merry Christmas" to Muslims could be seen as Islamophobic or might have manifested Islamomisic Microaggression. In a newly released guide titled "Anti-Oppression: Anti-Islamomisia," the librarians from Simmons College in Boston said that some Christians might or might not be aware they were committing these offenses against Muslims and other minorities. Their behavior, such as saying "God bless you" or "Merry Christmas to people who do not practice the same beliefs, proliferate the stereotypes as well. "Islamomisic Microaggressions are commonplace verbal or behavioral indignities, whether intentional or unintentional, which communicate hostile, derogatory, or negative slights and insults in relation to the beliefs and religious practices of Muslims," the guide stated. "They are structurally based and invoke oppressive systems of religious/Christian hierarchy." The librarians also suggested that because Christians belong to the dominant religious group, there was a tendency for some to fail to engage constructively when it comes to religious discussions. Christian behavior sometimes exude privilege and superiority, and if challenged, some feel at a loss since they had not been exposed enough to much indifference to build adequate coping skills. The guide, however, was not meant to represent the stand of Simmons College. The librarians clarified that it was intended to promote awareness that could usher religious equality and reduce oppression. In line with the guide's release, the Simmons College library also created a page on Islamophobia on its site, which features a video of Melissa Boigon's TED Talk from 2013. In it, Boigon discussed the ways to counter Islamophobia. She said that as a religion, Islam largely centers on peace and the number of members who belong to extremist groups that commit terrorism around the world is "very small." Boigon also stressed that Islamophobia had become more about fearing Arabs than Islam itself, but just the same, these fears were unwarranted. President Donald Trump has found his replacement for Rex Tillerson as the Secretary of State. The U.S. leader confirmed in a post on Twitter that he assigned CIA Director Mike Pompeo in this new role effective this month. Critics, however, greeted the president's announcement with much reservation and opposition. A report on Patheos described Pompeo as a "dangerous Christian extremist" who reportedly wanted to make the CIA dominantly white, male and conservative. Another report cited Pompeo's history of Islamophobia. An analysis of his political career further stated that while he had more experience with foreign relations and national security compared to Tillerson, this could make him all the more dangerous as the Secretary of State. The former CIA chief had voiced strong opinions on China, Russia and North Korea in the past. He also expressed support for using torture against people under suspicion for violence or terrorism. This early, however, several senators have said they would not confirm his assignment as Secretary of State, but Pompeo's conservative supporters believe he will be officially named to the post soon. A Harvard and West Point graduate, Pompeo served as a Kansas Congressman from 2010 until his assignment to the CIA. Political observers say that Trump favored him because they were on the same wavelength when it came to foreign policies, unlike the man he replaced. "I've worked with Mike Pompeo now for quite some time," Trump told reporters. "The relationship has been very good. That's what I need as secretary of state. In 2015, Pompeo spoke about religion during Summit Church's "God and Country Rally." The Christian conservative expressed support for abortion but only if it meant saving the mother's life and nothing more. Pompeo is also known to hold Bible studies at the White House from time to time. He and his family attend the Eastminster Presbyterian Church. home World Church leaders decry attack on Catholic-run hospital in India Church leaders have decried the attack carried out by a mob led by the personal assistant of a local parliamentarian on a Catholic-run church in Ujjain city. According to World Watch Monitor, the mob, led by Gagan Singh, personal secretary of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Chintamani Malviya, vandalized and bulldozed a section of the wall of the Pushpa Mission Hospital on the morning of March 12. The attack also damaged the electrical supply and generator unit and disconnected the water supply to the hospital, which has around 200 beds. Church authorities have tried to contact top government officials, but no police turned up as the mob continued vandalizing the hospital. The mob reportedly pulled down the compound wall and replaced it with iron fencing, stretching four meters into the road. "We desperately contacted the police chief, district collector and met even the state Governor [who was in Ujjain on the day] but none of them did anything," said Bishop Sebastian Vadakkel, of the affected diocese in the city of Ujjain. Vadakkel said that the church had been in possession of the hospital complex for 57 years and there had been no complaints. He noted that the claim to the land was first raised in 2015 a "by manipulating government land records." On Jan. 27, members of the BJP, the pro-Hindu party that runs the state government, reportedly made an attempt to take over the land and accused the church of illegally occupying the site. A stay order to maintain the status quo of the hospital was granted by the Madhya Pradesh High Court on Feb. 2 until further hearing, but the case has since been transferred to a lower court for a police investigation and hearing. The lower court stated on March 8 that there was no longer a need for a stay order as the case and investigation were proceeding peacefully. However, the attack took place just two days after the church authorities requested the stay order. Several nuns and nurses were reportedly "abused" and "pushed around" when they tried to stop the attack on the hospital. "This is shocking. We cannot tolerate such goondaism [violent hooliganism]," Archbishop Leo Cornelius, head of the Catholic Church in Madhya Pradesh, told World Watch Monitor. "Such things are happening in many places. It is disturbing to note that government officials turn [away] in such situations. I am visiting the area tomorrow," he added. Vadakkel had noted that the local women's police station had turned away the nurses who wanted to lodge a complaint. The bishop said he believes that the attack was an attempt to intimidate the poor people so that they would stay away from Christian institutions. Since the BJP came into power in New Delhi in 2014, the attacks against Christians have increased significantly. According to Persecution Relief, there have been 736 reported cases of attacks against Christians in 2017, up from 348 in 2016. home World Family of imprisoned Christian in North Korea hopes TrumpaKim summit will lead to release A family is hoping that the summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un will lead to the release of a Christian professor, who detained in April last year for alleged anti-state activities. Tony Kim, one of three Americans being detained in North Korea, had taught accounting at Pyongyang University for Science and Technology (PUST), but he was suddenly arrested on April 22, 2017 as he was on his way back home to the U.S. "My father had just finished his semester as a professor in North Korea when he was arrested at the airport," Kim's eldest son, Sol, explained in a YouTube video. "No explanation was given. My family and I have had no contact with him since," he added. According to CBN News, Kim was arrested and sentenced to 15 years in prison for anti-state activities and trying to overthrow the government. A month later, North Korean authorities arrested another PUST instructor named Kim Hak Song while he was traveling by train from Pyongyang to Chinese border town Dandong. A message that was said to be from Kim Hak Song posted on the website of a Korean-Brazilian church in Sao Paulo in 2015 indicated that he was a Christian missionary trying to help North Koreans become self-sufficient. In 2015, Kim Dong Chul, a Korean-American Missionary was arrested and later sentenced to 10 years of hard labor for subversion. According to a report from North Korea's official KCNA news agency, Kim has stated that he had set up a business in the communist regime's special economic zone of Rason in 2008. Although there are no indications that the summit will lead to the release of the three detainees, it has raised the hopes of Sol Kim. "I am hopeful. It is hard to say any other feeling," he told Reuters. He noted that U.S. officials have previously told him that his father's plight will be raised at appropriate times. He said that he is hoping that it would be one of the top priorities during the face-to-face meeting. "As a family, any news, any update and any progress is good progress and it is hopeful," said Sol Kim. Regular talks have been held between the U.S. government and Kim's family. but there has been no contact since the proposed summit was announced. Trump's decision to meet with Kim Jong Un had surprised even members of his own administration, but U.S. officials defended the decision saying the U.S. is expecting the communist regime to stop its nuclear and missile testing in advance of any meeting. home World Sweden's Social Democrats propose ban on all religious schools to combat segregation Sweden's Social Democratic Party has proposed a ban on all religious charter schools in a bid to tackle segregation in the country amid a growing number of asylum seekers. "Religious influence has no home in Swedish schools. The Social Democrats want school to provide all children with a good education regardless of their background, gender or religion," the party stated in a press release, according to The Local. Secondary Education Minister Anna EkstrAm and Public Administration Minister Ardalan Shekarabi have expressed support for the proposal at a press conference on Tuesday. "The important thing for us is that in school there are no confessional elements," said EkstrAm, a member of the ruling Swedish Social Democratic Party. Shekarabi cited his experiences with gender segregation in his native Iran in explaining his support for banning faith schools. "I'm from a country where religious influence and gender segregation was present in every school. I never intend to allow that oppression, which I and many others fled from, to make its way into Swedish schools," he said. Omar Abu Helal, a principal at an Islamic charter school in southern Sweden, denounced the proposal, saying it is a "violation of the European Convention of Human Rights" and the "freedom of religion." The announcement came six months ahead of the Sept. 9 general election. If re-elected, the Social Democrats vowed to turn all religious independent schools into non-religious schools, although the party still needs to conduct an investigation on how to accomplish the task. The proposal has not gained the support of the parliament, but several other parties have criticized the establishments of religious schools following reports of gender segregation in classes. Religious schools have drawn controversy last year after male and female students at a privately run Islamic school in Stockholm were seen in a video entering a school bus from different entrances. According to Times of Israel, 59 out of 71 primary and upper secondary religious charter schools in Sweden are Christian, 11 are Muslim and one is Jewish. Several Jewish schools do not fall into the religious school category because they do not have specific religious elements in their education plans, and exist to cater to an ethnic minority. All religious schools in Sweden are "free schools" that are run independently but receive state funding. All non-state run schools in Sweden receive state funding because it is illegal to charge for primary education for children up to 18. The Social Democrats are also planning to introduce a measure that would test the fitness of those who want to start and run an independent school. My first weeks at university were spent in mild panic. I wasnt a bad student, but somehow, I couldnt understand half of my lectures. Tutors peppered their lectures with unfamiliar technical terms, most of them ending in ism. Readings were dense and inhospitable slabs of text. Often, I was scrambling to make sense of one sentence when my tutor had already said another three. It was a relief to discover that most of my fellow students felt the same way. Most first years tend to get this type of shock when they get exposed to the fast-moving academic language of university classes. It was natural communication to my tutors, who were submerged in the university culture. They didnt mean to be bewildering. But to students, it was like another language. How we speak is powerful for including (or excluding) people. Which is why I wonder about how the situation appears when I relate to my unchurched friends and family. Think about how many technical terms we as Christians use in talking about our faith to each other. Bearing gospel fruit. Mutually encouraged. Love on others. Sitting under the Word. Accountability partners. Small groups. Doing life together. Greeting of peace. Laying on of hands. Raising up workers for the harvest. Gift of singleness. Eschatology. Fellowshipping together. At times, I struggle to explain my faith without falling into this type of language. Language that no one outside faith circles should necessarily know about. Language thats basically Christian jargon. I begin to wonder if Im resembling one of those bad tourists who travels abroad and expects to communicate with everyone in English. Do I even realise Im doing this? And what effect does that have on my relationships? Spot the jargon Jargon gets a poor rap, but it isnt all bad. Its most basic definition is the language peculiar to a trade, profession, or other group. Jargon evolves into communication because its an efficient way for people in similar contexts to share information. Its fast and gets the job done. Doctors use jargon to discuss medical cases with other doctors; tradesmen share information with other tradesmen; and so on. Its only natural that Christians would have their own words and phrases. After all, we have a whole history and faith that we can reference. Using these terms has advantages of efficiency and the ability to have deeper, more specific conversations with one another. Where jargon falls down, though, is shown in a secondary definition of the term: pretentious language abounding in uncommon or unfamiliar words. Jargon is criticised for being vague and for excluding others. It works in a specific context for some; but can cause confusion for others. A doctor friend of mine can understand a sentence like, The patients haemorrhage dropped the haematocrit to the point where the myocardium became compromised, causing an infarction. Me, I need to be told, The patients bleeding dropped their blood count, resulting in a heart attack. Why? I have no medical background. Explaining medical concepts in medical terms to me is no good. You may as well explain Swahili to me in Swahili. Can we say the same about our own jargon? What does it mean to invite Jesus into your heart, for example? What is the definition of an evangelical? Can we explain sin in plain English? Not only does thinking about these concepts help us when we speak to our friends about our faith it also helps crystallise our understanding of what Christianity is. Albert Einstein was attributed with saying, If you cant explain it simply, you dont understand it well enough. If we dont think about what were really saying, we wont be ready to explain it. We also wont be ready to be inclusive of those who dont speak the lingo. Knowing our audience I work in communications, so Im prone to think about how to use words so that they resonate. When I write, I dont say things in the hope that I understand them. I want their audience to get something out of them. One verse that comes back to me is in 1 Corinthians Chapter 9: Though I am free of obligation to anyone, I make myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the Law I became like one under the Law (though I myself am not under the Law), to win those under the Law. ... I have become all things to all men, so that by all possible means I might save some of them. Paul recognised the importance of meeting people where they are, crossing all boundaries. He no doubt would have spoken in different ways to Jews, Gentiles, and those under the Law not because he was sharing different truths, but because he wanted the hearers to understand well. He learned how to be fluent in customs and communication with his audience. Its the same with us. Can we speak our faith for our friends who dont call themselves Christian? If we want our words to cross barriers, and if we want to be an inclusive community, we need to think about how we communicate. My thoughts? Lets start noticing when we use Christian jargon and think more deeply about how wed explain our terms to outsiders. Lets be critical about our language, recognising what may be unclear or confusing. And lets keep one foot outside our community, not just inside. Cheryl McGrath is a communications professional with a background in editing and publishing. She works as a copywriter and lives in Melbourne. Cheryl McGrath's previous articles may be viewed at http://www.pressserviceinternational.org/cheryl-mcgrath.html. Archbishop of Canterbury condemns Salisbury attack as 'sin' and 'terrible event' The archbishop of Canterbury has condemned the attack of former spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter in Salisbury as a 'sin' and a 'terrible event', calling for those responsible to be 'held accountable'. In wide-ranging interviews with a number of broadcasters on Friday morning following the publication of his book, Reimagining Britain, Justin Welby also criticised the government's austerity drive and revealed his nerves ahead of his role at Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding. On the attack in Salisbury, that left Skripal and his daughter Yulia as well police officer Nick Bailey in hospital, Welby said chemical weapons were illegal and 'wrong under all circumstances'. He told ITV News: 'Chemical weapons are banned by international law, they are so awful that the whole world has got together and said, "You do not use these things."' 'So to use them, in any way, is completely wrong under all circumstances.' Addressing the increasing tensions between the UK and Russia, Welby added: 'I think it's a time for courage, for resilience and hope, for trust in God and to pray. 'We pray for all involved. But we mustn't react out of fear and terror because when you do that you do the wrong thing.' The archbishop will preside over Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding vows on May 19 and also spoke of his nerves ahead of the ceremony. Welby has formed a close relationship with the couple and led Ms Markle's baptism service last week. He said he could give 'very little' detail of the ceremony simply describing it as 'very special', 'beautiful' and 'very sincere'. However he alluded to the last wedding he presided at, that of his communications director Ailsa Anderson, where he dropped one of the rings. 'Unlike recent weddings I must not drop the ring,' he said when asked how he was preparing for the service. 'And I must not forget to get the vows in the right order as I did at the rehearsal of one of my children's weddings.' He told ITV News: 'At the heart of it are two people who have fallen in love with each other who are committing their lives to each other with the most beautiful words and profound thoughts, who do it in the presence of God through Jesus Christ. You pray for them to have the strength to fulfil their vows and you seek to do it in a way that respects their integrity and honours their commitment.' Welby also criticised the government for public spending cuts that he said had fallen too harshly on the weakest. Although he said the cuts may be necessary, he cited Catholic Social Teaching and said the rich should shoulder a greater share of the burden. 'Austerity, when you look at its consequences, has been deeply damaging for the weakest in society,' he told ITV. 'At the heart of Christian teaching... is the concept of the common good, so austerity may be necessary but the way it's done must take into account the common good. 'The load must be borne most heavily by those with the deepest pockets and the greatest strength.' However he denied being 'close to Jeremy Corbyn's Labour party' in his ideas expressed in Reimagining Britain. 'God isn't left wing or right wing,' he told Sky News. 'The Church is about the Kingdom of God which is about the care for every human being and seeing the reign and love of God in every human situation and place. 'I am not close the politics of Jeremy Corbyn any more than I am close to the politics of Theresa May. It is on a completely different scale.' 'Days of Our Lives' spoilers, plot news: Chad and Lani interrogate Stefan while Gabby pretends to be Abigail On the March 16 episode of "Days of Our Lives," Chad DiMera (Billy Flynn) and Lani Price (Sal Stowers) will interrogate Stefan (Tyler Christopher) regarding the murder of Andre DiMera (Thaao Penghlis). Meanwhile, Abigail Deveraux's (Marci Miller) not-so-good alter ego, Gabby, will be facing a problem that requires the solution of pretending to be Abigail. Chad still believes that Stefan was the one who murdered Andre. Following what his gut says, he ransacked Stefan's office to find any evidence linking Stefan to Andre's murder. There, he found Andre's missing cellphone which he immediately turned over to the police. Lani had previously arrested Gabi Hernandez (Camila Banus) for what happened to Andre and learning about Stefan hiding an important piece of evidence will pique her interest. The two will then be interrogating Stefan to find answers surrounding Andre's death. Will Stefan reveal the truth about who killed Andre? Will he finally reveal that Abigail or, more importantly, her alter ego Gabby, is the one responsible? Will Abigail's condition be finally be revealed? Speaking of Gabby, she will be facing a somewhat huge crisis in the upcoming episode. She will, unexpectedly, bump into Kayla Johnson (Mary Beth Evans) and Abigail's mother, Jennifer Horton (Melissa Reeves). Because of this, Gabby will be forced to act and pretend like the normal and sane Abigail. Of course, it is inevitable that Jennifer will notice that something is wrong with the way her daughter acts, after all she is her daughter. Kayla, on the other hand, will notice that something is not right with "Abigail" but will not comment on her observation. Assuming Stefan reveals Gabby's part in the murder, will the two women realize that they are in the company of Abigail's alter ego? Will Kayla connect the time Abigail asked her for medical advice regarding her headaches to the appearance of her alter ego? "Days of Our Lives" premieres weekdays afternoon on NBC. Lambeth Conference 2020: 900 bishops to meet in biggest Anglican gathering for a decade More than 900 bishops from all around the world will be invited to a major Anglican conference in 2020 in what will be the biggest test of Justin Welby's tenure as archbishop of Canterbury. The Lambeth Conference, a 10-yearly event that gathers together the leaders of the 80 million-strong worldwide Anglican Communion, will be held in Canterbury under the theme of 'God's Church for God's World: walking, listening and witnessing together'. Welby said the conference will be a 'time of addressing hurts and concerns' as divisions over sexuality are expected to dominate the agenda as well as shared concerns over the persecution of Christians, conflict, and climate change. 'This is a significant event in the history of our extraordinary global family as we seek God's direction for an Anglican Communion equipped for the 21st century,' he said. 'I am looking forward immensely to welcoming bishops and their spouses from around the world. 'It will be a time of addressing hurts and concerns; of deepening existing relationships and building new ones; of grappling with issues that face the Church and the world. We will listen to each other; we will seek God's wisdom to find ways to walk together; we will build each other up as leaders. 'It's my prayer that, inspired by the Holy Spirit, the Lambeth Conference will reinvigorate the Communion with the vision and resources to bring the transforming love of Jesus Christ to every level of society across the world.' The conference will mark the greatest challenge to Welby's leadership as he attempts to avoid the boycotts by African and other global south bishops in 2008 who objected to the US Episcopal Church's decision to consecrate Gene Robinson, who is openly gay, as a bishop. That conference was tainted after a number of leading conservative clergy announced a separate event in Jerusalem, the Global Anglican Futures Conference, which led to the formation of the GAFCON movement. Originally scheduled for this summer, the conference was postponed by two years amid reports that Welby would not call the meeting until he was confident most if not all the key figures would consent to come. A new website went live on Thursday confirming the meeting would take place from July 24 to August 3, 2020, and bishops' spouses would also be invited. The archbishop of Cape Town, Thabo Makgoba, will design the conference's programme alongside others including the Lambeth Conference CEO, Phil George, who was appointed last September. 'I am excited at the way the conference is coming together,' said George. 'The creation of this webpage is a step forward but it is only the beginning. The new site we are putting together will have a wealth of extra information on it and will be updated regularly with news, videos and other information.' Museum of the Bible: An investment for the future that will help many toward faith In November 2017, the Museum of the Bible opened in Washington DC. Last week I visited with rather low expectations. I had visions of Praiseland from The Simpsons a Bible-inspired theme park replete with kitsch and cliches such as a ride where a David animatronic robot would read all of the 150 psalms to you. And all while you were locked in a carriage wearing tacky merchandise emblazoned with weird and wonderful verses. I also had the suspicion that I was going to be angry at a phenomenal waste of money. Rumours estimated $1 billion were spent on the purchase and refitting of the building, and on the artefacts and programmes. It's an occupational hazard for those us working in the charity sector on tight budgets not to resent enterprises that seem oblivious to, for example, the need to help vulnerable children around the world find loving homes. But while travelling to the US on a trip related to my own fostering and adoption charity, I was invited to see this museum for myself. It is only three blocks from the National Mall, the beautiful park area in the centre of Washington which is home to the Lincoln Memorial and Capitol buildings as well as the iconic 167-metre obelisk the world knows as the Washington Monument. This area is also home to the 17 Smithsonian museums, some of which were featured in the Night of the Museum movies. This is exactly the right neighbourhood to establish a world-class museum and attract visitors from around the world. The sun was rising behind the Museum of the Bible as I approached it, projecting a striking silhouette. Reaching up some eight floors, housing 430,000 square feet of floor space, the scale of the project is certainly impressive. From its grand entrance you see the 40-foot concourse, either side of which hang two huge bronze replicas of Guttenberg's printing press plates (in Latin, backwards). From the moment you cross the threshold of the building you are symbolically being invited into the Bible and immersed in its story. I was immediately struck by the design values a fusion between the clean wood and glass of an Apple store and the beauty and educative commitments of National Geographic. Above my head was a 140-ft long LED screen that displayed a fabulous animated version of the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, and, gazing up, presented me with a sense of awe as meaningful as at any of Italy's art-infused cathedrals. The first floor invites you to explore the way that the Bible has shaped the world, from the abolition of slavery and the civil rights movement to its impact on science and technology. Indeed you can take a virtual tour (an actual fly-board ride) of DC to see some of the scriptures inscribed on public places. The second floor presents the story of the Bible as a separate Old Testament (Hebrew Bible) and New Testament experience. The former is told in such a way that various Jewish visitors have noted that their holy book has been honoured. The New Testament experience includes a recreation of 1st-century Nazareth complete with actors in costume representing daily life in the time of Jesus. Next comes a superlative animated retelling of the New Testament, the best I have ever seen. The third floor looks at the history of the Bible and is replete with ancient manuscripts and biblical artefacts, all brilliantly presented for interactive learning. 'Illuminations' is an adjacent section visually representing where the Bible has been translated and how many languages are still waiting for even a portion of the Bible to be completed. It's hard to come away from that exhibit not wanting to do something to change that. One particular artefact on the first floor struck me as symbolising the genius and the humility of the museum's design and vision. In the section about the ending of the slave trade there was an original copy of what became known as the Slave Bible, printed and produced in London in 1808. It is based on the King James Version but deliberately omits every reference in the Bible to freedom. For example, the entire book of Exodus is missing. The parts of the Bible that were kept were those that encouraged submission and acceptance. It shocked and galled me that professing Christians once knowingly and deliberately sought to manipulate people through self-serving Bible edits. This artefact is an excellent cameo of what the museum accomplishes. It is not whitewashing the Bible, presenting a rose-tinted version of it along with societal benefits. Rather, it appropriately wrestles with the challenges and historical realities and relevancy of a book that has had widespread positive influence, both also some sinister or misguided uses. 400,000 people have already been through the museum since it opened last autumn. Predictions are that around 1.7 million will visit the museum annually, with rotating exhibits for repeat visitors. I came away feeling that they will have their eyes opened to the Bible's impact and message, and that perhaps that a $1 billion museum does have a place. After all, I do not resent the vision and expense of our spiritual ancestors who built Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris over the course of a century, or Cologne Cathedral over 600 years. Hundreds of years later they are still helping people encounter something of God's magnificence. With the quality of the experience and the numbers of people who will see the Museum of the Bible, this investment will probably help its founders to reach their goal of helping all people to engage the Bible. And from my perspective, to help many towards new or deeper faith commitments. If you are visiting DC, don't miss this treat, already heralded by many as one of the world's new gems among museums. I have also discovered that the Museum of the Bible is planning a long-term exhibition in London later this year. You might not have to travel too far to get a taste of this excellent initiative. Dr Krish Kandiah is the founding director of Home for Good and the founder of Books for Life. Pope Francis could visit Pakistan after meeting with Catholic bishops Pope Francis could visit Pakistan after hosting the country's Catholic bishops in the Vatican on Thursday. Pakistan's government backed the visit, according to the Catholic bishops who issued the formal invitation after their 'ad limina' visit, which occurs once every five years, to Rome. Former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif sent two federal ministers to Rome to personally deliver a letter of invitation to the Pontiff in 2015 but now arrangements for any visit would have to wait until after a new Pakistani government is set up in July. 'Pope Francis is highly esteemed by all Pakistanis, including Muslims,' said Joseph Coutts, the archbishop of Karachi. 'They consider him a man of peace and appreciated his steps towards the Islamic community, not least the good relations with the Al-Azhar.' In his meeting with the Catholic bishops the pontiff voiced concerns about the persecution aimed at Pakistan's tiny Catholic minority. They discussed the country's controversial blasphemy laws, which Coutts said meant 'a person, almost always innocent, is accused without any proof and without the possibility of defending himself'. After a string of terrorist attacks on Pakistan's churches, the bishops also expressed concern that more could be coming. 'There is constant danger and we do not know where and when the terrorists will strike again,' Coutts, 72, said noting that some places of worship were protected on feast days such as Easter but are left unguarded most of the time. They also discussed the country's upcoming elections and Coutts said: 'The main parties as well as those with Islamic affiliations are fighting each other, and a mature and wise candidate has not yet emerged.' Sajid Javid fifth MP sent 'Punish a Muslim' letter in two-year 'hate campaign' Sajid Javid has become the fifth MP to be a sent a suspicious package with a letter calling for a 'punish a Muslim' day. The communities secretary tweeted a picture of the racist letter which called for extreme violence against Muslims. As well as a 'low-level noxious' substance that resulted in several staff members in MPs' offices being taken to hospital, the packages included a letter calling for April 3 to be a 'punish a Muslim' day. The letter listed a range of abusive activities from 'pull the head scarf off a Muslim woman', which amounted to 25 'points', to 'nuke Mecca', which was given 2,500 points. The letter reads: 'They have hurt you, they have made your loved ones suffer. They have caused you pain and heartache. What are you going to do about it? Are you a sheep like the vast majority of the population?' It comes as the monitoring group Tell Mama warned the letters bear the hallmarks of a two-year hate campaign on both sides of the Atlantic. The 'Punish a Muslim' letters contain a number of similarities to letters sent to mosques in London, South Yorkshire and the US in 2016-17, including sharing the same postmark, the group said. Steve Rose of Tell Mama, which records anti-Muslim incidents, said the letters appeared to have a similar symbol and sign-off. 'It appears to be an updated version of what was in the letters last year,' he said, according to the Guardian. 'The letters seem to have been sent to individuals, businesses and families with perceived Muslim-sounding names.' The other MPs to have received the letter are Labour's Rupa Huq, Rushanara Ali, Mohammad Yasin and Afzal Khan. Theresa May condemned the campaign in Prime Minister's Questions on Wednesday. She said: 'I am sure that the whole House will join me in condemning this unacceptable and abhorrent behaviour, which has no place in our society. An investigation is under way and steps are being taken to bring the perpetrators to justice.' Samsung Galaxy Note 9 release date, specs rumors 2018: Phablet may not have an in-display sensor after all The expectations are high for Samsung's next-generation Galaxy Note phablet. For one, the Samsung Galaxy Note 9 was tipped to have an in-display fingerprint sensor, although the technology that would allow such feature would be a challenge to develop. Earlier reports suggest that the South Korean tech giant could come up with the under-display technology just in time for the Galaxy Note 9, although it now appears that the public should probably wait for the next year's Note iteration to see it. KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo stated his latest notes that Samsung has already given up at the prospect of having an in-display fingerprint sensor in the Galaxy Note 9. Kuo's prediction, which was reported via Apple Insider, suggests that the company is delaying the arrival of this feature from its 2018 lineup. The issue is said to lie with the technology's huge power requirement and the fact that the in-display sensors would not work properly when used with screen protectors. Also, the technology would not be reliable when the device is used in a different environment. Earlier rumors hinted that Samsung could introduce the in-display fingerprint sensor via Galaxy S9 this year. However, the 2018 flagship smartphone has arrived with a rear-positioned fingerprint reader, similar to its predecessor. Some users are complaining about the proximity of the biometric reader to the rear camera module, although the Galaxy S9 introduced a slight fix by having the fingerprint sensor below the camera lens. Still, an in-display fingerprint sensor would have been a more satisfying remedy to this issue, and it looks like the Galaxy Note 9 would also skip on this feature as well. For now, the only handset maker that successfully developed an in-display fingerprint sensor is Vivo. The Chinese manufacturer unveiled the X20 Plus UD at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) last January, which is the first smartphone to boast such technology. However, The Samsung Galaxy Note 9 is expected to launch sometime in August or September this year. San Diego bishop condemns Trump's Mexico wall after border visit San Diego's Bishop Robert McElroy hit out at Donald Trump's visit to the Mexican border earlier this week, where the president displayed several prototypes for his controversial border wall. Trump presented his wall models during a visit to southern California on Tuesday, his first trip to the Democrat-leaning state as president. He reiterated his commitment to the wall, championed its superiority to current border measures, and called on Congress to provide $18 billion to fund the structure. 'If you don't have a wall system, we're not going to have a country,' Trump said standing in front of the 30ft mock-ups, according to the San Diego Union-Tribune. McElroy said in a statement, in reaction to Trump's visit: 'It is a sad day for our country when we trade the majestic, hope-filled symbolism of the Statue of Liberty for an ineffective and grotesque wall which both displays and inflames the ethnic and cultural divisions that have long been the underside of our national history.' He added: 'Our faith is in the God who is the Father of us all, and who urges us to see Jesus himself in the immigrants and refugees who seek safety and freedom.' McElroy's condemnation stands alongside widespread antagonism to the wall project from US Catholic leaders and from Pope Francis too. The pontiff, whose politics have frequently clashed with the president, famously said: 'A person who thinks only about building walls, wherever they may be, and not building bridges, is not Christian.' A Houston man has been arrested and charged with animal cruelty after he allegedly shot and killed a family's pet dog Wednesday. McCoy Holcomb, 72, allegedly "shot a family's pet dog multiple times in front of a 14-year-old child," Harris County court documents state. "Defendant told 14-year-old child to 'go get the other dogs' and that he would 'finish them off too,'" according to court documents. READ MORE: Harris D.A.'s office investigating United Airlines as company releases details on puppy's death Holcomb's bond was set at $50,000. He does not have a criminal history in Harris County and is due back in court March 19. Fernando Alfonso III is a digital reporter at Chron.com. Follow him on twitter at @fernalfonso. Dear Abby: I'm a stay-at-home mom with three children - all in school. We recently had security cameras installed around our house. However, my husband has taken to using them to monitor everything I do throughout the day. He will say things like, "What took so long to go to the dry cleaner?" or, "Why did you go outside at 11 a.m.?" I feel like a prisoner in my home! What should I do? No Privacy in the East Dear No Privacy: What your husband is doing is controlling and, frankly, creepy. This is what insecure abusers do to their significant others. Tell him you do not have to account to him for every minute of your day, and that he should be doing more important things with his time than monitoring you. And then insist the two of you get counseling. Do it now. Dear Abby: I'm a healthy 30-year-old woman living in Los Angeles. A close friend just had a baby. I'm planning to visit her, but she is demanding that before I do I get vaccinated (the Tdap). I didn't think much of it, but another friend thinks that's a tall order. She says why can't I just wash my hands and use hand sanitizer like everyone else? Do you think this is an appropriate request, or is my other friend overreacting? Old School Dear Old School: The Tdap vaccine is important because it protects against tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis (whooping cough). It is usually given only once in a person's lifetime, with booster shots every 10 years. Unless otherwise indicated by a health care professional, everyone over the age of 19 who has never received this vaccine should have it. Yes, I do think the mother's request is appropriate, and your other friend is overreacting. If you prefer not to do it, you always have the option of waiting to visit until after the baby begins the DTaP series of vaccinations. Dear Abby: A boy (also a junior in high school) asked me to a school dance a couple of weeks ago. He's kind, funny, does great in school. I really like him, and I think he likes me, but since the dance, nothing has happened! The problem, I think, is that he is Mormon. I am fine with his religion. I am Jewish and not very religious, but I'm not planning to convert. We have talked about this together, and I'm afraid that his parents and/or religion won't permit him to have a relationship with me. What are the rules about dating when you are Mormon? Is he not allowed to date me, or is he just shy? Don't Know in Texas Dear Don't Know: I'm not an expert on the Mormon religion, so I took your question to my "Mormon connection," Allen Bergin, Ph.D. After I read him your letter, he asked me to assure you that the boy is just shy. Be patient, and you'll probably hear from him around the time of the next dance. DearAbby.comDear AbbyP.O. Box 69440Los Angeles, CA 90069Andrews McMeel Syndication I don't want to bury the lead, so like a good reporter I'll get right to the point: I spent 10 years as a journalist then decided to go to medical school. On Friday, Match Day, during which medical students across the country discovered where they would do their residency, I found myself one step further along the unique path I chose. I've been asked many times why I decided to make such a seismic shift in my career, and I usually respond as I once did about my relationships: "It's complicated." I was an English major and began my journalism career by traveling through Asia, writing about local farmers for an organic agricultural magazine. From there I worked at a radio program in Pittsburgh, a television program in New York, and for three years at the Houston Chronicle. Along the way, I got a master's degree in journalism from the University of California, Berkeley. Stories I worked on took me to China, Japan, Thailand and India, among other places. And I was part of a team that was a finalist for a Pulitzer Prize while covering Hurricane Ike for the Chronicle. For me journalism was not something I dabbled in, it was a passion, my life work. It is difficult to explain what led me to leave all of that. Perhaps the biggest factor was the personal experiences I had with friends and family dealing with illness. When my grandmother had a stroke my family spent days in the hospital, scared and vulnerable, under a shroud of confusion. I was struck by the compassion of the doctors who cared for her. The director of palliative care spent hours talking with us, giving us the information we needed to make decisions on her care. He even visited our home, where she spent her last days. I also watched my best friend from college struggle with crippling depression that left him unable to hold down a job. When a psychiatrist diagnosed him with bipolar disorder and adjusted his medication regimen, his life trajectory began to change. He completed a master's degree, gained employment and found a life partner. I was extremely moved by the gifts these doctors gave me and those I cared for, and I suppose I began wanting the opportunity to give these kinds of gifts myself. These experiences occurred while I was covering stories in the Houston's medical center. I was particularly struck when listening to doctors speak of the recovery of former congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, who was shot in the head during an assassination attempt. I also found myself fascinated when interviewing an infectious disease doctor about the swine flu pandemic. Not sure where it would take me, I started volunteering at Houston Methodist Hospital, spending time with patients who were in the hospital for an extended duration. Something just felt right about that setting, those experiences. The idea of becoming a doctor crept into my psyche and took up residence. After two years of volunteering, I began making elaborate spreadsheets, weighing the pros and cons of leaving journalism for a career in medicine. I loved journalism for the opportunities to engage with people and craft their stories into something meaningful. Along the way, I hoped my work would shed light on important issues of social justice. I had listened to many difficult stories as a journalist. But I found myself wanting the opportunity to do more for the individuals I interviewed. At the age of 32, my gut said to pursue a career in medicine and so did the spreadsheet. I spent a year and a half completing pre-medical courses at the University of Houston, took the MCAT and was accepted into Baylor College of Medicine. The transition to medical school was difficult at times. It wasn't just memorizing reams of textbook pages that was a challenge. I also had to deal with being on the lowest rung of the medical ladder. My experiences in journalism meant nothing when I was sitting for medical exams or scrubbing in for heart surgery. But my previous work did mean something at times. My interviewing experience was useful when speaking with patients in the hospital. And my writing background has served me well while documenting patient notes and while writing medical articles and book chapters. I've recently been inspired to develop a pilot project that allows Houston refugees the opportunity to share their life story with medical students. My ongoing fascination with human narratives led to me to pursue the field of psychiatry. This summer, I will don my white coat and begin my psychiatry residency, staying here in Houston at Baylor College of Medicine. I am far from finished, but I am excited about the road I'm on. I am reminded of the poem by Robert Frost, "The Road Not Taken." This poem is often mistakenly interpreted as the author extolling the virtues of the road less traveled. In reality, he implied that either route was fine. Like Frost, I recognize that there are many equally good paths one can choose in life. But if you do come across two roads diverged, and find your heart drawn to the road less traveled, you might give it a try. Jason Witmer is a 2018 M.D. candidate at Baylor College of Medicine. Gov. Greg Abbott praised the efforts of volunteers Friday as he visited with a Dickinson family whose home was devastated during Hurricane Harvey. Relief efforts in the Galveston region "are made so much easier by having organizations like this come together, offer their services, their supplies, their resources to rebuild," Abbott said outside the house. The governor stopped in Dickinson as part of a two-day Houston-area visit surveying Harvey relief efforts. On Thursday, Abbott took an aerial tour of the Kingwood area, announced a multimillion-dollar pledge for voluntary property buyouts and unveiled plans to dredge the San Jacinto River to help stop flooding. He plans to visit with residents affected by the storm in Orange on Saturday. As he visited, a dozen volunteers laid bricks on the patio and shuffled in and out of Brandy and Virgil Sears' home in a cul-de-sac near the Benson and Dickinson bayous. Volunteers come from four nonprofits: Rebuild Texas Fund; the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation; 4B Disaster Response Network; and Eight Days of Hope. The interdenominational Eight Days of Hope was founded after Hurricane Katrina. Rebuild Texas Fund and 4B Disaster Response Network were established in response to Harvey. The Sears and their sons, Justice, 11, and Gaitlin, 5, stayed in an Alvin motel from September to November, when they moved into a recreational vehicle as their home renovations began. 'Glimpse of sunlight' "Harvey came in and he knocked us down," Brandy Sears said. Volunteer efforts "restored the faith in our little community. They are helping so many." She told Abbott how rising waters invaded her home in the dark of night, forcing her family to take refuge atop a bunk bed as they "prayed for daylight." In the thick of the crisis, the Sears sheltered two elderly neighbors. "When someone says, 'You're a Harvey victim,' I say, 'No. We're Harvey survivors,'" Sears said. Some of the Eight Days of Hope volunteers at the Sears' home had traveled from California, Mississippi, Georgia and Virginia. About 25 Rebuild Texas Fund volunteers are in Dickinson through Sunday. "Our job, our hope is that we're just a glimpse of sunlight," said Eight Days of Hope co-founder Steve Tybor. Tybor said 4,800 volunteers were part of the recovery effort. Traveling the region Since Harvey, Dickinson, located about 30 miles southeast of Houston off Interstate 45, has become familiar terrain for Abbott. In late December, Abbott presented Dickinson Mayor Julie Masters with a $1.25 million check for debris removal. Abbott made other visits as soon as flood waters receded. "I am going to continue to go to each of these regions that were affected by Hurricane Harvey until we do everything possible to make sure that we do rebuild Texas," Abbott said. Sporting fresh paint and a new roof, the Sears' house is nearly repaired. Normalcy also seemed to have been restored within the Sears family the youngest family member, Gaitlin, left the crowd of people listening to the governor speak in favor of a new play set in the backyard. Oxberry Group compensated nearly 200 residents in a deed-restricted neighborhood to approve plans for a high-end shopping center in the Tanglewood area. The Houston developer donated $100,000 to the Briarcroft community association and paid one years worth of HOA dues about $625 per household to any Briarcroft homeowner who voted in favor of its Shops at Tanglewood project. It also held neighborhood meetings, sent informational mailers and knocked on doors to get signatures. Sean Jamea, an Oxberry co-principal and an attorney, said theres nothing wrong with swaying votes in this manner. Its been happening in Florida for decades, he said. Theres absolutely nothing wrong with it. We wanted the Briarcroft neighborhood to prosper with us as we build this shopping center. The intense lobbying effort and payments for votes underscored the extent to which developers are willing to go to get commercial projects off the ground in residential neighborhoods where NIMBYism not in my backyard can often stymie development. Less than a year ago, neighborhood opposition doomed a proposed affordable housing project less than a mile from Oxberrys project. Josh Jacobs, principal of Edge Realty Partners, said its rare for commercial developers to successfully lobby neighborhoods to change their deed restrictions. The Houston-based retail broker is marketing the Shops at Tanglewood to prospective tenants. RELATED: Walmart to expand grocery delivery service to 100 markets Ive been in the business for 22 years, and in my experience, Ive seen a lot of people try to accomplish what (Oxberry) did, and very few succeed, Jacobs said, pointing to the so-called Ashby high-rise project as an example. The big challenge is a lot of people dont want to see change. They want to leave things the way they are, even if its a project that brings something to the community. Oxberry, which has built more than 500,000 square feet of retail space in Midtown and Montrose, began looking a year ago at developing the Shops at Tanglewood on three residential lots it has since acquired at the northwest corner of San Felipe and Chimney Rock. The busy intersection near luxury apartments, commercial centers and affluent neighborhoods seemed ripe for a Class A retail project, Jamea said. There was one major hurdle, however. The proposed 1.25-acre development site was part of the Briarcroft neighborhood, a deed-restricted community where 1950s ranch-style homes and newer spec homes range in price from the $530,000s to more than $1.5 million. Oxberry had to get two-thirds of the 285 Briarcroft households so it could build the Shops at Tanglewood. The developer needed to collect at least 191 resident signatures within 90 days to change the deed restrictions on the three home sites from residential to commercial. It was a herculean effort to get homeowners to sign off on it, Jamea said. Julian Fertitta, a 21-year Briarcroft resident and former HOA board president, said the vast majority of residents, including himself, live on the opposite side of San Felipe from the three home sites. The three homeowners, they were big proponents of this, obviously, Fertitta said. These neighbors basically had a busy street built up and an apartment building looming over their backyards. They were never going to be able to realize the value of their property if they were limited to residential. They wanted to sell. Because the lots were separated from most of the community, the deal came together without a lot of contention, particularly after Oxberry began spreading money around. It wasnt the first time a developer approached Briarcroft residents with a proposal to change deed-restrictions. Developers in the 1970s successfully lobbied the neighborhood to develop condos on the northeast corner of San Felipe and Chimney Rock. Still, its a difficult task, Fertitta said. Good luck, pal, Fertitta remembers telling Jamea. Its hard enough to get 51 percent of residents to amend deed restrictions on proposals that are board-generated. Oxberry nevertheless pressed on. The developer presented plans at a special meeting in November, and shared renderings, maps as well as traffic and parking studies with residents, many of whom initially objected to the project because of traffic and parking concerns. The company mailed five rounds of informational fliers to Briarcroft residents homes and organized a small door-to-door campaign. We had to constantly communicate with homeowners, Jamea said. We wanted them to feel comfortable that this will be a good fit for the neighborhood. At the end of it, I think not only did we get the votes, we have a neighborhood looking forward to a shopping center becoming a part of their community. Ultimately, Oxberry ended up with 199 signatures by the end of January, enough for the amendment to pass. To get nearly 200 residents to agree on something as dramatic as changing residential to commercial, thats very difficult to do, said Omar Izfar, a real estate attorney with Wilson, Cribbs and Goren who worked with Oxberry on the petition. Being very open and transparent about what you intend to do is critical to securing these types of amendments. Oxberry will start tearing down homes this month and begin building the Shops at Tanglewood this summer. The developer hopes to deliver 26,500-square-feet of retail space to tenants by the first quarter of 2019. Jamea envisions a complementary mix of offices and shops, restaurants and coffees in the shopping center, which would cater to working professionals in the area as well as the Briarcroft neighborhood. I hope they put some nice stuff in there, Fertitta, who supported the project, said. A nice restaurant or a little ice cream shop would be great to walk to. Tellurian, the Houston liquefied natural gas company co-founded by ex-Cheniere Energy boss Charif Souki, said U.S. steel tariffs could raise costs of the $15.2 billion Driftwood LNG export terminal under construction in Louisiana. The prospect of increased materials costs under the Trump Administration's 25 percent tariff on foreign-made steel stunned the oil and gas industry late last month, when the new policy was announced. Companies are building or planning to build dozens of steel oil and gas pipelines, LNG terminals and other infrastructure to accommodate the second U.S. shale boom, and they're beginning to use new math to calculate the cost of those projects. "Recently announced tariffs on imported steel may significantly increase our construction costs," Tellurian said in regulatory filings on Thursday. Related: Trump's tariffs will costs Texas oil and gas jobs At the moment, Tellurian estimates its costs for its Driftwood pipeline will come in at $2.3 billion; $1.4 billion for a pipeline connected to the Haynesville shale play in Louisiana and $3.7 billion for another connected to the Permian. It acknowledged those costs could rise, but did not provide an estimate on how much steel imports could lift those costs. In a letter to President Donald Trump earlier this month, industry trade group LNG Allies said the industry that's preparing to export U.S. shale gas "relies on steel imports for critical structural and other components of its facilities, including certain types of steel for which there is no U.S. manufacturer." The LNG industry's structural steel often comes from China, India, Turkey and Korea, the Washington D.C.-based group said. Related: Trump's tariffs could hamper Houston's economy, oil industry A 56-year-old man has been sentenced to 30 years in prison for strangling his wife, according to a Galveston County District Attorney's Office press release. The jury sentenced Leonard Smith to the Texas Department of Criminal Justice prison after finding him guilty of assault to cause bodily injury to a family member/impeding breath with a previous conviction. He will have to serve at least one-fourth of his sentence before being eligible for parole, according to the news release. The trial began Monday with prosecutors presenting evidence that Smith assaulted his wife July 26, 2016. A Galveston County police officer observed visible injuries throughout Smith's wife's face, including redness and bruising with dried blood on her nose and an eye nearly swollen shut. Injuries were also found around her neck. The unnamed wife told police she tried to flee when an intoxicated Smith became violent following an argument. Smith pinned his wife down, striking her face with a closed fist as she screamed for help. He then placed his hands around her neck and over her mouth. Smith punched his wife 20 additional times as she tried to get away. Police were called from her friend's home once she managed to escape, according to the press release. Prosecutors showed jurors Smith had been previously convicted of a domestic violence-related offense, resulting in second degree felony charges for the current case. During closing arguments Wednesday, Chief Felony Prosecutor Kayla Allen told jurors that Smith's wife thought she was going to die the night of the attack Two women, who first caught the attention of many by donning bright red hair while allegedly attempting to steal cosmetics and pepper-spraying several people at a South Montgomery County Wal-Mart, were indicted last week for aggravated robbery. Mariah Le Ann Inman, 20, and Joshlyn Dasha Robinson, 19, were arrested by the Montgomery County Precinct 3 Constable's Office after releasing surveillance videos of the two on social media, requesting the public's assistance in identifying the suspects. TEEN ARRESTS: 3 suspects charged with stealing money from ATM The duo allegedly stole make-up and other goods from a Spring Wal-Mart at 2901 Riley Fuzzel the day before Thanksgiving and fled the store with approximately $350 in merchandise, according to court documents. When confronted on their way out of the store, the women began spraying an unknown substance at the time into the air and at anyone in their way, including a 73-year-old worker, according to the Montgomery County Precinct 3 Constable's Office. Two days after the video was released, Precinct 3 received tips on the women's identities including information from the manager of a CVS where an unreported theft had occurred earlier that same day with the same alleged suspects with bright red hair. "After the tipsters provided the license plate number for the car seen at both the CVS and the Wal-Mart robberies, Precinct 3 deputies identified Inman and Robinson," according to court documents. "They were arrested and charged with aggravated robbery." Robinson is due back in court on April 3; there is no new court date for Inman as of print deadline. Request for comments from either defense attorney were not answered. Five months after Hurricane Harvey destroyed most of the crops, days in The Village still begin at dawn. That's when the residents of this small farming community - a sprawling unincorporated enclave in Brazoria County down a dirt road near Rosharon - go to work, tilling dirt in their backyard greenhouses in an attempt to rebuild their livelihoods. "This is what we do," said Pheap Phoeur, a farmer and 20-year resident of The Village, a community that includes many immigrants from Southeast Asia. Water spinach, or trakuon, it's Khmer name, is listed as a noxious weed by the USDA because of its invasiveness in waterways, and is heavily regulated and illegal to grow without a permit. The community is one of a handful in Texas, including Huntsville and Humble, allowed to legally grow it as a crop. "We're the biggest producer of this crop in the state," said Salouern Yin, a farmer in the community who also serves as a contact for Alliance for Multicultural Community Services, a United Way nonprofit agency based in Houston that works to alleviate financial, educational, language and cultural barriers in immigrant and underserved populations. "In terms of being able to contribute to the Houston economy, (the spinach crop) is significant," said Alina Tonu, an Alvin resident with Alliance. Since November, the alliance has been a hands-on presence in the community - studying where help is most needed and working with residents. So far, Alliance has conducted in-depth assessments of 187 out of 215 households. The alliance has provided materials to 52 families, 14 of whom are repeat recipients. "It was heartbreaking because there was a lot of devastation, but we also see hope as we got to interact with the community," said An Phong Vo, community impact director for Alliance. "The people here always have a smile on their face. It's a beautiful thing to see." Phoeur, 67, and her husband, Doeun Sok, are Cambodian immigrants who came to The Village in the late 1990s for an opportunity to be self-sufficient. Sok had operated his own businesses since coming to the United States in the early 1980s, including several doughnut shops in area communities including Pasadena. "I want to depend on myself," he said. "That's always been my dream." That independent streak has served him after Harvey. Sok, 68, said he received a few thousand dollars from FEMA. Materials provided by Alliance, including a plywood used to protect homes from the elements, will inch Sok and Phoeur closer to where they can move back into the family's main living quarters, which flooded during Harvey. But mostly, the rebuild has been left to them. "We are doing the work ourselves," he said. According to Vo, the family had, until recently, been living in a former outdoor patio area wrapped by blue tarp. They were basically living outside, she said. Yin knows her community from the inside out. She can break down the population by geography, demographic and age. There are around 660 residents in The Village, she estimated. Most are ages 57-80. Others in their 40s and 50s are the children of the first generation. The community also has about 220 children, ranging from infancy to 19 years old. Every home has a backyard greenhouse. That's how significant the water spinach crop is to The Village and why Harvey's destruction and the potential threat of water contamination posed a serious threat. According to Yin, because the area is unincorporated, addressing ongoing flood and drainage issues will require advocacy and community input. "As the Alliance, we are trying to help," said Savann Kruoch, monitoring and evaluation manager for Alliance. "We are here to get other agencies and resources to help to rebuild their homes." The first generation came to the area in the early 1980s as part of the influx of Cambodian refugees fleeing genocide from the Khmer Rouge. Farming crops such as water spinach was a way of life back home and became their livelihood in the United States. "There was a demand (for water spinach), and that was in their favor," Yin said. According to Yin and Kruoch, there is a misconception that this farming community - with its mixture of paved and gravel roads, and brick and mobile homes - is trapped by circumstance. "The majority of the people here came here wanting to plant," Yin said. "That was our choice and that's what we want to do, that's what I wanted to do." "Instead of working for someone else, they try to do it on their own for their family, and here they have more freedom to do that," added Kruoch. Yin's family was part of the first Cambodian exodus to the United States, where she was educated. She has worked in various fields, including as manager of a gym and coordinator for a construction company. She came to The Village about 10 years ago with her husband and children, drawn by the Alvin school district and a desire to reclaim part of her cultural heritage. There are many, she said, in The Village who are doctors, nurses, educators and other professionals who came looking for a different, more self-sustaining way of life. "I wanted to raise my children, be self-employed, make my own hours, and I learned that I have a green thumb and that I love farming," Yin said. The Village is home to former refugees and immigrants from Laos, Vietnam and Thailand, while a sizable Hispanic population adds to its mosaic of languages and dialects. As with many tight-knit communities in the wake of Harvey, the recovery process is a group effort, with neighbors helping neighbors. But as with Sok and Phoeur, the independent streak runs deep in The Village. "For many of them, the preference is to do the (rebuild) project on their own," said Vo. "There is an attitude of 'I built it with my hands and I'm proud of my work' - they are resilient and very proud." For those at Alliance like Vo, Tonu and Kruoch, working with residents of The Village and other communities they serve is also a personal commitment. Vo came to America from Vietnam when she was 12; Tonu was born in the United States, a child of a Japanese mother and a Romanian father who fled after the fall of Nicolae Ceausescu. "We love our countries, and we were resettled in the States and because we have all these opportunities and were able to go to school and I wanted to do something meaningful," Vo said. For Kruoch, 65, who came to the United States in his 20s after losing his entire family in Cambodia during the Khmer Rouge occupation, the immigrant experience breeds resilience, and is something he remains connected to. "They were refugees and may have faced the same problems," he said of The Village. "And so I share my experience with them. I want them to build their life in this country." While working on rebuilding the family home, Sok and Phoeur also spend mornings and afternoons propagating water spinach plants - cutting stems and putting it into the soil in order to revive the crop - in their green houses. "It's like starting over, but we just move forward," said Sok. This spring, they will harvest their first crop of water spinach and spinach since Harvey. "This (farming) is all I know how to do, but I love it, it makes me happy," Phoeur said. Kai Shappley lasted almost two academic years in Pearland's public schools before her mother decided that it just wasn't going to work. "This year was just too much for her," said Kimberly Shappley, explaining her decision to move her family to Austin from Pearland in early March. "We've just been having trouble with other students telling her she can't line up with girls because she's a boy. It's not the kids' fault, they don't understand," Shappley said. "And Pearland ISD doesn't want to educate them. It became too much." PLEA: Mom implores Pearland ISD board to change transgender policy Shappley's Facebook page describes her as an "accidental advocate," a role that grew out of her appearance before the Pearland Independent School District board in August 2016. She pleaded with trustees to provide a more inclusive environment for Kai, who was then preparing to enter kindergarten, and for other transgender children in the district. The district, however, has continued to follow a policy that does not permit Kai to use the girls' bathrooms. Kai has used a restroom in a nurse's office, although her mother says the child has sometimes had accidents because the office was locked when she needed it. Shappley's efforts on her transgender daughter's behalf expanded to include statewide activism. Last year, she traveled repeatedly to Austin to lobby against the "bathroom bill," which would have required transgender people to use restrooms in public schools, government buildings and public universities based on "biological sex." CHANGES: Why have Texas Republicans cooled on bathroom bill? The bill, which was championed by Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and became a top priority for social conservatives, died in the Legislature's special session last summer. Throughout this time, Shappley said, she kept a close eye on Kai's emotional health, and she finally concluded that the girl needed a more welcoming atmosphere. Kai, 7, is now a first-grader. "Consistently, people that I know who have LGBTQ students that are in any Austin ISD school recommended that if I didn't want to leave Texas, Austin was my best and only choice," Shappley said. PLEDGE DOUBTS: Pearland ISD's diversity pledge rings hollow to mom of transgender child In December 2014, the Austin school district updated its anti-discrimination and harassment policies to include "gender expression" in multiple references, according to the Austin American-Statesman. The district, which has had transgender students as young as elementary school age, has never had a bathroom issue that required the school board to consider a policy, Jayme Mathias, the district's first openly gay trustee, told the newspaper. A Harris County Sheriff's Office deputy shot and killed a man during a physical struggle at a Spring home Friday morning. The deputy was responding to a call around 6:30 a.m. from a neighbor about an argument and possible gunshot she heard next door, in a home in the 17900 block of Seven Pines. When the man answered his door, he and the deputy got in a physical altercation in the house, said Senior Deputy Thomas Gilliland, spokesman of the sheriff's office. Another neighbor heard the altercation and came to help the deputy. Sometime during the struggle, the deputy fired his weapon once, fatally wounding the man who lived at the home, Gilliland said. The neighbor who came to help was also shot in the lower part of the arm, but sheriff's office officials aren't sure if that shot was fired by the deputy or the man involved in the struggle, Gilliland said. There were weapons inside the home, and investigators will look into what weapons were used and who fired them. The man who died lived with his wife in the home, Gilliland said. Police had been called once before to the home on a domestic prevention call. The deputy, a seven-year veteran of the force, was not wounded. He will be placed on a mandatory five-day administrative leave. The Harris County District Attorney, the Harris County Sheriff's Office Homicide Division and the sheriff's office Internal Affairs Division is investigating. This story is developing. Carmen Ortega is anxious to cast her vote in Mexicos July 1 presidential election, but shes worried time is running out for thousands of potential voters. Ortega is one of hundreds of thousands of Mexican citizens living in Houston and other U.S. cities facing numerous obstacles to complete registration by the March 31 deadline. Shes followed instructions from Mexican election offices, applied for and received her voters credential, but the government telephone lines to activate the cards are operating sporadically, or not at all. I feel its very important that we vote in the presidential election, Ortega said. It is an obligation for us living abroad to participate and have a say in the future of Mexico. There is much at stake in the crowded upcoming national elections with about 3,400 offices up for grabs, and they come at a time when the ruling Institutional Revolutionary Party, known as PRI, has been hounded by charges of pervasive corruption. The long-ruling party PRI, which held the presidency for over 70 years until the beginning of this century, came back to power with the election of President Enrique Pena Nieto in 2012 with a promise of transformation. Instead, it has produced an outcry by the Mexican public. More than 20 governors are either in prison, fugitives or are under scrutiny for causes ranging from embezzling to money laundering. The controversies have stirred interest in the election, but Mexican government officials with the National Electoral Institute said only a little more than 14 percent of about 600,000 citizens who asked for voting credentials have had their documents activated. The low activation rate has left some activists and critics wondering if Mexicans living abroad are being ignored, or even intentionally blocked from participating. Tony Payan, director of the Baker Institutes Mexico Center, said the obstacles to voting abroad have been installed by Mexican officials who are fearful that the expatriate vote will go to opposition candidates. It is designed to sabotage (the vote of) Mexicans abroad; it doesnt work because they dont want for it to work, Payan said of the INE voting system. Mexican citizens in the U.S. had voted mostly for the opposition candidates since the historic campaign of former president Vicente Fox ended seven decades of political dominance by the PRI, Payan said. Foxs victory in the 2000 election for the conservative National Action Party, known as PAN, upended the PRIs near-total control over government posts from the Mexican presidency to the federal congress and down to most state and local offices. Payan said that the vote of Mexicans living in the U.S. is at best unpredictable, but historically had gone against the PRI. The party now wants to suppress their participation, he said. In the two presidential elections were Mexicans abroad have been able to vote, both in 2006 and 2012 more than 80 percent cast their ballots for opposition candidates, according to data from the INE. But David Maciel, an adviser to the president of the INE, strongly denies the implication of favoritism. The INE is absolutely, 100 percent committed to try and get the vote out extensively, correctly and secretly, he said, stressing that the institution is non-partisan. Mexicos top diplomat in Houston, General Consul Oscar Rodriguez Cabrera, said that to imply that the INE is intentionally discouraging the vote abroad reflects an ignorance of the current democratic process in Mexico. We have a very solid, very serious institution organizing the elections; the country has evolved significantly in the way we conduct our elections, Rodriquez said, adding that the instrument to vote in Mexico is so secure that the card is the default identification that people use for everything. Duncan Wood, the director of the Mexico Institute with the Wilson Center's, a non-partisan research institution focused on global policies, considers that the problems Mexicans abroad are having "are more easily explained by inadequacies and inefficiencies of the Mexican bureaucracy than by a deliberate attempt to stop people voting." "The Mexican government clearly needs to work harder to provide services to their citizens in ways which are accessible and which are easy to encourage more democratic participation," Wood said, adding that "the final step of making a phone call to confirm that has become the obstacle, is a completely unnecessary one." Mexican consular officials in Houston said that as of March 11, more than 620,500 citizens have solicited their cards at the consulates abroad. So far more than 490,000 voting cards were delivered by regular mail. However, only 14 percent, or 90, 976 of the cards, have been activated as the March 31 deadline approached. To be able to vote in their countrys elections, Mexican citizens such as Ortega have to navigate a process that involves many steps. First, they have to request their credential in person at their consulates. In Houston, Mexican consular officials report that more than 44,000 Mexicans in the Houston area had applied for their cards, as of Friday. The requests are then sent to the electoral institute in Mexico. Election officials issue the cards and return them to Mexicans abroad by regular email. Although this is the third presidential where Mexicans have been allowed to vote from abroad, it will be the first when they can register and get new cards without returning home. Previously, Mexican citizens who already had a card issued in Mexico could vote even if it was expired. Now they cannot vote with expired cards, so they must use the INE process to obtain a new voting credential. After activating their cards, the voter will receive a ballot by regular mail in May, with postage paid to return back to Mexico to be added to the vote tally. But the problem, says Ortega and others, arises when Mexicans attempt to activate their voting credential. The letter accompanying the document instructs them to call one of two phone numbers. Voters who have tried to call say one is not a working number and have reported difficulties in reaching the other phone number listed. Elections officials acknowledge that Ortega, who lives in Houston, is one of many who has complained about obstacles to voting. We have heard a number of issues and we have been relaying their concerns and grievances immediately to the Mexican Federal Institute, said Maciel, the advisor to the INE president. Maciel, who has been touring cities around the U.S. on behalf of the INE to promote the vote in the Mexican presidential election, confirmed the card activation problem is at the top of the concerns he hears across the country. This year, there are six candidates for president. A poll conducted in February by the Mexican firm Parametria shows the leftist candidate, Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, as the top contender with the support of 36 percent of voters. Obrador, who in the 2012 presidential elections received 39 percent of the votes cast by Mexicans abroad, represents a left-wing party called The National Regeneration Movement (MORENA). Following 14 points behind in the polls this year is Ricardo Anaya, a conservative candidate working with left-leaning parties to form a coalition known as For Mexico in Front, or Por Mexico al Frente. The PRI candidate, Jose Antonio Meade, a member of the current presidents cabinet is in a distant fourth place with 17 percent. The INE and Mexican consulates are extensively promoting the elections through social media accounts. During his recent tour, Maciel visited with leaders of Mexican organizations and Spanish speaking media outlets in Houston and other cities to reach out to potential voters. Cesar Ledesma, the INE secretary in charge of the registration system, said the government contracted with a firm earlier this month to handle calls from Mexicans abroad trying to register. He said the result has been a surge in increase in the number of people activating voting credentials. Still, problems remain. Amanda Logan, a Mexican-American from Houston, said that she has never voted in a Mexican election before but decided to do it this time to help our fellow countrymen to elect the less corrupted candidate, she said. She went through the same ordeal of phone calls and asked Ortega, who is her friend, for help, to no avail. I dont know if I am going to have time for this, she said. I am very frustrated. Rodriguez, the Mexican consul in Houston, said officials are working to resolve the problems. We want everybody to vote; It's very important its a right of all Mexicans, Rodriguez said. We tell everybody to remember the saying, Si no votas, no te quejes. Translated into English, it means, If you dont vote, dont complain. Fox News personality Pete Hegseth, a conservative voice on veterans policy, has emerged as a leading candidate to replace embattled Veterans Affairs Secretary David Shulkin, who has fallen from favor with the Trump administration, according to people with knowledge of the matter. Hegseth, 37, is co-host of Fox & Friends Weekend, a platform he has used to push his vision of a health care system with a drastically smaller government footprint and a larger share of private care. He has railed against Shulkin and members of Congress in both political parties for their moderate approach to offering veterans access to private doctors. Hegseth is an Iraq War veteran who was previously executive director of the conservative advocacy groups Vets for Freedom and Concerned Veterans for America, which is backed by the billionaire industrialists Charles and David Koch. Hegseths views on reforming the troubled agency are considered extreme even by some Republicans in Congress, and it is unclear if he could win Senate confirmation if President Donald Trump decides to fire Shulkin. Hegseth has been a confidant of Trumps, who watches his Fox News show and frequently calls him to discuss veterans policy. Hegseth has dined at the White House and, during an Oval Office meeting between Trump and Shulkin last week, the president called Hegseth to seek his counsel on pending legislation that would expand private care. Trump has not met with Hegseth about the job. But the president has soured on Shulkin, the only Obama-era holdover in his Cabinet, amid widely reported turmoil within VAs senior ranks. The president has told aides he may replace Shulkin as part of a broader shake-up that began Tuesday with his firing of Secretary of State Rex Tillerson. Speaking at a budget hearing, Shulkin expressed regret for distractions that have shifted attention from his efforts to fix veterans health care and pledged to put the governments second largest department back on track. With all of the distractions that are happening in Washington and all the distractions in VA, the events that have happened should remind us all about why its so important that were doing what were doing today to get this budget right and get VA on track, he told a House appropriations subcommittee. I came here for one reason and that is to improve the lives of veterans. White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders declined to offer an endorsement of Shulkin on Thursday. She said President Donald Trump believes the nations veterans are being generally well-served but the White House was actively studying ways to improve the VA, such as possible changes at the top level. Other possible candidates to run VA include Jeff Miller, a retired Republican congressman from Florida who was chairman of the House Veterans Affairs Committee and now works as a lobbyist, according to sources close to the administration. While the president discussed the turmoil at VA in a meeting Monday with Energy Secretary Rick Perry, Perry told reporters Wednesday that he is not interested in the job and that he is not considered a candidate. Hegseth, reached late Wednesday, declined to comment. A former infantry soldier, he told The Washington Post last week that Shulkin has talked a good game on Choice, referring to an existing program that allows veterans to see private doctors, but with restrictions. But hes sided with the permanent bureaucracy, the traditional veterans groups and the unions. A Minnesota native, Hegseth was vetted to run the sprawling veterans agency after Trump was elected in 2016. But he was considered too inexperienced to run the governments second-largest bureaucracy, which employs 360,000. He also is disliked by traditional veterans advocacy groups, which fear a downsized VA and a privatized system, and which would probably mount a strong campaign against his nomination. Shulkin, 58, a physician and former hospital executive who ran the Veterans Health Administration under former President Barack Obama, won unanimous Senate confirmation last year. He has racked up a number of bipartisan wins for the administration in Congress, but has clashed with VAs senior political appointees installed by the White House. The core issue on which they disagree is the degree to which veterans should be able to seek private care at government expense. About 30 percent of VAs medical appointments are now handled by private doctors. The tensions spilled into public view in February following an investigation by the agencys inspector general, who admonished the secretary for a business trip he took to Europe with his wife and top staff. Shulkin could not be reached for comment. During testimony Thursday on Capitol Hill, he was asked by lawmakers whether hes become distracted by the feud or faced pressure from the administration to privatize veterans care. The secretary said that he remains focused and that the only pressure he faces is to fix this system. Its unclear how long Shulkin plans to stay in the job, though. His allies say he is focused on moving the Choice legislation through Congress and on signing the first phase of a massive contract to overhaul VAs outdated electronic health records system. A sticking point has been how a new system would connect veterans medical records with those of private doctors. Hegseth has been critical of some senators whose votes he would need for confirmation. As the Senate debated legislation to expand the Choice program in November, he tweeted about Senate Veterans Affairs Committee chairman Johnny Isakson, R-Ga.: Worst part about this is that so-called Republican @SenatorIsakson voted WITH socialist @SenSanders to block MORE health care choice for veterans. Sanders wants to trap vets in @DeptVetAffairs and so do Swamp creature Republicans like Isakson. Asked to comment on a possible Hegseth nomination, Isakson spokeswoman Amanda Maddox said, We dont comment on hypotheticals. The Koch political network has announced plans to spend substantial money to target incumbent Democrats in the 2018 midterm elections, among them Sen. Jon Tester, D-Mont., the committees ranking Democrat. Tester, a Shulkin supporter, said in a recent statement, Right now, what the veterans of this country need is a leadership team at VA and in the White House who will help us . . . improve access to quality VA health care. That means we need a Secretary who works for our veterans, not for the Koch brothers. MIAMI (AP) A pedestrian bridge being built across an eight-lane highway collapsed at a Miami-area college Thursday, crushing eight vehicles under massive slabs and killing multiple people, authorities said. Search and rescue missions were underway. Eight people were taken to hospitals. The number of fatalities was not immediately known. "The main focus is to rescue people." said Miami-Dade Police Director Juan Perez. "As soon as those efforts are over, our homicide bureau will take the lead." The main companies behind the bridge's construction have faced questions about their work and one of the companies was fined in 2012 when a 90-ton section of a bridge collapsed in Virginia. The engineering firm responsible for design of the pedestrian bridge, FIGG, has a strong presence in Texas. The Florida-based company's southwest office is in Dallas, and a frequent collaborator on state and local spans. In Miami, the 950-ton, 174-foot span was assembled by the side of the highway and moved into place Saturday to great fanfare. The $14.2 million bridge connected Florida International University and the city of Sweetwater. It was expected to open to foot traffic next year. "We are shocked and saddened about the tragic events unfolding at the FIU-Sweetwater pedestrian bridge. At this time we are still involved in rescue efforts and gathering information," the school said in a statement. The National Transportation Safety Board sent investigators to the scene. Gov. Rick Scott said he was headed there as well. "We have a national tragedy on our hands," Sweetwater Mayor Orlando Lopez said. The "accelerated bridge construction" method was supposed to reduce risks to workers and pedestrians and minimize traffic disruption, the university said. Hearst Newspapers "FIU is about building bridges and student safety. This project accomplishes our mission beautifully," FIU President Mark B. Rosenberg said in the statement Saturday. Cristina Rodriguez, a 23-year-old junior who was on spring break with other students, said she was not surprised when she heard the bridge collapsed. "I just felt the bridge was done too quickly to believe the bridge was stable and sound to support everything that was on there," said Rodriguez, who was not on campus Thursday but drives through the intersection almost daily. MCM, the Miami-based construction management firm that won the bridge contract, took its website down on Thursday. But an archived version of the website featured a news release touting the project with FIGG Bridge Engineers, "a nationally acclaimed, award-winning firm based out of Tallahassee." The release said FIGG had designed "iconic bridges all over the country, including Boston's famous Leonard P. Zakim Bridge and Florida's Sunshine Skyway Bridge." MCM said on twitter that it was "a family business and we are all devastated and doing everything we can to assist. We will conduct a full investigation to determine exactly what went wrong and will cooperate with investigators on scene in every way." FIGG said in a statement it was "stunned by today's tragic collapse." "In our 40-year history, nothing like this has ever happened before. Our entire team mourns the loss of life and injuries associated with this devastating tragedy, and our prayers go out to all involved." FIGG was fined in 2012 after a 90-ton section of a bridge it was building in Virginia crashed onto railroad tracks below, causing several minor injuries to workers. The citation, from the Virginia Department of Labor and Industry, said FIGG did not do the proper inspections of the girder that failed and had not obtained written consent from its manufacturer before modifying it, according to a story in The Virginian-Pilot. Court documents show that MCM, or Munilla Construction Management, was accused of substandard work in a lawsuit filed earlier this month. The suit said a worker at Fort Lauderdale International Airport, where the company is working on an expansion, fell and injured himself when a makeshift bridge MCM built collapsed under the worker's weight. The suit charged the company with employing "incompetent, inexperienced, unskilled or careless employees" at the job site. Houston's Ship Channel Bridge along the Sam Houston Tollway, opened in 1982, was designed by FIGG. The company is also the engineering firm for the bridge's replacement, a $1 billion, eight-lane, cable-supported span planned to start construction later this year. FIGG is also the lead designer of the replacement Harbor Bridge carrying U.S. 181 to the Port of Corpus Christi. Houston has about 1,400 bridges, 90 that carry pedestrians across city streets, Houston Public Works spokeswoman Alanna Reed said. Of those, 50 are pre-fabricated bridges, built as one piece and then installed in place. "Engineers routinely check all bridges for structural safety as part of our bridge inspection program," Reed said. "Additionally, all bridges were inspected post-Harvey." All city bridges were deemed structurally sound, she said. White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said the president was monitoring the situation and would offer whatever support was needed. Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart, who spoke at a ceremony celebrating the bridge's construction over the weekend, told CBS there were going to be a lot of questions that have to be answered about what happened. "Right now the most important thing is going to be to save people who are hopefully still alive," he said. Florida International University is the second-largest university in the state, with 55,000 students. Most of its students live off-campus. The bridge was supposed to be a safe way to cross a busy street and a plaza-like public space with seating where people could gather. In August 2017, a university student was killed crossing the road that the bridge was supposed to span. Florida International University is also home to the National Hurricane Center. ___ Associated Press writers Kelli Kennedy in Fort Lauderdale, Curt Anderson in Miami and Tamara Lush in St. Petersburg contributed to this report. Chronicle reporter Dug Begley contributed. The driver of a tour bus that crashed into an Alabama ravine, killing him and injuring dozens of Channelview High School band students on their way home Tuesday, died from blunt force trauma, according to a preliminary autopsy report. The finding does not rule out any underlying medical emergencies the driver may have experienced just before the crash that sent the bus and passengers falling 50 feet, Baldwin County Coroner Stan Vinson said. Investigators were probing reports that driver Harry Caligone, 65, became unresponsive just before the wreck that sent at least 40 people to hospitals in Florida and Alabama. Witnesses on the bus reported that the band director took the wheel and steered the bus away from oncoming traffic just before it plunged into a ravine beneath Interstate 10. As of Thursday afternoon, six passengers from the chartered bus were still being treated in hospitals in both states. Vinson said it will take more time to get results from blood and tissue tests that could point to a medical problem. "These results are very preliminary and anything is subject to change," the Alabama official said. The tour bus was returning 46 students and adults from Disney World in Orlando to Channelview High School in suburban Houston before it unexpectedly left the westbound lane of Interstate 10 near Loxley, Alabama. Alabama law enforcement said the bus veered across the median into the eastbound lane before swerving back into the grass median and dropping into a deep ravine beneath the highway. Authorities added there were no signs of skid marks, indicating the driver did not apply the brakes. At least five of the six patients still being treated Thursday were hospitalized within the Sacred Heart Health System spokesman Mike Burke said. Three were in good condition, and two were in serious condition. Band director Aaron Allison was among those treated. The sixth patient is being treated at Mobile Infirmary and is expected to be released soon, according to Martha Davidson, with Infirmary Health. Annalise Martin, who had been under the care of Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola in the days following the crash, was discharged from the hospital and traveled home by plane Wednesday evening with her mother and grandmother, who were chaperones on the trip and had been treated for injuries at another hospital. A new patient who was initially treated in Alabama had meanwhile been admitted that day at Sacred Heart because of issues following the crash, hospital spokesman Mike Burke said. As hospitals continue treating and releasing students, the National Transportation Safety Board moved forward with the bus crash investigation, according to a news release from the agency. Investigators will travel to Houston to conduct interviews with survivors and spend the next few days conducting interviews with employees of First Class Tours Inc. and interviews with Channelview High School employees. Investigators plan to use a drone during their investigation to scan the accident scene to acquire more detail about the sequence of events before the crash. The NTSB said the bus involved in the accident was new, and was on its second trip when it crashed on a remote stretch of highway between Pensacola, Fla., and Mobile, Ala. Emily Foxhall and Samantha Ketterer and the Associated Press contributed to this report. Fabiana Perez, the ex-girlfriend of former Astros minor leaguer Danry Vasquez, is speaking out after video of Vasquez repeatedly hitting her in a Corpus Christi stadium stairwell was made public. The 21-year-old Perez told Univision she regrets asking the District Attorney not to press charges on Vasquez. The nearly two-year-old incident is back in the spotlight after video of the attack was released earlier this week. "I watched this video and think to myself, how could I ever let this happen to me?," Perez said in a Spanish interview. "Why didn't I do anything?" ASTROS SPEAK OUT: Astros players react to Danry Vasquez video At the time of the incident, the couple was engaged and had been together since they were teenagers. Police reports obtained by the Corpus Christi Caller-Times showed Vasquez was upset at Perez because she broke a "rule" and had said hello and hugged a team staff member. Perez asked for the case to be dismissed and refused to cooperate with prosecutors. The Nueces County District Attorney refused to dismiss the case, but offered Vasquez a chance to go through a pretrial diversion program that is offered to first-time offenders. The case was dismissed when Vasquez completed the program. "It's true what they say: You need to walk a mile in someone's shoes to know how you'd feel in their situation," Perez said. "People don't know the stuff that I lived. People don't know the fear that I suffered." On Thursday, TMZ reported the couple recently got engaged, but Perez said the couple broke up a few months after the incident. Vasquez currently is married to another woman. The Astros released Vasquez shortly after he was arrested for domestic assault. Vasquez was playing in the independent Atlantic League, but was released this week when the video was made public. "It was something that happened too fast, and I really am sorry," said Vasquez in an interview from Venezuela. "I'm afraid that this will end my career." From "Houston on the Move" by Stephen Strom, 2016 by the University of Texas Press From "Houston on the Move" by Stephen Strom, 2016 by the University of Texas Press From "Houston on the Move" by Stephen Strom, 2016 by the University of Texas Press From "Houston on the Move" by Stephen Strom, 2016 by the University of Texas Press From "Houston on the Move" by Stephen Strom, 2016 by the University of Texas Press From "Houston on the Move" by Stephen Strom, 2016 by the University of Texas Press From "Houston on the Move" by Stephen Strom, 2016 by the University of Texas Press From "Houston on the Move" by Stephen Strom, 2016 by the University of Texas Press From "Houston on the Move" by Stephen Strom, 2016 by the University of Texas Press From "Houston on the Move" by Stephen Strom, 2016 by the University of Texas Press From "Houston on the Move" by Stephen Strom, 2016 by the University of Texas Press From "Houston on the Move" by Stephen Strom, 2016 by the University of Texas Press From "Houston on the Move" by Stephen Strom, 2016 by the University of Texas Press From "Houston on the Move" by Stephen Strom, 2016 by the University of Texas Press From "Houston on the Move" by Stephen Strom, 2016 by the University of Texas Press A new book due later this month from the University of Texas Press collects the best historic Houston photos from the Bob Bailey Studios collection. Across 200 or so photos, Houston on the Move: A Photographic History is a delightful trip. It shows a city very much on the move, rising from flat grassland and into a bustling metropolis. Houston history buffs no doubt have seen plenty from the expansive Bob Bailey Studios collection. Baileys studio began taking photos in Houston in 1929. Its said the team took more than half a million shots of the Bayou City up until the late 1990s. RELATED: Houston as seen in Kodachrome photos shot in the '50s and '60s The 264-page book, written by Steven R. Strom, should be perfect for new and old Houstonians alike. The photos are now owned by the Dolph Briscoe Center for American History at the University of Texas in Austin. Strom is able to provide insight and background into each photo, uncovering names to attach to faces long gone. His previous book, Houston Lost and Unbuilt, is indispensable for Houstonians who like to think about what was and what might have been. The book covers not only major events like the rise of the Astrodome, the Johnson Space Center, and the Houston Ship Channel, but also real life in the Bayou City, like parades, Halloween costume parties, movie theaters, high school graduations, or simply fishing. RELATED: Vintage menus show what foods Americans used to love Bailey and his younger brother, Marvin, led a team of photographers that photographed the Houston area for 60 years, taking pictures for regional and national clients. Clients included Ford, Chevrolet, Foleys, Conoco, Texaco and a handful of big-time politicians. Bob Bailey died in 1971 and his brother pressed on until he retired in the mid-90s. After he died in 1998, the archives were acquired by the Houston Photographic and Architectural Trust, due to the historical magnitude of the material. From there, the images made it to the Dolph Briscoe Center. In 2005 the University of Texas went to work on digitizing thousands of the photos. AUSTIN Attorney General Ken Paxton's office accused Galena Park Independent School District of using public resources to engage in unlawful electioneering for political candidates Friday after its principal forwarded his colleagues a campaign letter from a Republican candidate. In the cease and desist letter sent to the district Friday morning, the attorney general's office said it found Principal Joe Coleman shared a campaign letter in February from Scott Milder, a Republican who ultimately lost his bid to oust Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick in the March 6 primary election. Whats the toughest job in America? ER nurse? Brain surgeon? Firefighter? Ambassador to Mexico under Donald Trump? Its a difficult job, no doubt. So we were disappointed, but not surprised, to learn that Roberta Jacobson is leaving her position as U.S. ambassador to our neighbor to the south. Her successor will face unimaginable challenges. Jacobson, who was nominated as ambassador by President Obama in 2015 and confirmed by the Senate in 2016 after a lengthy delay, has announced that she is resigning effective May 5. She hasnt detailed her reasons, and the Trump administration has been widely expected to replace her. She has been an excellent representative in Mexico, often under trying conditions. Jacobson is a career diplomat who specialized in Latin American affairs, a rarity in an ambassadorial post that usually goes to someone more politically connected. O'NEIL: Mexico's voters have bigger problems than Trump The U.S.-Mexico relationship is crucial for both countries and has long been fraught with challenges. The relationship improved with the advent of the North American Free Trade Agreement, which deepened the economic ties between the countries. Nowhere is the relationship more important than in Texas. Mexico is the states largest trading partner. The amount of trade between Texas and Mexico is worth more than the trade relationship between the entire United States and any single European country. Mexico is by far the largest market for exports coming out of the Houston area $14.8 billion worth in 2016, or 18 percent of all exports coming from our area. Because the bulk of the U.S.-Mexico border runs through Texas, many of the challenges of the bilateral relationship are most evident here, including illegal immigration and drug trafficking. The Trump administration has made a shambles of the U.S.-Mexico relationship, insulting the country at multiple turns and throwing the future of NAFTA in doubt. Trumps impetuosity has twice led Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto to cancel planned visits to the United States. CARUSO: Commitment to NAFTA vital for energy markets One bit of good news is that Trump appears to have a well-regarded pick to succeed Jacobson. The Mexican newspaper Reforma has reported that Trump will nominate Ed Whitacre of San Antonio, a former chairman of AT&T and General Motors. Whitacre certainly has the skill and experience to do the job. But its not clear whether the Trump administration would give him the leeway traditionally given to an ambassador. Mexico is part of the portfolio assigned to Jared Kushner, Trumps son-in-law and diplomatic novice. The New York Times reported that Kushner recently met with Pena Nieto in Mexico City and excluded Jacobson from the meetings, a highly unusual move. Normally, a person who cant get top security clearance doesnt head up a meeting with a foreign leader. Kushners efforts in Mexico have largely consisted of building a personal relationship with Foreign Minister Luis Videgaray, a close associate of Pena Nieto. The current Mexican president is deeply unpopular in his country, and his ruling Institutional Revolutionary Party is widely expected to lose the presidential election later this year. Waiting in the wings is Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, a leftist candidate who has built a lead in the polls largely through his withering criticism of Pena Nieto and Trump. The upcoming election and change in administration in Mexico will require deft handling by the State Department and White House. Theyve exhibited no indication that they can do that. Jacobson, if allowed to do her job, would have been up to the task. The same would go for Whitacre. But Kushner is not. MAYOR TURNER: The ties that bind Texas and Mexico The frayed U.S.-Mexico relationship is symptomatic of much broader problems in our countrys international dealings. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, who should have been leading such efforts, has been shown the door. If Trump nominates Whitacre, he must allow him to do the ambassadors job. That requires sending Kushner to the sidelines. The Senate Foreign Relations Committee must insist on this during confirmation hearings. Besides, Kushner has plenty of other issues he has to deal with at the moment. Houston, the state and the nation have much at stake in the U.S.-Mexico relationship. Jacobsons resignation is a loss, but it creates an opportunity to force the administration to rethink its approach to this critical bilateral relationship. If the White House fumbles, however, the economic and diplomatic consequences could last a generation. This two-story industrial urban loft has all the hip accoutrements a buyer should expect: metal siding, cheerful orange accents, a feature in Dwell magazine, and an AIA award. What an aspiring loft-dweller might not expect, however, is that the dwelling is located in the decidedly nonurban setting of Burleson, TX, a tiny suburb of Fort Worth. The one-bedroom, 1.5-bath, 1,173-square-foot loft is "something you don't usually see in a small town like Burleson," says listing agent Trey Freeze. And with an asking price of $159,999, it's in extreme demand. "People were falling all over themselves trying to get ahold of it," says Freeze. "People were trying to write me offers without even seeing it." The one-of-a-kind loft is currently pending sale. The property, which features a main two-story loft and a second structure that could be used as an office or guesthouse, looks of-the-moment, but it was actually designed and built 18 years ago by architect Rick Wintersole. "Whoever had the idea to build it was ahead of their time," says Freeze. "It was before any of the tiny-house stuff or any of the current trends." Obviously, even for Texas, 1,173 square feet is not a tiny house, but there is definitely a vibe in common. "It's like a tiny house on steroids," says Freeze. "It doesn't feel like a tiny house, but it has that aesthetic." It's such a cool property that, in addition to trying to buy it, people have been contacting him asking for the plans to replicate it. The main house and the second structure are joined by multilevel decking, which also provides usable outdoor space. There's also a heated above-ground pool and a covered patio, key for enjoying the warm Texas summers. Inside, wood floors, stucco walls, and an open metal staircase give the loft an airy, minimalist feel. The house was actually purchased by a friend of Freeze's a few years ago in a sale by the owner, so neither the friend nor Freeze anticipated the overwhelming response this time around. "It's definitely a one-of-a kind property," says Freeze, who received seven offers over asking price in the first two days of the home being listed. "I thought to myself, I need to get the plans and start building these." In the end, perhaps it's the rural setting that makes 408 Pecan Dr. such a desirable property. "You can't find stuff that looks like this around here for anywhere near this price," says Freeze. "I'm lucky to have a friend that has good taste." The post Familiar Faces in Odd Places: Meet an Urban Loft in a Small Texas Town appeared first on Real Estate News & Insights | realtor.com. CHICAGO - Activists and organizations are calling on taxpayers to contact the 15 Republican state representatives (photos above) who voted with Democrat IL House Speaker Mike Madigan to increase the personal income tax from 3.75% to 4.9%, and the corporate tax from 5.25% to 7%. Madigan intends to call a vote tomorrow at 1:20pm to over-ride Gov. Rauner's veto of this tax increase. Beginning in December 2014, Bill de Blasios mayoral administration placed significant restrictions on how New York City corrections officers can penalize and restrain violent criminals in city jails, ostensibly to ensure the safety and well-being of inmates and guards alike. But the mayors policies seem to have made jails less safe for all concerned, as an examination of the data regarding inmate violence reveals. In 1998, when more than 17,500 prisoners were packed into New York City jails on any given day, inmates committed 6,458 violent assaults. By 2017, the average daily inmate population had dropped to just 9,500yet the behind-bars violent-assault total nearly doubled, to 12,650. Much of that rise happened over the last three years, during which violent assaults jumped 43 percent, even as, during that same period, the number of corrections officers increased, from 8,922 to 10,862. In a jail system with fewer inmates and more guards, what explains the spike in inmate violence? Part of it, anyway, can be attributed to de Blasios focus on equitya phrase that appears in the 2017 Mayors Management Report more than two dozen times, including at the top of the section covering the citys Department of Correction (DOC). Equity concerns apparently guided the implementation of reforms regarding punitive segregation (known commonly as solitary confinement) and guards use of force. In December 2014, the DOC took punitive segregation off the table for 16- and 17-year-oldsa move inspired, the mayor said, by the story of Kalief Browder, whose case is often cited by jail reformers and the Black Lives Matter movement. In June 2016, the DOC extended the ban to cover 18-year-old inmates. Later that year, the DOC ended punitive segregation for all inmates 21 and younger. As part of the settlement of an inmate lawsuit brought against the city (Nunez v. City of New York), the DOC announced, in November 2015, a new use-of-force policy to address an alleged culture of violence among correction officers on Rikers Island, according to the Observer. The new policy placed restrictions on painfully escorting or restraining inmates without reason, and striking inmates in the groin, neck, kidneys or spinal column. It also banned high-impact force: blows to the previously mentioned areas as well as the head or face, kicking an inmate, and the use of choke holds, carotid restraint holds or neck restraints. The Corrections Officers Benevolent Association vigorously opposes the new policies, arguing that they have resulted in more attacks on guards. In a recent article, union president Elias Husamudeen argues that exceptions should be made to allow for punitive segregation for young violent offenders. The majority of violence in our jails is committed by violent inmates who are 21 and under, he writes. In the press release announcing the extension of the ban on punitive segregation to inmates up to age 21, de Blasio stressed that the policies were adopted with safety for staff and inmates foremost in mind. However, the trend line of inmate violent assaults is pointing in the wrong direction, and it shows a troubling acceleration of a preexisting (but less drastic) upward trend in jailhouse violence. Former DOC commissioner Martin F. Horn believes that the policy shifts and the recent spike in inmate violence are connected. Its certainly part of the story, he says, adding that de Blasio and his team may have tried to accomplish too much, too fast. Indeed, the mayors own Management Report admits as much: From July 2016 through February 2017, [the George Motchan Detention Center] experienced higher rates of fights than the corresponding months during the previous year, in part as a result of reducing and eventually eliminating punitive segregation, as well as the co-location of young adults who have historically been involved in disproportionately more violent incidents. A recent vicious attack at the George Motchan facility left a corrections officer with a fractured spine after being jumped by four inmatesall documented gang members under 20 years old. Another factor that could be leading to more jail violence is the experience level of the corrections workforce. Horn suspects that a combination of prior hiring freezes, retirements, and a recent influx of new officers has resulted in a higher-than-ideal percentage of corrections officers and supervisors with less than three-to-five years on the job. This problem should have been anticipated; during Horns term as commissioner, his team produced charts projecting a huge surge in attrition in the middle 2010s. While the most recent Mayors Management Report admits that reducing punitive segregation appears to correspond to a rise in inmate violence, the report argues, circularly, that the successful diversion of nonviolent offenders from jails has concentrated the population of violent inmates, thus leading to more violence: There is an increasing share of people in custody who face felony charges and have gang affiliations. These inmates are significant drivers of jail violence. However, the actual size of the high-risk pool hasnt significantly changed. More guards are available to deal with a high-risk population that is essentially the same size as it was before the low-risk offenders were diverted. The core function of city government is to maintain security. In city jails, that task falls to New Yorks Boldest, but the mayors progressive policies have altered the conditions in which they workand data show that these policies have failed. Will de Blasio heed the counsel of those doing the job and reverse course? Not as long as he puts equity before security. Photo: Spencer Platt/Getty Images In November 2016, California voters passed Proposition 57, the Public Safety and Rehabilitation Act. Championed by Governor Jerry Brown, the measure expanded parole possibilities for nonviolent offenders and barred prosecutors from filing juvenile cases in adult court. Last month, Californias Supreme Court ruled that Proposition 57 could be applied retroactively. On those grounds, Californias Third Court of Appeals conditionally reversed the conviction of one of the most violent criminals in state history and expanded his prospects for early release. Daniel Marsh was just 15 on April 14, 2013, when he broke into the Davis home of 87-year-old Oliver Chip Northup, an attorney and popular bluegrass musician, and his 76-year-old wife, Claudia Maupin, a pastoral associate at the Davis Unitarian Church, where the couple met. A police report said that the two were killed in a way that manifested exceptional depravity, which was no exaggeration. The autopsy report runs 16 pages and 6,658 words, noting that the murderer stabbed Maupin 67 times and Northup 61 times. Marsh disemboweled both victims; he placed a cell phone inside the corpse of Maupin and a drinking glass inside Northup. In his lengthy interview with police, Marsh said that Maupin told him to please stop. Marsh kept on stabbing because she just wouldnt die. The stabbing just felt right, and the double murder and mutilations, Marsh said, felt amazing, gave him pure happiness, and the most exhilarating enjoyable feeling Ive ever felt. He inserted the phone and glass to throw investigators off track, and when police accused him of the murders, his first response was Im a kid. Marshs public defender sought to have the confession tossed, but Judge David Reed rejected that bid. Marsh then offered an insanity defense, bringing in expert witness James Merikangas, a psychologist and neurologist, who claimed that Marsh was in a dissociative state when he killed. Prosecutors Michael Cabral and Amanda Zambor made the case that Marsh was sane at the time of the murders; a Yolo County jury agreed, and in December 2014, Judge David Reed sentenced Marsh to 52 years to life in state prison. The killer received an additional year for use of a knife, but got no extra time for lying in wait or committing torture. The double murderer, now 20, would be eligible for parole after 25 years, when he would be in his early forties. On February 1, 2018, the California Supreme Court addressed the case of Pablo Lara, a juvenile charged with kidnapping and raping a seven-year-old girl. The court ruled that Proposition 57 applies retroactively, because the possibility of being treated as a juvenile in juvenile courtwhere rehabilitation is the goalrather than being tried and sentenced as an adult can result in dramatically different and more lenient treatment. Proposition 57 reduces the possible punishment for a class of persons, namely juveniles, and therefore, the court ruled, Proposition 57 applies to all juveniles charged directly in adult court whose judgment was not final at the time it was enacted. On February 22, the Third Court of Appeals ruled that the case of Daniel Marsh was not fully briefed until July 2017. Therefore, this initiative applies retroactively to defendants pending appeal, and that we must conditionally reverse for proceeding in juvenile court. So all that painstaking work by Cabral and Zambor has been set aside by a three-judge panel headed by Kathleen Butz, an appointee of Governor Gray Davis. Also on the panel was Jerry Brown appointee Cole Blease, former attorney for the California Teachers Association. The appeal ruling does not name Northup and Maupin, the victims of the savage and pointless murder. A proceeding will determine if Marsh was indeed suitable for trial in adult court. If so, the court will restore Marshs conviction for the two murders. If not, he will be re-sentenced as a juvenile and face a maximum punishment of incarceration until age 25. Whatever one chooses to call it, the proceeding is clearly a new trial for a sadist who has never shown the slightest remorse for his savage actions. In 2014, when the court declined to toss Marshs detailed confession, Maupins daughter Victoria Hurd said that the decision restores faith in humanity in the midst of this depravity. In 2018, when Hurd got word of the reversal, she told the Sacramento Bee: This is so wrong. Its come barreling back into our presence. Marsh is not the only shut-and-open case in the Proposition 57 pipeline. According to Californias attorney general, there were 71,923 juvenile arrests in 2015, 29.7 percent of which were for felonies. Five hundred and sixty-six juveniles were tried in adult court, and 88 percent were convicted. young man convicted in 2014 murder wants new trial after prop. 57 passes, read a headline in the San Diego Union-Tribune about Kurese Bell, convicted of murder at age 17. prop. 57 could turn back time for minors charged with murder, the Lompoc Record announced. As with the case of Daniel Marsh, these judicial reconsiderations will have nothing to do with potentially exculpatory evidence or errors in trial; they are politically and ideologically driven attempts to overturn legal and proper verdicts. Relatives of Claudia Maupin, Oliver Northup, or other victims have good reason to see these efforts as perverse, even depraved. Photo: sanchairat/iStock Oxfam has announced two senior figures who will co-chair an independent review of the charitys culture and safeguarding system. Zainab Bangura, a former under-secretary general of the United Nations, and Katherine Sierra, a former vice president of the World Bank, both have experience of safeguarding issues and will co-chair a commission that includes five other experts. The charity said the commission would look at all aspects of culture, policy and practices relating to safeguarding and the findings will be made public within 12 months. It was one of a number of measures announced by Oxfam in the wake of revelations about its handling of safeguarding issues. Sierra said: I have undertaken to help lead this independent commission because it is essential to understand what went wrong in the past, whether or not actions taken by Oxfam since 2011 have been effective in reducing the risk of such incidents, and what more they can do now to minimise the chance of such things happening again and to ensure that any incidents that do occur are responded to appropriately, including in terms of the support provided to victims and survivors. I look forward to working with my fellow commissioners to identify the challenging and crucial lessons, both for Oxfam and the wider humanitarian and development sectors. Full list of commissioners: Zainab Bangura, former special representative of the UN secretary-general on sexual violence in conflict and former minister of foreign affairs and international cooperation for Sierra Leone Katherine Sierra, former vice president for human resources and sustainable development at the World Bank where she co-led the global task force to tackle gender-based violence Aya Chebbi, co-founder of the Voice of Women Initiative and founding chair of Afrika Youth Movement James Cottrell, former global chief ethics officer and chief sustainability and corporate responsibility officer at Deloitte US Musimbi Kanyoro, president and CEO of the Global Fund for Women Birgitta Ohlsson, MP and former minister for European Union affairs in Sweden Katharina Samara-Wickrama, director of the Issues Affecting Women Programme (IAWP) at the Oak Foundation New standards Oxfam also announced today that it had introduced new standards for staff references to help prevent staff who have been found guilty of misconduct from finding work in the sector. This includes the introduction of accredited referees, so that former employees cannot falsify references by asking a friend to provide them, as well as an agreed standard format for references that will ensure that cases of gross misconduct are spelt out. Oxfam has also tripled its safeguarding budget to 720,000 and has launched a new independent whistleblowing helpline. Mark Goldring, chief executive of Oxfam GB, said: "Preventing and tackling sexual abuse is as important to me as saving lives when disasters hit. Weve got better at it since 2011, but we know theres a lot more we can and must do the commission will help us do that. Todays announcement is about turning words into actions and delivering on our commitment to protect staff, volunteers and the people we help around the world from those who do not share our values. From today, any employee found guilty of gross misconduct will find it much harder to hold a similar position in the future. The additional resources and external whistleblowing line will make it easier for allegations to be reported and acted upon swiftly. Happy Friday, dear readers. Another week has come and gone and, while the weather outside finally seems to be warming up, the political climate has begun to turn decidedly chilly. Now our defence secretary says the Russians should go away and shut up. Nothing to see here, just a bunch of mature adults. This week in charity sector satire: Peta activists get booed by Tory dog enthusiasts at Crufts, the National Trust has been savaged yet again by the press and possibly the most fundraising thing ever has happened in Brixton. Dog-piled Where you last Sunday evening, dear reader and what were you doing? This column was, and theres no shame in this, settling down on the sofa with a brew and waiting for the Crufts best in show to be awarded. The veritable piece de resistance of the Kennel Clubs three-day dogstravaganza that is Crufts the Worlds Greatest Dog Show according to, well, Crufts. The seven dogs from the seven different categories had been assembled. Theyd been run around the little astroturf ring. Theyd been poked and prodded by the judge. The crowd had fallen to a hush broken briefly by groans when it was announced that the judge would be declaring the runner up dog before the winner which, as any Crufts-enthusiast will know, flies in the face of tradition and, being really honest, what else does this country have going for it at the moment except its strict adherence to tradition? and then the judge pointed at the little Scottish lady and her handsome (whippet?) and there was clapping and the dog podium was rolled out with the giant cup on it and the other dogs were ushered slowly away and the cameras swooped in, and Clare Balding was on the move and then, suddenly: Theres a lot to unpack here, really. A man and a woman, both from animal rights organisation Peta, suddenly burst from behind the flimsily constructed barrier at the edge of the show ring and, unfurling A4 pieces of paper which were, to be honest, barely legible, gambolled in front of the cameras in an attempt to draw national media attention to what it believes to be the evils of the Kennel Club and pedigree dog breeding in general. Essentially, Peta believe that Crufts celebrates animal eugenics when it comes to its pedigree breeding standards. Now, that is in many ways an interesting argument, and one that goes far deeper than can be truly unpacked in this column. But, on a purely visceral television level, these were amazing scenes. For one thing, Crufts security sprang into action. Men, giant slabs of men, dressed all in red and black, flew from every corner and, quite literally, rode one of the protesters a relatively weedy looking man in a grey shirt with cornrows to the ground. All the while the crowd rumbled with discontent, opprobrium even, that anyone had dared to tarnish their precious, perfect dog show. Yvette Short, the owner of the delightfully named Collooney Tartan Tease, the winning whippet, clutched protectively at her prize-winning hound; a man in a dinner jacket wearing crisp white gloves swooped to protect the trophy and, due to television regulations, Channel 4 cut away from the furore back to Clare Balding, ringside, one finger in her ear, looking like she was reporting from a warzone directly into a microphone that didnt work. By the time someone had handed her a second microphone, order had been restored and the protesters were being dragged from the arena, trussed like hogs for the spit. Peta later released a statement which said: "Breeding pedigree dogs in abnormal shapes and sizes leaves them with genetic predispositions to epilepsy, heart disease, deafness, hip dysplasia, and numerous other health problems, particularly citing problems found in the breeding of bulldogs and pugs. That is as may be, but this column finds it hard to sympathise too much with an organisation that has just spent the last two years dragging a photographer through various courtrooms on behalf of a monkey who may (but almost certainly didnt) take a picture of itself. Speaking of things we hold dear Cornish lambasty On Sunday the Independent ran a splash which read: National Trust forced to apologise over disgusting cream tea advert and, as it always does whenever the media sinks its teeth into the National Trust, this columns cold, black heart fluttered a little with a feeling that most closely resembled what the rest of you people call joy. Yes, it seems that a National Trust site in Cornwall important fact to remember here has caused social media outrage over a post it made regarding its Mothers Day cream teas. Lanhydrock in Cornwall posted to Facebook about their cream teas, choice of sandwich and mini-eclairs ahead of mothering Sunday, said the Independent. However followers were quick to lambast the advert accusing the National Trust of committing a cardinal Cornish sin. Yep, whoever did the Facebook post at the NT site in Lanhydrock added a photograph which showed a scone with cream on first and jam on top. ARE YOU MAD, LANYHDROCK NATIONAL TRUST? I THOUGHT THIS WAS CORNWALL, NOT DEVON! Depressingly, although perhaps not surprisingly, people got really wound up about this. A number of people on Facebook wrote that the picture was disgusting with one social media user writing: Its discustin cream first? I thought Lanhydrock was in Cornwall, not Devon. Im offended and Im fummin I DEMAND an end to this sort of thing. [Sic sic sic] Another woman wrote: What is this blasphemy? Disgusting! I demand a retraction and an apology!!! And sack the dirty Devonshire infiltrator who masterminded this outrageous corruption!! Lanhydrock NT did eventually issue a full apology and have posted a picture of a #JamFirst badge, to try and reinforce its shattered bona fide Cornish credentials. This column is vaguely reminded that Jonathan Swift, almost three hundred years ago, penned a satire in which two kingdoms went to war over which end of a boiled egg you should crack with a spoon. Fortunately we here in England have moved on and no longer engaged in that kind of xenophobic denigration of the customs of our neighbours, and are now tolerant of the foibles of others. Wait, no, that's nonsense. Hygge me a break So apparently for the unenlighted among you, 'hygge' is now a thing. It's a Danish word for the warm glow you get when you do something which Diary, frankly, has never done. No, not that. What we're getting at here is the warm feeling from being extra nice and pleasant to someone for no really good reason, as charity people are wont to do. It's the kind of thing that nice-as-pie millennials love to specialise in, and to cater for these dubious individuals, a House of Hygge charity fundraising coffee lounge and event space has opened in Brixton. Nothing quite says south London gentrification quite like an old plumbers offices being turned into a House of Hygge coffee lounge and event space. Brixton Buzz said: Taking its name from the Danish word used to describe a special feeling, the cafe will support the Chartwell Cancer Trust, that funds childrens cancer support groups in South London, Croydon and North Kent. Good to know that the cafe has a sister pop up shop next door which sells a range of furniture, pictures, paintings, books and objet d art. Tres bon! News of impending cuts at The Denver Post came first from Twitter. In a staff meeting, the @DenverPost editor just told us that we are cutting 30 positions in the newsroom, wrote City Hall reporter Jon Murray. There are some sobs in the room. The paper soon confirmed that its newsroom of around 100 would be reduced by almost a third, slashing its capacity to cover one of the nations booming cities. (Its newsroom had already been cut by two thirds, from 300 at its peak.) The cuts at the Post, which has already seen several rounds of layoffs, will leave the regions preeminent paper with fewer resources to provide the sort of accountability journalism that has won it several Pulitzer Prizes. Im sure some commenters will cheer what they believe is the eventual demise of the mainstream media, but there is nothing to celebrate when a city has fewer journalists working in it, Editor Lee Ann Colacioppo wrote in a memo to staff on Wednesday. But the story isnt just a local one; its part of a pattern playing out around the country at newspapers controlled by one company. ICYMI: While ABC, CBS, and NBC all had special reports on student walkout, Fox went a different direction. The Post is just the most recent outlet owned by vulture hedge fund Alden Global Capital to face the ax. Alden controls Digital First Media, the countrys second largest newspaper chain, which has a pattern of gutting newsrooms and selling off valuable office space to squeeze profit from the industry. In the Bay Area, it has decimated the San Jose Mercury News, cutting a newsroom of more than 400 down to about 40 staffers. Writing last month on the purchase of the Boston Herald by Digital First, Joshua Benton argued, just short of setting the place on fire, being bought by Digital First is about the worst outcome possible. The man behind Alden Global Capital is Randall Smith, a press-shy billionaire who Julie Reynolds profiled in The Nation last fall. He has no experience with actually managing a newspaper, and his professional history reflects no interest in journalism beyond profiteering, Reynolds wrote. ICYMI: How hacked emails and a yacht in Monaco ended my career at The Wall Street Journal Sign up for CJR 's daily email The Washington Posts Margaret Sullivan likened Digital Firsts approach to strip-mining. Cataloguing the stunned reactions from Denver, she notes that Digital First is wreaking similar havoc all over the country. That result of that havoc is fewer journalists working in dozens of cities. As Denver Post Broncos beat reporter Nicki Jhabvala tweeted in response to the news, This is why hedge funds shouldnt own newspapers. Below, more on the coverage of cutbacks in Denver and elsewhere. A depressing decade: Denver Business Journals Caitlin Hendee and Greg Avery write on the recent history of cuts at the Post and its former sister paper, The Rocky Mountain News, which ceased publication in 2009. There were about 450 journalists at the newsrooms of Denvers competing daily newspapers just a decade ago, they note. Denver Business Journals Caitlin Hendee and Greg Avery write on the recent history of cuts at the Post and its former sister paper, The Rocky Mountain News, which ceased publication in 2009. There were about 450 journalists at the newsrooms of Denvers competing daily newspapers just a decade ago, they note. An ongoing issue: In 2016, CJRs Corey Hutchins reported on problems at the Denver Post, where byline counts, union talks, and a lot of anxiety dominated the newsroom. In 2016, CJRs Corey Hutchins reported on problems at the Denver Post, where byline counts, union talks, and a lot of anxiety dominated the newsroom. Not just Denver: Robert Feder reports on another round of layoffs at the Chicago Tribune. Feder notes that Thursdays layoffs and the uncertainty surrounding them may help fortify an effort to unionize Tribune editorial employees. Last week, NPRs David Folkenflik examined Troncs reorganization plans. Other notable stories Times Daniel DAddario profiles Shep Smith, the man with the hardest job on Fox News. An old-fashioned anchorman, Smith delivers straight reporting that often contradicts the outlandish conspiracy-mongering and pro-Trump cheerleading of his networks opinion shows. We serve different masters, Smith says of the divide between news and opinion. We work for different reporting chains, we have different rules. They dont really have rules on the opinion side. They can say whatever they want. ProPublica issued a correction to its year-old story on newly nominated CIA chief Gina Haspel. The story also said she mocked the prisoners suffering in a private conversation. Neither of these assertions is correct and we retract them, wrote Editor in Chief Stephen Engelberg. It is now clear that Haspel did not take charge of the base until after the interrogation of Zubaydah ended. This is a major screw-up on an important story, but ProPublicas transparency about its error is admirable. We at ProPublica hold government officials responsible for their missteps, and we must be equally accountable, Engelberg acknowledged. The movement sparked by the Parkland shooting has thrust teenage voices onto the national stage. CJRs Alexandria Neason, a former education reporter, offers dos and donts for reporting on children. Former ESPN President John Skipper spoke with The Hollywood Reporters James Andrew Miller about his abrupt exit from the network in December. The cause, Skipper says, was an extortion plot connected to his purchase of cocaine, the substance referenced in the announcement of his departure. Currents April Simpson raises a good question in her piece on a shelved NPR investigation into the Peace Corps prescribing of a controversial anti-malaria drug: What should news organizations do with reporting by individuals found to have committed sexual harassment? Michael Getler, a legendary ombudsman for The Washington Post and PBS, died Thursday. Mr. Getler became known for sharp observations that became the talk of the newsroomand other newsrooms, wrote Bart Barnes in the Posts obituary of Getler, who also served as a foreign correspondent and editor at the paper. ICYMI: Student walkout keeps media attention on gun violence Has America ever needed a media watchdog more than now? Help us by joining CJR today Pete Vernon is a former CJR staff writer. Follow him on Twitter @ByPeteVernon. ProPublica last year published a widely cited article linking Trumps CIA nominee Gina Haspel directly to the waterboarding and torture of Abu Zubaydah when she was in charge of a CIA black site prison in Thailand in 2002. Yesterday, ProPublica was forced to retract and apologize for a significant part of the articles content. Theres no doubt it was a considerable mistake. You can imagine Team Trump will use the incident to muddy the waters about torturewith more fake news proclamationsin an attempt to get Haspel through the nomination process. But ProPublica did what it should have: issue a detailed correction along with an explanation about how it happened as soon as it had new information. Mistakes in reporting inevitably happen, no matter the subject, and its the news organizations response to those mistakes that matters. (Its still indisputable, by the way, that Haspel was in charge of the black site when another captive was waterboarded, and that she played a key role in the destruction, against White House orders, of almost 100 hours of tapes that showed the CIA engaging in torture.) But its worth taking a longer look at why a mistake like ProPublicas is more likely to happen when reporting on CIA activities, and why everyone should be furious at the government, rather than place the blame solely on ProPublica. ICYMI: After US journalist killed, a quest for answers In its report, ProPublica was forced to use a combination of heavily censored CIA and court documents and anonymous sources to piece together what happened over a decade ago in the secret CIA prison Haspel ran. Many of the documents were made public only after years of Freedom of Information Act fights brought by public interest groups, while many other documents on Haspels CIA tenure remain classified. Sign up for CJR 's daily email These types of unintentional mistakes would be almost entirely avoidable if journalists did not have to read between the lines of ridiculous government redactions meant to cover up crimes. The most obvious example of this is the Senates 500-page summary of the torture report it released in 2014. How many times is Haspel named in the torture report? We have no idea. The redactions on the report completely obscured the names of all participants in the torture program, including the CIA personnel involved, as well as their partners in crime from authoritarian dictatorships like Libya, Egypt, and Syria. At the time of the reports release, advocates proposed that CIA personnel should at least be identified by pseudonyms so that the public could understand how many people were involved and if a particular person was responsible for more than others. That proposal was rejected as well. The CIA was given control over redactions by the Obama administration despite the fact that the report essentially accused the agency of committing countless felonies. It should have come as no surprise that the spy agency used that power not to protect national security, but to shield itself from accountability. In its original report, ProPublica did include a line from a CIA spokesman saying, nearly every piece of reporting that you are seeking comment on is incorrect in whole or in part. Yet the spokesman refused to elaborate on any specific allegations or provide facts showing ProPublica was incorrect. This is another classic tactic. Government officials will tell a journalist writing a critical story they are wrong about the facts, but refuse to explain how or why. Even if the spokesman is not telling the truth, it means the reporter will have to inject doubt and hedging into a investigative piece, which can muddy the waters of the pieces thesis. If the spokesman is telling the truth, he or she can then wait until after the article is published to reveal exactly why it was wrong and use that information to discredit the news organization. Its yet another way the government uses its vast power for the most cynical and underhanded purpose possible. The larger question remains whether anyone will shed more light on what, exactly, Haspel did and didnt do as part of the CIAs torture program. Members of Congress have already asked for more documents on Haspels CIA tenure to be declassified, but we have no idea if that will happen. Despite the clear public interest, theres also almost no chance the government will release the full Senate torture reportwhich consists of thousands of pages of evidenceany time soon. As journalist Ali Watkins tweeted, it took one and a half years (thanks to the CIA dragging its feet at every moment) to get the summary of the report released after a full court press by members of the Senate Intelligence Committee. Yet theres never been a more important time for the American public to see the entire report. Members of Congress can use their right under the Speech and Debate clause of the Constitution to put it in the congressional record, much like former Senator Mike Gravel did with the Pentagon Papers in 1971. Since Gravel, there hasnt been another major case of a senator doing so, and Im not holding my breath. But a brave government official who has access to the report can still leak it to the press. They would be doing a vital public service. Though such an act would put any individual at great risk, there are few things more important to our democracy than holding government officials accountable when they commit crimes against humanity, such as those committed by the CIA. ICYMI: Facing a critical moment, Vice makes an unexpected announcement Has America ever needed a media watchdog more than now? Help us by joining CJR today Trevor Timm is the executive director of Freedom of the Press Foundation, a non-profit organization that supports and defends journalism dedicated to transparency and accountability. He is also a twice-weekly columnist for the Guardian, where he writes about privacy, national security, and the media. The open-door helicopter tour in which five people died in a crash landing in the East River off Manhattan on Sunday was operating under safety restrictions reserved for photography flights that are looser than those for commercial air-tour rides. Federal regulations exempt certain operations, including crop-dusting and aerial firefighting, from some of the safety rules that apply to commercial operators. It includes aerial photography or survey operations in that category. The ill-fated New York flight was operating under that standard, according to a person familiar with the operation, who asked not to be named because the National Transportation Safety Board is still investigating. Commercial air tours are governed by separate regulations. The passengers, who booked a photo tour of New York City at sunset, were wearing harnesses that tethered them to the aircraft and were equipped with knives designed to cut themselves free in the event of an emergency, photographer Eric Adams, who was on another helicopter operated by the same company at the same time, wrote in an account for an online publication called The Drive. The harnesses were required because the helicopters doors had been removed so that participants could more freely photograph New York. Such a flight would not have been permitted under the regulations that govern air-tour flights, said the person. We are giving urgent attention to the use of harnesses specifically for aerial photography flights, the Federal Aviation Administration, which oversees the aerial industry, said in an emailed statement. We are supporting the NTSB and we will take appropriate action based on what we learn from the investigation. As a matter of overall safety awareness, we are preparing further communications and educational outreach to aerial photography operators and consumers on the use of these harnesses, the agency said. The helicopter went down in the East River about 7 p.m. after the pilot radioed that hed lost power. Within seconds, the Airbus SE AS350B2 helicopter turned over and sank. The pilot was able to escape and was rescued, but the five passengers had to be cut loose from the craft by divers, New York Fire Department Commissioner Daniel Nigro said. The NTSB hasnt yet released detailed information on what regulations governed the photo flight. Investigators have recovered a GoPro camera from the wreckage and will attempt to analyze any video it captured of the accident, the NTSB said in a statement Tuesday. Im shocked by the tethering and the lack of a quick release, said Shawn Coyle, a helicopter pilot, safety consultant and author of books on flying. The fact that five of them couldnt get out means that it was pretty desperately bad. Its not like seat belts on an airplane where you just undo the buckle and away you go. $99 for 10 Minutes Tickets for the doors-off photography flight were sold by FlyNYON, which advertises on its website such services in cities including New York, Las Vegas and San Francisco. Prices range from $99 for 10 minutes to $2,000 to photograph New Yorks New Years celebration, according to the website. FlyNYON takes the thrill of shooting images from an open-door helicopter and makes it accessible to everyone, the company says on its website. The helicopter was operated by Liberty Helicopters, which conducts air tours in New York. The companies didnt respond to telephone and emailed requests for comment but a statement on Libertys website said it was fully cooperating with the FAA and NTSB investigations. The growing number of air-tour companies operating similar doors-off flights has been alarming to some in the helicopter industry, said one person familiar with internal debates on the subject. Allowing passengers to dangle their feet out of helicopters hundreds of feet in the air and using the harnesses designed for professional aviators runs counter to the safety goals of more traditional operators, said the person, who asked not to be named while the NTSB is investigating. The accident has prompted several lawmakers to call for a temporary halt of helicopter tourist flights around New York. At minimum, these flights should be suspended until there can be an exhaustive review of the safety hazards of operating these flights in such a congested urban airspace, said a release Tuesday from Representatives Jerrold Nadler, Nydia Velazquez and Carolyn Maloney, all New York Democrats. The Senates top Democrat, Chuck Schumer of New York, issued a similar call aimed at Liberty on Monday. Copyright 2021 Bloomberg. "Voters in Illinois will head to the polls this Tuesday. They should vote for Jeanne Ives in the Republican gubernatorial primary over the thoroughly disappointing incumbent governor Bruce Rauner, who has forfeited any claim on his partys nod." Thus begins the endorsement posted on National Review Friday. They go on ... The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers should act immediately to make flood control the top priority on the Missouri River, an attorney for hundreds of farmers, landowners and business operators said Wednesday after a federal judge ruled the agency was responsible for recurring flooding. Judge Nancy B. Firestones ruling Tuesday in Washington cited river management changes initiated by the Corps of Engineers starting in 2004, including efforts to aid endangered fish and birds, that led to damages estimated to exceed $300 million in four states: Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska and Iowa. The Corps manages the Missouri Rivers system of dams and locks and decides when and how much water is released from reservoirs into the river. In her 259-page ruling, Firestone wrote that flooding was caused by and was the foreseeable result of the Corps management of the river. Another trial will start in October to determine how much money the lawsuits 372 plaintiffs will receive. It wasnt clear whether the U.S. government planned to appeal the ruling. Email messages left Wednesday with the Corps of Engineers and the U.S. Department of Justice were not immediately returned. The lawsuit, filed in 2014, contended the Corps unconstitutionally deprived people of their land, essentially taking it without compensation. Firestone found in favor of the plaintiffs in five of the six years in which flooding was blamed on Corps management, disallowing flood claims in 2011. R. Dan Boulware, an attorney for the plaintiffs, said he will ask the judge to reconsider her decision disallowing the 2011 flood claims. Still, Boulware said the ruling makes it clear that the Missouri River is changed and is more prone to flooding. Now Congress needs to do something. They need to step in and say, Weve got a problem here, Boulware said in a phone interview Wednesday. U.S. Sen. Roy Blunt, a Missouri Republican, agreed. I hope this decision is the first step in a new direction for the Corps, Blunt said in a statement. I look forward to working with my colleagues to ensure the river is managed in a way that prioritizes flood control, while balancing other interests. The lawsuit contended the Corps made a management shift in 2004 that downplayed flood control while emphasizing restoring ecosystem and habitat creation for threatened and endangered species. The court ruled that practices such as notching of dikes and reopening of chutes worsened the flood risk. The lawsuit also cited the Corps practice of releasing threatened and endangered species from reservoirs, even when river levels below the dams were high. And, it cited increasing reservoir storage as a factor in the recent floods. The 63-day trial began in Kansas City, Missouri, before moving to Washington. It concluded in December. Copyright 2021 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. General Motors, Fiat Chrysler, Volkswagen and Mercedes all knew of problems with dangerous exploding Takata airbag inflators years before issuing recalls, according to three class actions filed Wednesday with the federal court in Miami. The lawsuits cite company documents obtained through previous legal actions against other automakers over faulty Takata inflators. The plaintiffs allege that automakers were informed of inflator defects during tests but delayed taking action. Allegations against GM are among the most serious. Takata documents showed that GM employees expressed concerns about inflators rupturing as early as 2003. Takata uses the chemical ammonium nitrate to create small explosions to inflate airbags. But the chemical can deteriorate when exposed to high temperatures and airborne moisture. That causes it to explode with too much force, blowing apart a metal canister and hurling shrapnel. At least 22 people have died worldwide and more than 180 have been hurt. The problem touched off the largest series of automotive recalls in U.S. history, with 19 automakers having to recall up to 69 million inflators in 42 million vehicles. The problem brought a criminal conviction and fine against Takata and forced the Japanese company into bankruptcy protection. GM said Wednesday that it has no reports of its Takata inflators exploding while in use due to ammonium nitrate problems. Fiat Chrysler declined comment, saying it had not been served with the lawsuit. Messages were left Wednesday seeking comment from VW and Mercedes. The lawsuits, which consolidate individual claims that were filed previously, allege that owners paid higher prices for their vehicles than they would have if the defect had been disclosed. They allege that manufacturers picked Takata to supply inflators because the cost was less than other air bag makers who used different, less volatile chemicals as propellants. According to the lawsuits, manufacturers had employees who questioned the quality and performance of Takatas inflators well before any vehicles were recalled. These auto manufacturers were well aware of the public safety risks posed by Takatas airbags long ago, and still waited years to disclose them to the public and take action, Peter Prieto, lead counsel for the plaintiffs, said in a statement. The lawsuits are an important step forward in holding them accountable. In an April 2003 communication with Takata, GM was concerned about ballistic variability, which is a tendency for the airbags to either underinflate or explode when deployed, the lawsuit against GM said. A GM engineer raised concerns about inadequate testing, moisture control and the inability of Takata to meet GM specifications after a 2003 visit to Takatas factory in Moses Lake, Washington, according to the lawsuit. In 2004, Takata employees met with GM officials about a tendency for the inflators to shoot flames when they ruptured, and in March of 2006, Takata reported that inflators tested for GM vehicles continued to show aggressive behavior, including the escape of molten propellant when they ruptured. A Takata employee admitted we cannot get good results with the inflator design, the lawsuit stated. Yet GM didnt issue any recalls until June of 2014 when it recalled 29,000 Chevrolet Cruze compact cars from the 2013 and 2014 model years, according to the lawsuit. That recall came after Takata reported three exploding inflators in 2010. Defendants did nothing to meaningfully investigate the problem, notify the appropriate regulators or notify the class (car owners), the lawsuit stated. GM also received reports of real-world problems in 2011 and 2014, including one case in which a Cruze driver was blinded in one eye by an exploding inflator, according to the lawsuit. GM and Takata blamed the trouble on a manufacturing problem instead of the deteriorating ammonium nitrate. Rather than publicize the truth, both Takata and New GM blamed the ruptures on a manufacturing problem, the lawsuit alleged. GM said the Cruze recall isnt covered by Takatas recalls for deteriorating ammonium nitrate. The company says the Cruze recall was due to Takata inflators being built with an incorrect part. Old GM, the company that existed before seeking bankruptcy protection in 2009, knew of the problems, and New GM, the company that emerged from bankruptcy, kept employees who knew and had the same knowledge, according to the lawsuit. Volkswagen, the lawsuit alleged, had repeated quality issues with Takata dating to 2003, even rejecting products after an audit. Yet no recalls were issued until 2016, the plaintiffs claimed. Daimler AG, maker of Mercedes-Benz vehicles, had concerns about the integrity of Takata inflators in 2003, according to company emails. In 2004, Mercedes engineers agreed to forego key performance variables and allow use of Takata inflators, the lawsuit stated. The company didnt do any recalls until 2016. Fiat Chrysler didnt issue its first recall until 2014, even though its engineers expressed concerns about Takata inflators during the early 2000s, the lawsuit stated. Last year Toyota, BMW, Mazda, Subaru, Nissan and Honda settled similar economic loss class actions for millions of dollars. Copyright 2021 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. United Airlines, under siege over the death of a puppy on one of its flights, says the flight attendant who ordered a passenger to put her pet carrier in the overhead bin didnt know there was a dog inside. The airlines account was contradicted by the family that owned the French bulldog, and also by other passengers on Monday nights flight. Eleven-year-old Sophia Ceballos told NBC News that her mother told the flight attendant Its a dog, its a dog, and (the flight attendant) said we have to put it up there, in the bin. Other passengers backed up the familys account on Twitter and Facebook. United acknowledged Wednesday that the customer said there was a dog in the carrier. However, our flight attendant did not hear or understand her, and did not knowingly place the dog in the overhead bin, the airline said in a statement. United declined to identify the employee. Last year, 18 animals, mostly dogs, died while being transported on United three-fourths of all animal deaths on U.S. carriers, according to the Department of Transportation. Those figures represent animals that die in cargo holds. It is rare that an animal dies on a plane. Even on United there was only one death for roughly every 4,500 animals transported last year. United, which promotes its pet-shipping program called PetSafe, carries more animals than any other airline, but its animal-death rate is also the highest in the industry. Alaska Airlines, which carries only 17 percent fewer animals, had just two deaths last year. The overwhelming majority (of deaths), according to medical experts, were due to a pre-existing medical condition or the animal wasnt properly acclimated to its crate, said United spokesman Charles Hobart. Hobart said the airline investigates every injury or death to an animal in its care. Pets are loaded last and taken off the plane first after landing, he said. Uniteds PetSafe has its skeptics. I think United tries to make a business out of pet transport with this program, but (airline) ramp workers are not veterinarians, said Brian Kelly, CEO of The Points Guy, a travel website that first highlighted this weeks incident on a Houston-to-New York flight. Reports filed with the government indicate that in most cases of animal death or injury last year, United took no corrective action. Some animals were deemed to have died of natural causes, others from cardiac problems or gastric dilation, a condition associated with eating too much. One dog died of heat stroke, and another animal escaped while being handed back to its owner and was hit by a vehicle. United has suffered a string of incidents that generated bad publicity in the last year, including the violent removal of a passenger from a United Express plane to make room for a crew member, and the death of a giant rabbit _ its Iowa owners sued the airline, which they said cremated the animal to destroy evidence about the cause of death. The issue of pets on planes has gotten attention recently after United and Delta Air Lines announced tightened restrictions on emotional-support animals, including requiring a health form filled out by a veterinarian. Copyright 2021 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Ride-hailing company Lyft is joining with large Canadian auto parts supplier Magna to develop self-driving vehicles, sharing expenses on a multi-year project that could vault them onto the leader board in autonomous technology. The companies announced the partnership Wednesday and also said that Magna would invest $200 million in Lyft. Raj Kapoor, Lyfts chief strategy officer, says Lyft needs auto industry expertise to manufacture autonomous vehicle components and eventually build the vehicles. Automakers know how to design vehicles so they meet safety regulations and can be manufactured easily, Kapoor said. The auto industry has perfected all of these tools and all of those processes, he said. Once technology is developed, Magna would be free to sell it to other companies, which would be encouraged to place their vehicles onto Lyfts ride-sharing network, Kapoor said. The tie-up is a huge step forward for both companies, Navigant Research analyst Sam Abuelsamid says. Before the announcement, he was skeptical of Lyfts autonomous vehicle efforts because it had no manufacturing ability and very limited data to offer from its ride-hailing network. Magna, he said, knows how to build sensors and assemble engine control computers. They know how to do electronics, he said. They have the capability to design and develop vehicles and manufacture them. That can be paired with Lyfts service expertise, Abuelsamid added. The partnership pushes the companies into a group of leaders in the autonomous vehicle race, Abuelsamid says. Also in the race are Googles Waymo, General Motors Cruise Automation, automotive tech company Aptiv, Renault-Nissan, and a Daimler AG and Bosch partnership, he said. Magna International Inc., based near Toronto, has about 168,000 employees worldwide. It also builds cars under contract in Austria for Mercedes-Benz, BMW and Jaguar. By next year, Magna expects its factory in Graz to be able to build over 200,000 vehicles per year. Copyright 2021 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. The Washington D.C.-based Susan B. Anthony List is very concerned that Lipinski remains in the U.S. Congress. The group has 70 people knocking on 17,000 doors this weekend in the 3rd CD, supporting Congressman Lipinski. WASHINGTON DC - Pro-lifers in Illinois' 3rd CD will have a tough choice to make next Tuesday. Will they pull a Republican primary ballot and vote for Jeanne Ives for governor or will they pull a Democrat ballot and vote for the only pro-lifer on that party's primary ballot - Congressman Dan Lipinski? UPDATE x1: A SBA List representative disagrees with Illinois Review's original headline "National Pro-life group calls for Pro-lifers to pull Democrat ballots in IL's 3rd CD: " ... [W]ith all due respect, your title misrepresents what SBA List is doing. As our press release states, "The group of 70 canvassers, which includes SBA List staff and students from nearby universities, plans to visit each of 17,000 pro-life Democrat households twice in the final five days of the race. SBA List is not asking pro-lifers in CD-3 to choose between Republican and Democrat ballots. SBA List is simply telling Democrats who are already pulling a Democrat ballot to vote for Lipinski, not Newman." In 2010, dozens of so-called pro-life Democrats the Stupak coalition betrayed the pro-life movement and their own principles in caving to pressure from national Democratic leadership to vote for Obamacare, the largest expansion of abortion on demand since Roe. Congressman Dan Lipinski was the lone exception. Now, hes not just a pro-life vote in Congress, he is the only Democrat truly championing the unborn and their mothers at the national level," Quigley wrote in an email. SBA List worked closely with Rep. Lipinski as well as his former colleagues during the Obamacare fight and told him they would always have his back politically for standing firm. "Now, hes being targeted by his own party for his pro-life leadership. We have a moral obligation to defend our friend Congressman Lipinski and are proud to do so against an abortion extremist backed by Planned Parenthood and NARAL. It is critical to the future of the Pro-life Movement in America that we have advocates on both sides of the aisle in Congress," she wrote. As to whether their efforts to promote Lipinski in the Democrat primary could take away from Republican pro-life candidate Jeanne Ives in the statewide IL GOP gubernatorial primary, Quigley said the group's primary mission from D.C. is federal offices. SBA Lists primary mission is at the federal level. We are also proud to have endorsed Jeanne Ives, a champion for unborn children and their mothers, in the gubernatorial primary. This is the only statewide primary in which we are involved. SBA List's press release sent out Thursday: Puerto Rico could well be the next hot place to do business for the cryptocurrency industry, said experts and entreprenenurs at a blockchain conference this week, while government officials unveiled efforts to support the industry there. Manuel Laboy, secretary of Puerto Rico's Department of Economic Development and Commerce, announced on Thursday that it was forming an advisory council to help blockchain businesses grow. The U.S. territory also offers tax benefits to businesses that relocate there. At the three-day Blockchain Unbound conference this week at San Juan, Puerto Rico, Laboy told CNBC that it's a win-win situation for investors and Puerto Rico is eager to be part of the expanding cryptocurrency market. He said that for every 14 available blockchain developer jobs, there is only one qualified person to fill the position. "The government is looking for new ways to attract business," bitcoin bull Brian Kelly told CNBC. "Cryptocurrency is a new business." He called Puerto Rico a "viable" place to set up shop. "As viable a place as Switzerland, as Singapore, as Hong Kong," Kelly, founder and chief executive officer of the investment firm BKCM, said on "Fast Money." "And that what we're all here to find out, is how to do it in this environment," he added. The cryptocurrency market has fallen on hard times recently, sparked by regulatory fears and Google's recent announcement that it is banning advertising related to cryptocurrency. Ripple, ethereum, bitcoin and litecoin were all down in the last week as a result of selloffs. "It's probably a concern for the industry," Blockchain Industries Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Patrick Moynihan told CNBC in Puerto Rico. Bitcoin, the popular digital currency that reached highs around $19,500 last December, fell below $8,000 this week. CNBC's Seema Mody contributed to this article. In her 2013 book "Lean In," Sheryl Sandberg describes her career as less of a ladder and more of a jungle gym. A "jungle gym scramble," she writes, better accounts for the many detours, barriers and, indeed, joys she experienced on her way to become Facebook's chief operating officer. It's a metaphor she borrowed from prominent journalist Pattie Sellers to whom she gives credit in the book and one to which many of us can relate. Sellers understands careers. She learnt from the routes taken by some of the world's most preeminent powers, from Warren Buffett to Melinda Gates, as Fortune magazine's former assistant managing editor. Speaking to CNBC Make It at YPO Edge in Singapore, she said that a jungle gym is a fitting description of the career paths of many of those successful leaders. And there's one skill that has enabled them to handle that: Agility. President Donald Trump has decided to remove White House national security advisor H.R. McMaster from the administration, The Washington Post said on Thursday though the White House subsequently denied there are changes coming to the National Security Council. The Post said the president is "now comfortable" removing McMaster, but that he's taking his time on an announcement because he doesn't want to embarrass the Army lieutenant general, and he wants a smooth transition. The Post cited five sources with knowledge of the president's plans. The Wall Street Journal subsequently confirmed the report, adding that timing of the move is unclear but could be months away. If that decision is made official, McMaster would become second national security advisor to leave the job since Trump took office last year. He has had the task of advising a president who often tweets unfiltered thoughts about delicate national security situations such as North Korea's weapons program and the Iran nuclear deal. The Trump administration pushed back on reports of an imminent departure. White House press secretary Sarah Sanders said on Twitter late Thursday that the president has a "good working relationship" with his national security advisor, and "there are no changes" at the National Security Council. Sarah Sanders tweet: Just spoke to @POTUS and Gen. H.R. McMaster - contrary to reports they have a good working relationship and there are no changes at the NSC. McMaster's departure would remove a knowledgeable foreign policy voice from a Trump inner circle that lacks many officials experienced in national security. Since taking the position, McMaster has faced criticism from some Trump supporters who have attacked him as a "globalist." Beijing and Washington have long been the dominant powers in Southeast Asia, home to some of the world's fastest-growing economies. But the region is increasingly seeking alternative alliances amid unease over China's rising influence and perceptions of an unpredictable White House. India's 69th Republic Day on January 26, 2018: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Indian Vice President Venkaiah Naidu and Indian President Ram Nath Kovind pose with Prime Minister of Laos Thongloun Sisoulith, Myanmar's civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi, Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loon, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen and Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc. Sonu Mehta/Hindustan Times via Getty Images "Specific Southeast Asian states are now seeking to diversify their strategic partnerships, beyond a binary choice between Beijing and Washington," the Council on Foreign Relations, a U.S. think tank, said in a note this week. A key element of those diversification efforts is working with India "as a more forceful counterweight to China and hedge against a declining United States," the note said. Southeast Asian nations are also looking at Australia as another potential partner. The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and Canberra are holding a special summit between from March 16 to 18, a sign that the 10-nation bloc is exploring various hedging strategies against Beijing, said Geoff Raby, former Australian ambassador to China. Trade deals such as the newly-inked Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans Pacific Partnership as well as intelligence sharing efforts on terrorism are also indicative of Southeast Asian leaders seeking greater regional cooperation. US 'increasingly unreliable' "The manner in which Donald Trump handled Tillerson's dismissal, combined with his snap decision to meet Kim Jong Un and other recent actions, reinforce the perception of the U.S. in Asia that the U.S. is increasingly unreliable," said Philip Yun, executive director of Ploughshares Fund, an anti-nuclear weapons group. People in the region are paying attention to the fact that Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, "who had touted his close relationship with Trump, was blinded-side by Trump's agreement to a U.S.-North Korea summit," Yun said. Also telling are recent comments from Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, Yun said. This week, Lee said ASEAN must adjust to a new power balance in Asia, suggesting the bloc look more to China and India. The U.S. is still widely expected to continue strong defense ties with Southeast Asian countries on matters such as freedom of navigation in the South China Sea. India's rise in Southeast Asia Widespread apprehension over China's ambitions has helped Prime Minister Narendra Modi enhance political and economic ties with Southeast Asian economies under a policy known as "Act East." Hanoi, for example, is partnering with New Delhi on South China Sea issues. In a meeting earlier this month, Modi and Vietnamese President Tran Dai Quang committed to more defense equipment deals and joint exploration in the international waterway, prompting criticism from Beijing. "The two sides may, in the future, want to be close partners to some other future regional alternative, or at least, partial alternative, to Belt and Road," according to the Council on Foreign Relations. Vietnam is also strengthening relations with other regional powers that are skeptical of or outright hostile to China, the organization said. And in January, India invited all 10 ASEAN leaders as chief guests to its annual Republic Day celebrations a historic first. The same month, New Delhi also invited those politicians to a summit aimed at promoting maritime security. Every ASEAN leader wants New Delhi to play a more assertive role in the Indo-Pacific region, Preeti Saran, secretary at India's Ministry of External Affairs, was quoted as claiming at the time. India is also a major player in a newly resurrected informal defense alliance known as "the Quad," which is aimed at offsetting Chinese maritime expansion. While Vietnam, Singapore and Indonesia are gradually embracing the concept of a more assertive Indian role in Southeast Asia, others like the Philippines and Malaysia remain silent on the matter, Manoj Joshi, distinguished fellow at Indian think tank Observer Research Foundation, said in a February report. Australia too If you think all CEOs are Ivy League educated individuals who set their eyes on the C-suite at a young age, you're mistaken. According to Elena Botelho and Kim Powell, authors of the book "The CEO Next Door," "Even the most impressive CEOs often didn't start out knowing they were destined for greatness." However, many of us believe the stereotype that an "iconic CEO is powerful and patrician, a bold, charismatic extrovert with a flawless resume," write the researchers. This makes us falsely assume that we are not "CEO material." To the contrary, ordinary people can also become CEOs, note the authors, as long as they have the necessary traits. To uncover these traits, Botelho and Powell turned to a dataset of 17,000 leadership assessments from the research firm ghSMART. In partnership with professors from the University of Chicago and Columbia University, they selected a subset of 2,600 leaders to further analyze, and found a trend among successful CEOs. According to their research, four simple behaviors can turn everyday people into powerful CEOs: decisiveness, engaging for impact, relentless reliability and adapting boldly. 1. Make quick decisions According to the data, successful CEOs are decisive and are 12 times more likely to be high performers. Steve Gorman, the former CEO of Greyhound, exemplifies why this trait is so crucial. When Gorman took over Greyhound in 2003, the business was losing money, according to the study. In addition, its parent company, which had just come out of bankruptcy, was ready to shut the doors on the company. For four months, Gorman listened to his top execs create and dismiss plans to save the company but eventually he had enough. Among the many piles of data his team analyzed was a satellite map of the U.S. and Canada, which showed where all the nation's lights were concentrated (a reflection of population density). Unsure if his plan would work, he immediately set out to reshape Greyhound bus routes around these heavily populated regions. His strategy worked. By the time he left Greyhound in 2007, the company reported $30 million earnings and was eventually sold for twice its 2003 value. The authors explain that Gorman was able to "push forward" not because he knew his plan would work but because he realized that a potentially bad decision was much better than no decision. 2. Get people to buy into your idea To be a successful CEO, you must engage those around you and inspire them to deliver results, according to the authors. But it's not as simple as being nice or getting people to like you. In fact, nice CEOs can be a drag on an organization because they focus more on being agreeable than getting workers to deliver quality results, say the researchers. To effectively persuade people to buy into your ideas, the authors say to do three things: Translate your vision and goals and be clear about your intent. Understand the emotional, financial and physical needs of the people who will help you deliver results. Establish everyday routines and habits to build relationships, which translate into action and eventually business results. Steve Jobs, the late CEO and founder of Apple, created such a successful company because he engaged his employees and galvanized them to come up with innovative products and ideas. "[Jobs] was in many cases very cruel to people and very unkind," Willie Pietersen, a management professor at Columbia Business School and author of "Strategic Learning: How to Be Smarter Than Your Competition and Turn Key Insights into Competitive Advantage," tells CNBC Make It. "But people gave him a pass on that because of his absolute brilliance, and the excitement and the exhilaration of working behind a brilliant idea." 3. Deliver consistent results CEOs who consistently deliver results and successfully execute plans are seen as reliable, according to the researchers. Once a CEO is known for their reliability, their odds of getting hired double. The authors also note that out of all four behaviors, "relentless reliability" is the most important for executive success because it also increases the odds of excelling. "In business, reliable and competent people are cherished," write the authors. "Employers and clients are more apt to take risks on them and more apt to give them opportunities." Virgin Group founder Richard Branson did just that when he created Virgin Australia, the country's second largest airline. The decision to launch this airline was actually the brainchild of his employee Brett Godfrey, who Branson immediately took a liking to because he was personable, detail-oriented and hardworking. "[I] saw how he dealt with people in a personable manner and got the best out of them," Branson writes in his latest autobiography, "Finding my Virginity." The billionaire was so impressed by his employee's work ethic that when Godfrey suggested creating an airline company in his home country of Australia, Branson bit. In 2000, Virgin Australia officially entered the aviation market with Godfrey as CEO ( a position he held until 2010). 4. Adapt to the circumstances Pomona High School social studies teacher Dale Munholland poses for a portrait before teaching an American history class at Pomona High School on Friday, February 23, 2018. Munholland, who has 20-plus years of teaching experience, said that teachers are there to take care of the kids, but shouldn't be expected to engage an active shooter. President Donald Trump has proposed arming teachers as a response to the Parkland shooting in Florida. Researchers have asked teachers: What do you think? Nearly three-quarters (73 percent) of U.S. educators said they oppose the idea of arming teachers and staff in school buildings, according to a Gallup survey in March of 497 adults who teach students from kindergarten through the 12th grade. More than 80 percent said they would not train to be able to wield a firearm if their school presented the option to do so. The unpopularity of the idea of arming teachers among teachers themselves suggests that lawmakers who support the idea will face difficulty implementing it, even if such policies came to pass. More from Personal Finance: 4 quirky tax deductions that could save you money You have until April 1 to take out this retirement cash Here are the highest and lowest state and local tax rates "Nobody can force teachers to carry guns," said Frank Newport, editor-in-chief of Gallup, a global research firm. "Teachers would have to agree." More than half of teachers say arming staff members would make schools more dangerous. Just this week, a California teacher's gun accidentally went off in class and three students were injured. However, 20 percent of teachers support the idea of arming staff members and 18 percent would undergo special training to carry a firearm at school. "They tend to be teachers in rural areas who already own guns," Newport said. Teachers who feel they'll be able to protect their students with a firearm should be given the chance to, said Dave Workman, of the Second Amendment Foundation. "In the event of some tragedy like we saw in Florida, they want to jump between the bad guy and the good kids," Workman said. Former congressman Barney Frank calls the Senate bill that reduces Dodd-Frank regulations on smaller banks "mostly" reasonable. "I like a lot of that bill," he told CNBC on Friday. Frank, the former Democratic U.S. representative from Massachusetts who co-authored the Dodd-Frank banking reforms after the financial crisis a decade ago, said the new legislation, Senate bill 2155, has many "positive elements." "People who say it's a rollback are wrong," he said on "Squawk Alley" from Fort Lauderdale, Florida. "This bill, as it passed the Senate, does not in any way weaken the rules, the problems against derivatives, which were a major part of the problem," Frank said. "It does not in any way weaken the restrictions against people making mortgage loans and then securitizing them. And it was the combination of those two: bad loans and then being put in securities packages and being bounced around," Frank said, that caused the financial crisis between 2007 and 2009. On Wednesday, the U.S. Senate voted 67 to 31 in favor of the bill, which is now headed to the U.S. House of Representatives. If passed, it would be the first rewrite of the Dodd-Frank reform law. Provisions in the legislation would benefit all but America's largest banks. Problems with the bill, Frank said, include the amount at which a bank is considered risky and subject to harsher oversight. The new bill increases the threshold five times, from $50 billion to $250 billion. "Fifty [billion dollars] was wrong," Frank said. "It was too low. But I think above 125 [billion dollars] was a mistake." Meanwhile, some Republicans want to ease regulations even further, while others worry this could upend negotiations. "If they try to broaden this bill and get into more serious erosions of Dodd-Frank, it will not pass the Senate," Frank said. "The question now is on the Republicans," he said. "Will the ideologically most conservative and the ideologically most driven Republicans undo this?" Frank, who served as chairman of the House Financial Services Committee from 2007 to 2011, said a major problem during the crisis was that the "legislation then on the books" didn't safeguard the financial system from a crisis. "We were working really hard to put the tools in place before the next failure," he said. "Unfortunately, the next failure, which was Lehman [Brothers], the next crisis came before we could get that in place." Frank said former U.S. Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson warned him at the time that more crises were coming but that "nobody saw it as bad as it was." "I spent that spring and summer dreading Friday afternoon after the markets closed, because I would get a phone call from Hank Paulson every other week with some new disaster," he said. This historic meeting was brokered by the South Korean government and delivered to the White House, outside the West Wing, by South Korean national security director Chung Eui-yong, who related that Kim Jong Un had expressed his eagerness to meet with President Trump as soon as possible. The place and time of the meeting is still to be determined. As announced on Thursday, March 8th, 2008, President Trump has agreed to sit down with his North Korean nemesis Kim Jong Un sometime in the next two months to discuss stripping the hermit nation of its nuclear arsenal . According to Chung, the North also agreed to suspend nuclear and missile tests during such future talks, which is a longstanding US demand. Trump's goal is to achieve permanent denuclearization, not just a freeze. Trump likewise expressed that the sanctions will remain in place until an agreement is reached. The relationship between the two world leaders has been downright nasty at time, with Trump repeatedly calling Kim Little Rocket Man and Kim dubbing the president a mentally deranged US dotard. A Difficult Row to Hoe Trump is right about North Korea. America and North Korea were on a collision course, but it never made sense to launch a military strike against the isolated country North Korea with its crazed leader without first having tried diplomacy. As many times reiterated, such a strike would cause tens of thousands of casualties in both South and North Korea. Trump will be talking with the leader of a nation that has a considerable nuclear arsenal and has made impressive missile tests. Kim might negotiate, but behind the scenes he could continue working to perfect an intercontinental nuclear missile that can reach this nation. Furthermore, is Kim even willing to trade his nuclear program for peace when he considers his nuclear force necessary to preserve his regime's security? Then too, would Kim keep his word if Trump could convince Kim to denuclearize? Three successive U.S. presidents, Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, and Barack Obama, have dealt with the threat posed by North Korea's weapons tests. Each acted in the same way, removing sanctions almost immediately, based on promises which were never kept. There is no evidence Korea's nuclear development ever hesitated or slowed down. It was publicly restarted each time after real or imagined affronts to the regime. Presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush made agreements with Kim's father which were violated, but the son, Kim Jong Un, like his father, seems determined to become a nuclear power. Lessons Learned? In Tennessee they say you dont learn much the second time you get kicked by a mule. Trump could make the same mistake if he acts based on promises. On the other hand, verification through unrestrained inspections would be effective. It might be difficult to re-impose sanctions if North Korea defaults, but there are military options the previous presidents never even considered or voiced, nor would that response necessarily come close to a nuclear option. 60 cruise missiles took out the Syrian Air Force. Last fall, the US Navy took delivery of nearly 800 cruise missiles in the Far East. One can only guess how many they had on hand, but munitions arent distributed on a KanBan basis (a Japanese innovation for inventory control - from delivery truck to the assembly line, just in time). In the interim, Trump has pledged to keep all the sanctions in place until a verified solution is in place. The most effective sanctions, banking and shipping intervention, are under unilateral US control. Direct talks between leaders of the two nations is a new twist, one which lends gravitas to the status of North Koreas dictator. Trump needs to think twice and speak once (for a change) and have trusted advisors on hand (and listen to them). Unlike Kerry in Iran, Trump must be prepared to walk out if the talks arent going anywhere. Fortunately, thats not how a New Yorker bargains. If the deal isnt good, Trump will walk out. With his predecessors any deal was better than no deal. On the other hand, meeting directly with the US President adds gravitas to the status of Kim Jong Un. Good and bad. It is a boost to his ego, but changes nothing politically, and may make him more receptive to concessions. Firing of Rex Tillerson a positive move A good move by President Trump on Tuesday, March 13 was the firing of Rex Tillerson who wasn't on the same wave length policy-wise as President Trump. They didn't see eye to eye on some very important issues, including the dirty Iran nuclear deal, North Korea, and Russia. Tillerson was also an advocate for the Paris Accord and the carbon tax. In addition to not sharing Trump's views, Tillerson verbally expressed disrespect toward President Trump. Contrary to what is being reported, The White House says Chief of Staff John Kelly spoke with the now-former Secretary of State Tillerson on Friday and Saturday (March 9 and 10) to say that the President wanted him to resign. When Tillerson refused, he was fired. Michael Pompeo, who has served as Director of the Central Intelligence Agency since January 23, 2017, having been nominated by President Donald Trump to that position, was chosen to replace Tillerson as Secretary of State. Mike Pompeo earned praise from members of both parties by strengthening intelligence gathering, modernizing our defensive and offensive capabilities, and building close ties with our friends and allies in the international intelligence community. It was reported that President Trump decided to make the change in order to have a new team in place before a planned summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un in the spring. Accordingly, President Trump is expected to lean heavily of Mike Pompeo as talks with North Korea soon take center stage on the diplomatic front. Popcorn, anybody? A small town in northeastern New York has banned the launch of new bitcoin "mining" firms for the next year and a half, just as the state's public utilities arm ruled that upstate municipal power authorities can charge higher electricity rates for miners. Mining refers to the production of cryptocurrency bitcoin, which is up about 700 percent over the last 12 months to $8,000. The creation process requires enormous computing power, causing miners to gravitate toward regions with ultra-low energy costs. Thanks to hydropower and subsidies, some parts of New York state offer electricity rates that can compete with the hot Chinese bitcoin mining market, while naturally lower temperatures reduce the costs of cooling facilities. Cryptocurrency farming Christinne Muschi | Bloomberg | Getty Images Plattsburgh's city council voted unanimously Thursday to approve an 18-month moratorium on applications or permits for new commercial cryptocurrency mining operations. The law gives the city time to evaluate the best way to handle a surge in electricity demand that has raised energy bills for residents. Vice first reported the ban, apparently the first in the U.S. Plattsburgh Source: Google Maps "The moratorium allows the City to review its zoning laws and building codes and to update them to include large Bitcoin operations," Bill Treacy, manager of Plattsburgh's Municipal Lighting Department, said in an email. Plattsburgh is located 20 miles south of the Canadian border and has a population of just 19,000. But it is home to at least two cryptocurrency mining companies. One local bitcoin mining operation, Plattsburgh BTC, says on its website that it is a family owned business that started in an apartment in 2015 before moving to a larger space the following year in order to access more power. "This was a positive move for the city of Plattsburgh and crypto mining," David Bowman, founder and CEO of the mining company, said in an email. "We will be actively working with the city right away to find solutions that works in all of our interests, like possibly shutting off the machines if we are in danger of going over the city's quota, looking into energy recapture as a way to heat buildings," he said. "Anything is on the table." New York utilities commission acts U.S. government debt yields ticked upward Friday, with the 2-year Treasury note notching a nine-year high ahead of a Federal Open Market Committee meeting next week. The Federal Reserve is widely expected to hike rates at its monthly meeting. The yield on the short-term 2-year Treasury note hit a high of 2.295 percent, its highest level since Sept. 19, 2008, when the note yielded as high as 2.313 percent. Long-term debt rates, however, remained lower for the week following softer economic data and turmoil in Washington. The yield on the benchmark 10-year Treasury note was higher at 2.846 percent at 3:52 p.m. ET, while the yield on the 30-year Treasury bond was higher at 3.081 percent. Bond yields move inversely to prices. A mix of data supported yields Friday, including a larger-than-expected increase in industrial output. Production jumped 1.1 percent in February, the largest increase in four months after a weather-related rebound in construction and a better results from oil and mining. Manufacturing output rose 1.2 percent, its largest gain since October, the Federal Reserve reported. Despite the uptick on the final day of trading for the week, long-term yields remain off highs clinched earlier in the week following a week of soft economic data. On Tuesday, the Labor Department reported that consumer prices rose 0.2 percent in February, matching Wall Street expectations and keeping fears of runaway inflation at bay. On a year-over-year basis, the consumer price index rose 2.2 percent, just ahead of the 2.1 percent increase reported in January. Core CPI which excludes volatile food and energy prices was up 0.2 percent for the month and 1.8 percent annualized. The latest reading comes a month after the CPI posted its largest gain in four years of 0.5 percent, sparking fears of rising prices and a more aggressive Federal Reserve. Military personnel wearing protective suits remove a police car and other vehicles from a public car park as they continue investigations into the poisoning of Sergei Skripal on March 11, 2018 in Salisbury, England. British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson said on Friday that it was overwhelmingly likely that Russian President Vladimir Putin himself made the decision to use a military-grade nerve toxin to strike down a former Russian agent on English soil. "We have nothing against the Russians themselves. There is to be no Russophobia as a result of what is happening," Johnson said. "Our quarrel is with Putin's Kremlin, and with his decision - and we think it overwhelmingly likely that it was his decision - to direct the use of a nerve agent on the streets of the UK, on the streets of Europe for the first time since the Second World War." Russia has denied any involvement in the poisoning of Sergei Skripal. Shares of Broadcom suffered the stock's biggest loss in 9 months on Friday, shedding nearly 5 percent. But the stock still ended a roller-coaster week up gaining less than half a percent over the five days of trading bolstered by weekend acquisition rumors. Broadcom ended last week with its hopes still alive for its hostile takeover of mobile chip giant Qualcomm, despite an unusual review by the U.S. Treasury's Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States. On Friday night, The Wall Street Journal reported that Intel might make a run at Broadcom to battle the Qualcomm deal. Broadcom opened the week up 3 percent on that report and spiked as much as 4 percent Tuesday. (Intel CEO Brian Krzanich later bucked takeover rumors in an interview with CNBC's Jim Cramer.) Then, on Tuesday, President Donald Trump ordered the immediate and permanent end of merger talks. On Wednesday, Broadcom called off its bid, and the stock shed as much as 2 percent Wednesday following the announcement. On Thursday evening, Broadcom announced first-quarter earnings that beat estimates, but shares opened nearly 2 percent down Friday and finished the day down almost 5 percent. The stock is up nearly 15 percent in the last 12 months. The University of Waterloo in Ontario is to partner with two Chinese institutes to develop research into connected and autonomous vehicle technology. The Canadian university recently signed an agreement with both the Qingdao Academy of Intelligent Industries (QAII) and the State Key Laboratory for Management and Control of Complex Systems (SKL-MCCS). Research will focus on everything from automated vehicle testing to deep learning in automated driving and applied artificial intelligence. A "shared research center" for automated driving will be set up while faculty and graduate student exchanges are also in the pipeline. Additionally, Chinese start-ups could potentially set up research and development facilities in the Waterloo region. "Waterloo is committed to taking a global view on research and development and this partnership represents a significant step in our goal of advancing the world's understanding and use of new technologies," Feridun Hamdullahpur, president and vice-chancellor of Waterloo, said in a statement Thursday. The Chinese institutions will together provide as much as 1 million Canadian dollars ($764,200) annually for five years, while Waterloo has committed to supplying CA$4 million to build an autonomous lab facility. All institutions will also look for funding from outside sources. Fei-Yue Wang, the president of QAII and director of SKL-MCCS, said that he was hopeful the collaboration would "lead to the world's first PhD program specializing in intelligent vehicles and make Waterloo the hub of innovation and incubation in intelligent vehicles and technology." As technology moves at a rapid pace, the world's biggest companies are looking to develop and deploy increasingly sophisticated self-driving technology. To give one example, vehicles at Waymo, a subsidiary of Alphabet, have software and sensors designed to detect everything from pedestrians and cyclists to road works and other vehicles. Ride-hailing powerhouse Uber is also looking to make a mark in the self-driving market. "In 2019, we've committed to buy 24,000 Volvo SUVs that we're going to equip with our autonomous driving technology and start to roll out on the Uber app," Fred Jones, the business' head of cities in the U.K. and Ireland, told CNBC earlier this year. Follow CNBC International on Twitter and Facebook. The people behind a company that hacked Samsung and BlackBerry phones to make them more secure, have been indicted for allegedly conspiring with drug cartels to help them evade law enforcement and sell narcotics. Phantom Secure, a Canada-based firm, sold Samsung and BlackBerry devices that had been modified with a higher encryption. This made it difficult for the authorities to trace drug traffickers. Vincent Ramos, the CEO of the company, along with four associates were accused on Thursday by the Department of Justice (DOJ) of "knowingly and intentionally conspiring with criminal organizations by providing them with the technological tools to evade law enforcement and obstruct justice while committing transnational drug trafficking." It's the first time the U.S. government has targeted a firm on such charges. BlackBerry and Samsung have not been accused of any wrongdoing. "When criminals go dark, and law enforcement cannot monitor their phones or access evidence, crimes cannot be solved, criminals cannot be stopped and lives can be lost," U.S. Attorney Adam Braverman, said in a press release on Thursday. He added that the communication network provided by Phantom Secure will be disabled. Ramos was taken into custody in Bellingham, Washington, on March 7. Ramos made his first appearance in the Western District of Washington and will face charges in San Diego. The remaining four defendants are fugitives, the DOJ said. The other defendants are Kim Augustus Rodd, Younes Nasri, Michael Gamboa and Christopher Poquiz. Phantom Secure also guaranteed the destruction of evidence contained within a device if it was compromised, either by an informant or because it fell into the hands of law enforcement, the DOJ said, citing court documents. The indictment alleges that Phantom Secure has generated around $80 million in annual revenues since 2008 and "facilitated drug trafficking, obstruction of justice, and violent crime around the world." Law enforcement in the U.S., Australia, Canada, Hong Kong and Thailand were involved in the arrest of Ramos. Over the past two weeks, Australian and Canadian police along with the U.S. authorities carried out 25 searches of houses and offices of Phantom Secure in various locations across the world. Police seized servers, computers, cellphones as well as drugs and weapons. Over 150 domains and licenses used as part of the encrypted network were also seized along with bank accounts. There were up to 20,000 Phantom Secure devices in use worldwide, according to court documents. The charges and allegations contained in an indictment or complaint are merely accusations, and the defendants are considered innocent unless and until proven guilty, the DOJ noted. "Leisure travel has been continuing to grow, and I think it has proven through economic downturns in fact to be more resilient than business travel, where corporations are able, in time of need, to really cut things down," Ingram said. Ingram attributed his statement to the fact the company is "based in Honolulu," that it is a "leisure-focused airline," and that many people view family vacations as a "basic right in the world today." "I would say that from our standpoint, it's a little bit more muted," he added. "We worry from the standpoint that anything that's bad for the global economy is bad for the airline industry," Peter Ingram, the president and CEO of Hawaiian Airlines told CNBC. Growing trade tensions spurred by U.S. President Donald Trump's increasingly confrontational trade policies may affect the airline industry, but the CEO of Hawaii's largest airline said the impact would likely be limited. Technology has made traveling more specialized, and airlines need to develop to cater to a wider range of customers, the CEO of the ninth largest commercial airline in the U.S. said. "We have moved from being an industry that primarily conducts its business through travel agents and traditional green screen GDS [Global Distribution System] to a more web-based environment, and a much more specialized selling environment," he explained, referring to a system for booking airline tickets. The CEO said he expects carriers like Hawaiian Airlines to continue developing different products to serve the growing range of clients with "different needs." One of the airline's methods is through diversifying its fleet to potentially expand operations beyond current markets. That's exemplified by Hawaiian Airlines' recent agreement to purchase 10 new Boeing 787-9 airplanes. "You've seen us grow over the last seven or eight years, since 2010, when we began renewing our fleet with the [Airbus] A330-200," Ingram said, pointing out that the airline has since added services throughout the Asia Pacific region and growing to where it is now "the second-largest operator" in the market for flights between Japan and Hawaii. The airline's purchase of the new Boeing aircraft also fueled rumors about non-stop flights to Europe, but the CEO was quick to caution that talks about expanding in specific markets might be premature, as it would be another three years before the aircraft are delivered. "It's way too early to be talking about specific markets that this is going to open up. But the 787-9 is an aircraft that has that sort of range," Ingram said, adding that the company would have to look at market conditions to decide on any new flight routes. Following is the transcript of CNBC's exclusive interview with Peter Ingram, President and CEO of Hawaiian Airlines. The interview was broadcast on Squawk Box on 16 March 2018. All references must be sourced to a "CNBC Interview'. Interviewed by CNBC's Bernie Lo, Akiko Fujita and Oriel Morrison. Bernie Lo (BL): Joining us on the program today from Honolulu is Peter Ingram, president and CEO. Peter, thank you very much for joining the gang here on Squawk Box. Just wondering, the folks at Boeing have been really worried that President Trump is going to initiate some sort of a trade war and that they could be hurt really really badly if that happened. Were you able to get a real choice price from Boeing? Is that the reason that you're willing to go to the expense of getting cockpit crews rerated for the 787? Peter Ingram: Well, a lot of the recent developments in the trade space have occurred since we finalized our campaign. We, for our part, we ran a competition as we always do when we're looking to acquire aircraft and we had two really good choices. The campaign really came down to the 787-9 and the Airbus A330-900 and they're both terrific airplanes and we had great, you know, great competition between both manufacturers so it was a good position for us to be in as a purchaser of aircraft. Akiko Fujita (AF): You know Peter, the recent announcement has a lot of people looking at this saying, well this opens things up for longer haul flights here. You've hinted at potential expansion and flights from London as well as some other cities. You know, are you looking at an expansion here in terms of direct flights? Because we have seen you move aggressively, not just into Asia, but into other parts. Peter Ingram: Well, you've seen us grow over the last seven or eight years since 2010 when we began renewing our fleet with the A330-200. We've added service throughout the Asia-Pacific region, expanding our presence in Australia, growing to where we're now the second largest operator between the massive Japan to Hawaii market. We have service to Korea, service to China, and, you know, we see the potential for continued growth in aviation between Asia and Hawaii. And we're really looking forward to the opportunity to expand that as we bring the 787 on at the beginning of the next decade. Oriel Morrison (OM): A lot of speculation here Peter, and it's great to have you with us on Squawk Box again this morning. You're going to be looking at nonstop flights to Europe. Is this in fact the case? Can you confirm this? Peter Ingram: Well, it's still three years off before we get the aircraft so you know, it's way too early to be talking about specific markets that this is going to open up but the 787-9 is an aircraft that has that sort of range. So those opportunities are going to be available to us in the future and we'll have to see how market conditions are when we get to the time of actually picking the routes we're going to fly. OM: Oh, okay. Peter, a fairly big question for you here but, you know we've been talking a lot about what the airline industry is actually going to look like in the past, in the next five to 10 years and I'm sure this is something that you are very focused on. What is your big picture here? I mean what do you see the industry looking at right now? You're focused on when you're getting these new planes, these new routes that you're going to be flying, the longer haul routes. What I'm talking about is the new technology that's coming into place within the industry as a whole, within the airline industry and how rapidly and significantly it's likely to change in the next five to 10 years. Peter Ingram: You know the one thing that is constant in our industry is change and we see it in the technology of the aircraft that continues to evolve in. The 787 is a great example of that. The technology around distribution and the evolution of distribution. As you know, we have moved from being primarily an industry that conducts business through travel agents and traditional green screen GDS into a more web-based environment and a much more specialized selling environment. And I think one of the features of the last few years that I expect to continue to evolve is the fact that carriers like us are going to be developing different products on the airplane so that we can offer the greatest amount of value to a wide range of customers who may have different needs. BL: Peter, you're increasingly, you know, with all the routes you've added over the years in your footprint now, you're really becoming a transpacific transporter of people via your main hub there in HNL. Just out of curiosity, you know when, you know, back to the issue of, you know, any potential trade tiffs on an international basis, when it comes to airlines I suppose the first, the first companies most people would intuitively think of would be like Delta, American and United. But because of your footprint, do you worry? You know, about what's going on about the rhetoric that's going on around the world right now and how it might affect a carrier like Hawaiian Airline? Peter Ingram: Well, we worry from the standpoint that, you know, anything that's bad for the global economy is bad for the airline industry. I would say from our standpoint it's a little bit more muted because we are being based in Honolulu, we are a leisure focused airline and leisure travel has been continuing to grow and I think has proven through economic downturns, in fact, to be more resilient than business travel where corporations are able and in times of need to really cut things down. I think a lot of people still look, as they're, at their family vacation as a basic right in the world we are today. And we think that's terrific being an airline that its route is in leisure travel and the family vacation. AF: And speaking of leisure travel, Peter, I think you've got Bernie and I thinking about our next vacation to Hawaii now. Right? All right, we'll leave it on that note. Peter, it's great to have you on today. Peter Ingram, president and CEO of Hawaiian Airlines. END After a tech-filled week at CNBC's 1Market in San Francisco, Jim Cramer started thinking about one of his favorite high-growth names in the space: the stock of Netflix. Up 66 percent year to date, Netflix's stock is the best performer in the . Better yet, shares of the streaming giant have climbed over 1,000 percent in the last five years. "But after spending a week in Silicon Valley, I realized something kind of crazy. Right now, the thing the experts love most about Netflix is its massive library of original content. Yet, not that long ago, this was the single most hated part of the story," the "Mad Money" host said. For years after Netflix's initial public offering in 2002, analysts criticized the company for spending cash to beef up its content. The naysayers were so forceful that investors who listened might have assumed that Netflix was effectively burning money, accelerating its inevitable downfall, Cramer said. Now, the market has almost universally accepted Netflix's content library as its greatest strength a far cry from what Cramer heard the experts say for years. "These days, we all accept that when Netflix spends $7.5 to $8 billion on non-sports content this year more than Viacom or CBS it's a good investment, good because this programming is what fuels the company's explosive subscriber growth," Cramer said. "And new subscribers are the magic ingredient that sends this stock to new highs." But since 2013, when Netflix's stock was just beginning its long-term rally, Cramer has watched analysts from Jeffries, Wedbush and other firms label Netflix's growth strategy as untenable, concerning and a "ticking clock." Even as the company blew past subscriber growth estimates and demonstrated its ability to raise prices for its service, the experts still worried about Netflix's negative cash flow even though CEO Reed Hastings said it would drive the company's success. "What these skeptics have been missing all along is that Netflix is trying to take over the world. It's one of the few services out there that are genuinely must-have ... and the homegrown content is the reason why," Cramer said. "That's how these guys can gradually raise prices without upsetting their customers." The "Mad Money" host argued that Netflix's model spending aggressively on content that drives people to subscribe has been proven to work; its spending on foreign-language content has led to increasing international subscriptions. Even so, Cramer noticed that analysts have once again started to downgrade Netflix over valuation concerns and the seemingly never-ending fears about its content spending. "My view? Betting against Netflix has been a huge mistake all along," Cramer said. "But given how much this stock has run, if you don't already own it, I suggest waiting for a pullback before you do any buying simply because I hate to chase." "Of all the things that can derail a spectacular growth story like Netflix, excessive spending is pretty low on the list, despite all the hand-wringing about it," he concluded. "As it turns out, the bogeyman the bears used to frighten you for years out of the stock all the money Netflix was throwing at original programming is now a reason to own the stock. And it doesn't get any clearer than that." After a tech-filled week at CNBC's 1Market in San Francisco, Jim Cramer started thinking about one of his favorite high-growth names in the space: the stock of Netflix. Up 66 percent year to date, Netflix's stock is the best performer in the . Better yet, shares of the streaming giant have climbed over 1,000 percent in the last five years. "But after spending a week in Silicon Valley, I realized something kind of crazy. Right now, the thing the experts love most about Netflix is its massive library of original content. Yet, not that long ago, this was the single most hated part of the story," the "Mad Money" host said. The naysayers were so forceful that investors who listened might have assumed that Netflix was effectively burning money, accelerating its inevitable downfall, Cramer said. Now, the market has almost universally accepted Netflix's content library as its greatest strength a far cry from what Cramer heard the experts say for years. "These days, we all accept that when Netflix spends $7.5 to $8 billion on non-sports content this year more than Viacom or CBS it's a good investment, good because this programming is what fuels the company's explosive subscriber growth," Cramer said. "And new subscribers are the magic ingredient that sends this stock to new highs." Cramer's game plan: Navigating new challenges Getty Images If Cramer had to choose one word to define this stock market, it would be "challenging." "Challenging, as in stocks can be up right from the get-go, then we give up the ghost, then the averages come roaring back, except we do it with fewer stocks rallying and many names left behind," the "Mad Money" host said on Friday. "Welcome to the post-highs market where there are simply too many headwinds swirling, from rising raw costs ... to the West Wing revolving door to failed takeovers and suddenly unhelpful government intervention," he continued. But even with all of the negatives, Cramer knew one thing for certain: the earnings are strong and full of upside surprises, and that's what's keeping the market from tanking. With that in mind, the "Mad Money" host turned to his weekly game plan, complete with earnings from Oracle, Children's Place, Nike and more. United Technologies CEO on potential trade war United Technologies Chairman and CEO Greg Hayes. Brendan McDermid | Reuters With U.S.-China trade relations teetering as the Trump administration ramps up its rhetoric on potential tariffs, United Technologies CEO Greg Hayes told CNBC that any escalation could have something of a ripple effect on his business and its customers. "We don't want to see a trade war with China," Hayes told Cramer in a Friday interview. "We import a lot from China. They import a lot of aerospace parts from us and specifically from Boeing. As you know, Boeing is the biggest customer that we have on the aerospace systems side." Shares of Boeing, which buys aircraft systems and components from United Technologies, have sunk since the president signed a proclamation implementing steel and aluminum tariffs. Hayes emphasized to Cramer that "nobody wins" in a trade war, and addressed the potential for a breakup at his massive industrial company. New Relic CEO details growth of enterprise business As New Relic proves its ability to help companies deploy their software faster and with fewer errors, founder and CEO Lew Cirne shared a compelling data point about his biggest clients with CNBC. "One of the interesting things we've seen about our customers is the more a customer spends with New Relic, the more likely they are to grow their spend with New Relic. So customers who invest in us and have the capacity to grow with us grow faster," Cirne told Cramer on Friday. With new corporate clients that include major airlines and popular phenomenons like 23andMe, Cirne said the enterprise world is waking up to the advantages of New Relic's cloud-based monitoring services. "That's the fastest-growing segment of our business. It's now 52 percent of our business," the CEO said. "We feel like it's going to underpin the growth strategy for years to come." Tracking innovation at Clorox The consumer packaged goods space isn't known for its innovation, but Cramer has found that for an industry leader like Clorox, it's innovate or die. "Clorox may look like one of the most boring businesses known to man, but it's an innovation machine," Cramer said. After his interview with Clorox CEO Benno Dorer, Cramer knew he had to come up with investing advice for homegamers who wanted to seize on the company's growth. "As much as I like the company, there's no denying that the consumer staples are very much out of favor with the Wall Street fashion show right now, and that goes double for Clorox, as the latest quarter was sub-optimal to say the least," Cramer said. "If you're impatient, stick with the technology names," he advised. "However, for those of you who love innovation but fear the volatility of tech, Clorox is exactly the kind of stock that could be worth buying slowly and patiently into expected weakness." Lightning round: Ix-nay on CTRL Greg Peters, president of Japan at Netflix Inc. to become Chief Product Officer in July. Netflix stock is set for even more gains with budding interest from consumers in Asia, RBC Capital Markets advised clients on Thursday. Top technology analyst Mark Mahaney told clients that the firm's research in Japan and other Asian nations revealed a growing willingness by consumers to pay for premium content. "The sun appears to be finally rising in Asia," Mahaney wrote to clients. "Japan, which Netflix entered in October 2015, is one of the largest markets the company has ever entered and one of the most significant. Of our Japan survey respondents, 63 percent indicated that they were 'Extremely' or 'Very satisfied' with the service vs. 65 percent last year. This remains lower than the results we've seen in other countries, but is a material improvement from 52 percent two years ago." Shares of Netflix fell 0.82 percent Friday. Japan represents a crucial first step in Netflix's broader expansion throughout Asia, Mahaney said. During a fourth-quarter earnings call, Netflix CEO Reed Hastings commented on the company's performance in Asia. "We definitely are seeing success, as you all know, and your channel checks and other things tell it in the different markets," Hastings said at the time. "And when we compare it to Latin America several years ago, we're very pleased with the progress that we're making through India, through Southeast Asia, through Japan." In light of the potential for growth in Asia, Mahaney increased his price target on shares of the video streaming company to $350 from $300, representing 9 percent upside from Thursday's close. Source: Google Trends, RBC Capital Markets RBC research also found that Google Search Trends in Japan, South Korea, Thailand and several other Asian nations have all seen steady increases in the frequency of "Netflix" queries. "On the whole, results were very positive, showing consistent upwards trends over the course of 2017 and into 2018," Mahaney said. "2017 appears to have been an early pivot year for Netflix in Asia and 2018 is showing good momentum so far." Facebook and CEO Mark Zuckerberg deploy a "secret police" to catch leakers in the company, The Guardian reported Friday, citing a person who worked there. The unnamed employee said he was called into a meeting last year under the guise of a promotion and found himself in front of Facebook's investigative team armed with proof he'd been leaking to the press. "It's horrifying how much they know," the employee told The Guardian. "You go into Facebook and it has this warm, fuzzy feeling of 'we're changing the world' and 'we care about things'. But you get on their bad side and all of a sudden you are face to face with [Facebook CEO] Mark Zuckerberg's secret police." The investigative team, headed by Sonya Ahuja confirmed by her LinkedIn profile had records of screenshots the employee had taken and links he had visited or even just hovered over. The investigators also indicated they had records of chats between the employee and a journalist. "When you first get to Facebook you are shocked at the level of transparency. You are trusted with a lot of stuff you don't need access to," the employee told The Guardian. "The counterbalance to giving you this huge trusting environment is if anyone steps out of line, they'll squash you like a bug." Facebook did not immediately respond to a request for comment from CNBC, but a company spokesperson told The Guardian, "Companies routinely use business records in workplace investigations, and we are no exception." Read the full Guardian report here. Access to e-cigarettes by kids is a "big concern" for the Food and Drug Administration, and the agency plans to take steps soon to better address the vaping problem. Make no mistake, e-cigarettes contain nicotine, FDA Commissioner Dr. Scott Gottlieb told CNBC on Friday, adding they're becoming increasingly popular among young people. "If all we end up doing is addicting a whole new generation on nicotine through e-cigarettes, then we will have done a bad service to this country," he said on "Squawk Box." The FDA on Thursday made good on a promise last summer and issued a formal notice of proposed rulemaking for maximum nicotine levels for traditional and e-cigarettes. The agency is seeking input on what that level should be and guidance on whether to implement that new standard all at once or gradually. Gottlieb said the FDA wants to transition smokers to "modified risk tobacco products" which are said to pose lower health risks or have them quit altogether. "It's really the first step in the rule-making process to try to pursue regulations that will ultimately lead to a reduction in nicotine levels in cigarettes," Gottlieb said Friday. In 2016, more than 2 million U.S. middle and high school students used e-cigarettes over a 30 day period, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The CDC cautions that nicotine exposure can harm adolescents' brain development, which can continue into their 20s. Gottlieb, who previously served as a senior policy advisor for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services under President George W. Bush, said if adults want access to nicotine, the preferred route from the agency is through medicinal products. "We're taking a lot of steps try to increase the pathway towards medicinal nicotine products, like a patch or a gum," Gottlieb said. Last year, the FDA announced a plan for tobacco and nicotine regulation, to the surprise of some tobacco companies, with the goal of encouraging the development of new products that are less dangerous than cigarettes. Forcing different standards on banks and other financial services across the globe could spark the next financial crisis, the vice chairman of a prominent U.S. financial services firm said Friday. While the U.S. is easing rules on banks, Europe has for the last couple of years toughened them. On Thursday, the U.S. Senate passed new rules to soften regulation introduced in the wake of the 2008 financial crisis. But in Europe, brokers were obliged at the start of the year to split their research from their trading operations, in a series of attempts to increase transparency in investment banking. But these opposing moves on regulation are a "bad thing," Larry Thompson, the vice chairman of DTCC (Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation), an American post-trade financial services company, told CNBC. The firm acts as a clearing house, which is an intermediary institution between buyers and sellers of financial securities. "There should be standards that are cross-nations, there should be harmonization of all of those rules," he said. When asked if the world would change in that direction, Thompson said "probably not." Furthermore, when asked if the lack of coordination on banking rules could be the "seeds of the next crisis," he said: "It could be." Traditionally, regulations are toughened following a financial crisis and then later eased back. John Paulson's high-profile hedge fund has laid off employees, including senior level traders, according to the New York Post. Thursday's layoffs included partners Victor Flores and Allen Puwalski, as well as Keith Hannan, head of trading and Brad Rosenberg, head credit trader. Paulson & Co. said in a statement to CNBC stating, "we are rightsizing the firm to focus on our core expertise in areas that are growing." The hedge fund surpassed competitors during the financial crisis due to its bet against subprime mortgages using a kind of insurance called credit default swaps. Paulson made an estimated $12.5 billion to $15 billion in 2007 alone. The one-time industry leader has experienced a sharp drop in performance from its peak, with one of Paulson's funds recently losing 70 percent and causing assets under management to plunge from a peak of $38 billion in 2011, with much of the remaining cash Paulson's own money. Read more about the layoff in the New York Post's report. Billionaire Li Ka-shing announced his retirement Friday from the business empire he built over nearly seven decades. Li, 89, will step down as chairman of Hong Kong conglomerate CK Hutchison and property giant CK Asset after the annual general meeting on May 10, the tycoon said. He said he will continue to serve as senior advisor to the company. "I would like to express my heart-felt appreciation to our shareholders for their unfailing confidence and support in the past years," Li said at a news conference in Hong Kong. Li will be succeeded by his eldest son, Victor, who was named as "successor in principle" last year. The younger Li, 53, is currently the deputy chairman of CK Hutchison and CK Asset. Hong Kong tycoon Li Ka-shing announced his retirement on March 16, 2018. Emily Tan | CNBC Li said he was confident in his son's ability to take charge, highlighting his many years of experience. He also told reporters he felt "grateful and blessed" that he was able to create CK Holdings, able to create wealth for shareholders and give back to society. "Every detail has left a footprint in my heart. From now onwards, I'll take on the role of senior consultant, advisor, and put on my new armor and will put in all efforts into my funds management, especially health and medical," he added. Speculation about Li's retirement emerged as early as last year when The Wall Street Journal reported that the businessman planned to step down in 2018. In recent weeks, speculation has intensified because all of Li's companies were scheduled to report earnings on the same day for the first time ever. More than 100 CSX Corp. employees who were fired or suspended for their use of federally-protected medical leave filed suit Tuesday in Maryland. The suit comes on the heels of a suit that 46 fired employees filed in West Virginia in February, which also alleged CSX disciplined employees for fraud and dishonesty without evidence. "While CSX employees understand that working on weekends and holidays comes with the territory, they did not anticipate having to work through serious illnesses, miss their children's births, or choose between caring for their sick loved ones and losing their jobs," reads the newly filed suit. More from Jacksonville Business Journal: Here's where Florida is cutting $550M in taxes this year 'Just a dinosaur' -- An analyst delves into Southeastern Grocers' challenges as bankruptcy begins In Larry Kudlow, Trump finds his economic evangelist The newest suit claims that CSX suspended or fired more than 100 employees while CSX investigated their use of the Family and Medical Leave Act, a federal law that guarantees qualifying employees a set amount of leave with no fear of job loss. The Jacksonville Business Journal previously obtained an internal CSX notice posted Dec. 28 stating that 845 train and engine employees took time off under FMLA over the holidays, about 9 percent of its active train and engine workforce. The notice warned against fraudulently using FMLA to get time off. The suit claims that after this notice came "CSX's large-scale purge of its workforce." "One by one, employees learned that their holiday gift from CSX for the exercise of federally-protected FMLA rights was a suspension or pink slip," the suit reads. A suspended conductor previously told the Business Journal he was well within his allotted FMLA time, which varies by employee, and had never been issued a warning about using it before CSX suspended him. The conductor has been drawing railroad unemployment while he awaits CSX's findings. He said he invoked his FMLA rights due to complications with an ongoing medical condition. "I could not have performed my job safely," he said of the time he took off, which coincided with Christmas and New Year's holidays. "My body doesn't know it's a holiday." He noted a fellow employee who came in "sick as a dog" because he feared being fired if he used sick time. "Everybody is scared," he said. CSX declined to comment on why so many train and engine employees have used FMLA to take sick time but said it operates in accordance with union agreements. The suit filed in Maryland contends that CSX's actions constitute a crackdown on the legal use of FMLA. "CSX's genuine motivations were crystal clear," it states. "Through its actions, CSX sought to chill the lawful use of FMLA leave and punish workers who took FMLA leave." Jeff Dingwall, one of the attorneys representing the former employees suing in West Virginia, further alleged that CSX's investigation of employees' FMLA use rubber-stamped the disciplinary actions. "It's one of the most obscene processes I've ever heard of as far as being slanted towards the company and against the employee," Dingwall previously told the Business Journal. He noted that about 95 percent of disciplinary investigations by Class I railroads find in favor of the railroads. A third suit filed by Howard Adams, a CSX employee in Birmingham, Alabama, contends that he, too, was suspended without pay after invoking FMLA and was accused of dishonesty and fraud without evidence. A fourth suit filed by William Parker, another Birmingham employee, claims that he was suspended without pay after using FMLA to care for his wife, who suffers from a chronic, progressive disease. A fifth suit filed by Brian White, a Philadelphia employee, alleges White was disciplined for keeping his cell phone with him, a precaution in case his wife who suffers from a chronic disease requiring frequent trips to the hospital had an emergency. CSX had previously granted White permission to keep a phone with him because of FMLA, the suit alleges. Several employees have told the Business Journal that morale at CSX is at an all-time low. CSX trimmed its workforce, including employees and contractors, by more than 4,000 last year and has committed to eliminating 2,000 more this year. Employees say they are being asked to do more, work longer hours and have fewer days off. Several have said it is nearly impossible to have personal days approved, and some have said they've even had sick days denied. Nonetheless, CSX CEO Jim Foote has set a target of shedding 3,000 more employees by 2020. The suit filed in Maryland claims that CSX employees are now "terrified" to use FMLA. "Having received CSX's message loud and clear, CSX's employees now go to all possible lengths to avoid taking FMLA leave." Plattsburgh, New York, has become the first city in the US to ban cryptocurrency mining in the city for the next 18 months.The city council unanimously voted to impose the ban at a council meeting last night, and the mayor's office states that the purpose of the law is to consider "regulations before commercial cryptocurrency mining operations results in irreversible change to the character and direction of the city." Plattsburgh mayor Colin Read told Motherboard that the city has the cheapest rates of electricity in the world. Residents pay about 4.5 cents per kilowatt-hour, compared to 10 cents the rest of the country pays on average. Plattsburgh also has an incentive for industrial enterprises, which only pay 2 cents per kilowatt-hour. This has led cryptocurrency miners to use the city as a base for their operations because their profits rely on cheap electricity, and mining takes up an astronomical amount of energy. Motherboard notes that Coinmint operates the biggest Bitcoin mining operation in Plattsburgh, and it used about 10 percent of the city's total power budget in January and February. More from The Verge: Former Walmart employee says company lied about online growth We still have no idea what really happens on Facebook Google Maps can now create transit routes that take wheelchair accessibility into account Mayor Read proposed the moratorium after residents complained about the jump in their power bills earlier this month. "I've been hearing a lot of complaints that electric bills have gone up by $100 or $200," Read told Motherboard. "You can understand why people are upset." Plattsburgh has an allotment of 104 megawatt-hours of electricity per month. When it went over this allotment in January, the city had to buy more expensive electricity from the open market leading to the price rises. The mayor's office states the new law is to also protect Plattsburgh's natural, historic, cultural, and electrical resources as well as the health and well-being of its residents. ProPublica says it erred when it reported in 2017 that Gina Haspel was in charge of a secret prison in Thailand during the infamous interrogation of an al Qaeda suspect. On Feb. 22, 2017, ProPublica published a story that inaccurately described Gina Haspel's role in the treatment of Abu Zubaydah, a suspected al-Qaida leader who was imprisoned by the CIA at a secret "black site" in Thailand in 2002. The story said that Haspel, a career CIA officer who President Trump has nominated to be the next director of central intelligence, oversaw the clandestine base where Zubaydah was subjected to waterboarding and other coercive interrogation methods that are widely seen as torture. The story also said she mocked the prisoner's suffering in a private conversation. Neither of these assertions is correct and we retract them. It is now clear that Haspel did not take charge of the base until after the interrogation of Zubaydah ended. Our account of Haspel's actions was drawn in part from declassified agency cables and CIA-reviewed books which referred to the official overseeing Zubaydah's interrogation at a secret prison in Thailand as "chief of base." The books and cables redacted the name of the official, as is routinely done in declassified documents referring to covert operations. More from ProPublica: 'Trump, Inc.' Podcast: Where'd Trump's Record Inauguration Spending Go? 'It's Inexplicable' The Trump Administration's Campaign to Weaken Civil Service Ramps Up at the VA The Trump Appointee Behind the Move to Add a Citizenship Question to the Census The Trump administration named Haspel to the CIA's No. 2 job in early February 2017. Soon after, three former government officials told ProPublica that Haspel was chief of base in Thailand at the time of Zubaydah's waterboarding. We also found an online posting by John Kiriakou, a former CIA counter-terrorism officer, who wrote that "It was Haspel who oversaw the staff" at the Thai prison, including two psychologists who "designed the torture techniques and who actually carried out torture on the prisoners." The nomination of Haspel this week to head the CIA stirred new controversy about her role in the detention and interrogation of terror suspects, as well as the destruction of videotapes of the interrogation of Zubaydah and another suspect. Some critics cited the 2017 ProPublica story as evidence that she was not fit to run the agency. Those statements prompted former colleagues of Haspel to defend her publicly. At least two said that while she did serve as chief of base in Thailand, she did not arrive until later in 2002, after the waterboarding of Zubaydah had ended. The New York Times, which also reported last year that Haspel oversaw the interrogation of Abu Zubaydah and another detainee, Abd al-Rahim al-Nashiri, published a second story this week making the same point. It quoted an unnamed former senior CIA official who said Haspel did not become base chief until late October of 2002. According to the Times, she was in charge when al-Nashiri was waterboarded three times. James Mitchell, the psychologist and CIA contractor who helped to direct the waterboarding of both suspects, said in a broadcast interview on March 14 that Haspel was not the "chief of base" whom he described in his book as making fun of Zubaydah's suffering. "That chief of base was not Gina," Mitchell told Fox Business News. "She's not the COB I was talking about." Mitchell's book, "Enhanced Interrogation: Inside the Minds and Motives of the Islamic Terrorists Trying to Destroy America," referred to the chief of base in Thailand as both "he" and "she." We erroneously assumed that this was an effort by Mitchell or the agency to conceal the gender of the single official involved; it is now clear that Mitchell was referring to two different people. ProPublica contacted Mitchell in 2017 to ask him about this passage in his book. Facing a civil lawsuit brought by former CIA detainees, he declined to comment. At about the same time, we approached the CIA's press office with an extensive list of questions about the cables and Haspel's role in running the Thai prison, particularly her dealings with Zubaydah. An agency spokesman declined to answer any of those questions but released a statement that was quoted in the article, asserting that "nearly every piece of reporting that you are seeking comment on is incorrect in whole or in part." The CIA did not comment further on the story after its publication and we were not aware of any further questions about its accuracy until this week. The February 2017 ProPublica story did accurately report that Haspel la ter rose to a senior position at CIA headquarters, where she pushed her bosses to destroy the tapes of Zubaydah's waterboarding. Her direct boss, the head of the agency's Counterterrorism Center, ultimately signed the order to feed the 92 tapes into a shredder. Her actions in that instance, and in the waterboarding of al-Nashiri, are likely to be the focus of questions at her confirmation hearings. Dean Boyd, director of the CIA's office of public affairs, praised Haspel's 30 years of public service and said Thursday in a statement that her qualifications and capabilities would be evident in the hearing process. "It is important to note that she has spent nearly her entire CIA career undercover," Boyd said. "Much of what is in the public domain about her is inaccurate. We are pleased that ProPublica is willing to acknowledge its mistakes and correct the record regarding its claims about Ms. Haspel." A few reflections on what went wrong in our reporting and editing process. The awkward communications between officials barred from disclosing classified information and reporters trying to reveal secrets in which there is legitimate public interest can sometimes end in miscommunication. In this instance, we failed to understand the message the CIA's press office was trying to convey in its statement. None of this in any way excuses our mistakes. We at ProPublica hold government officials responsible for their missteps, and we must be equally accountable. This error was particularly unfortunate because it muddied an important national debate about Haspel and the CIA's recent history. To her, and to our readers, we can only apologize, correct the record and make certain that we do better in the future. Stephen Engelberg, editor-in-chief ____________________________________ Update, March 13, 2018: President Donald Trump has nominated CIA deputy director Gina Haspel as the agency's new chief. (ProPublica) published the story below on Feb. 22, 2017. In August of 2002, interrogators at a secret CIA-run prison in Thailand set out to break a Palestinian man they believed was one of al-Qaida's top leaders. As the CIA's video cameras rolled, security guards shackled Abu Zubaydah to a gurney and interrogators poured water over his mouth and nose until he began to suffocate. They slammed him against a wall, confined him for hours in a coffin-like box, and deprived him of sleep. The 31-year-old Zubaydah begged for mercy, saying that he knew nothing about the terror group's future plans. The CIA official in charge, known in agency lingo as the "chief of base," mocked his complaints, accusing Zubaydah of faking symptoms of psychological breakdown. The torture continued. When questions began to swirl about the Bush administration's use of the "black sites," and program of "enhanced interrogation," the chief of base began pushing to have the tapes destroyed. She accomplished her mission years later when she rose to a senior position at CIA headquarters and drafted an order to destroy the evidence, which was still locked in a CIA safe at the American embassy in Thailand. Her boss, the head of the agency's counterterrorism center, signed the order to feed the 92 tapes into a giant shredder. By then, it was clear that CIA analysts were wrong when they had identified Zubaydah as the number three or four in al-Qaida after Osama bin Laden. The waterboarding failed to elicit valuable intelligence not because he was holding back, but because he was not a member of al-Qaida, and had no knowledge of any plots against the United States. The chief of base's role in this tale of pointless brutality and evidence destruction was a footnote to history until earlier this month, when President Trump named her deputy director of the CIA. The choice of Gina Haspel for the second-highest position in the agency has been praised by colleagues but sharply criticized by two senators who have seen the still-classified records of her time in Thailand. "Her background makes her unsuitable for the position," Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., and Sen. Martin Heinrich, D-N.M., wrote in a letter to Trump. "We are sending a classified letter explaining our position and urge that the information be immediately declassified." Read the Story In Their Own Words: CIA Cables Document Agency's Torture of Abu Zubaydah A trove of recently released cables and Zubaydah's own declassified account describe what happened when the al Qaeda suspect was held at secret prison. That's not likely to happen. ProPublica has combed through recently declassified documents, including CIA cables and Zubaydah's own account of what he endured, and books by officials involved in the CIA's interrogation program to assemble the fullest public account of Haspel's role in the questioning of Zubaydah. The material we reviewed shows she played a far more direct role than has been understood. Asked to respond to the specific allegations about Haspel, a CIA spokesperson said only that, "Nearly every piece of the reporting that you are seeking comment on is incorrect in whole or in part." We reminded the spokesperson that many of the specifics came from books written by former CIA officials and cleared before publication by the agency. He declined to say which aspects of the reporting, or those books, were incorrect but did provide a long list of testimonials to Haspel's skills from present and former intelligence officials. Critics of Haspel's appointment argue that her past is particularly relevant in light of Trump's shifting statements on the value of torturing terror suspects. During the campaign, former director of Central Intelligence Michael Hayden said in response to Trump's endorsement of torture that "if any future president wants (the) CIA to waterboard anybody, he'd better bring his own bucket." After he won the election, Trump said he was persuaded by his secretary of defense, James Mattis, that torture is not effective. The Trump administration recently drafted and then withdrew a draft executive order asking American intelligence agencies to consider resuming "enhanced interrogation" of terror suspects. Much of the material we reviewed for this story referred to Haspel only by her title, chief of base, or "COB." Three former government officials, however, said the person described by that title in books and declassified documents was Haspel. As chief of base, these officials said, Haspel signed many of the cables sent from Thailand to CIA headquarters recounting Zubaydah's questioning. The declassified versions of those documents redact the name of the official who sent them. One declassified cable, among scores obtained by the American Civil Liberties Union in a lawsuit against the architects of the "enhanced interrogation" techniques, says that chief of base and another senior counterterrorism official on scene had the sole authority power to halt the questioning. She never did so, records show, watching as Zubaydah vomited, passed out and urinated on himself while shackled. During one waterboarding session, Zubaydah lost consciousness and bubbles began gurgling from his mouth. Medical personnel on the scene had to revive him. Haspel allowed the most brutal interrogations by the CIA to continue for nearly three weeks even though, as the cables sent from Thailand to the agency's headquarters repeatedly stated, "subject has not provided any new threat information or elaborated on any old threat information." At one point, Haspel spoke directly with Zubaydah, accusing him of faking symptoms of physical distress and psychological breakdown. In a scene described in a book written by one of the interrogators, the chief of base came to his cell and "congratulated him on the fine quality of his acting." According to the book, the chief of base, who was identified only by title, said: "Good job! I like the way you're drooling; it adds realism. I'm almost buying it. You wouldn't think a grown man would do that." Haspel was sent by the chief of the CIA's counterterrorism section, Jose Rodriquez, the "handpicked warden of the first secret prison the CIA created to handle al-Qaida detainees," according to a little-noticed recent article in Reader Supported News by John Kiriakou, a former CIA counterterrorism officer. In his memoir, "Hard Measures," Rodriquez refers to a "female chief of base" in Thailand but does not name her. Kirakou provided more details about her central role. "It was Haspel who oversaw the staff," at the Thai prison, including James Mitchell and Bruce Jessen, the two psychologists who "designed the torture techniques and who actually carried out torture on the prisoners," he wrote. Kiriakou pleaded guilty in 2012 to releasing classified information about waterboarding and the torture of detainees, and served 23 months in prison. The CIA officials in Thailand understood that the methods they were using could kill Zubaydah and said that should that happen, they would cremate his body. If he survived questioning, Haspel sought assurances that "the subject will remain in isolation and incommunicado for the remainder of his life." So far, that promise has been kept. Zubaydah is currently incarcerated at Guantanamo. His lawyers filed a court action in 2008 seeking his release, but the federal judges overseeing the case have failed to issue any substantive rulings. Zubaydah was seized in a raid in Pakistan in late March 2002, during which he suffered life-threatening bullet wounds in his leg and groin. The CIA had long been hunting for Zubaydah, who had worked as what one former government official described as "administrator" at a terrorist training camp in Afghanistan. The camp was started by the CIA during the Soviet occupation, was not under the control of al-Qaida or Osama bin Laden, the official said, but Zubaydah had on occasion supplied false passports and money to al-Qaida operatives. American doctors saved Zubaydah's life, and after he was stable enough he was drugged, gagged, trussed and blindfolded, and put on a CIA charter flight. In order to avoid being traced, the plane flew around the world, stopping in several places, including Morocco and Brazil, before landing in Thailand. While still hospitalized, Zubaydah was interrogated by the FBI, led by Ali Soufan, an Arabic speaker. According to Soufan, Zubaydah, who was generally cooperative, provided the FBI interrogators with valuable intelligence on the overall structure of al-Qaida. His information also confirmed what the CIA already believed, that Khalid Sheik Mohammed was the mastermind of the 9/11 attacks. A talkative sort who expressed a willingness to cooperate, Zubaydah gave the FBI information that led to the arrest of Jose Padilla for plotting to detonate bombs in the United States. Zubaydah, who was born in Palestine, said that while he believed in jihad, the 9/11 attacks were not justified because they killed innocent civilians. CIA officials were convinced that he knew about plots in America, and with the horror of 9/11 still fresh, the agency was determined to prevent another attack. A month after Zubaydah was captured, Haspel drafted a cable titled "Turning Up the Heat in AZ Interrogations." Soon after, he was put into isolation for 45 days, kept awake with loud music and doused with cold water. During this time, the ALEC team at CIA headquarters, which was assigned to find Osama bin Laden, sent questions to Thailand for the team to ask Zubaydah; they went unasked, and unanswered, because he was in isolation. The FBI and CIA clashed over whether or not Zubaydah was fully cooperating on the subject of possible future attacks. The agency's view prevailed, and counterterrorism officials sought permission for harsher measures. In late July, the CIA team conducted a "dress rehearsal which choreographed moving Abu Zubaydah (Subject) in and out of the large and small confinement boxes, as well as use of the water board," Haspel notified Washington. A few days later, she wrote, "Team is ready to move to the next phase of interrogations immediately upon receipt of approvals/authorization from ALEC/Headquarters. It is our understanding that DOJ/Attorney General approvals for all portions of the next phase, including the water board, have been secured, but that final approval is in the hands of the policy makers." By this time, the source on whom the CIA had based its assessment that Zubaydah was number three or four in the al-Qaida organization had recanted his testimony, according to the Senate Intelligence Committee Report on Torture released in 2014. The agency would ultimately conclude that Zubaydah was not even a member of al-Qaida. "So it begins," a medical officer on Haspel's team wrote on the morning of Aug. 4, 2002. Later that year, when journalists began asking the CIA and the White House about a "black site," in Thailand, the CIA rushed to close it. Zubaydah was again drugged, trussed, blindfolded, and put on another secret CIA flight to another black site, this time in Poland. Haspel moved to cover up the agency's operations at the Thai base. The chief of base told the security officer "to burn everything that he could in preparation for sanitizing the black site," Mitchell wrote in his book, "Enhanced Interrogation: Inside the Minds and Motives of the Islamic Terrorists Trying to Destroy America," which was published late last year. According to Mitchell's account, the security officer asked the chief of base whether he should include the tapes; he was told to hold off until "she" could check with Washington. She was told to retain them. A few years later when she was back in Washington and chief of staff to the director of operations for counterterrorism, Jose Rodriquez, the man who had sent her to Thailand, she continued to lobby for destruction of the tapes. "My chief of staff drafted a cable approving the action we had been trying to accomplish for so long," Rodriquez writes in his memoir. "The cable left nothing to chance. It even told them how to get rid of the tapes. They were to use an industrial-strength shredder to do the deed." Without approval from the White House or Justice Department, Rodriquez gave the order. In a twist of fate, destroying the tapes drew more outside scrutiny of the program. Disclosure of the shredding prompted the Senate Intelligence Committee to begin its long-running examination of the torture program. The result was a 7,000-page report that drew on thousands of highly classified cables relating to the Bush administration's rendition and detention program and concluded torture was not effective. A couple walks on the beach in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Getty Images Nearly six months after Hurricane Maria decimated Puerto Rico, thousands of crypto enthusiasts have descended upon San Juan for a string of blockchain and crypto conferences that the island's government is hoping will finally give the struggling economy the boost it needs. Puerto Rico's financial woes have been well-telegraphed. After a decade of recession, it is restructuring a large portion of its $73 billion in outstanding debt in the largest U.S. municipal bankruptcy. The storm, a nearly Category 5 hurricane, dealt the commonwealth another massive blow in September, and the damage threatened to set the island back even more. But many blockchain companies are now looking at Puerto Rico as a viable hub for the rapidly growing crypto industry. The island's government has offered attractive tax incentives, seeing a unique opportunity to help boost its depressed economy. "Before the natural disaster, the hurricane, we were already targeting Puerto Rico to become a world leader not only a regional leader, but a world leader in export services and technology," said Manuel Laboy, the secretary of Puerto Rico's Department of Economic Development and Commerce. "That was part of the vision that Gov. (Ricardo) Rossello has for Puerto Rico," he said in an interview with CNBC. Laboy also unveiled on Thursday an initiative to form an advisory council to focus on developing blockchain businesses on the island. On Wednesday, the economic development department and a company called Blockchain Industries kicked off a three-day conference called Blockchain Unbound at The Condado Vanderbilt, a luxury beachfront hotel that is owned by the founder of the hedge fund Paulson & Co. Patrick Moynihan, Blockchain Industries Inc. CEO Photo: Peter Christiansen Valli The sold-out event attracted a diverse group of around 800 people representatives of blockchain start-ups, cryptocurrency investors, hedge-fund managers, bankers and accountants from all across the U.S. Patrick Moynihan, the CEO of Blockchain Industries, said blockchain is not merely a technology, it is a movement led by individuals who not only want to boost their bottom lines but also make a difference. "This is really about awareness," Moynihan said in an interview with CNBC. "There's a social movement here. People want to help, and this is a way to really give back to their fellow citizens across the globe, quite frankly, and equalize the playing field," he said. All proceeds of the Blockchain Unbound conference are being donated to the island's hurricane recovery effort. Puerto Rico has been attracting companies and individuals to the island mainly through two sets of tax exemptions. One gives businesses an incentive to relocate to the island and use Puerto Rico as a place to export services to anywhere in the world, including the U.S. mainland. The other encourages individuals to move to Puerto Rico by eliminating taxes on long-term capital gains if they invest locally. Since the tax exemptions were enacted, more than 800 businesses and about 1,400 individuals have relocated to Puerto Rico. Jeff Thompson, 53, a conference attendee, is the president and CEO of Red Cat, a drone storage and analytics software business that uses blockchain technology. He moved his business to the island in September 2016. "This is one of the best places to put a start-up company," Thompson said. "The tax incentives are incredible for a start-up. The talent down here is incredible." Thompson estimates that about 30 blockchain companies have moved to the island recently. "Some of the most prominent names in blockchain are here," he said. "It's a really exciting time here in Puerto Rico." (L to R) James Slazas, JSGA Founder Rod Garratt, UCSB Professor George Joyner, Financial Commissioner of Puerto Rico Bob Cornish, Wilson Elser Partner. Photo: Peter Christiansen Valli The CEO of one of the largest cryptocurrency-linked companies in the world, said this week that the "winners" in the booming practice of initial coin offerings will come from the legal community. Initial coin offerings, often referred to as ICOs, are used as a means by some companies to raise funds. Investors exchange digital currency, such as bitcoin, for a token issued by the firm. Unlike an initial public offering, the token implies no stake in the company. Speaking with CNBC on the sidelines of the Money 20/20 conference in Singapore, Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse said he had previously indicated to some entrepreneurs looking to issue digital tokens of their own that they should "save some of those proceeds" because they could potentially be sued if their token lost money. In fact, such incidents are already happening, he added. "Entrepreneurs need to be [going in with their] eyes wide open ... The winners are going to be the lawyers, because they're going to help you issue the token and then they're going to help you defend it," he said. "Better sometimes to focus on solving real problems for real customers, and not worry about running infrastructure for a token issue, getting listed on exchanges and all the steps that come with that," Garlinghouse added. While the ICO market is a fairly substantial one companies raised $3.8 billion through ICOs last year, according to CoinSchedule the space is also unregulated in many countries. Investors and companies in the space are not nearly as protected by the regulatory frameworks that are in place in traditional financial markets. Around 46 percent of ICOs launched last year had failed as of February, according to a study by Bitcoin.com. The chief executive of Ripple, the company behind the third-largest cryptocurrency by market cap, also weighed in on a recent move by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission that requires platforms offering "trading of digital assets that are securities" to register with the regulator. "There's a lot of goodness going on, you can leverage blockchain and how you leverage digital assets to solve real problems ... I think most of the ICOs you're seeing are not real token use cases. They're really securities, so I think the SEC should regulate that," Garlinghouse said. He added that "some of the less appropriate activities" in the space were bad for the entire industry. Ripple's XRP token traded at about $0.69 during Asia afternoon trade on Friday. The company is developing a network to make cross-border payments quicker. CNBC's Arjun Kharpal contributed to this report. Police officers seal off the road on which Russian Sergei Skripal and his daughter have been staying in Salisbury, Britain, March 7, 2018. Russia's Investigative Committee said on Friday it had opened a criminal investigation into the attempted murder of Yulia Skripal, daughter of former double agent Sergei Skripal, and what it said was the murder of another Russian in Britain. Yulia Skripal was a Russian citizen, the Investigative Committee in a statement. It said it was also investigating what it called the murder in Britain of Nikolai Glushkov, 68, an associate of late Russian tycoon Boris Berezovsky. Russian investigators said in the same statement they were ready to cooperate with their British counterparts. People gather at Slovak National Uprising (SNP) square during a rally under the slogan 'For a Decent Slovakia', against corruption and to pay tribute to murdered Slovak journalist Jan Kuciak and his fiancee Martina Kusnirova on March 9, 2018 in Bratislava, Slovakia. Slovakia's government has moved a step closer to breaking point amid allegations of high-level corruption following the double murder of a young investigative journalist and his partner. The central European nation has been embroiled in political turmoil since late last month, when Jan Kuciak a journalist specializing in exposing corruption and his fiancee, Martina Kusnirova, were killed in an attack at their home. "Political tension has been brewing for quite some time but it is clear the trigger to this boiling over was the murder of Kuciak and his fiancee," Otilia Dhand, senior vice president at Teneo Intelligence, told CNBC in a phone interview. Early elections proposed to defuse political turmoil The killings sparked massive anti-government protests in Slovakia's capital city of Bratislava last week, with tens of thousands of Slovak citizens turning out for the rallies. The demonstrations were thought to be the country's largest street protests since the end of communist rule almost 30 years ago. Joe Klamar | AFP | Getty Images Interior Minister Robert Kalinak quit his post at the start of the week, bowing to pressure from the Most-Hid party, a coalition partner of Fico's Smer party. The Most-Hid party also said "only early elections" could defuse the deepening political crisis. Shortly afterward, the ongoing political fallout from the murder of a journalist and his partner claimed its latest scalp as long-time Prime Minister Robert Fico announced his resignation on Thursday. The country's premier had previously said he would only be prepared to resign if the president accepted the current coalition could not continue for the rest of its term. However, during a ceremony in Bratislava on Thursday evening, Fico said he would step down in order to prevent further chaos. The move is not thought to satisfy the tens of thousands of anti-government protesters who are due to hold further rallies on Friday. Italian mafia allegations show 'deeper seated frustration' Kuciak had been investigating ties between government officials and the Italian mafia before he was murdered. He claimed Italian businessmen who were connected to the Calabrian organized crime syndicate 'Ndrangheta and had settled in the eastern region of the country had siphoned off funds from the European Union (EU) for years. Slovakian police have said the double murder was "most likely" linked to Kuciak's investigation of ties between high-level lawmakers and Italy's 'Ndrangheta mafia. Europol, the EU agency which seeks to combat cross-border crime, has reportedly sent experts to Slovakia to assist with forensics. The FBI, as well as Italian and Czech police, are also helping the Slovakian authorities. People hold a candle-lit vigil in front of the Consulate General of the Slovak Republic in Krakow, in memory of the journalist Jan Kuciak and and his fiancee Martina Kusnirova, who were shot dead last Sunday. Artur Widak | NurPhoto via Getty Images "This was one of the main linking factors to deeper seated frustration regarding EU corruption," Pepijn Bergsen, Europe analyst at the Economist Intelligence Unit, said in a phone interview. Shortly before Fico offered to resign on Wednesday, the European Parliament published a report on Slovakia's ongoing political crisis to express concern "over the involvement of the mafia and the presence of organized crime in the country." Further to this, while the European Parliament's report does not draw any specific conclusions, it does outline the widespread perception among many journalists in Slovakia that corruption allegations are often not followed up. Meanwhile, EU money is often viewed as "a means to reward people close to the ruling party," the report said. While EU officials have not directly been accused of corruption, Kuciak had been investigating whether Slovak lawmakers and organized crime gangs in the country had been embezzling EU aid funds. 'Political corruption back with a vengeance' Slovakia has been a member of the EU for 15 years and, under Fico's leadership, the former communist state has been guided towards the European mainstream. In recent years especially, Brussels has viewed Bratislava as a "valuable regional ally," Teneo Intelligence's Dhand said. This is because, in contrast to its counterparts in Warsaw and Budapest, Slovakia has not been seen to directly criticize the EU over issues such as immigration. Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico looks on during a press conference in Bratislava on March 14, 2018. Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico announced Wednesday, March 14, 2018, his resignation, demanded by the opposition, following the assassination in February of the investigative journalist Jan Kuciak. VLADIMIR SIMICEK | AFP | Getty Images South African President Jacob Zuma speaks in Johannesburg, South Africa, on December 15, 2017, on the eve of the ANC's 54th National Conference. Former South African President Jacob Zuma is to face corruption charges for a 30 billion rand ($2.5 billion) arms deal dating back to the late 1990s. The announcement was made Friday afternoon by Shaun Abrahams, national director of public prosecutions at the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), in Pretoria, South Africa. "After consideration of the matter, I am of the view that there are reasonable prospects of successful prosecution of Mr Zuma on the charges listed in the indictment," Abrahams told reporters. He added that he had informed Zuma of the decision via his lawyers. Zuma has denied any wrongdoing. The historical charges were dropped by the NPA just before Zuma ran for the South African presidency in 2009. Zuma was at the center of a political firestorm earlier this year, forced to resign as president by his ruling African National Congress party in February. He was replaced by his deputy Cyril Ramaphosa, who has taken a tough stance on graft within the country. South Africa's Johannesburg Top 40 Index was close to the flat line on the announcement. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin tweeted a photo with Apple CEO Tim Cook on Friday, emphasizing Apple's recent jobs announcement. The photo depicts the two smiling at Apple's new headquarters in Cupertino, California, and comes just days after Cook's visit to Washington D.C. "Glad to visit Apple HQ with Tim Cook. Thank you for your commitment to invest 350B in USA! #TaxCutsJobsAct," he wrote on the social media platform. @stevenmnuchin1 tweet Apple in January made a series of pledges to invest in the U.S. economy, due in part to incentives reaped from the "Tax Cuts and Jobs Act." The company said it would open a new campus, create 20,000 jobs and repatriate most of its overseas cash, which comes to well over $250 billion. In total, Apple said its economic contributions over the next five years tally to about $350 billion. The Treasury Department did not immediately return CNBC's requests for comment. Apple declined to comment. Earlier this week, Cook made the rounds on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., as he does from time to time, but did not testify before any major committee. Apple didn't specify why the CEO visited on Tuesday, but NBC News did confirm he had a lunch meeting with Senator Mark Warner, a staunch advocate of privacy and cybersecurity. The lawyer for porn star Stormy Daniels said Friday that his client had been "physically threatened" to remain silent over her alleged affair with Donald Trump. Lawyer Michael Avenatti, appearing on MSNBC's Morning Joe program and CNN's New Day, did not elaborate on who made the alleged threat or whether it occurred before or after she signed a non-disclosure agreement with Trump's personal lawyer, Michael Cohen, not to discuss her alleged relationship with Trump. Trump has denied any sexual relationship with Daniels. The agreement was signed shortly before the 2016 presidential election. Daniels, whose real name is Stephanie Clifford, received $130,000 from Cohen after signing the deal. More from USA Today: Stormy Daniels launches crowd fundraiser to pay for legal costs in suit against Trump Did the $130,000 payment to Stormy Daniels break the law? Stormy Daniels says fame from Trump scandal is a 'double-edged sword' for her career Asked by CNN's Chris Cuomo about the allegations of a physical threat against Daniels, Avenatti said it was not an allegation but a fact. "The fact is that my client was physically threatened to stay silent about what she knew about Donald Trump," he said. The lawyer said Daniels would discuss the issue on CBS' 60 Minutes in an already taped interview tentatively scheduled for broadcast March 25. Avenatti said Daniels is "going to provide very specific details about what happened here." "I am confident that the American people after this interview are going to come away to have little or no doubt that this woman is credible, is telling the truth and knows what she is talking about." Like many policies Trump favors, its appeal to his allies (Rep. Chris Collins of New York, for example, has already said he's "all in" on executing dealers ) lies in the fact that it seems tough if you don't think about it too hard. But there's simply no evidence, at all, that this will actually reduce deaths from opioids and quite a bit of evidence that it won't. While many of the ideas in the White House draft opioids plan come from the blue-ribbon commission the president appointed in 2017 expanding access to the overdose-reversal drug naloxone and coordinating a national database of prescription drugs, for example the death-penalty-for-dealers proposal bears the fingerprints of Trump himself. Killing drug dealers has become a Trump fixation. It's an idea he seems to have picked up from governments in Southeast Asia including the Philippines, whose president, Rodrigo Duterte, has overseen mass vigilante killings of alleged drug dealers and users . For the past few weeks, reports indicate that he's continually brought it up in meetings with advisers and members of Congress sometimes jokingly and sometimes not so jokingly. The Trump administration is preparing to roll out its plan to solve the opioid crisis maybe as soon as Monday, when Trump is expected to visit Safe Station, a drop-in facility for opioid users seeking help and treatment, in Manchester, New Hampshire . The White House almost certainly isn't trying to get the death penalty for convictions for drug dealingitself. (If it were, it would almost certainly run afoul of the Supreme Court, which has ruled that sentencing people to death for any crime short of murder violates the Eighth Amendment's prohibition on cruel and unusual punishment.) Federal prosecutors are only allowed to seek the death penalty in federal first-degree murder cases. It sounds like the proposal would be for prosecutors to treat fatal opioid overdoses as homicides and charge the dealer who provided the drugs in the death. (Though expanding the federal first-degree murder statute to include overdose deaths would require an act of Congress.) Prosecutors are already using overdose deaths as an occasion to impose harsher sentences on drug dealers, at both the state and federal levels. (It's hardly a wing-nut thing; one of the pioneers of this tactic was former US Attorney Preet Bharara of New York, who's now a prominent Trump critic.) Sometimes they're just asking for longer sentences because the defendant's product resulted in a death; sometimes they charge dealers with manslaughter or criminal negligence. The Florida state legislature passed a law last year allowing prosecutors to file murder charges against heroin or fentanyl dealers after fatal overdoses a charge that allows them to seek the death penalty. Using the death penalty for dealers will either do nothing or do bad things But there is no evidence that the tactic is succeeding in reducing the opioid crisis. And given everything we know about crime, it would be shocking if it did. Classical theories of crime assumed that there were three factors of punishment that deterred people from committing a crime: swiftness, certainty, and severity. Modern social science has shown that the case for any of these is ambiguous and limited. But to the extent that punishment can deter crime, it will only work if the would-be criminal is certain he'd be caught quickly and punished: certainty and swiftness. Increasing the severity of punishment, in other words, is the least effective lever a policymaker can pull. This is definitely true when it comes to drugs; "there's no good evidence that tougher punishments or harsher supply-elimination efforts do a better job of driving down access to drugs and substance misuse than lighter penalties," my colleague German Lopez wrote last year, summarizing a 2014 report from Peter Reuter at the University of Maryland and Harold Pollack at the University of Chicago. "So increasing the severity of the punishment doesn't do much, if anything, to slow the flow of drugs." That track record won't suddenly improve when the death penalty is added to the punishment mix. The deterrent effect of being sentenced to death, as opposed to a long prison sentence, is either so small it hasn't yet been captured in the research or it's totally nonexistent. And in the meantime, the death penalty as currently practiced in the US is anything butswift and certain: Getting sentenced to death sets off decades of appeals and litigation as lawyers try every possible avenue to get the sentence struck down on procedural grounds. In a worst-case scenario, encouraging prosecutors to go for the death penalty by filing the most serious possible charges could result in fewer dealers even going to prison. Prosecutors already have a hard time convicting dealers in overdose deaths because it's hard to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the victim was killed by a particular batch of drugs and that this particular dealer sold them to him. And it's even harder to prove that the dealer knew the drugs were lethal. Leave a reasonable doubt and the dealer could walk away with an acquittal. In a best-case scenario, the last person who touched the drugs before the victim the only person who can definitively be tied to the overdose will be convicted and sentenced to death. For all Trump and other officials talk about "big drug dealers," the fact of the matter is that most US drug enforcement treats everyone involved with moving drugs as serious criminals. It can be hard to tell the difference between a dealer and a courier, much less between a dealer at the bottom of the food chain and a kingpin. A lot of drug dealers are also drug users a 2017 Bureau of Justice Statistics study found that "nearly a third of drug offenders (30 percent of state prisoners and 29 percent of jail inmates) said they committed the offense to get drugs or money for drugs." In theory, drug users are supposed to be the people that Trump and his administration are trying to save from drugs. The way Trump paints it, users have to be saved from evil drug dealers. And because drug dealers are evil, the only way to curb them is to show them no mercy. But the law, evidence, and logic all point to one conclusion: To the extent that anyone gets punished by a death penalty for drug dealers, it will be the people Trump is supposedly trying to help. Based on a global ranking of happiness levels across 156 countries, Finland has claimed the No. 1 spot in this year's World Happiness Report. Now in its sixth year, the World Happiness Report is produced by the United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network. The organization, along with three economists from Columbia University, the University of British Columbia and the London School of Economics' Center for Economic Performance, created the report using data from the Gallup World Poll to reveal which countries are happy and why. The report was released on March 14, less than a week before the United Nations celebrates World Happiness Day on March 20. This year, the United States ranked No. 18 falling four spots from last year and five from two years ago "in part because of the ongoing epidemics of obesity, substance abuse and untreated depression," according to World Happiness Report co-editor and Columbia University professor Jeffrey Sachs. Over the past two years, the world's top 10 happiest countries have remained the same, but have slightly shuffled positions. Through a measurement of happiness and well-being called the "Cantril ladder," Gallup asked nationally representative populations to value their lives on a scale from 0 to 10, with the worst possible life valued at 0 and the best valued at 10. The top countries frequently have high values for all six of the key variables that contribute to overall well-being: income (GDP per capita), healthy life expectancy, social support, freedom, trust (absence of corruption) and generosity. Here are the top 10 happiest countries and how they measure on the Cantril ladder: President Donald Trump and the House Ways and Means Committee chair, Rep. Kevin Brady of Texas, are "very serious" about implementing a second phase of the Republican tax plan, a top economic advisor to Trump told CNBC on Friday. Brady is now talking to the White House about a "phase two" plan, which Trump has repeatedly hinted about. "This is not just posturing. This is not just politics," Kevin Hassett, chairman of the Council of Economic Advisors, said on "Closing Bell." Possible revisions include making individual tax cuts permanent. The GOP made individual tax cuts temporary in order to reduce the amount by which the plan was estimated to increase budget deficits. Hassett said his position from the beginning was that everything should be permanent but he respected the legislative process. "America's workers are going to get that $4,000 pay hike because we passed a tax cut, and the pay hike will even be bigger if we can extend it and make it permanent," he said. Critics of the plan have pointed to the fact that it will increase the deficit by an estimated $1 trillion. Proponents have argued that the tax cuts will help pay for themselves by stimulating economic growth. Hassett emphasized that fixing the broken tax code has always been the priority. "In the medium and long term, economists always say that deficits matter and that we've got to turn our eyes towards that after we fix our really big problems," he said. "But starting and prioritizing tax cuts and defense, that was the president's decision, and I 100 percent concur with that judgment." Larry Kudlow, recently named director of the National Economic Council, told CNBC earlier this week that there will be a deficit in the short run. However, he compared it to a company making new investments to grow its business. "If you are borrowing to have greater investment literally we are investing in America with these lower tax rates and sound money and making sure we look after our interests overseas that's the best possible thing," he said in an interview Wednesday on "Closing Bell." CNBC's Ylan Mui and Jacob Pramuk contributed to this report. President Donald Trump still intends to meet with North Korea's leader by the end of May, the White House said Friday, three days after the firing of Secretary of State Rex Tillerson. The news came from a readout of Trump's phone call Friday with South Korean President Moon Jae-in. "The two leaders agreed that concrete actions, not words, will be the key to achieving permanent denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula," the White House said, "and President Trump reiterated his intention to meet with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un by the end of May." Trump rattled the international community and his own administration last week when he quickly accepted North Korea leader Kim Jong Un's invitation to meet. The planning for a potential meeting is happening as the State Department, which is already riddled with vacancies, is transitioning to a new secretary of State. The department also lacks a permanent ambassador to South Korea. Experts have expressed skepticism that the meeting would take place, or that it would yield any results, and the White House has insisted that North Korea will have to meet specific conditions first. According to the White House, Moon and Trump "expressed cautious optimism over recent developments and emphasized that a brighter future is available for North Korea, if it chooses the correct path." Trump's decision to agree to a meeting with Kim came March 8, while Tillerson was in Africa tending to other diplomatic business. It was a dramatic reversal for the president, who had made threats against North Korea after the rogue nation's numerous missile launches. He also called Kim "Little Rocket Man." Tillerson, who did not see eye-to-eye with the president on numerous issues, had pressed for diplomacy on North Korea, which Trump publicly mocked. Trump fired Tillerson on Tuesday, and picked CIA Director Mike Pompeo as his replacement. United Airlines chartered a private jet to fly home a German shepherd it mistakenly transported to Tokyo earlier this week. Days after an outcry over the death of a United passenger's French bulldog, the airline appeared to want to get 10-year-old Irgo back to his family in Kansas City, Missouri, quickly. The dog that died on Monday, Kokito, had been in a carrier that was put in an overhead bin at the insistence of a flight attendant. Irgo has been reunited with his human family, according to Kara Swindle, his owner. She posted a video late Thursday showing Irgo greeting his family with an energetically wagging tail, jumping up to lick their faces, with Wichita posted as the location. She also posted photos of the dog on the private jet, posing with the flight crew. The dog was mistakenly sent to Japan, while another dog that was meant to fly to Tokyo, a Great Dane, appeared when Swindle went to pick up Irgo. United declined to say how much the trip back cost. But Henry Harteveldt, founder of travel consulting firm Atmosphere Research Group, said that whatever it cost, it was likely a small price to pay after the death of Kokito. "It is pennies to try to stop that news," he said. After announcing at an industry conference that he was considering breaking up his massive industrial company, United Technologies CEO Greg Hayes elaborated on his thought process to CNBC. Speaking to "Mad Money" host Jim Cramer on Friday after United Technologies' annual investor meeting, Hayes said that the potential split was a hot topic at the shareholder confab. "I heard from a lot of investors today. Some of them say, 'Absolutely, you need to break the company up because elevators and air conditioners have nothing to do with jet engines,'" Hayes told Cramer in an exclusive interview. "Some of the other investors who have been around have, perhaps, a longer term perspective, understand the benefits and the synergies that you have from having a large company together." At the industry conference three weeks ago, Hayes wondered, according to a transcript, whether the company would be a "more valuable property together" or "better off in three separate businesses." On Friday, Hayes continued to weigh the pros and cons, saying that United Technologies benefits from "best-in-class" expense costs thanks to the massive scale of its business. "Obviously you lose some of that if you break it up, but it's still something we need to think through," he told Cramer. "We need to go through the process and I think we owe investors an answer by the end of the year." As it stands, United Technologies is made up of four parts: Pratt & Whitney, its aircraft engine unit; UTC Aerospace Systems, the catch-all aerospace and defense systems supplier; UTC Climate, Controls & Security, which deals in things like fire safety and ventilation; and Otis, which makes elevators, escalators and moving walkways. While some more adamant shareholders have been agitating for a breakup, Hayes said that he has made his top priority clear to United Technologies' board of directors. "I said the first thing we need to do is close on Rockwell Collins," Hayes said, referencing his company's recent acquisition of the rival manufacturer. "We'll do that in the next two, three months here, and then once we've closed on Rockwell, once we've started the integration, I told the board we'd go through a process by the end of the year to make a decision." And, with board members whose careers have spanned giants like GlaxoSmithKline, DowDuPont and CBS, Hayes felt his company was in good hands. "You've got just a great, great group of people that have a keen understanding of the investors and of the business," the CEO said on Friday. "And so it's not like we need to go outside and ask a lot of questions because I think the board truly understands what's important to investors and the long-term stakeholders in the business." Walmart is in advanced talks to become the largest shareholder in Indian e-commerce giant Flipkart, according to multiple reports this week, a move that might bolster the start-up's efforts to compete with Amazon. The U.S. retail giant could purchase around a 20 to 26 percent stake in the Indian firm and increase its shareholding to 51 percent in stages, India's Economic Times reported Wednesday. The Bentonville, Arkansas-based company could invest between $10 billion and $12 billion for the entire purchase, the report added, citing sources. But initially, the primary investment would be between $1 billion and $2 billion, according to the report. Flipkart did not immediately return CNBC's request for comment. One of its investors SoftBank declined to comment. Walmart was also not immediately available for comment. The move from Walmart could help Flipkart bolster its efforts to compete with Amazon, which has aggressively invested in the Indian market and made a lot of strides. "In order to maintain the lead with Amazon, (Flipkart) need to expand into grocery and at the same time maintain the gap in fashion and other categories," Satish Meena, an analyst at research firm Forrester, told CNBC. Grocery was a difficult category to offer without an offline presence, he added. "A deal with Walmart can give them leverage into offering grocery online through a combination of offline and online channels," he said. For Walmart, Flipkart was the "best available option" to access India's growing retail market, according to Meena. "After trying to enter the Indian retail market via (an) offline channel, (Walmart) might have realized the difficulties of running an offline retail model in India under the current regulations," he said. On Friday, Bloomberg, citing sources, separately reported that Walmart was in discussions to spend about $7 billion to become the largest shareholder in Flipkart. As part of the deal, both reports said that Walmart would buy shares from existing investors including Japan's SoftBank and Tiger Global Management. [The stream is slated to start at 2 p.m. ET. Please refresh the page if you do not see a player above at that time.] Press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders is scheduled to brief reporters at the White House on Friday. The briefing arrives on the heels of a series of news reports about possible further turnover of high-level staff in the Trump administration. Trump has reportedly considered replacing National Security Advisor H.R. McMaster, Chief of Staff John Kelly, Veteran Affairs Secretary David Shulkin and other senior officials in the White House. Sanders denied reports from the Washington Post and the Wall Street Journal on Thursday that McMaster would be replaced. Sarah Sanders tweet: Just spoke to @POTUS and Gen. H.R. McMaster - contrary to reports they have a good working relationship and there are no changes at the NSC. Meanwhile, Robert Mueller's investigation of Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election appeared to expand recently, after The New York Times reported Thursday that the special counsel subpoenaed the Trump Organization for documents. In other news, the ongoing scandal involving an alleged affair with adult film star Stormy Daniels is becoming increasingly difficult for Trump to ignore. Daniels, whose real name is Stephanie Clifford, recently filed a lawsuit against Trump in an attempt to void a non-disclosure pact barring her from discussing the alleged relationship. Now, she has launched a crowdfunding campaign to fund the suit, and spoke to CBS' "60 Minutes" for an interview that is scheduled to air in March. Trump has denied the relationship ever took place. People walk by a Wells Fargo bank branch on October 13, 2017 in New York City. Federal agents are interviewing employees of Wells Fargo's wealth management division as the government expands its investigation of the bank's sales practices, according to a report Friday in The Wall Street Journal. The report said the FBI has interviewed some employees in the Phoenix area as the Justice Department and Securities and Exchange Commission expand the scope of an investigation into sales practices beyond Wells Fargo's retail division. In 2016, Wells acknowledged widespread problems with sales practices, including the creation of 3.5 million accounts without customers' knowledge as retail division employees pursued aggressive sales targets. Late last year, as earlier reported, the government asked Wells Fargo to begin an investigation into sales practices at its Wells Fargo Advisors unit after whistleblowers flagged problems in sales and products. Wells Fargo had no comment for CNBC. Shares of the bank are down 0.7 percent on Friday. Billionaire Li Ka-shing Asia's "superman" is hanging up his cape after a storied career as one of the most successful businessmen in the region. Billionaire Li Ka-shing, pictured in 2015. Getty Images Li's rags-to-richest story is well known. Born in 1928 in China's Guangdong province, Li's family moved to Hong Kong in the 1940s during the second Sino-Japanese war. Li was forced to leave school at a young age following his father's death and took his first job in a plastics factory at the age of 15 an experience that helped shape Li into the savvy businessman he would become. "The most terrible experience during my childhood was witnessing my father's suffering and ultimately dying of TB. I too was infected," Li said in an interview with Forbes in 2010. "The burden of poverty and this bitter taste of helplessness and isolation sort of branded on my heart forever the questions that still drive me. Is it possible to reshape one's destiny? Is it possible to minimize challenges through lessening complexities? And is it possible to enhance chances for success through meticulous planning?" the tycoon explained to the magazine. Hong Kong tycoon Li Ka-shing announced his retirement on March 16, 2018. Emily Tan | CNBC Li went on to start his own plastics company, Cheung Kong Industries, in 1950. The name "Cheung Kong" was inspired by China's Yangtze River, where countless streams and rivers converge, to reflect the businessman's belief in synergy and the power of combined efforts. The company listed on the Hong Kong stock exchange in 1972 and expanded into an empire spanning more than 50 countries with 300,000 employees in the fields including real estate, telecommunications, shipping and retail. Li controlled one of the world's largest operators of container terminals, Hutchison Port, and Asia's biggest health and beauty retailer, Watsons. All of Li's businesses were consolidated into two major companies in 2015: CK Hutchison for non-property ventures and CK Asset Holdings for property undertakings. The two have a total market capitalization of more than $80 billion. The richest man in Asia and his $50 Seiko Technology company Zuora released its IPO prospectus on Friday, revealing plans to trade on the public market. The cloud-computing company, which helps businesses manage subscription services, was backed by major investors like Blackrock and Benchmark. Its founder and CEO Tien Tzuo was an early Salesforce employee, and has been an outspoken advocate of subscriptions in the journalism business. It plans to list on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "ZUO." Here are stats for its most recent fiscal year, which ended January 31: - Revenue: $167.9 million, up about 49 percent from a year ago - Net loss: $47.2 million - Recurring profit margin: 28 percent - 950 customers in over 30 different countries Zuora emphasized company culture in its note to investors, particularly the term "ZEO," which means "every employee is the CEO of his or her Zuora career." "This has fostered a culture centered around entrepreneurship, innovation, ownership, and responsibility," Tzuo wrote in a letter to investors. "To be candid, I believe Zuora isn't run by its CEO or executive team; it's run by more than 900 passionate and innovative ZEOs, including me. The result is a company of empowered and invested employees who bring out the best in one other." The Missourians Opinion section is a public forum for the discussion of ideas. The views presented in this piece are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Missourian or the University of Missouri. If you would like to contribute to the Opinion page with a response or an original topic of your own, visit our submission form Williamson tells Russia to go away and shut up The defence secretary told President Putin and his regime yesterday to go away and shut up as he signalled that international action would be taken against Russia after the Salisbury nerve agent attack. Gavin Williamson, one of the cabinets youngest members and said to be an aspiring prime minister, adopted a more casual tone on the Moscow crisis than his senior colleagues, saying: Lets face it, relations aint good are they? Asked whether Britain and the West were in another Cold War, he said: It is often described as a cool war that we are entering in. I would say it is feeling exceptionally, exceptionally chilly at the moment. Mr Williamson, 41, used his first keynote speech since taking over from Sir Michael Fallon in November to set out his vision for a military that could fight in cyberspace and real space an ambition that will require additional money as part of a review of the armed forces due to conclude in the summer. Russias smug response shows guilt, argues Johnson The Guardian The Times More: White House unveils new sanctions against Putin Daily Mail Forty US congressmen pledge May their full support Daily Telegraph West unites to confront Russia over poisonings The Times Police officers home searched for poison as May visits Daily Mail UK deploys nuclear submarine to the Arctic amidst tensions Daily Telegraph Comment: The Russian leader has the West exactly where he wants it Edward Lucas, The Times Global Britain might just have found its calling in leading the charge against Russias hybrid warfare Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Daily Telegraph Why Putin is taking the chance to show his electoral muscle Pete Duncan, Times Red Box France may flirt with non-alignment, but we always back Britain in the end Anne-Elisabeth Moutet, Daily Telegraph Editorial: Putin cannot be allowed to split the alliance The Times >Today: ToryDiary: As May squares up to a security challenge, Cameron reminds us of another: Islamist extremism and its wider dimensions. >Yesterday: as Corbyn sticks by his refusal to blame Russia Jeremy Corbyn has blasted the McCarthyite intolerance of dissent on criticising Russia and claimed the countrys mafia could be behind the poisoning of a double agent and his daughter on British soil. The Labour leader is facing a mounting revolt from his own side over his failure to condemn Moscow following the attempted murder of Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia in Salisbury. But he has today defied his critics and once again refused to lay the blame for the attack at the door of Vladimir Putin, instead calling for calm. Writing in the Guardian, Mr Corbyn said: To rush way ahead of the evidence being gathered by the police, in a fevered parliamentary atmosphere, serves neither justice nor our national security.' Daily Mail Policemans family attack mealy mouthed Corbyn Daily Telegraph Dont rule out Mafia hit, Leader of the Opposition urges The Times Position is no surprise given Labours links to Russia The Sun Scotland: Salmond uses RT show to claim more evidence is needed Daily Telegraph Sturgeon urged to take action over SNP NEC members role in show The Scotsman >Yesterday: Fraser Nelson: For anti-Corbyn MPs the only option is to break from their party Corbyns line on Russia shows his true colours Philip Collins, The Times Defiance over this will be the last straw: deselections are coming Tom Harris, Daily Telegraph We must avoid a drift into conflict Jeremy Corbyn, The Guardian Talk of war only plays into Putins hands Simon Jenkins, The Guardian Labour has no standing from which to criticise Tory donations Norman Tebbit, Daily Telegraph Over the last few months, there has been much talk among Labour MPs about red lines that they would not allow Mr Corbyn to cross. Various scenarios are offered up: Ken Livingstone being readmitted to the party, or the partys disciplinary system being used to kick out moderate MPs. The Salisbury poisoning throws up a new conundrum: in a matter of national security, what to do if the leader refuses to show the strength and resolve that MPs demand? Would it be time to act? And what might action mean? There is no third way, not any more. Labour MPs might stop Corbyn passing some laws, but theyll have no control on how he governs or who he appoints. Its harder than ever for Labour MPs to say that theyll stay and keep him on a leash. The tools of control are vanishing, one by one. Daily Telegraph Editorial: Corbyn has been unmasked Daily Telegraph >Today: Iain Dales column: Corbyns weakness on security should cost Labour the next election. But will it? Brexit 1) Navys ability to patrol UK fishing waters to be strengthened post-Brexit, says Baker The Royal Navys ability to monitor the nations coastal waters after the UK leaves the European Union will be strengthened in order to protect Britains returning fishing rights, a Brexit minister has signalled. Tory MPs urged the Government to ensure the Royal Navy has the resources it needs to end the days of the armada of European trawlers plundering Britains fishing grounds. Steve Baker, a senior minister at the Department for Exiting the European Union, has confirmed the UK will strengthen our surveillance capability to enforce Britains rights after withdrawal. He also said the Government will make sure the Royal Navy has the appropriate capacity that is required to patrol our waters and enforce regulations as required. Daily Telegraph Davis says he could live with a shorter transition period The Guardian Sturgeon says sunset clause can end power grab row The Scotsman Business leaders sign gagging orders before talks on hard border The Times Trump pledges to visit Irish border Belfast Telegraph >Yesterday: ToryDiary: Meanwhile, heres whats been happening in the Brexit talks Brexit 2) Hancock says leaving could let UK change social media laws Brexit feeds business inertia, claims productivity chief FT Eurocrats warned over naive bid to shut out UK banks The Sun Brussels expect UK to pay for EU military post-Brexit Daily Express Brexit could free up Britain to impose world-leading regulations on technology companies, the culture secretary has said. Matt Hancock argued that when Britain left the EU it would no longer be bound by regulations such as the e-commerce directive, allowing it to write new forward-looking legislation for social media platforms. He told the digital, culture, media and sport (DCMS) select committee: Outside the EU, we could attempt, as this country is quite good at in lots of different areas, to write really forward-looking legislation that supports the innovation and the freedom that these social media platforms bring but also ensures they mitigate better against the harms. The Guardian >Yesterday: Daniel Hannan MEPs column: Brexit will be a success, but swivel-eyed Remainers make the process more costly than it needs to be Ministers debate NHS tax to boost health spending National Insurance could rise by a penny in the pound to fund a major boost in health spending. The radical plan is being examined by senior Tories looking for ways to prevent a repeat of this winters NHS crisis. While officially still saying there are no plans for tax rises, Downing Street is thought to be increasingly keen on the proposal, which would raise about 5billion a year. Tory sources say the Cabinet has accepted the need to make an intervention on the NHS in the coming months, which will involve releasing billions in extra cash. Debate is now raging over how to raise the money. Daily Mail MPs warn mothers that failure to register for child benefit could impact their state pension Daily Mail Comment: Heres where to find a reliable NHS income Norman Warner and John Oldham, The Guardian Hammond has unwisely outsourced his spending plans Chris Giles, FT >Yesterday: Julian Jessop in Comment: Which taxes should Tories cut? 3) Reduce sin taxes and property taxes to give the economy a fillip Report to Javid suggests shutting down bankrupt Tory council Councils frustrated as they await 2 billion housing fund FT A Conservative council that has admitted running out of money should be shut down, independent inspectors have concluded. Northamptonshire county council (NCC) has failed to comply with its duty to deliver services and ought to be disbanded and replaced by two new authorities, a report ordered by Sajid Javid has found. The communities secretary commissioned the report in January when the council revealed that it needed to make cuts of more than 30 million. Last month the county council in effect declared that it was on the brink of bankruptcy by issuing a section 114 notice banning all but essential spending. The Times More: Communities Secretary is latest MP to recieve punish a Muslim letter Daily Mail Female membership of the Tories slumps The proportion of female members of the Conservative Party has nearly halved in the last two decades, new research has found, amid claims that joining political parties is no longer a social thing to do. The research, based on surveys of political party members conducted in the aftermath of the 2017 general election, highlighted the extent of gender imbalance in the Conservative Party. It revealed that 29 per cent of the Tory rank and file are women down from 49 per cent in 1994. The research also suggested that the Conservatives are not well positioned to address the finding that fewer than one in three grassroots Tories is a woman. Daily Telegraph >Today: Brandon Lewis in Comment: As we meet for our Spring Forum, far-left intimidation is on the rise. But we will not be silenced. News in Brief: Cllrs Ayesha Azad and Mark Pengelly are Members of the Executive on Woking Borough Council. There is in this country a deeply ingrained desire for home ownership. The Government believe that this spirit should be fostered. It reflects the wishes of the people, ensures the wide spread of wealth through society, encourages a personal desire to improve and modernise our own home, enables parents to accrue wealth for their children, and stimulates the attitudes of independence and self-reliance that are the bedrock of a free society. These were the words of Michael Heseltine in 1981 regarding the Right to Buy. The Right to Buy became one of the most successful policies of the Thatcher Government, ushering in a new era of home ownership. By 1991, more than 1 million homes had been sold to the tenants who occupied them. But while the Right to Buy was revolutionary for its time, it no longer provides the solution to our current housing needs. Not only have unscrupulous individuals abused the system in some cases, but it has also helped to bring about a precipitous fall in council housing stock. From 5.2 million dwellings in 1991, the number of council properties declined to just 2.2 million by 2014, according to the Office for National Statistics. This decline has hampered attempts to solve the wider housing crisis. A deeply ingrained desire for home ownership still exists in our country. Despite the issues associated with the Right to Buy, we believe Heseltines words remain as true today as they were in 1981. But as time has gone by, peoples desire of home ownershipand in particular, that of young peoplehas become less and less likely to be satisfied. In a study released last month, the Resolution Foundation highlighted that home ownership rates for UK millennials at ages 25-29 were a full 27 percentage points lower than they were for baby boomers when they were at the same age. Generational falls in home ownership rates for younger generations had been larger in the UK than in the US, Australia or Spain, the think tank found. Also in February, the Institute for Fiscal Studies issued a report saying that todays young adults were significantly less likely to own a home than those born only five or 10 years earlierwith the sharpest fall seen among those earning middle incomes. Whereas 65 per cent of middle income earners aged 25-34 owned their own home in 1995-6, that figure was now just 27 per cent, the report said. In order to address the challenges faced by a new generation of aspiring homeowners, Woking Borough Council is moving forward with an innovative new scheme for many of our boroughs social tenants. The scheme, which builds on the basic principles of Right to Buy, is called the Earn Your Deposit Scheme, or EYDS. The scheme gives tenants of Thameswey Housing, a subsidiary of Woking Borough Council, a helping hand in buying their first property. It does this by granting them a share of the annual uplift in the market value of their home. Looking back over many years, the price of property in Woking has increased by about four per cent a year on average. Under EYDS, tenants in a two-bedroom property could expect to receive 2,400 per year towards a deposit on a home of their own. Meanwhile, families in a four-bedroom home could accumulate 3,600 per year, up to a maximum of 80,000. This money would be set aside by Thameswey as a reserve and can only be used as a deposit by a first-time buyer on a new home. Furthermore, it would only be made available to good tenantsthat is, those who pay their rent on time, look after their homes, and do not cause a nuisance to their neighbours. EYDS has two key advantages over the Right to Buy. First, due to the way it is structured, EYDS should be less open to abuse by people who are intent on assembling buy-to-let property portfolios. Second, it does not diminish the social housing stock over time. Under EYDS, when tenants accumulate a deposit for their first home, they must move into the private sector to purchase that property. The affordable housing they vacate remains in place for others who need it. Whats more, we at Woking Borough Council are calling on the government to allow us to extend EYDS to all our social properties. That includes those directly owned in the Housing Revenue Account, fully replacing the Right to Buy. If local authorities were given this kind of flexibility, we think the scheme we are adopting in Woking could provide an alternative that is more sustainable and better suited to todays market. Our young people need to know there is more than just a slim possibility of one day getting on to the housing ladder. We believe in two basic truths: that Conservatives are at our best when we give people hope; and that changing circumstances require new thinking and innovative solutions. EYDS is one such solution. For many young people, the dream of home ownership is shifting further and further out of reach. It is up to us to restore it. Brandon Lewis: As we meet for our Spring Forum, far-left intimidation is on the rise. But we will not be silenced. Brandon Lewis is Chairman of the Conservative Party, and is MP for Great Yarmouth. Though the weather might tell us otherwise, spring is just around the corner. And that means Conservative members and volunteers across the country gathering for Spring Forum. Today and tomorrow, our Party will come together to prepare for the year ahead. Its a fantastic opportunity for our members and volunteers to meet one another, and to be thanked by MPs and Ministers for their hard work. Because without our members, we wouldnt be able to win elections. And that means we wouldnt have been able to grow our economy for five years in a row, or deliver the lowest level of unemployment since 1975. Our members are the ones who knock on doors whatever the weather. They deliver our leaflets and spread our message online. And they do it because they share our values. They do it to leave a stronger, fairer country for the next generation. That same passion is what motivated me to join the Conservative Party in my twenties. Its what motivates me today. When I knocked on my first door, I never imagined that I would stand for public office. My goal was the same as everyone elses: to win elections and build a brighter future. So membership is very close to my heart. To be the Chairman of our Party is such an honour, and I will use it to strengthen our membership so we can become a stronger, more effective campaigning force. With local elections coming up on the 3rd of May, voters across the country will be considering which Party they want to run their local services, set their council tax, and make the improvements their local area needs. Spring Forum is a chance to build the strong foundations of a campaign machine that will see us into the local elections and beyond. As an organisation, weve made a lot of progress since Sir Eric Pickles published his review of the 2017 General Election. Weve already hired over 80 campaign managers who are on the ground in constituencies across the country, helping local teams prepare for the next elections. And were in the process of administering our membership centrally to remove the burden from Conservative Associations of contacting people, chasing renewals and administering payments. With this reform, members will continue to belong to constituency associations, but it will let our constituency teams get on with the real task at hand: winning elections. I also want to encourage more women and more of our supporters to join the party, and to put themselves forward as candidates. The Conservative Party is wonderfully diverse and every part of it should be represented in local government and in Parliament. This is more important than ever. We need people of all ages and all backgrounds spreading our message. Because were facing the most far-left Opposition in recent memory. We also face a new challenge. On and offline, in campuses and constituencies across the country, far-left threats and intimidation are on the rise. This can be particularly tough on our younger members. But we will not be silenced by threats or intimidation. Free speech is a British value and its fundamental to a free country. By hearing ideas we disagree with, we challenge our assumptions and form our opinions. So we must all make sure that Conservative voices are heard even where they may not always be welcome. At Spring Forum we will also be giving voice to those who have played an enormous part in bringing ideas and energy to the Party. Were hosting our first ever Business Forum, bringing members, senior politicians and business leaders together so they can share their unique insights and experience, and discuss how to take advantage of the business opportunities open to Britain. Were also hosting a Youth Conference for our members aged 25 and under. Our young members are the future of the Conservative Party. So its our duty to give them the support to engage in the national debate and that we listen to their ideas. I believe every one of us in the Conservative family has an active role to play in the future of our Party. And in the weeks and months ahead, I look forward to joining our members to spread the message about how we can build a Britain that is fit for the future. Washington David Cameron has neither turned gaunt, haunted by the failure of his EU referendum gambit, nor plump, relaxed and fleshed out by release from office. Present and correct in blue to address the evenings event blue suit, blue checked shirt, blue tie he looks unchanged from the man who left Downing Street less than two years ago. It is as though he has time-travelled from his premiership and in some strange sense still occupies it. As so often, he presents impeccably: his hands slice the air for emphasis, or spread wide to appeal for support; he leans back to reflect, forward to force a point; swivels from the waist to draw attention. He holds the room. I surprise myself by wondering if Parliament has really seen the last of him. But while it may have done, politics, more broadly, has not. Cameron is here to speak about one of his interests and make an appeal. As a member of his front bench team before the 2010 election, I saw at first hand how he shaped a policy response to Islamist extremism a challenge that absorbed him. It still does. He is here at a dinner at the invitation of Policy Exchange to lead a discussion on what should be done next: to acknowledge successes, admit failures and offer advice, as you will see. The think-tank has led the way on influencing Government policy on extremism. And if you want large-scale polling of British Muslims, look no further. At any rate, I cant think of another with the reach to bring together 50 or so experts, wonks, and diplomats in Americas capital for an event like this. Now for that advice. Cameron wants to take issue (though he is too courtly to do so directly) with the countrys two most recent presidents or, as he puts it, with the Left and the Right. The latter, he says, sometimes holds Islam, the religion, responsible for terror and extremism carried out by Muslims. Meanwhile, the Left can refuse to acknowledge that Islam is connected to both at all. Or, as he puts it, parts of the Right say that it has everything to do with Islam; parts of the Left that it has nothing to do with Islam. Both are wrong. The spectres of Donald Trump, with his tweets denouncing Islamic terrorism, and of Barack Obama, who studiously avoided mention of the religion, hover briefly in the room. Camerons take is familiar. The root of the problem is Islamism, the ideology, not Islam, the religion though the two are obviously related, the first being a distortion of the second. Foreign policy, poverty, discrimination, broken families: all these can help to inflame and contribute to extremism and violence (though a significant proportion of Islamist terrorists are middle-class or converts or both), but they are not the driving force behind them. Islamist ideology even when pared down to a hatred of non-Muslims is key: the trigger, if you like, that sets the bomb off. It is suspicious of liberal democracy at best, violently opposed to it at worst. Muslims themselves are in the front line of the struggle: Cameron refers to a civil war within Islam worldwide. So far, so obvious. His government deported Abu Hamza and Abu Qatada; it stopped some hate preachers getting in to Britain; it refused to share platforms with Islamist-leaning groups, and cut off their patronage and funding. It tried to tame the teeming presence of hate online. (Cameron is still preocuppied with this as an unresolved problem.) He commissioned a report on the Muslim Brotherhood to try to get the bottom of what it thinks and wants. The flavour can be sampled in this ConservativeHome piece by the reviews author, Sir John Jenkins: people sometimes say that we need to identify moderates inside such organisations and detach them by engagement from their more extreme colleaguesI cant think of a single example where this has actually happened. But identifying the problem clearly, and seeing the policy through in Whitehall, has proved grindingly hard. Theresa May wanted an Extremism Bill with Extremism Disruption Orders and Extremism Banning Orders targeting Islamist and neo-nazi groups. But no workable definition of extremism has been found to date and the project collapsed. Civil servants and the Conservative Partys own policy apparatus have seemed incapable of distinguishing between religious conservatism and political ideology with at least one Tory MP writing to constituents that Extremism Disruption Orders would in some circumstances apply to a situation where a teacher was specifically teaching that gay marriage is wrong. These tensions are also felt in the Casey Review and Sajid Javids integration strategy. Three thoughts. First, government is not well suited to assist the creation of mass movements of mainstream Muslims. Most politicians are not themselves Muslims, and those who are Muslims are none the less not theologians. Second, it is better placed to do what Camerons government strove to do: choose our friends wisely, as a Policy Exchange pamphlet put it, and give or withhold patronage, shared platforms and publicity. It surely cannot be beyond the wit of Whitehall to draw up a definition of extremism that would identify opposition to liberal democracy, and the trumping of common citizenship by religious identity in the public square, as distinguishing factors. Muslim Brotherhood and Jammat Islami-linked organisations must continue to be held at arms length. Finally, policy cannot be all stick and no carrot. To what degree government should engage with religious identity at all be it Muslim or Christian or non-believing or anything else will inevitably be debated back and forth. But it is incontestable that, for all Britains standing as a plural country, anti-Muslim hatred and violence is real. (See Javid on the matter in todays news.) Tell MAMA, which comes as close to doing for Muslims what the Community Security Trust does for the Jewish community as anyone, claimed last year that a mosque is targeted once a week. We back an inquiry into anti-Muslim hatred. Mention of violence returns one to the biggest threat to public security the Islamist one that murdered 23 people in Manchester last year and eight near London Bridge. In the wake of the use of a chemical weapon in Britain, and the escalating war of words and measures between Britain and Russia, it may seem strange to write about the Islamist threat, both violent and non-violent. None the less, it hasnt gone away, you know, to adapt what Gerry Adams once said of the IRA. We need reminding of the scale of the challenge whether by a former Prime Minister or almost anyone else. Sophie Jarvis is Programmes Director at The Entrepreneurs Network. On International Womens Day, Liz Truss and Rob Jenrick ordered a review into the barriers that female founders face in acquiring finance. Truss twinned this announcement with positive and practical messages about female entrepreneurship via a flurry of Instagram posts. The day culminated in a reception at Number 11 with the lobby ladies and high-profile businesswomen from around the country. It was reminiscent of the sort of event we saw under David Cameron. Under the reign of Cameron, the business PR campaign never stopped, with the the doors of Downing Street regularly flung open to Britains entrepreneurs. Now, under Theresa May, were starting to see a return of the Conservative Party as a party that gets PR: Truss instagram is quirky, comical, and self-aware, and Michael Gove has transformed DEFRA into a semi-automatic PR rifle that has treehuggers swooning. Flying the flag for female entrepreneurship is another smart PR move for the Conservatives, but a PR campaign around female entrepreneurship isnt just good for the Party, it would also be good for the economy. So whats the actual problem that needs solving? A report by the Female Founders Forum recently found, with the help of Beauhurst data, that between 2016 and 2017 the total amount of equity funding raised by male founders has increased by 55 per cent, while the amount raised by female founders decreased by 0.1 per cent female founders share of capital decreased from 14.9 per cent of the total in 2016 to 8.7 per cent in 2017. Some progress has been made though, with the total number of equity deals secured by female founders increasing. And Monica Kalia, co-founder of Neyber, raised 143.5 million in 2017 three times the highest amount raised by a female founder in 2016. So why is there an overall funding gap? Well theres strong academic evidence suggesting unconscious gender biases at pitching. For example, a report by Harvard Business Review shows that men and women are asked different questions when pitching for funding. When quizzed about projections, men are often asked: What major milestones are you targeting for this year, whereas women are asked How predictable are your future cash flows? Also, women are setting up different businesses to men: women are more likely to set up lifestyle businesses, whereas men are more likely to set up tech businesses. By necessity, these have different funding needs. Combine this with a heavily male-dominated venture capital industry and its no wonder theres a disparity. A report by Diversity VC shows us that only 13 per cent of investors are women. Given that women are three times more likely to invest in a company with a female founder than a male founder, 13 per cent is a worryingly low figure. Its a complex problem, so theres no simple policy lever that will close the gap. However, this doesnt mean were powerless to make a difference. Collecting data on growth businesses would provide policymakers with stronger evidence on female entrepreneurship. The US and Germany invest in this and it helps them better target market failures otherwise we risk wasting taxpayers money addressing these too broadly. The Government should encourage venture capital firms to learn from the strides investment banks, law firms, and the medical profession has made at recruiting women. The legal profession is now at 27 per cent of female partners. There is still some way to go, but with more women than ever going into law this gap is expected to close over the coming years. For their part, entrepreneurs should engage with the Governments recently announced review into womens access to finance, to be led by the British Business Bank. And all Government departments should follow Truss in opening up their doors to Britains best and brightest innovators male and female as well as hosting regular round-tables with the venture capital industry. More data collection around girls entering STEM and information on drop-off rates by age should also be collected. We already know the take up is low in higher education, so in the meantime the Government should be unequivocal about the advantages of taking STEM subjects, as well providing a clear messaging around the sectors that offer the most pay for employees and growth for entrepreneurs. Hour of Code was a programme launched in 2013 under Cameron, where children were invited into Number 10 to learn how to code. This is exactly the sort of endeavour May and her party should be getting behind. PR goes a long way to inspiring people thats why companies spend so much on advertising. Through privatization, deregulation and tax reform, Margaret Thatcher made the Conservatives the party of business, while Cameron modernised this message to appeal to a new generation of entrepreneur. If the Tories are to remain the party of entrepreneurship, they must channel both Thatcher and Cameron to make Britain the best place in the world to start and grow a business, and start by helping unleash the untapped potential of female founders. CORNWALL, Ontario Adam Leroux, 34, of Cornwall was arrested on March 15, 2018 and charged with voyeurism. As a result of an ongoing investigation where he was charged with sexual assault, further investigation revealed the man was allegedly taking inappropriate pictures of a woman who was known to him. On March 15, 2018 the man was taken into custody, charged accordingly and released to appear in court on April 12, 2018. THEFT UNDER $5000, BREACH CORNWALL, Ontario Kaila Clements, 31, of Cornwall was arrested on March 15, 2018 and charged with theft under $5,000 and breach of recognizance for failing to keep the peace. It is alleged on Jan. 17, 2018 the woman attended a Brookdale Avenue store and removed a set of headphones, making no attempt to pay for the item as she left the store. Police were contacted and an investigation ensued. On March 15, 2018, she was taken into custody, charged accordingly and held for a bail hearing. WARRANT CORNWALL, Ontario Kevin Harper, 31, of Cornwall was arrested on March 15, 2018 on the strength of a warrant. It is alleged the man failed to attend court on March 1st, 2018 for drug related charges and a warrant was issued for his arrest. On March 15, 2018 the man was located by police, taken into custody on the strength of the warrant and was released to appear in court on April 17, 2018. FRAUD CORNWALL, Ontario A 22-year-old Cornwall woman was arrested on March 15, 2018 and charged with fraud under $5,000. It is alleged throughout Nov. 2017, the woman accessed the online bank account of her ex-boyfriend and made several e-transfers to her own bank account without his permission. Police were contacted and an investigation ensued. On March 15, 2018 she was taken into custody, charged accordingly and released to appear in court on April 26, 2018. Her name was not released as it might identify the victim in the matter. MISCHIEF, THREATS CORNWALL, Ontario A 23-year-old Cornwall man was arrested on March 15, 2018 and charged with threats and mischief. It is alleged between Nov. 2016 and March 2018 the man threatened his ex-common-law wife and damaged numerous pieces of property in her residence. Police were contacted and an investigation ensued. On March 15, 2018, the man was taken into custody, charged accordingly and held for a bail hearing. His name was not released as it would identify the victim in the matter. WARRANT CORNWALL, Ontario A 15-year-old Cornwall youth was arrested on March 15, 2018 on the strength of a warrant. It is alleged the youth removed merchandise from a Second St. East business, making no attempt to pay for the items as he left the store. Police were contacted and a warrant was issued for his arrest. On March 15, 2018 the youth was located by police, was taken into custody on the strength of the warrant and released to appear in court at a later date. His name was not released as per provision of the Youth Criminal Justice Act. There were 35 calls for service in the City of Cornwall in the last 24 hours (8 a.m. the previous day to 8 a.m. the day of the release). To see whats happening in your neighbourhood visit our Crime Plot Map @ https://www.crimeplot.com/agency/16/cornwall-police-service.html. CCPS reserves the right not to post all calls for service in order to protect the identity of the victims. Solution provider InterVision has acquired one of its peers, Bluelock, in a move to make the latter's disaster recovery as-a-service capabilities part of its complete MSP offerings. InterVision acts both as a traditional solution provider as well as an MSP and a managed security services provider, and also provides hosted data center services in its four data centers, said Bob Hollander, senior vice president of business development and marketing for the Santa Clara, Calif.-based company. Its primary business is with midsized and large enterprises, Hollander told CRN. "Because of that focus, we've built out a lot of managed services," he said. "For example, we can build out a Cisco collaboration solution, and provide the services to turn it on. But we can also sell it as a hosted solution." [Related: Recent Acquisitions Bring New People, Services To ePlus As The Company Plans For Future Growth] With Bluelock, InterVision, which is listed in CRN's 2018 MSP 500, gets a leading provider of disaster recovery as-a-service, Hollander said. "With the help of our investors, we've been looking for opportunities to bring new services to our customers," he said. "Disaster recovery as-a-service is an important new segment. Large enterprises are moving this way. And disaster recovery as-a-service is an example of a technology that helps make the cloud relevant to more clients." Before the acquisition of Bluelock, InterVision offered its disaster recovery as-a-service, which was modeled on the Bluelock service starting about three years ago, Hollander said. He said that would make it easy to integrate Bluelock into InterVision overall services offerings. "Also, Bluelock has a much better name recognition, which will make it easier for us to bring disaster recovery as-a-service to our clients, he said. Before purchasing Bluelock, InterVision had to divide its research and development efforts across a number of technologies including disaster recovery as-a-service, Hollander said. "It will be easier to work with Bluelock on disaster recovery as-a-service than to try to catch up with it or its peers," he said. "Bluelock has the experience, the management, the leadership, and the clients. We'd miss the market trying to catch up with them." About one-fourth of InterVision's sales go through other solution providers, Hollander said. "We do a lot really well," he said. "A lot of VARs are moving to the service space. We tell them, we've done that, we can help you do it. We help them with managed services, automation, security, performance, and so on." Financial details of the acquisition were not unveiled. Nyansa Inc. intends to double its partner ranks as its SaaS-based network analytics system gains traction in the enterprise and it seeks to make the most of its early advantage before larger competitors seize the market. The Palo Alto, Calif., start-up has about 20 partners today, and David Callisch, the company's vice president of marketing, says it intends to build that number to about 40 in the next 18 to 20 months. The channel growth comes as Nyansa's software finds traction among large enterprises, including current customers like Tesla and General Motors. [Related: 2018 Data Center 100: 20 Software-Defined Data Center Providers] Trent Cutler, a systems engineer at CompuNet, a Salt Lake City, Utah, solution provider that does business with Nyansa, said there's potential for CompuNet to see significant growth with Nyansa as more and more customers seek out network experts who dont treat wireless technology like "black magic." Nyansa's system is offered as a service and is vendor-agnostic, meaning it will work with infrastructure from Cisco, HPE Aruba and other OEMs. Founded by MIT PhDs, Nyansa offers a network analytics as-a-service. Its software takes in every bit of wireless data, client information, application data and transaction across the network in order to figure out where things are going wrong. With that information, the Nyansa system tells customers and partners in plain English how to fix those problems. "It could be some serious growth," Cutler said. "I'm hoping to have this as something I include with wireless for any organization that has more than 75 access points, when wireless is used for production and universities. All universities should have this tool." CompuNet has had success with Nyansa in university settings because wireless connectivity and reliability is of utmost importance to students. "Traditional networking guys are kind of curmudgeons about it," Cutler said. "They're saying, 'just plug in,' well, these kids are 18 years old. They don't know what you're talking about, and universities are losing students because Wi-Fi sucks in the dorms. When they stream Netflix, other students can't do their homework." Nyansa allows CompuNet to tackle wireless problems and quickly show customers, like universities, the results. "You make a change, and it auto-marks it," Cutler said. "Here's where we made the change, and everything improves. It's magic. It makes me look good, it makes Nyansa look good, and the conversation becomes how can we solve more problems for you?" Nyansa marketing vice president David Callisch said that while the company is looking to double the size of its partner base, it will be selective. The company today works with both Cisco and HPE Aruba, but may soon compete directly with those two networking powers as they bring their own network analytics platforms to market. "It's not a mom-and-pop kind of partner we're looking for, it's someone who truly sells up and down the stack," Callisch said. "They have to have a broad understanding of the network, of the access network, not just from a Wi-Fi perspective. Wi-Fi tends to be the big pain point where a lot of customers don't have a lot of visibility into why things don't operate properly." "The partner really needs to understand how the infrastructure management market is changing and the importance the customer is placing on the user experience on the network," Callisch added. "The extent to which users can be productive on the network is the extent to which the network is actually working properly." Microsoft offered up some big cash rewards Thursday to intrepid bug hunters who can help discover the next Meltdown- and Spectre-style vulnerabilities, or ways Microsoft's products are still vulnerable to those known chip security flaws. Side channel vulnerabilities of the kind that shocked the industry at the start of this year represent a new type of threat, and Microsoft is turning to its bug bounty program to recruit researchers. "In recognition of that threat environment change, we are launching a bounty program to encourage research into the new class of vulnerability and the mitigations Microsoft has put in place," wrote Phillip Misner, principal security group manager for the Microsoft Security Response Center, on a Microsoft blog. [Related: CRN Research: Partners Rank Red Hat, Microsoft For Their Spectre, Meltdown Responses] The new bounties are fair game until the end of this year. They are structured across four tiers. Tier 1 focuses on new categories of attacks involving speculative execution side channels. Microsoft will pay up to $250,000 to anyone discovering the next incarnation of Meltdown and Spectre. Tier 2 incentivizes researchers to figure out how to bypass the patches Microsoft has implemented in its Azure cloud to close Meltdown and Spectre vulnerabilities, with a bounty up to $200,000. Tier 3 does the same for Windows mitigations, and offers the same money. And Tier 4 awards up to $25,000 to anyone who finds ways to siphon data across "trusted boundaries" in Windows 10 or the Microsoft Edge browser by exploiting Spectre or Meltdown. "Speculative execution is truly a new class of vulnerabilities, and we expect that research is already underway exploring new attack methods," Misner said. The bounty program looks to encourage that research while making sure discoveries are safely disclosed in coordination with Microsoft and partners. Microsoft will share, "under the principles of coordinated vulnerability disclosure", any knowledge the bug bounty program yields so technology companies across the industry can collaborate on solutions, Misner said. "Together with security researchers, we can build a more secure environment for customers," he said. While channel partners certainly are welcome to participate in such programs, it's usually only the largest systems integrators that hunt for such bountieslike Accenture through its FusionX cybersecurity division, said Ben Mead, cloud and infrastructure lead at Credera, a Dallas-based Microsoft Azure partner. Mostly individual researchers and security research firms "tend to invest their time in this realm," Mead said. Bounty programs have become common for major technology companiesa notable exception being Amazonto turn up vulnerabilities before hackers can form exploits, Mead told CRN. But there are many research firms that would rather operate in a "grey-market." Those companies identify, validate and often weaponize "zero-day" exploits without disclosing the vulnerabilities to manufacturers, especially if there's no payment system in place, or bounties are deemed too low, Mead said. For that reason, the large tech vendors are stepping up the cash amounts offered by bounty programs. Last March, Microsoft doubled its top bounty award, Google ramped its bounty awards by 50 percent, and Intel started paying researchers $30,000 for spotting critical hardware flaws. Months after Intel established that program, a team of security researchers from Austria's Graz University of Technology reached out to the Santa Clara, Calif.-based semiconductor giant and let it know that they had found a design-level flaw in its chips. Those vulnerabilities had actually been discovered independently months earlier by Jann Horn from Google Project Zero. They became known to the world in January 2018 as Meltdown and Spectre. While research into mitigating the vulnerabilities had already been underway, Intel awarded the Austrian researchers a bug bounty for abiding by responsible disclosure guidelines and not making any premature revelations. Six weeks after Meltdown and Spectre came to light, Intel said it was raising its bounty awards across the board and launching a limited-time program focused specifically on side-channel vulnerabilities, with awards up to $250,000. Over the last few weeks weve seen a storm of activity by both sides in the Great Casino Debate. To a casual observer, it might look like real progress for MGM in Bridgeport and MMCT, the joint venture of Connecticuts two tribes, in East Windsor. Weve seen demolition of the movie theater in East Windsor, outreach into the Bridgeport schools by MGM and powerful forces lining up on both sides of a bill in the Legislature that would have scrapped the East Windsor plan in favor of an open-bidding process a game MGM thinks it can win in Bridgeport. We even saw the bill clear the General Assemblys public safety committee late Friday in a 22-3 vote after a cliffhanger compromise leaving the East Windsor approval intact. Dont be fooled. This is a stalemate. The two organizations appear to have the ability to stop each other. The only way either casino will open, at least anytime soon, is through a negotiated deal. Without more deal-making, were not likely to see the open-bidding bill reach Gov. Dannel P. Malloy. Sen. Tim Larson, D-East Hartford, the public safety committee co-chairman, voted for it Friday even though he doesnt like the idea of a Bridgeport casino and he said hed probably vote for it in the Senate. But the other senator powerfully in the tribes camp, Sen. Cathy Osten, D-Sprague, said no, it needs more work. As for the MMCT plan in East Windsor, without some kind of dealt it will remain tied up in court until long after Connecticut has highway tolls. What would a deal look like? It could mean one casino opens, the other doesnt, and the winner pays the loser a whole lot of money. It could mean a smaller casino than the $675 million, 7,000-job version MGM envisions, although it makes sense build a casino that the market will support, not bigger or smaller. Or it could mean both get built with the grudging blessing of the other, and the money they pay to the state is adjusted to meet a negotiated agreement. For example, MMCT the Mohegan and Mashantucket Pequot tribal nations could pay less than the current 25 percent of slot machine revenues to the state. Half might make sense, 12.5 percent. Theyd get that break because they would give up their exclusive right to operate in Connecticut in exchange. MGM would open in Bridgeport, paying the full 25 percent plus more for table games, because thats the only way theyd win a license. Its possible another company or another city would emerge from an open bid process, but thats unlikely. MGM Bridgeport remains the best thought-out plan on the best piece of property in the place where investment is most needed for a city thats as close to 100 percent behind it as we will ever see. And for people who say MGM Resorts International is just bluffing with Bridgeport as a way to stop East Windsor, look at the fact that the company has nine casino hotels in Las Vegas. Both sides hate the idea of a compromise to assure both casinos open. MGM, opening a $960 million complex in Springfield, Mass., this fall, wants no casino of any size along I-91, where Connecticut customers could stop before they cross the state line. And the tribes, with the Foxwoods Resort and Mohegan Sun casinos, want no casino of any size between their locations in New London County and New York, where gamblers load nightly into cars, buses and vans to head their way. With full gaming in Massachusetts and Rhode Island soon to happen, thats their lifeline. MGM, with help from allies in the federal government, can tie up the East Windsor plan in court for what looks like five or six years, more or less, and financing and construction would take years after that. As long as those cases are up in the air, its hard to imagine MMCT not the strongest financial organization to begin with lining up $300 million to build East Windsor. The two tribal chairmen, Rodney Butler of the Mashantucket Pequots and Kevin Brown of the Mohegan tribe, say East Windsor will open open in 24 months, with the current lawsuit over federal approval for the change in the state compact resolving in a matter of weeks. Even if that were to happen, MGM would re-file its federal lawsuit claiming the state award of a license to MMCT was unconstitutional. Give them credit for confidence, but Ill have what theyre having if they actually believe that timeline. As for MGM, as of Thursday, anti-gambling Sen. Marilyn Moore, D-Bridgeport, changed her position from a no to a yes. But the MGM open-bidding process faces a tough vote, as the tribes will claim, rightly, that it would destroy jobs at Foxwoods and Mohegan Sun and break a compact that has yielded the state $7 billion over more than 25 years. Money matters, as always. Heres the short version: After MGM Springfield opens, the tribes will pay the state about $200 million a year, down from a high of $420 million in 2007. That number could fall further as New York adds more slot machines at Empire in Yonkers and elsewhere. MGM says the state would be better off letting the compact fade and taking revenues from its private casino along with sports wagers, mobile gaming and fantasy league games. All of that is probably coming anyway and the public safety committee on Friday advanced a bill to study the whole picture. The better alternative is to negotiate so that everyone pays and no one sues. There is no scenario for a win-win compromise. The question is whether a lose-some-lose-some deal between MGM and MMCT is best for the state of Connecticut a place where pure, private investments in recent years in the $675 million range can be counted without the help of a single finger on a single hand. Yael Krigman was sitting on the classic American success story just a couple of years ago: Ivy League degree. Six-figure income at a top law firm. Fluent in Spanish. Classical musician. And a Fulbright scholar, to boot. But the 36-year-old Type-A personality gave it all up a few years ago to sell cake pops (yes, cake pops) at her Washington bakery called Baked by Yael (pronounced Yah-el.) "I wanted to own my own business," she said, simply. "When I was a law firm associate, I pulled all-nighters for the firm's clients. I reviewed profit-and-loss statements for other companies. Now, when I pull an all-nighter, it's for my own clients." Although cake pops might sound like a fanciful reason to quit your job, her willingness to walk away from the security of a blossoming law practice and put everything on the line is the stuff that separates entrepreneurs from the rest of us wage slaves: A desire to create something and to control your own destiny. She knows the pressure of having her own business. Krigman owns a hefty bank loan, a payroll of 30 employees and a painful monthly lease for her storefront across from the National Zoo. Like most small-business people getting started, Krigman works every day. Baked by Yael has stands at four weekend farmers markets in the District of Columbia and Alexandria, Virginia. She also sells at a synagogue Sundays. I interviewed her on the phone this month while she and her boyfriend were barreling down the New Jersey Turnpike in a van piled with 1,000 cases of gluten-free oat matzos fetched from a Brooklyn source. She pulled into her Washington condo at 2 a.m. Baked by Yael is a family business. Krigman is the sole owner, but she has recruited Mom (helps with online orders) Dad (company handyman), and even the boyfriend (a front-counter person and the Baked by Yael social-media ambassador). Krigman has a cheerful demeanor, but her no-nonsense conversation is sprinkled with phrases such as "scientific approach," offering me a clue to her intensity. She is especially proud of a mission that serves hard-to-reach customers in search of vegan, gluten-free, nut-free or kosher products. "I am filling a very important void in the city," she said. Although she loves the baking part, Krigman is not sentimental. "I have staff, banks and vendors who all need to get paid. I have to focus on the fastest path to cash and, at the moment, that's with corporate catering, cake pop parties and online gift orders." Ergo, her motto: "What is the fastest path to cash?" Baked by Yael will gross more than $600,000 this year selling everything from bagels to fancy gelato to breakfast sandwiches. Just under half of that gross revenue comes from the average of 300 or so cake pops (at $2.95 each) that sail out of the store each day, whether it's to a nearby resident needing a sugar fix or a delivery to one of the office parties, birthdays, bar mitzvahs or dozens of hotels she sells to in the area. Although Baked by Yael is a retail bakery, the real cash is in catering. The issue then is whether the rent that comes with being in a prime retail location is worth the money. Wouldn't it be more efficient to give up the retail, concentrate on catering and bake at a less-expensive location? "To be honest, the rent for my prime location may not be worth the walk-in traffic," she said. "The rent is overwhelming. Unfortunately, I have to pay off my construction cost before I can consider a less expensive location." The visibility helps. Even before the doors opened three years ago, a passerby saw Baked by Yael signs and ordered $8,000 worth of cake pops. The walk-in customers were about 40 percent of sales last year, she said. Those walk-ins have value other than monetary: Serving them keeps her motivated. "Placing the operation in a retail storefront lets me add the walk-in business and actually see the smiles on the faces of my customers," she said. "And every person who comes into the store is an opportunity. That said, catering is where the money is." Krigman said she needs word-of-mouth and simple marketing to bring in a few thousand more a month to put her in the black. She worries that the zoo tourists and foot traffic don't see her storefront because of the competition from recognizable brands a few doors away: Starbucks and 7-Eleven. "Our biggest challenge is getting people to walk past the big chains they're so familiar with and walk into our store," she said. She has no money for a marketing budget, so her solutions include sending employees across the street to hand out Baked by Yael postcards to zoo visitors, holding kiddie cake pop parties (at $295 for eight) on Saturday mornings, and touting her fresh, hot bagels to anyone who will listen. "On weekend mornings, almost all of our customers come in for bagels and bagel sandwiches. But then they see the cake pops," she said. "Even if they don't buy one, we've gotten them in the door and have an opportunity to plant the cake pop seed for the next time." Krigman has been noshing on bagels since she grew up in Annapolis, Maryland where her mother taught violin and her father was a computer engineer. She graduated from the University of Pennsylvania in 2002 and spent a year in Spain studying nonprofit management on a Fulbright fellowship. She got a job at the D.C. office of White & Case, an international law firm based in New York. She started experimenting with baking her own bagels about 2008. "It came out delicious," she said. She expanded her ouevre to rugelach, raspberry bars and black-and-whites (we call them half-moons). One popular item was the cake pop, a newfangled dessert on a stick that was the hit of the law office. Her colleagues at White & Case suggested she start a baking business. In 2010, while still at the firm, she used her legal smarts and contacts to get the paperwork for Baked by Yael off the ground, including a tax ID and a business license. She started to build a customer base, one person at a time. She created a Baked by Yael online store to list her menu offerings, using an e-commerce platform. She set up PayPal and credit card processing accounts. She found a wine store that would hold the cake pops for customers to pick up. She tested her baked goods at an Annapolis mall, where she rented a kiosk for five months in 2011. "It didn't work," she said. "But I learned a lot of valuable lessons that helped me define my target market." She zeroed in on law firms because she knew their needs and that they could afford the cake pops. "After eight years at a law firm, I know when recruiting season is, I know when firms are welcoming summer associates, when they're hosting receptions for prospective associates," she said. "I know that the receptionist is my best friend when it comes to securing catering orders." (Just last week, she was headed to a legal recruiting conference to get her cake pops some face time. Or is it taste time?) "The more I started to sell them, I realized how versatile and customizable they are, and how many different ways I could sell them to every industry and age group," Krigman said. "They can be branded. You can hold a cake pop in one hand and a glass of wine in another. You can advertise, put company logos, school mascots on them. " Baked by Yael started getting some notice: Online reviews, Washingtonian magazine, CNN, Voice of America. She raised nearly $75,000 on a month-long Kickstarter campaign. One giant order for last year's inauguration ball sold 6,000 cake pops. She had enough critical mass by January 2015 to launch a retail location, signing a 10-year lease in a former dry cleaning shop. She got a loan from Revere Bank, with some financing help from a D.C. program that helps fund small businesses. She doesn't miss that fancy 2,000-billable-hours-a-year law job. "If you had asked me 10 years ago if I would own a bakery, I'd have told you you're crazy," she said. "Baked by Yael is my first business and may end up being my only business. I'm not doing this because I want to run a company. I'm doing it because I want to run Baked by Yael." GREENWICH A Greenwich man faces up to five years in prison after he pleaded guilty Thursday to tax evasion, the Department of Justice announced. Pasquale Furano, 48, waived his right to be indicted and pleaded guilty to one count of tax evasion. Court documents indicated that from 2009 to 2013, Furano underreported more than $2.5 million in gross receipts on his federal tax returns for his business, Pasquale Furano Landscaping. For those five years, Furano falsely reported total taxable income of $264,697 when his total income was actually $1,751,727. Based on that reporting, Furano only paid $44,213 in federal taxes when, the DOJ said, he actually owed an additional $540,182. An investigation into the situation showed that Furano evaded the payment of his federal taxes by negotiating about 2,436 client checks totally around $1,295,990.23 at the bank for cash rather than depositing the checks into his business accounts. The DOJ aid sometimes Furano would cash as many as 38 checks in one day. Those client checks were not disclosed on Furanos tax returns. On Oct. 16, 2014, Internal Revenue Service special agents conducted a court-authorized search of Furanoos residence and seized handwritten business records and $613,842 in cash. The DOJ said Furano agreed that the seized cash will be applied to his outstanding tax liability. He has also agreed to make restitution to the IRS for the remaining penalties, and interest, for 2009 to 2013. As of Feb. 1, that total is estimated to be an additional $480,179. The Connecticut Department or Revenue Services will receive payment totalling $112,360 from Furano the total in sales tax he collected from his customers during that five year period and didnt pay to the DRS. Furano will be sentenced on June 8. At the time of sentencing, Furano faces a maximum term of inprisonment of five years, the DOJ said. I've been an entrepreneur since 1999. I worked in three startups earlier in my career. I cherish the extensive network of diverse entrepreneurs I've established. Together, my friends and associates own three local hair salons, an accounting firm with global customers, a trademark and patent law practice, a dentistry office, a city-acclaimed restaurant and a yoga studio. Our website developer, software developer and copyeditor are all entrepreneurs with companies of various sizes. While these are all very different businesses, they have one thing in common: customers. As an entrepreneur, you know that customers are your most precious business asset. Related: 25 Ways to Ask for a Referral Without Looking Desperate In a Harvard Business Review article on "The One Number You Need to Grow," Fred Reichheld wrote that "the value of any one customer does not reside only in what that person buys ... what they are prepared to tell others about you can influence your revenues and profits just as much." As a result, full customer value needs to include a measure of his or her ability to bring in profitable new customers. Your referral rate reflects an output metric that gauges the value of your customers' referral power or referral value. Per Reichheld, referral rate is positively related to a company's profit growth, a valuable outcome metric. What's more important is the impact of referrals on your business. A study by my colleague Matt Heinz found that 60 percent of companies with a referral process experience faster close rates, 59 percent report higher customer lifetime value, and 71 percent report higher conversion from contact to customer. While we commend anyone using these metrics, the most salient point is that you need a process for seeking out referrals and introductions. I suspect you're thinking, "We do this already. We ask our customers for referrals all of the time." That's great, but not all customers are equal when it comes to referrals. When you can accurately target customers who are likely to make profitable referrals, you will earn a better return on your marketing investment. When done correctly, referrals are one of the most powerful forms of marketing and among the least expensive. The ROI of a referral is significant because the cost of sales is low and the sales cycle is generally shorter. Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School of Business found that the time it takes a referred customer to leave a company is 18 percent slower than the average, off-the-street customer. Related: 4 Mindsets That Earn You More Customer Referrals How to develop a successful customer referral program If you haven't established a referral program, now is the time. Making referrals pay off requires having a systematic process for securing and acting on referrals. A customer referral program entails more than sending out a message to all of your customers asking them for a referral. Here are three essential steps for laying the groundwork for a best-in-class customer referral program. Step 1: Make sure you can secure referrals. To earn referrals, existing customers need to believe in your value and have had their own positive experience. Invest in understanding what it takes to create an exceptional customer experience along each interaction point your customer has with your organization. That means from the moment of purchase or reservation, to the moment of service, to the moment of payment, and so on. For example, one firm we know of has a tendency to send duplicate invoices even after the initial invoice was paid. There is clearly a process issue in this firm. Another firm requires payment by the 10th of the month, yet often its invoices do not arrive until the 10th of the month. These create breakpoints that will negatively affect referral rate. Related: Getting Referrals When You Can't (or Don't Want to) Offer Incentives for Them Step 2: Be selective. The old adage "birds of a feather flock together" applies. Some customers are better than others. Know what kind of customer you want, and seek referrals from customers who reflect this criteria. Regular customers who only purchase when you offer a coupon may not be part of your referral program. Step 3: Make it worth your customers' time. Different customers value different offers. Know what each customer segment values. For example, perhaps one segment would like a service dedicated to relaxation, such as a complimentary facial. Another person might prefer the gift of a product from your company. How to create your best referral process I know it takes tremendous energy and time to run a business. As the owner of a small firm, I have my hands in everything from new business, marketing and sales, customer work, to the back office. Adding one more task to the never-ending to-do list may seem a bit daunting. However, the task of customer referrals needs to be at the top of list. Use these eight guidelines to help start you on your way to developing your own effective referral program. Related: Generate 189 Referred Customers in 90 Days or Less 1. Review your list of customers and organize them into segments. Identify those customers who are most valuable to your company. 2. Using your newly established list, formulate a profile of your ideal customer and then identify existing customers who meet the profile. 3. Determine how many of your current customers came through referrals. 4. Select three of your customers who meet the profile that you attained through referrals and ask each of these customers how the referral came about, who gave the referral and what you did to get the referral. 5. Include a question in your customer satisfaction research and post-sale processes to find out how likely people are to refer a customer and what they would want in return, e.g. additional services, a discount on their next purchase, etc. Related: How to Drive Customer Referrals (When You Aren't Airbnb, Dropbox or Uber) 6. Develop a program that is designed to encourage customers who fit the ideal profile to be a referral with the same kind of person they are. The program should address various types of referrals and acknowledge these types differently. For example, what you do for someone willing to take a call will most likely be different from what you do for someone willing to send a note to make an introduction. This will be different from how you acknowledge someone willing to make a call for you, compared to someone who gives you three names and phone numbers to contact. Have a plan in place for each type of referral. 7. Track which new customers come from which referral type and from which customers. 8. Keep in frequent contact with people who provide referrals and keep these people informed of any new business as a result of their efforts. Related: Want More Customers? Get Quality Referrals From Existing Customers. 4 Mindsets That Earn You More Customer Referrals The 3 "R's" That Reveal the Quality of Your Product Copyright 2018 Entrepreneur.com Inc., All rights reserved This article originally appeared on entrepreneur.com The digital path to most credit union website product pages involves navigation bars, drop-down menus, and secondary pages. This is the standard Point A leads to Point B that leads to Point C and so on and so forth. Sure, theres nothing wrong with this execution as this has been a standard in web usability for the past decade. But as web and mobile experiences become less linear as people enter your website through various search terms, credit unions must explore different structures in website architecture to help consumers get to their final destination quickly and efficiently, wherever that may be. Enter Guided Selling Part of our Digital Growth Blueprint engagements involve performing user testing sessions in which we ask consumers to complete a variety of tasks on credit union websites. These tasks range from simply reviewing a financial institutions homepage to providing detailed feedback on the account opening process. After reviewing dozens of these recorded sessions, we began to identify a recurring pattern specifically when users were asked to comparison shop a specific product against several competitors. We found a positive correlation between a websites favorability when it incorporated a technique known as guided selling. The term guided selling is pretty self-explanatory. It is a process in which you guide consumers through the buying process by helping them identify the best product or service that is right for them. In this scenario, you hand over control to the user, allowing them to create their own digital journey versus forcing them down a pre-defined linear path designed for the masses. This concept of guidance is fundamental to our StorySelling methodology, which we use as a model to assist credit unions in crafting digital stories that sell. One of the most important components of the StorySelling methodology is the advice offered by the helpful guide. It is not a heavy-handed approach, but also not completely hands-off either. The same is true for the concept of guided selling. Allow consumers to control their own digital experience through guided selling. From there, you can simply guide them along the way with helpful content, providing them the solution that best meets their needs. Here are several ways as to how your credit union can begin to incorporate the concept of guided selling on your website. Be Proactive Far too often, we find credit union websites are reactive in nature because they are nothing more than glorified online brochures. And online brochures do not generate sales because they passively wait for a prospect to ask for help. Alternatively, implementing a digital guided selling approach transforms your website to become proactive in a consumers buying journey. And being proactive is a key component to building a website that sells. Like the best salespeople, a digital sales process should embody five characteristics: They are proactive and ask a prospect if they can help them first They dont wait for a prospect to ask for help They listen closely and empathetically to a prospects questions and concerns They build trust with a prospect by guiding them beyond their questions and concerns They recommend a solution that can help them achieve their hopes and dreams Recommendation: On key product pages, such as mortgages, auto loans, and small business lending, display an unobtrusive message after a certain amount of time has passed and ask if the website visitor needs further help or if they have any questions. This could be part of a live chat feature or linked directly to a contact form. Simply Ask How can we help you? Really, its not a complicated question. Its most likely being asked in your financial institutions face-to-face or call center interactions with consumers, allowing you to identify their specific questions and concerns or hopes and dreams. Yet this straightforward question is rarely asked in the digital space as credit unions continue to adopt traditional broadcast marketing tactics for their digital channels. One method is listening. The other is talking. When reviewing a user test for one of our Digital Growth Blueprint engagements, a key feature the user kept referring to throughout the session was this simple question. How can we help you? was featured prominently on the homepage of a competitors website, followed by a drop down menu of various options. This is already looking like a conversation, the user said in response to the prompted question. The user noted the reduced amount of clicks to get to the information he was looking for and compared this simple process to the other financial websites, which the user noted as tedious. By building a website infrastructure that can prompt consumers with questions, your credit union will simplify consumer journeys and ultimately reduce the amount of clicks, or friction points, to guide the consumer quickly to where they want to go. Recommendation: There are a variety of ways to ask questions to simplify consumer journeys on your website. Review how Louisiana FCU retooled this question of How can we help you? on their homepage. Compare this process to your home page. Needs Assessment If your credit union has multiple offerings for a specific product line, you may want to explore the concept of guided selling to recommend a specific product based on a certain need. For example, if your credit union has several checking accounts, what are the primary differentiating factors between the various products? Does one account offer no minimum balance but a monthly service fee? Does another provide monthly ATM fee rebates? By identifying these differences, you can begin to craft an interactive assessment that, when once completed, will provide consumers with a recommended product based upon their needs. This guided selling approach can be implemented across your various products, allowing consumers to identify and select the appropriate product based upon your personalized recommendations. Recommendation: Review how Navy Federal Credit Union uses this guided selling approach on their key product pages. Take the assessments yourself and note how the recommendations change based on key product features. Does this help to simplify the product offerings offered by Navy Federal? Life Events Another manner in which you can use guided selling is to move away from generic product offerings and tailor the conversations around significant life events. These would be crafted around a consumers hopes and dreams, whether that is getting married or buying their first home or retiring. For example, what do recent graduates from college need to consider when evaluating their financial standing? To excel at this approach, having a defined content marketing strategy is necessary. This will help you tailor these conversations even further as you begin to identify the specific questions and concerns consumers have during these life events. No longer will you just be providing a list of recommended products and services as you begin to provide helpful content that demonstrates that your credit union is a trusted financial matters expert. Recommendation: Review USAAs Advice Center. Note the various types of resources provided as USAA provides not only products and services based on life stage, but helpful content as well. Product Comparison As demonstrated by Googles Zero Moment of Truth research, banking shoppers used an average of 8.9 sources of information to help them make their purchase decision. This data has been validated by our user testing of credit union websites as many proactively comparison shop different financial products and services before ever being prompted. In other words, people are comparing your products and services against the competition. If you feel you truly offer a superior product against your competitors, why not provide a product comparison tool to demonstrate this to consumers? Because if marketing is about controlling the message, wouldnt you want consumers to evaluate your product against the competition on your own terms? This isnt to say that a consumer isnt going to research other competitor websites. However, through product comparison tools, your credit union can demonstrate the superiority of your products benefits against the competition. There are several methods in which to provide this information to consumers: Infographics: In our assessments of dozens of credit union websites, several financial institutions provide graphical representations of how much consumers can save by moving their finances. For example, Suncoast Credit Union provides a snapshot of their savings for key products (auto loan, credit card, and mortgages) in comparison to Florida averages. Calculators: This method of guided selling can provide a customized digital experience, allowing consumers to control the calculations based on their own parameters. Calculators, such as NASA FCUs Dealer vs. Credit Union Financial Calculator, provide users the ability to compare the financing options of both the credit union and dealership. Tables: Instead of just relying upon a list of commoditized product features, several financial institutions use this tactic and consolidate information in a centralized location, providing consumers the ability to perform a side-by-side comparison of similar products. DuGood FCUs checking page uses a product comparison table to position their checking account against similar products from Chase and Wells Fargo. Recommendation: Most credit union product pages consist of an introductory paragraph and a list of product features. But in a commoditized industry, financial institutions must go beyond competing with great rates and amazing service. Use this product positioning exercise with your team to determine how your products are positioned against your top three competitors. Most likely, you will find many similarities and no clear differentiation. We recommend exploring the option of using a product comparison tool to begin to differentiate your products from the competition. Enter how to avoid a security breach in any search engine and you will see no shortage of opinion and advice. Some of it salient and wise. Some of it questionable and dangerous. This article is based on twenty five years spent in the financial, health care and telecommunication industries focusing on technical and security issues. I have personally been involved in handling three significant security breaches, dozens of reputation affecting security events, and thousands of security incidents affecting productivity. Organization size and security budget applied are irrelevant to the competency and preparedness of IT people responsible for that security. I have seen effective security programs on a shoe string budget and grossly ineffective programs with big budget, corporate authority, and scores of security people. So, how do credit unions and other financial institutions avoid a security breach? Below are the hard realities: #1. Accept You Cannot Avoid A Security Breach. If they want in, they will get in. The state of the criminal underworlds technical expertise is as advanced, if not higher, than governments law enforcement and the best corporate security organizations around the world. Information Security is a billion dollar industry and as long as software and people mix, security will always be on the radar and someone will find a way to break it. The real problem is unrealistic expectations. Solutions Accept that all strategic initiatives and decisions create the potential for security events. Involve your technical and security teams early in the decisioning process to walk through the risk, before investments are made and resources spent. There is no such thing as a zero-risk initiative or customer product. Mitigate risk by developing a risk acceptance program across all departments. Give the program teeth with leadership involvement and signature and review on a cadence, every three to six months. Give awareness to the risks up and down the chain of command so teams can prioritize and focus safely. Develop an ownership culture. Every worker owns their role and contribution. Then empower identified high-risk teams with ideas to solve, give time to employ ideas, and reward ingenuity. Give people a reason to get the organization buttoned up and care about security versus fear and threats. #2. Your Peoples Ethics and Values Are the Security Risk. Culture is king. Are you hiring for skills or for culture? Are your people enforcing the organizations mission and values or are you not sure? So many organizations hire for skill first and see culture and values as secondary or not at all. Without leadership, your work force will make decisions that may not be in the best interest of your organization. Or worse, workers will disengage, not care, and produce at the minimal level which opens the door for a security event. The problem is leadership. Solutions Define and communicate the organizations mission, values and ethics, and each persons contribution how it enforces culture. Leaders need to live the values, show the ethics, demonstrating consistency to mission and protection of culture. Spend considerable time in the hiring process to ensure quality candidates meet multiple objectives. In many cases, not enough time is spent recruiting talented people with the right business skills focused on enforcing the culture the organization is building. Avoid omnipotent information security or technology teams. Do not accept convenient cessation of mission and values in the conduct of a security event or incident. Instead, cultivate partnership and consultation versus negative and inflammatory rhetoric during collaboration. #3. Constantly Identify and Communicate Where You Are Weak. So many security events and incidents occur when leaders do not have visibility on the various states of their operation. Ive witnessed fear in letting senior leaders know infrastructure weaknesses, fear of being accountable, and succumbing to political pressure for fear of losing a customer or their job. Ive also seen experts hired to fix the larger issues, then marginalized and ignored trying to raise red flags as the culture doesnt support reporting of defects or acceptance of failure. Last, is the demanding of interpersonal savvy interaction versus academic debate of the solutions to problems. The problem is communication. Solutions Change culture. Routinely ask and reward the concept of feedback and need for academic debate. Leaders need to practice not just accepting feedback, but giving feedback by mentoring and teaching business methods and practices. Provide and educate on tools to help communicate and collaborate. ITSM, Intranet, Email, IM, Yammer, or phone number to call. Any one or all of these tools should be available within the organization. Establish trust and build confidence with policies on safe harbor, whistleblowing, and non-retaliatory behavior. Incidents should go directly to senior levels and managed justly against the organizations ethics and values policies. #4. Operational Complexity and Inconsistency Increase Security Difficulty. In other words, the more difficult the infrastructure architecture, the more difficult security incidents are to detect. The more entangled and complex the operation is performed, the tougher security events are to detect! Our smartest people have a tendency to over think and over complicate. Everything from poorly thought through technical solutions, quick and dirty fixes to complex problems, to trying to address every possibility, ending up consuming hundreds of hours on the less than 1% situations. Solutions Embrace and evangelize simplicity in the corporate philosophy. Seek out and destroy complexity with Lean or Six Sigma methodology. Business operations and technology teams, alike. Focus internal training on how your business works and reward competency. Everyone needs to understand the basics of the operation, the importance of the product delivered to the customer, and the risks involved conducting business. If unaware of these areas, risks cannot be identified nor can anomalous behavior spotted. Investing in operational knowledge increases technical security peoples capabilities to catch events, else may be disregarded as default or symptomatic. Measure only what is important. Do not measure for the sake of, which is a resource waste. Measure for developing of the baseline so consistency in delivery can be watched and alerted upon. Focusing more on the myriad of measurements and less on the consistent outcomes, the more difficult security incidents become to detect. #5. Information Security is a program: No one person or tool does it all. The InfoSec industry is at full throttle with the media reporting on every security breach that affects our money, our safety, and our security. Wholesale consumer trust has eroded and is hot news. In response, organizations react with security staffing, purchasing and deployment of many security tool sets to report against security policies written. Some organizations expect immediate ROI, putting pressure on security personnel to deliver assurances to business units and customers alike. Where is the evidentiary data and quantification of information security and risk? How many tools or people does it take? Solutions Implement security awareness education and training for everyone. This prevailing advice is simple and advertised for years as common practice, yet many organizations still do not do it. Or, they do not invest enough to make it effective nor measure it over time with testing. Incorporate Information Security methods and practices into the DNA of every Information Technologist in the department. From the help desk to the architect and everyone in between. This knowledge is no longer an InfoSec problem, but a business problem foremost that technology people can help with. Take hard looks at what types of tools and how many before deciding what to invest in. Frankly, this is one area InfoSec tools has the most opportunity to improve. So many tools are singular focused and require other tools for analytics and reporting. Yet, its easy to go nuts with tools that only do one or two things and eat precious budget. Lean on your security vendors to do more and provide more with less . Vote with your dollars, if they dont listen or perform. Technology alone is not the source to blame for security breaches. Its the choices made with our workforce, whether inside a credit union, another financial institution, or any business. Its critical to recognize leadership, people, and knowledge management play the pivotal role in security breach chance possibilities. Nevertheless, those leaders who start with these perspectives first should heed what is said here before you focus on the technology side of the business problem. North Korea's Cyber Soldiers Are Concealed Abroad The growing number of North Korean defectors are revealing more details of how North Korea is trying to adapt to the increasing list of economic sanctions and the opportunities for Internet based misbehavior. Some of these defectors were associated with the North Korean hackers who are, it turns out, mostly based outside North Korea because Internet access is better and operating outside North Korea makes it easier to deny that North Korean hackers are engaged in illegal activity. South Korea has obtained a lot of details about the North Korean hacker operations and recently allowed some defectors familiar with those operations to speak openly about it. The North Korea hacker force consists of about 6,800 personnel but only quarter of these have software programming or engineering skills that enable them to develop and carry out the hacks. The rest are support staff, including many security personnel who monitor hacker activities to ensure loyalty and productivity. Over the last few years more and more of the hackers have been assigned to money raising operations rather than intelligence collection (spying). North Korea needs cash more than secrets and as a result each of these hackers has been bringing in about $100,000 a year in much needed income for North Korea. Alas for the hackers, like most North Koreans working abroad, see little of that money. Most of the foreign operations are in China where the hackers and their support staff live in Spartan conditions and are closely watched. These hackers are aware of how much more valuable their skills would be in South Korea (where some currently are, working for South Korean software firms). Unfortunately, you risk your life (and those of y0ur family) if you try to escape. But some have and some still do. Basing so many of the North Korean hackers in China is partly because there is apparently an arrangement with the Chinese to enable the North Koreans to keep operating in return for favors. In addition to not hacking Chinese networks, or any foreign ones the Chinese consider off-limits, the Chinese receive cash and, more importantly, access to data the hackers obtain. Some hacks attributed to Chinese hackers are apparently carried out by North Korean hackers in order to pay for continued presence in China (and the cooperation of Chinese security forces to prevent North Korean hackers from defecting.) Meanwhile the economic hacks are getting more and more ambitious. For example, a January 2018 hack of a Japanese cryptocurrency exchange got away with half a billion dollars worth of cryptocurrency. The North Koreans are the chief suspects because North Korea prefers to use cryptocurrency to finance their illegal activities ,like smuggling. The cryptocurrency had North Korean fingerprints all over it but that could be faked. American, Japanese and South Korean banking and Internet security investigators are trying to hunt down and halt or at least damage North Korean cryptocurrency operations. Meanwhile South Korea has been the victim of many North Korean hacks and takes an intense interest in what North Korean hackers are up to. And for good reason. For example, in late 2016 South Korean officials revealed that there had indeed been another major North Korean penetration of government Internet networks in August. The government also admitted that the cause was failure of network security officials to adhere to the new security measures that had proved capable to making the networks safer from hackers. In other words, it wasnt a technical failure but a human one. This was quite embarrassing because two months before the August attack South Korean officials revealed that they had discovered and stopped another major Internet based attack on South Korea by North Korean hackers. The proof, as in the past, was more of the text in the hacker software that could be traced back to North Koreans. This hack was extensive and had been going on, largely undetected, since 2014. This campaign was largely against defense industry and government networks and over 40,000 documents have been identified as probably copied and sent to North Korea. Back in 2014 there were indications something like this was coming. In late 2014 South Korean intelligence reported that between May and September North Korea managed to distribute to over 20,000 South Korean smart phone user games containing spy software. The North Korean spyware was seeking information from banks as well as documents relating to reunification plans and defense matters. The spyware allowed the North Koreans to transfer data from the infected smart phone and secretly turn on the camera. The government reported that this effort has since been blocked. North Korea denied any involvement in this, as it usually does. But since 2009 the evidence has been piling up of increasing North Korean Internet based espionage via the Internet. In late 2013 South Korea came up with a number (over $800 million) for the cost of dealing with North Korean cyber-attacks since 2007. The list was quite detailed. The attacks in March and June of 2013 accounted for 93 percent of the total damages. South Korea has been subjected to a growing number of Cyber War attacks since 2009, and the high cost of the 2013 ones showed that the North Koreans were getting better and that South Korea was not keeping up. The 2014 operation against smart phones was the first North Korean effort against smart phones and indicated there would be more and there were. Long believed to be nonexistent, by 2013 it was clear that the North Korean cyber warriors did exist and were not the creation of South Korean intelligence agencies trying to obtain more money to upgrade government Information War defenses. North Korea has had personnel working on Internet issues since the 1990s and their Mirim College program trained most of the North Korean Internet engineers and hackers. North Korea has a unit devoted to Internet based warfare and this unit was increasingly active as the number of Mirim graduates grew. Since the late 1980s, Mirim College was known as a facility that specialized in training electronic warfare specialists. But by the late 1990s the school was found to be also teaching some students how to hack the Internet and other types of networks. Originally named after the district of Pyongyang it was in, the college eventually moved and expanded. It had several name changes but its official name was always Military Camp 144 of the Korean People's Army. Students wore military uniforms and security on the school grounds was strict. Each year 120 students were accepted (from the elite high schools or as transfers from the best universities). Students stayed for 5 years. The school contained 5 departments: electronic engineering, command automation (hacking), programming, technical reconnaissance (electronic warfare), and computer science. There's also a graduate school, with a 3 year course, (resulting in the equivalent of a Masters Degree) for a hundred or so students. The Mirim program has been modified since 2015 and is believed to be producing more graduates each year and in a growing number of specialties. It was long thought that those Mirim College grads were hard at work maintaining the government intranet, not plotting Cyber War against the south. Moreover, for a few years North Korea was allowed to sell programming services to South Korean firms. Not a lot, but the work was competent and cheap. So it was known that there was some software engineering capability north of the DMZ. It was believed that this was being used to raise money for the government up there, not form a major Internet crime operation. But by 2016 there was tangible and growing evidence of North Korean hackers at work in several areas of illegal activity. The Cyber War attacks apparently began around 2005, quietly and nothing too ambitious. But year-by-year, the attacks increased in frequency, intensity, and boldness. By 2009, the North Korean hackers were apparently ready for making major assaults on South Korea's extensive Internet infrastructure, as well as systems (utilities, especially) that are kept off the Internet. Deceased North Korean leader Kim Jong Il had always been a big fan of PCs and electronic gadgets in general. He not only founded Mirim but backed it consistently. The only form of displeasure from Kim was suspicions that those who graduated from 1986 through the early 1990s had been tainted by visits (until 1991) by Russian electronic warfare experts. Some Mirim students also went to Russia to study for a semester or two. All these students were suspected of having become spies for the Russians, and most, if not all, were purged from the Internet hacking program. Thus, it wasn't until the end of the 1990s that there were a sufficient number of trusted Internet experts that could be used to begin building a Cyber War organisation. South Korea has to be wary because they have become more dependent on the web than any other on the planet, with the exception of the United States. As in the past, if the north is to start any new kind of mischief, they try it out on South Korea first. While many of the first serious attacks in 2009 were more annoying than anything else, they revealed a new threat out there, and one that not only got worse but turned out to be from the usual suspects. Now the threat is very real and growing rapidly. Strategy Page: You Might Also Read: Russia Is Providing North Korea With Internet Connectivity: North Koreans Study Bitcoin: Pa. health officials say providers ready to go with COVID-19 boosters Pa. health officials said Tuesday that providers are ready to give booster shots whenever the federal government releases its guidance. Indias Army chief General Bipin Rawat is not someone who usually praises China. However, while speaking at a function in Delhi on March 13, he applauded Beijing's approach of simultaneously enhancing its military prowess with its rapid economic growth. His argument was India should take same approach and increase its military expenditure to provide an enabling environment for the economic growth. The vice chief of Army Staff has also told a parliamentary panel that this years Budget allocation is inadequate for the basic needs of the armed forces. It is understandable when the Army asks for more resources, however, when General Rawat makes comparisons with China he should know that while China spends for its military 1.9 per cent of its gross domestic products (GDP), India spends 2.5 per cent of its GDP. Indias military expenditure of 2.5 per cent of the GDP is also higher than the global average, which is equivalent to 2.2 per cent of the global GDP. General Rawat only sees that India spends on military $55 billion while China spends $225 billion. However, he ignores that fact that Indias GDP is US 2.2 trillion and Chinas GDP has reached to $11.2 trillion. While Indias Army generals are complaining about the Budget allocated to its military, the highly reputed Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) has released the latest data on the volume of international transfers of major weapons. According to SIPRI data, India was the largest importer of major arms in the past five years, single-handedly buying 12 per cent of the global total. Indias arms import has increased 24 per cent in the past five years compared with previous five years. American manufactures are the major beneficiaries of this increased arms import. In the past five years, Indias arms imports from the US has increased more than five times. While Indias arms import has increased substantially, the arms imports of Pakistan, with whom India has fought most of its wars since independence, has decreased by 36 per cent. So, why does the Indian Army still complain over the allocated Budget to the military? In spite of a powerful section of the Indian media always highlighting the countrys slow and tedious process to buy arms from foreign manufacturers, India has been the largest arms purchaser in the world not only for the past five years, but also from the beginning of this century. Since 2000, according to SIPRI data, India has brought arms worth $46.8 billion compared with Chinas $35 billion. Pakistans buying of any foreign military hardware becomes a sensational news in India. However, since 2000, Pakistans total purchase of arms from foreign market is only $14.4 billion. It is not Pakistans army, but the China-Pakistan axis that has become the worry for Indian military. The good relationship between China and Pakistan is not a new development, but what is new is that Indias relations with China has reached a new low in the past two years. For the first time since 1970s, India is seriously worried over the possibility of armed conflict with China. The Modi governments signing of the Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement (LEMOA) with the US, boycotting of Chinas Belt and Road Forum (BRF) meeting and whimsical decision for an unnecessary standoff at Doklam have not only made China an open enemy, but have also given incentives to Beijing to not bond further with Islamabad as well as other key neighbors of India. With achieving rapid economic development, China has not only become almost self-sufficient in producing its own weapons, but also according to the SIPRI data, it has become worlds fifth-largest arms exporter. Its arms export has increased by 38 per cent in the past five years compared to the previous period. Moreover, to add to Indias vulnerabilities, the major importers of Chinese arms are countries in Indias neighborhood. As expected, Pakistan is the main recipient of Chinese arms export. However, countries like Bangladesh and Myanmar are also buying most of their arms from China. In this process, China, as Siemon Wezeman, senior researcher with the SIPRI Arms and Military Expenditure Programme, observes, "continues to strengthen its relations with Pakistan, Bangladesh and Myanmar through arms supplies". As SIPRI data clearly says, India is not behind any country in buying its weapons. But, by buying more arms a country does not get peace and security. If that would have been the case, the West Asian region would have been the most peaceful region in the world and Saudi Arabia would have been most secured nation on earth. When a countrys security is focused on buying more arms, this strategy rather buys more insecurity and vulnerabilities. As Jan Eliasson, former deputy secretary general of the UN and the present chair of the SIPRI governing board, rightly warns, The increased flow of arms raises concerns over their impact on international peace and security. To feel secure, a country needs to know not only how powerful is its militarily, but also how strong its enemy states are. A smart foreign policy is a critical security provider for the country. Indian Army is feeling vulnerable these days not because of less purchase of arms by the country, but because it faces a real threat of fighting war simultaneously on two fronts while the country is increasingly feeling lonely in the region. For this increased insecurity, it is not the lack of arms, but the failed foreign policy of the Modi government that is to be blamed. Also read: How Modi is using patriotism bogey to justify Indias arms race Consider this ironic and anomalous situation. Lok Sabha speaker Sumitra Mahajan did not allow the two no-confidence motions - by the YSR Congress and the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) - against the government on Friday (March 16) on the ground that the House was in disorder. She, however, allowed the passage of the Finance Bill, 2018 on March 13, without discussion when the House was as disorderly" as it was on Friday. The March 13 exercise lasted just 30 minutes and allowed the government to draw Rs 80,000 crore from the Consolidated Fund of India (Rs 57 lakh crore), the governments total revenue. It's not a rosy situation for a country like India which takes pride in its democracy to see a key legislation like the finance bill (Union Budget) being passed by Parliament without any discussion. This hasn't happened for the first time and there's no guarantee that it won't happen again. On the contrary, the unfortunate thing is that it has become a well-established parliamentary practice. The Modi government has done this second time in a row. But the unfortunate aspect is that previous governments too have done so before. What happened on March 13 belittled Parliament and made a mockery of the taxpayers when the Lok Sabha passed the bill in 30 minutes without debate, funding demands from 99 ministries and departments, including two bills (Finance Bill, 2018, and the Appropriation Bill, 2018) and 218 amendments. The speaker resorted to the frequently used parliamentary procedure guillotine which facilitated passage of grants without discussion. Mahajan was perfectly within her rights as the speaker can apply the guillotine on the last day of the period prescribed for discussions on the demands for grants and conclude discussions on financial proposals within the time specified. After the speaker invokes the guillotine, the House has to mandatorily vote on all outstanding demands for grants without discussion. An important fact in this context is that the guillotine was used to pass all demands only twice before in 18 years. One should also not forget the fact that this time the demand for grants guillotined without discussion was much higher than in the past because now the railway budget is merged with the general budget. Most important amendment: Foreign funding to political parties Of all the 218 amendments in the two money bills, perhaps the most crucial pertains to foreign funding to political parties which will allow them to escape scrutiny with retrospective effect for 42 years. This amendment legalises all foreign funding to political parties over 42 years and insulates the parties from judicial inquiry. No prizes for guessing that the biggest beneficiaries of the retrospective move would be the BJP and the Congress, both of which have been receiving foreign funding. Incidentally, the Delhi High Court had recently held the Congress and the BJP for receiving foreign funds from two subsidiaries of UK-based company Vedanta. Does it not show that the two parties, the BJP and the Congress, are hand in gloves? The amendment, approved with retrospective effect (or to be precise, from August 5, 1976), ensures that the Congress quietly looks the other way and doesn't make a song and dance about it. Significantly, the amendment comes at a time when electoral bonds, announced in last year's Budget, are scheduled to launch on April 1, supposedly to make the present electoral system more transparent. But what kind of transparency can one expect from electoral bonds wherein donors and political parties are guaranteed anonymity. Yes, there is a cap on the amount the donors can donate - just Rs 2,000. But there is no cap on the number of times this amount of Rs 2,000 can be donated. Thus, the same donor can make repeated donations of Rs 2,000, maybe 2,000 times or even 20,000 times. Then there is another big concern about the electoral bonds which make them a leaking bucket. Even loss-making companies can be the donors which is a perfect recipe of financial disaster and mismanagement as this would inevitably trigger mushrooming of shell companies. Some other important demands passed by voice vote on March 13 are as follows: A long-term capital gains tax wherein investors will now have to pay 10 per cent tax on profits from shares sold, even if they have had these shares for more than a year. Salary hikes for president, governors and MPs. It's indeed very strange and painful to see that the Opposition to compromise on their most important part of legislative work every year, debate on finance bill, and allowed the government to pass it without a debate. It's beyond comprehension that the Opposition was more keen on discussing the Rs 18,000-crore PNB fraud rather than the Union Budget for the next year which impacts every single citizen of the country. In doing so, the Opposition has completely abdicated its responsibilities and helped the government in doing whatever it wanted without any discussion or a meaningful debate. A big reason for the Oppositions collusion with the government is that these parties too are big gainers in the election year by amending rules for foreign funding. Also read: Andhra Pradesh special status: Why the BJP couldn't care less about the TDP exit from NDA A week is a long time in politics, to quote former British prime minister Harold Wilson. The euphoria over BJPs successful march into Indias northeastern states had barely dissipated when the results of a couple of by-elections in Uttar Pradesh were declared on March 14. The by-election results in Uttar Pradesh has thrown up a huge challenge for the Hindu nationalist party, which has been coasting from one election victory to the other, of late. In what could potentially become a template for Opposition parties across the country to emulate, the primary Opposition parties came together at the last minute to wrest crucial Lok Sabha seats from the ruling party. That BJP lost both Gorakhpur and Phulpur, vacated by incumbent chief minister Yogi Adityanath and his deputy Keshav Prasad Maurya respectively, within a year of sweeping the Assembly elections portends a major churning in Indias most populous state. Uttar Pradesh is also crucial in determining the eventual winner of the general elections just a year away. It is unusual for a party to lose crucial elections in what is considered the "honeymoon period" for any government. More so, after winning as convincingly as the BJP did in 2017. Apart from the numerical strength of the Opposition, this should also be seen as a reflection of major discontent prevailing on the ground. If the BJP could maintain a 50 per cent-plus vote share as they did in both these seats in 2014, even a coming together of everyone else would not have mattered. But 2014 verdict was also a reflection of the Modi wave prevailing in north India. In 2014, the BJP won 42 per cent to ensure a near-sweep against a fragmented Opposition. The BJP ended up with 71 of the 80 seats while its ally Apna Dal won another couple of seats to take their tally to 73. That was almost 10 per cent more than the votes the BJP polled at the height of the Ramjanmabhoomi movement. It was also a result of social engineering in eastern UP where it accommodated splinter groups of the Bahujan Samaj Party, including the Om Prakash Rajbhar-led Suheldev Bhartiya Samaj Party and the Sonelal Patel-founded Apna Dal. While the BSP was floated in 1984 by Kanshi Ram to unite the "Bahujans" (Sheduled Castes, Sheduled Tribes and OBCs), it gradually attained a Dalit character marginalising other backward communities, including the Nishads, Rajbhars and Kurmis after Mayawati gained control of the party. In the 2017 Assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh, apart from the BJP, the BSP and the SP-Congress alliance, there was a little known Mahagadbandhan mainly in contention in eastern Uttar Pradesh comprising the Nishad Party, Peace Party, Apna Dal faction led by Krishna Patel and Jan Adhikar Manch floated by Babu Khushwaha. These OBC parties massively cut into the votes of the Opposition making the BJPs win easier in much of eastern UP. Uttar Pradesh has a backward caste population of 39 per cent and only 9 pe rcent of them are the Yadavs (who vote en bloc for the Samajwadi Party). Even the Peace Party, that won four seats in 2012, is backed by backward (Pasmanda) Muslims. Akhilesh Yadav seems to have learnt his lesson after burning his fingers with an unwieldy alliance with the Congress in 2017. His correct analysis of the 2017 results led him to offer the Samajwadi Party ticket to Nishad Party founder Sanjay Nishads son Praveen Kumar Nishad in Gorakhpur. The sizeable population of Nishads in the constituency was also factored in. Even in 2014, both SP and BSP had fielded Nishads against Adityanath. With BSPs convention of not contesting by-polls adding to the SP chances, the election decisively swung when Mayawati offered support to the SP candidates and asked her zonal coordinators to work towards ensuring transfer of votes. The BJP was probably caught off guard at this eleventh-hour strategy. The cadre party that BSP is, votes got easily transferred as it also reflected the general sentiment prevailing among the demoralised cadre. Twenty five years after Mulayam Singh Yadav and Kanshi Ram stitched together an SP-BSP alliance in 1993 to halt the BJP juggernaut shortly after the demolition of the Babri Masjid, history was repeated once again on March 14. It is another matter whether the SP and the BSP can sustain this to try and stop the BJP from coming back to power in 2019. Its definitely possible if they emulate the Bihar model in 2015, that propelled the JDU-RJD-Congress alliance to a win. This is also an alliance that Kanshi Ram would originally have envisaged when he founded a party for "Bahujans". The Congress has emerged as the biggest loser in the process with both their candidates forfeiting their deposits. The Congress has no base left in the state and has become irrelevant beyond their pocket boroughs. It was telling that Akhilesh Yadav thanked the NCP, RLD and even the Communists, apart from Mayawati at the press conference on March 14. Its time the Congress saw the bigger picture and how they jettisoned the chances of DMK in Tamil Nadu and to some extent the SP in Uttar Pradesh by cornering a larger share of seats than they commanded. Statistics bear me out when I say that the DMK had a better strike rate than the AIADMK in the 2016 Assembly elections in Tamil Nadu. Nothing could have gone worse for Yogi Adityanath with his governments first anniversary just days away. His ability as a vote-catcher and administrator will both be disputed after this humiliation. The BJP-RSS dynamic in the aftermath of this result would also be interesting as Adityanath owes his position to the RSS. Only a week ago, Suresh (Bhaiyyaji) Joshi was renominated as the sarkaryawah (general secretary) denying another opportunity to the Modi-backed sah-sarkaryawah Dattatreya Hosabale to assume the executive position in the RSS. In any case, Amit Shah cannot be underestimated, and the BJP should come up with a strategy to counter the formation of a grand alliance against it. From government investigative agencies to falling back on the ultimate card of "divide and rule (polarisation)" devised by the British, interesting days are ahead for Uttar Pradesh as well as the nation. Also read: Let's not predict Lok Sabha polls 2019 The latest report of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on defence makes for very disturbing reading. According to the report, nearly 70 per cent of the equipment in possession of the Army can be categorised as "vintage". Normally, this should not be more than 33 per cent. The state-of-the-art equipment which should be also 33 per cent is only around 8 per cent. The report reveals the scandalous financial strangulation of the armed forces by successive governments that has not only affected the modernisation of the armed forces but worse, affected defence preparedness of the country. The situation is fast reaching a point where, forget about initiating any action against the enemy, India will find itself hard-pressed to even defend itself against any adventurism by the enemy. While India might still be a little ahead of the curve when it comes to Pakistan, it is falling alarmingly behind the curve both qualitatively and quantitatively when it comes to China. Dismal state None of this should really surprise us. Successive army chiefs, just before demitting office, have written to the prime ministers apprising them of the deficiencies faced by the army. Normally this communication is secret but every once in a while it gets leaked. For example, in 2012, just before retirement, Gen VK Singh wrote a letter to Manmohan Singh informing him of the dismal state of affairs in the army almost obsolete air defence, serious ammunition shortages for tanks, ill-equipped infantry and Special Forces lacking essential equipment. That this was the state of affairs more than a decade after the Kargil War, which in the words of the then army chief Gen VP Malik, the army fought with what we have speaks volumes for the commitment of the political and bureaucratic class to the defence of the country. And yet, it is almost as though no one cares. While all political parties are quick off the blocks when it comes to flag-waving, none of them are ready to devote the resources required to keep the flag flying. Every finance minister parrots a standard line: constraints will not come in the way of providing any additional requirement for the security of the nation. Clearly, this is nothing but a tacit acknowledgment that the defence forces have been denied the resources they require to secure India. The bottom line is that to prevent a war you have to prepare for one, but that has to happen before and not after a war starts. India, however, has made it a habit to provision its forces after a shooting match starts. This happened not just at the time of the Kargil war but also in 2017 after the situation on both the western and eastern borders became very tense around the time of the Doklam crisis and the army went in for emergency purchases of ammunition, stores and spares. For some strange reason, despite the experience of 1962, 1965 and Kargil, it appears that the Indian policy makers are unable to comprehend that wars dont always come after giving adequate notice. Perhaps, Indian defence planners and policymakers prefer to live in denial. Closing gap The result is that over the last decade Pakistan is steadily closing the gap with India, while China is exponentially increasing the gap with India. Many people in India take umbrage over questions being raised or exposure being made of gaps in Indias defence preparedness. But silence doesnt solve the problem. The morale of the troops suffers less from revelations about the glaring gaps in readiness and more from the failure to fill these gaps. It now appears that even the Army Chief, who in June last had claimed that Indian Army is fully ready for a two and a half front war, has since then backtracked and started saying that India needs to be prepared for a two-front war. There is, however, a world of a difference between being fully ready and the need to be ready. While the former is needless grandstanding, best avoided if you are going to fight on empty, the latter is unexceptionable because the strategic environment that is developing around India doesnt rule out a two front situation, for which India needs to prepare, yesterday and not tomorrow. Political morass But India will never be able to meet the challenge of an external two-front war until it is first victorious against the domestic one-front the moribund defence bureaucracy that is more interested in bean-counting, mindless hairsplitting and a politico-bureaucratic decision-making process in which everything but decisions are made, and when made, either not implemented or else implemented after years, even decades. There is, at the same time, a crying need for reform in the defence forces also, not just in terms of force structures, but also operational doctrines, tactics and strategies. While no defence force in the world ever gets everything it wants, or even needs, there is hardly a defence force of any major country in the world that suffers from the debilitating bureaucratic and political morass faced by the Indian armed forces. Therefore, until India gets its act together, it must do everything possible to avoid a two-front situation from becoming a reality. Given the current state of affairs, the move to try and cool things down with China is the sensible and pragmatic thing to do. (Courtesy of Mail Today) Also read: If our pain isn't seen, where do we go? AXA SA, through its subsidiaries, provides insurance and asset management services worldwide. It operates in six segments: France, Europe, Asia, AXA XL, International, and Transversal & Central Holdings. The company offers a range of insurance products, including life and savings, property and casualty, and health. Its products include motor, household, property and general liability insurance, banking, savings vehicles, and other investment-based products for personal/individual and commercial/group customers, as well as health, protection, and retirement products for individual or professional customers. 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The company also offers E-rescue on motor assistance, a self-service digital application; Home Manager, a digital application that provides customers with regular updates on the progress of emergency claims; health assistance services; and Travel Eye that provides travel assistance services. The company was founded in 1852 and is headquartered in Paris, France. Read More Reinsurance Group of America, Inc. is a holding company, which engages in the provision of traditional and non-traditional life and health reinsurance products. It operates through the following segments: U.S. and Latin America; Canada; Europe, Middle East, and Africa; Asia Pacific; and Corporate and Other. The U.S. and Latin America segment markets individual and group life and health reinsurance to domestic clients for a variety of products through yearly renewable term agreements, coinsurance, and modified coinsurance. The Canada segment offers individual life reinsurance, and to a lesser extent creditor, group life and health, critical illness and disability reinsurance, through yearly renewable term and coinsurance agreements. The Europe, Middle East, and Africa segment serves individual and group life and health products through yearly renewable term and coinsurance agreements, reinsurance of critical illness coverage that provides a benefit in the event of the diagnosis of a pre-defined critical illness and underwritten annuities. The Asia Pacific segment comprises individual and group life and health reinsurance, critical illness coverage, disability, and superannuation thr Read More The following companies are subsidiares of Franklin Resources: AdvisorEngine, AdvisorEngine Inc., Alumcreek Holdings LLC, Athena Capital Advisors, Balanced Equity Management, Balanced Equity Management Pty. 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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. Allergan plc, a pharmaceutical company, develops, manufactures, and commercializes branded pharmaceutical, device, biologic, surgical, and regenerative medicine products worldwide. The company operates in three segments: US Specialized Therapeutics, US General Medicine, and International. It offers a portfolio of products in various therapeutic areas, including medical aesthetics and dermatology, eye care, neuroscience, urology, gastrointestinal, women's health, and anti-infective therapeutic products. The company also offers breast implants and tissue expanders; and RM-131 (relamorelin), a peptide ghrelin agonist for the treatment of diabetic gastroparesis. In addition, it develops medical and cosmetic treatments; therapies for non-alcoholic steatohepatitis and other liver diseases; inhibitor for the treatment of psoriasis and other autoimmune disorders; atopic dermatitis drug candidate; peri-ocular rings for extended drug delivery and reducing elevated intraocular pressure in glaucoma patients; and treatments for neurodegenerative disorders, including Alzheimer's disease. Further, the company develops RST-001, a novel gene therapy for the treatment of retinitis pigmentosa; small molecule therapeutics for inflammatory and fibrotic diseases; topical medicines for fat reduction; and delivery system and botulinum toxin-based prescription products. It has collaboration, option, and license agreement with Lyndra, Inc.; and strategic alliance and option agreement with Editas Medicine, Inc. Allergan plc also has licensing agreements with Assembly Biosciences, Inc.; MedImmune; and Heptares Therapeutics, Ltd. The company was formerly known as Actavis plc and changed its name to Allergan plc in June 2015. Allergan plc was founded in 1983 and is headquartered in Dublin, Ireland. Read More KapStone Paper and Packaging Corporation produces and sells a range of containerboards, corrugated products, and specialty paper products in the United States and internationally. The company operates in two segments, Paper and Packaging, and Distribution. The Paper and Packaging segment offers containerboards consisting of linerboard and corrugated medium to manufacture corrugated containers for packaging products; and corrugated products. It also offers specialty paper products, including kraft paper, such as multiwall paper used to produce bags for agricultural products, pet food, baking products, cement and chemicals; specialty products comprising shingle wraps, end caps, roll wraps, and dunnage bags; and lightweight paper. In addition, this segment provides saturating kraft paper under the Durasorb trade name for use in construction, electronics manufacturing, and furniture manufacturing industries; and unbleached folding carton board under the Kraftpak trade name to integrated and independent converters in the folding carton industry. The Distribution segment distributes corrugated and other specialty packaging products consisting of stretch films, void fills, carton sealing tapes, and other specialty tapes. KapStone Paper and Packaging Corporation was founded in 2005 and is headquartered in Northbrook, Illinois. Read More The following companies are subsidiares of American International Group: AGC Life Insurance Company, AIG APAC HOLDINGS PTE. LTD., AIG Advisors S.r.l., AIG Aerospace Insurance Services Inc., AIG Asia Pacific Insurance Pte. Ltd., AIG Asset Management (Europe) Limited, AIG Asset Management (U.S.) LLC, AIG Assurance Company, AIG Australia Limited, AIG Brazil Holding I LLC, AIG CIS Investments LLC, AIG Canada Holdings Inc., AIG Capital Corporation, AIG Capital Services Inc., AIG Claims Inc., AIG Egypt Insurance Company S.A.E., AIG Employee Services Inc., AIG Europe (Services) Limited, AIG Europe Holdings S.a.rl., AIG Europe S.A., AIG Federal Savings Bank, AIG Financial Products Corp., AIG General Insurance Co. Ltd., AIG Global Asset Management Holdings Corp., AIG Global Real Estate Investment Corp., AIG Global Reinsurance Operations, AIG Holdings Europe Limited, AIG Insurance (Thailand) Public Company Limited, AIG Insurance Company China Limited, AIG Insurance Company JSC, AIG Insurance Company of Canada, AIG Insurance Company-Puerto Rico, AIG Insurance Hong Kong Limited, AIG Insurance Limited, AIG Insurance Management Services Inc., AIG Insurance New Zealand Limited, AIG International Holdings GmbH, AIG Investments UK Limited, AIG Israel Insurance Company Ltd, AIG Japan Holdings Kabushiki Kaisha, AIG Kenya Insurance Company Limited, AIG Korea Inc., AIG Latin America I.I., AIG Latin America Investments S.L., AIG Lebanon SAL, AIG Life Holdings Inc., AIG Life Insurance Company (Switzerland) Ltd, AIG Life Limited, AIG Life South Africa Limited, AIG Life of Bermuda Ltd., AIG MEA Holdings Limited, AIG MEA Limited, AIG Malaysia Insurance Berhad, AIG Markets Inc., AIG Matched Funding Corp., AIG PC Global Services Inc., AIG Philippines Insurance Inc., AIG Property Casualty Company, AIG Property Casualty Inc., AIG Property Casualty International LLC, AIG Property Casualty U.S. Inc., AIG Re-Takaful (L) Berhad, AIG Resseguros Brasil S.A., AIG Seguros Brasil S.A., AIG Seguros Mexico S.A. de C.V., AIG Shared Services Corporation, AIG South Africa Limited, AIG Specialty Insurance Company, AIG Technologies Inc., AIG Travel Asia Pacific Pte. Ltd., AIG Travel Assist Inc., AIG Travel Assist Malaysia Sdn. Bhd., AIG Travel EMEA Limited, AIG Travel Inc., AIG Uganda Limited, AIG Vietnam Insurance Company Limited, AIG WarrantyGuard Inc., AIG-FP Pinestead Holdings Corp., AIG-Metropolitana Cia. de Seguros y Reaseguros S.A., AIGGRE EOLA LLC, AIGGRE Europe Real Estate Fund I GP S.a r.l., AIGGRE U.S. Real Estate Fund I GP LLC, AIGGRE U.S. Real Estate Fund I LP, AIGGRE U.S. Real Estate Fund II GP LLC, AIU Insurance Company, AM Holdings LLC, Ageas Protect, AlphaCat Managers Ltd., American General Corporation, American General Life Insurance Company, American Home Assurance Co. Ltd., American Home Assurance Company, American Home Assurance Company Escritorio de Representacao no Brasil Ltda., American International Group Inc., American International Group UK Limited, American International Overseas Association, American International Overseas Limited, American International Realty Corp., American International Reinsurance Company Ltd., American International Underwriters del Ecuador-Holding S.A., American Security Life Insurance Company Limited, Arthur J. Glatfelter Agency Inc., Avondhu Limited, Blackboard Customer Care Insurance Services LLC, Blackboard Insurance Company, Blackboard Services LLC, Blackboard Specialty Insurance Company, Blackboard U.S. Holdings Inc., Chartis Takaful Enaya B.S.C. (c), Commerce and Industry Insurance Company, Crop Risk Services Inc., Eaglestone Reinsurance Company, Ellipse, Fortitude Group Holdings LLC, Fortitude Life & Annuity Solutions Inc., Fortitude Reinsurance Company Ltd., Franklin Life Insurance Company, Fuji Fire and Marine, Glatfelter Insurance Group, Globe and Rutgers Insurance Group, Grand Isle SAC Limited, Granite State Insurance Company, Group Risk Services Limited, Group Risk Technologies Limited, Illinois National Insurance Co., Jefferson Eola Venture LLC, Johannesburg Insurance Holdings (Proprietary) Limited, Laya Healthcare Limited, Lexington Insurance Company, MG Reinsurance Limited, Mt. Mansfield Company Inc., National Union Fire Insurance Company of Pittsburgh Pa., National Union Fire Insurance Company of Vermont, New Hampshire Insurance Company, PT AIG Insurance Indonesia, Pine Street Real Estate Holdings Corp., Private Joint-Stock Company AIG Ukraine Insurance Company, Risk Specialists Companies Insurance Agency Inc., SA Affordable Housing LLC, SAFG Retirement Services Inc., Service Net Warranty LLC, Stratford Insurance Company, SunAmerica Affordable Housing Partners Inc., SunAmerica Asset Management LLC, Talbot Holdings Ltd., Talbot Underwriting Holdings Ltd., Talbot Underwriting Ltd., Thai CIT Holding Company Limited, The Insurance Company of the State of Pennsylvania, The United States Life Insurance Company in the City of New York, The Variable Annuity Life Insurance Company, Travel Guard, Travel Guard Group Canada Inc./Groupe Garde Voyage du Canada Inc., Travel Guard Group Inc., Tudor Insurance Company, VALIC Financial Advisors Inc., Valic Retirement Services Company, Validus Holdings, Validus Holdings (UK) Ltd., Validus Holdings Ltd., Validus Reinsurance (Switzerland) Ltd, Validus Reinsurance Ltd., Validus Ventures Ltd., Volunteer Firemen's Insurance Services Inc., Western World Insurance Company, and Western World Insurance Group Inc.. The following companies are subsidiares of Kellogg: 545 LLC, AQFTM Inc., Afical - Industria e Comercio de Alimentos Ltda, Afical Holding LLC, Alimentos Gollek S.A., Alimentos Kellogg S.A., Alimentos Kellogg de Panama SRL, Argkel Inc., Austin Quality Foods Inc., BDH Inc., Bear Naked Inc., Bisco Misr, CC Real Estate Holdings LLC, Canada Holding LLC, Cary Land Corporation, Eighteen94 Capital LLC, Favorite Food Products Limited, Gardenburger LLC, Gollek Argentina S.R.L., Gollek B.V., Gollek Inc., Gollek Interamericas S. de R.L. de C.V., Gollek Servicios S.C., Gollek UK Limited, Illinois Baking Corporation, Instituto De Nutricion y Salud Kellogg A.C., Insurgent Brands LLC, K (China) Limited, K Europe Holding Company Limited, K India Private Limited, K-One Inc., K-Two Inc., KBAR SRL, KECL LLC, KELF Limited, KJAL Limited, KPAR Limited, KT International Finance SRL, KTRY Limited, Kashi Company, Kashi Company Pty Ltd, Kashi Sales L.L.C., Keebler Company, Keebler Foods Company, Keebler Holding Corp., Keebler USA Inc., Kelarg Inc., Kelcone Limited, Kelcorn Limited, Kellman S. de R.L. de C.V., Kellogg (Aust.) Pty. Ltd., Kellogg (Deutschland) GmbH, Kellogg (Japan) G.K., Kellogg (Osterreich) Gesellschaft GmbH, Kellogg (Schweiz) GmbH, Kellogg (Thailand) Limited, Kellogg Activation Services Company, Kellogg Argentina S.R.L., Kellogg Asia Inc., Kellogg Asia Marketing Inc., Kellogg Asia Pacific Pte. Ltd., Kellogg Asia Products Sdn.. Bhd., Kellogg Asia Sdn. Bhd., Kellogg Australia Holdings Pty. Ltd., Kellogg Belgium Services Company BVBA, Kellogg Brasil Inc., Kellogg Brasil Ltda., Kellogg Business Services Company, Kellogg Canada Inc., Kellogg Caribbean Inc., Kellogg Caribbean Services Company Inc., Kellogg Chile Inc., Kellogg Company East Africa Limited, Kellogg Company Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Kellogg Company Subsidiaries, Kellogg Company of Great Britain Limited, Kellogg Company of Ireland Limited, Kellogg Company of South Africa (Pty.) Ltd., Kellogg Costa Rica S. de R.L., Kellogg Ecuador C. LTDA., Kellogg El Salvador Ltda. de C.V., Kellogg Espana S.L., Kellogg Europe Company Limited, Kellogg Europe Finance Limited, Kellogg Europe Services Limited, Kellogg Europe Trading Limited, Kellogg Europe Treasury Services Limited, Kellogg European Logistics Services Company Limited, Kellogg European Support Services SRL, Kellogg Fearn Inc., Kellogg Funding Company LLC, Kellogg Group LLC, Kellogg Group Limited, Kellogg Group S.a.r.l., Kellogg Hellas Single Member Limited Liability Company, Kellogg Holding Company Limited, Kellogg Holding LLC, Kellogg Hong Kong Holding Company Limited, Kellogg Hong Kong Private Limited, Kellogg India Private Limited, Kellogg International Holding Company, Kellogg Irish Holding Limited, Kellogg Italia S.p.A., Kellogg Kayco, Kellogg Latin America Holding Company (One) Limited, Kellogg Latin America Holding Company (Two) Limited, Kellogg Latvia Inc., Kellogg Lux I S.ar.l., Kellogg Lux III S. ar L., Kellogg Lux V S.a.r.l., Kellogg Lux VI S.ar.l., Kellogg Management Services (Europe) Limited, Kellogg Manchester Limited, Kellogg Manufacturing Espana S.L., Kellogg Marketing and Sales Company (UK) Limited, Kellogg Med Gida Ticaret Limited SirketiI, Kellogg Netherlands Holding B.V., Kellogg North America Company, Kellogg Northern Europe GmbH, Kellogg Pakistan (Private) Limted, Kellogg Rus LLC, Kellogg Sales Company, Kellogg Services GmbH, Kellogg Servicios S.C., Kellogg Snacks Financing Limited, Kellogg Snacks Holding Company Europe Limited, Kellogg Superannuation Pty. Ltd., Kellogg Supply Services (Europe) Limited, Kellogg Talbot LLC, Kellogg Transition MA&P L.L.C., Kellogg Treasury Services Company, Kellogg U.K. Holding Company Limited, Kellogg UK Minor Limited, Kellogg USA LLC, Kellogg de Centro America S.A., Kellogg de Colombia S.A., Kellogg de Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Kellogg de Peru S.R.L., Kellogg's Produits Alimentaires S.A.S., Kelmill Limited, Kelpac Limited, Klux A Sarl, Klux B Sarl, Mass Food, Mass Food International SAE, Mass Food SAE, Mass Trade for Trade and Distribution SAE, McCamly Plaza Hotel Inc., Multipro Consumer Products Limited*, Multipro Private Limited*, Multipro Singapore Pte. Ltd*, Nhong Shim Kellogg Co. Ltd.*, Nikko Industries*, Nordisk Kellogg's ApS, PRUX S.a r.l., Padua Ltda, Parati Group, Parati Industria e Comercio de Alimentos Ltda, Portable Foods Manufacturing Company Limited, Prime Bond Cyprus Holding Company Limited, Prime Bond Holdings Limited, Pringles, Pringles (Shanghai) Food Co. Ltd., Pringles Australia Pty Ltd, Pringles Hong Kong Limited, Pringles International Operations Sarl, Pringles Japan G.K., Pringles LLC, Pringles Manufacturing Company, Pringles Overseas Holdings Sarl, Pringles S.a r.l., Pronumex S de R.L. de C.V., RX Bar UK Limited, RXBRANDS Canada ULC, Ritmo Investimentos, Rondo Food Manufacturing S.A.E., RxBar, Saragusa Frozen Foods Limited, Servicios Argkel S.C., Shaffer Clarke & Co. Inc., Specialty Cereals Pty Limited, Specialty Foods L.L.C., Stretch Fibres*, Stretch Island Fruit Sales L.L.C., Sunshine Biscuits L.L.C., The Eggo Company, The Healthy Snack People Pty Limited, Trafford Park Insurance Limited, Uma Investments sp. z o.o., Vita+ Naturprodukte GmbH*, Wimble Manufacturing Belgium BVBA, Wimble Services Belgium BVBA, and Worthington Foods Inc.. First American Financial Corp. operates as an insurance company. It provides title insurance and settlement services to the real estate and mortgage industries. The company operates its business through the following segments: Title Insurance & Services and Specialty Insurance. The Title Insurance & Services segment provides title insurance, escrow, closing services and similar or related financial services domestically and internationally in connection with residential and commercial real estate transactions. It also maintains, manages and provides access to title plant records and images and provides banking, trust and investment advisory services. The Specialty Insurance segment issues property & casualty insurance policies and sells home warranty products. It also provides title plant management services, which include title and other real property records and images, valuation products and services, home warranty products, property and casualty insurance and banking, trust and investment advisory services. First American Financial was founded in January, 2008 and is headquartered in Santa Ana, CA. Read More The following companies are subsidiares of Abbott Laboratories: 3A Nutrition (Vietnam) Company Limited, ABON Biopharm (Hangzhou) Co. Ltd., AGA Medical Belgium, AGA Medical Corporation, AGA Medical Holdings Inc., ALR Holdings, AML Medical LLC, APK Advanced Medical Technologies LLC, ATS Bermuda Holdings Limited, ATS Laboratories Inc., Abbott, Abbott (Jiaxing) Nutrition Co. Ltd., Abbott (UK) Finance Limited, Abbott (UK) Holdings Limited, Abbott AG, Abbott Asia Holdings Limited, Abbott Asia Investments Limited, Abbott Australasia Holdings Limited, Abbott Australasia Pty Ltd, Abbott B.V., Abbott Bahamas Overseas Businesses Corporation, Abbott Belgian Investments, Abbott Bermuda Holding Ltd., Abbott Biologicals B.V., Abbott Biologicals LLC, Abbott Bulgaria Luxembourg S.a r.l., Abbott Capital India Limited, Abbott Cardiovascular Inc., Abbott Cardiovascular Systems Inc., Abbott Delaware LLC, Abbott Diabetes Care Inc., Abbott Diabetes Care Limited, Abbott Diabetes Care Sales Corporation, Abbott Diagnostics GmbH, Abbott Diagnostics International Ltd., Abbott Diagnostics Technologies AS, Abbott Doral Investments S.L., Abbott Equity Holdings Unlimited, Abbott Equity Investments LLC, Abbott Established Products Holdings (Gibraltar) Limited, Abbott Finance Company SA, Abbott Financial Holdings SRL, Abbott France S.A.S., Abbott Fund Tanzania Limited, Abbott Gesellschaft m.b.H., Abbott GmbH & Co. KG, Abbott Health Products LLC, Abbott Healthcare (Puerto Rico) Ltd., Abbott Healthcare B.V., Abbott Healthcare Costa Rica S.A., Abbott Healthcare LLC, Abbott Healthcare Luxembourg S.a r.l., Abbott Healthcare Private Limited, Abbott Healthcare Products B.V., Abbott Healthcare Products Ltd, Abbott Holding (Gibraltar) Limited, Abbott Holding GmbH, Abbott Holding Subsidiary (Gibraltar) Limited, Abbott Holding Subsidiary (Gibraltar) Limited Luxembourg S.C.S., Abbott Holdings B.V., Abbott Holdings LLC, Abbott Holdings Limited, Abbott Holdings Poland Spoka z ograniczona odpowiedzialnoscia, Abbott Hungary Korlatolt Felelossegu Tarsasag, Abbott Iberian Investments (2) Limited, Abbott Iberian Investments Limited, Abbott India Limited, Abbott Informatics Asia Pacific Limited, Abbott Informatics Canada Inc, Abbott Informatics Corporation, Abbott Informatics Europe Limited, Abbott Informatics France, Abbott Informatics Germany GmbH, Abbott Informatics Netherlands B.V., Abbott Informatics Singapore Pte. Limited, Abbott Informatics Spain S.A., Abbott Informatics Technologies Ltd, Abbott International Corporation, Abbott International Enterprises Ltd., Abbott International Holdings Limited, Abbott International LLC, Abbott International Luxembourg S.ar.l., Abbott Investments Luxembourg S.a r.l., Abbott Ireland, Abbott Ireland Financing Designated Activity Company, Abbott Ireland Limited, Abbott Japan Co. Ltd., Abbott Kazakhstan Limited Liability Partnership, Abbott Knoll Investments B.V., Abbott Korea Limited, Abbott Laboratories (Bangladesh) Limited, Abbott Laboratories (Chile) Holdco (Dos) SpA, Abbott Laboratories (Chile) Holdco SpA, Abbott Laboratories (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd., Abbott Laboratories (Mozambique) Limitada, Abbott Laboratories (Pakistan) Limited, Abbott Laboratories (Philippines), Abbott Laboratories (Puerto Rico) Incorporated, Abbott Laboratories (Singapore) Private Limited, Abbott Laboratories A/S, Abbott Laboratories Argentina Sociedad Anonima, Abbott Laboratories B.V., Abbott Laboratories C.A., Abbott Laboratories Finance B.V., Abbott Laboratories GmbH, Abbott Laboratories Inc., Abbott Laboratories International LLC, Abbott Laboratories Ireland Limited, Abbott Laboratories Limited, Abbott Laboratories Limited - Laboratoires Abbott Limitee, Abbott Laboratories NZ Limited, Abbott Laboratories Pacific Ltd., Abbott Laboratories Poland Spoka z ograniczona odpowiedzialnoscia, Abbott Laboratories Products B.V., Abbott Laboratories Residential Development Fund Inc., Abbott Laboratories S.A., Abbott Laboratories SA, Abbott Laboratories Services Corp., Abbott Laboratories Slovakia s.r.o., Abbott Laboratories South Africa (Pty) Ltd., Abbott Laboratories Trading (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Abbott Laboratories Trustee Company Limited, Abbott Laboratories Uruguay S.A., Abbott Laboratories Vascular Enterprises, Abbott Laboratories d.o.o., Abbott Laboratories de Chile Limitada, Abbott Laboratories de Colombia S.A., Abbott Laboratories de Mexico S.A. de C.V., Abbott Laboratories druzba za farmacijo in diagnostiko d.o.o., Abbott Laboratories s.r.o., Abbott Laboratories(Hellas) Societe Anonyme, Abbott Laboratorios S.A., Abbott Laboratorios S.A., Abbott Laboratorios del Ecuador Cia. Ltda., Abbott Laboratuarlari Ithalat Ihracat ve Ticaret Ltd.Sti, Abbott Laboratorios Lda, Abbott Laboratorios do Brasil Ltda., Abbott Limited Egypt LLC, Abbott Logistics B.V., Abbott Management GmbH, Abbott Management LLC, Abbott Manufacturing Singapore Private Limited, Abbott Mature Products International Unlimited Company, Abbott Mature Products Management Limited, Abbott Medical (Hong Kong) Limited, Abbott Medical (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd., Abbott Medical (Portugal) Distribuicao de Produtos Medicos Lda, Abbott Medical (Schweiz) AG, Abbott Medical (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Abbott Medical (Singapore) Pte. Ltd., Abbott Medical (Thailand) Co. Ltd., Abbott Medical Australia Pty. Ltd., Abbott Medical Austria Ges.m.b.H., Abbott Medical Balkan d.o.o. Beograd (Novi Beograd), Abbott Medical Belgium, Abbott Medical Canada Inc./ Medicale Abbott Canada Inc., Abbott Medical Danmark A/S, Abbott Medical Devices Trading (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Abbott Medical Espana S.A., Abbott Medical Estonia OU, Abbott Medical Finland Oy, Abbott Medical France SAS, Abbott Medical GmbH, Abbott Medical Hellas Limited Liability Trading Company, Abbott Medical Ireland Limited, Abbott Medical Italia S.p.A., Abbott Medical Japan Co. Ltd., Abbott Medical Korea Limited, Abbott Medical Korlatolt Felelossegu Tarsasag, Abbott Medical Laboratories LTD, Abbott Medical Nederland B.V., Abbott Medical New Zealand Limited, Abbott Medical Norway AS, Abbott Medical Overseas Cyprus Limited, Abbott Medical Sweden AB, Abbott Medical Taiwan Co., Abbott Medical U.K. Limited, Abbott Medical spoka z ograniczona odpowiedzialnoscia, Abbott Middle East S.A.R.L., Abbott Molecular Inc., Abbott Morocco SARL, Abbott Nederland C.V., Abbott Nederland Luxembourg S.a r.l., Abbott Netherlands Investments B.V., Abbott Norge AS, Abbott Nutrition Limited, Abbott Nutrition Manufacturing Inc., Abbott Operations Singapore Pte. Ltd., Abbott Operations Uruguay S.R.L., Abbott Overseas Cyprus Limited, Abbott Overseas Luxembourg S.a r.l., Abbott Overseas S.A., Abbott Oy, Abbott Point of Care Canada Limited, Abbott Point of Care Inc., Abbott Poland Luxembourg S.a r.l., Abbott Procurement LLC, Abbott Products (Philippines) Inc., Abbott Products (Spain) S.L., Abbott Products Algerie EURL, Abbott Products B.V., Abbott Products Distribution SAS, Abbott Products Egypt LLC, Abbott Products Limited, Abbott Products Limited Liability Company, Abbott Products Luxembourg S.a r.l., Abbott Products Operations AG, Abbott Products Operations LLC, Abbott Products Romania S.R.L., Abbott Products Tunisie S.A.R.L., Abbott Products Unlimited Company, Abbott Resources Inc., Abbott Resources International Inc., Abbott S.r.l., Abbott Saudi Arabia Trading Company, Abbott Scandinavia Aktiebolag, Abbott Sociedad Anonima de Capital Variable, Abbott South Africa Luxembourg S.a r.l., Abbott Strategic Opportunities Limited, Abbott Trading Company Inc., Abbott Universal LLC, Abbott Vascular Devices (2) Limited, Abbott Vascular Devices Limited, Abbott Vascular Inc., Abbott Vascular Instruments Deutschland GmbH, Abbott Vascular International, Abbott Vascular Japan Co. Ltd, Abbott Vascular Limitada, Abbott Vascular Netherlands B.V., Abbott Vascular Solutions Inc., Abbott Ventures Inc., Abbott West Indies Limited, Abbott drustvo sa ogranicenom odgovornoscu za trgovinu i usluge, Advanced Neuromodulation Systems Inc., Alere, Alere (Shanghai) Diagnostics Co. Ltd., Alere (Shanghai) Healthcare Management Co. Ltd., Alere (Shanghai) Medical Sales Co. Ltd., Alere (Shanghai) Technology Co. Ltd., Alere A/S, Alere AB, Alere AS, Alere AS Holdings Limited, Alere BBI Holdings Limited, Alere Bangladesh Limited, Alere China Co. Ltd., Alere Colombia S.A., Alere Connect LLC, Alere Connected Health Limited, Alere Connected Health Ltd., Alere Diagnostics GmbH, Alere DoA Holding GmbH, Alere GmbH, Alere GmbH (Austria), Alere GmbH (Germany), Alere HK Holdings Ltd., Alere Health B.V., Alere Health BVBA, Alere Health Corp., Alere Health Sdn Bhd, Alere Health Services B.V., Alere Healthcare (Pty) Limited, Alere Healthcare Connections Limited, Alere Healthcare Inc., Alere Healthcare Nigeria Limited, Alere Healthcare S.L., Alere Holdco Inc., Alere Holding GmbH, Alere Holdings Bermuda Limited, Alere Holdings Pty Limited, Alere Home Monitoring Inc., Alere Inc., Alere Informatics Inc., Alere International Holding Corp., Alere International Limited, Alere Lda, Alere Limited, Alere Limited (New Zealand), Alere Medical BVBA, Alere Medical Co. Ltd., Alere Medical Pakistan (Private) Limited, Alere Medical Private Limited, Alere North America LLC, Alere Oy Ab, Alere Philippines Inc., Alere Phoenix ACQ Inc., Alere Pte Ltd, Alere S.A., Alere S.r.l., Alere S/A, Alere SAS, Alere San Diego Inc., Alere Scarborough Inc., Alere Spain S.L., Alere Switzerland GmbH, Alere Technologies GmbH, Alere Technologies Holdings Limited, Alere Technologies Limited, Alere Toxicology AB, Alere Toxicology Inc., Alere Toxicology S.r.l., Alere Toxicology Services Inc., Alere Toxicology plc, Alere UK Holdings Limited, Alere UK Subco Limited, Alere ULC, Alere US Holdings LLC, Alere s.r.o., Alisoc Investment & Co, Amedica Biotech Inc., Ameditech Inc., American Generics S.A.S., American Medical Supplies Inc., American Pharmacist Inc., Antares S.A., Apica Cardiovascular Limited, Aquagestion Capacitacion S.A., Aquagestion S.A., Arriva Medical LLC, Arriva Medical Philippines Inc., Arvis Investments Limited, Atlas Farmaceutica S.A., Avee Laboratories Inc., Axis-Shield AD III AS, Axis-Shield AD IV AS, Axis-Shield AS, Axis-Shield Diagnostics Limited, Axis-Shield Ltd., BBI Animal Health Limited, BBI Diagnostics Group 2 Public Limited Company, Banco de Vida S.A., Bioabsorbable Vascular Solutions Inc., Bioalgae S.A., Biohealth LLC, Biosite Incorporated, Bosque Bonito S.A., Branan Medical Corporation, Brandex Europe C.V., British Colloids Limited, CFR Chile S.A., CFR Interamericas EL Salvador Sociedad Anonima de Capital Variable, CFR Interamericas Nicaragua Sociedad Anonima, CFR Interamericas Panama S.A., CFR Pharmaceuticals, California Property Holdings III LLC, CardioMEMS LLC, Caripharm Inc., Cephea Valve Technologies, Cephea Valve Technologies Inc., Colibri Medical Aktiebolag, Comercializadora y Distribuidora CFR Interamericas Honduras S.A., Concateno South Limited, Concateno UK Limited, Consorcio Tecnologico en Biomedicina Clinico-Molecular S.A., Continuum Services LLC, Cozart Limited, Dextech S.A., Diagnostik Nord GmbH, Distribuciones Uquifa S.A.S., Domesco Medical Import-Export Joint-Stock Corporation, Duphar International Research B.V., Endocardial Solutions, Epocal (US) Inc, Esprit de Vie S.A., European Chemicals & Co, European Drug Testing Service EDTS AB, European Services S.A., Evalve Inc., Evalve International Inc., FARMINDUSTRIA S.A., Fada Pharma Paraguay Sociedad Anonima, Fadapharma del Ecuador S.A., Farmaceutica Mont Blanc S.L., Farmacologia Em Aquicultura Veterinaria Ltda., Farmacologia en Aquacultura Veterinaria FAV Ecuador S.A., Farmacologia en Aquacultura Veterinaria FAV S.A., Fernwood Investment S.A., First Check Diagnostics LLC, Focus Pharmaceutical S.A.S., Forensics Limited, Forestcreek Overseas S.A., Fournier Pharma Corp., Fournier Pharma GmbH, Fournier Pharmaceuticals Limited, Framed B.V., Gabmed GmbH, Garden Hills LLC, Global Analytical Development LLC, Globapharm & CO LP, Glomed Pharmaceutical Company Limited, Golnorth Investments S.A., Gynocare Limited, Gynopharm Sociedad Anonima, Gynopharm de Centroamerica S.A., Gynopharm de Venezuela C.A., Hi-Tronics Designs Inc., IDEV Technologies Inc., IG Innovations Limited, IMTC Finance B.V., IMTC Holdings B.V., IMTC Technologies Inc., Ibis Biosciences LLC, Igloo Zone Chile S.A., Igloo Zone S.L., Inmobiliaria Naknek S.A.C., Innovacon Inc., Instant Tech Subsidiary Acquisition Inc., Instant Technologies Inc., Instituto de Criopreservacion de Chile S.A., Integrated Vascular Systems Inc., Inverness Canadian Acquisition Corporation, Inverness Medical (Beijing) Co. Ltd., Inverness Medical Innovations Australia Pty Ltd., Inverness Medical Innovations Hong Kong Limited, Inverness Medical Innovations SK LLC, Inverness Medical Investments LLC, Inverness Medical LLC, Inverness Medical Shimla Private Limited, Inversiones K2 SpA, Inversiones Komodo S.R.L., Ionian Technologies LLC, Irvine Biomedical Inc., Kalila Medical, Kangshenyunga S.A., Knoll UK Investments Unlimited, LLC VeroInPharm, Laboratoires Fournier S.A.S., Laboratorio Franco Colombiano Lafrancol S.A.S., Laboratorio Franco Colombiano del Ecuador S.A., Laboratorio Internacional Argentino S.A., Laboratorio Synthesis S.A.S., Laboratorios Lafi Limitada, Laboratorios Naturmedik S.A.S., Laboratorios Pauly Pharmaceutical S.A.S., Laboratorios Recalcine S.A., Laboratorios Transpharm S.A., Laboratory Specialists of America Inc., Lafrancol Dominicana S.A.S., Lafrancol Guatemala S.A. Sociedad Anonima, Lafrancol Internacional S.A.S, Lafrancol Peru S.R.L, Lake Forest Investments LLC, Lightlab Imaging Inc., Limited Liability Company Abbott Laboratories, Limited Liability Company Abbott Ukraine, Limited Liability Company VEROPHARM, Lung Fung Hong (China) Limited, Mansbridge Pharmaceuticals Limited, MediGuide LLC, MediGuide Ltd., Medscreen Holdings Limited, Metropolitana Farmaceutica S.A., Midwest Properties LLC, Murex Argentina S.A., Murex Biotech Limited, Murex Biotech South Africa, Murex Diagnostics Inc., Murex Diagnostics International Inc., Natural Supplement Association LLC, Negocios Denia Sociedad Anonima, Neosalud S.A.C., Nether Pharma N.P. C.V., NeuroTherm LLC, Normann Pharma-Handels GmbH, North Shore Properties Inc., Novamedi S.A., Novasalud.com S.A., Nutravida S.A., OJSC Voronezhkhimpharm, Omnilab Iberia Sociedad Limitada, OptiMedica, Orgenics France SAS, Orgenics International Holdings B.V., Orgenics Ltd., PBM-Selfcare LLC, PDD II LLC, PDD LLC, PT Alere Health, PT. Abbott Indonesia, PT. Abbott Products Indonesia, Pacesetter Inc., Pantech (RF) (PTY) LTD, Pembrooke Occupational Health Inc., Penagos S.A., Pharma International Sociedad Anonima, Pharmaceutical Technologies (Pharmatech) S.A., Pharmatech Boliviana S.A., Polygon Labs S.A., Quality Assured Services Inc., RF Medical Holdings LLC, RTL Holdings Inc., Ramses Business Corp., Recben Xenerics Farmaceutica Limitada, Redwood Toxicology Laboratory Inc., Rich Horizons International Limited, SC VEROPHARM, SJ Medical Mexico S de R.L. de C.V., SJM International Inc., SJM Thunder Holding Company, SPDH Inc., Saboya Enterprises Corporation, Salviac Limited, Scanax AS, Sealing Solutions Inc., Selfcare Technology Inc., Shandong Abbott Dairy Product Co. Ltd., Shanghai Abbott Medical Devices Science and Technology Co. Ltd., Shanghai Abbott Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., Shanghai Si Fa Pharmaceutical Company Limited, Sinensix & Co., Spinal Modulation LLC, St. Jude Medical, St. Jude Medical AB, St. Jude Medical ATG Inc., St. Jude Medical Argentina S.A., St. Jude Medical Asia Pacific Holdings GK, St. Jude Medical Atrial Fibrillation Division Inc., St. Jude Medical Brasil Ltda., St. Jude Medical Business Services Inc., St. Jude Medical Cardiology Division Inc., St. Jude Medical Colombia Ltda., St. Jude Medical Coordination Center, St. Jude Medical Costa Rica Limitada, St. Jude Medical Europe Inc., St. Jude Medical Export Ges.m.b.H., St. Jude Medical GVA Sarl, St. Jude Medical Holdings B.V., St. Jude Medical India Private Limited, St. Jude Medical International Holding, St. Jude Medical LLC, St. Jude Medical Luxembourg, St. Jude Medical Luxembourg Holdings II, St. Jude Medical Luxembourg Holdings NT, St. Jude Medical Luxembourg Holdings SMI S.a r.l., St. Jude Medical Luxembourg Holdings TC S.a r.l., St. Jude Medical Mexico Business Services S. de R.L. de C.V., St. Jude Medical Middle East DMCC, St. Jude Medical Operations (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd., St. Jude Medical Puerto Rico LLC, St. Jude Medical S.C. Inc., St. Jude Medical Systems AB, St. Jude Medical Turkey Medikal Urunler Ticaret Limited Sirketi, Standard Diagnostics Inc., Standing Stone LLC, Swan-Myers Incorporated, TC1 LLC, Tendyne Holdings Inc., Tendyne Medical Inc., Thoratec Delaware LLC, Thoratec Europe Limited, Thoratec LLC, Thoratec Switzerland GmbH, Tobal Products Incorporated, Topera GmbH in Liquidation, Topera Inc., Tremora S.A., Tuenir S.A., TwistDx, UAB Abbott Laboratories, UAB Abbott Medical Lithuania, Union-Madison Realty Company Inc., Unipath Limited (dba Alere International/aka Cranfield), Unipath Management Limited, Unipath Pension Trustee Limited, Veropharm, Veropharm Limited Liability Partnership, Vida Cell Inversiones S.A., Vida Cell S.A., Vivalsol, W&R Pharma Handels GmbH, Western Pharmaceuticals S.A., X Technologies Inc., Yissum Holding Limited, ZonePerfect Nutrition Company, eScreen Canada ULC, eScreen Inc., ( ), and Abbott Laboratories Baltics. The following companies are subsidiares of InterContinental Hotels Group: 2250 Blake Street Hotel LLC, 24th Street Operator Sub LLC, 36th Street IHG Sub LLC, 426 Main Ave LLC, 46 Nevins Street Associates LLC, Allegro Management LLC, Alpha Kimball Hotel LLC, American Commonwealth Assurance Co. Ltd., Asia Pacific Holdings Limited, BHMC Canada Inc., BHR Holdings B.V., BHR Luxembourg SARL, BHR Pacific Holdings Inc., BHTC Canada Inc., BOC Barclay Sub LLC, Barclay Operating Corp., Bristol Oakbrook Tenant Company, Cafe Biarritz, Cambridge Lodging LLC, Capital Lodging LLC, Compania Inter-Continental De Hoteles El Salvador SA, Crowne Plaza Amsterdam (Management) B.V., Crowne Plaza LLC, Cumberland Akers Hotel LLC, Dunwoody Operations Inc., EVEN Real Estate Holding LLC, Edinburgh IC Limited, General Innkeeping Acceptance Corporation, Guangzhou SC Hotels Services Ltd., H.I. (Ireland) Limited, H.I. Soaltee Management Company Ltd, HC International Holdings Inc., HH France Holdings SAS, HH Hotels (EMEA) B.V., HH Hotels (Romania) SRL, HI Sugarloaf LLC, HIM (Aruba) NV, Hale International Ltd., Hoft Properties LLC, Holiday Hospitality Franchising LLC, Holiday Inn Mexicana S.A. de C.V., Holiday Inns (China) Ltd, Holiday Inns (Chongqing) Inc., Holiday Inns (Courtalin) Holdings SAS, Holiday Inns (Courtalin) SAS, Holiday Inns (England) Ltd., Holiday Inns (Germany) LLC, Holiday Inns (Guangzhou) Inc., Holiday Inns (Jamaica) Inc., Holiday Inns (Malaysia) Ltd., Holiday Inns (Middle East) Ltd., Holiday Inns (Philippines) Inc., Holiday Inns (Saudi Arabia) Inc., Holiday Inns (South East Asia) Inc., Holiday Inns (Thailand) Ltd., Holiday Inns (UK) Inc., Holiday Inns Crowne Plaza (Hong Kong) Inc., Holiday Inns Holdings (Australia) Pty Ltd, Holiday Inns Inc., Holiday Inns Investment (Nepal) Ltd., Holiday Inns of America (UK) Ltd., Holiday Inns of Belgium N.V., Holiday Pacific Equity Corporation, Holiday Pacific LLC, Holiday Pacific Partners LP, Hotel Inter-Continental London Limited, Hotel InterContinental London (Holdings) Limited, Hoteles Y Turismo HIH SRL, IC Hotelbetriebsfuhrungs GmbH, IC Hotels Management (Portugal) Unipessoal Lda, IC International Hotels Limited Liability Company, IHC (Thailand) Limited, IHC Buckhead LLC, IHC Edinburgh (Holdings), IHC Hopkins (Holdings) Corp., IHC Hotel Limited, IHC Inter-Continental (Holdings) Corp., IHC London (Holdings), IHC M-H (Holdings) Corp., IHC May Fair (Holdings) Limited, IHC May Fair Hotel Limited, IHC Overseas (U.K.) Limited, IHC UK (Holdings) Limited, IHC United States (Holdings) Corp., IHC Willard (Holdings) Corp., IHG (Australasia) Limited, IHG (Marseille) SAS, IHG (Thailand) Limited, IHG ANA Hotels Group Japan LLC, IHG ANA Hotels Holdings Co. Ltd., IHG Bangkok Ltd, IHG Brasil Administracao de Hoteis e Servicos Ltda, IHG Commission Services SRL, IHG Community Development LLC, IHG Cyprus Limited, IHG ECS (Barbados) SRL, IHG Franchising Brasil Ltda, IHG Franchising DR Corporation, IHG Franchising LLC, IHG Hotels (New Zealand) Limited, IHG Hotels Limited, IHG Hotels Management (Australia) Pty Limited, IHG Hotels Nigeria Limited, IHG Hotels South Africa (Pty) Ltd, IHG International Partnership, IHG Istanbul Otel Yonetim Limited Sirketi, IHG Japan (Management) LLC, IHG Japan (Osaka) LLC, IHG Management (Maryland) LLC, IHG Management (Netherlands) B.V., IHG Management MD Barclay Sub LLC, IHG Management SL d.o.o, IHG Management d.o.o. Beograd, IHG Orchard Street Member LLC, IHG PS Nominees Limited, IHG Systems Pty Ltd, IHG Szalloda Budapest Szolgaltato Kft., IHG de Argentina SA, IND East Village SD Holdings LLC, Inter-Continental D.C. Operating Corp., Inter-Continental Florida Investment Corp., Inter-Continental Florida Partner Corp., Inter-Continental Hospitality Corporation, Inter-Continental Hoteleira Limitada, Inter-Continental Hotels (Montreal) Operating Corp., Inter-Continental Hotels (Montreal) Owning Corp., Inter-Continental Hotels (Singapore) Pte. Ltd., Inter-Continental Hotels Corporation, Inter-Continental Hotels Corporation de Venezuela C.A., Inter-Continental Hotels of San Francisco Inc., Inter-Continental IOHC (Mauritius) Limited, Inter-Continental Management (Australia) Pty Limited, InterContinental (Branston) 1 Limited, InterContinental (PB) 1, InterContinental (PB) 2, InterContinental (PB) 3 Limited, InterContinental Berlin Service Company GmbH, InterContinental Brasil Administracao de Hoteis Ltda, InterContinental Gestion Hotelera S.L., InterContinental Hotel Berlin GmbH, InterContinental Hotel Dusseldorf GmbH (Germany), InterContinental Hotels (Puerto Rico) Inc., InterContinental Hotels Group (Asia Pacific) Pte Ltd, InterContinental Hotels Group (Australia) Pty Limited, InterContinental Hotels Group (Canada) Inc., InterContinental Hotels Group (Espana) SA, InterContinental Hotels Group (Greater China) Limited, InterContinental Hotels Group (India) Pvt. Ltd, InterContinental Hotels Group (Japan) Inc., InterContinental Hotels Group (New Zealand) Limited, InterContinental Hotels Group (Shanghai) Ltd., InterContinental Hotels Group Customer Services Ltd., InterContinental Hotels Group Healthcare Trustee Limited, InterContinental Hotels Group Operating Corp., InterContinental Hotels Group Resources Inc., InterContinental Hotels Group Services Company, InterContinental Hotels Group do Brasil Limitada, InterContinental Hotels Italia S.r.L., InterContinental Hotels Limited, InterContinental Hotels Management GmbH, InterContinental Hotels Nevada Corporation, InterContinental Management AM LLC, InterContinental Management Bulgaria EOOD, InterContinental Management France SAS, InterContinental Management Poland sp. z.o.o, InterContinental Overseas Holding Corporation, Intercontinental Hotels Corporation Limited, KG Benefits LLC, KG Gift Card Inc., KG Liability LLC, KG Technology LLC, KHP Washington Operator LLC, KHRG 11th Avenue Hotel LLC, KHRG 851 LLC, KHRG Aertson LLC, KHRG Alexandria LLC, KHRG Alexis LLC, KHRG Allegro LLC, KHRG Argyle LLC, KHRG Austin Beverage Company LLC, KHRG Baltimore LLC, KHRG Born LLC, KHRG Boston Hotel LLC, KHRG Canary LLC, KHRG Cayman Employer Ltd., KHRG Cayman LLC, KHRG DC 1731 LLC, KHRG DC 2505 LLC, KHRG Donovan LLC, KHRG Employer LLC, KHRG Goleta LLC, KHRG Gray LLC, KHRG Gray U2 LLC, KHRG Hillcrest LLC, KHRG Huntington Beach LLC, KHRG King Street LLC, KHRG La Peer LLC, KHRG Miami Beach LLC, KHRG Muse LLC, KHRG NPC LLC, KHRG Onyx LLC, KHRG Palladian LLC, KHRG Palomar Phoenix LLC, KHRG Philly Monaco LLC, KHRG Pittsburgh LLC, KHRG Reynolds LLC, KHRG Riverplace LLC, KHRG SFD LLC, KHRG Sacramento LLC, KHRG Savannah LLC, KHRG Schofield LLC, KHRG Sedona LLC, KHRG State Street LLC, KHRG Sutter LLC, KHRG Sutter Union LLC, KHRG Taconic LLC, KHRG Tariff LLC, KHRG Texas Hospitality LLC, KHRG Texas Operations LLC, KHRG Tryon LLC, KHRG VZ Austin LLC, KHRG Vero Beach LLC, KHRG Vintage Park LLC, KHRG WPB LLC, KHRG Wabash LLC, KHRG Westwood LLC, KHRG Wilshire LLC, KHRG Zamora LLC, Kimpton Hollywood Licenses LLC, Kimpton Hotel & Restaurant Group, Kimpton Hotel & Restaurant Group LLC, Kimpton Phoenix Licenses Holdings LLC, Kimpton Sedona Licenses LLC, Louisiana Acquisitions Corp., MH Lodging LLC, Mercer Fairview Holdings LLC, PML Services LLC, PT SC Hotels & Resorts Indonesia, Pollstrong Limited, Powell Pine Inc., Priscilla Holiday of Texas Inc., RM Lodging LLC, Regent Hotels and Resorts, Resort Services International (Cayo Largo) L.P., SBS Maryland Beverage Company LLC, SC Cellars Limited, SC Hotels International Services Inc., SC Leisure Group Limited, SC NAS 2 Limited, SC Quest Limited, SC Reservations (Philippines) Inc., SCH Insurance Company, SCIH Branston 3, SF MH Acquisition LLC, SPHC Group Pty Ltd., SPHC Management Ltd., Semiramis for training of Hotel Personnel and Hotel Management SAE, Six Continents Corporate Services, Six Continents Holdings Limited, Six Continents Hotels Inc., Six Continents Hotels International Limited, Six Continents Hotels de Colombia SA, Six Continents International Holdings B.V., Six Continents Investments Limited, Six Continents Limited, Six Continents Overseas Holdings Limited, Six Continents Restaurants Limited, SixCo North America Inc., Solamar Lodging LLC, Southern Pacific Hotel Corporation (BVI) Ltd., Southern Pacific Hotels Properties Limited, Universal de Hoteles SA, White Shield Insurance Company Limited, and World Trade Centre Montreal Hotel Corporation. 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 Wall Street analysts have given McColl's Retail Group 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 McColl's Retail Group wasn't one of them. MarketBeat thinks these five companies may be even better buys. View MarketBeat's top stock picks here. RSA Insurance Group plc provides personal and commercial general insurance products. It operates through Scandinavia, Canada, and UK & International segments. The company offers a range of personal insurance products, including home, car, pet, and travel insurance products directly to individuals and families, as well as through brokers and agents. It also provides commercial insurance products, such as property, vehicle and fleet, professional liability, and indemnity and travel insurance, as well as marine, renewable energy, construction and engineering, and rail insurance for small to medium sized enterprises, multinational companies, and sole traders. The company was formerly known as Royal & Sun Alliance Insurance Group plc and changed its name to RSA Insurance Group plc in May 2008. RSA Insurance Group plc was founded in 1706 and is headquartered in London, the United Kingdom. Read More The following companies are subsidiares of Sonic Automotive: AM GA LLC, AM Realty GA LLC, AnTrev LLC, Arngar Inc., Autobahn Inc., Avalon Ford Inc., Car Cash of North Carolina Inc., Cornerstone Acceptance Corporation, ECHOPARK: AM GA LLC, ECHOPARK: AM Realty GA LLC, ECHOPARK: EP Realty NC LLC, ECHOPARK: EP Realty SC LLC, ECHOPARK: EchoPark AZ LLC, ECHOPARK: EchoPark CA LLC, ECHOPARK: EchoPark Driver Education LLC, ECHOPARK: EchoPark FL LLC, ECHOPARK: EchoPark NC LLC, ECHOPARK: EchoPark Realty TX LLC, ECHOPARK: EchoPark SC LLC, ECHOPARK: EchoPark TX LLC, ECHOPARK: Echopark Automotive Inc., ECHOPARK: SAI DS LLC, ECHOPARK: SAI DS Realty TX LLC, ECHOPARK: SAI Vehicle Subscription Inc., ECHOPARK: TT Denver LLC, ECHOPARK: TTRE CO 1 LLC, FAA Beverly Hills Inc., FAA Capitol N Inc., FAA Concord H Inc., FAA Concord T Inc., FAA Dublin N Inc., FAA Dublin VWD Inc., FAA Holding Corp., FAA Las Vegas H Inc., FAA Poway H Inc., FAA Poway T Inc., FAA San Bruno Inc., FAA Santa Monica V Inc., FAA Serramonte H Inc., FAA Serramonte Inc., FAA Serramonte L Inc., FAA Stevens Creek Inc., FAA Torrance CPJ Inc., FirstAmerica Automotive Inc., Fort Mill Ford Inc., Franciscan Motors Inc., Frontier Oldsmobile-Cadillac Inc., Kramer Motors Incorporated, L Dealership Group Inc., Marcus David Corporation, Massey Cadillac Inc. (TN-MI), Mountain States Motors Co. Inc., North Point Imports LLC, Ontario L LLC, Philpott Motors Ltd., SAI AL HC1 Inc., SAI AL HC2 Inc., SAI Ann Arbor Imports LLC, SAI Atlanta B LLC, SAI Broken Arrow C LLC, SAI Calabasas A LLC, SAI Chamblee V LLC, SAI Charlotte M LLC, SAI Chattanooga N LLC, SAI Clearwater T LLC, SAI Cleveland N LLC, SAI Columbus Motors LLC, SAI Columbus T LLC, SAI Columbus VWK LLC, SAI Conroe N LLC, SAI Denver B Inc., SAI Denver C Inc., SAI Denver M Inc., SAI FL HC1 Inc., SAI FL HC2 Inc., SAI FL HC3 Inc., SAI FL HC4 Inc., SAI FL HC7 Inc., SAI Fairfax B LLC, SAI Fort Myers B LLC, SAI Fort Myers H LLC, SAI Fort Myers M LLC, SAI Fort Myers VW LLC, SAI GA HC1 LLC, SAI Irondale Imports LLC, SAI Irondale L LLC, SAI Long Beach B Inc., SAI MD HC1 Inc., SAI McKinney M LLC, SAI Monrovia B Inc., SAI Montgomery B LLC, SAI Montgomery BCH LLC, SAI Montgomery CH LLC, SAI Nashville CSH LLC, SAI Nashville H LLC, SAI Nashville M LLC, SAI Nashville Motors LLC, SAI OK HC1 Inc., SAI Oklahoma City C LLC, SAI Oklahoma City H LLC, SAI Oklahoma City T LLC, SAI Orlando CS LLC, SAI Peachtree LLC, SAI Pensacola A LLC, SAI Philpott T LLC, SAI Riverside C LLC, SAI Roaring Fork LR Inc., SAI Rockville Imports LLC, SAI Rockville L LLC, SAI S. Atlanta JLR LLC, SAI SIC Inc., SAI Santa Clara K Inc., SAI Stone Mountain T LLC, SAI TN HC1 LLC, SAI TN HC2 LLC, SAI TN HC3 LLC, SAI Tulsa N LLC, SAI Tulsa T LLC, SAI Tysons Corner H LLC, SAI Tysons Corner I LLC, SAI VA HC1 Inc., SAI VS GA LLC, SAI VS TX LLC, SAI Vehicle Subscription Inc., SAI West Houston B LLC, SRE Alabama 2 LLC, SRE Alabama 5 LLC, SRE Alabama 6 LLC, SRE California 10 LBB LLC, SRE California 11 PH LLC, SRE California 1 LLC, SRE California 2 LLC, SRE California 3 LLC, SRE California 4 LLC, SRE California 5 LLC, SRE California 6 LLC, SRE California 7 SCB LLC, SRE California 8 SCH LLC, SRE California 9 BHB LLC, SRE Colorado 1 LLC, SRE Colorado 2 LLC, SRE Colorado 3 LLC, SRE Colorado 4 RF LLC, SRE Colorado 5 CC LLC, SRE Florida 1 LLC, SRE Florida 2 LLC, SRE Georgia 4 LLC, SRE Georgia 5 LLC, SRE Georgia 6 LLC, SRE Holding LLC, SRE Maryland 1 LLC, SRE Nevada 2 LLC, SRE North Carolina 2 LLC, SRE North Carolina 3 LLC, SRE Ohio 1 LLC, SRE Ohio 2 LLC, SRE Oklahoma 1 LLC, SRE Oklahoma 2 LLC, SRE Oklahoma 5 LLC, SRE South Carolina 2 LLC, SRE South Carolina 3 LLC, SRE South Carolina 4 LLC, SRE Tennessee 6 LLC, SRE Tennessee 7 LLC, SRE Tennessee 1 LLC, SRE Tennessee 2 LLC, SRE Tennessee 3 LLC, SRE Tennessee 4 LLC, SRE Tennessee 5 LLC, SRE Texas 10 LLC, SRE Texas 11 LLC, SRE Texas 12 LLC, SRE Texas 13 LLC, SRE Texas 14 LLC, SRE Texas 15 LLC, SRE Texas 16 LLC, SRE Texas 9 LLC, SRE Texas 1 LP, SRE Texas 2 LP, SRE Texas 3 LP, SRE Texas 4 LP, SRE Texas 5 LP, SRE Texas 6 LP, SRE Texas 7 LP, SRE Texas 8 LP, SRE Virginia - 1 LLC, SRE Virginia 2 LLC, SRM Assurance Ltd., Santa Clara Imported Cars Inc., Sonic 2185 Chapman Rd. Chattanooga LLC, Sonic Advantage PA LP, Sonic Automotive - 1720 Mason Ave. DB LLC, Sonic Automotive 2424 Laurens Rd. Greenville Inc., Sonic Automotive 2752 Laurens Rd. Greenville Inc., Sonic Automotive Aviation LLC, Sonic Automotive F&I LLC, Sonic Automotive Support LLC, Sonic Automotive West LLC, Sonic Automotive of Chattanooga LLC, Sonic Automotive of Nashville LLC, Sonic Automotive of Nevada Inc., Sonic Automotive of Texas LP, Sonic Automotive 1495 Automall Drive Columbus Inc., Sonic Automotive 1720 Mason Ave. DB Inc., Sonic Automotive 2490 South Lee Highway LLC, Sonic Automotive 3401 N. Main TX LP, Sonic Automotive 4701 I-10 East TX LP, Sonic Automotive 6008 N. Dale Mabry FL Inc., Sonic Automotive 9103 E. Independence NC LLC, Sonic Calabasas M Inc., Sonic Development LLC, Sonic Divisional Operations LLC, Sonic FFC 1 Inc., Sonic FFC 2 Inc., Sonic FFC 3 Inc., Sonic Fremont Inc., Sonic Houston JLR LP, Sonic Houston LR LP, Sonic Momentum B LP, Sonic Momentum JVP LP, Sonic Momentum VWA LP, Sonic Resources Inc., Sonic Santa Monica M Inc., Sonic Santa Monica S Inc., Sonic Walnut Creek M Inc., Sonic Wilshire Cadillac Inc., Sonic eStore Inc., Sonic of Texas Inc., Sonic Buena Park H Inc., Sonic Cadillac D LP, Sonic Calabasas A Inc., Sonic Calabasas V Inc., Sonic Camp Ford LP, Sonic Capitol Cadillac Inc., Sonic Capitol Imports Inc., Sonic Carrollton V LP, Sonic Carson F Inc., Sonic Carson LM Inc., Sonic Clear Lake N LP, Sonic Clear Lake Volkswagen LP, Sonic Denver T Inc., Sonic Downey Cadillac Inc., Sonic Fort Mill Chrysler Jeep Inc., Sonic Fort Mill Dodge Inc., Sonic Fort Worth T LP, Sonic Frank Parra Autoplex LP, Sonic Harbor City H Inc., Sonic Houston V LP, Sonic Integrity Dodge LV LLC, Sonic Jersey Village Volkswagen LP, Sonic LS Chevrolet LP, Sonic LS LLC, Sonic Lake Norman Chrysler Jeep LLC, Sonic Las Vegas C West LLC, Sonic Lloyd Nissan Inc., Sonic Lloyd Pontiac Cadillac Inc., Sonic Lone Tree Cadillac Inc., Sonic Lute Riley LP, Sonic Massey Cadillac LP, Sonic Massey Chevrolet Inc., Sonic Mesquite Hyundai LP, Sonic Newsome Chevrolet World Inc., Sonic Newsome of Florence Inc., Sonic North Charleston Dodge Inc., Sonic North Charleston Inc., Sonic Plymouth Cadillac Inc., Sonic Richardson F LP, Sonic Sanford Cadillac Inc., Sonic Shottenkirk Inc., Sonic Stevens Creek B Inc., Sonic Volvo LV LLC, Sonic West Covina T Inc., Sonic Williams Cadillac Inc., Stevens Creek Cadillac Inc., The Sonic Automotive Family Emergency Fund (SAFE), Town and Country Ford Incorporated, and Windward Inc.. New Media Investment Group Inc. invests in, owns, and operates local media assets in the United States. The company's principal products include 146 daily newspapers with total paid circulation of approximately 1.5 million; 323 weekly newspapers with total paid circulation of approximately 268,000 and total free circulation of approximately 1.4 million; 132 shoppers with total circulation of approximately 3.1 million; and 581 locally-focused Websites, including Internet and mobile devices with approximately 364 million page views per month. Its principal products also comprise 77 business publications; and UpCurve Cloud and ThriveHive, which provides digital marketing and business services. In addition, the company produces niche publications that address specific local market interests, such as recreation, sports, healthcare, and real estate. Further, it offers print and online products that offer local market news and information on various topics comprising local news and politics, community and regional events, youth sports, opinion and editorial pages, local schools, obituaries, weddings, and police reports, as well as commercial printing services for publishers; and prints commercial materials, including flyers, business cards, and invitations. Additionally, the company produces approximately 350 annual events with a collective attendance approximately 400,000, such as themed expo, signature event, endurance event, and white label event services; and provides digital and print advertising services. It reaches approximately 22 million people per week; and serves approximately 199,000 business customers. New Media Investment Group Inc. was founded in 1997 and is based in New York, New York. Read More The following companies are subsidiares of Prudential Financial: 210-220 E. 22nd Street SSGA Owner LLC, AIG Edison, AIG Star, AREF Cayman Co Ltd., AREF GP II Pte. Ltd., AREF GP Ltd., ASPF II - Feeder Fund GmbH, ASPF II - Verwaltungs - GmbH & Co. KG, ASPF II Management GmbH, ASPF III (Scots) L.P., ASSURANCE, AST Investment Services Inc., Adlerwerke CB Investment LLC, Administradora de Fondos de Pensiones Habitat S.A., Administradora de Inversiones Previsionales SpA, Aoba Life Insurance Company, Asia Property Fund III GP S.a.r.l., Assurance IQ LLC, Assurance Intelligence LLC, BSC CP LP, Braeloch Holdings Inc., Braeloch Successor Corporation, Brazilian Capital Fund GP Limited, Broad Street Global Advisors LLC, Broome Street Holdings LLC, CB German Retail LLC, CLIS Co. Ltd., COLICO INC., Campus Drive LLC, Capital Agricultural Property Services Inc., Chadwick Boulevard Investment Holdings Co. LLC, Cibecue LLC, Coconino LLC, Colico II Inc., Columbus Drive Partners L.P., Commerce Street Holdings LLC, Commerce Street Investments LLC, Coolidge LLC, Coral Reef GP, Coral Reef L.P., Coral Reef Unit Trust, Cottage Street Investments LLC, Cottage Street Orbit Acquisition LLC, DHFL PRAMERICA LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY LIMITED, DICKENS AVENUE HOLDINGS VI LLC, DICKENS AVENUE PARTNERS VI (Ireland) L.P., DICKENS AVENUE PARTNERS VI (US) L.P., Don Cesar Investor LLC, Dryden Arizona Reinsurance Term Company, Dryden Finance II LLC, EVP II GP S.a r.l., EVP II Sweden Resi I GP S.a r.l., Edison Place Senior Note LLC, Essex LLC, EuroCore GP S.a r.l., European Value Partners GP S.a.r.l., Everbright PGIM Fund Management Co. Ltd., Flagstaff LLC, GA 1600 Commons LLC, GA 333 Hennepin Investor LLC, GA BV LLC, GA Bay Area GP LLC, GA Bay Area Investor LLC, GA Belden LLC, GA CLARENDON LLC, GA Cal Crossings LLC, GA Collins LLC, GA E. 22nd Street Apartments Holdings LLC, GA East 86 Street LLC, GA JHCII LLC, GA MENLO PARK INVESTOR LLC, GA Manor at Harbour Island LLC, GA Metro LLC, GA Mission LLC, GA TRITON INVESTOR LLC, GA W Paces LLC, GA/MDI 333 Hennepin Associates LLC, GIBRALTAR BSN HOLDINGS SDN BHD, GIBRALTAR INDIA SOLUTIONS LLP, Gateway Holdings II LLC, Gateway Holdings LLC, German Retail Income CP LP, Gibraltar BSN Life Berhad, Gibraltar International Insurance Services Company Inc., Gibraltar International Service LLC, Gibraltar Reinsurance Company Ltd., Gibraltar Universal Life Reinsurance Company, Glenealy International Limited, Global Portfolio Strategies Inc., Gold GP Limited, Gold II L.P., Gold L.P., Graham Resources Inc., Graham Royalty Ltd., Green Tree GP, Green Tree L.P., Greenlee LLC, Halsey Street Investments LLC, Hirakata LLC, IVP Fund GP LLC, Impact Investments Bridges UK S.a.r.l, Inter-Atlantic G Fund L.P., Inversiones Previsionales Chile SpA, Inversiones Previsionales Dos SpA, Ironbound Fund LLC, Jennison Associates LLC, Kyarra S.a r.l., Kyoei Annuity Home Co. Ltd., LINEUP LLC, Lake Street Partners IV L.P., MC GA COLLINS HOLDINGS LLC, MC GA COLLINS REALTY LLC, MC Insurance Agency Services LLC, Manor at Harbour Island LLC, Marble Canyon LLC, Maricopa LLC, Market Street Holdings IV LLC, Morenci LLC, Mulberry Street Holdings LLC, Mulberry Street Investment L.P., Mulberry Street Partners LLC, Mullin TBG Insurance Agency Services LLC, MullinTBG Insurance Agency Services, National Family Assurance Group LLC, New Savanna, Orchard Street Acres Inc., PAI Bay Farm LLC, PAI Bayrock Groves LLC, PAI Belvidere Farms LLC, PAI Big Cypress Farm LLC, PAI Corcoran 640 Ranch LLC, PAI DeKalb Farm LLC, PAI Delano 1500 Ranches LLC, PAI Flicker Orchard LLC, PAI Good Hope Farm LLC, PAI Hawk Creek Ranch LLC, PAI Hills Valley Ranches LLC, PAI Holly Hill Groves LLC, PAI Hunt Farm LLC, PAI Jackson Bayou Farm LLC, PAI Lake Placid Groves LLC, PAI Wallula Gap Vineyard LLC, PCP V Cayman AIV GP L.P., PEREF II Co-Invest 1 GP S.a r.l., PEREF II GP S.a r.l., PEREF II PV S.r.l, PFI EM-Tech Fund I LLC, PG Business Service Co. Ltd, PG Collection Service Co. Ltd., PGA Asian Retail Limited, PGA European Limited, PGI Co. Ltd, PGIM (Australia) Pty Ltd, PGIM (Hong Kong) Ltd., PGIM (Scots) Limited, PGIM (Shanghai) Company Ltd., PGIM (Singapore) Pte. Ltd., PGIM AVP IV GP S.a r.l., PGIM Advisory (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., PGIM Agricultural Investments GP LLC, PGIM Agricultural Investors LP, PGIM Broad Market High Yield Bond Fund L.P., PGIM Broad Market High Yield Bond Partners LLC, PGIM Capital Partners Management (Feeder) VI LLC, PGIM Capital Partners Management Fund VI L.P., PGIM European Financing Limited, PGIM European Services Limited, PGIM Financial Limited, PGIM Fixed Income Alternatives Fund II L.P., PGIM Fixed Income Alternatives Fund L.P., PGIM Fixed Income Alternatives GP LLC, PGIM Fixed Income Alternatives II GP LLC, PGIM Foreign Investments Inc., PGIM Holding Company LLC, PGIM INDIA ASSET MANAGEMENT PRIVATE LIMITED, PGIM INDIA TRUSTEES PRIVATE LIMITED, PGIM Inc., PGIM International Financing Inc., PGIM Investments LLC, PGIM Japan Co. Ltd., PGIM Korea Inc., PGIM LTIF Berlin GP S.a r.l., PGIM LTIF Berlin MLP S.ar.l., PGIM LTIF GP S.a.r.l., PGIM Limited, PGIM Loan Originator Manager Limited, PGIM M Campus GP S.a r.l., PGIM Management Partner Limited, PGIM MetaProp Investor LP LLC, PGIM Netherlands B.V., PGIM Overseas Investment Fund Management (Shanghai) Company Ltd, PGIM Private Capital (Ireland) Limited, PGIM Private Capital Limited, PGIM Private Placement Investors Inc., PGIM Private Placement Investors L.P., PGIM REF EUROPE SCSp, PGIM REF Europe GP S.a r.l., PGIM REF Europe Member LLC, PGIM REF Intermediary Services Inc., PGIM Real Estate (Japan) Ltd., PGIM Real Estate (UK) Limited, PGIM Real Estate CD S.a.r.l., PGIM Real Estate Capital VII GP S.a r.l., PGIM Real Estate Carry & Co-Invest GP LLC, PGIM Real Estate Carry & Co-Invest GP S.a r.l., PGIM Real Estate Carry & Co-Invest L.P., PGIM Real Estate Carry & Co-Invest SCSp, PGIM Real Estate Co-Invest Holdings LLC, PGIM Real Estate Debt GmbH, PGIM Real Estate Finance Holding Company, PGIM Real Estate Finance LLC, PGIM Real Estate France SAS, PGIM Real Estate Germany AG, PGIM Real Estate Global Debt GP LLC, PGIM Real Estate Inmuebles S. de R.L. de C.V, PGIM Real Estate Italy S.r.l., PGIM Real Estate Loan Services Inc., PGIM Real Estate Luxembourg S.A., PGIM Real Estate MVP Administradora IV S. de R.L. de C.V., PGIM Real Estate MVP Administradora V S. de R.L. de C.V., PGIM Real Estate MVP Inmuebles IV S. de R.L. de C.V., PGIM Real Estate MVP Inmuebles V S. de R.L. de C.V., PGIM Real Estate Management Luxembourg S.a.r.l., PGIM Real Estate Mexico S.C., PGIM Real Estate S. de R.L. de C.V., PGIM Real Estate U.S. Debt Fund GP LLC, PGIM Senior Loan Opportunities Management (Feeder) I LLC, PGIM Senior Loan Opportunities Management Fund I L.P., PGIM Strategic Financing LLC, PGIM Strategic Investments Inc., PGIM USPF VI Manager LLC, PGIM Warehouse Inc., PGLH of Delaware Inc., PIFM Holdco LLC, PIIC Limited, PIISC Holdings (UK) Limited, PIM KF Blocker Holdings LLC, PIM KF Blocker V Holdings LLC, PIM USPF V Manager LLC, PLA Administradora Industrial SRL, PLA Administradora LLC, PLA Administradora S. de R.L. de C.V., PLA Asesoria Profesional II S. de R.L. de C.V., PLA Asesoria Profesional S.de R.L. de C.V., PLA Co-Investor LLC, PLA Mexico Industrial Manager I LLC, PLA Mexico Industrial Manager II LLC, PLA Mexico Residential Manager I LLC, PLA Residential Fund III Aggregating Manager LLC, PLA Residential Fund III Limited Manager LLC, PLA Residential Fund III Manager LLC, PLA Residential Fund IV Aggregating Manager LLC, PLA Residential Fund IV Manager LLC, PLA Retail Fund I Blue LP, PLA Retail Fund I LP, PLA Retail Fund I Manager LLC, PLA Retail Fund I Red LP, PLA Retail Fund II Aggregating Manager LLC, PLA Retail Fund II LLC, PLA Retail Fund II LP, PLA Retail Fund II Manager LLC, PLA Retail Fund II U.S. Carry/Co-Invest LP, PLA Services Manager Mexico LLC, PLAI Limited, PMCF Holdings LLC, PMCF Properties LLC, PPPF General Partner LLP, PR GA SCP Apartments LLC, PRAMERICA PRECAP VI GP (SCOTS FEEDER) LLP, PRAMERICA PRECAP VI GP LLP, PRECO ACCOUNT III LLC, PRECO ACCOUNT PARTNERSHIP III LP, PRECO Account IV LLC, PRECO Account Partnership IV LP, PRECO III GP LLP, PREFG Hanwha Manager LLC, PREI Acquisition I Inc., PREI Acquisition II Inc., PREI Acquisition LLC, PREI HYDG LLC, PREI International Inc., PRIAC Property Acquisitions LLC, PRICOA Management Partner Limited, PRISA Fund Manager LLC, PRISA II Fund Manager LLC, PRISA II Pooled Manager LLC, PRISA III Fund GP LLC, PRISA III Fund PIM LLC, PRREF II Fund Manager LLC, PRU 3XSquare LLC, PRUCO LLC, PRUDENTIAL CAPITAL ENERGY PARTNERS MANAGEMENT (FEEDER) LLC, PRUDENTIAL MORTGAGE SKP MEMBER LLC, PRUDENTIAL MORTGAGE SKP REIT LLC, PRUDENTIAL MORTGAGE SKP VENTURE 2 LLC, PRUDENTIAL MORTGAGE SKP VENTURE LLC, PT PFI Mega Life Insurance, Passaic Fund LLC, Pine Tree GP, Pine Tree L.P., Platinum GP Limited, Platinum II L.P., Platinum L.P., Pramerica (Hong Kong) Holdings Limited, Pramerica (Luxembourg) CP GP S.a.r.l., Pramerica (Scots) CP GP LLP, Pramerica Business Consulting (Shanghai) Company Limited, Pramerica EVP CP LP, Pramerica Financial Asia Headquarters Pte. Ltd., Pramerica Financial Asia Limited, Pramerica Fixed Income Funds Management Limited, Pramerica Fosun Life Insurance Co. Ltd., Pramerica General Partner LLP, Pramerica Holdings Ltd, Pramerica Insurance Agency (China) Company Ltd., Pramerica PRECAP I GP LLP, Pramerica PRECAP II GP LLP, Pramerica PRECAP III GP LLP, Pramerica PRECAP IV GP LLP, Pramerica Pan European Real Estate (Scots) LP, Pramerica Property Partners Fund (Scotland) Limited Partnership, Pramerica Real Estate Capital I (Scotland) Limited Partnership, Pramerica Real Estate Capital I GP (Scots Feeder) LLP, Pramerica Real Estate Capital II (Scots) Limited Partnership, Pramerica Real Estate Capital III (Scots) Limited Partnership, Pramerica Real Estate Capital IV (Scots) Limited Partnership, Pramerica Real Estate Capital IV GP (Scots Feeder) LLP, Pramerica Real Estate Capital IV GP Limited, Pramerica Real Estate Capital V (Netherlands) GP LLP, Pramerica Real Estate Capital V (Scots) Limited Partnership, Pramerica Real Estate Capital VI (Scots) Limited Partnership, Pramerica SGR S.p.A, Pramerica Systems Ireland Limited, Preco III (Scotland) Limited Partnership, Pru 101 Wood LLC, Pru Alpha Partners I LLC, Pru Fixed Income Emerging Markets Partners I LLC, PruVen Capital Partners Fund I L.P., Pruco Assignment Corporation, Pruco Life Insurance Company, Pruco Life Insurance Company of New Jersey, Pruco Securities LLC, Prudential 900 Aviation Boulevard LLC, Prudential Affordable Mortgage Company LLC, Prudential Agricultural Property Holding Company LLC, Prudential Annuities Distributors Inc., Prudential Annuities Holding Company Inc., Prudential Annuities Inc., Prudential Annuities Information Services & Technology Corporation, Prudential Annuities Life Assurance Corporation, Prudential Arizona Reinsurance Captive Company, Prudential Arizona Reinsurance Term Company, Prudential Arizona Reinsurance Universal Company, Prudential Bank & Trust FSB, Prudential Capital Energy Opportunity Fund L.P., Prudential Capital Energy Partners L.P., Prudential Capital Energy Partners Management Fund L.P., Prudential Capital Partners Management Fund IV L.P., Prudential Capital and Investment Services LLC, Prudential Chile II SpA, Prudential Chile SpA, Prudential Commercial Property Holding Company LLC, Prudential Customer Solutions LLC, Prudential Equity Group LLC, Prudential Financial Securities Investment Trust Enterprise, Prudential Fixed Income Global Liquidity Relative Value Partners LLC, Prudential Fixed Income U.S. Relative Value Partners LLC, Prudential Funding LLC, Prudential General Services of Japan Y.K., Prudential Gibraltar Agency Co. Ltd., Prudential Global Funding LLC, Prudential Holdings of Japan Inc., Prudential Huntoon Paige Associates LLC, Prudential IBH Holdco Inc., Prudential Impact Investments Mortgage Loans LLC, Prudential Impact Investments Private Debt LLC, Prudential Impact Investments Private Equity LLC, Prudential Industrial Properties LLC, Prudential Insurance Agency LLC, Prudential International Insurance Holdings Ltd., Prudential International Insurance Service Company L.L.C., Prudential International Investments Advisers LLC, Prudential International Investments Company LLC, Prudential International Investments LLC, Prudential Investment Management Services LLC, Prudential Japan Holdings LLC, Prudential Legacy Insurance Company of New Jersey, Prudential Life Insurance Company of Taiwan Inc., Prudential Mortgage Asset Holdings 1 Japan Investment Business Limited Partnership, Prudential Mortgage Asset Holdings 2 Japan Investment Business Limited Partnership, Prudential Mortgage Capital Asset Holding Company LLC, Prudential Mortgage Capital Funding LLC, Prudential Mortgage Capital Holdings LLC, Prudential Multifamily Mortgage LLC, Prudential Mutual Fund Services LLC, Prudential Newark Realty LLC, Prudential QOZ Investment Fund 1 LLC, Prudential Realty Securities Inc., Prudential Retirement Financial Services Holding LLC, Prudential Retirement Holdings LLC, Prudential Retirement Insurance and Annuity Company, Prudential Securities Secured Financing Corporation, Prudential Securities Structured Assets Inc., Prudential Seguros Mexico S.A. de C.V., Prudential Seguros S.A., Prudential Servicios S. de R.L. de C.V., Prudential Structured Settlement Company, Prudential Systems Japan Limited, Prudential Term Reinsurance Company, Prudential Trust Co. Ltd., Prudential Trust Company, Prudential Universal Reinsurance Company, Prudential Workplace Solutions Group Services LLC, Prudential do Brasil Seguros de Vida S.A., Prudential do Brasil Vida em Grupo S.A., Prudential/TMW Real Estate Group LLC, Pruservicos Participacoes Ltda., QMA JP EM All Cap Equity Partners LLC, QMA LLC, QMA Wadhwani LLP, Quartzsite LLC, Residential Services Corporation of America LLC, Rio CP LP, Rock European Real Estate Holdings S.ar.l., Rock Global Real Estate LLC, Rock Kensington Limited, Rock Marty GP S.a r.l., Rock Oxford S.a r.l., Rock UK Real Estate Holdings S.ar.l., Rock UK Real Estate II S.a.r.l., Rockstone Co. Ltd., Rosado Grande LLC, Ross Avenue Energy Fund Holdings LLC, Ross Avenue Minerals 2012 LLC, SCP Apartments LLC, SENIOR HOUSING PARTNERS VI GP LLC, SENIOR HOUSING PARTNERSHIP FUND VI GP LLC, SHP IV Carried Interest LP, SHP V Carried Interest L.P., SMP Holdings Inc., SVIIT Holdings Inc., Sanei Collection Service Co. Ltd. (Kabushiki Kaisha Sanei Shuuno Service), Senior Housing Partners IV L.L.C., Senior Housing Partners V LLC, Senior Housing Partnership Fund IV L.L.C., Senior Housing Partnership Fund V LLC, Sterling Private Placement Management LLP, Stetson Street Partners L.P., Strand Investments Limited, TBG Insurance Services Corporation, TENSATOR HOLDINGS LTD, TF Proveedora S.C., TMW ASPF I Verwaltungs GmbH & Co. KG, TMW ASPF Management GmbH, TMW Management LLC, TMW Real Estate Group LLC, TMW Realty Advisors LLC, TMW USPF Verwaltungs GmbH, TRGOAG Company Inc., The Gibraltar Life Insurance Co. Ltd., The Keynes Dynamic Beta Strategy (US) Fund GP LLC, The Prudential Assigned Settlement Services Corp., The Prudential Brazilian Capital Fund LP, The Prudential Gibraltar Financial Life Insurance Co. Ltd., The Prudential Home Mortgage Company Inc., The Prudential Insurance Company of America, The Prudential Life Insurance Company Ltd., The Prudential Real Estate Financial Services of America Inc., The WMF Group, Thurloe Commercial Guernsey Limited, Times Square Center Associates, USPF V - Verwaltungs - GmbH & Co. KG, USPF V Carry LLC, USPF V Co-Invest LLC, USPF V Investment LP, United States Property Fund VI GP S.a r.l., Vailsburg Fund LLC, Vantage Casualty Insurance Company, Wabash Avenue Holdings V LLC, Wabash Avenue Partners V L.P., Wadhwani Capital Limited, Waveland Avenue Holdings I LLC, Waveland Avenue Partners I (Ireland) L.P., Waveland Avenue Partners I (US) L.P., Wellness Services Ecossistema De Bem Estar Ltda., Wellness Services SRL, Yamato Life, and Yavapai LLC. The Toronto-Dominion Bank, together with its subsidiaries, provides various personal and commercial banking products and services in Canada and the United States. It operates through three segments: Canadian Retail, U.S. Retail, and Wholesale Banking. The company offers personal deposits, such as chequing, savings, and investment products; financing, investment, cash management, international trade, and day-to-day banking services to businesses; and financing options to customers at point of sale for automotive and recreational vehicle purchases through auto dealer network. It also provides credit cards; real estate secured lending; auto finance; consumer lending; point-of-sale payment solutions for large and small businesses; wealth and asset management products, private banking, investment advisory, and trust services to retail and institutional clients; and property and casualty insurance, as well as life and health insurance products. The company also provides capital markets, and corporate and investment banking services, including underwriting and distribution of new debt and equity issues; advice on strategic acquisitions and divestitures; and trading, funding, and investment services to companies, governments, and institutions. It offers its products and services under the TD Bank and America's Most Convenient Bank brand names. The company operates through a network of 1,085 branches, 3,440 automated teller machines, and 1,223 stores, as well as offers telephone, digital, and mobile banking services. The Toronto-Dominion Bank was founded in 1855 and is headquartered in Toronto, Canada. Read More The following companies are subsidiares of Sysco: 2234829 Alberta ULC, 2234842 Alberta ULC, A. M. Briggs Inc., A.M. Briggs, Almacen Fiscal Frionet Caldera S.A., Almacen Fiscal Frionet Limon S.A., Appert's Foodservice, Arnotts (Fruit) Limited, Asian Foods, Bahamas Food Holdings Limited, Bahamas Food Services Limited, Brake Bros, Brake Bros Foodservice Ireland Limited, Brake Bros. Foodservice Limited, Brake Bros. Holding I Limited, Brake Bros. Ltd., Brakes Foodservice NI Limited, Buchy Food Service, Buckhead Beef Co., Buckhead Meat & Seafood of Houston Inc., Buckhead Meat Company, Buckhead Meat Midwest Inc., Buckhead Meat of Dallas Inc., Buckhead Meat of Denver Inc., Buckhead Meat of San Antonio LP, Buzztable Inc., CAKE Corporation, Central Seafood Co., Christys Wine & Spirits Limited, Clafra Aktiebolag, Colorado Boxed Beef Co - Specialty meat-cutting division, Corporacion Frionet Sociedad Anonima, Crossgar Foodservice, Crossgar Foodservice Limited, Crown I Enterprises Inc., Cucina Acquisitions (UK) Limited, Cucina Finance (UK) Limited, Cucina French Holdings Limited, Cucina Fresh Finance Limited, Cucina Fresh Investments Limited, Cucina Lux Investments Limited, Curleys Quality Foods Limited (Third Party), Davigel Belgilux S.A., Davigel Espana S.A., Desert Meats & Provisions, Distagro, Doerle Food Service, Doughtie's Foods Inc., Dust Bowl City LLC, Eko Fagel Fisk o mittemellan AB, Enclave Insurance Company, Enclave Parkway Association Inc., Enclave Properties LLC, European Imports, European Imports Inc., Figg Inc., Freedman Meats, Freedman Meats Inc., Freedman-KB Inc., Fresh Direct (UK) Limited, Fresh Direct Group Limited, Fresh Direct Limited, Fresh Holdings Limited, FreshPoint, FreshPoint Arizona Inc., FreshPoint Atlanta Inc., FreshPoint California Inc., FreshPoint Central California Inc., FreshPoint Central Florida Inc., FreshPoint Connecticut LLC, FreshPoint Dallas Inc., FreshPoint Denver Inc., FreshPoint Hawaii LLC, FreshPoint Inc., FreshPoint Las Vegas Inc., FreshPoint North Carolina Inc., FreshPoint North Florida Inc., FreshPoint Oklahoma City LLC, FreshPoint Pompano Real Estate LLC, FreshPoint Puerto Rico LLC, FreshPoint San Francisco Inc., FreshPoint South Florida Inc., FreshPoint South Texas Inc., FreshPoint Southern California Inc., FreshPoint Tomato LLC, FreshPoint Vancouver Ltd., Freshfayre Limited, Fruktservice i Helsingborg AB, GHS Classic Drinks Limited, Gilchrist & Soames Inc., Gilchrist & Soames UK Limited, Guest Packaging LLC, Guest Supply, Guest Supply Asia Limited, Guest Supply Singapore Pte. Ltd., International Food Group, Isakssons Frukt & Gront AB, J & M Wholesale Meats, J. Kings Food Service Professionals, J. Kings Food Service Professionals Inc., Kent Frozen Foods, Les Ateliers Du Gout, Liquid Assets Limited, M&J Seafood Holdings Limited, M&J Seafood Limited, Manchester Mills LLC, Mayca Autoservicio S.A., Mayca Distribuidores S.A., Menigo Foodservice AB, Mitshim Etatu Supply LP, Newport Meat Company, Newport Meat Northern California Inc., Newport Meat Pacific Northwest Inc., Newport Meat Southern California Inc., Newport Meat of Nevada Inc., North Star Holding Corporation, North Star Seafood, North Star Seafood Acquisition Corporation, North Star Seafood LLC, PFS de Mexico S.A. de C.V., Palisades Ranch Inc., Pallas Foods, Pallas Foods Farm Fresh Unlimited Company, Pallas Foods Unlimited Company, Pauleys Produce Limited, Promotora del Servicios S.A. de C.V., Restaurangakdemien AB, Restaurant of Tomorrow Inc., Rohan Viandes Elaboration SAS, SMS Bermuda Holdings, SMS GPC International Limited, SMS GPC International Resources Limited, SMS Global Holdings S.a.r.l., SMS International Resources Ireland Unlimited Company, SMS Lux Holdings LLC, SOTF LLC, SYY Netherlands C.V., SYY Panama S. de R.L., Serca Foodservice, Servicestyckarna I Johannes AB, Servicios Ameriserve S.A. de C.V., Shenzhen Guest Supply Trading Co. Limited, Societe Civile Immobiliere (SCI) Bianchi Montegut, Societe Civile Immobiliere (SCI) De Boiseau, Societe Civile Immobiliere (SCI) De Garcelles, Societe Civile Immobiliere (SCI) J.D. Lanjouan, Societe Civile Immobiliere (SCI) Le Dauphin, Specialty Meat Holdings LLC, Stockflag Limited, Stockholms Fiskauktion AB, Supplies on the Fly, Sysco Albany LLC, Sysco Asian Foods Inc., Sysco Atlanta LLC, Sysco Autoservicio S.A., Sysco Baltimore LLC, Sysco Baraboo LLC, Sysco Bermuda Partners L.P., Sysco Boston LLC, Sysco Canada Holdings S.a.r.l., Sysco Canada Inc., Sysco Central Alabama LLC, Sysco Central California Inc., Sysco Central Florida Inc., Sysco Central Illinois Inc., Sysco Central Pennsylvania LLC, Sysco Charlotte LLC, Sysco Chicago Inc., Sysco Cincinnati LLC, Sysco Cleveland Inc., Sysco Columbia LLC, Sysco Connecticut LLC, Sysco Corporation, Sysco Corporation Director's Deferred Compensation Plan Trust, Sysco Corporation Employee's 401(k) Plan Trust, Sysco Corporation Executive Deferred Compensation Plan Trust, Sysco Corporation Good Government Committee Inc., Sysco Corporation Retirement Trust, Sysco Corporation Supplemental Executive Retirement Trust, Sysco Corporation Supplemental Unemployment Benefits Plan Trust, Sysco Detroit LLC, Sysco Disaster Relief Foundation Inc., Sysco EI VI S. s.r.l., Sysco EU II S.a.r.l., Sysco EU III S.a.r.l., Sysco EU IV Capital Unlimited Company, Sysco EU IV S. s.r.l.., Sysco EU V S. s.r.l., Sysco Eastern Maryland LLC, Sysco Eastern Wisconsin LLC, Sysco Foundation Inc., Sysco France Holding SAS, Sysco France SAS, Sysco George Town II LLC, Sysco George Town Limited S. s.r.l.., Sysco Global Finance LLC, Sysco Global Finance LLP, Sysco Global Holdings B.V., Sysco Global Resources LLC, Sysco Global Services LLC, Sysco Grand Cayman Company, Sysco Grand Cayman II Company, Sysco Grand Cayman III Company, Sysco Grand Rapids LLC, Sysco Guernsey Limited, Sysco Guest Supply Canada Inc., Sysco Guest Supply Europe Goods Wholesalers LLC, Sysco Guest Supply Europe Limited, Sysco Guest Supply LLC, Sysco Gulf Coast LLC, Sysco Hampton Roads Inc., Sysco Hawaii Inc., Sysco Holdings II LLC, Sysco Holdings LLC, Sysco Indianapolis LLC, Sysco International Food Group Inc., Sysco International Inc., Sysco Iowa Inc., Sysco Jackson LLC, Sysco Jacksonville Inc., Sysco Kansas City Inc., Sysco Knoxville LLC, Sysco Labs Europe Limited, Sysco Labs Pvt. Ltd., Sysco Leasing LLC, Sysco Lincoln Inc., Sysco Lincoln Transportation Company Inc., Sysco Long Island LLC, Sysco Los Angeles Inc., Sysco Louisville Inc., Sysco Memphis LLC, Sysco Merchandising and Supply Chain Services Canada Inc., Sysco Merchandising and Supply Chain Services Inc., Sysco Metro New York LLC, Sysco Minnesota Inc., Sysco Montana Inc., Sysco Nashville LLC, Sysco Netherlands Partners LLC, Sysco North Central Florida Inc., Sysco North Dakota Inc., Sysco Northern New England Inc., Sysco Philadelphia LLC, Sysco Pittsburgh LLC, Sysco Portland Inc., Sysco Raleigh LLC, Sysco Resources Services LLC, Sysco Riverside Inc., Sysco Sacramento Inc., Sysco San Diego Inc., Sysco San Francisco Inc., Sysco Seattle Inc., Sysco South Florida Inc., Sysco Southeast Florida LLC, Sysco Spain Holdings SLU, Sysco Spokane Inc., Sysco St. Louis LLC, Sysco Syracuse LLC, Sysco Technologies Cayman Ltd., Sysco Technologies LLC, Sysco UK Holdings Limited, Sysco UK Limited, Sysco UK Partners LLP, Sysco USA I Inc., Sysco USA II LLC, Sysco USA III LLC, Sysco Ventura Inc., Sysco Ventures Inc., Sysco Virginia LLC, Sysco West Coast Florida Inc., Sysco Western Minnesota Inc., The SYGMA Network Inc., Upsys, Victua SAS, Walker Foods Inc., Waugh Foods, and Wild Harvest Limited. William Lyon Homes (NYSE:WLH) announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, November, 6th. The construction company reported $0.37 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $0.30 by $0.07. The construction company had revenue of $466.90 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $487.15 million. William Lyon Homes had a trailing twelve-month return on equity of 6.98% and a net margin of 3.04%. The company's revenue was down 12.7% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the company earned $0.68 earnings per share. View William Lyon Homes' earnings history. The Las Vegas event will explore the latest innovation and best business practices for staying competitive. Trumbull, CT March 14, 2018 TMC today released the agenda for MSP Expo to take place May 16-17, 2018, at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada. MSP Expo brings together telecom MSP professionals and thought leaders to network and explore the latest innovations and business practices. MSP Expo is collocated with ITEX, the largest and most extensive national trade show connecting vendors and resellers in the office technology space. "At MSP Expo, managed service providers will learn how to build their businesses, discover what new opportunities are available to them, and how to successfully sell, support, and package these offerings," says TMC Executive Editor Paula Bernier. "We welcome MSPs that are looking to grow and position themselves for the future to join us at MSP Expo." The Conference Program Includes: How to Grow Your MSP Business & Avoid Missed Opportunities Are you getting the maximum value out of your MSP business, and delivering maximum value to your customers? What are you doing to differentiate yourself in the marketplace? And how can you grow your customer base and margins going forward? In this session attendees will get tips from MSP peers and potential partners on whats possible. The Power of Visibility, Analytics, Automation & Visualization Organizations today rely heavily on connected applications and networks to run their businesses and serve their customers. So when applications and networks dont perform as expected, businesses can lose credibility, customers, and revenues. The fact that there are so many moving pieces within the digital enterprise makes application and network assurance especially challenging. And that complexity continues to multiply. This panel will explain how MSPs can use new tools to ensure their business customers applications and networks are secure and perform as required. How to Profitably Add UC and Telecom to Your Service Offering Adding unified communications and telecom services is often an overlooked opportunity to easily increase revenue. It can seem confusing and daunting to those who havent built out a voice practice. However, with some thoughtful planning, an MSP can create a highly profitable, recurring revenue stream by becoming its customers go-to for voice. Addressing Security as an MSP. Want to be an MSSP? Cybersecurity is an important consideration for virtually every business today. And if its not, it should be. A quick glance at the headlines illustrates why organizations need to secure their data, devices, and networks and why they need to do that now. Thats where you come in. How MSPs Can Drive Digital Transformation Were hearing a lot about digital transformation lately. And although most businesses are aware that they need to change in light of digital disruption, its difficult to know where to start. Theyre also challenged by the fact that people who have the expertise to shape, evangelize, implement, and perfect digital transformation strategies are hard to find. In this session well discuss digital transformation and why its happening, and explain how MSPs are uniquely positioned to provide organizations with support and advice on their digital transformations. How MSPs Can Compete in the Age of the Hyperscale Cloud Provider Businesses large, medium, and small are turning to the big cloud service providers in growing numbers to control their IT infrastructure costs and more effectively scale. It can be tough for managed service providers to compete with giants like Amazon, with AWS; Microsoft, with Azure; and the Google, with the Google Cloud Platform. But it is possible. Businesses still need significant support to decide what to move to the cloud and when, manage cloud migrations, keep operations running as they move to hybrid and cloud-based environments, and more. And that presents a great opportunity for MSPs like you. Questions regarding speaking opportunities at MSP Expo should be sent to Dave Rodriguez at 203-852-6800 x146 or Paula Bernier at pbernier@tmcnet.com. Registration is open, for more information email events@tmcnet.com. For media inquiries, contact Jessica Seabrook. Companies interested in exhibiting, sponsorship or advertising packages for ITEXPO should contact TMC's Joe Fabiano at 203-852-6800 x132 or Maureen Gambino at 203-852-6800 x109. For the latest MSP Expo news, updates and information follow the event on Twitter at @MSPExpo. About TMC Global buyers rely on TMCs content-driven marketplaces to make purchase decisions and navigate markets. This presents branding, thought leadership and lead generation opportunities for vendors/sellers. TMCs Marketplaces: Unique, turnkey Online Communities boost search results, establish market validation, elevate brands and thought leadership, while minimizing ad-blocking. Custom Lead Programs uncover sales opportunities and build databases. In-Person and Online Events boost brands, enhance thought leadership and generate leads. Publications, Display Advertising and Newsletters bolster brand reputations. Custom Content provides expertly ghost-written blogs, press releases, articles and marketing collateral to help with SEO, branding, and overall marketing efforts. overall marketing efforts. Comprehensive Event and Road Show Management Services help companies meet potential clients and generate leads face-to-face. For more information about TMC and to learn how we can help you reach your marketing goals, please visit www.tmcnet.com. Media and Analyst Contact: Jessica Seabrook Marketing Director TMC 203-852-6800 x 170 jseabrook@tmcnet.com Share this Page Edited by Mandi Nowitz Tata-Starbus hybrid electric buses come with full low-floor configuration, offer global design standards, can run on dual power (diesel and electric) and use lithium ion batteries. Mumbai: Tata Motors on Friday handed over 25 hybrid electric buses to the city's planning authority MMRDA. Developed indigenously, these Tata-Starbus hybrid electric buses come with full low-floor configuration, offer global design standards, can run on dual power (diesel and electric) and use lithium ion batteries, the firm said on Friday. The buses comply with all UBS-II (urban bus specifications), AIS 052 (automotive industry standards) and CMVR (central motor vehicle rules), it added. Buses were formally handed over to the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) by Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis in the presence of Union heavy industries minister Anant Geete on Friday. Girish Wagh, president, commercial vehicles business at Tata Motors said these buses, powered by BS-IV engines, are the first series of the hybrid electric architecture buses and are a testimony to the company's technological prowess. He said the company is committed to developing low-emission buses that make substantial contribution towards sustainable urban transport. "We will continue our work on electrification and alternate fuel technologies and engage with government and regulatory authorities to promote such mobility solutions," Wagh added. With reports that PMO is unhappy over delays faced by exporters in getting refunds under GST, CBEC said on Friday claimed that trade bodies are giving inaccurate estimates of pending GST refunds. New Delhi: With reports that PMO is unhappy over delays faced by exporters in getting refunds under GST, CBEC said on Friday claimed that trade bodies are giving inaccurate estimates of pending GST refunds. The CBEC or Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs [CBIC] said that it has noticed that unverified estimates of pending GST refunds on account of exports are published or put forward by various trade bodies. These figures are highly speculative and mostly inaccurate, said CBEC. CBEC said that it is a fact that while a number of exporters have not been able to get the export refunds so far others have been granted refunds. In order to overcome the causes of the delay in sanctioning of refunds, government has taken various steps, which includes amendments in the rules, changes in the business procedures of common portal and customs automated system to address the systemic issues, it said. CBEC said that many of the errors plaguing the claims for refunds are on account of inadequate familiarisation of the exporters with the GST laws and data entry errors in the various GSTRs/ forms. It said that the government has carried out outreach programmes by issuing guidance circulars, advisories, FAQs, advertisements and also provided an alternative procedure involving manual interface where the errors could not be corrected online. CBEC said that the efforts are beginning to show positive results. So far more than Rs 10,000 crore has already been sanctioned by CBEC and states. A standard operating procedure applicable to both Central and state GST has been put in place by virtue of various circulars and clarifications issued with regard to processing of ITC refund, said CBEC. The GST Council, in its last meeting on 10th March 2018, has directed all state tax authorities to proactively clear refund claims. Exporting community is requested to take benefit of this fortnight and wholeheartedly come forward to get their errors rectified to enable sanction of refunds, said CBEC. The Centre wants to assure the exporting community that it is keen to see that all their eligible refund claims are sanctioned at the earliest, it added. Mumbai: Few days ago, it was learnt that actor Irrfan Khan has been diagnosed with a severe case of jaundice. The actor, who was set to leave for Chandigarh to shoot for his Amazon Prime series had to stay back to receive appropriate treatment. The actor who was amidst the promotions for his next release, 'Blackmail', has been prescribed bed rest. But twist to the tale is, Irrfan Khan on Monday said that he is suffering from a rare disease and will share details when there is a conclusive diagnosis. In a Twitter post, the 51-year-old actor said he and his family were jolted by the knowledge of his illness, and requested his fans and followers not to speculate about his health. Putting his jaundice reports to rest, Irrfan 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 don't 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. The actor now confirmed the disease being neuroendocrine tumor. This is a disease that happens in fewer than 1 million cases per year in India. Irrfan wrote in his latest post, The unexpected makes us grow, which is what the past few days have been about. Learning that I have been diagnosed with NeuroEndrocine Tumour as of now has admittedly been difficult, but the love and strength of those around me and that I found within me has brought me to a place of hope. The journey of this is taking me out of the country, and I request everyone to continue sending their wishes. As of the rumours that were floated NEURO is not always about the brain and googling is the easiest way to do research ;-) To those who waited for my words, I hope to be back with more stories to tell. Earlier Irrfans wife also called her husband a warrior and asked the media to not speculate. Even director Shoojit Sircar had confirmed that Irrfan is fine. Who is going to host Bigg Boss, Season 2? This is the question doing the rounds of Film Nagar. According to a source, actor Nani has almost been finalised to host the reality show, and the channel may make the official announcement soon. The show is a huge hit and its very hard to replace Jr NTR, but the channel people believe that Nani can do the job,says the source. The anchor should be spontaneous, and they feel that Nani fits the bill perfectly. Nani started his career as a radio jockey and knows how to host a show. So they approached him and he too agreed to do it, adds the source. The actor will be getting a reasonable remuneration to host the second season of Bigg Boss. Meanwhile, Allu Arjuns name is also under consideration. A 35-year-old man, T. Benny was allegedly murdered by two chain snatching accused near Sunguvar Chathiram in Kancheepuram district, 50 km from the city, after they had learned that Benny had squealed on them to the cops. Chennai: A 35-year-old man, T. Benny was allegedly murdered by two chain snatching accused near Sunguvar Chathiram in Kancheepuram district, 50 km from the city, after they had learned that Benny had squealed on them to the cops. A native of Thirumazhisai near Poonamalee, Benny was living in the community hall in the Molachur village near Sunguvar Chathiram for the past ten years. He is separated from his wife and children, police said. Benny, who worked as a painter, was also a police informer, giving out information about petty criminals and thieves to the local police. On Thursday evening, two men, Ramraj and Vinodh, who have been recently come out of jail in connection with a chain snatching case, had approached the community hall where Benny was talking with a friend. "The duo had learnt that Benny had informed the cops about them, which led them to being jailed," according to a source. Seeing the duo charging towards them with weapons, Benny ran into the community hall and locked himself in the groom's room. However, the duo managed to get into the room and dragged him out and attacked him with deadly weapons. A passerby alerted the police about seeing his body after which Sunguvar Chathiram police moved the body to the Sriperumbudur GH for an autopsy. Later in the day, Benny's younger brother received his body after an autopsy. Police have launched a hunt for the absconding duo. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and her Sikkim counterpart Pawan Chamling buried all acrimonies after meeting each other in North Bengal secretariat in Siliguri on Friday. (Photo: AFP) Kolkata: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and her Sikkim counterpart Pawan Chamling buried all acrimonies after meeting each other in North Bengal secretariat in Siliguri on Friday. To maintain friendly relations between the two states, both the CMs made it clear that misunderstanding between them was over and that the Darjeeling issue has become past now. They also assured each other of cooperation. The relations between the two states were strained after unrest and violence gripped Darjeeling last year when the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) led by its president Bimal Gurung called for bandh to press for the demand of Gorkhaland. The bandh continued in the hills for a long time. Lashing out at the BJP ruled government in Sikkim, Mamata openly accused Chamling of patronising GJM and sheltering Gurung to evade arrest. When a West Bengal police team went to catch Gurung hiding at a resort owned by a relative by Chamling in Sikkim, they faced resistance by the Sikkim police. Also, Kalimpong superintendent of police Ajeet Singh Yadav was booked in a case by the Sikkim police for the raid. According to sources, the two CMs agreed to meet following the Centre's advice. Addressing a joint press meet with Mamata, Chamling said, "Now we will work together for the development of Sikkim, Darjeeling and West Bengal. Our discussion was focused on development issues. Whatever misunderstanding was there is past. Now we have to move together for our better future and better relations." Mamata Banerjee said, "Bengal and Sikkim are two neighbouring states to each other." She elaborated, "Our people love very much to travel in Sikkim. So we want good understanding between the two states. Since Siliguri is called Chicken's neck, Sikkim is very important from the northeast point of view. If the two states can undertake work simultaneously, both of them can prosper with the tourists' rush. We will sort out our problems which took place between ourselves. It is unanimous. We will work together." Mamata further explained, "We will give our full cooperation to Sikkim for its development. That was discussed. I think a new rapport has been created and the two states have come close to each other. The misunderstanding over Darjeeling is over now. Past is past. Whatever problem there was, it is over now. Now, a new innings have started. Let us start it from now. This is a good sign." She added, "This is good for Darjeeling, Sikkim and Bengal. Like our vehicles will go to Sikkim, their vehicles will also come here. Our officials will discuss it with their counterparts. If our meeting would have taken place a few days ago, I could have invited Chamling to the industry meet here. Next time I will invite Sikkim to industry summit. Both states will benefit from it. Tourism will get a boost in both." Mamata also asked Binay Tamang, head of the board of administrators of the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration, to talk to Sikkim to improve ties. The Centre told Supreme Court said India is already facing serious problems of infiltration because of its porous border with other countries, which is the root cause of spread of terrorism in the country, which is taking thousands of lives of innocent citizens and security personnel. (Photo: File) New Delhi: The Centre on Friday urged the Supreme Court not to intervene in the executive decision on deportation of Rohingya Muslims to Myanmar and it would not be in national interest for the court to issue a direction to stop their deportation. The Centre filed an affidavit in this regard before a three-judge Bench of Chief Justice Dipak Misra and Justices AM Kanwilkar and DY Chandrachud hearing a batch of petitions seeking to restrain India from deporting 40,000 Rohingyas to Myanmar. A direction was also sought to permit the remaining Rohingya refugees to cross over the border and enter India as the Border Security Force is thwarting their entry. The Centre said India is already facing serious problems of infiltration because of its porous border with other countries, which is the root cause of spread of terrorism in the country, which is taking thousands of lives of innocent citizens and security personnel. Securing the borders of any sovereign nation in accordance with law, is an essentially function and this court would not issue any direction not only to the Central government but also to all States having a common border. The Centre pointed out that India is not a signatory to the United Nations Convention relating to status of refugees. Considering the very peculiar geographical situation existing, namely India sharing its land border with China, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, and Myanmar, it is not in the interest of national security for this court to issue a direction to stop their deportation. It said the role of BSF was to ensure security of nation by preventing unauthorised entry of foreigners and prevent trans-border crimes including smuggling and other illegal activity. The Centre denied the allegation that the Border Security Force (BSF) was using chilli powder and stun grenades to stop the refugees from entering India. It said the steps taken by any border guarding force is strictly in accordance with law, in larger public interest and in the interest of nation. Denying violation of human rights, the Centre said all agencies tasked with the function of guarding the borders are discharging their duties in accordance with law and complying with human rights in larger national interest. On providing medical facilities to Rohingyas taken refuge in various States, the Centre said medical facilities are being provided to them in all health care centres. On giving identity cards to Rohingya refugees, the centre said it is essentially an issue in the domain of policy making and governance by executive. There cannot be issuance of ID card to any refugeee as there being no law passed by Parliament in this regard. On treating Sri Lankan refugees and Rohingya on par, the Centre said grant of certain facilities to Sri Lankan refugees has its genesis in the Indo-Ceylon agreement of 1964 and hence both refugees cannot be treated alike. Shiv Sena's editorial referred to the BJP's stunning victory in the Uttar Pradesh Assembly polls in 2017 as it attacked the party over its loss in the Gorakhpur byoll. (Photo: PTI) Mumbai: Terming the BJP's loss in the Gorakhpur Lok Sabha bypoll a "defeat of ego and arrogance", the Shiv Sena on Friday launched a fresh salvo at its ally, saying the party's strength in the Lower House of Parliament will come down by at least 110 seats in the 2019 general elections. The Sena also taunted its ally saying those who abandon their friends and "tread the path of lies" are destined to lose. "The BJP won the tiny state of Tripura. While the party was celebrating the victory, the results of two Lok Sabha bypolls in Uttar Pradesh took the shine off the win. These results have created panic in the BJP camp. The party's two strongholds- Gorakhpur and Phulpur- were won by the SP," the Sena said in an editorial in its mouthpiece- 'Saamana'. It said that since the Modi government came to power, bypolls to 10 Lok Sabha seats were conducted, of which the BJP lost nine. "Initially, there were 282 BJP MPs in the Lok Sabha, but the figure has now come down to 272. Under the leadership of Narendra Modi and Amit Shah, the BJP has lost virtually every bypoll," the Uddhav Thackeray-led party said. The editorial referred to the BJP's stunning victory in the Uttar Pradesh Assembly polls in 2017 as it attacked the party over its loss in the Gorakhpur byoll. "Last year, the BJP set a record by winning 325 seats in UP Assembly polls. Yogi Adityanath became the chief minister, while Keshav Maurya became his deputy. Since 1991, Adityanath had never lost the Gorakhpur seat. But now, despite being the CM, his party lost. If the BJP could topple the Left government in Tripura, why couldn't it win Gorakhpur?" it asked. In Bihar, the Araria Lok Sabha seat and the Jehanabad Assembly seat were won by the RJD, it said. "All this shows that the BJP is losing ground," it said. "It is now clear that in 2019, the BJP will not get 280 seats. The number will come down by at least 100-110. Therefore, the BJP needs to remain grounded. Defeat is certain for those who abandon their friends and tread the path of lies. When the downfall starts, no Chanakya can stop it," it said. " Trinamool Congress supremo and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee says this is the beginning of BJP's downfall. We do not know if this is true, but what is certain is that the people who supported the party (in 2014), are now pushing it to the ground." The party said that after the bypolls in Rajasthan, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had said that the Congress should only contest bypolls now. "The BJP's loss in the Gorakhpur Lok Sabha bypoll is a defeat of ego and arrogance," the Sena added. Bengaluru: The Karnataka High Court on Thursday ordered issue of notice to Press Council of India and the Broadcasting Corporation of India (Prasar Bharati) following a petition filed by former CM B.S. Yeddyurappa. The petitioner has contended that statements are being made on various public platforms by Congress leaders against him which are per se defamatory and also lower the dignity of courts and interfere in the administration of justice. The former CM asserted that the statements are being given wide publicity in the electronic and print media. Yeddyurappa has made Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, KPCC President Dr G. Parameshwar, Congress leaders Dinesh Gundu Rao, MB Patil, VS Ugrappa, C M Ibrahim and Brijesh Kalappa, and several print and electronic media respondents in the matter. New Delhi: The Centre on Friday informed the Supreme Court that in the "interest of the nation", it will not damage the mythological Ram Sethu for its Sethusamudram Ship Channel project. Ram Sethu connects India and Sri Lanka. Instead, according to the government, they will look for an alternative route to implement the Sethusamudram Canal Project. The project is a shipping channel between India and Sri Lanka. According to the affidavit filed by the Union Ministry of Shipping, the PIL filed by BJP leader Subramanian Swamy against the Sethusamudram project can now be disposed off by taking note of its stand. They had submitted the affidavit to a bench headed by Chief Justice Dipak Misra that The affidavit read, That the government of India intends to explore an alternative to the earlier alignment of Sethusamudram Ship Channel project without affecting/damaging the Adam's Bridge/Ram Sethu in the interest of the nation. Speaking on behalf of the Centre, Additional Solicitor General Pinky Anand, said that the Centre has filed the response in pursuance of the earlier directions and the PIL can now be disposed off. Swamy had filed a PIL against the ship channel project and had sought direction to the Centre that the mythological Ram Sethu be not touched. The Supreme Court, granted time to the Centre to elaborate whether it has taken a stand to cut through Ram Sethu for the Sethusamudram project last year. It is the belief of millions of Hindus that the Ram Sethu was built by Lord Ram with help from an army of monkeys, to rescue his wife Sita from the demon king Ravana, described in the epic Ramayana. The Ram Sethu or Adam's Bridge is a continuous stretch of limestone shoals that runs from Pamban Island near Rameshwaram in South India to Mannar Island off the northern coast of Sri Lanka. The marine structures, around which legends have been woven have been think in the centre of controversy since the Sethusamudram shipping canal project was revealed. Under the Sethusamudram project, a 83-km-long deep water channel would have been created linking Mannar with Palk Strait by extensive dredging and removal of the limestone shoals which constitute the Sethu. Taufeeq, according to the police, keenly followed Jammu and Kashmir-based newspaper and posted anti-national messages. (Photo: Representational/File) Hyderabad: The Telangana police found that Mohd Taufeeq, the slain ISIS militant, who was killed in an encounter with security forces in Kashmir, was lured into the militant group through social media, police officials said. He spent more time on social media including telegram. He befriended several persons with names Husne Mubarak Sri Lanka, Trisha USA, Haleema Sadiq Pune, Mubashir Islam Kashmir and Ziaul Khalid of Uttar Pradesh. It appears, these are pseudo names of recruiters who are based in different countries, an official said. He stayed in Hyderabad and worked with a construction company based at Nallakunta in 2015 where he devoted much of his time browsing literature about Kashmir issue. In October 2015, Taufeeq went to Kashmir along with his friend Md Arif who is a native of the state. Taufeeq met Arif at ECIL in Hyderabad. During his visit, Tauseef met his telegram friend Mubassir in Kashmir and both decided to join ISIS in one year after obtaining passports and money. Nearly a year later, he went to the Kashmir and joined the group Ansar Ghazwatul Hind (AGUH), the police dossier of the slain militant revealed. According to the dossiers, the slain militant, Mohammed Taufeeq, got attracted to Kashmir cause, during his visit to the valley in 2012. Taufeeq along with two other Kashmiris, Eisa Fazili and Syed Owais Shafi were killed in a gun battle with the security forces in Anantanag district of Jammu and Kashmir on Monday night. In the year 2012, Taufeeq had gone for a tour along with his family for seven days. During his travel to Gulmarg valley, he took pictures of the banners put up to support Kashmir cause and inquired about the issue with the locals there. Since then he got inclined towards the Kashmir issue and followed it on facebook and other social media platforms, an intelligence official said. Taufeeq, according to the police, keenly followed Jammu and Kashmir-based newspaper and posted anti-national messages. He regularly heard the speeches of Maulana Masood Azhar and other separatist leaders from the valley. Hyderabad: All these days as the agitation on special status for AP grew, the Central government and its finance minister Arun Jaitley have been saying that the 14th Finance Commission has recommended not giving special category status to any state, and that is why it is unable to give special status to Andhra Pradesh. But Union planning minister Rao Indrajit Singh said in a written reply to a query by member of parliament C.M. Ramesh, that the 14th Finance Commission did not recommended not giving special category status to any state. The former minister wrote that the 14th Finance Commission did not recommend separately on special status. He said the 14th Finance Commission has only removed the differences between special status states and others in sharing of tax devolutions. The special status issue also came up in the Rajya Sabha on Friday when former Union minister Y. Sujana Chowdary was giving his statement on his resignation from the Un-ion Cabinet. Mr Chowdary said the present Rajya Sabha Chairman, M. Venkaiah Naidu, who was in the Opposition at the time the state of Andhra Pradesh was bifurcated, had demanded special status for the rump state of AP for 10 years, in this very House. Union minister Piyush Goel piped up and said it is not good to criticise the Rajya Sabha Chairman. The Trinamuls Sukhendurai Chowdary pointed out that the TD member was not making any allegations against the Chair, and he has the right to quote a statement made by Mr Venkaiah Naidu in the past. Mr Chowdary too said later that he was not making any allegations; he was just reminding the House about the statement made by the Chairman. Chennai: The Madras high court has dismissed a Public Interest Litigation, which sought a direction to the traffic police not to harass the public under the guise of spot fine without giving an opportunity to contest the alleged violations before the court of law. The First Bench comprising Chief Justice Indira Banerjee and Justice Abdul Quddhose dismissed the PIL filed by social activist Traffic Ramaswamy. The March 7 incident in which a woman who was travelling on the pillion of a motor cycle fell down and died when the police chased and kicked the motorcycle was quoted in the PIL. The rider, her husband, who was not wearing helmet, did not stop and attempted to ride on when the police asked him to stop, in Tiruchy. Dismissing the PIL, the bench said this court is surprised to note that the husband was irresponsible enough to carry his pregnant wife in a motor cycle without wearing helmet and attempted to escape when the police tried to stop him. Of course, it is not to be construed as the finding of the court. The observation is based only on different news reports and on the face of the affidavit filed by the petitioner. It is not to influence the investigation against the incident in any manner, the bench made it clear. The bench said, The petition in our view is gross abuse of process of court. The imposition of fine including spot fines on driving in contravention of rules is permissible. There is no law which prohibits collection of spot fines. In anticipation of stray incidents of police excess or improprieties or even dishonesty, the court cannot entertain a PIL and stop collection of spot fines from errant drivers. The incident indeed is an unfortunate one and required to be inquired into. Mr Naidu later told reporters in Vijayawada that he was fighting a dharma yuddh (righteous war) to secure the states legitimate rights and claimed that parties at the national level were backing the TDs no-confidence motion due to his partys credibility. Hyderabad: The no-confidence motions that the YSR Congress and Telugu Desam parties were to move against the government on Friday did not come up in the Lok Sabha as the House was not in order, with protests and sloganeering by members. Mr Naidu later told reporters in Vijayawada that he was fighting a dharma yuddh (righteous war) to secure the states legitimate rights and claimed that parties at the national level were backing the TDs no-confidence motion due to his partys credibility. The Telangana Rashtra Samiti and members of other parties however trooped into the well of the House with placards and shouted slogans in support of their demands. When the din didnt die down, even after one adjournment of the House, the Speaker adjourned the House for the day. Both the YSRC and Congress have decided to give notice on a no-confidence motion again on Monday. The postponement of the motion has given anti-BJP parties time to unite in support of the no-confidence motion. The Trinamul, National Congress Party, the Samajwadi Party, CPM, Shiv Sena, Aam Aadmi, and AIMIM annou-nced their support for the no-confidence motion on Friday. The major opposition party, the Congress, has extended its support and according to AP Congress Committee president N. Raghuveera Reddy, UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi has directed Congress leader in the Lok Sabha, Mallikarjun Kharge, to consult all 20 UPA-friendly parties to support the no-confidence motion. West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamul chief Mamata Banerjee welcomed the TD's decision to snap ties with the BJP and has extended support to the no-confidence motion. CPM leader Sitaram Yechury said that his party will also support the no-confidence motion as not granting Andhra Pradesh special status is a betrayal of the promise made and is inexcusable. Congress MP T Subbirami Reddy said since the Speaker did not take up the no-confidence motion today because the House was not in order, he suggested that the TD coordinate with other parties, including the TRS, to keep the House in order on Monday. AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi said that he has signed on the no-confidence motion aga-inst the Modi government be-cause it has failed to solve the unemployment problem or the injustice done to Muslim women. RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav said that his party totally supports the two no-confidence motions against the Narendra Modi government. Former MP and AIDMK spokesperson K C Palanisamy said if the centre refuses to set up the Cauvery Management Board and the Cauvery Water Regulatory Committee, as ordered by the Supreme Court, the AIADMK may support the no trust motion. Telugu Desam MP C.M. Ramesh said the party will give notice of the no-confidence motion on Monday with the signatures of 54 MPs. For a no-confidence motion to be debated, 50 MPs have to support it and this number is likely to be easily reached by Monday. The YSRC on Thursday submitted a notice for a no-confidence motion against the Modi government for its refusal to grant special category status to AP. Andhra Pradesh CM and TD boss N. Chandrababu Naidu immediately announced support for the motion. THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Thiruvananthapuram corporation is planning to launch a campaign against all sorts of burning in the city in April. Mayor V.K. Prasanth said, The month-long no- burn campaign aims to put a stop to burning, including burning of leaves. We have not yet completed preparing the activities connected with it. A lot of burning happens because there is no other means to deal with excess leaves. This will be addressed through our campaign, he said. Now every zonal office has a vehicle each, which is used to collect leaves from the streets. The corporation is planning to add additional vehicles to ensure that all leaves are collected. The civic body had, in its waste management bylaw, mentioned about penalties for burning. The bylaw has not been passed as the law department of LSGD has sought some clarifications. Once the bylaw comes into effect, those who burn waste will be penalised. Though councillors were convinced about the ill-effects of burning plastic, they were unaware that burning leaves can cause any harm. When this newspaper raised the issue, both deputy mayor Rakhi Ravikumar and BJPs V.G. Girikumar asked what was wrong with burning leaves. Girikumar also said that it was only in areas without aerobic bins that burning was rampant. UDFs D. Anilkumar said that burning of leaves would cause cough and chest infection. However, we cannot do without burning leaves as people want cities to be clean, he said. The mayor answered correctly that it would increase carbon emissions. Hyderabad: YSR Congress MLA from Adoni, Y. Sai Prasad Reddy, was found with live ammunition in his baggage at the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport in the early hours of Friday. Security personnel at the airport found four bullets of a .32 pistol in his carry-on (briefcase) luggage and alerted the police. The police verified his weapons licence and let him off, but he was not allowed to take the flight. Mr Sai Prasad told Deccan Chronicle that he had obtained his arms licence from the Kurnool district collector more than two decades ago. He was on his way to Hong-Kong, Macau and Bali on a personal trip on a Thai Airways flight. The no-confidence motion is being brought by TDP and YSRCP for their own state-specific issues. CHENNAI: AIADMK, the third largest party in Lok Sabha with 37 MPs, will not support the no-confidence motion against BJP Government at the Centre being brought by TDP and YSRCP for not living up to the promise of according Special Status to Andhra Pradesh. The no-confidence motion is being brought by TDP and YSRCP for their own state-specific issues. We have nothing to do with Special Category status for Andhra Pradesh and we will not be supporting the motion. We were approached by the YSRCP to support the motion, but we have decided not to, AIADMK floor leader in Lok Sabha, P Venugopal, told Deccan Chronicle. Venugopal also rued that none of the parties YSRCP or TDP ever joined them in protesting Centres delay in constitution of Cauvery Management Board as per the Supreme Court directive. When none of the parties stood behind us during troubled times, why should we support them? he asked. When asked whether the AIADMK will take the route of no-trust motion on the Cauvery issue, Venugopal said since two more weeks are left for the six-week deadline to set up the CMB, no decision could be taken now. Senior AIADMK leader M Thambidurai also spoke on similar lines when asked to comment on the party's stand on the no-confidence motion against the BJP Government, but used the opportunity to hit out at the Centre for ignoring demands of the people of Tamil Nadu. The AIADMK has been stalling the Parliament demanding immediate constitution of Cauvery Management Board. We will keep up the pressure till the CMB is formed, Thambidurai said. However, he put the onus on Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami and his deputy O Panneerselvam to take a call on the partys stand on the no-confidence motion. Though a section of national media began speculating on AIADMK's stand, party sources said there was no discussion on the issue at any level. We cannot support such a motion. AIADMK has been friendly to the BJP even when Amma was alive and we are just continuing the policy. What is the need to support the motion? a senior leader asked. The fact that AIADMK was not even thinking on supporting the motion became loud and clear when the party sacked its spokesperson K C Palanisamy for speaking out of the turn by giving sound bytes to television channels that AIADMK will support no-confidence motion if the Centre fails to constitute CMB. K C Palanisamy is being removed from his primary membership for anti-party activities, a joint statement issued by EPS and OPS said on Friday evening. Fisheries Minister D Jayakumar, the most visible face of the AIADMK, accused the TDP of moving the no confidence motion due to political reasons. They were with BJP for four years and suddenly they come out and express no-confidence against the BJP, he said. Hyderabad: Congress MLAs Komatireddy Venkat Reddy and S.A. Sampath Kumar, who were disqualified from the Telangana Legisl-ative Assembly on Friday, told the Hyderabad High Court that they had been expelled for political reasons and that the state government and the Assembly Speaker had been responsible for their disqualification from the House. Justice B. Siva Sankara Rao heard a petition filed by the duo challenging their expulsion from House and questioning the authority of the Speaker. The counsel appearing for the petitioners told the court that the petitioners had been expe-lled citing Business Rules, whi-ch could only be evoked when the proceedings and the business of the House were disrupted. He brought to the notice of the court that the petitioners had been suspended without notice and that they had not been given an opportunity to defend themselves, which went against to the principles of natural justice. He reminded the court that the Supreme Court had held that the Governors address was not part of the Assembly proceedings and not part of the business of the House. While stating that there was no provision for expulsion in the Constitution, the counsel said that the people in power seemed to be blissfully unaware of the scheme and spirit of the Constitution. Citing a judgment of the Supreme Court, the counsel said that the Apex Court had categorically held that the principles of natural justice, and Articles 14 and 19 of the Constitution were applicable even inside the house. He added that they had all been violated. He contended that the Speaker did not have the power to aid the story of injury to Chairman of the Legislative Council which itself is doubtful. He urged the Court to stay the action of the Speaker as well as the notification of vacancies in the Nalgonda and Alampur Assembly segments. Advocate General D. Prakash Reddy urged the Court to grant him some time to compile his arguments, as the petitioners had raised various factual issues. Bifurcation promises are not yet fulfilled. Had special status been included in the Act in then Lok Sabha then, this situation would have not arisen: Andhra Pradesh CM N Chandrababu Naidu in state assembly. (Photo: ANI/Twitter) Hyderabad: The Telugu Desam and YSR Congress on Friday served separate notices to move no-confidence motions against the four-year-old NDA government. The notices, however, were not taken up by Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan due to pandemonium in the House. On Friday morning, Y.V. Subba Reddy and others from the YSRC and Thota Narasimham and others from TD gave the notices against the NDA government after finance minister Arun Jaitley expressed the governments inability to grant the Special Category Status to Andhra Pradesh. Mr Asaduddin Owaisi, AIMIM chief and MP from Hyderabad, also signed the no-trust notice given by the TD. This is the first time that the BJP-led NDA government would be facing a no-confidence motion. After the Lok Sabha was convened on Friday, the Speaker informed the House that she has received two notices for a no-confidence motion one each from the YSRC and the TD and she would take them up if the House is in order. The Telugu Desam pulled out of the NDA earlier in the day, ending its four-year-old alliance with the BJP. TD president and AP Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu announced his partys decision to exit the BJP-led alliance in Amaravati, eight days after two of its ministers quit the NDA government. The BJP termed TDs decision as inevitable. Hyderabad: The Telangana government appeared to have lost hopes of Central assistance other than getting the 42 per cent tax devolution as per constitutional obligations. The Budget for 2018-19 presented on Thursday estimated Rs 29,041 crore from the Centre as against Rs 26,857 crore last year. Finance minister Etela Rajender said the estimate was made based on Union Budget of which TS was entitled to 42 per cent tax devolution and did not expect anything more. This is because the state government had made several representations to the Centre seeking funds for Mission Bhagiratha, Mission Kakatiya, Kaleshwaram project etc for the last four years but in vain and there were no hopes that the Centre would grant funds in the last year of its tenure, the Telangana State finance minister said. Prime Minister Narendra Modi himself inaugurated Mission. Bhagiratha, praised it and asked all States to emulate it. "But when we sought Central funds for this, there was no response," he said. This was when Niti Aayog, set up by the PM himself, recommended Rs 19,000 crore grant for Mission Bhagiratha and Rs 5,000 crore for Mission Bhagiratha two years ago, he added. He also expressed displeasure over the Centre not sanctioning funds to residential schools set by TS government to provide quality education for BCs, SCs, STs and minorities. There was no State, but TS, which set up over 500 residential schools in a year, the Minister said. Bengaluru: When Veerappa Moily speaks, the whole of Karnataka listens in rapt attention for this scholarly politician has earned a lot of respect across political lines for his comments on vital issues. So when a tweet appeared late night on Thursday on what is said to be his Twitter handle, it raised eyebrows, for it directly accused a trusted aide of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah - PWD Minister Dr H.C. Mahadevappa-of being part of a nexus involving road contractors ahead of the Assembly elections! Mr Moily, who is the Congress party's manifesto committee chairman, allegedly tweeted, "INC needs to solve money in politics. We can't afford to have road contractors and their nexus with the state PWD minister determine how candidates are selected for the upcoming Assembly elections." Interestingly, the same tweet has been posted on Moily's son Harsha's unverified Twitter handle too. The former Union Minister however told reporters in New Delhi that it was a tweet sent by somebody else, and that he had nothing to do with it. Sources close to the developments said however that the tweet followed a falling out between the senior leaders over denying Harsha Moily a chance to stand for elections from the Karkala constituency. The ruling Congress has landed in an embarrassing situation after former CM Veerappa Moily reportedly tweeted claiming a nexus between PWD Minister Dr HC Mahadevappa and road contractors ahead of the Assembly polls, which would influence candidate selection. Mr Moily has already denied the tweet saying, That Twitter account is not in my control. It's not an appropriate tweet. I'm withdrawing it. Asked if his Twitter account was hacked, the former Union Minister said, I won't say that but even then it's not proper. It's unfortunate. It shouldn't have come. I haven't done it. Somebody else has done it. I don't want to go public on party matters. Asked whether any action would be initiated against those who played mischief with his twitter handle, Moily said he didn't want to make any further statement. Forget the matter, was all he would say. As for the man in the middle of the controversy, PWD Minister H.C. Mahadevappa, a close confidante of Siddaramaiah he remained confined to his official residence in Bengaluru, though most of his party leaders flew to Delhi to attend the AICC plenary session. When prodded by the media, Dr Mahadevappa said he did not have any information about it. I don't know social media, hence I don't know about tweets. Someone told me about such a tweet, after that Mr Moily has said that he has not tweeted, this is what I know, the rest you have to ask him, he said cryptically andy added, Mr Moily is our senior leader. I am in no way connected with Moily's tweet. Attempts by Congress leaders like KPCC working president Dinesh Gundu Rao and KPCC president Dr G. Parameshwar to douse the flames did not succeed entirely. Mr Raos reaction was again on social media: Moily has retracted his statement, but most unfortunate comments on PWD Minister Dr HC Mahadevappa as he has done excellent work in building road infrastructure in Karnataka. One of our best performing ministers. Dr Parameshwar sought to reiterate that Mr Moily had distanced himself from the tweet and in any case, there is a specific long-drawn-out process of identifying candidates for the Assembly elections one that involves going through many levels of screening through many committees. The process has just begun this week. He added that a 47-member committee scrutinises the list with three names for each constituency. The list is later referred to the screening committee of the AICC. The 16-member central election committee will finalise the list. So, where is the question of money changing hands? Mr Moily has maintained that it is not his tweet. We may have to refer this to the cyber crime department. BJP's allegations are baseless, the KPCC president reacted. The fact that the tweet had not been deleted despite Mr Moilys statement has led some leaders to question if this was a ploy to set the cat among the pigeons and later deny it by saying his account was hacked. This is not the first time a senior Congress leader in the state has raised the issue of corruption and money power at work during the selection of candidates. Mr Moilys remarks, which come on the eve of the AICC Plenary, are strikingly similar to the allegations levelled by another Congress leader Margaret Alva six months after the Assembly elections in 2008. She had alleged that election tickets were for up for sale when her son Nivedith and another senior leader Jaffer Shariefs son were denied tickets. She had questioned if there were different rules for different people? Are they terrorists or smugglers, Ms Alva had asked at that time. One mans terrorist, goes the received wisdom, Is anothers freedom fighter. But this is foggy thinking, the kind of value assumption that justifies whichever side one feels sympathetic towards. The assumption that terrorist violence is a component of most liberation movements and revolutions bears examination. The largest and most significant of liberation struggles, that of our own subcontinent, was driven by the non-violent agitational campaigns of Mahatma Gandhi and the parliamentary constitutionalism of the Quaid. Elsewhere, too, national freedom has been attained through agitation (South Africa, Kenya, Ghana), constitutional negotiation (Sri Lanka, Nigeria), armed struggle (Turkey, Vietnam, Algeria, Bangladesh), even military coups detat (Egypt, Libya) and a host of other means. Terror against non-combatants was not a major strategic component of these liberation movements. Terror was successfully employed by the Zionists, but that was a done deal anyhow, and by the Palestinians (notably without success). Beyond freedom movements, is there a relationship between revolutionaries and terrorists? I have previously likened terrorists to storm crows flying before the winds of incipient revolution. Theres an enormous amount of violence that accompanies revolutions, almost axiomatically. As Mao Zedong said: You cant make an omelette without breaking eggs. But does revolutionary violence deliberately target innocent non-combatants? Is terrorism part of revolutionary strategy? In the French Revolution, the guillotine was kept busy severing heads. But the French Terror was directed, first, against the functionaries and perceived supporters of the ancien regime and, thereafter, against factions of the revolutionaries themselves. Pre-revolution Russia witnessed successive bursts of terrorist violence from such groups as the Decembrists, the Nihilists and the Narodnaya Volnya populists. However, both the Bolshevik and Menshevik factions of the Russian Social Democratic Party, which actually conducted the 1917 revolution, were explicit in their denunciation of terrorist methods. The violence of the socialists campaigns against the Kulaks, the purges within the Bolsheviks themselves and the Stalinist purges were after, and not part of, the revolution. The Chinese revolution comprised the campaigns of an armed revolutionary force the Red Army during the 1930s and 1940s. Mao was especially careful to target land barons, warlords and the Japanese, and not the ordinary people, who were thought of as the sea in which the Communists swam like fish. The campaigns of large-scale mass violence, and the later internecine violence of the Red Guards against the Communists themselves during the Cultural Revolution, occurred well after the revolution. As Lenin said: A revolution is not a pink tea party. In each of these cases, there was violence aplenty against the leaders of the pre-revolutionary tyrannies. Successful revolutions used violence to clean up perceived remnants of the old order, and then resolved factional disputes amongst revolutionaries themselves in that strange process where revolutions seem to devour their own children. Now, many may consider the violence of revolutions unacceptably wasteful of human life. The point is that, barring occasional aberrant behaviour accompanying the breakdown of a state, we have not previously seen terror against non-combatants being systematically used as part of revolutionary strategy. In fact, it was considered counterproductive and cowardly. Both Lenin and Mao categorically rejected terrorist tactics and denounced the perpetrators of such occurrences. But, come the media age of the 21st century, and things have changed. Beginning with the spectacular attacks on the World Trade Centre and the Pentagon in September 2001, which many of us saw happening in real time on our TV sets, terrorist tactics have been the principal component of the campaigns of the so-called Islamist militants whether the TTP and various Lashkars and Jaishes in Pakistan, the Afghan Taliban, ISIS in West Asia, Boko Haram in West Africa, etc. Traditional revolutionaries and liberationists eschewed terror tactics against the non-combatants they hoped to lead. But todays religious warriors observe no such niceties. They are uninterested in cultivating democratic support or catalysing popular uprisings. Their methodology is to terrorise local populations into submission, in order to enjoy the power gained from running their proto-states. Simultaneous terrorist actions against the West prompted the emergence there of the likes of Trump, Le Pen, Wilders, Farrage, etc, thereby promoting hatred, divisions and barriers between nations. Terrorism is not the weapon of the weak, but of the vicious. Such an appreciation is especially significant today, when such asinine mantras as negotiating with the Taliban are doing the rounds of power corridors here and abroad. By arrangement with Dawn President Donald Trumps administration is showing its mean, mercantilist core. Unsurprisingly, for it, international trade is a one-way street, with exports increasing wealth in America, at the expense of the importing economies. The psychosis of imports killing domestic jobs is familiar territory for India and scores of developing countries. What is truly unusual is the conversion of the United States of America to this flawed concept and the abandonment of the open economy model by the erstwhile foremost exponent of this philosophy. In todays topsy-turvy world, Mr Trump is aping the Great Qing emperors of China during the mid-19th century. At that time China was willing to sell Chinese silks, ceramics and art, but felt no need to import any foreign goods. The result was a trade surplus and a massive accretion of silver. It took cheap opium and gunboat diplomacy by the Western colonial powers to balance the trade. Unlike China under the Great Qing, the United States runs a massive trade deficit equal to around three per cent of its GDP. This is normal for many developing countries but unusual for a great power. American consumers are accustomed to the opium of cheap imported goods. It helps that the appetite of foreigners for AAA-rated US dollar securities finances the deficit. Mr Trumps plans to levy high import tariffs on metals will rob American consumers and workers, in ancillary user trades, and keep jobs in the metals production business on life support. This is bad politics and worse economics, and at best a short-term tactic to signal the Trump administrations sympathies for Republican rough necks. The negative economic impact will have to be diluted by exemptions to individual exporting countries, with reciprocal benefits for the United States, such as the preferential import of Harley Davidson motorcycles. The US remains the biggest single country market, with imports of $2.7 trillion but the European Unions market for imports is much bigger, at $6.7 trillion. Japan alone imports $0.8 trillion and China imports $2 trillion worth of goods and services. The new import tariff of 25 per cent on steel and 10 per cent on aluminum are of marginal consequence for India. Our share in world steel exports is just 2.5 per cent. Steel exports to the US in 2012-16 averaged around 6.5 per cent of our total steel exports, and we have traditional links with other big markets like the UAE, Europe, East Asia and South Asia. Our share in world aluminum exports averaged 1.5 per cent over 2013-16. The share of the US in our aluminum exports is significant, at 10 per cent. But our largest importer is South Korea, with significant volumes also exported to Mexico, Malaysia, the UAE and Turkey. Indian exports to the US are not of the scale where they could threaten the economic security of American industries. Also, our special relationship with the US, since the 2005 US-India Civil Nuclear Agreement, the shared commitment against terror and common military logistics arrangements, facilitate privileged access to the US market. The elephant in the room is US intransigence, amounting to the ugly American behaviour. Starting with the US walking out of the 2015 Paris climate change agreement; and its recent regressive approach to immigration in sharp contrast to responsive European policies; and its most recent arbitrary protection via high import tariffs of steel and aluminum manufacturing jobs all these have damaged its soft power. Of course, the US has the firepower, bolstered by its $600 billion defence expenditure, to promote gunboat diplomacy. But faced with China, an implacable adversary in the superpower sweepstakes, the US will be hard pressed to convince its potential allies that it can back its brash words with action. Indians have indelible memories, from 1971, of the threatening deployment of the US Seventh Fleet in the Bay of Bengal seeking to prevent the liberation of East Pakistan by the Bangladeshi Mukti Bahini from the oppressive, quasi-colonial rule of the Pakistani-Punjabi mafia a close US ally. It was only the counter deployment of Soviet nuclear submarines and warships, in response to a request for help from India, which rendered the USS Enterprise and the rest of the Seventh Fleet toothless. If the US was then not willing to face down the Soviets in 1971 to help its ally Pakistan, then how credible is its willingness and ability to come to the help of India in facing down a possible threat from China? In a networked world, trade, investment and security are intertwined. The US views China as its primary adversary. Luckily for it, China is several thousand miles removed from the American land mass. But China lurks on our northern borders. It spends $180 billion on its military alone almost equal to the total budget of the Indian government. Prudence lies in following the Chinese strategy of subordinating muscular diplomacy to economic growth. It remains in Indias interest to adhere to the open economy model. We have limited capital and governance capacity. We must be frugal in allocating them to first build our domestic infrastructure and facilitate private investment, whilst keeping our markets lightly regulated and open to competition and foreign investment. Let us not obsess about job creation or force-feeding the formal economy. The US creates two million jobs in a year. Non-farm jobs are scarce everywhere. We should become better at generating fiscal resources to redistribute as income support to the lost generations of Indians who are unskilled. This will boost domestic demand and fuel economic growth, far better than resorting to failed economic solutions such as protectionism, subsidies and publicly financed businesses to chase impossible dreams. The no-confidence motion against the Narendra Modi government, that is likely to be taken up in the Lok Sabha on Monday, is not expected to succeed. But it does underscore the growing isolation of the Modi government from its nearest allies. The difficulties that the government faces in Parliament are likely to grow. The Telugu Desam whose notice submitted on Friday is likely to be debated if it can attract the endorsement of a minimum of the 50 MPs required is not the BJPs oldest ally, but it is hard to think of a keener associate of the saffron fold for two decades. Yet, it announced first thing on Friday morning that it was withdrawing from the BJP-led NDA coalition. Soon thereafter, it gave a notice of no confidence in the government of Mr Modi. Nine days earlier, the TD had withdrawn its representatives from the Union council of ministers, citing the Centres refusal to honour its pledge to give Andhra Pradesh a special category status. On the issue of the no-confidence motion, the TDs hand may have been forced by the YSR Congress, which had threatened to withdraw its MPs from Parliament on the question of a financial package for the state. The YSRC also gave notice of a no-confidence motion. While the states political dynamics led TD chief N. Chandrababu Naidu to take the tough decision of moving a no-confidence motion, it is the wider impact on the political environment in the country that is likely to concern the BJP. Mr Naidu made it a point to flag the obvious in his lengthy speech to his state Assembly on Friday that the recent byelection results had shown that the stock of the Prime Minister and his party was down. As a part of the BJPs diplomacy to other NDA allies preceding the no-confidence vote, Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis got in touch with the Shiv Sena right away. It will be interesting to see if the Sena and BJPs minor allies in various states vote with the government on the no-confidence motion. Equally interesting will be the stance of non-NDA parties like the AIADMK and TRS, which have been supportive of the BJP for political reasons. On the whole, regional parties are likely to be guided by their immediate concerns on the issue of the no-confidence motion. The Congress, Trinamul Congress, the Left parties and the AIMIM have announced their support for the no-trust motion, which hurts the governments prestige. Let a hundred flowers blossom! Mao Zedong Where are the blossoms of yesteryear? Bachchoo From Mamma Bola Biscuit Lao (ed. Bachchoo) Stephen Hawking, one of our worlds best brains and a fruitful contemplator of the nature of reality and the universe, has died at the age of 76. He lived to see the filmic biography, which celebrated his life and his struggle against motor neurone disease, which left him paralysed in body without affecting the clarity and theoretical inventiveness of his brain. He contracted the disease at the age of 22 while he was engaged in research work in cosmology at Cambridge. In his cinematic biography, his doctors tell him that he has, at best, a couple of years to live. Hawking lived more than 50 years beyond that pessimistic prediction. Were the doctors who diagnosed the dangling fatality, the villains of piece? Should all those suffering from motor neurone disease or any other disease which is diagnosed as fatal in a short time now protest against the medical profession and demand an end to all such terminal diagnoses? I suspect, gentle reader, that you will think this a deviant and absurd question, but I introduce it because I was recently asked to speak on a panel about filmic biographies and the offence they might give. The panel was convened as part of a programme of an association of business organisations of India called Ficci in their conference called FRAMES, in Mumbai. I suppose I was invited because someone originally chosen and better qualified had dropped out. Nevertheless, I was pleased to be asked and got thinking about it. As it turned out the sessions brief was narrower. It wasnt as I had initially thought, a philosophical consideration of what should or shouldnt go into a screen biography. It was the narrower consideration, occasioned by the political row about Sanjay Leela Bhansalis film Padmaavat, of whether film writers, directors and producers freedom to write history would be eroded. Would they censor themselves out of fear? This is a central question, not simply for India but for very many parts of the world where expression, though theoretically free, finds itself (to paraphrase Marx-Karl, not Groucho) in chains. Chaining expression may be a more difficult feat than denying it or seeking to curtail it. In the case of Padmaavat, which I only know from reading about it, I think the objections from Rajputs to a sex scene they erroneously speculated the film contained, were insincere. The objectors had a keen eye focused on building up a caste and religious following which could be electorally deployed in the future. From the panels platform, I recalled my experience with writing the film Bandit Queen which was then taken to an Indian court by persons seeking to ban it. In that case too, it turned out that the primary motive, for Phoolan Devi, the protagonist of the film, was not any moral objection to anything portrayed but money. When it was suggested to her that she take some cash, drop the case and support the film, she did precisely, and almost instantly, that. Her withdrawal of the case and support for the film disappointed the gang who had proposed the banning. It turned out that they, or one of them at least, were in touch with Robert Laffont, a French publisher who had commissioned a later biography of Phoolan Devi with a view to turning it into a Hollywood film (with Meryl Streep as Phoolan? And Johnny Depp as Vikram Mallah?). When Phoolan abandoned the case an editor from Laffont rang me up to ask if I could delay the release of our Bandit Queen by six years so that they could get their Hollywood film made and distributed. I told him to go some distance and have sex. Perhaps some of the people who objected to Padmaavat were offended by it. It hurt their feelings. Even so, should hurt feelings lead to bans or to court? Wouldnt every lover in the world find him/herself incriminated? The grave question is whether freedom of speech and expression includes the freedom to insult and offend. If a film is made about the Sikh martyrs, would the supporters of Aurangzeb be entitled to protest? British law takes the view that incitement to hatred is a criminal offence and can and will be prosecuted by the State, but hurting the feelings or offending the sentiments of one or more people is not subject to criminal stricture. The extreme case of this was the publication of Salman Rushdies Satanic Verses. He was threatened with death after Ayatollah Khomeini pronounced an opinion that good Muslims should kill him. His books were burnt in British cities and very many people, Muslim and non-Muslim, professed themselves as the ones offended. There was no case to answer. On the contrary, Margaret Thatchers government, a prime target of abuse from Salman in the past, immediately took measures to protect his life and person. In India, an offence to a religion is taken as provocation and can be subject to banning books and to legal proceedings. I dont know of an Indian film that has attempted to satirise religious figures, prophets, gods or characters from mythology. In Britain, the film The Life of Brian made by the comedy team called Monty Python's Flying Circus, tells the biblical story of Jesus as satire bordering on slapstick farce: Pontius Pilate speaks to his centurion with a lisp, turning rs into ws and weleasing Wobert when the wrowd wequests his welease in place of Brian the film's name for Jesus. In the ultimate scene Brian on the cross, flanked by two thieves, begins whistling a song which goes Always look on the bright side of life Christians may have been to see the film, they may have laughed or they may have cried but the film wasnt censored and neither the police nor angry Christian mobs stormed the theatres or threatened the actors and director. Christianity survived. Trump has complained that McMaster, a three-star Army general, is too rigid and that his briefings go on too long. (Photo: File) Washington: US President Donald Trump has decided to replace his national security adviser, H R McMaster, but the move is not expected to be made immediately, the Washington Post reported on Thursday. Citing five people with knowledge of the plans, the Post said Trump was considering several possible replacements, including former US Ambassador to the United Nations John Bolton and Keith Kellogg, the chief of staff of the National Security Council. The White House did not immediately respond to a request from Reuters for comment. On Tuesday, Trump fired Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and the president has signalled in recent days that a shake-up at the top levels of his administration was not over. "I'm really at a point where we're getting very close to having the Cabinet and other things that I want," Trump told reporters after Tillerson was fired. McMaster is not expected to be ousted immediately, the Post reported. Trump is willing to take his time making the change to avoid humiliating McMaster and carefully choose a strong replacement, the Post said. Trump never personally gelled with McMaster and the president recently told White House Chief of Staff John Kelly that he wanted McMaster replaced, according to the Post. Trump has complained that McMaster, a three-star Army general, is too rigid and that his briefings go on too long and seem irrelevant, the Post reported. McMaster is Trump's second national security adviser, succeeding Michael Flynn who was dismissed in 2017 for misleading Vice President Mike Pence about his contacts with the Russian ambassador to the United States. Mueller could also be looking into the possible existence of a lurid videotape in Russian hands involving Trump and prostitutes dating back to the Miss Universe. (Photo: File) Washington: Sex. Money laundering. Espionage. The investigation of Washington special prosecutor Robert Mueller is bursting its seams, going far beyond Russian meddling in the 2016 presidential election. After indicting 19 people so far, Muellers team has put on edge many people in President Donald Trumps orbit, not least Trump himself. But the investigators appear to still have a long way to go before wrapping up their probe. Here are the various directions of Muellers investigation: Collusion: dirt on Clinton The investigations main focus is possible Trump campaign collusion with Russia. Moscow allegedly offered the campaign compromising materials on Trump rival Hillary Clinton several times -- some of which was published by WikiLeaks. According to reports and court filings, separate offers were made to campaign advisors George Papadopoulos and Carter Page. Another was allegedly made to top campaign officials, including Donald Trump Jr, Jared Kushner, and Paul Manafort, in a June 2016 Trump Tower meeting with a Russian lawyer. A key question: What did Trump know about that offer? Mueller is also reportedly eyeing Republican political consultant Roger Stone over his contacts with WikiLeaks during the campaign. Back-channels to Moscow There was a spider-web of contacts between campaign officials and Russians, but it is unclear what they add up to. Page, formerly a Moscow-based investment banker, visited Russia during the campaign, and was already the target of an FBI espionage investigation. Papadopoulos admitted to numerous contacts with Russians in England, as he sought to arrange a trip by Trump to Moscow. Kushner has admitted discussing a private communications channel with the Russians after the election, for unclear purposes. At that time Trumps national security aide Michael Flynn was also having secretive conversations with Russias ambassador. Campaign chair Paul Manafort, according to The Washington Post, offered to share campaign information with Oleg Deripaska, a Russian tycoon with Kremlin links. The Post also reported that Mueller is probing a meeting that an associate of Trump, Erik Prince, held with a senior Russian in the Seychelles in January 2017 as another back channel effort. Russian hacking/disinformation Surprisingly, the Mueller probe has also dug deeply into the Russian meddling itself, and not only to fill out the picture of what happened in 2016. In February Mueller indicted 13 Russians linked to the Internet Research Agency for their efforts to manipulate US public opinion. That group included Yevgeny Prigozhin, a close ally of President Vladimir Putin. Mueller is also expected to indict people involved in the hacking theft of Clinton materials. Follow the money Mueller has already charged former campaign chairman Paul Manafort and campaign deputy Rick Gates over laundering USD 75 million tied to work they did for pro-Moscow Ukrainian leader Viktor Yanukovych. On Thursday The New York Times reported that Mueller has subpoenaed records from the billionaire presidents umbrella company, the Trump Organization, related to Russia and other matters under investigation. That could cut a broad swath: Russians figured large as customers in the business, with many buying condominiums in his New York and Florida projects. In 2013 Trump partnered with a Moscow developer with Putin links to hold his Miss Universe contest in Moscow. Trumps 2008 sale of a Palm Beach mansion to Russian oligarch Dmitry Ryobolev for USD 95 million, which Trump paid only USD 41 million for, has also raised eyebrows. There are also questions about Kushners seeking international financing for a heavily indebted New York property owned by his family business, and how that may have intersected with the Trump campaign. Sex Mueller could also be looking into the possible existence of a lurid videotape in Russian hands involving Trump and prostitutes dating back to the Miss Universe. That was reported in the dossier on links between the campaign and Russia produced by British ex-spy Christopher Steele. Steele, much of whose report has proven to be accurate, was interviewed by Muellers team in 2017. Steeles sources said the video could provide the Kremlin with leverage over Trump. Obstruction The weightiest charge Mueller is exploring is Trumps possible obstruction of his investigation. Trumps firing of FBI director James Comey, his constant comments on the investigation, possibly covering up the June 2016 Trump tower meeting, and other actions could support the charge. But Mueller will need powerful evidence to prove it, as it could set up a hearing on impeaching the president in Congress. Donald Trump has faced fierce criticism in the United States for doing too little to punish Russia for the election meddling and other actions. (Photo: File) Washington: The United States on Thursday took its most notable action against Russia since Donald Trump became president, slapping sanctions on a group of Russian individuals and entities, including Moscows intelligence services, for meddling in the 2016 US election and malicious cyber attacks. Under pressure to act, the administration still deferred making a move targeting Russian government officials and oligarchs, those closest to Russian President Vladimir Putin. Thursdays announcement marked the first time that the US government stated publicly that Russia had attempted to break into the American energy grid, which US security officials have longed warned may be vulnerable to debilitating cyber attacks from hostile adversaries. Trump has faced fierce criticism in the United States for doing too little to punish Russia for the election meddling and other actions, and a special counsel is looking into whether Trumps campaign colluded with the Russians, an allegation the president denies. Combined with the United States joining Britain in blaming Moscow for poisoning a former Russian spy in southern England, the actions represented another plunge in US-Russian relations despite Trumps stated desire for improved ties. "The administration is confronting and countering malign Russian cyber activity, including their attempted interference in US elections, destructive cyber-attacks, and intrusions targeting critical infrastructure," Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said in announcing the new sanctions. Trump has frequently questioned a January 2017 finding by US intelligence agencies that Russia interfered in the 2016 campaign using hacking and propaganda in an effort eventually aimed at tilting the race in Trumps favour. Russia denies interfering in the election. But Mnuchin was unequivocal in saying that Thursdays Treasury action "counters Russias continuing destabilizing activities, ranging from interference in the 2016 election to conducting destructive cyber-attacks." A senior administration official told Reuters that Trump, who campaigned on warmer ties with Putin, has grown exasperated with Russian activity. The Treasury Department aimed the sanctions at 19 Russian individuals and five groups. Sixteen of the Russian individuals and entities sanctioned were indicted on February 16 as part of Muellers criminal investigation. While Trump has frequently called the Russia probe a "witch hunt," the new sanctions appear to affirm Muellers investigative strategy. Trump told reporters during a White House event with Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar that "it certainly looks like the Russians were behind" the use of a nerve agent to attack Sergei Skripal, a former Russian double agent in England. Trump called it "something that should never, ever happen, and were taking it very seriously, as I think are many others." Russian government hackers since at least March 2016 "have also targeted US government entities and multiple US critical infrastructure sectors, including the energy, nuclear, commercial facilities, water, aviation, and critical manufacturing sectors," a Treasury Department statement said. A senior administration told reporters on a conference call that Russian actors infiltrated parts of the US energy sector. "We were able to identify where they were located within those business systems and remove them from those business systems," the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity. Mnuchin said there would be additional sanctions against Russian government officials and oligarchs "for their destabilizing activities." Mnuchin did not give a timeframe for those sanctions, which he said would sever the individuals access to the US financial system. The new sanctions also include Russian intelligence services, the Federal Security Service (FSB) and Main Intelligence Directorate (GRU), and six individuals working on behalf of the GRU. Thursdays action blocks all property of those targeted that is subject to US jurisdiction and prohibits American citizens from engaging in transactions with them. The Treasury Department said the sanctions were also meant to counter destructive cyber attacks including the NotPetya attack that cost billions of dollars in damage across Europe, Asia and the United States. The United States and Britain in February attributed that attack to the Russian military. Muellers indictment stated that Russians adopted false online personas to push divisive messages, travelled to the United States to collect intelligence and staged political rallies while posing as Americans. Both Republicans and Democrats in the US Congress, which nearly unanimously passed a new sanctions bill against Russia in summer 2017, had criticized Trump for not punishing Moscow. The Trump administration in January did not announce sanctions against Russia, for now, under the new law. Republican Ed Royce, chairman of the House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee, welcomed the new sanctions as an important step. "But more must be done," Royce said in a statement, promising that his committee would "keep pushing to counter Russian aggression." The Treasury Department said it would keep pressure on Russia for its ongoing efforts to destabilize Ukraine and occupy the Crimea region, as well as corruption and human rights abuses. Islamabad: Hafiz Mohammed Saeed-led Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JuD) on Friday submitted a petition against government suspension of their welfare activities in the Lahore High Court. JuD lawyer Advocate Dogar said Hafiz Saeed was founder of JuD and Falah-e-Insaniat Foundation (FIF) and established 142 schools, and three universities. He added that Hafiz Saeed was engaged in public welfare activities for the last several years. The LHC has sent a notice to the federal and provincial government asking for a response from them within 15 days. Justice Aminuddin Khan heard this matter at the request of JuD chief Hafiz Saeed. The petitioner stated that JuD had always been active in welfare activities and the US and India are creating a hindrance in the regular party affairs which is uncalled for. It is unconstitutional to bar anyone from carrying out social welfare activities, Counsel for the petitioner noted. He further said that the government must allow the party to let them conduct the welfare activities without creating any hurdles. The High Court on March 8 extended its order till April 4 under Justice Aminuddin Khan to take no action against JuD chief Hafiz Saeed. After his plea about possible arrest at the behest of the United States and India. The government lawyer pleaded the court to give more time to submit replies at which, Justice Khan gave another chance to the government lawyers to present their replies. Counsel for the petitioner, Advocate A. K Dogar contended that a delegation of the UN was going to arrive in Pakistan on Jan 26 and the government had planned to take strict action against Hafiz Saeed. The counsel said that the Punjab government had earlier detained the petitioner under Maintenance of Public Order for 90 days. However, a review board comprising judges of the High Court denied an application of the government for further detention and house arrest of Jud chief as it failed to justify the detention before the board. The lawyer stated that the actions taken against Hafiz Saeed by the government were based upon the pressure of the US and the Indian lobby, which had been propagating against him in the name of Mumbai attacks. He asked the court to stop the government from taking any illegal action against the JuD leader. The court would resume hearing on April 04. Meanwhile, Pakistan's religious affairs ministry said Friday that the Indian government had yet to issue visas for Pakistani pilgrims awaiting to participate in the annual Urs (anniversary) of Ajmer Sharif which is scheduled to begin on March 19. According to officials of the Ministry of Religious Affairs, around 500 pilgrims were supposed to depart for India on March 18 to attend the days of the Urs at the shrine of Ajmer Sharif. The spokesperson said that there was a 1947 pact between religious and tourist relations between Pakistan and India, in which a special visa was issued to citizens of both countries to attend pilgrimage and celebrations of religious places. According to the agreement, India is bound to give 500 Pakistani visitors every year to participate in Khawaja Garib Nawaz's Urs but the Indian High Commission had not issued visas in this regard. "Therefore, visitors have been advised to not travel to Lahore until the final announcement. With only two days left and the clock ticking, the visas have not been issued to the pilgrims yet," he said. Officials said the Pakistani government was in contact with the Indian government in this regard, but so far has not received any positive response on the matter. The Indian government is not giving a clarity on the status of the pilgrims and the issuance of their visas. Every year, almost 500 people from across Pakistan visit India to participate in the Urs of Khawaja Ghareeb Nawaz. SALT LAKE CITY A Murray woman was found not guilty Thursday of abusing a toddler in her day care years ago, but jurors were unable to reach a verdict on charges related to two other children. Kami Kay Tollefson, 45, showed little emotion as the decision was read but accepted a congratulatory pat on the shoulder from a family member once the jurors had left the room. Her attorney, Scott Williams, declined to comment as Tollefson left the courtroom. Meanwhile, quiet cries could be heard from the children's parents. Tollefson was charged in 2010 with three counts of child abuse, a second-degree felony, in connection with the injuries of three children under her care. The five-man, three-woman jury also had an option to convict Tollefson of a lesser offense of negligent child abuse, a class A misdemeanor, on each charge. Prosecutors alleged that Tollefson hit, squeezed or shook the three children, then returned them to their parents with little explanation. In opening and closing arguments during the trial, they maintained there were "too many injuries, too many stories, and one common denominator" in the children's cases. But Tollefson's attorneys maintained that evidence in the case was minimal, while three unfortunate accidents had been lumped together and labeled a crime. In his opening statement, Williams said Tollefson took the blame when the children's frightened parents became "victims of hasty, dogmatic conclusions" by doctors "looking for child abuse" in any injury. The children have recovered from their injuries over the years, while their parents followed the case through the court system. Tollefson was acquitted of injuring an 18-month-old boy, Aiden Campbell, who was somehow deprived of oxygen for an estimated 30 seconds while in her care in 2009, to the point that the blood vessels in his face began to burst. During the trial, Williams had argued that no sufficient evidence had been presented as to explain how Aiden was injured, and accidental causes couldn't be ruled out. A mistrial was declared for the two counts on which jurors were hung. In one instance, 16-month-old Isaak Crandall was hit so hard by something while at the day care in 2008 that his pancreas split, requiring emergency surgery. Tollefson offered multiple explanations, according to prosecutors, including telling Isaak's parents the boy had perhaps slipped on a toy car and fallen, or had taken a tumble down some stairs. She later told police she had found the boy lying on the ground by a swing set, where he could have fallen or been hit by an older child. Williams argued that the possibility of an accident on the swing set had not been disproven. In the other, 13-month-old HaLee Miller suffered head trauma in Tollefson's home in 2010, leaving internal bleeding and detached retinas. She was rushed by ambulance and medical helicopter to Primary Children's Hospital, where doctors said she had been violently shaken by someone of adult strength, causing bleeding in her brain. Pointing to evidence HaLee's brain had bled prior to that day, Williams called the girl "tragically fragile" due to the possibility that her skull was too big for her brain, leaving her prone to accidental injury. Tollefson's case has dragged on for eight years as she changed attorneys, rescheduled trial dates and negotiated with prosecutors. The case ultimately proceeded to trial after the children's mothers implored 3rd District Judge Randall Skanchy to reject a plea deal that would have required no jail time and no admission of guilt from Tollefson. After seven days at trial, jurors deliberated the case for about five hours Wednesday. After returning Thursday morning, they indicated shortly before 11 a.m. that they could not reach a unanimous verdict on two of the three charges. Third District Judge Randall Skanchy gave the jurors an instruction to resume deliberations, keeping in mind that they should not change their individual opinions just to return a verdict, but that they should be willing to change their decision if the evidence persuaded them. The jury returned their decision about 2 p.m. Steven Miller, HaLee's father, said the hardest part about the jury ending up hung on the charge involving his daughter is that the case that has plagued his family for years will remain ongoing. "Today we wanted to end this chapter of our lives, and that didn't happen," he said. However, as they left for court this morning, Miller said he had assured his wife that no matter what happened, the case "doesn't affect our home and the love we have for our children." In light of the jury's decision, the hung charges could go to trial again, end in a plea deal or be dismissed. Miller is adamant he doesn't want a dismissal but believes his family couldn't bear the stress of another trial. If a plea deal is offered, he hopes it will include an admission of guilt from Tollefson and an assurance she won't care for any more children. Prosecutor Donna Kelly said it was unknown Thursday how they would proceed with the hung charges. LOGAN A Washington state man was charged Thursday with trying to entice a 13-year-old girl in Utah. Larry Alvin Ketchum, 30, who lives in Washington but has a Texas ID, was charged Thursday in 1st District Court with distribution of child pornography, a third-degree felony; enticing a minor, a second-degree felony; and dealing in harmful materials to a minor, a second-degree felony. In July, while investigating a burglary call, police in Cache County found a Kindle Fire that contained sexually graphic messages between a man and a 13-year-old girl, according to charging documents. Police found the girl, and after looking at her Facebook page began focusing on Ketchum, the charges state. Ketchum was using the name "Furry Paw University" on Facebook, according to court documents. "There are pictures on his Facebook page of furry anime figures that are sexually explicit in nature," the charges state. There were also several videos on the page of Ketchum "complaining about breaking up with his girlfriend, and asking for a girl to help him get over her. The videos are strange, and depict him sometimes just staring at the screen and making faces," according to the charges. Messages between Ketchum and the young Utah teen "went from basic hellos to sexually explicit very quickly, with Larry asking (the girl) to be his girlfriend and meet up so they could have sex," according to the charges. At this point, the officer was granted permission by the girl's parents to contact Ketchum using the girl's Facebook account and act as the teenager. "Larry immediately sent a sexually explicit picture of anime figures to (the officer)," the charges state. Investigators served several warrants on Ketchum's Facebook account. They found "that Larry Ketchum was attempting to solicit nude photographs of several young pre-pubescent girls, and actually communicated with one on Facebook Messenger," according to court records. WILLARD, Box Elder County For nearly a year, Jessi Leavell has been trying to figure out why she lost her house in a fire. But it isn't as much the cause of the fire that has her so concerned. It's trying to figure out why a fire truck with a crew and 750 gallons of water was allegedly told to stand aside while another fire truck was called, even though the other crew was 30 minutes away. "It's ludicrous," she said. "We expect these first responders to do whats in our best interest, to protect us. And frankly, I feel violated that my interests did not come first. The political interests motivated the way they responded." On May 15, 2017, a fire broke out about 2 a.m. at Leavell's home, 7200 S. 600 West in Willard. The fire started on the outside balcony and quickly spread up the side of the structure into the attic. The family was awakened by a glass patio door that shattered due to the heat. Leavell, her husband, and her children were able to get out safely, as well as a variety of pets, including dogs, cats, snakes, ferrets and other animals. About an hour into the fire, crews believed they had it knocked down and began to "salvage and overhaul," according to a report from the volunteer Willard Fire Department. But about 40 minutes later, the fire sparked up again in the attic. About 20 minutes after that, the flames had spread so much that firefighters were forced to go into a defensive position, the report states. Leavell said had it not been for that flare-up, she believes her house might not have been a total loss. As she walked around the remains of her burnt house that night, Leavell said she noticed that the firefighters were avoiding eye contact with her. She assumed it was because they felt bad for her loss and didn't know what to say. She later came to believe that it may have been for a different reason. "Its because everybody knew that this didnt have to go this way, she told the Deseret News Thursday. "It didnt have to be as bad as it was." Leavell believes if an experienced Brigham City fire crew that was standing idle nearby had been allowed to assist with the fire, the second fire the flare-up would not have ignited and burned her house down. Now she is looking for answers over the way her house fire was handled. Leavell has spent much of the last year collecting fire reports, dispatch documents and talking to fire chiefs about what happened that night. According to Leavell, a Brigham City Fire Department crew was dispatched to the scene shortly after the Willard crew. The Brigham City firefighters, she said, were already on another call and didn't immediately respond. The other call was not far from the house fire, and once Brigham City firefighters finished that call, they went to Leavell's house to see if they could provide help, she said. "They were the second crew to arrive. They were there before Corrine (firefighters were) ever called, she said. According to Box Elder County Fire Marshal Corey Barton, Brigham City firefighters were cancelled before they arrived at the Willard house because the fire had already been brought under control at that time. Yet, not long after that Brigham City crew arrived, Willard firefighters called for a water tank from the Corrine Fire Department to respond. It took 30 minutes for that crew to get to the scene, Leavell said. A report from the Brigham City Fire Department states: "Engine 22 was arriving upon cancellation. Engine 22 remained on scene to ensure there was no need for Engine 22. Engine 22 was assured they did not need the engine or water on it. Corrine was paged for a water tender at that time." The Brigham City fire report states its crew was on scene at 2:11 a.m. The report from the Corrine Fire Department states its tender was dispatched at 2:13 a.m. and arrived at Leavell's home at 2:53 a.m. "(Willard firefighters) said, No. We dont need you. Were fine. And then less than five minutes after that, after refusing to let Brigham help, the Willard incident commander got on the radio and called for Corrine fire, an upset Leavell said. Brigham City Fire Chief Joseph Bach, who was at the scene that night, declined Thursday to weigh in on the allegations, simply stating, "It's up to them what they decide to do with the resources." A call placed to Willard's fire chief was not returned. Leavell provided the Deseret News with a phone conversation she said she recorded with Barton. In the recording, she questions the man about why Brigham City crews weren't used. "I'm just kind of confused why you would turn away water and call other water at the exact same time, she said in the call. The man who she says is Barton admits to her that he was surprised the fire took off the second time like it did, but said in the call it would be inappropriate to allege that the result would have been different if the Brigham City crews weren't canceled. Barton said Thursday the reason the fire sparked up again is because the home had illegal PVC pipe on the gas line to the furnace and somehow the gas didn't get shut off. He also said there was a lot of flammable material inside the home, including gunpowder that fueled the blaze. "As far as I knew, Brigham was gone" when Corinne firefighters were called, he told the Deseret News. Leavell said she wants to sue Willard for gross negligence, but has been told it would be pointless because the fire department has governmental immunity. So instead, she is speaking to the media in hopes of raising awareness. She also hopes to meet with the Utah Attorney General's Office to see if anything can be done from its end. "I feel there is no voice for the victim. There is no protection for the victim. And thats got to change," she said. Contributing: Mike Anderson SALT LAKE CITY As Utah officials prepare to disburse a record $74.5 million in investment earnings to Utah schools, legislation recently passed by the Utah Legislature moves oversight of the state schoolchildren's trust out from under the State School Board. On Thursday, Natalie Gordon, a specialist in the School Children's Trust Section, told the Utah State Board of Education that this year's disbursement from the Permanent State School Fund will be 15 percent higher than last year. "It's amazing," Gordon said. The good news was somewhat overshadowed by the board's concerns over HB404, which passed unanimously without debate in the final hours of the recently concluded session of the Utah Legislature. The bill created the Land Trusts Protection and Advocacy Office "to protect the interests of the current and future school and institutional trust lands beneficiaries," the legislation states. HB404 is in the hands of Gov. Gary Herbert, who can sign it into law, veto it or allow it to become law without his signature. Previously, the State School Board has appointed a school trust lands administrator that worked in the Office of the Utah State Board of Education. Under HB404, the position moves under the Utah State Treasurer. The bill's sponsor, Rep. Brad Last, R-Hurricane, said during committee debate that the change completes the reforms of the state trust lands oversight that started many years ago. The change would give the Utah State Board of Education the "opportunity to focus on the control and supervision of education and not worry about these other assets that are intended to generate revenue. We'll provide the revenue. We'd like the State Board and the state office to govern and supervise our education system," Last said. The bill, which affects the oversight of the Permanent State School Fund now totalling some $2.4 billion, had one committee meeting before the House Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment Standing Committee. It endorsed the bill by a 10-0 vote, despite the objections of State School Board Chairman Mark Huntsman, who asked "where is the evidence there should be a change?" The state's Trust Lands Administration has generated more than $1.4 billion for Utahs public schools since 1994. Utahs permanent funds have grown from $84 million to some $2.4 billion. This Permanent School Fund is a perpetual endowment for public schools to benefit students. Members of the elected State School Board take seriously the responsibility for overseeing those resources, Huntsman said. While the board by no means takes full credit for the success of the Permanent School Fund, it has played an important role in ensuring it is used well, he said. Under HB404, the oversight shifts to a five-member Land Trusts Protection and Advocacy Committee, which will appoint an office director. A State Board of Education staff member who administers the School LAND Trust Program will serve on the advocacy committee. "We do not see what's broken? We do not see the betterment that will come from this proposed bill," Huntsman said. Rep. Steve Handy, R-Layton, said the bill was more about personality conflicts between the State School Board and the former head of the School Childrens Trust Section, who resigned in August 2017, heading off the board's scheduled debate whether to remove him from his position. A New Mexico state lands administrator was offered the job after a national search but later declined the offer. The position has been occupied by an interim director. While the State School Board briefly discussed veto requests, board member Linda Hansen suggested sending a letter the governor expressing its concerns about HB404. The board ultimately decided not to seek a veto because the bill had passed by such large margins in each legislative house. "I personally think we just leave 'bad enough' alone and let it play out," said State School Board member Carol Barlow Lear. Board member Spencer Stokes agreed. "When the governor looks at the number of votes that the bill got, I think he's going sign the bill into law," he said. "There's no question we would be the only people asking for a veto." Strange as it may seem to Western Christians, Armenia can claim to be the first kingdom to officially convert to Christianity. Archaeologists have discovered evidence of civilization in Armenia dating back to the early Bronze Age, but Armenians first appear in history in the eighth century B.C. as the kingdom of Urartu. Urartu was pronounced Ararat by the early Israelites. Thus, when the Bible claims that Noahs Ark came to rest on the mountains of Ararat (Genesis 8:4), it is referring to the mountains of Armenia. Indeed, the massive volcanic Mount Ararat, near Yerevan, Armenia, is traditionally identified as the resting place of Noahs Ark. The Armenian kingdom of antiquity was one of the major powers of the classical Middle East; its king Tigranes the Great (r. 95-66 B.C.) conquered much of the region. With the approach of the Romans from the west and the Persians from the east, however, Armenia was eventually conquered and partitioned between those two great powers. Religiously, ancient Armenians were polytheists, influenced by both Greek and Persian religions. But this began to change in the early fourth century A.D. According to tradition, a young Armenian prince named Gregory became a refugee from his homeland when his father was executed for attempting to assassinate the king of Persia. The young exile was raised and educated by a Christian and ultimately converted to Christianity. Upon returning to Armenia, Gregory the Illuminator (or Enlightener) (ca. 257-331) started preaching throughout his homeland. Known as a miracle-worker, Gregory was summoned to heal the ailing Armenian king Tiridates III (r. 287-330). Convinced by his miraculous recovery, Tiridates converted to Christianity around 301, a decade before the conversion of Constantine of Rome. Although the population of Armenia was still largely pagan at this time, Tiridates made Christianity the state religion and Armenia became the first officially Christian nation. With the blessing of Tiridates, Gregory continued preaching throughout Armenia. He was ultimately made patriarch of Armenia, and he laid the foundations for the cathedral of Etchmiadzin, the mother church of Armenia. Upon his death, he became the patron saint of his homeland. Thereafter, Christianity in Armenia spread slowly but steadily. Armenian bishops participated in early church councils, and, in the early fifth century, the Bible was translated into Armenian by St. Mesrob, who created the Armenian script and laid the foundation for a rich medieval Armenian literature. However, theological and political disputes with the Imperial Church of Byzantine Constantinople eventually led to a schismatic break with Greek Orthodoxy. At the Council of Dvin in 506, the Armenian Apostolic Church became independent. Thereafter, Armenian Christianity developed its independent theological tradition, with a unique style of church architecture and large elegant, highly ornamented free-standing stone crosses known as khachkar (cross stone). For well over a thousand years Armenian Christians have also had a striking presence in Jerusalem, with their patriarch and a headquarters and seminary at the Cathedral of St. James in the Armenian (southeast) quarter of the Old City. In early modern times, Armenia had the misfortune of being situated in a border zone between three large competing empires Iran, Turkey and Russia and was frequently partitioned among those states. Armenians have thus suffered severely from the horrors of war and revolution, most notoriously in the Armenian genocide under the Ottoman Turks in 1915. During World War I, Armenians were divided roughly equally between Russian and Turkey. Muslim Turks feared that Christian Armenians would support the invading Christian Russians, and anti-Armenian paranoia spread like wildfire. As many as 1.5 million Armenians were murdered, with hundreds of thousands becoming refugees in a global diaspora. In 1990, Armenia, one of the Soviet Republics, declared its independence from the collapsing Soviet Union, and is now an independent country. Today, approximately 3 million people live in Armenia, while several million live outside their homeland in the diaspora. (Russia and the United States have the largest expatriate Armenian populations.) As part of that diaspora, nearly 2,000 Armenian-Americans reside in Utah today. However, Utahs links with Armenia extend back well over a century. Under The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints' Turkish Mission covering regions then under control of Ottoman Turkey Mormon missionaries preached to Armenians from 1884-1909 and 1921-1924. When war and revolution rendered such missions increasingly problematic, the mission was closed, though a small Armenian LDS branch survived in Aleppo into the 1940s. A new LDS mission opened in 1999, and there are now several thousand LDS members in Armenia. Daniel Peterson founded BYU's Middle Eastern Texts Initiative, chairs The Interpreter Foundation and blogs on Patheos. William Hamblin is the author of several books on premodern history. They speak only for themselves. SALT LAKE CITY Despite calls from Salt Lake City leaders, residents and some county officials to veto the controversial bill establishing an inland port authority in the city's northwest quadrant, Gov. Gary Herbert on Friday signed it. In a letter to House Speaker Greg Hughes and Senate President Wayne Niederhauser included in the news release announcing he had signed SB234, Herbert indicated he plans to call a special session to make amendments to the bill. "Although the bill is not yet perfect, it does allow the state and local governments to move forward on this significant project," Herbert wrote. "I look forward to working with the Legislature, Salt Lake City and other stakeholders on technical amendments and other minor adjustments in preparation for a special session." This morning I signed SB234, Utah Inland Port Authority. I sent the following signing letter to @waynenieder and @GHughes51. I'm excited to work together with Salt Lake City (@slcmayor and @MayorBenMcAdams) and other stakeholders to make this a win-win for all. #utpol pic.twitter.com/zuZbSNnFgf Gov. Gary Herbert (@GovHerbert) March 16, 2018 SB234 creates the Utah Inland Port Authority, a new governing body to oversee the development of a global trade area on nearly 20,000 acres of Salt Lake City's northwest quadrant west of the airport the city's last undeveloped swath of land. The Utah Inland Port Authority will be an 11-member board made up of a majority of state officials, with one seat from the Salt Lake City Council and one seat from Salt Lake City International Airport, and other seats for stakeholders including Salt Lake County and West Valley City. Though an earlier version of the bill included a board appointment from Salt Lake City Mayor Jackie Biskupski, the final version signed by the governor does not. City leaders, as well as members of the Salt Lake County Council and the Utah League of Cities and Towns, have decried the bill as an unconstitutional land and power grab since the port authority board, through an appeals panel, would have the power to ultimately override city administrative land-use decisions. They've also protested the port authority's power to capture up to 100 percent of the project area's tax increment. Over the next 25 years, the city estimates the port authority would take control of more than $1.4 billion in new tax revenue, including $360 million in new property tax revenues from Salt Lake City, $581 million from the Salt Lake City School District, and $84 million from Salt Lake City libraries. Herbert said last week he would sign the bill with the intent to make changes later. Starting Monday, the governor had been meeting with Biskupski, legislators and others to hear concerns about the bill and in Friday's letter, the governor said "it is important to address four concerns" raised by Biskupski. Those concerns include clarifying standards for land-use decisions, clarifying the tax increment, potential adjustment of the port authority's boundaries, and possible changes to the composition of the port authority board, including a member to be appointed by the Salt Lake City mayor, Herbert said. "In my recent meetings with both of you," Herbert said in his letter to Hughes and Niederhauser, "we all agreed that these are legitimate concerns that we can and should address. They do not, however, rise to the level of a veto." The governor asked Hughes and Niederhauser to "study each of these issues in the interim so that I can call the Legislature into a special session in the coming months to modify and improve what is already a good bill for Utah's continued growth and success." Biskupski said in a statement that although city officials are "disappointed" the governor didn't veto the bill, "we appreciate his willingness to call a special session" to address the city's concerns. "SB234, as enacted, creates uncertainty for development and may cause delays, but we remain committed to an inland port moving forward quickly and successfully," Biskupski said. "We will continue to work in good faith with the governor, legislators, residents and property owners to ensure the issues of local authority are resolved. Salt Lake City Council Chairwoman Erin Mendenhall also said she is "disappointed" a veto didn't happen, but "we appreciate the governor's acknowledgment of the critical issues that need to be addressed in a special session." Mendenhall said city leaders have been told that the session would be coming in May. However, it remains to be seen whether the House and Senate will have the appetite to make such changes. Both bodies passed SB234 on the second-to-last day of the 2018 session, after making sweeping changes on the House floor, which were approved by the Senate just 30 minutes later. Hughes has disputed the city's complaints that SB234 usurps city land use decisions. In an interview Friday, the speaker argued the land use authority still resides in the jurisdictions, "Even if you've heard otherwise, that is the case." He also said seats on the board must be fair for all players, like Salt Lake County and West Valley City, not just Salt Lake City. "There needs to be an equilibrium," Hughes said. The House speaker noted that before the final version of SB234 was passed, Salt Lake City opposed all other versions presented throughout the session, and "there was never this migrating over to neutrality or support," despite negotiations with the state. "If we'd like to continue that discussion in the spirit of finding common ground. We'll continue to do that," Hughes said. But will city and state leaders be able to find common ground in a special session, even though they weren't able to throughout the 2018 general session? "On my side of the table, I am very confident we can find that agreement," Hughes said. "But, again, it will take some agreement and that will remain to be seen." Some give from Salt Lake City, the speaker said, may be needed. But Lara Fritts, Biskupski's economic development director, said she's not certain that can happen. "I'm not sure how much more room we have to give," Fritts said, noting that the size of the inland port authority's jurisdiction is nearly 1/3 of city land, and city officials may not want to budge on city land use authority. "And in terms of the tax increment?" she said. "We can't give any more than 100 percent." Last week, Biskupski told the Deseret News that if the state implements the bill, there "is opportunity for a lawsuit." Mendenhall said if the Legislature doesn't make the needed changes to the bill, "we will keep all of our options on the table." "I don't believe any party wants the development of the port to be delayed, as would be the consequence of this bill going into action without critical changes," she said. Salt Lake City Councilman Charlie Luke tweeted a statement criticizing the governor's decision to sign SB234 "despite his acknowledgment of four issues that remain unresolved." "I will continue working with my colleagues and others to find legislative improvements that have to be done in another legislative session, but let's be clear the time to correct the bill was before it became law," Luke said. "Understanding the city's concerns while still signing the bill into law causes me to question the sincerity of the governor's words," Luke continued. "Please prove me wrong, Gov. Herbert." 5 Bollywood Celebrities Who Donated Their Entire Earnings To Charity Bollywood celebrities are known to be some of the most charitable persons in India. They earn a huge amount of money every year thanks to their roles in big budgeted blockbusters as well as by donning the hat of a producer and raking in more money through those ventures. Apart from that Bollywood actors also earn a lot by endorsing tons of brands and companies and appearing in advertisements. Add to this the money they earn by making special appearances at private and corporate events and dancing at award shows and wedding functions. Bollywood stars also do their fair share of charity a number of Bollywood actors are a part of numerous foundations, causes, and charitable trusts. A few of them have opened their own charities while others like to donate without making the donations public. Here are 5 Bollywood celebs who donated their entire earnings to the charities: Shah Rukh Khan: The actor donated the entire sum of 15 Crores that his team KKR won after winning the IPL 7 trophy. The actor donated the winnings for the welfare of cancer patients in Mumbai and Kolkata. Shilpa Shetty: The actress turned heads in 2007 when she won the UK edition of the reality show Big Brother. She won 100,000 GBP which equals to almost 1 Crore INR and donated the entire earnings to the AIDS awareness campaign. Salman Khan: The actor has made it a point that whatever he earns from his films, he only keeps 10% of the money for himself and donates 90% to charity. Nana Patekar: The veteran actor still lives in a 1BHK apartment and has donated 90% of his entire earnings to various charitable causes. Sonam Kapoor: The actress has donated to different charities and once she auctioned her entire wardrobe the proceedings of which went for charity. Ranked: The Opening Day Numbers Of Bollywood Movies In China China is the most populated country on the planet which also means that its a largely untapped market for numerous film industries. A number of Hollywood and Bollywood films are also finding their way to the Chinese theatres. Earlier, the Chinese government would allow only a limited number of films per year which would mean that the Chinese audience would often miss out on some of the biggest blockbusters. China opened its doors to Indian films a couple of years back and Aamir Khan's 3 Idiots became a huge rage at the Chinese box-office. Since then, Mr. Perfectionist has become the highest grossing Indian actor in China and a lot of other Bollywood films will also see their release to the Chinese theaters very soon. Films like Dangal, Secret Superstar, Dhoom 3, Happy New Year have been roaring successes in China and here are top 5 Bollywood films with highest opening day collections in China: Dhoom 3: Aamir Khan led Dhoom 3 also featured Katrina Kaif, Abhishek Bachchan and Uday Chopra in prominent roles. The film earned 2.4 Crores on its opening day in China. PK: The Rajkumar Hirani directorial became a big hit in the land of the dragon and earned 6.3 Crores on its opening day. Bajrangi Bhaijaan: The Salman Khan starrer was released in China a few days back with an amusing title and the film earned 14.3 Crores on its first day at the Chinese box-office. Dangal: The Aamir Khan starrer biopic was a monster hit and collected a major share of its worldwide collections from China. It earned 16 Crores on its first day. Secret Superstar: The Zaira Wasim led musical drama scored the highest ever opening day for a Bollywood film in China. It earned 40 Crores on its first day. Several banks are reportedly holding informal talks with Bharti Airtel regarding proposals related to its prospective IPO on its African operations. Reportedly, at least five banks have approached the operator which has not yet requested any formal plans - to discuss valuations and listing locations (Airtel is believed to favour listing on the London Stock Exchange). The interested parties include Bank of America Merrill Lynch, Barclays and UBS. In February this year, Bharti Airtel International (BAIN) the holding firm which manages the Indian operators African business confirmed that it was looking into a possible IPO for the unit with a potential valuation of US$6.6 billion. This would be roughly six times its EBITDA, although with the groups roughly $5.5 billion net debt, its equity valuation would therefore be around $1.1 billion. In December, Bharti chairman Sunil Bharti Mittal shot down suggestions that the group would pull out of Africa as he announced that Airtel was acquiring Millicoms Tigo Rwanda unit. However, the Indian market leader has faced an uphill battle in Africa since it obtained Zains African operations in 2010. Airtel has sold its tower infrastructure in the continent and divested operations in markets such as Burkino Faso and Sierra Leone. Etisalat has implemented NEC/Netcracker's full-stack Network-as-a-Service (NaaS) solution for the deployment of its residential virtual customer premises equipment (vCPE). Etisalat is the first communications service provider to leverage vCPE in the Middle East and Africa. The operator provides a wide range of 3G, 4G and fibre-to-the-home services to more than 142 million customers across the region. This deployment is part of Etisalat's larger cloud initiative, called the Sahaab program, which will help it reduce the time needed to bring innovative services to market and enable the delivery of a better digital experience for its customers. As part of the initiative, Etisalat is using NEC/Netcracker's full-stack Network-as-a-Service solution comprised with Self-Service Portals, Service Orchestration and MANO offerings, as well as security virtual network functions. The solution will enable Etisalat to generate new revenue by providing a wider range of value-added services to residential customers. The NaaS solution will help Etisalat reduce costs and create a platform to offer innovative services and open up new revenue streams. Through the use of NaaS and virtualisation capabilities that are hardware-independent, Etisalat will be able to move away from proprietary network hardware platforms and save on capex. By virtualising customer premises functions and moving them into the network, Etisalat will be able to cut down on truck rolls and mitigate technician costs. The NaaS platform also creates the foundation to introduce new services faster and in a much more flexible way, enabling greater segmentation and targeting of residential customers and providing greater control and usability to Etisalat's customers. Esmaeel Alhammadi, Senior Vice President of Network Development at Etisalat, said: "NEC/Netcracker's NaaS solution will help us generate new revenue and deliver new offerings using value-added services, leading to a better overall customer experience." Shigeru Okuya, Senior Vice President at NEC Corporation, said: "Our solution will help Etisalat automate the operation and maintenance of its physical and virtual network infrastructure, while generating new revenue streams in the residential market." Britain never built a stealth bomber for the air but McLaren Special Operations has made one for the road. Flying under the radar in supercar territory is the limited edition 570GT that adds a number of option packs and blacked-out kit to elevate it over the Sport Series car it's based on. Finished in custom Stealth exterior paint, the 570GT MSO receives complimenting black front splitter, rear diffuser, side skirts and air intakes as well as carbon ceramic brakes with black callipers behind gloss black and brushed aluminium twin-spoke forged alloy wheels. Inside is just as aphotic and adds the Black Trim Collection pack with Jet Black leather trim, MSO embroidery on perforated electric heated seats, Alcantara centre console, steering wheel, and surrounds and an MSO plaque below the dash Yes, Simon's Cat is between the covers again The new book is called Simon's Cat vs the World and you can win your own copy, acco... Revenue and customs officers remain on site at the scene of a large scale illegal cigarette factory Jenkinstown this morning, after a huge production operation was raided on Thursday. On Friday morning, 11 Eastern European nationals aged in their 20s and 50s were arrested after Gardai and Revenue officers raided the North Louth premises. Revenue officers found more than 40 tonnes of tobacco, all the pre-cursor components for the manufacture of cigarettes, and approximately 25 million cigarettes, branded Mayfair, ready for distribution. It is thought the estimated loss to the Exchequer would have been approximately 12 million had the products made it to market. Speaking to LMFM's The Michael Reade Show on Friday morning, Revenue's Head of Central Investigations for Tax and Customs Michael Gilligan confirmed officers were still in the process of removing products from the location. It is understood the cigarettes were set to be transported to the UK for distribution and sale. Speaking on Thursday, Minister for Justice Charlie Flanagan praised those responsible for the raid. "I commend the excellent work of the Gardai and other State agencies in relation to the illegal cigarette production operation in Jenkinstown, Co Louth this morning. "A very substantial amount of cigarettes and tobacco have been seized, and 11 arrests have been made. This operation clearly demonstrates the benefits of the close working relationship between An Garda Siochana, Revenue, Customs officials and the PSNI in tackling this type of fraudulent activity," he said. "Highly trained Armed Support Units also attended the scene and I thank them for their ongoing efforts to disrupt all forms of serious crime." Fergus O'Dowd TD for Louth described the find as "very worrying" adding, "I hope that this operation will curtail the influx of illegal tobacco in the North East and further a field." Declan Breathnach TD said such operations were seriously hurting retailers "at a time when legal retailers are selling plain pack cigarettes." "Revenue has estimated the loss to the Exchequer would have been 12m if these cigarettes were sold. This is not the first time that illegal cigarettes from this source have been seized both here and in the UK," he said. "This highlights the growing market for cheap illicit tobacco products. I would like to thank An Garda Siochana and Revenue and their Customs Officials for all their hard work in the continuing struggle to stamp out illegal smuggling and trading. "We need to protect the legitimate small retailers as much as possible from impact that smuggled alcohol, tobacco products and solid fuel has on their businesses concluded Breathnach. Please allow ads as they help fund our trusted local news content. Kindly add us to your ad blocker whitelist. If you want further access to Ireland's best local journalism, consider subscribing to our ePaper and/or free daily Newsletter . Support our mission and join our community now. Representatives of Louth County Council, travelled to New York for the St Patricks Day period and met with senior executives from Tourism Ireland yesterday. They were briefed on Tourism Irelands extensive promotional programme in the United States for 2018, which is in full swing right now. The United States is the second-largest market for tourism to the island of Ireland. Tourism Ireland recently launched a new strategy to continue to grow tourism from the United States, setting out ambitious targets which will see the island of Ireland welcome 2 million American visitors per year by 2021, representing growth of +23%; and will see revenue generated by American holidaymakers increase by +33%, to 1.37 billion per year. We were delighted to meet with the representatives of Louth County Council and to have the opportunity to brief them about the extensive promotional programme we are undertaking in the United States this year, said Alison Metcalfe, Tourism Irelands Head of North America, Last year, we welcomed a record 1.83 million North American visitors to the island of Ireland. In 2018, we are confident that our strategy combined with more airline seats than ever before from the US, as well as the strength and competitiveness of the vacation experience right around the island of Ireland will deliver further growth. Our aim is to deliver a +5% increase in visitor numbers and +7% increase in revenue from North America in 2018. "St Patricks Day traditionally marks the real start of the tourism season for us; our aim is to bring a smile to the faces of people everywhere and to convey the message that Ireland offers the warmest of welcomes and great fun, as well as wonderful scenery and heritage. We are using every opportunity to capitalise on Irelands heightened profile this week; the saturation coverage about Ireland at this time of year across the airwaves, in newspapers and digital media is an invaluable boost for our overall tourism marketing drive in 2018." Over the coming days, Tourism Ireland will participate in and promote the island of Ireland at a range of St Patricks Day events across the United States. Numerous landmarks and iconic sites across the US will participate in Tourism Irelands Global Greening initiative to celebrate St Patrick and Ireland. Instantly delete email threats for Office 365 365 Threat Monitor scans all emails as they reach your users' mailboxes to detect ransomware, phishing and spam. Receive real-time phone alerts, get real-time security breach updates and instantly delete threats with just one click - for free! Learn More. The U.S. government has modernized telecom and supporting information technology twice within the last 20 years -- but not without controversy, delays and costly project management. A third modernization currently is under way, under the direction of the federal General Services Administration. The potential value of contracts issued to vendors under the Enterprise Infrastructure Solutions program is US$50 billion over 15 years. In light of past modernizations, oversight agencies have been watching the EIS program carefully. GSA's own Inspector General last month reported that the agency had failed to meet an important contracting requirement associated with the EIS. The IG audit followed a General Accountability Office report that assessed how well GSA was implementing lessons learned from past programs. Balancing Act It is clear from these reports that GSA has been trying to balance improved project and contract administration with assisting agencies to modernize as quickly as possible. GSA last summer selected 10 contractors to participate in the program: AT&T, BT Federal, Century Link, Core Technologies, Granite Telecommunications, Harris, Level-3, MetTel, MicroTechnologies and Verizon. It appears that what GSA referred to as a potential "tsunami" of separate task order contracts under the huge EIS program likely won't be flowing with any regularity until late in 2018, more than a year after vendor selection. Between now and then GSA and vendors will be absorbed in highly technical transition efforts. The EIS program is a government-wide contract vehicle that will provide federal agencies with mission-critical telecommunications, infrastructure and related IT services, said GSA. The program will succeed the existing Networx system. Among components of the program are voice and data transmission, wireless and mobile services, Ethernet capabilities, associated cloud technology and IT support. Lessons Learned in Management and Contracting GSA has been marshaling various resources to implement EIS, including engagement of a contractor to help government agencies with the transition. However, GSA failed to conclude required intergovernment agreements between itself and various federal agencies for the contractor's services. Support services for nearly $9 million were obtained, even though the agreements had not been concluded, according to GSA's Inspector General. GSA skipped the agreement step in order to meet program deadlines. The agreements "should clearly establish the scope of work," as well as financial terms and other aspects of contract administration, according to the IG. Absent the agreements, the government could be "vulnerable to significant risks" including potential contract disputes. In response, GSA said the agreements would be in place by the end of last month. "Part of GSA's reasoning for providing this help without the required agreements was to get agencies the assistance they promised faster than if they had waited for the agreements to be finalized," said Carol Harris, director for information technology acquisition management at GAO. "From that perspective, the lack of agreements shouldn't affect the timeline. If, however, a lack of oversight leads to ineffective contractor support, it could negatively affect agencies' preparations, which could in turn delay their transitions," she told the E-Commerce Times. The impact of the delay likely will be minimal, suggested Diana Gowen, senior vice president for federal programs at MetTel. "Although the GSA team had not secured their interagency agreements, they have been working with their agencies to prepare task order competitions to meet the transition, so we don't foresee negative consequences," she told the E-Commerce Times. A broader examination of GSA's performance in managing telecom modernizations was conducted by GAO's Harris and other agency staff. The 1998 transition resulted in $79 million of lost savings, while the 2007 telecom upgrade was delayed by 33 months with lost savings of $329 million, GAO reported last year. GAO compiled a list of 35 lessons learned from those projects and concluded that it had addressed only about half of them in developing guidance for the current EIS project. GSA "did not address all of its lessons in its guidance and several of the lessons were not communicated comprehensively," the reports states. "As a result, GSA made it more difficult for agencies to take advantage of the lessons. GAO came up with a total of 25 recommendations spread among GSA and the five agencies it studied in its report. Better Guidance for Agencies To overcome past deficiencies, GSA has established comprehensive guidance for federal agencies, including an initiative to consult with private sector providers that began as early as 2014. GSA has issued primers on the goals of the Network Solutions 2020 program of which EIS is a component, as well as technical requirement documents. In addition, the agency has set up an EIS website portal, training programs, and conferences for federal agencies and providers. Those efforts appear to be satisfactory to vendors. "We've had multiple deep dive sessions to provide information on our capabilities, experiences and ideas to ensure the GSA team can provide guidance to all of its agencies on EIS suppliers," MetTel's Gowen said. GSA recently met with vendors for program reviews and to share efforts to incentivize agencies to pursue fair opportunities under EIS, noted Century Link. "GSA also scheduled an executive meet and greet with all EIS vendors in mid-February," Century Link said in a statement provided to the E-Commerce Times by spokesperson Linda Johnson. In turn, vendors have set up dedicated EIS channels, including website portals for use by government agencies. Many of the vendors have EIS representatives in the Washington, D.C., region. In fact, New York based MetTel hired Gowen last fall and specifically assigned her to its Washington office to lead the company's federal and EIS efforts. Even with appropriate communication between GSA and vendors, the launching of actual contracts will be a time-consuming process. Test Challenges Remain Each vendor must meet a rigorous GSA Business Support System test. Compliance deadlines fall between Oct. 1 and Nov. 30, varying by vendor. By the end of last year, only four contractors had reported any progress toward BSS compliance, and even that was minimal. AT&T was at 6 percent; MetTel at 3.5 percent; Level-3 at 1.5 percent and Century Link at just 0.5 percent. Thus, the BSS requirement could delay the issuance of contracts until late this year. "We've received many incoming requests for information on our services and capabilities. GSA is working with agencies to transition from Networx to EIS. However, task orders can't be acted upon until the EIS vendors have completed BSS testing and FISMA moderate assessments," said Gowen. FISMA is a federal law covering security requirements. While GAO has not updated last year's assessment of its EIS transition, "considering the tight timeframes in GSA's remaining transition schedule and the level of preparedness we found in the agencies we evaluated, it will take sustained effort and attention from GSA and the agencies to complete the transition on time," Harris observed. Reflecting a commitment to such an effort, GSA has been "reviewing the solicitations we have received thus far, and we expect to continue receiving more over the next few months," said Amando Gavino, director of telecom services at GSA's Federal Acquisition Service. The EIS program "provides a great opportunity to not only modernize federal networks across government, but to also prepare for purchase and implementation" of future IT and telecom advances and innovations," he told the E-Commerce Times. "Agencies have been researching their networking infrastructure objectives for some time," Gavino said, "and are now beginning to issue final requirements documents for EIS." John K. Higgins has been an ECT News Network reporter since 2009. His main areas of focus are U.S. government technology issues such as IT contracting, cybersecurity, privacy, cloud technology, big data and e-commerce regulation. As a freelance journalist and career business writer, he has written for numerous publications, including The Corps Report and Business Week. Email John. Instantly delete email threats for Office 365 365 Threat Monitor scans all emails as they reach your users' mailboxes to detect ransomware, phishing and spam. Receive real-time phone alerts, get real-time security breach updates and instantly delete threats with just one click - for free! Learn More. Google on Wednesday said it will stop serving ads for cryptocurrencies and related content in June. The ban includes, but is not limited to, initial coin offerings, cryptocurrency exchanges, cryptocurrency wallets and cryptocurrency trading advice. Google also will bar aggregators and affiliates from serving ads for cryptocurrencies and related content. Facebook adopted a similar policy earlier this year when it began prohibiting ads for binary options, initial coin offerings and cryptocurrency, on the grounds that they frequently were associated with misleading or deceptive promotional practices. Following the Google announcement, bitcoin prices dropped 9 percent to a one-month low of US$8,252.39. They dropped 12 percent when Facebook declared its ban. Not for Retail Investors Because of the complexity of cryptocurrency products, consumers may need to be protected from themselves, as Google and Facebook appear to be doing, suggested Josh Crandall, CEO of NetPop Research. "This is a very speculative space and people are being taken advantage of," he told the E-Commerce Times. "People are jumping into this like it's gambling, so Google is trying to protect consumers." Speculative investments like cryptocurrencies really aren't suitable for retail investors, said Daniele Bianchi, an assistant professor of finance at the University of Warwick. "The Google ban will limit the exposure of the cryptocurrency market to retail investors, which do not necessarily have sufficient instruments to judge and evaluate the risk they can be exposed investing in cryptocurrencies," he told the E-Commerce Times. ICO Confusion One particularly complex virtual money product is the initial coin offering, or ICO, which is similar to a stock's initial public offering, or IPO, but in place of shares, an investor gets cryptocurrency tokens. ICOs recently have come under increased scrutiny from federal regulators, because they believe it's too easy for investors to get ICOs confused with IPOs. "People believe they're getting stock, not a crypto token," said Carolina Abenante, founder of NYIAX, an advertising exchange. Some ICOs are packaged in a way that makes them look like an IPO, she told the E-Commerce Times. Although Google shouldn't be an arbiter of risk, it should pay attention to potential regulatory trends, Abenante maintained. "At this point in time, they should be restricting themselves, because there's enough noise in the environment that says there will be restrictions on this." Good PR Move There may be motives other than consumer protection driving Google's cryptocurrency ad ban. "Google is looking after and tending to the health of online ads overall," Netpop's Crandall said. "While it could be making money from these speculative cryptocurrency providers, it's more concerned about the long-term health of the online advertising ecosystem," he noted. "It doesn't want consumers to react in a negative way to all online ads because they were taken advantage of by one for cryptocurrency," Crandall said. The ban is a smart public relations move by Google, noted John Carroll, a mass communications professor at Boston University. "It's smart to try to get out in front of any fraudulent advertising that might emerge in this category," he told the E-Commerce Times. Sliding Reputation Google also may be reacting to growing suspicions among consumers about big tech companies, Carroll suggested. "All the controversy swirling around tech companies lately has made the public increasingly skeptical about the effect these companies have had on society," he said. Signs of that were evident in a recent reputation poll released by the Harris organization, Carroll noted, which showed Google dropping from No. 8 to No. 28 in the ranking. "This seems to be a preemptive move to avoid the kind of publicity that could attach to Google and Facebook because of the unpredictability and unreliability of the cryptocurrency market," he observed. Minimal Damage Despite the large declines in cryptocurrency prices following the Google and Facebook announcements, it remains to be seen whether the ad bans will have a lasting impact on the virtual money market. "I don't think it'll hurt the cryptocurrencies," said Jeffrey Carr, managing director of Reel Holdings. "They'll find other ways to get the word out that don't require paid advertisements, which aren't necessarily the best way to run a marketing campaign anyway," he told the E-Commerce Times. The ban isn't likely to have much impact on Google either. "Perhaps Google will lose some ad revenues," Warwick's Bianchi said, "but nothing that will affect Google profits or market share in a major way." John P. Mello Jr. has been an ECT News Network reporter since 2003. His areas of focus include cybersecurity, IT issues, privacy, e-commerce, social media, artificial intelligence, big data and consumer electronics. He has written and edited for numerous publications, including the Boston Business Journal, the Boston Phoenix, Megapixel.Net and Government Security News. Email John. Instantly delete email threats with 365 Threat Monitor 365 Threat Monitor scans all emails as they reach your users' mailboxes to detect ransomware, phishing and spam. Receive real-time phone alerts, get real-time security breach updates and instantly delete threats with just one click - for free! Learn More. Within an hour of the shooting at a Florida High School last week, divisive messages began pouring out of Twitter accounts believed to be controlled by Russia. At a rapid speed, messages began flooding Twitter using popular hashtags like #guncontrolnow, #gunreformnow and #Parklandshooting to exploit the rampage by a lone gunman with an assault rifle at the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, The New York Times reported Monday. Prior to the shooting, many of the same accounts had been focused on Special Counsel Robert Mueller III's investigation into Russian meddling in the 2016 U.S. presidential election, according to the report. Exploiting high-profile events to advance an agenda is a common tactic of all Internet trolls, noted Edward Roberts, director of product marketing at Distil Networks. "Timely news is used because it feels trustworthy and current," he told TechNewsWorld. Because They Work Digital influence campaigns like the one mounted after the Parkland shooting are pervasive because they're effective, noted Inga Goddijn, executive vice president of Risk Based Security. "They're incredibly widespread and not likely to go away anytime soon," she told TechNewsWorld. "That's because these techniques for influencing people's behavior have proven effective time and again. It only takes an understanding of how these platforms work and what emotional buttons to push to mount a successful campaign." The campaigns also offer a lot of bang for the buck. "They enable an adversary to affect a disproportionate impact on a target population for a minuscule investment of time or resources," said James Scott, a senior fellow at the Institute for Critical Infrastructure Technology. Sowing Chaos Digital influence campaigns subject the actors behind them to minimal risk, Scott told TechNewsWorld. "Even when activity can be tracked," he said, "it is easy to leapfrog traffic to masquerade as a different threat actor or to plant a false flag." Rather than champion one side of a cause or another, the creators of the campaigns take a "chaos is op" approach to their misinformation efforts, Scott said. "As a result, the attacker uses bots and propaganda on both sides of a charged debate in order to further disrupt the status quo and to widen the social chasm created by irreconcilable polarized viewpoints," he explained. Distributing propaganda and misinformation isn't new, and all nation-states do it, observed Sherban Naum, senior vice president for corporate strategy and technology at Bromium. "The Russians are playing a better game," he told TechNewsWorld. "That's what is ticking us all off. They know all the buttons to push, and they push them without restraint or conscience." What's a Social Net to Do? Twitter recently has made some efforts to address the problem of Russian trolls. Earlier this year, it warned nearly 700,000 users that they had interacted with accounts identified as part of Russia's efforts to meddle with the 2016 presidential election. It also recently deleted 200,000 tweets linked to those accounts. "Notifying people they've had contact with Russian bots is a fine idea," said Mark Graff, CEO of Tellagraff. "If there's a way for social media to make this situation better, it's to put sunlight on it," he told TechNewsWorld. "Sunlight is the only way to disinfect this." On the other hand, deleting tweets is not a good idea, he said. "That is ill-advised. You can mark them, you can advise people about them -- but deleting them does damage to the historical record." Twitter did not respond to our request to comment for this story. Twitter and Users Can Do More Twitter could do more to counter exploitation of its platform by nation-states and others, maintained the ICIT's Scott. "Twitter does not do enough to deter bot accounts, and users fail to investigate the profiles of the accounts that promote popular hashtags or that share propaganda, disinformation and other influence materials," he said. "These attacks on the American psyche will continue until Twitter and other social media platforms develop sufficient controls and detection mechanisms to deter and prevent bot activity," Scott added. Twitter users contribute to the problem, according to Bromium's Naum. "The problem should not be laid at Twitter's feet. Instead it should be on the people that don't reference this news for accuracy," he said. "Twitter is a medium of communication. The responsibility to verify still must sit with the reader." John P. Mello Jr. has been an ECT News Network reporter since 2003. His areas of focus include cybersecurity, IT issues, privacy, e-commerce, social media, artificial intelligence, big data and consumer electronics. He has written and edited for numerous publications, including the Boston Business Journal, the Boston Phoenix, Megapixel.Net and Government Security News. Email John. Instantly delete email threats with 365 Threat Monitor 365 Threat Monitor scans all emails as they reach your users' mailboxes to detect ransomware, phishing and spam. Receive real-time phone alerts, get real-time security breach updates and instantly delete threats with just one click - for free! Learn More. Facebook has come under fire after posing a survey question on how it should deal with predatory sexual behavior against children over the weekend. And asked this and I'm like, er wait it making it secret the best Facebook can offer here? Not, y'know, calling the police? pic.twitter.com/t2UZuKalfk Jonathan Haynes (@JonathanHaynes) March 4, 2018 Survey participants were asked whether sexual predators should be allowed to request photographic images from 14-year-old girls online. Further, users were queried about how Facebook should handle such a request if it learned about it. The survey also asked whether the site should better manage content involving extremist behavior and whether cultural norms should be taken into account. Mea Culpa After Jonathan Haynes, digital editor at The Guardian, tweeted how "out of touch" he thought Facebook was in connection with the survey, Guy Rosen, vice president of product at Facebook, issued a response. We run surveys to understand how the community thinks about how we set policies. But this kind of activity is and will always be completely unacceptable on FB. We regularly work with authorities if identified. It shouldn't have been part of this survey. That was a mistake. Guy Rosen (@guyro) March 4, 2018 At its annual Global Safety Summit last week, Facebook addressed several key issues related to making sure the site offers a safe and protective environment for users to navigate. The summit included panel discussions on a variety of online safety topics that Facebook has had to grapple with over the years -- including how to use of cutting-edge technology to combat exploitative and predatory behavior, how to keep children from overusing social media, and how to make Facebook more family-friendly. However, the survey question was unrelated to the event, according to Facebook. Regaining Control Safety issues repeatedly have come up for Facebook in recent years, as it has come under fire for how it deals with abusive and obscene material. How it works with government agencies to combat hate speech and calls for violence from extremists and terrorist organizations also has been a matter of controversy. Other problems include the use of Facebook Live to live-stream suicides and criminal behavior, and the ongoing use of the platform to spread fake news. A coalition of former Google and Facebook executives last month formed a group designed to combat the growing use of social media sites by young children, who increasingly have been engaging with them for so many hours a day that many parents have struggled to prevent them from becoming exposed to strangers. That has been exacerbated by social media sites specifically targeting children with apps for instant messaging and social media interactions. The latest Facebook episode is part of a wider problem that it has been dealing with as it has tried to gain control over all of the fake news that has been filtering through the site, observed Rick Edmonds, media business analyst at Poynter. Facebook has been playing a game of whack-a-mole, in essence, and as soon as one controversy begins to subside, another rears its head, he told TechNewsworld. "Here's an analogy," Edmonds said. "If I call up and threaten to kill you, I have committed a crime, but the phone company hasn't. Facebook would like to be regarded the same way -- or did until the events of the last few years." Activities like threats of violence, sexual grooming of children and spreading fake news shine a spotlight on Facebook's role as a publisher rather than a passive utility. David Jones is a freelance writer based in Essex County, New Jersey. He has written for Reuters, Bloomberg, Crain's New York Business and The New York Times. VANCOUVER Cutting-edge fashion and textile innovations designed to reduce the environmental impact of the apparel industry will be showcased in a special session at the ninth edition of Planet Textiles, the annual summit on textiles and sustainability, which takes place in Vancouver, Canada, on 22 May. The Canadian city is noted for its outlook on environmental issues and has developed a thorough sustainability strategy including a number of different projects in order to reach its Greenest city goals. In a special the Pitch for our Planet session hosted by Rogier van Mazijk, Investment Manager at Fashion For Good, delegates will hear about how microorganisms are being used to make feedstock for cellulosic textile fibres, and a new way to produce bio-pigments and finishes based on timber waste. Other talks will feature a new, patent pending textile technology that reduces synthetic microfibre pollution caused by laundering, and a unique method of harnessing protein DNA to make durable fabric dyes entirely from biological processes. A unique way to use probiotics in textile wet processing as well as a chemical recycler able to recover raw materials from blended poly-cotton. Furthermore, Kate Heiny, head of sustainability at European retail giant C&A, has been confirmed as the summits keynote speaker while Mary Ankeny, VP at Cotton Inc., and Jamie Bainbridge, VP product development at bio-tech start up Bolt Threads, are other high-profile names who will present at the ninth edition of Planet Textiles. You can register to attend the event HERE. With scaling up sustainable innovation and the issue of textile microfibres in aquatic environments high on the agenda, we will have three top north American scientists to reveal some of the latest research on the scale of this problem and how in partnership with the global fashion industry they can start to be addressed more urgently. Speakers include Dr Peter Ross, announced earlier who will be joined by Chelsea Rochman Assistant Professor, Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at the University of Toronto, and Prof Roland Geyer who is Assistant Professor at the Bren School of Environmental Science and Management, University of California at Santa Barbara. Other new additions to the platform include Nicole Rycroft, CEO of the NGO CanopyStyle who will lead a session on deforestation together with Tricia Carey, Director, Business Development, Lenzing, Sigrid Barnekow, Program Director, MISTRA Future Fashion and Valerie Langer of the STAND.Earth (formerly ForestEthics) which campaigns range from biodiversity to air, to water quality and climate change. New additions to a breakout session led by the ZDHC Foundation on water and chemical management include Dr Gary Selwyn, CTO at Green Theme International, Andrea Crespi, MD, Eurojersey Spa, and Dr Meg Whittaker, MD and Chief Toxicologist at ToxServices LLC. A Pitch for our Planet In a first for Planet Textiles, delegates will be able to enjoy learning about new, breakthrough technologies that if brought to scale, could widen the choice of new, more sustainable options for the global fashion sector. Drivers of these new sustainable practices who will giving pitches at the event include the CEO of UK-based Colorifix, Orr Yarkoni; Alfie Germano, CEO, of Australia-based Nanollose; Peter Majernowski, president and co-founder of Tyton Biosciences LLC; Jane Palmer, founder of Nature Coatings; and Karun Tyagi, vice president sustainability at Proklean Technologies Pvt Ltd. Rogier van Mazijk at Fashion For Good will host this session and at least one of the pitches will be included in the Fashion for Good Plug & Play accelerators priority review list for potential funding to scale the technology. Information on further speakers at the event can be found HERE, with a complete agenda released next week. Jointly organised by MCL News & Media and the Sustainable Apparel Coalition, Planet Textiles 2018 takes place 22 May the Sheraton Vancouver Wall Centre, Vancouver, Canada. Over 400 delegates representing companies from across the globe are expected to attend. This is a low-cost event, delegates rates are deliberately set very low just above cost break even to encourage as many people as possible to learn more about how they can mitigate the environmental impact of the global textile sector. To reserve your place at this event please register HERE. Planet Textiles was first launched back in 2009. This year the event is being supported by event partner Sympatex, leadership partners: Lenzing and the ZDHC Foundation; along with Kendor Textiles, ToxServices LLC, Fashion for Good, Cotton Inc. and Proavita. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is being sued for its "unlawful and unreasonable delay" in responding to requests for information about the agency's communications with the Heartland Institute, according to a complaint by the Southern Environmental Law Center (SELC) and the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF). The Heartland Institute is an Illinois-based think tank that rejects the science of man-made climate change and has received funding from the Koch brothers and the fossil fuel industry. The lawsuit centers around the EDF and SELC's Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests for communications between the EPA and the Heartland Institute in August and October of 2017, respectively. The requests were made after Heartland Institute Communications Director Jim Lakely said last July, "The White House and the Environmental Protection Agency have reached out to the Heartland Institute to help identify scientists who could constitute a red team, and we've been happy to oblige." EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt, a climate change denier who has close ties to the fossil fuel industry, has long insisted on a nationally publicized "red team-blue team" debate that would pit climate skeptics against scientists who accept the facts about global warming. However, news emerged this week that White House Chief of Staff John F. Kelly has reportedly put a stop to Pruitt's plan. According to the complaint, filed Thursday in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Virginia, the EPA acknowledged both requests and asked for some initial clarification, but has subsequently stopped communicating with SELC and provided vague responses to EDF's outreach that do not indicate any expectation of near-term progress on EDF's FOIA request. There certainly appears to be someand even extensivecontact between the EPA and the Heartland Institute. As seen below, the complaint states that the EPA's own search for correspondence between agency employees and Heartland yielded between 200 and 600 records. The complaint by the Southern Environmental Law Center and the Environmental Defense Fund Under the law, all federal agencies are required to respond to a FOIA request within 20 business days. "EPA's efforts to promote climate change deniers and undermine peer-reviewed science behind closed doors is not only a failure of its mission, it is illegal," Kym Hunter, an attorney for the SELC, said in a statement. "The public has a clear and protected right to know what the EPA is doing and with whom they are communicating, including those pushing a climate-denier agenda." The Heartland Institute has been labeled as "the primary American organization pushing climate change skepticism." Frontline reported that the think tank sent out 25,000 copies of its book, Why Scientists Disagree About Global Warming, and an accompanying 10-minute DVD to 25,000 science teachers. Just last week, the EPA sent out a press release that touted an op-ed written by Heartland Institute president Tim Huelskamp for The Hill titled, "Scott Pruitt is leading the EPA towards Greatness." "Even as Americans face growing risks from climate change, Scott Pruitt continues to stonewall common-sense solutions and deny decades of mounting scientific evidence that the problem is real and serious," said Ben Levitan, an attorney for the EDF, in a statement. "Americans have a right to know who is influencing Pruitt's decisions, and who is shaping the agenda at the agency in charge of protecting our health and safety." By Mary Anne Hitt A Hollywood scriptwriter couldn't make this up. One day after new data revealed widespread toxic water contamination near coal ash disposal sites, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) head Scott Pruitt announced a proposal to repeal the very 2015 EPA safeguards that had required this data to be tracked and released in the first place. Clean water is a basic human right that should never be treated as collateral damage on a corporate balance sheet, but that is exactly what is happening. This proposal clears the way for polluters, and polluter-funded politicians, to write weak standards for groundwater monitoring and coal ash cleanups, and attacks several core health and environmental protections included in the standard that was enacted in 2015. This comes as the first round of water testing, carried out under the new EPA standard, revealed some shocking results. As the New Republic reported: "At more than 70 sites across the country, toxins like arsenic, mercury, and radium are leaching into groundwater from pond-like storage pits filled with the sludgy leftovers of coal burning. That's the most alarming takeaway from reports that the coal industry was required to submit to the Environmental Protection Agency this month, part of the first-ever federal regulations of the waste product known as coal ash ... So far, the reports have shown coal ash leaking into groundwater at storage sites in Iowa, Nebraska, Arkansas, Georgia, Montana, Washington, Michigan and Florida." Coal ash is the toxic waste left over from coal-burning power plants and contains some of some of the deadliest known toxic chemicals, including heavy metals like arsenic, lead, mercury, and chromium. For decades, coal ash disposal was subject to no EPA oversight, and this waste was dumped into giant unlined pits, where toxic chemicals then seeped into water and soil and blew into the air in many communities nationwide. Exposure to these toxics raise the risk for cancer, heart disease, and stroke, and can inflict permanent brain damage on children. Pruitt's latest proposal would replace science-based federal requirements that would fairly and consistently address water quality issues nationwide with a patchwork of state-by-state requirements that can easily be influenced by polluter interests. And yet federal requirements were put in place because state regulators had not implemented adequate water protections against coal ash! In reality, state oversight failed families for decades, resulting in catastrophic spills like those in Kingston, Tennessee, and the Dan River in North Carolina, as well as slow-motion disasters still unfolding in dozens of communities nationwide. My colleague Connie Wilbert in Wyoming is worried about exactly that, as she expressed in this article: "We aren't seeing the state take a strong position on any number of issues related to fossil fuels in general," said Wilbert, director of Sierra Club Wyoming. "This proposed revision introduces a level of flexibility that we're pretty uncomfortable with." I recently spent time with families in North Carolina that have been living on bottled water for over 1,000 days due to coal ash pollution, rallying outside the headquarters of Duke Energy and calling on the company to clean up their mess. The stories of these families were heartbreaking, and they aren't alone. Today, more than 1,400 coal ash waste dumps are spread across the nation, and in at least 200 cases, the toxic waste is known to have contaminated water sources. More than 1.5 million children live near coal ash storage sites. Seventy percent of all coal ash impoundments disproportionately impact low-income communities. The EPA's 2015 coal ash protections were basic common sensethey required utilities to test the water near their coal ash dumps to make sure hazardous chemicals were not leaking into drinking water sources. Requirements to monitor the water around dump sitesand to clean it up, if poisonedwent into effect at all coal ash dumps in 2018, and as noted above, the first round of findings from these reports was horrifying. Further proving the point of just how terrible this idea is, the first state to take back the reins of managing its own coal ash is Pruitt's home state of Oklahoma, which has an abysmal and notorious track record that ThinkProgress described this way: "In the eastern part of Oklahoma, near the Arkansas border, sits a small town named Bokoshe. Along with a population of just 512, Bokoshe also happens to be home to several old coal mines, which have been turned into landfills for another sort of coal product: coal ash, the toxic byproduct that results from burning coal ... For more than 20 years, residents of the town, plagued by high rates of asthma and cancer, have appealed to state and federal regulators for help. And for years those pleas have gone largely unheard, thanks to the complex web of regulations that addressor more often, fail to properly addresscoal ash." This is the legacy Pruitt's proposal will leave for dozens more communities. We will fight it in the streets and in the courts, to prevent it from being finalized. He and the Trump administration are trying to pull the wool over the American people's eyes about the dangers of gutting our clean water protections against coal ash, so that rich coal magnates will not have to pay to properly dispose of their toxic byproduct. Weakening protections against coal ash is a betrayal of all the families across this country who have been living on bottled water for years, or have lost their health and property, due to coal ash pollution. Families are looking to EPA to solve the coal ash problemnot abandon them. The EPA will take comments on this proposal until April 30 and will hold a hearing on these rollbacks in the Washington, DC area on April 24. Please join us in letting Scott Pruitt know that the American people won't stand for this polluter power grab. Mary Anne Hitt is the director of the Sierra Club Beyond Coal Campaign. An executive from a company selling a genetically engineered meat alternative faced tough questions at the Sustainable Foods Summit held in San Francisco at the end of January. Nick Halla, chief strategy officer of Impossible Foods, gave a presentation about his company's Impossible Burger as a sustainable solution to the problems of industrial meat production. He claimed their lab-created burger uses about 74 percent less water, generates about 87 percent fewer greenhouse gases and requires around 95 percent less land than conventional ground beef from cows. Halla said the Impossible Burger is seeing rapid acceptance in the marketplace, sold in many restaurants and "better burger" chains. Doubts About Impossible Burger's Safety But Halla's PowerPoint slides didn't mention that the Impossible Burger's key ingredient is a genetically engineered protein called soy leghemoglobin or "heme." The presentation also didn't mention that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration told Impossible Foods that the company hadn't demonstrated the safety of heme after it applied to the FDA seeking GRAS (generally recognized as safe) status. Despite FDA's concerns, Impossible Foods sold its GMO-derived burger for public consumption anyway. Several audience members took Halla to task over Impossible Foods marketing its burger despite FDA concerns, short-term feeding studies, and lack of transparency about the use of the GMO ingredient. Mark Squire, owner and manager of Good Earth Natural Foods, said he read the FDA documents about Impossible Foods application for GRAS status and was "shocked that a company could come out with a new food additive and not have it subjected to government and long-term scrutiny." Pamm Larry, director of GMO-free California, asked Halla why his company had conducted such short, 14- and 28-day rat feeding studies of the product. "Why did you do such short feeding studies when you know the minimum industry standard is 90 days?" Ken Ross, board member of the ProTerra Foundation and a speaker at the conference, also said that the feeding studies are unacceptable. "A 28-day feeding study is not impeccable science. You need a two-year feeding study," he said. Lack of Transparency, Product Rushed to Market Larry said she spoke to several restaurants that serve the Impossible Burger but didn't know it was GMO. She also asked if Impossible Foods labels their product as GMO. Halla said his company doesn't label the product as GMO but that information about the use of genetic engineering is on the company's website. Nick Halla, chief strategy officer of Impossible Foods, faced some tough questions recently at the Sustainable Foods Summit. Squire said Impossible Foods was not being transparent. "I don't think people selling burgers understand (Impossible Foods') technology. There is no transparency; there is a huge information gap. Halla said 'everything is on our website.' But if you go to their website, there is very little there." Ross thought that Impossible Foods rushed the Impossible Burger to market due to pressure from investors. "They call the shots and want to get the product commercialized and into the market and so they aren't doing a 2-year feeding study and doing superficial short studies instead." Ross told Halla thatwith its questionable feeding studies and lack of transparencyImpossible Foods is repeating the same deceptions that the biotech industry has done in the past. "You're speaking to an audience that has already been down that road," he said. Halla seemed surprised by the tough questions. "He was clearly chastened by the reaction. I don't think he thought he was coming into a hostile environment," Ross said. Amarjit Sahota, president and owner of Ecovia Intelligence, organizer of the Summit, acknowledged that Halla "received a lot of criticism after his seminar." "We believe the feedback and criticism Impossible Foods received will make them think twice about making claims in the future and make them more transparent about their ingredients," Sahota said. Editor's Note: I sent an email to Impossible Foods asking if Nick Halla could tell me his responses to the audience's questions during the summit. I wanted to get his perspective. My email was answered by Rachel Konrad, Impossible Foods chief communications officer, who did not attend the summit. In response to my question about Halla's PowerPoint slides not mentioning Impossible Foods' use of genetic engineering, Konrad wrote: "Nick talked specifically about the use of engineered yeast during his presentation." Still, "genetic engineering" was not mentioned in any of his slides. Regarding the short-term animal feeding study, Konrad wrote: "Our rat-feeding study was comprehensive and statistically valid; a panel of experts reviewed the study and unanimously agreed that soy leghemoglobin is safe." When asked about how employees at the burger restaurants don't know that the Impossible Burger is genetically engineered, Konrad wrote that her company provides training sessions for chefs and kitchen staff: "In these sessions, we explain the ingredientsincluding how we produce heme through fermentation of a genetically modified yeast." As thousands of students were preparing to walk out of their classrooms Wednesday, kicking off a day of youth demonstrations over school shootings, President Donald Trump tweeted about infrastructure and unfair trade practices. For the rest of the day, the president, known for sharing his thoughts on a wide range of subjects on social media, never acknowledged the walkouts, in which students in every time zone spilled from their classrooms at 10 a.m. to remember the victims of a shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla., and to call for new gun laws. The most visible youth demonstrations in recent historyby some estimates they drew more than 1 million participantswere noted by many celebrities and Democrats like Conn. Sen. Chris Murphy and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi and led the national news, but they went largely unacknowledged by conservative leaders. Instead, Republicans in Congress turned their attention to the STOP School Violence Act, a bipartisan school safety bill passed by the House of Representatives on the one-month anniversary of the attack. That bill provides resources for security and prevention efforts. It doesnt include any gun-related measures. See Also: The 2018 Student Walkout: Complete Coverage Today the House took major steps toward securing our schools by passing the STOP School Violence Act, Trump tweeted Wednesday evening. We must put the safety of Americas children FIRST by improving training and by giving schools and law enforcement better tools. A tragedy like Parkland cant happen ever again! Even if political leaders disagreed with students policy aims, such a large-scale demonstration of student engagement is something to be applauded, said Ian Coon, the communications director for Student Voice, a national youth-led organization that encourages students to seek representation in education and policy discussions. Student voice is not a partisan issue, he said. Any time you have students coming together and to really have that hands-on civics lesson is so powerful. Civics education is something we learn about in textbooks but never get invited to practice. Polarizing Issues Some conservative school chiefs and governors celebrated students actions Wednesday, but most didnt say anything about the walkouts. The reluctance of some leaders to acknowledge the demonstrations may relate to the students demands, which largely focused on the politically polarizing issue of gun control. The events were organized by Youth Empower, an affiliate of the Womens March organization, best known for nationwide protests the day after Trump was inaugurated. At the national level, organizers called for a ban on assault-style weapons, universal background checks for gun sales, and gun violence restraining orders that would allow law enforcement to disarm people who are deemed a threat. The White House school safety plan, released Monday, includes few provisions related to guns. It calls for such restraining orders to be passed at the state level, as Florida recently did. Throughout the country, students shaped their walkouts around their own demands. In Philadelphia and Baltimore, students mourned school shootings but also drew attention to the more common acts of gun violence in their neighborhoods. Some Chicago students called for an end to school closures that affect communities of color. Adults dont have to agree with the demands that students are making, but to acknowledge that theres interest on both sides and say, Hey, we see you. We understand that youre frustrated about this. Lets have a conversation, said Madison Thomas, a Georgetown University student and student organizer for Youth Empower. Florida Sen. Marco Rubio was among the most high-profile Republicans to acknowledge the demonstrations that gained momentum from students in his state. Today, across the country, in a few minutes, students from across America will be exercising their First Amendment right to speak out about changes that they want on how we regulate our Second Amendment right, Rubio said at a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing about the Parkland shooting just as the walkouts were getting underway. The one thing I believe we do have common ground on is that I know of no one, I know of no one in this country who wants to see another community or another state endure such senseless violence, said Rubio, who supports the STOP School Violence Act. U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos gives a lot of credit to the students who are raising their voices and demanding change, a spokesperson for the Education Department said Wednesday. She hears them, and their input will be valuable as she convenes the Federal Commission on School Safety and works to find solutions to keeping all students safe at school. Later that evening, DeVos dined with Kyle Kashuv, a Stoneman Douglas student who, unlike most of his peers, has spoken out against new gun restrictions after the shooting. Kashuv has met with lawmakers on both sides of the aisle and made media appearances to support STOP School Violence Act. But many of his peersstudents whove organized a national march to call for stricter gun regulationshave said that bill doesnt go far enough. The National Rifle Association, identified as a political target by those students, tweeted in favor of the bill Wednesday. The organization also tweeted an image of an AR-15, the same rifle used in the Parkland shooting, with the message Ill control my own guns, thank you. While many leaders didnt acknowledge the students demonstrations, some werent hesitant to express opposition. It appears that these schoolchildren, innocent schoolchildren, are being used as a tool by [this] left-wing group to further their own agenda, South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster, a Republican, told public television network ETV. Stoneman Douglas student David Hogg, who has been one of the highest profile advocates for gun control, tweeted that McMaster shouldnt doubt students sincerity and that he cant wait to see what the history textbooks our generation writes will have to say about people like you. Maine Gov. Paul LePage, a Republican, said he was totally against the walkouts and that any school administrator who participated will be disciplined to the strongest [degree], with every ounce of the law they will be disciplined, The Colby Echo, the student-run newspaper of Colby College, reported. The Chicago Republican Party said Wednesday it was preparing to sue the Chicago public school system over the districts handling of the demonstrations. Although students were not required to participate in the walkouts, the organization contended that some schools were taking an active role in organizing the rallies and compelling students to participate. A 10-year-old kid isnt going to have an informed opinion on these political matters, and shouldnt be expected to have the fortitude to hold a different opinion from everyone else in his or her classroom, chairman Chris Cleveland said in a statement. This is political indoctrination, pure and simple. The group said it filed a complaint with the districts inspector general, Nicholas Schuler. Chicago school officials hadnt confirmed to Education Week the status of the complaint or lawsuit Thursday. But Illinois Republican governor, Bruce Rauner, took a different tone, calling the walkouts an appropriate way to honor the Parkland victims, the Chicago Tribune reported. State education superintendents also took a variety of approaches, with some lauding the students protesting, others silent, and some issuing guidance on how to handle the walkouts. Idahos state superintendent, Sherri Ybarra, a Republican, appeared to walk a tightrope of not discouraging students to express themselves but also not encouraging them to protest in the guidance she issued. We believe the best place for students during the school day is with their teachers, Ybarra said in a statement. However, we recognize students may want to exercise their rights of free speech and assembly. We released guidance for districts last week to help them prepare and use this as a teaching opportunity. We encourage students to work with their schools if they are planning to participate so steps may be taken to ensure their safety. Ybarras spokesperson said Thursday that Idaho students coordinated well with their schools and were responsible in exercising their rights of speech and assembly from what they have heard. Memorials and Demonstrations In some cases, students didnt wait to hear from GOP leaders. In Phoenix, about 45 students in white T-shirts who walked out of school in protest wound up sitting-in at Gov. Doug Duceys office, demanding to speak to him about gun violence in school and chanting Shame on Ducey, according to The Arizona Republic. Six police officers observed as the governors education policy adviser listened to the sometimes loud and frustrated crowd share their fears about being killed at school. An unnamed Democratic state lawmaker convinced the students to leave peacefully after about two hours, the paper reported. Governor @DougDucey appreciates the passion of the students who visited his office today, a spokesman wrote on his Twitter account, which was linked to a thread of tweets about the governors work on school safety. At some walkout events, students and organizers seemed to steer away from politically polarizing topics, instead framing their walkouts as memorials or calls for broader school safety actions. At Aztec High School in New Mexico, for example, students gathered for 21 minutes of silence to remember 21 recent victims of school shootings, including two classmates who were gunned down in their school in December. Principal Warman Hall said students are still grieving from the attack and wanted to honor the victims in a way that was not political. So while many students around the country held signs calling for new gun laws, Aztec students reflected on 21 actions that they can take to improve the world around them, like volunteering with a group or spending time with a student who may need a friend. Student organizing in response to school shootings and gun violence is expected to continue. On March 24, a group of Stoneman Douglas students has been active in the planning for the March for Our Lives, a national demonstration in Washington, with corresponding events scheduled in every state. Coon said he hopes students whove just started engaging in policy issues will explore other ways to be involved, like serving as student school board members and making requests of educators and lawmakers about a range of issues. Recent youth activism echoes previous efforts, like student walkouts during the civil rights era, he said. I think this is a turning point that has shown a lot of students that they do have a voice that maybe they didnt recognize previously, Coon said. Infrastructure Minister faces bus tyre query Winter tyres on the Island's buses will be discussed in this month's sitting of Tynwald. Bus Vannin had to run a reduced service at times when the Island was hit by the Beast from the East recently. Ramsey MHK Dr Alex Allinson wants to know whether Isle of Man Transport fits winter tyres to buses during periods of adverse weather. Infrastructure Minister Ray Harmer will provide the details next week. Everyone has experienced the awkward situation of meeting someone and then forgetting their name shortly after. Among older adults, this happens more often than not. Baycrest researchers have discovered a new method to resolve this problem Everyone has experienced the awkward situation of meeting someone and then forgetting their name shortly after. Among older adults, this happens more often than not. Baycrest researchers have discovered a new method to resolve this problem by tapping into a natural memory change during aging. Their work, which was recently published in the journal, Psychology and Aging, could be incorporated into a smartphone application as an accessible memory training tool. "Among the memory difficulties that people report as they age, having trouble remembering people's names can be upsetting and stressful in social situations," says Dr. Renee Biss, a former postdoctoral fellow at Baycrest's Neuropsychology and Cognitive Health program who conducted the study. "To avoid this potential embarrassment, an older adult may withdraw from socializing which can negatively affect their brain health." Previous Baycrest studies have demonstrated that older adults unknowingly pick up information from their surroundings, which is linked to their brains becoming less efficient at ignoring distraction, but young adults don't have the same tendency "This strategy harnessed a natural change that occurs as we get older and used it to boost memory for information that is meaningful to older adults," says Dr. Kelly Murphy, senior author on the study, a clinical neuropsychologist at Baycrest and a psychology professor at the University of Toronto. During the study, a group of 57 younger and older adults (between the ages of 17 to 23 and 60 to 86) were shown the faces and names of 24 different people and were tested on their memory right after. Participants were then presented another series of faces with text on their foreheads, but this time they were told to ignore the written information and push a button when they saw the same face appear twice in a row. Some of the same faces and names from the first task were shown again. Upon completion, everyone was tested on their memory for a second time. Based on the results, older adults had better accuracy for the faces and names shown twice during both tasks, despite being told to ignore the text. When the name was shown as a distraction the second time, older adults used this to spontaneously rehearse the information learned previously. Younger adults did not see the same improvements, which is consistent with prior research. "Our findings show that this method could be used as an effective memory strategy to help older adults remember the names of people they meet," says Dr. Lynn Hasher, second senior investigator on the study, a senior scientist at Baycrest's Rotman Research Institute and a psychology professor at the University of Toronto. "Through our work, we could develop more successful interventions for this population because it builds on their natural processing abilities rather than trying to use skills employed by younger adults." Over the years, Dr. Hasher's lab has been involved in numerous discoveries demonstrating that older adults could use distraction to help them learn. Based on this research, they aim to create a training program that could help older adults learn the faces and names of people they meet and help them feel more comfortable with new social interactions. As a next step, the team is exploring whether older adults who have mild cognitive impairment (a condition that is likely to develop into Alzheimer's) could benefit from this strategy. This work could have greater potential beyond boosting memory for faces and names. Since older adults have a harder time remembering relationships between unrelated items, with further testing these tools could improve this type of memory, says Dr. Biss. ### This research was supported by the Alzheimer Society of Canada, the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada and the Morris Goldenberg Research Endowment. Other Baycrest collaborators include Drs. Gillian Rowe and Jennifer Weeks. About Baycrest Health Sciences Now in its 100th year, Baycrest Health Sciences is a global leader in geriatric residential living, healthcare, research, innovation and education, with a special focus on brain health and aging. Fully affiliated with the University of Toronto, Baycrest provides excellent care for older adults combined with an extensive clinical training program for the next generation of healthcare professionals and one of the world's top research institutes in cognitive neuroscience, the Rotman Research Institute. Baycrest is home to the federally and provincially-funded Centre for Aging and Brain Health Innovation, a solution accelerator focused on driving innovation in the aging and brain health sector, and is the developer of Cogniciti - a free online memory assessment for Canadians 40+ who are concerned about their memory. Founded in 1918 as the Jewish Home for Aged, Baycrest continues to embrace the long-standing tradition of all great Jewish healthcare institutions to improve the well-being of people in their local communities and around the globe. For more information please visit: http://www.baycrest.org About Baycrest's Rotman Research Institute The Rotman Research Institute at Baycrest Health Sciences is a premier international centre for the study of human brain function. Through generous support from private donors and funding agencies, the institute is helping to illuminate the causes of cognitive decline in seniors, identify promising approaches to treatment, and lifestyle practices that will protect brain health longer in the lifespan. For media inquiries: Jonathan MacIndoe Baycrest Health Sciences 416-785-2500 ext. 6579 jmacindoe@baycrest.org Michelle Petch Gotuzzo Baycrest Health Sciences 416-785-2500 ext. 6932 mpetchgotuzzo@baycrest.org March is MS Awareness Month and the Consortium of Multiple Sclerosis (CMSC) has partnered with leading organizations, accredited content providers, and its membership to provide optimal education, research and services to the MS community. As the preeminent professional organization for the multidisciplinary healthcare team, scientists, and professionals in training involved in MS diagnosis, treatment, and research, the CMSC resources and programs offered include: MS Teamworks -- a free online portal featuring 20 inspiring talks in which patients, clinicians, and care partners share their MS stories and clinical expertise. The unique format and innovative content of these talks, which have been viewed thousands of times, reflects the public's increasing need for new, more accessible information on a chronic neurological disorder that affects more than 2.3 million people worldwide. Managing MS: A Team Approach--CMSC, in collaboration with Nurse Practitioner Alternatives (NPA), is presenting a full-day rehabilitation-focused educational meeting taking place in the NY tri-state area on April 6th and Chicago, IL on April 21st. These accredited live meetings are designed to help rehabilitation professionals integrate the team approach, working cooperatively with all care team members, to optimize rehabilitation care and ultimately improve outcomes for patients with MS. Mentorship forums, scholarships for residents, and research fellowships supported by the Foundation of CMSC that develop and sustain the workforce of the future. MS Certification Programs for specialists, nurses as well as the newly announced healthcare associates exam in addition to a Certification Examination in Rare Neuroimmunologic Disorders The endorsement of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society (NMSS) of the North American Registry for Care and Research in MS (NARCRMS), a physician/clinician-based MS registry and longitudinal database of clinical records and patient-centered outcomes, under the auspices of CMSC. CMSC is also spearheading a meeting of MS registries from across the county and around the world at its Annual Meeting to begin a fruitful collaboration for streamlining and disseminating important data and statistics on MS. CMSC is now among the top tier of continuing healthcare education providers in the United States, and has received Interprofessional Continuing Education Joint Accreditation. CMSC can now offer education and CE credits to physicians, nurses, and pharmacists together or separately through the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) and the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE). The flagship event of CMSC, its Annual Meeting, taking place May 30 -June 2, at the Music City Center in Nashville, TN, is the largest educational conference and professional development event for all healthcare clinicians, researchers, scientists and professionals in training engaged in the MS field. The four-day educational program includes a full agenda of lectures, clinical courses, symposia, workshops, roundtables, panel discussions, posters and platform presentations. To insure a comprehensive educational curriculum for multi-disciplinary attendees the CMSC Annual Meeting focuses on 11 content areas: advocacy; comprehensive care; disease management; neuroscience/environmental factors; nursing; psychosocial: cognition, depression; rehabilitation; skills development; symptomatic management; and wellness. "CMSC Is proud to support MS Awareness Month and year-round provide tools and resources to the entire team involved in MS care and resulting in positive outcomes for those affected by this complex disease," said June Halper, CEO, CMSC. ### For more information on CMSC and its Annual Meeting, visit http://www.mscare.org. ABOUT THE CONSORTIUM OF MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS CENTERS (CMSC) CMSC, the Consortium of Multiple Sclerosis Centers, is the leading educational, training, and networking organization for MS healthcare professionals and researchers. The CMSC mission is to promote high quality MS care through educational programming and accreditation including live and online events, research grants, technical journals and papers, and targeted advocacy efforts. The CMSC member network includes more than 11,000 international healthcare clinicians and scientists committed to MS care as well as more than 60 Veterans Administration MS Programs and 225 MS Centers in the US, Canada, and Europe. The 32nd CMSC Annual Meeting, the largest gathering of MS professionals in North America, will take place May 30 - June 2, 2018, in Nashville, TN. For more information visit: http://www.mscare.org. Follow CMSC on Twitter: @mscare and Facebook: CMSCmscare. A major international survey has found that around a quarter of patients are not receiving the recommended treatment for cancer of the penis. It also found that these patients had half the survival rate of those who were treated according to guidelines. The study, presented at the EAU conference in Copenhagen, finds that non-adherence is partly due to patients refusing treatment, or doctors being reluctant to treat appropriately or being unfamiliar with the best procedures. Penis cancer is considered a rare human cancer. Around 1 in 100,000 men contract penis cancer every year in the West (which means that a country such as the UK has around 640 cases per year. The US sees 2320 cases per year), however in recent years this rate has risen by 20% to 25% in many countries1, especially in older men. Cancer of the penis is extremely distressing. As the American Cancer Society says "cancer of the penis can be a frightening prospect. Partially or completely removing the penis is often the most effective way to cure penile cancer, but for many men this cure seems worse than the disease"2. In this large international survey, researchers found that a significant minority (25%) of patients do not receive the recommended treatment. In part this is due to patients being reluctant to go ahead with surgery which removes all or part of the penis, in part due to doctors not proceeding with the appropriate surgery to treat this rare cancer. Researchers from 12 centres in Italy, Spain, the USA, Brazil, and Hungary, looked at adherence to the EAU guidelines on treatment of penile cancer. They retrospectively examined the records of 425 patients who had been treated in the 2010-2016 period. Lead author, Dr Luca Cindolo (Abruzzo, Italy) said: "We found that most patients were treated in accordance with the gold-standard EAU recommendations3, but around 25% of patients had not received appropriate treatment. From our work, we see that around twice as many patients survive if they have been treated according to recommended guidelines. In around half of those patients not treated according to guidelines, the decision was made by the doctor, and we suspect that this is because many doctors are unfamiliar with treating this rare, but devastating cancer. In one in 6 cases, the patient, or the patient's carers, made the decision not to be treated according to guidelines. We often find that patients don't want to be treated, or that the patients' carers are unwilling to take the decision to treat". These are often difficult treatment decisions to take, and so they need to be arrived at after open discussion between the patient and the medical team. It's a condition which most urologists don't see very often, so it's best if the medical team is experienced in dealing with the condition. This may mean that the treatment in national or international centres of excellence is the best way to proceed". Commenting, Dr Vijay Sangar (Director of Surgery, Christie Hospital, Manchester) said: "We often find that patients with rare cancers get short-changed because the cancer is so seldom encountered by doctors. We can suggest that if we treat rare cancers in national or even international centres of excellence, the chances of better management improve. In the UK for example, we centralised the treatment of penis cancer into just 10 centres of excellence, whereas in some countries such as Hungary, Spain, and Italy, these rare urological cancers are still treated locally, which may reflect the lower survival rates. Generally, the more penile cancer a team sees the better they become at managing the disease. The recently established eUROGEN consortium will make a huge difference to European patient care; this gives patients with rare urological diseases access to the best management no matter where they are in Europe". ### Notes: 1 England figures https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/877837. Denmark, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22101453 2 https://www.cancer.org/cancer/penile-cancer/after-treatment/emotional-health.html 3 EAU guidelines on penile cancer: 2014 update. Eur Urol. 2015 Jan;67(1):142-150. doi: 10.1016/j.eururo.2014.10.017 4 See http://eurogen-ern.eu/ A major UK survey has shown that patients with urological cancer such as prostate, bladder or kidney cancer are five times more likely to commit suicide than people without cancer. The analysis also shows that cancer patients generally are around three times more likely to commit suicide than the general population, and that the proportion of attempted suicides which result in a completed or successful suicide was higher in cancer patients, with a higher proportion still in patients with urological cancers. Severe psychological stress is one of the main side-effects of both a diagnosis of cancer and cancer treatment, with depression affecting between 5 and 25% of cancer patients1, 2: many are also affected by Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)3. Previous research has shown that the vast majority of cancer patients who have symptoms of depression often go untreated2. This study shows a substantial increase in suicide attempts and successful suicides in cancer patients. The work is presented at the European Association of Urology conference in Copenhagen. This is the largest UK study looking at suicide in cancer patients (see below). The research team led by Mr Prashant Patel at the University of Birmingham retrospectively examined the records from the England and Wales Hospital Episode Statistics database, from the period 2001 to 2011. They linked this with cause of death statistics from the Office of National Statistics. This is also the first time that a major study has examined suicidal intent in cancer patients - which they defined as the ratio of successful suicides to the rate of attempted suicides. They found that this rate was far higher (1 to 7) in patients with prostate cancer than in the general population (1 to 25), which may show a greater determination to commit suicide in cancer patients. "This is important" said first author Dr Mehran Afshar (St George's Hospital, London), "as we know that people who attempt suicide are at higher risk of subsequently being successful in completing a suicide, and we have shown this 'intent' to commit to be far higher in our cancer population, thus confirming a real need to address psychological issues early on in the management of these patients". Dr Afshar continued: "Our data confirms research from other countries that suicide rates are higher in cancer patients, and we show this to be higher particularly in patients with urological cancers. There are particular issues which are specific to this cancer group - for example, men with prostate cancer undergo treatment which can affect their bladder function, their bowel function, erectile function and libido, can result in symptoms similar to the female menopause, and entirely alter the personality, leading to relationship problems, anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder. We know from a 2014 study2 by Cancer Research UK that the vast majority of cancer patients who have symptoms of depression go untreated. We can see from the results of our study that although all cancers have a higher suicide rate, inferring a higher level of psychological distress, there are disparities between cancers. This needs to be addressed within our healthcare systems, and more focus is needed on integrating the robust and specialist assessment and treatment of mental health needs in cancer care". The study also showed significant differences between the time to a successful suicide, which means that some cancer patients are more vulnerable in certain periods. The numbers The researchers identified a total of 980,761 (493,234 males and 487,094 female) cancer patients which meant that 13.4 million-person years were included in the final data analysis. The team identified 162 suicides and 1222 suicide attempts. In the general population, the suicide rate is 10 per 100,000 people. The team found that the all-cancer suicide rate was 30 per 100,000 people. In the urological cancers the figures are 36 per 100,000 people in kidney cancer, 48 suicides per 100,000 in bladder cancer, and 52 per 100,000 people in prostate cancer. In the general population, there is an average of 25 suicide attempts for each successful suicide. In kidney cancer this ratio is 1 suicide for every 10 attempts. In bladder and prostate cancer, this ratio drops to one suicide for every 7 attempts. The time taken to commit suicide also varies substantially: median time to suicide is 175 days from diagnosis for kidney cancer, 846 days for prostate cancer, and 1037 days for bladder cancer. Commenting, EAU Adjunct Secretary General, Prof Hein van Poppel (Leuven) said: "This important work shows just how distressing cancer can be, but it also shows that there may be special factors associated with urological cancers which make them even more stressful than other cancers. It looks like urological cancers can affect patients' sense of self in a way that many cancers don't. The work implies that some urological cancers, such as kidney cancer, can lead to fairly immediate distress, whereas the distress associated with prostate and bladder cancer may take a while to hit home - perhaps when patients begin to take up some of the problems associated with returning to normal life. We also need to put things in context: many patients recover well, and don't reach the stage of despair or distress which brings them to think of suicide. Nevertheless, this is a real problem. We need to recognise that the figures presented here are for suicides, which means that they are at the 'sharp end of emotional distress'. For every suicide or attempted suicide, there will be many more patients who find difficulty in coping. This distress does not stop when the cancer is removed or contained, and we owe it to patients to ensure that ongoing emotional support and mental health care is fully integrated in cancer care". (Professor van Poppel was not involved in this work. He is a specialist in urological cancers). The team noted a limitation of the study: they looked at the general suicide rate, not at the rate of suicides according to age (age-standardised suicide rate), however a comparison to baseline population suicide rates could only be made using crude suicide rates per 100,000 as this is population level data available. ### There was no specific funding for this research. 1 https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/coping/feelings/depression-hp-pdq 2 http://www.thelancet.com/depression-and-cancer 3 Cancer patients and PTSD, see http://newsroom.wiley.com/press-release/cancer/many-cancer-survivors-are-living-ptsd The idea that it might be possible to be overweight or obese but not at increased risk of heart disease, otherwise known as the "obesity paradox", has been challenged by a study of nearly 300,000 people published in in the European Heart Journal [1] today (Friday). This latest research shows that the risk of heart and blood vessel problems, such as heart attacks, strokes and high blood pressure, increases as body mass index (BMI) increases beyond a BMI of 22-23 kg/m2. Furthermore, the risk also increases steadily the more fat a person carries around their waist. The study was conducted in 296,535 adults of white European descent who are taking part in the UK Biobank study, and who were healthy at the time they enrolled with the study. UK Biobank recruited from 2006 to 2010, and follow-up data on participants were available up to 2015 for this latest analysis. Researchers at the University of Glasgow (UK) led by Dr Stamatina Iliodromiti, a clinical lecturer in obstetrics and gynaecology and MRC Fellow, found that people with a BMI between 22-23 kg/m2 had the lowest risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). As BMI increased above 22 kg/m2, the risk of CVD increased by 13% for every 5.2 kg/m2 increase in women and 4.3 kg/m2 in men. Compared to women and men with waist circumferences of 74 and 83 cm respectively, the CVD risk increased by16% in women and 10% in men for every 12.6 cm and 11.4 cm increase in waist circumference for women and men respectively. Similar increases in CVD risk were seen when the researchers looked at waist-to-hip and waist-to-height ratios and percentage body fat mass - all of which are considered reliable ways to accurately gauge the amount of fat a person carries, also known as adiposity. Although it is already known that being overweight or obese increases a person's risk of CVD, as well as other diseases such as cancer, there have also been studies that have suggested that, particularly in the elderly, being overweight or even obese might not have any effect on deaths from CVD or other causes, and may even be protective, especially if people maintain a reasonable level of fitness. This is known as the "obesity paradox". However, the authors of the EHJ study say their results refute these previous, conflicting findings. "Any public misconception of a potential 'protective' effect of fat on heart and stroke risks should be challenged," said Dr Iliodromiti. She continued: "This is the largest study that provides evidence against the obesity paradox in healthy people. It is possible that the story may be different for those with pre-existing disease because there is evidence that in cancer patients, for instance, being slightly overweight is associated with lower risk, especially as cancer and its treatments can lead to unhealthy weight loss. "By maintaining a healthy BMI of around 22-23 kg/m2, healthy people can minimise their risk of developing or dying from heart disease. In terms of other adiposity measures, the less fat, especially around their abdomen, they have, the lower the risk of future heart disease." However, the researchers recognise that it can be difficult for some people to maintain a BMI of 22-23 kg/m2, particularly as they get older. Co-author, Naveed Sattar, Professor of Metabolic Medicine at the University of Glasgow, said: "We know many cannot get to such low BMIs so the message is, whatever your BMI, especially when in the overweight or obese range, losing a few kilograms or more if possible, will only improve your health. There are no downsides to losing weight intentionally and the health professions needs to get better at helping people lose weight." The researchers say their findings may have implications for guidelines on preventing and managing cardiovascular disease. "Even within the normal BMI category of between18.5-25 kg/m2, the risk of CVD increases beyond a BMI of 22-23 kg/m2. The other adiposity measures show that the leaner the person the lower the risk of CVD, and this must be a public message, that healthy individuals should maintain a lean physique to minimise their risk of CVD," concluded Dr Iliodromiti. The researchers suggest that the previous confusion over the "obesity paradox" may be due to many factors that can confound results of studies. For instance, smoking changes the distribution of fat in the body, smokers may have lower weight as smoking depresses appetites and so BMI tends to be lower. Another reason could be that some people have existing but undiagnosed disease, which can often lower their weight but also makes them more likely to die prematurely. ### Notes: [1] "The impact of confounding on the associations of different adiposity measures with the incidence of cardiovascular disease: a cohort study of 296 535 adults of white European descent", by Stamatina Iliodromiti et al. European Heart Journal. doi:10.1093/eurheartj/ehy057 SALT LAKE CITY - Huntsman Cancer Institute (HCI) at the University of Utah (U of U) has been selected to participate in the Beat AML Master Trial, an innovative clinical trial sponsored by The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS). The clinical trial is testing several new targeted therapies for the treatment of patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). HCI is the only facility in the Mountain West offering this trial to AML patients. AML is a type of blood cancer that begins in the bone marrow and, in most cases, progresses rapidly if not treated. According to the National Cancer Institute, in 2018, more than 21,000 individuals will be diagnosed with AML in the United States and approximately 10,650 will die from the disease. Although several new drugs were approved for AML in 2017, most current treatments for AML are based on principles developed 40 years ago. The clinical trial intends to provide significant improvements to the standard care for this disease based on the use of molecular screening for treatment selection. "This dynamic study aims to revolutionize how we treat patients with AML," said Michael Deininger, MD, PhD, chief of Hematology and Hematologic Malignancies at the U of U and senior director of transdisciplinary research at HCI. "By design, this trial will speed up the process of finding better AML treatments through the development of multiple, tailored therapies based on the individual genetic makeup of each patient's leukemia." Deininger and his HCI collaborators, Paul Shami, MD, and Tibor Kovacsovics, MD, will oversee the clinical trial at HCI. The key innovation of the Beat AML study is to obtain a comprehensive genetic screening within seven days or less, and then select each patient's therapy based on her or his individual profile. In the past this was possible only for one or two genetic features, limiting targeted therapies to a minority of the patients. With the Beat AML trial, personalized therapy will become a reality for most patients. "HCI's participation in this trial acknowledges our extremely well-organized collaboration, deep expertise in leukemia biology and treatment, and our proven track record of translating research into new clinical trials for patients," noted Deininger. The Beat AML trial hopes to recruit 500 patients nationwide and includes participation from eight academic medical institutions, including Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center; pharmaceutical companies; and a genomics provider. Interested patients can find study information, including general eligibility criteria, here. The Beat AML trial concept was developed in alignment with the National Cancer Moonshot Initiative. ### About Huntsman Cancer Institute at the University of Utah Huntsman Cancer Institute (HCI) at the University of Utah is the official cancer center of Utah. The cancer campus includes a state-of-the-art cancer specialty hospital as well as two buildings dedicated to cancer research. HCI treats patients with all forms of cancer and operates several clinics that focus on patients with a family history of cancer. As the only National Cancer Institute (NCI)-Designated Comprehensive Cancer Center in the Mountain West, HCI serves the largest geographic region in the country, drawing patients from Utah, Nevada, Idaho, Wyoming, and Montana. HCI scientists have identified more genes for inherited cancers than any other cancer center in the world, including genes responsible for hereditary breast, ovarian, colon, head, and neck cancers, along with melanoma. HCI manages the Utah Population Database - the largest genetic database in the world, with information on more than 9 million people linked to genealogies, health records, and vital statistics. The institute was founded by Jon M. and Karen Huntsman. Defying gravity: A special mixture of proteins in the larval food of bees ensures that future queen larvae survive. Surprisingly this has less to do with nourishment than with gravity. The special properties of the proteins prevent the large and heavy larvae from falling out of their cells. Researchers at Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg (MLU) have discovered how this is accomplished at a molecular level. Their study will appear in the internationally renowned journal Current Biology. Because queen larvae are large, they cannot be raised in the normal worker bee cells of a honeycomb. "The bees build special queen cells for the royal offspring which are attached to the lower edge of a honeycomb. The larvae developing in these cells, are essentially hanging from the ceiling, and somehow have to avoid falling out of the cell," explains Dr Anja Buttstedt, a biologist who carried out the study at MLU's Institute of Biology under the supervision of Professor Robin Moritz. Currently she is conducting research at the Center for Molecular Bioengineering at TU Dresden. Honeybees feed queen larvae exclusively with royal jelly secreted from their hypopharyngeal glands. This contains all of the nutrition the larvae need to develop into queens. "For decades, researchers have searched for a specific substance in the royal jelly that causes larvae to develop into queen bees rather than worker bees. In recent decades the focus has shifted to the proteins contained within it," says biologist Robin Moritz. In 2011, the Japanese scientist Masaki Kamakura caused a stir when he claimed to have discovered a protein that enables all larvae to develop into queens when consumed: the protein MRJP1, also referred to as royalactin. However, the research team from Halle was able to refute this claim in 2016. "But because MRJP1 is quantitatively the main protein in royal jelly, we felt that the protein must have a special function," continues Moritz. In earlier studies the scientists noticed, somewhat coincidently, that royal jelly becomes much more fluid in the absence of this protein. This led the group from Halle to examine the structure of MRJP1. They discovered that when it is in a slightly acidic solution of pH value of 4.0 and is combined with the protein apisimin, a fibre-like structure forms that resembles a string of pearls. Since royal jelly usually has the same slightly acidic pH value, the researchers sought to discover what the function of this fibre-like structure might be. In collaboration with biotechnologists and pharmacists at MLU and the Fraunhofer Institute for Microstructure of Materials and Systems IMWS, the biologists identified that only a pH value of 4.0 ensures that the royal jelly develops fibre-like structures that make it viscous enough to keep the queen larvae from falling out of their cells. "When we artificially increased the pH, not only did the larval food become much more fluid, the larvae fell out of their cells and were unable to fully develop," says Buttstedt. If this happened the entire bee colony would be at risk since it would not be able to rear young queens to replace the old queen. The continued existence of the colony is dependent on queen larvae remaining in their cells with the glue provided by the royal jelly proteins. The team of researchers was also able to prove that the proteins MRJP1 and apisimin are solely responsible for the functional viscosity of the royal jelly. Even a purified mixture that only consisted of the two proteins changed its viscosity in relation to the pH value. "This shows that the role of MRJP1 in royal jelly is in no way unspectacular. The protein plain and simply ensures the survival of the bee colony - though in a way entirely different than initially thought," says Buttstedt in conclusion. ### While legal abortions in the US are safe, the likelihood that women will receive the type of abortion services that best meet their needs varies considerably depending on where they live, says a new report from the National Academies WASHINGTON -- While legal abortions in the U.S. are safe, the likelihood that women will receive the type of abortion services that best meet their needs varies considerably depending on where they live, says a new report from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. In addition, the report notes, the vast majority of abortions can be provided safely in office-based settings. The committee that wrote the report examined the scientific evidence on the safety and quality of the four abortion methods used in the U.S. -- medication, aspiration, dilation and evacuation (D&E), and induction. It assessed quality of care based on whether it is safe, effective, patient-centered, timely, efficient, and equitable according to well-established standards. Most abortions in the U.S. are performed early in pregnancy; in 2014, 90 percent occurred by 12 weeks of gestation. Medication and aspiration abortions are the most common methods and, together, account for about 90 percent of all abortions. Serious complications from abortion are rare regardless of the method, and safety and quality are enhanced when the abortion is performed as early in pregnancy as possible. Abortion-specific regulations in many states create barriers to safe and effective care. These regulations may prohibit qualified providers from performing abortions, misinform women of the risks of the procedures they are considering, or require medically unnecessary services and delay care, the report says. Examples of these policies include mandatory waiting periods, pre-abortion ultrasound, and a separate in-person counseling visit. Some states require abortion providers to provide women with written or verbal information suggesting that abortion increases a woman's risk of breast cancer or mental illness, despite the lack of valid scientific evidence of increased risk. In 2014, there were 17 percent fewer abortion clinics than in 2011, and 39 percent of women of reproductive age resided in a county without an abortion provider. In 2017, 25 states had five or fewer abortion clinics, and five states had only one abortion clinic. In addition, approximately 17 percent of women travel more than 50 miles to obtain an abortion. The vast majority of abortions can be provided safely in office-based settings, the report says. In 2014, 95 percent of abortions were provided in clinics and other office-based settings. For any outpatient procedure, including abortion, the important safeguards are whether the facility has the appropriate equipment, personnel, and an emergency transfer plan to address complications that might occur. The committee found no evidence indicating that clinicians who perform abortions require hospital privileges to ensure a safe outcome for the patient. No special equipment or emergency arrangements are required for medication abortions. For other abortion methods, the minimum facility characteristics depend on the level of sedation used, the report says. If moderate sedation is used, the facility should have equipment to monitor oxygen saturation, heart rate, and blood pressure as well as have emergency resuscitation equipment and an emergency transfer plan. Deeper sedation requires equipment to monitor ventilation. The committee also reviewed the evidence on what clinical skills are necessary for health care providers to safely perform the various components of abortion care, including pregnancy determination, counseling, gestational age assessment, medication dispensing, procedure performance, patient monitoring, and follow-up assessment and care. It concluded that trained physicians - such as OB-GYNs and family medicine physicians -- as well as advanced practice clinicians - such as certified nurse-midwives, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants - can safely and effectively provide medication and aspiration abortions. Physicians with appropriate training and sufficient experience to maintain requisite surgical skills can provide D&E abortions. Clinicians with training in managing labor and delivery can safely and effectively provide induction abortions. In its review of abortion's potential long-term health effects, the committee examined the evidence on future childbearing and pregnancy, risk of breast cancer, and mental health effects. It found that having an abortion does not increase a woman's risk of secondary infertility, pregnancy-related hypertensive disorders, preterm birth, breast cancer, or mental health disorders such as depression, anxiety, or post-traumatic stress disorder. The risk of a very preterm first birth appears to be associated with the number of prior abortions. For example, an increased risk of a first birth earlier than 28 weeks of gestation was found to be associated with having two or more aspiration abortions, compared with the first birth of women with no history of prior abortion. Nineteen states require a physician to be physically present to provide mifepristone -- the only medication specifically approved by the FDA for use in medication abortions - and 17 states require medication abortions to be performed in a facility with attributes of an ambulatory surgery center or hospital. There is no evidence that these practices improve safety or quality of care, the report says. How the limited distribution of mifepristone affects quality of abortion care merits further investigation. Access to clinical education and training in abortion care in the U.S. is highly variable at both the undergraduate and graduate levels, the report says. Medical residents and other advanced clinical trainees often have to find abortion training and experience in settings outside of their educational program. In addition, training opportunities are particularly limited in the Southern and Midwestern states, as well as in rural areas throughout the country. The committee also looked at trends in abortion care. Between 1980 and 2014, the abortion rate in the U.S. decreased by more than half, from an estimated 29 to 15 per 1,000 women of reproductive age. The reason for this decline is not fully understood, but it has been attributed to the increasing use of contraceptives, especially long-acting methods such as intrauterine devices, historic declines in the rate of unintended pregnancy and increasing numbers of state regulations that limit the availability of otherwise legal abortion services. ### The study was sponsored by the Grove Foundation, The JPB Foundation, Packard Foundation, Susan Thompson Buffet Foundation, Tara Health Foundation, and the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation. The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine are private, nonprofit institutions that provide independent, objective analysis and advice to the nation to solve complex problems and inform public policy decisions related to science, technology, and medicine. They operate under an 1863 congressional charter to the National Academy of Sciences, signed by President Lincoln. For more information, visit nationalacademies.org. A committee roster follows. Members of the committee that conducted the study and wrote the report will present their findings and recommendations and answer questions during a public webinar beginning at noon EDT on Friday, March 23. Please register for the webinar here. Social Media: Follow us on Twitter: @theNASEM and @NASEM_health Follow us on Instagram: @theNASEM Follow us on Facebook: @NationalAcademies Follow the conversation using: #ReproductiveHealth Resources: Download the report at http://www.nationalacademies.org/ReproductiveHealth Report Highlights Abortion Care and the Six Attributes of Quality Health Care Contacts: Jennifer Walsh, Director of Media Relations Dana Korsen, Media Relations Officer Office of News and Public Information 202-334-2138; e-mail news@nas.edu Newsroomv Copies of The Safety and Quality of Abortion Care in the United States are available from the National Academies Press on the Internet at http://www.nap.edu or by calling 202-334-3313 or 1-800-624-6242. Reporters may obtain a copy from the Office of News and Public Information (contacts listed above). THE NATIONAL ACADEMIES OF SCIENCES, ENGINEERING, AND MEDICINE Health and Medicine Division Board on Population Health and Public Health Practice Committee on Reproductive Health Services: Assessing the Safety and Quality of Abortion Care Bruce N. Calonge, M.D., M.P.H.* (co-chair) Associate Professor of Family Medicine and Epidemiology School of Medicine and School of Public Health University of Colorado Denver Helene D. Gayle, M.D., M.P.H.* (co-chair) President and CEO Chicago Community Trust Chicago Wendy R. Brewster, M.D., Ph.D. Professor and Gynecologic Oncologist Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, and Director Center for Women's Health Research School of Medicine University of North Carolina Chapel Hill Lee A. Fleisher, M.D.* Robert Dunning Dripps Professor of Anesthesia, and Chair, Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Perelman School of Medicine University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia Carol J. Rowland Hogue, Ph.D., M.P.H. Professor of Epidemiology, and Jules and Uldeen Terry Chair of Maternal and Child Health Rollins School of Public Health Emory University Atlanta Jody R. Lori, Ph.D., R.N., C.N.M Associate Professor, and Associate Dean for Global Affairs School of Nursing University of Michigan Ann Arbor Jeanne Miranda, Ph.D., M.S.* Professor Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences Fielding School of Public Health University of California Los Angeles Ruth Murphey Parker, M.D. Professor of Medicine School of Medicine Emory University Atlanta Deborah E. Powell, M.D.* Dean Emeritus, and Professor Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology University of Minnesota Medical School Minneapolis Eva K. Pressman, M.D. Henry A. Thiede Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Chair Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology University of Rochester Rochester, N.Y. Alina Salganicoff, Ph.D. Vice President, and Director of Women's Health Policy The Kaiser Family Foundation Menlo Park, Calif. Paul G. Shekelle, M.D., Ph.D., M.P.H. Co-Director Southern California Evidence-Based Practice Center RAND Corp., and Professor of Medicine University of California School of Medicine Los Angeles Susan M. Wolf, J.D.* McKnight Presidential Professor of Law, Medicine, and Public Policy, Faegre Baker Daniels Professor of Law, Professor of Medicine, and Chair, Consortium on Law and Values in Health, Environment, and the Life Sciences University of Minnesota Minneapolis STAFF Jill S. Eden, M.B.A, M.P.H. Staff Officer *Member, National Academy of Medicine Tropical Cyclone Marcus has developed off the coast of Australia's Northern Territory along the Cobourg Peninsula coast. NASA's Aqua satellite provided a view of the new storm from its orbit in space. NASA's Aqua satellite provided a visible light image of Marcus after it developed. The Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer, or MODIS, instrument aboard Aqua revealed that Marcus's center of circulation just north of the Cobourg Peninsula. The image showed powerful thunderstorms circled the low-level center and extended in a band west of the center. The Australian Bureau of Meteorology (ABM) posted a tropical cyclone warning from Goulburn Island to Wadeye, including Darwin and the Tiwi Islands. A tropical cyclone watch applies from Wadeye to Kuri Bay. On March 16, 2018, at 11 a.m. EDT (1500 UTC), Tropical cyclone Marcus had maximum sustained winds near 46 mph (40 knots/74 kph). It was centered near 11.1 degrees south latitude and 131.9 degrees east longitude, about 102 nautical miles northeast of Darwin, Australia. Marcus was moving to the south-southwest at 7 mph (6 knots/11 kph). ABM noted that winds with "gusts greater than 130 kph may develop over Cobourg Peninsula and eastern parts of Melville Island overnight as the tropical cyclone strengthens. Gales are expected to extend to Darwin and the remainder of the Tiwi Islands from early Saturday morning as the tropical cyclone passes through the Van Diemen Gulf. However, if the tropical cyclone crosses the coast east of Cape Hotham tomorrow morning, the tropical cyclone will likely weaken before approaching Darwin, reducing the chance of gales being experienced." ABM expects heavy rain over the northwest Top End tonight and on Saturday. A storm tide/storm surge is expected between Milikapiti and Goulburn Island, including the Van Diemen Gulf as the cyclone's center crosses the coast tonight. Tides are likely to rise significantly above the normal high tide, with damaging waves and dangerous flooding tonight and into Saturday morning. The Australian Bureau of Meteorology forecast calls for Marcus to move southwest, gradually turning to the west. The system will skirt the northwestern coast of Australia, moving near Darwin and Dundee Beach, then Kalumburu before moving into the southern Indian Ocean. For updated forecasts from the Australian Bureau of Meteorology, visit: http://www.bom.gov.au ### A novel quantum effect observed in a carbon nanotube film could lead to the development of unique lasers and other optoelectronic devices, according to scientists at Rice University and Tokyo Metropolitan University. The Rice-Tokyo team reported an advance in the ability to manipulate light at the quantum scale by using single-walled carbon nanotubes as plasmonic quantum confinement fields. The phenomenon found in the Rice lab of physicist Junichiro Kono could be key to developing optoelectronic devices like nanoscale, near-infrared lasers that emit continuous beams at wavelengths too short to be produced by current technology. The new research is detailed in Nature Communications. The project came together in the wake of the Kono group's discovery of a way to achieve very tight alignment of carbon nanotubes in wafer-sized films. These films allowed for experiments that were far too difficult to carry out on single or tangled aggregates of nanotubes and caught the attention of Tokyo Metropolitan physicist Kazuhiro Yanagi, who studies condensed matter physics in nano materials. "He brought the gating technique (which controls the density of electrons in the nanotube film), and we provided the alignment technique," Kono said. "For the first time we were able to make a large-area film of aligned nanotubes with a gate that allows us to inject and take out a large density of free electrons." "The gating technique is very interesting, but the nanotubes were randomly oriented in the films I had used," Yanagi said. "That situation was very frustrating because I could not get precise knowledge of the one-dimensional characteristics of nanotubes in such films, which is most important. The films that can only be provided by the Kono group are amazing because they allowed us to tackle this subject." Their combined technologies let them pump electrons into nanotubes that are little more than a nanometer wide and then excite them with polarized light. The width of the nanotubes trapped the electrons in quantum wells, in which the energy of atoms and subatomic particles is "confined" to certain states, or subbands. Light then prompted them to oscillate very quickly between the walls. With enough electrons, Kono said, they began to act as plasmons. "Plasmons are collective charge oscillations in a confined structure," he said. "If you have a plate, a film, a ribbon, a particle or a sphere and you perturb the system (usually with a light beam), these free carriers move collectively with a characteristic frequency." The effect is determined by the number of electrons and the size and shape of the object. Because the nanotubes in the Rice experiments were so thin, the energy between the quantized subbands was comparable to the plasmon energy, Kono said. "This is the quantum regime for plasmons, where the intersubband transition is called the intersubband plasmon. People have studied this in artificial semiconductor quantum wells in the very far-infrared wavelength range, but this is the first time it has been observed in a naturally occurring low-dimensional material and at such a short wavelength." Detecting a very complicated gate voltage dependence in the plasmonic response was a surprise, as was its appearance in both metallic and semiconducting single-walled nanotubes. "By examining the basic theory of light-nanotube interactions, we were able to derive a formula for the resonance energy," Kono said. "To our surprise, the formula was very simple. Only the diameter of the nanotube matters." The researchers believe the phenomenon could lead to advanced devices for communications, spectroscopy and imaging, as well as highly tunable near-infrared quantum cascade lasers. While traditional semiconductor lasers depend on the width of the lasing material's bandgap, quantum cascade lasers do not, said Weilu Gao, a co-author on the study and a postdoctoral researcher in Kono's group that is spearheading device development using aligned nanotubes. "The wavelength is independent of the gap," he said. "Our laser would be in this category. Just by changing the diameter of the nanotube, we should be able to tune the plasma resonance energy without worrying about the bandgap." Kono also expects the gated and aligned nanotube films will give physicists the opportunity to study Luttinger liquids, theoretical collections of interacting electrons in one-dimensional conductors. "One-dimensional metals are predicted to be very different from 2-D and 3-D," Kono said. "Carbon nanotubes are some of the best candidates for observing Luttinger liquid behaviors. It's difficult to study a single tube, but we have a macroscopic one-dimensional system. By doping or gating, we can tune the Fermi energy. We can even convert a 1-D semiconductor into a 1-D metal. So this is an ideal system to study this kind of physics." ### Yanagi, a professor of condensed matter physics at Tokyo Metropolitan University, is lead author of the paper. Co-authors are graduate student Ryotaro Okada, graduate student Yota Ichinose and Yohei Yomogida, an assistant professor of condensed matter physics, all at Tokyo Metropolitan, and graduate student Fumiya Katsutani at Rice. Kono is a professor of electrical and computer engineering, of physics and astronomy, and of materials science and nanoengineering. The research was supported by Japan Society for the Promotion of Science Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (KAKENHI) grants, a Japan Science and Technology Core Research of Evolutional Science and Technology grant, the Yamada Science Foundation and the Basic Energy Sciences program of the U.S. Department of Energy, the National Science Foundation and the Robert A. Welch Foundation. Read the abstract at http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41467-018-03381-y This news release can be found online at http://news.rice.edu/2018/03/16/plasmons-triggered-in-nanotube-quantum-wells/ Follow Rice News and Media Relations via Twitter @RiceUNews Related materials: Nanotubes line up to form films: http://news.rice.edu/2016/04/04/nanotubes-line-up-to-form-films-2/ Junichiro Kono Laboratory: http://kono.rice.edu Rice Department of Physics and Astronomy: http://www.physics.rice.edu Rice Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering: https://eceweb.rice.edu Located on a 300-acre forested campus in Houston, Rice University is consistently ranked among the nation's top 20 universities by U.S. News & World Report. Rice has highly respected schools of Architecture, Business, Continuing Studies, Engineering, Humanities, Music, Natural Sciences and Social Sciences and is home to the Baker Institute for Public Policy. With 3,970 undergraduates and 2,934 graduate students, Rice's undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio is just under 6-to-1. Its residential college system builds close-knit communities and lifelong friendships, just one reason why Rice is ranked No. 1 for quality of life and for lots of race/class interaction and No. 2 for happiest students by the Princeton Review. Rice is also rated as a best value among private universities by Kiplinger's Personal Finance. To read "What they're saying about Rice," go to http://tinyurl.com/RiceUniversityoverview. As climate change increases the risk to trees from severe storms, insects, diseases, drought and fire, a Rutgers University study highlights the need for improved safety in tree-care operations. According to findings published in the American Journal of Industrial Medicine, workers employed by tree care experts and licensed arborists were more likely to receive health and safety training and to use personal protective equipment than those employed by companies that are not part of the professional arboriculture network. The research also shows that Spanish-speaking day laborers often had little training or use of personal protective equipment. Tree care workers have one of the most dangerous jobs in America, regularly encountering heights, slippery conditions, falling limbs, sharp equipment and electrical wires. The incidence of injuries increases after storms when unqualified "storm-chasers" with chainsaws and landscaping companies offer their services to uninformed homeowners. Some municipalities also struggle to handle tree damage with inadequately trained labor and old equipment. Annually, tree care injuries account for about 80 worker deaths and at least 23,000 chainsaw injuries treated in emergency departments. Many of those injuries result from inadequate training and equipment. "There is a popular misconception that tree removal is low-skill work, but nothing could be further from the truth," said Michele Ochsner, formerly with Rutgers School of Management and Labor Relations. "Handling storm-downed trees without injury to people or property involves an array of technical skills and knowledge of how different species of trees respond in different seasons and weather conditions." Since Hurricane Sandy in 2012, Ochsner, along with Elizabeth Marshall, an environmental and occupational epidemiologist at Rutgers School of Public Health, and Daniel Lefkowitz at the New Jersey Department of Health, have been analyzing surveillance data after storms to assess injury risks related to tree work. They also conducted interviews with private and municipal tree care experts to understand the Sandy experience and suggest ways to improve safety. Storms and the ensuing long hours exacerbate the job's significant risks. "Tree care crews handle thousands of downed trees in the wake of a hurricane or even the recent snow storm. It takes knowledge, proper equipment and coordination to do that safely," Marshall said. Although there is no current Occupational Safety and Health Administration standard for tree trimming, employers are required to comply with all general industry standards set by a network of national, regional and state associations, said Marshall. She noted that New Jersey recently passed a comprehensive licensing law to assist consumers in hiring a tree care company that upholds the state's standards. "Our interviews with tree care workers revealed a number of recommendations to plan ahead for major storms," said Marshall. "For example, companies and municipalities should ensure equipment is well maintained, employees are properly trained in their native language and provided with personal protective equipment. Consumers should work with a licensed tree care professional to identify damaged or improperly planted trees and remove dead trees and limbs before the next big storm. Then, they will be ready when bad weather arrives and trees come down." ### A research team from Tokyo Institute of Technology (Tokyo Tech) and Waseda University have successfully produced high-quality thin film monocrystalline silicon with a reduced crystal defect density down to the silicon wafer level at a growth rate that is more than 10 times higher than before. In principle, this method can improve the raw material yield to nearly 100%. Therefore, it can be expected that this technology will make it possible to drastically reduce manufacturing costs while maintaining the power generation efficiency of monocrystalline silicon solar cells, which are used in most high efficient solar cells. Background Solar power generation is a method of generating power where solar light energy is converted directly into electricity using a device called a "solar cell." Efficiently converting the solar energy that is constantly striking the earth to generate electricity is an effective solution to the problem of global warming related to CO 2 emissions. By making the monocrystalline Si solar cells that are at the core of solar power generation systems thinner, it is possible to greatly reduce raw material costs, which account for about 40% of the current module, and by making them flexible and lighter, usage can be expected to expand and installation costs can be expected to decrease. In addition, as a method of reducing manufacturing cost, thin-film monocrystalline Si solar cells that use porous silicon (Double Porous Silicon Layer: DPSL) via lift-off are attracting attention as having a competitive edge in the future. Among the technical challenges related to monocrystalline Si solar cells using lift-off are 1) the formation of a high-quality thin film Si at the Si wafer level, 2) achieving a porous structure that can easily be lifted off (peeled off), 3) improving the growth rate and Si raw material yield (necessary equipment costs are determined by the growth rate), and 4) being able to use the substrate after lift-off without any waste. In order to overcome challenge 1), it was necessary to clarify the main factors that determine the quality of thin film crystals grown on porous silicon, and to develop a technique for controlling these. Overview of Research Achievement A joint research team consisting of Professor Manabu Ihara and Assistant Professor Kei Hasegawa of the Tokyo Tech, and Professor Suguru Noda of Waseda University has developed a high-quality thin film monocrystalline silicon with a thickness of about 10 m and a reduced crystal defect density down to the silicon wafer level at a growth rate that is more than 10 times higher than before. First, double-layer nano-order porous silicon is generated on the surface of a monocrystalline wafer using an electrochemical technique. Next, the surface was smoothed to a roughness of 0.2 to 0.3 nm via a unique zone heating recrystallization method (ZHR method), and this substrate was used for high-speed growth to obtain a moonocrystalline thin film with high crystal quality. The grown film can easily be peeled off using the double-layer porous Si layer, and the substrate can be reused or used as an evaporation source for thin film growth, which greatly reduces material loss. When the surface roughness of the underlying substrate is reduced by changing the ZHR method conditions, the defect density of the thin film crystal that was grown decreased, and the team eventually succeeded in reducing it to the Si wafer level of about 1/10th. This quantitatively shows that a surface roughness in the range of only 0.1-0.2 nm (level of atoms to several tens of layers) has an important impact on the formation of crystal defects, which is also of interest as a crystal growth mechanism. The film formation rate and the conversion rate of the Si source to the thin film Si are bottlenecks in the production of thin-film monocrystalline Si. With chemical vapor deposition (CVD), which is mainly used for epitaxy, the maximum film forming rate is a few m/h and the yield is about 10%. At the Noda Laboratory of Waseda University, instead of the regular physical vapor deposition (PVD) where raw Si is vaporized at around its melting point of 1414 ?C, by vaporizing the raw Si at much higher temperature of >2000 ?C, a rapid evaporation method (RVD) was developed with a high Si vapor pressure capable of depositing Si at 10 m/min. It was found that the ZHR technology developed this time can resolves technical problems and drastically reduce the manufacturing cost of the lift-off process. Future Development Based on the results of this study, not only did the team discover the main factors for improving the quality of crystals during rapid growth on porous silicon used for the lift-off process, they succeeded in controlling these. In the future, measurement of the carrier lifetime of the thin film, which is directly connected to the performances of solar cells, and fabrication of solar cells will be carried out with the goal of putting the technology into practical use. The use of this Si thin films as low cost bottom cells in tandem type solar cells with an efficiency of over 30% will also be considered. The results are published in the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) journal CrystEngComm and will be featured on the inside front cover of the issue. ### About Tokyo Institute of Technology Tokyo Institute of Technology stands at the forefront of research and higher education as the leading university for science and technology in Japan. Tokyo Tech researchers excel in a variety of fields, such as material science, biology, computer science and physics. Founded in 1881, Tokyo Tech has grown to host 10,000 undergraduate and graduate students who become principled leaders of their fields and some of the most sought-after scientists and engineers at top companies. Embodying the Japanese philosophy of "monotsukuri," meaning technical ingenuity and innovation, the Tokyo Tech community strives to make significant contributions to society through high-impact research. http://www.titech.ac.jp/english/ About Waseda University Waseda University is a leading private, non-profit institution of higher education based in central Tokyo, with over 50,000 students in 13 undergraduate and 20 graduate schools. Founded in 1882, Waseda cherishes three guiding principles: academic independence, practical innovation and the education of enlightened citizens. Established to mold future leaders, Waseda continues to fulfill this mission, counting among its alumni seven prime ministers and countless other politicians, business leaders, journalists, diplomats, scholars, scientists, actors, writers, athletes and artists. The University is also number one in Japan in international activities, including the number of international students, with the broadest range of degree programs fully taught in English. RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. (March 15, 2018) - U.S. Army-funded researchers at Brandeis University have discovered a process for engineering next-generation soft materials with embedded chemical networks that mimic the behavior of neural tissue. The breakthrough material may lead to autonomous soft robotics, dual sensors and actuators for soft exoskeletons, or artificial skins. The research lays the foundations for futuristic soft active matter with highly distributed and tightly integrated sensing, actuation, computation and control, said Dr. Samuel Stanton, manager of the Complex and Dynamics Systems Program within the Engineering Sciences Directorate at the Army Research Office, an element of the U.S. Army Research Laboratory, located at Research Triangle Park in Durham, North Carolina. ARO funds research to initiate scientific and far-reaching technological discoveries in extramural organizations, educational institutions, nonprofit organizations and private industry that may make future American Soldiers stronger and safer. The research team, led by Professor of Physics Dr. Seth Fraden of Brandeis University, drew inspiration from the mesmerizing sinuous motion of a swimming blue eel and puzzlingly large gap between how natural systems move and the lack of such coordinated and smooth movement in artificial systems. Our research interests lie squarely in the intersection of physics, chemistry, biology and materials science," Fraden said. "Our lab is interdisciplinary, but we are also involved in several multi-investigator projects." Fraden's work sought to answer key questions, such as why is there such a void between the animate and inanimate that we never confuse the two, and if engineers could create materials with similar attributes to living organisms, but constructed from inanimate objects, can we do so using only chemicals and eschew use of motors and electronics? Looking deeper, Fraden studied how a type of neural network present in the eel, named the Central Pattern Generator, produces waves of chemical pulses that propagate down the eel's spine to rhythmically drive swimming muscles. Fraden's lab approached the challenge of engineering a material mimicking the generator by first constructing a control device that produces the same neural activation patterns biologists have observed. There, they created a control system that runs on chemical power, as is done in biology, without resorting to any computer or electromechanical devices, which are the hallmarks of manmade, hard robotic technology. A breakthrough was made when Fraden and his team realized that the same CPG dynamics could be captured on a non-biological platform if they used a well-known oscillating chemical process known as the Belousov-Zhabotinsky reaction. The lab developed state-of-the-art fabrication techniques for soft materials engineering artificial chemical networks at the nanoscale that, altogether, would be capable of producing a wide variety of patterns. Their resulting robust chemical networks produced distributed dynamic patterns identical to the eel's Central Pattern Generator. Fraden noted that "the engineering principles they identified are general and can be applied to design a whole range of other Central Pattern Generators, such as those responsible for other autonomous functions, such as the gait of a horse, for example, walk, canter, trot and gallop." The research appear as the cover article of the March 7 issue of a U.K. journal, Lab on a Chip, which is a peer-reviewed scientific journal publishing primary research and review articles on any aspect of miniaturization at the micro and nano scale. The work earned distinction as one of the journal's "hot articles" due to its particularly high scores earned in the scientific review process. "Enabling a breakthrough in robotic augmentation of high-tempo military maneuver and operations requires disrupting the notion of an intelligent system as a rigid multi-body platform optimized for slow, carefully planned movement in uncluttered terrain," Stanton said. "Fundamental research is needed to transpose smart materials from the current paradigm of fixed properties and mechanics with extrinsic and centralized control to a new paradigm of soft active composites with unprecedented dynamic functionality realized through maximal substrate embedding of tightly integrated, decentralized, and highly distributed intrinsic (materials-based) sensing, actuation, and control." As a next step, Fraden's lab will take on the challenge of transferring the information coded in the dynamic patterns from the chemical networks to create a targeted mechanical response within a novel chemo-mechanical gel. This could transition the research from artificial material mimicking neural tissue to artificial tissue now mimicking neuromuscular tissue. ### An abstract of the paper is available online. Brandeis University is a private research university in Waltham, Massachusetts, nine miles west of Boston. The U.S. Army Research Laboratory is part of the U.S. Army Research, Development and Engineering Command, which has the mission to ensure decisive overmatch for unified land operations to empower the Army, the joint warfighter and our nation. RDECOM is a major subordinate command of the U.S. Army Materiel Command. New research from UBC's Institute for the Oceans and Fisheries suggests that larger reef areas may help protect the Caribbean's coral reef fish communities from the impacts of ocean warming. "We are seeing alterations to local reef fish populations due to warming ocean temperatures, particularly in those Caribbean countries that are closer to the equator, like Trinidad and Tobago, where commercially important fishes such as Cero and Northern red snapper are on the decline already," said Ravi Maharaj, first author and PhD candidate at the Institute for the Oceans and Fisheries. The study looked at the size of reefs in the exclusive economic zones (EEZ) - estimated from satellite imagery - of nine Caribbean countries and assessed the impact of rising ocean temperatures on the fish that are most important to the local fisheries. The researchers examined how reef size may moderate such impacts. Using sea water temperature and fisheries records going back to the 1970s, researchers found that the Caribbean Sea is warming, and fish that like cooler temperatures were decreasing in dominance in the catch. But they also found that the change in fish composition was slower in countries with larger coral reefs compared to countries with smaller coral reefs. Using findings from the study, the researchers predict that changes in fish community can be reduced by 30 to 80 per cent with a doubling of reef area. This highlights the potential effectiveness of interventions that may maintain and restore reef habitats to reduce climate impacts on fish communities. "With a small degree of warming, some fish may be able to acclimate but they need suitable habitat to grow and thrive," said Maharaj. "More refuge can be found in bigger reefs, however, with the addition of habitat loss due to pollution, coral bleaching, damage from the storms that frequent the area as well as unmanaged fishing pressures, such fish refuge is becoming rarer." Most of the fisheries along the many coral reefs in the Caribbean are small-scale and subsistence-based, providing one of the main sources of food and employment, however, the fisheries are currently unmanaged. The researchers say that policy makers should focus their attention on habitat protection and fisheries management in the area. "There is a dire need for effective fisheries and conservation measures mechanisms in the Caribbean region, as the interactions between climate impacts and unmanaged fisheries are likely to weaken the resilience of fish populations," said senior author William Cheung, associate professor in the Institute for the Oceans and Fisheries. "Our results show that increasing the resilience of fish populations to climate impacts will involve managing for the broader ecosystem, particularly through protection and restoration of critical fish habitats." ### The study "Regional variability in the sensitivity of Caribbean reef fish assemblages to ocean warming" was published in Marine Ecology Progress Series: http://www.int-res.com/abstracts/meps/v590/p201-209/. This research was funded by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) of Canada. Background: The exclusive economic zones (EEZs) of nine Caribbean countries were reviewed: The Bahamas, Belize, Grenada, Haiti, Jamaica, Montserrat, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, and Venezuela. Changing Ocean Research Unit The Changing Ocean Research Unit studies the effects of global climate and ocean changes on marine ecosystems, biodiversity and fisheries. Led by William Cheung, the unit assesses the biophysical and socio-economic vulnerabilities and impacts of marine climate change, and identifies mitigation and adaptation options. Visit coru.oceans.ubc.ca for more information. PHILADELPHIA -- Cities experienced 2.3 more assaults than average on days when hosting presidential campaign rallies for Donald Trump during the lead-up to the 2016 United States Presidential Election, according to a first of its kind study published online today in Epidemiology by researchers in the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. Hillary Clinton rallies were not linked to any increase in assaults, they found. "News media sources reported there were violent incidents at some campaign rallies, but it was difficult to gauge whether there really was a systematic problem, and if so, how many additional assaults were associated with each rally," said the study's lead author, Christopher Morrison, PhD, MPH, a fellow in Penn's Center for Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics and an epidemiologist in the Penn Injury Science Center. "To prevent similar violence in the future, it is important to understand the underlying causes of this behavior, perhaps including the role that political rhetoric might play in normalizing or promoting violence." Focusing on cities of greater than 200,000 people, the team performed a systematic Google search and found publicly available data for 31 rallies in 22 cities for Trump and 38 rallies in 21 cities for Clinton. Using assault data from police departments in those cities, including aggravated assaults, simple assaults, and/or battery, the team counted assaults on the day of each rally. For comparison, they also counted assaults on corresponding days of the week for four weeks before and four weeks after each rally. Rallies in the study were defined as open invitation events that occurred after Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton declared their candidacies in spring 2015 and before the U.S. Presidential Election on November 8, 2016, featured a speech by Trump or Clinton, and were not on the same day as a party primary election in the same state as the rally. The researchers suggest two possible explanations for their findings. First, all additional assaults could have occurred in and around the venues of candidate Trump's rallies where people invested in the process gathered. This explanation is consistent with news media reports that violence occurred at these specific locations. Second, additional assaults that took place might have occurred elsewhere in the rally cities. Studies informed by theories of social contagion find evidence that emotional states can be transmitted through news reports and digital social media, which could have led to more assaults occurring away from the rally sites. The researchers note that Trump rallies were widely broadcast and discussed through news reports and digital social media, such as a rally in Cedar Rapids, Iowa during which candidate Trump remarked that he would "knock the crap out of" would-be hecklers at the event, and other examples from the non-partisan POLITIFACT. "This research provides evidence that this increase in assaults is associated with candidate Trump's rallies leading up to the election," said senior author Douglas Wiebe, PhD, an associate professor in Epidemiology. "Violent language may have affected the mood and behavior of rally attendees, as well as those exposed to the rally through news reports and social media." The researchers added that weather can also influence crime rates, so the team consulted National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration data for the weather station nearest to each study city to control for temperature and precipitation. ### In addition to Morrison, additional Penn authors include Benjamin Ukert, Aimee Palumbo, Sara F Jacoby, and Douglas J Wiebe from Penn, and Beidi Dong from George Mason University. 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 $500 million to benefit our community. HOUSTON - (March 15, 2018) - The Hurricane Harvey Relief Fund has awarded $2.6 million to The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth) for a technology-supported program for patients with unmet post-Harvey behavioral health needs. The program will use the integrated care already available at UT Physicians clinics across the Greater Houston area as a springboard to enhance and expand the screening, triage, referral and behavioral health care of Harvey-affected patients. Training for primary care providers, a therapist-supported online cognitive behavioral therapy program, specialized trauma service and traditional behavioral health services will be included. UT Physicians is the clinical practice of McGovern Medical School at UTHealth. "We are very grateful to the Hurricane Harvey Relief Fund for allowing UTHealth to develop this enhanced services program," said Jair Soares, M.D., Ph.D., professor and Pat R. Rutherford, Jr. Chair in Psychiatry in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at McGovern Medical School at UTHealth. "This will be part of our new UTHealth Trauma and Resilience Center, enabling us to expand treatment to Houston area residents who are experiencing symptoms of trauma related to Hurricane Harvey." UT Physicians clinics' integrated care includes psychiatrists, psychologists, therapists, nurses and social workers who specialize in pediatric, adult and geriatric behavioral health. Clinics in underserved communities are uniquely able to reach hurricane victims who have unmet behavioral health needs. Last year, UT Physicians integrated clinics saw 50,000 adult and 30,000 pediatric patients who were seeking behavioral health services. "There is such a need for behavioral health care in our community. We are excited to be part of this innovative program for Houston area residents affected by Harvey," said Andrew Casas, COO of UT Physicians. "This new initiative will meld with the integrated care that we uniquely provide in clinics throughout the Greater Houston area." To help pinpoint the areas in most need of behavioral health care services, the program will use information from the post-disaster Health of Houston Survey that will be released soon by UTHealth School of Public Health. Since the first providers of care for patients are most often primary care physicians and nurses, training will be provided on the use of a behavioral health screening tool kit of validated measures that can be loaded onto auto-scoring technology notepads. Continuing education events will introduce the tool kit, a telepsychiatry consultation line and review of the identification and treatment of behavioral health concerns. Patients who identified with more significant trauma-related conditions can be referred to a UTHealth specialist at the UTHealth Trauma and Resilience Center. Patients who are screened as having mild to moderate symptoms will have access to clinician-supported online cognitive behavioral therapy as an option, which can be helpful for those with barriers to accessing care such as transportation, time off work or child care. Along with education and clinical care, the program will track outcomes and provide evidence-based treatment interventions for those identified as suffering from trauma-related disorders. "All of us in behavioral health care have noticed a surge in consultation requests and return appointments since the storm," said Elizabeth Newlin, M.D., program director, associate professor and vice-chair for child psychiatry in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at McGovern Medical School. "Resources that were at capacity are now outstripped by our community's demand for services. Many of the families I encounter are still struggling to overcome the impact of Hurricane Harvey and their frustration is compounded by difficulties obtaining needed help in a timely way. Resources for child behavioral health services have been particularly stretched. The funding provided by this grant will provide us with new tools and methods to more efficiently support the health of our community." ### DALLAS - March 15, 2018 - Songbirds are providing insight into how a specific set of neurons may guide the learning of vocal behaviors in humans. A study from UT Southwestern's Peter O'Donnell Jr. Brain Institute demonstrates that a bird's song can be altered -- to the syllable -- by activating and deactivating a neuronal pathway responsible for helping the brain determine whether a vocalization is performed correctly. Previous research has shown that when a song is performed without perceived error, certain neurons release dopamine to brain areas involved in motor control. The new study shows that by activating and suppressing these neurons, scientists can prompt the birds to change specific syllables in future performances. "The results show unexpected precision in how these signals can guide the refinement of vocalizations. We expect this pathway plays a similar role in how people learn and adjust their speech," said Dr. Todd Roberts, Assistant Professor of Neuroscience and a Thomas O. Hicks Scholar in Medical Research. The study published in Neuron focused on the ventral tegmental area (VTA), an integral part of the brain's reward system that reinforces behaviors. Scientists in the Roberts laboratory used optogenetic methods to control the VTA neurons in zebra finches as they practiced their song. The discovery is the latest in a string of findings from Dr. Roberts' lab, which specializes in understanding how the brain functions during vocal learning. By mapping the neural processes involved as birds learn mating songs, scientists hope to someday use that knowledge to target specific genes disrupting speech in patients with autism or other neurodevelopmental conditions. Among other recent projects, Dr. Roberts' team last year identified a network of neurons that plays a vital role in learning vocalizations by aiding communication between motor and auditory regions of the brain. His lab is also leading an ongoing study funded by the federal BRAIN Initiative research program. ### The Neuron study received support from the National Institutes of Health, the National Science Foundation, the University of Texas BRAIN Initiative, the Klingenstein-Simons Fellowship, and the Brain & Behavior Research Foundation. About UT Southwestern Medical Center UT Southwestern, one of the premier academic medical centers in the nation, integrates pioneering biomedical research with exceptional clinical care and education. The institution's faculty has received six Nobel Prizes, and includes 22 members of the National Academy of Sciences, 17 members of the National Academy of Medicine, and 14 Howard Hughes Medical Institute Investigators. The faculty of more than 2,700 is responsible for groundbreaking medical advances and is committed to translating science-driven research quickly to new clinical treatments. UT Southwestern physicians provide care in about 80 specialties to more than 100,000 hospitalized patients, 600,000 emergency room cases, and oversee approximately 2.2 million outpatient visits a year. Thursday was a choppy day of trade for Bitcoin markets as most investors braced for another day of heavy selling which never materialised. Instead, BTC/USD clung to the $8000 level, as most of the news that circulated was focused on ICO scams. In South Korea, news broke that there had been raids on several exchanges who stood accused of siphoning client funds, while globally Google made the decision to ban cryptocurrency and ICO adverts, following Facebooks lead in a move that is probably intended to avoid any bad press which would be associated from not having successfully vetted the scams from the legitimate projects. Given that there was a similar move made after bad press from Youtube adverts promoting extremist agendas the decision by Google is not unexpected. Technical analysis points lower for Bitcoin The sentiment is easy to gauge in cryptocurrency markets right now (and its really not very good), the emotionless charts demonstrate the regardless of how you feel as an investor, you should be worried. Momentum indicators continue to point downwards, and the weekly chart, in particular, is some pretty frightening viewing for the bulls. Omkar Godbole, technical analyst at Coindesk thinks that a test of $6000 is possible, and thus we would be revisiting yearly lows in BTC/USD. There is a bullish scenario but $11,700 looks a long, long way off, BTC looks set to test $6,000 [] over the next week or two. As of now, it appears the corrective rally will likely run out of steam in the range of $8,600 to $9,000 as the major moving averages - 50MA, 100MA, and 200-MA - on the 1-hour chart and 4-hour chart, are trending lower in favor of the bears. The 10-day MA (currently seen at $9,204) is also biased to the bears. A daily close above the 10-day MA would signal bullish invalidation and could yield short-term consolidation. Meanwhile, a daily close [] above $11,700 would indicate a bearish-to-bullish trend change Cryptocurrency needs regulatory clarity to encourage big investors to get on board. If Bitcoin is a store of value, then it needs to be safe and secure. Hedge funds are not going to buy in en-masse to diversify their portfolios in a digital haven until they know that the rug isnt going to be pulled from under their feet. Germany's new economy minister will travel to Washington Sunday for talks with US officials, his office said, after President Donald Trump's plans to slap hefty tariffs on steel and aluminium raised fears of a global trade war. Peter Altmaier, a close ally of Chancellor Angela Merkel, will discuss tariffs, steel and trade with US government representatives, a ministry spokeswoman said. The visit, scheduled to last until Tuesday, comes after Trump stunned trading partners earlier this month when he suddenly pledged to impose 25-percent duties on imported steel and 10 percent on aluminium. Trump says the shock measures are in response to unfair trade practices, but countries around the world have vowed to retaliate, raising the spectre of a tit-for-tat trade war. The European Union has so far pushed back the hardest, drawing up a list of US products including peanuts and motorcycles it could hit with countermeasures. Trump has repeatedly singled out Germany for criticism, complaining about Americas massive trade deficit with Europes biggest economy and threatening to tax German car imports. Merkel has called for dialogue and warned that no one can win in such a race to the bottom. The chancellor told German public broadcaster ARD on Wednesday she believed the EU should speak as one voice in the trade row. The best response first of all is a united stance by the members of the European Union, she said. But at the same time, Brussels should not be afraid to take measures if it becomes necessary, even if we dont want to. Trumps metals levies are due to take effect on March 23, but he has signalled that some countries could be exempted. EU Trade Commissioner Cecilia Malmstroem is set to meet with US Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross next week in a bid to defuse the row and possibly negotiate an exception for Europe from the tariffs. Germany's consulate on the Greek island of Crete was briefly occupied Friday by protesters decrying Turkey's offensive in the Syrian enclave of Afrin, police said. A group of persons entered the consulate, took down frames from the walls and put up banners. Then they left, a police spokesperson said. A banner reading Resistance is life, solidarity to Afrin was pictured hanging from the balcony of the consulate in Iraklio, Crete. The spokesperson declined to comment on reports that the protesters also damaged equipment in the consulate, and made away with the German flag. There were no arrests and no injuries were reported. The German embassy in Athens could not immediately be reached for comment. Ankara on January 20 launched a military operation supporting Syrian rebels against the Syrian Kurdish Peoples Protection Units (YPG) militia in its enclave of Afrin. Turkey says the YPG is a terrorist offshoot of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), which has been waging an insurgency inside Turkey since 1984. There are frequent protests in Greece traditional rivals of Turkey in support of the Kurds. Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte on Friday cautioned Berlin and Paris not to try to push through their ambitious EU reform plans against the will of other member states. Rutte, who believes deeper integration is not the answer to the clubs problems, told German news weekly Der Spiegel that countries would not just nod along to French-German proposals to shake up the bloc, particularly the eurozone. The warning came just hours before German Chancellor Angela Merkel was due in Paris for talks with French President Emmanuel Macron, who is eager to push his vision for an overhaul of EU institutions. We have freedom of movement in the EU, and of course the German government can meet the French government without us being there, Rutte told Spiegel in an interview. But that doesnt mean that we and other EU countries agree with everything the Germans and French agree on. We wont just nod along to everything. Macron has called for a major reform drive to reinvigorate the European Union and deepen eurozone cooperation to respond to rising populist challenges on the continent. While Merkel has cautiously welcomed his ideas, Rutte is firmly opposed to many of Macrons plans especially his proposal of a common eurozone finance minister and budget. I believe that in the first place its every EU countrys own responsibility to prepare itself for crises, he said. Sound finances are the best precaution. Rutte also objects to raising his countrys contributions to the EUs budget from 2020 to plug a multi-billion-euro hole left by Brexit Britain and has called for spending cuts instead. This puts him at odds with Merkel, whose new coalition government recently committed to lifting its contributions, despite the fact that Germany, like the Netherlands, is a country that pays more into the EU coffers than it gets out. Rutte is not alone in his criticism. Finance ministers from Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Ireland, Latvia, Lithuania, Sweden as well as the Netherlands last week issued a joint statement calling for structural reforms to strengthen the blocs economic stability. But in an implied broadside at Macron, they said more modest goals such as completing the eurozone banking union should have priority over far-reaching proposals for change. Privacy Settings This site uses functional cookies and external scripts to improve your experience. Which cookies and scripts are used and how they impact your visit is specified on the left. You may change your settings at any time. Your choices will not impact your visit. NOTE: These settings will only apply to the browser and device you are currently using. British police launched a murder probe on Friday into the death of Russian exile Nikolai Glushkov in London, after a post-mortem found he died from "compression to the neck". A murder investigation has been launched following the results of a post-mortem into the death of 68-year-old Russian businessman Nikolay Glushkov, Londons Metropolitan Police said in a statement. The retired Russian executive was found dead at his home in southwest London on Monday evening. A special post mortem began on Thursday, 15 March and we received the pathologist report today (Friday, 16 March), which gave the cause of death as compression to the neck, police said. Glushkov had received political asylum in Britain after being jailed in Russia for money laundering and fraud. He was linked to late Kremlin opponent Boris Berezovsky, an oligarch who was found hanged in his home outside London in 2013. Police said the forces Counter Terrorism Command would continue to lead the investigation into Glushkovs death, because of the associations Mr Glushkov is believed to have had. The British murder probe was launched shortly after Russias Investigative Committee, which probes major crimes, announced its own investigation into the death of Glushkov. The murder is not believed to be linked to the nerve agent attack of former double agent Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia in Salisbury, southwestern England, on March 4. Both Britain and Russia have launched their own investigations into the poisoning, which has led to an ongoing diplomatic crisis. Leaders of Britain, France, Germany and the US on Thursday published a joint statement condemning the poisoning of Russian former double agent Sergei Skripal and his daughter earlier this month. The four Western powers are demanding that Russia make a full and complete disclosure of its Novichok programme at the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons in The Hague. Herewith five questions about the OPCW and Russias Novichok programme: What can the OPCW do? The most important aspect is for Britain to provide evidence that a chemical weapon has been used by providing samples to be tested, says Alastair Hay, retired professor of environmental toxicology at Leeds University. British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson told the BBC that Britain is sending a sample of the nerve agent to the watchdog for examination. London may now even ask the worlds chemical watchdog to actively probe Russia, its right under the OPCWs Chemical Warfare Conventions challenge procedures. Under the CWC, states also retain the right to act bilaterally, which is now the case with Britain expelling 23 diplomats and suspending high-level contacts with Moscow. Why wasnt Novichok probed? Based in The Hague, the OPCW can only investigate chemical weapons that are declared by the organisations 192 member states. The OPCW marked the final destruction of Russias declared chemical weapons stockpile in October last year. Russia did not declare Novichoks and has denied that they even exist, says chemical weapons expert Mark Bishop at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey. Dissident Soviet scientist Vil Mirzanayov, exiled in the United States, gained notoriety in the 1990s for his claims that Moscow was secretly developing Novichok and maintained tens of tonnes of the binary nerve agent in its undeclared chemical stockpile. How effective is the OPCW then? The OPCW has been very effective in creating a world free of chemical weapons says Sico van der Meer, researcher at The Hagues Clingendael Institute. More than 95 percent of the worlds declared chemical stockpiles have now been destroyed and the OPCW in 2013 won the Nobel Peace Prize for its efforts to rid the world of chemical arms. The organisations inspectors have been highly effective, but the system is not completely watertight, the experts say. If somebody wants to do harm, then there is always a way to do harm, said Van der Meer. What does the CWC say? It is the responsibility of the signatory to the Chemical Warfare Convention to declare its chemical weapons, including what they are, the quantities and the location and storage and production facilities. The OPCW has the right to inspect facilities, but cannot do a house-to-house search. Thus a certain level of trust is involved. Has Russia contravened the CWC? The CWC requires that member countries declare all of their chemical weapons. Russia on Thursday repeated its consistent denial that Novichok ever existed. Britains ambassador to the OPCW, Peter Wilson, on Tuesday accused Moscow of failing for many years to fully declare its chemical weapons stockpile. Chemical weapons expert Bishop said Moscow has claimed that its understanding of the pact was that it had to declare only chemicals that were destined for use in chemical weapons and not research chemicals. There are many toxic chemicals that chemists have produced that could be used as weapons, but have actually been produced for other purposes, he said. The Russians can say that they were doing research on Novichok-like chemicals to be used in pesticides for instance, Bishop said. The latest US sanctions against Russians are aimed at punishing those responsible for cyber attacks and attempts to interfere in the 2016 presidential elections. Washington said the issuing of the sanctions was also motivated by other factors, including the poisoning of former double agent Sergei Skripal and his daughter with a nerve agent in the British city of Salisbury. The US treasury also referred to last years massive ransomware attack, known as NotPetya, that the US and Britain have blamed on the Russian military. The sanctions target 19 people and five legal entities, including Russian intelligence officials. They ban US assets and citizens from business dealings with them. Troll factory Most of the new sanctions target those involved in a so-called Russian troll factory operation that US authorities say flooded social media with posts intended to sway the 2016 election. Twelve of those hit by the new sanctions are said to have worked for the Internet Research Agency based in the northwestern city of Saint Petersburg, while the agency itself has also been blacklisted. The US special prosecutor investigating Moscows meddling indicted 13 Russians in February for allegedly running the secret campaign. They are all included on the latest sanctions list. Putins chef The most prominent name on the sanctions list is Yevgeny Prigozhin, a businessman who has been nicknamed Putins chef because his Concord company has provided catering for the Kremlin and he has been photographed with the president. Prigozhin has already been under US sanctions since December 2016 for having materially assisted senior officials of the Russian Federation and for extensive business dealings with the defence ministry over the conflict in Ukraine. The US has now updated the details of his sanctions listing, adding that he and his Concord company provided material assistance to the troll factory, which Washington says he owns or controls. He has denied this. Prigozhin brushed off the sanctions on Thursday, saying he has no business interests in the US or with Americans. Ill stop going to McDonalds, he joked in a comment to RIA Novosti state news agency. Spies The sanctions list also targets those described as cyber actors operating on behalf of the Russian government. It adds Sergei Afanasyev and Grigory Molchanov, who are both referred to as senior officials in the military intelligence agency GRU. The list also includes secret service officials who are already under US sanctions, including the head of GRU Igor Korobov and three of his deputies. The military intelligence agency itself and the FSB security agency, the successor to the KGB, are also sanctioned. London tried to reassure Cairo on Friday that Britain's police were investigating the death of an Egyptian girl, the victim of a mob attack which triggered outrage in her homeland. Engineering student Mariam Moustafa, 18, was punched several times, in the street in Nottingham, central England, police said, by a group of threatening and abusive women, before being followed onto a bus by the same gang. Partial footage of the February 20 attack, filmed at the back of the bus, has been circulating on social media. Moustafa was left in a coma and died of her injuries on Wednesday. Her death provoked anger in Egypt, notably on social media websites. Cairos embassy in London said the deep concern of the Egyptian public is evident and called for those responsible to be brought to justice swiftly. British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson said Friday that he was deeply saddened by the death My condolences to Mariams loved ones. I have assured Egyptian Foreign Minister (Sameh) Shoukry that Nottinghamshire Police are investigating the case. The teenagers father Mohamed Moustafa, 50, said: I want justice for my daughter not just my daughter but also so this doesnt happen to another girl or another boy. My daughter was like an angel. She would do anything for anyone. She meant the world to me. Nottinghamshire Police said it was treating the attack very seriously and was working hard to establish the circumstances. Responding to the thrust of social media posts, it said there was currently no information to suggest the assault was motivated by hate but we continue to keep an open mind. A 17-year-old girl has been arrested on suspicion of assault occasioning grievous bodily harm and released on bail. British police on Friday launched a murder probe into the death of Russian exile Nikolai Glushkov in London, after a post-mortem found he died from "compression to the neck". A murder investigation has been launched following the results of a post-mortem into the death of 68-year-old Russian businessman Nikolay Glushkov, Londons Metropolitan Police said in a statement. The retired Russian executive was found dead on Monday evening at his home in southwest London, where he had lived for two years. A special post-mortem began on Thursday, 15 March and we received the pathologist report today (Friday, 16 March), which gave the cause of death as compression to the neck, police said. The Glushkov familys lawyer, Elena Tsirlina, told AFP they had been informed of the murder probe but would not be commenting on the case. Glushkov had received political asylum in Britain after being jailed in Russia for money laundering and fraud. He was linked to late Kremlin opponent Boris Berezovsky, an oligarch and one-time supporter of Russian President Vladimir Putin, who was found hanged in his home outside London in 2013. The coroners report proved inconclusive, but Berezovskys death is now one of a number being re-examined by British authorities. Police said the forces Counter Terrorism Command would continue to lead the investigation into Glushkovs death, because of the associations Mr Glushkov is believed to have had. The Russian embassy in London said this week that it had asked British authorities for details of Glushkovs death. Britains murder probe was launched shortly after Russias Investigative Committee, which probes major crimes, announced its own investigation into the death of Glushkov. The murder is not believed to be linked to the nerve agent attack on former double agent Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia in Salisbury, southwestern England, on March 4. Both Britain and Russia have launched their own investigations into the poisoning, which has led to an ongoing diplomatic crisis. London earlier this week announced a range of measures including the expulsion of 23 Russian diplomats, while Moscow has vehemently denied involvement in the attack and has vowed retaliatory moves. Beijing hit back Friday at Britain over a report condemning jailings of democracy activists and the disqualification of rebel lawmakers in Hong Kong. There is no room or right for the UK to intervene, foreign ministry spokesman Lu Kang told a regular briefing. The attempt to show the UKs influence on Hong Kong affairs is in vain and can only lead to Chinese peoples antipathy, he added, referring to Britains former role as the citys colonial ruler. The six-monthly parliamentary report on Hong Kong came days after the Chinese Communist Party decided to give President Xi Jinping a mandate to rule for life, intensifying fears that Hong Kongs freedoms will come under increasing threat. Last Monday, the citys democracy camp failed to claw back all their lost seats in controversial by-elections as the citys pro-Beijing establishment further cements its grip. Since being handed back to China by Britain in 1997, semi-autonomous Hong Kong has enjoyed rights unseen on the mainland, such as freedom of speech and an independent judiciary. But there are increasing concerns those liberties are under threat. Britains foreign secretary Boris Johnson said Thursday the denial of entry to Hong Kong in October of British human rights activist Benedict Rogers had fuelled the UKs concern. Beijings involvement in this case has strengthened our view that Hong Kongs high degree of autonomy is under increasing pressure, Johnson said in the report. He also emphasised the importance of a free and fair judiciary after the jailings of leading pro-democracy activists on protest-related charges and the ousting from the legislature of four rebel lawmakers after an intervention from Beijing. Johnson said that while the judiciary remains in high esteem, it was vital the government was seen to use the system fairly in all cases. Hong Kong has come under increased pressure from Beijing since mass pro-democracy rallies in 2014 brought parts of the city to a standstill. The rallies failed to win political reform and since then activists have emerged calling for self-determination or full independence from China, infuriating Beijing. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov on Friday said statements by British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson tying Russian President Vladimir Putin to the attack on an ex-double agent were "shocking and unforgiveable". Mentioning Putin in the context of Sergei Skripals poisoning is nothing but shocking and unforgiveable behaviour from the point of view of diplomacy, Peskov said. Speaking of Putin, Johnson on Friday said: We think it overwhelmingly likely that it was his decision to direct the use of a nerve agent on the streets of the UK, on the streets of Europe, for the first time since the Second World War. But Peskov repeated that Russia has nothing to do with this story, in comments carried by Russian news agencies. Skripal and his daughter Yulia are in critical condition after being exposed to a Soviet-designed nerve agent on March 4 in the English city of Salisbury. After taking a stand in support of Palestinians and migrants, British street artist Banksy is now showing solidarity with imprisoned Turkish-Kurdish artist and journalist Zehra Dogan with a giant mural in Manhattan. The famed graffiti artists 20-meter (yard) work features a series of tally marks such as those prisoners use to keep track of the time they have been confined, one of which doubles as the bars of Dogans cell. Free Zehra Dogan appears in the bottom right corner of the mural, located at the crossroads of Houston Street and Bowery. Dogan was jailed for a painting picturing the Kurdish-majority town of Nusaybin in southeastern Turkey, which suffered heavy damage during a Turkish military operation. Sentenced to nearly three years in jail for painting a single picture. #FREEzehradogan, Banksy wrote in an Instagram post accompanying the mural. The Bowery Mural Wall on the edge of the East Village has hosted some of the biggest names in graffiti since the late 1970s. Banksys work was preceded by one by artist Lakwena. Banksy is behind another work in recent days in Manhattan: picturing a rat one of the artists signature motifs running inside the face of a clock on a building slated for demolition, at the intersection of Sixth Avenue and 14th Street. The identity of Banksy, whose politically provocative graffiti appears suddenly on walls around the world, remains a mystery despite frequent attempts to pierce the secrecy. Thirty-two African countries on Friday called on the European Union to stop its ivory trade at a conference in Botswana aimed at saving African elephants. Presidents Yoweri Museveni of Uganda, Ali Bongo of Gabon and host Ian Khama of Botswana wrote a petition along with representatives of 29 other countries calling on the EU to close its ivory market. According to global advocacy group Avaaz, the EU is the worlds biggest exporter of legal ivory but that is thought to fuel poaching. There is a huge demand for ivory in Asia, notably in China. What we see is that Europe has become both a destination and transit hub for illegal ivory, Avaaz campaign director Bert Wander said.. Its crucial that this trade is shut down if were going to protect these magnificent animals. Wander said EU officials had told the campaign organisers that they couldnt ban ivory because not enough African leaders wanted them to. The rest of the world is turning its back on ivory trade. Why not Europe? Botswanas environment minister, Tshekedi Khama, said the reason the EU must close the trade is because China has closed that avenue. If the EU as a bloc.. would do the right thing by doing the same, then we have two avenues out of Africa closed. If we can close the main exit areas then we are going to be a lot more succesful than we are, he said. Britain accounts for the most ivory exported from the EU, according to Avaaz. I cant say more than say to the UK just do the right thing, close ivory trade, said Khama. According to the first ever pan-African survey of savanna elephants in 2016, the present population is about 352,000, down from 1.3 million in 1979. International rules still allow countries to legally export ivory when it is certified as having been worked or carved before 1976. Antique ivory products manufactured before 1947 such as billard balls, piano keys and chess pieces are also legal and do not need a certificate, providing their age can be established. But activists say this creates a loophole allowing for blood ivory to enter the legal market. South Africa's former president Jacob Zuma will stand trial on 16 fraud, corruption and racketeering charges, prosecutors announced Friday, a month after he was forced to resign from office. The charges had been shelved in 2009, the year Zuma, 75, became president. On February 14 he reluctantly stepped down under pressure from his ANC party in the face of mounting allegations, the latest revolving around his business friends, the Guptas who allegedly had undue influence on his adminstration. Here are five of his biggest scandals: Arms deal After protracted back-and-forth court cases, the National Prosecuting Authority in March 2018 decided Zuma was liable to face prosecution on corruption, fraud, racketeering and money laundering charges involving almost 800 counts relating to a 1990s arms deal. The accusations relate to a multi-billion-dollar arms deal signed in 1999, when Zuma was deputy president. He and other oficials allegedly accepted bribes from five European arms manufacturers to influence the choice of weaponry. Zumas advisor, Schabir Shaik, was jailed for 15 years in 2005. He was released on medical parole in 2009, the year Zuma became president. The former president faces jail for the criminal charges over the hundreds of payments valued at $345,000 (280,000 euros), he allegedly received. Nkandla costs Zuma was found by the countrys graft watchdog in 2014 to have benefited unduly from so-called security upgrades to his rural Nkandla residence in KwaZulu-Natal province. It said he should refund some of the money. The work, paid for with taxpayers money, cost $24 million and included a swimming pool, which was described as a fire-fighting facility, a cattle enclosure, an amphitheatre and a visitors centre. For two years, Zuma fought the order to repay part of the money. The scandal came to dominate his presidency with opposition lawmakers chanting Pay back the money! every time he appeared in parliament. In March 2016 he was ordered by the Constitutional Court to pay back the cash and suffered a stinging rebuke from the justices who accused him of failing to respect and uphold the constitution. Guptagate As the Nkandla debacle built to a climax, its place in the headlines was overtaken by a new scandal, known as Guptagate. It involved the presidents allegedly corrupt relationship with a wealthy family of Indian immigrants headed by three brothers Ajay, Atul and Rajesh Gupta who built a business empire in mining, media, technology and engineering. Smouldering rumours of the familys undue influence on the president burst into flames in 2016 when evidence emerged they allegedly offered key government jobs to those who might help their business interests. Ousted deputy finance minister Mcebisi Jonas revealed that the Guptas had offered him a promotion shortly before Zuma sacked respected finance minister Nhlanhla Nene in December 2015. The opposition Democratic Alliance (DA) laid corruption charges against the Guptas and Zumas son Duduzane. Rape charges and HIV Before taking office, Zuma was put on trial in 2006 for rape, in a case that dismayed many South Africans. Zuma said the sex with the 31-year-old family friend was consensual and he was acquitted. But he told the court he had showered to avoid contracting HIV after having unprotected sex with his HIV-positive accuser a common but dangerous myth. Zuma was head of the South African National AIDS Council at the time, and was pilloried for his ignorance. He is still mocked in newspaper cartoons, which often depict him with a shower nozzle sprouting from his bald head. Nearly a fifth of South Africans aged between 15 and 49 are HIV-positive. Omar al-Bashir In March 2016 the South African Supreme Court of Appeal upheld a judgement that the failure by Zumas government to arrest Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir was illegal. Despite an arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court on charges of war crimes in the conflict in Darfur, Bashir was allowed to attend a meeting of the African Union in Johannesburg in 2015. The government said the fact that he was attending the summit as a head of state meant he had immunity, but the court disagreed. Zuma escaped an impeachment attempt over the issue in parliament in September 2016, when ANC lawmakers voted overwhelmingly against it. The Texas Ethics Commission slapped state Sen. Carlos Uresti with a $500 fine for violating state disclosure rules a relatively minor penalty considering his other legal troubles. Its also a fraction of the amount he could have been penalized, drawing sharp criticism from one political ethics researcher who called the commission a toothless tiger. Uresti, found guilty by a federal jury on 11 felonies three weeks ago, was fined Wednesday for failing to disclose on his 2014 personal financial statement a $40,000 loan from FourWinds Logistics. You wonder if thats a disincentive for other politicians not to do the same thing that Uresti did, said Andrew Wheat, research director for Texans for Public Justice. He blamed the low fine on tea party appointees who have weakened the Commission in recent years. Its an interesting finding with an inadequate fine, he added. The agency could have imposed a fine of up to $5,000 for the violation or triple the amount at issue, whichever is greater, for filing an incomplete financial report, according to commission lawyer Ian Steusloff. Uresti neither admitted nor denied the Texas Ethics Commissions findings and consented to the entry of an order solely for the purpose of resolving the complaint, the order says. The ethics complaint was filed after I had corrected the oversight in my personal financial statement, Uresti said in an emailed statement. Generally when you make a correction on your own, in good faith, a subsequent complaint is not filed. While the majority of the complaint was dismissed outright by the Ethics Commission as lacking merit, it was determined paying a small fine versus enduring a prolonged bureaucratic process was more prudent. Uresti faces the possibility of owing millions in restitution to victims in his criminal fraud case. Complaints made to the commission and the parties who made them are confidential, Steusloff said. Urestis incomplete financial report first came to light in a 2016 San Antonio Express-News article that chronicled FourWinds collapse and allegations that investor money had been misused. He called it an oversight in a subsequent Express-News article. He also corrected his personal financial statement within days of the first report. The San Antonio Democrat was indicted last May for his roles at FourWinds, which included serving as outside general counsel, holding a 1 percent ownership interest and recruiting investors. Uresti was found guilty of wire fraud, securities fraud and money laundering, among other charges, on Feb. 22. He is scheduled to be sentenced June 28 and faces the possibility of years in federal prison. His lawyers have filed court papers seeking a new trial. FourWinds loaned $40,000 to Urestis law firm in June 2014. He told the Express-News that the loan was an advance for future commissions and payment of legal work for the company. FourWinds was set up to buy and sell sand used in fracking for oil production. FBI forensic accountant Jill Dent told jurors during Urestis trial that the $40,000 went into the trust account of the Urestis law firm. Such accounts generally are set up for holding client funds that are meant to be kept separate from a lawyers own money. The promissory note, oddly, called for the $40,000 to be repaid to FourWinds CEO Stan Bates rather than to the company. Bates pleaded guilty to eight felonies in January rather than go to trial with Uresti. FourWinds entered bankruptcy in August 2015. The bankruptcy trustee sued Uresti and his firm for the repayment of the $40,000 in April 2016. Four months later, the suit was settled for $30,000. The ethics complaint against Uresti also alleged that he failed to disclose a 10 percent ownership interest in a joint venture with FourWinds and investor Denise Cantu, who was the governments star witness in the lawmakers trial. Uresti told the Express-News he had a 10 percent interest but later said he made a mistake in saying so. In response to the complaint, Uresti denied having an ownership interest in the joint venture. Although the commission concluded that Uresti had no ownership in the joint venture and didnt violate disclosure rules, evidence presented during the trial showed Urestis consulting company, Turning Point Strategies, and the senators friend Margarito Alonzo shared a 10 percent interest in the joint venture. Alonzo testified he never told Cantu he stood to get a cut of any of the profits from her joint venture. Uresti did not testify. The ethics complaint also accused Uresti of not reporting a 3 percent commission on Cantus investment. He pocketed $27,000 on her $900,000 investment. She ended up losing $800,000. The commission found no violation of disclosure rules because Uresti said the commission was paid to Turning Point, which was listed on his financial statement as a source of income. Uresti did report on his 2014 financial statement that he was a manager of the joint venture and owned as many as 499 FourWinds shares. Steusloff, the commissions lawyer, couldnt immediately say whether Uresti has paid the $500 penalty. A C-5M Galaxy cargo plane landed on its nose Thursday afternoon at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, but none of the 11 crew members was injured, the Air Force said. The aircraft reported that its front landing gear did not deploy after a routine training flight. Its very close to the Boeing hangars, so it used the majority I would say half of the runway, said Maj. Timothy Wade, a spokesman for the 433rd Airlift Wing at JBSA-Lackland, adding that he could not say how badly the aircraft was damaged. The accident is the first in years, but Wade couldnt say when the last incident occurred. The Air Force Reserve wing flies eight Super Galaxy cargo planes, the largest in the the services inventory, and its 356th Airlift Squadron and 733rd Training Squadron routinely do training missions over San Antonio. Another unit on the base, the 68th Airlift Squadron, does local training missions as well but often flies overseas. The flight Thursday was a training mission that involved pilots, flight engineers and loadmasters. The crew discovered the nose gear wasnt lowering, as it should, when it prepared to return for a landing at Lackland and declared an in-flight emergency. Wade said he didnt know if a fire broke out after the plane landed on the runway, but Air Force firefighters and security forces were on the scene. A board of officers will investigate the mishap. The Air Force last summer ordered a stand-down of all 56 of its giant C-5 cargo planes to repair the nose landing gear. The order, given in early August by the Air Mobility Command, grounded the 433rd Airlift Wings Super Galaxies, which are often seen flying over U.S. 151 and U.S. 90 in Southwest San Antonio. The mobility command ended the stand-down about a month after all the planes were examined and repaired. C-5 maintainers were told to replace ball screw assembly parts across the fleet to ensure compliance with standards of performance and maximize aircrew safety. The devices are in the nose landing gear. At the same it grounded the planes to repair the landing gear, the command also issued a policy restricting kneel operations on all C-5 aircraft to mission-essential requirements only. Kneel operations allow the plane to be lowered close to the ground to facilitate loading and unloading. That problem was fixed as well, said Wade, who could not elaborate about the potential causes of Thursdays nose gear malfunction. All I can say is the incident is under investigation, he said. For many of the firefighters who worked for hours to free a teenager from Robber Baron Cave earlier this month, it was the first time they were required to do so cave rescues are extremely rare in the San Antonio-area. The San Antonio Fire Department's technical rescue team was called out to the North Side cave, which stretches for a mile about 30 to 80 feet underground, March 8 after an 18-year-old from Robert E. Lee High School on a field trip found herself trapped in an area called the Hole in the Floor. "I've been here for 13 years and I've made two cave rescues," said San Antonio Fire Captain Brendan Pohlen, adding the March 9 rescue was his third. "Most of these guys have been in caves and trained in caves, but for most of them, this is their first cave rescue." Pohlen led the firefighters in pulling the girl out. RELATED: Lee student rescued after being stuck for 10 hours in Robber Baron Cave The 18-year-old was climbing down into the Hole in the Floor when her torso got stuck. Firefighters used jackhammers and air-powdered jackhammers to chip away at a gallon-sized hole next to the trapped girl. It took more than 10 hours for a group of about 11 firefighters, working in groups of three or four at a time, to chip away at the cave's floor, creating a bigger hole that allowed the teen to escape. They had to be careful of any cracks in the area. Her feet were a couple feet off the ground and firefighters placed her in a harness and propped her feet up so she wouldn't slip, Pohlen said. "There were things that were a little nerve racking when you're in there chipping at rock and there's rock that could fall," said firefighter Justin Anderson. Anderson has been with the department for two years and the March 9 incident was the first time he was able to apply the skills he practiced in caves across San Antonio. The technical rescue team recently trained for a cave retrieval in January at a cave near Cornerstone Church on the city's far North Side, Pohlen said. Anderson said the experience was "wild." Firefighters, after maneuvering 350 feet into the cave, had to be careful when they got closer to where the girl was stuck as to not injure her with a jackhammer, he said. Anderson was placed below the girl to chip away at the cave's floor. While it was an intense situation, the girl kept calm, he said. As she slowly became unstuck, the girl would say, "Oh my gosh I can move I can move," Anderson said. Pohlen said that those interested in exploring a cave should always tell someone where they're going, never go alone and go with someone familiar with the area. Kelsey Bradshaw is a digital reporter for mySA.com. Read more of her stories here.| kbradshaw@express-news.net | Twitter: @kbrad5 PENSACOLA, Fla. Christina Martin sat in the chair where she had slept at her only childs bedside. It was a moment of calm for mother and daughter, both scraped and bruised. They had been together on the charter bus carrying the Channelview High School band from Disney World back to Houston on Tuesday morning when it crashed and plummeted 50 feet to the bottom of an Alabama ravine. It was hard to believe the nightmare they had endured not quite 30 hours before. They remembered the band director jumping behind the wheel of the bus to steer it away from oncoming traffic after the driver slumped over. The screams of the students now seemed surreal. The silence that fell after the bus landed with a thud still rang in their ears. Martin, 48, a lab scientist who had been a chaperone on the trip, had emerged largely unscathed, except for a cut on her chin. Her 74-year-old mother, Otila Dominguez, also chaperoning, hadnt been so lucky: she had a broken scapula and was at the hospitals Ronald McDonald House, where she had spent the night. The youngest of the family, Annalise, 18, lay curled on her side in the hospital bed her tailbone bruised, a heating pad on her shoulder. She was among five patients, including the band director, still under the care of Sacred Heart Hospital on Wednesday morning after the Disney trip ended so badly. At least six others also remained hospitalized in Alabama. Martin and her daughter believed the band director, Aaron Allison, by heroicly grabbing the buss steering wheel after the driver slumped over, saved them. Allison was badly hurt in the crash. Harry Caligone, 65, would be the only person to die Tuesday. Although details about what happened are still not fully known, Alabama officials said Caligone, a veteran bus driver who shuttled charter trips for Houston-based First Class Tours, became unresponsive. On Wednesday, family members remembered the Houston man as a generous soul, a bit of a prankster and a man who loved his work and did it well. At the hospital, Martin, looking at her daughter, who plays the trumpet, thought about how lucky they were. That could have been our last moment, she would later say. But it wasnt. There was a knock at the door. Greg Ollis, the Channelview ISD superintendent, came in with his wife, who is the high schools former principal, and the assistant band director. We were trying to get here as soon as we could, said Ollis. Got here at midnight last night. The Martins were the first crash survivors Ollis had been able to visit. The students had departed last week, after school on Thursday, and driven through the night, arriving in Florida on Friday morning. They hit the ground running. Three days at Disney. A band competition. One day at Universal Studios Orlando. Ollis had seen other students in their hotel on the morning after the crash, preparing to head home, as the Martins planned to do later Wednesday. He was filled with tearful joy when he saw that Annalise and her mom were alright. They exchanged stories about their experience. Martin told the assistant band director, Alexa Thibodeaux, about how well she had slept in the chair. Thibodeaux had been on a second bus, which did not crash. Too wired to sleep long, she had spent the morning fielding messages and trying to look in on as many kids as possible. Already, Thibodeaux had delayed her flight home twice. Were a family, Martin said, explaining how the kids in the band had grown up together. Their mothers knew each other, if not by name, then at least by face. They knew the band staff. Were blessed, Ollis said. Yes, we are. Martin replied. Very lucky, and its more than luck. This was way beyond luck. I would never have guessed that only one casualty. Never. But Mr. Allison, hes the man of the hour. After Allison grabbed the wheel, Martin felt the bus jostle and swerved to the right, off the road. It careened toward the guard rail on Interstate 10, above the steep ravine. Her stomach sank. She thought, This cant be happening. She heard the band director yell at the driver. She turned around and yelled at her daughter and the other kids. Wake up and hang on, she shouted. She grabbed her mothers hand and braced for the impact. Another knock came at the door shortly After Ollis and Thibodeaux had left to visit Allison, everyones hero. I have a visitor, a cheerful voice called. Your grandma! A woman from Ronald McDonald House, Krystal Howell, pushed the 74-year-old Dominguez in a wheelchair into the room. Hi, Nana! Martin called to her mother, who still had on her pale pink Disney World zip-up. Her arm was in a sling. It was complete chaos, Martin remembered. It was awful. I mean you can watch all the movies you want on the planet, but to actually be in a situation like that. ... Its worse. The mother sat now with her chin bandaged. A piece of it had been scraped off, but she didnt notice it at the time, until a student mentioned the bandage. Neither she nor her daughter had felt anything when the crash occurred. They were in shock. They searched for stray shoes to put on their feet. Glass had shattered. Annalise put on two boys left shoes. The bus had landed on its side, and one by one, the students had begun to slide out a window, letting people with head injuries out first, Annalise said. It began to smell like gas. Annalise worried the bus would explode. The kids were so good, Martin said. They got up and they started moving around. Some of them lost their minds, of course, and others helped them. They helped each other and they got out of the bus. WASHINGTON When Hurricane Harvey made landfall near Rockport the night of Aug. 25 as a Category 4 storm, it exposed not only weaknesses in the regions flood defenses, but also miles of bureaucratic red tape. Thats chief among the lessons learned delivered Thursday to Congress by a procession of state and federal officials called to testify before the House Homeland Security Committee, which is examining the response to Harvey and a succession of natural disasters last summer. The review, which will include a field hearing in Cypress on April 9, comes as Gov. Greg Abbott and the Texas congressional delegation have been battling to speed federal funding for the response and recovery, which already has cost the state more than $2.7 billion. About $1 billion of that comes from the property tax loss to Texas school districts owing to property value declines, according to Reed Clay, the Abbott administrations chief operating officer. Congress has appropriated more than $100 billion toward hurricane relief. But state officials say that so far, only $13.3 billion has been provided directly to Texas. Meanwhile, the estimated economic impact from Harvey stands at $125 billion. But while the storm took its toll on the Gulf region, the area largely has passed into the recovery phase, a transition that so far has eluded storm-ravaged Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, where cooperation between the federal government and local officials was not nearly as seamless. In the telling of some of those islands leaders and their allies in Congress, politics also played a role. The response to those storms by the Trump administration was a study in contrasts, said Rep. Bennie Thompson, the ranking Democrat on the committee, which is headed by Houston-area Republican Michael McCaul. So far, the official verdict among many emergency management experts has been that federal and state officials at least in Texas prepared well and worked cooperatively in the rebuilding effort. In testimony before the committee, Clay termed it a model going forward for the nation. But Clays report also cataloged a litany of bureaucratic hurdles, from RV restrictions in Houston to duplicative housing inspections run out of a labyrinth of state and federal agencies. In the end, he said a tangle of inconsistent regulations added costs and slowed down the response by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the governments central clearinghouse for disaster relief. The first lesson is that disaster recovery could be substantially improved by drastically cutting regulations and red tape at all levels of government, Clay said. Many of Clays criticisms echo the deregulatory fervor of the Trump administration, which had been in place seven months before Harvey. The same line also has been taken by Abbott, who used special emergency powers to waive hundreds of state regulations in the wake of Harvey. In his own review, FEMA Administrator Brock Long acknowledged a need to reduce the complexity of his agency, which most observers believe has made great strides since the famously inept response to Hurricane Katrina in 2005. In some cases, the disaster survivor may get up to as many as 15 knocks on the door, from FEMA to other government agencies, from state governments to nongovernmental organizations, Long said. Its confusing. Long said the chain of storms last year, capped by destructive wildfires and mudslides in California, clearly stretched the agency to its limits. But he also expressed pride in FEMAs response, which, he said worked in concert with federal, local and nongovernmental partners. But for Long, one of the takeaways from the 2017 hurricane season is that the problems dont all emanate from Washington. FEMAs ability to provide support in disasters builds on, and is subject to, the capacity of state, territorial, tribal and local governments, he said. If a state, territorial, tribal or local government is not well-resourced, well-trained, and well-organized either due to ineffective preparations or due to the significance of the disaster itself FEMA can help, but the response may not be as quick or effective as we would like it to be. Much of the current criticism of FEMA has centered on the slow recovery in Puerto Rico, where about 10 percent of the population remains without power, nearly seven months after Hurricane Maria. Millions of Puerto Ricans are asking themselves, What is taking so long? said Jenniffer Gonzalez-Colon, a Republican who represents the island in Congress. Thompson traced the difference to Trump, who tweeted a warning that FEMA couldnt stay in Puerto Rico forever a contrast to his expressions of support for Texas, where he promised the federal government would stay every single day after. Pressed by New Jersey Democrat Bonnie Watson Coleman on whether FEMA failed Puerto Rico, Long was emphatic: We did not fail. Long, along with Maj. Gen. Ed Jackson of the Army Corps of Engineers, noted that the direct hit from Maria wiped out ports, airfields and much of the islands antiquated power grid, making it hard to communicate and move around. Many of the problems, Long suggested, derived from a lack of emergency readiness on the island. But as McCaul and other Texas leaders look ahead at ways to mitigate future flooding, some Democrats on his committee voiced concerns about proposed Trump administration cuts totaling $1 billion to FEMAs disaster accounts. Houston Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee noted that as the review goes on, a new hurricane season is approaching. The driver of a tour bus that crashed into an Alabama ravine, killing him and injuring Channelview ISD band students on their way home, died from blunt force trauma, according to a preliminary autopsy report. The finding does not rule out that the driver experienced a medical emergency before the crash, Baldwin County Coroner Stan Vinson said. Investigators were probing reports that driver Harry Caligone, 65, became unresponsive just before the wreck that sent at least 40 people to area hospitals in Florida and Alabama. Vinson said it will take more time to get results from blood and tissue tests that could point to a medical problem. "These results are very preliminary and anything is subject to change," he said. As of Thursday afternoon, at least six people were still being treated for injuries and at least five of those patients were hospitalized within the Sacred Heart Health System spokesman Mike Burke said. Three were in good condition and two were in serious condition. Band director Aaron Allison was among those treated. The sixth patient is being treated at Mobile Infirmary and is expected to be released soon. Annalise Martin, who had been under the hospital's care in the days following the crash, was discharged from the hospital Wednesday and traveled home by plane Wednesday evening with her mother and grandmother, who were chaperones on the trip and had been treated for injuries at another hospital. A new patient who was initially treated in Alabama was admitted at Sacred Heart because of issues following the crash, Burke said. Meanwhile, the National Transportation Safety Board continues its investigation of the crash near Loxley, Alabama. Investigators are also traveling to Houston to interview survivors. The board will spend the next few days conducting interviews with employees of First Class Tours and interviews with Channelview High School employees. The investigators will also use a drone during their investigation. According to the board, the drone will scan the accident scene to acquire more detail about the sequence of events. Courtesy photo Two bits of news recently point to the veracity of what immigration observers have claimed for months. The Trump administration is purposely using various punitive measures on immigrants already here to deter asylum seekers and others. Lawsuits are the result. In one article Saturday, Express-News reporter Jason Buch told the tale of Sadat Ibrahim, a gay man from Ghana, who credibly argues his life is in danger if he is returned to his country where his partner was beaten, where he was stabbed and which has anti-gay laws. He presented himself to a border crossing seeking asylum during the Obama years. And he has been in detention ever since, about two years. Embattled Purdue Pharma laid off about 100 employees this week as the company continues to restructure, Hearst Connecticut Media has learned. In the past few weeks, the maker of the controversial OxyContin painkiller has undergone some of its most extensive organizational changes to date. Last month, the company announced it would no longer market OxyContin and other opioids to medical prescribers, a move that led to the firm slashing its sales force by more than 50 percent, to about 200. As Purdues business continues to evolve and we diversify into new therapeutic areas, we have decided to streamline our corporate functions, resulting in the elimination of a number of Stamford- and field-based roles, the company said in a statement about this weeks layoffs. We will continue to responsibly serve the physicians and patients who rely on our medicines. And as we move forward, we will focus on diversifying our portfolio and tackling some of the most pressing challenges in medicine today. Purdue declined to specify which departments were affected by the most recent job losses or how many cuts were made in each location. In total, the company now employs about 1,100. It is headquartered in downtown Stamford, at 201 Tresser Blvd. The layoffs have come during the first year in charge for CEO and President Craig Landau, who formerly led Purdues Canadian business. The company to date has not made Landau available for an interview by Hearst Connecticut Media. Amid the organizational overhaul, Purdue faces a torrent of litigation across the country from local, county and state prosecutors who allege Purdue has fueled the nationwide opioid crisis through deceptive marketing of its products. The company has denied the lawsuits allegations. Other groups have targeted Purdue outside the legal system. Activists staged March 10 a protest inside the Sackler Wing of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in Manhattan, where they unfolded banners and tossed pill bottles marked OxyContin into the wings reflecting pool. The wing is named after several members of the family who owns the privately held Purdue. Brothers Arthur, Mortimer and Raymond Sackler donated $3.5 million in the 1970s toward the edifices construction, according to The New York Times. All three brothers are deceased. Purdue co-founder Raymond Sackler died most recently, last year, at the age of 97. STAMFORD When Joe Fabiano visits his wife, a teacher at Stamford High School, nothing stops him from simply walking through the front door. Fabianos two daughters are also students there and hes seen firsthand what he believes are security shortcomings at the Strawberry Hill Avenue school. Fabiano says anyone can walk through the door without getting buzzed in and recent grads often roam around without signing in because they are mistaken for current students. There are literally former students who walk right into her class to say hi, Fabiano said of his wifes classroom. Just because someone looks like a student, doesnt mean they are. Hundreds of Stamford students participated this week in a nationwide walkout to recognize the shooting victims in Parkland, Fla., and to raise awareness to school safety concerns. Some Stamford High students have taken the effort even further by launching a GoFundMe page to raise money for school safety enhancements. According to the Stamford High School Safety Fund page, the students hope the money will go toward window covers for each classroom and tinted film to cover the windows in the schools cafeteria and gymnasium. The organizers also hope the funds are used to purchase new door and window locks for the building. The schools doors have always been a safety concern for Brianna Jean, a Stamford High senior who launched the fundraising page. Theres always been a problem with which doors are locked and which doors are unlocked, the 17-year-old said. Its really hard to get into the building if you are a student or its easy to get in if you arent a student. ... Its really an issue most people felt inside the school, but was never addressed directly. Jean said the discussion about security issues evolved in a philosophy class where she said her teacher suggested the students raise money to help their cause. The list of security improvements was compiled by students and Stamford High Principal Ray Manka. Manka praised the students initiative and said the funds would be gifted to the district and the Board of Education would vote whether to accept it. Manka said the suggested improvements would also have to be in line with the safety audit the police department is conducting of the school. They did have great ideas, Manka said of the six students involved in the effort. They have wonderful energy. I dont think people are going to try to dissuade them from following their passion. These are wonderful student leaders. Theyve been nothing but wonderful role models for their classmates. We want to see them follow through and complete some of these things and I want to help champion the effort to make sure it goes through proper channels. Stamford High junior Augustus Doricko, who has been involved with the effort, said the $10,000 fundraising goal was determined to be the approximate cost of purchasing and installing the materials. The students hope they will raise enough money to fund at least two of the projects. We were talking to the administration about potential security features we could add to Stamford High and everything has a price tag and money is even more difficult to wrangle out of bureaucracy than we even thought, Doricko said. We felt as though if we really wanted any change petitioning our municipal government was so insufficient. Doricko said the classroom window covers would each cost about $15 and the window tints for the cafeteria and gym would cost $4,000. Once the funds are raised, the money will be placed in a school account, likely aligned with SUPER, a statewide union recently formed to give students a voice in school security matters. Ted Jankowski, the citys director of public safety who attended the Stamford High walkout on Wednesday, said he was impressed by the students dedication and passion for reform. The students also mentioned that they were going to raise money, Jankowski said. I would like to know more. However, the Stamford High School administration and representatives from the Stamford Police Department will work with the students so that their efforts will make an impact. Fabiano was among the more than 200 people who attended a recent forum at Westhill High School, where Superintendent Earl Kim, Mayor David Martin and other city officials outlined what is being done to keep students safe in Stamford schools. Fabiano said hes brought his concerns to the city and the fundraising effort is a step in the right direction. When my daughter was telling me about the GoFundMe page, I started smiling, he said. I thought if anything, maybe thatll embarrass downtown into acting. Here are the kids begging for money to pay for their own security measures. At some point, enough's enough. For more information on the fundraising effort, visit https://www.gofundme.com/stamford-high-school-safety-fund Editors note: Reporter Sophie Vaughan takes over our monthly Health Check column and shares with us the skill of meal planning it appears she has perfected. I ate in the dining hall for all four years at the small Vermont college I attended, which made the transition to cooking post-college a learning curve. Sure, I cooked for myself over the summers and the semester I studied abroad in Madrid, Spain. But during those periods I would primarily make roasted vegetables and pastas with store-bought marinara sauce and nothing I made tasted good because I used few seasonings. These foods surely didnt satisfy all my food groups, leaving me semi-malnourished and still hungry after multiple servings of pasta, which didnt help my waistline. When Hearst Connecticut Media Group hired me as a reporter and I moved to the area in the fall, I vowed to cook good food because journalism schedules are notoriously long and unpredictable. I knew if I didnt plan for and cook good food at the beginning of the week, I would resort to take-out and my health, and thus my work, would suffer. Also, with the periods of cooking for myself no longer temporary and the vast swath of adulthood before me, I understood I could either become the healthy person I want to be or I could not, and I wanted to be the former. On the recommendation of a friend, I bought Great Food Fast: 250 Recipes for Easy, Delicious Meals All Year Long, by Martha Stewart Living Magazine, and set out to cook all of my meals for the week each Sunday. The first few weeks really months were difficult. I cooked too much food and was left with much spoiled food waste at the end of the week. Instead of overestimating how much food I would need in the fear I might run out, I began to plan how much food to make in accordance with the recipes stated number of servings. If a recipe serves four, I know it will sustain me for about four lunches, which helps for planning purposes and also portion control. I choose two recipes, one for lunch, usually a recipe that serves four, and one for dinner for Sunday through Thursday or Friday, which serves between four and six. For lunch I try and choose a lighter recipe, something high in protein and vegetables that doesnt slow me down during the work day and for dinner, something heavier, maybe a pasta. Because I eat the same meals all week, I try and choose recipes that include multiple food groups, ideally a vegetable, grain, and protein and, if one recipe is heavy on one food group, I round it out by choosing for my second recipe one that compensates for the food groups the first lacked. For both recipes, I choose something thats easily packageable into containers for work. When I went home for Christmas, my mom gave me a new cookbook: One-Pan Wonders: Fuss-free meals for your sheet pan, dutch oven, skillet, roasting pan, casserole, and slow cooker, which I now use almost exclusively due to the ease of cooking each recipe in one device and the books wide variety of dishes. I highly recommend! Some of my favorite lunch recipes from the Americas Test Kitchen book include lemon-herbed cod fillets with crispy garlic potatoes, herbed salmon cakes with asparagus and lemon-herb sauce. For dinner, Ive enjoyed the chicken stew with cheddar biscuits, lentils and rice with yogurt sauce and crunchy toasted almonds, and creamy pasta with mushrooms, butternut squash and pine nuts. While at first cooking for the week felt a burden, Ive come to enjoy my routine. When the weekend begins, I flip through my cookbook, eagerly choosing what two recipes to make for the coming week as if Im choosing from a menu. It became more fun when I decided to only choose recipes I genuinely want to eat, because eating something I did not enjoy, for multiple days in a row, was unpleasant. I try to start cooking early Sunday afternoon, ideally after lunch, because the whole ritual always takes longer than I expect, an average of three hours for two recipes, and cooking late into the night on a Sunday is not a fun or relaxing way to start the week and also doesnt give the food enough time to cool down before I put it in the refrigerator. However much I pretend to be Julia Child, and love the film Julie and Julia, Im still a 22-year-old woman that has only been cooking for herself for a few months, so I turned to two local chefs for expert advice and answers to my most pressing food-prep questions. A large point of stress in my food-preparation is how long food lasts, especially meats. Matt Perotta, a chef with Garelick and Herbs, a prepared-foods store and cafe and catering company with locations in Southport, Westport, New Canaan, and Greenwich, said roasted vegetables usually last about three days in the refrigerator and meats about the same, so if you know youre not going to eat the food within three days, freeze the rest and defrost it later in the week. Frozen meals should be eaten within a week, Perotta said, so to avoid freezer burn. How long chicken lasts depends on its freshness, Jonathan Mathias, a chef and owner of the Westport-based catering company A Dash of Salt, said. He recommends buying organic chicken for ultimate freshness. Neither chef follows my schedule of cooking two recipes for the week and, consequently, take a less rigid approach. The sides are always the things that are easiest to prep ahead, Perrotta said, noting he cooks a sauce, such as a bolognese or marinara, and roasted vegetables on the weekends and then will add these ingredients to a meat, fish, pasta, or rice and beans each night of the week. Mathias pushed back on my strategy of preparing all my food on Sunday, saying its a very American idea. We tend to isolate and compartmentalize, Matthias said, adding he prefers a more European approach to food prep in which he goes to the store each day and follows his whims. I know I want to have dinner, but I go to the market and I see whats fresh. The idea that youre eating Brussels sprouts in July when its a winter crop doesnt make sense. I use everything I purchase, he added. My kids like steak and so Ill cook them a couple of steaks and then the next night we might have soft-tacos with sliced steak and other ingredients so you can keep it moving. Matthias is right that when I prep my food for the week I lose spontaneity and may overlook a seasonal food because its not built into my recipe, but I do try and observe whats in season at the grocery store and factor that into my planning for the following week. In the end, I think Matthias and I have the same goal: to eat real, cook, unprocessed, home-made food, which most food experts and health professionals say is the key to maintaining a healthy weight and lifestyle, which I have since I began meal prep. Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants, as food-writer Michael Pollan famously said. Preparing my food for the week on Sunday is how I accomplish Pollans mantra; you choose what works for you. HARTFORD A bill that directs the state to seek bids for a new casino in Connecticut likely located in Bridgeport has launched a legislative brawl over jobs and economic development. Bridgeport has gotten crap, state Sen. Ed Gomes, D-Bridgeport, said Thursday during a feisty and emotional public hearing before the Legislatures public safety and security committee. We have lost jobs and opportunities, Gomes said, his voice rising from his committee seat. Its Bridgeports time to revive itself. What we are looking for is a fair shake and more than lip service. This is turning out to be a war. Gomes appeal punctuated a debate that exposed sharp divisions between two parts of the state over where another casino should be located: East Windsor, just north of Hartford, or Bridgeport, the states largest city and about an hours train ride from New York City. A bill before the committee directs the state Department of Consumer Protection to seek bids for a casino in Connecticut and cancels an already authorized casino in East Windsor that was to be operated jointly by the states two federally recognized Indian tribes. The East Windsor casino was authorized last year to help protect the Mohegan and Mashantucket Indian tribes and their eastern Connecticut casino resorts from competition from an MGM Grand casino being built in Springfield, Mass. But MGM Grand is offering to build a larger $700 million casino resort on Bridgeports mostly vacant harbor complete with 7,000 jobs and a training center in New Haven. State Rep. Kevin Ryan, D-Montville, said Connecticuts existing casinos stand to lose $720 million because of the Massachusetts casino. We will lose up to 9,000 casino jobs. The East Windsor casino is stalled because the federal Department of Interior has not posted approval on the federal registry for changes to the tribes compact with the state. That compact gives the tribes the exclusive right to offer gambling on their reservations. Attorney General George Jepsen on Thursday gave a legal green light to the bill, saying an open bidding process would not prohibit the Mohegan and Pequot tribes from sending about $250 million annually in slot machine revenue to the state. It is my opinion that the proposed legislation would not run afoul of our existing agreements with the tribes, Jepsen said in a statement. Chuck Bunnell, a spokesman for the Mohegan Indians, declined to say the bill would break the compact. Crushes East Windsor Bridgeport Mayor Joe Ganim said the tribes and MGM Grand could partner in the Bridgeport casino or both casinos could be built one in Bridgeport and one in East Windsor. Ganim added as mayor of largest city in the state, its about jobs. Locally we want that, and we want the revenue. State Sen. Mariyln Moore, D-Bridgeport, who voted for the East Windsor casino last year, offered a long statement in support of the bill on behalf of the citys delegation. The bottom line is: We who represent Bridgeport want the best deal for our city, Moore said. We want jobs and economic development. Not 10 years from now, but now. Allowing Connecticut to expand gaming and build one more casino will not solve all of our problems. But it is something that could bring thousands of jobs to Bridgeport, even though it might take time. State Rep. Chris Rosario, D-Bridgeport, pleaded for the committee to pass the bill so the full General Assembly can decide the issue. Im 39 years old and fighting the same fight, Rosario said, his voice strained with emotion. I dont want to see my son fighting when he is 39, and there is another generation that doesnt have jobs. Peoples lives are on the line. East Windsor casino supporters offered similar arguments against the bill, saying protecting 9,000 tribal casino jobs in eastern Connecticut and revitalizing central Connecticut are also important goals. The bill before the committee crushes the East Windsor casino, Larson said. Legal delays State Rep. Joe Verrengia, D-West Hartford, questioned whether the East Windsor casino can be built, given issues with the federal Bureau of Indian Affairs. That issue is in court, Verrengia said. Some would argue it may take a year or two years. We all know MGM has indicated it will sue and that will take some time. Some have estimated anywhere from two to five years, and up to a decade. Verrengia added This open competitive process would remove some of these legal pitfalls. Lori Potter, a spokeswoman for the Pequots, said the East Windsor facility will be built and predicted construction would begin in the fall. We can relate to the people of Bridgeport, Potter said. We put the idea of a Bridgeport casino on the table three times. Although we would be happy to entertain another proposal, (the bill) does not do that. This is an extremely risky move and will hurt the state. Contributed photo Tomorrow, March 17, is St. Patricks Day, a day of camaraderie and celebration for those of Irish descent (and plenty others). Today, as locals look forward to corned beef and green beer, lets take a look back at a bit of Irish history in the area. In 1790 there were only 1,500 Irish in Connecticut, and many were indentured servants. When a sever blight of the potato crop took place in 1844, the Irish came to America in significant numbers. The voyage via ship took weeks and conditions were terrible. Then, upon arrival, most of the Irish had to find jobs, most often types of unskilled labor. Those who ended up in Connecticut assimilated by embracing politics and becoming involved in the Democratic party. By 1890 all of Connecticuts major cities had Irish leaders, and Patrick Coughlin was Bridgeports first Irish mayor in 1888. The Irish also brought Catholicism with them, and in 1852 St. Thomas Aquinas Church was built in Fairfield. By 1861 there were 82 Catholic churches in the state of Connecticut. by Aaron Larson | Mavericks Correspondent | Fri, Mar 16th 9:10am EDT Reggie Bullock scored 17 points on 7-of-12 shooting Thursday, including hitting 3-of-5 from three. He also managed to dish out four assists. Fantasy Impact: Bullock didn't seem hampered by the sore back that caused him to miss a game. He has been averaging a nice 17 points per game in March. The points are nice, but his lack of contributions in other categories keeps his fantasy ceiling low. 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 decision to cut the rate paid this year from the Areas of Natural Constraint (ANC) scheme and to eventually close it entirely is a "major blow" to upland farmers. The arrival of ANC payments into bank accounts over the coming weeks has been welcomed by the Northern Irish farming industry. The Ulster Farmers Union (UFU) says the arrival of the payments will be welcomed by farmers after the long, wet winter. However, the union said there is still "significant concern" that the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) has persisted with plans to end the scheme this year. UFU hill farming chairman, John Kennedy said ANC payments are important for disadvantaged areas. Spring is a costly time of the year on all farms. It's even more expensive on farms in severely disadvantaged areas where cold weather and wet conditions restrict grass growth and stock turnout, Mr Kennedy said. This drives up costs annually and that is why ANC payments are so important for cash flows. 'Major blow' However, he said the decision to cut the rate paid this year and to close the scheme entirely is a "major blow" to farmers in hill areas. The UFU has consistently asked that DAERA review their position and extend this scheme post 2018. However, DAERA officials believe the modest increase in Basic Payment to severely disadvantaged areas will offset the loss of ANC payments. In reality, this could not be further from the truth, said the UFU hill farming chairman. Many severely disadvantaged area (SDA) farms are losing money from the Basic Payment transition process while others will be affected by a loss of income due to the fact the Environmental Farming Scheme has been made too bureaucratic and financially unattractive. Lack of government The union said that re-opening the debate about extending the ANC scheme is not possible without an Executive at Stormont. The Northern Ireland Executive collapsed after deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness resigned in protest over the Renewable Heat Incentive scandal. Mr Kennedy said if the government gets back up and running, reopening the ANC scheme before the end of the current Rural Development Programme "must be considered". Looking ahead to farm support policy post Brexit, the UFU said there needs to be "new and more effective" forms of hill support available. Mr Kennedy added: Farms in hill areas make a major contribution to our economy through food production and supporting tourism, while also delivering real benefits for the environment and the preservation of rural heritage. This has been recognised for decades by the EU and we would expect the UK government to strongly acknowledge this as part of a future UK agriculture policy. Research undertaken to evaluate a three-year European marketing campaign for Welsh Lamb and Welsh Beef has highlighted the importance of its PGI status. The research was part funded by an EU fund for the promotion of agricultural produce. The work, led by Hybu Cig Cymru (Meat Promotion Wales), focused on building Waless red meat brands in four key European markets Germany, Italy, Sweden and Denmark. The marketing efforts secured new business for Welsh red meat, and helped to drive increased exports to these countries. Market analysis carried out by DJS Research showed that awareness of EU-awarded geographical indications, a status which Welsh Lamb and Welsh Beef share with other iconic products such as Champagne and Parma Ham, is increasing in all these markets. The research shows Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) status helps reinforce consumers positive perceptions of a foods quality and provenance. 'Credentials' Across the four countries, over half of consumers (55%) said they would prefer to buy a product which had the PGI symbol. Thirty-seven percent said they would be more likely to purchase Welsh Lamb in future, partly due to its European designation, with an even higher figure of 49% saying the same for Welsh Beef. Hybu Cig Cymru Export Executive Deanna Jones said that as the research shows, having the PGI designation for lamb and beef "reinforces" the meats credentials for "sustainability and traceability". Ms Jones said: The mark is better-known among consumers in some countries, such as Italy, than it is in Britain, but in the worldwide food industry its a highly respected mark of quality. She added: Maintaining the PGI designation for Welsh Lamb and Welsh Beef after Brexit is crucial for the long-term development of our brands. It is possible for foods produced outside the EU to have this status, and HCC continues to work with Governments in Wales and Westminster and the UK Protected Food Name Association to ensure seamless protection. Agricultural machinery giant John Deere is celebrating 100 years of business, starting way back on the 14th of March 1918. One hundred years ago, Deere & Company entered the tractor business, and it all started with the Waterloo Boy in the Midwest of the United States. The $2.25 million acquisition of the Waterloo Gasoline Engine Company in Iowa in 1918 marked John Deeres entry into the tractor business. This was a much debated and controversial investment at the time, as many critics did not believe in the future of tractors and continued to rely on the use of traditional horse power. The 27hp Waterloo Boy Model N (12hp at the drawbar), manufactured from 1917 to 1924, was the first tractor built and marketed by John Deere. The first John Deere branded, fully green and yellow production tractor was the Model D, built from 1923 to 1953. This became the longest production run of any farm tractor, helping to establish the companys tractor success. John Deeres all-time bestseller was the Model B, with 300,000 sold from 1935 to 1953, while the 4020 became the most widely sold single model tractor, with a total of 175,000 produced from 1963 to 1971. John Deere became the tractor sales leader worldwide for the first time in 1963. German acquisition In 1956 John Deere bought the tractor manufacturer Heinrich Lanz, AG in Mannheim, Germany. With this acquisition the company expanded its manufacturing business into Europe for the first time. Lanz also had a long history in the tractor industry, introducing the popular Lanz Bulldog model in 1921. In subsequent years John Deere continued to strengthen its position in the tractor business. After being the first company to offer power steering on tractors in 1954, another major milestone was the introduction of the ROPS (Roll-Over Protective Structure) as a safety feature in 1966, which set the standard for the entire industry. Initially available as an option in the early 1970s, the Sound-Gard body was the first dust-free, temperature controlled operator station, while the PowerShift transmission first introduced in 1964 provided John Deere tractors with better, more comfortable gear shifting and higher field productivity. 'Talk to the tractor' Today, the tractor is no longer just for pulling implements instead, agricultural tractors, machines and implements can be effectively connected. For example, tractor implement automation enables a baler to talk to the tractor for automatic adjustment of functions such as forward speed, depending on the workload. Mobile data transfer allows farmers to collect data from drilling to harvesting and send it automatically to the farm office. Field documentation displays data from the entire production chain and increases transparency for consumers. Farmers and contractors can use this data to make agronomic decisions on fertiliser and chemical applications, for example. The story of John Deeres 100 years, from the Waterloo Boy to todays intelligent tractor, is being celebrated at the companys worldwide tractor factories. Employees, their families and other guests have been invited to look behind the scenes of John Deere tractor production, and the Mannheim factory is holding a tractor parade through the city. A survey has been released demonstrating the "overall positive relationships" within the Scottish tenanted farming sector. Published by the Scottish Land Commissions Tenant Farming Commissioner, the research sought views and experiences of landlords and tenants regarding their business interactions with agents. It found that ratings given by tenant farmers and landlords to agents with respect to politeness, professionalismand treating them fairly ranged between 98% to 100% being positive. Ratings given by tenant farmers for the agents employed by landlords ranged between 67% and 83% rated as good. Only 17% of tenant farmers and 17% of landlords were very or fairly dissatisfied with their interactions with agents. 82% of tenant farmers described their relationship with their landlord as either very good or fairly good and 88% of landlords described their relationship as either very good or good. The percentages are similar to the Scottish Governments Renting-out Agricultural Land in Scotland Survey published in 2014. 'Professionalism' Sarah-Jane Laing, Executive Director of Scottish Land & Estates, said the results of the survey are "pleasing news" for the tenanted farming sector. It demonstrates that the vast majority of relationships between tenants and landlords are positive and productive for both parties, Ms Laing said. The role of agents within negotiations has often been the cause of heated discussion within the industry but the survey demonstrates that the vast majority of agents are conducting their work with politeness, professionalism and integrity. This is good news for a sector which relies heavily on the valuable role and expertise of agents in an ever-changing regulatory landscape. The new findings correspond with the Scottish Governments research released by Ipsos MORI in 2014 and whilst it is often portrayed that landlords and tenants are at loggerheads, in actual fact most people within the sector are getting along well. The Tenant Farming Commissioner is now beginning the process of consulting stakeholders on the findings. A man has been sentenced to three years in prison after hiding his commercial production of cannabis within straw bales at a farm in Staffordshire. Mitchell Nicholls, 46, from Birmingham, pleaded guilty to production of cannabis inside a large barn at Brackenhurst Farm, Newchurch, Burton-upon-Trent. Officers found a series of secret rooms which were completely concealed by straw bales and contained hundreds of cannabis plants. The police said the barn contained a network of secret rooms (Photo: Staffordshire Police) On the first day of his trial at Stafford Crown Court on Wednesday 14 March, Mr Nicholls pleaded guilty. He was jailed for 38 months. During the search of the farm, 16kg of skunk flowering cannabis worth approximately 133,000 and 5,000 were seized. Forensic scientists estimated that the plants seized had the capacity to produce 60.5kgs of skunk cannabis a year, which equated to a street value of 432,142. Mr Nicholls was arrested in November 2017 at Heathrow Airport on a European Arrest Warrant when he flew back into the country from Switzerland. He had been on the run in mainland Europe since July 2015 as he refused to hand himself in and return to the UK. DI Lesley Fowler, of Staffordshire Polices Major and Organised Crime team, said: I am pleased with todays sentencing. The arrest and subsequent conviction of Nicholls are the result of a thorough and meticulous investigation. We are determined to rid our communities of drugs and those intent on their production. A Proceeds of Crime hearing will be held on 1 June 2018. Scotland's farmers and crofters are being urged to submit their Single Application Form (SAF) online "as soon as possible". This years SAF window, where applicants submit claims for support under the Common Agricultural Policys (CAP) Pillar 1 and 2 schemes, is now open and runs until midnight on 15 May 2018. Scotland's Rural Secretary Fergus Ewing said farmers must submit their applications "as soon as possible" and not wait until the last moment. Although we will still accept paper applications, the online system is specifically designed to simplify the process by automatically checking applications for errors reducing the risk of financial penalties, Mr Ewing said. Indeed more than three quarters of farmers and crofters benefited from submitting their SAF online last year, allowing for their application to be validated straightaway. Mr Ewing added: Support is being offered to farmers, crofters and land managers who wish to make the switch to applying online a move I would encourage everyone to consider. The SAF allows the Scottish Government's Rural Payments and Inspections Division (RPID) to administer CAP support. It is the form that farmers and crofters must submit to claim payments under a number of different schemes. In a statement, the Scottish government explained that it will still accept paper applications and will send a paper application to those customers who have made contact making clear that they still choose to apply that way. For further information about applying, farmers, crofters and land managers should contact their local area office. A new report warns that UK producers who have built supply chains within the EUs Single Market may fail to comply with future origin requirements, in what has been described as a "hidden hard Brexit" for the industry. The report, commissioned by the Food and Drink Federation (FDF) and the National Association of British and Irish Flour Millers (NABIM), has said the sector could face a "hidden hard Brexit". The report warns that the international nature of food and drink manufacturing could hit British producers who have built supply chains within the European Union. Such supply chains could fail to comply with future origin requirements. In essence, rules of origin dictate if a product is deemed sufficiently British its economic nationality and whether it qualifies for a preferential tariff that has been agreed in a trade deal. Once this economic nationality is identified, customs officials then apply the correct tariff or duty to the product. While it is the intention of the UK Government to negotiate an ambitious free trade agreement with the EU that delivers continued tariff-free trade in goods, including food and drink, exporters would still need to comply with complex origin requirements. This poses a significant risk for UK firms exporting to the EU, which is worth more than 13.3 billion each year. 'Committed customers' The report states that manufacturers are "committed customers" of UK farming, but this is dependent on having continued access to imports that complement their use of UK raw materials. The ingredients in many food and drink products are a mix of domestic and international goods, many of which are not produced in the UK or not in sufficient quantity throughout the year to meet consumer demand. The report goes on to say that under existing models applied by the EU, many UK manufactured products would not qualify for preferential tariffs. For example, flour millers in the UK source 80% of their wheat from the UK, but also use grain from Canada, the USA and other European countries to make a range of flours with different baking qualities. If the rules of origin adopted in many of the EU's trade agreements were to apply in a trade deal between the EU 27 and the UK, flour milled with even a small proportion of these grains, and many foodstuffs made from it, would no longer be considered of UK origin and would therefore be subject to very significant duties. Alex Waugh, Director General of the NABIM, said: "This would add, for example, 0.10 to the cost of a loaf in Ireland, which is mainly supplied with flour from the UK. "Negotiating the right agreement is therefore crucial to the entire food supply chain, including consumers." 'Prohibitively high' Manufacturers could face the prospect of either a costly restructuring of their supply chains or de factor barring from future EU-UK trade as a result of the EUs Most Favoured Nation (MFN) tariffs. The report says MFN tariffs are "prohibitively high" for food and drink, rising to more than 100% on many products. Ian Wright CBE, Director General of the Food and Drink Federation, said that the rules of origin are a "big piece of the Brexit puzzle" for the food and drink industry. If we fail to secure sufficiently generous rules as part of a preferential trade agreement with the EU, food and drink manufacturers will be the ones who suffer this hidden hard Brexit," Mr Wright said. They could be facing an increase in exporting costs, or a complete ban of entry to the market. This report is essential reading for those who want to avoid both. critic's rating: 2.5/5 Trailer : Seven Days In Entebbe Seven Days in Entebbe is the fourth film to dramatize the events of Operation Entebbe. Just few months down the incident, American TV films Victory at Entebbe (1976) and Raid on Entebbe (1977), and the Israeli film Operation Thunderbolt (1977) brought it all vividly to life. The film is based on true events. In 1976, Palestinian terrorists hijacked an Air France plane flying from Tel Aviv to France and diverted it to Entebbe, Uganda. The plane was carrying large number of Israeli passengers. While International negotiations to release the hostages were taking place, Israel exercised the military option. In a daring raid, Israeli commandos stormed the compound where the prisoners were held, killing all the terrorists, as also several Ugandan soldiers assisting them, and successfully rescued the hostages. The operation introduced the steely core of Israel to the world. Lt. Col. Yonatan Netanyahu the brother of the current Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu -- was leading the raid and was killed in action. Assisting the Palestinians were two Germans said to be affiliated with the Baader Meinhof faction.The film begins when two German passengers, Wilfried Bose (Daniel Bruhl) and fellow Revolutionary Cell member Brigitte Kuhlmann (Rosamund Pike) take out guns and grenades from their cabin bags inside the plane and with the help of two other Palestinian men, take control of the plane, forcing it to land at Entebbe. They are joined there by some other Palestinian terrorists. Ugandan dictator Idi Amin (Nonso Anozie) knows about the plan in advance and openly welcomes them. The passengers are taken to an abandoned terminal and are segregated into Jews and non-Jews, with the Jews herded into another room. Over the next seven days, the non-Jewish passengers are sent back as an act of goodwill by the hijackers. The Israeli cabinet debates about what course of action to take. PM Yitzhak Rabin (Lior Ashkenazi) takes the more moderate view and is willing to break the long-standing Israeli policy of non-negotiation with the terrorists for the safety of his citizens. Defense Minister Shimon Peres (Eddie Marsan) is more hawkish, insisting from the first that sending in troops is the only option. As the two politicians bicker, the Special Forces quietly go about training for the proposed mission, and even construct a facsimile of the terminal for the same. As nerves are tested all around, the terrorists too have a crisis of faith. The two Germans in particular argue about the politics of Germans keeping the Jews hostages and how it all harks back to Nazism. The Palestinians think that the Germans aren't dedicated to the cause. They argue that Israel was created as a result of Hitler's prosecution of Jews and hence the Germans and the Europeans are responsible for the problem.The terrorists aren't shown to be as blood-thirsty as they are shown in most films. There's a scene where the children are allowed to play on the tarmac. Then, Wilfried is shown to tell the hostages to lie down when the attack eventually comes. He also consoles an old Jewish woman when she breaks down during the initial phase. Brigitte shows the most resolve and is also the most affected, popping pills after pills to stay awake. There is a haunting scene where she's seen talking to a friend over the phone. The only problem is that the line is dead.While the performances in the film are mostly okay, it's the pace that's killing. You actually begin to think you're one of the victims, trapped for seven days in Entebbe. The raid was one of the most daring and heroic rescue operations in the world but when it comes in the film it's bereft of all drama. And the narrative is strangely juxtaposed with the devise of a group of dancers rehearsing for a forthcoming performance. The rescue scenes are intercut with scenes of the dance recital. It all comes across as sheer indulgence by the director Jose Padilha and doesn't actually serve any purpose.It's good to make a film from the viewpoint of the aggressors. To humanise them, to bring forth their point of view. But it's all done in a half-hearted manner. The thought is certainly there but the execution is disjointed to say the least. Director Jose Padilha is the brains behind the high octane Elite Squad films and this tepid tale certainly wasn't expected from him. A couple of months ago, Beyhadh actor, Piyush Sahdev landed in BIG trouble as he was arrested on the charges of rape. Initially, his bail was rejected, but later the actor was granted bail. The victim is a model by profession and it is said that she was from Beyhadh team! Also, the actor had announced about his divorce with actress, Akangsha Rawat. Piyush and Akangsha have been living separately since April 2017. When he was asked regarding trouble in his marriage, he had said that he doesn't want to comment on it as he wants to resolve many things soon! But now, the actor has again landed in trouble. And this time, his wife is preparing to file a case against him! According to Spotboye report, the actress will be filing case against him and the charges are cheating her of her money! Apparently, Piyush has not paid the rents of the apartment in which he and Akangsha resided. Piyush had said Akangsha that rents were being duly paid, but she recently got to know that he was lying to her in this regard. According to the website's report, "Piyush was virtually bedridden for 2.5 years and then got a knee surgery done post (October 2014) Sapne Suhane. After this, he suffered many slip discs which in turn led to excessive weight gain. At one point, Piyush weighed 108 kg. By this time, he had also taken several loans from Akangshas's father. However, after separation, he has refused to repay the father-daughter duo back." The report further says, "Akangsha even has emails where he has agreed to pay back her money, then another email where he has agreed to clear the skipped unpaid rent. But he did nothing except false/empty promises." Well, it has to be seen what Piyush has to say regarding the same! Stay locked to this space for the latest updates. Ishqbaaz SPOILER: Holi Drama Continues! Veer & Anika Make SHOCKING Confessions! Karishma Tanna has landed in a legal trouble as the Delhi-based event manager, Manas Katyal has accused her of fraud. He has accused her of threatening, cheating and blackmailing him. Apparently, the actress was roped in to perform at a wedding reception in Haldwani on February 16, 2018. Advance booking was also made, but the actress didn't attend the event. The event manager was quoted by Mid-Day as saying, "We gave her the advance payment, thus booking her for the said date. However, Karishma and her entourage, including her manager Payal Rai and stylist Seema Samar Ahmed, didn't show up at the venue. Her no-show caused us a loss of nearly Rs 10 Lakhs." He said that Karishma changed her plan after she was flown down to Delhi by them and was being brought to Haldwani by road! He added, "She threatened our driver with a false case of harassment if he didn't turn the car around and drive her back to Delhi." But the actress has a different story to say! Karishma has accused Manas of duping her. She reveals that she was told the show was in Moradabad, but later found out that the show was in Haldwani. Karishma said, "I was told the show was in Moradabad. When we reached Moradabad, we found out that the show was actually in Haldwani, which is another few hours from there. I had told Manas right at the start that I have a back issue and can't travel long distances." When asked what she has to say about Manas' demand that she compensate the loss, she said, "Why should I return the money? He should compensate me for the mental harassment that I was put through." Meanwhile, Karishma's lawyer has responded to Manas' notice. It is being said that proceedings against him has been initiated. On work front, it is being said that Karishma will be next seen in Ekta Kapoor's Naagin! Tu Aashiqui: No Permission For Jannat Zubair Rahmani To Enact Adult Or Kissing Scene! The Mahesh Babu starrer under Koratala Siva's direction, Bharat Ane Nenu, is all set to hit screens on April 20,2018 and the expectations on the movie is getting a notch higher with each passing day and the flick is in news for one or the other reason. The teaser of the movie has already knocked off quite some records and is on the verge of setting new ones. The team of Bharat Ane Nenu is super confident about their product and it is reflecting in their attitude and actions. Koratala Siva is known for delivering commercial flicks laced with strong social message and the upcoming flick is no exception. Bharat Ane Nenu is said to be emphasizing on the present Education system in the state. The Business Deal Of late, director Koratala Siva has been active on social media with the promotions and relevant business activities associated with the movie. It is learnt that Siva along with his friend, Mikkilneni Sudhakar, have partnered to own the distribution rights of the movie in Krishna, Guntur & Vizag regions. However, film's producer, DVV Danayya, who had given the consent has now placed a request to Siva. Popular distributor, Kranthi Reddy, a close friend of DVV Danayya, expressed his interest of distributing the movie in the Vizag region through Sri Kanthi Krishna Pictures. Danayya requested Siva to spare the business deal of the said region to which, the latter facilitated without any argument. Vizag is the second biggest region commercially in the Andhra state after Ceded and Kranthi Reddy would be counting his stars for a great fortune. With the trailer, audio release and the pre-release event to follow, one could expect an even bigger buzz to spice up the expectation level of the movie. Southwest: Hawaii Routes Will Ignite Rewards Card Apps Credit cards are big business for airlines, and Southwest Airlines is looking to spark an increase in credit card applications with the allure of free flights to Hawaii based on points earned and flights purchased with the branded credit card. Multi-year deals with banks are a typical part of airline business operations. They two industries make deals that allow companies to buy points and miles to use as rewards for frequent travelers and high-spending customers which translates to free flights. Now, Southwest is looking to make an even bigger mark in the credit card niche with new flights to Hawaii. Customers have always those free flights through Southwest, Andrew Watterson, Southwests chief revenue officer, told Skift. But the airline never had a plane that could handle the route. Until now, that is. With Southwests new 737Max aircraft, making the trip out to the islands will start up from the west coast. The company hopes it will spur credit card sign-ups from major basesSan Diego, the Bay Area, Los Angeles, and Sacramento. The credit card is core to the airline business, Watterson told Skift. [Though the new routes are] not just for credit cards, but it is part and parcel of it. We view Hawaii expansion as something that will ignite credit card applications. The airline took the same tactic in the past to garner credit card sign-ups with added flights to Mexico and the Caribbean. Watterson says those enticing destinations are necessary to get the applications filled. You have that kind of sexy place for the credit card, he told Skift. [Photo: Shutterstock] Government plans to support reduced-tillage cultivation methods have divided opinion among farmers. Defra secretary Michael Gove pledged support for min-till and no-till techniques after the UK leaves the EU in a speech on Thursday (15 March). Details of any planned scheme are yet to be announced but Mr Goves promise has already provoked a heated debate among growers. See also: Gove pledges support for no-till farmers Some farmers welcomed the idea, saying min-till and no-till methods brought environmental and farm management benefits. Gloucestershire farmer Jake Freestone said reduced tillage meant he was now using fewer insecticides with more predators available to control aphids and slugs. Great that #soil is on the political agenda-we need to incentivise farms to move towards Consrvation Ag (or not-their choice) and reward those that are already there. Thats not easy and needs to be flexible so reply to the Command Paper. Its your future! Jake Freestone (@No1FarmerJake) March 16, 2018 Cambridgeshire farmer David Walson said he was also applying fewer insecticides although slugs remained a problem. As evidenced by what? We have gone from standard insecticide program to hardly any use at all. Dont know any no-till farmers who use more insecticide than they did before. Slug pellets yes, insecticides no. David Walston (@OOOfarmer) March 15, 2018 But others suggested Mr Gove was misguided and warned that min-till didnt work for everyone. If it was that easy and worked on all soil types wouldnt we already be doing it? Ben Atkinson (@FarmerBennyBoy) March 15, 2018 Some farmers pointed out that min-till increased reliance on certain agrochemicals. So government funds are going to support more dependency on glyphosate, increased slug pellet use, increased insecticide use and decrease UK productivity. Tim Beaver (@thelostbeaver) March 15, 2018 Others suggested it wouldnt work at all or would favour some farmers over others. There will have to be big support because its a sure way of reducing yields. Malc Parr (@tractorman07) March 15, 2018 North Yorkshire farmer Will Atkinson said silver bullets werent that easy to find especially on northern farms with heavy clay soils. I acknowledge all thats been said here but on a wet northern farm with clay content of 65%+ right through and no window between harvest and planting it leads to acceptance that something more has to be done. Ill persevere with so called no till but it may become a semi till sys Will Atkinson (@atkinsonwill1) March 16, 2018 Hertfordshire grower Jo Franklin said the government should let farmers do what was best for the field on the day. Google camera app v5.2 warns you if the camera lens is dirty News oi-Sandeep Sarkar Google has now included support for double-tap gestures that could be configured to switch between the front and rear cameras or else zoom into a scene before clicking an image. Google Pixel 2 camera is probably one of the best available cameras in the market. The camera is single lens yet it manages to capture every tiny detail quite impressively. The camera app on the other hand also brings out some powerful set of features. Now some reports are surfacing over the internet that Google is updating its camera app and it will add some interesting set of features to it. Google has recently started rolling out v5.2 along with several new features. The major highlight of the update is its ability to detect the dirty lenses. Yes, that's correct, if the camera lens dirty the app will give a warning, following which you can clean your lens and click some good pictures. The other major change in the v5.2 is the change in its setting screen. The setting screen has now got two major changes which include the availability of icons, and the grid option has moved to the page with the latest update. Google has now included support for double-tap gestures that could be configured to switch between the front and rear cameras or else zoom into a scene before clicking an image. Further, it is also being reported that a new app shortcut that launches Portrait mode and a new feature which might be called 'Circus Mode'. Google tango, the augmented technology AR - GIZBOT That said we will test the new version app and let you know how well they perform. In one of our recent articles, we covered that Google's smart messaging Allo is all set to get a new update for its desktop client. The desktop client for the messaging app was released back September 2016 in India. The instant messaging app was developed for the Android and iOS operating systems with the web client available on Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox and Opera. The app, however, had a drawback in which the phone had to be switched on and connected to data/ Wi-Fi in order for the app to function. You can read the full story here. 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 New AF system featuring 693 phase-detection AF points The new A7 III full-frame mirrorless camera features a level of AF performance that has been largely improved over the A7 II, including the addition of 4D FOCUS capabilities and features a level of AF performance that has been largely improved over the A7 II. The new camera has 425 contrast AF points that work with a 693-point focal-plane phase-detection AF system inherited from the acclaimed A9 model. This innovative AF system covers approximately 93% of the frame, ensuring reliable focusing and tracking for even the most difficult to capture subjects. AF response and tracking has also been improved in the new camera, with almost 2x[12] the focusing speed in low-light condition and 2x7 the tracking speed compared to the previous model as a result of the faster image sensor readout. This allows complex and unpredictable motion to be captured with far greater precision and accuracy. The acclaimed Eye AF feature is also available in the new camera, even in AF-C mode, which is extremely useful for situations where the subject is turning around, looking down or otherwise obstructed. It also works when the A7 III is being used with Sony's A-mount lenses with an optional LA-EA3 adaptor[13]. Additional improvements in focusing flexibility include the addition of a multi-selector or joystick' for moving focusing points quickly, the addition of touch focusing capability, AF availability in Focus Magnifier mode, an AF On' button and much more. 5-axis optical in-body image stabilization with a 5.0 step shutter speed The A7 III packs the a high-precision stabilization that uses stabilization unit, gyro sensors and algorithms to achieve a 5.0-step shutter speed advantage in a system that compensates five types of camera shake with a wide range of lenses, and delivers excellent performance. Continuous Shooting at up to 10 fps with either Mechanical Shutter or Silent Shooting The new A7 III is equipped with an updated image processing system that allows it to shoot full resolution images at up to 10 fps with continuous, accurate AF/AE tracking for up to 177 Standard JPEG images, 89 compressed RAW images or 40 uncompressed RAW images. This high-speed mode is available with either a mechanical shutter or a completely silent shooting, adding to the immense flexibility of the camera. The camera can also shoot continuously at up to 8 fps in live view mode with minimal lag in the viewfinder or LCD screen. For added convenience, while large groups of burst images are being written to the memory card, many of the cameras key functions are operable, including access to the Fn' (Function) and Menu' buttons, image playback and several other menus and parameters including image rating and other functions that facilitate on-location image sorting. Additionally, if there is fluorescent or artificial lighting present in a shooting environment, users can activate the Anti-flicker function to allow the A7 III to automatically detect the frequency of the lighting and time the shutter to minimise its effect on images being captured. This minimises any exposure or colour anomalies that can sometimes occur at the top and bottom of images shot at high shutter speeds Wide ISO range of 100 - 51200 (expandable to ISO 50 204800 for still images) With an ISO range of 100 - 51200 (expandable to ISO 50 - 204800 for still images) and an overall 1.5-stop improvement in image quality. The camera also features a massive 15-stop2 dynamic range at low sensitivity settings, ensures overall good performance at all settings and in all shooting conditions, with significant advancements inaccurate colour reproductions of skin tones and the vibrant colours of nature. This new full-frame model can also output 14-bit RAW format even in silent and continuous shooting modes, and is equipped with a 5-axis optical image stabilisation system that results in a 5.0 step5 shutter speed advantage. Approx. 15-stop dynamic range at low-sensitivity settings can be achieved with the new A7 III, thanks to a revamped CMOS sensor and image processor that provide for smooth gradation from shadow to highlight. This gives you greater freedom of creative imaging My Cloud Home: Unboxing and Set Up The device captures 710 shots per charge Sony's full-frame camera is equipped with a variety of capabilities that were first implemented in the A9 and then again in the A7R III. These include dual media slots, with support in one slot for UHS-II type SD memory cards. These include dual media slots, with support in one slot for UHS-II type SD memory cards. Users have a variety of options for storing their content in each of the cards; including separate JPEG / RAW recording, separate still image / movie recording, and relay recording and more. Battery life has been greatly extended as well - with a CIPA measurement of up to 710 shots per charge8, it offers the world's longest7 battery life of any Mirrorless camera, as the new camera utilizes Sony's Z series battery NP-FZ100 that offers approximately 2.2 times the capacity of the W series battery NP-FW50 utilized in the A7 II. The new camera features "My Menu" functionality which allows up to 30 menu items to be registered for instant recall when needed. Users can also apply star ratings to their still images through the camera controls for easier image playback and review, and edit the first three characters of all still image files. Additionally, there are a total of 81 functions that are assignable to 11 custom buttons, and the camera is both dust and moisture resistant. The A7 III features high-resolution, high-contrast, fast-start XGA OLED Tru-FinderTM with approximately 2.3 million dots for extremely accurate, true-to-life detail reproduction. "Standard" or "High" display quality settings are also available for both the viewfinder and monitor as well. It is also capable of seamlessly transferring files to a smartphone, tablet, and computer or FTP server via Wi-Fi, while also offering a SuperSpeed USB (USB 3.1 Gen 1) USB Type-C Terminal for increased flexibility in power supply and faster image transfer speed during tethered shooting. The A7 III model also comes with Sony's new software suite "Imaging Edge", which extends the creative capabilities of the entire shooting process - from pre-processing to post-processing. "Imaging Edge" provides three PC applications called Remote', Viewer' and Edit', available for free download, which support live-view PC remote shooting and RAW development. In the latest Version 1.1, several improvements have been implemented including about 10% faster data transfer speed for remote shooting from PC (PC tether shooting) and approximately 65% improvement in the response speed for RAW image editing. Professor Sarah Cleaveland receives prestigious international award Professor Sarah Cleaveland has been presented with the 2018 Mike Fisher Memorial Award at a ceremony hosted by St Georges University in Grenada. The award was given in recognition of her innovative work on One Health One Medicine, which has improved health outcomes for humans, animals and ecosystems in many parts of the world and particularly in Tanzania. The Mike Fisher Memorial Award given annually since 2006 acknowledges the work of the late Mike Fisher, whose original research led to the discovery of the drug Ivermectin, which has spared 35 million people in Sub-Saharan Africa from blindness due to onchocerca volvulus (River Blindness) which causes River Blindness and disfigurement due to infection with lymphatic filariasis which occurs in 80 countries in the tropics and has provided domestic animals and livestock with healthier lives. Professor Cleaveland is Professor of Comparative Epidemiology at the Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Life Sciences. Last year she was named a Fellow of the Royal Society for her work on infectious diseases. Professor Cleaveland started her career working on rabies, a terrifying and deadly disease that still kills tens of thousands of people in Africa and Asia every year. The research programme she established in Tanzania has provided important evidence to change the way that rabies is being tackled around the world, and is underpinning international efforts towards the global elimination of rabies, which is now a declared objective of the World Health Organization, the World Animal Health Organization and the Food and Agriculture Organization. She has worked extensively amongst the pastoral Masai people in Northern Tanzania and particularly on a number of infectious diseases that infect people, domestic animals and wildlife. Her work continues to attract large numbers of graduate students to work with her from many parts of the world, and the outcomes of her studies provide important information for policies in infectious disease control. Explaining the importance of Professor Cleavelands work, Dr Cal Macpherson, Founding Vice-President and Director of the Windward Islands Research and Education foundation (WINDREF), the institution that bestows the award, said: One Health One Medicine is the convergence of human, animal and ecosystem health, resulting in a joined up approach between complementary sectors that, all too often, are practiced in a vacuum. Each of these practices are inextricably connected, and by learning from each other and pooling resources, great progress can be made for the benefit of human, plant and animal kind. Building on her work on rabies, Professor Cleaveland is now tackling several other diseases that spread between animals and people (known as zoonotic diseases). She is currently leading Livestock, Livelihoods and Health, a research programme in Tanzania funded under the Zoonoses in Emerging Livestock Systems programme. This focuses on a group of infections that have been largely neglected, but are an important cause of fever in people, and further affect peoples livelihoods through production impacts on livestock. Her research findings are shedding light on the true impacts of these neglected diseases, and are helping to identify effective strategies of control, particularly for people in poor communities who are most affected by these disease problems and struggle most to access health services. Professor Cleaveland is a strong advocate of using One Health approaches in her work building multidisciplinary teams that involve medical, veterinary and social scientists and is committed to building and sustaining partnerships with African institutions and researchers as an integral part of the research. This approach, combined with working across disciplinary and geographic boundaries, is at the core of Professor Cleavelands success. By continuing to build new links and find new ways of looking at disease challenges, she hopes to continue to create positive changes in the lives of disadvantaged people. Professor Cleaveland has also worked extensively on foot-and-mouth disease, cattle vaccine trials, African wild dog conservation. Professor Cleaveland was also recently awarded an OBE for services to veterinary epidemiology. In keeping with the theme of Professor Cleavelands work, the award was presented at a One Health One Medicine Symposium at St Georges University, the international medical school on the Caribbean island of Grenada. Enquiries: ali.howard@glasgow.ac.uk or elizabeth.mcmeekin@glasgow.ac.uk / 0141 330 6557 or 0141 330 4831 Don't give us ultimatums: Russian UN envoy Iran Press TV Thu Mar 15, 2018 01:14AM Russia's ambassador to the United Nations calls for proof to be presented over Moscow's alleged involvement in the poisoning of a former spy in Britain. "We demand that material proof be provided of the allegedly found Russian trace in this high resonance event. Without this, stating that there is incontrovertible truth is not something that we can take into account," said Vassily Nebenzia at a Wednesday UN Security Council meeting on the incident. On March 7, British authorities announced that former double agent Sergei Skripal, 66, and his 33-year-old daughter, Yulia, had been hospitalized since they had been found unconscious on a bench outside a shopping center in the city of Salisbury. They were reportedly exposed to a nerve agent. Skripal was found guilty by a Russian tribunal of selling classified information to Britain's spy agency MI6 and was imprisoned in Russia in 2006. He was exchanged in a spy swap in 2010. Nebenzia added that on March 13, British Prime Minister Theresa May sent a letter to the UN secretary general in which she made claims over Russia's involvement and its use of toxic agents in the Salisbury incident. "We were given an ultimatum and requested in 24 hours to admit that we committed a crime... We do not speak the language of ultimatums. We do not use that language with anyone. And we will not allow to be spoken to in that language either. But we are polite. And on the 13 of March we did send a note to the Foreign Office where we reaffirmed that we had nothing to do with this incident," added Nebenzia. US believes Russia responsible for attack Nebenzia's remarks came shortly after US Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley told the Security Council that Russia had a hand in the Salisbury incident. "The United States stands in absolute solidarity with Great Britain. The United States believes that Russia is responsible for the attack on two people in the United Kingdom using a military-grade nerve agent," she said. "Russia must fully cooperate with the UK's investigation and come clean about its own chemical weapons program. Russia is a permanent member of the Security Council. It is entrusted in the United Nations Charter with upholding international peace and security. It must account for its actions," she added. UK: Highly likely Russia responsible for attack UK Deputy Ambassador to the UN Jonathan Allen also told the council that his government had no choice but to believe that Russia was responsible for the attack. "We have concluded that Mr. Skripal and his daughter were poisoned with Novichok, a military-grade nerve agent of a type developed by Russia. It is not a weapon which can be manufactured by non-state actors. It is so dangerous that it requires the highest-grade state laboratories and expertise," he said. UK media reports have likened the alleged poisoning to the assassination of Alexander Litvinenko, another Russian agent killed in Britain in 2006 with radioactive material that was purportedly put in his cup of tea by Russian agents. "Based on the knowledge that Russia has previously produced this agent, and combined with Russia's record of conducting state-sponsored assassinations, including against former intelligence officers whom they regard as legitimate targets, the UK government concluded that it was highly likely that Russia was responsible for this reckless act," he added. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has repeatedly denied any involvement in the poisoning of the double spy in Britain. Peskov said the fact that the attack took place in England proves Russia had no role in the incident. The UNSC meeting was held after the UK announced that plans to expel 23 Russian diplomats over the attack on the former Russian double spy. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Uzbek President Changes Name Of Feared Security Service March 15, 2018 President Shavkat Mirziyoev has changed the name of Uzbekistan's national security service, a move seen as another step aimed at shaking up the long-feared main successor of the KGB in the Central Asian country. Mirziyoev signed a decree on March 14 changing the name from the National Security Service, or Milliy Xavfsizlik Xizmati (MXX), to the State Security Service, or Davlat Xavfsizlik Xizmati (DXX), Uzbek media reported. The decree said the security service's duties include "protecting human rights and freedoms of Uzbek citizens, providing national security, [and] protecting Uzbekistan's national interests inside and outside the country." It is also charged with fighting "organized crime, corruption, and terrorism" and supervising the border guard service in Uzbekistan, which borders Afghanistan. Mirziyoev, a longtime former prime minister, has been shaking up government structures -- in particular the powerful security service and Interior Ministry -- since he succeeded long-ruling President Islamov Karimov after his death in 2016. Mirziyoev has publicly criticized the security service, comparing its practices with those of the Soviet dictator Josef Stalin's NKVD during the Great Terror in 1937-38. In late January, Mirziyoev dismissed General Rustam Inoyatov, who led the security service for almost 23 years. Several high ranking security officials have been arrested or dismissed since then. Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/uzbekistan-securty-service- name-changed-mirziyoev/29101640.html Copyright (c) 2018. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Statement from the United States, France, Germany, and the United Kingdom on the Attack in Salisbury March 15, 2018 We, the leaders of France, Germany, the United States and the United Kingdom, abhor the attack that took place against Sergei and Yulia Skripal in Salisbury, United Kingdom, on March 4, 2018. A British police officer who was also exposed in the attack remains seriously ill, and the lives of many innocent British citizens have been threatened. We express our sympathies to them all, and our admiration for the United Kingdom police and emergency services for their courageous response. This use of a military-grade nerve agent, of a type developed by Russia, constitutes the first offensive use of a nerve agent in Europe since the Second World War. It is an assault on the United Kingdom's sovereignty and any such use by a state party is a clear violation of the Chemical Weapons Convention and a breach of international law. It threatens the security of us all. The United Kingdom thoroughly briefed its allies that it was highly likely that Russia was responsible for the attack. We share the United Kingdom's assessment that there is no plausible alternative explanation, and note that Russias failure to address the legitimate request by the government of the United Kingdom further underlines Russia's responsibility. We call on Russia to address all questions related to the attack in Salisbury. Russia should, in particular, provide full and complete disclosure of the Novichok program to the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW). Our concerns are also heightened against the background of a pattern of earlier irresponsible Russian behavior. We call on Russia to live up to its responsibilities as a member of the U.N. Security Council to uphold international peace and security. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address U.S. Department of Defense Press Operations News Transcript Presenter: Pentagon Chief Spokesperson Dana W. White; Joint Staff Director Lieutenant General Kenneth F. McKenzie Jr.; Colonel Rob Manning, Director, Defense Press Office March 15, 2018 Department Of Defense Press Briefing by Pentagon Chief Spokesperson Dana W. White and Joint Staff Director Lt. Gen. Kenneth F. McKenzie Jr. in the Pentagon Briefing Room DANA WHITE: Hello everyone, good afternoon. Good afternoon. Today I will highlight a few updates from the Secretary's trip this week. Then address several concerns regarding Russia's behavior in Syria. First, yesterday two Navy aviators died in an F-18 Super Hornet crash off the coast of Florida. Our thoughts and prayers are with their families as they mourn their loss. On the budget, I want to reemphasize the need for Congress to pass a spending bill. The continuing resolution expires next Friday, March 23rd. We are grateful to Congress that it lifted the defense caps for Fiscal Year '18 and '19. We are optimistic that Congress will do its job, pass a budget and write a check. Regarding the secretary's travel, one of the secretary's priorities is building alliances and partnerships. The secretary's returning from the Middle East, where he met with counterparts in Oman, Afghanistan and Bahrain. He travelled with an open mind, to listen and improve defense relationships and regional security. This trip is an example of his priorities in action. Regarding Russia's behavior in Syria, Russia and Syria are partners. Russia enables the Assad regime. The situation in east Ghouta mirrors that we witnessed elsewhere during the Civil War. Russia agrees to its ceace fire, but supports a regime that continues bombing innocent civilians. As Secretary Mattis said earlier this week, Russia is either incompetent, committing illegal acts or both. Russia is propping up the Assad regime, not targeting Al-Qaeda affiliated terrorists in Syria. Russia could stop the civilian casualties in Syria. Instead, their double dealing is exacerbating the loss of innocent lives. The Russians made deliberate -- made a deliberate choice not to restrain the Assad regime. Thus, the carnage in east Ghouta continues. Russia is morally complicit and responsible for Assad's atrocities. We urge Russia to compel the Assad regime to stop killing innocent Syrians and allow much-needed aid to reach the people of east Ghouta and other remote areas. We support our diplomats in their efforts to resolve the conflict through the United Nations-backed Geneva process. So with that, I'll take your questions. Lita? Q: Hi, thanks. One quick question, then on Syria. First, has there been -- General McKenzie has the military exercises in Korea been rescheduled yet? Is there an update? And then on Syria, there's been a lot of discussion about the -- the lack of progress now that a number of officers and commanders have left to go to Afrin I was wondering if you could just update us on the progress down in the middle -- in the MERV, and tell us has there been any either ISIS effort to build up their forces, have they gained momentum as a result of what's going on in Afrin? LIEUTENANT GENERAL KENNETH F. MCKENZIE JR.: Sure, let me take the second half of your question first. We'll talk about the lower Euphrates River Valley, where we have in fact seen some SDF elements reposition back up into the Afrin area. And that has had an effect on our ability to finish off ISIS in the lower Euphrates River Valley. It has slowed the pace of our advance. I would not say that ISIS is gaining any momentum, but I would instead say the inevitable conclusion of this has been slowed by the fact that not so much rank and file, but some leadership has moved back up to the north. So it has slowed our advance. We're still engaged down there, fighting is still occurring, we're still pressing them. But it's not going as fast as it would, were all the leadership still down there to be able to assist in that effort. So what -- we're watching that very carefully, and we'll continue as -- as, you know, from day to day as it moves forward. So I would say it's not going as fast as it was several weeks ago. We're still in -- we're still fighting down there, we're still putting pressure on them. And we'll have to just see how that plays out here over the next few weeks. On your question about -- about Korea. We deconflicted our exercise schedule with the Olympics and the Paralympics. Those exercises will go on once the Olympics is over. I just -- don't have the dates with me right now, but they'll go on in the very near future. Q: I just -- a follow up on the Syria issue. Has there been any adjustments by the U.S. in order to compensate militarily for those commanders who have left? GEN. MCKENZIE: Sure. So our commanders on the ground always go through a process of assessing what's going on in the battle space. So I would not have those tactical details, but I could tell you that we have probably done some repositioning to make sure of our own force protection. Both down south, as well up -- as up in Manbij. MS. WHITE: Kasim? Q: The -- yes, just a follow up to Lita's question about the -- the SDF forces repositioning to Afrin. Did they discuss with you, because we have heard that a large number, like 1,700 troops left MERV and moved to Afrin. So did they discuss with you, and did they get your approval or OK or permission while they were taking such an action, because it has an impact on your operations down there? GEN. MCKENZIE: Sure. We have good communications with them, we continue to have good communications with them. We've talked about this, and they -- it's their decision to actually do that repositioning. I'm not sure the exact numbers, it could be as high as what you've indicated; I just don't have the granularity on those numbers. I will say that some have repositioned. But we have -- continue to have good contacts with our SDF-vetted partners, and will continue to stay in touch with them throughout this process. MS. WHITE: Tara? Q: Thank you. Back to the Super Hornet crash, you know as the Defense Department has dealt with first the sequester, and then the continuing resolutions, you've pushed readiness forward at the risk and expense of home-based units, where training has become riskier for those units. Have these home-based units seen any relief yet from either the FY 18 -- not obviously the FY 19, but are they starting to see relief, are they getting readier jets, or is this just simply a -- it's become more dangerous to fly in these training missions? MS. WHITE: Well, this tragic event is still under investigation. I think it's important that we not necessarily draw direct correlations, but it is important that we have stable funding, that has been our message to the Congress and to the American people for the last several months. Capabilities erode and things are delayed and so it's very important, again, for the Congress to pass the FY 18 and FY 19 budgets soon. Q: So at this point, general, if you have anything to add on the readiness of home-based units and the risk to those pilots who still see reduced flying hours, reduced access to spares, etcetera. GEN. MCKENZIE: So without going into any specific details, because I just don't have them, I can tell you that readiness is absolutely at the center of what we're doing right now, and I would -- I don't know how effective this particular aircraft and the causality of this mishap. But I would tell you that I think pilots are going to by flying and training's going to pick up. MS. WHITE: Jeff ? Q: Thank you. The New York Times recently highlighted an -- a raid -- sorry, sorry, a battle in Niger involving U.S. troops and there have been other such battles; it seems there's a lot of tactical engagements, but no overall strategy. Can you talk about why U.S. troops in Africa are engaged in combat operations in several countries? MS. WHITE: Well, let me start by saying the majority of our troops in Africa are on a train-and-advise mission. They are building capacity in those areas. There's a great deal of ungoverned space within Africa, and we're helping those security forces increase their capabilities that they -- so that they can manage the security situations themselves. So, general, I'll let you... GEN. MCKENZIE: Sure, I -- I completely disagree with you that we don't have a strategy. I actually think we have a very good global strategy against violent extremist organizations and what you see happening in Niger is simply one of the manifestations of that. So I think we do have a plan, I think the plan is working. It's unfortunate that we had the -- the -- the combat action in October, where four soldiers lost their lives, and I'm aware of the accident -- or the incident you're describing in December, but patrolling with our Nigerian partners continues, not combat operations, we try to do it when combat is unlikely. It was unlikely in the October -- in the December event. When combat occurred, our forces reacted appropriately along with their Nigerian partners. No U.S. -- no -- no U.S. soldiers were injured in that combat. Q: (Inaudible) there have been numerous battles in Niger alone, how can you say this is not a combat mission? Advise and assist when you're getting shot at is still combat as you know very well. GEN. MCKENZIE: Absolutely, the intent is for our partners to do the fighting, for us to support them up until the last covered and concealed position before they become engaged. We do not intend to seek combat with our forces in Niger -- in Niger. As you point out, the enemy gets a vote, and the situation's uncertain. If the situation weren't uncertain or dangerous, we wouldn't be there in the first place. So it's simply a fact of life. We try to control an environment as much as we can, but if we get into a situation where we have a combat situation, we're prepared to react to that. Q: Any indication whether the fighters killed in the December battle were the same that ambushed U.S. troops in October in Niger? GEN. MCKENZIE: Well the October event was about 1,100 kilometers away from the -- from the event that occurred in December, so probably not, but I have no more information on that. MS. WHITE: OK, Lucas? Q: Dana, why didn't you put out a press release when these U.S. troops were attacked in Niger in December? And general, can you describe how these upcoming exercises off the Korean peninsula will be different this year compared to last year? Why is the aircraft carrier Carl Vinson going home? And have these talks with the North Koreans changed any kind of the planning that goes into the training exercises? MS. WHITE: So, first, our troops are often in harm's way and there are tactical things that happen that we don't -- we don't put out a press release about. We also don't want to give a report card to our adversaries. They learn a great deal from information that we put out. And we don't -- they don't deserve a report card on how they can be more lethal. GEN. MCKENZIE: So, just very briefly, aircraft carriers and their strike groups rotate on long-planned schedules. So any -- any carrier movement has long been in the offing because of the maintenance requirements of the carrier. So no particular linkage there. I would tell you that every year we conduct a robust series of exercises with our Korean partners and I don't think this year will be any different than those that have occurred in the past. MS. WHITE: Right here in the middle. Q: Two quick follow-ups, good afternoon. I'll take them both and you guys can choose. General, in regards to Syria, it was described a couple weeks ago, I think by Dana, that there was an operational pause because of the plight of some of the SDF forces. Is that pause over? And then second, to you, Dana; on your opening statement regarding Russia, I'm sorry if I bore you with my psychological minor, but you described them as having -- conflicted. And conflicted to me means that they were... MS. WHITE: They were complicit. Q: Complicit? Thank you. Thank you for... MS. WHITE: Complicit. Complicit. There you go. Q: You cleared that one up, then. MS. WHITE: OK. (Laughter.) Q: And another thing, why do you think they're conflicted? OK. So, General, back to you. (Laughter.) GEN. MCKENZIE: Sure. How I would describe what's going on in the southern Euphrates river valley is, we made -- we made -- moved very quickly for a period of time. Now it's slowed down. And it's slowed down because many of the leaders that were integral to the advances that we made have gone back up to the north. So there's fighting going on down there now. People are -- people are being killed on the ground down there now. Shots are being exchanged. The rate of advance is no longer what it was. MS. WHITE: Barbara. Q: I don't know who, but let me start with you, General McKenzie, if I may. Back on the subject of Syria and Ghouta and what's happening there. It has -- it has been said by more than one government official that you would have options for dealing with another use of chemical weapons in this area. And of course, more -- we know there are chlorine attacks and we also know that a large number of civilians are being killed by continuing conventional airstrikes. So my question is this. And you talk about -- Dana talked about the Russians need to behave, essentially. Why should the Russians or the Syrian regime believe at this point that the U.S. military would enact any of these military options against this bombardment in Ghouta? I mean, are they -- are they credible options? Would you go after conventional attacks which are killing more people than chlorine? Why should they believe that they even need to behave? MS. WHITE: I think we've been very consistent. And you hear this across the U.S. government. You heard Ambassador Haley's comments yesterday that we want Russia to live up to its commitments. The suffering that's going on in East Ghouta is horrific. And they could stop it but they choose not to. We will continue to urge them to ensure that the Assad regime is compelled to stop the killing of innocent lives. We are going to be consistent in that message and we will continue to urge them to do that. We will use the U.N., we will use our partners. But understand that the Russians have a lot of control in this. And as the secretary said, either they're incompetent or they're -- or they fully support these illegal acts. Q: Is there anything beyond verbal rhetoric that anybody should believe you're even willing to consider doing? Is this still simply, after all this time, anything more than rhetoric? MS. WHITE: I will -- I will repeat what the secretary said. It would be ill-advised for the Assad regime to use any gas. I think this administration has been quite clear. Q: I just need to understand, while you do say that, ill-advised to use chemical weapons, you're not extending that to ill-advised to continue aerial bombing, conventional bombing, which is killing more civilians every day than gas. MS. WHITE: Ambassador Haley did talk -- she presented a ceasefire. Russia agreed to that ceasefire and yet hasn't upheld its commitment to it. We'll... Q: Including conventional bombs? MS. WHITE: In East Ghouta. In East Ghouta, there was a call for a ceasefire. And they chose not to. Russia has a pattern of saying one thing and then doing another. And we'll continue to call them on that. Right here in the middle. Q: I was just wondering, is it still the U.S. policy that Assad must go? MS. WHITE: The Department of Defense, our mission in Syria, is to defeat ISIS. It is not our intention to be a part of a civil war. But we do ask that -- we are pushing towards the Geneva process. It has been a failure in terms of the ceasefire. Sochi has failed. And now it's time that there be a political solution and we are -- we want the U.N.-led Geneva process to move forward. Q: But (inaudible)? MS. WHITE: Our policy has always been that our interest in Syria is to defeat ISIS. Right here. Q: Yes, thank you. (Inaudible). One question on Ghouta and one on Iran. On the Ghouta -- from a military assessment, with the rate of this operation that's taking place in Ghouta, do you think the regime with the support of Russia will be able to retake the whole area of Ghouta now that it's been I guess chopped to three different areas? And on Iran, with the nomination of Director Pompeo to become the new secretary of state, does that put more pressure on you guys to maybe have certain plans ready for Iran? We know he's not that enthusiastic about the nuclear deal and I guess General Votel says the nuclear deal is working, it's doing what it's intended to do and if you scrap it, you have to come up with alternatives, and I take it, military alternatives. MS. WHITE: General, why don't I let you take the first question? GEN. MCKENZIE: Sure. Combat in a built-up area is the most manpower intensive, the deadliest form of combat there is. They're grinding away at it but I don't know how long it would take them to complete the reduction. I don't know that they will be able to complete the reduction. Obviously the use of airpower against those targets there is hurtful to the opposition, the forces that are there. So I don't know, I'm just not going to engage in a hypothetical other than -- other than to note it is the bloodiest, most difficult thing to do, to get into a built-up area and prevail there. MS. WHITE: With respect to Director Pompeo being named the next secretary of state, it's very important to understand that the policies are formulated by the president and he's articulated that Iran is behind much of the malign activity in the Middle East. That is the policy of this administration. And this -- and I won't speak for Director Pompeo but I will say that we are focused on ensuring that, one, our partners in the region understand that, as well as our international allies understand that Iran thrives in chaos, and they continue to create chaos in the region. Stephanie? Q: So the president was in Missouri at a fundraiser, and he said he was interested in pulling out U.S. troops out of South Korea. Has that been communicated to the secretary? MS. WHITE: I saw those reports. I'm not aware that any of that has been communicated to the -- the secretary. But the focus -- our focus is that our relationship with South Korea is the strongest it's ever been. There's no space between Washington and Seoul, and so we'll continue to support them and work together. Q: So when the president says something like that, I mean, what happens? Just, is it taken seriously, or are you waiting for a memo? I mean, the president said that's something he's interested in. What happens at this level? MS. WHITE: I would have to -- I would have to refer you to the White House for where that goes next. That's -- those, as you said, those were the comments allegedly at a -- at a fundraiser. So I would have to refer you to the White House about what -- where that goes next. Q: OK. And the president was also in San Diego, and he said he wanted to create a space command. Now Secretary Mattis last summer sent a letter to Congress opposing a space force. Where does he stand now on space force? Does he feel the same? MS. WHITE: So with respect to space, we all agree that space is a war-fighting domain, and it is imperative that we dominate that domain, and that we advance our capabilities. The president has shown his support and his enthusiasm by what he's provided, in terms of his National Security Strategy for space, as well as funding. So we look forward to working with him, and working with Congress to ensure that we dominate and advance capabilities in space. Joe? Oh, I'll come back to you, Jeff. Joe? Q: I would like to ask you, what is the -- the Pentagon position in regards to the JCPOA- the Iran nuclear deal? The reason I'm asking you is because we heard General Votel from Tuesday, saying that the deal is important to reduce tension in the region. So what is the Pentagon position in regards to the JCPOA? MS. WHITE: Well, the secretary has testified that he thought we should stay in the JCPOA. But what's important to remember is this -- the Iran strategy, and this -- our approach is not just about one agreement. It's about taking a comprehensive look at everything that Iran is doing. We remain in the agreement, but we want our partners to understand that Iran is the source of chaos and confusion in the region. Everywhere you look, Iran is there. So we are taking a comprehensive look, and primarily, looking at and -- and looking to our allies in the region. The secretary is just coming back from the Middle East. Conversations are about Iran, and what Iran is doing. So that's where we are, and we'll continue to highlight those activities. I said Jeff. Oh, Jeff, can you hold on one second? Because I did go to you before. John Danny? Q: Thank you, Dana. On North Korea, last Thursday President Trump had accepted North Korean Kim Jong-un's invitation. But North Korea had been -- North Korea has not mentioned nothing about the North -- U.S. and North Korea talks, but this morning North Korean authorities said that North Korea wants U.S. troops withdraw from South Korea. What is your... MS. WHITE: So I've seen those reports, but it's -- it's very important to understand that this is a situation that is being held -- is being led by our diplomats. And it's very important that we give them the space, the people who are leading these conversations, the space. Because many things can be misinterpreted, and so I will just leave it there. And I would refer you to the State Department with respect to anything -- with regards to reactions. Q: ... do you have any to reduce the size (inaudible) South Korea exercises (inaudible), or either exercises? MS. WHITE: Again, I -- I appreciate the question, but we're going to -- as the secretary said, we're going to stay quiet. This -- this is important, and we want the people who are actually involved in those conversations to have the space to have them. Goyal. Q: Thank you, Dana. I have a question -- two questions please. One, as China's expansion in the South China Sea has concerned many nations who are watching, including Maldives and also India. And there's a cooperation -- big cooperation with Pakistan and China on these issues, as per military concern there. And also Pakistan is still supplying the military personnel in Afghanistan, according to the Iran president and officials there. So is U.S. watching as per Chinese expansion or Chinese activities in the South China Sea and the Maldives? MS. WHITE: Well as you know, the secretary just returned from the region. He met -- he was in Vietnam. We are absolutely looking at China's activities in the South China Sea. We'll continue to -- to make a point about the free navigation of international waters. We are always ready to have those conversations with China, but it's also important to understand, and we outline this in the National Defense Strategy, that China has benefited from the free -- free navigation of international waters. And it would be important for them to continue to understand that. Q: And I have one more. As per Afghanistan, Pakistan is concerned, State Department (inaudible) informed that Pakistan is not doing enough in the fight against terrorism in Afghanistan, or even they're supplying the weapons to the -- against the Afghan government. So what are we doing now, as far as peace in Afghanistan is concerned also, Pakistan are using U.S. fundings, according to the State Department and also the press reports. MS. WHITE: Well I can only speak to DOD and the secretary, and the secretary has said there is more that Pakistan can do. And we look forward to them taking more steps to combat terrorism in the region. Christie. Q: With Secretary Tillerson leaving, does Secretary Mattis feel as though he's losing a close ally, and has he spoken to Director Pompeo yet, and does he plan to forge a similar relationship with Director Pompeo? MS. WHITE: I will tell you -- I can tell you that the secretary knows that all of these institutions are not about a single personality. He has a very good working relationship with Director Pompeo. So no, and his relationship with the pesident is -- is very good and they talk consistently. So there'll be no change in that. One more? Corey? Q: Thanks, Dana. I just want to make sure I understand when you say that you're going to give the State Department space on the North Korea meeting, and that you guys are going to stay quiet. Do you mean the Pentagon won't be involved in preparing the White House as this meeting comes? Or are you just saying publicly you're going to be quiet? MS. WHITE: Thanks for the question. We will continue to work alongside our State Department colleagues. It is our job to ensure that they always negotiate from a position of strength. But as the secretary has said, they are leading these conversations. And so it is for them to talk to the way ahead. I'll take -- I'll take -- I'll take one more question. Lucas, you had a question. Q: (Inaudible) Q: When you said that U.S. troops are often in harm's way, and that's why you didn't have to put out a press release when U.S. troops killed 11 ISIS-affiliated fighters in Niger. The Pentagon did put out a press release when you killed over 100 Russian mercenaries in Syria. And I'm just wondering what changed with this battle in December, when U.S. troops weren't just in harm's way, they engaged in combat and killed 11 ISIS fighters. MS. WHITE: I will have to take that, because I don't recall us putting out anything about that -- what you just said. I -- what -- what we said about that particular incident was that in self-defense, our troops defended themselves against pro-regime forces that were gathering. Q: Wasn't it self-defense in Niger? MS. WHITE: General, I would refer to you -- I believe it was, but again there's a lot of times where U.S. forces are defending themselves around the world, and we don't put out press releases every time. Thank you all very much. http://www.defense.gov/News/News-Transcripts/Transcript-View/Article/1467771/ NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address NATO Chief: Not Seeking Cold War With Russia, But Will Defend Allies RFE/RL March 15, 2018 BRUSSELS -- NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg says the West is not looking to start a new Cold War or an arms race with Russia, but he reiterated that the military alliance will defend "all allies against any threat." "We do not want a new Cold War," Stoltenberg told reporters as he presented NATO's annual report on March 15. "And we do not want to be dragged into a new arms race.... It is expensive, it is risky, it is in nobody's interest. "But let there be no doubt. NATO will defend all allies against any threat," he added. His comments come as tensions between the West and Russia surge to new heights in the face of allegations that Moscow was behind a nerve-agent attack against a former Russian intelligence officer and his daughter in the British city of Salisbury. Britain says the chemical used in the attempted murder was identified as part of a group of nerve agents developed by the Soviet military known as Novichok. The leaders of France, Germany, the United States, and Britain on March 15 issued a statement saying that Russian responsibility is the "only plausible explanation" for the poisoning of Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia. The statement called the attack an assault on British sovereignty and "a breach of international law." The NATO chief said alliance officials had been briefed by British national security leaders and "we have no reason to doubt the findings and the assessment made by the United Kingdom." Stoltenberg said that Britain could count on "NATO's solidarity," although he added that the country has not sought to activate NATO's mutual-defense clause, Article 5, which requires all members to come to the aid of any other member under attack. "All allies agree that the attack was a clear breach of international norms and agreements. This is unacceptable. It has no place in a civilized world," he said. He added that the North Atlantic Council addressed 'this horrific incident" and that the allies called on Russia to answer Britain's questions. Stoltenberg said the Salisbury attack has taken place against the backdrop of a "reckless pattern" of Russian behavior, citing "the illegal annexation of Crimea and military support to separatists in eastern Ukraine" and the Russian "military presence in Moldova and Georgia against these countries' will." He also referred to "meddling" in Montenegro and elsewhere in the Western Balkans and attempts to "subvert democratic elections and institutions." The NATO chief also spoke of Moscow's general military buildup "from the north of Europe to the Middle East." "Russia has been modernizing its armed forces over the last decade...developing new weapons, including with nuclear capabilities," he said. Stoltenberg said NATO will continue to develop strong defensive capabilities, even as it presses for global arms control. "We will maintain strong conventional forces, as well as a safe, secure, and effective nuclear deterrent. At the same time, we will continue to strive for effective arms control," he said. Meanwhile, Stoltenberg said he expects that the NATO summit scheduled for July will recognize Georgia for the progress it has made with its reform efforts and for its contributions to NATO operations, particularly in Afghanistan. At a 2008 summit in Bucharest, NATO agreed that Georgia and Ukraine will both eventually become NATO members but no firm date has been set, although the membership perspective for the two countries has been reconfirmed at every summit ever since. With reporting by RFE/RL's Rikard Jozwiak in Brussels Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/nato-stoltenberg-cold- war-russia-arms-race/29102322.html Copyright (c) 2018. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Macedonian President Refuses Again To Sign Bill Boosting Albanian Language RFE/RL March 15, 2018 Macedonian President Gjorge Ivanov has refused for a second time to sign legislation passed by the parliament to expand the official use of the Albanian language, in a move that could set off a renewed political crisis in the small Balkan nation. The parliament was forced to approve the legislation for a second time on March 14, in the face of protests both inside and outside the building, because Ivanov refused to sign the bill in January. "The constitution and my conscience do not permit me to sign a decree approving such a law," Ivanov, a close ally of the conservative opposition party VMRO-DPMNE, said in a video distributed after the parliamentary vote late on March 14. "The law on languages is unjust and repressive, and it favors only one language," he said. "A law that had no debate on amendments...cannot be considered an expression of democracy." The bill was approved with 64 out of 120 parliament members voting for it, after the parliamentary speaker rejected a motion for debate on amendments by the opposition. Lawmakers from the opposition party offered 35,000 amendments to block the bill and staged protests, warning that the measure would put the Balkan country's national unity in jeopardy. Parliamentary speaker Talat Xhaferi, an ethnic Albanian, dismissed the amendments and ordered the vote to proceed. At one point, former Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski, the leader of the VMRO, and other opposition lawmakers tried to prevent Xhaferi from speaking by pulling away his microphone. Eventually, with the help of security guards, the voting procedure went ahead. Outside the parliament building, several hundred protesters demonstrated against the measure without incident. The tumult inside parliament during the vote came nearly a year after opposition nationalists stormed the building and assaulted Prime Minister Zoran Zaev in a protest against the election of Xhaferi as speaker. Ivanov had been expected to sign the measure after the second vote of approval in parliament. It was unclear whether the bill would take effect without Ivanov's signature. His refusal to sign could plunge Macedonia back into political turmoil. The small Balkan nation has experienced several political crises in the past three years. The language measure carries out a critical pledge made by the ruling Social Democrats to win the support of ethnic Albanian parties for a new coalition government last year. Ethnic Albanians make up around a quarter of Macedonia's two million people. Under the legislation, Macedonian would continue to be the primary official language. But Albanian, which has until now been an official language only in areas where the minority makes up at least 20 percent of the population, would be used more widely under the legislation. The measure would boost the use of Albanian at a national level, including in administrative, health, judicial, police, and other official matters. It could also be used in parliament by the ethnic Albanians' elected representatives. Ethnic Albanian rebels waged an insurgency against Macedonian authorities in 2001. More than 100 people were killed in the insurgency, which ended with an agreement providing greater rights for the minority. With reporting by By RFE/RL's Balkan Service, AP, Reuters, and AFP CORRECTION: This article has been amended to correct the number of amendments to the language bill proposed by opposition lawmakers. Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/macedonian-president -ivanov-refuses-again-sign-bill-boosting- albanian-language/29100939.html Copyright (c) 2018. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Qatar Continues Spending Spree to Bolster Military Against Saudi-Led Bloc Sputnik News 19:27 15.03.2018(updated 19:31 15.03.2018) Qatar has refused to yield to the demands of the Saudi-led bloc which have accused Doha of sponsoring terrorism and destabilizing the region and is instead purchasing advanced armaments to seemingly counter any possible military threat posed by Saudi Arabia and the other sanctioning countries. Doha inked a deal with Italy to acquire 28 NH90 military helicopters for US$3.71 billion, according to Qatar's Defense Ministry. The deal was signed on Wednesday at the Doha International Maritime Defense Exhibition and Conference (DIMDEX 2018) in the presence of Qatari Deputy Prime Minister Khalid bin Mohammed Al Attiyah, who also serves as the country's minister of defense. "We are proud to have signed this contract that expands and continues Leonardo's strong and long-term partnership with Qatar," chief executive of Italian firm Leonardo S.p.A, Alessandro Profumo said. Italian arms dealers also agreed to supply Qatar with "long-range missile armaments" and a number of aircraft simulators, which will be used to train cadets. An official in the Qatari Emiri Air Force said the deals "significantly support the system of modernization and development" of the force and "enhance" its capabilities. Qatar also purchased arms for its Navy during the recent DIMDEX 2018 forum, with Turkey agreeing to provide the Qatari Emiri Navy (QEN) with two training warships, which are set to be delivered within 36 months. Kuwait has attempted to mediate between the opposing sides in the diplomatic crisis, but neither side has suggested they are willing to make any concessions or reach a compromise. Although the standoff between Qatar and the sanctioning bloc hasn't resulted in any violence, there have been moments when an escalation seemed likely, especially after Qatari warplanes intercepted a UAE passenger aircraft flying its airspace, prompting the UAE to file a complaint. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Taliban's Studied Silence on Dialogue Offer Raises Peace Hopes in Pakistan, US By Ayaz Gul March 15, 2018 The Afghan Taliban's silence to the latest offer of unconditional talks by the Kabul government has raised hopes in Islamabad and Washington the insurgent group may be mulling over joining the peace process. Previous offers of negotiations had been promptly rejected. Pakistani military leaders contend their renewed push to bring insurgents to the table has led to the change in behavior. A senior military official with direct knowledge of the developments said a recent open letter from the Taliban seeking direct talks with the United States was also an outcome of Pakistan's fresh push in partnership with other key stakeholders to try to end the Afghan war. He spoke to a group of reporters on condition of anonymity. The path ahead is "fraught with troubles" and requires all stakeholders to use their respective influences to nudge warring Afghan sides to the negotiating table, he said. The peace-making effort, he added, is also leading to improvement in Islamabad's relations with Kabul and Washington.The official explained Pakistani civilian and security institutions, including the spy agency ISI, are in contact and talking to Taliban representatives. "We are sincerely trying to persuade them" and their allied Haqqani group to join the Afghan reconciliation process, the military official insisted. But he cautioned "the matters could not be resolved overnight" because decades of hostilities have led to an "extremely complex situation" in Afghanistan. There are groups in the Taliban and some of them are in contact with Russia, some with Iran and some with Pakistan," the official noted. Pakistan maintains security forces have eliminated all militant sanctuaries on its soil, but Taliban insurgents use nearly three million Afghan refugees as cover and military operations could result in collateral damage and trigger a violent militant backlash. No comment yet "So far, the stance [regarding Afghan President Ghani's offer] has not been shared with me, so I am unable to offer any comments," Taliban spokesman, Zabihullah Mujahid, has said in response to VOA's repeated queries. The Taliban's reaction to past peace overtures by Kabul had been that it would join intra-Afghan talks only after all foreign forces leave Afghanistan. The insurgent group would also justify its refusal, saying Afghan rulers are "American stooges" and engaging in talks with them would be simply "a waste of time" because they are not authorized by Washington to determine the fate of "foreign occupation" of Afghanistan. Ghani's proposed peace plan, includes removal of the names of Taliban officials from international blacklists, allowing insurgents to open an office in Kabul to pursue their goals through non-violent means and join the national political process. General John Nicholson, commander of U.S. and NATO forces in Afghanistan acknowledged Wednesday he is also detecting signs the Taliban does not intend to reject outright Ghani's latest offer that is backed by all international stakeholders. "We know a lot is going on right now, I mean, this offer, I think, is being considered [by the Taliban]. We haven't seen a public response [to the dialogue offer] which is interesting," the general said in Kabul. International efforts Nicholson cited wider diplomatic and battlefield pressure on the insurgents as well as Washington's ongoing intense dialogue at various levels and collaboration with Islamabad. "I think some of the pressure is the U.S. policy putting pressure on Pakistan and that pressure is being felt," the American general noted. Nicholson described Kabul's peace overture as a "well thought out plan" and stopped short of rejecting U.S. involvement in peace talks with the Taliban while commenting on the group's open letter to Americans. "The idea of talking exclusively to the U.S. is not in our approach to this. We think it is an Afghan-led process," the general reminded. "It's encouraging that these offers are on the table and that we would appear to be in a point where they could start having a conversation on this," said Nicholson. He cautioned though, peace processes take years to shape up. Pakistani officials also note an improvement in relations with the Afghan government and speak of a better understanding developing between Pakistani army General Qamar Javed Bajwa and President Ghani. Islamabad's recent diplomatic engagements with Washington have also started paying dividends and allowed the two sides to understand each other's concerns stemming from the protracted Afghan hostilities. Last week, Pakistani Foreign Secretary Tehmina Janjua led a high-level delegation to the United States and held extensive talks with senior Trump administration officials. Both sides have been tight-lipped about these meetings, though privately Pakistani officials report "significant" progress. They say in return for Islamabad's renewed attempts to help start Afghan peace talks, Washington has also begun to accommodate some Pakistani concerns. Officials cited last week's U.S. drone strike in an eastern Afghan border region that killed 21 militants, including senior commanders, of the outlawed Pakistani Taliban, which is plotting terrorist attacks against Pakistan. At Islamabad's persuasion, the U.S. State Department on Friday offered a reward of $5 million for information on Mullah Fazlullah, the fugitive chief of the Pakistani Taliban, who is believed to be operating out of Afghanistan. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address 'Once hard ice melts:' China, Russia back Korean peace Iran Press TV Thu Mar 15, 2018 07:26AM China and Russia have expressed their full support for a peace drive launched by South Korea to resolve the persisting Korean crisis, a top South Korean official says. China's President "Xi Jinping offered a Chinese phrase that says 'once hard ice melts, spring comes and flowers bloom' to describe the situation on the Korean Peninsula and expressed his willingness to support the current situation," South Korea's National Security Office chief Chung Eui-yong said on Thursday on his return from China and Russia. Earlier this month, Chung paid a landmark visit to North Korea and met with its leader, Kim Jong-un, in an attempt to pave the way for the completely resolution of the dispute over Pyongyang's missile and nuclear programs, which are perceived by the US and allies, including South Korea and Japan, as a dire threat. Chung and his official delegation's visit to the North was regarded successful by Seoul. The South Korean official said Kim had been "committed to demilitarization" and had "pledged that North Korea will refrain from any further nuclear or missile tests" if its security is guaranteed. On Monday and Tuesday, Chung visited China and Russia respectively to brief Xi and Russian President Vladimir Putin on the outcome of his March 5-6 visit to Pyongyang. He talked to the Chinese president but failed to meet the Russian leader due to Putin's busy schedule. Instead, he met with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. "Russia has played a constructive role in inviting North Korea to dialog, and we hope that Russia will play such a role in the future. We will undoubtedly cooperate in this area with Russia," Chung said regarding the result of the meeting with the Russian top diplomat. Chung had formerly traveled to the US to brief American officials. South Korean President Moon Jae-in is set to hold a summit with the North's Kim by the end of April. As for a meeting between Kim and US President Donald Trump, no venue or exact date has yet been announced, but Trump has said a meeting may be held in May. Switzerland has expressed preparedness to facilitate the meeting. The Korean dispute intensified when North Korea decided last summer to begin a series of tests for its long-range missiles and a powerful nuclear test, which prompted increased international pressure on Pyongyang to give up its weapons program. North Korea says it will not abandon its weapons program, which Pyongyang says acts as a deterrent against any possible aggression by the US or its allies. The US has substantial military presence near North Korea and had repeatedly threatened it with military invasion. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address US imposes sanctions on Russia for election meddling, cyber attacks Iran Press TV Thu Mar 15, 2018 05:49PM The administration of US President Donald Trump has imposed sanctions against Russia's spy agencies and more than a dozen individuals for their alleged meddling in the 2016 US presidential election and other "malicious cyber attacks." The sanctions were levied on Thursday against five entities and 19 individuals in Russia, the most significant action against Russia since Trump became president. Trump has faced fierce criticism in the US for doing too little to punish Russia for the alleged election meddling and other actions. The measures targets the FSB, Russia's top spy service; the military intelligence agency, or GRU; and 13 people recently indicted by Robert Mueller, the US special counsel handling a sprawling Russia probe. "The administration is confronting and countering malign Russian cyber activity, including their attempted interference in US elections, destructive cyber attacks, and intrusions targeting critical infrastructure," US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said in announcing the new sanctions. "These targeted sanctions are a part of a broader effort to address the ongoing nefarious attacks emanating from Russia," he added. Since March 2016, Russian government hackers "have also targeted US government entities and multiple US critical infrastructure sectors, including the energy, nuclear, commercial facilities, water, aviation, and critical manufacturing sectors," a Treasury Department statement said. Thursday's action blocks all property of those targeted that is subject to US jurisdiction and prohibits American citizens from engaging in transactions with them. Many of the main entities and individuals targeted already face travel bans and assets freezes put in place under former US President Barack Obama's administration for Russia's actions in Ukraine. The move comes despite Trump's repeated denial that Russia tried to influence the election in his favor and attempt to hurt the presidential campaign of Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton. The actions also represent another plunge in US-Russian relations despite Trump's stated desire for improved ties. Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said that Moscow was preparing retaliatory measures. "We view this calmly. We have begun to prepare response measures," Ryabkov told Interfax news agency. Britain has also threatened to take punitive measures against Moscow over accusations that the Russian state was behind an alleged nerve agent attack on a former Russian spy in southern England. Trump told reporters during a White House event with Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar that "it certainly looks like the Russians were behind it." Trump called it "something that should never, ever happen, and we're taking it very seriously, as I think are many others." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Thousands of Syrian Civilians Flee Last Major Rebel Stronghold By VOA News March 15, 2018 Thousands of civilians fled the rebel-held eastern Ghouta town of Hammouriyeh on Thursday as the Syrian army continued to make inroads into the last major stronghold in the area, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. Observatory Director Rami Abdulrahman said it was the largest exodus of people from the besieged area near Damascus since government forces launched a campaign to recapture it last month. After the Syrian army opened a corridor following a late-night advance, the civilians were seen fleeing to an area held by the Syrian government on foot, in cars and on motorcycles. Scores of wounded and sick people were evacuated earlier this week from eastern Ghouta, which has been divided into three encircled areas by the government offensive. Twenty-five trucks hauling humanitarian aid entered the northern rebel-held area and was headed to the town of Douma, the International Committee of the Red Cross said. The ICRC added the convoy was transporting enough food aid for 26,100 people for one month and other items as well. The Observatory also said overnight that dozens of air strikes and shelling pounded eastern Ghouta's southern pocket. Russia and Syria have said their forces only target armed militants and try to halt insurgent mortar attacks that have killed dozens of people in the area. The two countries have blamed the rebels of using civilians as human shields, an accusation the insurgents have denied. Amnesty International, however, accused the Syrian and Russian governments and other participants in the war Thursday of failing to end "the suffering of millions of Syrians" and to stop attacks on civilians in eastern Ghouta and Afrin. "The international community's catastrophic failure to take concrete action to protect the people of Syria has allowed parties to the conflict, most notably the Syrian government, to commit war crimes and crimes against humanity with complete impunity, often with assistance of outside powers, particularly Russia," Amnesty's Middle East research director Lynn Maalouf said in a statement issued on the seventh anniversary of the Syrian Civil war. The human rights group said 400,000 civilians in eastern Ghouta "are being starved and indiscriminately bombed by the Syrian government with the backing of Russia." Opposition groups have responded by 'Indiscriminately shelling" two villages in the northwestern Syrian city of Idlib, Amnesty said, and added hundreds of Syrian Kurds have fled Afrin to escape attacks by the Turkish government and opposition groups. Amnesty called on the United Nations Security Council to "enforce its resolutions which call for an end to unlawful sieges and attacks." The group also urged the council to refer those responsible for "war crimes and crimes against humanity" to the International Criminal Court. Additionally, the rights group requested that all parties involved in the war to obey international law by allowing civilians who want to flee the area to leave freely and to provide unrestricted access to humanitarian aid. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Defence Secretary boosts Britain's chemical capability as threat intensifies Gavin Williamson announces measures to maintain the UK's world-leading chemical analysis and capability. 15 March 2018 Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson has announced measures to maintain the UK's world-leading chemical analysis and defence capability, as he warned of the intensifying threats the country faces in his first keynote speech in the role. Whilst outlining his vision for the ongoing Modernising Defence Programme on a Policy Exchange platform at Rolls-Royce's Bristol factory, the Defence Secretary claimed that the 'reckless attack in Salisbury' should leave the country in no doubt of the threat which Russia poses to our citizens, in addition to other dangers from across the globe. Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson said: "The choice before us as a nation is simple - to sit back and let events overtake us or step forward. Our Modernising Defence Programme will make sure our country can respond to the changing nature of warfare and the new threats we face to British interests. Russia, in particular, is ripping up the rulebook - we only have to look at the reckless attack in Salisbury." "Today I can announce we are investing 48 million in a new Chemical Weapons Defence Centre to maintain our cutting-edge in chemical analysis and defence. I've also made the decision to offer the anthrax vaccine to our forces at the highest readiness, providing them with vital protection against a deadly danger. By using all our power, hard and soft, Britain will continue bringing light to a darkening world." The Defence Secretary praised the bravery and professionalism of the Armed Forces in their role supporting the police in their investigation into the poisoning of Sergei Skripal, as well as commending the expertise of Britain's world-renowned scientists from the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (DSTL) at Porton Down. In light of the response to the attempted murder, he has announced that DSTL will receive 48 million of extra funding to invest in a brand new 'Chemical Weapons Defence Centre' at Porton Down to ensure the UK retains its world leading capability in chemical analysis and defence. With main construction on the Centre set to begin next month, it will go on to contain cutting-edge chemical analysis laboratories with the capability to identify any chemical agent through forensic analysis. With the chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) threat growing from a range of state actors, the Defence Secretary also announced that thousands of troops held at high readiness will be vaccinated against anthrax. This will ensure that troops are both protected and are ready to deploy to areas where the risk of an anthrax attack exists. In the face of intensifying global threats, the Defence Secretary launched the Modernising Defence Programme earlier this year, which will ensure the UK Armed Forces can meet the complex and evolving challenges that Britain and its allies are confronted with. With headline conclusions expected in the Summer, the Defence Secretary today outlined how the programme will see 'a more productive, harder-hitting Joint Force able to counter conventional threats and deal with new challenges'. He spoke about 'taking our intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capability to the next level' and further developing the ability to 'create and counter the narratives so central to modern conflict', adding that investment will be needed in the likes of 'autonomous systems', 'game-changing technology' and 'more advanced and more capable armoured vehicles, more drones as well as stealth fighters and state-of-the-art anti-submarine ships.' Ahead of the speech he also toured the Rolls-Royce factory meeting workers and apprentices. The site supports engines for the likes of the Typhoon and A400M aircraft, the Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carriers and the Type 26 frigate programme, and makes the lift system for the F-35 fighters jets which will allow them to vertically take-off from the carriers. The Defence Secretary used the opportunity to praise the role of Rolls-Royce and emphasised that working with industry and boosting and protecting jobs in the defence sector would also be a key part of the Modernising Defence Programme. He also announced that the department will be spending almost 4million with Thales and General Dynamics Land Systems-UK to deliver a Shot Detection System for the new Ajax armoured vehicles, which can sense enemy gunfire and protect troops. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address 10 events to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month in Connecticut Here are Hispanic Heritage Month events, celebrated from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15, around the state. While some Galaxy S9/S9+ users are facing Samsung Pay issues, there are others who are complaining about wrong SIM in the package shipped to them. Specifically, many of those who ordered Sprint Galaxy S9/S9+ models received package with Verizon SIM inside. Nailed it @SamsungMobileUS pic.twitter.com/nG0PwfYdne Brandon | This Is Tech Today - YouTube (@thisistechtoday) March 14, 2018 Well, Samsung has officially acknowledged the goof-up. Not only that, the company is now sending correct SIM to affected users free of cost. Looks like @SamsungMobileUS did mess up on a lot, or all of the Sprint SIM orders. pic.twitter.com/exB21WbAFP Brandon | This Is Tech Today - YouTube (@thisistechtoday) March 15, 2018 Following is the official statement the South Korean company issued on the matter: We are aware of a limited number of customers who received a different SIM card with their unlocked Galaxy S9 or S9+ purchase via Samsung.com or the Shop Samsung app than the one they requested. We are in the process of correcting this issue and are providing customers with the correct SIM card that they ordered for their device. We apologize for the inconvenience and advise anyone who has experienced this error or has questions to contact us directly at 1-855-726-8721 or visit www.samsung.com/us/support/customer-services/. Via As some of you might remember, prior to MWC, there were numerous hints that Sony will release a total of three new flagships at the show. Obviously, that didn't come to pass and eager fans are still an Xperia XZ Pro or perhaps XZ2 Pro short. It was supposed to be the ultimate flagship offer, complete with a 5.7-inch OLED touchscreen of 4K resolution and a 'tall' 18:9 aspect ratio. Nothing is certain quite yet, but clues have been amassing lately that the Pro's release is nearing. Starting with a trio of FCC reports, with the following IDs: PY7-24118Q, PY7-21831A and PY7-00718V. These can be found on FCC's website and looking at the included device dimensions, the PY7-21831A is clearly describing the Xperia XZ2, while the PY7-24118Q - the XZ2 Compact. That leaves the PY7-00718V and reading through the documents on record, tells a rather interesting story. It appears at one point, Sony requested a cancellation for the ongoing certification, because of a cited change in the design. That happened shortly before MWC 2018 kicked off, hinting that the device missed on the Barcelona expo due to some last minute change. Still, looking at the same PY7-00718V document collection today (linked in the source) reveals some new activity - likely a sign of ongoing development on Sony's part. The other bit of the story comes in the shape of UAProfs (User Agent Profiles). As most of you probably know, these are essentially machine-friendly descriptions of devices, that often surface prior to actual device announcements and offer some tech info, like display resolution. Well, going back a month or so ago, when people were digging around for the new Xperia devices, three model designations were unearthed in UAProf - H82XX, H83XX and H81XX. The Xperia XZ2 we have at the office reports H8266, while the XZ2 compact is H8324. So, that only leaves the H81XX pattern and as luck would have it, a new UAProf was recently leaked, describing a H8176 device. In it, two really essential pieces of information: Android 8.1 and a native resolution of 4320 x 2160 pixels. It seems like the only question that remains is when will Sony unveil the new device. Are you excited about a potential new Xperia flagship with a 4K display? Source 1 | Source 2 | Source 3 | Source 4 Login or sign up to follow actresses, movies & dramas and get specific updates and news Login Sign Up Email Password Password Username Your E-mail will only be used to retrieve a lost password. Stay logged in Help Published on 2018/03/16 | Source Added episode 5 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 Lawmakers and activists' quest for school safety Jim, left, and Bill Evans, co-owners of Bing 'n' Bob's Sport Shop in Havre, pose for a photograph in their store. The two agree that the problem with school shootings in the United States is a societal problem, not a gun problem. When school shootings happen, the ripple effect of those waves wash up on Havre's prairie shores. "There are multiple layers of effects. School is supposed to be a safe place, for one thing," said District Superintendent Andy Carlson Tuesday. "There's an element of fear and I don't think anybody can deny that. I think there's a realization that it can happen." The first known national school shooting is believed to have happened July 26, 1764, in present day Greencastle, Pennsylvania, when four Lenape Native Americans killed a schoolmaster and nine children. Two-and-a half centuries, many school shootings later, and just a little over a month ago - on Valentines Day - a 19-year-old killed 17 people at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, a slaughter that has sparked national protests, student school walkouts, rapid legislative changes in Florida, and lots of talk about proposed bills and various changes all over the nation. Montana is no stranger to school shootings. In 1986, a 14-year-old shot and killed a substitute teacher in a Fergus County high school. He also shot others who survived. In 1994, a 10-year-old at Margaret Leary Elementary shot and killed 11-year-old Jeremy Bullock. Before the 2017-2018 school year began, school resource officer Josh Holt put on multiple Standard Response Protocol presentations to all Havre Public School employees to prepare them for, among other things, school shooters. Holt had said that no school, no matter how rural or how small, is immune from the possibility of a shooter. The fear is real, as evidenced by the many parents who kept their children out of school Feb. 23 after someone had written in a Havre High bathroom stall the previous day that there would be a shooting. After an investigation, police and district leaders decided the threat wasn't credible enough to cancel school the next day. Low classroom attendance indicated that for many parents, that wasn't enough. A 15-year-old boy was arrested four days later in relation to the threat. While he said he understands parental concern - he too is a parent - Carlson expressed some frustration with the way that scenario turned out. "Maybe we haven't done a great job communicating to the community what we do have in place," he said. "You can't anticipate every scenario, but we do have plans and protocols for most every incident we might face. Every single staff member has had some training and they continue to do training, including some online portion they just did. "We have more in place than people realize," he said. One of the most exasperating things, Carlson said, with slight reservations, is the preventive safety measures Montana schools are not legally allowed to take. "Secondary locking devices, in my opinion, make a lot of sense," he said. "Right now, current Montana code says you can't use them." Secondary locking devices - compact locks that can be attached to any individual classroom door - are illegal because of current fire codes, Carlson said. Doors do get locked at the schools, but it's not an efficient or dependable system. "For one thing, just standardized locks across the school system with the amount of funds we have available - sometimes that isn't even a reality in Montana," he said. "The hard part is even though we lock our interior doors, you have substitutes coming and going, getting keys - we don't have the resources nor the way to track who's in and out." Carlson believes that a dependable locking system makes more sense than arming teachers, an idea he's not fond of at all. "We are not trained law enforcement people," he said. "There's a reason why law enforcement people have all the training they have." There's a significant difference between a self defense situation and one that involves a school, he said. One of the first things taught in hunter safety is that the bullet doesn't stop right at its target. "So imagine being an educator and you're armed and you're thrust into the position where you're having to respond to a school shooting - there's other innocent people in the hallway," he said. "Best case scenario is you actually hit the intended target who is the actual perpetrator. The bullet is not going to stop there." Combating an armed intruder is not the same as hunting or target shooting, Carlson, a hunter, said. "I don't want to be a superintendent where an educator ends up shooting a kid. On a national level we're ignoring some of those byproducts of what happens even when trained law enforcement shoot criminal. ... That there is a pretty big burden." However, for Carlson, there is the possibility of a caveat to his stance. "I may respond differently if I'm 200 miles from the nearest sheriff. And I know that some of our communities in Montana, that's the reality," Carlson said. The Montana Chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense agree that arming teachers is not the answer. The group, who claims active volunteers in Flathead Valley, Missoula, Bitterroot Valley, Helena, Great Falls, Bozeman and Billings, "with more in the works," believes there should be measures that would make it more difficult for people who shouldn't have firearms to have them. Volunteer lead Kiely Lammers offered the following statement via email Tuesday: "Montana has a long history of responsible gun ownership, and we have been so thrilled to see growing momentum on the ground to advance common-sense gun safety measures. ... Their tireless activism has been instrumental in ensuring Montana maintains its common-sense approach to gun violence prevention. We saw this approach from Gov. Bullock when he vetoed a bill that would have dismantled the concealed carry permit requirement and made it easy for people with dangerous histories or no firearms safety training to carry hidden, loaded handguns in public. And we saw it from lawmakers in the House when they voted down a bill that would have forced guns into ours K-12 schools." Lammers said Moms Demand Action continues to urge Montana lawmakers and those representatives in D.C. to pass "proven measures that keep our kids and communities safe." The group supports practical steps such as red flag laws that empower family members and law enforcement to petition a judge to temporarily block a person from having guns if they pose a danger to themselves or others, background checks on all commercial firearm sales, disarming domestic abusers and closing the "boyfriend loophole," Lammers said, referring to laws that would prevent men with domestic abuse records to have firearms. U.S. Sen. Jon Tester, D-Mont., agreed that common-sense laws are part of the answer. "As a former Big Sandy teacher and school board member, I am pushing Congress to pass common-sense bills that will keep our schools safe and protect our way of life on the Hi-Line. If folks put politics aside, we can pass bipartisan bills today to keep guns out of the hands of criminals, terrorists, and folks who courts deem mentally unfit to own firearms - while at the same time protecting the rights of law-abiding gun owners," Tester said in an email Thursday. In addition to laws, Tester said he is pushing Congress to take action on two other initiatives meant to keep Montana schools safe, invest in better mental health care and eliminate the shortage of mental health care professionals in Montana; and fix the reporting gaps in the National Instant Criminal Background Check system to make sure that no criminals fall in jurisdiction gaps between local, state and federal law enforcement. While some lawmakers agree with Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense, at least two Montana legislators don't. "Restricting firearms or raising age restrictions are feel good measures that will not make our students safer," said Sen. Steve Daines, R-Mont., in a phone interview Wednesday. Daines said he has spent time with multiple survivors of the Parkland shooting, and during all his visits, there was no mention of firearm or bump stocks restrictions. Instead, "we talked about how to stop the violence," he said. One answer, Daines said, was a bill he co-sponsored with Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, the STOP School Violence Act. The bill has 35 cosponsors, including 15 Democrats, a press release says. The bill would aim to "train students, school personnel, and local law enforcement to identify warning signs and intervene to stop school violence before it happens; improve school security infrastructure to deter and respond to threats of school violence, including the development and implementation of anonymous reporting systems for threats of school violence; develop and operate school threat assessment and crisis intervention teams; and facilitate coordination between schools and local law enforcement." The STOP School Violence Act would also authorize $75 million for fiscal year 2018, and $100 million annually for the next 10 years. Rep. Greg Gianforte, R-Mont., agrees with Daines. "I don't believe we have a gun problem. We have a mental illness problem, we have a breakdown of families," Gianforte said Wednesday in a phone interview. "This is where, as communities, we need to focus to make sure that people who are disturbed or are criminals get the help they need or are locked up so they can't hurt other people." Banning AR style rifles or raising the minimum age to buy firearms are not necessary, Gianforte added. "I think we have to focus on getting troubled youth the help they need. Penalizing law-abiding citizens is not the solution," he said. "We already have rules on the book that say it's illegal to kill people. That did not prevent what happened in Florida." What happened in Darby High School in Ravalli County a few days after the Parkland shooting - where "we saw a failure of the FBI and law enforcement" - is a stark contrast that points to how communities should react to prevent such tragedies, Gianforte said. Daines agreed with Gianforte the Ravalli County incident is a good example of how best to handle a potential shooter. According to the Ravalli Republic newspaper, 18-year-old MacLean William Kayser was arrested and booked on a felony charge of assault with a weapon after posting something "disturbing" on the social media outlet, Snapchat. That's a good example of students, parents and local police working together to prevent a possible tragedy, Gianforte and Daines said. The idea that students play an integral part in detecting and stopping potential shooters is key at Havre public schools, Carlson said. Signs that say, "See something, say something. Hear something, do something" have been posted all over district schools. It was a student who first reported the threat found in Havre High's bathroom stall, Carlson had said after news of the incident broke. On Wednesday, students in schools all over the nation, including cities in Montana, took part in a coordinated 17-minute walkout to bring attention to the need for school safety and to "end gun violence." Some students at Havre High and Havre Middle School did as well. Local gun store co-owner of Bing 'N' Bob's Sport Shop Bill Evans said he loves children and young people, but he draws the line at taking his legislative cues or advice from them. "I love children, but I don't think they're smart enough to tell me what to do," Bill Evans said Wednesday. Young people have more accidents and others are more likely to be killed by young people with cellphones in their hands while driving than by a gunman in a school, he added. The problem with school violence is a societal breakdown, said Jim Evans, the other store co-owner. Bing 'N' Bob's carries many different handguns and rifles, including AR-15s. Evans said banning ARs is a slippery slope because that could lead to many semi-automatic firearms that have the capability to have large ammo magazines attached, since that's all an AR is anyway. Although cited by many sources as the most popular rifle in the U.S., Evans said that's not what he sees in his store. The most popular rifles in this region are long-range shooters. Both Evanses went back to what they see as the problem, people, a society that has changed. Things have, indeed, changed, Carlson said, citing his start in education as proof. "I never thought I'd be trained to keep my students safe from an armed intruder - we didn't do that. I didn't get that on my first day of teaching," Carlson said. "That was only 20 years ago, a little over 20, but my point, it's had an effect." Local businesses and organizations have chipped in to help a local businessman get revelers home safely on the St. Patricks Day holiday Saturday. Clayton Quinnell, owner of Empire PC Shop, said six other groups have joined his business in offering free rides home from bars Saturday. This year were putting together goody bags, something to reward these people for making a smart choice and getting a ride instead of driving home and getting a DUI, he said. He said the Northern Montana Health Care pharmacy at the clinic, Fifth Avenue Christian Church, Strombergs Sinclair, Infinity Bake Shop, fiveheads/The Press and 5th Ave. Grind all donated items ranging from coupons to painkillers and bottled water to put in bags he will give to people who take him up on his offer for a free ride home. He said his business is paying for the gasoline used to drive people home. Quinnell said people who need a ride home Saturday can call him at 390-6061 to get a ride home and only a ride home and only on St. Patricks Day. He said his program, Get a Ride, Not a DUI, is only for taking people home and cannot be used to go anywhere else. He said he decided a couple of years ago to start offering the service on New Years Eve and St. Patricks Day. My hope is, I get enough people (Saturday) that next year I have to get more people to give rides, he said. By Emily Mayer War news dominated most of the Havre Plaindealers March 16, 1918 edition. We found that Montana was far behind in thrift campaign, stating we were 56 percent behind in our proportionment. This was measured by the sale of stamps sold specifically for the effort, with only Wibaux, Granite, Deer Lodge and Meagher counties reporting at 100 percent. Hill County was near the bottom at 16 percent. Perhaps we were exercising thrift in a different manner, keeping money in our pockets instead of buying war stamps. There were the now predictable announcements that the grain supply was low, the cry of SOW MORE WHEAT to encourage farmers to switch whatever crops they were growing to increase wheat production, and a huge ad in the middle of the front page at the top from the Federal Food Administration in Montana, Alfred Atkinson as Director, declaring SAVING OF WHEAT IS MILITARY NECESSITY. The ad goes on to stress that the conservation of wheat during meal times and growing more of the crop would help win the war, and offered substitutes for wheat flour to use on a 50-50 basis for breads, such as potato flour, corn meal, corn starch, corn flour, hominy, corn grits, barley flour, rice, rice flour, oatmeal, rolled oats, buckwheat flour, sweet potato flour, soya bean flour and feterita flour and meal. In addition, the ad reminded people that some days were meatless. But ladies, take heart! There will be an ample supply of sugar for the upcoming 1918 canning season. I grew up in a family that canned jams, jellies, syrups, pickles, fruits and vegetables and that tradition was passed to me by my mother. I have nothing but the highest respect for the women back in 1918 who would be canning over a hot cook stove in the summer with no air conditioning (like I grew up with and still dont have in my kitchen), doing so to feed their families during the harsh winter months and do their part to win the war. I managed to find and snag a copy of the booklet the US Food Administration, under the direction of Herbert Hoover, released with tips and recipes to get the home front through the war and support the food supply not only for our troops, but hungry allied troops in Europe. This should be for great reading, and Ill share some of that information with you readers as space and opportunity allows. To help the U.S. Department of Agriculture determine crop acreage, livestock supply, and labor availability for farms, a survey was to be conducted in every county of the U.S. Hill Countys survey was to happen March 21-22. The following article outlines what the federal government was looking for and how locals could participate. HILL FARM SURVEY BEGINS NEXT WEEK Important Data Will be Asked of County Farmers The Hill county farm survey Mar. 21-22, is to be an estimate of labor needed during the coming season and a statement of crop acreage, livestock, seed and other farm supplies wanted of for sale. It is to be conducted under the joint auspices of the public school system of the state, extension division of the state college, state commissioners of agriculture, and the United States department of agriculture. The information asked for will be strictly confidential and is for the use of state and federal officials in determining the labor needs of the sate and nation for the coming season. Information Wanted Estimates of hired help needed for entire summer, and for short periods, such as for harvesting and haying, record of livestock, cows, horses or pigs, etc., n hand, number you wish to buy and number you have to sell. Total number of acres of pasturage. Under crops you are asked to state the number of acres planted and harvested in 1917 and the number of acres to be planted in 1918. Under seed you are asked to state the kind you want to plant, the amount you wish to buy, and the amount you have for sale. This summary should give the farmers an idea of what they will be required to state in filling out the farm survey blanks. At all School Houses All schools, except primary and intermediate rooms in towns, will be dismissed and the teachers will be present at the school houses with a few of the older pupils to help the farmers fill out the farm survey blanks. All farmers north of their nearest school house will go the school house at 9 oclock a.m. Farmers south of the nearest school house will go at 10 oclock, and all farmers west of the nearest school house will go at 2 oclock p.m. In districts where schools are not in session, and there are no teachers to do this work, the school trustees and clerks must be present at the various school houses to help farmers fill out the blanks, and to summarize the results and send in to the office of the county superintendents. All but one entry in the Society column dealt with war issues. Here they are in their entirety. Gildford Hospitality. A royal welcome by the Gildford people was extended to the Havre representatives of the Red Cross, who went to that progressive town last Tuesday to inaugurate another branch of the work. A buffet lunch was served at noon and the afternoon was spent in explaining in detail different phases of the work, and splendid talks were made by Mrs. Frank Jestrab and Mr. C. F. Morris. At six oclock a bounteous repast was served by the Gildford ladies and in the evening an impromptu program was rendered followed by dancing. The Havre delegation was composed of Mr. and Mrs. C. F. Morris, Mrs. Frank Jestrab, Mrs. O. G. Skylstead, Mrs. C. B. Wilson and Mrs. G. Casman. Red Cross Teas. The Red Cross teas have become very popular with the Havre ladies, and will not doubt prove to be of great advantage in carrying on the work in Hill county. The hostesses for the past week were: Mesdames D. L. MacKenzie, A. J. Brodrick, W. C. Lange, S. Y. B. Williams, Phil Jestrab, A. M. Grimmer, T. T. Cronin, F. O. Black and Mrs. Hillsbeck. Theatre Party. Friday evening, Mrs. O. C. Shepard and Miss Margaret Boyle entertained the members of the Nurses association, in honor of their sister, Miss Alice Boyle. The early part of the evening was spent at the Orpheum theatre, and after the performance, the guests conveyed to the Boyle home on Third Avenue, where refreshments were served and several hours pleasantly spent with music and conversation. Miss Boyle Complimented. On Thursday evening, Dr. and Mrs. D. S. MacKenzie entertained at six oclock dinner, complimenting Miss Alice Boyle, who will soon leave for France. The dining table was beautiful in the chosen decorations and covers were laid for twelve intimate friends of Miss Boyle. Willard "Bill" Leith, 54, of New Rockford, ND, passed away Monday, March 12, 2018, at CHI St. Alexius Health-Carrington, Carrington, ND. Bill was born Dec. 19, 1963, in Grand Rapids, MN, to Willard and Garnet Leith. In 1983, he moved to North Dakota where he met his wife, Dawna. They were married March 29, 1986. Together they had three sons, Garrick, Casey and Tom, and his first grandchild is expected in July. He attended Montana State University and earned a BS in biology and an MA in education. Bill worked at Edutech for the last eight years as a technology trainer for K-12 teachers. He loved working with all the schools and especially the times he was able to be in the classrooms with students. Bill loved reading, playing computer games, watching old movies and westerns. He especially loved animals and doted on his family pets. Bill loved playing outside with them and taking them for walks. He always made sure they had plenty of special treats. Last year Bill made a trip out to the Pacific Ocean with his sons; a trip that was undoubtedly his favorite for the time they spent together. Bill was a wonderful husband and father and he will be greatly missed. Bill is survived by his wife of 32 years, Dawna Leith, New Rockford; three sons, Garrick, Casey (Mary) and Tom; seven sisters; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Willard and Garnet Leith and sister Fern Leith. Visitation will be Saturday, March 17, 2018, 2 to 3 p.m., followed by the funeral at 3 p.m., all in Evans Funeral Home, New Rockford, ND. On-line condolences may be sent at http://www.EvansFuneralHomeND.com. The idea that it might be possible to be overweight or obese but not at increased risk of heart disease, otherwise known as the obesity paradox, has been challenged by a study of nearly 300,000 people published in in the European Heart Journal. This latest research shows that the risk of heart and blood vessel problems, such as heart attacks, strokes and high blood pressure, increases as body mass index (BMI) increases beyond a BMI of 22-23 kg/m2. Furthermore, the risk also increases steadily the more fat a person carries around their waist. The study was conducted in 296,535 adults of white European descent who are taking part in the UK Biobank study, and who were healthy at the time they enrolled with the study. UK Biobank recruited from 2006 to 2010, and follow-up data on participants were available up to 2015 for this latest analysis. Researchers at the University of Glasgow led by Dr Stamatina Iliodromiti, a clinical lecturer in obstetrics and gynaecology and MRC Fellow, found that people with a BMI between 22-23 kg/m2 had the lowest risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). As BMI increased above 22 kg/m2, the risk of CVD increased by 13% for every 5.2 kg/m2 increase in women and 4.3 kg/m2 in men. Compared to women and men with waist circumferences of 74 and 83 cm respectively, the CVD risk increased by16% in women and 10% in men for every 12.6 cm and 11.4 cm increase in waist circumference for women and men respectively. Similar increases in CVD risk were seen when the researchers looked at waist-to-hip and waist-to-height ratios and percentage body fat mass all of which are considered reliable ways to accurately gauge the amount of fat a person carries, also known as adiposity. Although it is already known that being overweight or obese increases a persons risk of CVD, as well as other diseases such as cancer, there have also been studies that have suggested that, particularly in the elderly, being overweight or even obese might not have any effect on deaths from CVD or other causes, and may even be protective, especially if people maintain a reasonable level of fitness. This is known as the obesity paradox. However, the authors say their results refute these previous, conflicting findings. Any public misconception of a potential protective effect of fat on heart and stroke risks should be challenged, said Dr Iliodromiti. She continued: This is the largest study that provides evidence against the obesity paradox in healthy people. It is possible that the story may be different for those with pre-existing disease because there is evidence that in cancer patients, for instance, being slightly overweight is associated with lower risk, especially as cancer and its treatments can lead to unhealthy weight loss. By maintaining a healthy BMI of around 22-23 kg/m2, healthy people can minimise their risk of developing or dying from heart disease. In terms of other adiposity measures, the less fat, especially around their abdomen, they have, the lower the risk of future heart disease. However, the researchers recognise that it can be difficult for some people to maintain a BMI of 22-23 kg/m2,particularly as they get older. Co-author, Naveed Sattar, Professor of Metabolic Medicine at Universitys Institute of Cardiovascular and Medical Sciences, said: We know many cannot get to such low BMIs so the message is, whatever your BMI, especially when in the overweight or obese range, losing a few kilograms or more if possible, will only improve your health. There are no downsides to losing weight intentionally and the health professions needs to get better at helping people lose weight. The researchers say their findings may have implications for guidelines on preventing and managing cardiovascular disease. Even within the normal BMI category of between18.5-25 kg/m2, the risk of CVD increases beyond a BMI of 22-23 kg/m2. The other adiposity measures show that the leaner the person the lower the risk of CVD, and this must be a public message, that healthy individuals should maintain a lean physique to minimise their risk of CVD, concluded Dr Iliodromiti. The researchers suggest that the previous confusion over the obesity paradox may be due to many factors that can confound results of studies. For instance, smoking changes the distribution of fat in the body, smokers may have lower weight as smoking depresses appetites and so BMI tends to be lower. Another reason could be that some people have existing but undiagnosed disease, which can often lower their weight but also makes them more likely to die prematurely. The University of Glasgow 4 SEASONS POLITICS: Forums set, Progressive Women, student walk Related Stories Forums set for sheriff, D.A., commission seat The Henderson County Republican Party along with the Republican WomensClub and Mens Club will host these primary candidate forums (all at 7 p.m.): Tuesday, April 10, Community Room in the Historic Courthouse. District Attorney Greg Newman and challenger Mary Ann Hollocker. Thursday, April 12, Community Room of the Historic Courthouse. District 4 County Commission candidates Don Ward and Rebecca McCall. Tuesday April 17, Bo Thomas Auditorium, BRCC, Sheriff Charlie McDonald and challenger Lowell Griffin. Progressive Women focus on gun control Gun control was the subject of the First Friday Focus at Sanctuary Brewing Co. sponsored by Progressive Women of Hendersonville. The group that included high school students wrote more than 700 postcards in favor of gun safety regulations and against arming public school teachers and thanking corporations that have severed ties with the National Rifle Association. John Owens, a member of Moms Demand Action and a victim of gun violence, answered questions about the goals of Moms Demand Action. The event had been planned before the February mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, where a student killed 17 people and injured 16. PWH has been hosting postcard writing events for over a year on Fridays at Sanctuary Brewing Co. More than 13,000 postcards have been mailed. Local artists have designed the postcards. Postage and the cost of the postcards are provided through donations. Recently, the group decided to expand the postcard writing to include First Friday Focus where people impacted by current issues attend to facilitate citizen involvement. On Friday, April 6, the focus will be the environment. Representatives from groups who focus on protecting the environment Mountain True and Citizens Climate Lobby will attend to answer questions. Postcard parties are still held every Friday from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. NCDOT engineer is guest at GOP breakfast Jonathan Woodward, senior engineer for NCDOT District 14, will be guest speaker at the Republican Party breakfast gathering at 7:30 a.m. Saturday, March 17, at the Dixie Diner in Laurel Park. A 1995 graduate of N.C. State University with a degree in civil engineering, Woodward has worked for the NCDOT for 20 years. He will talk about potential road improvements to Henderson County. Ward announces campaign committee Don Ward, candidate for the District 4 Board of Commissioners seat, announced the appointment of his campaign steering committee, chaired by Shuford Edmisten, president of Forest Lawn Memorial Park. Other steering committee members are Fletcher Town Council member Sheila Franklin, School Board member, Blair Craven, Shaws Creek Baptist Church Pastor Jerry Mullinax, former Mills River Town Council member Billy Johnston and his wife, Nancy, interior designer Meghan Penny, retired teacher Rosemary Pace, Sara Boyd Grant, who works in radiation technology at Pardee UNC Health Care, Valley Hill Fire and Rescue Chief Tim Garren and his wife, Lori, who is a director of nursing, retired county Code Enforcement Officer Sam Laughter, Nancy Randall, who is retired, Tony Hill of Apple Ridge Farms, former Mills River Mayor Larry Freeman and grower Kirby Johnson of Flavor 1st and Johnson Family Farm. Incumbent Tommy Thompson is not running for re-election. Since no Democrat has filed, the winner of the Republican primary on May 8 would win the seat barring an unprecedented write-in campaign. Meadows seeks appropriation for school resource officers U.S. Rep. Mark Meadows says more money for school resource officers not gun control is the best way to protect schools. Meadows introduced two bills last week to enhance school security after the mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. Our country is in the midst of a defining moment where we have an opportunity to come together and develop common-sense solutions to safeguard our children in school, Meadows said in a statement. One bill would appropriate $1.5 billion through the Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) for school resource officers. A second bill, the Veterans Securing Schools Act, would allow state or local veterans to serve as school resource officers. North Carolina has a similar law allowing school districts and local sheriffs to set up a volunteer SROs program. Rockingham County Sheriff Sam Page announced plans Feb. 28 to set up such a program, with the support of state House Speaker Tim Moore, R-Cleveland, and Senate leader Phil Berger, R-Rockingham. While gun control is not the answer, the best and most effective path forward, I believe, is one that safeguards our schools from becoming soft targets, or areas with little to stand in the way of someone with bad intentions, Meadows said. Henderson County Sheriff Charles McDonald expressed support for the bills. As counties like ours look at the myriad of options to improve school safety, this initial funding for School Resource Officers is a great step to ensure that our local governments have access to the funding they need should they determine that increased officer presence is one facet of the strategy they want to adopt, he said in a statement. LINDSAY MARCHELLO, Carolina Journal League forum focuses on substance abuse Substance abuse and addiction, from alcohol to opioids, has reached epidemic proportions across the country and here in Henderson County, health care and law enforcement officials say. According to the Henderson County Sheriffs Office, 75 percent of those in jail are suffering with an addiction problem. Substance abuse and addiction are vital health concerns. Drug overdose is the number one cause of accidental poisoning deaths. The League of Women Voters Henderson County will focus on the subject with a program at 4 p.m. Thursday, March 22, at the Kaplan Auditorium in the Public Library, 301 N. Washington Street. Julie Huneycutt, director of HopeRX, and Maj. Frank Stout of the Henderson County Sheriffs Office will speak. The program is free and open to the public. For more information visit www.lwvhcnc.org or email communications.lwvhc.com@gmail.com High school students plan walk on March 24 High school students plan to march on behalf of school safety at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 24, from Hendersonville High School to the Historic Courthouse. The student-led march is a peaceful protest to let surrounding people know that students care about issues of school safety and gun control. All students are welcome. McDonald opens campaign headquarters The Committee to Re-elect Sheriff Charles McDonald has opened its campaign headquarters at 822 Locust St., Suite 400, in the Historic Seventh Avenue District. Hours of operation are 10 a.m.-2 p.m. and 4-6 p.m. Monday and 10 a.m.-2 p.m. on Saturdays. Yard signs, bumper stickers and all campaign materials are available for pick up. Tickets for the campaigns March 24 Bluegrass and BBQ fundraiser are also available. For information call 828-595-0617. Blue wave more like a ripple, GOP is told President Trump was visible in the lobby. On stage, not so much. Republican leaders in Washington sweat about a blue tide in November. Talking heads on (non-Fox) cable TV news predict Democrats will take control of Congress. Court rulings threaten legislative maps gerrymandered to ensure a supermajority of safe seats for the Republican Party. The leader of the party is a polarizing figure who infuriates opponents and bewilders allies with a steady stream of White House tweets. But if a blue wind is stirring across the nation, Henderson County Republicans gathered on Saturday at Apple Valley Middle School for their annual convention seemed confident that their own precincts would remain reliably red. Isnt this a great time to be a Republican? said state Sen. Chuck Edwards. Applause applause applause. Although a life-sized cardboard cutout of Donald J. Trump greeted party activists as they strolled in to the school lobby, the president was hardly the focus inside the auditorium. Only U.S. Rep. Mark Meadows, who had just gotten off the phone with him, brought Trump onto the stage, so to speak. Meadows said later that Trump was calling to talk about tariffs, the imposition of which has divided his own party. While he had him, Meadows asked the president what message he wanted the congressman to bring to the 11th District Republicans. He said, I have not forgotten the men and women who got out on Nov. 8, who knocked on doors and quite frankly, for some who didnt want to vote for me but did vote for me. He said, I have not forgotten them and I can tell you this place, Washington, D.C., is wanting to make me forget. You tell them that I will not forget. Headshots of Edwards, McGrady, Henson Two Chucks Edwards, who was elected to the Senate in November 2016 after his appointment to the 48th District seat earlier that summer, praised his partys achievements. While Republicans have a lot of momentum and we accomplished a lot in North Carolina, its still a firestorm in Raleigh, he said. Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper has filed numerous lawsuits seeking to overturn or block Republican legislation that trims his authority. We like to joke around in Raleigh that when he was attorney general we couldnt get him into court and now that hes governor we cant keep him out of court, Edwards said. It frustrates Republicans. People ask me, What do I like least about politics? he said. My answer quietly frankly is politics. Rep. Chuck McGrady was next up. There are only two Chucks in the General Assembly and theyre both from Henderson County, he said. A few minutes later, Rep. Cody Henson quipped, Im just glad my parents didnt name me Chuck. Henson invited Republicans to visit his website, codyhensonnc.com, which he had just launched that morning after staying up until 2 a.m. to create it. Im the worlds worst at asking for money so the first thing the website does is ask it for me, he said. We need all the help we can get. Democratic Party enthusiasm has produced candidates on the ballot, at the very least, for a change. The two Chucks and Henson all have Democratic opposition in November, though in Hensons view that does not portend trouble. Its going to be great election year, he said. I think the blue wave weve been hearing about is nothing more than a ripple. Only Meadows sounded any warning. The energy is not within our own party, he told the crowd. After primary season gets over with, what we need to make sure we do is stay engaged in November. Im seeing trends out there that really concern me. If we stay engaged, we have the right message, guys. I would ask you to pray a little more, stay engaged a lot more. Here is a roundup of comments from candidates in local Republican primaries: Sheriff Challenger Lowell Griffin, currently a captain at the Polk County sheriffs office, has served as a law officer and firefighter for 36 years. To this day I still get out there at a moments notice to help a complete stranger, expecting nothing in return, he said. Im not afraid of work, even hard physical work. I cut my own firewood, I mow my own grass, take care of a little livestock. My brother and I repair cars on the side, even do a little restoration. As sheriff, he would reassign high-ranking personnel and put them out in your community, he said. They would know the area inside and outside. They would be there to listen to ideas from you. Most importantly, you the people would know those that were assigned to be in charge of law enforcement in your community. He vowed to partner with other agencies to create crime-fighting task forces that would be manpower multipliers without adding any burden to the taxpayers. He would create a climate of job security for the employees, a system where theyre not expected to be politically involved. Griffin promises to implement body cameras for deputies, something Sheriff Charlie McDonald has resisted. The cameras would ensure accountability and most of all protect the officers. As a fiscal conservative, he said, he opposes the $22 million law enforcement training center McDonald wants to build. McDonald opened with a jab at his opponent, who worked for the sheriffs office until McDonald sacked him after his November 2014 election. The office of sheriff is not to be left to somebody whose record has not been proven or somebody who has not operated at the executive level in law enforcement, McDonald said. Appointed sheriff in March 2012, I took over an agency that was racked by a breakdown in leadership, he said. There was a lot of uncertainty going on and the men and women who served this fine office were subject to a lot of doubt and a lot of speculation and a lot of damage to their pride because of ineffective leadership. He terminated command staff who werent servant leaders in their heart but were there really just to make a living. Together we embarked on a very arduous process of changing the culture of the Henderson County sheriffs office, he said. It was a difficult. It took a number of years. We managed to make it through and ended up with updated law enforcement processes and a committed force. I kept all the promises I made when I first ran for office and since then. District Attorney Mary Ann Hollocker, a magistrate, moved here from Hawaii six years ago to look after her elderly parents. The other reason I moved here is for my children, she said. Her son, Nicholas, was diagnosed with autism at 18 months, and she learned that the services that Henderson County provides are extraordinary. She vowed to work closely with law enforcement officers to get them ready for trial, and to counsel crime victims who are often unfamiliar with the trial process. Incumbent Greg Newman, who was appointed district attorney in 2013 and won election in 2014, said, I will put my record up against any other district attorney in the state of North Carolina. You should be very proud of the staff that we have as well as the attorneys that serve you, he said. These are people of high skill level, these are people with experience. I have three lawyers with 20-plus years experience. Our conviction rate is extremely high, especially in major felony areas. Hes added three victim coordinators, including one who works with the Hispanic community, and has added more trials, (resulting in) more convictions. Board of Commissioners District 4 The Republican primary for the apple country seat that incumbent Tommy Thompson is vacating after two terms features two Henderson County natives. My family goes back to the 1700s, said Rebecca McCall. Her grandfather and uncle were county commissioners in the 1960s and 70s. Shes served in manufacturing for 40 years, at General Electric and Hubbell Lighting. The county is a corporation, she said. Its a business and it needs to be run as a business. Ive held management positions, Ive held engineering positions, so I understand what goes on with facilities and all the things county commissioners have to deal with. Her priorities include school safety. As an example, East Henderson High School is wide open, she said. It needs to be made more safe as far as people being able to get into the campus. She favors mental health treatment for repeat customers of the jail. I do have time to do the job, she said. I will put every effort into this job. I will not slack on this job. Like McCall, Don Ward has deep roots in the county and a grandfather who served on the Board of Commissioners. Ward runs a tractor business, is a third generation apple farmer and served two terms on the board himself, from 1994 to 2002. Aside from that, hes an avid softball player. I love softball, he said. Ive been elected to three hall of fames in softball. It dont matter if its softball or tractor parts or apples, Im going to give it my best. The upcoming property reassessment next year could produce a potential 18 percent tax increase, he said. He vowed to block that. Tell all your friends to come out and vote, he said. I got beat one time by 14 votes. Prince Ajibola did not search out the clip, the court heard A father-of-four who was sent a video clip on his phone which showed a child being raped has received a one-year suspended sentence. Prince Ajibola (50), of Castlegate Place, Adamstown, Lucan, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to a single count of possessing the pornographic material on September 1, 2016. He had five previous convictions, including for immigration and road traffic offences. Sergeant Martin Halpin told Karl Finnegan BL, prosecuting, that he arrested Ajibola in Terminal 1 of Dublin Airport on September 1, in relation to an unrelated investigation. The former security guard's two mobile phones were seized and it was later discovered that a child pornography video clip had been sent to one, via the WhatsApp messaging platform, on July 20, 2016. The court heard the clip showed a child under the age of five being raped by a man, lasting about five minutes. Prosecuted Upon further investigation, gardai discovered the clip came from America. The man in the clip has since been prosecuted by US authorities. The court heard that the number from which it had been sent was clearly identifiable. Sgt Halpin agreed that the person who sent Ajibola the clip has pleaded guilty to the distribution of child pornography and will be sentenced next month. Ajibola told gardai that the woman who sent it wanted to show him what was going on in the world so he would not leave his children with any man. He accepted it was a "bad video" and said he had only looked at it once to see what it was and then "shut it down". When asked by gardai why he kept the clip, he said he had forgotten it was on his phone. Judge Cormac Quinn imposed a one-year suspended sentence, saying Ajibola did not "search out" the clip, download it or share it. The court heard he will go on the Sex Offenders Register. Three men allegedly caught with a submachine gun, revolver and two pistols following a garda investigation into the Hutch-Kinahan feud have been remanded in custody. Gary Thompson (33), his brother Glen (23) and Robert Brown (35) were arrested by detectives in Dublin's north inner city last Saturday night. They had been expected to make applications for bail, but have yet to do so. Security Judge Grainne O'Neill remanded all three in custody to appear before Cloverhill District Court next Tuesday. They will appear before the court via video link at 10am after gardai made the request for security reasons. Gary Thompson, of Plunkett Green, Finglas; Glen Thompson, of Plunkett Drive, Finglas; and Robert Brown, of Phibsborough Road, Phibsborough, are charged with unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition. The alleged incident took place at Belmont Apartments, Gardiner Street, Dublin 1, on March 10. It is alleged that the men were in possession of a submachine gun, a .38 revolver and two pistols as well as 42 rounds of various ammunition. They are also charged with possession of a stolen car at the same location. Det Gda Paul Kane, from the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau, gave details of arresting Glen Thompson at Clontarf Garda Station late on Wednesday night. Gda Kane said Mr Thompson was handed a true copy of each charge sheet and he made no reply to the charges after caution. Gda Ian Pemberton gave details of arresting Mr Brown at Store Street Garda Station shortly after 11pm on Wednesday. Gda Pemberton said Mr Brown replied "not guilty" to the charge sheets. Gda Liam Aherne gave evidence of arresting and charging Gary Thompson at Store Street Garda Station at 11.29pm on Wednesday. He said "no reply" to the charges after caution. Defence lawyer Dean Kelly said the men were not applying for bail. Judge O'Neill asked that the State be put on notice when the accused propose to make bail applications. Applications for free legal aid were deferred until the next court date. Kendrick Lamar, Massive Attack and N.E.R.D will be the headline acts for this year's Electric Picnic. The annual music and arts festival will be back in September, with thousands set to descend on Stradbally, Co Laois, where acts including Dua Lipa, St Vincent, Ben Howard and The Kooks will also take to the stage. Festival director Melvin Benn has advised those planning on going to book their tickets early, as the stellar line-up will probably mean a quick sell-out. Describing the festival as "one of the most important cultural events" in Ireland, Benn and organisers worked hard to ensure a great line-up for fans to enjoy this year. "They will have to be quick. I suspect they tickets will go really quickly again," he said. "They are still on sale at this point in time. Will they still be on sale this evening? I don't know." He also revealed there will be a new venue on the Stradbally site. Expand Close At the launch of The Electric Picnic in Urban Plant Life ,Cork St were headonbody Deirdre Griffin,Kate Finegan and Marion Cronin / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp At the launch of The Electric Picnic in Urban Plant Life ,Cork St were headonbody Deirdre Griffin,Kate Finegan and Marion Cronin Weather Benn insisted festival organisers will be taking the usual provisions for the weather, following the plunging temperatures and snowfall brought by Storm Emma. "We work closely with the emergency services and Laois council and make all those provisions," he said. "It rains, it's cold, it's damp, it doesn't stop us doing anything at all." Expand Close Dua Lipa / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Dua Lipa With tens of thousands expected to descend on Stradbally, Benn said the festival always tries to make sure the locals are involved and satisfied with everything that will go on. "I work with them. I work incredibly close with Stradbally. I've always done that with any of the festivals I do. I make them feel a part of the festival," he said. "For instance, the Catholic Church and the Protestant Church in Stradbally are the people who provide the information tents. The local people get involved and they feel part of it." Electric Picnic runs from August 31 to September 3 with tickets available on ticketmaster.ie Expand Close Pharrell Williams / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Pharrell Williams More acts will be announced nearer the date. Russian ambassador Yury Filatov speaks to Irish journalists outside the embassy in Orwell Road Russia's ambassador to Ireland has launched a scathing attack on the British government. Yury Filatov said it was taking "absurd, hostile action" following last week's nerve agent attack in southern England. He said British prime minister Theresa May had engaged in "hype" and "propaganda" for political reasons. He claimed the UK was illegally preventing Russia from seeing Yulia Skripal (33), who is still seriously ill in hospital with her father, Sergei. Mr Skripal (66) is a retired Russian military intelligence officer, who was sentenced in 2006 to 13 years in prison, accused of spying for Britain. The pair were found slumped on a bench in Salisbury, Wiltshire, on March 4. The chemical used in the attack has been identified as Novichok, a military-grade nerve agent developed by Russia during the Cold War. Mrs May expelled 23 Russian diplomats, despite President Vladimir Putin denying any involvement in the attack. Absurd On foot of reports that the Russian embassy in Dublin has been involved in spying, Mr Filatov said the claims were part of "a massive propaganda campaign against Russia". Referencing events in Salisbury, he said: "It's a very sad case and affair. "Not only because we are taking about harm done to people, not only because of some kind of chemical agent used in European countries, but because of the highly irresponsible way the British government has handled the whole incident." He said that "from the beginning", the intention of the UK "was not to investigate, but to gain some political points". "This is a most unfortunate turn of events," he said. Mr Filatov, who took up his position in Dublin in November, said Moscow would quickly retaliate after the expulsion of its diplomats. "The British government has taken absurd, hostile action against our diplomatic representation in the United Kingdom," he said. "I'm sure that, if not today, then certainly very soon we will give an answer to that. It will not go unanswered. "It's a very worrisome situation when we have a government that is a nuclear power behaving in a most irresponsible, aggressive way." Tanaiste and Foreign Aff-airs Minister Simon Coveney has condemned the attack in Salisbury. "The use of chemical weapons, including the use of any toxic weapons, is unacceptable and abhorrent," he said. "This incident represents a disturbing violation of international law and goes against norms which have long been established. "We join many states in supporting the UK's efforts to ensure a thorough investigation so that the perpetrators of this crime can be held accountable." John Lott on Guns at School By John R. Lott Jr. March 11th, 2018 President Trump thinks arming school staff and teachers deter threats. Surprise, media fact checkers from The New York Times to FactCheck.org accuse him of "false and misleading claims" to "inaccurate facts." The FactCheck.org analysis has been carried on hundreds of news site. Yet, any serious look at the data shows that Mr. Trump's arguments are more clearly grounded in facts and a deeper understanding of these attacks than the fact checkers would dare let their readers know. This isn't a theoretical debate, as 25 states to varying degrees, allow concealed handgun permit holders, including staff and teachers, to carry guns on K-12 school grounds. Some such as Alabama, New Hampshire, Utah and much of Oregon allow anyone with a regular concealed handgun permit to carry. Other states require the approval of a school superintendent or school board. One state, South Dakota, requires 40 hours of training. ....... John Lott covers this subject with predictable and sensible observations. At risk of repetition, it must be said again that there has to be a broad effort to ''harden'' schools against mass murder - and uniformed security is not the ideal due to them being likely targets. It is the presence of CCW that can provide the best protection. (There is an embedded archive copy of the full article on JPFO.) "You don't have to be Jewish to fight by our side." You just have to love freedom. 2018 JPFO All rights reserved. jpfo@jpfo.org 1-800-869-1884 Jews for the Preservation of Firearms Ownership 12500 NE 10th Pl. Bellevue, WA 98005 USA "America's most aggressive defender of civil rights" We make the NRA look like moderates Join JPFO Back to Top 1 / 3 Marc Chenn, CEO and co-founder of SaltStack speaks at SaltConf17 in November 2017. Courtesy SaltStack 2 / 3 Marc Chenn, CEO and co-founder of SaltStack. Courtesy SaltStack 3 / 3 Tom Hatch, CTO and co-founder of SaltStack. Courtesy SaltStack As data and technology become more entwined with day-to-day business operations, companies are seeking ways to systematize it all. SaltStack aids in this process. SaltStack is an information technology automation platform based in Lehi, and its team helps major corporations intelligently build, manage and secure their IT infrastructure. The platform specializes in event-driven automation or constant, automated scanning for IT back-end vulnerabilities. As Paul Gillin explained in a Feb. 16 SiliconAngle Media article, IT automation has been an essential driver of both the big data and cloud computing markets . It enables organizations to automate the configuration and management of computing environments that are too large to be practically handled with human labor. Though only a few years old, the SaltStack platform is used by major companies like Tyson Foods, Adobe, Intuit, Lyft and LinkedIn. Marc Chenn, CEO and co-founder of SaltStack, explained that its platform is unique in that it allows companies to focus on their businesses, while knowing their IT is secure and functioning. Weve proven that automation drives efficiency and saves both money and time. The IT world we live in today is more complex, Chenn said in a recent interview with the Daily Herald. As companies move more into the cloud, SaltStack technology enables the rapid adoption of cloud infrastructure and helps manage and secure their infrastructure workloads. SaltStacks current technology came out of an open-source project named Salt built by Tom Hatch, its co-founder and CTO, to solve a problem every major IT organization experienced. What he realized was that IT professionals have a lot of complexity they are dealing with every day but the tools they were using were very old. Tom created a scalable solution that was able to manage all the component parts of the infrastructure, Chenn said. That open-source software has been downloaded more than 40 million times all over the globe, Chenn said, adding, Its crazy to me this little basement project has become a global phenomenon. Hatch and Chenn are passionate about IT automation. Chenn, who credited his grandparents choice to leave Taiwan to find more opportunities for their family in the United States, said he enjoys this unique opportunity to build a company that improves lives through intelligent automation. I believe we have an industry-leading platform, and it has the great potential for us to leave our mark on a global scale, Chenn said. Building something from the ground up is tremendously energizing. Were also building opportunities for others. SaltStack announced a $15.5 million series A financing round in February, led by Mercato Partners. This round of funding adds to previous investments from Peak Ventures, Epic Ventures and Deep Fork Capital and brings SaltStacks funding to $28 million. Chenn said they are very excited for this round of funding, as it is enabling our team to scale and grow much faster than we have while bootstrapping. The company started in 2012 with just Chenn and Hatch. Today, it employs about 55, and Chenn said by years end that number is expected to jump to more than 100. When James Madison drafted the First Amendment Congress shall make no law abridging the freedom of speech he made sure to use the article the in front of the word freedom. What seemed normal to him and superfluous to moderns was actually a profound signal that has resonated for 227 years. The signal was that because the freedom of speech existed before the government that was formed to protect it came into existence, it does not have its origins in government. The freedom of speech has its origins in our humanity. It is a natural right. It exists in the absence of government. By the exercise of normal human reasoning, all rational people are drawn to exercise this freedom. Madison understood this. He could have written, Congress shall grant freedom of speech. He did not because that freedom is not Congress to grant or to abridge. I am presenting this thumbnail sketch of the historical and philosophical underpinnings of the freedom of speech by way of background to a hot dispute now raging off the front pages. The dispute addresses whether the president of the United States can use federal courts to block the exercise of this right. CBS News wants to air an interview with an adult-film actress who alleges a sexual relationship with Donald Trump a relationship he denies and President Trump wants to prevent the airing. The actress, whose stage name is Stormy Daniels, signed an agreement in October 2016 to accept $130,000 in return for remaining silent about her alleged sexual relationship with Trump, which she claims occurred shortly after the birth of his son Barron, who is now almost 12. The lawyer who negotiated the agreement with Daniels lawyer claimed that he was doing this on his own, that the hush money came from him and not Trump, and that Trump was not his client. That claim raises profound campaign finance issues, but they are not the point of this piece. The point of this piece is about the freedom of speech. Daniels, whose present lawyers have sued to invalidate the agreement, recently gave an interview about her relationship with Trump to the CBS News program 60 Minutes. CBS plans to air that interview in the coming weeks, and Trump wants to prevent that from happening. The stated legal basis for Trumps lawyers asking a court to block the broadcast is the existence of the hush agreement, which, in plain words, bars Daniels from discussing anything about her alleged sexual relationship with Trump. Obviously, Trump does not want any allegations from Daniels true or false to become a topic of public conversation and a distraction to his presidency. Can the president legally persuade a federal court to enjoin the airing of an interview? In a word: no. Here is the back story. In 1931, in a famous case called Near v. Minnesota, the Supreme Court generally rejected the concept of prior restraint. Prior restraint is the use of the courts to prevent the media from disseminating materials they already have. The Near case dealt with an anti-Catholic, anti-Semitic, anti-African-American newspaper that Minnesota state courts had silenced. The Supreme Court overruled the state courts and held that the freedom of speech presumes that individuals will decide for themselves what to read and hear and the First Amendment keeps the government which here includes the courts from censoring the marketplace of ideas, even hateful ideas. Forty years later, in the Pentagon Papers case, the Supreme Court made a similar ruling. There, Daniel Ellsberg, an employee of a contractor to the Department of Defense, stole highly classified documents that demonstrated that then-President Lyndon B. Johnson and his generals had knowingly deceived the American public about the war in Vietnam. When Ellsberg gave the documents to The New York Times and The Washington Post, the Nixon administration hurriedly persuaded a federal judge in New York to enjoin the Times from publishing the documents. Before a federal judge in Washington could rule on a similar request and bypassing the intermediate appellate courts the Supreme Court took the case and ruled in favor of the freedom of speech and reinforced the judicial condemnation of prior restraint. But the Pentagon Papers ruling went a step further than the Near opinion had. It ruled that no matter how a media outlet has acquired matters material to the public interest even by theft of top-secret documents the outlet is free to publish them. This, of course, does not absolve the thief (though the case against Ellsberg was dismissed because of FBI misconduct), but it makes clear that no court can block the media from revealing what they reasonably believe the public wants to hear. Now back to the president and the adult-film star. Because whatever Daniels said to CBS arguably speaks to Trumps fitness for office, individuals have the right to learn of it, to hear Trumps denials and to form their own opinions. In Trumps case, he has a bigger megaphone than CBS does via his adroit use of social media and the volume and ferocity of his denials might carry the day. But the point here is that individuals can make up their own minds about the presidents character; they dont have to endure the prior restraint of a courts silencing a voice in the debate, even a tawdry voice. What if the hush money agreement Daniels signed and the president did not is valid? Could that trigger prior restraint? In a word: no. The Madisonian values underpinning the freedom of speech, as articulated consistently by the Supreme Court, will prevail. Anything short of that would prefer government censorship over personal choices in matters of speech, a preference the First Amendment profoundly rejects. COVID-19 mu variant detected in Maryland. Here's what to know. Only 56 cases of the new variant have been identified, while delta remains the most prominent variant. SRINAGAR:Indian troops, in their fresh operation, killed two rebel fighters and damaged four houses in Khonmo area of Srinagar city. Bodies of the fighters were recovered from the debris of four residential houses destroyed by the troops at Balhama Khunmoh on the outskirts of the city. The operation was going on till reports last came in. An Indian army official said that the militants were killed in an encounter with the troops. Meanwhile, Indian forces personnel resorted to teargas shelling to disperse protesters in the area. The youth and forces were engaged in clashes. The authorities have suspended train service between Banihal and Srinagar. ISLAMABAD: Speakers at a seminar on Kashmir held in Islamabad, today, reminded the UN of its obligations to implement its resolutions that promised the Kashmiris of giving their right to self-determination. The seminar was organized by the All Parties Hurriyat Conference in collaboration with the Kashmir Media Service. Besides Kashmiri leaders hailing from both sides of the Line of Control the seminar was addressed by Foreign Office Spokesman, Dr Muhammad Faisal, Justice (retd) Manzoor Hussain Gilani, Ghulam Muhammad Safi, Muhammad Farooq Rehmani, Sheikh Tajammul-ul-Islam, Dr Farzana Bari, Ishtiaq Hameed, Dr Shaheen Akhtar and others. The speakers on the occasion said that India was yet to fulfil its pledges made at the highest level in particular, the statements by the then Indian Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, in October 1947 and 1951 to allow the people of Kashmir to decide their future through a plebiscite. They expressed serious concern over the ongoing gross human rights violations perpetrated by the Indian troops in occupied Kashmir particularly the latest round of killings and brutalities in the name of All Out Operation carried out by the Indian army and on the pretext of over ground workers of the so-called militants. They condemned the use of pellet guns by the Indian forces to willfully blind the Kashmiris, mostly youth, in thousands and new methods of terror unleashed in Kashmir in line with the malicious plans of the BJP and RSS. The speakers expressed deep anguish over the continued detention of Hurriyat leaders and unlawful restrictions imposed on them by the Indian authorities in occupied Kashmir. They deplored that India was using its investigating agencies like National Investigating Agency (NIA) and Enforcement Directorate besides the black laws like Public Safety Act (PSA) to put Hurriyat leaders behind the bars, harass them and prevent their access to the people of the occupied territory. The speakers paid glowing tributes to senior APHC leader Masarrat Aalam Butt on completing twenty years of illegal detention and to all Hurriyat leaders activists and others, who have been undergoing long periods of illegal detentions. They noted with serious concern the Indian machinations to turn the overwhelming Muslim majority population in Kashmir into a minority by settling Indian citizens in occupied Kashmir and by plans to abrogate Article 370 and Article 35A of the Indian Constitution. The speakers denounced the tactics being employed by India to force the Muslim population in Jammu to migrate from the region and said that the UN has a responsibility to stop human rights violations and the Kashmiris systematic genocide by the Indian occupation forces in the territory. They highlighted the issue of disappearance in custody of over 10,000 Kashmiris and recalled the massacres committed in Kashmir by Indian forces between 1990 and 2017. The speakers also referred to the findings of reports of investigating organizations in the wake of discovery of unnamed and unmarked mass graves in occupied Kashmir. They also expressed concern over the escalating tensions between Pakistan and India on the UN-supervised ceasefire line and the killing of civilians by the Indian forces by the use of heavy arms near the Line of Control. A resolution passed during the seminar called upon the United Nations to assume its responsibility of organizing the plebiscite in Jammu and Kashmir under its supervision in accordance with its resolutions on Kashmir. It demanded of all international bodies including United Nations and human rights organisations to mount pressure on India to release all illegally detained Hurriyat leaders and activists and repeal black laws. The resolution urged the UN and other relevant international fora to investigate all massacres, gang-rapes, fake-encounters, forced disappearances, wilful blinding of youth with the use of pellet guns, etc. by the Indian forces and Hindu terrorist organizations like RSS and BJP and bring the perpetrators to justice. It asked the United Nations to take serious note of the Indian designs to convert the Muslim majority in Indian occupied Kashmir into a minority as these designs are intended to defeat the essence of Kashmiris inalienable right to self-determination, the purpose of relevant UN resolutions on Jammu and Kashmir and the results of plebiscite whenever held in the territory in compliance with the UNSC resolutions. The resolution requested all international organizations including the OIC and EU to play a meaningful and effective role in the resolution of the Kashmir dispute. Further, that these organizations formally approach India to allow access for international organizations to occupied Kashmir. It urged India to cease forthwith all human rights violations and stop the bloodshed of the people of Kashmir. The resolution appealed to the international community to take cognizance of Indian ploy to curtail Hurriyet leaders movement and defame them by implicating them in fake cases, causing harassment by conducting raids on their houses through its organisations like NIA and Enforcement Directorate and subjecting them to torture in notorious prisons like Tihar Jail of New Delhi. The resolution demanded of the government of Pakistan and all national parties of the country to adopt a proactive approach to project in the world the Indian state terrorism in occupied Kashmir and take all steps to assure Pakistans full and unconditional support to the people of Kashmir in their legitimate freedom struggle and make further steps towards utilising all relevant UN mechanisms to bring to justice the perpetrators of crimes against humanity committed by the Indian authorities in occupied Kashmir. Catholic Bishops Conference of India (CBCI), Madhya Pradesh Regional Bishops Council and Syro Malabar Catholic Diocese of Ujjain have demanded a strict action against those who allegedly attacked Catholic Church run Pushpa Hospital in Ujjain, about 200 kilometers west of Bhopal, on March 12 calling it as a dastardly and inhuman attack by goondas and anti-social elements enjoying political and financial clout. This is the third incident in the last three months when violent mobs have targeted catholic institutions in areas with a very small minority of helpless catholics, said archbishop of Bhopal Leo Cornelio who happens to be chairman of Madhya Pradesh Regional Bishops Council and bishop Sebastian Vadakel, bishop of Ujjain in a joint written statement. As per allegations Gagan Singh, personal assistant to the local MP and 60 people armed with chains and other weapons entered forcefully the hospital compound and destroyed the boundary wall with the help of two JCB machines. They have blocked access to the hospital and to the emergency department of the hospital, dug trenches and blocked entry to the generators, power supply and water supply apparatus, thus placing at great risk the life and safety of innocent and helpless patients. The shameless and ruthless mob abused the lady staff, and nuns, in the filthiest language possible and also assaulted them physically. The police did not appear on the scene with the ostensible reason that they were busy with the visit of the governor of Madhya Pradesh to Ujjain, says the written statement issued after the visit of archbishop of Bhopal Leo Cornelio, bishop Theodore Mascarenhas, secretary general, Catholic Bishops Conference of India, (CBCI), bishop Chacko Thottumarickal, bishop of Indore and bishop Sebastian Vadakel, bishop of Ujjain to the hospital on Thursday. The Catholic Church authorities have also alleged that despite written complaints to police and their approaching other government authorities concerned for protection against such atrocities and bullying no action has been taken so far. The inaction of the administration is worrisome and disturbing, they further allege. When contacted Ujjain bishop said there was no dispute on the hospital land for the past 57 years but suddenly ownership of a part of the land was challenged some time back in the local court. While legal dispute was going on the mob attacked the hospital on March 12. There were earlier attacks too on the hospital on January 27, 28 and 30 this year. Gagan Singh said he had won the legal battle against the hospital for his ownership on the particular portion of land which had been given to the hospital out of courtesy by his father for keeping their generator set more than 2 decades back. The fact was he just took possession of his land as per the courts order. It was wrong to say there was any hooliganism on March 12. Inspector general of police Ujjain V Madhukumar denied the allegations that police didnt respond to the complaint of the hospital management. When I came to know I immediately instructed the local police to take action. We are always concerned about protection of minorities. Action has already been initiated against Gagan Singh and others under section 427 of IPC (mischief causing damage to amount of fifty rupees) on the complaint of the hospital management. Collector Ujjain has also initiated an action to maintain status quo at the place, said V Madhukumar. (With input from Sandeep Vatsa in Ujjain) The Betul police are in denial mode that they are in any way responsible for the suicide committed by BA final year student Jaya Chaure on Wednesday. Jaya was being stalked by a local boy Brajesh Asware who was threatening to break off her marriage, which had been fixed for April. She had gone to the local police chowki to lodge complaint against Brajesh on Wednesday morning, but the police did not respond positively and by evening Jaya committed suicide. In her suicide note she blamed Brajesh for her action, leading to outrage in Kamthi village where she lived. However, Betul SP D R Teniwar flatly denied that police was in any way responsible for Jayas death. Talking to the media he said that police receive large number of similar complaints every day and it was not possible to register case in each one of them, without proper investigation. He said that they had taken up the matter for investigation, but Jaya committed suicide before any action could be taken. The SP added that an accident had taken place in the area on Wednesday and the police had to reach there, as a result of which Jayas matter could not be taken up. The SP also said that Brajesh had moved an application at the weekly public hearing at the local collectorate on March 13 where he had alleged that he had Jaya were married and that her family was holding her hostage. He had been advised to approach the local SDM with his complaint. The family members have rubbished Brajeshs claim and are not convinced by the excuses being given by the police. Jayas mother Maya alleged that had the police been pro-active, her child would not have died. Leave alone taking action, the police did not even register the complaint, she alleged. The anger against the police in the village is palpable with everyone blaming them for inaction, more so because police has not been able to arrest the accused Brajesh. Sensing the mood, there was heavy police force during Jayas cremation on Thursday evening and police is still present there. Alia Bhatt was true to her word. As the talented actor celebrated her 25th birthday in Bulgaria, it was a day like any other for her. Shooting for Brahmastra in the country, she spent her day doing what she loves most, acting, and ended the day with a celebration with her friends and the films team. Among those who were present at this birthday celebration included Brahmastra director Ayan Mukerji, films lead Ranbir Kapoors mother Neetu and other members of the team. Alia had said in an interview, If I am working on my birthdays, I dont pay much attention to it. I am happy that Im working this year, because if you celebrate on a set, then the coming year is all about work and it goes well too. So, its a good way [to ring in your birthday]. Neetu posted a few images from the birthday party on her Instagram account. Birthday girl in her own world #brahmastra @aliaabhatt #ranbirkapoor, she captioned the image. However, Ranbir himself was missing from all the photos, leaving his fans intrigued. Alia earlier in the day posted her two looks from the film on her Instagram account with the caption, Movies or in this case MY movies arent just something I do for a living.. its kinda the reason I feel like Im alive SOOn my 25th birthday Ive randomly picked out two images from the 25th DAY of shoot of RAAZI and and and the TRAILER will be out 25 days from today(9th April).. Happy Birthday to me The actor also revealed the trailer release date of Raazi which is April 9. Filmmaker and Alias father, Mahesh Bhatt, also posted a nostalgic photograph and captioned it as, Such a BIG miracle in such a LITTLE girl ! Happy birthday Alia. Karan Johar, the one who had launched Alia Bhatt in Bollywood with his 2012 film Student Of The Year, shared some of the actors looks from the upcoming highly anticipated film Raazi. Her colleagues from the industry also wished Alia. HAPPY BIRTHDAY A post shared by Katrina Kaif (@katrinakaif) on Mar 15, 2018 at 5:47am PDT Happy birthday darling @aliaa08 may this year give u all you desire. You deserve it. Lots of love PRIYANKA (@priyankachopra) March 15, 2018 Happy birthday fellow fishie!!! @aliaa08 Wish you endless peace, harmony, & all things wonderful. May all your dreams come true!, wrote Shraddha Kapoor. Other than Brahmastra, Alia will also feature in Zoya Akhtars Gully Boy along with Ranveer Singh. Born on March 15, 1993 in Mumbai to Indian film director Mahesh Bhatt and actress Soni Razdan, Alia is best known for her roles in films like Badrinath Ki Dulhania, Highway, Udta Punjab and Dear Zindagi. Highway won her the Filmfare Critics Award for Best Actress and Udta Punjab won her the Filmfare Award for Best Actress. Rani Mukerji has been promoting her new film, Hichki, about a teacher learning to overcome Tourette Syndrome, by asking popular Bollywood stars to share stories about their own insecurities and struggles. After speaking to Shah Rukh Khan recently, she has now interviewed his Zero co-star, Katrina Kaif. Her answer was unexpected. Katrina has developed a formidable reputation as a solid dancer after doing numbers such as Chikni Chameli, Kamli and Mashaallah, among others, the actor said that dancing was the biggest hurdle she had to cross in the beginning of her career. For me, my biggest Hichki in the beginning of my career was dancing. While shooting for a Telugu film with superstar Venkatesh, Raju Sundaram was choreographing me. He looked quite irritated with my dancing but didnt say anything. Later, while working on Wanted, I overheard him telling Salman Khan on set that as a dancer, Katrina Kaif is Zero! I was shocked, she said. Katrina will next be seen in Zero, opposite SRK, who also spoke about his struggles. My greatest Hichki moment is the death of my parents. I was 15 when my father passed away and 26 when my mother passed away. It was very sad for us. The empty house without my parents used to come to bite us (my sister and me). The loneliness, pain and sadness of the loss of both my parents, could have been overwhelming enough to take over my life wholly. I decided to overcome this Hichki moment by letting acting fill up my entire life, Shah Rukh said in the interview. The actor added, My parents went away suddenly. We got to know they had cancer and within two and a half months, they were gone. I didnt know what to do. I just felt one night, while at their mazaar that I should fill this void with something. I got a fortunate break in films. For me, acting is not work but a place to vent out my feelings. Hichki is Ranis comeback film after 2014s Mardaani. The film is expected to release on March 23. Follow @htshowbiz for more While Nora Fatehi is in a happy space after making her Bollywood debut in a lead role with My Birthday Song this year, her personal life, it seems, has retaken the forefront, putting the spotlight on her rumoured relationship with actor Angad Bedi. While the two have never admitted to being in a relationship, recent reports suggest that they have called it quits and its because of Angads growing closeness to actor Neha Dhupia.. Ask the Moroccan-Canadian actor about the truth behind this, and she says, Theres nothing really to say about this because we were never together, to begin with. And I am least bothered by all this stuff [rumours]. But then, theres no smoke without fire! Nora clarifies, Im not the one creating the smoke and the fire, lets put it this way. Ive got my head down working hard while others are chasing other frivolous things. While Angad and Nora have made several appearances together Yuvraj Singhs wedding, each others birthday bashes and being the showstoppers at fashion week theyve always maintained just friends status. So, has this friendship gone bitter? I welcome people into my life. If they are genuine, they will stay, and if not, they might just leave. Hypothetically speaking, thats their loss. I keep it moving. For me, my work, family and fans are the most important; rest is just there, says Nora. As for Angads equation with Neha, the two are frequently spotted together and have been quite vocal about their fondness for each other on social media. Honestly, I dont care about Angads closeness to Neha. It really doesnt concern me and Ive got better things to worry about quips Nora. Saying that she is friends with everyone, Nora adds, I dont care about who is close to whom and who chills with whom when it suits them. I dont have time for all that. Everything is just fine. And I understand its normal for people to be interested in whats happening in our [actors] personal lives; its a part of the package. Nora asserts that right now, her only focus is on her career and nothing else. I am too busy building my name in this county. Im looking forward to this year, as I have a lot of things in store for my fans, so Im prepping for that. Im closing some projects, so workwise, its going to be an amazing year, she signs off. Interact with Monika Rawal Kukreja at Twitter/@monikarawal In July 2010, the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution recognising sanitationaccess to, and use of, excreta and wastewater facilities and servicesas a human right. In India, however, a lot of low-income homes dont have access to toilets, thus denying them of the right. People resort to open defecation, and have no sound personal hygiene habits. Deeply-ingrained cultural practices are squarely to be blamed for this. In a lot of homes in rural India, a toilet in the front yardan area earmarked for the holy Tulsi plant is considered impure. Diane Coffey and Dean Sears, authors of Where India Goes, attribute this aversion to the fact that manual scavenging was traditionally the job of the oppressed castes. Even with people in positions of power showing the way by emptying toilet pits themselves, this hostility towards toilets remains. Ill-informed ideas about hygiene are not limited to just toilets. Many people believe that water that looks clean is fit enough to drink; boiling or filtering it is not considered to be a necessity. However, what they dont realise is groundwater as well as other sources of drinking water are polluted due to rapid industrialisation and population explosion. A lot of people also dont consider it essential to wash their hands with soap. Mission cleanliness To change such age-old systems, we need to first educate people. The Swachh Aadat curriculum has been instrumental in showing us how to go about it. Launched as part of HULs Swachh Aadat, Swachh Bharat campaign, this 21-day project aims to teach children in the age group of 5 to 10 the importance of hygiene. It has highlighted three important habits that every child should adopt washing hands at five critical occasions of the day, drinking purified water, and using clean toilets. To make the project interesting, a wide range of activities, games, and characters such as Chamatkari Sonu (a superhero) and Kitabyutor (kitab + computer) are employed. Students are taught either through books or e-textbooks for approximately 20 minutes a day. They are encouraged not just to learn for themselves, but to also bring about a sanitation revolution in their communities. Clean India: Building a healthy nation through education One can learn from the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, which has made tremendous progress in increasing access to hygiene. Launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on October 2, 2014, it has increased sanitation coverage in India from 42 % in October 2013 to 60% in 2018. As of February 2018, more than 6.25 crore toilets had been constructed in rural India, thereby completing nearly 80% of the target. No other country has ever built so many toilets at a stretch; it is an achievement that every Indian should be proud of. For the demographic dividend to be an asset, India needs healthier young people. We cant afford to lose out as a nation because of unscientific beliefs. Leading by example Shweta Rangari (10) is a student of class IV in Zilla Parishad Primary School in Indrathana, a village in Maharashtra. Until recently, she didnt have a toilet in her house, but attending the Swachh Aadat curriculum made her convince her father to build one. All it took was a little bit of determination- Shweta deliberately missed school for 3-4 days, and told her father that if he wanted her to continue pursuing her education, he would have to construct a toilet at home. Her teachers, villagers, and the district administration have lauded her for her efforts. Shweta says she is proud to claim that she uses a toilet day. Earlier, it filled her with embarrassment to be unable to fill one of the columns of the behaviour tracker that is part of the Swachh Aadat curriculum. Cognizant Technology Solutions Corp., the biggest U.S. sponsor of H-1B visas for foreign information technology specialists, says a civil rights lawsuit accusing the firm of bias against workers who arent from India is all wrong. Three former employees claim they were forced out of their jobs and replaced with less qualified South Asians after being poorly treated by their Indian supervisors and colleagues, given unjustifiably low performance ratings and denied promotions. The company contends that what its accused of isnt covered by federal civil rights law. The Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, but plaintiffs factual allegations, on their face, plainly pertain to a claim of discrimination based on national origin -- not race, Cognizant said in a court filing. It also said the complaint is clearly targeted at visa holders, but visa-status allegations have nothing to do with race. Broader Backlash The lawsuit is part of a broader backlash by white IT workers against the visa program that allows U.S. companies to bring in foreign workers for job openings they say cant be filled otherwise. President Donald Trump tapped into this discontentment to capture the White House in 2016. Trumps Buy American and Hire American executive order, signed last April, seeks to ensure that American workers arent unfairly disadvantaged by employers who allegedly abuse the H-1B visa program. U.S. District Judge Dolly Gee in Los Angeles said Thursday she would rule on Cognizants request to dismiss the claims without a hearing. Cognizant received 29,000 H1-B visas last year, according to Homeland Security Department data, about twice as much as Tata Consultancy Services Ltd., second on the list. The biggest U.S. technology companies, such as Amazon.com Inc., Microsoft Corp., and Google Inc., are much further down the list with fewer than 5,000 sponsored visas each. TCS may have to face a class-action trial later this year in Oakland, California, by American workers who claim they lost their jobs because the company is biased in favor of South Asian IT employees. The same Washington law firm representing the workers from TCS and Cognizant is pressing similar claims against Infosys Ltd. and Wipro Ltd., two other IT outsourcing firms. TCS, Infosys and Wipro are all based in India. Cognizants headquarters is in Teaneck, New Jersey. The case is Palmer v. Cognizant Technology Solutions Corp., 17-cv-06848, U.S. District Court, Central District of California (Los Angeles). Goldman Sachs Group Inc. pays female employees in the UK an average of 56% less than male colleagues, another stark example of the entrenched gender imbalances in the financial-services industry. The gap widens to 72.2% for year-end discretionary bonuses, a spokesman for the Wall Street bank said Friday. The disparity in average pay at Goldman Sachs is narrower than at HSBC Holdings Plc, where females were paid an average 59% less than male employees. The national average pay gap is about 18%, according to the Office for National Statistics. The pay gap at Goldman Sachs and other financial firms points to the high concentration of men in senior positions within the industry. Only about 10% to 12% of the highest-paid Goldman Sachs partners are women, according to two people familiar with the matter, who asked not to be named because the information is not disclosed publicly. That figure is comparable with other investment banks in the UK, according to government research from 2016. Goldman Sachs said it aims to have women make up half its workforce in the future, starting with an even split in its class of college graduates by 2021. The bank didnt provide a timeline for achieving gender parity. We also need to hold ourselves accountable to providing more opportunities for women and diverse professionals to rise to the highest levels of our firm, Chief Executive Officer Lloyd Blankfein and President David Solomon wrote in a memo to staff on Thursday. While Goldman Sachs is among the first international lenders to disclose its gender pay data, the bank was not among the first to sign up to a UK government-backed charter committing financial services firms to fill more senior management positions with women. Today it joined 44 other companies, including UBS Group AG, in signing up. The Charter now covers more than 650,000 financial services employees in the UK. The bank has tried several initiatives over the years to increase the number of women among its senior ranks. In 2003, it opened the City of Londons first on-site corporate creche to help working parents. The firm also offers leadership training for aspiring female bankers and allocates time for them to spend with senior leaders for mentoring. All companies with more than 250 UK employees have to disclose their gender pay gaps by April 4. As of Friday, only about 2,400 of an expected 9,000 companies had submitted data to the government website. Among large companies, HSBC, the UKs biggest bank, has so far reported the highest mean gender pay gap, at 59%. The privately-owned fashion retailer Phase Eight is higher still, at 64.8%. UBS last week reported an average gender pay gap of 31 percent for its U.K.-based employees. BNP Paribas SA reported an average gap of 38.3%. The biggest U.S.-based banks have yet to report for their British employees, though in recent weeks, theyve voluntarily published information about their adjusted gender pay gaps -- a less uniform audit that tries to measure whether their male and female employees are paid equally for equal work. Freed photojournalist Kamran expected home todayBy KHALID GULPULWAMA: Photojournalist Kamran Yousuf, released on bail from a Delhi jail after his arrest by NIA last September on charges of stone pelting, is expected in his Pulwama home on Friday.On Tuesday a special court in Delhi granted bail to Yousuf after ruling that there was no evidence to suggest his involvement in subversive acts. He was subsequently released from jail on Wednesday. Kamran was in custody since September 5, 2017, after the NIA said he was in regular touch with anti-national elements and that his work as a photojournalist was a front to cover up his actual subversive activities. The bail came after more than 18 court hearings.Kamran, accompanied by his maternal uncle Irshad Ahmad in Delhi, is expected to reach home Friday. We had to complete the paper work. We will be returning on Friday, Irshad told Greater Kashmir. He said that they were thankful to all who supported Kamran in tough times. I particularly express my gratitude to his lawyers and also to his colleagues in media who stood by him in tough times, Irshad said. Back home, his mother Rubeena Begum is eagerly waiting for her sons return. I talked to Kamran on phone yesterday evening and then couldnt sleep whole night. It has been a long wait, she said. We always maintained that he is innocent, Rubeena said. Begum, who is separated from her husband, lives with Yousuf in a small house at Tahab village of Pulwama district. My brother bore all the expenses in Kamrans case even as his counsels were generous enough and did not charge anything, she said. Recounting the last six months of Kamrans detention, Rubeena said it was painful. Since his arrest I have died every moment. However, I thank God that my son is finally free now and expect this is to be the end of all our troubles. The friends and neighbours of Kamran are also jubilant about his return. Li Ka-shing, a wartime refugee who used to sweep factory floors in Hong Kong for a living, retired after a career spanning more than half a century amassing one of Asias biggest fortunes from building skyscrapers to selling soap bars. The 89-year-old chairman of CK Hutchison Holdings Ltd. and CK Asset Holdings Ltd. will stay an adviser to the group after stepping down in May. Elder son Victor, 53, will take over a conglomerate that touches the lives of practically everyone in Hong Kong -- the familys Power Assets Holdings Ltd. generates their electricity and ParknShop supermarkets sell their groceries. The group also operates mobile-phone stores and Superdrug and Savers in the U.K., owns ports around the world and a controlling stake in Husky Energy Inc. in Canada. Looking back all these years, its my honor to have founded Cheung Kong and to have served society, Li told a packed room of journalists in Hong Kong on Friday. Its been my greatest honor, he said. The retirement came on a high note as Lis four biggest companies -- CK Hutchison, CK Asset, CK Infrastructure Holdings Ltd. and Power Assets Holdings Ltd. -- reported higher 2017 profits. All four stocks rose, though announcement -- including two of the earnings -- came after the end of trading in Hong Kong. With a fortune of about $34 billion, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index, Li has been a fixture as the citys richest man for an entire generation of Hong Kongers and spearheaded an era defined by a handful of swashbuckling Chinese immigrants who built large empires across Asia. For many, he is the face of the changing fortunes of Hong Kong as the former colonys British elite gave way to Chinese dynasties. Lis retirement symbolizes the end of an era, said said Joseph P.H. Fan, a professor at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, who has researched family-run businesses for two decades. No one can replace Li Ka-shing as the legendary founder of the largest conglomerate in Hong Kong. His retirement announcement illustrates his confidence over business continuity, given that he has prepared his son for several decades, Fan said. Uber-Capitalist Li personifies some of the conflicts that came from the regions rise: Dubbed Superman by local media for his business acumen, he symbolizes inequality in a city with one of the most lopsided wealth demographics on the planet. He is a property developer who has won admiration for his entrepreneurial skills and a manager with companies so dominant that they often stifle smaller competition. He also is an uber-capitalist who courted communist leaders. A major figure in Chinas emergence as an economic superpower, Li is the most prominent among a generation of Hong Kong tycoons who charged across the border after Deng Xiaoping and his successors promoted economic reforms. His investments in the mainland span across industries ranging from energy to retail and infrastructure. Starting with some well-timed local property investments that cemented his wealth, Li built a business empire that included retail, energy, ports, telecommunications, media and biotechnology companies worldwide. Overseas, Li-controlled companies are among the biggest foreign investors in the U.K. For many in Hong Kong, Li is a dealmaker and investment guru on par with the likes of Warren Buffett. Lis track record includes a $15 billion profit on the sale of his Orange mobile-phone unit in the U.K. to Germanys Mannesmann AG in 1999. He is a major investor in technology startups such as Facebook, Spotify and Siri. During public appearance, hed routinely be asked for prognostications on stocks, the real estate market and the economy. From Orange to Duet Even toward the end of his career, he didnt slow down his dealmaking. In 2015, the mogul restructured his major holdings into two companies, one housing his property assets and the other holding the rest. He followed with the A$7.4 billion ($5.8 billion) takeover of Australian power provider Duet Group in 2017. Li was born July 29, 1928 in Chaozhou, a city in southern Chinas Guangdong Province. His father was a school principal but the young Lis formal education stopped at high school as invading Japanese troops reached Guangdong. Fleeing war-torn China for Hong Kong in 1940, Li found factory work while also caring for his ailing father, who soon died from tuberculosis. By the time he was a teenager, Li was working 16 hours a day at a plastics trading company. After the war, Li made his first fortune as a manufacturer of plastic flowers. His career as property mogul began in the late 1950s when, unable to renew his lease, he bought the site of his factory. Political Connections In the years to come, Li invested in local real estate as others sold, most notably in 1967, when riots inspired by Mao Zedongs Cultural Revolution in China rocked Hong Kong and sent property prices plunging. His most symbolic coup as a businessman may have come in 1979, when he bought control of trading house Hutchison Whampoa from Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corp. Li quietly negotiated with the bank, now called HSBC Holdings Plc, to buy Hutchison shares for less than half their book value. HSBC agreed and Li became the first person of Chinese origin to own one of the British-founded companies that had dominated the local economy since the colonys founding in 1841. That reputation helped Li make inroads in China, where he mixed extensive political connections with financial interests. Li was a senior adviser to the Chinese government on Britains 1997 handover of Hong Kong and served on the committee that drafted the Basic Law, the citys mini-constitution under Chinese rule. 16-Hour Workday Close Chinese ties had their downside too, particularly in the U.S., as critics including former President Ronald Reagans defense secretary to ex-Republican Senate leader Trent Lott voiced concerns about Lis relationship with China -- allegations denied by Lis camp. The concerns got real enough for a U.S. national security review to thwart Lis bid to buy part of Global Crossing Ltd., which operated a fixed-line communications network in North America, in 2003.Li maintains an intense schedule well into his 80s, saying in a 2016 Bloomberg interview that he works as many as 16 hours daily, seven days a week. Long after he became a billionaire, Li wore a simple Seiko watch rather than a Rolex or other luxury brands preferred by his wealthy peers. In his 80s, he made a small upgrade to a Citizen that cost around $400, he told Bloomberg in 2016, but even then chose something simple and durable. Li is no stranger to tragedy. His wife died in 1990 and his son Victor was kidnapped in 1996. The kidnapper was apprehended and executed in China. Wrestling With Inequality Then there was Hong Kongs inequality, which Li wrestled with during his latter years. If the government set policies through the emotive lens of populist sentiments, it might make you feel better, but not necessarily fare better, Li said in a 2014 interview with Chinese media group Caixin. When a society is mired in discord, it will dent its economic vitality, which is hardly good for anyone. In 2014, just days before the start of student-led democracy demonstrations in Hong Kong, he traveled to Beijing and met with President Xi Jinping. After the protests began, Li urged the students and their supporters to go home, saying their message had been heard. --With assistance from Daniela Wei Indias welathiest person, Mukesh Ambani, said his telecom venture Jio, which has catapulted India as the worlds largest mobile broadband data consuming nation in less than two years, was first thought of by his daughter, Isha, in 2011. Ambani made the statement in his acceptance speech at an awards function in London on Thursday night. Since the idea first cropped up, Reliance Industries, which owns and operates the worlds largest single location refinery complex at Jamnagar in Gujarat, has spent more than $31 billion to break into Indias mobile-phone market. The 2016 upstart, called Jio, dislodged rivals and has emerged as the nations No. 4 carrier by offering call services free for life and data transmission at rates cheaper than most other players in the market. Reliance Jio is also gearing up for newer data-heavy services that can connect homes, businesses, and cars to the internet. With abundant youthful talent, Ambani said India is poised to become the third largest economy in the world by 2028 -- within just a single decade. The idea of Jio was first seeded by my daughter, Isha, in 2011. She was a student at Yale, and was home for holidays. She wanted to submit some coursework, and she said, Dad, the internet in our house sucks, he recalled. Isha and Akash belong to Indias young generation that is far more creative, far more ambitious and far more impatient to become the best in the world. These young Indians convinced me that broadband internet is the defining technology of our age and India cannot be left behind, he said in his acceptance speech for the Drivers of Change award at the Financial Times ArcelorMittal Boldness in Business Awards in London. Ambani said while the United States pioneered 1G mobile network, Europe ushered in 2G, and China leapfrogged with 3G, Jio has created the largest greenfield 4G LTE-only data network in the world. The opening of Nirav Modis jewellery store on Madison Avenue in the fall of 2015 attracted A-listers from actress Naomi Watts to Donald Trump Jr. It also celebrated the expansion of an Indian business that is now near ruin amid an investigation for an alleged $2 billion fraud. As investigators probe Nirav Modis alleged use of fake guarantees from the Punjab National Bank to solicit loans, his past decades business dealings are also coming under scrutiny by Indias $60 billion jewellery industry, which now faces tighter access to credit and more stringent auditing. Modis company Firestar Diamond and another headed by his uncle Mehul Choksi, who is also under investigation for alleged fraud, received about a quarter of the loans made to the nations gems and jewelry sector. Modi, 47, and Choksi, 58, deny any wrongdoing. Both are currently out of the country. The fallout of the scandal threatens to stymie borrowing firepower for the nations jewelers, who are involved in cutting or polishing 12 out of 14 diamonds sold in the world. If Firestar and Choksis Gitanjali Group fail, sales will drop by 16 percent across Indias jewelry industry, putting in jeopardy as many as 11,000 jobs, Care Ratings Ltd. said on February 27. With boutique stores also in Londons Mayfair, Hong Kong, Macau, New Delhi and Mumbai, Modi achieved the global reach his relatives only dreamed of, bolstered by a necklace featuring a 12.29 carat Golconda diamond that was part of the largest jewelry sale in Asia by Christies International in 2010. Diamond-Dealing Family Both Modis father and grandfather were, like him, diamantaires -- a French term for specialist gem-cutters and members of an established diamond-dealing family. Modi grew up in Antwerp, the Flemish-speaking Belgian city where the majority of the worlds mined diamonds are traded and where some 400 Indian families, mostly from the state of Gujarat, have settled since the 1960s. A once aspiring musical conductor, Modi is reported to have attended the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania before dropping out and moving to India at 19 to train at his uncles jewellery company. He worked almost every day to train in every aspect of jewellery production, from sourcing stones and raw materials to quality control, he told the South China Morning Post in 2016. While Choksi wanted to create a luxury goods brand rivaling Cartier and Louis Vuitton, it was his nephews gem-encrusted designs that adorned celebrities from Priyanka Chopra, a Miss World 2000 pageant winner and Bollywood actress, to actress Kate Winslet Though both harboured lofty ambitions, Choksi and Modi chartered different paths. Modi looked abroad, while his uncle focused more on the domestic market, where his business thrived on franchisee partnerships with newcomers to the industry, according to interviews with a dozen diamond traders in India and Belgium. The traders, who declined to be identified because of the sensitivity of the matter, characterised Modi as an ambitious playboy with a penchant for paintings, who was keen to impress with ostentatious displays of wealth. The Enforcement Directorate, an investigation agency under the Finance Ministry, has seized a trove of assets as part of its investigation into Modi and Choksi, according to posts last month on the agencys official Twitter account. Seized items include a Rolls-Royce Ghost, a Porsche Panamera, two Mercedes-Benz vehicles, dozens of imported watches, a farm, and residential and office properties in Mumbai and Pune. Away on business Allegations by the Central Bureau of Investigation are without merit and wont stand up to the courts scrutiny, Modis lawyer Vijay Aggarwal said, adding that he will apply to the court for the release of the seized assets. Modi is overseas for business reasons and, as per his communications with the bureau, has expressed concerns over his safety if he returns, Aggarwal said in an interview Tuesday. Seeing the environment here today -- political, personal, social factors and security factors -- I am myself not in a position to advise my client to return, Aggarwal said. Its incorrect to refer to his client as a fugitive as he has been responding to all queries from the federal investigating agency, the Enforcement Directorate, and the Punjab National Bank, and has been conducting his business overseas, he said. Modi established his company in 1999 and took it abroad five years later. With Nirav Modi boutiques in at least six cities, he was eyeing 30 more outlets in 12 countries by 2020, he told the South China Morning Post, appealing to a clientele that was typically female, young, monied and sophisticated. Modis plans were ambitious and set a frenetic pace of expansion, the Business Standard newspaper said in a Feb. 23 report, citing Vipul Ambani, president of finance at Modis Firestar International Group, who was arrested by Indias Central Bureau of Investigation last month in connection with the fraud case. Investigators have detained Ambani until March 19 citing an active role in cheating Punjab National Bank in conspiracy with Nirav Modi, the Economic Times reported on March 6. Amit Desai, a lawyer for Ambani, said he has a policy of not commenting on ongoing cases and wouldnt say whether or not Ambani is admitting any wrongdoing. Famous surname in controversy Vipul Ambani is a cousin of Mukesh Ambani, Indias richest person. Mukesh Ambanis niece is married to Modis brother Nishal. Nishal, whose name has also been spelled Neeshal in a government document, was named by Punjab National Bank as a suspect in the alleged fraud. A lawyer for Nishal couldnt be immediately reached for comment. The bank wrongly named Nishal, Modis wife, and his uncle Choksi in the complaint, the jeweller is reported to have told Punjab National Bank in a letter last month. Text from the document was published on line February 20 by the Economic Times, which didnt say how it obtained a copy of the letter. Modi was in a constant rush, and it gave Vipul Ambani palpitations thinking of how the jeweller wanted to open 100 stores, when just opening five or 10 was an uphill journey, Vipul Ambani was quoted in the Business Standard report as saying. Turnover at Firestar International totaled 52 billion rupees ($800 million) in the year ended March 2017, more than double the 21.8 billion rupees reported in 2010-11, according to data from the Ministry of Corporate Affairs. Choksis Gitanjali Gems Ltd., founded in 1966 by his grandfather in the western city of Surat, also experienced a meteoric rise. From a market capitalization of 9.9 billion rupees on its Mumbai stock exchange debut in 2006, Gitanjali had a value of 58 billion rupees, 70 brands, and more than 4,000 retail outlets worldwide at its peak seven years later. Now, its worth just 1.46 billion rupees following an almost nine-week share-price slide. Rich list The need to drum up favourable media coverage may have been evident as early as last year, when Modi, who was ranked 85 on Forbes 2017 Indian Billionaires List, made the rounds of major news organizations in India. Seeking to bolster his corporate profile and promote Firestar as more than a lifestyle company, Modis uncharacteristic engagement with journalists prompted speculation of a possible public-listing, which he brushed off in an interview with Bloomberg News in October, saying the company would continue to grow using its own means. Around the same time, Modis wife withdrew their three children from a Mumbai school and moved them to New York, citing her fathers poor health, the Mumbai Mirror reported, citing identified friends of the couple. Having left the country, Modi and Choksi have raised the ire of an Indian government determined to prevent alleged fugitive economic offenders from selling their assets while legal proceedings are underway. The sale of Firestar Group or its assets to recover money that may be owed was proposed by Modi, according to the jewelers letter published by the Economic Times. The business had been valued at 65 billion rupees, which could have either reduced or discharged any bank debt, the letter said, however, erroneous media reports of more than 110 billion rupees of liability led to the immediate seizure of operations that resulted in the Firestar businesses ceasing to be going concerns. This month, the government introduced a bill to impound assets of those who have left the country as it tries to shore up finances of state-run banks already struggling with soured loans. Finance Minister Arun Jaitley told reporters on March 1 that the law will be effective retrospectively, so that it may offer Modi another shot at fame: As a test case for the proposed Fugitive Economic Offenders Act. Drivers of cab aggregators Uber and Ola have threatened to go on an indefinite strike from the midnight of March 18. The strike is expected to be observed in key cities like Mumbai, New Delhi, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Pune among other cities. Ola and Uber had given big assurances to the drivers, but today they are unable to cover their costs. They have invested Rs 5-7 lakh, and were expecting to make Rs 1.5 lakh a month but are unable to even make half of this, owing to the mismanagement by these companies, Sanjay Naik of Maharashtra Navnirman Vahatuk Sena, who is organising the strike, told PTI today. Naik further alleged that these taxi-hailing companies are giving first priority to company-owned cars rather than driver-owned vehicles, causing a slump in their business. While taxi-hailing companies offered loan-guarantee letters to drivers through the Mudra scheme and that too without any verification, they are defaulting on repayment now as their costs are not covered, he claimed. In Mumbai alone there are over 45,000 cabs on these aggregators but due to the slump in business there has been a fall of 20% in the number of cabs running on these platforms in the city. If our demands are not met, we will go on an indefinite strike, he said, adding the drivers had approached MNS leader Raj Thackeray to intervene in the matter. Other unions of Ola and Uber are also in support of the strike, Naik said. The transport department should take strict action as these taxi-hailing companies are violating permit conditions, and also encroaching on the taxi-rickshaw business. It is good they are going on strike, Al Quadros, general secretary, Mumbai Taximens Union said. While Ola declined to comment, an Uber spokesperson said termed the strike call as a speculative. I went last week to pay my respects at Sri Jayendra Sarasvatis brindavanam or sanyasis grave at the Srimatam in Kanchipuram. Devotees thronged the Srimatam, including mridangam maestro Padmavibhushan U. Sivaraman who sat on the bare floor softly playing in personal offering. The atmosphere was orderly and intense, charged with deep emotion and the resonance of mantras and slokas chanted by devotees. I thought of this Shankarcharyas pure smile, love of music and life of ascetic sacrifice. He was a true hero who sincerely attempted to shake the millennia from within society, to achieve a paradigm shift from ritualism to universal public service through massive outreach in health and education with access and respect for all. His influence on modern Indian society was deep and far-reaching, profoundly affecting ordinary lives. As one small, personal instance, my unexpected calling as a writer on religion and culture began with him. My first ever piece on religion was an interview he granted me at the Kamakshi temple in Delhi, with reasonable, progressive answers to What Hindus Hate About Their Faith. If we have properly-trained Vedic priests and scholars today, its thanks to the Kanchi Srimatams sustained rescue in the 20th century of this once almost-dead, wretchedly impoverished tradition; a track-and-restore mission initiated by this Shankaracharyas predecessor, Paramacharya Sri Chandrasekharendra Sarasvati. The other two big Hindu sects in the south, the Sri Vaishnavas and Madhvas, acknowledge this gladly. The Kanchi Shankaracharyas, following Adi Shankaras Advaita philosophy, hold that God is One. They live austerely, get along well with non-Hindus, worship Shiva-Shakti and sign their letters Narayana Smriti. After paying respects at the brindavanam, we waited for the Srimatams daily historic puja to Shiva as Chandramaulisvara, the Moon-bearer, to conclude. I thought of my visit to Kalavai after the Shankaracharyas were unconscionably detained in Vellore in 2004. After the pro-accused media reporting of the Nanavati case in 1959, this was Indias first big anti-accused trial by media, stereotype-fed, speculative and gloating; whereas even some of the ulema spoke up for the Shankarcharyas while far-flung Nepalese wrestlers and prisoners in Coimbatore jail fasted for their release. Post-bail, the two sanyasis spent their customary chaturmasya or four-month July-October retreat meditating at Tirupati and went on to Kalavai, a village about 120 km from Chennai. A 7th century Pallava-dynasty hamlet later called Chaturvedi Mangalam (scholars settlement) by Chola kings, Kalavai lost this status during foreign rule but retained spiritual lustre. Deep amidst its paddy fields and coconut groves is a one-and-a-half acre Shankara Matam, the final resting place of two previous Shankaracharyas and where the Paramacharya took sanyas in 1907 I feel my gurus grace around me here, Sri Jayendra Sarasvati told me, after discoursing on how Adi Shankaras message remained relevant to modern India. The poem Bhaja Govindam has existential verses warning believers to seek God, since the world flocks around only so long as one has wealth or power, he said... The curtain was drawn aside just then on his successor, the 70th Shankaracharya, Sri Vijayendra Sarasvati, seated in calm, concentrated worship, a hair-raisingly mystical sight. We left greatly moved and heartened. For a state, which has nearly half its landmass under forest cover, Uttarakhand, with a dedicated ministry to look after the forests, has not much to write home about so far as conservation efforts are concerned. The department has more often than not remained embroiled in controversies, sometimes over the sluggish pace of work, sometimes over allegations against Harak Singh Rawat, the minister in charge, and mostly for lack of decisions. As per official records, Rawat hasnt taken a single decision in the name of conservation. As per the national estimation of Forest Survey of India (FSI), Uttarakhand has witnessed a marginal a marginal increase of 23 sq km forest cover. The latest FSI report of 2017 has reported the total forest cover in the state at 24,295 sq km. The revised assessment of 2015 survey had reported 24,272 sq km forest cover. The forest cover, as per 2017 report, is just over 45% of Uttarakhand total area of 53,843 sqkm. No State Board for Wildlife meeting One of the key responsibilities of a forest minister is to ensure timely constitution of State Board for Wildlife (SBWL) and ensure that it meets regularly. As per the guidelines, the board should meet at least once in a year. It was only after great efforts that the board could be constituted. The board, however, is yet to hold a meeting. The board is instrumental in giving clearances to developmental projects, conservation steps, and other important decisions for the protection of the ecosystem. Had conservation been the governments mandate, then they would have constituted the board and have had at least one meeting, said Rajeev Mehta, former wildlife warden, Rajaji Tiger Reserve. The board is headed by the chief minister and has among its members several non-government organizations and independent experts. The last board meeting was chaired by former CM Harish Rawat on November 7, 2016. Nandhaur and Surai Days before Trivendra Singh Rawat formed government, states chief wildlife warden, Digvijay Singh Khati, had said that work was on to convert a wildlife sanctuary and a forest range into tiger reserves. The Nandhaur Wildlife Sanctuary and the Surai Range are the two proposed tiger reserves the first falls under the Terai Arc Landscape spanning across India and Nepal and the second in the Terai East division. When Harak Singh Rawat was took charge as forest minister after governments formation on March 18, it was expected that he will push for early formation of the two tiger reserves. Uttarakhand has two tiger reserves the Corbett Tiger Reserve and the Rajaji Tiger Reserve and with the formation of the other two, the mountain state would become the first in North India to have four tiger reserves. For a state that has the second highest tiger population in the country 340 as per the 2015 tiger census it would have been a great boost in terms of tourism and revenue potential. Officials claim that the Nandhaur sanctuary, notified in 2012, has over 40 tigers, and Surai range has 12. Officials claim that the Nandhaur sanctuary, notified in 2012, has over 40 tigers, and Surai range has 12. Its been three years since we mooted the idea (to NTCA) for having two more tiger reserves. The state government has to take a final call, and we are already in process of looping in concerned legislators whose constituencies are close to the proposed reserves, Khati had recently said. The new reserves will be notified after the state wildlife board gives its approval. The board, as mentioned, is yet to meet. Forest guard recruitment A minister, Harak Singh Rawat Rawat, however, has one major decision to his credit amendment in service rules for guards and foresters. Rawat also cancelled the appointments made against 1218 forest guard positions. During a cabinet meeting on March 12, the government approved the changes in the service rules. As per the decision, a person who has done intermediate in any stream is eligible for the post of the guard. The minimum age was raised to 28. Currently, 2,600 guards are working against sanctioned strength of 3,650. Meanwhile, changes have also been in rules pertaining to employment of foresters. Earlier, 100 per cent positions of foresters were filled on promotion basis. Now, 33% post would be filled through direct recruitment and 67% on promotion basis. Only those who have done intermediate with science stream or agriculture as a subject are eligible for the post. The forest guards are, however, sore over direct recruitment of foresters. The promotion rules are extremely tough and only those who have completed 10 years as guards will be promoted as forester. But, direct recruitment is a blow to the field staff, which should be immediately cancelled, RR Penuilly, member of forest guard association, said. Kandi Road Harak Singh Rawat is personally monitoring CM Rawats flagship project Kandi Road. He dropped Surendra Mehra, director Corbett Tiger Reserve (CTR) from the project and deployed Anup Mallik, who heads Ecotourism Development Corporation, as the nodal officer. He also took several meeting to understand the technicalities of the project that envisages construction of a road passing through Corbetts boundary adjoining Amangarh in Uttar Pradesh. Amangarh acts as a buffer zone for the reserve. Of the total 88 km stretch of the road, 22 km passes through the reserve of which 10 km passes through a patch with thick forest on either side of the reserve. Not to leave any stone unturned, the minister has engaged Wildlife Institute of India (WII) and is promoting the road as country first Green Road. The institute would be assisting the officers in understanding the gradient of the roads and identify places of wildlife movement so that mitigation could be done. The curious case of an official Rawat and school education minister had been at loggerheads over the deployment of a block education officer in the labour department, also headed by Harak singh Rawat. School education secretary Bhupinder Kaur, however, refused to issue a no-objection certificate (NOC) required for designating the said woman official as an assistant executive officer with the labour welfare board. Insiders claim that Rawat had first pursued the case with the school education department. Subsequently, school education minister Arvind Pandey consulted the CM, who was also against granting the NOC request. Soon after the meeting, Kaur wrote to the labour department expressing inability to relieve the officer. The school education department is already short of staff and deputation would mean the loss of another officer for no reason, a senior official with school education department said requesting anonymity. Chief minister Trivendra Singh Rawat will present his much awaited report card before the people at a gala function to be held at the sprawling Parade Ground here on March 18 to mark completion of the BJP governments one year. Rawat might also announce some major sops with an eye on the forthcoming urban local body polls and the 2019 general election. Officials at the chief ministers office (CMO) said for Rawat, completion of one year of his government wont be just a ceremonial occasion. The chief minister plans to utilise the event not only to share with people his governments performance so far, but he might also announce some major sops, said a CMO official, who did not wish to be named as he was not authorised to brief the media. He said Rawat might also announce some major pro-poor schemes with an eye on the crucial upcoming polls. On the occasion, the chief minister will distribute some 1,000 e-rickshaws among the unemployed youth from the poor sections of society, said the chief ministers media adviser Ramesh Bhatt. Another aide of the chief minister said Rawat might announce payment of honorariums for Asha (Accredited Social Health Activist) workers, which had been pending for the past five years. Bhatt said the chief minister feels that the occasion of the completion of his governments one year should be celebrated in a manner that the poor could also identify with it. The chief minister during the first year of his government gave utmost importance to check the forced rural-urban migration and migration from the hills, he said. In that connection, he initiated a slew of steps so far, which he would share with people. Bhatt said those steps also include employment generation on which the CM laid a lot of emphasis to check forced migration from the hills. During the past one year, there had been a substantial employment generation in all sectors, be it tourism, agriculture, horticulture or even small scale industry, he said. In that connection, he took a lot of initiatives like his plan to set up growth centres in all 670 Nyay Panchayat areas. As part of those initiatives, as many as 17,000 people got employment in the 2,951 units set up in the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) sector in the past one year. Besides, new Start Up policy was also enforced to generate self-employment, Bhatt said. Similarly, the governments initiative to develop one each tourist destination in all the 13 districts in the state also aims to generate direct and indirect employment and self-employment. The chief minister will share all those pro-people initiatives and other schemes initiated by his government in the past one year, he said. In fact, he (chief minister) plans to generate employment and self-employment opportunities at a scale that forced migration from the hills gives way to reverse migration, Bhatt said. Another official at the CMO said Rawat might announce unveiling of 111 additional 108 emergency mobile service vans. These mobile vans would cater to the people inhabiting remote areas. The chief minister may also hand over appointment letters to the recently appointed some 461 doctors and 400 auxiliary nurse midwives at the venue of the gala function, said the CMO aide. Students across the country may have to spend four years in college to graduate with a Bachelors degree in line with a potentially controversial proposal the committee drafting a National Education Policy (NEP) is set to make to the human resource development (HRD) ministry in its report, Hindustan Times has learnt. Senior HRD ministry officials discussed the proposal at length in a meeting, three people familiar with the matter said. The committee on NEP has studied the issue comprehensively and reached a consensus on the issue, which will need approval by the ministry, the people said on condition of anonymity. Engineering students spend four years to do their graduation, which gives them ample time to do project work and undergo internships or training too. It is being proposed that across the country universities should also offer four-year undergraduate programmes so that there is more time for other activities s necessary for the overall growth (of students), said one of the three people familiar with the issue. Delhi Universitys experiment with a four-year undergraduate programme five years ago proved to be controversial. The institution increased the duration of the three-year Bachelors degree programme by one year in 2013, but withdrew it the following year after protests by students a section of teachers and a face-off with the University Grants Commission. The university restored the three-year format soon after the then human resource development (HRD) minister, Smriti Irani, said the university must not sacrifice the interest of the students at the altar of prestige. The four-year programme was introduced by then Delhi University vice chairman Dinesh Singh , who argued that the existing curriculum was not necessarily placing students in touch with real-life issues and that they were finding it difficult to find jobs. Students resisted the concept. Sometimes they make it three years. Sometimes four years. There is no consistency, said Kunal Sehrawat, vice president of the Delhi University Students Union. The HRD ministry has formed a committee under K Kasturirangan, former chief of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), to draft the NEP. The eight-member committee is expected to submit its report by March 31. Kasturirangan declined comment. As the syllabus will be spread across four years it will give ample time for students to undergo training which will prepare them for jobs in the future too, said the second person, a senior HRD ministry official. HRD minister Prakash Javadekar said no proposal had been received yet. The people familiar with the issue said a four-year undergraduate course, if approved by the ministry, will only be for new university entrants and not those already enrolled in three-year programmes. The report of the committee is yet to be received by the government. We will examine the proposal if made, with open mind and after hearing all stakeholders, R Subramanyam, secretary, higher education, HRD ministry. Dinesh Singh, who faced flak for the hurried manner in which the four-year format was introduced by Delhi University when he was vice-chancellor, welcomed the proposal. Better late than never. I am happy to see that wisdom has prevailed. I have always been a votary of a creative platform for learning that allows a student time and space to find her true calling in life. It is not so much the number of years as it is about freedom and time to think combined with the use of hands that is needed in our undergraduate programmes. Such knowledge in action encourages enterprise and creativity, he said. I am confident that if implemented properly with due regard for not overburdening students with theoretical knowledge ,it will alter the mindsets of the young towards productive and creative enterprises. In the short time that we ran such a programme at Delhi University, undergraduates began to do research, create startups and became entrepreneurs. Some other key proposals in the NEP are likely to include giving students greater flexibility in choosing technical and humanities subjects (for instance, they can pick chemistry and music). The committee is looking at introducing more courses on humanities/social sciences in technical education. And to ensure flexibility in course nomenclature, credit transfer, online courses, MOOCs, eligibility, migration and recognition of prior learning, added the HRD ministry official. The Centre has released the draft of a new forest policy with the focus on commercial use of forest produce, creating green jobs, encouraging private plantations, watershed development, and mitigating climate change impacts through forestry. The new policy seeks to replace the existing forest policy of 1998. India continues to pursue the target set in 1952 to bring 33% of its geographic area under forest cover. The most recent state of forest report showed that India has registered a marginal increase in recent years in green cover-- that includes forest as well as tree cover. It took into account trees that are grown outside forest area. Despite the increase, it is still hovering in the range of about 24%, much below the set target. The new policy aims to leverage the direct and indirect economic benefits from forests by encouraging the use of wood and forest-based industries, improving the prospects through promoting green jobs and ensuring self-sufficiency in timber production. The 1988 policy emphasised substitution of wood and placed direct economic benefit as secondary to the principal aim of environmental stability. The new draft policy also paid special attention to the emerging threat of forest fire and gave emphasis on its prevention. This week at least 12 trekkers died in a forest fire in Tamil Nadu. Other states in India have also seen an increase in forest fire incidents in the past decade. Features of draft forest policy 1) Tackling climate change by increasing green cover: India has set itself a target of creating additional carbon sink of 2.5-3 billion tonnes 2) Encouraging private plantations: With the slow pace of increase in green cover, hovering around 23-24%, policy seeks to encourage tree plantation in non-forest areas including private lands. 3) Forest fire prevention: Plans to map the vulnerable regions, bolster early warning systems and improve fire control techniques. 4) Boosting agroforestry and green jobs: Encourages industries that use forest produce, because they are labour intensive 5) Watershed development in forests: Promotes watershed development in forest areas not only to prevent soil erosion but also to recharge the water table. The new policy takes cognisance of not just the challenges posed by climate change but also the opportunities it brings. Increasing green cover now has an added impetus-- to lock in carbon dioxide to meet Indias nationally determined contribution (NDC) of creating an additional carbon sink of 2.5- 3 billion tonnes. The environment ministry in its draft policy has pushed for boosting private plantation outside forest areas, primarily to supply forest produce for industrial use and also to increase the carbon stock. After removing restrictions on felling and transit of bamboo in order to promote private plantations, the Centre is now pushing for states to exempt at least 10 other agro-forestry tree species from felling and transit permit restrictions across the country. A forest certification mechanism has been proposed that would allow industries to determine if the timber is sustainably harvested. The forest policy also takes note of the deepening water crisis and seeks to promote watershed development in forest areas not only to prevent soil erosion but also to recharge the water table. There is also a proposal to promote urban greens. The draft also has a specific section dedicated to forests in the North East, which hosts some of the densest and biodiversity-rich forests in India. The policy will be heavily scrutinized after a controversial draft was released in 2016. The environment ministry had uploaded a draft prepared by the Bhopal-based Indian Institute of Forest Management. However, it was unceremoniously withdrawn and the ministry did its best to distance itself from it. They had recommended a community forest management system, sort of creating a parallel system that ignored the community forestry management framework that was emerging under the Forest Rights Act, said Shruti Agarwal, a researcher at the Centre for Science and Environment. This time the policy takes cognizance of the FRA. Another point of contention in the withdrawn draft was the suggestion to involve private sector in managing forests within forest land. The 2018 draft calls for public-private partnerships to undertake afforestation in degraded forest areas and forest areas under the Forest Development Corporations and outside forests. They keep formulating policies, but the important thing is whether they are implemented or not, what we need is a policy regulator, said J.V.Sharma, director, forestry & biodiversity division of the Energy and Resources Institute. The Supreme Court in 2014 asked the environment ministry to set up an independent environment regulator for ensuring that environmental laws, including those with respect to forests, are enforced. The draft provides for setting up of a National and State Boards of Forestry for periodic review. Stakeholders have till April 14 to submit feedback. Parents of children studying at Delhi Public School Ghaziabad in Palam Vihar have voiced their displeasure, as the committee formed to look into the fee hike issue has asked them to explain why they didnt pay the increased fee even after a court order. The parents met the committee members on Friday. The committee, headed by G Anupama, the divisional commissioner of Faridabad, also met the schools principal and heard both sides. The school,the parents alleged, did not allow around 225 students to give their final school exams as their parents did not pay the hiked fee. The parents alleged that while the school allowed students of classes 9-12, whose parents did not pay the hiked fee, to write their exams, they didnt make a similar exception for students of classes 1-8. The school had sent a report to the district education office last month mentioning that it had issued notices to 315 parents throughout the last academic session. Of the 315 parents, 90 paid the hiked fee, while the remaining 225 did not, the report mentioned. However, it did not say how many students were allowed to sit for their exams. The parents said that the committee was formed last December to probe if the fee hike was fair. They said they were taken aback by the conduct of the panel members during the meeting on Friday. We were asked why we did not pay the (hiked) fee? The parents who could afford to pay the hiked fee have already paid, while the ones who cant havent. I cant understand why the committee members are questioning us. The school struck off my daughters name as I moved court over the fee hike issue, Dev Kumar, one of the affected parents, said. Read I Gurgaon: Committee to look into DPSG fee hike issue Ajay Yadav, whose son studies in Class 3, said, My son was not allowed to appear for his final exam. We tried to get in touch with the principal, but she refused to meet us. The school has taken a drastic step and now, we are unsure about the future of our children. Ajay Chauhan, whose daughter is studying in Class 4, said, I have worried about my daughters future. I dont know where to go and what to do. Deepika Sharma, principal, DPSG, said, We have submitted the documents (sought by the panel) and some more will be submitted in a week. We have been sending text messages, WhatsApp alerts and emails to parents since April, but they are yet to pay the hiked fee. Even the Punjab and Haryana high court, on December 15, asked the parents to pay the fees, but despite dozens of reminders, they havent complied with the order. While some parents have cleared their dues, we cant continue with the students whose parents have refused to pay. We did not stop defaulting students of classes 9-12 from taking their exams. The defaulting kindergarten students did not have any exams, Sharma said. Sharma also met the committee members including Anupama, the district elementary education officer, a chartered accountant and an educationist from the district on the fee issue. SRINAGAR: Two rebel fighters were killed in an overnight gunfight with the government forces in Khonmoh area on the outskirts of Srinagar have been identified as Owais Ahmad of Tral and Shabir Ahmad of Aghanzipora. A top police official said that the bodies were identified by their families. The bodies have been handed over to them, he said, adding the slain belonged to Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind militant outfit. The gunfight had begun yesterday after militants attacked the policemen guarding a Bharatiya Janata Party leader Dr Anwar Khan. Following leads, forces cordoned a cluster of houses at Balhama, wherein the hiding militants fired upon them. During the initial firing, a CRPF personnel sustained bullet injuries and was shifted to 92 Base Hospital for treatment. He is stated to be stable, said a spokesman. Meanwhile, protests have erupted in Nowdal and Aghanzipora Awantipora native areas of the slain militants. Reports said that taranas were being played on the public address systems of the mosques in these areas. New applicants for bank accounts, Tatkal passports, mutual funds and telecom services will have to still provide their Aadhaar number to avail of services even after the Supreme Court indefinitely extended the 31 March deadline, Ajay Bhushan Pandey, chief executive officer of the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI), said in an interview on Tuesday. The apex court extended the deadline until after it rules on petitions challenging the constitutional validity of Aadhaar. Edited excerpts: What does the Supreme Courts interim order on Tuesday mean? The Attorney General had earlier made a statement that when the time comes the government would not be averse to extending the deadline. Based on that, when the matter came up on Tuesday again, the Attorney General said that we may extend the date for bank accounts and other services, but so far as the benefits, subsidies and services under Section 7 of the Aadhaar Act are concerned, that should remain undisturbed. The court accepted both the arguments and gave the order that for subsidies and welfare programme under Section 7, the deadline will remain as it is. For bank accounts and non-subsidy areas like passport, telecom, the linkage with the existing account, the court has directed that the interim order of 15.12.2017 shall stand extended till the matter is finally heard and the judgement is pronounced. However, for opening new accounts, either the Aadhaar number or the enrolment ID is required. So, some reports in media saying that Aadhaar number is not any more required for bank accounts, mutual funds, telecom, etc. are not correct. In each sector, there are two types of things the existing ones and the new ones. For the existing ones, the date has been extended, but for the new ones, such as opening of new accounts, etc., Aadhaar is required. There seems to be some confusion with the Tatkal passports. The Supreme Court order is clear and is applicable to passport also. In case of applying for a new Tatkal passport, Aadhaar number or enrolment ID with other documents is needed. To that extent, we did not see much change in status for Tatkal passports from the courts order. Many states collected their own biometric database before the Aadhaar Act was passed in 2016. In a Supreme Court hearing, the Gujarat government lawyer said that data has been destroyed after the enactment of the Act. Did UIDAI also dump some data related to them? The other side (petitioners against Aadhaar) said that there were some states creating state resident data and that was not good as it leads to a surveillance state. In pre-Aadhaar (Act) situation, all the state governments were our registrars i.e. they were registering people for Aadhaar. Whenever someone enrols, the demographic information i.e. name, date of birth, address and biometrics- photograph, fingerprint and iris (scan) are collected. The states used to keep a copy and send another copy to us. The information was stored in an encrypted manner and there was a key to it. We would do the de-duplication at the backend to generate an Aadhaar number and inform you of the Aadhaar number so that you will have a database of all the persons you have registered along with the Aadhaar number now and the other information you already have. But yes, its a fact that the information was available to them as it was the arrangement under which they were collecting the information itself. There was also another situation. Suppose you have gone to a bank and have enrolled for Aadhaar, so the bank will have one copy but while filing the application form you say that I dont have any objection if my data is shared with the entities involved in the delivery of social benefits. For such people, even though the registration has been done by the bank and bank has the biometrics..., we gave the demographic information and Aadhaar number to the state governments. So the state governments had a dataset, one dataset of the people whom they have enrolled along with their biometrics and another is the ones that they got from other registrars where they got only the demographic data. This was called State Resident Data Hub and the idea was that the state governments are involved in the various benefit schemes like MGNREGA, PDS etc. and accordingly plans (benefits of) which schemes should be given to you and which schemes should not be given to you. However, when the Aadhaar Act came, many of these things went away. The first thing that went away was that we stopped giving one copy of the data to them. We also told them please destroy all the biometric data that we have given to you before the Act. Did they destroy it? Yes, we have got certificates from state governments and we are filing them in courts. All of them have been destroyed. We were also quite worried because once the Aadhaar Act came, it was our responsibility to protect the biometric data wherever it is. Im also very confident while saying this because only a few states were technologically capable of keeping the data. Most of the states had told us to keep their copy of the data as well. They had told us that whenever they would need it, they would ask us but no one actually asked for it. Those states that kept the data were not in a position to use the biometrics. So, whatever data we had, we destroyed it. Only the biometric data was destroyed, the demographics remain with the states. The Aadhaar Act provides for it and the demographics have much lesser information than that you have on a voter ID card except for the Aadhaar number. And anyway the state government is supposed to be having your Aadhaar number. Some states went ahead to build their own biometric database. For example, Gujarat has a PDS system which works on biometrics. Im not aware of (that). This is a parallel activity which has nothing to do with UIDAI. In earlier days, Gujarat said that we dont want to use Aadhaar-based PDS system because we have been working on the biometric base earlier than us. At some point, Andhra Pradesh also said that it had tried something similar with iris (scan identification). So they were using their own biometrics. So far as Aadhaar is concerned, we have come out with registered devices where whenever the fingerprint is put, it gets encrypted with our key and time stamp. So if you try to replay, the time stamp will be different. We will protect the biometrics to the best of our ability and never allow it to be compromised. In the last eight years, my database has been secure and not breached. In the worst case, lets say that the biometrics have been leaked but question is, your biometrics are anyway in the public domain, right? Your face, your fingerprint, everything is in public domain; therefore, this catastrophe that we are talking about doesnt hold. By knowing your Aadhaar number, the other person can do nothing; it also needs biometrics unlike a social security number where a person can impersonate you by just (knowing) the number. If we say that the Aadhaar number and biometric is being used to impersonate you, we have an arrangement here as well; whenever you are putting your biometric it will always be in front of a person. So unless and until that person is also compromised, then its a case of collusion and no system can then protect it. What is the level of encryption that UIDAI has? The encryption that we have is 2048 bits. Normally, in a digital signature you have an encryption of 256 bits. So, we are almost eight times higher. Now, when you try to break this encryption. The fastest computer on earth will require more than the age of the universe to break this. Do you review the level of encryption and try to move it to higher levels? We have two committees. One is the UIDAI technology and architecture review committee where we have a few outside experts. These are professors from IITs (Indian Institutes of Technology), Indian Institute of Science and National Cyber Security. The countrys top experts are in the architecture board. We also have a security review committee. It includes a few directors of IITs and defence experts. Security is kind of a continuous process. Today what is secure, probably after five months, it may not be secure. We need to anticipate that after 5-6 months what things might come up and accordingly we have to take counter-measures. No one should be excluded from benefits because they dont have an Aadhaar card as its supposed to be an inclusive thing. There is a provision of physical copy of downloaded version of Aadhaar but why is it that the provisioning is still not happening? This is a new law and it still has to percolate down. We have told all the state governments, all banks and everywhere else to accept it. Our cabinet secretary, on 19 December 2017, issued a circular to all state governments and ministries saying that they should ensure that no one is denied the benefits. The awareness also should be built in. If a bank branch or local ration shop doesnt accept it, then people should complain. The government is not ambiguous on this and has given statutory guarantee of inclusion in the Aadhaar Act itself. One of the issues that keep coming up is the failure rates during authentication. Some of these numbers are alarming, is that really the case? The question is, what do you mean by failure rates? If a person goes to do the authentication at a particular time and after multiple trials if it happens, we consider the authentication as a success and not a failure. Such success rate is between 86-98%. The range is there because the rate depends on which organisation you are looking at. If a state government has recently started authentication for PDS, there might be a human error as people are not well-trained. In the telecom sector, the success rate is 96% whereas in state subsidy schemes, the success rate is around 86-87%. The maximum rejection rate at individual level is 14% and the minimum is around 4%. In your ecosystem, there were some issues with people at the front-end who are actually providing the services to customers. What is happening there? Initially, Aadhaar was voluntary for both enrolment and services. Therefore there was not much premium for doing something wrong and the system was working very well. The moment it became mandatory and Aadhaar became a reliable document, there were certain elements at the front-end who tried to take advantage of this. Either by indulging in corruption i.e. charging exorbitantly or not collecting proper documents. It was leading to a lot of discontent among the people and so we aligned our focus to changing the environment at the ground level and working on creating a trustworthy ecosystem. We have a zero-tolerance policy. The apology tendered by Delhi chief minister and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convener Arvind Kejriwal to former Punjab minister Bikram Singh Majithia for his drug charges is a self-goal. The AAP chiefs act has triggered a revolt by furious state leaders in Punjab, pushing the party into its gravest crisis hitherto. They were not only caught unawares, it was a big loss of face for them as the party had centred its campaign for the state assembly elections on this issue. Also, Majithia, who is related to the Badals, was their favourite target in election rallies in the run-up to assembly polls with Kejriwal leading the charge. When 18 of the 20 MLAs met in the state assembly building within hours of the apology, they contemplated splitting from the party and forming a separate, independent group. A decision was deferred for want of consensus, but the threat is not over. The state leaders, particularly AAPs state unit president Bhagwant Mann, his deputy Aman Arora and leader of opposition Sukhpal Khaira, are as much indignant over the regret expressed by Kejriwal as they are with complete lack of consultation. But neither is this the first self-inflicted wound nor the first proof of lack of trust between the Punjab leaders and the central leadership of the party. Before the assembly polls, Kejriwal and his strategists had tried to run the state unit through their own trusted people, including Sanjay Singh and Durgesh Pathak, who were dubbed as outsiders by the local leaders. When the partys performance fell short of expectations, Khaira and others blamed them. The newest crisis could not have come at a worse time as the AAP, which was a distant runner-up in last years elections, has had a poor run since. The state unit did not have an observer for eight months following Sanjay Singhs resignation in May 2017. Another problem has been total lack of cohesion among the leaders with competing ambitions who have been trying to outdo each other. That Punjab unit president and Sangrur MP Bhagwant Mann, the partys most popular Punjab face without a doubt, and leader of opposition Sukhpal Singh Khaira, its most aggressive leader, are not the best of friends is no secret. They are on the same side now. And it showed in their showing in the subsequent byelection in Gurdaspur Lok Sabha constituency and civic polls in four major cities. Kejriwal made his deputy Manish Sisodia the state affairs in-charge in December last, but before he could do something things have gone from bad to worse in the only state where the party had tasted success outside Delhi. Known for backing the underdog, Punjab is where the AAP had won all its four Lok Sabha seats Faridkot, Fatehgarh Sahib, Sangrur and Patiala by getting 25% of the votes polled. The parliamentary polls are due next year. And this is the state where Kejriwal faces his toughest challenge in keeping his house in order. A 75-year-old Australian who raped minor boys and young men in Andhra Pradesh and Odisha over several years was released from jail immediately after his conviction last month, media reports said on Friday. Paul Henry Dean posed as a priest and a doctor to sexually abuse young boys and men at an orphanage for children with visual, speech and hearing impairments in Visakhapatnam as well as in several places in Odisha. A court in Visakhapatnam had sentenced Dean to three years simple imprisonment but granted him bail shortly afterwards, the reports said. The Guardian quoted a police official, S Naidu, as saying that Dean was released after he filed an appeal. After most of the victims turned hostile during the court proceedings, Dean was convicted on the basis of only one victim, a visually impaired boy. One alleged victim, a 15-year-old with hearing and speech impairments, committed suicide in 1985 after accusing Dean of sexual abuse. Dean, addressed as tataguru (grandfather) by his victims, Dean, has lived in India for more than four decades after fleeing Australia on a fake passport in 1976. He Dean vanished from Australia using a fake passport after allegedly stealing AU$100,000 from a travel company, according to a 2009 investigation by ABCs Four Corners, the Guardian said. Four people, including the father of a BJP leader, were killed in separate incidents since Thursday evening, in a renewed spurt in criminal activities in Bihar. More than 20 armed criminals on Thursday late evening attacked the house of one Tej Narayan Yadav, a local BJP leader, in Darbhangas Bhadha village and killed his father, 70-year-old Ram Chandra Yadav, police said. Kamal Yadav, 20, a kin of the BJP leader, sustained injuries in the attack. The BJP leader was not present in the house when the attack happened. Police said Yadav along with his supporters had recently changed the name of a roundabout in the locality and rechristened it Narendra Modi chowk. A section of local villagers, including those from minority community, had been protesting the name change. Eye witnesses said the anger was simmering for a long time but on Thursday evening, the rival group attacked Yadavs house with sharp and lethal weapons, apparently after being provoked by BJP supporters. They came rushing in and hacked the old man with swords, said Kamal Yadav, who managed to escape with a few injuries. The state BJP unit condemned the incident even as scores of party workers on Friday thronged the village and blocked the Darbhanga-Laheriyasarai main road near Karpoori chowk, demanding arrest of the assailants and suspension of Sadar station house officer. We have arrested four persons in connection with the incident, said Darbhanga SSP Satyaveer Singh. Hours earlier, criminals shot dead a shopkeeper dealing in electronic goods at More English village allegedly over an old dispute. Gautam Yadav, 38, was shutting down his shop around 8pm for the day when three motorcycle borne assailants came from behind and pumped three bullets into his body killing him on the spot, police said. The murder sparked angry protests as locals took to the streets and blocked the National Highway 31, demanding immediate arrest of the culprits and compensation to the family. Patna senior police superintendent Manu Maharaj said they suspect involvement of one Navin Yadav, a fellow villager of the deceased, in the crime. The duo had an altercation over some dispute a month back. The murder seems to be the fallout of the personal feud between the two, he said. In the states north western district of Supaul, criminals killed two persons in separate incidents since Thursday evening. Social worker Khurshid Alam was shot dead at Lakhsminia village under Triveniganj police station. The motive behind the murder is not yet known. Within a kilometer away, police found a bullet ridden body of a middle aged man. His face was covered with a towel indicating that the criminals had also tried to strangulate him. The murders sparked protests with locals blocking the NH32. When police arrived to disperse the protestors, the frenzy mob drove them away. We are investigating both the murders, said Supaul superintendent of police Mrityunjay Kumar Choudhary. In Vaishali district, criminals attacked garment trader Bhola Paswan ( 48), at Anwarpur chowk under town police station and decamped with Rs 1 lakh on Thursday evening. The motorcycle-borne assailants fired two bullets at the trader. Locals rushed a profusely bleeding Paswan to a nearby hospital from where he was referred to PMCH for further treatment. Police said looting money was the sole objective of the criminals. Since January 1, at least 50 people, including traders and minors, have been killed across the state. Political expert HM Diwakar said that the growing lawlessness in the state is reflecting badly on the Nitish Kumar-led NDA government. Unidentified persons hacked to death the father of a BJP worker in Darbhanga allegedly over the naming of a square on the outskirts of the city after Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Police, however, claimed that the murder of 65-year-old Ramchandra Yadav late Thursday, whose BJP activist son Kamlesh Yadav sustained injuries in the attack, was the fallout of a personal enmity. Kamlesh Yadav, who was undergoing treatment at a hospital, told reporters: A chowk (square) at our native village of Bhadavan in Sadar police station area had been named after Narendra Modi two years ago. Yesterday, local RJD supporters, who had been opposed to naming of the square after Modi, tried to remove the plaque bearing the name of the square. When we protested, they said that the RJDs victory in bypolls marked their partys resurgence and so they wanted to rename the square after Lalu Prasad, alleged Yadav. The RJD supporters went away after we resolutely opposed them. However, in the night, a group of 20-25 people came to hour house riding motorcycles, attacked my father with a sword, severing his head, said Yadav, whose arm was slashed by a sword. Additional SP, Darbhanga, Dilnawaz Ahmad, however, said: As per our information, the attackers had some personal enmity with Kamlesh Yadav and his family. We are not aware of any dispute over naming of the square, though all angles would be investigated. Local BJP workers in the district also staged a demonstration in protest against the killing, blocking road traffic for close to an hour. They were pacified by the police who assured them of adequate action against the guilty. Meanwhile, state BJP spokesman Rajib Ranjan said over phone: Incidents like these demonstrate the RJDs belief in hooliganism and corruption. They have merely retained two seats they had held earlier, but they want to strike terror in the hearts of the people of Bihar. On a day the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) pulled out of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), Union road transport and highways minister Nitin Gadkari ruled out granting special status to Andhra Pradesh because it was constitutionally not viable and practically not possible. We have given many packages to Andhra Pradesh. If we give special status to Andhra today, another state will ask for it tomorrow, and then another (the day after). If everyone demands special status, it will not be practically possible. So we told them that we will cooperate with them, and we are willing to provide them with funds It is unfortunate, he said at the News18 Rising India summit. Agreeing with his cabinet colleague, Union minister of railways and coal Piyush Goyal said the Andhra issue had become more attached to sentimentality than reality. The Centre has fulfilled all responsibility towards Andhra Pradesh....But you cant have a position where you keep asking for money and dont do work on the ground, he added. Goyal said the Centre has given Rs 2,500 crore for the Amravati project but little progress was seen. Asked if the TDP will return to the NDA fold, he quipped: Politics is all about possibility. At the same event, Gadkari admitted that the highways ministry will not be able to meet the target of laying 41km of roads per day it had set in 2017-18. However, he said the ministry will achieve the target of building 28km of roads per day by March 30. And next year, we will construct 40km per day. This rate will be the highest in the world, he said. The Union minister then went on to inform the gathering that the 14-lane Delhi-Dasna stretch of the National Highway-24 and the Eastern Peripheral Expressway have been completed, and will be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi between April 8 and 10. Goyal, for his part, said his ministry was working on bringing the charm of the Railways back without focusing specifically on Rajdhanis, Shatabdis and Durontos. Our priority is the poor railway passenger, he added. He said the railway ministry was doubling the average freight speed from the present 23.5km/hr to at least 47 km/hr, and on the passenger side from 46km/hr to 71 km/hr. India on Friday issued its eleventh note verbale to Pakistan, detailing the harassment and ill-treatment of its diplomats in that country, and their families, signalling a further deterioration of ties between the two countries. India and Pakistan have in recent days accused each other of ill-treating diplomats and their families. The note said that an Indian diplomat was harassed even on March 16, the day Indian high commissioner Ajay Bisaria met Pakistan foreign secretary Tehmina Janjua to raise the issue. The note added that there has also been no let-up in phone calls with objectionable messages that Indian officials are receiving, two officials familiar with the developments said here. According to the note, which has been seen by HT, Indian government websites are blocked in Pakistan, deterring the functioning of its diplomatic mission, including the issuing of visas. This has forced the mission to use proxy servers, the note added. The diplomatic communication pointed out that: on March 16, a counsellor was followed by one vehicle with two people inside in an intimidating manner; and that three instances of harassment were reported on March 14, including the vehicle of a counsellor being aggressively followed by men on motorcycles in a market in Islamabad and another officer being closely followed and intimidated when he went to a super market. The notes reference to the blocking of Indian domains is the fourth since May last year. It also mentioned that the doorbell of an Indian official was rung at 3 am to demand money. India has issued note verbales on January 1 and 12, February 2, 16, 22, 26, and 27, and March 9, 11 and 12. Meanwhile, Islamabad said on Thursday that it was calling its high commissioner to India to the Pakistani capital to discuss the alleged ill-treatment of Pakistani diplomats and their families in New Delhi External affairs ministry spokesperson Raveesh Kumar termed this nothing out of the ordinary and said New Delhi wants Islamabad to resolve the issues being faced by Indian staff and ensure their safety. Responding to complaints by Islamabad, New Delhi assured Pakistan last week that India makes all efforts to provide a safe and secure environment for diplomats to work in. It added that Indian officials had also faced harassment last year in Pakistan but chose to deal with it through quiet and persistent diplomacy. A multibillion dollar programme to develop and produce a stealth fighter with Russia appears to be in peril, with the Indian Air Force (IAF) against pursuing it as it believes that the platform lacks the desired stealth characteristics and is inferior to US-made F-35 and F-22 jets, said a senior IAF officer familiar with the project. He clarified there were no plans to go for a US stealth fighter. In the IAFs assessment, the proposed Indo-Russian fifth generation fighter aircraft, or FGFA, comes with limited capabilities and design issues at an exorbitant price. Whether the FGFA programme is on or off will be a political decision. The IAF doesnt think its worth pursuing, the person quoted above said. The government is finding it hard to reconcile two different points of view on FGFA. While the IAF wants the project to be abandoned, a high-powered panel appointed by defence ministry to examine different aspects of FGFA recommended in its report last year that India should go ahead with the scheme. We are spending more time to see what are the merits and demerits of both arguments. But yes, the FGFA is abhorrently expensive, so we are looking at what we are getting for our money, said a top defence ministry official familiar with the project. Air Marshal Simhakutty Varthaman (retd), who headed the ministrys panel, refused comments on his report or the contrary IAF view on the stealth fighter. I would like to leave it to the defence ministry, he said. India has been in discussions with Russia but has not signed a $4 billion research and development contract for FGFA. I was never enthused by it and I would go by what IAF has to say, said Air Marshal Vinod Patni (retd), head of Centre for Air Power Studies and a former IAF vice chief. A fast-track court in Jharkhands Ramgarh district on Friday convicted 12 cow vigilantes, including a local Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader, of lynching a 55-year-old Muslim trader who, they claimed ,was carrying beef in his vehicle. The court of additional district judge Om Prakash said it would pronounce the sentence on March 21 . The accused were found guilty under Section 302 (murder) which carries a minimum punishment of life imprisonment and a maximum of the death penalty and other offences under the Indian Penal Code. This is the first case related to cow vigilantism in the country in which the accused have been convicted, said additional public prosecutor Sushil Kumar Shukla. The incident took place on June 29 last year, when a 100-strong mob lynched Alimuddin alias Asgar Ali, a 45-year-old Muslim trader, on suspicion that he was carrying beef in his car. The attack took place at Bazartand in Ramgarh town, about 45km from the state capital Ranchi. The mob, comprising some Bajrang Dal activists, also set ablaze Ansaris Maruti van after killing him. On the day of the incident, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had warned against mob attacks on cattle traders, beef-eaters and dairy farmers, saying killing people in the name of protecting cows was unacceptable. MVenkaiah Naidu, the then urban development minister, had also condemned the incident, terming it barbaric. The fast-track court convicted Santosh Singh, Chottu Verma, Deepak Mishra, Vicky Saw, Sikandar Ram, Uttam Ram, Vikram Prasad, Raju Kumar, Rohit Thakur, local BJP leader Nityanand Mahto and Kapil Thakur. It also convicted another suspect, who the defence said was a minor. Last year, the BJP-ruled Jharkhand witnessed a series of lynchings of Muslim cattle traders. In May, a mob lynched four Muslim cattle traders at a village in Saraikelka Kharswan district after accusing them of being child traffickers. The incident rocked Parliament, with several opposition leaders questioning the governments seriousness in cracking down on cow vigilantism. Facing flak, the state government led by chief minister Raghubar Das warned police officers that they would be held responsible for any mob lynching reported from their area. The state also approached the Jharkhand high court, requesting that it constitute a fast-track court to try the Ramgarh lynching case. The police filed a charge sheet on September 2017 and as many as 19 prosecution witnesses were examined in the case. The opposition Congress raised a hue and cry after governor Ganga Prasad addressed the Meghalaya assembly in Hindi on the first day of the budget session. An English translation of the speech provided to the MLAs failed to assuage their feelings. While East Shillong representative Ampareen Lyngdoh walked out of the house, Mawlai MLA Process Sawkmie dubbed the use of Hindi as a bad precedent. In 46 years of statehood, this is the first time in the history of Meghalaya that the governor has addressed us in Hindi. It seems that the agenda of the big party is to try and impose its one nation-one culture-one language ideology on us, Sawkmie said in a reference to the BJP. Prasad is a veteran BJP politician from Bihar. Chief minister Conrad Sangma brushed aside the objections. Theres nothing odd about this. The governor is more comfortable speaking in Hindi, which is not a foreign language. Lyngdoh, however, would have none of it. Language is the first root for oppression. This is absolute bullying, she said, pointing out that Meghalaya was created after an undivided Assam tried to impose Assamese across the state. If he (Prasad) is stubborn about speaking in Hindi, then I can also be stubborn about not listening to anybody speak in Hindi. So, if we both become stubborn, where will this country go? asked Lyngdoh, who represents a multicultural constituency. However, Dr Mukul Sangma former chief minister and leader of the opposition struck a more conciliatory tone than his colleagues. He conceded that it was Prasads prerogative to speak in Hindi, but said the MLAs would have been pleased if the address was made in a language everybody could understand. NCC Bank board member among 13 held for financial irregularities Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) of Nepal Police on Friday arrested 13 persons including a board member of Nepal Credit and Commerce (NCC) Bank for their alleged involvement in financial irregularities. Madhya Pradesh health minister Rustam Singhs statement outside the assembly on Friday that only a wife can tell whether a person is impotent has kicked off a controversy. He was responding to a query from journalists outside the state assembly regarding an unusual written question during the budget session on Friday that sought to know if the state government had prepared a plan to tackle decreasing sperm count and increasing cases of impotency among men in the state. The question was asked by Congress MP from Rewa district Sunderlal Tiwari. When journalists asked him about it, the health minister said he was surprised that the legislator had come to know that sperm count was decreasing and cases of impotence were rising among men in Madhya Pradesh. Shukranu kam ho rahey hain, ye to kewal doctor hi bata sakta hai. Unhoney kaha ki napunsakta barh rahi hai, ye kewal us patee ki patni hi bata sakti hai (Doctors can confirm about decreasing sperm count, while a persons wife can tell whether the person is impotent or not), he told reporters. The Congress MLA also sought to know if the state government had any plan to identify such persons and what was their number in Rewa district, his home turf. In his written reply, Singh said there was no such plan, but added that the state government identified childless couples during health camps held for women. Singh said they had identified 126 persons in Rewa who were childless and added that the government provided financial assistance for treatment to below poverty line childless couples. To the query on how many districts had advanced tests and treatment facilities related to impotence, sperm count and so on, the health minister said such facilities were not available in district hospitals. Reacting to Rustam Singhs statement, Sunderlal Tiwari told reporters, What can I say when our health minister makes such a statement that only wife can tell whether the person is impotent? There are different medical tests that can tell whether a person is impotent, he said. Congress state chief spokesperson KK Mishra said Singhs statement was in poor taste. He should not have said such a thing. It is actually doctors who can tell through diagnosis whether a person is impotent, he added. In a bid to break the Rajya Sabha impasse, chairman M Venkaiah Naidu on Friday spoke to floor leaders of various parties including the TDP, DMK and AIADMK apart from the Leaders of the House and Opposition and urged various parties to stop disrupting the House. Naidu called the floor leaders of different parties to his chamber after the first adjournment in the day. The agitating members reportedly told the chairman that they will speak with their leadership and get back. Naidu also separately spoke to the Leader of the Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad and Leader of the House Arun Jaitley in his effort to end the stalemate in the Rajya Sabha. The Rajya Sabha has not been able to transact any business for the last two weeks due to disruptions and repeated adjournments. Earlier, as the House met for the day, Naidu urged the members to let the House function. If you are insisting on something you can have your say and at the end of the day we have to go either by consensus or by majority of the House. You cant dictate and say either you go my way or highway and that is no way.....I am sorry I cant allow this sort of thing. I once again make an appeal before taking an extreme view of the same. You cant decide issues physically or by bringing placards and shouting slogans, please understand. I hope at least next week onwards we have constructive debate in the House, he said. The opposition has been demanding discussion on the frauds in the public sector banks, particularly the latest multi-thousand crore rupees Punjab National Bank (PNB) scam which involves diamontaire Nirav Modi and his relative Mehul Choksi, under the adjournment motion. However, Chairman Naidu is not admitting notices under adjournment rules. Nirav Modi, who fled India just before the PNB scam came to light in January, was seen in a photograph with Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, in late January. The TDP members have been agitating for special status to Andhra Pradesh and accusing the central government of going back on its promises. The TDP was a BJP ally till it severed ties with the NDA on Friday. The AIADMK has been demanding the formation of Cauvery Water Management Board to resolve the issue of distribution of Cauvery water between Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. A new freshwater fish species has been identified in the north-eastern state of Manipur, according to a study published in the peer reviewed journal Zootaxa. Pethia poiensis was found by a research team of Manipur Universitys Department of Life Sciences (fishery unit) and a researcher from the Zoological Survey of India in the Challou River in Manipurs Ukhrul district bordering Myanmar. Weve submitted our paper on the discovery sometimes back but it was accepted as a new species only last month following a thorough examination by international reviewers, said researcher Bungdon Shangningam, a postdoctoral fellow at the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) in Kolkata. As is the case with the identification of any new species, the claim for Pethia poiensis was vetted by an expert panel including that from the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and submitted to the London based International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature, which allocates a unique identification to the species.Prof W. Vishwanath, a member of IUCNs freshwater fish specialist group, guided the researchers. The species has been named after Poi, a small hilly village in Ukhrul district where the Challou river flows, to acknowledge the help extended by villagers during the fieldwork in the area, Shangningam said. This thumb size fish species is locally known as Ngakha macha (Ngapem in anal tribe dialect) in Manipur, Shangningam said. Zootaxas citiation mentions that the genus Pethia contains over 35 species, all endemic to the Indian subcontinent (north-east) and Myanmar. Of the 14 valid species of Pethia recognised from the ChindwinIrrawaddy delta, Pethia poiensis is easily distinguished from others because of its different body characteristics and unique colour pattern, the study says. With this, Shangningam had so far identified 10 new fish species, most from north-eastern India. North-eastern India is home to a large number of species that are locally know,but have not been scientifically recorded. Opposition leaders from across party lines welcomed Andhra Pradesh chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu decision to pull the states ruling Telugu Desam Party (TDP) out of the BJP-led NDA at the Centre and urged all non-NDA parties to unite against the Centre. The BJP and its allies, however, underplayed the development stating that TDPs move wont affect the ruling partys poll prospects in next years state and general elections. After four years of relentless struggle and fight by the YSRCP with peoples support for Special Category Status (SCS), finally, the nation, including N Chandrababu Naidus TDP wakes up!...Win for democracy & people of AP, YSR Congress Party chief Jagan Mohan Reddy said in a series of tweets. Welcoming TDPs decision, West Bengal chief minister and TMC chief Mamata Banerjee said: I appeal to all political parties in the Opposition to work closely together against atrocities, economic calamity and political instability. The TDP has also given a notice to move a no-confidence motion against the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government, which has received support from many parties, including the Left and the Congress. The Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS), led by K Chandrasekhar Rao, however ruled out its support for the no-confidence motion against the NDA government, describing the move as a political gimmick. BJP unfazed Unfazed by Oppositions charge, BJP maintained that TDPs decision was motivated by the partys own political interests. We believe TDP is going to face a tough contest in Andhra Pradesh. They are seeing a defeat for themselves in 2019 and they want to use this as an alibi to really retrieve their lost political ground, Rao told the media. Union minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said it has become a custom to witness such rehearsals in the Parliament before the actual elections. In a way, it is an election year and every state has demands and issues, it is not right for us to comment on it. It is a custom, before actual elections, there is always a rehearsal in Parliament, he said. BJP ally Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) backed the Centre, saying: Akali Dal is one of the oldest BJP allies. We have weathered many storms in the past and we will weather this also, said party leader and food processing minister Harsimrat Kaur. The Shiv Sena - an NDA constituent - remained non-committal on the TDPs proposed no-confidence motion. While Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray has chosen to keep mum on the political developments, party insiders said he may soon convene a meeting of top party leaders, before finalising its stand. A parliamentary panel has asked the defence ministry to seek intervention of the Prime Ministers Office (PMO) to resolve its budget crisis at a time the Indian military is struggling to scale up its capabilities due to a worrying fund crunch. In a report tabled in Parliament on Tuesday, the parliamentary standing committee on defence said, The ministry may once again take up the matter with the PMO for intervention so as to ensure that adequate allocations are available for the modernisation of army. The panels observation came in response to the ministrys reply in an action taken report that it had taken up the issue of fund shortage with the PMO but it was unsure if the top office had made any reference to the finance ministry. A defence ministry official said the army would have to prioritise its requirements and supplementary funds could be sought at a later stage, refusing to comment on whether the ministry would approach the PMO again. A government spokesperson also refused to comment. Hollowness in our capabilities is an issue that has been flagged consistently during the last six to seven years. It is only right that adequate attention is given to it, said Lieutenant General KJ Singh (retired), a former army commander. In another report which was tabled the same day, the army told the panel that even as neighbouring China and Pakistan are modernising their militaries at a lightning pace, a looming financial crisis is crippling Indias combat capabilities at a time when it should be prepared for a two-front war. The army painted a grim picture of how budgetary outlay was coming in the way of emergency purchases following the Pathankot and Uri terror attacks last year, procuring critical ammunition, and undertaking strategic road projects on the Chinese border. Army vice chief Lieutenant General Sarath Chand told the panel the Budget 2018-19 had dashed the armys hopes and overall shortage under the capital head stood at Rs12,296 crore. The Centre on Friday strongly resisted a court-monitored probe into the Punjab National Bank (PNB) case, saying that it would amount to a parallel enquiry into what is believed to be the biggest fraud in the countrys banking history. Attorney General KK Venugopal opposed the Supreme Courts suggestion to the government to file a status report on the investigation in a sealed cover. This would amount to a parallel enquiry, Venugopal told a bench led by Chief Justice Dipak Misra when the latter was about to issue the order. On what principle a court, including the Supreme Court, can ask for a sealed cover report on the investigation underway. In this case 18 persons have been arrested, including eight government officers, the top law officer said. Venugopal said there was no justification to call upon the investigating agencies to show what they are doing. His submission came when the bench took up a PIL filed by a lawyer who wants the top court to ensure that the government brings back jeweller Nirav Modi, the prime accused in the Rs 11,300 crore case, to India within two months. He has also asked for issuance of fresh guidelines on grant of big loans. Venugopal even questioned the manner in which PILs are filed in courts in criminal cases, even before agencies start their investigation. And orders are being passed frequently by courts on such petitions. This will bring the morale down of the officers, the AG said, asking the court not to entertain the PIL unless the petitioner proves there is something wrong with the probe. The court, which was keen to issue an order, however, adjourned the matter after it admonished the petitioners lawyer for using derogatory language against the AG. Advocate JP DHanda made a statement that Venugopal had not read his petition and was unaware of the prayers made in the PIL. We wont hear it today now. Nobody can ask Attorney General, who is a constitutional office bearer whether he has read a petition or not. Meet law with law. Such statements are unacceptable to us. Dont make statements to politicize the issue, the bench remarked, deferring the case to April 9. The fraud, detected in January, was allegedly committed in connivance of two PNB officials who bypassed the core banking system to generate fraudulent letters of undertaking to overseas branches of other Indian banks which lent money to the Modi and his uncle Mehul Choksi, based on the guarantee from PNB. Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Friday accused defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman of allegedly lying on the price paid per Rafale aircraft, citing a Dassault report. Dassault called RMs (defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman) lie and released prices paid per RAFALE plane in report, he said in a series of tweets. Qatar 1319 crore, MODI (Prime Minister Narendra Modi) 1670 crore, Manmohan Singh (MMS) 570 crore, he wrote, citing the Dassault Aviation Annual Report 2016. 1,100 crore per plane or 36,000 crore i.e 10 percent of our defence budget, in the pocket. Meanwhile, our Army begs our government for money, he added, attaching a couple of pages from the report. The Narendra Modi government on Wednesday ruled out any plan to issue a White Paper on the Rafale fighter jet deal, which has been questioned by opposition parties. Congress MP KV Thomas, in a written question in the Lok Sabha, had asked if the government had been urged to issue a White Paper on the Rafale deal by defence experts as well as some political leaders, and its reaction. But Minister of State for Defence Subhash Bhamre replied in the negative to both the questions. The Opposition Congress had alleged that the deal for 36 Rafale fighter planes with the French government was finalised at a higher price than the previous deal for 126 medium multi-role combat aircraft (MMRCA). Is the Congress ready to shed its status quoist tag and take hard decisions as it prepares to fight a rampant BJP in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections? The answer may lie in Rahul Gandhis choice of candidates for the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections. Selecting the right candidates for the Rajya Sabha elections was a key test for the 47-year Gandhi, who took over the reins of the grand old party from his mother Sonia Gandhi two months ago . Gandhi nominated local leaders as the partys candidates, ignoring, in the process, some well-entrenched Congressmen. The move has rekindled hopes among Congress workers that Gandhi may be willing to take tough decisions in the partys interest. Sonia Gandhi would try not to antagonise the Delhi coterie and at times ignore the aspirations of regional leaders. Rahuljis decision to field local leaders in Rajya Sabha elections has gone down well within the rank and file. It marks a significant shift in the partys policies when it comes to rewarding hard working local workers, senior Congress leader from Bihar Kishore Kumar Jha said. I am confident this will also check the growth of paratroopers and opportunists who seek all the benefits and then desert the party at critical times. The move will also encourage regional leaders to put in more effort on the ground and work for the partys revival across the country, he added. Commenting on Rahuls style of functioning, Sonia Gandhi said last week at an event that every person has a particular style of working. What Rahul has always been keen on is to revitalise the party, to have younger and new people. That does not mean to sideline older people but to have a balance, the former Congress chief said at the India Today Conclave in Mumbai. Political analysts say it is too early to judge Rahul but add that his periodic absences and silences are issues which he needed to address. Sonia has a very mature political sense. She had much more experience and whenever she intervened it was with a purpose, said Delhi-based political analyst, Professor Balveer Arora. Rahul is still perfecting his style. He is working on it and seems to have made some improvements but the main problem that arises in his case is the lack of consistency. In politics, one has to be consistent. You cant shine on some occasions and be totally lacklustre on others, he added. Arora insisted that Gandhi will have to spell out his plans to revive the Congress, which had suffered a series of electoral setbacks since the crushing defeat in the 2014 Lok Sabha polls. He is expected to do just that and present a blueprint and roadmap for revival at the three-day party plenary to be held at Delhis Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium, beginning Friday. The plenary will not only ratify his election as the Congress president but also set the tone for the partys poll strategy for the upcoming Lok Sabha and assembly elections. The document Gandhi presents, according to a party leader who did not want to be named, would be a guiding light for the party workers and also specify the strategy to be adopted while striking alliances with like-minded parties to defeat Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP. During the three-day session, the party will pass four resolutions: on the political and economic fronts, foreign policy, and agriculture and unemployment. The Congress will also pledge special status to Andhra Pradesh. To reconnect with farmers and young people, the Congress will highlight the agrarian crisis and joblessness. On Friday, the opening day of the plenary top Congress leaders, who are a part of the Steering Committee formed in place of the Working Committee, will discuss the resolutions and chalk out the agenda for the session. Gandhi will also take a call on whether to take the election route to reconstitute the CWC or continue with the nomination culture. The Sonepat police have arrested a Delhi-based doctor and his two associates for running an illegal sex determination racket from inside a car in a secluded forest land on Delhi-Haryana border. Dr Subhash Jain of Delhis Narela, Vinod Kumar of Nangal Kalan and Manoj Kumar of Sonepat were arrested after a raid by the health department which received a tip-off about their illegal activity. Deputy civil surgeon Dr Adarsh Sharma said a pregnant woman was sent to the accused, who struck a deal to determine the sex of her foetus for Rs 30,000. The medical reports of the decoy woman were prepared and signed by the civil surgeon. A pregnant woman was used as decoy to trap the accused doctor and his two associates from a secluded forest land near Delhi-Haryana border. On Wednesday evening, the woman was asked to reach Ram Devi Chowk in Narela by the accused doctor, where his associate Manoj collected Rs 30,000 from her. She was then asked to sit in a Maruti Swift Dzire car and taken to a secluded forest land in Sersa village that falls on the border of the two states. A while later, the accused doctor came in his car and asked the women to shift with him. The health department team and police who were following the car nabbed the accused doctor just as he was about to start the procedure on the woman. An ultrasound machine along with battery and a generator fitted in the trunk of the doctors car were seized and sealed. Police said the accused had already distributed the money, of which Rs 20,000 had gone into Dr Jains pockets. The three were booked under Sections 3, 4, 5, 6 and 23 of the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PC and PNDT) Act and 120 B (criminal conspiracy) of the IPC. The police said they were produced in a court and taken on remand to know more about how many such illegal tests they have conducted in the past. Many friends and relatives of Kashmiri photojournalist Kamran Yousuf dropped by his house in Tahab on Friday morning to offer moral and practical support. Most of them had not seen him in a while. Yousuf was released on bail only this week, six months after the National Investigation Agency (NIA) booked him along with 11 others last September over his alleged involvement in stone-pelting incidents in the Valley. He returned to his village in volatile Pulwama district on Thursday night. The 23-year-old photojournalist was booked under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) and lodged in Delhis Tihar jail soon after his arrest. Although Yousufs well-wishers know that the case against him is far from over, they are happy to just have him around. Although Yousuf didnt want to speak to the media, his mother Rubeena Begum expressed joy over him receiving bail. Every mother wants her son to return home. We are very happy, because the six months without him were extremely painful, she added. Everybody from village elders to neighbours and Yousufs colleagues in the media hailed the decision to let him out on bail. His uncle, Irshad Ahmad, said it vindicated their stand that he was innocent. We are thankful to everyone who believed in Kamrans innocence and helped us out, he added. Additional sessions judge Tarun Sherawat had stated in the bail order that the NIA did not place any single photo/video showing that the applicant/accused was involved in stone pelting activities on record. He also said that the mere presence of a journalist at the site of an incident is not sufficient to implicate him for the offences that allegedly occurred there. The NIA charge sheet stated that Yousuf was not a real journalist because he had not covered any developmental activity of the government in his career. We missed him a lot in these six months. Before his arrest, Kamran was one of the best and most active photojournalists among us. We can only imagine what it was for such an active person who even worked on the day of Eid to be put behind bars for six months, said Vikar Syed, fellow-photojournalist and close friend of Yousuf. According to those familiar with the development, as many as 35 Kashmiri scribes in Delhi helped raise his bail surety. Yousuf lives with his mother at their residence in Tahab. Kamrans mother was completely shattered by his arrest. She refused to eat or drink most of the time. As for us, we missed him like anything, said Tariq Ahmed, Yousufs friend and neighbour. Yousufs arrest had triggered a major controversy, with rights groups such as Amnesty International and the Committee to Protect Journalists calling for his exoneration and immediate release. Even Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Mehbooba Mufti had urged home minister Rajnath Singh to intervene on the photojournalists behalf on Sunday. I requested him (Singh) to intervene, so the life of a budding journalist does not get ruined, she tweeted. Many journalists across Kashmir have demanded that the NIA come clear on the charges against Yousuf. A banner proclaiming that Kamran Yousuf is a journalist, not a stone-pelter was also put up at the Press Enclave in Srinagar. 6 made public in Kailali witchcraft torture case Kailali police on Thursday made public six persons involved in witchcraft torture incident that took place at Devkaliya village in Ghodaghodi Municipality-5 on March 8. A 26-year-old Telangana militant killed in Kashmir this week was allegedly drawn to terrorism after a week-long trip to Srinagar five years ago and was subsequently indoctrinated by radical Islamists through social media and messaging services, police said on Thursday. Mohammad Taufeeq, a native of Bhadradri Kothagudem district in east Telangana, was killed by security forces in south Kashmirs Anantnag on Monday along with two other militants. The Ansar Ghazwatul Hind, an outfit believed to an offshoot of the global terror group Islamic State, later said Taufeeq was from its first group of cadres. Telangana police on Thursday questioned family members of Taufeeq at Chandrugonda village, about 300 km from state capital Hyderabad. We are still in the process of gathering information about Taufeeq to find out whether he has any other network in Telangana. We shall disclose the details once we crack the case, said Bhadradri Kothagudem superintendent of police Amber Kishore Jha. Taufeeqs family members could not be reached for comment and are believed to in police custody for questioning. Taufeeq was one of three children (and the only son) of Mohammad Razak, a retired employee at a heavy water plant of the Department of Atomic Energy at Ashwapuram. Kothagudem police officials involved in the case said Taufeeq was allegedly involved in petty thefts and burglaries while studying in school but was acquitted for lack of evidence. After school, he joined a madrasa in Bhadrachalam, where he studied Islamic religious texts including the Quran and Hadith, a police official said, speaking on condition of anonymity. In February 2008, Taufeeq attended several jamaat religious conventions over 40 days in various places such as Venkatapuram, Cherla, Dummugudem and Kunavaram, the official added. Telangana was then part of Andhra Pradesh. He completed a diploma course in engineering between 2008 and 2011 in Wanaparthy in then Mahbubnagar district, where he is believed to have stayed in a mosque. Police said Taufeeq made a trip to Srinagar with his family in December 2012, when he was attracted to the anti-India and pro-Kashmir posters put up by militant and separatist groups in the Valley. He is also said to have made friends with some Srinagar residents. Taufeeq later opened a Facebook account to know about the happenings in Kashmir and was gradually attracted to militant ideology. He used to read online papers... to understand Kashmiri militancy. He downloaded (Pakistan-based terror outfit Jaish-e-Mohammeds founder) Masood Azhars speeches , the police official said. In December 2013, Taufeeq took up a job in Hyderabad. His interest veered towards the Islamic State and he is alleged to have received literature on the groups ideology through a messaging platform. In October 2015, Taufeeq went to Kashmir ostensibly to get into the dry fruits business...Instead he went to the house of one Mubashir Islam, a Hizbul Mujahideen extremist whom he had contacted online. Then he returned to Hyderabad, the police official said. Taufeeq is believed to have left for Kashmir permanently in 2016. Since then he has not contacted his family members, a second police official said on condition of anonymity. Science and technology minister Harsh Vardhan claimed on Friday that cosmologist Stephen Hawking, who passed away this week, had said the Vedas have a theory that is superior to Albert Einsteins e=mc^2 theory of relativity. Vardhan, who was addressing the inaugural session of the 105th Indian Science Congress in Imphal, however, parried questions on the source of the information. We recently lost a renowned scientist, cosmologist Stephen Hawking. He also emphatically said on record that our Vedas might have a theory which is superior to the Einsteins theory of e=mc^2, Vardhan said in his speech. Asked to disclose the source to buttress his claim, Vardhan told reporters, You find the source. He had on record said that there is a possibility that Vedas have a better formula than the one given by Einstein. You also work a bit on this (to find this source), He told the reporters that could get back to him in Delhi if they failed in their research. I have said this in an open forum. I thought he needs to be remembered (on the occasion). A Google search on Stephen Hawking and Vedas throws open several links, one of which, www.servveda.org, makes the claim. The website is hosted by the Institute of Scientific Research on Vedas. The portal also claims that the organisation I-SERVE is recognised by the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research (DSIR) of the government of India as a Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation. Einsteins theory of relativity is a critical contribution to modern physics. Several claims made in past editions of the Indian Science Congress have come under criticism by the scientific community for not being backed by empirical evidence. For instance, a lecture in the 102nd Indian Science Congress held in Mumbai examined ancient aviation technology in the Vedas and claimed that aeroplanes existed in India 7,000 years ago and they travelled from one country to another and from one planet to another. The Indian Science Congress is an annual science carnival, which is attended by students, academicians and top scientists from India and the world over. The home ministry is set to acquire ultra-wide-band microwave ground penetration radars on an emergency basis for the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) after nine COBRA troopers on board a mine-protected vehicle (MPV) were killed when suspected Maoist rebels detonated an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) in Sukma district of Chhattisgarh on March 13. The radars, which cost around Rs 25 lakh each, have the capacity to detect mines or IEDs buried up to a depth of three feet. Initial investigations into the attack on the Kishtaram-Palodi road in Sukma have revealed that two blasts took place around noon when two MPVs were passing through the area. The first blast toppled an MPV, causing the death of nine personnel from head injuries. A much smaller blast was triggered under the second MPV. While no bodies of Maoists were recovered from the spot, intelligence reports from Andhra Greyhounds, a special force created to combat Maoist insurgents, said six rebels were killed after CRPF troopers in the second MPV responded to the attack on the first. The first MPV and the site of the attack are being studied by experts from the CRPF and Heavy Vehicle Factory, Jabalpur, but Hindustan Times learns that none of the victims have any bullet injuries. As the MPV was found to be intact, the forensic and explosive experts are trying to understand how the bodies including that of the driver were flung as far as 25 meters away on the impact of the explosion. North Block officials told Hindustan Times on condition of anonymity that the IED used in the first blast contained 50 kilograms of fuel oil explosive (94% ammonium nitrate mixed with 6% diesel) and triggered by a camera flash light through a command wire. Initial evidence indicates that the explosive device was inside a steel container and buried some three feet under the road. It had a huge impact on the MPV as indicated by the 12 feet by 5 feet crater created by the blast. There are no reports of damage to the armour of the MPV. No less than 73 factories manufacture porous ammonium nitrate in India and the basic chemical is available for Rs 76 per kilogram. Given the fact that Maoists are burying devices up to a depth of three to four feet, the CRPF brass is now examining the emergency purchase of ground penetration radars, also used by US forces in Afghanistan, which provide a 3D cross-section of earth under survey. This will ensure that IEDs planted by Maoists are detected promptly, limiting casualties in areas where Maoist rebels, known as Naxalites, are active . Many in North Block say the fight against Maoists should be fought by the state police like the battle against insurgents is in Kashmir (and in Punjab in the 1980s) rather than being outsourced to the CRPF. There is also need to speed up road construction in the South Bastar region of Chhattisgarh to ensure development in the innards of Maoist territories. An all-India average thats upwards of 23 kilometres of roads are being built in the country; the figure has slumped to 5 km per day in South Bastar in the past three months.. A Tamil Nadu minister found himself at the centre of a controversy after he told a woman journalist she was beautiful, while trying to evade questions from her. Health minister C Vijayabaskar on Friday expressed regret over Thursday nights incident, saying he was replying to queries from a sister, clarifying that it was done to avoid replying to a political question. The journalist posed questions about the deliberations at the ruling party meet when Vijayabaskar emerged from the AIADMK headquarters here. The video footage of the ministers brief conversation was aired on Friday by Puthiya Thalaimurai, the channel the journalist represented, and some other channels. In the footage, he is seen gently pushing the mike away, saying Madam, you look good with your spectacles on, apparently trying to avoid a question posed to him. The video shows the scribe continuing with her question while telling him that she always had her spectacles on. Vijayabaskar, who keeps walking towards his car and greeting supporters, is seen remarking today you are beautiful. A press release will be given (by the party)..senior leaders will talk, he says in reply to her question. As the reporter persists with her queries, he says you are beautiful and repeats it. The minister, when he met reporters on Friday, said that sister posed some political questions...generally, I do not answer political questions and reply only to those related to my department. I attempted just to avoid political question. If I had hurt her, I am sorry. I spoke to her and expressed my regret as well, Vijayabaskar said. On Thursday evening, hours after a resolution was passed in the Assembly on the Cauvery issue urging the Centre to set up the Cauvery Management Board and Cauvery Water Regulatory Committee, a meeting of the ruling party MLAs was held at the AIADMK headquarters here which the minister attended. Reactions poured in across party lines on Friday soon after N Chandrababu Naidu decided to pull Andhra Pradeshs ruling party Telugu Desam Party out of the BJP-led NDA at the Centre. (Catch LIVE updates) Naidu is believed to have communicated this decision in an emergency teleconference with party politburo members and MPs late Thursday. The TDP has also given a notice to move a no-confidence motion against the Narendra Modi government for denying Andhra Pradesh the special category status, as promised during the bifurcation of the state in 2014. Here are the reactions from political parties: Jagan Mohan Reddy, president, Yuvajana Shramika Rythu Congress Party (YSR Congress) After four years of relentless struggle and fight by the YSRCP with peoples support for Special Category Status (SCS), finally, the nation, including N Chandrababu Naidus TDP wakes up! Win for democracy & people of AP. YSRCP will continue to fight for SCS, the rights of the people of AP, Reddy, who is also the Leader of Opposition in Andhra Pradesh, said in another tweet. Mamata Banerjee, West Bengal chief minister & Trinamool Congress chief I welcome the TDPs decision to leave the NDA. The current situation warrants such action to save the country from disaster. I appeal to all political parties in the Opposition to work closely together against atrocities, economic calamity and political instability. Congress When a no-confidence motion is moved 50 MPs should stand in its support and 50 MPs stood, but Speaker said it cannot be considered as House is not in order. So, I want to ask what does govt fear? They have huge majority in Lok Sabha, Shashi Tharoor told ANI. Mallikarjun Kharge said, We have been supporting Special Category Status for AP since the beginning. We want that people of AP to get justice. When a no-confidence motion is moved, you have to talk about the governments failures, we are contacting a lot of people. Telangana Rashtra Samiti The Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS) led by K Chandrasekhar Rao ruled out its support for the no-confidence motion against the NDA government, describing the move as a political gimmick. Andhra Pradeshs ruling party on Thursday offered to back the YSR Congress no-confidence motion, but on Friday stated that it smells a nexus between it (YSR Congress) and the BJP. Sitaram Yechury, CPI(M) general secretary CPI(M) supports the no-confidence motion being brought against the BJP government. Its betrayal of the promise of special status for Andhra Pradesh is inexcusable. Its all-round failure and evasion of parliamentary accountability needs to be highlighted. BJP BJP leader GVL Narasimha Rao said he is confident his party will sweep next years assembly elections in Andhra Pradesh, like Tripura. We believe TDP is going tough in Andhra Pradesh. They are seeing a defeat for themselves in 2019 and they want to use this as an alibi to really retrieve their lost political ground, Rao told ANI. Union minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said it has become a custom to witness such rehearsals in the Parliament before the actual elections. In a way, it is an election year and every state has demands and issues, it is not right for us to comment on it. It is a custom, before actual elections there is always a rehearsal in Parliament, Naqvi said. Will see what happens in the Parliament when the no-confidence motion will be moved. We will see which party chooses to go which way. KC Tyagi, Janata Dal (United) In a big alliance, small difference of opinions happen. There is no danger to NDA government. But TDP withdrawing from NDA is unfortunate. AIADMK The party will take a decision on the issue and one cannot comment on that now. We expect the no-confidence motion to be moved by the Congress. The party is in alliance with DMK in Tamil Nadu. In short, the anti-AIADMK alliance will be moving the no-confidence motion and it may not be politically possible to support that given the stakes at the state level. Akali Dal BJP ally Akali Dal has backed the Modi government, saying it has full confidence in it. The Akali Dal is one of the oldest allies of the BJP. We were together and we are together. We have weathered many storms in the past and we will weather this also, said party leader and food processing minister Harsimrat Kaur. Party leader Naresh Gujral said the party will continue its alliance with the BJP in Punjab as it is not only on a political alliance but also a social alliance. "We do not want any complication in the Hindu-Sikh brotherhood and for that this alliance is very important, he told ANI. Triggering a day of intense political developments, the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) pulled out of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA)on Friday morning over its unmet demand for special category status for Andhra Pradesh. It also gave notice of a no-confidence motion against the government in the Lok Sabha. The TDPs political rival in Andhra Pradesh, the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP), had on Thursday evening given notice of a no-confidence motion to the Speakers office over the same issue. Speaker Sumitra Mahajan, however, did not admit either notice, citing lack of order, with the house getting adjourned until Monday. The N Chandrababu Naidu-led TDPs withdrawal energised the opposition, with several political parties saying they would support the partys motion. The government is skeptical that the motion would get to the stage of being admitted at all, but is confident that even if it does, it has the numbers for a comfortable victory. The BJP on its own has 274 members in the 539-strong House. Shortly after noon, speaker Mahajan announced that she had received separate notices of the motions from lawmakers YV Subbareddy (Leader in the Lok Sabha of the YSRCP) and Thota Narasimhan of the TDP. We go according to principles. Our leader felt being part of NDA and moving a no-confidence motion would not be ethical. So we withdrew from the NDA and I have issued a letter on no-confidence motion to the Speaker at 9.30 am, Narasimhan, the TDPs floor leader in the Lok Sabha, told reporters shortly after submitting the notice to the speaker. The no-confidence motion notice requires the support of 50 MPs in the house. Leaders from the Congress hinted they would support the motion against the government. We have been supporting special category status for Andhra Pradesh since the beginning. We want that people of Andhra get justice. When a no-confidence motion is moved you have to talk about government failures, senior Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge told the news agency ANI. West Bengal chief minister and Trinamool Congress leader Mamata Banerjee welcomed TDPs decision to withdraw from the NDA. The Communist Party of India-Marxists general secretary Sitaram Yechury also tweeted, (The) CPI-M supports the no-confidence motion brought against the BJP government. Its betrayal of the promise of special status for Andhra Pradesh is inexcusable. Its all-round failure and evasion of parliamentary accountability needs to be highlighted. But in Parliament, with members of the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and the Telangana Rashtra Samithi protesting and shouting slogans in the well of the House, the speaker cited lack of order to adjourn the house. This triggered a blame-game between the government and the opposition. Union parliamentary affairs minister Ananth Kumar said, We have always told the opposition, please cooperate in running the House to discuss banking irregularities and each and every issue, including confidence or no-confidence motion. Congress leader and the partys chief whip in Lok Sabha, Jyotiraditya Scindia, tweeted, The brazen manner in which this government has passed bills in Parliament but refused to admit a legitimate no-confidence motion despite adequate signatures and numbers is a travesty of democracy. Both TDP and YSRCP have said their parties would persist with the motion on Monday, when the House reconvenes. BJP leaders arent worried. All the opposition parties have their own agenda. The din in the house will continue on Monday too. And if there is no order, the Speaker wont be able to admit the motion, a key party functionary said on condition of anonymity, signalling his partys strategy to deal with the issue. The death of a young Kashmiri militant, suspected to have been influenced by the Islamic State, has triggered a debate on social media after one of his supposed classmates wrote a Facebook post saying the path he chose was incorrect. Eisa Fazili was among three militants gunned down by security forces in Anantnag district on Monday. Eisa Fazili was my classmate and friend. I feel absolutely terrible he had to go this way but I will not shy away from stating that he was a deeply disturbed person -- and that the path he chose was incorrect, wrote Aamir Ahmad Amin, who according to his Facebook profile studies outside India. Amins profile says that he has studied in Burn Hall School in Srinagar, the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir. READ MORE:Father of militant killed in Anantnag encounter updates Facebook on sons death, funeral Young Kashmiris often use social media to articulate their views on the ongoing insurgency that has killed more than 44,000 people in the region since 1989. The government also frequently clamps down on social media sites such as Facebook which are allegedly used to spread anti-India sentiments and rumours. Amins post on Fazili attracted attention after it was shared widely. While some of the netizens have hailed the stand of Amin, others have castigated his post saying that he has chosen to ignore state terror, human rights violations and military occupation which have been the main reasons for youth to pick weapons in Kashmir. In school, Amin remembered, Fazili and his like-minded friends would often have arguments with other classmates and teachers about religion. I remember the fiery expression on Eisas face when someone criticised the then newly-mushroomed cult we all know today as ISIS, Amin wrote, using the earlier acronym of the global terror outfit -- the Islamic State for Iraq and Levant. He said that Fazili perceived injustice on Muslims in the backdrop of alleged human rights violations in Kashmir and a belief strengthened by his interpretation of countless other events across the world. Amin blames everybody including Fazilis careless relatives and friends, the Wahabi preachers who mislead him and the Tehreeki leaders who encouraged him. Police officials say Fazilis relation with the IS was a matter of investigation, and hinted at his ideological inclination towards the outfit. Reports said Fazili was studying engineering at Baba Ghulam Shah Badshah (BGSB) University in Rajouri in Jammu region before joining the militant ranks last year. Amin wanted the younger generation of Kashmir to not let history repeat itself by letting our emotions and feelings cloud our sense of judgement and rationality as our elders have repeatedly done in the past. Although our classmate did not commit an attack on civilians in his individual capacity, the organisation he chose to become associated with has been involved in several gruesome attacks, he said. Amin has tried to portray the militancy in Kashmir as a meaningless and senseless politico-religious battle. However, some found fault with Amins arguments. Why dont you blame the state occupational apparatus primarily, lack of justice and accountability as well for radicalising the youth?... The state terror and HRVs(human rights violations) are the main reasons that motivate youngsters to pick weapons, responded Srinagar resident Daniyal Bashir. If Kashmiri rebels are fighting a senseless cause , what is Indian army fighting in Kashmir? Arent they fighting a bigger senseless war by continuing their occupation. 700,000 vs a few handful of rebels is insane , it is a big impediment to Indian economical and social growth and is making India poorer, he said in a separate post. He said many of the youth including slain Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani or their families have been victims of state terror, harassment and bullying. Two suspected militants were killed in an overnight encounter on the outskirts of Srinagar which started after they fired on security officers of a BJP leader and tried to escape, officials said on Friday morning. Two bodies of militants have been recovered so far, whose identities are being ascertained. Along (with) the bodies, incriminating materials which include weapon and ammunition have been recovered as well, a police press statement said. The encounter started on Thursday afternoon after militants fired at the security officer of BJPs Anwar Khan in Khunmoh area and escaped. The officer, Bilal Ahmad, received a minor (bullet) grazing injury on one leg. Security forces cordoned off a cluster of houses in the area to track down the militants who later fired at a search party, triggering a gun fight. A CRPF personnel who was injured in the gun fight is said to be stable and recovering. After the Bharatiya Janata Partys rout in the bypolls and the local bodies elections, a rejig in the government and party organization is on the cards to balance skewed caste equations ahead of the assembly elections. The BJP government that won 163 of 200 assembly seat in 2013, has lost a string of elections of the rural and urban civic bodies as well as three bypolls in the last few months. BJP leaders say one of the reasons for the loss was that the party failed to manage caste equations that went awry. There were calls from some party legislators and workers for a change in the state leadership, pointing to the unrest among the party cadres. The losses jolted not only the state party leadership but also the central leadership. BJP sources say the partys central leadership is now taking the reins in its own hands. Chief minister Vasundhara Raje was in Delhi to get a nod for a cabinet reshuffle and her proposed statewide Vikas Yatra from April, some of them say. Apart from the rejig, the party is sending conciliatory signals to dissenting BJP leaders and former party leaders who have a hold on different caste votes. A start was made with reinduction of Kirori Meena into the BJP, with an eye on the Scheduled Caste votes. Senior BJP leaders from Delhi, including party president Amit Shah will travel to Jaipur in the coming months to oversee preparations for the polls that are likely to be held in December this year. Party sources say a cabinet reshuffle is in the offing and new faces will be brought in keeping in mind the caste arithmetic. Two deputy chief ministers could be appointed, they say. Brahmins, Jats and Gurjars will be given significant representation in the cabinet to placate the communities. Party sources also say that state BJP president Ashok Parnami is likely to be replaced and given a cabinet berth. The Rajputs, Brahmins and Banias, considered the backbone of the BJP, ditched the party as they felt neglected. In addition, the Rajputs were miffed with the government over the Anandpal Singh encounter and the Padmavat episode. Gurjars are angry with the BJP government for failing to implement the promised 5% reservation, which has been stuck in legal hurdles. Jats who form a major part of the farmer lobby, are dissatisfied with the loan waiver and the minimum support price for crops, announced by the government. The central leadership and RSSs stamp was visible in the Rajya Sabha nominations. Bhupendra Yadavs renomination was aimed at the Yadav vote that drifted away from the party in the Alwar Lok Sabha bypoll. Madan Lal Sainis surprise nomination sent a positive signal among party cadres that an ordinary party worker was elevated. Kirori Meenas nomination was done to woo the ST vote. The Meena community has been traditional Congress voters. But Meena has a firm grip on the community in parts of eastern Rajasthan, an area which has presented a tough challenge for the BJP. Apart from these changes, the party has asked ministers to visit districts and interact with the public to send a message that the government is actively working to address their concerns. The ministers will also interact with annoyed party workers and address their issues. . In a significant political development, two--term MP and five-term MLA Kirori Lal Meena returned to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) after a gap of nearly 10 years. He was immediately rewarded with a Rajya Sabha seat. The veteran leader, however, claims that he hadnt made any deals with BJP, which he had left following differences with chief minister Vasundhara Raje. In an interview, Meena says he will act as watchdog to ensure promises made by the state government are fulfilled Excerpts: What made you return to the BJP after 10 years? There was no special reason, no conditions, no saudebaazi (deal). Circumstances were such that I had to leave the party. I have an RSS background and my ideology was always with the BJP and that is the main reason for my decision to return. There were reports that you were also in talks with the Congress. Is that true? Those were media rumours. I cant go to the Congress. When I was a student in medical college, then during Emergency, I was jailed and tortured. When I came out, I took up a job before joining BJP and the party gave me a ticket. Dozens of cases were registered against me during the Congress regime. I was again thrown in jail and beaten up when I raised the public interest issues. There is no question of my joining the Congress. The Congress had tried to induct me in 2009 and Sonia Gandhi had offered me a ticket. But I had refused and contested as an independent and won. In the past 10 years you had attacked the government and the chief minister over a range of issues. These issues remain today. So what has changed? You are right. Issues will be there. I have always done issue-based politics. I had raised some issues and as a result had to leave the party for 10 years. Even now, I will take up the issues and carry the voice of people from Jaipur to Delhi. This time, the budget has been in public interest. Announcements such as farm loan waiver, relaxation of age limit to 40 years (for certain government jobs), benefits for SC and ST, and infrastructure development projects have been made. A significant project is Rajasthan eastern canal project that will benefit 13 districts. I will ensure that these announcements are implemented on the ground. Is BJPs defeat in the recent bypolls an indication that people are unhappy with the state government? The bypoll defeat was due to anti-establishment factor. It is the governments responsibility to overcome it. I remain among people so I will also tell the government about what is lacking and what needs to be done. But farmers are extremely unhappy about a range of issues including not getting minimum support price. Rs 50,000 farm loans have been waived and steps taken to address the electricity related problems. I will take up remaining problems in Rajya Sabha and also take them up with the union government. I had gone to Madhya Pradesh where they have implemented Bhavantar scheme in which when rates go down below minimum support price, the difference is paid by the state government. This should be implemented in Rajasthan also. I will take it up with the chief minister. The Congress has alleged that the government has not done much for the past four years and now made a deluge of announcements. What is your opinion? Congress will level allegations. Its their work. Today, I read in the papers that recruitment of 15,000 constables will be done by April, earlier it was supposed to be in May. So the government is alert and the organisation is alert that schemes that are in public interest should be implemented before the model of code of conduct comes into play. You have publically stated that you were not interested in going to Rajya Sabha. Why did your party nominate you for Rajya Sabha? Even though they have sent me to Rajya Sabha, I have told the chief minister to give me an opportunity to work in Rajasthan also. As a former state party president and someone who has worked a lot in the state, I will be meeting the party cadres to boost their morale and also work to remove factionalism in some parts of the state (organization). There are talks about you being made a union minister. Is that true? I dont know about that. I have set no conditions. If they think it is appropriate and make me a minister, it is good. If not, I dont have any problems. China pledges rebuilding aid The Chinese government has agreed to extend the assistance to Nepal for the projects on post-disaster recovery for Tatopani border point, the hospital recovery in Sindhupalchok and reconstruction of Jiri Secondary School. A day after the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) blamed the BJPs handling of cadres for the reverses in by-polls on Gorakhpur and Phulpur parliamentary seats, a blame game started among the party leaders on Thursday. Some BJP leaders admitted that the loss in Gorakhpur rankled the party more than Phulpur which was won for the first time in 2014. They said the twin losses had hurt the BJP that was set to celebrate the Yogi Adityanath governments one year in office on March 19. The leaders claimed the celebrations would be held but the organisation had tweaked it to ensure that the party connected with the rural UP afresh, especially the villages dominated by OBCs and Dalits. Denying the claims, UP BJP general secretary Vijay Bahadur Pathak, who was on a tour to Bhadohi and Mirzapur, said it should not be linked to the by-poll results. Our tours were chalked out in advance. It has nothing to do with by-poll results. But we would be more focused on the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, Pathak said. However, leaders privy to the developments in the BJP claimed the party was planning to organise samrasta (social harmony) meets with the help of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP). Ministers would also be a part of the BJPs outreach initiative, they confirmed. BJP leader Ramakant Yadav, who has been in both the Samajwadi Party (SP) and the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), sounded a warning to the party. BJP needs to take care of OBCs and Dalits if it wants to do well in the Lok Sabha elections, he said. BJP MP Shyama Charan Gupta claimed that the remarks made by minister Nand Gopal Gupta Nandi against BSP chief Mayawati and SP patriarch Mulayam Singh Yadav antagonised the OBCs and Dalits in the by-polls. The SPs win has given strength to the SP-BSP unity, a prospect that the party had tried hard to avoid. The caste matrix of UP is such that a combination of Dalit-OBC chemistry with Muslim support makes it a potential combination, a BJP leader, who did not wish to be named, said. A BJP strategist said a fresh jaati-todo (end caste equations) campaign would be required to defeat the caste calculations of the SP and the BSP. In 1993, the first SP-BSP alliance had coined the slogan Miley Mulayam, Kanshiram, hawa main udd gaye Jai Shri Ram (Hindutva factor failed due to the Mulayam-Kanshiram chemistry). Even before the SP candidates were officially declared winners on Wednesday, the opposition parties were heard shouting a new slogan: Miley Akhilesh-Maya, lo palat gayi ab kaya (Look the face of UP has changed as Akhilesh-Maya have joined hands). Its the anxiety of doing well in 2019 that forced UP BJP chief Mahendra Nath Pandey leaving for Farrukhabad and Kannauj. Rest of the party leaders will also be touring, a political analyst said. Irshad Ilmi, editor of Kanpur-based Urdu daily Siyasat, said: The BJP government deliberately engaged in Hindutva politics to polarise majority votes. Now, the prospect of a SP-BSP alliance is in the making and the Congress will surely be a part of it in 2019. The alliance threatens to neutralise Hindutva with a Bihar-type caste mahagathbandhan. I feel the Lok Sabha election will be a different ball game as there is no leader who can match to the stature of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, said BJP lawmaker Radhamohan Das Agarwal who represents the Gorakhpur (city) assembly seat. With only two out of three extra BJP candidates withdrawing nominations on Thursday, the last date for doing so, a contest for 10 Uttar Pradesh Rajya Sabha seats now seems inevitable. The voting is scheduled on March 23. The two BJP candidates who withdrew nominations on Thursday included Vidya Sagar Sonkar and Salil Bishnoi (both UP general secretaries). Ruling partys ninth candidate Anil Agarwal is now expected to pose a challenge to BSPs BR Ambedkar, who is backed by the united opposition. As there are still 11 candidates, nine from BJP, one from SP and one from BSP, an election will take place for 10 Rajya Sabha seats here on March 23, said a senior officer of state Vidhan Sabha. With contest between BJP nominee and oppositions joint nominee coming soon after the BJPs defeat in by-election to Gorakhpur and Phulpur Lok Sabha seats, the biennial election will be keenly watched. Sources familiar with the developments said hectic lobbying had already begun and efforts to cut into each other votes are on. Both the ruling party and the opposition will have to keep a strict vigil over their MLAs to check cross-voting, said an MLA. The BJP candidates in fray now include union finance minister Arun Jaitley, Ashok Bajpai, Vijay Pal Singh Tomar, Sakal Deep Rajbhar, Kanta Kardam, Anil Jain, GVL Narsimha Rao, Harnath Singh Yadav and Anil Agarwal. The SPs Jaya Bachchan and BSPs BR Ambedkar are two other candidates in fray. The BJP and allies with 324 members in 402 member house can ensure win of eight candidates. With 37 votes needed to ensure victory of each candidate, BJP will still have 28 extra votes. The ruling party also has the support of three Independent MLAs, which means that it will have to make inroads into oppositions camp to mobilise six extra votes for its ninth candidate. With SPs outgoing Rajya Sabha MP Naresh Agarwal joining BJP in New Delhi on March 12, his son Nitin Agarwal, who is an SP MLA from Hardoi, is likely to vote for BJP candidate. The Samajwadi Party, with 47 members, after ensuring the victory for its candidate Jaya Bachchan, will have 10 extra votes. Together with the BSPs 19 candidates, Congress 7, RLDs 1 and NISHAD Partys 1 BSPs BR Ambedkar is also assured of winning. In case, some MLAs switch loyalties, BJPs ninth candidate Anil Agarwal can upset Ambedkars chances of making it to the Upper House. Hackers took control of email accounts of the Allahabad Nagar Nigam (ANN) and municipal commissioner Harikesh Chaurasia on Thursday and used them to send distress mails seeking help of 3,000 Euros to clear hospital bills in the Philippines. Municipal commissioner Harikesh Chaurasia said he had lodged a complaint at the SSP office and the police cyber cell in Lucknow after the hacking came to light. Chaurasia informed the police that hackers sent distress mails on his behalf requesting help of 3,000 Euros to clear hospital bills in the Philippines. The hackers took control of four email accounts, including my personal ID. We blocked all the accounts immediately after the matter came to light, he said. An e-mail was sent to my contacts on my behalf which claimed that I am in the Philippines and that I am using a hospital computer to send the mail due to network problem. The mail requests for 3,000 Euros to clear the hospital dues for the treatment of a cousin, said Chaurasia. IT officer, ANN, Mani Tripathi said he came to know about the hacking at around 4 pm and immediately informed the municipal commissioner about it. Senior superintendent of police Akash Kulhary pleaded ignorance about any such complaint in this connection. The Yogi Adityanath-led cabinet on Friday approved a proposal handing electricity distribution in five Uttar Pradesh cities -- Lucknow, Meerut, Moradabad, Varanasi and Gorakhpur -- to private franchisees, a decision that has sparked a sharp reaction from power employees unions and consumer forums. These cities follow Agra in adopting the franchisee model; for nearly a decade, Torrent Power has been supplying power to the city. A government spokesman said the decision to introduce the franchisee model for power distribution in the five cities was taken to make the states power sector financially self-reliant, by checking line losses and getting the required capital investment for improving supply. He said there will be no change in the tariff pattern. The government got an independent study conducted in Agra and found that the private franchisee there had invested Rs 800 crore, line losses had drastically reduced and consumer satisfaction has gone up on all parameters, he said. The spokesman said the employees of the state-run utility, UP Power Corporation Ltd (UPPCL), in the cities where the franchisee system is proposed, have an option to work with the franchisee, with its consent, on deputation, with no reduction in their salary. The employees have decided to call an emergency meeting in Lucknow to chalk out their next course of action. We appeal to the chief minister to immediately withdraw this decision in the larger interest of consumers and employees, All India Power Employees Federation chairman Shailendra Dubey said. Avadhesh Verma, chairman of the UP Rajya Vidyut Upbhokta Parishad, said the franchisee model would go against the interests of consumers. We will oppose it at all levels, he said. Under the franchisee model, as in Agra, UPPCL will invite bids and the franchisees that are selected will be handed over the entire electricity network of the city for the next 25 years, or as agreed upon. The franchisees will give a fixed revenue to the UPPCL. Samajwadi Party leader Shivpal Yadav, who is also the uncle of party president Akhilesh Yadav, on Thursday hailed the SPs recent victory in Gorakhpur and Phulpur Lok Sabha bypolls as historic, triggering speculation about a possible rapprochement with his estranged nephew. In a tweet, Shivpal said: May this beautiful story proves a milestone. Without naming Akhilesh with whom he has had a bitter relationship in the past, Shivpal attributed the victory to the able leadership of the party. Shivpal, was on a tour to Mauritius and on his return to Lucknow, he tweeted: I congratulate the people of Phulpur and Gorakhpur, the able leadership of the Samajwadi Party, its workers, and the winning candidates. With the dual sync of hard work and social justice, I wish this beautiful story proves to be a milestone. Shivpals tweet set off a fresh round of speculation that there could be a patch up between the uncle and his nephew and that he could vote for the Rajya Sabha candidates of the SP and the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) on March 23. Shivpals loyalties have been a matter of speculation since his camp members allegedly paved way for the election of chief minister Yogi Adityanath and deputy chief minister Keshav Maurya and others to the Vidhan Parishad by voting for the BJP. The Shivpal camp also voted for Ram Nath Kovind, the presidential candidate of the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA), going against the party whip of voting for the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) candidate Meira Kumar. Shivpals camp had been giving feelers that it might support the extra candidate of the BJP instead of the BSP candidate in the Rajya Sabha elections. Relationship between Shivpal and Akhilesh strained after a feud broke out in the family in August 2016 over the control of the party. Eventually, Akhilesh won the battle for supremacy, replacing his father Mulayam Singh as the party president. Sanjay Nishad, founder and national president of NISHAD party, who is also being credited for effecting a formidable caste equation that led to the victory of Samajwadi Lok Sabha candidate and his son Praveen Nishad in Gorakhpur, said on Thursday he was extremely thankful to BSP chief Mayawati for extending support to the SP alliance. Nishad said this before leaving for Lucknow with his son to meet SP chief Akhilesh Yadav. Sharing how he managed to make a dent in BJPs stronghold, he said, The BJP came to powers with the support of 30% upper caste. The rest of 70% population comprising Dalits, backwards and Muslims, were ignored and forced to live in apathy. I took these 70% along and the results are before you. He said that mandate to his son was result of anger of people against the BJP policies like demonetisation, GST, and discontinuation of welfare schemes for poor, including the SP Pension Yojna. The governments at the center and at state were formed on false promises and rhetorics. None of the promises made by BJP have been fulfilled. Good grades and proper schooling may help in protecting victims of childhood abuse from indulging in criminal behaviour in adulthood, a study says. The emotional and sexual abuse that some kids endure during their childhood can lead them to commit crimes later in life. But when they achieve good grades in childhood and complete their academics, the likelihood of indulging in criminal behaviour declines significantly. Offending habits and antisocial behaviour tends to stay with kids who are weak in academic performance and get suspended in grades seven to nine, researchers said Child abuse is a risk factor for later antisocial behaviour, said Todd Herrenkohl, professor at the University of Michigan in the US. Education and academic achievement can lessen the risk of crime for all youth, including those who have been abused (encountered stress and adversity), Herrenkohl added. However, for some children who are weak in academic performance and get suspended in grades seven to nine, the offending habits and antisocial behaviour tends to stay with them even later in life, the researchers said. The study, published in the Journal of Interpersonal Violence, noted that the primary prevention of child abuse is a critical first step to reduce antisocial behaviour at the transition from adolescence into adulthood. Researchers followed 356 people from childhood (ages 18 months to 6 years), school-age (8 years), adolescent (18 years) and adulthood (36 years). Parent-child interactions measured various types of abuse and neglect, and responses also factored educational experiences and criminal behaviour against others or property. Parent reports and self-reports of the team showed criminal and antisocial behaviour among the childhood abuse victims. Strategies focused on helping school professionals become aware of the impacts of child abuse and neglect are critical to building supportive environments that promote resilience and lessen risk for antisocial behaviour, Herrenkohl said. Follow @htlifeandstyle for more The Square Director - Ruben Ostlund Cast - Claes Bang, Elisabeth Moss, Dominic West, Terry Notary Rating - 4.5/5 You could take any individual scene in The Square, and depending on your mood at that particular moment, either deconstruct it or magnify it, and the scene will, largely speaking, be a relatively accurate representation of what the film is about. These scenes seem to exist in a vacuum, stubbornly independent of each other; and at the same time, also cripplingly co-dependent - almost like small children, hungry but helpless. And that is certainly what the movie thinks of its protagonist, Christian - he might be a marginally famous museum director, but as he bumbles his way from one bad decision to another, engulfed in a whirlwind of tantrums and indecision, he comes off as a particularly pampered child. Claes Bangs Christian is a bag of insecurities and vulnerability. His troubles begin when he finds himself at the receiving end of a very elaborate confidence game. As he walks along the streets of Stockholm, minding his own business, he is approached by a young woman in distress. She begs for his help, clutching him in all the right places, with just the right amount of persuasive pressure. She says that someone is after her and that he must defend her. Suddenly, another man appears, offering support just when Christian is about to have a full-blown panic attack. They look at each other, clueless as to what to do; theres no sign of the stalker. So after a couple of minutes spent in pacifying the young woman, they relax, having decided that the trouble has passed. Christian thanks the man for his help and sends the woman away with a couple of choice words of reassurance. No sooner has the smug smile left his face does he realise that his wallet and iPhone have been stolen. And he doesnt need anyone to remind him just how incapable he is of doing anything about it. Elisabeth Moss, who will soon be seen in the second season of The Handmaids Tale, taps into her comedic side. Like director Ruben Ostlunds last movie, the phenomenal Force Majeure, his new one, The Square, is a bitingly hilarious satire about masculinity, about the lies men tell themselves to reinforce the falsehoods passed down over millennia (probably by other men), and the intellectual superiority the male species believes it was born with. And like Force Majeure -- a movie that I cannot recommend enough if youre fans of cringe-inducing sitcoms such as Ricky Gervais The Office or Arrested Development -- The Squares success lies solely on how effortlessly Ostlund manages to dismantle these archaic and frankly foolish notions. Force Majeure was about a father who, when faced with a literal avalanche hurtling towards him and his wife and two kids while on vacation, instinctively chooses to turn his back on them and scarper. When the avalanche fizzles out well short, he returns to them, a sheepish look on his face, oblivious to the gravity of what he has just done. Ostlund spends the next couple of hours carefully chipping away at the foundations of this family, maintaining a deviously uncomfortable tone, much like what he does in The Square after that fine scene in which Christian gets duped. Terry Notary steals his scenes. There isnt a single man in this film who isnt ridiculed both publicly and privately, and without mercy. No one is spared - not Christian, a man who almost always seems to wear the pathetic expression of a delusional movie star well past his prime, and not the pretentious artist whose work he is exhibiting in his museum. Dominic West plays Julian, whose name is a dig so thinly veiled that it blows away in an instant, revealing Ostlunds baffling prejudice against the artist Julian Schnabel, of all people. West appears in two of the movies finest scenes - both of which sharply poke holes into the theory that good karma is a thing that exists. Instead, these scenes highlight the films central themes - theyre about the futility of kindness, and about how, when confronted with situations and people that we dont understand, we react with suspicion and hostility. Claes Bang wears the pathetic expression of a delusional movie star well past his prime. And for a filmmaker who only operates inside the festival circuit - The Square was nominated for a Best Foreign Language Picture Oscar and was the surprise winner of the Palme dOr at Cannes - his distaste for pretentious artistry is rather baffling. Because make no mistake, The Square lies squarely within the confines of arthouse cinema - and its a minor miracle that it is releasing in India at all. Honestly, I cant think of the last time we got a Palme dOr winner at the cinemas. The closest we ever came, at least as far as I can remember, has to be Drive, which won Nicolas Winding Refn a Best Director award at Cannes. Like his fellow Cannes winners, Thai maestro Apichatpong Weerasethakul and the great Turkish filmmaker Nuri Bilge Ceylan, Ostlund is a champion of constructing long scenes that could work just as well as short films. He thrives on silences and discomfort, taking immense pleasure in throwing his characters in awkward situations and watching from a distance as they flail about trying to escape. Which is what Christian does in every scene of the film - from making idiotic attempts to retrieve his stolen phone to confusing even himself whether or not hes still relevant. Hes not. None of us are, really. The Square is just another (rather absurd) reminder of the lies we tell ourselves. Watch the trailer for The Square here: Follow @htshowbiz for more The author tweets @RohanNaahar ott:10:ht-entertainment_listing-desktop As the Maharashtra government plans to introduce a state-wide ban on the use of plastic carry bags from Sunday, a city-based survey across 525 shops including malls, mid-range shops and street vendors, found that 43% of all shopkeepers did not know about the ban. Of those shops that were aware of the ban, 51% of the shops have not planned for any alternative for plastic carry bags, and 93% said they did not receive any help from the state government so far in implementing alternatives to plastic bags. To check our preparedness as a city to enforce this ban, around 50 students from St. Xaviers College, Mumbai in partnership with the environment group GreenLine conducted the survey with teams travelling from Colaba causeway in south Mumbai to Dadar, Parel, Bandra and all the way up to Mulund, Ghatkopar and Dahisar. The successful implementation of the ban needs adequate preparation. We were interested in finding out how prepared shopkeepers and vendors in the city were to implement the ban. The findings of the survey suggest that the level of preparedness in the city is very low, said Father Savio Silveira, director, NGO GreenLine. In November 2017, state environment minister Ramdas Kadam had announced a total ban on plastic carry bags throughout the state from March 18 onwards. 66% of the shopkeepers said the ban will not succeed. 85% of shopkeepers said that they are aware of pollution caused by plastic bags, read the survey report. They however, continued to supply plastic bags because customers dont carry their own bags and refuse to buy products if plastic bags are not provided resulting in loss of business. Officials from the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board said there was need for more awareness in Mumbai as compared to other parts of the state. The ban will most likely be implemented from next week onwards as the chief minister is yet to sign off the official document. However, our teams are on the job since October itself sensitising shopkeepers. Taking cognisance of the survey, we will increase our efforts in Mumbai, said P Anbalagan, member secretary, MPCB. The BJPs loss to Opposition parties in the bypolls to three Lok Sabha seats in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar are likely to have repercussions closer home. The results may just boost ongoing efforts to forge an Opposition alliance in Maharashtra. The Shiv Sena has already refuted any possibility of an alliance with the BJP. Congress president Rahul Gandhi calling on Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar at the latters residence in New Delhi on Wednesday was another indication. This happened a day after Pawar attended a dinner for Opposition leaders hosted by United Progressive Alliance (UPA) chairperson Sonia Gandhi and on the day the Lok Sabha bypoll results were declared. It [Rahul Gandhi visit] was a courtesy call. The efforts to bring together non-BJP parties have gained momentum,said NCP Rajya Sabha MP Majeed Memon. Soniaji and Pawarsaab, along with other like-minded parties are all set to create a formidable secular front, he added. In Maharashtra, this means deliberations by leaders from both parties for an alliance, which will likely include smaller opposition parties to avoid a split in anti-BJP votes, will now gain momentum. Soniaji and Rahulji have started unifying the Opposition. In Maharashtra, we have been talking to NCP leaders for an alliance. Our consideration is that it should be a win-win for both parties,said Maharashtra Congress chief Ashok Chavan. We are also planning to get other opposition parties to join hands with us, he added. After ruling the state together for 15 years, the Congress and the NCP parted ways ahead of the 2014 Assembly elections, which saw the BJP emerging as the single largest party, while the two parties suffered rout. The relations between the two parties worsened after the NCP extended unconditional support to the BJP, which was 23 short of a simple majority in the state Assembly. However, chief minister Devendra Fadnavis later managed to get Shiv Sena on board and the NCPs support became irrelevant for the BJP. For the past one year, the NCP has taken a strong stand against the BJP government in the state. At the same time, the two parties have started working together on issues such as farm loan waiver. Last month, leaders from both sides started informal talks for a future alliance because they believe the two parties can return to power in Maharashtra if they contest elections together. On January 26, Pawar led Opposition leaders in a Save the Constitution march in Mumbai. Since then, the bonhomie between the Opposition parties in the state is visible. Congress-NCP leaders are also in touch with leaders of the Peasants and Workers Party (PWP), Janata Dal (S) and Samajwadi Party. NCP state president Sunil Tatkare confirmed the developments. We are forging an opposition unity in the interest of the state. We are already talking to the Congress. The PWP is with us. In coming days we will also talk to other parties,he said. PWP leader Jayant Patil said: For quite some time, we (opposition leaders) have been meeting informally. Two days ago, when senior CPM leader Sitaram Yechury was in city, we discussed this issue in presence of leaders from different Left outfits. The last time the non-BJP, non-Sena parties had forged a pre-poll alliance in Maharashtra was during 1998 Lok Sabha elections when the Congress led alliance had won 38 out of 48 seats. Meanwhile, the Shiv Sena leaders refuted any possibility of changing its decision to go solo and forge a pre-poll alliance with the BJP. On Wednesday, senior BJP leader and state finance minister Sudhir Mungantiwar had stated that the BJP would have an alliance with the Sena in the upcoming polls. Mungantiwar might have made a statement, but whatever Uddhavji has spoken about the alliance and the partys resolution, which was passed in the national executive in January, to contest solo in the upcoming elections, still stands. The Sena chief takes the final call on all decisions in the party, said Anil Desai, senior Sena leader. Eternal vigilance Dirty defiance of CJ Parajuli finally brought to an end; now he must be held to account Even as the Shiv Sena used the Uttar Pradesh and Bihar bypolls to mock its ally Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on the reversal of its electoral fortunes on Friday, chief minister Devendra Fadnavis expressed confidence that the saffron allies would contest the upcoming elections together. He also said he was confident the Sena would back the BJP by voting in its favour in a no-confidence motion moved in the Lok Sabha. The party leadership in Delhi will hold talks with the Shiv Sena over voting for a no-confidence motion on Monday. But I am confident the Rashtravadi and Hindutvavadi [nationalist and pro-Hindutva] parties will back the BJP. Similarly, we will fight the elections together in the forthcoming elections, said Fadnavis. The chief minister was speaking to the media informally at the state legislature. Fadnavis confidence in his ally comes even as the Sena, in its mouthpiece Saamana, took a jibe at the BJP saying its tally may drop by 100 to 110 in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls going by the trends in the recent bypolls. In an editorial titled The beginning of the end, the party said there have been 10 bypolls after Prime Minister Narendra Modi came to power, of which the BJP has lost nine, taking the BJPs tally from 282 to 272, which is the halfway mark in the 543-strong Lok Sabha. The Modi wave, the editorial proclaimed, has receded. The two wins by the Samajwadi Party in BJP bastions of Gorakhpur and Phulpur have created panic in the BJP camp, even as they were busy celebrating the partys victory in a small state like Tripura last week, the editorial said. The UP and Bihar bypoll results, as well as the no-confidence motion on Monday, has evidently made the BJP in the state more sombre. Instead of the staple tit-for-tat response to criticism in Saamana, the BJP maintained a dignified silence. The party also swiftly extended its support to the Sena candidate in the Mumbai civic bypoll to be held in ward no. 173 on April 6. This announcement to back its ally was made by Sena baiter and BJP city chief Ashish Shelar, following directives from the chief minister. The state BJP president Raosaheb Danve also said the allies would come together despite such criticism and differences. As political parties, our allies have their own political existence and have the right to expand their base. As the elections approaches, the differences between alliance partners surfaces, but those are resolved after some time. I am sure the BJP and the Sena will fight the elections together, he said. The Sena, however, remained non-committal about joining hands with the BJP in the future polls as well as backing it in the no-confidence motion. The BJPs support in the BMC by-polls comes as the exchange of the support we extended in the by poll of ward 21 (Kandivli) last year. It has nothing to do with the no-confidence motion and elections in the future, said a senior Sena leader. He said the partys stand over a no-confidence would be taken at the right time. Both the BJP and the Sena have denied having held any meeting to discuss the support on the no-confidence motion. Sena leader and union leader Anant Geete met CM Fadnavis during the function of the launch of the hybrid bus on Friday morning. Fadnavis and Geete said there was nothing political in that meeting. The Mumbai crime branch on Wednesday arrested a 35-year-old domestic help, who had fled after stealing gold ornaments worth Rs12.70 lakh from a businessmans residence in Andheri (East). The incident had occurred between 8am on March 12 to 3.30am on March 13, when the complainant, Sanjay Pramod Mehta along with his family had gone to attend a wedding ceremony. The police recovered gold and silver worth Rs7 lakh from the accused. She mortgaged the remaining gold with a finance company, which provides loan on gold. The arrested accuseds real name is Sangita Patel, who had joined Mehtas home as a domestic help, a week ago. She had introduced herself with a false name Jyoti and also provided a fake residential address. While she is resident of Dahisar, her fake address said that she lived in Bhayender. Mehta lives in Aditya apartment, situated at Old Nagar Das Road in Andheri (East) along with his family. The accused joined as a househelp with intent to burgle. After joining, she stole a key of the main door and the family was unaware about it. She came in the morning and completed all household chores and left. However, she waited near the building and; as soon as the family left home, she returned to burgle the house said a crime branch official. She stole all gold ornaments and silver from the locker and fled. The family learnt this only after they returned home at midnight on March 13 and approached the Andheri police station. Unit 10 of the crime branch started a parallel inquiry. An official said, The accused threw her mobile phone away, after the incident. But, we took her call records from the service provider, inquired with the people with whom she had spoken earlier and got her residential address. Police then nabbed her from the Bhayender area. The accused was handed over to Andheri police station for further inquiry. A police team visited the finance company, which confirmed that she had taken the loan. We have been following some legal procedures to recover the stolen booty, said a police officer from Andheri police station. Four women from the Dawoodi Bohra community spoke at a public forum in Andheri, on Friday, about their experience pertaining to female genital mutilation (FGM). I have forgotten what happened to me, but cant forget what happened to my daughter. Even today, she cries after contracting urinary tract infection and I cry with her, read Plabita Borthakur of Lipstick Under my Burkha fame, while narrating Saminas story. Samina, a mother of 10, regrets performing khatna (circumcision), as the Bohras refer to the custom, on her daughter despite repeated warnings from her mother. During my time, we were taken to midwives. Today, in hushed tones, mothers discuss taking their daughters to a general physicians, Samina said. A 64-year-old woman, whose story was read by veteran theatre actor Dolly Thakore, said she was scared to take her granddaughter inside the room where her khatna was to be performed. I dont know why they do this. It is a bad practice and should be stopped at once, the elderly woman said. Insiya, whose story was read by model Sobhita Dhulipala, said though she was treated like a son in an educated family, she felt violated. When forcefully touching a child is considered child sexual abuse, isnt the practice [FGM] similar to the crime ? Why didnt my mother realise that she would later regret having taken me for khatna, Dhulipala read. The youngest woman, 19-year-old Fatema, on whom FGM was performed, questioned the logic of hygiene given for justifying the practice. How is the practice hygienic when dirty blade and cotton is used? Fatema said. Insia Dariwala, co-founder of NGO Sahiyo, said women have suffered in silence but the time has come for them to speak up. Not only the Bohra community, but there are many other communities which have violated women and children in the name of culture. There is a need to stand up against the practice, said . FGM is a process which involves removal or cutting of skin from the clitoral hood of women, at the age of seven. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), it has no known health benefits and the procedure may cause several immediate and long-term health consequences. Julus and other stories WHERE: Gallery Chemould, Queens Mansion, Fort WHEN: Until April 7; 11 am to 7 pm. Closed on Sundays ENTRY IS FREE Shakuntala Kulkarnis multimedia project, Julus And Other Stories, is designed to be many things at once. There are four synchronised videos featuring female warriors adorning cane accessories, holding spears, marching or standing. Huge chalkboards feature wiped-out drawings with just the outline of those warriors remaining. The reference has been taken from the terracotta warriors of China. The artist says they represent power, gracefulness and courage. A separate section showcases the warriors cane accessories as if in a jewellery store. I wanted to show how every material object is valuable and how we perceive them, Kulkarni says. Kulkarni has been showing parts of this project for seven years. It has travelled to Dhaka, Delhi and Mumbai. This is the first time it has all come together. Kulkarni has known Shireen Gandhy, owner of Chemould, for over 30 years. My mother, Kekoo Gandhy, first discovered her, Gandhy says. Shakuntala has constantly reinvented herself and is an integral part of contemporary art language; her works fits very much with the gallerys vision. Kulkarni has been showing parts of this project for seven years. It has travelled to Dhaka, Delhi and Mumbai. This is the first time it has all come together. These boards with chalk-drawings had been lying in my studio, the artist says. Over the years, Ive scribbled on them, drawn on them, painted on them. They have layers of the history of my art process sometimes hidden, sometimes visible you need to get closer to see it. For Gandhy, it explores the idea of vulnerability and protection. She marches with honours, holds her head high and looks you in the eye. In a time when women are gaining heroic position, the video just exemplifies it. Within a year of joining as the chief of Kalyan Dombivli Municipal Corporation (KDMC), IAS officer P Velarasu was transferred as joint managing director to the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) on Friday. Sources from Kalyan-Dombivli claimed that his sudden transfer is the result of the recent incidents of fire at Adharwadi dumping ground in Kalyan. They also alleged that Velarasu had asked residents to move out to some other place during the fire incident instead of taking preventive measures to curb the fire. Last week the old, saturated Adharwadi dump yard in Kalyan (West) caught fire three times , releasing thick smoke into the air and making it difficult for the residents to breath. I have not received any official order as of now, however there are possibilities of my transfer, said Velarasu. In a notice served by additional chief secretary, general administration department, Mantralaya, Mumbai , Mukesh Khullar, it is stated that civic officer Govind Bodke is appointed as the new commissioner of KDMC. Velarasu joined KDMC in May 2017. During his tenure he did not take up any major projects for the city, which has been a matter of concern among the local politicians and residents of the twin city. Prior to his appointment as KDMC chief, Velarasu was the collector of Thane district. His appointment to KDMC was his first as municipal commissioner. An IAS officer of the 2002 batch , Velarasu has served as collector at Nashik, sub-divisional officer at Nanded and CEO of Zilla Parishad at Parbhani. A senior leader of Shiv Sena said on condition of anonymity,Velarasu had failed to take up any remarkable work for the city since he joined. He was adamant about not approving any new projects for the city, which irked many of the local politicians and officials. Velarasu had succeeded E Ravindran as KDMC chief. Earlier, when Ravindran was transferred as KDMC chief, many activists, local residents and the civic body mayor Rajendra Devlekar raised objections as Ravindran had undertaken major works in the city during his 22-month tenure. Earlier I had raised objections against the transfer of Ravindran as he was doing a lot of good work for the city. This time, I am not against the transfer of the civic body chief as the decision is correct,said KDMC mayor Devlekar. Ravindran, an IAS officer of the 2008 Tamil Nadu batch, managed to set an example soon after joining as KDMC chief by cracking down on latecomers in the civic body. He was also called the demolition man as he carried out major demolition drives in the city within six months of taking charge of the civic body. One of his standout achievements was decongesting the Shivaji Chowk area in Kalyan (West) through road widening and concretisation. However, Ravindran also faced criticism in the later stages of his tenure, as he failed to make any improvement in major issues like solid waste management, closure of Adharwadi dumping ground, the hawkers menace,traffic congestion and illegal and dangerous structures in Kalyan-Dombivli. The state government has suspended a Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) official for threatening the Officer on Special Duty (OSD) of Dhananjay Munde, the leader of opposition in the state legislative council. Munde said he had been threatened because he made a plea in the legislative council against the menace of gutkha and demanded a crackdown on the gutkha mafia. Despite the gutkha ban, gutkha was being smuggled in from other states, the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader had said then. Munde said BJP legislator Sudhakar Bhalerao had brought FDA officer R D Akrupe to his official residence. Munde said Akrupe threatened his OSD Bhambre for raising the gutkha issue in the council. This is simply not acceptable and strict action should be taken against the official, the NCP leader said. Wanting to know who was behind the officers misbehaviour, Munde demanded his suspension. The opposition parties created a ruckus in the legislative council on Friday, forcing the house to be adjourned for some time. Addressing the members of the legislative council, FDA minister Girish Bapat suspended Akrupe, a Bhiwandi-based FDA official, for threatening Bhambre. Later in the day, member of legislative council Anil Parab (Shiv Sena) claimed that some gutkha brands are manufactured in slums in Mumbai. He further said that gutkha from these brands contain tails of dead lizards and other intoxicating chemicals. Offering to accompany Bapat to these slums, the Sena leader added that these illegal manufacturers have links with crime syndicates and other anti-social elements. MCOCA to be invoked in gutkha cases? The state government on Friday said that it could invoke the stringent Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) if needed against those who violate the gutkha ban in the state. Maharashtra banned the sale of gutkha and kharra in 2012, but its supply is still rampant in the state, said FDA minister Girish Bapat. To prevent this, more stringent measures will be taken and amendments will be made in the law. The sale of gutkha in the state will be made a non-bailable offence. If convicted, the person will face a maximum of seven years imprisonment, and if needed the state will invoke MCOCA against the violators of the ban, Bapat said while replying on the issue during question hour in the upper house. At present, the sale of gutkha is a bailable offence with punishment of a maximum of six months in prison. MCOCA is a law enacted by Maharashtra in 1999 to combat organised crime and terrorism. The Maharashtra government has tabled a controversial Bill in the state Assembly, which if passed, will give it absolute power over privately owned land for laying underground pipelines and ducts for utilities and services. The bill proposes compensation for damage or loss of property during the work, but also recommends penalty for land owners who create obstructions. Even more controversially, it has provisions that disallows a civil court from entertaining any suit or trying any dispute or passing an interim injunction challenging the orders issued by the competent authority under the Bill. Opposition leaders have already objected to provisions of the Bill called the Maharashtra Underground Pipelines and Underground Ducts (Acquisition of Right of User in Land) Act, 2018 and have demanded modifications. Explaining the need for such a Bill, state revenue minister Chandrakant Patil said the provisions are aimed at the speedy implementation of infrastructure projects and at avoiding inordinate delays in the acquisition of land under the existing framework. Many huge infrastructure projects are underway across the states urban areas, including four Metro corridors in Mumbai, most of which are expected to impact the existing underground utilities, and the government wants to avoid delays in repairing or relaying of these utilities, the minister said. Currently, the state has no legal framework to deal with issues that arise out of the process of laying underground pipelines and ducts on private plots. The Bill also specifies processes that include publication of notification regarding the intention to acquire user right of land for underground pipelines and ducts; appointment of competent authority for acquisition of user right; declaration of acquisition; restrictions regarding use of land; determination of compensation, deposit and payment of compensation and period for payment of compensation; and other powers such as that to enter the land before execution of work and survey as well as after work for maintenance and inspection, among other things. The Bill will allow a competent authority, in public interest, to issue a notification about its intention to acquire user right for any private land. The land owner can raise objections before the authority, but its decision will be final and cannot be challenged in court. Furthermore, any person found guilty of obstructing or causing damage to the work will face up to one year imprisonment. Objecting to the Bill, Congress MLA Jaykumar Gore questioned the governments intention over providing absolute power to such an authority. Why has the government suggested provisions that the competent authoritys order cannot be challenged in civil court, he asked. The discussion on the Bill will continue on Friday. It has to be cleared in both Houses to be enacted. If theres any more evidence that Hillary Clinton found her soul in India here it is: following her high-profile appearance at a mega Mumbai talk fest this weekend, the former US secretary of state and presidential candidate flew off for some quiet R&R to Maheshwars spectacular Ahilya fort, run by erstwhile royal scion and conservation aesthete Richard Holkar. She was accompanied by her long-time aide Huma Abedin and the enigmatic entrepreneur Susie Buell, founder of clothing brand Esprit, widely described as her mega donor and soulmate. Richard Holkar and Hillary Clinton at the fort. HC spent two lovely two days with me at Ahilya Fort, said Holkar when we spoke. She was very impressed to hear of Ahilya Bais history and she visited Mandu, too, he said, adding, even though she had unfortunately twisted her ankle, she attended our weekly Palki pooja. As is known, the Holkar dynasty was a Hindu Maratha royal house in India, which had ruled the Central Indian kingdom as Maratha Rajas. Richard, who for many years worked as a textile revivalist, championing the heritage Chanderi textile of the region, now runs a high-end boutique hotel along with his son Yeshwant Rao Holkar. Clinton, from all accounts, displayed all the warmth and joie that had been witnessed earlier at her Mumbai outing. A very approachable person, she chatted with some of our staff who spoke English and was happy to have her picture taken with them. said Holkar. It was very memorable for them to be with a person who almost became president of the USA. Of course, given their shared interest in Indias great textile and craft heritage, it was not all play and no work: Holkar, Clinton and Buell also found time on the sidelines to discuss how to market handloom textiles. A TRIBUTE TO SHASHI AND SRIDEVI Two of Shashi Kapoors Merchant Ivory films will be shown at NYIFF. This years New York Indian Film Festival (NYIFF) will include a screening of English Vinglish as a tribute to Sridevi and two Shashi Kapoor films Shakespeare Wallah and Heat and Dust directed by Oscar-winning film-maker James Ivory. It was natural for us to show a couple of Shashi Kapoors classic films this year. We were able to get recently restored prints of Shakespeare Wallah and Heat & Dust. Both those films show a different facet of Shashi, the actor. And then there is the New York connection as both films are Merchant Ivory productions, said one of the festivals founders, film critic and author Aseem Chhabra. Then after Sridevi died tragically, many people asked us if we would also do a tribute to her. Many films were suggested, although I thought English Vinglish would be the best choice as it is also set in New York. But because it is a recent film and getting good quality prints is a challenge, we were not sure it would happen. Sridevis English Vinglish will be shown at the film festival. As it happened, a certain magic saw everything fall in place. Acting swiftly, Chhabra managed to contact the films director, Gauri Shinde, and she loved the idea of screening the film at the festival. She immediately connected Chhabra to the film producers London office, who in in turn connected him with its operations in New York. All the contacts were made within 3-4 hours, he said. In addition to its regular new films, the NYIFF has a side bar or a retrospective every year. To mark 100 years of Indian cinema, it showed restored prints of three classic films Uday Shankars Kalpana, Garam Hawa and Jaane Bhi Do Yaaron each film representing a different time period and mood of Indian cinema. Last year, it screened a tribute to Om Puri and showed A Death in the Gunj. Many people in New York are excited about the English Vinglish screening. One friend wrote on Facebook that she will have to carry a pack of tissues for English Vinglish, said Chhabra. But its not going to be nostalgia alone to look forward to: We have confirmation from James Ivory that he would also be present at the post-screening discussions. And as hes just got an Oscar, we have added a third Merchant Ivory film in the mix Autobiography of a Princess. Nice. A Man of the Crowd When: March 16 to April 26, 11 am to 6.30 pm. Closed on Sundays Where: Tarq Gallery, Colaba Entry is free Sameer Kulavoor, Mumbai-based graphic designer, illustrator and founder of Bombay Duck Designs, is known for his minimalist style and whimsical illustrations. In 2012, he created a line of T-shirts for the UK design house Paul Smith showcasing Indian bicycle culture. There was a dabbawala, an old man with a cycle-rickshaw and a pedalling ice-cream man. In 2017, at the Street Art India exhibition, he created Parfum Sassoon, an installation representing an imaginary larger-than-life premium perfume brand. An old man carrying bananas in a basket, a worker in a man-hole; Urban Dwellers in their Natural Setting is part of the collection on display. This week, Kulavoors work gets a gallery display. Tarq hosts A Man of the Crowd, his first show of paintings. Much of the work stems from his extensive visits to New York, Berlin, Copenhagen, Hanoi, and Bangkok. They manifest as landscapes of human figurines with swatches of colours painted over flat grey canvases. Kulavoor works with acrylic, capturing day-to-day city life. One painting shows an old man carrying bananas in a basket, a kid being whisked away by a parent in a corner and a worker in a man-hole. Another work has a bizarre cluster of people in a close-up: a woman with a big shopping bag, a suited man reading a newspaper and the tail of a leopard. Im familiar with urban spaces, having grown up in Mumbai, Kulavoor says. But what we see here is also how global cities work: the cabs, the flow of people. Thats served as basis for my work. Closer home, the stampede at Elphinstone was disturbing. That informed my piece too. Im familiar with urban spaces, having grown up in Mumbai, says Kulavoor, of the inspiration behind his paintings. He uses canvases of different sizes to reflect how every city is different in density and scale. I dislike stagnation and painting seemed like a natural evolution, he says. Its also a break away from Kulavoors solo exhibition in 2016 titled, Please Have a Seat. The series were a set of drawings that acted part travelogue and part a reflective work encouraging people to pause, breathe and take a break from everyday hustle. Kulavoor has also sculpted miniature figurines out of terracotta and concrete, which will serve as an extension to these paintings, placed on a separate platform at the exhibition. A 41-year-old security guard was sentenced to four concurrent life imprisonments on Friday for repeatedly raping both his teenage daughters between 2013 and 2015. The special Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO) court tried the accused on charges of rape under sections of the POCSO Act. Judge MA Baraliya ordered the convict to pay Rs45,000 to each of the survivors as compensation. The incidents came to light when the younger survivor, 15, was crying at school and narrated the ordeal to her friend. The friend told her sister and eventually, local Shiv Sena party workers got to know of it. The mans crimes were reported to the police in July 2015 when a group of Sena workers, including women, showed up at the house of the girls uncle and beat up the parents of the survivors. The elder sister, 17, student of a civic school, told the court that the first time the accused raped her was in 2013 on a Sunday, when she was sleeping at home and her mother and younger sister had gone to her maternal aunts house. When she resisted him, he asked her to shut up and beat her up. The accused continued to force himself upon his elder daughter whenever he found her alone at home. Fed up with the harassment, she started working at a jewellery factory in Masjid Bunder. The girls mother works as a domestic help. During her deposition, the elder girl broke down saying she does not want the accused behind the bars as he is her father, despite what he did. When the accused appeared before her for identification, the younger girl wept and held on to another person for support. Only when she was convinced that the police would ensure no harm would come to her, she identified him. She told the court that her father came home intoxicated and then forced himself upon her. I resisted him. He beat me up, she told the court. When the girl resisted, he threatened her. On one occasion, he raped her by gagging her as she tried to scream. US-Bangla airline flight 211 crash: Families may miss out on fair compensation Families of the victims of US-Bangla Airline Flight 211, which crashed while trying to land at Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) on Monday, are unlikely to receive a reasonable amount of compensation due to delays by Nepal and Bangladesh in signing the Montreal Convention 1999. The Goregaon Patra Chawl redevelopment project scam, estimated to be around Rs1,034 crore, has exposed the nexus between the private developers and the Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (Mhada) officials. After the First Information Report (FIR) against the builder Guruashish Developers for violations , the state is now probing the role of the society office bearers and Mhada officials. We will probe the entire nexus as we feel that money has changed hands, said Ravindra Waikar, minister of state for housing. He said that FIRs will also filed against those found guilty. The violations, as listed by Waikar, are builders failure to provide new houses to existing tenants, depriving Mhada its share of flats, not paying rent to tenants, as well as causing loss of Rs474 crore to the exchequer. Residents have also demanded action against the Patra chawl society office bearers. These society members have compromised our interest for their vested interests, and an FIR should be filed against them, said Rajesh Dalvi, a local. According to residents, builder Guruashish sold off part of the land to third parties, allegedly making huge profits, while residents who had left their homes did not get rent for years. Additionally, Mhada officials gave a misleading report, which stated that 87 % of the work for the project was completed, when not more than 50% has been done till date. This infuriated chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, and ordered suspension of Mhada executive engineer D K Mahajan, for providing misleading information. He asked Guruashish Developers to comply, failing which the CM asked Mhada to take over the project. However, Guruashish did not take any corrective action. This is symptomatic of the problem in the redevelopment of the 56 Mhada colonies that occupy huge prime land in Mumbai, where builders allegedly team up with office-bearers and Mhada, to tweak rules and make windfalls, leaving residents in the lurch. The redevelopment of Patra Chawl in Siddharth Nagar, spread across 47 acres, has been mired in controversy since the beginning. In 2007, Mhada allowed Guruashish to redevelop and rehabilitate 675 chawl tenants. However Mhada received complaints that it sold parts of land to other builders. Guruashish, which is a subsidiary of the Housing Development and Infrastructure Limited (HDIL), has currently filed for insolvency before the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) owing to its failure to repay lenders. Sarang Wadhwan, vice chairman and managing director, HDIL, was unavailable for comments despite several attempts. After gathering dust for months, the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) on Friday launched 25 hybrid electric buses, inaugurated by chief minister Devendra Fadanvis, in presence of Union heavy industries minister Anant Geete. The Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) undertaking will operate the buses on behalf of MMRDA, in an effort to improve road connectivity at Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC), the citys prime business district. The regional planning body stated that the high-tech buses will ferry passengers on five short routes, plying from BKC to Bandra, Sion and Kurla stations from 9am to 6pm. Besides that, the buses will also run on longer point-to-point routes between BKC and Thane, Mulund, Navi Mumbai, and Borivli. In the morning, the buses will ferry passengers to BKC from the stated destinations between 7.30am to 8.30pm, and then back from 6pm to 7pm, from Monday to Saturday. The passengers will have to shell out Rs63 to Rs110 for a journey on the longer routes, and Rs16 to Rs26 on the shorter routes. However, on longer routes, the AC buses wont bring any relief to the office goers who commute from areas like Vashi, Belapur, Chembur, Ghatkopar , Andheri or other en-route destinations, owing to limited stops. On longer routes, there are only two or three fixed stops outside BKC, much to the disappointment of many passengers. The Tata Motors buses ply on duel fuel--Lithium-Ion batteries and diesel. With a single charge, the gear and clutch-less buses can cover a distance of 300km. The buses can run at a maximum speed of 80km/h , and have features like advance passenger addressing system, CCTV camera, digital display,TV, WiFi, GPS and digital diagnosis system. CM Fadanvis said that the buses will make car owners ditch their vehicles . These buses are air-conditioned and very comfortable, with a host of facilities . People will be encouraged to leave their cars at home, he said. Hoping that the buses will reduce pollution, Fadanvis said that the state is working on bringing zero-emission electric buses to Maharashtra. Speaking on the occasion, union minister Geete said that his ministry has sanctioned 80 electric buses for BEST. We live in a zero-emission era, and have to walk hand-in-hand with industries to achieve that. We also need to achieve complete electric mobility to make cities and states pollution free, said Geete. UPS Madan, metropolitan commissioner of MMRDA, said that the buses will reduce emission by 30%, and save around 28% fuel. The Maharashtra Real Estate Regulatory Authority (MahaRERA) will direct all developers of ongoing projects to compulsorily sign sale agreements with buyers. The move comes after consumer body Mumbai Grahak Panchayat (MGP) pointed out that many developers do not sign a sale agreement despite the consideration amount paid exceeding 10% of the total cost. In the absence of agreement, buyers cannot file a complaint with the RERA, in case of disputes or delays, it pointed out. It is quite a common practice for buyers to make an initial payment for booking a flat without signing a sale agreement with the builder. Such buyers, however, cannot approach the RERA as it does not accept cases with no agreements, experts said. A well-known case was that involving Bhagtani builders. Several buyers, who had invested in its projects, appealed to MahaRERA following years of delay, but their pleas were dismissed because there were no registered sale agreements. At an interactive session with RERA on Thursday, Shirish Deshpande, president of MGP, suggested that the housing regulator declare that all developers must register sale agreements, which will help secure buyers interests. We have received many complaints where buyers either want a refund or want the developer to pay penalty for delays, but without a registered agreement, they are unable to approach MahaRERA, Deshpande said. The authority should declare this as standard practice for developers. Responding to the recommendation, MahaRERA chairperson Gautam Chatterjee said that it will consider making an announcement to all developers to register agreements for sale. Chatterjee confirmed to HT that the regulator is planning to act on the suggestion. The MahaRERA secretariat will be sending emails to all promoters to abide by provisions of section 13 of RERA Act, which requires promoters to execute and register agreements for sale, if the consideration amount collected exceeds 10%. Parents of a student from an Andheri school, whose trustee was arrested for allegedly sexually assaulting the three-year-old, have now approached the Bombay high court against the anticipatory bail granted to the accused. The trial began in Dindoshi court on Friday. While the child no longer studies in the same school, the lawyer representing her parents filed the application last week in the HC. Other parents have also intervened in the application too. We sought help of police to cancel his bail in order to make sure the trustee is not roaming freely within school premises, while the matter is still in court. Since there was no response, we had no choice, but to approach the high court, said a parent. This move comes, almost a month after parents had written to the zonal deputy commissioner of police seeking a revision of the trustees bail order. Six months after the parents of the child had reported the incident and filed an FIR, the trustee was arrested in November 2017. However, since December 2017, the trustee has been out on bail and has returned to work at the school. How do we not worry about the safety of our children while the accused is in school the whole day? asked one of the parents. He said the bail rejection application was heard by the HC last week and the next hearing is slated for later this month. In February, after receiving criticism from parents for returning to the school, the trustee had also shared his views in an email, with a parent. Comparing himself to Mahatma Gandhi and Nelson Mandela who were falsely jailed, he requested parents to stop treating him like a threat just because he had gone to jail. HT tried contacting the school management on Friday evening, but there was no response. After losses in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will face its next challenge in Maharashtra, with two of its Lok Sabha seats in Gondia and Palghar expected to head for bypolls. While the Election Commission of India has not yet announced a schedule for these seats, wary of its losses, the BJP has started preparing ground for victory in these two seats. Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis is learnt to have held meetings with partys legislators and office bearers in both these seats, in the last month. The party has planned an outreach programme in these constituencies to publicise the governments schemes besides strengthening booth-level organisation. The Gondia Lok Sabha seat was vacated when BJP MP Nana Patole quit the party to return to his parent party, the Congress last year. The Palghar seat was vacated owing to the demise of BJP MP Chintaman Vanga in January this year. The results to both the seats are not easy to predict. Gondia, which has been the seat of Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Praful Patel for long, had gone to Patole in 2014 polls. Patole is not keen on contesting the seat and neither is Patel. I am keen on state assembly polls but the final decision will be taken by the Congress high command. Since it is a Congress seat, we will lay claim to it, said Patole. Patole also said he had approached the Election Commission on Friday to hold the bypolls in this constituency. Technically, the bypolls for Gondia should have been held with the ones UP, he added. Both the Congress and the NCP may not easily want to give up claim on the seat. The BJP will benefit if the allies squabble here but the party is still looking for a candidate for the seat. The ruling party may zero in on Shishupal Patle, their former MP from the constituency who had defeated Patel in 2004, said a BJP leader from Vidarbha. If the Congress and the NCP contest as an alliance, the BJP may face trouble in a region considered to be its stronghold. The verdict will also give a sense of how the ruling party is faring in rural areas, where the discontent against it seems to be on the rise. In Palghar, the dice may be more in favour of the BJP since it has the support of the Bahujan Vikas Aghadi (BVA) party. In the last polls, BVAs Baliram Jadhav had defeated Vanga, even as Congress backed out of the polls last minute. The BVA, after the assembly polls, has supported the BJP and has three legislators in this seat. We have started preparations and we are confident of winning both the seats. The BJP president may also review the preparations of the polls during his visit here in April, said a senior BJP leader. However, a BJP minister refuted the claim that Shah would take stock of the bypolls in Maharashtra. Shah will be here for one day to address the rally, thats all. When the construction of third Kalwa bridge started last year, the cost was pegged at Rs183 crore. The bridge is expected to ease traffic in Thane, Kalwa and Thane Belapur Road. The cost has now doubled as the Thane Municipal Corporation has decided to spend Rs130 crore on structural monitoring device in this bridge. Navigation Span Structural Health Monitoring Device will detect any minor structural changes in the bridge, warn of defects and ensure timely repairs on the bridge. City engineer Anil Patil said, The Navigation Span Health Monitoring Device will be fitted in the Kalwa bridge to ensure safety of the bridge. It will monitor any minute changes in the structure of the bridge along with the changes in the steel and concrete used in the bridge. The structural stability of the bridge will be monitored continuously on the computer. We will know in advance if there is any problem in the structure. The total cost of construction of Kalwa bridge will now be Rs315 crore. The device will avert accidents of bridge collapse. The regular maintenance of the bridge will also increase its life span. We had studied the technology in Singapore two years ago. After the success on this bridge, we will replicate it on other bridges. Installing the device will cost Rs130 crore. It will be fitted in every pillar of the bridge, Patil added. The work on the third Kalwa Bridge over the Thane creek was proposed in 2012. The budget of the bridge was Rs10 crore when it was proposed in 2012. It escalated to Rs100 crore, when the Thane Municipal Corporation asked the state to fund the project. Later, the corporation decided to fund the project on its own to prevent delay in the project. While the government is pushing for switch to electric vehicles, public infrastructure as well as policy guidelines related to electric vehicles (EVs) are missing in the city. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had distributed 1000 e-rickshaws in Noida in April 2016, hoping to provide momentum to the electric mobility drive. In the past two years, the number of registered e-rickshaws in the city has remained stagnant. While the Union government plans to shift its entire motor vehicle fleet to electricity by 2030, the industry environment seems unfriendly. According to officials, there are multiple reasons for the slow growth of electric vehicles in the city. Seizing unregistered electric rickshaws is necessary, yet it may discourage others from purchasing them. We have no option but to seize these illegal vehicles. They cannot be fined for irregularities and, in case of a mishap, no government help or insurance can be provided. However, it cannot be denied that it does affect the livelihood of poor drivers, S K Singh, assistant regional transport officer (ARTO), enforcement, Gautam Budh Nagar, said. The high cost of initial purchase and recurrent expenditure may also be a deterrent for drivers. This is also the reason for drivers opting for unauthorised vehicles. While the e-rickshaws sold by authorised dealers cost 1.25 lakh, the unauthorised dealers sell these vehicles for 60,000 to 70,000. The permit and tax cost an additional 8,000, transport officials said. Even for the authorised e-rickshaw drivers, there are no docking/charging stations as no policy provides for the same. In the absence of such infrastructure, drivers charge their vehicles at home, spending a large amount of domestic power. However, officials claim that most e-rickshaws are charged through illegal power connections, another irregularity. There are no public docking stations as no policy mentions having them. We are also not planning any such infrastructure soon. As EVs increase, these may be installed, A K Pandey, ARTO (administration), Gautam Budh Nagar, said. Transport experts said for an electric mobility revolution in the country, the thrust has to begin on public transport, including e-rickshaws and buses. For successful implementation, required infrastructure and subsidies have to be provided by the government. Experts say drivers would rather buy cycle rickshaws that cost much less, have no registration legalities and carry passengers for distances the same as e-rickshaws. Cycle rickshaws are used for small distances; autos and buses for longer distance. E-rickshaws are for small- to medium-distance travel. However, commuters prefer cycle rickshaws as, for the same cost, they do not have to share their transport. Even from a commuters point of view, the demand for e-rickshaws is not high, Dr Sewa Ram, professor, School of Planning and Architecture, New Delhi, said. He said unlike Delhi, Noida has fewer middle distance trips. In Noida, there are short and long distances and commuters prefer cycyle rickshaws for short trips and autorickshaws for longer distances. Therefore, e-rickshaw drivers do not get enough passengers. That is why they do not find it profitable to invest in these expensive vehicles till subsidies are provided, Sewa Ram said. The Abdul Kalam Technical University (AKTU) has postponed the mega job fair, to be held in Noida, to April 11- 12 after multiple companies made a request to the university administration citing financial year-end complexities. Earlier, the university administration was to organise the job fair on March 24-25 on its Noida campus in Sector 62. Several companies approached us saying that they start their hiring process only after the end of the financial year on March 31. The companies representatives requested us to postpone the job fair to April 11-12 so that, by then, they can complete the formalities of the financial year-end. We also want the best companies for our students and so we decided to postpone the dates, Sanjeev Sharma, advisor, AKTU, said. The university has also decided to change the dates for the registration. The online registration for the mega job fair will begin from March 29 and continue till April 5. Students can access the universitys website for registration and other details. Students can also download the hall ticket for the fair on April 6 and 7 from the website, Sharma said. For the past one year, the university has been organising mega job fairs in several cities of Uttar Pradesh for its engineering graduates and final-year students. The university decided to organise mega job fairs after receiving numerous complaints of depleting placement percentage in its affiliated colleges. In the mega job fair, only final-year students (2017-18) and students who graduated in the academic year 2016-17 from affiliated colleges will be allowed to participate. Providing further information about the upcoming fair, Sharma said, As many as 45 companies have agreed to participate till now and we are trying to rope in more. Some of the distinguished companies are HDFC, Optimus, India Mart and NIIT-Technology. The registration for the online fair is free and if the students are being asked for money from any agent or tout, they must complain at the helpline number given on the universitys website, Sharma said. Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiahs efforts to create a state flag has been viewed with suspicion, especially outside the state. Yet, it also represents an innovative way to politically address the multiple identities that Indians in this case Kannadigas profess. Kannadigas have, as a rule, been reluctant to submerge their multiple identities under a single regional, or any other, identity. Regional political parties mostly tend to remain at the fringes of state politics. Two-term chief minister D Devaraj Urs faded away when he sought to emerge as a regional political force. The JD(S) may claim today to represent regional interests in the state but it is careful not to give up its national ambitions. At the same time, it is obvious that regionalism plays a prominent role in Karnataka politics. The intensity of mobilisation over the Cauvery dispute should remove all doubts about just how potent regional pride can be in the state. Yet, the regional identity does not supersede all other identities. It is quite common for individuals and groups to support mobilisation around the Kannada identity in times of the Cauvery dispute and shift to their Hindu identity on the Babri Masjid dispute. In this milieu of going with the overall mood there is much to be gained politically by determining the overall theme of an election. The BJP in Karnataka has tried hard to place the Hindu identity at the core of the states mood during election time. They have attacked the chief ministers Hindu credentials; they have provided a prominent place in their campaign in Karnataka for Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath; and they have mobilised support in coastal Karnataka against the killing of their cadre in ongoing battles with Muslim groups battles that have seen casualties on both sides. The initial response of the Congress was quite defensive. Siddaramaiah stressed his Hindu credentials, even emphasising the prominent place for Ram in his name. But over time, the chief minister has focused more on making the regional identity the dominant theme in the election. He has removed Hindi signboards from Bengalurus Metro, he has presented the Supreme Court verdict on the Cauvery dispute as a vindication of his defence of regional interests, and has taken the dramatic step of creating a state flag. In seeking to adopt a state flag, Siddaramaiah ran the risk of being seen as someone who was attempting to place the regional identity of Kannadigas above all their other identities, including their national one. This was somewhat muted by the fact that he represented a national political party. But he has been careful to take other steps to ensure he was not reduced to the stature of previous, failed, regional leaders. The first of these steps was in the choice of the flag itself. The red and yellow flag of the now defunct Kannada Paksha of the 1960s has been widely seen as representing Kannadiga interests. It is used by all Kannada organisations and it was assumed it would be the choice for the state flag. But the Siddaramaiah government has added a white strip in the middle with the states emblem to create a tricolour. The government is also laying out a code for the state flag to formally ensure that it will always have a status below the national flag. The chief minister has gone on to emphasise the distinction between the state flag and the flag of Kannada organisations. He has stressed that the Kannada groups can continue to use the red and yellow flag for their private programmes, while the state flag will only be used for official government functions. Thus, he is trying to reach out to the Kannada sentiment without treating it as being above all the other identities of Kannadigas. In walking the tightrope between appealing to Kannada sentiment without being seen as a Kannada chauvinist, Siddaramaiah has to find a balance between very different interests. He will have to convince the Congress high command that he is not creating a problem for it in other states, even as he calms the anger of Kannada groups over their flag not being made the official one. But as someone who has built his political career as a supporter of the Kannada cause within national parties, Siddaramaiah is likely to fancy his chances. Narendar Pani is professor, National Institute of Advanced Studies, Bengaluru The views expressed are personal Bahujan Samajwadi Party (BSP) chief Mayawati on Thursday said the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will announce early Lok Sabha elections as it is having sleepless nights in the wake of the Uttar Pradesh bypoll results. The former Uttar Pradesh chief minister, who was in Chandigarh to address a rally to pay homage to BSP founder late Kanshi Ram on his birth anniversary, asked her party workers and supporters to gear up for an early poll. Party supporters from Chandigarh, Punjab, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh had gathered for the rally. She said though both the BJP and the Congress were making claims of doing a lot for Dalits, the reality was something else. The Centre is trying to stop reservations in jobs by promoting privatisation, she said. The BSP will attract like-minded political parties to counter the Modi wave. We successfully supported the Samajwadi Party in the Gorakhpur and Phulpur constituencies to defeat the BJP, she said. The BJP and the RSS are spreading the Hindutva agenda and the situation in the country is worse than the emergency in 1975, the former UP CM said. She also accused the BJP of tampering with electronic voting machines (EVMs) in the 2014 Lok Sabha and 2017 assembly elections. The BJP, she said, was giving patronage to people like Lalit Modi, Nirav Modi and Vijay Mallya, who looted public sector banks and fled the country. Karimpuri disappointed me Mayawati said former BSP Punjab president Avtar Singh Karimpuri disappointed her as he failed to make the party cadre strong in the state and Himachal Pradesh. I made him Rajya Sabha member from UP but he failed to perform. I even sent to HP as in-charge for the recent assembly poll but he failed again. I will not give him any responsibility now, she said. Karimpuri was also present on the stage when she was making the remarks. Has time stood still for Saarc? South Asian entrepreneurs have called on the governments of Saarc member countries to stay away from political meddling and reconcile their visions to expedite the process of regional integration. Punjab local bodies minister Navjot Singh Sidhu on Friday demanded the arrest of former Akali Minister Bikram Singh Majithia, saying there is enough evidence to prove his role in drug trade in the state. Addressing a press conference here, Sidhu said he has procured the 340-page report prepared by the special task force (STF) and it has sufficient evidence to arrest Majithia. Majithia has denied the charges in the past Theres no scope for the state government, of which I am a part, not to arrest Majithia, he said, while reading excerpts from the report. He was also accompanied by his wife Navjot Kaur Sidhu, a former MLA. He added that he procured the report from his sources, but refused to share copies of the report with mediapersons or even allow them to read it. Asks CM to take action Sidhu said in the recent past he had requested Punjab chief minister Capt Amarinder Singh at least 15 times to arrest Majithia. Our party MLAs also met the CM with the same demand. The CM used to say let there be concrete evidence against Majithia. And now when there is strong evidence in the report, we are waiting for action. The state government had appointed a two-member panel to examine and suggest action on the report prepared by additional director general of police (ADGP) Harpreet Singh Sidhu, who heads the STF formed to look into the drug-related cases. Kejriwal backstabs people of Punjab Reacting to Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwals apology to Majithia for having levelled drug charges against him in the past, Sidhu said Kejriwal had backstabbed the people of Punjab. He had murdered the Punjab unit of AAP. The people who backed his charges would never forgive him. Out of fear of attending court proceedings, he has surrendered, he added. The Chandigarh court has held Jagtar Singh Tara guilty of assassination of former Punjab chief minister Beant Singh on August 31, 1995, on Friday. Investigating authorities had named 15 people as accused in the bomb blast outside the Punjab secretariat that had killed Beant and 16 others. Key milestones in trial Aug 31, 1995: Ex- Punjab CM Beant Singh killed in a bomb blast outside Punjab and Haryana secretariat. Jan 21/22, 2004: Three accused Hawara, Bheora and Tara escape from Burail jail digging a 100-ft tunnel. Rearrested later July 31, 2007: Six convicted-- Jagtar Singh Hawara, Balwant Singh Rajoana awarded death sentence, Gurmeet Singh, Lakhwinder Singh, Shamsher Singh given life imprisonment and Naseeb Singh gets 10-year jail and Navjot Singh acquitted. March 31, 2010: Paramjit Singh Bheora, the then BKI chief of operations (India), sentenced to death Jan 7, 2010: Jagtar Tara arrested from Thailand, a month later in February trial starts Punjab Police constable Dilawar Singh was the human bomb. Tara is the eighth accused facing trial, to be convicted. Six others were declared proclaimed offenders. There was one acquittal. The sentence will be pronounced on Saturday. He will not be brought to court and the last hearing will take place at Burail jail itself where he is currently lodged. Tara has confessed to his crime thrice till date stating that he killed the former CM because Sikh history taught him not to bear injustice and the circumstances at that time were intolerable as innocent youths were being massacred. A CBI court has already convicted Jagtar Singh Hawara, Paramjit Singh Bheora, Gurmeet Singh, Lakhwinder Singh, Shamsher Singh, Naseeb Singh, Balwant Singh Rajoana and Navjot Singh. Tara drove the human bomb to secretariat Tara had driven Dilawar, the human bomb, in an ambassador car to the secretariat. He was arrested in Delhi on September 13, 1995, with a cyanide capsule on him. He, and two other accused, had fled from Burail jail, Chandigarh, during trial. In February 2004, non-bailable warrants were issued against him. He was nabbed from Thailand in January 2015. He was booked under sections 302 (murder), 307 (attempt to murder) and 120B (criminal conspiracy) of the Indian Penal Code. Facts 15,000 pages of chargesheet 248 witnesses Navjot Singh, booked after a diary was recovered, was acquitted in 2007. Naseeb Singh was released. The RDX was kept at his residence. He was awarded 10-year-jail and fined Rs 10,000. He was released after his sentence was converted to period undergone THE CONVICTS Jagtar Singh Hawara: The master-mind, responsible for receiving and transporting the RDX from Pakistan. He has filed an appeal against his sentence. Presently in Tihar jail. Balwant Singh Rajoana: The only one not to file an appeal against his death sentence. Presently in Burail jail. Gurmeet Singh: An engineer working with the BPL prior to arrest. Got life-imprisonment. Presently in Burail jail. Paramjeet Singh Bheora: Played a major role in the crime. The judgment had said, He (Bheora) is proved to be one of the members of second category who were induced and instigated to commit the crime. Lakhwinder Singh: A munshi with the CID, he arranged repairs for the car used in the blast. Awarded life imprisonment. Shamsher Singh: Accompanied Hawara in the truck that carried the RDX. (With inputs from Shailee Dogra) Amid dwindling electoral fortunes of the Congress since the 2014 Lok Sabha polls, Captain Amarinder Singh led the party to a spectacular comeback in Punjab on March 11 last year that also happened to be his 75th birthday. But the euphoria wore thin rather quickly. A year into his second term at the helm of the border state, the erstwhile Patiala royal has been in a firefighting mode. The implementation of a raft of promises debt waiver, unemployment allowance, free smart phones, hiked social pensions and what not made in the election manifesto has become a daunting challenge for his fund-crunched government. A watered-down scheme for farm loan waiver has already led to dissatisfaction. As a number of states head for polls this year, his role becomes all the more significant as the Congress needs to showcase its performance in states where it is in power. And there arent many. In a wide-ranging interview with Executive Editor Ramesh Vinayak and Senior Assistant Editor Navneet Sharma in Chandigarh, Amarinder acknowledged the tough challenges that he faces while exuding a sense of optimism on stabilizing the states ever-shakier finances. Excerpts: How do you look back at your first year? Its been a tough one because we took over a sinking ship. There was no money and the debt was overflowing. Salaries got delayed. The treasury only had bills. Recovering from a debt of Rs 2.08 lakh crore is not easy. Look at the interest on that. What is the way forward? We are raising revenue and cutting costs. In my last tenure (2002-07), there was surplus. After giving each MLA Rs 100 crore for their constituencies before the assembly elections in 2007, we left a surplus of Rs 1,600 crore in the state treasury. You were upbeat about GST. Has it helped? No, it hasnt to the extent we expected though there has been an increase in collection. That is because of the lacunae in implementation. The situation has been aggravated by delays in the release of the states share. I still maintain that the idea of GST, originally mooted by former prime minister Manmohan Singh, is sound. Its execution needs a relook. Do you feel burdened by expectations and promises that you made? We are trying to fulfil the promises. Today, I released Rs 160-odd crore for debt waiver to 30,000 farmers. We started with Mansa. We will give the waiver to 50,000 farmers in Gurdaspur next week. We have another problem. Farmers are passing on the debt. If someone has 40 acres, he will give two acres to his son and claim the debt in his name. Thats what SDMs are checking. This fraud cant go on. That is why we are going slow. We have Rs 4,000 crore for this. You are committed to farmers. Is debt waiver the solution? No, it is not. It is only assistance. The only solution is to raise income. We have been feeding the country for 50 years. Today, India hopes to grow at 7.4%. Our growth is 5.6%. Agriculture is not the solution. We make efforts to bring industry. We are now giving power at Rs 5 a unit. We have to change the cropping pattern. Ive been talking about diversification since 1985. People in the House are sadly only interested in getting their names published in newspapers, says Amarinder. (Sanjeev Sharma/HT) How come nothing has changed? These fellows (the Akalis) dont do it. The moment they come to power, they halt it. Cases are slapped. No officer has the courage to take it up. Last time, we had the farm-to-fork project with Reliance Group. It was stopped. They later went back to Mukesh (Ambani) to ask him to return but he refused. Is diversification possible without the Centres assistance or logistical support? The private sector has grown strong. When I met Mukesh recently, I talked to him to look at it again. He promised a second look. We hope to rope in others too. We are counting on private investment. There is no other way. Will you bite the bullet on free power? No, it is difficult. It will become a political crisis. The farmers have been suffering. Of 17 lakh farming families, 10.25 lakh are small farmers. There is already one suicide a day. If free power is cut, they will be in a worse situation. I am trying to do something else. There are 13.5 lakh tubewells. We have chosen 900 in six villages where we are installing meters to gauge consumption. The Akalis have started creating a ruckus. The object is not to save power, but water. We are heading for a crisis. If this continues, Punjab will become a desert. Sub-soil water has gone down to 1,200 feet in Sangrur, Patiala and Bathinda, where it used to be available at 80 feet. What do you make of Niti Aayogs plainspeak when they told Punjab to forget about food security? They werent so blunt. They talked about diversification. Weve been saying the same thing. I told them to support us. They asked for a proposal. They give support to wheat and paddy. I sought price support for potatoes and mustard seeds. There was nothing negative at that meeting. We had similar thoughts on diversification. You appealed to big farmers but not many came forward. Why shouldnt your party leaders show the way? Its just selfishness. Why cant farmers who have income coming from other sources give up power subsidy? What is their problem? Manpreet Singh Badal, Navjot Singh Sidhu and Sunil Jakhar have given it up. There has been a controversy over illegal mining and goonda tax. Has this dented your governments image? I admit these controversies have hurt the governments image to an extent. But we have tightened screws. I flew down to Nakodar on Wednesday and checked if there was any illegal mining there. There was not a single machine. Now, there are allegations being levelled against (minister) Charanjit Singh Channi. If an uncle or nephew is doing something, you cant blame the minister. I have only read the allegations in newspapers. Was Rana Gurjits resignation a setback? I dont think so. He chose to go on his own. I didnt ask him to. There are two aspects. If somebody sets up a company and there are some friends who invest 10% in it, this has been happening in the industry since long. But the thing that he should not have done was to take Rs 5 crore from the contractor because of his portfolio. I think he realised and sent in his resignation. You promised to bring a law on conflict of interest. What is holding it back? Nothing. But you have to appreciate that this is going to be the first of its kind, so naturally its taking us time to thrash out the details. All MLAs declare their assets on January 1, which is a step towards ensuring there is no misuse of position. The budget session starts on March 20. We have a double-barreled opposition. How do we ensure the smooth functioning of the House? People in the House are sadly only interested in getting their names published in newspapers. They shout and jump up and down. Their names are printed. (AAP leader Sukhpal) Khaira keeps talking and his picture appears daily in print. In one of your interviews with HT, you said you would like to groom your political successor. The final decision will be of the Congress leadership. I have one or two names in mind that I will share with the Congress president (Rahul Gandhi) when I meet him. How will you rate the performance of Manpreet Badal, Navjot Sidhu and Sunil Jakhar? Jakhar is a good president. He is liked. He is fair-minded. Manpreet is good too. He is serious and hardly ever talks. People think Navjot is vocal but he quietly does his homework. He knows all about his ministries. Channi also does his homework well. What about the cabinet expansion? The cabinet expansion was to be done around this time but the Congress president and I could not coordinate our meeting. He had to go abroad to see his grandmother. The moment the budget session is over I will go to Delhi for the discussion. I have 40 portfolios and cant sleep at night. I have to read all the files. The Theresa May government has said it will raise the issue of British national Jagtar Johal with PM Narendra Modi during his visit to London for the Commonwealth meeting. What do you have to say? This man is an outright gangster. Pakistan is using a clever ploy. The borders are sealed. Pakistan is looking at sympathisers, chaps in Germany or Canada. They watch their activities on social media. They pick them up and send them with money. They use them to supply weapons. No one in intelligence knows who these guys are initially. Johal was also a part of this gang. Now, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) has him. The Congress is having its plenary session. What is your recipe for its revival? Look where we are in Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh today. These are ups and downs. Those in the government today had just one seat at one point of time. I dont think we need to worry. We are an old party with an established base. We are winning Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh. Who knows what will happen in 2019? The trend is changing. The Modi government has been criticised for snubbing Canadian PM Justin Trudeau. What is your view? That is for the (Narendra) Modi government to say. I cant be expected to comment on their behalf. In Punjab, Trudeau was accorded due welcome, as per protocol, and I personally had a useful meeting with him. The Canadian prime minister came out with a categorical assurance that no pro-Khalistani elements or sympathisers were being encouraged, in any way, by his government. You have maintained that the Congress needs to strengthen its regional leaders. There is no interference from Delhi. The Congress president has given me a free hand to function. When I have to induct any minister, I consult the leadership. The last time I made my cabinet, no one interfered. What is your equation with Modi? There are two aspects. As a politician, we are different parties. We have our own stands on issues. When (Atal Bihari) Vajpayee ji was were there, I had no trouble with the government. We got their full support. The same thing was done by Manmohan Singh. If you recall once in the assembly, Mrs (Rajinder Kaur) Bhattal told (Parkash Singh) Badal saab, If you have any problem with Delhi, tells us. He said, Bibi ji tussi dur hi raho, sannu twadi lod nahin hai, we are managing fine. Now also, whether it is Mr Modi, Gadkari, Jaitley, Uma Bharti or whoever I have met, I havent had any problem. Anything you expect from the Modi government? They have to function within the framework. Whatever we have gone for or asked them to expedite, they have helped. For instance, they went out of their way on CCL (cash credit limit). There have been rumblings of dissent from Congress MP Partap Singh Bajwa and some others. What do you have to say? It is not fair on Partaps part to speak against his own government. This is a petty-minded approach. You belong to the Congress, you support your government. If you dont want to support your government, then what are you in the Congress for? He said the government is being run by bureaucrats and there is very little political input. He can say that because I have 40 departments. Does he know that I sit up till midnight or 2am reading files? I cleared 5,500 files and held 362 departmental meetings in a year. Can you tell us three things you would like to do in your second year? State finance is number one priority and then, of course, jobs, industry and agriculture. These job melas we are doing, hopefully we will finish the year with about three lakh jobs. The third thing is to keep peace. I am going to be tough on all gangster, drugs business. You can see the change already. Leader of opposition Sukhpal Khaira and some Congress MLAs have been raising the accessibility issue. This is incorrect. There is no day I dont have MLAs sitting here with me. I had a meeting of all Congress MLAs for two days last week. I met all secretaries, too. We discussed issues related to their constituencies. Before that, I called MLAs of different districts once a month for lunch and discussion. Thats collectively. Privately, they come for something or the other. In one year, you will be facing Lok Sabha elections? Which party will be your main opponent in Punjab? There are three parties the Congress, AAP and Akalis. The AAP is on the verge of collapse because there is no support left for them. The Akalis are trying to put their act together, but they wont gel. If we play our cards right, we will be fine. We have to focus on development. Last time, we didnt do it. In 2002, we won only three of the 13 seats. My understanding with (then finance secretary KR) Lakhanpal was that as finances were bad, dont take any finances for one or two years and after that whatever you want. We stuck to it. In that one year, we could not build a road. The backlash came in the parliamentary polls. This time, we are not doing that. I have just announced projects worth Rs 123 crore for Shahkot. Your party MLAs expect you to act against the previous Badal government, but you have refrained. Thats a primary sort of demand. I have told them there is a law in this land. I cant just catch hold and shove them behind bars. Give me facts and we will look into them. We are looking into their transport business. But they are clever. They have gone off to Himachal. We have to have facts. Im not going to do what they did to me. After 13 years, both cases against me are still in court. People dont seem to know that. Director Balaji Mohan on Thursday revealed that hes done with 40 percent of shoot of Maari 2, which marks the return of Dhanush in a dhoti-clad, mustache-twirling local rowdy. Balaji took to twitter and wrote: Happy that Maari 2 shoot is progressing at brisk pace and is 40 % done. I will resume after the strike and targeting release in second half of 2018. In Maari 2, Malayalam actor Tovino Thomas plays the antagonist. The film marks his Tamil debut and hes really looking forward to the release because this opportunity will establish his market in Kollywood. The film also stars Sai Pallavi as the leading lady and she teams up with Dhanush for the first time. Varalaxmi Sarath Kumar is rumoured to be playing a character with grey shades. However, she recently clarified shes not playing a negative character. Maari 2 marks the reunion of Dhanush and composer Yuvan Shankar Raja after 9 years. They last worked together in 2008 film Yaaradi Nee Mohini, a remake of Telugu film Aadavari Matalaku Arthale Verule. Itll be an interesting combination to look forward to as the duo has given several chartbusters over the years. It has also been confirmed that the film, being bankrolled by Wunderbar Films, will be made as a bilingual and will be simultaneously shot in Tamil and Telugu. Follow @htshowbiz for more ott:10:ht-entertainment_listing-desktop Facing sustained attack over his appearance at a rally featuring posters of Khalistani leader Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale and attending an event organised by a separatist group, New Democratic Party leader Jagmeet Singh has for the first time accepted that Babbar Khalsa International founder Talwinder Singh Parmar was the man behind the terrorist bombing of Air India flight 182 in 1985. In a series of interviews, Singh finally seemed to have accepted the reality about Parmar. He told national broadcaster CBC: There was an inquiry that was conducted into this horrible terrorist act. The inquiry identified specifically Talwinder Singh Parmar, and I accept the findings of the investigationI accept them and I condemn all those responsible. Nearly six months after he evaded questions about posters of Parmar being displayed at some gurdwaras in Canada during an interview with CBCs Terry Milewski, Singh also took a stand on the matter, saying: Personally, I think the displaying of a picture of Mr Parmar is something that re-traumatises and hurts and injures people that are suffering so much in terms of that loss in their lives. He said he didnt think such glorification was appropriate and added, I dont think it should be done. It doesnt help us move forward with peace and reconciliation. Read | Canadas Jagmeet Singh disavows terrorism amid controversy over pro-Khalistani event in 2015 The bombing of Air India flight 182, planned and operationalised in Canada, killed 329 people, including 268 Canadian citizens. It remains the worst terrorist incident in Canadas history. Singhs evasive stance on the Khalistan issue has been in focus since he was elected head of the NDP, one of Canadas three biggest political parties, last year. Singh has come under tremendous pressure in recent days following a report in the Canadian daily Globe and Mail that he attended a sovereignty rally in San Francisco in 2015, and participated in a panel in London in February 2016 that was hosted by a hardline group supporting Khalistan. However, as Singh made multiple media appearances to try and repair the damage, the chair of the Air India 182 Victims Families Association said he was not impressed with Singhs latest statements. I think its just a whitewash. Basically, hes saying whatever hes told to answer by his advisors, Bal Gupta said. CBC also reported Singh had no qualms about attending rallies in future where those like Bhindranwale, who birthed the Khalistan movement, are honoured. No, I would go in the future, he said, in response to a question during an interview on CTV. When I have an opportunity to speak at events, I speak from that position, where I can take that opportunity to share my beliefs and my ideas, and if I dont, the other side is I could leave those opportunities vacant and someone else can talk and share other ideas that maybe I dont agree with, he said, attempting to explain his position. But Gupta, who lost his wife Ramwati in the Kanishka bombing, alluded to Singhs intent to attend such events in the future and said: You are known by the company you keep. He accused Singh of using arguments that make no sense at all. Let him go and say to these guys Khalistan is a bad idea, Gupta said, countering Singhs assertion that India targeted Sikhs during the 1980s. Referring to the veneration of Bhindranwale at such events, he added, Somebody should ask him (Singh) how many people, Sikhs and Hindus, Bhindranwale got killed. Those numbers runs in tens of thousands. Former British Columbia premier Ujjal Dosanjh described Singhs stand on such events as dishonest and unworthy of the leader of a major national political party. Dosanjh, who has battled Khalistanis in Canada for decades, was also not taken with Singhs statements. He said when Singh denounced Parmars role in the Air India bombing, he felt the young NDP leader was beginning to understand the issues involved. However, when Singh pivoted to stating he will continue attending pro-Khalistan rallies, Dosanjh thought he was digging himself deeper. Dosanjh said, From my perspective, that is just not on for a leader of a national political party in Canada to be standing with people who want to dismember a friendly country. He still doesnt understand what hes doing, hes trying to keep his foot in the door with the Khalistanis while pretending hes a changed man. You cant have it both ways. Increased media scrutiny of Singh comes as Canadians have grown more aware of the separatist movement being staged on their soil, following the controversy over Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeaus visit to India in February. British foreign secretary Boris Johnson on Friday said it was overwhelmingly likely that Russian President Vladimir Putin himself made the decision to use a military-grade nerve toxin to strike down a former Russian agent on English soil. We have nothing against the Russians themselves. There is to be no Russophobia as a result of what is happening, Johnson told reporters at the Battle of Britain bunker from which World War Two fighter operations were controlled. Our quarrel is with Putins Kremlin, and with his decision and we think it overwhelmingly likely that it was his decision to direct the use of a nerve agent on the streets of the UK, on the streets of Europe for the first time since the Second World War, Johnson said. Prime Minister Theresa May said on Wednesday the Russian state was culpable for the attempted murder of Sergei Skripal, a former double agent who betrayed dozens of spies of Britains MI6 foreign intelligence service, and his daughter. May said that it was tragic that Putin, who is likely to coast to a fourth term in a Sunday presidential election, had chosen to act in such a way. Soon after Johnsons comments were reported, the Kremlin said accusations that President Putin was involved in the nerve agent attack were shocking, TASS news agency reported. Any reference or mention of our president in this regard is a shocking and unforgivable breach of diplomatic rules of decent behavior, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said, according to the agency. Russia has denied any involvement, cast Britain as a post-colonial power unsettled by Brexit, and even suggested London fabricated the attack in an attempt to whip up anti-Russian hysteria. Relations between Britain and Russia have been strained since the murder of ex-KGB agent Alexander Litvinenko with radioactive polonium-210 in London in 2006, a killing which a British inquiry said was probably approved by Putin. The Kremlin has repeatedly denied any involvement in the killing. China has punished 17 army deserters, blacklisting them from using the social credit system, limiting their rights to travel abroad and seek employment in the government, according to a media report on Friday. The men had enlisted themselves in the army but were unable to handle the tough and strict life. They tried to quit multiple times before being expelled from the force, the state-run Global Times reported. The 17 men, who were enlisted and later quit the army, have been sent home, it said, adding that they have been blacklisted on Chinas social credit system. Their rights have been limited to travel abroad, work as government officials. Blacklisting will also affect their ability to buy real estate and their travel rights, including booking plane tickets, travel in high-class trains and stay in star-rated hotels, the report said. Many of these young people are the only child in their family, growing up in gilded cages and unable to bear hardships in the army, Li Daguang, a professor at the National Defense University in Beijing told the Global Times. As military discipline becomes stricter, training has become harder, he was quoted as saying in the report. China is meddling in the internal affairs of the Maldives and engaged in massive land grabbing, posing a major security threat to India and the entire Indian Ocean region, a former Maldivian foreign minister and Opposition leader has said. Ahmed Naseem, who is in the US to brief Trump administration officials on the political turmoil in the Maldives and Chinas alleged interference in the island nation, said his country is now a full-blown dictatorship. China likes to tell the West not to meddle in the domestic affairs of Asian countries. But in the Maldives, China is only too happy to meddle in our domestic affairs, by corrupting the ruling elite and encouraging an authoritarian president to double down on repression, Naseem said on Thursday addressing a gathering at top American think-tank South Asia Centre of Atlantic Council here. The Maldives has been witnessing political crisis as President Abdulla Yameen declared an emergency in the island nation on February 5 after the Supreme Court ordered the release of a group of opposition leaders, who had been convicted in widely-criticised trials. The emergency was extended for another 30 days on February 20. There has been international condemnation of the Maldivian governments moves. Almost all the democratic gains that we made in recent years have been lost since President Yameen assumed power in 2013. Every opposition leader is in jail, or exile. The military has stormed, and now occupies, the parliament, he said. Asserting that the Maldives is now a full-blown dictatorship, Naseem, who is also vice chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee of the Maldivian Democratic Party, said, Its difficult to believe that President Yameen would have dared to do all this -- defying India and the West -- without the implicit support of his new best friend in Beijing. He said that Beijing likes dictatorships because dictators are easier to bribe, and dictatorships are easier to seduce into a Chinese debt trap. This facilitates Chinas primary goal which is a land grab. More specifically, China appears to be keen on building a base in the Maldives which one day may house warships and submarines, Naseem alleged. Chinas standard prescription for a land grab have been change state type to autocracy, dismantle transparency and democratic oversight, acquire infrastructure projects, very often vanity projects; roads that lead to nowhere, bridges that dont bridge. Prices of these projects are often extremely inflated, and financed through commercial loans or supplier credit. The receiving country therefore cannot pay back the debt, and that debt is used as a disciplining regime, he alleged. Calling it a classic case of debt trap, he said, When countries cant pay back the debt, they ask for equity and we end up relinquishing sovereignty. Without firing a single shot, China has grabbed more land than the East India Company. Describing this as a dangerous situation, Naseem said that this affects not just the Maldives, but the security and stability of the entire Indian Ocean region. In particular, Chinas actions are undermining Indias security concerns. What is happening in the Maldives is not just about democracy. Its about peace, stability, and security of entire neighbourhood, he said. Naseem alleged that Yameens criminal activities undermine the US-led, rule-based international system. Last month, a Maldivian oil tanker was photographed by the Japanese air force engaged in suspected sanction busting activities, he said. The Maldivian government furiously denied any involvement in the incident, claiming the tanker was using a fake Maldivian flag. But since then, the tanker has been connected to the Maldives where it is registered and also to President Yameens family, he said. We have now learned that a member of Yameens family used the tanker as collateral in an application for a $4 million mortgage at the Bank of Maldives. The opposition believes that Yameen has a fleet of 27 oil tankers, which are being used to systematically bust UN sanctions on North Korea. This business model is nothing new for President Yameen. In the early 2000s, he was documented selling bootleg oil to the Burmese junta, in breach of then UN sanctions, Naseem said. So this is the problem we face in the Maldives. China is propping up, and actively encouraging a criminal regime, which is busy dismantling the institutions of democracy to cement his rule, and busy selling off the country to Beijing, the former foreign minister said. Naseem warned the Washington audience that the Maldives is becoming more volatile, more lawless, and more in the grip of Islamic extremists. I dont think things are going to end well, unless this regime can be brought to a swift end and democracy restored, he said. President Donald Trump consumed Thursday mornings TV headlines with amusement. Reports of tumult in the administration were at a feverish pitch even on his beloved Fox News as the president reflected on the latest staff departures during an Oval Office conversation with vice president Mike Pence and chief of staff John Kelly. With a laugh, Trump said: Whos next? Its the very question that has the whole White House on edge. In recent weeks, the presidents top economic adviser has resigned over a policy dispute, the secretary of state he long clashed with was fired and a slew of top aides headed for the exits. An increasingly confident Trump is privately weighing still more changes, expressing frustration with certain advisers and sifting through possible replacements. Many close to Trump think more upheaval is coming soon. The president is moving toward replacing national security adviser HR McMaster, but has not settled on exact timing or a successor, said four people with knowledge of White House deliberations. Kelly has also worn on the president, confidants of the president said. And Veterans Affairs Secretary David Shulkin, under fire for ethics violations, appears to be grasping to keep his job. So intense was the swirl of speculation about McMaster that White House spokeswoman Sarah Huckabee Sanders tried to tamp things down late Thursday by tweeting: Just spoke to @POTUS and Gen. H.R. McMaster - contrary to reports they have a good working relationship and there are no changes at the NSC. This account of the tensions in the White House is based on conversations with 10 officials inside the White House and familiar with West Wing deliberations, all of whom spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss internal matters. After more than 14 months in office, Trump is reshaping his administration, seeking people more likely to fall in line with his policies and tolerate his moods. The factionalism that defined the early days of his tenure has faded and he has lost some of the close aides who could manage his volatile impulses. To some, the White House is increasing taking on the feel of a team of cheerleaders more than a team of rivals. While dismissing news reports of looming departures, Trump also appeared to signal more changes to come on Thursday, telling reporters: There will always be change. Trumps administration has set records for turnover among senior administration aides. Top economic adviser Gary Cohn and communications director Hope Hicks are leaving the White House in coming weeks. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson was just unceremoniously ousted. And junior-level aides were particularly troubled by the abrupt exit of Trump personal assistant John McEntee this week, who was removed from his job and escorted off White House grounds then quickly handed a job on Trumps re-election campaign. In private conversations in recent weeks with aides and friends, Trump has reflected on his desire to reshape the administration. Though the drumbeat of the ongoing Russia probe has only grown louder, the president believes that his recent decisions on tariffs and North Korea have breathed new life into his administration, and he is eager to take more bold steps that make his own mark. He has told confidants he wants to rid himself of staffers who hold him back. Trump chafes at McMasters demeanour, complaining that his aide lectures him, according to three current and former administration officials. Officials said McMaster has been sidelined in some internal discussions, with Kelly taking on a more active role in foreign policy decisions, because of the personal tensions. The president and McMaster have disagreed on a number of issues including the Iran deal and the U.S. approach to North Korea and the national security adviser has also clashed with Kelly and Defense Secretary James Mattis, according to the officials. McMaster, in turn, is not a natural fit for the scattershot policy-making process in the White House and dislikes the internal rivalries that so often divide the West Wing. He was the target of online attacks from the fringes of the right wing last summer, including for his alleged insufficient support of Israel. During an earlier round of Trump discontent with his national security adviser, there was White House talk of providing McMaster, a three-star general, with a soft landing by giving him a fourth star along with a command in a priority area such as Afghanistan or Korea, according to a former senior administration official. Kelly has been credited with imposing order on the chaotic West Wing, but his relationship with Trump has come under strain too. Trump was said to be deeply irritated and to have considered firing Kelly over the negative publicity surrounding his handling of the controversy over ousted White House aide Rob Porter, who was accused of domestic abuse. The president also recently told an ally that he was still frustrated by an interview that Kelly gave to Fox News nearly two months ago in which he suggested that Trump had evolved in his thinking about the need for a wall on the Mexican border. At least one of Trumps generals the collection of military advisers he used to boast about remains largely in good standing. The president is said to remain pleased with Mattis, as the defense secretary rarely publicly disagrees with Trump and has succeeded in quietly working through any differences, according to three White House officials and outside advisers. Trump has expressed frustration with aides whom he believes try to manage him according to several current and former White House officials and has grown tired of efforts by his staff to stall controversial actions they disagree with. Trump, the officials said, wants a lively discussion he often talks about enjoying conflict among his aides but has grown irritated that some try to undermine his decisions. As Trump reshapes his administration, those who are taking over some of the vacated administration jobs tend to have closer ties to the president and signal more willingness to buy into his ways. Trumps nominee to be the next secretary of state CIA director Mike Pompeo is a longtime favorite of the president who has demonstrated rare ability to navigate the West Wing. A campaign supporter of Trumps, Pompeo developed a strong personal relationship with the president by regularly attending his daily intelligence briefing. And Trump has known his pick to replace Cohn for decades. Hes CNBC contributor Larry Kudlow, who opposes taxing foreign imports, yet still says hes in accord with Trumps agenda. Kovind, Xi, Hamid laud Bhandaris re-election President Bidya Devi Bhandari has received congratulatory messages from her counterparts in India, China and Bangladesh. A teacher in Ghana, who made waves around the world by teaching computer technology without computers, has been gifted computers by an Indian company. Richard Appiah Akotos school hadnt had computers since 2011, but that did not stop him from teaching his students at Betenase M-A Junior High School in Sekyedomase town on how to use basic computer programmes like Microsoft Word. Images of Akoto who uses the name Owura Kwadwo Hottish on Facebook drawing a Microsoft Word window on a blackboard went viral on social media over the past two weeks. The photos posted by him on Facebook prompted NIIT Ghana a subsidiary of the Indian firm to donate five computers, a laptop and books to his school. Ashish Kumar, the NIIT centre manager in Accra, said: We saw the news getting viral on Facebook and other social media platforms. We were so touched by the teachers dedication to his students that we decided to support the school with the best we could do as an IT training organisation. We took a printout of the post, pasted it on our notice board and discussed the matter with our group CEO Kapil Gupta. He is the one who decided to sponsor five new desktops and books for the school and a new laptop for the teacher as a part of our social and corporate responsibility. On March 12, NIIT business head Yaw Amoateng and senior manager Sanjeev Mishra travelled to Sekyedomase to meet Akoto and his students and donate the computers. Everyone at the school was very happy, especially the teacher. He gathered everyone and told them about the news computers, said Kumar. Other donors both individuals and organisations have also pitched in with computers and laptops. Microsoft Africa also took notice of Akoto he has been flown to Singapore to attend the annual Microsoft Educators Exchange. Kumar said the donation was part of NIIT Ghanas CSR outreach. The firm recently trained some 100 economically disadvantaged people in collaboration with the European Union and Actionaid, he said. Pakistan on Wednesday said Chabahar and Gwadar are sister ports and complement each other in promoting future trade, transit and connectivity. Chabahar, the port in the Sistan-Balochistan province on the energy-rich nations southern coast is easily accessible from Indias western coast and is increasingly seen as a counter to Pakistans Gwadar Port, which is being developed with Chinese investment and is located at distance of around 80 km from Chabahar. Foreign office spokesman Dr Muhammad Faisal said Chabahar and Gwadar are sister ports and complement each other in promoting future trade, transit and connectivity. Our minister of maritime affairs participated in the inauguration of a part of the Chabahar port. We will continue to work with Iran for deepening connectivity between the two ports, he said. The spokesman also said Iranian foreign minister, who visited Islamabad this week, discussed the idea of Irans participation in China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). Faisal said Pakistan wants peace in the region and was against any arms race but it was also not oblivious to the arms buildup in its neighbourhood. We are opposed to any arms race in South Asia and have been proposing measures for promoting restraint in both the nuclear and conventional domains. We expect external players to be mindful of the imperative of maintaining strategic stability in the region and refrain from policies that generate imbalances, he said. Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has infuriated many of his party MPs and the Theresa May government by refusing to blame Russia for the suspected poisoning of former spy Sergei Skripal and daughter Yulia, warning against rushing way ahead against evidence. Corbyn, a life-long socialist known for standing by his convictions, faced ridicule and worse in the House of Commons by refusing to blame Russia, as May announced a series of retaliatory measures, including the expulsion of 23 diplomats. Despite facing open criticism from party MPs, Corbyn reiterated his stand in a signed article in Fridays The Guardian, calling for a calm, measured approach and warning against the drift towards a new cold war with Russia. The atmosphere in Westminster, he wrote, had become fevered, and insisted on waiting for investigations to be completed before laying blame. Russia has strongly denied any involvement in the incident that has sparked a row between Russia and the West, as the US, Germany, France and other countries rallied behind Britain. Corbyn wrote: This horrific event demands first of all the most thorough and painstaking criminal investigation, conducted by our police and security services. To rush way ahead of the evidence being gathered by the police, in a fevered parliamentary atmosphere, serves neither justice nor our national security. Warning against what he called a McCarthyite intolerance of dissent over Russia, he added: Labour is of course no supporter of the Putin regime, its conservative authoritarianism, abuse of human rights or political and economic corruption. (The) Russian authorities must be held to account on the basis of the evidence, and our response must be both decisive and proportionate. But let us not manufacture a division over Russia where none exists. Recalling the Iraq war and other crises, he said too many times he had seen clear thinking on international issues overwhelmed by emotion and hasty judgements: Flawed intelligence and dodgy dossiers led to the calamity of the Iraq invasion. On Friday, foreign secretary Boris Johnson said it was overwhelmingly likely that President Vladimir Putin himself made the decision to use a military-grade nerve toxin to strike down Skripal, who continues to be in a critical condition. Russian has denied any involvement in the incident. Opposition leaders from Maldives met US government officials in Washington on Thursday and urged them to act urgently to prevent the crisis in the island-nation from turning it into a threat to security in the Indian Ocean and from reversing the geopolitical reality in the region. They also discussed the growing influence of the Islamic State in the country and the fear of it becoming a breeding ground for recruits to seek immediate action. The state department confirmed its officials met former Maldivian foreign minister Ahmed Naseem, who is leading the delegation, on Thursday. They exchanged perspectives on the current situation in Maldives, a state department spokesperson said, refusing to comment on the specifics of the discussions and calls from the delegation. The United States continues to call on President Yameen to end the state of emergency, uphold the rule of law, permit the full and proper functioning of the Parliament, and restore the constitutionally guaranteed rights of the people of Maldives, the spokesperson said in a statement to Hindustan Times. The Maldivian delegation has also sought a meeting with White House officials, but they were waiting for confirmation, or denial, till late Thursday evening. Experts and diplomats focussed on the region said they believed the US had sent a strong message to the Maldivian government by receiving the delegation of opposition leaders. One of them said, speaking on background, it was a strong counter to President Yameen sending officials to China and Saudi Arabia to buttress his case, but not to India, which had cited prior engagements to not receive official emissaries. US president Donald Trump had discussed the Maldivian crisis with Prime Minister Narendra Modi over phone on February 8 and the two leaders had expressed concern over the situation. The US, which does not have a direct diplomatic presence in Maldives its embassy in Colombo, Sri Lanka has additional charge is generally understood to have let India assume lead position on Maldives as also other countries in the region, such as Nepal and Bhutan. Former foreign minister Naseem got more specific in an interview and said the United States can help more easily than is perceived. The Americans, he added, have tremendous leverage over Maldives, and can easily bring the country back on track as it has in the past. Key to that was the dependence of Maldives tourism-driven economy on US dollars. We trade in US dollars. We do everything in US dollar. We have our money in the United States, he had said earlier at a roundtable at Atlantic Council, a leading US think-tank. The United States, he said, could use that leverage. Just a threat would do, he said, and insisted he was not seeking some kind of sanctions against the tiny Indian Ocean country. Asked if he would like the US to talk to China, which has a growing influence over President Yameen, Naseem said, The US knows what it needs to do. Yameen triggered the present crisis early February by imprisoning the Supreme Court chief justice instead of implementing the courts order to release political prisoners. He went on to declare a state of emergency in the country, for 15 days, and then for another 30 days. Yameen is seen as someone trying to play India which has had a long-standing relationship with Maldives that includes military help to prevent a coup against China which has major economic investments there to ensure his survival. A Palestinian motorist rammed and killed two Israelis and injured at least one other person in the occupied West Bank on Friday, Israeli radio said, an incident the Israeli military described as a deliberate attack that targeted its troops. The incident took place near the Jewish settlement of Mevo Dotan, west of the Palestinian town of Jenin, Army Radio said. The motorist was detained shortly after and was being treated for light injuries, it said without detailing how the injuries were caused. The Israeli military did not immediately confirm the reported casualties or elaborate on their identities. It said on Twitter that the driver had carried out a terrorist ramming attack against an (army) unit that was on a road-protection mission. Car-ramming attacks have been used by Palestinians against Israelis in violence that has surged in 2015 but has been on a lower ebb in recent months. Sex. Money laundering. Espionage. The investigation of Washington special prosecutor Robert Mueller is bursting its seams, going far beyond Russian meddling in the 2016 presidential election. After indicting 19 people so far, Muellers team has put on edge many people in President Donald Trumps orbit, not least Trump himself. But the investigators appear to still have a long way to go before wrapping up their probe. Here are the various directions of Muellers investigation: Collusion: dirt on Clinton The investigations main focus is possible Trump campaign collusion with Russia. Moscow allegedly offered the campaign compromising materials on Trump rival Hillary Clinton several times -- some of which was published by WikiLeaks. According to reports and court filings, separate offers were made to campaign advisors George Papadopoulos and Carter Page. Another was allegedly made to top campaign officials, including Donald Trump Jr, Jared Kushner, and Paul Manafort, in a June 2016 Trump Tower meeting with a Russian lawyer. A key question: What did Trump know about that offer? Mueller is also reportedly eyeing Republican political consultant Roger Stone over his contacts with WikiLeaks during the campaign. Back-channels to Moscow There was a spider-web of contacts between campaign officials and Russians, but it is unclear what they add up to. Page, formerly a Moscow-based investment banker, visited Russia during the campaign, and was already the target of an FBI espionage investigation. Papadopoulos admitted to numerous contacts with Russians in England, as he sought to arrange a trip by Trump to Moscow. Kushner has admitted discussing a private communications channel with the Russians after the election, for unclear purposes. At that time Trumps national security aide Michael Flynn was also having secretive conversations with Russias ambassador. Campaign chair Paul Manafort, according to The Washington Post, offered to share campaign information with Oleg Deripaska, a Russian tycoon with Kremlin links. The Post also reported that Mueller is probing a meeting that an associate of Trump, Erik Prince, held with a senior Russian in the Seychelles in January 2017 as another back channel effort. Russian hacking/disinformation Surprisingly, the Mueller probe has also dug deeply into the Russian meddling itself, and not only to fill out the picture of what happened in 2016. In February Mueller indicted 13 Russians linked to the Internet Research Agency for their efforts to manipulate US public opinion. That group included Yevgeny Prigozhin, a close ally of President Vladimir Putin. Mueller is also expected to indict people involved in the hacking theft of Clinton materials. Follow the money Mueller has already charged former campaign chairman Paul Manafort and campaign deputy Rick Gates over laundering $75 million tied to work they did for pro-Moscow Ukrainian leader Viktor Yanukovych. On Thursday The New York Times reported that Mueller has subpoenaed records from the billionaire presidents umbrella company, the Trump Organization, related to Russia and other matters under investigation. That could cut a broad swath: Russians figured large as customers in the business, with many buying condominiums in his New York and Florida projects. In 2013 Trump partnered with a Moscow developer with Putin links to hold his Miss Universe contest in Moscow. Trumps 2008 sale of a Palm Beach mansion to Russian oligarch Dmitry Ryobolev for $95 million, which Trump paid only $41 million for, has also raised eyebrows. There are also questions about Kushners seeking international financing for a heavily indebted New York property owned by his family business, and how that may have intersected with the Trump campaign. Sex Mueller could also be looking into the possible existence of a lurid videotape in Russian hands involving Trump and prostitutes dating back to the Miss Universe. That was reported in the dossier on links between the campaign and Russia produced by British ex-spy Christopher Steele. Steele, much of whose report has proven to be accurate, was interviewed by Muellers team last year. Steeles sources said the video could provide the Kremlin with leverage over Trump. Obstruction The weightiest charge Mueller is exploring is Trumps possible obstruction of his investigation. Trumps firing of FBI director James Comey, his constant comments on the investigation, possibly covering up the June 2016 Trump tower meeting, and other actions could support the charge. But Mueller will need powerful evidence to prove it, as it could set up a hearing on impeaching the president in Congress. The US has not seen sufficient decisive actions from Pakistan against terrorists based on its soil and expects more from it to combat groups such as Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammad that target India, a senior administration official said on Friday. The official said Pakistan was doing the bare minimum, adding that the US is prepared to do whatever is necessary. The official refused to spell out the specifics or even the timeline for more steps such as the suspension of all military aid announced by the Trump administration earlier in the year. We are still seeking actions from Pakistan that we have not seen. We are continuing to look for real actions and not word on the Taliban and the Haqqani sanctuaries, the official told reporters at a background briefing on South Asia. The US had also conveyed to Pakistan that it expected Islamabad to act against LeT and JeM, their fronts and allied organisations, and all designated individuals and entities. The official said that in the six months since President Donald Trump announced his South Asia policy, the administration has noted that there signs that things are moving in the right direction generally but Pakistan has been found wanting. The official said: The president has made it clear that he is not satisfied with the action taken by Pakistan... We have communicated clearly to Pakistan to what we mean by decisive action. When provided very specific information, they have responded. But we have not seen them taking pro-active actions against terrorist groups which they are capable of. About Pakistans recent grey listing by the Financial Action Task Force, the official said the US treasury department had been trying for years to persuade Pakistan to prevent terrorist financing and money-laundering. We expect (Pakistan) to rein in terrorist financing, the official said, adding, the Trump administration was very disappointed by the release of Hafiz Saeed from house arrest last year. Despite the disappointments, the official said, the administration was prepared to give the strategy more time, even as it was being continually evaluated and reviewed. But the US will not let up on the pressure on Pakistan. We need to sustain the pressure. Any sense that the pressure is being relieved, we definitely would not see the objective that we want to see. We intend to continue the pressure and at the same time indicate that there is a way forward, the official said. Buddhist flags hang limply from bamboo poles at the entrance to Koe Tan Kauk, a model village for ethnic Rakhine migrants shuttled north to repopulate an area once dominated by Rohingya Muslims. The new arrivals are moving to parts of Rakhine state mostly cleared of its Rohingya residents, whose villages were bulldozed and reduced to muddy stains on a landscape of lush farmland. The Rakhine migrants, who come from the poor but relatively stable south, are -- for now -- few in number. But they carry great expectations as the pioneers of a donor-led Rakhinisation plan to upend the demography of the once majority-Muslim area. We were really afraid of those Kalars and didnt plan to come here, Chit San Eain, a 28-year-old who has moved with her husband and toddler into a basic hut in Koe Tan Kauk tells AFP, using a pejorative term for Muslims. But now that they are no longer here, we have the chance to meet again with our relatives who live up here, she added, the ruins of a Rohingya settlement lying a few kilometres away. Nearly 700,000 Rohingya have been driven from northern Rakhine into Bangladesh since August 25 last year by a Myanmar army offensive against Muslim militants. Another 300,000 Rohingya were pushed out from the south and centre of Rakhine by army campaigns stretching back to the late 1970s. Villagers in Koe Tan Kauk village, Rathedaung township in Myanmar's Rakhine State. (AFP photo) The UN has branded last years military crackdown ethnic cleansing, with a top official saying it carried all the hallmarks of genocide. Myanmar vigorously denies the allegations and says refugees are welcome to return. But so far it has agreed to allow back only 374 of 8,000 refugees whose names have been put forward for the initial phase of repatriation. Many traumatised Rohingya in Coxs Bazar camps are also refusing to be repatriated to Rakhine -- where holding camps and hostile neighbours await them. In their absence a blizzard of development projects, government and army-sponsored or privately funded, are transforming northern Rakhine. Taking space vacated by fleeing Rohingya is an old game in a state seen as the frontline of a Buddhist nations fight against encroaching Islam. The military has been engineering the social landscape of northern Rakhine State so as to dilute the Rohingya population since the early 1990s, says Francis Wade, author of Myanmars Enemy Within: Buddhist Violence and the Making of the Muslim Other. The Muslim minority are denied citizenship and labelled Bengalis, outsiders who -- the logic runs -- have successfully been pushed back to their country of origin. In a pattern with echoes of the Israeli settler project in the West Bank Buddhist communities then move in, altering the facts on the ground gradually rubbing out Muslim rights to the land, he added. Id expect to see more Buddhists settle there over the coming years. And then well forget what the area once was, and that process of erasure will be complete. Rohingya out, Rakhine in Chit San Ean is the beneficiary of the Ancillary Committee for the Reconstruction of Rakhine National Territory in the Western Frontier (CRR), a private scheme established shortly after the refugee crisis began. In a zone under a strict army lockdown the resettlement plan could not fly without military consent. Funded by ethnic Rakhine donors, the CRRs ambition is to establish a Muslim-dry buffer zone running the nearly 100 kilometres from state capital Sittwe to Maungdaw town, according to Oo Hla Saw, a Rakhine MP who advises the committee. All of this area was under the influence of Muslims. After the military operations, they had to flee... so we have to establish this area with the Rakhine population, he told AFP. The CRR will fund jobs and homes so this little population can grow and grow, he added. Its a trickle so far, with around 64 households -- some 250 people -- moved by the CRR, with 200 more families on a waiting list. They are among the poorest of the poor, mostly daily wage labourers from Thandwe around 600 kilometres to the south or squatters from Sittwe. Two village tracts, Koe Tan Kuak near Rathedaung and Inn Din near Maungdaw, have been designated for the scheme so far. The army concedes the second site was the scene of extrajudicial killings of Rohingya captives as violence engulfed the region last August. Koe Tan Kauk was a similarly mixed settlement of Buddhist and Muslim homes. The CRR-sponsored hamlet promises a rudimentary existence. A man holds his child in Koe Tan Kauk village, Rathedaung township in Myanmar's Rakhine State. (AFP Photo) There is little work, no electricity or running water but donors have gifted each family a $450 shack on stilts, made from plywood and metal sheeting. New residents hope to eventually own land, a prospect previously beyond their reach in Myanmars second-poorest state. Rakhine nationalists say the CRR is a bulwark against Islam and a means to ensure their ethnic group has a say in development projects driven by the Burmese-dominated central state, who they distrust deeply. Who should be given priority other than Rakhines in Rakhine State? explained Than Tun, General Secretary of the CRR. Cronies and soldiers For its part, Myanmars government has enlisted powerful businessmen to rebuild the infrastructure of the battered state. The army is running other projects including beefing up its security apparatus -- in what appears to be a multi-pronged effort to keep out the Rohingya. An Amnesty International report this week detailed how roads, helipads and security installations are being built, often on top of razed Rohingya settlements. They labelled the activity a massive land grab that threatens to erase evidence of alleged atrocities, including at Inn Din. Across northern Rakhine, abandoned land and rice fields have been commandeered by the army in an area with access tightly controlled to media, investigators and most aid groups. The Rohingya lost their legal status in 1982, under a junta-era Citizenship Law. Now their ancestral lands are being stripped away. That makes return impossible, according to lawmaker Oo Hla Saw. These people want to be recognised as Rohingya ethnicity... to enjoy citizenship, to resettle in their native grounds, he says. Their demands are unreasonable. Despite their dangerous new neighbourhood, the arrivals at Koe Tan Kauk say they are there to stay. I will end my life here, said a 69-year-old woman called Osar. Im not going anywhere. Man murders uncle over land dispute in Bara A man murdered his uncle over a land dispute at Prasauni Rural Municipality-1 of Bara district on Thursday. Nepal Telecom backs off from its commitment to reconstruct Dharahara The National Reconstruction Authority (NRA) has initiated consultations with the bodies concerned for pursuing the reconstruction of the historic Dharahara which was destroyed by the earthquake on April 25, 2015. Appointment 16 March 2018 Hyatt Hotels Corporation (Hyatt) today announced the appointment of Stephen Ho as President - Greater China, Global Operations, in line with plans to accelerate growth in Greater China. Effective April 16, 2018, Stephen will be responsible for the growth and operations of the hotel network, talent development and owner relations in the Greater China region. He will also refine and reinforce Hyatt's China outbound strategy from a commercial and operations perspective. Prior to joining Hyatt, Stephen was Chief Executive Officer, Greater China Region at Marriott International, Inc., where he oversaw all hotels in operation and under construction in the region. He was Starwood Hotels & Resorts' Asia Pacific President from 2012 to 2016, and winner of the prestigious CNBC Travel Business Leader Award (TBLA) 2014 in recognition of his leadership excellence. A native of Singapore and a permanent Hong Kong resident, fluent in English, Mandarin, Cantonese and Fujian, Stephen enjoys running, hiking and travelling. He completed his MBA with University of Ottawa. Due to his strong interest in Eastern philosophy, he also completed a Master Degree in Buddhism in Hong Kong University in 2012. Stephen began his extensive hospitality career in 1981. Since then, he has served in a variety of roles across multiple functions and geographies, including Brunei, Auckland, Tokyo, Hong Kong, Okinawa, Singapore, Dhaka and Beijing. Appointment 16 March 2018 International lifestyle company Two Roads Hospitality has appointed Craig A. Waterman as Vice President of Openings & Transitions. In this role, Waterman will oversee new and transitioning projects across the company's portfolio. Waterman joined Two Roads Hospitality in 2014 as General Manager of Hotel Kabuki, a Joie de Vivre property in San Francisco, and Regional Director of Operations, overseeing the Northern California, Arizona and Hawaii regions. Prior to joining Two Roads Hospitality, Waterman served as the Transitions & Acquisitions Leader for Gemstone Resorts. Throughout his 30 years in the hospitality industry, Waterman also has experience working with various luxury properties and brands, including The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, St. Regis Hotels & Resorts, The Phoenician in Scottsdale, Arizona, Se San Diego Hotel and the Shore Club in Miami Beach, Florida. In his new role at Two Roads Hospitality, Waterman will first serve as Managing Director of El San Juan Hotel in Puerto Rico, overseeing the restoration and renovation of the iconic property following Hurricane Maria. The resort, located in Isla Verde, will officially reopen and welcome all guests on October 1, 2018. Managed and operated by Two Roads Hospitality, El San Juan Hotel is part of Curio Collection by Hilton. Appointment 16 March 2018 Phoenix American Hospitality is thrilled to welcome Audrey Kamin as the company's new Senior Vice President of Distribution and National Accounts Manager. In her new role, Kamin will be responsible for the sales team and distribution within the broker dealer community at Phoenix American Hospitality. Her responsibilities will include servicing and growing national accounts, as well as marketing and positioning current and future financial offerings at PAH. Kamin is a seasoned securities professional with more than 20 years of experience. Her prior industry experience includes financial planning, wholesaling, national accounts and business development. She joins Phoenix American Hospitality from The Parking REIT Advisors. Kamin started her career on Wall Street at EF Hutton in retirement planning. During her 10 years as a financial planner, she specialized in 403B planning, working with teacher and school districts. In 2005, she joined MetLife Investors as an annuity wholesaler. Kamin credits all her sales skills and industry knowledge to her divisional sales manager at MetLife Investors, John Schaus. Kamin went on to learn business development for two years as a national broker dealer before becoming the National Accounts Manager at the Parking REIT. Kamin earned a bachelor's degree in economics with a minor in business administration from SUNY at Stony Brook. She currently holds FINRA Series 7 and 63 licenses. Oli may appoint ministers today A month after being appointed the prime minister, CPN-UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli is preparing to give the Cabinet its complete shape on Friday afternoon. Supplier News 16 March 2018 Innovate.AI is a Global Startup Competition, presented by Microsoft Ventures, Madrona Venture Group, Notion Capital and Vertex Ventures Israel. It involves companies from all over the world that are applying artifcial intelligence (AI) to innovate industries and improve people's lives. In particular the themes and focus areas emerged are (but not limited to): Healthcare Financial Services HR Sales Retail There are 3 Regional Competitions Around the Globe -North America, Europe, Israel- and an 'AI for Good' category- gives to the top fnalist globally that is responsibly harnessing the promise of A.I. to positively impact people's lives and the world. As European fnalists now we move on to the fnal judging portion of the competition. With the aim to develop the power of A.I. & machine learning and help highpotential startups to get the access to capital, the 3 winning startups receive a $1,000,000 USD investment, with a total prize pool valued at $5,500,000 USD. We will partecipate at the fnal live pitch in London on the 20th of March, showcasing our way to improve Travel Industry with A.I. We can't wait to fnd out who will be the winners! Performance 16 March 2018 HENDERSONVILLE, Tennessee -- The U.S. hotel industry reported positive year-over-year results in the three key performance metrics during the week of 4-10 March 2018, according to data from STR. In comparison with the week of 5-11 March 2017, the industry recorded the following: Occupancy: +1.1 at 68.1% Average daily rate (ADR): +2.0% to US$131.46 Revenue per available room (RevPAR): +3.1% to US$89.53 Among the Top 25 Markets, New Orleans, Louisiana, reported the largest increase in RevPAR (+45.2% to US$174.53), due primarily to the largest lift in ADR (+33.2% to US$207.06). Philadelphia, Pennsylvania-New Jersey, experienced the highest increase in occupancy (+19.8% to 79.3%) and the second-largest rise in RevPAR (+30.0% to US$106.08). Houston, Texas, posted the second-largest jump in ADR (+10.5% to US$120.36). Overall, 19 of the Top 25 Markets reported increases in RevPAR. San Francisco/San Mateo, California, reported the only double-digit decline in RevPAR (-10.4% to US$164.11) with the largest drop in ADR (-5.4% to US$210.43). The market saw the second-largest decrease in occupancy (-5.3% to 78.0%). Detroit, Michigan, experienced the only double-digit dip in occupancy (-10.7% to 67.2%), resulting in the second-largest decrease in RevPAR (-9.7% to US$68.67). Boston, Massachusetts, reported the second-largest decline in ADR (-4.1% to US$165.26). Hotel Brokers International, the real estate industrys oldest, most experienced network of hotel broker specialist, announces the election of their 2018-19 Board of Directors. The HBI Board, comprised of eleven officers/directors, was elected from the general membership during the 59th Annual Meeting of the organization held last month in Las Vega Hotel Brokers International, the real estate industrys oldest, most experienced network of hotel broker specialist, announces the election of their 2018-19 Board of Directors. The HBI Board, comprised of eleven officers/directors, was elected from the general membership during the 59th Annual Meeting of the organization held last month in Las Vegas. The following began their Board Terms on March 12: President: Jennifer B. Church, CHB Jennifer Church is president of Milmark Hotel/Motel Investments, LLC a full-service hospitality real estate investment and consulting firm, licensed in Wisconsin and Illinois. Jennifer has nearly 14 years of professional experience in hospitality real estate sales, and she has continuously been recognized for outstanding hotel sales performance named Rookie of the Year in her first year and most recently Top Sales Producer in her region. Prior to serving as President of Milmark, she served as the firms Director of Sales when she earned designation as a Certified Hotel Broker and was awarded three of the four top honors in her CHB Class. Jennifer previously worked as Director of Operations & Services at the Wisconsin Hotel & Lodging Association (WH&LA) one of the largest lodging associations in the country. Jennifer received her undergraduate degree in Hospitality and Tourism Management at the University of Wisconsin Stout and earned her Masters in Public Administration from the University of North Michigan. Vice President: Steven B. Blue, CHB Steve Blue is the sole owner of Scoggin Blue LLC a real estate brokerage company with offices in New Mexico and Texas specializing exclusively in selling hospitality real estate since 1959. Steve has been in hotel/motel asset value assessments and direct marketing of hotel/motel properties since 1979. Prior to joining the firm, Steve received a Bachelor of Accountancy Degree from New Mexico State University in 1976, and subsequently managed several Texas-based hotels. Steves strengths include asset value assessment, sales, management and operations. Treasurer: Michelle L. Kennedy Michelle Kennedy is a partner and principal/designated broker of Crystal Investment Property, LLC a boutique specialty brokerage solely focused on serving the needs of hotel owners and investors in Oregon, Montana, Washington and Idaho. Michelle has a 20-year background in administration, real estate and legal education, contracts, and operations management for regional commercial real estate firms. Michelles focus with Crystal Investment Property is primarily on operations oversight, transaction management, marketing coordination and general back-office systems. Secretary: Errol DSouza Errol DSouza is president and principal broker of Laurel Real Estate Company, a full service real estate brokerage and advisory firm located in the Columbus, Ohio area. Errol began his real estate career in 1997 and has consistently been a top producer in hospitality real estate sales and was just recognized as 2017s Top Broker of the U.S. Central Region. Errol has a diverse business background having worked in, invested in, or owned, businesses in accounting, hotels, real estate, restaurants, retail, and technology companies. Errol earned his MBA in Accounting and Finance from Ohio University and in 2002 earned professional designation as a Certified Hotel Broker (CHB). Directors: Richard Ehmer is president and principal broker of The Ehmer Group a full-service hospitality real estate investment and consulting firm located in San Francisco, California. Richard has more than 30 years of experience in the marketing and negotiating of commercial real estate transactions including the closing of more than $1,500,000,000 in hospitality transactions. Richard currently owns and operates several hospitality assets in San Francisco. Richard has served on the HBI Board of Directors since 2014. Edward P. Walsh is the President of Alpine Realty Capital, LLC, an Ann Arbor, Michigan, based full-service hospitality real estate investment and consulting firm specializing in hotel asset investment, valuation, financing, marketing and transaction. During Ed's 30-year career in the lodging industry he has held numerous positions in consulting, valuation, and for the past fifteen years as a hospitality real estate and mortgage broker. His career includes providing services regarding all phases of development, from site selection and acquisition to feasibility analysis and appraisal, and from mortgage financing to construction cost analysis. In all, Ed has provided real estate consulting and/or transaction services for more than $1 billion worth of hospitality real estate assets. Ed is a frequent speaker at lodging industry conferences and is a member of the Advisory Council to The School of Hospitality Business at Michigan State University. Ford C. Barton, a 35-year veteran of the hospitality industry, serves as the Principal of Lodging Partners a specialized hotel brokerage firm located in Charlotte, North Carolina. Ford and Lodging Partners offer a range of hotel real estate services, including brokerage, valuation consulting, and strategic acquisition planning. Ford holds a Brokers real estate license in North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia and has acted on hundreds of hotel transactions. Prior to his role with Lodging Partners, Fords hospitality industry experience includes more than 24 years at the executive level with Marriott Hotels, Manor Care Hotels/Sunburst Hospitality, and Choice Hotels International. His experiences include hotel ownership, operations, development, and senior level real estate acquisition and disposition, asset management, and franchise development. Darin C. Brock, CHB serves as vice president of Dallas-based Brock Hotel Group and joined the firm in 1998 representing hotel sellers throughout the South Central United States. During his tenure with the firm, Darin has achieved and been recognized nine times as regional Top Salesperson. Darin is a graduate of the University of Denver and has earned the professional designation of Certified Hotel Broker (CHB). Diana Alt is an associate broker with Las Cruces, New Mexico-based Scoggin Blue LLC, and has managed the brokerage firms Dallas office since 2002. She has been involved in the hospitality industry since 1989. Prior to Scoggin Blue, Diana was with Hotel Management magazine. With her years of professional experience in the hospitality industry, Diana easily makes contact with top executives and decision-makers of hotel companies, hotel owners, franchise, financial and management companies as well as REITs and others interested in buying and selling hotels. Diana has her B.B.A. in Marketing from the University of Texas in Arlington. H. Brandt Niehaus, CHB, is president and principal broker of Huff, Niehaus & Associates, Inc., a full-service hotel real estate brokerage located in Louisville, Kentucky. Brandt began his career in commercial real estate in 1983 and has focused exclusively on hotel real estate investment since 1988. He has successfully transacted the sales of hundreds of hotel properties from limited-service independents through full-service luxury hotels representing sellers in conventional sales as well as lender-owned transactions for banks and institutions. A consistent top sales producer, Brandt was named 2017s Broker of the Year in recognition of his hospitality sales performance. Brandt, a three-time Past President of HBI, holds the professional designations of Certified Hotel Broker (CHB), Certified Hotel Administrator (CHA) and Certified Commercial Investment Member (CCIM). Brandt earned his Bachelors and MBA in Marketing from the University of Kentucky. Tony DeGeorge, CHB is president, founding partner and principal broker of Greene, Canfield, DeGeorge, LLC in Clearwater, Florida, Tony has been actively involved in hotel brokerage since 1981 and has been directly involved in the listing, marketing and sale of hundreds of hotels including dispositions for corporations and REITs as well as individuals. His impressive transaction resume includes the sale of an array of hotel property types including everything from select-service airport hotels to beach-front resorts. As a former hotel owner-operator, Tony has first-hand knowledge of hotel operations, cash flow management and marketing. He earned his Certified Hotel Broker (CHB) designation in 2000 and is a four-time past president of Hotel Brokers International; serving on the organizations Board of Directors for more than 20 years. Founded in 1959, Hotel Brokers International members lead the industry in hotel real estate sales. HBI hotel brokerage specialists have successfully negotiated more than 10,000 hotel real estate transactions and consistently account for the largest share of all select-service and economy hotel sales in the United States. The organizations database currently comprises more than 100 property listings and the HBI website attracts site visitors from all over the world. Founder and host of the popular Hotel Investors Marketplace Webcast, HBI also developed the Certified Hotel Broker professional designation program. In addition to hospitality real estate advisory services, HBI offers affiliate membership to professionals in allied fields, including franchising, lending, appraisals and investment services. For more information about HBIs hotel listings or to become a broker or affiliate member, visit www.hbihotels.com. For more information contact: Glenda J. Webb, Managing Director Hotel Brokers International Kansas City, Missouri 816.505.4315 gwebb@hbihotels.com Daily News Delivery Join your colleagues and stay up to date on the latest Hotel industry news and trends. Subscribe 2021 Hotel News Resource Famous Dex is not letting the peaks and valleys get him down. The Chicago rapper celebrates a life well lived with "Japan," having previously shown an appreciation for the country's cultural influence. "Japan" is produced by J Gramm, who is best known for DRAM's smash hit "Broccoli." The rapper who has been outspoken about the ills of sippin' lean, never the less toys with the idea of getting lost in a wave. Famous Dex is scheduled to release Read About It on the 23rd of March. "Japan" should be a strong indicator of how it should sound. Share your thoughts in the comment section below. Quotable Lyrics Baby girl, what you doing, where your mans? (where your) I just popped a xan, fifty thousand in Japan (fifty thousand in Japan) I ain't doin' no playin', these red bottoms are no Vans And she tellin' all her friends, I might put 'em on the Gram (yeah, Dexter) Baby girl, what you doing, where your mans? (where your mans, baby) I just popped a xan, fifty thousand in Japan (fifty thousand in Japan) I ain't doin' no playin', these red bottoms are no Vans And she tellin' all her friends, I might put 'em on the Gram (yeah, Dexter) Kith has returned with new military-inspired clothing to spruce up any wardrobe. The collection is comprised of 25 pieces in total, and features a noteworthy collaboration with Alpha Industries. The colour-palette mostly includes earthy tones as a clear reference to its militaristic vibes, alongside standard camouflage prints. Columbus cargo pants contain rips and subtle attempts at repair, alongside some bold paint splatters. A Ginza button-up is remodelled in this collection, as well as some similar distressing applied to the Cargo Mercer III and Monroe Denim. Alpha Industries lent a helping hand in this season's outing by creating a more modern spin on their classic MA-1 jacket fashioned in two asymmetrical colourways emblazoned with "Fake Friends" branding. Kith also collaborates with Japanese label MAKAVELIC on a cross-body bag and backpack that adds a necessary dose of accessories into the mix. The collection will debut March 17th on the brand's website, as well as their brick-and-mortar locations; prices will range from $50-$250 USD for the pieces on display. Peep images from the lookbook below: Image via Hypebeast Image via Hypebeast Image via Hypebeast Image via Hypebeast Image via Hypebeast Image via Hypebeast With news breaking yesterday that Meek Mill's case is finally looking up as it may be overturned altogether, there are obviously still negative sides to every situation. Meek has been on probation for his entire life as an adult. His most recent probation violation landed him in prison for 2-4 years, although the violation was non-criminal and non-violent. A panel was held this week to discuss the injustice embedded in Philadelphia's criminal system. Meek spoke at the reform panel, from jail of course, in an event that may have jumpstarted the efforts to get the rapper out of prison. While news of Meek Mill's case possibly being overturned in the near future is wonderful, it does not change the fact that Meek appears to have been a victim of a corrupt and faulty system for years. It also does not change how Meek has had to invest a lot of his hard-earned money on lawyers, attorneys and the like to represent him during the dramatic unfolding of his case. Meek has coughed up an estimated $30 million in legal fees since the beginning of his history with the Philadelphia justice system. Judge Brinkley has been trying to rid herself of Meek for years, at one point stating, "I don't have to deal with you ever again." Meek's management has claimed the extravagant number of expenses in an exclusive interview with Rolling Stone, which has since gone viral. For the rapper to still be in police custody after shelling out so much coin is astonishing and, especially since his arresting officer has been confirmed as a "corrupt cop," we hope everything is settled shortly. [via Rolling Stone] "W.O.W." marks the return of Catfish Billy and that alone is worth celebrating. While Yelawolf has recently embraced his Southern Gothic roots on drops like Trial By Fire and Love Story, his contribution to PRhyme's anticipated sequel is a stark reminder of what he's capable of. After all, few can go toe to toe with Royce Da 5'9" without being utterly outclassed. Yet Yela's vivid opener may very well steal the show. If you smokin' marijuana with your mama at 12, then we either related or relayed it in jail," he raps. "Street thangs, stealin' Honda's for them Asian gangs, hopefully Yao Ming's little sister would give me brains." That's not to say Royce doesn't murder the gritty Premier instrumental. That's to be expected. I go bananas, too miraculous to react to mortal mammals, cookin' crack in my new velour pajamas," raps Royce, exhibiting a natural aptitude for blending imagination and wordplay. Throw in one of Primo's darker contributions and you've got a PRhyme 2 banger. Quotable Lyrics Hop off my Harley Davidson lookin' like I just got hit with a cool stick Cherry red boots, cigarette lit and aggravated How come it's to this dirt road, moonshine trailer trash trooper Everyday's a party happy belated If you smokin' marijuana with your mama at 12 Then we either related or related in jail Street thangs, stealin' Honda's for them Asian gangs Hopefully Yao Ming's little sister would give me brains Takashi Murakami, a Japanese artist who has also collaborated with fashion labels such as Louis Vuitton, took to Instagram yesterday to unveil a possible collaboration with none other than Drake and his OVO label. The post was followed by a particularly ambiguous caption that reads "I love this!!! @champagnepapi I am so glad that we are able to become friends even though we are across the world!! Thank you!!! The image showcases a merging of the iconic OVO owl with Murakami's equally-seminal flower superimposed on the animal's head. The owl is also given a more vibrant makeover, swapping out its more standard gold outline for a bold black, alongside a colour palette that includes a bright yellow and soft blue. One leg is coloured to match the flower petals, whereas one wing is rendered in the exact hue used on the creature's face, giving the image a sense of aesthetic unity. Little information is known about when and how the collaboration will be incorporated into either's upcoming business ventures, but sources are anticipating that it could be dropping very soon. In other Drake news, his recently single "God's Plan" has topped the Billboard Hot 100 for a seventh week, effectively sustaining and prolonging his dominance over the music industry in 2018. The Air Jordan 1 will be heavily featured this year, with as many as 30 different styles set to release throughout the year. Among the rumored releases are some classics as well as a plethora of brand new colorways - some of which draw on inspiration from the iconic "Black Toe" Air Jordan 1. According to reputable sneaker source @DJFolk, Jordan Brand will release three different Air Jordan 1s in April which utilize the familiar "Black Toe" color blocking. However, each pair swaps out the red for another color, such as "Yellow Ochre," "Blue Moon" and "Clay Green." Based on the color code information that has leaked, instagram user @Jayzrdead has provided photoshop renderings of what the three Air Jordan 1s might look like. Release details of these alternate "Black Toe" Air Jordan 1s have not yet been announced but it is being reported that they'll all release in April for $160 a pop. Scroll down to check out each of the mockups as we await official pics. PM inducts 15 new ministers in his Cabinet Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli on Friday inducted 15 new ministers from his party CPN-UML and CPN (Maoist Centre), increasing the size of his Cabinet to 22. There are endless reasons a big box toy store would collapse during a retail apocalypse - and Toys R Us acknowledged a number of them in its most recent annual filing: The teetering tower of debt incurred by its private-equity owners, competition from Amazon, Walmart and Target. They even wrung their hands about app stores, labor costs and potential tariffs raising the costs of the imported goods they sell. But one risk stood out. Toys R Us said there just weren't enough babies (emphasis ours): "The decrease of birthrates in countries where we operate could negatively affect our business. Most of our end-customers are newborns and children and, as a result, our revenue are dependent on the birthrates in countries where we operate. In recent years, many countries' birthrates have dropped or stagnated as their population ages, and education and income levels increase. A continued and significant decline in the number of newborns and children in these countries could have a material adverse effect on our operating results." It may not have been the biggest existential threat confronting Geoffrey the Giraffe (the store's mascot), but it's the one with the broadest implications outside of the worlds of toys and malls. Christopher Lee/Bloomberg Measured as a share of overall population, U.S. births have fallen steadily since the Great Recession. They hit their lowest point on record in 2016 - the most recent year for which the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has comparable data. Even adjusted for the aging population and declining share of women of childbearing age, U.S. fertility rates are at all-time lows. That's problematic for Toys R Us, which also operates the Babies R Us stores. The company claims in its annual report that its income is linked to birthrates, and they appear to be right. The change in the number of children born in the previous 12 years (and thus sitting right within the Toys R Us demographic) tracks closely with the company's changing annual revenue. There are, to be sure, numerous other factors at play. The same economic forces which encourage people to have children may also encourage them to splurge on toys, for example. Read Also: The death of Toys R Us could kill this popular ghost story But it's nonetheless apparent that Toys R Us' fortunes rise and fall with the population of its target market. And that's why the company's demise should worry the rest of us. Toys R Us focuses on kids, so it's feeling the crunch from declining birthrates long before the rest of the economy. But it's just a matter of time before the trends that toppled the troubled toymaker put the squeeze on businesses that cater to consumers of all ages. The smaller generation of children whose lackluster toy consumption brought down Geoffrey the Giraffe will be adults soon. They'll become the prime-age consumer spenders that drive U.S. economic growth. And the generation after them will be smaller still, after accounting for a slight bump from the generational fallout of the baby boom. Eventually, unless the country does something significant to encourage larger families or immigration, that narrowing base of the population pyramid will crawl upward. In the end, Toys R Us will just have been the first of many businesses of all descriptions facing the same hard demographic truth: Economic growth is extremely difficult without population growth. Federal authorities on Thursday blamed the Russian government for a two-year surge in cyberattacks against U.S. energy companies, an unprecedented rebuke of the Kremlin for an online assault that threatens energy companies in Houston and across the nation. Since early 2016, hackers backed by Moscow have targeted small commercial facilities to stage multiple attacks on U.S. energy networks, sending companies malware-laced emails in an effort to penetrate vital control systems that run energy facilities, the Department of Homeland Security and the Federal Bureau of Investigations said in a joint statement. Officials provided few details, but analysts said the attackers almost certainly targeted companies in Houston, home to major refineries, chemical plants, pipeline companies and oil and gas producers. With Houston being the energy capital of the world, if you want to disrupt operations in the U.S., this would be the place to attack, said Steve Mustard, cybersecurity committee chair of the Automation Federation, a manufacturing trade group. Homeland Security refused to disclose the names of companies hit by cyberattacks, which included firms that operate oil and gas facilities, nuclear power plants, water treatment plants, aviation systems and manufacturing sites. Government entities were targeted, as well. Hacked: Energy companies become an alluring target for cyberattacks The Russian hacking campaign, orchestrated by a group known as Dragonfly, in several cases infiltrated workstations and servers on corporate networks linked to systems that control the production and flow of energy, the U.S. agencies said. After gaining a foothold in the networks, the hackers began surveillance on the operations, collecting data and copying information for accessing systems that operate thousands of functions at power plants, refineries, pipelines and petrochemical facilities. The FBI and Homeland Security began studying the attacks early last year, finding the hackers targeted third-party suppliers and other smaller companies, which typically lack strong network protections, By infiltrating a smaller companys network, a hacker could glean information to stage an attack on a larger company, such as by finding the email of a suitable target or credentials that could grant access to systems shared with a larger company at a plant. The hackers, the federal agencies said, employed spear-phishing emails that appear to come from a reputable source and phony websites with virus-laced links to infiltrate corporate networks. Some spear-phishing emails, for example, used infected Microsoft Word documents disguised as resumes for industrial control system workers. The attackers sent these infected emails both directly to larger companies and to smaller companies. That U.S. authorities identified the Russian government as the culprit behind the attacks underscores the weight of the evidence against Moscow. Its the first time the U.S. government has explicitly blamed Russia for the hacking campaign, which is notoriously difficult to prove, analysts said. Also Thursday, the Trump administration imposed sanctions on 19 Russians it says were involved in meddling in the 2016 U.S. presidential election, including 13 Russians indicted in February for election interference as part of the investigation of special counsel Robert Mueller. Thats a big deal, said Richard Parker, a cybersecurity consultant in Houston. Its adding fuel to the fire to show that nation-states are using their cyber powers in all kinds of ways. U.S. energy companies reported more than 350 cybersecurity incidents between 2011 and 2015, most of them aimed at trying to infiltrate systems that control pipelines, refineries, electric transmission, oil and gas production and other operations, according to Homeland Security. During that period, the agency found nearly 900 cyber security vulnerabilities in U.S. energy control systems, more than any other industry. In response to such attacks, analysts said, large oil companies have improved cybersecurity technology and practices, becoming more sophisticated in thwarting online assaults than in previous years. But small to midsized firms still lack the monitoring technology and personnel to block intrusions into their control systems, giving hackers the ability to spy on networks and control systems for months or even years without interruption, analysts said. Those weak spots could lead to successful attacks against larger companies, which sometimes share network connections and computer systems with smaller, less protected companies. And without the ability to detect intrusions, companies cant track how often they get hit by cyberattacks. Theyre cognizant the risks are there, but do they have the funding to staff up and maintain a cybersecurity capability? I dont see much change, said Norman Comstock, managing director at the consulting and data analytics firm Berkeley Research Group in Houston. Houston is certainly a hotbed of targets. And their assets are all over the world. In recent years, almost half of the cyberattacks against energy companies have gone unnoticed because of a lack of detection and monitoring technologies and personnel, according to a Ponemon Institute survey in early 2017 of almost 400 oil and gas workers who use operational technology in refineries, oil platforms, drilling rigs and pipelines. More than two-thirds of the respondents said their companies had at least one security breach within the past year that involved stolen data or an operational disruption. There may be a rise in attacks, Mustard said, but most companies are so far behind the times theyre not even aware of it. 2 1 of 2 Toyota ShareLunker Show More Show Less 2 of 2 South Texas Fishing Association Show More Show Less A man from San Angelo reeled in a 13.4 pound largemouth bass March 14, the first in more than 28 years at the Twin Buttes Reservoir. Austin Terry caught the fish, which was labeled ShareLunker 574, as part of the Toyota ShareLunker program which awards anglers for their prized catches. The fish was more than 25 inches long. Almost 15 years have passed since the last "Tomb Raider" movie, and that's more than enough time for Hollywood types to figure out what was wrong with the original franchise (everything) and to start building a new one. By casting Alicia Vikander, the series takes a first step in the right direction. Instead of going for the robot-superhero vibe cultivated by Angelina Jolie, Vikander seems human, vulnerable and refreshingly normal. The new movie also cuts down on a lot of the computer-generated action that made half the scenes in the original movies look like something blown-up from a computer screen. That's an improvement, too. But story problems tank the new "Tomb Raider" - small, essential things like lack of motivation, lack of reasons for people to do the things they do, and lack of any reason for the audience to keep watching. At the start of the film, Lara Croft is a wannabe kickboxer in London, making a living doing deliveries on bicycle. She's in debt to the gym where she works out, but wait - we find out that, actually, she's rich. If she would only sign the inheritance papers, she would be worth something like a billion dollars. But she is reluctant to do so, because she wants to believe that her father (Dominic West), who disappeared seven years ago, is still alive. So right away, the movie contains something nonsensical. What's the harm of signing the papers? If he shows up, she can always give him back the money. A few scenes later, she finally does breaks down and go to her lawyer's office to sign the papers but then, no, she again stops herself. This time she refuses because she thinks she knows where her father is, and she needs to travel across the world to find or perhaps rescue him. Again, that's even more nonsensical. Travel takes money, and rescues from exotic locations take even more. Were she a billionaire, she could hire an army to assist her. Instead she's on her own, a young woman with a disconcerting habit of falling off of things - hills, bridges, rocks, cave walls - and catching herself with one hand, so that she keeps hanging precariously over 200-foot drops. This kind of thing rarely happens in life, but it happens to her, on average, every five minutes. Bad luck, I guess. Lara's father was in search of the tomb of an ancient queen, but - and this a huge problem with the story - he didn't exactly want to find it. He wanted to prevent other people from finding it, because he was sure that removing the queen from her grave would result in a million deaths. As motivations go, that is actually rather limp. And when Lara shows up on the scene, she compounds the problem. She doesn't want to find the tomb, either. She just wants to find her father. Along the way, she runs into a rather sinister character (Walton Goggins), who is leading a prospecting team in search of the tomb. But he's just working for a company. He hates his job. He just wants to go home. So he doesn't really want to find the tomb, either, except to get it over with. More Information 'Tomb Raider' Rated PG-13: for sequences of violence and action, and for some language Running time: 118 minutes xx See More Collapse Do you see the dramatic problem here? Everybody in the movie is looking for a tomb, but nobody cares anything about the tomb. Now the way it works in movies is that if the people on screen care passionately about something, we in the audience can maybe start caring a little, too. But if they barely care about what they're doing, how can we expect, for example, to get worked up when three indifferent people finally get to a tomb and walk in? The answer is we can't, so "Tomb Raider" has no hold on us, besides a single loose one: It is very easy to like Alicia Vikander, and so we end up caring about Lara Croft's physical safety. The filmmakers seem to know that, which is why they keep dangling her from a ledge every five minutes. But that's no cure for story problems, just a temporary distraction, and even that trick has diminishing returns as the movie drags on. A former Harris County sheriff's deputy plead guilty Thursday to producing and possessing child pornography, according to a Southern District of Texas U.S. Attorney's Office press release. Andrew Craig Sustaita, 31, of Spring, was indicted February 2017, on the child pornography charges following an arrest for online images depicting sexual contact with a dog. He was denied bail, as he was deemed a danger to the community and a risk flight. In his plea, Sustaita admitted to posting "child erotica images" to a child pornography website and commented on other similar images on the site. Sustaita also was involved in a "pay-to-play" bestiality website, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office. Images found on devices used by Sustaita included a young girl showering, his genitalia placed on or near the girl's head while she appeared to be asleep and him trying to expose her genitalia. Investigators found the girl's images on a computer in Milwaukee, Wis., with Sustaita admitting he had distributed the images on the internet, according to the news release. Briscoe Cain made national news this week. As a rule, when a Texas politician makes national news, it's a time to worry. And when the Texas politician in question bills himself as "The Conservative Outsider" and appears to carry the name of a minor character from "Gunsmoke," you prepare for the worst. Hours after the death of legendary physicist Stephen Hawking was announced to the world, Cain made an announcement of his own. Taking to Twitter, he declared, "Stephen Hawking now knows the truth about how the universe was made. My condolences to his family." Not content to let his trolling be limited by Twitter's character constraints, Cain elaborated to the Austin American-Statesman: "Stephen Hawking was a vocal atheist, who advocated against and openly mocked God," he explained. "My tweet was to show the gravity of the Gospel and what happens when we die, namely, that we all will one day meet the Creator of the universe face to face." He did soften the Old Testament stuff with a sop to Hawking's survivors: "I am sympathetic for his family's loss ... My prayers are with them." ACCIDENTAL SPOKESMODEL: How Stephen Hawking made technology cool You need to know a few things about Briscoe Cain. He's young, barely 33 years old. I own a pair of Converse high tops, a handful of neckties and an Astros cap that are all older than Briscoe Cain. Young people can be impetuous on social media, and often post things without thinking them through. You can't expect a kid to have the wise restraint of say, Dan Patrick, who posted a tweet on the morning of the Pulse nightclub shooting, implying that murders were Divine retribution for wickedness. OK, Dan Patrick is a bad example. How about Ted Cruz, who tweeted a photo of himself, posed next to a tiger-skin rug, even though tigers are an endangered species. "Did a little shopping for the office today!" Cruz breezed. Yeah, it's another bad example. My point is that young Briscoe is a headstrong lad, and sometimes, he forgets that you ain't learnin' nothin' when your mouth's a-jawin', or your fingers is a-tweetin', as the cowboys say. In his very short political career, Cain has been a polarizing force. He's like cilantro, or camping: You either love him, or you want no part of the guy. Texans for Fiscal Responsibility, a right-wing activist group who funded the lion's share of Cain's inaugural legislative campaign, hails him as "an activist with an impeccable record for bold action" and "an aggressive champion for conservative causes." Texas Monthly named him one of "The Worst Legislators of 2017" and described him as "uninformed and belligerent." During the 2017 House session, Cain introduced legislation that would have defunded the state's promotion of palliative care for terminally ill patients, apparently because he thought "palliative care" was a synonym for "death panel." It's not. Ignorance did not stop Briscoe from charging ahead, with clear-eyes, full-heart, can't-lose indefatigability. But he has learned something from his conservative mentors in Austin. Patrick is a master of the unapologetic apology: His tweet after the Orlando shootings had been scheduled for weeks, he claimed; that it went out in the midst of a horrific shooting at a gay nightclub was just bad luck, and the outrage over his insensitivity? Why, that's an attack on his Christian values! COME NOVEMBER: Hey, Dan Patrick: Teachers are coming for you Last year, when Patrick faced criticism for cynically making political hay out of the discovery of nearly 100 dead and dying undocumented immigrants, abandoned in a broiling semi-trailer in San Antonio, he responded by reasserting his contention that Texas Democrats were behind the whole thing. In the aftermath of this, Cain has stood resolute, thanking those who have supported him, and stating that Stephen Hawking "now knows what Billy Graham knew." He hasn't mustered even an "I am sorry for my insensitivity in your time of loss." The only things I have in common with Briscoe Cain are an unusual first name and a Texas driver's license. And a deep and abiding faith in God. I am not down with Cain's conception of the afterlife. I think the first bit is a little like Freshman Orientation: lots of confusion, lots of getting lost, lots of forms to fill out. I don't know that we're meeting anyone from the Dean's Office or unfolding any great mysteries when we're still trying to figure out the way to the dining hall. But like him, I believe, right down to my molecules, that there is more to us, more for us, than what's in front of us. That is why what we do here, how we treat one another here is so important. We are eternal beings, on a work-study program in mortality. The problem I have with Briscoe Cain's shabby disrespect for Stephen Hawking and his family is not his confession of faith in the afterlife. It is the shameless way he uses his faith to win an argument here. Lots of people agree with Briscoe's approach. Many of the statements of support posted to Cain's Facebook page are ad hominem attacks on the dead guy. Typical is Amy from Friendswood, who writes, "He was famous for his disability. Had he not been disabled, he would have faded out of the public eye." Amy also insists that "his scientific theories were mostly proven wrong," which I have no way of verifying, because I don't know the first thing about astrophysics, but gosh, when I die, please don't ask Amy to give the eulogy. She's tough. THINK IT THROUGH: We've heard a lot of bad apologies lately. What makes a good one? I am not at all worried about Stephen Hawking's fate in the Eternities. The God I worship is loving, and fair, and generous, and Stephen Hawking is really none of my business. What I am worried about is how God is going to look upon me when I unload my duffel on the Other Side. How am I treating my wife, my kids, my friends and neighbors? What am I doing with the talents I've been entrusted? Do I lift hearts, or stir up heartache? My life, my choices, my treatment of others are the only thing I'm going to be fretting over when I have my meeting with God. Faith is not about winning arguments. Faith is about resisting our selfish impulses and doing something nobler, something kinder than we would ever think to do on our own. We find true selves by abandoning the self that satisfies our natural inclinations. "Nothing's a gift, it's all on loan" writes Nobel laurate Wisawa Szymborska: I'm drowning in debts up to my ears I'll have to pay for myself with myself, give up my life for my life. Sometimes, faith means mourning with those who mourn, comforting those who stand in need of comfort and not speculating on either the grim epiphanies facing the dead on the Other Side or the manifold blessings we're convinced await us. Sometimes, faith means just keeping quiet. Briscoe Cain would do well to remember that. Cort McMurray is a Houston businessman and a frequent contributor to Gray Matters. Bookmark Gray Matters. It's like cilantro, or camping. Barry Klein, a retired Realtor and eternal activist, still keeps a worn photocopy of the Houston Chronicle article folded in his wallet, a report on the last time the city voted on a comprehensive zoning ordinance nearly a quarter-century ago The proposal failed, 52 percent to 48 percent, and a subsequent charter amendment made the chances of another vote extremely challenging. "Now in the future if they want to bring that idea back, they have to go through the entire expensive, time-consuming, controversy-generating process of writing the ordinance, doing the map, having the hearings, and then finish it and give us six months of study," says Klein, whose Houston Property Rights Association still hosts free-market speakers every Friday. "So that's a high barrier." Houston remains the only major city without a zoning ordinance to regulate which pieces of land can be used for what purposes, despite three major attempts over the past century to bring it in line with the rest of urban America. That difference has made for a city that's more jumbled, with isolated office towers and shops tucked seemingly at random into residential neighborhoods. And for almost the entirety of Houston's history, its residents have waged bitter battles over whether to impose more order on the heterogeneous landscape. More Information History of zoning - or not 1916: New York City passes its first comprehensive zoning ordinance. 1922: Mayor Oscar Holcombe appoints first City Planning Commission. 1927: The Texas Legislature passes a law allowing municipalities to pass their own zoning ordinances. 1929: The first Houston zoning proposal is tabled under pressure from real estate interests. 1937: Deed restrictions expire in Montrose, generating renewed interest in a zoning plan. 1943: Houston passes a "Major Street and Thoroughfare Plan." 1948: The first referendum on a zoning ordinance fails, 69-31. 1962: The second referendum on a proposed zoning ordinance fails, 57-43. 1989: Activist Rosie Walker runs for mayor on a pro-zoning platform. 1993: The third referendum on a zoning ordinance fails, 52-48. 2015: Houston adopts a City Plan, containing nonbinding goals and strategies. See More Collapse At the outset, zoning was a reaction to chaos. That sense of urban disorder, and its remedies, took several forms. In New York, residents grew alarmed by the mass of certain downtown buildings and passed laws mandating setbacks from the street. With the birth of mass transit, people no longer needed to live within walking distance of their work. Codes breaking land down into residential, office, retail and recreational areas began to proliferate across the United States. Houston started down the zoning road in the 1920s, when Mayor Oscar Holcombe appointed a City Planning Commission to come up with a plan for major parks, thoroughfares and land uses. It did, but the plan was stymied by big landowners who saw it as an infringement on private property rights. The city's tremendous growth after World War II, however, fed a desire for stronger planning once again. Some neighborhoods had protected themselves through deed restrictions, which limit the changes future buyers can make to properties. But deed restrictions can be ineffective, if a neighborhood lacks the resources to enforce them in court. So civic associations, labor groups, the American Institute of Architects and League of Women Voters started pushing for a comprehensive set of rules. As the city's first vote on zoning approached, real estate and oil interests organized against it. They derided land-use regulations as "un-American and German" - a serious charge in the years following the fall of the Third Reich. With only 65,000 property owners eligible to vote, the proposal failed by a ratio of 2-1. The story essentially repeated itself in 1962, with civic groups and even some local chambers of commerce supporting a new zoning plan. But Realtors, smaller businessmen, and right-wing political groups remained united in opposition, this time playing on the geopolitical fears of the day by calling land-use restrictions "socialistic and communistic." Zoning failed again - albeit by a slimmer margin, 57 percent to 43 percent. "Foes stressed that zoning was an attack upon individual freedom, private property, capitalism, economic growth, and the American way of life," wrote historian Barry Kaplan in a 1980 essay in Southwestern Historical Quarterly. The argument would be used again. The oil bust of the 1980s brought the zoning debate around one more time. As foreclosed homes were snapped up and turned into fast-food restaurants and auto body shops, neighborhoods sought additional tools to protect their quality of life. Rice University political science professor Bob Stein found that support for zoning was rising, from a slim majority to 65 percent. In 1991, the City Council passed a resolution for a zoning plan, setting in motion two years of hearings and consultations. Mayor Bob Lanier endorsed the proposed ordinance, but anti-zoners raised more than three times as much money as proponents, spending it on television and print ads raising the specter of a vast government apparatus intruding on citizens' lives. Barry Klein's group even paid Baptist ministers to spread literature in the black community calling zoning a tool of segregation. It was the closest vote of the century, but anti-zoners triumphed again. No serious attempts to pass a zoning plan have come since that 1993 election, and these days, even Houston's planners defend the city's approach, saying the idea of separating incompatible types of development never needed zoning anyway. "What we've found is that our system actually works fairly well," says Houston Planning Director Pat Walsh. "A developer doesn't want build a single family house next to an industrial facility, and the market prevents that from happening." Pride in the city's laissez-faire approach seems encapsulated in a slogan Houston adopted a few years ago: "The city with no limits." But just because Houston has no zoning doesn't mean it has no rules. In fact, stymied by the referendum process, the city has created more rules than ever: parking requirements, minimum lot sizes, height restrictions, historic preservation districts and bans on sexually-oriented businesses. Some are created at the request of neighborhoods; others apply citywide. It amounts to what South Texas College of Law professor Matthew Festa calls "de facto" zoning, creating a city that increasingly looks like any other in America. Walsh says some of those zoning substitutes have even gone too far. A rule requiring buildings to be set back 25 feet from the street can cause builders to put parking lots in front of them, creating an unfriendly environment for pedestrians. High parking requirements for developments also raise costs for builders and dampen demand for public transit, since residents figure they'll never have a hard time driving their cars. These things are in the city's power to change, as preferences shift toward a living environment that doesn't require 100 percent dependence on private vehicles. In 2015, the city passed a long-range plan that contains a number of "goals" and "strategies" for priorities like "enjoyable, vibrant activity centers" and "an affordable, multi-modal transportation network." Zoning it's not. But over the long term, it might achieve some of the same things that the pro-zoners always wanted. The zoning advocates are back. Instead of calling it zoning, they call it Blue Print Houston or public planning. Whatever it is called, these individuals are promoting the creation of a new city government regulatory agency to intervene in the real estate market. They are urging civil government control over the way citizens use their property. Their ultimate goal is to cause high density development, forcing citizens to live close into the city, broad use of public transportation and the minimization of cars. Houstonians rejected zoning in 1948, 1962 and in 1993 for good reasons. Zoning is detrimental to the Houston economy which has thrived without it. Other major cities have adopted zoning decades ago, and none of them compare to Houstons dynamic growth over the last 50 years. Free enterprise and property rights have combined to allow Houston to grow without the restraint of socialists who think that a civil government committee knows better than the market place how to plan our city. Zoning proponents are socialists because they want the civil government to control the use of your property. That is what socialism means. Socialism destroys individual rights for the collective good which is determined by some elite group of individuals in power who think they know what is best for the rest of us. With zoning, a group of government bureaucrats and politicians will determine how your property will be zoned, whether commercial, residential, multi-family, multi-use or other. This invariably destroys your property rights and your economic freedom to choose how you want to use your property. It transfers power from the individual property owner to the politicians and their bureaucrats. Under zoning, if you are on the wrong side politically, then you may find that you will not be able to obtain the zoning that you want for the sale of your property or for the project you want to develop. The difference in the value between commercial and residential property can be significant. A new government zoning regulatory board will create a cottage industry for lawyers and lobbyists who will charge you hefty fees to represent you before the board. Donors to the politicians in power will invariably receive better treatment before the zoning board than those who have opposed those in power. This leads to corruption. Our founding fathers placed a premium on individual property right, founded upon the English common law and enshrined in the U.S. Constitution. Houston has the lowest housing cost of any major city. This resulted from Houstons dynamic free enterprise environment which has encouraged entrepreneurs to meet the needs of the citizens. Houston has allowed individuals to make their own choices with the competitive market determining what the best use of property is. Zoning would create a barrier to the free and voluntary exchange of property and development which would destroy economic freedom without which there can be no political freedom. Houstonians need to defend their property rights. Police probe out-of-court rape settlement incident Police are investigating into an out-of-court rape settlement case that took place at Surunga Municipality-3 in Saptari district last month. Two women, who first caught the attention of many by donning bright red hair while allegedly attempting to steal cosmetics and pepper-spraying several people at a South Montgomery County Wal-Mart, were indicted last week for aggravated robbery. Mariah Le Ann Inman, 20, and Joshlyn Dasha Robinson, 19, were arrested by the Montgomery County Precinct 3 Constable's Office after releasing surveillance videos of the two on social media, requesting the public's assistance in identifying the suspects. TEEN ARRESTS: 3 suspects charged with stealing money from ATM The duo allegedly stole make-up and other goods from a Spring Wal-Mart at 2901 Riley Fuzzel the day before Thanksgiving and fled the store with approximately $350 in merchandise, according to court documents. When confronted on their way out of the store, the women began spraying an unknown substance at the time into the air and at anyone in their way, including a 73-year-old worker, according to the Montgomery County Precinct 3 Constable's Office. Now Playing: The Montgomery County Constable Pct. 3 office is seeking tips on the two women in this video, who allegedly pepper-sprayed Walmart shoppers and employees while stealing cosmetics on Nov. 22, the day before Thanksgiving. (Video: Montgomery County Constable Pct. 3) Video: Montgomery County Constable Pct. 3 Two days after the video was released, Precinct 3 received tips on the women's identities including information from the manager of a CVS where an unreported theft had occurred earlier that same day with the same alleged suspects with bright red hair. "After the tipsters provided the license plate number for the car seen at both the CVS and the Wal-Mart robberies, Precinct 3 deputies identified Inman and Robinson," according to court documents. "They were arrested and charged with aggravated robbery." Robinson is due back in court on April 3; there is no new court date for Inman as of print deadline. Request for comments from either defense attorney were not answered. Migratory birds are arriving from distant tropical lands like heaven-sent sojourners. These neotropical migrants make a round-trip every year between their winter home in Latin America and summer home in North America. Many of the birds travel 5,000-10,000 miles, including a 600-mile flight over the Gulf of Mexico to Texas. Others fly up from southern Mexico and Central America. Some birds, including the Nashville warbler, circumnavigate the Gulf to travel overland. The coastline will host an extraordinary array of shorebirds - including sandpipers, godwits and plovers. Local parks, woodlands and backyards will host colorful songbirds, such as tanagers, warblers, orioles and yes, hummingbirds. Think about the moxie of migratory songbirds. Weighing in at about 2-ounces, the birds make an arduous journey to breeding grounds despite the perils of weather and fatigue. Birds crossing the Gulf of Mexico may benefit from a southeast tailwind as they fly nonstop from Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula to Texas shores. But headwinds from a strong, rainy cold front suddenly sweeping over the sea will exhaust many birds as they plunge to their death in the sea. Most migratory birds fly at night to avoid daytime predators like hawks and to use the star field for navigation. But artificial lights from communication towers and high-rise office buildings disorient the birds, as more than 100 million die each year as the result of crashing into lighted buildings and towers. More Information Celebrating migratory birds FeatherFest When: April 17-22 Where: Galveston Island Community Center, 4700 Broadway, Galveston What: Field trips and workshops for birding and bird photography, FledglingFest for children 6 and older, tours of sea turtle research station, raptor demonstrations, exhibits and vendors. Fee: varies by event Info: galvestonfeatherfest.com Migration Celebration When: April 21-22 Where: San Bernard National Wildlife Refuge Headquarters, 6801 County Road 306, Brazoria County What: Family event with variety of activities, including bird and nature tours, kayaking, marsh buggy tours, butterfly-watching, catching bugs in nets and raptor demonstrations. Fee: free to all ages Info: migrationcelebration.org/index.html See More Collapse What a testament to endurance that migratory birds facing constant calamities can even compete their journey. The ones arriving on our shores, woodlots and in our neighborhoods will rest and replenish their tired bodies by consuming insects, crustaceans, fruits and seeds before continuing on the path to breeding grounds farther north. Yet many migratory songbirds - like great crested flycatchers, prothonotary warblers and summer tanagers - will breed in Houston area parks and neighborhoods. Why birds leave the tropics to face the perils of migration remains a mystery. Maybe they're returning to northern ancestral lands where they lived prior to Pleistocene glaciation. Or maybe eventual overcrowding of abundant neotropical birds competing for limited breeding space drove some birds northward to breed. What we do know is that birds undergo an innate biological urge called "migratory restlessness," or Zugunruhe, that compels them to migrate. Whatever the reason for the migration, we're happy have them. Q. I want to share my experience trying to purchase an "authorized generic" drug. Our doctor did not know what that phrase meant, nor did any of the pharmacists we talked to. I found the label information for the authorized generic online and supplied that to CVS. CVS ordered the drug using the NDC code, but that was over a month ago, and it is still not in stock. Walgreens could not find the NDC code in its computer. In the meantime, we had to go ahead and buy the brand-name drug at over $500 for a 30-day supply. Why is this so difficult? A. When a brand-name medicine loses its patent, the original manufacturer sometimes strikes a deal with a generic drugmaker. That allows the generic company to sell the exact same formulation, made from the same "recipe." Sometimes the authorized generic is made on the same production line as the brand-name drug. As you discovered, most health professionals are unaware of this category. That may be in part because the generic drug industry, pharmacies and the Food and Drug Administration have promoted the idea that generic drugs in general are just as good as their brand-name equivalents. You can learn about problems that have occurred with generic drugs and more details on authorized generics in our "Guide to Saving Money on Medicines." This online resource is available at www.PeoplesPharmacy.com. The NDC (National Drug Code) is a unique number to identify every drug sold in the U.S. The FDA maintains an online directory of all NDC identifiers. Q. We are blanketed by television ads for new medicines. Many refer to increasing risks of contracting tuberculosis or advise against use if you have tuberculosis. What is common among these drugs that necessitates mention of TB? A. The drugs you have seen advertised, such as Enbrel, Humira and Remicade, are immune system modulators. Doctors prescribe them to treat autoimmune conditions such as Crohn's disease, inflammatory bowel disease, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis and psoriasis. These medications (and others, such as Cimzia and Simponi) are effective in dialing down an overactive immune response in which the immune system is attacking body tissue. But we need the immune system to protect us against infection. The pathogen that causes tuberculosis, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, can hide out in lung cells for decades without being detected. If the immune system is impaired, however, the germ can emerge and thrive, causing a debilitating, contagious and hard-to-treat infection that can be life-threatening. TB is a leading cause of death for people with HIV/AIDS because their immune systems are not functioning properly. That is why it is such a concern for people taking medications that hamper the normal immune response. Q. I have had terrible burning pains in my left foot and leg for many years. They were undiagnosed until a few years ago, when a new doctor diagnosed peripheral neuropathy. He prescribed daily Lyrica. I do not take Lyrica every day, as it is too expensive. I take it only when I have an attack. The next day I am totally disorganized. I can't remember things and have twitches all over my body. Could this be a side effect of the drug? A. Yes. Side effects of pregabalin (Lyrica) include confusion, dizziness, sleepiness, difficulty walking, edema, blurred vision, dry mouth, constipation, twitching and tremor. Q. Whenever I would go out to eat, I frequently would suffer from sudden diarrhea. This led to jumping out of the car and climbing through ditches to reach a sheltered area or charging into a nearby store with the hope of finding a restroom. Then someone in my apartment building mentioned acidophilus and asked if I had tried taking it. I had not, so she gave me a bottle. It has been like a miracle. I cannot help but wonder how many thousands of people with troublesome diarrhea would benefit from using acidophilus. Please mention this in your column. A. There are many possible causes of diarrhea. They include intestinal infection or parasites, food poisoning, lactose intolerance, irritable bowel syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease, overactive thyroid gland, celiac disease and other problems. Consequently, we doubt that your remedy will work for everyone. Nonetheless, it could be worth a try. Lactobacillus acidophilus is one of the most common probiotics. These beneficial bacteria are used to replenish the gut microbiota after taking antibiotics. There is some evidence that probiotics, including acidophilus, may help people recover more quickly from infectious diarrhea (Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Nov. 10, 2010). Q. You wrote recently about leg cramps. Back in 1985, a medical doctor told us about pinching the side of the mouth opposite the leg that has a cramp. In other words, if you have a cramp in the left leg, pinch the right side of your mouth (with the pointer finger inside the mouth and the middle finger on the outside). She said it worked like acupuncture. This technique has always worked for me and my wife, including this week when a cramp woke me up. It stopped almost immediately! A. Leg cramps or muscle spasms may be triggered by overactivated nerves. Other people have described a similar technique. They recommend pinching the center of the upper lip, right under the nose, for a minute or two. We speculate that this kind of intense pressure stimulates sensory nerves through TRP (transient receptor potential) channels in the mouth. These specialized structures detect pressure, heat and a variety of flavors. That is why we think vinegar, mustard, hot pepper, ginger and cinnamon also calm leg cramps for some people. When TRP channels are actuated, they send nerve signals to the affected muscles. Many people report that their cramps let up within two minutes. If you would like to learn more about simple treatments for leg cramps and other common problems, you may be interested in our book "Quick & Handy Home Remedies." It is available at www.PeoplesPharmacy.com. Q. I just got back from a trip to Ireland. They have delicious licorice over there in every candy store. I had a bag every day and loved it. On the plane flight home, my legs swelled terribly. My feet were practically bursting out of my shoes. I think the licorice, together with the hours of sitting still, made this happen. Now that I'm back home and can't get licorice every day, my legs are normal again. A. An ingredient in natural black licorice, glycyrrhizin, has powerful pharmacological activity. Too much can cause low potassium levels, abnormal heart rhythms, edema (swelling) and high blood pressure. An alleged MS-13 member accused of ordering gang hits in Houston - and listening over the phone as underlings carried them out - was indicted Wednesday in Maryland as part of a sweeping case against at least a dozen members of the bloody street gang. Luis Arnoldo Flores-Reyes - also known as "Maloso" - was charged in a four-count indictment alleging everything from racketeering to extortion to drug trafficking over a three-year period starting in 2015. The 37-year-old alleged member of the Sailors Clique of MS-13 is in custody, according to a Department of Justice press release, though it wasn't immediately clear when or where he was arrested. Eleven others have already been charged in the case. Now Playing: President Trump on Friday lashed out at El Salvador and Mexico over the presence of MS-13 gangs in the US. Video: GeoBeats The pattern of criminal violence described in court papers included everything from stabbings to shootings across Maryland, and in January 2018 it spilled over into Texas when Flores-Reyes phoned up a fellow gang member and ordered the slaying of rivals in Houston, according to court filings. On Jan. 25, authorities charged, Flores-Reyes and other MS-13 members talked about buying a gun to avenge the murder of an MS-13 member in Houston, supposedly at the hands of a rival gang. That same day, Flores-Reyes allegedly ordered the hits, and two days later he told his Houston counterparts that they'd need to carry out the killings if they wanted to be promoted. READ MORE: MS-13 was two minutes from execution when police intervened in Houston After three days of planning and discussion, on Jan. 28, MS-13 members in Houston shot at and tried to kill rival gang members - all while Flores-Reyes and other gang members listened on the phone. It's not clear whether they succeeded. Although it was the only murder plot credited to Flores-Reyes in the lengthy federal court filing, it's not the only one mentioned. In April 2017, another alleged gang member, Donald Roberto Mendez-Lopez, is accused of killing a homeless person living in a wooden shed in Maryland. With the help of another MS-13 member, Mendez-Lopez allegedly stabbed and beat the victim to death before leaving behind the body - all in an effort to win a promotion in the gang. A few weeks later, Mendez-Lopez and his accomplice were both promoted to the rank of chequeo. The court filings detail a number of other slayings and acts of violence, including a Jan. 8 beating Flores-Reyes allegedly ordered against another member as discipline for infractions against the gang. The gang members met regularly to talk about gang structure and discuss snitches, according to the indictment. At times, the gang held "regional meetings" to discuss "programs" of cooperation between different cliques. They bought guns to enforce their brutal regime, wrote rap songs celebrating their misdeeds, reeled in money from illicit drug deals and threatened anyone who they thought cooperated with the cops. Many of the men targeted in the sprawling 30-page indictment were accused of extorting money from brothels, illegal beer stores and drug dealers in Langley Park, Maryland to help fund their criminal operations. Some of them sent the funds back to El Salvador to bolster gang activity there, often addressing it to women to disguise its origins, authorities allege. News of the arrest comes on the heels of another MS-13 hit that netted a series of charges in Harris County court. Three men were collared in connection with the plot, which police intercepted just minutes before the planned slaying was to occur. Formally known as La Mara Salvatrucha, the gang first formed in the streets of Los Angeles in the 1980s, but it flourished most in the California prison system. Today, it's primarily based in El Salvador with distinct cliques, like the one named in the latest indictment. The gang has been a focal point of President Donald Trump's proposed immigration policies, and its also been cited as justification for legislation like Texas Senate Bill 4, which requires local police forces to cooperate with federal immigration officers. At first, Martin McDonagh did not think James Fulton's billboards around Vidor, east of Beaumont, were those he'd seen in the 1990's -- those that inspired his Oscar-winning film, "Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri." But after someone told him about Fulton's case, McDonagh dug a little deeper, researching what he could online. He looked at the road on Google Maps and "it all seemed to fall into place," he wrote recently. The writer, communicating by email because he was on vacation after the awards season, said he hopes to see a resolution for the Texas father whose actions led to the acclaimed movie. "I really do hope that because of all this press attention because of the film that something might shift in the case, that some kind of justice might finally be served," McDonagh wrote. "In fact, that would be the most important thing to come out of this movie." Now Playing: James Fulton brings attention to the unsolved 1991 murder of his daughter, Kathy Page with billboards along Interstate-10 westbound in Rose City, Texas. Video: Yi-Chin Lee, Houston Chronicle Vidor police Chief Rod Carroll, who took over the department a year ago, has said that he reviewed the case file and wants to resolve it, too. But he said there wasn't yet enough evidence. He needs more witnesses to come forward with information. Fulton, who believes that his daughter's husband murdered her, does not think anyone will be arrested unless the case is handled by an agency outside of Vidor, such as the Texas Rangers. The agency said in a statement that they have assisted with the case "on and off since 1991," when Fulton's daughter was found dead. The statement continued: "Going forward, we anticipate a continued partnership with the Vidor Police Department to further this investigation and others." INSPIRATION: Many billboards outside Vidor, Texas Fulton, now 87, had posted different billboards along I-10 about 100 miles east of Houston since his daughter's death, calling into question the lack of police action in solving the case of her murder. One billboard remains there today. McDonagh, apparently, had seen them on a road trip through the South and Texas. The English writer had tried to find them again while writing his film in 2009. He thought maybe they had been in Georgia, Alabama or Mississippi. He couldn't locate them. It was hard to forget, as McDonagh put it, the anger and the imagery they evoked. At least one he had seen was brought to life again in his movie: "Raped while dying." Only later did he figure out it was Fulton's billboards. Fulton did win a civil suit in an Orange County district court against Steven Page, his wife's husband, in 1999. "Do you find from a preponderance of evidence that Steve Page killed his wife Kathy Page?" the question posed to the jury states, according to court records. The jury members checked "yes". The judge ordered Page to pay court costs and $261,780.82 in damages to Fulton and his wife. Steve Page could not be reached Thursday afternoon for comment. Fulton's story went unmentioned at the Oscars, where awards were won by two actors in the movie: Frances McDormand, for actress in a leading role, and Sam Rockwell, for actor in a supporting role. Fulton had not seen the movie. To him, the awards didn't much matter, unless they helped to bring an end to his daughter's case. AT THE OSCARS: Vidor billboard remains part of the background Emily Foxhall covers all things Texas for the Houston Chronicle. Follow her on Twitter and send her tips at Emily.Foxhall@chron.com. To learn more about James Fulton, read the full story here. Co-workers derided them with offensive names, trashed their bathrooms, refused to talk to them at the fire station and urinated on their beds, the women said. The women who objected were labeled troublemakers. No one listened; no one did anything, they said. So they wrote it all down instead, hundreds of pages documenting a recent history of gender bias at the Houston Fire Department. Nearly 10 years after a sexual harassment scandal roiled the ranks, the Houston Fire Department remains a hostile work environment for some women, according to more than half-dozen current and former firefighters who spoke to the Houston Chronicle about workplace conditions and gender bias. Its still uncomfortable, said one longtime female HFD veteran, who like most, did not want to be named for fear of retribution. Houston still has not embraced the diversity of women within the department. EDITORIAL: Houston's fire department needs to extinguish sexism And while women have made gains since the incidents in 2009 led to a widespread investigation, a Department of Justice lawsuit filed recently against the city has brought renewed scrutiny to gender issues at HFD, where fewer than 4 percent of the departments 4,000 firefighters are women. Some women have left the department in frustration. Others stay silent, enduring daily tensions to pursue their lifelong dreams, they told the Chronicle. Its a Catch-22, said another longtime female firefighter. Most grin and bear it. They dont want that label, shes a problem child, or, Dont say anything around her or shell file a grievance. I just want to be treated fair. Read more: Feds sue Houston over sex discrimination, retaliation claims at fire department Fire Chief Samuel Pena, who took over the department in early 2017, said in an emailed statement that he is working to ensure every firefighter, regardless of race or gender, has the same opportunity to succeed throughout their career. Recruiting more women is a priority for the department, he wrote. Women are capable of performing the job requirements of a firefighter, and we are capable of hiring women in increased numbers, he said. Although the percentage of female firefighters currently in the HFD is in line with the national average and we are leading the largest five departments, we must still work to have our departments demographics be reflective of the community we serve. Houston Fire Department staff psychologist Jana Tran has written about the challenges faced by many fire departments including Houstons in recruiting women. Clearly, something is wrong, Tran wrote in a recent article in Fire Chief magazine. Making gains When female firefighters raised complaints of sexual harassment in 2009, 103 women filled those positions in HFD. Their numbers have grown now to 151 women, with another 70 civilian women employees, according to department data. The department has done better in promoting women than recruiting them two of the departments 10 assistant chiefs are women, including the first-ever female fire marshal. But of the departments 1,794 entry-level firefighters, 78 are women. Those numbers frustrate advocates like Margaret Harris, an attorney who has argued gender discrimination cases before the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and who previously raised concerns about the number of women in HFD. Its still pretty abysmal, but Im glad to see its moving up, Harris said. Read more: Houston responds to DOJ sex harassment lawsuit The departments female firefighters comprise 3.77 percent of its classified workforce, below the National Fire Protection Associations nationwide average of 4.6 percent. In the Minneapolis Fire Department, by comparison, women make up about 9 percent of the departments force. The Houston Police Departments workforce is approximately 16 percent women, according to spokeswoman Jodi Silva. Tran, HFDs staff psychologist, was not available for comment, but she wrote in the Fire Chief article that disparities should be addressed. Whats stopping women from becoming firefighters? she wrote. What are the barriers to recruiting and maintaining female candidates to the fire service? It is critical that fire departments begin to study and understand this gender disparity. Legal challenges The Department of Justices Feb. 28 lawsuit is the latest step in a protracted legal process over working conditions and treatment of women within HFD. The lawsuit alleged that male coworkers tormented female firefighters by urinating on the womens bathroom walls and sinks, spitting tobacco juice in their desk drawers and taping fireworks to toilets in the womens rooms. The behavior eventually escalated to death threats, according to the suit. The citys Office of Inspector General and the FBI investigated the allegations in 2009 but concluded there wasnt enough evidence to pinpoint a culprit. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission found that one of the two women who complained had been subjected to a hostile work environment. After an unsuccessful attempt at conciliation, the EEOC referred the charges to the Justice Department. Officials say the city will defend itself against the allegations. After a thorough investigation, the city could not substantiate the claims of the plaintiffs when they were made; nor has the city been able to resolve the claims asserted on a mutually agreeable basis, mayoral spokesman Alan Bernstein said in a statement. The city does not tolerate any form of discrimination or harassment. Data on workplace harassment in fire departments is spotty. A nationwide survey of female firefighters in 2008 the last time it was published by the International Association of Women in Fire & Emergency Services, known as iWomen, found that 83 percent of female firefighters had experienced workplace harassment. Many female firefighters are loath to report issues, because they are afraid of further retaliation or of not being believed, said Diane Schroeder, a spokeswoman for the organization. It feels like one of the last male-dominated professions that hasnt been addressed, Schroeder said. But with the #metoo movement prompting women in other workplaces particularly in film, media and politics to address sexual harassment problems and workforce complaints, more female firefighters are speaking out, she said. A lot of sexism and racism One aspiring firefighter said shed always wanted to join the Houston Fire Department. She put her financial security on hold to go through the months-long academy, earning just $800 every other week. She thought shed find a teamlike atmosphere but was met instead with instructors who she believed wanted her to fail. She quit on the verge of graduation and found a better-paying job as a paramedic elsewhere. I have no desire to work for a place like that, said the former trainee, who attended HFDs academy within the last five years. Id rather drive an hour or more to a different fire department where people treat others like human beings, and you dont get discriminated against because you werent born a male. Another woman who recently attended the academy described an atmosphere where instructors did not acknowledge women and appeared to purposely sabotage training routines to make it more difficult for them. In one instance, she said, an instructor made her carry a fully charged firehouse into a burning space in a more difficult posture than shed been trained, and with less line available on the ground. Shed hoped to find a family of people that support each other, but said she was disappointed. She described a hostile work environment where her male colleagues routinely refer to women as bitches, and frequently make derogatory comments after responding to medical calls where the people they were helping were a gay or lesbian, she said. I see a lot of sexism and racism, she said. Its really harder being a female in the fire department, point blank You have this idea how it would be and its not like that at all. Another woman who has worked for the department for more than 15 years said her first captain and co-workers had daughters, so they treated her respectfully. Captains at other stations were less accepting, she said, and some refused to shake her hand or acknowledge her. They made me feel like they didnt want me there, she said. A female supervisor with more than 15 years of experience said male firefighters held women to higher standards than themselves. When a female makes a mistake its amplified by a million times, she said. They dont make a mistake because theyre new, its because theyre women. Is all of this really worth it? Another longtime department veteran said her daughter recently considered applying to join HFD, but she discouraged her. As a mother and a female who has gone through this department, I told her it was something she would have to do once I retired, she said. I would not want to still be in this department and have to defend my child. Were still learning how to accept females. Accepting women in this industry is still a work in progress. Another vocal critic, Margaret Roberts, died last year of cancer. Daniel Roberts recalled that his wife who spent more than two decades with HFD before contracting a fatal blood and bone cancer frequently returned home crying after her shifts. She complained of co-workers urinating on her bed, unplugging speakers so she couldnt hear stationwide announcements and leaving lewd magazines scattered around the station, he said. She spent 23 years with the department. Thats a long time to be talked to and looked at funny, Roberts said. It takes a strong person to put up with that. One of the women who recorded her complaints on paper said workplace culture has improved during her more than 20 years with the department, but that HFD still has room for improvement. She took solace in sharing her experiences with female colleagues. It was kind of refreshing to know you werent the only ones going through it, she said. And sometimes, Man, I dont have it as bad I thought I did. But other times, it raised another simple question. Is all of this really worth it? A dream job Other female firefighters defended the department and said that HFD has made significant strides in recruiting women. Michelle Bentley, the departments assistant chief over human resources, said that since 2009, the departments ranks of women have increased by 50 percent and that its current numbers of women compare favorably to other large city departments. 3.8 percent of our department is female which seems small but if you compare that to other large fire departments in the nation, like New York, LA County, LA City, and Chicago, our numbers are actually significantly higher than theirs, she said. HFD holds events at military bases, at local veterans centers and at area high schools to target women who might be interested in the physical aspects of firefighting, Bentley said. Thats helped significantly, Bentley said. We want them to know its a viable career option, and that they feel its a safe environment. But Bentley said the nature of firefighters jobs makes it unlikely theyll see high numbers of women sign up. Its not a capability issue, because obviously we have females who are quite capable of performing the job,she said. Its more of a career-attractiveness. Bentley said she didnt see a department-wide problem. Thats an issue that probably crosses ...all professions, she said. In Houston, there were individuals that I may have faced, issues that if I wanted to call harassment, I could say harassment, but as far as department-wide, it wasnt an overwhelming culture. My personal things would maybe have been with an individual. Kim Phillips, a Houston firefighter who edits the magazine of the Houston Professional Fire Fighters Association IAFF Local 341, said hers was a dream job. She joked that she took more flak for being a paramedic than for being a woman. By and large, everyone we work with, they just want to know: can we do the job, she said. Just by virtue of the fact that were different, that were a minority we stand out. Another department veteran of more than two decades said she had heard of harassment but not experienced it herself. If anyone was giving me a hard time, I could look around and see they were that way with everyone, she said. I never assumed it had to do with being a female. An adaptive challenge As the legal wrangling continues, HFD officials said they are working to improve conditions for women in the workforce. A department-wide survey of female firefighters is underway, and officials plan to require bi-annual training for all members. The department is also reviewing its facilities to ensure stations have adequate bathrooms and other accommodations for female firefighters. Phillips, the union official, said a more robust recruiting budget might help the department attract more women. The union also believes better pay and working conditions would help retain those already in the department. Women arent stupid, she said. They can look at our pay scales. They can read the stories about pay parity and working conditions That, more than anything else, is going to be the thing that keeps us from getting good quality candidates of any stripe. Houston Professional Fire Fighters Association President Marty Lancton said the union has worked to help female firefighters, spending money on recruiting camps and on trips to conferences targeted at female firefighters. We have tried to help improve the HFD work environment by paying for outreach activities and training intended to recruit and retain female firefighters, he said in an emailed statement. Our female members tell us the fire service culture is evolving, and workplace fairness and diversity will remain important priorities. But our association cannot address these issues alone. The city needs a more robust system to prevent, but also fairly investigate and adjudicate, allegations of workplace discrimination. Schroeder, the spokeswoman for the iWomen association, said HFD like other departments across the country will have to make more serious changes if officials hope to meaningfully address the low percentages of female firefighters. You cant fix a recruitment issue with check-boxes; its an adaptive challenge, she said. The roots as to why are deeper than just recruiting women its the culture of the organization. Still, earlier this month at HFDs training academy, 23 graduating cadets proudly filed across the stage to receive their badges. Three were women. New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez, a two-term Republican, received vigorous applause Thursday when she was critical of President Donald Trumps characterization of Mexican immigrants, saying that everybody is sick and tired of the rhetoric by the president. Martinez gave the keynote speech in Houston for the opening of the Annual Womens Conference & Business Expo, an event organized by the Houston Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. More than 600 people attended the event focused on empowering women to reach their goals and to engage in business and politics. Martinez told the audience that she had a back and forth with Trump especially when he speaks about illegal immigrantsand making all those horrible comments about the type of people that come (into) the country. Martinez said she was very appalled by his statement when, with one stroke of a brush, he made all people from Mexico (look like criminals), describing them in a way that was absolutely, totally unfair. Martinez didnt explicitly say which comments she was referring to, but she earlier made national news when she was critical of then citizen Donald Trumps remarks about Mexican immigrants when he announced his candidacy on June of 2015 at the Trump Tower in New York City. At that time, Trump said that When Mexico sends its people, theyre not sending their best Theyre bringing drugs. Theyre bringing crime. Theyre rapists. And some, I assume, are good people. Martinez announced that she would not support Trump following the release of the Access Hollywood tapes, in which Trump made crude remarks about sexual advances he made to women. Trump apologized for his remarks in Oct. 2016, after the tapes became a major issue in the final weeks of the campaign. No woman should ever be treated the way he claims he treated women, said Martinez, in a statement she issued during the 2016 election. Unfortunately, there is a pattern of disturbing conduct and offensive rhetoric that raises serious questions about his fitness to be President. That is why I have withheld my support from the very beginning, and will not support him now. However, at the event in Houston on Thursday, Martinez took a pragmatic view of supporting an elected leader. Whether you personally have feelings about the president or not, we have to want our leaders to be successful even if you didnt vote for that person, because if that person fails, we fail, she said. Martinez, who cannot seek re-election this year as she has reached her two terms limits as governor, told the Houston Chronicle that she is not aiming for the presidency of the United States. I am not thinking to run (for President) at the moment, she said. My priority when I finish my term is to take care of two family members who have health issues. Asked if she thought she could be a good Republican contender in 2020 presidential elections, she laughed, repeating that I need to take care of my family. As part of the event, the governor had a private meeting with over a hundred high school, minority students from the Houston Independent School District. The students were addressed first by Laura Murillo, the President and CEO of the Houston Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. Murillo, in a motivational talk, said that focusing on students is a philosophy of the business group because we need to prepare them to be our future leaders. Addressing the broader audience, Murillo stressed the importance of developing women leaders in the country, where only 2 percent of governors are women and (females account for only) 19 percent of the people in our Congress. Murillo said that by bringing high profile leaders to the Chambers events the Hispanic Chamber and the City of Houston are showing the power that this community has. She added that it has been an honor for her to be part of a movement with emphasis on advancing the business community of Houston. Texas Senator Sylvia Garcia, who recently won the Democratic primary in the Congressional District 29 race in Houston, visited the conference and implored the audience to participate in the political processes by voting in the November general elections. Latinas are the future of Texas, she told the audience. The Business Expo program included panel discussions that addressed key topics such as how to start or jump-start a business, how to leverage mentorship programs and how to address workplace harassment for both employees and employers. When driving around Houston, it often feels as if a giant Monopoly board was dropped on the floor and someone hastily placed the hotels and houses together on random properties. This is the blessing and curse of Houston's lack of zoning laws. Often, businesses and houses coexist on the same street. Other times, disruptive buildings or even facilities like concrete plants can be built right next to homes or parks. Texas Department of Public Safety Texas police have increased the reward for any information that leads to the arrest of a suspect, or suspects, in the case of a woman whose body was discovered July 15, 2003 in North Texas. The Texas Department of Public Safety is offering a reward of up to $6,000 for information about Cynthia Palacio, 21, who was found on a rural road west of Slaton, in southeast Lubbock County. Police said she was strangled and found partially clothed. Palacio was a Lubbock resident and is survived by her then 2-year-old daughter. Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images(LA QUINTA, Calif.) -- Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn, the former Trump national security adviser, made his first public appearance since agreeing to cooperate with special counsel Robert Mueller at an event Friday night for California congressional candidate Omar Navarro. Flynn made remarks and announced his endorsement of Navarro for Congress with the candidate and Joy Miedecke, the president of the East Valley Republican Women Federated -- the organization that hosted Friday night's event in La Quinta, California. "What I'm not here to do is complain about who has done me wrong, or how unfair I've been treated, or how unfair the entire process has been -- it is what it is, and my previous statements stand for themselves," Flynn told the small group of attendees. "I'm here to talk about the future -- your future, our future, the future of this country. If you feel passionate about something, and feeling sorry for yourself will keep you from achieving that destiny, then I can't be a part of that. That's partly why I'm here today, because I saw that passion in the eyes of Omar." A source close to Flynn had confirmed to ABC News earlier Friday that Flynn would be in attendance. "He's endorsing me," Navarro, a small business owner, told ABC News earlier in the day Friday. Navarro, whos challenging longtime Rep. Maxine Waters, said he and Flynn had been communicating online and via email. They met in person in February when Navarro was in Washington, D.C. to attend Conservative Political Action Conference. "We talked to each other for two hours. We got along really well, he said, adding that Flynn agreed to endorse him at that time. This is the first public appearance by Flynn since he left the White House, was charged with lying to federal authorities and began cooperating with Muellers investigation. Despite agreeing to cooperate with Mueller's investigation into Russian meddling in the 2016 president election, Flynn was supportive of President Donald Trump on Friday. "My passion and my destiny changed when I saw our country taking a fundamentally different direction, in a world filled with challenges and challengers, and we see them out there all over the world today, and I decided to do something about it in a different capacity. If I'm paying the price for that decision, so be it. God can and will judge me at some point," Flynn said, apparently referring to his legal problems. "I got involved in the national political process of our country to help our president get elected. All of us are imperfect. I used to introduce our current president -- then presidential candidate Trump -- during our various campaign appearances as an imperfect candidate. I mean, clearly he is a non-traditional politician. But his "Make America Great Again" philosophy energized the country enough to get him overwhelmingly elected. Whether we like it or not, that's what happened." The crowd clapped at the suggestion. "Despite the madness that you see, I mean, darn near every day, I still believe standing up here today that this is a great thing for our country," Flynn added of Trump's election. Navarro brushed off concerns about the investigation earlier Friday. I was very happy to have the endorsement, he said because I have a lot of respect for the man. It was an honor and its great to have the support for my campaign. He added: Im more than honored to have his endorsement. In December, Flynn pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI about conversations with the Russian ambassador before president-elect Trump took office. Flynn faces one count of lying to federal authorities and his sentencing hasn't been set yet pending his successful cooperation with Mueller's investigation. Navarro challenged Waters in 2016 and received 24 percent of the vote to her 76 percent. The 43rd Congressional District is rated by the Cook Political Report as plus-29 for Democrats and considered a safe seat for the party. Flynn targeted Democrats in general in his speech, rattling off and criticizing labels such as liberal, left and progressive. "It's a dangerous thing to put these labels on something to make it sound cool, but it really isn't. It really isn't," Flynn said. "My judgment, they have trained a generation of young people to remain poor while blaming the rich, and to remain obsessed over the past while blaming those of us who are optimistic for the future. Blame, blame, blame. What a miserable existence. I don't know how you can get up everyday and feel that way. God, it's like, quit whining." Navarro spent his time on Twitter Friday evening retweeting all of the various news stories about his endorsement by Flynn. Navarro has not been endorsed by the California Republican Party. Copyright 2018, ABC Radio. All rights reserved. Sunitas family files attempted murder case against Rakesh and his friend The family of a 23-year-old woman, who was severely beaten for refusing a marriage proposal in Bhimdatta Municipality, Kanchanpur, registered an attempted murder case against two persons at the District Police Office on Thursday. A federal judge on Thursday approved Harris Countys purchase of Riverside General Hospital, paving the way for its rehabilitation and eventual reopening as a clinic with a mental health services component. Federal Bankruptcy Judge Karen Brown OKd the sale in bankruptcy court. Harris County Commissioners Court earlier this week voted to buy the roughly four acre property at 3204 Ennis Street in Third Ward. AUSTIN Austin police have received a flood of tips but lack a profile of the person or people who planted three package bombs on the door steps of houses in the capitol citys minority neighborhoods, Interim Police Chief Brian Manley told hundreds of people at a community meeting Thursday. City authorities are holding out hope that the 300 federal agents helping Austins police department will yield faster results in the search for who could have killed two people and seriously injured two others in the mysterious bombs. But Manley said the investigation could take weeks or months. We are getting a lot of tips and obviously, most of them are not leading us where we need to go. But we do not want to discourage people from calling in every tip, said Manley, urging people to spread the word about the $65,000 reward for information leading to an arrest in the case. Sooner or later, were going to find out who did it. These things can take a while. MORE: Austin investigators still searching for motive in deadly bombings He said evidence collected from explosions, recovered several houses down the street from the powerful blasts, has been shipped to technicians who are piecing together the clues to determine the explosives charge material and triggering device and to search for forensic evidence to link the bombs to a suspect. I know theres someone out there who knows who is doing this, Manley said, urging that person to come forward. The three bombings, which happened over a span of 10 days earlier this month, have put the city on edge. As of Thursday evening, police here have received some 500 reports of a suspicious package. None contained a bomb, Manley said. As city and state officials asked attendees to warn their neighbors about suspicious packages and tried to ease fears, those in attendance underscored concerns about racial injustices and distrust between police and people of color. The meeting was held at Greater Mt. Zion Church, about a mile from where the second bomb detonated. Police should have taken the first explosion on March 2 more seriously and warned the community about the threat of package bombs, some people said. Susana Almanza, association president of the Montopolis neighborhood where the third bomb critically injured a 75-year-old Latina woman, said the reward for tips that lead to an arrest should be bigger. Were all people. Were all human beings, and we all bleed the same, and you know what, you have got to step up, she said to the business community. Because money talks and money can find out who this person is, and if youve got the money, you need to bring it forward. MORE: Friends, family celebrate life of bombing victim, a mover and shaker, even at 17 Others said immigrants may be afraid to call police to report a suspicious package because theyre fearful police may ask about their immigration status. While the motive behind the bombings is not yet known, others said the community needs to come together and wait until later to talk about the racial issues that divide the city. The explosions have rocked the citys east side. Each victim was a person of color, with the blasts killing two black males and seriously injuring an elderly Latina woman. The first package bomb killed Anthony Stephan House, 39, on March 2. A second package early Monday killed Draylen Mason, a 17-year-old studying music, and injured his mother. Later that morning, a 75-year-old woman who has yet to be officially identified was critically injured when she picked up the box, detonating the bomb. The bombs detonated only when people picked up or tried to open the packages, Manley said, reiterating that anyone who receives a suspicious unexpected package to alert police. Andrea Zelinski covers breaking news and politics for the Houston Chronicle. Follow her on Twitter and Facebook. Send her tips at andrea.zelinski@chron.com. As technology evolves, so does transportation. From the days of the horse and buggy and later steam engines, all the way to the hybrid cars of today, our modes of transportation have become faster, more efficient, and safer. Houstonians have seen our highways grow in numbers and expand in width, yet we still face traffic and long commutes. Weve poured concrete and money into our highways and ignored other means of transportation, like our railway system. Americans continue to travel on trains that use the same technology that our grandparents did. Its time to change that. Its time for high-speed rail in Texas. The bullet train the proposed train between Dallas and Houston will provide a fast, safe and reliable means of transportation between the states two largest metro areas. The train has garnered its share of supporters and critics along its route, but its impact on Houston will be significant. For Houston, this high-speed rail will relieve congestion along Interstate 45. EDITORIAL: Opposition to high speed rail promotes political convenience over economic growth According to the Texas Transportation Institute, I-45 will see an increase in vehicular traffic of more than 200 percent between Dallas and Houston by 2035. Current state and local transportation plans do not adequately address these growing population concerns. But the Bullet train could take 14,630 cars off of I-45 every day, according to the Draft Environmental Impact Statement published by the Federal Railroad Administration. This would save an estimated 81.5 million gallons of gasoline per year. This is an especially important point when you consider that Harris and Waller Counties are already considered to be in air-quality, non-attainment status. There is simply not enough concrete to build enough highway lanes to keep up with all of this growth in these areas. The bullet train provides at least part of the regions transportation solution, and importantly, it does so without drawing on operational subsidies or state or federal grants. In our area, the train would have a station in the current Northwest Mall location, a huge boon for our community. For travelers heading north to the Brazos Valley or to North Texas, this is an ideal location near the junction of two busy highways, U.S. 290 and Loop 610. The location sits in an underserved and underdeveloped part of the city. A project of this magnitude would be an unrivaled economic driver for this area for generations bringing new jobs, new developments, increased property values and opportunities for residents nearby and across the region. CANNADY: High-speed rail station belongs in downtown Houston In terms of safety, we have the benefit of looking to Japan, where more than 10 billion people over more than 53 years have traveled via the same high-speed rail technology with zero fatalities. This isnt new technology, and were fortunate to have a long-term example of it. In contrast, highway fatalities along the I-45 corridor are much higher. The ability of this project to provide not only a more efficient alternative to I-45 but a;sp a much safer one makes its development a priority for our region and our state. Economically, the Bullet Train will bring a brand new industry to Texas. This project and the industry it will produce will be a job creator today, tomorrow and for decades to come. Current projections show the project could create 10,000 jobs during each year of construction and with that about 1,500 permanent jobs when operations begin many in and around Houston. COOK: High-speed rail project needs more scrutiny This is exactly the kind of project Texas needs, and thats why the FRA must expedite its review and approval process so we can keep Texas moving into the future. Everything is bigger (and better) in Texas, so why cant we have the best train in the country? Lets allow our two premier cities to be a showcase to the rest of the country. And thats just the way it is. The late Stephen Hawking was a major voice in the debate about how humanity can benefit from artificial intelligence. Hawking made no secret of his fears that thinking machines could one day take charge. He went as far as predicting that future developments in AI could spell the end of the human race. But Hawkings relationship with AI was far more complex than this often-cited soundbite. The deep concerns he expressed were about superhuman AI, the point at which AI systems not only replicate human intelligence processes, but also keep expanding them, without our support a stage that is at best decades away, if it ever happens at all. And yet Hawkings very ability to communicate those fears, and all his other ideas, came to depend on basic AI technology. Hawkings conflicted relationship with AI At the intellectual property and health law centers at DePaul University, my colleagues and I study the effects of emerging technologies like the ones Stephen Hawking worried about. At its core, the concept of AI involves computational technology designed to make machines function with foresight that mimics, and ultimately surpasses, human thinking processes. Hawking cautioned against an extreme form of AI, in which thinking machines would take off on their own, modifying themselves and independently designing and building ever more capable systems. Humans, bound by the slow pace of biological evolution, would be tragically outwitted. more techburger Get more tasty tech news at TechBurger. And follow us on Twitter and Facebook. Subscribe to the Chronicle for regular access to TechBurger stories and to be able to comment. See More Collapse AI as a threat to humanity? Well before it gets to the point of superhuman technology, AI can be put to terrible uses. Already, scholars and commentators worry that self-flying drones may be precursors to lethal autonomous robots. Todays early stage AI raises several other ethical and practical problems, too. AI systems are largely based on opaque algorithms that make decisions even their own designers may be unable to explain. The underlying mathematical models can be biased, and computational errors may occur. AI may progressively displace human skills and increase unemployment. And limited access to AI might increase global inequality. The One Hundred Year Study on Artificial Intelligence, launched by Stanford University in 2014, highlighted some of these concerns. But so far it has identified no evidence that AI will pose any imminent threat to humankind, as Hawking feared. Still, Hawkings views on AI are somewhat less alarmist and more nuanced than he usually gets credit for. At their heart, they describe the need to understand and regulate emerging technologies. He repeatedly called for more research on the benefits and dangers of AI. And he believed that even non-superhuman AI systems could help eradicate war, poverty and disease. OSSERVATORE ROMANO PRESS OFFICE/AP Hawking talks This apparent contradiction a fear of humanity being eventually overtaken by AI but optimism about its benefits in the meantime may have come from his own life: Hawking had come to rely on AI to interact with the world. Unable to speak since 1985, he used a series of different communication systems that helped him talk and write, culminating in the now-legendary computer operated by one muscle in his right cheek. The first iteration of the computer program was exasperatingly slow and prone to errors. Very basic AI changed that. An open-source program made his word selection significantly faster. More importantly, it used artificial intelligence to analyze Hawkings own words, and then used that information to help him express new ideas. By processing Hawkings books, articles and lecture scripts, the system got so good that he did not even have to type the term people most associate with him, the black hole. When he selected the, black would automatically be suggested to follow it, and black would prompt hole onto the screen. AI improves peoples health Stephen Hawkings experience with such a basic form of AI illustrates how non-superhuman AI can indeed change peoples lives for the better. Speech prediction helped him cope with a devastating neurological disease. Other AI-based systems are already helping prevent, fight and lessen the burden of disease. For instance, AI can analyze medical sensors and other health data to predict how likely a patient is to develop a severe blood infection. In studies it was substantially more accurate and provided much more advance warning than other methods. Another group of researchers created an AI program to sift through electronic health records of 700,000 patients. The program, called Deep Patient, unearthed linkages that had not been apparent to doctors, identifying new risk patterns for certain cancers, diabetes and psychiatric disorders. AI has even powered a robotic surgery system that outperformed human surgeons in a procedure on pigs thats very similar to one type of operation on human patients. Theres so much promise for AI to improve peoples health that collecting medical data has become a cornerstone of both software development and public-health policy in the U.S. For example, the Obama White House launched a research effort seeking to collect DNA from at least a million Americans. The data will be made available for AI systems to analyze when studying new medical treatments, potentially improving both diagnoses and patients recovery. All of these benefits from AI are available right now, and more are in the works. They do suggest that superhuman AI systems could be extremely powerful, but despite warnings from Hawking and fellow technology visionary Elon Musk that day may never come. In the meantime, as Hawking knew, there is much to be gained. AI gave him a better and more efficient voice than his body was able to provide, with which he called for both research and restraint. Ana Santos Rutschman, Jaharis Faculty Fellow in Health Law and Intellectual Property, DePaul University This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article. Get more tasty tech news at TechBurger. And follow us on Twitter and Facebook. Subscribe to the Chronicle for regular access to TechBurger stories and to be able to comment. A committee was set up in 2013 to study the need for standard working hours. They have been in talks with employers and labour unions to determine the amount of time workers should dedicate to their jobs. However, the culture of overwork is deep-seated within the Hong Kong society, rather than an effect of any one cause. Employees tend to be fierce competitors of each other and working after office hours is something expected in the country. The citys competitive business environment is another issue that politicians believe the administration has been slow to tackle, reported South China Morning Post. In Japan, the growing rate of death by overwork, or karoshi, has led to new labour laws, including overtime caps of up to 100 hours a month and 720 hours a year. The newly built homes, therefore, are not likely to be appraised by banks at the same value as the purchase price. Buyers will then be required to pay the difference between the sale price and the bank-appraised value, along with the down payment on the appraised value. This is often a truly dire setback, placing buyers in a situation that is not at all financially feasible. Builders, even sympathetic ones, are generally unwilling to renegotiate the prices on firm contracts. In my experience with various new-construction builders, they have been firm in their argument that they rely on the purchase price to enter into subsequent trade contracts and cannot renegotiate at a later stage. They essentially take the view that a contract is a contract. When buyers enter into contracts below market value and make a profit at the time of closing, the gain is not shared with the builder. Likewise, the loss shouldnt be shared either. What happens if you dont close? There is no exit clause in a firm Agreement of Purchase and Sale. The first consequence of default is forfeiture of the deposit. The deposit is a payment made in good faith to secure the performance of the contract. Failure to close the transaction results in immediate forfeiture of the deposit. For builders, who hold the deposit in their lawyers trust accounts, the contract allows them immediate access to the forfeited deposit. For resale sellers, the deposit is typically held in a real estate brokerages trust account. These funds remain in the brokerages trust account until a mutual release or court order is provided, allowing for the release of the funds. In either case, buyers arent likely to see their deposit returned in these times of declining market prices. Thank you for coming The neighbourly visits show that Nepal may be turning into a hotbed of competition Diljit Dosanjh Does Not Give a 'Damn' About His Career in Bollywood, Read to Know Why Upper Trishuli 3A may come online ahead of schedule About 70 percent of the construction work on the Upper Trishuli 3A Hydropower Project has been completed, putting it on track to start generating electricity well ahead of its April 2019 deadline. Japan, Kansas City -- almost the same, right? Although, any make-good for Irgo, the family's German shepherd, would seem fraught with potential danger. Early this week, one dog died on a United flight. The airline was also responsible for 18 out of 24 pet deaths last year on U.S.-based carriers. Another 13 were injured. Expect Irgo to say, "Next time, let's go by train." And little to no word on what happened to the dog that was sent to Kansas City by accident. Where was it supposed to go? Okinawa? It's just another massive mistake that United has managed to pull off, getting more negative press coverage that a competitor could dream of happening. Plus, that $90,000 flight you'd expect should come out of the bonus of some executive or another. If the last few years is any judge, nothing significant will change. United will continue to operate as the company has. In 2016 (the last reported numbers available), CEO Oscar Munoz received total compensation of $18.7 million -- up substantially from the $5.8 million in 2015. Imagine how much he could get if United looked good in public. But that's the thing that everyone often overlooks about bad press. It often has less of an impact than you might think. If you remember when Sony's PlayStation Network was breached in 2011, the company took an immediate reputation hit among consumers. But people forgot inside of six months and its reputation was back to normal. Last fall there was Dave Ratner, owner of Dave's Soda and Pet City chain in New England, who posed for a photo op with Trump on the same day the president indicated the end of subsidies for out-of-pocket costs and deductibles for low- to moderate-income people under the Affordable Care Act. His business took a big hit, with significant drops in sales. But from what I've seen (I'm local to some of the stores), that seems to have blown over. For United, you'd still think the bad press would have an impact, if for no other reason than it's volume. If there were justice in the business world, the carrier would be hurting. What with a doctor dragged screaming and kicking off a plane, another person in first class threatened with handcuffs if he didn't leave his seat for someone of "higher priority," or the man reportedly stung by a scorpion that fell on him from an overhead bin. But in the annual airline ranking done by ThePointsGuy site, United dropped from second place only down to fourth. Not a huge hit. Entrepreneurs and businesspeople always have their eye out for undiscovered opportunity. And those with sharp eyes know that inspiration can come from surprising places. After all, Airbnb came from a desire to defray the cost of rent. The idea for the structure of FedEx was first expressed in a college paper. When YPO member Dinesh Dhamija attended an event at Harvard Business School in the 1990s, he learned that several individual companies had valuations larger than the economies of entire countries. These companies were all built around one thing - the Internet. Dhamija was already a successful businessman. He started a small travel kiosk in a London Underground station and built it into a thriving brick and mortar travel agency named Flightbookers, with locations all over Europe. But after this experience at Harvard, he returned to London determined to turn Flightbookers into an Internet company. So Flightbookers became Ebookers.com, the first online booking service in the United Kingdom. In only five years, it grew to over $1 billion in sales. Dhamija didnt expect to change his business, but he recognized the opportunity new technology presented and adjusted his company to meet it. On an episode of my podcast YPO 10 Minute Tips from the Top, Dhamija shared some advice on how to recognize opportunity when it presents itself: 1. Look for inspiration everywhere. Dhamija hardly could have imagined that his annual retreat to Harvard would lead to a total transformation of his company. But he was open to inspiration where it struck and seized upon the opportunity he saw. Dhamija also advises being a mentor. He believes people who are younger or at different points in their careers have a great deal to offer even the most seasoned entrepreneur. 2. Dont be afraid to be a pioneer. When Dhamija started Ebookers.com, it was the first Internet travel-booking site in Europe. At the time, booking travel online was something of a novel idea, but Dhamija saw the potential. He underwent a radical shift in business and became an industry pioneer. Taking a business in a new direction requires courage. And sometimes, if you dont do it, your business could get left behind. 3. Even in a tech company, its not all about the tech. No matter how advanced the technology, a business cannot succeed on tech alone. For Dhamija, it was his human relationships in that allowed him to get his technology business off the ground. Ultimately, its about relationships and knowledge, not the technology. 4. Recognize your limits. When Dhamija shifted his business onto the Internet, he was the only travel business in Europe to do so. It gave him access to a huge market and great opportunity for growth. But after several years of success, several American companies started to invest in the European market. These companies had huge marketing budgets with which Ebookers.com simply could not compete, and Dhamija again understood what the future would hold. So to maximize his outcome, Dhamija sold his company, closing a hugely successful company lifecycle. Banksys latest artwork has been unveiled; a New York-based mural dedicated to the Turkish artist Zehra Dogan, who was reportedly jailed for nearly three years over a painting. The anonymous British graffiti artists work features multiple black tally marks resembling jail bars, each representing a day Dogan has spent in prison. A rendering of Dogan appears behind one set, her left-hand bar changed into a pencil. The painting that led to Dogans imprisonment depicting a destroyed Turkish city was projected above the mural on the evening of the 15 March. According to The New York Times, the artwork stands at 70-foot-long. I really feel for her, Banksy told the paper. Ive painted things much more worthy of a custodial sentence. The words Free Zehra Dogan appear on the bottom right corner of the mural, while Banksy shared the hashtag #FREEzehradogan on Instagram. Sentenced to nearly three years in jail for painting a single picture, the infamous artist wrote on social media. Dogan was reportedly sentenced to two years, nine months, and 22 days after painting the Turkish city Nusaybin destroyed by state security forces, according to the freedom of expression advocates PEN. She later posted the image to social media platforms, leading to her subsequent arrest last March. After arguing she painted the image as a journalist, the state believed she was connected to the Kurdistan Workers' Party who stand against President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Banksys publicists told the BBC that Dogan has yet to hear about the mural, adding that she currently shares a cell with 40 other inmates and only receives periodic visits. 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The crowd must have come and gone by early morning. But one bystander who stopped to admire the mural for several minutes told The Independent, "It's eye-catching...it's definitely bringing a spotlight to the situation. Now it's on the news. Let's see how long it stays up here." He told us that he was walking up Bowery saw paint brushes, paint and told himself "it looks like a Banksy." The artwork was a collaboration with fellow artist Borf, who has previously been jailed for graffiti. What happened to Pete Philly? Seemingly poised for international success following the release of two solo albums, and three with cellist and producer Pieter Perquisite Perquin, not to mention support slots for James Brown and Kanye West the artist born Pete Monzon drew critical acclaim with his collision of classic hip hop, soul, jazz and Sixties psychedelia. But after a tour in support of the duos last album, Mystery Repeats, and a self-released solo album, Open Loops, in 2010, he vanished. There was no activity on social media, no rumours of new music. Pete Philly had all but disappeared off the face of the Earth. Fast-forward to 2018, and the Aruba-born Amsterdam-based artist is finally back with new music and a fresh outlook on life. Sporting yellow-tinted shades and bubblegum pink hair, he bounds around the Red Bull studio in the Dutch capital, rehearsing his most recent single the infectiously catchy Favorite Song until satisfied hes got it right. This new material is more outgoing, less introspective than his previous work. There are fewer questions and more answers. It feels very much like were being introduced to a brand new artist something Philly is determined to capitalise on. Hes not one for nostalgia. Stirring honey into a steaming glass of mint tea, he jumps up and down on his chair, animated by the earlier session and by talk of whats been happening over the past few months. Naturally competitive, he talks about how he can feel isolated in the Netherlands, which doesnt have a huge reputation for hip hop. And hes not chest-thumping, he shrugs. Its just facts. Im still trying to adapt to this place, he says. The whole energy in Aruba is different. Theres a literal warmth there that all of western Europe doesnt have. Ive been to England, Scotland, Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, Scandinavia, its all kind of stiff. Thats what happens when the sun doesnt shine. Yet he still sounds wistful for a city like London, which still clings onto its reputation as a thriving music city. Pressure creates diamonds. I reckon the reason the London scene is as dope as it is, is because its not easy. All things that really matter involve hard work relationships, art, careers. London creates this urgency in a way that Amsterdam doesnt have to. I like it here, he adds hastily. Its laid back, and over the last decade its become so international especially in the neighbourhood where I live. But because Im kind of the only one in my sport I end up creating these synthetic challenges all the time. I could do a Perquisite reunion and play a bunch of bigger venues. I could use the fact I know how to write pop songs he trails off with a shake of his head. I dont do that either. I want to make things as challenging as possible. Ive tried to innovate on a bunch of levels but, he laughs ,because Im geographically challenged Enjoy unlimited access to 70 million ad-free songs and podcasts with Amazon Music Sign up now for a 30-day free trial Sign up Coming out of the Netherlands is tough, he suggests, if youre an artist looking for a bigger audience. You can really get lost in seeking some kind of external validation, he says. Here in the Netherlands, humility was forced upon me. Ive done stuff that I know is really amazing. I rocked the f**k out of Tokyo. I toured 30 countries. London Jazz Cafe... I loved that gig. Touring with Kanye, opening for James Brown. He grins. Pete Philly in the Red Bull studio, Amsterdam (Arenda de Hoop) It was Lyme disease that forced him to drop out of his flourishing music career an illness that took 20 years to diagnose. Before that Philly wasnt sure what the problem was: often Lyme disease can be misdiagnosed as a number of other illnesses, from gluten intolerance to allergies to paranoid schizophrenia. This disease took all my money, Philly says with a wry laugh. I was in a moment in my life where I was just about to kick in the next big door. I was doing the Mystery Repeats tour, and by the end of it I was haggard. In the States, a common misdiagnosis of Lyme is paranoid schizophrenia. I felt like that for a long time I couldnt find my centre. Id feel lazy yet motivated, paranoid but mellow at the same time. Theres something inside that really messes with you. He addresses that feeling in his video for Come Together, which portrays him as four very different personalities that eventually join the same party in the shape of todays Pete Philly. Still, he says he feels like the luckiest guy to have the disease, because it completely changed his perspective on things. Of course hed love to go back to touring 5,000-seater venues but if hes rocking out in a bar or a cafe, hes happy to start there too. Its how he started things the last time. I was in a really bad place on the last tour, he recalls. I didnt want to look at anybody any longer as some kind of means to an end. I want to know how I can be of service: as a human being, as an artist, as a representation of a culture I think we get frustrated with people like Kanye because hes dope as an artist but he gets lost in feeling like he isnt getting enough credit for what he does. My original motivation to become an artist was because I was looking for a family, and I found an audience. Which is weird because youre being consumed by them, and it looks like love and it feels like love but it is also literal consumption. Thats how culture works. To me the real challenge is how do you continue to add verses to the poetry that is the universe? Do you feel like you can contribute? There needs to be some love in your s**t, he says, animated. I dont need to hear graphic lyrics about a d**k going into a vagina. Call me old fashioned. Its interesting that English is the language where he feels most himself. Dutch is still foreign in a lot of ways, he says. Living in the Netherlands, Ive had to spend a lot of time explaining myself, defending myself, and trying to calm people down who feel threatened by my otherness. Conformity is something that gets pushed for in most cultures. And youre always the good guy in the history books of your home country, so youre gonna struggle to understand why theres a divide. There is no room for conservative thinking in art. If were all prisoners of our perception anyway, you might as well choose something loving. Thats the gift of multiculturalism. The year he decided he was going to make another record was 2015. I was in the studio with all these amazing musicians making really dope, weird, quirky music that I will release at some point. But I needed to feel the freedom to really mess up. Come Together and Favorite Song go heavier on the bass than his earlier work, which infused jazz and funk elements in a more traditional hip hop style. On some tracks he pays homage to his Caribbean roots: Somewhere between Missy and Outkast and The Roots theres me messing around, he smiles. But nothing nourishes my heart more than a new DAngelo record. He inspires me to do something completely different. The guy I made Come Together with he and I were both funk artists before this. If you give me an on-the-one funk beat Ill do my best work, but I avoid it because... too many people are doing a bad job of it, and too many people are doing a good job. Theres so much culture on offer, and you dont really have control over when the impact comes. A song might hit three years later, for some bizarre reason. The thing that makes me really excited about now I feel like I got this disease so I could cool out and wait until the universe became what I needed it to be. avorite Song, the new track by Pete Philly, is out now keep an eye out for upcoming shows in the UK On 17 March, people around the world will celebrate St Patricks Day by parading in green hats, sporting images of shamrocks and leprechauns tiny, grinning, fairies of Irish folklore pinned to their lapels. Patricks picture will adorn greeting cards: an aged, bearded bishop in flowing robes, grasping a bishops staff and glaring at a coil of snakes. The icon refers to one of Patricks legendary miracles in which he is said to have prayed to banish all snakes from Ireland. However, as a historian of medieval Ireland, I can assure you that the real St Patrick, who lived and worked in the fifth century, never saw a snake or wore a shamrock. Patricks own writings and early accounts of the saints career reveal many interesting details about the life of this patron saint of Ireland. Here are 10 things you may not know about St Patrick. 1. Patrick was not Irish Patrick was born around 450AD, just when Roman troops withdrew from Britain. His father was a gentleman and a Christian deacon who owned a small estate in a place called Bannavem Taburniae. Recommended Where to drink Guinness in London and around UK Scholars arent sure where this place was it was probably on the west coast around Bristol, near the southern border of modern Wales and England. 2. Patrick was a slave Irish slave traders sailed the waters off that same coast, and one day they came ashore to capture the teenage Patrick and his neighbours, to sell back in Ireland. Patrick spent six years tending sheep in the west of Ireland. 3. Patrick heard voices While chasing sheep on the hills, Patrick prayed a hundred times a day, in all kinds of weather. It apparently paid off: one night a mysterious voice called to him, saying: Look, your ship is ready! Patrick knew he wasnt hearing sheep. The time was right for his escape. 4. Patrick refused to suck a mans breasts Patrick made his way to Irelands east coast and sought passage on a ship bound for Britain. The captain, a pagan, didnt like the look of him and demanded that Patrick suck his breasts, a ritual gesture symbolising acceptance of the captains authority. Patrick refused instead he tried to convert the crew. For some reason, the captain still took him aboard. In pictures: St. Patrick's Day around the world Show all 24 1 /24 In pictures: St. Patrick's Day around the world In pictures: St. Patrick's Day around the world Participants take part in the St Patrick's Day parade on the streets of Dublin PA In pictures: St. Patrick's Day around the world Police officers pretend to arrest a man dressed in a leprechaun outfit as he poses for a photograph along the parade route during the St. Patrick's Day parade in Dublin, Ireland Getty Images In pictures: St. Patrick's Day around the world The service and pilgrimage to celebrate Saint Patrick's Day takes place at Saul Church in Downpatrick, Northern Ireland Getty Images In pictures: St. Patrick's Day around the world Racegoer during the Cheltenham Festival Reuters In pictures: St. Patrick's Day around the world The Coca-Cola London Eye, on London's South Bank is lit green by Tourism Ireland to celebrate St Patrick's Day PA wire In pictures: St. Patrick's Day around the world Prince William, Duke Of Cambridge and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge take a drink of Guinness as they meet with soldiers of the 1st battalion Irish Guards in their canteen following their St Patricks day parade at Cavalry Barracks in London, England Getty Images In pictures: St. Patrick's Day around the world The Coca-Cola London Eye, on London's South Bank is lit green by Tourism Ireland to celebrate St Patrick's Day PA wire In pictures: St. Patrick's Day around the world Intu Trafford Centre in Manchester is lit green by Tourism Ireland to celebrate St Patrick's Day PA wire In pictures: St. Patrick's Day around the world Intu Trafford Centre in Manchester is lit green by Tourism Ireland to celebrate St Patrick's Day PA wire In pictures: St. Patrick's Day around the world The Kelpies in Falkirk, Scotland, is lit green by Tourism Ireland to celebrate St Patrick's Day PA wire In pictures: St. Patrick's Day around the world Gateshead Millennium Bridge in Gateshead, Tyne and Wear, is lit green by Tourism Ireland to celebrate St Patrick's Day PA wire In pictures: St. Patrick's Day around the world 4 Times Square, The Bank of America Tower and the Empire State Building have their spires lit green for St. Patrick's day in Manhattan, New York Reuters In pictures: St. Patrick's Day around the world A spectator shows his Irish pride as he watches the annual St. Patrick's Day parade in New York City Getty Images In pictures: St. Patrick's Day around the world Bagpipers march up Fifth Avenue during the St. Patrick's Day Parade in New York AP In pictures: St. Patrick's Day around the world Revellers march up Fifth Avenue during the St. Patrick's Day Parade in New York AP In pictures: St. Patrick's Day around the world The statues of the ducks from the book, 'Make Way For Ducklings,' (R-L) Mrs. Mallard, Jack, Kack, Lack, Mack, Nack, Ouack, Pack, and Quack are decorated for State Patrick's Day in the Boston Public Gardens in Boston, Massachusetts, USA EPA In pictures: St. Patrick's Day around the world Tiernan Irish Dancers put on a show as the Capitol Rotunda is filled with Irish music and a clapping audience during the annual St. Patrick's Day celebration at the State Capitol in Helena, Montana, USA AP In pictures: St. Patrick's Day around the world The Colosseum in Rome, illuminated in green for St. Patrick's Day Getty Images In pictures: St. Patrick's Day around the world The magic fountains of Montjuic have lit up green to celebrate St. Patrick's Day, patron saint of the Irish, in Barcelona, Spain EPA In pictures: St. Patrick's Day around the world The Burgtheater (Imperial Court Teathre) is illuminated with green lights to celebrate St. Patrick's Day in Vienna, Austria Reuters In pictures: St. Patrick's Day around the world The Chain Bridge is illuminated in green in honour of St. Patrick's Day in Budapest, Hungary EPA In pictures: St. Patrick's Day around the world Christ the Redeemer statue is illuminated in green in honor of St. Patrick's Day in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil AP In pictures: St. Patrick's Day around the world Girls perform an Irish dance for customers in the the Mercantile, Australias Longest Running Irish Pub in The Rocks in Sydney on St. Patricks Day Getty Images In pictures: St. Patrick's Day around the world Participants pose for a photo during celebrations of St. Patrick's Day at a hotel in The Rocks in Sydney, Australia EPA 5. Patrick had visions One night Patrick dreamed that Satan tested his faith by dropping an enormous rock on him. He lay crushed by its weight until dawn broke, when he called out: Helias! Helias! the name of the Greek sun god. The rock disappeared. Patrick took it as a kind of epiphany. He later wrote: I believe that I was helped by Christ the Lord. Patrick had other peculiar visions, too. Back home at Bannavem Taburniae, he was visited by an angel with a message from the Irish: We beg you, holy boy, to come and walk again among us. He trained as a bishop and went back to Ireland. 6. Patrick did something unmentionable Years into his mission, someone, it seems, told a dirty secret about Patrick to his fellow bishops. They brought up against me after thirty years something I had already confessed ... some things I had done one day rather, in one hour, when I was young, he wrote. Recommended 10 best proper pubs in Dublin Patrick did not tell us what he did worship idols? Engage in a forbidden sexual practice? Take gifts from converts? Whatever it was, Patrick retrospectively understood his zealous Irish mission to be penance for his youthful sins. While he spread Christianity around Ireland, he was often beaten, put in chains or extorted. Every day there is the chance that I will be killed, or surrounded, or taken into slavery, he complained. 7. Patrick duelled with druids Two centuries after his death, Irish believers wanted more exciting stories of Patricks life than the saints own account. One legend (written 700AD) described Patricks contest with native religious leaders, the druids. The druids insulted Patrick, tried to poison him and engaged him in magical duels much like students of Harry Potters Hogwarts in which they competed to manipulate the weather, destroy each others sacred books and survive raging fires. When one druid dared to blaspheme the Christian God, however, Patrick sent the druid flying into the air the man dropped to the ground and broke his skull. 8. Patrick made God promise Another legend from around the same time tells how Patrick fasted for 40 days atop a mountain, weeping, throwing things and refusing to descend until an angel came on Gods behalf to grant the saints outrageous demands. These included the following: Patrick would redeem more souls from hell than any other saint; Patrick, rather than God, would judge Irish sinners at the end of time and the English would never rule Ireland. We know how that last one worked out. Perhaps God will keep the other two promises. 9. Patrick never mentioned a shamrock None of the early Patrician stories featured the shamrock or Irish seamrog which is a word for common clover, a small plant with three leaves. Yet children in Catholic schools still learn that Patrick used a shamrock as a symbol of the Christian Trinity when he preached to the heathen Irish. The shamrock connection was first mentioned in print by an English visitor to Ireland in 1684, who wrote that on Saint Patricks feast day: The vulgar superstitiously wear shamroges, three-leavd grass, which they likewise eat (they say) to cause a sweet breath. The Englishman also noted that very few of the zealous are found sober at night. 10. Patrick did not drive the snakes out of Ireland As for the miraculous snake-charming attributed to Patrick, it could not have happened because there were no snakes in pre-modern Ireland. Reptiles never made it across the land bridge that prehistorically linked the island to the European continent. Most likely, the miracle was plagiarised from some other saints life and eventually added to Patricks repertoire. Partygoers on 17 March need not worry about ancient historical details, though. Whatever the truth of Patricks mission, he became one of the three patrons of Ireland, along with Saints Brigid and Columba the latter two were born in Ireland. Wishing you La Fheile Padraig sona daoibh Happy Saint Patricks Day. Lisa Bitel is professor of history and religion at the University of Southern California. This article originally appeared in The Conversation (theconversation.com) Ever suffered from burning your mouth on your ramens steaming hot noodles or a messy soy sauce stain down your white shirt? YO! has a useless gadget to fix that. The Japanese conveyor belt restaurant is bringing the art of Chindogu, useless inventions, to the UK to offer a helping hand with your dining issues. Chindogu, the brainchild of 72-year-old Japanese inventor Kenji Kawakami, are gadgets to solve everyday issues that are not usually thought to be worth solving. Home of the quirky and forward thinking, Japan has created many gadgets over the centuries. Those who have made the Chindogu Hall of Fame include the Train Nap Cap, to keep commuters from slumping on someones shoulder mid-sleep, and the Baby Mop, to ensure parents floors are sparkling clean as their babies crawl along. The now much-loved, bestseller selfie stick was even deemed a useless gadget back in 1995 after making it into the book, 101 Useless Japanese Inventions. The YO! Chindogu menu pairs each gadget with their perfect dish accompaniment to give diners a unique eating experience they never even realised they needed. Test out the range of YO!s other wacky gadgets when you order from the (Luke Dyson / YO!) Order YO!s delicious Dumpling Miso Ramen noodles and see how the Noodle Splash Guard stops your luscious locks getting dipped in broth. Useful or useless: we tested YO!'s "useless" gadgets Keep your hot Spicy Seafood Udon from burning your lips, the Noodle Cooler gadget will cool down noodles just before they reach your mouth with its electrical fan. YO!s Kensington and Southbank restaurants, in London, and YO! Newcastle Grainger Street will be serving up unique Japanese gadgets invented by YO! from Monday, 19 March to Sunday, 25 March. Click here for eBay voucher codes Reverting back to the days of snail mail, a popular US restaurant will now only accept reservation requests sent by postcard. The Lost Kitchen in Freedom, Maine is a farm-to-kitchen restaurant that boasts an intimate dining room with 40 seats. But despite the small space, the restaurant received 10,000 calls for reservations last year between May and December. Tired of being inundated with phone calls, chef Erin French decided to implement a new reservation tactic - interesting parties must now apply by pen and 3x5 paper. Referencing a desire to return to their roots as Mainers, French shared the new booking method on the restaurants website. She wrote: Do you remember last April 1? I sure do. And if you were one of the many (many!) who were trying to get reservations last season at TLK, then you definitely do too. The response from last years reservation process made it clear that the request for seats now severely outweighs what we will ever be able to provide. Chef French continued: Here at TLK we are old-fashioned, we are simple, we are slow, we are Mainers. We prefer human contact over computers and pen and paper over keyboards, before announcing the new system of good old-fashioned mail. According to the restaurant, reservation requests must now be mailed - and received between April 1 and April 10. But just because youve taken the time to write out a postcard does not guarantee you a reservation. Beginning on April 11, the restaurant will randomly select cards until all the reservation slots have been filled. You will need a 3x5 notecard, an envelope, and a postage stamp, the website reads. If your card is randomly selected, the restaurant will give you a call - at which point you can finish booking your reservation. If not, better luck next year. On Facebook, the old-fashioned method is being praised. This is awesome! It adds to the charm and magic of The Lost Kitchen, wrote one fan. Love this idea. Fingers crossed you pick mine, said another. Facebook's decision to remove the accounts of far-right political group Britain First and its leaders is the latest instance of social media companies cracking down on hate speech after initially expressing a reluctance to engage in censorship. The company took action days after Paul Golding and Jayda Fransen were jailed for anti-Muslim hate crimes. Facebook stressed that it remains an "open platform for all ideas and political speech" but said: "There are times though when legitimate political speech crosses the line and becomes hate speech designed to stir up hatred against groups in our society." Recommended Facebook deletes Britain First pages after leaders jailed It added that content posted on the Britain First Facebook page and those of Golding and Fransen had "repeatedly broken our community standards". It said: "We recently gave the administrators of the pages a written final warning, and they have continued to post content that violates our community standards. As a result, in accordance with our policies, we have now removed the official Britain First Facebook page and the pages of the two leaders with immediate effect." Pressure on social media sites to address racist, Islamophobic and homophobic posts has increased in recent years, with the election of Donald Trump as US President raising questions about "fake news" and the vulnerability of social news feeds to manipulation and propaganda. While tech giants like Facebook, Google, Twitter and YouTube were at first disinclined to accept responsibility for content posted by their users, steps are now being taken to tackle the problem. Facebook in particular has been criticised for taking too long to remove Britain First despite the group's posts being linked to the murder of MP Jo Cox in 2016 and last summer's Finsbury Park terror attack. Twitter banned Golding and Fransen in December, a month after videos of Islamophobic violence posted by the latter were retweeted by President Trump, sparking a transatlantic row with PM Theresa May. Britain First's website is still online and it retains a presence on YouTube that has 60,000 subscribers but no content, drastically reducing the group's ability to spread its message and communicate with sympathisers. Twitter last year removed blue verification ticks awarded to a number of prominent neo-Nazis and white supremacists in the US like Richard Spencer, who last month complained the site was quietly "purging" his account of followers to limit his influence. CEO Jack Dorsey meanwhile acknowledged earlier this month that bigotry expressed on Twitter has real-world negative consequences and needs to be addressed. We have witnessed abuse, harassment, troll armies, manipulation through bots and human-coordination, misinformation campaigns and increasingly divisive echo chambers, he said. We arent proud of how people have taken advantage of our service, or our inability to address it fast enough. Gadget and tech news: In pictures Show all 25 1 /25 Gadget and tech news: In pictures Gadget and tech news: In pictures Gun-toting humanoid robot sent into space Russia has launched a humanoid robot into space on a rocket bound for the International Space Station (ISS). The robot Fedor will spend 10 days aboard the ISS practising skills such as using tools to fix issues onboard. Russia's deputy prime minister Dmitry Rogozin has previously shared videos of Fedor handling and shooting guns at a firing range with deadly accuracy. Dmitry Rogozin/Twitter Gadget and tech news: In pictures Google turns 21 Google celebrates its 21st birthday on September 27. The The search engine was founded in September 1998 by two PhD students, Larry Page and Sergey Brin, in their dormitories at Californias Stanford University. Page and Brin chose the name google as it recalled the mathematic term 'googol', meaning 10 raised to the power of 100 Google Gadget and tech news: In pictures Hexa drone lifts off Chief engineer of LIFT aircraft Balazs Kerulo demonstrates the company's "Hexa" personal drone craft in Lago Vista, Texas on June 3 2019 Reuters Gadget and tech news: In pictures Project Scarlett to succeed Xbox One Microsoft announced Project Scarlett, the successor to the Xbox One, at E3 2019. The company said that the new console will be 4 times as powerful as the Xbox One and is slated for a release date of Christmas 2020 Getty Gadget and tech news: In pictures First new iPod in four years Apple has announced the new iPod Touch, the first new iPod in four years. The device will have the option of adding more storage, up to 256GB Apple Gadget and tech news: In pictures Folding phone may flop Samsung will cancel orders of its Galaxy Fold phone at the end of May if the phone is not then ready for sale. The $2000 folding phone has been found to break easily with review copies being recalled after backlash PA Gadget and tech news: In pictures Charging mat non-starter Apple has cancelled its AirPower wireless charging mat, which was slated as a way to charge numerous apple products at once AFP/Getty Gadget and tech news: In pictures "Super league" India shoots down satellite India has claimed status as part of a "super league" of nations after shooting down a live satellite in a test of new missile technology EPA Gadget and tech news: In pictures 5G incoming 5G wireless internet is expected to launch in 2019, with the potential to reach speeds of 50mb/s Getty Gadget and tech news: In pictures Uber halts driverless testing after death Uber has halted testing of driverless vehicles after a woman was killed by one of their cars in Tempe, Arizona. March 19 2018 Getty Gadget and tech news: In pictures A humanoid robot gestures during a demo at a stall in the Indian Machine Tools Expo, IMTEX/Tooltech 2017 held in Bangalore Getty Gadget and tech news: In pictures A humanoid robot gestures during a demo at a stall in the Indian Machine Tools Expo, IMTEX/Tooltech 2017 held in Bangalore Getty Gadget and tech news: In pictures Engineers test a four-metre-tall humanoid manned robot dubbed Method-2 in a lab of the Hankook Mirae Technology in Gunpo, south of Seoul, South Korea Jung Yeon-Je/AFP/Getty Gadget and tech news: In pictures Engineers test a four-metre-tall humanoid manned robot dubbed Method-2 in a lab of the Hankook Mirae Technology in Gunpo, south of Seoul, South Korea Jung Yeon-Je/AFP/Getty Gadget and tech news: In pictures The giant human-like robot bears a striking resemblance to the military robots starring in the movie 'Avatar' and is claimed as a world first by its creators from a South Korean robotic company Jung Yeon-Je/AFP/Getty Gadget and tech news: In pictures Engineers test a four-metre-tall humanoid manned robot dubbed Method-2 in a lab of the Hankook Mirae Technology in Gunpo, south of Seoul, South Korea Jung Yeon-Je/AFP/Getty Gadget and tech news: In pictures Waseda University's saxophonist robot WAS-5, developed by professor Atsuo Takanishi Rex Gadget and tech news: In pictures Waseda University's saxophonist robot WAS-5, developed by professor Atsuo Takanishi and Kaptain Rock playing one string light saber guitar perform jam session Rex Gadget and tech news: In pictures A test line of a new energy suspension railway resembling the giant panda is seen in Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China Reuters Gadget and tech news: In pictures A test line of a new energy suspension railway, resembling a giant panda, is seen in Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China Reuters Gadget and tech news: In pictures A concept car by Trumpchi from GAC Group is shown at the International Automobile Exhibition in Guangzhou, China Rex Gadget and tech news: In pictures A Mirai fuel cell vehicle by Toyota is displayed at the International Automobile Exhibition in Guangzhou, China Reuters Gadget and tech news: In pictures A visitor tries a Nissan VR experience at the International Automobile Exhibition in Guangzhou, China Reuters Gadget and tech news: In pictures A man looks at an exhibit entitled 'Mimus' a giant industrial robot which has been reprogrammed to interact with humans during a photocall at the new Design Museum in South Kensington, London Getty Gadget and tech news: In pictures A new Israeli Da-Vinci unmanned aerial vehicle manufactured by Elbit Systems is displayed during the 4th International conference on Home Land Security and Cyber in the Israeli coastal city of Tel Aviv Getty London Mayor Sadiq Khan has come forward this week to expose the racist and Islamophobic tweets he has received since taking office, also hoping to cast new light on the problem. Khan also reminded leading tech companies that they are "not above the law" and had a responsibility to protect their users from inappropriate or dangerous material. YouTube faced renewed political pressure to clamp down on inflammatory content this week, with a Parliamentary Home Affairs Committee labelling the site "a platform for extremism" on Wednesday over its failure to take down an offensive video by neo-Nazi organisation National Action. You work longer hours than most of your friends, you never know where your next paycheck is coming from and theres no HR team to mollycoddle you when times get tough its safe to say that the life of a self-employed worker is one plagued by instabilities. However, according to a new survey, self-employed people are happier and more engaged with their jobs than those working in any other profession. After studying data from 5,000 workers in the UK, US, New Zealand and Australia, a team of British researchers concluded that those who were self-employed in a variety of sectors were also more successful in their careers and felt more satisfied with their professional contributions. Recommended Your career choice could determine how long your marriage lasts They also reported greater opportunities for innovation. Professional workers who are self-employed really value the autonomy they have, explained co-author professor Peter Warr of the University of Sheffield. They have the freedom to innovate, express their own views, have influence beyond their own role and compete with other companies and people. They really get to use their own expertise, so dont seem to mind working long hours. They can find meeting high standards really fulfilling. Co-author professor Ilke Inceoglu from the University of Exeter added that self-employed workers typically experience greater career satisfaction because they feel that any rewards they experience are almost entirely down to their individual efforts. Being engaged in their jobs makes people feel energised and pleased with their own contribution," she said. Measuring how engaged people are in their work is therefore a really useful way to gauge their wellbeing and shows we must move beyond just looking at job satisfaction. The study was published in the journal Work, Employment and Society and measured career satisfaction for those working in management consultancy, retail, education, financial services, insurance and real estate. The findings come shortly after US News released its annual report naming software developer as the "best job" for 2018. The majority of roles that followed were in medical fields, with dentist, physician assistant and nurse practitioner taking the consecutive top spots. Irish rugby fans are set to descend on London ahead of their sides St Patricks Day Grand Slam showdown with England. The capital is expected to be painted green as Irelands most fearsome 15 bid for a place in Irish folklore in the Six Nations at Twickenham on Saturday. Ireland has already won the Six Nations their third in five years but will be hoping to secure a sweet victory over England to cement their third ever Grand Slam. Fans are gearing up for a memorable St Patricks Day weekend in London with some starting the celebrations early on Friday. Colin Taylor, 68, owner of The Toucan pub in Soho, said: Weve been preparing for it all week. Were looking forward to tomorrow. Weve got about 70 kegs ready for the weekend actually. Mr Taylor said his loyalties are split as despite being an Englishman he wants to see Ireland clinch the Grand Slam. I will be wearing a split shirt tomorrow an English jersey and an Irish jersey in one, he said. Sandra Truesdale, 36, from Roscrea in County Tipperary, was having an early tipple in The Toucan to kick off the weekend. Ms Truesdale, who lives and works in London, said she had Googled opening hours, and said she had dreamed of this outcome ahead of the tournament. I did think, imagine if it came down to the Grand Slam that it was Ireland versus England, and that it was played on Paddys Day, in London. I thought I was only joking, but it did, it came true, she said. Her friend Martha Farrell, 29, from Roscommon, said she is watching the match with a few English people which is going to make it even more entertaining. Tickets for the match have been like gold dust, with many fans expected to pour into Londons pubs for the historic game. Jim Irwin, 58, and Stephen Revels, 63, both from Newry, County Down, flew into Heathrow Airport on Friday morning with two other friends. The group, who were enjoying pints in Waxy OConnors, do not have tickets but said they will have a great day on Saturday regardless. Mr Revels confidence of an Irish win is sky high: Its a done deal. Mr Irwin said they had taken the day off work for the festivities, adding: There will be nothing to match it. It will be brilliant. Suzie Crawford, 28, from Holywood, County Down, said she is looking forward to the atmosphere. Ms Crawford, who lives and works in the capital, said: I think the fact its St Patricks Day and the fact Ireland are playing so well It will be exciting to see it all play out. Kevin McCabe, 31, from Knockcroghery in County Roscommon, is over for the weekend to join his cousin for the celebrations. It will be great for the country. It will be brilliant. It will be great to see Ireland win it. Theyve come this far, and to beat the English it will be brilliant, he said. His cousin Alex McCabe, 29, lives in Slough, but his roots mean he is hoping for an Irish triumph. In my house it was never about England anyway because both my parents are Irish, so its always been Ireland for me, he said. Mr McCabe said he is aware of tickets going for up to 15,000. Thats a lot of shilling, he said. Ciaran ODonnell, 25, from Mullingar in County Westmeath, flew into London on Friday morning with a group of friends and they came straight to ONeills pub. Were looking forward to tomorrow, to win the Grand Slam and to beat the English, he said. Cormac Donegan, 27, from Moynalty in County Meath, said he has no worries about who will win. Mr Donegan, who plays rugby in the Leinster league, said: I would have no qualms about the English side. Jacqui Cromwell, 39, who is originally from Belfast but lives in County Meath, is in London with her husband Joey, hoping they can get tickets to the match to celebrate their wedding anniversary. The pair are marking six years of marriage and are desperate to be in the stadium to see the game, but time is running out. Were big rugby fans. Were hoping and trying. Were running around everywhere, she said, adding that they will pay whatever the cost is. Mrs Cromwell said she cant wait to spend her wedding anniversary watching Ireland win the Grand Slam against England. Con Cadogan, 55, from Cork, who was sitting near the Cromwell couple in Waxys Little Sister, is lucky enough to have a coveted ticket and has faith in Irelands chances. You can see that theyre very focused. Theyre not going to let it slip easy I think. Theyre going into it knowing and fully committed to the challenge that they have to meet, he said. Mr Cadogan said he and his group of 10 found it extremely difficult to get tickets. Its the hardest Ive ever seen to get tickets, he said. US, Nepal future lawyers enter mock trial contest Law students from six colleges, five from Nepal and one from the United States, are competing in the first ever US-Nepal International Moot Court Competition in the Capital. Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has discussed equality and LGBT rights issues with US vice president Mike Pence during his St Patricks Day trip to Washington DC. Mr Varadkar said he raised rights issues with Mr Pence, who has been criticised for his stance on the matter, when he met the Pence family at the vice presidents residence on Friday morning. I did privately manage to speak to them about equality and my support for equal rights for women and the LGBT community here in America and also in Ireland, the Taoiseach said. Expand Close Taoiseach Leo Varadkar is greeted by US vice president Mike Pence and wife Karen (Niall Carson/PA) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Taoiseach Leo Varadkar is greeted by US vice president Mike Pence and wife Karen (Niall Carson/PA) They were very well briefed. They knew about my personal story, they knew that my partner was living in Chicago, and they said that both Matt and I would both be welcome to visit their home in future, so I thought that was a very nice gesture. At the meeting, the vice president invited Mr Varadkars partner Matt to join him for next years St Patricks Day event. There are so many ifs and maybes, first of all I have to survive another year in my current office and secondly, Matt is not terribly keen to attend official functions but you never know, the Taoiseach said. Mr Pence also confirmed he would accept Mr Varadkars invite to visit Ireland. The men met behind closed doors at the vice presidents Naval Observatory residence in the US capital. In a break with protocol, Mr Pences officials barred media from the traditional St Patricks event. The move came after Mr Varadkar, Irelands first openly gay leader, stated he was going to raise the issue of LGBT rights with the socially conservative vice president. Media were only permitted to capture the arrival of the Taoiseach. As the politicians exchanged greetings, Mr Pence ignored questions from reporters as to why the engagement was private. On Thursday, Mr Varadkar expressed disappointment at the media ban. He said he would have preferred if the cameras were allowed in to document their comments, but the Taoiseach added: It allows us maybe to have a frank conversation thats easier to have without the media present. After Fridays meeting, the Taoiseach said he had a really nice engagement with the Pence family where he met Mr Pences mother, who has Irish heritage. His mother really knows Ireland very well, Mr Varadkar said. Her father was born in Ireland. He added she was even able to tell the Humpty Dumpty nursery rhyme in the Irish language. Tina Satchwell was last seen in her home in Youghal, Co Cork, on March 20 last year (PA) Gardai investigating the disappearance of a 46-year-old woman have completed a search of a wood in Co Cork. Tina Satchwell has not been seen since March last year when she went missing from the home she shared with her husband Richard in Youghal. Gardai sealed off a site at Mitchels Wood in Castlemartyr, east Cork, earlier this month. They said the search has now been completed and a number of items have been recovered. These will now be examined to see if they are related to Mrs Satchwells disappearance, a Garda spokesman said. He said the wood remained closed to the public until further notice. Unilevers Rotterdam headquarters the Dutch office will now become the multinationals main base of operations UNILEVER, the UK's third-biggest company, will leave Britain after it picked Rotterdam over London for its main headquarters yesterday. The high-profile move is a blow to Prime Minister Theresa May's government a year before Brexit. The Anglo-Dutch maker of Dove soap, Lyons Tea, Persil and HB ice cream launched a review of its dual-headed structure in 2017 after fighting off a $143bn takeover from Kraft Heinz, triggering a battle between Britain and the Netherlands. Under the new plan, Unilever will continue to be listed in London, Amsterdam and New York, and will divide into three divisions, keeping two based in Britain. That will enable it to retain its 7,300 staff in the United Kingdom. The company said the decision to end 88 years of two parent-ownership was not linked to Brexit or any form of protectionism, but would simplify its structure and facilitate acquisitions. Dutch companies also have stronger powers to fight off unwanted takeovers However, British unions and supporters of EU membership bemoaned what they said was a deterioration in Britain's competitiveness. "Let me categorically say that this had nothing to do with Brexit," Unilever Chairman Marijn Dekkers told reporters. "The board takes a 30- to 50-year decision. We think both countries are highly attractive investment climates and we will continue to invest in both countries as a result of this," the Dutchman added. It is unclear whether Unilever can remain in the FTSE 100 Index of leading UK stocks, a decision which could hit its shares if tracker funds are forced to sell. Forged by the 1930 merger of Dutch margarine producer Margarine Unie and British soap maker Lever Brothers, Unilever employs nearly 170,000 people around the world to generate turnover of 53.7bn in 2017. With a market value of 105bn, it competes with the likes of P&G, Kraft, Nestle, Colgate Palmolive, Reckitt Benckiser and independent brands. (Reuters) Minister for Agriculture, Food & Marine, Michael Creed T.D., met with his UK counterpart, Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Michael Gove M.P. at DEFRA HQ London. The Minister for Agriculture, Michael Creed, met with his UK counterpart, Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Michael Gove on Thursday with Brexit high on the agenda. The Minister and the Secretary of State discussed issues associated with Brexit, the agri-food and fisheries sectors as well as future UK and EU agriculture policy. Minister Creed said this was a timely opportunity for dialogue in the context of the on-going negotiations taking place between the UK and the EU task force on the Withdrawal Agreement. "I stressed to the Secretary of State the mutual benefit of bi-lateral trade in Agri-food and fisheries and the importance of coming to an agreement which allows such trade to continue as seamlessly as possible without undermining the integrity of the single market. Prime Minister Theresa May and British businesses are banking on European Union leaders granting a Brexit transition deal next week but diplomats said they could face disappointment unless a deadlock is broken over the Irish border. Mays spokesman said on Thursday she remained confident of a deal that would reassure investors that little will change in trading with the bloc for around two years after Britain leaves next March and until a new trade pact can be agreed. EU diplomats and officials said talks have raised their hopes too that, with London anxious for a quick deal, the blocs leaders can endorse a transition at a Brussels summit on Friday. But what some described as complete stalemate on Irish border arrangements risks derailing any agreement. This whole thing could end in tears, one senior diplomat said. British business might get a terrible shock. Asked about those concerns, a British government source conceded that there was still a lot left to do. Expand Close The Irish border near Newry, Co Down (David Young) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp The Irish border near Newry, Co Down (David Young) The EU is irritated by Britains refusal to accept in the draft withdrawal treaty the inclusion of a backstop solution to avoid a disruptive hard land border between EU member state Ireland and the British province of Northern Ireland. Sterling has suffered before when Brussels has warned that a transition deal cannot be taken for granted. It will not become certain until the whole withdrawal treaty is ratified, probably early next year, but Britain hopes for an interim EU commitment. "No one will promise May a transition just like that," a second diplomat said after envoys from the 27 remaining states discussed EU negotiators' latest draft. But there is something in the air, there is optimism. Cautious, but optimism. We want to use the fact that Britain wants the transition so much, we would hope many things will therefore move. We will stress the Irish issue. LEVERAGE Another EU diplomat echoed that view, saying: There is a lot of movement. All the rest can be sorted out. But unless Ireland is sorted out, there is no transition deal at the summit. Germanys Brexit coordinator said a lot of progress was being made. Some foresaw a possible fudge of the Irish issue, as happened to secure a first interim accord last December. Dublin insists London must accept the backstop which the EU says May agreed to as part of the interim deal in December. That would see the province effectively retained inside an EU-run customs area, isolated as result from the British mainland. May, who relies on Northern Irish votes in parliament, has rejected that and said better solutions will have to wait for separate talks on future UK-EU trade, due to start this spring. There has been progress this week in narrowing differences on such issues as expatriate citizens rights, copyright and nuclear cooperation. But EU negotiators are reluctant to give away leverage they believe they need to cut a final deal. We wont just offer transition like that next week, a fourth EU diplomat said. We would lose a lot of leverage, risk Ireland. But the latest talks have covered ground. So wed look for a wording to recognise that and lock that progress. To send a positive signal ahead. They will get it if they accept our conditions, the diplomat added. Negotiations are set for over the weekend and senior British representatives will be in Brussels on Monday and Tuesday. May will attend the summit on Thursday, although Brexit will not be formally discussed. She may seek support against Russia over the nerve agent attack on a Russian former spy in Britain. Any Brexit transition deal will be discussed by the other 27 leaders when they reconvene without May the following day. Additional reporting by Reuters. Timber sales at the end of a 33-year rotation should yield 7,000 to 9,000/ac at todays prices Farmers with plantations over 14 years old have been encouraged to start to plan and prepare to thin their forest and make the most of the rising timber prices. IFA Farm Forestry Chairman, Pat Collins said the economic recovery across western Europe has led to a growing demand for sawn timber. The increasing demand to construct homes using timber-frame techniques and the scarce availability of wood on the world market, has led to increasing timber prices. According to the Markit/CIPS UK Manufacturing PMI February 2018 report, pallet timber prices have risen for the nineteenth consecutive month. While the UK Poyry timber index reports a near 35% cumulative increase on some grades since the first quarter in 2016. Collins said that the prices being paid to farmers for pallet wood in Ireland have remained relatively static in the same period. He said price increases must be passed onto farmers and stressed the need for farmers to familiarise themselves with the market prior to selling timber to ensure they are being paid a fair price for their product. The availability of pallet timber is likely to be the most significant feature of the timber market in 2018. There is increased competition for pallet and small saw logs that is creating additional pressure on timber availability. As biomass demand grows, increasing volumes of small saw logs - small diameter logs traditionally used in pallet timber production - are being diverted to the biomass sector, Pat Collins said. He continued that it is a good time to be a forest owner. He encouraged all farmers who have a forest with trees approaching 10 metres in height to cut inspection paths so the forest can be assessed and they can start to prepare to harvest by applying for a felling licence and forest road grant. The European Commission wants to make it easier for more problem loans to be sold to non-banks and so-called vulture funds, in a move that flies in the face of political moves here to prevent such sales. Here, a political backlash is under way, including a push for new legislation, aimed at stopping vulture funds scooping up billions of euro of soured home loans from banks. That now looks set to run into opposition from Brussels. The Commission's 'Second Progress Report on the Reduction of Non-Performing Loans in Europe' sets out proposals to make it easier, cheaper and less burdensome for non-banks to buy problem loans. The Commission says its aim is to accelerate the reduction of bad debts, which it describes as excessive in 10 member states, including Ireland. But that jars with a growing political campaign to thwart distressed debt funds from swooping on large portfolios of troubled home loans. Fianna Fail's Michael McGrath has led the charge by tabling a bill aimed at regulating the vulture funds. In its latest progress report in the area, the EC lays the ground work for the establishment of a mature secondary market for NPLs - meaning it supports non-bank acquisitions of soured loans. It proposes a directive to remove "undue impediments to loan servicing by third parties and to the transfer of loans to loan purchasers". The Commission also argues in favour of improving enforceability and recovery of collateral. "It iseasier to price a collateralised NPL than an unsecured one in secondary market because the value of the collateral sets a minimum value of a NPL," it said. According to the Commission these measures would result in a shorter resolution time for banks and increase recoveries on problem loans. The directors of Caffe Nero have stated that there are strong growth prospects for the branded coffee market in Ireland after the company returned its first profit here. New accounts show that the UK-owned Caffe Nero Ireland Ltd recorded pre-tax profits of 562,000 in the 12 months to the end of May last. This followed the company recording pre-tax losses of 138,000 in 2016. The company recorded the profit after revenues increased by 71.5pc going from 2.1m to 3.6m. The company's gross profit more than tripled to 788,000. The company opened two new outlets here in the past year. It now has 10 cafes with eight in Dublin and one each in Galway city and Drogheda. The directors state that the profit for the year arose due to continued growth from stores opened towards the end of the prior year as well as a reduction in startup costs in this new territory. On the firm's future developments, the directors state that the company expects to continue to open further locations under the Caffe Nero brand. In addition to the core range of espresso-based coffees, Caffe Nero offers an array of pastries, baked goods, freshly made panini, sandwiches, salads and pastas. Underlining the firm's expansion plan last year, numbers employed last year increased from 40 to 60 with staff costs increasing from 839,000 to 1.19m. The accounts show that the firm also incurred 142,000 costs in acquiring property, plant and equipment compared to 1.68m under that heading in 2016. The profit last year takes account of non-cash depreciation costs of 380,000. The company's operating lease rentals last year totalled 492,000 and this followed a spend of 384,000 under that heading in 2016. The company's cost of sales increased from 1.8m to 2.8m. Caffe Nero was founded by Gerry Ford in 1997. It is the largest independent coffee retailer in Europe and last year operated 637 stores in Ireland and the UK, operating in 250 towns and cities. Last year, Caffe Nero opened 33 new stores in Ireland and the UK and handed back eight outlets to landlords resulting in a net increase of 24 stores. Globally, Caffe Nero had 822 stores in eight countries and highlighting the growth plans, the company increased its store count by 89 during the year. Last year, revenues at Caffe Nero increased by 14pc to 313m and it recorded operating profits of 17.69m. The Irish economy has turned into 2018 with strong momentum. Stock Image Ireland is again the fastest-growing economy in the European Union, with a rise of almost 8pc in GDP last year. Just 10 years after the economic crash, and despite the looming threat of Brexit, the economy continues to perform strongly. Ireland has the European Union's fastest-growing economy for the fourth year in a row, although the statistics are overstated due to multinational influence in the economy. This trend was previously dubbed 'Leprechaun economics'. Focusing on domestic demand alone, growth is about half the headline figure - although there is still momentum here at just under 4pc. Economists believe this, along with measures like employment, gives a more realistic picture of the health of the economy. Preliminary data for the official growth rate for 2017 showed that the economy expanded by 7.8pc, according to the Central Statistics Office. But the statistics agency also published an estimate of the economy's growth rate when the accounting activities of the State's large multinational sector are excluded. They are stripped out because they often do not translate into actual economic activity in terms of jobs and productivity here. The so-called 'Modified Domestic Demand' gauge still put the expansion of the economy last year at 3.9pc. Jennifer Banim, assistant director general at the CSO, said: "We're stripping out the impact of the intellectual property products, and aircraft leasing as well, and what we're showing is a reasonable growth of 3.9pc on domestic demand in 2017, [compared to] 2016." The distortions caused by the activities of the multinational sector here have previously led to questions about the usefulness of GDP as an accurate barometer of what's happening in the economy. That was exemplified in 2016, when the CSO revealed that the economy in 2015 grew by a massive 26pc. This led one prominent economist internationally to dub it "leprechaun economics". That colossal increase in GDP was due primarily to some very large foreign companies reinventing themselves as Irish companies to benefit from our low corporation tax rate, as well as purchases by aircraft-leasing firms based here. To a lesser extent, the multinational activities are still over-inflating the growth rate. KBC Bank Ireland said the 7.8pc figure overstated things, but it was a still strong performance. "On all relevant metrics, the Irish economy has turned into 2018 with strong momentum." it said. "Statistical issues aside, the reality is that the Irish economy has begun 2018 with a good deal more momentum than we previously envisaged. "While we had expected some headwinds from Brexit-related concerns and an uncertain geopolitical environment globally, apart from some sector-specific difficulties, the Irish economy has not seen much Brexit-related fallout." The CSO said that GDP in the final three months of last year rose by 3.2pc compared with the previous quarter. Minister Simon Coveney said the fund will be of mutual benefit The Ireland Strategic Investment Fund (ISIF) and the CIC Capital Corporation (CIC Capital) have announced a joint 150m fund. The purpose of the fund is to invest in both high-growth Irish technology firms aiming to access the Chinese market, and Chinese firms seeking to use Ireland as a base for European operations. Target sectors for the fund include hardware opportunities underpinning next generation products, such as Internet of Things (IoT) and mobile devices, and software applications such as big data, robotics and artificial intelligence (AI). In a statement today, the ISIF said that the fund was a successor to the now fully-invested China Ireland Technology Growth Fund, announced in 2014 by ISIFs predecessor, the National Pensions Reserve Fund (NPRF) and China Investment Corporation (CIC). That $100m fund supported six Irish technology firms with expanding into China, as well as helping the firms develop relationships with Chinese customers. Today these firms collectively employ around 350 people in Ireland, the ISIF said. "We look forward to working with CIC Capital again on this new fund, which will offer a strong economic return to Ireland, as Chinese companies looking to gain access to Europe use Ireland as a base for their operations," Eugene OCallaghan, director of the ISIF, said. "The Irish companies that will benefit from the fund will gain from the opportunities to grow their business and product potential in the Chinese market," he continued. Founded in 2007, CIC has registered capital of $200bn (162bn). According to CIC, it was established as a vehicle to diversify China's foreign exchange holdings and seek maximum returns for its shareholder within an acceptable risk tolerance. As with the previous fund, this fund will be co-managed by Dublin-based Atlantic Bridge and Beijing-based WestSummit Capital. The fund was launched by An Tanaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs & Trade, Simon Coveney T.D. and vice chairman and president of CIC, Tu Guangshao, at an event in Beijing as part of An Tanaistes visit to China and Hong Kong. "The fund, fostering knowledge exchange in both directions, will be of mutual benefit, creating jobs in Ireland and increasing revenues for and the profiles of companies in Irelands innovative high tech sector," Minister Coveney said. The launch of the fund was welcomed by the Minister for Finance, Paschal Donohoe T.D. Malin had a total portfolio value of 401m at the end of December, as well as 45m in cash. Photo: Stock Image Dublin-based life sciences investment firm Malin is in talks with the European Investment Bank to secure a "more optimally structured" debt facility, according to chairman Donal O'Connor. Malin secured a seven-year, 70m debt facility from the European Investment Bank (EIB) in 2016. By June that year, 40m of the funds had already been used by Malin to invest in life sciences firms in Ireland. Of the facility, 30m was earmarked for investment in the UK, but no further funds from that facility have yet been drawn down by Malin. Malin, which has investments in a number of early-stage and mature life sciences companies, had a total portfolio value of 401m at the end of December, as well as 45m in cash. But it raised 28m in equity in January to shore up its balance sheet, and is now progressing talks with the EIB to restructure its loan with the bank. "We are engaged with the EIB with regard to a possible amendment of the terms of our debt facility to better align its structure with our business needs," Malin noted in its annual report published yesterday. Malin, whose CEO is Adrian Howd, said that several of its investee firms have made "meaningful progress" in 2017. Malin said that under the terms of its EIB debt facility, it's required to pay a 0.1pc non-utilisation fee on any undrawn facility, from December 22 last year. The loan agreement also requires a Malin subsidiary to maintain a minimum cash balance of 25m. A debt covenant with the EIB requires that the ratio of total fair value investments plus cash and qualifying liquidity to debt, should at no time fall below 4:1. All contract Ryanair pilots in Germany are to be offered full employment status with the airline in the coming weeks. UK firm McGinley Aviation, which provides contract pilots to the carrier, has written to pilots to notify them that the firm will cease the provision of contractors in Germany from October 31. "Having discussed the matter with the client airline you are provided to (Ryanair), Ryanair has confirmed that they will be offering a direct Ryanair employment contract to you in coming weeks," McGinley Aviation managing director Elizabeth Cusack said in the letter. "It is important that you liaise with your accountancy providers to ensure that outstanding limited company/tax/social insurance matters are dealt with appropriately." About half of Ryanair's pilots in Germany are contractors. German tax authorities have previously raided Ryanair contract pilots' homes and some of the airline bases as part of investigations into McGinley Aviation and another contract pilot provider, UK-based Brookfield. Tax authorities have been investigating if there was evasion of income taxes and social welfare contributions. Meanwhile, the Portuguese Ryanair company council formed under the auspices of trade union Spac has claimed in a letter to the airline's chief people officer, Eddie Wilson, that it is breaching Portuguese labour laws "in certain clauses". The council has insisted the carrier pay pilots in the country backdated pay and interest for national holidays they may have worked. It claims that under Portuguese law workers are entitled to 13 paid public holidays, compared to nine in Ireland. "Spac now calls on Ryanair to pay our members the applicable daily holiday pay per year since being based in Portugal, plus interest, in the next monthly pay," then union told Mr Wilson. A Ryanair spokeswoman said: "A majority of our pilots are directly employed and Ryanair complies with all Irish and EU employment law." Ryanair said yesterday that it's launching its first-ever flights to Turkey this summer, with routes to Dalaman from Dublin and Bratislava. Half of workers say they are three paydays away from financial uncertainty. The risks for renters are even higher, according to a survey commissioned by Irish Life. It found that renters are just two pay days away from losing their accommodation. More than half of working people believe they would be able to maintain their current standard of living for just three months or less if they were unable to work. The survey was carried out by Coyne Research among 1,000 adults. Nearly half of adults overall claim their household would struggle financially if they suffered a long-term disability or died. Irish Life claimed the insights show financial security is still a major worry for many families. US chipmaker Qualcomm, which was blocked this week from being taken over amid US national security fears, was already walking a Pacific tightrope: it has government and defence contracts in America, but two-thirds of its revenue comes from China. US President Donald Trump on Monday halted microchip maker Broadcom's $117bn (95bn) takeover of Qualcomm over concerns it would give China the upper hand in the next generation of mobile communications, forcing the Singapore-based firm to drop its bid. The move illustrated the awkward position of Qualcomm, which is based in San Diego. In the US, it has government and defence contracts and is seen as a "trusted" supplier. In China, it has its most lucrative market, thanks to patent licensing fees it receives there from smartphone vendors including Apple, Samsung and Xiaomi. On top of that, China, the US and Europe are racing to develop the next generation of wireless data network, called 5G, for mobile phones and increasingly connected devices. Whoever controls the technology will gain a potential strategic advantage, and the US government does not want to have to rely on Chinese-made gear. The result is a delicate balancing act to navigate trade disputes and political tensions between Beijing and Washington that could irk policymakers and regulators on both sides, hurting business and deals. "We see ourselves as part of the China semiconductor system," Cristiano Amon, Qualcomm President told Reuters at a Beijing event in January. "It's very clear that 5G is important to the United States of America. It's important for China." Qualcomm is still waiting for Chinese approval of its proposed $44bn acquisition of NXP Semiconductors NV and trying to mend its relationship with Chinese customers after paying a fine of nearly $1bn for anti-competitive practices in 2015. The company is helping Chinese firms ZTE and China Mobile develop 5G technology and is involved in China's 5G standard development trials. It has similar partnerships in the US and Europe. The Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS), which vets acquisitions of US corporations by foreign companies, said the Broadcom takeover risked weakening Qualcomm, which would boost China in the 5G race. A Broadcom takeover could see the company cut research and development spending by Qualcomm or sell strategically important parts of the company to other buyers, including those in China, officials and analysts said. As such concerns emerged, Broadcom immediately jumped into action, pledging to invest in Qualcomm's 5G technology and accelerate its move to the US. But the plan didn't go down well with CFIUS. The clash marked a sharp fall from grace for Broadcom, whose CEO Hock Tan was welcomed to the White House last year to announce a plan to move its headquarters to the US. At the time, US President Donald Trump called it "one of the really great, great companies". Led by Tan, a US-educated Malaysian entrepreneur, Broadcom grew largely through acquisitions. Tan is an aggressive dealmaker and built the $100bn chip giant up from a business worth just $3.5bn in 2009. Until the Qualcomm bid, its biggest deal had been the $37bn acquisition of California-based Broadcom, where the company, called Avago Technologies at the time, got its current name. (Reuters) The head of the most influential US business lobbying group warned the Trump administration that unilateral tariffs on Chinese goods could lead to a destructive trade war that will hurt American consumers and US economic growth. US Chamber of Commerce President Thomas Donohue said in a statement on Thursday that such tariffs, associated with a probe of China's intellectual property practices, would be "damaging taxes on American consumers." His comments came after White House trade adviser Peter Navarro said that Trump would in coming weeks get options to address China's "theft and forced transfer" of American intellectual property as part of the investigation under Section 301 of the US Trade Act of 1974. Reuters reported on Tuesday that Trump was considering tariffs on up to $60bn worth of Chinese information technology, telecommunications and consumer products, along with US investment restrictions for Chinese companies. Donohue said the Trump administration was right to focus on the negative economic impact of China's industrial policies and unfair trade practices, but said tariffs were the wrong approach to dealing with these. "Tariffs of $30bn a year would wipe out over a third of the savings American families received from the doubling of the standard deduction in tax reform," Donohue said. "If the tariffs reach $60bn, which has been rumored, the impact would be even more devastating." He urged the administration not to proceed with such a plan. "Tariffs could lead to a destructive trade war with serious consequences for US economic growth and job creation," hurting consumers, businesses, farmers and ranchers. In Beijing, Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Lu Kang said Donohue's comments were correct, adding that recently more and more American intellectuals had made their rational voices heard. "In fact, US trade with China in the past 40 years very objectively reduced American families' per capita spending burden," Lu told reporters. "We have said many times, there are no winners in a trade war." Navarro, speaking on CNBC television, said the remedies in the "Section 301" probe were among "many steps that the president is courageously going to take in order to address unfair trade practices." "I don't think there's a single person... on Wall Street that will oppose cracking down on China's theft of our intellectual property or their forced transfer," Navarro added. But Navarro, a key architect of steel and aluminum tariffs announced last week by Trump, said that tariffs will not necessarily provoke a trade war. "We can obviously do it in a way that can be good for the American people and good for the global trading system," he said. "We can do this in a way that is peaceful and will improve and strengthen the trading system... Everybody on Wall Street needs to understand: Just relax." China has repeatedly said that there would be no winners in a trade war, but that it would protect its interests in the face of US trade action. China wouldn't allow itself to become "the target for the arrows of adversity", the official China Daily newspaper warned in an editorial late on Thursday. "It should be borne in mind that even the most playful cat will scratch if you provoke it beyond a certain point," the newspaper said. Rugby player Paddy Jackson's life has been "blighted" for almost two years by the rape allegations, his lawyer has said. Brendan Kelly QC described the evidence against the sportsman as "untruthful and inconsistent". Summing up the evidence on Friday, the defence lawyer warned the jury at Belfast Crown Court not to pay attention to the headlines the case has attracted. "We have got this headline of rugby player every day. Rugby rape. "But you scratch the surface of this man, Paddy Jackson, you start to see a bit more. You get to see what he is," said Mr Kelly. He added: "The question is, does the quality of this evidence with its untruths and central inconsistencies, does it deserve a conviction of this gravity?" "Twenty months of his (Jackson's) life have been blighted by evidence of this poor quality. "Each time evidence was checked, each time evidence came from a video or another source, the complainant's account fell." Mr Kelly told the jury that Jackson had not been obliged to take the stand in his own defence but he chose to do so. "A defendant need play no part in a criminal trial. Some defendants choose to give evidence. "In this case Mr Jackson and his co-defendants have all given evidence. No one has hidden. No one has tried to conceal. Everyone has got up, with their good character, and given their account," he said. Referring to Mr Jackson's success on the rugby field, Mr Kelly asked the jury not to hold that against him. Expand Close Ireland and Ulster rugby player Stuart Olding arrives at Belfast Crown Court. Photo: PA / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Ireland and Ulster rugby player Stuart Olding arrives at Belfast Crown Court. Photo: PA "He's not looking for special treatment. That's never been his pitch ever," he said. The lawyer added: "Don't fall into 'is he trying to play the rugby card?' "He's not. The fact he played for Ireland - so what?" He referred to CCTV footage outside Ollies nightclub which showed Jackson standing with his hands in his pockets. "The person you look at there is half an hour later turned into a marauding rapist," said Mr Kelly. Mr Kelly also said that there is no evidence that other girls at the party would have done anything other than help the alleged victim if they witnessed a rape. "(The alleged victim) confirmed that the girls had been nice to her downstairs. There was no suggestion made by (the woman) that they would do something other than help a girl of her age in those circumstances," he said. Expand Close Rory Harrison. Photo: Charles McQuillan/Getty Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Rory Harrison. Photo: Charles McQuillan/Getty Images Mr Kelly added: "There was no sign from their behaviour that night that they would do anything other than help her if they witnessed her being raped. The backdrop is not a form of animosity. There was no enemy or foe presented in (witness) Dara Florence." He also said that Dara Florence, who walked in on the woman engaged in sexual activity with Jackson and co-accused Stuart Olding, had no phone at the time. "Dara Florence had no telephone in her hand at the door. There were no pictures being taken at the door," he said. Mr Kelly said that Dara Florence is central to the case. "Dara Florence confirmed from what she could see (the woman) was not distressed. Dara Florence was not stupid. She was articulate. She spoke clearly," said Mr Kelly. He added: "Dara Florence's evidence is extraordinary. In she walked and that was her conclusion." Referring to Ms Florence's evidence that Jackson asked her if she wanted to join in Mr Kelly said: "What did they do to conceal (the rape)?" He added: "When people commit crime they tend to hide, they tend to conceal what they did because they don't want to get caught. "What did these two violent rapists do when she walked in? They invited her to join in. Dara Florence is absolutely central to this case." Expand Close Blane McIlroy / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Blane McIlroy Referring to the prosecution case that co-accused Blane McIlroy delivered Olding's "lines" to police about what happened that night Mr Kelly said it was "complete nonsense". "There is no possibility of the theory that's clutched at by the Crown holding any water," he added. He reminded the jury about the woman's comments that she felt humiliated and mortified after the rape. "Is that not something you would feel if what had happened was group sex and you had been identified in the course of it?" he asked. Mr Kelly told the jury that the woman had been "petrified" that her sexual activity with Jackson and Olding would end up on social media. "It was her main concern the morning after and in the days that followed. If it is your main concern why not tell a single friend?" he said. The lawyer said she told her friend she had been raped in case an "expose" made its way onto social media. "If it did get out on social media, this expose with this well known rugby player, one of the first persons to find out would be (said friend). "So what do you do if you are trying to derail those rumours? You get in first, as soon as you wake that morning and your first port of call is (your friend)," he said. Mr Kelly told the jury that after the woman told her friends she had been raped "she was stuck". Mr Kelly claimed that the police notes in this case were a "shambles". He referred to the alleged victim's omission in her first police interview that Dara Florence had walked in on the sexual activity and was asked by Jackson if she wanted to join in. "It was absolutely vital that from that ABE (Achieving Best Evidence) what was missing was the independent witness walking in. It was the reason for the lie, the reason she was petrified this would end up on social media," said Mr Kelly. He added: "There's real doubt as to when it was that the independent witness and what she had to say was first mentioned to police." He told the jury there was doubt over "when it was, why it was and how it was (the alleged victim) finally told the police 'by the way, someone did come in.'" Mr Kelly criticised the way in which the ABE interviews were conducted by police, referring to how inconsistencies in the alleged victim's account were handled. "If you come across significant inconsistencies then you would go back and you might re-interview. For some reason that wasn't done. "It would appear the reason was because that particular rule is something that didn't apply or something which the particular officer was unsure," the lawyer said. He added that there is no forensic evidence linking Jackson to penile rape. Mr Kelly also told the jury that the woman's failure to tell doctors during her initial medical examination that she had performed a sex act on Jackson meant that no swabs were taken from her mouth. The lawyer reminded the jury of the prosecution's suggestion that the four defendants had concocted a story to tell police. "It's some plan these four have contrived to mislead the police, to mislead you. "You decide whether or not the crown have stretched their evidence in that regard," he said. Mr Kelly concluded his summing up of the evidence. The case was adjourned until Wednesday. The judge told the jury to put the case out of their minds until then. Associations representing judges in Ireland and across Europe have condemned "personalised attacks" and "offensive criticism" directed towards an Irish judge by elements of the media in Poland. One outlet described Ms Justice Aileen Donnelly, who is openly gay, as an "Irish lesbian judge" in a headline after she suspended the extradition of a Polish man wanted for drug trafficking offences and expressed concerns about the rule of law there. The High Court judge has sought a ruling from the Court of Justice of the European Union on the effect of recent legislative changes in Poland, which are widely perceived to have weakened the independence of the judiciary and public prosecutors office there. Statements issued by the Association of Judges of Ireland and the European Association of Judges (EAJ) condemned "unacceptable" references to Ms Justice Donnelly's personal and private life. "In a democracy any citizen is entitled to criticise a ruling of a court. However, the disapproval should not be addressed in a manner that encourages a culture of disrespect for the judiciary and, in any case, should never be directed at a judge personally but to the decision itself," the EAJ statement said. Ms Justice Donnelly was criticised by some media outlets in Poland. One newspaper, 'Dziennik Narodowy', carried a headline stating: "Irish lesbian judge suspends the extradition of a Polish criminal because she is concerned about the rule of law in our country." A news website, wpolityce.pl, also cited her sexuality in its coverage. On Monday, lawyers for suspected drugs trafficker Artur Celmer opposed his extradition in light of recent legislative changes concerning the Polish judiciary, courts and public prosecutor. Last December a parliamentary commission cleared the way for controversial new laws which would allow the Polish government to dismiss Supreme Court judges. Ms Justice Donnelly suspended the extradition pending the outcome of a referral to the Court of Justice for the EU. In doing so, she referred to a European Commission document, which she said set out, in stark terms "what appears to be the deliberate, calculated and provocative legislative dismantling by Poland of the independence of the judiciary". It said the "constitutionality of Polish laws can no longer be effectively guaranteed" because the independence of the judiciary was "seriously undermined". The judge also quoted from the findings of the Venice Commission, which has stated the merger of the offices of the Polish justice minister and public prosecutor general would result in the accumulation of too many powers for one person. A bioscience student who was caught in possession of just under 19,000 has received a three year suspended sentence. Dayo Awosanya (20) of The Boulevard, Bealing Village, Tyrrelstown, Dublin pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to possessing the cannabis herb at his address on June 12, 2017. He has no previous convictions. Gda Alan Barry told Diarmuid Collins BL, prosecuting, that Awosanya said he was holding the drugs for a friend and was to be given some money for the job. Awosanya said he had thought the cannabis was worth about 1,000 and wouldn't have become involved had he known its true value. The student said he had been spending 50 a week on cannabis for personal use. Gda Barry agreed with Richard Wixted BL, defending, that his client had been fully co-operative in interview and expressed remorse for getting himself into a stupid mess. Mr Wixted submitted to Judge Nolan that Awosanya had started using cannabis recreationally to deal with a relative's cancer diagnosis around that time. Counsel said his client had since stopped using cannabis and had broken away from his peer group. Judge Martin Nolan accepted that Awosanya probably had an obligation to third parties to hold the drug. He took into account Awosanya's previous clean record, his early guilty plea, full co-operation and the fact he had good career prospects. He suspended the sentence for three years. The officer was taken to University College Hospital to be treated for non-life threatening lacerations Gardai are questioning two men in relation to a suspected plot to murder Gerry 'The Monk' Hutch's nephew Jonathan Hutch. The Irish Independent can reveal that the two convicted criminals in custody are Gerard Byrne (27), of Spencer Dock, and Daniel Delaney (25), of Mariner's Port, Sheriff Street, both in Dublin. The two north inner city men were arrested by armed gardai in an intelligence-led operation into the ongoing Hutch/Kinahan feud. Jonathan Hutch (38) has been warned on numerous occasions by gardai that his life is under threat because the Kinahan cartel allegedly blames him for being a getaway driver in the Regency Hotel bloodbath, in which cartel figure David Byrne was murdered. However, Hutch is not a suspect in that case - despite being previously arrested by gardai investigating the murder. It is understood that Hutch has been hiding out in a property in the Co Wexford village of Kilmuckridge in recent weeks. Sources say the arrested duo are considered career criminals and gardai are investigating whether they took up a suspected 50,000 bounty on Jonathan Hutch's head. Byrne was previously jailed in relation to a 2009 murder plot linked to a bitter north inner city feud, while Delaney has more than 100 previous convictions, including for robbery, drug dealing, blackmail, extortion and assault. In the early hours of yesterday morning, gardai from Enniscorthy - backed up by members of the Armed Response Units from the southern and eastern regions - arrested Byrne and Delaney in what they believe was an imminent hit on Jonathan Hutch. Byrne was picked up at 12.45am in a field at Millands, in Gorey, Co Wexford, after being seen exiting a car nearby - and a subsequent search of the vehicle yielded two firearms and ammunition. Delaney was arrested nearby during a follow-up search. Both men were being held in Gorey and Enniscorthy garda stations last night. Three cars - two VWs and a Nissan - were seized in the operation, as well as a Glock semi-automatic pistol and a revolver. A north inner city criminal with strong ties to the Kinahan cartel is believed to have been behind organising the murder attempt. Jonathan Hutch has been a long-term target for the Kinahan cartel since its bitter feud with the Hutch gang broke out. He previously survived an attack when a gunman working on the orders of the Kinahan cartel targeted him in Majorca. The hitman instead shot dead innocent Dublin City Council worker Trevor O'Neill (41) in a case of mistaken identity. Researchers at NUI Galway are working on developing a new type of artificial skin graft to help those suffering from serious burns or wounds. The project, named NanoGrowSkin, will attempt to bio-engineer an artificial human skin substitute using nanotechnology. The researchers plan to use these extremely precise methods to create a structure comparable to human tissue. The skin is the main protective barrier the body has against any external attack, said Professor Abhay Pandit, the lead researcher on the project at NUIG. In this project we will be investigating the development of a bio-engineered human skin substitute that would be a suitable option for treating patients. Other universities in Spain, Italy and France are also contributing to the research. The team hope to eventually introduce the product to the wider European medical market. One of the key factors in this proposed tissue is its ability to resist infection. Previously, artificial skins were highly susceptible to bacterial infection, however the team at NanoSkinGrow believe their tissue will reverse this trend and incorporate itself well with a patients natural skin. We aim to overcome the two major drawbacks of severe skin wounds, the urgent need of an effective skin implant in life-threatening situations and to avoid/counteract usual bacterial infections," said Professor Pandit. The proposed tissue would be of great use for burn victims, as well as those involved in road traffic accidents and explosions. With thanks to Campus.ie As the country faces another icy blast this weekend, the advice is that people over 65 should spend most of their time in a warm environment. (stock picture) The death toll from flu this winter rose to 148 as the country recovers from the recent Arctic blast that left many vulnerable people at risk. Figures show 12 more deaths from flu were notified last week, with hospitals seeing a surge in patients. Flu-related admissions climbed to 249, compared to 185 the previous week when the snow storm left people housebound. The spread of flu has also increased slightly - but it is still at moderate levels, according to the latest report. It is unclear if the restrictions on movement that forced more people indoors and at close quarters contributed to more of the flu being passed on. The figures highlight that the excess deaths among the elderly this winter are likely to be significant. Excess mortality among the over 65s has been recorded for the first five weeks of the year. This is likely to lead to a public health review to learn lessons for next winter, including choosing a more effective flu vaccine for older age groups. As the country faces another icy blast this weekend, the advice is that people over 65 should spend most of their time in a warm environment. Cold has various physiological effects on the body that may lead to death in vulnerable people. Research linked to a colder home temperature is associated with increased blood pressure. Other research found that cold causes the blood to become thicker, which could lead to blood clots. The cold also lowers immune resistance to respiratory infections. Flu remains at its most intense in the east and mid-west regions and is lightest in the west of the country. Allowance Social Protection Minister Regina Doherty has ruled out extending the payment of the fuel allowance. The fuel allowance is a payment of 22.50 per week for 27 weeks from October to April. In a response to Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin, she said: "In Budget 2018, I increased the duration of the fuel allowance season by one week to 27 weeks. "This is clearly longer than the winter period in Ireland, and provides assistance during what are largely colder weeks, when heating costs are expected to be at their highest. "The current fuel allowance season will, therefore, run to the first week in April." The doubling of the 22.50 weekly payment to cover the additional heating bills needed during the snow means people should have received an allowance of 45 this week. Meanwhile, hospital overcrowding remained high yesterday with 511 patients waiting on trolleys for a bed. Cork University Hospital had 51 patients on trolleys and there was also serious overcrowding in St Luke's Hospital Kilkenny and University Hospital Limerick. There are still widespread surgery cancellations. A woman who suffered a heart attack at her home has slammed Taoiseach Leo Varadkar for not providing 24/7 cardiac care at University Hospital Waterford. Mother-of-three Eleanor Cullen (45) initially thought she was suffering from indigestion or hunger pains in her chest, but as the pains didn't cease, she called for help from the emergency services. In the ambulance outside her home, blood tests revealed she had suffered a heart attack. She explained how it was decided to make the journey to University Cork Hospital because University Hospital Waterford (UHW) didn't have the facilities to care for her as it was out of hours. Waterford is one of seven major cardiac services to operate daytime hours only. The absence of a night-time service in the southeast means emergency patients have to be brought by ambulance - or helicopter when available - to Dublin or Cork. Last year Thomas Power (40) from Belle Lake, Co Waterford, died when he was transferred to Cork University Hospital (CUH) because the Waterford catheterisation lab was closed for the weekend. His death caused local outrage and led to mass protests in the area. According to Ms Cullen, the coronary team had to decide outside her home that she was going to CUH. Speaking on WLRFM's 'Deise Today' with Eamon Keane from her bedside in the Coronary Care at CUH, she challenged the Taoiseach to give a valid reason why there is no 24/7 cardiac care in Waterford. "I'd love Leo Varadkar to come and look at me and give me a valid reason why he won't [provide 24/7 cardiac care]," she said. "There is a lot of people down there [Waterford], I'm not going to be the first one and I'm not going to be the last one either." Praising the medical team that looked after her in Waterford and Cork, she said: "They told me 'you will be going to Cork' and that made me a bit anxious; I was terrified of my life but I had a doctor and nurse with me." Ms Cullen now faces the prospect of a bypass and her family have to make the journey from Waterford to Cork to see her. "It's a real issue which I didn't take seriously as I'm sure others don't until it knocked at my door," added Ms Cullen. Representatives from the Taoiseach's office were unavailable for comment at the time of going to print. A spokesperson for UHW said it does not comment on individual cases. 16/03/'18 President Higgins and actor Stephen Rea pictured at the funeral of uilleann piper, Liam O'Flynn this morning at St. Brigid's Church, Kill, Co. Kildare...Picture Colin Keegan, Collins Dublin. From right to left are, Neil Martin, Christy Moore, Paddy Glackin and Sean Keane carrying the coffin at the funeral of Liam O'Flynn at St Brigids Church in Kill, Co. Kildare. Picture credit; Damien Eagers From right to left are, Neil Martin, Christy Moore, and Paddy Glackin carrying the coffin as Jane OFlynn and her friend Deirdre Bowler follow at the funeral of Liam O'Flynn at St Brigids Church in Kill, Co. Kildare. Picture credit; Damien Eagers The funeral of one of Irelands most loved musicians, piper Liam OFlynn, heard hed lived a life as a magical person who lit up a room as gifted a nation with melodies to entrance generations. Liam, 72, who had bravely fought cancer for around 18 years, had returned home for the final time, his touching requiem Mass heard today. Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Previous Next Close Christy Moore consoles Liam O'Flynn's wife Jane pictured at the funeral of uilleann piper, Liam O'Flynn this morning at St. Brigid's Church, Kill, Co. Kildare...Picture Colin Keegan, Collins Dublin. 16/03/'18 President Higgins and actor Stephen Rea pictured at the funeral of uilleann piper, Liam O'Flynn this morning at St. Brigid's Church, Kill, Co. Kildare...Picture Colin Keegan, Collins Dublin. 16/03/'18 Paul Brady pictured at the funeral of uilleann piper, Liam O'Flynn this morning at St. Brigid's Church, Kill, Co. Kildare...Picture Colin Keegan, Collins Dublin. 16/03/'18 RTE radio's John Kelly pictured at the funeral of uilleann piper, Liam O'Flynn this morning at St. Brigid's Church, Kill, Co. Kildare...Picture Colin Keegan, Collins Dublin. 16/03/'18 Singer, Rita Connolly, pictured at the funeral of uilleann piper, Liam O'Flynn this morning at St. Brigid's Church, Kill, Co. Kildare...Picture Colin Keegan, Collins Dublin. Sean Keane of the Chieftains pictured at the funeral of uilleann piper, Liam O'Flynn this morning at St. Brigid's Church, Kill, Co. Kildare Picture Colin Keegan, Collins Dublin. 16/03/'18 The mass booklet pictured at the funeral of uilleann piper, Liam O'Flynn this morning at St. Brigid's Church, Kill, Co. Kildare...Picture Colin Keegan, Collins Dublin. 16/03/'18 Micheal o Muircheartaighpictured at the funeral of uilleann piper, Liam O'Flynn this morning at St. Brigid's Church, Kill, Co. Kildare...Picture Colin Keegan, Collins Dublin. Niall Stokes of Hot Press pictured at the funeral of uilleann piper, Liam O'Flynn this morning at St. Brigid's Church, Kill, Co. Kildare...Picture Colin Keegan, Collins Dublin. Christy Moore, carrys the remains pictured at the funeral of uilleann piper, Liam O'Flynn this morning at St. Brigid's Church, Kill, Co. Kildare...Picture Colin Keegan, Collins Dublin. John Sheehan of the Dubliners pictured at the funeral of uilleann piper, Liam O'Flynn this morning at St. Brigid's Church, Kill, Co. Kildare...Picture Colin Keegan, Collins Dublin. From right to left are, Neil Martin, Christy Moore, Paddy Glackin and Sean Keane carrying the coffin at the funeral of Liam O'Flynn at St Brigids Church in Kill, Co. Kildare. Picture credit; Damien Eagers Donal Lunny at the funeral of Liam O'Flynn at St Brigids Church in Kill, Co. Kildare. Picture credit; Damien Eagers 16/3/2018 / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Christy Moore consoles Liam O'Flynn's wife Jane pictured at the funeral of uilleann piper, Liam O'Flynn this morning at St. Brigid's Church, Kill, Co. Kildare...Picture Colin Keegan, Collins Dublin. Hundreds attended St Brigid's Church in Kill, Co Kildare, Liams birthplace, to say their final farewell to a man whod won a place in the heart of the Traditional music scene as a young man due to his unfathomable passion for music. President Michael D Higgins, former members of the Trad group Planxty and other musicians, paid their respects while Christy Moore sang two moving tracks in Liams memory. Musician and Liams friend, Steve Cooney, who also played during the funeral, read a touching poem, Gods choice, penned in the pipers honour. Former president, Mary McAleese wrote a touching tribute to pay her respects to one of the nations most loved and talented. Ms McAleeses tribute read: The Master Piper is dead. Long live his memory and his music. Somewhere today a child with a gift for music, will hear Liams pipes soar elegantly, emotionally, above the worlds symphony orchestras and in that childish heart will form a dream. If we are very lucky it will be the same dream that formed in Liam Ogs heart and soul when he was that youngster. He dreamt of becoming both servant and master of the pipes and that he surely did the Master Piper is dead but his dream lives on. Liams nephew played the whistle, after he fondly remembered a man who somehow remained down-to-earth while possessing a gift we may never see the likes of again. He told the service hed promised to play a song with his uncle when he returned from abroad. However, as he hadnt gained that chance, the funeral was now to be his stage. Throughout the Mass, as musicians transformed what could so easily have been a lamentable occasion, into one of celebration, it became apparent Liams last wish had been to be remembered through his first love, music. Though throughout his life hed adored his family above all as friend and fellow musician, fiddler Paddy Glackin, explained. He told mourners how Liam had always yearned to return home more than anything after trips away to his beloved wife, Jane. Liam was a magical person, Paddy said. I first encountered that magic in 1957. He was very young at the time. Liam is survived by Jane, his sister Maureen and brothers in law, sisters in law, nieces and nephews. Donations were taken at the funeral for the Irish Cancer Society and Pipers.ie, to help the next generation of pipers to carve their own paths in memory of one of the greats. The crew of Rescue 116: (left to right) Paul Ormsby, Mark Duffy, Dara Fitzpatrick and Ciaran Smith An interim report into the Rescue 116 helicopter crash has recommended that the Minister for Transport carry out a "thorough review" of all search and rescue operations in Ireland. The report, which was released today just over a year after the tragedy, also found there were anomalies in the helicopter company's Flight Data Recorders (FDR) used to measure latitude and longitude. The findings were compiled by the Air Accident Investigation Unit (AAIU) who have carried out a thorough inquiry into the helicopter crash, which claimed the lives of four Irish Coast Guard members. Dara Fitzpatrick, Mark Duffy, Paul Ormsby and Ciaran Smith died after their Sikorsky S-92 aircraft collided into Black Rock Island on March 14, 2017. The AAIU established from the Flight Data Recorder recovered that, while latitude and longitude position information was generally consistent with the expected flight path, it "appeared to contain anomalies". Investigators have recommended that the Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation make necessary updates and modifications to the S-92A helicopter "to ensure that the latitude and longitude information recorded on the Flight Data Recorder reflects the most accurate position information available during all flight regimes and mission profiles." Expand Close Rescue 116 had a warning system for low altitude but that did not include information for the terrain around Black Rock island / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Rescue 116 had a warning system for low altitude but that did not include information for the terrain around Black Rock island The AAIU has also called for greater clarity regarding the individual and collective responsibilities for oversight of Search and Rescue (SAR) aviation operations in Ireland. Investigators also believe that a review should be carried out by Transport Minister Shane Ross of all search and rescue operations. "The Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, as the issuing authority for the Irish National Maritime Search and Rescue Framework, should carry out a thorough review of SAR aviation operations in Ireland to ensure that there are appropriate processes, resources and personnel in place to provide effective, continuous, comprehensive and independent oversight of all aspects of these operations," the investigation team, headed by chief inspector Jurgen Whyte stated. Read More A preliminary report published in April of last year examined the circumstances surrounding the crash. It recommended that RFD Beaufort Ltd, who supply lifejackets for crew members, should review the viability of the installation provisions and instructions for locater beacons on Mk 44 lifejackets. On March 8 the company told investigators that modifications to lifejackets had been made in this regard and that the changes are being validated through a trial. Expand Close Family and local people attend a candlelit vigil for the crew of Rescue 116 near Glosh Tower close to Blacksod at 12.46am Photo: Steve Humphreys / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Family and local people attend a candlelit vigil for the crew of Rescue 116 near Glosh Tower close to Blacksod at 12.46am Photo: Steve Humphreys A critical observation also made by the AAIU in its preliminary report was that CHC Ireland should review and re-evaluate all route guides in use by its SAR helicopters in Ireland. This recommendation was made after it emerged that Black Rock island, the remote island with which the coast guard' helicopter collided, was not on a route guide being used by the crew. CHC said that a review of all routes in the CHCI route guide was conducted between April and June 2017 culminating in a general communication sent to all staff by email on the 4th July 2017. The aircraft operator further advised on March 12 that the route guide has been reviewed and re-evaluated in line with the Safety Recommendation contained within the Preliminary Report. Read More Transport Minister Shane Ross welcomed the publication of the report and said he will ensure the recommended reviews are carried out. Minister Ross, who has responsibility for the Coast Guard, said in a statement: "The recommendation addressed to me in the AAIUs interim statement calls for a thorough review of the current arrangements in place to oversee SAR aviation operations. "I have asked my officials to make arrangements to ensure that this review is instigated without delay. Expand Close Blackrock Island where Rescue 116 crashed killling four crew members. Photo: Steve Humphreys / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Blackrock Island where Rescue 116 crashed killling four crew members. Photo: Steve Humphreys "This review will be carried out by an external party and it will take account of the previous and on-going work cited in the AAIU report in relation to the SAR aviation oversight. "The aim of this review will be to ensure that our arrangements in this regard are sufficiently robust and measure up to international best practice models. " He continued to say that he is not in a position to comment further on the ongoing investigation into the tragedy. Minister Ross said: "I feel it important to emphasise that the AAIUs investigation continues. It is charged under domestic law and international obligations with examining all relevant issues it determines are pertinent to the accident it is investigating. "Whilst I understand the on-going public interest in this matter, it is vital that the AAIU is given the time and space to complete its work and report on its findings." On Wednesday a number of memorial services took place on the Mullet peninsula involving family and loved ones of the crew to mark the one year anniversary of the tragedy. Justice Minister Charlie Flanagan has joined judges across Europe in condemning personalised attacks directed towards an Irish judge by elements of the media in Poland. Mr Flanagan was speaking after some media outlets highlighted the sexuality of Ms Justice Aileen Donnelly, who is openly gay, in their coverage of her decision to refer an extradition matter to the Court of Justice of the European Union amid concerns over the rule of law in Poland. I strongly condemn the highly personalised criticism of a judge of the Irish High Court in relation to a recent decision to refer a matter in an ongoing case to the European Court of Justice, said Mr Flanagan. The High Court is established and mandated by the Constitution of Ireland and our judges are expressly independent under the Constitution in the performance of their judicial functions. While freedom of expression is cherished in Ireland, so also is the independence of, and the respect due to, our judiciary. His comments on Friday came a day after associations representing judges in Ireland and across Europe condemned offensive criticism directed towards Ms Justice Donnelly. One Polish media outlet described her as an Irish lesbian judge in a headline after she suspended the extradition of a Polish man wanted for drug trafficking offences and sought a ruling from the European court. The High Court judge has sought a ruling from the European court on the effect of recent legislative changes in Poland, which are widely perceived to have weakened the independence of the judiciary and public prosecutors office there. Statements issued by the Association of Judges of Ireland and the European Association of Judges condemned as unacceptable references in some Polish media report to Ms Justice Donnellys personal and private life. On Monday Ms Justice Donnelly suspended extradition proceedings in relation to a suspected drugs trafficker pending the outcome of the referral. The mans legal team has opposed extradition in light of recent legislative changes concerning the Polish judiciary, courts and public prosecutor. The proceedings were due back before the High Court on Friday for the finalisation of question to be sent to the European court. However, the issue did not advance as the Attorney Generals office is still working on the suggested question. Ultimately Ms Justice Donnelly will decide the precise question. Taoiseach Leo Varadkar is greeted by US Vice-President Mike Pence and wife Karen at a breakfast event at the Vice-President's Residence in Washington DC, USA. Photo: Niall Carson/PA Wire TAOISEACH Leo Varadkar has said he did speak "privately" to American Vice President Mike Pence around the issues of equality and LGBT rights. While he made no public remarks on the issues during a breakfast with Mr Pence and his wife on Friday morning, Mr Varadkar said he spoke to both about equality for women and LGBT rights both in Ireland and America. Expand Expand Previous Next Close Taoiseach Leo Varadkar addresses Vice President Mike Pence during his speech at the St Patrick's Day breakfast (picture provided by the Taoiseach's office) Taoiseach Leo Varadkar during his speech at the St Patrick's Day breakfast of Vice President Mike Pence (picture provided by the Taoiseach's office) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Taoiseach Leo Varadkar addresses Vice President Mike Pence during his speech at the St Patrick's Day breakfast (picture provided by the Taoiseach's office) "They were very well briefed," he said. "They knew about my personal story. They knew my partner is living in Chicago, and they said that both Matt and I would be very welcome to visit there in the future. It was a very nice gesture." The Taoiseach's partner, Matt Barrett, is a cardiologist in Chicago, and is expected to join Mr Varadkar in New York this weekend. The Taoiseach will march in the city's St Patrick's Day parade. He was asked if he would bring Mr Barrett to the Vice President's breakfast next year. "There are so many ifs and maybes there," he said. Read More "First of all I have to survive another year in my office. Secondly Matt's not terribly keen to attend public functions," the Taoiseach said. Mr Pence also confirmed that he had been invited to Ireland by the Taoiseach and said the Pence family would be visiting in the coming years. The media was prohibited from attending the breakfast in a break with long-standing tradition - at the request of the socially-conservative Mr Pence's office. Mr Varadkar is one of very few openly gay world leaders, and had repeatedly said he would talk with Mr Pence about various social issues. Traditionally, the annual meeting can be recorded and reported on for the public. Read More Mr Pence is a social conservative politician who has been criticised for his stance on LGBT rights. Mr Varadkar has said he would have preferred the meeting to be held in public. However, he added that the private meeting may allow the two politicians have a frank conversation. Sources in the Vice Presidents Office said Mr Pence has held his recent meetings with world leaders behind closed doors. Taoiseach Leo Varadkar addresses Vice President Mike Pence during his speech at the St Patrick's Day breakfast (picture provided by the Taoiseach's office) US VICE President Mike Pence told Taoiseach Leo Varadkar his partner Matt Barrett would be welcome in his home should he decide to attend the next years St Patricks Day visit to the US. It is understood Mr Pence enquired after the Taoiseachs partner when they spoke yesterday in the White House and asked why he had not brought Mr Barrett on the trade mission. A government source said Mr Varadkar and Mr Pence had a tete-a-tete during the official visit. Another source confirmed Mr Varadkar did discuss LGBT rights with Mr Pence and his wife Karen during a discussion in the White House. The Taoiseach is expected to make comments on the invitation extended to Mr Barrett when he speaks later today. Expand Close Taoiseach Leo Varadkar during his speech at the St Patrick's Day breakfast of Vice President Mike Pence (picture provided by the Taoiseach's office) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Taoiseach Leo Varadkar during his speech at the St Patrick's Day breakfast of Vice President Mike Pence (picture provided by the Taoiseach's office) Mr Varadkar made no reference to the issue of LGBT rights during his speech at the St Patrick's Day breakfast hosted by Mr Pence this morning. The media was prohibited from attending the breakfast in a break with long-standing tradition - at the request of the socially-conservative Mr Pence's office. Mr Varadkar is one of very few openly gay world leaders, and had repeatedly said he would talk with Mr Pence about various social issues. This morning, Mr Pence ignored questions from the media as he and his wife Karen welcomed Mr Varadkar to his official residence in The Naval Observatory in Washington DC. The Taoiseach also did not respond when he was asked if he would raise marriage equality with the Vice President. Mr Pence broke with a long held tradition this year and insisted that the Vice Presidents St Patricks Day breakfast be held behind closed doors with no access to the media. Expand Close Leo Varadkar and his partner Matthew Barrett during the Montreal Pride parade / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Leo Varadkar and his partner Matthew Barrett during the Montreal Pride parade Traditionally, the annual meeting can be recorded and reported on for the public. Mr Pence is a social conservative politician who has been criticised for his stance on LGBT rights. Mr Varadkar has said he would have preferred the meeting to be held in public. However, he added that the private meeting may allow the two politicians have a frank conversation. Sources in the Vice Presidents Office said Mr Pence has held his recent meetings with world leaders behind closed doors. In Mr Varadkar's speech he repeatedly referenced Mr Pence's Irish ancestry. The vice president's grandfather emigrated from Sligo in the 1920s. "I understand that as a child Vice-President Pence could recite the nursery rhyme, Humpty Dumpty in Irish after learning it from his grandfather," he said at one point. "I wont embarrass him by asking him how much he remembers. I wont embarrass myself by admitting I only know it in English." The Taoiseach, not for the first time this week, also talked about the 20th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement and the issue of the border with Northern Ireland, and again referenced the 2bn in trade each day between Ireland and America. Read More During his speech the Vice President spoke about his Irish heritage and confirmed he will travel to Ireland at the invitation of the Taoiseach. "And Taoiseach invited our family to come to Ireland in my official capacity, and so Id like to announce to all of you: The Pences will be traveling to Ireland in the coming years. I promise you that. We will accept that wonderful invitation," he said. Mr Pence said the two countries would be looking to strengthen their trade ties telling those gathered: "Well look for ways in the near future to strengthen our economic relationship, our mutual commitment to security, and, as our stories have intertwined in the past, I know they will continue to intertwine for the betterment of both of our people for generations to come." Mr Pence said it was an honour to host Mr Varadkar for the first time and said there were "great and productive discussions yesterday" at the White House, adding that under the two leaders the Irish-US relationship would strengthen. Mr Pence - whose grandfather emigrated to the US from Co Sligo - spoke about his family's history and described the US as "a place where the American dream could happen for so many Irish immigrants and their descendants. And it happened in our family". Earlier this week Mr Varadkar used another speaking engagement to make a rallying call for the survival of the American Dream which he said was "faltering". These are our Irish values today. We believe in equality before the law for all citizens, irrespective of gender, race or religion. This will all sound very familiar to you, because these were American values long before they were ours, he added, calling for the protection of those ideals. Graham Lowndes, right, with his late father Richard in a photo from 2016. Photo: Steve Humphreys A man who shot and injured an intruder at his father's house in 2012 has welcomed a court decision to acquit Martin Keenan of the murder of a trespasser. In the first such case defended under the Defence and the Dwelling Act, Mr Keenan was this week cleared of murdering Wesley Mooney. Graham Lowndes was himself prosecuted after he shot and injured thief Matthew Fahey when confronting him at his father's house in 2012. But reacting to this week's not guilty verdict, Mr Lowndes said the law will be of comfort to homeowners and may make intruders think twice about trespassing and burglary. "I feel very strongly that a person has a right to defend themselves and their property," said Mr Lowndes. "What went on for years was unfair. When you are in that position of being confronted in your home, you don't have time to be thinking about rights and laws. You just want to protect yourself," he added. Matthew Fahey (36) was trespassing in the house and land of Graham's father, elderly farmer Richard Lowndes (84), in Kilsallaghan, Co Dublin. Graham Lowndes arrived in a lorry, grabbed a shotgun from the house and chased one of the fleeing vehicles into the fields. Fahey received shotgun injuries to his arm. Graham (53) received the probation act in July 2016 when he pleaded guilty to having a shotgun without a certificate on the day he shot Fahey. A more serious charge of reckless discharge of a shotgun was dropped. Fahey, who was on bail at the time, had more than 60 convictions for theft and burglary, later initiated a civil case for injury caused by 17 shotgun pellets. Richard Lowndes died last year. His son said he lived his last few years with his house like a fortress because he feared another burglary. "The law is now leaning in a more sensitive way. After all, they guy who breaks into your house chooses to do so, and up until now the chances of legal consequences were on his side, but now it is more balanced," Mr Lowndes said. "Homeowners might feel more at ease in their minds that they can protect themselves now because the law is more on their side. "My dad, who suffered as a result of a burglary, would have been happy with the result of the case that seems to finally give the homeowner the right to defend their property and also gives them the feeling that the law is weighed more in their favour than the criminal." He added that he would now like to see the implementation of our bail laws enforced more strongly. "We have situations where people are committing crimes while on bail, and then going out and doing it again," he said. "I think a person should be locked up if they breach their bail conditions." Spanish folk are easy-going and fun as a general rule. It's one of the reasons we Irish count them as friends. Just don't make the mistake that Jamie Oliver did when he had the temerity to tweet a recipe for a paella containing chorizo. The #paellagate that ensued showed just how strong Spanish feelings can run about this dish, which has risen from its humble origins in the paddy fields of Albufera just outside Valencia city to become a beloved, if highly controversial, national icon. Be warned: friends have fallen out over less. Jamie hasn't been the only one to provoke paella purists, as a quick online search of hashtags like #paellafail, Twitter handles like @ComunidadPaella or websites like wikipaella.org will prove. Established in 2013, Wikipaella is a community of like-minded Valencians who are committed to a 10-point manifesto that includes such edicts as "we publicly report any transgressions committed against paella, particularly those taking place within the community of Valencia". Chilling stuff. The debate over what makes an 'authentic' paella is set to intensify as Quique Dacosta - a Valencian chef whose eponymous restaurant has three Michelin stars - prepares to open InPaella in London's Fitzrovia, the first of an international chain of high-end paella restaurants. Some predict that paella is due the makeover that pizza enjoyed when people rediscovered slow-fermented pizza dough. Twitter's Comunidad Paella have already been heckling Dacosta from the sidelines, however, retweeting his paella shots with that damning tag, 'Arroz con Cocas' (or 'rice with things'). As any Valencian can tell you, 'La paella, no es arroz con cosas' (or 'The paella is not just rice with things'). For all the disagreements over what should and shouldn't go into a paella, the one thing everyone agrees is the rice itself is crucial. And almost everyone agrees that one particular variety of Valencian rice - la bomba - is, well, the bomb. Jaime Jambrina of Food Fiesta uses bomba rice imported from Valencia for the Valencian Paella, Seafood Paella, Vegetarian Paella and Arroz Negro (Black Rice) that he cooks up every Sunday at the People's Park in Dun Laoghaire. He also sells bags of Sivaris bomba rice directly to customers who want to try their hand at home. At almost 12 per kilo, it doesn't come cheap, but he explains its appeal: "Bomba rice is short grain and the richest in amylose, which gives it the ability to absorb more stock while holding its structure and qualities and never getting sticky or overcooked." Ian Redmond of Redmond's Fine Foods agrees. "What makes bomba a stand-out rice for paella is the ability of the rounded and pearl-shaped grains to absorb the broth and flavours in a very special way, achieving an exceptional taste," he says, emphasising how the rice grain doubles in size during the 18 to 20 minutes it takes to cook. Redmond's supply bomba rice to specialist stores in Dublin like Fallon & Byrne, where it retails at more than four times the price of their regular paella rice. It can also be found in the likes of Lotts & Co in Dublin or Ardkeen supermarket in Waterford (from the end of this month), while Asian food stores are good hunting grounds for this caviar of rice. Jambrina also recommends keeping an eye out for alternative varieties such as Senia, Bahia or Albufera from Valencia, and for rice from other areas such as Calasparra from Murcia or Montsia from Delta del Ebro, Catalunya. Ian Marconi from The Paella Guys use a high quality Calasparra rice for the paella that they cook at weekly markets around Dublin or bomba rice for private catering gigs. A Spanish cook living in Dublin, Blanca Valencia honed her culinary skills while running the El Alambique cookery school in Madrid and the test kitchen in London's Books for Cooks. She tends to buy the Balilla Solana variety of paella rice that was created in a lab in the 1970s and is sold in the likes of Dunnes Stores. She admits its back story is less enticing than those premium varieties with their protected designation of origin, but finds it reliable and easy to use. Choosing your rice is the first hurdle to jump when making authentic paella. More contentious is the question of what other ingredients go in. Estrella Damn caused huge outrage with their 2013 beer ad featuring lithe Mediterranean party-people preparing a paella - ready yourself, reader - with onions! They clearly didn't take the time to study Wikipaella's detailed statistical breakdown of what they deem to be "authentic paella" recipes as cooked in "distinguished" restaurants in the Comunidad Valencia. Had they done so, they would have known that the jury is split on whether to include garlic, but unanimous that onion has no place in any iteration. While a seafood paella is considered acceptable by most purists, the true Paella Valencia is a dish that evolved further inland in the wetlands around Albufera. "Traditionally it was rabbit, snails and whatever is in the field," Marconi explains, adding that "the first ones were made with eels and rats". Suddenly chorizo doesn't look like such a bad idea. Whatever you decree to include in your paella, there are some useful tips to remember. "Use a very flavoursome and highly seasoned stock," Marconi advises. "If you were to taste it as a soup, it should taste too strong." Valencia agrees. "People spend a lot of time planning how to make their stock, sourcing the bones of a Serrano ham maybe, or making a really good fish stock." For Jambrina, "the 'paella' or the pan is crucial for a great successful paella". With the right pan, the key to achieving that all-important 'socarrat' - the umami-rich caramelised crust in the base of the pan - is to resist the temptation to stir. Marconi explains that it is the opposite of a risotto where you want to release the starch: instead, "you want the starch to stay inside the individual grains of rice". And if you don't master the socarrat? Or can't resist adding some chorizo? "When I cook paella, I just call it 'rice'," says Valencia, "and I put in whatever I like. If you say Spanish-style rice, you have so many permutations." And less chance of falling out with friends. How to make Paella Valenciana This is Jaime Jambrina's recipe for Paella Valenciana - add the rabbit for extra authenticity. Serves 10 500g Bomba or Albufera Rice 1 litre chicken stock (or preferably Aneto 100pc Natural Valencian Paella Base Stock, optional) 1kg chicken (or 850g chicken and 250g rabbit, optional) 150ml extra virgin olive oil 250g ripe chopped tomatoes 250g wide green beans 250g large white lima beans (optional) saffron (or food colouring) salt fresh rosemary Heat oil in the pan ('paella') at a medium to high heat and when the oil is hot enough add the meat and fry until lightly coloured. Add the vegetables and, about two minutes later, the chopped tomatoes, keeping the heat medium/high. Once everything is well fried, add the stock and/or water (4:1 parts liquid to rice) along with the fresh rosemary. Increase the heat to max and add salt and saffron. As soon as it starts boiling, add the rice and remove the rosemary. For a few minutes, distribute the ingredients throughout the pan with delicate but firm movements with the spoon. Keep at max heat for 8-10 minutes before reducing gradually to a low heat that will help obtain the steamed 'socarrat' (lightly toasted rice). After a total cooking time of 17-20 minutes, remove from the heat and allow to stand for some minutes. Enjoy! When athletes perform well, they may end up with a medal or a trophy, like the coveted Sam Maguire Cup. Similarly, people who save lives are often publicly celebrated. But what about heroism on a personal level? There are individuals who face huge challenges in their lives, but they get little recognition for their heroism. Someone who does deserve a gold medal for gutsiness in the face of adversity is 14-year-old Claudia Scanlon from Terenure. Claudia is living with epidermolysis bullosa (EB), which is also known as 'butterfly skin' because it causes the skin to be as fragile as a butterfly's wings. It's a devastating condition, yet Claudia remains cheerful and optimistic. There are 300 people living with EB in this country. According to Judith Gilsenan of Debra Ireland: "EB causes the skin to blister and wound at the slightest touch. There is no known cure, and the only treatment is constant, painful bandaging of the skin." Claudia has EB because both her parents carry a recessive gene, responsible for what has been described as "the worst disease you have never heard of". "I was still knocking around the Liberties when I was in my 30s," says Liz. "Then I met Gary. We got engaged, married, and had Claudia within three years." She explains that following the birth at the Coombe Women and Infants University Hospital in January, 2004, some of the baby's skin was damaged, so she was taken to ICU. The next day, a consultant dermatologist broke the news that there was a good chance that Claudia had EB. "At the beginning, they spoon-feed you," she explains. "How else do you tell parents that their baby may have a problem that is going to affect every area of their lives?" The next step was a biopsy. In the meantime, Claudia remained in ICU, while Liz went home. "I found myself in an empty house with an empty nursery and an empty cot. All the plans we had made were meaningless," she says. Two weeks later, Claudia was transferred to Our Lady's Children's Hospital, Crumlin. From the outset, Liz was encouraged to avoid unnecessary skin-to-skin contact with her baby. They soon learned that there were three main types of EB - simplex, junctional and dystrophic. Liz and Gary prayed that Claudia had EB simplex, the mildest form. Finally, when she was a month old, their baby was diagnosed with severe recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa. Judith says this form of EB may cause internal linings to be affected, as well as a reduction in the flexibility of joints, and fusion of fingers and toes. "It's also complicated by the high risk of an aggressive form of skin cancer from early adulthood," Judith says. Even though they were devastated, Liz and Gary took Claudia home immediately. "They offered to keep her in [hospital], to allow us to get used to the idea," says Liz, "but we needed to get some normality back into our lives." And so began a way of being that the Scanlons could never have envisioned. Claudia had to be cradled in cotton wool and handled with kid gloves. "EB causes a breakdown in the natural proteins that hold the skin layers together. The slightest touch can cause severe pain, blistering and sores," Judith explains. "There was a huge sense of loss," says Liz. "Gary and I had been a happy-go-lucky couple, and then this happened. It was the toughest time ever." Fortunately, they were helped by their families - particularly Gary's mother, Carmel, who has fostered 36 children over time. There was also great support from the dynamic community in the Liberties. "This area is steeped in history," says Liz. "I'm still friends with girls I went to school with 45 years ago. We've been through it all together - Holy Communion, engagements, weddings, deaths, being 30, 40 and so on." In the early days, Liz attended to all Claudia's needs herself. "She had wounds like I have never seen on anyone," she says. "The whole thing was just inhuman; I was a basket case. Eventually, I hit rock bottom and had no resources left to tap into." All along, Liz had been fighting vigorously for EB nursing care. "I knew we were entitled to support, so I fought for it. The day it was approved was like winning the Lotto. A child should only get love and care from a mother. They shouldn't be inflicting pain on their own kids." Now, three times a week, when her school day ends, Claudia is treated by an EB nurse in a specially designated room at home. The nurse lances blisters, attends to infected wounds, and finishes with a complicated bandaging process. This takes hours, and causes Claudia a lot of pain. But Liz says severe discomfort has always been a part of her daughter's life. "She was born with pain. She has chronic wounds all over her body, and is constantly plagued with infection. Her left hand has completely fused, and she is peg [tube] fed." But, in spite of all the problems, Claudia continues to smile and, like most teenagers, finds pleasure in clothes, make-up, pop music and social media. And travel. Shopping in New York and going to Disneyland Paris are favourite activities for Claudia. When they travel, they take lots of bandages, lotions and creams. Liz would move heaven and earth for her daughter. "Now is Claudia's time," she says. "She has been through so much. Apart from the pain, there is all the emotional stuff. Puberty is hard enough, without all this. She has to deal with really big stuff, like her own mortality, even though she's only 14 years old. So, we try to keep things in the here and now." Liz says Claudia never ceases to amaze her. "Gary and I are completely in awe of her. I've never seen anyone fight that hard to do what they want to do. She's like a brave, brave warrior. The irony is, she is covered in bandages like a wounded soldier, but the only war she's been in is life itself." This coming week, Liz will face a challenge of her own when she heads off to the Arctic Circle with 20 other women, who will endure six days of extreme weather conditions, to raise funds for Debra Ireland and to increase awareness about EB. For more information, see debraireland.org Until now, I've never been a fan of wall lights. I'd always considered them unnecessary fittings: not very practical and placed at just the right level to bump your head. Another problem is that many of the sconces were poorly designed. Intended to mimic historic carriage lamps, they just ended up looking twee. Happily, the new generation of wall lights is a lot better looking - and more practical - than those that went before. "We've come a long way from cut crystal lampshades that go with your Waterford chandelier," says Mary Ryder, interior designer. "There are some very sexy sconces out there." The word 'sconce', by the way, was originally used to describe a wall bracket that held a candle, often with a metal plate to protect the wall from the flame. Candle sconces are an archetypal piece of design and, surprisingly, still being made. You can buy them in pewter or brass, handmade in Sweden by Malin Appelgren, from the Shop Floor Project (160 to 825). They're expensive artisan pieces and probably only worth the price if you're going to use them regularly. In Sweden, where people light several candles every evening as a matter of course, one of them would make a lovely ambient wall light. But, if you're not in the habit of lighting candles, installing a candle sconce would be like buying an electric light and forgetting to turn it on. Candle sconces cast an exceptionally beautiful light, but they're not particularly practical. As Mary Ryder explains, this is often the case with electric wall lights too. "Mostly, they're not there to light up a room. Their job is to create an atmosphere." Wall lighting, she finds, works especially well in rooms where the walls are painted in a dark palette of moody blues and sludgy greens. The sconces themselves don't have to cost a great deal of money. For good value, Ryder recommends Hicken Lighting, where many decent quality wall sconces cost less than 100 each, but she also likes the very high-end light fittings from Porta Romana. Expand Close Neptune's Keats extending double arm wall light, price 155/120. / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Neptune's Keats extending double arm wall light, price 155/120. "Some of them are sculptures in their own right," she says. "They're mouth-wateringly beautiful and eye-wateringly expensive!" One of the tricks with wall lighting is to make sure that it is on a different circuit from the overhead lights. This will enable you to vary the tone and the quality of the light, and therefore, the atmosphere in the room. "Another way of dialling the light up or down is to line the shade with silver or gold," says Ryder, who also designs bespoke wall lights for her interior design clients. "Wall lighting is often thought of as old-fashioned, but it's a really useful way of adding a layer of lighting to a room," says Fred Horlocks, interior designer with Neptune. "It helps to reduce the shadows caused by ceiling and table lighting." Another way of using wall sconces is to attach them to built-in furniture, like library shelving. The Keats wall light from Neptune (125 to 155) works well in this regard because it has an adjustable arm. "Using a directional light fitting means that you can tailor the light for reading." For Emily Maher, interior designer and owner of Lost Weekend, the key to getting the most out of wall lighting is to position it correctly. "It's all about being thoughtful," she says. In terms of placement, she prefers to position wall lights relatively low. "We've been putting them at the same level as you would a table lamp," she says. "You don't want to be lighting the top of your head!" One of the main mistakes that people make is putting in a row of fussy looking sconces along a corridor, or plonking them on either side of the fireplace without really thinking it through. The traditional picture light (that's a mini strip-light above a painting) has also gone out of fashion. On the other hand, putting adjustable task lighting on the walls above desks and behind sofas is an excellent plan. The DCW Mantis wall light (875) from Lost Weekend combines a graceful elliptical shade on a long stem, balanced by a system of counterweights. "It's decoratively beautiful and it functions as well," she says. Maher also likes the DCW In The Tube (1,483), a contemporary take on tube lighting that comes in many alternative forms and sizes. "It's industrial looking and kind of cool," she says. "It can be small - the basic fitting is 25cm long - but you can have long versions that look like a sculpture on the wall." Other sculptural light fittings from Lost Weekend include the Ariette (232) designed by Tobia Scarpa for Flos. It's a large square lamp that lies flat to the wall and has a crumpled papery surface that diffuses the light. "It reminds me of a kite," Maher says. "I used one recently to give the impression of a window in a windowless room." Another way of using wall lights is to use them to highlight architectural detailing, like nice plasterwork or interesting ceilings, rather than to illuminate the room. "You can use really simple subtle fittings to wash light up and down the wall, or to draw you down a hallway. The fitting in itself isn't a feature - you're using the light to decorate the space," Maher explains. Changing the lighting can alter your perception of a room. A pool of light in the middle from a single lonely pendant can make a room seem smaller... conversely, lighting the walls will make the space feel bigger. Expand Close Candle sconce by Malin Appelgren of Sweden / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Candle sconce by Malin Appelgren of Sweden Although wall lights can be hardwired into place, Maher finds that it works just as well to fix the light to the wall and run an external cable to the nearest power socket. "That way, the cable becomes part of the design," she says. Some of her clients are horrified by this. But, when she gets the "Oh my God - no - I couldn't do that," reaction, she shrugs philosophically. "If that's the way you feel, then it just isn't your look!" See maryryderdesign.ie, lostweekend.ie, neptune.com, theshopfloorproject.com, portaromana.com, hickenlighting.com I was 18 when I got my first tattoo, and it was done by a friend of mine who was an apprentice and I said Id let her practice on me. It was a little cat on my shoulder, which I still have. There are some that I had done when I was younger and I couldnt afford the money for a good tattoo, so Ive since had them retouched. My latest one is Bart Simpson and hes on the back of my arm. Kathi Burke (28), better known in Ireland as the illustrator Fatti Burke, says shes never been discriminated against in Ireland because of her tattoos. In fact, as an artist, people experience her tattoos as an extension of her creative self, she says. I have a tattoo of George Costanza from Seinfeld because I love Seinfeld, lots of animals and plants, a blackberry, a ladybird, a lamb on my left forearm. I had a lamb teddy when I was born and the teddy has been disintegrating recently so I thought Id have it as a tattoo. [The tattoos are] playful and I love colour, and it makes sense for me. I just think that its a really normal thing. Sometimes if Im wearing a formal gown, which would be once every ten years, I might think that that gown would be nice if I didnt have tattoos, but other than that, [no regrets]. Ive found Irish people really welcoming about it. But thats maybe because Im an artist, so its not a bad thing for me to go into a meeting with a load of tattoos, because people will think oh shes creative. I went in to get tattoos on my knuckles, and the tattoo artist asked what is your job?; so I thought he was quite responsible about it. Or a tattoo artist would be wary of doing a tattoo on a persons neck and face, theyd ask, are you sure about this? Its even more painful to remove those I think. Fattis first two Irish-themed childrens books, Irelandopedia, published in 2015, and Historopedia, published in 2016, both topped the bestseller list in Ireland. Her interests are now stretching over the Atlantic and she is currently working on two feminist board books for children about two great American women. One is about Michelle Obama, and the other tells young girls about Ruth Bader Ginsburg, an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States. Recently, Kathi moved to Amsterdam, a city which has given her the opportunity to meet an eclectic mix of people, she says. There are a lot of graphic designers, fashion designers, industrial designers. Its quite cool the eclectic mix of people that move there. Im being exposed to lots of new artwork. The posters and the signage and the Dutch way of looking at things, its different to the Irish aesthetics, and there are different typefaces on the signs. Kathi, from Waterford, was in Ireland this week to see her very own designs on BIC lighters hit the shelves. She created seven designs which represent different aspects of Irishness, from the Cliffs of Moher to a traditional Irish fry. All seven illustrations are distinct, but fans of Fatti's work will recognise her vivid and playful style. Im delighted because its something people can hold in their hand that Ive designed. So theyll be in handbags and smoking areas across the country. For the last couple of years, Ive been so focused on doing childrens non-fiction, and teaching kids, so its nice to do something fun with no agenda behind it. This is more fun and throwaway. Last year, Fatti added a third book to her repertoire, Focloiropedia (2017) a visual introduction to the Irish language. Focusing on childrens educational books is a natural fit for her she says, since she comes from a family of teachers. Its a privilege. One of the best things you can do is teach children. My family is basically all teachers, but Im the drawing teacher, she muses. Fatti's designs can be purchased in pocket lighter stockists nationwide. After you've celebrated Ireland tomorrow, what about jetting away from it for a much-needed break? Here are this weekend's top airline deals. 49.99: Iceland's WOW factor Always wanted to visit Iceland? WOW flies direct from Dublin to Reykjavik's Keflavik Airport, with prices from 49.99 from October this year. It's not much more to visit before then - flights start from 56.99 on select dates between April and June. Just remember that bags, seat selection and meals/drinks are extra. wowair.ie. 124.90: Fly to the US with Norwegian The low-cost airline has a four-day sale from March 16 to 19, offering flights to Providence (Boston) and New York Stewart from 124.90 each-way. The fares are available to/from Dublin, Cork and Shannon for travel from April 15 - May 31 and September 5 to October 31. book at norwegian.com/ie. 19.99: Rooms and flights with Ryanair Ryanair has flights to the UK from 12.99, but the real deals are just a few bob more - Ibiza, Girona, La Rochelle and Carcassone from 19.99, for instance. The airline is also offering 10pc flight credit for every stay you book on rooms.ryanair.com. 25pc off with Aer Lingus Aer Lingus has extended its latest sale to today, March 16. It offers 25pc off flights to Europe, with flights to Amsterdam and Hamburg from 34.99 each-way. It also has new 'saver fares' to the US from 159 each-way, excluding bags. Don't forget the ferries It's not just flights going green this Paddy's Day. Stena Line is offering motorists 20pc off ferry crossings to the UK - book by March 22 for travel to December 15 (offer code: LUCKY). Irish Ferries is offering 20pc off trips to France, valid for travel up to May 26. stenaline.ie; irishferries.com. NB: All prices subject to availability and change. The Lapland Hotels SnowVillage in Kittila Finland joins Tourism Irelands Global Greening initiative, to celebrate the island of Ireland and St Patrick. Pic Tuomas Kurtakko The Pen Monument in Hoan Kiem Lake, Hanoi (Vietnam), joins Tourism Irelands Global Greening initiative, to celebrate the island of Ireland and St Patrick. Pic Tourism Ireland The Radisson Collection Royal Hotel and Nimb Hotel in Copenhagen (Denmark) join Tourism Irelands Global Greening initiative, to celebrate the island of Ireland and St Patrick. Pic KHAN TARIQ MIKKEL Niagara Falls joins Tourism Irelands Global Greening, to celebrate the island of Ireland and St Patrick. Pic Jules Oille The Auckland Harbour Bridge and the Sky Tower in Auckland, New Zealand, join Tourism Irelands Global Greening initiative, to celebrate the island of Ireland and St Patrick. Pic Frances Oliver The London Eye joins Tourism Irelands Global Greening initiative, to celebrate the island of Ireland and St Patrick. Pic John Nguyen/PA Wire The Great Wall of China joins Tourism Irelands Global Greening initiative once again this year (file photo). Vabaduse Valjak (Freedom Square), Tallinn (Estonia), joins Tourism Irelands Global Greening initiative, to celebrate the island of Ireland and St Patrick. Pic Tourism Ireland El Monumento a Alvaro Obregon in Mexico City, joins Tourism Irelands Global Greening initiative, to celebrate the island of Ireland and St Patrick. Pic Carlos Adrin Angrigiani The Town Hall in Nicosia, Cyprus, joins Tourism Irelands Global Greening initiative, to celebrate the island of Ireland and St Patrick. Pic Tourism Ireland The Lion of Judah monument in Addis Ababa (Ethiopia) joins Tourism Irelands Global Greening initiative, to celebrate the island of Ireland and St Patrick. Pic YONAS TADESSE The Beaugrenelle shopping centre in Paris joins Tourism Irelands Global Greening initiative, to celebrate the island of Ireland and St Patrick. Pic Nicolas Gouhier 17/03/2018:The Palestinian Museum in Ramallah, Palestine, joins Tourism Irelands Global Greening initiative, to celebrate the island of Ireland and St Patrick. The museum was designed by Dublin architects Heneghan Peng. DOT Groningen, a multifunctional meeting place in The Netherlands, joins Tourism Irelands Global Greening initiative, to celebrate the island of Ireland and St Patrick. Pic Peter van Zetten producties Nelsons Column, London, joins Tourism Irelands Global Greening initiative, to celebrate the island of Ireland and St Patrick. Pic Tourism Ireland The Busan Cinema Center, official venue of the Busan International Film Festival (Asias largest film festival) in South Korea, joins Tourism Irelands Global Greening initiative, to celebrate the island of Ireland and St Patrick. Nanjing CENBEST and Nanjing International Finance Center, Nanjing (China), join Tourism Irelands Global Greening initiative, to celebrate the island of Ireland and St Patrick. Pic ZanYangXin The High Roller at The LINQ Hotel in Las Vegas joins Tourism Irelands Global Greening initiative, to celebrate the island of Ireland and St Patrick. Pic Mark Damon (no repro fee) Jiangxin Islet, Wenzhou, Zhejiang Province (China), joins Tourism Irelands Global Greening initiative, to celebrate the island of Ireland and St Patrick. Pic Tourism Ireland The Statue of the Virgin Mary on Cerro San Cristobal in Santiago (Chile) joins Tourism Irelands Global Greening initiative, to celebrate the island of Ireland and St Patrick. Madrid, Spain The Fuente de Cibeles or the Cibeles Fountain where the fans of football club Real Madrid celebrate their triumphs in La Liga or the Champions League joins Tourism Irelands Global Greening initiative, to celebrate the island of Ireland and St Patrick. Pic David Mudarra Selfies for St. Patrick's Day: Rome's Colosseum will go green as part of the Global Greening initiative for St. Patrick's Day. The Drugstore Publicis in Paris joins Tourism Irelands Global Greening initiative, to celebrate the island of Ireland and St Patrick. Pic Nicolas Gouhier Selfridges in London joins Tourism Irelands Global Greening initiative, to celebrate the island of Ireland and St Patrick. Pic David Parry/PA Wire The Leaning Tower of Pisa joins Tourism Irelands Global Greening initiative, to celebrate the island of Ireland and St Patrick. Nasinneula (observation tower) in Tampere, Finland, join Tourism Irelands Global Greening initiative, to celebrate the island of Ireland and St Patrick. Pic Laura Vanzo The SSE Hydro in Glasgow, Scotland, joins Tourism Irelands Global Greening initiative, to celebrate the island of Ireland and St Patrick. Pic Sandy Young/PA Wire (no repro fee) The Chartres sign in the city of Chartres, France, joins Tourism Irelands Global Greening initiative, to celebrate the island of Ireland and St Patrick. Pic Tourism Ireland 17/03/2018: The Cathedral of Brasilia joins Tourism Irelands Global Greening initiative, to celebrate the island of Ireland and St Patrick. Photo: Rayan Ribeiro (no repro fee) A previous 'greening' of Rio's Christ the Redeemer statue in Brazil. The iconic statue will go green again this year. Photo: Twitter/Consulate General of Ireland in Sao Paolo (@IrlSaoPaolo) The UN Headquarters in New York joins Tourism Irelands Global Greening initiative, to celebrate the island of Ireland and St Patrick. Pic Kim Haughton Iglesia de Nuestra Senora de los Remedios in Cholula, Mexico, joins Tourism Irelands Global Greening initiative, to celebrate the island of Ireland and St Patrick. Pic Tourism Ireland The Diving Bell on Dublin's docks goes green for St Patrick's Day. Photo: Twitter.com/SamWhiplash The 25.2 metre Blue Whale skeleton, called Hope, in the Natural History Museum, London, joins Tourism Irelands Global Greening initiative, to celebrate the island of Ireland and St Patrick. Pic David Parry/PA Wire The Keep Memory Alive Event Center (KMAEC) in Las Vegas joins Tourism Irelands Global Greening initiative, to celebrate the island of Ireland and St Patrick. Pic Matthew Carbone Aras an Uachtarain illuminated green by the OPW as part of the "Greening the City" initiative for St. Patrick's Day. The Zhongyuan Tower, Zhengzhou, Henan Province (China), joins Tourism Irelands Global Greening initiative, to celebrate the island of Ireland and St Patrick. Pic ZanYangXin A dancer from Sharon Lynn Academy of Irish Dance performed as The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA) turned the historic 'Welcome' sign in partnership with Tourism Ireland in 2018. It will go green again this year. PHOTO: Sam Morris/Las Vegas News Bureau The Sydney Opera House (Australia) saw the beginning of Tourism Irelands Global Greening initiative, when it was lit up in 2010 to celebrate the island of Ireland and St Patrick. Archive Pic Fiora Sacco Global Greening: The landmarks going green for St Patrick's Day 2018 Close Some 300 global landmarks are going green this weekend in a burst of publicity worth an estimated 10 million to Irish tourism. That's according to Tourism Ireland, whose annual 'Global Greening' initiative has grown year after year since its debut in 2010. Back then, just the Sydney Opera House and the Sky Tower in Auckland went green. This year, 290 sites in 50 countries are taking part. New 'greenings' for 2018 include the $4 billion Mario M. Cuomo Bridge crossing the River Hudson in New York, Tower 42 in London, the Luxur Obelisque at the Place de la Concorde in Paris, and the San Mames stadium in Bilbao. They join old favourites like Rome's Colosseum, Canada's Niagara Falls and Chicago's Navy Pier, which have gone green in previous years. Other, quirkier additions include a lion statue in Kenya made from re-cycled flip flops, a giant Blue Whale skeleton in London's Natural History Museum, and a Game of Thrones-themed ice hotel in Lapland. Expand Close The 25.2 metre Blue Whale skeleton, called Hope, in the Natural History Museum, London, joins Tourism Irelands Global Greening initiative, to celebrate the island of Ireland and St Patrick. Pic David Parry/PA Wire / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp The 25.2 metre Blue Whale skeleton, called Hope, in the Natural History Museum, London, joins Tourism Irelands Global Greening initiative, to celebrate the island of Ireland and St Patrick. Pic David Parry/PA Wire Here at home, Adare Manor has gone green, and the OPW is greening heritage sites and state buildings for the duration of the St Patrick's Festival (March 15-19), including the Rock of Cashel, Aras an Uactarain (see gallery) and Quin Abbey in Co. Clare. An #OPWGoesGreen competition is encouraging social media users to share snaps of the buildings, with 10 family Heritage Cards up for grabs. Last year, the Global Greening generated international media coverage worth around 10 million, Tourism Ireland told Independent.ie Travel. Thus far in 2018, the initiative has cost around 26,000, it says. "St Patricks Day traditionally marks the real start of the tourism season for us," said Niall Gibbons, Tourism Ireland's CEO. "Our aim is to bring a smile to the faces of people around the world and to convey the message that Ireland offers the warmest of welcomes and great fun, as well as wonderful scenery and heritage, he added. The marketing drive comes as CSO data reported a 3.5pc increase in overseas visitors last year (to almost 10 million), with revenue rising by 6.5pc to 6.5 million - as compared to just over 6 million the previous year. NB: This gallery is being updated as photos arrive. Ireland is to get its first ever direct Asia-Pacific air route, with the announcement of new flights to Hong Kong from Dublin Airport. Cathay Pacific will operate a new, four-times weekly service from June 2, 2018. The Dublin flight will be serviced by an Airbus A350-900 aircraft in a three-class configuration, operating on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. The airline announced details of the historic service today, alongside two new non-stop routes from Hong Kong to Brussels and Copenhagen. Return fares are currently priced from 642 on cathaypacific.com. We are thrilled to welcome Cathay Pacific to Dublin Airport and to Ireland, said Dublin Airport Managing Director Vincent Harrison. Expand Close Cathay Pacific stock image / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Cathay Pacific stock image Dublin Airport is competing for routes like this with other major European airports, so winning this new business is hugely positive news for Ireland, for foreign direct investment, for Irish exporters, and for inbound tourism, he added. Rupert Hogg, Cathay's Chief Executive Officer, said: Were excited to offer the only direct flights between Hong Kong and Dublin." Dublin is a fantastic destination and attracts business and leisure travellers from the world over. We listened to our customers demands for more options and greater flexibility and have responded by building direct air links with this great city. The route is a major milestone, with trade between Ireland and China now worth more than 8 billion per annum and some 100 Irish firms with operations there. Direct flights between the two countries have been discussed for years, with Hainan Airlines reportedly close to finalising scheduling on services to Beijing. Expand Close Hong Kong's skyline / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Hong Kong's skyline Hong Kong is first out of the traps, however. The new flights follow a complex collaborative effort involving daa, Tourism Ireland, the Irish Embassy in China, the Consulate in Hong Kong and other stakeholders such as IDA Ireland, Enterprise Ireland and Bord Bia. "This new service will help foster the growing trade, tourism, education and cultural links between Ireland, Hong Kong, 'Asias World City', and the rest of China," said Tourism Minister Shane Ross, welcoming the news. Meanwhile, Dublin Chamber of Commerce CEO Mary Rose Burke said the route "opens up a whole new world of opportunities for Irish businesses" and a gateway into "the increasingly lucrative Chinese market." An estimated 4,000 Irish people live in Hong Kong, according to the Irish Embassy in China. The route is also expected to boost inbound tourism from China - one of the world's fastest-growing markets. Todays announcement is good news for Irish tourism as we plan for 2018 and beyond, and continue the roll out of our market diversification strategy in light of the UKs decision to exit the EU," commented Niall Gibbons, CEO of Tourism Ireland. In summer, the flight will depart Dublin at 11.55, arriving in Hong Kong at 07.05. The return flight will depart Hong Kong at 00.50, arriving in Dublin at 06.45. In winter, departures from Dublin will be at 11.00, arriving in Hong Kong at 07.30. The return flight will depart Hong Kong at 00.15 and arrive in Dublin at 05.30. The route will also connect travellers to Cathay Pacific's Asian networks, as well as those of its short-haul subsidiary, Cathay Dragon, including onward flights to mainland China, Japan, Korea, South-East Asia and Australia. More than 16.9 million passengers have travelled through Dublin Airport in the first seven months of the year, a 6pc increase on the same period in 2016. It also recently added direct flights to Doha, Qatar. NB: This story is being updated. Pictured at the launch of Failte Ireland's new Visitor Plan were Brian Quinn, Failte Ireland; Eileen Mannion, Chairperson of Galway County Council, Miriam Kennedy and Eva Costello, Wild Atlantic Way team, Failte Ireland. A new Visitor Development Plan wants to encourage visitors to stay longer and spend more in Connemara and the Aran Islands. Wildly romantic, rugged, diverse and integral to the Wild Atlantic Way, the iconic locations inspire breathtaking adventures and Instagrams, but like other rural regions, suffer from a drop in tourist footfall outside of peak seasons. Failte Ireland's new Visitor Experience Development Plan, launched this week, aims to address that by having visitors "engage with the true essence and story of the area, without compromising the environment or culture," it says. The Plan will draw on the region's rich folklore and what Oscar Wilde termed its "savage beauty" with 10 "Catalyst Projects", it outlines. These include feasibility studies on a "Leenane-Killary Fjord Adventure Hub" and "Killary Famine Trail", new coastal and inland walking trails, and the completion of the Connemara Greenway, among other possible developments. Tourism has been growing in the area, Failte Ireland says, but challenges remain - including a lack of awareness, the perception of a "north-south divide" in Connemara tourism, and limited pier, harbour and welcome facilities on the Aran Islands. Expand Close Pictured at the launch of Failte Ireland's new Visitor Plan were Brian Quinn, Failte Ireland; Eileen Mannion, Chairperson of Galway County Council, Miriam Kennedy and Eva Costello, Wild Atlantic Way team, Failte Ireland. / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Pictured at the launch of Failte Ireland's new Visitor Plan were Brian Quinn, Failte Ireland; Eileen Mannion, Chairperson of Galway County Council, Miriam Kennedy and Eva Costello, Wild Atlantic Way team, Failte Ireland. The Plan is described as a "starting point" for stakeholders to get the ball rolling on future opportunities, and to develop experiences and themes that not only attract visitors but have them "emotionally connect" to the destination. It comes as a global trend towards experiential tourism gathers pace, with everyone from tourist boards to Airbnb (with its local 'Experiences') and hotel chains zeroing in on "authentic" tourism experiences that enrich travellers' lives. The Plan follows a period of consultation with regional stakeholders, Failte Ireland says, and collaboration with Galway County Council, the National Parks & Wildlife Service and Forum Connemara among others. It includes "tangible actions and a process for local businesses to become involved," says Miriam Kennedy, Failte Ireland's Head of the Wild Atlantic Way. Of course, developing these wild western frontiers sensitively and responsibly will be a key challenge if visitor numbers do grow. Growing conflict between sense of place and mass tourism on Inis Oirr and Inis Mor has "the potential to undermine its sustainability," the Plan warns. A PDF of the full Plan is available online here. Hamilton creator Lin-Manuel Miranda and Wonder Woman star Gal Gadot have been confirmed as presenters for this years Academy Awards. They are among 10 more presenters, also including Star Wars star Mark Hamill, announced by the Oscars producers on Wednesday. Armie Hammer, Oscar Isaac, Gina Rodriguez, Eva Marie Saint, Wes Studi, Kelly Marie Tran and Zendaya make up the other names announced for next months 90th Oscars. Expand Close Mark Hamill (Isabel Infantes/PA) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Mark Hamill (Isabel Infantes/PA) Producers Michael De Luca and Jennifer Todd said: Together, these artists represent some of the most beloved movies of our generation. Its an honour to welcome them to the 90th Oscars stage. Last week the first slate of presenters were announced with last years winners Mahershala Ali, Emma Stone and Viola Davis confirmed. The three Hollywood stars were the winners of the acting categories, Stone won best actress for La La Land, Ali won best supporting actor for Moonlight and Davis won best supporting actress for Fences. The winner of the best actor award, Casey Affleck, was already known to not be attending the Oscars. Expand Close Casey Affleck with the award for Actor in a Leading Role for Manchester by the Sea at last year's Oscars (Ian West/PA) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Casey Affleck with the award for Actor in a Leading Role for Manchester by the Sea at last year's Oscars (Ian West/PA) The Manchester By The Sea star would have been expected to present the best actress award, according to the shows tradition, but in January he withdrew from the hosting role. In 2010 Affleck was sued by two women for alleged sexual harassment before the lawsuits were settled out of court. He has vehemently denied the sexual harassment claims which were alleged to have happened during the making of the film Im Still Here. Chadwick Boseman, Laura Dern, Jennifer Garner, Greta Gerwig, Tiffany Haddish, Tom Holland, Kumail Nanjiani, Margot Robbie and Daniela Vega are the others in the first slate of stars confirmed to be presenting awards at the Oscars. Robbie is nominated in the best actress category for her role in I, Tonya, and Gerwig is nominated in the best director and best original screenplay categories for Lady Bird. Nanjiani is nominated for best original screenplay for The Big Sick, along with Emily V Gordon. The nominations for the Oscars are led by Guillermo Del Toros The Shape Of Water, which has 13 nods, while Dunkirk, directed by Christopher Nolan, has eight. Jimmy Kimmel will host the 90th Academy Awards from Hollywoods Dolby Theatre on March 4. RuPaul said it was the greatest moment of his career (Chris Pizzello/AP) RuPaul has been hailed as the first drag queen to get a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The Emmy-winning performer, 57, said he was overcome with so much emotion to get the honour he dreamed of since he was a child as he addressed the crowds on Hollywood Boulevard. This is absolutely the most important moment in my professional career, the host of RuPauls Drag Race said on Friday as his voice began to quiver. Jane Fonda, whose show Grace And Frankie has featured the drag artist, was there to present the honour. She said getting to know RuPaul has been one of the big pleasures of my life and that the honour should be at least three sizes bigger than any other star. Expand Close RuPaul with Jane Fonda / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp RuPaul with Jane Fonda He created an industry that has given hundreds and hundreds of jobs and dreams to so many, the double Oscar-winner said. Vast crowds of fans lined the street to praise RuPaul for boosting the LGBTQ community. He was surrounded by husband Georges LeBar and family, who he thanked along with his inspiration Fonda, as well as his high school teacher Bill Pannell. Expand Close The drag artist with husband Georges LeBar / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp The drag artist with husband Georges LeBar When he was a student, RuPaul said, Mr Pannell gave him the best advice I could ever gotten dont take life too effing seriously. RuPaul said he used to visit the boulevard as a child and dreamed of getting a star. It was a dream that I wasnt sure how I would achieve, but I had so much support from my family and from my faith in a benevolent universe, and that is what has brought me here today, he added. Leron Gubler, president of the honours organisers, the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, said the 2,631st star was the first to have been awarded to a drag artist. Floods in Thomastown, Co Kilkenny, yesterday after the River Nore burst its banks. Photo: Dylan Vaughan A weather warning has been issued as snow and ice will sweep over the country during St Patrick's Day weekend, with temperatures plunging as low as -5C. Frigid winds from Scandinavia and Eastern Europe will bring a weather system already nicknamed "Son of the Beast" on social media. It will be an unwelcome reminder of the freezing conditions of the 'Beast from the East' weather front that hit the country with Arctic conditions just a fortnight ago. While there will be no blizzard this time, there are expected to be flurries of snow on what is traditionally the first bank holiday of spring. Met Eireann issued a Status Yellow weather warning this morning from Leinster, Cavan and Monaghan, which will be in placed until 11.59pm on Sunday night. They warned: "Advance warning for cold weather this weekend with low-temperatures, snow-showers, snow-accumulation mainly Saturday night and Sunday." Met Eireann has warned that some St Patrick's Day parades will take place in temperatures of just 1C, a startling drop of almost 10C from the milder conditions earlier this week. Overnight temperatures in some areas will plummet to as low as -5C this weekend, with very heavy frosts predicted. North Leinster and Ulster are expected to witness showers of snow and sleet, some of which may be quite heavy. The snow showers follow torrential rainfall on Wednesday, which caused flooding in Kilkenny, Cork and Dublin. Major flood barriers remain in place across Cork with rivers including the Blackwater, Funcheon and Lee threatening to break their banks. However, icy conditions will be the dominant feature of the weather for the next week. "It will be a very cold day almost everywhere, so the advice for all parade-goers and marchers is to wrap up well," a Met Eireann spokesperson said. "The winds will be from the east, so it will seem even colder than it actually is." Cloudy and misty with showery rain in the east and north this morning which will clear later to scattered showers with some sunny spells developing. Showers turning heavy with the risk of the odd thundery downpour in the southwest. Top temperatures of 7 to 11 degrees. Met Eireann (@MetEireann) March 16, 2018 However, the good news is that most areas are expected to enjoy dry spells, particularly in the early part of tomorrow when most of Ireland's 150-plus St Patrick's Day parades take place. Temperatures will begin to plummet from this morning as the front from Scandinavia and Eastern Europe moves over Ireland. It will force milder Atlantic conditions away from Ireland's west coast. Read more: Heavy rainfall brings flooding to many parts of the country While afternoon temperatures will reach between 3C and 5C today, they will fall further overnight and Dublin is likely to witness bracing temperatures of between 1C and 3C for its St Patrick's Day parade. Met Eireann predicted that it will be slightly warmer in Connacht and parts of south west Munster, though temperatures won't rise above 5C anywhere. The Scandinavian front will dictate Irish weather for the next few days, with icy conditions expected to last until next Wednesday. Sunday and Monday mornings will witness a particularly heavy frost and gardai and the Road Safety Authority (RSA) urged motorists to drive with care given the possibility of black ice, particularly on roads which are still water-logged from the rainfall on Wednesday. Irish Water Safety and the Irish Coast Guard urged people out walking in coastal areas for the St Patrick's weekend to exercise extreme care, given the blustery conditions likely. The Department of Housing said that local authorities would salt roads where required over the weekend, adding there were ample supplies of salt in stock. It also said the severe weather assessment team would monitor the situation over the coming days. Met Eireann have added a Status Orange Snow-ice warning for Sunday to the Status Yellow Snow-ice weather warning covering the entire country for St Patrick's Day. The forecaster is warning of 'heavy snow showers' with accumulations and drifting in the places. The new warning, issued this evening, comes into effect at 3am on Sunday for seven counties; Dublin, Kildare, Louth, Wexford, Wicklow, Meath and Waterford. The warning runs until midday on March 18 and Met Eireann say that these counties will experience scattered heavy snow showers, leading to accumulations in places. There is also the threat of some drifting. This new warning is a result of frigid winds from Scandinavia and Eastern Europe that will bring a weather system already nicknamed "Son of the Beast" to our shores. It will be an unwelcome reminder of the freezing conditions of the 'Beast from the East' weather front that hit the country with Arctic conditions just a fortnight ago. Met Eireann also upgraded their Status Yellow Snow-ice weather warning this evening. It now covers the entire country and runs from midday on St Patrick's Day until 9am on Monday, March 19. They warned that it will be very cold everywhere this weekend, with wind chill making it feel even colder. Icy patches are to be expected and while snow showers can be expected in come areas, the northwest should escape. Met Eireann has warned that some St Patrick's Day parades will take place in temperatures of just 1C, a startling drop of almost 10C from the milder conditions earlier this week. Overnight temperatures in some areas will plummet to as low as -5C this weekend, with very heavy frosts predicted. North Leinster and Ulster are expected to witness showers of snow and sleet, some of which may be quite heavy. The snow showers follow torrential rainfall on Wednesday, which caused flooding in Kilkenny, Cork and Dublin. Major flood barriers remain in place across Cork with rivers including the Blackwater, Funcheon and Lee threatening to break their banks. However, icy conditions will be the dominant feature of the weather for the next week. "It will be a very cold day almost everywhere, so the advice for all parade-goers and marchers is to wrap up well," a Met Eireann spokesperson said. "The winds will be from the east, so it will seem even colder than it actually is." However, the good news is that most areas are expected to enjoy dry spells, particularly in the early part of tomorrow when most of Ireland's 150-plus St Patrick's Day parades take place. Read more: Heavy rainfall brings flooding to many parts of the country The Scandinavian front will dictate Irish weather for the next few days, with icy conditions expected to last until next Wednesday. Sunday and Monday mornings will witness a particularly heavy frost and gardai and the Road Safety Authority (RSA) urged motorists to drive with care given the possibility of black ice, particularly on roads which are still water-logged from the rainfall on Wednesday. Irish Water Safety and the Irish Coast Guard urged people out walking in coastal areas for the St Patrick's weekend to exercise extreme care, given the blustery conditions likely. The Department of Housing said that local authorities would salt roads where required over the weekend, adding there were ample supplies of salt in stock. It also said the severe weather assessment team would monitor the situation over the coming days. Russian and Syrian government air strikes on a town in the besieged enclave of eastern Ghouta have killed 46 people, monitoring groups said, despite a Russian-ordered ceasefire. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the town of Kafr Batna, outside Damascus, was hit with cluster munitions, napalm-like incendiary weapons, and conventional explosives on Friday. Government forces are advancing on towns inside the rebel-held enclave, prompting a massive exodus of civilians. Expand Close The Syrian Red Crescent treats civilians at an army checkpoint (Sana/AP) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp The Syrian Red Crescent treats civilians at an army checkpoint (Sana/AP) A medical charity supporting hospitals in the Ghouta region, the Syrian American Medical Society, said doctors in Kafr Batna are treating patients for severe burn wounds. The charity says it recorded 40 casualties on Friday. The Syrian Civil Defence search-and-rescue group said it has identified 42 bodies so far, and it expects the death toll to rise. The assault came after the Russian military and the Syrian government extended a ceasefire in rebel-held suburbs of Damascus for as long as it takes to allow all civilians to leave the area, according to Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov. Mr Lavrov said the ceasefire would be extended until all (civilians) leave eastern Ghouta. The Russian defence ministry said 2,000 people had left by early morning on Friday. Thursday saw the largest single-day exodus of civilians in Syrias civil war. Tens of thousands emerged from Hamouria and other opposition towns to escape the onslaught. An Afghan man has received death threats and been forced to move house after naming his son Donald Trump. When Asadullah Poya's wife gave birth to their third child in a tiny village in rural Afghanistan, he immediately thought of the then presidential hopeful. He had just read a Dari translation of what appears to be Trump: How To Get Rich, published in 2004 by the then-star of The Apprentice. "I thought, 'this is a great man'," Mr Poya said. Expand Close Asadullah Poya with his 18-month-old son Donald Trump (Rahmat Gul/AP) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Asadullah Poya with his 18-month-old son Donald Trump (Rahmat Gul/AP) So when his baby came into the world in August 2016, and he saw that the boy had an unusual shock of blond hair, he named him Donald Trump, hoping it would bring him good fortune. It has not. Relatives and neighbours were furious that he broke with tradition and gave his son a non-Muslim name. He was forced to move his family to Kabul, and they have received death threats online. Mr Poya's own parents were furious that he had given their grandchild a non-Muslim name. The imam of the village mosque devoted an entire Friday sermon to the matter, calling the name an insult. The opposition does not have much to do with Mr Trump's politics, but with the decision to break with tradition and name the boy after a non-Muslim. "Every day the situation got worse," Mr Poya said. "Every day in the house, when I was calling my son Trump, my father got angrier and angrier, until finally my father couldn't tolerate it anymore." It was then that Mr Poya decided to pack up his family, leave his teaching job and the family farm, and move to the Kabul. Mr Poya and his children, Donald Trump, his older sister Fatima and brother Karim, now live in a simple one-storey house that they share with their landlord. But Donald Trump is not liked in the capital either. On Thursday, five neighbours approached the landlord and demanded he throw Mr Poya out, calling him an "infidel" for not giving his son a Muslim name. Others have accused Mr Poya of naming his son Donald Trump in order to improve his chances of gaining asylum in the United States. On the campaign trail, Mr Trump had called for a ban on Muslims entering the US. Mr Poya insists he does not want to leave the country, and that he never intended his son's name to be in the news. He says a local government official in the district where he registered his son's name posted the identity card on Facebook. Donald Trump set social media ablaze. Mr Poya said he and his wife had to block their Facebook pages after they received a deluge of angry comments and threats. One user said four men were coming to kill him, while others called him an infidel or an atheist, a potentially fatal accusation in a conservative Muslim country. "But a name is a name," Mr Poya said. If Donald Trump wants to change his name when he is older, his father says he is free to do so. "But now it is my decision, and I have decided it is Trump." On Thursday afternoon, the chubby, 18-month-old boy was running around the house. His father called for the high-energy toddler to stop, but Donald Trump stubbornly ignored him. Then Donald Trump ran over to a computer and started slapping the keys with his tiny hands, almost as though he wanted to send an angry tweet. "Trump! Come here," Mr Poya shouted. He is still a big fan of his son's namesake, and says he would love to meet Mr Trump. "I would like to see him and talk to him and tell him please bring peace and stability for Afghanistan," said Mr Poya. "He is the president. He can do it." Undeterred by the controversy his son's famous name has ignited, Mr Poya said that if he has a fourth child and it is a girl he would like to name her after President Trump's daughter, though he had to be reminded of her name. "Ivanka Trump" is unlikely to be any less divisive. Former president Jacob Zuma will be prosecuted on 16 charges of corruption, the director of South Africa's National Prosecuting Authority said. Shaun Abrahams announced that Zuma will face charges including fraud, corruption, racketeering and money laundering. Zuma (75) resigned as president last month after he was ordered to do so by his party, the African National Congress. The charges stem from a 2.5 billion dollar government arms purchase in the 1999, when Zuma was deputy president. He was elected president in 2009. A busy roundabout in Gloucester was closed when crates of milk were spilt from a lorry onto the road. Gloucestershire Police took photos of the huge spillage, which partially blocked the road for several hours, and posted them on Twitter. Social media users, however, failed to see the serious side of the incident, and instead used the opportunity to make incredible puns. The spillage happened on the A40 Over roundabout in Gloucester in the evening of 15 March. Officers cleared the scene, with the incident attracting jokes on social media several hours later. Seems udder nonesense that it would take so long to clear up! #hereAllWeek Andy Barr (@10Yetis) March 15, 2018 Udder chaos Peter Nobes (@peternobes44) March 16, 2018 PC Dave Wise said: The incident happened on the Over roundabout at the junction of the A417 and A40 just outside Gloucester city centre No injuries. Officers at scene of milk spillage. They appear to be lapping it up! #CShiftFCR @Glos_Police pic.twitter.com/sQ3ukNm8HQ Force Control Room (@GlosPolice_FCR) March 16, 2018 The story ended well, with the spillage cleared in the early hours of the morning and the road re-opened. Gloucester Police said: Good News The lorry at Over Roundabout Gloucester has been moooved and the road is clear. The German and French leaders were seen warmly embracing (Francois Mori/AP) Angela Merkel made the first international visit of her new governmental term to France on Friday. Photos of French President Emmanuel Macron welcoming Merkel to the Elysee Palace show the pair laughing and smiling together. Have any two people ever looked more pleased to see each other? In fact, it brings to mind a certain song Dont go breaking my heart Expand Close France Germany / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp France Germany I couldnt if I tried Expand Close France Germany / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp France Germany Honey if I get restless Expand Close France Germany / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp France Germany Baby youre not that kind Expand Close France Germany / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp France Germany This isnt the first time the pair have reacted with joy at meeting up. Actually, these pictures from the G20 summit in July remind us of another famous duet Islands in the stream, that is what we are No one in between, how can we be wrong Sail away with me, to another world And we rely on each other, ah ha A police officer in Georgia, US, has proposed to his girlfriend with a little help from her colleagues and students. When Aliza, a school worker at the Weinstein School in Dunwoody, asked her partner Matt Jay to come to the school and participate in its Community Helpers Week, she probably wasnt expecting to end the day with a ring on her finger. On the day of the visit, officer Jay duly attended in his police car, taking pictures with the children in front of it. Community Helpers Week - Officer Jay Officer Jay attended the "Community Helpers Week" event at The Weinstein School at the MJCCA in Dunwoody. He was graciously invited by his girlfriend that works there to show off. Yet she didn't know what was about to happen next... Watch (and listen) the video and comment away! Posted by Duluth Police Department on Monday, March 12, 2018 The best was yet to come for Aliza though. As the children posed for the camera and shouted officer Jay!, he shuffled across to her and popped the question. Of course, she says yes and in an adorably unscripted moment, the children gather around to hug their teacher. Mazel Tov to Aliza and Matt on their engagement today! We enjoyed celebrating with you! Posted by The Weinstein School at the MJCCA on Friday, March 9, 2018 The Duluth Police Department shared the lovely video on its Facebook page, garnering over 6,000 views. Airstrikes in Syria killed more than 100 people on Friday as civilians, weary and many wounded, fled besieged areas for the second straight day. Syrian government forces stepped up their offensive in the rebel-held eastern suburbs of the capital, Damascus, capturing a major town and closing in on another under the cover of Russias air power. The majority of the deaths happened in eastern Ghouta, where government forces have been on a crushing offensive for three weeks, capturing 70% of the besieged area. The violence has left more than 1,300 civilians dead, 5,000 wounded and forced thousands to flee to government-controlled areas. #SOHR At least 76 casualties join the convoy of #civilian casualties of the #Ghouta, raising its victims to about 1350 civilians; more than 60% of them were killed after #SecurityCouncil resolution https://t.co/mkmOrVWMho (@syriahr) March 16, 2018 Fridays staggering death toll came a day after Syria passed the seven-year mark in its relentless civil war that has killed some 450,000 people and displaced half the countrys population. The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said bombing and shelling by government and Russian forces killed a total of 76 people in eastern Ghouta, including 64 killed in Kafr Batna and another 12 in Saqba. Government forces also captured the nearby town of Jisreen, it said. If the world does not move, Ghouta will be exterminated, said Siraj Mahmoud, a member of the oppositions Syrian Civil Defence search-and-rescue group. The Observatory said another 36 people were killed in the Kurdish-held town of Afrin in northern Syria, where Turkish troops and Turkey-backed Syrian opposition fighters have been on the offensive since January 20. #Syria #Afrin: We are deeply concerned about the high risk of civilians who are effectively trapped being killed, injured, besieged, used as human shields or displaced as a result of the fighting. https://t.co/kfkvwZPdrH pic.twitter.com/HYoWBv5dCM UN Human Rights (@UNHumanRights) March 16, 2018 The dead included nine killed in airstrikes that hit the towns general hospital. Fridays government attack on Kafr Batna was with cluster bombs, napalm-like incendiary weapons, and conventional explosives, the Observatory said. Photos and videos released from the area showed charred bodies covered with sheets lined up near what appeared to be shops. A medical charity supporting hospitals in eastern Ghouta, the Syrian American Medical Society, said doctors in Kafr Batna were treating patients for severe burn wounds. Oways al-Shami, a spokesman for the Syrian Civil Defence, said the airstrikes targeted a market and a nearby residential area where scores of people had gathered to buy bread and vegetables during a daily truce called by Russia. The medical situation is catastrophic. We cant stay in this situation for long, said Dr Zouhair Kahaleh in the nearby town of Arbeen. Roads were closed, he said, and we cant treat some of the cases here. Its a major challenge to reach the wounded because of the intensity of the airstrikes. Expand Close Syria / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Syria Exhausted and shell-shocked civilians streamed out of the rebel enclave Friday, a day after tens of thousands evacuated the area in the biggest single-day exodus of the war. Syrias UN ambassador Bashar Jaafari told the UN Security Council that more than 40,000 civilians left eastern Ghouta on Thursday through a new security corridor opened by the government in the recently retaken town of Hamouria. An additional 30,000 people fled the Turkish military offensive on Afrin, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. A man interviewed in Hamouria Friday on state-affiliated al-Ikhbariya TV said he had gone two days without food. Others said rebels hoarded food and humiliated civilians, even shooting people trying to leave. The United Nations has warned of a malnutrition crisis in eastern Ghouta, which human rights groups have blamed on the governments strangling blockade. Staffan de Mistura, the UN envoy for Syria, told the Security Council that although a six-day ceasefire was largely holding in Douma, the largest city in eastern Ghouta, fighting has escalated elsewhere in the rebel-held region where 400,000 people are estimated to be holed up, as well as in Afrin and across many other parts of Syria. In Afrin, the Turkish military urged civilians to leave and Syrian Kurdish militiamen to surrender to the besieging Turkish forces. The media office for the Syrian Democratic Forces, a Kurdish-led and US-backed force that operates in the Kurdish autonomous region, said at least 30 people were wounded in Fridays attacks. Video posted by the Observatory showed victims lying dead in the streets in pools of blood. Since their January offensive began, Turkish forces have nearly encircled Afrin as they press their campaign to drive the Syrian Kurdish fighters from the town and surrounding region, where tens of thousands of civilians are still believed trapped. On Friday, Turkish aircraft dropped flyers in Arabic and Kurdish on Afrin, asking residents to stay away from terrorist positions a reference to the Syrian Kurdish fighters and to not let themselves be used as human shields. The leaflets claimed that civilians seeking to flee Afrin would be guaranteed safety by the Turkish military and urged Syrian Kurdish fighters to trust the hand we extend to you. Come surrender! A calm and peaceful future awaits you in Afrin, the leaflets read. Meanwhile, the UN Security Council again demanded a ceasefire throughout Syria and backed a UN-endorsed roadmap for a peaceful transition and elections. Members reaffirmed that UN-led talks in Geneva remain the central process to find a political solution. Staffan de Mistura told the council that he has not been able to form a committee to draft a new constitution because President Bashar Assads government has not engaged and we need to have comprehensive participation of all Syrian parties. Ministers from Russia, Turkey and Iran also underscored the need for a political solution in a joint statement after a meeting in Astana, Kazakhstan, on Friday and urged international support for de Misturas efforts to form a constitutional committee. A bar in Belgium has decided to attach alarms to its beer glasses after drinkers stole 4,000 of them in just a year. The Beer Wall, a popular bar in Bruges, installed the 3,550 (4,020) security system eight months ago after hundreds of tourists made off with the iconic vessels. Philip Maes, the owner, told The Independent the bar received as many as 700,000 visitors each year, some of whom did not see taking beer glasses as theft. Its like taking something from a hotel you dont see it as stealing, he said. With the price of a glass anywhere between 2 (2.26) and 8 (9), Mr Maes put the total loss of merchandise at more than 8,800 (9,966). One of the reasons I did it is because running after someone for two euros then having a discussion in the street with somebody who had some beers, thats not a real thing to do, he added. Since installing the system, which features sensors on the bottom of the glasses that trip an alarm, just 100 more have disappeared. If the alarm goes off then people turn back its not like were going to run after them or call the police," said Mr Maes. Beer is a serious business in Belgium, which has about 1,600 different types, all of which should be served in their own unique glass. They come in a vast array of shapes and sizes, from goblets to imitation half-coconut shells. Stealing a glass from a pub is considered a major faux-pas in the country, with tourists and students considered the major culprits. Jeremy Corbyn has defended his stance on the Salisbury poison attack after coming under fire after his team raised doubts over whether Russia was to blame. The Labour leader stressed he "totally condemns" the attack and said "the evidence points towards Russia" being responsible. Mr Corbyn faced criticism after failing to offer his support in Parliament on Wednesday to UK Prime Minister Theresa May's decision to expel 23 Russian diplomats. Shadow Defence Secretary Nia Griffith publicly backed the mass expulsion yesterday, saying it would have been "easier for us" if the Labour leader made it clear he supported the move too. Ms Griffith told reporters that Labour was "fully supporting" the expulsion of 23 diplomats. Asked if Mr Corbyn had undermined UK security assessments that it was "highly likely" Russia was behind their poisoning, Ms Griffith said: "Looking back, perhaps it would have been easier for us if he had made it clear at the beginning of what he said, just how much we support the expulsion of the diplomats." Speaking during a visit to Carlisle, Mr Corbyn said: "I was extremely definite yesterday that I totally condemn this attack. The perpetrators must be brought to justice. "The international Chemical Weapons Convention must be invoked and the source of this weapon, which appears to be Russia - either from the state or from a rogue element of the state - must be brought to justice as a result of it." He added: "The evidence points towards Russia on this, therefore responsibility must be borne by those that made the weapon, those that brought the weapon into the country and those that used the weapon." Mr Corbyn was briefed on Privy Council terms ahead of Wednesday's statement about the intelligence behind Mrs May's assessment that Moscow was culpable for the attack. The Labour leader said that in the Commons he had asked "questions about the identity of the weapon, questions about the reference to the weapons convention and also the support of other allies", adding: "That's what oppositions are there for." Ms Griffith's comments were quickly supported by several Labour MPs. Exeter MP Ben Bradshaw said she was "spot on", while Kingston Upon Hull North MP Diana Johnson said she "fully" supported the shadow defence secretary. Mr Corbyn's official spokesman appeared on Wednesday to question the Government's use of intelligence material, telling reporters there was "a history in relation to weapons of mass destruction and intelligence which is problematic, to put it mildly". The leaders of France, Germany, the US and the UK have issued a joint statement blaming Russia for the nerve agent attack in England, as Moscow said it will expel British diplomats in retaliation for Theresa May's action against the Kremlin. Emmanuel Macron, Angela Merkel and Donald Trump - the leaders of three of the UK's most important allies - said they agreed with the British prime minister's assessment that there was "no plausible alternative explanation" for the attack. The joint statement represents a major boost for Mrs May and came one day after she moved to expel 23 Russian diplomats and suspended high-level contact with Moscow in response to the Salisbury incident in southern England. The statement, issued by Downing Street, said: "The United Kingdom briefed thoroughly its allies that it was highly likely that Russia was responsible for the attack. "We share the UK assessment that there is no plausible alternative explanation, and note that Russia's failure to address the legitimate request by the UK government further underlines its responsibility. We call on Russia to address all questions related to the attack." The statement was issued as Mrs May visited the scene of the attack in Salisbury. Speaking as she met emergency services, Mrs May said: "We do hold Russia culpable for this brazen and despicable act that has taken place on the streets of what is such a remarkable city." Meanwhile, Sergei Lavrov, the Russian foreign minister who Mrs May said would be barred from coming to the UK, said the British government's response was prompted by Brexit as he branded the measures "absolutely boorish". Russia has repeatedly denied it is responsible for the attack, which left former spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter in a critical condition in hospital. But Boris Johnson, the UK foreign secretary, who met Mr Lavrov in December last year, accused Russia of seeking to deny responsibility while taking "glory in it". Speaking at the United Nations meeting last night, the Russian representative said his country had never made or researched how to make the specific nerve agent involved. It followed a claim made by British Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn's spokesman Seumas Milne that the Novichok nerve agent could have got into "random hands" after the break-up of the Soviet Union. Asked at a forum whether Russia would expel British diplomats, Mr Lavrov said "definitely", state news agency RIA Novosti reported. Asked when this would occur, he said "soon". It came as France rowed back after failing to condemn the Kremlin's actions on Wednesday night, despite Mrs May's announcement that Russia was behind the breach of law. President Macron phoned the British prime minister yesterday morning and expressed solidarity as he said France "shares the UK's conclusions" that Russia is responsible. Previously a spokesman for Mr Macron called Mrs May's decision to expel 23 Russian diplomats, thought to be undercover intelligence agents, "fantasy politics" and refused to publicly state who was to blame. The decision prompted an international backlash as the former secretary general of Nato, Anders Fogh Rasmussen, said that "anything short of full solidarity with the UK now would be seen as a victory by the Kremlin". He added: "I don't think the Russians have given any convincing answers on how a Soviet-era nerve toxin ended up striking down a former double agent. Either the Russian government is directly responsible for this atrocity or they are responsible for the loss of security in Russia and in both cases it is a violation of international law." Mr Johnson said the UK government is using powers to freeze assets but warned the UK will not act outside of the law in response to the attack. ( Daily Telegraph London) Telegraph Media Group Limited [2021] Scotland Yard said a post-mortem examination found that Mr Glushkov's cause of death was "compression to the neck". The businessman was a close friend of Vladimir Putin critic Boris Berezovsky. The Met added: "At this stage there is nothing to suggest any link to the attempted murders in Salisbury, nor any evidence that he was poisoned." Police were called on Monday evening after Mr Glushkov, a Russian national, was found dead at his home in Clarence Avenue, New Malden, south west London. Scotland Yard said its Counter-Terrorism Command is leading the murder investigation "because of the associations Mr Glushkov is believed to have had". Mr Glushkov, a retired financial director, had lived at the New Malden address for two years. A French baker was fined 3,000 for working too hard after he kept his bakery open seven days a week during the summer of 2017. Cedric Vaivre, 41, broke the country's labour rules by keeping the only bakery in the town of Lusigny-sur-Barse open to serve tourists. Locals and Christian Branle, the town's mayor, have defended the owner of Boulangerie du Lac. "In a tourist area, it seems essential that we can have businesses open every day during the summer," Mr Branle told L'Est Eclair. "There is nothing worse than closed shops when there are tourists." Mr Vaivre is yet to pay his fine in the hopes it will be lowered or cancelled. Nearly 2,500 people have signed a petition supporting him. "You have to have some common sense, we are in an area where there is not a lot of competition... let people work if visitors expect the service," Mr Branle, the town's mayor, said in an interview with broadcaster 13 heures de TF1. Two decrees in the local department dating from 1994 and 2000 ban bakeries from opening seven days a week. While exceptions can be made and Mr Vaivre's bakery was exempt from the laws in 2016, the arrangement was not renewed last year. In 2015, four other French bakers were also fined for opening every day of the week. Vladimir Putin: Russia has strongly denied it was involved in the Salisbury attack. Photo: AP The Sergei Skripal affair has plunged the confrontation between Britain and Russia into a realm of "insanity" that is more dangerous than the Cold War, one of Vladimir Putin's foreign policy spokesmen has said. Evgenny Primakov Jr, a designated "trusted representative" of Mr Putin authorised to speak on behalf of his campaign during the Russian presidential election, called British allegations that Russia was involved in the attempted murder of Mr Skripal "nonsense". He warned that UK-Russian relations would struggle to recover from the current crisis and urged both sides to "make a step backwards and calm down a bit". Mr Primakov was speaking shortly before Theresa May laid out a series of retaliatory measures including the expulsion of 23 Russian diplomats, suspension of all high-level official and diplomatic contact with Moscow, and a crackdown on flows of suspicious wealth through London. "The British government should be aware we are going to answer to that. I've no idea how, it is still being decided. But there will be an answer," he said of the proposed measures. The warning came as Russia compared the British government to Inspector LeStrade, a "hapless" investigator from Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's 'Sherlock Holmes' stories, as it denied responsibility for the poisoning of Mr Skripal. The bizarre comments were made by Vasily Nebenzya, the Russian permanent representative to the UN, who also suggested the UK or others could have tried to kill Mr Skripal in act of "black PR" designed to "tarnish Russia". In heated exchanges at the Security Council, Russia strongly denied it was involved in the Salisbury incident, and the US offered Britain its full support. In a lengthy address to the UN Security Council, Mr Nebenzya said: "Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, the British classic, famed in his country and very popular in Russia, has a hapless character, Inspector LeStrade from Scotland Yard. "He doesn't have the methods of deduction, he is not particularly smart. His role is to be the background for the extraordinary deductive powers of Sherlock Holmes." Revealing the gulf of comprehension between London and Moscow, Mr Primakov said he believed Mr Skripal, a former Russian serviceman who had spied for Britain, had been attacked by US or British secret services in an attempt to discredit this Sunday's Russian presidential election. "Frankly, in Moscow we are in shock. The whole thing looks insane. No one here believes this was a Russian attack," he said via telephone from Moscow. "We are absolutely sure, 100pc sure, that the whole thing is aimed at our elections. In my personal opinion, I'm absolutely sure Sergei Skripal was poisoned by the British or American secret services," he added. "The idea is to make our election look illegitimate. [For Russia] to commit such a thing a week before the presidential election is insane. "And when we try to explain our position we are told, 'Russia is an evil empire and you do it deliberately because you do it'." Mr Primakov's comments will be given short shrift in Whitehall, where officials have long been frustrated by transparently false Russian denials over other issues, including the 2006 assassination of Alexander Litvinenko, which Scotland Yard believes was "probably" ordered by Mr Putin himself, and the 2014 annexation of Crimea, when the Russian president claimed Russian soldiers were "local volunteers". Mr Putin later admitted that the "little green men" were Russian forces. But his government continues to publicly deny military involvement in east Ukraine and the shoot down of the MH17 airliner, despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary. ( Daily Telegraph, London) Former president Jacob Zuma will be prosecuted on 16 charges of corruption, the director of South Africas National Prosecuting Authority said. Shaun Abrahams announced that Zuma will face charges including fraud, corruption, racketeering and money laundering. Zuma, 75, resigned as president last month after he was ordered to do so by his party, the African National Congress. The charges stem from a 2.5 billion dollar government arms purchase in the 1999, when Zuma was deputy president. He was elected president in 2009. Expand Close Zuma resigned as president last month (Themba Hadebe/AP) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Zuma resigned as president last month (Themba Hadebe/AP) After consideration of the matter, I am of the view that there are reasonable prospects of a successful prosecution of Mr Zuma on the charges listed in the indictment, Mr Abrahams said. He said there were 16 counts against Zuma, and the former president had said he was a victim of misconduct by prosecutors as well as leaks to the media. Mr Zuma, in addition, disputes all the allegations against him and records that he lacked the requisite intention to commit any of the crimes listed in the indictment, said Mr Abrahams, who faced calls to resign for allegedly declining to move against Zuma when he was in office. Expand Close Cyril Ramaphosa, left, has promised a robust campaign against corruption (Paul Faith/PA) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Cyril Ramaphosa, left, has promised a robust campaign against corruption (Paul Faith/PA) Zuma was replaced by his deputy, Cyril Ramaphosa, who has promised a robust campaign against corruption and also faces the tough task of rebuilding the popularity of a ruling party whose moral stature has diminished since it took power at the end of white minority rule in 1994. The ANC responded to the reinstated charges, saying it has confidence in the criminal justice system and is committed to the idea of equality of all before the law. The ruling party urged South Africans to allow prosecutors to do their work and cautioned that Zuma has the right to be presumed innocent until and if proven guilty. STATEMENT OF THE ANC ON THE REINSTATEMENT OF CHARGES AGAINST COMRADE JACOB ZUMA #ZUMACHARGES pic.twitter.com/tElpSRBWhy #VoteANC (@MYANC) March 16, 2018 In a separate case, South African authorities are seeking to arrest members of the Gupta business family, which allegedly used its connections to Zuma to influence cabinet appointments and win state contracts. Additionally, a judicial panel is preparing to view allegations of corruption at high levels of the South African government during Zumas years in office. In another scandal, South Africas top court ruled in 2016 that Zuma violated the constitution following an investigation of multimillion-dollar upgrades to his private home using state funds. He paid back some of the money. This is a great day for @Our_DA. We have pursued this case and now Justice shall be served on Mr Zuma. He will have what he has always wanted. His day in court. Accountability may take a while but should not escape any individual. Mmusi Maimane (@MmusiMaimane) March 16, 2018 South Africas main opposition party, which fought for years in court to get charges reinstated against Zuma, welcomed the news. Now there must be no further delay in starting the trial, said Mmusi Maimane, leader of the opposition Democratic Alliance. The witnesses are ready, the evidence is strong, and Jacob Zuma must finally have his day in court. All seven service members aboard a US helicopter that crashed in Iraq were killed, the Pentagon has said. US officials said seven people were on board when the aircraft crashed in western Iraq on Thursday. The crash did not appear to be the result of enemy activity and is under investigation, the Pentagon said. US Army Brigadier General Jonathan P Braga, director of operations in the fight against Islamic State in Iraq and Syria, said: This tragedy reminds us of the risks our men and women face every day in service of our nations. We are thinking of the loved ones of these service members today. The helicopter was used by the US Air Force for combat search and rescue, and went down near the town of Qaim in Anbar province. The Pentagon said an accompanying US helicopter immediately reported the crash and a quick-reaction force comprised of Iraqi security forces and coalition members secured the scene. The names of those killed will be released after next of kin have been notified, the statement added. President Donald Trump offered his prayers for the families of those killed, saying he was thinking of the brave troops, and adding: Their sacrifice in service to our country will never be forgotten. The US-led coalition battling IS has an outpost in Qaim, which is near the Syrian border. The anti-IS campaign accelerated through much of last year as coalition and Iraqi forces battled to take back a string of cities and towns. Prime minister Haider al-Abadi declared victory over IS in Mosul in July. In the following months, Iraqi forces retook a handful of other IS-held towns including Tal Afar in August, Hawija in September and Qaim in October. In November, Iraqi forces retook the last Iraq town held by IS Rawah, near the border with Syria. The US-led coalition has continued to work with Iraq and Syrian Democratic Forces to shore up the border region to make sure foreign fighters and insurgents cannot move freely across the region. Nasas HR chief was in Dublin recently and claims that the Irish have traits which make them ideal space explorers. Stock Image: Getty Images NASA has drawn up plans for a huge nuclear spacecraft capable of shunting or blowing up an asteroid that may threaten to wipe out life on Earth. The US space agency published details of its Hammer (Hypervelocity Asteroid Mitigation Mission for Emergency Response) proposal, an eight-ton spaceship that could alter the trajectory of a giant space rock. Nasa has said previously that Earth is overdue a huge asteroid strike and programmes are in places across the globe to map dangerous rocks as they move through the Solar System. Last year a 100ft asteroid named 2012TC4 passed within 27,000 miles of Antarctica, a distance that astronomers described as "damn close". In detailed plans published in the journal Acta Astronautica, Nasa and the National Nuclear Security Administration, calculated the time and payload it would take to move or destroy the 1,600ft-wide asteroid Bennu. Under the plan, the ship would steer into a smaller asteroid, or detonate a nuclear device to destroy a bigger one. Nasa already has a space probe en route to Bennu to take samples and has been monitoring the asteroid since it was discovered in 1999. Although there is little risk of hitting Earth, it is still considered as a Near Earth Object, which could hit with the force of 1.45 gigatons of TNT. Nasa astronauts Scott Kelly and his identical twin brother Mark have shared a lot throughout their extraordinary lives. Born just a few minutes apart, the pair were both US Navy captains, both flew on the Endeavour and Discovery space shuttles, and both spent time on board the International Space Station (ISS). But new findings by Nasa have found that life away from planet Earth has exacted a surprising toll. The pair are no longer genetically identical twins. After Scott Kelly (54) spent 340 days on board the ISS, experts found that 7pc of his genes no longer match those of brother Mark. Scott may even now be biologically older than his twin, scientists fear. On learning of the change, Scott said: "What? My DNA changed by 7pc. Who knew?! I no longer have to call Mark my identical twin brother any more." It is well known that astronauts' bodies change to adapt to living in micro-gravity, but it was generally assumed the effects wore off on returning to Earth. However, Scott landed in March 2016, and his body has yet to return to normal. Some of the genes which appear to have changed permanently involved DNA repair, bone formation and how the cells use oxygen. Nasa took the unique opportunity of having astronaut twins to learn more about the genetic changes of long periods in space, the first time such a study has ever been attempted. The human body is evolved to live in Earth's gravity, and the long-term effects of space habitation are unknown. The space agency said the experiment was a "stepping stone" in its three-year mission to Mars. While Scott was on the ISS, experts were monitoring Mark's DNA as well as Scott's so they could compare the two, a groundbreaking experiment known as The Twins Study. "Some of the most exciting things that we've seen from looking at gene expression in space is that we really see an explosion, like fireworks taking off, as soon as the human body gets into space," said Twins Study principal investigator Dr Chris Mason, of Weill Cornell Medicine. "With this study, we've seen thousands and thousands of genes change how they are turned on and turned off. This happens as soon as an astronaut gets into space, and some of the activity persists temporarily upon return to Earth. "This study represents one of the most comprehensive views of human biology. It really sets the bedrock for understanding molecular risks for space travel as well as ways to potentially protect and fix those genetic changes." Nasa measured huge amounts of data, collecting regular readings for metabolites, cytokines and proteins and discovered that spaceflight is linked to oxygen deprivation stress, increased inflammation and dramatic nutrient shifts which affect gene expression. Overall, the results appear to show that Scott's year in space had a detrimental effect. The researchers are now evaluating how the findings will impact future space travel beyond Earth's orbit. 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 Vehicles are seen trapped under the collapsed pedestrian bridge. Photo: Joe Raedle/Getty Between six and 10 people are feared dead after a newly erected pedestrian bridge spanning several lanes of traffic collapsed at Florida International University yesterday. US Senator Bill Nelson of Florida gave the figure to local TV station CBS Miami after emergency services had declined to speculate on the number of deaths. Eight vehicles were trapped in the wreckage of the 950-ton bridge and eight people were transported to hospitals, officials told a news conference. Emergency personnel with sniffer dogs searched for signs of life amid the wreckage of concrete and twisted metal that fell from the collapsing structure and crushed vehicles on one of the busiest roads in South Florida. At one point, police had requested television helicopters to leave the area so rescuers could listen for any sounds of people crying for help from beneath the collapsed structure, the Miami TV station said. Complicating the rescue effort was the uncertainty about the integrity of the bridge, parts of which remained off the ground, much of it inclined. Expand Close Emergency crews search for survivors at the scene of the collapsed pedestrian bridge at Florida International University in Miami / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Emergency crews search for survivors at the scene of the collapsed pedestrian bridge at Florida International University in Miami The bridge connected the university with the city of Sweetwater and was installed on Saturday in six hours over the eight-lane highway, according to a story that was posted on the university's website. It was 53 metres long and weighed 950 tons. The bridge was intended to provide a walkway over southwest Eighth Street, one of the busiest roads in South Florida. An 18-year-old female student from San Diego was killed while trying to cross the street last August, according to local media reports. Television footage showed firefighters walking across the flattened wreckage and medical technicians treating injured people. Emergency personnel appeared to be trying to work their way through a hole in the top of the bridge to access trapped survivors. President Donald Trump said he was monitoring the "heartbreaking bridge collapse". Mr Trump called the bridge collapse "so tragic" and praised the bravery of first responders who "rushed in to save lives. Thank you for your courage," he tweeted. Swedens foreign minister has held what she called good and constructive talks with her North Korean counterpart amid growing speculation about a possible meeting between Donald Trump and Kim Jong Un. Margot Wallstrom refused to comment on whether she and North Koreas Ri Yong Ho discussed a Trump-Kim meeting in brief comments as she left the Stockholm villa where the meeting took place. The building is close to the embassies of South Korea and the US. Well see what happens next, Ms Wallstrom said. Expand Close Ms Wallstrom said Sweden is hoping to 'use our role and also our contacts' (Soren Andersson/TT/AP) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Ms Wallstrom said Sweden is hoping to 'use our role and also our contacts' (Soren Andersson/TT/AP) Mr Ri has not made any public comment during a visit to Stockholm that started late on Thursday. He also held a brief meeting earlier on Friday with Swedish prime minister Stefan Lofven. Ms Wallstrom earlier said Sweden is hoping to use our role and also our contacts, but stressed that it is up to the countries concerned to decide which way we are going. She said that we value this opportunity to arrange a meeting, although she did not specify what she meant. Mr Lofven, speaking at a press conference with German Chancellor Angela Merkel in Berlin, did not answer directly whether his country had US support to organise talks with North Korea. We have always said we want to be a mediator that facilitates this process, he said. Expand Close Trump US Sweden / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Trump US Sweden The US president has agreed to meet the North Korean leader by May. So far, Pyongyang has yet to comment publicly on what it hopes to gain from the talks. Sweden has been rumoured as a possible site for the summit, although a truce village on the South Korean side of the Demilitarised Zone between the Koreas is seen as more likely. Mr Ris visit to Stockholm, where he once served as a diplomat at the North Korean embassy, has been shrouded in secrecy. The Swedish foreign ministry said ahead of his visit that talks would focus on Swedens consular responsibilities as a protecting power for the United States, Canada and Australia, but would also address the security situation on the Korean peninsula. Sweden has had diplomatic relations with North Korea since 1973 and is one of few Western countries with an embassy in Pyongyang. It provides consular services for the US in North Korea. The trip by Mr Ri is being closely watched because a huge amount of preparation needs to be done before the summit. Senior South Korean officials who travelled to Pyongyang this month and met Mr Kim say he is willing to discuss the Norths nuclear weapons programme. That could suggest a potential breakthrough, or a fallback to the Norths long-standing position that it is willing to get rid of its nuclear weapons if the US guarantees its safety. In the past, that has meant Washington would have to withdraw all of its troops from South Korea, a condition no US president has been willing to consider. North Koreas foreign minister has briefly met Swedens prime minister during a surprise trip to Stockholm that has fuelled speculation about a possible meeting between Donald Trump and Kim Jong Un. The US president has agreed to meet Mr Kim by May. So far, North Korea has yet to publicly comment on what it hopes to gain from the talks. Sweden has been rumoured as a possible site for the summit between the two men, although a truce village on the South Korean side of the Demilitarised Zone between the Koreas is seen as more likely. Expand Close Margot Wallstrom speaks to the media in the Swedish parliament (Soren Andersson/TT/AP) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Margot Wallstrom speaks to the media in the Swedish parliament (Soren Andersson/TT/AP) North Korean foreign minister Ri Yong Ho landed in Stockholm on a flight from Beijing late on Thursday and held talks with Swedish counterpart Margot Wallstrom before returning to the North Korean embassy. He is expected to meet her again on Friday. Before doing so, Mr Ri held what was thought to be a courtesy call with prime minister Stefan Lofven at government headquarters. Details about their talks were not revealed as Mr Ris visit to Stockholm, where he once served as a diplomat at the North Korean embassy, is shrouded in secrecy. We are not naive in believing we can solve the world's problems. It is up to the parties to decide which way we are goingMargot Wallstrom The Swedish foreign ministry said talks will focus on Swedens consular responsibilities as a protecting power for the United States, Canada and Australia, but will also address the security situation on the Korean peninsula. It added that a statement summarising the talks will be made available after Mr Ris talks with Ms Wallstrom. It is evident that the whole world is following the situation on the Korean peninsula. It is important for everyones security, she said in her first comments since Mr Ri landed in Stockholm. But we are not naive in believing we can solve the worlds problems. It is up to the parties to decide which way we are going. Sweden has had diplomatic relations with North Korea since 1973 and is one of the few Western countries with an embassy in Pyongyang. It provides consular services for the US in North Korea. The trip by Mr Ri is being closely watched because a huge amount of preparation needs to be done in relatively little time before a theoretical Trump-Kim summit if it is to happen by May. Senior South Korean officials who travelled to North Korean capital Pyongyang earlier this month and met Mr Kim say he is willing to discuss the Norths nuclear weapons programme. It could suggest a potential breakthrough, or a fallback to the Norths long-standing position that it is willing to get rid of its nuclear weapons if the US guarantees its safety. In the past, that has meant Washington would have to withdraw all of its troops from South Korea, a condition no US president has been willing to consider. A porn actress who has alleged an extramarital affair with Donald Trump before he became president was threatened with physical harm, her lawyer said on Friday. Michael Avenatti told MSNBCs Morning Joe programme that Stormy Daniels, whose real name is Stephanie Clifford, wanted to tell her story of her relationship with Trump. Asked if Clifford had been physically threatened, Avenatti said yes, but he declined to say by whom. Avenatti said more detail would be revealed in an interview taped with CBS News 60 Minutes. Theres the act and theres the cover-up, and the American people are going to learn about both in the interview and beyond, Avenatti said. White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders told reporters on Friday that she had no knowledge of the situation and had not spoken to the president about it. But, she said, obviously we take the safety and security of any person seriously and certainly would condemn anyone threatening any individual. Sanders has previously said Trump has made it clear that allegations of an affair with Clifford were false. Clifford wants to invalidate a 2016 non-disclosure agreement under which she was paid 130,000 dollars (93,000) to keep quiet about her alleged relationship with Trump. She filed a lawsuit in Los Angeles claiming the hush agreement that was signed days before the presidential election was legally invalid because it was not signed by Trump. The lawsuit refers to her beginning an intimate relationship with Trump in 2006 that continued well into the year 2007. She said the relationship included encounters in Lake Tahoe, Nevada, and Beverly Hills, California. Trump married his current wife, Melania Trump, in 2005, and their son, Barron, was born in 2006. Clifford has also previously denied through a lawyer that the two had an affair, but Avenatti has said that was to meet the terms of the non-disclosure agreement. Trumps attorney Michael Cohen has denied there was ever an affair. Spains capital is grappling with the aftermath of violent unrest following the death of an African street vendor who had been running away from police. The death, and the clashes between riot police and protesters that followed in a central Madrid neighbourhood, cast a spotlight on the situation of a large community of undocumented migrants. Madrid mayor Manuela Carmena on Friday announced a thorough investigation into the death of the man. According to city officials, he was treated for a cardio-respiratory arrest that happened an unspecified time after he escaped a police crackdown on informal street sales on Thursday. Subsequent protests by hundreds of African migrants and Spanish residents degenerated into rioting. Expand Close Police face off with demonstrators in Lavapies (Alejandro Martinez Velez/AP) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Police face off with demonstrators in Lavapies (Alejandro Martinez Velez/AP) Demonstrators burned plastic waste bins, blocking narrow streets and setting fire to a bank branch. An Associated Press reporter saw protesters throw stones at dozens of riot police officers. Police said six people were arrested. According to the Madrid regions emergency services, 20 people were treated for minor injuries, including 16 police officers. Migrants associations identified the dead man as 35-year-old Mbame Ndiaye, a Senegalese who had lived in Spain for 14 years but had not been granted residency. They accused police of playing a role in his death, but local police unions said it had nothing to do with the crackdown on street vendors. Atu Baye, a fellow Senegalese migrant and neighbour of the dead man, said Mr Ndiaye often joined groups to sell wallets, bags or other products. There were extremist groups infiltrated who burnt things. The Senegalese are not breaking things or stealing, they are not hurting anyone, said Cheikh Ndiaye, the president of AISE, an association of Senegalese migrants in Spain, who referred to the death as a racist attack and a violent criminal act of the state. Migration laws condemn us to a clandestine lifeMalick Gueye of the Madrid Hawkers and Tinkers Union A police union representative said officers patrolling the area tried to help the man while medical help arrived. Contrary to what is being said, the agents were trying to revive him, said Emiliano Herrero, secretary general in the Madrid police for CCOO, one of the main national labour unions. Mr Herrero said the mayors announcement of an investigation seemed to cast a doubt over the work of a professional police body. He said the judiciary should investigate such matters. Street sales by a collective of people who are not given the chance to work are a social and political problem that needs to be solved by politicians and legislators, he said. Its very easy to put the blame on the weakest link. Malick Gueye, a representative of the Madrid Hawkers and Tinkers Union, said the vendors face increasing police abuse. Because most of them lack regular papers, they find it difficult to take matters to court, he said. People sell goods in the street because Spains migration law says that people are not allowed to work and integrate in this country, Mr Gueye added. Migration laws condemn us to a clandestine life. Expand Close Senegalese people gather to protest (Francisco Seco/AP) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Senegalese people gather to protest (Francisco Seco/AP) On Friday, riot police intervened again in Madrids Lavapies neighbourhood to protect Senegalese diplomats who were being threatened by angry countrymen gathered to mourn the death of Mr Ndiaye. Even as it sees increasing gentrification, the neighbourhood is home to large numbers of migrants from sub-Saharan Africa who are denied permission to work. Nearly 29,000 crossed into Spain last year, taking a perilous trip by boat or crossing barbed-wired fences into two Spanish territories in northern Africa. That was more than double the previous years figure. So far this year, 3,976 people have reached Spanish soil or been rescued in waters separating Africa and Europe. New York, Mar 16 (JEN): Four countries could soon graduate from the ranks of the worlds poorest and most vulnerable nations, a United Nations expert committee announced on Thursday Bhutan, Kiribati, Sao Tome and Principe and the Solomon Islands have increased national earning power and improved access to health care and education, making them eligible to exit the group of least developed countries (LDCs). This is an historic occasion, said Jose Antonio Ocampo, chair of the Committee for Development Policy (CDP), noting that only five countries have graduated since the UN established the LDC category in 1971. LDCs are assessed using three criteria: health and education targets; economic vulnerability and gross national income per capita. Countries must meet two of the three criteria at two consecutive triennial reviews of the CDP to be considered for graduation. The Committee will send its recommendations to the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) for endorsement, which will then refer its decision to the UN General Assembly. For CDP member Diane Elson, a professor at the University of Essex in the United Kingdom, Thursdays announcement was good news for millions of women in rural areas. She pointed out that the latest session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women (CSW), currently under way in New York, is discussing the challenges facing this population. The success of the countries that are graduating reflects things like the improvement of the health and the education of the population, which extends to rural women, and the increase in incomes in the country, which extends to rural women, she said. However, Elson stressed that the countries will need continued international support because they remain vulnerable to external shocks, including the impact of climate change. Ocampo said this vulnerability is particularly evident in Pacific Island states such as Kiribati. Globally, there are 47 LDCs, according to the UN Office of the High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States. The majority, 33, are in Africa, while 13 can be found in the Asia-Pacific region, and one is in Latin America. In the 47 years of the LDC categorys existence, only five countries have graduated (Botswana, Cabo Verde, Equatorial Guinea, Maldives and Samoa) The CDP said two more countries, Vanuatu and Angola, are scheduled for graduation over the next three years. Nepal and Timor-Leste also met the criteria but were not recommended for graduation at this time, due to economic and political challenges. That decision will be deferred to the next CDP triennial review in 2021, according to Mr. Ocampo. Bangladesh, Lao Peoples Democratic Republic and Myanmar met the graduation criteria for the first time but would need to do so for a second time to be eligible for consideration. Aleta Moriarty/World Bank Mumbai, Mar 16 (IBNS): Automobile giant Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd., part of the $19 billion Mahindra Group, has unveiled an action-packed Mahindra Adventure Calendar for Season 8. A unique concept to showcase the tough and rugged DNA of Mahindra vehicles, Mahindra Adventure functions as an umbrella brand with a series of adventure and motorsport events under it. Mahindra Adventure will continue to dwell in its spirit of adventure through a series of events spread across the year. The year begins with the marquee event, Monastery Escape, which starts from Delhi and reaches Leh via the picturesque Manali-Leh route with stops at Manali, Jispa and Tso Moriri. This expedition navigates some of the worlds highest mountain passes and lakes. After a well-deserved break in Leh, the event shifts its focus to Kargil, where one can visit the splendid Zanskar Valley and Batalik. This well curated drive offers the best possible accommodation, local cuisine and a chance to experience Mahindras tough and rugged 4WD SUVs. Making it to the destination list this year is the multiday expedition to the Everest Base Camp The Summit. After a ceremonial flag off at Kathmandu, the convoy will set off towards Nyalam and Tibet, crossing the border into China through the iconic Friendship Bridge. Thereafter, the convoy will drive through Tibet, the roof of the world, to the forbidden city of Lhasa home of the Potala palace and numerous monasteries. As the year unfolds, Mahindra Adventure will continue with the 20-year-old legacy of organizing Great Escapes. This year, under the Great Escape brand, Trail Drive for two-wheel drive and four-wheel drive vehicles will be held at 10 locations. The Off-road Trophy rounds, however have been limited to five zones. The winners from each of these five locations will compete at the coveted Mahindra Off-Roading Trophy- Grand Finale and stand a chance to win a new Mahindra Thar CRDe 4x4. Mahindra Adventure adds a new event to its calendar this year called the - Desert Challenge. This event will be held in Rajasthan and will feature splendid dune tracks and some tough off-road obstacles. To add to the excitement, each team will be provided with 4WD Scorpios for this event. On this occasion, Veejay Nakra, Chief of Sales & Marketing, Automotive Division, M&M Ltd. said After 7 successful seasons, we are gearing up to unleash a series of adventure initiatives throughout this year that promise a lot more excitement and thrill for adventure enthusiasts. To add to the adrenaline pumping line-up, Mahindra Adventure has chartered into unexplored territories with the addition of Everest Base Camp and Desert Challenge this year. I am confident that all these initiatives will further cement the tough and the rugged capabilities of our vehicles and take Mahindra Adventure to newer heights. Kolkata, Mar 16 (IBNS): The annual exhibition of Rabindra Bharati University's Faculty of Visual Arts was inaugurated on Thursday at the Academy of Fine Arts in Kolkata. Professor Jogen Chowdhury (renowned artist, pedagogue and Rajya Sabha member), Professor Sabyasachi Basu Roy Chaudhury (Vice-Chancellor, Rabindra Bharati University), Debdatta Roy (Acting Registrar, Rabindra Bharati University), Professor Aditya Prasad Mitra (Dean, Faculty of Visual Arts, Rabindra Bharati University) were present at the inauguration. A total of 185 paintings, sculptures and graphics have been exhibited. The best from each section were awarded a medal and a certificate. Professor Aditya Prasad Mitra, in his inaugural speech, highlighted the achievements of the University's former students in recent times. Professor Jogen Chowdhury encouraged students to go beyond the college curriculum and explore the art and culture of modern era. Faber Castell, a manufacturer of art material, also presented an award and a cash prize to the best painting. Professor Choudhury, in conversation with IBNS, said Exhibitions provide a base to young talents and help them to develop their skills further. "Initiatives, both inside and outside the university campus, should be there so that the artists gets what they deserve. The exhibition will be open everyday from 3 P.M to 8 P.M until March 19. (Reporting by Sourajit Choudhury) Gal is known for her performance as superhero Wonder Woman in the Hollywood movie released last year. Sharing the common belief that fitness should be accessible to all anybody and any body Gadot and Reebok will work together to inspire women and future generations to discover and embrace fitness as a means to become the best version of themselves - physically, mentally and socially. Gadot joins Reeboks growing coalition of game-changing women including Ariana Grande, Gigi Hadid, and Victoria Beckham as part of the brands bolstered commitment to empowering women worldwide. Working out has always been a big part of my life, especially with having a mother who was a PE teacher, I was exposed to an active lifestyle from an early age, shared Gadot. Through fitness, I have found that I gain strength, endurance and confidence, and I couldnt imagine a better partner than Reebok to join me on this journey. Reebok teamed up with revered lifestyle photographer Collier Schorr, to introduce Gal through a series of striking imagery that embody Reeboks Be More Human mantra and the pairs shared belief in the power of fitness. The intimate photographic collection of original portraits visualizes the physical, mental and social benefits that fitness can bestow upon us. At Reebok, we believe that potential is limitless. We look to partner with women who instill confidence in all generations to take risks and to keep pushing, all while making a positive difference in the world, said Todd Krinsky, GM of Performance Business Unit at Reebok. Her relentless spirit and natural leadership have already captivated and inspired millions and we believe that this is just the starting point. Through fitness we know that we have the power to change lives and we are elated to have such a powerhouse in our corner to tell this story with. Highlighted throughout the powerful launch imagery is Reeboks Womens Training Collection, shown in bold and sophisticated black & white prints. Featured product includes: Reeboks Speed HER TR, Lux Tight, Hero Strong Bra, and Perforated Speedwick Tank, available now on Reebok.com. New Delhi, Mar 16 (IBNS): Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Friday announced that his Telugu Desam Party will quit the National Democratic Alliance. Naidu tweeted on Friday morning to confirm the move. Relationship between the Centre and Naidu received a blow over the demands of a special status to be granted to Andhra Pradesh. The TDP has decided to quit the alliance after the centre refused to grant special status to Andhra Pradesh. Recently, the TDP walked out of the NDA ministry over the demands of a special status to the southeastern state but stayed in the alliance then. TDP ministers Ashok Gajapathi Raju and Y.S. Chowdary resigned 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. TDP might even support Jaganmohan Reddy's no-trust motion against the Narendra Modi-led Central government. New Delhi, Mar 16 (IBNS): With the exit of the Telegu Desam Party (TDP) from the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), which runs the central government, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is eyeing on to grow in TDP-ruled Andhra Pradesh. TDP chief N Chandrababu Naidu on Friday announced the exit of his party from the NDA over the demands of a special status for Andhra Pradesh. Reacting to the political development, BJP spokesperson GVL Narasimha Rao said: "TDP's decision to quit was inevitable after its mischievous propaganda against Centre. People of AP have now realised that the TDP is resorting to lies to cover up its inept & inert governance.Far from being a threat, TDP's exit is a timely opportunity for the BJP to grow in AP." TDP's decision to quit was inevitable after its mischievous propaganda against Centre. People of AP have now realised that the TDP is resorting to lies to cover up its inept & inert governance.Far from being a threat, TDP's exit is a timely opportunity for the BJP to grow in AP. GVL Narasimha Rao (@GVLNRAO) March 16, 2018 The TDP leaders have also stated the relation with the BJP, which heads NDA, has ended. The TDP has also stated the by-poll defeats of the BJP in Uttar Pradesh clearly state that people do not have confidence in the BJP. The TDP has currently 16 MPs in the Lok Sabha. Earlier, two TDP ministers, Ashok Gajapathi Raju and Y.S. Chowdary had resigned over the same issue following the order of party chief Naidu. The TDP has also stated that it will pass a no-confidence motion against the BJP-led government in the parliament. He was addressing the inaugural session of the 58th National Cost Convention of Institute of Cost Accountants of India, here on Friday. The Minister of State for Law & Justice and Corporate Affairs, P.P. Chaudhary and other dignitaries were present on the occasion. The Vice President said that no true development can be said to be meaningful unless it incorporates the needs of the farming sector. He suggested six possible drivers of income for farmers growth, stating that sincere implementation of such measures would double farmers income by 2022: Diversification of farm activities towards high-value crops and enterprises. Improving irrigation facilities to double productivity. Better price realization for farmers through competitive markets, value chains and improved linkage between field and fork. Improvement in the terms of trade for agriculture. Technology up gradation. Shifting cultivators from farming to non-farm occupations. The Vice President said that government of India is taking measures to double their income by 2022 adding that food security is one of Indias top policy priorities and doubling of farmers real income is the need of the hour. He further said that talking about the role of professional bodies like ICAI must be in the forefront in the fight against fraud and corruption. "You can help bring in greater transparency, ethical corporate behavior and enhanced accountability into our corporate governance system," he added. The Vice President called on CMA professionals can expedite FDI by effective valuation of assets, liabilities, stocks, properties to facilitate investors to make the right financial decisions and fulfill regulatory obligations. "Introduction of GST and the inclusion of anti-profiteering clause in the act, made it mandatory to pass on the benefit of tax reduction or input tax credit to the final customer," he added. The Vice President said that India is currently reviewing and simplifying laws and procedures and the ease of doing business index has become a popular tool for governments to show that they offer a favorable investment climate for private businessmen. He further said that goal of the youth should be to achieve excellence in their chosen fields and everyones aim and goal over the next five years should be to usher in the positive changes that make India an inspiration for other countries. "The year 2022 is truly significant as it happens to be the 75thanniversary of Indias independence," he added. Following is the text of Vice Presidents address: I have immense pleasure to inaugurate the 58th National Cost Convention of the Institute of Cost Accountants of India. I was more than keen to be present here and interact with all of you as the theme New India 2022: from Intent to Action is close to my heart. It is indeed the right theme as the time has come for building a New and Resurgent India that will take its legitimate place in the comity of nations as a thriving democracy with strong pluralistic foundations. I am happy that the Institute has taken cognizance of the fact that its professionals need to partner in this pioneering nation-building activity by sensitizing and mobilizing the people to work towards realizing the Vision - New India 2022. Friends, as you all are aware, Indian economy has become one of the largest fast economies in the world and is moving in the right trajectory. It is projected to become the third largest economy in the world in the next 10-15 years. However, we all should collectively ensure that there are no hurdles or bottlenecks that pullback the countrys onward march. We need to work relentlessly to eliminate illiteracy, gender discrimination, religious fundamentalism and other social evils. We need to make our governance systems even more robust, transparent, citizen-centric and investment-friendly. We have to ensure that the growth is inclusive so that the fruits of development reach all. As a matter of fact, the country is blessed with a predominantly young population and the most pressing need is to convert this youth force into a highly skilled and employable human resource to achieve what is commonly described as the demographic dividend. The goal of the youth should be to achieve excellence in their chosen fields. Everyones aim and goal over the next five years should be to usher in the positive changes that make India an inspiration for other countries. The year 2022 is truly significant as it happens to be the 75th anniversary of Indias independence. As you all know, the government has launched various initiatives like Make in India, Digital India and Skill India to improve the countrys economy. Greater thrust is being given for the growth of crucial sectors like power, railways, infrastructure, rural and urban development. FDI has been allowed in many sectors and at the same time, measures were being taken to improve the lot of farmers and double their income by 2022. Food security is one of Indias top policy priorities and doubling of farmers real income is the need of the hour. No true development can be said to be meaningful unless it incorporates the needs of the farming sector. It is important to look at the possible drivers of income growth for farmers. The first source is diversification of farm activities towards high-value crops and enterprises. National-level data reveals that shifting to high-value crops can quadruple income from the same piece of land. The second source is irrigation, which can double productivity. The third source is better price realization for farmers through competitive markets, value chains and improved linkage between field and fork. The fourth source is an improvement in the terms of trade for agriculture. The fifth source is technology upgradation. Another important source is the shift of cultivators from farming to non-farm occupations. In conclusion, if the above-mentioned six measures are implemented sincerely at the state-level, then farmers income can be doubled by 2022-23 in most of the states. I hope CMA professionals would discuss the issues confronting agriculture sector and articulate a proper roadmap with timelines to achieve the goal of doubling farmers income by 2022. Sisters and Brothers, India is currently reviewing and simplifying laws and procedures. It is targeting 90 measures including quicker construction permits and simpler registration of new companies to achieve a higher ranking in the World Banks annual listing of Ease of Doing Business. The ease of doing business index has become a popular tool for governments to show that they offer a favorable investment climate for private businessmen. All of you have an important role to play in the years to come. CMA professionals can expedite FDI by effective valuation of assets/liabilities/stocks/properties to facilitate investors to make the right financial decisions and fulfill regulatory obligations. The IBC Code is a revolutionary step as it proposes to transform the credit market in India, which hitherto was malfunctioning due to various problems and malpractices. The benefits of Insolvency & Bankruptcy Code will help in improving stressed assets easily and speedily, thereby, enabling the higher flow of capital in economy. With the introduction of GST and the inclusion of anti-profiteering clause in the act, it has become mandatory to pass on the benefit of tax reduction or input tax credit to the final customer. The anti-profiteering rules provide for setting up committees in each state and also a standing committee for verification of data for assessing the impact of GST. The Cost Accountants are empowered for providing such assistance to the Authority which will enhance in decision making. I appreciate the role played by the Institute of Cost Accountants of India in the industrial and economic growth of the country. The Institute is the only recognised statutory professional organisation and licensing body in India specialising exclusively in Cost and Management Accountancy. I am aware that the Institute has been at the forefront in remodelling business models for more effective and robust functioning of the Indian economy. The CMAs contribution to the Indian economy is immense as they are trained to be cost competitive, utilize available resources in an efficient and cost-effective manner leading to cost control and cost reduction. I am happy that the technical sessions at the convention are focusing on the changing dynamics of the corporate regime for realigning with the New India concept. Topics like Ease of Doing Business- Contribution of CMAs, Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code-CMAs Reviving Businesses, Indian Railways- CMA as Game Changer, Valuation: A New Perspective and Challenges in Doubling Indian Farmers Income- Role of CMAs, Anti Profiteering: An Opportunity for CMAs reflect how the corporate sector is reorienting itself to the changing environment. Finally, I would like to conclude by asking professional bodies like yours to be in the forefront in the fight against fraud and corruption. It is disturbing to note that in some of the recent scams the role of a few chartered accountants came to light. Wrongdoing by even a few will bring bad name to the profession. You have the onerous responsibility to examine proposals and assess the costs and assist the decision-makers to take informed decisions. Your professional expertise must constantly be enhanced by learning from the best practices within and outside India. You can help bring in greater transparency, ethical corporate behavior and enhanced accountability into our corporate governance system. I once again congratulate the Institute for organizing this national event of immense importance and convey my best wishes for the success of all your endeavours. New Delhi, Mar 16 (IBNS): Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address the annual 'Krishi Unnati Mela' at Indian Agricultural Research Institute, IARI Pusa campus in the capital on Mar 17. He will address farmers, unveil a portal on organic farming and lay the foundation stone of 25 Krishi Vigyan Kendras. The Prime Minister will also confer the Krishi Karman and Deen Dayal Upadhya Krishi vigyan Protsahan awards on this occasion. Theme of the fair is doubling farmers income by 2022. 'Krishi Unnati Mela is aimed at creating awareness about the latest technological developments in the agriculture and allied sectors among farmers. Theme pavilions on doubling farmers income, live demonstrations on micro-irrigation, waste water utilisation, animal husbandry and fisheries are among the major attractions of the fair. Pavilions on seeds, fertilisers and pesticides will also be set up at the Mela. Itanagar, Mar 16 (IBNS) : In a major development, Arunachal Pradesh became 4th Indian state after Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Haryana to approve death penalty for rape of girls under 12 years age. The Aruchal Pradesh Legislative Assembly on Friday passed a bill for death penalty for rape of girls under 12 years. The Arunachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly passed the Criminal Laws (Arunachal Pradesh) Amendment Bill, 2018 which to provide capital punishment (death penalty) to those convicted of raping girls under 12 years. Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu tweeted, " Arunachal today became the fourth state in the country to approve death sentence for those convicted of rapes of girls below 12 years of age. The Criminal Laws (Arunachal Pradesh) Amendment Bill, 2018 was passed today to impose actions on those committing such crimes. @PMOIndia." The members of the house passed the amendment bill unanimously. The bill as passed seeking to amend the sections 354, 354 (B), 354 (D) of IPC and sections 376AA and 376D of IPC have been added in the amendment bill. The bill also provides amendment to POCSO, Indian Evidence Act and Code of Criminal Procedure. (Reporting by Hemanta Kumar Nath,Image:Pema Khandu Twitter page) Guwahati, Mar 16 (IBNS) : A shocking incident has come to light as a woman was gangraped in front of her husband in middle Assam's Nagaon district on Thursday. The incident took place at Kakati Gaon area near Kampur in the middle Assam district last night. According to the report, eight miscreants raped the woman in front of her husband. The couple travelled from Jagiroad to Hojai by train but the miscreants forced them to come down the train at Chaparmukh area. They took them away to Kakati Gaon area and raped the woman. The husband of the victim said: "When we were travelling in a train from Jagiroad, a person who said that he is hailing from Kakati Gaon area, talked with us and asked us where we will go." The man forcefully made us come down from the train at Chaparmukh railway station and urged us to go with him to his residence, he said. The victim woman and her husband have lodged an FIR at Kampur police station. Police have started investigation into the matter. They launched operation to nab the culprits. The victim couple alleged that the miscreants also looted Rs 20,000 cash from them. (Reporting by Hemanta Kumar Nath) New York, Mar 16 (JEN): Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Thursday called on the international community to generously support the activities of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), which is facing the worst financial crisis in its history. Addressing the Extraordinary Ministerial Conference Preserving Dignity and Sharing Responsibility: Mobilizing Collective Action for UNRWA, Guterres noted that the Agency is facing a $446 million shortfall in 2018, asking donors to respond to the Palestinian peoples plight and translate their dreams into tangible improvements in their lives. That is precisely what UNRWA does every day with such steadfastness, not only in Gaza but in the camps, communities and countries across the region that host Palestinian refugees, he stressed, emphasizing the urgency to support and protect the vulnerable. He warned that if the response is not met, critical services could be reduced or eliminated entirely from schools to sanitation, from medicine to microfinance to food security for some 1.7 million refugees in abject poverty or affected by conflict., The UN chief pointed out that until a lasting solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is achieved, the work of UNRWA remains just as crucial as it was sixty-eight years ago. Mr. Guterres painted a detailed picture of UNRWA providing life-saving humanitarian relief and health care; building the future of Palestinian society through education; and ensuring human security, rights and dignity for over five million Palestine refugees. By keeping half a million children in school and millions of people healthy and nourished, he said, UNRWA is contributing to stability in the occupied Palestinian territory, as well as in Jordan and Lebanon and has undertaken extraordinary efforts to support Palestinians who have suffered as a result of the tragedy in Syria. UNRWA is an asset to the international community that we must protect and support, he told the donors. Without a collective solution Guterres affirmed that UNRWA would soon run out of money. He argued against this, drawing attention to then need for high-level action in the form of cash. It is far more grave, and threatens to cut programmes far more savagely, he said, adding that this could push the suffering in disastrous and unpredictable directions. Guterres appealed for increased support now and in the years ahead to ensure schooling, health care and food assistance. Such spending is an investment with wide-ranging dividends in the human development of the Palestinian people, in stability today and in a peaceful future in and beyond Palestine, he explained, adding that it could also address some of the despair and other factors that lead to radicalization. Moreover, according to the UN chief, meeting the appeal would send a strong message to Palestine refugees that the international community is committed to their rights, their well-being, and meeting their daily needs. To those who may question the expense, let me echo UNRWAs fundraising campaign: Dignity is priceless, he pressed. As a matter of human solidarity, and as a matter of smart steps for peace, let us give UNRWA our full and generous support, concluded the Secretary-General. Image: UNRWA New York, Mar 16 (JEN): United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has condemned Wednesdays attack at a police checkpoint near a mosque in the outskirts of Lahore. [Mr. Guterres] extends his condolences to the families of the victims and wishes those injured a speedy recovery, said a statement from a UN spokesman, which said the Secretary-General calls for the perpetrators of the attack to be brought to justice. The statement went on to say that the UN supports the efforts of the Government of Pakistan to fight terrorism with full respect for international human rights norms and obligations. UN Photo/Violaine Martin (file) Kabul, Mar 16 (IBNS): A fire incident at a library in Afghanistan's Faizabad area left thousand of books burned, media reports said on Friday. Lt. Col. Abdul Jabbar, the firefight manager at the provincial police headquarter, told Pajhwok Afghan News that the incident took place around 8pm on Thursday night. Besides 25,000 scientific and literature books, an amount of stationary materials and food items also torched in the fire, he told the Afghanistan news agency. Several nearby shops and commercial offices were also burned in the incident. Jabbar told the news agency leak from a liquefied gas balloon was the reason of the blaze. Rohul Amin Amani, the owner of the library, told the news agency that the fire left four stationary stores, 25,000 books and several grocery shops destroyed. Ottawa, Mar 16 (IBNS): New Democratic Party (NDP) leader Jagmeet Singh has stated he will attend Sikh-separatist rallies if such opportunities come in future, media reports said. Singh's comment came in the wake of reports of the NDP leader's presence in the San Franciso Sikh-separatist rally in 2015. In a recent interview with CTV News, Singh said: "When I have an opportunity to speak at events, I speak from that position, where I can take that opportunity to share my beliefs and my ideas, and if I dont, the other side is I could leave those opportunities vacant and someone else can talk and share other ideas that maybe I dont agree with." "People, when they feel that pain and suffering, it can go to negative places; people can feel shame about who they are I always want to take the opportunity to speak to those people, because Ive been there before, I know what that journey is like," he added. Amid the ongoing row over his attendance at a Sikh rally, Singh has condemned all acts of terrorism. Singh has condemned any terrorist act without regarding anyone who is responsible for it. However, Singh went to a defensive mode as the reports over his presence surfaced. He said the rally was organised to commemorate the death of Sikhs in India in 1984 following the assassination of former Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. Singh also termed the attack on Sikhs as "genocide". But Singh is not the only Canadian leader to be caught in the Sikh separatism row. Gandhi was assassinated by few of her Sikh bodyguards in 1984. Post assassination, several Sikhs were killed across the country. Many have wondered how Jio gained such prominence, managed to capture such a large part of the Indian telecom industry, and made India the worlds largest mobile data-consuming market in such a short span of time. However, according to the company founder, the thought that gave birth to the idea that would eventually become Reliance Jio occurred nearly seven years ago. In his acceptance speech at an awards function in London on Thursday night, Reliance Jio Infocomm Ltd (RJIL) founder and Reliance Industries Chairman and Managing Director Mukesh Ambani revealed that the first thoughts about Jio were seeded by his daughter Isha back in 2011. According to Ambani, a few words from Isha, Dad, the internet in our house sucks, inspired him to cater to the digital needs of Indias increasing young generation. "Isha and Akash belong to India's young generation that is far more creative, far more ambitious, and far more impatient to become the best in the world. These young Indians convinced me that broadband internet is the defining technology of our age and India cannot be left behind," he said. India, at the time, was suffering from poor connectivity and a severe scarcity of the most critical digital resource - data. Data was not only scarce, but it was priced artificially high to make it unaffordable to a majority of Indians, Ambani said. Jio transformed all of this by making data abundant and affordable and available in every part of the country. We launched Jio in September 2016. And today Jio has already become the biggest game changer in India," he added. Ambani has already pumped in more than $31 billion, nearly Rs2-lakh-crore, to strengthen Jios infrastructure and coverage across the country to dislodge industry behemoths Vodafone and Airtel. This will make India a leader in 4G in 2019, he said, adding, It took the combined efforts of the Indian telecom industry 25 years to build a pan-India 2G network. Jio took just three years to build a 4G LTE network, which is much larger and far more advanced. And it is also 5G-ready today, Ambani stated at the event. Within the next few years, Jio will empower the equivalent of two-thirds of Europes population to enjoy world-class digital services in India, he said, adding, Because of Jio, India has jumped from rank 155 to become the number one mobile broadband data consumer in less than two years. "Prevent Unauthorized Transactions in your demat / trading account Update your Mobile Number/ email Id with your stock broker / Depository Participant. 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The site provides comprehensive and real time information on Indian corporates, sectors, financial markets and economy. On the site we feature industry and political leaders, entrepreneurs, and trend setters. The research, personal finance and market tutorial sections are widely followed by students, academia, corporates and investors among others. Recently, India added 0.21 per cent forest cover to its landmass. That said, the North East, comprising Mizoram, Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh, Tripura, Meghalaya and Sikkim, has lost green footprint the size of Mumbai. The reasons for this particular decline have been attributed to agricultural expansion, natural disasters, rotational tree felling, and shifting culture. And, alarmingly, forest cover isnt the only thing we are losing. In a bid to control, reverse and make up for all the damages, many Indian communities, people, and organisations have taken it upon themselves to make a change. 1. Chandigarh Airport ndtv While airports across the world rely heavily on artificial light, three years ago, Chandigarh airport vowed to only use natural light during the day. In fact, 40% of the airport has LED lights installed, as a further measure to curb waste. The airport is also using low-heat glass on the ceiling to cut the use of air conditioning. The remaining sections where ACs are installed work on thermodynamics - meaning they will automatically switch off when no one is around. The airport has also installed a 200KW solar panel on the roof for added needs. cdc The tribal girls of Araku have switched to using eco-friendly reusable sanitary pads over regular ones in order to reduce the waste produced by them during their monthly cycle. To encourage others to participate in this drive, people in Auroville, Puducherry are distributing these pads free to everyone. These sanitary pads can be used for two years and do not compromise on hygiene or safety in any way. 3. Self-Cleaning Toilet asiannews E-Lite launched by Eram Scientific is touted to be worlds cheapest solar-powered, self-flushing toilet for schools. Back in October 2014, the line was launched with a mission to save water and curb open defecation. These toilets are programmed to flush 1.5 litres of water after three minutes of usage. Itself cleans the platform after every 10 people use it. Both burning and burying the body of deceased person requires a lot of energy. With that in mind, Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council proposed a plan of liquefying bodies instead of burning them or burying them. They are now working on pressurised water chambers where chemical along with heat and pressure will be used to dissolve bodies to the bone. BUSINESSZOOM Manish Advani, a marketing professional along with his friend Jayneel Trivedi, an architect came together to form a low-cost eco-friendly house out of coconut shells. While this house may not serve as a long-term plan, they can still serve for temporary accommodation, bus stands, kiosks, etc. With the help of 20 students from Somaiya College in Mumbai, they built the Coconut House prototype. BCCL In December 2015, the Mumbai Dabbawala Association (MDA) came up with a plan to feed the destitute, needy and homeless people of the city and side by side, save the environment. Their efforts gave birth to Roti Bank that saved Rs 40 lakh worth of food from getting wasted. The MDA team has collaborated with many caterers, wedding planners and food joints across Mumbai to save food from being wasted. NEWATLAS Low on cost and very high on efficiency, the National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI) came up with a bright solution for everyone in the rural areas, especially regions with acute water crises. They developed a low-cost urinal system that flushes on its own. The toilet will have a mechanical platform, which will get compressed under the weight of a person standing on it, and open the inlet. Twitter From Mehendi to Makeup, everything at this wedding was helping the environment grow. At their wedding, Shasvathi and Karthik chose to save Mother Nature. Shasvathi chose herbal Mehendi and make-up that wasnt tested on animals.She also refused flowers and the decoration was done entirely out of cloth They used newspapers over paper napkins and edible ice cream spoons. What a wedding, truly! hydrobuses If India wants to reduce a whopping 3.7 million tons of carbon dioxide emissions, it should find refuge in these buses. Displayed at a summit in Geneva last year, TOSA( the name of the bus) is being produced by Geneva's public transport operator TGP, the Office of Promotion of Industries and Technologies, the Geneva power Utility SIG and ABB. Together they want to change the face of public transport not only in India but in many countries around the world. BCCL Every year, the time during Ganesh Chaturthi and visarjan sees a lot of innovative measures in making the deitys idol. While some have used mud, others have used cloth, plants, wood and a variety of eco-friendly ingredients to make the idol. But this one constructed by using only matchsticks has found its way to the Indian Book of Records. The 12-foot-tall, eco-friendly sculpture, was crafted by an NGO, YUVA during the Ganesha festival in 2016. Solar House The Canadian International School in Bengaluru is doing what no other school in the country has done - producing its own energy and giving real-life lessons to the kids. "The school turned 20 years old recently and wanted to do something for the environment and the city," said Shweta Sastri, Executive Director of the school. It is for the first time that the endangered snow leopards have been caught on camera in the north eastern state of Sikkim. There is evidence of these animals inhabiting in the high altitudes of North Sikkim, which includes parts of the Khangchendzonga National Park. Previously, there have been estimates based on information from Dokpas, the states yak herders. But, this isnt coming from them. World Wildlife Fund (WWF) India has released a report confirming the presence of the big cat in the same region. Under their project Conservation and Adaptation in Asias High Mountains', WWF has set camera traps. This initiative aims at gathering information on the status of snow leopards, their wild prey base, and the threats that the snow leopards face in Sikkim. It is expected to be completed by 2017. WWF-India WWF-India has been working in Jammu & Kashmir, Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim to understand the snow leopards status in India. According to their report, Information on the distribution of this elusive cat is scanty its current range is poorly mapped mainly due to the high and inhospitable terrain. The snow leopards in Sikkim are contiguous with its populations in Nepal, making it one of the key habitats for ensuring the animals long term survival in the Eastern Himalayas. The big cat has been classified as endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. Additionally, WWF-India is working with local communities and the Indian Armed Forces to raise awareness on the fragile ecology of the Himalayas and involve them in wildlife monitoring programmes. WWf-India This isnt the first time the camera traps have captured unique species. Previously, other wildlife like the rare pallas cat, blue sheep and the Tibetan argali have also been spotted by the same camera traps. Ending the suspense on his health, Irrfan Khan today has issued a fresh statement. Irrfan had tweeted ten days ago that he is undergoing treatment for an unexpected and 'rare' disease and that ambiguous post had left many of his fans and co-actors worried about his health. BCCL Last week his wife Sutapa too took to her Facebook account to thank all the fans and loved ones for wishing and praying for Irrfan but she didn't divulge any further details. Irrfan's statement has put all the speculations to rest because rumors were hinting at the fact that the Piku actor has been diagnosed with last stage brain cancer In his statement, Irrfan has specifically addressed all such rumors and joked saying people need to 'google' that Neuro is not always about the brain. Twitter In his statement, he has thanked everyone and revealed that he will be staying out of India for the treatment of NeuroEndocrine Tumour. Read his full statement right here: Screengrab Irrfan's Tweet: We wish him a speedy recovery. indiatoday.in The 32-year-old woman was on her way to work at a factory in Shahjahanpur village in Alwar district Khatushyam temple in the village. Her father-in-law brandished a sword and allegedly chopped her head off. The man felt that it was against Rajput pride and honour to let women go out for work. Read more Here are the top news of the day: 2. After Vandalism And Looting By Passengers, Railways To Remove LCD Screens From Tejas, Rajdhani Trains bccl The on-board infotainment system which was one of the biggests USPs of the new venture was the biggest target. Many LCD screens were broken or damaged, wires were pulled out and headphones had gone missing! Read more 3. Upset Over Relationship Problems, 20 YO Boy Hangs Himself In Hyderabad, Records Own Suicide On Mobile Ajmer Sagar, ITI student from Hyderabad committed suicide by hanging while on a live video chat on WhatsApp with his girlfriend. The girl was seen kept asking him not to do so but he did not stop. According to a report by the Deccan Chronicle, the police said that he was depressed after his parents rejected his relationship with his girlfriend. Read more 4. Seeking Government Job? Now You Might Have To Join Army First! There has been a shortage of officers and other ranks in the armed force recently. The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Defence took note of this and recommended five-year compulsory military service for those aspiring for gazetted jobs in the state and central governments. Read more 5. Ever Wondered What Happens To The Biometric Data Collected For Aadhaar After Your Death? bccl According to PTI, Santosh Min B, a human resource manager from Bengaluru has moved the Supreme Court arguing that he wanted the biometric details as these would be of no use for the UIDAI since his father was dead now and there were also chances of their misuse and abuse. Read more 6. How A Delhi Doctor Ran An Illegal Sex Determination Racket From His Car! representational Police in Sonipat, Haryana has arrested a Delhi-based doctor and two of his associates for allegedly running an illegal sex determination racket. Dr Subhash Jain, a resident of Narela, along with his two associates were arrested after health department authorities received a tip-off about their illegal actions, Hindustan Times reported. Based on the information, a pregnant woman was used to set up a trap for the accused who demanded Rs 30,000 for the test. Read more The third day of March 2016 marks World Wildlife Day, designated so by the 68th session of the United Nations General Assembly to raise awareness about the planet's wild plants and animals. The theme for this year is "The future of wildlife is in our hands". At a time when both climate change and poaching are posing a real threat to animals worldwide, it's imperative that we sit up and take notice of the endangered species that are at the brink of extinction. Let's take a look at seven animal species that have been listed as 'endangered' on the World Wildlife Fund list. 1. Bengal Tiger Found in the mangroves of the Sundarbans - shared by India and Bangladesh - their population is constantly threatened by climate change that's affecting a sea level rise. Currently, around 2,500 tigers are left in the wild. worldwildlife.org 2. Blue Whale Who would have thought that the largest animal on the planet would have its existence threatened? Also known as the loudest animal, the blue whale species will be the worst affected if we don't take immediate measures to control climate change. emaze 3. Indian Elephant Often slaughtered for their tusks, Indian elephants are plucked from the depths of the wilderness and sold in elephant trade for ivory. Most illegal ivory comes from the African elephant species but Asian elephants also face acute dangers of the trade. Wikipedia 4. Giant Panda Giant pandas are known to directly contribute towards wildlife maintenance as they are constantly spreading seeds and aiding in vegetation growth. Mainly found in the bamboo forests in western China, their existence is also threatened by climate change. WWF and Kung Fu 3 have joined hands in raising awareness for their preservation. travelchinanow 5. Snow Leopard Populated across 12 countries including India, Nepal and China, the population of snow leopards is also on a gradual decline. Climate change is adversely affecting the mountainous regions they dwell in, fuelling the possibility of their extinction. zoo.org 6. Olive Ridley Turtle Olive Ridley turtles live in close nests and any disturbance to their habitat can create a scary domino effect for the entire wildlife. Only in India have we seen a number of cases where the turtles were washed ashore in large numbers. worldwildlife.org 7. Polar Bear Severely threatened by the dangers of climate change, polar bears will be among the worst affected if their sea ice habitat starts to decline. The US government has already called for immediate action to preserve their species by reducing greenhouse emissions. Wikipedia Earlier in February, the world got to see one of the most dedicated and persistent teachers in the entire world. After all, its hard enough to teach kids something when your supplies or textbooks arent up to standard. But when you can teach a software without a computer at hand, thats just phenomenal. Images courtesy: Robert Appiah Akoto Thats just what 33-year-old Richard Appiah Akoto was doing, in the remote village of Betenase in Ghana. Without a single computer in sight to demonstrate how it works, Hottish had to teach his class Information and Communications Technology (ICT). Of course, the inspiring story and Akotos hand-drawn Microsoft Word interface on the blackboard captured the Internets collective hearts. Now, just a couple of weeks after he went viral online, hes been receiving donations of desktop computers and laptops from around the world. Additionally, he was also flown to Singapore by Microsoft for the Educators Exchange program, where hes being provided with free additional training. The company has also pledged to equip Akoto with a device from a business partner. Betenase Junior High School hasnt had a computer since 2011, and Akotos students need to pass a national exam that includes questions on information technology. Its a mandatory tests if these teenage students want to move on to high school. I wanted to teach them how to launch Microsoft Word. But I had no computer to show them, Akoto says. I had to do my best. So, I decided to draw what the screen looks like on the blackboard with chalk. I have been doing this every time the lesson Im teaching demands it. Ive drawn monitors, system units, keyboards, a mouse, a formatting toolbar, a drawing toolbar, and so on. The students were okay with that. They are used to me doing everything on the board for them. When I did this, it was nothing new or strange for them. Now, Akotos students have at least a handful of computer systems to go around, and you can bet theyre going to really make use of them. Something very positive has come out of this and I am very happy, Akoto beams. We are no longer going to use the chalkboard again. We will have computers. Germany and Ukraine to Demand Reparations from Poland by Charles Vargo Friday Mar 16th, 2018 1:16 AM Despite previous decades, the issue on the 'Recovered Territories' is still actual and appears to be a cause for serious discussions among European historians and lawyers. Up to now Germany can't bear with the fact that its Eastern lands were given to the Poles. And thus, here's another round of a fight for the East: Germany and Ukraine have started a discussion of a project on getting reparations from Poland for so-called 'Recovered Territories'. Cotton Faded but Still Gains on Tuesday Barchart - Tue Sep 21, 4:44PM CDT The afternoon session gave back the triple digit midday gains for the close, but front month cotton still gained 87 to 101 points on Turnaround Tuesday. Monday sales on the online cotton trading platform,... CTV21 : 91.18s (+1.44%) CTZ21 : 90.69 (+0.73%) CTZ21 : 90.69 (+0.73%) Corn Closes with Losses on Tuesday Barchart - Tue Sep 21, 4:44PM CDT Front month corn futures ended the Tuesday session off the lows, but still 4 to 4 3/4 cents in the red. The national average corn basis from cmdtyView was firm on Tuesday, but down to 16 cents under Dec... ZCYAUS-BIW.CM : 182.36 (-0.66%) ZCZ21 : 517-6 (unch) ZCPAUS.CM : 5.0106 (-0.92%) ZCH22 : 526-0 (+0.19%) ZCZ21 : 517-6 (unch) Chart of the Day: Greene County Bancorp Barchart - Tue Sep 21, 4:17PM CDT The Barchart Chart of the Day belongs to the New York bank Greene County Bancorp (NASDAQ: GCBC ). I found the stock by sorting Barchart's Top Stocks to Own list first by the most frequent number... GCBC : 34.60 (+0.49%) Crude Oil Climbs on the Outlook for Stronger Jet Fuel Demand Barchart - Tue Sep 21, 4:07PM CDT November WTI crude oil (CLX21 ) on Tuesday closed up +0.35 (+0.50%), and November RBOB gasoline (RBX21 ) closed down -0.0005 (-0.02%). Nov WTI crude oil and Nov RBOB gasoline prices on Tuesday settled... CLX21 : 71.28 (+1.12%) RBX21 : 2.0809 (+1.02%) Shootin' the Bull Swift Trading Company - Tue Sep 21, 3:48PM CDT Cattle trading is anticipated to continue to slow. The loss of open interest and the shellacking funds took the past two weeks leads me to anticipate no further Pickett's charge from them anytime soon. ... Our commitment to become a digital, customer-centric leader requires us to think and work differently, Manulife vice-president of global external communications Marija Mandic wrote in an email to CBC News. As a result, we eliminated some roles and positions. The news comes as Aon recently published the results of its latest report, which found that employee engagement has declined in Canada. The professional services firm suggested that the decline is due to more organizations investing in new technologies and processes, leaving their employees struggling to keep up. Related stories: Search and compare insurance product listings for Environmental Liability from specialty market providers here A petition was delivered in person to Generali Poland CEO, Andrea Simoncelli, by two activists belonging to WeMove.EU and Akcja Demokracja respectively. More than 90,000 people had signed three separate petitions calling on Generali to stop insuring coal mines and plants, the Unfriend Coal Campaign said on Wednesday, adding that while AXA, Zurich and SCOR have all announced restrictions on underwriting coal, Generali had yet to act. The insurer told Insurance Business yesterday that a number of activists had met with Simoncelli and other representatives of Generali Poland, and that a frank discussion was had between the two parties. During the meeting the coal issue was openly discussed, both delegations shared their points of view, a spokesperson for Generali in Austria, CEE & Russia, said. The insurer referred to the Generali Groups wider climate change plan, which was released on February 21 and details plans to cut coal investments. Generalis current involvement in coal-related activities, including in Poland, was described as minimal in relation to the total value of GWP. The share of Generali Poland in insuring companies that produce energy from coal is also minimal. In addition, Generali is a co-insurer mainly for modern power plants that implement solutions that radically limit their impact on the environment. At the same time, it insures companies producing green energy in Poland, such as wind farms, the spokesperson said. In Poland, the economy and employment depend to a high extent on the coal sector. Therefore, Generali wants to support the implementation of the strategy of a transition to activities with low negative impact on the environment. As a corporation, our role is to facilitate the transformation while respecting the political choices of local governments and citizens, creating opportunities for constructive dialogue. Under its new climate change strategy, Generali has defined a vision which is in line with the principles of the Paris Pledge for Action defined under COP 21, while being aware that access to energy is a priority for states and citizens, the spokesperson said. The strategy includes actions in investments and underwriting, which represent the Groups core activities. With regard to investments, Generali will increase its exposure to green businesses and will gradually divest from coal-related companies, according to the plans. By 2020, the Groups investments in so-called green sectors will be increased by 3.5 billion, mainly by green bonds and green infrastructure. As for underwriting, the spokesperson said that the range of offered products with environmental value will increase, keeping only the minimum level of exposure to the coal sector. The share in the portfolio of products related to the renewable energy sector will be increased, and the offer of products with environmental value for the retail client and the SME sector will be expanded, they said. Related stories: The ability to carry out the required maintenance has always been stressful, and when that happens, you have electrical systems that begin to be compromised, and stations where the escalators or the stairways or the roofs are crumbling, said Thom Rickert, vice president and emerging risks specialist of Trident Public Risk Solutions. When systems get older, they simply are more prone to breakdown. Anyone whos ever tried to ride a streetcar or bus in a snowstorm knows that public transportation is also easily affected by bad weather conditions. As in the case of the Hudson River tunnel, which reportedly brings 95,000 workers to Manhattan every day, a natural catastrophe helped bring about its current state. Its amazing sometimes how susceptible they are to the particular risk of flooding and hurricanes and heavy precipitation, said Rickert, pointing to a more recent storm as an example. With Hurricane Harvey, the Houston light rail system actually operated until some of the high water made it stop and they sustained over $10 million worth of damage to their overall metro system. Its the humans, however, that create the daily risk for public transportation. Inattention when getting on and off subway trains or driving across an intersection that has a surface rail track can lead to damages and injuries that result in claims. In fact, 75% of the claims insurers see come from people entering or exiting their public mode of transportation, said Rickert. Riders can trip on the gap between a train and platform, or slip and fall because of a spilled drink on a streetcar. Some of that is the nature of the beast, Rickert explained, because of the way a platform and train might be constructed. He added that the industry is trying to make public transportation more accessible and lower train heights, for example, so that gap isnt as risky for commuters to cross. Public transportation systems can mitigate risk by getting riders to look up from their phones and updating older systems. Its a broad spectrum of simple things like working to advertise and influence consumer behavior to be more cautious, to more intense investments in modern technology, said Rickert. There are some standard checklist items public transportation systems can complete to ensure theyre safe for riders and less of a risk for underwriters. They do regular risk assessments, they prioritize things that can cause a frequency or severity of loss, said Rickert. And they have a plan, whether its a communications plan for disseminating to maintenance departments on places that need to be fixed or emergency communication plans. Related stories: New York Life began reimbursing McCullough in 2010, after receiving statements from a home healthcare provider and a doctor that indicated McCullough required at-home care. However, in 2016, the company became suspicious that McCullough was misrepresenting her illness, North Carolina Lawyer reported. New York Life began conducting surveillance on McCullough. Video recorded by company investigators allegedly shows her lifting heavy objects and carrying them, driving herself, walking normally and bending down to pick up items from the ground. Facebook photos show her playing skee-ball and sliding down a slide. The company also alleged that the caregiver it was paying for wasnt present at McCulloughs house on many of the days its investigators watched her. McCulloughs claim was reviewed by two independent doctors. Both said that, in their opinion, she didnt require the assistance New York Life was paying for, North Carolina Lawyer reported. There is no evidence to suggest that the patient requires the assistance of a caregiver for functional activities of everyday living, Dr. Judy Emmanuel said in court documents filed by New York Life. Related stories: Selective Insurance Company of America, a Branchville, N.J.-headquartered subsidiary of Selective Insurance Group Inc., has announced several officer appointments. Charles Musilli has been appointed to executive vice president and chief human resources officer. Musilli first joined Selective in 1981 as an insurance trainee and has held a variety of regional and corporate strategic and leadership positions, most recently as senior vice president of Distribution Strategies. Jeffrey Kamrowski has been appointed to senior vice president at Mesa Underwriters Specialty Insurance Company (MUSIC) and president at MUSIC. Kamrowski joined Selective in 1988 as a programming analyst and has held a variety of corporate leadership roles, most recently serving as senior vice president and chief underwriting officer of Commercial Lines. Brian Sarisky has been appointed to senior vice president and chief underwriting officer of Commercial Lines. Sarisky joined Selective in 1991 as a corporate trainee and has held a variety of regional and corporate leadership positions throughout the organization, most recently serving as senior vice president of Commercial Lines Underwriting. Paul Anderson has been appointed to vice president of Brokerage Underwriting. Anderson joined Selective in 2010 as a segment manager for Selectives Contractors Strategic Business Unit (SBU), and most recently served as vice president of Contractors SBU. Earlier in his career, he was a sales executive with Eastern Insurance Group. Carlos Lewis has been appointed to vice president of Regional Claims Operations. Lewis joined Selective in June 2017 as assistant vice president and claims manager. Prior to that, he served as assistant vice president for Safeco Insurance, responsible for a large Auto Physical Damage Center. Lynn Moretti has been appointed to vice president of Complex Claims and Litigation. Moretti joined Selective in January 2018. Prior to that, she served as vice president of Complex Claims with Liberty Mutual. Christopher Carpenter has been appointed to assistant vice president of Property Claims. Carpenter joined Selective in January 2018. Prior to that, he served as property manager of the National Catastrophe Response Team for Travelers Insurance. Selective Insurance Group Inc. is a holding company for 10 property and casualty insurance companies. Through independent agents, the insurance companies offer standard and specialty insurance for commercial and personal risks and flood insurance underwritten by the National Flood Insurance Program. Source: Selective Insurance Group Inc. Topics Carriers Underwriting New Jersey Workers compensation specialist The MEMIC Group has promoted Michael Carmody to claims director of the northeast region, which includes MEMICs New Hampshire, Connecticut and New York offices. Carmody began his career in the claims industry more than 25 years ago with Travelers Insurance Company in East Meadow, N.Y. He has served in supervisory and management positions with three insurance carriers, an insurance broker, a third-party administrator and a self-insured employer. He joined MEMIC in 2015 as a regional claim manager. The MEMIC Group includes MEMIC Indemnity Company, MEMIC Casualty Company and parent company Maine Employers Mutual Insurance Company. As a super-regional workers compensation specialty insurer, The MEMIC Group holds licenses to write workers compensation across the country. The group maintains offices in Manchester, N.H., Glastonbury, Conn., Albany, N.Y., Weehawken, N.J., West Conshohocken, Penn., Tysons Corner, Va., and Tampa, Fla, in addition to its headquarters in Portland, Maine. Source: The MEMIC Group Topics Claims Workers' Compensation Maine Luxembourg is seeking to persuade at least two additional global insurers to make their post-Brexit home there after attracting American International Group Inc. and Sompo International Holdings Ltd., the head of its financial lobbying group said. Contingency planning has started, but in September-October it will be crunch time, Nicolas Mackel, the head of Luxembourg for Finance, said in an interview in Paris, without giving names of companies its in talks with. Staff flows from London in favor of Luxembourg are accelerating in areas such as money-management, he said, pointing to Citigroup Inc.s plans to make it a hub for its private banking business. Luxembourg City, a venue for European funds, insurance companies and private banks, should win about 3,000 jobs by the end of 2018, Mackel said. Thats approximately on par with estimates for Paris. Following the 2016 Brexit vote, ten global insurers have already picked Luxembourg as their new EU hub. Pariss advantage is to be home of large players, he said. Until now, trading is rather going toward Frankfurt and wealth management toward Luxembourg. While fund managers are generally building on their existing presence in the Grand Duchy or Dublin, he said. Luxembourg can increase its financial workforce by 7 percent from Brexit-related moves, Mackel said. With assistance from Stephanie Bodoni. Related: Copyright 2021 Bloomberg. Topics Carriers Europe Uk Brexit Delegated authority specialist and Lloyds broker Endeavour Insurance Services announced that niche broker Stonehatch Risk Solutions has become an appointed representative of the company. Based in London, Stonehatch was founded in 2014 and specializes in bloodstock and equine insurance, as well as livestock cover. It provides insurance for most of the risks associated with these classes of business globally and has particular expertise in designing bespoke policies for larger schedules of animals or more complex risks. The Stonehatch team is lead by Managing Director Chris Williamson and supported by Operations Director David Rees, Claims Director Sarah Young and Broking Director Richard Lloyd. All of the companys employees will be moving into Endeavours offices with immediate effect. This is a terrific development for our growing team, and by extension for the services we are able to offer our clients, said Endeavour CEO David Lawrence. The Stonehatch team are proven experts in their specialist classes, from securing protection for an individual animal to a comprehensive analysis of an existing insurance program for breeding stock, racehorses or sport horses. Williamson at Stonehatch commented: We are delighted to become an appointed pepresentative of Endeavour. It maintains our independence as a separate company but aligns us with a broker that is similarly client-focused and shares our values of service excellence. Cover available through Stonehatch includes all Risks of Mortality and Theft, Stallion Permanent Disability and First Season Infertility, Loss of Income/Business Interruption and Veterinary Fees/Life Saving Surgical Fees insurance. Endeavour explained that becoming one of its appointed representatives is not an acquisition or an agreement to acquire. About Endeavour Insurance Services Founded in March 1999, Endeavour Insurance Services specializes in the placement of business produced by North American and European agents handled under delegated authorities. Now employing 44 people in its London office, Endeavour has four divisions supporting business from the U.S.; Canada, Europe and the rest of the world, with facultative reinsurance and cyber specialties. Source: Endeavour Insurance Services Topics Agencies Excess Surplus Agribusiness Lloyd's The Insurance Industry Charitable Foundation (IICF) says more than $400,000 was raised for the IICF Midwest Community Grants Program at its 7th annual Midwest Division Blazing the Trail Benefit, on March 8 in Chicago. More than 350 insurance professionals and industry supporters joined with representatives of local Chicagoland nonprofit and charitable organizations in celebration of the industrys ongoing commitment to philanthropy and community. Since 2011, the IICF Midwest Division has contributed more than $2.2 million along with 23,000 volunteer hours to communities from Chicago, Cleveland, Columbus, St. Louis and throughout the Midwest, supporting nonprofits in the areas of health, education and safety, and making a real difference in these communities. This year an additional $28,500 was pledged at the Blazing the Trail Benefit by the Midwest insurance industry through a new text-to-give option. During the benefit dinner, IICF awarded its 2018 Trailblazer of the Year to Deborah Babcock of the Katie School of Insurance at Illinois State University, for her exemplary philanthropic leadership and exceptional service to the insurance community, in particular, students and young professionals. Proceeds from this years Blazing the Trail Benefit will fund the following 2018 IICF Midwest Division Community Grantees: Bernies Book Bank DuPage Pads Mutual Ground Oak Park River Forest Infant Welfare Society Shelter, Inc. SOS Childrens Villages Sue Duncan Childrens Center Youth Guidance Source: Insurance Industry Charitable Foundation (IICF) Topics Market Funding A woman who survived beneath rubble for hours after a 2016 building collapse in Sioux Falls is suing the developer and construction company. Emily Fodness was sleeping in an apartment above the Copper Lounge in December 2016 when Hultgren Construction removed a load-bearing wall on the first floor and the building collapsed, trapping her. Fodness and her parents allege in their lawsuit that Hultgren ignored warning signs that the structure was failing, the Argus Leader reported. They allege the construction company and the developer, Legacy Developments, lacked the experience, training and competence to oversee the project. The lawsuit also names the construction companys president, Aaron Hultgren, and project engineer Rise Structural Associates, as well as three limited liability companies with ownership stakes in the project, Boomerang, CLP and Olympia. The Fodness lawsuit follows another filed against the same entities this month by the family of Ethan McMahon, the construction worker who was killed in the building collapse. Both lawsuits allege that Hultgren Construction and Legacy Development were closely related entities. Upon information and belief, Hultgren Construction was formed at the urging of Legacys principals to act as the general contractor for projects in which Legacy was developer in an effort to cut costs, the Fodness lawsuit states. Aaron Hultgren also served as the director of development for Legacy, though he later left the position. He was removed from his role as guarantor on Legacys $50 million hotel and parking ramp project with the city of Sioux Falls. Hultgren declined the newspapers request for comment Wednesday. Legacy spokeswoman Stacy Jones said Legacy Development and Consulting Company, LLC is aware of the filing, but it is our policy not to comment on pending litigation. Related: Copyright 2021 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics Lawsuits Construction South Dakota Gov. Jeff Colyer issued a disaster declaration for three wildfires currently burning in central Kansas. State officials announced that Rice County officials have asked for help from the Kansas National Guard to fight the fires. Colyer says the Guard will be sending helicopters to the area to help with the effort. The National Weather Service says one fire about 10 miles southeast of Lyons. The number of acres burning was not immediately available. The Adjunct Generals office says in a news release one fire has entered McPherson County and other counties have reported fires. The State Emergency Operations Center in Topeka has been activated to help coordinate the firefighting efforts. Most of Kansas is under high fire danger warnings because of dry conditions and strong wind. Sitting on a Powder Keg Rural Nebraska also is under serious threat of wildfires. A fire chief who says southwestern Nebraskas Red Willow County is sitting on a powder keg has barred outdoor burning of any kind and is refusing to issue any burn permits. Red Willow Western fire chief Bill Elliott told the McCook Gazette that firefighters have been busy because its very dry in the area and conditions arent expected to improve anytime soon. He advises landowners to closely monitor anything theyve burned lately because embers can rekindle in a breeze. The fires are coming too fast and furious, he said. Red Willow Western firefighters have dealt with multiple fires in the past month, including one that was rekindled from a permitted burn on Valentines Day, Elliott said. Another fire last week, which was caused by an electrical short, burned one house and injured a man. That blaze forced a large portion of McCook to be evacuated as firefighters throughout the area fought the blaze that was spreading quickly through dry grass. Despite the strain of repeated fires, the Red Willow crew is doing well, Elliott said. Im proud of them, he said. Red Willow Western has also received help from other area departments, which has helped with the challenging number of fires, Elliott said. Thats what fire departments do. They help each other, he said. Firefighters from Keystone, Lemoyne, Ogallala, Wallace, Imperial and Grant recently came to the departments aid. They brought six trucks and two command vehicles, and stayed all night, Elliott said. They were a real salvation. We were beat. We felt so blessed to have their help. Copyright 2021 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics Catastrophe Natural Disasters Wildfire Kansas Nebraska A federal appeals court on Thursday voided the U.S. Department of Labors fiduciary rule, which had been adopted in 2016 under the Obama administration to curb conflicts of interest among providers of financial advice to Americans planning for retirement. The 2-1 decision by the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals is a major victory for business and financial services industry groups, including the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. They had argued that the rule was too burdensome, and could make providing retirement advice too costly, with particular harm to lower-income people. The rule requires brokers to put their clients best interests first when advising about individual retirement accounts and 401(k) retirement plans. It has been championed by consumer advocates and retirement non-profit groups. Writing for Thursdays majority, Circuit Judge Edith Jones said the Labor Department acted unreasonably, arbitrarily and capriciously in expanding a 40-year-old definition of investment advice fiduciary, and did not deserve the deference that courts often accord federal agencies. Jones wrote that while the department has made no secret of its intent to transform the trillion-dollar market for retirement investments, it was not hard to spot regulatory abuse of power when an agency claims to discover in a long-extant statute an unheralded power to regulate a significant portion of the American economy. Chief Judge Carl Stewart dissented, saying the Labor Department acted well within the confines set by Congress in implementing the challenged regulatory package. Last year, after Donald Trump became U.S. president, the department delayed the scheduled implementation of parts of the rule, to July 2019. The department could ask the entire New Orleans-based appeals court to rehear the case, or appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court. It could not immediately be reached after business hours for comment. Other opponents of the rule included the Financial Services Institute, the Financial Services Roundtable, the Insured Retirement Institute and the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association. The court has ruled on the side of Americas retirement savers, the groups said in a statement. Our organizations have long supported the development of a best interest standard of care and the Securities and Exchange Commission should now take the lead on a clear, consistent, and workable standard that does not limit choice for investors. Stephen Hall, legal director for the advocacy group Better Markets, in a statement called the decision a terrible setback in the fight for the simple, common sense principle that Americans saving for retirement deserve investment advice that is in their best interest. (Reporting by Jonathan Stempel in New York and Michelle Price in Washington; Editing by Grant McCool and Lisa Shumaker) Topics USA The House overwhelmingly approved a bill to improve school safety Wednesday, the first gun-related action by Congress since the shooting that left 17 dead at a Florida high school. The bill authorizes $500 million over 10 years for grants to improve training and coordination between schools and local law enforcement and help identify signs of potential violence before they occur. Lawmakers approved the bill, 407-10. It now goes to the Senate, where a similar measure is being considered. House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis., said the bill provides a multi-layered approach to identify threats so authorities can stop violence before it occurs. Tragic violence has no place in our schools. Every American believes that, Ryan said. This legislation will actually take concrete action to prevent that. The vote came as the FBI announced it is doubling the number of supervisors assigned to review tips received from the public about possible threats of mass shootings or other violence. Deputy FBI Director David Bowdich told a Senate committee that the agency could have and should have done more to investigate information it received prior to the Feb. 14 massacre at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. The FBI received at least two credible tips that the suspect in the Florida school shooting had a desire to kill and access to guns and could be plotting an attack, but agents failed to investigate. While we will never know if any such investigative activity would have prevented this tragedy, we clearly should have done more, Bowdich told the Senate Judiciary Committee. The Senate panel was considering a similar proposal to improve school safety, but a hearing Wednesday focused on law enforcement failures in Florida. Besides the FBI lapses, Broward County, Florida Sheriff Scott Israel has said his office received more than 20 calls about accused gunman Nikolas Cruz in the past few years Sen. Charles Grassley, the Republican chairman of the committee, noted that Israel declined an invitation to testify Wednesday, as did Michael Carroll, secretary of Floridas Department of Children and Families. By thumbing their noses at Congress, Sheriff Israel and Secretary Carroll have let the American people down and also the citizens of Florida they serve, said Grassley, R-Iowa. Some Democratic lawmakers sought to expand the focus to include gun control. Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., said more and more families are being victimized by mass shootings since a ban on certain semi-automatic weapons she authored expired in 2004. This Congress cannot continue to do nothing, because nothing means more lives are lost, including the youngest and the most vulnerable among us, said Feinstein, the senior Democrat on the Judiciary panel. High school students are literally begging us to take action to get these guns off the streets and out of our schools. As Feinstein spoke, hundreds of students were rallying outside the Capitol to urge stricter gun control laws. The rally was part of a nationwide school walkout to protest gun violence following the Florida attack. A larger rally is planned March 24. Chloe Appel, 15, of Gaithersburg, Maryland, held a sign that said, Fix this before I text my mom from under a desk. The high school student said shes hopeful that Congress will enact gun control laws. After today and after the next protest Congress will see how many people feel strongly about this so they will have to make a change, she said. Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders told the students that young people again are leading the nation, as they did during the civil rights and anti-war movements. All across the country people are sick and tired of gun violence, and the time is now for all of us together to stand up to the NRA and pass common-sense gun legislation, Sanders said. The FBI has acknowledged it mishandled separate tips related to Cruz, last September and again in January. When we make mistakes, we will not hide them, Bowdich said, vowing to work with Congress to correct mistakes and prevent similar tragedies. Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., said the FBI gets about 4,100 tips a day at its nationwide call centers with a staff of about 160 to handle them. More people should be dedicated to that task, Durbin said. President Donald Trump cheered the House vote, tweeting that lawmakers took major steps toward securing our schools by passing the STOP School Violence Act. We must put the safety of Americas children FIRST by improving training and by giving schools and law enforcement better tools. A tragedy like Parkland cant happen ever again! The school safety measure was one of two bills included in a modest White House plan released over the weekend to combat school shootings. The other bill would strengthen, but not expand, the federal background check system for gun purchases. The background checks bill has stalled in the Senate amid objections from some Republicans and concern by Democrats that it is insufficient. Without strong advocacy from the White House, an ambitious gun package appeared unlikely to even get off the ground, given most Republicans opposition to any new restrictions on gun rights. Ryan Petty, whose daughter, Alaina, was killed in the Parkland shooting, told senators that, Nikolas Cruz and the deadly danger he posed were the worst-kept secrets in Parkland. Petty, his voice shaking with emotion, called on lawmakers to follow the lead of Florida, which just passed legislation that 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. Build on common ground, Petty said. Copyright 2021 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics Legislation Florida The Trump administration on Thursday blamed the Russian government for a campaign of cyber attacks stretching back at least two years that targeted the U.S. power grid, marking the first time the United States has publicly accused Moscow of hacking into American energy infrastructure. Beginning in March 2016, or possibly earlier, Russian government hackers sought to penetrate multiple U.S. critical infrastructure sectors, including energy, nuclear, commercial facilities, water, aviation and manufacturing, according to a U.S. security alert published Thursday. The Department of Homeland Security and FBI said in the alert that a multi-stage intrusion campaign by Russian government cyber actors had targeted the networks of small commercial facilities where they staged malware, conducted spear phishing, and gained remote access into energy sector networks. The alert did not name facilities or companies targeted. The direct condemnation of Moscow represented an escalation in the Trump administrations attempts to deter Russias aggression in cyberspace, after senior U.S. intelligence officials said in recent weeks the Kremlin believes it can launch hacking operations against the West with impunity. It coincided with a decision Thursday by the U.S. Treasury Department to impose sanctions on 19 Russian people and five groups, including Moscows intelligence services, for meddling in the 2016 U.S. presidential election and other malicious cyber attacks. Russia in the past has denied it has tried to hack into other countries infrastructure, and vowed on Thursday to retaliate for the new sanctions. UNPRECEDENTED AND EXTRAORDINARY U.S. security officials have long warned that the United States may be vulnerable to debilitating cyber attacks from hostile adversaries. It was not clear what impact the attacks had on the firms that were targeted. But Thursdays alert provided a link to an analysis by the U.S. cyber security firm Symantec last fall that said a group it had dubbed Dragonfly had targeted energy companies in the United States and Europe and in some cases broke into the core systems that control the companies operations. Malicious email campaigns dating back to late 2015 were used to gain entry into organizations in the United States, Turkey and Switzerland, and likely other countries, Symantec said at the time, though it did not name Russia as the culprit. The decision by the United States to publicly attribute hacking attempts of American critical infrastructure was unprecedented and extraordinary, said Amit Yoran, a former U.S. official who founded DHSs Computer Emergency Response Team. I have never seen anything like this, said Yoran, now chief executive of the cyber firm Tenable, said. A White House National Security Council spokesman did not respond when asked what specifically prompted the public blaming of Russia. U.S. officials have historically been reluctant to call out such activity in part because the United States also spies on infrastructure in other parts of the world. News of the hacking campaign targeting U.S. power companies first surfaced in June in a confidential alert to industry that described attacks on industrial firms, including nuclear plants, but did not attribute blame. People sort of suspected Russia was behind it, but todays statement from the U.S. government carries a lot of weight, said Ben Read, manager for cyber espionage analysis with cyber security company FireEye Inc. ENGINEERS TARGETED The campaign targeted engineers and technical staff with access to industrial controls, suggesting the hackers were interested in disrupting operations, though FireEye has seen no evidence that they actually took that step, Read said. A former senior DHS official familiar with the government response to the campaign said that Russias targeting of infrastructure networks dropped off after the publication in the fall of Symantecs research and an October government alert, which detailed technical forensics about the hacking attempts but did not name Russia. The official declined to say whether the campaign was still ongoing or provide specifics on which targets were breached, or how close hackers may have gotten to operational control systems. We did not see them cross into the control networks, DHS cyber security official Rick Driggers told reporters at a dinner on Thursday evening. Driggers said he was unaware of any cases of control networks being compromised in the United States and that the breaches were limited to business networks. But, he added, We know that there is intent there. It was not clear what Russias motive was. Many cyber security experts and former U.S. officials say such behavior is generally espionage-oriented with the potential, if needed, for sabotage. Russia has shown a willingness to leverage access into energy networks for damaging effect in the past. Kremlin-linked hackers were widely blamed for two attacks on the Ukrainian energy grid in 2015 and 2016, that caused temporary blackouts for hundreds of thousands of customers and were considered first-of-their-kind assaults. Senator Maria Cantwell, the top Democrat on the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, asked the Trump administration earlier this month to provide a threat assessment gauging Russian capabilities to breach the U.S. electric grid. It was the third time Cantwell and other senators had asked for such a review. The administration has not yet responded, a spokesman for Cantwells office said on Thursday. Last July, there were news reports that the Wolf Creek Nuclear Operating Corp., which operates a nuclear plant in Kansas, had been targeted by hackers from an unknown origin. Spokeswoman Jenny Hageman declined to say at the time if the plant had been hacked but said that there had been no operational impact to the plant because operational computer systems were separate from the corporate network. Hageman on Thursday said the company does not comment on security matters. John Keeley, a spokesman for the industry group the Nuclear Energy Institute, said: There has been no successful cyber attack against any U.S. nuclear facility, including Wolf Creek. (Reporting by Dustin Volz and Timothy Gardner, additional reporting by Jim Finkle Editing by Tom Brown, Alistair Bell and Cynthia Osterman) Related: Topics USA Cyber Russia Specialty insurance brokerage firm, Alliant Insurance Services, has added Rose Calpin-Dewey in its Energy and Marine Group as first vice president. Calpin-Dewey will provide insurance and risk advisory services to energy and marine clients across the United States. She will be based in the Houston office of Alliant. Calpin-Dewey has more than 30 years of risk management experience as an established risk advisor for energy and marine clients, as well as extensive experience in underwriting, management, and providing brokerage services for large power generation, oil and gas, and alternative energy clients. Prior to joining Alliant, Calpin-Dewey was a senior vice president, team leader at a global insurance brokerage firm, coordinating global resources for renewable energy accounts, in addition to managing service teams in energy and marine. Source: Alliant Insurance Services Two men pled guilty in federal court for their respective roles in a scheme to commit insurance fraud by arson. Dudley Bledsoe, age 63, of Hanover in Wyoming County, West Virginia, and Ricky Dwayne Gleason, age 54, of Peach Creek in Logan County, West Virginia, both pleaded guilty to a charge of unlawful monetary transactions before Senior District Court Judge David A. Faber in Bluefield, West Virginia. United States Attorney Mike Stuart commended the work of the United States Postal Inspection Service, the West Virginia State Police and the West Virginia Office of the Insurance Commissioner. As West Virginia citizens, we all ultimately pay the price for this type of crime, Stuart said in a press release published by the United States Department of Justice. That is why, regardless of the amount of monetary loss, we will continue to aggressively prosecute individuals who perpetrate fraudulent schemes. In the spring of 2012, Bledsoe, with the assistance of James Edward Lester and others, purchased a house in Matoaka in Mercer County, West Virginia. The purchase price was approximately $38,000. They insured the property for more than $300,000 and set fire to the house in December of 2012 using cardboard and unscented candle oil. Bledsoe, with the help of others, then filed false claims for the house and its contents. Bledsoe collected the proceeds and divided them with others involved in the scheme. In May of 2013, Gleason purchased a house in his name on Norwood Road in Huntington, West Virginia, for $100,000 and insured it for more than $400,000. Funds for the purchase were provided by others involved in the scheme. A month later, Gleason and others staged the house to be burned using cardboard and unscented candle oil. While Gleason was out of town in order to have an alibi, others connected with the scheme set fire to the house. Gleason filed a claim for the loss of the house as well as false contents lists with the insurance company and collected more than $280,000 in insurance proceeds. The proceeds were divided with others in the scheme. Bledsoe and Gleason each face up to 10 years imprisonment and up to a $250,000 fine when they are sentenced on May 30, 2018. Windel Lester, James Edward Lester, Georgetta Kenney, Greg A. Lester and James Keith Browning are currently facing charges in a 40-count indictment for their respective roles in the scheme. Their trial is set for May 8, 2018, in Bluefield. Source: United States Department of Justice Topics USA Fraud Virginia Numbers Arson Irvine, Calif.-based Burnham Benefits Insurance Services Inc. has named Luis Milla chief strategy officer to lead the firms technical unit. Milla joins Burnham Benefits with more than 23 years of experience in the employee benefits industry. Milla was previously a senior vice president at BB&T overseeing the national program strategies division. Milla started his career as an underwriter at Cigna. Burnham is a privately held employee benefits consulting and brokerage firm. Topics California Microsoft Corp.s investigators concluded that fewer than 1 percent of gender-discrimination complaints made internally were founded, according to data unsealed in an ongoing class-action lawsuit. The disclosure covers almost 120 complaints made from 2010 to 2016 by U.S. female employees working in technical roles and shows the company only sided with one accuser. Employees also lodged 108 complaints of sexual harassment, eight complaints of retaliation, and three complaints of pregnancy discrimination. The documents were unsealed in a 2015 lawsuit brought by three female employees alleging systemic disparities in the pay and promotion of women in technical and engineering roles at Microsoft. The women are seeking class action status, and their attorneys have been jousting with Microsoft over what documents can be made public. An earlier round of documents disclosed one of three cases where an employee alleged rape by a co-worker. Microsoft is fighting the lawsuit, arguing the allegations are based on individual circumstances and not indicative of any systemic problems. Diversity and inclusion are critically important to Microsoft, the company said in a statement, adding it encourages employees to speak up with complaints. We take all employee concerns seriously and have a fair and robust system in place to investigate employee concerns and take appropriate action when necessary. The women who sued contend that the team at company headquarters in Redmond, Washington, that investigates harassment and related complaints has no policies or procedures, such as automatically flagging repeat offenders who had multiple cases against them. The court files include several memos from the Employee Relations Investigations Team that found substantive evidence of improper behavior but no violation of company policy. Managers, not human resources or the legal department, have final say in any corrective action, according to the plaintiffs. In one 2013 memo, an internal investigator documented a complaint by four female employees about inappropriate touching by a male co-worker at a party. One said the man moved his hand up and down, approaching her right armpit and bra strap, two said he grabbed them around the waist and moved them closer, and another said he moved his hand up and down her back in a manner so obviously inappropriate that it prompted a colleague to ask This is how were going to say Hi?' The investigator ruled the male employee displayed poor judgment but didnt violate company policy. In court documents, Microsoft said each internal investigator is a licensed attorney with years of investigation experience and training. It also said the internal investigations are not directly related to the pay inequity claims at the heart of the lawsuit. Despite protesting that the ERIT team determined only one gender-related concern was founded during the relevant time frame, they cite not one example of a pay/promotion concern for which they contend ERIT should have found a violation of company policy, the company said in a filing. The unsealed data were first reported by the Seattle Times. Related: Copyright 2021 Bloomberg. Topics Lawsuits InsurTech Tech Washington Compassion and helping others were the key takeaways from a message that Jim Darling delivered to a group of several hundred insurance professionals gathered to honor him in Los Angeles, Calif. on Thursday night. Darling, regional executive officer for Chubbs Pacific region, was recognized by the Insurance Industry Charitable Foundations Western division during its annual Horizon Award Gala at the Globe Theater, where a crowd of insurance professionals, community leaders and representatives from local nonprofits were gathered. Darling, the IICFs 2018 Golden Horizon Award recipient, was recognized for his leadership and philanthropic commitment during a night that also raised money for the foundations charitable causes. Jon Axel, the IICF Western division chair, and managing partner for the Liberty Company Insurance Brokers, introduced Darling. Were honoring a friend and a leader and a mentor in our industry, he said. Axel talked about Darlings 35-plus-year career in the industry and his work with the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, including his efforts to help raise $1.5 million for that charity. Darling began his career with Chubb & Son as a summer intern in 1981, and eventually became an underwriter. Darling worked his way up the ranks, from senior vice president of worldwide marine and energy manager in 1995 to stints as a branch manager overseeing major cities. He is currently responsible for Chubbs eight Pacific branches, which account for a reported $2.5 billion in premium. Darling has led several IICF committees and currently serves on its Western division executive committee. In a speech near the end of the event, he thanked his family for their support of him during his career, and for supporting his charitable efforts. Im very proud of my family, he said. He said that insurance professionals are naturally supportive of the community, as they pay claims to help people rebuild and recover from disasters, and they take care of clients in need There is plenty of room for compassion in our business, he added. Darling also talked about his work with the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, which hes been involved with since 1988. At the time he began his work with the foundation, a child diagnosed with cystic fibrosis, a progressive, genetic disease that causes lung infections and limits the ability to breathe over time, could expect live to age 18 or 19. Today, thanks in part of scientific research supported by that foundation, a child diagnosed with the disease can expect to live to 47, he noted. A $10,000 check was donated to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation in his honor following his speech. Another recipient of IICFs charitable efforts is the Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation. LAFD Deputy Chief Graham Everett was at the event to talk about how IICF funding for the foundation his improved conditions for firefighters. We really dont have a lot of money for necessities, he said. The foundation has helped with the purchased of light weight brush fire helmets for all LAFD firefighters, extractors to clean dangerous carcinogens off of equipment that has been exposed to flames and smoke, custom flashlights, specialized chairs for carrying victims, veterinary care for urban search and rescue canines, equipment for forensic investigations, and drones, he said. We could not do the work that we do without the foundation, he told the audience. Jerry Pickett, the Horizon Award Gala dinner chair and CEO of the Liberty Company Insurance Brokers, along with other IICF board members, presented Everett with a $15,000 check for the foundation. The IICF Western Division also announced $324,000 in grants for 42 charitable organizations at the gala, and a live auction during the evening garnered thousands of dollars for items up for bid that included Lakers, Kings and Angels tickets, an exclusive wine tasting getaway, and a stay in a beach-front condo in Maui. The IICF Western division reported granted $529,000 in 2017 in support of local nonprofit and charity organizations dedicated to addressing causes related to children at risk, education and human services. The IICF is a nonprofit that taps the resources of the insurance industry to help communities and enrich lives through grants, volunteer service and leadership. The charity has reportedly contributed $28.7 million in community grants, along with more than 270,000 volunteer hours by more than 100,000 volunteers, to of charities and nonprofit organizations. Related: Topics Market Leadership Chubb Investors looking to enter the world of foreign exchange can find themselves frustrated and quickly spiraling downward, losing capital fast and optimism even faster. Investing in forexwhether in futures, options, or spot contractsoffers great opportunity, but it is a vastly different atmosphere than the equities market. Even the most successful stock traders can fail miserably in forex by treating the markets similarly. Equity markets involve the transfer of ownership, while the currency market is run by pure speculation. But there are solutions to help investors get over the learning curve: trading courses. Key Takeaways As an individual trader, it's never been easier to get access to forex markets from several online and mobile providers. With easy access, beginners may find it in their best interest to read up on how the forex market works and to hone their skills and knowledge with a forex-specific trading course. Courses are offered both online and in-person. Keep a look out for the course provider's reputation, feedback from past students, and if the course has professional accreditation or certification. Types of Forex Trading Courses When it comes to forex trading courses, there are two main categories: Online courses Individual training Online courses can be compared to distance learning in a college-level class. An instructor provides PowerPoint presentations, eBooks, trading simulations and so on. A student will move through the beginner, intermediate and advanced levels that most online courses offer. For a trader with limited foreign exchange knowledge, a course like this can be invaluable. These courses can range from $50 to well into the hundreds of dollars. [Note: Investopedia's Forex Trading for Beginners Course offers an in-depth introduction to forex trading developed by John Jagerson, a CFA and CMT charter holder and founder of Learning Markets. With over five hours of on-demand video, exercises, and interactive content, you'll learn how the forex market works, how to analyze currency pairs, how to build strategies, and much more. The self-paced online course includes lifetime access and a money-back guarantee.] Individual training is much more specific, and it is advised that a trader have basic forex training before taking up this option. An assigned mentor, typically a successful trader, will go through strategies and risk management with the student but will spend the bulk of the time teaching through placing actual trades. Individual training runs between $1,000 and $10,000. Qualities of Good Forex Trading Classes No matter which type of training a trader selects, there are several criteria to consider before signing up. The Reputation of the Course A simple Google search shows roughly two million results for "forex trading courses." To narrow the search, focus on the courses that have solid reputations. There are many scams promising giant returns and instant profits (more on this later). Don't believe the hype. A solid training program won't promise anything but useful information and proven strategies. The reputation of a course is best gauged by talking with other traders and participating in online forums. The more information you can gather from people who have taken these courses, the more confident you can be that you will make the right choice. Certification for the Course Good trading courses are certified through a regulatory body or financial institution. In the United States, the most popular regulatory boards that watch over forex brokers and certify courses are: Not all trading course or system promoters are required to be members of the National Futures Association or registered with the CFTC, but most of the reputable ones are, and they adhere to these bodies' code of ethics. For those thinking globally, be aware that each country has its own regulatory boards, and international courses may be certified by different organizations. Time and Cost Trading courses can require a solid commitment (if individual mentoring is involved) or can be as flexible as online podcast classes (for internet-based learning). Before choosing a course, carefully examine the time and cost commitments as they vary widely. If you don't have several thousand dollars budgeted for one-on-one training, you are probably better off taking an online course. However, if you plan on quitting your job to trade full-time, it would be beneficial to seek professional adviceeven at the higher cost. Staying Away from Scams "Make 400% returns in a day!" . . . "Guaranteed profits!" . . . "No way to lose!" These and other catchphrases litter the internet, promising the perfect trading course leading to success. While these sites may be tempting, beginning day traders should steer clear, because absolute financial guarantees in the world of foreign exchange just don't exist. Unfortunately, the rise of online trading, electronic platforms, and open-access marketplaces have fueled a parallel rise in scams. The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) has long been concerned about dubious courses designed to prey on the unsuspecting. "The CFTC has witnessed increasing numbers, and growing complexity, of financial investment opportunities in recent years, including a sharp rise in foreign currency (forex) trading scams," it warned in a release, as far back as May 2008. To ensure a trading course is honest, read its terms and conditions carefully, determine whether it promises anything unreasonable, and double-check its credentials and certification for authenticity. In particular, beware of sites that prominently display hypothetical returns, or that show actual returns without the stipulation to the effect that "past performance is no guarantee of future results." If you think you've been defrauded, contact the CFTC. The Commodity Futures Modernization Act of 2000 (CFMA) made clear that the CFTC has jurisdiction and authority to investigate and take legal action to close down a wide assortment of unregulated firms offering or selling foreign currency futures and options contracts to the general public." Other Types of Forex Trading Education While trading courses offer a structured way of learning foreign exchange, they aren't the only option for a beginning trader. Those who are talented self-learners can take advantage of free options online, such as trading books, free articles, professional strategies, and fundamental and technical analysis. Again, even though the information is free, make sure it is from a credible source that has no bias in how or where you trade. This can be a difficult way to learn, as good information is scattered, but for a trader starting out on a tight budget, it can be well worth the time invested. The Bottom Line Before jumping in with the sharks, getting trading advice in the highly volatile forex marketplace should be a top priority. Success in dealing with stocks and bonds does not necessarily breed success in currency. Forex classes and trading courseseither through individual mentoring or online learningcan provide a trader with all the tools for a profitable experience. What Is an American Express Card? An American Express card, also known as an Amex card, is an electronic payment card branded by the publicly traded financial services company American Express (AXP). The company issues and processes prepaid, charge, and credit cards. American Express cards are available to individuals, small businesses, and corporate consumers across the United States and around the world. Key Takeaways American Express cards are issued by American Expressa publicly traded financial services companyand are charge cards, credit cards, or prepaid cards. An American Express card, also called an Amex card, can offer a variety of perks, including rewards points, cash back, and travel perks. Some cards are co-branded, such as those with Delta and Hilton. American Express is one of the few companies that issues cards and has a network to process card payments. Visa and Mastercard have processing networks but dont issue cards. Understanding American Express Cards American Express cards are issued by American Express and processed on the American Express network. American Express is one of only a few financial service companies in the industry that has the capability to both issue and process electronic payment cards. American Express is a publicly traded company in the financial services industry. It offers both credit lending and network processing services, giving it a broad range of competitors in the industry. As with traditional lenders, it has the capability to issue credit products, which it provides in the form of charge cards and credit cards. American Express has its own processing network that competes with Mastercard (MA) and Visa (V). Its most comparable competitor is Discover Financial Services (DFS), which is also a publicly traded financial service company offering both credit lending and a processing service network. With multiproduct capabilities, American Express generates revenue from both interest-earning products and network processing transaction services. The term Black Card refers to the American Express Centurion card, which is offered by invitation only. American Express Fees American Express generates a significant portion of its revenue from transaction processing. Many merchants accept American Express cards and are willing to pay the transaction fees associated with processing because of the advantages that come with offering American Express as a payment option to customers. In an American Express transaction, the merchants acquiring bank communicates with American Express as both the processor and the issuing bank in the transaction process. Merchant acquiring banks must work with the American Express processing network to transmit communications in American Express transactions. American Express is also the issuer that authenticates and approves the transaction. Merchants pay a small fee to American Express for its processing network services, which are part of the comprehensive fees involved with a single transaction. As both a processor and high-quality lender, American Express has built a strong reputation in the financial services industry. Types of American Express Cards As noted above, American Express credit cards and prepaid debit cards are offered to a variety of both retail and commercial customers. It is also an industry-leading provider of charge cards, which offer month-to-month credit with card balances that must be paid off each month. American Express charge and credit cards follow standard underwriting procedures. The company seeks good- to high-credit quality borrowerswhich means a credit score of at least 670and generally is not a subprime lender. American Express credit and charge cards come with a variety of benefits in the form of rewards points and travel perks, which depend, in part, on the annual fee charged. American Express cards may offer cash back on certain purchases, though they arent among the best cash back cards currently available. American Express also offers numerous branded prepaid debit cards, which can be used as gift cards or special-purpose reloadable payment cards. Annual fees for American Express cards tend to run high: $95 for the Blue Cash Preferred Card, $99 for the Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card, $150 for the Green Card, $250 for the Gold Card, and $550 for the Platinum Card. That said, the Green, Gold, and Platinum cards have no predetermined spending limits. American Express does offer at least six cards with no annual fee. Customer service for all Amex cards is highly rated, with the company coming in No. 1 on J.D. Powers 2020 U.S. Credit Card Satisfaction Study. Partnerships, co-branded cards American Express issues many of its cards directly to consumers, but it also has partnerships with other financial institutions. In the U.S., for example, Wells Fargo issued an American Express card (new applications were paused in April 2021, although this doesnt affect current cardholders), and in Mexico, Banco Santander offers American Express cards. American Express also has partnerships with other companies to encourage consumers to apply for its credit cards. Two examples are its co-branded cards with Delta Air Lines, which allow consumers to earn frequent flier miles redeemable on Delta, and its Hilton Hotels co-branded cards. Pros and Cons of an American Express Card What Is Credit Card Authentication? Credit card authentication is the process of confirming the validity of a customers credit card by checking with the company that issued the card. Authentication is roughly the first half of the transaction process when using a credit card. Once the card is authenticated, the purchase is approved or denied, the money is added to the customer's credit card bill, and the payment is credited to the merchant's account. Understanding Credit Card Authentication In addition to the customer, an electronic payment transaction involves four entities: the merchant, the merchant's bank, a network processor, and the issuer of the customer's card. Key Takeaways Every credit card transaction is authenticated and authorized (or declined) by the company that issued the card. The middleman in this process is the merchant's bank, which finalizes the approved payment into the merchant's account. The merchant and the consumer are then notified of the action. The merchant's bank is called the merchant acquiring bank. Most banks are members of the major card networks such as Visa and MasterCard, which enables them to act as merchant acquiring banks on behalf of businesses that accept credit card payments. The merchant, using a network processor, requests that the merchant's bank handle processing of the transaction. Once the card issuer authenticates the card and authorizes the purchase, the payment is recorded on the customer's credit card account and paid into the merchant's bank account. The Role of the Merchant Acquiring Bank All merchants who accept credit or debit cards must work with a merchant acquiring bank. It is the middleman in this process, facilitating the transaction and then settling the funds for deposit into merchants' accounts. What Happens When You Swipe When a card is swiped or entered into a website, the details of the transaction are sent electronically to the merchant acquiring bank. The bank transmits the details to the card issuer for authentication. The card issuer checks all the details including the card number and type, its security code, and the cardholder billing address. Issuers have various procedures in place to ensure that a transaction is not fraudulent. Authorization Communication Authorization communication is the next step in the credit card transaction process. The issuer sends the new authentication to the merchant acquiring bank. The bank receives the communication and authorizes the payment to the merchant. The final authorization process also allows the merchant acquiring bank to initiate a deposit into the merchants account. Thus merchants rely on merchant acquiring banks for both payment processing and account servicing. In a credit card transaction, the merchant acquiring bank is also the settlement bank, receiving the payment funds and depositing them in the merchant account. As any consumer knows, this fairly elaborate series of steps is completed in a few seconds. Merchant acquiring banks typically charge merchants transaction fees and monthly account fees. Merchant acquiring banks also cover the risks of any issues arising with non-settlement, chargebacks, and refunds, which are covered by the monthly account fees. By Geoff Percival Irish drug development investment company Malin Corporation is looking to take a second share listing with the London Stock Exchange the most likely location in a bid to grow its investor base. The company invests in life science and biotechnology companies and counts UK-based fund manger Woodford Investment Managers, the Ireland Strategic Investment Fund (ISIF) and former Elan executives as backers. We are considering the possibility of a dual market listing for Malin, potentially in the UK, to increase exposure of our assets to global investors and to improve liquidity, said chief executive Adrian Howd in an update to shareholders. Malin raised around 330m, in 2015, when it floated on the junior market of the Irish Stock Exchange, in what was seen as one of the biggest ever biotechnology sector IPOs in Europe. The company has current cash reserves of 45m and closed 2017 with its total investment portfolio valued at around 401m. Our portfolio is maturing well. We have five assets with clinical proof-of-concept data and six that are revenue generating. We believe the maturation of our assets is set to accelerate in 2018 and 2019. Since our IPO over 1,000 people in clinical studies have received innovative, potential new medicines, developed by Malins investee companies, said Mr Howd. Meanwhile, Irish-listed orphan drug developer Amryt Pharma has reported revenues of 12.8m for 2017, up from 1.48m the previous year. Revenues from Lojuxta its treatment for a life-threatening disorder which causes abnormally high levels of so-called bad cholesterol grew 65% to 11.9m. Amryt is also upbeat about the Phase-3 trial chances of its AP101 development, seen as a possible treatment for rare skin condition Epidermolysis Bullosa (EB), and is evaluating additional market opportunities for the drug. The company has also signed an in-licence agreement with UCD for a non-viral gene therapy platform technology, which will offer potential treatment for EB sufferers. By Geoff Percival Ryanair is confident of expanding its route network further this year, after announcing its entry into the Turkish market. A spokesperson for the airline which recently announced a move into the Middle-East, via flights to Jordan, from next winter said, We are always interested in new markets and we expect to launch more new markets over the next 12 months. The Turkey move forms part of Ryanairs summer schedule and will see one return flight per week to Dalaman, from Dublin and Bratislava. Meanwhile, Ryanair is set to offer direct employment contracts, within the next few weeks, to all pilots in Germany who are currently on contracts via an agency. The airline has come under fire from unions, especially in Germany, for employing some pilots via third-party agencies. Last year, Ryanair recognised unions to improve relations with its pilots and ease a staffing crunch. Ryanair has so far agreed union-recognition deals in Britain and Italy and hopes for similar in Spain, by the end of this month. Goodbody analysts said the move to offer direct contracts in Germany should ease relations between Ryanair management and the German pilots union. Elsewhere, German carrier, Lufthansa, has cut its growth plans for the year, citing a lack of planes and crew, after reporting a 70% jump in profit for 2017. It plans to increase capacity by 9.5% this year, down from plans in January for a 12% increase. Lufthansa which reported 2017 adjusted earnings of 2.97bn has seen delays to deliveries of the Airbus A320neo plane, following engine problems at maker, Pratt & Whitney. Regarding takeover links with Italian carrier, Alitalia, Lufthansa said it expects any necessary restructuring at Alitalia will progress slowly after the elections in Italy. The recent election has not accelerated the necessary restructuring in Alitalia, Lufthansa chief, Carsten Spohr, said. We want to see restructuring. Without that, we have no interest in Alitalia, he said. - Additional reporting by Reuters By Daniel Hickey A Cork man, described by a judge as an "active and trusted" member of the IRA, has been jailed for three and a half years. Sean Walsh (51) of St John's Well, Fair Hill, Co Cork had denied membership of an unlawful organisation, styling itself the Irish Republican Army, otherwise Oglaigh Na hEireann, otherwise the IRA on December 14, 2016. He was found guilty by three judges of the Special Criminal Court after a brief trial in February. The court had heard that in November and Devember, 2016, Walsh had met with three other men at a house on Old Commons Road, Blackpool in Cork. A fourth man, who was due to carry out work on the house, was shot dead by two assailants when he was walking towards Old Commons Road on December 7. Later that evening gardai conducted a search of the house's attic and found a bag which contained two firearms, 14 rounds of ammunition, latex gloves and a black woolly hat. The hat contained a DNA profile which matched Walsh's. Gardai then received confidential information on December 14 that a group calling itself the New IRA were to come into possession of firearms that evening. Later, Walsh was found in a house in Cobh with two other men, one of whom had been seen carrying a bag into the premises. The bag contained a sawn-off shot gun, a smaller bag with a Walther pistol and loose ammunition. Sentencing the defendant today, Mr Justice Tony Hunt, presiding, sitting with Judge Patricia Ryan and Judge Ann Ryan, said that Walsh was "actively and intimately associated with the movement of firearms for nefarious purposes" and this would indicate "a fairly active and trusted level of membership". The court heard that Walsh had a number of previous convictions including one dating from September 2005 at Cork District Court for assault. Detective Sergeant Patrick Murphy agreed with Ronan Munro SC, for the defendant, that the trial had taken less than two hours, which was significant in terms of garda resources. Walsh was sentenced to three and a half years in prison. The sentence was backdated to December 14, 2016, when he was first arrested. A thorough review of all search and rescue aviation operations has been recommended by an interim report into the crash of the Coast Guard Rescue 116 helicopter off the coast of Mayo last March. The helicopter came down near Blackrock Island off the Mayo coast on March 14 last year with the loss of all four crew members. Families and friends of Dara Fitzpatrick, Mark Duffy, Paul Ormsby and Ciaran Smith held a special mass and wreath laying ceremony in their memory on Wednesday. The bodies of captains Dara Fitzpatrick and Mark Duffy's were recovered following the crash. However, the bodies of winch operator Paul Ormsby and winchman Ciaran Smith have not been located. The Air Accident Investigation Unit's interim statement into the crash says a review should be carried out to ensure effective, continuous and comprehensive oversight of all aspects of search and rescue aviation operations. The report published today also recommends that Sikorsky, the manufacturer of the S-92A helicopter used by the Coast Guard, should make the necessary updates or modifications to the aircraft recording systems to ensure that the latitude and longitude information recorded on its Flight Data Recorder reflects the most accurate position information available during all flight types and missions. Helicopter service company CHC should conduct a review of its operations to ensure they are sufficiently robust to maximize safety. In May last year, RFD Beaufort reviewed the operation of the beacon in the lifejackets used by Coast Guard crew members and made a number of changes in June with regard to the installation of the beacon, the routing of cables and positioning of the antennas. The AAIU had previously confirmed that it has established that the Sikorksy S-92's internal warning system did not include the 80m (262ft) high rocky outcrop of Blackrock and its working lighthouse in its database. The search and rescue helicopter crashed after hitting the island while coming back from supporting a mission for an injured trawlerman out in the Atlantic. The AAIU preliminary report stated that Rescue 116's Honeywell Enhanced Ground Proximity Warning System (EGPWS), which alerts pilots both visually and aurally to imminent danger from terrain and obstacles, does not include either the terrain of Blackrock or the lighthouse. CHC Ireland, which operates the Irish Coast Guard search and rescue helicopters, has reviewed and re-evaluated all route guides used in the aircraft. The review takes into consideration obstacle heights and positions, terrain clearance, vertical profile, positions of waypoints in relation to obstacles and EGPWS database terrain and obstacle limitations. CHC Ireland said the new route guide will be formally included in the Operations Manual (OMC) at the end of this month. - Digital Desk Update 7.47pm: Luas passengers are being told not to expect an improvement in services until May. It's been revealed that new longer trams designed to ease overcrowding have been taken out of action because of an unnamed fault. Crisis meetings are being held every day to discuss chronic problems with Dublin's tram service since the Cross City line opened four months ago. Its expected that all of the longer trams will be in service in May and a new timetable will be put in place once theyre all tested and operating, said Anne Graham of the National Transport Authority. By May, definitely we will see an improvement in services but even before that we want to make sure we have as much of the trams out and operating on the green line service. Original story (4.04pm): Longer Luas trams withdrawn from service due to a fault The new longer Luas trams have been withdrawn from service due to a fault. The National Transport Authority has again apologised to commuters for what it called a sub-optimal service on the green line, where passengers have seen long delays and crowded carriages. CEO Ann Graham says the longer trams are being checked. Unfortunately, a fault has appeared in those trams as well, which has meant that they had to be withdrawn from service," said Graham. Those are undergoing checks at the moment, so theyre not available to operate in the peak time, which has also impacted on service delivery. Every effort is being made to identify what that fault is and bring those back into service. - Digital desk The next edition of IE Style will appear free with your favourite newspaper on Saturday, March 24. New season S/S trends made easy Welcome to the new season. From delicious ice cream hues to flowers in full bloom, we unveil S/S18s key trends. Leading lady: Meet Amy Huberman Is Amy Huberman really as nice as her Twitter feed suggests? Our Editor Vickie Maye joins Irelands most down to earth celebrity for tea and a chat. Top trends: New season make up This season the focus is on the lips worn-in reds, orange hues and high gloss. Celebrity make up artist Christine Lucignano preps the perfect pouts, courtesy of Chanel. In the spotlight: Ireland's movie locations Lights, camera - Ireland is hot property amongst location scouts once more. Don't miss all this and much - much - more! By Irene Feighan ARCHITECT Hugh Wallace is in rude health but he is not about to take it for granted. Six years ago he weighed in at 23 stone and was struggling with weight-related diabetes and asthma. He was also dealing with debilitating alcoholism and depression. It took years to turn his health around. Now I hover between 16 and 17 stone. Ideally, Id like to be a stone lower. It has to do with what you eat and when you eat. I dont eat after 8pm or before 12 noon. Ill wake up and have my black coffee in the morning and thats it, says the 61-year-old who lives in Dublin 8. He takes tablets to keep his diabetes under control but the prospect of injections no longer looms. Also, he used to use his inhaler twice a day. Now I only use it 12 times a year. And he no longer struggles with depression and alcohol dependence. I respect and fear alcohol now, he says. One of three judges on RTEs Home of the Year, he is unapologetic about looking into every nook and cranny in search of design excellence. The series covers some of the most dramatic houses in the country, many of which make a big impression. Whats amazing is the capability of people and homeowners to use colour. Some of it shouldnt work but it works perfectly. Were an island lots of water, big mountains its all a bit rough and ready. The colour adds that bit of spontaneity. And his own favourite colour? If there has to be spot colour I just love Chinese burnt orange. In a very limited amount, its an amazing colour. Home of the Year, RTE One, Tuesdays, 8.30pm. What shape are you in? I have my car garaged for the winter. Its amazing when you get rid of car because all of a sudden you say, Ah sure Ill walk. Its usually quicker. I love that crisp cold weather. I like going up the Wicklow Mountains. There are great walks around Glendalough and up Three Rock and the one I really like if theres a bit of wind is the Great South Wall walk. What are your healthiest eating habits? I like to prepare fresh food I usually spend Saturday doing that. I put it into the fridge so that during the week you can just quickly reheat it. I love stews and pies one-pot wonders. And I have a soup maker that I really love. Weve no microwave you dont need them. What are your guilty pleasures? I love After Eights out of the fridge god, theyre fabulous. What would keep you awake at night? Sleep patterns go a bit off when I travel to Oman, where were working on a 100m development project mixed retail, restaurant and offices. Douglas Wallace Consultants did all the design work for it. How do you relax? I love cooking on a Saturday. I also like going to the opera, theatre and shows. There is an amazing play on in London at the moment, called The Ferryman. Its about Northern Ireland in the 80s. The language is foul but appropriate. Your ideal dinner party guests? I want to have guests who are convivial, good fun but must play poker afterwards. The betting is very small just 20c openers. And nobodys allowed to bring 10c if they bring 10c to the table they get slapped and asked to leave. What would you like to change about your appearance? The extra stone Id love to get rid of. Im 6ft I blame my bones for being heavy. When is the last time you cried? Probably about a week ago. I was cleaning out stuff at home my mum and dad are dead since the late 80s and early 90s and I came across all sorts of photographs of us on holidays during my childhood. I was an only child. It was just memories of them very happy memories. What traits do you least like in others? People turning up late I just cant tolerate it. Also people who dont have time to chat or engage. The person that I find most interesting and annoying is the one who talks at you and never asks how are you or how is your family. You are not sure why the want to talk to you. What traits do you least like in yourself? Sometimes I talk too much. Also, not having time sometimes for friends. Do you pray? No. But funnily when Im in a church, I always light a candle for friends who might be in my thoughts. Im not religious at all but [in a church] I find a calmness and a time to reflect thats fantastic. What would cheer up your day? To win the Lotto. Id be exceptionally happy. And Id be quite happy to win the Monday Lotto. A million quid would just be a delight. Sorting out Cork people... Cmere, whats the story with herbal Viagra? My buddy, Stocky, brought some back from Amsterdam and I thought grand job, Ill get the old pump primed now for the Bank Holiday weekend. To cut a long story short, I do be like the Elysian Tower. Its got so bad that the old doll did a legger to Killarney to get away from me for a few days. I was going to follow her down, but to be honest with you, Im having trouble getting into the car. Do you know how I might be able to deflate the situation, so to speak? Dowtcha Donie, Im afraid to answer the door in case its me Mam. That could get you written out of the will. (Not that she has much to leave.) My dopey ex-boyfriend had a similar problem after he brought some pills back from Berlin. I said what you need now is a few hours in the pub, to see if you can get brewers droop. He said, no, they only serve Heineken or Carlsberg. (Thats what I was up against.) If you dont fancy booze to soften your cough, I hear they are having a beauty contest in Macroom. (That should be enough to put any man off.) Ciao. I gave up chasing women for Lent, which is virtually impossible because I am Italian. However, I hear now that your Patricks Day is not actually part of Lent, so I can be, how you say, like a dog with two mickeys. (I love you Ireland.) Where would be a good place to chase women this Saturday? Antonio, Milan and St Lukes, are you interested? Si issimo, as you probably say in Italian. Unfortunately, I have to go on a counselling retreat weekend with My Conor to try and save our car crash of a marriage. (Shame.) Heres the best way to score with a woman this Saturday night. Stand on Oliver Plunkett Street with your mouth open. (Were simple people, really.) Hello old stock. Hoggy and myself were supposed to go to Twickenham this Saturday. However, he bumped into two very open-minded women from Denmark in the Imperial on Wednesday, and the four of us are currently drinking our way across north Kerry. Anyone who would like the rugby tickets, just call to my huge house in Blackrock, pay my wife Monica and tell her Ill be home Thursday week, all going well. Could you spread the word? Reggie, somewhere outside Listowel, I just met a bogman who never heard of the RCYC! Lucky bogman. I rang my Rugger Hugger cousin there and asked her if shed be interested in your tickets. She said youve obviously never been to Twickenham. I said, go on. She said it will be full of horse-faced people with posh English accents looking for a place to ditch their Range Rover. I said sure you can get that in Kinsale. She said, exactly. Hey dude, like, begorrah. Im here in Cork for a month, setting up the European HQ of my tech start-up that helps employers motivate their staff. (Its called Work Harder or Starve Dude that name just cracks me up.) I want to help you guys celebrate St Pattys Day but I cant use alcohol because it makes me incredibly angry. How do you think I should spend the big day? Kylle with twos Ls, San Francisco, where would I find a Leprechaun? In a pool of his own vomit on the Grand Parade any time after six. (We call it the crack.) I asked my Posh Cousin wheres the best place to sample Patricks Day, if you dont drink. She said Saudi Arabia. I said what about Cork. She said the South Mall up until 3pm. I said what happens then. She said the Norries get out of bed and head into town. Harsh. My 8-year-old, Rory, came home from school and told me he is in love with a girl in his class called Rachel. Thats a nice posh name, suggesting two sun, one ski holidays and a month in Crookhaven. Unfortunately, when Rory pointed out this Rachels mother in her gym-gear at the school gate, her runners were only last seasons ASICS. (Imagine.) Sorry but I cant have my son associating with people who buy stuff online, or worse again, in TK Maxx. How can I break the news to Rory? Clodagh, the exclusive side of the Rochestown Road, Id die if it had to go to Passage West. Im sure that can be arranged. Its so awkward when one of your kids is attracted to someone from the lower orders. My Posh Cousin had to step in when her son kept mentioning some guy at school. She thought it was cool that he liked boys, but unfortunately this particular boys father was only a bus driver. (Imagine.) Anyway, the best thing is sit your Rory down and explain he has to nip this love affair in the bud because his mother is an incurable snob-cow who judges people by their gym gear. (No offence.) Give the oars a quick rattle in the oarlocks and settle onto the wooden seat before you undertake the 45-minute row from Ross Castle, Killarney, Co Kerry, to a stronghold of early Irish monasticism. Alighting here feels like you are stepping into the tenth century. Innisfallen is an extraordinarily peaceful place and the row is but a precursor to an incredible calm. When the Irish Examiner visited, a herd of deer had swum across to the island from Tomies Wood and frolicked in the meadow by the Romanesque oratory. In 640AD, St Finian founded a monastery there, though no traces remain. For a long period the island was host to a high degree of scholasticism as along with daily prayers, the monks transcribed many documents gathered from a variety of sources, many in very poor condition, in Latin or Irish, to create the priceless record of early Irish Christianity known as the Annals of Innisfallen. Often just mere fragments as well as lengthier passages, the eponymous annals are a peerless record of Irish political and social life of the period. They are available online in UCC at the address below. They are kept in the Bodleian Library in Oxford. Here are a few extracts: AI1249.1 A great earthquake in Ireland and Wales. AI1170.3 Port Lairge was plundered by the oversea men, and they seized lands there. The Desmumu and Cormacs son assembled and inflicted a slaughter upon them. AI642.1 Kl. The burning and slaying of Mael Duin in Inis Cain Dega. [AU 641]. A second reason for the islands importance is its churches which show a continuous early Christian presence though no traces of the earlier buildings remain. This is true of other such island sites such as Church Island in Valentia Harbour. The abbey church is the oldest structure remaining and there is also a 12th century Hiberno-Romanesque oratory. Innisfallen is hugely important for a third reason: One of the most famous artifacts associated with the island is the Innisfallen crozier which can be seen in the National Museum, Dublin. It was manufactured on the island and necessitated expertise in metallurgy and embossing. UCC lecturer in adult continuing education and archaeology Griffin Murray explains its importance: It is the most complete early medieval crozier we have and one of the most lavishly decorated objects from early medieval Ireland, being largely made of silver embellished with gold. Not only that, but it is also one of the earliest complete examples surviving from Western Europe. It is probably broadly contemporary with the earliest stone church on the island and obviously relates a period of wealth and investment in the monastery at the time. The crozier may have been connected to the nearby ecclesiastical site of Agahdoe but scholars regard its provenance as of Innisfallen. Dr Murray says it was of great significance to the community, as it was the staff of office of the abbot and handed on from one abbot to the next. It symbolised the power of the founding saint of the monastery, St Finian, and by association the power of the abbot and the monastery itself, he says. The story of its discovery is remarkable, having being found in the River Laune in Killarney. It was found in 1867 near Dunloe Castle by a fisherman, Denis OSullivan, who mistook it for a salmon. The local bishop, Dr Moriarty, paid him 18 for it leading OSullivan to declare it was the finest salmon he ever landed. It was brought to Cork on the train wrapped up and being mistaken for a gun it was 1867 the year of the Fenian Rising, when the authorities in Cork were on high alert, says Dr Murray. It must have been thrown or dropped in the river at a time of distress in the medieval period. Innisfallen was the name of five passenger ships variously owned by the Cork Steam Packet Company and B&I. Though he was writing about an island 300km north in Co Sligo, WB Yeatss words on Innisfree meet ring true. And I shall have some peace there, for peace comes dropping slow. Go there and you shall. 7:40am Im definitely not a morning person so I trudge the mile up the road to the Luas. I wonder every morning how the people that run the Luas thought they could extend the line by 60% without adding any extra trams for three months and not cause transport mayhem. 9am At the office just off Capel St I prepare my to do list for the day before tackling the email monster. Our focus is on raising awareness around the needs of polio survivors and particularly the issue of post polio syndrome. Many of our members who contracted polio as children experience increased loss of mobility, chronic pain, and fatigue in middle age. 10am First and best coffee of the day from Brother Hubbards next door. 11am I dip in and out of a multitude of projects, including the development of a National Polio Register. This involves meeting with Emma Clarke Conway, our development officer, and Niamh Murphy, our membership officer, around our plans for promoting the register. There are about 7,000 polio survivors in Ireland and we are encouraging them to sign up to ensure they have a stronger voice. It will also help us advocate for more services and supports for them as they age. We will be rolling out the register in Kildare, Cork, and the South East in the coming months and launching nationally later in the year. 1.15pm Lunch is a quick sandwich in the Capel Cafe. 1.25pm I review and edit an update of our Financial Procedures Document. Its just one of the many policy documents and procedures that charitable organisations have to have in place to ensure good governance and accountability. 3pm I touch base with different members of staff to see if there are any issues that need to be tackled. We run a number of services, including social support groups. We also provide funding for calipers, crutches, special footwear and braces, and mobility aids, such as walkers and wheelchairs. And we provide heating grants. 6pm I take the bus home. Myself and my wife Marie, a community mental health nurse, go to ballroom and Latin dancing classes once a week. Other then that, its either a walk or Netflix. Indias extraordinary media environment now sees the fourth estate serve as witness, prosecutor, judge, jury, and executioner, and trust is eroding, writes Shashi Tharoor WHEN Bollywood superstar Sridevi Kapoor drowned last month, at the age of 54, in a bathtub in a Dubai hotel, coverage of her tragic death once again showcased all that is wrong with Indian media. Sridevi who, after a 15-year hiatus, had made a spectacularly successful return to the silver screen in two mega-hits in the last six years led a modest and conventional life with her husband, film producer Boney Kapoor, and their teenage daughters. She did not dress or behave in ways that would serve as tabloid fodder or fuel lurid speculation. Yet Sridevis death became the subject of ghoulish stories, particularly on television, about what might have happened behind the closed door of her bathroom, with one TV anchor even attempting to enact a bathtub drowning. A politician notorious for leaping onto every available conspiracy theory went so far as to suggest foul play. Welcome to Indias extraordinary media environment, in which the Fourth Estate serves as witness, prosecutor, judge, jury, and executioner. With far too many channels competing 24/7 for the same sets of eyeballs and target rating points (TRPs), television news has long since abandoned any pretence of providing a public service, and instead blatantly privileges sensation over substance. (Indian TV epitomises the old crack about why television is called a medium: Because it is neither rare nor well done.) When it comes to print media, the situation is not much better. Newspapers are now competing in a fast-changing and overcrowded media landscape where it is not they, but TV, that sets the pace: every morning, they must reach readers who have watched TV the previous day. So, instead of providing context, depth, and analysis, newspapers are blasting out headlines that stimulate prurience or outrage. The result has been disturbing, to put it mildly. The airing of opinions is the cheapest way to fill a broadcast hour; ranting anchors score the highest TRPs. This reinforces the motivation to engage in sensational speculation, however baseless, as has occurred in Sridevis case. More fundamentally, the rush to beat TV by breaking stories has weakened journalists incentive to perform due diligence, in terms of researching stories and verifying claims. This erosion of professional standards has too often made newspapers willing accomplices of purveyors of manipulated leaks and malicious allegations. The distinctions among fact, opinion, and speculation, between reportage and rumour, and between sourced information and unfounded claims which are drummed into journalism students heads the world over have faded into irrelevance in todays Indian media. The cavalier attitude toward facts is compounded by extreme reluctance to issue corrections. So a blaze of lurid and unverified headlines does untold damage. When corrections are offered, they are too feeble and come too late to restore innocent peoples reputations. I have experienced the limitations of Indias media firsthand, having been treated to repeated doses of speculation, gossip, accusation, and worse over the course of the last four years, following the tragic death of my wife. Instead of showing the restraint and caution one might expect from a responsible press covering matters of life and death, the media flung around baseless accusations of murder and suicide with abandon. The media trial of my wifes death, fuelled by politically motivated leaks, was drawn out as long as possible and made into a spectacle, with voyeuristic TV discussion shows debating accusations and imputations based on zero evidence or even elementary research. Malevolent claims were reported uncritically; editors failed to ask even the most basic questions about their plausibility. And my experience is not unique. Unsurprisingly, trust in Indian media is eroding. A friend summarised the problem succinctly for me: When I was young, my father wouldnt believe anything unless it was printed in the Times of India. Now, he doesnt believe anything if it is printed in the Times of India. This should concern all right-thinking Indians, because free media are the lifeblood of our democracy. The free press is both the mortar that holds in place the bricks of our countrys freedom, and the open window embedded in those bricks. The news media are supposed to enable a free citizenry to make informed choices about who governs them and how. And, by looking critically at elected officials actions (or inaction), they are supposed to ensure that those who govern remain accountable to those who put them there. Instead, Indian media today report recklessly on ephemera that have no impact on public welfare, and focus constantly on the superficial and the sensational. In doing so, they trivialise public discourse and abdicate their responsibilities as facilitators and protectors of democracy. Far from a call for controls on the free press no Indian democrat would issue such a call this is a demand for better journalism. Government needs a free and professional media to keep it honest and efficient, to serve as both mirror and scalpel. A blunt axe serves no society well. If India wishes to be taken seriously as a responsible global player and a model 21st-century democracy, we must take ourselves seriously and behave responsibly. Our journalism, a face of India that others see and by which fairly or not we are judged, would be a good place to start. Shashi Tharoor, a former UN under-secretary-general and former Indian minister of state for external affairs and minister of state for human resource development, is currently chairman of the parliamentary standing committee on external affairs and an MP for the Indian National Congress. Copyright: Project Syndicate, 2018. Cork City parade The parade starts at 1pm on the South Mall and will celebrate 100 years of the Vote for Women. Gardai have warned they will adopt a zero-tolerance approach to public drinking on Saturday. This is a festival for all of the family and we want everyone to enjoy the entire weekend in the safest possible way, said Superintendent John Quilter. We have extra gardai working during the course of the festival and there will be a zero-tolerance policy when it comes to drinking in public. Be safe, mind your belongings and enjoy the weekend. He also advised people to arrive at the parade early, to keep children under close supervision, and to ensure that children have phone numbers for their guardians in the event of accidental separation. Mallow More than 100 floats, bands and marching groups will participate in one of Munsters biggest St Patricks Day events with the parade in Mallow getting under way at 2pm. Carrigaline The Carrigaline parade will get under way at 1.30pm. Ballincollig The Ballincollig Parade will get under way at 3pm. Parents with young Superheroes are asked to bring along their little ones in their best superhero costume and take part in the parade. The theme this year is the four elements earth, air, fire and water and Ballincolligs heroes will help protect against the elements. A large screen will be set up on the plaza of CastleWest Shopping Centre to make sure fans dont miss any of the action as Ireland take on England in Twickenham at 2.45pm. Fermoy Local businessman Tom Cavanagh will serve as Grand Marshal at the Parade which gets under way at 11am from Dun Eala in the Cork Road. The participants will include Fermoy Scout Group, Three Counties Motorcycle Group and Fermoy Community Pre School. Kinsale Events for our national holiday kick off this evening with a maritime parade which will take place at 7.30pm in Kinsale Harbour. It will be accompanied by a fireworks display. The towns street parade will take place at 1pm tomorrow. In honour of the work of the RNLI, Kinsale RNLI Lifeboat rations manager Kevin Gould has been chosen to be the grand marshal of this years festivities. Mr Gould and his team will be out on the water as part of the maritime parade. Clonakilty The Clonakilty Parade will take place at 1pm. This will be the 24th consecutive Parade organised by Clonakilty Town Twinning Association. the route will be the same as normal from Faxbridge to Western Road and floats should assemble in the Ashe Street Car Park at 12.15pm. The Cork Butter Exchange Band will be the main marching band. Bandon The Bandon parade will commence at 2pm. Free candyfloss, face painting and a photo booth is being provided by the organisers. Assembly for the parade is at 1.30pm in St Patricks Church car park. Youghal The Youghal Parade will get under way at 1pm and the overall theme for the parade is Showcase Youghal. This years Grand Marshal is the 2017 Glamorous Granny winner, Eileen Welch. Youghal Groups and individuals involved in the parade will assemble on Youghals Brehon Road at noon. The parade will proceed along Catherine Street, Grattan Street, then on towards the Mall and Strand Street, before returning to Dolphin Square, via Friar Street, South Main Street and North Main Street. Carrigtwohill The Carrigtwohill parade gets under way at 1.15pm. Mitchelstown The parade will get underway at 1pm. In recent years, the parade has gone from strength to strength. This years event will once again run from the Church of Ireland at Georges Street, down Upper and Lower Cork Street, up Baldwin Street, back up Georges Street and onto The Square via King Street. Midleton The Midleton parade will commence at 3pm and its theme is the Forty Shades of Green. Cobh The Cobh parade will start on the Low Road by Cobh Heritage Centre at 1pm. This year every group is being encouraged to perform a 30 second to one-minute routine in front of the viewing stand. Examples would include passing a ball, a 100m sprint, a dance routine, courtesy, bow or salute. Skibbereen The Skibbereen parade will take place at 4.30pm. The theme this year will celebrate Skibbereen as a multi-cultural town and all participating groups are encouraged to reflect the wide diversity of the various cultures in Skibbereen and District. Ballydehob It starts at the slightly earlier time of 11.30am. The Grand Marshal this year is Noel Coakley, former Principal and Teacher at St Brigids NS and President of Gabriel Rangers GAA. Coppeen Coppeen parade will get under way at 2pm. Dunmanway The Dunmanway parade will get under way on Sunday at 1.45pm. Tipperary County Tipperary will host 12 parades across the county promoting various initiatives including the new Suir Greenway/Blueway in the Clonmel parade and Healthy Living in Our Community in Nenagh, while the Carrick-on-Suir parade will culminate with a fireworks display at Ormond Castle. Kilkenny In Co Kilkenny there will be four parades that are expected to attract a total of 15-20,000 people. It is hoped that the celebration of St Patricks Day as a civic event, alongside Tradfest over the weekend, will entice tourists to Kilkenny. Three visiting bands from the United States will take part in the parade and perform in Kilkenny City. County Dublin In Fingal, the Dublin Bay Prawn Festival will be on in Howth from tomorrow until Monday, while six parades will be held in the County on St Patricks Day, in Balbriggan, Blanchardstown, Lusk, Rush, Skerries and Swords. A visiting marching band from the North Dakota University will participate in not one but two of those parades, while more than 100 local businesses and 350 community organisations and business associations are directly involved in the festivities. Fingal County Council is also implementing programmes to reach out to immigrants living across the county to promote integration, social cohesion and tolerance in communities. South Dublin County Council has special concert by Kila, a St Patricks Day Ceili, classes for all levels, workshops in the libraries and traditional music session. I suspect the tickets will go really quickly, said festival director Melvin Benn at the festival launch in Dublin. They are still on sale at this point. Will they still be on sale this evening? I dont know. With pop music eclipsing rock in the charts, the line-up for the August 31 to September 2 event was a reflection of current trends in music, acknowledged Benn, who runs Electric Picnic on behalf of UK-based Festival Republic group. There is a lot of pop around and we want to reflect that fact. It certainly doesnt dominate the bill but it is reflective of what is going on at the moment, he said. Electric Picnic has been a straight sell-out for the past several years but Benn said there were no plans to raise the capacity beyond 55,000 in the immediate future. There is a huge demand. Ive made the commitment I wouldnt change [the capacity] again. That is a commitment I will hold toIm not in a rush to make it bigger. The prominence on the bill of female artists such as Dua Lipa, St Vincent and BBC Sound of 2018 winner Sigrid, in addition to an all-female comedy night, will be regarded as a positive, though Benn concedes more needs to be done by the music industry to promote inclusivity. If you take 2017, of the top 600 songs in the Billboard charts, 83% were men. As festival promoters, we reflect what people are listening to... It is always going to have that imbalance until we have more women recording music. Los Angeles rapper Lamar is the biggest draw on the bill. He sold out 3Arena in Dublin in February and oversaw the chart-topping soundtrack to Marvels Black Panther movie. He was, said Benn, the biggest superstar on the planet without questionThe songs, the lyrics, the show for all those who saw him in the 3Arena dear God it was so good. Nineties trip-hop group Massive Attack will meanwhile appeal to older fans and NERD, a vehicle for producer Pharrell Williams, recently returned with a well-received new album. The festival will welcome back the Body and Soul arena, Trailer Park, Trenchtown and Salty Dog stage while a new stage full details of which have yet to be revealed will have a Berlin theme. Electric Picnic began as a modest two-day, 10,000 capacity affair in 2004. It has grown into the countrys largest music festival worth an estimated 36 million to the economy. The value of the 2016 purchase of spinout company Infiniled by virtual technology company Oculus has also emerged as being well over 20m. UCC records show it got an initial payment of 1.659m for its 12.6% share in InfiniLED, which developed low-energy LED lighting at the universitys Tyndall National Institute research centre. However, the 2015-2016 financial statements said a further $1.057m (857,000 today) was held in escrow to be distributed this year, taking the amount going to shareholders from the sale to 20m. The takeover of debts, royalty payments and other costs bring the deal closer to 25m. Ten members of the Goleen unit in West Cork whose members normally march in the local parades in Schull or Ballydehob jetted out from Cork Airport with Norwegian yesterday to take part in the Portland, Maine parade tomorrow. They will march alongside a US Coast Guard colour guard down Portlands Commercial Street before the mayor of Portland, Ethan Strimling, presents them with the keys to the city on the viewing stand. Goleen unit volunteer, David Williams, said it is their units first time to represent the Irish Coast Guard overseas and they are all really looking forward to the visit: We are very honoured and proud of this acknowledgement and are keen to nurture and develop ties between our coastal communities. The visit is the result of almost 12 months of planning and liaising with several key individuals, including one of the highest ranking officers in the US Coast Guard, Capt John Mauger, the commanding officer of the US Coast Guard Marine Safety Centre and who is due to be conferred as Rear Admiral of the US Coast Guard in Washington next month. Mr Williams said they wanted to forge links with a US port or seafaring city, and identified Portland, Maine, as a possible option. He said they reached out to the Irish American Club of Maine, which has been staging the citys St Patricks Day Parade since its foundation in 1973, to begin discussions. Leading maritime lawyer, Michael Kingston, who is originally from Goleen but now based in London, was lecturing in Cork around the same time and was hosting Capt Mauger, and Dana Eidsness, of the Maine Chamber of Commerce when he heard of the Goleen Coast Guards efforts to forge links in the US. He introduced Capt Mauger and Ms Eidsness to Mr Williams, who invited them to visit the Goleen units base last July. The talks have now resulted in a 10-strong crew from Goleen unit jetting out yesterday. Travelling with Mr Williams are Tara Chamberlain, Lisa OSullivan, Ciara Sheehan, Aisling ODriscoll, Jeroen Van Der Vlugt, Colin Wiseman, as well as Patrick and Dawn Little, and their son, Jed. Mr Kingston said it is an example of how the new Norwegian route between Cork and Boston/Providence can help communities on both sides of the Atlantic forge strong links. The Goleen coast guard unit is due to visit a fire rescue boat base in Portlands sprawling port area on Sunday before visiting the Maine US Coast Guard base on Monday. Rupi Munteanu, aged 25, of 3 Mill Road, Millstreet, Co Cork, appealed yesterday against a four-month jail term for stealing the 2,000 worth of cigarettes from MP OSullivans at Doughcloyne industrial estate at Sarsfield Road last July. Dennis Healy, solicitor, said the accused was working for the first time in his life. He said he loved having a job which he held for the past nine weeks and would be staying out of trouble in the future. Judge Gerard OBrien, who set the special assignment for appellant Raymond Watkins, aged 22, of Cathedral Road, Gurranabraher, Cork, said yesterday after reading the young mans essay: I am very impressed with his observations on what he saw in court. The judge said it was not to be taken as a precedent but he would give the accused the benefit of a dismissal under the Probation of Offenders Act. Judge OBrien said he appreciated that young people had a different view of drug-taking and that many of the defendants friends may take drugs but he was the one who was caught. Paula McCarthy, defending, said after handing in the essay to the judge that he had documented his observations on four court sittings which he was required to attend. She said he was remorseful for the offence. Sgt John Sheehy confirmed the young man had not come to the attention of gardai since this drug detection or before it. The sergeant said the man was co-operative and respectful to gardai. Judge Gerard OBrien said every judge in the country must be blue in the face from telling young people about the scourge of drugs in society. And he came up with the innovative order on the young man to make these visits to his local district court and to write the short essay on drugs in Irish society. Watkins was appealing the conviction and 250 fine he got at Cork District Court after he was caught in possession of ecstasy tablets for his own use at Cathedral Road, Cork, on July 8, 2016. He was convicted and fined for having the drug, formally known as MDMA, for his own use on that occasion. The appellant was concerned about having a drug conviction as it could stand against him in the course of future plans to study and work abroad. He is presently based in Thurles. He attended at Thurles District Court on four separate occasions and then wrote the essay which was not read out in court. It was handed to the judge through his registrar prior to the sitting of Cork Circuit Appeals Court. Facing up to the failure of unfulfilled aspirations and expectations at middle age, and deteriorating health and acknowledgement of mortality are additional stresses. The report, Middle-Aged Men and Suicide in Ireland, launched yesterday, said that these issues are compounded by significant new societal challenges such as zero-hour contracts, multiple career paths, the changing role of men, and an unravelling of the more traditional pillars of society, such as religion and politics. This resulted in more vulnerable groups of middle-aged men, in particular, feeling that they had been cast adrift between two vastly different generations, the report said. Though the report focused on men aged 40-59, who have at least one other characteristic which puts them at greater risk of suicide farmers, unemployed, rurally isolated, separated/ divorced fathers, gay, transgender, Travellers, victims of domestic abuse, members of ethnic minority groups, ex-prisoners it found that middle-aged men, more broadly, are increasingly at risk of marginalisation. Therefore, whilst the research focus is justifiably on at risk groups, this studys findings are applicable to all middle-aged men. For many middle-aged men, isolation and loneliness have a crippling effect but the stigma associated with mental health means they often reach crisis point before seeking help. Alcohol was highlighted as a particularly problematic coping strategy. The report, by Shane ODonnell and Noel Richardson, at the National Centre for Mens Health (NCMH), Institute of Technology Carlow, said from a policy and research perspective, there is a strong case for a specific and more targeted approach to mental health promotion and suicide prevention work with middle-aged men. Dr Richardson said the hope or expectation for finding a magic formula that will be the panacea for addressing the higher suicide rates among middle-aged men is not realistic given the complexity of the issue. The report proposes more effective and gender-specific programmes, services, and resources that support the mental health and well-being of middle-aged men. It makes recommendations on advocacy, connection, communication, education and training, and stigma reduction. The HSEs National Office for Suicide Prevention, which funded the report, will work with the Mens Health Forum in Ireland in implementing the recommendations. Since 2008, Irelands highest suicide rate has been among middle-aged men a shift away from a previous pattern of higher suicide rates among younger men. Within a European context, the age-standardised suicide rate for middle-aged men in the Republic of Ireland in 2014 was 26.4 per 100,000 - just above the EU28 average of 24.8 per 100,000. Ed Brophy, who has taken up his post with Mr Donohoe in recent weeks, engaged in a Twitter row in recent days with Social Democrats representative Gary Gannon, who narrowly missed out on a seat in Dublin Central at the 2016 general election. Mr Donohoe has represented the constituency since 2011. The row began when Mr Gannon criticised Taoiseach Leo Varadkar for highlighting recent achievements in office on his own Twitter account. This prompted Mr Brophy to tweet: Of course, Twitter would literally break if @1GaryGannon listed his achievements this week. Mr Gannon lashed out and said: Oh jaysus.. Ed Brophy .. The man who literally destroyed the @labour Party a reference to Mr Brophys previous 144,500-a-year job as chief of staff to then tanaiste Joan Burton. The spat escalated when Mr Brophy replied: Good man Gary, the @SocDems hegemony is just around the corner. After all, you were the future once a criticism of Mr Gannons failure to become a TD in 2016. This, in turn, drew the sharpest comment in the exchange from Mr Gannon: In fairness Ed, Id much rather be potential unfulfilled, than to be the realisation of the fears of all those who ever trusted me. Youre slime Ed - and thats all youll ever be remembered for. In fairness Ed, Id much rather be potential unfulfilled, than to be the realisation of the fears of all those who ever trusted me. Youre slime Ed- and thats all youll ever be remembered for. Gary Gannon TD (@GaryGannonTD) March 11, 2018 Speaking to the Irish Examiner, Mr Gannon accepted the language used in the exchange was probably sharper and stronger than he would normally use. He said he and Mr Brophy have previous and that he is not a fan of Mr Brophy. When contacted, Mr Brophy said he had no comment to make on the matter. However, online, he did say: Youre slime & Horrible excuse for a human. The inevitability that exchanges with @SocDems will descend into nasty, personalised abuse. Something that the leadership either condones or is in complete denial about. A spokeswoman for the Social Democrats told the Irish Examiner the party does not condone the use of such language. Mr Gannon was narrowly defeated by Maureen OSullivan to the last of three seats in Dublin Central. It is a four-seat constituency for the next election. All youll ever be remembered for The twitter spat between Gary Gannon of the Social Democrats Dublin Central and Ed Brophy, special advisor to Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe, who is also a Dublin Central TD for Fine Gael @edbrophy: Of course, Twitter would literally break if @1GaryGannon listed his achievements this week Of course, Twitter would literally break if @1GaryGannon listed his achievements this week https://t.co/4jyThC7UHH Ed Brophy (@edbrophy) March 10, 2018 @1GaryGannon: Oh jaysus.. Ed Brophy.. The man who literally destroyed the @labour Party Oh jaysus.. Ed Brophy.. The man who literally destroyed the @labour Party. Gary Gannon TD (@GaryGannonTD) March 10, 2018 @edbrophy: Good man Gary, the @SocDems hegemony is just around the corner. After all, you were the future once Good man Gary, the @SocDems hegemony is just around the corner. After all, you were the future once Ed Brophy (@edbrophy) March 11, 2018 @1GaryGannon: In fairness Ed, Id much rather be potential unfulfilled, than to be the realisation of the fears of all those who ever trusted me. Youre slime Ed- and thats all youll ever be remembered for. @edbrophy: Youre slime & Horrible excuse for a human. The inevitability that exchanges with @SocDems will descend into nasty, personalised abuse. Something that the leadership either condones or is in complete denial about. Yury Filatov also labelled reports in The Sunday Times of a scaling up in Russian spy infrastructure in Ireland as a fabrication, and stated it was part of a wider massive propaganda campaign against Russia. He declined to answer specific questions about Russian spy activities here and said if the Irish Government had any issues they needed to discuss, there were formal channels available. Speaking to media at the embassy in Rathgar in Dublin, Mr Filatov accused the British government of acting in a most irresponsible and aggressive way. British PM Theresa May announced the expulsion of 23 Russian diplomats, described as being undeclared intelligence officers, in response to the attempted assassinations of a Russian former double agent and his daughter. Sergei Skripal, a former officer with Russias military intelligence unit, the GRU, and his daughter Yulia, both remain in a critical condition after being exposed to a chemical agent last week. The British Government took hostile action against our diplomatic representation in the UK and I am sure, if not today then certainly very soon, we will give an answer to that, it will not go unanswered, Mr Filatov said. Its a worrisome situation when we have a government, a nuclear power, behaving in a most irresponsible, aggressive way. I hope common sense will prevail. Mr Filatov told the media they had been invited after articles appeared in The Sunday Times. He described the stories which referred to the construction of new facilities and a power station at the embassy, as well as increased Russian spy activities, including by members of the GRU and its sister civilian agency the SVR, as simply a fabrication pointing out that no new buildings had been constructed. Second secretary Vasily Velichkin described the stories as fake news but did confirm a major expansion of consular, embassy and accommodation buildings was planned over the next three years, pending planning permission. He said this was to replace the old and cramped individual buildings and not because of any increase in staffing or activities. Mr Filatov claimed the articles were aimed at manipulating Irish public opinion and creating an unfavourable, to put it mildly, impression, of Russia and the Russian embassy. He added: It is just only a part of the whole hype around the Skripol affair in Great Britain. The overall effort is to launch a massive propaganda campaign against Russia. When asked directly had there been an increase in Russian spy activities here, he said he had nothing to add to what he had already said. Pressed again, he said they had a stable, open and constructive dialogue with the Irish Government and if there were issues there were ways to discuss them, through formal channels. A Garda source told the Irish Examiner that Russian intelligence had stepped up activities considerably in the last 12 months and that security and intelligence, the Gardas spy section, was very concerned. He said efforts had been made to access confidential information in technology and aerospace companies and confirmed one of the incidents in The Sunday Times regarding an effort by a Russian couple to befriend one such employee, and that Garda Special Branch had intervened. News Accused Gunman in U Ko Ni Case Appears In Court After Completing Immigration Sentence Kyi Lin appears at court on March. 15. / Tun Tun YangonKyi Lin, the accused assassin of U Ko Ni, a constitutional lawyer and legal adviser to the ruling National League for Democracy party, appeared at the Yangon North District Court on Thursday having completed his sentence for violation of the Immigration Act. He was noticeably wearing normal clothes and not prison garb. Kyi Lin, who is accused of fatally shooting U Ko Ni outside Yangon International Airport in January 2017, was sentenced to one year in prison on Aug. 30, 2017 by Mingalardon Township Court for breaching Article 13 (a) of the Immigration Act. The reason for his early release is not clear, but it appears to be for good behavior in prison. Kyi Lin officially left Myanmar for Thailands Mae Sot through the Myawaddy border gate with a border pass on Sept. 15, 2016, but returned to the country via an illegal route and was subsequently charged under the Immigration Act. He was also charged under Section 302 of the Penal Code for killing U Ko Ni and fatally shooting taxi driver U Ne Win, as well as under the 1878 Arms Act for illegal possession of a firearm. Police detained four suspects in connection with the crime: Kyi Lin and three alleged co-conspirators, Zeya Phyo, Aung Win Zaw and Aung Win Tun. After nearly a year of preliminary hearings, the court charged Aung Win Tun under the Penal Codes Article 212, which prohibits harboring an offender, but allowed him to stand trial on bail last month after he deposited 50 million kyats (about US$37,300) as a surety for his release from custody. The other three suspects were indicted for premeditated murder, which carries a life sentence. The man accused of masterminding the murder, former Lieutenant-Colonel Aung Win Khaing, remains at large. The court also ordered the confiscation of Aung Win Khaings movable and immovable assets under the Criminal Procedures Article 88. Features From 'Beauty Queen' to Beach Bum? Ngapali Loses its Sparkle A couple takes a swim at Ngapali beach in Thandwe Township, Rakhine State. / Moe Myint / The Irrawaddy NGAPALI, Rakhine State Daw Khin Myo Nwe, 48, can recall as a child spying the white sand of Ngapali beach, in southern Rakhine States Thandwe Township, rolling gently into the turquoise waters of the Bay of Bengal through the row of coconut trees separating the scene from the Mazin-Geiktaw road. But that scene started to change quickly in late 2010, when developers began building upscale resorts along the beach, erecting brick walls blocking the view from the road and raising retaining walls along the shore to block the rainy-season waves that threatened to damage their properties. On a recent visit to the beach, The Irrawaddy saw foot-high banks in the sand along the beach in several locations, which some blame on the retaining walls. Once, the landscape of the beach was almost like a horizontal floor and even if you went about 30 feet into the water it was about as deeps as your waist. Now, If you walk just four or five steps into the water it almost reaches your chest. I cant believe my eyes, said Daw Khin Myo Nwe. She is not the only one who has noticed the change. Loi Kham Pang, an ethnic Shan who recently visited Ngapali, said he noticed that the seafloor close to the beach was often uneven with large sandy bumps but smooth much further out. U Chan Thar, the states social welfare minister and a native of Thandwe, was highly critical of the walls the hotels were building along the shore during a sustainable tourism meeting on Sunday in Ngapali joined by union Hotels and Tourism Minister U Ohn Maung and state Chief Minister U Nyi Pu. He said Ngapali beach was not a rocky place when he was a child but now had many rocks below the surface of the water in several places. The retaining walls make the Ngapali shoreline ugly, U Chan Thar said. While locals and officials blame the retaining walls for making the incline of the beach increasingly steep, some of the hotel owners blame it on villagers who dig up the beach sand. We clearly understand that the impact is huge. This issue must be resolved effectively, said Myint Myat Thu, managing director of the Jade Marina Resort. A Queen Dethroned In 2016, holidaymakers voted Ngapali the top destination in Asia in TripAdvisors Travelers Choice Awards. It was named one of the top 10 beaches in the world and even dubbed a beauty queen by some fans. Since then, however, it has fallen to third among 25 Asian beaches, drawing a variety of complaints. Indias Agonda beach came out on time, followed by the Brocay seashore in Malaysia. Ngapali no longer even makes TripAdvisors list of the top 25 beaches in the world. Ngapalis global ranking has declined, which is very upsetting to me. Thats reality; we cannot deny it, said U Nyi Pu. Its not clear how many travelers decided not to vote for Ngapali because of the Rohingya refugee crisis, which saw the military sweep through the states northern Maungdaw Township in late 2017 in what the UN has called a textbook example of ethnic cleansing, driving nearly 700,000 Rohingya to Bangladesh. Rights activists have called on the UN Security Council to refer Myanmars army chief, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, to the International Criminal Court. During the weekend meeting in Ngapali, U Nyi Pu said the crisis had greatly impacted the entire nation and that he learned that some diplomats and visitors believed it was affecting the whole state. He said even Japan, Myanmars second largest loan provider, has labeled the country a dangerous place to visit. In fact its happening in a part of northern Rakhine State, not in the entire state. We have repeatedly explained this to them, he said. State Planning and Finance Minister U Kyaw Aye Thein listed a litany of other troubles facing Ngapali, from expensive hotel rooms to poor beach maintenance, limited public spaces, an inadequate waste management system, tensions between the hotels and local fishermen, late-night parties, traffic accidents and summertime congestion. Dropping from top 10 to 25th place indicates that we are in a very critical situation. We have to tackle [the problem] to not fall further, he said. During the meeting, the tourism minister repeatedly urged hoteliers and stakeholders to keep Ngapali pristine and law enforcement authorities to enforce the law. Myanmar Tourism Federation chairman U Yan Win also suggested heavy penalties for lawbreakers. Well Connected Some lodge owners complained that little had been done to improve the situation despite several stakeholder meetings over the years emphasizing law enforcement. Some blamed the developers powerful connections. According to the Tourism Ministrys Thandwe department, 35 local resorts and guesthouses are operating with tourism license. But at least a dozen are not. Documents show that the majority of high-end hotels in Ngapali are linked to relatives of the countrys former military dictators and senior army officers or to tycoons such as Edin U Chit Khine, AGD bank owner U Tay Za, and Fortune International owner U Mya Han. Almost all the resorts have built concrete walls on prime beachfront property. For example, the new Pristine Mermaid Resort owned by Nanda Aye, daughter of the previous military regimes vice chairman, Maung Aye has been operating illegally without a permit since early this year. Many tons of beach sand were used to fill in much of the six-acre project in Mya Pyin village. The Irrawaddy found that some villagers and hotels have been stealing the salty, white beach sand for construction. Along the road in Mazin-Geiktaw village, some hotels keep a large pile of the sand out front. Some hoteliers said they relied on the locally sourced beach sand for construction. We have to buy from local dealers to get the sand we need, said U Aung Cho Oo, director of Ngapali Bay, where the union minister for tourism stayed over the weekend. Thandwe Municipal Committee chairman U Than Tun complained that none of the hoteliers apply to his office for construction permits to build their retaining walls even though the tourism minister officially instructed them to do so last year. However, nearly all the beachfront hotels have already built retaining walls along the shore. But whenever tourists complain, the chairman said, the businesses simply blame villagers for digging up the beach sand. The lack of the rule of law in the region is the main reason why Ngapali beach is being spoiled, he said. Unlawful Construction U Ohn Maung has instructed hoteliers to secure permits from the municipal board before building retaining walls. And though municipal law allows for such walls to be no more than one foot above the sand, some of the walls stretch six feet and up. In my opinion, the hotels beachfront retaining walls should not exist, said U Than Tun, pointedly accusing some of the hotels of digging up beach sand themselves. According to the Tourism Ministrys guidelines on coastal beach resort areas, construction sites must be 50 meters back from the high-tide mark, avoid building walls or fences that block views of the beach, and not use beach sand. Hotel Paradise, a public-private venture involving the Civil Aviation Department, appears to have violated all three rules but has secured a tourism license regardless. Despite the municipal committee chairmans tough words, however, the weekend meeting on sustainable tourism came to a close without any orders or instructions being issued. The Irrawaddy tried to ask U Ohn Maung about the concerns that were raised, but government employees blocked the reporters path. Local government officials and guesthouse owners told The Irrawaddy it would be impossible to get the hotels to tear down their walls. Because of power and money, said Daw Khin Myo Nwe, who owns the Kyaw Ngapali Lodge. For instance, Pristine Mermaid has very strong backing. They have a brother and sister relationship. So whatever we demand, there is no result. A Better Way In the US, a government report on shoreline stabilization by New York States Department of Environmental Conservation says that vertical retaining walls are not recommended to block tides and waves because they can reflect wave energy rather than dissipate it. The report recommends softer stabilization approaches such as placing rocks along the shore to reduce wave velocity. U Maung Maung Aye, a river morphologist and chief adviser at the Myanmar Environment Institute, said that on a river a retaining wall can, by disrupting the waves, alter the slope of the riverbed over time. When the river [bed] becomes steep, the river starts the process of erosion instead of deposition, he said. Considering what was happening at Ngapali beach, he said. I think the retaining walls are one of the causes in this case. But he added that it was difficult to tell how much other factors were also playing a part and recommended that geomorphologists and coastal experts collaborate with the nearest university on a research project to find out. Burma Irrawaddy Govt to Pay For Local Chin National Day Celebrations The 70th anniversary of Chin National Day is celebrated for the first time as a regionwide event in Pathein, Irrawaddy Region, on Feb. 20. / Salai Thant Zin / The Irrawaddy News Infested Chinese Garlic Imports Kick Up a Stink in Indonesia Police tape is seen around confiscated garlic from China at a warehouse in Belawan, Indonesia, March 13, 2018. / Reuters JAKARTA Indonesia has impounded more than 200 tons of garlic imported from China, warning that a microscopic worm infestation found in the shipment could put at risk plans by the Southeast Asian country to boost its own garlic crop. Since coming to power in 2014, Indonesian President Joko Widodo has pursued self-sufficiency policies to protect farmers, but efforts to rely on domestic supplies of everything from beef to rice have at times caused shortages and price spikes. Chinese food imports have previously proved sensitive in Indonesia. In 2016, Beijings embassy in Jakarta expressed alarm at media reports accusing China of using a biological weapon against Indonesia, after four Chinese nationals were arrested for planting imported chili seeds contaminated with a bacteria. The 232 tons of garlic were imported from China in mid-February and after arriving at Jakartas port were shipped to the island of Sumatra, the countrys Agriculture Ministry said. This could be very damaging to our garlic farming when we are trying to achieve self-sufficiency, the ministry said in a statement on March 12. Despite being certified as free of pests in China, samples of the shipment contained ditylenchus dipsaci, a microscopic worm that infects onions and garlic, the ministry said. The nematology department at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln describes the worm as one of the most devastating plant parasitic nematodes. When quarantine officials reported the discovery to the importer, the garlic had already been sent to North Sumatra, the agriculture ministry said. The controversy even stirred a heated debate in parliament this week when a member of President Widodos ruling party called for a police investigation. Soetrisno, the chief executive officer of PT Tunas Sumber Rejeki, the company that imported the garlic, could not immediately be reached for comment. The Chinese embassy in Jakarta declined to comment. The garlic is currently being stored at a warehouse in Belawan Port, Sumatra, that has been sealed by police and the quarantine agency. Banun Harpini, the head of quarantine at the agriculture ministry, said on Wednesday the importer would be blacklisted. It was not immediately clear what other penalties would be levied. Indonesia plans to be self sufficient in garlic in 2019 by increasing the growing area for the crop by more than 70,000 hectares (173,000 acres), but this may be an ambitious target since last year the country imported 434,000 tons of garlic, more than ten times the amount grown domestically. This year, the agriculture ministry expects 392,000 tons will be imported, mostly from China and India. News Myanmar Human Rights Defenders Honored by EU Ko Swe Win, Cheery Zahau and Daw Khin Than Htwe. (L to R) / The Irrawaddy CHIANG MAI, Thailand One of the growing difficulties these days is intolerance and hostility toward different races and nationalities being cultivated as a political weapona very potent as well as very dangerous political weapon I would say, said Ko Swe Win, the editor-in-chief of Myanmar Now. He is one of three human rights defenders along with Cheery Zahau and Daw Khin Than Htwe who received this years Schuman Award for Human Rights from The European Union in Myanmar on Thursday. Ko Swe Win said [in his speech], Only the promotion of human rights can help us contain this deplorable trend. Its also quite important that we should not get too obsessed with different identities we grow up within our different geographical locations. Whether we identify ourselves as European or Indian or Christian or Buddhist, we should not forget that we all belong to the same human family. The EUs Schuman Awardnamed after former French Foreign Minister and one of the founding fathers of the European Union Robert Schumanwas established last year to recognize Myanmar citizens who are agents of change in their community. Last years recipients were U Aung Myo Min of Equality Myanmar, Janan Lahtaw of the Nyein (Shalom) Foundation and U Ko Ni, the slain lawyer of the National League for Democracy. EU ambassador Kristian Schmidt said in his opening remarks at the award ceremony on Thursday night: This year, we are proud to honor three Myanmar activists with the Schuman Award. They are the winners, but to all the activists, let me say this, activists and journalists fighting for human rights and freedom of expression are the backbone of democracy. He added, We need that courage, your courage, to hold government accountable. Ambassadors from Germany, France and Denmark presented the medals to the recipients. Civil society groups and the press in Myanmar have been active agents of change in Myanmars democratization process, which started under the former President U Thein Sein eight years ago. However, freedom of expression, the right to information and the right to be protected still remained challenged in the country. The awardees emphasized that widespread human rights violations and safety for human rights defenders are still issues in the country, and highlighted that various difficulties faced by Myanmar and other countries stem from an absence of genuine democracy and human rights values. A former political prisoner who spent seven years in prison under the military regime, Ko Swe Win fights for press freedom and challenges wrongdoing in society. We are still unprotected under the law, as Myanmar does not have a healthy political system which hinders the improvement of the judiciary, Ko Swe Win told The Irrawaddy. His work revealing the abuse of domestic workers at the Ava tailor shop in 2016 raised public attention and brought justice to the victims. But because of his fight to defend human rights, he has been sued by a follower of the banned nationalist group Ma Ba Tha over an article posted on Facebook that criticized ultranationalist monk U Wirathu. Cheery Zahau, who has been a human rights advocate for 20 years, is the founder of the Womens League of Chinland and promotes gender equality and the empowerment of women through trainings that challenge patriarchal stereotypes. The ethnic Chin woman is also the recipient of the UNDP NPeace award for 2017. We are in a very squeezed political environment and there are fewer and fewer of us, Cheery Zahau said in her speech regarding the work of the human rights activists, adding, We need encouragement from all of you. The human rights defender added, I still strongly believe when human rights norms and standards are institutionalized in our political institutions, in our economic policies and programs, and in our social affairs; democracy will foster, prosperity will come and peace will be sustained. Another woman honored for her commitment to the advancement of women was Daw Khin Than Htwe. She is the chair of local civil society organization (CSO) Mon State Women and Children Upgrade Conduct Team in Moulmein, Mon State. She helps trafficking victims, women facing domestic violence, and child victims of rape. She also empowers women through human rights and rule of law trainings in the communities and advocated for legal protections for women. Daw Khin Than Htwe said that the award proved that if CSOs worked for their communities, the world would recognize their efforts, adding that the recognition gave her the confidence and strength to continue her mission. News Parliament Ponders Japanese Loan to Continue Railway Upgrades Myanma Railways workers make repairs to the Yangon circle line. / Myo Min Soe / The Irrawaddy YANGON The Ministry of Transport and Communications on Thursday sought approval from Parliament for a 56.622 billion yen ($536 million) loan to continue upgrading the countrys rail system. The loan would be used to buy locomotives, carriages and sleepers and to improve the signal and control system, Deputy Minister of Transport and Communications U Tha Oo told Parliament. He said the ministry borrowed 20 billion yen from Japan in September 2014 and another 25 billion yen in March 2017 to improve the rail network. The ministry has been upgrading the Yangon-Mandalay rail line with the two earlier loans the 267 km Yangon-Toungoo section in Phase 1 and the 354 km Toungoo-Mandalay section in Phase 2, which is scheduled to be completed in 2020. The upgrades will reduce travel times as trains will be able to run at a speed of 100 km per hour. Trains currently run at 64 km per hour, the deputy minister said. Currently it takes around 15 hours from Yangon to Mandalay, and the deputy minister said upgrading the railroad was estimated to reduce the travel time to eight hours. If so, I support taking the loan because it will improve commodity flow, lawmaker U Thant Zin Tun, of Naypyitaws Dekkhinathiri Township, told The Irrawaddy. Myanma Railways is also upgrading the Yangon circle line with financial support from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). Of the more than 400 locomotives operated by Myanma Railways, nearly half are past their service life and a quarter of the roughly 1,200 carriages in operation are in poor condition. On Thursday, the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation also sought approval from Parliament for a 30.469 billion yen loan from JICA. Translated from Burmese by Thet Ko Ko. News Sick Reuters Journalist Still Waiting For Proper Medical Care Detained Reuters journalist Kyaw Soe Oo is escorted by police after a court hearing in Yangon, Myanmar February 1, 2018. / Reuters MANDALAY Permission for one of two detained Reuters journalists to receive treatment for jaundice and other medical conditions at a hospital outside of Insein prison has yet to be granted more than a week after his family requested it. Ko Kyaw Soe Oo, 27, is in such bad health that his worried family asked the prison authorities to allow him to undergo a medical examination and receive proper treatment at an outside hospital. He is weak and has suffered from jaundice for about 20 days. His doctor said his liver is affected and gave him some medicine, Ma Nyo Nyo Aye, sister of Ko Kyaw Soe Oo told The Irrawaddy. According to his relatives, Ko Kyaw Soe Oo was able to have a brief medical checkup during a court hearing on Wednesday. However, the limited amount of time meant the doctor could not give him a proper examination. His office arranged the doctor, but he had very little time. We want to do more tests and get proper treatment for him. Moreover, the prison authorities only allowed him to take certain medicines with him and in a limited amount, Ma Nyo Nyo Aye said. We are worried that he will not recover because he did not receive the full dosage of the drugs the doctor gave him. The family said they requested permission a week ago for Ko Kyaw Soe Oo to be sent to an outside hospital, however, the prison authorities have yet to respond to them. Everyone knows the healthcare in the prison is not perfect and sanitation and hygiene are not good. We are worried for our brothers health. He has no history of hepatitis but we are worried that he will be infected in the prison, Ma Nyo Nyo Aye said. The journalists lawyers said they are trying to push the prison authorities to provide proper healthcare to him. Ko Kyaw Soe Oo and Wa Lone were arrested on Dec. 12 by plainclothes officers after being handed some papers by a policeman. They stand accused of possessing confidential government papers and have been charged under the colonial-era Official Secrets Act. They are facing a maximum sentence of 14 years in prison for the alleged crime. News Tatmadaw Offensive Forces KIA Battalion to Abandon Base in Tanai Members from KIA Battalion 14 securing a mining area in Tanai. / Lawi Weng / The Irrawaddy The Kachin Independence Army (KIA) has withdrawn its Battalion 14 from its base in a mining area in Tanai Township amid a renewed offensive against it by the Myanmar Army (Tatmadaw), according to local sources. We have withdrawn because the Tatmadaw keeps attacking the location. They attacked with a large force, KIA spokesman Colonel Naw Bu told The Irrawaddy today. Battalion 14 withdrew from its permanent base last week, though some of its units continue to patrol the area. As a rebel force, it is difficult to maintain our battalions in permanent locations. In fact, it is not always our policy to defend bases at all costs; depending on the situation, we can withdraw a battalion to another area, he said. The Myanmar Army launched its second offensive on KIA-controlled areas this year starting in the first week of March. During the first attack, launched in January, it seized some mining areas in Tanai from the KIA. According to the KIA, the withdrawal is not a defeat, but a strategic retreat that will allow it to prepare an attack. The Myanmar Army continues to base itself in mining areas, according to local sources, but KIA troops also remain active in these areas, leading to occasional clashes. The Tatmadaw has ordered the KIA to withdraw its battalions 12, 14, and 24 from Tanai and Mansi townships, but the KIA has refused. It has not reached Battalion 14 yet, but KIA troops have already destroyed their base, according to the KIA. The Tatmadaw launched a major offensive against KIA-controlled areas in Kachin, and TNLA areas in northern Shan. Clashes are frequent between the Myanmar Army and the ethnic armed forces. The KIA has not signed the NCA yet. News USDP Complains of Democratic Bullying USDP Press Conference on March 15 / Htet Naing Zaw / The Irrawaddy NAYPYITAW The opposition Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) said on Thursday that it has been subject to democratic bullying by the ruling National League for Democracy (NLD) party. U Pike Htwe, secretary of the USDP central executive committee, claimed that the NLD-dominated Parliament has restricted the USDPs parliamentary actions and also turned a deaf ear to the opposition partys recommendations. This has raised the question of whether Parliament is ignoring the needs of people today because of partisanship, personality cults and egoism, said U Pike Htwe, at a USDP press conference on Thursday. To put it simply, it is democratic bullying, remarked U Pike Htwe, referring to the fact that the legislature is dominated by the NLD. This is not the first time that the USDP has used this term. In April 2016, both the then-ruling USDP and the military bloc cried democratic bullying when the Lower House passed the State Counselor Bill which gave NLD chairperson Daw Aung San Suu Kyi a position above the president as she was barred by the military-drafted 2008 Constitution from the presidency. Military lawmakers claimed that the bill was unconstitutional, and they boycotted the proceedings by refusing to cast ballots during the session. The press conference on Thursday was attended by senior members U Pike Htwe, U Hla Thein, Dr. Nanda Hla Myint, Dr. Pwint Hsan and U Thein Tun, all of who criticized the actions of the NLD-led government. Our partys attempts to ask questions about the interests of the country and citizens were restricted [by the NLD] in Parliament for various reasons. Our proposals were also rejected by vote because of their numerical superiority in Parliament, said U Pike Htwe. He called Parliament unreliable and said that the negligence of the NLD-led government had led to economic decline, hardship for the poor, an increase in crimes, and worsened problems in northern Rakhine State. In fact, it is they who have bullied since they staged a coup, said Monywa Aung Shin, a spokesperson of the NLD, referring to the military coup in 1988. It is quite funny that they say we bully them. Who was really bullied? he asked. He said there is no bullying in a democracy. Democracy is about the minority yielding to the majority, and the majority respecting the minority, he said. Though the NLD said time and again while it was still the opposition that there should not be state-run media, the party is now using it as a propaganda tool, said U Pike Htwe, who served as deputy information minister under U Thein Seins government. He referred to the speeches of State Counselor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi aired and published on state-owned television and newspapers just before the by-election in April 2017. They dont report the news that the public should be informed about. And they say different things in Myanmar and English language papers. This is real cause for concern, said U Pike Htwe. It is time the media pointed out what the government, which called itself a democratic government together with the people, is doing today, he said. Unlike the NLD, the USDP organized stakeholder meetings between the government, Parliament, Tatmadaw and ethnic groups as well as meetings with other political parties from time to time under former President U Thein Seins government, he added. The USDP set aside differences and cooperated with other parties for the interest of the country, he said. We presented recommendations to the president [U Htin Kyaw, to hold such meetings]. But, we are sorry that he has not made any reply, U Pike Htwe said. The USDPs membership has increased by 30,000 since 2015, and the party now boasts a membership of more than 5 million across the country, said Dr. Nanda Hla Myint. However, he declined to answer The Irrawaddys questions about the partys financial sources. The economy of our party is its internal affair. No party will tell what it does [for financing], he said. Translated from Burmese by Thet Ko Ko. Friday, March 16th, 2018 (7:40 am) - Score 985 Fixed wireless access ISP Connexin, which operates broadband networks in East Yorkshire and Lincolnshire (England), has this morning suddenly dropped out of next weeks UK auction for the 4G friendly 2.3GHz mobile spectrum band and the 5G friendly 3.4GHz band. The provider was announced as one of the six qualifying applicants for next Tuesdays auction at the end of February 2018 (here) and they initially welcomed the news. Connexins CEO, Furqan Alamgir, said: This is great news for Connexin. Its an opportunity to build on our position at the forefront of next generation mobile technology. Ofcoms green light to take part in the auction is validation that Connexin is qualified to operate at the highest level. We will be formally confirming with Ofcom in the coming days that Connexin will indeed take part. Unfortunately something seems to have gone wrong because this morning the regulator issued a brief statement, without explanation, to confirm that Connexin is no longer participating in the auction. We have shot off an email to the person in charge of Connexins bid in the hope of finding out what happened and will report back once we know more. Its unusual for a bidder to drop out at the 11th hour. Data centre provider NEXTDC has selected a cooling solution from Vertiv, formerly Emerson Network Power, for its new facility in Melbourne. Vertiv says that by installing the Liebert EFC evaporative freecooling solution, NEXTDCs M2 data centre facility was able to lower energy consumption and achieve an Uptime Institute Tier IV Certification for a Constructed Facility. A Tier IV Certification for a Constructed Facility signifies the highest level of availability, performance and resilience for a data centre, meaning it can operate under a wide array of conditions. According to Simon Cooper, NEXTDCs chief operating officer, with the help of Vertiv, the M2 is now one of the first data centres in Australia to meet the Uptime Institute tier IV status. And the Vertiv solution also meets International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) standards for maximum reliability and energy efficiency. Effective cooling is a vital part of meeting our critical standards, said Cooper. We embarked on a lengthy and thorough tender process to find the best partner to help us achieve optimal cooling across M2. After extensively reviewing all submissions, we realised Vertivs team and its Liebert EFC would fit our needs and the partnership was born. Cooper said the Liebert EFC was selected because of its high capacity and low energy consumption. The solution uses minimal amount of cooling units to meet the highest levels of cooling, saving on both capital expenditure and maintenance costs. It also includes indirect air-to-air heat exchange and evaporative cooling technology, capable of reducing air temperatures by leveraging the evaporative cooling principle. The cooling solution uses iCOM Control to automatically and intelligently cascade units on or off to match capacity to the internal load of the data centre, said James Miles, colocation, cloud and banking leader, Vertiv in Australia and New Zealand. This means all assets are constantly monitored to ensure optimum efficiency. Cooling is balanced between water and air cooling to again provide effective cooling with minimal power usage. In addition, the Liebert EFC helped NEXTDC reduce installation time and cost with its prefabricated, modular design. With this solution, NEXTDC is targeting an annual average PUE of 1.28 for M2. "We achieved a 1.21 PUE during spring tests and with tuning we expect PUEs between 1.1 and 1.2. In winter we are targeting spot PUEs of 1.09 or better" stated Jeff Van Zetten, NEXTDC's head of engineering and design. Vertiv engineering and service teams worked alongside NEXTDC and a number of design and construction teams to complete the project. We estimate data centres now account for almost four per cent of power usage in Australia, said Robert Linsdell, managing director, Vertiv in Australia and New Zealand. Any reductions you can make mean massive savings in terms of energy efficiency and cost, savings now more important than ever with the recent rise in electricity prices across Australia. Independent EFTPOS and payment provider Smartpay Holding has signed a deal with Chinese payment provider Alipay that will give up to 25,000 Australian and New Zealand Smartpay merchants the ability to access what is China's preferred payment method. Alipay, the online payment platform operated by Ant Financial Services Group, has an active userbase of more than 520 million. In 2016, Australia had 1.2 million Chinese visitors while New Zealand had 400,000. A statement from Smartpay said the Alipay rollout would begin with a pilot programme in New Zealand that would make it possible for participating merchants to generate a transaction specific QR code via the terminal for their customers to scan. Acceptance would come back to the terminal and can be integrated with the Point of Sale terminal. Most merchants who wish to accept Alipay can obtain this functionality through a software update. After rollout in New Zealand, a pilot in Australia will follow in the next few months. After the software rollout across Australia and New Zealand, Smartpay will be the lone provider to offer EFTPOS, credit card payments and Alipay in a single terminal. Smartpay said Alipay also helped merchants to market their offer to millions of Chinese tourists through location-based marketing and loyalty rewards. A percentage of the total transaction value will accrue to Smartpay. Smartpay managing director Bradley Gerdis said: The partnership with Alipay aligns with Smartpays strategy of becoming a leading independent financial transaction acquirer in Australia and New Zealand. Innovation is a key factor in our strategy to offer a complete end-to-end acquiring product and this partnership with Alipay will give us a competitive point of difference in important market segments, particularly tourism and hospitality. Our implementation of Alipay showcases our market leading SmartConnect cloud-based open API payments platform as we leverage our investment in this cutting-edge technology to bring value-added solutions to our merchants and their customers. Alipay country manager (ANZ) George Lawson said: Smartpay are early adopters of Alipay in Australia and New Zealand and are well-positioned to benefit from the high growth in Chinese visitor numbers. "Alipay is not only a payment capability used by tourists but also by thousands of Chinese students and migrants. These are very lucrative markets that are rapidly expanding. Beyond an improved point-of-sale experience, Alipay offers a sophisticated marketing channel. Through Alipay, Smartpay clients will be able to market to Chinese tourists before, during and after their visits to Australia and New Zealand, boosting exposure of their businesses amongst Chinas rapidly expanding middle class." Multinational US technology companies like Google and Facebook will have to pay a 3% turnover tax in the EU, according to a draft proposal from the European Commission. Reuters reported that it had seen the proposal which is set to be adopted next week, adding that it updated an earlier draft that had contemplated a rate of between 1% and 5%. The proposal will need the backing of EU states and lawmakers and will be applicable to big companies which have global annual revenue above 750 million and annual taxable revenue above 50 million in the EU. Earlier this month, French economy minister Bruno Le Maire said the bloc had plans to tax big multinational technology companies between 2% and 6% of their revenue, with the figure being closer to the lower end. The move to tax revenue and not profits was mooted last September, during a meeting of EU finance ministers in the Estonian capital, Tallinn. Complaints have been frequently voiced in countries around the globe that big American multinationals are siphoning off their profits to other low-tax havens like Ireland and Luxembourg. In September last year, EU socialist lawmaker Paul Tang presented a report to the finance ministers' meeting on tax reform, saying that digital multinational companies "minimise the overall tax burden in the EU by routing all revenues to low-tax member states such as Ireland and Luxembourg". Similar complaints have been voiced in countries outside the EU, including Australia. Multinational tech companies, including Apple and Microsoft, have faced questioning in the Australian Senate over tax minimisation. Initially, the EU set the threshold at 10 million but raised it in order to exempt smaller companies and start-ups. Reuters said: "Services that will be taxed are digital advertising, which would capture both providers of users data like Google, and companies offering ad space on their websites, like popular social media such as Facebook. "The tax would be also be levied on online platforms offering 'intermediation services', a concept under which the Commission includes gig economy firms such as Airbnb and Uber. Digital market places, including Amazon, would also be within the scope of the levy." The companies would be taxed in the EU country where their users are based. If their users are spread over numerous countries, then the tax would be shared over these nations. All 28 EU countries need to approve any tax measure for it to become law. Diverse and inclusive companies drive innovative results. Yet the tech industry still struggles with diversity and inclusion, often failing to attract diverse talent due to inclusivity issues in the workplace. For organizations looking to shape up their diversity and inclusion programs and policies, the change can be challenging and rewarding. Most companies enact change to deliver business value, and many who launch diversity and inclusion initiatives cite research showing that companies with more diverse teams outperform those with a more homogeneous workforce, says Sabrina Clark, associate principal at SYPartners, a consultancy that specializes in organizational transformation. Research shows that even just the presence of physical diversity results in better performance and for companies that are data-driven, that extra performance boost can be extremely motivating, Clark says. Its also the fact that companies that lack diversity are being called out publicly, and may even be losing business, not to mention falling behind when it comes to recruiting. Even Google is starting to show signs that their lack of diversity is affecting them. As 2018 research from McKinsey shows, greater diversity in the workforce results in greater profitability and value creation. The same holds true at the executive level, as McKinsey found a statistically significant correlation between diverse leadership and better financial performance. Companies in the top quartile for ethnic diversity at the executive level are 33 percent more likely to have above-average profitability than companies in the bottom quartile. When it comes to gender diversity, companies in the top quartile are 21 percent more likely to have above-average profitability than companies in the bottom quartile, according to McKinseys research. While financial performance is a major driver of D&I strategies, some organizations launching diversity initiatives in the face of government compliance regulations or to address shareholder pressure, Clark says. In the UK, for instance, companies are required to publish their diversity statistics; theres also been increasing pressure from shareholders and boards, she says. Current employees and potential hires are also raising the stakes, says Jeff Weber, senior vice president of people and places at Instructure. More and more, when were interviewing, candidates are asking what were doing about diversity and inclusion. And its not just diverse talent themselves, and its not just millennials or Generation Z were hearing this from white, straight men in the Midwestern United States. Organizations are also realizing that make diversity and inclusion a business imperative will help them avoid tarnishing their reputation, Clark says. Theyre thinking ahead, which is great, about what kind of company they are, who they want to be, and what their legacy will be. Its going to continue to be important, and the voices demanding it are only going to get louder, she says. SY Partners has been initiating these hard conversations and investing in diversity and inclusion right alongside its clients. The following eight best practices for diversity and inclusion guide not just SY Partners client consulting, but its own internal business strategies, Clark says. 1. Establish a sense of belonging for everyone For each individual to bring their best self forward, a sense of belonging must first be established. Having a connection to an organization or group of people that makes you feel you can be yourself not only results in greater engagement and creativity in the workplace, its a psychological need. But these changes take time, and they arent always linear, Clark says. A client once told me that you dont just fast-forward to belonging. You have to go through the hard work of focusing on diversity and creating that inclusive culture so you can get to belonging, she says. Its not a one-size-fits-all approach, either thats why its so important to share best practices and be open to trying new things. The good thing is that as youre working on diversity, you can also work on inclusion, and vice versa. Its all interconnected, Clark says. 2. Empathetic leadership is key Diversity and inclusion are often treated as a single initiative owned exclusively by HR. But for real change to happen, every individual leader needs to buy into the value of belonging both intellectually and emotionally. Only when the entire C-suite steps up to own diversity and inclusion will a companys D&I practices thrive. You have to make sure leaders are equipped to make the story their own, feel it within themselves and be able to explain why they care; why it matters, and why it should matter to their direct reports, Clark says. Part of this process requires tuning in to empathy; each person remembering a time when they were excluded, shamed, interrupted, and so on, so they can apply those lessons outwardly, she says. Leaders have to feel it within themselves; then they can identify the relationship with feeling excluded or making others feel excluded. Thats a critical starting point, Clark says. 3. A top-down approach isnt enough Top-down approaches drive compliance, not commitment. From senior leaders to frontline employees, every individual must see and understand their role in company culture. This means identifying differences in employee experience and values across the organization so that change can be made relevant for each person and knowing that lasting change must activate different parts of the system top down, bottom up, and middle out in different ways. 4. Quotas dont automate inclusion Hiring goals may boost diversity numbers, but this wont automatically create an inclusive culture. Too often, leaders focus diversity and inclusion efforts disproportionately on the employee pipeline, but the employee experience continues far beyond an offer letter. To retain and nurture top talent, its critical to take an honest look at the end-to-end employee experience, with an eye toward creating conditions that promote inclusion on a daily basis and designing ways to measure the impact. What you must understand is that this emphasis changes everything, Clark says. From sourcing and recruiting to hiring, onboarding, to the daily aspects of work, team-building, culture, from successes and failures, performance reviews, succession planning, mentoring everything. Organizations must adapt their processes to scale diverse and inclusive behaviors. For example, in meetings: Whos invited? Who gets to speak and how often? Are you leaving out anyone whose input would be valuable? You have to look at everything through the lens of, Have I created conditions where every person can contribute in their unique, meaningful way and feel safe and secure doing that? and if you find places where thats not the case, having the courage to admit that and work to change it, she says. That also means understanding how your teams work best, and when tension and discord are actually beneficial. Recognize that sometimes the easy and fast way is not necessarily the right way, and that sometimes teams function best when there is a bit of tension, disagreement, back-and-forth, she says. Obviously, you cannot let things devolve into personal attacks, but know the difference between a healthy, stimulating exchange of every persons ideas and a situation where people are being disrespectful because of who another person is. 5. Inclusion is ongoing not one-off training It isnt enough to teach employees what it means to be inclusive. Like any form of behavior change, inclusion requires individuals to identify key moments in which to build new habits or microbehaviors (daily actions that can be practiced and measured). And when these habits are put into action in an environment that supports honest conversations and healthy tension, real change becomes possible. One way to do this is to identify change cohorts within the organization outside of the executive or management level, Clark says. Then, you equip them with the skills and information to help them champion change within their departments, teams, working groups. This is much more effective than one-off training sessions which dont move the needle; you want people to incorporate these ideas and beliefs into their daily lives. 6. Maximize joy and connection, minimize fear People are wired to react with fear and distrust when their beliefs are challenged. While fear can be a powerful motivator, it also encourages people to narrow their perspective the opposite desired effect for creating a more inclusive workplace. Finding ways to frame challenges through a lens of possibility and elevating the power of shared experiences and storytelling to do so creates greater potential for positive change. Then you can focus on creating moments that continue the momentum, Clark says. You need to not only point out where theres room for improvement, but spotlight the moments of success and celebrate them. One of our clients decided to do a commitment tree; every employee wrote down their personal, individual commitment to diversity and inclusion, and they put those in a very public place so they could see signs of their progress and celebrate those. 7. Forget fit and focus on helping individuals thrive The norms, power structures, and inequities in society can easily become embedded in an organization optimizing to hire, train, and reward people who fit. Creating a culture where every individual can contribute their full potential requires investigating the systems and processes in your organization to uncover sore spots and blind spots, and then finding ways to reimagine them. Fit can be dangerous, because it can exclude, Clark says. You have to first be able to identify and bring to life your organizational values, mission and purpose, and define fit so that it adheres to those. You have to define it differently, she says. 8. Consider your brand As in any transformation effort, brand and culture are intimately connected. The products and services you put into the world reflect your values and your biases. In the journey toward building a more inclusive organization, its important to consider the relationship between whats happening inside and outside your company. What is your brand saying about who you are as a culture? In what ways is your employee base not congruent with your customer base? What experiences are being left out or misunderstood? We see the work with diversity and inclusion as a transformation thats required here, Clark says. Its not just an initiative or a program; it requires investment from the very senior-most folks to the newest person in the door, and it requires real behavior change. Its about how the entire company operates and the individual ways of working, communicating, contributing and even just being in the world. Microsoft this week lifted the security update blockade on Windows 10 PCs that do not have approved antivirus software, but kept the no-patches-for-you rule in place for the more popular Windows 7. The update roadblock was assembled in early January, when Microsoft issued mitigations against the Spectre and Meltdown vulnerabilities. Those vulnerabilities stemmed from design flaws in virtually all modern processors made by Intel, AMD and ARM. According to Microsoft, the security updates could brick PCs equipped with antivirus (AV) software that had improperly tapped into kernel memory. To prevent customers' machines from encountering "stop errors" - Microsoft's euphemism for "Blue Screen of Death" or BSOD - during installation of the security updates, the Redmond, Wash. company said that AV vendors had to self-certify that their code was compatible with the Spectre/Meltdown patches. Microsoft also required AV developers to signal that compatibility by writing a new key to the Windows Registry. If the key was not present, the updates would not download and install. Bottom line, a Windows PC sans an approved antivirus package would not be patched. Microsoft put it in stark terms: "Customers will not receive the January 2018 security updates (or any subsequent security updates) and will not be protected from security vulnerabilities unless their antivirus software vendor sets the following registry key [emphasis added]." At the time, Microsoft would not say how long the AV rule would be maintained. Instead, it offered a nebulous until-we-say-so timeline. "Microsoft will continue to enforce this requirement until there is high confidence that the majority of customers will not encounter device crashes after installing the security updates," a support document stated. Chris Goettl, product manager with client security and management vendor Ivanti, said of the block, "I think it will be at least a few patch cycles." Goettl nailed it, at least for Windows 10, because on Tuesday Microsoft said it had lifted the embargo. "Our recent work with our antivirus (AV) partners on compatibility with Windows updates has now reached a sustained level of broad ecosystem compatibility," the firm said in a different support document. "Based on our analysis of available data, we are now lifting the AV compatibility check for the March 2018 Windows security updates for supported Windows 10 devices via Windows Update." In cases where Microsoft knows that the antivirus software was incompatible with the updates, it will continue to block the latter from reaching affected PCs. Though the update barrier was removed for Windows 10, it will remain in place for Windows 7 and Windows 8.1. Users of those editions must continue to have a compatible AV package on board, one that sets the registry key. Alternately, customers can add the registry key themselves by following the "Setting the Registry Key" instructions here. Because the Windows 10 security updates are cumulative - they include not just the current month's patches, but all patches issued previously - by applying the March collection, users will again have an up-to-date system. It was unclear how long Microsoft would maintain the update restriction on Windows 7 and Windows 8.1. In a FAQ refreshed this week, the company repeated its vague timeline. "Microsoft will continue to enforce this requirement for older versions of Windows until there is high confidence that the majority of customers will not encounter device crashes after installing the Windows security updates," one answer read. "I'll share more details in the weeks ahead on AV compatibility for older versions of Windows," added John Cable, director of program management on the Windows servicing and delivery team, in a blog post Tuesday. Windows 7 has been the most affected by the update stoppage; it was the only edition that did not come with a Microsoft-made AV package. And by blocking security updates from reaching Windows 7 systems, Microsoft affected the biggest-possible audience: During February, Windows 7 powered 48% of all Windows PCs, a user share larger than either Windows 10's (39%) or Windows 8/8.1's (8%). And as part of this week's Patch Tuesday rollout, said Microsoft's Cable, Windows 7 x86 and Windows 8.1 x86 were patched against the Meltdown vulnerability. Only the systems with compatible AV software, and a properly-set registry key, will receive those updates, however. Summerville, SC (29483) Today Thunderstorms. High 83F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 70%.. Tonight Thunderstorms during the evening, then partly cloudy overnight. Low 62F. Winds W at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 70%. By William J. Astore | ( Tomdisptach.com ) | Overseas, the United States is engaged in real wars in which bombs are dropped, missiles are launched, and people (generally not Americans) are killed, wounded, uprooted, and displaced. Yet here at home, theres nothing real about those wars. Here, its phony war all the way. In the last 17 years of forever war, this nation hasnt for one second been mobilized. Taxes are being cut instead of raised. Wartime rationing is a faint memory from the World War II era. No one is being required to sacrifice a thing. Now, ask yourself a simple question: What sort of war requires no sacrifice? What sort of war requires that almost no one in the country waging it take the slightest notice of it? Americas conflicts in distant lands rumble on, even as individual attacks flash like lightning in our news feeds. Shock and awe campaigns in Afghanistan in 2001 and Iraq in 2003, initially celebrated as decisive and game changing, ultimately led nowhere. Various surges produced much sound and fury, but missions were left decidedly unaccomplished. More recent strikes by the Trump administration against a Syrian air base or the first use of the most powerful non-nuclear weapon in the U.S. arsenal, the MOAB super-bomb, in Afghanistan flared brightly, only to fizzle even more quickly. These versions of the German blitzkrieg-style attacks of World War II have been lightning assaults that promised much but in the end delivered little. As these flashes of violence send Americas enemies of the moment (and nearby civilians) to early graves, the homeland (thats us) slumbers. Sounds of war, if heard at all, come from TV or video screens or Hollywood films in local multiplexes. We are, in fact, kept isolated from Washingtons wars, even as Americas warriors traverse a remarkable expanse of the globe, from the Philippines through the Greater Middle East deep into Africa. As conflicts flare and sputter, ramp up and down and up again, Americans have been placed in a form of behavioral lockdown. Little more is expected of us than to be taxpaying spectators or, when it comes to the U.S. military, starry-eyed cheerleaders. Most of the time, those conflicts are not just out of sight, but meant to be out of mind as well. Rare exceptions are moments when our government asks us to mourn U.S. service members like Navy SEAL William Ryan Owens, killed in an abortive raid President Trump ordered in Yemen in early 2017 in which children also died (though that was something just about no one here even noticed). While the military has been deploying and striking on a global scale, weve been told from the very first moments of Washingtons self-proclaimed war on terror to go shopping or to Disney World and let the experts handle it. We have, in short, been sidelined in what, to draw on the lexicon of World War II, might be thought of as a sitzkrieg, the German term for phony war. A bizarre version of blitzkrieg overseas and an even stranger version of sitzkrieg at home could be said to define this peculiar American moment. These two versions exist in a curiously yin-yang relationship to each other. For how can a nations military be engaged in warfare at a near-global level blitzing people across vast swaths of the globe when its citizens are sitting on their collective duffs, demobilized and mentally disarmed? Such a schizoid state of mind can exist only when its in the interest of those in power. Appeals to patriotism (especially to revering our troops) and an overwhelming atmosphere of secrecy to preserve American safety and security have been remarkably effective in controlling and stifling interest in the countrys wars and their costs, long before such an interest might morph into dissent or opposition. If you want an image of just how effective this has been, recall the moment in July 2016 when small numbers of earnest war protesters quite literally had the lights turned off on them at the Democratic National Convention. To use an expression I heard more than a few times in my years in the military, when it comes to its wars, the government treats the people like mushrooms, keeping them in the dark and feeding them bullshit. The Fog of Phony War Prussian war theorist Carl von Clausewitz famously spoke of the fog of war, the confusion created by and inherent uncertainty built into that complex human endeavor. As thick as that fog often is, in these years the fog of phony war has proven even thicker and more disorienting. By its very nature, a real war of necessity, of survival, like the Civil War or World War II brings with it clarity of purpose and a demand for results. Poorly performing leaders are relieved of command when not killed outright in combat. Consider the number of mediocre Union generals Abraham Lincoln cycled through before he found Ulysses S. Grant. Consider the number of senior officers relieved during World War II by General George C. Marshall, who knew that, in a global struggle against Nazi Germany and Imperial Japan, subpar performances couldnt be tolerated. In wars of necessity or survival, moreover, the people are invariably involved. In part, they may have little choice, but they also know (or at least believe they know) why we fight and generally approve of it. Admittedly, even in wars of necessity there are always those who will find ways to duck service. In the Civil War, for example, the rich could pay others to fight in their place. But typically in such wars, everyone serves in some capacity. Necessity demands it. The definition of twenty-first-century phony war, on the other hand, is its lack of clarity, its lack of purpose, its lack of any true imperative for national survival (despite a never-ending hysteria over the terrorist threat). The fog it produces is especially disorienting. Americans today have little idea why we fight other than a vague sense of fighting them over there (Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya, Niger, Somalia, Syria, Yemen, etc.) so they wont kill us here, to cite George W. Bushs rationale for launching the war on terror. Meanwhile, with such a lack of national involvement and accountability, theres no pressure for the Pentagon or the rest of the national security state to up its game; theres no one even to point out that wherever the U.S. military has gone into battle in these years, yet more terror groups have subsequently sprouted like so many malignant weeds. Bureaucracy and mediocrity go unchallenged; massive boosts in military spending reward incompetency and the creation of a series of quagmire-like generational wars. Think of it as war on a Mobius strip. More money shoveled into the Pentagon brings more chaos overseas, more imperial overreach, and undoubtedly more blowback here at home, all witnessed or rather largely ignored by a sitzkrieg citizenry. Of course, for those fighting the wars, they are anything but phony. Its just that their experience remains largely isolated from that of the rest of us, an isolation that only serves to elevate post-traumatic stress disorder rates, suicides, and the like. When todays troops come home, they generally suffer in silence and among themselves. Americas New (Phony) National Defense Strategy Even phony wars need enemies. In fact, they may need them more (and more of them) than real wars do. No surprise then that the Trump administrations recently announced National Defense Strategy (NDS) offers a laundry list of such enemies. China and Russia top it as revisionist powers looking to reverse Americas putative victory over Communism in the Cold War. Rogue powers like North Korea and Iran are singled out as especially dangerous because of their nuclear ambitions. (The United States, of course, doesnt have a rogue bone in its body, even if it is now devoting at least $1.2 trillion to building a new generation of more usable nuclear weapons.) Nor does the NDS neglect Washingtons need to hammer away at global terrorists until the end of time or to extend full-spectrum dominance not just to the traditional realms of combat (land, sea, and air) but also to space and cyberspace. Amid such a plethora of enemies, only one thing is missing in Americas new defense strategy, the very thing thats been missing all these years, that makes twenty-first-century American war so phony: any sense of national mobilization and shared sacrifice (or its opposite, antiwar resistance). If the United States truly faces all these existential threats to our democracy and our way of life, what are we doing frittering away more than $45 billion annually in a quagmire war in Afghanistan? What are we doing spending staggering sums on exotic weaponry like the F-35 jet fighter (total projected program cost: $1.45 trillion) when we have far more pressing national needs to deal with? Like so much else in Washington in these years, the NDS doesnt represent a strategy for real war, only a call for more of the same raised to a higher power. That mainly means more money for the Pentagon, the Department of Homeland Security, and related defense agencies, facilitating more blitz attacks on various enemies overseas. The formula serial blitzkrieg abroad, serial sitzkrieg in the homeland adds up to victory, but only for the military-industrial complex. Solutions to Sitzkrieg Of course, one solution to phony war would be to engage in real war, but for that the famed American way of life would actually have to be endangered. (By Afghans? Syrians? Iraqis? Yemenis? Really?) Congress would then have to declare war; the public would have to be mobilized, a draft undoubtedly reinstated, and taxes raised. And those would be just for starters. A clear strategy would have to be defined and losing generals demoted or dismissed. Who could imagine such an approach when it comes to Americas forever wars? Another solution to phony war would be for the American people to actually start paying attention. The Pentagon would then have to be starved of funds. (With less money, admirals and generals might actually have to think.) All those attacks overseas that blitzed innocents and spread chaos would have to end. Here at home, the cheerleaders would have to put down the pom-poms, stop mindlessly praising the troops for their service, and pick up a few protest signs. In point of fact, Americas all-too-real wars overseas arent likely to end until the phony war here at home is dispatched to oblivion. A final thought: Americans tell pollsters that, after all these years of failed wars abroad, they continue to trust the military more than any other societal institution. Consistent with phony war, however, much of that trust is based on ignorance, on not really knowing what that military is doing overseas. So, is there a chance that, one of these days, Americans might actually begin to pay some attention to their wars? And if so, would those polls begin to change and how might that military, which has experienced its share of blood, sweat, and tears, respond to such a loss of societal prestige? Beware the anger of the legions. Faith in institutions undergirds democracy. Keeping the people deliberately demobilized and in the dark about the costs and carnage of Americas wars follows a pattern of governmental lying and deceit that stretches from the Vietnam War to the Iraq Wars of 1991 and 2003, to military operations in Afghanistan, Syria, and elsewhere today. Systemic lies and the phony war that goes with them continue to contribute to a slow-motion process of political and social disintegration that could result in a much grimmer future for this country: perhaps an authoritarian one; certainly, a more chaotic and less democratic one. Societal degradation and democratic implosion, caused in part by endless phony war and the lies associated with it, are this countrys real existential enemies, even if you cant find them listed in any National Defense Strategy. Indeed, the price tag for Americas wars may in the end prove not just heavy but catastrophic. William Astore, a retired Air Force lieutenant colonel and history professor, is a TomDispatch regular. He blogs at Bracing Views. 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 William J. Astore Via Tomdisptach.com Reddit Email 91 Shares By Frederic Simon | EURACTIV.com | A handout photo made available by the Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) showing the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi (R) and French President Emmanuel Macron (L) during the founding conference of the International Solar Alliance in New Delhi on 11 March 2018. [ISA] The European Investment Bank (EIB) signed an agreement last Friday (9 March) to provide 800 million for clean energy projects in India, one day before an International Solar Alliance summit took place in Delhi. The EIB funding is part of an 800 million package the EU bank committed to clean energy investments in India. Of that, 640 million will go to solar projects, the bank said. Solar power is providing clean energy for millions of people around the world and solar energy now represents the single largest source of new power generation, EIB President Werner Hoyer said in a statement. The fate of this planet depends on continuing to expand the use of renewable energy to support sustainable economic growth, he added. India has become the leading recipient of EIB financing for solar investment outside the EU, both in 2017 and overall since 2013. In 2017, the EU bank provided 1.05 billion of new financing for solar energy projects around the world, the largest ever annual support provided by the EIB to the solar sector. India is hoping to become the first big world power where all cars on its roads are electric, as part of its efforts to combat severe atmospheric pollution. 1.8 million deaths are caused by it every year on the subcontinent. EURACTIVs partner Italia Oggi reports. More than a trillion dollars of new solar investment will be required by 2030 to deploy affordable solar energy, said said H.E. Upendra Tripathy, Interim Director General of the International Solar Alliance, giving a sense of the scale of investment needs. At the International Solar Alliance summit, held in Delhi on Saturday (10 March), Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi reiterated his countrys commitment to the Paris Agreement, saying India will achieve its target of 175GW of renewable energy by 2022. Two years after it was proposed at the COP21 UN climate summit in Paris, the ISA has become a treaty-based international organisation, with three aims: to aggregate demand to reduce solar technology costs, to lower the cost of finance for rapid solar deployment, and to pool resources for next generation of solar R&D. France will commit 700 million to the ISA, President Emmanuel Macron said on Sunday at the founding conference of the organisation. Overall, ISA aims to mobilise $1 trillion in funds for future solar generation, storage and technology across the world. It has 60 signatories, 30 of which have ratified the agreement. US President Donald Trump signed into law a steep tariff on imported solar panels on Tuesday, a move billed as a way to protect American jobs but which the solar industry said would lead to thousands of layoffs and raise consumer prices. Off-grid, decentralised solar power generation can be a game changer in many regions and communities which have so far been without first access to electricity, said Meagan Fallone, CEO of Barefoot College, a voluntary organisation working on development issues. The International Solar Alliance is a tremendous initiative by India and France to accelerate the inevitable, technology-driven renewable energy transformation of world electricity markets, said Tim Buckley, from the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA), a research organisation focusing on the financial and economic issues related to energy and the environment. The deflationary benefits of renewable energy are an added bonus to consumers world-wide, and the policy learnings evident from Indias accelerated deployment are exceptionally valuable as countries as diverse as Egypt, the Philippines and Thailand now embark on a similar journey, Buckley added. Buckley said international collaboration is absolutely key to minimise the disruption and cost of the energy transition. As solar penetration increases, grid integration becomes more problematic and solar + storage, pumped hydro storage, greater grid interconnectivity and other technology deployments becomes essential, Buckley said. Via EURACTIV.com Reddit Email 448 Shares By Gregory Aftandilian | (The Conversation) | After U.S. president Donald Trump fired his secretary of state, Rex Tillerson, many analysts have focused on how this high-level ouster took place: unceremoniously, on Twitter, not in a face-to-face meeting. As a former Middle East analyst at the State Department, though, I think the real drama of replacing Americas top diplomat lies in the foreign policy implications. Trump has tapped Mike Pompeo, the hawkish CIA director and former Kansas congressman, to replace Tillerson. In 2015, Pompeo voted against a deal that the Obama administration negotiated to remove some international economic sanctions on Iran. In exchange, Iran would significantly scale back its nuclear program and submit to intrusive international inspections. Tillersons departure means the Iran nuclear deal is in trouble. And if Trump scraps it, I fear the whole Middle East could erupt in conflict. Why Tillerson had to go The outgoing secretary of state was fired for a host of reasons, some of them personal. Tillerson and Trump did not know each other prior to the 2016 election, and it seems Tillerson never gained the presidents trust. The president reportedly found Tillerson arrogant, disrespectful and less compliant than other cabinet members. Tillerson earned Trumps ire by disagreeing with him on many substantive policy matters, including the presidents decisions to withdraw from the Paris climate accord, recognize Jerusalem as Israels capital and cozy up to Russia. Tillerson also called his boss a moron after a July 2017 meeting at the Pentagon. In short, as Trump suggested to reporters on the White House lawn, the two never developed good chemistry. Iran deal in danger Perhaps most importantly, though, Tillerson defied Trump on Iran. Trump has been highly critical of the international nuclear agreement since his 2016 presidential campaign, calling it the worst deal ever negotiated. He wanted to scuttle it when it came up for recertification in July 2017, but his secretary of state advised against it on both diplomatic and security grounds. Tillerson has been strongly critical of Iran, condemning its regional aggression and its meddling in the Syrian civil war. But I believe he understood, as many other policy analysts did, that backing out of the nuclear deal would destabilize the Middle East and potentially put the world at risk because Iran would likely react by restarting its nuclear program. Tillerson, a former international business executive, was also more sensitive to the opinion of European allies than his boss. Rather than sour relations with the U.K., France, Germany and other key partners by terminating an agreement that they helped negotiate, he worked with the Europeans to come up with a compromise that Trump might find tolerable. Secretary of Defense James Mattis agreed with Tillerson on Iran. The two of them periodically lobbied the president not to scrap the deal, and their influence got the agreement recertified in July 2017. But Trump resented being pressured. Remember, this is a president who has openly stated that only his views matter when it comes to foreign policy. Tillerson disagreed. As he said in his somber March 13 goodbye speech, he believed his job as secretary of state was to serve the nation and defend the U.S. Constitution. To Trump, Tillersons stance on Iran wasnt just a difference of opinion it was, perhaps, an act of disloyalty. Pompeos dangerous instincts In October 2017, Trump finally decertified the Iran deal, which effectively opened the door for the U.S. Congress to reimpose sanctions. In his January 2018 State of the Union address, he was more direct, calling on lawmakers to address the fundamental flaws in the terrible Iran nuclear deal. The newly nominated secretary of state shares the presidents dim view. As a congressman, Pompeo opposed the Obama-era Iran agreement as unconscionable, and he said after Trumps election that he was looking forward to rolling it back. Pompeo with whom, Trump reports, he has very good chemistry is also on record saying that Iran is intent on destroying America. Congressional aides whove worked with him say that Pompeo is a smart guy, level-headed and reasonable. But if he eggs on Trumps most belligerent instincts, I believe the Iran deal wont last the year. Destabilizing the Mideast This could unleash a dangerous chain of events in the volatile Middle East. If the U.S. reimposes sanctions on Iran, hard-liners there who have always opposed the nuclear deal would likely pressure Iranian President Hassan Rouhani to retaliate by restarting the countrys uranium enrichment program. I believe Israel would then feel justified in taking military action against Iran, which has been threatening its national security for decades. In doing so, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu would have the behind-the-scenes backing of Saudia Arabia, a regional power and longtime rival of Iran, and possibly other states with a Sunni Muslim majority. Iran is governed by conservative Shiite Muslim clerics. Sunni-majority countries like Saudi Arabia dislike Irans policy of financing violent Shiite militias to push its sectarian agenda in Arab states with significant, and sometimes restive, Shiite populations. Israel and Saudi Arabia never supported the Iran nuclear deal. They feared that lifting sanctions on Iran would merely give Tehran more resources to foment strife in the Arab world. Analysts agree that should some Sunni Arab countries team up with Israel against Iran, Iran would not limit itself to responding with missiles. It could also persuade its well-armed allies like Hezbollah and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad to launch rocket attacks on Israel, too. I doubt Mideast war is the outcome Pompeo and Trump would seek by ending the Iran deal, but it may be just the disaster they create. Gregory Aftandilian, Lecturer, Pardee School of Global Studies, Boston University This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article. - Bonus video added by Informed Comment: Who Is Mike Pompeo And What Are His Policies? | Velshi & Ruhle | MSNBC VANCOUVER, British Columbia, March 16, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Candente Copper Corp. (TSX:DNT) (BVL:DNT) ("Candente or the Company) announces the resignation of Mr. Sean Waller P.Eng. from his position as President of the Company to pursue other opportunities, effective March 7, 2018. Mr. Waller will remain as a Member of the Board of Directors of Candente and will serve as a Key Technical Advisor to the Canariaco Project in Peru. Mr. Waller joined Candente in 2008 and served as President since 2009. During his tenure with the Company, Mr. Waller oversaw the engineering and economic assessment of the Canariaco Norte project, establishing Canariaco as a very economically robust, large scale copper project. Joanne Freeze, P.Geo., CEO and Director of Candente, will assume the role of President. The Company would like to thank Mr. Waller for all of the valuable contributions made during his tenure as President and we look forward to continuing to work together to advance the Canariaco project, commented Joanne Freeze. The Company also announces the settlement of Cdn$490,717 of debt to creditors (including amounts written off and the amount to be settled by shares) with the issuance of an aggregate of 3,216,023 common shares, subject to receipt of regulatory approval. Of this total, insiders, Sean Waller and Faisel Hussein are to receive 1,000,000 and 710,986 shares respectively in settlement of debt owing to them. About Candente Copper Candente Copper is a mineral exploration company engaged in acquisition, exploration, and development of mineral properties. The Company is currently focused on its 100% owned Canariaco project, which includes the Feasibility stage Canariaco Norte deposit as well as the Canariaco Sur deposit and Quebrada Verde prospect, located within the western Cordillera of the Peruvian Andes in the Department of Lambayeque in Northern Peru. Joanne C. Freeze, P.Geo., CEO, and Michael Thicke, P.Geo, are the Qualified Persons as defined by National Instrument 43-101 for the projects discussed above. They have reviewed and approved the contents of this release. This news release may contain forward-looking statements including but not limited to comments regarding timing and content of upcoming work programs, geological interpretations, receipt of property titles, potential mineral recovery processes, etc. Forward-looking statements address future events and conditions and therefore involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from those currently anticipated in such statements. Candente Copper relies upon litigation protection for forward-looking statements. On behalf of the Board of Candente Copper Corp. Joanne C. Freeze P.Geo. President, CEO and Director ___________________________________ For further information please contact: Joanne C. Freeze, P.Geo. President, CEO and Director This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. www.candentecopper.com NR-099 VANCOUVER, British Columbia, March 16, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Bankers Cobalt Corp. (TSXV:BANC) (the Corporation or Bankers) is pleased to announce results from the inaugural drill program at the Kabolela North concession in the Democratic Republic of Congo (the DRC). Exploration drilling began at Kabolela in November 2017 and 12 holes have been completed for a total of 1,403 meters. Assays have been received on the first holes and drilling is ongoing with additional results expected shortly. Select Highlights: Kabolela North - hole KADD001 4.7% copper over 0.65m from 54.8m Kabolela North - hole KADD001 4.75% copper over 0.3m from 60.7m Kabolela North - hole KADD002 2.81% copper over 2.5m from 39.4m including 11.52% copper over 0.5m from 41.4m Kabolela North - hole KADD004 9.68% copper over 0.6m from 96.3m Kabolela North - hole KADD005 0.37% cobalt over 1.4m from 163m Kabolela North - hole KADD0011 3.17% copper over 4m from 28m Kabolela North - hole KADD012 2.01% copper over 6m from 34m; including 1m @ 0.3% cobalt from 39m Stephen Barley, President and CEO of Bankers states, We are very excited by the preliminary results from our very first drill program on the previously unexplored Kabolela concession indicating high-grade copper and cobalt in Kabolela North (see attached concession map). In terms of grade and depth, these results appear to be in line with producing mines in the region and follow the regional pattern of high-grade copper with pockets of cobalt. There are producing copper cobalt operations on the east and west side of Kabolela. Kabolela is favorably positioned to benefit Bankers shareholders from a new copper cobalt discovery in the DRC. We look forward to further defining the structure and potential size of this high-grade system. All drill core has been submitted to SGS Lubumbashi for Cu and Co determination by AAS. The initial drilling program is intended to provide information on the orientation, width, and strike length of the mineralization discovered to date. Mineralization is contained in two sub-parallel fault hosted zones and is open along strike and down dip at this early stage of exploration. Drill hole KADD012 intersected a 6meter wide (downhole width) zone of carbonate altered breccia with disseminated and blebby chalcocite mineralization with minor native copper, chalcopyrite, malachite and azurite. KADD011 also shows the same breccia with blebs of chalcocite and clasts of strongly carbonate altered shales with strong chalcocite mineralization. Drilling is continuing to follow up this intercept and provide additional structural information on the mineralization. Hole ID From To Interval Cu% Co% KADD001 54.8 59.05 0.65 4.7 0.005 KADD001 60.7 61 0.3 4.75 0.005 KADD002 34.33 34.83 0.5 1.19 0.005 KADD002 39.4 41.9 2.5 2.81 0.005 inc 41.4 41.9 0.5 11.52 0.005 KADD004 96.3 96.9 0.6 9.68 0.005 KADD004 129.2 129.65 0.45 1.66 0.005 KADD005 146.18 147.78 1.6 1.11 0.005 KADD005 163 164.4 1.4 0.01 0.37 KADD011 28 32 4 3.17 <0.01 KADD012 34 40 6 2.01 0.05 inc 39 40 1 1.1 0.3 Note: Intercepts calculated using a weighted average for unequal sample lengths, 0.35% Cu cutoff, no internal waste and sample lengths are measured downhole as true widths of the mineralization are not known at this time. Assay QAQC Bankers Cobalt has implemented an industry best practice QAQC program. All core samples are picked up on site by Bankers geologists or delivered by the drillers to Bankers personnel. All samples are delivered by Bankers personnel to the SGS Laboratory in Lubumbashi, DRC for cobalt and copper determination. Check assay standards and blanks are submitted every 20 samples with each assay job and are then reviewed for accuracy. Coarse reject splits will be done every 20 samples for duplicate samples of diamond core. Umpire assaying will be performed by ALS Chemex in Johannesburg, South Africa at a rate of 5% of submitted samples. Selected core samples are also being sent to ALS Chemex in Johannesburg, SA for multi-element analysis to identify geochemical signatures associated with mineralization in the concession. Qualified/competent person -- National Instrument 43-101 and JORC code The geological information in this announcement has been reviewed by Mr. Adam Anderson, Member of the Australian Institute of Geoscientists (AIG), a competent person (as defined in the JORC code, 2012 edition) and (being a recognized professional organization for the purposes of the Australian Securities Exchange listing rules). Mr. Anderson is also the Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 who reviewed and approved the contents of this news release. Mr. Anderson is the DRC Country and Exploration Manager for Bankers. He has sufficient experience that is relevant to the style of mineralization, the type of deposit under consideration and to the activity being undertaken to qualify as a competent person as defined in the JORC code and under National Instrument 43-101. About Bankers Bankers is a natural resource company focused on the acquisition, exploration and development of cobalt and copper mineral properties in the DRC to world-class Canadian standards. Bankers efforts will address the supply chain custody and verifiable sources of ore issue being imposed on processors in the DRC by consumers. Bankers holds rights to 26 separate mineral concessions strategically located in the southern DRC Copperbelt and having a total area of more than 391 km. Bankers has the intention to acquire interests in additional concessions. All concessions were obtained as either new grants or through reputable DRC partners and have clean title with no government involvement, making Bankers one of the few, and perhaps only, junior public mining company in the DRC to have 26 concessions capable of being currently explored and developed. Bankers has an experienced operations team operating in the southern Cobalt-Copperbelt of the DRC. Bankers believes it is the front runner junior mining company advancing cobalt and copper exploration in the DRC. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF BANKERS COBALT CORP. Stephen Barley President & CEO For further information: Arlen Hansen, Kin Communications Phone: 604.684.6730 Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Website: www.bankerscobalt.com Reader Advisory Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. This news release contains forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws including statements relating to the outlook of the business of the Corporation, including statements relating to the Corporations drilling program, including the timing, execution and results of such program, the Corporations intention to acquire additional concessions, the Corporations ability to explore and develop the concessions, the results of any development and exploration, the ability of the Corporation to meet standards for verifiable supply chain custody, the results of any development and exploration and the Corporations status as a leader in the junior mining sector for cobalt and copper in the DRC. Although the Corporation believes considering the experience of its officers and directors, current conditions and expected future developments and other factors that have been considered appropriate, that the expectations reflected in this forward-looking information are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on them as the Corporation can give no assurance that they will prove to be correct. Actual results and developments may differ materially from those contemplated by these statements. The statements in this news release are made as of the date of this release. The Corporation undertakes no obligation to comment on analyses, expectations or statements made by third-parties in respect of the Corporation its securities, or its financial or operating results. By Benjamin Jumbe. President Yoweri Museveni has called on the European Union Environment Commissioner, Mr. Karmenu Vella, to close Europes domestic trade in ivory, end all ivory exports and support efforts to ban the global ivory trade. The President noted that Uganda is one of the few countries that still host African elephants. In a message of support to a petition in support of international calls to the European Union to end ivory trade, President Museveni told the European Environment Commissioner that as Europe has led the fight against illegal poaching, those European efforts are being undermined by the continued legal trade in ivory in the European Union countries. President Museveni further said that in the context of China announcing its ban on ivory, Europe should show leadership and do all it can to prevent elephants being driven into extinction. VANCOUVER, British Columbia, March 16, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Avrupa Minerals Ltd. (TSXV:AVU) (OTC:AVPMF) (FRANKFURT:8AM) is pleased to announce that the financing it has arranged to raise $500,000 by way of a private placement of 6.25 million units at $0.08 per unit is fully subscribed and will close shortly. The funds will be used for working capital and exploration in Portugal and Kosovo. Avrupa is in the process of completing the final agreements for the three properties in Portugal Alvalade, Marateca and Mertola. Significant work programs will be announced for these properties upon completion of the final agreements relating to the March 5, 2018 announcement. Each unit (a Unit) is comprised of one common share and a common share purchase warrant which entitles the holder to purchase one common share at a price of $0.12 for a period of two years from closing of the offering. Avrupa has also granted stock options to its directors, officers, employees and consultants exercisable to acquire 1.8 million common shares at $0.10 per share for a period of five years. Avrupa Minerals Ltd. is a growth-oriented junior exploration and development company focused on discovery, using a prospect generator model, of valuable mineral deposits in politically stable and prospective regions of Europe, including Portugal, Kosovo, and Germany. The Company currently holds eight exploration licenses in three European countries, including five in Portugal covering 2,911 km2, two in Kosovo covering 47 km2, and one in Germany covering 307 km2. Avrupa now has six active option and joint ventures, five in Portugal and one in Kosovo, including: The Alvalade, Marateca and Mertola properties with an international mining company on the Iberian Pyrite Belt in southern Portugal. The Alvito Option Agreement with OZ Minerals Limited covering one license in the Ossa Morena Zone in southern Portugal, for IOCG deposits; The Covas JV, with Blackheath Resources, covering one license in northern Portugal, for intrusion-related W deposits; and Avrupas partner at the Slivovo Gold Project in Kosovo is fully funding the program, allowing Avrupa to dilute its ownership in the JV operating company Peshter Mining JSC. If AVU ownership goes below 10%, the interest in the project converts to a 2% NSR. For additional information, contact Avrupa Minerals Ltd. at 1-604-687-3520 or visit our website at www.avrupaminerals.com. On behalf of the Board, Paul W. Kuhn Paul W. Kuhn, President & Director This news release was prepared by Company management, who take full responsibility for its content. Paul W. Kuhn, President and CEO of Avrupa Minerals, a Licensed Professional Geologist and a Registered Member of the Society of Mining Engineers, is a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 of the Canadian Securities Administrators. He has reviewed the technical disclosure in this release. Mr. Kuhn, the QP, has not only reviewed, but prepared and supervised the preparation or approval of the scientific and technical content in the news release. Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. In an article that made an impact, American political sociologist Larry Diamond says that since 2006 we have been living through a democratic recession. The events of the past few weeks prove him right. The nomination to the post of US Secretary of State of Mike Pompeo, a supporter of torture, and of Gina Haspen to head the CIA are unfortunately the most recent symbols. Gina Haspen, directed a secret prison of the American intelligence services in Thailand where torture, especially waterboarding, was used against suspected terrorists. The Trump Administration is clearly not in line with respect for human rights. In Europe, the wave of populism has not stopped rolling. In central and eastern Europe, populists with a whiff of xenophobia have come to power in Poland, Hungary, Slovakia and the Czech Republic. They made defence of national identity the key theme of their election platform, just like the Austrian extreme right which is now in power and the AfD in Germany, which made an electoral breakthrough. And then last but not least is the amazing score of Matteo Salvinis Northern League in Italy, a neo-fascist party that has risen from 4% of the vote in 2013 to 17% today and has become leader of the right-wing coalition that won the recent elections. Plus Marine le Pen in the second round of the French presidential elections. No doubt the upcoming elections in Greece will see the Golden Dawn party increasing its score. Globalists and migrants targeted The reasons for the rise of the extreme right and populist movements lie in increasing economic inequalities, a feeling of insecurity generated by neo-liberal globalization, fears about migration issues and the collapse of European social democracy. The traditional elites are regarded as powerless or irrelevant, while the European Union is viewed as a bureaucratic monster trampling on national sovereignty and independence. The ideology of these populist movements feeds off hatred of the globalists, seen as lawless profiteers disconnected from the legitimacy of attachment to the land, and hatred of migrants depicted as barbarians with archaic customs. A worrying sign is that most analyses find a significant and sometimes majority part of the youth in certain countries are attracted by these populist movements. In this ideological prism, democracy is viewed as irrelevant because too weak and not suited to tackle the challenges of the time. This feeling of loss of identity, breaking down of the social fabric and putting down of the Western world is also accompanied by the rise of strongmen such as Putin and Erdogan. It is also revealing that the Chinese president has allowed himself the luxury of changing his countrys constitution to stay in power as long as he wants, just like a number of African presidents. Faced with the increase in human rights violations on all continents reflected in his last annual report, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Raad Al Hussein has decided not to seek a second term. The decision is emblematic of the current geopolitical context. Implications for transitional justice These worrying developments have heavy implications for transitional justice. Transitional Justice was born after the fall of the Berlin Wall in a climate of optimism carried on the third wave of democratization. A quarter of a century later, we are at the exact antipodes of this brief post-1989 era of optimism. The implications of this democratic regression for transitional justice are numerous. Firstly because Western governments, which were the most constant defenders of multilateral diplomacy and human rights, are now less so. This does not mean to say that they were always consistent with their rhetoric. It was President Roosevelt who said of the Nicaraguan dictator He may be a son of a bitch, but hes our son of a bitch . But at least the Western countries vigorously supported the system of defending human rights, which is no longer necessarily the case. Moreover how can they when supporters of torture now hold key posts in the Trump administration and certain governments in Europe do not bother to hide their xenophobia with regard to migrants? Another implication for transitional justice is that the positioning of the Trump administration and the terrible weakness of the European Union provide Russia with an easy alibi to oppose any Security Council resolution that aims to limit indiscriminate bombing of civilians in Syria, where the number of civilian victims can be counted in hundreds of thousands. Indifference to the Geneva Conventions can also be seen in the war in Yemen, scene of the biggest humanitarian crisis in the world. In Afghanistan, Yemen and Syria, hospitals are no longer considered safe havens, which goes against international humanitarian law. It is not therefore surprising that despots in other countries feel the climate is right to impose their views by any means. And so in this era where the human rights system is weakened, the rare winds of hope come from societies like Gambia and Tunisia which have themselves launched democratic transition processes. This crisis period could perhaps be a time of opportunity because it presents the conditions to imagine new ways of conflict resolution. No-one knows if the peace accord in Colombia will hold after the results of the last elections, but it contains new ideas around reconciling peace and justice. The Philippines has given official notice to the United Nations that it will exit the treaty underpinning the International Criminal Court, which is looking into President Rodrigo Dutertes deadly drug war, the government said Friday. The move comes two days after Duterte announced his nation would quit the court over its preliminary inquiry launched last month into allegations his bloody crackdown on narcotics amounts to crimes against humanity. Philippine police say they have killed roughly 4,000 suspects who fought back during arrest, but rights groups allege the actual number is three times higher and accuse the authorities of murder. On Thursday the Philippines said in a letter to the UN, which oversaw negotiations to found the court, that it was pulling out of the Rome Statute. The decision to withdraw is the Philippines principled stand against those who would politicise and weaponise human rights, the letter said. Foreign Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano, speaking from Manila, said the Philippines was quitting due to the well-orchestrated campaign to mislead the international community, to crucify President Duterte by distorting the human rights situation in the country. Officially quitting the court requires a years notice and experts say pulling out does not preclude an investigation of the killings, which have drawn international concern. Impunity for atrocity crimes A withdrawal would have no impact on ongoing proceedings or any matter which was already under consideration by the court prior to the date on which the withdrawal became effective, the ICC said Friday, its first comment since Dutertes announcement. The court encourages the Philippines to not follow through with the reported/stated intention to withdraw, as it is an integral part of the international criminal justice system, it added. Should the Philippines fully withdraw from the court it would not be the first to do so, as Burundi became the first ever nation to leave in October 2017. The Philippines said in its letter that it affirms its commitment to fight against impunity for atrocity crimes, despite its withdrawal. Opened in 2002, the ICC is the worlds only permanent war crimes court and aims to prosecute the worst abuses when national courts are unable or unwilling. The Philippines, under previous President Benigno Aquino, ratified in 2011 the Rome Statute which underpins the ICC, giving the tribunal authority to investigate crimes on its soil. Duterte, who is buoyed by high popularity ratings at home, has fiercely defended the drug war as a battle to bring safety to the nations 100 million people. He has frequently urged authorities to kill drug suspects while promising to protect police from legal sanction. DID YOU KNOW? After changing its time zone offset at the end of 2011, Samoa in Polynesia is now the first place in the world where the sun rises. WEATHER Mist or fog will lift to give a generally dry day, with sunny spells. Temperatures up to 19deg in light to moderate southwesterly breezes. On this day in 2006, the Ryder Cup golf tournament opened at the K Club in Co Kildare, becoming the biggest sporting event ever staged in the country. DIARY PODCASTS SPECIAL NOTICES Halverstown NS: A small school with a big heart CLICK AD FOR DETAILS THE CAMINOS THE BRIDGE ONLINE WHAT'S ON AROUND Here is a link to a Calendar of upcoming events in Kilcullen. If you have an event you want listed, email the Diary. EMERGENCY 112/999 Take a minute to play this, it might help you save a life! BUSINESS IN TOWN OTHER VOICES BOOKS Also available on iPad; go to iBooks Store and do a search. ; go to iBooks Store and do a search. TEXT ALERT Kilcullen Garda District Text Alert The Grocery in Calverstown, Kilcullen Garda Station , Kilcullen Credit Union , and scheme committee members. Please encourage neighbours and friends to join. Forms for joining thescheme are available fromin Calverstown, Kilcullen, Kilcullen, and scheme committee members. Please encourage neighbours and friends to join. The Kilcullen & Gormanstown Parish Lotto D raw is held at 9pm each Tuesday in the Parish Centre. This is a public event to which all are welcome. There's a prize draw each night for those attending. Details of previous Draws are here. EMAIL THE DIARY kilcullendiary@gmail.com . Comments, contributions, requests always welcome. AROUND TOWN Kilcullen Town has its own Facebook Page . Keep an eye on it. Email notices to us, or text 086 8267104. PEOPLE OF THE HOLLY BUSH Another subject has been posted in the 'People of the Holly Bush' Kilcullen profiles project by Kieran Behan and Brian Byrne. He is Martin Murphy A councillor has called for public lighting along the N78 for one of the darkest stretches of road in the country. A recent meeting of Castlecomer Municipal District heard from Cllr John Brennan who said the resurfacing works on the stretch of road from the bridge to the county bounds in Crettyard needs lighting. Over 2 Million will be spent on the N78 between Castlecomer and Crettyard under the Castlecomer Municipal District Roadworks Scheme for 2018. Cllr Brennan called for the Council to write to Transport Infrastructure Ireland to seek the necessary funding for a public lighting system out to the county bounds. He said a lot of motorists are travelling at high speed and a lot of pedestrians are walking the road with no public lighting. Speaking after the meeting, he said: People are using it for walking and it's a dark and dangerous stretch of road. If the TII don't give a commitment to fundng the lighting they should at least put in all the necessary preparation work for the lighting so they wouldn't have to go and tear it all up again. Area engineer, Philippe Beubry, told members it wouldn't be policy for TII to provide lighting outside a 50km/h zone and it would be setting precedent here. Labour Cllr Maurice Shortall said the rules could change and it would be negligent for the ducting not to be put in during the resurfacing works. Galmoy lead and zinc mine in North Kilkenny is to reopen with the creation of 50 jobs. And this time, the ore taken from under the ground will be processed elsewhere, allaying fears of environmental issues. Shanoon Resources Limited revealed their decision to reopen the facility at a private meeting with Kilkenny County Council on Monday. The company said that subject to the necessary approvals, and consultations with the residents of the area, it intends to have the mine open in the second half of 2019. In a statement it said there will be significant spin-off employment in the Kilkenny area and beyond. The company was granted three prospecting licences in early 2017 and recently completed a diamond drilling programme. It is satisfied, from its extensive investigations to date, that significant untapped resources of zinc are available in the area of its licences and will now seek to exploit them. Shanoon Resources Ltd intends to apply for the necessary regulatory consents and will submitting a planning application in the coming weeks. An Environmental Impact Assessment Report (EIAR) for the resumption of mining will also be submitted with the planning application and a Scoping Report has already been issued to the relevant regulatory agencies. Shanoon Resources is an Irish owned company headed by the highly regarded team of John Elmes and Alan Buckley. The companys management and board is very experienced in exploration, development, construction and operation of Irish mining projects. A Kilkenny native and mother-of-two facing a terminal cancer diagnosis is on the cusp of getting a potentially life-saving drug to treat her cancer as she waits to see whether she is eligible for a clinical trial in the US. Given just 12 months to live by her oncologists, Vicky Phelan, set up a GoFundMe page which has raised almost 140,000 since February 13 of this year to help pay for treatment. Vicky who currently lives in Annacotty in Limerick but is originally from Mooncoin previously said her goal was to raise 100,000 to access a clinical trial in Maryland, USA and meet the associated costs. A tumour block has now been sent over to the US to be analysed and it is the "last piece of the puzzle", Vicky says. The 43-year-old mother of two says in the interim she is close to getting pembrolizumab from Merck, Sharp and Dohme with the hopes that it will halt the spread of her cancer before she gets formally accepted for the clinical trial in the US. When speaking to the Kilkenny People today, Vicky was at Waterford University Hospital to meet an oncologist whom she hoped could get access to the drug. Vicky says the money raised so far will cover most of the cost of the trial, but it will only cover about half the cost of her back-up trial in New York which could be in the region of $260,000. She says she hopes to find out if shes eligible for the Maryland trial in the next few days as they analyse the tumour sample. Vicky, who is married to Jim and is mother to Amelia, 12, and Darragh, 7, was first diagnosed with cervical cancer in July 2014, but following an aggressive course of radiation and chemotherapy, was given the all-clear late that year. A routine scan in November last year, however, showed a large mass of lymph nodes around her aorta, which is inoperable. Having already had the maximum dosage of radiation, Vicky was offered palliative chemotherapy as her only option, which she was told may give her one more year of life. It was not a prognosis she was willing to accept. I went to Dublin for a second opinion from Dr David Fennelly. He agreed, though, that in Ireland there are no options for me, but he was open to me going abroad. Dr Fennelly told Vicky the Maryland trial was an excellent one to get on to if she could, but pointed out that one of the drugs it used, pembrolizumab, was what she should really be chasing. It's made by Merck, Sharp and Dohme, says Vicky, which I pass in Clonmel every week on the way to work (in Waterford Institute of Technology), but its only licenced in Ireland for melanoma and some rare lung cancer, because its so expensive." The drug is now expected to cost in the region of 10,000 per dose. Its a numbers game, she sighs, the pharmaceutical firms wont licence it for cancers like mine because there is only a small number of patients and it's not worth their while. Its all down to money, unfortunately. Speaking to the Kilkenny People previously about the support she's received, Vicky said: Im stunned by the support Ive had so far, its amazing and Im so grateful. The support from the people of Mooncoin has been phenomenal." There is a Midnight Walk organised for Vicky in Mooncoin on Friday, April 6. To donate to Vickys GoFundMe page, visit www.gofundme.com/savevickyphelan A young Kilkenny man has been elected to the National Council of youth organisation Foroige. The newly elected Reference Panel for Foroige met for the first time last week in Gormanston Park, Meath. The Reference Panel is a group of 64 Foroige young people who get together to make recommendations to its National Council and bring about change, while representing over 50,000 young people involved in Foroige nationally. At the Reference Panel the young people on the National Council were elected. Sixteen young people and 45 adults will sit on this Council for 2018, including David Smyth Butler from the Drum Foroige in Kilkenny. As a youth development organisation, its essential for us to consult with young people to ensure we are meeting their needs," said Sandra McIntyre, Chairperson of Foroige. For over 30 years, the Foroige Reference Panel has been fulfilling this role. This group has had a huge influence on many decisions and initiatives in Foroige. The Reference Panel is created through the holding of Regional Conferences and Regional Seminars which happen around Ireland, bringing together Foroige Club members and members of Foroige's projects and services for a day to exchange ideas and influence local, regional and national decisions. The panel will spend the next year working on the ideas and recommendations made at these consultation events. The Reference Panel has had a huge influence over many decisions and initiatives in Foroige, appearing on radio/TV representing the views of young people, developing Foroige's Charter of Rights and even more. 1. The drinking... Drinking wasn't always part of the St Patrick's Day celebrations. It appears we were drowning the shamrock too much and having way too much craic altogether, so in 1927, the government's pub ban came into force. The pubs were dry on March 17 from then until 1970 when the craic was re-introduced. 2. There's a row over the parade... Although Ireland didn't stage its first parade until 1931, there's a dispute between New York and Boston over who staged the first ever St. Patrick's Day parade. New York says they had the first official one in 1762, but the lads in Boston claim they sort of held one in 1737. Fight among yourselves, lads - we'll be in the pub! ALSO READ: Parade details in the city 3. Enda extended the craic... As the Minister for Tourism in the mid-1990s, former Taoiseach Enda Kenny extended the St Patrick's Day celebrations into a week-long festival. 4. We have the colour wrong... The green colour now associated with St Patrick's day only came about in the 19th century because of his association with Irish myths and legends, but for over 1,000 years, St Patrick was associated with the colour blue. ALSO READ: St Patrick's Day details for parades around the county 5. The craic is worldwide... March 17 is not just a national holiday in Ireland; it is also a national holiday on the island of Montserrat in the Caribbean. Their population of 4,000 come to a standstill for the day too, owing to the large number of Irish emigrants that landed there in the 17th century. 6. He's not even Irish... Although celebrated in Ireland as our patron saint, St Patrick was actually born in Scotland. Some say he claimed the granny rule. Jack Charlton would have almost certainly used him to run the snakes out of Italia 90. 7. St Patrick's real name isn't very Irish... First we hear he's from Scotland and now this. Say it isn't so! Well, in fact it is, and St Patrick's real name was Maewyn Succat - of the Clonbullogue Succats, we believe! His father was a great hurler... 8. He had absolutely nothing to do with snakes... According to National Geographic - and they know their stuff - St Patrick most certainly did not drive the snakes out of Ireland. They say that the reptiles never existed at all here. 9. The US President once forgot about St Patrick's Day... One of the most popular US presidents in Ireland, John F Kennedy, allegedly forgot it was St Patrick's Day during his first year as president in 1961. White House staff had to scramble find a green tie for the president when the Irish ambassador to America knocked in with a big auld bowl of shamrock. The shame! 10. He actually did love shamrock... Shamrock is the symbol of Ireland and St Patrick, and it became the latter because St Patrick used it when teaching people about the holy trinity in the Christian religion. It has been some months since I have guest posted here at Kiwiblog. I have chosen to wade into one of the most contentious topics of US domestic policy, that of suitable gun laws especially as America debates appropriate responses to the latest mass shooting in Parkland, Florida. I begin this segment with an observation as a kiwi now living in the US. It is very common for us kiwis to view much of what goes on in the US through our own cultural lens. This is particularly true of Americas gun laws and gun culture. Almost all New Zealanders of all political persuasions find Americas obsessions with guns to be at best, odd and disconcerting and at worse, pathological and dangerous. It is very easy to moralise from afar that such horrible incidents of violence are because of Americas unhealthy attachment to its 2nd Amendment right to bear arms and the seemingly pervasive influence of the National Rifle Association (NRA), the largest gun owners association in the US. Most kiwis simplistically maintain that if only America conducted itself like NZ (or other Anglophile countries where handguns are outlawed, and rifle ownership is more strictly controlled) that such mass murders wouldnt happen, or at least not with the same frequency. I would ask that you read this post with an open mind and with the view that NZs gun laws will never be enacted in the US for reasons that will become apparent and that the issue is much more complex and nuanced than the simplistic and emotion-laden slogans indulged in by any who oppose the US gun ownership model and by the mainstream media in the US who heavily support stricter gun control measures. This post attempts to pierce through the rhetoric and partisan bias and tries to propose practical solutions that stand a chance of passage into law and likely implementation by law enforcement that can and should make a difference in reducing the carnage. STATISTICS First off lets examine the statistics to put mass shootings into context. Mass shootings, whilst they commandeer headlines, are actually very rare, especially when you look at the totality of gun related deaths in a country as large as the US where there are as many guns as there are people (325 million). Mass shootings in terms of numbers of victims have not been increasing in the US and indeed, the level of total gun related homicides in the US has dropped to 15,000 in 2016 (latest full year when statistics are available from the FBI) from a peak of almost 25,000 in 1991. There are several US states where the homicide rate per 100,000 is not much higher than other Western Countries such as the UK, France, Australia and NZ as the national statistics are skewered by a minority of quite violent states. You also have to realise that as shocking as murder is, it is a relatively rare crime compared to other forms of violent crime. As a comparison, the overall US homicide rate per 100,000 in 2016 was 5.4. The non-homicide violent crime rate across the US in 2016 was 380 per 100,000 so violent crimes like rape, robbery and aggravated assault are 70 times more frequent than murder. This non-homicide violent crime rate compares to: UK: 257 New Zealand: 348 Canada: 260 A little known fact is that 29 US States have a similar or lower non-homicide violent crime rate than NZ. Secondly, the media focus on the use of semi-automatic weapons but the truth is that over 80% of weapons used in gun related homicides in the US are committed with handguns. The percentage of people killed in 2016 by semi-automatic weapons was only 1.2%, those by rifles 2.5% and shotguns 1.7%. All figures are from the FBIs Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) website. WHAT CAN WE LEARN FROM RECENT MASS SHOOTINGS Many of the mass killings in recent years could have been avoided by complying with existing laws, law enforcement doing their job properly or with minor law changes that dont infringe on 2nd Amendment rights. 1. San Bernardino, California, 2 December 2015. Syed Rizwan Farook and Tashfeen Malik (his wife) killed 16 (including themselves). The San Bernardino shooters identified themselves as violent jihadis several times on Facebook and yet their immigration visas were still granted. This is because the Obama Administration officials at the Department of Homeland Security specifically instructed those tasked with screening migrant visa applications to not even look at, or take any cognoscence of, postings on social media. This policy left analysts willfully blind to evidence that could have kept this couple from entering the country. 2. Pulse Night Club, Orlando, Florida, 12 June 2016 Omar Mateen killed 49 patrons of a well-known Orlando gay nightclub. Omar was interviewed in 2013 and 2014 by the FBI for expressing sympathy for suicide bombers and was placed temporarily on the terrorist watch list and then taken off due to no crime currently under investigation. Current law allows people on that list to still acquire firearms. 3. Blacksburg, Virginia, 16 April 2007 Seung-Hui Cho killed 33 fellow students at Virginia Tech University. Cho showed a disturbing pattern of stalking, self-harm and violent poetry. He was treated for mental health issues, but this information was never entered into any system than could be tracked so when he underwent a background check to purchase a gun, he was legally able to obtain a firearm. 4. Newtown, Connecticut, 16 December 2011 Adam Lanza stole his mothers guns and killed 28 children at Sandy Hook Elementary School. The FBI interviewed a person who regularly communicated with Lanza online. Over the course of nine pages in the FBIs exhaustive post-event report, this interview unearthed Lanzas obsession with mass murder and the 1999 Columbine High School mass shooting. He displayed serious mental disorders and a neighbour had complained to police that he had threatened to kill his mother. Another unidentified woman said she was in contact with Lanza for more than two years on a gaming website dedicated to the 1999 Columbine High School shootings. She told investigators that Lanza kept a spreadsheet, meticulously documenting the details of hundreds of spree killings and mass murders. Nothing was ever done about these disturbing reports. 5. Sutherland Springs, Texas, 5 November 2017 Devin Patrick Kelley kills 26 at a First Baptist Church. Kelly served in the US Air Force from 2010 to 2014 when he received a bad conduct discharge for beating his wife and step son and was court martialed. The Airforce failed to pass on this crucial information to the FBI database as they were required to, and he passed a background check and acquired a gun. His domestic assault conviction alone should have also been sufficient to prevent him from obtaining a firearm. Significantly, Kelleys shooting spree was abruptly halted when a local resident engaged him with rifle fire and he fled the scene and was found dead in his car down the road. 6. Parkland, Florida, 14 February 2018 Nicholas Cruz kills 17 students at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. It would be fair to categorise the Parkland shooting as the most imminently avoidable of all these horrific incidents. The fiasco of how Nicholas Cruz was left alone to acquire guns and carry out his oft and publicly expressed fantasies of mass murder begins some years earlier with the Broward County School District that administers MSD High School. The Obama Administration used a number of measured via the Federal Department of Education to reduce what it saw was discrimination against minorities because of the disproportionate numbers of black and Hispanic high school students who were being suspended or charged with crimes. One method was to incentivise school districts to stop being the instruments of seeming discriminatory discipline policies by promising additional Federal funding to schools who had a lower incidence of reported crime. In the case of Broward County Schools, a decision was made at the senior level to work with the BC Sheriffs Office, primarily through the Deputies who had been assigned to the individual high schools to enhance security and enforce school rules and the law, to relax the enforcement of more serious offenses committed by unruly students. This meant that the most serious of crimes committed by students either on or off campus (so-called felonies), such as aggravated assault, sexual assault, shootings and serious drug dealing, were deliberately ignored. Indeed, the now infamous ex-Deputy Scot Peterson, who stood cowering behind a concrete pillar outside the school building where Cruz was murdering kids, was in fact the very person who drove this policy at MSD High. Much has been made of the 39 times (estimates vary between 29 and 44) that BCSO Deputies were called to the Cruz home over incidents related to his violence, threats, intimidations, beatings, use of knives on campus and other worrying incidents. The reason why nothing ever came of all Cruzs prior incidents that shouldve seen him arrested and charged with felonies even as a minor and thus be entered into the Federal Crimes register which in turn would mean hed fail a background check when he went to obtain the weapons he used to carry out his mass shooting fantasy, was because it was a DELIBERATE POLICY to ignore such criminal behaviour to keep the additional funds flowing. The negligence by the BCSOs was compounded by the FBI failing to act on not one but two detailed credible tips from people close to Cruz who described in detail what he planned to do. IMPEDIMENTS TO HONEST DEBATE There is a lot of dishonesty, dissembling, manipulation, distraction and at times hyperbolic hysteria engaged in by supporters of gun control each time a mass shooting event takes place. Let me give an example of each tactic. 1. Dishonesty There has been dishonest use of statistics. The billionaire former mayor of New York City Michael Bloomberg has lavishly funded various anti-gun crusades including an information clearing house and lobby group called Everytown for Gun Policy. In the days following the Parkland, FL shooting, Everytown heavily pushed what was later proven to be a bogus statistic deliberately designed to exaggerate the extent of school shootings. They said that the Parkland shooting was the 18th school shooting in 2018 alone making it look like such shootings were an epidemic. What Everytown failed to point out was that they counted as a shooting a variety of incidents that were anything but an actual shooting: one was an accidental discharge of a weapon on a street out the front of a school, another was a shooting incident that occurred in the car park of an abandoned and disused school whilst another was a suicide, all these incidents were reported as a school shooting. Youre on thin ice when even the liberal pro-gun control Washington Post pings you for distorting the stats. 2. Dissembling Democrats in particular have been past masters at dissembling on the subject of gun control always bleating for stricter gun control and yet when the time comes to implement actual legislation to give effect to their angry and hyperbolic rhetoric, they usually run and hide. Obama faced mass shootings in his first two years in office. He and Congressional Democrats talked big on gun control in the 2008 election and yet when they had a huge House majority, a filibuster proof Senate and a pro-gun control President in the White House, they never used this unprecedented power to pass anything of substance. Why is that do you ask? The answer is simple. Whilst anti-gun people point to generic polls that state that good majorities of America voters favour gun control, when substantive and precise measures are polled, support dries up. Democrats know that strict gun control of the type they REALLY want is not popular in the swing districts and States they need to win (or hold) to control Congress and so they back off and implement meaningless measures such as trying to outlaw magazine clips of a certain size or ban so-called assault weapons. 3. Distraction Chasing after so-called assault rifles is a classic distraction. AR 15s are merely semi-automatic rifles that have meaningless cheap attachments to make them resemble army style weapons. These are cosmetic accoutrements that do nothing for functionality. President Clinton even instituted a Federal ban on assault rifles from 1994 and it remained on the statute books for 10 years before its eventual repeal because, during that time, weapons related homicides actually went up slightly. In other words, the ban was meaningless and didnt work. It was meaningless because so few weapon related homicides are carried out by so-called assault rifles. The vast majority of gun deaths are carried out by handguns. There are more people killed in America each year by pipes and hammers, assaults with bare fists or from knives than by assault rifles! I used the term distraction because the measures loudly proclaimed are halfhearted measures that will never work because the long-term agenda of the anti-gun left is to repeal the 2nd Amendment. They want all guns to be banned and confiscated but they know that Americans will never vote for such extreme measures, so they hope to implement it by stealth, eating away at the 2nd Amendment and hope that eventually they can stack the Supreme Court with liberal judges who will effectively rule away the right to bear arms by upholding litigation brought by anti-gun groups. 4. Manipulation One of the more egregious tactics used is one that was on full display after the Parkland, FL shooting and that is of using children as tools of manipulation. There is no denying the grief and anguish that the students felt but it became quickly apparent that the mainstream media were really only interested in talking to the eloquent and telegenic student victims who were heavy supporters of gun control. 18-year-old Senior David Hogg has been given wall to wall coverage on CNN and MSNBC because he is a strong supporter of gun control and was prepared to use inflammatory rhetoric against Republican politicians such as Marco Rubio and the NRA. When CNN ran its famous town hall broadcast days after the shooting, the audience was clearly stacked with anti-gun parents and almost all those who spoke were strongly in favour of gun control especially the negligent Broward County Sheriff Israel who spent the night deflecting attention away from the fact that his deputies cowered outside the school and refuse to engage with the shooter AND that his department had attended dozens of call outs for troublesome incidents involving Nicholas Cruz and done nothing about it. Within days, students like Hogg had a website up, were able to book many media outlets, were prepped and primed for media interviews with talking points and that seemingly spontaneous marches were able to be organized on the Statehouse in Tallahassee, FL, local schools and eventually in DC; stuff that no high school senior can rustle up even if politically savvy. It turns out the spontaneous looking movement got plenty of funding and assistance from known liberal organizing groups such as Move On.org, Bloombergs Everytown for Gun Safety as well as generous donations from Planned Parenthood and various unions. There is a term for this and its called astroturf and it is a time honoured tactic of the left. Students like 17-year-old Junior Kyle Kashuv who supports gun rights never got anywhere near the same media coverage even though he suffered the same as Hogg and his anti-gun fellow students. 5. Hysteria. Some of the things that are said about those who support 2nd Amendment rights are just outright over-the-top hysteria. In an attempt to capture public emotion and outrage on the issue of a mass shooting in a school, proponents of stricter gun laws portray the NRA as having blood on their hands, of any public person who supports the 2nd Amendment as being complicit in the killing of children and ipso facto, Americans who own guns for their own protection are knuckle dragging red necks akin to the Ku Klux Klan of the 30s and who need to be dragged kicking and screaming into the modern enlightened world. Many such people are quick to label the 2nd Amendment as an anachronistic carryover from the colonial frontier era of 18th century America when it was written. Others try to limit the right to bear arms to a standing militia conflating the two operative clauses of the Amendment. Such inflamed rhetoric is having the opposite effect it hardens the resolve of gun owners to protect their patch and never vote for anyone who would force them to give up their guns and every time Congress moves to even consider legislation to infringe rights or if a high profile perspon like Nancy Polosi or President Obama (when he was in office) begins to talk about gun control, the sales of guns and ammunition goes through the roof. It was said that Barak Obama was the greatest salesman of weapons in recent US history. After the NRA was so thoroughly attacked during the CNN Townhall broadcast, it added tens of thousands of new members within days. Such extremist positions make it much more difficult for legislators and indeed even the President, to find common ground from both sides of the debate to formulate realistic policies that might actually work. The emotive polemic and invective is utterly counterproductive. WHY A GUN BAN AND CONFISCATION WILL NEVER WORK IN THE US First off in order to ban guns in the US, youd need to repeal the 2nd Amendment. That is a monumental task because it requires both Houses of Congress to pass the repeal by a 2/3rds majority OR by a Constitutional Convention of the States also passed by 2/3rds of the States. If the repeal passes one of those hurdles, then the repeal must then be ratified by 75% of the States Legislatures. Right now, the partisan split of State Legislatures is 32 Republican/14 Democrat with 4 split. It is almost given that a Republican dominated legislature would not support a repeal of the 2nd Amendment. In order for Democrats (more likely to favour repeal) to reach the required 75% threshold, they would need to turn both lower and upper chambers in 23 States currently controlled by Republicans. This would take a swing to the Democrats not seen since when Roosevelt was swept to power in 1932. But lets assume that by some miracle the 2nd Amendment is repealed. It must be noted that it is only an Amendment to the FEDERAL Constitution. Many States have similar rights to bear arms enshrined in their STATE Constitutions and the loss of the Federal amendment does not automatically repeal nor even infringe upon the State equivalents. Repealing the right to bear arms in more conservative states like Texas, Oklahoma, Mississippi and Utah will be next to impossible and those State rights to bear arms cannot be infringed upon even by a Federal 2nd Amendment repeal. Then there is what to do with the 325 million existing weapons, assuming that the Federal amendment is repealed and then Congress passes gun confiscation legislation. How successful would a confiscation be? Fortunately, we can look at how similar such confiscations have fared internationally. Australias ban on semi-automatic weapons was implemented in 1996 after the horror of the Port Arthur, Tasmania massacre. This confiscation applied to only 20% of Australias total gun arsenal as normal rifles were exempt. In reality, whilst an estimated 700,000 semi-automatic weapons were compulsorily purchased by the Australian government, that only represented about 40% of the banned weapons thought to be in circulation. It proved to be almost impossible for State and Federal police in Australia to force total compliance with the new law. From a statistical point of view, gun related homicides in Australia were already steadily declining before the ban and the change in the law had a negligible effect on this trend in the homicide rate. Proponents say it stopped mass killings in Australia but mass killings, even in the US, comprise a tiny percentage of total gun related deaths. Examination of the current total Australian gun inventory shows that new weapon purchases made in the 20 years since the ban now exceed those of the confiscated weapons albeit with compliant weapons. The international average successful gun confiscation rate in 72 countries studied in the 2007 International Small Arms Survey was a paltry 33%. In the US, that means even if the left were to prevail and abolish the 2nd Amendment, widespread mostly impossible to combat civil disobedience would still see well over 200 million guns remain in the hands of people. Stricter gun laws enacted in New York and Connecticut after the Sandy Hook shooting again saw compliance rates of below 30% with law enforcement not prepared to use force to remove existing weapons that became subject to the ban. Indeed, many commentators from the left and right agree that there would be a far more aggressive resistance to any attempt by law enforcement to enforce an Australian style confiscation. Those opposed to gun ownership to the extent that theyd support repeal of the 2nd Amendment (and all State equivalents) and then confiscation are advocating for something that is realistically an impossibility. Are they really wanting to promote measures that, if taken to the conclusion some control proponents desire, would lead to an effective civil war? I know gun owners in my community who would resist attempts to remove their guns by force and such intransigent sentiment is more widespread than you think. It would be far more productive to look at measures that might actually work. PRACTICAL MEASURES THAT COULD BE PASSED INTO LAW TO REDUCE MASS SHOOTING 1. Banning bump stocks. These are attachments to semi-automatic guns that cause a jerk effect that forces the gun user to hit the trigger with much greater frequency thus more closely mimicking the effect of a fully automatic weapon such as a machine gun. It is not commonly known that fully automatic weapons are banned from general sale in the US and require a special and difficult to obtain license for anyone outside the military or law enforcement agencies. Bump stocks are what made the Las Vegas shooting so lethal as it improved the kill rate of Stephen Paddock the Las Vegas shooter. This law change is low hanging fruit. 2. Mandatory reporting of all felony violence offences of a certain severity to the Federal Crime database so that people like Devon Kelly are denied permission to obtain a firearm during the background checking process. 3. Prevent anyone currently on the terrorist watchlist from obtaining a firearm by mandatory reporting to the FBI Crimes Database accessed during the background check procedure. Had Omar Mateen of the Pulse nightclub shooting been properly kept on this list and such a law was on the books, it is more likely he wouldve been kept from acquiring a weapon. 4. Beefing up resources and training of those who staff the FBIs tip line so that legitimate tip offs of possible mass killers are actually actioned and not ignored. The FBI basically admitted that they received two detailed and credible warnings of Nicholas Cruzs state of mind and intentions from people close to him and those tips were never actioned. 5. Mandatory reporting of certain categories of mental health issues where patients disclose violent fantasies, mass killing ideations and other such dangerous intentions. This will be controversial and so careful analysis and the advice of the very best mental health professionals with experience in forensic psychiatry and the mindset of homicidally violent offenders would need to be carefully followed. People with these issues should just not be allowed to obtain firearms. This type of reporting may have prevented Nicholas Cruz from obtaining a weapon legally. 6. Rescission of a previously granted background clearance AND temporary weapon confiscation for those deemed to be high risk for impulsive killing. Again, these powers will need to be very carefully enumerated and implemented with sufficient checks and balances to avoid law enforcement abuse and to preserve 2nd Amendment rights. A law like this may have enabled law enforcement to remove firearms owned by Nicholas Cruz and even possibly Adam Lanza although he used guns legally owned by his mother. 7. Allowing teachers and school/college administrators who have passed all valid Federal and State background checks and possess a valid concealed carry permit to lawfully carry on campus. This proposal does NOT mean School Districts/Colleges mandate concealed carry nor are they liable for any costs associated the certification of the faculty gun owner who has or may obtain a valid State concealed carry permit. The mainstream media dont report the mass shootings at schools that have been averted by teachers or other staff who had a concealed weapon and who could shoot at/have shot at, or threaten to shoot at, a potential killer. Also, potential mass killers know that schools are usually gun free zones but if they knew that schools allowed staff to carry concealed weapons, they may choose not to enter that school. 8. End Federal programmes that encourage schools and school districts by way of higher funding for lower crime statistics by not charging and prosecuting students for violent crimes. What happened at the Broward County School District is just unconscionable. 9. This last one could never be legislated for due to the 1st Amendment right to free speech but if media outlets would voluntarily adhere to a code where the name and face of a mass shooter is not broadcast, this removes the imperative of a desire for fame that a number of mass murderers have admitted to being part of their motivation. Proponents of gun control are asking US citizens to surrender their weapons and trust the very government agencies who have shown time and time again to not act on threats and to not respond quickly or thoroughly enough to protect the populace. Legal and lawful owners of guns reason that they rate themselves more capable of protecting the life, limb and property of themselves and their family rather than waiting for a 911 response that may be too late or to act as a responsible citizen and report worrying and suspicious behaviour only to be ignored and a killer allowed to go on a rampage. Criminals dont obey gun laws and will always obtain weapons. This is true even in countries with strict gun control laws and a dramatic illustration of how this plays out in the US you only have to look at cities like Chicago, Baltimore, Detroit and Washington DC, all cities that have enacted some of the strictest gun control laws in the US where it is difficult to obtain even a handgun and yet all four cities have horrendously high gun related violence and homicides because criminals can obtain guns and it is more difficult for law abiding citizens to obtain weapons. Either that or they propose meaningless cosmetic law changes that will do nothing to reduce the ability of the wrong people to obtain weapons. This issue has become so fraught that rational debate has become difficult. A certain core of conservatives has become intransigent and wont countenance any reasonable law change. Some on the right support the measures I have proposed but many would balk at the right of law enforcement to confiscate the weapons of a person convicted of a violent felony or crossing over a mental health threshold where they have become a danger to themselves and others. Many liberals on the other hand find gun rights and the 2nd Amendment to be an anathema and in reality, think the only way to reduce gun violence is to ban all guns and even confiscate existing weapons. Each extreme is not acceptable or practical. Hopefully, in the midst of all the anger and emotion, it may be possible to debate and pass laws and enact procedures that would have avoided most of the recent mass shootings. Share this: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn More Reddit Pinterest Print Tumblr The Herald reports: Defence Minister Ron Mark has justified his use of Air Force flights to and from Wairarapa, where he lives, as simply doing what the Defence Force suggested. On several occasions I have declined NZDFs offer of transport, he said. He rejected claims by National that he was using the Air Force as a personal taxi service, labelling the claims as scurrilous and an attack on the Defence Force itself. He said he was acutely aware of perception when taking NZDF flights. Mark has had four one-way flights either to or from Masterton, near Carterton where he lives. Former Defence Minister Mark Mitchell says he knows that all the flights were to or from official duties but it was still inappropriate for the minister to have accepted the flights to an airfield near his home where the Air Force does usually go. Mitchell said he himself lived three minutes away from the airfield at Dairy Flat near Auckland, which was not that far from the Air Force base at Whenuapai In terms of convenience, they could have popped over from Whenuapai, picked me up at Dairy Flat and taken me to wherever we were going. I wouldnt in a million years even consider asking them to do that and had they had offered I would have declined it because it is just wholly inappropriate to have helicopters and planes flying around to make your life a bit more convenient. They are burning hours, they are burning fuel, it is just not right and it sticks in my craw. In my view there is no excuse. Mitchell said his National predecessors Gerry Brownlee and Jonathan Coleman had not accepted such flights either. By Lee Kyung-min The prosecution is seeking to freeze the personal assets of former President Lee Myung-bak who, if found guilty on bribery charges in the amount of 11 billion won ($10 million), could lose all of them. The Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office is expected to file an injunction with the Seoul Central District Court against Lee whose estimated assets are at least 4.6 billion won ($5.2 million). Under the law, wealth accumulated by civil servants through illicit means is returned to state coffers. The statute of limitations was extended to 10 years from three years in 2013. The law prevents defendants from dissipating their assets before a conviction as a means not to comply with a court-ordered confiscation. If the court grants the request, Lee will not be able to sell or transfer the ownership of his property, or withdraw or transfer money from his bank accounts. The prosecution earlier sought a similar injunction against former President Park Geun-hye, a request granted by the court which seized her 5.8 billion won in asset including 1 billion won in bank accounts and 3 billion won in checks. Meanwhile, the prosecution may question former first lady Kim Yoon-ok, following contradicting statements made by individuals questioned about 2.2 billion won in suspected bribes former Woori Financial CEO Lee Pal-sung paid in return for getting the CEO post. The prosecution believes former President Lee exerted undue influence on the financial institution in which the government was the largest shareholder at the time. An earlier investigation found that Lee Myung-bak's son-in-law, Samsung Electronics senior executive Lee Sang-joo, delivered part of the money to Lee Sang-deuk, an elder brother of the ex-president, after he received it from a close aide of Lee Pal-sung. Further investigations uncovered that most of the money _ 2 billion won _ was paid through troubled shipbuilder Sungdong Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering Co., currently under court receivership despite 9.6 trillion won in government loans granted by the Export-Import Bank of Korea (EXIM Bank) under the Lee administration. The prosecution said it secured statements from the son-in-law that it delivered 500 million won to Kim, a claim she denied. Lee Myung-bak told prosecutors that he had no knowledge about the issue at all. The allegation further corners the former first lady following a similar allegation raised by Kim Hee-jung, Lee's key former aide of 15 years, who said that he gave $100,000 he got from a National Intelligence Agency to a former female Cheong Wa Dae official who then gave it to her. She reportedly spent it on designer bags and other personal expenses. In 2007, the former first lady was embroiled in an allegation raised by Liberty Korea Party (then the Grand National Party) Chairman Hong Joon-pyo that she wore diamond rings on her toes on overseas trips to avoid customs service inspections and high import taxes. Meanwhile, the prosecution also secured what it believes to be incriminating evidence substantiating that Lee Myung-bak was the real owner of DAS, an auto parts maker used to channel all the illegal funding, following a statement from a former DAS head Kim Sung-woo, whose suspected involvement in delivering 35 billion won to Lee was largely corroborated. The former head had unexpectedly confessed that Lee owned DAS in a hand-written confession submitted to the prosecution, retracting earlier statements made during investigations in 2007 and 2008. Hours of speculation about the class 12 Accountancy paper leak, the Central Board of Education (CBSE) has revised and circulate strict guidelines to curb certain damages. The Board said Centre Superintendents are solely responsible for everything about examinations and can call the police anytime if require. The ultimate aim is to conduct the coveted examination in a peaceful manner. Reports also suggest that CBSE has pulled up the examination centre supervisors for not discharging their duties strictly. From now on, if any dodge comes into notice, it is them who will be held responsible for explanation. CBSE also stated that apart from the centre superintendents, no other person is allowed to carry mobile phones or any electronic devices inside the examination hall. In fact, the sealed question paper folders cannot be opened before 10 am, which earlier was 9:45 am. Any violation of this will be dealt strictly. On March 15, Deputy Chief Minister, Manish Sisodia tweeted about the incident of class 12 paper leak and directed CBSE officials to investigate the matter. They were fairly quick and within few hours, the board confirmed There was no such paper leak. As per media reports, the board has decided to lodge a First Investigation Report against those who circulated the rumours and an expert committee will look into the allegations of paper leak. Sisodia said that swift action must be taken so that hard-working students do not suffer due to the negligence 0f CBSE. Few days ago, the board notified the examination centres to ensure safe delivery of answer books when an authorized private school examiner was identified carrying the answer sheets of chemistry openly in Delhi metro. Paper leak and mass cheating has been the biggest hurdles that disturb the exam environment in India. While the board exams are continuing, not just CBSE but other state boards have also improved measures to control the examination hindrance. But reports suggest that the boards are still striving to stop the damages. The Bihar state board has made it clear this time to students about not wearing shoes and socks inside the examination centres and the board has seen a massive fall out of students appearing the exam. Maharashtra state board again arrested four persons for allegedly abetting the HSC chemistry paper leak. The board had sealed question papers in bundles of 25 and directed the examiners to be opened in the exam hall minutes before the distribution. With such stringent steps, we hope that the board exams end peacefully, and students surpass the examination with flying colours. (The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Mar 16, 2018 01:05 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com). The government of India has been mulling over to introduce a new norm for those seeking government jobs for a long time now. A five-year mandatory military service could be a compulsory yardstick for aspirants seeking to bag a government job. The following proposal was put forward by the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Defence to address the shortcomings in personnel in the armed forces. A lot of countries across the globe have enforced this norm for a long time now. There are over 32 countries in the world who has this compulsory norm of enrolling themselves in a military service. There are different permutations and combinations followed by different countries. In some countries, the enrolment in military service is compulsory for both men and women, whereas in some countries only men have to follow this requisite norm. Conscription systems are followed in different parts of the world. Conscription means a compulsory enlistment of an individual in a national service, often in military service. We, at LatestLY, bring to you a list of countries which has been using these conscription systems for a long time now. List of countries with both, compulsory and voluntary military service: Bermuda Colombia Mauritania Thailand Burundi Kuwait Singapore Venezuela Cape Verde Mali Sweden United States List of countries with selective conscription: Benin Cape Verde Chad Equatorial Guinea Guinea-Bissau Mali Mexico Niger Senegal Taiwan Togo Vietnam Central African Republic Some countries do have an option of selecting amongst civilian, unarmed, or non-combat services. The list of such countries are as follows: Angola Austria Belarus Cyprus Denmark Estonia Finland Iran Mexico Norway Paraguay Russia Switzerland Israel Sweden List of countries where people must be in military service for a period of a year or less: Algeria Bolivia Brazil Colombia Cyprus Ecuador Greece Guatemala Kazakhstan Moldova Mongolia Paraguay Qatar Russia Sweden Taiwan Tunisia Turkey Uzbekistan United Arab Emirates Estonia List of countries where military service is limited to a period of 18 months: Azerbaijan Benin Cambodia Cote dIvoire Egypt Georgia Kuwait Laos List of countries where citizens must be in military service mandatorily for more than 18 months: Armenia Angola Central African Republic Chad Cuba Eritrea Equatorial Guinea Guinea Guinea-Bissau Iran Israel North Korea South Korea Kyrgyzstan Libya Mali Mauritania Mozambique Myanmar Niger Sao Tome and Principe Senegal Singapore Syria Sudan Tajikistan Thailand Turkmenistan Togo United Arab Emirates Vietnam Yemen List of countries where it is compulsory for women to serve in military service: Cape Verde Chad Eritrea Israel Norway North Korea China Sweden The following step of mandatory training in the military service comes at the backdrop of shortage of personnel in Indian armed forces (Army, Air Force, and Navy). It was the Ministry of Defence (MoD), who had earlier proposed the following mandatory norm. The Government of India remains to be the largest employer in the country, with 43 lakh employees. However, the fact remains that the deficit in the armed forces is a matter of concern and the Narendra Modi-led government may put this compulsory norm to effect as the last resort. (The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Mar 16, 2018 12:13 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com). Audi to debut Q8 flagship SUV this summer Mar 16, 2018, 3:07pm ET The Audi Q8 will cost about $70,000. The wait is almost over for Audi's range-topping Q8 sport utility vehicle the German automaker has announced that its forthcoming flagship SUV will debut at an event this June. The Q8 will reign as Audi's top SUV offering when it debuts, taking on vehicle like the Land Rover Range Rover. It'll be based on the family-friendly Q7 SUV but, like the Range Rover, will only offer two rows of seats for maximum comfort. Styling-wise, the production Q8 is expected to closely mirror the design of the Audi Q8 Concept that debuted at the 2017 Detroit auto show. The flagship SUV will feature a coupe-like roofline, although it won't be tapered as aggressive as the one found on the BMW X6. The Q8 will initially be offered with a range of gas and diesel engine options. Look for Audi to introduce a hybrid option sometime down the line. We've also heard rumors of a performance SQ8 model with 435 horsepower on tap compliments of a twin-turbocharged 4.0L V8. The Q8 is expected to reach dealers before the end of 2018. Pricing will start in the neighborhood of $70,000, while the SQ8 could command north of $100,000. Mar 16, 2018, 12:46pm ET Toyota, Uber reportedly in talks over autonomous tech Toyota could be planning an autonomous minivan powered by Uber\'s technology. Toyota is holding high-level talks with Uber Technologies to discuss the possibility of using the ride hailing firm's autonomous car technology in some future vehicles, a new report claims. According to Japan's Nikkei business daily, Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi met with Toyota executives this week in the United States to hammer out a potential autonomous vehicle partnership. The deal allegedly involves applying Uber's autonomous tech to Toyota's minivan models. Like most other automakers, Toyota is already developing autonomous driving technologies of its own, but has signaled that it's willing to partner with other firms to advance its driverless wares. Moreover, Toyota has already forged a relationship with Uber on past projects. "We regularly exchange information about automated driving with Uber for some time now, a spokeswoman told Reuters when asked about the new tie-up. Uber is racing Google's Waymo self-driving car unit, along with several other firms, to make the self-driving car a reality. Toyota and Uber are currently working on autonomous taxis and delivery vehicles, but the latest deal could involve driverless vehicles that would be for sale to the general public. Earlier this month Toyota announced a $2.8 billion investment to speed the development of autonomous vehicle software. The Japanese automaker has not announced when it might offer its first autonomous vehicle, but most automakers are shooting for either 2020 or 2021. Four men have been sentenced today (Friday, December 9), at Portlaoise Circuit Court in separate cases of sexual offences. A 36-year-old Laois man has been sentenced to two years in prison, with the last nine months suspended with conditions, for sending explicit messages to a 13-year-old boy. The man traded messages with the boy on both Facebook and Grindr, a gay dating website, in 2015. The court heard that the injured party had his own profile on Grindr, even though the site is meant to be for over-18s only. Judge Keenan Johnson said: The fact that (the boy) could have such easy access to such an adult site, has to raise serious questions about the ability of society to protect children from sexual exploitation on the internet. In a separate case, a 30-year-old Laois man has been sentenced to two and half years in prison for sexually abusing his niece over a four-year period. The injured party was aged between five and nine at the time, with the abuse taking place at locations in Laois between 2002 and 2006. The girl was four years old when the offending started, and the accused was 14. The man pleaded not guilty at the circuit court in July, and was found guilty on six counts of sexual assault by the jury after trial. Judge Johnson said that the victim deserved enormous credit for having the strength and resilience to see the matter through. He said the abuse involved a serious breach of trust on the part of the accused. In an unrelated matter, a 55-year-old Laois man has been given a three-year sentence, suspended for five years, for the sexual assault of a 14-year-old girl in 2014. On a number of occasions the accused, who was 53 at the time, kissed and hugged the girl, which led to an incident in which he lifted her t-shirt and began to kiss her breasts, and also placed his hand in her underwear to caress her bottom and fondle her vaginal area. He also opened her clothing and kissed her pubic area. One of the conditions of the suspended sentence is that the accused must pay the injured party a total of 10,000. And a 56-year-old Offaly man has been sentenced to one and a half years in prison, with the last nine months suspended with conditions, for the indecent assault of a boy aged eight or nine. The assault happened in Offaly on a date believed to be in 1983 or 1984, when the accused was aged 18 or 19. Weather forecasters have advised people to 'grab those thermals' as a wind chill and plummeting temperatures look set to make St Patrick's Day feel like more like a Scandanavian winter than an early Spring day in Ireland. Met Eireann's weather forecasting partner in the UK has warned about a 'huge' plunge in St Patrick's Day weekend temperatures over Ireland and Britain. The Met Office has already issued snow and ice warnings for large parts of Britain and its forecasts show the weather pushing west right across Ireland and into the Atlantic. For those out and about on Saturday Met Eireann has also warned people to wrap up. Below are the projected afternoon air temperatures (red) and wind chill temperatures (blue) for St Patrick's Day. For those out and about on Saturday, below are the projected afternoon air temperatures (red) and wind chill temperatures (blue) for St Patrick's Day. pic.twitter.com/9e7SpOMcHk March 16, 2018 Met Eireann has already issued an advance warning for snow and ice for Leinster, Cavan, Monaghan and Waterford the forecast from Britain is stark. The Met Office has tweeted that as very cold air floods across the UK this weekend, "we'll see a huge drop in temperatures and a significant wind chill. Grab those winter thermals". The Action Group for St Pauls new secondary school in Monasterevin held another crisis meeting on Monday to discuss ongoing planning delays. They met with Kildare South TDs Fiona O Loughlin and Martin Heydon, and Brian Stanley, Ceann Comhairle, Sean OFearghail; and a number of local councillors. It was revealed recently that a delay around the site acquisition at Moore Abbey may post phone the new build for 12 months, moving the schedule from March 2020 to 2021.The action group are now calling for the new school time frame to be expedited and built for occupation by January 2020. We are offended that our children have been effectively and repeatedly treated as second class citizens, said Rose Beahan on behalf of the Action Group One needs to view the conditions that the teachers and children are subjected to day after day to feel the anger in our community. Overcrowding; the heating constantly breaking down; teachers correcting and preparing for classes in their cars; the Syrian refugees are being taught effectively in a store room - is this the promise of provision and inclusion given by successive governments? the pupils have to visit other schools and community facilities to carry out day to day schooling activities and not to mention the waste of taxpayers money in having to update and provide additional prefab buildings whilst we wait for our new school. The toilet facilities are appalling the children simply only use in emergencies. The list is endless." The group have vowed to continue the fight to be heard and inform the public on their situation. "Our next meeting is due to be held at the end of the month. Meanwhile the Department of Education confirmed recently that every effort is being made to finalise the new site for St Pauls Secondary school in Monasterevin. A statement said that "every effort is being made to expedite the process and bring this transaction to a successful conclusion. The Department will shortly be issuing a letter to the school outlining proposed dates for tender and construction. The action group, in response added that although they are obliged to take the the Department at their word, it cannot be denied that the myriad of feelings from disgust, anger, disbelief and offence is still palpable amongst the group. We feel slighted and tossed aside that our voice was not heard until the eleventh hour when suddenly there is light at the end of the tunnel. A call to erect barriers to prevent future encampments at the entrance to the Cemex facility near the Big Ball monument at Dublin Road, Naas, has been criticised. Pavee Point, which works to improve the rights of Travellers and to bridge economic and social inequalities between the Traveller and settled community, said the call is negative against the background of the traveller accommodation crisis. Fine Gael councillor Darren Scully called on Kildare County Council to ensure that blatantly dumped rubbish is removed and steps are taken to prevent illegal dumping and illegal encampments at this location. He told a Naas Municipal District meeting that people have camped there on three occasions and he said this is causing major safety concerns. He said it is the duty of KCC and Transport Infrastructure Ireland, which is responsible for motorway and public transport infrastructure, to put in barriers. However Martin Collins, co director of the Pavee Point and Roma Traveller Centre said it is very negative for a call for barriers to be erected as a solution to the Traveller accommodation crisis. Mr. Collins said: When statements like these go unpunished it gives a licence for others to make similar calls. He said Kildare County Council recognises Traveller culture in its Traveller accommodation plan and says it is committed to promoting equality and inclusion for Travellers. Yet, he adds, KCC has failed to build any Traveller specific accommodation in approximately ten years and in the last year failed to draw down any of its funding for this accommodation. He said legislation provides for transitory halting sites where Travellers can stay for short periods. If Travellers are staying in an area and staying there a number of weeks before heading to their ultimate destination it would make sense for KCC to build a halting site with facilities to enable Traveller to stop in a safe place. Currently there is no halting site anywhere near the county town of Naas, said Mr. Collins. He said that when recognising Traveller ethnicity a year ago, then Taoiseach Enda Kenny spoke about less negativity, less exclusion and less marginalisation for Irish Travellers. We think Cllr Scully does his party a disservice by playing into negative stereotypes of Travellers as criminal and dirty and thereby continuing the cycle of discrimination and racism against Travellers. Mr. Collins said an independent expert panel is reviewing the functioning of the 1998 Traveler Accommodation Act and we look forward to its finding hopefully by the end of the year. PJ Dooley of the Kildare Traveller Network says he understands that the families camped near Cemex were passing through the county and said it was envisaged that the transient sites, which would provide basic facilities for a fee, would have been used by them. However the failure of local authorities to build such facilities means that Travellers have nowhere to park. This coupled with the blocking off of sites which Travellers used to use has meant their nomadic culture has been undermined by the State. Cllr Scully responded that anytime anyone raises genuine concerns with regard anti social behaviour by members of the travelling community they are attacked by Pavee Point. He said Pavee Point are quick to call for more rights for Travellers but he claimed if a member of the settled community created or dumped litter they would be fined or prosecuted by the local authority. National housing charity Threshold, has today called on the Government to introduce more robust regulation to protect the supply of properties in the private rental sector and to take urgent action to address areas in the short-term letting market, such as full-time lets via Airbnb, which reduce the availability of long-term rented accommodation. As thousands of St. Patricks Day visitors travel to Ireland and check into Airbnb apartments, while the countrys private rental sector experiences a historic shortage of supply, Threshold are looking for: A moratorium on all future full-time lets in areas most effected by rental supply shortages, starting with the Rent Pressure Zones. All full-time short let units to require planning permission. We call upon the Government to review the current planning regulations and ensure they are robust enough to achieve this. The establishment of a local authority hotline to report full-time short lets. Registration of all short let units which let for over 90 days in a twelve month period with local authorities. Commenting, Threshold chief executive, John-Mark McCafferty said: While we acknowledge there is a role for Airbnb in the tourist market, short-term lets are displacing units that would otherwise be available in the long-term rental market. There is a certain irony that families that need long-term tenancies are staying in bed and breakfast establishments, hotels and other emergency accommodation while many tourists who in the past stayed in hotels are staying in housing on a short-term let basis. This is exacerbating the severe lack of supply in the private rental market, and additionally, residential units taken out of the housing stock for short-term lets are driving up the price of rents. This is particularly evident in parts of the country with a high tourist appeal such as Dublin, Cork and Galway where supply is at a squeeze. A review of the availability of rental properties shows that a total of 1,224 properties are listed for long-term lets (three months or more) on Daft.ie in Dublin city and county today, while there are 5,572 short-term active rentals listed on Airbnb, 3,036 of which are entire homes. Mr McCafferty added: As cities and towns across Ireland are preparing to celebrate St Patricks Day and extend a Cead Mile Failte to thousands of visitors, both returning emigrants and tourists, we are reminded of the plight of many for whom a roof over their head has now become unaffordable and unattainable. The theme of this years St Patricks Day festivities in Dublin is based on HOME; the exploration of my home, your home, our home. Yet for so many, a home in the cities and towns in which they were reared is an elusive dream. We are witnessing a 27 per cent year-on-year increase in homelessness, with women, children and older people among the 9,000 people who are homeless. Many Airbnb properties make phenomenal profits with some rentrepreneurs earning upwards of 100,000 a year without being registered with the Residential Tenancies Board and without being inspected by local authorities. The Airbnb 2017 Ireland Insights Report, states that hosts in Dublin county and city earned 68 million last year. The level of these earnings shows how lucrative the short-term market rather than the long-term rental market can be. Figures supplied by AirDNA, which analyses Airbnb market trends, show that one Dublin property owner has earned 172,227 for a single apartment near Trinity College. In Galway city, a property owner earned almost 158,000 and in Cork an owner was paid almost 63,000. Threshold chair, Dr Aideen Hayden said: Threshold welcomes at a minimum the recommendations set out by the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government to introduce a two tier regulatory regime for short term lets. This would see the implementation of a strict regime of regulations targeted at entire property, short-term commercial lettings. A less stringent second level approach would be taken with those that rent their primary residence for a period of 90 days or less per year. Any policy response should distinguish between casual hosts and professional hosts, and this approach has gained favour internationally and is a sensible distinction to make. For example similar regulations have been introduced in Berlin, and have resulted in nearly 8,000 properties being returned to the residential market. It is critical that we get the balance right. Our cities have to be liveable places for the future and we cannot continue displacing our citizens beyond the city boundaries. ELECTRONICS retailer Maplin is to close its branch in Limerick city, in a move which will see five people lose their jobs. It comes after the British-based retail chain entered administration, putting 2,000 jobs at risk across the Irish Sea. A closing down sale is taking place at the companys local branch at the Limerick One Retail Park at Childers Road. Its understood the store will close its doors in the next four to six weeks. Labour Deputy Jan OSullivan said: For the people concerned, its very bad news. I hope they find other jobs. They have retail experience, so I hope that will help them. Its sad to see a company like that with a good reputation fall into difficulty. Fianna Fail councillor Vivienne Crowley, who chairs the economic committee, added: Its obviously very disappointing. Its in a popular retail centre on the Childers Road. Im surprised to hear it, but its tough. The company has been contacted for comment. GARDAI in Limerick are investigating a spate of antisocial behaviour in the city centre in which lawless teenage gangs have been assaulting shop staff members and threatening them with weapons. One child, understood to be 13 years of age, was arrested on Monday evening in possession of a knife. He is believed to have attempted a robbery on a fast food restaurant on OConnell Street. The antisocial behaviour in the city has been building for around three months, but has sharply accelerated in the last number of weeks, according to local retailers. Three incidents at separate establishments since Sunday have seen one Centra staff member being hit repeatedly with a sweeping brush, while a knife was brandished at another Centra store and the fast food restaurant. The perpetrators are all under the age of 18, with some as young as primary school age. I wish to confirm that gardai effected the arrest of a juvenile on OConnell street when he was observed to be in possession of an offensive weapon, confirmed a garda spokesperson. I am further aware there are other reports of anti-social behaviour in the city centre involving young people in some instances whom are under 12 years of age. Garda members have been deployed to tackle this behaviour and is subject to ongoing investigation. Retailers in the city have been in close contact with each other and gardai, in an attempt to stamp out the problem. Some of the stores which have been hit include Spar and Fine Wines on Catherine Street, Centra and Mace on William Street, and Centra on OConnell Street. James Ryan, of both Centra stores, said that they have been having trouble with teenage gangs since December. The shop owner said that he has noticed an older group made up of teenagers around the age of 16, and a younger group with children of around 13. On Tuesday night, a gang came in to the store on William Street, and one of them picked up a sweeping brush and started hitting a staff member with it, landing four blows. Its the worst Ive had in 10 years. Theyre lawless. Im not worried about what theyll take as much as Im worried about what theyll do and who theyll hurt. Im ringing gardai around four or five times a week, said Mr Ryan. In another incident, an advertising stand outside the shop was destroyed. The young culprits typically storm the shop, sometimes covering their faces. Shane Gleeson of Spar on Catherine Street said that they are assaulting staff, particularly female staff. There is huge pressure on staff who are now having to physically block them from coming in, said the retailer. SUICIDE verdicts were recorded in half of the inquests which were heard before Limerick Coroners Court this Wednesday, while in another case it was revealed a pensioner died after she choked on a Brussels sprout. Coroner John McNamara presided over six inquests relating to sudden deaths all of which occurred on dates between last April and July. In one case he was told a 95-year-old woman died after her airway was blocked by a Brussels sprout while she was eating dinner at her home. A care assistant who was in the house at the time told gardai she heated the meal for the woman around an hour after it was delivered by the local meals on wheels service. She described how she tried to help the woman when she began coughing and, at one point, attempted to perform a Heimlich manoeuvre. However, the woman changed colour and went limp before paramedics arrived. The coroner noted the woman was a good age and said a verdict of accidental death was appropriate given the evidence before him. Its one of those things that happens, he said. In four of the six cases evidence was heard that death was as a result of asphyxiation due to hanging. In each case, the coroner heard from investigating gardai who confirmed the date, time and location of the death. An abbreviated version of the results of a post-mortem examination was read into the record before a verdict was handed down. Graphic details relating to each death were outlined to the court and verdicts of suicide were recorded in three of the four cases. Alcohol and drugs were not regarded as a significant factor in any of the four deaths. An open verdict was recorded in the case of a 13-year-old boy with the coroner commenting that given his age he did not believe the teenager was in a position to form an intention to take his own life. In the remaining three cases, Mr McNamara informed relatives of the deceased man who were present in court that he was satisfied beyond a reasonable doubt that a verdict of suicide was appropriate given the evidence. The men ranged in age from 36 to 50. _______________________ If you have been affected by this story contact any of the following: Aware (1800 80 48 48), the Samaritans (116 123) Pieta House (1800 247 247) LIMERICK Prison had the highest number of assaults on prison officers in 2017, according to new figures published by the Department of Justice. Last year, the Department recorded a total of nine prisoner-on-staff assaults in Limerick, which represented 21% of the total number of incidents for the whole country. The second highest was six incidents at Cork Prison, followed by five assaults at the Dochas Centre in Dublin. There was a total of 41 assaults in all prisons and detention centres in 2017, the Department figures show. The new data also shows that there have been 33 reported incidents since 2012, which is significantly lower than other facilities. Mountjoy has the highest rate of assaults with 119 incidents recorded over the past five years, followed by St Patricks Institution with 105 incidents, and 72 assaults at Cloverhill. The highest rate of assaults was in 2012 with 10 incidents, while the lowest was two incidents in 2015. The new figures were requested by Independent TD Noel Grealish, through parliamentary questions in Dail Eireann. In response to the figures, Minister for Justice and Equality, Charles Flanagan said that every assault on our front-line staff is treated as serious and appropriate action, including the reporting of such assaults to an Garda Siochana for the purposes of investigation and criminal prosecution, occurs where appropriate. The role of a prison officer is a difficult and challenging one. Prison staff must deal with a wide range of complex issues and there are occasions when they are subjected to unacceptable acts of violence. Minister Flanagan said that following a number of serious assaults on prison staff nationwide in June 2015, the States Claims Agency commenced a review of all assaults. It concluded positive findings that the ratio of assaults to the number of prisoners in the system was very low. The report contains a large number of recommendations. These recommendations were accepted and will be implemented - an undertaking that has been included as a Key Action in the Irish Prison Service's Strategic Plan 2016-2018. The Irish Prison Service is committed to creating a safer environment for all those who work or live within our prison walls. In addition, the Service is committed to ensuring that any staff member who is subject to or witnesses an assault is given the necessary supports in the aftermath of the incident. Under the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act 1994, a person who assaults or threatens an officer in the execution of their duty can receive a 12-month summary conviction or, on conviction on indictment, to a fine and a seven-year prison sentence. The goodness and warmth of Irish people and the contrasting failures of our state services came sharply into focus last Friday at a fundraiser in aid of Annacotty woman Vicky Phelan in the Castletroy Park hotel. Vicky, whose defiance in the face of a terminal cancer prognosis and campaign to access experimental treatment in the USA, has caught the publics imagination, delivered a powerful and emotional speech to her friends and supporters. So far nearly 139,000 has been raised on Vickys GoFundMe page and a variety of other initiatives are topping that up each week and on Friday Vicky was able to deliver the good news that she had been provisionally accepted onto the clinical trial in the Institutes of Health, Maryland that had been her goal. On Friday before the event got underway, Vicky addressed the crowd, saying, I honestly thought if I raised 10,000, Id be lucky and thats testament to everybody here and your friends and your friends friends. Irish people are great at getting behind a cause and supporting it, in various ways, not just financially, Ive had huge support, emotionally, people contacting me with ideas. Granted some of them are wacky, but I'll look every one of them up! she laughed. I think this what Irish people are really good at. I have friends in France and Spain who are absolutely blown away by the support Im getting, they said it just would not happen in their country. Her mention of our EU neighbours may have been coincidental in this case, but was certainly apposite. The healthcare systems in France and Spain are currently ranked 1st and 7th respectively by the World Health Organisation; Irelands somehow limps into the top 20. Citizens of France and Spain rightly expect top class care from their national health systems and as such, the need to launch fundraising drives to access treatment on behalf of their friends and neighbours probably doesnt occur to them too often. Vickys good news about provisional acceptance on to the trial was tempered by the fact, as she put it, that she has two more hurdles to overcome. While Im waiting to get on the trial Im trying to get access to (the immunotherapy drug), pembrolizumab, she told the attendance, and this is the part of me being sick that I find very difficult, I suppose, that I have to fight for this drug. Its licenced for a very small number of cancers and if you dont have one of those cancers then you cant get it. I have the money, but Im finding it very hard to get access to it. I have to get an oncologist to sign off on it, basically become a clinical trial of one person. Its disgraceful that this is the way it is in this country, but Im going to keep fighting, Im like a dog with a bone and Im going to hound everyone until I get someone to do it for me. The other hurdle being on which strain of the HBB virus she has - 16 or 18, the former being the strain the clinical trial is interested in. That aside, the night was an overwhelmingly positive one and from the podium, Vicky had a long list of people to thank, chief among them her friends and neighbours who put the evening - which raised almost 11k - together; namely Ian and Lorna Gavin, Kieran and Lucy Walsh, Siobhan and Wesley McDonald, Maeve and Shane Donohue, Anita and Colm Heffernan. The Castletroy Park was also singled out for offering the room not once but twice, as the original date had been lost to the previous weekends snow. Even though this is an awful prognosis to get, said Vicky, I have to say this has been a wonderful experience for me - even though that sounds weird. Just the kindness and generosity of people has just been amazing, it really would restore your faith in humanity. Its great for my kids to see, if you help people out, pay it forward, youll get it back in return, so thank you, seriously, thank you very much for everything. Donate to Vicky's GoFundMe page on, www.gofundme.com/savevickyphelan Mar 16, 2018, 8 AM The unique unused example of Togos 1915 5-mark slate and carmine stamp issued under French occupation will be offered during the April 7 special auction by Christoph Gaertner. By Michael Baadke The Christoph Gaertner auction firm in Germany will conduct three auction sessions April 7 to offer international rarities, specialized Oldenburg (the grand duchy now part of northwestern Germany), and specialized Togo under British and French occupation. The auction will take place at Schlosshotel Monrepos in Ludwigsburg, a short drive from the Gaertner offices north of Stuttgart. The Oldenburg and Togo material comes from the collections of Peter Zgonc. Gaertner describes the Togo collection as the most important ever formed. The international rarities auction at 9 a.m. includes more than 400 lots of truly worldwide material, including postal history of Antarctica. An unused block of four of Great Britains 1840 Penny Black, the worlds first national postage stamp, is offered with full to large margins at all sides, with parts of neighboring stamps at right and fresh color. Bidding on the block begins at 38,000 (approximately $46,685). The Oldenburg collection presents 317 lots, with material from a collection built by a descendant of composer Richard Strauss, and more from the 1964 Burrus collection, all incorporated into the Zgonc collection. The final auction session of the day brings together some of the top rarities of Togo, the former German protectorate in West Africa occupied by Great Britain and France during World War I. The majority of the stamps in this sale are either unique or have miniscule print runs, Gaertner notes. Items in the sale have been recently certified by Pascal Scheller of Paris. The 1915 5-mark carmine and black stamp from the French occupation (Scott 175) is unused with original gum. Only three stamps were printed, according to Gaertner, and the unused example is unique. The starting bid is 150,000 ($184,285). The stamp is accompanied by the 2018 Scheller certificate and a 1960 authentication by the Philatelic Foundation. Connect with Linns Stamp News: Sign up for our newsletter Like us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter Catalogs for all three sessions of the April 7 auction are available online, with online bidding options. Additional information is available from Auktionshaus Christoph Gaertner, Steinbeisstrasse 6+8, 74321 Bietigheim-Bissingen, Germany. May 3, 2021, 2 AM The proposed National Airmail Museum in Fort Wayne, Ind. A group has launched a fundraising effort for the museum. Image by Tessellate Studio. By Colin Sallee Its time to catch up on the week that was in stamp-collecting insights and news. Linns Stamp News is looking back at its five most-read stories of the week. Click the links to read the stories. 5. Ken Grant named American Philatelic Research Library president: The APRL trustees filled two vacancies during a telephonic meeting and vote held March 12. Ken Grant has served previously as APRL president. 4. Nancy B. Clark receives Neinken medal: A lifelong collector, Clark has served in numerous leadership positions in both national and international philately. 3. Malawi bird stamp set a bargain if you find one: Malawi has issued several attractive sets of stamps depicting birds that are in great demand from topical collectors. 2. Cherrystone March 20-21 auction offers Italian Levant airmail rarity; U.S., worldwide: The Cherrystone lot description relates that the stamp was prepared in Constantinople for a planned flight from Bucharest to Paris. 1. Indiana group seeks airmail museum to be located in Fort Wayne: 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. Connect with Linns Stamp News: Sign up for our newsletter Like us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter May 3, 2021, 10 PM Among the numerous stamps honoring the WHO and its programs are this 1956 3 U.N. stamp. This 1962 4 U.S. commemorative is one of several stamps honoring the WHO. The United Nations is commemorating World Health Day and the 70th anniversary of the World Health Organization on six new stamps. The mission behind these designs is to generate awareness for universal health coverage for everyone. By Molly Goad The United Nations Postal Administration is issuing whimsical stamp designs to honor the 70th anniversary of the World Health Organization. The stamps will be released April 6, the eve of World Health Day an annual celebration to mark the anniversary of the formation of WHO on April 7, 1948. WHOs objective is to achieve a healthier future for people everywhere in the world. This includes fighting an array diseases from influenza and HIV to cancer and heart disease, as well as ensuring that water and air are safe and clean all over the world. The organization has offices in more than 150 countries where staffers engage governments and other partners to join these efforts. The set includes six stamps (two for each U.N. post office) and a souvenir card. Sergio Baradat of the United Nations created the colorful designs, using symbolic images to promote awareness and actions related to the 2018 World Health Day theme of Universal Health Coverage. Everyone. Everywhere. To follow the movement on social media, search for #HealthForAll. To learn more about this years campaign. The two stamps for use from the post office at U.N. headquarters in New York City represent health services, 50; and healthy people, $1.15. A heart, stethoscope, capsule, pill, band-aid, syringe and an E from an eye chart are pictured on the 50 stamp. Symbolic leaves, a heart, clock and a pie chart with arrows are shown in the four corners of the $1.15 design. A blue head with gearwheels is depicted in the center. The designs of the stamps for use from the U.N. post office at the Palais des Nations in Geneva, Switzerland, illustrate the topics of stop epidemics, 1fr; and healthy children, 2fr. The 1fr stamp features an outline of a microscope and a microscopic view of some of the organisms that cause epidemics. The 2fr Healthy Children stamp also has a school theme, showing a pencil, a triangle and a student in a graduation cap. Also pictured are an apple and glass of milk. The message on the 68 and 1.70 stamps for use from the post office at the Vienna International Center in Vienna, Austria, are for all people and affordable care. A doctor, three other people and the world in hot pink and orange are featured on the 68 stamp. What appears to be a stylized caduceus is shown in sky blue in the background. A pink piggie bank and gold coins symbolize affordable care in the 1.70 design. The theme of each design in inscribed in the upper left. In addition, all of the designs include UN, World Health Day and 2018 text. The text is English on the U.N. New York stamps, French on the U.N./Geneva stamps, and German on the U.N./Vienna stamps. Lowe-Martin Group of Canada printed the stamps by offset lithography, plus hexachrome, in sheets of 20. Each stamp measures 30 millimeters by 40mm and its perforated gauge 13.3. The quantities printed were 110,000 each of the 50 and $1.15; 80,000 each of the 1fr and 2fr; and 90,000 each of the 68 and 1.70. Connect with Linns Stamp News: Sign up for our newsletter Like us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter A total of 15,000 souvenir cards were printed. They are available either mint or canceled. The World Health Organization and its programs have been honored on numerous stamps from the United Nations and from countries around the world. For example, the U.N. issued two WHO stamps April 6, 1956 (Scott 43-44), and the United States commemorated the agencys drive to eradicate malaria on a stamp in 1962 (1194). For more information about the new U.N. World Health Day stamps, visit their website. For a few glorious minutes on Thursday (March 15), the gray skies of Siberia were filled with gold. Unfortunately, that gold was falling out of an airplane. The plane a Cold War-era cargo aircraft called the Antonov An-12 had just taken off from Yakutsk Airport in Siberia, carrying an estimated $378 million in gold, platinum and diamonds on behalf of a private mining company. According to The Siberian Times, the plane's cargo hatch tore open during takeoff, so the plane spilled nearly 200 gold bars (weighing a total of 3.4 tons, or 3 metric tons) into the air. While most of the wayward ingots immediately landed on the Yakutsk Airport runway, the plane continued flying another 10 miles (16 kilometers) to make an emergency landing at the nearby Magan Airport, dropping cargo along the way, The Siberian Times reported. Nobody was reported injured following the golden incident, and most of the spilled treasure has since been recovered, according to a police spokesperson. The cause of the incident is being investigated. According to an official statement from the Yakutsk Airport, the wind tore off part of the plane's cargo hatch during takeoff (photos taken at the scene seem to show chunks of the plane's fuselage ripped away and deposited in the nearby snow). However, Russian transportation officials told the state-run TASS news agency that blame might lie with the plane's maintenance crew, who may have improperly secured the cargo before takeoff. The maintenance crew has since been detained for questioning. While solid bricks of gold and platinum are among the more dangerous surprises seen plummeting out of the sky lately (other oddities include boiled bats and frozen iguanas), they are also some of the more welcome treasures to turn up in the snows of Siberia. (Compare them, say, to a sack of 54 severed hands improperly disposed of by a local forensics lab.) If you are attracted to the idea of living somewhere with frequent rains of precious gemstones, however, a more reliable bet might be the planets Uranus or Neptune; researchers think it might rain diamonds on those worlds year-round. Originally published on Live Science. Four things are true: One, a startup called Nectome plans to embalm the living brains of dying people, with the promise that the preserved tissues might someday be brought back to life. Two, the grim plan has gotten a ton of press coverage in the past few days, ever since MIT Technology Review covered it on Tuesday (March 13). Three, most of that press coverage doesn't cite any outside neuroscience experts. And four, all of the experts that Live Science contacted to discuss the story have expressed, one way or another, that they found the plan ridiculous. Nectome plans to insert itself into the process of physician-assisted suicide. The company wants to flood the arteries of living people who have terminal illnesses with embalming fluid to preserve their brain tissue. The idea is that the dead organ would then be converted into a map of all the connections among neurons constituting a complete, physical "connectome," from which a person's consciousness might one day be resurrected. The evidence that they can pull it off? They've managed to successfully preserve a pig's brain "so well that every synapse inside it could be seen with an electron microscope." The company also says, somewhat ghoulishly, that the process is "100 percent fatal." [Top 10 Weird Ways We Deal With the Dead] Here are some of the first responses Live Science got from three neuroscientists and their graduate students after contacting them in the last 48 hours to seek their opinions of the company: "Oh, lord." "Don't you think it's not even worth reporting? You're just giving them more publicity." "Oof, OK." The last quote came from Jens Foell, a neuroscientist at Florida State University who specializes in using neuroimaging (MRIs, mostly) to study the relationship between the brain's doings and a person's behavior, perception and personality traits. It's "cool" that Nectome managed to preserve the pig brain, Foell told Live Science, but what the company preserved is "not the whole story" of what that brain was or the information it processed and contained. "It's true that synapses are where all the action happens," he said. "But cell firing behavior is determined by other things, including processes within the cells that are determined by proteins that are much smaller than synapses (and some of them are short-lived)." The connectome Connectome research is a real and interesting scientific pursuit. But, as Scientific American reported in 2012, it's genuinely unclear how much information the connectome can provide even about creatures like the worm Caenorhabditis elegans, which has had its entire connectome mapped. Many neuroscientists believe, Scientific American wrote, that even a complete connectome offers barely enough data to "scratch the surface" of C. elegans' behavior. See more Sam Gershman, a computational neuroscientist at Harvard University, spelled out for Live Science the problems he sees with Nectome's claims about the connectome. "The connectome is without a doubt necessary for memory, in the sense that if you removed all the connections, you wouldn't remember anything," he wrote in an email. He added that "Most memories don't depend on single neurons (this would be catastrophic, since cells die all the time)." But just because the connectome is a part of how your memory works, that doesn't prove that future scientists could somehow reconstruct your memory from it, he said. [What Happens When You Die?] "The important question," Gershman wrote, "is whether the connectome is sufficient for memory: Can I reconstruct all memories knowing only the connections between neurons? The answer is almost certainly no, given our knowledge about how memories are stored (itself a controversial topic)." Gershman said that it's "questionable" whether scientists have learned anything meaningful about personality and behavior from connectome mapping. "The critical thought experiment is to ask whether you could write a computer program that recapitulates these cognitive phenomena using the connectome," he said. In other words, does any kind of working model exist that would show how a brain that encoded key information purely in its connectome would work? "There has been very little work of this kind," Gershman said, "because the connectome is a fundamentally impoverished source of information about brain function." Like Foell, Gershman said that there is a lot of key information that's simply missing from the kind of connectome map Nectome aims to preserve. "You need to know the synaptic strengths, if they're excitatory/inhibitory, various time constants, what neuromodulators are present, the dynamical state of dendritic spines. And that's all assuming that memories are even stored at synapses!" he said. Neuroscientists still just don't know what a memory looks like in the brain, which makes any company claiming to be able to preserve memories worth questioning. Live Science asked Gershman whether he would encourage people to spend money on a service like Nectome's. "No," he said. "A person's complete memory cannot be reconstructed from a set of electron micrographs." Originally published on Live Science. And then there was that time I was an "astronaut" for a day, courtesy of National Geographic and its documentary "One Strange Rock." NEW YORK Looking down at the vast curve of planet Earth hundreds of miles below, I can see its white cloud cover stretching over expanses of blue ocean. This may be the closest I'll ever get to outer space, but I haven't left Midtown Manhattan. I'm peering at our distant world using a special "space" helmet that re-creates the dizzying sensation of hovering far above the planet. Displayed across my visor and on those of my fellow "astronauts" in the seats of a small theater were excerpts from "One Strange Rock," a new documentary series from the National Geographic Channel that showcases the beauty of our planet as seen through the eyes of astronauts, the only people who have viewed it firsthand from hundreds of miles above Earth's surface. At the theater event Wednesday (March 14), National Geographic offered a preview of the new series with a special presentation of video footage that mimicked the experience of seeing Earth from a vast distance. Though the series will air on television without this immersive experience, the "space" helmets will also be used in presentations and programs at schools and planetariums in several U.S. cities in the near future, according to a statement from Nat Geo. [What a View: Amazing Astronaut Images of Earth] Take your protein pill, and put your helmet on Nat Geo created these helmet theaters to help users see Earth as astronauts do. The helmet is somewhat like a virtual-reality (VR) headset, in that it replaces the user's perspective of the world around them. But its internally projected field of view is much wider than is typical for VR headsets, and users can freely move their heads within the helmet to look around at the screen, much as an astronaut might rotate their head to take in the view while on a spacewalk, according to the statement. Each helmet contains a built-in media player and laser projector along with a tiny exhaust fan mounted at the top, and all helmets at the screening were synced wirelessly and activated simultaneously by remote. Footage that played on the inside of the visor was mapped to fit the curvature of the projection surface and projected with fisheye optics so that it did not look distorted. Tiny projectors mounted at the top of the helmets displayed footage on the insides of the visors. (Image credit: Eduardo Munoz/ National Geographic) In preparation for our "launch," we first buckled on a harness topped by a rigid base that covered our shoulders and necks; the helmets were attached after we took our seats, and once we lowered the visors, the show began, appearing on a curved screen just a few inches away from our noses. Planet Earth is blue After the screening, the helmets came off, and it was time for the real astronaut stars of the series to take the stage, to describe what it's like to view our home planet from space. For former NASA astronaut Mae Jemison, who conducted experiments while on the Earth-orbiting Space Shuttle Endeavour in 1992, the experience reinforced her existing sense of her relationship to the planet and the other forms of life that we share it with even the ones that are too small to see. "I cannot process food by myself I need the little microbes in my gut that are part of me to process my food," Jemison told Live Science. "For my food to be grown, I need the microbes and all the minerals that were in the soil. That's what this is about this balance, and how we're connected to this world." [Earth Pictures: Iconic Images of Earth from Space] Visual effects enhance a view of Earth captured by the International Space Station. (Image credit: NASA) And how did the views in "One Strange Rock" in the helmets or on conventional screens measure up against the real thing? "I think it portrays that really well!" former NASA astronaut Mike Massimino, who performed two spacewalks to repair the Hubble Space Telescope in 2002 and 2009, told Live Science. "Especially the emotional aspects of it, and how we can use that experience of flying in space to tell the story of our home planet." Astronauts are often asked to describe the feeling of being in space and looking down at Earth from far away an experience that is shared by only a handful of people. "One Strange Rock" conveys not only how space looks to astronauts but how it feels to be out there, looking back at their distant home, retired Canadian Space Agency (CSA) astronaut Chris Hadfield, who served on three space missions, including a stint as commander of the International Space Station from 2012 to 2013, told Live Science. Seeing Earth from a distance was "a deeply personal experience," Hadfield said. Even without the helmets, "One Strange Rock" presents a unique and emotional view of Earth, from tiny air bubbles generated by algae, to the sweeping vista of our "blue marble" planet nestled against the inky, star-speckled backdrop of space. "One Strange Rock" is executive-produced by Jane Root and her production company Nutopia, and premieres March 26 at 10 p.m. Eastern/9 p.m. Central time on the National Geographic Channel. Original article on Live Science. This week, reports and bizarre images of a group of five mummy-like bodies from Peru that have three-fingered hands led to claims by some that the mummies are not human and may be aliens. Clearly, they aren't aliens. But even so, what gives? Are they even real mummies? Live Science has found that some of these mummies may represent a combination of the looting and manipulation of real human mummy parts. One of the mummies "looks like a typical Nazca mummy, in the flexed, seated position," said Andrew Nelson, a professor of anthropology at the University of Western Ontario, in London, Canada. (The Nazca people were an ancient culture in Peru who bundled up their mummies in textiles and constructed the sprawling geoglyphs called the Nazca lines.) Grotesquely, the hands and feet seen on this mummy, and possibly the others, may also be parts of real human mummies that have been manipulated by forgers, the white coating added afterward to hide the manipulations, said Nelson, who is not involved with research on the mummies. [Photos: The Amazing Mummies of Peru and Egypt] A number of other researchers also believe that real human mummy parts were used to create these fakes. A dozen Peruvian mummy researchers have put out a statement condemning the practice saying that it "has violated numerous national and international norms." One of the researchers who signed the statement told Live Science that "I particularly find repulsive that anyone would [dare] to dehumanize deceased human bodies. You can't take away the condition of human to a human being!" said Guido Lombardi a professor of forensic sciences at Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia. According to Jose Jaime Maussan Flota, who is a journalist working with researchers studying these mummies, members of the team pay Mario an undisclosed sum to view the mummies, take samples of them and conduct X-rays and CT scans on them. Looted in Nazca The mummies were supposedly discovered in 2015 by tomb robbers working in the Nazca region, an area where the ancient Nazca culture flourished. The mummies come from "a group of 'huaqueros,' or archaeological treasure hunters, from the city of Palpa," said Thierry Jamin, president of the Inkari-Cusco institute. Jamin is involved with research on the mummies and refers to the head of this looting group as Mario. "Mario is a treasure hunter. He is a delinquent, who is well known to the police services of the Nazca region. It [his group] has looted archaeological sites on the Peruvian coast for more than 20 years. And justice does not do much to stop him," Jamin said, claiming that he informed Peru's Ministry of Culture about Mario's activities, but has not heard back from the ministry. Officials from the Ministry of Culture did not return requests for comment from Live Science. Mysterious researcher Videos showing investigations of the mummies have appeared on the sites gaia.com and the-alien-project.com. The lead researcher for the group studying the mummies, a man named Konstantin Korotkov, gave an interview recently in Russian for the Russian Mir 24 TV station. The news site RT (formerly Russia Today) claims that Korotkov said that the mummies have 23 pairs of chromosomes (like a human), but their anatomy looks non-human. "They [the mummies] could be extraterrestrials or bio robots," RT quotes Korotkov as saying. In a video on gaia.com, Korotkov claims that radiocarbon-dating results show that one of the mummies (the same one that Nelson says looks like it was made with parts from a Nazca mummy) dates back around 1,700 years, a time when the Nazca culture was flourishing. Korotkov did not reply to requests for comment and the university gaia.com claims he is affiliated with (St. Petersburg University in Russia) shows no record of him online. Officials at the university did not reply to requests for comment. Another affiliation given in the media for Korotkov the National Research University in St. Petersburg doesn't seem to exist. The National Research University Higher School of Economics has a campus in St. Petersburg but again no mention of Korotkov on that university's website and officials with the university did not return requests for comment. Korotkov's personal website sells a product called Bio-Well that he claims can detect "human light." He makes no mention on his website of being a professor at St. Petersburg University in Russia or a National Research University in St. Petersburg. Mummy looting While the three-fingered mummies clearly seem to be fakes of some kind, scientists have discovered numerous mummified remains in Peru, including 171 mummies from tombs excavated near the site of Tenahaha, which date back around 1,200 years. [Photos: Hundreds of Mummies Found in Peru] While some mummies in Peru have been discovered by scientists, others, such as the ones that may have been used to create these "aliens," are stolen by looters, who are known to ransack ancient Peruvian tombs before archaeologists are able to scientifically excavate them. The United States has restricted the import of artifacts from Peru in an attempt to stem the tide of looting. While Mario and his gang may still be pillaging tombs, the situation has been improving, said Ann Peters, a consulting scholar at the University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology. "The protection of archaeological sites has greatly improved in the last decade with the establishment of legal requirements for environmental and heritage impact studies, the establishment of the Ministry of Culture and the employment of more professional archaeologists," Peters said. "However, some looters and traffickers in antiquities still exist in Peru, as well as in the United States and other countries." Originally published on Live Science. A robot built at MIT has reportedly set a world speed record for solving a Rubik's Cube, cutting the previous record of 0.637 seconds (set by another robot in 2016) down to just 0.38 seconds. If robots had grandparents, this one's would be very proud. The Rubik's-solving robot was constructed at MIT this January by Ben Katz, a mechanical engineering graduate student, and Jared Di Carlo, an electrical engineering and computer science student, at a student-run hacker lab. According to a news release from MIT, the two became inspired when they noticed a design flaw in footage of the previous robot record-holder, a compact sphere of whirling motors created by German engineer Albert Beer. [Super-Intelligent Machines: 7 Robotic Futures] "We watched the videos of the previous robots, and we noticed that the motors were not the fastest that could be used," Di Carlo said in a statement. "We thought we could do better with improved motors and controls." In their new speed-solving bot, Katz and Di Carlo engineered individual motors to control six metal rods gripping the cube's six faces. Two webcams send footage of the cube to a nearby computer, helping the robot identify which colors fall on which face of the cube at a given time. Working from this information, the robot solves the cube with an algorithm previously used in other Rubik's-solving robots. In the video above, you can see the whole process in action just don't blink. While our fleshy human fingers cannot hope to best the whirling motors and metal grips of robots like these, professional human speedcubers have set some pretty mind-boggling speed records of their own. The current world speed record for solving a Rubik's Cube is held by SeungBeom Cho, who solved a jumbled cube in 4.59 seconds at a 2007 World Cube Organization competition. According to the Rubik's Cube community Ruwix.com, Cho beat the previous world record by just one-tenth of a second. Members of the machine uprising resistance movement, take heart: Although robots may be much faster than humans at solving Rubik's cubes, flipping hamburgers and climbing up sheer vertical walls, they still look ridiculous trying to open doors. Originally published on Live Science. Disappointment River: Finding and Losing the Northwest Passage By Brian Castner Doubleday. 334 pp. $28.95 --- In a sense, this book grew out of a mistake. Back in 1778, the great English explorer James Cook discovered a body of water - Cook Inlet, as it came to be known - in what is now Alaska. But he mistook the inlet for an outlet, as well as a portion of the Northwest Passage, a much-sought-after transportation corridor from Europe to Asia via the waterways of North America. (In its classic formulation, the passage was pictured as a sea lane, but a route through the North American interior might have served the purpose.) Eleven years later, Alexander Mackenzie, a Scot representing a Montreal-based fur company, tried to confirm Cook's theory by tying together the segments of the putative interior passage, starting on the St. Lawrence River, crossing lakes, following rivers, portaging where necessary and emerging at Cook Inlet, from which it was a straight shot to the Pacific Ocean. Mackenzie, too, had a body of water named after him: the 1,100-mile-long river canoed by him and his crew during the latter part of their journey. By the time Mackenzie arrived at river's end, however, he knew he'd failed. Or, rather, geography had failed him. The stream, known locally as the Deh Cho, had swung north and emptied into the Beaufort Sea, an arm of the Arctic Ocean, which, being iced over most of the time, was not a reliable throughway. (For the record, at their closest, the Mackenzie/Deh Cho River and Cook Inlet are about 700 miles apart.) If not for the mystique of the Northwest Passage, Mackenzie wouldn't have made the trip, and the same probably goes for Brian Castner, a former U.S. Air Force officer who scratched a 21st-century itch to follow in Mackenzie's wake. In "Disappointment River" Castner alternates an account of Mackenzie's voyage with a chronicle of his own repeat in the summer of 2016. In need of a second paddler, Castner lined up four friends, each of whom would take a turn, "like runners in a relay race, and pass me as the baton." That's a nice simile, but Castner is an uneven writer whose ultra-compressed sentences can leave the reader scratching his head: e.g., "It was a worn massif, indicative of an exhausted range that would succumb to the riverine thoroughfare [Mackenzie] transited." At his best, however, Castner has the Conradian ability to make you see and feel, as when he conjures up a summer-long plague with a few strokes: "The interior of our tent was ... polka-dotted, brown on yellow, every surface covered with mosquito body parts and our own blood." Or, even pithier, as he drives to his put-in point through a cloud of flies, "My windshield was a murder wall." "Disappointment River" abounds in vivid details. Transportation in Mackenzie's time was so slow, Castner tells us, that it could take 3 1/2 years for a fur company to be paid for its wares. The mystery of how certain trees could have lost their crowns, and nothing else, to axe blows was cleared up when Mackenzie took a winter walk and found himself standing on a snowbank so high that "these towering stumps were at his knees." While navigating a wide channel raked by winds, Castner's co-paddler sometimes "hit air instead of water, and it looked like he was swatting at the waves to keep them at bay." On the last, Arctic leg of the trip, "the sun warmed our backs, and we stripped down to our T-shirts, but [I] still wore long underwear and pants and wool socks and boots below, because my toes were still numb in the shade of the canoe even as my face and ears sunburned." Framing these interludes of astonishment, however, were days of sweatshop drudgery, with nowhere to pull over and make camp. "Of all the plagues of the Deh Cho," Castner sums up, "the worst is emptiness." The emptiness may have hit him especially hard because he was always on the clock. His colleague-shuffling required multiple airplane flights, and as one rendezvous succeeded another, Castner had no time to leave the river corridor and do a little poking around. Nor did it help that some of the indigenous villages where he stopped for supplies were bogged down in alcoholism. The young people in these hamlets have few, if any, prospects for work, and teenage drunkenness there is often the prelude to a troubled adulthood. In the last pages, Castner lets Mackenzie sum up his 1789 trip, whose outcome he faced with clear eyes. "Tho I was disappointed ... [my expedition] proved without a doubt that there is not a North West passage below this latitude and I believe it will generally be allowed that no passage is practicable in a Higher Latitude, the Sea being eternally covered with ice." Yet even negative results can be useful, and Mackenzie's masterful effort earned him a knighthood. It will also "generally be allowed" - though not by President Trump's muzzled Environmental Protection Agency - that profligate burning of fossil fuels is changing the world's climate. When Castner and his last paddling partner reached the Beaufort Sea, they found it ice-free. We finally have a Northwest Passage, but at what a cost! --- Drabelle, a former contributing editor of The Washington Book World, writes frequently about exploration. Young China: How the Restless Generation Will Change Their Country and the World By Zak Dychtwald St. Martin's. 293 pp. $25.99 --- Leftover in China: The Women Shaping the World's Next Superpower By Roseann Lake. Norton. 271 pp. $26.95 --- Most Americans paying the minimal amount of attention now recognize China as the world's ascendant economic superpower, destined by its sheer size to soon supplant the United States. China is known as America's most important trading partner and the main culprit behind what President Trump calls an unfair trade imbalance. China is seen as more assertive militarily - and on a potential collision course with the U.S. Navy in the South China Sea. The Chinese, by contrast, remain something of a mystery to Americans, most often seen through a few crude stereotypes. There are the stodgy Communist Party bureaucrats with their dyed black hair. There are the millions of industrious factory workers toiling endless hours assembling iPhones and electronics. There are dissident activists and hyperpartisan nationalists. There are billionaires and beggars. And there are legions of high-achieving, high-test-scoring students descending on American college campuses. For a country many see as inheriting the mantle of global leadership, China's ordinary people remain remarkably opaque, a blank slate on which Americans draw their own ideas, hopes and fears. Inevitably, there are misunderstandings. Perhaps the biggest misconception of the past two decades has been that as China grew richer, the Chinese would become more like Americans - including demanding more openness, freedom and democracy. The irony is that while Americans have such a limited understanding of China's people, young Chinese know more about America, despite growing up under a strict censorship regime. China's millennials, those born in the 1990s, grew up with the Internet, iPhones, and regular doses of American television and popular culture. They learned English watching "Friends." They followed the exploits of Frank Underwood, the conniving politician on "House of Cards." Many are more widely traveled than their American counterparts. Recent books by American authors attempting to explain contemporary China could fill more than a few floor-to-ceiling bookcases - academics, journalists, businessmen, economists and former government officials have tried to tell us everything we need to know about the next global superpower. But most take the 30,000-foot view and have the distant quality of the outsider looking in. What has been missing is a more granular look at the ordinary lives of China's everyday people, expressing, in their own words, their dreams, worries and aspirations. Two new books attempt to fill the void. "Young China," by Zak Dychtwald, focuses on China's millennials. "Leftover in China," by journalist Roseann Lake, narrows in on an even smaller subset: well-educated, professional women trying to navigate their careers while facing the traditional imperatives of finding husbands and starting families. The problem inherent in the granular approach is assuming that any individual's story can capture the complexity and diversity of a country as vast and as populous as China. The trick is to avoid sweeping generalizations about 1.4 billion people. Dychtwald's is more of a hopscotch across different themes, represented by new characters introduced in each chapter. We meet an obsessive studier named Bella; a young professional named Li who still lives off handouts from his parents; Lily, who undergoes cosmetic eyelid surgery to convey a more Western-looking appearance; a gay friend named William; and the author's best friend, Tom, who is intent on becoming a Communist Party local official. Lake relies on a cast of recurring characters who sometimes seem like Chinese versions of the four "Sex and the City" cosmopolitan-sipping cohorts: Christy, Zhang Mei, June and the mysterious Ivy, who works full-time as a mistress to married men but is considering "retiring" before her looks begin to fade. Both books suffer when the authors resort to the same narrative device of portraying themselves as incredulous innocents abroad - the outsiders looking in - naively trying to understand their often incomprehensible Chinese friends. What is most valuable is when the Chinese characters are allowed to speak for themselves. From Dychtwald's book, the better of the two, we learn that Chinese millennials, unlike their jaded American counterparts, are still dreamers and strivers, and have faith that they can achieve their dreams. They also crave freedom - but not freedom in the Western sense, like the right to vote in elections. What they seek is freedom from thousands of years of cultural strictures and familial obligations, including the intense pressure to perform well on exams, enter a prestigious university, land a high-paying job, buy an apartment, find a suitable marriage partner, produce an heir and eventually care for their aging parents. The young Chinese he profiles are searching for means of individual expression, any way to differentiate themselves from the masses. One young woman named Jing describes herself as "feeling like an ant in a big anthill of a gazillion people, all trying to run to the top at the same time." Whether it is filling out a job application, beefing up their profile on a dating app or undergoing eyelid surgery, the goal is to make themselves stand out. Also enlightening is learning that China's millennials consider censorship more of an occasional annoyance than a major intrusion on their daily existence. They are vastly more concerned with following the rise and fall of property prices, swapping articles and videos among friends in their personal WeChat groups, and finding the best prices on the massive online shopping site Taobao. "We get that we are censored," says one friend, Cindy. "It's annoying, but we get what is going on." Lake clearly has less material to work with, so she supplements the stories of her female friends with her firsthand reportorial exploits, including interviews with various sexologists, a mixer event for singles and a visit to a ba zi expert, a kind of Chinese fortune teller who uses astrological signs to predict fate and destiny. Lake judiciously sprinkles her book with citations and lengthy quotes from dozens of experts, including journalists, historians and anthropologists. So that makes it even odder that she fails even once to cite the obvious inspiration for this book, researcher and author Leta Hong Fincher, whose 2014 book, "Leftover Women: The Resurgence of Gender Inequality in China," is considered the seminal work on the same topic. Lake's exclusion of any acknowledgment of Hong Fincher's work unleashed a torrent of criticism among the China-watching community on Twitter. On Feb. 16, ChinaFile, the Asia Society's respected online magazine, announced on Twitter that it was removing an interview with Lake, saying she did not respect scholarly or journalistic principles. Hong Fincher, on Twitter, revealed that she and Lake had traded emails and exchanged ideas on the topic of gender inequality in China, after Lake complimented her on a 2011article for Ms. Magazine that was the precursor to her book. "This is not fun for me. I can't sleep. I am in agony. I wonder if I should give up writing because I am not getting any rewards for my years of extremely hard work," Hong Fincher wrote. Her supporters have called it another case of a Caucasian writer expropriating and then erasing the work of a writer of color. In a February statement, Lake acknowledged the influence of Hong Fincher's research and said she did credit her in earlier articles that appeared in Salon and Foreign Policy in 2012. But she said she deliberately avoided reading Hong Fincher's book "because I was working on the manuscript for my own book, and I chose to stay focused on the stories of the women whose lives I feature in it." "The women I interviewed led me to see things from a different perspective and I have relied on the work of other scholars, as referenced in my book, to relay their stories," Lake said in the statement. "My publisher stands with me as I say that ultimately, we are all rooting for the same women." The controversy detracts from what might otherwise have been a useful contribution to the growing collection of China books. But what will be more valuable, and what I most look forward to, are the books by China's millennials and professional women telling their own stories, in their own words, writing in English and without the filter of their American interlocutors. --- Richburg, a former China correspondent for The Washington Post, is the director of the Journalism and Media Studies Center at the University of Hong Kong. The List: A Week-by-Week Reckoning of Trump's First Year By Amy Siskind Bloomsbury. 509 pp. $28 --- Can It Happen Here?: Authoritarianism in America By Cass Sunstein (ed.) Dey St. 481 pp. $17.99 --- It's a journalistic conceit of the Trump era - every day feels like a week, every week like a month, every month like a year, and so on until a four-year term feels like a lifetime. "What A Year This Month Has Been," declared HuffPost on Jan. 31, in a typical sample of the genre. Good thing February only had 28 weeks this year. President Trump comes at you fast, and the whiplash of firings, tweets, shake-ups, indictments and alternative facts can be a lot to take. That's why Amy Siskind's "The List" is such an unusual and essential book. It's hard to read it straight through, except that's the whole point. Immediately after Trump's election, Siskind began a weekly online compilation of all the deeds by the incoming administration - the "Trump regime," she calls it - that were, in the parlance of the resistance to which she dedicates her book, "not normal." Every norm broken, every conflict of interest flaunted, every institution degraded, every truth casually disregarded: Siskind wants us to remember them all. She fears the risks of forgetting, of just letting things slide. The first week's list (Nov. 13-20, 2016) had nine items. The second week had 18. The third featured 26, including Trump's tweets about "millions" voting illegally and the continued chants of "lock her up" at a Trump rally in Cincinnati. Soon, each week's list swelled to more than 100 items. "The List," in book form, attempts a compressed history of Year 1, a year that Siskind contends undercut America's freedoms and values bit by bit, thus requiring "a trail map for us to follow back to normalcy and democracy - a journey, sadly, I suspect will take years if not decades to travel." Siskind is not subtle about her mission. When the tagline for your website is "This is how democracy ends," virtually everything you see is scandalous. She overreaches at times, yet there is power in the accumulation, repetition and relentlessness of "The List." As Noah Feldman writes in "Can It Happen Here?," a new essay collection edited by his Harvard Law School colleague Cass Sunstein, "Civil society actors are the first and most public to say dramatically that democratic structures are in danger ... [they] think of themselves as sentinels." And the role of the sentinel, Feldman explains, requires "some aggressive outrage," even a "paranoic bent." Siskind is up to the task. Even for dedicated news junkies, it is remarkable how much we can forget, in the shock of the moment, about the previous shock of the moment. Reading "The List," I realized I'd forgotten that Trump went out of his way to give the announcement of his Supreme Court nominee a reality-television, who-will-he-pick vibe (Week 12). I'd forgotten about the insidious incompetence of a $2 trillion double-counting error in Trump's 2018 budget proposal (Week 28). I'd forgotten that Trump chose his son Eric's wedding planner to oversee federal housing programs in New York (Week 31). And I'd forgotten about Kellyanne Conway's invocation (Week 12) of the Bowling Green Massacre (Week Never). But "The List" also forces its readers to reconsider things they remember too well and to wonder why. The dismissal of White House communications director Anthony Scaramucci, for instance, gets one sentence in this book, and that is really what it deserves. "[John] Kelly asserted his authority as chief of staff on Monday, firing Scaramucci immediately," Siskind writes, and her spare phrasing injects perspective into an event that consumed the Washington press for days. There are moments when Siskind encompasses too much, when her comprehensiveness veers toward indiscriminate. It doesn't much matter, for instance, that GQ labeled Trump "the laziest president in American history" or that CNN's Fareed Zakaria worried aloud that the United States was "becoming irrelevant" on the international scene. "The List" is effective when it catalogs fact, not opinion. A few weeks into her effort, Siskind begins prefacing the weekly rundowns with her own analytic summaries, which are some of the least enlightening portions of the book. "Trump has lost control of the narrative," we learn in Week 20. The following week, he still "struggled to take back the narrative." Twenty-one weeks later, the president remained "unable to control the narrative." (Reminder: "The narrative" is a made-up thing.) Every other week is described as the "most alarming" or "worst" or "most heartbreaking" of the Trump era. And Siskind attributes assorted Trump-related reversals - such as the fall of Fox News icon Bill O'Reilly or the early legislative struggles of Trump's health-care proposals - to the anti-Trump resistance, without much explanation. "The List" is most useful in its ruthless deployment of repetition and specificity. For weeks on end, Siskind reminds readers that Trump had accused President Barack Obama, without evidence, of wiretapping Trump Tower. "Five weeks have passed. ... Six weeks have passed. ... Seven weeks have passed ..." since the initial charge, and Siskind delights in presenting virtually the same sentence each time. She charts the slow-motion fiasco that is Jared Kushner's security clearance and financial disclosures. She dwells on the president's habitual disdain for vital information, including daily intelligence reports and State Department briefings prior to conversations with foreign leaders - the sort of thing that might tell you if, say, the United States has a trade deficit or surplus with Canada. She highlights Trump's efforts to claim credit for what he did not achieve (particularly job growth before he took office) and deflect responsibility for what he did, as when he blames the generals for the deadly Niger ambush in October. She registers the administration's unending high-level vacancies, making clear how they often occur in departments and agencies for which Trump has little interest or excess suspicion. She scours news reports for every time White House aides seek to enlist law enforcement or intelligence agencies in the campaign to discredit Robert S. Mueller's investigation, a probe that Trump, even in the final week on Siskind's list, dismisses as an "artificial Democratic hit job." And, most of all, Siskind lists the endless ethical breaches and financial conflicts of interest that trail this White House, the family that dominates it, and the top aides and Cabinet members beholden to it. It's one thing to know; it's another to read about them over and over and over. Siskind argues that her list reveals a concerted effort to destabilize the U.S. political system. "It turns out authoritarians do follow a fairly predictable game plan - even if new to us and our fragile democracy," she writes in the introduction. Whether homegrown authoritarianism is possible is the subject of Sunstein's volume, "Can It Happen Here?," which, for some reason, Sunstein insists "is not a book about Donald Trump, not by any means," even though it is. (He said the same about his 2017 book, "Impeachment: A Citizen's Guide." Go figure.) Several of the contributors - mainly law professors, with some diplomats, economists and psychologists tossed in - agree that American politics is susceptible to creeping authoritarianism and provide the intellectual underpinning to Siskind's minutiae. Duke University economist Timur Kuran considers two "intolerant communities" in American society, the "identitarians" and the "nativists," that derive meaning and purpose from their respective grievances and thus empower demagogues who promise to free one side from the purported outrages of the other. Few contributors fear a sudden and outright descent into autocracy. "It is a death by a thousand cuts, rather than the clean slice of the coup maker," University of Chicago law professors Tom Ginsburg and Aziz Huq write. "Because it can be masked with a veneer of legality, it can be cloaked with plausible deniability. It is always possible to justify each incremental step." Which is why Siskind is recording every one. I hope Siskind writes "The List, Vol. II," and a third and fourth as well. I would read them all. There is strength in the immutability of the exercise, a counter to government by alternative facts. But I'm not sure that simply detailing Trump's tumult and transgressions will necessarily help lead us back toward normality, not when chaos is less a hindrance to the Trump presidency than its fulfillment. "Many people think that the sense of upheaval that Trump has created in American politics means that he cannot keep going this way for long, and that his presidency is about to crack apart at any moment," Yale law professor Jack Balkin writes. "This is a mistake. Polarization and upheaval are good for him. Crisis is his brand." Visionary Women: How Rachel Carson, Jane Jacobs, Jane Goodall, and Alice Waters Changed Our World By Andrea Barnet Ecco. 514 pp. $29.99 --- They were single and married, mothers and not, educated and self-taught, financially comfortable and struggling. Their work spans the second half of the 20th century and continues into the present. They did not know one another. But in her lively new biography of Rachel Carson, Jane Jacobs, Jane Goodall and Alice Waters, Andrea Barnet makes a compelling case that these women "changed our world." Environmentalists in the broadest sense, their vision - and actions - on conservation, she shows, are nothing short of revolutionary. "Visionary Women" links her subjects chronologically, with an emphasis on the 1960s. It was then that the women became, collectively, "a kind of true north for the gathering counterculture." They were Davids aiming slingshots at the Goliath of postwar America, which was waging an all-out "war on nature" with wrecking balls and toxic pesticides, paving paradise to put up a vast suburban parking lot. In "Silent Spring" (1962), Carson shocked the nation by laying bare the enormous environmental cost of technological progress. Jacobs, in turn, was fighting to keep another fragile and beautiful ecosystem - her New York City neighborhood - from being flattened by the highways whisking white families to the suburbs. Meanwhile, Goodall camped for months in the jungles of Tanzania to bring back reports of the intelligence and sociability of chimpanzees, which upended the scientific establishment's assumption of human supremacy. Finally, Waters, more product than driver of the counterculture, built a restaurant and a worldwide reputation on the idea that the best meals were created in a respectful symbiosis between environment, farmer, chef and diner. The '60s saw the gathering of the second feminist wave, and Barnet writes that Betty Friedan might be considered a fifth "visionary" in her lineup but for the violence of her approach, her desire to blow up the system rather than safeguard what is valuable. Yet Barnet is careful not to rely on essentialist assumptions about gender. When she describes Carson's style of fostering connection rather than competing with her peers as "female," the word is set off in scare quotes. Her subjects' femaleness mattered most, unsurprisingly, to men: It was what they saw first and what some of them could not see past. Over and over Goodall fended off the sexual advances of her much older mentor. Carson was dismissed by her critics as a cat-loving spinster, and Jacobs as a "sentimental Hausfrau."Jacobs embraced her maternal identity, deploying local children, her "little elves," to knock on doors, gather signatures and draw the attention of the press. It was a way of forcing into the foreground the future that her opponents refused to acknowledge. Beyond their iconoclasm and remarkably supportive families - and of course, their gender - the main biographical trait these women share is that they all are white. When Barnet writes of the complacent world into which Carson's "Silent Spring" would erupt, "People looked inward to home and family, diverted themselves with easy pleasures, [and] turned a blind eye to social and racial injustices," she means white people - those who, like her subjects, were the intended beneficiaries of the vast postwar technological and consumer boom. Barnet, whose previous book was about the women of Greenwich Village and Harlem in the 1910s and '20s, acknowledges that the cliche of the suburban American Dream was based on segregation and exclusion. She observes that Jacobs testified to a Senate subcommittee in 1962 about endemic racism at the Federal Housing Authority and that her ideas about the failures of housing projects influenced James Baldwin, yet we don't hear voices from communities of color - the main targets of urban-renewal policies. Elsewhere, Barnet might have noted, in her discussion of the rise of agribusiness, that the patterns of racial exclusion that created the suburbs also affected rural areas, with black farmers routinely denied federal assistance to save their businesses. That less than 2 percent of the country's farmers today are African American should affect how we understand the "farm to table" relationship and who benefits from efforts to improve the food supply. Likewise, if there has truly been a "paradigm shift" in the way Americans value the natural world since Carson's book was published, it needs to extend to an understanding of the central role of race in environmental catastrophes like the Flint, Mich., water crisis. Still, Barnet makes a powerful case for a shared perspective among her subjects, likening Carson's understanding of the sea to Jacobs's view of the city, as "a balance of live and ever-evolving forces, a fluid network of exchanges, as much a (BEGIN ITAL)process(END ITAL) as a place." Goodall recorded everything about her chimpanzees in capacious detail, without hierarchy or categorization, looking "with a kind of blinkered intensity, drawing upon all her senses." Waters, a young student in France, recalled lavishing a similar attention on "what the fruit bowl looked like, how the cheese was presented, how it was put on the shelves, how the baguettes twisted. The shapes, the colors, the styles." All four women learned by immersing themselves in their environment and letting their eyes lead the way. Of the many lessons they have to teach us, this may be the most potent of all: Pay attention. --- Scutts, a literary critic and cultural historian, is the author of "The Extra Woman: How Marjorie Hillis Led a Generation of Women to Live Alone and Like It." NEW YORK - Don't expect to see a more beautiful show than "Golden Kingdoms: Luxury Arts in the Ancient Americas" anytime soon. The exhibition, at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, is a fresh, transformative take on pre-Columbian art. It boasts more than 200 objects made from gleaming gold, green and blue jade, resplendent macaw feathers, turquoise, and coral-colored, scallop-shaped Spondylus shells, among other materials. It's ravishing. But it's more than that. It's chewy. It's mind-bending. It has enough fresh scholarship behind it to make you rethink basic assumptions. And it has, at the show's end, a small but concentrated dose of world-historical drama that will stop your heart. The show turns the usual way of doing things inside out. Instead of surveying everything it can get its hands on from a single culture - the Maya, for instance, or the Inca - the Met's Joanne Pillsbury and her team zoom out to survey the full gamut of pre-Columbian cultures. Thus, the exhibition drifts nonchalantly through 2 1/2 millennia, hopping from Olmecs to Aztecs via Moche, Cocle, Maya and Mixtec. At the same time, astutely, they narrow their focus to luxury arts. Why "luxury arts"? Today, we associate the term with superfluity. Luxury objects are the stuff you spend spare cash on in a bid for status and pleasure (often when you're no longer clear on the difference). In art history, the term "luxury arts" refers to small, precious works that are neither paintings nor big sculptures. Neither assumption quite applies here. The objects in this show were made by highly skilled artisans working at specific times and in specific places, mostly in city- states. They were competing with rivals to make the most extraordinary objects they could from materials freighted with spiritual significance. Objects that aroused the senses and (here's the key thing) harnessed the divine. They were generally on the small side, which meant they could be held, worn, used in rituals, carried long distances, exchanged - and plundered. Why hasn't this been done before? In part, it's because so few of the finest objects made from materials truly precious to pre-Columbians survived the Spanish conquest. Even in the best museum collections, we tend to see only scattered examples of gold, jade, textiles and shells among endless ceramics. Don't get me wrong. I love pre-Columbian ceramics. But their relative abundance skews the story. By gathering the finest examples of what has survived in the materials these cultures valued most, and by focusing (unfashionably) on what Pillsbury describes as "innovation, excellence and ... exchanges," the exhibition supercharges our sense of the power, complexity and sophistication of these cultures. The artists who made these objects were drawn mostly from the ranks of the elites. They worked under the strict control of state authorities. The objects they made reflected "ideas of right and title," according to Pillsbury. In particular, they expressed divine power. The material that occurs most is gold, which was known to the Aztecs as "divine excrement." In fact, gold's adoption by pre-Columbian cultures and its slow, northward migration, from the Central Andes (around 2000 B.C.) to Mexico (where gold metallurgy didn't really kick in until after A.D. 1000), form the narrative spine of the show. But gold was not, for these cultures, the most valuable material. More precious - and far more difficult to obtain - was jade, which was associated with maize, the all-important food staple. Spondylus shells, which had to be dived for along the Pacific coast, were also, arguably, valued more highly than gold. The show builds on archaeological discoveries that have lately transformed our understanding of pre-Columbian cultures. One thing that has become clearer is that women often wielded great power. The discoveries of high-status burial tombs belonging to Maya queens and a Moche woman known as the Lady of Cao, each one strewn with precious objects, have made scholars rethink female roles within these extremely hierarchical societies. There are eye-popping things everywhere you look: A tiny spoon with a figurine made from 22 distinct pieces of gold and silver was most likely used to inhale hallucinogens during spiritual rituals. A mask covered in a mosaic of lustrous turquoise made its way into the collection of Cosimo I de Medici. There are several checkerboard tunics of the kind worn by Atahualpa, the Inca king, at his first meeting with Francisco Pizarro, the lowborn Spanish conquistador. And - lest we over-sentimentalize the Inca society that Pizarro and his compatriots destroyed - we also see miniature checkerboard tunics and little figurines that were part of an Inca ritual known as capac hucha, or "royal obligation." The ritual revolved around selected children, who were married in ceremonies in Cusco, the capital, and then sent in procession to distant territories, where their presence was intended to mark the limits of the empire and invoke the spirit of the ancestral landscape. The children were then killed and ritually buried - with the figurines. Elsewhere, we learn, via golden necklace beads and waist adornments depicting a deity known as the Spider Decapitator, about spiritual connections in Moche culture between spiders and warriors. Much like spiders in their webs, Moche warriors tied captured enemies with ropes and drained their blood. Civilizations are built on violence. They have always depended, too, on the rape of nature. We might wish it otherwise, but often the most beautiful things tax nature most heavily. Case in point: the stunning panels made from thousands of brightest yellow and blue macaw feathers. Made between A.D. 600 and 900, they were discovered in a cache in Peru in the middle of a world war - 1943. Panels made from macaw feathers do not begin to compare in egregiousness with what we are doing to nature today. But they might be an early example of a human compulsion we don't seem willing to outgrow. The beauty all through this show is intense. The objects in it were made not just to please the eye, but to appeal to other senses: the touch and shimmer of textiles, the tinkling sound of dangling pendants, even the metallic taste of gold spoons. The heartbreak comes at the end. It hinges, of course, on the Spanish conquest, and the total moral catastrophe that ensued. Several objects open windows onto the story. One is a small picture, which - remarkably - uses colored hummingbird, quetzal, cotinga and macaw feathers instead of paint. It depicts a legendary 6th-century Mass and was sent as a gift to Pope Paul III to thank him for his 1537 papal bull. The decree recognized indigenous Americans as rational beings with souls. For all the disasters this patronizing assertion failed to prevent, it had one truly profound effect: It forbade their enslavement. Nearby, in among some Mixtec gold pendants discovered in the 1970s by an octopus fisherman from Veracruz, is an unprepossessing lump of bullion. It was melted down by men who accompanied the conquistador Hernan Cortes's men into the Aztec capital, Tenochtitlan. The Aztecs who received the Spaniards and their band of indigenous allies had since turned against them and were besieging their compound. On June 30, 1520, on the infamous La Noche Triste, or Night of Sorrows, Cortes decided to break out of the city. He instructed his men to load themselves up with as much gold as possible before, on a rainy night, attempting to escape. They were attacked while crossing the causeway. Many fell into the lake and drowned, weighed down by plundered gold. This particular bar of gold, recovered from beneath the streets of Mexico City in a 1982 excavation, was probably lost that night. --- "Golden Kingdoms: Luxury & Legacy in the Ancient Americas" Through May 28 at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. For information, visit metmuseum.org. NEW YORK - Yes, Jimmy Buffett, it's your own damn fault. Oh, I know, you had help in the commission of "Escape to Margaritaville," the lamely antiseptic musical that had its official Broadway opening Thursday night at the Marquis Theatre. But it's your songs that book writers Greg Garcia and Mike O'Malley have spun into this insufferably dumb show, about a beach bum guitarist who falls for an environmental scientist while his bartender buddy suffers flashbacks filled with tap-dancing life insurance agents. (Yup, you read that right.) "Escape to Margaritaville" also features, for reasons that won't be parsed here, leggy clouds sashaying right out of a discarded Rockettes number; a female sidekick who flies on cables to the cheeseburger station at a Cincinnati wedding rehearsal dinner; and enough bad jokes to stock a late-'60s sitcom. Example: "I was addicted to the hokey pokey," says the bartender, played by Eric Petersen, "but I turned myself around." The musical, directed (inexplicably) by Christopher Ashley, who won a Tony last season for his work on "Come From Away," is built around the Buffett song that practically everyone knows, the especially catchy one that goes, "Wasted away again in Margaritaville." It's deployed as the Act 1 finale, and the lyrics are used as such a literal guideline that one of the characters is actually "nibblin' on spongecake" as the number begins. "Wasted" was always the operative word in the song; it put you in mind of a hard-luck guy with three days' stubble getting happily stoned in some Caribbean dive bar. The prim prescriptions of "Escape to Margaritaville" don't allow for any scene that coarsely colorful. The squeaky-clean tale has the toned playboy, one Tully Mars (Paul Alexander Nolan), falling hard for Alison Luff's workaholic Rachel after she arrives at the Margaritaville Hotel with bride-to-be Tammy (Lisa Howard). The usual romantic ups and downs follow, and pretty soon Rachel is back in Ohio and pining for Tully, who meantime has become a big-time recording artist, singing Jimmy Buffett ballads and wearing Jimmy Buffett Hawaiian shirts. I was about to add: And eventually all is right in Margaritaville. But it isn't. How could Buffett and company, in this fun-starved beach party, so deleteriously have taken their eye off the ball? Oh, speaking of, at the end of the show, hundreds of beach balls are dumped on the audience. One of them ricocheted off the top of my head. It was the only thing all afternoon in the Marquis Theatre that I didn't see coming. --- "Escape to Margaritaville," music and lyrics by Jimmy Buffett, book by Greg Garcia and Mike O'Malley. Directed by Christopher Ashley. Choreography, Kelly Devine; sets, Walt Spangler; costumes, Paul Tazewell; lighting, Howell Binkley; sound, Brian Ronan; orchestrations, Michael Utley; music supervision, Christopher Jahnke. With Don Sparks, Rema Webb, Andre Ward. About 2 hours 20 minutes. $59-$169. At the Marquis Theatre, 210 W. 46th St., New York. Call 877-250-2929 or visit ticketmaster.com. Out with the old TV and in with the old TV. It's March, after all, and despite so much profound change in the making and distributing of televised content, this is still the month when networks begin to quietly unload whatever's left of the current season. Most of it is that underwhelming yet serviceable kind of TV nobody ever talks about. CBS' exceedingly bland "Instinct" (premiering Sunday) is exactly the sort of show to not talk about, the perfect expression of formulaic, March-like mediocrity. Drawn from a James Patterson novel, it could just as easily (and more memorably) be titled "Don't You Think Alan Cumming Should Have a Crime Drama on CBS?" Whether you do or don't, he now does. Cumming, whose portrayal of the dangerously loyal campaign manager Eli Gold in "The Good Wife" gave that show some of its crucially comedic edge, stars here as Dr. Dylan Reinhart, a professor who wrote a best-selling guide to psychopathic behavior. When New York Police Department homicide detective Lizzie Needham (Bojana Novakovic) shows up to one of his classes seeking his expertise for a current case, Reinhart demurs, saying he hasn't got time to work with cops. Fine, Needham says, but she wants to know: How did he know that she's a cop before she told him? "Oh, come on," he snaps. "The 'I-don't-care-how-I-look' pantsuit, the humdrum flats, the almost total absence of makeup. And the slight dip in the your posture favoring your right side, probably due to the Sig P226 holster (on) your hip." Though the line is meant to impress upon viewers that Reinhart has superior powers of observation, it also shows how "Instinct" will be leaning heavily on Cumming's powers of gay-tinged snark, just like that precocious teenager who mouths off to his elders on NBC's new sitcom "Champions." There's no need to keep viewers guessing anymore, even among CBS' doddering demo: Cumming is gay in real life and so is his character. Mulling over whether he should help Detective Needham solve a curiously symbolic murder of a nightclub patron, Reinhart must also consider the promise he made to his husband, Andy (Daniel Ings), to stay out of the sleuthing business. That's because Reinhart, we eventually learn, once worked for the CIA. Meanwhile, the professor's book editor (Whoopi Goldberg, occasionally) doesn't like his new manuscript. It's too theoretical, she whines - too academic. It needs more action, more blood. What it really needs is the kind of anecdotal stuff the professor can glean if he teams up with the NYPD. The show not as complicated as it sounds; in fact, it's unabashedly rote, following CBS' house style down to the letter, in which a pair of mismatched crimesolvers - one of them preternaturally gifted - lightly bicker and bumble their way to the arrest of a suspect. Attempts to mask "Instinct's" shortcomings with Cumming's dapper, devilish manner don't help all that much. ABC reveals a similar case of the March doldrums with two tepid and predictable new dramas from the factory known as Shondaland - the production company overseen by frequent hitmaker Shonda Rhimes, whose magic touch and/or guiding influence has graced "Grey's Anatomy," "Scandal" and "How to Get Away With Murder." Rhimes, as you may have heard, recently signed a big deal with Netflix, which is rapidly on its way to throwing more TV spaghetti noodles against the wall than all three networks combined. That move might or might not be a good thing. Shondaland's prowess certainly shows some fatigue in "For the People," a legal drama that premiered on March 13, and in "Station 19," a firefighter drama that premieres next Thursday (March 22). Both shows strongly suggest that Shondaland could use a creative jolt. In creator (and "Scandal" writer) Paul William Davies' "For the People," a group of eager young attorneys begin their first day at U.S. District Court in Manhattan, where half of them have been chosen to work as prosecutors and half to work as public defenders. These newbies are the cream of the crop, including BFFs Sandra Bell ("Girlboss's" Britt Robertson) and Allison Adams ("The Leftovers's" Jasmin Savoy Brown), who work together as public defenders under the watchful eye of their boss, Jill Carlan (Hope Davis), who constantly reminds her team that public defenders in federal cases seldom see a win for their clients. Instead, they're encouraged to bring back small victories in the form of plea deals and reduced sentences. "For the People" starts from the idea that the prosecutors aren't as coldhearted as they seem, nor are the public defenders as noble. But what's really interesting about the show is, well, nothing much. What's mildly intriguing, at least in the first few episodes, is the chance to see a Shondaland series in its nascent moments of restraint, when the dialogue and plot still have a chance of resonating with reality. Viewers might be surprised at the lack of dead bodies or sex in the storage closets; the emphasis is instead on young lawyers putting in extra hours to do a good job. (Is this why it's on in March? Is hard work really so dull?) Things are noticeably hotter, heavier and more Shonda-esque on "Station 19," a "Grey's Anatomy" spinoff about a station-house of exceptionally busy fire and rescue workers in Seattle. Jaina Lee Ortiz ("Rosewood") stars as Andy Herrera, a committed firefighter who seems not at all committed to Jack Gibson ("Friday Night Lights's" Grey Damon), a colleague who wants to marry her. One problem with that plan is that Andy's secret affair with a police officer (Alberto Frezza) who was once her high school boyfriend. Station 19's captain (Miguel Sandoval), who is also Andy's father and mentor, is injured in the line of duty. He decides to make Andy and Jack co-captains in his stead, to the skepticism of the entire firehouse. On that note, viewers should feel much more comfortable on this saucier side of Shondaland, where workplace sex and relationships continue unabated by either human-resources departments or social-awareness movements. The strongest feeling from these shows is a stultifying sense of been-there, done-that. In fact, that's a defining characteristic of TV dramas so far in 2018, whether on broadcast networks, high-end cable or streaming services. As quantity continues to squash quality, it's starting to feel like March all year long. If Rhimes wants to make a meaningful impact at Netflix, it might be wise to slow down the conveyor belt. --- "Instinct" (one hour) premieres Sunday at 8 p.m. on CBS. "For the People" (one hour) airs Tuesdays at 10 p.m. on ABC. "Station 19" (one hour) premieres Thursday, March 22, at 9 p.m. on ABC. Remember we told you Capital One was working on San Antonio commercials for NCAA Final Four? (If you don't, here's a link to that story.) The ads are now being released with the help of Samuel L. Jackson, who starred in the spots alongside Charles Barkley and Spike Lee. The Final Four sponsor tweeted a 30-second video on Sunday, promoting a contest that grants $4,000 to a winner who comes up with the best March Madness-themed ice cream flavor. RELATED: Headliners named for free NCAA Final Four concerts in San Antonio The commercial follows the trio on their road trip to San Antonio. With nothing more to do, they share cheesy ice cream puns about San Antonio landmarks. Spurs-loving Jackson shared the tweet days later and didn't miss an opportunity to roast Barkley, who frequently bashes San Antonio and its women. "I'd make a flavor for Sir Charles and call it 'Chuck-o-late Chip,' he tweeted. "He drove all the way to San Antonio and still hasn't found 'the a la mode.' #FanAntonio" Capital One was previously mum in sharing filming details, but fans spotted the stars during production in December. See what that looked like in the gallery above. Madalyn Mendoza is a digital reporter for MySA.com. Read more of her stories here.| mmendoza@mysa.com | Twitter: @MaddySkye A 26-year-old San Antonian is venturing into uncharted territory for a chance to win big for her family. Leanne Rae Garcia is in the running to become Jetset Magazine's next cover model. The international competition started out with thousands of women, but only one will be awarded the cover and a cash prize of $100,000. "Usually, I don't go for stuff like that," Garcia said, who has been modeling commercially for the past five years. "I'm going to do it for my sister and my mom. That's my motivation." READ ALSO: S.A. woman loses 90 pounds and now leads free fitness class Last Christmas, Garcia's 28-year-old sister who is a Type 1 diabetic began to experience renal failure. She'll have a double transplant in August - kidney and pancreas. "Because she is a Type 1 diabetic, she automatically qualifies for a new pancreas," Garcia said, adding her mom is a match for the kidney transplant. But the surgeries will require her single mother to take time off work and the family could greatly benefit from Garcia winning the prize. Both her sister and mother reside in South Texas, but the procedures will take place in San Antonio. While her family is here, Garcia said they will be staying in her tiny one bedroom apartment. RELATED: San Antonio firefighter, Navy vet wins title of 'Sexiest Vegan Next Door' "If I win this money, I can put them up in a hotel and they can be comfortable," Garcia said. The model has already beat out thousands of competitors in the last few weeks and is currently in the "Wildcard" round. With five days left to become a finalist, Garcia said, "we are getting to the wire." The last woman standing will be flown by private jet to the magazine and stay in a luxury hotel for a three-day photo shoot. Visit Miss Jetset Magazine for more information on the contest and to place your vote. jthorpe@express-news.net @jerilynnthorpe A man reported missing in the San Antonio area could be in Laredo, authorities said Wednesday. Laredo police are working with the Bexar County Sheriffs Office to locate Pete Paez Carreon. He is 81 years old, stands 5 feet 8 inches and weighs 168 pounds. One of Laredo's own will soon be off to compete for the prestigious title of Miss Texas Latina. Kennya Navarro, 22, who took the title of Miss Laredo Latina in 2017, is competing in the state-wide competition on Sunday. As the first and longest-running pageant exclusively for Latinas in Texas, Navarro said she is anxious to bring home the title. "It's a privilege for me to win," Navarro told LMTonline.com. "I wanted to do it for a good cause." READ ALSO: 2 Laredoans make Spurs' Silver Dancers team Navarro said she is aware of the negative stigma beauty pageants often bare. A pretty face, high heels and sparkling-white smiles may come with the competition, but for this particular pageant, it's something more, she said. "We see more conversations (happening) for the Latina world. More equality for women," Navarro said of the Latina pageant. "It's not all about beauty." In fact, when Navarro first began her run in the beauty pageant world in 2014, she would compete in Nike sneakers. "I couldn't wear heels," Navarro said laughing. READ ALSO: Social media reacts to death of Laredo actress, former beauty queen She also weighed 189 pounds. A fact she said became the motivation for her to work even harder. "(The pageant) has helped me to accomplish a lot of things in my life," Navarro said. As a first-generation American, Navarro's mother migrated to San Antonio from Mexico while pregnant with twins. Navarro and her twin sister were born and raised in San Antonio, but she currently resides in Laredo and is attending Texas A&M International University as a nursing student. This weekend, Navarro will make the trip to Fort Worth to compete for the title of Miss Texas Latina in hopes of moving to the next round, Miss U.S. Latina. The competition ultimately ends with the crowning of Miss Latin America of the World. "My eyes are on the crown. It's very exciting," Navarro said. Scroll through the gallery above to see past crown-holders of Miss Laredo Latina and Miss Teen Laredo Latina through the years. jerilynn.thorpe@lmtonline.com | Twitter: @jerilynnthorpe A 19-year-old Laredo man who received a 10-year probated sentence last year after pleading guilty to an accident involving death charge recently landed behind bars. Luis Gerardo Martinez repeatedly failed to follow the supervision plan designed to assist him in complying with the conditions of his probation, according to court documents obtained by Laredo Morning Times. On Feb. 21, the Webb County Community Supervision & Corrections Department filed a motion to enforce a progressive sanction, alleging that Martinez was uncooperative with probation officers. READ ALSO: Laredo man involved in smuggling incident that killed 10 immigrants reaches plea deal (Martinez) has demonstrated a lack of effort and a lack of interest in wanting to comply with the conditions of his community supervision, the motion states. The affidavit states that Martinez has been previously sanctioned under the progressive sanctions model. According to the Texas Family Code, the model is used to ensure that juvenile offenders face uniform and consistent consequences and punishments that correspond to the seriousness of each offender's current offense, prior delinquent history, special treatment or training needs, and effectiveness of prior interventions. The Webb County Community Supervision & Corrections Department declined to comment on the specific violations of his community supervision that Martinez committed, citing confidentiality issues. 49th District Court Judge Joe Lopez granted the motion on Feb. 26 and ordered Martinez to serve two days in jail. He was arrested March 9 and released March 11, Webb County Sheriffs Office records show. In August, Martinez pleaded guilty to driving a pickup truck loaded with 12 undocumented immigrants, which resulted in one death after the vehicle rolled over. Martinez was convicted in September. He received a 10-year probated sentence and was ordered to complete 800 hours of community service, submit to random drug and alcohol testing, undergo a mental health evaluation and complete a defensive driving course. On Nov. 10, 2015, a DPS trooper responded to a single-vehicle crash on Texas 255, which stretches from the Colombia Solidarity International Bridge to Interstate 35. DPS said it learned that a 2007 Ford F-150 was transporting undocumented immigrants when it failed to negotiate a curve and rolled over. Several immigrants who were in the bed of the pickup were thrown from the vehicle. Five were taken to Laredo Medical Center and Doctors Hospital while another was airlifted to the San Antonio Military Medical Center. READ ALSO: Mugshots: 8 arrested in March as part of 'Operation GOTCHA' A seventh immigrant, identified as Jesus Reyna de la Torre, was pronounced dead after he was taken to a hospital. On Nov. 19, troopers received information on the identity of the driver after Border Patrol detained a human smuggler. Records state the smuggler told authorities he knew the identity of the driver involved in the crash that killed the immigrant. (He) ... stated that the driver of the vehicle involved in the fatal crash was in fact a friend of his from Gateway Academy and that they both work for the same human smuggling organization, the complaint states. The driver was identified as Martinez. A high school student has been arrested for indicating on social media that he could be the next mass shooter, according to Laredo police. Martin High student Konrad William Maxwell, 17, was recently charged with making a terroristic threat. He is out on bond from the Webb County Jail. The case unfolded Feb. 15, when the Laredo Police Department received a tip through Laredo Crime Stoppers. READ ALSO: Six teens arrested for allegedly making threats toward Laredo-area schools Maxwell had posted on Facebook a meme showing people who have committed mass shootings with the message, We have a problem in this country and they didnt cross the border, the arrest affidavit states. Maxwell then wrote, Im next, according to the document. In an interview with police, Maxwell stated he wanted to see how many Facebook users would like his post, the affidavit states. By saying Im next, he meant he would be the next mass shooter, according to the record. He further stated he expected to get laughs and likes when he posted, Im next, the affidavit says. The court records go on to mention that Maxwell is a victim of bullying at school. He also recently became more aggressive, his mother told police, the complaint states. Maxwell allegedly told police he was experiencing suicidal thoughts. When asked about the thoughts, he said, There is no hope and that he doesnt want to live anymore, police recounted in the affidavit. He also said he believes he experiences the episodes because his girlfriend was killed in Nuevo Laredo, Mexico, four years ago, according to court documents. READ ALSO: Laredo officials respond to report of rise in violent threats at schools Ever since the mass shooting occurred at a high school in Florida in mid-February, LPD has arrested at least two adults and a slew of juveniles for allegedly making threats against schools. Earlier this month, a 12-year-old Harmony Public Schools student was detained for allegedly making a threat against a local campus. She was charged with false alarm or report emergency, a state jail felony. In late February, LPD said it had arrested one man and detained five juveniles for making threats against schools. The detainees included two Harmony students, ages 14 and 15, and Gerardo Martinez, 18. On Feb. 18, Martinez allegedly threatened to shoot up United South High and lynch an administrator, who is black. He was charged with harassment and making a false alarm or report. 1 Maine politics: A Republican state House candidate now has an opponent after he used Twitter to attack two students who survived a shooting at a Florida high school, calling one of them a skinhead lesbian and the other a bald-faced liar. Democrat Eryn Gilchrist, of Greene, filed to run against Leslie Gibson on Thursday, eliminating his chances of winning the 57th District of Maine uncontested. Gilchrist, 28, says she never anticipated that she would run for office, but felt horrified and embarrassed at the idea of Gibson representing her in the state Legislature. 2 Trump Jr. divorce: Vanessa Haydon Trump, the wife of President Trumps oldest son, Donald Trump Jr., has filed for divorce in a Manhattan court. Vanessa Trump, 40, is seeking an uncontested divorce to end her 12-year marriage to the presidents son. Trump Jr., 40, the eldest of five children from Donald Trumps three marriages, met his wife, a former model, when his father introduced them at a 2003 fashion show. They married in 2005 at Mar-a-Lago, the familys club in Palm Beach, Fla. They have five children. After 12 years of marriage, we have decided to go our separate ways, the couple said in a joint statement Thursday. BEIRUT -Airstrikes killed and burned scores of people Friday in a rebel-held suburb of Damascus, rescue workers and a monitoring group said, as the Syrian army closed in amid a growing exodus from area. Activists and doctors from the town of Kafra Batna shared photographs of charred bodies - some mangled in the wreckage, others wrapped in rugs and blankets. The Syrian-American Medical Society, a nonprofit that supports medical facilities in the area, said 61 people were killed in the attack. Rescue workers and conflict monitors said Russian planes carried out the airstrikes. Russia's Defense Ministry denied involvement. The rebel-held enclave of Eastern Ghouta has long defied Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's attempts to restore his rule over the Damascus area, and his army, backed by Russia, has pushed in recent weeks to divide the area into three pockets of opposition control. Thousands of civilians have escaped to government territory since Thursday. Many of them, dazed and exhausted, have told traumatic stories of oppression by the rebels who controlled their towns. But thousands more have run in the other direction, fearing vengeance by the security forces they resisted during Syria's 2011 uprising. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a Britain-based monitoring group, said Friday that 80 people were killed across the enclave. Describing the Kafr Batna attack Friday, Siraj Mahmoud, a spokesman for the White Helmets rescue group, said the victims had been stockpiling food for their families. "They were trying to find food," he said. "People have been trying to buy flour, anything, just to eat." In a video briefing Friday at the United Nations Security Council, Staffan de Mistura, the U.N. envoy for Syria, described fresh allegations that incendiary weapons were being used against civilians in Eastern Ghouta, as well as "disturbing" reports that munitions have been laced with chlorine, a chemical weapon. Life in the enclave, he said, has become "hell on earth." In waging the offensive, the Assad government has ignored a Security Council resolution urging a cease-fire, as well as repeated calls from the Trump administration for all sides to stop the fighting. The Russian Defense Ministry, for its part, denied reports Friday that Moscow has continued airstrikes or combat missions of any kind over Eastern Ghouta. "This is just more fake news," said a ministry spokesman, Maj. Gen. Igor Konashenkov. He added that more than 16,000 people have left the area through humanitarian corridors secured by Moscow. As Syria enters its eighth year of violence, Western diplomats say the offensive has underscored the extent to which Russia is directing the conflict, 2 1/2 years after it intervened to turn the tide in Assad's favor. "Unless we can impress upon the Russians that this is catastrophic to their broader objectives in Syria, then I don't see this ending very well at all," a European official said at a recent briefing. But analysts monitoring the conflict see few signs that the offensive was working contrary to Moscow's interests. "Russia has never paid a direct cost for its actions in Syria," said Emile Hokayem, a senior fellow for Middle East security at the International Institute for Strategic Studies. "Its current strategy is to escalate things precisely to drive home the point that there is no possible counterescalation, and that ultimately, as long as Russia can shape battlefield dynamics, then they will always get away with what they are doing militarily." The Syrian army said in a statement Friday that its forces have captured and cleared dozens of villages, towns and farms in the area. Military operations were "swift and decisive," said Brig. Gen. Ali Mayhoub. More than 1,300 people have been killed and thousands more wounded since the offensive began on Feb. 18. In a sign of just how internationalized the Syrian conflict has become, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights also said Friday that Turkish shelling and airstrikes have killed 27 people in the northern Kurdish-held town of Afrin. After a sluggish start, the Turkey-backed offensive has gathered pace in recent weeks, leaving the area's Kurdish militants encircled. - - - Matthew Bodner in Moscow and Zakaria Zakaria in Istanbul contributed to this report. CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. - A black man brutally beaten at last year's "Unite the Right" rally in Charlottesville - and who was later charged with assaulting a white nationalist - was acquitted Friday. DeAndre Harris, 20, a former special education instructional assistant, was found not guilty by Charlottesville General District Judge Robert Downer Jr. on a misdemeanor charge of assault and battery against Harold Crews, a North Carolina attorney and state chairman of the self-described white nationalist group League of the South. If Harris had been convicted, he would have faced up to 12 months in jail and a $2,500 fine. The acquittal is a relief for Harris, who was viciously beaten inside a parking garage next to the city's police department on Aug. 12, 2017. He suffered a spinal injury and head lacerations that required 10 stitches. Two months later, his legal path took an unexpected turn when Crews filed a police report and persuaded a Charlottesville magistrate to issue an arrest warrant in October on a felony charge of unlawful wounding, which carries a five-year maximum sentence. The news was cheered online by white nationalists. Before issuing his ruling Friday, Downer warned the crowd to "restrain" their emotions. As he spoke, it was unclear how he would rule, and many attendees - nearly all of them Harris supporters - looked worried. The judge also condemned both the Unite the Right ralliers and the counterprotesters. "The behavior I've seen is appalling," he said. "I can say this without question - that there was bad behavior all around." He also defended Crews. "I didn't see that he did anything wrong that day at all." In the end, the judge declared Harris not guilty because he did not intend to hit Crews with a flashlight and was trying to defend his friend, who was locked in a struggle with Crews. "I cannot find beyond a reasonable doubt that [Harris] intended to hit Mr. Crews with [the flashlight]." After he said the words "not guilty," the audience erupted. They considered Harris the only real victim of what happened that day during the parking garage confrontation. Online sleuths, led by Black Lives Matter activist and Intercept journalist Shaun King, helped track down the identities and whereabouts of several men police say assaulted Harris: Jacob Scott Goodwin of Arkansas; Daniel Borden of Ohio; Alex Michael Ramos of Georgia; and Tyler Watkins Davis of Florida. Trials are scheduled for late April and early May, though Davis' trial has not been set yet. YouTube footage from the rally shows a complicated sequence of events that led up to Harris' beating, right outside the Market Street parking garage, where dozens of members from the League of the South and Traditionalist Worker Party converged with counterprotesters. In one piece of YouTube footage, Crews is clasping a large flagpole in front of another black protester, Corey Long, who is tugging on the other end. As Long and Crews tussle over the pole, Harris, standing next to Long, swings a flashlight at Crews, whose head snaps back to the right, appearing as though he'd been struck on the head or shoulder. Crews, wearing a sport coat and bow tie in the courtroom, testified that his injury from the flashlight amounted to a large welt and several deep cuts. Harris testified that he swung the flashlight at Crews only because he believed Crews was attacking his friend and wanted to knock away the flagpole. "I [saw] Mr. Crews driving his flag into Corey, and that's when I tried to break up the altercation with the flashlight," Harris told the judge. Harris said he did not bring the flashlight to the rally as a weapon. Instead, he said, another counterprotester gave it to him for protection. Moments after the altercation with Crews, several men - one of them dressed in military tactical gear and holding a plastic shield - stormed into the garage, chasing Harris and forcing him to the ground, where he was pummeled. Video of Harris' beating tore through the Internet. The ferocity of the assault heightened the public outcry over the rally, where a driver also plowed his car into a crowd of counterprotesters killing 32-year-old Heather Heyer. James Alex Fields Jr., 20, has been charged with murder in her death. The rally was organized to oppose the removal of a Robert E. Lee statue from Emancipation Park. After the event, critics questioned the strategy and planning of the Charlottesville Police Department, whose officers frequently stood to the side and did not try to halt skirmishes or get between ralliers and counterprotesters. In December, an independent review commissioned by the city was released, and it concluded that the department's planning was "inadequate and disconnected" and that the officers' lack of preparation led to "disastrous" consequences. The report, prepared by Timothy Heaphy, a former U.S. attorney for the Western District of Virginia, said that after Harris swung his flashlight at Crews and ran into the garage, he either tripped or was pushed to the ground. He was "defenseless against a mob of angry Alt-Right demonstrators" who mauled him with flagsticks, shields and pieces of wood, the report said. When Harris escaped, the report said, he was found by Charlottesville Sheriff James Brown. By then, the report said, Harris' head had been split open, and he was bleeding. A day after the attack, Harris set up a GoFundMe page to raise money for his medical bills - he wound up more than tripling his goal of $50,000. "We will not let this fade & disappear. People are carrying real hate in their hearts for the Black Community," he wrote, "and I refuse to just let it happen." After the trial was over Friday, Harris stayed inside, away from the crowds, but his attorney, Rhonda Quagliana, emerged for a short news conference. "DeAndre and his parents want peace in this community," she said, describing him as "a young person who came here to live and work. He was a person on the cusp of adulthood and a career. I know DeAndre has had a tough, tough road. He was the victim of a terrible attack, and he's working through it. He's doing better." A Seaside, California, teacher apologized Thursday evening for firing a gun at the ceiling in a high school class, an incident which resulted in minor injuries to a student. But Dennis Alexander, who is also a reserve police officer in the nearby town of Sand City, offered no explanation for whatofficials have describedas the "accidental" discharge of his weapon. He declined a local TV reporter's request for an interview. Alexander has been trained in gun safety as reserve police officer in the nearby town of Sand City. The gun, policetold KSBW 8,was a Glock 21 .45 caliber handgun, generation 4, which was his service weapon. Daniel "PK" Diffenbaugh, superintendent of the Monterey Peninsula Unified School District, has said that Alexander was not authorized to carry a firearm on campus. He has been placed on administrative leave by the school district as well as the Sand City police department. KSBW reported that the Monterey County District Attorney is weighing charges against Alexander. David Royal/Associated Press The episode happened amid a national debate about arming teachers in the wake of the mass killing at Florida's Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School on Feb. 14. It has attracted wide attention as an example of how even a teacher trained in firearms safety can pose a hazard in school. Alexander offered his first public comments at a meeting of the Seaside City Council, of which he is a member. "First of all, I want to apologize from the bottom of my heart," he said, according to videobroadcast on KSBW."I can't find the words to say how sorry I am for the incident. I also want to thank all of those who showed support. It helps a lot. It gets me through the day." A group of students at the school showed up at the council meeting in support of Alexander. They have alsocirculated a petitionin hopes of saving his job. Students have described him as a popular mentor. Read Also: Students launch petition to save teacher's job after classroom shooting Numerous questions remain about the incident. Alexander, according to school authorities, was teaching a public safety course. Fermin Gonzalez, the father of the injured student, told reporters that it was his understanding that the teacher had told the class before pointing the gun at the ceiling that he was doing so to make sure his gun wasn't loaded. But that's something that can be determined visually. Trained gun users do not point guns to find out if they are loaded, much less pull the trigger. Why he brought the gun to school in the first place remains unanswered, along with why it was loaded. How it was "accidentally fired" remains a mystery as well. The gun,according to its manufacturer, has a safety device "incorporated into the trigger in the form of a lever." When the lever is in the forward position, it "blocks the trigger from moving rearward. To fire the pistol, the trigger safety and the trigger itself, must be deliberately depressed at the same time. If the trigger safety is not depressed, the trigger will not move rearwards and allow the pistol to fire." The injured student, Seaside Police Chief Abdul Pridgentold the Monterey County Weekly,was struck in the neck by "debris or fragmentation from something overhead." His father said the boy didn't receive medical attention until he arrived at an aunt's house several hours after the event. The aunt called the parents who took the teenager for medical treatment. Police, as well as school officials, say they will not offer further comment until an investigation is completed. Passavant Area Hospital and the Mia Ware Foundation are partnering to bring prevention and awareness for colorectal cancer with a screening kit pick up and Community Health Event this month. The free kits will be available March 28 from 4 to 6 p.m. and March 29 from 9 to 11 a.m. in the drive at the main entrance to the hospital at 1600 W. Walnut St. People can drive up, fill out a questionnaire, talk to a nurse and then complete the kit at home. The kit is returned via a postage-paid envelope, with test results sent by mail in three to four weeks. MANILA - When one of the Philippines' most prominent journalists is not busy running a newsroom, she is busy wondering about her next day in court. Maria Ressa, a former CNN bureau chief who founded a successful digital news start-up, Rappler, is more accustomed to sitting on panels about press freedom than preparing for possible arrest. But ever since President Rodrigo Duterte railed against her company in a state-of-the-nation speech last year, the walls have been closing in. Rappler was called out by the president. Investigated. Called out again. Investigated again. "It's a blatant abuse of power," Ressa said. Ressa and Rappler are at the center of a fight over the future of press freedom in the Philippines that is testing the foundations of Philippine democracy. It is a fight that resonates far beyond this U.S. ally, as the world comes to grips with a new breed of populist authoritarians who bask in positive coverage and decry the rest as "fake news." When President Donald Trump met Duterte in Manila last November, for instance, the Philippine president called reporters trying to ask questions about human rights "spies." Trump's response? A laugh, according to the transcript. Duterte was elected in 2016 on a promise to kill suspected drug users and dealers. In the nearly two years since, thousands and thousands have indeed been shot. The violence has spurred global condemnation and a preliminary examination by the International Criminal Court, but domestic opposition has been weak. Duterte largely controls his country's Congress, Senate, Supreme Court and national security forces. The Philippines' vibrant press was the last bastion of open debate about the "war on drugs." Now that is under threat, too. In Manila, there is a growing sense that the institutions of Philippine democracy are giving way as Duterte's rule becomes increasingly personalized and authoritarian. "I am very worried," said John Nery, associate editor and opinion columnist at the Philippine Daily Inquirer, one of the country's largest newspapers. "It's at the point where Duterte, confronting a journalist, said, 'Press freedom is a privilege in a democracy.' But it's one of our very first freedoms." Like populist authoritarian leaders elsewhere, Duterte has a complicated relationship with the media - courting it when convenient and targeting it when not. As the mayor of the southern city of Davao and then as a presidential candidate, he relied on coverage of his violent and misogynistic rhetoric to help build his macho persona and keep him in the news. As president, he has enjoyed the spotlight, his every speech and rude retort live-streamed to the world. But he also has railed against the press in ways that are revealing - and deeply worrying to reporters and editors. The Philippines has long been a dangerous place to be journalist; since 1986, 177 media workers have been killed here. As president-elect, Duterte said murdered journalists must have "done something" to meet a violent end. "You won't be killed if you don't do anything wrong," he said. Journalists who "disrespect" others are not necessarily protected from violent attacks, he said. "That can't be just freedom of speech. The constitution can no longer help you if you disrespect a person." Since taking office, Duterte has threatened to block the franchise renewal of ABS-CBN, a major television station that has at times has been critical of police-led violence linked to his anti-drug campaign. He also has taken aim at the Philippine Daily Inquirer's coverage. "I'm not trying to scare you, but one day karma will catch up with you," the president warned both outlets in March 2017. Months later, the Inquirer's owner said it would sell its stake to a billionaire ally of the president, a move seen by local and foreign analysts as a forced retreat. "The sale of the Inquirer to a businessman friend of Duterte is worrying," Ressa said. "The Inquirer has weathered other administrations. Here it buckled without firing a shot." Reporters, rights groups and foreign diplomats said that media outlets are now worried about becoming his next target if - as Duterte put it - they get too "rude." For Ressa and Rappler, the trouble began around the time of the 2016 presidential election, when Ressa and others started getting harassed and threatened by pro-Duterte social media accounts. This was not ordinary Internet harassment but coordinated streams of messages, including death and rape threats, that the organization has since traced back to Facebook groups and blogs that helped get Duterte elected. Ressa calls it the "weaponization" of social media. "It created a chilling effect on journalists, critics, any person who questions the extrajudicial killings," she said. In July 2017, Duterte used his first state-of-the-nation address to call out Rappler, implying without citing evidence that it was not Filipino-owned. The country's Securities and Exchange Commission opened an investigation into Rappler's ownership structure. By January, the commission had revoked Rappler's license - a speedy decision that was denounced by journalists and rights groups as political. Rappler has continued to operate while an appeal is being heard. The move against Rappler "was politically motivated," said one senior Western diplomat in Manila who was not authorized to speak to the media and spoke on the condition of anonymity. "The case is a bit complicated, but to come up with a ruling that quick has never been done." Soon after, Rappler's star political reporter, Pia Ranada, was blocked from covering presidential events. The Duterte administration first said it was due to the revocation but later admitted that Duterte was simply "irritated" at her. A presidential security official later said Ranada should consider herself lucky that security personnel did not hurt her when she was "disrespectful" to the guard who turned her away an event. Most recently, with the Securities and Exchange Commission case at the court of appeals, the government announced it is investigating Rappler for allegedly evading $2.5 million in taxes. Ressa called the move "ludicrous." Duterte's government insists it has nothing to do with the cases filed against Rappler but continues to call its reports "fake news." After calling press freedom a privilege, Duterte said in January, "You have overused and abused that privilege." "If rule of law existed, no cases would be filed," countered Ressa. "It's another mark against democracy." U.S. ambassador to the U.N. Nikki Haley is proposing a sweeping reassessment of U.S. foreign assistance with a view to punishing dozens of poor countries that vote against U.S. policies at the United Nations, according to a confidential, internal memo drafted by her staff. The move to make foreign aid conditional on political support follows a U.S. decision to cut tens of millions of dollars in assistance to Palestinian refugees, a cut made in retaliation for Palestine sponsorship of U.N. resolutions denouncing President Donald Trump's controversial recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital. Haley now wants to apply a similar principle to decisions about aid to other needy countries. "It is the opinion of the U.S. mission to the U.N. that all U.S. foreign assistance should be re-evaluated to ensure that taxpayers dollars are spent to advance U.S. interests, not to fund foreign legacy programs that provide little or no return on investment," according to the 53-page memo, which was reviewed by Foreign Policy. The Palestinian aid cuts "should serve as a fulcrum from which we use our foreign assistance leverage and measure its impact," The memo, "America First Foreign Assistance Policy" and marked sensitive, echoes Trump's oft-repeated claim that the world takes advantage of U.S. largesse while opposing American goals. The proposal also underscores the dramatic shift in Haley's own stance on foreign assistance; she began her term pledging to preserve humanitarian aid for Palestinian and Syrian civilians and to oppose "slash and burn" cuts at the United Nations. The document is part of a broader interagency review of U.S. foreign assistance initiated by Trump, who appealed to Congress during his State of the Union Address to "pass legislation to help ensure American foreign assistance dollars always serve American interests and only go to America's friends." The memo recognizes that support for U.S. positions at the U.N. is not the only condition for aid, and that in many cases it must be "disregarded in favor of US security or economic needs." Some of the largest recipients of U.S. aid, including Iraq, which votes against the U.S. 60 percent of the time, and Egypt, which "often has a more antagonistic approach to the United States in the U.N. than Russia, China and Venezuela," would likely be spared, according to the memo. But "the autopilot nature of many U.S. foreign assistance efforts is leaving far too much 'low-hanging fruit' that should be either eliminated or leveraged into greater support at the U.N. and elsewhere." The paper proposes subjecting to review nearly 40 countries that received a total of $100 million in U.S. assistance in 2016, but that vote against the United States 54 percent of the time. It notes that South Sudan, one of the top 10 recipients of U.S. aid in 2016, "votes for U.S. interests at the United Nations a paltry 47.9% of the time." The document primarily targets development programs, including infrastructure, education and energy projects, even though those kinds of overseas assistance programs are often explicitly designed to advance U.S. foreign policy interests. Development and education investments help curb radicalism, while energy and development assistance boosts economic growth and stability, lowering the chance for conflict. Haley's staff cite three U.S.-funded projects worth reconsidering in view of the recipient countries' frequent lack of support for U.S.: A $3.1 million job training program in Zimbabwe; a $6.6 million climate change program in Vietnam; and a $4.9 million school construction program in Ghana. The memo tallied $580 in total U.S. support for those three countries in fiscal year 2016, but saw support for U.S. positions in the U.N. of only 54 percent of the time (Ghana), 38 percent (Vietnam) and 19 percent (Zimbabwe.) "None voted with us on Jerusalem, even though none have a strong domestic constituency compelling the vote," the memo added. Haley's office suggested that congressional support for such a policy would strengthen its impact, but said U.S. diplomats could get better voting outcomes if they underscored the threat of losing aid money. "If our warnings fail, then, as the president said, 'we would save a lot of money,'" the memo said. Some conservatives have long bridled at the fact that countries that receive U.S. aid routinely vote against the United States in the U.N. General Assembly. "I've been of the view that votes in the United Nations should cost people, cost countries that vote against us," John Bolton, a former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations and rumored next national security adviser, recently told Fox News. Bolton recalled that former U.S. Secretary of State James Baker said that Yemen's 1990 vote against the authorization of force against the then Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein would be the most expensive vote they ever cast. "And we did cut their foreign aid," Bolton said. "And there needs to be more of that." Haley, who has frequently sought Bolton's counsel on U.N. matters, agrees. "For decades, the U.S. has been by far the world's single-largest provider of foreign assistance," her staff wrote in the memo. "Numerous countries have taken advantage of this assistance while routinely opposing us in the U.N." The memo said there is an "historic reflex" among American administrations to continue providing assistance year after year to legacy aid programs."It should stop," it states. Humanitarian aid advocates have voiced alarm. "To walk away in a casual and cavalier manner from decades of U.S. policy on humanitarian assistance is profoundly depressing," said Eric Schwartz, the president of Refugees International. "It's wrong morally and it wrong geostrategically." He said that such a posture could undermine U.S. soft power around the world. "The goodwill that the U.S. has in the world has largely been the result of the perception of international good citizenship," he said. "To walk away from that is shameful." The leading trade group for helicopter operators has, for at least two years, urged a halt to open-door tours such as the one that ended in the death of five people in the East River off Manhattan on March 11. The Helicopter Association International, which also represents pilots and others in the industry, has been warning against the growing practice of allowing people to photograph from copters without doors, and has refused to certify those operations, Dan Sweet, the group's spokesman, said in an interview. "We just believe that helicopter tours should be flown with doors closed," Sweet said. "HAI wants to create the safest possible flight for the public." The five people who died when their helicopter lost power and had to put down in the East River were tethered to the craft by ropes attached to harnesses so they wouldn't fall out through the open doors. They drowned after the craft rolled over and sank, and divers had to cut out their bodies, according to the New York Fire Department. Investigators haven't found evidence of mechanical problems with the engine, flight controls or other systems, the National Transportation Safety Board said in an email on Thursday. The pilot radioed "mayday" and said he'd lost power shortly before the impact. NTSB investigators have interviewed the pilot, the sole survivor of the crash of the Airbus AS350B2, but the agency didn't release any information about what he said. The passenger harnesses, which differ from traditional aviation seat belts, attached people from the rear and would have been difficult to remove in an emergency, said Eric Adams, a professional photographer who took a flight operated by the same company, on the same night as the accident. The passengers were given knives to cut the ropes in an emergency, though training on how to use them was limited, Adams wrote in an account for an online publication called "The Drive." The crash, along with other recent fatal helicopter accidents, prompted a consumer rights group to call on the Federal Aviation Administration to ground helicopters that don't have the latest safety features. The FAA in 1994 added requirements for such things as flammability protections, quick-release harnesses and flotation devices -- some of which might have benefited the passengers who went down in the East River, said FlyersRights.org in an emailed release. However, those standards don't apply to helicopters certified before then and weren't on 84 percent of such aircraft as of 2014, according to the group. "The pilot should be able to activate a master tether release to allow passengers to quickly egress from their harnesses," the group said. Tickets for the March 11 flight were sold by FlyNYON and the helicopter was operated by Liberty Helicopters. Attempts to reach the companies for comment have been unsuccessful. A statement on Liberty's website said it was "fully cooperating" with investigations into the crash. Doors-off photography flights have grown in popularity as the air-tour industry continually tries to come up with new ways to market itself. Companies in Las Vegas, Hawaii and elsewhere also advertise such flights. The government standards governing their operations can be less stringent than for traditional tour flights, said a person familiar with the practice. U.S. aviation regulations exempt operations including crop dusting, fire fighting and "aerial photography or survey." The helicopter association's Sweet declined to comment on what may have caused the helicopter to apparently lose power. The group's president, Matthew Zuccaro, has made his opposition to doorless flights known in conferences and in industry meetings, Sweet said. He reiterated the position as recently as earlier this month at the group's Heli-Expo trade show in Las Vegas. The association certifies the safety of helicopter operators and refuses to give its accreditation to companies that conduct tours with open doors. The FAA, which oversees the industry, is "giving urgent attention to the use of harnesses specifically for aerial photography flights," it said in a statement on Wednesday. "As a matter of overall safety awareness, we are preparing further communications and educational outreach to aerial photography operators and consumers on the use of these harnesses," the agency said. Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke on Thursday used a Japanese greeting in response to a congresswoman's question about preserving the history of Japanese American internment during World War II, drawing rebukes from lawmakers who said his remark was offensive. Rep. Colleen Hanabusa, D-Hawaii, a fourth-generation American of Japanese ancestry, asked Zinke in a hearing whether he would continue a National Park Service grant program that funds research and preserves confinement sites where the government incarcerated as many as 120,000 people of Japanese descent. She said both of her grandfathers were internees. "Are you committed to continue the grant programs that are identified, I believe, as the Japanese American Confinement Sites grants program, which were funded in 2017? Will we see them funded again in 2018?" Hanabusa asked. "Oh, konnichiwa," Zinke replied, using a Japanese greeting typically spoken in the afternoon. After an awkward pause, Hanabusa corrected him. "I think it's still 'ohayo gozaimasu,' but that's OK," she said, using the phrase for "good morning." Then she moved on. Several of Hanabusa's colleagues voiced outrage about the exchange after it circulated social media later in the day, saying Zinke had shown a profound insensitivity toward Asian Americans. "Rather than greet her like he would any other Member of Congress, he responded to her as if she did not speak any English," Rep. Judy Chu, D-Calif., said in astatement. "Whether intentional or not, his comments invoke the offensive stereotype that Asian Americans are perpetual foreigners regardless of how long their families have lived in the United States." "My colleague asked Sec. Zinke about gov't funding and received the response "Konnichiwa,'"Rep. Grace Meng, D-N.Y., wrote on Twitter. "This blatantly insensitive remark by @secretaryzinke is uncalled for and is not behavior that a cabinet secretary should exhibit." Others said it was especially inappropriate coming during a conversation about Japanese internment, under which the government forced innocent citizens into overcrowded and often unsanitary camps, separating families and seizing private property in the process. "The internment of nearly 120,000 Japanese Americans is no laughing matter," Sen. Mazie Hirono, D-Hawaii, who was born in Japan, wrote on Twitter. "What you thought was a clever response to @RepHanabusa was flippant and juvenile." An Interior Department spokesperson didn't immediately respond to a message seeking comment Friday morning. Hanabusa said in Thursday's hearing that one of her grandfathers was born in Hawaii when it was still a territory and was held in an internment camp in there during the Second World War. She didn't find out about his incarceration until he was in his 80s, she said, because Japanese Americans "just did not speak about it." "And that's been the problem that many face," she told Zinke. President Donald Trump's proposed 2019 budget doesn't seek funding - about $2 million in previous years - for the Japanese American Confinement Sites program, the goal of which is to study and preserve internment camps for the benefit of future generations. Grants issued through the program have "kept this history alive," Hanabusa said. "I believe that it is essential that we as a nation recognize our darkest moments so that we don't have them repeat again." Zinke said funding for the program "probably got caught up" as the Interior Department was considering other budget items such as national park operations. "I think it was an oversight in the budget," he said. "I understand the importance of it to American history." MOSCOW - British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson said Friday it was "overwhelmingly likely" that Russian President Vladimir Putin was behind the poisoning of a Russian former spy, in the most direct British accusation against the Russian leader to date. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov immediately shot back, saying that bringing up Putin in the context of the case was "shocking and unforgivable in terms of diplomatic behavior." Johnson's comments followed Prime Minister Theresa May's decision Wednesday to expel 23 Russian diplomats from Britain. Russia confirmed Friday it will expel British diplomats and halt high-level meetings in turn. "Our quarrel is with Putin's Kremlin, and with his decision - and we think it overwhelmingly likely that it was his decision - to direct the use of a nerve agent on the streets of the U.K., on the streets of Europe for the first time since the Second World War," Johnson said during a visit to a museum in London. The poisoning of 66-year-old Sergei Skripal and his 33-year-old daughter, Yulia, in Salisbury with a nerve agent identified by British authorities as one made only by Russia has thrown the two countries' relations into a profound crisis. Aside from confirming it would expel some British diplomats, without giving the number, Russia has been coy about its potential responses. "The Russian side has made its decisions on tit-for-tat measures, and the British side will be notified of them not in the next few hours, but in the near future," Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova told Interfax on Friday. Alexander Gabuev, a Russian foreign policy analyst with the Carnegie Moscow Center, said the delay is likely related to Sunday's presidential election. "They're either saving the response for closer to the big day or want to minimize negative news until after the election," he said. Because May delivered the British response, Putin will want to deliver Russia's. "Simply expelling 23 British diplomats probably won't be enough," Gabuev said. "There are other elements to Britain's reaction, and you need to give a 'mirror' response to that as well." The Russian government has also been vague about its response to Washington's expansion of sanctions announced Thursday against Russian individuals believed to have played a role in alleged cyberattacks and attempts to influence the 2016 U.S. presidential election. Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said Friday that Moscow would expand its own "black list" of Americans, adding that additional measures have not yet been ruled out. "Those [American] politicians are playing with fire," he said. In a separate development Friday, London police announced they are investigating as a murder case the death of Nikolai Glushkov, a 68-year-old Russian businessman found unresponsive in his London home on Monday. A pathologist report identified the cause of death as "compression to the neck." "At this stage there is nothing to suggest any link to the attempted murders in Salisbury, nor any evidence that he was poisoned," police cautioned in a statement. London's counter-terrorism officers are leading the investigation, police said, because of the "associations Mr Glushkov is believed to have had." He was a close friend of Boris Berezovsky, a Russian dissident who himself died in mysterious circumstances in 2013. The Guardian reported that earlier on Monday, Glushkov had failed to show up at a London court where he was scheduled to defend himself against charges of stealing from the Russian state airline Aeroflot. Russia also announced it would be opening an investigation into Glushkov's death. In the Salisbury case, Russia has focused its efforts on a campaign of denial and counterclaim in which officials at times have contradicted each other. On Thursday, Ryabkov claimed that Russia had never developed anything like the alleged nerve agent, identified by the British as Novichok. Shortly after, a Russian lawmaker charged that the United States stole samples while helping to decommission the facility where Novichok was made in the 1990s. Most statements have fallen somewhere in between the two extremes. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Friday continued to deny and deflect blame, claiming again that British allegations of Russian involvement in Skripal's poisoning were groundless and anti-Russian. He wished the Skripals a speedy recovery and said he hopes they can shed light on what happened when they are well. Lavrov also lashed out at Britain for not providing consular access to Yulia Skripal, who along with her father is in critical condition at a Salisbury hospital. Later Friday, Russia's Investigative Committee announced it was opening a criminal investigation into the attempted murder of the younger Skripal. The Skripals were found slumped over on a park bench in the cathedral town of Salisbury, located near the famed ruins of Stonehenge. An officer who attempted to revive them remains in the hospital in stable condition. Several areas in the town are also still cordoned off as police continue their investigation. Writing in the Guardian on Friday, opposition Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn called for "calm heads" and warned against rushing into a "new cold war." He suggested that the possibility that the Russians had lost control of the dangerous nerve agent - which May floated Monday but has since discounted - could not be excluded. He referenced the "flawed intelligence and dodgy dossiers" ahead of the 2003 invasion of Iraq. "In my years in parliament I have seen clear thinking in an international crisis overwhelmed by emotion and hasty judgments too many times," he wrote. Corbyn also argued that targeting the "oligarchs and their loot would have a far greater impact on Russia's elite than limited tit-for-tat expulsions." London is something of a hub for Russian expats - former dissidents and super-rich oligarchs alike are drawn to its good schools and its laws and courts. The wealthiest snap up London's luxury homes for eye-popping prices. Anti-corruption advocates say some of that property is bought with questionable funds. A 2017 report by Transparency International linked Russia to about of fifth - or $1.3 billion - of the "suspicious wealth" used to purchase London property. Analysts say this means the Britain could go after Russian interests. "The Russians have property and children and business in the U.K.," said James Nixey, a Russia expert at Chatham House, a London-based think tank. "The U.K. has leverage there." The United States, France and Germany on Thursday formally backed Britain's claims that Russia likely was responsible for the attack, calling it the "first offensive use of a nerve agent" in Europe since World War II. In a statement, the four leaders said they shared the view of British investigators that "there is no plausible alternative explanation" for the attack. They added that "Russia's failure to address the legitimate request by the U.K. government further underlines its responsibility." "It threatens the security of us all," they added, without spelling out any possible further reprisals. - - - Adam reported from London. --- Video Embed Code Video: In 1992, two Russian scientists approached The Post's Will Englund, then the Moscow correspondent for the Baltimore Sun, about the country's secret efforts to create Novichok, the deadly nerve agent that would later allegedly be used to poison double agent Sergei Skripal.(Joyce Lee,Will Englund/The Washington Post) Embed code: Donald Trump's reality television presidency may be getting more star power for season two. Trump has decided to remove H.R. McMaster as his national security adviser and is actively discussing Fox News contributor John Bolton as a potential successor. A leading contender to replace Veterans Affairs Secretary David Shulkin is Pete Hegseth, the co-host of "Fox and Friends Weekend." The president named CNBC analyst and former host Larry Kudlow to replace former Goldman Sachs president Gary Cohn as his chief economic adviser on Wednesday. Heather Nauert, a former co-host of "Fox and Friends," got promoted on Monday from being a spokeswoman for the State Department to acting undersecretary of state for public diplomacy and public affairs. She replaced Steve Goldstein, who was fired because he publicly contradicted the White House's claim that Rex Tillerson knew he was being fired before Trump announced it on Twitter. (Is it any coincidence that Mike Pompeo got elevated from Langley to Foggy Bottom the morning after he aggressively went to bat for Trump on the Sunday shows?) -- Trump's plot to poach from green rooms is an additional proof point that validates two important themes I've written about: Trump has debased the value of expertise and supercharged the celebrification of American politics. -- The president expressed interest in bringing Bolton, Hegseth and Kudlow on board during the transition, but he was dissuaded by traditionalists who said they weren't qualified for such powerful posts. The VA secretary, for instance, manages the government's second-largest bureaucracy, which employs 360,000. But Hegseth is just 37. The Iraq War veteran previously served as the executive director of Concerned Veterans for America, which is in the constellation of groups bankrolled by the billionaire Koch brothers. He ran for Senate in Minnesota against Amy Klobuchar in 2012, but his campaign was such a disaster that he unexpectedly lost the GOP nomination to a random Ron Paul supporter - who went on to lose in the general election by 35 points. Hegseth's views on reforming VA "are considered extreme even by some Republicans in Congress," but Trump frequently calls him to discuss veterans' policy, The Post's Lisa Rein reports: "Hegseth has dined at the White House and, during an Oval Office meeting between Trump and Shulkin last week, the president called Hegseth to seek his counsel on pending legislation that would expand private care. He also is disliked by traditional veterans' advocacy groups, which fear a downsized VA and a privatized system, and which would probably mount a strong campaign against his nomination." -- Bolton, an outspoken hawk who had a tumultuous and short-lived tenure as George W. Bush's ambassador to the United Nations, is also seen as too extreme by many Republicans on Capitol Hill, but he wouldn't need to get confirmed to become national security adviser. "Trump is now comfortable with ousting McMaster, with whom he never personally gelled, but is willing to take time executing the move because he wants to ensure both that the three-star Army general is not humiliated and that there is a strong successor lined up," The Post's Ashley Parker, Josh Dawsey, Philip Rucker and Carol D. Leonnig reported Thursday night. "Bolton has met with Trump several times and often agrees with the president's instincts. Trump also thinks Bolton . . . is good on television." Another finalist for the job is Keith Kellogg, the chief of staff of the National Security Council. "Kellogg travels with Trump on many domestic trips, in part because the president likes his company and thinks he is fun," my colleagues report. -- One reason Kudlow was attractive to Trump is that he can go on business news channels to promote his agenda. Ostensibly, Bolton and Hegseth could do the same. "The president likes me as a media communicator, so I will be more than happy to oblige," Kudlow said Wednesday night on CNBC. He added that the president had phoned him a few hours earlier when the news broke of his selection to be director of the National Economic Council. "The president called and he said, 'It's out,'" Kudlow recalled. "And he said, 'You're on the air . . . I'm looking at a picture of you . . . Very handsome!' So Trumpian." -- But installing cable pundits in decision-making jobs has not worked out very well for Trump thus far. Foreign policy pros were aghast when Trump named K.T. McFarland as his deputy national security adviser during the transition. She had appeared frequently on Fox as an analyst and anchored her own program called "DEFCON3." But the last time she'd worked in government was more than three decades earlier, as a junior Pentagon spokeswoman and speechwriter. McFarland got marginalized after Michael Flynn went down. Then Trump nominated her to be ambassador to Singapore, but her nomination needed to be withdrawn when damning emails implicated her in the Russia scandal and imperiled her Senate confirmation. Trump initially named another Fox talking head, Monica Crowley, as the senior director of strategic communications for the NSC. He stood by her for more than a week as news stories revealed egregious examples of plagiarism over several years, from a 2012 book to her PhD dissertation and op-eds. Just before the inauguration, under pressure, the president-elect dumped her. Former Navy SEAL Carl Higbie, 34,was forced to resign two months ago as the chief of external affairs for the Corporation for National and Community Service after CNN uncovered bigoted statements he had made about African Americans, immigrants and gays as the host of an Internet radio show. He got the patronage because he had been a go-to Trump defender on Fox, CNN and MSNBC during the 2016 campaign. America First Priorities, a Trump-sanctioned outside group, hired the 34-year-old on Thursday as its new advocacy director, with the expectation that he'll again appear on TV to promote the president. "The fact that I'm coming back into the fray does not mean that the president endorses those comments by any stretch," Higbie told the Hartford Courant on Thursday. "We've all said something we've regretted. I just happened to say it on the radio. . . . But I'm committed to this administration and its policies." -- The president reportedly has fewer events on his schedule than he did during the opening year of his presidency so that he can have extra "executive time" in the residence, which appears to be a euphemism for watching television. That's only intensified the cable news feedback loop. Trump's tweets routinely echo messages, sometimes word for word, that he heard on Fox minutes earlier. Remember Trump's tweet about North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un's "button"? The president's cable habit almost led him to torpedo a compromise his own administration had negotiated to reauthorize Section 702 of the FISA Amendments Act in January. "Trump issued an early morning tweet in response to Judge Andrew Napolitano's criticism on a 'Fox and Friends' segment," Tufts University professor Daniel Drezner notes. "Only direct intervention from the chief of staff, national security adviser, director of national intelligence, CIA director, and House Speaker Paul Ryan convinced Trump to post a follow-up tweet clarifying his position." Last Friday, Trump pardoned a former Navy sailor whose conviction for unauthorized retention of national defense information had made him a cause celebre on Fox. Commentators have often argued that the year he served in prison for taking pictures aboard a submarine showed Hillary Clinton was treated too leniently for how she mishandled classified material. Kristian Saucier, 31, who is now a garbage collector in Vermont, had appeared on "Fox and Friends" earlier in the week to press his case. "Obviously, there's two different sets of laws in this country, for the political elite and for, you know, those lower-level, individuals, Americans, like myself," he said. "I think my case draws a very clear example of that." FOX & friends tweeted "Former Navy Sailor Kristian Saucier: I mishandled classified info, pled guilty to that mistake and continue to be punished, meanwhile Hillary Clinton gets to run for president" "A Justice Department spokesman declined to comment on its involvement, if any, in the process," The Post's Matt Zapotosky reports. The only other pardon Trump has issued since taking office was for Joe Arpaio, who also frequently appears on Fox shows. The former Arizona sheriff was convicted of criminal contempt of court for ignoring a federal judge's order to stop racially profiling Latinos. -- Trump plainly enjoys the company of people he sees on TV. Trump invited Sebastian Gorka, a lightning rod who got fired from the White House last year but now spends a lot of time defending the president on Fox, over for dinner last week. Jesse Watters, a co-host of Fox's "The Five," joined them. "According to a White House official and two other sources familiar with the meeting, Trump invited Gorka and Watters because 'he couldn't get enough of them on TV,' as one source put it, and wanted to confab with them about what he'd seen on Fox News, politics, gossip, and his administration," The Daily Beast reported. -- The embattled president also appears to be putting a greater premium on loyalty as he makes personnel decisions. He clearly feels burned by some of his early hiring decisions. For example, Trump interviewed Jeanine Pirro, the host of Fox's "Justice with Judge Jeanine," to be deputy attorney general. Instead, he went along with Rod Rosenstein, a respected DOJ insider who he had no prior relationship with. That's a decision he's repeatedly said that he regrets. -- Trump's embrace of talking heads has become a punchline in popular culture. "To help find [Gary Cohn's] replacement, the president turned to his most trusted confidante: the TV in his bedroom," Comedy Central host Trevor Noah said on "The Daily Show" Thursday night. "Basically, if Trump sees you on TV, there's a really good chance that he'll hire you. By the time his term is done, his attorney general is going to be 'Judge Judy' and his housing secretary will be 'Bob the Builder.'" --- With Breanne Deppisch and Joanie Greve. An Uber driver keeps a metal rod close at hand during his daily drives through Istanbul. Alarmed by violent attacks in recent weeks allegedly carried out by angry yellow cab drivers who want Turkey to ban the ride-hailing company, Levent says he's even considering carrying a gun and asked that his last name be withheld for safety reasons. "I work with the fear of getting physically assaulted by cab drivers every day," he said inside the van he drives, a Mercedes Benz Vito, popular among Istanbul's Uber ilk. He's among the more than 5,000 Uber drivers in the city of 15 million waiting to learn their fate as an Istanbul court considers two legal cases, filed by taxi associations, arguing the app-based service undermines competition and breaks the law. Yet while Uber is fighting for survival in cities like London, which revoked its license last year, discontent has rarely taken as aggressive a turn as it has in Turkey's largest city. On March 10, shots were fired at an Uber vehicle on its way to pick up a customer in the crowded Istanbul district of Kucukcekmece. Local media have reported incidents where groups of taxi drivers posing as customers gang up and assault Uber drivers after hailing them to quiet street sides. "My drivers are scared. Cab drivers harass and attack them everywhere in Istanbul," said 56-year-old Bekir Cambaz, who owns 52 Uber vehicles and two yellow cabs. "One of my drivers was just hospitalized due to brain concussion after getting beaten up at the main bus terminal." In many ways, it's more of the same for Uber. In Europe and North America, traditional cabs are the most virulent critics of the service, which expanded quickly beyond its home base in San Francisco partly by disregarding local regulations. This has spurred protests by cabbies-including some in Paris that turned violent-and led to run-ins with national authorities and new laws aimed at reining in the gig economy. Fed up with what they deem unfair competition, hundreds of taxi drivers protested outside the Istanbul Palace of Justice on Monday to call for an Uber ban. One of their primary gripes is that Uber drivers dodge the hefty fees they pay. Istanbul has issued about 17,000 taxi license plates, a figure that's barely changed in two decades. They're a hot commodity, now costing about 1.69 million liras ($434,000) each, according to the website of Kale Ticaret, which trades them. Cabbies rent licences for 7,000-8,000 liras a month, so they need a steady stream of customers to make ends meet. "My profit fell by 30 percent since Uber started its operations in Turkey" in 2014, lamented Mehmet Yavuz, who paid for his cab licence by selling land he'd inherited from his parents. Uber operates in Turkey on a so-called D-2 license, similar to what chartered buses use. These are cheaper: an investor with 30,000 liras of capital pays 15,000 liras a year to operate a fleet of at least eight cars, plus 300 liras for every vehicle. Drivers can rent this license for 3,550 liras annually. Lawyers representing cab operators are trying to capitalize on a rule that stipulates D-2 licence-holders must register passenger information with the government one hour before any trip-something Uber drivers couldn't do since they usually respond to calls within 15 minutes. Of the two pending court cases, the first will be heard in May, the second in June. Uber said it cannot comment on an ongoing litigation. "We are appalled by the violence and are doing everything we can to support drivers," it said in an e-mailed statement. Unlike in other cities, Istanbul's Ubers charge slightly more than conventional cabs-but they're popular among Turks, especially women, who feel more secure seeing how other passengers rate a driver. Some, like 26-year old Istanbul resident Pinar Cengiz, said yellow cabs often refuse to take her on short distances. "We are in favor of freedom of enterprise. We won't leave our cab drivers to be victims but Uber gets market share because it's well received by the citizens," Customs and Trade Minister Bulent Tufenkci told reporters in Hatay province late Wednesday, adding the ministry was analyzing the sector to make a decision on how to proceed.The Uber debate in Turkey has become as polarizing as politics under President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Drivers at the courthouse protest chanted: "Jewish, Zionist Uber! Get out of my country!" One said he'd stop voting for the ruling AK party if Uber's license isn't revoked. Others revealed violent intentions: "If the court rules against us, we will kill Uber drivers," said Murat Aslan, who saved up for 15 years to buy his own taxi license. Eyup Aksu, chairman of the Chamber of Istanbul Taxi Operators, said he'd gotten assurances from Prime Minister Binali Yildirim that Uber is indeed breaking the law, although the prime minister's office declined to comment when reached by phone. Uber drivers like Nejat Erkan Erdogan, 54, are on high alert. It's only his first month on the job and he's been attacked three times, including a fist fight with a taxi driver who tried to get into his car. "Sometimes I drive past my passengers as I see angry cab drivers waiting for me on the side of the road," he said. Imagine being a parent in Washington, D.C., and learning the schools measures of success mean nothing that graduation rates werent merely fudged, they were manufactured. Many students graduated who had missed half the school year in unexcused absences. According to an internal investigation, fully one-third of students graduated improperly. Obama-era education reforms in that school district were faked, and while politicians patted each other on the back, students suffered. As parents, our brightest hopes are in our children. We want to ensure for them the opportunities we never had. National Review magazine has a scathing report on Washington, D.C., schools. The District of Columbia failed its families. But it will take more than reform to provide for them the future they seek for their children and grandchildren. It will take a re-envisioning of what education should be, and what education means. But its not a new vision for education as trendy and progressive as that sounds. Instead, its a very old vision, a vision held by one of this nations great educators: Booker T. Washington. Many know Washingtons story; born a slave, he envied the schoolrooms he could only peer into as a child. When freedom came, he sought to educate himself by any means necessary. In 1872, he left home and walked hundreds of miles to the Hampton Normal Agricultural Institute in Virginia. He won a scholarship, and upon graduation, he became a teacher. He was the first leader of the Tuskegee Normal and Industrial Institute (now Tuskegee University) in Alabama. Washingtons philosophy of education was all-encompassing. He sought to educate the whole person. Alongside book-learning, he taught practical skills. Tuskegee students built the institute with their own hands. They manufactured the very mattresses upon which they slept. They grew their own food and even grew enough to sell their bounty. Washington also taught his students to be upright and honorable in their ways. Washington is a personal hero of mine; he valued education in the same way my own parents valued it, as they sacrificed to put me in a tough Catholic school in inner-city Atlanta when I was a boy. I learned the hard lessons, intellectual and practical and moral, that laid the foundation for my own success in life. As Washington himself said, The world cares very little what you or I know, but it does care a great deal about what you or I do. I found that to be the case as I advanced, first in the military world and then in civilian life. And that is why Washingtons life and his philosophy are the foundation for a new nationwide initiative by the Texas Public Policy Foundation, which I recently discussed at an event in San Antonio. The Booker T. Washington Initiative seeks to find solutions to the problems that have robbed underserved communities of opportunity. We will work to ensure that families throughout America, no matter their ZIP code, can rely upon the twin pillars that Washington cited as the foundations of prosperity education and entrepreneurship. That means real choice in education, with power restored to the parents who will always make better decisions on their childrens behalf than bureaucrats. It means advocating entrepreneurship rolling back onerous regulations that prevent Americans from pursuing their dreams. Theres something else Washington believed in second chances. So education must be offered to those in prison, to help ensure that when theyre released as many will be they shall be able to fully participate in the restoration and revitalization of their communities. Washington believed in his students. He had faith that with the right education and opportunities, they could remake the world. Through the Booker T. Washington Initiative, we can restore faith in education. Children havent changed since Washingtons time. We have. And not for the better. Its time to restore Washingtons vision for education in U.S. schools. There were winners and losers in the recent Texas primary elections, but among the winners was the notion that a governor, the leader of his party, shouldnt be rewarded for wielding his power to punish those who stray from his orthodoxy. Last we looked, disagreement among fellow political travelers leads to sounder policy because it is more vetted and perhaps even subject to compromise. And purging a party of dissent simply makes for members blindly in lockstep, alternative and more reasonable views never even getting a hearing. RELATED: Gov. Abbott targets fellow Republican and critic San Antonio Rep. Lyle Larson Gov. Greg Abbott targeted three GOP incumbents in particular Reps. Sarah Davis of West University Place, Wayne Faircloth of Galveston and Lyle Larson of San Antonio. Only Faircloth lost. The governor, calling for party unity after the race, asks Texans to pay more attention to the 27 races he weighed in on, with victory in 25 of these. However, according to a tally by the Texas Tribune, those 25 candidates included incumbents who were both unopposed and opposed, and a few running for open seats. The governor reserved most of his campaign passion for unseating Davis, Larson and Faircloth, spending close to a quarter-million dollars alone in Davis race. The offense that warranted Abbotts targeting? Apparently, disagreeing with him. Larson, for instance, got an ethics bill approved that would have prevented Abbott from appointing to state boards and commissions donors who give more than $2,500. An Express-News report discovered that about 29 percent of Abbotts appointees have been donors, giving a combined $14.2 million to his campaigns since June 2001. Abbott had an unsuccessful run for attorney general that year. Larsons bill passed the House but died in the Senate. RELATED: Editorial: Bexar County district attorney election results should not impact cases, programs So, his crime against Abbott was targeting what has the appearance of pay-for-play even if thats not whats happening. The governors office says all board and commission members are appointed based on merit. The governor or any candidate is free to use campaign funds to support or oppose anyone he or she wishes. But voters should examine whether their interests are served by parties so calcified in their positions that no new ideas come to the fore. We submit not, no matter which party is doing the purging. Ellyn Dixon never imagined starting her own small business when she first started making caramels for her family and friends as gifts. A mother of two, Dixon has a degree in psychology from Texas A&M University, and had planned to work as a social worker but decided to stay at home with her kids. Dixon discovered her passion for caramel making while trying to find a tasty treat that everyone in her social circle could enjoy, which ultimately led her to start Wildflower Caramels. "We wanted to find a unique gift that we could give to friends and family that maybe had food allergies, like gluten free, stuff like that and...there's not a lot of treats you can make that don't have gluten in it so...I just found a random recipe and found that it was pretty fun," Dixon said. From there, Dixon slowly started receiving requests for more orders of caramel. Dixon said that at that time she still had no intention of starting a small business but the demand for the product spoke for itself. "It stemmed from my desire to be creative and enjoyment of just being in the kitchen and creating tasty things," Dixon said. Dixon's business strives to uphold both great caramel standards and her own ethical standards. Dixon's mother, a nutritionist, taught her from a young age about the importance of buying and eating locally sourced foods that are in and she uses that same mantra as a caramel maker. "We grew up with quality food, and humanely raised food whether it's produce or meat, so [my mother] would always make homemade meals every night and so a lot of my time in the evening was spent just watching her cook," Dixon said. Dixon said she experiments with seasonal caramel flavors or tries to match her flavors to certain holidays throughout the year. "I really, really enjoy developing fun and unique flavors. I like to think about the different combinations that I could put together, but then there's also this very scientific part of caramel making, and a lot of chemistry where you have to get proportions right," Dixon said. Dixon said she makes sure not only that her ingredients are high quality but that the staff along the supply chain are all treated fairly. "Our product is caramel, and it's weird to think of it as a representation of who we are," Dixon said. "This is a huge pillar of how we live our life, is making sure our impact on the earth is light and that we treat people really well." Being a fulltime mother and small business owner can be a lot, but Dixon said she loves how every day is different. She gets up around 5 a.m. for work, planning new flavors, figuring out the week, scheduling out time for her family and making a list of what needs to be done for the day. "A lot of times we go on deliveries, we go to the commercial kitchen together, and [the kids] help me package caramels or count out bags, somedays it's meetings, networking. We usually end pretty early, between 8 or 9 p.m. We always try to do family dinners, we do what we can," Dixon said. Dixon said she's loved seeing the reach her product has made, especially when she gets orders from states like New York or Alaska. She said she feels honored to be featured at the Pearl's Farmers Market. Dixon and her staff are working out of a rented commercial kitchen, but Dixon said the next big to-do on her list is to find Wildflower Caramel its own commercial kitchen. "We're just kind of taking it as it comes, looking to do things and go very deep with our business. We want to develop some deep relationships with the people we have now. And we're very open," she said. To find out more information about Wildflower Caramels, or to buy online go to www.wildflowersa.com. Longford Gardai have launched an investigation and appeal for information after the interior of a church was vandalised and criminal damage caused to a stained glass window. St Anne's Church, Curry, Longford, situated between Stonepark and Kenagh, which is a Protected Structure, was broken into and damaged some time between 5.30pm on Wednesday, March 14 and 7.50am on Thursday, March 16. Entry was gained by breaking a stained glass window and the interior of the church was badly vandalised. No items were taken but the incident has stunned and shocked those living locally. Longford Churches unfortunately have become something of a target for criminals. In April of 2017, St Michaels Church, Shroid was also broken into and the tabernacle was stolen, with the grim discovery being made on Easter Sunday morning. There was also an attempted burglary at St Matthew's Church, Ballymahon last month. That incident took place some time between 9.30pm on Saturday night, February 10 and 3am on Sunday, February 11. Longford Gardai are appealing for anyone who may have seen anything suspicious at Curry Church between Wednesday evening and Thursday morning to contact them at 043 33 50571. ALSO READ: Longford paramedics involved in successful resuscitation of cardiac arrest patient A public consultation was held in Lanesboro last week to offer information about ESB's plans to convert its power stations at Lanesboro and Shannonbridge from peat to sustainable biomass on a phased basis. Assuming the appropriate planning permissions are secured and the business case for investment is made with minimal interventions, ESB will use the existing generation infrastructure to immediately transition to cleaner renewable energy by reducing peat intake and replacing it with biomass. We want affordable, clean energy for people, so its a big move in terms of what were trying to do and we see Lough Ree and Shannonbridge as being really important parts of that, Mr O'Connor told the Longford Leader last week. It is planned that the transition to biomass would initially be fuelled by both indigenous and imported sustainable biomass but, as local farmers' crops mature, it is anticipated that the indigenous supply chain will displace the requirement for important fuels. It has to be affordable. We want it to be a clean, renewable fuel and thats why were looking at biomass instead of peat, Mr O'Connor said. But its going to be a transition over time from peat to biomass. Thats a very important point. Minister for Environment Denis Naughten was very enthusiastic about the plans, stating that this would be a fantastic opportunity for local farmers. The government is increasing the financial supports that are available for bioenergy crops, he told the Longford Leader last week. The objective is to try and encourage the growth of biomass in Ireland, in the midlands, to supply these power stations and a new heat industry that were developing through renewable heat supports rather than importing that product from abroad. Its good news in terms of extending the lifespan of the power station here, but really, we are only going to get the economic benefit out of this if we can actually grow the crops locally, he continued. So theres a huge potential opportunity to maintain the existing job numbers in Bord na Mona, potentially increase the job numbers here in the region. You may also like to read: Good news for local jobs as Bord na Mona scraps US biomass plan Local News, Community, Charity & Cause, Politics By Long Island News & PR Published: March 16 2018 Governor Announces Nation's First State-Level Hepatitis C Elimination Strategy to Increase Access to Medication, Expand Comprehensive Programs and Enhance Treatment Services. Albany, NY - March 16, 2018 - Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced he is advancing a statewide expansion of the HIV/AIDS Services Administration rental assistance program for New Yorkers living with HIV/AIDS. Additionally, the Governor announced the nation's first state-level Hepatitis C comprehensive elimination strategy to end the Hepatitis C and HIV epidemics in New York State. The new effort aims to stop the Hepatitis C virus in its tracks by increasing access to medications that can cure Hepatitis C and expanding programs to connect New Yorkers in high-risk communities with wrap-around Hepatitis C prevention, screenings and treatment services. The announcements build on the success of recent reductions in HIV diagnoses in New York to record lows and coincides with the release of the " Ending the Epidemic " progress report, which highlights the historic advancements New York is making to End the Aids Epidemic by the end of 2020. "The HIV/AIDS epidemic was a terrible tragedy in our nation's history but make no mistake the Empire State has led the nation in ending the epidemic and helping New Yorkers lead long, healthy and happy lives," Governor Cuomo said. "With our Ending the Epidemic Blueprint, we are making historic progress and I am proud that we have reached another milestone in our fight against the spread of HIV/AIDS. By expanding access to affordable housing and eliminating the spread of Hepatitis C, we will further build on the gains we've achieved and continue our historic march forward." In the FY 2018-19 Budget, the Governor is proposing a statewide expansion of the successful housing assistance program for persons living with HIV that first launched in New York City in 2016. The program would provide localities outside of New York City the option of capping the income contribution toward rental costs at 30 percent for all persons living with HIV in their communities. In addition, localities may budget and pay for up to 100 percent of fair market rent, with support of funds obtained through healthcare savings. This initiative will potentially impact 4,700 New Yorkers living with HIV outside of New York City. To increase access to Hepatitis C (HCV) medications, the Governor is also proposing to increase funding for HCV prevention, testing and treatment programs, such as education, patient navigation, and HCV prevention programs in primary care and other settings. HCV-related deaths have exceeded HIV-related deaths in the state outside of New York City since 2007, and with injecting drug use as the most common risk factor, the opioid epidemic has fueled a rise in new HCV cases. One in five persons with HIV is co-infected with HCV, and studies show that over 90 percent of people who are treated can be cured of HCV. New direct acting antiviral drugs have minimal side effects and can prevent the need for a liver transplant, cirrhosis, liver failure, liver cancer or death. The announcements follow the release of the Ending the Epidemic 2018 Progress Report, which highlights New York's nation-leading blueprint to tackle the AIDS epidemic which is on track to bend the curve and reduce the number of new HIV infections below the number of HIV-related deaths by the end of 2020, even while achieving zero AIDS mortality. As part of the Governor's groundbreaking blueprint, the state has aggressively worked to identify persons with HIV who remain undiagnosed and link them to care; link and retain New Yorkers diagnosed with HIV with anti-HIV therapy to maximize HIV virus suppression so they remain healthy and prevent further transmission; and ensure access to Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis. Under this aggressive approach, New York is making rapid progress. The Ending the Epidemic report details the remarkable advancements the state has made since the blueprint's launch, including 75 percent of newly diagnosed New Yorkers demonstrating evidence of entry to care within 30 days of HIV-positive diagnosis. In fact, 80 percent of New Yorkers living with HIV showed evidence of receiving some care over the course of the year. Additionally, in 2016 approximately 70 percent of New Yorkers living with diagnosed HIV appeared to be virally suppressed. New York State Department of Health Commissioner Dr. Howard Zucker said, "Under Governor Cuomo's leadership New York State has set a national standard for ending the AIDS epidemic, and we're not stopping there. By providing better testing, increased access to screenings and treatment, collaboration with health care providers and the same aggressive approach, we are going to end the Hepatitis C epidemic as well." In 2014, Governor Cuomo announced a three-point plan to end the AIDS epidemic in New York State by the end of 2020. In December 2017, the Governor announced that the number of people newly diagnosed with HIV in New York State has fallen to historic lows. Between 2015 and 2016, there was a nine percent decrease in new diagnoses. The 2016 data show a 16 percent decrease in new diagnoses compared to 2014, the year the Governor announced the three-point plan. Additionally, groups that have historically been disproportionately impacted by HIV all experienced decreases in new infections. Suffolk County Crime Stoppers offers aof up tofor information that leads to an arrest. Anyone with information about these incidents can contact Suffolk County Crime Stoppers to submit anby calling 1-800-220-TIPS, texting SCPD and your message to CRIMES (274637) or by email at www.tipsubmit.com . All calls, text messages and emails will be kept confidential. by Sarah Mahoney @mahoney_sarah, March 14, 2018 Shopper marketing may not be the most glamorous discipline in the ad world, but major brands are finding all kinds of new ways to shake up those end-caps. In the annual North American Shopper Marketing Effie Awards, awarded at the Path to Purchase Institute's Shopper Marketing Celebration, Mondelez emerged as the biggest winner, with four Shopper Marketing Effies. And both Kimberly-Clark and Unilever each earned three. Unilever won the Gold award for multibrand/manufacturer solutions, with its "AHOLD Feeding America Program Hidden Camera on Hunger." The campaign focused on the surprising statistic that one in five children goes hungry each year in America, using an in-store sampling campaign turned viral video, aimed at demonstrating the effects of hunger. Kimberly-Clark took Gold in the omnichannel shopper experience, for Depends "Family Caregiving Club," an effort that tripled Depend distribution in a custom-built test for Sam's Club. Called The Family Caregiving Club, it simplified care shopping by providing members with helpful cross-category solutions, savings, samples and exclusive content, attracting shoppers who had not previously considered Sams as a source for adult diapers. advertisement advertisement And Mondelez International was awarded for its "Oreo Walmart World Record Dunk," working with Guinness World Records, earning Walmart the Longest Cookie Dunking Relay title while boosting sales not just for Oreo, but for Walmarts entire cookie category. Judges pick the winners in two rounds of examining case studies. The marketing and media landscape is evolving quickly, and this years Shopper Marketing Effie winners highlight the very best of what marketing teams can achieve when brands and retailers work closely to redefine what success looks like along the path to purchase, says Effie Worldwide president and chief executive officer Traci Alford, in its announcement of winners. Shopper Marketing Effie winners have achieved effectiveness in a complex, competitive marketing category and, in turn, have given other marketers an opportunity to learn from the best. by Ray Schultz , March 15, 2018 Cyberimpact, a Canada-based email provider, has hired two Quebec figures to bulk up its email services. Christian Paul, called "The Creator," will produce videos and manage community outreach. Amelie Morency will serve as head of sales. She ran The FoodRoom, and achieved a win on Quebec's L'oeil du Dragon. Cyberimpact is compliant with CASL, Canadas tough email marketing law, and can help firms deal with governmental rules and red tape, it says. The company largely serves small businesses. "We are living in a digital era where sending an email blast has become the main medium for businesses of all industries to communicate with their consumers, and compliance research can be incredibly time consuming," Morency states. A new billboard near Area 51 in Roswell, N.M., shows a naked creature from outer space. The message says, Wed rather go naked than wear fur. In smaller print, it reads, We are not alone. Respect animals. Its PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) marketing at work again. That billboard and another one in Wyoming near where Close Encounters of the Third Kind was filmed went up recently. According to Dan Matthews, PETA senior vice president responsible for some of the organizations outrageous campaigns, It plays on the universal fear. If there is a superior life form out there, would they treat us better than we treat animals?, which he says is at least a sub-plot of a few science fiction films, including Alien itself. advertisement advertisement The billboards say they are sponsored by PETA and Bunnyranch, a well-known Nevada brothel. That business actually owns the billboards and donated the space when Matthews explained the campaign to Dennis Hof, the owner. Hes a supporter, Matthews said. PETA relies heavily on earned media, so a clever enough idea gets a lot of mileage. When audio of Donald Trumps famously foul remark about women made news in 2016, PETA got into gear. It created artwork and said it was negotiating to a get New York space for a billboard featuring a photo of a cat and the line, Grab A Pussy! Adopt a cat from your local shelter. Some women criticized that, arguing PETA was using sex abuse for laughs. But Matthews says an organization like PETA, with limited marketing resources, needs to blend into news cycles when the opportunity presents itself.. The alien billboard comes from a report that acknowledged that between 2007 and 2012 Nevada Sen. Harry Reid successfully prevailed to fund an Advance Aerospace Threat Identification Program at a cost of $22 million. The Defense Department on Monday released a 2015 video of a Navy pilot chasing what seems to be a UFO, which gave the bit of currency PETA needed. by Steve McClellan @mp_mcclellan, March 16, 2018 In wake of #MeToo and Times Up, PR firm Golin, part of Interpublic Group, has partnered with The 3% Movement, SheSays and EvolveHer in a further bid to empower women and their careers. The Golin effort is specifically aimed at helping women jumpstart their careers as they reenter the marketing industry workforce for any number of reasons including being forced out as a result of sexual harassment or assault. The effort has been dubbed Have Her Back, and as part of it Golin has set an internal goal to have equal representation by women and men in positions of power around its creative table. Our industry says the right things, but hasnt been quick to take action, said Caroline Dettman, Golins chief creative officer and creator of the campaign. In the past few months, we have seen some high-profile harassers lose their jobs. And while that is progress, theres a question thats been keeping me awake at night: just how many womens career trajectories and wellbeing lie in their wake? advertisement advertisement According to the agency Have Her Back will focus on hiring, training and creating cultures of empowerment. The firm is partnering with The 3% Movement to co-create Manbassador trainings designed to address how men can best support and advance women in the workplace. The 3% Movement has spent the last seven years understanding what separates creative cultures that are inclusive from those that are not, stated Kat Gordon, Founder of The 3% Movement. Heres what we know: men must be involved in gender diversity efforts; all employees must be given a safe mechanism for honest feedback; having 25%+ women at the top self-corrects most issues combating women. Other programs are also in the works including a training event in Chicago set for next month. The irony is not lost on me that as agencies, we say that female equality matters to us, yet our actions or inactions say otherwise, added Dettman. As creatives, we inspire our clients to right wrongs and improve the human condition every day. I have a lot of hope that its these same people who will practice what we preach and take action to show we have her back. More about Golins new effort can be found here. A new systematic review, now published in the Harvard Review of Psychiatry, found that people living in high-altitude areas of the United States, such as intermountain states, have higher-than-average rates of suicide and depression. Share on Pinterest Researchers have found that suicide rates are increased in high-altitude states, such as Arizona. The researchers, from the University of Utah in Salt Lake City, suggest that low atmospheric pressure at high altitudes may lower blood oxygen levels. This may affect mood and make people living at these altitudes more susceptible to suicidal thoughts, they explain. Individuals are much more likely to think about, attempt, or complete suicide if they have major depressive disorder, and around 16 percent of people experience this mental health condition at some point in their lives. Major depressive disorder occurs when someone has at least 2 weeks of low mood, self-esteem, and energy across most situations. Rates of major depressive disorder vary substantially from region to region, which could suggest that environmental factors play a role in some cases of major depressive disorder and suicide. In the U.S., around 123 people take their own lives every day, making suicide the 10th leading cause of death nationwide. Coffee is a complex substance and as a new study finds its metabolic interactions are equally complex. Surprisingly, coffee influences the same regions of the brain as cannabis. Share on Pinterest A new study finds an intriguing relationship between cannabis and coffee. Although studies looking at coffees health benefits or lack thereof appear to be published on an almost daily basis, its true impact on health is still poorly understood. Some studies have found health benefits, some have concluded that it might reduce mortality risk , and others drew no solid conclusions. This confusion is due to several factors, and one is the difficulty in separating cause and effect in large, population-based studies. For example, someone who drinks a lot of coffee might also sleep less, smoke more tobacco, drink less water, or work unsociable hours. These factors muddy the statistical waters. Also, coffee is an incredibly complex beast; it contains more than 1,000 aroma compounds, levels of which vary depending on the type of coffee bean and how it is brewed. The metabolites of coffee Recently, a group of researchers from Northwestern University in Chicago, IL, took a detailed look at the impact of coffee consumption on our internal chemistry. Their findings were published this week in the Journal of Internal Medicine . The 3-month study involved 47 people living in Finland. In the first month, the participants drank no coffee at all; in the second, they consumed four cups every day; and in the third, they drank eight cups each day. Using advanced profiling techniques, lead author Marilyn Cornelis and her team checked the levels of more than 800 metabolites in the blood after each stage. Metabolites are chemicals produced during metabolism. They are generally small molecules and carry out a range of functions both within and between cells. The scientists found that with increased coffee consumption, blood metabolites involved in the endocannabinoid system dropped off. This is the system that gives cannabis its recreational and medical effects. Interestingly, the effect of coffee consumption on the endocannabinoid system was the opposite to cannabis use: endocannabinoid neurotransmitters decreased with the consumption of eight cups per day, but levels are increased by cannabis use. This week, we attended the Wired Health conference in London. As always, the event was jam-packed with innovators jostling for position in the race toward a brighter, healthier future. Share on Pinterest This years Wired Health conference was as informative and insightful as ever. Wired Health is held yearly in London, United Kingdom. It boasts a wide array of speakers from every corner of the health tech world, alongside forward-thinking companies who provide a glimpse of their latest offerings. This year was as varied as ever, and the talks covered how technology could intervene in issues as diverse as HIV, bereavement in children, and cardiovascular surgery. I spent the majority of my time at the EY WIRED Health Access Stage, which featured an annual showcase of start-up companies. For me, the over-arching theme this year was one of consolidation. I saw less focus on newfangled technology and more emphasis on the use of recent innovations in more efficient ways. Rather than designing solutions from the bottom up, it seems to be more about capitalizing on hard-won inventions of the recent past. We have the data now what? Early on in the proceedings, Pamela Spence the Global Life Science Leader at EY reminded us that we are currently knee-deep in the fourth industrial revolution. And, key to this brave new dawn is that four letter word that promises so much: data. Share on Pinterest Big data is here. Whats the next step? Today, capturing data is easier than ever. There are more data available to us than we could have dreamt of just a decade ago. We have almost unlimited processing power at our fingertips. The question is, which bits do we pay attention to, who gets to share it, and what shall we do with it? Spence spoke of the problems with collating this new-found swarm of numbers. Healthcare data tend to be spread out and distributed into different silos. If they could be combined more efficiently and analyzed effectively, they could be harnessed for the greater good. She quipped that clinicians used to be supported by data scientists but, more and more, data scientists are being supported by clinicians. This is the future of health tech. However, at the moment, you get the feeling that the data we are harnessing are nowhere near as useful as they promise to become. One company bent on harnessing medicines new-found ocean of data is Heterogeneous. Though gene sequencing has been available for some time, Heterogeneous are offering whole-genome sequencing at rates cheaper than could have been imagined just a handful of years ago. Anyone can sign up, and, once you have had your genome sequenced, you get full ownership of your data. You are then able to select which research projects you would like to make your data available to. Heterogeneous pass your genome (anonymously) over for their study. The researchers receive good-quality data quickly, and you receive the warm satisfaction of advancing science passively from your armchair. This is not a new idea; plenty of companies offer genomic information to consumers. However, most other companies sell these data to third parties without informing the customer. This is completely legal and above board, but Heterogeneous want to be part of a more open and collaborative future. Big data vs. personalization Although many of the changes in healthcare are predicted to come from the rich tapestry of data that we collect, there are also changes at the other end of the spectrum: personalized medicine. Bruce Levine from the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia spoke to an enthralled audience about his work with chimeric antigen receptors (CAR)-T cell therapy. In this technology, cancer patients immune cells, or T cells, are removed, then genetically trained to target cancer cells and reintroduced into the patient. Already tested in leukemia and lymphoma, CAR-T can save lives a single infusion with the newly trained T cells can wipe out kilograms of tumor cells. Though the method cannot yet attack solid tumors, Levine and his colleagues are hot on their heels. This intervention is very much tailored to the individual. In fact, he likened it to an organ transplant rather than a pharmacological intervention, calling it the ultimate in personalized treatment. The patients own cells are groomed to recognize and destroy the specific cancer that they carry. Levines story also provides a little insight into how quickly a medical technique can move from the outskirts to the mainstream. He recalled that, just a few years back, he and the other researchers investigating the potential of CAR-T were regarded as the quaint guys in the corner. Now, theyre the hot thing, Food and Drug Administration-approved, and, rightfully, the center of attention. Generation App Tech conferences the world over are awash with smartphones and apps. I had to stop myself from rolling my eyes when I saw the number of app-based solutions at Wired Health this year. But I shouldnt roll my eyes. Yes, I was disappointed that there werent more laser-wielding robots and X-ray-powered rocket shoes, but this was a science conference, not a science fiction conference (Medical News Today wont pay for my Comic-Con ticket). Apps are accessible to millions of people worldwide via a few taps on a device kept in their pocket. Their incredibly swift rise to ubiquity lets try to remember that Apples App Store only opened its digital doors in July 2008 makes them a potentially powerful tool for the good of humanitys health, if wielded in the right hands. One such pair of safe hands belongs to Clinova, who have developed an app called Caidr. Any health-focused conference in the U.K. is almost duty-bound to mention the struggling British National Health Service. Although the reasons for its troubles are largely political, finding ways to cut corners and save cash are of particular interest. Caidr, which was designed by two pharmacists, helps users to distinguish minor ailments from a more serious illness. By answering a series of simple questions, the apps algorithms assess whether they need to visit a doctor or if a pharmacist could offer effective over-the-counter medications. Some examples of Caidr screenshots. Some examples of Caidr screenshots. In the United States, where waiting times to see a doctor have sky-rocketed over recent years, this app could help to take the pressure off. Another company who are offering an easier, mobile-based route to healthcare is Index Ventures, who have created an app called Kry. The app allows you to speak with a doctor directly via your cell phone. This saves both the doctors and patients time and is significantly easier than having to take time off work or juggle other commitments to visit the doctors office. It is particularly useful for people who cannot visit the doctor easily or who live in isolated regions. Kry is already part of Swedens health service, and 2 percent of all primary care appointments take place through the app. Again, this is a good example of technology that has been around for quite some time that is now being used in new and useful ways. Advertisement "We direct in consequence that the judgment of this court in Voluntary Health Association of Punjab shall be strictly enforced by all states and union territories untrammeled by any order of any high court or any other court," the bench said.The supreme court also went on to say that the directions issued by this court in its decision In Voluntary Health Association of Punjab case should be considered as an integral part to the enforcement of a law which has been enacted by Parliament to curb a grave social evil of female foeticide."More specifically, in its judgment of November 8, 2016, this court has required the states and the Union territories to implement the Pre-conception and Pre-natal Diagnostic Techniques (Prohibition of Sex Selection) (Six Months Training) Rules, 2014 forthwith. The decision explains that the provision for training required under the above subordinate legislation, is imperative to realize the objects and purposes of the Act," the bench said."The wisdom of the legislature in adopting the policy cannot be substituted by the court in the exercise of the power of judicial review," the bench said while disposing of all the interlocutory applications in the matter.The decision has come because the Center, Indian Radiological and Imaging Association had managed to move the apex court thereby challenging the high court's decision on the issue.The Delhi high court had declared earlier that the Rule 3(3)(1)(b) framed under the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PCPNDT) Act, 1994 as beyond one's legal power or authority. It had also done away with mandatory six-month training which was earlier required to be able to perform an ultrasound under the ambit of the law.Source: Medindia Advertisement Cancer cells that have a relatively large number of mutations in their DNA express aberrant proteins--or neoantigens--that reveal the cancer to the immune system. Killer T cells recognize tiny, mutated bits of these antigens, known as neoepitopes. But neoepitopes vary wildly from patient to patient, even within the same type of cancer. This has long stymied efforts to develop generally effective therapies that target cancer antigens.To get around this problem, researchers have been developing sophisticated methods to extract T cells from patients, select and expand those that best target a patient's cancer and reinfuse them into the patient. These approaches usually rely on T cells extracted from the bloodstream, not those already inside the tumor, which are referred to as TILs (for tumor infiltrating lymphocytes).Experimental therapies using T cells taken from the bloodstream have not, however, worked very well against solid tumors. Further, when TILs have been used for such purposes, the proportion of what Harari calls the "juiciest" T cells--those recognizing mutations on cancer cells--tends to decline significantly when the cells are expanded in culture."To circumvent these problems, we developed a new methodology to identify highly reactive TILs and expand them in a manner that, rather than diluting the juiciest TILs, enriches them instead," says Harari. "This allowed us to compare the activity of TILs that target neoepitopes with their counterparts in the peripheral bloodstream."The researchers show that killer T cells isolated from ovarian tumors using their method are much better at both recognizing neoepitopes than are those isolated from blood."We could even compare T cells from the two compartments targeting the exact same mutation and show that the TILs were more functional than the T cells we collected from the peripheral bloodstream," says Harari.Notably, the researchers found that, using their methods, highly reactive TILs could be obtained from some 90% of the ovarian cancer patients whose tumor samples they examined."The big message," says Coukos, "is that future cell-based therapies can be envisioned for low mutational load tumors and should prioritize the use of TILs over T cells collected from peripheral blood. This novel strategy to obtain enriched TILs also offers great therapeutic opportunities."Harari, Coukos and their colleagues will now be applying their findings to an ambitious program to develop and streamline personalized immunotherapies for cancer patients currently underway at the Lausanne Branch of the Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research.Source: Eurekalert If you aren't excited about 'Avengers: Infinity War' then what are you even doing with your life? But, along with our excitement and the anticipation of the upcoming movie, there's also the fear of losing many of our favourite characters, and now Mark Ruffalo has gone and turned our fears into our worst nightmare by teasing about the character deaths. Very sadistic of him, isn't it? While talking to Toronto Sun, he very conveniently messed with every Marvel fan. He said, It's going to be messy. There's going to be a lot of messes in the theatre. Plus crying. Okay, maybe just maybe, he's actually being helpful and is just warning us in advance to carry tissues, just in case. How thoughtful of him. After Mark's comment, even 'Star Lord' Chris Pratt joined in, saying, I wasn't going to say that, but you're right. If one actually thinks about it, there is a high chance of tears in the theatre, considering almost every hero featured so far in the Marvel Cinematic Universe will be pitted against Thanos, and well, if it's a war, there will be casualties. I think we all are hoping that Mark Ruffalo slips up again, and we get some more information, like how he recently leaked his own movie accidentally. Mark, are you planning any more happy accidents for us? Moreover, the Toronto Sun article also revealed that Tom Holland wasn't even allowed to read the whole script, since he's so famous for not being able to keep a secret. And, it turns out he wasn't the only one kept in the dark. But, it seems like Captain America is not only a fan favourite, but also a Marvel favourite since he was one of the few people who had the honour of reading the whole thing. He said, I need to know what's going on. It does feel like one big movie. It's hard to compartmentalize and separate the plots, but I feel like a lot of my [Infinity War] stuff is pretty mysterious. Coming back to Mark and his character 'Hulk', after his comedic stint in 'Thor: Ragnarok', things will be nothing but serious for him. He said, We're fighting Thanos, and that's not funny. And, it's the Russo brothers, so it's not quite as comedic. He went on, I've gotten to do this character in steps and this character has developed and changed over all these movies. Hulk in 'Thor 3' is totally different and in this, you're going to see another surprising incarnation of Bruce Banner and the Hulk that's totally new and unique. Well, now we're excited as ever for the movie, and everyone should be. Also, don't forget the tissues, don't say you weren't warned. I have often heard people say, Good looks is just a bonus if you have a great personality! Why does no one ever mention that sometimes looking too good or handsome can actually turn into a bane, instead of a boon? Well, no one can understand this bitter truth better than a 25-year-old Chinese airport technician who apparently got a 10% pay cut after his video went viral and turned him into a national heartthrob. Yes, his bosses deducted his salary for breaking the internet, with literally just one walk. But, before we tell you what his mistake was or why are people losing their minds over him, check out this video. The man in picture is South Korean actor Song Joong Ki, whose popularity skyrocketed after his performance in 'Descendants of the Sun'. This particular video shows him walking towards his leading lady, with an attitude that literally has 'zero f**ks to give' written all over. People are now comparing this handsome airport technician to the South Korean actor. Why? Is he also walking towards his lady? Has he been offered any movie role? No, the internet is losing its mind looking at the guy walk on tarmac with his cool shades and noise-cancelling headphones on. The video was shot by a passenger on board a flight at China's Xiamen airport, and within no time gained more than a million views on China's short-video platform Tik Tok. Facebook While, women were busy debating about whether he looks like Song Joong Ki or not, the guy's company was busy discussing something more grave in nature. How much pay cut should he get? Since, it's a 13-second video, maybe 10% is enough? Probably that's what his seniors were thinking. This is the video we are talking about. However, there's more to it that just good looks. The man, who won millions of hearts on the internet, lost to his company that deducted 10% of his salary since his uniform was untidy and he had one hand in his pocket. Reportedly, his demeanor was against the company's code of conduct. According to a report in CGTN, a notice sent by the company mentioned, Taking into consideration the influential impact this video has made, the aggravated penalty must be applied. weibo After his video went viral and people started reacting to the pay cut, the guy himself responded about the incident and said that he accepts the punishment given by the company. He said, Honestly, I still feel quite happy because it is not easy to become so famous that quickly. Well, I guess you should meet Priya Prakash Varrier, who can give you lessons on how to become famous in less than 24 hours. Anyway, the guy further said, My company did nothing wrong, it was my fault for not keeping with the correct standards in terms of dress code and behavior. He even took the person's side who shot the video, Please don't bombard the passenger who uploaded the video online. I never blamed her, because she didn't mean to cause me any harm. Honestly, being a fan of South Korean dramas, I am very particular about my favourite actors and do not appreciate anyone comparing them with others. But, given how this guy and his walk have the potential to beat Priya Prakash Varrier's wink, I can let this comparison pass. Well, although you got a 10% pay cut, you get a 100% from all of us for looking this handsome. Thank you for subscribing! By signing up to this free newsletter you agree to receive occasional emails from us informing you about our products and services. You can opt out of these emails at any time. KINDE Being able to live in the same area you were born in, and work in the school you graduated from, is a dream for some people. That dream came true for Laurie Preston. Born in the Upper Thumb, and having graduated from North Huron High School, Preston went to Central Michigan University to study. She graduated from CMU with a bachelor of science degree in elementary education. She also earned a masters degree from the same university in English language arts, with a minor in history. Then reality struck. She couldnt find a job in her field. While living in Battle Creek, she received a call from North Huron Schools. A job was waiting. They called and said they had a one-year position, so if I was looking for more than that, I should be careful making a decision, Preston said. I said I didnt care. I didnt have a job, and one year was better than no years. Then people ended up retiring or moving to different positions ... actually, three of us got hired the next year. That was 26 years ago. And she hasnt looked back. Preston got married, had three children, watched two of them graduate from North Huron the youngest is in her senior year and will graduate this year and has influenced numerous children on their path through the elementary school. She now teaches fourth and fifth grade. I did one year of fifth and sixth grades at the middle school, when it was in Port Austin, Preston said. I got moved back to elementary, and have been here ever since. Ive done every grade, kindergarten through sixth grade ... except first grade, thats the only one I havent done. But I love the big kids ... the fourth and fifth graders ... thats my favorite. There are a lot of things Preston likes about teaching. Among them is watching young minds develop. But she misses seeing kids when they move on. Youre sad to see them go, she said. You see them grow ... just the jump from this building to that building ... in their maturity, in their attitude, and the way they carry themselves. Its amazing. They turn into teenagers. Because the education system is ever changing, Preston is now part of whats called departmentalized teaching. We have three teachers for two grades, she said. We rotate our kids throughout the day. We shuffle up the groups once a term, to best serve their needs. If they need to be pushed in a certain area, or if they need to be supported in a certain area, we will change up the group to make sure everyone gets what they need, she added. Departmentalization consists of each of the three teachers concentrating on a particular area of study. I am responsible for teaching reading, writing, language, and social studies, Preston said. Another teacher teaches reading, writing, language, and math. The other teacher teaches reading, writing, language, and science. Its a program that was instituted at North Huron Schools last year. It was pretty successful, Preston said. This year, half the kids are used to it, so it flowed beautifully. There is a downside to the system. Generally, in elementary, having one teacher in class all day builds a bond, a sense of community, a sense of security, Preston said. And you do, you get very attached to your class ... to your children. I do miss that, but theyre all my kids ... all 60 of them are my kids. There are also good things about departmentalization. Whats nice is that I dont have to teach nine subjects a day, Preston said. I can concentrate on a few, and do a really good job. And, the kids are able to get up and move ... there are usually three big chunks, its not like they have to move every hour. They have reading in the morning, all morning long, and then we do our switching in the afternoon, with science, social studies, and math, she added. Usually the departmentalized classes consist of kids in the same grade, but there are some exceptions. It depends on what were doing, Preston said. We have intervention time, where we take whatever they need, and service that need. If theyre having trouble with writing paragraphs, we pull in whoever has trouble writing paragraphs and service that until they have it. And then we move on to the next skill. Another advantage of departmentalization is class size. Splitting the kids into three classrooms makes it easier to recognize whether a child has a particular problem area that needs to be addressed. You can identify so much faster, Preston said. You used to worry about the kids that were struggling. Now we can push those kids. They can go a little further. We talk a lot about growth, mind set ... about how you always need to challenge yourself ... that you should never say, This is good enough. They take that personally. The system also helps those who are ahead of the curve. We get them into more challenging texts, Preston said. We ask them more complex questions, and have them do real-life projects. Like, if theyre really good in math, or reading, there are activities built around using and applying math, or reading ... how to solve a situation. Being a teacher means accepting that everything doesnt always work out the way you would like it to, and being able to go with the flow. Every day is different, Preston said. Theres always a new and better way to solve a problem. I like to watch them think, and process, and figure things out. I love my job. I really love my job. You come to school and the kids are happy and eager to see you, and to learn new stuff, she added. You never know what youre going to get. I dont know if I could do something where it was the same thing all day long. In order to make her job easier, Preston uses an online resource. Its a website where projects designed by teachers to help other teachers get a concept across to their students are offered for sale. She not only buys projects, but makes some herself. I like to create things, Preston said. Theres a website called Teachers Pay Teachers (www.teacherspayteachers.com). You can create work, lets say a unit in geometry. You can put it up on this website and other teachers will purchase it, because youve already made it. Ive been working on items to sell in my Teachers Pay Teachers store. The idea is to come up with projects that help students learn. Its an additional resource, Preston said. If youre looking to do a little play, you can search the site for someone who has written a little play. Its all from teachers, so they know what we need. I would really like to get into creating a bunch of units, she added. You have to be organized, and have a good computer program, so you can put all the bells and whistles in, like graphics. The projects are designed to be printed and used as classroom aids. You have to watch how you use it, Preston said. You cant use it as your curriculum. You have to use it as a bonus. We have the curriculum in place, state regulations. This is just enhancing it. Its just another tool she uses to ensure her students receive the best education possible. Its helped Laurie Prestons dream come true: To be able to teach in the same school she graduated from. CASS CITY -- Jacob Boynton, hospice care consultant for the Compassus program serving Cass City and the surrounding areas, was honored for his outstanding performance and inducted into the 2018 Compassus Presidents' Circle. He was honored during a recent awards ceremony at the Compassus National Leadership Meeting in New Orleans. HARBOR BEACH The Harbor Beach Community Hospital has made some impressive moves over the past couple years. It is continually trying to bring new doctors, nurse practitioners, and specialists to their small town hospital network. In particular, the hospital has recently enticed two nurse practitioners to Harbor Beach. Shannon Nowiski started February 2017, and Amanda Cook began November 2017. Both seem to fit right into this hospitals network, and they both seem very happy to be working in Harbor Beach. Deciding to work in Harbor Beach was a very easy task for Cook. She is the daughter of Lloyd and Tracy Bischer. A farm kid, she was raised in Ruth and attended Harbor Beach Community Schools. After high school, she attended St. Clair County Community College in Port Huron, and she became a registered nurse in 2009. As an RN, she works in both Harbor Beach and Bad Axe. She earned her bachelor of science degree from the University of Michigan in 2014. Soon after, she earned her MSN from Saginaw Valley State University to become a nurse practitioner. She is married to Garet Cook, and the couple is expecting their first child. Even as a child, I wanted to be a nurse, she said. My sister is a nurse. Shell tell you she was the reason I became one, but it wasnt. Ive always liked to help people. The health care field has always interested me. I have some family members who have some medical issues and that helped intrigue me, she added. Cook works at the 1st Street Clinic three days a week. She normally works the clinic in the early part of the day, and then she covers the walk-in clinic at the hospital in the afternoon. She also works at the Port Hope Clinic two days per week. Im surprised at the wide range of things I see in a days time, she said of her job. I do a lot of primary care, preventative care, and disease management. I see the senior citizen population the most at the 1st Street Clinic. At the walk-in clinic, I see a lot of kids and young adults. This winter, one of the common things she has treated has been upper respiratory illnesses. This year, the flu hit dramatically, she said. She isnt sure if the flu epidemic has peaked. She thinks it is a little late in the year for it to still be raging. She admits her job in medicine is not always a bed of roses. It is really hard to treat people she knows who have serious problems. On the other hand, the job has a definite upside. One of these positive things is giving patients the reassurance things are not as bad as they may think. We have a strong primary base now, she said. Most people know the providers and people know they can trust us. We dont shuffle people through like some others might do. We have a group of ER doctors that are really skilled. Theyre really nice and are easy to deal with. She went on to say most come from larger hospitals and they add a great level of experience to the ER. I like cases that require a little investigation to solve the problem, Cook said. Every day, Im still constantly learning things. I look forward to continuing to learn. Shannon Nowiski is the second FNP-BC the hospital has hired in the past year. She is married to Brian Nowiski. The couple has seven children between them, and they are expecting their first baby as a married couple. Unlike Cook, Nowiski is not from this area. She got her initial experience in the medical field as a paramedic. I did emergency services and drove an ambulance for seven years in the Detroit area, she said. Nonetheless, she says she loves the area, Harbor Beach, and the hospital. She started working with the hospital in 2010 as an RN. While working, she continued her education online at Walden University. I followed local doctors to do my training, she said. Nowiski graduated from Walden in 2015 with her FNP-BC. Unfortunately, there was not a place in Harbor Beach for her, so she took her skills to Bad Axe. It wasnt long before an opening came up and she jumped at the chance to come back. She and Dr. Nicklaus Bradley work together at the Harbor Beach Medical Clinic. The clinic sees patients by appointment, although, they do take walk-ins. As might be expected, they do exams, injections and vaccinations. She was quick to point out she does much more than the simple things. We see patients for acute illnesses and for management of various illnesses, she said. I like to promote wellness. While treating patients, it is common for her to explain, educate and encourage people to take maintenance steps for a healthier life. Some of the things she will likely discuss with a patient are to stay active, avoid bad habits and make good meal choices. She said diabetes is a good example of something she may discuss with those coming in for treatment. I tell them you can make good choices and be a healthy diabetic, or you can make bad choices and be a sick diabetic, she said. I like to educate people. Educated people are better equipped to participate in their own health and wellness care. I like to see people who have not seen a provider for a long time, she added. Sometimes people fear what they may find out. (But) they often find out their overall health is manageable. Nowiski is very pro-active in keeping herself well informed about the medical world. In this regard, she has gone back to school. Im back in a doctorate program now, she explained, adding she plans to get a doctorate of nursing practice (DNP) online from Walden University. She expects to graduate in 2019. But she doesnt plan to leave Harbor Beach. I just love my job, she said. I want to help as many people as I can. I want to educate as many people as I can educate. I hope to spend the next 25 years here. I want to retire from here, she added. This is definitely what Ill be doing for a long time. I love this job. Thats the bottom line. Fox News personality Pete Hegseth, a conservative voice on veterans' policy, has emerged as a leading candidate to replace embattled Veterans Affairs Secretary David Shulkin, who has fallen from favor with the Trump administration, according to people with knowledge of the matter. Hegseth, 37, is co-host of "Fox & Friends Weekend," a platform he has used to push his vision of a health-care system with a drastically smaller government footprint and a larger share of private care. He has railed against Shulkin and members of Congress in both political parties for their moderate approach to offering veterans access to private doctors. Hegseth is an Iraq War veteran who was previously executive director of the conservative advocacy groups Vets for Freedom and Concerned Veterans for America, which is backed by the billionaire industrialists Charles and David Koch. Concerned Veterans has proved to be an influential force in the administration. But Hegseth's views on reforming the troubled agency are considered extreme even by some Republicans in Congress, and it is unclear if he could win Senate confirmation if President Donald Trump decides to fire Shulkin. Hegseth has been a confidant of Trump's, who watches his Fox News show and frequently calls him to discuss veterans' policy. Hegseth has dined at the White House and, during an Oval Office meeting between Trump and Shulkin last week, the president called Hegseth to seek his counsel on pending legislation that would expand private care. Trump has not met with Hegseth about the job. But the president has soured on Shulkin, the only Obama-era holdover in his Cabinet, amid widely reported turmoil within VA's senior ranks. The president has told aides he may replace Shulkin as part of a broader shake-up that began Tuesday with his firing of Secretary of State Rex Tillerson. Other possible candidates to run VA include Jeff Miller, a retired Republican congressman from Florida who was chairman of the House Veterans' Affairs Committee and now works as a lobbyist, according to sources close to the administration. While the president discussed the turmoil at VA in a meeting Monday with Energy Secretary Rick Perry, Perry told reporters Wednesday that he is not interested in the job and that he is not considered a candidate. Hegseth, reached late Wednesday, declined to comment. A former infantry soldier, he told The Washington Post last week that Shulkin "has talked a good game on Choice," referring to an existing program that allows veterans to see private doctors, but with restrictions. "But he's sided with the permanent bureaucracy, the traditional veterans' groups and the unions." A Minnesota native, Hegseth was vetted to run the sprawling veterans' agency after Trump was elected in 2016. But he was considered too inexperienced to run the government's second-largest bureaucracy, which employs 360,000. He also is disliked by traditional veterans' advocacy groups, which fear a downsized VA and a privatized system, and which would probably mount a strong campaign against his nomination. Shulkin, 58, a physician and former hospital executive who ran the Veterans Health Administration under former President Barack Obama, won unanimous Senate confirmation last year. He has racked up a number of bipartisan wins for the administration in Congress, but has clashed with VA's senior political appointees installed by the White House. The core issue on which they disagree is the degree to which veterans should be able to seek private care at government expense. About 30 percent of VA's medical appointments are now handled by private doctors. The tensions spilled into public view in February following an investigation by the agency's inspector general, who admonished the secretary for a business trip he took to Europe with his wife and top staff. Shulkin could not be reached for comment. During testimony Thursday on Capitol Hill, he was asked by lawmakers whether he's become distracted by the feud or faced pressure from the administration to privatize veterans' care. The secretary said that he remains focused and that the only pressure he faces is "to fix this system." It's unclear how long Shulkin plans to stay in the job, though. His allies say he is focused on moving the Choice legislation through Congress and on signing the first phase of a massive contract to overhaul VA's outdated electronic health records system. A sticking point has been how a new system would connect veterans' medical records with those of private doctors. Hegseth has been critical of some senators whose votes he would need for confirmation. As the Senate debated legislation to expand the Choice program in November, he tweeted about Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee chairman Johnny Isakson, R-Ga.: "Worst part about this is that so-called Republican @SenatorIsakson voted WITH socialist @SenSanders to block MORE health care choice for veterans. Sanders wants to trap vets in @DeptVetAffairs and so do Swamp creature 'Republicans' like Isakson." Asked to comment on a possible Hegseth nomination, Isakson spokeswoman Amanda Maddox said, "We don't comment on hypotheticals." The Koch political network has announced plans to spend substantial money to target incumbent Democrats in the 2018 midterm elections, among them Sen. Jon Tester, D-Mont., the committee's ranking Democrat. Tester, a Shulkin supporter, said in a recent statement, "Right now, what the veterans of this country need is a leadership team at VA and in the White House who will help us . . . improve access to quality VA health care. That means we need a Secretary who works for our veterans, not for the Koch brothers." - - - The Post's Josh Dawsey, Philip Rucker and Ashley Parker contributed to this story. Tom Reel /San Antonio Express-News St. Patricks Day, which is Saturday, has become a favorite day of celebration for millions of Americans, both Irish-Americans and the non-Irish alike. Sure and begorrah. There are parades and parties, shamrocks and green everywhere, meals of corned beef and cabbage and, of course, ample spirits. Perhaps thats because there were many waves of immigration to the United States from Ireland and now approximately 32 million claim Irish ancestry, according to the Census Bureaus most recent statistics. An estimated 3 million more identify as Scotch-Irish. Bleak times may be ahead for the relationship between the press and U.S. military branches as officials maintain that operational security should outweigh public outreach, according to a former senior Defense Department official and a national security expert. What's more, recent decisions designed to protect national security may become strict conditioning factors for how future leaders and public affairs officers engage with the press, and an illegitimate way to project strength over weakness, the experts said. "A natural concern for OpSec is pushing us into a situation where I believe the Defense Department is becoming unhealthy in its outlook toward engagement with the public and with the press," said a former senior Pentagon public affairs official, who asked not to be named because of current employment implications. This week it was revealed that the Air Force is curtailing its media engagements and limiting the amount of information it releases in what it says is an effort to protect operational security, according to a March 1 memo, first reported by Defense News. Related content: Media embeds, base visits and interviews have been suspended until further notice with limited exceptions, the memo said. "The way the Air Force comes out of this, at the end of this training program, whenever it's finished, they won't be the same. There will be a persistent chilling effect," the former senior official told Military.com in a telephone interview Thursday. In the wake of the memo, press organizations protested the move. Security must be balanced against the need to inform the public, said John M. Donnelly, the president of the Military Reporters & Editors Association, a non-profit organization that speaks on behalf of military, national security and homeland defense reporters. Donnelly went on to say that while its understandable there is a need for operational security practices, there is still a need to inform the public. We worry that the definition of the kind of unclassified information that can be withheld is subjective, Donnelly said in a statement. When it comes to unclassified information, the presumption in a democracy should favor disclosure. Ultimately, the proof will be in the execution of this new guidance, and MRE will be closing watching that, he said. In days following the memo's exposure, the Air Force's training manual on how best to preserve and control OpSec leaked on Facebook, with examples of recent media failures when dealing with sensitive information. One story related how, during an ongoing effort to send a message of strength to North Korea, a B-1B Lancer flight mission in the Pacific was canceled due to maintenance issues; another highlighted the "kill chain" procedure airmen use to target terrorists in the Middle East; a third detailed how the National Space Defense Center in Colorado began 24-hour operations to hunt space threats and spy satellites. The Air Force told Military.com these three stories did not prompt the memo, but were just examples leaders highlighted when putting the training manual together. The former senior official said it still appears to be an overreaction. "The one about the bomber probably seems valid," since it draws on failsafes and mission execution, the official said. "But as a public information official, I'd come across articles that revealed information that none of us were comfortable with. There's ways to deal with it and try to amend it, correct it, and move forward." The official said operational security remains a valid justification. "There's absolutely nothing wrong with looking at OpSec from time to time and doing some navel-gazing and saying, 'Hey, do we have it right? Are we giving too much information out there?' Are we classifying too little, and are we publicly disclosing information that could harm us? That is normal, it's natural and responsible," the former senior official said. The U.S. Navy has also clamped down on media engagement in recent months. Chief of Naval Operations Adm. John Richardson last March issued a memo telling sailors to steer clear of "events that are primarily for marketing, and that don't make an intellectual contribution to warfighting," as well as openly sharing information with the press. The Pentagon that same month issued similar guidance in which Defense Secretary Jim Mattis cautioned about publicly speaking about readiness shortfalls, which he argued could give adversaries an advantage. One expert questions how far the Air Force, and the DoD as a whole, will go before they say "OpSec" for everything, becoming more reserved in giving out information. "Harkening back to a strategic guidance document to excuse behavior or validate irrelevant choices is a major pastime at DoD," said Loren DeJonge Schulman, deputy director of studies and the Leon E. Panetta senior fellow at the Center for a New American Security. "'For national security reasons' is, too, of course, as you know. Both of these are valid rationales for changing behavior, but they are too easily and too often a lazy cover," said Schulman, who served as the senior adviser to former National Security Adviser Susan Rice and was a special assistant to Defense Secretary Robert Gates. If OpSec is the reasoning, there must be a rationale that should be conveyed to the press, Schulman told Military.com on Thursday. "If increased OpSec is needed for the U.S. counter-terrorism campaign, why? Where? Clearly, DoD is expanding operations in a number of fronts, e.g., West Africa, but it has made no case for it," she said. Not (Totally) a Trump Thing The tension between the Defense Department -- the overseer of global, but veiled, military operations -- and America's Fourth Estate has been growing for some time, and can't be laid at the Trump administration's door. Not totally, anyway. "There is a much less friendly media environment in this administration than we have seen in prior ones," the former defense public affairs official noted, but said the underlying tension between the Defense Department and the press did not start with President Donald Trump nor with Mattis. Then-Defense Secretary Ash Carter was more buttoned up than most top leaders, urging four-star generals not to be very forthcoming, the former senior official said. "This didn't just start with Jim Mattis. Ash Carter started it, really, and that's a different president," the official said. But within the last handful of years, officials too have been strategic about how they approach the press, especially during the sequestration and budget cap era. "If your job is to protect the country, you want to be able to do it with the best resources and best capabilities possible and, if you don't have those, you want to draw those to Congress' attention," the senior official said. "But you flip now to an extreme version of this where you can project strength." Under this administration, the senior official argued, there is a fixation that the audience -- reading, listening, watching or consuming news in some way -- is an adversary like Russia or China. "I don't disagree with that logic; you do have to be mindful of that," the senior official said. But with Trump's open battle with traditional media, that balance is missing, the official said. "That permeates throughout the entire system, and you're seeing that at DoD," right down to the Air Force, the former senior official said. What is uniquely different under this administration is "the president's avid, aggressive use of social media and his willingness and ability to make policy and personnel decisions through social media," the official said, referencing Trump's Tweets about the department's transgender policy, rebuilding military strength, and threatening military action against North Korea. Mattis, a leader who is "naturally humble," the senior official said, meanwhile is trying to lead responsibly and prudently and is mindful of "doing it in a way that he's not undercut by the commander in chief." Unpredictable and conflicting messages from Trump, however, are not helping, Schulman added. "If the potential for conflict on the Korean peninsula necessitates a serious revisitation of OpSec, you wouldn't know it, because the administration's messaging on this topic has been so inconsistent," she said. "Leaks are driving our perceptions, not any effort by the Trump national security apparatus to make a case for anything." She added, "It's hard to know if the security environment is so different as to justify a significant change in transparency and public posture because, as a rule, this administration has resisted talking about it." The DoD's frustrations, Schulman said, have "far more to do with leaks than with standard-issue public affairs engagement." Still, in the midst of all that, honest and responsible reporting can be achieved without violating OpSec, the former senior official said. Chilling Effect for Years But the most worrisome aspect to all of this is how future leaders learn from these public engagement training exercises. Captains and first and second lieutenants looking at the latest memos, "They're going to remember it," the senior official said. "They will remember that they had to get trained, they'll remember that Air Force leadership had to put the hammer down, and it's going to give them one more excuse on why they shouldn't talk. "What has started out as at least ostensibly a reasonable, prudent concern over operational security is becoming not just a chilling effect but could become akin to a deep freeze on public engagement," the senior official said. -- Oriana Pawlyk can be reached at oriana.pawlyk@military.com. Follow her on Twitter at @Oriana0214. Pentagon officials took the stance Thursday that the military can decide when and if to tell the American people that U.S. troops have been in combat. The officials briefly outlined the policy in confirming that they withheld news that an attack on a joint patrol of U.S. and Nigerien troops had been repelled Dec. 6, about two months after the Oct. 4 ambush in Niger that killed four members of the Army's Third Special Forces Group. "Our troops are often in harm's way, and there are tactical things that happen that we don't put out a press release about," Pentagon Chief Spokesperson Dana White said, defending the Pentagon's silence on the second attack in Niger. "We also don't want to give a report card to our adversaries," White said at a Pentagon briefing. "They learn a great deal from information that we put out. They don't deserve a report card on how they can be more lethal." Marine Lt. Gen. Kenneth McKenzie, the Pentagon's Joint Staff director who joined White at the briefing, rejected charges that the Defense Department lacks a strategy for the estimated 800 U.S. service members in Niger to carry out. "I completely disagree," McKenzie said. "I think we do have a plan and the plan is working." He said this despite the Oct. 4 ambush near the village of Tongo Tongo in northwestern Niger that killed four U.S. and five Nigerien troops on what had been expected to be a routine joint patrol with little risk. McKenzie said the mission in Niger is to advise and assist local forces, and joint patrols are assigned "when combat was unlikely." It was also unlikely, he said, in the recently revealed December combat incident when fighters believed to be linked to the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) attacked a U.S.-Nigerien patrol. "Our forces reacted appropriately with their Nigerien partners and no U.S. soldiers were injured in that combat," McKenzie said. He could not say whether any of the fighters from the Oct. 4 ambush were involved in the December attack, but noted that the Dec. 6 attack occurred about 680 miles to the east of the first incident. In Niger, "The intent is for our partners to do the fighting, for us to support them up to the last covered and concealed position before they become engaged," McKenzie said. "We do not intend to seek combat with our forces in Niger," he said. But if U.S. forces are attacked, "we're prepared to react to that." U.S. Africa Command confirmed the Dec. 6 combat action in Niger only after The New York Times reported that it had occurred. AfriCom estimated that 11 extremists had been killed and a weapons cache had been destroyed during the firefight, according to a Stars and Stripes report. "The purpose of this mission was to set the conditions for future partner-led operations against violent extremist organizations in the region and, based on currently available information, we assessed this attack was launched by ISIS-West Africa," AfriCom spokeswoman Samantha Reho said in a statement. The U.S. often withholds information on special operations actions for security reasons, but the Pentagon has also become more secretive on the dispositions and actions of conventional forces in recent years under both the Obama and Trump administrations. The Pentagon routinely declines to comment or gives vague estimates on the number of U.S. troops in Iraq and Syria. In Afghanistan, the number of U.S. troops is capped at 8,400 but that number is routinely exceeded by labeling additional troops as "temporary" personnel. In unveiling his new "conditions based" strategy for Afghanistan last August, President Donald Trump declined to put a figure on the number of additional troops to be deployed or define his benchmarks for success. -- Richard Sisk can be reached at Richard.Sisk@Military.com. YOKOSUKA NAVAL BASE, Japan -- The Japan Coast Guard has recommended negligent homicide charges for the USS Fitzgerald's officer of the deck and the ACX Crystal's second officer after a deadly collision last year. The guidance, announced Thursday, comes after the conclusion of an investigation that determined both officers were responsible for the June 17 incident that killed seven Fitzgerald sailors after the destroyer crashed into the cargo ship about 60 miles southwest of Yokosuka. Charges of "Causing Death and Injury through Negligence in the Pursuit of Social Activities and Endangering Traffic through Negligence in the Pursuit of Social Activities" were recommended because both officers were responsible for steering their ships at the time of the collision, Japan Coast Guard spokesman Yoshihito Nakamura told Stars and Stripes. He said the coast guard would not identify the ACX Crystal's second officer out of fairness, because the Navy has refused to name the Fitzgerald officer. Nakamura said the Fitzgerald crew is at fault because the Crystal was traveling on its right side in accordance to Preventing Collisions at Sea regulations. However, the ACX Crystal is also to blame because it failed to take any action to avoid the incident, he added. Related content: U.S. Forces Japan told Stars and Stripes in a statement Thursday that it is aware of Japan's intent to pursue legal action. "The sailors involved in the collision were performing their official duties at the time," the statement said. "Pursuant to the Status of Forces Agreement between the U.S. and Japan, the U.S. has the primary right to exercise jurisdiction for offenses arising out of any act or omission done in the performance of official duties." Japanese media are speculating that prosecutors will drop the case against the Fitzgerald sailor because of this caveat. A Navy report released last year said the Fitzgerald's officer of the deck "exhibited poor seamanship by failing to maneuver as required, failing to sound the danger signal and failing to attempt to contact [the ACX Crystal] on Bridge to Bridge radio." The unnamed sailor also "did not call the commanding officer as appropriate and prescribed by Navy procedures to allow him to exercise more senior oversight and judgment of the situation," the report said. The officer of the deck and bridge team also "failed to comply with the International Rules of the Nautical Road," the report said, adding that the destroyer was traveling at an unsafe speed and failed to maneuver early, notify other ships of danger and take proper actions. The Navy announced in January that Cmdr. Bryce Benson -- who helmed the Fitzgerald during the incident and was injured in the crash -- had been charged with dereliction of duty, hazarding a vessel and negligent homicide. Two unnamed lieutenants and one lieutenant junior grade from the ship face similar charges. Articles 32 hearings for sailors involved in both the Fitzgerald incident and a later collision that killed 10 USS John S. McCain sailors near Singapore were scheduled to begin earlier this month. However, those have been postponed to an unspecified date after defense attorneys asked for more time. Cmdr. Alfredo Sanchez, former commander of the McCain, faces the same charges as Benson. Both leaders were relieved of their duties last year. A chief petty officer from the McCain is facing one charge of dereliction of duty. The executive officers of both ships and a slew of sailors from the Fitzgerald were also relieved of their duties due to "poor seamanship and flawed teamwork," a Navy statement said. The Navy has identified the two pilots killed when their F/A-18F Super Hornet crashed into the sea near Key West, Fla., Wednesday afternoon. Lt. Cmdr. James Brice Johnson and Lt. Caleb Nathaniel King -- both assigned to the "Blacklions" of Strike Fighter Squadron 213 at Naval Air Station Oceana -- died after the aircraft went down on final approach to Naval Air Station Key West at about 4:30 p.m. The squadron was conducting training in the area at the time. "The entire Blacklion Family is grieving the loss of two great Americans," Cmdr. Kevin Robb, the unit's commander, said in a Navy statement. "Lt. Cmdr. Johnson and Lt. King were phenomenal young men, exceptional naval aviators, and were living models of what honor, courage and commitment really mean." Johnson was piloting the Super Hornet at the time of the incident, while King was serving as weapons systems operator, the Navy said. Both men had ejected from the aircraft. The Super Hornet appeared to suffer from a mechanical failure, witnesses said. "It looked like it was going to land on the runway and then the whole plane went sideways," local resident Barbie Wilson told The Associated Press. "And then I saw fire and it dropped out of the sky." The wreckage remains in the water as the Navy's Mishap Investigation Board prepares to launch a probe into the cause of the crash. "Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families and squadron mates of these two aviators," Rear Adm. Roy Kelley, commander of Naval Air Force Atlantic, said in a statement. "A full investigation will be conducted to discover the cause of this mishap." A U.S. HH-60 Pave Hawk crashed in western Iraq on Thursday, killing all on board, according to a statement from U.S. Central Command officials. "All personnel aboard were killed in the crash," said Brig. Gen. Jonathan P. Braga, director of operations, Combined Joint Task Force-Operation Inherent Resolve, in a news release Friday. "This tragedy reminds us of the risks our men and women face every day in service of our nations. We are thinking of the loved ones of these service members today." CentCom officials said the crash does not appear to be the result of enemy activity, but remains under investigation. The incident occurred at approximately 6:45 p.m., the release said. Newsday, citing sources, said members of the New York Air National Guard's 106th Rescue Wing were among the deceased. The rescue wing is based on Long Island. Related content: The Air National Guard would not officially confirm the unit involved to Military.com, pending next-of-kin notification. The Commack, New York, Fire Department said on Facebook that one of its firefighters was among the dead. "Last night the Commack Fire Department and this great nation of ours lost a great American Patriot, friend and brother. Christopher Raguso, a New York Air National Guard Flight Engineer, died while protecting our freedom, when his helicopter crashed in Iraq killing all seven on board," the Facebook post said. Defense officials told ABC News that seven crew members, all U.S. airmen, were on board. During the incident, an accompanying U.S. helicopter immediately reported the crash, and a quick reaction force composed of Iraqi Security Forces and coalition members responded to and secured the area, CentCom said. A DoD official told The Associated Press on Thursday the crash occurred near the town of Qaim in Anbar Province near the Syrian border. The U.S.-led coalition in the area for operations against Islamic State insurgents have an outpost near Qaim to secure the border region with U.S.-backed Iraq and Syrian Democratic Forces. CentCom said in a separate release that coalition military forces were conducting strikes against Islamic State targets near Al Qaim, with one strike destroying an ISIS supply route. President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence expressed condolences Friday to the friends and family of the airmen. "Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families and loved ones of the brave troops lost in the helicopter crash on the Iraq-Syria border yesterday," Trump said on Twitter. "Their sacrifice in service to our country will never be forgotten." The HH-60 Pave Hawk is a variant of the Army's Black Hawk helicopter, used to conduct personnel recovery and medical recovery missions. Often associated with the Air Force's combat search-and-rescue missions, known as CSAR, the Pave Hawk's crew is normally comprised of two pilots, one flight engineer and one gunner. The aging HH-60G Pave Hawk fleet is intended to be replaced within the next decade by the Sikorsky HH-60W, the latest combat rescue helicopter based on the UH-60M Black Hawk. The crash is believed to be the first helicopter crash in the region since anti-ISIS operations began in 2014. -- Oriana Pawlyk can be reached at oriana.pawlyk@military.com. Follow her on Twitter at @Oriana0214. 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. Lawmakers have been pressing the U.S. Air Force the last few weeks about its light attack program. The service says that light attack, dubbed OA-X, will be an example of how it intends to buy and field planes faster in the near future. Leaders have been working on light attack for nearly a year, and they're no closer to procuring a new aircraft than when the effort began. Despite the fact the service says the A-10 Thunderbolt II is not nearing retirement, some wonder some wonder if light attack may be a viable substitute. But some believe it's unlikely that an actual program of record will be begun for a replacement. A history of light attack shows why. Four aircraft: The Air Force in 2016 announced that it had plans to hold flight demonstrations with a handful of aircraft to test whether lighter, inexpensive and off-the-shelf aircraft may be usable in ongoing wars such as Afghanistan. Four aircraft -- AirTractor and L3's AT-802L Longsword; Sierra Nevada and Embraer's A-29 Super Tucano; and Textron and AirLand LLC's Scorpion, as well as their AT-6B Wolverine -- conducted live-fly exercises, combat maneuver scenarios and, on some occasions, weapons drops during a demonstration at Holloman Air Force Base, New Mexico, in August 2017. Related content: In November, key lawmakers agreed to provide the Air Force with $400 million to continue exploring and experimenting with the planes. Support from Congress: Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Sen. John McCain endorsed the Air Force's decision to pursue a future buy, but stressed the aircraft cannot replace the A-10 Thunderbolt II, the service's top close-air-support mission aircraft. The Arizona Republican last January released his white paper assessment on how the Defense Department should move forward in military spending. "The Air Force should procure 300 low-cost, light-attack fighters that would require minimal work to develop," McCain said in the paper. The service has not said how many aircraft it expects to procure. "What you told us about the light attack aircraft and the process is incredibly encouraging, and I hope that you will be able to continue along those lines," Sen Angus King, I-Maine, told Air Force officials during a hearing on Capitol Hill in December. Down to 2: In February, the Air Force said it will test the Textron Aviation AT-6 Wolverine and the Sierra Nevada/Embraer A-29 Super Tucano during Phase II of the experiment from May to July 2018 at Holloman. (Officials originally chose Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona, for testing, but have since moved it. "By executing Phase II of the experiment at Holloman AFB, we can take full advantage of the experimentation support construct and logistical capacity that's already been established," Air Force spokeswoman Capt. Emily Grabowski recently told Military.com.) The reasoning: The service has said the prolonged conflict in the Middle East, with the Islamic State and other extremist groups extending their influence in the region, is the impetus for buying another plane -- but one that won't cost taxpayers a fortune. The Air Force also believes the light attack program is a stepping stone toward smoother acquisition processes in the future. In just five months from the original March 5, 2017, proposal, the service "had forward aircraft on the ramp at Holloman Air Force Base in New Mexico to test," Air Force Secretary Heather Wilson said March 14. "This is the way the Air Force should be doing things," she said before a House Appropriations Defense subcommittee hearing on the fiscal 2019 budget request. "If we decide to move forward, I think we should move forward quickly, and we'll work together with Congress to get the necessary authorizations and the plan that makes sense to do the acquisition," Wilson said. Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David Goldfein told Military.com in September that the light attack initiative should be viewed as a new way of doing business -- not just a plane, but part of a larger communications system. OA-X "is actually not about the hardware -- it's about the network," he said, adding he wants the service to train more often with coalition partners, who may not have high-end fighter aircraft. "At the same that we're looking at a relatively inexpensive aircraft and sensor package, can I connect that into a network of shareable information that allows us to better accomplish the strategy as it's been laid out?" he said. The likelihood of light attack becoming a real program? Slim, according to defense analysts. "You're talking about an enormous amount of money when there's so many other, higher priority candidates," explained John "JV" Venable, a senior research fellow for defense policy at The Heritage Foundation. Venable flew F-16 Fighting Falcons throughout his 25-year Air Force career. Venable said the service has billions invested into the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, B-21 Long Range Strike Bomber, and KC-46 Pegasus refueling tanker programs. The Air Force is also revitalizing its nuclear enterprise, with planned investments in nuclear command and control, communications, and new Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles and nuclear-tipped cruise missiles. "Light attack is somewhere between seventh or eighth down that pecking order, and I don't see it ever getting funded," he said in a recent interview with Military.com. Venable said he estimates the actual procurement and fielding of light attack would cost somewhere between $3.5 billion to $4 billion. "My recommendation to the Air Force? Don't do it. Spend money elsewhere on your other priorities," he said. Venable did say even the Air Force's optics of showing interest in light attack helps other allies come to the table to buy off-the-shelf aircraft. "[The Air Force has] a really good point that nations can't afford an F-35, but they can afford these," he said. "And if one of our friends can afford this level of platform, then we can get that mil-to-mil exchange going." Light attack will not be the A-10: Venable said either the A-29 or AT-6, the last two aircraft the Air Force is considering, will never and can never bring the same airpower to a battlefield as the A-10 can. "There's twice the amount of munitions on the A-10," he said. "It will never be a replacement. It's not something we would use in the next major campaign." Venable added, "The situation you can put those aircraft in cannot withstand what an A-10 can. The A-10 is the aircraft you want in those [danger close] situations because it offers a great deal of protection for the pilots." -- Oriana Pawlyk can be reached at oriana.pawlyk@military.com. Follow her on Twitter at @Oriana0214. U.S. Army Chief of Staff Gen. Mark Milley told Congress recently that he sees the Army fielding hypersonic weapons to counter similar, rapidly evolving threats from adversaries such as Russia, but conceded that such efforts are still in the early research phase. Russian President Vladimir Putin's dramatic announcement earlier this month that his country has successfully launched the hypersonic Kinzhal (Dagger) missile from a MiG-31 interceptor has lawmakers concerned that the U.S. is already outmatched by high-speed weapons that travel at speeds of Mach 5 or above. Putin boasted that the new missile has been deployed in the Southern Military District since Dec. 1. "The concern that many of us has is about the frequency of hypersonic testing from Russia and China," Rep. Robert Aderholt, R-Alabama, said during a March 15 House Appropriations Committee defense subcommittee hearing on the Army's proposed fiscal 2019 budget. Aderholt asked whether, provided sufficient resources, the Army could build upon the two previous successful hypersonic tests and ready an early operational land-based capability by 2022, as was directed in the current-year defense budget. Milley acknowledged the seriousness of the threat, but said he couldn't commit to a "date of 2022," characterizing the effort as being in the science and technology, research and development phase. "As you rightly point out, two significant adversaries, China and Russia, are moving out in the development of hypersonic weapons. We acknowledge that," Milley said. "We, the Army, have as our number one priority for modernization long-range precision fires; a subset of that is the hypersonic piece to it. "I don't want to say 2022 because I haven't seen the results of the S&T and R&D yet, but I do believe that is technologically possible, and I believe we will be able to test and then acquire and procure long-range precision weapons that go significantly longer in range than any existing artillery system on the Earth today," he said. Also Wednesday, Navy Adm. Harry Harris, commander of U.S. Pacific Command, told members of the Senate Armed Services Committee that China is also "heavily investing in the next wave of military technologies, including hypersonic missiles, advanced space and cyber capabilities, and artificial intelligence." "If the U.S. does not keep pace, PaCom will struggle to compete with the People's Liberation Army on future battlefields," Harris said. "I believe China's development and research into hypersonic glide weapons is one of those technologies that they're working on that could threaten us significantly." -- Matthew Cox can be reached at matthew.cox@military.com. The U.S. Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force and Coast Guard have all placed orders to purchase the Army's Modular Handgun System, according to Sig Sauer. Military.com reported Wednesday that the Marine Corps had budgeted money in its proposed fiscal 2019 budget to purchase 35,000 MHSs: the Sig Sauer pistol the Army selected to replace the M9 9mm, made by Beretta USA. The Army awarded Sig Sauer an MHS contract worth up to $580 million in January 2017. The other services are authorized to purchase the MHS through the Army contract, according to Tom Taylor, chief marketing officer for Sig Sauer. "All services have been involved in MHS since its inception ... and they have all committed to ordering guns," Taylor said in an email to Military.com on Thursday. "The U.S. Marine Corps, U.S. Air Force, U.S. Navy, and U.S. Coast Guard all have orders that will be fielded starting later this year and early next year." The Army confirmed that the other services can go through it to buy the MHS. "The other military services, who were involved in the entire acquisition process including source selection, can also procure XM17/XM18 Modular Handgun Systems under the Army contract with Sig Sauer," Debra Dawson, spokeswoman for Program Executive Office-Soldier, said in an email. Miliary.com reached out to the Navy, the Air Force and the Coast Guard for comment but did not receive a reply by press time. The Marine Corps said it would not comment on MHS at this time. The Army's 10-year MHS agreement calls for Sig Sauer to supply the service with full-size XM17 and compact XM18 versions of its 9mm pistol. The striker-fired pistols can be outfitted with suppressors and accommodate standard and extended-capacity magazines. There is also an accessory rail for mounting accessories such as weapon lights. The Army intends to purchase 195,000 MHS pistols, mostly in the full-size XM17 version. Army officials first announced that all of the services intend to purchase the MHS at the National Defense Industrial Association's 2017 Armaments Systems Forum last May. MHS quantities for each service have not been finalized, Taylor said. This is not the first time the services have agreed to adopt a common pistol. The Army selected the M9 in 1985 to replace the .45 caliber 1911A1, and the M9 soon became the sidearm for entire U.S. military. The Marine Corps fiscal 2019 budget request does not give a total dollar amount for the MHS, but lists the unit cost of 35,000 Sig Sauer MHS pistols at $180 each. Army weapons officials, as well as Sig Sauer officials, have so far declined to talk about the unit cost for MHS. -- Matthew Cox can be reached at matthew.cox@military.com. Military members and veterans can get up to four free months of Apple Music through the Apple Music military discount -- but... Military families who don't want their kids in local public schools would be given cash for choosing an alternate school option under a proposal introduced on Capitol Hill this month. The idea, first floated by the Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank in Washington, D.C., would up give to $4,500 per child to families who want to use alternative schooling options, such as private schools. The money would be placed in a Education Savings Accounts (ESA). The bill was introduced by Rep. Jim Banks, a Republican from Indiana, and will likely be rolled into the annual National Defense Authorization Act process. It has also received the support of Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos and has a companion bill in the Senate. Right now local schools receive federal funding, known as Impact Aid, based on the number of military children who use them. Schools are typically funded through property taxes, and the Impact Aid to make up for the hit that income might be taking by having federal families in the area or large military bases, which are not locally taxed. The ESAs would be funded by syphoning off Impact Aid funding for each child who attends an alternate school instead of a school with the local system. How much they receive -- between $2,500 and $4,500 -- would be based on the size of the military community in the area. The Heritage Foundation estimates that the parents of about 126,000 would be eligible. Officials see the proposed program as giving greater schooling options to military kids. "We know that they're so mobile generally that it is difficult for those kids, moving from base to base to base, or from city to city to city, to have continuity in their education. An education savings account would afford them a much different dynamic and approach to be able to get their education in the way that best works for them," DeVos said at a conference in February. But not everyone agrees this is the best option. While school flexibility is a good thing, and establishing ESAs could be helpful, advocates with the National Military Family Association (NMFA) said sourcing the money from Impact Aid is the wrong approach. That method, they said, will hurt military children who still go to the schools the funding is no longer assisting. And since even $4,500 is only a fraction of the cost of private schooling in most areas, the measure could result in even more families with higher incomes fleeing the school districts, leaving lower income students behind. "NMFA does not oppose school choice options, however we strongly oppose proposals that would transition Impact Aid into a voucher program for military-connected kids -- especially since there is no scenario where every military kid would receive those funds," they said in a blog post on their website. When you hide behind a keyboard and computer screen, its easy to lie about who you are or what youve done. Almost anyone can go on the internet and say theyve done this, that, and the other thing and the veteran community is just as guilty of this. There are shameless veterans everywhere who will go on the comments section and start shooting off lies faster than a GAU-8 Avenger dispenses 30mm rounds. But honest veterans everywhere know the truth because theyve been there and they know which lies are the most common. 1. Their occupational specialty This one is just plain stupid. If youre proud of your service, theres absolutely no reason to lie about what you did while you were in. Everyone plays a part in the big picture, so nothing you did is better or worse than what someone else did. Maybe you didnt go to combat so what? Take pride in the fact that you helped others prepare for it. There's no way everyone was a special operator, right? (U.S. Air Force Photo by Tech. Sgt. Gregory Brook) 2. What they did in-country No matter when or where troops are deployed, there tons of POGs out there who never see direct combat. For whatever reason, these veterans will lie to make their deployment sound like a Call of Duty mission. Maybe they feel ashamed. Or maybe they want to seem cool because they have that Afghanistan Campaign Medal on their chest but not a Combat Action Ribbon. Who knows? They'll probably exaggerate a real situation with unrealistic details. (Activision's Call of Duty: Ghosts) 3. How badass they are at shooting/fighting If someone really is a great shooter, theyll have proof. Someone who made rifle expert will have the badge to prove it and those who are just really good shots will have pictures of their targets. But veterans who were always garbage on the rifle range will not only lie about their skill but, when cornered, theyll throw out excuses for why they didnt do well on the range. Your friends will know when they take you to a range. (CNN) 4. That time they were with Special Forces POGs will read this and go, but I was with Special Forces, conveniently leaving out the fact that they were administrative specialists who just made sure the operators got paid on time. Chances are, they didnt spend much time if any sleeping outside or eating MREs. Yeah, you probably don't operate... 5. Accomplishments Veterans who are insecure about their service will do everything mentioned above and then go on to say that they did a ton of other things. Theyll tell you about that one time they rescued a cat out of a tree or saved an Afghan child from a whole squad of Taliban while carrying their best friend on their back. Theyll tell you Medal of Honor-worthy stories, but what they wont tell you is that the cat was in the Patrol Base and their platoon commander ordered them to get it out or that they couldnt carry the wounded the whole way and the child was never there. Everyone will know, and youll just look stupid. 6. How they handled the peanut butter shot Some veterans will go on the internet and make it seem like it was an easy day after they got the infamous peanut butter shot. But every other veteran knows damn-well they couldnt sit down or walk properly because they were in so much pain. Yeah, you didnt just walk away from that peanut butter shot *Bonus* How much free time they had Some veterans like to go online and claim that they were always in the sh*t, but everyone knows they had a ton of free time. They probably spent an unholy amount of time watching adult films, playing video games, or playing cards with their buddies. Chances are, this is what a good portion of your deployment looked like. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Ash Severe) MORE POSTS FROM WE ARE THE MIGHTY: 6 funny things most infantrymen lie about 5 questions you can use to challenge stolen valor dirtbags 11 memes that perfectly capture life as a commo guy We Are The Mighty (WATM) celebrates service with stories that inspire. WATM is made in Hollywood by veterans. It's military life presented like never before. Check it out at We Are the Mighty. Representative Image live bse live nse live Volume Todays L/H More Beer sales dropped in 2017 for the second consecutive year, as a result of the ban on liquor sales near highways, a few states and rise in prices, according to a report in The Economic Times. The volume of beer consumed in India dropped to 259.19 million cases from 287.99 million cases in 2016, which is nearly 10 percent. This year's performance is the worst by the beer industry in the past two decades, some of the companies told the paper. The decline in volume in 2016 was 0.4 percent and there was mid-single digit growth in the industry between 2013 and 2016. Ben Verhaert, head of India operations of Anheuser-Busch InBev, said: There was an impact of demonetisation and highway ban in the first half of the year. The second half was better and is still recovering. Despite industry declining, there is a strong trend of premiumisation which we expect to further accelerate this year. In April, the Supreme Court ordered shutting of close to one-third beer outlets. As a result, many distributors had already reduced their orders in India since February, due to the vagueness of the directives in place. After the highway ban, many alcohol outlets remained shut until the last quarter. Many of the states made things difficult for the industry. Since 2016, Kerala, Bihar and Tamil Nadu have banned liquor completely or in phases, and they make 20 percent of Indias alcohol consumption. Maharashtra raised excise duty on beer by 17 percent. Companies were left confused about the new pricing structures and rules, which led to many losses. United Breweries said: During this period, UBL did not sell its main brands. However, the matter has since been successfully resolved and business resumed at the end of the quarter. After a 16 percent growth in 2016, Danish brewer Carlsberg saw a sharp 2 percent decline in its volume in India in 2017. Cees t Hart, global chief executive officer, Carlsberg, said that GST and the highway ban have made 2017 a very volatile year. India with all kinds of regulations and changes will remain a rocky road and therefore, that could make or break our yields in India. Government bonds (G-Secs) rose smartly for the second day following renewed demand from corporates and banks, and the interbank call money rates too ended higher due to good demand from borrowing banks amid tight liquidity in the banking system. The 6.79 percent government security maturing in 2027 rose to Rs 93.89 from Rs 93.35, while its yield declined to 7.73 percent from 7.82 percent. The 7.17 percent government security maturing in 2028 gained to Rs 97.34 from Rs 96.83, while its yield fell to 7.56 percent from 7.63 percent. The 6.68 percent government security maturing in 2031 climbed to Rs 90.6250 from Rs 90.0050, while its yield edged down to 7.82 percent from 7.90 percent. The 8.27 percent government security maturing in 2020, surged to Rs 102.7875 from Rs 102.7150, while its yield eased to 6.89 percent from 6.93 percent. The overnight call money rates turned higher to 6.00 percent from it's Thursday's level 5.95 percent. It resumed at 5.90 percent and moved in a range of 6.00 percent and 5.85 percent. Meanwhile, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), under the Liquidity Adjustment Facility (LAF), purchased securities worth Rs 102.97 billion in 18-bids at the 3-day repo opertion at a fixed rate of 6.00 percent as on today, while its sold securities worth Rs 305.70 billion from 58-bids at the overnight reverse repo auction at a fixed rate of 5.75 percent as on March 15. Chandan Taparia of Motilal Oswal Securities told CNBC-TV18, "We have seen good run in most of the IT stocks including Mindtree, Hexaware Tech and KPIT Technologies. I am recommending to go long on Tata Elxsi. The stock has formed a small triangle pattern on the daily chart. It has been respecting its immediate support trend line and has surpassed immediate hurdle and trading above its supply trend line. So expecting a positive move in the counter. One can buy with a stop loss of Rs 1,020 and expect this stock to move towards Rs 1,088." "Second trade is from the private banking space. We have seen surge in the Bank Nifty, but private banks are likely to be outperformer. I have selected to go long on HDFC Bank, this is a stable counter. Recently, it has taken support near to Rs 1,835 which is a horizontal support trend line. Longs are intact with Put writing activity. Some stability is visible in the counter, so recommending to go long with a stop loss of Rs 1,860 and expecting it to rally towards Rs 1,925." "I am suggesting to go short or take the Put in Tata Steel . The stock is making lower top and lower bottom formation and in the recent bounce back move it failed to surpass immediate hurdle of Rs 635. So, there are potential to again retest Rs 600 in the lower zone. One can buy 600 Put keep the stop loss of Rs 5 and expect this Put to move towards Rs 17," he said. The Delhi High Court today refused to ground the entire fleet of IndiGo's A320neo aircraft, which allegedly have defective engines. Advocate Yeshwanth Shenoy's said in his plea that IndiGo's A320neo fleet should be grounded until the manufacturers give in writing that the existing defects have been rectified and the DGCA is satisfied. "Your (petitioner) first prayer seeking direction to Directorate General of Civil Aviation to ground the entire fleet of Airbus A320neo cannot be granted," a bench of Acting Chief Justice Gita Mittal and Justice C Hari Shankar said. It, however, said Shenoy's plea seeking various other directions to the authorities, including an order to ensure that all accidents are published on DGCA's website within 24 hours of its occurrence, shall be heard on March 20. Aviation watchdog DGCA had on March 12 ordered IndiGo and GoAir to immediately ground 11 A320neo planes powered with a certain series of Pratt & Whitney engines after three incidents of mid-air engine failures in less than a month. Concerns over the safety of such planes increased with another engine failure, forcing an emergency landing of an IndiGo flight at Ahmedabad airport on March 12, and the regulator cracked the whip saying that there is no concrete proposal in place at this stage to address the issue. A total of 14 A320 neo aircraft fitted with a specific series of engines -- 11 are operated by IndiGo and three by GoAir -- have now been grounded. Three IndiGo planes are already on the ground following the problem. India's October-December current account deficit sharply widened from a year earlier on higher imports, according to data published by the Reserve Bank of India on Friday. The October-December current account deficit widened to 2.0 percent of gross domestic product, or $13.5 billion, compared with 1.4 percent, or $8.0 billion, in the same period a year ago. It may be soon possible for India to clear consignments at domestic shores without any human intervention. The customs department under the finance ministry is working on a strategy to use artificial intelligence and blockchain technology to track countrys inbound and outbound shipments. There is a lot of emphasis on data and analytics. So, we are looking at how we can clear consignments without human interface, but may have to check if machines are working properly once or twice a year. We need to build intelligence into those machines, a senior government official in know of the matter told Moneycontrol. The policy is still in its nascent stage, with government officials working on the finer details of exactly in which area the advanced technology can be applied and the amount that needs to be spent on it. We dont have to make changes in the customs law. That is already in place. The policy should be in place in a years time, the official said. As a part of Budget announcement 2018-19, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley had said that the government will explore use of block chain technology proactively for ushering in digital economy. Jaitley had also said that the government will invest in research, training and skilling in robotics, artificial intelligence, digital manufacturing, and big data analysis in the next financial year to transform our economy by combining cyber and physical systems. According to a definition by consultancy PwC: Blockchain is, quite simply, a digital, decentralised ledger that keeps a record of all transactions that take place across a peer-to-peer network. The major innovation is that the technology allows market participants to transfer assets across the Internet without the need for a centralised third party. Till now, the application of blockchain technology has been successfully implemented all around the world in cryptocurrencies such bitcoins. In the initial stages, these advanced technologies may be used only in select areas, such as Export Oriented Units (EOU) only, the official explained. According to a study by computer services firm IBM, blockchains can reveal where an asset is at any point in time, who owns it or is handling it, and what state its in. With that data, organisation can better predict when goods will arrive and in what condition. Benefits accrue up and down the supply chain, from just-in-time planning and inventory management to dispute resolution, reduced wastage and quality controls, it said. The broader idea is better utilisation of resources and making judicious use of time so that officials in the customs department do not waste a lot of time on compliance, the official said, adding that it would make trade logistics also cut significant costs. Currently, countries, including European nations use a fully-automated system that offers end-to-end clearances of consignments. The government today categorically said there was no proposal to discontinue Rs 2,000 currency note, which was introduced post demonetisation in November 2016. The government also informed the Lok Sabha that it had decided to conduct field trials of plastic currency notes of Rs 10 in five cites. "There is no proposal under consideration of the government to stop Rs 2,000 note," Minister of State for Finance P Radhakrishnan said in a written reply in the Lok Sabha to a question whether the finance ministry has any plan to stop the note in near future. The sizes of new Rs 500 and Rs 2,000 denomination in the Mahatma Gandhi (New) series is 66mm X 150 mm and 66 mm and 166 mm, respectively. The difference between the two currency notes is 10 mm for easy identification, he said in reply to another question. The government had scrapped old Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes on November 9 with an aim to check black money and push digital economy. As regards plastic notes, the minister said: "It has been decided to conduct field trial of plastic banknotes in denominations of Rs 10 at five locations". The trial would be conducted in Kochi, Mysore, Jaipur, Shimla and Bhubaneshwar, he said, adding that the note will be printed in Indian presses on imported substrate. He, however, did not specified any timeline. Beijing and Washington have long been the dominant powers in Southeast Asia, home to some of the world's fastest-growing economies. But the region is increasingly seeking alternative alliances amid unease over China's rising influence and perceptions of an unpredictable White House. "Specific Southeast Asian states are now seeking to diversify their strategic partnerships, beyond a binary choice between Beijing and Washington," the Council on Foreign Relations, a U.S. think tank, said in a note this week. A key element of those diversification efforts is working with India "as a more forceful counterweight to China and hedge against a declining United States," the note said. Southeast Asian nations are also looking at Australia as another potential partner. The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and Canberra are holding a special summit between from March 16 to 18, a sign that the 10-nation bloc is exploring various hedging strategies against Beijing, said Geoff Raby, former Australian ambassador to China. Trade deals such as the newly-inked Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans Pacific Partnership as well as intelligence sharing efforts on terrorism are also indicative of Southeast Asian leaders seeking greater regional cooperation. US 'increasingly unreliable' Certain countries, such as Cambodia and Thailand, haven't signaled opposition to Beijing's growing clout in the area, which is reflected by an influx of Chinese-funded infrastructure projects under the Belt and Road Initiative and man-made Chinese islands in the South China Sea. But others, including Vietnam, have publicly come out against China's behavior in the region. Previously, those nations could turn to Washington for leadership, but President Donald Trump's controversial measures from tariffs on foreign aluminum and steel imports to firing Secretary of State Rex Tillerson has unnerved America's Asian allies, according to strategists. "The manner in which Donald Trump handled Tillerson's dismissal, combined with his snap decision to meet Kim Jong Un and other recent actions, reinforce the perception of the U.S. in Asia that the U.S. is increasingly unreliable," said Philip Yun, executive director of Ploughshares Fund, an anti-nuclear weapons group. People in the region are paying attention to the fact that Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, "who had touted his close relationship with Trump, was blinded-side by Trump's agreement to a U.S.-North Korea summit," Yun said. Also telling are recent comments from Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, Yun said. This week, Lee said ASEAN must adjust to a new power balance in Asia, suggesting the bloc look more to China and India. The U.S. is still widely expected to continue strong defense ties with Southeast Asian countries on matters such as freedom of navigation in the South China Sea. India's rise in Southeast Asia Widespread apprehension over China's ambitions has helped Prime Minister Narendra Modi enhance political and economic ties with Southeast Asian economies under a policy known as "Act East." Hanoi, for example, is partnering with New Delhi on South China Sea issues. In a meeting earlier this month, Modi and Vietnamese President Tran Dai Quang committed to more defense equipment deals and joint exploration in the international waterway, prompting criticism from Beijing. "The two sides may, in the future, want to be close partners to some other future regional alternative, or at least, partial alternative, to Belt and Road," according to the Council on Foreign Relations. Vietnam is also strengthening relations with other regional powers that are skeptical of or outright hostile to China, the organization said. And in January, India invited all 10 ASEAN leaders as chief guests to its annual Republic Day celebrations a historic first. The same month, New Delhi also invited those politicians to a summit aimed at promoting maritime security. Every ASEAN leader wants New Delhi to play a more assertive role in the Indo-Pacific region, Preeti Saran, secretary at India's Ministry of External Affairs, was quoted as claiming at the time. India is also a major player in a newly resurrected informal defense alliance known as "the Quad," which is aimed at offsetting Chinese maritime expansion. While Vietnam, Singapore and Indonesia are gradually embracing the concept of a more assertive Indian role in Southeast Asia, others like the Philippines and Malaysia remain silent on the matter, Manoj Joshi, distinguished fellow at Indian think tank Observer Research Foundation, said in a February report. Australia too Like India, Australia isn't a member of ASEAN, but Canberra has long been a major player in Asia-Pacific affairs due in part to proximity. This weekend's summit between ASEAN leaders and Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull is "unprecedented," according to Raby: "Five, certainly 10 years ago, this would have never happened, ASEAN leaders would not have come to Australia, they would not have embraced Australia in this way." Uncertainty over China and the U.S. is pushing Southeast Asia to Down Under, Raby said. China's "aggressive and assertive foreign policy in Southeast Asia" is motivating regional governments to seek "a balance on Beijing's behavior," he said. Moreover, ASEAN is worried about "how engaged the U.S. will be in East Asia" amid uncertainty over Trump's policies, Raby continued. New York-based private equity firm General Atlantic is in advanced talks to buy a controlling stake in Capital Foods Pvt. Ltd, according to a Mint report. Capital Food owns instant noodles brand Ching's Secret. It also owns Smith and Jones brands of pasta masala, cooking paste and ketchup. The deal will value the company at Rs 1,500 crore, a source told the paper. General Atlantic is likely to buy an 80 percent stake, purchasing the stakes of Invus Group and Capital Foods promoter Ajay Gupta, the report added. Invus Group holds a 44 percent stake in the company while Gupta owns 56 percent. Boston-based TA Associates is also interested in buying a stake in Capital Food, the report added. General Atlantic and TA Associates declined to comment, while Invus Group and Ajay Gupta did not respond, the report said. This transaction won't be General Atlantic's first deal in India. The company has investments in NIIFL Wealth Management, Mu Sigma, House of Anita Dongre and rsetaurant chain Absolute Barbecue. In 2013, Kishore Biyani's Future Consumer Enterprises Ltd had sold their 444 percent stake in Capital Foods for Rs 180 crore. The Goa iron ore mining ban has come into effect from today. Speaking on the above development Anil Agarwal, Chairman, Vedanta said the ban is an unfortunate event. The entire mining industry has come to a halt due to the mining ban in the state, he added. The mining and tourism industries are the key revenue earners for the coastal state. The state used to mine around 20 million tonnes of iron ore. The ban could lead to a lot of job losses. Paying labourers becomes a difficult task post hurdles like these, he said in an interview to CNBC-TV18 discussing the overall impact on the industry going forward. He is also worried that the mining auction may take onetwo years. However, it does not move the needle much for Vedanta in terms of their balance sheet because mining is 1.5-2 percent of their overall business, said Agarwal. It is also unfortunate that half of India's economy depends on imports be it oil, gold, etc. The government today said there has been "no abnormal increase" in airfares following the grounding of 14 aircraft on engine issues and that only 1-2 per cent of the total capacity has been impacted by the decision. IndiGo and GoAir, whose 14 A320 neo planes on the ground, have decided to cancel more than 600 flights this month resulting in tough times for passengers who already have booked tickets. Against this backdrop, Minister of State for Civil Aviation Jayant Sinha said the civil aviation ministry has been monitoring prices on the impacted route and that "there has not been a significant or abnormal increase in airfares". "With 17 engines (14 aircraft) grounded due to safety considerations, imp to note that it is around 2 per cent of capacity. With two planes coming in every week, we expect supply-demand to be back in balance quickly. Fares have not seen any meaningful spike," Sinha said in a tweet. Along with the tweet, he posted a statement with an analysis of statistics about engines and aircraft grounded as well as flights cancelled. Seeking to allay concerns over flight cancellations, the minister said the 1-2 per cent capacity impact is small in light of the industry, which is adding capacity at 20 per cent year-on-year. "1.5 to 2 percent capacity growth is taking place every month. The capacity impact of this safety measure is expected to be mitigated in a few weeks," he noted. The number of engines grounded is 17 compared to 1,174 engines in service and the ratio translates to 1.4 percent, as per the analysis. In terms of aircraft, Sinha said 14 have been grounded whereas there are 582 under scheduled operations. This ratio comes to 2.4 percent. According to him, the total number of flights cancelled is 378 from March 15 to 21, while the departures planned during this period is 18,781. The "number of flights cancelled over the period/ total departures: 2 percent," as per the analysis. Taking the March 15 to 21 period, the minister said that available seat kilometres impacted is around 78 million, while the expected available seat kilometres flown domestically is about 2,744 million. The minister also reiterated that that safety of passengers is of paramount concern to it. Auto firms in Gujarat are facing a shortage in the auto parts supply due to the limited number of vendors after several car makers rushed to Gujarat to set up manufacturing plants, according to a report in Mint. To deal with the existing crunch, the Auto Component Manufacturers Association (Acma) has decided to hold a roadshow in Gujarat on March 18 and 19 to help original equipment makers (OEMs) find new suppliers as well as enhance communication between the industry and government. After the government said it wanted only electric vehicles to ply on Indian roads by 2030, the likes of Maruti Suzuki, JSW Group and MG Motors have announced plans to enter the electric vehicles market with Gujarat being their preferred destination. Also read Gujarat is on the road to becoming India's first electric vehicle hub In October, Suzuki Motor Corporation the parent company of Maruti Suzuki Denso along with Toshiba said they would jointly invest USD 180 million (Rs 1,135 crore) for setting up a battery pack manufacturing plant in Gujarat that will start production in 2020. Since the state is tipped to become the next hub (for auto manufacturing), a lot of issues need to be resolved by the state government, Vinnie Mehta, director general of Acma, told the paper. After Ratan Tata set up a factory for his ambitious Nano project in Sanand, the state came on the world map of auto manufacturing, attracting billions of dollars in investments from companies such as Suzuki Motor Corp, Honda Motorcycle and Scooters India Pvt Ltd and Ford India PvtLtd for setting up manufacturing units. Some of these manufactures have also expressed plan to number of existing capacities. Suzuki Motor has already set up an assembly line of 2,50,000 units in the state, and the firm is planning to set up second line by the end of next year. Also read Suzuki, Denso, Toshiba to invest $180 mn in Gujarat battery pack manufacturing plant The state has only 10 to 15 percent of the total tier one suppliers in the country, with a negligible number of tier two suppliers, a supplier who supplies to both Suzuki and Tata Motors told the paper. A few auto makers such as Suzuki and Suzuki Motor have been encouraging their suppliers to expand their capacity. Both Maruti Suzuki and Suzuki Motor are in constant dialogue with the suppliers and encouraging them to expand capacity in line with the expansion plans. Several leading suppliers have already set up facilities in the area. This is likely to gather momentum, and further promote growth and job creation in the region, a Maruti spokesperson told the paper. The CBI today opposed in the Delhi High Court the bail plea of Karti Chidambaram in the INX Media corruption case, contending that he has already destroyed evidence being an "influential" person. Karti's counsel, however, argued that no case under the Prevention of Corruption Act was made out against him since the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has neither questioned any public servant, nor made them an accused in the matter. After hearing arguments of the counsel for CBI and Karti, Justice S P Garg reserved the order on the bail application. Karti's parents, P Chidambaram and Nalini, both senior advocates, were also present in the court room during the hearing. Additional Solicitor General (ASG) Tushar Mehta, representing the CBI, said there was serious apprehension of threatening of witnesses and destroying of evidence if Karti was released on bail. A battery of senior advocates, including Kapil Sibal, Abhishek Manu Singhvi, Gopal Subramanium and Dayan Krishnan, appearing for Karti's lawyers, submitted that the FIR lodged in the case did not state which public servant or Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) official was influenced. During the arguments, the ASG said FIPB officials have also been interrogated and all of them are holding high offices in their respective fields. He said it would not only seriously prejudice the investigation, but also harm the cause of justice, making it difficult for the agency to probe further. Placing certain material before the court in a sealed cover, the ASG said their details cannot be read out at this stage. The agency, in its written response to the bail plea, also opposed Karti's move of withdrawing his bail plea from the trial court and moving the high court, saying it amounted to the abuse of legal process and no fault can be found with the trial court judge. Mehta submitted that CBI investigates so many cases and if such a conduct of an accused is accepted, it will become a precedent and everyone will directly approach the high court and the agency would not be able to discriminate between any two accused. "The investigation is at a very crucial stage and we have placed documents in sealed cover that Karti has already destroyed a piece of evidence", he claimed, adding that the accused has never cooperated in the probe and even when basic questions are asked, he refuses to answer and it is non-cooperation. While placing the case diary before the court, the ASG said "court may see whether it is political vendetta as claimed by Karti, or an actual alleged commission of offence where credible material is available on record. "Not only he has tampered with the evidence, he is influential enough to tamper the evidence if he is released on bail. It's not the stage where the accused should be granted bail." Karti's lawyers denied the allegation of tampering with the evidence and added that when the CBI has not sought his further custodial interrogation, why should he be kept in judicial custody. They also said that no one else has been arrested in the case and what the CBI has done is to put Karti behind bars. CBI has also not spoken about the persons who were to be influenced and, without there being any public servant, how can the case survive, they added. Sibal argued that the CBI kept on seeking time to file response to Karti's bail plea before the trial court after which they (Karti) moved the high court for the relief. He said there was no question of Karti going abroad as he has already deposited his passport with the Enforcement Directorate as per the high court's order in the money laundering case, in which he was given protection from arrest. Karti's lawyers also claimed that CBI was trying to connect him with a private company, Advantage Strategic Consulting Pvt Ltd, which had received the alleged bribe amount of Rs 10 lakh, when he was in no way related to it. Karti had moved the high court seeking bail, hours after a court here had sent him to judicial custody till March 24. A special court had on March 12 remanded Karti in judicial custody in the graft case and dismissed his plea that he be put in a separate cell in Tihar Jail in view of "threat perception". It had sent him to prison after the CBI, in whose custody he was quizzed for 12 days in a row after his arrest on February 28 in Chennai, said he was no longer required for further custodial interrogation. Karti was arrested by the CBI on his return from the United Kingdom in connection with an FIR lodged on May 15 last year, alleging irregularities in a FIPB clearance given to INX Media for receiving funds of about Rs 305 crore from overseas in 2007 when his father was the Union finance minister. The CBI had initially alleged that Karti received Rs 10 lakh as a bribe for facilitating the FIPB clearance to INX Media. It, however, later revised the figure to USD 1 million (about Rs 6.50 crore at the current exchange rate and Rs 4.5 crore in 2007). The All India Drug Action Network (AIDAN) - a group of healthcare-focused NGOs - has expressed dismay over government appointing representatives of professional bodies such as Indian Pharmaceutical Association (IPA) and Indian Medical Association (IMA) as members of Sub-Committee of Drugs Technical Advisory Board (DTAB), which was directed to take a re-look at the banned 344 fixed dose combination (FDC) drugs by Supreme Court in December last year. The DTAB Sub-Committee will do a fresh review of the banned FDCs on case-by-case basis to verify their safety, efficacy and therapeutic justification before recommending an action to the government. According to the minutes of the 78th meeting of DTAB, held on February 12, which Moneycontrol verified, the Sub Committee headed by Nilima Kshirsagar, the Chair in Clinical Pharmacology of Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) - Mumbai, had six other members including VSV Vadlamudi, President of Indian Pharmaceutical Association, OS Sadhwani, Joint Commissioner, FDA, Maharashtra, (Member), Sanjeev Kumar Gupta of CDSCO, two representatives from Indian Medical Association, New Delhi, and Mumbai and a clinical pharmacologist. The last three members are yet to be named. DTAB said the committee may co-opt subject experts as and when required. The Sub Committee was given three months time to submit the report. Moneycontrol this week wrote that the Sub Committee will be beginning its hearing on the banned FDCs. The committee invited AIDAN to give its views by April 7. However it's the composition of DTAB sub-committee that included members of professional bodies IPA and IMA that became bone of contention. "The appointment of these three members, on the basis of their membership in professional associations, do not meet the criteria of expertise and objectivity required for deciding on the findings of another expert body - the Kokate Committee," said AIDAN in a letter signed by its member Dr Mira Shiva, who leads People's Health Movement. AIDAN also accused commercial and conflict of interest of the members representing professional bodies with industry and asked DTAB to remove them and reconstitute the Sub-Committee. It further asked the members of the re-constituted Sub-Committee to declare their conflict of interests, if any. "Many members of the Indian Pharmaceutical Association are affiliated with the pharma industry. There are thus clear, organic conflicts of interest. Further, the IMA is a body particularly known for its conflict of interest with respective commercial endorsements and vis-a-vis the pharma industry. The Sub-Committee report headed by Dr Kshirsagar will therefore lack credibility in a matter of grave public health interest if it includes such members," AIDAN said. "In the light of these observations, we request: that the Sub-Committee be re-constituted removing these members, namely the representative of the IPA and IMA, that have commercial interests and conflict of interest. That without prejudice to the above, the members of the re-constituted committee should also declare their conflict of interest, if any, in respect of serving on the committee and that these declaration be made public," AIDAN added. AIDAN also sought extension of deadline by one more month from April 7 to submit its views. "Finally, we find the deadline given to us for the submissions on more than thousand formulations (related to the 344 impugned FDCs) is very short - less than four weeks - and therefore it is impossible to comply meaningfully with request for submissions. We request that the deadline be extended by another month," AIDAN said. FDC refers to a cocktail or combination of two or more drugs into a single pill. India is flooded with FDCs, at least one in two medications sold in India will be some kind of an FDC. FDCs have shown to be particularly useful in the treatment of infectious diseases like HIV, hepatitis-C, malaria and tuberculosis, where giving multiple antimicrobial agents is the norm. FDCs are also useful for chronic conditions especially, when multiple disorders co-exist. Pharma companies have aggressively pushed FDCs on grounds of improved efficacy, better compliance, reduced cost and simpler logistics of distribution. But the real reason analysts say is to bypass drug price control as FDCs are treated as new drugs. Much of combination drugs sold in India are untested drug cocktails with no clinical justification other than commercial intent. In an attempt to weed out irrational drug combinations from the Indian market - in 2016 the government banned over 344 FDCs for a wide range of medical conditions saying that the combinations had "no therapeutic justification." The government based its decision on Kokate Committee which examined 6,214 FDCs and in its final report which was submitted to the Central Government on February 10, 2016 recommended the outright banning of 1083 FDCs on the grounds that they were irrational combinations. While the industry says the ban could have shaved off Rs 10,000 crore per year in sales from the Indian pharmaceutical market which is worth over one trillion rupees, market research firm AIOCD puts the loss figure at modest Rs 4000 crore. The ban was challenged by pharmaceutical companies on grounds that the government action was unilateral and didn't give them sufficient hearing before it went ahead with the prohibition notification. The apex court clarified that for the exercise of powers under Section 26 (A) of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, the DTAB need not be mandatorily consulted by the government in order to be convinced of reasons for banning a medicine. The court remarked that the government could be justified in declaring a ban if it finds that the drug has been banned in other countries. live bse live nse live Volume Todays L/H More State-owned defence company Hindustan Aeronautics has opened its initial public offering for subscription on Friday. Equity shares are proposed to be listed on the BSE and the NSE. SBI Capital Markets and Axis Capital are the book running lead managers to the offer that will close on March 20, 2018. Here are 10 key things you should know before subscribing the issue: Company Profile Hindustan Aeronautics (HAL) is engaged in the design, development, manufacture, repair, overhaul, upgrade and servicing of a wide range of products including, aircraft, helicopters, aero-engines, avionics, accessories and aerospace structures. The Navratna defence company is the largest defence public sector undertaking (DPSU) in terms of value of production according to the Ministry of Defence (MoD) Annual Report 2016-2017. It was the 39th largest aerospace company in the world in terms of revenue (in USD million) in 2016 according to Flight International. Its operations are organised into five complexes, namely the Bangalore Complex, MiG Complex, Helicopter Complex, Accessories Complex, and Design Complex, which together include 20 production divisions and 11 research and design centres located across India. In addition, it has entered into 13 commercial joint ventures to grow operations. About the Issue Hindustan Aeronautics' initial public offering of 3,41,07,525 equity shares is an offer for sale by the President of India, acting through the Department of Defence Production. The offer comprises a net offer of 3,34,38,750 equity shares and an employee reservation portion of up to 6,68,775 equity shares. The offer will constitute 10.20 percent of the post-offer paid-up equity share capital of the company. The company in consultation with merchant bankers has fixed issue price band at Rs 1,215-1,240 per share. Retail investors and eligible employees will get shares at a discount of Rs 25 on final offer price. Bids can be made for a minimum lot of 12 equity shares and in multiples of 12 equity shares thereafter. Amount to Raise from the Issue The state-owned defence company targets to raise Rs 4,144.06 crore and Rs 4,229.33 crore at lower and upper end of price band. Objects of the Issue The objects of the offer are to carry out the disinvestment of 3,41,07,525 equity shares by the selling shareholder constituting 10 percent of companys pre-offer paid up equity share capital; and to achieve the benefits of listing the equity shares on the stock exchanges. Hindustan Aeronautics will not receive any proceeds from the offer and all proceeds will go to the selling shareholder - the Government of India. It is a part of yearly divestment programme of the government. Strengths > It has long credible history of research, design and development, manufacturing and maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) services; > It has established track record in offering product life cycle support extending to periods beyond four decades; > It has strong design and development capabilities: In H1FY18, FY17, FY16 and FY15, research, design and development expenses were Rs 9.7 percent, 6.9 percent, 6.9 percent and 6.7 percent, respectively, of revenue from operations during such periods; > HAL has a leadership position in the Indian aeronautical industry as a result of long-standing relationships, particularly with the Indian Defence Services and the DRDO as well as with various academic institutions and regulatory agencies. It derives a strategic advantage from strong relationship with the Government of India; > It has a diversified product portfolio includes fighter aircraft, trainer aircraft, transport aircraft, military helicopter and civil helicopters and their engines, avionics and accessories (such as special test equipment and ground handling equipment and ground support equipment), which are both indigenously designed or manufactured under licence; > Its senior management team and key management personnel possess extensive management skills, operating experience and industry knowledge; > It has a strong financial track record. Financials Its revenue from operations grew from Rs 15,648 crore in FY15 to Rs 18,554.9 crore in FY17, representing a CAGR of 8.9 percent. As of September 2017, it has cash and cash equivalents of Rs 11,699.2 crore. It does not have any long-term indebtedness. As of December 2017, its order book was Rs 68,461 crore, which generally includes products and services to be manufactured and delivered and excludes anticipated revenues from incomplete portions of existing contracts undertaken by joint ventures. In addition to sales to the Indian Defence Services, which accounted for 91.4 percent, 93.3 percent, 94.2 percent and 92.6 percent of total sales in H1FY18 and in FY17, FY16 and FY15, respectively, it sells products and provide services to state governments, para-military forces and corporates. It also export products and services, primarily spares, to more than 13 countries, which accounted for 3 percent, 2.6 percent and 2.7 percent of revenue from operations for H1FY18, FY17 and FY16, respectively. Promoter Hindustan Aeronautics' promoter is the President of India, acting through the Department of Defence Production, Ministry of Defence. Promoter currently holds, directly and indirectly (through his nominees), 100 percent of the pre-offer paid-up equity share capital. After the issue, promoter's shareholding will be reduced to around 90 percent of the post-offer paid-up equity share capital. Management T Suvarna Raju has been Chairman & Managing Director of the company with effect from April 1, 2015. He joined the company as a management trainee on July 28, 1980 and thereafter worked in various capacities. He has over 37 years of work experience in the aerospace industry and has held various positions in the company. Damal Kannan Venkatesh is the Director (Engineering and Research and Development) of the company with effect from November 27, 2015. He has over 37 years of work experience in the aerospace industry and has held various positions in the company. Dividend Policy The board of directors of the company, on March 1, 2018, approved payment of interim dividend at Rs 23.92 per share, amounting to Rs 800 crore for FY18, excluding dividend tax and surcharge of Rs 163 crore. Risks & Concerns Here are some risks & concerns highlighted by several brokerage houses:- > Heavy dependence on defence contracts (Indian Defence Services contributed 93 percent to FY17 sales); > Delay in project implementation (owing to regulatory approvals/technology transfer); > As the defence contracts are not always fully funded at inception and are subject to termination, inability of HAL to fund such contracts at the time of inception or contract termination could have a material adverse effect; > The Governments significant influence over the functioning may restrict HAL's ability to manage its business; > Overhang of losses in certain joint ventures and subsidiaries; > Unfavourable outcome of an ongoing dispute with the MoD of Ecuador relating to the termination of helicopters supply contract may adversely affect HALs overseas revenue; > Company may be adversely affected by sanctions on Russia, as many of the projects are done through transfer of technology from Russian OEMs, and company rely on Russian suppliers for support of these aircraft. Market The S&P BSE Sensex has plunged a little over 7 percent from its all-time high of 36,443 seen in the month of January, but there is good news for investors. A Moneycontrol poll says the bull run, which started when the Narendra Modi government came to power, is not over yet. Roughly half of 19 analysts and money managers polled say they expect the index to stay in the 35,000-40,000 range in fiscal year 2018-19. Two analysts remained exceptionally bullish, saying that the index could go above 40,000 last year, while 39 percent of those polled said the Sensex could stay in the 30,000-35,000 range. Serious investors understand that drawdowns of about 10 percent from highs or thereabouts are par for the course. One must also consider the global backdrop; we have a new US Fed Chairperson who seems a bit more hawkish than his predecessors, there is a rise in protectionist rhetoric led by the US and an upward bias to crude and commodities given the recovery in global growth, Lalit Nambiar, Executive Vice President and Fund Manager (Equity), UTI Mutual Fund, told Moneycontrol. When measured against all of this, there is a perception that India has shifted slightly from the macro sweet spot it had occupied for the last 18-24 odd months. That said, the medium term story on India has not changed and is reasonably intact in that it is one of the fastest growing large economies in the world, he said. The Nifty, which has risen 13 percent so far in FY18 to touch Mount 11K, is on track to hit fresh record highs in FY19, according to the poll. As many as 47 percent of respondents feel that Nifty could hover in a 500-point range in the next financial year. On the lower side, Nifty could touch 11,500 while on the higher side it could well hit 12000. As many as 32 percent of respondents feel that there is a possibility of some bit of correction -- so the Nifty could move in a range of 10,500-11500. 11 percent feel that the index will remain below 10500. There finally seems a ray of light for the earnings story in FY19, which has remained lacklustre for India Inc for the past three years. Most analysts expect India Inc to start reporting double-digit growth in earnings, which could drive the next leg of the rally. Indian equities are trading at 22.6x FY18E earnings. As many as 79 percent of the respondents polled by Moneycontrol said that earnings growth could touch the double-digit mark in FY19. The rest 21 percent still feel that an earnings recovery to that extent is still some time away. The 3QFY18 earnings season lost sheen toward the end, led by disappointment from heavy-weights like SBI, Tata Motors, Lupin and ONGC but the earnings picture is getting brighter. The earnings downgrade to upgrade ratio has weakened from 0.84x to 0.66x QoQ -- 65 companies saw earnings cut of over 3 percent while 43 companies saw earnings upgrades of over 3 percent. We have revised our Nifty EPS estimate downward by 3.2% for FY18E and 0.6% for FY19E. We expect Nifty EPS to grow 13% to Rs471 in FY18 and 26% to Rs595 in FY19, Motilal Oswal said in a report. Sectors which will be in focus Most analysts feel that some of the laggards of 2017 could see some movement, such as IT and pharma. Sectors linked to Indian economy should also do well along with consumption. As many as 43 percent of the respondents said that IT will be the sector to track followed by pharma, infrastructure, FMCG, and financial services. During this consolidation phase, we have higher focus on sectors like IT, pharma and export-oriented companies. Given the domestic emphasis on rural sector, companies with the business mix focused on rural areas are likely to do better in the coming 1-2 years. FMCG, agro and fertilizer sectors can do well in the same time, Vinod Nair, Head of Research at Geojit Financial Services told Moneycontrol. Akash Singhania, Sr. VP & Fund Manager, Motilal Oswal AMC, said that the consumption sector, including housing and consumer discretionary remains a perpetual strong theme to play. "Companies in this space would continue to enjoy higher and longer business and earnings growth as they are more secular in nature. They also exhibit higher stability and consistency with lower volatility in stock price performance, he said. Singhania further added that retail-oriented banking and finance companies which fund consumption expenditure should also benefit. Here is the list of analysts and brokerage houses which shared their views for the Moneycontrol Poll:- Nilesh Shah, MD, Kotak Mahindra AMC Ajay Bodke, CEO & Chief Portfolio Manager PMS Prabhudas Lilladher Nitasha Shankar, Sr. Vice President and Head of Research, YES Securities (I) Ltd. Achin Goel, Head of Wealth Management and Financial Planning Deepak Jasani, Head Retail Research at HDFC Securities Jimeet Modi, CEO, Samco Securities Vijay Singhania, founder-director, Trade Smart Online Anand James, Chief Market Strategist at Geojit Financial Services AK Prabhakar, Head of Research, IDBI Capital Devang Mehta, Head Equity Advisory ,Centrum Wealth Management DK Aggarwal, Chairman & Managing Director of SMC Investments & Advisors Mazhar Mohammad, Chief Strategist Technical Research & Trading Advisory, Chartviewindia.in Astha Jain, Senior Research Analyst, Hem Securities. Siddharth Khemka, Head of Retail Research, MOSL. Sharekhan Angel Broking Reliance Securities Tradebulls Securities KIFS Trade Capital Dominated by selloff in index heavyweights along with other weak domestic and global cues made benchmark indices trade plunge over 1 percent. The Sensex cracked over 500 points, while the Nifty managed to breach 10,200. There was heavy selling seen across midcaps, along with weakness in auto, FMCG, infra and metal names. Selling pressure intensified especially after a key ally of the ruling coalition decided to exit NDA. Moneycontrol lists detailed reasons why the market fell today. TDP pulls out of NDA Political noise seems to have troubled the Street on Friday. As such, there is a worry among experts that 2019 elections may not be a cakewalk for the ruling party. But any other political development too seems to affect the market. The politburo of the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) announced that it is breaking its ties with the National Democratic Alliance (NDA). The TDP stated that the party will also move a no-confidence motion against the Modi government. The party said that it is in protest against the injustice that the NDA government has meted out against Andhra Pradesh since the time of its bifurcation. The announcement comes weeks after the Central government presented the budget, after the TDP, the ruling majority party in Andhra Pradesh, said that was not given its due. Trade war concerns According to reports on news agency Reuters, the trade war concerns were likely to bother investors more as well. The Wall Street Journal reported that the Trump administration was looking to impose tariffs on at least $30 billion of imports from China. Reuters on Tuesday said the figure could be around $60 billion. Some investors are concerned that tariffs could result in retaliatory actions taken by U.S. trading partners, which could in turn lead to a trade war that dents growth, CNBC.com reported. Despite that, White House National Trade Council Director Peter Navarro on Thursday told CNBC that the U.S. could implement tariffs on imports without causing a trade war. Technical factors On Thursday, the Nifty broke below its crucial support placed around 100-days exponential moving average (DEMA) placed around 10410, 13-DEMA, and 5-DEMA. Experts had said that the index had to decisively close above 10,480-odd levels and traders were advised to remain focused on stock-specific moves till a directional move had arisen. According to Hadrien Mendonca of IIFL, the Nifty and Bank Nifty both continue to remain in the Lower Top Lower Bottom structure. Nifty is precariously poised above the 200-DMA of 10100 while Bank Nifty too is managing to currently hold above its yearly mean of 24500. The weak structure will be negated only when Nifty manages to break above 10640 mark till then it is advisable to remain cautious with long positions. Global cues There were weak set of trades from the global markets as well. Trade war factors along with instability inside The White House was bothering the Street as well. Most Asian markets closed mixed on the last day of the trading week amid a backdrop of global trade-related developments and political news out of Washington. In Tokyo, the Nikkei 225 gave up earlier gains to close lower by 0.58 percent, or 127.44 points, at 21,676.51. Despite those losses, the benchmark finished the week up 1 percent. The broader Topix was off by 0.4 percent. European markets were mixed, as reports of further political disruption in the White House tested investors' nerves. The pan-European Stoxx 600 was flat during early morning deals, with sectors and major bourses pointing in opposite directions. Germany's DAX opened late on Friday morning as Eurex reported the index had experienced delays. Index heavyweights There was heavy selling among index heavyweights such as HDFC Bank, Reliance Industries and HDFC, among others. Infosys, ITC and HDFC Bank, among the big 5 contributors to Sensexs losses lost around 1-2 percent as well. 22:04 That's all for today, readers. Thanks for staying on with our coverage of the day's action. Your enthusiasm encourages us to better our coverage every day. Do come back tomorrow for more news, views and insights. 21:42 Centre, states sanction Rs 10,000 crore refunds due to exporters: Finance Ministry The Centre and states have sanctioned more than Rs 10,000 crore as GST refunds to exporters, the finance ministry said today. In a statement the ministry said many of the errors plaguing the claims for refunds are on account of inadequate familiarisation of the exporters with the GST laws and data entry errors in the various GSTRs / forms. "In order to overcome the causes of the delay in sanctioning of refunds, Government has taken various steps, which includes amendments in the rules, changes in the business procedures of common portal and customs automated system to address the systemic issues," the statement said. (PTI) 21:03 Amit Shah likely to hold meeting with BJP's Andhra Pradesh core group tomorrow BJP president Amit Shah is likely to hold a meeting with the core group of the party's Andhra Pradesh unit tomorrow, party sources said after the Telugu Desam Party walked out of the NDA. The meeting comes as the BJP finds itself in a tight corner in Andhra Pradesh after the TDP and YSR Congress moved notices for a no-confidence motion in the Lok Sabha against the Modi government. Shah is likely to review the political situation in Andhra Pradesh and strategize over his party's options in the state, which sends 25 members to the Lok Sabha and where assembly polls will be held along with the parliamentary elections next year. The party has already asserted that the TDP's decision to sever ties with it is a timely opportunity for it to grow in the state. (PTI) 20:35 India needs USD 2.5 trillion to meet its 2030 climate change targets: Government India would need at least USD 2.5 trillion to meet its 2030 climate change targets, the Lok Sabha was informed today. "As per the country's Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) submitted to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in 2015, at least USD 2.5 trillion (at 2014-15 prices) will be required to meet its 2030 targets," Minister of State for Environment Mahesh Sharma said in a written reply. Noting that climate change efforts were embedded in various schemes of ministries, the minister said the total fund allocation for eight missions of National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) during the 12th Five Year Plan period was Rs 15,893.46 crore. (PTI) 20:10 FDI in agriculture sector up at Rs 611.28 crore till December of FY18 The foreign direct investment (FDI) in the agriculture sector rose to Rs 611.28 crore till December 2017 of this fiscal, Parliament was informed today. "A number of farmers have benefited directly and indirectly from the FDI received in agriculture," Minister of State for Agriculture Gajendra Singh Shekhawat said in a written reply to the Rajya Sabha. FDI in agriculture was Rs 515.9 crore in the entire 2016-17 fiscal, Rs 553.14 crore in 2015-16 fiscal and Rs 365.31 crore 2014-15 fiscal, he added. (PTI) 19:53 Over 6.25 lakh children smoke cigarette in India daily: Study More than 6.25 lakh children in India smoke cigarette every day, a sign of serious public health threat, a global study claimed. According to the study Global Tobacco Atlas consumption of tobacco claims 17,887 lives in the country every week. However, this is less than average number of deaths caused by smoking tobacco in medium Human Development Index (HDI) countries. The report prepared by American Cancer Society (ACS) and US-based Vital Strategies claimed that the economic cost of smoking in India is Rs 18,18,691 million. This includes direct cost related to healthcare and indirect cost involving lost productivity due to early mortality and morbidity. (PTI) 19:40 Prosecutors have said that former South African President Jacob Zuma will be tired for graft. 19:30 41 out of 159 foreign branches of state-owned banks in red Nearly 25 percent of the overseas branches of the public sector banks (PSBs) suffered losses in 2016-17, the government informed Parliament today. "As per data reported by PSBs, 159 branches of PSBs are operating in foreign countries, of which 41 branches were in loss in the financial year 2016-17," Minister of State for Finance Shiv Pratap Shukla said in a written reply to the Lok Sabha. The country's largest lender State Bank of India (SBI) led the pack with nine of its overseas branches in the red. It was followed by Bank of India and Bank of Baroda with eight and seven branches, respectively. Shukla further said that a reforms agenda based on recommendations made by Whole Time Directors and senior management of PSBs has been referred by the government to lenders for appropriate action, as per approval of bank boards. (PTI) 19:14 Over 40 crore railway tickets booked at reservation counters in 3 years: MoS Railways Rajen Gohain More than 40 crore tickets were booked from reservation counters at railway stations in the last three years, the government informed Parliament today, which shows that even with increasing online bookings, and people are still using such counters. In a written reply in Rajya Sabha, Minister of State for Railways Rajen Gohain said that there are a total of 3,458 reservation centres around the country and more than 40.53 crore tickets were booked from such counters in the past three years. In 2015-2016, around 14.88 crore tickets were booked from reservation counters, in the following year, 14.03 crore tickets were booked the same way, while in 2017-2018 (till February 2018) around 11.62 crore tickets were booked from the counters, the minister said. (PTI) 18:59 Loss of Rs 36,000 crore in Rafale deal even as Army begs for money: Rahul Gandhi Congress president Rahul Gandhi today again trained his guns on the government over the Rafale fighter jets deal, alleging that it had caused a loss of Rs 36,000 crore to the state exchequer even as the Army "begs" for more money. He also alleged that Dassault Aviation, the French company that manufactured the fighter jets, had called the "lie" of "RM" (Raksha Mantri or Defence Minister) Nirmala Sitharaman by releasing the price of the aircraft. Gandhi highlighted the price the BJP government paid for the fighter jets, the figure finalised by the erstwhile UPA regime led by Manmohan Singh for purchasing the aircraft and the amount Qatar had paid for the same. (PTI) 18:45 Over 1,700 card, net banking-related frauds reported in 2017 Over 1,700 cases of fraud related to credit/debit card and Internet banking with the extent of losses touching Rs 71.48 crore were reported in 2017, Parliament was informed today. A total of 1,785 cases related to credit/debit card and Internet banking for amounts involving Rs 1 lakh and more were reported last year, Minister of State for Electronics and IT K J Alphons said in a written reply to Rajya Sabha. He added that the extent of losses in these cases totalled Rs 71.48 crore. (PTI) 18:29 Replace 'Sindh' with 'Northeast': Congress MP wants amendment in national anthem A Congress MP today moved a private member resolution in the Rajya Sabha to replace the word "Sindh" in the national anthem with the "Northeast" saying there is no point "glorifying" a place of a hostile nation. Assam Pradesh Congress Committee President and Rajya Sabha MP Ripun Bora also said when the national anthem was adopted in 1950, the then President Rajendra Prasad had said if required the anthem would be amended in future. "There is no mention of the Northeast in the national anthem but has the mention of Sindh, which is now part of Pakistan. Why are we glorifying a place of a hostile nation? There is no point," he told PTI. 18:16 56 awaiting repatriation as Pakistan not confirming nationality: government to Supreme Court The Centre has told the Supreme Court that 56 persons, believed to be Pakistani nationals who are under detention in India, are not being repatriated as the Pakistan government has not yet confirmed their nationality. Due this reason, these persons have been under detention in spite of completing their sentences or no offence having been made out against them, the government said. The issue of confirmation of their nationality was being taken up "regularly" with the Pakistan High Commission through the Ministry of External Affairs and these 56 persons can be repatriated as soon as their nationality is confirmed by Islamabad, it said. (PTI) 17:59 Confident that Shiv Sena won't support TDP's no-trust motion: CM Fadnavis Expressing hope that the 'rashtravadi' (nationalist) and Hindutva forces will stay together, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis exuded confidence that Shiv Sena won't support the no-confidence motion against the NDA government. The statement came after the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) moved a no-confidence motion against the BJP-led government in the Lok Sabha today, following TDP president N Chandrababu Naidu's announcement that his party was exiting the National Democratic Alliance. "There have been no talks with Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray as yet. The seniors in our party (BJP's central leadership) will do that. However, I am confident that the 'rashtravadi' and Hindutva forces will stay together," Fadnavis told reporters. (PTI) 17:41 FLASH | October-December current account balance at USD 13.5 billion, 2 percent of GDP: RBI 17:41 1.04 lakh panchayats ready for broadband connectivity Over 1.04 lakh gram panchayats have been made "service ready" for providing broadband connectivity as on March 11 under Bharat Net project, Parliament was informed today. Bharat Net project aims at providing broadband connectivity to all 2.5 lakh gram panchayats (GPs) in the country in a phased manner. The first phase, which was to connect one lakh GPs, has already been completed. (PTI) 17:30 At Adecco Group, CEOs office is your classroom for one month Fancy being a company's chief executive officer, but don't have the experience? Don't sweat. Adecco Group, the worlds largest provider of staffing and workforce solutions, is offering an opportunity to candidates from across the world to be its chief executive officer (CEO) for one month. Read more here. 17:14 Punjabs Lok Insaaf Party has decides to break alliance with Aam Aadmi Party following Delhi CM and AAP Leader Arvind Kejriwal's apology to Bikram Singh Majithia. 17:08 INX media case: Delhi High Court reserves order on Karti Chidambaram's bail plea The Delhi High Court today reserved its order on the bail plea of Karti Chidambaram, son of senior Congress leader P Chidambaram, in the INX Media corruption case filed by the CBI. The Central Bureau of Investigation opposed the bail application, saying that tampering of evidence and influencing witnesses in the case were a possibility The probe agency, represented by Additional Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, alleged that Karti had tampered with certain evidence. (PTI) Central governments scheme to subsidise electric vehicles may get extended by a further six months after its validity expires by the end of this month, reports Moneycontrol News Swaraj Baggonkar. The All India Drug Action Network - a group of healthcare-focused NGOs - has expressed dismay over government appointing representatives of professional bodies as members to the sub-committee of the Drugs Technical Advisory Board. The move assumes significance as the latter was directed to take a re-look at the banned 344 fixed dose combination drugs by Supreme Court in December last year, reports Moneycontrol News Viswanath Pilla. The government categorically said there was no proposal to discontinue Rs 2,000 currency note, which was introduced post demonetisation in November 2016. Minister of State for Finance P Radhakrishnan said in a written reply in the Lok Sabha that it had decided to conduct field trials of plastic currency notes of Rs 10 in five cites. The market closed sharply lower amid political upheaval after the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) formally decided to quit the NDA government. The Sensex ended 510 points lower and the Nifty closed below 10,200 levels as selling pressure intensified in Reliance Industries, ITC, Tata Motors and HDFC twins. 15:52 Dalmia Binani The Committee of Creditors of Binani Cement has approved the resolution plan from a consortium led by Dalmia Bharat out-bidding rival billionaire Kumar Mangalam Birlas UltraTech Cement. The resolution professional overseeing the sale process will now submit the plan to the National Company Law Tribunal for final approval, Dalmia Bharat said in a filing. Dalmia Bharat made the investment through a 50-50 joint venture with India Resurgence Fund, which is backed by Bain Capital Credit and Piramal Enterprises. neuroendocrine tumour Irrfan Actor Irrfan Khan, 51, today revealed that he has been diagnosed with neuroendocrine tumour and is out of the country for treatment. 15:30 Daler Mehndi A court in Patiala sentenced Punjabi pop singer Daler Mehndi to two year imprisonment for his role in an immigration scandal in 2003, reports PTI. He was held guilty under relevant sections of IPC by the court of Judicial Magistrate first class Judge Nidhi Saini, counsel Gurpreet Singh Bhasin said. A fine of Rs 1,000 was also imposed on the singer, he said. Daler was, however, released on bail bond. PNB The Centre told the Supreme Court that there cannot be a parallel inquiry and monitoring by the court in investigations, reports PTI. It also opposed a suggestion given by the apex court to the Central Bureau of Investigation to file in a sealed cover the status of the probe in the Rs 13,600 crore the Punjab National Bank fraud case. A bench headed by Chief Justice Dipak Misra was told by Attorney General KK Venugopal that even before the investigating agencies start probing the matter, people come to courts with public interest litigations. "Is there any justification for anyone to come to this court by filing a PIL and say that the court should be informed about the status of the investigation? There can't be a parallel inquiry and parallel monitoring by the courts." German luxury car maker Audi said it will increase prices of its vehicles by up to Rs 9 lakh from April 1 to pass on the impact of increased customs duty in the Budget. Prices across its entire model range will increase from April 1 by up to 4% and range from Rs 1 lakh to Rs 9 lakh, the company said in a statement. 15:06 Mukesh Ambani Jio Isha Billionaire Mukesh Ambani said his telecom venture Jio, which catapulted India as the world's largest mobile broadband data consuming nation in less than two years, was first seeded by his daughter, Isha, in 2011, reports PTI. "The idea of Jio was first seeded by my daughter, Isha, in 2011. She was a student at Yale (in the US) and was home for holidays. She wanted to submit some course work and she said, 'Dad, the internet in our house sucks'," he recalled. LoUs 000cr The Reserve Bank of India's move to ban Letters of Undertaking (LoUs), from being used for trade finance of importers will likely lead to about Rs 20,000 to 40,000 crore shifting to alternative channels of funding. Foreign branches of Indian banks, which are already witnessing some decline in business and increased borrowing costs will also be hurt, said a report by SBI's economic research wing. The BSE Sensex dived almost 510 points - its biggest single day fall since February 6 - due to a major sell-off amid political concerns after the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) decided to quit the NDA and moved a no-confidence notice against the government. For the third straight week, the flagship Sensex recorded a fall of 131.14 points, or 0.39%, while the NSE Nifty lost 31.70 points, or 0.3%. The Lok Sabha could not take up notices for no-confidence motion against the NDA government with Speaker Sumitra Mahajan saying there was no order in the House and adjourned the proceedings for the day. The 30-share Sensex tumbled by 509.54 points, or 1.51%, its biggest single day fall since February 6 when it had lost 561.22 points, to end at 33,176. The broader NSE Nifty dipped below the 10,200-mark to hit a low of 10,180.25 before ending at 10,195.15, down by 165 points, or 1.59%. The Delhi High Court refused to ground the entire fleet of IndiGo's A320neo aircraft, which allegedly have defective engines, reports PTI. Advocate Yeshwanth Shenoy's said in his plea that IndiGo's A320neo fleet should be grounded until the manufacturers give in writing that the existing defects have been rectified and the DGCA is satisfied. Turning down the plea, the court said Shenoy's plea seeking various other directions to the authorities, including an order to ensure that all accidents are published on DGCA's website within 24 hours of its occurrence, shall be heard on March 20. India sold Rs 222 crore of bonds in the maiden issue of Electoral Bonds, which donors can buy from scheduled banks to pay political parties without revealing their identities, Parliament was informed. The maiden issue opened for subscription for 10 days beginning March 1. 14:16 Bhagwant AAP's Sangrur MP Bhagwant Mann resigned as AAP's Punjab chief, a day after party convener Arvind Kejriwal apologised to a SAD leader for accusing him of being involved in the drug trade, reports PTI. Mann announced his resignation on Twitter. The market is trading near the day's low as benchmark indices decline nearly a percent each due to intense selling in heavyweights - Reliance Industries, HDFC twins and ITC. The PSU Bank index outshine other sectoral indices, rising nearly a percent. Flipkart 7bn Walmart is in discussions to spend about $7 billion to become the largest investor in Flipkart, sources told Bloomberg, a move that would put the US retailer in competition with Amazon.com. It plans to buy about a third of Flipkart Online Services Pvt, in part by purchasing stakes from Tiger Global Management and SoftBank Group Corp, sources said. The deal may push the valuation of the homegrown startup to about $20 billion, sources said, up from about $12 billion last year. Talks are at a critical stage and may wrap up this month. Its also possible specifics such as the valuation or stake size may still change, and the deal may not come to fruition. Dr Reddy's Laboratories has launched levocetirizine dihydrochloride tablets, used for relieving allergies such as watery eyes, runny nose, itching eyes/nose and sneezing in the US market. The Indian job market is likely to witness higher recruitment and better compensation this year, as around 60% companies said that they plan to hire in significant numbers this year, says a survey by wisdomjobs.com. Nearly 54% of companies surveyed said that compensation is likely to stay the same while 39% said compensation is likely to grow this year. Less than 5% said that it will see a decline, the report noted. Traders who look for future price direction in chart patterns are finding more indicators suggesting the worlds largest digital currency may have further to fall, reports Bloomberg. Bitcoins 50-day moving average has dropped to the closest proximity to its 200-day moving average in nine months. Crossing below that level - something it hasnt done since 2015 - signals fresh weakness to come for technical traders who would dub such a move a death cross. Paul Day, a technical analyst and head of futures and options at Market Securities Dubai, said investors should gear up for a 76% tumble from late February highs, which would take Bitcoin to a paltry $2,800, if the downtrend is repeated. 12:30 Rajya Sabha Naidu The Rajya Sabha witnessed an abrupt adjournment following a brief argument between Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu and some Congress members soon after the House assembled for the day, reports PTI. After tabling of the listed papers, Naidu expressed his anguish saying the House has not functioned ever since it resumed on March 5 after recess during the Budget session. Before adjourning the House till 2.30 PM, Naidu said there were larger issues like banking scam, Cauvery river water sharing, demand for a special package to Andhra Pradesh and sealing in the national capital, which were agitating the minds of people and needed to be discussed. He said notices have been given by members on these issues and he has agreed for a discussion on them, but yet the House was not taking up the debate. Naidu hoped that the House would function normally from next week and have constructive debate. "I am very much pained that the Upper House of Parliament is not able to transact its business for last two weeks. 864cr Engineering major Larsen & Toubro (L&T) said its construction has bagged an order worth Rs 2,864 crore from the Dedicated Freight Corridor Corporation of India (DFCCIL) for the Eastern Dedicated Freight Corridor. The railways strategic business unit of L&T Construction's will construct 222 route km of a single-track corridor from Khurja to Pilkhani in Uttar Pradesh. Private sector lender Yes Bank has sold 2.17% stake in Fortis Healthcare, out of the over 17% stake it acquired last month. In a regulatory filing, the bank said it had sold 1.12 crore shares representing 2.17% stake of Fortis Healthcare in the open market between February 23 and March 15. Yes Bank had acquired 17.31% stake in Fortis Healthcare following invocation of nearly 9 crore pledged shares last month. Subsequently, the stake of promoter firm Fortis Healthcare Holdings along with promoters (Singh brothers) and other family entities have come down to 5.87% from 34.43% earlier. 11:33 TDP TDP leader Thota Narasimham moved a no-confidence motion in the Lok Sabha, hours after party president N Chandrababu Naidu announced in Amaravati that the party was exiting the National Democratic Alliance, reports PTI. "We go according to principles. Our leader felt being part of NDA and moving a no-confidence motion would not be ethical. So we withdrew from the NDA and I have issued a letter on no-confidence motion to the speaker at 9.30 am," Narasimham, the TDP's floor leader in the Lok Sabha, said. Tibet can exist within China in the same spirit as the European Union sticks together, the territorys spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, considered a dangerous separatist by Beijing, told Reuters. He says he only seeks autonomy for his homeland, not outright independence. He has also expressed a desire to return to Tibet. Tata Steel told the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) that acceptance of UK-based Liberty House's bid for Bhushan Power and Steel would amount to violation of the level-playing field in the resolution process, reports PTI. The tribunal was hearing a plea filed by Liberty House challenging rejection of its bid for Bhushan Power on account of late submission. Religare Edelweiss Group said it is no longer interested in the acquisition of Religare Enterprises' securities business citing the seller's inability to obtain clearances. "We hereby inform you that due to the seller's inability to obtain the requisite clearances within the agreed timeline, the binding arrangement has come to an end on March 15, 2018," Edelweiss Financial Services said in a regulatory filing to stock exchanges. Edelweiss Group's wealth management unit had in December said it would acquire the Religare Securities business for an undisclosed sum. 10:50 Nirav Modi Mallya 000cr Thirty-one individuals accused of fraud and economic offences have fled the country and collectively owe Rs 40,000 crore to banks and public institutions. A list of fugitives was submitted in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday by the Ministry of External Affairs and includes some well-known names, reports Mint. Among the prominent names are Vijay Mallya, who owes Rs 9,000 crore to a group of banks; Nirav Modi, his wife Ami, brother Neeshal and uncle Mehul Choksi, named in the Rs 13,600 crore fraud at Punjab National Bank; Jatin Mehta of Winsome Diamonds, who owes Rs 7,000 crore; former Indian Premier League chief Lalit Modi, accused of siphoning off Rs 125 crore from the BCCI; and Sterling Biotech directors Chetan and Nitin Jayantilal Sandesara for alleged bank fraud of Rs 5,000 crore. 10:37 Trai Airtel's Telecom regulator Trai has sought a reply from Bharti Airtel over complaints that the leading operator allegedly offered discriminatory tariffs and not reported these to the authority. The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) in a letter asked Bharti Airtel to explain within 10 days whether the company has indeed offered the tariff plans under question to consumers and in how many service areas. It has also sought details of service area wise launch dates for these tariffs. Market trivia: Yields on the three-month US treasury bill recently hit 1.7%. And as yields rise, so do short-term rates on consumer and business loans. The last time this happened was back in 2008. 09:44 PNB LoUs Punjab National Bank has asked for certain information from peer banks but no condition has been set for payouts related to Letter of Undertakings in the Rs 13,600 crore bank scam, sources told PTI. Bankers said that since the matter is under investigation by the CBI, no final call on LoU payouts can be taken as of now. "PNB has been calling for certain information from other banks to ascertain if there were any deficiency or laxity on the part of those other banks, if they also had some system lacunae or might have compromised on their system, things like that," a bank official said. The market extends its opening losses amid sluggish global cues and trade war concerns, weighed by oil, financials and technology stocks. The Sensex is down over 100 points and the Nifty is trading below 10,350 levels. Coal India counter is down 6% as the stock goes ex-bonus today. 09:44 TDP The Telugu Desam Party (TDP) formally decided to quit the NDA, days after two of its ministers quit the Narendra Modi government protesting for Special Category Status to Andhra Pradesh. The party will also move a no-confidence motion against the Modi government over the injustice meted out to the state, an official communique said. The TDP politburo unanimously took the decision during a tele-conference with party supremo and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu this morning. The Telugu Desam Parliamentary Party will issue a notice to move the no-trust motion today, it said. Banks' credit growth continued to grow by double-digits at 11.48% to Rs 83,48,773 crore in the fortnight ended March 2, according to RBI data. In the period ended March 3, 2017, the advances had stood at Rs 74,88,993 crore. Deposits also grew by 6.6% to Rs 111,87,300 crore from Rs 104,94,242 crore in the same fortnight last year. IndiGo GoAir Passengers are likely to face harrowing times with IndiGo and GoAir deciding to cancel more than 600 flights this month, of which 488 are by IndiGo alone, following grounding of 11 A320 neo planes with faulty Pratt & Whitney (P&W) engines, reports PTI. The cancellations by the two budget carriers, which operate more than 1,200 flights daily on average, may significantly disrupt the summer schedule. There was no immediate clarity about the way possible compensation and alternative choices would be made available to the passengers already having tickets. IndiGo, which has the largest share in the domestic aviation market, would be cancelling as many as 488 flights during the period March 15-31. GoAir has decided to cancel a total of 138 flights during March 15 22. Mukund Rajan Tata Sons said its Chief Ethics Officer Mukund Rajan will leave the group to evaluate entrepreneurial pursuits in the coming months. "Dr Rajan and Tata Sons have mutually agreed that Dr Rajan will leave the services of Tata Sons on March 31, 2018," the company said in a statement. Rajan, who was former managing director of Tata Teleservices (Maharashtra), was appointed as group spokesperson and brand custodian in February 2013. 09:05 Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu tells his MPs that he is walking out of the Narendra Modi-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA), reports CNN-News18. 230cr Public sector helicopter-maker Hindustan Aeronautics' Rs 4,230-crore initial public offer, through which government is divesting 10.2% holding, will open for subscription today. The company will also sell 10.2% of its equity through an offer-for-sale route through the IPO and has fixed a price band of Rs 1,215-1,240 a share for the offer that will close on March 20. 08:58 PNB Gokulnath Shetty's A special court in Mumbai extended till March 17 the CBI custody of former Punjab National Bank DGM Gokulnath Shetty in connection with the multi-crore bank fraud case, reports PTI. Exports grew 4.5% in February, the lowest expansion in the last four months, to $25.8 billion as shipments of engineering, textiles and gems and jewellery declined while trade deficit narrowed to a five-month low of $12 billion. The trade deficit - the difference between imports and exports - stood at $9.52 billion in February 2017, as per the data released by the Commerce Ministry. 08:45 ISI Pakistan's intelligence agency ISI continues to covertly support the Taliban in the border region, The Washington Times claimed. It also provided specific mohallas and neighbourhoods on the Pakistani side that are being used as safe havens by Taliban terrorists. The report alleged that Taliban terrorists from Afghanistan travel freely to a Pakistani army garrison in Quetta where they meet with military and Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) officials. Essar Rewant Ruia Numetal Numetal, an SPV floated by the PE arm of Russian lender VTB Bank and Rewant Ruia, a Ruia family member, has claimed that its bid for Essar Steel has solid legal backing and if need be, the other shareholders will buy out Rewant's 25% stake in the company. "We have a good bid, our resolution plan is quite attractive. We have addressed the short term challenges, demands of different parties. And in the long run we are building a business that will participate in the growth story of India," Numetal Senior Advisor Antoine Chemali told Moneycontrol News Prince Mathews Thomas. Prabhu India's GDP could reach $5 trillion in seven years provided there is consistent growth in manufacturing, services and agricultural sectors, Commerce and Industry Minister Suresh Prabhu said. (PTI) 08:20 HDFC 300cr HDFC Bank said it has raised Rs 2,300 crore by issuance of rupee denominated bonds which would mature in March, 2025. According to a statement, the issue carries a fixed coupon rate of 8.1% per annum with maturity on March 22, 2025. The ban on iron ore mining in Goa came into effect at midnight after a high-profile court battle, reports PTI. While some workers engaged in the sector said the development has put their jobs and livelihood at stake, a Vedanta official urged the government and the Supreme Court to let mining operations continue till the auction The Supreme Court last month quashed the second renewal of iron ore mining leases given to 88 companies in Goa in 2015. The apex court said it was giving time till March 15 to mining lease holders, who have been granted a second renewal in violation of its previous directions, to manage their affairs. The Maharashtra Cabinet has decided to impose a ban on certain plastic items from the Marathi New Year, Gudhi Padwa, on March 18, reports PTI. An official in the State Environment Department said the ban will cover plastic carry bags, thermocol and plastic plates, cups, forks, bowls and spoons. However, the draft of the proposed ban, published a month ago, had also mentioned various other items such as flex boards, non-woven polypropylene bags, banners, flags, decorative door hangings, plastic sheets and all types of plastic wrappers. 07:53 Rahul Congress President Rahul Gandhi will present the party's vision document at its plenary session starting today, reports PTI. The document will act as a guiding light to help party workers upstage the BJP from power at the Centre in 2019 and in some key states where elections are slated later this year, the source said. The session will also look into future alliances that the party foresees will be needed for defeating the BJP, a Congress leader said. The plenary meet, to be held at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium in New Delhi, will be attended by senior leaders starting from block presidents. At the three-day brainstorming session, the party will pass four resolutions - one each on the political and economic fronts, another on foreign policy and the fourth on agriculture and unemployment. The party's key focus would be on the issue of agriculture and unemployment, the source said. U.S. President Donald Trump waves as he arrives to deliver his first State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress inside the House Chamber on Capitol Hill in Washington, U.S., January 30, 2018. REUTERS/Win McNamee/Pool - HP1EE1V06J5S3 live bse live nse live Volume Todays L/H More The head of the most influential U.S. business lobbying group warned the Trump administration that unilateral tariffs on Chinese goods could lead to a destructive trade war that will hurt American consumers and U.S. economic growth. U.S. Chamber of Commerce President Thomas Donohue said in a statement on Thursday that such tariffs, associated with a probe of China's intellectual property practices, would be "damaging taxes on American consumers." His comments came after White House trade adviser Peter Navarro said that Trump would in coming weeks get options to address China's "theft and forced transfer" of American intellectual property as part of the investigation under Section 301 of the U.S. Trade Act of 1974. Reuters reported on Tuesday that Trump was considering tariffs on up to $60 billion worth of Chinese information technology, telecommunications and consumer products, along with U.S. investment restrictions for Chinese companies. Donohue said the Trump administration was right to focus on the negative economic impact of China's industrial policies and unfair trade practices, but said tariffs were the wrong approach to dealing with these. "Tariffs of $30 billion a year would wipe out over a third of the savings American families received from the doubling of the standard deduction in tax reform," Donohue said. "If the tariffs reach $60 billion, which has been rumored, the impact would be even more devastating." He urged the administration not to proceed with such a plan. "Tariffs could lead to a destructive trade war with serious consequences for U.S. economic growth and job creation," hurting consumers, businesses, farmers and ranchers. Navarro, speaking on CNBC television, said the remedies in the "Section 301" probe were among "many steps that the president is courageously going to take in order to address unfair trade practices." "I don't think there's a single person... on Wall Street that will oppose cracking down on China's theft of our intellectual property or their forced transfer," Navarro added. But Navarro, a key architect of steel and aluminum tariffs announced last week by Trump, said that tariffs will not necessarily provoke a trade war. "We can obviously do it in a way that can be good for the American people and good for the global trading system," he said. "We can do this in a way that is peaceful and will improve and strengthen the trading system... Everybody on Wall Street needs to understand: Just relax." China has repeatedly said that there would be no winners in a trade war, but that it would protect its interests in the face of U.S. trade action. China wouldn't allow itself to become "the target for the arrows of adversity", the official China Daily newspaper warned in an editorial late on Thursday. "It should be borne in mind that even the most playful cat will scratch if you provoke it beyond a certain point," the newspaper said. The Centre is unlikely to give in to Shillongs demand for 90:10 funding pattern for its smart city plan instead of the usual 50:50. Shillong was selected in the fourth round of smart cities plan but is yet to submit its proposal. I am not accepting that from anyone. This is a problem I have all the time. Municipalities should be able to raise their own money, raise taxes the Centre cannot be giving money like that, said Union Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Hardeep Puri on the sidelines of a conference on Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Urban) Housing for all by 2022 organised by FICCI on Thursday. The demand of the Meghalaya government all along had been that the Centre should share the burden of investment by adopting the 90:10 ratio (90 percent by the Centre and 10 percent by the state). The present funding pattern for the smart city project is on a 50:50 basis between the Centre and the states. A new government has taken over. We are hoping that a high level ministerial meeting will be convened soon in which the smart cities issue too is likely to come up. We feel the Centre may also finally oblige us with a 90:10 funding ratio for the smart cities mission and funds will flow in thick and fast, highly placed sources in Meghalaya said. Puri also said that the first meeting of the apex body of Smart City Mission will be held on April 21 in Vishakapatnam. I have established an apex group of all the smart cities managers - all 99. The first meeting will take place in Vishakapatnam. The idea is to make them share experiences and also to involve civil society, private sector other multi-lateral financial institutions, etc. That is the idea which is in full momentum, he said. Commenting on the issue of utilisation certificate to be submitted to the Centre by the cities, Puri said it is not an "appropriate yardstick" to assess the progress of the Smart City Mission. Utilisation certificate may not be an appropriate yardstick for assessing the progress of the mission, Puri said, adding Utilisation certifications are submitted two years late. The smart cities were initiated in 2015. It takes typically 18 months to start the project. Amid some media reports suggesting that the mission was yet to pick momentum as indicated by under-utilisation of Central funds, the ministry has said projects worth Rs 24,511 crore have been completed or under implementation, and works worth Rs 14,296 crore were in tendering stage. Many cities are yet to submit the utilisation certificate and the last date for its submission is yet to arrive. Besides, the certificate is generally submitted when the city spends a substantial amount from the first instalment and looks for further funding from the Centre. Therefore, while a number of cities have started project implementation on ground, their utilisation certificates are awaited. A release issued by the ministry has said assessing the progress depends on the date of selection of the smart city, as it takes around 18 months for setting up a special purpose vehicle (SPV), procuring project management consultant (PMC) firm, hiring human resources and preparing detailed project reports (DPRs). For cities selected in the first round (on January 2016), where 18 months have lapsed, about 51 percent of the projects have either been tendered or were under implementation, the release said. Since the launch of the mission, Rs 9,939 crore has been released by the Centre to the Smart Cities. Against this, 753 projects worth Rs 24,511 crore have been completed or on-ground work has started, it said. In addition to funds provided by the Centre, smart cities also generate funds by other means such as mobilising internal revenue sources, public-private partnerships, value capture financing, convergence. These additional funds also help cities to meet the requirement for project financing. Further, about 287 projects worth Rs 14,296 crore were in tendering stage and the works on-ground is expected to start very soon, the release said. Till date, 99 cities have been selected under the NDA governments flagship program, launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in June 2015. Among the states, West Bengal has chosen not participate in the competition to choose smart cities. Only one city from the state New Town was selected when the second list was announced in September 2016 but with the state deciding to walk out of the program soon after, there is no progress on the ground. Smart cities are meant to change the way urban India lives, smart cities will enjoy uninterrupted power and water supplies, internet connectivity, e-governance along with quality infrastructure, according to the government. The selection of smart cities is based on the scores cities get for carrying out urban reforms in areas including sanitation and governance. Cities that score the highest will be picked for the project, to be implemented over a 10-year period. The 100 Smart Cities Mission was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on June 25, 2015. Under the mission, the Centre allocates Rs 500 crore to each of the cities for implementing projects proposed by it. This amount is matched with a grant of the same amount by the respective state. Bull's Eye, CNBC-TV18's popular game show, where market experts come together to dish out trading strategies for you to make your week more exciting and compete with each other to see whose portfolio is the strongest. Remember these are midcap ideas not just for the day, but stocks that look attractive in the medium-term as well. This week, Ruchit Jain, Rakesh Bansal and Jay Thakkar battle it out for top honours. Below their top stock picks and analysis: Ruchit Jain of Angel Broking Buy KPIT Technologies with a stoploss at Rs 217.8 and target of Rs 245 Buy Pidilite Industries with a stoploss at Rs 883 and target of Rs 943 Buy Bigbloc Construction with a stoploss at Rs 160 and target of Rs 190 Buy Bharat Financial Inclusion with a stoploss at Rs 1048 and target of Rs 1125 Rakesh Bansal of RK Global Buy Capital First with a stoploss at Rs 635 and target of Rs 669 Buy Cummins India with a stoploss at Rs 760 and target of Rs 808 Buy Havells India with a stoploss at Rs 509 and target of Rs 539 Buy Jubilant Foodworks with a stoploss at Rs 2109 and target of Rs 2210 Jay Thakkar of Anand Rathi Securities Buy NOCIL with a stoploss at Rs 196 and target of Rs 213 Buy Century Plyboards with a stoploss at Rs 325 and target of Rs 350 Buy Avenue Supermarts with a stoploss at Rs 1327 and target of Rs 1400 Buy TV18 Broadcast with a stoploss at Rs 65.50 and target of Rs 73 Disclosure: Reliance Industries Ltd. is the sole beneficiary of Independent Media Trust which controls Network18 Media & Investments Ltd. live bse live nse live Volume Todays L/H More Shares of Dr Reddys Laboratories declined 3 percent intraday Friday as it has received Form 483 from USFDA. The company has received Form 483 with 4 observations for its API Hyderabad Plant 1 at Jinnaram Mandal, Medak Telengana from USFDA. The audit of companys Telengana units has been completed today by the USFDA with four observations which will be addressed comprehensively within stipulated time. At 15:26 hrs Dr Reddys Laboratories was quoting at Rs 2,155.10, down Rs 28.10, or 1.29 percent on the BSE. The share touched its 52-week high Rs 2,788.00 and 52-week low Rs 1,901.65 on 24 July, 2017 and 11 August, 2017, respectively. Currently, it is trading 22.7 percent below its 52-week high and 13.33 percent above its 52-week low. Posted by Rakesh Patil Tata Motors (Source: MMRDA) Tata Motors today handed over 25 hybrid electric buses to the city's planning authority Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA). Developed indigenously, these Tata-Starbus hybrid electric buses come with full low-floor configuration, offer global design standards, can run on dual power (diesel and electric) and use lithium ion batteries, the firm said today. The buses comply with all UBS-II (urban bus specifications), AIS 052 (automotive industry standards) and CMVR (central motor vehicle rules), it added. Buses were formally handed over to the MMRDA by Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis in the presence of Union heavy industries minister Anant Geete today. Girish Wagh, president, commercial vehicles business at Tata Motors said these buses, powered by BS-IV engines, are the first series of the hybrid electric architecture buses and are a testimony to the company's technological prowess. He said the company is committed to developing low-emission buses that make substantial contribution towards sustainable urban transport. "We will continue our work on electrification and alternate fuel technologies and engage with government and regulatory authorities to promote such mobility solutions," Wagh added. Answer: Tata. live bse live nse live Volume Todays L/H More Tata Motors today handed over 25 hybrid electric buses to the city's planning authority MMRDA. Developed indigenously, these Tata-Starbus hybrid electric buses come with full low-floor configuration, offer global design standards, can run on dual power (diesel and electric) and use lithium ion batteries, the firm said today. The buses comply with all UBS-II (urban bus specifications), AIS 052 (automotive industry standards) and CMVR (central motor vehicle rules), it added. Buses were formally handed over to the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) by Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis in the presence of Union heavy industries minister Anant Geete today. Girish Wagh, president, commercial vehicles business at Tata Motors said these buses, powered by BS-IV engines, are the first series of the hybrid electric architecture buses and are a testimony to the company's technological prowess. He said the company is committed to developing low-emission buses that make substantial contribution towards sustainable urban transport. "We will continue our work on electrification and alternate fuel technologies and engage with government and regulatory authorities to promote such mobility solutions," Wagh added. LG, Samsung and Sonythe top three players in the TV segmentare scrambling to come up with a strategy to counter Xiaomis new TV with high-end features at half their prices, senior executives from the companies told The Economic Times. Xiaomis top rivals are calling this a wait-and-watch scenario and are tracking the companys moves. The scope to react right now is also limited for they are selling models at almost throwaway prices which, if we have to match, it will completely disrupt the pricing strategy, one official said, on condition of anonymity. Xiaomi forayed into the television segment a month ago and launched 32-inch, 43-inch and 55-inch models. By sheer volume, these sizes account for 80 percent of the total television market. A 32-inch set, which would normally go for Rs 24,000, is priced at Rs 13,999 by Xiaomi. Similarly, a 43-inch set is sold for Rs 22,999 as opposed to the major players Rs 36,999, while Xiaomis 53-inch set is worth Rs 39,999, almost half of its rivals prices. The companies are hoping that the Chinese giant wont be as successful in TV as it has been in mobiles, citing advanced and varied sales and servicing strategies that the segment requires. Three years into its stint in India, in the December quarter, Xiaomi emerged the largest selling smartphone brand in India, according to Counterpoint Research. An LG spokesperson shared the same opinion saying that top brands having more than 75 percent market share, are unaffected by a company offering low-priced models in the last few years. The lifecycle of a TV is generally assumed to be more than five years, hence a robust service network and experience zones are seen to play a major role in the consumers buying decisions, which in fact has been a core strength at LG, the spokesperson said, A Xiaomi spokesperson told the paper that the company wants to make its disruptive technology available to everyone. Xiaomi believes is innovation for everyone, which is why we make high-quality products with high specifications, at a good price. We follow the same principles for all our products. Management professionals| Entry level - Rs 3,00,000 | Mid-Career- Rs 25,00,000 | Experienced Rs 80,00,000 | These people are in charge of ensuring that the unique skills people bring to an organisation are used effectively to maximise profits of a company. These individuals need to work extremely hard at the entry level, but are paid extremely well once they gain some experience. (Image: Reuters) Investment Bankers | Entry level Rs 12,00,000 | Mid-Career Rs 30,00,000 | Experienced Rs 50,00,000+ | Investment bankers strike deals with companies to raise capital. They also handle mergers and acquisitions and give financial advice to companies. They are nicknamed Money Men. (Image: Reuters) Chartered Accountants | Entry level Rs 5,50,000 | Mid-Career Rs 12,80,000 | Experienced Rs 25,70,000 | Chartered Accountants deal with the financial health of a company or individual. To become a Chartered Account one needs to pass exams that are extremely tough. The exceptionally low pass rate of aspiring candidates from the ICAI substantiates their job prospects in the country. (Image: Reuters) Aviation Professionals | Commercial Pilot - Rs 20,00,000 | Helicopter pilot- Rs 18,00,000 | Aircraft maintenance engineer- Rs 9,80,000 | The aviation sector provides some of the most glamorous jobs in the industry. A strong understanding of physics and math is necessary, as well extensive training. The advancements in the sector ensure ample scope for flying high. (Image: Reuters) Law professionals | Corporate lawyers - Rs 6,10,000 | Senior attorney- Rs 9,50,000 | Interpreting and using the rule of the law to win arguments in favour of clients is a lucrative profession. The best lawyers earn several lakhs, even crores in certain cases. So much so that lawyers give up offers to become judges so that they can maintain their income as lawyers. Being a lawyer requires a high level of patience, formal education and communication skills. (Image: Reuters) Oil and Natural Gas Sector Professionals | Experienced Rs 15-20 lakh with perks | This is one sector that makes immense profits considering the dependency of the modern economy on it. Geologists and marine engineers are professionals that are highly paid in this sector. (Image Reuters) Business Analyst | 6,00,000 at the entry level | Analysts are needed to make sense of the rapidly changing business ecosystem. As investors across the world look to make the most of the capital they are investing, the skills of a business analysts are essential for organisations to analyse competition in the market. (Image: Reuters) Medical Professionals | General practice - Rs 4,80,000 | General Surgeon - Rs 8,10,000 | Medical doctor - Rs 17,00,000 | Medicine is one career that may never be affected by recession. The hard work and the long hours that go into becoming a reputable doctor ensure a handsome salary. (Image: Reuters) Marketing | Entry level- Rs 1,50,000 | Mid career- Rs 5,00,000 | Experienced- Rs 10,00,000+ | It is common knowledge that a business without a marketing team may not prosper. Marketing is considered an art and top-notch professionals can end up becoming CEOs of companies. (Image: Reuters) The Central government has told the Supreme Court that there cannot be a direction to permit Rohingya refugees from Myanmar to enter India. Submitting its fresh affidavit in the Court, the Ministry of Home Affairs has maintained that national interest requires that only those holding valid travel documents be permitted to enter Indian soils. The government emphasised that India is already facing a serious problem of infiltration due to its porous border with other countries, a root cause of spread of terrorism in the country that has claimed thousands of lives of innocent citizens and security personnel. Securing the border of any sovereign nation in accordance with law is an essentially executive function and this Court would not issue a writ directing not only the Central government but all the state governments having a common border to ensure foreigners enter the territory of India," stated the affidavit. Karti Chidambaram, son of former finance minister P. Chidambaram, gestures as he leaves a court after a hearing in New Delhi, India, February 28, 2018. REUTERS/Adnan Abidi - RC1336C523F0 The Delhi High Court today reserved its order on the bail plea of Karti Chidambaram, son of senior Congress leader P Chidamabaram, in the INX Media corruption case lodged by the CBI. Justice S P Garg heard the CBI and Karti's lawyer and reserved his decision. The CBI opposed the bail plea saying that tampering of evidence and influencing witnesses in the case was a possibility. The agency also alleged that Karti has tampered with certain evidence. Karti has challenged the special trial judge order refusing to grant him bail. Representative image Government Railway Police (GRP) in Mumbai register at least 100 cases of mobile theft on local trains across its 16 divisions on a daily basis. Stating it as a matter of grave concern, police officials said that on an average 10 cases are registered by each police station every day. Moreover, there are unreported cases where commuters do not register official complaints as they have a low hope of recovering the mobiles. In 2017, 18,000 cases of mobile theft were registered, a report in Hindustan Times said. As per police officials, the majority of such crimes are committed by youngsters in the age group of 16-25 years. In May, 2017, 126 theft cases were reported, which rose to 1,187 in June, after which, we began registering them as FIRs, said an officer of the GRP crime branch. Purshottam Karad, deputy commissioner of police, GRP (Western Railway), said that there has been a spurt in the reports of theft activity on trains. He attributed the rise to the instruction which asked the officials to register the theft as FIRs instead of non-cognisable complaints. He added that the police have started taking action against robbers who enter the station premises ticketless. Robbers stand hiding behind poles and hit commuters standing on footboards. As the phones fall from hands of commuters, the robbers pick them up and disappear in the slums or jump into the mangroves at Mahim and Bandra, S Dhanwate, senior inspector, GRP crime branch said to the newspaper. The police officials also informed that the officers will now patrol the tracks, as the CCTVs installed on the station, do not cover that. They are also going to round up known criminals and slap chapter cases against them. India Economy India is the "biggest strategic opportunity" for the US with New Delhi showing more openness to strengthen bilateral security ties, a top Pentagon commander has said, underlining a mutual desire for global stability and support for the rules-based international order. Admiral Harry Harris, Commander of the US Pacific Command also told members of the Senate Armed Services Committee, that the Quad, comprising India, US, Japan and Australia is an important idea of like-minded nations that can go after the challenges in the Indo-Pacific region. In his prepared testimony, Harris said the US and India are natural partners on a range of political, economic, and security issues. "I think India is the biggest strategic opportunity for the US. We share democratic values, we share the same concerns, and we operate more frequently in the Indo-Pacific region together, Harris said. He said with a mutual desire for global stability and support for the rules-based international order, the US and India have an increasing convergence of interests, including maritime security and domain awareness, counter-piracy, counter-terrorism, humanitarian assistance and coordinated responses to natural disasters and transnational threats. Noting that India will be among the US' most significant partners in the years to come due to its growing influence and expanding military, Harris said as a new generation of political leaders emerge, India has shown that it is more open to strengthening security ties with the US and adjusting its historic policy of non-alignment to address common strategic interests. Harris' comments came amid China flexing muscles in the East and South China seas. The US has been sending its navy warships in the disputed South China Sea as part of its "freedom of navigation" operation, which evoked strong protests from China . Harris said the US seeks an enduring, regular, routine and institutionalised strategic partnership with India and the Pacific Command identifies a security relationship with India as a major command line-of-effort. Over the past year, US and Indian militaries participated together in three major exercises, executed more than 50 other military exchanges, and operationalized the 2016 Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement (LEMOA). He said defence sales are at an all-time high with India operating US-sourced airframes, such as P-8s, C-130Js, C-17s, AH-64s, and CH-47s, and M777 howitzers. The Pacific Command, he said, will sustain the momentum of the strategic relationship generated by the President-Prime Minister-level meeting and the emerging 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue through strengthening their military-to-military relationship and working toward additional enabling agreements to enhance interoperability. "At the moment, India is considering a number of US systems for purchase, all of which Pacific Command fully supports: the F-16 for India's large single-engine, multi-role fighter acquisition program; the F/A-18E for India's multi-engine, carried-based fighter purchase; a reorder of 12-15 P-8Is; a potential purchase of SeaGuardian UAS; MH-60R multi-role sea-based helicopter; and F-35 Joint Strike Fighter," Harris said. Responding to a question on Quad from Senator Tim Kaine, who was the 2016 Democratic vice-presidential nominee, he said "I think the Quad is an important construct of like-minded nations that can go after the challenges that are in the Indo-Pacific region. So that's Japan, the United States, Australia, and India...The Quad is an idea. It's not rigid. It is not exclusive." "I think the Quad is an idea, and it's an important idea that I think the countries are starting to get their arms around, including the US. But India presents a great opportunity for us, and I think we present a great opportunity for India, Harris said. The department of post will soon give point of sale (PoS) machines to postmen, which will allow people to pay for their parcels with debit cards. The expected rollout of the scheme will most likely happen in the next financial year, according to a report in Financial Express. The Indian branch of a French payments company, Lyra Networks India, is responsible for developing the network of PoS machines across the country. Close to 1.5-.2.1 lakh new PoS machines could be given to the postmen for this project; each machine will cost somewhere between Rs 6,000 and Rs 10,000. This a very big project as it will entail a PoS machine for every postman. We are going to ensure the connectivity for these machines. This project is very important for digitisation because now everybody will be able to pay with a card," Christophe Mariette, chairman of the company, told the paper. The government may have to incur costs other than the price of the devices. Providing internet connectivity in all areas and logistical help will also cost the government significantly. It will not be in vain, however, since many industry players have reported doubling of the use of debit cards since demonetisation. This scheme is in line with the postal departments plan to roll out a full-service payments bank, under which postmen were given micro-ATMs in 2017. With branches in Raipur and Ranchi, the India Post Payments Bank (IPPB) went online on January 30, 2017. Communications minister Manoj Sinha informed Parliament that IPPB will have 650 branches by April 2018. Many have opened bank accounts and received debit cards, but they have not been put to use to make these payments on the scale the government had hoped. Citizens opened 313 million Jan Dhan accounts with deposits of Rs 76,117 crores, as on March 7 and RuPay cards issued for the account holders were 236 million. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday addressed the News18 Rising India Summit in New Delhi. The Prime Minister touched various issues and highlighted initiative, schemes and programmes taken up by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government in the last four years. Here are some of the key takeaways from the Prime Ministers address: Tough decisions Prime Minister Modi said that his government has taken decisions that were proposed decades ago but kept in files. We implemented old laws that had been passed decades ago. We were able to take the big decisions because of peoples trust in us. There is a transformation shift in India because of citizens and their will to dream, PM Modi said. Diplomacy PM Modi claimed that as compared to 2014, the number of heads of state and senior foreign dignitaries now visiting India have almost doubled. He added that India is now a part of various global defence alliances and is raising the subject of terrorism, black money and corruption at international forums. Act East policy Speaking about the Centres Act East policy, PM Modi said that People who think Act East is only a gimmick for votes are people I believe cut off from the country and the minds of its people. When I say east, it also includes Bengal, Odisha and other parts of eastern India. This region has been bereft of development for too long, he added. PM Modi said that the region had been left behind in the race for development. Ujjwala scheme PM Modi claimed that the Ujjwala Scheme is not just changing cooking, but it is changing the picture of millions of families. We have undertaken many initiatives to improve availability of nutritious food to women and children in India. Only if they eat well will they be healthy, PM Modi said. Electrification The prime minister said that India is now moving from power failures to becoming power surplus. Our dream of one nation, one grid is becoming a reality. There was a time when the power ministry, renewable energy ministry and the coal ministry did not know what the other was doing. Now they are working as one unit, he said. We have electrified over 16,000 of the 18,000 villages in the country that did not have electricity since 1947, he added. Healthcare The prime minister said that healthcare is a primary point of focus for the government adding that the effort is to have no silos, only solutions. PM Modi said that healthcare needs to be preventive and affordable. To address the problem, PM Modi claimed that Over 3,000 public health clinics have been started across the country since we came to power. State of the economy The prime minister said that people are now believing that India will be able to break loose of its shackles and baggage and move forward in the 21st century. In 2014, our tax system was viewed as unfriendly but now that is changing. GST has now eased the tax burden for a lot of people, he said, adding that We are performing extremely well on all economic indicators as a country. India is now contributing nearly 7 times the amount it contributed earlier to the world economy. Swachh Bharat Abhiyan PM Modi said that in the last four years, the government had doubled the number of public toilets to around 13 crore. He further claimed that sanitation coverage in the country had gone up from 38 percent to 80 percent. 20:57 When Indian citizens needed saving in Yemen, we not only saved them but we saved citizens of 48 other countries across the world, says PM Modi. 20:50 There was a time when the power ministry, renewable energy ministry and the coal ministry did not know what the other Modi was doing, says PM. Now they are working as one unit. 20:28 The video is showcasing the achievements of the government's Ujjwala Yojana, which aims to provide cooking gas to every household in the country. 20:26 PM Modi is now showing a video to the audience. 20:21 Rising India signifies our desire to move forward from where we were, says PM Modi. 20:14 PM Modi enters the hall and takes the stage for his keynote address. Rahul Joshi, CEO and Group Editor-in-Chief at News18 Network, is receiving him. 20:10 PM Modi is slated to make a Powerpoint presentation, which is a first for the leader. The presentation is likely to be about the state of the economy at the moment and the achievements of his government over the last 4 years it has been in power. 20:10 Security personnel can be seen checking the arrangements every few seconds. PM Modi will likely arrive any moment now. 19:49 CM Khattar talks about Haryana and says the state is now 2nd on the Centre's Ease of Doing Business ranking. 19:45 The CM adds that his government has taken the state along the path of development and made rapid strides in roads, agriculture and electricity. 19:40 MP CM Shivraj Chouhan says that MP is a fast-growing state, and adds that the government is focusing on agriculture. 19:38 The theme of the session is Nayi Rahein, Naye Sapne, and dwells upon economies of the states, and what they need to create more jobs in the heartland. 19:35: Even as the audience awaits the arrival of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, News18 India Executive Editor Amish Devgan is speaking with Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Manohar Lal Khattar, Jai Ram Thakur, chief ministers of Madhya Pradesh, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh, respectively. 19:19 Sanjay Nayar of KKR India says that even though he shares the bullishness of the other panelists, the only thing India has going for it is consumption. He adds that no economy can be built solely on consumption. 19:16 Vedanta Chairman Anil Agarwal says that large PSU companies should not given to one entity or businessman. The company can be run by its CEOs and owned by the public, with the government still holding a minor stake. 19:11 When you enter any airport in India, when you drive on a highway, or when you feel the power situation is comfortable, please don't forget to leave a thank you note for bankers, says Rajnish Kumar, Chairman of State Bank of India. 19:09 Rajnish Kumar says that ownership of a company should not matter. There are PSUs that are great companies and then there are PSUs that are not so great, he says, adding that the same is true for the private sector. 18:52 Have approved 38 proposals for the floating jetty project in Mumbai, says Gadkari. 18:42 Former Jammu and Kashmir CM Farooq Abdullah, who is also in attendance, says that Indian trains are still as dirty as they always were. "Even if someone was not sick before, they will get sick in those coaches," he says. 18:35 We as a government believe in setting high targets, said Piyush Goyal. He added that in the past, there were no big visionary ideas at play and the leadership was not known for taking bold decisions. 18:30 My ministry has saved the banking system from Rs 3 lakh crore of NPAs since I became minister, says Nitin Gadkari. 18:25 The ring road being constructed around Delhi right now is expected to bring traffic and pollution to nearly half the current levels, Gadkari said. 18:23 Piyush Goyal says that bringing down the logistics cost is key to optimising operational performance. Off late, Indian Railways has been been suffering with poor financial performance on an operating level. 18:15 CNN News18 Executive Editor Bhupendra Chaubey will be moderating the panel discussion. 18:12 The event is now getting underway. Ministers Nitin Gadkari and Piyush Goyal have been asked to make their way to the stage for their discussion on 'The building blocks of India'. 18:10 The theme of the event is 'From Take-Off to Triumph' and Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be talking about how his government has triumphed over the last 4 years it has been in power. Gadkari and Goyal's panel discussion will be themed 'The building blocks of India'. 18:06 Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan will also be addressing the gathering during the course of the event. Considering MP is scheduled to hit the polling booths soon to elect the state's assembly, Chauhan's address will be in focus for pointers about his plans for the future. 18:04 The Gadkari-Goyal panel will be discussing everyday problems that affect people's lives like traffic, condition of roads, power supply, etc. 18:02 Senior Congress leader Sachin Pilot is also in attendance at the event. 18:01 Guests are making their way to their seats now as ministers Nitin Gadkari and Piyush Goyal get ready to take the stage shortly. 17:55 Please stay tuned as the Nitin Gadkari-Piyush Goyal panel discussion is about to get underway shortly. PM Modi will be making his keynote address after the first two panel discussions. 17:45 Network18 reporters and most of the guests are already at the event and everyone is excited about what the day's events have in store for them. After union ministers Nitin Gadkari and Piyush Goyal get done with their highly anticipated panel discussion, there will be another one featuring the who's who of the government and the industry like Suresh Prabhu, Amitabh Kant, Anil Agarwal, Rajnish Kumar, and Sanjay Nayar. 17:35 In 10 minutes from now, News18's Bhupendra Chaubey will be holding a panel discussion with union ministers Piyush Goyal and Nitin Gadkari. The topic of discussion: The Building Blocks of a Rising India 17:30 Some of the marquee speakers in attendance include Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Home Minister Rajnath Singh, Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari among lawmakers. Nobel Laureate Paul Krugman will also be speaking. Among chief ministers, Yogi Adityanath, Amarinder Singh and Shivraj Singh Chauhan are attending. Top businessmen such as Vedanta chief Anil Agarwal and SBI chairman Rajnish Kumar will grace the occasion while celebs such as Kangana Ranaut and Ranveer Singh will also be attending. News18 Welcome to live coverage ofRising India Summit. The event will bring together top policymakers, industrialists and celebrities where they will discuss and brainstorm over India's future. The Supreme Court today reserved its verdict on a batch of pleas seeking an independent probe into the alleged mysterious death of special CBI judge B H Loya. Loya, who was hearing the high-profile Sohrabuddin Sheikh fake encounter case, had allegedly died of cardiac arrest in Nagpur on December 1, 2014 when he had gone to attend the wedding of a colleague's daughter. A bench comprising Chief Justice Dipak Misra and Justices A M Khanwilkar and D Y Chandrachud reserved the verdict after an elaborate hearing. The petitions seeking a probe into Loya's death was opposed by the Maharashtra government. The politburo of the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) has announced that it is breaking its ties with the National Democratic Alliance (NDA). The TDP stated that the party will also move a no-confidence motion against the Modi government. The party said that it is in protest against the injustice that the NDA government has meted out against Andhra Pradesh since the time of its bifurcation. The announcement comes weeks after the Central government presented the budget, after the TDP, the ruling majority party in Andhra Pradesh, said that was not given its due. This will be the first party to quit the ruling alliance since the NDA first came to power in 2014. Recently, the TDP withdrew Central Ministers P Ashok Gajapathi Raju and YS Chowdary from the Cabinet in protest against the Centre not giving special category status to Andhra Pradesh, among other benefits. The ministers however, continued to be a part of the Central government, without holding any ministries. BJP ministers Kamineni Srinivas and P. Manikyala Rao of the Andhra Pradesh state government, resigned from their posts the same day. The Central government told the Parliament that Rs 12,476.76 crore was already sanctioned for Andhra Pradesh as 'special assistance This also included Rs 2,500 crore the construction of Amaravati the state capital. Union minister of state for Home Affairs Hansraj Gangaram Ahir states that Centre has been keeping up with its mandate with the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2014 The YSR Congress Party, which is the chief opposition party in the state, submitted a notice on Thursday to move a no-confidence motion against the NDA government in the Lok Sabha. March 16, 2018 / 04:48 PM IST 16:26 JUST IN | Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray is expected to hold a meeting with party MPs and senior leaders soon to decide stand on no confidence motion moved by data-scayt-lang="en_US">TDP and YSRCP against Central Government. 16:16 TRS not to support no-confidence motion against NDA govt The Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS) led by K Chandrasekhar Rao today ruled out its support for the no-confidence motion against the NDA government, describing the move as a "political gimmick". The Telugu Desam Party moved a no-confidence motion against the central government in the Lok Sabha today, hours after party president N Chandrababu Naidu announced in Amaravati that the party was exiting the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) on the issue of special category status (SCS) to Andhra Pradesh. TRS parliamentary party leader and secretary general K Keshava Rao, however, said his outfit supports the demand for SCS. Andhra Pradesh's ruling party had yesterday offered to back the YSR Congress' no-confidence motion, but today stated that it "smells a nexus between it (YSR Congress) and the BJP". Keshava Rao told PTI, "No question (of supporting the no-confidence motion). It is just a political gimmick. Can they muster 50 per cent of the House (to win the motion)?" Stating that the SCS tag should be negotiated with the Centre, the TRS leader noted that they (TDP and YSRC) had flagged the issue many times and also staged 'dharnas'. TRS Lok Sabha "It is no cause for no-confidence. I do not see any reason for this no-confidence motion", he added. Thehas 11 MPs in the 15:50 Every state has their own problems and issues. TDP also has its own issues, initially they were with the NDA & now they have left the NDA for a better cause. So whatever TDP has decided is correct: Mamata Banerjee, West Bengal Chief Minister said. 15:15 A quick recap: The Telugu Desam Party moved a no-confidence motion against the government in the Lok Sabha today, hours after party president N Chandrababu Naidu announced in Amaravati that the party was exiting the National Democratic Alliance. The government exuded confidence that it has the numbers to ride out the crisis with BJP terming the decision by Andhra Pradesh's ruling party to quit the NDA "inevitable". The party, which claimed this provided an opportunity for it to grow in the state, faces the prospect of going it alone in the elections in Andhra Pradesh next year with the two main regional parties -- TDP and YSR Congress -- against it. The TDP, which is in power in the state, had yesterday offered to back the YSR Congress' no-confidence motion but said it withdrew the support as it smelt a nexus between it and the BJP. The YSR Congress' motion is pending. 15:12 Top leadership to decide stand on no-confidence motion against NDA govt: AIADMK The AIADMK today said its top leadership will decide on the party's stand on the no-confidence motion moved against the Narendra Modi government by the Telugu Desam Party (TDP). Senior AIADMK leader D Jayakumar indicated that party coordinator O Panneerselvam and co-coordinator K Palaniswami will decide on the matter. The decision will be made when the no-confidence motion is taken up in Parliament, an official spokesperson said. "The party leadership will decide whether to support or not (the no-confidence motion)," Jayakumar, the state fisheries minister, told reporters here. 14:32 Arun Jaitley said, sentiment cannot increase quantum of funds. What a reckless statement. Telangana was carved for sentiment. Sentiment is very powerful. Even now you are doing injustice: Andhra Pradesh CM N Chandrababu Naidu in Assembly. 14:31 Bifurcation promises are not yet fulfilled. Had special status been included in the Act in then Lok Sabha then, this situation would have not arisen: Andhra Pradesh CM N Chandrababu Naidu in state assembly. 14:13 We've quit NDA. I took the decision, not for selfish reasons,but for interests of Andhra Pradesh. For 4-years I made all efforts, went to Delhi 29 times,asked many times. This was centre's last budget and there was no mention of Andhra Pradesh,we had to pull our ministers out of cabinet: Andhra Pradesh CM N Chandrababu Naidu said in assembly. 14:06 There were issues after the division of Andhra Pradesh. If there were issues all these years, then why weren't they raised? This shows merely an opportunistic nature: D Jayakumar, AIADMK MLA and Tamil Nadu Minister on TDP's withdrawal from NDA said. 13:37 Telugu Desam Party has decided to officially exit the National Democratic Alliance due to failure in fulfilling the promises made in the State Reorganisation Act. This decision was taken unanimously, in a teleconference with Politburo members, today: N Chandrababu Naidu said, reports CNN News18. 13:29 No-confidence motion not taken up; Lok Sabha washed out for 10th day The Lok Sabha today could not take up notices for no-confidence motion against the NDA government moved by Andhra Pradesh parties, with Speaker Sumitra Mahajan saying there was no order in the House and adjourned the proceedings for the day amid vociferous protests over various issues. In the nearly four-year rule of the BJP-led NDA alliance, this is the first time that no-confidence motion notices have been moved against the government. The notices were moved by YSR Congress and TDP, who have been demanding special status for Andhra Pradesh, an issue on which the latter today quit the ruling alliance. The no-confidence notices were moved by YSR Congress member Y V Subba Reddy and TDP's Thota Narasimham. The Lower House proceedings were washed out for the 10th consecutive day following incessant protests and sloganeering by various parties, including TDP, YSR Congress, AIADMK and RJD over multiple issues, including special status for Andhra Pradesh and banking scam. Congress members were also seen standing at their seats. 13:16 TDP has 'woken up' to needs of Andhra Pradesh: Jaganmohan Reddy YSR Congress president Y S Jaganmohan Reddy today said the TDP had "woken up" to the needs of Andhra Pradesh by moving a no-confidence motion against the Narendra Modi government over special status to the state. His remark came after the TDP this morning quit the NDA following the Centre's refusal to give the state Special Category Status (SCS). The no-confidence motion was moved by TDP leader Thota Narasimham in the Lok Sabha. Terming the TDP's decision a "win for democracy", Reddy asserted his party would continue to fight for Special Category Status (SCS) for Andhra Pradesh. "After 4 years of relentless struggle and fight by YSRCP with people's support for Special Category Status; finally the nation, including @ncbn's TDP wakes up!" Jagan said in a tweet. He said that even if guided by political compulsion, the TDP had to yet again follow the YSRCP's lead of moving a no-confidence motion against the Centre for not granting SCS to the state. "Win for democracy and people of AP. YSRCP will continue to fight for SCS, the rights of the people of AP," Reddy, who is also the Leader of Opposition in Andhra Pradesh, said in another tweet. The YSRC had yesterday issued a notice to the Lok Sabha Secretary-General for moving a no-confidence motion against the NDA government. 13:10 When a no-confidence motion is moved 50 MPs should stand in its support and 50 MPs stood, but Speaker said it cannot be considered as House is not in order. So, I want to ask what does government fear? They have huge majority in Lok Sabha: Congress' Shashi Tharoor questions today's proceedings in the Lok Sabha. 12:51 TDP has changed its version multiple times in the past one month. N Chandrababu Naidu himself in the assembly said resignations and no-confidence motion are useless. But now they themselves are supporting it: YSR Congress MP Midhun Reddy told CNN-News18. 12:36 JUST IN | Andhra Pradesh state BJP leaders called to Delhi by the party, reports CNN News18. TDP's Telugu Desam Party's (TDP) formal exit from the Narendra Modi government spooked investors on Friday. The 30-share index was trading at 33,399.65 at 1200hrs, down 285.89 points, or 0.85 percent. The broader NSE Nifty slipped below the key 10,300-level to 10,272.05, down 88.10 points, or 0.85 percent. Major losers were Tata Motors, ONGC, Tata Motors DVR, NTPC and Reliance Industries, falling up to 2 percent. 12:22 Our commitment to people of Andhra Pradesh continues and this government has no business to take away that right of ours. It is only right that we fight collectively, it is the principle we are fighting on. Centre has exposed itself and that it does not stand by any ally: Renuka Chowdhury, Congress, told ANI. 12:17 The alliance of Shiromani Akali Dal and BJP has stood through all thick and thin. We stand together because it's good for the people of Punjab. It is very unfortunate that TDP has cut ties with NDA: Union Minister Harsimrat Badal told CNN News18. 12:15 JUST IN | The speaker has adjourned the House till Monday. 12:12 Lok Sabha disrupted for 10th day as protests continue The proceedings of the Lok Sabha were disrupted for the 10th consecutive day today as TDP, YSR Congress, AIADMK and RJD continued their noisy protests over various issues, including the banking scam and special status for Andhra Pradesh. As soon as Speaker Sumitra Mahajan took up the Question Hour, members from these parties trooped into the Well holding placards. While members from the TDP, YSR Congress, TRS, AIADMK and RJD were in the Well raising slogans and holding placards, MPs from the Samajwadi Party and Left were seen standing at their seats and shouting slogans. As the protests continued, the House was adjourned till noon. 12:11 The motion can be accepted only if it has the support of at least 50 members in the House. "We will support a no-confidence motion, whoever moves it. We will be ready for that and our 16-17 MPs will fully support that. We will cooperate with whoever fights for the state's rights," Naidu said in the state Assembly yesterday. With the BJP alone having 274 members in the 536-member Lok Sabha and enjoying support of allies, the no-confidence motion, if accepted, is certain to be defeated but it has the potential to put the saffron party in an tight corner in the state. 12:10 TDP moves no-confidence motion in Parliament TDP leader Thota Narasimham moved a no-confidence motion in the Lok Sabha today, hours after party president N Chandrababu Naidu announced in Amaravati that the party was exiting the National Democratic Alliance. Andhra Pradesh's ruling party had yesterday offered to back the YSR Congress' no-confidence motion but has now said it withdraws the support as it smells a nexus between it and the BJP. "We go according to principles. Our leader felt being part of NDA and moving a no-confidence motion would not be ethical. So we withdrew from the NDA and I have issued a letter on no-confidence motion to the speaker at 9.30 am," Narasimham, the TDP's floor leader in the Lok Sabha, told reporters. He said letters would go out to BJP leaders about the party's decision to exit the alliance. His colleague, C M Ramesh added that YSR Congress MP Vijaysai Reddy was seen making attempts to meet the prime minister and this hinted at a nexus between both parties. "We have no confidence in their no-confidence motion, so we have decided to go on our own," he said. "If it is not taken due to lack of time today, on Monday we will get signatures from 54 MPs from various other parties and push for a no-confidence motion vigorously," Ramesh said. 12:08 Rs 12,476 crore given to Andhra Pradesh as special assistance: Government tells Rajya Sabha The government on Wednesday had informed Parliament that a total of Rs 12,476.76 crore has been released as special assistance to Andhra Pradesh, which includes Rs 2,500 crore for establishment of the new capital city of the state. Union minister of state for home Hansraj Gangaram Ahir said the central and the Andhra Pradesh governments have been working together to implement the provisions made in Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2014 (APR Act, 2014) which include establishment of several institutions and launch of certain projects, as mentioned in Schedule XIII of the Act. "Government of India has released a total amount of Rs 12,476.76 crore as special assistance to the state of Andhra Pradesh, which includes Rs 2,500 crore for establishment of the new capital city of Andhra Pradesh," he said in a written reply in Rajya Sabha. 12:00 On Thursday, the Andhra Pradesh CM reportedly accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP of being involved in collusion politics. Earlier this month, TDP MPs Ashok Gajapathi Raju and YS Choudhary quit the Union Cabinet after the Centre declined to give special status to Andhra Pradesh. The YSR Congress has also decided to move a no-confidence motion against the government in Parliament on Friday. Party president Jaganmohan Reddy has written to all parties seeking support in getting special status for the state. 11:56 Mamata Banerjee tweets: I welcome the TDP's decision to leave the NDA. The current situation warrants such action to save the country from disaster. 11:55 D-Day for TDP-NDA ties today as party set to pull out of alliance, to support motion against Modi govt Days after pulling out its ministers from the union cabinet, the Telugu Desam Party, sources say, may pull out of the NDA and will support a no-confidence motion by YSR Congress against the Narendra Modi government. Andhra Pradesh chief minister Chandrababu Naidu will hold a politburo meeting on Friday to take the final call. According to sources, TDP president and Andhra Pradesh chief minister Chandrababu Naid may also call on BSP chief Mayawati and SP patriarch Mulayam Singh Yadav in a bid to forge new alliances. Sources said that almost all of the partys MPs and MLAs have backed the decision as this is the only logical next step in their demand for special status for Andhra Pradesh. Party leaders are of the view that the party must take all decisions that are of the best interest for the state, they said. Read the full report here. 11:47 It's been almost 4 years since Andhra Pradesh was bifurcated into two states and Telangana was formed. Ever since, the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) government in Andhra has been demanding the Centre to grant it special status. Here's a look at the sequence of events leading to the weakening alliance between the TDP and the BJP. June 2014: Andhra Pradesh is bifurcated on June 2 - under the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act - and Telangana is formed. Hyderabad, the capital city of Andhra, which now falls under Telangana, remains the joint-capital of the two states for the next 10 years. TDP forms the government in Andhra Pradesh, while the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) forms the government in Telanagana. Read the full report here. 11:42 It is unfortunate. We tried our best to be together but the present government ignored the sentiments and emotions of people of Andhra Pradesh, Emergency politburo was conducted in which TDP president N Chandrababu Naidu took decision to withdraw from NDA: YS Chowdary, TDP in Delhi said. 11:40 The state government and TDP are feeling the pinch of the public opinion going against them and BJP will use this as an opportunity to grow as a political party and emerge as a dominant political force in Andhra Pradesh. For us it will prove to be the next Tripura: GVL Narasimha Rao, BJP said. 11:38 We believe TDP is finding the going tough in Andhra Pradesh, they are seeing a defeat for themselves in 2019 and they want to use this as an alibi to really retrieve lost political ground. Question being asked in Andhra Pradesh as to why AP CM took 4 years to realise that this is not working: GVL Narasimha Rao, BJP said. 11:33 The Central government told the Parliament that Rs 12,476.76 crore was already sanctioned for Andhra Pradesh as 'special assistance This also included Rs 2,500 crore the construction of Amaravati the state capital. Union minister of state for Home Affairs Hansraj Gangaram Ahir states that Centre has been keeping up with its mandate with the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2014 The YSR Congress Party, which is the chief opposition party in the state, submitted a notice on Thursday to move a no-confidence motion against the NDA government in the Lok Sabha. 11:31 BJP has cheated Telugu people, this time also they have succeeded in doing so, we will be moving a no-confidence motion (in the Parliament): KS Jawahar, Andhra Pradesh Minister. 11:23 This will be the first party to quit the ruling alliance since the NDA first came to power in 2014. Recently, the TDP withdrew Central Ministers P Ashok Gajapathi Raju and YS Chowdary from the Cabinet in protest against the Centre not giving special category status to Andhra Pradesh, among other benefits. The ministers however, continued to be a part of the Central government, without holding any ministries. BJP ministers Kamineni Srinivas and P. Manikyala Rao of the Andhra Pradesh state government, resigned from their posts the same day. 11:21 The announcement comes weeks after the ruling party in Andhra Pradesh was at loggerheads with the Central government over the lack of funds given to the state at the time of the budget announcement. 11:19 TDP cuts off ties with NDA, to move 'no-confidence' motion against Modi government The politburo of the Telegu Desam Party (TDP) has announced that it is breaking its ties with the National Democratic Alliance (NDA). The TDP stated that the party will also move a no-confidence motion against the Modi government. A poster of the Rising India Summit is seen at the venue of the event in New Delhi. (Image: News18) Prime Minister Narendra Modi at News18 Network's Rising India Summit. Minister of Road Transport and Highways of India Nitin Gadkari arrives for the Rising India Summit in New Delhi, on March 16. (Image: News18) Minister of Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, during a panel discussion at the Rising India Summit. Union Minister of Railways and Coal Piyush Goyal (R), and Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari at the Rising India Summit. (Image: News18) Union ministers Nitin Gadkari (L) and Piyush Goyal at the Rising India Summit. A panel discussion is underway as the second session of day one begins at the Rising India Summit being held in New Delhi. (Image: News18) Minister of Commerce and Industry Suresh Prabhu is seen at the panel discussion during the Rising India Summit. (Image: News18) A view of the panel discussion during "Nayi Rahein Naye Sapne" (New Ways New Dreams) session during the Rising India Summit, in New Delhi, on Friday. (Image: News18) News18 Network CEO and Group Editor in Chief Rahul Joshi welcoming Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Rising India Summit, held at the Taj Palace in New Delhi on Friday. Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman during the Rising India Summit, in New Delhi. (Image: News18) Kangana Ranaut at the Rising India Summit. (Image: News18) Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Smriti Irani took part in Rising India Summit 2018 in New Delhi. (Image: News18) Iron & Steel | Imports from China, 2019: 4 percent. (Image: Moneycontrol) The imposition of 25 percent import tariff on steel products by the US is unlikely to have any significant impact on the domestic steel industry in the medium term, ratings agency Icra said. The US government recently announced its decision of imposing a 25 percent tariff on import of steel products and 10 percent tariff on aluminium. The order is effective from March 23, 2018. "The 25 percent import tariff on steel products by the US is unlikely to have any significant impact on the domestic steel industry in the medium term," Icra said in a statement. Icra noted that this duty would be effective on all countries except Canada and Mexico which together comprises about a quarter of the total US imports. The impact of import tariffs may not be significant in the medium term due to reasons like global steel demand (ex-USA) is expected to increase by 25 MT in CY2018. "Chinese steel exports has been steadily declining in the last two years, reaching 75 MT in CY2017 from the peak level of 112 mt in CY2015, and in the current year too, exports have continued to shrink, declining by 27.1 per cent in the first two months of CY2018. This trend is expected to continue throughout CY2018 on the back of a resilient Chinese domestic demand and proposed steel capacity cuts," it said. "India's steel exports to the USA market remained a meagre 0.7 mt in CY2017, accounting for less than 1 per cent of India's domestic demand. Therefore, Indian steel mills should be able to find an alternate market for its nominal US export volumes without much difficulty," ICRA's Senior Vice President said in the statement. Days after pulling out its ministers from the union cabinet, the Telugu Desam Party, sources say, may pull out of the NDA and will support a no-confidence motion by YSR Congress against the Narendra Modi government. Andhra Pradesh chief minister Chandrababu Naidu will hold a politburo meeting on Friday to take the final call. According to sources, TDP president and Andhra Pradesh chief minister Chandrababu Naid may also call on BSP chief Mayawati and SP patriarch Mulayam Singh Yadav in a bid to forge new alliances. Sources said that almost all of the partys MPs and MLAs have backed the decision as this is the only logical next step in their demand for special status for Andhra Pradesh. Party leaders are of the view that the party must take all decisions that are of the best interest for the state, they said. TDP leaders said that Naidu is livid with the BJP playing dirty politics instead of resolving the issues faced by the people. Earlier in the day, the Andhra CM, while addressing his party leaders via teleconference, attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and hit out at the BJP for pitting others against him. Former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has decided to give the event a skip. Naidu also declined invitation to Jagan Mohan Reddy's swearing-in ceremony. N Chandrababu Naidu-led Telugu Desam Party (TDP) on Friday announced that it has broken its ties with the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and exited from the alliance at the Centre. The announcement was made by Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister and TDP Chief Chandrababu Naidu in a teleconference with the partys Members of Parliament (MPs). TDP had also planned to move a motion of no-confidence today in the Lok Sabha, but the Speaker adjourned the House until Monday. How the numbers are stacked TDPs exit comes as a major jolt to the BJP-led alliance as it was the third largest party in the NDA after BJP and Shiv Sena. The TDP had fought the 2014 Lok Sabha elections along with the BJP and had 16 MPs in the lower house of the Parliament. Two of TDPs MPs Ashok Gajapathi Raju and YS Choudhary were in the Narendra Modi Cabinet from 2014 until earlier this month, when they stepped down from the Council of Ministers after the Centre refused to grant special status to the state of Andhra Pradesh, which had been promised to them earlier. Now, without the TDPs 16 MPs, the total number of MPs under the ruling alliance has come down to 315. Though the BJP-led alliance is still stable as the half-way mark is 272 in the Lok Sabha. In the Rajya Sabha, TDP has six MPs. TDPs regional rival Yuvajana Shramika Rythu Congress Party (YSR Congress), led by YS Jaganmohan Reddy, has five MPs in the lower house and two MPs in the upper house of the Parliament. American electric car maker Tesla has been in troubled waters recently due to backlashes faced by their Model 3 electric car. But the pioneer in electric car technology is not an easy bait, and will fight its competitors, among which are: The production of Teslas first mass-market product Model 3 is delayed as the company is manufacturing unusually high ratio of flawed parts and vehicles, according to its employees. This has led to more rework and repairs that can be contained at its factory in Fremont, California. More than 400,000 customers have already pre-booked the car paying USD 1,000 refundable payment. Resultantly, the company is under pressure to deliver on its promises. Elon Musk, Tesla Motors CEO, in July 2017 had said that the company would be making 20,000 Model 3 by December last year, however, it downgraded the estimate to 2,500 a week till December and 5,000 per week by June this year. According to CNBC, a current Tesla engineer estimated that 40 percent of the parts made or received at its Fremont factory require rework. The time and resources devoted to tending to these flawed parts is leading to the delay. In order to deal with the flawed parts, the company also takes unusual steps of sending the parts to its remanufacturing facility in Lathrop, California, about 50 miles away, instead of fixing those parts "in-line". Tesla also brings in teams of technicians and engineers from its service centres and remanufacturing lines to help with the repairs work, former and current employees told CNBC. However, when contacted, Tesla outrightly rejected the claims. Our remanufacturing team does not 'rework' cars," a spokesperson said. The company added that every vehicle constructed at Tesla go through more than 500 inspections and tests. The company spokesperson said that most calibration made to the vehicles are minor which happen at the end of the line and are resolved in minutes. "Whereas before it took three shifts with considerable overtime to produce our target annual production of 100,000 Model S and X vehicles, now it can be done with only two shifts and minimal overtime," the company added. Fraud In a major setback to the ruling BJP legislator Pravin Darekar, state-run rural development lender Nabard has accused Mumbai Bank headed by him of gross financial mismanagement. Nabard has also said it has unearthed new fraudulent transactions under his watch at the Mumbai District Central Cooperative Bank or Mumbai Bank involving dozens of credit cooperative societes in the city. An inspection by the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (Nabard) has found that the cooperative bank has a weak appraisal system, inadequate loan review and monitoring system, defective documentation, lack of independent risk appraisal and inadequate recovery strategy, "thus leaving the bank with high operational risks." Nabard's Maharashtra regional office had submitted its report on the coop bank January 30, which found gross mismanagement at the bank. Darekar, earlier with Raj Thackeray's MNS, later joined the BJP and got elected to the upper house. He was not immediately available for comments. The cooperative bank's gross NPAs stood at Rs 169.40 crore in March 2017, which is 10 per cent of its total assets. "This also shows that the bank is exposed to high credit risks," said the report, which PTI has seen. The report pegs the bank's NPAs at a high 10 per cent as of March 2017, while its deposits rose to Rs 4,894.58 crore from Rs 4,504.64 crore in March 2016. The report says unless the bank takes concrete steps to bring down its high credit risk by reducing NPAs, it may become more vulnerable. The report has also found a major fraud perpetrated by 59 urban cooperative credit societies in connivance with the Mumbai Bank staff, which came to light after one of the directors of the bank had in November 2011 complained of it. Total exposure of the bank to these societies ran up to Rs 119.93 crore now, says the report. The report notes that though the bank had initiated recovery measures, it has not moved fast enough to prevent recurrence of such frauds in future. As of March 2017, of the 59 societies, full recovery has been made only from 10 and "there were no concrete efforts to recover Rs 97.87 crore involved in the fraud at the 49 societies," says the report. Nabard also suspects two more loan frauds at bank's Ashokwana and Thakur Village branches. However, it is not sure about the exact amount as investigation is not complete. Warning that the bank is in serious trouble, the report notes that its interest income has been steadily decreasing during the past three years. Its interest income had stood at Rs 205.12 crore in FY15, which came down to Rs 167.73 crore in FY16, and further down to Rs 148.07 crore in FY17 and the report blames it on the big drop in the loan portfolio as very low margins. The report also flays the bank for declaring dividend of Rs 6.20 crore for FY17, which constitutes 47.51 per cent of net profit for the year, and is much higher than the 20 per cent ceiling of net profit fixed by Nabard. Networth rose from Rs 200.41 crore as of March 2016 to Rs 215.76 crore in March 2017 but Nabard attributes this to the an increase in share capital. The report also severely criticizes the auditor of the bank, AR Salunkhe & Company for not flagging serious violation of KYC norms, non-compliance of the bye-laws, deficiencies in loans and advances, poor profitability of branches, writing back of provisions and its overall operations. Though Nabard has received the audit report on September 11, 2017, Mumbai Bank did not submit the compliance report to it till the close of present inspection. The report also finds that over a period of time the loan portfolio did not grow enough to cover the operational cost. Its interest income for FY17 stood at Rs 148.07 crore, whereas the interest paid on deposits was at Rs 312.39 crore as its average yield was at a low 7 per cent while the average cost was 5.75 per cent. Fraud The World Bank does not feel that nearly Rs 13,000-crore PNB scam is indicative of a systemic problem with the nation's financial sector, in sharp contrast to its Bretton Woods peer IMF that had called for more changes on the governance front to prevent recurrence of such frauds. "A scam is always important for us to take a look at whether the regulatory supervision functions, or the banking sector is as efficient as it should be. I wouldn't look at one scam as indicative of a system (failure)," Junaid Kamal Ahmed, the country director at World Bank in India, said here today. "One scam doesn't make a systemic story," he added, speaking at a logistics industry event. He, however, used the example of urban water supply to call for a relook at the service delivery model in the country, saying in India, the government is the policymaker, regulator and also the service delivery agent. "In effect, the judge and jury are the same," he said, adding government should do only the policymaking part and leave the rest to independent regulators and a third-party service agents working in a corporatised manner. "If you create separation of powers, you create transparency in service delivery and that is very important," Ahmed said. He also acknowledged that a slew of changes have taken place in the country which are aimed at making it more transparent and bring in greater accountability. The officially specifically mentioned the efforts on financial inclusion and direct benefit transfer using the Aadhaar saying this will go a long way in ensuring transparency. The nearly Rs 13,000-crore PNB scam, allegedly perpetrated by jewelers Nirav Modi and his uncle Mehul Choksi in collusion with a few officials of the state-run bank came to light last month, wherein the duo is alleged to have used a key loophole on the international trade finance front to defraud the bank. They allegedly got letters of undertaking without the required securities and also proper trade details in place. The scam has been accompanied by many other frauds, including the over Rs 3,600-crore Rotomac scam and others coming to light and cases being made by the national investigation agency Central Bureau of Investigation. It has also started a slugfest between government and the Reserve Bank with each blaming the other. The executive started it off, wondering how the duo could evade regulatory gaze, and the latter hit back saying its hands are tied when it comes to regulating and making the state-run banks accountable. The IMF had said banking reforms like insolvency code and recapitalisation will be ineffective unless governance standards are improved. "Reforms like IBC Code, bank recapitalisation have been taken. But for a lasting impact, these efforts are not enough and should be accompanied by governance reforms particularly for state-run banks," IMF deputy managing director Tao Zhang had said earlier this week. The Indian logistics industry has undergone a sea change and now with the infrastructural status, the sector is all set to bank on several opportunities and take risks. The Economic Survey stated the Indian logistics industry, at present, is worth nearly $160 billion and is expected to touch $215 billion by 2020, growing at a CAGR of 10.5%. The improving sector, which provides employment to over 22 million people, has grown at a CAGR of 7.8% during the last five years. Moreover, India jumped to 35th rank in 2016 from 54th in 2014 on the global ranking of the World Banks Logistics Performance Index 2016. This streak is expected to continue in future as well. We at NECC foresee an overall growth in the Indian market, especially in the automobile, textile, pharma and steel sector. We feel that there is a big market potential for logistic sector, waiting to be tapped. We understand that logistics and supply chain play a key role in the development and growth of manufacturing and retail, said CMD, NECC Group, Sushil Kumar Jain. With digitization, the industry will witness new technologies and heightened customer expectations in the future. New technologies such as automation, IoT, data analytics, blockchain, etc., will give way to faster shipments with more transparency and reduced prices. Some companies have already started working in this direction. NECC is investing in technological upgradation and developing skilled manpower to meet the client needs and thereby increasing its market share. Our specialised teams are also working on implementing measures to address challenges like, expensive freight carrying cost, high turnaround time for fleet, poor capacity planning, etc., said Jain, adding, we are also upgrading our in-house ERP software and educating our team to meet the new challenges and mechanism. Through advanced mechanism, the logistics sector will also be able to expand its footprint. We feel the need for expanding our network in all potential areas, especially in the North East, Nepal, Bangladesh and Bhutan. Our future plan includes expanding our branch network by 25%. We plan to invest in our fleet strength, sales force to increase market share with the ongoing clients, said Jain. Jain said NECC is venturing into developing new routes and markets to generate better yield and high margins. The company will also increase warehousing and secondary transportation business, which currently is undergoing massive changes after GST in place and logistics sector getting an industrial status, said Jain. NECC currently has 250 offices across India, Nepal, Bhutan and Bangladesh. Its current warehousing space of 1.5 million sq. feet includes owned and leased under management facilities. In 2016-17, the company had posted revenues of Rs 548.69 crore as compared to Rs 539.75 crore in 2015-16, up 1.66 per cent. Disclaimer: This article is to create awareness among readers about NECC trends Residences around CBDs: Mumbai's affordable & luxurious residences Residences around Central Business Districts (CBDs) discusses affordable and luxurious residences in Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC). Radius Ten BKC, is one of the most desirable upcoming affordable luxury project in the central of the most desirable central business district, BKC. gold_silver_bars A plane's door hatch broke open while taking off at the Yakutsk airport in Russia and it lost a part of its cargo that consisted ten tons of gold, platinum, and diamonds. The total worth of the cargo which was loaded on the plane is estimated to be USD 365 million (Rs 2369 crore). The Nimbus Airlines AN-12 cargo plane struck with problems immediately after take-off and soon the precious metals were all over the runway. A local news report added that more cargo rained down as the aircraft gained height. Gold bars were found as far as 26 km from the airport till the crew decided to land the plane at a nearby airport at Magan. The runway has been sealed and the police and secret service are conducting a vast search operation. It's -21C in Yakutia, sunny, we expect showers of diamond, platinum and gold... Plane loses its $368 million cargo; gems and precious metals rain over Russias coldest region as police and secret services stage emergency search https://t.co/NsUeOWxZf5 pic.twitter.com/8OXd6Al9is The Siberian Times (@siberian_times) March 15, 2018 The cargo belonged to Chukota Mining and Geological Company in which a Canadian company Kinross Gold has a majority stake. The plane was en-route to Krasnoyarsk and further to Kupol (Dome) mine. Yakutsk region in Russia, apart from being one of the coldest, is also a major diamond producing region. The police have detained the technical engineers who prepared the aircraft for flight. South Korean officials began preparations on Friday for a summit next month with North Korea aimed at reducing tensions on the peninsula, as a report showed the North had probably begun testing a nuclear reactor as recently as late February. The report by intelligence analysts at Jane's by IHS Markit said satellite imagery from Feb. 25 showed emissions of non-condensable gases from a stack at the North's experimental light water reactor (ELWR) at the Yongbyon Atomic Energy Research Center, suggesting preliminary testing had likely begun. The reactor could be used to produce weapons-grade plutonium, but North Korea is believed to already have enough fissile material for multiple nuclear bombs, according to Joshua Pollack, a senior research associate at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey. Meantime, South Korean officials were set to convene their first meeting at the presidential Blue House to prepare for a summit between President Moon Jae-in and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un late next month. Headed by Moon's chief of staff Im Jong-seok, former prominent democracy activist, the team will hammer out plans for the summit, including when to contact the North and what will be discussed between Kim and Moon. U.S. President Donald Trump also accepted a summit invitation from Kim Jong Un, after a South Korean envoy told him earlier this month that the North's leader was prepared to discuss denuclearisation. Trump and Kim are expected to meet sometime in May although a location has not been set yet. Although North Korea's state media has yet to comment on the pending summits with Moon and Trump, its foreign minister Ri Yong Ho is visiting Sweden for talks with his Swedish counterpart Margot Wallstrom. Ri's trip prompted speculation it could lay the groundwork for the summit in Sweden between Trump and Kim Jong Un. The push for these summits came after the North Korean leader said in a New Year's address that he wanted to improve relations with the South following a year of heightened tensions brought on by the North's nuclear and missile tests. "WORK GOES ON" North Korea completed construction of the Yongbyon ELWR in 2013. It was optimised for civilian electricity production, and although it is not yet operational, it could start running with "little warning" later in 2018 or 2019, the Jane's report said. The experimental reactor is likely too small to provide much in the way of electricity, but is part of a long-running effort to develop a light-water reactor after a deal by an international consortium, including the United States, to provide two such nuclear power reactors in the 1990s fell apart, Pollack said. "It's their way of saying, see, since you won't give us what you promised, we'll do it ourselves," Pollack said. "They haven't made any agreements lately with the U.S., so the work goes on." An official at the South's defence ministry said authorities were aware of the Jane's report, which follows a similar one released on the 38 North website earlier this month that said a nearby reactor had also continued to show signs of operation. The isolated state has maintained it will continue developing its nuclear programme but later added it was open to abandoning the programme if the security of its regime was guaranteed, according to South Korea. Hotel sales in Canada will stay strong yet are set to slip from the near-record levels of the past two years with fewer large-scale deals being made, according to a new report from CBRE Group Inc. High demand for stable assets in major markets will continue to impel transaction volume, with hotel investments projected to total $3 billion in 2018, the real estate services firm stated. Thats down from $3.4 billion and $4.1 billion in 2017 and 2016, respectively. This is still a really strong period, though we do anticipate the large-entity deals and M&A deals to be fewer this year, with overall activity in individual and small-portfolio sales, CBRE Hotels executive vice president Bill Stone told Bloomberg in an interview. Its a very brisk market both from a transaction standpoint and on an operating basis. Freddie Mac has partnered with an insurer for the pilot of a new mortgage credit risk transfer program called Integrated Mortgage Insurance (IMAGIN). To participate in the pilot, mortgage and property/casualty insurer and reinsurer Arch Capital Group established Arch MRT, a new subsidiary based in Washington D.C. IMAGIN aims to provide an efficient structure for attracting a diversified and robust capital base to the US housing market that will support market stability through economic cycles. Under the pilot, Arch MRT will insure Freddie Mac and transfer 100% of the risk assumed to a panel of diversified, well-capitalized, and highly rated reinsurers that provide high-quality collateral assets in trust. The Senate has passed a rollback of Dodd-Frank regulations, the largest relaxing of financial rules since the global economic meltdown a decade ago. The bill, called the Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief and Consumer Protection Act, passed 67-31, according to a Washington Post report. It will now go to the House for consideration. If it becomes law, the bill will free more than two dozen banks from the most stringent regulatory oversight required by Dodd-Frank, the Post reported. While the new legislation does leave key provisions of Dodd-Frank in place, its still a significant reduction of banking rules. Pratt may have not been right for Pam, but what if she enrolled at the University of North Texas? Or what if Andy tried out the "Cornell of the South," Rice University, for a change in scenery? 3 1 of 3 Tim Fischer Show More Show Less 2 of 3 Tim Fischer Show More Show Less 3 of 3 Senior Link Midland will host its inaugural March for Meals walk and resource fair March 24 at Midland College. The event will raise both awareness for the organizations programming as well as introduce the community to other nonprofits that can provide assistance. Senior Link Midland has a longstanding history of meeting the daily needs of Midland seniors through programs such as Meals on Wheels, Development Director Tracy Renton said in a press release. This walk and resource fair allows us to share even more information with the community on services available. The mother of a 12-year-old Mississippi child said he killed himself after being bullied by his classmates. Andrew Leach left a note before hanging himself in his family's outdoor garage last week, the 6th grader's mom, Cheryl Hudson, told WREG. Leach's father said his son was struggling with his sexual orientation. When Leach told others he thought he may be bisexual, it "amped up" the bullying, his father said. "Kids were telling him, 'We're gonna put hands on you. You're not going to make it out of this bathroom.' Things of that nature," his father said. PHOTOS: Conroe students put on 'Walking Dead' style makeup to teach life-saving lesson According to Leach's mother, a group of the boy's classmates would "go around calling him fat, ugly and worthless." Figures from Stopbullying.gov show that 28 percent of U.S. students between grades 6-12 experience bullying. Of those, only 20 to 30 percent notify adults about the harassment. A GoFundMe page has been opened in order to help pay for Leach's memorial. See other victims of bullying that made the news in past years. The Fort Bend woman accused of locking seven special-needs adopted kids in a room and feeding them only rice and beans was sentenced Friday to 35 years in prison. Paula Sinclair pleaded guilty to four first-degree felony charges of injury to a child causing serious bodily injury, more than a year after authorities removed malnourished kids from the 55-year-old's Richmond home. "The facts of this case are horrendous," said Fort Bend prosecutor Melissa Munoz. "Paula Sinclair abused, exploited and starved her children for her own personal gain. She imprisoned them in their own home and treated them like animals. She deserves to spend every minute, every hour, and every day of the 35-year sentence she received in prison." But Sinclair's lawyer, Don Hecker, laid the blame primarily on Sinclair's partner, 78-year-old Allen Richardson. "She maintains that maybe 80 percent of this or more was attributable to the co-defendant," he said. The high-profile case started in November 2016, when Child Protective Services removed the seven malnourished children from the upscale Long Meadow Farms subdivision home that Sinclair shared with Richardson. The children, ages 13 to 16, were kept in a single room that reeked of human waste. They were sometimes hit with a wooden paddle or bat, authorities said at the time. Whenever Sinclair would leave, she'd lock them all in a closet, the Fort Bend County Sheriff's Office said. READ MORE: Eighth adopted child of parents facing abuse claims died of bronchitis At least one of the children had Down syndrome and was wearing a dirty diaper when authorities showed up to remove the kids. Another recounted being bound with duct tape when her mother and stepfather left. "I cannot think of a more deplorable situation than what we have learned in this case," Sheriff Troy Nehls said at the time. "These people are taking advantage of a lousy situation at the expense of children who cannot fend for themselves. It is absolutely heart-breaking." Caseworkers interviewed the children - who had never attended school - and a few weeks later Sinclair and Richardson were both arrested, according to court records. Initially, they were both charged with aggravated kidnapping and injury to a child, but prosecutors later added aggravated assault charges. Paula Sinclair and her then-husband Larry originally adopted eight children between April 2003 and October 2004, according to CPS. Though the adoption process would have included a background check and a six-month trial period, CPS doesn't typically check in on adopted kids again unless they get a tip about abuse. In 2011, one of the adopted children - a 7-year-old boy - died of bronchitis. The death didn't prompt any investigation because a doctor ruled it natural causes. By that point, the Sinclairs had already stopped living together and finalized their divorce. Paula Sinclair eventually moved in with Richardson, at the Richmond-area home he owned. Though a sheriff's deputy stopped by in April 2016 for a welfare check, authorities didn't find anything. Then on Nov. 22, a CPS caseworker responding to an abuse tip showed up at the home and found the children living in squalid conditions. A judge granted CPS temporary custody of the children the following day. They are all still in foster care, spokeswoman Tiffani Butler said Saturday. Sinclair's criminal case would have gone to trial in April, and her lawyer said that the possibility of "stacked," or consecutively run, sentences factored in her decision to take a plea. "She's 56 years old so the stack would mean she'd never get out," Hecker said. Richardson's case is still scheduled to go to trial this year. Online records show Larry Sinclair was also charged in connection with the case and is due back in court in April. "Crimes such as these reveal the evil that exists in some individuals," District Attorney John Healey. "Thank God this ugliness is countered by the humanity and compassionate dedication of all who worked tirelessly, and those who are still working, to protect these precious children." DUNCAN, Okla. (AP) An Oklahoma woman who married her daughter has pleaded guilty to incest. Court records show 46-year-old Patricia Spann of Duncan pleaded guilty Tuesday in exchange for a two year prison sentence. Her daughter, 26-year-old Misty Spann, pleaded guilty in November in exchange for probation. However her plea was withdrawn when it was learned the type of probation she was given a deferred sentence is not allowed under state law. Court records show the marriage was annulled in October at Misty Spann's request on grounds of fraud and illegality. Patricia Spann has said she thought the marriage was legal because she lost custody of her daughter and two sons years ago and isn't listed on their birth certificates. Prosecutors say Patricia Spann also married one of her sons. That marriage was annulled in 2010. Google Maps An explosion Thursday morning at a chemical plant in Hood County, located in Texas' Edwards Plateau, has left one person severely burned and another missing. The explosion and possible chemical fire happened at 9:45 a.m. Thursday at Tri-Chem Industries at 2600 N. Cresson Highway, Lt. Johnny Rose of the Hood County Sheriff's Office told Chron.com Thursday morning. BROWNSVILLE Osiel Cardenas Jr., the son of one of Mexicos most notorious drug lords, was arrested Tuesday night on charges of impersonating a law enforcement officer and illegal possession of a firearm. He was in a bar waving a handgun around and causing alarm, said J.J. Trevino, a Brownsville police spokesman. Apparently he also had some sort of badge and was telling everyone he was a U.S. marshal. The two missing three-year-olds allegedly abducted by their mother in San Antonio were found safe in Florida Thursday afternoon, according to police. Kinsley and Kolby Hernandez went missing Wednesday night, triggering an Amber Alert. This years flu season has been one of the toughest on record. But it pales in comparison to the horrors of 1918. A century ago, the United States was swept into a global influenza epidemic that one source called one of the worst natural disasters in history. As many as 50 million people died worldwide, including 675,000 Americans, many from related complications such as pneumonia. A quarter of the U.S. population had fallen ill by late October 1918. Like the rest of America, Jacksonville was hard hit, with 93 deaths in the final weeks of 1918 alone. Nearby, 398 residents of Springfield perished from the flu or pneumonia in the same period, while another 222 deaths were reported in Quincy. Some 94 people in Alton also lost their lives. Some 173 people lost their lives in Champaign-Urbana, where the Health Services Station at the University of Illinois was forced to expand its hospital capacity from 30 to 400 beds. By Dec. 6, 15 members of the campus community alone had succumbed to influenza. The grieving mother of one fatal victim wrote the universitys dean of students that in his death I received a blow that I am afraid I will never recover from. We had planned so much for him and wrapped our whole future in him. Across Illinois, many theaters, schools, libraries and other public venues were closed in an effort to prevent the spread, and officials resorted to extreme measures to face the onslaught. On Oct. 15, 1918, the mayor of Carlinville issued a notice that closed all schools, churches, Sunday schools, lodges, and picture shows and requested the people to avoid assembling together in any considerable manner. Schoolchildren were told to remain upon their own premises, and to leave their homes only for the most urgent and valid reasons. The national outbreak was blamed on World War I soldiers, who carried the virus with them upon returning from the war. The first flu case was reportedon March 4, 1918, at Fort Riley, Kansas. By that fall, the nation was gripped in an epidemic, and Illinois was not immune. A handful of servicemen at Great Lakes Naval Training Station became ill on Sept. 8 and, 13 days later, a reported 800 of the 45,000 sailors at the facility were infirm. The illness then raced into Chicago, where 2,000 cases a day were reported in the second week of October. By then, the flu already had infiltrated the Quad Cities and authorities gamely tried to meet the challenge. On Oct. 5, the local American Red Cross chapter in Davenport, Iowa, was established to aid local governments and public organizations limit the outbreak. Six days later, the mayor of Davenport ordered anyone who spit on the sidewalk to be arrested, fearing the spread of droplets infected with the virus. In Moline and Rock Island, schools, theaters, churches and libraries were closed on Oct. 15 until further notice. Davenport city meetings were closed to the public, while store keepers and street car crews were ordered to maintain clean, ventilated facilities under the threat of arrest. City sidewalks also were washed daily, while leaf-burning was encouraged, believing the fires and smoke could kill germs. Part of the reason for the multitude of restrictions across the Quad Cities was to protect wartime production at the Rock Island Arsenal, where the commander himself had died from the flu. Some 214 Moline residents were killed by the flu or pneumonia in the 1918 outbreak, while another 169 were lost in nearby Galesburg. Schools, theaters and even pool halls were shut down in Springfield, where some residents in the capital city resorted to wearing necklaces of smelly spice concoctions to try to stave off germs. A 100-bed hospital was set up at the Womans Building at the Illinois State Fairgrounds to handle the overflow of sick patients. Like in many other cities, deaths from pneumonia in Springfield terrified the locals, and visits to those suffering from pneumonia were banned. In many cases, Springfield undertakers refused to enter the homes of dead pneumonia patients, forcing surviving family members to wrap the bodies in sheets and slide them out windows. In Bloomington, the clubhouse of the local country club and a fraternity house at Illinois Wesleyan University became makeshift hospitals. An estimated 750 of the citys 4,000 public school students were believed to be sick on Oct. 10. Across the state, newspapers frequently carried updates on the flu situation, including lists of the dead and morbid stories of residents who were delirious from the symptoms. On Nov. 1, the Illinois Department of Public Health reported that some 22,500 Illinois residents had died of flu-related complications. The epidemic had eased by later that month, but additional outbreaks in late 1919 and early 1920 resulted in more deaths, both in central Illinois and around the state. The El Campo, Texas house - with arguably the largest private swimming pool in the state - finally sold after being on and off the market since late 2014. El Campo is more than an hour southwest of Houston. Situated on nearly 40 acres of land, the 7,312-square-foot home was originally listed at $5 million before being reduced to $3.5 million. According to its public listing, it sold for somewhere between $2.5 and $2.879 million in early November. A Greenwood volunteer firefighter was being held Wednesday and faces felony charges related to arson. Alan Alton Self, 24, admitted to starting multiple fires, according to a press release from the Midland County Sheriffs Office. Bond has not been set. Self, who has an address in Greenwood, faces a first-degree felony charge related to a fire at Valley View Baptist Church as well as second-degree felony charges related to eight other fires, according to the release. When slain Bandidos member Steve "Panhead" Jonas was buried in a cemetery at Zion Lutheran Church on Braun Road near Loop 1604 in 1983, members from across the country formed a funeral procession that was more than a mile long down Interstate 10. Bandido president 'Pablo' led as a pallbearer carrying the casket at the biker gang funeral on July 20, 1983. David Gonzalez took the skills he learned in the military to become a master of home repair and woodworking. Coming from humble beginnings, He accomplished a lot in life and showed his five kids how to do the same, Diana Sonier said of her father. Gonzalez died Feb. 27 of multiple myeloma complications. He was 85. Growing up in Brownsville during World War II, Gonzalez left school by eighth grade to help his parents make ends meet. My dad had eight brothers and a sister. Later, he went into the military to help support the kids still living at home, his daughter said. After joining the Air Force in 1950, Gonzalez continued his education to receive a GED and later an associates degree in applied science from St. Philips College. His wife, Irene Gonzalez, also a Brownsville native, was 13 years old when she first met her future husband who was home on leave. More Information David Gonzalez Born: April 22, 1932, Brownsville Died: February 27, 2018, San Antonio Preceded by: Parents Hijinio and Luz Gonzalez; brothers Luis, Abel, Israel and Daniel Gonzalez Survived by: Wife Irene Gonzalez; daughters Diana Sonier and son-in-law Tom, Dina Aultman and son-in-law Glenn; sons David Gonzalez and daughter-in-law Annette, Dario Gonzalez and daughter-in-law Yelybet, Daniel Gonzalez and daughter-in-law Gie; one sister; four brothers; 29 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren Services: Visitation 5-7 p.m. Monday at Porter Loring Chapel, 2102 North Loop 1604 East; funeral 11 a.m. Tuesday at Porter Loring Chapel; burial at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery. See More Collapse At that age, she said she didnt think too much about their first meeting. But, three years later, their paths crossed again in Brownsville. By that time I was in high heels, a dress and had a job, his wife said. I was 20, and he was 26 when we got married. After the wedding, they had to wait until Gonzalez finished a short tour in Alaska before they could start building a life together at now-closed Bergstrom AFB in Austin. Gonzalez, an Air Force engineering technician, was stationed at numerous stateside bases and did overseas tours in Spain and Vietnam. He was most proud of the electrical design projects he did, Sonier said about her fathers work in the military. Gonzalez received numerous recognitions including one from the 63rd Civil Engineering Squadron at Norton AFB in California for his role in the renovation of the officers mess in 1968. After retiring at Kelly AFB in 1972, Gonzalez went into civil service working at Lackland AFB and later at Fort Sam Houston. He worked in various areas: heating and air conditioning, plumbing, and general maintenance, his family said. He also returned to Kelly AFB, working as a civilian in the planning department. Gonzalezs ability to fix just about anything was a major blessing to his family, who called him a Jack of All Trades. He worked to instill in us the skills of being able to take care of ourselves and our children, his daughter said. That was his legacy. Energy pipeline billionaire Kelcy Warren made a personal call to the CEO of NuStar Energy earlier this month looking to buy its general partner NuStar GP Holdings. Warren, who is the chairman of Dallas-based Energy Transfer Equity, contacted CEO Brad Barron on March 2 about the proposed acquisition, according to a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The offer came as San Antonio-based NuStar Energy is preparing to hold a vote to merge NuStar GP Holdings into the pipeline and storage company in an effort to cut costs and improve distribution levels. NuStar GP is a separate publicly traded company that owns the general partner interest in NuStar Energy. A letter delivered on March 5 to NuStar GP Holdings board detailed Energy Transfer Equitys proposal to acquire NuStar GP Holdings for $14.70 a unit in cash, a 30 percent premium over NuStar GP Holdings March 1 closing price of $11.30 a unit, according to the filing. NuStar GP Holdings has almost 43 million units outstanding, placing a rough estimate on the value of the offer at more than $631 million. The NuStar GP Holdings board sent a letter to Energy Transfer Equity on March 12 rejecting the offer. The SEC filing Thursday sent NuStar GP Holdings equity up 12 percent to 13.05 before closing down 3 percent at $11.30. Its equity rose 7.6 percent Friday. NuStar GPs Chairman Bill Greehey, who owns more than 21 percent of the companys units, said in a March 7 letter he continued to support the merger between Nustar Energy and its general partner and that he would not support an acquisition by Energy Transfer Equity, according to the filing. A call and email to Energy Transfers media relations department wasnt immediately returned.s media relations department wasnt immediately returned. Turn to Saturdays Business section or click here to read the full articl on ExpressNews.com. A Bexar County jury this week awarded a San Antonio company more than $700 million in a breach of contract case. The jury found that Title Source, now known as Amrock Inc., fraudulently misappropriated San Antonio-based HouseCanarys technology for real estate evaluation and appraisal analytics, and breached various agreements. Detroit-based Amrock, which shares the same parent company as Quicken Loans, offers title insurance, valuations and closing services. Amrock CEO Jeff Eisenshtadt said in a statement the company intends to appeal the unconscionable verdict. The jurys decision defies logic, Eisenshtadt said. Amrock never received any working software from HouseCanary, instead receiving wireframes and half-developed apps that were completely unusable by the company. After HouseCanary breached its contract, we ended our relationship. Amrocks predecessor sued HouseCanary almost two years ago, a maneuver to get out of paying fees, according to a statement from the law firm of Susman Godfrey, which represented HouseCanary in the dispute. HouseCanary filed a counterclaim shortly after the litigation started. The jury awarded HouseCanary more than $300 million in damages for breach of contract, misappropriation of trade secrets and fraud claims, said attorney Max Tribble of Susman Godfrey. The jury also awarded more than $400 million in punitive damages, he said. The trial lasted seven weeks. Globalscape Inc. disclosed Friday that the Securities and Exchange Commission has opened an investigation relating to the San Antonio software development companys need to restate its financial results for 2016 and part of 2017. Globalscape said any determination by the SEC that the companys activities were not in compliance with regulations could result in penalties, disgorgement or other losses. Those could have a material adverse effect on its financial position. The company disclosed few other details about the probe, including the scope. Shamoil Shipchandler, director of the SECs Fort Worth office, which is conducting the investigation, said the agency can neither confirm nor deny the existence or non-existence of an investigation. It generally does not acknowledge the existence of any ongoing investigations. Globalscapes audit committee began an investigation in June into certain transactions involving improper arrangements with customers that circumvented internal controls and their potential effect on previously reported revenue, the company said in a statement Friday. While that investigation is substantially complete, the company said it is continuing the process of finishing its audit of its financial statements for the years ended 2015 and 2016 and amending its annual report for 2016 and its quarterly report for the first three months of last year. It also is in the process of preparing its 2017 financial statements for the second and third quarters and for the full year. Globalscape anticipates those reports will be be submitted to the SEC by June 15, though it added there is substantial risk that it will need additional time. It expects some adjustments in previously reported financial statements that could be material. Throughout this entire process, weve kept the company moving in a forward direction, while maintaining our healthy track record of profitability and strong cash flow generation, Globalscape CEO and President Matt Goulet said in the statement. He added it is committed to executing its strategy of transitioning to a cloud-first company. Management concluded that it had one or more material weaknesses in the companys internal controls for financial reporting, it added in the statement. While its assessment of disclosure controls and procedures is not complete, the company said its begun to implement some remedial measures. They include the development of more detailed revenue recognition practices and policies and the implementation of financial accounting and reporting literacy training for its accounting, finance and sales teams. Chicago accounting firm RSM last year withdrew as auditor to Globalscape, saying it could no longer rely on managements representations, according to an SEC filing. Globalscape has since retained Weaver and Tidwell to audit its 2017 financial results, as well the financial statements for 2015 and 2016. Globalscape said last years net income is expected to be lower than in 2016 primarily because of about $2.5 million in expenses related to its internal investigation and the SECs probe. Chef Johnny Hernandez's restaurants will compete against each other in a Michelada Mania on Sunday. The renowned chef is hosting the event at his Dominion-area La Gloria location, at 21819 Interstate 10, from 1 to 5 p.m. His restaurants both La Gloria locations, The Fruteria, Burgerteca and Villa Rica will show off their michelada-making skills and let San Antonians be the judges. Its a scene that may only happen at Garner State Park: Camping under the stars, two-stepping on an old outdoor dancefloor and instantly freezing as soon as your kneecaps meet the Frio River. That experience never gets old to the thousands of Texans that visit the park each year. Newly released drone views of Medina Lake reveal the popular getaway spot for San Antonians has fully rebounded after surviving through summers of drought. One video, taken early Tuesday morning and shared with mySA.com by Wallys Watersports Owner Mike Crandall, shows water from the replenished lake surging over the spillway early Tuesday morning a welcomed sight for many area residents. RELATED: Video shows the recharged Frio River flowing into Garner State Park "This is what all businesses around the lake and waterfront property owners have been looking forward to," Crandall told mySA.com. According to WaterDataForTexas.org, the lake reached full capacity on Tuesday a level that had not been marked since Oct. 28. 2007. However, the full lake has caused worry among some area officials, who voiced concern that this week's forecast of 3 to 6 inches by Thursday morning could threaten downstream communities such as Castroville with floods. The lake's flood retention ability is drastically reduced when full. RELATED: USGS data show how recent rain has pushed Medina Lake to near capacity Texans were relieved exactly a year ago when lake reached only half-full status after hovering around 4 percent for years. Those anxious to get a start on summer adventures have more to celebrate this year as the rain clouds of the 2016 Memorial Day weekend rolled through with a silver lining that is a healthy lake. RELATED: Photos show 7 Central Texas lakes filling up after 2015-2016 storms For perspective, Medina Lake's has a capacity of 254,884 square feet, which converts to more than 83 billion gallons. The lake now holds enough water to fill the Alamodome nearly 145 times, according to a previous report. mmendoza@mysa.com Twitter: @MaddySkye Friday, March 16, 2018 Earlier this week, the California Senate Rules Committee on Wednesday appointed the first undocumented resident to a statewide post, according to Senate President pro Tem Kevin de Leon's office. Lizbeth Mateo, a 33-year-old attorney and immigrant rights activist, will serve on the California Student Opportunity and Access Program Project Grant Advisory Committee. The committee advises the California Student Aid Commission on efforts to increase college access for California students from low-income or underserved communities. Mateo graduated from Santa Clara University law School in 2016 and passed the California bar last year. She was born in Oaxaca, Mexico and came to the United States with her parents when she was 14. According to her LinkedIn page, Mateo is an "Attorney at law helping individuals navigate the legal system when they get hurt on the job, suffer an accident, or are trying to navigate the complexities of immigration law." KJ https://lawprofessors.typepad.com/immigration/2018/03/immigrant-of-the-day-lizbeth-mateo-mexico-attorney-at-law.html GREENWICH At Danny Millers apartment along 110th Street in Manhattan, a group of musicians make their strings sing. Their instruments are the loudest voices in the room; the people playing them hush as they comb through movements and minuets. Sometimes, when youre all together and you dont need to say too much, thats when you know your group is really clicking, said Peter Reit, a French hornist with the Greenwich Symphony Orchestra. You can fix things just as you play, and you dont have to have these big discussions. Miller calls his apartment Studio A, where the Chamber Players of the Greenwich Symphony convene for rehearsals. He earned a spot on this elite ensemble because of his designation as principal cellist with GSO, among other accolades. GSO principal violist David Creswell also ranks among the select few in this weeks Chamber Players lineup, as does violinist Susan Metcalf. Then, Michael Roth, associate concertmaster at the New York City Ballet, has joined the group for a weekend stint. Together, the artists make for a fun team. Though they may be mostly silent during rehearsal, snacktime siphons off a few minutes for humor among close colleagues. They have such a good harmony, relationship, Reit said. Its like, Davids quite funny, and everyones making jokes and laughing. On Sunday and Monday, the Chamber Players will bring all their energy and expertise from New York to Greenwich as they play concerts dubbed Blown Away at Round Hill Community Church and the Greenwich Arts Council. But this program diverges slightly from most as big brass takes on strings in lesser known arrangements. Every now and then, they want something different, Reit said. And this is something different. A blaring French horn may not seem a typical contrast to soft strings, and the juxtaposition suggests sonorities to audiences that may feel new and different. Theres not a lot of pieces written for this combination, but its a unique one, Miller said. Its got a lot of great sound colors. One of the pieces on the program is a quintet by composer Anton Reicha. Reit discovered the selection as he sifted through music a retired French hornist gave to him. Though he usually doesnt remark on a scores difficulty, he readily admitted that this one is challenging. He has been practicing it every single day, as he pushes himself to keep up with violins, violas and cellos on fast-paced, paralleling passages. I only found one recording of it, Reit said. I think people shy away from it because its actually quite hard. Reit is also performing a solo horn piece that mimics the impressions that struck Russian composer Vitaly Buyanovsky when he visited Spain. In fact, there are five works in total on the bill some of which feature horn, while others do not. Many of them are by composers who are not necessarily as canonical as the Western greats, though some were well-regarded contemporaries of icons like Beethoven. And then theres one offering that stands out. No one here is Mozart, but theyre playing a Mozart quartet, so that will be Mozart, Reit said. For him, playing chamber music with strings feels like the big leagues. Thats the best thing that you could do, because here are people who are chamber music experts, and so its really fun to kind of just join in, Reit said. The intimacy chamber music allows is distinct in itself. Miller described the atmosphere as similar to a salon or living room, where audience members dont feel the distance of the stage. Chamber music is where the music lovers and the professional musicians come together, he said. The amateurs and the pros. The concerts are at 4 p.m. Sunday at Round Hill Community Church at 395 Round Hill Road and at 7:30 p.m. Monday at the Greenwich Arts Council at 299 Greenwich Ave. Steve Leakey, a resident of Alden Bridge Village, is one of 35 founding members of the Voter Awareness Council, a nonprofit organization that helps encourage local citizens to vote and also helps inform the public on issues and candidates. The organization was established to help increase voter turnout and has several initiatives including Voting 101, school programs and non-partisan candidate forums. Leakey, who has been actively involved in the community for many years, helped form the VAC because he firmly believes that every vote counts and that citizens should be well informed about the issues on which they vote. Question: How did you become involved with the Voter Awareness Council? Leakey: Myself and a number of my friends and colleagues in The Woodlands and Montgomery County have been concerned for some time about low voter turnout. This group is fortunately made up of people that when they see an issue or see a problem, (they) want to roll up their sleeves and do something about it. About four and half years ago, we decided to form a 501c3 nonprofit corporation called the Voter Awareness Council. We are nonpartisan. We're unbiased. We don't take positions. We don't make recommendations. We were just concerned about low voter turnout and the impact of low voter turnout and decided to form our organization to try to do something about that. Question: What is the VAC's purpose or role in the community? Leakey: Our mission is three fold. One is to encourage and help equip citizens to vote. We encourage people, obviously, to register. We encourage people to vote in every election and we try to help them find the tools to help them make up their own minds to vote and to vote as per their own conscience. That's number one. Number two: We're also interested in improving the overall voter experience. When you vote, the voting experience simply is not pleasant. Probably the classic example is early voting at the South County Community Center located over by the library. First of all, there are a million signs, and there are so many campaign workers that sometimes voters have problems finding a place to park. And then once they find a place to park, they are inundated by poll workers handing out materials, handing out flyers, handing out voter guides, whatever. So sometimes actually getting from your car to vote into the voting place borders on hand-to-hand combat. We're trying to improve the overall voting experience. Lastly, our goal is to increase voter turnout just in a very general way. Question: What actions does the VAC take to increase voter turnout? Leakey: We have a number of initiatives underway. We have a concept we call Voting 101 which we're trying to spread throughout social media and throughout the community to make sure people register, to make sure that they download their own sample ballot, that they do their own homework on that sample ballot to make up their own mind about how to vote, to fill out the sample ballot and take it with them into the voting place. Nothing magical. But there's so much information out there we are just encouraging people to take the time to do their own homework and take the time to fill out that sample ballot. We're working with the chambers of commerce all over Montgomery County; we're working with a number of cities. One of the things that we've done-particularly with the cities-are candidate forums. When the League of Women Voters went out of business a few years ago, unbiased candidate forums basically stopped. So one of the things that I'm very proud of...what we've done is to re-initiate common candidate forums that are moderated by someone either from the Courier or Villager. Catherine Dominguez and Andy Dubois are frequent moderators at our forums, and their colleague equivalents from the (Community Impact Newspaper). We don't get involved in the moderation. We just put the package together and help administer the forum along with cities and along with the chambers of commerce. So candidate forums are playing a big role in what we're doing. We're encouraging the local papers to expand on an ongoing basis what they do for election coverage. Election guides that are in the paper and all the information that they can provide to the communities. We're trying to work with the school districts to help encourage students to vote. We've made very significant progress with the Magnolia Independent School District last year. They had a very well run student program to encourage students to do just what I talked about in that Voting 101. We're working with the media; we're on the radio from time to time to spread the word. We visit with any and all civic organizations to talk about what we're doing. It's just a lot of communication. Again, we don't take positions on elections. We don't take positions on candidates. We're just encouraging people to do their homework and to vote. Question: Why is it important that everyone vote? Leakey: First, it's something that our forefathers and all of our military have done for years, giving their lives and work very hard so that we have the right to vote. One of the patterns that we've seen very much in our area is that voter turnout in our area is pretty close to the national averages during the presidential election years, particularly when there is a change in president. That's when the turnout is particularly high. One of the things that we've seen, though, when you look at the numbers, is that Montgomery County in particular the whole importance of the primaries seems to be ignored by people. They only think they need to vote in November. Well, in Montgomery County, which is largely Republican-and we're not saying that's good or bad, we're just saying that's a fact-for practical purposes the real election is the primary because in November they're either uncontested or they are running against a Democrat who in terms of just raw vote count probably will lose. Again, I'm not saying that's good or bad, I'm just saying that's they way it is. So the primary is the real election. Congressman Tip O'Neill, who was the Speaker of the House during the Ronald Reagan era, one of his phrases was, "All real politics is local." And we completely agree with that. Your schools, your highways, your water, your parks, your libraries, your judicial system, your law enforcement, your fire protection-the vast majority of things that impact out lives on a daily basis-are determined in local elections. And all of those things matter. Question: What would you say to those who feel their vote won't count, particularly in larger elections such as the presidential one? Leakey: Lots of elections are close. In our area, particularly when voter turnout is low, there are elections that are won by one vote. There are elections that are won by two votes. There are elections that are won by a smaller margin than those who under vote. Under voting is a phenomenon that most people are not familiar with. Under voting is simply when you vote, you don't fill out the whole ballot. You just check a few of the races and you say never mind on the rest of them. Well in some elections, the difference between win and loss is much smaller than the under vote count. So we also are trying to encourage people to fill out a complete ballot. There are a lot of elections that, again, are won or lost by just one or two votes. Question: Do you think early voting negatively impacts elections because voters may not have all the information? Leakey: No, we think early voting is a very positive thing for a variety of reasons. Number one, you can vote anywhere you like in the county. You can vote on multiple days so just in terms of convenience for making it to the polls we think early voting is a good thing. And typically in Montgomery County, in most elections early voting is at least half of the total count. Frequently, for those who watch the numbers on elections night, early voting actually forecasts the results of (an) election. The rest of the votes on Election Day typically just mirror what happened during early voting. Question: Is there ever a point where there are too many candidates or too many issues on a ballot that it becomes impossible for voters to know about everything? Leakey: Well the more issues there are and the more candidates there are, yes, the more homework you have to do. A colleague of ours actually did the whole general election ballot for the Houston area, including Montgomery County, a year or so ago. He said that took him about two hours. Nobody is going to be doing the whole Houston area so if you're clever about it you can do (your homework) in a comparatively small amount of time. Yes, it takes some work. Clearly, the bigger the ballot the more work it's going to take. But we still think it's well worth the time. Question: How does the VAC plan to handle the November election? Leakey: Well every year we're working through the whole election calendar. So one of the things that we have done but need to do a better job of is at the beginning of each year do our part to make sure that the public is aware of the election calendar. We basically treat all elections the same, whether it's the primary or the May election that we have or a special election or the November election. We encourage everyone to follow those Voting 101 steps. Make sure you're registered. Make sure you download your sample ballot for whatever election it is, whether that's November or May. Make sure that if there is a candidate forum, go attend those forums. Do your homework. Read the papers. Fill out your own sample ballot and vote. So there's nothing different about any of the elections. Former Crosby ISD Superintendent Keith Moore came to terms on a separation agreement with the district that outlines each party's legal liabilities in late January. The agreement, which was signed by Moore and Board of Trustees President Carla Windfont, also outlined Moore's status as an employee. Moore's resigned due to personal reasons in late January. His resignation will take effect June 30. "For personal reasons, Dr. Keith Moore has announced his resignation as Superintendent of Schools for the Crosby Independent School District effective June 30, 2018," reads a news release from the district. The separation agreement states that Moore is placed on administrative leave and cannot come onto school property without the written permission of the board president other than to attend school events involving his children, to remove his personal property and return keys and other district property on the weekend on Jan. 27-28. The agreement also states that Moore will be available by phone to assist with district operations and/or the transition to the new superintendent. The clauses are standard for separation agreements, said Rebecca Bailey, the district's attorney from Thompson & Horton LLP In addition, Moore agreed not to sue Crosby ISD or any of its board members or personnel regarding his employment as superintendent or his voluntary resignation. Compensation was not mentioned in the agreement, however, the district announced in January that Moore would be paid until his resignation was official in June. Moore's base salary for the 2017-18 school year is $218,657. Moore will receive an additional $63,774.93, Bailey said. Moore was only mentioned in one complaint during his tenure at Crosby ISD, Bailey said. Bailey said a complaint was filed against a student and the student's school principal and teacher. The parent did not want to go through a hearing before two administrators, one of whom was Moore, she said. Since Moore's resignation in January, Crosby ISD has been searching for a permanent superintendent. The district is hosting a community forum March 20 at 7 p.m., where Crosby ISD officials will solicit feedback from local stakeholders. Former Pasadena ISD Superintendent Lewis Kirk was tapped to serve as their interim superintendent while the district searches for someone to permanently take over Moore's position. "(Dr. Lewis) is qualified for the position. All the board of trustees that are here believe he will do excellent as we said moving the district forward and filling in what we need until we get a permanent superinten-dent," Windfont said. WASHINGTON - The federal agency that runs the U.S. immigration system is creating an internal division to more rigorously police its own caseworkers, a move possibly aimed at those who may be too lenient with applicants seeking residency or citizenship, according to staffers and internal documents obtained by The Washington Post. Plans for the new oversight division have not been widely disclosed to the 19,000 employees and contractors of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), but the agency has been quietly reassigning personnel to staff it, according to people with knowledge of the plans who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss the preparations. USCIS and its director, L. Francis Cissna, have been at the center of the Trump administration's efforts to slash legal immigration and scrap the family-reunification model - what the White House calls "chain migration" - that has been the foundation of the U.S. immigration system for more than 50 years. According to the documents, USCIS will establish the Organization of Professional Responsibility to enhance oversight of the way its employees handle the more than 26,000 cases the agency adjudicates daily. The office will have three divisions, including an Investigations Division to "manage the agency's program that investigates cases involving fraud, waste, abuse or misconduct by USCIS employees," according to one draft version obtained by The Post. A USCIS official with knowledge of the plans said it has been viewed internally as a crackdown on employees who may be too forgiving toward applicants for permanent legal residence or citizenship and who may have demerits in their case files, such as misdemeanor criminal charges, or having received public assistance for health care, food stamps or other benefits. USCIS spokesman Jonathan Withington said the agency "had no formal announcement at this time." "USCIS, like any agency, continuously considers how to most efficiently organize its operations. Such considerations are pre-decisional until they are formally announced," he said in a statement. A 2016 report by the Department of Homeland Security Inspector General urged a USCIS reorganization that would place the agency's Investigative Division directly beneath top leadership. The report found that public complaints about USCIS employee conduct had fallen significantly, from 1,240 in 2013 to 619 in 2015. According to the documents, the new oversight office also will have a Counterintelligence Division to reduce vulnerability to penetration by foreign governments and criminals, as well as an inspections division to "conduct independent reviews of specific aspects of agency compliance." The oversight office will be led by Sarah Kendall, a top USCIS official for fraud detection and national security. Kendall will report directly to Cissna and deputy director James W. McCament, according to the documents. Cissna has repeatedly told employees he wants to increase professionalism and integrity at USCIS through the implementation of better management practices. In statements to staffers, he has urged greater transparency and a strict fealty to the law. But Cissna also has become a target of critics of the Trump administration's immigration agenda. He triggered a backlash last month for removing language from the agency's mission statement that described its focus as securing "America's promise as a nation of immigrants." Cissna also moved to eliminate references to those seeking immigration benefits as "customers" in favor of the more neutral "applicants," telling staffers that their primary responsibility was not to satisfy those seeking benefits but to uphold the law and protect U.S. national security. "U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services administers the nation's lawful immigration system, safeguarding its integrity and promise by efficiently and fairly adjudicating requests for immigration benefits while protecting Americans, securing the homeland, and honoring our values," read the new statement, which Cissna said he personally formulated. According to the documents obtained by The Post, the new internal oversight office "will allow USCIS to more efficiently and effectively focus on integrity management." "Under Director Cissna's guidance and vision, we will continue to identify organizational efficiencies to best achieve our agency's critical mission," the documents say. A draft statement to the agency's employees urges them to report any "known or suspected" misconduct "without delay" to the new oversight office, their supervisors or the Inspector General of the Department of Homeland Security. If you have lost your prosthetic leg on a Metro bus, the people at the transit system's downtown Houston office have been holding it for you since last summer and would like you to come pick it up. Deep inside the Metro offices off Main Street is the lost and found, where items are kept for 30 days. RELATED: Federal review gives Metro mostly clean marks Bags of cellphones, wallets, eyeglasses, sunglasses and keys overflow in plastic tubs. There is a bucket of canes, umbrellas and crutches in the corner. Metro has six bus garages around Houston and a hub for the rail line, serving hundreds of thousands of Houstonians. At the end of the day, which includes 114 bus routes and three rail lines, left-behind items are sent downtown for processing. It is there where everything is carefully cataloged, placed in tamper-proof bags, and entered into an online database. Nearly 1,000 items come in to be processed each month but only 20 percent are recovered by the owner. Metro would like to change that. Some items, not unlike the fake leg, are more precious than others. "Not too long ago someone left behind an urn," said Russ Frank, Metro's VP of customer service. "Luckily the owner came back by and was able to identify the name on the label." Earlier this week, a vacuum cleaner left on a bus was recovered by its owner. Frank shows Chron.com a framed photo of a beautiful Texas bluebonnet scene. A whole, unopened box of diapers awaits pickup. RELATED: Transportation projects that will shape Houston in 2018 There are a handful of Houston ISD-issued student laptops in a crate. "I lost my laptop" just might be the new "The dog ate my homework." Illegal items, like most weapons and drug paraphernalia, are handed over to the Metro police. One time, according to Metro, a customer came to pick up their missing lunch bag, which had illicit drugs inside it. True story, and the customer was soon taken into custody. Right now with RodeoHouston there is an uptick of riders but there aren't any cowboy hats or huge, stuffed carnival toys to speak of in the lost and found. The prosthetic leg, complete with a red Nike sneaker attached, has been here longer than Frank hoped. Theses devices have to be fitted by a doctor, and that is not cheap. RELATED: Metro poised to buy buses for Post Oak rapid transit line Unclaimed items that can be donated like clothing are handed over to the Purple Heart after 30 days, but the prosthesis has stuck around. Frank is constantly amazed at the generosity and humanity of Houstonians. Keep the faith. Just because something is lost doesn't mean it won't be turned in by a fellow rider or a Metro employee. Craig Hlavaty "There are honest people still," Frank says. "People are better than you might think." It always pays to at least call and check with Metro if something is lost. Even small amounts of cash are returned when it could just as easily be pocketed. Don't just assume it's gone with the wind. Lost and found is a vital part of the customer service experience aboard Metro, and if that means reuniting a Houstonian with their leg, then that is a beautiful bonus. For information on lost and found items head over to the Metro website. People also can claim lost items by visiting the RideStore, or by calling 713-658-0854. Craig Hlavaty is a reporter for Chron.com and HoustonChronicle.com. San Antonio will be in the national spotlight starting on March 31, when NCAA Final Four comes to town, and the Alamodome is gearing up with upgrades. The Alamodome on Friday revealed a $546,000 marquee, which can be seen from Interstate 37 and will surely get some camera time on national broadcasts. Education Readings This week featuring Sir Ken Robinson By Allan Alach allanalach@inspire.net.nz I welcome suggested articles, so if you come across a gem, email it to me at Here are some links to acknowledge Sir Ken Robinson who is currently in New Zealand. Sir Ken Robinson: creative thought leader in education Interview on Radio New Zealand on Sunday 4th March. Summerhill School: learning as students choose Sir Ken referenced this school in his interview, so here is an interview with Zo e Readhead, daughter of A.S. Neill - a must listen. Summerhill is an alternative free school in Suffolk, England, started by educational leader A.S. Neill in 1921. The pupils are free to come to lessons as they choose, and students and teachers have an equal voice in decision making. Ken Robinson: Government Standardization Blocks Innovative Education Reform I never blame teachers or schools But there is this deadly culture of standardizing, thats being pushed on them, politically. My core message here is that we have to personalize education, not standardize it. That all children are different, and we have to find their talents and cultivate them. Do Schools Kill Creativity? If youve never watching Sir Ken Robinsons Ted Talk from 2006, or if youve not seen it for a while, here it is. Either way, it is a must watch. Sir Ken Robinson - Can Creativity Be Taught? Links to many other Sir Ken videos can also be found here. Modern ADHD Epidemic is Fiction Ken Robinson Our children are living in the most intensive stimulating period in the history of the earth. Theyre being besieged with information and coerced for attention from every platform: computers, from I Phones, from advertising hoardings, from hundreds of television channels. And were penalizing them now for getting distracted. From what? Boring stuff. At school, for the most part. It seems to me not a coincidence, totally, that the instance of ADHD has risen in parallel with the growth of the standardized testing. Now these kids are being given Ritalin and Aderol and all manner of things, often quite dangerous drugs, to get them focused and calm them down Its a fictitious epidemic.' Moving on: Does writing by hand still matter in the digital age? Technology is having an impact on childrens handwriting ability. But what does this mean for learning and development? But what of the role that handwriting plays in learning and development? And with technology changing how we live and work, what place does handwriting have in the modern classroom? These were the questions put to the teachers, academics and specialists in education and technology at the Guardians roundtable event on 27 February. But is there even a correct way to hold a pen? It's true that handwriting employs our hand muscles differently from the swiping and tapping motions we use to navigate the online world of today. But when it comes to scrawling words on the page, the idea of 'correct' pencil grasp is actually way older than the iPhone - and science shows that there appears to be more than one way to correctly hold a pen.' Arts integration: Turning teaching on its head Sometimes the arts are used alongside a lesson being taught for Contributed by Bruce Hammonds: Learning from one of New Zealand's pioneer teacher - Elwyn Richardson (Author of 'In The Early World ' possibly the best book written about education anywhere. ..) Bruces article here is the perfect follow-on from the Sir Ken Robinson links and shows a way to Elwyn Richardson took creative primary education to a new and, I suspect, still unsurpassed level. long before Sir Ken's rise to fame. Elwyn expressed concern that due to learning becoming over intellectualized ( and therefore available to be assessed), that intuitive thought was in danger of being neglected. There was, he felt, a danger of learning becoming too conceptualized and that this would result in damaging students' intuition and creativity. That it would result in the neglect or downplaying of the creative arts. Bill Gates Admits His Common Core Experiment Is A Failure This comes on the heels of New Zealand abandoning their rather similar national standards. Maybe non-educators should stick to their knitting Wrong Bill Gates After spending $400 million on forcing schools around the country to adopt Common Core, Bill Gates has finally admitted that the controversial teaching method is a failure, and significantly less effective than traditional teaching methods. Parents and teachers across the nation have been urging schools to dump the toxic Common Core curriculum, arguing that it deliberately dumbs down children and creates unnecessary and complicated methods for working out relatively simple problems. Assessment in the early years A recent story I heard talked about a display that pitted children against each other in a race to be From Bruces goldie oldies file: Heres a collection of all Bruces articles about Sir Ken Robinson. Out of Our Minds A book to read for all who believe in creative education. 'Out of Our Minds' by Sir Ken Robinson. Introductory keynote speaker at the 07 NZPPF Conference to be held in Auckland. Importance of Creativity 'Sir Ken talks about the importance of nurturing innovative solutions in the classrooms - indeed in every aspect of life. Sir Ken is now senior adviser to the Paul Getty Trust and was knighted in 2003 for his commitment to the creative arts and education in the UK. is set to become the 'buzz' word of the future. Sir Ken sees creativity as essential for students as they seek jobs in the future. Creative Schools a book by Sir Ken Robinson A must read for anyone who believes in an education system that aims at developing the gifts and talents of all students. Read this article about Sir Ken's latest book My plea is for creative teachers, particularly those in New Zealand, to share this with as many teachers and schools as they can because the message is so important. The need to transform schools Sir Ken Robinson One writer school leaders could get behind to give support is Sir Ken Robinson who is well known to many schools. And there are many others. It is also ironic that while Western countries follow neo liberal ideology leading to testing, standardization and privatization Asian counties are working hard to break out of high stake testing and introduce more creativity into their systems! National Standards gone now its time for creativity says Sir Ken The previous Nationals Government was right in believing schools should do a lot better. No Sir Ken Robinson and Tony Wagner While schools are distracted by ensuring they are seen to do well in achieving / improving their National Standards and NCEA data they are creating the very hyper-accountability conditions that make it difficult for creative teachers. Shaun Puentes legal defense took shape Thursday as the attorneys for the man accused of killing San Antonio police Officer Robert Deckard in 2013 called a national forensics expert and an Austin psychologist to say the meth addict didnt see who he fired at and didnt have the intelligence to later waive his Miranda rights. Richard Ernest, a Fort Worth-based ballistics expert who has testified in more than 1,000 cases, including the 1993 Branch Davidian siege in Waco, portrayed the single-shot death of Deckard, then 31, following a 100 mph, early morning chase on Interstate 37, as a nearly impossible, tragic freak of physics. But he didnt suggest it was done without malice. The former Georgia Bureau of Investigations analyst narrated the San Antonio Police Departments chilling black-and-white dashcam video from Deckards Chevy Tahoe, taken at about 2:11 a.m. Dec. 8, 2013, as Deckard raced after Puente. Police say Puente shot about 46 rounds from a 9 mm Ruger at Deckard through the back window of his Mitsubishi Lancer. They believed Puente and girlfriend Jenevieve Ramos were armed robbers of several San Antonio convenience stores. Ramos also faces a capital murder trial and remains in custody. Deckard died some two weeks after the shooting. Deckards Tahoe and Puentes Lancer were about 250 yards or six seconds apart, Ernest testified, when a slight crack to Deckards windshield is heard on the recording. When the bullet pierced Deckards windshield at forehead level there were no screeching brakes, no crash of metal, no human sounds. The Tahoe simply veers left out of its lane on the four-lane divided highway, out of control, onto the shoulder and through the thick brush of the interstate median, at mile marker 106 headed south. The video was stopped before Deckards vehicle hit a tree. Ernest testified that it would be extremely difficult under perfect conditions to deliberately duplicate the one in a million shot Puente is alleged to have done much less perform it in the dark, at 100 mph, stoked on meth, shooting backward through a 6-to-8-inch hole in the Lancers back window. Im a fairly good shot, said Ernest, a hunter. But the chances of my duplicating this are almost nothing. No one shoots competitively at 100 or 200 yards with a 9 mm pistol. I could never do it. I wouldnt even try. He went on to say that at 250 yards in the dark, it was doubtful any shooter could have distinguished a driver and hit a human-sized target. Austin psychologist John Fabian, another defense witness, said he believed Puente was truthful when he told him he never got past the sixth grade, his father had been charged with murder, his mother was beaten at home and that he had been a homeless, jobless drug addict much of his adult life. Puente suffered from depression and post-traumatic stress disorder, said Fabian, and was likely in a meth-induced paranoid state during the shooting. Consequently, he stated, Puente could not intelligently consent to waiving his Miranda rights when SAPD Sgt. Raul Cardenas questioned him some nine hours after the shooting. However, under cross-examination by prosecutor Bill Turner, on loan from the state attorney generals office, Fabian conceded that Puente passed with flying colors at least five mental tests designed to gauge whether he understood the concepts and vocabulary of the basic Miranda warning. During lunch, jurors, Judge Donna Rayes and numerous deputies viewed Puentes battered gray Lancer, which was towed in from Wilson County, where he and Ramos were arrested after the Lancer crashed. Police say meth paraphernalia was found in the car and that the couple wore black bullet-proof vests, black masks, black gloves, black jackets and black pants. Testimony continues Monday in the Jourdanton courthouse. Puente faces life in prison or death by lethal injection if convicted of capital murder. Ramos trial date has not been set. Despite running a boarding home for mentally ill people, Julie Foster did little to care for some of them, police say. Nearly four years after police found one of Foster's patients covered in feces, they arrested her Wednesday on a warrant issued on March 12, according to jail records. Officers responded to the boarding home in the 400 block of Marbella Vista on June 24, 2014, for a disturbance call and found dog feces and urine on the floor throughout the home, authorities said. RELATED: SAPD: Man shot outside Northeast side barber school The next day, another officer stopped by the home for a welfare check. The officer noticed strong foul odors before entering the home, according to the affidavit. He found a woman slumped over the kitchen table, covered in her own feces and suffering from an obvious leg infection, police said. "The leg was swollen to an abnormal size and fluids and pus were oozing from the wound," the affidavit says. RELATED: San Antonio teen found shot to death in vehicle identified The woman's foot was in a bucket which was so full of pus that the woman's foot was covered in it. The woman was rushed to the hospital to be treated for the infection, officials said. In an interview Foster acknowledged the woman's condition and said she would let the woman stay in her soiled clothes for as long as three months at a time, according to the affidavit. "Why would I help her, she wouldn't listen to me," Foster allegedly told investigators. Foster, 58, also told police she was taking care of eight mentally ill patients at the home. She told police she only had the patients in the home for their money "and that she does not care about them," according to the affidavit. Foster, who has been sued before for the conditions of her boarding home, was arrested on suspicion of causing bodily injury to a disabled person, a second-degree felony. It's unclear why the arrest warrant was issued nearly four years after the initial incident. Fares Sabawi covers crime in San Antonio and Bexar County for mySA.com. Read more of his stories here. | fsabawi@mysa.com SAN ANTONIO - A man who was shot to death while sitting in his car was identified Thursday by the Bexar County Medical Examiners Office. Tamaris Andre Taylor, 19, was found dead in his vehicle at about 1:44 a.m. Tuesday in the 1500 block of Upland Drive, according to preliminary information from a San Antonio Police Department report. For the past 421 days, NASA has been without a permanent administrator longer than any other period in the agencys history, longer even than any spaceflight any of its astronauts have taken. President Donald J. Trumps nominee has little chance of getting off the ground, and its time the White House dumps him for a more qualified candidate. The presidents choice, Oklahoma Rep. Jim Bridenstine, has spent the past four months in the black hole between the Senate Commerce Committee and a full chamber vote even though he can be confirmed without a single Democrats approval. By now one thing is clear: If a Republican nominee from a Republican president cant get through a Republican Senate, its time to pick somebody else. The Chronicles Alex Stuckey reported this week that Robert Lightfoot, the understandably weary interim administrator, announced hell step down on April 30, leaving Congress and the White House just a few weeks to find a suitable candidate. We have confidence that they can. EDITORIAL: Stabilizing NASA NASA needs an ambitious leader who can articulate the agencys mission, hone Trumps vision for space exploration, inspire the public to support NASA and boost the morale of the career staff jittery about the space agencys identity since the cancellation of the shuttle and Constellation programs during the Obama administration. But all the agency has right now is an interim leader with one foot out the door and a nominee who has fizzled on the launch pad. Choosing a NASA administrator has never before been a partisan struggle. Even in a time of increasing polarization, the picks of presidents Barack Obama and George W. Bush were confirmed unanimously. Many of the dozen men who have led NASA to date have been scientists or military veterans, and surely the Trump administration could find a candidate with a similar pedigree. Despite serving as a pilot in the U.S. Navy Reserve and member of the House Committee on Space, Science and Technology, Bridenstine lacks any science or engineering degrees. He would also be the first politician to hold the post, a prospect that rankled some senators, given NASAs apolitical mission. What doomed Bridenstines chances of attracting any Democratic support was his past outspokenness on climate change, including his incorrect assertion in a 2013 floor speech that global temperatures stopped increasing a decade prior. EDITORIAL: Trump needs to concisely describe the space agency's mission During his NASA administrator confirmation hearing this past fall, Bridenstine said he acknowledges climate change is real and humans play a role in it. But he stopped short of adopting the scientific consensus that humans are almost certainly the primary driver behind climate change, even though NASA itself pegs that likelihood at greater than 95 percent. After watching several appointees with dubious credentials win confirmation to lead federal agencies a brain surgeon to lead the housing department, a wealthy donor with no public school experience to lead the education department Democrats are unwilling to give Bridenstine the benefit of the doubt. Yet it is ultimately Republicans who have stalled Bridenstines nomination. Floridas Marco Rubio has been the most vocal, saying last fall he could not commit to voting for Bridenstine because he worried a politician leading NASA could be devastating for the space agency. MOON PLAN: Trump's NASA promises lack necessary funding Cynics were quick to point out that Bridenstine also happened to appear in 2016 campaign ads for Sen. Ted Cruz in which he attacked Rubio. Whether Rubio is truly looking out for his states Kennedy Space Center or merely settling a petty score doesnt really matter. The result is the same: a nominee with no chance of getting the gig. Even in this era of hyper-partisanship, there are many candidates the White House can choose who would win the support of Republicans and Democrats. Trump should name one quickly, because without adequate leadership, NASAs ambitions will get lost in space. NAMIBIAN Speaker of Parliament, Peter Katjavivi has lauded his Zimbabwean counterpart, Jacob Mudenda over the peaceful way he handled former President Robert Mugabes resignation last November. Addressing journalists after paying a courtesy call at Mudendas office last Friday, Katjavivi said they followed the events culminating in Mugabes resignation with keen interest and were marvelled at the peace and stability that prevailed in the country during that period. Namibia is a close friend of Zimbabwe, so we were observing events, which were taking place here and I can confirm that we were very happy that everything ended amicably well and there is peace and stability prevailing in Zimbabwe, what more can I say other than we are delighted, he said. Katjavivi said there are lessons to be learnt by Africa, following events that unfolded in Zimbabwe, expressing gratitude for the priceless opportunity he had been accorded to share and exchange notes with Mudenda on the business of Parliament. He commended plans by Zimbabwe to construct a new Parliament building, drawing parallels with his country, which is also in the process of acquiring new infrastructure for its parliamentarians. We are Speakers, so we were talking about parliamentary issues, sharing ideas and comparing notes, and that forms the basis of strengthening the two sister parliaments to work together more closely. We have an old (national assembly) building that goes back to the days when Namibia was still under the colonial system, so we are looking at building a new national parliament and my colleague is also exploring similar ideas because Parliament is a very important institution, he said. NewsDay Breaking News via Email Loading... Related Zimbabwe Latest News Former President Robert Mugabe has demanded a meeting with President Emmerson Mnangagwa to discuss what he called Zimbabwes return to constitutionalism. In his first interview since his resignation, Mugabe claimed he was forced out through a military coup and accused Mnangagwa of betraying him. I dont hate him (Mnangagwa). I brought him into government. Emmerson is improper where he is. He is illegal, Mugabe said. We want to correct this illegality. That he wants to discuss with me. We have to correct this disgrace which was imposed on ourselves. We dont deserve this, please we dont deserve it and Zimbabwe doesnt deserve it. We want to be a constitutional country. Mugabe admitted that there were times they conducted government business wrongly, but insisted that this did not justify his forced removal from power. Yes, we had shortcomings here (and there), but we must obey the Constitution. People must be chosen in government in the proper way. He (Mnangagwa) wants to meet me. I will discuss. I am willing to discuss. I am willing to assist in the process. But I must be properly invited, he said. Mugabe at his private birthday party last month hinted that Mnangagwa had called him seeking an urgent meeting. Churches, civil organisations and some members of the G40 faction have also been pushing for Mugabe and Mnangagwa to meet and patch up their differences, following reports that the former Zanu PF leader was mulling joining opposition politics, particularly the newly-formed National Patriotic Front. Mnangagwa last week threatened to investigate Mugabes alleged links to the opposition party and take appropriate action. Mugabe scoffed at suggestions that he should take a cue from former South African leader Jacob Zuma who, after being booted out and replaced by Cyril Ramaphosa, continued to support the ruling ANC party in all its programmes. The former President said his situation with Zuma was different because the latter lost in an election, not a military coup like was the case in Zimbabwe. NewsDay Breaking News via Email Loading... Related Zimbabwe Latest News - The construction work at the Zungeru Hydro Power Plant has attained 45 percent completion - The hydro power plant is a 700MW project located in Zungeru, Niger state - Once it is completed, it would enhance agricultural activities of the region as the dam would provide irrigation for farming The federal government on Wednesday, March 14, said that the Zungeru Hydro Power Plant currently under construction by the Chinese company EEC/SinoHydro, was 45 per cent complete. The 700MW project, which is located in Zungeru, Niger state, is expected to be completed at the end of 2019. Speaking to journalists during a site visit to the project, deputy director, energy resources, Ministry of Power, Works and Housing, Engineer Olatubosun Owoeye, said six turbines would be installed, Leadership reports. Legit.ng gathered Owoeye stated that when the project is completed, it would not only increase power generation but equally improve the economic activities of host communities. READ ALSO: Section 1 of Kano-Maiduguri road dualisation reaches 55 percent completion According to him, agricultural activities of the region would be enhanced as the dam would provide irrigation for all year farming. The Zungeru Hydro Power Plant is a joint project of the federal government and the Chinese government at a financial contribution ratio of 25/75 per cent respectively. The project's local content representative, Mustapha Yerima, said that the relationship with the community has improved as 36 settlements had been planned for the inhabitants of the affected community. He stated that the settlements would have schools, healthcare centers, markets, and water facility. PAY ATTENTION: Install our latest app for Android, read best news on Nigerias #1 news app Meanwhile, Legit.ng previously reported that Nigeria restarted construction works at the Zungeru power plant in Niger state, that was first conceived in 1982, but was abandoned due to lack of funds and dispute among the parties involved. Babatunde Fashola, the minister of power, works and housing, announced the resumption,while delivering a speech titled "Nigerias Electricity Challenge: A roadmap for change" at a lecture in Lagos on Thursday, May 6, 2016. Fashola stated that the dispute was eventually resolved, adding that the parties were out of court and more than 800 workers were back on site. He said that the plant was expected to bring additional 700MW electricity to Nigerias current 4600MW. Can Nigeria solve its power problems? Top engineers offer solutions - on Legit.ng TV Source: Legit.ng - Landlords in Ekiti state protested exorbitant bills from the BEDC - The landlord accused the electricity company of billing houses with no power supply - The protest was supervised by officers of the Nigeria Police Force to avoid hoodlums hijacking it Home owners in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti state, on Wednesday, March 14, stormed the streets to protest for several hours against what they refered to as exorbitant bills from the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC). The protesters under the aegis of Ado Ekiti Landlords and Ladies Electricity Consumers Association of Nigeria (ALLECA) claimed that the BEDC officials were allegedly demanding N40,000 before giving them prepaid meters. READ ALSO: Sack of Rex Tillerson will not affect Nigeria - FG The Nation reports that the protesters carrying placards to register their complaints were escorted by the police to prevent touts from hijacking the protest. Some of their placards read: BEDC, Supply Prepaid Meters; No To Crazy Bills; No To Epileptic Power Supply; BEDC, Your Cunning Acts Must Stop; No To Candlelight Power Outage; Stop Extorting Us, BEDC Staff are Thieves; Our Rights Are Prepaid Meters, Give Us Now and Chop and Die BEDC, which account is N15,000 bill per Month Going." Ekiti home owners protesting on the streeet. Photo source: The Nation ALLECA chairman, Dr. Ibukun Ogundipe, said it was wrong for BEDC to give between N13,000 and N18,000 bills to a three-bedroom bungalow when power supply lasted for about two or three hours daily. He said: Pursuant to the inability of BEDC to meet our first demand, we shall henceforth start paying N3,000 per month as our legitimate bill without any regard to whatever figure or amount posted on our bills. Our lawyers have been briefed to take appropriate legal action to challenge these unmitigated pains on every electricity consumer in Ekiti, Ado-Ekiti in particular. Legal action will be deployed if dialogue fails. PAY ATTENTION: Read the news on Nigerias #1 news app Anywhere across the world, prepaid meters remain the best way to measure the actual amount of megawatts consumed and Ekiti case cant be different. BEDC spokesman Kayode Brown said the company generates 9,500 megawatts (MW) of electricity for Ekiti with daily electricity supply of between eight and 12 hours. This, he said, pushed the tariffs upward. Brown said: The protest is a legitimate right, but payment of N3,000 monthly electricity bill doesnt correspond with what we offer. This is the amount we were charging when the megawatts supply to Ekiti was 4,500, but it has doubled now. Dismissing the allegation that the company was requesting for money before supplying prepaid meters, Brown said: Some of these consumers are owing as much as N100,000. We asked them to pay certain percentage before applying, but they refused. How do we get money to buy when they are not ready to pay?" Legit.ng earlier reported that a new class of operators have been introduced by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC); and this is expected to increase the supply of prepaid meters, The Cable reports. The development was made public by NERCs commissioner, legal, licensing and compliance, Dafe Akpeneye, at the 25th monthly power sector meeting which took place in Uyo, on Monday, March 12. Can Nigeria solve its power problems? Top engineers offer solutions - on Legit.ng TV: Source: Legit - Haruna Saeed, a founding member of the APC and governorship aspirant in Kaduna, announces dumping the party - Sa'eed says even though he was a founding member of the party, his contributions were never recognised - He accuses the party of segregation Reports say politicians in Kaduna state were on Thursday, March 15, shocked to hear that a top loyalist of President Muhammadu Buhari and a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Haruna Saeed, has dumped the party. Daily Independent reports that Saeed, a major force in the Congress for Progressive Change, the party formed by Buhari and which fused with others to form the APC, also contested for the governorship of Kaduna state in 2011. Speaking in his office in Kaduna, Saeed said: I, Haruna Yunusa Saeed, have decided today, 15 March, 2018, to withdraw my membership from APC. I have been a founding member of the party based on the merger that came to be which led to the ruling party. READ ALSO: Aso Rock hosts Osinbajos daughter, husband as traditional wedding takes place I happen to be a key member of the CPC, not only been a member but a flag bearer of the party in 2011 in Kaduna state. In fact, we won the election at that time but we were short-changed in the usual manner by the then ruling party the PDP. I played a vital role in APC as a dominant player but the activities of the arty in the state left so much to be desired. Because of that, all efforts that we have made to see that things changed for the better have been in vain, especially those of us that are not being considered as members of the party. Whatever we said seem not to be listened to. Whatever we asked for is never considered. Indeed the party has chosen to look at the members differently. PAY ATTENTION: Read the news on Nigerias #1 new app Whatever is being done today is only to certain section of the party and a party is not run like that. Party is supposed to be that every member has an equal space to contribute. Since that is not the case, then I dont think I should be part of it now, which is why I withdrew from the party today. Legit.ng earlier reported that a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Wednesday, March 14, granted an application seeking an accelerated hearing on a suit seeking the sack of the national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), John Oyegun. The court in its ruling okayed a speedy hearing on the matter. The National Executive Council (NEC) of the APC had at a meeting it held on February 27, 2018, extended the four-year tenure of the party officials due to expire on June 30, by one year. Obasanjo and Jonathan are good - on Legit.ng TV Source: Legit - The talks around the 2019 general elections continue to take center stage in Nigeria's politics - One state analysts will look out for is Lagos, as it has been held firm by the ruling APC since the return of democracy in 1999 - Chieftains of the party in the state are of the view that the opposition should not waste their time and resources campaigning for the forthcoming polls The executive chairman of Agboyi-Ketu local council development area in Lagos, Mayor Dele Oshinowo, has advised opposition parties not to bother contesting and save their resources ahead of the 2019 governorship polls in the state. He made this known during a reaffirmation rally convened by the local council to endorse Governor Akinwunmi Ambode for a second term in office. The event was held at the council headquarters, Agboyi road, Alapere amidst pomp and pageantry, and witnessed a large turnout of residents, who trooped out en-masse to participate in the ratification. The chairman said the essence of the rally is to show appreciation for a positive job embarked upon by the governor. He described the governor's projects as laudable and evenly distributed; tilting to progress, without prejudice to status,tribe or political affiliations. Mayor Oshinowo speaking at the well attended rally. Photo credit: Media team Agboyi-Ketu LCDA READ ALSO: Nobody can rig 2019 elections - Ekweremadu declares He, however, disclosed that the endorsement is long over due, stating that the governor has brought prosperity into governance. He further opined that from the huge endorsement hovering around the state, it is clear that the 2019 elections is already done and dusted. Prominent politicians at the event include the deputy senatorial leader, Lagos East APC, Pa Stephen Oyedele and member representing Kosofe Constituency 2 in the Lagos state House of Assembly, Honourable Tunde Braimoh. Others are first executive chairperson of the local council, Otunba Yetunde Arobieke; board member, Lagos state audit commission, Honourable Abiodun Akhigbe; state deputy publicity secretary, Lagos APC, Honourable Abiodun Salami; chairman, Agboyi-Ketu APC, Alhaji Abiodun Adefolarin. Religious leaders, artisan groups, market men and women, youth groups, transport union workers amongst others were also represented at the event. Meanwhile, youths under the aegis of Younger Stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress (YSAPC) have called on Asiwaju Bola Tinubu to constitute a formidable team that will include them to help his reconciliation assignment in the ruling party. They made the demand during a press briefing on Tuesday, March 13, in Abuja through one of the leaders, Dominic Alancha, on the outcome of their meeting. PAY ATTENTION: Read the news on Nigerias #1 new app APC chieftains in Benue state say PDP has nothing to offer on Legit.ng TV Source: Legit.ng - Sixteen states in Nigeria have been listed to likely experience food shortage that could affect 3.8 million people - This list was compiled by global food agencies, one of which is UN Food and Agriculture Organisation - Some of the states include Bauchi, Benue, Gombe, Jigawa, Plateau, Niger, Kebbi, Katsina and Kaduna Global food agencies have warned against impending food shortage that could affect 3.8 million people in 16 northern states of Nigeria and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). The agencies, which include UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and World Food Programme (WFP), listed the 16 states as Bauchi, Benue, Gombe, Jigawa, Plateau, Niger, Kebbi, Katsina, Kaduna, Taraba, Zamfara, Sokoto, Kano, Yobe, Borno and Adamawa. The agencies issued the warning on Thursday, March 15, in Abuja at a stakeholders meeting for the presentation of the results of the March 2018 Cadre Harmonise (CH) analysis of food and security situation in Nigeria. READ ALSO: Buhari finally meets with NASS leadership The CH report said that judging from the current situation in the 16 states and FCT, more than 3.8 million people might face acute food shortage if tangible efforts were not made to address the situation between June and August, the next lean period. It said: More than 10 million people were analysed and over 3.8 million people need urgent attention of food, while it was projected that 5.8 million people would face extreme food and nutrition deficits. Most of the analysed households have food stocks that may last only few months before the lean period of June to March and they need urgent attention for the situation not to get out of hand." The report said that the analysis was based on four conceptual frameworks, which included food security, nutrition, livelihoods and mortalities. It noted that the results of the analysis indicated that three local government areas (LGAs) in Adamawa, including Michika and Madagali LGAs, and another three LGAs in Borno were currently experiencing severe food crisis. According to the report, food availability was extremely limited in the areas because there had been no food production in the areas in the last three years. It said that household and market food stocks had been depleted in the affected areas, while the residents had no access to market, adding that the development was as a result of the Boko Haram insurgency and the persistent farmers-herdsmen clashes in the region. The report added: Four local government areas in Yobe, two in Zamfara, two in Gombe and the central area of Kaduna may go into food crisis if the situation is not properly handled. Besides, one local government area in Katsina state is under food pressure and two more local government areas are likely to be under food pressure, going by projection." It, however, noted that the food security in Benue was not under pressure in spite of the persistent clashes between farmers and herdsmen in the state. The report said that at present, Kano, Kebbi, Bauchi states and part of Gombe state were not experiencing food crisis but it warned that the present situation was not enough to conclude that the states were crisis-free. It said that the analysis in Plateau and Niger as well as FCT was inconclusive because there were no adequate data to work with. It noted that after studying those people affected by food insecurity, one of the recommendations aimed at addressing the situation was to strengthen their access to food. PAY ATTENTION: Install our latest app for Android, read best news on Nigerias #1 news app Meanwhile, Legit.ng previously reported that President Muhammadu Buhari, on Tuesday, March 13, said that he would be heading the National Food Security Council to be inaugurated very soon. This was stated by the president during his meeting with key stakeholders in the rice value chain. He said: I will be inaugurating a National Food Security Council that I will personally chair. The council will include governors, ministers, security agencies and key stakeholders across the entire agricultural segments of farming, fisheries and livestock management." Ebonyi state, Nigeria and West Africa's food capital - on Legit.ng TV Source: Legit - President Buhari said his administration continue to diversify the economy by exploring non-oil sectors - He also called on the private sector to partner with his government to move the economy forward - The president thanked the management of Flour Mills PLC for creating more jobs for Nigerians through the newly commissioned Sunti Golden Sugar Estate President Muhammadu Buhari said his administrations is committed to transformation and diversification of the economy by focusing on natural endowments in agriculture and other non-oil sectors for inclusive growth and development. President Buhari made this known during the official commissioning of the Sunti Golden Sugar Estate (SGSE) in Niger state on Thursday, March 15. In a statement released by Femi Adeshina on Facebook, the presidents special adviser on media and publicity, President Buhari expressed his happiness for the successful establishment of the Sunti Golden Sugar Estate. READ ALSO: Top PDP lawmakers conspicuously absent as Buhari finally meets NASS leadership (photos) He thanked the management of the Flour Mills of Nigeria for establishing the sugar company for taking such a major step in expanding the business and creating more jobs for our Nigerians. His full speech: I am very pleased to be here today to formally commission the Sunti Golden Sugar Estate. This project is timely as Nigeria makes her journey out of recession and the economy continues to show considerable progress. We are reminded of one of the cardinal objectives of this administration which is to look inwards as we focus on our natural endowments in agriculture, and other non-oil sectors for inclusive growth and development. The level of work and magnitude of investment that we are witnessing here today is a clear demonstration that our policies on economic diversification are attracting the right kind of support and engagement. On that note, I must congratulate the entire members of the board, management and staff of Flour Mills for such a major step in expanding the business and creating more jobs for our people. Since the establishment of Flour Mills in 1960, the company has repeatedly shown commitment to Nigeria, through good times and bad. The Sunti Golden Sugar Estate, as I am told, was built at a cost of over fifty billion naira making it one of the largest Agro-allied investments in Nigeria today, with a capacity to produce 100,000 metric tons of sugar annually. I am informed the Estate will engage up to 10,000 people directly including a network of over 3,000 small-scale out growers of Sugarcane. This to my mind is central to our administrations determination to have an inclusive economy. The socio-economic impact of such a massive investment, in the rural area of Nigeria, cannot be quantified. Lives will change for thousands in these localities. And the impact on the national economy will be significant. The location of the Sunti Sugar Estate on the banks of the River Niger is as notable as it is commendable. The enormous economic possibilities inherent here have perhaps been overlooked for far too long. It is on record that the Niger River Basin has played an essential role in the lives of the people who have had to depend on the basin for their subsistence. And when we take into cognizance the tributaries of the river and the proximity to the Kainji dam and the ecosystem, it is time we explore how this massive body of resources can be converted to a hub for industry and commerce. To that end, I call on other investors to take a cue from what we are witnessing today and come and invest heavily in this area. Let me reassure Nigerians, that this administration is fully committed to the transformation and diversification of the economy. We will continue to support businesses by creating enabling business environment. PAY ATTENTION: Install our latest app for Android, read best news on Nigerias #1 news app I wish to assure Nigerians that this government will continue to focus on the improvement of security and critical infrastructure, like roads, construction of rails and power generation across the country as a vital pre-requisite to economic progress. We all know that Government cannot do everything alone. We will need to partner with the private sector. Therefore, we expect that the company would seize this opportunity to further develop the Sunti-Mokwa Road through its corporate social responsibility programs. This will complement the flour mills ongoing rebuilding of the critical Apapa-Wharf Road in conjunction with other private and public-sector stakeholders. The world over, Sugar has been identified as a key commodity that is critical to national food security. Other than the development of local content, an investment of this size in the sugar value chain will not only help to stem the tide of importation of sugar and save foreign exchange but enhance rural industrialization and create wealth amidst rural poverty. For this, I must commend the Flour Mills of Nigeria. Once again I say congratulations to the Board, the Management and staff of Flour Mills of Nigeria Plc for this landmark project. Legit.ng previously reported that President Buhari on Thursday, March 15, directed Ministries, Agencies and Departments (MDAs) yet to defend their 2018 budget proposal before the National Assembly (NASS) to do so without delay. The directive was to fast-track the passage of the 2018 budget and be able to spend the money on key national needs including security and development infrastructure. The secretary to the government of the federation, Boss Mustapha, said this while briefing State House correspondents on the outcome of the meeting held between the president and NASS principal officers at the State House. Nigerians share their thoughts exactly 1 yr before elections - on Street Gist: Source: Legit - A Nigerian student in Cyprus reportedly drowned at the Alagidi-2 region beach in Girne on Wednesday - Hassan Babatunde was a student of the Cyprus International University A 24-year-old Nigerian student has reportedly drowned at a beach in Cyprus on Wednesday, March 14. The student, identified as Hassan Babatunde, was said to have drowned at the Alagadi-2 region beach in Girne, in the afternoon of Wednesday. According to report, Hassan was a student at the Near East University and had just transferred to the Cyprus International University. READ ALSO: Agencies warn of impending acute food shortage that may affect 13.8m Nigerians Meanwhile, Legit.ng previously reported that the Director, International Office, Cyprus International University, Patrick Douse, apologised to the family of a Nigerian student, Gabriel Soriwei, who was killed in the North Cyprus city of Nicosia. Gabriel, 20, a first year student of electrical/electronic engineering at the university located in the Turkish Republic of North Cyprus, was knocked down by a female driver on July 13, 2013. As a result of the impact of the accident, he fell into a coma and eventually died on September 7, 2013. The university authorities flew his remains via Turkish Airline to Nigeria five days later. Douse said he was sorry for the way the university handled the incident, noting that the institution had put in place measures to prevent a recurrence of such incident. PAY ATTENTION: Install our latest app for Android, read best news on Nigerias #1 news app Also reported by Legit.ng was that a popular Nigerian comedian based in Cyprus, Udumioh Jerry, allegedly stabbed one Ebinabo Mendeinyo, to death. North Cyprus police debunked earlier claims that the deceased jumped from the 6th floor of his apartment building out of fear when some unidentified boys, in company of the comedian fondly called MC Jerry, came to confront him. The police pointed out that they found stab wounds on Mendeinyo's body, Daily Mail reports. MC Jerry, who doubles as a comedian and event host, was the first person the police arrested in connection with the murder. The suspect was apprehended and charged with murder, trespassing, kidnapping and serious assault. Which country would you leave Nigeria for? - on Legit.ng TV Source: Legit.ng - The chairman, Bida local government area of Niger state, Mohammad Bagudu has disclosed why Governor Abubakar Bello was attacked in Bida town - Bagudu explained that Governor Bello was stoned by angry residents based on political dispute - He, however, warned that politics must not be a do or die affair, but should be played with decorum and responsibility The chairman, Bida local government area of Niger state, Mohammad Bagudu, on Wednesday, March 14, claimed that the attack on Governor Abubakar Bello in Bida town was politically motivated. Bagudu told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Bida that the local council would do everything possible to prevent a recurrence. NAN recalls that the governor was stoned by youth in Bida on March 8, when he visited the town to assess the damage caused on Bida old market by a night fire. READ ALSO: Top PDP lawmakers conspicuously absent as Buhari finally meets NASS leadership (photos) The police have since announced the arrest of six people suspected to have been involved in the incident. The chairman stressed that the local council would follow the case to logical conclusion to ensure justice is done. He warned that politics must not be a do or die affair, but should be played with decorum and responsibility. PAY ATTENTION: Install our latest app for Android, read best news on Nigerias #1 news app Bagudu saia: ''We will not condone abnormal behaviour before our leaders; those behind the act would be flushed out and prosecuted.'' He urged youth in the area to shun indiscipline, adding that parents must monitor the conduct and behavior of their children. He said: ''We as responsible leaders will continue to provide the needed peaceful atmosphere for political activities and I hereby warn the youth to desist from indulging in any form of political violence and thuggery. Meanwhile, Legit.ng had reported that President Buhari on Thursday, March 15, commissioned Sunti Golden Sugar Estate in Niger state. The dignitaries present there are the state Governor Abubakar Sani Bello, Kebbi state Governor Atiku Bagudu, chairman flour mills Nigeria John G. Coumantaros among others. Boko Haram Kidnappings: Will Buhari bring back Dapchi Girls? | Legit.ng TV: Source: Legit - A Nobel laureate, Wole Soyinka, says former president, Goodluck Jonathan, believed the opposition was using Chibok abduction to discredit his government - He berates President Buhari over his inability to get justice for victims of the crises between farmers and herdsmen and Boko Haram insurgency - The playwright says rather than visiting the affected areas, the president should speak to peoples security needs, and bring perpetrators to book A Nobel laureate, Wole Soyinka, has said former president, Goodluck Jonathan, waited for nearly three weeks before accepting the fact that over 200 schoolgirls had been abducted in Chibok. The playwright and political activist on Thursday, March 15, said Jonathan told him that he should take the abduction of the schoolgirls as his own problem and deal with it when he reached the president over the abduction of more than 200 schoolgirls in Chibok, Borno state, The Cable reports. READ ALSO: Aso Rock hosts Osinbajos daughter, husband as traditional wedding takes place I reached out to former President Jonathan, and protested, chiding him severely on his reaction over the abduction of the Chibok girls. I said to him; you want to be accepted as a political leader, and you do not even accept as your duty to be there (Chibok), at the scene of the disaster? And I asked him, did you actually utter those words attributed to you? His response remains a riddle to me till today, Soyinka said at a dialogue organised by Ripples Centre for Data and Investigative Journalism in Lagos. His exact words to me, not easily forgotten I assure you, were Kampala tie niyen, meaning that is your own Kampala. Soyinka said Jonathan suggested that the opposition was only using Chibok abduction to discredit his government. The playwright said precious days to have rescued the girls were lost due to Jonathan's view about the issue. Legit.ng had earlier reported that Soyinka berated President Muhammadu Buhari over his inability to get justice for victims of the crises between farmers and herdsmen and Boko Haram insurgency. The playwright said that rather than visiting the affected areas, Buhari should speak to peoples security needs, and bring perpetrators to book. He said that failure on the part of government has been the reason the country is yet to get over the security challenges. He also stated that the move by the Senate to pass Hate Speech bill is to silence criticism, calling on Nigerians to kick against it. Boko Haram kidnappings: Will Buhari bring back Dapchi girls? - on Legit.ng TV Source: Legit.ng Editors note: The writer, Buchi Obichie, calls out the minister of agriculture for his recent non-truth about Nigerias supposed food-sufficiency in relation to Thailand. She bemoans the embarrassment this has caused the country - in addition to other non-truths - and advises the minister to take lessons on communication so he can learn how to tell what she refers to as credible lies. A cousin of mine is a terrible on-the-spot liar. If you catch her in the heat of the moment, its quite easy to tell when shes weaving a tale as opposed to giving a true narrative of events. However, shes excellent in medium to long term situations, when she has had enough time to piece together a more believable story. In those instances, whatever doubts you may have would all be erased before shes done with her story! Now, my darling cousin has studied herself so indeptly; such that she is acutely aware of her strengths and weaknesses. So, having discovered that she is bad with spur-of-the-moment lies, she came up with a strategy to avoid embarrassment and humiliation. In situations where she knows a lie is imperative; but that she would get called out if she gives one immediately, she would simply say please let me get back to you. Now, whenever she says that to me, I know that its most likely that whatever she tells me later would be a lie. But you see, I only know this because Ive known her long enough. Im her cousin afterall. But for others, they usually never know! If you pushed further, shell just follow up with I dont have all the facts now. Ill get back to you shortly, as soon as I get them. And she will...eventually...with a non-truth! READ ALSO: Polls re-ordering: Must Buhari and NASS fight over everything? by Buchi Obichie (Opinion) My cousin is not a 'pathological liar'I need to just put that out there, in case she reads this. However, like the rest of us, she knows that they cannot be avoided in certain situations; and like I said, she knows herself too wellmuch better than many other people know themselves. In any case though, like my cousin, I think government officials need to be skilled in the art of telling credible lies' - yes, I know thats an oxymoron, but Im sure you get my point. They cant go about embarrassing their countries with 'poorly narrated tales' and running the risk of spoiling what could have turned out to be beneficial bilateral relationships! To do that would be akin to placing oneself in an Ogbeh situation, to the detriment of your nation! Our wonderful minister of agriculture recently pulled off a faux-pas of gigantic proportions when he told what turned out to be a stunning non-truth. It wouldnt have been that bad I mean, we are used to hearing all manner of lies from this government if he did not drag another country into the mix. So the minister basically claimed that we had achieved such a high level of food-sufficiency, as regards our rice production, that we had put Thailand out of business! These were his exact words: Just two weeks ago, the ambassador of Thailand came to my office and said to me that we have really dealt with them. But I asked, what did we do wrong and he said unemployment in Thailand was one of the lowest in the world, 1.2 percent; it has gone up to four percent because seven giant rice mills have shut down because Nigerias import has fallen by 95 percent on rice alone. As you can imagine, such blatant non-truth did not go down well with Thailand, which emerged as the top exporter of rice in the world in 2017! Hence, as soon as the Thai ambassador got wind of Ogbehs comments, he fired off a response. He stated: The report is not only misleading, but a distortion of the actual conversation between myself and the honourable minister of agriculture at the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development on 30th January, 2018, which was nothing short of positivity and optimism on both sides. He continued: Thailands rice export to the world in 2017 reached 11.48 million tons, equalizing to $5.1bn, a 15.54 percent increase compared to previous years, which is one of the highest figures in the history of Thailands rice exportation. There is no proof of any shutdown of Thailands major rice mills! Wawuu! Now, diplomats are usually strategic with words. They are skilled at making ambiguous statements; and insults are spoken with such class and finesse, that they dont sting until the statement is dissected meticulously and analysed more closely. But reading the statement from the Thai ambassador, you could tell off-the-bat that the country felt so slighted by our honourable ministers words, that it could not be bothered to sugar-coat its response! Someone needs to teach Mr Ogbeh how to tell better liesespecially when he is speaking on behalf of a governmentand most especially, when he is involving another nation in the matter. I mean, its Thailandlike seriously? But this is not the first time Ogbeh has told such a bad lie. Remember the tale of yam exports that turned out to be an embarrassment when it was discovered that the foodstuffs were rotten and subsequently rejected! We are still recovering from that; and now this? Haba na, how much more can we take? PAY ATTENTION: Install our latest app for Android, read best news on Nigerias #1 news app It is not enough that that they tell us Boko Haram has been defeatedthen technically defeatedthen all of a sudden, another school is attacked and 110 girls are abducted! It is not enough that they tell us that this government is fighting corruption much better than all others before it; and all of a sudden, Transparency International embarrasses us with its report! Like seriously, these folks need to have mercy on us! We understand that lies are inevitable in governance; but if they must be told, is it too much to ask they it be done with tact? Mr Ogbeh, you may need to take a class in Diplomacy 101; or better still, consult my cousin for tutelage on a few communication tricks. I would have referred you to your information counterpart, the honourable Mr Lai; but that would essentially be jumping from frying pan to fire! This opinion piece was written by Buchi Obichie. The views expressed in this article are the authors own and do not necessarily represent the editorial policy of Legit.ng. Which of President Buhari's ministers should be sacked? - on Legit.ng TV: Source: Legit.ng - The vice-president of The Gambia, Fatoumata Tambajang, commends Nigeria for its numerous support to her country - She says if Nigerian professionals in the judiciary withdraw, Gambias judiciary will collapse - Aso Rock prepares for the inauguration of 57 Nigerians appointed to work under Osinbajo The vice-president of The Gambia, Fatoumata Tambajang, has said that The Gambia would collapse if Nigerian professionals in the country withdraw their services or leave the country. Tambajang made the remark at a dinner organised for the Nigerian delegation to the 62nd Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) at the Nigeria House, New York, on Thursday night, March 15, The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports. The vice-president, who was represented by Mamadou Tangara, the ambassador/permanent representative of The Gambia to the UN, commended Nigeria for its numerous support to her country. READ ALSO: Aso Rock hosts Osinbajos daughter, husband as traditional wedding takes place She said: Gambia is very grateful to Nigeria for its support. If Nigeria withdraws its support, Gambia will collapse. In particular, if the Nigerian professionals in the judiciary withdraw, Gambias judiciary will collapse. Nigeria led regional efforts to force out former president, Yahya Jammeh, in 2017 after he reneged on his earlier pledge to handover to President Adama Barrow. At about 30,000 strong, Nigeria also has by far the largest population of foreign nationals living in The Gambia. Similarly, six of Gambias 12 banks are owned by Nigerians. Nigerias Emmanuel Ayoola was the Chief Justice of The Gambia from 1983 to 1992 while Emmanuel Fagbenle was the Chief Justice of the country from 2015 to 2017. Before then, both had earlier served as Justices of the Court of Appeal of the Gambi The majority of the senior professional staff in the Ministry of Justice on the other hand are Nigerian lawyers provided through technical assistance programme. In 2017, The Gambia Bar Association had to protest against the newly appointed Nigerian High Court judges Justices Edward Ogar, Mathias Agboola, Simeon Abi and Matins Okoi. PAY ATTENTION: Read the news on Nigerias #1 new app Nigerian professionals, including teachers and doctors, are in the Gambia under the technical aids corps scheme, launched by the Nigerian government to assist other African countries, as a practical demonstration of south-south cooperation. The dinner was attended by Amina Mohammed, UN deputy secretary-general, minister of women affairs and social development, Aisha Al-Hassan and Nigerias permanent representative to the UN, Tijjani Bande. Others were Hajo Sani, senior special assistant to the wife of the president, the deputy permanent representative to the UN, Samson Itegboje, permanent representatives of Angola and Uganda to the UN, wives of governors, commissioners and the civil society organisations. Meanwhile, the 57 board members of three federal government agencies, including the National Boundary Commission, under the control of Professor Yemi Osinbajo, Nigerias vice president, are to be inaugurated on Tuesday, March 20. The two other agencies under Osinbajo are the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) and Border Communities Development Agency (BCDA). While Osinbajo would chair the National Boundaries Commission and BCDA, Ignatius Longjan eill chair NIPSS. Premium Times reports that the boards of the three agencies were among those recently appointed by President Muhammadu Buhari. What is working well and what needs improvement in Nigeria? on Legit.ng TV Source: Legit Nigeria A United Nation (UN) expert committee has announced that four countries could soon 'graduate' from the ranks of the worlds poorest and most vulnerable nations. Legit.ng gathered that the four countries are: Bhutan, Kiribati, Sao Tome and Principe and the Solomon Islands, according to Jose Ocampo, chair of the Committee for Development Policy (CDP). Ocampo said the countries had increased national earning power and improved access to health care and education, making them eligible to exit the group of least developed countries (LDCs). READ ALSO: I never thought Mnangagwa will turn against me - Ex-Zimbabwe's president Mugabe This is an historic occasion, Ocampo, said, noting that only five countries had graduated since the UN established the LDC category in 1971. LDCs are assessed using three criteria: health and education targets; economic vulnerability; and gross national income per capita. Countries must meet two of the three criteria at two consecutive triennial reviews of the CDP to be considered for graduation. The committee would send its recommendations to the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) for endorsement, which would then refer its decision to the UN General Assembly. A member of CDP, Diane Elson, a professor at the University of Essex in the United Kingdom, said the announcement was good news for millions of women in rural areas. Elson pointed out that the latest session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women (CSW), currently under way in New York, was discussing the challenges facing this population. The success of the countries that are graduating reflects things like the improvement of the health and the education of the population, which extends to rural women, and the increase in incomes in the country, which extends to rural women, she said. However, Elson stressed that the countries would need continued international support because they remained vulnerable to external shocks, including the impact of climate change, currently evident in Pacific Island states such as Kiribati. Globally, there are 47 LDCs, according to the UN Office of the High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States. The majority, 33, are in Africa, while 13 can be found in the Asia-Pacific region, and one is in Latin America. In the 47 years of the LDC categorys existence, only five countries Botswana, Cabo Verde, Equatorial Guinea, Maldives and Samoa had graduated. The CDP said two more countries, Vanuatu and Angola, were scheduled for graduation over the next three years. Nepal and Timor-Leste also met the criteria but were not recommended for graduation at this time, due to economic and political challenges. PAY ATTENTION: Read the news on Nigerias #1 news app That decision would be deferred to the next CDP triennial review in 2021, according to Ocampo (NAN) Meanwhile, Legit.ng had previously reported that the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), in conjunction with agencies of the Nigerian government on Wednesday, March 14, assisted another 152 Nigerians return from Libya via a chartered flight. Who is Nigeria's greatest president ever? - on Legit.ng TV Source: Legit Two major airlines in Nigeria, Bellview and First Nation, were, on Friday, March 16, arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) before Justice Mojisola Dada of the Ikeja special offences court over an alleged N1.7 billion fraud. The EFCC, according to The Punch, joined as the managing director of First Nation Airlines, Kayode Odukoya, as the a defendant in the four-count charge bordering on forgery, use of forged documents, perjury and stealing. READ ALSO: Aso Rock hosts Osinbajos daughter, husband as traditional wedding takes place According to the report, the anti-graft agency accused the defendants of forging the memorandum of loss of Lagos certificate of occupancy registered as number 33, at page 33, volume 1011 at the states land registry, Alausa. The EFCC said the alleged forged document was in respect of a property located at 29 Oduduwa Street, GRA, Ikeja. It was learnt that Odukoya was accused of dishonestly converting to his own a sum of N1.7 billion belonging to Skye Bank Plc. PAY ATTENTION: Read the news on Nigerias #1 new app According to the report, the prosecutor, MS Usman, told the court that the defendants acted contrary to sections 85, 86(1), 278(1)(b), 285, 361(1)(a)(b), 363 and 364(1) of the criminal law of Lagos state 2011, but they pleaded not guilty and the judge ordered the remand of Odukoya in the custody of the EFCC. The case has been adjourned till March 26, 2018 for Odukoyas bail application. Meet Bayo Adedeji, the Nigerian businessman making millions from selling yam - on Legit.ng TV Source: Legit - An unnamed female cabin crew member of an Emirates Airline in Uganda has died - The crew member passed on Wednesday, March 14, after opening the plane's emergency exit door and falling off, sustaining serious injuries - She was rushed to the hospital but died a little while later A female crew member of an Emirates Airline which was due to depart Entebbe International Airport, opened the emergency exit and fell off the plane, and sustained serious injuries. READ ALSO: RRS searches for owner of unclaimed heavy weight cannabis The crew member was rushed to the hospital but died on Wednesday, March 14, a short while later. So far, the actual cause of the incident is not yet clear and investigations on it are still underway. Entebbe International Airport's report on the incident Speaking to Khaleej Times, Emirates spokesperson said: "We can confirm that a member of our cabin crew fell from an open door while preparing the aircraft for boarding on flight EK730 from Entebbe on 14 March 2018. PAY ATTENTION: Get the Latest Nigerian News Anywhere 24/7. Spend less on the Internet! "The injured crew member was brought to the hospital, but unfortunately succumbed to her injuries. Our thoughts and prayers are with her family, and we're providing them with all possible support and care. We will extend our full cooperation to the authorities in their investigation." Meanwhile, Legit.ng reported that a Russian passenger plane with 71 people on board crashed outside Moscow on Sunday, February 11 after taking off from the capital's Domodedovo airport. Legit.ng gathered that the Antonov An-148 plane operated by the domestic Saratov Airlines was flying to Orsk, a city in the Urals, and crashed in the Ramensky district on the outskirts of Moscow. My life after the plane crash Nigerian plane crash survivor Kechi Okwuchi speaks to Legit.ng TV Source: Legit.ng At least, 800 members of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kwara state defected to the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), on Friday, March 16 with the latter boasting that it was getting stronger across the country. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Iyiola Oyedepo, the chairman of the PDP in the state, received the defectors in Ilorin during the visit of executive members of the party in the north-central zone. Hanafi Alabere, who led the defectors from Alanamu ward in Ilorin West local government area, said they were fed up with the APC, the report said. On his part, Oyedepo told the visiting zonal executives that no notable member of the party had defected to the APC since 2015. READ ALSO: Aso Rock hosts Osinbajos daughter, husband as traditional wedding takes place According to him, the defection of Alabere and his colleagues is a pointer to the popularity of the PDP in the state. Theophilus Dakas, the visiting zonal chairman, commended the PDP executives in the state for keeping the party intact inspite of its internal crisis. Dakas appealed to the members to continue to work for the progress of the party through sustained membership drive. Dakas explained that the party leadership had directed that power should be devolved to the ward level. He commended members over the partys performance in the November 18, 2017 local government election while giving an assurance that the era of impunity and imposition of candidates in the PDP was gone. PAY ATTENTION: Read the news on Nigerias #1 new app He promised that the people would decide who would represent them. Legit.ng earlier reported that at least 2,000 people defected from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kano state on Monday, March 13. The report quoted Leadership as saying that the APC members' defection to PDP took place in Sumaila local government area of Kano state. Obasanjo and Jonathan are good - on Legit.ng TV Source: Legit - Hausa and Yoruba youths at Ojota, Lagos allegedly clashed - There are reports that several persons may have lost their lives in the violent clash - The fight allegedly broke out after a Hausa youth reportedly beat up his Yoruba counterpart over a misunderstanding A violent clash between Hausa youths and Yoruba youths at Gida Panli, Kotomola in Ojota, New Garage, Lagos state has reportedly led to the death of several persons, while many others allegedly sustain different kinds of injuries. Punch reports that the fight started on Thursday, March 15, after a Hausa youth reportedly beat up his Yoruba counterpart over a misunderstanding. READ ALSO: Sultan calls on Muslims to look for new moon on Saturday, March 17 The fight reportedly escalated Friday morning after some area boys stormed the Hausa settlement to avenged the Yoruba youth who was beaten. Commercial activities were reportedly grounded in the area and motorcycles destroyed by the two warring parties. A commercial driver in the area, Wale Ajayi, who spoke to the press said: There was a misunderstanding yesterday (Thursday) between a Yoruba and Hausa youth. The Hausa guy reported him to some area boys in the area and they settled the issue. Afterwards, he went to attack the Yoruba man and beat him up. That made the area boys to be angry. They attacked the Hausa man and the clash started. Traders had to vacate the area and many Hausa people had been chased away." PAY ATTENTION: Read the news on Nigerias #1 news app Security operatives have been drafted to the area to restore normalcy and the Lagos state Police Public Relations Officer, SP Chike Oti, confirmed the clash to the press. Legit.ng previously reported that Governor Nasir El-Rufai has directed security beef up to put an end to the endless violent clash between communities along the border of Kaduna and Plateau state. The governor, while reacting to the cross-border violence between communities in Bassa local government area in Plateau state and Kauru local government area in Kaduna, invited security agencies to put an end to the bloody clashes. Southern Kaduna killings: part 1 - on Legit.ng TV: Source: Legit.ng Yves here. Weve generally relegated the political fight over guns to Links, but we thought wed make an exception, since this post provides some on-the-ground observations. However, notice that the author mentions in passing that he was briefly in jail for protesting the Vietnam War. As readers well know, one of the big impediments to activism now is the pervasiveness of background checks. An arrest record, even for something that should be regarded as praiseworthy, or at worst minor, is now a scarlet letter in the eyes of most employers. By Dr. Shepherd Bliss {3sb@comcast.net), a retired college teacher and farmer who has contributed to 24 books Memorial from a local school in Sebastopol. Photographer: Bill Shortridge Driving through small-town Sebastopol on March 14 toward the Senior Center, this 73-year-old noticed groups of young students with signs gathering on downtown street corners and waving to motorists. These active participants in direct democracy joined thousands who walked out of schools across the U.S. and the world, organized by the Womens March Youth branch. As I got closer to the students, a variety of feelings, thoughts, and memories emerged. Tears of appreciation began to drip from my eyes, as I learned why they were protesting. Then I smiled at them and flashed the peace sign, as I used to during the active 1960s. I eventually resigned my U.S. Army officers commission to join the marches that finally helped ended the American wars on the people of Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos. Spending a short time in jail, before being releasedsince I was merely expressing my First Amendment freedom of speechwas worth it. Im proud of our middle and high school students, as well as others, for non-violently standing up to defend their generation against those who continue to shoot innocent youth and others in Florida and elsewhere. Lives matter more than guns. Enough is enough! were among the signs. Many teachers and administrators supported students wanting to join the brief marches. California Rep. Mike Thompson created a video, which schools are showing, where he encourages students to stand up and speak out against gun violence. Each event had its own character. The Sebastopol rallies were relatively dignified and many protestors had taped their mouths. All corners of Santa Rosa High, in contrast, were full of students waving signs, chanting, and expressing a call to action and a show of force. An estimated 500 students, about a quarter of Santa Rosa Highs student body, joined the walkout. In nearby Petaluma around 2000 students from a dozen schools walked out. Some wore bright orange #Never Again shirts, a prominent hash-tag, according to the daily Press Democrat. Nearly all of the 1300 students at Sonoma Valley High School gathered with signs such as I should be writing my term paper instead of my will and Never Again! Some waved the American flag and shouted things such as Its time for the next generation to take over! My feelings eventually ranged from a mixture of sadnessbecause these students needed to protestto appreciation for their bravery against those who threaten the Earths future. Too Young to Protest? 10-Year-Olds Beg to Differ headlined a March 14 New York Times article. It started last month as a writing exercise on the 1963 Birmingham Childrens Crusade, when more than 1000 students skipped school and marched to demand civil rights, the article began. So the current marches have also been a history classroom. The classroom assignment mushroomed into a planhatched by 10-and-11-year-oldsto stage a little civil disobedience of their own,the article notes. We Wont Let the N.R.A. Win headlines another Times article, written by three New Jersey high school students. The killings of 17 people at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Florida may be the massacre that finally gets federal and state governments to enact common-sense gun control laws, the students commence their article. They remind us, That should have happened after Columbine. It should have happened after Virginia Tech. It should have happened after Sandy Hook. But it didnt. The Stoneman Douglas School is where our generation draws a line. So they imagined and then created what some organizers describe as the National School Walkout. 17 is the number of students and staff killed at the Florida school. Many of the events were scheduled for 17 minutes. March for Our Lives is not just one day, the students conclude. We must all stand with Stoneman Douglas students and say, Never again. This isnt about being aligned with one political party or another. This is about protecting this nations children. The American Civil Liberties Union helped train some students in their direct actions. The creation of a sense of community was among the marches goals. Meanwhile, a series of violent threats have been scrawled on campuses, including at Santa Rosa High in Northern California. We are the future of this country, yet we can no longer assume we are safe from mass shootings in our schools. Nor can we assume our elders will protect us, the students write. When I arrived at the Sebastopol Area Senior Center, I spoke with other elders about the issues these youth raise. We agreed that we should support their leadership and join these brave first responders. Eloquent young voices, equipped with symbolism and social media savvy, riding a resolve as yet untouched by cynicism, is how the New York Times described the rallies. In Lower Manhattan, Gov. Andrew Cuomo joined a die-in at Zucotti Park, the former home of the Occupy Wall Street protests. Hey-hey, ho-ho, the N.R.A. has to go, students chanted as they marched to the D. C. Capital steps. They were met by members of Congress, the most popular of whom seemed to be Sen. Bernie Sanders. Stay tuned for at least two more nationwide protests on March 24 and April 20, the anniversary of the Columbine murders, as students continue to gather steam and define their movement. Financial crises have long been a feature of our system. Theres a discernible pattern: Scandals are followed by regulation, only for a new set of scandals to emerge thereafter. Can the cycle can be broken? During former Federal Reserve Chairman Paul Volckers famous remarks to members of the Economic Club of New York after details about Bear Stearns rescue by JP Morgan Chase and the Fed came out ten years ago, he pointedly observed that such actions carried an implied promise of similar action in times of future turmoil. The Feds intervention is commonly remembered as the start of a cycle of institutional collapse and government bailouts that defined the 2008 financial crisis. Volcker went on to observe that such crises have in fact been a recurrent feature of free and open capital markets and that any return to heavily regulated, bank-dominated, nationally insulated markets is pure nostalgia. Volckers observations underscore that the question of whether anything has been learned from the recent financial crisis is overshadowed by a more pressing issue of whether anything at all has been learned from the long history of government intervention in financial markets. In our INET paper, Corporate Scandals and Regulation, we took on the question of whether regulators have been effective in overseeing financial markets over the last 200 years. Despite the voluminous literature on the economics of disclosure and financial reporting regulation, there is sparse empirical evidence on this topic in a historical, long-term context. We asked the question: Are regulatory interventions in financial markets mere representations of delayed reactions to past market failures, or can regulators proactively preempt future corporate misbehavior? From a public interest view, we would expect effective regulation to either prevent corporate misbehavior from occurring (ex ante) or quickly rectify observed transgressions (ex post). Have financial regulations anywhere been effective in this sense? To answer this question, we developed an extensive historical time series of corporate scandals and regulations across 26 countries spanning the years 1800 to 2015. The data set draws on historical publications and regulations in 18 languages gathered in collaboration with local country experts and research assistants. We conducted the data collection in two steps. First, we used a coarse proxy of the underlying constructs and tracked how many of times the terms scandal and regulator were mentioned in the leading newspaper in each country and year. In a second step, we refined our search. Among the news articles we found, we identified those that cover actual accounting and other corporate scandals like the misrepresentation of financial statements (think Enron), the defrauding of investors (think Madoff), or the illegal business practice of bribing foreign government officials (think Lockheed). We also identified the voluntary conventions and rules that dealt with accounting regulation and investor protection in all those countries over the 200-year period. As an example, the figure below displays the data structure for the United States over the 1851 to 2015 period. It plots the yearly number of times the terms scandal (solid line) and regulator (dashed line, axis on the right) are mentioned in The New York Times. These numbers include all sorts of scandals and are not limited to corporate misbehavior. When we analyzed the news coverage in more detail, we were able to identify 230 episodes of corporate scandals and 48 relevant regulatory initiatives for the U.S. (shaded bars, axis on the left). In this figure, the downfall of Bear Stearns represents just one observation in 2008. . Figure: Episodes of corporate scandals and regulation in the United States over the years 1850-2015 Media mentions of scandals in The New York Times are very volatile. We observe multiple waves over time: the first in 1870, the second around the turn of the century, the third around 1930, and then again in the mid-1950s, 1960s, and 1970s. Thereafter the level of media mentions of both terms substantially increases. The pattern suggests that the evolution of financial markets plays a key role in shaping both corporate misbehavior and regulatory action. The correlation between the two time-series is on the order of 70 percent for the entire period and after World War II, but only 25 percent before 1946. The pattern of actual corporate scandals and regulation largely mimics the media mentions, with select individual cases over long stretches of the sample period and a substantial increase after 1970. The year 2002 stands out with 26 cases of corporate scandals (e.g., WorldCom, Adelphia, Dynegy) and four regulatory events (e.g., the Sarbanes-Oxley Act). We find very similar patterns in many other economies around the globe. In total, there are 4.2 episodes of scandals and 2.4 episodes of regulation in any given year from 1800 to 1969, but this number jumps to 32.5 for scandals and 14.6 for regulations over the 1970 to 2015 period. Thus, frequent scandals and extensive regulation are a relatively recent phenomenon. Notably, both corporate scandals and regulation are highly correlated with economic development. In our global sample, we found that scandals and regulation are highly persistent over time. Corporate misconduct and regulatory action are not isolated events, but rather come and go in waves. More to the point, when we conduct a Granger causality test, which that examines whether one time series is useful in forecasting the other (e.g., can past scandals predict future regulations?), we find that over long stretches of time, corporate scandals act as an antecedent to future regulatory intervention. This pattern suggests that regulators are less flexible and informed than private entities and often take a reactive approach to regulation. Once something bad happens (e.g., the Enron scandal), public attention and pressure rises, and regulators then put rules in place to remedy the matter (e.g., Sarbanes Oxley). At the same time, we find no evidence that regulations can effectively curb future corporate misconduct. Rather, todays regulations are a strong predictor of future fraudulent behavior because firms are quick to adapt to the new rules and move their activities to unregulated areas, because regulators rely on explicitly laid-out rules to be able to identify and prosecute corporate wrongdoing, or because the new regulations have unintended consequences. Further analysis reveals systematic differences in the lead-lag relations of scandals and regulation over time and across countries. Overall, our analysis of 200 years of corporate scandals and regulation provides evidence of strong time-series patterns. Scandals lead regulatory action, but the relation also goes in the other direction: Corporate scandals follow past attempts at regulatory reform. This finding prompts the question of how to break this cycle of scandals followed by bouts of regulatory activism, followed by new scandals, while keeping the long-term effects on the economy in mind. While we cannot answer this question, our results cast doubt on the historical effectiveness of regulatory action from a public interest view. 1. The drinking... Drinking wasn't always part of the St. Patrick's Day celebrations. It appears we were drowning the shamrock too much and having way too much craic altogether, so in 1927, the government's pub ban came into force. The pubs were dry on March 17 from then until 1970 when the craic was re-introduced. 2. There's a row over the parade... Although Ireland didn't stage its first parade until 1931, there's a dispute between New York and Bostom over who staged the first ever St. Patrick's Day parade. New York says they had the first official one in 1762, but the lads in Boston claim they sort of held one in 1737. Fight among yourselves, lads - we'll be in the pub! 3. Enda extended the craic... As the Minister for Tourism in the mid-1990s, former Taoiseach Enda Kenny extended the St. Patrick's Day celebrations into a week-long festival. 4. We have the colour wrong... The green colour now associated with St Patrick's day only came about in the 19th century because of his association with Irish myths and legends, but for over 1,000 years, St. Patrick was associated with the colour blue. 5. The craic is worldwide... March 17 is not just a national holiday in Ireland; it is also a national holiday on the island of Montserrat in the Caribbean. Their population of 4,000 come to a standstill for the day too, owing to the large number of Irish emigrants that landed there in the 17th century. 6. He's not even Irish... Although celebrated in Ireland as our patron saint, St. Patrick was actually born in Scotland. Some say he claimed the granny rule. Jack Charlton would have almost certainly used him to run the snakes out of Italia 90. 7. St. Patrick's real name isn't very Irish... First we hear he's from Scotland and now this. Say it isn't so! Well, in fact it is, and St. Patrick's real name was Maewyn Succat - of the Clonbullogue Succats, we believe! His father was a great hurler... 8. He had absolutely nothing to do with snakes... According to National Geographic - and they know their stuff - St. Patrick most certainly did not drive the snakes out of Ireland. They say that the reptiles never existed at all here. 9. The US President once forgot about St. Patrick's Day... One of the most popular US presidents in Ireland, John F Kennedy, allegedly forgot it was St. Patrick's Day during his first year as president in 1961. White House staff had to scramble find a green tie for the president when the Irish ambassador to America knocked in with a big aul bowl of shamrock. The shame! 10. He actually did love shamrock... Shamrock is the symbol of Ireland and St. Patrick, and it became the latter because St. Patrick used it when teaching people about the holy trinity in the Christian religion. Eason is delighted to announce Ruby Barron as the winner of the Tipperary County Spelling Bee, which took place in St John the Baptist BNS, Old Road, Cashel. 11-year-old ruby from Presentation Primary Carrick-on-Suir, came out on top against 37 other spelling enthusiasts and will now be entered into the Munster Provincial Spelling Bee final at the end of May. The 6th class student enjoys playing camogie with Ballybacon-Grange. The Eason Spelling Bee encourages kids throughout the country to practice their spelling, to read more and strives to instil greater confidence when it comes to literacy and spelling, from a young age. The Tipperary spelling finalists. Brendan Corbett, Group Head of Marketing at Eason, said; Were extremely proud of the success of the Eason Spelling Bee to date. Over the eight years, we have seen the children of our nation continue to impress with their level of spelling and its wonderful to see schools from across the country continuously supporting this initiative. Each year the competition begins with registered schools hosting their own in-school Bee competitions, to find their school champion. From there, the Eason Spelling Bee team hits the road to host the County Final Bees, which then leads to four Provincial Finals. The All-Ireland Final will take place in June 2018, where the champion speller will be crowned. The winning school will receive a collection of books for their library to the value of 7,500. The Spelling Bee winner will be awarded a goody bag full of books worth 500 and the prestigious title of the 2018 Eason Spelling Bee champion. NATO Deputy Secretary General Rose Gottemoeller began a trip to Poland with a visit to the NATO multinational battlegroup in Orzysz on Friday (16 March 2018). Led by the US, the battlegroup is one of four that are operational in the eastern part of the Alliance. Hosted by the Deputy Defence minister and the Undersecretary of State for Foreign Affairs, the Deputy Secretary General thanked the troops for their service and professionalism. The US-led battlegroup includes troops and equipment from Croatia, Poland, Romania and the UK. The Deputy Secretary General was joined by senior diplomats from these countries. Rose Gottemoeller stressed that the NATO battlegroups symbolise the spirit of the Alliance: all for one and one for all. That commitment that promise to defend each other - has been at the heart of NATOs success over the past seven decades, she said. The Deputy Secretary General went on to meet the Minister of National Defence Mariusz Blaszczak in Warsaw, whom she thanked for Polands strong commitment to Alliance solidarity and adaptation. The Chairman of the NATO Military Committee, General Petr Pavel visited Serbia on 15 and 16 March 2018, where he met with Minister of Defence, Mr. Aleksandar Vulin and Chief of Defence, General Ljubisa Dikovic and other high level political and defence officials. While in Belgrade, General Pavel visited the Ministry of Defence, the General Staff Building, the NATO Military Liaison Office and the Serbian Simulation Training Centre at the Training and Doctrine Department of the General Staff. The Chairman also took some time to engage with the students of the Advance Security and Defence Studies. Upon arrival in Belgrade, the Chairman of the NATO Military Committee, General Petr Pavel met with Minister of Defence, Mr. Aleksandar Vulin to discuss NATO and Serbias partnership. General Pavel added that Serbia and NATO work together on common areas of interest, such as defence, training, disposal of ammunitions and innovative solutions to common security problems as delineated in the 2015 Individual Partnership Action Plan. Our practical cooperation has come a long way and is progressing well. NATO makes sure to respect Serbias neutrality in all ongoing cooperation. General Pavel then visited the NATO Military Liaison Office (MLO) and thanked Brigadier General Marinelli for his leadership and for the important role the MLO has been playing as a conduit between NATO and Serbia since its establishment in December 2006. After a short welcome ceremony, General Pavel and General Ljubisa Dikovic, Chief of Defence of Serbia, discussed the productive mil-to-mil cooperation and the ongoing Serbian defence reforms. General Pavel welcomed the progress made so far and highlighted that at Serbias request, NATO will continue working with the Armed Forces and Ministry of Defence to assist them in their reforms and transformation. The Chairman and General Ljubisa also stressed the mutual benefit of the NATO - Serbia partnership. Speaking about the Kosovo Force (KFOR), General Pavel reaffirmed no changes are foreseen in KFORs force posture. This has always been a conditions-based process. The Chairman also engaged the students of the Advance Security and Defence Studies highlighting the challenges NATO and the Balkans are currently facing. We live in a changed security environment, facing re-emerging challenges and new challenges but we will only be able to overcome these if we work together, stressed General Pavel. While visiting the Simulation Training Centre at the Training and Doctrine Department of the Serbian General Staff, General Pavel was briefed on two upcoming exercises being held in Serbia, this years Euro-Atlantic Disaster Response Coordination Centre (EARDCC) exercise jointly organised by NATO and Serbia, and REGEX 18. General Pavel acknowledged the importance of exercises, exercises help NATO and Partners build interoperability, making us more efficient, more deployable and more flexible. General Pavel concluded his visit by meeting with Assistant Minister for Sector of Security Policy, Mr. Branimir Filipovic. Both men agreed that the NATO Serbia partnership should focus on the future and the work that can be done on common challenges. (Natural News) It was a long time coming, but the world has finally begun to fully embrace solar as an alternative source of energy. Egypt, in particular, wants to invest in solar in a major way, and as of this times writing, its the site of what will soon be known as the worlds largest solar park. The Benban Solar Park in Egypt is a massive new solar installation that is said to be aiming for somewhere between 1.6 to 2.0 gigawatts in generated electricity by mid-2019. Its a conglomeration of almost 30 separate projects that are being constructed right now even with no incentives whatsoever. That said, there will be a 25-year contract in place to sell any and all electricity that the solar park generates at only 7.8 cents per kilowatt hour to none other than Egypts own Egyptian Electricity Transmission Company (EETC). The land on which the Benban Solar Park is being built is known to have some of the best solar power resources on the entire planet sunlight. Initially, this land was laid out with a total of 41 unique and separate plots that ranged from 0.12 square miles to 0.39 square miles each. The total land area of the whole park is said to be approximately 14.4 square miles. So far, the ongoing construction of the solar park has attracted the attention of many investors from the photovoltaic (PV) sector. Although there havent been any private investors signed on yet, outside funding has been plentiful for the overall project. Benbans backers include the African Development Bank, the Arab Bank of Bahrain, the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, the CDC Group, the Europe Arab Bank, and the International Finance Corporation. According to Benjamin Attia, a global solar markets analyst from GTM Research, the international funding effort is whats helping to push the average overnight system costs of the project to well below $900 per kilowatt. So far, there are 25 project developers and sponsors from all over the world in negotiations and planning to build at Benban, he said. The average project size is only 58 megawatts, as the procurement structure of the park allows many of the regions established developers to be involved without oversized risk. The Benban Solar Park benefits from a centralization of the electricity grid infrastructure, which enables all project developers to share costs of expensive hardware which will end up lowering the cost of electricity in the area. In a detailed 220-page analysis released before construction on any of the projects began, all of the major considerations made to see its feasibility are broken down. The analysis shows that the project is indeed feasible and that it can pull through based on a number of complex financial models that are made possible with partial backing from the Egyptian government. Right now, private investors have managed to steer clear of the Benban solar project, but they are expected to keep a close eye on it. According to Attia, Egypt, and its more than 2-gigawatt utility-scale project pipeline, is one of the Middle East and Africas largest and most promising markets. If projects on a much smaller scale like the experiment conducted by researchers in North Carolina can bear such impressive fruit, then a project of the Benban Solar Parks size should be even more fruitful. Learn more about solar energy in Power.news. Sources include: Electrek.co GreenTechMedia.com (Natural News) Ive written about this subject time and again but Ill continue pointing out each and every example I see: The true purveyors of bullying, violence, and hate in America come are on the side of the Democrat Party-aligned Left. You may have heard earlier this week that a number of Left-leaning groups were responsible for scores of walkout protests at schools all over the country on the one-month anniversary of the Parkland, Fla., shootings at Marjorie Stoneman Douglas High School. The purpose of the walkouts was to draw attention to the hard Lefts gun control agenda no more, no less. But apparently that was the only permissible political message, at least at one Minneapolis, Minnesota high school: As reported by the New York Post, a student who carried a flag emblazoned with the word Trump was beaten by other students during the Wednesday walkout protest: The unidentified flag-waving student was confronted by two classmates at Southwest High School as students gathered outside early Wednesday to protest gun violence after a shooting that left 17 people dead at a Florida high school last month, WCCO reports. As students began observing a moment of silence, two students decided to confront the Trump flag waving student who was across the street. As they began pummeling him, reports said six more students joined in as well. Nothing like a fair fight. (Related: Heres why the American Left and Right probably will never reconcile differences without violence: Democrats have become the party of GENOCIDE.) In the end, the victims flag was taken from him (and likely destroyed though news reports dont confirm that), his camera was damaged, and he was battered and bruised. Reports said the melee was broken up by a school resource officer and that no arrests were made. It also isnt clear whether the school planned to take any action against the thug kids who attacked the Trump supporter only that the resource officer is investigating. This is a major teaching moment, so heres what ought to happen: First and foremost, because this was a gang of kids and not just one student confronting another student in a typical school fight scenario, there most definitely should be arrests made, even if it is found that the Trump supporter was taunting the others (there is no evidence of that yet, despite multiple reports). You cannot gang up on someone and beat the daylights out of them, period. The school should immediately suspend the attackers perhaps for good. The message must be sent: You cannot gang up on someone and beat the daylights out of them, period. The parents of the kids who attacked the Trump supporter should be admonished for raising children who think violence against another person who holds different political beliefs is okay. Its not okay; its never okay. We solve our political differences by educating ourselves on the issues and voting. State education officials should force the school to hold two mandatory classes: 1) conflict management; and 2) civics, during which kids should be educated that political differences can and should be debated, but in a civilized manner that is ultimately settled at the ballot box, not on the parking lot or sidewalk across from the school. How many of these things will happen? If I were to hazard a guess Id say maybe the suspensions, and even then for just a few days. But anything less than what Ive outlined will send a signal to impressionable children: When the Left disagrees, using violence against political opponents is okay, but when the Right disagrees, they should shut up about it or face the consequences. That is a shocking lesson to be teaching American school children, but I guess in the age of Trump, anything that serves to silence his supporters is both allowable and even justified, up to and including violent intimidation. Remember when Left-wing school administrators were all about ending bullying? J.D. Heyes is a senior writer for NaturalNews.com and NewsTarget.com, as well as editor of The National Sentinel. Sources include: NYPost.com CBSMinnesota.com TheNationalSentinel.com (Natural News) According to a report, the Clairton Coke Works Plant in Pennsylvania has been linked to an alarming asthma epidemic at an elementary school in Pittsburgh. Researchers revealed that constant toxic pollution, coming from a neighboring coke plant, is the major cause of the almost doubled asthma rates of children at an elementary school. Clairton Elementary School in Clairton, Pennsylvania, is located 15 miles south of Pittsburgh. The city is also the headquarters of U.S. Steels Clairton Coke Works, the biggest coke plant in the country. A group of researchers tested 213 children from Clairton Elementary School. Results revealed that 18.4 percent of them had asthma. Dr. Deborah Gentile, a pediatrician in Pittsburgh and a member of the Pediatric Alliance, explains that this is a cause for concern since the figure is higher than the usual nine to ten percent. Dr. Gentile also spearheaded the research. In Pennsylvania, at least 10 percent of children develop asthma. Its worth noting that the testing by the researchers was the first asthma diagnosis for 15 percent of the children with asthma. This means the students asthma has been untreated so far. Poor and black children in Clairton are at higher risk of developing the disease. According to state data, 19.3 percent of black children in the state have asthma. (Related: Sudden and rapid increases in pollution found to be as damaging to the heart as sustained levels.) The authors of the report said that both the rates of childhood asthma and poorly controlled asthma in young Clairton students are alarming and unacceptable. Dr. Gentile said that at least 64 percent of the children had asthma that was poorly controlled, meaning they werent receiving adequate medicine that helps control (but doesnt cure) the disease. In Pennsylvania, at least 27 percent of children have uncontrolled asthma. The findings in Clairton were part of a bigger statewide study that looked into asthma prevalence in 1,200 schoolchildren who resided or studied near industrial sites bordering Pittsburgh. Dr. Gentile reported the overall findings last fall. About 22.5 percent of the students had asthma, and at least 39 percent of the children were exposed to hazardous levels of outdoor air pollution. Based on the findings, the Clairton Coke Works Plant in the city was a primary polluter. The plant was also the reason for excessive respiratory problems among the students. Dr. Gentile noted that while factors such as economics, race, and smoking dont seem to cause [asthma], air pollution does. She added that this shouldnt be surprising because many students live on the fence-line of the coke plant. The children from Clairton Elementary School live at least one mile away from the plant, with at least a quarter of the students located downwind from the air pollution. The Allegheny County Health Department reported that the plant had about a whopping 6,700 air pollution violations from 2012 to 2015. Two of the main pollutants found near the plant, small particulate matter (PM2.5) and black carbon, are notorious asthma triggers. Per the Allergy and Asthma Foundation of America, the state of Pittsburgh is the 27th most challenging city to live in with asthma, mostly because of high levels of air pollution. How to prevent air pollution at home To minimize air pollution in your home, follow the tips below: Dont smoke indoors. Quit smoking. Ensure that your gas stove is well-ventilated. Have car emissions tested regularly. Install carbon monoxide detectors. Refrain from installing carpeting. Test your home for radon Use a dehumidifier and/or air conditioner to minimize moisture. You can read more articles on how to minimize air pollution at Pollution.news. Sources include: EHN.org Health.ClevelandClinic.org (Natural News) Its back to the drawing board for Monsanto, after an Arkansas state judge refused to overturn a ban on the use of the companys dicamba herbicide between April 16 and October 31. According to the Associated Press, Judge Chris Piazza of the Pulaski County Circuit Court dismissed a lawsuit by Monsanto which sought to overturn a decision by the state Plant Board banning the use of dicamba for a six-month period. Although several states have enacted bans or restrictions on dicamba, Arkansas has imposed the toughest legislation. The Plant Board imposed the ban after receiving close to 1,000 complaints last year from farmers whose non-dicamba resistant crops were destroyed by pesticide drift. Judge Piazza referenced a January state Supreme Court ruling which found that the state cannot be forced to defend itself in court. Monsanto, which hopes that U.S. farmers will plant over six million acres of dicamba-resistant cotton and 40 million acres of soybeans this year, was disappointed by the courts decision and vowed to consider further legal steps. The company insisted that the Supreme Court decision violates Arkansas constitution, and that the state had not given enough consideration to the economic impacts of its decision to ban dicamba. The companys attorneys also insisted that since Monsanto was not seeking monetary compensation, the state had no grounds for claiming immunity. The Plant Boards attorneys argued that the state had acted neither illegally nor unconstitutionally and was therefore justified in its claim for immunity. Ultimately, Judge Piazza accepted their argument. (Related: Illegal Monsanto chemical destroying U.S. farms.) Last month, conservationists, farmers and public interest organizations launched a protest against the Environmental Protection Agencys approval of Monsantos dicamba-based XtendiMax herbicide, which is designed to work in tandem with soybean and cotton seeds genetically modified to resist the chemical. EcoWatch reported: The 2017 crop seasonthe first year of XtendiMax usewas an unprecedented disaster. Just as critics warned would happen, dicamba sprayed on Monsantos GE soybeans and cotton formed vapor clouds that drifted to damage a host of crops and wild plants. Over three million acres of soybeans as well as scores of vegetable and fruit crops, trees and shrubs throughout the country were damaged by dicamba drift. Flowering plants near cropland also suffered, with potential harms to pollinators, as well as hundreds of endangered animal and plant species. Agronomists reported they had never seen herbicide-related drift damage on anything approaching this scale before. As the 2018 season approaches, experts predict similar widespread devastation. (Related: Discover why Monsanto is known as the worlds most evil corporation at Monsanto.news.) Though dicamba has actually been commercially available for decades, farmers previously only applied it to soil before planting their crops. Now, however, farmers have started applying it to their crops after planting, a use for which dicamba has not been approved since it is highly volatile and easily airborne. This means that dicamba can drift across wide areas, contaminating crops that are not resistant to it, and even affecting the integrity of organic produce. If dicamba lands on a field that isnt planted with Monsantos dicamba-resistant crops, the impact can be devastating, explains Modern Farmer. Non-resistant soybeans that come into contact with dicamba suffer from puckered leaves, buckled pods, and stunted growth. Farms from Arkansas to North Carolina have been hit; millions of acres have been affected. Monsanto has been sued over this; the lawsuits are ongoing. Theres already been one report of a murder over dicamba spraying. Seriously. Read Dicamba.news for more coverage of dicamba. Sources for this article include: BusinessInsider.com EcoWatch.com EcoWatch.com NaturalNews.com Federal immigration officials were in the Novato area Thursday, and they detained one man who had apparently just finished dropping off his child at school, according to community groups in Marin County. It reportedly was a targeted enforcement of a man who was a longtime Marin County resident, the groups said. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials confirmed it was a targeted operation, saying ICE deportation officers identified 35-year-old Hilcias David Garcia Vicente before he arrived at the school but did not approach or take him into custody until he left and was well out of sight of the campus. They say he was deported to Guatemala in 2007 and illegally re-entered the United States. Novato Unified School District Superintendent Jim Hogeboom said it happened too close to Loma Verde Elementary School. He said he just wants students and parents to feel safe. "We dont care if kids are documented or undocumented," he said. "Were here to educate all of our kids. When something like this happens on the way to school or from school, thats going to make parents afraid." One parent whose daughter attends Loma Verde said they saw ICE enforcement operations in the neighborhood. "I saw their vest and also it says ICE," parent George Arias. "I saw clearly. What we saw is that people from the ICE, they were talking to this guy and probably they took him." Canal Alliance in San Rafael said it received calls from concerned residents, and workers at the nonprofit said they want to ensure people know their rights. "Whether it was targeted, whether it was a raid, to me it makes no difference," said Lucia Martel Dow of Canal Alliance. "The result remains the same; this is an attack on our families." The operation comes just weeks after high-profile immigration raids across California, including several in Bay Area cities. UltraViolet, a leading national women's group, held a candlelit vigil and light projection outside of Visa headquarters in Foster City Thursday demanding the company to refuse sales from retailers who sell assault weapons. The online community made up of women and men also projected the names of some recent deadly shootings along with the amount of people murdered and injured. They projected Las Vegas music festival: 58 murdered, 422 injured, Pulse Nigh Club: 49 murdered, 58 injured, Sandy Hook Elementary School: 27 murdered, 2 injured, Sutherland Springs First Baptist Church: 25 murdered, 20 injured and the most recent, Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School: 17 murdered, 14 injured. At the bottom of their list read, "Visa can and should stop these killings. Block sales of assault weapons now." On their website, they highlight that since the Parkland, Florida shooting, 24 companies have cut ties with the NRA, PayPal and Apple even banning the purchase of firearms using their services, but other credit card companies like Visa and MasterCard havent. Vida recently issued a statement saying they "do not believe Visa should be in the position of setting restrictions on the sale of lawful goods and services," rejecting customer calls to bock assault weapons sales. UltraViolet argues that it is up to credit card companies like Visa to slow down the sales of assault weapons if Washington continues to fail to implement gun control laws. "Visa customers are demanding the company prioritize lives over profits, but these calls to action have fallen on deaf ears," said Nita Chaudhary, Co-founder of UltraViolet. "Visa can curb the sales of assault weapons and has a responsibility to act that is why we are projecting the death toll of the last decade's worst mass shootings right on their headquarters. We cannot wait for the next mass shooting for the company to take action and end business with retailers that sell these weapons of mass murder." According to The New York Times, companies have the power to ban these sales but they wont act unless customers demand it. UltraViole has also started a petition with over 144,000 signatures and they have delivered an open letter signed by over 700 survivors of domestic violence asking Visa to make a change. The letter is addressed to Visa President Alfred Kelly Jr., Mastercard President Ajaypal Singh Banga, and other credit card companies and it reads, "We write to you as survivors of domestic violence. We are disproportionately impacted by gun violence, including mass shootings, and we want you to take action to curb the sale of assault weapons." An old reservoir in San Francisco could end up transforming an entire neighborhood. For decades, Russian Hill residents have looked 4.5 acres of unused land that many described as an "eye sore." The land stopped being used as a reservoir in 1940 and has been sitting unused since. After years of back-and-forth between the community and the city, the Parks Commission approved its design for "Francisco Park" on Thursday. "I don't know that anything like this has been done before, in the way that we went about doing it," said Lynn Jefferson, Francisco Park Conservancy. "We're a bunch of volunteers who are tirelessly working to get a park built there." Jefferson is part of the conservancy that has come up with private money to transform the land. So far the group has raised nearly $9 million that will turn the overgrown grass and steep slopes into a new park. But first the conservancy needed land and city permission, something Jefferson said required a champion at City Hall. "I listened to them. I looked at it and completely embraced this project from Month 1," interim San Francisco Mayor Mark Farrell said. "Since I've been in City Hall this has been the biggest project that I've focused on." Under Farrell's guidance, the city purchased the land from the PUC in 2014. On Thursday, parks commissioners officially approved the design. Construction could start later this year. Andy Perry eyed the large olive green helicopter sitting on the airfield, pushing back his black beret, zipping his military green jacket before climbing gingerly into the vintage cockpit and taking over the controls as if hed done it countless times. During the Vietnam War, Perry had piloted this same model of chopper a Bell UH-1H as part of the 135 Assault Helicopter Company, an experimental regimen that combined U.S. and Australian forces. Perry was the Australian. The guy currently buckled-in in the back seat of the chopper was Geoffrey Carr an American who served as Perrys crew chief for six months during the war and the guy who had purchased this very chopper nearly two decades back and restored it. Since the war, the pair of old friends had traded in the jungles of Vietnam for Bud Field Aviation in Hayward where the chopper makes its home in the corner of a vast hangar filled with private planes. A group of volunteers headed by Carr and his son called Huey Vets, fawn over the helicopter, flying it to parades and events and overseeing its constant maintenance. But to Perry who began visiting the chopper and his old friend a decade back, its meant more than a healthy dose of nostalgia in a way it saved his life. Im clad evidence of how important this machine can be in peoples lives and rehabilitation of their lives, Perry said, lounging in a chair near the nose of the helicopter. Following the war Perry returned to Australia and continued to fly commercially. But the memories of heavy combat weighed on him, and he struggled with post traumatic stress syndrome. He drank too much. He stopped flying. He battled his own personal war. My life was spiraling down, Perry admitted, staring off at the chopper, its nose emblazoned with the slogan Get the bloody job done. Carr and Perry lost touch after the war. But one day in 1996 as Carr sat at the breakfast table eating a bowl of cereal, a news report came on TV about an Australian Royal Navy man receiving a long-overdue silver star. I go wait a minute, Carr said, thats Andy! The men reunited in Australia. At some point the conversation veered toward the subject of restoring a Huey chopper. In 2003, Carr and another veteran purchased the EMU 309 and returned it to its exact condition from 1968. Knowing his friend was struggling, Carr invited Perry to come to visit and more than that he invited him to fly the chopper. First time he got in the aircraft and flew together we didnt even have to say anything, Carr said. It was just all those years had just gone away. Perry said he was filled with trepidation and doubt up until the moment he slid into the cockpit, looked over the controls and fired it up. It was like coming home, he said. I thought after 30 years of rehab I was good, but it wasnt until I came out here and flew again that I knew I was good. Carr made it a mission of his group Huey Vets to not only demonstrate the helicopter, but to help veterans struggling with PTSD to heal. Somehow squaring up with the past and its memories helped the veterans to open up. Perry related a story of how a month back, a veteran hed served with in Vietnam came to see the chopper and the crew. The veteran had also struggled with PTSD. Perry said during his time at the hangar, the normally quiet veteran stunned his family by telling stories and talking about his war experience. Perry described him as happy. The veteran died a week after the visit. He had this cathartic experience with us I suppose, Perry said. He climbed in and just stayed there. Perry now makes annual trips to the U.S. to work with the Huey Vets, sometimes staying as long as six months. His friendship with Carr has lasted more than 50 years, from battle field to the Bay Area. The bonds forged in war are real strong, Perry said. But like the bonds between service members, also came a bond forged with a flying machine a machine of war that ultimately helped Perry find peace. What to Know A 950-ton pedestrian bridge near FIU collapsed Thursday, killing several people and crushing cars just days after its installation. Authorities said 6 people were killed while 10 were taken to the hospital after the collapse with one of those among the dead. Families are advised to call FIU at 305-348-3481 for more information. As investigators continue to search the site of a deadly collapse involving a 950-ton pedestrian bridge near Florida International University in Miami Thursday, officials say the death toll has risen. Early Friday morning, the Miami-Dade Police Department confirmed that six people have died as a result of the collapse. "This has turned into from a rescue to a recovery operation," Det. Alvaro Zabaleta said. Ten others were taken to Kendall Regional Medical Center from the site of the collapse, with two being listed in critical condition when they arrived. One person died at the hospital. Officials have not confirmed if it was one of the 10 taken there or if it was someone who was brought in themselves. "Our hearts go out to anybody that's been impacted by this. Being a dad and a grandfather you just hope this would never happen to anybody," Gov. Rick Scott said at an evening press conference. What caused the bridge the main portion of which was installed just last week to collapse has not been determined. The governor promised a concerted effort to "hold anybody accountable if anyone's done anything wrong." The National Transportation Safety Board sent a team of investigators to the site to look into the cause. But, Scott said, the most important matter for now was to pray for the people who are recovering and for the families of those who have died. U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., said that before the collapse, the new bridge had inspired a sense of pride within the community. Rubio who said he has worked as an adjunct professor at FIU for about 10 years called the disaster "troubling and tragic." "FIU is home," the senator said at the press conference. The 174-foot-long bridge, scheduled to open to the public in early 2019, crossed Southwest 8th Street near 109th Avenue and was built to allow students living across the busy roadway to cross safely. Rubio said the cables used to suspend the bridge had loosened and that the engineering firm ordered they be tightened. "They were being tightened when it collapsed today," Rubio said. FIU President Mark Rosenberg said stress tests were conducted earlier on the day of the collapse. I know the test occurred today and I know, and I believe, that they did not prove to lead anyone to the conclusion that we would have this kind of result," he said. "It is a cruel irony that the structure was built to keep FIU students safe as they walk from their residences to campus," said U.S. Rep. Frederica Wilson in a statement. President Donald Trump said he was "continuing to monitor the heartbreaking bridge collapse at FIU - so tragic." "Many brave First Responders rushed in to save lives. Thank you for your courage. Praying this evening for all who are affected," the president tweeted. Dr. Mark McKenney, the trauma medical director at Kendall Regional Medical Center, said that 10 people were brought to the hospital from the scene. Two patients were in critical condition, while the other eight were stable. Eight cars had been pinned underneath the slabs of concrete, Miami-Dade Fire Chief Dave Downey said. Authorities searched the wreckage for hours looking for any additional victims. Susie Bermudez was driving and saw the bridge collapse right in front of her. "I was three seconds away from being under the bridge, but I looked forward. All of a sudden I saw the bridge collapse, and it started from the left side of the bridge and it really shocked me, she told NBC News. "Theres probably like seven or eight cars under the bridge so it was very shocking to me, and Im very grateful to be alive," Bermudez said. Jose Mejia was having coffee with city officials and police when the bridge gave way, he told MSNBC. All of the sudden you hear a loud bang, and I looked to one of the command staff and said, Oh my God! then they looked at me and they said the bridge I say, no, it cant be! Mejia said. And one of them runs to grab their radio and sure enough, its the bridge." Mejia, who lives in Sweetwater, said he rushed to the scene with police where he saw numerous cars trapped under the bridge. "There was a young gentleman in a red Honda, and unfortunately there was nothing I could do, but he stuck his hand out and, at that point, he passed away, he expired," Mejia said. U.S. Rep. Carlos Curbelo, whose district includes the campus, expressed sorrow over the collapse. The University is at the heart of the entire South Florida community. Its a place where people from all over the world come to debate ideas, learn and grow. My staff, family and I are thinking of all those affected," Curbelo said in a statement. The bridge was part of a $19.4 million project partially funded by the Department of Transportation and had been hailed in recent weeks for finishing ahead of schedule. The university promoted the project in a press release last week after the main span of the bridge was lifted from its temporary supports and lowered into its intended permanent position. FIU tweeted that the first-of-its-kind pedestrian bridge had swung into place. FIU is about building bridges and student safety, Rosenberg said at the time. This project accomplishes our mission beautifully. The 30-foot-wide bridge with the main span weighing around 950 tons was to allow bicyclists and pedestrians to share the bridge. It was planned to illuminate at night and had a canopy to shelter those crossing. The Munilla Construction Management company and FIGG Bridge Engineers partnered to design and build the bridge. According to FIUs website, FIGG designed Boston's Leonard P. Zakim Bridge and Florida's Sunshine Skyway Bridge. "The MCM familys thoughts and prayers go out to everyone affected by this terrible tragedy," the Miami-based company said in a statement. The company said it "will conduct a full investigation to determine exactly what went wrong and will cooperate with investigators on scene in every way." We are stunned by todays tragic collapse of a pedestrian bridge that was under construction over Southwest Eighth Street in Miami," said a statement from FIGG. "In our 40-year history, nothing like this has ever happened before." A family reunification center is located on the campus of FIU in the Student Academic Success Center Room 100. Families are advised to access the building via SW 16th Street and 107th Avenue or they can call 305-348-3481. Human remains have been found in the wreckage of a North Texas chemical plant nearly a week after a worker went missing following an explosion and fire. In a statement, Hood County Fire Marshal Ray Wilson says the remains were found about 3 p.m. Wednesday at the Tri-Chem Industries plant near Cresson, about 25 miles southwest of Fort Worth. The remains were sent to the Tarrant County Medical Examiner's Office in Fort Worth for positive identification. The missing worker has been identified as 27-year-old Dylan Mitchell. He is presumed dead. Two other workers were injured in the March 15 explosion. The search for Mitchell had been slowed by the presence of hazardous materials released and spread by the explosion and fire. The fire at a Texas chemical plant following an explosion last week had been allowed to burn itself out before authorities search for Mitchell. Mitchell Family Mitchell is believed to have been at work inside the Tri-Chem Industries Plant in Cresson when something exploded, sparking a fire that consumed the building Thursday. Cresson Mayor and Assistant Fire Chief Bob Cornett said Sunday that conditions at the 15,000-square-foot (1,400-square-meter) Tri-Chem Industries plant are "just too hot" and "just too dangerous." He says rains Saturday night aggravated chemicals and acids at the site about 25 miles (40 kilometers) southwest of Fort Worth. Cornett says the plant is being guarded to ensure no one enters. He says state and federal environmental and workplace officials are standing by to assist local authorities. Austin Mitchell, whose 27-year-old brother Dillon is missing after the blast, spoke with NBC 5 Thursday and said his family was fearing the worst. Mitchell's brother, Austin Mitchell, spoke with NBC 5 Thursday afternoon and said his family is fearing the worst since his brother hasn't been seen since the blast was reported. "It sucks. I feel hollow," Austin Mitchell said. "It's been this long, he's probably dead." A North Texas man and his family fear the worst after an explosion destroyed the chemical plant where he worked Thursday morning. The search for the man is expected to continue Friday at the plant following some environmental tests. The search was halted for part of the day while the collapsed part of the building was evaluated. Sometime before 2 p.m., crews began using heavy machinery to lift parts of the collapsed structure so that the search for Mitchell could continue. Officials at the scene said some parts of the building are still smoldering and that the search could take some time. "What's in there is still dangerous right now, there are a lot of fires still burning in there; relatively small fires," said Ron Becker, Chief of the Cresson Fire Department. "We know, based on some witness accounts, where we think the individual was last seen and it's a portion of the building that has collapsed." The Environmental Protection Agency and a specialized hazmat team are on site assisting in the investigation. One person is missing and two people have been injured in an explosion and large fire at a chemical plant in Cresson, southwest of Fort Worth, Thursday morning, authorities say. Two other people working at the facility were injured in the fire, including one person who was critically burned on his trunk and hands and flown about 50 miles to Parkland Memorial Hospital in Dallas. A second injured person, whose injuries were not as serious, was taken to Lake Granbury Medical Center. NBC 5 has learned about 12 people work at the Cresson facility, which opened about a year ago. There were no other injuries reported and it's not immediately clear how many people were working at the facility Thursday. A North Texas man and his family fear the worst after an explosion destroyed the chemical plant where his brother worked Thursday morning. Fears of another blast amid the toxic chemicals prevented crews from battling the ensuing blaze, an official said. On Friday, a list provided to state regulators shows the mixing facility routinely worked with a number of different chemicals, including acids, many of them flammable and others that are toxic. Air quality around the area has been monitored and officials do not believe there is any threat to the public. The investigation into the fire, meanwhile, is ongoing. Though most believe the cause of the fire was accidental, arson investigators from Tarrant County are also looking into what caused the fire. NBC 5's Kevin Cokely and Tim Ciesco contributed to this report. President Donald Trump joined his counterparts in Britain, France and Germany Thursday to call for Russia to answer all questions related to the brazen poisoning of a former spy in England with a military-grade nerve agent this month. The leaders' rare joint statement calls the attack "an assault on UK sovereignty." It comes after British Prime Minister Theresa May quickly pinned the blame on Russia, as did U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, in what ultimately became one of his last public statements before being fired. Trump was slower to reach that conclusion publicly. "This use of a military-grade nerve agent, of a type developed by Russia, constitutes the first offensive use of a nerve agent in Europe since the Second World War," the statement said. "Any such use by a State party is a clear violation of the Chemical Weapons Convention and a breach of international law. It threatens the security of us all." The statement also came from May, French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Angela Merkel. Trump's initial response was more circumspect, with his spokeswoman pointedly avoiding naming Russia as the likely perpetrator of the attack. Tougher rhetoric came only on Wednesday evening, when White House spokeswoman Sarah Huckabee Sanders put out a statement saying the U.S. "stands in solidarity with its closest ally" and shares Britain's assessment that "Russia is responsible for the reckless nerve agent attack." For U.S. allies and some congressional lawmakers, it was another befuddling example of the president appearing to soft-pedal in the face of Moscow's provocations. Some Russia watchers said the fact that the U.S. had to play catch-up to align itself with the British was glaring, particularly at a time of uncertainty over the trajectory of American foreign policy. "It's striking the contrast between what the Brits have done and what the U.S. has not done," said Angela Stent, director of Georgetown University's Center for Eurasian, Russian, and East European Studies. Stent said that while it's unlikely the U.S. would levy new sanctions on Russia over an incident on British soil, "you would still expect solidarity" from Washington. The pressure on Trump to forcefully respond to the poisoning of Sergei Skripal, a former Russian agent convicted of spying for Britain, and his daughter Yulia escalated Wednesday when May announced the expulsion of 23 Russian diplomats and severed high-level contacts with Moscow. May also vowed both open and covert action against Russia, which denies being behind the nerve agent attack. The White House initially said Trump agreed with May on "the need for consequences" following the attack, but did not specify whether the U.S. planned any punishment of its own. Nikki Haley, the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, said Wednesday that Russia must cooperate with the British investigation and "account for its actions." Sanders' statement Wednesday evening went further: "The latest action by Russia fits into a pattern of behavior in which Russia disregards the international rules-based order, undermines the sovereignty and security of countries worldwide, and attempts to subvert and discredit Western democratic institutions and processes. The United States is working together with our allies and partners to ensure that this kind of abhorrent attack does not happen again." Some congressional lawmakers had nudged Trump to bolster the U.S. response, including Republican Sen. Ben Sasse of Nebraska, who said, "Americans ought to be leading a conversation with our NATO allies about a collective response to this act and future acts of aggression." May's rapid response stands in stark contrast to Trump's handling of Russia's interference in the 2016 presidential election, which is now a centerpiece of special counsel Robert Mueller's sprawling investigation. Trump has often muddied the conclusion of U.S. intelligence agencies, declaring that while Russia interfered, others likely did as well. And he's irritated Russia hawks in Congress, including numerous Republicans, by declining to use a new law letting the U.S. slap sanctions on foreign companies or governments that do business with Russia's defense or intelligence sectors. Those powers took effect in January, but so far nobody has been punished. This latest Russian provocation against a close U.S. partner comes at a particularly delicate moment for the Trump administration, with both allies and adversaries closely watching U.S. foreign policy after Tillerson's ouster. Though Tillerson faced initial skepticism about his posture toward Russia given his business relationships with the Kremlin, the former head of ExxonMobil emerged as a leading Russia critic in the Trump Cabinet. He repeatedly took Moscow to task for its actions in Ukraine, Syria and elsewhere. "Rex Tillerson was the person that Donald Trump was relying on for Russia policy," said Andrew Weiss, who held national security positions during the Bill Clinton and George H.W. Bush administrations and now serves as vice president for studies at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. "That's all now up for grabs." Trump has tapped CIA Director Mike Pompeo to replace Tillerson at the State Department. The former Republican congressman has accepted the intelligence agencies' conclusion that Russia interfered in the election, but has downplayed the notion that the meddling was an effort to help Trump get elected. "The Russians attempted to interfere in the United States election in 2016. They also did so before that," Pompeo told Fox News Sunday. "There's a long history of Russian efforts to influence the United States and conduct influence operations against the United States." Pompeo also raised eyebrows earlier this year by meeting senior Russian security officials in Washington days before the Trump administration declined to impose new sanctions on Moscow over the election interference. Pompeo described the meetings as normal contacts for the heads of espionage services. If Pompeo is confirmed by the Senate, the U.S. relationship with Russia will be among the most vexing issues he has to tackle. Tillerson lamented the state of affairs with Moscow on one of his final days as America's top diplomat, unaware he was about to hand off the problem to a new secretary of state. "I've become extremely concerned about Russia," he said. "We spent most of last year investing a lot into attempts to work together, to solve problems, to address differences. And quite frankly, after a year, we didn't get very far. Instead what we've seen is a pivot on their part to be more aggressive." Associated Press writers Matthew Lee, Lisa Mascaro, Edith M. Lederer and Greg Katz contributed to this report. A Georgia teacher accused of firing a handgun in his classroom has been released from jail on a $10,000 bond for psychiatric evaluation and treatment. The Daily Citizen-News reports 53-year-old Jesse Randall Davidson was released from jail in Whitfield County on the bond Thursday afternoon. District Attorney Bert Poston says Davidson will remain in custody at a mental health facility rather than in jail. Dalton police spokesman Bruce Frazier says Davidson fired a snub-nosed .38-caliber revolver out his classroom window at Dalton High School on Feb. 28. Dalton Public Schools spokeswoman Pat Holloway tells The Atlanta Journal-Constitution the social studies teacher's contract will not be renewed for next year. Davidson faces six charges including aggravated assault. Messages the Citizen-News left for Davidson's attorney, Richard Murray, were not returned Thursday afternoon. Danbury's mayor was treated after having a seizure and collapsing at a GOP governor candidates' event, sources said, but on Friday, UConn Health released a statement saying Mayor Mark Boughton was treated for dehydration. Boughton, a Republican contender for Connecticut's next governor, collapsed at the forum at the North House restaurant in Avon on Thursday night, according to sources at the event. Sources told NBC Connecticut that Boughton showed no signs of a possible problem as he met with supporters, however, he suddenly collapsed to the ground. One person got on the microphone and asked if there was a doctor. Rep. Prasad Srinivasan, an allergist from Glastonbury who is also running for governor, ran to Boughton. Srinivasan said he found Boughton on the floor while he was in the middle of a seizure. Boughton's mouth was foaming, he was extremely pale and he had a very weak pulse. "Its a blur. It all happened very fast. You just do what has to be done in those situations," Srinivasan told NBC Connecticut. The doctor held Boughton's head and eventually was able to position his head in a way where he was safe and the seizure eventually calmed down. When EMTs arrived, Boughton received medical care and was alert before being transported to UConn Health in Farmington. Multiple sources close to Boughton said he had not eaten or drank much during the day leading up to the forum in Avon, which was designed as a sort of "speed-dating" event for Republican voters to meet with the large field of competitors vying for the GOP nod. UConn Health said Friday that he has been released. The nine-term mayor added his name to the list of candidates for Connecticut's next governor earlier this year. His consecutive terms as Danbury's mayor are the longest anyone has ever served in the city's history. Boughton, who previously ran for governor in 2014 and for lieutenant governor in 2010, is among the better-known names in the Republican field. Last August, Boughton's office said he was recovering after undergoing brain surgery to remove a cyst. A Connecticut mother, whose family has been victim to unspeakable violence three times, is on a campaign to prevent similar tragedies from happening to others. Corinna Martin is lobbying for the creation of the National Offenders Registry after two of her daughters and grandchild died in domestic violence incidents. On Thursday, Martin held a public forum to discuss the need for the registry. Martin believes the existence of such a registry, that includes charge and other information about people charged with violent crimes and breach of peace, could have saved the lives of her daughters and other victims of domestic violence. "This is a tremendous way to keep their legacies alive," Martin said. In 2013, Martins daughter Alyssiah Wiley was murdered and dismembered by her boyfriend. Her body was found in Trumbull following an extensive search. In 2017, another one of Martins daughters, Chaquinequea Brodie and her 9-year-old daughter were shot to death. Police said it was Brodies boyfriend who was responsible for those two killings. Both men had documented violence in their backgrounds that Martin wishes were more readily available before their deaths. Martin believes a database, similar to what already exists for sex offenders, could help potential victims protect themselves. Victims advocates at Mondays forum told NBC Connecticut they support the premise of the database. "Its very difficult and if youre this person who wants to put into Google someones name, youre not always going to get the information that youre looking for," Julie Johnson, a former New Haven Police captain and current project coordinator at Umbrella Center for Domestic Violence, said. Martin has already secured support from local and national elected officials, but she knows the road to seeing her idea realized could be long. "This is what we need to protect ourselves," Martin said. Martin said the event on Thursday will be the first of many community conversations and education sessions about this registry idea. She is hosting another public conversation about her idea on Saturday, March 17 at 10:30 a.m. at the Wilson Library in New Haven. Special counsel Robert Mueller has issued a subpoena to the Trump Organization for documents related to Russia and other areas, The New York Times reported Thursday. NBC News reported that the White House referred questions to the Trump Organization. An organization lawyer called the report "old news" in a statement. "Since July 2017, we have advised the public that the Trump Organization is fully cooperative with all investigations, including the Special Counsel, and is responding to their requests. This is old news and our assistance and cooperation with the various investigations remains the same today," Trump lawyer Alan Futerfas said. It's Mueller's first known demand for documents directly related to President Donald Trump's business, the Times reported, citing "two people briefed on the matter." Trump has previously described investigating his business as a "red line" that Mueller shouldn't cross. Family and friends on Friday will lay to rest the 26-year-old Dallas firefighter killed in a helicopter crash Sunday in New York City. A funeral procession for Brian McDaniel began at about 10 a.m. at Sparkman-Crane Funeral Home in East Dallas and was to end at the Coleman Church of Christ in Coleman, Oklahoma. Brian McDaniel, the Dallas firefighter killed in a NYC helicopter crash March 11, will be laid to rest Friday, March 16. A procession carried McDaniel from the Sparkman-Crane funeral home in Dallas to the Coleman Church of Christ in Coleman, Oklahoma. A private funeral service and burial are scheduled for about 2 p.m. Friday. McDaniel and friend Trevor Cadigan, also 26, were among the five people who died after the helicopter in which they were riding went down in the East River. The medical examiner's office ruled the victims' deaths accidental and said each died from drowning. Only the helicopter pilot survived. Firefighters gave a water cannon salute at D/FW airport to the plane delivering the body of Dallas firefighter Brian McDaniel - who was killed in a helicopter crash in New York City. A United Airlines plane carrying McDaniel's body arrived Tuesday at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport to a water cannon salute from D/FW firefighters. Several of McDaniel's fellow Dallas Fire-Rescue firefighters met the plane at the gate, and they were joined by D/FW Airport firefighters in paying their respects as the casket draped in an American flag was transferred to a hearse. A fire engine and ladder truck from the station where McDaniel worked, Station 36, then helped lead a procession from the airport to an East Dallas funeral home. [[476729353,C]] Cadigan's family has filed a lawsuit against Liberty Helicopters and others following the deadly crash. The suit calls the passenger harness systems a "death trap" in a water crash. Liberty Helicopters has referred all inquiries to federal officials. Firefighters who worked with Brian McDaniel, the Dallas firefighter killed in a helicopter crash in New York City, say it's tough coming back to work at the station and seeing his coat on the wall. The body of a North Texas man who had been missing for three days was found Thursday evening, police said. Merlin Earl Butler, 67, was last seen early Monday morning near the independent living facility where he lived in the 1300 block of Quail Lane in Arlington. Butler's body was found in a backyard swimming pool in the 3500 block of Quail Lane Thursday at about 5 p.m. Investigators are continuing to work to determine the exact cause of the drowning, but at this point no foul play is suspected. What to Know The 950-ton bridge was put to a "stress adjustment" before it collapsed over traffic on Thursday. At least six people were killed after the bridge collapsed and crushed people, cars. The companies behind a pedestrian bridge that collapsed near Florida International University have faced questions about their past work, and one is accused of substandard work in a lawsuit filed earlier this month. Munilla Construction Management, a Miami-based construction management firm, won the $14.2 million contract to build a pedestrian walkway that would connect the FIU campus to the city of Sweetwater. The partially built 175-foot, 950-ton section of the bridge had been assembled by the side of the highway and moved into place Saturday to great fanfare. It collapsed just five days later, trapping cars underneath and leaving at least six people dead. MCM said on Twitter that it is "a family business and we are all devastated and doing everything we can to assist. We will conduct a full investigation to determine exactly what went wrong and will cooperate with investigators on scene in every way." The company has a long history of working on large-scale government contracts in Florida and across the U.S., and it has been a prolific donor to local and federal politicians, according to the Miami Herald. It has also had some safety issues. A review of Occupational Safety and Health Administration records shows that MCM has been cited for 11 safety violations, three of them "serious," between 2014 to 2017, according to the federal agency. The fines totaling more than $50,000 arose from complaints about unsafe trenches, cement dust and other problems at its Florida work sites. And just last week, a Transportation Security Administration employee filed a lawsuit accusing the company of "shoddy work" after MCM allegedly placed a makeshift bridge at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport that collapsed under his weight. Jose Perez said in court documents he sustained significant injuries in the October 2016 incident. The lawsuit alleges that MCM "failed to utilize reasonable care in the design, planning, inspection and maintenance" of the make-shift bridge, adding it employed "incompetent, inexperienced, unskilled, or careless employees." The makeshift bridge was inside a construction site not accessible to the general public, according to the lawsuit. In a statement, MCM said the incident is being mischaracterized and that the "makeshift bridge" referenced in the lawsuit was a piece of plywood. "We want to make it clear that there is no bridge, or temporary bridge, at this project," MCM wrote. "This was simply a trip and fall accident that occurred on the ground floor involving a piece of plywood that was covering a sidewalk under construction." MCM MCM was awarded the $128 million expansion of Terminal 4 at Fort Lauderdale airport in October 2015. A month later, the company announced in a news release it had secured the FIU pedestrian bridge project in partnership with FIGG Bridge Engineers, a Tallahassee firm that designed the structure. After Thursdays deadly collapse FIGG said in a statement, "In our 40-year history, nothing like this has ever happened before." But FIGG was fined in 2012 after a 90-ton section of a bridge it was building in Virginia crashed onto railroad tracks below, injuring four workers. A citation from the Virginia Department of Labor and Industry said FIGG did not properly inspect a girder and had not obtained written consent from its manufacturer before modifying it, according to The Virginian-Pilot. The newspaper reported the state fined FIGG $28,000. The firm is behind two iconic Florida landmarks: the Sunshine Skyway Bridge in Tampa Bay and the Seven Mile Bridge in the Florida Keys. When the aging Interstate 35W bridge over the Mississippi River in Minneapolis collapsed in 2007, killing 13 people and injuring 145, FIGG was chosen to design the replacement. The original structure was designed by Sverdrup & Parcel in the 1960s. Additionally, NASA contracted FIGG to repair an unspecified number of bridges at both the Kennedy Space Center and the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in September 2011, the Miami Herald reported. The pedestrian bridge at FIU was the first joint venture for MCM and FIGG. The $14.2 million project was supposed to be a hallmark of the faster, cheaper and less risky method of bridge-building promoted by the university. Slated to open in 2019, it would have provided safe passage over a canal and six lanes of traffic, and created a showpiece architectural feature connecting the FIU campus and the community of Sweetwater, where many students live. As state and federal investigators worked to determine why the span collapsed, authorities said Friday that cables supporting the bridge under construction were being tightened following a stress test when it collapsed. "This is a tragedy that we don't want to re-occur anywhere in the United States," said Juan Perez, director of the Miami-Dade police. "We just want to find out what caused this collapse to occur and people to die." The Associated Press contributed to this article. What to Know Crews worked through the night at the site of Thursdays tragic collapse innovative pedestrian bridge being built near the campus of FIU. Miami-Dade Police Det. Alvaro Zabaleta said that six people have been killed as a result of the collapse. The 950-ton bridge was put to a "stress adjustment" before it collapsed over traffic before 2 p.m. on Thursday. Three bodies were recovered from three vehicles pulled from debris of the fallen 950-ton pedestrian bridge near Florida International University on Saturday, authorities said during a Saturday news conference. The three bodies are among the six that were counted dead after the bridge collapsed on March 15, Miami-Dade Deputy Mayor Maurice Kemp said. Crews are working to extract the last three cars trapped beneath the rubble. The three vehicles removed Saturday were completely flattened after the bridge collapsed, video shows. The cars were transported to the Miami-Dade County Medical Examiners Department after they were extracted, according to the MDPD. Authorities said a total of eight cars had been trapped underneath the bridge, and crews are now attempting to lift and move heavy pieces of concrete to remove the remaining vehicles, which are "very difficult to extract," Miami-Dade Deputy Mayor Maurice Kemp said. Authorities said Friday there could be more fatalities beyond the six deaths already counted in the collapse of the 174-feet concrete structure. As state and federal investigators worked to determine how and why the five-day-old-span failed, Miami-Dade Police Director Juan Perez told reporters at a Friday news conference he expects additional victims to be found. By late Saturday, five had been identified: Alexa Duran, an 18-year-old FIU student; Alberto Arias and his passenger Oswald Gonzalez; Rolando Fraga-Hernandez and Navarro Brown. NBC News reported that Duran was driving home from a doctor's appointment when the bridge collapsed on top of her car. Her best friend, Richard Humble, was in the passenger seat when it happened. He told the "Today" show that he and Duran had been at a red light when they heard a creak above them, just seconds before the bridge crushed their car. Humble said that it happened too fast for them to duck out of the way. He suffered a neck injury but was able to walk away, he told "Today." He told NBC News that although he feels "very grateful to be alive," he doesn't "feel so lucky right now." Relatives of Arias, said he had been helping his mother move when the bridge collapsed on his white Chevy truck. His friend and passenger, Gonzalez, also died from the impact. Brown, 37, was working on site at the time of the collapse. Experts from the National Transportation Safety Board and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration joined police in taking over command of the scene Friday from first responders, who had spent hours racing to find survivors in the rubble of the 175-foot span using high-tech listening devices, trained sniffing dogs and search cameras. Ten people were transported to Kendall Regional Medical Center from the site of the collapse near Southwest 8th Street and 109th Avenue. Two were listed in critical condition when they arrived and one person died at the hospital. Officials have not confirmed if the deceased was one of the 10 taken there or if it was someone who was brought in themselves. The bridge was reportedly put to a "stress adjustment" before it collapsed over traffic before 2 p.m. on Thursday. Two workers were on top when it pancaked on top of vehicles waiting at a stoplight. Perez and Miami-Dade County deputy mayor Maurice Kemp would not confirm if that test did take place. And on Tuesday, an engineer of the company that designed the bridge warned the Florida Department of Transportation of cracks to the structure in a voicemail, but said the company was "not concerned" from a "safety perspective." Denney Pate from the FIGG Bridge Group left the voicemail, and FDOT employees did not listen to the voicemail until Friday the day after the bridge collapsed. Sgt. Jenna Mendez of the Sweetwater Police Department was one of the first responders on the scene. The collapse happened while she was driving to work and she said she only missed becoming a victim herself because she had been running late and was stopped at a red light when the disaster struck. I really wasnt believing what I had seen, she told NBC's "Today" show on Friday. Mendez said that after realizing what had happened she jumped on top of the bridge to help construction workers who were "severely injured." "I was just in that rescue mode," she said. Fire rescue officials had to yell at her not to put her safety at risk by going under the debris. A federal judge Thursday barred the city of Los Angeles from enforcing gang injunctions, finding the civil court order that local police have used for decades is likely unconstitutional. In her written order, Chief U.S. District Judge Virginia A. Phillips stated that Los Angeles gang injunctions "impose significant restrictions on plaintiffs' liberty" and have "truly weighty" implications. Phillips found in the preliminary ruling that the city likely violated the Constitution by enforcing the injunctions without first giving accused people the chance to defend themselves. Gang injunctions routinely require those named to follow rules often imposed on convicts as terms of their probation, such as observing curfew hours and not associating with gang members, even if never convicted of a crime. Many in law enforcement believe gang injunctions, which date to the 1980s, have been effective in reducing gang crime and violence. Los Angeles Police Chief Charlie Beck called the ruling "unfortunate," expressing concern it might enable an increase in gang crime, and saying he hoped something could be worked out so that their enforcement could resume. "The city of Los Angeles has dramatically reduced gang violence over the past decade by using strategies that combine prevention, intervention, enforcement and rehabilitation," he said in a statement. "Gang crime is down over 20 percent since just last year and has been cut by more than half since 2008. "An important part of these strategies is the intelligent use of gang injunctions to reduce the numbers of victims shot by preventing groups of gang members from congregating on our streets where they become easy prey for rivals intent on homicide. This strategy alone has saved hundreds of lives since its inception and has made all of us safer by reducing gang warfare and both it's intended and unintended consequences. The LAPD will work closely with the LA City Attorney's Office to either appeal this decision or find other ways to maintain this life saving tool." Los Angeles City Attorney Mike Feuer said Friday he has assembled a team to review the order to determine what steps the city needs to take, including whether to appeal the decision. "We're going to be sure we maintain the right balance, to focus on making our city as safe as possible, while assuring civil rights are protected," Feuer said during an interview with NBC4 that will be broadcast Sunday morning on News Conference. Feuer noted that gang suppression approaches have expanded considerably since the city first turned to gang injunctions, citing such programs as Gang Reduction and Youth Development, which is unaffected by the ruling. The board of directors of the Los Angeles Police Protective League, the union representing the Los Angeles Police Department's officers, issued a statement criticizing the ruling. "Appropriately applied, gang injunctions are a valuable law enforcement tool intended to improve the safety of Los Angeles neighborhoods and stem the tide of drug dealing, assaults, and other violent crimes associated with gangs,'' the statement said. "It's unfortunate that a judge would eliminate this important crime fighting tool instead of working to resolve any issues with its application. We urge the city to appeal this shortsighted ruling." In 2016, the ACLU Foundation of Southern California and others filed a class-action complaint against the Los Angeles Police Department and city officials on behalf of the Youth Justice Coalition, which has been advocating for residents it claims are unjustly accused of gang activity. Peter Arellano, the lead plaintiff in the suit, had been placed under a gang injunction without a hearing or any other formal chance to refute the accusation he was in a gang. Arellano wrote in his declaration that he has been stopped by police countless times in his Echo Park neighborhood since the age of 10 because he was assumed to be affiliated with the local Big Top Locos gang. "Police have assigned me several different (gang) monikers over the years, such as Pee-Dog, Listo, and Pee,'' he claimed. In September, Phillips suspended enforcement of the injunction against Arellano. "This ruling sends the city a clear message: it cannot take away the basic liberties of Angelenos on a whim,'' said Melanie Ochoa, an ACLU SoCal staff attorney. "The city's use of gang injunctions has violated due process for nearly two decades, with no record of making communities safer. That ends today.'' The preliminary injunction expands the September ruling, lifting sanctions from nearly 1,500 Los Angeles residents who were put on the gang injunction list by the LAPD and City Attorney's Office without due process, according to Ochoa. The number of class members currently subject to the injunction dwindled from nearly 9,000 to 1,500 during the course of the lawsuit, because the city removed nearly 7,500 individuals from its enforcement list, admitting that it had no evidence that those individuals were active gang members, according to the ACLU. All seven service members aboard a U.S. helicopter that crashed in Iraq were killed, the Pentagon said Friday in a written statement. The aircraft crashed in western Iraq a day earlier, said the officials, who insisted on speaking anonymously to release details of the crash before they were made public. The crash did not appear to be the result of enemy activity and is under investigation, the Pentagon said. "This tragedy reminds us of the risks our men and women face every day in service of our nations. We are thinking of the loved ones of these service members today," said U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Jonathan P. Braga, director of operations in the fight against the Islamic State extremist group in Iraq and Syria. The helicopter was used by the Air Force for combat search and rescue and was shifting from one location to another when it went down Thursday afternoon near the town of Qaim in Anbar Province. The Pentagon said an accompanying U.S. helicopter immediately reported the crash and a quick-reaction force comprised of Iraqi security forces and coalition members secured the scene. The names of those killed would be released after next of kin are notified, the statement added. New York City officials announced Friday that two of those killed were longtime members of the city's Fire Department Lt. Christopher Raguso and fire marshal Christopher "Tripp" Zanetis. They were "truly two of New York City's bravest," Mayor Bill de Blasio said. Zanetis received a law degree from Stanford in 2017. President Donald Trump offered his thoughts and prayers on Twitter Friday for the families of service members killed, saying he was thinking of the "brave troops," and adding that "their sacrifice in service to our country will never be forgotten." The U.S.-led coalition battling the Islamic State group in Iraq and Syria have an outpost in Qaim, which is located near the Syrian border. The anti-IS campaign accelerated through much of last year, as coalition and Iraqi forces battled to take back a string of cities and towns. Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi declared victory over IS in Mosul in July. In the following months, Iraqi forces retook a handful of other IS-held towns including Tal Afar in August, Hawija in September and Qaim in October. In November, Iraqi forces retook the last Iraqi town held by IS Rawah, near the border with Syria. The U.S.-led coalition has continued to work with Iraq and Syrian Democratic Forces to shore up the border region to make sure that foreign fighters and insurgents can't move freely across the region. ___ Associated Press writers Susannah George in London and Lolita C. Baldor in Washington contributed to this report. What to Know Banksy, the famous and elusive graffiti artist, is apparently back in New York City His latest, 70-foot mural unveiled Thursday protests the imprisonment of Turkish artist and journalist Zehra Dogan The artist painted another piece on an empty bank building at 14th Street and Sixth Avenue that shows a giant rat running around a clock Banksy is back in Manhattan. The New York Times reports, the famous and elusive graffiti artists new, 70-foot mural was unveiled Thursday at the corner of Houston Street and the Bowery that protests the imprisonment of Zehra Dogan, a Turkish artist and journalist who was jailed for painting the carnage of Turkish town Nusaybin. Nusaybin was partly destroyed during a fight between Turkish and Kurdish militans in 2015, according to The Times. I really feel for her, Banksy said in a statement to The New York Times. Ive painted things much more worthy of a custodial sentence. The painting, The Times reports and pictures posted to Bansky's verified Instagram account, shows black lines, apparently representing bars on a jail cell with the message Free Zehra Dogan written on a corner. It isn't the only peice of his to recently pop up in NYC, however. The artist painted another piece of work on an empty bank building at 14th Street and Sixth Avenue. NBC 4 New York The painting shows a rat running around a clock. The art is drawing crowds to the former HSBC, which is slated to be knocked down and turned into condos. Banksy also turned heads back in October 2013 with what he called an artists residency on the streets of New York. [NATL]Banksy's Art Features in West Bank Hotel With World's 'Worst View' What to Know Jersey City Public Schools havent had a teachers strike in 20 years; that changed Friday after they demanded a new contract Thursday The Board says it values its teachers appreciate the work they do; the Jersey City Education Association has yet to comment Students will be dismissed early Friday, at 12:45 p.m., according to a Jersey City Public Schools statement A New Jersey school district is alerting parents of an early Friday dismissal because of a strike that is sending thousands of teachers walking off the job. Jersey City Public Schools havent had a teachers strike in 20 years, since 1998. However, at a heated Board of Education meeting Thursday night teachers demanded a new contract. For months, 3,100 Jersey City Public Schools have worked under an expired contract and are now demanding lower health care costs and want the Board to pay more. The superintendent says the district already contributed $100 million. The Board does value our teachers and we appreciate the work they do each and every day, Jersey City Public Schools said in a statement posted online. The Jersey City Education Association has yet to comment. However, on Wednesday, Union President Ron Greco said it would be game over if a contract was not approved, NJ.com reports. On Friday, because of the strike, students will be dismissed at 12:45 p.m. Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop said in a statement that his hope is for the two parties to come to an agreeable resolution. "I know that we can all agree that a successful negotiation between the BOE and our teachers is in the best interest of Jersey City residents and students," Fulop said in the statement. What to Know Rabbi Mordechai Hager, the grand rabbi and spiritual leader of the Viznitz Hasidim in Kaser-Monsey, has died at the age of 95 He is survived by eight sons and six daughters, and has hundreds of grandchildren and thousands of great grandchildren Funeral services in Rockland County Friday were expected to draw thousands, and could cause traffic A famed Rockland County rabbi has died, and throngs of faithful attended his funeral Friday. Rabbi Mordechai Hager, the grand rabbi and spiritual leader of the Viznitz Hasidim in Kaser-Monsey, died at Mount Sinai Hospital in Manhattan at 95 years old, the Yeshiva World reports. He is survived by eight sons and six daughters, and has hundreds of grandchildren and thousands of great grandchildren, Yeshiva World says. His wife, Simi Mirel Hager, died in 2005 at the age of 76. Massive crowds showed up to mourn the rabbi. Police had braced for massive traffic jams surrounding the procession, warning that it may impact traffic on the New York Thruway and the Palisades Parkway. The nominating panel for Philadelphia's soon-to-form school board named an additional 18 candidates, a week after Mayor Kenney asked for a more diverse pool. The panel now has a list of 45 nominees, from which Kenney must select nine to fill a board that will replace the outgoing School Reform Commission this spring. Along with increased diversity, Kenney wanted more parents and candidates with education experience to choose from after the nominating panel initially selected 27 candidates last month. I am impressed by the nominees the panel has recommended so far, and would like to consider more names to ensure that I appoint the strongest board possible, he said. The 45 finalists come from a pool of hundreds of applications the city received. Under new guidelines established after the School Reform Commission (SRC) voted in November to dissolve itself, Kenney will choose nine people from that list to comprise the new Philadelphia board of education. The city public education system has dominated Kenney's time recently. The centerpiece of his budget address two weeks ago was a proposal to raise taxes nearly $1 billion over the next five years to help fund the deficit-riddled district. The initial list included several people with professional and government experience, but not enough parents and educators, Kenney said. Kenney now has 20 days to make his appointments. Here are the 18 new nominees and their backgrounds, provided by the city (here is a link to a list of the original 27 candidates): Dawn Ang As an immigrant from Singapore, Dawn Ang has lived in Philadelphia since 1998 with her two boys who both attend Philadelphia public schools. She has been a fierce supporter of children with special needs, her one son having special needs of his own. She has organized funding and events for various non-profit organizations, including $2 million in grants and the International Moebius Syndrome Foundations largest conference to date. Catherine Blunt Catherine Blunt is a lifelong Philadelphian who has committed her life and career to the public schools in Philadelphia. She spent 35 years in the School District, beginning as a teacher and ultimately retiring as the principal of Parkway Center City High School. She graduated from Temple University and received her Principal Certification from Cheyney University. Additionally, Catherine founded the Parkway Program Alumni Scholarship Fund and is an active member of the West Philadelphia High Schools Advisory Council. She is the proud mother and grandmother of Philadelphia public school graduates. Jenny Bogoni Jenny Bogoni would bring more than 20 years of leadership experience to the Board. She has worked in various nonprofit organizations serving underserved and disconnected youth. She has worked for the National AIDS Fund in Washington, D.C., City Year Greater Philadelphia, the Mayors Office of Strategic Planning, After School Activities Partnerships, and the Philadelphia Youth Network. Most recently, she has served as the Founding Executive Director of the Read By 4th Campaign at the Free Library of Philadelphia. Alison Cohen Alison Cohen is a proud Philadelphian and product of public schools. After graduating from the University of Virginia and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, she became a consultant on environmental issues and ultimately co-founded and currently runs Bicycle Transit Systems, a company that leads the nation in deploying and managing urban bike share systems. Alison has experience overseeing large budgets and working with public agencies. She lives with her wife and three young children. Deborah Diamond Deborah Diamond is a lifelong Philadelphian who currently leads Campus Philly, an economic development nonprofit whose mission is to engage and retain college talent in Greater Philadelphia. She began her career in academia, teaching political philosophy at Columbia University and Bryn Mawr College. Deborah holds a BA from Bryn Mawr College and an MA and Ph.D. from the University of Chicago. She is a product of Philadelphia public schools and her children attend Philadelphia public schools. Supreme Dow Supreme Dow is the executive director of the Black Writers Museum. This is the only museum of its kind, dedicated solely to the preservation, examination, and celebration of the contributions of African American authors. Supreme has volunteered in his free time in the Philadelphia public schools providing additional instruction to students in both reading and math. He is a product of Philadelphia public schools, and graduated with honors from Lincoln University. He is the proud parent of eight public school students. Cheryl Harper Cheryl Harper holds a Bachelor of Science in education from Cheyney University as well as a masters degree and superintendents letter of eligibility from Arcadia University. For the Philadelphia School District, Cheryl has served as the Director of Employment Services, Head Start Instructional Facilitator, and School Assistance Team Case Manager. She has also served the Camden School District as the Executive Director of Human Resources and is now the Student Teacher Site Director for Drexel Universitys Department of Education. Will Jordan Will Jordan is an associate professor of urban education at Temple University, who received a bachelors degree in sociology and a masters degree in political science from Stony Brook University. He holds a Ph.D. in sociology and education from Columbia Universitys Teachers College. He serves on the board of Big Picture Philadelphia and has served on the board of Arise Charter High School. He has been a resident of Philadelphia for over a decade and has two teenage children. Reed Lyons Reed Lyons is a parent, a former Philadelphia public school student, and the son of two public school teachers. Reed earned a political science degree from the University of Pennsylvania and a law degree from the George Washington University Law School. He is on the board of Greene Towne Montessori School, the Washington Square West Civic Association, and Operation Understanding. He has worked as an Urban Fellow in the Neighborhood Development Division of the New York City Department of Small Business services. He has also served as an attorney, a real estate manager for Ikea, and currently as the Vice President of Navy Yard Development for the Philadelphia Industrial Development Corporation. William Peebles William Peebles graduated from Philadelphia public schools and has since been involved with public schools as a PTA president, treasurer, volunteer, and general member. He was the program director for the Education Leading to Careers and Training (ELECT) program at the School District of Philadelphia, which helps teen parents complete their high school education. He has also worked as Director of the Diversity Apprenticeship Program and more recently as a Contracting Officer overseeing career training for 1,300 at-risk youth. He is a member of the Philadelphia Workforce Board and the University of Pennsylvania Economic Inclusion Committee. Anna Perng Anna Perng is a longtime Philadelphian who co-founded the Temple University Cultural and Linguistic Diversity Project, whose mission is to improve the quality of life for disabled people across their lifespan and their families. Anna is a mother to two children with disabilities and is a passionate advocate for public school access to special services needed by many children. She also serves as a parent representative on a School Advisory Council. Anna lives with her husband and two children in Philadelphia; her eldest son attends public school while his younger brother attends pre-school. Brenda Rivera Brenda Rivera grew up in Philadelphia and currently serves on the boards of Project Home, the Philadelphia Homeless Memorial Planning Committee, and the City of Philadelphia Homeless Death Review. She earned her bachelors degree and masters degree in social work from Temple University. She has worked as a Unit Director and Director of Home-Based Services at the Supportive Child Adult Network and as Program Manager for the Horizon House. Brendas children have collectively attended these schools (among others): Lawrence Dunbar, Julia Reynolds Masterman, Bodine High School for International Affairs, and George Washington High School. Michael Smith Michael Smith is a longtime resident of Philadelphia with 11 years of high school teaching experience and 30 years of experience at the post-secondary level. He oversees a Pathways Project at Frankford High School which prepares 11th and 12th grade students for the rigors of college reading and writing. Some of his work with National Geographic School Publishing has been adopted by the School District of Philadelphia, such as at the 2017 ESOL/Bilingual Summer Institute. Andrew Stober Andrew Stober earned his Bachelor of Science in business administration from Northeastern University before receiving his masters degree in public policy from the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University. He has served on the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission, the Temple University Institute of Survey Research, and the Passayunk Square Civic Association. He was the Director of Strategic Initiatives and Chief of Staff in the Mayors Office of Transportation and Utilities and currently serves as the Vice President of Planning and Economic Development for the University City District. His son will begin Kindergarten at a Philadelphia neighborhood school this September. Katherine Stratos Katherine Stratos worked for the School District of Philadelphia as a Data Analyst, Research Associate, and Senior Research Associate and Project Manager in the Office of Research and Evaluation. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in English from James Madison University and her Master of Science in social policy from the University of Pennsylvania. She has served on the board of the Bethesda Project and founded and is the president of the Friends of Waring Elementary group. She currently works as a Director of Government Affairs and Analytics for Comcast NBCUniversal. Fernando Trevino An immigrant from Mexico, Fernando Trevino has lived in Philadelphia for 16 years and both his children attend the Andrew Jackson School. Fernando earned a law degree from the Universidad Autonoma de Nuevo Leon and a postgraduate certificate in international and comparative law from Temple University. He was the Pennsylvania State Director for Operation Vote and has served as Advisor to the Mayor, Deputy Executive Director, and Transition Advisor for the Mayors Office of Immigrant and Multicultural Affairs. He has also been the PA Director of Constituency Outreach and Partnerships for the For Our Future PAC. Wayne Walker Wayne Walker is the president of Walker Nell Partners, Inc, an international business consulting firm with a focus on corporate governance, turnaround management, corporate restructuring and bankruptcy matters. Wayne has extensive experience sitting on the boards of large and complex organizations including Habitat for Humanity and the National Philanthropic Trust. Christina Wong Christina Wong grew up in her familys business, the Chinatown Learning Center. She learned firsthand how access to a quality neighborhood school offered opportunities and a future for many immigrant families. Today, she is the Vice President of ESM Productions, a live-event production and broadcast company headquartered in Philadelphia. Additionally, Christina is very active in the Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia. She also spends her free time volunteering at public schools in her neighborhood and speaks to students about college readiness. A 16-year-old girl and a 45-year-old man missing from the Lehigh Valley since March 5 are believed to have taken a one-way flight from Philadelphia to Cancun, Mexico, according to Allentown police. The new detail from police Friday comes one day after an Amber Alert was issued in Mexico Thursday for Amy Yu, who investigators now believe to have willingly disappeared with Kevin Esterly, a father of two. On Thursday, an Amber Alert issued in Mexico read in part, "From the investigations, its determined that she might be traveling in national territory accompanied by ESTERLY, KEVIN MICHAEL. We consider the teenagers integrity is at risk being that she could be a victim of a crime." Allentown police acknowledged Friday that they are now concentrating on tips related to Mexico. 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. 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. Police said Yu's mother called Feb. 9 to report Esterly had signed her child out of Lehigh Valley Academy earlier that day. 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. What to Know FIU student Alexa Duran has been identified as a victim killed in the bridge collapse that occurred on Thursday. Five other people were killed and several others were injured in the incident. Alexa Duran, a Florida International University student, was one of the six victims killed in the pedestrian bridge collapse, officials confirmed Friday. Duran, 18, was the first victim of the bridge collapse to be officially identified. NBC News reported that Duran was driving home from a doctor's appointment, with her best friend in the passenger's seat, when she stopped at a red light. The bridge collapsed and fell right on top of the car. Her passenger was Richard Humble, a 19-year-old sophomore at FIU. Humble told the "Today" show that the incident happened too fast for either of them to get out of the way in time. He suffered a neck injury but was able to walk away from the wreckage. Humble told NBC News that he will miss Duran's personality. She was "so unique and so graceful and beautiful," he said. "I want people to see how sweet of a girl she was, really down to her core and how she touched everybody's life," Humble said. "But I think it's more important that we cherish every memory that we have with our loved ones because we never know when anything could happen." Duran and Humble were making plans for the evening while stopped at the red light, he said. Duran was a graduate of Archbishop McCarthy High School. "The Archbishop McCarthy High School community mourns the loss of one of its own," the school said in a statement. "Our hearts and prayers go out to her family and friends. We ask God to grant them strength and peace during this very difficult time." The four other people killed in the incident on Thursday have not yet been identified. An employee working on the bridge was recently identified as a victim. A federal court jury has awarded $33.5 million in damages to the parents of a man who was fatally shot by a Southern California sheriff's deputy in November 2015. The jury found Wednesday that the San Bernardino County deputy unreasonably detained 29-year-old Nathanael Pickett, delayed medical aid and was negligent in use of deadly force. The jury award included $15.5 million in compensatory damages and $18 million in punitive damages. "It's the highest verdict that I know of in the country for a police shooting wrongful death case," said attorney Dale Galipo, who represented the family. Sheriff's officials said the verdict will likely be appealed. A year after the shooting, prosecutors announced that their investigation determined the deputy was legally justified. "We strongly disagree with the outcome based on the evidence in this case," the department said in a statement. "Our attorneys, the Department and the County, will be discussing appealing the jurys award." The shooting occurred outside a motel in Barstow. Security camera video shows the deputy and Pickett struggling outside the room. The county claimed Pickett assaulted Deputy Kyle Woods but plaintiffs' attorney Galipo contended the account was made up. Attorneys for the county said in a court filing last month that Deputy Woods was patrolling when he saw Pickett looking back at him several times as he crossed a street, and then disappeared. Woods figured Pickett had jumped a fence into the motel parking lot and followed, also jumping the fence, according to the account. Pickett gave a false name to the deputy, appeared to be under the influence and ran when Woods tried to detain him, the filing said. A scuffle began and Pickett ended up on top, repeatedly punching the deputy, who felt he was losing consciousness, pulled his gun and told Pickett to stop or he would shoot, the filing said. The county contended Pickett grabbed the weapon and Woods fired. Galipo used the motel security video and photos of Woods taken shortly afterward to dispute that account. Galipo said Woods had no visible injuries, video didn't show Pickett throwing punches and witnesses didn't see him grab the gun. "It was a made-up story," Galipo said after the verdict. Woods continues to work for the sheriff's agency. A Chula Vista police officer has been arrested on allegations of domestic violence, the department confirmed Thursday. An investigation found that the officer allegedly made criminal threats to harm his girlfriend, according to police. The Chula Vista Police Department (CVPD) said the officer was taken into custody by officers with the San Diego Police Department (SDPD) for a domestic violence incident that happened at a home in Paradise Hills while the officer was off duty. The SDPD confirmed the officer is Leopoldo Chousal, 27. He was booked into jail and, according to a statement from the CVPD, was immediately placed on paid administrative leave with the suspension of peace officer powers. After his arrest, Chousal bailed out of jail, police said. The CVPD said the department was disappointed to learn of the arrest of one of its own. We are cooperating with SDPDs criminal investigation and we are conducting an internal investigation concurrently, the CVPD added. Neighbors of the home where the arrest happened were surprised to learn that, after all the commotion on their block during the arrest, the man officers came to detain was also a peace officer. "That's not good for people to see," neighbor John Padilla Sr. said. "If they're in law enforcement, they shouldn't be doing those things...They have to respect the law." CVPD Capt. Vern Sallee said, per protocol, the department will not comment on personnel issues. Sallee was unable to confirm how long Chousal has been working with the department. The case has been turned over to the San Diego County District Attorney's Office. The DA's office said Chousal is set to be arraigned on March 22. A North County teenager is the 302nd person to die of flu-like symptoms in the region this season, according to the San Diego County Department of Health (DEH). Alexa Barbin, a 19-year-old from Escondido, was feeling ill for several days before her family rushed her to the hospital last Thursday, according to her mother, Apryl Barbin. "All of a sudden she said 'I cant breathe mom, I cant breathe', she said I think I have to go to the hospital," said Apryl Barbin. Alexa Barbin died seven hours later. Doctors told Apryl Barbin her daughters blood pressure had dropped, and she contracted the severe blood infection called sepsis. She said her daughter was revived twice in the intensive care unit, but could not be revived a third time. "We said maybe we should have taken her sooner, we should have taken her to the doctor. But it didnt seem anything out of the ordinary," said Barbin. In fact, Apryl Barbin says her daughter was much sicker with the flu in December, but recovered and was healthy. She did not get a flu vaccine. Alexa Barbin graduated from Escondido High School in 2017. She was active in the schools Future Farmers of America program and had dreams of becoming a florist. "This is the worst nightmare. Our only child. No grandchildren, we thought she was going to be engaged soon," said Barbin. A Celebration of Life is planned for Alexa Barbin on March 24 at the Elks Lodge in Escondido. A Go Fund Me Page has also been set up on behalf of the family. Doctors have told Apryl Barbin her daughter contracted the Influenza B virus strain. She is allowing an autopsy to be performed on her daughter to help determine an exact cause of death. The DEH said Wednesday the number of people who have died as a result of the flu has risen to 302, the majority of which had underlying medical conditions. Of the 302 flu-related deaths in the county, four of the victims have been under the age of 20, according to the DEH. Last month, a family said their son, Hunter Conner, died as a result of the flu complications despite having no "high-risk" determinations, including age or pre-existing medical conditions. A 10-year-old boy died in January after being hospitalized with the flu. Neither had a flu shot. A North Texas man and his family fear the worst after an explosion destroyed the chemical plant where he worked Thursday morning. Mitchell Family Dylan Mitchell, 27, is believed to have been inside the Tri-Chem Industries Plant, located along Texas 171 in the town of Cresson about 20 miles southwest of Fort Worth, Thursday when something sparked a fire and explosion that consumed the building. Mitchell has been missing since the fire was first reported; two of his coworkers were found and have been hospitalized with injuries. Mitchell's brother, Austin Mitchell, spoke with NBC 5 Thursday afternoon and said his family is fearing the worst since his brother hasn't been seen since the blast was reported. "That my brother's dead; that no one can find him. I dont blame anyone, like any of the responders, because its messy. It sucks. I feel hollow," Austin Mitchell said. "It's been this long, he's probably dead." Austin Mitchell, whose 27-year-old brother Dillon is missing after the blast, spoke with NBC 5 Thursday and said his family was fearing the worst. One person is missing and two people have been injured in an explosion and large fire at a chemical plant in Cresson, southwest of Fort Worth, Thursday morning, authorities say. Two other people working at the facility were injured in the fire, including one person who was critically burned on his trunk and hands and flown about 50 miles to Parkland Memorial Hospital in Dallas. A second injured person, whose injuries were not as serious, was taken to Lake Granbury Medical Center. NBC 5 has learned about 12 people work at the Cresson facility, which opened about a year ago. There were no other injuries reported and it's not immediately clear how many people were working at the facility Thursday. First responders, including a number of volunteer fire departments from multiple jurisdictions, including a hazmat crew from the Fort Worth Fire Department, were called to the fire at about 9:45 a.m. Witnesses reported hearing crackling followed by a pop and a "big kaboom" before "big fireballs" began shooting out of the building. A North Texas man and his family fear the worst after an explosion destroyed the chemical plant where his brother worked Thursday morning. Fears of another blast amid the toxic chemicals prevented crews from battling the ensuing blaze, an official said. Firefighters arrived to attack the fire but were then ordered to stand down over concerns about subsequent explosions and exposure to toxic fumes. The attack plan was then scrapped in favor of simply allowing the fire to burn itself out. As the fire continued to collapse the metal building, secondary explosions were seen at about 11:15 a.m. By 1 p.m., most of the roof of the building had collapsed and the fire had burned down to only a few active areas. Cresson Mayor/Fire Chief Bob Cornett told the Associated Press that investigators believe the fire could have started by a worker dragging his foot along the floor while chemicals were being mixed. In conversations with NBC 5, Cornett clarified the statement to say that while static electricity may have been the cause of the fire, they won't know exactly what sparked the fire and explosion until they've had time to investigate the scene after the fire is out. Cornett added that people working in the plant have special shoes designed to reduce or eliminate static discharge and that theory may not be valid. Cornett said the earliest rescuers could begin searching for Dylan Mitchell was Friday morning, after the fire had extinguished itself and heavy excavation equipment could be brought to the site. Jessica Gregg says her son-in-law was burned on his back and legs in an explosion at the chemical plant where he worked. She said he started at the plant just three weeks ago and that they didn't realize how dangerous the job could be. Jessica Gregg identified the man flown to Parkland as Jason Speegle, her son-in-law, and said he started working at the facility only three weeks ago. "We were told that this was a hazardous job when he started, but we didnt understand that it was something that could lead to this," said Gregg, through tears. "My daughter is very upset. We just need prayers. Everybody needs to be praying for them." Kale Nicodemus, who was standing near the plant when the first explosion erupted, described hearing a noise followed by several "big fireballs" that kept shooting out of the plant. "Things were blowing out of the roof, like metal lids on buckets. Then, the fire," said Jesse Bailey, who was working next door. "It smells like sulfur." Witnesses to the chemical plant explosion in Cresson, Texas, March 15, 2018, said they heard crackles and pops followed by a louder boom before big fireballs started erupting from the building. With winds from the south to the north, smoke from the fire blew toward DFW, including Fort Worth and Weatherford. The Environmental Protection Agency and other authorities are monitoring air emissions. The Texas Center on Environmental Quality said they are assisting first responders and coordinating with Hood County, EPA responders, and Fort Worth hazmat for response actions needed to address any discharges from the site and air monitoring. The TCEQ said they'll also monitor cleanup efforts. Additionally, the State Fire Marshal's Office has been asked to investigate the cause of the fire. The chemical plant and a nearby lumber yard were evacuated; no other evacuations reported. Tri-Chem Industries offers commercial chemical blending services for customers in Texas, Louisiana and the Gulf Coast region, according to its website. Cornett told The Associated Press that Tri-Chem Industries mixes chemicals that are primarily used by the oil and gas industry to drill disposal wells. He said he doesn't know how many of the chemicals stored at the plant were hazardous, but that "what was burnt and exploded was quite toxic."[[476965643,R]] A spokesman for the TCEQ, the state agency responsible for coordinating the cleanup, declined to produce a list of the plant's on-site chemicals, telling an AP reporter to file a public information request. In recent years, Texas leaders have made it increasingly difficult for the public to find out about the chemicals manufactured and stored at such plants. After a fertilizer plant explosion in the city of West, Texas, killed 15 people in 2013, Greg Abbott, who was then attorney general and is now governor, ruled that state agencies could withhold information about hazardous chemicals because of "ongoing terroristic activity." NBC 5's Kevin Cokely, Brian Roth, Cody Lillich and Don Peritz, along with the Associated Press, contributed to this report. Check back and refresh this page for the latest update. As this story is developing, elements may change. What to Know A 21-year-old man was shot and killed at a vape store in Great Falls, Virginia. Officials believe it was an isolated incident. The suspect was still at the store when police arrived and was arrested. A 21-year-old man was shot and killed at a vape store in Great Falls, Virginia, on Thursday night after a conversation with a man he knew escalated, police said. Officials believe it was an isolated incident. When police arrived at Vapology101 on Center Street about 7:40 p.m., they found Bao Hung Van and pronounced him dead. The suspect, 22-year-old Manvinder Aulakh, was still at the store and was arrested. The pair allegedly got into an argument at the store, which sells electronic cigarettes and liquid tobacco and serves as a lounge where people smoke. Then, Aulakh drew his gun, police say. Its unclear what caused Aulakh to allegedly draw his weapon, or whether anyone else was in the store at the time. Aulakh was charged with murder and use of a firearm in the commission of a felony and is being held without bond, police said. The victim's family declined an interview. Heavily armed police officers swarmed a townhouse in Montgomery County, Maryland. After receiving a call from someone who said he had just shot his girlfriend, officers shut down roads, ordered neighbors to shelter in place and prepared to rescue a hostage. But the call turned out to be a hoax, and the homeowner says he has no idea why his home was targeted. County police are investigating the incident as a possible instance of swatting, in which someone places a false call to get a SWAT team to respond. A huge number of officers responded to the 3900 block of Ferrara Drive in Wheaton Thursday morning. A 911 caller said he shot his girlfriend. Officers prepared to respond to a possible hostage situation. Officers surrounded the house and sent residents of the area a text message warning them to shelter in place. A nearby senior center locked its doors. But no one was at the house. The owner, Charlie Chalfant, was at work as an administrator in a Washington, D.C. school when police called him. He rushed home. "I just waited outside until they told me everything was clear," he said. Chalfant, who previously worked as a sheriff's deputy in Virginia, said he had no idea why someone told police there was an emergency at his house. Neighbor Erika Ortiz took shelter in her basement for an hour after an officer told her to head there. She was frustrated by the false report. "It's stupid. It's stupid. They shouldn't be doing that," she said. Swatting is dangerous and is a drain on police resources, Capt. Paul Starks said. If police learn who placed the false call, they could be charged with making a false statement. It's a misdemeanor in Maryland and carries a maximum of six months in jail and a $500 fine. An officer shot and killed a man in Kansas in January after someone placed a false call related to the man's house. As Toys R Us says goodbye, let's look at how it all began. The company famous for its sprawling toy stores across the country got its start as a family business in the Washington, D.C. neighborhood of Adam Morgan, where the bar Madam's Organ is now. Toys R Us founder Charles P. Lazarus opened his first store there in 1948. He was born in the building, where his family lived on the second floor. On the first floor was a bicycle shop that his father ran. When Lazarus returned from World War II, he took over the business and made it his own. At first, he sold baby furniture and called the store Children's Bargain Town. Ten years later, he started selling baby toys, changed the store's name to Toys R Us and opened a second store, in New Jersey. The company's global headquarters would eventually be located there. Lazarus said in a previous interview that he changing his merchandise made good business sense. "By the time the second baby came, [parents] didn't buy a new high chair, they didn't buy a new crib, but they did buy baby toys," he said. At Madam's Organ today, symbols of the old Toys R Us remain. During remodeling about 25 years ago, one artifact was found. "It was behind a wall and on the floor. We cleaned it up and it was some old clown face," Madam's Organ owner Bill Duggan said. Now, the clown face hangs over the bar. Some of the Toys R Us spirit remains, Duggan said. "Children are still playing in here, just different games," he said. Toys R Us says it will close its stores over the coming months. In its toughest challenge to Russia to date, the Trump administration accused Moscow on Thursday of an elaborate plot to penetrate America's electric grid, factories, water supply and even air travel through cyber hacking. The U.S. also hit targeted Russians with sanctions for alleged election meddling for the first time since President Donald Trump took office. The list of Russians being punished includes all 13 indicted last month by special counsel Robert Mueller, a tacit acknowledgement by the administration that at least some of Mueller's Russia-related probe has merit. Trump has repeatedly sought to discredit Mueller's investigation into Russian interference in the presidential election, but the sanctions appeared to rely on the special counsel's legal conclusions in deciding who should be named. The sanctions freeze any assets the individuals may have in U.S. jurisdictions and bar Americans from doing business with them. The named Russians 19 in all are unlikely to have any assets in the United States that would be covered, making the move largely symbolic. But it could help inoculate the president from persistent claims he's afraid or unwilling to stand up to Russian President Vladimir Putin or to fight back against efforts to undermine America's democracy and domestic affairs. "We're going to be tough on Russia until they decide to change their behavior," said White House spokeswoman Sarah Huckabee Sanders. At the same time, she left open the possibility of better U.S.-Russia cooperation, arguing that "if we can work together to combat world threats on things like North Korea, then we should." U.S. national security officials said the FBI, Department of Homeland Security and intelligence agencies determined Russian intelligence and others were behind a broad range of cyberattacks starting a year ago. Russian hackers infiltrated the networks that run the basic services an Americans rely on each day: nuclear, water and manufacturing facilities like factories. The officials said the hackers chose their targets methodically, obtained access to computer systems, conducted "network reconnaissance" and then attempted to cover their tracks by deleting evidence of the intrusions. The U.S. government has helped the industries expel the Russians from all systems known to have been penetrated, but additional breaches could be discovered, said the officials, who briefed reporters on condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive national security information. The officials described Russia's operation as ongoing. The U.S. accusations and accompanying sanctions mark a stepped-up attempt by Trump's administration to show it's adequately confronting Russia over hacking, election meddling and general efforts to compromise Western democracies and infrastructure. Trump on Thursday also joined the leaders of Britain, France and Germany in blaming Moscow for the poisoning of an ex-Russian spy who was living in England. White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said Thursday that the sanctions show Trump can be "extremely tough" on Russia, even if he is willing to work with the adversary on "world threats on things like North Korea." When asked if Russia was a friend or foe of the U.S., Sanders said Russia would have to make that decision. The sanctions prompted a swift threat of retaliation from Russia's government, which said a response was already being prepared. Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov suggested the Trump administration had timed the action to taint this weekend's presidential election in Russia, in which President Vladimir Putin is expected to win an overwhelming victory. "It is tied to U.S. internal disorder, tied of course to our electoral calendar," Ryabkov was quoted as saying by the Russian state news agency Tass. Altogether, 19 Russians were cited. Also sanctioned were five Russian companies, including the Internet Research Agency, which is accused of orchestrating a mass online disinformation campaign to affect the U.S. presidential election result. The U.S. Treasury Department announced the sanctions amid withering criticism in the U.S. accusing Trump and his administration of failing to use its congressionally mandated authority to punish Russia. The sanction targets include officials working for the Russian military intelligence agency GRU. The sanctions are the first use of the new powers that Congress passed last year to punish Moscow for interfering in the election that Trump won over Democrat Hillary Clinton. Yet Russia hawks in Congress deemed it too little, too late. "Even more must be done," said Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina. GOP Sen. John McCain of Arizona called the action "overdue." And Democrats homed in on the fact that the list of Russians hit with sanctions included all of those indicted by Mueller. That shows the administration believes the investigation is legitimate, they argued. Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer of New York said the sanctions prove that Mueller's "investigation is not a 'witch hunt' as the president and his allies have claimed." He said, "It's more clear than ever that the president must not interfere with the special counsel's investigation in any way." The Treasury Department said the GRU and Russia's military both interfered in the 2016 election and were "directly responsible" for the NotPetya cyberattack that hit businesses across Europe in June 2017, causing billions of dollars in damage by disrupting global shipping, trade and medicine production. Treasury said that the attack caused several U.S. hospitals to be unable to create electronic medical records for more than a week. Among those affected were Yevgeny Prigozhin, who is known as "Putin's chef" and who ran the St. Petersburg-based Internet Research Agency, and 12 of the agency's employees. They were included in Mueller's indictment last month. The Russian agency "tampered with, altered or caused a misappropriation of information with the purpose or effect of interfering with or undermining election processes and institutions," specifically the 2016 U.S. presidential race, the U.S. said. Organizers of Sunday's annual St. Patrick's Day Parade in South Boston say they'll do whatever Mayor Marty Walsh decides. But, they say, the snow is starting to melt and the normal route is a time honored tradition. "Unfortunately it's his call as far as the safeness of the route goes," says parade organizer Tim Duross, "so let's look at it because we've had two sunny days in a row so most of the snow is melted I think. Let's see what happens between tomorrow and Saturday, but we're prepared to do the parade either way." Mayor Walsh announced Wednesday a new, shortened snow route for Sunday's St. Patrick's Day Parade in South Boston, saying the route will be modified to follow the previously established snow route starting at Broadway Station and ending at Farragut Road. "Our number one priority will always be to keep our residents safe at all times," Walsh said. "The snow route has allowed for a safe and enjoyable celebration in other years when there has been heavy snow before the parade, and I commend the Public Works Department for working diligently to ensure that Broadway will be safe and accessible by Sunday." But the organizers of the parade, the Allied War Veterans' Council of South Boston, urged Mayor Walsh to reconsider shortening the parade route, saying the decision was made without their agreement. In a statement, the AWVCSB said, "the traditional route that extends throughout South Boston is part of what makes the event special, and allows for the parade to pass by senior and public housing, and for Perkins American Legion Post members to host Gold Star Mothers." The organizers went on to say that "the residents of South Boston overwhelmingly support this route, which has been a staple of the parade since it began in 1901, in conditions often far worse than what is anticipated Sunday." Police Commissioner Wiliam Evans was in agreement with Mayor Walsh's decision, saying, "The snowfall makes it more difficult to manage this weekend's parade in South Boston and it has created a situation where we do not feel that it is safe enough for children and families to watch the parade, especially on side streets, which are already difficult to navigate after a storm." On Thursday, Boston city councilor and South Boston St. Patrick's Day Breakfast co-host Michael Flaherty told NBC10 Boston's Joy Lim Nakrin that he agreed with the decision to change the parade route, and pointed out that South Boston residents would have started to lose precious parking spots starting on Wednesday to secure and clear the normal route. "Hosting the largest parade event in the city in the middle of March comes with the potential that we'll have northeast storm and blizzards," he said. "I think people are going to be OK with it, particularly knowing that they're not going to lose their parking space, but the route from Broadway to Farragut Road will be fully cleared -- the streets, the curbs -- will be fully safe for people." The city said public works crews removed 1,800 cubic yards of snow overnight from Broadway, and will continue to focus on continued snow removal and opening sidewalks on Broadway over the next few nights to ensure safety and accessibility along the snow route. The SBAWVC says while they understand that public safety is the top concern, they feel there was still the opportunity for the parade to proceed with the traditional route with that in mind. "The decision is consistent with the failed 2016 attempt to permanently shorten the parade route that was defeated in court." SBAWVC Commander Dave Falvey says he has worked hard to build ties with City Hall and is therefore extremely disappointed "that Mayor Walsh made a unilateral decision to proceed with a shortened route despite the SBAWVC's approved permit for the traditional route." The St. Patrick's Day Parade is listed as the second largest in the country, drawing between 600,000 and 1 million people each year. It typically kicks off around 12:30 p.m. and runs about two hours. Last year, the parade route also had to be shortened considerably due to another late season snowstorm. Both the St. Patricks Day Parade and the annual St. Patrick's Day Breakfast on Sunday morning are scheduled to be televised on necn and livestreamed on www.necn.com. A comprehensive bill to try to combat sexual harassment passed in the Massachusetts House of Representatives Thursday. House Speaker Robert DeLeo was not present for the vote but had very strong words in regards to a fiery debate that took place inside the House Chambers as Representative Diana DiZoglio of Methuen shared her story. The comments of the two representatives that agreements were used by the House to cover up wrongdoing are based on irresponsible speculation. The fact that the House today enacted a provision that waives any non-disclosure or non-disparagement provision of any agreement executed prior to today directly refutes their irresponsible speculation. DeLeo's comments are in reference to DiZoglio, who, in 2011 as an aide, was the victim of unsubstantiated rumors that she had inappropriate relations with a state representative. Even though an investigation found she and the representative had done nothing wrong, DiZoglio claims she had to endure endless rumors about her sex life and was the target of sexual harassment. DiZoglio was terminated - wrongfully terminated, according to Speaker DeLeo. But DiZoglio claims she felt forced to sign a non-disclosure agreement with DeLeos office for severance pay - one of 33 his office says were signed in the State House since 2010. While the bill to combat sexual harassment at the State House did pass, DiZoglios amendment to ban so-called non-disparagement agreements was voted down. Rep. Diana DiZoglio of Methuen said, These silencing tactics have no place in this House, they cover up misdeeds by politicians and others and they empower perpetrators to move from one victim to the next....These are public tax dollars that are being used to silence people because they might be critical of public elected officials in this chamber. In a statement, Speaker DeLeos office said he was deeply troubled by Rep. DiZoglios sexual harassment claims but says none of these agreements were to settle sexual harassment claims. And one lawmaker called for his actions to be investigated by the attorney general. A one-of-a-kind program in Greenfield, New Hampshire is teaching students with severe disabilities how to make maple syrup. The program is a full-featured agricultural/vocational curriculum called the Farm School. The Crotched Mountain Foundation School is a non-profit K-12 school for children with mental health disorders, physical disabilities, or on the autism spectrum. The Farm School is in the middle of maple syrup season. Colby Hoover, age 15, is a day student at Crotched Mountain. He participates in the maple syrup making process. "Going out collecting sap, tapping trees, checking the line - that stuff I'm all for," Hoover said. Hoover is learning life skills through the process of making maple syrup from scratch. "It's fun doing activities," Hoover said. "I'm more of a hands-on learner." Crotched Mountain provides the kind of support that students like Colby need to discover what he loves. "I love being a part of a team, because I'm surrounded by people that I like a lot," Hoover said. Although, he did admit there was one aspect of making maple syrup that he doesn't love: "The boiling part." David Johnson is the Marketing Vice President. He said their main goal at the center is for students to gain their maximum independence. Langdon Thorne, age 20, is also a student at Crotched Mountain who participates in the maple syrup-making process. "I like that it gives me something to do, because I get bored sometimes," Thorne said. The program allows the students to learn in ways that meet their own unique needs. "I can brag to my parents and say 'I learned this today,'" Thorne said. "Patience and a lot of hard work." These are skills that Langdon has learned through the maple making process. They are also life skills he can take with him long after he's left Crotched Mountain. In 2017 the Crotched Mountain won the New Hampshire Maple Producers Association Maple Contest in the classrooms division. They won the $2000 prize last year and used the money for our new evaporator. American Jews, recent studies report, are increasingly feeling that Israel is just not all that important to them. But eight days of sightseeing and soul searching in the Holy Land may have been a game-changer for many, if not all of the 800 participants at the the Rohr Jewish Learning Institutes recent tour of Israel. The Land and The Spirit Israel Experience concluded Sunday with a gala Jerusalem banquet headlined by US Ambassador to Israel, David Friedman. Perhaps owing to the diverse politics of his audience of diaspora Jews, the ambassador offered his guests a warm welcome to Jerusalem, the eternal capital of Israel, and then steered clear of anything political. I am glad to be among so many people who are committed to the continuity of Jewish life around the world, he said referencing the fact that this was a group of people who had come, not just to visit, but to deepen the ties of Jews of the Diaspora with their homeland. Jewish continuity is foremost on the agenda of the JLI and the adult educational classes it provides at Chabad Houses around the globe. The objective of The Land and The Spirit Israel Experience, said Rabbi Sholom Raichik, from Chabad of Gaithersburg, Maryland, is to introduce participants to a deeper side of Israel. Raichik is on the Board of Organizers for the trip. We want our participants to come away with a more meaningful feeling for the Holy Land that will inspire them in their Jewish identity moving forward. Participants explored Israels historic, biblical Jewish sights, met with Israeli dignitaries and citizens, and participated in in-depth study groups and daily reflection sessions. Many were moved as they took part in a celebration of a Torah scroll, rescued by a fourteen year old boy during Kristalnacht as it was paraded through the streets of Hebron and brought to a new home in the Tomb of our Patriarchs. Alan and Joni Prouser of Memphis, Tennessee saw this, their second visit to Israel, as another step in their Jewish journey. Weve been attending Chabad for around twelve years, said Alan. Weve been taking baby steps, but while we were here, Ive laid tefillin every day. Ive bought many beautiful kippas and the power of this experience has encouraged me to commit to wearing them proudly when I get back home. It was a solemn tribute to a tremendous life cut tragically short. Friday marked two years since Massachusetts State Police Trooper Thomas Clardy was killed in the line of duty when his cruiser was struck during a traffic stop on the Massachusetts Turnpike in Charlton by an alleged drugged driver. He was just 44 years old. Investigators say the driver, David Njuguna, 30, of Webster, swerved across all three travel lanes before the collision. He pleaded not guilty and is scheduled to go on trial next month. "I spent a lot of time over the last two years wishing I had talked a little longer about something, anything," state police Charlton barracks Commander Lt. Michael Smith said. "I cant help think that if I had, it might have changed the course of events that day. But instead of dwelling on what cannot be changed, Clardys co-workers, family and friends gathered Friday to dedicate the Route 49 bridge over the Mass Pike in Charlton in his honor, to rename the road to the Charlton barracks where he worked as Clardy Pass and to unveil a memorial in his memory. "It will serve as an inspiration for everyone who travels through this area and as a reminder of the spirit of Trooper Clardy," Massachusetts Highway Administrator Jonathan Gulliver said. "All of us would hope we could live up to the wonderful example of service and commitment to his country, to his Commonwealth, to his community and to his family that he represents," Gov. Charlie Baker added. Clardys friend and commander said the husband and father of seven would have been honored by all of this. "Hed be humbled by it. He was a big man, he was a big, strong man, but he was a very gentle soul," Lt. Smith said. "I think hed be a little embarrassed and a little humbled by it. A New Hampshire state trooper will not be charged in the fatal shooting of a man whose death inspired a roadside memorial that carried similarities to the plot of the Oscar-nominated film "Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri." Trooper Christopher O'Toole shot Jesse Champney four times on Dec. 23 as the 26-year-old was running away through a field in Canaan. The state attorney general's office says O'Toole shot Champney because he feared for his life and that he was legally justified in using deadly force. O'Toole told investigators that Champney repeatedly said he had a gun and would shoot him. Champney did not have a gun, but did have several knives in his pocket. After his death, Champney's family built a roadside memorial featuring 17 crosses and signs calling for justice. Taverham couple get on their tandem to raise cash Taverham couple get on their tandem to raise cash Two octogenarian tandem cyclists, from Taverham, have visited 42 different Norwich churches in just six hours to raise almost 400 for Our Lady and St Walstans church in Costessey, as well as cash for the Norfolk Churches Trust. Parishioners Michael and Paula Hughes rode their well-travelled tandem around Norwich during Septembers Annual Bike Ride and Walk and the cash has just been received by grateful parish priest Fr David Ward. Paula completed the ride despite having recently fractured her wrist while attending The Tandem Club International Rally in Germany. Michael said: Our six-hour sponsored ride took place within the city. Route planning was the key to fitting so many churches into our route. Around 2005, Paula noticed that many of our local hills had become much steeper so we bought an electric shopper bike. As this proved unsuitable for expeditions along Marriotts Way and beyond we invested in a tandem and joined the Tandem Club. We have since attended camping rallies at home and abroad, the furthest afield being the rally at Lipno in the Czech Republic in 2015. This involved driving about 2000 miles and undertaking rides of up to 40 miles a day in very hilly country and roads that were so unmade as to merit a Turner prize were it possible to bring them to the Tate Gallery to sit beside The Unmade Bed. The intrepid couple still have one ambition to complete though. We have yet to ride to Walsingham and back from our home in Taverham but we are working on it, said Michael. Our next rally will be an easy one for us as it is based on Market Rasen in Lincs. Our ambition remains the same for every trip to get back in one piece. Pictured are Michael and Paula Hughes with their tandem at a rally in the Czech Republic. Several things make bare-metal cloud providers appealing compared with traditional cloud providers, which operate in a virtualized environment. Bare-metal providers give users more control, more access to hardware, more performance, and the ability to pick their own operating environment. There's another interesting angle, as articulated by Martin Blythe, a research fellow with Gartner. He maintains that bare-metal providers appeal to small and mid-sized businesses (SMBs) because those companies are often small, local players, and SMBs looking for something more economical than hosting their own data center often want to keep the data center nearby. If you dont want to maintain a data center in your downtown office block and dont want to build something, these guys can provide it for you. You simply manage them remotely, and if you want to inspect the site, it is close to your headquarters, Blythe said. Why companies want their bare-metal provider to be nearby Not surprisingly, there is a preference for firms to have their provider in the same state. In Europe, its even more important for several reasons. First, you have a lot of European companies throwing up borders around the internet in light of the NSA spying fallout from a few years back, particularly Germany. Microsoft responded by building data centers in Germany that would be for only German companies and government agencies. Then theres just good old provincialism, where a lot of French companies want French-speaking providers. Its convenient having the company under the same umbrella as the host. And you own the stuff. You dont have to worry about it going outside of your borders, Blythe said. This is not something youd go to Amazon to do because even with that company's numerous data centers, they dont have the advantage of locality. Amazon does best where they offer virtual environments to large firms. The challenge for market researchers such as Gartner is that these are medium-sized companies, and while they are growing, many are private, so its difficult to spot them and thus measure the market. They dont really report anything we would find. We do talk to them but we cant really scale them, Blythe said. Branded equipment also a selling point Theres another interesting element to these local bare-metal hosts. Instead of using non-brand name equipment like Amazon and Google have done, they typically use branded equipment from Dell or HPE. Their customers are coming from using on-premises equipment, and they want to know they are running on brand-name servers, Blythe said. School praised in inspectors' report for its Christian values and engaging collective worship KINGSCLERE Primary School is celebrating after receiving an outstanding rating in its latest Statutory Inspection of Anglican and Methodist Schools (SIAMS) inspection last month. In doing so, the school has made an improvement on its good rating in March 2013, Headteacher Steve Wells said: This is a fantastic achievement for the school and something that we are all extremely proud of. We feel the outstanding judgement really reflects the ethos and caring culture we have here at Kingsclere. The report stated: The schools distinctively Christian values are explicit through the school underpinning the pupils excellent behaviour. Collective worship at the school was highlighted as outstanding and the report said: Pupils speak of feeling safe in Gods arms and knowing that someone is watching over you. Collective worship engages the pupils and they are keen to participate in acting, singing and reading. There were, however, three areas of potential improvement for the school. These were to further develop the role of governors in the self-evaluation process, in more formally monitoring and evaluating the distinctiveness of the school as a church school; develop and evidence pupils personal spirituality through a rich variety of styles and media; and to ensure the leadership of religious education is given higher priority, so that the good practice that is being developed throughout the school can be monitored and evaluated. The management of the school was rated as good as the headteacher provides strong and dedicated leadership and is supported by a diligent senior management team and committed governors. The report adds: The school has a clear vision in terms of its direction and the importance of the wellbeing of all pupils and staff. Rev Ben Read, from St Marys Church, Kingsclere, said: As a church, were delighted that Kingsclere Church of England Primary School have been awarded outstanding in their recent SIAMS inspection. Well done to all the staff team and pupils for displaying the distinctive Christian character of the school and showing that their Christian values make a difference to their behaviour, their work ethic, and their outlook in life. Congratulations. Tumor cells circulating throughout the body in blood vessels have long been feared as harbingers of metastasizing cancer - even though most free-floating cancer cells will not go on to establish a new tumor. But if these cast-offs could be accurately counted, they could provide an additional way to track treatment or screen for the disease. New research by University of Wisconsin-Madison Professor of Pharmacy Seungpyo Hong and his collaborators builds on several years of work in isolating these circulating tumor cells, or CTCs, by demonstrating improved methods for their capture on clinical samples for the first time. By forcing cancer cells to slow down and developing stronger molecular traps specific to CTCs, researchers were able to identify large numbers of the cells in cancer patients undergoing radiation therapy. The number of CTCs dropped during therapy and subsequently rebounded in those patients that ended up requiring additional treatment - suggesting that this technology could supplement other techniques for tracking the progress of treatment. Hong and his collaborator Andrew Wang of the University of North Carolina School of Medicine started the company Capio Biosciences in 2015 to commercialize the technology, which they term CapioCyte. The study is published March 15 in the journal Clinical Cancer Research. In addition to the Hong and Wang groups, collaborators from the University of Illinois at Chicago, Duke University and South Korea's Yonsei University contributed to the work, which was funded in part by the National Institutes of Health and the National Science Foundation. Scientists have recognized CTCs as potentially useful metrics for tracking a patient's disease for some time. But the cells are the proverbial needle-in-a-haystack, drowned out by billions of ordinary red blood cells and other cells found in the blood. Developing ways to specifically concentrate and trap CTCs has been technically challenging, with existing technologies only identifying a handful of cells from certain patients. Hong's team was inspired by the behavior of CTCs in the blood, which attach themselves to blood vessel walls and begin tumbling along looking for suitable places to invade. This behavior separates them from the oxygen-carrying cells floating by and is mimicked in the CapioCyte technology using an array of sticky proteins that force the CTCs to begin rolling, which slows them down. The cells are then trapped using a series of three cancer-specific antibodies, proteins that tightly bind and hold onto the CTCs. To make the connection even stronger, the researchers developed a nanoscale structure shaped a little like a tree, with each branch tipped with an antibody. As a cancer cell passes nearby, many individual branches can latch on, increasing the strength of the attachment. The cell rolling and multi-tipped branches helped the researchers capture an average of 200 CTCs from each milliliter of a patient's blood, many times the number of cells captured with previous technology. They identified cancer cells in each of 24 patients undergoing treatment for head-and-neck, prostate, rectal or cervical cancer that enrolled in the study. "The absolute numbers of CTCs don't represent too much because there's too much variation individually, but the more important thing we found was the trend - how the CTC numbers change over time upon treatment. So, for example, we've shown that the CTCs go down when the patients are responding really well to the radiotherapy," says Hong. Although the number of cells did not correlate with the stage, and thus severity, of the cancer, the reduction in cells was correlated with successful radiation therapy. In two of the three patients that had recurring or persistent disease, CTC numbers came back up. "Our data suggest that we have a good chance of making CTCs a predictive biomarker or biomarker for surveillance for at least a few cancers, and that's always exciting," says Wang. "What makes us excited in particular is we can see the direct impact," says Hong. "As a researcher, if you develop a new technology and it can directly help people, that's going to be the most rewarding experience - it's really exciting." Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) is a lethal disease in humans, caused by a coronavirus (MERS-CoV). It was first identified in man in 2012, in the Arabian Peninsula. The main MERS-CoV reservoir species is the dromedary, which is found in large numbers in many African countries. Why is it that they have never transmitted the virus to humans, as they have in parts of the Middle East? The first clues were published in an article in the journal PNAS on 5 March. The work in question associated researchers from CIRAD, in partnership with IRD and several African partners, and an international team led by Professor Malik Peiris from Hong Kong University, who is Scientific Director of the Institut Pasteur's Hong Kong research pole. Genetic and phenotypic differences between coronaviruses could explain why there was an epidemic of Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS-CoV) in humans in the Arabian Peninsula in 2012, but not in Morocco, Nigeria, Ethiopia or Burkina Faso, where the virus nevertheless circulates intensely between dromedaries. This was reported in a study published on 5 March in the journal PNAS, conducted by Hong Kong University, CIRAD, African organizations and a large international team. With a mortality rate in humans of 35%, and no treatment or vaccine available, the virus is now one of the 10 priority emerging diseases in terms of research and diagnosis identified by the World Health Organization. The MERS-CoV strains circulating in African dromedaries are different from those isolated in the Arabian Peninsula, the only world region in which indigenous cases of MERS disease have been declared (except those cases declared after travel and nosocomial transmission). This work also showed that there is no contact, hence no recombination between the different strains. "The MERS-CoV seen in North and West Africa is a sub-group that differs not only from those in the Middle East but also from that seen in East Africa", says Veronique Chevalier, a CIRAD epidemiologist who was one of the co-authors of the publication. These slight genetic differences between the viruses isolated in the Arabian Peninsula and those found in dromedaries in West and North Africa could account for the fact that the disease has not been transmitted to humans in these regions. "We are continuing our work on the mechanisms and factors of transmission within camelid populations and between dromedaries and man", Veronique Chevalier adds, "particularly in East Africa, where the absence of declared cases in humans despite the virus being similar to that isolated in the Arabian Peninsula remains to be studied in more detail". To this end, as part of the programme being conducted by the University of Hong Kong and CIRAD, two PhD students are being co-supervised in partnership with the Universities of Haramaya for animal health (by CIRAD and the IRD) and Addis Ababa for veterinary public health and the risks of transmission to humans (by HKU-PRP and CIRAD). "Dromedaries are hugely socially, culturally and economically important in the countries where they are found. Their capacity for adaptation and resilience is extremely promising in the light of climate change. We are contonuing our ecology and epidemiology studies in the hope of understanding their role in the spread of several animal and zoonotic diseases" Francois Roger, Co-Head of UMR ASTRE for CIRAD. New special issue of the European Journal of Internal Medicine aims to bring cannabis into mainstream medicine Medicinal cannabis is safe and effective in pain relief, and researchers are calling for the treatment to be properly established in our modern medical arsenal. A new special issue of the European Journal of Internal Medicine (https://www.journals.elsevier.com/european-journal-of-internal-medicine) provides a comprehensive overview of current evidence for the use of cannabis and derived products in medicine, and calls for more research to improve the evidence base for its use. "We feel it is absolutely imperative to not only present the current state of affairs, but also propose the development of the scientific research program within the paradigm of evidence-based medicine," said Prof. Victor Novack, guest editor of the special issue and a professor at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev in Israel. "Our ultimate aim should be to scientifically establish the actual place of medical cannabis derived products in the modern medical arsenal." Cannabis has been used for centuries in pain relief, as a sleep aid and for many other purposes, yet there is little evidence on its safety and effectiveness. This is in part due to relatively recent legal restrictions on its use, which have hampered research efforts and resulted in doctors having little to no understanding of its use. However, there has been an explosion in the number of studies published since 2012. The new special issue provides two major studies on the use of cannabis in cancer patients and the elderly, as well as a comprehensive overview of the evidence, regulations, ethics and practical use. The authors and editors call for more research to improve the evidence base. In a study (http://www.ejinme.com/article/S0953-6205(18)30023-2/fulltext) led by Prof. Novack, a team of researchers from Israel analyzed data collected during the medicinal cannabis treatment of 2,970 cancer patients between 2015 and 2017. The two main problems patients were hoping to overcome were sleep problems and pain, and cannabis has been shown to be effective in alleviating both. 95.9 percent of the patients reported an improvement in their condition. The same team also analyzed the effectiveness of medical cannabis in elderly patients who were being treated in 2015-2017 for a variety of issues, including pain and cancer. The researchers conclude in their paper: "Our study finds that the therapeutic use of cannabis is safe and efficacious in the elderly population. Cannabis use may decrease the use of other prescription medicines, including opioids. Gathering more evidence-based data, including data from double-blind randomized-controlled trials, in this special population is imperative." In a review (http://www.ejinme.com/article/S0953-6205(18)30003-7/fulltext) in the special issue, Prof. Donald Abrams at University of California San Francisco Ward in the US covers the recent review conducted by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine, The Health Effects of Cannabis and Cannabinoids. The report, which considered 10,000 scientific abstracts, "concluded that there was conclusive or substantial evidence that Cannabis or cannabinoids are effective for the treatment of pain in adults; chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting and spasticity associated with multiple sclerosis." Yet the report also highlighted the barriers to research in the US, which may explain the lack of strong evidence for the therapeutic use of cannabis. This dearth of research has also led to numerous ethical issues in prescribing cannabis, not least because many doctors do not understand the treatment enough to advise dosage and use. An article (http://www.ejinme.com/article/S0953-6205(18)30004-9/fulltext) by researchers at the University of British Columbia, Canada and International Cannabis and Cannabinoids Institute, Prague, Czech Republic provides practical guidance for doctors, with data on cannabis pharmacology. "This Medical Cannabis special issue covers everything you wanted to know about medical cannabis," said Prof. Novack. "We hope that it will provide physicians with a contemporary summary of different aspects related to the medical cannabis and guide the choice of an appropriate for the indications where the evidence is sufficient to initiate the treatment. We also hope the articles will facilitate the conversation on the future of medical cannabis research and its accommodation into mainstream medicine." Source: https://www.elsevier.com/ Username: Password: or Register Thread Rating: 1 Vote(s) - 5 Average 1 2 3 4 5 Chemical or Nuclear Attack : ??? For 7 Months Israel will bury the dead The Ghost Of LOP Registered User User ID: kaput 03-16-2018 02:33 AM Posts: 41,237 Post: #1 Chemical or Nuclear Attack : ??? For 7 Months Israel will bury the dead Advertisement 12 For seven months the Israelites will be burying them in order to cleanse the land. 13 All the people of the land will bury them, and the day I display my glory will be a memorable day for them, declares the Sovereign Lord. 14 People will be continually employed in cleansing the land. They will spread out across the land and, along with others, they will bury any bodies that are lying on the ground. After the seven months they will carry out a more detailed search. 15 As they go through the land, anyone who sees a human bone will leave a marker beside it until the gravediggers bury it in the Valley of Hamon Gog, 16 near a town called Hamonah. I am so confused !!! Ezekiel Chapter 3912 For seven months the Israelites will be burying them in order to cleanse the land.13 All the people of the land will bury them, and the day I display my glory will be a memorable day for them, declares the Sovereign Lord.14 People will be continually employed in cleansing the land. They will spread out across the land and, along with others, they will bury any bodies that are lying on the ground. After the seven months they will carry out a more detailed search.15 As they go through the land, anyone who sees a human bone will leave a marker beside it until the gravediggers bury it in the Valley of Hamon Gog,16 near a town called Hamonah.I am so confused !!! (This post was last modified: 03-16-2018 02:35 AM by The Ghost Of LOP .) LoP Guest lop guest User ID: 1337 03-16-2018 02:36 AM Post: #2 RE: Chemical or Nuclear Attack : ??? For 7 Months Israel will bury the dead There is actually a town called Jebus " LoP Guest lop guest User ID: 1337 03-16-2018 02:36 AM Post: #3 RE: Chemical or Nuclear Attack : ??? For 7 Months Israel will bury the dead Hmmmm looks like a good job opportunity coming up in prophecy as a gravedigger. The Ghost Of LOP Registered User User ID: 1337 03-16-2018 02:37 AM Posts: 41,237 Post: #4 RE: Chemical or Nuclear Attack : ??? For 7 Months Israel will bury the dead LoP Guest Wrote: (03-16-2018 02:36 AM) There is actually a town called Jebus " Guess so... Guess so... I am so confused !!! The Ghost Of LOP Registered User User ID: 1337 03-16-2018 02:38 AM Posts: 41,237 Post: #5 RE: Chemical or Nuclear Attack : ??? For 7 Months Israel will bury the dead LoP Guest Wrote: (03-16-2018 02:36 AM) Hmmmm looks like a good job opportunity coming up in prophecy as a gravedigger. But you have to admit the marker sounds pretty spacfic like guys in white suits or haz mat suits going around and placing a marker near contaminated bones. But you have to admit the marker sounds pretty spacfic like guys in white suits or haz mat suits going around and placing a marker near contaminated bones. I am so confused !!! LoP Guest lop guest User ID: 1337 03-16-2018 02:39 AM Post: #6 RE: Chemical or Nuclear Attack : ??? For 7 Months Israel will bury the dead Or a job opportunity in making markers to leave by bones that are found. LoP Guest lop guest User ID: 1337 03-16-2018 02:40 AM Post: #7 RE: Chemical or Nuclear Attack : ??? For 7 Months Israel will bury the dead The Ghost Of LOP Wrote: (03-16-2018 02:38 AM) LoP Guest Wrote: (03-16-2018 02:36 AM) Hmmmm looks like a good job opportunity coming up in prophecy as a gravedigger. But you have to admit the marker sounds pretty spacfic like guys in white suits or haz mat suits going around and placing a marker near contaminated bones. yep you may be right yep you may be right LoP Guest lop guest User ID: 1337 03-16-2018 02:42 AM Post: #8 RE: Chemical or Nuclear Attack : ??? For 7 Months Israel will bury the dead Goy will do the job and GUESS WHO will make billions from it ! LoP Guest lop guest User ID: 1337 03-16-2018 02:52 AM Post: #9 RE: Chemical or Nuclear Attack : ??? For 7 Months Israel will bury the dead The Ghost Of LOP Wrote: (03-16-2018 02:38 AM) LoP Guest Wrote: (03-16-2018 02:36 AM) Hmmmm looks like a good job opportunity coming up in prophecy as a gravedigger. But you have to admit the marker sounds pretty spacfic like guys in white suits or haz mat suits going around and placing a marker near contaminated bones. The marker stuff is PRECISELY how Search and Rescue Teams are instructed - flag, record, and move on. Forensic teams follow later and process the "scene" - bag, tag, and send to analyze. The marker stuff is PRECISELY how Search and Rescue Teams are instructed - flag, record, and move on. Forensic teams follow later and process the "scene" - bag, tag, and send to analyze. The Ghost Of LOP Registered User User ID: 1337 03-16-2018 02:54 AM Posts: 41,237 Post: #10 RE: Chemical or Nuclear Attack : ??? For 7 Months Israel will bury the dead LoP Guest Wrote: (03-16-2018 02:52 AM) The Ghost Of LOP Wrote: (03-16-2018 02:38 AM) But you have to admit the marker sounds pretty spacfic like guys in white suits or haz mat suits going around and placing a marker near contaminated bones. The marker stuff is PRECISELY how Search and Rescue Teams are instructed - flag, record, and move on. Forensic teams follow later and process the "scene" - bag, tag, and send to analyze. ...So take in the account how many thousands of years ago was this foreseen ? Very Creepy ! ...So take in the account how many thousands of years ago was this foreseen ? Very Creepy ! I am so confused !!! LoP Guest lop guest User ID: 1337 03-16-2018 02:55 AM Post: #11 RE: Chemical or Nuclear Attack : ??? For 7 Months Israel will bury the dead So cowards anonymous is supposedly from Australia yet never seems to post in threads that deal with Australia or their government. Instead CA post's non stop US political threads and gun control threads. So seems someones sock is showing a tell. I think the entire or almost the entire contingent of leftist liberals on LOP are one and the same. Someone's pushing an agenda wonder what it pays? LoP Guest lop guest User ID: 1337 03-16-2018 02:56 AM Post: #12 RE: Chemical or Nuclear Attack : ??? For 7 Months Israel will bury the dead The Ghost Of LOP Wrote: (03-16-2018 02:54 AM) LoP Guest Wrote: (03-16-2018 02:52 AM) The marker stuff is PRECISELY how Search and Rescue Teams are instructed - flag, record, and move on. Forensic teams follow later and process the "scene" - bag, tag, and send to analyze. ...So take in the account how many thousands of years ago was this foreseen ? Very Creepy ! Ghost, this is off topic, but I think you would make a good researcher at a local library or office. you seem to know a lot about various topics. Have a great day! Ghost, this is off topic, but I think you would make a good researcher at a local library or office. you seem to know a lot about various topics. Have a great day! LoP Guest lop guest User ID: 1337 03-16-2018 03:00 AM Post: #13 RE: Chemical or Nuclear Attack : ??? For 7 Months Israel will bury the dead LoP Guest Wrote: (03-16-2018 02:55 AM) So cowards anonymous is supposedly from Australia yet never seems to post in threads that deal with Australia or their government. Instead CA post's non stop US political threads and gun control threads. So seems someones sock is showing a tell. I think the entire or almost the entire contingent of leftist liberals on LOP are one and the same. Someone's pushing an agenda wonder what it pays? Australia, Canada part of the British Empire...they get to chime in. Australia, Canada part of the British Empire...they get to chime in. LoP Guest lop guest User ID: 1337 03-16-2018 03:12 AM Post: #14 RE: Chemical or Nuclear Attack : ??? For 7 Months Israel will bury the dead The sea of Galilee is more like a puddle these days.. This week, thousands of graduating medical students around the country will find out where they'll head next, to start their residency training. But a new study gives the first objective evidence of the heavy toll that the first year of residency can take on their sleep, physical activity and mood. The results come from the first phase of a University of Michigan study aimed at understanding the effects of medical training stress. It asks new doctors to wear Fitbit activity trackers around the clock, and sends them mood-tracking text messages every day, for the months immediately before and after they start residency. The researchers call it "digital phenotyping." On average, the 33 doctors in the pilot study lost 2 hours and 48 minutes of sleep a week after their residency training began, due to high work load and frequent changes in their schedule that wreaked havoc on their sleep patterns. They got 11.5 percent less physical activity than before, and their mood score dropped by 7.5 percent. The demands of the intern year of residency appeared to stack up. When they had a shorter sleep time one night, the participants' mood suffered more the next day, and they slept even less the following night. The study also reveals the impact of the frequent changes in work schedules that medical interns experience as they rotate among the different settings where they get their training. They got less sleep and had lower mood levels when their sleep schedule was more than three hours from one rotation to the next - for instance, shifting from overnight hospital duty to outpatient clinics. The new results, published in the Journal of General Internal Medicine, give the first objective evidence of a phenomenon that senior author Srijan Sen, M.D., Ph.D. and his colleagues have studied for years. Past studies based on questionnaires have shown a high risk of depression among medical interns, which researchers have attributed to the loss of sleep, high stress and demanding schedules. To look at the issue on a much larger scale, the team has already recruited more than 500 of this year's graduating students from more than 80 medical schools to take part in the study including enhanced reports about their tracking results. From the class just matching into new residency programs this week, they will be enrolling 1500-2000 more participants; interested students can learn more at https:/ / www. srijan-sen-lab. com/ intern-health-study. "Though we expected the start of internship to affect sleep, mood and activity, quantifying the extent and nature of the effects in real time really highlighted the magnitude of changes," says Sen, an associate professor of psychiatry at the U-M Medical School. "The relationship between sleep and mood is clearly bidirectional, but it appears that sleep affects mood the next day more than mood affects sleep." Sen and his colleagues note that when the training physicians experience the dramatic shift to an earlier wake-up time to start their clinical duties in the hospital, most do not seem to compensate by going to sleep much earlier the night before. He notes that the system of asking interns to get to the hospital in the pre-dawn hours so they can be ready to inform senior residents and attending physicians about patients during morning rounds dates back more than a century. But with modern knowledge about natural patterns of sleep and waking - called circadian rhythms - it may be time to update that practice, he says. Or at least, it's time for residency programs to reduce interns' schedule swings back and forth from early duty to later duty. "Interns' schedules change day to day and month to month as they rotate through different shift times and settings, and with recent national changes in their work-hour limits, these dramatic changes in work and sleep time have become more profound," he says. "We hope this research will help inform residency programs as they design their interns' schedules." For instance, going abruptly from a 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. shift suddenly to a 4 p.m. to 10 a.m. shift not only sleep but mood in a way that persists beyond the first few days of working the night shift. Other studies have shown that long-term night-shift work by all kinds of workers can have a negative effect on mental and physical health and work performance, Sen notes, because of the effects of working when the body expects to be sleeping based on circadian rhythms. But the body can adjust somewhat to long-term night work. Changing from day shift to night and back in rapid succession, as medical interns do, appears to create much stronger effects on sleep, physical activity and mood. The new study also suggests that shifting to a later start is much easier than shifting to an early-morning start - another observation that could help residency programs schedule their shifts. Data from the Fitbits in the two months before the interns began their training showed variation among individuals in their patterns of sleep and activity. Those who tended to be "night owls" before internship began had a harder time than those who were already natural "morning larks", with an early natural wake-up time. As for the students who are about to graduate and become this year's intern class at hospitals around the country, Sen offers some advice. "Try to stick to the same sleep-wake schedule throughout a rotation, and go to sleep earlier than you naturally would when your schedule demands an early start time, to reduce the effects of sleep deprivation and the risk of mood changes and depression." But he also hopes that hospitals will recognize the importance of their physicians' sleep schedules to their own health, and to the safety of their patients. "We're learning more and more that sleep and circadian timing play a role in our mental and physical health. We need to see this as a national priority, not just for physicians in training but even for those in practice - for instance, those who stay up late to finish entering information and orders into electronic health record systems at home, or have other administrative burdens outside of clinical care hours." Source: http://www.med.umich.edu/ Like a great orchestra, your brain relies on the perfect coordination of many elements to function properly. And if one of those elements is out of sync, it affects the entire ensemble. In Alzheimer's disease, for instance, damage to specific neurons can alter brainwave rhythms and cause a loss of cognitive functions. One type of neuron, called inhibitory interneuron, is particularly important for managing brain rhythms. It's also the research focus of a laboratory led by Jorge Palop, PhD, assistant investigator at the Gladstone Institutes. In a study published in Neuron, Palop and his collaborators uncovered the therapeutic benefits of genetically improving these interneurons and transplanting them into the brain of a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease. Interneurons control complex networks between neurons, allowing them to send signals to one another in a harmonized way. You can think of inhibitory interneurons as orchestra conductors. They create rhythms in the brain to instruct the players--excitatory neurons--when to play and when to stop. An imbalance between these two types of neurons creates disharmony and is seen in multiple neurological and psychiatric disorders, including Alzheimer's disease, epilepsy, schizophrenia, and autism. A Brain without a Conductor Palop's previous studies showed that, in mouse models of Alzheimer's, the inhibitory interneurons do not work properly. So, the rhythms that organize the excitatory cells are disturbed and fail to function harmoniously, causing an imbalance in brain networks. This, in turn, affects memory formation and can lead to epileptic activity, which is often observed in patients with Alzheimer's disease. His team found a way to reengineer inhibitory interneurons to improve their function. They showed that these enhanced interneurons, when transplanted into the abnormal brain of Alzheimer mice, can properly control the activity of excitatory cells and restore brain rhythms. "We took advantage of the fact that transplanted interneurons can integrate remarkably well into new brain tissues, and that each interneuron can control thousands of excitatory neurons," said Palop, who is also an assistant professor of neurology at the University of California, San Francisco. "These properties make interneurons a promising therapeutic target for cognitive disorders associated with brain rhythm abnormalities and epileptic activity." First, the scientists had to overcome a significant challenge. When they transplanted regular interneurons, they saw no beneficial effects, presumably because Alzheimer's disease creates a toxic environment in the brain. The researchers then genetically boosted the activity of inhibitory interneurons by adding a protein called Nav1.1. They discovered that the interneurons with enhanced function were able to overcome the toxic disease environment and restore brain function. "These optimized neurons are like master conductors," said Palop. "Even with a declining orchestra, they can restore the rhythms and harmony needed for cognitive functions." Conductors Engineered for Alzheimer's Disease The findings could eventually lead to the development of new treatment options for patients with Alzheimer's disease. "Besides the applications this cell engineering and transplantation approach may find in regenerative medicine, our findings support the broader concept that enhancing the function of interneurons can counteract key aspects of Alzheimer's disease," said Lennart Mucke, MD, director of the Gladstone Institute of Neurological Disease. In addition to examining if the cell therapy could be translated from mice to humans, Palop and his team are working to identify potential drugs as an alternative way to enhance the function of inhibitory interneurons. "Advancing our understanding of Alzheimer's disease and identifying potential new treatment strategies are critical to addressing the escalating global health crisis," said Elizabeth Edgerly, PhD, executive director of the Alzheimer's Association, Northern California and Northern Nevada chapter. "We were proud to support Dr. Palop's research and vision with an Investigator Initiated Research Grant award." The Alzheimer's Association, which funded part of the study, is the world's largest nonprofit funder of Alzheimer's research. Source: https://gladstone.org/about-us/press-releases/cell-therapy-could-improve-brain-function-alzheimer-s-disease Scientists at the Joint Research Centre, the European Commission's science and knowledge service, find that global warming has allowed disease-bearing insects to proliferate, increasing exposure to viral infections. Spurred on by climate change, international travel and international trade, disease-bearing insects are spreading to ever-wider parts of the world. This means that more humans are exposed to viral infections such as Dengue fever, Chikungunya, Zika, West Nile fever, Yellow fever and Tick-borne encephalitis. For many of these diseases, there are as yet no specific antiviral agents or vaccines. Global warming has allowed mosquitoes, ticks and other disease-bearing insects to proliferate, adapt to different seasons, migrate and spread to new niche areas that have become warmer. These are the findings of a JRC report that aims to raise awareness about the threat posed by the spread of arboviruses (arthropod-borne viruses). The growing spread of arboviruses Aedes mosquitoes spread several arboviruses, including Dengue, Chikungunya, Zika, West Nile and Yellow fever viruses. These mosquitoes thrive in urban settings due to the lack of natural predators and the ready availability of food and habitats in which to procreate. They have existed in Africa and Asia for many years and are now becoming more and more widespread. They have recently become established in some European countries and the Americas, largely as a result of international travel and trade. Their alarming spread poses a problem for public health. They are difficult to eradicate - their larvae can survive for months, even in suboptimal humidity and temperature conditions. The tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) has been found in several European countries, including Austria, the Czech Republic, Germany, Lithuania, Poland, Slovakia, Sweden and, more recently, the Netherlands. One of the more recently reported vectors for the virus, the Dermacentor reticulatus tick species, is rapidly spreading through Europe. It has a high reproduction rate, is cold resistant and can live underwater for months. Humans can be infected by a tick bite or through consuming unpasteurised dairy products that do not meet EU safety standards and have come from infected animals. Luckily, TBEV can be vaccinated against. Zika virus - a serious concern for Europe Zika virus has received a lot of media attention due to its association with neurological disorders such as Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) and the development of microcephaly (abnormally small head) in foetuses. It is difficult to diagnose and there is no cure or vaccine. First identified in 1947 in the Zika forest of Uganda, its spread is a serious concern given the growing presence of its main vector, the mosquito Aedes albopictus, in temperate zones including Europe and America. The first documented outbreak of ZIKV infection was reported in 2007 in Micronesia. Since then it spread to French Polynesia and Brazil, where it infected up to 1.3 million people in 2015. More than 70 territories worldwide have confirmed autochthonous (indigenous) cases of ZIKV. By March 2017, 2 130 Europeans were reported to have travel-associated ZIKV infections. Mosquito control strategies The report describes and discusses several methods that have been used to control the spread of mosquitoes, including insecticides, mosquito traps, genetic modification, land reclamation and habitat surveillance. Currently, the safest and most readily available and effective methods of controlling mosquitoes are mosquito traps (for relatively small areas) and nets, and the reduction of potential breeding sites (standing water). While the research team behind the study advocate better control of mosquito populations, they also warn that it would be unwise to remove mosquitoes completely from the ecosystem. They are part of the food web for some species, and pollinate many plants. Wiping them out completely could have negative effects on nature, and consequently on humans. Once funding is obtained, researchers can perform a clinical trial to test the efficacy of transplanting bone marrow cells into muscles to stop deterioration caused by the illness. The method has already yielded positive results on mice. The Neuroscience Institute at the Universidad Miguel Hernandez (UMH) in Elche, Alicante, and the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC) are actively searching for 492,800 to be able to develop a worldwide pioneering test on 100 patients suffering from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) which could, by using adult stem cells, stop the progressive deterioration of the locomotor apparatus - which eventually leads to patients' death. This therapy is spearheaded by the director of the Neuroscience Institute, Salvador Martinez, and has been successfully tested on mice. The clinical trial would be undertaken over a three year period in the Virgen de la Arrixaca (Murcia), Hospital General (Alicante) and Sant Joan d'Alacant (Alicante) hospitals in eastern Spain and, if successful, would make it possible to then treat, for example, the 900 patients that are diagnosed with ALS every year in Spain, stopping the progressive and inevitable paralysis of their muscles. Neuroscience Institute manager Salvador Martinez has been looking into therapies to fight ALS for two decades, and as the head of a group of a dozen scientists, has been able to verify in a laboratory that transplanting bone marrow cells to the muscles stops the deadly progressive muscular deterioration caused by this illness. This is possible because adult stem cells from the bone marrow act as guards and prevent the death of motor neurons (named as such because they are in charge of muscle movement), with the added benefit that there is no cell rejection because the transplanted cells are from the same patient. However, a lack of public resources has so far kept testing on humans from being a possibility due to the associated costs. Therefore, the hospitals from Murcia and Alicante have requested a financing project to the Carlos III Health Institute in Madrid, the national entity which covers clinical trials with no commercial purpose. The objective is to test the transplant of bone marrow cells in the tibialis anterior muscle (located near the shin and which dorsiflexes, or lifts, the foot) as well as in the hand muscles, where the loss of strength due to the illness if clinically very noticeable. The trial would be double-blind and would consist of inoculating the muscles of one hand with bone marrow cells and those in the other with a placebo, without the doctor or the patient knowing which is which. Once the financing is covered, the study will have to be verified by Spanish Medicine Agency AEMPS before it can be worked on as a potential therapeutic option, which would then make it possible to test other muscles commonly affected by the disease, such as the diaphragm. Martinez explains that 'this method of transplant keeps our hopes of being much more effective alive, because we can introduce many cells into a muscle, as many as we need, and the amount of times necessary (depending on the size of the muscle). Furthermore, the transplant is performed without surgery and only requires local anaesthetic.' He explains that public funds are needed to proceed with this line of research against ALS, as this type of therapy 'isn't interesting for pharmaceutical laboratories' because it uses 'the patient's own cells' instead of marketable products. As many as 100 patients from anywhere in the country would take part in the trial, as long as they have the green light to be recruited by their neurologist. Once the initial transplant is performed in the Arrixaca hospital, electromyography tests would be performed every three months for at least a year in the Hospital General and the Hospital de Sant Joan d'Alacant in order to objectively measure the evolution of the muscle's strength and range of movement. Groups from Italy and Norway have already shown interest in this therapy and have asked the Neuroscience Institute for information in order to perform similar tests in their countries. Basic research has been performed in the Institute, located in the Sant Joan d'Alacant campus of the UMH, and has been financed for years by programs of the Spanish Government, the EU and the Spanish Network for Cellular Treatment (TerCel), as well as donations from trusts such as Diogenes and Rotary Illice. On average, more than two people are diagnosed with ALS every day in Spain, an illness with no cure which only has low-efficiency palliative care treatment available, as it only prolongs a patient's life by about six months within a three to five year life expectancy period. A genetic origin has been established for 10% of cases, but it remains unknown for the rest, leading to the appearance of theories related to genetic and environmental predisposing factors. Source: http://ruvid.org/ri-world/stem-cell-transplants-could-stop-als-muscle-deterioration/ Hours before News18s Rising India Summit, JC2 Ventures founder and CEO John Chambers said that Indias growth story will be an example to the rest of the world and the country is growing at a rate much faster than others. Chambers, also the former CEO of Cisco, headed the companys teams in India that brought him closer to the ground realities of the country. Everything about the country excites me, he exclaimed, in an interaction with News18.com. The summit will be held in New Delhi on March 16 and 17. Edited excerpts of the interview: What is your version of a rising India? Everything about India excites me. I headed world headquarters of Cisco in India almost 15 years ago and three years ago I met Prime Minister Narendra Modi when he was elected. I felt that he could be one of the greatest leaders in the world, and he turned out to be one. When you look at the future of India, you have 1.3 billion of people with the average age of 26, and its a group which is extremely hard working. Your government is working towards creating the environment for job creation and raising the standard of living at par with other world powers. In my opinion, when you look at India over the next 10 years, the GDP will grow with good execution. Perhaps, over 10 per cent for a decade. I know that three years ago there were a lot of challenges, but now the people looking at India are way more optimistic. What are the hurdles in a run up to Indias growth story? There will be bumps along the way, there was and will continue to be. But if you look at the story in India and you look at the inclusive approach across all 29 states, the chief ministers and a prime minister like Modi, the problems can be easily overcome. He is among the very best in the world, a tremendous visionary genius. He wakes up every morning thinking about what can be done for the country. He is among the very few leaders in the world who understand digitisation and interestingly India is among the three countries that are growing the fastest in their individual areas within the world and creating jobs. I think the first thing India needs to work on, is to continue to move fast with timely changes. People naturally resist change. The strategies by Modi outline a dream about GDP growth of an extra two to three points. Digitisation will foster Indias growth. India will soon become the start-up engine for Asia. The plans to come up with smart cities in 760 villages across 29 states and territories to empower young people and innovation for the future is commendable, but the key is how do you keep the momentum going. Also, people in India are impatient. You've got the biggest aircraft carrier in the world and expect the prime minister to be able to do something about it in a jiffy. For example, demonetization or the goods and services tax (GST), things which were so fundamental to the future. All of those things help with modernization and development of the country as a whole. Yet all of us and certainly critics say things should happen faster. Any business leader will tell you that it takes one to three years to implement them. How do we bridge the gap between rural and urban development? Inclusive growth is the key to developing any nation. I am sharing with you the same discussion that is an issue in France as well. There they have decided that you have to make it inclusive of all the people in the country. So to think about India and the venture capital being focused on just nine cities is not helping at all. So we've got to get that venture capital spread across all 29 states. It has to be a program of how do we enable that to make it easier for startups to engage with that even further. India made the biggest move in the world in ease of doing business but we still have a way to go. Chief Ministers need to take responsibility in their states to say how we make it a start-up state. How do we make it inclusive? Similarly in a very positive way, competition needs to prop up. What are the positives and negatives for a foreign business investor in India? As a business investor, the startup culture which is increasingly becoming popular in the country encourages me. I have my own money invested in a few start-ups in India. With policies like Start-up India, Make in India and Digital India there are prospects of tremendous growth in the country. India is going to be a model for growth in front of the entire world. In the last ten years India has developed from a country that used to pose many challenges to one that solves them. However, as an investor something that makes me nervous is the pace of change. India needs to find a momentum to surge ahead under the able leadership of Prime Minister Modi. He is the best leader there ever can be, I can bet my life on him. New Delhi: Anil Agarwal, founder and chairman of Vedanta Resources Plc, batted for the privatisation of state-run companies to make them function more efficiently at the News18 Rising India Summit in New Delhi on Friday. "Why can't we have 50 government companies who will be regarded globally? Why can't their reigns be handed to people like me? Why can't we have Indian CEOs? The government can hold say 30% of the shares and the rest can be run by private CEOs," said Agarwal. He expressed interest and confidence in Indian private market as well. The founding chairman of Vedanta, while talking about the Supreme Court banning mining leases in Goa, where his group has large stakes, said, "We have to set environment goals for ourselves. But if something has not been broken, why fix it?" Goa, prior to the ban, exported iron ore in excess of 50 million tons annually, before the Shah Commission report found that government agencies implicated government agencies associated with mining of iron ore and exports, and also nearly all major mining industrial houses in the scam, along with the then Chief Minister Digambar Kamat. Iron ore extraction in the state was hence banned by the state and central governments, followed by a complete ban by the Supreme Court in 2012 on extraction and export. However, the Supreme Court lifted the ban a year later and placed an annual ceiling of 20 million tons of ore extraction for the state's mining industry. The new case emerged when the state government in 2014-15 renewed the mining leases in favour of the same mining companies accused by the Shah Commission of illegal mining. This decision of the state government was challenged in the court by Goa foundation. The Supreme Court last month cancelled the second renewal of iron ore mining leases given to 88 companies in Goa in 2015. The court provided time till March 15 to mining lease holders, who have been granted a second renewal in violation of its previous directions, to manage their affairs. Lucknow: Nearly 50 students of Kasturba Gandhi Balika School in Awagarh town of Etah district in Uttar Pradesh were rushed to the district hospital after consuming their mid-day meal. The condition of two students is said to be serious. According to doctors, the symptoms of children indicated food poisoning. The parents blamed school administration for the incident. The children, it was pointed out, did complain to the authorities about the poor quality of food they were being served during the mid-day meal. An inquiry has been ordered in the incident by the District Magistrate. After the matter came to the light, the district administration and health officials reached the district hospital to ascertain the cause behind the incident. Responsibility for mid-day meal for children in primary and upper primary schools of the region has been given to NGOs since November first last year. New Delhi: Unprecedented efforts and energy is being put to bring India's East and Northeast regions on a par with the pace of progress in the rest of the country, Prime Minister Modi said during his keynote speech at News18 Rising India Summit on Friday. India has brought the Northeast from "isolation to integration," he said. "People used to say Dilli Dur Ast [Delhi is far away] but I have brought Delhi to the doorsteps of the North East," the PM said. Through his "Act Eas, Act Fast" policy, Modi said he was focussing a lot of the attention of the state machinery to reducing social imbalance in the region. "But there are those who think that I'm working in Northeast for some political gains only. Let me tell them, they have lost touch with the realities on ground," he said. Talking about the theme of the event, Modi said "Rising India" to him meant an India that is united in its aspirations. "To me the idea of Rising India is an India whose aspirations and growth is united. It doesn't just mean amassing record forex reserves, receiving unprecedented foreign investments. India will rise only when social imbalance reduces," Modi said. Modi talked about his recent trips to the North East, where his party was able to form government in 3 out of 3 states that went to polls last month. "I just returned after inaugurating the Indian Science Congress in Manipur this morning. This was my 19th tour to the North East in my tenure as the PM," he said. The Prime Minister commented how his government has worked overtime to change the image of Northeast "that has been a traditional laggard in the march towards progress and prosperity. Our government has worked hard to bring this region at par with the rest of the country." Giving instances, Modi talked about how his government restarted a gas project in Assam that was pending for the last 31 years, or how through the efforts put in by his ministers the first commercial flight had just landed in Sikkim. "We also started work on strategically located Dola Sadiapur, that shares border with China and we have given priority to East when it came to expanding higher education institutions," Modi said. He also talked about energy projects that his ministry kick started in the region. "There were 18,000 villages that after independence had not received electricity, of this 13000 were in Northeast. We are working overtime to reduce this deficiency and to a large extent we already have," he said. He also recounted successes India has made in fields of education, health, power and renewable energy, and diplomacy. "We believe that there should not be any silos, only solutions. This is why we have worked for progress holistically. There has been a rise in immunisation coverage from 1% to 6%. The sanitation coverage has gone up from 38% to 80%," the Prime Minister said. The Prime Minister also tweeted a link to his speech after the event. New Delhi: During a ceremony in Bengaluru to hand out Nirbhaya awards, a former MP and ex-Karnataka DGP lauded the good physique of Nirbhayas mother Asha Devi. HT Sangliyana, a highly decorated former MP and retired DGP and IGP of Karnataka, insensitively said: I see Nirbhayas mother, she has such a good physique. I can just imagine how beautiful Nirbhaya would have been. Nirbhayas parents Asha Devi and Badrinath Singh were present when the remark was made. It is still not clear if Nirbhaya's parents could hear Sangliana's speech clearly. Anita Cheria, who was awarded at the function, contemplated leaving soon after the comment in protest, but stayed back out of respect for Nirbhaya's parents, reported Bangalore Mirror. In her acceptance speech, Cheria made her disapproval of Sangalianas comment known. When top government officials, from the police, seemingly well-meaning, think it appropriate to comment, appreciating a woman's good physique, we, as a society, have long way to go to change mindsets and bring any measurable lasting change in favour of women," she said. Sangliyana did not stop there. He also gave some disturbing safety tips to women when he said that they should surrender when overpowered and follow up the case later to prevent being killed. A journalist who attended the event tweeted his advice. At Nirbhaya Award function, Sangliana, retd IGP says 'If you r overpowered u shd surrender, n follow up case later to prevent being killed. Susheela Nair (@NairSusheela) March 9, 2018 Following Sangliana's comment, some the guests at the event left in protest. Nirbhaya was gruesomely beaten, gang-raped and tortured in a moving bus by six attackers, including a juvenile, on 16 December, 2012 when she was travelling with a friend in New Delhi. The attackers had brutalised Singh with an iron rod and her intestines were pulled out. She succumbed to her injuries 13 days later at a Singapore hospital. Darbhanga (Bihar): Unidentified persons hacked to death the father of a BJP worker here allegedly over a tiff over naming of a square on the outskirts of the city after Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Police, however, claimed that murder of 65-year-old Ramchandra Yadav on Thursday night, whose BJP activist son Kamlesh Yadav sustained injuries in the attack, was the fallout of a "personal enmity". Kamlesh Yadav, who was undergoing treatment at a hospital, told reporters "a chowk (square) at our native village of Bhadavan in Sadar police station area had been named after Narendra Modi two years ago". "On Thursday, local RJD supporters, who had been opposed to naming of the square after Modi, tried to remove the plaque bearing the name of the square. When we protested, they said that the RJD's victory in bypolls to one Lok Sabha and an assembly seat marked their party's resurgence and hence they wanted to rename the square after Lalu Prasad", Yadav alleged. "The RJD supporters went away after we resolutely opposed them. However, in the night, a group of 20-25 persons came to hour house riding on motorcycles, attacked my father with a sword, severing his head", Yadav, whose arm was slashed by a sword carried by the assailants, said. Additional SP, Darbhanga, Dilnawaz Ahmad, however, said "as per our information, the attackers had some personal enmity with Kamlesh Yadav and his family. We are not aware of any dispute over naming of the square, though all angles would be investigated". Local BJP workers in the district also staged a demonstration in protest against the killing, blocking road traffic for close to an hour. They were pacified by the police who assured them of adequate action against the guilty. Meanwhile, state BJP spokesman Rajib Ranjan told PTI over phone "incidents like these demonstrate RJD's belief in hooliganism and corruption. They have merely retained two seats they had held earlier, but they want to strike terror in the hearts of the people of Bihar". Username: Password: or Register Thread Rating: 3 Vote(s) - 5 Average 1 2 3 4 5 Page: 1 2 3 4 SWEDEN: 65YO WOMAN CHARGED AFTER SAYING MASS IMMIGRATION WILL LEAD TO LOW IQs BlueBrisket lop guest User ID: kaput 03-16-2018 09:52 AM Post: #1 SWEDEN: 65YO WOMAN CHARGED AFTER SAYING MASS IMMIGRATION WILL LEAD TO LOW IQs Advertisement "A 65-year-old Swedish woman has been criminally charged for hate against a group of people after writing on Facebook that mass immigration will cause Swedens IQ levels to fall, according to a report from the Swedish website FriaTider. Voice of Europe reports: If this continues, the intelligence in Sweden will be at goldfish level, the woman wrote on a Facebook page called Stop Abuse of Power. In her contributions, the woman also made a lot of critical comments about, among other things, Muslims. Chamber prosecutor Lisa Hedberg, tells Sverige Radio that the number of investigations of hate speech against groups has increased since the Network Examiner systematically searches and reports posts, often made by older Swedes. Today, the 65-year-old woman is brought to the district court. She stands trial for being suspected of hate against a group of people. The woman denies the crimes. " https://www.infowars.com/sweden-65yo-wom...level-iqs/ Now it's a crime to say the truth? What's the world coming to?"A 65-year-old Swedish woman has been criminally charged for hate against a group of people after writing on Facebook that mass immigration will cause Swedens IQ levels to fall, according to a report from the Swedish website FriaTider.Voice of Europe reports:If this continues, the intelligence in Sweden will be at goldfish level, the woman wrote on a Facebook page called Stop Abuse of Power. In her contributions, the woman also made a lot of critical comments about, among other things, Muslims.Chamber prosecutor Lisa Hedberg, tells Sverige Radio that the number of investigations of hate speech against groups has increased since the Network Examiner systematically searches and reports posts, often made by older Swedes.Today, the 65-year-old woman is brought to the district court. She stands trial for being suspected of hate against a group of people. The woman denies the crimes. Monk-1 Registered User User ID: 1337 03-16-2018 09:52 AM Posts: 5,687 Post: #2 RE: SWEDEN: 65YO WOMAN CHARGED AFTER SAYING MASS IMMIGRATION WILL LEAD TO LOW IQs It`s true. Monk-1 Registered User User ID: 1337 03-16-2018 09:53 AM Posts: 5,687 Post: #3 RE: SWEDEN: 65YO WOMAN CHARGED AFTER SAYING MASS IMMIGRATION WILL LEAD TO LOW IQs They are taking in the rejects and ignoring the ones that wants workers visas. Monk-1 Registered User User ID: 1337 03-16-2018 09:55 AM Posts: 5,687 Post: #4 RE: SWEDEN: 65YO WOMAN CHARGED AFTER SAYING MASS IMMIGRATION WILL LEAD TO LOW IQs They don`t even bother to learn the language anymore. No less further education. That is very rare. (This post was last modified: 03-16-2018 09:56 AM by Monk-1 .) LoP Guest lop guest User ID: 1337 03-16-2018 09:58 AM Post: #5 RE: SWEDEN: 65YO WOMAN CHARGED AFTER SAYING MASS IMMIGRATION WILL LEAD TO LOW IQs Monk-1 Wrote: (03-16-2018 09:52 AM) It`s true. Maybe America should take them? Based on what I see of American posters here, there's no IQ to damage. Maybe America should take them?Based on what I see of American posters here, there's no IQ to damage. LoP Guest lop guest User ID: 1337 03-16-2018 09:59 AM Post: #6 RE: SWEDEN: 65YO WOMAN CHARGED AFTER SAYING MASS IMMIGRATION WILL LEAD TO LOW IQs Monk-1 Wrote: (03-16-2018 09:55 AM) They don`t even bother to learn the language anymore. No less further education . That is very rare. Huh? Huh? Monk-1 Registered User User ID: 1337 03-16-2018 10:01 AM Posts: 5,687 Post: #7 RE: SWEDEN: 65YO WOMAN CHARGED AFTER SAYING MASS IMMIGRATION WILL LEAD TO LOW IQs LoP Guest Wrote: (03-16-2018 09:58 AM) Monk-1 Wrote: (03-16-2018 09:52 AM) It`s true. Maybe America should take them? Based on what I see of American posters here, there's no IQ to damage. No. In the 80s their parents especially the Pakistanis where very strict about schooling. They basically dragged their children to school by the ear. No. In the 80s their parents especially the Pakistanis where very strict about schooling. They basically dragged their children to school by the ear. LoP Guest lop guest User ID: 1337 03-16-2018 10:15 AM Post: #8 RE: SWEDEN: 65YO WOMAN CHARGED AFTER SAYING MASS IMMIGRATION WILL LEAD TO LOW IQs Monk-1 Wrote: (03-16-2018 10:01 AM) LoP Guest Wrote: (03-16-2018 09:58 AM) Maybe America should take them? Based on what I see of American posters here, there's no IQ to damage. No. In the 80s their parents especially the Pakistanis where very strict about schooling. They basically dragged their children to school by the ear. ???????????????? ???????????????? LoP Guest lop guest User ID: 1337 03-16-2018 10:16 AM Post: #9 RE: SWEDEN: 65YO WOMAN CHARGED AFTER SAYING MASS IMMIGRATION WILL LEAD TO LOW IQs Monk-1 Wrote: (03-16-2018 10:01 AM) LoP Guest Wrote: (03-16-2018 09:58 AM) Maybe America should take them? Based on what I see of American posters here, there's no IQ to damage. No. In the 80s their parents especially the Pakistanis where very strict about schooling. They basically dragged their children to school by the ear. This response pretty much proves my point. This response pretty much proves my point. LoP Guest lop guest User ID: 1337 03-16-2018 12:26 PM Post: #10 RE: SWEDEN: 65YO WOMAN CHARGED AFTER SAYING MASS IMMIGRATION WILL LEAD TO LOW IQs BlueBrisket Wrote: (03-16-2018 09:52 AM) Now it's a crime to say the truth? What's the world coming to? "A 65-year-old Swedish woman has been criminally charged for hate against a group of people after writing on Facebook that mass immigration will cause Swedens IQ levels to fall, according to a report from the Swedish website FriaTider. Voice of Europe reports: If this continues, the intelligence in Sweden will be at goldfish level, the woman wrote on a Facebook page called Stop Abuse of Power. In her contributions, the woman also made a lot of critical comments about, among other things, Muslims. Chamber prosecutor Lisa Hedberg, tells Sverige Radio that the number of investigations of hate speech against groups has increased since the Network Examiner systematically searches and reports posts, [ ]often made by older Swedes[/size]. Today, the 65-year-old woman is brought to the district court. She stands trial for being suspected of hate against a group of people. The woman denies the crimes. " https://www.infowars.com/sweden-65yo-wom...level-iqs/ "Today, the 65-year-old woman is brought to the district court. She stands trial for being suspected of hate against a group of people." Time to arrest whoever brought the charges, for suspected hatred against a group of elderly. See how that works? Sweden is lost. "Today, the 65-year-old woman is brought to the district court. She stands trial for being suspected of hate against a group of people."Time to arrest whoever brought the charges, for suspected hatred against a group of elderly.See how that works?Sweden is lost. Hollow Closet Dweller Registered User User ID: 1337 03-16-2018 12:39 PM Posts: 51 Post: #11 RE: SWEDEN: 65YO WOMAN CHARGED AFTER SAYING MASS IMMIGRATION WILL LEAD TO LOW IQs This is utter bullshit. LoP Guest lop guest User ID: 1337 03-16-2018 12:55 PM Post: #12 RE: SWEDEN: 65YO WOMAN CHARGED AFTER SAYING MASS IMMIGRATION WILL LEAD TO LOW IQs Wrong think they call it! LoP Guest lop guest User ID: 1337 03-16-2018 03:43 PM Post: #13 RE: SWEDEN: 65YO WOMAN CHARGED AFTER SAYING MASS IMMIGRATION WILL LEAD TO LOW IQs Wake up europe before its too late.... JohnPrewett Registered User User ID: 1337 03-16-2018 03:51 PM Posts: 2,279 Post: #14 RE: SWEDEN: 65YO WOMAN CHARGED AFTER SAYING MASS IMMIGRATION WILL LEAD TO LOW IQs LoP Guest lop guest User ID: 1337 03-16-2018 03:51 PM Post: #15 RE: SWEDEN: 65YO WOMAN CHARGED AFTER SAYING MASS IMMIGRATION WILL LEAD TO LOW IQs Arrest the judge. Advertisement Delhi: The Central government has told the Supreme Court that there cannot be a direction to permit Rohingya refugees from Myanmar to enter India. Submitting its fresh affidavit in the Court, the Ministry of Home Affairs has maintained that national interest requires that only those holding valid travel documents be permitted to enter Indian soils. The government emphasised that India is already facing a serious problem of infiltration due to its porous border with other countries, a root cause of spread of terrorism in the country that has claimed thousands of lives of innocent citizens and security personnel. Securing the border of any sovereign nation in accordance with law is an essentially executive function and this Court would not issue a writ directing not only the Central government but all the state governments having a common border to ensure foreigners enter the territory of India," stated the affidavit. Steps being taken by any border guarding force, MHA added, is strictly in accordance with the law and in the interest of the nation, to protect large human rights of its citizens. The government's response has come to a plea, alleging the forces at the Indo-Myanmar border were pushing back Rohingya refugees, using chilli spray stun grenades and other forceful methods. While the affidavit denied usage of these methods, the government made it clear that only those with valid travel documents can be allowed in India and that no court should permit others to enter. Replying to another prayer for issuance of refugee identification cards to Rohingya, the government said that this subject was exclusively within the ambit of policy matter and that the government has decided to issue no such card to any refugee. "There being no law passed by Parliament with regard to refugees, there cannot be any issuance of refugee identification card to any person," said the affidavit. The MHA also distinguished between Sri Lankan Tamil refugees with Rohingya and said there was "comparable parity" between the two. It pointed out that Tamil refugees were allowed in terms of bilateral treaty between India and Sri Lanka, in 1964, 1974 and again in 1986, whereas there is no such agreement between India and Myanmar. A bunch of PILs have been filed in the Supreme Court to stop deportation of Rohingya Muslim refugees, who reportedly fear persecution in Myanmar. While making it clear that there was no agreement or convention that binds Indian government to give asylum to Rohingya, the government has assured the Court that no coercive steps shall be taken against them while the case is pending in the apex court. The petitioners had recently moved an application against what it alleged was a push-back along the border. The plea also asked for access to medical and educational facilities. The Court will hear the case next on Monday. Washington: The US cannot expect India to abruptly stop using Russian arms and instead needs a glide path to increase defence trade with New Delhi, a top American commander has told lawmakers. India is "a key partner and a great strategic opportunity" for the US, Admiral Harry Harris told members of the Senate Armed Services Committee during a Congressional hearing on Thursday. "Seventy percent of their military hardware is Russian in origin. You can't expect India to go cold turkey on that," Harris told the lawmakers. "I think we ought to look at ways to have a glide path so that we can continue to trade in arms within India," he said. Harris was responding to a question from Senator Tom Cotton who asked about the impact of the recent sanctions legislation (CAATSA) Congress passed, designed primarily with Russia in mind, and specifically countries that continue to use Russian military hardware and systems. India, a major consumer of Russian arms, is one of the countries that would be impacted by such a legislation. "I supported that legislation. I still do. But I do have some concerns about potential unintended consequences among countries that, for various historical reasons, still have Russian hardware and it'd be hard to avoid Russian hardware, Senator Cotton said. Harris expressed hope to achieve some relief for the rigidity that's in the Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA) legislation. Cotton then referred to a classified letter written by Defence Secretary Jim Mattis in which he is seeking exemptions for a number of countries. India is believed to be one of those countries for which Mattis has sought exemptions. "I assume Secretary Mattis' point in this classified letter is, do you have a country like India that's a close ally, and growing ever closer, but for historical reasons going back decades, they just rely on a lot of Russian equipment, and would really impair them and therefore, our relationship with them to try to ask them to go cold turkey immediately," Cotton said. "You are correct," Harris said. New Delhi: The Delhi High Court on Friday reserved its order on the bail plea of Karti Chidambaram, son of senior Congress leader P Chidamabaram, in the INX Media corruption case filed by the CBI. The Central Bureau of Investigation opposed the bail application, saying that tampering of evidence and influencing witnesses in the case were a possibility Justice S P Garg heard the CBI and Karti's lawyers after which he reserved the verdict. The probe agency, represented by Additional Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, alleged that Karti had tampered with certain evidence. Senior advocates, including Kapil Sibal, Abhishek Manu Singhvi and Gopal Subramanium, appearing for Karti's lawyers, contended that no case under the Prevention of Corruption Act was made out against their client since no public servant was questioned in the matter or made an accused. They submitted that the FIR lodged in the case did not state which public servant or Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) official was influenced. Karti's lawyers also denied the allegation of tampering with the evidence and added that when the CBI has not sought his further custodial interrogation, then why should he be kept in judicial custody. They also said that no one else has been arrested in the case. Karti had moved the high court seeking bail, hours after a court in Delhi had sent him to judicial custody till March 24. A special court had on March 12 remanded Karti in judicial custody in the graft case and dismissed his plea that he be put in a separate cell in Tihar Jail in view of "threat perception". The court had sent him to prison after the CBI, in whose custody he was quizzed for 12 days in a row after his arrest on February 28 in Chennai, said he was no longer required for further custodial interrogation. Karti was arrested by the CBI on his return from the United Kingdom in connection with an FIR lodged on May 15 last year. It alleged irregularities in a FIPB clearance given to a media house, INX Media, for receiving funds of about Rs 305 crore from overseas in 2007 when his father was the Union finance minister. The CBI had initially alleged that Karti received Rs 10 lakh as a bribe for facilitating the FIPB clearance to INX Media. It, however, later revised the figure to USD 1 million (about Rs 6.50 crore at the current exchange rate and Rs 4.5 crore in 2007). The fresh evidence in the case, which triggered Karti's arrest, was based on a statement of Indrani Mukerjea, former director of INX Media (P) Ltd, who recorded it under Section 164 of the CrPC before a magistrate on February 17. Indrani is at present lodged in a Mumbai prison in connection with the case of murder of her daughter Sheena Bora. New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke on range of issues in the News18 Rising India Summit on Friday. Armed with a series of slides, Modi gave a presentation on what thought Rising India meant. To him, the theme could not be restricted to a narrow focus. He said it had to have broader context Modi felt that Rising India implies the rise of self-respect among the people of India. It reflected in the rise of the country globally. "For me, rising India means the rise of 1.25 billion Indians," he said. He said that today people believe that India can leave its weaknesses behind, and march forward. He said this belief is the foundation of Rising India. He said that today, the whole world is acknowledging India's rise. He said India is giving a new direction, not just to its own development, but also to development of the whole world. He said India is leading the solar revolution today, as demonstrated by the recently held Conference of the International Solar Alliance. He said that at international platforms, such as G-20 and United Nations, India has raised issues which affect the entire world, such as terrorism, black money and corruption. The Prime Minister said that on the economic front, in the last three to four years, India has lent strength to global economic growth as well. He said the country is performing well on all macro-economic parameters. He said rating agencies are revising India's ratings upwards. While taking care of economic growth, Modi said that the government was also working with a holistic approach keeping in mind the aspirations of the poor, lower-middle and middle classes. He said that the Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana has become an effective means to empower youth and women. Modi said that while in common perception, governments lead development and change and citizens follow, in India the trend has been reversed in the last four years. Now citizens lead, and the government follows, he added. This is particularly seen in healthcare, where Swacch Bharat and immunisation have turned into mass movements. He said the Government is focusing on four pillars in health: preventive health, affordable healthcare, supply side interventions and mission mode intervention. On preventive healthcare, the Prime Minister said that there are toilets in 13 crore houses today, compared with 6.5 crore houses in 2014. He said sanitation coverage has risen from about 38 percent, to about 80 percent. He mentioned the Wellness Centres announced in the recent Union Budget. He also spoke about immunization. The Prime Minister said more than 3000 Jan Aushadhi Kendras have been established across the country, where more than 800 medicines are available at low rates. He said the prices of stents and knee implants have also been regulated. He said the Ayushman Bharat scheme would offer health insurance to nearly 10 crore families. On the power sector, he emphasized the importance of breaking silos, and finding solutions. He said the Power Ministry, Renewable Energy Ministry and Coal Ministry are now working as one unit. He said that India is moving from power shortage to power surplus, and from network failure to net exporter. Modi particularly talked about the government working with the mantra of Act East And Act Fast For Indias East. He said, this includes not just the Northeast, but also eastern Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal and Odisha and. He gave examples of the gas cracker project in Assam; revival of fertilizer plants in Gorakhpur, Barauni and Sindri; the Jagdishpur Haldia gas pipeline; and the Dhola Sadia bridge, to show how emphasis is being given to kick starting projects in the region. He said 12 new airports are being constructed in eastern India. The Prime Minister said that out of the 18,000 villages that had been left unelectrified, about 13,000 were in eastern India, and 5000 in the North-East. He said soon, the target of electrifying these villages will be accomplished. He said the Saubhagya Yojana would provide an electricity connection to each home. He said this march of eastern India, from isolation, to integration, would give strength to "Rising India." He said that with the collective willpower of the people, even the impossible can be accomplished. He said, today, this collective willpower, is working to accomplish the resolve of New India. Jodhpur:Former US secretary of state Hillary Clinton, who is on a visit to India, has suffered a hairline fracture on her right wrist after a fall, the director of a private hospital said in Jodhpur on Friday. Clinton was brought to the hospital at 5 am on March 14 and doctors conducted a CT scan and an X-ray on her right hand, Goyal Hospital director Dr Anand Goyal said. They found a hairline fracture on her wrist following which she was given a temporary cast, he said. She had injured the hand during a sight-seeing tour of Mandu in Madhya Pradesh on March 12, according to sources in Umaid Bhawan Palace Hotel in Jodhpur where she stayed. According to hotel sources, Clinton was suffering from pain in her hand after slipping while climbing down a staircase at Jahaz Mahal in Mandu. Following medical advice, she cancelled her scheduled visit of the Mehrangarh Fort here on March 13. But the pain intensified that night following which she was taken to the hospital the next morning, the Jodhpur hospital doctor said. He said a check-up after three days has been advised. Clinton arrived on a two-day visit to Jaipur on Thursday from Jodhpur. New Delhi: With Andhra CM Chandrababu Naidu pulling out of the NDA alliance at the Centre on Friday and moving a no-confidence motion against the government over the special category status, Railways minister Piyush Goyal said the decision was more "sentimental than factual". "All the commitments made in the AP reorganization act have been fulfilled cent per cent. We gave Rs 2,500 crore but no work was done on Amaravati. The topic of Andhra Pradesh was more sentimental than factual," said Goyal, while speaking at News18 Rising India Summit. Downplaying Naidu's claim of his state not getting its rightful share, Goyal said it was the central government which provided Andhra Pradesh the monetary back up. "Even when the 14th Financial Commission decided not to provide special category status to states except North East, it was the central government who still provided them monetary back up," said Goyal. Stating that "politics is all about possibilities" and said that Naidu "asked for money" but never "implemented anything." "Naidu has failed to do anything. We gave them funds but if you go to Amravati nothing has happened on the ground. Now suddenly Naidu is blaming us. We have given them all the funds. They only asked for money but failed to implement anything," said Goyal. Telangana minister KT Rama Rao responded to Goyals assertions that the Centre had done a lot for Andhra Pradesh and reminded him that similar promises were made to Telangana as well. Could you be kind enough to also share with us about the promises delivered to the people of Telangana? Let me remind you that many assurances were given in the same AP Reorganisation Act for Telangana as well, he tweeted. Dear Piyush Ji, Could you be kind enough to also share with us about the promises delivered to the people of Telangana? Let me remind you that many assurances were given in the same AP Reorganisation Act for Telangana as wellRegards,KTR https://t.co/s6002BbVAd KTR (@KTRTRS) March 16, 2018 On the other hand, N Chandrababu Naidu said he was fighting a "dharma yuddh" to secure the state's 'legitimate' rights and parties at the national level were backing TDP's no-confidence motion against the NDA government due to his party's credibility. Explaining his reasons to join the MOdi government, Naidu said: "We joined the NDA in the first place only to protect our states interests in the aftermath of bifurcation. We waited for four years with the hope that the Centre will honour all the promises but it only meted out injustice to us, Naidu said. However, the BJP never cared about TDP, he charged adding while in the opposition, it promised to take care of the state and its needs but once in power, "it completely ignored us." New Delhi: From importing to having excess coal, from gasping for natural gas to striding towards construction of gas grids and strengthening the renewable energy sector in the country, Prime Minister Narendra Modi set India an ambitious target of becoming an energy surplus state by 2022 while addressing the News18 Rising India Summit on Friday. "Today, we are moving towards an energy surplus status. We are also moving towards our dream of One Nation, One Grid. By 2022 we will have excess energy in the country," said Modi. There was a time when the power ministry, renewable energy ministry and the coal ministry did not know what the other was doing. Now they are working as one unit. We have electrified over 16,000 of the 18,000 villages in the country that did not have electricity since 1947, he added. Highlighting the achievements of Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana he said, "Ujjwala is not just changing kitchens but also the situation of crores of families." Finance Minister Arun Jaitley while presenting the Union Budget had raised the target of beneficiaries under the Ujjwala scheme to 8 crore. We launched the scheme to make poor women free from the smoke of wood. Initially, our target was to provide free LPG connections to about 5 crore poor women. But in view of the pace of implementation of the scheme and its popularity among the women, we propose to increase the target of providing free connection to 8 crore poor women," said Jaitley. Prime Minister Modi also talked about the power and renewable ministries working together to achieve its target. The government has set a target of achieving 175 gigawatts (GW) installed capacity of renewable energy by 2022. Of this, 100 GW is expected from solar power and 60 GW coming from wind power projects. As of December 15, 2017, India had an installed solar power capacity of 16.68 GW, New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) minister RK Singh told Parliament on January 4. The installed operational capacity of wind energy was at 33 GW, the minister added. The Prime Minister also hailed his government's efforts in increasing air connectivity in the country and constructing airports. "We are building 12 new airports in eastern India under UDAN. Six of these will be in Northeast. For the first time, a commercial flight landed in Sikkim," he said. Aviation secretary Rajiv Nayan Choubey recently informed the media that the initial success of the first phase of the regional connectivity scheme prompted the government to extend the scheme for international flights as well. The Assam government has expressed interest in connecting Guwahati airport with several South East Asian destinations. New Delhi: Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan called movements and protests the mark of a democracy at the News18 Rising India Summit on Friday. Addressing the farmer protests that had rippled through Madhya Pradesh in 2017, Chouhan said that despite the measures his government had taken, a bumper harvest reduced the price of crops and produce. However, he added, any farmer getting below minimum support price (MSP) for their crops, are paid the difference by the government. Were focussing on securing livelihood of our farmers, said Chouhan, only then will Madhya Pradesh's GDP go up. The MP government, he said took all measures for farmers benefits, such as making sure water reservoirs were full. But the prices crashed after a bumper harvest in 2017. In reaction, Chouhan had announced Rs 1, 000 crore price stabilisation fund in for future such scenarios, where prices crash following a bumper crop. Yes not all has translated on the ground, admitted Chouhan, we had signed MOUs for agriculture worth Rs 5 lakh crore, and only Rs 2 lakh crore are on ground. But at least that much has happened, he emphasized. Quoting Deen Dayal Upadhyaya, he said that the most backward into the state was the most important for the government. My heart beats for Madhya Pradesh, said Chouhan. The government has now got 40 lakh hectares under cultivation, provides 24 hour electricity, has a capacity of the 18000 megawatts, he listed of all that's gone well for Madhya Pradesh. Agriculture, however, is not the only card the MP government has to play. Skill development and MSME [micro, small and medium enterprises] are also very important for us, added Chouhan, referring to the PM's focus on skill development. New Delhi: Preventive and affordable healthcare with a supply side intervention were the focus of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi's keynote address at News18's Rising India Summit on Friday. He said, So far, the Union Health Ministry had been working alone and came up with no solutions to better healthcare in India. However, no silos, only solutions, has been his government's way forward, PM Modi said. Preventive healthcare, said the PM, is the best and the most affordable healthcare for people. To achieve the idea of swachchta has become a people's movement and has entered every household. People now know that filth brings disease and cleanliness fights them, PM Modi said. He added that in 2014, there were only 13 crore toilets and sanitation coverage was only 38 percent. Now, he said, 13 crore households have toilets, and the sanitation coverage is more than 80%. India's progress in this sector has doubled. The country's immunisation coverage earlier was only 1 percent annually and now it has increased to 6.7 percent. To make healthcare affordable, the PM added, there are now over 3,000 Jan Aushadhi centres, where cheaper versions of over 800 medicines are available. The slash in stent prices and knee implants, that took place in 2017, were also brought up as an achievement of his government. The Ayush Ministry is responsible for making Yoga a mass movement. The global awareness about Yoga is also part of Rising India, said the PM, adding, It will lead us to Ayushman Vishva, not just Ayushman Bharat. Ayushman Bharat, announced in the 2018 Budget also featured in the PM's address. Ten crore families will be given an annual insurance cover of Rs 5 lakh by the government and insurance companies, he said, touching upon the mega health cover announcement made by FM Arun Jaitley in his Budget speech earlier. On March 13, at the global End TB Summit in New Delhi, the PM had reiterated his 2017 promise of eliminating tuberculosis from India by 2025, five years ahead of the global target of 2030. He brought this up this on Friday and said that he was sure India will show this result to the world in 2025. He further added that not much was possible without a supply side intervention, which is why his government had bumped up seats in medical colleges to 80,000 for undergraduates and 46,000 for postgraduates and a medical college for every third Parliamentary constituencies. The government's mission mode approach can be seen in the national nutrition mission kicked off on International Women's Day, which is the newest and most important intervention for maternal and child health, said the PM. New Delhi: Taking note of alarming shortage of officers and other ranks in the armed forces, the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Defence has recommended five-year compulsory military service for those aspiring for gazetted jobs in the state and central governments. It comes after the Centre told the panel that the Defence Ministry had sent a recommendation to the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) to make military service of five years compulsory for those aiming for direct recruitment in the central and state government services. The Standing Committee's report tabled in Parliament this week said the government had informed it that the "recommendation regarding providing five years of compulsory military service to such aspirants... with a view to overcome the shortage of officers in the armed forces, has been taken up with the DoPT." "The response of the department is awaited." The panel, however, rapped the Defence Ministry, saying that "apparently, the Ministry of Defence has not taken up the matter with due seriousness with the DoPT". "The committee, while recommending five-year compulsory military service to such aspirants, has taken into account the fact that there is a perennial and alarming shortage of officers and PBOR (Personnel Below Officer Rank) in the armed forces, which needs to be corrected. The committee, once again expresses the desire that the issue of shortage of officers needs to be given priority for being addressed," the report said. There is a shortage of 7,679 officers and 20,185 Junior Commissioned Officers/Other Ranks in Army; 1,434 officers and 14,730 sailors in Navy; and 146 officers and 15,357 airmen in the Indian Air Force. As per the information furnished in another report of the committee, in case of Army officers, the sanctioned strength is 49,932 whereas the held strength is 42,253. With regard to JCOs/ORs, the existing strength is 11,94,864 as against an authorised strength of 12,15,049. In the Navy, against a sanctioned strength of 11,827 officers, the strength is 10,384. In case of naval personnel, the present strength is 57,310 against a sanctioned strength of 71,656 men. In the IAF, the sanctioned strength of officers is 12,549 while the actual personnel figure is 12,340. In the case of airmen, the present sanctioned strength is 1,42,529 while the present strength is 1,27,510. 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. 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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/ New Delhi: The central government on Friday resisted monitoring of investigation by the Supreme Court in the Punjab National Bank (PNB) loan fraud case allegedly involving Nirav Modi and Mehul Choksi, saying there should not be any "parallel inquiry". Attorney General KK Venugopal opposed a suggestion mooted by the top court that the government should submit a stays report on investigation in a sealed cover envelope. Venugopal told a bench headed by Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra that there is no justification to call upon the investigating agencies to show what they are doing. "Is there any justification for anyone to come to this court by filing a PIL and say the Court should be informed about the status of investigation? There cannot be a parallel inquiry and parallel investigation by the courts," said the AG. He added such orders were being passed frequently by courts now but this course will bring the morale down of the investigating agencies. "In principle what is the justification for any court, not only this court, to call upon the government and seek such reports as if a parallel inquiry in going on? Why should a petition be entertained at all unless there is something wrong to be shown by the petitioner? I oppose such plea on the ground of principle," Venugopal told the bench, also comprising AM Khanwilkar and DY Chandrachud. But advocate JP Dhanda, appearing for the PIL, claimed that his petition had not asked for monitoring of the investigation by the court at all. The court finally adjourned the matter to April 9 after it took umbrage at a statement by Dhanda that AG has perhaps not gone through his petition. "We won't hear it today now. Nobody can ask Attorney General, who is a constitutional office bearer whether he has read a petition or not. Meet law with law. Such statements are unacceptable to us," remarked the bench, deferring the matter. PIL by advocate Vineet Dhanda has sought direction to the Centre to ensure PNB scam accused Nirav Modi is brought back to India within two months, apart from the issuance of fresh guidelines on grant of big loans. Juxtaposing poor farmers' inability to repay agricultural loans with the recent Rs 11,300 crore PNB fraud, the PIL has sought intervention of the Supreme Court to protect the people's rights. New Delhi: Haryana chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar said that rapes were a sad reality in society but that were an "old truth". Speaking at the Rising India Summit in New Delhi, Khattar said that small incidents were becoming a big law and order situation because of "over reporting, especially for cases reported from cities like Gurugram and Faridabad. Responding to the rising cases of rapes in the state, he said that by and large law and order was not an issue in Haryana. Law and order is generally fine in Haryana. However, Gurgaon and Faridabad are emerging cities, and when small things happen it becomes a big law and order situation, he said, adding that "rapes were an old truth in society". But we've also made our laws strict. Just now we've instituted death penalty for rapes of minors, the chief minister said. The Haryana Assembly unanimously passed a Bill which provides for death penalty to those found guilty of raping girls aged 12 years or less. After Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan, Haryana has become the third state where the Assembly has approved the provision of capital punishment for such sexual offenders. Commenting on reservations in the country and the Jat agitation, Khattar said there were some sections in the society that needed to be uplifted. Over time, reservation became a trend and lead to vote bank politics. Therefore, reservation is an issue that needs debates and discussions, he said, adding that jobs needed to be given to the ones who need upliftment and if not, then that needed to be done via reservations. The chief minister also said that Haryanas growth story was just beginning. Look at our network and infrastructure in 3.5 years. We have much to do as well, of course. Plus, we are ranked second in terms of ease of doing business. This is our beginning. It's happening through agriculture, through helping our farmers, securing their livelihoods. This will lead to Haryanas GDP increasing, the chief minister said. New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Friday dismissed former GJM leader Bimal Gurung's plea seeking protection from arrest in several cases lodged against him in West Bengal and for an independent probe into the alleged killings of Gorkhaland supporters in the state. A bench comprising Justices A K Sikri and Ashok Bhushan rejected the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha's plea saying it was not a fit case for relief. "It cannot be said to be a case of individual persecution by the state," the bench said while pronouncing the order. The Supreme Court's decision is not only good for Bengal, but it is in benefit of the entire country. Over 65 cases are pending against Gurung and he should be immediately arrested. It is a significant victory for the Bengal government, said Kalyan Banerjee, lawyer and Trinamool Congress parliamentarian. The apex court had on November 20 restrained the West Bengal police from taking any coercive steps against Gurung. The GJM leader had claimed in the top court that he was being politically persecuted by the West Bengal government. However, the Mamata Banerjee government had submitted a list of 53 FIRs lodged against Gurung and said he was facing trial in another 24 cases as well. The GJM central committee had recently suspended Gurung for six months and appointed Binay Tamang as the party's new president. The police had earlier claimed that Gurung and some of his aides were absconding after being booked under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act in connection with the violence in Darjeeling hills during the recent agitation for a separate Gorkhaland. Gurung has approached the apex court seeking an independent probe into the alleged killings of Gorkhaland supporters during the protests. Mar 16, 2018 14:35 (IST) The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party's tally may drop by 100-110 seats in the next Lok Sabha polls in 2019, if the current trends and the results of the recent bypolls are an indicator, its ally Shiv Sena said in a gloomy prediction on Friday. "The twin wins by the Samajwadi Party in BJP bastions like Gorakhpur and Phulpur has created panic in the BJP camp even as they were busy celebrating the party's victory in a small state like Tripura last week," the Sena said. "Lalu is in jail for corruption... and that could be a politics of vendetta. Despite that, if he can get 'sympathy', then it's a big blow to both Nitish Kumar and Modi... The outcome has thrown down the BJP from the sky to the ground," the Sena said. "Amidst all this, it is clear now, that in 2019, the BJP's numbers will not be 280, but it will plummet by at least 100-110 seats. The elections are not being fought in Russia, America, Canada, France or Israel, but in India. So they (BJP) should keep their feet on the ground here," the Sena warned. New Delhi: News18 Rising India Summit witnessed a light moment during its inaugural session on Friday when National Conference chief Farooq Abdullah complained about pillows in trains. The complaint came after Union Railway Minister Piyush Goyal talked about how under his tenure, the Railways has focused on providing people with better services and amenities. Following this, Abdullah told Goyal that while talking about services, a big problem he faced while travelling in trains was the quality of the bedding, particularly pillows. The condition of the pillows are so bad that if you were not sick before boarding the train, you end up falling sick by the time you reach your destination, he said. To this, Goyal told Abdullah that he must have not travelled in a train recently and his experience must be old. Saying that he values customer feedback, Goyal acknowledged that people in past had faced this problem which had been noted and rectified. We have deployed 100 people to roam around in trains across the country to get feedback and are changing things, he said. Goyal, along with Union road minister Nitin Gadkari were the speakers in the inaugural session of News18s Rising India Summit titled 'The Building Blocks of India'. New Delhi: The Centre on Friday told the Supreme Court that in the "interest of the nation" it will not damage the fabled Ram Sethu for its Sethusamudram ship channel project. The Union Ministry of Shipping, in its affidavit, told a bench headed by Chief Justice Dipak Misra that the PIL filed by BJP leader Subramanian Swamy against the Sethusamudram project can now be disposed off by taking note of its stand. "That the government of India intends to explore an alternative to the earlier alignment of Sethusamudram Ship Channel project without affecting/damaging the Adam's Bridge/Ram Sethu in the interest of the nation," the affidavit filed by the ministry said. Also known as Adams Bridge, Ram Sethu is a stretch of limestone shoals running from Pamban Island near Rameswaram in South India to the Mannar Island near the northern coast of Sri Lanka. While there are geological theories on its natural formation, many devout Hindus believe that it was built by the army of Lord Ram to go to Lanka to wage war with its king, Ravan. A project titled Sethusamudram Shipping Canal Project was mooted by the Government of India and a feasibility study ordered in the 1990s. In 1997, the Government decided to go ahead with the project but only finalised it in 2005. It calculated that successful completion of the project would cut travelling by about 350 nautical miles and will save 10 to 30 hours' sailing time. Plans were also drawn up to develop 13 minor ports in India, and fishing harbours and other infrastructure in both India and Sri Lanka. It was BJP leader Subramanian Swamy who moved top court challenging the project on the basis of religious belief and sought a national heritage status for it. One of the most fascinating features about the Cannes Film Festival is its ability to draw attention months before the actual, annual 12-day event gets rolling on the scenic French Riviera. This year, the Festival which will run from May 8 to 19 will unfold in a climate that is politically charged with the Me Too movement and cry for racial diversity on the big screen, given the phenomenal success of Black Panther. Added to this, 2018 marks the 50th anniversary of the violent 1968 civil unrest involving workers and students -- that paralysed France, and stopped the Festival. Legends like Francois Truffaut and Godard sneaked into Cannes and forced the Festival to draw its curtains. They averred that a celebration of cinema was not in order when the nation was burning. I am not sure how all these would be factored into the selections by the Festival's top men like Thierry Fremaux and Christian Jeune. Three weeks before Cannes begins, the titles, at least most of them, will be announced in Paris. I remember a Paris-based Indian journalist who writes for The Statesman asking Fremaux last year why there were no entries from the country for the second consecutive year. Fremaux had no clear answer, but I hope that India will be lucky the third time round, this May. I would personally think that one of the hottest movies from India that is in the reckoning will be Nandita Das's Manto a biopic of sorts of the radical Pakistani thinker and writer, Saadat Hasan Manto who wrote most fearlessly what he saw. Obviously, he invited the wrath of many, also those in power, and he was tried on six occasions for obscenity. Das promoted Manto at Cannes last year, and she told me that 70 per cent of her work was complete. One hopes that Das, who had served twice on the Cannes jury, would get Manto in. The other possible Indian inclusions are Ivan Ayr's Soni, which explores the country's lopsided gender politics seen through the eyes of a Delhi policewoman. The film is produced by Kartikeya Singh, whose The Fourth Direction/Chauthi Koot, helmed by Gurvinder Singh, was part of the Cannes canvas in 2015. Some of the other Indian titles buzzing now are the fantasy epic, Tumbad, set against the turbulent days of the British Raj in the 1930s and the 1940s. Tamil auteur Vetrimaaran whose Visaaranai, based on police brutality on hapless migrant workers in Andhra Pradesh, premiered at Venice a few years ago may be at Cannes with his Dhanush starrer, Vada Chennai, a spin around the city. This movie is supposed to have a run time of nearly five hours, and may, like Anurag Kashyap's Gangs of Wasseypur, be shown in two parts at the Directors' Fortnight, a Festival sidebar. Outside India, the films that most critics at Cannes will await are: The Wild Pear Tree by Turkeys Nuri Bilge Ceylan, Loro by Italys Paolo Sorrentino, Peterloo by British director Mike Leigh, Everybody Knows by Irans Asghar Farhadi, The Death and Life of John F Donovan by Canadas Xavier Dolan, Ash Is Purest White by Chinas Jia Zhangke, Sunset by Hungarys Laszlo Nemes, The Favourite by Greeces Yorgos Lanthimos, Donbass by Ukraines Sergei Loznitsa, Where Life Is Born by Mexicos Carlos Reygadas, The Sisters Brothers by Frances Jacques Audiard, and Vision by Japans Naomi Kawase as well as Shoplifters by Hirokazu Kore-eda. Other possibilities include Stephane Brizes At War, which reunites the director with Vincent Lindon who stars as a union leader fighting a factory closure, Olivier Assays' Non-Fiction, set against the backdrop of the literary world; and Guillaume Niclouxs To The Ends Of The Earth. And who knows we may see the extraordinarily talented Iranian actress, Golshifteh Farahani, in Girls of the Sun (after recently watching her along with Irrfan Khan in The Song of Scorpions) as the commander of a Kurdish female battalion fighting extremists. And then there can be Claire Burgers Cest Ca LAmour, her first solo feature after co-directorial debut Party Girl which opened for A Certain Regard in 2014 and won the Camera dOr, Philippe Faucons star-crossed migrant love story Amin, Yann Gonzaless Knife + Heart, starring Vanessa Paradis as a gay-porn producer in the 1970s Paris, and Mia Hansen-Loves Maya starring Roman Kalinka as a war reporter who is taken hostage while on an assignment in Syria. Finally, all of us regulars at Cannes will be waiting with bated breath to see if Europe's enfant terrible, Lars Von Trier from Denmark will arrive at the Riviera with his The House that Jack Built, starring Matt Dillon, Riley Keough, Ed Speleers and Uma Thurman. Seven years ago, Von Trier was declared persona non-grata by the Festival after his joke about Hitler at a Press conference. He was asked to leave Cannes. Fremaux reportedly wants him back now. I can go on and on, and end up picking close to 2000 titles all which will be vying for a berth at Cannes, undoubtedly the queen of festivals, a number that Fremaux and Jeune along with their team would now be watching, trying to cull out 50-odd movies out of this huge basket of arrivals. (Gautaman Bhaskaran, author, commentator and movie critic, has covered the Cannes Film Festival for 28 years, and may be e-mailed at gautamanb@hotmail.com ) Elton John has announced he's releasing an album next month featuring new versions of some of his best-loved songs, performed by superstars including Ed Sheeran, Florence + The Machine, Mary J. Blige, Lady Gaga and Miley Cyrus. Revamp is set for release on April 6 and is available to pre-order as of Thursday. The album will include 13 songs by John and his co-writer, Bernie Taupin, reinterpreted in a variety of genres, with other contributing artists to include Q-Tip, The Killers, Queens of the Stone Age, Pink and Logic. The track listing is as follows: 1. "Bennie And The Jets" - Elton John, Pink and Logic 2. "We All Fall In Love Sometimes" - Coldplay 3. "Guess That's Why They Call It The Blues" - Alessia Cara 4. "Candle In The Wind (2018 Version)" - Ed Sheeran 5. "Tiny Dancer" - Florence + The Machine 6. "Someone Saved My Life Tonight" - Mumford & Sons 7. "Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word" - Mary J. Blige 8. "Don't Go Breaking My Heart" - Q-Tip featuring Demi Lovato 9. "Mona Lisas And Mad Hatters" - The Killers 10. "Daniel" - Sam Smith 11. "Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me" - Miley Cyrus 12. "Your Song" - Lady Gaga 13. "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road" - Queens of the Stone Age On the same day that Revamp is set for release, a second covers album, Restoration, will drop featuring some of John's songs interpreted by country music stars such as Rosanne Cash, Emmylou Harris and Willie Nelson. Earlier this week, Elton John and the Recording Academy announced that the Grammy tribute concert Elton John: I'm Still Standing, which was recorded in January and featured many of the same artists who will appear on the album, will air on CBS in the US on April 10. New Delhi: AAP national convenor and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwals apology to former Akali Dal minister Bikram Majithia to extricate himself from a draining legal battle has sent shockwaves through the party's rank and file. AAPs Rajya Sabha member Sanjay Singh has openly expressed his disappointment and maintained that Majithia deserves to be in jail. Many people are unhappy (with Arvind Kejriwal's apology). I hope justice will be done as people like BS Majithia deserve to be in jail, Singh said. Sanjay Singh, along with AAP colleague Ashish Khetan, is also named in the defamation case filed by Majithia. Neither have apologised yet. One section of the party now feels that the apology from its top leader would irrevocably damage both its image and credibility. Another faction feels it is best to put all court cases to bed. Speaking to reporters, AAP MLA Sanjeev Jha said it was frustrating to appear in courts day after day. Another MLA, who spoke on condition of anonymity, saw Kejriwals apology as a sacrifice. The partys Punjab unit, however, doesnt see it as a sacrifice. A day after Kejriwal tendered the apology, the partys Punjab unit chief Bhagwant Mann quit the post. The AAP maintains that the decision to tender an apology for amicable and out-of-court settlement was taken by the party's legal team. Sources, however, say the Punjab unit was not kept in the loop. Speaking to News18 on condition of anonymity, an AAP candidate who had contested the Assembly elections and lost called the AAP chiefs apology very disturbing. How can we show our face to the people, the leader said. Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, who was made the AAP's Punjab in-charge, remained tight-lipped over the apology. The partys leadership is now adopting a wait-and-watch approach to see how events unfold in Punjab. The Punjab unit had been given a free hand by the Delhi leadership since the Assembly elections but has struggled to attain cohesion. It has now been thrown into further turmoil with Manns resignation. Username: Password: or Register Thread Rating: 7 Vote(s) - 3.86 Average 1 2 3 4 5 Page: 1 2 Is The UK Manufacturing Its Nerve Agent Case For 'Action' On Russia? Natura Naturans Registered User User ID: kaput 03-16-2018 05:34 PM Posts: 13,155 Post: #1 Is The UK Manufacturing Its Nerve Agent Case For 'Action' On Russia? Advertisement The official claim that Novichok points solely to Russia has been discredited... There is a problem: far from offering a clear-cut evidence-trail to Vladimir Putins chemical warfare labs, the use of Novichok in the nerve gas attack on UK soil points to a wider set of potential suspects, of which Russia is in fact the least likely. The Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) reports on Russia confirm that the agency found no evidence of the existence of an active Novichok programme. It should be noted that Dr. Robin M. Black, formerly of Porton Downs Defence Science and Technology Laboratory, sits on the Scientific Advisory Board of the OPCW. And a scientific review by Dr. Black also raised doubts about Novichok, noting that its properties and structures had not been independently confirmed. So in short, the OPCW does not agree with the vague US and British insistence that Russia failed to declare all its chemical weapons stockpiles and facilities, and does not agree with the insistence that Novichok stockpiles or production facilities still exist in Russia. The novochok group of nerve agents a very loose term simply for a collection of new nerve agents the Soviet Union were developing fifty years ago will almost certainly have been analysed and reproduced by Porton Down. That is entirely what Porton Down is there for. It used to make chemical and biological weapons as weapons, and today it still does make them in small quantities in order to research defences and antidotes. After the fall of the Soviet Union Russian chemists made a lot of information available on these nerve agents. And one country which has always manufactured very similar persistent nerve agents is Israel. Israel has the nerve agents. Israel has Mossad which is extremely skilled at foreign assassinations. Theresa May claimed Russian propensity to assassinate abroad as a specific reason to believe Russia did it. Well Mossad has an even greater propensity to assassinate abroad. And while I am struggling to see a Russian motive for damaging its own international reputation so grieviously, Israel has a clear motivation for damaging the Russian reputation so grieviously. Russian action in Syria has undermined the Israeli position in Syria and Lebanon in a fundamental way, and Israel has every motive for damaging Russias international position by an attack aiming to leave the blame on Russia. https://www.zerohedge.com/news/2018-03-1...ion-russia http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/48941.htm The highest activity a human being can attain is learning for understanding, because to understand is to be free. --Baruch Spinoza Authored by Nafeez Ahmed via Oriental Review,There is a problem: far from offering a clear-cut evidence-trail to Vladimir Putins chemical warfare labs, the use of Novichok in the nerve gas attack on UK soil points to a wider set of potential suspects, of which Russia is in fact the least likely.The Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) reports on Russia confirm that the agency found no evidence of the existence of an active Novichok programme. It should be noted that Dr. Robin M. Black, formerly of Porton Downs Defence Science and Technology Laboratory, sits on the Scientific Advisory Board of the OPCW. And a scientific review by Dr. Black also raised doubts about Novichok, noting that its properties and structures had not been independently confirmed.So in short, the OPCW does not agree with the vague US and British insistence that Russia failed to declare all its chemical weapons stockpiles and facilities, and does not agree with the insistence that Novichok stockpiles or production facilities still exist in Russia.The novochok group of nerve agents a very loose term simply for a collection of new nerve agents the Soviet Union were developing fifty years ago will almost certainly have been analysed and reproduced by Porton Down. That is entirely what Porton Down is there for. It used to make chemical and biological weapons as weapons, and today it still does make them in small quantities in order to research defences and antidotes. After the fall of the Soviet Union Russian chemists made a lot of information available on these nerve agents. And one country which has always manufactured very similar persistent nerve agents is Israel.Israel has the nerve agents. Israel has Mossad which is extremely skilled at foreign assassinations. Theresa May claimed Russian propensity to assassinate abroad as a specific reason to believe Russia did it. Well Mossad has an even greater propensity to assassinate abroad. And while I am struggling to see a Russian motive for damaging its own international reputation so grieviously, Israel has a clear motivation for damaging the Russian reputation so grieviously. Russian action in Syria has undermined the Israeli position in Syria and Lebanon in a fundamental way, and Israel has every motive for damaging Russias international position by an attack aiming to leave the blame on Russia.The highest activity a human being can attain is learning for understanding, because to understand is to be free. --Baruch Spinoza LoP Guest lop guest User ID: 1337 03-16-2018 05:40 PM Post: #2 RE: Is The UK Manufacturing Its Nerve Agent Case For 'Action' On Russia? Natura Naturans Wrote: (03-16-2018 05:34 PM) Authored by Nafeez Ahmed via Oriental Review, The official claim that Novichok points solely to Russia has been discredited... There is a problem: far from offering a clear-cut evidence-trail to Vladimir Putins chemical warfare labs, the use of Novichok in the nerve gas attack on UK soil points to a wider set of potential suspects, of which Russia is in fact the least likely. The Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) reports on Russia confirm that the agency found no evidence of the existence of an active Novichok programme. It should be noted that Dr. Robin M. Black, formerly of Porton Downs Defence Science and Technology Laboratory, sits on the Scientific Advisory Board of the OPCW. And a scientific review by Dr. Black also raised doubts about Novichok, noting that its properties and structures had not been independently confirmed. So in short, the OPCW does not agree with the vague US and British insistence that Russia failed to declare all its chemical weapons stockpiles and facilities, and does not agree with the insistence that Novichok stockpiles or production facilities still exist in Russia. The novochok group of nerve agents a very loose term simply for a collection of new nerve agents the Soviet Union were developing fifty years ago will almost certainly have been analysed and reproduced by Porton Down. That is entirely what Porton Down is there for. It used to make chemical and biological weapons as weapons, and today it still does make them in small quantities in order to research defences and antidotes. After the fall of the Soviet Union Russian chemists made a lot of information available on these nerve agents. And one country which has always manufactured very similar persistent nerve agents is Israel. Israel has the nerve agents. Israel has Mossad which is extremely skilled at foreign assassinations. Theresa May claimed Russian propensity to assassinate abroad as a specific reason to believe Russia did it. Well Mossad has an even greater propensity to assassinate abroad. And while I am struggling to see a Russian motive for damaging its own international reputation so grieviously, Israel has a clear motivation for damaging the Russian reputation so grieviously. Russian action in Syria has undermined the Israeli position in Syria and Lebanon in a fundamental way, and Israel has every motive for damaging Russias international position by an attack aiming to leave the blame on Russia. https://www.zerohedge.com/news/2018-03-1...ion-russia http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/48941.htm It's like Iraq's WMD inspection outcome disregarded ALL OVER AGAIN.... It's like Iraq's WMD inspection outcome disregarded ALL OVER AGAIN.... LoP Guest lop guest User ID: 1337 03-16-2018 05:41 PM Post: #3 RE: Is The UK Manufacturing Its Nerve Agent Case For 'Action' On Russia? What does Natural Variability say? Monk-1 Registered User User ID: 1337 03-16-2018 05:42 PM Posts: 5,687 Post: #4 RE: Is The UK Manufacturing Its Nerve Agent Case For 'Action' On Russia? LoP Guest Wrote: (03-16-2018 05:40 PM) Natura Naturans Wrote: (03-16-2018 05:34 PM) Authored by Nafeez Ahmed via Oriental Review, The official claim that Novichok points solely to Russia has been discredited... There is a problem: far from offering a clear-cut evidence-trail to Vladimir Putins chemical warfare labs, the use of Novichok in the nerve gas attack on UK soil points to a wider set of potential suspects, of which Russia is in fact the least likely. The Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) reports on Russia confirm that the agency found no evidence of the existence of an active Novichok programme. It should be noted that Dr. Robin M. Black, formerly of Porton Downs Defence Science and Technology Laboratory, sits on the Scientific Advisory Board of the OPCW. And a scientific review by Dr. Black also raised doubts about Novichok, noting that its properties and structures had not been independently confirmed. So in short, the OPCW does not agree with the vague US and British insistence that Russia failed to declare all its chemical weapons stockpiles and facilities, and does not agree with the insistence that Novichok stockpiles or production facilities still exist in Russia. The novochok group of nerve agents a very loose term simply for a collection of new nerve agents the Soviet Union were developing fifty years ago will almost certainly have been analysed and reproduced by Porton Down. That is entirely what Porton Down is there for. It used to make chemical and biological weapons as weapons, and today it still does make them in small quantities in order to research defences and antidotes. After the fall of the Soviet Union Russian chemists made a lot of information available on these nerve agents. And one country which has always manufactured very similar persistent nerve agents is Israel. Israel has the nerve agents. Israel has Mossad which is extremely skilled at foreign assassinations. Theresa May claimed Russian propensity to assassinate abroad as a specific reason to believe Russia did it. Well Mossad has an even greater propensity to assassinate abroad. And while I am struggling to see a Russian motive for damaging its own international reputation so grieviously, Israel has a clear motivation for damaging the Russian reputation so grieviously. Russian action in Syria has undermined the Israeli position in Syria and Lebanon in a fundamental way, and Israel has every motive for damaging Russias international position by an attack aiming to leave the blame on Russia. https://www.zerohedge.com/news/2018-03-1...ion-russia http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/48941.htm It's like Iraq's WMD inspection outcome disregarded ALL OVER AGAIN.... They have like an olympic hall of swimming pools full of bio agents over there. I would not go poking around in them. They have like an olympic hall of swimming pools full of bio agents over there. I would not go poking around in them. LoP Guest lop guest User ID: 1337 03-16-2018 05:49 PM Post: #5 RE: Is The UK Manufacturing Its Nerve Agent Case For 'Action' On Russia? LoP Guest Wrote: (03-16-2018 05:41 PM) What does Natural Variability say? He just gave himself 5 stars. He just gave himself 5 stars. Archangel Michael User ID: 1337 03-16-2018 06:09 PM Posts: 14,103 Post: #6 RE: Is The UK Manufacturing Its Nerve Agent Case For 'Action' On Russia? LoP Guest Wrote: (03-16-2018 05:51 PM) Natura Naturans Wrote: (03-16-2018 05:45 PM) What does counting sheep say? We didnt forget your exposure. I wont be letting it go so just continue to go f your self What exposure? What exposure? Natura Naturans Registered User User ID: 1337 03-16-2018 06:29 PM Posts: 13,155 Post: #7 RE: Is The UK Manufacturing Its Nerve Agent Case For 'Action' On Russia? Archangel Wrote: (03-16-2018 06:09 PM) LoP Guest Wrote: (03-16-2018 05:51 PM) We didnt forget your exposure. I wont be letting it go so just continue to go f your self What exposure? Stalked by a guest that is probably one of the usual suspects here. Titanic couldn't take it but I can. Stalked by a guest that is probably one of the usual suspects here. Titanic couldn't take it but I can. The highest activity a human being can attain is learning for understanding, because to understand is to be free. --Baruch Spinoza LoP Guest lop guest User ID: 1337 03-16-2018 06:31 PM Post: #8 RE: Is The UK Manufacturing Its Nerve Agent Case For 'Action' On Russia? IMO the deep state shouln't have WMDs LoP Guest lop guest User ID: 1337 03-16-2018 06:45 PM Post: #9 RE: Is The UK Manufacturing Its Nerve Agent Case For 'Action' On Russia? Most likely, Sir. Porton Down working round the clock no doubt. LoP Guest lop guest User ID: 1337 03-16-2018 07:52 PM Post: #10 RE: Is The UK Manufacturing Its Nerve Agent Case For 'Action' On Russia? Just saw this comment form a Brit on Facebook: "Let's ask a logical question in the light of the global situation. Would the Russian President, Vladimir Putin - a man whose intellectual and strategic capabilities are well documented, knowingly order the poisoning of a former double agent who had already served prison time in Russia for his treason with a toxin so obviously identifiable as being manufactured in the Soviet Union in broad daylight and in a well populated area of a foreign country? No! More likely, Skripal was transporting the toxin to MI6 without the knowledge of the Kremlin, and he spilled or broke the toxin's container by accident. We have the World Cup in Russia this summer, so please tell me why the Russian government would risk that with such a reckless act? Teresa May and the coalition government have acted unprofessionally, impulsively and in an incredibly rash manner, without unequivocal and vehement evidence proving the Kremlin's complicity in this incident. The expelling of 23 Russian diplomats and posturing being carried out by the Conservatives does not reflect the will of the public, and the fact that the Prime Minister has used trial by media yet again via the Daily Mail and The Sun to heap scorn on Jeremy Corbyn for logically advising hesitance in reacting until sufficient evidence had been provided, demonstrates that these are the actions of a desperate, short-sighted and incompetent politician who is more than prepared to let the masses bear the brunt of the consequences of her ineptitude! When the Russian government are cleared of wrongdoing, the very least we should demand as a nation are not only the resignations of Teresa May and Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson, whose public statement bore all the authority and good judgement of a petulant child, but those of the entire government and force a general election to be carried out as soon as possible!" Archangel Michael User ID: 1337 03-16-2018 08:50 PM Posts: 14,103 Post: #11 RE: Is The UK Manufacturing Its Nerve Agent Case For 'Action' On Russia? LoP Guest Wrote: (03-16-2018 06:45 PM) Most likely, Sir. Porton Down working round the clock no doubt. Absolutely...ginning up false pretexts for war... [ ] Dark secrets of Porton Down: Inside controversial defence lab which developed VX nerve agent and used human 'guinea pigs' [/size] https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/in...l-12192830 Absolutely...ginning up false pretexts for war...[ ][/size] Natura Naturans Registered User User ID: 1337 03-16-2018 11:40 PM Posts: 13,155 Post: #12 RE: Is The UK Manufacturing Its Nerve Agent Case For 'Action' On Russia? "There has never been any programme under the group name 'novichok' in the Russian Federation," he said. "Back to 1992, Russia stopped all the activities in the area of military chemistry. "Last year we completed the destruction of all chemical arsenals and the completion of this programme was duly certified by the OPCW." https://news.sky.com/story/russian-diplo...t-11292792 Alexander Shulgin is Russia's ambassador to the Netherlands and also the Russian representative at the Organisation for Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW)."There has never been any programme under the group name 'novichok' in the Russian Federation," he said. "Back to 1992, Russia stopped all the activities in the area of military chemistry."Last year we completed the destruction of all chemical arsenals and the completion of this programme was duly certified by the OPCW." The highest activity a human being can attain is learning for understanding, because to understand is to be free. --Baruch Spinoza LoP Guest lop guest User ID: 1337 03-17-2018 12:09 AM Post: #13 RE: Is The UK Manufacturing Its Nerve Agent Case For 'Action' On Russia? sour grapes for syria and covering the sorry asses of corrupt companies, intel agencies and politicians that blame russia for crooked elections, failed policies and disgruntled masses Richard Eldritch Hussar! User ID: 1337 03-17-2018 12:16 AM Posts: 2,556 Post: #14 RE: Is The UK Manufacturing Its Nerve Agent Case For 'Action' On Russia? There is another Country that recently used a similar technique. North Korea, remember that NK geezer that got sprayed in an airport? Also alot of dodgy sh*t went missing form Top secret bases when the soviet union collapsed....Even nukes it's said. "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." LoP Guest lop guest User ID: 1337 03-17-2018 12:17 AM Post: #15 RE: Is The UK Manufacturing Its Nerve Agent Case For 'Action' On Russia? Richard Eldritch Wrote: (03-17-2018 12:16 AM) There is another Country that recently used a similar technique. North Korea, remember that NK geezer that got sprayed in an airport? Also alot of dodgy sh*t went missing form Top secret bases when the soviet union collapsed....Even nukes it's said. Stop making so much sense. Stop making so much sense. Advertisement Patna: On a day the Telegu Desam Party severed its ties with the BJP, another ally Janata Dal (United) has said that the special status demand for Bihar should also be taken seriously. JD(U) leader KC Tyagi told reporters in Delhi that earlier Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar also asked for special status and we will continue to fight for it. An ally of the BJP, JD(U), returned to the NDA after a brief hiatus last year when Nitish Kumar walked out of the Mahagathbandhan in Bihar after having contested and won the last elections in alliance with the BJP. Like Chandrababu Naidu in Andhra Pradesh, Nitish Kumar had also sought special category status for Bihar to attract industrial investments by offering tax holidays. Nitish Kumars party has raked the issue up once again just after BJP suffered a stunning defeat in UP bypoll and after TDP, the second biggest ally in the NDA after Shiv Sena walked out of the alliance on Friday. Leader of Opposition in Bihar Assembly and RJD leader Tejaswi Yadav had last week accused Nitish Kumar of forgetting the special status demand after joining hands with the BJP. New Delhi: By withdrawing support from the NDA government, TDP chief Chandrababu Naidu has once again preempted any move by his archrival Jaganmohan Reddy. Naidu decided to prolong the separation with the BJP and opt for a step-by-step divorce. The Andhra CM first pulled his ministers out of the Union Cabinet, then TDP MPs moved amendments to the Finance Bill in the Lok Sabha and finally, just ahead of YSR Congress' no-confidence motion, Naidu snapped ties with the NDA. The BJP's dismal performance in the by-elections in Gorakhpur and Phulpur seems to have expedited the matter. "Our approach from the beginning was calibrated. First, we requested the Centre for assistance then we demanded and finally, we threatened to pull out," said TDP MP Jayadev Galla. Earlier this year, Jagan in an interview to News18 indicated his willingness to support BJP if special category status is granted to Andhra Pradesh. Sensing realignment of political forces ahead of Lok Sabha elections 2019, Naidu was quick to build a case for parting ways with the BJP. Jagan in the last four-odd years has used the special category state card to embarrass Naidu. He had said that Naidu had compromised the interests of Andhra by aligning with the BJP for the sake of power. It actually worked for some time and the TDP was on the back foot. A shrewd politician, Naidu quickly realised the dangers of allowing such a narrative to grow and turned the tables on Jagan by pulling out of Modi Cabinet and finally walking out of NDA. The TDP had returned to the BJP-led NDA a month before the 2014 Lok Sabha polls. It had severed ties with the BJP after its debacle at the hands of Dr. Y S Rajasekhara Reddy-led Congress in 2004 Assembly Elections. Naidu had even called BJP a communal party which had "drowned" him with it. The popularity of Jaganmohan Reddy and the Modi wave in urban pockets of AP forced Naidu to go for an alliance with the BJP. He had taken a huge risk and it had paid off finally. But the relationship has never been the same post results. Naidu was miffed with Modi over the allocation of portfolios to no special aid to Andhra Pradesh. Realising that BJP was keeping back-channel talks with the YSRCP open, Naidu decided to pull the plug. Naidu was quietly working on a plan for the past one year. He had used every opportunity to tell the voters that BJP was responsible for their plight and an alliance with them was of no use. Hyderabad: TDP president and Andhra Pradesh chief minister Chandrababu Naidu pulled out of the NDA on Friday over the issue of special status to Andhra Pradesh. The party also gave a separate no-confidence notice against the Centre in Lok Sabha. "We have decided to move out of NDA. The support has been removed. We gave them (BJP-led NDA) time to change their mind, but nothing happened," senior TDP leader CM Ramesh said, following which BJP said that TDP's decision was inevitable after "its mischievous propaganda" against the Centre. In a statement, the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) confirmed the move and said that TDP has decided to quit NDA, and the decision was unanimously taken by party politburo. Naidu alleged that the BJP and PM Modi are "trying to weaken regional parties". Telugu Desam MP Thota Narasimham submitted a no-confidence notice to Lok Sabha secretary general Snehlata Srivastava against the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) on Friday. "TDP's decision to quit was inevitable after "its mischievous propaganda" against Centre. People of AP have now realised that the TDP is resorting to lies to cover up its inept & inert governance. Far from being a threat, TDP's exit is a timely opportunity for the BJP to grow in AP," BJP spokesperson GVL Narasimha Rao tweeted. Meanwhile, West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee welcomed the TDP's decision and said that the "current situation warrants such action to save the country from disaster". In a tweet, the CM also requested opposition parties to work against "atrocities, economic calamity and political instability". I appeal to all political parties in the Opposition to work closely together against atrocities, economic calamity and political instability Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) March 16, 2018 Earlier, Naidu's party had decided to support YSR Congress Party's motion against the Modi government in the Parliament. However, after a meeting of the TDP members, they decided to give a separate no-confidence motion. The Andhra Pradesh chief minister had been under pressure from YSR Congress chief Jagan Reddy, who had dared him to pull out of the alliance as both leaders engage in a game of one-upmanship on the issue of special status. Reddy had alleged that Naidu was not doing so as he was afraid of "witch-hunting" by Modi and BJP chief Amit Shah. The YSR Congress Party is also set to move a no-confidence motion against the NDA government on Friday. The TDP had returned to BJP-led NDA a month before the 2014 Lok Sabha polls. It had severed ties with the BJP after its debacle at the hands of Dr Y S Rajasekhara Reddy-led Congress in 2004. Naidu had even called BJP a communal party which had drowned him with it. The popularity of Jaganmohan Reddy and the Modi wave in urban pockets of AP forced Naidu to go for an alliance with the BJP. He had taken a huge risk and it had paid off. But the relationship has never been the same post results. Naidu was miffed with Modi over allocation of portfolios to no special aid to Andhra Pradesh. Realising that BJP was keeping back channel talks with the YSRCP open, Naidu decided to pull the plug. According to sources, TDP president and Andhra Pradesh chief minister Chandrababu Naidu may also call on BSP chief Mayawati and SP patriarch Mulayam Singh Yadav in a bid to forge new alliances. Sources told News18 that TDP president Chandrababu Naidu has decided to walk out of the NDA and announcement can be made anytime. "They are also bringing no confidence separately against centre," they said. Sources said that almost all of the partys MPs and MLAs have backed the decision as this is the only logical next step in their demand for special status for Andhra Pradesh. Party leaders are of the view that the party must take all decisions that are of the best interest for the state, they said. TDP leaders said that Naidu is livid with the BJP playing dirty politics instead of resolving the issues faced by the people. Earlier in the day, the Andhra CM, while addressing his party leaders via teleconference, attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and hit out at the BJP for pitting others against him. "Instead of giving what Andhra Pradesh people are rightfully asking for, the BJP is resorting to using Jagan Mohan Reddy and Pawan Kalyan against us," Naidu said. Raising the sentiment of Telugu pride, Naidu added, "We are fighting for self-respect, the rights of Telugu people and the implementation of promises made to us. Instead of honouring them, Narendra Modi and BJP are involved in doing collusion politics." The remarks come after Pawan Kalyan, Jana Sena party chief, made serious allegations of corruption against Chandrababu Naidu and his son, Nara Lokesh at a public meeting in Guntur on Wednesday. This is the final option. The CM is livid that instead of resolving issues faced by the state, the BJP is indulging in dirty politics that it played in Tamil Nadu, TDP leader Kambhampati Rammohan Rao said. Chandrababu Naidu has also been under pressure from YSR Congress chief Jagan Reddy, who had dared him to pull out of the alliance as both leaders engage in a game of one-upmanship on the issue of special status. Reddy had alleged that Naidu was not doing so as he was afraid of "witch-hunting" by Modi and BJP chief Amit Shah. The YSR Congress Party will move the no-confidence motion against the NDA government soon. With the BJP government enjoying absolute majority in Lok Sabha, the central government is under no threat of collapsing. Party president Jaganmohan Reddy has written to all parties seeking their support on special status for Andhra Pradesh. Speaking to News18, YSRCP MP Vijay Sai Reddy said, Lok Sabha MP YV Subba Reddy will move the no-confidence motion in the House on Friday. Our party leadership is seeking support from other parties. The YSR Congress has decided to take lead in the matter as the public is associating the issue with Telugu pride and it has become a hot election topic. On March 8, the TDP had withdrawn its two ministers from the Union Cabinet, accusing the BJP of reneging on its promises to give special category status to Andhra Pradesh. Sources in TDP told News18 that the hasty, unjust and unscientific bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh had deeply hurt the sentiments of people in the state. Not only the bifurcation had left deep scars on the lives of people in the state, it had made the state suffer from huge revenue deficit, lack of capital city, lack of institutions and many more. We had to build our state from scratch, the source said. He added that Naidu has been working relentlessly and is only asking the Centre to handhold the state and fulfil what is rightfully theirs. New Delhi: A day after Aam Aadmi Party Convener Arvind Kejriwal tendered apology to former Punjab Minister Bikram Singh Majithia, rumblings of discontent are getting louder in the party. Leader of Opposition in the Punjab Assembly Sukhpal Singh Khaira has said Kejriwal should have consulted the state unit before apologising. AAP MLAs are currently meeting in Chandigarh to decide the next course of action. AAP ally and Insaf Party Leader in Punjab Simarjit Singh Bains has dubbed Kejriwals decision to apologise as a betrayal reeking of back-door dealings. In another development, Lok Sabha MP Bagwant Mann has resigned as the chief of the party unit. In a tweet, Mann said Im resigning as a president of AAP Punjab... But my fight against drug mafia and all kind of corruption in Punjab will continue as an Aam Aadmi (common man) of Punjab. Bikram Singh Majithia, Shiromani Akali Dal leader and minister in Parkash Singh Badal government, had filed a defamation suit against Kejriwal for accusing him of having links with drug traders. Kejriwal had made these allegations during campaign in the run-up to the Punjab state Assembly polls last year. New Delhi: AAP's Punjab in-charge Manish Sisodia said on Friday that the party leadership will talk to state leaders, who are unhappy over Arvind Kejriwal's apology to Shiromani Akali Dal leader Bikram Singh Majithia, to solve the issue. "We fight for the people on streets. It is not our work to fight in court. However, we will fight for people in court," Delhi's Deputy Chief Minister Sisodia said on the apology to Majithia. "If we spend time in court, then how we will be able to spare time for the people?" he said. In a surprising development, Kejriwal on Thursday tendered an apology for having levelled "unfounded" allegations against Majithia in connection with his involvement in drugs trade. The SAD leader later decided to withdraw a defamation case against the Delhi chief minister. Miffed over his apology, Sangrur MP Bhagwant Mann resigned as AAP's Punjab chief on Friday. Kejriwal's apology also drew flak from party's leaders and MLAs in Punjab, who said they were "stunned" by the move and "disappointed" as they were not kept in the "loop". Kolkata: Hours after TDP chief Chandrababu Naidu pulled the plug on his alliance with the BJP-led NDA, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee welcomed his decision and urged all opposition parties to unite against the central governments anti-people policies. I welcome the TDP's decision to leave the NDA. The current situation warrants such action to save the country from disaster.... I appeal to all political parties in the Opposition to work closely together against atrocities, economic calamity and political instability, Banerjee said in her tweets. I welcome the TDP's decision to leave the NDA. The current situation warrants such action to save the country from disaster Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) March 16, 2018 I appeal to all political parties in the Opposition to work closely together against atrocities, economic calamity and political instability Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) March 16, 2018 Banerjee had given a similar call in North 24 Parganas district when she alleged that the government at the Centre is a total flop. She had sent two of her trusted party leaders Sudip Bandyopadhyay and Derek OBrien to attend Sonia Gandhis dinner for leaders of 20 opposition parties. Mamatas tweet was among the first reactions in the opposition camp after Naidu walked out of the NDA over the Centres refusal to announce special status for Andhra Pradesh. Broadcom on Thursday said it was likely to pursue smaller acquisitions of chipmakers after its failed hostile takeover bid to acquire rival Qualcomm and said that its smartphone chip business would see a drop in demand this quarter from a North American customer and an increase from South Korea. Most analysts believe that the North American customer is Apple, which made up a fifth of Broadcom revenue last year, and the Korean customer is Samsung Electronics, which is ramping up production of its recently announced Galaxy S9 smartphone. Also Read: 'Mi Exchange' Goes Online: Here's How to Exchange Your Old Smartphone For a New Xiaomi Phone Broadcom results beat expectations days after U.S. President Donald Trump blocked its $117 billion hostile bid for Qualcomm on national security concerns. The company scrapped the offer on Wednesday. Singapore-based Broadcom, however, said it would continue with its plans to redomicile to the United States, fuelling expectations that the company would likely scout for smaller targets. "Qualcomm was clearly a unique and very large acquisition opportunity," Chief Financial Officer Tom Krause told investors on a conference call. "Given the maturity of the industry, the consolidation it is seeing and our relative size now, our future acquisitions are much more likely to be funded with cash available on our balance sheet and without the need to flex the balance sheet." Also Read: Samsung Galaxy S9, S9+ Goes on Sale Today: Cashback, Exchange And Other Offers From Airtel, Jio Broadcom's shares were down 1.2 percent at $264.50 in extended trading on Thursday. "Typically, Broadcom has to make acquisitions to drive the earnings," said Summit Insight Group analyst Kinngai Chan. "If the company is able to make two or three medium-size acquisitions, then I think the stock will move up again." But Broadcom officials were still publicly smarting over the loss of the Qualcomm deal. Krause said he was "touched" by an Institutional Shareholder Services report Wednesday encouraging Qualcomm shareholders to cast protest ballots for Broadcom's director nominees. Krause said Broadcom believes that "based on the vote tally as of today, the 11 Qualcomm nominees are only garnering between 15 percent to 16 percent of the outstanding shares, not necessarily something to celebrate on San Diego." Qualcomm declined to comment on Krause's comments. Broadcom, whose WiFi chips are found in Apple's iPhone and most Android phones, was eyeing Qualcomm's core baseband chips and license business that would significantly benefit from the rollout of 5G wireless technology. Also Read: Xiaomi Redmi Note 5, Redmi Note 5 Pro Sale Today at 12 PM: Here is How to Buy Broadcom said first-quarter smart phone results were driven by an increase in orders from a "North American smartphone customer," which most analysts believe is Apple, which released its flagship iPhone X later than normal last year, pushing production into the early part of this year. CEO Hock Tan said that customer's business was expected to "trend down sharply" in the second quarter, partially offset at Broadcom by more business for a "next-generation flagship [phone] from a large Korean smartphone customer." Net income attributable to ordinary shares surged to $6.23 billion, or $14.62 per share, in the first quarter ended Feb. 4, from $239 million, or 57 cents per share, a year earlier. The company, which announced a quarterly interim dividend of $1.75 per share, said it recorded a gain of $5.79 billion due to the recently enacted U.S. tax law. Excluding items, the company earned $5.12 per share. Net revenue rose to $5.33 billion from $4.14 billion. Analysts on average had expected earnings of $5.05 per share and revenue of $5.32 billion. Watch: Google Pixel 2 Review | Should You Buy it Now For Rs 42,000? London: British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson said on Friday that it was overwhelmingly likely that Russian President Vladimir Putin himself made the decision to use a military-grade nerve toxin to strike down a former Russian agent on English soil. "We have nothing against the Russians themselves. There is to be no Russophobia as a result of what is happening," Johnson told reporters at the Battle of Britain bunker from which World War Two fighter operations were controlled. "Our quarrel is with Putin's Kremlin, and with his decision and we think it overwhelmingly likely that it was his decision to direct the use of a nerve agent on the streets of the UK, on the streets of Europe for the first time since the Second World War," Johnson said. Prime Minister Theresa May said on Wednesday that the Russian state was culpable for the attempted murder of Sergei Skripal, a former double agent who betrayed dozens of spies of Britain's MI6 foreign intelligence service, and his daughter. May said that it was tragic that Putin, who is likely to coast to a fourth term in a Sunday presidential election, had chosen to act in such a way. Soon after Johnson's comments were reported, the Kremlin said accusations that President Putin was involved in the nerve agent attack were shocking, TASS news agency reported. "Any reference or mention of our president in this regard is a shocking and unforgivable breach of diplomatic rules of decent behaviour," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said, according to the agency. Russia has denied any involvement, cast Britain as a post-colonial power unsettled by Brexit, and even suggested London fabricated the attack in an attempt to whip up anti-Russian hysteria. Relations between Britain and Russia have been strained since the murder of ex-KGB agent Alexander Litvinenko with radioactive polonium-210 in London in 2006, a killing which a British inquiry said was probably approved by Putin. The Kremlin has repeatedly denied any involvement in the killing. Beijing: China has punished 17 army deserters, blacklisting them from using the social credit system, limiting their rights to travel abroad and seek employment in the government, according to a media report said on Friday. These men had enlisted themselves in the army but were unable to handle the tough and strict life. They tried to quit multiple times before being expelled from the force, the state-run Global Times reported. The 17 men, who were enlisted and later quit the army, have been sent home, it said, adding that they have been blacklisted on China's social credit system. Their rights have been limited to travel abroad, work as government officials. Blacklisting would also affect their ability to buy real estate and their travel rights, including booking plane tickets, travel in high-class trains and stay in star-rated hotels, the report said. "Many of these young people are the only child in their family, growing up in gilded cages and unable to bear hardships in the army," Li Daguang, a professor at the National Defense University in Beijing told the Global Times. "As military discipline becomes stricter, training has become harder," he was quoted as saying in the report. Username: Password: or Register Back to Forum Reply to This post Post New Thread Thread Rating: 3 Vote(s) - 1 Average 1 2 3 4 5 Page: 1 2 3 4 5 ... 9 And Then The World Went Dark - Russia Has A Button now To Shut Us all Down.. LoP Guest lop guest User ID: 1337 03-17-2018 12:32 AM Post: #16 RE: And Then The World Went Dark - Russia Has A Button now To Shut Us all Down.. Advertisement Funny you guys are front row at the theater. Remember, when you go take a piss and get the popcorn remind yourself it isn't real. #1 Doomologist lop guest User ID: 1337 03-17-2018 12:36 AM Post: #17 RE: And Then The World Went Dark - Russia Has A Button now To Shut Us all Down.. ConspiracyGuy Wrote: (03-17-2018 12:28 AM) The US has one too, called Stuxnet. I liked your comment on the bridge failure today, very good understanding of all the variables that play into a large design like this, I thought of the undermining also but i didnt know if there was washout effect possible. I would also like to note we need to see where the steel for the girders came from, if its china or asian we could have an integrity failure, many plants here in the states wont even buy pipe from china and its just hydro staticy stress in those cases, with girders the fracture or moment failure is much greater of a risk... I liked your comment on the bridge failure today, very good understanding of all the variables that play into a large design like this, I thought of the undermining also but i didnt know if there was washout effect possible. I would also like to note we need to see where the steel for the girders came from, if its china or asian we could have an integrity failure, many plants here in the states wont even buy pipe from china and its just hydro staticy stress in those cases, with girders the fracture or moment failure is much greater of a risk... LoP Guest lop guest User ID: 1337 03-17-2018 12:57 AM Post: #18 RE: And Then The World Went Dark - Russia Has A Button now To Shut Us all Down.. #1 Texan Fan... Wrote: (03-17-2018 12:18 AM) First Strike may be in order... "Muh russia" "Muh russia" LoP Guest lop guest User ID: 1337 03-17-2018 01:04 AM Post: #19 RE: And Then The World Went Dark - Russia Has A Button now To Shut Us all Down.. ConspiracyGuy Wrote: (03-17-2018 12:28 AM) The US has one too, called Stuxnet. Seems to me I recall reading an article that Stuxnet has continued to evolve and has infected millions of computers. As for a "kill" switch for foreign countries I'm quite sure the US has something more advanced than that now. Seems to me I recall reading an article that Stuxnet has continued to evolve and has infected millions of computers.As for a "kill" switch for foreign countries I'm quite sure the US has something more advanced than that now. LoP Guest lop guest User ID: 1337 03-17-2018 01:07 AM Post: #20 RE: And Then The World Went Dark - Russia Has A Button now To Shut Us all Down.. #1 Texan Fan... Wrote: (03-17-2018 12:16 AM) The Trump administration accused Russia on Thursday of engineering a series of cyberattacks that targeted American and European nuclear power plants and water and electric systems, and could have sabotaged or shut power plants off at will. United States officials and private security firms saw the attacks as a signal by Moscow that it could disrupt the Wests critical facilities in the event of a conflict. https://www.nytimes.com/2018/03/15/us/po...tacks.html If this is the case wouldn't it be smarter to bring all our troops home and quit trying to be the reborn English Empire and instead focus on peaceful trade? The MIC manufactures enemies, this is not in the interest of the American people they represent a far larger threat to the nation on whole. If this is the case wouldn't it be smarter to bring all our troops home and quit trying to be the reborn English Empire and instead focus on peaceful trade?The MIC manufactures enemies, this is not in the interest of the American people they represent a far larger threat to the nation on whole. LoP Guest lop guest User ID: 1337 03-17-2018 01:09 AM Post: #21 RE: And Then The World Went Dark - Russia Has A Button now To Shut Us all Down.. #1 Texan Fan... Wrote: (03-17-2018 12:23 AM) LoP Guest Wrote: (03-17-2018 12:21 AM) Great idea! Save those buggers you'll need them to survive on when it all goes down... I'm not a stupid American who thinks a first strike is a good idea. But good luck to ya.. I'm not a stupid American who thinks a first strike is a good idea.But good luck to ya.. LoP Guest lop guest User ID: 1337 03-17-2018 01:10 AM Post: #22 RE: And Then The World Went Dark - Russia Has A Button now To Shut Us all Down.. LoP Guest Wrote: (03-17-2018 01:07 AM) #1 Texan Fan... Wrote: (03-17-2018 12:16 AM) The Trump administration accused Russia on Thursday of engineering a series of cyberattacks that targeted American and European nuclear power plants and water and electric systems, and could have sabotaged or shut power plants off at will. United States officials and private security firms saw the attacks as a signal by Moscow that it could disrupt the Wests critical facilities in the event of a conflict. https://www.nytimes.com/2018/03/15/us/po...tacks.html If this is the case wouldn't it be smarter to bring all our troops home and quit trying to be the reborn English Empire and instead focus on peaceful trade? The MIC manufactures enemies, this is not in the interest of the American people they represent a far larger threat to the nation on whole. It's refreshing to see there are at least a few Americans left with functioning brains. It's refreshing to see there are at least a few Americans left with functioning brains. #1 Doomologist lop guest User ID: 1337 03-17-2018 01:11 AM Post: #23 RE: And Then The World Went Dark - Russia Has A Button now To Shut Us all Down.. LoP Guest Wrote: (03-17-2018 01:09 AM) #1 Texan Fan... Wrote: (03-17-2018 12:23 AM) Save those buggers you'll need them to survive on when it all goes down... I'm not a stupid American who thinks a first strike is a good idea. But good luck to ya.. And all us americans are glad... And all us americans are glad... LoP Guest lop guest User ID: 1337 03-17-2018 01:16 AM Post: #24 RE: And Then The World Went Dark - Russia Has A Button now To Shut Us all Down.. LoP Guest Wrote: (03-17-2018 01:10 AM) LoP Guest Wrote: (03-17-2018 01:07 AM) If this is the case wouldn't it be smarter to bring all our troops home and quit trying to be the reborn English Empire and instead focus on peaceful trade? The MIC manufactures enemies, this is not in the interest of the American people they represent a far larger threat to the nation on whole. It's refreshing to see there are at least a few Americans left with functioning brains. Not enough of us IMO, but a few of us realize we lost our nation a long time ago to global interests, primarily those in Europe, Israel and Saudi Arabia. Not enough of us IMO, but a few of us realize we lost our nation a long time ago to global interests, primarily those in Europe, Israel and Saudi Arabia. Monk-1 Registered User User ID: 1337 03-17-2018 01:21 AM Posts: 5,687 Post: #25 RE: And Then The World Went Dark - Russia Has A Button now To Shut Us all Down.. DO it. #1 Doomologist lop guest User ID: 1337 03-17-2018 01:27 AM Post: #26 RE: And Then The World Went Dark - Russia Has A Button now To Shut Us all Down.. Monk-1 Wrote: (03-17-2018 01:21 AM) DO it. Hold on, i want to charge my phone first.. Hold on, i want to charge my phone first.. LoP Guest lop guest User ID: 1337 03-17-2018 02:01 AM Post: #27 RE: And Then The World Went Dark - Russia Has A Button now To Shut Us all Down.. Sounds like U.S. found some Russian code in their computer. Like Russia must have at some time been 'exploring their options', in controlling American facilities. I wonder when this code was implaced. If it was before Trump was elected, and America was thinking of being friendly, it doesn't seem the same, as if it was more recent. Russia was jumping thru hoops, at the end of the Obama administration, to not give him any excuse to try and screw things up, before Trump could start to act cooperatively. I think we should quit digging up dirt from the past, and give Russia a chance to show us a new friendly face. Or maybe just recognize the friendly face Russia has been showing. If the rabble rousers that are obsessing about this old, 'cold warrish' behavior had any sense of shame. They would just shut up! They must just be trying to screw up the Trump administration, at any cost. I can't believe that they are ignorant, that this sort of behavior, Used to be the 'standard operating procedure', of both America And Russia. Did Russia have these kind of fits when America was doing these very same things to them, during the Reagan administration? When the Clinton administration sent troops into Serbia, to mandate the way they manage their own sovereign affairs?? No. They didn't. They just learned from us! And these freaking trouble makers are trying to say it's some unforgivable crime, to give us just a little back, of the seed we have been sowing. I say quit drudging up the past. If there is something wrong with the 'cold war', then give peace a chance your ugly selves! There are situations that need to be negotiated. Siria. Ukraine.... ... Some, give, and take.. Sanctions are an easy concession for America to make. If America and Russia are allies, it will benefit America for Russia to be stronger. Why are we stuck in that cold war box? Who benefits from that? Russia opened their hearts with that 'revolution' they had. And we 'shat' on them for it. What do we want? If we want some 'good will', then why don't we try showing some!! Well. All I know is what I've read in this thread.Sounds like U.S. found some Russian code in their computer.Like Russia must have at some time been 'exploring their options', in controlling American facilities.I wonder when this code was implaced.If it was before Trump was elected, and America was thinking of being friendly, it doesn't seem the same, as if it was more recent.Russia was jumping thru hoops, at the end of the Obama administration, to not give him any excuse to try and screw things up, before Trump could start to act cooperatively.I think we should quit digging up dirt from the past, and give Russia a chance to show us a new friendly face.Or maybe just recognize the friendly face Russia has been showing.If the rabble rousers that are obsessing about this old, 'cold warrish' behavior had any sense of shame. They would just shut up!They must just be trying to screw up the Trump administration, at any cost.I can't believe that they are ignorant, that this sort of behavior, Used to be the 'standard operating procedure', of both America And Russia.Did Russia have these kind of fits when America was doing these very same things to them, during the Reagan administration?When the Clinton administration sent troops into Serbia, to mandate the way they manage their own sovereign affairs??No. They didn't. They just learned from us!And these freaking trouble makers are trying to say it's some unforgivable crime, to give us just a little back, of the seed we have been sowing.I say quit drudging up the past.If there is something wrong with the 'cold war', then give peace a chance your ugly selves!There are situations that need to be negotiated.Siria. Ukraine.... ...Some, give, and take..Sanctions are an easy concession for America to make.If America and Russia are allies, it will benefit America for Russia to be stronger.Why are we stuck in that cold war box?Who benefits from that?Russia opened their hearts with that 'revolution' they had.And we 'shat' on them for it.What do we want?If we want some 'good will', then why don't we try showing some!! #1 Doomologist lop guest User ID: 1337 03-17-2018 02:08 AM Post: #28 RE: And Then The World Went Dark - Russia Has A Button now To Shut Us all Down.. LoP Guest Wrote: (03-17-2018 02:01 AM) Well. All I know is what I've read in this thread. Sounds like U.S. found some Russian code in their computer. Like Russia must have at some time been 'exploring their options', in controlling American facilities. I wonder when this code was implaced. If it was before Trump was elected, and America was thinking of being friendly, it doesn't seem the same, as if it was more recent. Russia was jumping thru hoops, at the end of the Obama administration, to not give him any excuse to try and screw things up, before Trump could start to act cooperatively. I think we should quit digging up dirt from the past, and give Russia a chance to show us a new friendly face. Or maybe just recognize the friendly face Russia has been showing. If the rabble rousers that are obsessing about this old, 'cold warrish' behavior had any sense of shame. They would just shut up! They must just be trying to screw up the Trump administration, at any cost. I can't believe that they are ignorant, that this sort of behavior, Used to be the 'standard operating procedure', of both America And Russia. Did Russia have these kind of fits when America was doing these very same things to them, during the Reagan administration? When the Clinton administration sent troops into Serbia, to mandate the way they manage their own sovereign affairs?? No. They didn't. They just learned from us! And these freaking trouble makers are trying to say it's some unforgivable crime, to give us just a little back, of the seed we have been sowing. I say quit drudging up the past. If there is something wrong with the 'cold war', then give peace a chance your ugly selves! There are situations that need to be negotiated. Siria. Ukraine.... ... Some, give, and take.. Sanctions are an easy concession for America to make. If America and Russia are allies, it will benefit America for Russia to be stronger. Why are we stuck in that cold war box? Who benefits from that? Russia opened their hearts with that 'revolution' they had. And we 'shat' on them for it. What do we want? If we want some 'good will', then why don't we try showing some!! Turn the other cheek... Doesn't really work with nukes... A slap fight maybe... If you remember christ bull whipped people on the steps of a site i cant remember, bit i remember the picture... Then and there is realized... Theres time to talk and a time to fight... Turn the other cheek...Doesn't really work with nukes...A slap fight maybe...If you remember christ bull whipped people on the steps of a site i cant remember, bit i remember the picture...Then and there is realized...Theres time to talk and a time to fight... LoP Guest lop guest User ID: 1337 03-17-2018 02:13 AM Post: #29 RE: And Then The World Went Dark - Russia Has A Button now To Shut Us all Down.. Haven't heard much about Spectre or Meltdown recently, and remember US corporations did that. Bicnarok Resistance is futile User ID: 1337 03-17-2018 02:14 AM Posts: 3,659 Post: #30 RE: And Then The World Went Dark - Russia Has A Button now To Shut Us all Down.. them Russians AGAIN Advertisement Back to Forum Reply to This post Post New Thread Beijing: China's third generation fighter jets seem to have overcome their engine problems plaguing them while flying over high-altitude regions in Tibet bordering India, according to a media report. The People's Liberation Army (PLA) has posted video footage of drills by Chengdu J-10 and Shenyang J-11 fighter jets flying low over snow-capped mountains on Monday, suggest that the military has overcome engine problems afflicting the aircraft at high altitude areas, the Hong Kong-based South China Morning Post (SCMP) reported on Thursday. The jets are part of China's fleet of third-generation lightweight multi-role fighter aircraft, powered by Russian AL-31F engines. The J-11 is also part of fleet of China's third-generation fighter aircraft. According to military observers, the engines had previously lost power above 3,000 metres, leading to a string of accidents, the report said, a rare revelation of the problems faced by the Chinese fighter aircraft in the high-altitude region. In September 2015, a J-10 from the former Shenyang Military Region crashed during a night patrol when the plane climbed above 3,350 metres, state-run China Central Television reported. The footage also showed a Shaanxi Y-9 transport aircraft taking off and landing at a high-altitude airport. The Y-9 can carry 106 passengers or 132 troops at one time, the Post report said. A Xian JH-7 fighter-bomber is also seen flying over the snow-covered terrain, filling out the combat line-up in the PLA Air Forces' Western Theatre Command, which ranges from Chongqing to Tibet and Xinjiang. In various exercises, we not only target imaginary rivals, but focus more on acquiring useful and effective combat skills, Zhan Houshun, the western theatres air force commander, said. Military analysts said the apparent smooth flights by the warplanes in the latest drills suggested the air force had overcome the engines high-altitude problems, bolstering the PLA's defences against India. Beijing-based military commentator Song Zhongping said the lack of air pressure at high altitudes made flying difficult, a situation complicated by variations in airflow in mountainous terrain. The video showed that the engines in Chinese warplanes have been improved in terms of stability over complex geography. It also signalled that China has set up a highly specialised air wing in the country's west, Song was quoted as saying by the Post. Hong Kong-based military analyst Leung Kwok-leung said the improvements would strengthen China's air defence against India. Once the engine problem is solved, Chinese planes will be able to easily take off and land in high-altitude areas, making India's air force less effective, Leung said. Geneva: The United Nations said Friday there were "alarming reports" that Kurdish forces are blocking civilians from leaving the Syrian enclave of Afrin faced with a looming siege, and could be using them as "human shields". The UN rights office said it had been receiving "deeply alarming reports from Afrin in northwestern Syria about civilian deaths and injuries due to airstrikes and ground-based strikes." Spokeswoman Ravina Shamdasani in particular decried "reports that civilians are being prevented from leaving Afrin city by Kurdish forces ... (and) are being held to be used as human shields." Turkish-led forces launched an air and ground offensive on the Kurdish-majority region on January 20. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights estimates that at least 245 civilians, including 41 children, have been killed. On Friday alone, Turkish-led artillery fire killed 18 civilians in the city of Afrin, where remaining residents were stocking up on food in preparation for a full-fledged siege. And the Observatory said Thursday more than 30,000 people had fled the city in 24 hours, with civilians still trying to slip out on Friday before Turkish-led forces cut the last exit road. "Hundreds of thousands of civilians are at risk including those recently displaced from other areas captured by Turkish-led forces," Shamdasani said. She said her office had been informed that "only those civilians who have contacts within the Kurdish authority or the Kurdish armed forces have been able to leave." But she stressed that "even they have to make a treacherous path through, risking shelling and explosive hazards only to reach checkpoints manned by government-backed armed groups where they may only be permitted to cross after paying money." She also voiced concern at the worsening humanitarian situation, pointing to the "tremendous pressure on Afrin hospital, the only medical facility equipped for major operations." "There is also a severe water shortage due to the reported destruction of a pumping station as well as the control of other water resources by Turkish-led forces," she said. Shamdasani said civilians on the ground were expressing fear over their safety, due among other things to fighters placing rocket launchers in residential areas. "We are deeply concerned about the high risk of civilians, who are effectively trapped, being killed, injured, besieged, used as human shields or displaced as a result of the fighting," she said. "We remind all parties to the conflict that they must permit civilians wishing to leave combat areas to do so in safety, and to ensure the protection of those who remain," she insisted. Miami: Florida officials on Friday said that four people have been found dead in the rubble of a collapsed South Florida pedestrian bridge where the frantic search for any survivors continued past nightfall. Fire Chief Dave Downey said at a news briefing that four deceased people were found amid the chaotic scene of concrete rubble and crumpled vehicles. He said nine victims were removed "early on" and taken to hospitals but didn't elaborate on their conditions. He said the "search and rescue mode" deploying trained canines, search cameras and sensitive listening devices was continuing into the night. Governor Rick Scott also spoke to reporters, saying "everybody is working hard to make sure we rescue anyone who can be rescued." The Florida governor added that an exhaustive investigation now beginning will get to the bottom of "why this happened and what happened" and vowed that anyone who did anything wrong would be held accountable. Miami-Dade police director Juan Perez praised the actions of first responders during a news conference but acknowledged the likelihood of finding more victims under the rubble was growing more difficult with the passage of time. "We know that there's going to be a negative outcome at the end of the day," Perez said. The bridge was under construction and collapsed onto a busy Miami highway on Thursday, crushing at least eight vehicles under massive slabs of concrete and steel. One side of the bridge led to Florida International University, a school west of the city's downtown. Search-and-rescue crews drilled holes into the debris and used their highly trained dogs to look for survivors. They had to work carefully because part of the structure was still unsafe. At least 10 people were taken to hospitals. The number of fatalities was not immediately known. The 950-ton bridge had been assembled by the side of the highway and moved into place Saturday to great fanfare. The span stretched almost 60 meters to connect Florida International University with the city of Sweetwater. It was expected to open to foot traffic next year. "This bridge was about goodness, not sadness," said FIU President Mark Rosenberg. "Now we're feeling immense sadness, uncontrollable sadness. And our hearts go out to all those affected, their friends and their families. We're committed to assist in all efforts necessary, and our hope is that this sadness can galvanize the entire community to stay the course, a course of goodness, of hope, of opportunity." Jacob Miller, a senior at FIU, was visiting a friend in a dorm when he heard sirens and horns honking. He went to a balcony and could see rubble coming down. "I saw there were multiple cars crushed under the bridge. It was just terrible. I saw some people stopping their cars, trying to get out, trying to assess the situation to see if there is anything they could do to help," he said. National Transportation Safety Board chairman Robert Sumwalt III said a team of specialists was heading to Miami on Thursday night with plans to begin its investigation Friday morning. Miami-Dade Police Director Juan Perez said his department's homicide team would take over the investigation after rescue efforts are complete. The exact death toll was unclear. Florida Highway Patrol Lt. Alejandro Camacho told CBS News that there were "several fatalities." Carlie Waibel, a spokeswoman for Senator Bill Nelson, said local officials told Nelson that people had died, but a final number had not been confirmed. An accelerated construction method was supposed to reduce risks to workers and pedestrians and minimize traffic disruption, the university said. Renderings showed a tall, off-centre tower with cables attached to the walkway to support it. When the bridge collapsed, the main tower had not yet been installed, and it was unclear what the builders were using as temporary supports. Robert Bea, a professor of engineering and construction management at the University of California, Berkeley, said it was too early to know exactly what happened, but the decision to use what the bridge builders called an "innovative installation" was risky, especially because the bridge spanned a heavily travelled thoroughfare. "Innovations take a design firm into an area where they don't have applicable experience, and then we have another unexpected failure on our hands," Bea said after reviewing the bridge's design and photos of the collapse. Sweetwater police Detective Juan Llera was in a nearby meeting when the bridge collapsed. "I heard a 'boom' like a bomb had exploded," he said. "At first I thought it was a terrorist attack." He said he saw three construction workers who had been injured. One had a head injury and was passing in and out of consciousness, another one had a leg injury leg and the third was lying on the street unconscious. He started performing CPR on him. "We were able to keep him alive to send him to the hospital," Llera said. Kendall Regional Medical Center received 10 injured people. Of those, two were in "extremely critical" condition and the other eight were stable with injuries such as broken bones, bruises and abrasions, said Dr Mark McKenney, the hospital's director of general surgery. Moscow: Russian news reports say the hatch of a cargo plane carrying precious metals accidentally flew open upon takeoff scattering at least 3 tons of gold on the runway. An investigation is underway after the incident on Thursday at the airport in the far east city of Yakutsk, according to the Tass news agency. An AN-12 plane operated by the airline Nimbus took off for Krasnoyarsk carrying 9.3 tons of gold and other precious metals, according to a statement from the state Investigative Committee quoted by Tass. Damage to a door handle caused it to fly open and spill some of the metal. Authorities recovered 172 gold bars weighing 3.4 tons, Tass quoted Interior Ministry officials as saying. No one was hurt in the incident. Images circulating on social media showed gold bars scattered across a runway. Tehran: Iran on Thursday lashed out at Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, calling him a "simple-mind" after the powerful young royal likened Iran's supreme leader to Adolf Hitler. "These words are worthless ... because they come from a simple-mind full of illusions who speaks only bitterness and lies," said Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Bahram Ghasemi. In an interview with CBS television, parts of which were released Thursday, Prince Mohammed also said that if Tehran develops a nuclear weapon, Riyadh will follow. "Saudi Arabia does not want to acquire any nuclear bomb, but without a doubt, if Iran developed a nuclear bomb, we will follow suit as soon as possible," the crown prince said. Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei "wants to create his own project in the Middle East, very much like Hitler who wanted to expand at the time," said the 32-year-old heir to the throne. Shiite Iran and Sunni-ruled Saudi Arabia are arch-rivals who back opposing sides in regional conflicts from Yemen to Syria. Prince Mohammed's remarks were aired just days before he due to visit Washington for talks with US President Donald Trump. London: An Iraqi teenager, who had come to Britain as an asylum seeker, was found guilty on Friday of attempted murder after detonating a homemade bomb on a packed rush-hour London commuter train, injuring 30 people, prosecutors and police said. Ahmed Hassan, 18, was found guilty of trying to murder the passengers on board an underground train heading to central London on September 15 last year, prosecutors said. The bomb went off at Parsons Green station and flames engulfed the carriage, but it did not fully explode, limiting the scale of injuries in what authorities said was Britain's fifth major attack of 2017. "It was only a matter of luck that the device did not work as he intended or it could easily have led to the loss of innocent lives," said Sue Hemming from Britain's Crown Prosecution Service. Hassan, who the court heard had spoken of his duty to hate Britain because of the deaths of his parents in Iraq, had been placed under Britain's counter-radicalisation programme at the time. "He was very cunning and devious," Dean Haydon, the head of London Police's Counter Terrorism Command told BBC TV. "On the face of it, Hassan was engaged on the programme. But coming back to his devious nature, he kept it very secretive in relation to what he was doing, what he was planning, and nobody around him actually knew what his plot was." Haydon said a review of the counter-radicalisation programme would now be undertaken. On the day of the attack, the teenager left his foster home in Sunbury-on-Thames in west London and set the timer for the device, made with the highly volatile triacetone triperoxide (TATP) - known as "the mother of Satan", in toilets at Wimbledon station where he boarded a District Line underground train, police said. SHRAPNEL He got off at the stop before Parsons Green leaving behind his bomb which was placed in a bucket. It was packed with more than two kilograms of metal shrapnel including screws, bolts, nails, knives and screw drivers, the court heard. There were 93 passengers in the carriage when it detonated. They reported hearing a loud bang and seeing a fireball with one woman suffering burns to her hands, legs, and face causing her to lose the hair on her eyebrows and eyelashes. Others were hurt in a stampede to flee the scene. Hassan was arrested in the southern port of Dover the following day carrying 2,320 pounds in cash and a new phone. The court heard he arrived in Britain in the back of a lorry in 2015, claimed asylum and was placed with foster parents in Sunbury. He told British officials that he had been taken by force by Islamic State militants, who had threatened to kill his family members, and had given him military training. Britain said at the time there was no evidence to suggest IS was responsible for the Parsons Green attack despite the group's claims of responsibility. Police and prosecutors said his motive was unclear. A teacher and a youth worker told the court Hassan had seemed confused and angry, and that he believed his father had been killed by U.S. bombing. Hassan admitted to police he had made the bomb but said he had never intended to kill and merely wanted attention. He had pleaded not guilty to charges of attempted murder. He told the court that he had been attracted to the idea of being a fugitive, chased across Europe by the police and Interpol. However, the jury at London's Old Bailey court convicted him of attempted murder and he will be sentenced at a later date. Pretoria: Former South African president Jacob Zuma was charged with corruption on Friday over a $2.5 billion state arms deal, a stunning judicial ruling on a continent where political 'Big Men' rarely face their day in court. Zuma, who was forced to resign by the ruling African National Congress (ANC) last month, was at the centre of the deal to buy European military kit that has cast a shadow over politics in Africa's most industrialized economy for years. Chief state prosecutor Shaun Abrahams told a media conference that Zuma's attempts to head off the charges that have been hanging over him for more than a decade had failed. The 75-year-old disputed all the allegations against him, he added. "After consideration of the matter, I am of the view that there are reasonable prospects of successful prosecution of Mr Zuma on the charges listed in the indictment," Abrahams said. "I am of the view that a trial court would be the most appropriate forum for these issues to be ventilated and to be decided upon," he said. Zuma will face 16 charges relating to 783 instances of alleged wrongdoing, National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesman Luvuyo Mfaku said. Then deputy president, Zuma was linked to the arms deal through Schabir Shaikh, his former financial adviser who was jailed for corruption. The counts were filed but then dropped by the NPA shortly before Zuma successfully ran for president in 2009. Since his election, his opponents fought a lengthy legal battle to have the charges reinstated. Zuma countered with his own legal challenges. Zuma has also been implicated by South Africa's anti-corruption watchdog in a 2016 report that alleges the Gupta family, billionaire friends of Zuma, used links with him to win state contracts. The Guptas and Zuma have denied any wrongdoing. ($1 = 11.9015 rand) Ottawa: The leader of Canada's third party in parliament, who will challenge Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in elections next year, faced backlash on Thursday over his affiliations with Sikh separatists. Jagmeet Singh, leader of the New Democratic Party, was a keynote speaker at a rally in San Francisco in 2015 for an independent Khalistan, Canadian media reported. Behind him on stage was a large poster of Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, the leader of an armed extremist group who died in a shootout with Indian forces. In his speech, translated from Punjabi for the daily Globe and Mail, Singh accused India of "genocide" against Sikhs in the Golden Temple operation. The National Post also reported on Singh's attendance at another event in 2016 organised by the British-based National Sikh Youth Federation, which advocates for an independent Khalistan. Singh has said he does not condone terrorism or acts of violence. "Terrorism can never be seen as a way to advance the cause of any one group. It only leads to suffering, pain and death," he said in a statement. In February, Singh defended Sikh Liberal government ministers who were photographed with a Canadian man convicted of attempting to assassinate a visiting Indian official in 1986 in retaliation for the Golden Temple operation. "I reject the baseless attacks against Canadian cabinet ministers, and we should be wary of any international interference in our political affairs especially when it's targeted at minorities such as members of the Sikh community," he said. "The Indian government has a troubling record of conflating human rights advocacy with extremism for their own political benefit." The photo taken at a Mumbai mixer and an invitation to dinner in New Delhi with Trudeau, which was rescinded, caused embarrassment for Trudeau during his recent trip to India which was already dogged by suspicions that Canada was soft on Sikh separatists. Canadian Sikhs number nearly 500,000 and account for roughly 1.4 percent of Canada's population, according to a 2016 census, and hold sway in some key electoral districts. Colombo: Sri Lankan officials said on Thursday they had lifted a ban on Facebook after discussions with the social network, a week after blocking access on the grounds it was being used to fuel communal violence. At least two people were killed in clashes last week when Sinhalese Buddhists, angered by the killing of a Buddhist driver by Muslims, attacked mosques and Muslim-owned properties in the central Kandy district. Some of the violence was instigated by threatening posts on Facebook, according to the government, which cut access to Facebook, Viber, and WhatsApp on March 7. It initially said the ban would last for three days but extended the block without informing the public, users said. "On my instructions, my secretary has discussed with officials of Facebook, who have agreed that its platform will not be used for spreading hate speech and inciting violence," President Maithripala Sirisena said on his Twitter feed. He said he had instructed the telecommunication regulator to remove the temporary ban with immediate effect. Government officials have said Facebook's action against those who spread hate speech had been too slow. "Facebook officials agreed to speed up the response time," telecommunication minister Harin Fernando, who participated in the discussion with Facebook officials, told Reuters. "We have discussed how we can create new windows to make sure easy removal of these hate speech items," he said without elaborating. Facebook Inc said in a statement to Reuters its officials met Sri Lankan government officials to outline the company's community standards and commitment to removing hate speech and incitement to violence from its platform. "We have clear rules against such content, and will remove it when we're made aware of it. We are glad access to our services, and important connections for people and businesses, have been restored," the statement said. The government lifted the ban on Viber and WhatsApp earlier this week. Communal tensions have grown over the past year, with some hardline Buddhist groups accusing Muslims of forcing people to convert to Islam and vandalising Buddhist archaeological sites. Muslim groups deny the allegations. Fernando said on Tuesday the government could not control hate speech and fake messages on Facebook by "extreme" Buddhists and Muslims and it had become a menace to national security. Police are investigating whether 10 suspected ringleaders of the wave of attacks on Muslims had outside funding or foreign help. Sri Lanka's Muslims makeup 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. In the last four year, the common citizen leads and the government follows. You have seen how, in a short time, the Swachcha Bharat Mission has become a public revolution. The country's people have accepted digital payments and made it their weapon: PM Modi. A day after the phone interview, UC Health called again asking if she could come to Cincinnati for an in-person interview. Rivera weighed her familys options. They had never been to Ohio and her closest family, a cousin, lived in Michigan. But the familys second source of income driving a taxi had vanished with the rest of Puerto Ricos tourism industry. The storm recovery would take many more months. And for some people, life on the island would never be the same, she said. It was a matter of looking around and seeing that nothing was moving forward. Nothing had changed, even though we were already into November, she said. So I decided to take a chance and use my life savings to start somewhere new. Worst case, wed come home. But at least wed try. Rivera had been through many other coastal storms. But none had packed the devastating energy of Maria. The entire island was affected. The destruction was beyond words, she said. Snails crawl on the face of a woman during a demonstration of a new beauty treatment at Clinical-Salon in Tokyo. Clinical-Salon began the unique facial which offers a five-minute session with the snails crawling on the face. According to a beautician at the salon, the snail slime is believed to make one's skin supple as well as remove dry and scaly patches. (Image: Reuters) The Secret Life of Pets writer thinks he can get Alan Moore on board for Watchmen Pets The Secret Life of Pets writer Brian Lynch is pitching DC's next big money maker: Watchmen Pets Alaska Airlines pilot drugged, raped by a captain Seatles : An Alaska Airlines pilot has alleged a captain of first giving her a drug and then raping her during her three-day project with him. The incident had happened in June last year. Co-pilot Betty Pina was allegedly offered a glass of wine by the captain post which she found herself naked in a vomit soaked bed. She has allegedly filed a lawsuit against the airlines. In the lawsuit, Pina, a 39-year-old military veteran, has blamed Airlines of allowing the pilot to drug, rape her and not taking any action to her complaint. As per lawsuit claims, the captain is still employed with the airlines. "How many other victims are out there? I may not be the first case, but I hope to be the last," Pina told the Seattle Times. "It's time to take responsibility. The culture needs to change." The captain's "grossly abusive actions epitomize the necessity and purpose" of the #MeToo movement, the lawsuit says. She also tried to confront the pilot to find what happened with her; he denied any sexual contact, and said, "You were coming on to me pretty hard," according to the lawsuit. The comment from captain of the allegations is yet to be filed. A plan to bring a casino to Bridgeports blighted and underutilized waterfront survived a major challenge on Friday and could end up producing the states fourth casino. Despite an early attempt to the kill the bill, the General Assemblys Public Safety and Security Committee passed legislation directing the state to seek bids for a new casino, possibly in Bridgeport. The new version of the bill drops a controversial provision to cancel a planned East Windsor casino owned by the Mohegan and Mashantucket Pequot Indians. Whether East Windsor is in or out, Im from Bridgeport, said state Sen. Ed Gomes, D-Bridgeport and a Public Safety Committee member. MGM offers us 7,000 jobs and 2,000 permanent jobs, Gomes said. Im not against East Windsor or spoken out for MGM. I want all of it. Im for jobs, jobs for people to make a living and feed their families. MGM Grand has already announced plans for a $700 million seaside resort in Bridgeport and a job training center in New Haven. The Pequots and Mohegans have indicated interest as well. But any other operator could also bid for the casino, which could be situated anywhere in the state. The selected casino proposal would be subject to later legislative approval. MGM reiterated its support for a Bridgeport casino and resort, even with the changes to the bill. The Las Vegas casino giant is eyeing the lucrative New York City market. We continue to believe strongly that the proposal we have developed for a world-class resort casino in Bridgeport, and the thousands of jobs and millions in revenue it would bring to the city, the region and the state is in Connecticuts best interest, said Uri Clinton, senior vice president and legal counsel for MGM Resorts International. Those voices absolutely deserve to be heard by allowing a full discussion and public vote on a competitive process plan, he added. It is the best way for the state to compare proposals on a level playing field, side-by-side, to get the best deal for Connecticut. The Public Safety Committee voted 21-3 to move the bill onto the House for an up or down vote. If adopted by the House, the legislation would go to the state Senate. The Legislature last year authorized a modest, $300 million East Windsor casino to buffer the Foxwoods and Mohegan resorts from competition from a $1 billion casino under construction by MGM in Springfield, Mass., a short drive from East Windsor. The tribes say without the East Windsor casino they could lose 9,000 jobs. But that casino is stalled, and questions remain over whether it can obtain required federal approval. The state is suing the Bureau of Indian Affairs for failing to formally endorse changes to compacts with the state that give the tribes the exclusive right to offer gambling on their reservations in exchange for paying the state 25 percent of their slot revenue. Attorney General George Jepsen on Thursday issued an opinion that passage of the Bridgeport casino bill would not break the compacts between the state and the tribes. Close call As the day began on Friday, it appeared the Bridgeport casino bill would die in committee. State Sen. Tim Larson, D-East Hartford, and a Republican co-chairman blocked the bill from appearing on the committees agenda an old legislative tactic designed to kill a bill. Bridgeport legislators were enraged and quickly mobilized to the save the legislation at one point threatening to withhold their votes on a wide variety of bills. The citys delegation is the largest in the state. We are going to play hardball, said state Rep. Chris Rosario, D-Bridgeport. They are going to need our votes. The Senate is tied 18-18 and we have two senators. We can kill a lot of their stuff. But cooler heads prevailed, and after lengthy caucus meetings by Democrats and Republicans on the committee, a deal was struck to amend the bill and allow the already approved East Windsor casino to proceed. It still allows the bill to carry forward, Larson said of the amendment. This was an appropriate way to address this problem. Bridgeport Mayor Joe Ganim praised the work of the citys legislative delegation. I am extremely proud of the courage and leadership of the entire Bridgeport legislative delegation, who appeared together in unity and strength to stand up for real economic development in the Bridgeport-New Haven region, Ganim said. This is a casino bill for Bridgeport which also keeps jobs in other parts of the state, Ganim said. Its an important jobs bill, and Connecticut needs jobs. This is a clear signal to the business community that we are open for investment from companies outside of Connecticut who are looking to plant seeds and grow here, and help us develop our new economy. Rosario said he can live with the deal. Im fine with that; it does not harm the jobs, he said. State Rep. Michael DiMassa, D-West Haven, who voted against the amendment but for the bill, said stripping out the East Windsor provision harmed the legislation. You have to come down on one side or the other, DiMassa said. State Rep. J.P. Sredzinski, R-Monroe, who in the past has voted against gambling, said the bill contained enough benefits to support. There is enough in this bill to support it to get out of committee, Srdezinski said. I have opposed gambling and opposed East Windsor. But Bridgeport is in need and its time to take a look at this. My husband and I share our bed with our doga border collie/lab mix named Abbey. Shortly after we brought her home, Abbey realized that the most comfortable sleeping quarters were our own. So, that's where she joined us. Still, though, we wondered if having a panting, drooling, 60-pound ball of fur on our bed would disrupt our sleep? It turns out, noif anything, my husband and I sleep more soundly than ever. And a recent study cited in the New York Times confirms this: Researchers at the Mayo Clinic who monitored the sleep patterns of 40 dogs in bed with their owners found that these dog lovers got just as much shut-eye as folks who exile their pooch to a doggy bed or the floor. So if you love snuggling with your fur baby, go for it! This is the fur baby I get to snuggle with. Meet Miss Abbey. Natalie Way This goes against the lore that you should have the dog sleep elsewhere," study author Lois Krahn told the Times. Today, many pet owners are away from their pets for much of the day, so they want to maximize their time with them when they are home. Having them in the bedroom at night is an easy way to do that. And, now, pet owners can find comfort knowing it wont negatively impact their sleep." But that got me thinking: Even if having a dog in your bed isn't detrimental to your sleep, might it be detrimental to your health? After all, Abbey loves pawing through garbage; I was once horrified to catch her chomping on a dried, dead squirrel. Might having her lounge on our bed increase the odds that my husband or I could catch ... something? Let's look at the facts. Can you get sick from a dog sleeping in your bed? Experts agree that the average healthy owner of a dog has nothing to worry about. "The likelihood of someone getting sick is extremely rare, as is the risk of transmission of diseases," Dr. Justine Lee, a veterinary specialist from Minneapolis, tells realtor.com. Ninety to 95% of the time, its very safe to sleep with your pets. Most vets even let their dogs sleep on their bed." There are, however, a small percentage of people who won't benefit from being in close quarters with their dog. That includes individuals with compromised immune systems (due to AIDS, cancer, lupus) as well as those with allergies or severe asthma. What types of diseases can humans get from dogs? Although the risk of getting a disease from your dog is staggeringly low, ringworm and mange are two types of skin diseases dogs can carry that are transmitted through contact. But even if you are infected, Lee assures us these diseases are easily treatable. Fleas and ticks can also hop a free ride on your dog's coat and into your home. And according to research conducted at Harvard Medical School, these parasites can transmit germs that can cause Lyme disease, the malaria-like infection known as babesiosis, and even plague. That's why it's important for your dog to be on a monthly preventive flea and tick regimen. How dog owners can stay healthy Common-sense hygiene will keep dog owners healthy and reduce their risk of getting sick from anything Fido brings in. This includes washing your hands after walks or playtime, taking your pup in for routine vet exams, and making sure vaccinations are current. Lee also recommends that owners with severe allergies or asthma look into getting an air purifier with a HEPA filter to clear the air of allergens that come from pet dander. While an air filter can make living with a dog better for allergy sufferers, Lee says it's wise to keep your four-legged friend out of the bedroom if your symptoms are particularly bad. While all dog owners like to show affection for their animal, Lee shared one final tip that should go without saying: "It might sound gross, but open-mouth kissing with your dog is not OK. Licking your face is fine, but please don't make out with your dog." I can rest easy knowing letting Abbey sleep on our bed is A-OK. Natalie Way The post Dogs in the Bed Won't Disrupt Your Sleep, but What About Those Germs? appeared first on Real Estate News & Insights | realtor.com. The US went soft over the decades in economic competition with Europe, Japan and the USSR. Europe had to rebuild itself after World War 2 and then Europe had more regulations and less willingness to rapidly change and innovate. Japan was a strong competitor for a while, but then Japan had decades of stagnation. Japan also has an aging and now declining population level. The USSR and now Russia always had massively flawed economic systems. Finances, decision making and execution speed and aggressiveness in business The US out-hustled Europe. The USA produced nearly 50,000 Sherman tanks in WW2. More tanks than Germany and Great Britain made during the entire war. Germany only produced about 6,000 Panthers. Americans were famous for the can-do attitude. This was famous through the early to mid 20th century. 10 years ago a poll showed just 12 percent of Americans approved of a universal basic income. A new Northeastern University/Gallup survey of more than 3,000 U.S. adults shows 48 percent of Americans support it. Is the US out-hustling China? There is some analysis from the book Grit by Angela Duckworth. She analyzes how effort is squared in the formula for success. She also notes that gritty people have a growth mindset. China has targets for 6-6.5% overall GDP growth. * China is on track to surpass US venture capital * China could surpass the US in many other financial areas * China already has a far larger mobile and e-commerce market * In 2016, China surpassed the US to become the worlds largest retail market . By 2020, Chinas retail market will be 30% larger than the US retail market. * China is the worlds largest e-commerce market. China was $1.13 trillion in 2017. This was almost triple the US e-commerce market of $451 billion. The UK was at $110 billion and Japan at $95 billion. US Venture investors deployed $21.5 billion to more than 1,699 venture-backed companies during the third quarter, bringing 2017s total investment to $61.4 billion deployed across 5,948 deals to date. US accounted for the largest portion of the total deal activity, Asia also made up a significant proportion of deal activity, with $65 billion invested in Greater China and $10 billion in deals announced for India. Asia is gaining on the U.S. as the largest source of venture capital, more than doubling to $70.8 billion in 2017 compared with the U.S. at a 17% gain to $71.9 billion. A separate year-end VC survey by KPMG breaks out China figures and notes that China venture capital investment rose 15% last year to more than $40 billion. Whats hot in China tech is artificial intelligence, autotech and enterprise services. Europe saw a 40 percent rise in financing to $17.6 billion. In 2017 alone, $12.5 billion in startup funding flowed into artificial intelligence companies, with Chinese startups receiving 48 percent of that money. Trying to Protect existing companies and technologies is less effective than racing ahead This week, President Donald Trump cited national security concerns when he blocked Singapore-based Broadcoms proposed acquisition of Qualcomm. In April 2015, the U.S. government blocked Intel from selling new Xeon chips to Chinese supercomputers. In 2016, China unveiled Sunway TaihuLight, a supercomputer which has theoretical peak performance of 124.5 petaflops. This made it the first supercomputer to break the 100 petaflop barrier. The TaihuLight runs entirely on Chinese hardware, using ShenWei CPUs developed at the Jiangan Computing Research Lab in Wuxi. Losing the Chinese supercomputer orders in 2015 reportedly cost Intel between $1 billion to $1.3 billion in revenue. It was about 6% to 8% of Intels $16 billion in Data Center revenue in fiscal 2015. The US Supercomputer Chip ban delayed Chinas 100 petaFLOP computer by 8 months and contributed to Intel laying off 12,000 employees. Elon Musk in the US has been far more effective by racing ahead with the development of lower cost rockets and reusable rockets. If SpaceX and Elon Musk did not exist then the US would be losing its lead in rocketry by trying to protect $400 million Delta IV Heavy rockets and United Launch. Speed of execution and faster innovation are the keys to winning. There was a 2016-2017 Kickstarter for Antimatter fuel production. It was an effort by Dr. Gerald Jackson. He has an antimatter drive website which has an outline of the steps needed for working out how to produce and store several grams of antiprotons each year. The current belief is that freezing it as anti-lithium or anti-carbon would make it easier to handle. Gerald Jackson has made progress on the steps to produce anti-lithium and anti-carbon and to store it. Before entering the private sector in the autumn of 2000, Dr. Gerald Jackson was an accelerator physicist at the Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory for 14 years. He received his doctorate in Physics from Cornell University in 1987. His thesis committee included Nobel Prize winner Kenneth Wilson, and his thesis advisor was one of a long line of influential physicists, including Robert Wilson (Manhattan Project and Founder of the Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory) and Ernest Lawrence (Nobel Prize winner and inventor of the cyclotron). Dr. Jackson has published an extensive body of work in the areas of beam physics, accelerator technology, deep-space propulsion, nuclear physics, and medical physics. He was co-recipient of the 1999 IEEE Accelerator Technology Award for his design and construction leadership of a 2-mile circumference particle accelerator, was inducted as a fellow of the American Physical Society, and elevated to senior member of the IEEE. He has an international reputation in the areas of instrumentation, vacuum technology, robotics, particle beam control, facility construction, and space propulsion, earning him many invitations to present invited talks and teach. His work has been profiled in Scientific American and in the book Physics of the Impossible by popular physicist Michio Kaku. He served on U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) high energy physics institutional reviews, having reviewed the programs of former DOE cabinet secretaries Stephen Chu and Ernest Moniz. He is also a referee for scientific peer-reviewed journals, SBIR grant proposals, and accelerator research grant proposals. In 2000 Dr. Jackson received a Federal Energy and Water Management Award, and in 2002 he received a Federal Energy Saving Showcase Award. In 2002 he co-founded the company Hbar Technologies, LLC which performed research projects funded by NASA, the DOE, and DARPA. He is currently the President and CEO of Hbar Technologies, LLC. Design the particle accelerator complex needed to produce several grams of antiprotons each year This is where most of the theoretical particle and accelerator physics efforts will reside. The work plan includes: Design the antiproton target station geometry Calculate the expected antiproton yield Optimize the proton kinetic energy on the target Design the proton accelerator complex upstream of the target Design the antiproton accelerator complex downstream of the target Calculate the amount of proton energy recovery that can be expected Estimate the equipment and operational costs of such an antiproton complex, producing a preliminary design report Taking the above theoretical work, a design report will be generated wherein the equipment and operational costs of the antiproton production facility will be documented. The work plan includes: Determine cost/benefit differences between pulsed and continuous beam operations Produce a cost estimate for the proton accelerator complex Produce a cost estimate for the antiproton accelerator complex Estimate the annual manpower and utility costs of the entire facility Produce a design report that specifies all of the processes and equipment necessary for the production of antilithium The work plan includes: Step 1: Production of antideuterons Step 2: Production of antihelium-3 Step 3: Production of antihelium-4 Step 4: Production of antiberyllium-7 Step 5: Production of antilithium-7 Calculate the expected storage lifetime of antilithium in the production facility Estimate the equipment and operational costs for antilithium production Taking the above design report, the equipment and operational costs of the antilithium production facility will be estimated. The work plan includes: Produce a cost estimate for the antilithium accelerator complex Estimate the annual manpower and utility costs of the antilithium complex Plan a program of future campaigns aimed at experimentally demonstrating the nucleosynthesis and storage of antilithium With all of the above work completed, design a series of validation experiments proving the feasibility of antilithium nucleosynthesis. In order to minimize costs, these experiments will work with normal matter instead of antimatter. The series of experiments includes: Build two proton storage rings in order to demonstrate the production of a beam of deuterons Build a deuteron storage ring intersecting with a proton storage ring to demonstrate the production of a beam of helium-3 nuclei Build a helium-3 storage ring intersecting with a deuteron storage ring to demonstrate the production of a beam of helium-4 nuclei Build a proton recovery beam line for capture of proton produced in the production of helium-4 nuclei Build a helium-4 storage ring intersecting with a helium-3 storage ring to demonstrate the production of a beam of beryllium-7 nuclei Build a trap for the storage and production of singly-ionized beryllium-7 atoms Build a separate trap for the long-term storage of gram-quantities of lithium-7 They explored three possible mechanisms for levitating the accumulated antimatter. 1. levitation via momentum transfer, wherein the free positrons and antinuclei have an upward vertical trajectory when absorbed. 2. Electrostatic suspension similar to the Millikan oil-drop experiment. 3. Use the diamagnetic properties of the various forms of antimatter. Momentum Transfer In the previous update the heating of the accumulated antimatter due to the kinetic energy of the incoming positrons and antinuclei was quantified. When these particles give up their kinetic energy in the form of heat, they also give up their momentum in the inelastic collision. As in the case of rockets, the change of momentum is equal to a thrust (or force). There is a maximum kinetic energy that the antinuclei and positrons can deposit into the spherical accumulated antimatter due to excessive temperature. This maximum kinetic energy increases as the radius of the sphere increases. Operationally, this momentum transfer could be delivered by a positron and antinucleus storage ring intersecting vertically upward within a Penning trap. Such a geometry is sketched in the figure below. Unfortunately, only for accumulations of anticarbon-14 less than or equal to 3.4 mg (three hours of accumulation at a rate of 10 grams per year) can be levitated in this manner. The reason that only carbon can levitated in this manner is a surface emissivity close to unity and a very high maximum temperature. For lithium, beryllium, and boron the maximum accumulation of antimatter for which this form of levitation can be successfully employed is less than a milligram. Electrostatic Levitation In the case of electrostatic levitation, an electrostatic field applies an upward force that cancels the weight of the accumulated antimatter. A very close analog of this geometry was employed in the Millikan oil-drop experiment. In order to levitate the antimatter sphere in the center of the electrodes, the electrostatic force on the net charge of the sphere must be equal and opposite to the force of gravity. The electrostatic force is equal to the electric field (produced by the voltage difference between the top and bottom electrodes) times the net charge Qnet of the antimatter sphere. The smaller the value of Qnet, the bigger V must be for a given sphere mass and electrode spacing. Therefore, the choice is to increase the net charge of the sphere or the voltage on the electrodes until levitation is achieved. The classical limit for a voltage difference between two electrodes in a high vacuum enclosure is approximately 1 MegaVolt per meter. If h is the distance from the top or bottom electrode to the sphere center, the value of the levitating electric field is V/h. For electric fields much smaller than the 1 MV/m limit, the electric field in the center of a Penning trap would cause the free positrons and antinuclei to deflect, miss the sphere, and hit the walls of the trap. The concept was to bunch up the positrons and antinuclei so that they pass the sphere in a discrete pulse and leave a period of time within which the electrodes can be pulsed to the desired voltage without affecting the positrons and antinuclei. Unfortunately, there is a fundamental problem with this concept. The electric field generated by the electrodes must act on a nonzero net charge Qnet. The charged sphere creates its own electric field. As stated earlier, the desired net charge of the sphere is negative in order to avoid thermionic positron emission and secondary emission of positrons due to ion and positron depositions. If the resultant electric field created by the sphere is too large, antinuclei will be deflected away from the sphere, halting antimatter accumulation. The problem is that the net charge of the sphere cannot be eliminated and reinstated on the time scale of any gap plausible in the positron and antinuclei pulse structure. This net charge must be considered a constant. So the key question is how big do these voltages actually have to be to implement electrostatic levitation. The answer is too high. Assuming the maximum voltage between the top and bottom electrodes, a 1-month accumulation of anticarbon and antilithium would require a sphere surface voltage of 49,500 and 30,600 Volts, respectively. This exceeds the maximum kinetic energy (presented in the previous update) of the antinuclei in both cases, meaning that accumulation is no longer possible. It turns out that this problem extends across all forms of antimatter (antilithium, antiberyllium, antiboron, and anticarbon) and across all accumulation time scales. Diamagnetic Levitation There are basically three types of magnetic materials: paramagnetic, ferromagnetic, and diamagnetic. Technically ferromagnetism can occur in three particular forms, but for the purposes of this update we will ignore these details. Many materials have a diamagnetic component to their reaction to an external magnetic field, but for materials such as iron and nickel and permanent magnets their paramagnetic or ferromagnetic properties are dominant. For the elements that we are interested in, the following table contains their magnetic type and the value of their diamagnetic susceptibility. Note that for diamagnetic levitation during antimatter accumulation the only viable options are antiberyllium, antiboron, and anticarbon. For the case of levitating antimatter, preliminary calculations indicate that diamagnetic levitation is plausible. Much more work needs to go into these calculations before we are comfortable presenting them to you, our backers. We have a concept for a pulsed magnetic field that can be applied in the time gaps between positron and antinuclei deposition into the accumulated antimatter. Spin-stabilized magnetic levitation mentioned in the previous update is also closely related to this general topic. In the near future an update devoted to magnetic levitation will be published. The conclusion of this update is that momentum transfer and electrostatic levitation are too weak to counteract the acceleration of gravity. Of course, antimatter accumulation in zero gravity bypasses this entire issue, though unfortunately inserting a host of other unrelated difficulties. Rapid Accumulation of Antimatter They presented processes to form the nuclei Li7Bar, Be9Bar, B11Bar, and C14Bar. The next step is to find a robust method for adding positrons and forming a solid antimatter lump from these antinuclei stored in a trap. The purpose of this update is to outline such a rapid accumulation method. There are three analogs in the everyday world that can be invoked to paint a clear mental image of the proposed method. First, take the problem of planetary accretion. In the beginning of a solar system there exists small dust particles in orbit about the star. As the theory goes, over time collisions and friction cause these independent particles to accumulate into a massive lump that sweeps up the rest of the dust as it orbits the star. There is a meter-size problem with the theory in that there seems no way to go from dust to intact objects over a meter in diameter. Second, take the formation of hail. Ice crystals are held aloft by thermal currents within thunderclouds. As the crystals move up and down within the cloud, they accumulate even more water to grow into a hail stone. At some point either the thermals weaken or the hail stones become too massive, and they fall out of the sky. The third analog is the starter mass for making sourdough bread. The starter mass is a living thing, and some have reportedly been growing continuously for hundreds of years. If your want to make sourdough bread, you split the starter mass and feed the remaining portion by adding flour and water. The yeast consumes these foods to grow the starter mass back to the original size. Geometry Introduction The general idea is to deposit unbound antinuclei and positrons into an existing lump of antimatter, The bonds between atoms and molecules, and scattering off those atoms and molecules, allow the positrons and antinuclei to form yet more neutralized atoms and molecules which are incorporated into the ever-growing lump. Accelerator architecture that can produce a positron current. Experiments in which the formation of whiskers of lithium might be attempted are required. Using a levitation system, a Penning-type trap, a thermionic electron source, a laser, and a lithium ion emitter, the accumulation and cleaving of grauples can be demonstrated. Such an experiment would be relatively low-cost and quantify several aspects of rapid accumulation and storage of (anti)matter. WALLINGFORD Two Sheehan High School football players were seriously injured, one with life-threatening injuries, Friday afternoon when their car careened off Highland Avenue and hit a tree, according to police. The players, ages 15 and 16, were coming from an off-season football team meeting at the school on Hope Hill Road, a Sheehan staff member said. Both teenagers needed to be extricated from the 2009 Toyota Scion, police said. The accident occurred around 3 p.m. near the intersection of Highland Avenue and Route 68. The teenagers were taken to Yale New Haven Hospital. Police said the 16-year-old lost control of the vehicle and that investigators were trying to determine whether excessive speed was a contributing factor. According to police, the 15-year-old passenger remained unconscious with a head injury and the 16-year-old driver suffered numerous fractures. The passenger was stabilized in the pediatric intensive care unit, police said. Police said Highland Avenue between Route 68 and Buttonwood Circle remained closed for four hours after the collision. The victims names were not released The investigation, which is ongoing, revealed that the vehicle operator was traveling in a north bound direction on Highland Avenue after the two boys attended a Sheehan High School football meeting. As the operator traversed Route 68 to continue northerly on Highland Avenue, he lost control of the vehicle while on a straight portion of the roadway, Lt. Anthony DeMaio stated in a news release. The vehicle left the travel portion of the roadway where it came to rest after striking a large tree along the eastern side of Highland Avenue. The main area of impact was concentrated at the drivers side of the vehicle. Police asked anyone who witnessed the accident to contact Officer Christian Evans or DeMaio at 203-294-2815. About a mile down the road at Sheehan Friday evening, students and families entered the school to see the debut performance of the schools production of the musical Bye Bye Birdie. Katie Cappetta, a sophomore at the school, said the two victims are pillars of the schools athletics community and popular. Everyone is talking about it and offering their thoughts and prayers, she said. One woman, who identified herself as a teacher at the school, expressed worry for the victims safety. Theyre kids, she said, trailing off. Salvatore Menzo, Wallingfords superintendent of schools, said several staff members from the school immediately went to Yale New Haven. We have a really caring staff and the minute they heard about this, they wanted to go, Menzo said. The company that designed a pedestrian bridge in Miami that collapsed Thursday, killing at least six people, was the daily construction inspector on the Pearl Harbor Memorial Bridge in New Haven and is doing the same work for the Gold Star Memorial Bridge between New London and Groton, according to a state Department of Transportation official. Mark Rolfe, chief engineer for the DOT, said Friday that the department uses multiple safety procedures and that those bridges are safe. FIGG Bridge Group, whose motto is Creating Bridges as Art, was also hired to do an independent design review of concrete piers of the Moses Wheeler Bridge between Milford and Stratford, Rolfe said. Both the Pearl Harbor and Moses Wheeler bridges are on Interstate 95. The Pearl Harbor Memorial Bridge is absolutely safe, Rolfe said. We have a multilayered approach to how we do our bridges. He said the same is true for other bridges that FIGG has been involved with, including four spans at the interchange of Route 2 and Interstate 84 in East Hartford. The company is doing repair and reconstruction work on those bridges. On Friday, officials said cables suspending the pedestrian bridge at Florida International University were being tightened after a stress test when the 950-ton structure fell onto traffic below. Authorities said the death toll could rise. Rolfe said it was unclear who is responsible for the bridge collapse. It could be a whole host of things that caused a tragedy like that and I dont want to speculate what it might be, he said. FIGG has done good work for us here in Connecticut. FIGG, based in Tallahassee, Florida, is known for building bridges with striking designs, such as the Sunshine Skyway Bridge over Tampa Bay, and the new I-35W bridge in Minneapolis, which replaced a bridge that collapsed in 2007, killing 13 people and injuring 145. According to the company, FIGG designed the Florida bridge, working with Munilla Construction Management of Miami. Both companies been fined for negligence on past projects. According to the Virginian-Pilot of Norfolk, FIGG was assessed $28,000 in fines in 2012 after a 90-ton slab of concrete fell from the South Norfolk Jordan Bridge in Chesapeake. A girder used to support part of the bridge was modified without the manufacturers consent, according to the Virginia Department of Labor. FIGG issued a statement saying the girder had nothing to do with the final bridge, according to the Virginian-Pilot. There were only minor injuries. Munilla has been fined $50,000 for 11 safety violations in the past five years and a worker won a $143,000 judgment when a makeshift bridge collapsed under him, according to the Associated Press. The contractor that built the new Pearl Harbor Memorial Bridge, commonly called the Q bridge, was Walsh Construction Co./PCL Joint Venture. FIGG was a subconsultant to the main construction engineering and inspection contractor, HW Lochner of Waterbury, Rolfe said. They just inspected the work to make sure the work was performed in accordance with the plans and specifications, he said. They were the departments eyes and ears overseeing the work, filing reports on a daily basis. FIGG would also do paperwork, such as preparing payment requisitions, he said. On top of all of that, theres department staff on site to oversee construction, Rolfe said. The daily inspection FIGG was responsible for is separate from the final inspection of the bridge. That was performed by HAKS, which is based in New York and has an office in Bridgeport. The final step before we relieve Walsh/PCL of responsibility for the bridge is we have a team of bridge inspectors who sign off that the bridge is complete and the department is going to take ownership of it, Rolfe said. For the Moses Wheeler Bridge, there were issues we were having with some of the concrete piers, Rolfe said. We called on one of our on-call design engineers to validate the design of the bridge and we wanted to do an independent check of the design. GM2 Associates of Glastonbury was hired to independently review the design of the bridges substructure, and FIGG was subcontracted to analyze the work. Theyre doing an independent review of someone elses work, Rolfe said. They have no independent responsibility for the design or the construction of the bridge. The $14.2 million pedestrian bridge that collapsed Thursday was scheduled to open in 2019, crossing six lanes of traffic between Florida International in Miami and the city of Sweetwater, where many students live. FIGG issued a statement Friday in which it said it was stunned by the tragic collapse. Our deepest sympathies are with all those affected by this accident. We will fully cooperate with every appropriate authority in reviewing what happened and why. In our 40-year history, nothing like this has ever happened before. Our entire team mourns the loss of life and injuries associated with this devastating tragedy, and our prayers go out to all involved. The company said it has worked on more than 230 bridges and has designed nearly 35 miles of bridges in the southeastern Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico that have withstood multiple hurricanes. When finished, the bridge would have been supported from above, with a tall, off-center tower and cables attached to the walkway. That tower had not yet been installed, and it was unclear what builders were using as temporary supports. An accelerated construction method was supposed to reduce risks to workers and pedestrians and minimize traffic disruption, the university said. The school has long been interested in this kind of bridge design; in 2010, it opened an Accelerated Bridge Construction-University Transportation Center to provide the transportation industry with the tools needed to effectively and economically utilize the principles of ABC to enhance mobility and safety, and produce safe, environmentally friendly, long-lasting bridges. Robert Bea, a professor of engineering and construction management at the University of California, Berkeley, said it was too early to know exactly what happened, but he called it a risky move to use what the bridge builders called an innovative installation over a heavily traveled thoroughfare. Innovations take a design firm into an area where they dont have applicable experience, and then we have another unexpected failure on our hands, Bea said after reviewing the bridges design and photos of the collapse. A night of bacchanalia ended with a blackout and a $1,635 Uber charge for one unfortunate New Jersey man. Kenny Bachman was partying with friends in Morgantown, W.Va. last Friday when he called an Uber to deliver him to his crash pad near the West Virginia University campus, NJ.com reports. One alcohol-induced nap and two hours later, Bachman woke up en-route to his home in Gloucester County, New Jersey more than 300 miles away from his intended destination. He made it home safely, but with a considerably lighter wallet. The charges broke down as follows, per NJ.com: $2.35 booking fee, $3.94 base fare, $115.90 for time and $696.95 for distance. The latter three charges were doubled due to surge pricing. And to throw some salt on his already-large wound, Bachman accidentally ordered a pricy UberXL, which can accommodate six passengers and is exceptionally more expensive than the standard UberX. "Afterwards I had it fully sink in, once the ride ended and I saw how much it was," Bachman told the news site. "I was like 'Alright, this is insane, that's just crazy.'" Absurdity aside, he still had to pay. A failed attempt to dispute the charge Bachman claims he never put in his home address and the driver had access to his phone led to a chat with Uber that ended with Bachman paying the full $1,635 fee. Michelle Robertson is an SFGATE staff writer. Email her at mrobertson@sfchronicle.com or find her on Twitter at @mrobertsonsf. The two brothers who founded Wallingford-based Edible Arrangements will soon be facing off in a Connecticut courtroom. Lawyers for Kamran Farid filed a 70-page complaint late last month in Superior Court in New Haven against Edible Brands, the corporate entity that oversees the fresh-cut fruit arrangements retailer, seeking to force the company to allow inspection of corporate records. The lawsuit centers around Kamran Farids ouster from the board of the directors of a limited liability company within Edible Brands corporate structure by his brother Tariq Farid, who is the companys chief executive officer. Tariq Farid said in a phone interview Friday his brother hasnt been actively involved in operation of Edible Arrangements since 2014, when he retired from the company on his own volition. Tariq Farid expressed surprise that his brother chose to take the matter to court. This is something that could have been resolved within the family, he said. Its a tough situation because theres family involved. Because its now before the courts, theres not a lot more I can say about it. Tariq Farid replaced his brother on the Edible LLC board in April 2016 with Asma Farid, who is Tariqs wife. Kamran Farids civil complaint contends his brother unilaterally removed from his position as a director of the subsidiary without following the proper procedures set forth in the companys operating agreement. The removal of Kamran Farid from the Edible LLC board are indications of mismanagement and corporate impropriety, the complaint contends in part. The lawsuit also contends Tariq Farid maneuvered to create 33,333 shares of Class B stock in Edible LLC that his brother did not authorize. Under the complex corporate structure that Edible Arrangement has, revenue generated by the business has flowed from Edible LLC upward to Edible Brands and was subsequently distributed to the two brothers, according to the complaint. The practical effect of the new Class B stock is to deprive Kamran Farid of his fair share of the operating revenue, because his brother owns all of the unauthorized shares, according to the legal filing. Edible Arrangements generates about a half a billion dollars in annual gross revenue. Though he was ousted from the Edible LLC board, Kamran Farid is still a director of Edible Brands and either owns or is a trustee for 785 shares of common stock in the corporate parent, according to legal papers. That represents 45 percent of all outstanding shares in Edible Brands. The two sides are scheduled to appear in Superior Court in New Haven April 9. Tariq Farid said he and his companies lawyers will respond to his brothers claims in court filings before then. Right now there is only one side of the story that is out, Tariq Farid said. Joseph Merschman, an attorney with New Haven-based Wiggin and Dana, is representing Edible Brands in the case and declined comment on the case Thursday. Kamran Farid is being represented by the law firm McCarter & English. Attorneys with the Hartford and Wilmington, Delaware offices of McCarter & English did not respond to calls from the New Haven Register seeking comment and Kamran Farid does not have a listed phone number at his home in Windermere, Fla. Edible Arrangements has franchised the fresh-cut fruit arrangements concept nationally and abroad. There are approximately 1,100 Edible Arrangements stores worldwide, according to legal papers. Edible Arrangements was founded in 1999 in East Haven by two Farid brothers. Kamran Farid was at one time the chief operating officer of Edible LLC. ANSONIA In todays world, when bad news seems to dominate headlines, students at Predendergast School have found a way to find the good. For the last two weeks, the newly formed Student Council, comprised of 20 students in grades K-6, have participated in a project dubbed Look for the Good. It focused on gratitude and finding good news stories in a world where those things seem harder to find these days. Students have filled a wall in one of the schools hallways with thousands of colorful sticky notes, each one boasting something theyre grateful for, like my family, my teachers, life, my dogs, the armed forces and even McDonalds chicken nuggets. And outside the school, spelled out in bright blue plastic cups strategically stuck in the school fence are the words You Matter, serving as a daily reminder to students and staff of their worth. Its nice that with everything you read and hear in the media these days that our school is recognizing the good and able to find kindness, said Assistant Principal Amy Cosciello. Teachers Rachel Gabrielson and Jennifer Muller serve as co-advisors of the Student Council and said the project has made a huge impact on students. The school PTA purchased a kit to kick off the goodness campaign that included a video about what gratitude means and ways to foster a positive school atmosphere. Gabrielson said students got excited about spreading good news and positive vibes among their peers and teachers and hope their feel-good message can reach out to the community, at large. The students planned the whole project out, and even requested to have confetti cannons which we launched at the assembly to kick off the event, Gabrielson said. In addition to the sticky note filled Gratitude Hall, there were four designated gratitude spots around the school, where students could stop by and say out loud what theyre grateful for. Teachers were also equipped with you matter cards which they handed out to students caught doing good things, like helping someone pick up their books or holding the door for someone. Savannah Smith, 11, a fifth-grader, placed two sticky notes on the wall, thanking two of her teachers for helping me when I need help. She hopes the positive messages stop bullies. I think it will stop bullies who walk by and read the messages about how grateful we are for things like our families, our friends and our teachers, and maybe they can stop and think about what theyre grateful for, too, Savannah said. Jayden Brown, 10, a fourth-grader, is grateful for the Student Council and how the students help each other. I hope this project spreads a message of kindness, and helps those who may not have enough clothes or shoes or food on the table, Jayden said. Student Council Secretary Ibrahim Hanaif, 10, a fifth-grader, is hopeful the message of positivity continues long after the sticky notes come down. Gabrielson said when the school removes the notes, they will be packed up and delivered to an area hospital, senior center or nursing home to spread the cheer elsewhere. Peyton Santiago, 9, a fourth-grader, and Maqila Mosely Williams, 12, a sixth-grader, said theyre grateful for their family and friends, and cant help but smile each day they pass the colorful wall. It makes me feel happy and I hope we can spread kindness around to everyone, Peyton said. Hundreds of Aiken County high school students stood in the cold, walked out of classes and gathered together in gyms and cafeterias and around flagpoles Wednesday, March 14, to bring awareness to the issues of gun violence and school safety in America. The students joined thousands of others as more than 3,000 schools all over the country participated in the National School Walkout. The student-led movement grew from the school shooting Feb. 14 at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High in Parkland, Florida, which left 17 students and teachers dead. At Aiken High before school started, about 50 students stood outside in near freezing temperatures in front of a banner in orange letters, the color of the demonstration reading We Need Action in solidarity with their peers calling for stricter gun control and an end to gun violence. At 10 a.m., more than 100 Aiken High students walked out of class, too, and stood in front of the school for 17 minutes, one for each life lost in Parkland. Amid police cars at the school for extra security, students walked outside, chanting, "We want action, not just talk." One opposing student waved a yellow "Don't tread on me" flag, while other students chanted, "Guns don't kill." Need for action Later Wednesday morning, wearing orange T-shirts, three Aiken High students who helped organize the demonstration seniors Richard Dorman Jr., 19, and Catherine Orlowski, 18, and junior Jahleel Johnson, 16 talked about the importance of the movement to them, their message to the community, and the need for action to make American schools safe. We're trying to urge our legislators and representatives in Washington and in Columbia to look on the issue of gun violence, which isn't new, and do something about it, Dorman said. After more than 75 people died from gun violence at a concert in Las Vegas and at a church in Sutherland Springs, Texas, nothing happened, Dorman said. Now we have Stoneman Douglas, and we want that to be different, he said. We don't believe that sitting here and doing nothing is going to fix the problem we need to act. Seeing the signs and banners at the early morning demonstration really raised the energy up, said Johnson, who said he always has been a strong supporter of the Second Amendment. I actually felt like I was a part of something to be a part of history and help make change, he said. All of the students said they support stricter gun laws and enforcement of those laws. Orlowski cited America's crime rate and its relationship to guns and gun violence. In this country, we don't have the highest crime rate, but we have the highest homicidal crime rate. And a lot of that has to do with gun violence, she said. It should not be as easy to get a gun as it is to go to the store and buy an apple. Johnson agreed. I was at the drugstore, and there was a guy buying Ny-Quil and Tylenol he probably had a headache. The cashier asked him his age, and I was wondering why can't they do that for people buying these assault weapons, he said. Dorman said he believes he and most of his peers agree that certain firearm accessories bump stocks, which increase a firearm's firing rate, and high-capacity magazines, which allow shooters to continue firing without having to reload as often should be banned. The shooter in Las Vegas used both, he said. It makes it easier to kill more people, Dorman said. That's not good or safe for us as a society. Dorman said he also supports universal background checks before people can buy a firearm. We need to give the authorities more discretion to look at and vet each one of these purchases well enough so that we can make sure that the person purchasing the firearm is competent, he said. I recognize that, nine times out of 10, the person buying the firearm is going to be a law-abiding citizen who's just going to go out to the shooting range or might use it for hunting or some other legal purpose. What you have to account for is the people who aren't going to do that, and that's what we want to see more action on. Debate on arming teachers All three students said they do not support arming teachers to help prevent gun violence in schools. Teachers didn't sign up to be a security guard. Their priority is to teach their kids, Dorman said. If there are more guns on campus or teachers with guns, it's going to raise tensions and make students a little more antsy. We're trying to maintain a peaceful environment. Orlowski said arming teachers would make the school environment like a prison. Teachers are teachers, she said. Their job is not to have a firearm and protect their students. That's not what they got their degrees for; that's not what theyre here for. Johnson said he used to be a strong proponent of arming teachers, but after talking to both conservative and liberal teachers, he concluded arming teacher is not a good idea. If a teacher loses a gun, a student might use it to kill people. Also, teachers can be overpowered, he said. If teachers are armed with guns, I want to see an increase in their salaries. I don't think it's fair to them to have two jobs in one when they're not getting paid enough. Conversation just beginning All three students said, after Wednesday's demonstrations and walkouts, they would continue to advocate to end gun violence and would continue to speak out. We're going to continue to call our Congressmen and write letters and make sure they remember, Dorman said. We want them to know, hey, we're still here. We're still concerned. Please look at this issue. Orlowski said students aren't going to allow gun violence to be swept under the rug again. With all these shootings, you see political people putting out, tweeting or posting thoughts and prayers, she said. We don't need thoughts and prayers. We need action. We need gun reform. We need to be able to have a safe environment at school, at businesses, at public places. Johnson, who said he was a member of a thoughts and prayers group at his church, said it's OK to offer thoughts and prayers. But my pastor said don't just do thoughts and prayers, he said. If God gave you the ability to make change, then use your ability, which is our voice, to make change. Many students protest inside school buildings Students at other schools across Aiken County also protested and demonstrated against gun violence. "Each school planned for the walkout according to their specific needs and what was best for them from a safety and logistics perspective," said Mike Rosier, a district spokesman. "With that in mind, some schools chose to host their events indoors." At South Aiken High School, approximately 400 students gathered in the school's gym at 10 a.m., according to school spokespeople. No students went outside. Those who partook in the pseudo-walkout at SAHS had to sign up first, according to an announcement made over the school's public address system before 10 a.m. Anyone who had not signed up was expected to stay put. Around 125 students at North Augusta High School protested "peacefully" in a courtyard; "a few" Ridge Spring-Monetta High School students protested; and the cafeteria at Paul Knox Middle School was full, but "not overflowing," with student protesters, according to sources at the schools who asked not to be named. At Fox Creek High School in Edgefield County, around 125 students met at the flagpole for "quiet reflection" at 10 a.m., according to a school employee. Rosier said there was a total of about 600 student participants just among Aiken, South Aiken and North Augusta high schools. The Aiken Standard's Bill Bengtson, Colin Demarest and Lindsey Hodges contributed to this article. March 15, 2018 Contact: Mike Tranel, 907-983-9216 Skagway Mike Tranel, a 33-year veteran of the National Park Service (NPS), has been named superintendent of Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area and group superintendent of the eastern Montana-Wyoming Group of parks by NPS Intermountain Region Director Sue Masica.Tranel, who grew up on Wyoming and Montana ranches not far from Bighorn Canyon, will directly oversee the two-state recreation area and supervise the superintendents of three historically significant NPS units in the region: Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument in Montana and Devils Tower National Monument and Fort Laramie National Historic Site in Wyoming.He has served for the past 7 years as superintendent of Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park in Skagway, AK. He will transfer to Bighorn Canyon in late May.Tranel has worked for NPS parks in Alaska for the past 25 years. He recently served as acting associate director in the Alaska Regional Office. He served previously as acting superintendent at Jewel Cave National Monument in South Dakota and Cape Lookout National Seashore in North Carolina. He also has worked in Denali National Park & Preserve, Timpanogos Cave National Monument in Utah, Gulf Islands National Seashore and Ocmulgee National Monument in Georgia, where he started in the NPS in 1985 as a park interpreter.During his time at Klondike, Mike has led the park through several changes such as completely new museum exhibits, new welcome signs in Skagway, a cribs exhibit of historic buildings, a grand opening of the Jeff. Smiths Parlor Museum, and installing a locally-designed stampeder sculpture next to the historic Itjen House. Planning for the Dyea Area was finalized in 2014 with improvements such as a new trail system in the historic townsite being completed last fall.Thanks to employees who care a great deal about their community, the park, and helping each other, weve been able to accomplish a lot over the past seven years, Tranel said. I will always treasure the experience of having worked with them, the historic charm of Skagway, and the iconic Chilkoot Trail. Its been an honor and a privilege to be part of this communitythe best place Ive ever lived.While my family and I have enjoyed living in Alaskaespecially Skagwayvery much and consider it home, I cant pass up an opportunity for promotion to the area in which I grew up and in which well be surrounded by extended family. I look forward to the new challenges in managing this group of parks, and my experience at Klondike will help a lot.Tranel grew up one of 10 siblings near Big Horn, WY and Ashland and Broadview, MT. His first visit to a national park was a second-grade class trip to Little Bighorn.Tranel attended St. Labre School in Ashland, graduated from Billings Central High School, and earned bachelors and masters degrees at the University of Notre Dame and the University of Iowa, respectively.He will move to Wyoming and Montana with his wife, Mary Tidlow, and their daughters Abigail and Olivia. Tidlow also works for the National Park Service as an architect in the NPS Park Facilities Management Division. Tranels daughter Kelsey, who grew up in Denali, lives and works with her husband in Anchorage, AK. Capt. Brown's Company NPS/P.Lupsiewicz March 16, 2018 Contact: Phil Lupsiewicz, 978-318-7833 Each year in mid-April, thousands of people flock to historic Lexington and Concord and Minute Man National Historical Park to celebrate Patriots Day. Patriots Day is a special Massachusetts State holiday commemorating the opening battle of the American Revolutionary War, April 19, 1775. The holiday (officially observed on Monday, April 16, 2018) and the entire week is celebrated with parades, reenactments and commemorative ceremonies. Admission to all events is free except where noted. For more information, please call (978) 396-6993 or visit www.nps.gov/mima . Additional information is available at www.battleroad.org . Information on events in Lexington is available at http://www.lexingtonma.gov/ committees/patriotsday.cfm Saturday, April 7th Meriam's Corner Exercise 737 Lexington Road, Meriam's Corner, Concord 1:00 p.m. The Town of Concord, joined by area minute companies, fife and drum units, and the Concord Independent Battery, pay remembrance to the fight at Meriam's Corner that marked the beginning of the six-hour running battle back to Boston. Paul Revere Capture Ceremony Paul Revere Capture Site, 200 North Great Road Lincoln 3:00 p.m. The Lincoln Minute Men and the Town of Lincoln, joined by other reenactment units, observe the historic capture of Paul Revere with fife and drum music and a musket fire salute. Saturday, April 14th Tough Ruck and Captain Browns Company of Minute Men Step off at The Old Manse field, adjacent to North Bridge 7:00 a.m. Minute Man National Historical Park is honored to once again host the "Tough Ruck," military personnel marching in memory of our fallen soldiers. Come out and support our soldiers and veterans in this 26.2 mile hike along the historic Battle Road Trail. The ruck will kick off at 7:00 a.m. with a musket volley from the North Bridge. Visit Hartwell Tavern and Captain William Smith House 136 North Great Road, Lincoln Hartwell Tavern 9:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m., Smith House 9:30 a.m. 4:00 p.m. Park staff, Lincoln Minute Men, and living history volunteers will be demonstrating various aspects of life in Massachusetts at the beginning of the American Revolution. Explore Bloody Angle with Edmund Foster Hartwell Tavern, 136 North Great Road, Lincoln 10:30 a.m. Edmund Foster, a volunteer from Reading, Massachusetts (portrayed by Park Volunteer, Ed Hurley), will lead a tour to this key battle site where he fought in 1775. Visit Whittemore House (Behind Minute Man Visitor Center, Rt 2A Lexington) 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. 5:00 p.m. Visit Whittemore House, staffed by costumed park volunteers, and discover what life was like in 1775. Try on colonial children's clothing, gather ingredients for a meal, and listen to stories of the Whittemore family and their experience of April 19, 1775. 1st Michigan Colonial Fife and Drum Corps Minute Man Visitor Center, Rt 2A, Lexington 11:30 a.m., at the outdoor ampitheater Listen to military music of the American Revolution and get into the spirit of Patriots Day! Caught in the Storm of War: Civilians of April 19th Captain William Smith House, 136 North Great Road, Lincoln 9:30 a.m.-12:15 p.m. What would you take with you if you had to leave your home in a hurry, uncertain of your return? Learn about the local civilians on April 19, 1775. Once the refugees leave the Smith house, you may encounter them along the Battle Road Trail heading towards Lexington and the Minute Man Visitor Center just prior the the Parkers Revenge Battle Demonstration. **MAIN EVENT ** Parkers Revenge Battle Demonstration Battle Road Trail behind Minute Man Visitor Center, Rt. 2A, Lexington 1:00 p.m. Hundreds of British and colonial Reenactors will engage in a tactical weapons demonstration with musket firing and fast-paced battle action along a stretch of the actual Battle Road of 1775. Park staff will be on hand to direct you to parking and viewing areas. Junior Ranger Days at Minute Man National Historical Park Saturday, April & Saturday, April 21, 2018 Earn your Junior Ranger Badge Minute Man Visitor Center, Rt. 2A, Lexington., 9:00 a.m. 5:00 p.m. North Bridge Visitor Center, 174 Liberty St., Concord, 9:30 a.m. 5:00 p.m. Pick up your very own Junior Ranger Booklet. This is a fun way to learn and explore Minute Man National Historical Park while completing the pages in the booklet. When you are finished, show your work to a Ranger to earn your new badge. Receive your badge and take your oath at 11:00 am, 12:00 pm, 1:00 pm, 3:00 pm, and 4:30 pm. Recommended for ages 4 and up. Sunday, April 15th Warlike Preparations: British Soldiers Search the Barrett House Colonel James Barrett House, 448 Barrett's Mill Road, Concord 1:00 - 4:00 p.m. (British troops arrive around 3:00 p.m.) In 1775, Colonel James Barrett of Concord was responsible for safeguarding all the military supplies in town, and his house was searched by British soldiers during their mission to Concord. Visit the Barrett House and learn about the intense military preparations that helped launch America into the Revolutionary War. Around 3:00 p.m. British soldiers will arrive and conduct a search of the property, looking for arms and supplies. Revolutionary Dogs: "Paws for the Cause!" Minute Man Visitor Center, Route 2A, Lexington 2:00 p.m. Join Park Ranger Roger Fuller for a walk on the Battle Road to explore the lives of dogs in colonial America and in the Revolution. The 45-minute walk starts at Minute Man Visitor Center and is open to all. Your well-behaved, friendly dog on a leash is welcome too. Monday, April 16th (Patriots Day observed) Commemoration of the North Bridge Fight and Concord Parade North Bridge, Concord 8:45 a.m. British reenactors will be joined by the Acton Minutemen and other local companies for a special commemoration of the North Bridge Fight featuring musket volleys. The Concord Parade will arrive at North Bridge around 9:30 a.m. NOTE: All of the roads in the center of town are closed to vehicles beginning at 8:30 a.m. Wednesday, April 18th The Patriot Vigil North Bridge, Concord Lantern light procession: 7:50 p.m. (step off at North Bridge Visitor Center) Ceremony at North Bridge: 8:00 8:45 p.m. As darkness descends upon the North Bridge battlefield we invite you to come and reflect on the events of April 19, 1775 and the meaning of liberty. The evening ceremony will feature a lantern-light procession, poetry, music, and a recitation of the names of Patriots who gave their lives on that ever-memorable 19th of April. Please note, if you would like to participate in the procession, we ask you bring you own enclosed REAL candle lantern. (No flashlights or LED bulbs in the procession please.) Thursday, April 19th Dawn Salute North Bridge, Concord 6:00 a.m. The Concord Minute Men and the Concord Independent Battery observe the opening battle of the American Revolution with a 21 gun musket and cannon salute. Remembering the Ladies North Bridge, Concord 10:00 a.m. (approximately) In commemoration of the brave Daughters of Liberty, the Molly Cutthroats, a living history group dedicated to the role of women in the Revolution, will fire a ceremonial volley of musketry from North Bridge. Arrival of the Sudbury Militia North Bridge, Concord 11:30 a.m. (approximately) The Sudbury Companies of Militia and Minutemen will make their annual march to North Bridge from the Town of Sudbury, in honor of their fellow townsmen who made a similar march on April 19, 1775. They will fire three musket volleys from North Bridge as a soldierly salute. Sons of the American Revolution, Henry Knox Color Guard North Bridge, Concord 12:00 p.m. (approximately) The Henry Knox Color Guard will fire three volleys from North Bridge in honor of our Revolutionary Forbearers. Saturday, April 21st Junior Ranger Days at Minute Man National Historical Park Saturday, April & Saturday, April 21, 2018 Earn your Junior Ranger Badge Minute Man Visitor Center, Rt. 2A, Lexington., 9:00 a.m. 5:00 p.m. North Bridge Visitor Center, 174 Liberty St., Concord, 9:30 a.m. 5:00 p.m. Pick up your very own Junior Ranger Booklet. This is a fun way to learn and explore Minute Man National Historical Park while completing the pages in the booklet. When you are finished, show your work to a Ranger to earn your new badge. Receive your badge and take your oath at 11:00 am, 12:00 pm, 1:00 pm, 3:00 pm, and 4:30 pm. Recommended for ages 4 and up. After the Battle - The War Has Begun Hartwell Tavern, 136 North Great Road, Lincoln 4:30 - 8:30 p.m . War between the people of Massachusetts and Governor Gage and the British regulars has just broken out. Thousands of men are preparing to leave home for the front lines around Boston. Whole communities are faced with numerous challenges demanded by this frightening new reality. Step back into the year of 1775 and get involved. Admission: Recommended donation: $5 per person, $10 per family. Children wearing a Junior Ranger badge will be admitted free. For general park information, please call 978-396-6993 or visit our website at www.nps.gov/MIMA Nike does not disclose details of individual employment actions, said Mr. Rossiter, who would not say how many complaints the company had received, the nature of the complaints or when the first was received. Nike managers have spoken to a cross-section of employees about the issue, he said. The memo, which was written by Mark Parker, the chief executive, is also vague, according to excerpts published by the magazine Fast Company. Over the past few weeks, weve become aware of reports of behavior occurring within our organization that do not reflect our core values of inclusivity, respect and empowerment at a time when we are accelerating our transition to the next stage of growth and advancing our culture, Mr. Parker wrote. This disturbs and saddens me. Nike, based in Beaverton, Ore., has an alert line for employees to call in complaints and recently added an additional telephone hotline and email inbox for concerns, Mr. Rossiter said. The company will also try to diversify its management ranks, he said. As of the 2015 fiscal year, 41 percent of Nike managers were women, according a report from the company. Nearly half of its employees were white. Our most popular writing prompt this week was Should the Voting Age Be Lowered to 16? More students than we expected thought the voting age should remain the same, despite scientific evidence that, by age 16, the so-called cold cognition skills needed to cast an informed vote are solidly in place. Those who did answer in the affirmative were enthusiastic and passionate. Michelle from Rockville wonders if family views have an influence: I am a 16 year old who feels strongly about politics, but I dont think the voting age should be lowered. At 16, teens are highly impressionable and easily succumb to peer pressure. Someone might vote for a candidate just because their friends or parents like them. Even though the article says that teens have the cognitive ability to make informed decisions, I still believe that the majority of 16 year olds would not make individual decisions. I consider myself a democrat, and I feel strongly about my views, but would I still feel the same way if my parents werent democrats as well? I cant help wondering what I would be like if I was raised in a conservative household. Would I have the same views? Laura Armedaris from Washington, D.C., said younger teens were more than capable: Im 15 years old and I know several people that are 16/17 and are far more educated than some people over 18. If the question is if we are capableI believe we are, we are not stupid and especially with social media lots of us are involved with politics sharing our opinions but it hardly means anything when we cant even vote. We are giving political speeches at our walkouts, emailing congress, writing letters and marching for justice, we are more than capable to vote Sammie from California said lowering the voting age would give more teens an opportunity: Teenagers today are much more exposed to politics thanks to the internet. They can follow it and form opinions on it easily because its at their fingertips. If theyre passionate about the issue being voted upon then they should be able to take part in the decision making. Teenagers arent oblivious to whats going on in their country anymore and want to take some kind of action. Lowering the voting age would give the younger people of America opportunities to be apart of the community political-wise. Prashamsha Rayamajhi from Danvers, Mass., said both sides have merit: I think that both sides have equally convincing evidence. On the one hand, 16 year olds are still young, and barely forming their own political opinions. Many dont know what to believe in, and many others like to live in ignorance of political issues. However, time and time again, we have seen teenagers age 16 or 17 achieve amazing feats. In regards to the Florida shooting, the children are the ones moving for change in a broken system, when adults refuse to do so. Teenagers this age are full of hope; they are passionate and strong-willed, and some apply these qualities to political issues as well. Even though both sides make sense, I believe that the voting age should be lowered to age 16. In these times, children are maturing much faster. There are many sixteen year olds with more rational and sophisticated opinions than adults. Also, I think that although sixteen year olds may just be forming informed political opinions, they should have a say in issues that drastically affect their lives, like gun violence. And overall, younger people are the future of the world. Change usually comes from the younger generation. Shelby Johnson from Massachusetts thinks younger teenagers would vote how their parents do: As a 16 year old myself, I do not think that the voting age should be lowered to 16. While I do accept that 16 and 17 year olds are able to make rational decisions using cold cognition in a low-pressure situation such as voting, I do not think that their scientific capability to make choices should make them eligible to vote. The primary reason that I am opposed to 16 and 17 year olds being able to vote is that they are not yet legal adults. For the majority of teens, this means that they are under the care and control of their parents. While a huge population of young people is interested in current events and politics, and stays up to date on unbiased views of various topics, there are still large numbers of 16 to 17 year olds whose only knowledge of political controversy comes from their parents. Many young people have been fed their parents ideas since birth, and when living at home have no source of outside knowledge. If teens who are not yet legal adults and therefore not yet independents are able to vote, I think that a large portion of this age groups voters would simply vote however their parents tell them to. Bryce Hilton from the United States thinks the answer is an easy one: Go to a high school and interview 3 random 16 year olds. Ask them current political questions. 2 out of the 3 will have no clue what youre talking about. Enough said. Daniel Gonzalez from St. Cloud, Fla., thinks the research in the article is incomplete: The status quo must be maintained due to the fact that elections arent always cold cognition scenarios. Elections have been well known to be hectic with the emphasis of political and public pressure being based on the choice of the individual, therefore the brain relies on hot cognition since the would-be voter is being pressured by peers and organizations. Studies have already shown that at 16 the part of the brain that processes hot cognition is not fully developed and makes them more susceptible to emotional outbursts and the bias in decisions that follows, especially when a presidential candidate tries to poke at emotions to rally people together. This part of the brain is more developed in a 21 year old and is less likely (not never) to vote based on emotions. Analy from St. Cloud would vote if the age were lowered: If the voting age were to be lowered to 16, I would vote. Many of the decisions that voters decide on now are what teenagers enter once they are considered adults. College students, just as high school students, have the same ability to be swayed by their peers and are quick to make impulsive decisions if they are unaware of the topic. If voters are voting on education, being a student, I wouldnt want a 60 year old high school drop out making decisions on what will occur with my education. Also, how come we can register to vote at 16, yet not be able to vote? In order to register, I believe that some sort of maturity and responsibility is needed simply to reach out and desire to vote in the future. Anthe Dalkouras from Danvers thinks most 16-year-olds are not ready to vote: I do not agree with the writers stance that the voting age should be lowered from eighteen to sixteen. At this age I do believe that some 16-year olds are capable of making these political decisions on what to vote for, but that does not pertain to most. At this age there are many 16-year-olds who do not pay attention to current events and what is happening in politics. Also, that they truly do not have a grasp on the meaning of the events. If I was able to vote at 17, I do not believe that I would because I do not necessarily pay attention to government actions unless I am talking about it in one of my classes. Also, 16-year-olds are not a legal adult yet so they are still living at home listening to their parents opinions. This could sway them in one direction instead of making their own decision on what to vote for. I believe that the younger audience is easier to direct in one direction by feeding them false information about a certain topic. Many have not been exposed to the harsh world of politics and what occurs in order to win votes. High school students are still able to have a voice even if they are not allowed to vote. There are the high school students from the school shooting in Florida speaking out on their opinions of gun control and what should happen to control it. These students are making a difference even though they do not have the right to vote. Aizik Van Horne from Tempe says teenagers need and deserve a voting voice: I believe that the voting age should be lowered. Teenagers voices should be heard and people think that our opinions are unimportant and they look over them. Teenagers are close to being adults and expect to be safe during that period of time. When a gun is easier to get that a drivers license that is unacceptable. Gun laws should be raised to be stricter and more efficient than letting people get guns with disorders and mental disabilities. We expect to be safe and not have rampaging people with guns running around and killing people. Even if we are not adults our opinions should be heard!!!!!!!!! Tucker G. Oakley from Wilmington, N.C., said 16-year-olds were too young, plain and simple: Should 16-year-olds be able to vote, let me take a moment to laugh. The issue with that is, were kids. It might sting some to be called that, but that is because its true. We arent as focused or passionate on politics to make specific decisions that could affect the country as a whole. Sure, this can deal a lot with gun-control and drugs, but a few hundred thousand teens still arent loud enough to reach the government. NRA, they control what happens with guns because they have the time, money, and power to toy with whatever they want. Drugs, I dont think we need to see a bunch of stoned kids walking around campus just because its legal. Besides, most of us will just bandwagon off of somebody elses idea of society because we dont want to understand. Our job as student is to study so we can have a greater education that the generation before us, so we have a chance to make this country better for those who come after us. Solomon from Saco, Me., answered affirmatively: I agree with the writers proposal to lower the voting age to 16. School shootings are happening more often then they should, so there needs to be an end to them. Having kids that are of the age of 16 and are in school would be a perfect time for them to start voting because when the kids are in school they would know what to vote on. _________ After adopting a bitterly contested plan a few years ago to charge students tuition for the first time in a century, the Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art announced Thursday that it hoped to make the college tuition-free again for all undergraduates in 10 years. Under a plan approved by the board of trustees late Wednesday, Cooper Union would begin increasing tuition scholarships in two years, and aim to provide full tuition in 10. The additional outlay would be offset by unspecified cuts in expenses, more fund-raising and other revenue increases necessary, the college said in a statement. If we exceed the financial targets in any given year, we may be able to accelerate the plan; if we dont meet the targets for any number of reasons, such as an economic downturn, we have built-in guardrails that allow us to slow the plan if necessary, said Laura Sparks, Cooper Unions president, who took office in January 2017. The decision comes at a time when affordability has become an increasingly urgent issue in higher education, for both private and public institutions. The Excelsior Scholarship, rolled out by Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo last year, offers free tuition to middle-class students at the State University of New York and the City University of New York. After several days of testimony in the trial of the former nanny charged with killing two of the children in her care, defense lawyers on Thursday began presenting their case, seeking to undercut the prosecutions contention that the nanny had a motive for murder. The nanny, Yoselyn Ortega, 55, has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity to charges of first-degree murder. Her defense attorneys contend that Ms. Ortega suffers from a chronic mental illness and was not in her right state of mind when she killed the Krim children Lucia, 6, and Leo, 2 on Oct. 25, 2012, in the familys Upper West Side apartment. Their mother, Marina Krim, returned home with a third child, Nessie, 3, and found her two other children dead and Ms. Ortega plunging a knife into her own neck. In its case, the prosecution used the testimony of several witnesses, including Ms. Krim and the childrens father, Kevin Krim, to depict Ms. Ortega as stressed and sometimes odd but not mentally ill. Every election cycle we say that so and so is fighting for the soul of the Democratic Party, or the soul of the Republican Party. And, of course, most of the time its not true. Most of the time the fight is over whether the party in question should go to the left or the right on some policy issue, which is important but not really a matter of a partys soul. But this year it actually is true. The crucial issue of this election cycle is whether the Democratic Party will retain its soul remain an institution committed to the basic democratic norms respect for truth, personal integrity, the capacity for deliberation and compromise, loyalty to nation above party or tribe. These fundamental issues are on the table because Donald Trump put them there. Trump is a revolutionary figure not because he changed the G.O.P.s position on trade or international engagement. Hes morally revolutionary. In the decades before Trump, the Republican Party stood for an idea: character before policy. To Mitt Romney, John McCain, the Bushes and Ronald Reagan, personal character and moral integrity were paramount. They stood for the idea that you cant be a good leader or a good nation unless you are a good person and a good people. The Wests response to Russian aggression has usually been too little, too late, and devoid of the one voice that really matters President Trumps. But at last, his administration is taking action, and Mr. Trump has spoken out, tentatively. On Thursday the Treasury Department announced it was imposing sanctions for the Kremlins interference in the 2016 election. Officials have denounced the poisoning of a former Russian spy in Britain and Russias devastating bombing missions in Syria. While such steps are encouraging, only a more robust, unified response from the United States and its NATO allies would impede President Vladimir Putin from expanding his pattern of heinous behavior. Before leaving office, President Barack Obama expelled 35 Russian diplomats, seized two diplomatic properties and imposed sanctions in response to the election interference. Mr. Trump, for reasons that have never been made completely clear, has until now resisted a congressional mandate that he expand the penalties. This was despite the warnings of intelligence agencies that Russia is already trying to meddle in the 2018 election and Congresss near unanimous passage of the law demanding more sanctions. NATIONAL An article on Thursday about voters support for Conor Lamb in a special congressional election on Tuesday referred incorrectly to the voting history of the 18th Congressional District while paraphrasing two voters at a Starbucks. They said that their region had not supported a Democrat in years, not that it had not voted for a Republican. BUSINESS DAY An article on Wednesday about the effects that steel and aluminum tariffs could have on Boeing misstated the Export-Import Banks relationship to Boeing. It lends to Boeings customers, not Boeing itself. THE ARTS A review on Thursday about the New Jersey indie-rock band Yo La Tengo misstated which member of the band sings Why cry? Why try? Its all the same on the song Dream Dream Away. It is James McNew, not Ira Kaplan. SCIENCE An article on Feb. 21 about this years flu vaccine misstated a figure describing its effectiveness. It is 36 percent effective overall, not 39 percent. If ever there were a time to be drunk in the theater, this is it. And the good news is that Escape to Margaritaville, the Jimmy Buffett jukebox musical that opened on Thursday, makes getting sloshed on Broadway easier than ever. The lobby at the Marquis Theater has been kitted out as an island-style thatched-hut alcohol fueling station, complete with margaritas for $12 (on the rocks) or $16 (frozen), as well as bottle openers, koozies and other drink-oriented paraphernalia. The bad news is that you still have to see the show. Or at least that was bad news for me, stone cold sober and with enough functioning brain cells to recall the past glory of musicals. If my twentysomething nephew liked Escape to Margaritaville better than I did, perhaps thats because he had two drinks and no historical horror. But if youre not drunk or a Parrothead, as Mr. Buffetts fans are called, youre in trouble. Mr. Buffetts denatured country-calypso ditties and horndog smarm seem awfully lowbrow, even in a Broadway environment debased for decades by singing cats and candlesticks. Its quite a comedown in the sing-to-me-of-romance department from Shall We Dance? to Why Dont We Get Drunk (and Screw). If you start to take away Astons and Bentleys and huge apartments in Kensington, freezing those assets, people will care a lot more. CLIFF KUPCHAN, the chairman of the consulting firm Eurasia Group, on ways the British government could penalize Russian expatriates with close ties to Moscow in the wake of an attack on a former spy. Congress is also weighing legislation that would strengthen national security checks on Chinese investment. In a House hearing on Thursday, Heath P. Tarbert, an assistant secretary of the Treasury Department, said the current system for assessing investment is riddled with loopholes that allowed Chinese companies to evade such checks. Concern over Chinas practices picked up speed at the end of the Obama administration and has only increased since. Last year, a technology-focused unit in the Defense Department issued a report arguing that rising Chinese investment in Silicon Valley was giving China unprecedented access to the military technologies of the future, and increasing Chinese ownership of supply chains that service the United States military. In recent months, Chinas political apparatus has exerted even greater control over the nations economy. Business leaders and politicians of both parties now widely say that Washingtons past strategy of offering Beijing economic incentives to liberalize its market has failed. On Sunday, China officially ended term limits on the presidency, clearing the way for President Xi Jinping to stay in power indefinitely. Administration officials say that past failure to rein in China warrants a much tougher approach. Mr. Trump took one step toward this in his national security strategy, which identified China as an economic aggressor. When a top Chinese economic envoy visited in late February, the administration asked China to shave $100 billion off its $375.2 billion trade surplus with the United States, two people close to the talks said. And while the steel and aluminum tariffs will hit many countries, they are primarily aimed at combating overcapacity in Chinese metals, including those that are routed through other nations. The next step, advisers say, is to more aggressively focus on trade with China. The United States is expected to impose tariffs on Chinese imports of high-technology goods specified in the Made in China 2025 plan, including semiconductors and new energy vehicles. But they could go beyond that to target more mundane products, including consumer electronics, apparel and even shoes. The breadth of the tariffs remains a contentious topic in the business sector and the White House, with some industries fretting about retaliation and increased costs to American companies and consumers. Thomas J. Donohue, the president of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, said on Wednesday that while the administration was right to focus on Chinas unfair trade practices, his group strongly disagreed with sweeping tariffs. Simply put, tariffs are damaging taxes on American consumers, he said. Tariffs of $30 billion a year would wipe out over a third of the savings American families received from the doubling of the standard deduction in tax reform. WASHINGTON An American military helicopter crashed Thursday near the city of Qaim in western Iraq, killing some of the seven service members aboard, United States officials said. It was unclear why the aircraft, an HH-60 Pave Hawk, went down, the officials added. They did not rule out ground fire, and they could not confirm how many people had been killed. One official said the helicopter was not on a combat operation but was ferrying troops. Maj. Adrian J. Rankine-Galloway, a Pentagon spokesman, said Thursday night that rescue personnel had been deployed and that the crash, in Anbar Province, near Syria, was under investigation. Ahmed al-Mahilawi, the mayor of Qaim, said that the helicopter crashed about 20 miles southeast of the town center, near a phosphate factory and railway station. The American military uses a base in the area. Plans for the student walkouts on Wednesday, when tens of thousands of people left their classrooms to protest gun violence, had stirred controversy for weeks in Montana, where the gun ownership rate outranks that in nearly every other state. In Billings, the states most populous city, parents threatened to ground students who left their classrooms. And organizers of a walkout from Billings West High School changed a call for gun reform on their Facebook page to one for school safety. In the end, there were walkouts at three Billings high schools. At Billings West, administrators cleared the snow on the front lawn and hundreds of young people in a school of 1,800 came streaming out of their classrooms. Two Billings West students share why they walked out or stayed in class. Jareth Brown, 18 Favorite Class: Sociology What he wants to be when he grows up: Actor, writer Why he stayed in class: Jareth grew up with guns, and hunting is a sacred thing in his family. The family of Berrys fellows has completely changed pediatrics, she said. Just last week, Dr. Dixon said, she had called Dr. Brazelton, and in talking about the new movie Black Panther, she had commented on the gorgeous African-inspired costumes and recalled their work in Africa. And he said, Dont you wish we could do it all over again? When she noted that the film presented the African characters with great dignity, Berry said, Well, its about time, isnt it? Image Dr. T. Berry Brazelton Credit... M. Spencer Green/Associated Press In the 1950s, 60s and early 70s, Dr. Dixon said, the focus in pediatric training was much more on organic disease and metabolic processes. Parents had concerns about their childrens behavior and worries about their own strategies, but they didnt think of those as questions for the pediatrician, or expect to hear that there was medical research to address their worries. Dr. Dixon, a former editor of the Journal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, said that now everyone who cares for children understands the importance of developmental screening and of offering parents help and resources to deal with behavioral issues. He really caused a Copernican revolution, an entire paradigm shift in our understanding of child development, said Barry Lester, a psychologist who is director of the Brown Center for the Study of Children at Risk at the Alpert Medical School and Women & Infants Hospital, and who came to study with Dr. Brazelton in the 1970s, and worked with him in Boston for a decade as director of research for the child development unit. He put the infant and the infant-mother relationship at the center of the universe, and everything he has done stems from that change. His research on newborns led to the development of the Neonatal Behavioral Assessment Scale, which was first published in the 1970s (and is often referred to in pediatrics as the Brazelton) and has been used in about 1,000 research studies. Its the gold standard for observing and documenting newborn behavior, Dr. Sparrow said. It was a revolutionary idea, Dr. Lester said, that the baby actually contributes to shaping his or her own environment, that development is not based on passive exposure. Instead, he said, Dr. Brazeltons work helped doctors and psychologists understand that theres a built in reciprocity; infant behavior is modified by the mother, mothers behavior is modified by the infant in a mutually reciprocal relationship. I remember being a little awed when it came my turn in residency to spend time with Dr. Brazelton in a small group because he was a celebrity. But it was such a joy to watch him with patients, and after all, he was still a practicing pediatrician, so he astonished us by concentrating on a topic important to parents that had otherwise been neglected in our residency, which was rich in rare and obscure diseases. He asked us what we knew about toilet training, and its problems, and he told us about his patients and what he had learned from them. PARIS A French judge has issued an arrest warrant for a Saudi princess related to suspicions that she ordered her bodyguard to hit a plumber working in her Paris apartment, a person close to the investigation said on Thursday. The princess, Hassa bint Salman, is the daughter of King Salman, the Saudi monarch, and the half sister of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The arrest warrant was issued in December but reported in the French media only this week. Like a number of members of the Saudi royal family, the princess owns property in France. The incident described in the warrant occurred almost 18 months ago in Princess Hassas apartment on Avenue Foch in the well-heeled 16th Arrondissement, and caused a minor stir at the time. The plumber said he had taken a photograph or photographs with his cellphone so he could place the furniture back where it had been before he began his work. The controversy has split the network of more than 930 food banks across the country that, like the one in Essen, belong to a charity called the Tafel. The charity has grown to 60,000 volunteers and serves 1.5 million people across Germany. Many of them have experienced similar tensions. Sabine Werth, who now runs the Berlin subsidiary, founded the network in 1993, when a wave of homelessness swept across her city. One of our founding principles is that we serve according to need, not origin, said Ms. Werth, 61. What Mr. Sartor has done, she said, amounts to Germany First. But Germany First is popular with many, as Ms. Werth has learned the hard way in recent days. Cockroach, piece of dirt and foreigners slut are some of the insults that have landed in her inbox. One longtime donor diverted his donation from Berlin to Essen, she said. He is not the only one. Mr. Sartor proudly showed off his donation account: Over the past two weeks the food bank has received as much as it would normally raise in six months. Some try to earmark their donation to Germans only, but Mr. Sartor does not accept those. His inbox is mostly full of praise: Keep going one message read. God bless you, said another. He has 2,340 unread emails. The nationwide head of the charity, Jochen Bruhl, said the debate currently animating the country was largely missing the point. Germany is Europes richest country and has a budget surplus of more than 40 billion euros ($55 billion), he pointed out. The whole country is up in arms about this one little food bank in Essen, he said, when the real scandal is that in this rich country we have this kind of poverty. WASHINGTON Defense Secretary Jim Mattis on Thursday accused Iran of funneling money into Iraq to sway the outcome of its elections in May, calling it part of a broader pattern of destabilizing Iranian actions across the Middle East. Mr. Mattis declined to say what outcome Iran was aiming for in Iraq, but he said it was sending not an insignificant amount of money to the country to sway votes. He mentioned no dollar amounts. Iran is widely seen as gaining more influence in Iraq during its period of instability after much of northern and western Iraq was taken over by Islamic State militants in 2014. The militants have since been largely defeated, but Iraqs political stability still hangs in the balance. We have worrisome evidence that Iran is trying to influence using money the Iraqi elections, Mr. Mattis told reporters flying with him to Washington from the Persian Gulf island state of Bahrain, where he discussed Iran and other issues with senior government officials. Mr. Brown and Mr. Gomes both create stage worlds that contain same-sex partnering as well as conventionally heterosexual duets; both allow for those same-sex relationships to be interpreted in sexual terms. Although Mr. Brown is much the least experienced dance-maker of this programs three, hes the one with the strongest sense of structural suspense. One group of four (one woman, three men) is juxtaposed with another of six (three male-female couples); and what he does with each group keeps you wondering what will happen next. A sustained duet for two men looks natural: a study of intimate cooperation. His worst flaw here, one from which Mr. Gomess work also suffers, is cuteness. Dancers flirt with the audience and jokily vie for attention in ways that shatter the stage reality theyve been building together. The music is Rossinis unusually scored but appealing Duet for Cello and Double Bass in D major. If Mr. Brown can pare away his immaturities, he may yet become a choreographer. Mr. Gomes uses Dvoraks American String Quartet (No. 12 in F major, Op. 96) to tell a tale of social relations in small-town America. One man wants to leave (with suitcase) despite his powerful affection for the woman we may assume is his wife. Two pairs of male-female lovers spend time together, with one couple reaching the marriage ceremony as the ballet ends (veil, bouquet, trousseau, confetti); but one of these two men is keener on the other man than on his own girlfriend, and so sulks when his devotion is rejected. Thats quite a soap opera to pile onto poor Dvoraks wonderful and large-spirited quartet. Mr. Gomes is not short of ideas; but almost none of them feel organic. There are forcefully folksy handclaps where the music doesnt call for them; later, when the music develops a folk atmosphere, Mr. Gomes ignores it. Though I believe that there are many such small-town stories to tell, I dont believe the way Mr. Gomes tells this one. He keeps nudging us to notice the same points about the same relationships. The long pas de deux between the husband and wife creates its own cliches. Larger than each work is the engaging impression created by Ms. Kents dancers. They carry the evening. They arent, however enriched or extended by it. LONDON The last time Wayne McGregor and Christopher Wheeldon had premieres on the same program was in 2006, at the Royal Ballet. The minimalist, sculptural Chroma, by Mr. McGregor, was a smash hit, and led to his appointment as the Royals resident choreographer, a title he still holds. DGV, an exhilarating ensemble work by Mr. Wheeldon, was perhaps less surprising in its impact, but also a resounding success. A two-out-of-two success rate is unusual in ballet, in which a string of forgettable commissions is usually the price to pay for the very occasional exceptional work. So hurrah for Mr. McGregor and Mr. Wheeldon, who have repeated their 2006 feat with a pair of terrific new pieces for the Royal Ballet, this time created for a Leonard Bernstein centenary program that also included Liam Scarletts 2014 The Age of Anxiety. A video work by the Algerian artist Adel Abdessemed that showed chickens ablaze and hanging by their feet was removed from an exhibition in France after it drew criticism on social media. The installation, Spring, was part of an exhibition by the artist at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Lyon, which opened on March 8 and runs through July 8. After a flood of criticism from animal rights activists, the museum announced on Wednesday that the video was being withdrawn. Describing the response to Mr. Abdessemeds work as an unfair trial, the statement said, Adel Abdessemed and the museum made the decision to withdraw the work. Five women accused the architect Richard Meier of sexual harassment. Mr. Meier designed the Getty Center in Los Angeles and won the Pritzker Prize, architectures highest honor, in 1984, making him the youngest winner of that award. In response to the allegations, Mr. Meier announced he would take a six-month leave as the founder and managing partner of his firm, and he issued an apology. Both the duration of his leave and his apology were questioned by Times readers, who seemed to feel they were inadequate. He was accused of exposing himself to associates in his apartment and groping a woman at a holiday party. More than 500 readers left comments at nytimes.com, and over 100 readers posted replies on social media. Here are edited excerpts from the comments. If women wanted to get anywhere, they had to have enough grit to kill a lion. Readers said the architecture and design industry was rife with similar examples of behavior. The old guard was always an old boys club of social elite (think Mad Men) having five-martini lunches, combined with the architectural norm of an oversized ego. If women wanted to get anywhere, they had to prove themselves in more ways than one, and have enough grit to kill a lion. KMSA, WASHINGTON Some environmental strategies were as simple and old as biology. We found that so much of the genius of nature is passive design, he said. The architects also looked at the countrys traditional earthen structures for passive solar techniques. They clad the shells of their honeycomb with heat-reflective glass-fiber concrete panels, with an airspace beneath to insulate the spaces inside. In the courtyards, they used stone paving and concrete panels to retain coolness. In the 1980s, before three-dimensional software, Hadid sometimes swished drawings on the glass top of Xerox machines as the light tumbler rolled, to kill the stiffness in designs: She was interested in movement. For the research center, computers programmed for energy conservation did the same, distorting the hexagons, a rational process producing woozy but climate-efficient forms. The architects configured hexagonal office labs around hexagonal courtyards, and as the building moved toward the desert, they graduated the size of the cells to house the library, auditorium, data farm and mosque. Computers stretched and distorted each pavilion and courtyard to capture shade from the south and prevailing breezes from the north. The construction lines of the facade panels stretched over their steel frames. At the outskirts of the capital, pointed toward the desert and Mecca the building seemed ready to move. No, whereas Catholic ritual and mysticism provided enduring if somewhat generalized inspiration for the younger Stockhausen, Zimmermann was more traditionally observant unfashionably so, for a modernist composer and more traditionally inspired, both on and beneath the musical surface. He was old enough to have served in the army for Nazi Germany on both the Western and Eastern fronts. Although he took the opportunity to resume musical studies in Cologne in 1943, he never fully demilitarized. Once the war was over, he reacted angrily to the Allied process of denazification what he saw as persecution of his fellow former soldiers and he fell prey, time and again, to severe depression. He remained semidetached from his fellow composers, finding them, not entirely without reason, cliquish. But some of his earliest works, such as a Sinfonia Prosodica (1945) and Concerto for Orchestra (1946-48), garnered significant critical attention. They remind us that those years of the German new-music scene were far from dominated by the serialism of the Second Viennese School and its successors. T hat scene was far more pluralistic a crucial concept for Zimmermann than legions of anti-Schoenberg postmodernists later claimed. Zimmermanns early studies of Stravinsky and Milhaud were supplemented, yes, by Schoenberg, but also by Hindemith, Bartok and others; and this range of influence was also the case more generally at the influential Darmstadt Summer School, which Zimmermann attended for the first time in 1948, two years after its founding. The history, not just the chronology, is more confused (or, rather, more complicated, contested and interesting) than ideologues of any stripe will admit. Boulez, for instance, sometimes conducted Zimmermanns work and spoke admiringly of it. Wind and percussion sonorities vocal writing, too in Zimmermanns 1957 Omnia Tempus Habent suggest influence from, or at least affinity with, Boulezs Le Marteau Sans Maitre. And the influence in later Zimmermann of the ultra-distilled expressivism of Webern, another serious Catholic, did not spring from nowhere. We hear it also in the two-piano, serial Perspektiven (1955-56), written for Darmstadts 10th anniversary. at 1 hour 47 minutes 58 seconds Around the Ferris Wheel The opening on Thursday evening of Phelim McDermotts staging of Mozarts Cosi Fan Tutte at the Metropolitan Opera was in many senses more successful than I had feared. The fairground, 1950s Coney Island setting baffled me even as it lent some gorgeous imagery, not least Amanda Majeskis Fiordiligi circling on a Ferris wheel for her great aria, Per pieta. But David Robertsons conducting, the playing of the orchestra, and some of the singing at least gave the affair more of the depth and darkness that other Mozart productions at the house have lacked. For properly dignified Mozart, however for Mozart which takes us beyond ourselves we must go back a few decades, to Karl Bohm, the Vienna Philharmonic and the sainted Gundula Janowitz. DAVID ALLEN The last time the Metropolitan Opera put on Mozarts Cosi Fan Tutte, in the 2013-14 season, it was to celebrate the return to the podium of its music director, James Levine. He had missed the previous two seasons because of health problems, so it felt like a moving triumph for him to come back with this, an opera that was long one of his specialties. The mood could not have been more different on Thursday evening, as the Met presented the premiere of a new production of Cosi, set in 1950s Coney Island. Practically as the curtain was going up, the news broke that Mr. Levine had sued the Met for breach of contract and defamation, three days after the company fired him when an investigation found he had engaged in sexually abusive and harassing conduct. #MeToo has reached the Met, but since its premiere in 1790, Cosi has explored the dark, cruel aspects of romance and sex. The deception that drives the story is activated by a cynical bachelor, Don Alfonso. Tired of hearing his young friends, Ferrando and Guglielmo, brag about the fidelity of their fiancees, Alfonso challenges them to put their money where their mouths are. Following his command, the two men don disguises and try to seduce each others girlfriends. Alas, they succeed. The Metropolitan Opera fired its longtime conductor James Levine on Monday after an investigation revealed credible evidence that Mr. Levine had engaged in sexually abusive and harassing conduct. The news article prompted more than 600 comments from readers. Zachary Woolfe, the classical music editor for The New York Times, followed up with an essay exploring whether Mr. Levines firing was an opportunity to reconsider the vast power given to maestros , which also brought in strong reader reaction. Many readers wondered how much the Met had known about the allegations against Mr. Levine. Some argued for leniency given Mr. Levines strong professional record; others said the Met should be ashamed for not having fired him sooner. Most agreed that both Mr. Levines reputation and that of the Met would suffer in the wake of the situation. On Thursday, Mr. Levine sued the Met for breach of contract and defamation. Welcome to Best of Late Night, a rundown of the previous nights highlights that lets you sleep and lets us get paid to watch comedy. If youre interested in hearing from The Times regularly about great TV, sign up for our Watching newsletter and get recommendations straight to your inbox. An Act of Patriotism Jimmy Kimmel rallied support on Thursday for the legal fund of Stephanie Clifford, the former pornographic film actress known as Stormy Daniels. Kimmel wants to help Clifford pay her way out of a nondisclosure agreement. Shes trying to raise money to pay for her legal fees, so she launched a fund-raising page on a website called CrowdJustice.com, so now you can give money to a porn star just like the president of the United States. JIMMY KIMMEL I never thought giving money to a porn star would be considered to be an act of patriotism but then again, I also never thought a guy who got in a Twitter war with Cher would become president. JIMMY KIMMEL And remember, every dollar you donate potentially brings us one step closer to seeing photos that will haunt our dreams forever. JIMMY KIMMEL Investigating the Trump Organization Im from the generation born during the dictatorship, when all of civil society was united in opposition to the military, so Ive never experienced anything like this, said Elena Soarez, who wrote the script of The Mechanism with Mr. Padilha. The country has been riven, with families divided and lifelong friends quarreling, and that makes this a special challenge to write. Rather than focus on politicians and business magnates, the series revolves around three fictionalized characters: a well-connected and morally warped money launderer and two tenacious police investigators, an older man and a younger woman. Though the intricacies of the Brazilian legal and political system may not be familiar to foreign viewers, the series political thriller format cast and creators referenced works like All the Presidents Men, Scandal and Three Days of the Condor certainly will be, as will be the idiosyncrasies of the main characters. Ive always enjoyed watching noir detectives, and now I finally get to play one, a guy who is fighting against his external and internal demons, said Selton Mello, cast as the investigator Marco Ruffo. Ruffo is an obsessive in a search for justice, an almost solitary figure amid the machinery of corruption, a kind of Quixote with a lot of personal dramas. Throughout his international career, which began in 2002 with Bus 174, a documentary which used a bus hijacking to examine how Brazils criminal justice system treats the poor, Mr. Padilha has focused on the related issues of crime, justice and violence. scrutinizing both those who mete it out and those who are on the receiving end. Regardless of where, what language or in what medium he has worked, whether in a pair of Elite Squad movies about SWAT-like teams in Rio, his 2014 remake of RoboCop, or in Narcos, the police have always been central to the stories he tells. The first transport to Dachau took place two weeks after the speech, said Ms. Philipsz, who won the Turner Prize in 2010, on her way to a final sound check last Friday. I wanted to remember all those who had disappeared, to give them a voice, she said, adding, They say the sound of glass is most like the sound of the human voice. The Voices was commissioned by the House of History Austria, a planned museum that will tell the history of Austrian democracy (and its interruptions). It is scheduled to open in November, around the centennial of the Austrian republics birth from the horrors of World War I and the collapse of the Hapsburg Empire. Monika Sommer, the museums director, said the subtlety and fragility of The Voices matched how her museum wanted to help the country look at the past: We dont want any finger-pointing, she said. We want to take a sober look at Austrian history. But she added the task of doing that was getting harder. We are seeing anti-Semitism, and xenophobia more generally, becoming more widespread again. 1. Inexpensive Chinese products are ubiquitous in the American marketplace. But they may not stay that way. The Trump administration is expected to impose tariffs on imports of high-tech Chinese goods and possibly more mundane products, like consumer electronics, apparel and shoes. Theres wide support for action against unfair trade practices by China, but the measure could still be risky. The U.S. and China maintain the worlds largest trading relationship, and the tariffs could easily provoke a backlash. Above, a Chinese factory. SAN FRANCISCO Its an audacious proposal to get Californians out of their cars: a bill in the State Legislature that would allow eight-story buildings near major transit stops, even if local communities object. The idea is to foster taller, more compact residential neighborhoods that wean people from long, gas-guzzling commutes, reducing greenhouse-gas emissions. So it was surprising to see the Sierra Club among the bills opponents, since its policy proposals call for communities to be revitalized or retrofitted to achieve precisely those environmental goals. The California chapter described the bill as heavy-handed, saying it could cause a backlash against public transit and lead to the displacement of low-income residents from existing housing. A federal appeals court ruled on Thursday that the Department of Labor overstepped its authority when it wrote a rule that required financial professionals, including brokers and insurance agents, to put their customers financial interests ahead of their own. The United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit overturned a lower courts ruling in a 2-to-1 decision siding with the plaintiffs, which include several groups representing the financial services industry. That times have changed, the financial market has become more complex, and I.R.A. accounts have assumed enormous importance are arguments for Congress to make adjustments in the law, or for other appropriate federal or state regulators to act within their authority, the majority wrote in their opinion. A perceived need does not empower D.O.L. to craft de facto statutory amendments or to act beyond its expressly defined authority. The strongly worded decision is not necessarily the end of the fiduciary rule, lawyers said, but its future is highly uncertain. HONG KONG Li Ka-shing, a high school dropout who got his start selling plastic flowers, will retire from the empire that made him Hong Kongs richest man, he said on Friday, bringing a symbolic end to an era when the road to Chinas riches went through the onetime British colony. Mr. Li, 89, who some called Superman for his business acumen, grew his plastic manufacturing business into a sprawling conglomerate. He did so just as Hong Kong was undergoing a transformation from a British trading post into a beating heart of capitalism and the entry point into China, which was then closed off from the world. But as China grew, Hong Kong tycoons like Mr. Li faded in importance and a new generation of mainland Chinese businesses sprang up. Today, the regions richest people are Chinese internet titans and property moguls, while Hong Kong over the years has felt the growing influence of mainland money. It has now been nearly 78 years since, as a 12-year-old, I escaped from a war to try to find work in Hong Kong so that I could provide for my family, Mr. Li said in a filing Friday that announced his retirement, referring to his escape from war-torn China in 1940. He said that he planned to focus on his charity, the Li Ka Shing Foundation. There were over two dozen choices of noodle soup, some with slender buckwheat soba noodles, others with fat white chewy udon noodles. I hadnt encountered udon before, so I ordered a bowl of them with shiitake mushrooms. The broth was sensational. The noodles were delightfully chewy. My one mistake as a novice eater of Japanese noodles was continuously sprinkling my bowl with shichimi togarashi, a red chile spice mixture that was new to me. By the time I reached the bottom, the last few spoonfuls of broth were incendiary. The mushroom soup was fitting, since we had just visited a mushroom farm and observed shiitakes growing. Rather than cultivate them in a cave, the locals drill holes in logs and inoculate them with spores. Then the logs are placed in the woods so the mushrooms grow in a natural setting. Soon Ms. Gibes became a regular at Mr. Gac-Artigass apartment, where his roommates, all Harvard guys, welcomed her upbeat presence at their communal dinners. For quite a while she eschewed the label boyfriend, instead describing Mr. Gac-Artigas as her oasis. My sister is very pragmatic, said Megan Gibes of her younger sibling. She was thrilled with Alejandro, but she is a strong woman with lots of ambition and was not afraid of being on her own. To outsiders, the pairing was implausibly perfect. They are entirely focused on the greater good but are also the right amount of weird for each other, said Jake Segal, a close friend to both. Ms. Gibes helped to slow down Mr. Gac-Artigas, while he motivated Ms. Gibes to the next big thing. And their humor meshed and popped. Theyd spin out a goofy dance move anywhere and were game to don a costume anytime. In choosing get-ups, Ms. Gibes insisted on gender equity; her character had to be as empowered and recognizable as Mr. Gac-Artigass. This led to some amusing twinning. For one party, they both dressed as Vincent Vega from Pulp Fiction. Another time they were each Rocky, the boxer. Who even remembers Rockys girlfriend? Ms. Gibes said. The couple made routine a heartfelt morning hug before entering the chaos of their classrooms and exchanged witty notes rife with movie puns. T.Hanks for being a Big part of my life in Philadelphia, you never Cast Away my love, wrote Mr. Gac-Artigas, shoehorning three Tom Hanks films onto a single card. At first, the pills helped her feel so much better. Jessica Falstein, an artist living in the East Village in Manhattan, learned she had an anxiety disorder in 1992. It led to panic attacks, a racing pulse, sleeplessness. Whenever there was too much stress, the anxiety would become almost intolerable, like acid in the veins, she recalled. When a psychopharmacologist prescribed the drug Klonopin, everything brightened. It just leveled me out, Ms. Falstein said. I had more energy. And it helped me sleep, which I was desperate for. After several months, however, the horrible symptoms returned. My body became accustomed to half a milligram, and the drug stopped working, she said. So then I was up to one milligram. And then two. Her doctor kept increasing the dosage and added Ativan to the mix. Now 67, with her health and stamina in decline, Ms. Falstein has been diligently working to wean herself from both medications, part of the class called benzodiazepines that is widely prescribed for insomnia and anxiety. They turn on you, she said. Hippocratic, a documentary about the life of Dr. M.R. Rajagopal, Indias leading advocate of palliative care, is now touring the United States a country where attitudes toward pain relief have changed because of the overdose epidemic. Dr. Rajagopals chief message and that of the film is that the essence of care for the dying is simple compassion. His inspiration came from Mahatma Gandhi, said Dr. Rajagopal, who in 2014 won a global award from Human Rights Watch for his activism. But for a doctor, part of compassion is relieving pain when a patients tumors have become so large, burns so deep or wounds so grievous that they are beyond cure, Dr. Rajagopal said. And that usually can be done only with opioid-based pain relievers like morphine and fentanyl. People in agony may kill themselves, and the film recalls such cases. But opioids have been demonized in recent years because so many young Americans often prescribed narcotic pills for dental or back pain rather than for fatal illnesses have become addicted and gone on to use heroin, street fentanyl or other concoctions, sometimes with fatal consequences. As a fellow academic who has studied the topic of interpersonal forgiveness from a psychological perspective for almost 30 years, I have to respectfully disagree when Prof. Charles L. Griswold makes a distinction between forgiveness and mercy but does not explain the difference. He is correct that someone can only forgive for the way he or she was deeply hurt. However, forgiveness falls under the category of mercy because when someone forgives, that person is showing mercy, a sort of kindness, to the offender, who does not necessarily deserve this mercy because of his or her hurtful actions. Griswold accurately points out how forgiveness is not condoning or accepting further injury, but the working through and letting go of anger and other negative feelings. It is courageous and difficult to forgive, and it is not something often done overnight. It took the incest survivors I worked with, on average, 14.3 months to forgive their abusers. Suzanne Freedman, Ph.D., University of Northern Iowa The word forgiveness has never felt as if it were the right word to use when Ive had to move on from a hurtful or malicious action by another. My first reaction generally is to give no reaction to the wrongful deed. That way the person can either reach out to me with an apology or sit and contemplate what just happened. If they do nothing, then its easy. I just move on and take it as an indication that we no longer need to deal with each other. I owe it to myself to not allow toxic people into my life. Although, I will admit that I have asked myself this as well: How much time do I want to spend on this? If my answer is none, then its easy to move on. There are times when Ive wanted to resolve issues with people and it has generally been worth the effort. Pick your battles. Deanna Haddow Voelker, Cambria, Calif. Dont blink or youll miss one of more than a dozen superheroes featured in the new trailer for Avengers: Infinity War. Marvels all-star adventure brings together not only Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr.), Thor (Chris Hemsworth), Captain America (Chris Evans) and Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson) from the Avengers, but also the Guardians of the Galaxy (Chris Pratts Star-Lord, Zoe Saldanas Gamora, Bradley Coopers Rocket and Vin Diesels Groot) and oh yeah Black Panther (Chadwick Boseman), whose stand-alone movie has grossed more than half a billion dollars in the United States alone. Apparently it will take these combined superpowers and more to overcome the threat of Thanos (Josh Brolin, wholl play a different character in Marvels forthcoming Deadpool sequel). The villain is on a quest to collect the six Infinity Stones, which will allow him to wipe out half the population of the universe. Directed by the brothers Anthony and Joe Russo, who also oversaw the 2016 smash Captain America: Civil War, the latest Avengers installment looks to incorporate some of the cheeky humor that has set Marvel titles like Guardians of the Galaxy and Deadpool apart from the more serious films of its rival, DC Comics. After Dr. Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) introduces himself to Peter Parker (Tom Holland), the web-slinger quips, Oh, were using our made-up names? Then I am Spider-Man. (For the record, the doctors real name is Stephen Vincent Strange.) The St. Patricks Day Parade in New York City has long been steeped in politics and controversy, but parade organizers have strictly forbidden any signs or banners reflecting political views or slogans except for one. England Get Out of Ireland. This full-throated denunciation of the British governance of six counties that make up Northern Ireland has for decades been the only political banner allowed in the parade, which will be held on Saturday for the 257th consecutive year, on Fifth Avenue in Manhattan. The banner has long been a crowd favorite. It always gets the loudest cheer, said Tim Myles, an Irish nationalist from Long Island who carries the banner with the Nassau County Ancient Order of Hibernians. The statement might seem a throwback to the more politically charged 1970s and 1980s, when paradegoers passionately supported hunger strikers and Irish Republican Army members during The Troubles. There are increasing signals that Ms. Nixon, best known for playing the lawyer Miranda Hobbes in Sex and the City, plans to run, including her being spotted last week on the streets of New York City with what appeared to be a campaign camera crew, and her wife stepping down from a job in city government this week. Two former top advisers to Mr. de Blasio, Bill Hyers and Rebecca Katz, have been in talks with Ms. Nixon, and both are known for running campaigns that mobilize the Democratic left, the portion of the party that has been most vocal in its criticism of Mr. Cuomo. In 2018, we dont just need to elect more Democrats, Ms. Nixon pointedly said in a speech last month. We also need better Democrats. Mr. Cuomo, whose former top aide, Joseph Percoco, was convicted Tuesday of federal corruption charges, remains a heavy front-runner. A Quinnipiac University poll last month showed that 75 percent of Democrats in the state said they were inclined to re-elect him, and he has more than $30 million in campaign money. Mr. Cuomos campaign asked donors to bolster that war chest last week, inviting them to a half-dozen events in the coming months with price tags as high as $50,000. In recent days, Mr. Cuomo has burnished his progressive credentials. On Sunday, he headlined a rally for a Democrat in a competitive special election in Westchester. On Monday, he appeared at a public housing site in the Bronx and decried the conditions as disgusting. On Tuesday, he delivered a firebrand speech to Planned Parenthood in Albany where he said Democrats were fighting a biased, bigoted, misogynistic backward mentality. On Wednesday, he joined a student walkout protesting gun violence, including the die-in in Manhattans Zuccotti Park, the original home of the Occupy Wall Street movement. Pointedly, Mr. Cuomo lay on the ground alongside Ms. Weingarten, the head of the American Federation of Teachers, and rallied with Michael Mulgrew, president of the United Federation of Teachers. Four years ago, New Yorks biggest teachers union did not endorse Mr. Cuomo. Later in the week, however, he seemed to back down. Asked to respond to the Department of Education statement, Mr. Peters released a statement of his own through a spokeswoman, saying, D.O.I. agrees that the authority of the special commissioner pursuant to Executive Order 11 cannot be altered by D.O.I., has not been altered by D.O.I. and need not be altered by D.O.I. Officials in the education department and elsewhere in city government did not suggest that Mr. Peters would do a poor job in an expanded role. But several current and former officials said the way he has sought to make changes without the proper authority has raised concerns. The special commissioner has always reported to the investigation commissioner, but the office has essentially operated as an independent agency as a result of the substantial power and authority provided for in the executive order and board resolutions. It is funded by the education department. Taking direct control would give Mr. Peters the power to hire and fire, set salaries, promote and demote, discipline, and assign the duties and responsibilities of the investigators and other employees of the special commissioners office. One of the legal documents prepared by the Department of Investigation sought Ms. Farinas approval for Mr. Peterss agency to exercise those powers, as well as the authority to assign staff consistent with the needs of D.O.I., according to a copy of the document. Without her signature, those responsibilities remain with the office of the special commissioner. Mr. Peters said his actions were prompted by the retirement late last year of Special Commissioner Richard J. Condon. A widely respected former New York Police Department commissioner, Mr. Condon was appointed special commissioner in 2002 and earned the respect of many at the education and investigation departments, and elsewhere in city government. Mr. Peters has made additional unilateral changes that appear to run afoul of the orders and resolutions, and which, along with his other actions, would largely eliminate the autonomy that the office has had since it was created in 1990 and which has helped enable it to aggressively root out corruption. He has changed the title of the head of the office from special commissioner of investigation to inspector general, a less prestigious position that is equivalent to more than a dozen other investigation department officials. The old executive orders provide that the special commissioner has the authority to sign subpoenas, compel testimony and publish reports. The new inspector general, Anastasia Coleman, a former senior assistant district attorney in Brooklyn, would not have those powers, and would have to seek approval from senior officials at the department. In March of 2013, Gordon Freedman, a doctor on Manhattans Upper East Side, fielded a request from a regional sales manager for the manufacturer of Subsys, a spray form of the highly addictive painkiller fentanyl. Dr. Freedman was already a top prescriber of Subsys and also one of the companys paid promotional speakers. Now the sales manager was telling him the company, Insys Therapeutics, would increase the amount of money it was paying him and asked that he increase the number of new patients he was prescribing Subsys. Got it, Dr. Freedman replied, according to authorities. By 2014, they said, Dr. Freedman had become one of the countrys top prescribers of the painkiller drug and also the companys highest-paid speaker. The exchange between the doctor and Insys was detailed in a federal indictment unsealed on Friday in Manhattan, charging Dr. Freedman, of Mount Kisco, N.Y., and four other New York doctors with participating in a bribery and kickback scheme that prosecutors said sought to increase the drug companys sales and preyed on unwitting patients. In March 2015, the Police Department tweaked its policy with an interim order to ensure that when photographs were taken, those opposed to removing religious headgear could be taken to a private area at Police Headquarters at 1 Police Plaza, to be photographed without the headgear by someone of the same gender. That order has since been incorporated into the departments Patrol Guide. Yet critics say the policy is confounding. For one, it only deals with the treatment of civilians in those brief moments when their photographs are being snapped. The accommodations the policy calls for are not consistently practiced, critics say. And when they are, they are often conveyed as a warning by officers who tell arrestees that asking for a private photograph could lengthen the arrest processing time and lead to longer detention, said Mr. Cahn. He said Ms. Aziz took such warnings as a threat. Even more significantly, Mr. Cahn said, the photograph policy does not address the fact that photos exist, possibly to be cataloged and disseminated in the future. Each time someone sees a photo of them uncovered, it feels like a new betrayal of their fundamental rights, he said. Indeed, when the city last month settled three separate cases brought by Muslims who said that removing their hijabs for photos violated their religious rights, it had the effect of papering over important nuances in the departments ongoing treatment of arrestees while staying silent on whether the policy would be altered. The city gave $60,000 to each woman, but said only that doing so was in the best interest of all sides without elaborating. Also, the settlements are limited to only those people who have already come forward, said O. Andrew F. Wilson, another lawyer for the plaintiffs. And it does nothing to help those women and men who are forced to remove head coverings in the future, or even in the past who havent come forward. Teachers in Jersey City went on strike Friday after they and the school district failed to reach an agreement over the cost of health insurance. Members of the Jersey City Education Association, who teach 28,000 students just across the Hudson River from Manhattan, had been working under an expired contract since Sept. 1. The union also represents other school employees like paraprofessionals. The strike was called on Thursday night after negotiations between the union and school board failed to bring about a deal. The two sides have met to negotiate more than 20 times. On Friday afternoon, a judge ordered the teachers to return to work on Monday. My 4,000 members have been disregarded and disrespected by the board, Ronald Greco, the union president, said in a statement. They are outraged by the boards behavior, and they refuse to give up or accept it. My members are fighters. They fight for their students every day. The cooperation between the I.D.C. and the Republican Party in the State Senate has been the source of intense friction between Mr. Kleins group and mainstream Democrats in the chamber, led by Andrea Stewart-Cousins of Westchester County. Mr. Klein and Ms. Stewart-Cousins have indicated a willingness to reunite if Democrats seize a numerical majority in April, when two special elections favoring Democrats are being held, but that scenario is dependent on another rogue Democrat, Senator Simcha Felder of Brooklyn, reuniting with his partys conference; he currently sits with Republicans. Mr. DiNapolis office indicated that it intends to pay out 25 percent of the stipend amounts requested which are scheduled to be in paychecks next week but will not pay the remaining 75 percent in April unless the Senate provides documentation showing that these members serve in the office or special capacity listed. It also argues that the office will attempt to claw back the money already scheduled to be paid if proper explanation is not given. The letter from Mr. DiNapolis office and other documents about the stipends were obtained through a Freedom of Information request. In a statement, a spokeswoman for the comptroller, Jennifer Freeman, said the office had issued the letter since legal entities have yet to clarify the legality of the Senates practices, after they were brought to light last year. State Legislative Law 5-a allows senators who serve as chairs or ranking members of committees to receive stipends ranging from $9,000 to $34,000 a year, sometimes greatly increasing a lawmakers $79,500 salary. But the law does not outline payments for vice chairs. In past years, senators have received tens of thousands of dollars for jobs they did not hold. And the newest payment request, dated March 6, mirrors similar certifications made in previous years, incorrectly listing senators as committee chairmen and chairwomen. Ms. Savino, for instance, was listed as chairwoman of the Codes Committee and as such entitled to receive $4,500, a quarter of the annual $18,000 allotted to the actual chairman, Andrew Lanza. She is the committees vice chair. The same situation is true for Mr. Peralta, the No. 2 on the Senates Energy and Telecommunications Committee, who is misidentified as its chairman and slated to receive $3,125, part of the $12,500 earmarked for that committees chairman, Joseph Griffo. Lawmakers can receive only one stipend and in each case, the actual chairs of those committees such as Mr. Lanza and Mr. Griffo receive higher stipends for other leadership positions. Hoi Eng Chan does not know how all those unbundled un-broken-down cardboard boxes wound up in front of the house she owns in the Bronx. It is near the subway, so a lot of people throw trash there. Aminur Howlader concedes that the rice in the steam table of the Halal food cart he operates was being held at less than 140 degrees, but he was going to throw it out. He had already made a whole other cooker of rice and was serving from that instead. As for the other summons, Mr. Howladers cart was indeed parked less than 20 feet from a door of the Target on Avenue H, but that door is used only by employees when the store is closed, which it wasnt. He has been parking in that spot for nine years and never got a ticket. This is life at OATH, a little-known but ever-expanding branch of the municipal justice system. OATH, the Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings, now handles violation summonses from 19 city agencies, from the health department to the Fire Department to the Business Integrity Commission. OATH hears about 100 times more cases than all the criminal courts in the city put together. A day spent in the hearing rooms of an OATH office there is one in each borough offers both a voyage into the small intestine of bureaucracy and a front-row seat at an endless and sometimes heartbreaking parade of excuses and ostensibly exculpatory explanations. Sometimes injustice is exposed and defeated. Sometimes it is as if a pack of homework-eating dogs is roaming the streets. The folding table from which Liudmyla Sviderska was selling pastries without a permit on Brighton Beach Avenue was not a mobile food cart, her representative said. Also, they were just pastries from a nearby bakery that got an A on its health inspection. Also, the pastries were individually wrapped and not potentially hazardous. Everyone else on 23rd Road also lets their tenants park illegally on the side of the house. Hector Sanabria would have pleaded not guilty to the open-container summons but he does not remember what happened that day. If courthouses, with their columns and marble and carved mottos, are built to inspire awe at the majesty of the law, the aesthetics of an OATH hearing center, with its box-office windows and crowd-herding cordons, will be immediately familiar to anyone who has done time at the D.M.V. The judges do not wear robes or carry gavels. They are per-diem city lawyers in business attire and are known as hearing officers. Defendants they are called respondents may bring a lawyer, but most do not. The agency that issued the summons can send a representative, and some routinely do. But the Sanitation Department, which accounts for nearly half of the summonses processed by OATH, nearly never sends anyone. Nor does the Police Department, another leading summons source. So most of the time, it is just the respondent and the hearing officer in the little room. It is not Arjan Gjushis fault if the subcontractors brought their dumptrucks to the site more than an hour early and blocked Featherbed Lane. It is not Metin Kurtuluss fault if patrons of the bodega next to his vacant lot throw their empty bottles over his fence, especially after he chained his own trash can to a post for them to use and someone stole it. Strokos Gourmet Deli has fired the exterminator responsible for the 46 live fruit flies a health inspector observed on a recent visit. Over the course of many hearings, patterns of excuse emerge. Very frequently, they hinge on evasion or transfer of blame. This is a risky legal strategy. Mr. Bombard has been cursed at. But he gets it. If you show respect, its certainly O.K. to be out there, he said. You show respect and earn it in kind. The noreasters of early March brought great surf, with up to 12-foot waves out at Rockaway. The ocean temperature was around 40 degrees, the air in the 30s, and winds created a powerful swell, Mr. Bombard said. I wish it was like that every day. Im always watching the weather, looking for storms, Mr. Bombard said. Its my new existence. Later on that cold and cloudy February day, after his 90-minute subway journey through Manhattan and Brooklyn to Queens, Mr. Crowley stood with Mr. Mattison and looked out over the Atlantic. It was 8:30 a.m. and there were already 20 surfers in the water despite the dinky, one-foot-high swell. They watched two surfers nearly run into each other trying to catch the same wave. Only at Rockaway, Mr. Mattison said. Mr. Crowley pointed to a scar on his left cheek. The only scar of my life after nearly 30 years of surfing was getting run over by a beginner at Rockaway, said Mr. Crowley. But I believe the ocean is free. Anthony Acevedo, a 20-year-old Army medic, had been captured during the Battle of the Bulge when a Red Cross care package arrived in March 1945 at the Nazi slave labor camp where he was imprisoned. It contained a diary and a fountain pen. Between the diarys grayish-green covers, Mr. Acevedo would record a grim roster of prisoner deaths (by dysentery, heart attack, jaundice, influenza and starvation); the cruelty of the guards; and rumors of American troops closing in on the Berga camp, a part of the Buchenwald complex. It was a rare accounting of Nazi atrocities by an American prisoner of war. March 20 5 more men escaped today Goldsteins body was returned here for burial He was shot while attempting to re-escape. So they say but actually was recaptured and shot thru the head. April 2 Two more of our men died today & one last night makes 3 + 16 makes 19. April 3 Excellent news today Americans are only 100 km from here. Rumors are that we are to be moved away. Emily Nasrallah, a prizewinning Lebanese writer whose novels struggled with bigotry against women, the horrors of civil war and the vacuum left by fleeing refugees, died on Tuesday in Beirut. She was 86. Lebanon and the Arab world lost an icon of literature and Lebanese creativity, and a womens rights activist, Prime Minister Saad Hariri said in announcing the death. Ms. Nasrallah, who was also a journalist, a teacher, a lecturer, and a womens rights advocate, was best known in Lebanon, but some of her books were translated and published abroad. The week President Obama signed the act, Ms. Slaughter was one of at least 10 Democratic lawmakers around the country targeted with vandalism and threats. A brick was thrown into one of her congressional offices, in Niagara Falls, N.Y., and a telephone message mentioning snipers was left on an answering machine at a campaign office. She accused Republicans of fanning the flames with coded rhetoric. Overall, Ms. Slaughter said on another occasion, there are a lot of people in the United States that have just abject hate for the government. Those who felt otherwise, she said, had the duty to convince them that this government is not their enemy. A longtime co-chairwoman of the Congressional Pro-Choice Caucus, Ms. Slaughter was a leader in fighting moves to reduce the scope of Roe v. Wade, the 1973 Supreme Court decision that established a constitutional right to abortion. When the House defeated a 1989 measure to continue barring the District of Columbia from paying for abortions, she declared, I dont think theres anything worse for women in this country than to watch men in blue suits debating this issue. Ms. Slaughter, who was known for speaking bluntly in her Kentucky drawl, also helped lead a successful effort in 1994 to enact the Violence Against Women Act, which included federal funds for domestic violence shelters and for training the police, prosecutors and judges to better understand and respond to violent crimes against women. She was also prominent in calling on the Pentagon to crack down on sexual assaults of women in the military. Ms. Slaughter publicly regretted one success. In 1991 she was one of several congresswomen who marched to the Senate side of the Capitol to demand, successfully, that Anita F. Hills accusations of sexual harassment against Judge Clarence Thomas be heard during his confirmation proceedings after he was nominated for the Supreme Court. But Ms. Slaughter and others believed Ms. Hill was treated harshly when testifying before a Senate committee, and after Judge Thomass confirmation by the full Senate, Ms. Slaughter told The Boston Globe, I felt guilty Id ever asked them to go into it. Although Ms. Slaughter voted against impeaching President Bill Clinton in the scandal over his sexual activities with a young White House intern, she did not hide her anger toward him and not only for what she deemed his reckless behavior in that episode. She had long believed that Mr. Clinton had made too many deals with the Republicans. In 1964, the band rerecorded Walk Dont Run with Mr. Edwards on lead and a new arrangement. The song reached the Top 10 again. Nearly 50 years later, Mr. Edwards said he had at least two more arrangements of the song. I may put it out and who knows, I may get another hit out of it again, he told the website Ultimate Guitar in 2011. The Ventures second-biggest hit was their version of the theme song from the long-running CBS television show Hawaii Five-O, which went to No. 4 in 1969. It became a concert staple both for the group and for Mr. Edwards as a solo performer. Nole Floyd Edwards was born on May 9, 1935, in Lahoma, Okla. His father, Elbert, and his mother, the former Nannie Mae Quinton, were migrant fruit workers. In a family of guitarists, fiddlers, pianists and banjo players, young Nokie was playing guitar by age 5. About that time, the Edwardses who by then had 11 children left their land, then owned by his mother and her Cherokee family, after violent disputes with merchants who wanted them to sell it, Judy Edwards said. They fled in a horse-drawn wagon, crossed the Great Plains, stopped for a time in Idaho and settled in Puyallup, Wash., south of Seattle. Mr. Edwards stayed with the Ventures until 1968, returned in 1972 and stayed until 1984. He left the group a few times, Mr. Wilson said in a telephone interview. He said, Im tired of playing the same songs over and over again. After that, he occasionally recorded and toured with the Ventures, sometimes in Japan, where they have been popular for decades. The band, which is still active, has gone through various permutations. Mr. Wilson retired in 2015 but still occasionally records; Mr. Bogle died in 2009. Rabbi Mordechai Hager, the reserved but strong-willed leader of one of the nations largest Hasidic sects, who settled many of his followers in a relatively bucolic upstate enclave to escape New York Citys temptations and decadence, died on Friday in Manhattan. He was 95. He died of liver failure, resulting from an undetermined infection, at Mount Sinai Hospital, said Yosef Rapaport, who is a media consultant for Agudath Israel of America, an umbrella organization for Hasidic and other ultra-Orthodox groups. Rabbi Hager lived in the Hasidic village he founded, Kaser, in Rockland County, N.Y. Rabbi Hager, a lushly beared figure who was known affectionately by his followers as Reb Mottele, was the leader of the American branch of the Viznitz, which is believed to number roughly 5,000 families, or 30,000 people. There is also a second branch based in Israel, though Viznitz Hasidim are scattered in many countries. Raised in Hasidic communities in Europe, Rabbi Hager was so intent on avoiding carnal and materialistic lures that he deliberately took off his glasses while walking down the street. He shunned publicity for himself; photographs of him are rare. Wilson Harris, a Guyanese novelist and essayist who addressed themes of colonialism and cultural identity in weaving stories of history, fantasy, myth and philosophy, died on March 8 in Chelmsford, England. He was 96. His death was announced by his son Nigel Harris. Mr. Harris, who had lived in England for almost 60 years, was one of the leading intellectuals to come out of Guyana, a small country on the northern coast of South America. His background was unusual for a writer: He had been a land surveyor for almost 15 years. But that work, which involved trips into Guyanas jungles and vast savanna and contact with its diverse populations, turned out to be excellent preparation for a literary career. Al Creighton wrote in a review in The Independent of London in 1993 that Mr. Harriss works are products of profound relationships with Guyanas Amazonian landscape and with ancient Amerindian and European myths, the classics and Continental philosophy. As Mr. Harris himself put it in a 1992 interview with Project Muse: The rain forest made an enormous impact on me. I learned that one should not attempt to indeed one cannot colonize the unconscious. Of course, unlike Omarosa Manigault Newman, who confessed horror at her former bosss presidency on Celebrity Big Brother, they havent. Their defenders among anti-Trump Republicans say its because some of them still have a role to play in staving off potential disaster. One Republican in regular contact with people in the White House told me that Powell and Cohn need to protect their capacity to reach in and help manage in the event of any national crisis. I dont find this entirely convincing. If these people see the administration as unequipped to handle an emergency, they owe the country a firsthand account of our vulnerability. But there is, at least, a certain logic to the argument made in their defense. That logic, however, only holds for those who remain on decent terms with Trump. Which means that if theres one person who has no excuse for not speaking out, its Tillerson, once one of the most powerful private citizens in America, now humbled and defiled by his time in Trumps orbit. Theres little doubt that Tillerson holds Trump in contempt and disagrees with large parts of his agenda. After Charlottesville, Tillerson refused to say that the presidents words represented American values. (The president speaks for himself, he told Fox News.) In office, he struggled to save the Iran nuclear deal and opposed Trumps and Jared Kushners support for a blockade of Qatar by other Arab states. After his ignominious firing, he gave a live address in which he didnt even mention the presidents name. Rex is never going to be back in a position where he can have any degree of influence or respect from this president, my Republican source said. Because of that, the source continued, Rex is under a moral mandate to do his best to burn it down. That would mean telling the truth about how concerned he is about the leadership in the Oval Office, and what underpins those concerns and what hes seen. In this case, patriotism and self-interest point in the same direction. Before entering this administration, Tillerson was a vastly more respected businessman than Trump; as chief executive of Exxon Mobil, he presided over what The Times described as a state within a state. Now the first line of his obituary will be about a year of abject failure as the countrys lead diplomat, culminating in a humiliation fit for reality TV. The only way he will ever change that is by joining those who would bring this despicable presidency down. If Tillerson came out and said that the president is unfit, and perhaps even that venal concerns for private gain have influenced his foreign policy, impeachment wouldnt begin tomorrow, but Trumps already narrow public support would shrink further. Republican members of Congress like Bob Corker, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, might be induced to rediscover their spines and perform proper oversight. Last year, Axioss Allen and Jim VandeHei half-jokingly called the insiders trying to circumscribe Trump the Committee to Save America. Now the committee, having failed, is disbanding. The least they could do is be frank with the rest of us about what were up against. This article is part of the Opinion Today newsletter. You can sign up here to receive the newsletter each weekday. Im intrigued by one of the ways that Conor Lamb appealed to cultural conservatives in his Pennsylvania congressional campaign. He said that, as a Catholic, he is personally opposed to abortion but that he does not favor new anti-abortion laws. This position still makes him pro-choice, of course, even if he rejects the label. It wont win over committed abortion opponents (like National Reviews Alexandra DeSanctis, who criticized Lamb as a hypocrite). Yet I still find Lambs framing to be important. Personal opposition to abortion isnt just a catchphrase. It has real implications. People who are opposed to abortion as well as those who have deep qualms about it are unlikely to have fetuses tested for conditions like Down syndrome, to take one example. Theyre more likely to believe that babies with the syndrome have as much right to life as those without it. But he doesnt believe that significant gun control measures will ever meet approval in rural America, including a ban on AR-15-style semiautomatic rifles. He confided that many conservative police officers do not want more gun control and that other officers have told him that should they ever have to start taking guns away from people, they will quit their jobs. Like most rural conservatives, he truly believes that taking guns away from law-abiding citizens will never solve Americas gun problems, including mass shootings. He says gun control has never stopped criminals from getting guns, and never will. To understand why many conservatives in rural America believe this, you must start with first principles, because the argument ultimately isnt about guns; it runs even deeper than the Second Amendment. At a 2015 campaign event during the Iowa caucuses, J. C. Watts, the former congressman from Oklahoma, spoke about perspectives on original sin. It helps illuminate the differences in worldview between many conservatives and liberals. Mr. Watts said Democrats think people were born basically good, so when good people did bad things, something in society (in this case, guns) needed to be controlled. Republicans think the fault lies with the person the perpetrator of the evil. Bad choices result in bad things being done, in part because the perpetrator lacks the moral guidance the Christian faith provides. The reaction to mass shootings highlights this difference. Liberals blame the guns and want to debate gun control. For conservatives, the blame lies with the shooter, not the gun. To my conservative friends, its a matter of liberty and personal responsibility. Even after a horrific event like the school shooting in Florida, where 17 people were killed, more gun control would be compromising those first principles. For them, compromising those principles would be even more horrific and detrimental to society than any shooting. What my conservative friends see is not gun control, but rather control, period. Not everyone here is an N.R.A. nut, but they think the N.R.A. may be the last line of defense for the Second Amendment. The apocalyptic videos about gun control from the N.R.A. spokeswoman Dana Loesch are over the top, as my conservative friends here know, but they think they are fun for the basic reason that liberals grow faint after viewing them. The White House opened its doors to the leader of the original shithole country this week. The irony was that a president who wants only the smartest and best-looking immigrants was embracing a nation once known for sending famine-stricken, disease-laden, crime-breeding foreigners to our shores. For that matter, how did Irelands prime minister, Leo Varadkar, the gay son of a Hindu father of Indian descent, merit time from a president who has stirred up a thousand little hatreds from the darkest corners of America? The Taoiseach got his moment because on St. Patricks Day everybody wants to be Irish. But no one in power has betrayed the Irish-American story more than President Trump. Hes been joined by a handful of Hibernian toadies who have made a mockery of their heritage. Earlier in the week, the prime minister of a tiny nation tried to nudge the mighty United States back to the moral high ground. Its really tough to see a country that is built on freedom not being a world leader in that space anymore, he told an audience in Austin, Tex. But when people say, He makes me want to believe again, as a lapsed-Catholic journalist said to me during one of these awkward What do you have against Pope Francis? conversations, they arent usually paying close attention to the battles between cardinals and theologians over whether his agenda is farsighted or potentially heretical. Nor are they focused on his governance of the Vatican, where Francis is a reformer without major reforms, and the promised cleanup may never actually materialize. What my friends and acquaintances respond to from this pope, rather, is the iconography of his papacy the vivid images of humility and Christian love he has created, from the foot-washing of prisoners to the embrace of the disfigured to the children toddling up to him in public events. Like his namesake of Assisi, the present pope has a great gift for gestures that offer a public imitatio Christi, an imitation of Christ. And the response from so many otherwise jaded observers is a sign of how much appeal there might yet be in Catholic Christianity, if it found a way to slip the knots that the modern world has tied around its message. To be a critic of such a pope, then, is to occupy something like the position of George Orwell, who opened an essay on Mohandas Gandhi with the aphorism, Saints should always be judged guilty until they are proved innocent. Except that the popes most serious critics are not skeptics like Orwell who dont actually believe in saints: They are faithful Catholics, for whom criticism of a pontiff is somewhat like the criticism of a father by his son. Which means they we are always at risk of finding in the mirror the self-righteous elder brother in Jesus parable of the prodigal son, who resents his fathers liberality, the welcome given to the younger brother coming home at last. State television, where most Russians get most of their news, regularly reminds viewers how many foreign policy achievements they have to be proud of: Theres the reunification with Crimea, which, according to the Levada Center, 70 percent of Russians believe was good for their country. And theres the fight against the Islamic State in Syria, where, according to a state-run poll, 73 percent of Russians believe their government has achieved its goals. But another factor that undeniably helps keep Mr. Putin so popular at home is how he is perceived in the West. Why would he need to bother with a campaign? For several years, Forbes magazine has named him the most powerful person in the world. And the magazine isnt alone in giving Russias president that superlative. While Barack Obama once dismissed Russia as a regional power, President Trumps national security strategy describes the country as a great power once again. And now he is believed by critics in the West to be able to organize the boldest assassination attempts under the nose of their security services. Even the accusations of Russian meddling in Americas 2016 presidential elections play into Mr. Putins hands. Ordinary citizens say some jokingly, some with more seriousness Russia is now so powerful that it decides who sits in the Oval Office. Add to that the accusations by European politicians that Moscow influenced Brexit, Catalan separatism and elections everywhere from France to Malta: Mr. Putins core voters feel proud of their omnipotent leader. And even many of his critics feel a measure of solidarity with their government because of the widespread demonization of Russia in the United States and Europe. The West has responded to some of the Kremlins policies in particular in Ukraine with sanctions. On Thursday, the White House announced that it was imposing new sanctions on Russian entities and individuals in response to malign Russian cyber activity, including their attempted interference in the U.S. elections. But if these sanctions are supposed to bring Russians into the streets to protest their government and demand change, they are having the opposite effect. Prime Minister Theresa May said that it was highly likely that Russia was to blame for the poisoning of a former Russian spy in southern England. Kennedy also campaigned on the dignity of work over welfare. In a TV commercial, he declared, I think welfare is demeaning and destructive of the human being and of his family. He didnt blame welfare queens for cheating the system, as Ronald Reagan later would, but said he envisioned a policy of full employment in which a person could say to himself: I helped build this country. I am a participant in its greatest public venture. On issues of national security, Kennedy took a principled position in opposition to the Vietnam War whose very morality he questioned but threaded the needle in a way that also made clear to working-class voters that he differed sharply from upper-middle-class white college students who avoided service or even sympathized with the North Vietnamese Communists. At Notre Dame, Kennedy was booed for saying college draft deferments should be abolished. Youre getting the unfair advantage while poor people are being drafted, he said. Remarkably, in Indiana he polled as well among those who favored Johnsons conduct of the Vietnam War as he did among those who opposed it. Kennedys campaign to woo working-class voters across racial lines worked. The candidate most identified with advancing civil rights did well not only with black and Hispanic voters but also among working-class whites, some of whom had supported Wallaces segregationist candidacy in 1964. A half-century later, how could progressives try to rebuild the Bobby Kennedy coalition? Kennedys appeal was based in part on being the brother of a revered and martyred president, of course, and the most salient issues were different in 1968 than they are today. But Kennedy stressed fundamental themes that travel across time and transcend specific policy issues. First, to appeal to a sizable number of white working-class voters in 1968, Kennedy did not forfeit his basic principles or change his positions on civil rights, or war and peace and neither should progressives today. Ignoring the rights of women, gay people and people of color is both morally wrong and politically stupid if your aspiration is an inclusive populism. Second, progressives should fight for economic justice in a manner that is relentless rather than episodic. On the campaign trail, Kennedy consistently hit themes of economic inequality and named the names of wealthy individuals, like the oil tycoon H. L. Hunt, who paid little in taxes. By contrast, in the final weeks leading up to the 2016 election, Hillary Clinton de-emphasized economic issues in favor of attacks on Mr. Trumps qualifications, according to research by Democracy Corps and the Roosevelt Institute, and his support among white non-college voters rose considerably. Progressives also need to vigorously punish Wall Street malfeasance. It is difficult to imagine that Kennedy, a tough prosecutor, would have argued, as some members of the Obama administration did, that some companies are too big to jail. Captain Medina and his officers tolerated Charlie Companys abuse of Vietnamese civilians in the weeks before the massacre. After Pfc. Herbert Carter knocked an unarmed farmer into a well, Lieutenant Calley shot the defenseless man. Captain Medina allowed his troops to use prisoners as human mine detectors and personally beat captives during interrogations. Rape became such an endemic problem in Charlie Company that one member of its Second Platoon, Michael Bernhardt, assumed that every woman Lieutenant Calleys platoon came across would be raped within moments. After a booby trap killed Sgt. George Cox, surviving soldiers stole a radio from a local woman and kicked her to death when she protested. Sergeant Coxs death set the stage for the My Lai massacre. On March 15, the company held a memorial service at which Captain Medina reminded the company of their casualties. The company had lost half of its strength in just two months. Lieutenant Calleys First Platoon was down to 27 of its original 45 men. Captain Medina argued that Charlie Company could not afford more casualties, so they needed to pull together and be aggressive in their pursuit of the enemy. Soon after the funeral Captain Medina briefed the company about its next mission: an assault into My Lai to destroy the remnants of one of the Vietcongs most lethal units,the 48th Local Force Battalion. The briefing for the assault on My Lai led many of Captain Medinas subordinates to believe that their mission was to kill everyone in the hamlet, to shoot the livestock, to destroy the wells and to level the buildings, because everyone living in My Lai was either a member of the Vietcong or a Vietcong sympathizer. Captain Medina told his troops that this was their chance to avenge their fallen comrades. One private, Dennis Bunning, later claimed that Captain Medina ordered them to kill everyone; their intelligence briefing claimed that all My Lais women and children would be at the market that morning. Another, James Bergthold, summed up the general response to the briefing: Although Captain Medina didnt say to kill everyone in the village, I heard guys talking and they were of the opinion that everyone in the village was to be killed. The massacre began as an ordinary search-and-destroy mission preceded by an artillery barrage aimed at the rice paddies northwest of the village. The 105-millimeter shells were supposed to land 400 meters away from My Lai, but some of the rounds fell near houses. The artillery was intended to harass Vietcong; but there were no Vietcong in My Lai, not any more at least, so it merely damaged houses and dikes and forced residents to hide in bunkers. Rex Tillerson was woefully miscast as secretary of state. He was arrogant and taciturn, or just plain introverted. The so-called God Pod at the head of Exxon Mobil had accustomed him to rule by remoteness. He operated behind a wall zealously guarded by his chief of staff, Margaret Peterlin, and succeeded in alienating countless dedicated Foreign Service officers who departed. Busy trying to forge the relationship with President Trump he never had, Tillerson acquiesced to the steady dismemberment of the State Department through budget cuts, unfilled posts and disrespect of expertise. This was unpardonable. He came in knowing little of foreign policy or how government works in Washington; his learning curve was not quick. He leaves having demonstrated that what it takes at Exxon is not what it takes at State. Still, I confess to a scintilla of admiration for Tillerson, reinforced by the foul manner of his firing. Its clear that this Texas oilman was, as he got to know Trump, personally offended by his dishonesty and vainglory. From a desktop or laptop, you can listen by pressing play on the button above. Or if youre on a mobile device, the instructions below will help you find and subscribe to the series. On your iPhone or iPad: 1. Open your podcast app. Its a pre-loaded app called Podcasts with a purple icon. (This link may help.) The Reader Center is one way we in the newsroom are trying to connect with you, by highlighting your perspectives and experiences and offering insight into how we work. Last weekend, Alyssa Severson, a member of our Reader Center Facebook Group, posed a question to her fellow group members: Are you emotionally affected by the news? Sometimes reading about politics, human rights infringements, war zones, etc. can make me feel anxious or hopeless in a big way. What are some coping strategies you employ? Coincidentally, a story published the same day profiled an Ohio man who has unplugged from news media entirely and describes himself as bored yet happy. But our roundup of reactions to the story suggested many readers dont consider such a drastic solution acceptable. Whats the alternative? Reader Center Facebook Group members shared a melange of ideas for keeping news-generated stress at bay. After you read them, tell us some of the ways you tackle this kind of anxiety. The death on Wednesday of Stephen Hawking, the iconic physicist and author, at age 76 set off tributes from Times readers. Many wrote emotionally about Dr. Hawking on social media and in our obituarys comments section, sharing personal anecdotes about meeting him and describing why his work and life mattered to them. He will be sorely missed in the physics community. However, he will also be missed in the disabled community. He was an inspiration to others, demonstrating what could be done despite a horribly debilitating disease, B.S. in Woodland, Calif., wrote. He lives on as all great philosophers do in his theories and writing. Generations will continue to know and appreciate him. Much gratitude to those who cared for him and supported him day to day. We all grieve with you and celebrate his life, West wrote. Here I am, at the end of my life, and Stephen Hawking died last night. I am still weeping and I do not know why. I never met the guy. I never approached his level of dignity. But when I consider his life, I am the little boy in polio braces who wanted no one's pity, Brian Prioleau in Austin, Tex., wrote. School gun violence and the terror it creates have riveted America again since a gunman shot and killed 17 last month at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla. The public outrage has produced a new wave of protests, including walkouts in schools across the country on Wednesday. But acts of violence arent the only source of school terror. For each heinous attack successfully carried out, there have been many more scores of threats in schools across the country. And while thankfully no one dies because of a threat, fake or foiled attacks can be terrifying, too. After the Parkland attack, we reached out to students across the country, asking them to tell us about threats their schools have received. We heard from more than 100 teenagers, some describing hiding in dark closets and classrooms, sometimes for hours, as they braced for an attack. In the five months from August to December 2017, there were at least 671 bomb or gun threats or both directed at American schools, according to the Educators School Safety Network, a nonprofit that provides school safety training. In the past month, since the Parkland shooting, there have been more than 465 bomb or gun threats or both. In Manhattan, where she lived for five years on the Lower East Side, I could barely find a one-bed in the same price range, with amenities that could compete, she said. Her new rental has a washer/dryer, expansive city views and welcome perks, she said: Its my first apartment in New York with an actual coat closet, which is amazing. In spite of high demand for Brooklyn housing, the new supply remains heavily skewed toward luxury apartments. Overall, New York City had a rental vacancy rate of 3.63 percent, which qualifies as a housing shortage, according to the citys latest Housing and Vacancy Survey. New York has remained below 5 percent rental vacancy since at least World War II, said Moses Gates, the director of community planning and design for Regional Plan Association, a nonprofit research and advocacy group. But in the luxury segment, apartments priced at $2,500 or more had a vacancy rate of 8.74 percent, which was at or approaching a record high, Mr. Gates said. While the full survey, including a breakdown of Brooklyn vacancy rates, will not be released until summer, there already are signs of a shift at the top of the market, he said. Were at or close to an inflection point, same as we were in 2007, he said, referring to the recession, when luxury prices flattened and high-end development stalled. Still, Brooklyn is sprawling, and some developers are testing markets farther afield. In South Williamsburg, the former 11-acre Domino Sugar refinery site includes 325 Kent, where more than half of the 522 units have been leased since last summer. The waterfront development is about a 15-minute walk to the nearest subway; the copper-and-zinc structure with a hollow doughnut core, developed by Two Trees Management and designed by SHoP Architects, has studios for $2,620 up to two-bedrooms starting at $5,520. (A leasing fact sheet on the premises recently offered a reduced rent, based on two months free for a 14-month lease.) Pablo Marvel, 25, a co-founder of Nova Concepts, a real-estate marketing and tech firm that uses drone photography, moved into a studio apartment in the project in September. I still feel like people think Manhattan is the epicenter of New York, which is simply not true, he said. While his office is in the nearby Brooklyn Navy Yard, he said he uses the buildings waterfront common areas, complete with Ping-Pong and pool tables, as a satellite office. Kate Treen, a spokeswoman for the project, said about 40 percent of residents work from home. From crushed leeches soaked in vinegar to modern chemical compounds, fashionable humans have sought ways to dye their hair for thousands of years. Its a messy, stinky process, which researcher Jiaxing Huang, a materials scientist at Northwestern University, compares to performing organic chemical synthesis on top of ones head. Dr. Huang believes he is on the trail of a solution that will make hair coloring easier and possibly safer. In a study published Thursday in the journal Chem, Dr. Huang and his colleagues report that graphene, a naturally black material, also makes a successful hair dye. In an experiment using platinum blond hair samples and wigs, the researchers coated hair with a graphene solution that included water, vitamin C and a polymer to improve adhesion. They reported creating a natural-looking black hair shade (in contrast to the shoe-polish look that many women complain of), and thats been something of a challenge to achieve in the hair-dye industry. Big eyes. Pointy ears. Snub nose. With its compact bundle of a body and inquisitively puckered face, the French bulldog is irresistibly cute. According to the American Kennel Club, its the sixth most popular breed in the United States. And they have quite the celebrity cult following. Madonna, Hugh Jackman and Ashley Olsen all have French bulldogs. So does Reese Witherspoon, who has been photographed all over Los Angeles with hers, a black Frenchie called Coco Chanel. The households of Dwayne Johnson and according to People Chrissy Teigen and John Legend have two each. On Monday, Kokito, a 10-month-old French bulldog puppy, died aboard a United Airlines flight from Houston to New York after a flight attendant stored the dog in the overhead compartment. The death sparked a national conversation about animal cruelty and acceptable transportation policies for our four-legged companions. Jonathan Andersons Craft Odyssey The new capsule collection from Loewes Jonathan Anderson was born from the same sense of wonder with which the designer once marveled over his grandmothers hand-knit quilts. For nearly a year, he and his team searched the globe for the best artisans working with fabric, from manjak weavers in southern Senegal to ribbon embroiderers in New Delhi, eventually partnering with over 100 ateliers to create 50 made-to-order tapestries (plus 12 matching tote bags), which will debut at Salone del Mobile in Milan next month. Each piece tells its own story: A Kyoto-made patchwork (bottom, second from right), for instance, features sashiko, a centuries-old sewing method originally used by Japanese farmers, characterized by little stabs of white thread against indigo-blue cotton. For several other designs, a father-and-son-run workshop with a single loom in Aubusson, France, used a digital pattern generator to reproduce sepia-toned images from Andersons collection of found 19th- and early-20th-century photography. (The hand-dyed, multicolored stripe covering three nude figures midsections on one of these came from a mother-and-son business in Mumbai.) For Anderson, its a celebration of craftsmanship and a reminder that, in our fast-paced world, time may be the greatest luxury. Theres this idea that we can consume everything digitally and we dont pause, he says. How exciting that in the midst of all that, this sort of artistry is still happening today. Prices upon request. JACOBA URIST Each week, Kevin Roose, technology columnist at The New York Times, discusses developments in the tech industry, offering analysis and maybe a joke or two. Hi, its me again. Lets get to it. The biggest story in tech this week was the Security and Exchange Commissions announcement of fraud charges against Theranos, the smoke-and-mirrors biotech company; its founder, Elizabeth Holmes; and its former president, Ramesh Balwani. As part of a settlement, Ms. Holmes has agreed to pay a $500,000 fine; surrender much of her stake in Theranos, which was once valued at $4.5 billion; and accept a decade-long ban on being an officer or a director of a public company. The settlement doesnt involve any jail time or admission of guilt, although the company is also facing a separate criminal investigation. The complaint contains stunning accusations. They include: Theranos exaggerated revenue by 1,000 times, telling at least one investor that it had made $108 million in 2014, when it had made around $100,000. Theranos employees wrote flattering reports about the companys own products, put the logos of pharmaceutical companies on them and used them to imply that those companies had endorsed Theranoss technology. SAN FRANCISCO Qualcomm was co-founded in 1985 by Irwin Jacobs, who took the company public and made it a mobile chips behemoth. He later passed the baton to his son Paul. Now Paul Jacobs is trying to make sure that Qualcomm stays a family business but he will have to do it from outside the company. On Friday, Qualcomm said Mr. Jacobs, a company director, would not be renominated for election at its annual shareholder meeting next Friday. The companys board said it had reached that decision because Mr. Jacobs wanted to explore making his own bid for Qualcomm. He confirmed late Friday that he wanted to take the company private. The split, which means no member of the Jacobs family will be involved at the top echelons of Qualcomm for the first time in 33 years, was not friendly. In a statement, Mr. Jacobs said of the directors that it was unfortunate and disappointing they are attempting to remove me from the board at this time. It isnt being twisted in any direction its not comfortable with its just being given wings, Mr. Porter said in an interview during a rehearsal break in London. (The show opened at the Black Box Theater in Galway, Ireland, on March 16 and later transfers to the OReilly Theater in Dublin.) The minute I met Enda, I knew this was going to be no problem at all because he just gets it. Hes got this weird combination of playful energy and intellectual seriousness. The books rights were snapped up by the esteemed experimental theater company Complicite. They approached Mr. Walsh, who instantly thought of Mr. Murphy: the pair have worked together several times since Mr. Walshs play Disco Pigs in 1996. Mr. Walsh said he had been sure that Grief Is the Thing With Feathers would resonate with his friend because Mr. Murphy has two young sons of his own. I read it in one go, in the bath, Mr. Murphy recalled. It absolutely floored me emotionally Mr. Walsh has not rewritten the work; the show uses only words from the text. But that still left the question of how to present Crow onstage. While the production will make heavy use of audiovisual projections, the real solution is as simple as it is theatrical: Mr. Murphy will play both characters, Dad and Crow. Thats my understanding of what grief is it does feel like your mind and body are possessed, Mr. Walsh said, before joking that Mr. Porter had been expecting a CGI creature and had instead gotten Cillian in a bathrobe. Were not flying Crow in, its not a Cirque du Soleil interpretation, Mr. Murphy said. Yet the character will be a flamboyant, strutting performer, he said, rather than a somber representation of sorrow. He added that he had drawn on diverse sources of inspiration for the role, from Michael Keatons character in Tim Burtons 1988 movie Beetlejuice to Dr. Evil in Austin Powers. A record number of people are expected to fly the nations airlines this spring between March 1 and April 30, an all-time high of about 151 million passengers. Thats up four percent from last spring, according to Airlines for America, the trade organization for the major United States airlines. For many of those travelers, spring break means only one thing: a beach vacation. And as in years past, travelers looked to classics like Florida, the Caribbean and Mexico for their early spring getaways even as the islands are recovering from hurricanes and the State Department has issued travel warnings about Mexico. In North America, searches for January, February and March showed that Cancun, Guadalajara, and Mexico City were among the top five long-haul destinations, along with London and Paris, according to Sojern, the travel research and marketing company. The most popular short-haul destinations were Miami, New York City, Orlando, Los Angeles and Las Vegas. Other industry groups have reported similar findings. Allianz Global Assistance, a travel insurance provider, said its own analysis of travelers plans showed Orlando and Cancun to be the most popular domestic and international destinations for spring break (which the company defined as Feb. 23 through April 16). Based on bookings through AAA Travel, the most popular destinations in March for Florida travelers included Orlando and Ft. Lauderdale, Honolulu, Punta Cana and Cancun. The biggest is travel, which accounted for $204 billion last year. This is an area that the president should know well. When a Canadian couple stays in a Trump hotel in New York, the money they spend counts as a service export. The next biggest category is charges for the use of intellectual property, a category that includes foreigners who pay to watch movies or music made in the United States, as well as licenses of patents and trademarks. Other big ones include financial services, insurance, telecommunications and information technology, and a wide range of engineering and other consulting services. If you have a mental model in which the only valuable jobs involve making steel or mining coal, its easy to lose sight of some of the middle-income jobs that are more common in the 21st-century service economy. Examples include the blackjack dealer in a Las Vegas casino, the nurse at a hospital renowned for its cancer treatments, the audio technician on a movie set, the engineer who advises companies worldwide on the best way to extract oil. The share of global spending that went toward services rather than goods rose from 50 percent in 1970 to 80 percent in 2015, researchers from the Federal Reserve found in a recent paper. Those service-producing jobs are more the economic present than most types of goods-producing jobs. And all signs point to that being more true in the future. Thats because even in many industries that make physical goods, information makes up a bigger and bigger part of the content of that good. A car isnt just a chassis and an engine, but millions of lines of computer code that make it all work efficiently. The advent of driverless cars will accentuate this. In the future, few people may buy cars; instead, they may rely on transportation services. Some of these lines are a little arbitrary. A worker in a Campbells Soup factory works in manufacturing, and when that soup is shipped to Canada, it counts as an export of goods. If that same worker instead made soup in a restaurant that sold it to a Canadian tourist, it would become a service export instead. Many cities and school districts say retirement benefits are swallowing more of todays budget. Is this accurate? I will concede the fact that pension costs are going up and have gone up. But, if you look at total compensation, including pension costs, in most school districts that has gone down. Doesnt that mean, in effect, that todays teachers are being paid less? The reality is that pension funds are not busting most budgets and employees are going to the bargaining table to help employers ensure pensions are funded and stable and there for them when they retire. And if that means negotiating their salaries down, thats a choice employees make. I dont see these employees getting any credit for going to the table and eating those costs. Do you think cities and states will eventually need to raise taxes to cover rising retirement costs? No. Some cities, such as Palo Alto, have talked about opening up their labor negotiations so citizens have a better idea of what kinds of services they are paying for and how the costs break down. Thoughts? DeAndre Harris, a black man who was brutally beaten at a white supremacist rally in Charlottesville, Va., last year, was acquitted of assault related to an incident that took place moments before he was attacked. Video from Aug. 12 showed six men surrounding Mr. Harris, 20, in a parking garage and hitting him with a metal pipe and wooden boards. Mr. Harris suffered a head wound and a broken wrist. The video was later widely circulated on social media in efforts to identify the assailants, and at least three men were arrested. Moments before the attack, Mr. Harris had intervened in a scuffle after a friend tried to yank a Confederate flag away from a marcher, Harold Crews. A complaint by Mr. Crews, a state chairman of the neo-Confederate group League of the South, eventually led the Charlottesville Police Department to issue a warrant for Mr. Harriss arrest, on a felony charge of malicious wounding. The charge was later amended to misdemeanor assault. Im Chris Kennedy. My name is J.B. Pritzker. My name is Jeanne Ives. A Kennedy, a billionaire and a right-wing conservative in a very blue state. These are a few of the candidates for governor of Illinois. They are attempting to unseat this man. Im Bruce Rauner, governor of the great state of Illinois. Rauner, a Republican, is now one of the most vulnerable incumbents facing election this year. Here are the main players and a look at how this race has been playing out. This is Democrat J.B. Pritzker. Hes a billionaire heir to the Hyatt Hotel fortune and the current frontrunner. J.B. is the one I trust to fight for women, children and families all across Illinois. As Democrats, we need to come together. Lets back the candidate ready to lead Illinois. Thats J.B. But his campaign took a hit when racially insensitive comments he made in 2008 to a wiretapped politician leaked to the press. In this audio, Pritzker is advising then-Governor Rod Blagojevich on who should fill the U.S. Senate seat vacated by Barack Obama after he won the presidency. I got a great idea for you though: Jesse White. Even though I know you guys arent like, you know, bosom buddies or anything, it covers you on the African-American thing. Correct. Pritzker apologized. On that call I was not my best self. I can be better. I have been better. And I can do better. The Republican side has also seen its share of controversy. Thats candidate Jeanne Ives. And this is one of her attack ads on Rauner. We want to say thank you. Thank you, Bruce Rauner. Thank you for signing legislation that lets me use the girls bathroom. Thank you for making all Illinois families pay for my abortions. Critics called it racist, sexist and homophobic. Ives disagreed. Thats exactly what typically a transgender man looks like. No, its not. Sir, with all due respect. Look, Ive had them show up at my door. Another Democratic hopeful is Chris Kennedy, the son of former Senator Robert Kennedy. 50 years ago, Chris Kennedys father, Robert F. Kennedy, launched a campaign for president based upon the principles of peace, justice and compassion for those who suffer. Kennedy, like Pritzker and Rauner, is wealthy. But unlike the others, Kennedy is part of a powerful political dynasty. Then theres Democrat Daniel Biss, a former math professor with an income of $35,000. Hes using his lack of wealth as a weapon, producing ads that portray Kennedy and Pritzker as superrich and out of touch. Rauner has become increasingly unpopular in Illinois a typically Democratic state. Can he hold off his toughest and richest competition yet? MIAMI Sgt. Jenna Mendez was heading to work at the Sweetwater Police Department on Thursday when she caught the long red light at Southwest 112th Avenue. She was not happy: She had a 2 p.m. meeting to make. With the windows rolled up and music on, she waited. Then she saw the brand new bridge about 300 feet in front of her, just installed by Florida International University, suddenly come down. It fell all at once. Her first thought: Why would construction workers do such a thing? Obviously it was a collapse, but I couldnt comprehend it, she said on Friday. I was thinking: Why did they just block all those lanes of traffic? Ahead of her, Alexa Duran and her friend, Richard Humble, both F.I.U. students, had also been waiting out a red light in a Toyota 4Runner. WASHINGTON All seven service members aboard a military helicopter died in a crash in western Iraq on Thursday, United States officials said on Friday. The crash is under investigation but is not believed to be a result of enemy action. The aircraft, an HH-60 Pave Hawk, crashed near the city of Qaim, where the American military uses a base as a logistics center and resupply hub. Iraqi security forces responded quickly and secured the area, according to a statement from Brig. Gen. Jonathan P. Braga, the director of operations for the American-led coalition battling the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria. The Defense Department said it would not release the names of the deceased American service members until their families have been notified. WASHINGTON President Trump made no immediate moves on Friday to dismiss members of his administration, despite continuing reports of an impending shake-up that have unsettled the White House. Two embattled cabinet secretaries Ben Carson at the Department of Housing and Urban Development and David Shulkin at the Department of Veterans Affairs remained in their posts despite speculation that they would be replaced because of the presidents unhappiness with their use of public funds. John F. Kelly, the White House chief of staff, met at the White House with Mr. Carson on Friday morning, but no announcement was made about Mr. Carsons future or Mr. Shulkins. There have also been conflicting indications that Mr. Trump at some point intends to fire Lt. Gen. H. R. McMaster, his second national security adviser, after the dismissal this week of Secretary of State Rex W. Tillerson. Yet in his speech announcing the strategy on Dec. 18, Mr. Trump made one fleeting mention of Russia: of how it and China seek to challenge American influence, values and wealth. He made no mention of Russian meddling and instead praised intelligence sharing between Russia and the United States in the face of terrorism threats. August 2017: Signing a sanctions bill reluctantly After Congress passed legislation in late July to impose sanctions on Russia and limit the presidents authority to lift them, Mr. Trump signed the bill but criticized it as seriously flawed particularly because it encroaches on the executive branchs authority to negotiate. Mr. Trump signed the legislation on Aug. 2. Several days earlier, President Vladimir V. Putins government had retaliated by seizing two American diplomatic compounds in Russia and telling the United States Embassy in Moscow to reduce its staff across the country. Mr. Trump did not respond, and Sarah Huckabee Sanders, the White House press secretary, declined to comment. However, the State Department described Moscows move as a regrettable and uncalled-for act. We are assessing the impact of such a limitation and how we will respond to it, the department said in a statement. July 2017: Suggesting he found Mr. Putins denial persuasive After Mr. Trump met with Mr. Putin during a Group of 20 summit meeting, he recounted the Russian leaders assurances that Moscow did not intervene in the 2016 election. First question first 20, 25 minutes I said, Did you do it? He said, No, I did not, absolutely not. I then asked him a second time, in a totally different way. He said, Absolutely not, Mr. Trump said in an interview with Reuters that was published on July 12. Somebody did say if he did do it, you wouldnt have found out about it. Which is a very interesting point. January 2017: Playing down Russian cyberattacks On Jan. 6, the intelligence community released a declassified report of its conclusions about a Russian cyberattack on the election. In a statement about his briefing on the cyberattacks that day, Mr. Trump pointed to Russia, China, other countries. In March 2016 alone, a Trump rally in Chicago was called off after violent clashes broke out, while an anti-Trump protester was punched at a rally in North Carolina and another was punched and kicked at a rally in Arizona. The following month, several Trump supporters were assaulted at a California rally. Mr. Trump himself repeatedly seemed to endorse attacks on his detractors, too. Maybe he should have been roughed up, he said of one protester who was reportedly punched and kicked in November 2015. Id like to punch him in the face, Ill tell ya, he said of another a few months later. He even offered to pay legal fees for his supporters if they became too aggressive. The supporters also often aimed offensive and violent rhetoric at Mrs. Clinton, suggesting she be killed. To determine whether those words and news reports corresponded with an actual shift in violence, the researchers compiled a list of 31 Trump rallies and 38 Clinton rallies held in cities with assault data available online. JOHANNESBURG In a severe legal blow to Jacob Zuma, South Africas former president, national prosecutors announced on Friday that they would reinstate corruption charges against him in a case related to a multibillion-dollar arms deal in the late 1990s. Shaun Abrahams, South Africas chief prosecutor, said there were reasonable prospects of a successful prosecution of Mr. Zuma. The announcement was the latest though not likely the final chapter in a long-running corruption case that nearly derailed Mr. Zumas bid for the presidency and tarnished the image of South Africas governing African National Congress. The deal under scrutiny laid the seeds of a culture of graft that has flourished in recent years. A skilled tactician, Mr. Zuma rose to the presidency despite the shadow cast by the arms deal a multibillion dollar purchase to modernize South Africas military after apartheid and other legal problems, including a trial on rape charges. He portrayed himself as a victim and tapped into his deep support among poor South Africans to become president in 2009. HONG KONG The Hong Kong police arrested 75 people in a raid of a local prostitution ring, the police said Thursday, a case that showed the breadth of the problem in the territory. Although working as a prostitute is legal in Hong Kong, the semiautonomous Chinese territory bans organized prostitution, and a conviction for knowingly taking from a prostitutes earnings could result in a 10-year prison sentence. Among those arrested in the raid Wednesday night were eight Hong Kong residents charged with profiting from the earnings of sex workers, running a vice establishment and operating an unlicensed massage parlor. The arrests highlighted how organized gangs, known as triads in Hong Kong, are believed to wield control over the local sex industry, which often relies on women from mainland China and other countries to fuel the trade. The women arrested in the raid came not only from mainland China but from Southeast Asia, Russia, Kazakhstan and Ukraine, The South China Morning Post reported, quoting police officials. Its largest export was coal; the report concluded that North Korea exported $413.6 million in coal in that time frame $12.7 million above the United Nations cap. North Korea also sold $62.1 million in iron and steel, exports that violated sanctions. Using front companies, manipulations of automated signals that radar systems use to detect global shipments, and ship-to-ship transfers in the middle of the night, North Korea was able to give the impression that the coal was loaded in ports other than in the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea, the report said. Still, Were really forcing the North Koreans to jump through hoops, said Andrea Berger, a senior research associate and senior program manager at the James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies in Monterey, Calif. North Koreans are literally physically concealing the identity of ships at night and doing ship-to-ship transfers, she said. Thats not something you do unless you have to. Financial Transactions Abroad North Korean firms and individuals, utilizing front companies and working with foreign citizens, have opened bank accounts around the world. The report said some of the countrys banks maintain a network of overseas representatives who continue to move freely across borders to undertake transactions in multiple countries and to establish residences abroad. BEIJING After Chinas president, Xi Jinping, ordered Beijing to cut its population, his protege ordered the bulldozing of the homes of tens of thousands of migrants. After Mr. Xi told northern Chinese provinces to cut smog, cadres junked home heaters and stoves, leaving residents shivering. These days when Mr. Xi speaks, officials from the top of the Communist Party to the lowest village committees snap to unflinching attention. The pressure on them may grow now that Mr. Xi has swept away a constitutional term limit on his presidency, strengthening his grip over the country. But as these recent cases suggest, Mr. Xis daunting power may undercut effective policy or provoke public ire when lower officials scramble over each other to meet or exceed expectations, often leading to overreach and disarray. Whenever China has large-scale, top-down campaigns or initiatives, there are problems with overzealous officials and over-compliance, said Elizabeth Economy, an expert on Chinese domestic and foreign policy at the Council on Foreign Relations in New York who has written a book on policy under Mr. Xi. CALGARY, Alberta As leader of one of Canadas largest refugee agencies, Fariborz Birjandian, a refugee himself, has years of experience welcoming the worlds most vulnerable Kosovar Albanians fleeing ethnic cleansing, Burmese Karens evicted from Thai refugee camps and Syrians escaping the civil war. Nothing prepared him for the Yazidis. Recently, he entered an English-language classroom in his agencys building near downtown Calgary, just after a 28-year-old woman had finished describing the screams of a young girl being raped by an Islamic State soldier. Suddenly, the woman fell unconscious. Her eyes rolled into the back of their sockets, her back arched on the floor and she began to hyperventilate, her voice a rising octave until it emerged as a yelp. She grabbed fistfuls of her hair and snapped her teeth at her forearms. Dont let her bite herself, said Kheriya Khidir, an interpreter, settling down to hold one of the womans arms and stroke her face lovingly. Mr. Birjandian raced off to call an ambulance. Then, he slipped into a stairwell to collect his shaken emotions. LONDON The British police are investigating threatening packages received this week by Muslim members of Parliament that contained a letter calling for Punish a Muslim Day and, in some cases, a noxious substance. Sajid Javid, the secretary for housing, communities and local government in Prime Minister Theresa Mays cabinet, was among those who received the letter. Mr. Javid posted on Twitter a photo of the letter sent to him on Thursday. It said that people would be awarded points for harming Muslims on April 3 for a series of offenses from verbally abusing them to burning or bombing a mosque to nuking Mecca. SAINT-CLOUD, France He is still the Devil of the Republic, as his nickname would have it, a national politician who haunts the French imagination like no other. The proof: Jean-Marie Le Pens newly published memoir is a big best seller, even though the patriarch of Frances far right never came close to attaining high office, is nearly 90, and has been pushed out of the National Front by his own daughter Marine nearly 50 years after he founded the party. His unrepentant extremism on race, World War II, the Holocaust, gender, torture, immigrants led Ms. Le Pen to kick him out. Those views can still shock and titillate, and his compatriots are lapping them up. The migration phenomenon, Mr. Le Pen began, in an interview at the gloomy old mansion in the Paris suburbs he inherited years ago from a wealthy acolyte, is a tsunami. He added grimly, They have a fertility rate three times ours. NIZHNY NOVGOROD, Russia With the hours slipping away until Russias presidential election on Sunday, Valentina A. Aristova, a Communist Party die-hard in the northern city of Nizhny Novgorod, rose before sunrise to hand out campaign literature at a Volga River shipyard. Bundled in a dark fur coat and hat, Mrs. Aristova, a matronly English teacher, reflected on the two twists in what is expected to be a romp by President Vladimir V. Putin to a fourth presidential term. First, support for Mr. Putin in large cities has been uneven or even declining in favor of Pavel Grudinin, a wealthy farmer turned Communist Party candidate, despite state television coverage of Mr. Putin bordering on a personality cult. People come home, they turn on the TV and they are told who is the most important person, who is the best person, said Mrs. Aristova, who has worked on Communist Party campaigns for 27 years. BUCHAREST, Romania A Romanian court has rejected a mans claim that he is alive after his wife officially registered him as dead, saying that the decision cannot be reversed. A spokeswoman for the court told local news outlets on Friday that the man, Constantin Reliu, 63, lost his case in the northeast city of Vasului because he had appealed too late. The ruling is final. Local news reports on the case said that Mr. Reliu had lost contact with his wife and family when he traveled to Turkey in 1992 for work. Hearing no news from her husband for years, his wife got a death certificate for him in 2016. The authorities in Turkey found Mr. Reliu this year with expired papers and deported him. But when he arrived in Romania, he discovered he had been declared dead. MOSCOW Yakutsk, a city 5,000 miles from Moscow where temperatures can plummet to minus 85 degrees Fahrenheit, is not the sort of place where people normally spend winter nights searching the bushes by torch light. But it is not every day that 3.4 tons of gold falls out of the sky. The unusual scene unfolded this week after a door on a Soviet-era cargo plane sprang open on takeoff, spewing dozens of what seemed to be gold bars into the frosty air. (They turned out to be dore, a semi-pure alloy composed of gold and silver, not pure gold, but close enough.) The Antonov AN-12s lower hatch was forced open when more than nine tons of precious metal, worth a reported $156 million, broke loose on takeoff, Russias Investigative Committee said in a statement. News reports of gold from the sky spread like wildfire, prompting an outpouring on social media. One widely shared image showed a screenshot from a ride-sharing app: Yakutsk airport, read the request. Need a Toyota Probox-style estate car. Three 200 kilograms sacks. URGENT!!! Payment: a half-kilo of gold. LONDON An Iraqi teenager who arrived in Britain as an asylum seeker was found guilty on Friday of a bombing that sent a fireball through a London subway train last year, a case that raised questions about the countrys anti-radicalization efforts. A court in London convicted the teenager, Ahmed Hassan, 18, of attempted murder for leaving an explosive device, concealed in a bucket and a supermarket plastic bag, on a train at the Parsons Green Station in west London on Sept. 15. The explosion at the height of the morning rush and the resulting panic left 30 people injured, some with serious burns, but none were killed. Image Ahmed Hassan Credit... London Metropolitan Police The bombing was the fifth terrorist attack in Britain that year and the first time the capitals public transportation network had been targeted since the deadly assaults of July 2005. In response, British officials briefly raised the countrys terrorism threat level to the highest possible level. LONDON When the polar bear was born just before Christmas in Scotland the first in Britain in 25 years zoologists could confirm the occasion only because of the high-pitched sounds coming from the mothers den. The cub did not emerge for weeks, but now the tiny polar bear is moving around confidently, the zoo says, and will get the star treatment in a documentary set to air Sunday on Channel 4. The mother, Victoria, is one of three adult polar bears at the Royal Zoological Society of Scotlands Highland Wildlife Park at Kincraig, near Aviemore. She mated with Arktos, one of two males at the park, and gave birth to the cub. Una Richardson, the parks head keeper responsible for carnivores, said in a statement: We couldnt be happier. LONDON Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson of Britain said on Friday that it was overwhelmingly likely that President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia personally ordered the nerve agent attack against a former Russian spy this month. Mr. Johnsons remarks were a significant escalation in the dispute between London and Moscow, directly linking the Russian leader to the poisoning of Sergei V. Skripal and his daughter, Yulia, in the English city of Salisbury. They came hours before Scotland Yard said it was treating the death of another Russian expatriate, who was a close associate of a prominent Putin critic, as a murder. Until Friday, British officials had been careful to give the Kremlin a little room for deniability, saying that Russia had either directed the attack or allowed its chemical weapons to fall into the hands of unspecified rogue actors. That door may have been only slightly ajar, but Mr. Johnson appeared to shut it. Moreover, many states, including Louisiana, have pension funds that are badly underfunded, and keep pushing off what seem like inevitable benefit cuts or income tax hikes to cover the shortfall. Some younger teachers, especially those who are not sure they will make a 40-year career in education, approach them with wariness. Mr. Frailich realized his colleagues needed the ability to invest directly in mutual funds in their retirement plan, the way most people with for-profit employers can. That would give them a chance at higher returns. To do that, however, those colleagues needed entirely new accounts on top of the annuities in their original accounts, which came with penalties if you sold them before several years had gone by. In the process of making things better, I also had to make them more complex, Mr. Frailich said. After he left the school, another administrator made further adjustments, leaving some veteran teachers there with five or six separate 403(b) accounts. Now, years later, some of his former colleagues (some of whom have become clients) are having a hard time getting out of the old 403(b)s and into one consolidated account that would be simpler and cheaper. Some of the problem appears to be sloppiness on the part of Voya Financial, the company that controls the old accounts. One teacher, Katie Harvey, recently discovered that Voya had her first name wrong, her birthday wrong and her email wrong. Changing all of that required printing out a form and sending Voya a copy of her identification by mail. Another teacher, Sara Wilson, had been trying for four months to extract her accounts from Voya, but still hadnt managed to finish when I spoke to her this week, even with the help of other local financial advisers. Its been very entertaining to listen in on the calls, she said. The girl is saying words to me that I dont understand. And my adviser keeps saying Do you expect my client to understand this? Winter Temperatures Compared to a 20th Century Average Cooler Warmer 1899-1928 1929-1958 1959-1988 1989-2018 Winters in the United States have gotten warmer in the past 30 years, and some of the coldest parts of the country have warmed up the most. In Minnesota, winters between 1989 and 2018 were an average of 3 degrees Fahrenheit warmer, compared to a 20th century baseline, according to data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration analyzed by The New York Times. Floridas winters were 1.4 degrees warmer, on average, during that time. For each 30-year period above, the maps show how much warmer or cooler winters were across the contiguous United States, compared to an average winter for that location during the 20th century. Though it might not always feel like it, warmer winters have become more common across most of the country. The most significant temperature increases can be seen in the Northern Great Plains, a region stretching from Montana to Michigan. Between 1989 and 2018, Northern Great Plains winters warmed the most. In the Southeast, not so much. Cooler Warmer Wash. Me. Mont. N.D. Vt. Minn. Ore. N.H. Mass. Wis. Idaho S.D. N.Y. Wyo. Mich. R.I. Conn. Iowa Pa. Neb. N.J. Nev. Ohio Ind. Del. Ill. Utah W.Va. Md. Colo. Kan. Calif. Va. Mo. Ky. N.C. Tenn. Ariz. Okla. S.C. Ark. N.M. Ga. Ala. Miss. Texas La. Fla. Wash. Me. Mont. N.D. Vt. Minn. Ore. N.H. Mass. Wis. Idaho S.D. N.Y. Wyo. Mich. R.I. Conn. Iowa Pa. Neb. N.J. Nev. Ohio Ind. Del. Ill. Utah W.Va. Colo. Md. Kan. Calif. Va. Mo. Ky. N.C. Tenn. Ariz. Okla. S.C. Ark. N.M. Ga. Ala. Miss. Texas La. Fla. Wash. Me. Mont. N.D. Vt. Minn. Ore. N.H. Mass. Wis. Idaho S.D. N.Y. Wyo. Mich. R.I. Conn. Iowa Pa. Neb. N.J. Nev. Ohio Ind. Del. Ill. Utah W.Va. Colo. Md. Kan. Calif. Va. Mo. Ky. N.C. Tenn. Ariz. Okla. S.C. Ark. N.M. Ga. Ala. Miss. Texas La. Fla. Wash. Me. Mont. N.D. Vt. Minn. Ore. N.H. Mass. Wis. Idaho S.D. N.Y. Wyo. Mich. R.I. Conn. Iowa Pa. Neb. N.J. Nev. Ohio Ind. Del. Ill. Utah W.Va. Colo. Md. Kan. Calif. Va. Mo. Ky. N.C. Tenn. Ariz. Okla. S.C. Ark. N.M. Ga. Ala. Miss. Texas La. Fla. Wash. Me. Mont. N.D. Vt. Minn. Ore. N.H. Wis. Idaho S.D. Mass. N.Y. Wyo. Mich. R.I. Conn. Iowa Pa. Neb. N.J. Nev. Ohio Ind. Ill. Del. Utah W.Va. Colo. Md. Kan. Calif. Va. Mo. Ky. N.C. Tenn. Ariz. Okla. S.C. Ark. N.M. Ga. Ala. Miss. Texas La. Fla. WA ME MT ND MN OR WI ID SD NY WY MI PA IA NE NV OH IN IL UT WV CO KS CA VA MO KY NC TN AZ OK SC AR NM GA AL MS TX LA FL The Northern Great Plains have warmed up particularly quickly in part because of the dry winter conditions typical there, said Kenneth Blumenfeld, a senior climatologist at the Minnesota State Climate Office. Cold air moving into the area from Canada and the Arctic is also not as cold as it used to be, he said. In Minnesota, we used to get to negative 30 or negative 40 degrees with certain frequency. But no longer. Maybe well now hit negative 30 with the frequency we used to hit negative 40, Dr. Blumenfeld said. But, he added, this difference in cold extremes can be difficult for people to perceive. When its that cold out, after all, people tend to stay inside. The pattern of warming shown here is largely consistent with global trends, said Jake Crouch, a scientist at NOAAs climate monitoring branch. In general, northern latitudes are warming faster than southern latitudes. Interior locations are warming faster than coastal locations. But there are some distinct regional patterns. In the Southeast, from Louisiana to Alabama and Tennessee, winters saw very little warming between 1989 and 2018, compared to the 20th century average. Scientists have linked this winter warming hole to patterns in atmospheric circulation that push colder winter air into the region. Local trends need to be put in a broader context, Dr. Crouch said. The same weather patterns that contribute to an icy cold East Coast, for example, can also bring warmer than average winters to the West Coast and Europe. More Winters on the Warm Side of Average We still experience cold snaps across the country, of course. They might even be getting more frequent for the East Coast because of changes in the polar jet stream, a band of high-altitude wind that divides icy Arctic air from the relatively warmer air of the mid-latitudes. But, overall, outbreaks of cold air tend to be briefer and warmer than in the past, and they come sandwiched between much balmier winter periods. The annual national data reveals the extent to which warmer winters (a period defined by NOAA as December through February) have become more common over the past 30 years. How much warmer or cooler each U.S. winter was compared to a 20th century average Note: Contiguous U.S. only. Twenty-three of the past 30 winters were warmer than average for the 20th century, while seven were slightly cooler. Eleven winters were more than 3 degrees above average a benchmark reached only a few times in the previous 90 years. One of Irelands largest local radio stations is creating a showcase awards event to celebrate hospitality operators in Laois, Offaly and Westmeath. Midlands 103 has already received over 2,000 entries for the Midlands 103 Hospitality Awards in more than 30 categories, with the inaugural ceremony to be held in Portlaoise in May. A shortlist of finalists will be selected by popular support, with the winners decided by a panel of industry experts including Patrick ODonoghue, CEO of The Gleneagle Group, Masterchef and Hells Kitchen personality Nick Munier, and David Whelehan, wine expert on TV3. Midlands 103 Managing Director Albert FitzGerald is encouraging the stations listeners to nominate any establishment or individual they feel is deserving of an award. We believe our counties of Laois, Offaly and Westmeath are home to truly fine hospitality establishments, with quality, variety and customer service to rival the best in Ireland. We recognise that national tourism promotion prioritises Kerry, Dublin, the Wild Atlantic Way and so we feel a duty to protect and promote the vibrancy of our local industry. That is why we have created the Midlands 103 Hospitality Awards. The categories are broadly divided between pubs, hotels and restaurants. The individual staff awards are very popular, with intense competition already emerging for Overall Pub of the Year, Wedding Venue of the Year and Best Customer Service (Restaurant), among others. The Midland Park Hotel in Portlaoise is the host venue for the Gala Ball on May 21. The closing date for nominations is Friday March 30 and entries are accepted through midlands103.com or by post to the stations headquarters at Axis Business Park, Tullamore, Co Offaly. An increase After implementation of the 7th Pay Commission, the ceiling of gratuity amount for central government employees was increased from Rs 10 lakh to Rs 20 lakh. The unions are demanding for inclusion of the change into the Act. The bill was passed amid the din in the Lok Sabha today as uproar over a host of issues went for the second week in a row. Important legislation Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananth Kumar said the Payment of Gratuity (Amendment) Bill was an important piece of legislation and sought the opposition's cooperation. The bill notifies the period of maternity leave as part of continuous service and proposes to empower the central government to notify the gratuity ceiling from time to time without amending the law. Moving the bill for passage, Labour Minister Santosh Kumar Gangwar said it is a very important legislation for employees, especially women. What next Now, the bill will go to the Upper House for consideration and passage. At present, formal sector workers with five or more years of service are eligible for Rs 10 lakh tax-free gratuity after leaving job or at time of superannuation. A senior government official said that the government wants to provide tax-free gratuity of Rs 20 lakh to organised sector workers at par with the central government. The Payment of Gratuity Act, 1972, was enacted to provide for gratuity payment to employees engaged in factories, mines, oilfields, plantations, ports, railway companies, shops or other establishments. The law is applicable to employees, who have completed at least five years of continuous service in an establishment that has 10 or more persons. The amendment will also allow the central government to notify the maternity leave period for "female employees as deemed to be in continuous service in place of existing twelve weeks". The proposal comes against the backdrop of the Maternity Benefit (Amendment) Act, 2017 enhancing the maximum maternity leave period to 26 weeks. 7th Pay Commission dissatisfaction After Central Government employees expressed dissatisfaction over the delay in raising the basic minimum pay, now, government teachers too have joined in. The agenda of the protest was based on their demand for 100% financial assistance to institution of higher education for uniform and simultaneous implementation of 7th Pay Commission report recommendations for the revision of scales in all the different states in the country. Apart from this, they even demanded the withdrawal of proposals grants by loans through HEFA, graded autonomy and Autonomous College Scheme. BJP dubs no-confidence motion as 'rehearsal before 2019 elections' India oi-Vikas By Vikas With several opposition parties, including TDP, YSR Congress, CPI (M) and AIMIM, joining hands to move a no-confidence motion against the Modi government, the BJP on Friday dubbed it as a 'rehearsal before the actual elections'. However, the BJP has a full majority in the Parliament and this motion is not likely to pose any threat. The Congress today said that it would support the no-confidence motion to be moved by the TDP and the YSR Congress against Union Government at the Centre. Soon after, CPI (M) and AIMIM also said that they would join the no-confidence motion. TMC chief and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee urged the opposition parties to stay united in opposing the NDA. "Will see what happens in Parliament, which party chooses to go which way. In a way, it is the election year and every state has demands and issues, it is not right for us to comment on it. It is a custom, before actual elections there is always a rehearsal in Parliament," Union Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi told news agency ANI. CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury said his party will support the no-confidence motion. "CPI(M) supports no-confidence motion being brought against BJP govt. Its betrayal of the promise of special status for Andhra Pradesh is inexcusable. Its all-round failure & evasion of parliamentary accountability needs to be highlighted," Yechury tweeted. Mamata Banerjee welcomed the TDP's move and urged the opposition parties to stay united. "I welcome the TDP's decision to leave the NDA. The current situation warrants such action to save the country from disaster. I appeal to all political parties in the Opposition to work closely together against atrocities, economic calamity and political instability," she said. "We have been supporting Special Category Status for AP since the beginning. We want that people of AP to get justice. When no-confidence motion is moved you have to talk about government's failures, we contacting a lot of people," Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha, Malikarjun Kharge said. The TDP earlier today formally decided to quit the NDA, days after two of its ministers quit the Narendra Modi government protesting for Special Category Status to Andhra Pradesh. [Congress to support no-confidence motion against Modi govt in Parliament] The TDP unanimously took the decision during a tele-conference with party supremo and Andhra Pradesh chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu this morning. The TDP had earlier pulled its ministers out of the union cabinet. After deciding to pull out, the TDP would now support the no-confidence motion by the YSR Congress against the Narendra Modi government. OneIndia News BJP means 'Break Janta Promise', say TDP leaders India oi-Chennabasaveshwar By Chennabasaveshwar After pulling out of NDA, the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) coined new abbreviation for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Friday. Speaking to media, TDP leaders CM Ramesh, Thota Narsimhan, Ravindra Babu in Delhi after exiting NDA, say, 'BJP means 'Break Janta Promise,' they also added that they will be moving a no-confidence motion on Monday. YS Chowdary, TDP MP, said, " It is unfortunate. We tried our best to be together but the present government ignored the sentiments and emotions of people of Andhra Pradesh, Emergency politburo was conducted in which TDP president N Chandrababu Naidu took the decision to withdraw from NDA." Following Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu's teleconference with party members, TDP pulled out of NDA. Naidu said that instead of addressing the issues raised by the state such as allocating special funds, bridging revenue gap or special category status as promised in the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2014, PM Modi was using the Tamil Nadu template to pit YSRCP and Jena Sena against TDP. TDP MPs Ashok Gajapathi Raju Pasupati, who was Civil Aviation Minister, and Y S Chowdary resigned for the NDA. Currently, TDP has 16 MPs in the Lok Sabha. OneIndia News Chennai airport on high alert after bomb threat call India oi-Vikas By Vikas The Chennai Airport has been put on high alert after an airline received a phone call threatening to blow up the flights, said reports. This development comes on a day when Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu and Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman scheduled to visit the city. Naidu will be in Chennai to inaugurate the Gana Saraswathi Smt. DK Pattammal centenary celebrations tomorrow. An unidentified person called up the airline, which operates flights between Chennai and Hyderabad, and threatened to blow up flights, reported PTI. Last year in June, a bomb threat was sent to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) headquarters in Chennai. The threat was sent in a white coloured parcel which contained gunpowder along with a letter. OneIndia News with PTI inputs Who will be new Punjab Chief Minister? Congress' decision likely by afternoon after CLP meet Congress Plenary to focus on Modi govt's failures, adopt four resolutions India oi-Deepika By Deepika The Congress's top leadership on Friday gave a final shape to the party's political roadmap and vision for the next five years that will be unveiled at its plenary session. The party's focus at the conclave would be to highlight the failures of the Modi government and deciding on the vision and path forward for the next five years. Also, keen to build a grass-roots campaign against the Modi government, the party will come out with 'facts sheets' in the form of booklets on agriculture, economy, youth, weaker sections, besides national security. The Congress will use the opportunity to attack the BJP and its government and motivate its workers to win public support for the 2019 general elections. The party will also focus on workers at this meet, where they will be allowed to speak about their vision for the party. The Congress is seeking to build a larger front of opposition parties to stop the BJP from coming back to power and former president Sonia Gandhi has called upon them to set aside their differences to come together for a larger national cause. Sonia had recently held a dinner for Opposition leaders at her residence which was attended by 20 political parties. Congress president Rahul Gandhi chaired the meeting of the subjects committee, which included members of the steering committee that had replaced the working committee, and gave final shape to the draft resolutions to be adopted at the conclave. "The Committee deliberated four resolutions which will be presented at the Congress plenary session in great detail. Various suggestions came and Congress President Rahul Gandhi has directed the chairman of these committees (working on the resolutions) to incorporate these suggestions in the resolutions," Congress communications in-charge Randeep Surjewala told reporters after the meeting. "The present plenary session will be unique and new in many ways. It will be truly a workers plenary. Congress President Rahul Gandhi wants that the focus must go away from leadership to issues and ideology. The Congress President has desired that the focus should not be on individuals but on the way forward," he said. Rahuls speech on Saturday is expected to set the tone of plenary. He will also make the concluding remarks. The session will end with an address of the Congress president, where he would set the tone for party's plan forward for the upcoming elections. The political resolution, the sources say, will also indicate the party's plans for forging coalitions with like-minded parties. OneIndia News Did Yogis defiance of Noida jinx' led to BJPs by-poll loss in UP? India oi-Vicky Nanjappa A couple of months back, there were news reports of how Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister, Yogi Adityanath had defied the Noida jinx. Today, political circles are abuzz with the debate that it could have been the Noida jinx that led to the Gorakhpur and Phulpur defeats. Yogi had visited the satellite township at Noida in December ahead of the inauguration of the Delhi Metro's Magenta Line. Several of Yogi's predecessors have avoided visiting Noida in the past. It all began in 1998 when Vir Bahadur Singh, the then chief minister of UP lost power a couple of days after he visited Noida. The other victims of this jinx have been Mulayam Singh, Mayawati and Kalyan Singh. Yogi, however, defied the jinx and visited Noida. Losing Gorakhpur was bitter for Yogi as he has been an MP from that constituency for five terms. Further, the constituency has been with a representative of the Gorakhnath Mutt for at least 3 decades. OneIndia News "Didn't authorise 'inappropriate' tweet," says Moily yet leaves Karnataka Congress in a spot India oi-Anusha Senior Congress leader and member of parliament Veerappa Moily have deemed his controversial tweet on Karnataka PWD minister "unauthorised". The former Karnataka Cheif Minister who took a potshot at Siddaramaiah's close aide H C Mahadevappa told OneIndia that party matters were not to be made public. "I did not give this tweet. It is unauthorised and inappropriate," Veerappa Moily told OneIndia on Friday morning, hours after he tweeted about a nexus between state PWD minister H C Mahadevappa and road contractors. Moily, as well as his son Harsha Moily, tweeted about the alleged nexus determining how candidates are selected in the Congress for the upcoming Karnataka Assembly Elections 2018. Harsha Moily has filed an application seeking Congress party ticket to contest from Karkala constituency in coastal Karnataka- a seat currently held by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Veerappa Moily tweets on money power in candidate selection While Moily deemed his tweet unauthorised he left the Congress hanging by stating that the matter was an "internal party affair", ultimately refusing to retract or deny the claims made by him. "I normally do not tweet like this. I will never go public with party matters," Moily added. The Congress MP, when asked if any action would be taken against those who tweeted "inappropriately" on his behalf, said that it was a matter to be considered later. He even denied having knowledge about his son tweeting the exact message from his Twitter handle. Moily duo's tweets come a day before the Congress sits for its plenary session in New Delhi where Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah will be in attendance. Moily was made the chief of manifesto committee by the All India Congress Committee and his tweets come as a jolt to the Congress ahead of Karnataka Assembly Elections 2018. While Moily added that his tweet would be deleted, multiple attempts to reach out to Harsha Moily yielded no results making his stand unclear on the same. OneIndia News From Hyderabad to Kashmir: The story of a thief turned jihadi India oi-Vicky Nanjappa Mohammad Taufeeq, the terrorist who was killed in an encounter at Jammu and Kashmir was a thief before he became a jihadi. It may be recalled that the terrorist outfit, Ansar Ghazwatul Hind had celebrated his martyrdom and said that Taufeeq hailed from Hyderabad. Following this, the J&K police had written to their counterparts in Telangana seeking more details on Taufeeq. The preliminary round of inquiry conducted has revealed that Taufeeq had stayed in Hyderabad for a brief period. Before coming to Hyderabad, he had stolen money from his home situated in Kothagudem. Sources said that he had stolen gold and some money before he arrived in Hyderabad. After a brief stay in Hyderabad, he headed to Kashmir, where he joined the terror group affiliated to the Al-Qaeda. The inquiry conducted by the police further revealed that he was involved in four cases of theft in 2007. However, he was acquitted in all case in the year 2009. He was a habitual offender, the police said. He was also rusticated from school after he was caught stealing. He studied at the Atomic Energy School in Aswapuram at the Chandragonda village in Kothagudem between 1994 and 2007. After he was rusticated, his parents enrolled him in a Madrasa in Bhadrachalam. Later on, he joined the KDR Government Polytechnic College. He managed to complete his diploma course. The police suspect that his radicalisation took place at the Madrasa. He stayed there with two persons who had converted to Islam. He turned very religious and was encouraged to understand Islam better. He also participated in a mission to understand the teachings of Islam better. Police sources say that it is not clear when he decided to make it to Kashmir. We are still investigating the matter and trying to find out if he had made it on his own or was tapped by some recruiter in Hyderabad. OneIndia News HAL misses LCA Tejas' delivery target, mounting worries for IAF India oi-Vikas By Vikas At a time when the Indian Air Force (IAF)'s shrinking squadron strength has emerged as a major problem, the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has missed its delivery target of Tejas light combat aircraft (LCA) for the year's first quarter, said reports. This is a major worry as IAF is already down to 31 squadrons of fighter aircrafts against an authorisation of 42. To fight a two-front war, the IAF needs the optimum strength of 42-plus squadrons. According to a Hindustan Times report, HAL has delivered only six LCAs to the IAF, missing its target of supplying 20 aircraft by the end of the year's first quarter. "We are not getting as many jets as we would like. By now the first Tejas squadron should have inducted 20 planes...Six planes can hardly be called a squadron," the HT report quoted a person familiar with the Tejas program as saying. Tejas is a single-seat, single-jet engine, a multirole light fighter designed by the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). The cost of operating a single-engine fighter is lesser than that of a double-engine fighter. IAF is also looking at indigenously developed Tejas fighter aircraft to increase its squadron strength. [IAF denies showing interest in fighter jet F-35's procurement] Sometime back, reports had emerged that the Indian Air Force (IAF) was showing interest in Lockheed Martin's F-35 Lightning II fighter jet. The Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II is a family of single-seat, single-engine, all-weather stealth multirole fighters. The fifth-generation combat aircraft is designed to perform a ground attack and air superiority missions. But on March 1, Air Chief Marshal BS Dhanoa rubbished the reports and said that no such "request been made to the Americans." Timeline of developments regarding Tejas' induction in IAF: In March 2005, the IAF placed an order for 20 aircraft, with a similar purchase of another 20 aircraft to follow. All 40 were to be equipped with the F404-GE-IN20 engine. In December 2006, a 14-member "LCA Induction Team" was formed at Bangalore to prepare the Tejas for service and assist with its induction into service. On 25 April 2007, the first Limited Series Production (LSP-1) Tejas performed its maiden flight, achieving a speed of Mach 1.1. In December 2009, the government-sanctioned 8,000 crore to begin production of the fighter for the Indian Air Force and Indian Navy. On 10 January 2011, IOC, allowing IAF pilots to fly the Tejas, was awarded by then Defence Minister A K Antony to Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal P V Naik. HAL was instructed by the Indian government to strictly adhere to deadlines to ensure Initial Operational Clearance-II by the end of 2013 and Final Operational Clearance (FOC) by the end of 2014. On 20 December 2013, the IOC-II was issued, after which the aircraft was cleared to be flown by regular IAF pilots and begin induction into squadron service. The Final Operational Clearance (FOC) campaign began in December 2013, with three aircraft from Tejas flight-line successfully completing advanced weapon trials. In May 2015, the Mark I aircraft was criticized by the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) for not meeting IAF requirements. In October 2015, IAF Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha confirmed that the air force had ordered 120 (six squadrons) of Tejas Mark 1A, triple the 40 aircraft it had previously committed to buying. On 26 February 2016, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar said in the Lok Sabha that the Indian Air Force will accept three to four Tejas this year and stand up a total of eight squadrons in eight years. In November 2017, it was reported that the Indian Air Force told the government that the Tejas is inadequate for the single-engined fighter program with insufficient flight endurance, smaller payload capacity, increased maintenance hours, and higher costs for maintenance compared to other contender aircraft. In February 2018, refuelling of Tejas with the engine running-known as "hot refuelling"-was carried out. OneIndia News How Telanganas Madrasas of hate produced a radical jihadi in the Kashmir battle India oi-Vicky Nanjappa A few years back major protests broke out in Bhadrachalam. The protests erupted owing to mass conversions of the Lambani tribe by Madrasas in this town at Telangana. The Madrasas at Bhadrachalam are back in focus with a probe by the Telangana police revealing that Mohammad Taufeeq, the terrorist who died in Kashmir earlier this month was originally from Telangana. It may be recalled that the terrorist outfit, Ansar Ghazwatul Hind had celebrated his martyrdom and said that Taufeeq hailed from Hyderabad. Following this, the Kashmir police wrote to their counterparts in Telangana to probe into the matter. While the police are now ascertaining if he had any network in Telangana, it has come to light that the radicalisation process may have taken place at the Madrasa in Bhadrachalam. He was always a problematic person. He was involved in a couple of theft cases but got acquitted for want of evidence. It was in 2008 that a change in him began to occur. He studied at the Atomic Energy School in Aswapuram at the Chandragonda village in Kothagudem between 1994 and 2007. After school, he joined a Madrasa and came in contact with two persons who had converted to Islam. During this period he visited several religious conventions. It was during this period that a transition took place. Following this, he did a diploma course at Mahabubnagar and during this time, he stayed a Mosque. While the radicalisation had begun, a lot more changed when he visited Kashmir with his parents in 2012. Out there he saw plenty of posters with anti-India inscriptions and this got him immediately attracted to the cause. On his return, he opened a Facebook account and browsed through pages that were related to the Kashmir cause. He may have come in contact with some members from Kashmir following which he made the journey to the Valley, the police say. In 2015 he left for Kashmir on the pretext of getting some dry fruits. However out there he met up with Mubashir Islam, a Hizbul Mujahideen operative with whom he had been in touch on Facebook. While he initially started out with the Hizbul Mujahideen, he appears to have switched over to the Ansar Ghazwatul Hind which is an affiliate of the Al-Qaeda. Telangana, in particular, has had several operatives who are affiliated with the Al-Qaeda. The ideology of the outfit was seen in the form another group called the Base Movement. An Intelligence Bureau official tells OneIndia there are several Madrasas in Telangana that must be brought under the scanner. In several cases that have been probed, it has found that radical elements have been produced. There are several Madrasas that indulge in full-fledged conversion and also preach hate. Taufeeq was one such product, the officer also adds. OneIndia News Jagat Tara convicted of killing Beant Singh, quantum of punishment to be announced tomorrow India oi-Deepika By Deepika A special court in Chandigarh found Jagtar Singh Tara guilty for assassination of former Punjab chief minister Beant Singh on Friday. The quantum of sentence will be announced on Saturday. Tara had earlier three times confessed to the court: "I have no regret for killing Beant Singh." In his confession, he has also said that Shaheed Udham Singh, who assassinated Lieutenant Governor of Punjab Michael O'Dwyer in 1919, was his inspiration to kill the Congress leader. Beant Singh was assassinated in a bomb blast at the secretariat complex in Chandigarh on August 31, 1995 by Babbar Khalsa International terrorists. The blast had claimed the lives of 17 others including three commandos. Thirteen people were named as accused in the case, out of whom nine were arrested, three were at large and the suicide bomber, Dilawar Singh, died during the explosion. Tara, who along with two other terrorists, had fled from the Burail Jail by digging a 110-feet tunnel from his barrack in January 2004, was apprehended in Thailand. OneIndia News For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Friday, March 16, 2018, 22:00 [IST] Modi govt paying Rs 1100 cr extra per Rafale jet, claims Rahul India oi-Deepika By Deepika Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Friday once again made a scathing attack at the Centre for alleged wrongdoing in the Rafale aircraft deal. Citing Rafale manufacturer Dassault's 2016 annual report, Gandhi said that the Narendra Modi government is purchasing per Rafale jet at the rate of Rs. 1670 crore while the Congress-led Manmohan Singh (MMS) government had finalised the deal at the rate of Rs. 570 crore per Rafale jet. "Dassault called RM's lie and released prices paid per RAFALE plane in report: Qatar = 1319 Cr, MODI = 1670 Cr, MMS = 570 Cr. "1100 Crore per plane or 36,000 Crore i.e 10 pc of our Defence budget, in the pocket. Meanwhile, our Army begs our Govt.for money (sic)," the Congress leader said on Twitter. Dassault Aviation, the French company that manufactured the fighter jets, had called the "lie" of "RM" (Raksha Mantri or Defence Minister) Nirmala Sitharaman by releasing the price of the aircraft., he alleged. Gandhi highlighted the price the BJP government paid for the fighter jets, the figure finalised by the erstwhile UPA regime led by Manmohan Singh for purchasing the aircraft and the amount Qatar had paid for the same. Congress has in the past as well accused the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government at the Centre of wrongdoings in the Rafale jet deal. In February, Gandhi posed eight questions to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the deal and alleged that the Prime Minister personally went to Paris and changed the deal. OneIndia News For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Friday, March 16, 2018, 20:44 [IST] Naidu asked for money but never implemented anything: Piyush Goyal India oi-Deepika By Deepika On a day the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) pulled out of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), Union railways minister Piyush Goyal said the decision was more "sentimental than factual". "Naidu failed to do anything. We gave them funds, but if you go to Amaravati, you will find that nothing has happened on the ground. Now, he is blaming us. They only asked for money but failed to implement anything," said Goyal, while speaking at News18 Rising India Summit. Denying Naidu's claim of his state not getting its rightful share, Goyal said it was the central government which provided Andhra Pradesh the monetary back up. "Even when the 14th Financial Commission decided not to provide special category status to states except North East, it was the central government who still provided them monetary back up," said Goyal. To a question on whether there was a possibility of the TDP returning to the NDA fold, Goyal said, "Politics is all about possibilities." Union minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari also commented on TDP leaders' claims about Andhra Pradesh's claims of the state being neglected and said, "I do not wish to comment on the political aspects of the issue. However, the fact is that Andhra Pradesh has got twice the number of roads as compared to the previous regime." Gadkari further said, "If we give special status to Andhra Pradesh, then other states will also demand it. This is not a feasible idea." TDP today ended its four-year-old alliance with the BJP and walked out of the NDA, eight days after two of its union ministers resigned over the Centre's refusal to grant Special Category Status to Andhra Pradesh. OneIndia News For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Saturday, March 17, 2018, 1:59 [IST] Cannot order for use of traditional remedies like Red Ant Chutney as cure for COVID-19: SC Dont want terrorists to know what software is being used: Centre to SC on Pegasus row No interest on security deposit for money lenders, pawn brokers: SC India oi-Vicky Nanjappa In an interesting verdict, the Supreme Court has held that money lenders and pawnbrokers will not be entitled to interest on security deposit made by them to carry out their businesses. A Bench headed by Justice Madan Lokur observed that the profession of money lending may be a trade, but onerous restrictions may be placed on such trade which is definitely usurious. These onerous restrictions would be reasonable keeping in view the nature of the trade. The legislature in its wisdom can decide whether it should make it more difficult for people to engage in the business of money lending and pawnbroking, the Bench also said. The court also held constitutional, the 1988 amendments to the Karnataka Money Lenders Act of 1961 and Karnataka Pawn Brokers Act, 1961. The amendment had stated that security deposit furnished by money lenders and pawnbrokers shall not carry any interest. The court said the businesses of money lending and pawnbroking are usurious businesses and the government may rightly restrict or even discourage people from entering into such businesses. "A money lender or a pawn broker applies for licence to do this business knowing fully well that the security that he shall deposit shall not earn any interest. He with open eyes accepts the condition which is part of the Acts. Nobody forces a person to engage in the trade of money lending or pawnbroking," the Bench also added. OneIndia News The Re 1 note is back: From paper to dimension, all you should know Congress not just wants your vote, but your note as well: Find out why No proposal under consideration to discontinue Rs 2,000 note: Govt India oi-PTI The government on Friday (yet again) categorically said there was no proposal to discontinue Rs 2,000 currency note, which was introduced post demonetisation in November 2016. The government also informed the Lok Sabha that it had decided to conduct field trials of plastic currency notes of Rs 10 in five cites. "There is no proposal under consideration of the government to stop Rs 2,000 note," Minister of State for Finance P Radhakrishnan said in a written reply in the Lok Sabha to a question whether the finance ministry has any plan to stop the note in near future. The sizes of new Rs 500 and Rs 2,000 denomination in the Mahatma Gandhi (New) series is 66mm X 150 mm and 66 mm and 166 mm, respectively. As regards plastic notes, the minister said: "It has been decided to conduct field trial of plastic banknotes in denominations of Rs 10 at five locations". The trial would be conducted in Kochi, Mysore, Jaipur, Shimla and Bhubaneshwar, he said, adding that the note will be printed in Indian presses on imported substrate. He, however, did not specified any timeline. PTI For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Friday, March 16, 2018, 18:57 [IST] Our servers were hacked, internal documents may get uploaded on public websites: IndiGo IndiGo passenger says he is COVID-19 positive; airline offloads him at Delhi airport Vaccinated? Now get 10% discount on Indigo air ticket: How to avail it? Pratt & Whitney engine-powered ATR aircraft of IndiGo returns on maiden flight India pti-PTI Mumbai, March 16: A brand new Pratt & Whitney engine-powered ATR aircraft of IndiGo's maiden flight from Toulouse to New Delhi was aborted and had to return to the French facility due to low oil pressure. The IndiGo ATR 72-600 aircraft on its maiden flight Thursday from its Toulouse headquarters to the New Delhi hub of IndiGo had no revenue passengers onboard. Confirming the development, the airline in a statement said, "IndiGo ATR 72-600 while being ferried from Toulouse to India, with no revenue passengers onboard, returned to Toulouse for technical reasons. The aircraft will conduct checks and take actions as required as is the usual practise while delivering new aeroplanes." Though the airline did not specify what the technical glitch was, sources said this problem was low oil pressure. Currently Indigo has four ATRs in the fleet besides the 152 Airbus A320 planes, including 32 A320 Neos. Early last year, the airline had signed a term sheet for buying 50 of these 70-seater planes. It plans to take 21 of them by this December. IndiGo ATR aircraft are fitted with Pratt & Whitney engines (PW127M). The carrier took the delivery of its first ATR last November. The airline is already facing many a headwind with its P&W engines on its Neo planes, of which 11 were grounded by the regulator earlier this week. PTI R&D should be 'Research for development', says Modi at Science Congress India oi-Vikas By Vikas Emphasising on the importance of technology and change that it can bring in lives of the people, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said India should be 'future ready' to implement technologies that are vital for the growth and prosperity of the nation. Addressing the inaugural session of the 105th Indian Science Congress in Imphal, Modi said India has a rich tradition and a long history of both discovery and use of science and technology. "Technology will allow far greater penetration of services such as education, healthcare, and banking to our citizens," he said. He said that R&D (Research and Development) must be redefined and should instead be called Research for Development. There is a need, the Prime Minister said, to communicate scientific achievements to society. This, he said, will help inculcate scientific temper among the youth. "I am told that this is just the second time in over a century, that the Indian Science Congress is being held in the North-East. This is a testimony to the resurgent spirit of the North East. It bodes well for the future," he added. The PM said, "We have approved a 'Prime Minister's Research Fellows' scheme. Under this, bright minds from the best Institutions in the country, like IISc, IIT, NIT, IISER and IIIT will be offered direct admission in PhD in IIT and IISc. This will help address brain-drain from our country." He said it was his "personal request" that scientists spend 100 hours per annum with 100 students of classes 9 to 12 to discuss science and technology as it could help nurture scientific temperament among the youth. OneIndia News with PTI inputs Ramgarh lynching case: 11 cow vigilantes convicted of murder India oi-Deepika By Deepika A Jharkhand court on Friday convicted 11 cow vigilantes, including a ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader for lynching a 55-year old Muslim trader for allegedly carrying beef. All of the 11 accused - including a local BJP leader - were convicted under IPC Section 302 (murder). In addition, three of them were convicted under Section 120B (conspiracy) - indicating that the court was convinced that the attack was pre-planned. The court fixed March 21 to pronounce the quantum of punishment. In June 2017, Alimuddin alias Asgar Ansari, 45, was mercilessly beaten and his Maruti van was set afire by a mob at Bazartand village, some 50 km from the Jharkhand capital Ranchi. Ansari was reportedly carrying about 200 kg of meat in his van when he was attacked. His car was also set on fire. Police had intervened, but he succumbed to his injuries soon after being admitted to a hospital. Two people were arrested in the case, including local BJP leader Nityanand Mahato. Another accused had surrendered. In videos of the assault that did the rounds on social media, the assailants were seen beating Ansari with pieces of meat while his car was on fire in the background. The lynching had taken place on a day Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in Ahmedabad that killing people in the name of 'Gau Bhakti (cow worship)' was unacceptable and that nobody has the right to take the law into their own hands. OneIndia News For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Friday, March 16, 2018, 20:29 [IST] Who will be new Punjab Chief Minister? Congress' decision likely by afternoon after CLP meet Replace Sindh with Northeast in National Anthem: Congress MP Ripun Bora India oi-Deepika By Deepika A Congress MP on Friday moved private member's resolution in Rajya Sabha seeking amendment of the national anthem. Assam Pradesh Congress Committee President and Rajya Sabha MP Ripun Bora also said when the national anthem was adopted in 1950, the then President Rajendra Prasad had said if required the anthem would be amended in future. "North East is an important part of India, it is unfortunate that it is not part of the national anthem. On other hand, Sindh is mentioned, which is no longer part of India but part of Pakistan, which is a hostile country," Ripun Bora said after he moved the private member's resolution in the Upper House today. Bora said since the then President had said the national anthem could be amended, it should be done now to replace the word "Sindh' with the word "Northeast". The Congress leader said he has moved the private member resolution in the Upper House today and it is expected to be taken up next week. A similar demand was made by Shiv Sena member Arvind Sawant in 2016. He demanded the word 'Sindh' in the national anthem to be removed and replaced with an appropriate word as there was no state by that name in India. OneIndia News Squirmed for a bit before going still: The final moments of Nirbhayas killers Sangliana's shocking statement on Nirbahya's mother stirs controversy India oi-Vikas By Vikas Former Karnataka Police Chief HT Sangliana has stirred a hornet's nest by making a totally insensitive remark on the physical appearance of the mother of 2012 Delhi gangrape victim, also known as Nirbhaya. The controversy erupted after Sangliana said that Asha Devi, Nirbhaya's mother, has a 'great physique' and he could 'just imagine how beautiful her daughter would have been'. That, however, was not the only controversial statement that the former Karnataka DGP made at the event. Sangliana reportedly also said, "If you are overpowered, you should surrender, and follow up the case later. That way we can be safe, save life, prevent being killed." Sangliana made these comments at an award function meant to honour women, including Asha Devi, and their work. The former Karnataka DGP, however, remained defiant and said that people were making "an issue out of a non-issue". "I consider my statement to be totally within the limit and I feel people are making an issue out of a non-issue..I said it in order to emphasise the importance of protection & security to women, they should be given protection at all times," he told news agency ANI. OneIndia News Son wants UIDAI to return biometric data of late father India oi-Vicky Nanjappa A son has moved the Supreme Court seeking biometric details from the UIDAI of his late father. He sought a directive to the UIDAI to hand back the biometric data of his late father collected for the Aadhaar card. Santosh Min B said he wanted the biometric details as these would be of no use for the UIDAI since his father was dead now and there were also chances of their misuse and abuse. Santosh, who works with an ayurvedic clinic, told the court that his father died after he felt insulted during filling of life certificate at a provident fund office in Bengaluru, as his authentication by biometrics failed due to old-age and cataract surgery of his eyes. A five-judge constitution Bench headed by Chief Justice Dipak Misra gave two-minutes time to Santosh Min B to argue his case in which he said that the Aadhaar scheme is like an "undeclared emergency". "This court may direct the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) to hand over my dad's biometric in a printed form, so that I can keep it for posterity," he told the Bench also comprising Justices A K Sikri, A M Khanwilkar, D Y Chandrachud and Ashok Bhushan. He also sought to abolish of the Aadhaar scheme and said that "his father had passed away on December 31, 2016, the dark day in our history, as on that day demonetisation ended". The Bench interrupted him and said, "We will not allow you to give any speech. If you want you can argue on question of law, but you can't be allowed to give a speech". Santosh, who appeared in person before the court, said that he had received a half written letter of his father N Bhanu Vikaraman for the Prime Minister in January this year. In the letter, his father had written about the "harassment" a sick and elderly person faces during filling of life certificate format provident fund offices throughout the country. "In imposing the Aadhaar, the government of the day wanted to keep track of every single paise earned by the citizen and on other hand, political parties can receive funds anonymously through electoral bonds," Santosh said in his submission. He said that since his father is dead now, the biometric details would be of no use for the UIDAI and moreover there were chances of their misuse and abuse. The Bench took on record his submissions and posted the matter for further hearing on March 20. The Bench is hearing a batch of petitions challenging the constitutional validity of Aadhaar and its enabling Act. Senior advocate K V Vishwanathan, appearing for activist Aruna Roy, continued his arguments today and said that the use of the Aadhaar infrastructure by private entities is unconstitutional and authorising the use of the "Aadhaar number" as the sole proof of identity for an open-ended and unspecified set of laws or contracts, defeats the principle of informed consent at the time of enrolment. "The broad and unlimited scope of activities covered under section 57 of the Act and the kind of private entities permitted to use Aadhaar is entirely disproportionate, beyond the Aims and Objectives of the Act, and without any compelling State interest," he said. Viswanathan said that the Act also fails to specify the purpose for which the Aadhaar number may be used to establish identity, and whether it is necessary, given the alternative, existing modes of identification. "Finally, no procedural safeguards govern the actions of private entities, and no remedies exist for authentication failures or service denial," he said. Attacking the Aadhaar Act of 2016, the senior lawyer argued that section 7 of the Act was unconstitutional and violates Article 14. "The requirement under section 7 for every person to undergo authentication to avail benefits/services/entitlements, falls foul of Article 14 since, first, such mandatory authentication has caused, and continues to cause, exclusion of the most marginalised sections of society," he said. He added that this exclusion is not simply a question of poor implementation that can be administratively resolved, but stems from the very design of the Act which is the use of biometric authentication as the primary method of identification. "In questions of infringement of fundamental rights, courts have to decide on the proportionality of an imposition with greater scrutiny, when the primary decision maker (the State and UIDAI) did not give due weight to the competing balancing rights at stake," he said and concluded his arguments. Senior advocates Anand Grover and Meenakshi Arora also addressed the court for the petitioners and termed the Aadhaar and its enabling Act as unconstitutional and in violation of fundamental rights. On Wednesday, the Supreme Court was told that the collection of biometric details of citizens by UIDAI from 2010 onwards till 2016, when the enabling Aadhaar law came into force, was "illegal" and "invalid" and the collected data deserved to be destroyed. The top court had earlier extended the March 31 deadline for mandatory linking of Aadhaar to avail various services and welfare schemes run by the government till it delivered its verdict on the validity of the 12-digit biometric number and its enabling law. OneIndia News Congress, other opposition parties to support no-confidence motion against Modi govt India oi-Vikas By Vikas The Congress will support the no-confidence motion to be moved by the TDP and the YSR Congress against Union Government at the Centre. Soon after quitting the NDA, the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) on Friday said it would move a no-confidence motion in Parliament against the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government at the Centre. However, the BJP has a full majority in the Parliament and this motion is not likely to pose any threat. ANI quoted Andhra Pradesh Congress Committee President N Raghuveera Reddy as saying that the grand old party will support the motion. Soon after Congress, CPI (M) and AIMIM also said that they would join the no confidence motion. TMC chief and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee urged the opposition parties to stay united in opposing the NDA. The TDP earlier today formally decided to quit the NDA, days after two of its ministers quit the Narendra Modi government protesting for Special Category Status to Andhra Pradesh. "Our party will be moving no-confidence motion today (in Parliament). We have decided... we are out of the NDA," TDP MP Thota Narsimhan told ANI. "BJP has cheated Telugu people, this time also they have succeeded in doing so, we will be moving a no-confidence motion (in the Parliament)," Andhra Pradesh Minister KS Jawahar told ANI. The TDP unanimously took the decision during a teleconference with party supremo and Andhra Pradesh chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu this morning. The TDP had earlier pulled its ministers out of the union cabinet. After deciding to pull out, the TDP would now support the no-confidence motion by the YSR Congress against the Narendra Modi government. Letter of TDP MP Thota Narasimhan to Lok Sabha Secretary-General for moving motion on 'No-Confidence in the Council of Ministers' in the House. pic.twitter.com/Zwg5qge3Sw ANI (@ANI) March 16, 2018 "TDP withdrew support from NDA, which did injustice to AP, TDP President Chandrababu Naidu took this decision in an emergency teleconference with party politburo members and MPs, which was unanimously supported. TDP to also introduce no-confidence motion against NDA government," ANI quoted Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister's Office as saying in a statement. [TDP decides to exit NDA] According to reports, the sudden outburst of popular Telugu actor-turned-Jana Sena Party chief Pawan Kalyan at a public meeting in Guntur on Wednesday night, where he targeted the TDP and the YSR Congress, is understood to have made Naidu shift even further from NDA. In his teleconference with party MPs on Thursday morning, Naidu said he suspected that the top BJP leadership could be behind the actor's aggressive attack on the TDP government. OneIndia News Afghan hostage makes dramatic escape, kills 7 Taliban men as they were praying International oi-Vicky Nanjappa An Afghan man who was taken hostage by the Taliban made a dramatic escape after stealing the gun of his captors and shooting dead seven of them. Awal Khan and a local police officer were kidnapped on Wednesday as they were driving in the eastern province of Paktika. The officer was killed and Khan was taken to a Taliban compound in the Gomal district where he was held for several hours. During afternoon prayers, Awal, who was handcuffed at the time, grabbed a weapon belonging to one of his captors and opened fire. "Awal Khan sprayed bullets on all of them, killing seven and wounding 18 others," provincial governor spokesman Mohammad Rahman Ayaz told AFP. Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid confirmed to AFP that the group had kidnapped the two men and that Awal had opened fire on the militants, killing three of them. Awal then fled in a pickup truck belonging to his kidnappers, Ayaz said. His brother, a local police commander, shared details of the incident with authorities. 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 Jr's wife Vanessa files for divorce International oi-Vikas By Vikas Donald Trump Jr. and his wife Vanessa Trump are separating as the latter filed for a divorce to formally end their 12-year marriage. Reports say that Vanessa has filed an "uncontested" divorce in a state Supreme Court which means she would not be contesting for either custody of the couple's five children or their assets. "After 12 years of marriage, we have decided to go our separate ways..We will always have tremendous respect for each other and our families. We have five beautiful children together and they remain our top priority. We ask for your privacy during this time," reports quoted the couple as saying in a statement. The White House declined to comment on the reports and referred questions to the Trump Organization. Trump Jr and Vanessa Trump married in November 2005. The two met in 2003 when Donald Trump introduced them at a fashion show. Vanessa Trump was in the news earlier this year after she opened a letter for her husband containing an unidentified white powder and was briefly hospitalized as a precaution, but the substance turned out to be nonhazardous. Trump Jr. was born on December 31, 1977, in Manhattan, New York City, to Ivana and Donald Trump. He has two younger siblings, Ivanka and Eric. Trump Jr, son of US President Donald Trump, was recently in India to inaugurate 'Tower B' of Trump Towers in Pune. OneIndia News Since 2000, the one who won Florida has gone on to become US President Coronavirus: Florida breaks record, cases jump 50% with more than 21,000 new infections At least four dead in Florida university bridge collapse International oi-Vicky Nanjappa A newly installed 950-ton pedestrian bridge collapsed on the Florida International University campus on Thursday, killing four people. Florida's Governor, Rick Scott in a tweet said that he spoke with the Miami-Dade County Police Chief and will constantly monitor the situation. He also confirmed that he has left for the university and the local law enforcement along with the university officials will brief him about the incident. Videos shared across social media platforms show at least five to six vehicles trapped underneath it. The live television reports show the injured being loaded onto the ambulances. The university issued a statement saying rescue efforts were still underway. "We are shocked and saddened about the tragic events unfolding at the FIU-Sweetwater pedestrian bridge," said a university spokesperson. OneIndia News